Shooting down multiple fighters in real combat: The rise of China's J-10 fighter jets People's Daily Online) 18:31, May 30, 2025 China's independently developed J-10CE fighter jets, exported by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, have achieved their first real combat success. The jets, operated by a foreign air force, shot down multiple fighter jets in combats without suffering losses, China Media Group announced May 17, 2025. At the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in Malaysia, which opened on May 20, 2025, the J-10CE model drew frequent visits from military and political delegations representing more than 20 countries in a single day. The development of the J-10 series was a journey from nothing to self-reliance, embodying the Chinese nation's spirit of unremitting self-improvement. It stands as a remarkable achievement, forged by generations of Chinese aviation professionals with their youth, dedication, ingenuity and even their lives. Today, People's Daily devoted a full page to a special report detailing the development of the J-10 fighter jet. Read the full Chinese report: 10 (Web editor: Du Mingming, Wu Chengliang) China reports 10.8 pct increase in inter-regional trips during Dragon Boat Festival Xinhua) 09:04, June 02, 2025 An aerial drone photo taken on May 31, 2025 shows locals compete in a dragon boat race in Qidong County of Hengyang City, central China's Hunan Province. The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday to commemorate ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan from the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.). Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, the festival falls on May 31 this year. (Photo by Cao Zhengping/Xinhua) BEIJING, June 1 (Xinhua) -- China reported a year-on-year increase of 10.8 percent in inter-regional trips during the Dragon Boat Festival, official data showed on Sunday. More than 230.97 million inter-regional trips were made on Saturday, the first day of the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, the Ministry of Transport said. Road traffic accounted for the lion's share of these trips, with about 209.99 million trips made by road, an increase of 11.3 percent year on year. Railway passenger trips totaled nearly 18.12 million, up 5 percent year on year, while the waterway passenger volume came in at 959,000, surging 21.3 percent year on year. Airlines handled 1.911 million passenger trips, remaining flat compared to the same period last year. The Dragon Boat Festival -- also known as the Duanwu Festival -- falls on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, it was celebrated on May 31, and the holiday continues from May 31 to June 2. Children try their hands at making zongzi, a traditional Chinese food to mark the Dragon Boat Festival, at a nature education base in Xiaochang Township of Zunhua City, north China's Hebei Province, on May 30, 2025. The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday to commemorate ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan from the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.). Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, the festival falls on May 31 this year. (Photo by Liu Mancang/Xinhua) International students learn to make zongzi, a traditional Chinese food to mark the Dragon Boat Festival, at University of Electronic Science and Technology of China in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on May 30, 2025. The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday to commemorate ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan from the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.). Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, the festival falls on May 31 this year. (Photo by Li Xiangyu/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Amid disputed reports of Israeli forces firing on civilians near a new privatised aid distribution point in southern Gaza, the head of the Palestine refugee agency, UNRWA, said on Sunday that lifting the months-long aid blockade of the enclave is the only way to avoid mass starvation Country United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of 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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 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: CC0 Public Domain Free access to information online is a vital component of democratic societies. However, something that is taken for granted in this country is by no means possible everywhere. Given this, in a recent study, researchers at Paderborn University and the Technology Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi have demonstrated how internet censorship can be circumvented by making targeted modifications to the encryption protocols. The aim is to facilitate access to blocked websites and provide approaches for future technologies. This is focusing in particular on well-known censorship systems such as the "Great Firewall" of China or censorship in Iran. In addition, the authors advocate developing the field of "censorship research." Their findings are of practical benefit, as well as providing valuable insights into science and scholarship. In mid-May, the team's work was recognized with an award at the IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy conference in San Francisco. Mechanisms to ensure a freer internet The researchers have developed an open-source tool in the form of a censor scanner that encrypts web requests in such a way that censorship systems either cannot detect them or cannot block them. The team also tested which techniques bypass these systems, while also ensuring that the web requests would be understood by actual websites. This is crucial in order to be able to successfully display blocked pages. A key example that researchers have examined carefully is a mechanism within the TLS (Transport Layer Security) service. Under normal circumstances, this protocol ensures that internet connections are securely encrypted. Nevertheless, it can be blocked. "As TLS is used by millions across the world, it is a popular target for censors. They can analyze the protocol to block undesired websites. This is possible because the very first TLS message transmitted is sent unencrypted and reveals the name of the website to which the user is trying to connect. This means that censors can look at the start of TLS connections and halt them where required," explains Professor Juraj Somorovsky, head of the System Security research group at Paderborn's Department of Computer Science. According to the team, one of the most successful ways of circumventing censorship is what is known as TLS fragmentation. "This means that the first TLS inquiry containing the name of the target website is fragmented into small parts that censorship systems struggle to analyze," explains lead author Niklas Niere, also from Paderborn University. Other tricks involve changing or disguising details of the target website. Another method removes certain information entirely from web requests. All of the solutions identified have one thing in common: They are effective against censorship systems while also being accepted by internet servers. This means that requests will be successfully answered even if these tricks are used. Important worldwide The researchers' results are a ray of hope for people under repressive regimes who have no free access to the internet. In the future, they may aid practical technologies that help people all over the world circumvent blocks. At the same time, the researchers emphasize that censors are also continually further developing their techniques. For example, their study demonstrates that China's "Great Firewall" is made up of three different systems that need to be outwitted in order to successfully circumvent censorship. While encryption and security mechanisms across the world are being improved, freedom online is a race between technical progress and state control. This study serves as the basis for future academic work, as well as providing a guideline for developing tools that promote free access to the internet. Provided by Universitat Paderborn 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: Patented PARU safety technology generates visible light curtains around the area where the robot is working. Credit: Fraunhofer IFF Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF have developed cognitive robot capabilities that can handle complex tasks in manufacturing that were previously impossible to automate. In addition, they are also unveiling PARU and computer-aided safety (CAS), the first safety technologies and planning tools for close human-machine collaboration that can also ensure safety in AI-generated robot movements. The researchers will be demonstrating what cognitive robotics can do and how dynamic workspace monitoring works at automatica 2025 in Munich from June 24 to 27, 2025 (Hall A4, Booth 319). Researchers at Fraunhofer IFF are harnessing new AI-based solutions to give robots the cognitive abilities they need to operate autonomously in unstructured, changing environments and to automate complex processes such as assembly and disassembly in industrial environments or handling objects in health care settings. Projection-based and camera-based safety technologies allow robots with AI-based motion control to respond reliably to changes, adapt to new tasks and operate an application securely. This opens up a broad range of new fields of application that were previously closed off to conventional robotics, which is limited to specific, narrowly defined tasks. "Cognitive robots can learn from experience, make independent decisions and adapt to various scenarios. For pick-and-place tasks involving picking up components and placing them where they need to go, a cognitive robot no longer needs to learn what the individual workpieces look like before it can grab them. "Instead, it uses a camera to register the object's size, shape, texture and condition and adjusts its behavior accordingly. In the process, it can handle different environmental conditions and even different packaging materials," says Magnus Hanses, head of the Cognitive Robotics group at Fraunhofer IFF. Using simulation to train AI models The experts use simulated environments to train the AI models used. For example, they simulate assembly and disassembly processes such as removing a motherboard from a computer. Any number of virtual robots can work in digital space at the same time and at a much faster pace without any safety concerns. There are many advantages to learning in the digital simulation, but it also has one vulnerability. The virtual learning environment is never 100% the same as the real world. The challenge for the researchers is to close this reality gap, also known as the Sim2Real gap, as much as possible. There are two possible approaches here. The simulation can either be designed to be as realistic as possible, or it can encompass the widest possible range of real-world versions, so the neural network used for the AI learns to generalize and find its way around unfamiliar environments. One way the researchers are achieving this is through domain randomization. This approach allows them to create a large number of simulated environments with random properties and train a model that works in all of them. "There are many different parameters, such as lighting, that affect the simulation. We can change this set of parameters during the training. The robot doesn't learn to solve the exact simulation. Instead, it comes to understand the abstract concept behind it. The reality becomes just another version of a simulation for the AI, if you will," Hanses explains. PARUunique, patented speed and separation monitoring But the field of cognitive robotics is still facing another challenge: Right now, there is no way to ensure the safety of AI-generated robot movements in line with safety standards. For AI-based robots to be able to interact with humans in a safe environment, the researchers at Fraunhofer IFF have developed PARU, a patented new technology for monitoring workspaces. PARU uses advanced projector and camera technology to project visible warning and protective fields directly around the machine and recognize when people enter the safety zones. "After the projector and the two cameras are calibrated, virtual expectation images are generated as the first step. Then the projector projects a visible light curtain around the robot and the component that is to be picked up in accordance with the distance formula set out in the relevant standard, ISO/TS 15066. This light curtain acts as a safety line, visualizing for employees the protective space that humans must keep clear," explains Norbert Elkmann, head of the Robotic Systems department at Fraunhofer IFF. "If any part of a worker's body comes into contact with the line, the line is interrupted. The cameras recognize that there is a discrepancy between what they expect to see and the real-world image. Depending on the situation, the robot halts is movement right away or slows its speed." Visible safety lines foster trust The safety areas are adjusted dynamically to the machine's movements, as PARU always considers the robot's current statusmaking it ideal for use in cognitive robotics. "Our technology is unique. No other system allows for a smaller distance between humans and robots while observing the specifications set by the applicable standards and also needing so little space. This is possible because the cameras and sensors recognize not only torsos, arms, and heads, but even fingers," Elkmann says. Another advantage is that the projection can also show the worker where the robot will be moving as its next step, further enhancing trust in working with machines. The additionally coded visible safety lines work independently of ambient lighting angles and conditions. If the cameras or projectors stop working, the entire system is automatically switched off. CAS: Intelligent software solutions for adaptive robot systems Also at automatica 2025, Fraunhofer IFF will be presenting computer-aided safety (CAS), a package of digital safety solutions that make human-robot collaboration (HRC) applications efficient, cost-effective and safe. Product-ready software modules are available for efficient calculation of safe distances and speeds. Digital assistants support the risk assessment and safety approval processes and make it easier for new entrants in particular to comply accurately and efficiently with the full range of obligations under the EU's Machinery Directive. Unlike the collision measurement feature, the safety approval tool works entirely digitally. It takes parameters such as collision force and pain threshold into account to determine the robot's maximum permitted speed. The modules can optionally be incorporated into any kind of robot controls or existing simulation environments for planning purposes to precisely align economic specifications with applicable safety requirements. This prevents planning errors and saves on engineering costs. CAS was devised based on data collected from years' worth of unique tests with subjects, which have yielded new threshold limits and other key biomechanical indicators for safe HRC. Collision and clamping loads set on a specially-designed pendulum were used to identify the pain threshold through tests of more than 100 human subjects. The ethics committee and the Department of Trauma Surgery at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg supported Fraunhofer IFF during the studies. The researchers from Fraunhofer IFF will be showcasing how their AI-controlled robots, the new PARU safety technology and the CAS software modules work in practice (including working together) at the joint Fraunhofer booth in Hall A4 at the automatica trade show from June 24 to 27, 2025. 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: cottonbro studio from Pexels The federal judge who will decide how to limit Google's monopoly in search is considering its advantages in artificial intelligence too, and aiming to limit harm to the other players in the market with any resolution. On Friday in the U.S. District Court in Washington, attorneys for Alphabet Inc.'s Google and the Justice Department answered Judge Amit Mehta's final questions in the government's monopoly case against the search giant. It will be up to Mehta to decide whether to break up the company and reshape the internet or impose more limited penalties. Mehta's first questions to the government focused on whether curbing Google's position in generative AI was a fitting way to address the company's dominance in search. He also mulled the possibility of Google being forced to share key data with rivals and banning it from paying to make its search engine the default on other devices. "Does the government believe that there is a market for a new search engine to emerge as we think of it today?" he asked. "Do you think somebody is going to come off the sidelines and build a new general search engine in light of what we are now seeing happen in the AI space?" "The short answer is yes, your honor," Justice Department lawyer David Dahlquist responded. "We do believe that these remedies that will be proposed will allow that opportunity to occur. The reason we are so focused on gen AI, and the reason you heard a lot of evidence about it, is because that is the new search access point." The questions focused on the Justice Department's proposal for forward-looking, long-term measures to resolve Google's conduct in the market, which Mehta ruled last year was an illegal monopoly of the online search market. Antitrust regulators have argued that Google's dominance in traditional search could extend to generative AI, which is becoming a key gateway for how users access information online. Exclusive agreements Central to the case are agreements with Apple Inc. and others in which Google pays billions of dollars annually to be the default search engine on the iPhone maker's devices. The DOJ is seeking a bar on those payments, which would also apply to Google's artificial intelligence products, including its flagship AI model, Gemini. Google's counterproposal would still allow for the company to split revenue with competing browsers. The company's lawyers have said that banning Google from competing for search distribution contracts only serves to help large rivals like Microsoft at the expense of consumers, browser companies and device makers. Mehta told the DOJ that if he were to cut off Google's payments to Apple, Mozilla and others to distribute its search engine, it would cause widespread market harm. "Every single distribution partner said, 'This would harm us.' Some have gone so far to suggest this would put them out of business," Mehta said. "Is that an acceptable outcome, to fix one market and harm others?" he asked, referring to the browser and device maker industries. "That's a fair question," Dahlquist replied. But "that is asking the court to put private interests ahead of the public interest." He added that the government does not "dispute the possibility of some private impact." Mehta asked if it would work to create any exceptions to the payment ban, a possibility Dahlquist rejected, saying that even Apple's Eddy Cue wasn't fully opposed to the government's proposals. Apple stands to lose tens of billions of dollars in annual payments from Google if the DOJ's proposals are to be adopted and revenue sharing is paused for the next 10 years. "I think you're right that Mr. Cue wants more choice and he may be willing to be paid less money" for more choice, Mehta responded. "I just don't know whether he wants to live in a world where he can't get paid anything for no choice." The company's lead lawyer, John Schmidtlein, objected to any payment ban. "Banning the payments here would not be addressing the unlawful conduct," he said. "It would not be connected to the violation in this case." Existential threat AI chatbots are already seen as an existential threat to traditional search engines, as they can address users' questions directly with AI-drafted responsesreplacing the need to present people with a long list of search results pointing across the web. Google has argued that the government's proposals are too extreme, saying they would hurt American consumers and the economy, as well as weaken U.S. technological leadership. Google argues that it is the market leader in search because of more than 20 years of innovation. It says people use its service because it is the best. Schmidtlein asserted on Friday that the court should focus on addressing the specific conduct found to be illegal, rather than imposing extensive remediesincluding on Google's generative AI productsthat he said could fundamentally restructure the market. But Mehta also appeared skeptical of the tech giant's argument for more limited remedies, indicating he is seriously considering including AI-related measures in his decision. "It seems to me that to simply say, 'look, just open up the avenues of distribution," without providing any further remedies that are forward-looking and that would allow competitors to actually be rivals here, sells the remedy portion of this short," Mehta commented. Schmidtlein countered that gen AI products are not in the relevant market for search. "There is no evidence that gen AI products have been harmed by any of the conduct issue in this case," he said. "They couldn't have been, they weren't around, right?" Perplexity, OpenAI As the trial unfolded in April and May, some representatives from AI companies told the court they are already being stymied by Google. Perplexity's Dmitry Shevelenko testified that Google's contract with Lenovo Group Ltd.'s Motorola blocked the smartphone maker from setting Perplexity as the default assistant on its new devices. Motorola "can't get out of their Google obligations and so they are unable to change the default assistant on the device," the Perplexity executive said. Representatives of two prominent AI startupsOpenAI and Perplexity AIalso testified their companies would be interested in buying Chrome if Google were forced to divest it. Much of the discussion in the first part of the day focused on what data, and how much of it Google would be forced to syndicate to rivals so they can build their own search engines. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai testified in April that the Justice Department's proposal to share search data with rivals constituted a "de facto" divestiture of the company's search engine. On Friday, Mehta told government lawyer Dahlquist that he is "not looking to kneecap Google" but to instead bolster potential competitors. "We are trying to kickstart competitors, we are not trying to put them on equal footing on day one." 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Smartphones have become "the greatest parasite of the modern age," according to new research from The Australian National University (ANU) published in the Australasian Journal of Philosophy. According to lead author Associate Professor Rachael Brown, smartphones pose unique societal risks, sucking up our time, attention and personal information, all in the interest of technology companies. "These devices have radically changed our lives," she said. "Despite their benefits, many of us are hostage to our phones, unable to fully disconnect." Associate Professor Brown said while the humansmartphone relationship may have started as one that helped us stay in touch and find useful information, it has quickly soured as smartphones have become near-indispensable. "Our phones, or more precisely, some of the apps that we use on them, have come to serve the interests of the app-making companies and their advertisers more faithfully than their human users," Associate Professor Brown said. "These apps are designed to keep us scrolling, to make us click on advertising and even trigger outrage. "The behavior of our phones frequently thwarts our expressed goals and desires in order to achieve the goals of the companies that make them. In this, users and their phones are, at least some of the time, akin to hosts and their parasites." So where to next? Associate Professor Brown said it remains to be seen whether we can restore the relationship to one that's mutually beneficial. "Evolution shows that two things are key: an ability to detect exploitation when it occurs, and the capacity to respond," she said. "In the case of the smartphone, exploitation is frequently covert and hidden from view. "It's not as straightforward as simply putting down our phoneswe've ceded various cognitive tasks to them, such as memory and navigation. "New collective strategies and interventions that limit what our parasites can legally do might be the most effective route." More information: Rachael L Brown et al, Smartphones: Parts of Our Minds? Or Parasites? Australasian Journal of Philosophy (2025). DOI: 10.1080/00048402.2025.2504070 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 Artificial intelligence is everywherewriting emails, recommending movies and even driving carsbut what about the AI you don't see? Who (or what) is behind the scenes developing the algorithms that go unnoticed? And can it be trusted? We spoke with two UC San Diego experts from the Halcoglu Data Science Institute, part of the School of Computing, Information and Data Sciences (SCIDS). We asked both experts what's next for AI, including its challenges, opportunities and natural limitations. David Danks, MA '99, Ph.D. '01, professor of data science, philosophy and policy, examines not just how AI systems are built, but how they shape society. Lily Weng, assistant professor, leads the Trustworthy Machine Learning Lab, which ensures AI systems are robust, reliable, explainable and worthy of our trust. How would you define AI at its most fundamental level? Danks: AI is any system that replaces, enhances or augments human cognitive labor. Much like machines replaced physical labor, AI assists or improves our thinking tasks. While others may focus on the technical aspects, I emphasize a human-centered viewwhat AI enables us to do. Weng: You can think of it as a system that works differently from humans but is designed with the goal of assisting us. While making AI smarter or more efficient is part of the process, its purpose is to benefit humanity. As more people are adopting AI in their daily lives, what do you find most surprising? Danks: For me, it's people's willingness to experiment and play with these systems. People seem very willing to spend their time and energy trying out the systems. Yet, experimentation does not often translate into continued use or trusting the system. And that's important because we probably shouldn't trust many of these systems right now. It has surprised me that in a society where so many people act as though they are very technology-averse and don't like technology, they're nonetheless very willing to experiment and interact with AI systems, at least when the stakes are low. Where does 'responsible AI' fit in? Weng: We want AI to be responsible and trusted by users and developers. For example, you want AI to tell you what it does and how it makes a decision. Then, we can monitor or audit whether there are biases or potential concerns when it reaches the decisions. We also want AI to be robustyou don't want it to be sensitive to outside noise or an adversary that tries to manipulate it. We want AI to follow certain principles that we expect it to have. The field of AI is changing so quickly; what should we be thinking about? What are you thinking about? Weng: An issue that my lab has focused on is the opacity of AI. For example, the architecture of a deep-learning-based system is very complicated. So, although it has been tested and works well, there are many scenarios that can happen and many unexpected errors. My lab is working to ensure that an AI system is interpretable, and if it's not, how we can make it more explainable. Danks: I spend a fair amount of time thinking about all of the uses of AI that aren't obvious. When I go to ChatGPT, I know I'm using AI. But when I drive my carwhich these days is like a computer on wheelsI don't know how much AI has been put in there by the car manufacturer. I don't know to what extent they are using AI to control the engine or for surveillance purposesperhaps they are selling my data to an insurance company. So, while it's great when AI can happen behind the scenes and make everything better, it also raises opportunities for additional risks where we will not have the appropriate recourse, particularly if we don't even know that a harm has occurred. We need transparency about whether AI is being used, and we need transparency about what the AI is doing when it's being used. How will the newest school at UC San Diego, SCIDS, address some of the issues and questions you have presented? Danks: I think the school creates enormous opportunities for us as researchers and educators because it starts to break down the silos between the fundamental and experimental research that occurs at the Halcoglu Data Science Institute and the enterprise-grade commercial-level software deployments that are possible through the San Diego Supercomputer Center. I think the school has the opportunity to see research go all the way from the lab to commercial and societal impact. And this creates not only opportunities, but also new obligations for us to do this responsibly and ethically and to show that responsible AI is not an oxymoron. What is something that AI could never replace? Danks: Any job tasks that require some sort of emotional or empathetic connection with another human being will be very hard. AI systems can simulate an empathetic connection, but building that long-term connection is something the systems will struggle with a lot. Another area where AI systems will continue to struggle is dealing with situations where it's not entirely clear what success means. These systems are built to optimize solutions to problems where we know what success is, but there are times when we don't know what actually counts as success, and we figure it out by muddling through our lives. What is exciting for you about the future of AI? Weng: I'm very excited about the potential of AI in health care. For instance, how can we provide a higher quality of health care with the assistance of AI? But a major bottleneck is trustworthiness, as health care applications carry significantly higher risks and require stringent safety measures. They have a much higher standard than, say, a chatbot or the tools we use daily. That's why a trustworthy diagnosis becomes very important, especially when it comes to interpretabilitywe need to ensure the AI-driven decisions are transparent and reliable. I'm excited about the research in my lab and the work of my HDSI colleagues as we strive to develop AI systems that people can trust. Any final thoughts on AI for our readers? Danks: There is sometimes a temptation to think of AI as a hurricane that's just bearing down on us: It's going to transform our lives, maybe even wreck our lives, and there's nothing we can do about it. But I think that's the wrong way to think about technology because AI is built by us. AI is a future that we are building right now. We should view it as an opportunity rather than something we have no idea whether we will make it through. 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The technology complex project marks a strategic turning point for CMC in terms of investment scale and long-term development orientation and is hailed as a key part of the country's push for innovation and digital transformation. The groundbreaking ceremony for CMC Corporation's Hanoi CMC Creative Space (CCS Hanoi) project, June 2, 2025. Photo courtesy of the government's news portal. The project, developed by CMC Technology & Solution on a site of 11,000 sqm, will feature 23 floors above ground and three basements, with a total floor space exceeding 90,000 sqm. Following the success of CMCs first creative space in Ho Chi Minh City - CCS Tan Thuan, this is the second facility in the chain of Creative Spaces branded CCS. While CCS Tan Thuan acts as a data infrastructure center, CCS Hanoi is oriented to become an open AI center (C.OpenAI). CCS Hanoi aims to house a comprehensive tech ecosystem, including a state-of-the-art data center, research and development space, a human resource training area, and a startup incubation zone, employing over 5,000 engineers. At the heart of the complex is CMC Data Center, designed to deploy cutting-edge technologies in AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, big data, and next-generation networks. The C.OpenAI ecosystem will also integrate 25 core technologies developed by CMC. In his address at the event, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh praised the project as a testament to the private sectors role in advancing Vietnams technological ambitions, aligning with the Partys policy of making breakthroughs in sci-tech, innovation, and digital transformation. With Vietnam targeting at least 8% economic growth in 2025 and double-digit expansion thereafter, the Prime Minister called for national unity to drive prosperity and safeguard the country's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He urged CMC to lead in sci-tech, innovation and digital transformation, inspiring other businesses, educational establishments, and research centers, particularly young people, to contribute to Vietnams rapid and sustainable development. He expressed his hope that CMC would grow into a major multinational corporation integrated into global value chains while prioritizing social welfare and equitable access to technology, especially for remote and vulnerable communities. Nguyen Trung Chinh, chairman of CMC Corporation, said that CMC aims to achieve revenue of $1 billion by 2028, have 10,000 employees, be present in 30 countries, and achieve an average annual growth rate of 20%. CCS Hanoi is a core part of the infrastructure serving the strategy of going global, as well as a space to deploy strategic cooperation with giants including Nvidia, Microsoft, Samsung, Google, and AWS, he highlighted. Chinh noted that the biggest difference of CCS Hanoi is not in the design or height of the building, but in the goal it serves: Creating an open, multi-layered creative space where R&D groups, startups, universities, and technology enterprises can interact, share data, develop ideas, and commercialize technology products. With a strategic vision, CMC positions itself as one of the leading large technology enterprises in the country, aiming to be one of Vietnam's five digital technology enterprises on par with those in advanced countries according to the target by 2030 of the Poliburo's Resolution 57-NQ/TW and one of 20 large enterprises participating in the global value chain according to the Poliburo's Resolution 68-NQ/TW. Singapore, France to expand cooperation in civil nuclear energy, defence technology, AI research By Vietnam News Agency Mon, June 2, 2025 | 10:47 pm GMT+7 Singapore and France have upgraded their Strategic Partnership signed in 2012 to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), marking Singapore's first CSP with a European country. Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (right) and French President Emmanuel Macron witness the exchange of 13 agreements at a ceremony in Parliament House on May 30, 2025. Photo courtesy of The Straits Times. Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and French President Emmanuel Macron witnessed the exchange of 13 agreements at a ceremony in Singapore's Parliament House on May 30 - the second day of a state visit by the French leader. At a joint press conference following the exchange, the two leaders announced that France and Singapore would expand cooperation in areas such as civil nuclear energy, intelligence sharing and defence technology, artificial intelligence (AI) research, security, and deeper collaboration in the air and maritime domains under the newly established bilateral partnership framework. PM Wong said that in an uncertain world, it is vital for like-minded countries such as France and Singapore to work together, particularly as both sides expand collaboration in new areas such as decarbonization and digitalization. In response, President Macron affirmed that France and Singapore share many common perspectives, and the CSP reflects the deep trust between the two nations. He expressed his hope that the two sides would cooperate even more effectively in the business sector. Macron arrived in Singapore on May 29 and delivered a keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue on May 30. Termination of feed-in-tariff mechanism a major bottleneck in Vietnams electricity transition: expert By Lan Do Mon, June 2, 2025 | 4:56 pm GMT+7 A major bottleneck in Vietnams electricity transition has been the termination of the feed-in-tariff (FIT) mechanism in 2021, with no suitable replacement mechanism in place, according to the director of Hanoi-based Institute of Energy Technology. Projects on hold as power purchase agreements not signed Associate Prof. Dr. Dang Tran Tho, head of the institute at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, identified one of the most urgent challenges in Vietnams clean energy transition: an incomplete and unstable policy framework. He made the argument at the Energy Transition Solutions Toward Net Zero seminar held Friday in Hanoi, organized by Lao Dong (Labor) newspaper in coordination with the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Associate professor Dr. Dang Tran Tho, director of the Institute of Energy Technology at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, speaks at the Energy Transition Solutions Toward Net Zero seminar held on May 31, 2025 in Hanoi, Photo courtesy of Lao Dong (Labor) newspaper. Although the country has adopted the adjusted Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8) and pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, Tho emphasized that Vietnam still lacks critical legal foundations such as a Renewable Energy Law or Energy Transition Law. This legal gap has resulted in fragmented and inconsistent policy enforcement, along with poor coordination between central and local governments, he noted. A key setback has been the discontinuation of the FIT mechanism in 2021 without a suitable alternative. Consequently, over 4,000 megawatts (MW) of completed solar and wind power projects is yet to be able to secure power purchase agreements (PPAs), or they have had to reduce output due to limitations in grid integration. The absence of a transitional pricing mechanism has left tens of gigawatts in project capacity stalled, causing significant waste of social resources. According to Tho, coal-fired power still made up about 45% of Vietnams electricity generation in 2023, posing a serious challenge to the nations emissions reduction targets. In contrast, alternative energy sources such as LNG, pumped-storage hydropower, and biomass energy remain in the preparation stages or are yet to have sufficient scales. He also pointed out that advanced energy models - such as demand response systems, digitalized power grids, and rooftop solar in industrial zones - are still mostly in the pilot phase. Additionally, a competitive retail electricity market has not yet taken shape, and the direct power purchase agreement (DPPA) mechanism is yet to be widely deployed, limiting the flexibility in clean energy distribution. Implementing many solutions for progress On the topic of renewable energy sales, Tran Dang Khoa, a representative from the electricity market department at Vietnam Electricity (EVN), explained that EVN is currently the countrys sole electricity buyer; as a result, all contracts must adhere to standardized formats and pricing set by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Khoa noted that following the expiration of the FIT mechanisms - solar on December 31, 2020, and wind on October 31, 2021 - no new pricing framework has been introduced. The ministry is still in the process of evaluating and issuing updated policies. Doan Ngoc Duong, deputy director of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, underscored the need to implement a range of measures to meet the adjusted PDP8 targets and move toward net-zero emissions by 2050. A top priority, according to Duong, is fostering a transparent, investment-friendly environment and eliminating bureaucratic hurdles that hinder energy project development. He also stressed that no energy transition can succeed without a smart grid. Vietnam will require approximately $18.1 billion in investment for grid infrastructure from 2026 to 2030 to support increased capacity and regional connectivity through advanced technology. Duong called for urgent investment in critical transmission lines and the modernization of Vietnams power grid through smart digital technologies. You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. 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That is how Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal described the official visit by Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week. Modi concluded an official visit to T&T on Friday, marked by a series of bilateral agreements and symbolic ceremonies. During a packed itinerary that Moonilal described as a whirlwind, hectic but extremely productive visit, both nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) encompassing six key agreements. TOBAGO has lost one of its most gifted daughters. That is the sentiment shared by many as tributes poured in following the passing of 2007 Digicel Rising Stars champion and vocalist Kay Alleyne-Meloney, who died after a battle with breast cancer. The Bon Accord-born artiste, who was in her 40s, and known for her versatility and passion, passed away at 2 a.m. yesterday, a close friend confirmed to the Express. Her musical talent spanned several genres, including gospel, jazz and R&B. In 2007, the red party won the election with approximately 300,000 votes whilst the yellow party had 195,000 and the third party got 148,000. In 2010 the yellow party won back the election with 317,000 votes with the red party at 287,000, a difference of approximately 30,000. The third party took 102,000. In 2015 the red party won back the election with 378,000 and the yellow 290,000, a much larger difference of 88,000. In 2020 the red party won again with 322,000 and the yellow with 310,000, a much smaller difference being 12,000, lower than even the 2010 difference. In 2025, the yellow party won with 335,000 against the red party being 224,000, an approximate difference of 111,000, the largest margin over the past 20 years. And do tell them that Debbie from Send A Kid to Camp told you to call. If you are age 70 or older and have savings in an IRA, you may be able to give directly from your IRA and save even more on your federal and Arizona taxes. If your custodian sends a payment directly from your IRA to the Arizona Daily Star Sportsmens Fund, you may be able to deduct it as a Qualifying Charitable Distribution on your tax return even if you claim the standard deduction. Consult your tax adviser for more information about how this applies to you. Why we give As retired career educators from Minnesota, we understand the value of providing children with a variety of activities and opportunities. Camp is fun, as well as a learning experience. Jan attended Girl Scout camps throughout her youth. Those experiences helped her develop an appreciation and understanding of nature and the environment, and helped to develop personal resolve, independent living skills, as well as teamwork. We both have graduate degrees in special education, so know how wonderful it is to provide camping experiences for handicapped youth. Thank you for helping provide these opportunities to area youth! Al and Jan McClellan 0/5 Media Watch: June 2 This week Linton Besser looks at Dubai rolling out the red carpet for Karl and Sarah on Today. Filed under Programming Tonight on Media Watch hosted by Linton Besser. Live from censorship central, it was Dubai week on Nines Today show. A front page story about a transgender child at a sports carnival filled with errors. Plus why a controversial ABC Gaza interview was taken offline. 9:18pm tonight on ABC. Share X WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Email BlueSky Wednesday S2: sneak peek (and a Gaga performance) First 6 minutes of S2 were released at fan event, with Lady Gaga performing "Zombieboy," "Bloody Mary," and "Abracadabra. The first six minutes of Wednesday Season 2s premiere episode, Here We Woe Again, were unveiled at Netflix TUDUM 2025: The Live Event. After mastering her psychic powers, Wednesday (Jenna Ortega) has been pursuing an obsession shes had since childhood: apprehending the Kansas City Scalper, Americas most elusive serial killer. In a flashback sequence, we see 6-year-old Wednesday traumatizing her classmates with a vivid presentation of the cold cases most gruesome details. Part 1 is coming on August 6th. Part 2 is coming on September 3rd. Horror themes At the end of the TUDUM event, Lady Gaga took to the stage, with a medley of her songs including Zombieboy, Bloody Mary, and Abracadabra. It was also confirmed that Lady Gaga will be guest starring in Part 2 of Season 2, playing the mysterious and enigmatic Rosaline Rotwood, a legendary Nevermore teacher who crosses paths with Wednesday. HA NOI The capital city of Ha Noi tops the list of desired destinations for travellers during National Day on September 2nd. Agoda's latest data reveals a significant surge of 4,418 per cent in accommodation searches for Ha Noi compared to the previous year, making it the most sought-after domestic destination for the long weekend. Travellers are preparing to experience the national parade, fireworks, and festivities, Agoda said. In addition to Ha Noi, other popular destinations include Nha Trang, a Nang, a Lat and Vung Tau. Vietnamese travellers are showing a remarkable increase in holiday travels this year for National Day. Compared to the same period in 2024, overall travel searches are up 104 per cent. Domestic travel surged by 135 per cent and international travel grew by 72 per cent. For those venturing abroad, Bangkok, Singapore, and Seoul top the list, followed by Bali and Kuala Lumpur. The referenced accommodation searches were made between April 1 to May 20, 2025 for check-ins between August 30 to September 3, 2025, compared to the same timeframe in 2024. This year, the National Day holiday falls on Monday and Tuesday, providing a total of four days off with the addition of the weekend (Saturday and Sunday). Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh approved the proposal from the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids, and Social Affairs (now the Ministry of Home Affairs) to extend the National Day holiday to four days, from August 30th to September 2nd, in 2025. From 2022 to 2024, the number of tourists visiting Ha Noi during the National Day holiday increased by an average of 28.3 per cent per year, with international tourists growing by 62.5 per cent annually and domestic tourists by 26.1 per cent per year. This year, the influx of visitors to Ha Noi for National Day is expected to be substantial as various activities are planned to mark the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (1945-2025). The Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security have been assigned to co-ordinate relevant agencies to prepare for a grand military parade commemorating the occasion. Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Nghia, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, directed the Military Training Department to draft a directive on organising and training the armed forces for the event, based on previous formations used during the 50th anniversary of Southern Liberation and National Reunification. The plan includes 11 stationary formations and 27 marching contingents. To attract tourists, the tourism industry in Ha Noi will develop and introduce many new tourism product groups. VNS HA NOI It is time to fundamentally change the gold market structure through eliminating the monopoly and building a gold trading exchange to effectively manage the market, experts said. Many experts believe that in order to sustainably stabilise the domestic gold market, it is necessary to realise the requirement of eliminating the monopoly of gold bars, as directed recently by the General Secretary To Lam. Only when more businesses are allowed to participate in the production and import of gold bars legally and transparently, can the market achieve a state of healthy competition, bringing domestic gold prices closer to world prices. Talking about the goal of narrowing the gap between domestic and world gold prices, Vice President of the Vietnam Gold Business Association Nguyen The Hung said that this depends entirely on actual supply and demand in the market. In principle, when demand exceeds supply, prices will increase, and gold is no exception. If the local gold supply is supplemented, domestic gold prices will decrease. According to Hung, a major bottleneck at present are the activities of gold jewellery manufacturing enterprises. Although Decree 24/2012 allows the import of raw gold, gold manufacturing and trading enterprises have not been granted import quotas for more than ten years. As a result, they have to buy gold on the market unofficially at high prices with unknown origin. It means the ultimate risk will be pushed to consumers because they will have to buy gold at prices much higher than the world price. Another bottleneck of the gold market is the 1 per cent export tax currently applied to jewellery. Vietnamese businesses import raw gold at global prices but are taxed when exporting, making the cost even higher. Therefore, they cannot compete against their foreign rivals. Meanwhile, they also have to bear a series of additional costs such as labour, machinery and depreciation. Hung believes if the export tax is removed and the supply of raw gold is ensured, it will create a strong driver for jewellery gold exports, attracting foreign currency revenues into the country. According to deputy Tran Anh Tuan of the National Assembly delegation of HCM City, if the Government shifts to market-based management and create conditions for qualified enterprises to participate in the production, trading and distribution of gold as a normal commodity, the gap between domestic and global gold prices will be narrowed. It is necessary to open the door to qualified enterprises. If they have a licence, they should be allowed to import according to their actual capacity. When supply increases sharply, the market will have more options. At that time, domestic gold prices will gradually approach world prices, which will contribute to stabilising gold price and limiting gold smuggling across the border, Tuan said. Tuan added that it is necessary to gradually remove barriers for domestic gold bar production. The current mechanism of designating a few enterprises to exclusively produce gold bars should not continue, but it should be expanded to all companies which meet the conditions. According to Tuan, the State still maintains a controlling role through general regulations and a strict monitoring technology system from input to output. However, besides the control, it is also necessary to create conditions for gold bars to circulate as a normal commodity in the market. When the supply is abundant and the market operates smoothly, measures of price control, speculation restriction and macro-economic stability will prove to be much more effective. BIZHUB/VNS HA NOI Vinh Hoan Corporation, Viet Nam's largest exporter of pangasius, has reported a notable decline in revenue from the US market, which has historically been a significant source of income for the company. In April, Vinh Hoan recorded total revenue of VN1 trillion (US$39 million), down 7 per cent from last year. While domestic sales showed a slight increase of 1 per cent, reaching VN285 billion, the firm's export markets particularly the US experienced a downturn. The US accounted for 36 per cent of the company's total revenue, generating VN371 billion but this figure represents a 10 per cent decline from April 2024. Revenues from Europe and China also fell, with decreases of 11 per cent and 19 per cent, respectively. In 2024, the US market delivered the highest revenue for Vinh Hoan, contributing more than VN3.9 trillion, which was 31.4 per cent of total revenue and marked a 33 per cent increase from the previous year. However, in the first three months of 2025, domestic revenue surpassed that from the US, totalling VN817 billion compared to VN686 billion from American sales. The decline in exports is attributed to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding US tariff policies under the administration of President Donald Trump. Although current high tariffs have been postponed pending negotiations, this situation has provided Vietnamese exporters with additional time to navigate market challenges. CEO of Vinh Hoan Nguyen Ngo Vi Tam expressed cautious optimism regarding the pangasius export market, highlighting the company's preparation to manage the impact of potential tariffs on profitability. She noted that Vinh Hoan has developed conservative forecasts to alleviate investor concerns, maintaining confidence in its ability to meet growth targets. The company anticipates a growth rate of 9-10 per cent in pangasius exports, driven by a decrease in production of other white fish varieties. Additionally, it is expected to gain market share, especially in light of restrictions on the fishing of species such as pollock and cod. Chairwoman Truong Thi Le Khanh emphasised the need for time to assess the impact of tariffs, which could range from 10 per cent to 46 per cent. She pointed out that the burden of import duties should be managed by importers, and Vinh Hoan remains committed to the US market despite the challenges. With a 90-day deferral on tariff implementation, the company plans to leverage this period to enhance its export activities. BIZHUB/VNS HA NOI New orders continued to fall in May as US tariffs impacted demand for exports, according to the S&P Global Vietnam Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) released on Monday. PMI posted below the 50.0 no-change mark for the second consecutive month in May, but rose to 49.8 from 45.6 in April to signal a near-stabilisation of business conditions in the sector. As was the case in April, new orders decreased during May, with survey respondents linking the latest fall to tariffs and subdued market demand, the report wrote. However, greater stability around tariff policies reportedly helped to support the renewed rise in production, while capacity improvements were also mentioned. Business confidence improved in May amid more stable tariff policies. According to the Economics Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, Andrew Harker,the news around tariffs continues to play a key part in determining trends in the Vietnamese manufacturing sector. May saw a more stable picture in terms of US tariff policies than April, helping lead to a renewed expansion in output and improved business confidence. That said, manufacturers remained wary of the impact of tariffs and again saw a marked reduction in new export orders which contributed to a continued decline in new business overall, he added. Another noteworthy aspect of the latest PMI survey was a first fall in input costs for almost two years as suppliers offered discounts in a subdued demand environment, he said: "As we approach the mid-point of the year, eyes will remain on US tariff policy to see how the Vietnamese manufacturing sector will be affected." VNS HA NOI Viet Nam plans to develop two regional services hubs for renewable energy, according to a decision recently released by the Ministry of Industry and Trade to approve the plan to implement the adjusted national power development plan in 2021-30 period. Accordingly, two interregional renewable energy services centres will be established, one in the northern region and another in the South Central and Southern regions. These centres will cover equipment manufacturing, research, and training, as well as logistics and supporting services, to contribute to creating a complete value chain that enhances Viet Nams competitiveness in the renewable energy sector. Under the plan, Viet Nam needs an estimated sum of VN3.3 quadrillion (US$136 billion) for electricity generation and power grid development in the 2025-30 period. The 2031-35 period will require another VN3.1 quadrllion ($130 billion). By 2030, Viet Nam targets to reach 46,459 73,416 MW of installed solar power capacity and 6,000 MW of offshore wind power for the domestic market. By 2035, offshore wind power is expected to increase to 17,032 MW. Viet Nam also planned to increase the export of renewable energy, about 15,000 MW, mainly offshore wind. The country expects to export 5,000 10,000 MW of electricity to Singapore and Malaysia by 2035 and at least 10,000 MW by 2050. VNS Nguyen Hang HA NOI Viet Nam's energy transition presents challenges in the years ahead, but it also offers clear opportunities to establishing stable and long-term foundations for a sustainable economic future. The challenges include the need for advanced digital and AI technologies, robust energy storage systems and substantial upgrades to grid infrastructure, in order to manage the increased load from renewable energy sources. Speaking with Viet Nam News on the sidelines of a recent high-level technical seminar, Tok Kian Seng, head of Section for Offshore Infrastructure SEA & Japan, Energy Systems APAC at DNV, pointed out the challenges in the energy transition process. Many countries also face obstacles in upgrading and expanding their grid systems to accommodate more renewable energy sources while maintaining a stable balance between supply and demand, he said. Tran Hoai Trang, deputy director general of the Electricity Regulatory Authority under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that energy plays a pivotal role in laying the groundwork for Viet Nams socio-economic development. Resolution No. 55 of the Politburo on the national energy development strategy to 2030, with a vision towards 2045, said that energy supply, particularly electricity, has broadly met the demands of economic and social growth. However, the energy sector still faces considerable limitations, he said at the seminar titled 'Supporting Viet Nams Energy Transition Journey', co-organised by the Electricity Regulatory Authority and the Norwegian Embassy in Ha Noi. Ensuring national energy security remains a pressing issue, as domestic supply sources fall short and reliance on imported energy continues to rise, he said. Thus, developing renewable energy, especially wind power and solar power, is an inevitable direction, in line with the country's potential and strengths and the world's development trends. Opportunities Despite global investment in energy projects showing signs of decline, the AsiaPacific region, (including Viet Nam), is expected to maintain stable demand for large-scale energy infrastructure, said the APAC Offshore Wind Segment Lead at DNV Energy Systems, Zhang Minghui. Offshore wind power in the region is evolving. The APAC market is not just expected to overtake other markets but also evolving to keep up with the trends such as energy security, he said. In Viet Nam, the revised National Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8), approved on April 15, 2025 via Decision No. 768/Q-TTg, marks a bold turning point in the countrys energy strategy to 2050. The plan clearly outlines a shift away from coal, instead prioritising the development of renewable energy, energy storage, nuclear power and emerging fuels such as green ammonia and hydrogen. With an estimated offshore wind potential of 600GW, the highest in Southeast Asia, Viet Nam is positioning itself as a regional leader in clean energy. The plan sets ambitious targets, including 6 to 17GW of offshore wind capacity by 2035, alongside major investments in grid infrastructure and battery storage. Viet Nam is also strengthening its role in the regional supply chain, especially in manufacturing offshore substations and foundation structures. There is vast potential for offshore wind development in Viet Nam due to its long coastline and consistent wind speeds, ideal conditions for offshore wind projects, Tok added. According to Tok, digital technologies are key to the energy transition. They can significantly improve efficiency, reduce costs and minimise environmental impacts. Tools such as predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring enable strategic decision-making, while AI offers valuable insights for navigating system uncertainties. Energy companies should embrace innovation through digital transformation while managing cybersecurity risks with structured diligence frameworks like SeSAM, he said. DNV provides advisory, assurance and risk management services. We will leverage our global advantages together with local resources to tackle challenges and unlock new opportunities, in order to accelerate the progress of energy transition together. So we look forward to be the trusted partner for Viet Nam to achieve a sustainable and resilient energy of future, he said. Solutions Senior Vice President - Special Projects at DNV Energy Systems, Jeffrey Lim, pointed out five key solutions to advance the energy transition in the Asia-Pacific region. The first solution is to increase investment in renewable technologies such as solar and wind. The second solution is to scale up the deployment of energy storage systems. Another solution is to strengthen carbon credit pricing mechanisms, including carbon taxes and emissions trading schemes. Enhancing international cooperation and financial support for clean energy projects was one of the solutions, he said. The fifth solution is to develop stable, technology-neutral policies that enable fair competition among all energy sources. Meanwhile, Zhang emphasised the decisive role of collaboration, not only within regional supply chains but also through knowledge transfer and digital integration. The lessons learnt from other regions are important as well - not just about sharing of new technologies but also about embracing digitalisation, he added. Ambassador of Norway to Viet Nam, Hilde Solbakken, stressed the importance of a well-defined Government framework for innovation and research and development. In Norway, a key role of the Government in achieving the green energy transition is to provide the framework for innovation, research and development, including also some finance instruments for the private sector. But it is the private sector that will be able to find the actual solutions and implement them, and not least to make them cost-effective, she said. Trang, from the Electricity Regulatory Authority, said to firm up the Party and States policies on renewable energy development, the ministry has advised on the content of reports submitted to the Prime Minister for presentation to the National Assembly regarding the promulgation of the Law on Electricity. In November 2024, the Government and the ministry issued a number of subordinate legal documents to finalise key policies for the power and renewable energy sectors, particularly with regard to offshore wind power, paving the way for large-scale deployment of renewable energy projects in the near future. Additionally, the ministry actively coordinated with other ministries, sectors and local authorities to implement the drafting of Power Development Plan VIII. The plan prioritises the vigorous promotion of clean, green energy sources, aims to minimise environmental impact and gradually reduce the negative effects of climate change, he said. It is underpinned by a strategic vision to fully harness the nations potential and advantages in energy development, with a special emphasis on renewable energy across three core objectives of meeting domestic energy demand, facilitating the direct power purchase mechanism, and supporting electricity exports. The revised plan puts forward 11 groups of solutions, with several key measures highlighted. Firstly, it proposes the continued improvement of mechanisms and policies to establish a clear and enabling legal corridor for the implementation of power projects. Secondly, it calls for regular engagement with local authorities to support and facilitate power project developers in ensuring that implementation proceeds according to schedule. Thirdly, the plan advocates for diversifying funding sources and mobilisation channels, ranging from Government and banking finance to aid capitals. It also seeks to attract both domestic and foreign investment, encouraging broad participation across economic sectors in the energy industry. With synchronous solutions from management methods of power development and project implementation, I believe that investors will have enough legal framework to implement power projects in general, renewable energy projects in particular, contributing to the implementation of Viet Nam's Energy Development Strategy, Trang added. Det Norske Veritas (DNV) is one of the worlds largest energy consultancies, with core expertise in energy systems, maritime, offshore infrastructure, digital assurance and sustainability strategy. VNS PARIS Lang Son Geopark of Viet Nam has been officially recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark, alongside 15 others worldwide, at a special certificate presentation ceremony held in Paris on June 2. Speaking to Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondents in France, Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to UNESCO, said UNESCOs official recognition of Lang Son Geopark, located in the northern province of Lang Son, marks a significant milestone, opening up new opportunities for sustainable tourism development in the province. It also enables Lang Son to deepen its integration into the Global Geoparks Network, fostering cooperation and experience sharing in the management, conservation, and promotion of humanitys natural heritage in service of sustainable development. The diplomat further affirmed that Lang Son Global Geopark, with its outstanding geological values, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes, represents a valuable addition to UNESCOs global geoparks system. Antonio De Sousa Abreu, Director of UNESCOs Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences, said the Global Geoparks Programme aims to promote sustainable development through the combination of natural resource conservation and support for local community development. Lang Sons inclusion in the network not only helps strengthen regional identity but also encourage dialogue among scientists, policymakers, administrators, communities and, especially, the youth, who can find in the network meaningful and practical development opportunities. Expressing satisfaction with Viet Nam's proactive engagement, Kristof Vandenberghe, Chief of UNESCOs Earth Sciences and Geoparks Section, expressed his hope that Viet Nam will continue to protect heritage while respecting local traditions, whether it is geological heritage or biodiversity, and working collectively on water resource management. Established in 2015, the title of UNESCO Global Geopark recognises geological heritage of international significance. The UNESCO Global Geoparks Network currently comprises 229 geoparks across 50 countries. These sites serve local communities by preserving unique geological heritage, raising public awareness, and promoting sustainable development. Lang Son Geopark is Viet Nam's fourth site to receive the designation, following the ong Van Karst Plateau (designated in 2010), Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark (2018), and ak Nong Geopark (2020). VNA/VNS HCM CITY Most Vietnamese films today feature grand scenes to meet audience expectations and serve promotional purposes. In filmmaking, a "grand scene" typically refers to a scene designed to be visually impressive and impactful, often involving large-scale elements or elaborate sets. These grand scenes not only need to be large-scale and unique, but also demand creativity from the filmmakers. They must deliver visually striking moments that captivate viewers. If done haphazardly and without relevance to the storyline, these scenes become ineffective and a costly waste for filmmakers. In a film, the number and design of grand scenes depend on the budget, script, and genre. Horror or social-romantic films typically require fewer grand scenes, focusing only on key moments that need emphasis. However, for action or adventure films, the more grand scenes, the better. Time- and cost-consuming To create a suitable grand scene, the production team must invest significant time and effort in scouting locations, designing, and staging scenes that are both creative and engaging while ensuring safety. Director Tran Huu Tan said that in his upcoming film Duoi ay Ho (The Lake), releasing on June 6, his team produced two grand scenes. Each required two full days of preparation, followed by casting and rehearsing with both lead and background actors before filming began. Creating grand scenes is often expensive due to the large number of background actors involved, who must be compensated. Preparations must be thorough to ensure safety. The director and crew must closely monitor every detail, ensuring everything is perfectly placed. Post-production also takes considerable time and budget, as any misplaced or unscripted elements must be edited out, Tan told Nguoi Lao ong newspaper. In the Lat Mat (Face Off) film series, director Ly Hai and his team have invested heavily in grand scenes to create standout moments. In the latest installment, Lat Mat 8: Vong Tay Nang (Face Off 8: Embrace of Light), an explosion scene was captured using five cameras, three main cameras and two drones. To preserve realism, the scene was filmed live with minimal use of CGI. Safety experts were brought in to ensure both safety and visual impact. For the dam-break flood scene in the same film, the crew spent 14 days designing and executing it. They often had to submerge themselves in water at Nha Trinh Dam, Ninh Thuan Province. We scouted many locations because the scene needed visuals of both rising and receding water, Hai said. Eventually, they selected Nha Trinh Dam, which is nearly 500 metres long, five metres high, and three metres wide. During the shoot, filming was frequently interrupted due to rising water, which at times swept away lighting equipment. To ensure safety, the crew enlisted around 10 stunt performers, who were equipped with life jackets and ready to step in when necessary. Dedication Grand scenes often comes with stories of difficulty and pressure from directors. However, a film without grand scenes struggles to impress audiences, unless it has a uniquely strong script. Grand scenes enhance a films value. They reflect the level of investment. Though costly and creatively demanding, filmmakers are willing to take on the challenge to satisfy the audience," Tan said. "When viewers watch a spectacular, well-integrated grand scene, they feel thrilled, and it justifies the price of admission. Director Kay Nguyen emphasised that grand scenes are essential for many cinematic works. Theyre often chosen for marketing materials to attract audiences. With an impressive grand scene, viewers are more inclined to buy tickets. In many developed film industries, great emphasis is placed on producing grand scenes. Production teams willingly spend large budgets and significant effort to create jaw-dropping cinematic moments. While Viet Nams film industry may not yet match the level of investment seen elsewhere, domestic filmmakers are increasingly paying attention to the creation of grand scenes to make their work more compelling. This is a positive sign, and audiences can look forward to more heartfelt, meticulously crafted grand scenes in upcoming Vietnamese films. VNS HCM CITY A Vietnamese song dedicated to war veterans has been translated into several languages, including English, Russian and Japanese, seeking to share the gratitude of the nation for their heroes with friends around the world. The song, Viet Tiep Cau Chuyen Hoa Binh (Continuing the Story of Peace), was composed by Nguyen Van Chung, 42, and has been translated by a group of passionate educators who felt compelled to share its message beyond borders. Mai Thanh Son, a teacher at the Ha Noi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, took on the English translation after a student proposed it as a fitting tribute for the recent 50th anniversary of the National Reunification celebrations. He completed the translation in just over an hour, driven by a desire to honour those who served. What matters more than time is the love and dedication we pour into the song, he said. If I tried to translate word-for-word, it could lose its meaning. I aimed to express the gratitude towards those who sacrificed for our homeland, while keeping it true to the original spirit. Dr Nguyen Song Lan Anh, from the Japanese Language Department, said she spent five hours crafting the Japanese version overnight. Inspired by the English translation, she took on the challenge despite finding it difficult to match the lyrics to the melody. It required some creativity, she explained, but I was determined to maintain the essence of the song. A representative from the Japanese Embassy in Viet Nam expressed hopes that young Vietnamese artists would perform the song in Japan, especially with the 80th anniversary of Japans National Day approaching. The Russian translation was completed by teacher Le uc Man, who has translated over 70 Vietnamese songs into Russian. He said it was important to share such musical works with international friends adding: The message is just as important as the content itself. The composer said: Music can serve as a messenger of peace. He hopes that young people around the world, including the Vietnamese diaspora, will connect with and help spread this meaningful content. Released in 2023, Viet Tiep Cau Chuyen Hoa Binh was inspired by the composers visits to historical sites and the stories shared by veterans. The song honours those who made sacrifices for the nations independence and carries a powerful message urging everyone to strive for education and hard work to contribute to the countrys growth. It resonated deeply during the recent 50th anniversary of National Reunification celebrations, amassing billions of listens across various platforms. VNS HA NOI The Vietnamese Embassy in Brazil participated in the 2025 International Food and Culture Bazaar on May 31, an annual event organised by the diplomatic corps at the Brasilia Art Museum. This year's event brought together more than 33 diplomatic missions and international organisations, helping to create a vibrant and colorful cultural exchange space between countries. The Vietnamese booth attracted a large number of visitors with traditional dishes imbued with national identity such as fried spring rolls, coffee, lemon tea and lemongrass tea. Not only impressing visitors with its unique flavor of Vietnamese food and drinks, the Vietnamese booth was also highly appreciated for its intimate and sophisticated decoration, honouring the beauty of Vietnamese culture. Following the success of previous events, this years events attracted thousands of visitors. All funds raised from the fair will be transferred by the diplomatic corps to support a number of social organisations in the capital of Brasilia, focusing on children and women in difficult circumstances. Not simply a food and culture festival, this activity was also a vivid demonstration of the spirit of solidarity, sharing and social responsibility of the international diplomatic community in Brasilia towards the host society. With careful and dedicated preparation, the Vietnamese Embassy has left a good impression on international friends, while contributing to spreading cultural values, humanitarian spirit and the image of Viet Nam and its people to the international community in Brazil. VNA/VNS For over two decades, Viet Nams agricultural land use tax exemption has served as key support for rural development and poverty reduction. As the Government considers extending the policy to 2030, concerns remain over its effectiveness and potential misuse. E-newspaper VietnamPlus spoke with Nguyen Thanh Hung, deputy director of the Department of Tax, Fee and Charge Policy Management under the Ministry of Finance, to understand the proposal. What are the key reasons behind the Ministry of Finances proposal to extend the agricultural land use tax exemption to 2030? And in todays context, is this policy still the remedy that Viet Nams agriculture sector needs? The Party and State have consistently prioritised agricultural and rural development, with a strong focus on improving farmers livelihoods. The agricultural land use tax exemption has been a key policy tool in advancing this goal. First introduced in 2001, the policy has been adjusted and extended over time to reflect changing conditions. It is currently set to run until the end of 2025 under National Assembly resolutions. The proposal to extend it to 2030 aligns with major Party policies on land consolidation and the drive for sustainable agricultural development. Beyond easing the financial burden on farmers, the exemption helps channel resources back into production, boosting productivity and improving product quality. This is especially vital as Viet Nams agriculture sector faces growing pressure to compete in an increasingly globalised market. The continued tax exemption is expected to reduce State budget revenue by around VN7.5 trillion (US$289.7 million) annually. What steps is the Ministry of Finance taking to ensure the policy is properly targeted and not misused or wasted through inefficient land use? While the agricultural land use tax exemption does reduce State budget revenue, it's important to see it in context. The revenue from this tax is minimal, just around 0.00057 per cent of total State revenue in 2023, so the impact on the overall budget is negligible. Moreover, this is not a new policy but a continuation of an existing one. Extending it to 2030 is unlikely to disrupt budget operations. That said, we are fully aware of concerns over inefficient land use and cases where farmland is left idle or misused. Addressing these issues requires close coordination between ministries and local authorities. The Ministry of Finance will continue working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and local governments to review and improve regulations on land management to ensure transparency and accountability. We will also step up inspections and strictly handle any violations. Additionally, local tax authorities will be instructed to work with relevant agencies to update land use data, helping ensure accurate oversight and effective implementation of the policy. Public concern has also focused on fallow land that continues to benefit from tax exemptions. With new provisions introduced in the 2024 Land Law to tackle this issue, how is the Ministry of Finance working with land management agencies to ensure the agricultural land use tax exemption is not exploited? Land management is a complex issue that requires strong coordination between multiple agencies. Under the Constitution, land is collectively owned by the people, with the State acting as the representative and central manager. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment serve as the Governments key agency in this area. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance plays an important role through tax policy development and enforcement. We continue to work closely with these ministries and local authorities to promote effective and sustainable land use. The 2024 Land Law includes clear provisions for reclaiming fallow land, offering a crucial tool to prevent land waste. The Ministry of Finance will direct tax authorities at all levels to collaborate with relevant agencies to identify violations and ensure legal enforcement. We will also continue improving land data systems, boosting the skills of tax officials, and stepping up public education on land laws to increase awareness among people and businesses. VNS Italian Republic Day, also known as 'Festa della Repubblica' for Italians, is nationally celebrated in Italy on June 2, every year. On this occasion, Italian Ambassador to Viet Nam Marco della Seta wrote for Viet Nam News. Each year on June 2, Italy celebrates Republic Day, a commemoration of the 1946 decision to embrace the democratic values that continue to guide our national journey. This years celebration holds special meaning for our bilateral relations, as it coincides with a series of important national milestones for Viet Nam: the 80th anniversary of its independence and the 50th anniversary of its national reunification. I thus cherish this festive day as an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come together and how much potential remains for our partnership to grow. Shared commitment in a changing world We find ourselves in turbulent times, with instability, crises and conflicts affecting many regions across the globe. In this context, Italy reaffirms its commitment to the stability of the Indo-Pacific region and, as Viet Nam, advocates for the respect of international law and the principles of the UN Charter. These are also times marked by rapid and profound transformations. Artificial intelligence offers great opportunities for innovation and development, but also raises complex economic, social and ethical questions. Climate change continues to jeopardise the delicate equilibrium of our planet and poses a serious threat to the well-being and prosperity of our communities. Rising trade tensions are adding pressure to the global economy. Italy and Viet Nam are actively working together to address these pressing challenges for instance, by advancing academic and technological cooperation, supporting Viet Nams energy transition through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), and upholding an open and rules-based multilateral trading system. On these themes, Viet Nam can always count on Italy as a reliable and committed partner. A strategic and expanding partnership Two important meetings held in Ha No this January the 6th Political Consultations and the 9th Joint Economic Commission, both co-chaired at deputy ministerial level reaffirmed the strength and depth of our bilateral ties. These high-level dialogues reflected the steady progress of our partnership and outlined a shared vision for its future development. Politically, our Strategic Partnership now in its 12th year has evolved into a mature framework for sustained dialogue and joint action on key global and regional challenges. Italy and Viet Nam have also agreed upon a detailed Plan of Action to translate this Partnership into concrete steps and coordinated initiatives. Economic relations between our countries continue to grow. In 2024, trade between Italy and Viet Nam surpassed US$6.9 billion a 13 per cent increase compared to the previous year confirming Viet Nams position as Italys leading trade partner in ASEAN. In terms of investments, 12 new projects were registered last year alone, including both expansions of existing facilities and new greenfield ventures. Cultural and educational exchanges continue to be a key dimension of our partnership. This is reflected in the growing number of Vietnamese students choosing to study in Italy many of whom benefit from scholarships offered by Italian institutions as well as in the increasing participation of Vietnamese artists in major cultural events in Italy. A notable example is the invitation extended to architect Trung Mai to exhibit at the Venice Biennale Architettura 2025. Scientific and technological cooperation is progressing steadily, as demonstrated by the recent ItalyViet Nam workshop on semiconductors, co-organised with Viet Nams National Innovation Centre. The initiative highlighted the strong potential for joint innovation in a sector of global strategic importance. Looking ahead: building together for the generations to come Above all, I am convinced that the true foundation of our relationship lies in the bonds between our people. It is through shared experiences and lasting friendships among students, researchers, artists and professionals that our partnership becomes most tangible and enduring. These people-to-people connections not only enrich our present, they also invest in the future by shaping new generations who will carry our friendship forward with renewed energy and vision. This July marks a significant step in this direction, with the launch of a direct flight between Ha Noi and Milan, operated by Vietnam Airlines. This new link will serve as a bridge between our countries, opening new pathways for travel, business, cultural exchange, and mutual discovery. When I first arrived in Viet Nam, I was warmly welcomed as a guest by the Vietnamese people. Today, after two years, I feel a deep sense of belonging. It is an honour to serve in a country where the strength of our bilateral ties is reflected so clearly in human connection. As I look to the future, I am confident that Italy and Viet Nam will continue to walk side by side guided by trust, mutual respect, and shared values in pursuit of peace and prosperity for the generations to come. Today, our partnership stands strong and mature, ready to embrace new and more ambitious goals. VNS HA NOI The worldwide community of Vietnamese scientists and intellectuals would unite, harness their national spirit, and make concrete contributions to the country in the upcoming era of national rise, said Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son on Sunday. Speaking at a meeting with experts and scientists from the Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts (AVSE Global) in Ha Noi, Son commended their research achievements, noting that these reflect not only their intellectual acumen but also their dedication to the home countrys development. The Deputy PM called on the group to work closely with the Governments policy advisory council, along with various ministries and agencies, to exchange information and shape research orientations. In doing so, he said, they could offer practical, feasible policy recommendations, particularly breakthrough solutions in building an independent, self-reliant and deeply integrated economy, as well as in fostering sci-tech development, innovation, digital transformation, and the private economic sector. During the meeting, AVSE Global experts proposed policy recommendations aimed at helping Viet Nam overcome challenges and seize opportunities to achieve its development goals. Their report was compiled from extensive, multi-faceted studies across fields such as economy, public policy, governance, and finance, drawing insights from nearly 30 Vietnamese experts currently working in other countries and international organisations. Founded in 2011 by Professor Nguyen uc Khuong, AVSE Global seeks to mobilise Vietnamese scientists and experts in France and beyond to contribute to the nations socio-economic development. The organisation now has 88 core members, primarily young scientists born in Viet Nam and currently living and working overseas. VNS GIA LAI The merger between Gia Lai and Binh inh provinces should bring about a new administrative unit that increases in both scale and competitiveness, Party General Secretary To Lam said during a working visit to Gia Lai on Monday. The working session between the Party chief and the Gia Lai and Binh inh Party Committees focused on the implementation of central directions, local administrative restructuring, national defence and security matters, and leadership in economic growth and social welfare at the local level. Following the merger, these two provinces will form a larger one, taking the name of Gia Lai. Reports presented at the meeting showed that Gia Lai has taken specific measures to promptly implement the Party Central Committees resolutions, directives and conclusions, thereby fostering consensus and unity in leadership. The province has also seen significant socio-economic progress, with an estimated average economic growth rate of 6.36 per cent during the 2020-2025 term. By the end of 2024, approximately 71.8 per cent of local schools met national standards, while over 95 per cent of communes, wards and townships met the national healthcare criteria. During the working session, Gia Lai proposed developing special mechanisms and policies to ensure national defence and security in the strategic Central Highlands region, while continuing to focus on socio-economic progress, especially among ethnic groups. It also aimed for enhanced training, development and appointment of qualified and dedicated officials from ethnic communities. Meanwhile, Binh inhs GRDP growth is estimated at 7-7.2 per cent annually, with a poverty rate that is expected to fall to 0.62 per cent by the end of this year. As of May, Binh inh had completed the construction, renovation and upgrading of homes for 4,411 households, achieving 100 per cent of the plan seven months ahead of the Prime Ministers directive. Binh inh stated that to enable the new Gia Lai Province to achieve breakthrough development and sustain double-digit growth over the next five years, resources must be provided to complete its transport and irrigation infrastructure, as well as support for a coherent two-tier governance model that ensures the delivery of public services. Growth pole Speaking at the meeting, Party leader To Lam urged local Party committees and authorities in Binh inh and Gia Lai to take advantage of their similarities and strategic complementarities to shape a vision for the new, merged province. Economy-wise, administrative restructuring will help support an efficient value chain, from production to processing, distribution and exports, to develop a green, sustainable and integrative growth strategy, he said. In addition to their rich culture, Gia Lai and Binh inh have great potential in workforce and education, which must be leveraged to improve the local governance model in response to development needs. Noting their ongoing challenges in innovation, transport and irrigation infrastructure, and the number of businesses and technically skilled workers, the Party General Secretary called on the two provinces to combine their collective strengths to form a long-term development vision for the new Gia Lai. This vision must identify strategic breakthroughs in governance, infrastructure, science and technology and workforce development, drawing on the best of both provinces to become a major hub in the central region and contribute to the countrys breakthrough growth. The new Gia Lai must focus on balanced, integrated development with regional connectivity, with a strategic priority on interregional infrastructure and modern logistics services. Tourism should be seen as a breakthrough sector, with a distinctive ecosystem connecting forests, seas and heritage. Meanwhile, satellite cities should be developed in tandem with industrial parks, logistics hubs and services. Urban governments must increase their digital operations, ensuring transparency and efficiency for the convenience of businesses and citizens. The Party chief suggested three foundational strategic breakthroughs to guide the new Gia Lais development, which focus on institutional innovation, infrastructure connectivity and workforce development. He added that the new Gia Lai must maintain firm governance to ensure political stability, social order and border sovereignty. At the same time, the new administrative unit should promote the cultural identity of its diverse ethnic communities and care for people in remote areas. Changes must not remain on paper or slogans, but be materialised through a local government that understands and serves its people, with citizen satisfaction and happiness as the highest measure of policy success, Lam underscored. During the administrative restructuring, the new Gia Lai must retain talented individuals and ensure balanced representation across regions, ethnicities and genders, cultivating a local administration rooted in performance. Each public employee and Party member, especially those at the management level, must be bold, responsible and innovative, serving as catalysts for change within the political system and broader society, the Party chief said. VNS HA NOI Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held talks with Acting Head of the External Relations Commission of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee Bounleua Phandanouvong on Monday as part of his official visit to Viet Nam. During the meeting, both sides expressed their delight at the robust and effective development of Viet NamLaos cooperation across all areas. Political relations continue to be strengthened through regular exchanges of high-level delegations and meetings. Security and defence cooperation remains a key pillar, while economic collaboration has received strong attention. Bilateral trade reached US$2.2 billion in 2024, a 33.9 per cent increase compared to 2023, and hit $1.3 billion in the first four months of 2025 alone, up 109.3 per cent year-on-year. Notably, the two countries recently inaugurated Wharf No. 3 at Vung Ang Port, a symbol of their solidarity and a milestone marking a new chapter in economic partnership, providing Laos with access to the sea. Cooperation in other vital areas such as transport connectivity, education and training, culture, people-to-people exchange, and coordination at regional and international forums has also seen positive outcomes. Collaboration between ministries, agencies, and border provinces of both countries has yielded significant results. Both sides highly valued the close cooperation between the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee's Commission for External Relations and the Lao Party Central Committee's External Relations Commission. They agreed to continue working closely to effectively implement high-level agreements between the two Parties and countries. Viet Nams Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Lao Party Central Committee's External Relations Commission committed to jointly developing a cooperation agreement for the 20262030 period; ensuring thorough preparations for high-level diplomatic activities and cooperation mechanisms; and intensifying information exchange and experience sharing in Party building and preparations for each countrys Party Congress. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global developments, agreeing to actively consult and coordinate stances on strategic regional issues. They pledged to work closely stance and viewpoint in ASEAN and other sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, and to enhance bilateral efforts in promoting the value of the Viet NamLaos relationship within the socialist system. VNS HA NOI Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held phone talks on Monday with Germanys Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, focusing on measures to further deepen the Viet NamGermany strategic partnership. Son congratulated Wadephul on his appointment as Germanys Foreign Minister, highly evaluating Germany's important role and influence in the European Union and on the international stage. He reaffirmed that Germany remains one of Viet Nams key partners in Europe. He expressed his delight at the recent positive developments in bilateral ties and proposed major directions to strengthen the partnership across politics and diplomacy, trade and investment, science and technology, education and training, sustainable development, and people-to-people exchange. For his part, Wadephul hailed Viet Nams socio-economic achievements and expressed his satisfaction with the progress in bilateral cooperation. He affirmed that Germany looks forward to expanding its friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Viet Nam. The German Government and enterprises, he added, stand ready to collaborate in Viet Nams priority sectors, especially energy transition. Both sides emphasised the need to upgrade the bilateral relationship in the near future. They agreed to enhance mutual market access, accelerate the ratification of the EUViet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and elevate science and technology cooperation as a new pillar of the strategic partnership. Priority areas include clean energy, nanotechnology, quantum technology, semiconductors, and digital transformation. They also committed to boosting collaboration in education and vocational training. The two sides agreed to closely coordinate practical activities marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025 and to actively prepare for high-level visits and exchanges. On regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) issue, both sides reaffirmed their support for the settlement of conflicts and disputes through peaceful means and dialogue, in line with international law and the UN Charter. On this occasion, Deputy PM Son extended an invitation to FM Wadephul to visit Viet Nam. The German FM accepted the invitation with pleasure. VNS HA NOI For more than six decades, population work in Viet Nam has been recognised as a top strategic priority, closely tied to the nation's sustainable development. Now, as Viet Nam grapples with profound demographic shifts, the country is preparing to take a major legislative leap with the formulation of its first-ever Population Law. This proposed legislation, currently in draft form, represents a critical transition. No longer solely focused on family planning, the country is shifting towards a vision of population and development, a policy evolution designed to seize demographic advantages and proactively address looming challenges. Foundation for sustainable growth Over recent years, Viet Nam has made considerable progress in the field of its citizens. These achievements have helped boost per capita income, fuel economic growth, advance gender equality, protect the environment, and improve social welfare. The country successfully met the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and is now steadily progressing towards the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. These gains have laid the groundwork for Viet Nams pivot from a narrow focus on family planning, to a holistic approach to population and development. With a population of over 100 million people, Viet Nam has been in a period of golden population structure since 2007. This is characterised by a large proportion of people of working age, a demographic window of opportunity for socio-economic development. However, experts warn that this window will not remain open indefinitely. Without the right policies in place, this demographic dividend could quickly turn into a liability as the population ages and the labour force shrinks. While Viet Nam has maintained a replacement fertility rate around 2.1 children per woman since 2006, recent data suggests this rate is now on the decline. By 2024, the national average had dropped to 1.91, the lowest in the countrys recorded history. This trend is particularly pronounced in major economic regions like the southeast and the Mekong Delta, where fertility rates have plummeted to between 1.48 and 1.62 children per woman. Conversely, more disadvantaged regions, such as the northern midlands and mountainous areas, continue to experience above-replacement fertility rates, reaching 2.34. This severe regional imbalance in fertility and population structure is a growing concern. It threatens to worsen inequalities, strain public services and hinder national cohesion and sustainable development. Experts warn that if current trends persist, Viet Nam could exit its golden population period as early as 2039. This would trigger a chain of consequences, including labour shortages, increased social welfare burdens, imbalances in the insurance system and under use of the existing social infrastructure. A legislative milestone Deputy Director General of the General Office for Population and Family Planning, Dr Pham Vu Hoang, said that Viet Nams population policy now faces a host of challenges, including falling fertility rates, regional disparities, persistent gender imbalance at birth, rapid ageing, slow improvement in population quality and ineffective migration management. In response, the Ministry of Health is leading efforts to draft the countrys first Population Law, a strategic and legislative upgrade from the 2003 Population Ordinance, which remains the existing legal framework. This move enhances the legal status of population policy and reflects its vital role in national development strategy. Deputy Minister of Health, Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Thi Lien Huong, emphasised the pressing need for this legislative step, noting that the new law is intended to give legal form to the Partys strategic directions on population. It will also lay the groundwork for addressing population ageing while making the most of Viet Nams golden population structure. She said the goal is to ensure that, by 2045, Viet Nam becomes a country with high-quality human resources, a strong labour force, and is a high-income economy, thereby raising the nations profile on the global stage. The draft Population Law is built around three key pillars aimed at addressing Viet Nams evolving demographic landscape. First, it seeks to maintain replacement-level fertility across the country through tailored strategies that reflect the unique characteristics of each region and population group. This approach is designed to prevent demographic imbalances and lessen the impact of population ageing, helping to secure a sustainable workforce in the years ahead. Second, the draft prioritises improving population quality from birth. Proposed measures include universal access to pre-marital counselling, broader prenatal and newborn screening, and stronger efforts to prevent genetic disorders and birth defects. It also calls for better nutrition, mental health support and early childhood development to ensure a healthier, more resilient population from the outset. Third, the law outlines policies to help the country adapt to a rapidly ageing population. These include safeguarding social security and healthcare access for older citizens. One notable proposal is to provide health insurance to elderly people who are currently uninsured, a proactive measure aimed at reducing the future burden on the healthcare and social insurance systems. A landmark shift in the draft law is its departure from the traditional mindset of controlling population growth. Instead, it embraces a vision of population as a development driver. Rather than strictly limiting the number of children per family, the law seeks to promote reasonable fertility based on individual choice and socio-economic conditions. For the first time, couples would be legally empowered to decide freely on the number and timing of their children, a dramatic departure from past rigid controls. This reflects a respect for personal autonomy and acknowledges the diverse aspirations of modern Vietnamese families. Supporting this shift is a recent policy change by the Partys Central Inspection Commission. From March 20 this year, Party members who have a third child will no longer face disciplinary action, a move hailed by Professor Nguyen inh Cu, former Director of the Institute for Population and Social Affairs, as both timely and necessary. He noted that in light of declining fertility rates, particularly in urban areas, the change would help slow the downward trend and create a foundation for future regulatory reforms. Incentives and social support To address low fertility in key areas such as industrial zones and large cities, the draft law introduces a notable incentive that gives women with two children priority access to social housing. This policy is designed to both encourage childbearing and support young families in balancing work and parenting responsibilities. In a further show of support for the elderly, the draft proposes state-purchased health insurance for those without coverage, ensuring equitable access to healthcare and improved quality of life in old age. The law also introduces stronger administrative penalties for violations in the population sector, reinforcing legal compliance and public awareness. Viet Nam stands at a critical demographic turning point. For the first time, population dynamics are shaping nearly every aspect of national life, from economic growth and healthcare to education, security and political stability. As the country faces major shifts such as ageing, falling fertility, gender imbalances and changing migration patterns, the need for a modern, flexible legal framework has become urgent. A recent Ministry of Justice review affirms that the draft Population Law introduces breakthrough measures absent from current legislation, directly targeting the countrys most pressing demographic challenges. Population is no longer just a figure it is a strategic asset central to Viet Nams global competitiveness. This law is not merely a policy tool, but a roadmap for unlocking the nations demographic potential and building a high-income, digitally-driven economy by 2045. VNS HA NOI As the institutional framework has been increasingly improved, what remains is determined and effective execution to complete the targets of 100,000 new social housing units in 2025 and 1 million units by 2030, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has emphasised. Chairing a national teleconference on June 2 to review the implementation progress of the National Assemblys Resolution No. 201/2025/QH15 on piloting several special policies and mechanisms for social housing development, the PM underlined the need for ministries, sectors and localities, especially their heads, to give due attention to the issue with the right level of commitment, vision, and empathy in service of the people and the nation. The Government leader pointed to two major initiatives the programme to eliminate makeshift and dilapidated houses, and the plan to build 1 million social housing units. These efforts not only ensure the constitutionally enshrined right to residence and the right to equal access to housing for all people, particularly low-income and vulnerable groups, but also drive economic growth, promote consumption, advance modern urban development, and reflect the Vietnamese people's unity and authorities' compassion, he stressed. According to the Ministry of Construction, after two years of implementing the scheme to develop at least 1 million social housing units for low-income earners and industrial park workers, the country has earmarked 1,309 sites covering 9,737 hectares for such projects. To date, 686 projects have been launched, totalling nearly 628,000 units, reaching 51 per cent of the target set for 2025. However, 18 provinces are unlikely to complete or even start projects by that deadline. While applauding ministries, localities, and citizens who have actively contributed to the progress so far, the PM also noted shortcomings in underperforming provinces. He blamed the problems on insufficient attention from local leaders, poor understanding of Party and State policies, weak implementation, limited access to capital, and inadequate coordination. The PM called for serious and people-centred leadership in implementing the social housing policy, urging integration with the national target programmes and strict anti-corruption measures. He emphasised the need for diverse housing types to meet the needs of not only low-income workers but also public servants, teachers, and armed forces personnel, particularly in remote areas. The Ministry of Construction is to draft a Government decree detailing implementation measures and propose a National Housing Fund in June 2025, with the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Vietnam supporting funding and credit access. Local authorities must identify eligible beneficiaries, streamline procedures, and ensure timely delivery of housing targets. At the same time, media and mass organisations are tasked with raising public awareness. Meanwhile, leaders of localities must accelerate implementation, enforce investor obligations, and establish steering committees no later than June 2025. PM Chinh demanded urgency, discipline, and clearly assigned responsibilities to overcome delays and ensure transparency and effectiveness in addressing housing challenges. VNS BANGKOK Thailand has been officially designated a Low Risk country under the European Unions Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR), easing the export of Thai agricultural products to EU markets. According to Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Narumon Pinyosinwat, the classification confirms Thailands compliance with EU standards that require exports to be free from deforestation and produced in accordance with legal obligations on land use, labour, and human rights. The EUDR applies to commodities such as coffee, cocoa, palm oil, soybeans, rubber, and timber. Thailands inclusion in the low-risk category indicates a low likelihood that these exports are linked to deforestation or illegal land use. The European Commissions assessment places Thailand among the countries with minimal risk of contributing to forest loss through agricultural production. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has worked in coordination with the EU to prepare for the regulation, encouraging producers to upgrade practices to meet traceability and sustainability standards. These efforts have involved both public outreach and technical support for farmers and agribusinesses to improve compliance. With this designation, Thai exporters are expected to benefit from simplified documentation and fewer regulatory hurdles when entering EU markets. The lower compliance burden will support trade in key products affected by the regulation, strengthening the competitiveness of Thai agriculture in Europe. VNA/VNS Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs a dialogue with the business community in Hanoi on May 31 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi - All proposals and concerns from enterprises must be answered and resolved within two weeks, directed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh while chairing a dialogue with the business community in Hanoi on May 31. The dialogue aimed to promote the effective implementation of the Politburos Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW on private economic development, contributing to boosting rapid and sustainable national economic growth. The Politburo issued Resolution 68 on May 4, 2025, followed by the National Assemblys Resolution No. 198/2025/QH15 and the Governments Resolutions 138 and 139/NQ-CP, all focusing on private sector development. According to the Ministry of Finance, these resolutions define objectives, solutions, and assignments, adhering to the six principles of clarity - in responsibilities, tasks, authority, timelines, outcomes, and accountability. The private sector now contributes around 50 per cent of GDP, 56 per cent of total investment capital, more than 30 per cent of the State budget revenue, and nearly 30 per cent of import-export turnover, according to Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Tran Van Son who announced the Prime Minister's decision to establish the National Steering Committee for the implementation of Resolution 68-NQ/TW. At the dialogue, government leaders and localities discussed concrete steps to implement key resolutions. Experts and businesses welcomed the supportive tone and broad scope, calling them a rare opportunity for private sector growth. They were confident the targets could be met ahead of schedule with unified efforts. The business community urged the Government to streamline laws, cut red tape, coordinate inspections, and ensure fair access to land, capital, labour, and resources. They also called for greater delegation to private firms, especially in emerging sectors. They also suggested more tax and fee incentives, stronger protection of legal rights and interests, streamlined complaint-handling mechanisms, and prompt resolution of issues arising during implementation. PM Chinh hailed the candid and constructive input from entrepreneurs, and thanked them for their optimism and willingness to partner with the Government in advancing the country's two centennial goals. He affirmed the target of 8 per cent economic growth in 2025 and double-digit growth in subsequent years. He acknowledged their proposals on simplified procedures, fair access to resources, and clear policy mechanisms to support business development. He emphasised that State agencies must act as facilitators, focusing on strategy, policy-making, supervision, and post-check. The Government will continue pursuing the three strategic breakthroughs in institutional reform, infrastructure development, and human resources. It will also ensure sovereignty, political stability, and public order while facilitating business access to land, capital, resources, technology, and skilled labour, and safeguarding property and business rights. PM Chinh instructed all ministries, agencies, and local authorities to establish mechanisms for regular engagement with businesses, including prompt handling of their requests, ensuring that they are responded within two weeks. He urged stronger connections among public agencies and the private sector, both through direct engagement and digital platforms. He also asked ministries to continuously review and adjust policies in a timely, flexible, and effective manner to better support businesses. PM Chinh encouraged the business community to uphold ethical standards, comply with the law, innovate continuously, and invest in smart management and technology. He called for closer collaboration among private firms, foreign investors, and State-owned enterprises to build domestic and global production, supply, and service chains. He expressed his hope that household businesses will evolve into formal enterprises, small firms into large ones, and large enterprises into multinational corporations. Finally, the Government leader thanked the business community for their social contributions, urging them to further engage in housing development, poverty eradication, and social welfare. He called on them to help build strategic infrastructure, shape policy, and nurture high-quality human capital for a fast-growing, sustainable, and prosperous Vietnam. The scholarship announcement was made during the annual CapitaLand Hope School Programme end-of-term celebrations, held from 26 to 29 May 2025. This commitment reflects CapitaLands sustained support to enhance social mobility in building thriving, resilient and future-ready children. The scholarship will be awarded through a holistic evaluation that considers family context, academic performance, personal conduct, and a demonstrated dedication to learning. The scheme aims to support the students in their transition to junior high school and beyond by supporting essential learning-related expenses, including textbooks, uniforms, health insurance and other school necessities. The event engaged over 1,700 students across five schools in the provinces of Long An, Phu Tho, Hung Yen, and Bac Giang. The annual CapitaLand Hope School Programme end-of-term celebrations (26-29 May) included over 1,700 students from five schools Nearly 100 staff volunteers from CapitaLand Development (CLD) and The Ascott Limited participated this year, distributing school supplies such as schoolbags and coloured pencils to students. Volunteers also participated in festive school activities, building meaningful connections and creating memorable experiences with students. Nearly 100 staff volunteers from CLD (Vietnam) and The Ascott Limited distributed school supplies and participated in schoolyard activities According to Jaselyn Wan, head of Residential Operations of CLD (Vietnam), investing in a childs education is investing in a companys future. "Our commitment goes beyond infrastructure, its about creating opportunities and building resilient communities. Im proud of our colleagues and community volunteers who have collectively contributed over 26,000 hours to the CapitaLand Hope School Programme and other community initiatives, since we began. As CapitaLand marks 20 years of giving through CHF this year, we remain committed to uplifting communities and welcome more partners to join us in shaping brighter futures," said Wan. Nguyen Van Luoc, principal of Thanh Phuoc Primary School, said, "The generous support from CapitaLand and CHF has made a tangible difference, from upgrading facilities to creating meaningful experiences that inspire our students. We are truly grateful for this shared dedication to empowering the next generation, and we look forward to continuing this impactful journey together." Since 2011, CapitaLand has contributed approximately $2.8 million to beneficiary organisations in Vietnam, positively impacting the lives of over 19,000 children and youth through initiatives focused on education, healthcare, and overall wellbeing. CLD is the development arm of CapitaLand Group, with a portfolio worth around $16.6 billion. Focusing on its core markets of Singapore, China and Vietnam, CLDs well-established real estate development capabilities span across various asset classes, including integrated developments, retail, office, lodging, residential, business parks, industrial, logistics and data centres. CLD (Vietnam) oversees and grows CLDs investment and development business in Vietnam, one of CLDs core markets where it has built an extensive presence over 30 years. CLD (Vietnam)s portfolio comprises one SOHO development, two integrated developments, and over 19,000 quality homes across 19 residential developments. CHF was established in 2005 and contributes towards building resilience in communities where CapitaLand operates, through supporting education, health and wellbeing initiatives, targeting children, youth and seniors. CapitaLand launches inaugural $2.24 million community resilience initiative CapitaLand Hope Foundation (CHF), the philanthropic arm of CapitaLand Group, launched its inaugural S$3 million ($2.24 million) CapitaLand Community Resilience Initiative on February 25. CapitaLand Development unveils Orchard Heights in Binh Duong The launch of the Orchard Heights mock-up apartment, part of the Sycamore project by CapitaLand Development, attracted significant attention in the Binh Duong market last weekcurrently one of the strongest-performing real estate areas in the south. Dachser's managing director for Air and Sea Logistics Asia-Pacific Roman Muller (left) and CEO Burkhard Eling What makes Vietnam such an attractive logistics hub for international companies today? Muller: Vietnam is a highly attractive destination for companies, thanks to its strategic location near major international shipping routes and its strong position as a manufacturing and assembly hub for semifinished goods. From a business perspective, this makes Vietnam an ideal base for offering services and expanding operations. The country has benefited significantly from recent shifts in global production, attracting substantial inflows of investment across various sectors, including electronics, footwear, automotive, and most recently, e-commerce. Another key advantage is Vietnams supportive policy environment. The government has actively pursued economic integration through 17 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to date. These agreements enhance market access and strengthen Vietnams role in the global supply chain. Combined with its geographic proximity to major shipping routes, Vietnam provides a flexible and agile platform for companies to establish and grow their presence. Overall, it is a compelling location for international business. Eling: We're seeing a growing number of international companies entering Vietnam for the countrys advantages. Our core mission is to support our customers wherever they need a well-functioning supply chain. What sets us apart is our in-depth understanding of our clients supply chains. We analyse their needs and offer integrated logistics solutions that combine warehousing and transportation, all underpinned by a robust IT infrastructure. We are actively driving the integration of logistics, specifically, Dachsers strength lies in groupage logistics, essentially, everything that can be placed on a pallet is where we truly excel. Our IT capability is a key pillar of our service quality. Dachser has been investing in its own software systems for over 35 years. Unlike many others, we don't buy off-the-shelf systems, we build and continuously enhance our own, allowing us to tailor solutions to both our internal network and our customers specific requirements. This enables us to deliver high-quality physical goods flow, reliable shipment handling, and precise real-time information that empowers our customers to operate highly efficient supply chains. What are the key trends shaping Vietnam's logistics industry? Muller: A key trend in Vietnams logistics industry is the shift in global cargo flows, with intra-Asia trade on the rise. Vietnam is evolving beyond manufacturing into a regional hub for assembly and finishing, increasing demand for efficient sourcing and distribution logistics. Cross-border trucking with China, Laos, and Cambodia is expanding, driven by raw material imports. As a result, the logistics landscape is becoming more diversified, with rising demand for a wider range of service offerings. At the same time, growing intra-Asia trade has made supply chains more complex, requiring real-time tracking and data-driven logistics. Dachser has responded with its digital Dachser Platform in Vietnam, offering customers visibility, documentation management, and integrated supply chain control, key advantages in a fast-changing market. How is Dachser adapting to Vietnam's changing logistics needs? Muller: We've observed two major trends shaping Vietnam's logistics sector, an increase in manufacturing and the diversification of product segments, particularly in response to the growing domestic consumer base. One segment that has stood out is luxury goods, driven by Vietnam's rapidly expanding middle class. This includes not only fashion and accessories but also high-end food and beverages, including wines and spirits. Dachser is well-positioned to capitalise on this trend. A significant part of our heritage and business in Europe lies in food and beverage logistics, it's where our story began. In the 1930s, Thomas Dachser started the company by transporting milk and cheese from the Bavarian Alps to Munich. That legacy still runs deep in our operations today. In Vietnam, we see a clear opportunity to apply this deep expertise. As demand for premium goods grows, particularly among urban consumers, we are bringing our proven capabilities in food and beverage logistics to this market. This includes leveraging our network and integrated supply chain solutions to serve both global brands entering Vietnam and local companies looking to scale. By tapping into our global knowledge and adapting it to Vietnams evolving needs, Dachser is strengthening its long-term position in the market. We're not just following trends, were proactively shaping them, using our strengths to meet the demands of a rapidly developing economy. What's driving Dachser's success in Vietnam's evolving logistics sector? Muller: Dachser has achieved strong double-digit growth in Vietnam by expanding beyond traditional freight forwarding to offer warehousing, distribution, and integrated logistics services. As global companies redesign supply chains, Vietnam has emerged as a key hub. Vietnams logistics landscape is changing rapidly, and we view that as an opportunity rather than a challenge. Despite global disruptions, the country benefits from production shifts, and Dachser is well-positioned to capture this growth thanks to its strong local presence and skilled team. By investing in people and leveraging global standards, Dachser is not just adapting to Vietnams logistics evolution, its helping lead it. Eling: Dachser is growing faster than the overall market in Vietnam, with strong untapped potential ahead. Were committed to continued investment in our network, talent, and capabilities to support both local and global customers. As a strategic market in Asia, Vietnam plays a key role in our global growth and serves as a vital connector between Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Leveraging our global network, we deliver integrated, high-value logistics solutions tailored to todays dynamic supply chain demands and fast-moving economy. Vietnam International Logistics Exhibition 2025 to open in July The Vietnam International Logistics Exhibition (VILOG 2025) is set to take place in Ho Chi Minh City in July, highlighting the transformative power of digital solutions and strategic partnerships in fostering a greener, more efficient logistics sector. Bac Giang International Logistics Centre launched Bac Giang International Logistics Centre was launched on April 22 with an investment of $168 million, and is expected to become a crucial link in the global supply chain. Can Gio emerges as growth engine for Ho Chi Minh City With over $20 billion in expected investment over the coming years, Can Gio district is becoming a new magnet for capital inflows in infrastructure, logistics, real estate, and also urban transport. Deputy PM Nguyen Chi Dung speaks at the forum. (Photo: VNA) Tokyo - Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung put forth five proposals for multilateral cooperation at the 30th Nikkei Forum "Future of Asia" in Tokyo, Japan, on May 30. Themed Asias Challenge in a Turbulent World, this years event marked three decades since its establishment, solidifying its role as Asias premier platform for policy dialogues. Addressing the event, Deputy PM Dung said despite unprecedented and complicated challenges facing the world, Asia has continued to maintain its role as a dynamic and stable driver of global economic growth, a cradle of human civilisation, and a burgeoning hub for dynamic industrial and production networks. To propel Asia toward breakthrough advancements, Dung proposed renewing multilateral cooperation mechanisms and strengthening a win-win global trade system; pioneering scientific and technological development, innovation and digital transformation; promoting inclusive development with a people-centred approach, recognising people as the goal, the driver, and the core of all policies; creating new economic models, particularly in green transition and digital transformation; and enhancing solidarity, cooperation, and mutual respect. He called on all countries to join hands in writing a new chapter of Asias miraculous growth story, and overcoming challenges for global and regional peace, cooperation, and prosperity. Vietnam is determined to develop rapidly and sustainably with a new mindset, vision, and approach, he said, highlighting the acceleration of three strategic breakthroughs in institutional reform, infrastructure, and human resources, while adopting four key pillars to catch up, move forward together, and leverage its latecomer advantage to rise further. With global economic uncertainties looming, he said this is an opportunity for Vietnam to restructure its economy, remove bottlenecks, and unlock new growth drivers, reaffirming the country's steadfast commitment to its growth targets. He also reiterated Vietnams role as a reliable partner, an attractive investment destination, and a dynamic economy in the region. During the discussion session, Dung acknowledged the effects of the US's tariff policies on Vietnams exports, foreign investment attraction, and macroeconomic management. He underscored Vietnams proactive and flexible stance, with trade negotiations underway to secure mutually beneficial outcomes. Vietnam is working to conclude negotiations with the US soon with the best possible results, he said, viewing this as an opportunity to restructure the economy, strengthen self-reliance and resilience, persify markets, and expand domestic consumption. Dung highlighted the vision for a new era of accelerated growth, aiming to build a prosperous, democratic, fair and civilised nation where every citizen benefits from progress. To realise this, Vietnam has introduced revolutionary and historic policies, including streamlining the state apparatus, making sci-tech breakthroughs, fostering the private sector's growth, transforming governance from control to development facilitation, and leveraging deep international integration as a springboard for growth. A key aspiration for Vietnam is to become a hub in the global semiconductor industry and a key link in the global semiconductor supply chain. Dung outlined priorities such as institutional reforms, infrastructure upgrades, investment incentives, workforce training, and a comprehensive semiconductor industry ecosystem. He expressed his confidence that Vietnams development aspirations will create new opportunities for investment cooperation and called on foreign investors, including those from Japan, to deepen their stakes in Vietnam. On the sidelines of the event, Dung met with Senior Managing Director of the Nikkei Group Daisuke Arakawa, who expressed his admiration for Vietnams impressive socio-economic achievements and its new mindset and vision for development. He noted that Vietnams ongoing reforms have captured the attention of the international community, opening up numerous opportunities for cooperation in the coming years. Dung also urged the Nikkei Group to amplify Vietnams story globally and partner in its next development phase. Speaking at the seminar, Duong Minh Dung, Vice Chairman of Dong Nai Peoples Committee, said the province has a major opportunity to take the lead in this area. "Science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation can play a crucial role in realising the provinces aspirations. We hope that businesses will invest and adopt advanced technologies to raise competitiveness and create high-quality products and services," Dung said. Truong Hoang Phuong, director of the Nestle Tri An factory, at the seminar Resolution No.57-NQ/TW, issued last December, outlines Vietnam's strategic priorities for advancing science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. The seminar aimed to support businesses in implementing these technologies, critical tools for cost optimisation and enhanced competitiveness. Provincial leaders, agency representatives, industry experts, and business executives presented their approaches to implementing Resolution 57, discussing emerging trends and practical solutions in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Participants also exchanged organisational best practices and implementation strategies being successfully deployed across sectors. Nguyen Tri Phuong, head of DIZA, said it encourages private enterprises to intensify research efforts to develop practical and industry-specific solutions. "Businesses should select technologies aligned with their sector requirements and resource capabilities. DIZA stands ready to support companies in researching, selecting, and implementing appropriate science, technology, and digital transformation solutions," Phuong said. "At the same time, we are committed to improving the investment climate through administrative reforms and enhanced IT-based management systems to better serve the business community." During his presentation, Truong Hoang Phuong, director of the Nestle Tri An factory said the company leads transformative growth via innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable development. "The company's digital focus prioritises comprehensive data digitalisation and targeted technology adoption. In Vietnam, Nestle has committed over VND20 trillion ($768.8 million) in investments, establishing four factories and two distribution centres to date," Phuong said. The Nestle Tri An factory focuses on technology innovation and digital transformation to optimise efficiency. The model is based on key factors including digitising a flexible and autonomous workforce; utilising robots and automation to increase productivity and efficiency; building real-time connected data; and making operational decisions based on data analysis. Nestle Vietnam reaffirms its long-term commitment to Vietnam with additional $75 million investment As Vietnam is moving into the era of the nation's rise, Nestle Vietnam is committed to accompanying the country towards a sustainable and thriving future with the latest $75 million investment in its Nestle Tri An factory in the southern province of Dong Nai. Nestle Vietnam joins forces with VNAT to promote Hue cuisine Nestle Vietnam and the Tourism Information Centre under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) have kicked off an initiative themed Variation of thousands of ingredients, cooking millions of Vietnamese dishes". Takashi Kagamoto, general director of Mitsubishi Estate Vietnam What makes Logicross warehouse platform unique? As logistics demands grow more specialised, Logicross focuses on delivering cutting-edge technology, sustainable innovation, and a focus on workplace quality. The brand is set to integrate safety, operational efficiency, and sustainability, while upholding a human-centric approach. We offer a range of solutions tailored to different business needs, from standard warehouses to specialised cold storage, hazardous goods facilities, and build-to-suit developments. Innovation is at the core of Logicross, with smart logistics solutions such as Roboware and WareX. Roboware automates warehouse operations, reducing reliance on manual labour and optimising efficiency, meanwhile, WareX enhances storage flexibility, helping businesses scale seamlessly. These innovations address logistical bottlenecks, improving storage capacity and ensuring consistent, efficient order fulfilment. Sustainability is another key pillar. Logicross integrates sustainable features such as solar power thermal insulation in its facilities, aligning with Mitsubishi Estates commitment to green innovation. Many Logicross projects in Japan have earned prestigious sustainability certifications, including the Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE) and ZEB. CASBEE is Japans leading green building certification, developed by the Japan Sustainable Building Consortium to assess a buildings environmental performance and efficiency. Logicross Sagamihara, for example, received the highest S ranking under CASBEE standards. Beyond efficiency and sustainability, Logicross prioritises employee wellbeing. Unlike conventional warehouses, Logicross facilities feature biophilic-designed office spaces and communal areas to enhance comfort and productivity. One of our standout projects, the Kyoto Joyo Core Logistics Facility, tackles Japans labour shortage, particularly among truck drivers. The facility is designed for double connected trailers and autonomous driving technology. Its direct toll road access enables seamless, safe, and efficient logistics operations exclusive to this site. What is the long-term vision for Logicross in Vietnam? Vietnam is one of Asias most dynamic logistics markets, and we see great potential for expansion here. The countrys strategic location and improving infrastructure make it an ideal destination for modern logistics solutions. By leveraging our expertise in high-performance logistics developments, Logicross will provide a world-class logistics facility tailored to Vietnams evolving industrial landscape, beginning with two strategic projects in Long An and Haiphong. Our projects are designed to support businesses in e-commerce, fast-moving consumer goods, third-party logistics, and manufacturing, offering flexible, sustainable, and high-performance facilities. A digital rendering of Logicross Nam Thuan, set for completion in Q2/2025 How do the projects in Long An and Haiphong address current gaps in Vietnam's logistics infrastructure? Both projects are under construction and set to provide modern standards for efficiency, sustainability, and tenant-focused design in the Vietnamese market. Along with this, Logicross Nam Thuan, located in Nam Thuan Industrial Park in Long An, is just one hour from Ho Chi Minh City. The 64,500sqm facility is designed for maximum operational efficiency with a modern cross-docking layout, an 11-metre clear height, and a spacious column grid. The development is pursuing LEED certification, with sustainable features encouraging a healthier work environment. Meanwhile, Logicross Haiphong is strategically positioned in Nam Dinh Vu Industrial Park, with direct access to Haiphong port, northern Vietnams largest trade gateway. Built to global standards, the facility features a 10.5-metre ceiling height and a 3.0-tonne-per-square-metre floor load capacity, accommodating various storage needs. The project is EDGE Advanced-certified, integrating thermal insulation to reduce energy consumption. It also prioritises tenant experience with a modern canteen, free Wi-Fi, and Japanese-style relaxation areas. With Logicross Vietnam, Mitsubishi Estate is driving innovation in warehousing, ensuring businesses can optimise operations, reduce costs, and scale efficiently. Our long-term commitment is to continue expanding our footprint, bringing next-generation logistics solutions to Vietnam and supporting the countrys economic growth. We are confident that Logicross will contribute to shaping the future of Vietnams logistics industry. Since its launch in 2014, Logicross has established itself as a top logistics real estate brand in Japan. With 23 projects spanning 185 hectares, Logicross has built a reputation for delivering innovative, sustainable, and high-performance logistics hubs that cater to the evolving needs of global tenants such as Nippon Express, DHL, Foxconn, and Amazon. Maersk opens its first bonded warehouse in north Vietnam Maersk opened its first bonded warehouse in Vietnam on October 31 in Nam Dinh Vu Industrial Park in the northern port city of Haiphong. Gilimex Industrial Park builds foundation for modern and sustainable industry Gilimex Industrial Park JSC is at the forefront of innovation for the development of modern and sustainable industry in Vietnam. NA deputy Hoang Van Cuong What will be the key growth drivers in the second half of the year that will help to achieve the governments 8 per cent GDP growth target? The government is pushing hard to meet the 8 per cent GDP growth target this year. Looking at economic performance in 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, the economy appears to be on a solid recovery path. With this momentum, reaching the 8 per cent growth goal in 2025 seems to be within reach. However, changes in US tariff policies are shifting the global trade landscape, and given Vietnam's heavy reliance on exports, the impact is considerable. This is evidenced by the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), which fell to 45.6 in April, down from 50.5 in March. To reach the growth target, Vietnam must first mitigate the negative effects of trade policy shifts on its export sector, the backbone of the economy. In addition to ongoing negotiations with the US, diversifying export markets and expanding current ones will be crucial. Given current challenges, the government should also consider introducing export incentive policies, particularly for industries that need support at this time. Alongside export support, protecting the domestic market is equally important, especially in preventing counterfeit goods, imitations, and smuggled imports. Higher US tariffs pose a risk of increased smuggled goods flooding into Vietnam. The governments strong stance on cracking down on these issues is a positive sign. Without resolute action, domestic production will struggle. What about the other pillars, investment and consumption? Domestic consumption has been recovering, but not strongly enough. To hit the 8 per cent growth target, further demand stimulus policies are needed. During the ongoing National Assembly session, lawmakers are expected to approve a continued reduction in VAT. Additionally, I believe the proposed increase to the special consumption tax should be postponed. In my view, the most effective measure to boost consumption right now is to focus on tourism. International tourist arrivals to Vietnam have surged steadily, and many localities have invested significantly in tourism infrastructure, helping attract more visitors. To better stimulate tourism, the government should consider a more open visa policy, including reducing or waiving visa fees, shortening processing times, and piloting visa exemptions in selected regions. Localities buoyed with tourism potential could develop their nighttime economies, and ensure a more relaxed regulatory environment with lessened procedure burdens. As for the investment pillar, the government has been resolute in speeding up public investment disbursement. Further action, however, is required to unlock private investment, which can drive faster growth. Which sectors have strong potential to attract private domestic investment? At this point, the sector drawing the most capital and delivering the highest multiplier effect is real estate. The realty market is currently characterised by high demand and limited supply, suggesting ample room for expansion. According to the Ministry of Finance, about 2,200 stalled real estate projects, with total registered investment approximating $236 billion, are stuck due to legal bottlenecks. Unlocking these through clear legal mechanisms would release significant capital and create a strong growth impulse. Furthermore, policy initiatives on affordable housing have been or are being approved, and they are expected to soon take effect, contributing positively to aiding economic momentum. In addition, the swift implementation of a resolution on private sector development, along with the governments public procurement policies to facilitate major projects, are helping channel private capital and accelerate public investment disbursement. In summary, numerous factors are converging to support economic growth. With sufficient effort and timely policies, Vietnam is within reach of achieving the 8 per cent GDP growth target for 2025. Ready-built logistics gain momentum Foreign investors are showing growing interest in Vietnams logistics sector by developing new facilities to tap into rising demand. Key growth drivers assessed in fast-moving consumer goods The intensifying competition facing fast-moving consumer goods manufacturers and brands in Vietnam brings a multifaceted mix of challenges and opportunities, driven by several key factors. This photo taken on May 31 shows the site of a quarry collapse in Cirebon, West Java, Indonesia. (Photo: XINHUA/VNA) Hanoi Indonesian authorities will continue searching for eight people trapped in a rock collapse at a quarry in West Java, the search and rescue agency Basarnas has said. As of May 31 evening, the death toll had reached 17 with six injured. However, Basarnas said the the toll, as reported by the victims families, is provisional. The site of collapse in Cirebon is dangerous and does not meet safety standards for workers. The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry said in a statement it would investigate the cause of the collapse and conduct an assessment to identify any potential further landslides. According to Muhammad Wafid, Director of the Geological Agency under Indonesias Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Cirebon Regency is a landslide-prone area, especially under prolonged heavy rainfall. The undercutting method used in the open mining and the steep slop may have been a contributing factor to the accident. While carrying out evacuation and search efforts, rescuers must pay attention to the weather and steep slopes, and not carry out activities during and after heavy rain, because this area still has the potential for further landslides that could hit or bury them, he added. In 2024, Vietnams polymer product manufacturing sector grew by 24 per cent, exceeding $31 billion in value. Exports, including polymer packaging, electronic and furniture components, auto parts, and other goods, surged by nearly 27 per cent, reaching $6.6 billion. Vietnam has established itself as a premier destination for global manufacturing, combining cost efficiency, skilled labour, and strategic trade advantages. As multinational companies diversify their supply chains, Vietnam has become a preferred alternative, offering competitive production costs without compromising on quality or workforce expertise. More than 4,000 companies, both local and international, are engaged in polymer-based product manufacturing in the country, seeking to minimise production costs. Vietnam, while actively developing its domestic polymer industry, currently meets raw material needs through imports while simultaneously creating conditions for investments in local production. Local producers such as NSRP and BSR, subsidiaries of state conglomerate PetroVietnam, along with South Koreas Hyosung, have embraced polypropylene manufacture. Until recently, Vietnam had no domestic polyethylene production. It was only in 2024 that Long Son Petrochemicals, a subsidiary of Thailands SCG Chemicals, began producing polyethylene in Vietnam. Vietnam's rapidly expanding polymer market, with annual consumption of approximately four million tonnes of polypropylene and polyethylene, demonstrates the country's strong industrial growth and manufacturing potential. While domestic production currently supplies nearly 30 per cent of the demand, Vietnam's open market approach has fostered a diversified and reliable international supply network, ensuring stable feedstock availability for its processing industries. Globally, the biggest increases in basic polymer production over the past decade have come from China, the Middle East, and the United States. Traditionally known for its oil and gas, Russia has also been investing heavily in processing these natural resources into value-added products. Since 2010, Russia has doubled its production capacity for polyethylene and polypropylene, now reaching 5.4 million tonnes per year. Amur Gas Chemical Complex SIBUR, Russias largest producer of polymers and rubbers, plans to launch the Amur Gas Chemical Complex (Amur GCC) in 2026, a massive new facility with an annual capacity of 2.7 million tonnes of polymers. The project will focus primarily on polyethylene with an annual capacity reaching 2.4 million tonnes, which is in high demand across Asian markets. Polyethylene pellets In particular, SIBUR plans to produce linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and specialised grades of polymers for utility piping and the medical sector. Located near the Chinese border and Russias Pacific ports, Amur GCC is ideally positioned to export these high-demand polymer grades to Asian countries. One of the complexs key advantages is its low production costs in the first quartile of the global cost curve which ensure competitiveness under any market conditions. SIBUR's local partnerships also enable value-added services for Vietnam, encompassing last-mile logistics, local currency payments, and technical advisory. Foxconn expanding $500 million MacBook and iPad plant The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment released a report on September 25 recommending the approval of a proposal for environmental permits at a factory in Bac Giang province. GS25 expands its footprint to Hanoi South Korean convenience store chain GS25 opened six outlets in Hanoi on March 14, marking its debut in the northern market. In recognition of its outstanding achievements and lasting contributions to Vietnams socioeconomic development and international integration, the group was honoured to receive the Prime Ministers Certificate of Merit. This prestigious award underscores three decades of relentless innovation, resilience, and growth. It also serves as a profound tribute to generations of Vietnam Airlines leaders and employees whose dedication and commitment have shaped the airline into a trusted national brand with a strong global presence. Vietnam Airlines staff receiving the Prime Ministers Certificate of Merit. Photo: Vietnam Airlines Established in 1995, Vietnam Airlines traces its roots to the heroic 919 Transport Aviation Regiment. From the beginning, the airline has embodied more than just commercial success. It has stood as a symbol of national identity, cultural pride, and Vietnams aspiration to integrate with the global community. As Vietnams national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines has played a vital role in advancing the countrys political, defence, social, and diplomatic missions, responding swiftly to emergencies and supporting major national efforts. Over the past 30 years, the airline has stood by the nation in its most critical moments, from evacuation operations in Libya (2011, 2014), to rescue missions for Vietnamese citizens affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and hundreds of humanitarian flights during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the global aviation crisis brought on by the pandemic, Vietnam Airlines demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination. With strong guidance and support from the party, state, government, and National Assembly, the airline steadily recovered and emerged stronger. Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, stated, "Vietnam Airlines is the leading force in Vietnams aviation sector, enhancing the nations global competitiveness and international reputation. Its humanitarian efforts have projected the image of Vietnam as a compassionate, responsible, and deeply integrated member of the global community." Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh giving a speech at the ceremony. Photo: Vietnam Airlines The PM also called on the air carrier to continue its pioneering role by accelerating digital transformation, reimagining its business model, investing in sustainable and environmentally responsible growth, and aligning its development strategy with the nations green growth objectives. From humble beginnings with a small fleet and limited infrastructure, the group has evolved into a 4-star international airline, with its sights set on achieving 5-star certification. Over the past 30 years, the airline has served 350 million passengers, transported 4.7 million tonnes of cargo, and operated nearly 100 routes to 53 destinations both domestically and internationally. Through its membership in the SkyTeam alliance, Vietnam Airlines connects to over 1,000 destinations worldwide. A defining moment came in 2015 with the airlines equitisation, ushering in a new phase of growth aligned with global best practices. This transition attracted strategic investors, improved corporate governance, and boosted operational efficiency. From 1995 to 2024, the airline and its subsidiaries contributed approximately VND68 trillion ($2.72 billion) to the state budget, three times the value of the states original investment. In 2024, consolidated revenue reached $4.52 billion, with a record post-tax profit of $318.4 million. The growth continued in the first quarter of 2025, with pre-tax profits nearing $145.2 million. Vietnam Airlines has fast-tracked its digital transformation to improve customer experience and competitiveness. The airline has earned global recognition, including a four-star rating from Skytrax, a 5-star Airline rating from APEX, and numerous prestigious honours such as the World Travel Awards, Vietnam Tourism Awards (Top 10 Transport and Tourism Enterprises), and accolades including 'Asias Leading Premium Economy', 'Most Innovative Airline in E-commerce', and 'Best Frequent Flyer Programme', among others. Beyond aviation, Vietnam Airlines has played a significant role in promoting Vietnams cultural heritage through global showcases of art, cuisine, and traditions. It has expanded international cooperation across various levels, forming strategic alliances with major global carriers. Dang Ngoc Hoa, chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines. Photo: Vietnam Airlines Dang Ngoc Hoa, chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines, said, "We are proud that Vietnam Airlines has become a symbol of a modern, friendly, and globally integrated Vietnam. Each flight is more than a journey. It connects cultures, builds trust, and carries the nations aspirations. From the golden lotus emblem and traditional 'ao dai' to the warm smiles of our staff, these have become iconic symbols, hallmarks of Vietnams expanding soft power on the global stage." Looking ahead, Vietnam Airlines is committed to achieving 5-star international airline status by 2030. The airline will continue modernising its fleet, expanding its global network, enhancing personalised services, and adopting advanced technologies. With people at the core of its strategy, the airline is focused on developing a capable and service-oriented workforce equipped for deep international integration. Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air flights to operate from Tan Son Nhats new terminal in May Designed to handle 20 million passengers annually, Terminal T3 of the Tan Son Nhat International Airport includes four main components: the passenger terminal, a multi-story parking facility integrated with non-aviation services, the elevated road system at the terminal frontage, and aircraft aprons. The total investment for the terminal is nearly 11 trillion VND (431.2 million USD), with construction beginning in December 2022 Vietnam Airlines resumes direct Hanoi-Moscow service Vietnam Airlines resumed its direct service between Hanoi and Moscow on May 8, marking the return of the route after a three-year hiatus. This is a strategic move to expand the groups flight network in Southeast Asia, while meeting the growing demand of tourists between the two countries. Photo: Vietnam Airlines As planned, in the first phase, Vietnam Airlines will operate the Ho Chi Minh City - Bali route with a frequency of four round trips per week, on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. From July, the frequency will be increased to seven flights a week to meet increasing market demand. The launch of the direct flight not only helps Vietnam Airlines expand its flight network in the region, but also contributes to effectively exploiting the potential of the passenger market between Vietnam and Indonesia. Passengers on the Ho Chi Minh City - Bali direct flight. Photo: Vietnam Airlines In addition to serving Vietnamese tourists to Bali, the Ho Chi Minh City - Bali route also plays a strategic role in its international flight network. With convenient operating hours, this route connects easily with flights from Europe, Northeast Asia, India and the US, and others, contributing to expanding connectivity, diversifying international passenger travel itineraries and improving the efficiency of the airlines inter-regional flight network. The opening event took place on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Indonesia. This is not only a step forward in aviation and tourism but also has important diplomatic significance in the context of the two countries strongly strengthening trade, investment and cultural exchange cooperation. Deal signed to strengthen tourism ties between Vietnam and Singapore The Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Vietnam Airlines (VNA), and Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) signed an MoU on May 20 to strengthen tourism and connectivity between Vietnam and Singapore, amid growing regional travel demand to the city-state. Vietnams airlines seek more upward financial progress Air carriers in Vietnam escaped losses in the first months of 2025, driven by global expansion and strategic changes. Deputy PM Nguyen Chi Dung (L) and Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba. (Photo: VNA) Tokyo Vietnam considers Japan a trusted partner in the new era of development, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung told Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in their meeting in Tokyo on May 30. Deputy PM Dung, who is in Tokyo for the 30th Nikkei Forum "Future of Asia", expressed satisfaction with the robust and substantive development of the Vietnam - Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, built on strong political trust. He expressed a desire to closely coordinate the effective realisation of high-level agreements and continue facilitating high-level exchanges to further reinforce political trust and close bond between the two countries. Briefing on Vietnams determination, efforts, and new policies, Dung proposed deeper economic, investment, trade, cultural, and educational and locality-to-locality ties. He called for Japanese investment in major projects in Vietnam, particularly in urban and high-speed railways, energy, and digital infrastructure, and high-quality agriculture. Regarding the newly identified pillar of sci-tech cooperation, he advocated for stronger ties across green transition, digital transformation, and training of high-quality workforce, especially in the semiconductor sector. He also suggested the Japanese support to improve the efficiency of the Nghi Son refinery and petrochemical project in the central province of Thanh Hoa. Reflecting on his April visit to Vietnam, PM Ishiba shared his admiration for the countrys development vision and the vibrant energy of its people, drawing parallel to Japans own economic ascent three decades ago. He expressed confidence in Vietnams ability to achieve its development goals and reaffirmed Japans commitment to advancing bilateral agreements in trade, economy, investment, science, technology, and human resource development. Ishiba endorsed the focus on sci-tech, innovation, and skilled workforce training, praising the dedication of Vietnamese workers in Japan for their significant contributions to the countrys economy. He voiced enthusiasm for welcoming more Vietnamese workers, particularly those with specialised skills. On global and regional issues of mutual concern, host and guest vowed to work closely together at multilateral forums, jointly address global challenges, and step up multilateral free trade. At a roundtable meeting with the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), Dung urged Japanese associations and businesses to partner with the Vietnamese Government to tackle major economic challenges with a new vision, create strong steel punches for the economy and generate practical benefits for both countries. He welcomed the constructive feedback from Keidanren representatives and pledged to direct Vietnamese ministries, agencies, and localities to urgently review and resolve any issues and facilitate new and effective projects. Lets restructure supply chains to leverage our complementary strengths, reducing exposure to external risks, he said, noting that 2025 is a pivotal year for Vietnam to achieve its 2021-2025 development goals through acceleration and breakthroughs. Vietnam is refining its institutional framework, improve the business environment, and remove bottlenecks to unlock resources. The Government has identified administrative reform, streamlined procedures, and decentralisation as top priorities to position Vietnam as Southeast Asias best investment destination, he added. In his meeting with President and Chief Executive Officer of Sumitomo Corporation Shingo Ueno later on the same day, Dung was updated on the corporation's projects in Vietnam and their implementation progress. Ueno underscored that Sumitomo will continue expanding its projects in conformity with the Vietnamese Government's net-zero emission commitments. Dung welcomed and praised Sumitomo's substantial contributions to Vietnam's socio-economic development through large-scale and substantive projects. He particularly highlighted the corporation's success in affirming its brand in Vietnam, particularly in the industrial zone sector, where the companys high-tech, high-value projects are in line with the Governments priorities. He underscored the significance of land and energy efficiency, especially for industrial parks around Hanoi. Regarding the smart urban development project in the North of the capital city, Dung endorsed Sumitomo's investment approach towards creating a smart city integrated with enhanced healthcare and education infrastructure. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is currently reviewing Sumitomo's proposal for Van Phong 2 LNG power plant project and will provide feedback soon, according to the Deputy PM. Besides, he requested Sumitomo to continue working closely with relevant Vietnamese agencies to expedite the launching of the LOTUSat-1 satellite an initiative agreed upon during Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigerus official visit to Vietnam last month. Highlighting the robust bilateral cooperation as well as Vietnams sound investment climate, he encouraged the corporation to expand into more projects across various sectors and localities, positioning itself as a strategic partner rather than a strategic investor of Vietnam. Ueno, for his part, affirmed Sumitomos commitment to successfully implementing its projects in Vietnam, contributing to the country's economic development and bilateral cooperation. The same day, Dung and the working delegation attended the Vietnam Digital Transformation Day 2025 in Tokyo. In his speech, Dung stated that Vietnam sees science technology, innovation, and digital transformation as the key to overcome the middle-income trap and avoid the risk of falling behind, while realising the nation's aspirations for prosperity. Vietnam currently has over 70 companies and 5,000 IT engineers actively operating in Japan, contributing to the host country's technology ecosystem and innovation development. Both countries established cooperative ties in science - technology, innovation, and high-quality human resources training as new pillars of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during PM Ishiba's visit to Vietnam in April. Dung highlighted Vietnam's dynamic economy with over 100 million people, a high-quality IT engineering workforce, over 1 million workers in the information and communications sector, and tens of thousands of technology graduates annually. Meanwhile, Japan is a global technological powerhouse, excelling in AI, robotics, semiconductors, and green technologies. Japanese companies bring not only cutting-edge innovation but also strategic management expertise in applying technologies to address global challenges. Against the backdrop, the Deputy PM held that the combination of Vietnam's young, creative human resources with Japan's technologies and experience will create synergistic strength, bringing tremendous benefits to both countries. He suggested both sides enhance collaboration in research and development, transfer of strategic and core technologies, adding that Vietnam seeks to learn from Japan's experience in AI, big data, cybersecurity, semiconductor technology, cloud computing, and 5G/6G technologies while promoting digital human resources training. The Deputy PM took this occasion to call on both Japanese and Vietnamese leaders, enterprises and scientists to create new momentum in science - technology cooperation. On May 31, Dung is scheduled to meet with the Governor of Gunma prefecture, visit the Tsukuba Space Centre, and have a working session with Vietnamese scientists in Japan. . , . , . , . . BOULDER, Colo. Six people were injured Sunday in what the FBI immediately described as a targeted terror attack at an outdoor mall in Boulder, Colorado, where a group had gathered to raise attention to Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, yelled Free Palestine and used a makeshift flamethrower in the attack, said Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the Denver field office. Soliman was taken into custody. No charges were immediately announced but officials said they expect to hold him fully accountable. Soliman was also injured and was taken to the hospital to be treated, but authorities didnt elaborate on the nature of his injuries. Video from the scene showed a witness shouting, Hes right there. Hes throwing Molotov cocktails," as a police officer with his gun drawn advanced on a bare-chested suspect with containers in each hand. The attack took place at the popular Pearl Street pedestrian mall, a four-block area in downtown Boulder, where demonstrators with a volunteer group called Run For Their Lives had gathered to raise visibility for the hostages who remain in Gaza as a war between Israel and Hamas continues to inflame global tensions and has contributed to a spike in antisemitic violence in the United States. It occurred more than a week after the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington by a Chicago man who yelled "I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza as he was being led away by police. FBI leaders in Washington said they were treating the Boulder attack as an act of terrorism, and the Justice Department which leads investigations into acts of violence driven by religious, racial or ethnic motivations decried the attack as a "needless act of violence, which follows recent attacks against Jewish Americans." This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts. We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a post on X. Israel's war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250 others. They are still holding 58 hostages, around a third believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israels military campaign has killed over 54,000 people in Hamas-run Gaza, mostly women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The offensive has destroyed vast areas, displaced around 90% of the population and left people almost completely reliant on international aid. Police in Boulder were more circumspect about a motive. Police Chief Steve Redfearn said it would be irresponsible for me to speculate while witnesses were still being interviewed but noted that the group that had gathered in support of the hostages had assembled peacefully and that injuries of the victims ranging from serious to minor were consistent with them having been set on fire. The violence comes four years after a shooting rampage at a grocery store in Boulder, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Denver, that killed four people. The gunman was sentenced to life in prison for murder after a jury rejected his attempt to avoid prison time by pleading not guilty by reason of insanity. Multiple blocks of the pedestrian mall area were evacuated by police. The scene shortly after the attack was tense, as law enforcement agents with a police dog walked through the streets looking for threats and instructed the public to stay clear of the pedestrian mall. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement that he was closely monitoring the situation, adding that hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. An extra month extreme heat and there's a new COVID-19 variant Each week Hot off the Wire looks at a variety of stories in business, science, health and more. This week's headlines include: Half of world's population endured extra month of extreme heat due to climate change, experts say. The Digital Equity Act tried to close the digital divide. Trump calls it racist and acts to end it. Why 'wrench attacks' on wealthy crypto holders are on the rise. A new variant of COVID-19 may be driving up cases in some parts of the world, WHO says. Scientists have lost their jobs or grants in US cuts. Foreign universities want to hire them. Supreme Court lets Trump end humanitarian parole for 500,000 people from 4 countries. CDC removes language that says healthy kids should get COVID shots. US government is investigating messages impersonating Trump's chief of staff, Susie Wiles. Maryland's Wes Moore says he's not running for president but high-profile stops keep chatter alive. US inflation gauge cools with little sign of tariff impact, so far. Bernard Kerik, who led NYPD on 911 before prison and pardon, has died at 69. Authorities eyeing whether a kitchen job had a role in the 'Devil in the Ozarks' prison escape. Lance McCullers Jr. hires security after online death threats, some aimed at 5-year-old daughter. Escape of ex-police chief known as 'Devil in the Ozarks' has Arkansas residents on edge. WWII bomber crash left 11 dead and 'non-recoverable.' 4 are finally coming home. Harvard agrees to relinquish early photos of slaves, ending a long legal battle. US peregrine falcons adapt well to city living as their coastal cousins struggle with bird flu. A journalist was killed while writing a book on the Amazon. Here's how friends completed his work. Japan to use soil from contaminated Fukushima on flowerbeds at prime minister's office. Only 900 speakers of the Sanna language remain. Now Cyprus' Maronites are mounting a comeback. Renowned Everest guide says using xenon speeds climb and makes it safer, better for environment. Meet Hercules and Ned, the border collies fending off wildlife at West Virginias busiest airport. Vessel's implosion can be heard on new video from expedition to Titanic wreckage. Most LGBTQ+ adults feel Americans don't accept transgender people, Pew poll finds. Brazilian nuns go viral after beatboxing on Catholic TV. On this week's AP Religion Roundup, Ken Ham continues his crusade for creationism in the face of science. The Associated Press About this program Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate. Theme music The News Tonight, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: ZR2MOTROGI4XAHRX Just like the latest Ukraine attempt at hitting Russian airbases The future retaliation will be 100 fold and yet you will never hear the West tell you about the repercussions That is because the West is behind the attempts to attack Russia and Western Propaganda is all they really have WtR PS: What really happened The school year is ending, and kids will be looking to fill their summers with fun. 4-H is offering summer camps to do just that. Teens in the area will have an opportunity to have a blast and participate in hands-on outdoor environmental education at the same time at the University of Nevada, Reno Extension's 4-H Camp Tahoe, which is located at Stateline. The 4-H Teen Leadership Camp Tahoe takes place from June 11-14 and is open to area teens aged 13-18. Registration for the camp costs $215 per camper, and includes meals, snacks, lodging, educational materials and a camp t-shirt. For more information about Nevada 4-H Camp at Tahoe, check out the University of Nevada, Reno Extension's website. Carson Tahoe Health brought the community together today to celebrate cancer survivors, commemorating National Cancer Survivors Day. The celebration took place Sunday afternoon at Carson Tahoe Health in Carson City. In addition to honoring cancer survivors in northern Nevada and beyond, the event featured live music, ice cream, games and activities. "We are proud to celebrate the lives, strength, and perseverance of those who have faced cancer," said Ryan D. Patton, Vice President of Carson Tahoe Health and cancer survivor himself. For more information about National Cancer Survivors Day, check out the Carson Tahoe Health website. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Nausicaa Delfas, Chief Executive of The Pensions Regulator, said: We have long supported the move to fewer, larger well-run schemes with the scale and expertise to invest in diverse assets in savers interests, and as such we welcome these announcements today to boost scale and value in the pensions system. Asset allocation Further to HM Treasurys Pension Investment Review final report, and ahead of the Value for Money (VfM) joint framework, TPR and the Financial Conduct Authority will later this year launch a joint market-wide data collection exercise which will include asset allocation information in workplace defined contribution (DC) schemes. The exercise is envisaged to run annually until the VfM disclosure data becomes available. The exercise will request asset allocation information from major DC providers, broken down by asset class and sub-asset class, with UK-overseas splits. The first reporting will be available in early 2026. DB options TPR welcomes the publication of the DWPs Options for Defined Benefit schemes response, looking at the future of defined benefit pensions. TPR will shortly issue guidance to support defined benefit schemes in considering the best options for their members over the longer term, some of which may be useful for endgame planning. The Pensions Regulator is the regulator of work-based pension schemes in the UK. Our statutory objectives are to: People's Daily Digital Bulletin Board Overseas Launch Promotional Event was held in Almaty ahead of upcoming summit People's Daily) 09:08, June 02, 2025 "Resonate on Screen, Advance Hand in Hand" People's Daily Digital Bulletin Board Overseas Launch Promotional Event was held on May 28 in Almaty. Fang Jiangshan, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of People's Daily, delivered a speech and attended the Unveiling Ceremony of the People's Daily Digital Bulletin Board in Almaty and the Launch Ceremony for the Kazakh-Language Translation Project of the "Stories Shared by Xi Jinping" Animated Series. The guests attending the event all agreed that they are looking forward to seeing the peoples of China and Kazakhstan make full use of the "screen-media" platform to spread the voice of friendship and cooperation, and to jointly create a magnificent digital Silk Road that brings hearts and minds closer together. People's Daily Digital Bulletin Boards were unveiled ahead of the upcoming China-Central Asia Summit, featuring multilingual content to share China's stories globally. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) Anna University Sexual Harassment Case: Convict Gets 30-Year Life Sentence Without Remission 2 In a landmark judgment, a Chennai Mahila Court on Monday sentenced Gnanasekaranconvicted of sexually harassing a student on the Anna University campus in December last yearto life imprisonment for a minimum of 30 years without the possibility of remission. Judge M Rajalakshmi, who had convicted the accused on May 28, announced the sentencing after the prosecution successfully proved 11 charges against him. The judge ordered that the sentences for each of the 11 convictions would run concurrently. The strict sentencing reflects the judiciarys zero-tolerance approach to crimes against women, especially those occurring within academic institutions. A Hanceville man was stabbed to death Sunday in Cullman County, but authorities on Monday ruled the homicide justified. Coroner Jeremy Kilpatrick identified the victim as Matthew R. Hall. He was 27, and had a protection from abuse order against him at the time of his death. Sheriffs deputies were dispatched about 5 p.m. to a report of a domestic-related incident involving a stabbing. Deputies and investigators quickly secured the scene and provided assistance to Hall, who later died at the hospital. Sheriff Matt Gentry on Monday said one person was been detained, and there is no threat to the public. District Attorney Champ Crocker said Halls death is justified under Alabamas Stand Your Ground law. A protection from abuse order was entered against Hall on May 23, based on Halls ongoing harassment and threatening actions against the homeowner where the incident occurred, Crocker said. Mr. Hall was the initial aggressor, Crocker said. As unfortunate as this situation is for Mr. Hall, his family and friends, not every homicide is a murder. Alabama law allows individuals to justifiably use deadly force if they reasonably fear for their safety or the safety of others, he said. That is what the evidence suggests in this case. The evidence will be presented to a grand jury, which Crocker said is standard procedure. An Alabama man is behind bars after authorities say he fatally shot another man Sunday night while he was perched about 75 yards away. The suspect told investigators he did fire the shots but missed his target. The victim was identified Monday as Oscar Lee Eiland, according to Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton. Eiland was 58. Sheriffs deputies were dispatched at 7:18 p.m. to the 100 block of Lee Road 684 North on a report of a shooting. That location is in the Beulah community. When deputies arrived, they made contact with 58-year-old Christopher James Espey Futral who was hiding behind a fence. He called out to deputies saying that he was putting his gun down and coming out with his hands up. Futral was taken into custody without incident. Eiland was then found inside his home with multiple gunshot wounds to the pelvic and groin area, sheriffs officials said. Deputies performed CPR on Eiland until medics arrived. He was taken to East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika where he was pronounced dead. Investigators recovered a .243 caliber bolt action hunting rifle and multiple spent shell casings from the yard at Futrals residence. Sheriffs spokeswoman Jessica Henderson investigators determined Futral shot Eiland from a perched position from about 75 yards away. He admitted to the shooting but stated he missed his intended target, Henderson said. Authorities did not say whether Futral said who or what he was trying to shoot. Futral is charged with murder. He is being held in the Lee County Detention Center with no bond, awaiting an Aniahs Law Hearing. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriffs Office at 334-749-5651 or Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867). Birmingham police investigate the shooting death of a 45-year-old man inside his Central Park home. (Carol Robinson) Authorities have released the name of a man who was found shot to death inside his Ensley home. The Jefferson County Coroners Office on Monday identified the victim as Marcus Dewayne Stollenwreck. He was 45. Stollenwreck was discovered just before 2 p.m. Friday in the home on 50th Street in Ensley. His wife called 911 and told a dispatcher she came home and found her husband shot in the head. She told police that the house, in Birminghams Central Park neighborhood, was shot up" and money was missing. Birmingham police investigate a homicide at 1755 50th Street Ensley on May 30, 2025. Carol Robinson Officer DeRell Freeman said detectives did not find any sign of forced entry. Police on the scene said the victim had been dead for at least a day before his body was found. Freeman said the exact time of the deadly shooting is not yet known. No arrests have been announced. Stollenwreck is Birminghams 33rd homicide in 2025. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 49, including the 33 in Birmingham. Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Justin Garcia-Pruneda as Fred, Sylvester Stallone as Dwight "The General" Manfredi, Jay Will as Tyson, Max Casella as Armand Truisi, Dashiell Connery as Clint, Jonathan Joss as Bad Face and Martin Starr as Bodhi in the "Visitation Place" episode of "Tulsa King." Joss, who was voiced John Redcorn in "King of the Hill," was shot to death after an argument with a neighbor. Brian Douglas/Paramount+ Jonathan Joss, the voice of John Redcorn on the animated TV comedy King of Hill, was shot dead by a neighbor in Texas. He was 59 years old. Joss got into a argument with the neighbor, per TMZ, at his home in San Antonio Sunday night when the neighbor pulled out a gun and shot him several times. Officers attempted life-saving measures until medics arrived, but Joss was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Variety. The unnamed gunman then fled the scene in a vehicle but was arrested by police just a block from the residence. TMZ later reported that Sigfredo Alvarez-Cega was arrested and charged with murder. Bond has been set at $200,000. Joss also had a recurring role on Parks and Recreation as Chief Hatote. Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily. Netflix announced yesterday when it will release the final season of Stranger Things, but be prepared: its being released in three parts. Its been nine years of alternating between exciting episodes of the massively successful show and long stretches of waiting for new installments but it looks as if the end will really come in 2025. Netflix verifies on its website that this will be the final season. According to a video announcement for season 5, watch above, the four episodes that make up Volume 1 will drop Nov. 26, the three episodes in Volume 2 on Christmas Day and the last episode, the Finale, on New Years Eve. The video for the date announcement also serves as the first trailer for the last season, showing flashes of the shows timeline through the first four seasons and few hints of whats to come in season 5. The Netflix announcement says it wont be much longer now before your favorite nerds take on Vecna in what promises to be one last epic ride through Hawkins, Ind. The show has been largely filmed in small towns around Georgia, which collectively serve as Hawkins, the town where a ragtag group of kids take on the Upside Down, demogorgons and government conspiracies in the 1980s. Click here for a list of filming locations you can visit, including some from season 5. The nostalgic sci-fi show created by the Duffy Brothers has garnered record viewership for Netflix. The core cast will return. The children, now grown, are played by Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke. Winona Ryder and David Harbour return as the adults who aid the kids in their battles with monsters. This summer, AL.com has a mission: Were going to highlight the hidden gems across Alabama. Were not just talking about places, although we plan on doing plenty of that, too. We will tell the stories of the people, businesses and food across our state that we think deserve a little more love. Were calling this series Unsung Alabama, and every weekday in June and July, we plan on sharing a new story with yall. And while we have a lot of great stories already planned, we want to hear from you. Know of a neighbor who has a great story? Have a dish at your favorite restaurant that you cant get enough of? Do you have a secret hidden gem youd like to share with the world (or at least share with the AL.com audience)? Wed love to hear from you. Send me an email or fill out this form and well consider your story. Well also have more opportunities to vote on story topics this summer, so keep an eye out. Lets start this off with a simple bucket list of some things to do this summer in Alabama and most of them are suggestions from readers. I didnt include the more obvious suggestions, like visiting the beaches on the Alabama coast, checking out the Vulcan, touring the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, etc. While I love all of those places, I wanted to highlight attractions that dont top the tourism lists every year. Let me know all the places I missed. Now, lets get to it: Weathington Park in Section is an Alabama must-visit. (Tamika Moore/AL.com) TAMIKA MOORE/AL.com Check out the views at Weathington Park Section No picture can quite capture the serene views of the Tennessee River you get at Weathington Park. (Although plenty of photographers have tried.) The Northeast Alabama overlook has picnic tables and there are a few small walking trails, as well. Tip: Make sure youre there for sunset for maximum beauty. READ MORE: Alabamas most beautiful places A look inside Red's Little School House in Grady, Ala. Julie Bennett Eat lunch at Reds Little School House Grady Want to go back to school for a day this summer? Right on the outskirts of Montgomery County is a converted schoolhouse where you can get country cooking thats not like anything you ever ate in your lunchroom. The food at Reds Little School House is served buffet-style and prices are written on the chalkboard. (Dont leave without trying the homemade pie.) Check out a giant syrup bottle Headland Its easy to know when you make it to Todd Farms and General Store in Southeast Alabama theres the 22-foot tall syrup bottle in front, for starters. But the longtime attraction also has a general store inside, plus a cafe that serves breakfast and lunch. This is a must-stop. Grab a scoop of ice cream at the production facility of Blue Bell Creameries in Sylacauga, Ala. Amber Sutton Tour the Blue Bell Creamery Sylacauga Have you ever wanted to know how Blue Bell Ice Cream is made? Head over to Sylacauga to the companys production facility and you can watch through an observation window. Get a scoop of ice cream for $1 and dont forget to check out the gift shop before you leave. Visit Dismals Canyon Phil Campbell Dismals Canyon in Franklin County is one of Alabamas most magnificent places. The National Natural Landmark is one of the most unique hikes youll ever experience and one of the few places on earth where you can see dismalites (a specific kind of glowworm). Dismals Canyon is an ecological marvel, and its something every Alabamian should experience once. READ MORE: 6 places to take people new to Alabama View of the upper pool at Blue Springs State Park in Clio, Ala., where the cool spring water boils from the ground. This pool is 18 feet deep in the middle. (AL.com file photo/Joe Songer) Cool off at Blue Springs State Park Clio Swimming at Blue Springs State Park is definitely a bucket list item. The parks main attractions are the two crystal-clear pools that are fed by an underground spring. The spring keeps the pools temperature at a cool 68 degrees year-round. (Note: There are no lifeguards on duty at the pools.) Downtown Abbeville, Ala. (Kelly Kazek) Explore a vintage downtown Abbeville Great Southern Wood CEO James Jimmy Rane is the states richest man according to Forbes, and hes spent some of his money revitalizing his hometown of Abbeville. The downtown area has been restored with vintage touches that make you feel like youre on your way to a sock hop. READ MORE: How Alabamas richest man spends his money The Drive-Thru Museum of Wonder, located off Highway 431 in Seale, Ala., was created by nationally-renowned folk artist Butch Anthony in 2014. It displays an array of Butchs work in addition to found and gifted curiosities. Amber Sutton Drive through the Museum of Wonder Seale You can view the artwork (and oddities) of nationally-renowned artist Butch Anthony in his Drive-Thru Museum of Wonder. The museum is comprised of shipping containers with glass windows so its easy to view. Best of all? Its open 24/7, so you can be there anytime. READ MORE: Uniquely Alabama museums worth a visit. Originally called Bat Cave, Cathedral Caverns was opened to the public by Jacob Gurley in the 1950s. (Joe Songer) al.com Cool off in Cathedral Caverns Woodville Theres only one place in Alabama where you may need a coat this summer: Northeast Alabamas Cathedral Caverns State Park. The cave stays around 60 degrees. Take a tour not just for 90 minutes of natural air conditioning but also to see a frozen waterfall, one-of-a-kind formations and one of the largest stalagmites in the world. READ MORE: Alabama caves you need to see There will be an inaugural Pickle Festival at Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville, Ala. (Matt Wake/mwake@AL.com) Check out a festival devoted to pickles Huntsville I love a quirky festival, and this year Huntsvilles Orion Amphitheater will host its inaugural Pickle Festival. The fest promises live music, pickle-inspired eats and drinks, games, local vendors. The event is set for June 29. READ MORE: 9 Alabama festivals to check out this summer Black Belt Treasures and Cultural Arts Center in Camden offers some of the best fine art, folk art, crafts and much more made by artists in the Black Belt region. (Michelle Matthews/mmatthews@al.com) Buy some Alabama art Camden The Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center, located in the small town of Camden,, is a nonprofit that strives to stimulate the economy by promoting and selling art from the region and offering art education. Visit the unique storefront to find some local crafts made with love. READ MORE: Celebrating art in heart of Alabamas Black Belt The only exclusively coon dog cemetery in the world is located in Colbert County, Alabama. Ian Hoppe Pay your respects at the coon dog cemetery Cherokee There is no other place in the world quite like Cherokees coon dog cemetery. (Its official name is the Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard.) Its a peaceful, serene place to witness our love for mans best friend. A Tuscaloosa salon owner says she regrets supporting the Crumbl store that recently came to town after the owners allegedly threatened to sue her. In a TikTok Saturday, Morgan Harris, owner of the Chaise Beauty Lounge eyelash salon, said she was contacted by someone who claimed they were the owner of the Tuscaloosa Crumbl store after dropping off 100 $10 gift cards to give out during their grand opening event Friday. @morganchaisebeauty Please tag @crumblecookies so they see this if it wasnt them. I have had the worst day of my life as a business owner and we truly were just trying to support your business here in Tuscaloosa original sound - Morgan Harris Harris said the stores management had previously accepted her offer but then accused her of trying to steal their customers. Today we got a phone call, and they are very aggressive, Harris said. I get on the phone, and she says, I am the owner of Crumbl and shes basically yelling at me. And she says that basically were trying to profit off of their business and if we have anything to do with them ever again, theyre going to send us a cease and desist and theyre going to take legal action against us. Harris said the woman, who she believed to be with Crumbl corporate at the time, called again five minutes later and said that she had decided to pursue legal action after speaking with the stores employees. I got confirmation, Harris said. In a recent post to Facebook, Vanessa Arias introduced herself and her family as the Crumbl locations owners. After visiting her brother, who also owns a Crumbl store in Boston, Arias said her family was hooked and wanted to bring more of Crumbl to Alabama and be a part of the Crumbl family. Efforts to reach Arias and Crumbl corporate were not immediately successful. I would never just drop stuff off at a business without speaking to somebody first, Harris said in her video. And we didnt pass them out. We literally just handed them to someone at the front desk. We just were creating a connection with a new business in town, she continued. Whether you guys are a franchise or not youre a new business here, locally, you just had another business trying to support you, Harris added. It was no ill intent. Harris said Saturday she was posting the video in hopes of getting in touch with higher ups at Crumbl or finding legal representation in Tuscaloosa. Im not some big corporation or another cookie company trying to come in and steal your customers, she said, apologizing for the gift cards. We were just sharing our support for you guys here. In a follow up video Sunday, Harris said that Crumbl corporate contacted her and assured her they would not be taking legal action. @morganchaisebeauty Thank you to @Crumbl for reaching out to me and for how they handled about the situation from yesterday. I have had a long 24 hours and did not expect such a response. Most importantly thank you to my Tuscaloosa community for supporting me through this situation please do not send hate, I hope this is just a learning lesson for all businesses on how to treat one another original sound - Morgan Harris I do think that this whole thing was a misunderstanding, and it was taken way too far, Harris said. I hate that it had to be that way. She added that the franchise owners made attempts to contact her on Sunday, but she was advised not to speak with them. I just did not feel comfortable speaking with them because of how the whole thing was handled, she said. Harris did say that she received messages Saturday night from a TikTok account belonging to the same woman she spoke to on the phone denying that she had called Harris. While Harris said it was frustrating that the store owners wouldnt take responsibility, she added that she didnt want people flocking to Crumbl to leave negative reviews. I truly believe this is just...one person badly representing them, Harris said. Crumbls official TikTok account responded to Harris follow up, saying they were looking forward to resolving this. Crumbl has more than 1,000 stores in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. The company has 18 Alabama locations, according to its website, including Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Trussville, Alabaster and McCalla. Cousins Jason McGowan and Sawyer Hemsley started Crumbl Cookies in 2017 in Logan, Utah. Alireza Doroudi, the University of Alabama doctoral student detained by federal immigration, on Sunday returned to Iran after requesting voluntary deportation last month. His choice was made in response to a system that failed to uphold fairness, transparency, and due process, his attorney David Rozas said in a recent release. Doroudi was in federal custody for roughly two months after ICE agents showed up at his Tuscaloosa apartment around 3 a.m. on March 25. For weeks, Mr. Doroudi was held in detention without any substantiated evidence presented to justify the initial claims of national security concerns, Rozas said. Despite having no history of protest or political activity, and despite documentation indicating that his F-1 student visa remained valid until departure, Mr. Doroudi was denied bond and subjected to legal proceedings riddled with delay and contradiction. In his May 8 hearing before Judge Maithe Gonzalez, Doroudi made the difficult decision to request voluntary departure, Rozas said. It was a heartbreaking moment, Rozas continued. He turned and said, I love this country, but they dont want me here so I will go home. Rozas said previously the only charges against Doroudi were the revocation of his student F-1 visa and an allegation that he was not in status. But documentation about the visa revocation stipulated the revocation upon Doroudis removal from the United States, Rozas said. Rozas said this meant that the initial reason for arrest 45 days ago was an error. During his hearing in May, Rozas said the Department of Homeland Security signaled their intention to drop Doroudis charge. The University of Alabama had advised Doroudi that he was legally allowed to stay but would not be allowed to re-enter if he left, his fiance, Sama Bajgani added. At his hearing a U.S. government attorney said the visa revocation was prudential, meaning it would not go into effect until after he left the country in line with what the university told Doroudi earlier. Gonzalez called for additional hearings which would have required Doroudi to remain in detention as the legal process played out. Rozas said previously that Doroudis decision to leave would allow him to avoid prolonged and unnecessary detention. Mr. Doroudis return is a warning, Rozas said this week. When individuals are detained without evidence, forced to disprove unfounded allegations, and pressured to leave a country they sought to contribute to, we must ask: What message are we sending to international students? To immigrant communities? To those who believe in the promise of American justice? This was not justice, Rozas said. This was attrition by detention. And it should never have come to this. Bajgani said last month she will grieve all the friendships and dreams we had with each other to build a life in (the U.S.). Its a sad day for America, she said. Moving forward, Rozas said he will remain committed to seeking accountability for the failures that led to this outcome, and to ensuring that what happened to Mr. Doroudi does not happen again. Allen Media Broadcasting is currently exploring the sale of its 28 broadcast television stations, two of which are located in Alabama. Six years ago, Allen Media Group began the process of investing over one billion dollars to acquire big four network-affiliated television stations, Chief Executive Byron Allen said in a recent release. We have received numerous inquiries and written offers for most of our television stations and now is the time to explore getting a return on this phenomenal investment. We are going to use this opportunity to take a serious look at the offers, and the sale proceeds will be used to significantly reduce our debt, he continued. Last year, CNBC reported that Allen Media Group had been consistently late in making payments to its network owners, in some cases as much as 90 days past due, with the payments totaling tens of millions of dollars throughout the year. Representatives for Allen Media Group declined to address the reason for the lateness when the outlet reached out, according to their reporting. The group operates across 21 U.S. markets, with affiliates major networks like Disneys ABC, Paramount Globals CBS, Comcasts NBC and News Corps Fox. Allen Media Group is also the parent company to WAAY in Huntsville and WCOV in Montgomery, and was the subject of statewide controversy earlier this year before it nixed the decision to have The Weather Channel provide local weather coverage, potentially saving jobs in Alabama and across the country. Allen Media Regional Vice President Dan Batchelor previously told the West Kentucky Star that the company reversed course on the decision based on viewer and advertiser reaction. Allen Media Group has not addressed how the sale might impact its stations or employees. Efforts to reach representatives for WAAY and WCOV were not immediately successful. June 2, 2025: Earlier this year Philippines police arrested six Chinese citizens and accused them of espionage. The Chinese were caught using cameras and drones to collect information on American warships in Subic Bay as well as the port facilities. The Chinese used a fishing boat and pretended to be part of the crew. Another group of Chinese was caught using a vacation resort in the hills overlooking the bay to observes and photograph activity in the bay. The United States long used Subic Bay as a forward operating base in the Pacific, but that ended in 1992 when the end of the Cold War rendered many American military facilities overseas redundant. Twenty years later China became a threat and the U.S. sought to revive some of its old naval bases in the Pacific. The Philippines was willing to allow access to Subic Bay, which had been converted into a commercial operation. The Americans were now restoring some of the military facilities and the Chinese spies were seeking details. The Philippines has a long history with Chinese spies and gangsters trying to operate out of remote parts of the country. As recently as 2012 Filipino police arrested 357 members of a Chinese gang that committed various types of fraud and theft via the Internet. Most of those arrested were from China and Taiwan and had set up shop in the Philippines to avoid Chinese police. Two of the ringleaders were Filipinos of Chinese ancestry. While China is the largest practitioner of Internet espionage, it is also one the main victims of Internet based crime. China is tolerant of hackers who work for the government and only steal from foreigners. Chinese hackers who prey on Chinese Internet users are hunted down and jailed, or worse, so these Chinese Internet gangsters have sought foreign bases. The Philippines has long been a favorite place for international criminals to operate from. This was especially true of Internet based crime. But that has changed as major governments become more adept at tracking down where the actual criminals are located and making arrangements with police in those countries to take down these gangs. For a while Filipino police were reluctant to get involved because these crooks were smart enough to be good citizens where they were operating from. The Philippines is but one location in Chinas growing international network of spies, local agents, and operatives. The foreigners working for this network are often unaware that they are working for China. This is part of Chinas concealment of the extent of their operations. China also obtains the services of internet hacking groups through a third party to conceal the fact that data is being stolen for the Chinese. Despite years of successful efforts to conceal the extent of their espionage network, that anonymity has unraveled during the last year and the process continues despite Chinese efforts to delay, disrupt, or stop it. This result is that Chinese spies and espionage efforts are becoming known in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa and south, southeast, and east Asia. An increasing number of arrests have taken place and subsequently been publicized. Its not just the espionage that annoys foreigners but the covert meddling the Chinese were engaged in worldwide. China sought to influence foreign governments to cooperate with local Chinese goals without knowing or revealing what was being covertly done to benefit China. Many of the operatives were nor local Chinese but ethnic locals covertly hired to support the local Chinese agenda. Many of the Chinese operatives convincingly presented themselves as anti-Chinese. This sort of deception was particularly useful when it came to sabotaging efforts by the major foreign intelligence and counterintelligence agencies of countries like the American FBI and CIA, British SIS, German BND, French DGSE, and Turkish MIT. In Europe, the 27 members of the European Union concentrate on economic matters but are now more aware of the efforts and impact of foreign intelligence agencies and operatives. This is particularly true with the Chinese, who have the second largest economy in the world and want to obtain, one way or another, more market share from the United States, which has the largest economy in the world. Government and corporate espionage are heavily involved with monitoring and sometimes disrupting foreign economies when it suits them. The countries with the largest economies, especially those in Europe and the Americas, also depend on non-government BI, or Business Intelligence. The Japanese pioneered the use of BI in the 1960s as they sought to establish foreign markets in the United States, Europe and, as the Chinese economy grew enormously from the 1980s to 2010, the Chinese commercial and consumer markets. BI played a major role in exposing and documenting Chinese efforts to gain large shares of foreign markets in Europe and the United States. With this evidence available American and European efforts to disrupt and eliminate illegal Chinese trading practices have become effective, and the Chinese dont like it. With China on the defense, the Chinese must use BI and other forms of espionage to get themselves out of that mess. The Chinese are patient and willing to wait a decade or more to do whatever it takes to recover their market share in western countries. European nations are now more aware of Chinese using BI as part of their economic trade practices. In the last few years European governments, as well as the Americans have come to realize the extent of the deceptive Chinese trade practices that brought great wealth to China without their foreign trading partners being aware of what was going on. Western BI efforts detected that something was up but not enough to act on. Chinese espionage was more effective at supporting Chinese economic efforts. Some European historians pointed out that, when Europeans began trading with China in the 1500s, the Europeans eventually realized that the Chinese were better at this trade business because they had an early version of BI while the Europeans were learning the hard way what they were up against. It took the Europeans several centuries to figure out how to deal with the Chinese trading practices and when the Americans came along in 1784, after the American Revolution, they started small but by 1844 had their first trade treaty with China and soon came to take a disproportionate share of foreign trade with China. That didnt last long because in the 1860s China entered a century-long cycle of civil war and economic disruption. China suffered greatly, with over 30 million Chinese dying and the economy collapsing. It wasnt until the 1980s that China began to rebuild their economy and trade with foreigners. Western BI was primitive during that period and the Americans and Europeans could not come up with an effective way to make it better. As large as the Chinese market was, the western nations prospered during the 19th and 20th centuries as they traded with each other and jointly created the largest economies the world had ever seen. That lasted until the late 20th century when the Chinese economy began to make a comeback. The Americans also began to crack down on Chinese espionage. In 2023 the United States revealed that two American sailors were arrested and charged with spying for China. Both men were ethnic Chinese who were born in China but grew up in the United States, and one had applied to become a naturalized citizen. Both men provided confidential, not highly classified information, including technical manuals used by sailors to do their jobs on various warships. The two sailors also provided details on planned deployments of some ships. The mother of one of the sailors encouraged her son to cooperate with Chinese intelligence because that might enable him to move back to China and get a better civilian job. That will have to wait until they are out of custody. Both men are jailed pending trial because both were considered a flight risk to China. Despite years of growing numbers of arrests and prosecutions of Americans accused of spying for China, the Chinese persist. While ethnic Chinese Americans are prime targets for Chinese recruiters of spies and informants, any foreigners with pro-Chinese attitudes are potential candidates for Chinese intelligence officers looking for potential recruits. A favorite tactic of Chinese intel officers is to arrange for a financial arrangement between Chinese organizations and people China considers potential candidates for Chinese intelligence sources. Much of this effort is concentrated in large English-speaking nations like the United States and Britain that have many trading relationships with Chinese firms and institutions. Western universities and faculty were always a prime target because these institutions and their key staff are not seen as a major target for Chinese influence operations. China understands that the staff of universities in the West are recognized by locals as a source of expert opinion on many matters. These faculty members can also be influenced by gifts of cash. These are not called gifts or, more accurately, bribes. Rather the money is considered a grant to support further academic studies on one subject or another. China arranges large grants for such purposes. Government and popular opposition to these programs has not eliminated them, just forced China to change how it implements the program. While Western intelligence agencies remain alert and aware of this program, few others in government or academia seem to be concerned. After several years of indifference by university administrators towards requests to monitor and block Chinese influence efforts, governments are becoming more energetic and aggressive about this. China has been making the most of their access. One FBI investigation documented the use of the Chinese Confucius Institute's cultural centers at American universities and how these programs were part of a widespread intelligence operation that employed visa fraud for Chinese visiting scholars who were actually MSS operatives. This program recruited Chinese-born businessmen, academics, and others, often naturalized American citizens, to participate in Intellectual property/IP theft. Further encouragement was that some of these operatives could sometimes profit from it personally. Not all these recruits knew they were participating in espionage, but the Chinese could effectively pressure their citizens to cooperate. Worse, the FBI discovered that many of the Chinese in the U.S. on J-1 visas for visiting scholars spent most of their time on espionage and a bare minimum on actual research. As successful as this espionage effort was, most of the Chinese Americans approached by recruiters were not interested and politely declined. More importantly, many of them quietly reported their encounters to the FBI or to friends they knew could do it for them. The Chinese knew these alerts to the FBI posed a risk but considered it an acceptable risk given the amount of intellectual property that was being stolen and put to work back in China. The same thing happens when China seeks to recruit informants or spies in the American armed forces. It was known that China had a state-sponsored program to make it easy for foreign-educated Chinese to return home and apply what they had learned in the West to start their own companies. China offered billions of dollars in venture capital for this program. This made it easier for Chinese moving back to China from the West to establish their own companies using what they learned in the West. This program helped create thousands of new firms. Many of these firms were using stolen trade secrets and patents that were being laundered. That is, changed sufficiently to make it difficult for the owners of the stolen intellectual property to easily prove theft. The FBI and CIA again noted several interesting patterns. While many of the returning Chinese students were operating legally, many of those new Chinese firms were operating illegally by depending on stolen IP. There were other patterns as well. A lot of the stolen tech seemed to involve Chinese and Americans associated with various Chinese efforts that helped returning Chinese to profit from what they had learned in the West. These programs involved establishing hundreds of Confucius Institutes associated with Western universities, including a hundred in the United States. Plus the aggressive recruiting of Chinese and non-Chinese academics willing to help China perpetrate the largest IP theft in history. Participating in this program has become riskier. The growing number of convictions are for conspiring to steal or stealing trade secrets. Many of the technologies involved are dual-use, for commercial and military applications. Many of these investigations began when American companies provided the FBI with documentation showing how the Chinese obtained and applied the trade secrets. What the American firms usually lack is information about who was getting the information, often including detailed manufacturing techniques, to the Chinese. The U.S. is not the only victim here. Many other Western nations are experiencing the same losses. Even Chinese neighbor and ally Russia has suffered heavy losses due to this Chinese economic espionage. There have been a lot more court cases about this because Chinese firms have become bolder in how they exploit stolen software, trade secrets and other technology. In the past, the Chinese were careful in the use of stolen tech when exporting their own military equipment copied from Russian designs. The Chinese had started doing this during the Cold War, which sometimes got hot with some deadly border skirmishes in the 1970s because China and Russia developed some territorial and ideological disputes that did not settle down until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. By 2012 most American officials had come to openly admit that a whole lot of American military and commercial technical data has been stolen via Chinese internet (and more conventional) espionage efforts. Details of exactly all the evidence of this is unclear, but apparently, it was convincing for many American politicians and senior officials who had previously been skeptical. The Chinese efforts have resulted in most major American weapons systems having tech details obtained by the Chinese, in addition to a lot of non-defense or dual-use technology. Its not just the United States that is being hit but most nations with anything worth stealing. Many of these nations are noticing that China is the source of most of this espionage and few are content to remain silent any longer. Its no secret that Chinese intelligence collecting efforts since the late 1990s have been spectacularly successful. As the rest of the world comes to realize the extent of this success, there is a growing desire for retaliation. What form that payback takes remains to be seen. Collecting information, both military and commercial, often means breaking laws and striking or hacking back at the suspected attackers will involve even more felonies. China has broken a lot of laws. Technically, China has committed acts of war because of the degree to which it penetrated military networks and carried away copies of highly secret material. The U.S. and many other victims have been warning China there will be consequences. As the extent of Chinese espionage becomes known and understood, the call for consequences becomes louder. China tries hard to conceal its espionage efforts. Not just denying anything and everything connected to hacking and conventional spying, but also taking precautions. But as their success continued year after year, some of the Chinese hackers became cocky and sloppy. At the same time, the victims became more adept at detecting Chinese efforts and tracing them back to specific Chinese government organizations or non-government hackers inside China. China has been getting away with something the Soviet Union never accomplished, stealing Western technology, and then using it to move ahead of the West. The Soviets lacked the many essential supporting industries found in the West. These firms were largely founded and run by entrepreneurs, which was illegal in the Soviet Union. Because of that, the Russians were never able to acquire all the many pieces needed to match Western technical accomplishments. Soviet copies of American computers, for example, were crude, less reliable, and less powerful. It was the same situation with their jet fighters, tanks, and warships. China got around this by making it seemingly profitable for Western firms to set up factories in China, where Chinese managers and workers were taught how to make things right. At the same time, China allows thousands of their best students to go to the United States to study. While many of these students will stay in America, where there are better jobs and more opportunities, a growing number are coming back to China and bringing American business and technical skills with them. Finally, China energetically uses the thousand grains of sand approach to espionage. This involves China trying to get all Chinese going overseas, and those of Chinese ancestry living outside the motherland, to spy for China, if only a tiny bit. This approach to espionage is nothing new. Other nations have used similar systems for centuries. What is unusual is the scale of the Chinese effort, and that makes a difference. Supporting it all is a Chinese intelligence bureaucracy back home that is huge, with nearly 100,000 people working just to keep track of the many Chinese overseas and what they could, or should, be trying to grab for the motherland. This is where many of the graduates of the National Intelligence College program will work. It begins when Chinese intelligence officials examine who is going overseas and for what purpose. Chinese citizens cannot leave the country legally without state security organizations being notified. The intel people are not being asked to give permission. They are being alerted in case they want to have a talk with students, tourists, or businesspeople before leaving the country. Interviews are often held when these people come back as well. Those who might encounter useful information are asked to remember what they saw or bring back souvenirs, legal or otherwise. There are over a million Chinese students attending foreign universities. Even more Chinese go abroad as tourists or on business. Most of these people were not asked to act as spies but simply to share, with Chinese government officials, who are not always identified as intelligence personnel, whatever information they obtained. The more ambitious of these people are getting caught and prosecuted. But the majority are quite casual and individually bring back relatively little and are almost impossible to catch, much less prosecute. Like the Russians, the Chinese are also employing the traditional methods, using people with diplomatic immunity to recruit spies, and offering cash, or whatever, to get people to sell them information. This is still effective and when combined with the "thousand grains of sand" method brings in a lot of secrets. Not getting caught is becoming more important because that can lead to increasingly dangerous diplomatic and legal problems. When the Chinese steal some technology and produce something that the Western victims can prove was stolen via patents and prior use of the technology, legal action can make it impossible, or very difficult, to sell anything using the stolen tech outside of China. For that reason, the Chinese long preferred stealing military technology and tried to avoid using stolen commercial tech in a way that made it easy to determine the source of stolen data. This meant keeping stolen commercial tech inside China. And in some cases, like manufacturing technology, there's an advantage to not selling it outside of China. Because China is still a communist dictatorship, the courts do as they are told, and they are rarely told to honor foreign patent claims when stolen tech is discovered in China by its foreign owners. Increasingly, Chinese firms are boldly using their stolen technology, daring foreign firms to try and use Chinese courts to get justice. Instead, the foreign firms are trying to muster support from their governments for lawsuits outside China. Naturally, the Chinese government will howl and insist that its all a plot to oppress China. This has worked for a long time, but many of the victims are now telling China that this conflict is being taken to a new, and more dangerous, level. An Ikea storefront is shown in Bloomington, Minnesota. Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images IKEA. Its the name on the top of just about every most wanted retailer list. But, as of, now there are no IKEA stores in Alabama and, according to information from the Swedish furniture giant, it doesnt appear that will change this year or the next. READ MORE: Bucking national trends, this Alabama mall boasts 90%-plus capacity with new stores opening IKEA has plans to open five locations in the U.S. this year and six more by the end of 2025, USA Today reported. Two more stores are planned for 2026. Currently, there are 51 full-size IKEA stores in the U.S. with 39 pick-up spots. The three large-format stores opening in 2025 include: San Marcos Texas Opening in July McAllen, Texas- Opening in October Dallas Texas Opening in December Opening in 2026 will be: Rockwall, Texas Phoenix, Arizona Three Plan and Order points with pick-up will open this year. Those locations are, according to USA Today: Cherry Hill, New Jersey Opening in June Beaverton, Oregon Opening in June Hunt Valley, Maryland Opening in July Earlier this year, IKEA opened pick up locations in Scottsdale, Arizona and Thousand Oaks, Ontario and Colma, California. The Plan & Order Point with Pick-up allows customers to meet with the IKEA store team to plan and order home furnishings. The smaller-format stores also offer items for delivery and pick-up. READ MORE: Popular shoe seller opening second Alabama store in Huntsville U.S. citizens, resident aliens residing overseas or those in military are given a two-month extension to file from the normal April 15 deadline. Since June 15 falls on a Sunday in 2025, the deadline was moved back to Monday, June 16. AP Some U.S. taxpayers face an important deadline this month, the Internal Revenue Service warned. Taxpayers living and working abroad have until Monday, June 16 to file their 2024 federal income tax return and pay any taxes that are due. The deadline applies to both U.S. citizens and resident aliens abroad, including those with dual citizenship. It also covers military personnel who are on duty outside the country. READ MORE: IRS sets new interest rates Who qualifies for an extension? U.S. citizens, resident aliens residing overseas or those in military are given a two-month extension to file from the normal April 15 deadline. Since June 15 falls on a Sunday in 2025, the deadline was moved back to Monday, June 16. Cant file by the deadline? Taxpayers who cant meet the June 16 deadline can request an automatic extension to Oct. 15. Thats not an extension to pay, however, and interest will apply for any payments not paid by April 15. READ MORE: Do this today, IRS urges Members of the military stationed abroad or in a combat zone can also apply for an automatic extension and those affected by the terrorist attacks in Israel, or who live or have a business in Israel, Gaza or the West Bank have until Sept. 30 to pay. This includes most returns and taxes due from Oct. 7, 2023, through Sept. 30, 2025, including Form 1040 and 1120 series returns. You can see more information on filing for an extension and payment options here. Tray Chaney As Poot during THE WIRE BET Promo Shoot - December 7, 2006 in Brooklyn, New York, United States. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) WireImage The Wire actor Tray Chaney said his son is in the hospital after being thrown by a tornado in Georgia. Chaney, who played Malik Poot Carr on the HBO show set in Baltimore, posted about his son in a video on social media, with his destroyed home in the background. I lost my house, Chaney said. I lost everything in it. Update Malachis Birthday Is Today! Our Son Is 19! He is making more progress & our family has him covered in Prayer & Love Yall support means so much to our family! We feel the love & support Thank you. This is a healing journey & we gone get through this together pic.twitter.com/AgvhLXuAgk Tray Chaney (@traychaney) June 1, 2025 He said his son, Malachi Chaney, who turned 19 on Sunday, was thrown over 300 feet by the tornado Thursday and is fighting for his life in an intensive care unit. An update Sunday said Malachi is still in the hospital and making process. Tearful with a hospital wristband on, Tray Chaney said he and his son had had a beautiful day Thursday that included a big-ticket show and meeting up with Felicia Pearson, who played a fictionalized version of herself, nicknamed Snoop, in The Wire. Tray Chaney recalled sitting on his bed in his home in Locust Grove, south of Atlanta, around 3 p.m. when he heard wind moments prior to his house being destroyed. Chaney said he had to crawl through the remains of his home to find his phone. Cherish life as much as you can, Chaney said on social media. I wish he was the one doing the video, and I was in the ICU Thank God I am still living. 2025 Baltimore Sun. Visit baltimoresun.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Happy Monday, everybody. Today is an Alabama state holiday to acknowledge the birthday of Confederate States President Jefferson Davis. Davis was born on Friday, June 3. Yet his birthday is being acknowledged in Alabama on Monday, June 2. Hey, at least were closer than Mississippi, which acknowledges Daviss birthday along with Memorial Day. Todays report, with the answer key to Fridays quiz, is below. Vaping in Alabama Alabamas new vaping law is now in effect, reports AL.coms Howard Koplowitz. Convenience stores in Alabama can sell only the 34 tobacco- and menthol-flavored e-cigarette products that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The other flavors are only allowed to be sold in vape shops that require patrons to be at least 21 years old. It also bans nicotine alternatives from being sold in vaping machines. It authorizes retailers to obtain licenses to sell alternative nicotine products. It requires all vape products to be manufactured in the U.S. And it calls on the State Board of Education to create a vaping education and prevention program for schools. Permit holders are supposed to be receiving emails with information on how licenses are issued. Weather notes Sunday marked an important date on meteorologists calendars. First, it was the first day of meteorological summer. Its different from astronomical summer, which arrives with the summer solstice, or the longest day of the year, which is June 20 this year. AL.com weather reporter Leigh Morgan tells us that meteorological summer includes the full months of June, July and August. Dividing the year into four three-month seasons that all begin on the first of a month allows meteorologists to easily keep statistics and measure trends across multiple years. June 1 also marked the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting above-average activity in the tropics this year. Forecasters at Colorado State University, who do a popular hurricane-season forecast, are also calling for a busy year. Which all means that, if youre in a hurricane zone, nows the time to make sure your insurance is up-to-date and you have an evacuation plan. And while were on weather, much of the state finally had a couple of rain-free, mostly sunny days over the weekend ... that featured gray skies. That wasnt due to Saharan dust or overcast conditions. That was smoke from wildfires in central and western Canada, riding high-level winds down here with the cooler air that followed this past Thursdays front. Save a mail carrier; mind your dogs Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. A couple things about that. First, its not an official motto or mantra or creed of the U.S. Postal Service. But the phrase was once displayed at a New York post office. Second, it doesnt say anything about dogs. If the mail carrier cant safely deliver, he or she might not deliver at all. This is a heads-up for you, Birmingham. AL.coms Howard Koplowitz reports that in 2024 Birmingham was tied for 20th in the nation for dog-bite incidents involving postal workers with 15, according to the Postal Service. St. Petersburg, Fla., and Fort Worth, Texas, also had 15 each. Tops in the nation was Los Angeles with 77 dog-bitten mail carriers. That may sound like a lot, but relative the cities populations, Birmingham was way ahead of LA. The Postal Service released the stats as it begins its 2025 USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign. If you cant keep your dogs from going after postal workers, you could end up needing to use a P.O. Box to get your mail. Closing Sarris Cafe, a cafeteria-style restaurant in Pelham, announced it is closing after 20 years in business. Alabama News Quiz answers/results Overall results: Five out of five: 26.8% Four out of five: 40.2% Three out of five: 20.4% Two out of five: 9.1% One out of five: 2.4% None out of five: 0.9% Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Randy Kelley said hell go to court over this. Tommy Tubervilles residency (CORRECT) 90.2% Steve Marshalls illegal-immigration policies 8.2% Kay Iveys age 0.9% Charles Barkleys commentary 0.6% Who just announced that he or she would be leaving the Alabama Public Service Commission? Twinkle Cavanagh (CORRECT) 93.0% Jeremy Oden 3.7% Rick Pate 3.0% Julio Jones 0.3% Three parties from The Shoals area have filed a lawsuit over these unannounced visitors on their properties. Game wardens (CORRECT) 67.9% Property surveyors 15.9% Work-release inmates 13.8% Trash Pandas 2.4% The Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School is located in this city. Bessemer (CORRECT) 44.8% Tuskegee 35.7% Ozark 10.7% Demopolis 8.8% Whats currently making its way toward the Southeast from across the Atlantic Ocean Saharan dust (CORRECT) 81.7% First hurricane of the year 2025 9.8% Africanized honey bees 5.8% Columbus voyage re-enactment 2.8% The podcast The Army command at Redstone Arsenal that oversees billions in foreign military sales has a new senior enlisted adviser. Command Sgt. Maj. Michael S. Cordery assumed duties for U.S. Army Security Assistance Command in a ceremony Monday, according to an arsenal news release. Brig. Gen. Allen Pepper, commanding general of USASAC, transferred the commands colors from Command Sgt. Major Stephen A. Burnley to Cordery. Cordery will not only meet the challenges he finds here but overcome them, Pepper said. I look forward to him quickly gaining the confidence of the whole team; he already has mine. Originally from Baltimore, Cordery joined the Army in 1998 to become a military policeman, according to Redstone. He has served in numerous leadership roles including team leader, squad leader, platoon sergeant, first sergeant, troop sergeant major, battalion command sergeant major and brigade sergeant major. He comes to Redstone Arsenal from White Sands Missile Range, N.M., where he served as the command sergeant major. USASAC manages more than 6,000 foreign military sales cases in nearly 150 countries, the Redstone release said, with a total value of $280 billion. Fiscal year 2024 brought in $42.8 billion in new business. Training and equipping our partner and ally nations makes our relationships stronger, protects their nations, and is a shining example of deterrence which ultimately protects our nation and our warfighters, Cordery said. NASA is being directed to phase out multibillion-dollar programs, managed from its flagship center in Huntsville, that are designed to ferry people to and from the moon. President Donald Trumps budget proposal also calls for a 31% reduction in the space agencys workforce nationwide, to just under 12,000 personnel, according to documents released last week by the Office of Management and Budget. The budget request instead puts emphasis on investing in the private space industry and earmarks $350 million for technologies to support crewed missions to Mars. It comes at a time of upheaval for NASA: Shortly after its release, the Trump administration walked back its nomination of a tech billionaire with Alabama ties to lead the space agency. The White House previewed the cuts in a budget outline released last month. In that document, the administration called for the elimination of the Space Launch System and its Orion crew capsule, dismissing them as, grossly expensive and delayed. The SLS is the super-heavy, expendable launch vehicle that is scheduled to carry crews to lunar orbit throughout the life of the agencys Artemis program. In line with the earlier budget preview, the administrations $18.8 billion funding request for NASA is down 24.3%, or $6 billion, from the $24.8 billion approved for the space agency last year. The main cuts come to science programs, with 41 lower-priority missions being eliminated. Those include the New Horizons Pluto probe and the Juno Jupiter orbiter, along with the office of STEM engagement. It would be the largest single-year cut in NASAs history. Eliminating SLS and Orion will, [pave] the way for more cost-effective, next-generation commercial systems that will support subsequent NASA lunar missions, according to budget documents. Both are key programs for Marshall Space Flight Center, one of the largest of NASAs 10 field centers, which employs nearly 7,000 federal workers and contractors in Huntsville and manages a multibillion-dollar budget related to human spaceflight. Marshall is the agencys lead center for SLS, managing the booster, engines, stages, and integration. Major Huntsville aerospace contractors including Boeing, Dynetics, Aerojet Rocketdyne, United Launch Alliance and Teledyne Brown Engineering contribute to the development, production and operation of the SLSs various elements. A 2024 study found a greater economic impact for NASAs Artemis-related work in Alabama than in any other state. It tallied $5.1 billion in effects and attributed much of that to the reach of Marshall Space Flight Center and the contracting it oversees. Artemis, NASAs $100 billion, decade-long human lunar exploration program, includes plans for a permanent colony on the moon, which is intended to serve as a steppingstone for crewed Mars missions. Artemis currently consists of 10 planned lunar missions through 2035, all of them intended to launch atop the SLS and to house the crew in Orion capsules. Trumps budget supports Artemis II and III, while after that, it envisions commercial transportation services through a competitive contract, incentivizing performance and promoting innovation and efficiency. Phasing out SLS and Orion raises questions about how astronauts would reach the moon starting with the Artemis IV mission, currently scheduled for summer 2028. Orion is the programs only crew capsule and SLS its only launch vehicle. Commercial landers made by SpaceX and Blue Origin are planned for the journey from lunar orbit to the moons surface, and those would be launched aboard rockets from the two companies. But neither has yet matched the SLS and Orion duo, which sent an uncrewed capsule around the moon and back to Earth in December 2022 under Artemis 1. SpaceXs Starship has recorded four successful flights since April 2023 but has suffered a recent string of setbacks. On its ninth launch in late May, the partially reusable vehicle broke up as it re-entered Earths atmosphere, making its third straight failure. Meanwhile, Blue Origins New Glenn rocket took its first flight in January. The second stage successfully reached orbit, though the first stage was lost. The second launch of New Glenn was expected in late spring. Mobile police are investigating a shooting of two people Sunday evening at the Saenger Theater downtown. Were currently working a shooting that occurred at the Sanger downtown, according to a statement from Blake Brown, public affairs manager for the Mobile Public Safety Department. I can tell you this is not an active shooter situation and the subject has left the area, he stated. Television stations reported two people were shot at the theater located at 6 South Joachim Street. WKRG reported the incident happened about 6:30 p.m. inside the theater during a kids dance recital. The subject and at least one victim were known to one another, Brown stated later. An arrest has been made, he stated, after the subject turned himself in shortly after the shooting. The names of those injured and the names of the person arrested have not been released. No additional details were immediately available, according to Brown. Mark Wheeler, a chemist from Heflin, is a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. (photo from markwheelerforsenate.com.) markwheelerforsenate.com Mark Wheeler understands that Democrats rarely win statewide elections in Alabama. Born and raised in Heflin, Wheeler is running for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat that Tommy Tuberville is leaving to run for governor. Wheeler, 32, is a chemist for a wire manufacturer and points to his life story an example of overcoming long odds. Wheelers father was sentenced to life in prison for murder when Wheeler was an infant, in 1994. His father was sentenced to life for the brutal murder of 16-year-old Lisa Ann Beason, whose mutilated body was found in the Tallapoosa River, according to past news reports. Wheelers mother remarried, and in 2005, his stepfather was arrested for murder and became one of three people convicted in the slaying of four people in Cleburne County. Both men are still in prison. I say that to say that Ive spent a lot of my life around a lot of bad people, Wheeler said. Not necessarily bad people but people with bad circumstances. My circumstances have been bad. Ive worked very hard to overcome those circumstances, to be who I am today. I dont say that Ive done that alone. There has been positive people in my life. Perseverance, persistence, and consistency under pressure are the qualities that Wheeler said carried him through the childhood trauma. The same principles that has gotten me out of poverty and given me a college education and a career, I think those same policies will serve me well in serving the people of Alabama, Wheeler said. Wheeler is one of three Democratic candidates who have announced they are running for Tubervilles seat. The others are Dakarai Larriett, a business owner, Birmingham native, and University of Alabama graduate, and Kyle Sweetser, a business owner and former Republican from Mobile. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is running for the Republican nomination, as is Jared Hudson, a former Navy Seal who runs an non-profit organization that helps law enforcement fight human trafficking. The primary is May 19, 2026. Wheeler has a bachelors degree in chemistry and emergency management from Jacksonville State University, according to the bio on his campaign website. As a polymer chemist, Wheeler said his job is to ensure product safety. I am the guy that makes sure that new wire thats made is not going to burn your house down, Wheeler said. The Senate race is his first run for public office. Wheeler said he picked the Senate race, as opposed to a county or state office, because of what he said was a lack of responsiveness and communication from elected officials in Washington. Ive always had this impression that if I do good by other people, they will do good by me, Wheeler said. So, for small town politics, thats always been OK. If I need something done, I can approach my mayor or somebody else, I can fix it. Or they will fix it for me. Its always worked like that, regardless of my status. But when it gets to these more senior offices, anytime Ive ever called my representative or my senator, Ive never talked to the representative or the senator. I never see them at town halls. Ive never had any contact with them whatsoever. They are like mythical figures. Almost dont exist. Wheeler said he would work to establish term limits for members of Congress and the Supreme Court, a ban on stock trading by members of Congress, and policies that protect clean air and water. He supports a national health insurance program. He said a nationwide plan would spread the risks and costs over a larger group and make healthcare more affordable. It is more affordable if we are all in it together rather than piecemeal, small groups, Wheeler said. Every paycheck you get, youre having Medicare taxes taken out. Youre already paying for it. Why not use it? he said. A priority for Wheeler would be development of a high-speed rail system. He commutes 80 miles a day to his job in Carrolton, Ga. I think mass transit is a way that we can really cut peoples overall cost of living, Wheeler said. So you dont need as much of a car, or maybe you dont need a vehicle at all. You save on fuel. You pay less in insurance because you dont have to drive as much. To me thats a really big deal. Wheeler said everyone would benefit from mass transit, especially people in rural Alabama who have limited job opportunities. With mass transit, you could commute to your closest small town hub, hop a rail and ride it to whatever city you want and work wherever, Wheeler said. He said a high-speed rail system could incorporate new corridors for national power grid, fiber internet expansion, and even interstate water lines. There are tons of opportunity there, Wheeler said. Its just collaborating and bringing people together to make it happen. Wheeler said he believes his knowledge as a chemist gives him a better grasp of certain issues than most members of Congress, such as risks to clean water and air. I care about environmental stewardship, Wheeler said. I understand the value of the EPA. I understand what these chemicals can do with our water. Wheeler said his goal is to change what he considers the ties between voters and their representatives in Washington. I feel like there should be more connection and transparency, Wheeler said. They should be more available to the public. They should be here, living in state, not living most of the time in Florida or Washington, DC. The last win for Democrats in a statewide race in Alabama came in 2017, when Doug Jones beat Roy Moore in an election for the U.S. Senate. Until then, Democrats had no won a statewide race since 2008. But Wheeler said that recent history is not an excuse. Ive reached a point in my life where I feel like if I dont change things, then my children arent going to have a world worth growing up in, Wheeler said. Their kids wont have a world to thrive in. This is an opinion cartoon. Kay Ivey will appoint Twinkle Cavanaughs replacement on the Alabamas Public Service Commission, but make no mistake: Alabama Power will be in on the pickin. If it seems like every PSC commissioner bows down to Alabama Power, its because almost all of the time, they do. Like theyre beholden or something. Heres a timeless 2022 column from John Archibald that fits the bill: Oh, Lord, tell us who the Alabama PSC worships most Archibald writes: Youd think, if you just watched this PSC from time to time, and heard the prayers uttered there in the past, that it worships the Christian God albeit a very narrow version of that God. Twinkle's thoughts and prayers: Pray away the EPA JD Crowe But I dont buy it. I think the PSC worships another deity: Alabama Power Co. The PSC only spent about four minutes talking to God and the birth of his son. It wasnt long. But it spent no time at all talking about the most significant regulatory duty that came before it that day: Alabama Powers latest rate hike. It was Alabama Powers third rate hike of the year, the second in as many months, and it passed without discussion or debate or even the sign of the cross." Read every word of Archibalds column here. From Maggie Kates news story about the PSC presidents resignation and plans: "Twinkle Cavanaugh, the president of Alabamas Public Service Commission, is resigning to take a role in the federal government under President Donald Trump. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday that Cavanaugh would become the state director for rural development in Alabama. Her appointment was announced along with several other positions in the department, which oversees food and farming throughout the country. Cavanaugh was first elected to the public service commission in 2010 and became president of the commission in 2012. She was re-elected last November. The commission is a three-member body tasked with regulating utilities in the state, including electrical utilities. The commission and Cavanaugh have come under scrutiny from the public for high bills." Gina Maiola, a spokesperson for Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, told AL.com she anticipates Ivey will appoint a replacement for Cavanaugh in the coming days. Read all of Kates report here. The Alabama Public Service Commission is supposed to be the big watchdog on the porch of the people, not the whiny mini chihuahua in the pocket of Alabamas biggest utility companies. Twinkle the Pocketwatch Dog JD Crowe Only one PSC commissioner in my memory - Terry Dunn, a Republican - had the wild idea of asking for a formal review of the rate structure of Alabamas largest utility companies. Dunn was suddenly as popular as a wet dog at a wedding. Dunn was done. That was in 2013. Twinkle, in league with her Alabama Power sycophants in sludge, has been like a fodder figure to me over the years. Thanks for your service. Shout out to my colleague John Hammontree for inspiring todays cartoon with this prompt: Waiting for the black coal smoke to come from the Alabama Power HQ to announce the new Public Service Commissioner. JD Crowe is the cartoonist for Alabama Media Group andAL.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, X Twitter @Crowejam and Instagram @JDCrowepix. Give him a holler @jdcrowe@al.com. Law enforcement officials investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) AP President Donald Trump on Monday demanded the deportation of Boulder, Colorado terrorist attack suspect Mohamed Soliman in his first public comments on Sundays incident that injured eight people. Yesterdays horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America. He came in through Bidens ridiculous Open Border Policy, which has hurt our Country so badly, Trump posted to his Truth Social account, referring to Soliman. He must go out under TRUMP Policy. Acts of Terrorism will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law. This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland. My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and the Great People of Boulder, Colorado! the presidents statement concluded. Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin tweeted Monday that Soliman is illegally in our country. McLaughlin said Soliman entered the United States in August 2022 on a B2 visa, which is issued to tourists. The visa expired on February 2023, she said. He filed for asylum in September 2022, according to McLaughlin. Soliman, 45, told police he planned the attack for a year and specifically targeted what he described as the Zionist group, the FBI said, according to the Associated Press. Soliman allegedly used a makeshift flamethrower and an incendiary device to carry out the attack during a Jewish community event supporting Israeli hostages in Gaza. Eight people were injuredin the attack, some with burns, as a group was concluding their weekly demonstration to raise visibility for the hostages who remain in Gaza. Witnesses reported the man yelled Free Palestine during the attack. An FBI affidavit says Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody Sunday and told the police he would do it again. Court records show Soliman was scheduled to appear in state court in Boulder at 1:30 p.m. On Monday morning, Boulder police said it would be holding a press conference later today on the attack. The Associated Press contributed to this report. June 2, 2025: Oman, a large nation of about 5.5 million people strategically located on the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, with coasts on both the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, has been a very strong ally of the U.S. for decades, and a committed partner in the war on Islamist extremism; American forces have operated out of Oman in support of military and naval operations the region since 2001, and Omani special forces are believed to have engaged in combat missions in Afghanistan. Sultan Haitham bin Tariq ruled Oman since 2020, as both sovereign and prime minister. The usual tranquility was shattered in July last year when three Omani men carried out the attack on the Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque while 500 people were assembled in the courtyard of the Mosque. When the shooting began most of these worshipers were able to escape into the Mosque. Six people were killed including a policeman, four Pakistanis and an Indian. There were 30 wounded, including first responder medical personnel. The local police saved a lot of lives by firing back in the direction of the terrorist gunfire. The gunbattle went on all night and by morning all the attackers had been killed. The attack was deliberately carried out on Ashura, a Shia religious day of mourning. Three days later Islamic terrorist organization Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant released a short video revealing that three attackers were three brothers from Oman with ties to the Islamic State in Yemen Province/ISYP. Yemen borders Oman. They claimed the attack was carried out by fundamentalist Sunni Moslems who were determined to eradicate all Shia Moslems. This rivalry between the 80 percent Sunni majority and the ten percent Shia minority has been going on for centuries. Those behind the July attack said they did it to strike back at Israeli oppression of the Palestinians and to frighten allies of Israel. No one was scared but it was noted that small groups of Islamic terrorists continue to account for most of the terrorist deaths in the world. Another local problem that cannot be ignored is the centuries of animosity between the Gulf Arab states and Iran and other hostile outsiders. This was especially true for the emirates, a collection of small coastal principalities that depended on trade to survive. The solution has always been to seek unity and outside allies. In the 19th century, the coastal emirates, city states that depended on trade, pearls, and fishing, allied themselves with Britain, for protection. The threats included the Turks who controlled what is now Iraq, Iran, which is always a threat to the Arabs, and the interior tribes of Arabia. Two centuries ago Britain was interested in suppressing pirates. that often operated out of the emirates, and halting Turkish expansion. In 1971, seven of the emirates formed a federation: the United Arab Emirates or UAE. There were immediate disputes with Saudi Arabia about where the land and water borders should be. Some of those disputes are still unresolved. The Saudis consider themselves the leader of Arabia, but most of the people in Yemen, Kuwait, Oman, and the UAE often disagree. There is lots of friction. Nevertheless, in 1981, the Gulf Cooperation Council was formed by Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The UAE was the chief organizer of the council and has constantly quarreled with Saudi Arabia over leadership issues. But when it comes to outside threats, especially the Iranians, there is less quarrelling and a lot more cooperation. It's uncertain if this will be enough to thwart the Iranians. Only an actual war will reveal the reality of the situation. English News Xinjiang accelerates efforts to build gateway for opening up Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 2 Juin 2025 "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. By Yang Mingfang, Li Ya'nan, People's Daily 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. 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. 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. 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. 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) Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard continues to declassify documents that show how the Biden administration defined political opponents as Domestic Violent Extremists (DVEs). In a December 13, 2021, intelligence product entitled, DVEs and Foreign Analogues May React Violently to COVID-19 Mitigation Mandates, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, and National Counterterrorism Center created a framework for investigating critics of Bidens COVID policies and labeling them potential domestic terrorists. The report claims that anti government or anti authority Americans see COVID-19 vaccination and mask mandates as evidence of government overreach and that QAnon has used these prominent narratives to encourage violence. Dangerous thoughtcrimes include the belief that COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe, especially for children, are part of a government or global conspiracy to deprive individuals of their civil liberties and livelihoods, or are designed to start a new social or political order. This Intel designation encapsulates so much of what is wrong with the federal government today. First, it once again frames anti-government Americans as a national threat. Conversely, the Declaration of Independence, the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights all recognize government as an inherent threat to Americans. When we celebrate the Fourth of July next month, we will be honoring the patriotic acts of our political forebears and the many sacrifices they bore so that we might be free. Free from what? Oppressive government! Our nation was founded on the truth that government is an enduring threat to individual life, property, and liberty. Being anti-government is to be American; bowing down to government is to reject the founding principles of this nation! For many decades, the FBI and its partners in the Intelligence Community have turned what it means to be American on its head. An American who believes in the guiding principles of the Declaration of Independence is now a domestic enemy, while those who worship government and abhor personal freedom run the federal bureaucracy! Second, its simply remarkable that the Intelligence Community would define harmful narratives (aka, untruthful disinformation) to include (1) the belief that vaccine and mask mandates are unlawful; (2) the belief that vaccines are potentially unsafe; and (3) the belief that government agents deprived Americans of their civil liberties and livelihoods during COVID. Masking requirements, six-foot separation rules, plastic enclosures around school desks and checkout counters, and the myriad of other safety edicts had no basis in science! Their genesis came entirely from bureaucratic overreach. Because the experimental COVID-19 vaccines had no long-term testing, there was absolutely no way for anyone to accurately assess the likelihood of harmful side effects. The more time that goes by, the less safe the mRNA injections appear to be! And how could it possibly be a conspiracy to believe that the government was depriving people of their civil liberties and ability to earn a living? Politicians, police forces, and totalitarian bureaucrats closed schools, forced people to remain in their homes, prosecuted them for attending religious services, and boarded up their places of business. Unless you were Walmart or Amazon, making a living became a crime. If forcing people to do exactly what government agents say and coercing people to inject experimental serums into their bodies arent glaring examples of government overreach, what else is? The Reign of COVID Tyranny was not a figment of the publics imagination! It was totalitarianism in vivid form! Finally, consider how dishonest our domestic security agencies are when they pretend that only crazy people believe that there is a global conspiracy to start a new social or political order. The World Economic Forum unleashed its Great Reset initiative within weeks of the COVID lockdowns. Its public website is filled with materials describing how political and financial elites should use the COVID crisis to remake the world. WEF leaders say explicitly, To build back better, we must reinvent capitalism. That gobbledygook phrase build back better became the cult mantra of every Western political leader. Joe Biden, Boris Johnson, Emmanuel Macron, Justin Trudeau, Jacinda Ardern, and countless other powerful nitwits sounded like deranged cockatoos all babbling, Build back better, together. Then-Prince of Wales Charles became a kind of global ambassador for the WEFs Great Reset and Build Back Better buffoonery. Speaking of COVID, the future king declared, There is a golden opportunity to seize something good from this crisisglobal crises know no borders, and highlight how interdependent we are as one people sharing one planet. Using COVID as an opportunity to shill for a climate change hoax that has nothing to do with environmental science and everything to do with globalisms love for totalitarianism, wealth redistribution, and carbon taxes, the Marxist monarch continued, Unless we take the action necessary, and build in a greener and more inclusive and sustainable way, then we will have more and more pandemics. Charles put his royal imprimatur behind a Marxist-globalist institution that fetishizes phrases such as stakeholder economics; sustainability; diversity, inclusion, and equity; and environmental, social, and governance. The WEFs pantheon of global power players used COVID to advance their obsessions with climate change, global government, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and the technocratic surveillance state. Kings, presidents, and prime ministers all conspired to do the WEFs bidding. They posted identical social media messages in their native languages and delivered the same speeches in public. But the Intelligence Community thinks only dangerous domestic extremists could possibly believe that global aristocrats are actively working to demolish national sovereignty and self-government and construct a New World Order in which the few control the many. All of this was easy to see during the Reign of COVID Tyranny. Basic science was ignored, while compromised public health institutions pimped for Big Pharma. Rights and freedoms disappeared, while bureaucrats and politicians flexed their authoritarian muscles. Ordinary people became poorer, while favored corporations profited. Because this COVID carnage was plainly visible, Biden administration goons put any American with a working brain on a terrorist watchlist. Thats not particularly surprising. Merrick Garlands thuggish Department of (in)Justice and Chris Wrays Cheka-FBI infringed Americans constitutional rights with gusto. They threw veterans, Christians, and public school parents on terrorism watchlists just for expressing personal beliefs. A special Homeland Security Intelligence committee that included Russia collusion fraudsters John Brennan and James Clapper wanted to reclassify political dissent as a public health issue, so that ordinary citizens and school teachers would feel more comfortable reporting conservative neighbors and students to the feds. The people who held great power during the Obama and Biden presidencies behaved as if betraying the Bill of Rights were part of their official oaths. Dementia Joe Biden was not only mentally unfit but also morally unfit to hold the office of the U.S. president. No-one will soon forget his dictatorial speech in front of a hellish red background at Philadelphias Independence Hall before the 2022 midterms. In a decade when Hitler comparisons are ubiquitous, Bidens dark and divisive polemic against Republicans really took the Nazi cake. Social critic Tim Young remarked afterwards, Im not saying fascism officially had its coming out party in America tonightIm just saying Biden condemned his political opponents as a threat to America and democracy set to a blood red background with the military standing behind him. Political reporter Mia Cathell agreed: Nothing screams unity like a backdrop of blood red lighting and Marines positioned behind Biden as he shouts with raised clenched fists from the podium. Along with his cognitive deterioration (obvious to all but the propaganda press), Bidens menacing Philadelphia speech defined his presidency as unapologetically despotic. That his national security agencies designated critics of the governments anti-American COVID policies Domestic Violent Extremists was just par for the course. Tip of the cap to the one and only Full Strength. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, Jake Tapper, as told to Alex Thompson First the good: easy to read, lots of shocking, damning anecdotes, and it clocks in at a reasonable length (314 pages). Now the bad: nearly all the shocking, damning anecdotes are anonymous, and the authors just breeze by the most shocking and damning anecdotes like theyre not the real story because they werent (but should be). What is Original Sin about? Joes physical but mostly cognitive decline. There are hundreds of witnesses to countless dozens of truly shocking episodes of Joe Biden being non compos mentis. Thats the bulk of the book, but given that they got several of these witness testimonies from at least four cabinet members, its particularly galling that the 25th Amendment was never invoked and the authors dont bother to ask any of them why not. The authors real goal with the book was to cover their posteriors for what was clearly the most open secret in Washington: Biden was completely unfit for the presidency as far back as 2017, which, to their credit, they did note. It came on page 98 in a section of the book on the tapes Bidens post-vice-presidency ghostwriter made. Biden sounded very old and quite diminished. In 2017. That should have been page one. It should have been page one of an entirely different book; one that plumbed and mined sentences like this one regarding Bidens familial pardons: To many Democrats, this was another ignominious act by a president who repeatedly put the interests of his family ahead of those of his party and his country. This statement, fairly groaning under the weight of questions the authors leave unasked, never mind unanswered, came on page 308, six pages from the end. Which Democrats? What other ignominious acts? What specifically happened repeatedly? How exactly did he put the interests of his family ahead of the party? Ahead of the country? Every single one of those questions just lies there, an unheard echo on the pages of Original Sin. Now, to be fair, its rare to see a member of the media-Democrat complex make such declarations of corruption about one of their own, and this book has several of them but theyre all just breezed by, with perfunctory weight, as if the authors were ticking off a list of corrupt Biden actions so they could say later, We addressed that in our book. Boom. Conversation ended. Like this gaping hole of corruption they left yawning regarding Huters laptop: Bidens team quietly had the DNC obtain a copy of the hard drive. The campaign needed to be politically prepared, and Biden needed to be personally prepared. In early 2023, Bob Bauer privately met with the president and the First Lady for an hour to go through all the sordid details. Having recaptured the House, congressional Republicans seemed likely to broadcast some of the most embarrassing pictures, text messages, and email involving not just Hunter but the entire Biden family. Bidens brother Jimmy would get dragged into it, given his business dealings with Hunter that capitalized on the family name. [snip] The hideousness of Hunters personal life was another unacknowledged ugliness. He seemingly brushed it all off -- the influence peddling, the infidelities, the drug use, the child he had denied. [Emphasis added] Imagine any single one of these issues had belonged to an adult presidential child named Trump. There would be no end to the Brady-Bunch style TV boxes of talking heads tut-tutting the unseemliness of it all, the depravity the criminality. Yet Tapper & Thompson just devote a sentence, a paragraph, a page, here and there, leaving them like abandoned puppies yipping by the side of the road. Whats so shocking -- if were even capable of being shocked by the partisans-with-press-passes anymore -- is how matter-of-fact they are -- now that it cant hurt Bidens (or Kamala Harris) electoral prospects. They dont even try to deny it. They just state it, as a matter of fact for the historical record. Up to a minute before the race was called for Trump in November of last year, these were the conspiracy theories of the right. Now its just fact, to be remarked on without much, if any at all, editorial resistance. Again, no doubt so they can point at it and end any future accusations of dishonest reportage, say, when they are next accepting a prize for their fine journalism. And Tapper, who reportedly hired a PR firm to help him with his book-tour phraseology, says over and over again that he looks back on his reporting with humility. Uh-huh. Ka-ching. Should you read it? Well, if youre like me, you felt duty bound to, because getting any kind of truth-telling from this press corps is rare, even if it is almost all blind quotes. It is, indeed, shocking how decrepit Joe was, from the start. People hed known for 20, 30, 40 years were strangers to him. Hed tell the same story twice, with only a minute or two in between. We all saw him wandering off, looking confused, mouth agape, etc. Its all there. But, if youre like me, you dont want to give Jake Tapper a penny. The solution? Buy a second-hand copy off eBay or some other platform. Thats what I did, and it solved the problem of my feeling duty bound to read it but also not wanting to put a penny of my money in Tappers pocket. Theres your humility, fella. Image: Penguin Books Since 2021, The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and The Brick in Los Angeles have been planning an exhibition which seeks to re-interpret works of American history as totems of shame. The Monuments exhibition set for this October, could showcase amazing Beaux Arts sculptures removed from their original locations. Instead, it will feature some paint-splashed monuments, replacing great works of art with political statements. Removing sculptures and shipping them across state lines both endangers artworks and violates a curator's proper care as outlined in A Bill of Rights for Works of Art. The museums will include contemporary artists with derogatory themes, also debasing Southern history. The museums mocking of certain Confederate sculptures by displaying them with graffiti or paint is reminiscent in spirit to the 1937 exhibition of artistic works labeled "Degenerate" by Joseph Goebbels' Ministry of Propaganda in Nazi Germany. Goebbels publicly ridiculed and demonized modern art and artists. In this case, the opposite is true. Many historical works, admired for generations, will be displayed fallen from their literal pedestals. By exhibiting desecrated (euphemistically called decommissioned) works, the curators privilege small numbers of protesters over the majority opinion who value the statues remaining in place. Further, the Brick and MOCA seem to tar anyone who believes that Confederate monuments represent funerary commemorations or fine art. The exhibition's curators crave significance, yet lash out against those who dont agree with their rhetoric. Museum text touts recent monument removals as a historic moment, marking the evolution of the Confederate monument from its roots in a funerary impulse to its rise as a crystalline symbol of a white supremacist ideology. Funerary art is charged with obstinacy, against calls for civil rights. With such audacity, the exhibition will serve to stir up racial hatred. And, contrary to their claim of robust scholarship, the curators are off to an inaccurate start. This exhibit sees statues erected during Reconstruction and after as white supremacist, but those sculptures can still have a commemorative aspect, listing regiments and names of the dead. During Reconstruction, veterans were dying out; families honored them. In 1907 the largest Confederate veteran reunion took place in Richmond for just that reason. Likewise, in Washington D.C., General George McClellans statue joined several already-completed Lincoln monuments. Impoverished Southern economies prevented widespread commemoration until the 1890s. Ironically, The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a modern organization (with assets of over $5 billion) that vilifies the South, has for years labeled funerary Southern art as Jim Crow symbols of white supremacy because of the time period in which the statues appeared. Correlation of time does not prove causation. The SPLC omits the fact that money is needed to pay for memorials. They ignore the fact that Northern cities erected many classically-inspired memorials, and fail to explain how only the Souths statues are white supremacist. At a recent NYU round-table, called De-commission, Seth Levi, chief program policy advisor at the SPLC, admitted that two-thirds of the public wants Confederate statues to remain standing. He said that is because they dont know the Civil War was about slavery. Levi smeared mourners, claiming if anyone wants to commemorate those who fought to defend slavery, then they're white supremacists. Levis organization is actively lobbying mayors and city officials to remove 2,000 Confederate statues and rename streets. Levi admitted the SPLC has been accused of erasing history but disagrees with the accusation. By removing public statues, the SPLC is also curtailing conversations about local history. The Civil War was our nations most defining moment after the American Revolution, with nearly 800,000 dead. It reordered the nations structure from one of sovereign states to a united nation. Post-Civil War sculpture was often also an expression of the City Beautiful Movement spurred by the Chicagos World Exposition (1893) and a quest for American identity after so much death and destruction. Localities commemorated leaders first, such as Sherman (1903) and Sheridan (1908) in D.C., then the common soldier, such as Indianapolis 30-foot high Soldiers and Sailors(1902). Allegories of Liberty, Victory, and Freedom, shown in classical flowing robes, decorated fountains and memorials for civic uplift across the country. LAs and the SPLCs agenda disavowing legitimate commemorative aspects of Confederate sculpture is similar to Congresss Naming Commission (2021), since ended. Proposed by Senator Elizabeth Warren (MA), the Commission accused the South of being traitors, without a trial. It provided over $2 million to the military to remove commemorative Confederate monuments and rename military bases. Moses Ezekiels Arlington Reconciliation Memorial (1914), a grave marker, was exempt in the legislation but removed anyway. Defend Arlington and other groups are appealing to the Supreme Court to restore the grave marker. Exactly which statues LAs exhibit will include is secret, but not the locations they requested -- all Southern locations. The exhibits budget is also mysterious, but is clearly immense in order to pay for shipping, insuring, and even purchasing pieces. One expense is known: $100,000 offered for Charlottesvilles Charles Keck magnificent equestrian statue of Stonewall Jackson (1921), and the Shrady /Lentelli Robert E. Lee (1924). Both were removed whole and stored after 2017 Charlottesville riot. The City Council offered only Kecks Jackson to the LA exhibit; it gave the Lee to the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, which melted it. Donors to the Lee meltdown included George Soros, Melody Barnes, and the VA Council of the Arts. Both statues represented not just their renowned riders but tributes to their famous horses as well, Little Sorrel and Traveler. Horses were critical in the Civil War. Equestrian statues have been removed from New Orleans, Charlottesville, Memphis, and elsewhere, obscuring the importance of horses in American history. Other statues lent to Monuments include Richmonds Valentine Museum paint-splattered Jefferson Davis Monument (1907) by Edward V. Valentine; and Baltimores Soldiers and Sailors Monument by Frederick Wellington Ruckstuhl (1903), removed in the aftermath of the 2015 Charleston church shooting event. Charleston is regularly cited by the SPLC and the Valentines Director, Bill Martin, as the reason for Confederate statue removal. Other Confederate removals came after the riots of 2020. At that time police offered little resistance to the vandalizing. In Richmond, former governor Ralph Northam and former mayor Levar Stoney used chaos to remove most of the statues on Monument Avenue when the public had voted in every district in 2018 to expand the avenues sculpture program, and not remove any (Monument Avenue Commission Report, July 2018). As to the exhibits funding, millions have been donated from various sources to enshrine the museums point of view. Major donors and their net worth include: the Mellon Foundation, $8 B; MacArthur Foundation, $7.6 B; the Ford Foundation, $13.4 B; and the National Foundation for the Arts, $121 million. Given that these donations to the LA exhibit and to the SPLC, combined with the Federal governments Naming Commissions negative attitude and actions regarding Confederate monuments, is it reasonable to assume that some coordination exists between the private sector and the government, to thwart public will? The Monuments exhibit raises many questions, including what will happen to the gorgeous Keck Jackson monument and other great Beaux Arts statues after the exhibit has ended. Sending Kecks Jackson back to Charlottesville, given unfavorable amendments to Virginias War Memorial Protection Laws which allowed the town to destroy Lees statue, is certainly risky. The safety of other works to be sent to towns with irresponsible officials who have no appreciation for great art is also questionable. The public has a right to know ahead of time where their great works will be headed, hopefully not to oblivion. Forgery is a crime we dont hear much about anymore since few people write checks and instead rely on electronic payment methods. It can take many forms, such as signing a check or document in someone elses name without their permission or knowledge. Creating a false document like a drivers license was once a teenage rite of passage, but it was much easier in my day when the license was a piece of paper rather than a hardened piece of plastic containing myriad anti-fraud provisions. Image generated by ChatGPT A skilled painter could forge a masterpiece, and who knows how many forgeries are displayed in museums while the original resides in some wealthy persons library? Forgery can be a state or federal crime depending on the circumstances. ChatGPT summarizes the differences. Most forgery cases such as forging checks, personal documents, or signatures are prosecuted under state laws. Each state defines and penalizes forgery differently, but its typically a felony if the document has legal or financial significance. Forgery becomes a federal offense when it involves: Federal documents (e.g., passports, immigration papers, military IDs) U.S. currency or Treasury checks Interstate commerce or communication (e.g., forging checks used across state lines) Federal institutions (e.g., IRS, Social Security) This leads us to the title of this essay and President Autopen. This system is ripe for forgery depending on how the autopen is utilized. An autopen is not inherently bad. It has its uses, as Wikipedia summarizes: An autopen, or signing machine, is a device used for the automatic signing of a signature. Prominent individuals may be asked to provide their signatures many times a day, such as celebrities receiving requests for autographs, or politicians signing documents and correspondence in their official capacities. Consequently, many public figures employ autopens to allow their signature to be printed on demand and without their direct involvement. President Trump uses the autopen only for very unimportant papers, like signing letters in response to the many letters he receives. President Obama used the autopen on one occasion, when he signed an extension of the Patriot Act. Obama was in France on official business and, with time running out before the law expired, he authorized the use of the autopen to sign it into law. Those are key words, unimportant papers and authorized. What is the legal basis for the autopen? The Office of Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice authored an opinion in 2005. Specifically, they advised: The President need not personally perform the physical act of affixing his signature to a bill he approves and decides to sign in order for the bill to become law. Rather, the President may sign a bill within the meaning of Article I, Section 7 by directing a subordinate to affix the Presidents signature to such a bill, for example by autopen. We emphasize that we are not suggesting that the President may delegate the decision to approve and sign a bill, only that, having made this decision, he may direct a subordinate to affix the Presidents signature to the bill. (emphasis mine) Now, lets connect all of this back to President Autopen (Biden). The Heritage Foundation claims that, Bidens name was signed using an autopen on nearly every executive order and official document during his four-year tenure. Did he delegate the decision to approve and sign, or did he direct someone to use the autopen on his behalf? If so, why couldnt he sign these documents himself? President Trump signed 143 executive orders during the first 100 days of his second term, setting a record; most of these signings took place in front of the media and were video recorded. Why couldnt President Biden do the same? If he was unable to sign his name, was he also improperly and potentially illegally delegating that authority to others? Furthermore, was he capable of serving as president? These are legitimate questions, as summarized by The Hill: Did he personally grant broad (and possibly unconstitutional) pardons for family members, members of the January 6 Committee and Anthony Fauci, or did someone else make the decision? Was he responsible for all the executive orders issued under his name, or did White House personnel make those decisions? Bidens cognitive decline and prostate cancer likely predate his presidency. Cancer treatment may cause chemo brain, which, combined with progressive dementia, may explain Bidens difficulty in signing documents. But it also questions his ability to understand what he was directing, if he even was, regarding subordinates signing. Who are these subordinates? Are they the vice president or other cabinet members under the presidential order of succession? No, these are unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats: three key White House aides Annie Tomasini, Anthony Bernal, and Ashley Williams who ran interference for President Biden. Did they also operate the autopen? Trumps cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence czar David Sacks alleged, Elizabeth Warren controlled the autopen during that administration. Likely-to-be-ousted DNC Vice Chair David Hogg admitted that, Jill Bidens Chief of Staff, Anthony Bernal, was running the Biden White House. Was he doing Dr. Jills bidding? Did Hunter Biden use the autopen to issue his own pardon? Given what we now know, these are legitimate questions. Rep. Tim Burchett alleged that Biden's autopen staff may have accepted bribes for autopen-signed pardons. These are serious allegations and warrant investigation. Fortunately, Rep. James Comer and the House Oversight Committee are investigating and interviewing Bidens handlers, asking questions such as, Who was making the decisions? Who was authorizing his signature? Was it him? If Biden couldnt sign his name, how could he carry out the other responsibilities of being president? Who was actually running the country for the past four years? If his handlers were signing federal documents without authorization, thats forgery a federal crime that Attorney General Pam Bondi should investigate. The final question is whether forged documents hold validity. If a contract is signed fraudulently, it is null and void. Presidential pardons are considered deeds since a pardon must be accepted by the individual receiving it. Was Biden aware of the autopen's usage? Did he authorize it and approve what was being signed? There should be contemporaneous communications confirming this. Was Biden asleep or out of it from chemotherapy when the documents were signed? These signatures and the Presidents activities are both timestamped and logged. If these are forgeries, the forgers should face criminal prosecution. Furthermore, the documents are null and void. As Trump posted on Truth Social: The Pardons that Sleepy Joe Biden gave to the Unselect Committee of Political Thugs, and many others, are hereby declared VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT, because of the fact that they were done by Autopen. In other words, Joe Biden did not sign them but, more importantly, he did not know anything about them! Once a concealer and enabler, now a revealer and whistleblower, Jake Tapper admits that Democrats cover-up of Bidens cognitive decline may be worse than Watergate. Let the investigations begin! Brian C. Joondeph, M.D., is a physician and writer. Follow me on Twitter @retinaldoctor, Substack Dr. Brians Substack, Truth Social @BrianJoondeph, LinkedIn @Brian Joondeph, and email brianjoondeph@gmail.com. The day to vote for the judges is finally here. We don't have any figures yet, but everyone is talking about "absenteeism," the way that many plan to show their opposition to electing judges. Here is the story: Some voting centers in Mexico City, the Gulf coast state of Veracruz and the southern state of Chiapas opened with no one or only a handful of people waiting to vote. Experts had warned that turnout in the historic elections could be extremely low, due to the mindboggling array of unfamiliar choices and the fact that voting for judges is entirely new. Mexico's ruling party, Morena, overhauled the court system late last year, fueling protests and criticism that the reform is an attempt by those in power to seize on their political popularity to gain control of the branch of government until now out of their reach. It's an effort to control the court system, which has been a sort of thorn in the side" of those in power, said Laurence Patin, director of the legal organization Juicio Justo in Mexico. But it's a counter-balance, which exists in every healthy democracy. So what's the big deal? Don't we vote for judges? Yes, we do but this is not like voting for local or state judges. Down in Mexico, every judge is up for election, including the Supreme Court. It's quite a drastic change from the past and the opposition is calling on people to say home. I just spoke with a couple of friends in Mexico City and they tell me that voting is down -- a major embarrassment for the ruling party. The concerns about this reform go beyond the opposition party. There are many foreign companies who fear that the judiciary will be too politicized and their investments may be at risk. The Mexican government has assured investors that they won't be impacted at all. UPDATE: Only 13% of people voted in the election. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Image: Ralvachi The Democrat Party is growing increasingly disconnected from average Americans who are rejecting their message, their policies, their strategies, and their tactics. From their policy failures in managing such things as urban environments, education, economics, and foreign affairs, the party has struggled to deliver on its promises. One wonders if we'd have a country left had they succeeded. In urban environments, the worst cities in America overwhelmingly share one characteristic -- they're run by Democrats. Baltimore, Memphis, and Detroit are among the 20 most dangerous cities in the world. Out of the 30 worst cities in America, 27 are run by Democrats, as are the five 'dirtiest' cities. Anyone who's seen stories coming out of places like Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, or Baltimore will have noticed that the reports are rarely positive. From crime to schools to homelessness, the stories invariably tell of tragedies, corruption, and incompetence. For a stunning expose of multi-layered Democrat incompetence, listen to Matt Walsh discuss the recent prison escapes that took place in New Orleans. Education is another issue regarding which the Democrats fail miserably. Despite ever-increasing funding going towards America's public schools, the educational policies promulgated by Democrats have consistently failed underserved communities, especially those among minorities. Urban schools are often overcrowded and suffer from systemic neglect while Democrats offer broad solutions like universal pre-K that do not address specific needs. A 2023 report found that not one student was proficient in reading or mathematics at 55 Chicago public schools. Another report found the same results in 23 Baltimore schools. 23% of respondents to 2022 Gallup poll were completely dissatisfied with public education, and 32% were somewhat dissatisfied. This reflects the Democrat's failure to address educational access and quality. Since COVID, achievement gaps and slow academic recovery have affected black students the hardest, yet Democrat policies have not addressed this. The party's alignment with teachers unions has blocked charter school expansion and school choice, which exacerbate inequities. This, despite the evidence of better outcomes for low-income minority students. Their inability or unwillingness to offer tangible educational reforms has deepened distrust, especially in key swing states. Citizens in those communities have had enough, with voters increasingly defecting to the Republican Party or disengaging entirely. Democrats have been trying to refine their messaging, not realizing that it's their message that the voters, especially men, are rejecting. The party is reportedly spending $20 million to learn how to talk to men. They cant seem to grasp that claiming that men can have babies, that high school boys need tampons, and that authentic men exhibit toxic masculinity isnt very convincing. News on the economics front is similarly grim for Democrats. A 2023 ABC News/Washington Post poll found that 40% of voters said they were worse off under Biden. They've alienated minority communities by overemphasizing identity politics over more substantive "kitchen-table issues." For example, Barack Obama's remarks concerning black men's lukewarm support for Kamala Harris were seen as dismissive and condescending, which eroded trust. On foreign policy, the Democrat Party has compiled an extensive list of failures. Biden's ill-conceived plan to withdraw from Afghanistan gifted the Taliban with billions of dollars worth of state-of-the-art military aircraft, ground vehicles, weapons, and assorted equipment, not to mention a fully-functional air base. As it turns out, Afghanistan is just the tip of the iceberg, with one report listing 105 foreign policy failures during Biden's tenure. The Hill notes that voters see the Democrats as lacking a clear strategy for foreign policy, with 62% of independents expressing skepticism about the party's leadership. A Gallup poll revealed that confidence in Democratic congressional leadership has hit the lowest recorded point since 2001 with ratings plummeting among moderates and minorities. In what might arguably be the biggest political scandals in American history, Bidens mental decline, the subsequent cover-up, and the autopen scandal are the icing on the cake. The Federalist Society has listed hundreds of lies told by pResident (not a typo) Biden alone in a three-part expose. See part three here, that links back to the previous two. The Democrats have alienated key constituencies and compromised voter trust by spreading fabrications and neglecting issues seen as critical by voters. They've largely lost the ability to connect with average citizens and are prioritizing niche issues such as gender ideology while neglecting more critical concerns such as national and domestic security, education, and the economy. Until and unless the Democrat Party sees fit to prioritize specific, meaningful reforms, a cohesive global vision, and a message that addresses the actual concerns of voters, they risk further electoral losses and the continued fragmentation of their party. Meanwhile, I for one am enjoying the show! Image: Andrea Widburg Conservative Karol Nawrocki appears to have won the second round of the Polish presidential election conducted this weekend. The margin was narrow, with about 300,000+ votes separating ten million on each side. When voting stations closed, preliminary exit polls suggested the Left might win but, as the night wore on, Rafal Trzaskowskis supposed lead evaporated. (This, in contrast to some American states like California and Arizona -- Polands electoral commission seems to have tallied almost all votes cast overnight. How many Americans does it take to count ballots?) Nawrockis election continues the winning global run of conservative leaders intent on protecting their national identities, borders, and values. By contrast, leftist Trzaskowski promised abortion, homosexual marriage, support for some of the heavy-handed measures of the current Tusk government against the opposition, and subservience to the EU. In the U.S., House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast wrote a letter last week criticizing EU and Soros interference on Trzaskowskis behalf in the campaign leading up to second round of Polish presidential elections. A Nawrocki presidency will lead to a split government in Poland, the relatively powerful presidency in conservative hands holding the left-leaning Prime Minister Donald Tusk a Europhile in check. Thats important, because since coming to power Dec. 13, 2023 (a telling date, the anniversary Wojciech Jaruzelski declared martial law on his own country in 1981), Tusk has carried on heavy-handed attacks against the former conservative Law and Justice government, which ruled Poland from 2016-23. Tusk justified his purges of media officials, his charges against former government officials, and his ignoring the Constitutional Tribunal by claiming that he was defending democracy against the supposedly authoritarian former government and so needed to conduct a reckoning (rozliczenie) against its predecessor. The term rozliczenie is interesting, because while the Tusk government defended its tactics against a government freely elected twice (2015, 2019) and which also took the Polish presidency in 2020. By contrast, whenever Polish conservatives including the former Law and Justice government sought a reckoning with the history of postwar communism in Poland, pressing to open the files to make public who was in bed with whom, most of Tusks Civic Platform party members fought against such public accountability. Nawrocki will, therefore, check the worst leftist inclinations of Tusk, his party, and his allies through presidential vetoes and the presidential bully pulpit. It also puts him in a position potentially to accelerate parliamentary elections. In the runup to this weekends vote, the Polish left pulled out many tropes familiar to Americans: that Nawrocki had to be defeated to protect Polish democracy, that this was a choice between a xenophobic, nationalist Poland versus a Poland with a European horizon, that the work of reckoning with the former government and the promises of the Tusk government would be impeded by Nawrocki (as they had by the incumbent retiring conservative president, Andrzej Duda), and that Poland had to decide between Catholic versus inclusive" values. With the close election over and Polands electoral map somewhat split like in the United States, the Left is now warning against polarization and calling for building bridges, a need they never identified during the past 18 months of the Tusk government. Because there is a strong bipartisan consensus in Poland about the importance of good relations with the United States as well as for mutual burden-sharing (Poland has for years met or exceeded NATO contribution levels), Warsaws relations with Washington will likely remain strong. Nawrocki will likely be a serious interlocutor with the Trump administration. At the same time, Nawrocki will also be a likely check on the Tusk governments drift towards Brussels and Germany. Domestic politics are likely, however, to be rockier, as the Tusk governments ability to pursue its left agenda will be subject to presidential veto. Whether that results in Tusk rebalancing his positions, hoping by appearing more centrist to cultivate a moderate image, or in staking out his territory on the left through symbolic (losing) votes in Parliament remains to be seen. Image: Artur Andrzej, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed Theres a quote, though the source isnt exactly known, and it goes like this: Whenever people need a hero, we shall supply him. I cant quite shake the feeling that Donald Trump is that controlled opposition hero, and this story has me all the more unsettled: Trump is reportedly funneling hundreds of millions of dollars to software giant Palantir, building out a massive domestic surveillance and data collection network, which includes American citizens. From a report at Yahoo Finance: Since Trump signed an executive order in March calling for more interagency data sharing, Palantir has quietly become the go-to vendor for building that digital infrastructure. The company has landed more than $113 million in new and extended federal contracts since Trump took office including a blockbuster $795 million deal with the Pentagon last week. Palantir's Foundry platform is already in use at Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, and engineers were recently embedded at the IRS to begin building a unified, searchable database for taxpayer records. Talks are also underway with the Social Security Administration and Department of Education, suggesting more agencies could follow. To make matters worse, a slew of MAGA sycophants are promising critical thinkers that this is a good thing for Americans, because its how we identify all of the threats that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris imported into the country during their reign of terrorone such example is seen below: If youre a patriot, you want Trump using every tool to keep you safe. Pregnant Redhead (@PregnantRedhead) May 30, 2025 Perhaps she never heard the wise remark attributed to Benjamin Franklin: Those who would trade freedom for safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. To follow Franklins observation to its logical conclusion: Those who would trade freedom for safety will get neither liberty nor safety. The Republican federal government is selling us this massive database by saying its how we clean up the illegal invasion mess wrought by the Democratsbut something tells me they were in it together, and this was the plan all along. Wed resist a centralized database under the Democrats, but when Trump does it? Its for our safety. (More dangerous words have never been spoken by politicians.) A summary of the situation, from Jason Bassler of The Free Thought Project: Trump loyalists drowning in copium. Remember, rule #1 is ALWAYS: Never get high on your own supply. pic.twitter.com/kppLyi9wc3 Jason Bassler (@JasonBassler1) June 1, 2025 Now, Palantir isnt exactly to be trusted, for a number of reasons. First of all, the company was founded in part by a man named Peter Thiel, with investment firms BlackRock and Vanguard owning a significant share. Thiel is a billionaire member of the World Economic Forum, and in 2023, Thiels gay lover was found dead after he reportedly blew the lid on the alleged affair to Thiels husband. He doesnt quite strike me as a conservative, or an America-first type of guy. Heres another disturbing aspect: the name Palantir comes from J. R. R. Tolkiens Lord of the Rings tale, as it was the name of the indestructible crystal ball that the evil Saruman used to surveil events throughout Middle Earth, even those far into the future. With Palantirs use of AI to run algorithms and assess future threats, this is looking a little like the plot to Minority Report. UPDATED: I have just come across a relevant video. Below, Alex Karp, another Palantir founder, brags about how his tech stopped the far-right movement that was washing across Europe: MUST WATCH: Alex Karp, the co-founder & CEO of Peter Thiels company Palantir, says that their product known as Gotham (which he calls PG) single handedly stopped the rise of the far right in Europe. Peter Thiel calls himself an ally to the right while he works to destroy us. pic.twitter.com/FVjT8D9qv1 Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) January 18, 2023 Now, Bassler also adds this about the new data centralization plans: No, this Palantir database isnt like the others. It will combine: -Tax filings -Student debt -Social Security -Bank accounts -Medical claims -Immigration status No previous database system has ever centralized this much personal info across various federal agencies. Jason Bassler (@JasonBassler1) June 1, 2025 And, where it can lead: -REAL ID enforcement -Surveillance stablecoins -AI Biometric entry/exit systems -Palantir building a master database -FedEx trucks equipped with license plate readers -ICE using facial recognition to monitor online dissent 2025: Directed by Orwell, produced by Palantir. Jason Bassler (@JasonBassler1) June 2, 2025 Big Brother is officially here. Image: Mark Hillary, CC BY 2.0, Flickr, unaltered. On May 31, The Frank reported that Iran has a stockpile of 408.6 kilograms of 60%-enriched uraniumenough for roughly 10 nuclear weapons. U.S. officials say it could take Iran less than two weeks to convert this highly enriched uranium into enough weapons-grade 90% fissile material for a nuclear weapon. Two weeks! June 15!! Donald Trump says he wants a strong deal with Iran. I want it 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. 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, Trump said. Thats the right attitude, but is it feasible that Iran will agree to it? Trump wants a deal. Any deal requires some measure of trust. Can Iran be trusted at all? One former national security adviser says no: I think were really at a very important point here, whether, whether Trump is going to try and continue these negotiations, which I think are going to be completely fruitless, or whether Israel is going to do what it has to do to protect its very existence, Bolton said Friday evening in an appearance on NewsNations On Balance. It is most distressing that Uncle Sam has been so stupid for so long to let things get this far, and it seems our trust that Israel would never let it happen has been misplaced. The Muslims love to mock us with We love death more than you love life! Does not that love of death render Iran invulnerable to the doctrine of mutually assured destruction (MAD)? Could it be that the dealmeister is so beguiled by the prospective glory of a diplomatic triumph that he will delay doing what must be done before it is too late? We must realize that Iran is not alone. It has a comrade in North Korea, and it is not at all difficult to conjecture how Iran and the Norks could cooperate to tag team us. While we are distracted with Irans launch preparations and our last-minute efforts to bribe them or talk them out of it, the Norks could detonate EMPs over all our nuclear facilities, following which Iran then launches its ten nukes. And once mushrooms bloom over America, will not the two big commie states, China and Russia, pile on? Is it time to stop yammering, give a final warning, and attack? Robert Frost famously wondered whether the world would perish in fire or in ice. The recent news that Iran is on the threshold of ten nukes says that the smart money bets on fire. Image created using AI. It is hard to believe, but the autopen used by our presidents was first patented 222 years ago, in 1803. First to use it was Thomas Jefferson. Interestingly back then, it was originally known as the polygraph machine, copying out entire letters as one wrote them. Later called the Robot before simply becoming known as the autopen, what Jefferson used was quite different from what is used today. Some presidents depended on its use so extensively, such as John F. Kennedy, that it rendered an original signature extremely rare. A question that has arisen about the autopen in modern times, however, is whether its use is constitutional to implement legislation. While a traveling George Bush became the first president to query this in 2005, due to the life-and-death urgency of the bill with which he was dealingthe Terri Schiavo billhe opted to return to Washington and sign it personally rather than use the autopen. Thus, the issue has never been decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. The unconstitutionality of autopen usage is based on the concept it is proxy signing, which is only acceptable if the mandate is met requiring the president to be present at such an event. The concern, obviously, is that such absence could lead to the autopen being used to circumvent presidential authority. It has been revealed that President Joe Biden signed 97% of those documents requiring his signature using the autopen. His subsequent lack of knowledge about what he allegedly signed has been evident on several occasions. While Bidens administration heavily relied on the autopen, the issue goes broader. Not only is it not known if he were present when the autopen was used but, even if he were, based on the mental decline he suffered during his presidency, did he even know what was being signed since constitutional intent is required? Additionally, it has been reported that rubber-stamped autopen usage was witnessed by some Biden staff members. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said he knew Biden was not in charge when the president had no knowledge about an executive order he signed just three weeks earlier with his autopen. Johnson asked Biden about itspecifically why he had paused LNG exports to Europe, to which the then president denied doing so. Thus, Bidens possible absence from such signings and/or his declining mental state has raised the issue of whether such documentslike his last minute pardonsare effective. If this is the case, it probably explains why one of the few documents Biden personally signed was his withdrawal from the presidential election campaignperhaps because it was worried by some Democrat party leaders he might later protest his withdrawal as not being valid. But the question also arises if Biden were incapable of making such decisions, who then acted as the invisible president? It sounds like several different people may have played this role. During Bidens tenure, First Lady Jill repeatedly denied her husband was suffering any kind of mental decline. Yet we can now hear DNC Vice Chair David Hoggwho has really done his party no favors since taking officeadmitting a dark truth recently on hidden camera. He tells us that Jills team was actually running the White House and that her chief of staff (Anthony Bernal) wielded enormous power. The House Oversight Committee launched an investigation into the use of Bidens autopen. It gave an end-of-May demand to some of those who may have been involved in serving as invisible presidents to agree to interview requests. The Committee is pursuing the belief the autopen passed through many different hands. While members of Bidens staff are suspect, so too is Senator Elizabeth Warren, although details are currently unavailable. If only like the autopen of Jeffersons day, the autopen of Bidens day retained fingerprints! Image from Grok. From just about any point of view, the 2020 Presidential Election was bizarre and abnormal -- the high number of votes recorded, increased mail-in/absentee voting, voting rules changed, etc. To judge voting claims, one needs a standard for comparison. The 2024 presidential vote totals are a public record. Also the 2020 census data, including state (and county) populations, is a public record. Thus the 2020 vote count adjusted relative to 2016 and 2024 vote counts -- two years for standards -- can be examined. There are 50 states and DC: 51 national voting units. But population sizes differ among states. Wyoming is small and California is large. To account for this, we adjusted votes by state population -- vote count divided by population -- to give the Voter Participation Rate, VPR. Historically, the VPR ranged from 15 to 30 percent for each party, but more recently it has been higher. VPR allows apples-to-apples comparison of states by their population. The contrast (or jump) in 2020 VPRs versus the average of the years 2016 and 2024 tells us if the 2020 count is normal, or if something smells off. Specifically, we looked at how the jump in VPR differed between Democrats and Republicans for 2020 versus the average for 2016 and 2024. Looking at the data, we unsurprisingly saw a jump in 2020 -- overall average for 51 voting units of 2.19 percent. The jump was larger for Democrats than for Republicans, average of 3.08 versus 1.29 percent. The VPRs come in pairs (Democrat, Republican) for each voting unit. The paired differences for the 51 voting units were examined statistically. A difference of 1.80%, favoring Democrats, in 2020 was well beyond chance as an explanation essentially impossible. The confidence limits of the difference, 1.412.18 do not overlap zero, meaning that the difference might be as small as 1.41 or as large as 2.18 percent difference. Something smells off for sure. Voting units with the largest positive jumps that favor Democrats in 2020 are given in Table 1, along with the states with the smallest jumps that favor Republicans. The absolute magnitude of the jumps is much larger for Democrats than Republicans, something of a red flag (rotten votes, perhaps). Table 1. Voting units with the five largest and five smallest voting jump. There was population growth across the three election cycles -- 2016, 2020, 2024. But overall, it was largely steady growth. Of note, Californias population was essentially constant at 39M, yet there was a dramatic/inexplicable jump of 3.41% in VPR in 2020. Anyone surprised? To explore other anomalies, we looked at the decline in VPRs for Democrats in 2024 from 2020. The five largest and five smallest Democrat declines are shown in Table 2. There were dramatic declines for Democrat votes in many states. Table 2. Voting units with the five largest and five smallest Democrat decline in 2024 from 2020. For comparison, the decline for Republicans in those states was modest. The overall average decline in the Republican VPR was 0.16 and, statistically, did not differ significantly from zero. All odorless with Republication votes. The stench originates with Democrat votes. The jump in the 2020 Democrat VPR of ~3% was not a chance result. It was larger than the jump for Republicans of ~1.3%, and the difference was not a chance result. Many were astonished that 2020 Biden votes far surpassed 2008 Obama votes -- 81.3M versus 69.5M. Some wondered whether 2020 votes for Biden were juiced. Our findings agree that smelly circumstances consistent with juicing 2020 votes for Biden occurred. S. Stanley Young, Ph.D. is the CEO of CGStat in Raleigh, North Carolina and is director of the National Association of Scholars Shifting Sands Project. Warren Kindzierski, Ph.D. is a retired college professor (public health) in St Albert, Alberta. Absolute power does not corrupt absolutely, absolute power attracts the corruptible. --Frank Herbert What have the American people learned over the last four years? We have learned that the American left, including the Democrat party, is determined to turn America into a Marxist nation, communist in nature, unfree, and as cruel as the former Soviet Union and China are today. That is exactly what the Democrats want for the American people. There have been more than a few leftist presidents who supported this communist/globalist agenda, but President Obama was the most obvious in recent times. He hated this country and from day one set about to weaken, if not to destroy it. His entire cabinet, his inner circle, all worked to the same end: the bludgeoning of America and the Judeo-Christian values on which this nation was founded. To a large extent, they succeeded. Obama socialized our healthcare. Obamacare ruined American healthcare, making it far more expensive for everyone, increasingly impersonal, and harder to come by, and turned us all into nothing more than data points in their vast surveillance system. Trumps victory in 2016 was an unexpected interruption in their grand plan. Hillary, one of the most depraved persons ever to grace the American political spectrum, was meant to carry on their evil scheme, and she would have done so with relish. Preventing her from taking the presidency was divine intervention. But her cabal of globalist commies is still around. Its members rigged the 2020 election, executed the lawfare that plagued Trumps first term, and put their like-minded judges in place to hamper Trump in his second term. They engineered the pathetic Joe Biden into the White House. They knew he was in the early stages of dementia and had cancer; they knew he would be president in name only. They would run the country. Numerous politicians have seized absolute power and muzzled the press. Never in history has the press seized absolute power and muzzled the politicians. --Douglas Brinkley The Obama syndicate was ready to further transform the country, to continue what Obama had begun. They are the ones who have been running the country for the last four years. They opened the Southern border to the millions of migrants who have invaded the country. They engineered the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, ceding the Bagram Airbase to China. Was it their weakness or malice that they orchestrated the Russian invasion of Ukraine and probably the Oct. 7 massacre of Israelis? They own the mainstream media that does its bidding; Jake Tappers book is a perfect example of how thoroughly degenerate the corporate media is. He/they did everything in their power to cover up Bidens dementia, and now Tapper wants credit for writing about it after the fact. Mendacious is who they, the media, are. They tried to put a full stop to our energy production. Some deviants among the left most likely had their hands in on the two assassination attempts on Trumps life as surely as their predecessors had a hand in the assassinations of JFK, Malcom X, RFK, and several others. Eventually, the truth seeps out even if it takes decades. The Democrat party of today would horrify JFK. It is now officially the party of socialists and fascists. The party and its institutions have surely been infiltrated by the CCP. Our judiciary has most likely been infiltrated by communists. Money not only talks, it facilitates pure evil as easily as it facilitates good. Why does our Congress get so little done? Because so many of its members have been co-opted by Big Pharma, Big Tech, and a host of other corporate lobbyists that hand out big bucks for favorable legislation. Far too many of them fall for the money, and their principles go out the window. Think of the warmongers like Lindsey Graham. Hes hardly alone in his greedy thirst for war. The deep state thrives on war, which is why they so loathe Trump. He wants peace on the planet. Given the recent polling, the American people are coming to grips with the Democrat partys obsession with power at any cost. The Democrats do not listen to the people, do not consider their opinions to be valid or worthy. When asked about the dismal polls, they reject them as insignificant. Of course, they do. They do not care what people think, care about, or what they are suffering, etc. The Democrat party cares about one thing, one thing only power. If the Biden administration taught us anything, it was that the left relishes controlling and restricting how we live; they want to make our lives more difficult by any means necessary. Import millions of migrants, many of them criminals, into our cities. They want to regulate every aspect of our lives public education (indoctrination), our medical care (mandated vaccines), home appliances, our use of electricity, our cars how far can we drive? Only 15 minutes? They stupidly believe they can control the climate by controlling how we live. Or they use climate change as the phony tool it is to control how we live. The Democrat party is opposed to freedom of any kind, especially the First Amendment -- speech, religion, and the Second Amendment; God forbid we be able to defend ourselves. They want power for powers sake, and now almost everyone sees that. They have no useful, positive ideas, not a single plan that would benefit any American beyond their oligarchic cronies. AOC and Bernie Sanders are campaigning against oligarchs when it is their party that created them and protects them. America is at a crossroads weve been here before. It was not always easy to differentiate the good guys from the bad guys, but this time it is simple. The left/Democrat party has no interest whatsoever in the well-being of the American people or the freedoms they are guaranteed by our Constitution. They only want power for powers sake. If they were to win back the House and/or Senate in the midterms, it would mean the end of America as founded. They are now motivated only by their sheer hatred of President Trump and his supporters. They will think nothing of destroying the last vestiges of our constitutional republic. They will most certainly perpetrate their evil across the land, and we will all suffer. That must not happen. Do you know the primary difference between men and gods? Gods dont think they can become men. --Dennis Lehane Image: Picryl, via Wikimedia Commons // public domain Its baaaaaaccccckkkkk! What am I talking about? Woke subliminal advertising keeps trying to socially engineer the land of the free and the home of the unsuspecting (brave). What is subliminal advertising? According to Googles AI, subliminal advertising is a technique where marketers use visual or auditory stimuli that are below the conscious threshold of perception to influence consumer behavior. Its designed to subtly affect attitudes and desires without the consumer being aware theyre being manipulated. In addition to being heavier than I should be at 71, I am too cheap to pay Amazon Prime to eliminate commercials. Their commercials are annoying, and I suspect they are trying to make me feel guilty for marrying a woman of my own race. Image created using AI. I love my wife, and I am glad I married her. As I watch their commercials, however, nearly all families in America are mixed race. When I look at my wife and then look at the wives on TV, a dissonance develops in my brain. Questions develop in my gray matter that ask: Why doesnt my wife look like the wives on the commercials, or why doesnt my family look like the commercial families? Like most law-abiding citizens, I get bothered when someone suggests I did something wrong. Like most contrarians, I grow weary of the strict demands of peer pressure. The wokesters out there are not going away. To be sure, they took a hit with the second election of Donald Trump in 2024, but they are fighting for their vision of what this country should be as much as we are fighting to Make America Great Again. They still have major pieces on this chessboard from sea to shining sea. Fortunately for us, they still cling to their wildly unpopular woke ideas like open borders, men competing as women, and the sexualization and dumbing down of our kids in public schools. The culture war is far from over. The Globalists/Wokesters are receding on many fronts. In Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, France, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and other European states, right-wing populist parties have either come to power or made a strong showing in recent elections. I am glad to be free, and I am glad that freedom extends to the matter of choosing a mate. If someone wants to marry someone of another race, I say with Tiny Tim, God bless us, everyone. If, however, someone wants to marry someone of their own race, I say God bless that, too. Ned Cosby, a frequent contributor to American Thinker, is a former pastor, veteran Coast Guard officer, and a retired English high school teacher. His novel OUTCRY is a love story exposing the refusal of Christian leaders to report and discipline clergy who sexually abuse our young people. This work of fiction addresses crimes that are all too real. Cosby has also written RECOLLECTIONS FROM MY FATHERS HOUSE, tracing his own odyssey from 1954 to the present. For more info, visit Ned Cosby. The Republicans in Congress, much to their disgrace, allowed vestiges of Green New Deal spending to remain. However, to their credit, they axed a large chunk of it. The symbolism of their action should not be overlooked. They have declared the so-called climate emergency not to be a national crisis. Maybe at a time like this, it would be good to reflect on the effect of other supposed national emergencies in our recent past. The two that loom large are the mortgage crisis of 2008 and COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. Although most people by now have shelved memories of these events, we are living with their aftermath today. It may come as a shock to some that the Federal government has incurred the same increase in debt relative to GNP in the aftermath of these two events as it did in World War II. I say shocking because no serious person would conceive that the fiscal impact of fighting a war against the Axis powers would equal the spending that was fallout from the mortgage crisis and the Wuhan flu. Looking back, it seems like we lost our minds, spending like a drunken sailor from 2008 onwards. To understand it all, let me take you back a bit. Seven years prior to the mortgage crisis, there was the dotcom crash in which large amounts of wealth evaporated almost overnight as investors recalibrated their valuation of the tech sector. Few called for a massive government bailout of tech companies or investors. There was a general understanding that the dotcom boom was risky business. When, in subsequent years, the banking industry transformed itself with full-scale securitization of mortgages and other assets and experienced a hiccup along the way, the reaction should have been the same, but it wasnt. When investors reassessed downward their estimation of bank stocks, there were calls from all quarters for the government to bail the banking sector out. It was certainly an odd reaction from the public that they would go along with bailing out banks when just prior to the crash these hubris pricks touted themselves as masters of the universe. The spending did not end with the initial bailout but continued throughout the two terms of Obama. The 2008 banking crisis provided cover for the Obama administration to go on a spending spree. As Obama advisor, Rahm Emanuel said, You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that is an opportunity to do things that you think you could not do before. 2008 would not be the last time that public opinion would baffle me. In 2020, it seemed once again that people had lost their minds by deciding for the first time in history to do something that had never been tried before. We were to shut down the whole economy and send everyone home to cower in fear until the COVID pandemic receded. Again, the federal spending taps were opened and money poured out to keep people in an exquisite state of seclusion. I know that some readers will object to my sarcastic assessment. They will say that we had to do what we did and preface it by saying that they knew a friend of a friend who died of COVID, and he wasnt that old. No doubt that happened and no doubt there was human suffering. However, would it not have made more sense for those at risk to isolate themselves and let the rest of us go about our business. We could then rather quickly acquire herd immunity as all previous generations have. In conclusion, when I hear Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez exclaim that the climate emergency is her generations World War II, she is not just yearning to make sandwiches at the local USO for departing soldiers. She wants a $50 trillion makeover of the energy sector that is many times the cost of WWII. It is good that we did not take the advice of this former bartender from Queens and embark on yet another spending spree that would send the debt to stratospheric levels. Image: Congressional Budget Office. Germany is reportedly considering imposing a 10% tax on some major online platforms, including Alphabets Google and Metas Facebook. Last week, Reuters reported that Germanys new Minister of State for Culture, Wolfram Weimer, confirmed the governments upcoming move to the magazine Stern. Per the report, the proposal comes ahead of Chancellor Friedrich Merzs meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. Its worth noting that the travel plan hasnt been officially confirmed yet by the German government. The news outlet further reported that Germanys move to tax companies like Google and Meta could escalate the trade tensions with the Trump administration. In the past, Trump has expressed his disapproval of foreign governments taxing U.S. companies. He had pledged not to let them appropriate Americas tax base for their own benefit. Weimer further said that officials are drafting a legislative proposal to tax platforms like Google and Meta. The Culture Minister also told Stern that officials are willing to talk to these companies directly to explore alternative options. Per the report, it might include voluntary contributions. Speaking with Stern, Weimer said, 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. All that said, the German government hasnt yet agreed on Weimers proposal. If Germany goes ahead with the plan to tax major tech companies like Google and Meta, it has to tax their sales revenue generated within the countrys borders. Doing so, Germany will join the list of countries like France, Spain, India, Austria, and others who have done the same thing in the past. Weimer has accused these platforms of monopolistic structures Not to forget, Weimer has also accused companies like Google and Meta of building up monopoly-like structures. He believes that this not only blocks competitors but also concentrates media power too heavily. Only time will tell if Germany taxes these companies. If it does, itll be interesting to see how Trump reacts. It seems Apples WWDC 2025 event will be the one to be remembered for a long time. Thats not because of the usual feature announcements but because of the major change in the companys naming scheme. Last week, Mark Gurman reported that Apple will release iOS 26 at this years WWDC and not iOS 19. Similarly, there will be iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26, and watchOS 26. Speaking of macOS 26, Gurman now says that Apple will name it after Lake Tahoe. macOS 26 will pick its name from the famous Lake Tahoe In his latest Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman claims that Apple will name the macOS next iteration macOS Tahoe. For the uninitiated, Apple picked this name from Lake Tahoe, located between California and Nevada in the United States. Talking about macOS 26s moniker in the newsletter, Gurman notes, Im told that the company has homed in on Lake Tahoe as its next moniker, making it macOS Tahoe. Its a famous resort area and a vacation destination (and second-home site) for many Apple employees. Its worth noting that Lake Tahoe is popular for its reflective waters. You can see the lake mirroring the surrounding landscapes, such as mountains and the sky. This is why Gurman says that the Tahoe moniker would align with macOS 26s rumored glass-like design, featuring translucent buttons, icons, and windows. Well, this isnt the first time Apple has named macOS differently. Previously, the company used names of big cats like Cheetah, Tiger, Leopard, and Lion. However, the company moved on from that naming scheme starting with OS X Mavericks in 2013. Previous California-themed monikers In the past few years, weve seen the tech giant adopt California-themed names for macOS, such as Sequoia, Sonoma, Monterey, and Yosemite. Moreover, if youre hoping to hear about new Apple Intelligence features, there will be little to no updates about them during the WWDC keynote. Huawei launched the Pura 70 series of high-end smartphones in April last year. However, the company delayed the launch of this years Pura series devices. Ahead of the launch, the upcoming Pura 80 series has already been the subject of several leaks and reports. Now, the design of one of the Huawei Pura 80 series phones and camera specs have leaked. In addition, a tipster from China has provided some details regarding the Pura 80 series possible launch timeframe. Huaweis Pura 80 will be slightly different than its predecessors in terms of design Huawei seems to have accidentally leaked the design of one of the Pura 80 series phones during the MAEXTRO S800 smart cars launch event. He Gang, the CEO of Huawei Consumer Business Group, was using an unreleased phone to capture the events highlights. Speculations indicate it could be one of the next-gen Huawei Pura 80 series devices. As seen in the image, the Huawei Pura 80s camera module will be slightly larger than the one found on the Pura 70 series. It will still have a triangular camera bump, but the change is the addition of a dual-periscope camera lens at the center of the camera module. The camera bump seems to cover almost the top half of the phones back panel. Teme, a tipster on X, indicates that the Pura 80 will have a 50MP 1-inch main camera sensor with a variable aperture and a 50MP 1/1.3-inch camera lens with dual focal lengths. There will be a 40MP ultrawide third sensor as well. Furthermore, the smartphone will sport a 2MP color temperature sensor, which is an upgrade from the 1.6MP sensor in the Pure 70 Ultra (review). The phone could feature enhanced color accuracy, thanks to the upgraded color temperature sensor. Huawei could launch the new Pura series phones in July According to Weibo tipster Fixed Focus Digital, Huawei will most likely start taking pre-orders for the Pura 80 series after the next public holiday in China. The countrys latest holiday is the Dragon Boat Festival, which started on May 31 and will end on June 2. However, the company could formally launch the smartphone in July. Speculations indicate that the brand could unveil the Pura 80 and its high-end siblings at an event on June 11 in China. However, theres no way to confirm the authenticity of the leak, so take it with a grain of salt for now. That said, all the new leaks hint that Huawei could soon start teasing the features of the new Pura lineup, so stay tuned. Google and Samsung have been working closely together for years. The South Korean giant assisted Google with the hardware of its Pixel phones, while Samsung received early the latest Android updates and the Mountain View giants mobile AI developments. However, in an unexpected twist, Samsung could bet on another AI as the mainstay in the upcoming Galaxy S26 series: Perplexity. This isnt just about switching out one assistant (Google Gemini) for another. A report form Bloomberg suggests Samsung is looking into a significant investment deal with Perplexity AI, which could fundamentally change how you interact with your next Samsung phone. Perplexity could be the main AI in the Samsung Galaxy S26 series So, whats Perplexity AI? We could say it offers a similar experience to Gemini and other AI chatbots currently available. It can direct answers to your questions (citing your sources), generate reports, summarize text, generate ideas, etc. The potential Perplexity deal would bring some significant changes regarding AI in the Galaxy S26 lineup. The first and most important would be a new assistant default that would replace Gemini. Perplexity has had a mobile app for months, so this could be possible. So, when you invoke the AI on your upcoming Galaxy S26, you might see Anthropics chatbot emerge instead of Googles. Another important change would be a deeper integration of Perplexity into the Galaxy S26 series. Were not just talking about adding the app and making it the AI assistant by default. Native Samsung apps would be powered by Perplexitys capabilities. For example, Samsung Internet could receive Perplexitys search capabilities. Another option is that Samsung decides to boost its own Bixby assistant by giving it Perplexitys brain. Will Bixby finally stop being dumb? Well have to see it to believe it. Less reliance on Googles AI The potential change would also mean less reliance on Google for its core AI features. It hints at Samsung adopting a multi-AI provider approach, similar to what weve seen from other tech giants like Apple, who use various AI models for different tasks. Nothing is set in stone until an official announcement. However, the prospect of Samsung, one of the worlds largest smartphone makers, making a big investment in Perplexity AI and integrating it deeply into its devices is certainly an interesting development. It could also be a blow for Google Gemini to lose the reach that Galaxy phones offer globally. A United Nations patrol in Timbuktu in 2021. A Malian army base in the city has come under attack from jihadist militants, according to local officials and military sources. Photograph: Moulaye Sayah/AP An al-Qaida-linked group has launched an assault on a Malian army base in Timbuktu, according to military sources and local officials, a day after it claimed responsibility for another attack near the border with Burkina Faso. The terrorists arrived today in Timbuktu with a vehicle packed with explosives, a local official told Agence France-Presse. The vehicle exploded near the [military] camp. Shooting is currently continuing. Residents of the ancient city also told journalists that they had heard gunfire. The news came as the group Jamaa Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed responsibility for an attack on an army base in Boulkessi, near the border with Burkina Faso. The Malian authorities are yet to give casualty figures from Sundays attack, but sources have told Reuters that as many as 30 soldiers were killed. Since 2012, a swarm of jihadist groups including most notably the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and JNIM have been fighting Malian security forces. When Malis junta seized power in 2020, it cited the deteriorating security situation as a major reason for its coup and promised to act decisively to stabilise the country. Experts and civil society figures say there has barely been any improvement in the situation, while indiscriminate killings by Malian security forces have increased in tandem with the arrival in the country of Russian mercenaries operating at first under the banner of the Wagner group and then Africa Corps. Armed groups have also continued attacks in the Liptako-Gourma region where Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger converge. In February, Human Rights Watch reported 34 people were killed when an armed group ambushed a civilian convoy travelling from Gao to Ansongo in the north-east of Mali, despite the vehicles being escorted by five military pickup trucks. Similar attacks have taken place across the Sahel, which accounts for more than half of all deaths worldwide from terrorism. Recent attacks have targeted military formations including the 2019 killing of dozens of soldiers at a Boulkessi base and raids on army camps in north-east Nigeria in March. Last July, Malian authorities made the rare admission that significant losses had been suffered after clashes pitting the army and Russian-backed mercenaries against jihadists near the desert town of Tinzaouaten. Since the start of May, more than 400 soldiers have reportedly been killed by insurgents in military bases and towns in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. In January, the trio announced their exit from the regional Ecowas bloc which turned 50 this May to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), partly to enhance military cooperation. What you should do in defence is decide what you need, your capability, and then provide for it. Thats what my government is doing, Anthony Albanese (pictured last week) said on Monday. Photograph: Russell Freeman/AAP Anthony Albanese has again sidestepped US calls for Australia to drastically increase its defence budget, now by about $40bn more each year, amid warnings from the Trump administration over Chinas plans. The US secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, met Australias defence minister, Richard Marles over the weekend in Singapore as part of the Shangri-la Dialogue. In a readout of the meeting released Monday morning Australian time, Hegseth conveyed that Australia should increase its defence spending to 3.5% of its GDP as soon as possible. Australia is on track to lift defence spending from about $53bn a year, or about 2% of GDP to an estimated $100bn, or 2.4% of GDP, by 2033-34. An additional annual spend of about $40bn would be required by 2033-34 to reach 3.5% of GDP. Hegseth on Saturday urged countries in Asia to share the burden and lift defence spending to 5% of GDP, warning Beijing is credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific in a speech at the conference. Related: Richard Marles welcomes US commitment to Indo-Pacific in face of Chinas military buildup It followed months after Pentagon undersecretary Elbridge Colby told a US Senate hearing that the US wanted Australia to reach a 3% defence spending threshold. Albanese was asked on Monday to respond to the USs calls for Australia to pour billions more into its defence budget, to meet a higher spending target. The prime minister asked: Which one? Theres been a range of [spending targets] going forward. What you should do in defence is decide what you need, your capability, and then provide for it. Thats what my government is doing, he said. What we need is things that defend us in real terms, and thats what well provide. The prime minister had stood firm on Sunday, saying in response to a similar question about Hegseths Saturday comments: Well determine our defence policy. Also speaking on Sunday, Marles said the issue of defence spending was a conversation he was totally up for. The Americans have been very clear about wanting to see more from their friends and allies around the world. Its a sentiment that we understand, Marles said at a press conference in Singapore. We have already engaged in the last couple of years in the single biggest peacetime increase in defence expenditure in Australias history. So we are beginning this journey. Weve got runs on the board. And indeed, if we look at Aukus, I mean, Aukus is something which is seeing our defence expenditure increase as it should and so we actually are taking steps down this path. In February, Australia paid $US500m ($AUD790m) to the US as part of the first instalment in a total of $US3bn pledged in order to support Americas shipbuilding industry. At the time, Marles said Aukus was a powerful symbol of our two countries working together in the Indo-Pacific. Albanese is expected to meet Trump in person for the first time since both leaders were re-elected, on the sidelines of the G7 leaders summit in Canada this month. The two leaders are expected to discuss defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, as well as the USs doubling of tariffs to 50% on steel and aluminium imports, including from Australia, beginning this week. Alfred Dreyfus was accused in October 1894 of passing secret information to the German military - Apic/Hulton Archive Alfred Dreyfus is to be posthumously promoted 130 years after he was wrongly convicted of treason. Frances parliament on Monday unanimously backed a bill giving him the rank of brigadier general in a final act of reparation for one of the most notorious acts of anti-Semitism in the countrys history. Dreyfus, a Jewish army captain from the Alsace region of eastern France, was accused in October 1894 of passing secret information on new artillery equipment to the German military attache. Despite a lack of evidence, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in the infamous Devils Island penal colony in French Guiana later to feature in the book and film Papillon, starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman and publicly stripped of his rank. He was the subject of a virulent anti-Semitic press campaign that split France. Alfred Dreyfus speaks with General Gillain after being awarded the Legion dhonneur in 1906 - AFP Parliaments backing of the highly symbolic bill, which will be ratified by the senate at a later date, comes amid a surge of anti-Semitism in France following the Hamas-led October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023. The Representative Council of the Jewish Institutions of France registered 1,570 anti-Semitic acts last year, after 1,676 in 2023. In 2022 the figure was 436. In recent days, several Jewish and Israeli establishments in Paris, including a Holocaust memorial, were defaced with green paint. Gabriel Attal, the former prime minister who tabled the bill, said that the new law could not have come at a more important time. The anti-Semitism that targeted Alfred Dreyfus is not in the distant past, he said, adding: Todays acts of hatred remind us that the fight is still ongoing. Promoting Alfred Dreyfus to the rank of brigadier general would constitute an act of reparation, a recognition of his merits, and a tribute to his commitment to the Republic, Mr Attal said. Just before the vote and in the presence of the Dreyfus family, Patricia Miralles, the remembrance and veterans minister, said: Anti-Semitism is still striking in our democracy... this hatred must be fought resolutely. Guilty walked free The accusation against Dreyfus was based on a comparison of handwriting on a document found in the German attaches waste paper basket. But Lt Col Georges Picquart, the then head of the intelligence services, secretly re-investigated the case and discovered the writing on the incriminating message was that of another officer, Ferdinand Walsin Esterhazy. When Picquart presented the evidence to the general staff of the French army, he was kicked out of the military and jailed for a year, while Esterhazy was acquitted. That gave rise to writer Emile Zolas famous Jaccuse pamphlet to Felix Faure, the then French president, in which he slammed a terrifying judicial error amid the hunt for dirty Jews that is soiling our time. A campaign to free him split the country between Dreyfusards, led by Zola, and anti-Dreyfusards such as Maurice Barres, the far-Right political leader. In June 1899, Dreyfus was brought back to France, found guilty a second time, and sentenced to 10 years in prison, before being officially pardoned, though not cleared of the charges. A Vanity Fair picture of the courtroom during the 1899 retrial - Universal Images Group/Universal Images Group Only in 1906, did the High Court of Appeal overturn the original verdict, exonerating him. He was reinstated with the rank of chef descadron (major), a downgrade for an officer who had seemed destined for the highest posts until his wrongful conviction. Dreyfus left the army in 1907, but later signed up again when war with Germany broke out in 1914, and fought at Verdun. He died in 1935, aged 76. In April 2025, Pierre Moscovici, the first president of Frances Court of Audits; Frederic Salat-Baroux, a prominent lawyer; and Louis Gautier, the chairman of the Dreyfus Museum, signed an open letter calling for Dreyfus to be made a brigadier general. The posthumous promotion was all the more important because part of the Left is operating a terrible return to the past, they argued. Centrist Democratic MPs later warned the bill should not be used to buy a badge of honour by parties with condemnable past or present stances on anti-Semitism, pointing the finger at Jean-Luc Melenchons Leftist France Unbowed (LFI) and Marine Le Pens radical-Right National Rally (RN). Emmanuel Macron visits the Dreyfus Museum near Paris in 2021 - LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP Gabriel Amard, the LFI deputy leader, said: It is in my family that we are descended from Dreyfusards, not in yours. He also condemned the double discourse of the RN where, according to him, anti-Semitic remarks and behaviour are still rampant. Hailing the law as fundamental for the Republic, Charles Sitzenstuhl, an MP from Emmanuel Macrons Renaissance Party in Alsace and rapporteur of the bill, joined calls for Dreyfus to be interred in the Pantheon, Frances temple to its great and good. Critics, including Francois Bayrou, the prime minister, argue that the Pantheon is for the countrys heroes, not its victims, but others say the decade he spent in solitary confinement and his commitment to the French army proved otherwise. Dreyfus is a model of resistance and heroism for the nation. He is an example for younger generations, a great man, said Mr Sitzenstuhl. Tactical teams get into position following an incident that the FBI is investigating as an act of terror in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday. Photograph: Chet Strange/Getty Images Political leaders across the US have condemned what they describe as a horrific, antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado, after a man allegedly used a makeshift flamethrower and incendiary devices to target people at a rally calling for the release of the hostages held by Hamas. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, has been charged with multiple felonies after allegedly shouting Free Palestine as he attacked the crowd on Sunday. The incident occurred during an event organized by Run for Their Lives, a group that aims to draw attention to people taken hostage following Hamass attack on Israel in October 2023. The FBI is treating the attack as an act of terrorism, with Pam Bondi, the attorney general, saying that FBI agents are on the ground in Colorado following what appears to be a horrific antisemitic attack. Hakeem Jeffries described the incident as targeting the Jewish community in America and called it an unconscionable act of terror. The House Democratic leader posted on X: As residents of Boulder gathered on the eve of the holiday of Shavuot to raise awareness for the hostages still being held captive in Gaza, the peacefulness of their assembly was shattered. Many of Colorados politicians denounced the attack. Jason Crow, a Democratic representative, characterized the attack as targeted political violence at the Jewish community meant to spread fear, adding: Antisemitism is real. Sadly, its on the rise in America. Another Colorado representative, Lauren Boebert, linked the attack to broader pro-Palestine rhetoric, saying: When progressives allow and encourage hate speech toward Jews for their mere existence, people get hurt. She called for the incident to be investigated as an act of targeted terrorism. Michael Bennet, Colorados Democratic senator, said he and his wife were praying for the victims of todays horrific antisemitic attack against Coloradans marching peacefully in support of the hostages Hamas has held in Gaza for over 600 days. Joe Neguse, a representative of Colorado, said the attack demonstrated how the scourge of antisemitism has metastasized across our country, calling for more to stop this violence. The attack took place on the Pearl Street Mall, close to the University of Colorado, on Sunday afternoon. Four women and four men, aged between 52 and 88, were transported to hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to very serious, according to Boulder police. CNN, citing law enforcement officials, reported that Soliman arrived in the US in August 2022 as a non-immigrant visitor. It reported that the officials said he was granted a work authorization in March 2023, which expired at the end of March this year, more than two months into Trumps presidency. Soliman had previously applied for asylum in the US, CNN reported. He was denied a visa to enter the country in 2005. Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, described Soliman as an illegal alien who had been granted a tourist visa by the Biden administration before overstaying. The Boulder attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents in the US since the outset of the Israel-Gaza war. On 21 May, a shooter killed two Israeli embassy employees in Washington after attending an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee. Pro-Palestinian protesters have also been targeted, most notably at UCLA in April 2024 when counter-protesters attacked demonstrators with pepper spray, sticks and fireworks, injuring at least 15-16 people and requiring some hospitalizations. In December 2023, a man fired at three Palestinian students while they were walking down the street near their university in Vermont and wearing keffiyehs, with two sustaining injuries and one now paralyzed from the waist down. Officials said there was no indication that Sundays attack was associated with any organized group. Soliman has been booked into Boulder county jail and has a hearing scheduled for Monday afternoon. In their latest annual reports, the Anti-Defamation League says it has tabulated 9,354 antisemitic incidents over the last year, while the Council on American-Islamic Relations says it counted 8,658 complaints in the same span. Both organizations say it is the highest number of incidents in their respective histories. Murujuga Cultural Landscape in Western Australia. Unesco advisers said its world heritage nomination should be referred back to Australia until nearby degrading acidic emissions were halted. Photograph: Jessica Ellis/AAP The Albanese government will launch a lobbying campaign in a bid to reverse a Unesco recommendation that an ancient rock art site in Western Australia cant go on the world heritage list until damaging industrial emissions linked to a controversial Woodside gas development are stopped. Related: How Labors North West Shelf approval further endangers Murujugas 50,000-year-old rock art | Benjamin Smith and John Black for the Conversation Government officials were aiming to meet Unesco next week after its advisers said the nomination of the Murujuga Cultural Landscape in north-west WA home to more than a million petroglyphs, some almost 50,000 years old should be referred back to Australia until nearby degrading acidic emissions were halted. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) advised Unesco the main requirements for world heritage nomination had been met, but pollution from nearby industry makes the integrity and the authenticity of key attributes of the nominated property highly vulnerable. The main source of emissions, the ICOMOS report said, was Woodsides Karratha gas plant, which last week was conditionally awarded a 40-year extension by the environment minister, Murray Watt, to operate until 2070. The Unesco recommendation is due to go before the 21-country world heritage committee at its next meeting on 6 July in Paris. A government spokesperson told the Guardian it was now actively engaged in the process and would make strong representations at every opportunity to have Murujuga listed as a world heritage site at the Paris meeting. Sources told the Guardian that Australian government department officials were also aiming to meet Unesco officials over the nomination during next weeks UN oceans conference in Nice. Last week, Watt said he was disappointed Unesco had been influenced by factual inaccuracies but did not provide further detail on what those inaccuracies were. Most of the pieces of rock art were created by hitting the rocks with harder rocks to remove a top layer, revealing lighter colours beneath a technique known as pecking. Scientists expressed concern that emissions of nitrous oxide and sulphur oxide were working to slowly dissolve the top layers of the petroglyph rocks. A summary of a state government-commissioned monitoring report on the state of pollution and the petroglyphs, released last month, claimed observed damage to some of the rocks was likely related to a power plant that ran in the 1970s and 1980s. But leading rock art expert Prof Benjamin Smith of the University of Western Australia said the body of the 800-page report was clear that current industrial emissions were also damaging the petroglyphs. He said: If [the federal government] is trying to say the damage was done in the 70s and 80s, then theyre on a hiding to nothing. I dont think emissions are damaging the rock art, I know they are. He said the official monitoring report showed current emissions at the site were likely between four and five times higher than during the 1970s and 80s. Related: The spin has been wrong: rock art expert raises concerns over critical report ahead of Woodside decision | Clear Air Smith said: The 800-page report makes it clear they are being damaged in the areas closest to industry. If [Australia] tries to blame that power plant in the 1970s, then the implication is that that emissions are damaging it five times more now. The ABC has reported a scientist leading the monitoring report has privately complained the report was altered to remove a line on a graph that would have shown five of the monitoring sites were experiencing pollutant levels above the interim guideline. The ICOMOS evaluation report said it had received information from a third party, drawing its attention to the extension of Woodsides Karratha gas plant to 2070. That information, the Guardian can reveal, was a detailed letter from the Australian Conservation Foundation, which pointed to several studies raising concerns about emissions and the rock art. The Guardian has revealed the Australian government has previously carried out a long and sustained lobbying campaign to keep the Great Barrier Reef off the world heritage list of sites in danger. Gavan Macfadzean, climate and energy program manager at ACF, said he expected the Australian government would now be lobbying Unesco and the world heritage committee up to the meeting. Our role is to make sure that when sites are nominated [for world heritage status], were reassured that the values for which its being evaluated are protected, he said. We support the listing, but we have to make sure that its not a greenwashing exercise. We want to see the nomination happen in a way that protects the values. He said emissions of nitrous oxide and sulfur oxide from local industry including from Woodsides gas processing facility needed to be fully addressed. In a statement, the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC), which has worked with government to nominate the site, said it was deeply disappointed by the ICOMOS recommendation. The chair of MAC, Peter Hicks, said the ICOMOS report had made clear the site should be on the world heritage list. He said: The evaluation report provides the pathway to finalising world heritage listing and while the referral adds another small step to our journey, it is a positive outcome and not a rejection. While we are disappointed, we are determined to finish our journey and see the Murujuga Cultural Landscape included on the world heritage list as soon as possible. A spokesperson for Woodside said the final decision on the nomination would rest with the world heritage committee. They said: Woodside will continue to support the leadership of traditional custodians, including the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC), which holds cultural authority, and work with the commonwealth and state governments as they prepare their responses to the [ICOMOS] recommendation. The statement said the findings of the monitoring report show that emissions are below risk thresholds, and the data does not support the theory that acid rain damages the petroglyphs. They said: Woodside has taken proactive steps over many years including emissions reductions, data sharing and ongoing support for [the monitoring report] to ensure we manage our impacts responsibly. We believe the world heritage nomination should proceed on the strength of the evidence and stand as proof that cultural heritage and industry can responsibly coexist when collaboration, transparency, and rigorous scientific monitoring are in place. Erin Patterson has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder over a lunch she served at her home in regional Australia that contained deadly mushrooms. Photograph: James Ross/AAP Erin Patterson has described her religious conversion and a never-ending battle with low self-esteem and weight issues in emotional evidence to her own triple murder trial. Colin Mandy SC, Pattersons defence lawyer, called her as the first defence witness on Monday afternoon. Patterson, 50, faces three charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder relating to poisoning her four lunch guests relatives of her estranged husband, Simon Patterson with a beef wellington served at her house in Leongatha on 29 July 2023. Patterson has pleaded not guilty to murdering Simons parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt Heather Wilkinson, and attempting to murder Ian Wilkinson, Simons uncle and Heathers husband. Lawyers for Patterson say the death cap mushroom poisoning was a tragic and terrible accident. Patterson gave evidence for 41 minutes on Monday, taking to the witness box after Mandy told the court your honour, the defence will call Erin Patterson. Her evidence started with questions from Mandy about her life in July 2023, the month of the lunch. Patterson said she had low self-esteem at the time, and was planning on having gastric bypass surgery to address her weight. Id been fighting a never-ending battle of low self-esteem most of my adult life, and the further inroads I made into middle age, the less I felt good about myself, I put on more weight, could handle exercise less. She said she was also concerned about her relationship with the wider Patterson family, and described her relationship with her estranged husband Simon as merely functional. I had felt for some months that my relationship with the wider Patterson family and particularly Don and Gail perhaps had a bit more distance or space put between us we saw each other less, Patterson said. I had concerns about Simon not wanting me to be involved too much with the family any more. There were, however, good things about her life at that time, she agreed. She said her children settled better than she expected in a new school, and that the parenting arrangements were that they were living at her house full-time but could see their father, Simon, whenever they wished. She had been accepted, but deferred, a degree in nursing and midwifery at Federation University, and was financially secure enough not to have to worry about working when she set about completing it. Patterson said her new property in Leongatha, where the lunch was hosted, had just had landscaping work completed a few weeks earlier. I saw it as the final house, meaning I wanted it to be a house where the children would grow up, where once they moved away for university or work they could stay whenever they liked, bring their children and Id grow old there. Thats what I hoped I really like living there. Mandy then asked Patterson to describe the beginning of her relationship with Simon. She described their meeting while working together at the City of Monash in Melbournes south-east in 2004, before starting to date the following year. At the time, she said she was what you would probably call a fundamentalist atheist. Like I was really very atheist, while Simon was Christian. I was trying to convert him into being an atheist. But things happened in reverse; I became a Christian. She said her conversion occurred while attending her first ever church service: a service at Korumburra Baptist church, of which Ian Wilkinson was and remains the pastor. Patterson said Wilkinson had a banner behind him while he was preaching which read Faith, Love and Hope, and he gave a sermon about those topics, which included a relevant passage from the Bible. Patterson said she was then asked to participate in communion. I had what basically could be described as a spiritual experience, she said. I had been approaching religion as an intellectual exercise up until that point: does it make sense, is it rational but I had a religious experience there that quite overwhelmed me. Ian Wilkinson watched Pattersons evidence while seated with other members of the family in court. Patterson said that about this time in 2005, Simon had become concerned he was too focused on his work, and wanted to switch off by camping on weekends. It was camping together that drew them closer, she said. They married in June 2007 at the Korumburra Anglican church, Patterson said. We wanted Ian and Heather to be able to come and relax with guests, rather than to have jobs for the day, which they would have if wed got married at Korumburra Baptist church, Patterson said. Her parents were on a train in Russia on holiday, she said, so the Wilkinsons son, David Wilkinson, walked her down the aisle. While they had a weekend in Olinda immediately after the wedding, what they really wanted for a honeymoon was to drive around Australia, Patterson said. They ended up settling in Perth, where their son was born in early 2009. Patterson said the birth was very traumatic, resulting in him losing his heartbeat and requiring an emergency caesarean. She became emotional in the witness box as she described her son having to spend time in the neonatal unit, and then medical staff saying she had to stay in hospital even after he could be discharged. Simon said to me, you can just do it. Lets leave, Patterson said of the decision to discharge herself against medical advice. Don and Gail visited in the weeks immediately after the birth. I was really relieved that Gail was there because I felt really out of my depth. I had no idea what to do with a baby, and I was not confident, Patterson said. And she was really supportive and patient and gentle with me. She helped her understand how to settle him after feeds and how to interpret his cries, and gave good advice about you dont have to stick to this timeframe, this schedule, just relax and enjoy your baby. Patterson said Simon was keen to resume the trip around Australia soon after this, and as their son was easy to manage they decided to leave about April 2009. But she said that by about November that year it had been a good holiday but Id had enough. I wanted to sleep in a real bed, and it was getting harder to camp with [my son]. They agreed she would fly home to Perth, and Simon and their son would drive back, arriving home a week later. Patterson said the couple lived apart after this, her in a cottage and Simon in an on-site van in a caravan park nearby. Mandy said the jury had been told by Simon about multiple breaks between the couple before the final separation in 2015. Patterson said it had always been important for them to cooperate as parents despite these issues. Primarily what we struggled with over the entire course of the relationship, if we had any problem at all, we just couldnt communicate well when we disagreed about something, she said. We would just feel hurt, and not know how to resolve it. Theyre not problems for a child. Det Leading Sen Const Stephen Eppingstall, the informant or officer in charge of the investigation, completed his evidence earlier on Monday. He was the last prosecution witness in the trial. A Belfast-based tech company has announced a near 2 million investment in creating cybersecurity software for the manufacturing sector. The move by ANGOKA is aimed at combating the threat of cyber attacks on digitised factory production lines. The companys Cosmic (Cybersecurity for Operational Systems in Manufacturing and Industrial Control) initiative will see it partnering with Queens Universitys Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC). The link-up has received around 1 million in grant aid financial support from Invest NI. Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald attended the announcement of the 1.8 million investment on Monday. Economy Minister Dr @CArchibald_SF has announced that ANGOKA is investing 1.8m in a world leading cyber security solution for the advanced manufacturing sector. It is being developed in partnership with the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) and with financial pic.twitter.com/bjL963hIZK Economy NI (@Economy_NI) June 2, 2025 This investment by ANGOKA will help increase productivity, create good jobs and boost innovation across two of our priority sectors cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing, she said. It is the result of collaboration between government, academia and the private sector. And it has been enabled by the city and growth deal which established the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre. So, todays announcement is a great example of our economic strategy paying dividends. ANGOKA chairman Steve Berry said: With cyber threats growing in both scale and sophistication, demand for solutions that protect online devices has surged across the globe. Cosmic is a reaction to the growing need for cybersecurity adoption in the advanced manufacturing sector due to the detrimental impact any breaches could have on the operational resilience of manufacturing facilities. Our new solution will allow us to expand our core offering and achieve ambitious growth targets. It will be designed for ease of deployment both on existing and new manufacturing equipment. This seamless deployment will be a key enabler for breaking into new markets across the globe. Over the next two years, AMIC will support the development of the software through product testing, identification of target customers for commercial deployments and acting as a point of contact with industry groups. In 1973, Colin Henfreys address helped to persuade the Liverpool dockers shop stewards to boycott Chilean cargoes Photograph: family photo In the late autumn of 1973, Colin Henfrey, a young sociology lecturer at Liverpool University, was ushered into the closely guarded headquarters of the Liverpool dockers union. His address helped persuade the traditionally militant shop stewards to boycott Chilean cargoes, contributing to the international isolation of the regime of Gen Augusto Pinochet, who a few weeks earlier had seized power in a military coup. Colin subsequently played a big role in establishing what was to become one of Britains most effective campaigns of solidarity. Colin, who has died aged 83 of lung cancer, was also a notable writer and researcher, and an inspirational teacher. He had established a stellar reputation even before arriving at Liverpool in 1971. While still in his 20s, he had written two acclaimed books: The Gentle People (1964), which detailed his travels among the Indigenous groups of Guyana, where in his late teens he had worked as a volunteer, and Manscapes, a rambling journey among down and outs in the US, which would be published in 1973. His parents, Charles Henfrey, a British army officer, and Ethne (nee Turner) were stationed in Nairobi when Colin, their third child, was born during the second world war. After Marlborough college in Wiltshire, he went to New College, Oxford, where he studied classics before switching to English, graduating in the mid-60s. In Oxford he met June Gollop, a fellow student on an island scholarship from her native Barbados, and they married in 1964. For his doctoral research, Colin, June and their two young sons lived in the Liberdade district of Salvador in Brazil (1968-71), while he studied candomble, samba schools and other manifestations of Afro-Brazilian culture. At Liverpool, his courses focused on development issues. They were colourful, drawing as much from journalism and novels as standard academic texts, and were very immediate. Within weeks of the Chilean coup in 1973, Colin had introduced a course unit on that countrys recent history. And they were popular. He attracted a coterie of proteges, including me. His involvement in the Chile campaign gave a political direction to his underdog sympathies. Colin was joint secretary and helped many refugees settle in Britain. Several obtained places on his courses. One Chilean trade union leader lived with the Henfreys at their Wallasey home in Merseyside for several months. Colins third book, Chilean Voices (1977), focused on the leftwing Allende government, but his most striking scholarly research, carried out from 1975 and still ongoing at the time of his death, was on Jaguars Den, a remote and poor rural community of 50 families in the north-east of Brazil. During regular visits Colin became an intimate of successive generations. His articles tell a story that stretches from the mid-1970s when they were kicked off their land to their successful fight to win it back. He retired from Liverpool as a senior lecturer in 1994, two years after June died of cancer, going back on a temporary basis to lecture in sociology later in the 1990s. Colin is survived by his second wife, Claire Dove, whom he married in 2003, their sons, Laurie and Josh, his sons, Steve, Neil, Tom, from his first marriage, and his sister, Janet. Eight people have been injured in an attack in Boulder, Colorado, in which a man using a makeshift flamethrower and incendiary devices allegedly attacked a Jewish community event. Heres what we know so far: The man, whom the FBI has identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, allegedly targeted a group of people who had gathered to show their support for Israeli hostages held in Gaza, authorities said. The man shouted Free Palestine in the Sunday afternoon attack, police allege. Four men and five women between 52 and 88 years old were hurt in the attack. Their injuries were consistent with burns. Some of the injuries were minor but one person is in critical condition, FBI special agent Mark Michalek said. Soliman was booked into Boulder county jail on Sunday on multiple felony charges. He was due to appear in court at 1.30pm local time on Monday, and is being held on a $10m bond. In a video apparently of the attack, a shirtless man holding clear bottles in his hands is seen pacing as the grass in front of him burns, AFP reported. Several people in red T-shirts are seen tending to a person lying on the ground as others can be heard screaming. Images also showed billowing black smoke. Witnesses described seeing victims who were badly burned. Brooke Coffman, a 19-year-old student, said she saw four women lying or sitting on the ground with burns on their legs. One of them appeared to have been badly burned on most of her body and had been wrapped in a flag by someone, Coffman said. The FBI said it was treating the incident as an act of terrorism. The attack was a targeted act of violence, Mark Michalek, an FBI special agent, told a press conference. Law enforcement officials said there is no evidence that the man was connected to a wider group. The people injured were taking part of a weekly event called Run for Their Lives, a walk to show support for the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza, the Boulder Jewish Community Centre said in a statement. Keir Starmer Sir Keir Starmer did his best to strike a statesmanlike pose as he announced the conclusions of Labours long-awaited Defence Review, claiming that it would move the UKs Armed Forces to a position of war-fighting readiness, while making Britain a battle-ready, armour-clad nation. And, at a time when the global threat environment becomes more challenging by the day, it is clear that the Government is fully aware that more needs to be done to ensure that the nation can defend itself against hostile states such as Russia. Furthermore, to judge by the announcements made by Sir Keir and Defence Secretary John Healey, there is recognition that the slow and steady decline in the war-fighting capabilities of our Armed Forces that has taken place during the era of the peace dividend is no longer tolerable. For the UK to defend itself, there has to be a serious upgrade both in the military firepower available, as well as the indigenous industrial base that is so essential to maintaining supplies of vital weaponry. In this respect, the recommendations made by the Governments Strategic Defence Review represent a step in the right direction, even if they only address some of the shortcomings facing the military. At the heart of the Governments programme is an ambition to upgrade the nations nuclear capabilities, with 15 billion of investment earmarked for the nuclear warhead programme. In addition, the Government is aiming to expand the conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet, with up to 12 new boats to be built. The focus on these key areas of our national defence structure is related to the new Aukus pact signed by the UK, Australia and the US in 2021 to enhance security in the Indo-Pacific region. In addition, the Government is aiming to acquire a number of US-made jet fighters that are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, a move that will significantly expand the militarys ability to deliver tactical nuclear options across a wide range of scenarios, rather than relying solely on the strategic Trident missile systems. Other welcome changes outlined in the review include a move to increase stockpiles of munitions and other military equipment, with the Forces working closely with industry to ensure that production can be increased rapidly in the event of conflict. The military has often before found itself in the embarrassing position of having to ask key allies such as the US to provide urgent supplies after British stockpiles have been exhausted after just a few days of fighting. The procurement of up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons, whose utility has been amply demonstrated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, will mean that, in future, Britain will be able to protect its own interests rather than constantly relying on allies to bail us out. The creation of a new Cyber Command, meanwhile, reflects the fact that, in the ever-changing complexion of the modern-battlefield, cyber operations have become as crucial to modern war-fighting operations as conventional weapons. While the focus on these areas reflect the changing nature of the threats we face, there will undoubtedly be those who believe that not enough attention is being paid to the glaring deficiencies in other areas of military strength, such as the diminished size of the Army, the overall lack of fast fighter jets and the scarcity of surface warships. The fact that the shortcomings in these crucial areas of our national defence are not fully addressed reflects a woeful lack of ambition on the part of Sir Keirs administration. And, even though the Defence Review sets out a number of new priorities, the primary question remains: how the Government intends to pay for it. When Sir Keir unveiled his plans in a speech in Glasgow, he insisted he was committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027, but that his aim to raise spending to 3 per cent by 2034 was only an ambition. Three per cent is now seen as the bare minimum by Nato leaders. Indeed, a consensus is building around a figure of 3.5 per cent. Setting aside the likelihood that Sir Keir will still be resident in Downing Street in nine years time, his inability to commit to such an increase will inevitably raise doubts about his Governments commitment to improving our defences. Sir Keirs inability to provide a clear-cut commitment to raise spending to the level necessary to provide a tangible boost in capability is also unlikely to placate some of the more hawkish voices in the Trump administration. They argue that European nations like the UK are not making sufficient investment in our own defences. At a time when the White House is seriously questioning its future relationship with Nato, any suggestion that a key ally like the UK is not taking its defence obligations seriously could ultimately spell the end for the transatlantic alliance and the Special Relationship. Donald Tusk and his wife Malgorzata cast their votes in the ballot - Adam Warzawa/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, will ask for a vote of confidence in his centrist government after nationalist opposition candidate Karol Nawrocki narrowly won Sundays presidential election. Mr Nawrockis victory was a major blow to Mr Tusk, who had hoped Rafa Trzaskowski, his preferred candidate, would aid his liberal reform agenda and attempts to forge a leadership role for Poland in the EU. Instead, Mr Nawrocki is expected to block the governments progressive moves on abortion and LGBT rights and revive tensions with Brussels over rule-of-law issues such as the independence of the judiciary. I want everyone to see, including our opponents at home and abroad, that we are ready for this situation, that we understand the seriousness of the moment, but that we are not going to take a step back, Mr Tusk said. Mr Tusk ousted the hard-Right and Eurosceptic Law and Justice (PiS) in a general election in October 2023 and set about repairing relations with Brussels, which had frozen EU funding to Poland. Now he is facing the prospect of a lame duck administration stymied by presidential vetoes before the next election, which must be held by November 2027. The vote is intended to show that his broad and unwieldy coalition remains united despite the presidential loss, which has led to predictions the government could fall and trigger fresh elections. But it is also a gamble that could backfire because not all the parties in Mr Tusks liberal alliance may be willing to recommit to the government when it is so unpopular. Szymon Hoownia, the speaker of the Sejm the Polish parliaments lower house and a junior coalition partner, has hinted he and his 32 MPs might abstain from the theatrical vote, which is expected to be held this week. The election result, as Ive said many times, is a yellow card maybe even a red one for this government and this coalition, he said before Mr Tusks announcement, which followed talks among senior coalition figures. Mr Tusk said he expected a difficult relationship with the new president, who is armed with vetoes which can block his programme of reforms, but had an emergency plan. A contingency plan assuming a difficult cohabitation is prepared. It is difficult to assume in advance what the new presidents attitude will be. If he shows a willingness to cooperate, it will be a positive surprise to which we will respond with complete openness, he said. If not, there is no longer anything to wait for, we will set to work regardless of the circumstances, because that is what we were elected for. Karol Nawrocki is expected to block the governments progressive moves on abortion and LGBT rights - Aleksandra Szmigiel/Reuters He said the coalition would submit legislation.It already has experience of dealing with a president trying to block changes in the outgoing Andrzej Duda of PiS. This plan will require unity and courage from the entire Coalition. The first test will be a vote of confidence, which I will ask the Sejm for in the near future, he added. Nato meanwhile vowed to become even stronger by working together with Polands president-elect, despite fears his narrow election victory could sap Polish support for Ukraine. Mark Rutte, Nato secretary general, on Monday congratulated Mr Nawrocki, who is backed by the PiS and Donald Trump, the S president. He said they would work together to face down the threat from Russia and was looking forward to making sure that with Poland, Nato becomes even stronger than it is today. Poland, which neighbours both Ukraine and Russia, has been one of Kyivs strongest supporters since Russias invasion in 2022. In March 2025, Poland was hosting 997,120 Ukrainian refugees, second only to Germany in the EU, but public opinion is hardening. Mr Nawrocki defeated Mr Trzaskowski, taking 50.89 per cent of the vote. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski at a rally before the second round of elections - Kacper Pempel/Reuters During the campaign Mr Nawrocki stoked anti-Ukrainian sentiment and vowed to block Kyivs efforts to join Nato and the EU. Like Mr Trump, Mr Nawrocki has accused Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines leader, of not being grateful enough for Polish help. There are concerns his influence could turn Poland from strong ally to conditional partner if the war drags on. His slender majority was secured thanks to far-Right voters backing the former historian and amateur boxer in the second round run-off. Polish far-Right leader Slawomir Mentzen congratulated Mr Nawrocki but told him to put Polands interests before Ukraines. Mr Mentzen is the leader of the Eurosceptic Confederation party, which is against abortion and migration. He scored nearly 15 per cent of votes in round one of the election and came in third. He took on the role of kingmaker and invited the run-off candidates to join him for separate interviews and to sign an eight-point pledge. Mr Nawrocki approved the declaration, pledging not to sign any legislation that would raise taxes, ratify Ukraines potential Nato membership or limit free speech. The role of president is largely ceremonial but does have some influence over foreign and domestic policy. Mr Nawrocki is also poised to wield presidential vetoes on legislation to frustrate Mr Tusks coalition government, which does not have a large enough majority to overturn them. I am more critical of Ukraine than outgoing President Andrzej Duda, of PiS, Mr Nawrocki told Mr Mentzen at the time. The 42-year-old is not pro-Russian. As head of Polands Institute of National Remembrance, he oversaw the removal of Soviet-era Red Army monuments, prompting the Kremlin to place him on a wanted list. But he has vowed to block Ukraines bid to join the EU because of unresolved Second World War grievances such as a 1942 massacre of Poles by Ukrainian militias. Viktor Orban, Hungarys prime minister, a long time PiS ally and Putins closest friend in the bloc, has also vowed to veto Ukraine joining the EU and congratulated Mr Nawrocki on his nail-biter of a victory on Monday. Mr Nawrocki won support from Polish farmers who claim they are being undercut by cheap Ukrainian food imports after the EU lifted tariffs after the invasion. Mr Tusk steered Poland back towards the EU after ousting the Eurosceptic PiS from power in 2023. End over-reliance on the US Like Frances Emmanuel Macron and Germanys Friedrich Merz, he believes that Europe can no longer rely on Washington for its security and wants to end over-reliance on the US. Poland, which has one of the fastest-growing EU economies, has pledged to raise defence spending to 4.7 per cent of GDP in 2025 and 5 per cent in 2026. That is not expected to change, with the US grateful for Poland leading the way in exceeding Nato defence spending targets. But Mr Nawrocki, who was recently welcomed at the White House by Mr Trump, will try to slow Poland moving closer to Europe. He has already renewed controversial calls for wartime reparations from Nato and EU ally Germany, when German and Polish defence cooperation is vital to secure Natos northeastern flank. Marta Prochwicz Jazowska, deputy head of European Council for Foreign Relations, said Mr Tusks prospects of re-election in 2027 had been damaged. As president, Nawrocki will elevate his anti-European, anti-German and anti-migration rhetoric in public discourse while intensifying the anti-Ukrainian sentiment that was exacerbated during the campaign, she said. Ukraine policy will become the second major battleground after Europe. The stars of Downton Abbey will return for a third movie. (Focus Features) (Ben Blackall) Good news for all those who know their soup spoon from their salad fork Downton Abbey 3 has released a new trailer, giving further details on the final film gracing cinemas with its presence in 2025. The movie follows 2022s Downton Abbey: A New Era, the sequel to 2019s Downton Abbey, the film adaptation of Julian Fellowes popular high-society drama that ran for six series on ITV. In the latest trailer released on 30 June, we find out that Lady Mary is set to be in control of Downton, but she faces judgment over her divorce. Meanwhile, there's also a touching tribute to the late Maggie Smith. In the first trailer, we learned that the action was set in 1930 with some key characters including Lady Mary enjoying a day at the races, but the preview appeared to hint at the beginning of the end for the Abbey. The TV show followed the ups and downs of the upper-class Crawley family, owners of the eponymous Downton Abbey, an airy and extravagant stately home in picturesque Yorkshire. The trailer shows Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith, Harry Hadden-Paton as Bertie Hexham, Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Grantham, Hugh Bonneville as Robert Grantham and Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary at the races. (Focus Features) (Rory Mulvey) At the same time, audiences were equally drawn in and delighted by the lives of their serving staff who keep the Abbey running, wait on its owners and find their lives deeply intertwined with that of their employers. This upstairs-downstairs dynamic proved popular with audiences on both sides of the pond, with US viewers enjoying Downton Abbey just as much as the Brits. With the story now taking place on the big screen, heres what we can expect from the franchises third big-screen outing Downton Abbey 3 (Focus Features/Universal) Downton Abbey 3 is coming to cinemas globally on 12 September, 2025, Focus Features and Universal Pictures has announced. Is there a trailer for Downton Abbey 3? Yes, there is! A new trailer for the much-anticipated film was released on 30 June, giving fans a better idea of what to expect from the final instalment. The Earl of Grantham tells a group of familiar faces at the dinner table: "It's hard to accept that it's time to go. Your friendship has never been more important to all of us. But the future of Downton Abbey is now in Mary's hands." So it appears that he and Cora are leaving Downton, although it's unclear where they are headed. However, the transition looks far from smooth as Lady Mary is asked by Joely Richardson's character to leave a society party immediately for the crime of being divorced, something that makes headline news. There are plenty of references to changing times and social standards as Mary tries to forge ahead with her plans for Downton, while it also appears a new romance could be on the cards for her. Paul Giamatti also returns to the cast as Cora's brother Harold Levinson. Fans will be pleased to see a nod to the late Maggie Smith, who starred as the Dowager. The character died at the end of the second film, but actor Smith died in September 2024. The Earl of Grantham is shown looking emotional as he says: "If Mama were alive, what would she do?" A first trailer for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale began with some familiar faces including Lady Mary, Edith and Cora making a glamorous entrance to a day at the races, as Bates played race day announcer and called out "welcome to 1930". We also got a first look at Dominic West as performer Guy Dexter in London theatre scenes, while Lady Mary looked stunning in a red gown and tiara in front of waiting photographers. Fans will be able to spot many of their cast favourites in the trailers, but it hints at being an emotional ride as the words "It's almost time to bid farewell" flash up, followed by a shot of the Earl of Grantham placing a kiss on the wall of Downton Abbey in an apparent goodbye as his family and staff stand waiting. What will happen in Downton Abbey 3? The threequel will be written by Julian Fellowes and directed by Simon Curtis. (Focus Features) (Ben Blackall) Focus Features released two new stills from the film along with the trailer, showing the Crawleys assembled at the races as well as with some of their staff inside the Abbey. After lots of rumours, unconvincing denials and swiftly dodged interview questions, production on Downton Abbey 3 was officially confirmed in early May, along with some cast details and information on its writer and directing team. Ahead of the trailer's release, fans were treated to a short video posted on to Downtons official X account which made the news public. In it, various Downton cast members can be seen greeting each other and preparing for a table read of the script. Eventually, Lady Mary star Michelle Dockery tells viewers that production on the third film is currently underway. Is this the end for the Crawleys at Downton Abbey? (Focus Features) (Rory Mulvey) Focus Features and Carnival Films are thrilled to announce the third film in the beloved Downton Abbey franchise, said the accompanying caption. We also learned that the threequel will be written by series creator Fellowes and directed by Simon Curtis, who returns to the fold after helming 2022s Downton Abbey: A New Era. In fact, the only thing missing was plot details, with information about what this new story might entail being kept closer to the teams chest than an ill-fitting corset. That said, we did get some cast details which may point towards the type of story Fellowes and Curtis are hoping to tell and the trailer certainly gives some hints. It appears that the Crawleys will be spending plenty of time living the high life in London, but there are suggestions that their beloved Downton Abbey could be about to fall out of their hands forever. Now, we know from the latest trailer that the plot will revolve around Mary, her new position as head of the family at Downton, and the changing social morals of the time as she battles judgment over her divorce. The most recent information on the film says it "follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. When Mary finds herself at the centre of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble, the entire household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawleys must embrace change as the staff prepares for a new chapter with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future". Who is in the Downton Abbey 3 cast? Hugh Bonneville returns as Robert Grantham alongside Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary. (Focus Features) (Ben Blackall) Dockery will return as Lady Mary Talbot, daughter of Earl of Grantham Robert Crawley and Countess Cora Crawley, played by Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern, who also return. Laura Carmichael is back as Marys sister Edith, with Jim Carters ex-head butler Carson, his wife Elise, played by Phyllis Logan, and Robert James-Collier as new head butler Thomas Barrow. Allan Leechs Tom Branson, Joanne Froggatts Anne Bates, Brendan Coyles John Bates, Penelope Wiltons Lady Merton, Lesley Nicols Mrs Patmore, Sophie McSheras Daisy and Kevin Doyles Mr Molesly are also returning. Michael Foxs Andy Parker, Raquel Cassidys Phyllis Baxter, Harry Hidden-Patrons Bertie Pelham and Douglas Reiths Lord Merton will be back too. Oscar nominee Paul Giamatti returns to Downton Abbey. (Getty) (Arturo Holmes via Getty Images) Together, these regulars will be joined by some returning guest stars including Paul Giamatti as Coras brother Harold who first appeared in a Christmas special. Hell be joined by Joely Richardson, The Many Saints of Newarks Alessandro Nivola, The Death of Stalins Simon Russell Beale and US actor Arty Froushan, suggesting the film might have more of a US-based storyline. Fresh from The Crown, Dominic West returns to the Downton franchise as his New Era character Guy Dexter. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will be released in cinemas on 12 September. Mazyar Azarbonyad arrives at Newcastle crown court for sentencing over the crash that injured seven police officers. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA A personal trainer who was on a first date when he caused a catastrophic collision on the A1 that wrecked five police cars has been jailed for 14 months. A judge at Newcastle crown court on Monday told Mazyar Azarbonyad, 20, it was nothing short of a miracle that no one was more seriously injured or that there were not multiple fatalities in the incident that led to seven officers needing hospital treatment and caused traffic disruption across the north-east of England. The court heard that Azarbonyad failed to stop when pursued by police and at one point reached a speed of more than 120mph in his BMW X5. Courtney Redfern, who was being driven home by Azarbonyad after a date, told him several times to stop, according to Jolyon Perks, prosecuting. The barrister added: In her opinion, she thought he could have killed someone. At an earlier hearing, Azarbonyad pleaded guilty to dangerous driving over the crash on the A1 near Denton Burn, Newcastle, in the early hours of 9 April. One police officer suffered soft tissue damage to her knee and nerve damage to her back, requiring her to remain in hospital for three days. Another needed stitches for a cut to his forehead. Dramatic pictures the following day showed wrecked police cars strewn across one of the busiest stretches of road in the north-east. Judge Tim Gittins said: It led to regional traffic chaos, misery for many travellers, not to mention the substantial loss of work and study hours for those that were caught up in the aftermath of what you caused. Police wanted to stop Azarbonyad because he was driving over the speed limit and had defective rear lights. The court heard he had bought the vehicle on finance despite having a provisional driving licence, no insurance and later admitting to officers he had paid for only three driving lessons. The judge said: You should have been nowhere near the driving seat of any vehicle that night, let alone one such as a BMW X5, a large and powerful SUV. Azarbonyad initially pulled over for police but when an officer approached his car on foot he said nah and made off at speed, according to his passenger. When Azarbonyad was interviewed he described his driving as shit, but did not accept he braked harshly and said the police chasing him were travelling too fast, Perks told the court. In the days that followed his release on bail he continued to drive to the gym where he worked before he was arrested at a petrol station. Supt Billy Mulligan, of Northumbria police, said four of the seven officers who were injured in the crash remained off work. He added: It is sheer luck that Mazyar Azarbonyad did not kill anyone that day with his reckless actions. The court heard that the defendant arrived in the UK after fleeing his home country of Iran when he was 14 and settled in Stanley, County Durham. Greg Hands is fluent in German and speaks good Czech. Photograph: Tom Nicholson/Reuters The former Conservative trade minister Greg Hands has been appointed as a strategic adviser to a Czech conglomerate best known in the UK for acquiring Royal Mail. EP Group which also has investments in the energy, media and property sectors is run by the multibillionaire Czech tycoon Daniel Kretinsky, who Hands said he has known for a long time. The group received approval for its takeover of Royal Mail in December 2024, after long-running UK government efforts to assess the national security considerations of the deal. Hands will advise EP Group in the UK and in Germany, countries where Kretinsky said the former ministers deep understanding of business and energy landscapes, coupled with his extensive experience in government and international trade, will be invaluable. The one-time politician is fluent in German and also speaks good Czech, the statement added. The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments an independent body advising former ministers and senior civil servants on appointments they wish to take up after leaving Whitehall counselled Hands not to lobby the UK government on behalf of EP Group, or contacts he developed during his time as a minister, for two years from his last day in office. Hands and Kretinsky reportedly met in an official capacity when the tycoon, who is said to be so enigmatic he has been dubbed the Czech Sphinx, was considering investing in a UK battery plant in 2023. EP Group and Kretinsky have also attracted their fair share of controversy since announcing the bid for the UKs postal service, including questions being raised over connections to Patrik Tkac, a significant co-investor in many of his ventures. Other criticisms of the business have focused on the conglomerates apparent attraction to unfashionable investments in the energy sector, where Kretinsky has chased profits rather than green credentials by acquiring discounted fossil fuel businesses. In a rare public speech in 2015, Kretinsky said: We want to make money in industries that are dying because we think theyll die much more slowly than the general consensus says. His approach has prompted environmentalists to call him a fossil hyena. Separately, International Distribution Services, the company from which EP Group has acquired Royal Mail, announced the resignation of eight non-executive directors as its shares were formally delisted from the London Stock Exchange after the takeover. Dave Ward, the general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, welcomed the departures. The previous senior leadership team have overseen the gross mismanagement of one of the UKs most important companies, he said. Facebook and Instagram owner Meta aims to directly target brands marketing budgets. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images The owner of Facebook and Instagram is to help advertisers to fully create and target campaigns using artificial intelligence tools by the end of next year, in a move that sent shock waves through the traditional marketing industry. Mark Zuckerbergs Meta, which also owns WhatsApp, aims to directly target brands marketing budgets, posing a threat to the advertising and media agencies that handle client campaigns and budgets. The AI tools under development, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, will allow brands using Metas advertising platform to create ads using a product image and a planned marketing spend. Related: What to do if you cant get into your Facebook or Instagram account Metas platform already offers some AI tools that allow advertisers to tweak existing ads before they appear on Facebook and Instagram. However, the new tools could disintermediate the traditional advertising creation, planning and buying roles played by agencies, as well as open up a long tail of advertisers with small budgets that cannot afford to retain marketing services companies. The AI tools would create the entire ad including imagery, video and text and also target it to users in line with a clients budget. Targeting such as geolocation would enable an advertisement for a holiday company, for example, to be tailored to offer deals specifically related to users likely destinations of interest. Investors quickly sold off some of the worlds largest marketing services as news of Metas planned AI rollout, which could significantly swell the $160bn (118bn) the company already makes annually from advertising, emerged on Monday. Shares in WPP dropped 3% in early trading, while the French companies Publicis Groupe and Havas suffered 3.9% and 3% falls respectively. Zuckerberg, who is heavily focused on driving AI-powered advertising, has referred to the development of new tools as a redefinition of the category of advertising. In April, Meta updated its outlook on spending for the next year with plans to invest between $64bn and $72bn in capital expenditure, including the cost of building out AI infrastructure. The company had originally said it expected to spend up to $65bn in 2025. Meta has said that ramping up its AI capability for brands is not a move to kill off traditional agencies. We believe in the future of agencies, said Alex Schultz, the chief marketing officer and vice-president of analytics at Meta, in a recent post on LinkedIn. We believe AI will enable agencies and advertisers to focus precious time and resources on the creativity that matters. While we think there will ultimately be more automation in marketing, the role that agencies play is going to become ever more important through their ability to plan, execute and measure across platforms. However, Schultz added that AI tools would help level the playing field for small and medium-sized businesses that do not have the time or financial scale to use agencies. Millions of small businesses rely upon our platform to grow, he said. For these businesses who arent able to work with an agency, or dont have time during their busy days to think about their creative or targeting, thats where AI can help level the playing field. Alfred Dreyfus, second from right, at a military ceremony in Paris marking his rehabilitation in 1906. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images More than a century ago he was wrongly convicted of treason in a case that convulsed France and laid bare a rising tide of antisemitism. On Monday, French politicians took the first step towards remedying the injustice unanimously backing a symbolic effort to promote Alfred Dreyfus, the Jewish French army captain, to brigadier general. It was the beginning of bringing Dreyfus a step closer to the title he was denied, said Gabriel Attal, the former prime minister who put forward the bill. Accused, humiliated and condemned because he was Jewish, Alfred Dreyfus was dismissed from the army, imprisoned and exiled to Devils Island, Attal wrote on social media last month, referring to the infamous penal colony in French Guiana. Promoting Alfred Dreyfus to the rank of brigadier general would constitute an act of reparation, a recognition of his merits, and a tribute to his commitment to the republic. The roots of the case trace back to 1894, after a French counterintelligence officer found a torn-up document at the Germany embassy in Paris. As military officials scrambled to figure out who was passing military secrets to the Germans, they set their sights on Dreyfus, then a 36-year-old army captain from the Alsace region of north-eastern France. But Dreyfus was not the author of the note, as Charles Sitzenstuhl, a member of President Emmanuel Macrons centrist Renaissance party, told a parliamentary committee last month. He said: It was the antisemitism of a section of the military leadership at the time, perhaps combined with the jealousy over Dreyfuss exceptional qualities, all playing out against a backdrop of pressure from the press and nationalist and antisemitic movements, that led to him being accused without any proof and to the absurd persistence of this accusation. Dreyfus was put on trial and convicted of treason. Publicly stripped of his rank, he was sentenced to life on Devils Island. The case, however, was taken up by a new head of intelligence services, who noticed that the handwriting on the torn-up document matched that of another officer, Ferdinand Walsin Esterhazy. But when the evidence was presented to top brass the intelligence chief was driven out of the military and jailed for a year and Esterhazy was cleared. As Dreyfus languished in prison, his case began to gain traction. Author Emile Zola became one of his most ardent defenders, catapulting the case into the spotlight with the open letter, titled Jaccuse, which accused the government of antisemitism and unlawful imprisonment. The case split French society into two bitterly opposed camps; the anti-Dreyfusards who were convinced of his guilt, and the Dreyfusards, who saw him as innocent. In June 1899, Dreyfus was brought back to France for a second trial. He was initially found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison before being officially pardoned, though not cleared of the charges. It would take until 1906 for the high court of appeal to overturn the original verdict and exonerate Dreyfus. Eventually he was reinstated with the rank of major, going on to serve during the first world war. He died in 1935 at the age of 75. For years, lawmakers had batted around the idea of posthumously promoting Dreyfus, culminating in the legislation presented on Monday. The bill before you is the result of a unique legislative approach aimed at resolving a unique situation, Sitzenstuhl told the National Assemblys defence committee earlier this year. It is a symbolic recognition of an extraordinary case, without parallel in the history of the republic. Sitzenstuhl also suggested that Dreyfus could be entombed in the Pantheon, the Paris mausoleum reserved for Frances greatest heroes. The bill now heads to the senate for debate. The legislation makes it clear that the push to properly recognise Dreyfus was also a means of highlighting that Frances Jewish community one of the largest in the world outside Israel and the US continues to wrestle with discrimination. The antisemitism that struck Alfred Dreyfus is not a thing of the past, the legislation noted, describing it as a fight that is still relevant today. France has seen a rise in hate crimes: last year police recorded an 11% increase in racist, xenophobic or antireligious crimes, according to official data published in March. Migrants Ecoutez! The annual summer surge in Channel crossings is upon us, and with it, some interesting sights and sounds. Stand on the Kent coast and stare out to sea, and you may well spot the RNLI taxi service bringing in another boat load of migrants. Put a shell to your ear and you will hear the sound of the French authorities doing absolutely nothing. As the number of asylum seekers making the crossing reaches almost 1,200 in a single day, our Prime Minister seems unable to do anything more than parrot the same empty words about smashing vile people-smuggling gangs. As a strategy, it is hopelessly misconceived, for as long theres money to be made from the trade, new people traffickers will spring up to fill any gap. How about Sir Keir Starmer declares war on a much easier target namely the French? Having spent the last month prostrating himself to Brussels in the name of resetting the UKs relationship with the EU, the last thing that Starmer will want is a diplomatic row with our neighbours. However, as the gendarmes stand idly by on the beaches of Dunkirk, watching hundreds of migrants board boats with a giant Gallic shrug, it is time for the Prime Minister to face facts. So far from being our allies, the French are perilously close to becoming the enemy in this fight. During his premiership, Rishi Sunak dramatically increased the amount of money we throw at the French to help us deal with the crisis, announcing a 500 million deal with president Emmanuel Macron. The cash, to be paid over three years, was earmarked for 500 extra French police officers and a new detention centre. Naturally, the French lapped it up as eagerly as onion soup. More than two years later, what is there to show for this colossal investment? The square root of rien. To the surprise of absolutely no-one, the 12.5 million detention centre, which was supposed to be operational by the end of 2026, is already a year behind schedule. Given French labour laws and general lackadaisical attitudes to work, Starmer will be lucky if he is still in Number 10 when it finally opens. In the meantime, the French arent even doing the small stuff. Gendarmes seem curiously reluctant to disable dinghies even when there are no migrants or people smugglers in the vicinity of the boats. It would take no more than a few minutes to puncture the vessels that are regularly (and very obviously) moored along the River Aa, which leads to the French Channel, yet patrol cars have been filmed gaily driving by. If that is too adventurous, how about erecting some simple fences? Sure, there is a long coastline to patrol, but those familiar with key departure points say physical barriers would make a big difference at certain hotspots. If the Americans can put up more than 1,000 miles of forbidding barbed wire fences, sensors, cameras and other surveillance equipment along the US-Mexico border, surely the French could come up with the odd crash barrier? Yesterday a French politician blamed us for this unholy mess, citing our very weak asylum policy. Eleonore Caroit also suggested that if we want to stop migrants abusing our generosity, we stop rolling out the red carpet in the form of lavish accommodation and benefits. She is absolutely right but it would be spectacularly helpful if her compatriots also stopped taking us for a ride. French wild card Lois Boisson beat third seed Jessica Pegula to reach the French Open quarter-finals and send shockwaves around Roland Garros. The 22-year-old, ranked 361 in the world, stunned American Pegula 3-6 6-4 6-4 in front of a delirious Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd. Boissons only real claim to fame prior to this years tournament was being the player Britains Harriet Dart complained to an umpire about, saying tell her to wear deodorant. But she came up smelling of roses on Monday afternoon after a famous win in the French capital. It was an emotional victory for Boisson, who was due to make her debut in Paris last year only to suffer a serious knee injury a fortnight before the tournament which kept her out of action for nine months. Boisson was not even sure she would receive a wildcard, with her ranking having plunged so low. She is now the first Frenchwoman to reach the last eight since Caroline Garcia in 2017, and the first wildcard since Mary Pierce in 2002. I didnt expect anything, because we dont know every time if we will get it or not, so I prefer not to expect it, she said. When I received it, I was really happy. I hope to go further to win if I can. I will try to do my best, and lets see. For the match point, I really felt very tense. And when I saw that my forehand was a winner, well, the whole pressure went off. I was just so happy to win and to be able to play a quarter-final. Boisson will meet Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva, the sixth seed, in the last eight. Coco Gauff moved serenely into the last eight (Thibault Camus/AP) Coco Gauff, the world number two, is moving quietly through the draw after beating Russian 20th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-0 7-5. The 21-year-old, runner-up in 2022, is into the quarter-finals for the fifth successive year. She will face another American, the Australian Open champion Madison Keys, who beat Hailey Baptiste in straight sets. In the mens draw, world number one Jannik Sinner was untroubled in the night match, beating Russian 17th seed Andrey Rublev 6-1 6-3 6-4 in under two hours. The Italian will face Alexander Bublik in the last eight after the world number 62 from Kazahkstan came from a set and a break down to oust British fifth seed Jack Draper in four sets. Madeleine McCann was three when she went missing 18 years ago. Photograph: PA German police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are to carry out fresh searches in Portugal this week, 18 years after the three-year-old went missing. German authorities said they are receiving support from Portuguese law enforcement. They last carried out searches in the country in 2023 near the Barragem do Arade reservoir, about 30 miles from the resort of Praia da Luz. Madeleine disappeared in 2007 while on holiday with her family at the resort after her parents went out to dinner and left her sleeping in a room with her toddler twin siblings. The prime suspect in the case is Christian Brueckner, who is serving a seven-year prison sentence in Germany for the rape of an elderly woman at her home in Praia da Luz in 2005. Brueckner, who spent time in the area between 2000 and 2017, had photographs and videos of himself near the reservoir. He has denied any involvement in her disappearance. The Sun reported that searches are to be carried out this week. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan police said: We are aware of the searches being carried by the BKA (German federal police) in Portugal as part of their investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. The Metropolitan police service is not present at the search. We will support our international colleagues where necessary. The area near the Barragem do Arade reservoir had previously been searched in 2008, when Portuguese lawyer Marcos Aragao Correia paid for specialist divers to search it after he claimed to have been tipped off by criminal contacts that Madeleines body was there. Later, in 2014, British police were given permission to examine scrubland near where she vanished. Last month Madeleines family marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance, describing her as beautiful and unique before her 22nd birthday and expressing their determination to keep searching. A statement from her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, and the family said: The years appear to be passing even more quickly and whilst we have no significant news to share, our determination to leave no stone unturned is unwavering. We will do our utmost to achieve this. In April, ministers approved more than 100,000 in additional funding for Scotland Yard detectives investigating Madeleines disappearance. Brueckner is due for release from prison in September, after which he would be free to leave Germany. The Sun reported that a well-placed Portuguese source confirmed this weeks operation was scheduled to get under way on Tuesday but said some preparation work may take place beforehand. The source was reported saying: They will be land searches only. The main objective is to look for any signs of Madeleines body. The search is expected to last around three days unless anything relevant emerges, the paper said. The stabbing incident occurred at about 7.15pm on Sunday evening in Salem, Oregon. Photograph: B Christopher/Alamy A dozen people were stabbed at a shelter for the unhoused in Salem, Oregon, on Sunday evening, according to authorities. Salem police said they arrested a man in connection with the mass stabbing carried out at about 7.15pm local time at a facility run by an organization called the Union Gospel Mission. The suspect in the case was identified as Tony Latrell Williams, 42, of Bend, Oregon. Investigators said there was no indication Williams had targeted the shelter in advance of Sundays attack. First responders initially brought 11 victims to a local hospital with varying types of wounds. At a news briefing on Monday, Salem police deputy chief Treven Upkes said officers discovered a 12th stabbing victim while interviewing witnesses. Five of those stabbed remained in critical condition Monday, police said. Williams had spent Saturday night at the Union Gospel Mission building but was considered new to the facility, the sites executive director, Craig Smith, said in an interview with NBC News. He apparently was about to check in for a second night preparing to hand over his belongings to staff when he got into a fight. Something set him off, and he evidently had a knife in his bag, Smith told NBC. Smith said a mission employee working the check-in desk was among the wounded. The remaining 11 victims were one other staffer and 10 guests of the mission including nine who were staying overnight and one who was enrolled in a drug and alcohol recovery program that takes about 18 months to complete, the shelters community engagement director Mark Hunter told the news outlet Salem Reporter. All of the victims were men between the ages of 26 and 57, police said. Smith added that victims were found in the shelters day room as well as outside the building and that the facilitys security video system captured the whole incident. A Union Gospel Mission resident, Bobby Epperly, told the Salem Statesman Journal that there was blood everywhere in the facility. Its like a horror movie, Epperly said to the newspaper. Cellphone video circulating on social media reportedly showed the moment when the suspect in Sundays mass stabbing was arrested. The video showed two police officers with pistols drawn successfully ordering a shirtless man to get on the ground before they handcuffed him. A man with a crutch approached the officers and the detained man who were out on a street before the police ordered him to back away. Thats right youre going in! someone who was not in the videos frame can be heard screaming in the direction of the arrested man. Police said Williams had traveled from Portland by bus when he arrived in Salem on Saturday. At the time of his arrest on Sunday across from the Union Gospel Mission shelter, he allegedly had a knife that was approximately 8in long. Williams faces 12 counts of second-degree assault, which is a felony. Union Gospel Missions website says it helps men, women and children break free from homelessness through Christianity. A group of Christian businesspeople founded the non-profit ministry, which offers counseling and aims to house about 150 people nightly, according to its website. The attack occurred at a 50,000 sq ft facility that was opened in 2021 after Union Gospel Mission moved out of another complex it had long used previously. It sits across the street from the Salem police department. The building was closed on Monday morning, though Hunter told the Salem Reporter that officials hoped to reopen it by dinnertime. In the US, shootings are the most common type of mass violence. But stabbings are also a relatively frequent way of carrying out mass violence in the country, data show. Salem mayor Julie Hoy told reporters on Monday that the attack attributed to Williams left her in shock and disbelief. [Im] most concerned with those who are still in the hospital those who were just there, Hoy said. Its a difficult thing to process. Israeli soldiers have barred journalists from entering villages in the West Bank on a planned tour organised by the directors of the Oscar-winning movie No Other Land. The directors of the film, which focuses on settler attacks on Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied territory, said they had invited the journalists on the tour on Monday to interview residents about increasing settler violence in the area. In video posted on X by the films co-director Yuval Abraham, an Israeli soldier tells a group of international journalists there is no passage in the area because of a military order. Basel Adra, a Palestinian co-director of the film who lives in the area, said the military then blocked the journalists from entering two Palestinian villages they had hoped to visit. They dont want journalists to visit the villages to meet the residents, said Mr Adra, who had invited the journalists to his home. Its clear they dont want the world to see what is happening here. Some of the surrounding area, including a collection of small Bedouin villages known as Masafer Yatta, was declared by the military to be a live-fire training zone in the 1980s. About 1,000 Palestinians have remained there despite being ordered out, and journalists, human rights activists and diplomats have visited the villages in the past. Palestinian residents in the area have reported increasing settler violence since October 7 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel and sparked the war in the Gaza Strip. Israeli soldiers regularly move in to demolish homes, tents, water tanks and olive orchards and Palestinians fear outright expulsion could come at any time. Mr Adra said the journalists were eventually able to enter one of the villages in Masafer Yatta, but were barred from entering Tuwani, the village where he lives, and Khallet A-Daba, where he had hoped to take them. This is one of the main villages you saw in No Other Land. Today it was destroyed by the Israeli army. https://t.co/Gh0DubagoE Yuval Abraham (@yuval_abraham) May 5, 2025 He said settlers arrived in Khallet A-Daba on Monday and took over some of the caves where villagers now live, destroying residents belongings. The military demolished much of the village last month. No Other Land, which won the Oscar this year for best documentary, chronicles the struggle by residents to stop the Israeli military from demolishing their villages. The joint Palestinian-Israeli production was directed by Mr Adra, Hamdan Ballal, another Palestinian activist from Masafer Yatta, and Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. The film has won a string of international awards. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war, along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. The Palestinians want all three for their future state and view settlement growth as a major obstacle to a two-state solution. Israel has built more than 100 settlements, home to over 500,000 settlers who have Israeli citizenship. The three million Palestinians in the West Bank live under seemingly open-ended Israeli military rule, with the western-backed Palestinian Authority administering population centres. Keir Starmer has promised to make Britain battle-ready as he unveiled a defence review designed to counter threats from countries such as Russia, which he warned directly threatened the UK every day. Speaking from the BAE Systems shipyard at Govan, in Glasgow, the prime minister promised to spend billions more on weapons factories, drones and submarines even if it meant raiding welfare or the aid budget once more to do so. Amid an ongoing row over how the government will fund Starmers ambition to spend 3% of gross domestic product on defence in the next parliament, the prime minister argued defence had to be prioritised above other public services. [The defence review] is a blueprint to make Britain safer and stronger, a battle-ready, armour-clad nation with the strongest alliances and the most advanced capabilities, Starmer said. He added: Russia is already menacing our skies and our waters, and threatening cyber-attacks, so this is a real threat were dealing with. The prime minister has promised to spend 2.5% of the countrys economic output on defence by 2027-28, with a further ambition to spend 3% at some point during the next parliament. Luke Pollard, the armed forces minister, said the strategic review was the first time since the end of the cold war that the government had reviewed the military and not made any cuts. Warship, jet and tank numbers will remain unchanged. The 140-page review, published late on Monday afternoon, says Britain faces multiple, direct threats to its own security for the first time since the end of the cold war and that to deter conflict the UK must be ready to fight and win. But while the reviewers welcomed that Britain is to lift spending to 2.5% of GDP, they said a reversal of the hollowing out of the armed forces would take about 10 years on current budget forecasts. As we live in such turbulent times, it may be necessary to go faster, the team added. The target size of the British army will be increased from 73,000 to 76,000 in the next parliament as funding becomes available, the defence secretary, John Healey, told MPs, but the immediate priority was to reverse falls in personnel numbers, withthe total number of soldiers dropping to a low of 70,860. It commits the UK to: Explore the possibility of the UK reintroducing air-launched nuclear weapons by discussing with the US and Nato the possibility of purchasing F-35A fighters equipped with US B61-12 bombs that could be deployed in the event of a war. Spending 15bn to develop new submarine-launched nuclear warheads and committing to build 12 nuclear powered Aukus attack submarines in Derby and Barrow, starting in the 2030s. Investing 1bn in air and missile defence, 6bn on munitions during this parliament and opening at least six new weapons factories in the UK as part of a programme to increase military stockpiles, which currently may only last a few days in a crisis. Developing a home guard, modelled on the army reserves, to ensure the protection of airports, communications sites and other parts of the critical national infrastructure in the event of a major crisis. Starmer said he would not put a firm date on when the UK would increase defence spending to 3% of GDP, or how the extra money would be found. I am not, as the prime minister of a Labour government, going to make a commitment as to the precise date until I can be sure precisely where the money is coming from, how we can make good on that commitment, because I dont believe in performative fantasy politics, and certainly not on defence and security, Starmer told BBC Radio 4s Today programme. Pressed again on the date, he said: We had a commitment for 2.5% by the end of this parliament. We pulled that right forward to 2027. We showed that when we say theres a new era of the defence and [that] security of our country is our first priority as it is that we meant it. We take the same approach to 3%. Gideon Rabinowitz, director of policy at Bond, which lobbies on behalf of aid groups, said: It is disappointing that the prime minister has failed to rule out further cuts to the UK aid budget to fund defence spending. Defence, diplomacy and development are not competing priorities, they are part of the same triangle. The defence review will say Britain must be ready to fight a war in Europe or the Atlantic, though it is not expected to promise immediate increases in the size of the armed forces to deal with the threat. Questioned on whether this could involve, for example, British troops being sent to defend attacks on countries adjoining Russia, Starmer replied: I very much hope not. And in order to make sure that that isnt the case, we need to prepare. But we cannot ignore the threat that Russia poses We have to be ready. Supporters of a last-minute attempt to block the Chagos Islands deal gathered outside the High Court in central London late last month - Yui Mok/PA Conservative peers have launched a last-ditch attempt to stop Sir Keir Starmer from giving the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Tories in the Lords have put forward a fatal motion to block the Chagos Islands treaty signed by Sir Keir last month. The deal will give up British sovereignty over the archipelago, known in the UK as the British Indian Ocean Territory, and see the UK pay Mauritius 30 billion over 99 years. Lord Callanan, the shadow foreign minister in the Lords, put forward a motion demanding that the Government should not ratify the agreement, citing cost and security concerns. The peer told The Telegraph: Spooked by a last minute legal fight, the Governments unnecessary political decision to sign away our sovereignty over the Chagos Islands will cost the British taxpayer 30 billion and put our strategic defence interests at risk. Taxpayers and businesses have already been hit hard by Labours vindictive tax rises, and pensioners have been left cold from the cruel winter fuel payment cut. This Chagos sellout shows Labours true priorities. That is why Conservatives are leading the fight against this shameful surrender deal in the House of Lords. The cost of the Chagos deal The Lords motion cites concerns about the cost of the agreement, the absence of any legal requirement to conclude such an agreement, its impact on international security, the lack of any meaningful consultation of the Chagossian people, and recognising the right of Chagossians to be registered as British Overseas Territory citizens under the Nationality and Borders Act 2022. If a subsequent vote passes, the Government could be forced to make a statement in the Commons to explain why it is ignoring the upper chamber. It is the first time a Lords front bench has sought to use the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act, passed in 2010, to block a treaty. A fatal motion, if passed, halts the process of the legislation, and the Government would ordinarily have to start again. But in the case of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act, a minister can choose to override the Lords by making a statement in the Commons. The treaty legislation must go through both Houses of Parliament before the Government can ratify the agreement. Last month, Mauritius made an agreement with Russia to strengthen their relationship on fishing and marine research, which has alarmed some in the UK and raised fresh security concerns over Diego Garcia, the UK-US air base. Critics have previously warned that Diego Garcia is at risk because of Mauritiuss close ties to Russia and China. But Foreign Office sources said the Chagos deal would include clauses stopping China and Russia from establishing spy bases on nearby islands. Meanwhile, Misley Mandarin, a British Chagossian, is being supported by the Great British PAC, a conservative movement headed by Ben Habib, the former Reform deputy leader, to take legal action against the Government. The organisation said it had raised enough money to launch a review and cover legal fees, but is seeking another 20,000 to underwrite the case. Mr Mandarin said: We were evicted from our homeland by a past Labour government. Now the current Labour Government is doing something even worse stripping us of our right to self-determination. Mr Habib said: This is not just a treaty, its a national betrayal, done behind closed doors and without a democratic mandate. But its not too late to stop it. This is a test of whether our Government is accountable to the law, and whether Parliament has the facts to do the right thing. The Governments announcement of the Chagos Islands deal was temporarily delayed after a legal challenge was launched by Bertrice Pompe, a Chagossian. But the last-minute bid was dismissed by the High Court, allowing Sir Keir to sign the agreement and announce that a deal had been done. Last week, China welcomed the agreement as a massive achievement, despite the Prime Minister having claimed that Beijing had opposed it. Beijings ambassador to Mauritius confirmed that the nation would soon join Beijings Belt and Road initiative. A Foreign Office spokesman said: The deal will cost 3.4 billion, not the 30 billion quoted by some commentators. These figures have been verified by the Government Actuarys Department, drawing on long-established methodology used under this government and previous governments to account for long term projects. This agreement is the only way to maintain the crucial Diego Garcia base. We always said that once a deal was signed, we would lay it before the House for scrutiny in the usual way, which is exactly what we have done. We look forward to making the case in Parliament and to the Treaty being ratified. A Planned Parenthood of Utah clinic in Salt Lake City. Photograph: Rick Bowmer/AP At least 20 Planned Parenthood clinics across seven states have shuttered since the start of 2025 or have announced plans to close soon closures that come amid immense financial and political turbulence for the reproductive health giant as the United States continues to grapple with the fallout from the end of Roe v Wade. The Planned Parenthood network, which operates nearly 600 clinics through a web of independent regional affiliates and is overseen by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, is facing a number of threats from the Trump administration. A Guardian analysis has found that Planned Parenthood closures have occurred or are in the works across six affiliates that maintain clinics in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Utah and Vermont. In late March, the Trump administration suddenly froze tens of millions of dollars in funding for nine Planned Parenthood affiliates, including at least two that have since closed clinics or are set to do so soon. The funding, which flowed from the federal family planning program Title X, was used to provide services such as contraception, cancer screenings and STI tests. The ways in which this administration is dismantling access to public health and public health information are really troubling and, frankly, force us to make these difficult decisions very quickly, said Shireen Ghorbani, interim president of Planned Parenthood Association of Utah, which saw $2.8m of its Title X funding 20% of the affiliates budget frozen under the Trump administration. It has since closed two clinics as well as laid off a number of staffers who worked on initiatives like sex education. Last year, Ghorbani said, 26,000 Utahns received Title X-funded care at Planned Parenthood. Ghorbani does not believe that Utahs Republican-controlled state legislature will step in to create a substitute program. I will be shocked if a single cent is spent to make sure that people are able to control their health and their sexual and reproductive lives, she said. Planned Parenthoods financial woes have raised eyebrows for some advocates of abortion rights and reproductive health. The organization has weathered several crises, including allegations of mismanagement, in the years since Roe collapsed but as the face of US abortion access it continued to rake in donations. (Most abortions in the US are in fact performed by small independent clinics, which are grappling with their own financial turmoil.) As of June 2023, the Planned Parenthood network had about $3bn in assets, according to its 2024 report. In April, Planned Parenthood of Michigans announced that it would cut its staffing by 10% and close four clinics. Viktoria Koskenoja, an emergency medicine doctor who worked at one of the clinics that has closed, said that the closures came as a real shock. Its sort of a frantic scramble right now to figure out where these patients are going to be able to go, said Koskenoja, who lives in Michigans rural Upper Peninsula. People are just going to get worse care for the time being, until we can figure something out. She added: I think that if they had asked for money from the community to keep it open, people would have donated. In a press release, Planned Parenthood of Michigan attributed the closures and layoffs to historic threats and cuts to federal funding. The cuts to Title X, it said, deal a devastating financial blow to healthcare providers like PPMI. But Planned Parenthood of Michigan was not among the Planned Parenthood affiliates that saw their Title X funding frozen. In Michigan, the federal government distributes Title X funding to the states department of health and human services, which in turn doles money out to clinics, including those run by Planned Parenthood of Michigan. The Michigan department of health and human services has not seen a disruption in Title X funding. Planned Parenthood of Michigan did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the clinic closures and the role of Title X in those closures. The squeeze the organization is navigating may be about to tighten. Republicans at the national level are ramping up their campaign to defund Planned Parenthood by kicking it out of Medicaid, the government insurance program for low-income people. Of the 2.4 million people treated at Planned Parenthood nationwide each year, nearly half rely on Medicaid. Related: Supreme court weighs South Carolina effort to defund Planned Parenthood Additionally, the supreme court is weighing a case involving an attempt by South Carolina to remove Planned Parenthood from its Medicaid program over the organizations status as an abortion provider. If the high court greenlights South Carolinas move, it could pave the way for other red states to refuse to reimburse Planned Parenthood for Medicaid costs. In Congress, Republicans one big beautiful tax bill, which has passed the House of Representatives and is now being considered in the Senate, also includes a provision that would effectively bar organizations that offer abortions from receiving Medicaid reimbursements for other reproductive health services. The provision is so narrowly tailored it only applies to organizations that received more than $1m in Medicaid reimbursements that it would only affect Planned Parenthood. Plain and simple, this reconciliation bill is about attacking Planned Parenthood, Alexis McGill Johnson, CEO and president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in a statement. If the tax bill passes as is, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York would lose about $20m and be forced to close clinics, according to Wendy Stark, the affiliates CEO and president. Here we are, a few years post-Dobbs, and youre seeing health providers in [abortion] access states really struggle financially, Stark said, referring to Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health, the supreme court decision that overturned Roe. Thats not an accident, right? Whats going on currently with the administration has been layered on top of existing threats and challenges. Planned Parenthood of Greater New York is currently looking to sell its only Manhattan clinic. Medicaid and private insurance reimbursement rates, Stark said, were already too low, especially as the costs of medical supplies, insurance and rent have all risen in the years since the Covid pandemic. Last year, it cost the affiliate about $67m to provide healthcare services, but it only received about $36m in insurance reimbursements, she added. It shuttered four clinics in 2024. Lord Hermer, the Attorney General, has been criticised for his appalling judgment - Marcin Nowak/Anadolu via Getty Lord Hermer is not to blame for a rapist receiving a shorter sentence than Lucy Connolly, Yvette Cooper has insisted. The Home Secretary defended the Attorney General after The Telegraph revealed he declined to review unduly lenient sentences given to a rapist, a paedophile and a terrorist fundraiser despite signing off on the prosecution of Connolly, who was imprisoned for 31 months for a tweet about last years Southport attacks. Critics have since claimed Lord Hermer thinks rape is less serious than Twitter comments after fresh concerns were raised about his appalling judgment. The three criminals all received softer sentences than Connolly. When asked to look again at their cases, the Attorney Generals office opted not to refer the decisions to the Court of Appeal for review. Lucy Connolly who was imprisoned for 31 months for a hate tweet The revelations prompted fresh calls for Lord Hermer to be sacked after it emerged that he personally approved Connollys prosecution, despite having the constitutional power to prevent it. He did not have any say over her sentence. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, confronted Ms Cooper over the case during Home Office questions in the House of Commons on Monday. He said: It emerged yesterday that the Attorney General, Lord Hermer, chose not to refer a man given just 28 months for rape for a longer sentence under the unduly lenient sentencing scheme, which the Attorney General can do. Yet, Lucy Connolly got more prison time for a tasteless tweet. Why does Lord Hermer think rape is less serious than Twitter comments? This is two-tier justice in action, and doesnt this show Lord Hermer has appalling judgment, and the Prime Minister should fire him? Ms Cooper initially dodged the question, referring back to Mr Philps record as policing minister in the last Conservative government. But pushed for an answer by Tory MP Sir Julian Lewis, she said: Lord Hermer does not decide sentencing. He has a particular role as the Attorney General that (Sir Julian) as a very experienced member of this House, will know the way in which the system works. In England and Wales, members of the public can ask the Attorney General to re-examine a sentence handed down by a Crown Court if they believe it to be unduly lenient. He may then refer the decision to the Court of Appeal, which can keep the sentence the same, increase it or issue guidance for future cases. The criminals whose cases were not referred, according to data published by the Government, included Ben Churcher, from Wiltshire, who was given 28 months in prison in January for raping a woman in her home. Defies common sense Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, claimed the findings suggested Lord Hermer considered a nasty offensive tweet to be a more serious offence than rape, paedophilia or terrorism. This was because the Attorney Generals office made the decision not to refer those cases to the Court of Appeal after Connolly had been jailed for 31 months, meaning he was supposedly aware of her sentence when he failed to challenge the others. Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, also claimed Lord Hermer was content for Lucy Connolly to receive a tougher sentence for a nasty tweet than a vile rapist or paedophile, adding: That defies common sense. A source close to the Attorney General said: The law officers are not involved in sentencing decisions, which are a matter for the independent courts. Nor do they have any role in setting the sentencing guidelines for particular offences. To suggest otherwise is completely inaccurate. Each unduly lenient sentence case is assessed against the specific guidelines for that offence, case law and in many cases advice will be sought from a senior specialist barrister. The Court of Appeal has set out what constitutes undue leniency, and this is a high bar. The law officers have referred a large number of cases to the Court of Appeal, many of which have resulted in increased sentences, including of rapists and child sex offenders. An Israeli flag is fixed to a street sign as police stand by off Pearl Street on the scene of an attack on demonstrators calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday. Photograph: Eli Imadali/AFP/Getty Images The first 911 calls reporting the Colorado flamethrower attack were as horrific as they were unbelievable. There is a male with a blow torch setting people on fire, a dispatcher advised the citys police department, passing on the account of an eyewitness. Another official reported: Multiple burns, potential terror attack. What had been a peaceful rally at the Boulders Pearl Street Mall on Sunday in solidarity with hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza quickly turned into a scene of horror, with medical crews arriving to find victims lying or sitting on the ground with their legs and bodies burned and police holding a suspect face down with a gun at his back. Members of the public raced from local restaurants with buckets and jugs of water to pour over those who were injured. Related: Suspect charged with hate crime in attack on Colorado rally for Israeli hostages The attack by a man hurling molotov cocktails and shouting Free Palestine struck at the heart of one of Colorados largest Jewish communities, just 10 days after two Israeli embassy staffers were shot dead in Washington DC by a man yelling the same statement. It also came weeks after an arson attack on the home of Josh Shapiro, the Jewish governor of Pennsylvania, by a pro-Palestinian activist. Make no mistake: if and when Jews are targeted to protest Israels actions, it should clearly and unequivocally be understood and condemned as antisemitism, Amy Spitalnick, chief executive of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said in a statement. These attacks come alongside a broader rise in antisemitism, from hate crimes targeting Jews walking down the street, to efforts to marginalize, isolate, and discriminate against Jews, to antisemitic and white supremacist mass violence targeting synagogues and other spaces. Boulder county, where Sundays attack took place, had long been considered a safe, dream community for Jewish families drawn there over the last decade. Numbers have doubled to represent more than 10% of the countys 330,000 population. The eight victims four men and four women, including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor, and a mother and daughter represented a cross-section of a vibrant diaspora in a city with numerous Jewish community centers, schools and businesses. What happened here in our local community in Boulder is shameful, and I think people really need to have a sense of accountability, Fred Greene, rabbi of Boulders Har HaShem congregation, told CNN on Monday. If we want peace, if we want dignity for people, there have to be other ways than this kind of violence. Another expert, University of Boulder Hillel executive director Elyana Funk, told the network that the assault was especially shocking because it targeted a quiet and respectful assembly of residents who were taking part in a solidarity walk, which has become popular in numerous Jewish communities around the world since the Hamas terror attack on Israel and taking of hostages on 7 October 2023. This wasnt a pro-Israel rally or some sort of political statement on the war, she said. These are peaceful people whove been walking for nearly 20 months weekly to bring awareness for the hostages. The attack came on the same day as the start of Shavuot, a two-day Jewish festival to celebrate the 50th day after the Passover holiday. Several events were postponed or canceled after the attack, but Funk said resilience would shine through. The antidote for antisemitism can be Jewish joy, and Jewish community and Jewish connection, she said. Meanwhile, the Boulder police chief, Stephen Redfearn, recalled the community reaction to the 2021 mass shooting at a supermarket in the city that left 10 people dead. Boulder is not immune to tragedy sadly and I know a lot of people are scared right now and questioning how this happened and why, he said at a press conference on Sunday night. Boulder has recovered from acts of violence before and we will again recover. I urge this community to come together. Now is not the time to be divisive. The attack took place on Pearl Street Mall, a popular pedestrian area of downtown Boulder laced with stores and restaurants, overlooked by the University of Colorado, and a regular venue for the event supporting Run for Their Lives, an organization calling for the immediate release of the Gaza hostages. Eyewitnesses said the suspect, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, appeared out of nowhere and seemingly singled out individuals taking part in the rally. It was easily the most horrific thing Ive ever seen in my life, Brian Horowitz, 37, told CNN. The Denver resident said he was in a cafe with his family when he heard screams and raced to confront the suspect, who was shouting profanities at his victims. Fuck you Zionists, Horowitz said the man yelled. Youre killing my people so I kill you. Horowitz added: Theres someone who is outraged enough to go and attack these elderly people who are doing absolutely nothing to provoke it other than walk in silence and meet in a courtyard peacefully. Its unbelievable. The expert group warns that the country is dependent on the humble number plate. Photograph: Vals World/Shutterstock More than 130 official suppliers of vehicle number plates in the UK are willing to sell cloned versions that could thwart police and avoid congestion charges, according to an investigation by government advisers. The alleged abuse of the system is described by the academics as a risk to law enforcement, road safety and the countrys critical national infrastructure. The expert group, which includes Dr Fraser Sampson, who was the governments biometric surveillance camera commissioner until 2023, warns that the country is dependent on the humble number plate, but anyone can become a DVLA-registered number plate scheme (RNPS) member on payment of 40. They write: There is no vetting, no trading history requirement and no monitoring of members practices. Related: Car cloning: innocent UK motorists get fines as scams accelerate To date we have found over 135 DVLA-registered RNPS members nationally who were prepared to make cloned plates and there will undoubtedly be more. One West Midlands criminal had recently supplied over 7,000 plates to the criminal underworld. The findings from members of the Vehicle Identification Group, a centre of excellence at Cranfield University dedicated to advancing the science of automatic number plate recognition, are included in a submission to the Labour MP Sarah Coombes. The West Bromwich MP is fronting a private members bill that it is said would lead to offending drivers being hit with a 1,000 fine, vehicle seizure or licence disqualification. Currently, the most common sanction for drivers with cloned plates is a 100 fine. The experts claim that legal and legible vehicle registration plates are fundamental to a range of priorities including tax collection, emission targets, the suppression of organised crime and even the safe transport of nuclear materials. Given their importance, it would be reasonable to expect number plates to be governed by a comprehensive, consistent and coherent framework regulating their manufacture and supply, they write. Unfortunately, despite many public reports and an abundance of evidence as to its shortcomings, the framework for vehicle registration plates is wholly inadequate. It therefore remains our firm view that the current arrangements for the supply and regulation of number plates represent a significant enduring risk, not only to policing and road safety, but also to the critical infrastructure of the country. Dr Michael Rhead, who has advised government bodies on the effective use of surveillance technologies in policing, approached registered suppliers and found more than 135 that were willing to provide plates without proof of car ownership, it is said. Sampson said he had already warned the government when he resigned as biometrics and surveillance camera commissioner that it was staggeringly simple to thwart the automated number plate recognition (ANPR) systems on which the countrys safety relied. Suppliers of plates are required by law to ask for identification and proof of entitlement to a registration number at the time purchase, but Sampson said he had publicly and privately argued that there was insufficient enforcement. Sampson said: Im astonished that something so serious and well evidenced still hasnt been actioned. Must we always wait for calamity to drive change? Other members of the expert group include Dr Rob Gurney, who has advised the DVLA and Border Force, and William Martin, a visiting professor of physics at the University of Hertfordshire who has helped government bodies. Coombes said: A hundred pounds is a pitiful deterrent if youre caught with an illegal number plate like a ghost plate. Given that everything from low-level antisocial behaviour to organised crime is being fuelled by these number plates, using a ghost plate is not the victimless crime its made out to be. The law is outdated and we need the punishment to increase to at least 1,000 and six penalty points at the earliest opportunity to make our roads safe again. A DVLA spokesperson said: DVLA is committed to ensuring all number plates are displayed correctly and legally. We work with the police and trading standards to take action against suppliers who do not comply with the law. A legitimate supplier will always ask to see ID and entitlement documents before selling a number plate. Where this doesnt happen, members of the public can report this directly to their local trading standards. Mamphana Molotsi, left and Pontso Tumisi, who founded Mokhosi oa Mangoana (A Mothers Cry) to help and advise women whose children are taking drugs. Photograph: Silence Charumbira Pontso Tumisi remembers seeing crystal meth for the first time in her daughters bedroom several years ago. When her daughter said the crystals were bath salts, she believed her. Now, she regrets that naivety. Tumisi says a lack of knowledge about drugs among parents and guardians has allowed many childrens use of dangerous substances to go undetected. Amplifying the risks inherent in drug-taking is bluetoothing or hotspotting, which involves drawing the blood of an intoxicated person and injecting into others to share the high a trend thats been seen in several countries over the past few years, including Zimbabwe and South Africa. In Lesotho, hotspotting usually involves crystal meth, which has become one of the most common drugs in urban areas. Lesotho has one of the highest HIV rates in the world, and as Tumisi points out, bluetoothing increases the risk of spreading the virus as well as other blood-borne diseases. Tumisi, 45, is now a public relations officer for Mokhosi oa Mangoana (A Mothers Cry), a womens organisation spearheading the fight against substance abuse in Lesotho, a landlocked country surrounded by South Africa, where half the population live below the poverty line. You would be shocked what parents are doing for their children out of love but unknowingly aiding substance abuse. Some are made to purchase different items and substances under the pretext of learning materials, Tumisi says. Young children are using drugs in plain sight because parents and guardians have no information about harmful substances. Parents are buying their children things like meth pipes thinking they are for school, and hookahs and vapes, which are all harmful, thinking theyre fashionable. When they think of drugs, they think of the smell of marijuana, but the bulk of substances used nowadays dont have such distinct smells. Some are edibles and they look just like sweets. While there are no official statistics on drug abuse in Lesotho, Mphonyane Mofokeng, founder of the Anti-Drug Abuse Association of Lesotho (Adaal), says a recent study by the Heal Our Land Organisation showed that 68% of high school pupils had used illicit substances. The study was carried out in the northern region of the country, which includes the capital, Maseru. This is proof enough of the high magnitude of substance use among young people in Lesotho, says Mofokeng. One parent told Adaal that her child started hotspotting during the school holidays. Due to the shocking statistics and the harm that children are exposing themselves to through hotspotting, we are stepping up efforts to come up with preventive interventions as well as rehabilitation, Mofokeng says. As women, we are at risk. We are threatened daily. I have been attacked and my daughter has been assaulted and drugged Pontso Tumisi, Mokhosi oa Mangoana Maj Gen Khomo Mohobo, who is part of an army-run youth development initiative at the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), says bluetoothing is a serious concern. Young people, who sometimes do not have enough money to buy the drugs they want, are exposing themselves to all kinds of dangers by injecting themselves with the blood of others, he says. A fix may cost R300 [about 12] and they contribute money and only one person takes the drugs. Once that person gets intoxicated, their friends then draw his or her blood and inject it into their own veins to get high. They call it hotspotting, but there are lot of terms that we hear the youths using when we do our youth development initiatives, he adds. When Tumisi realised her daughter was taking drugs, she contacted another woman, Mamphana Molosti, who lived in a neighbouring village and had been attacked by her drug addicted son. They decided to form an association of women in similar situations. Mokhosi oa Mangoana provides information, counselling and training for mothers whose children are taking drugs and offers advice on detecting signs of substance abuse. The group has also been lobbying parliament to enact stricter laws and establish a working committee to monitor the situation, as well as building a rehabilitation centre. But that has not been easy, she says. There is little political will to implement their ideas and they face frequent resistance from lower-ranking law enforcement officers, says Tumisi. We have reported dealers to different police stations multiple times and even tried to effect citizens arrests but that has not worked. In fact, we have realised that in some cases, officers are involved [in the drugs trade], she says. Molotsi, 47, survived a brutal attack in 2023 when her then 23-year-old son stabbed her after she questioned him about some money he had stolen. I only had 50 maloti [2]in the house and my son took it and bought drugs. When I asked him, he became angry and he attacked me. He used everything that he could lay his hands on until he took a knife and stabbed me multiple times. The doctors said I was saved by one stab wound, which punctured my chest and allowed blood to flow out. Had it not been for that, my lungs would have filled up and I would have died. By the time she regained consciousness, her son was in custody. Molotsi does not see her son as a monster but as someone who needed help. She visits him every week and is hoping he will be paroled soon from Maserus squalid Central Correctional Institute. She fears that if he serves all of his six-year term, he could come back more addicted. The prison featured in a Netflix documentary on the worlds toughest prisons. Earlier this month, Mokhosi oa Mangoana hosted trainers from the drug advisory programme (DAP) of the Colombo Plan, a Sri Lankan-based intergovernmental development organisation. The DAP, which operates in 80 countries, helps teach community leaders, counsellors, health professionals and police officers about the prevention and treatment of drug use. The team was led by Colombo Plans Africa manager, George Murimi, who said cases of drug abuse had increased exponentially in the past decade. Related: How to escape the heroin hustle: the project helping South African addicts We are receiving a lot of calls, mainly from women. That is an indicator that cases are more rampant, says Tumisi. But she and Molotsi say they have not lost hope. We are prepared to continue fighting, says Tumisi. Yet they worry about the prevalence of dangerous methods of drug-taking such as bluetoothing. The work that has been done in fighting HIV and Aids is being reversed, says Tumisi. Mokhosi oa Mangoana, which now has 150 members, is working to educate ordinary citizens as well as health workers to curb stigmatisation in healthcare centres and communities. Its members are all women as they are the worst affected, while men seldom open up about such matters, says Tumisi. As women, we are at risk. We are threatened daily. I have been attacked multiple times and my daughter has been assaulted and drugged in an attempt to deter me from fighting, but Im not fazed. All hope will be lost if we buckle under pressure. A British paratrooper. The Army has fallen back to its smallest numbers since the Napoleonic era - Cpl Aaron J Stone The British Army must increase troop numbers for the first time in a generation to combat the growing threat from rivals such as Russia, Sir Keir Starmer has been told. After years of cuts to service personnel, the Governments long-awaited Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has recommended an uplift in the number of soldiers to 100,000, including both regulars and reservists. The Government has committed to delivering the SDRs recommendations in full, with the aim of recruiting around 3,000 additional regular troops in the next Parliament. But there are fears that ministers have no plan for reaching this number, amid a wider row over how to increase defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP. The IFS said that tax rises would be needed to fund a boost in defence spending. The SDR, published on Monday, set out how the Armed Forces must adapt to the battlefields of the future, warning they were not currently optimised for warfare against a peer military state. 0306 Russia v Britain It called for a 63 billion spending spree that includes upgraded nuclear warheads, stealth fighters and a fleet of submarines. It said: There is no scope for reducing the number of highly trained and equipped regulars across all three services, even as the forces move to a much greater emphasis on autonomy. Overall, we envisage an increase in the total number of regular personnel when funding allows. This includes a small uplift in Army regulars as a priority. The number of reserve soldiers should also be increased by 20 per cent when funding allows, the report said. In May 2024, the number of Army personnel fell below 73,000 for the first time since the Napoleonic era. It was announced under the previous government that the Army would be reduced to 72,500 personnel by 2025, scrapping a target of 82,000 that had been set in 2015. Soldier numbers fall further The new SDR, by Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, Gen Sir Richard Barrons and Fiona Hill, said that there should be at least 73,000 regular soldiers as part of a 100,000-strong total force. John Healey, the Defence Secretary, told the House of Commons that the Government was aiming to increase the British Army to at least 76,000 full time soldiers in the next Parliament. He said: For the first time in a generation, we are a government who want the number of regular soldiers to rise. But opponents criticised the vague timescale and warned that there was no clear plan for delivering on the promise. Sir Grant Shapps, the former defence secretary, said: In opposition Labour thundered about boosting the Army to 80,000. In Government, theyve quietly shrunk it to 70,000. Todays new review merely rubber-stamps programmes we had already funded, while the money that should restore Army strength is being diverted to pay Mauritius for the privilege of surrendering our own sovereign territory in the Chagos Islands. Sir Gavin Williamson, another former defence secretary, said: What we need is a clear plan in terms of growing army numbers. We also need clarity as to when this is going to be achieved and the resources that will be allocated to do that. To grow army numbers is going to take time and the sooner we are able to start doing that the better. The authors of the SDR painted a bleak picture of the current state of the Armed Forces, describing them as better suited to a peacetime era. They added that innovation was stifled while bureaucracy consumed precious time and effort. Hollowed out forces The report also criticised a focus on procuring exquisite capabilities highly advanced and specialised technologies rather than mass-produced kit, which had served to hollow out the Armed Forces ability to fight wars. The SDR found that soldiers were being hamstrung by inadequate weapons stockpiles, and a lack of preparation for the digital battlefield. It called for the military to develop more advanced AI, as well as suggesting that a gap year scheme could be set up to solve its recruitment crisis by giving young people a chance to try out a career before they committed to serve in the longer term. Stockpiles are inadequate, further reduced by the important and necessary transfer of materiel to Ukraine, it said. The strategic base lacks capacity and resilience following years of underinvestment. Medical services remain optimised for counter-terrorism operations and lack the capacity for managing a mass-casualty conflict. The review added that the UK was insufficiently prepared for the digital battlefield and carries intolerable levels of cyber risk. The SDR authors said that their recommendations had been drawn up in line with an existing pledge to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2027. The Government has a longer-term aim to increase defence spending to 3 per cent, but has yet to say how it will achieve this. Speaking on Sunday, Mr Healey had been unable to commit to spending 3 per cent of GDP on defence, although the Treasury insisted that it remained an ambition when the economic conditions were right. The SDR authors said they were confident the reports proposals would be affordable over the next decade. But they added that given the turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster. The Institute for Fiscal Studies warned on Monday that increasing defence spending would require tax rises and cuts elsewhere ahead of a spending review next week. Paul Johnson, the director of the think tank, told Times Radio: It really does seem to me that the only choice that is available, if were going to go through all of those things, is some really quite chunky tax increases to pay for it. A report by three of the IFSs key economists warned that if defence spending were increased to 3 per cent of GDP, and health received 3.4 per cent, that would require cuts of 1.8 per cent a year in other departments. On Monday, defence figures involved in the review were unable to say how and when they would fund the 62 recommendations that had been set out. One former Army head told The Telegraph they supported a rise in troop numbers, but said they would need to be accompanied by reinvigorating and expanding reserves, and using drones to make a still relatively small army much more lethal and effective. The report pointed out that a combination of poor recruitment and retention with the numbers of UK regulars and reservists in an 8 per cent persistent decline since 2022 for the Regular Armed Forces shoddy accommodation, falling morale, and cultural challenges had resulted in a workforce crisis. In a foreword to the review, Mr Healey said that the review set out a new vision for how our Armed Forces should be conceived. From a combination of conventional and digital warfighters, to drones, AI, and autonomy, these would all compliment the heavy metal of tanks and artillery. He also supported a breaking down of barriers between the Army, RAF and Royal Navy, as well as between the military, the private sector and society. Marcia Grant suffered catastrophic injuries as she tried to stop the boy taking her car - South Yorkshire Police/PA A 12-year-old boy ran over and killed his foster carer just six days after being placed in her care, an inquest heard. Marcia Grant, 60, had been working as a foster carer for seven years when she suffered catastrophic injuries as she tried to stop him taking her car outside her home in Sheffield on April 5 2023. The boy, referred to as Child X, was sentenced to two years in custody in November 2023 after admitting causing Grants death by dangerous driving, when a murder charge was dropped. Sheffield coroners court was told Grant and her husband, Delroy, were experienced foster carers who were highly regarded by the councils fostering team. They were caring for another child, referred to as Child Y, when a call went out to all of Rotherhams foster carers for an emergency placement for Child X on March 30 2023. The inquest heard Mr and Mrs Grant volunteered to take him, despite the fact they were categorised as only able to take in one child at a time. They could take another child for up to six days in an emergency situation, the coroner was told, which expired the day Grant died, the court heard. The scene of the collision that killed Marcia Grant David Wade, a social worker who supported the Grants in their fostering, told the inquest that he was consulted about the initial emergency placement of Child X and said he did not agree with the decision because of the potential impact on Child Y, who was clearly being helped by the family. But Mr Wade said the decision was made by a more senior manager. The social worker told the court that he did not know the details of Child Xs self-reported history of gang-related activity and possession of knives. He told the coroner that, if he had known, he would have been more robust in his insistence that this was not a suitable placement. Matthew Boud, who worked at the time as head of service for Rotherham councils children in care service, signed off on the placement of Child X with the Grants. He explained how the council had faced difficult finely balanced decisions over emergency placements and that, if the Grants had not agreed to take the boy, he could have ended up in an unsuitable setting, possibly including a hotel or being transported miles from Rotherham. We were desperately trying to provide some stability for Child X in that context, he said, adding that he thought it was an appropriate decision in the circumstances. The family said she was a soul like no other with an unshakeable ethical compass, and that she was a proud and loving mother with an infectious laugh. Megann Gibson has been warned she faces jail over the forbidden prison romance A female guard texted a prisoners mother 900 times, a court has heard. Megann Gibson, 26, sexted the prisoner while working at Wealstun Prison, near Wetherby, West Yorkshire. The guard then sent the criminals mother more than 900 messages, reportedly in a bid to stay in contact with him. She also allowed the unnamed inmate into restricted areas of the Category C resettlement prison and visited his home address, a court heard. Gibson, from Leeds, West Yorkshire, was this week warned she faces jail over the forbidden romance, while joining a growing list of shamed female prison guards convicted over behind-bars liaisons. The guard, who admitted misconduct in a public office and possession of cannabis, will be sentenced in August. Gibson, who lives with her sister and driving instructor mother in the suburb of Gipton, was warned by a judge at the citys crown court: You may well be serving a prison sentence. Megann Gibson texted the prisoners mother 900 times The plea hearing was told Gibson was undergoing assessment for mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress linked to a previous relationship. She was released on unconditional bail, but warned that her offence was a serious matter. At least 29 female prison guards have been dismissed in the past three years over improper relationships with prisoners. That compares to just nine women who lost their jobs for the same offence between 2017 and 2019. Katie Evans, 26, embarked on an illicit romance with inmate Daniel Brownley while working at HMP Doncaster, calling herself his queen. The mother-of-one, who was jailed for 21 months in March, boasted about sex acts on the criminal and collecting drug money on his behalf. Her criminal behaviour was exposed during an anti-corruption investigation into another guard at the category B jail. Morgan Farr Varney, 24, was this month locked up for 10 months after she was caught in a cupboard with a prisoner while working at HMP Lindholme in South Yorkshire. Wealstun prison in West Yorkshire was the scene of the improper relationship - Alamy /Alamy She became besotted with crack cocaine dealer Jordan Stones, 30, who pinned racy snaps of his prison officer lover to his cell walls. Cherrie-Ann Saddington, 29, smuggled a Calpol syringe into jail to artificially inseminate herself with a prisoners sperm. The officer became obsessed with convicted sex offender Bradley Trengrove after he was moved to HMP The Verne in Dorset. The female prison warden told Trengrove she was pregnant in November 2022, although she miscarried after eight weeks. She was spared jail by a judge in May after being left in a wheelchair from a spinal stroke. In January, Linda De Sousa Abreu, a 31-year-old former Wandsworth Prison officer, was jailed for 15 months after a film of her having sex with an inmate was shared online. French border police stopped just 184 migrants from leaving the countrys shores on Saturday Yvette Cooper has demanded the French start intercepting migrant boats at sea as swiftly as possible. The Home Secretary revealed she made representations to her French counterpart Bruno Retailleau to stop the migrants boarding boats in shallow waters off the north French beaches. Ms Cooper told MPs the French Cabinet and the interior ministry had agreed a rule change to enable officers to use their own boats to intercept the migrant dinghies. Until now, the French have refused to intervene at sea, claiming maritime laws mean law enforcement officers cannot do anything that would put lives at risk. She said: A French maritime review is looking at what new operational tactics they will use, and we are urging France to complete this review and implement the changes as swiftly as possible. Ive been in touch with the French interior minister, who supports stronger action again this weekend, and there are further discussions underway this week. It came as a leading French MP blamed Britains decision to quit the EU for the surge in migrants crossing the Channel in small boats. Eleonore Caroit, a member of Emmanuel Macrons Renaissance party in the French National Assembly, said numbers had been increasing since Brexit, which meant Britain no longer had a returns agreement with the EU and a very weak asylum policy. She also repeated long-held claims that the UK represented an El Dorado to migrants because of its attractive benefits and asylum system. El Dorado is a mythical city of gold, supposedly located in South America. Her comments come amid increasing frustration across UK political parties at the failure of France to stop migrants crossing the Channel, after Saturday saw a record daily total of 1,194 people reach the UK. France stopped just 184 migrants from leaving on Saturday less than 15 per cent of the total 1,378 who attempted the crossing. The 1,194 who reached Britain brought the total so far this year to 14,811 the highest ever recorded in the first five months of a year and up 42 per cent on this time last year. So far this year, France has intercepted just 38 per cent of migrants, down from 45 per cent last year, 46.9 per cent in 2023 and 42.4 per cent in 2022, despite the UK putting up 480 million over three years to fund extra officers and surveillance equipment on the beaches to stop the migrants. France has committed to changing its laws so police can stop boats in shallow waters, but has yet to make good on this pledge. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, has urged the Government to suspend its 12-year fishing deal with France until it intercepts migrants at sea and stops the Channel crossings. Ms Caroit, who is vice-president of the National Assemblys foreign affairs committee, said it was unfair to say that France had no political will to stop the boats. She added: One thing is for sure, the numbers are increasing but they have been increasing since Brexit, after the UK is no longer part of the Dublin Regulation and has a very weak asylum policy. The Dublin agreement enabled the UK to return migrants to the EU if it was shown they had travelled through a European country and had failed to claim asylum there. But no replacement was negotiated in the Brexit talks, although Sir Keir Starmer is seeking to agree a similar scheme. Credit: PA Challenged over Frances low stop rate, Ms Caroit admitted that once the boats are in the water, it is impossible for the French policemen to actually intercept them. She said the legal change allowing police to intervene in shallow waters would make a difference, adding: Its a matter of legislation, but its also a matter, again, of what happened after Brexit. Before, it was easier to have the migrants return. We need increased co-operation between the UK and the French, the authorities and policemen, so that we can actually have a clear division of what can be done when the boats are in the water. And most importantly, it is important to deter these boats from actually wanting to go to the UK. Because unless we stop this, we can put more money into it, there will be more boats. Asked about the UK being an El Dorado, she said: It is. Its a complex situation. People want simple solutions, but you have to go to Calais and see what it looks like, and how many boats you have and how many people are waiting to go to the UK. So, of course, there is a part that can be improved in France, and were working towards that. But I also think the UK needs to take responsibility, because it is so attractive to these migrant routes as of today, and we actually need to work together instead of blaming each other. Sir Keir Starmers spokesman claimed that the 480m deal Rishi Sunak signed with France to help stop the boats was good value for money, citing the 9,000 migrants whom the French had stopped from crossing so far this year. Keir Starmer has been told he must solve the Armys crisis in recruitment - PA Sir Keir Starmer has bet on a gap year army to fight the Russian threat. A new review aiming to transform defence over the next decade recommends school and college leavers spend a year in uniform to test whether they enjoy forces life amid efforts to solve a crisis in recruitment. The Strategic Defence Review, which draws on more than 8,000 responses from 1,700 individuals, political parties and organisations, seeks to overhaul the way wars are fought, with a focus on drones, AI and autonomous platforms. Its recommendations have been accepted in full by the Government. Troops numbers are set to be increased although a detailed timeline has not been set Britains aircraft carriers will become hybrid and there will be better use of fighter jets to ensure they are cost effective. The overall aim of the review is to make the army 10 times more lethal by 2035. People and education The review puts people at the heart of its transformation of defence. This includes improving recruitment to tackle the hiring crisis, with innovative new ways such as promoting military gap years for school and college leavers. It points to the Australian militarys gap years as an exciting model to learn from. Younger pupils will be taught the importance of the British military in school, under the plans. They will also have lessons on what a career can look like in the Armed Forces, from traditional soldiering to computer coding. The review also suggests that Cadet Forces should be expanded across the country by 30 per cent by 2030, with an ambition to reach 250,000 cadets in the longer term. The number currently stands at 140,000. A significant problem with recruitment is how long it takes for people to be signed up. But the review calls for a focus on speed by drastically shortening the period between application and actual joining. It said this could be solved by being more flexible in medical and fitness standards and shorter commitments that give people a flavour of military careers. A retention crisis has plagued all three forces. One answer to solve this is introducing flexible working in order to support families. This will work by allowing personnel to dial their commitment up and down throughout their career, which is described as a shift from current practice. It calls for greater stability in locations and postings for personnel to be embraced, as well as more options to support home ownership for troops. Royal Marines. The report wants all three sections of the Armed Forces to work closer together Whole of society approach The report has called on the British public to harbour no illusions about the threats it faces. It warns that the nature of attacks on the UK will change and intensify, which will require a nationwide response. It says that lessons learnt from Ukraine show the need for national resilience. This needs to be a collective response to threats both above and below the threshold of an armed attack, which would come from industry, the finance sector, civil society, academia and education. It stresses the importance of reconnecting with society. This will be achieved by promoting a national conversation that raises awareness of the threats to the UK, what the Armed Forces do to deter and protect the nation, and how fundamentally to counter threats to false information that circulates. It warns: Decades of fighting wars overseas and shrinking personnel numbers have led to a society with less awareness of defence. Other suggestions to promote the work of the British military include public engagement days. Drones and AI As John Healey, the Defence Secretary, said in his foreword of the review: Drones now kill more people than traditional artillery in the war in Ukraine, and whoever gets new technology into the hands of their Armed Forces the quickest will win. He added that, with the advance of technology, future battlespaces will be a combination of conventional and digital warfighters owing to drones, AI and autonomous weapons that compliment the heavy metal of tanks and artillery. The review states that the effective use of uncrewed autonomous platforms to create agility, lethality, mass and endurance is crucial to how the forces strength will be perceived by adversaries as much as the number of people and equipment it has to its name. The review urges the Government to embrace new technologies that are redefining warfare, including AI, machine learning and data science all of which improve the quality and speed of decision making and operational effectiveness. It highlights robotics and autonomy and enhanced precision weapons that enable greater accuracy from larger ranges. It also focuses on the importance of directed energy weapons such as DragonFire, hypersonic missiles that travel over five times the speed of sound and space-based capabilities as adversaries focus on developing ways to disrupt military and civilian assets in and from space. The UKs threadbare defence to ballistic missiles Drones and lasers together will be handed a total of 5 billion in new investment. Areas that require particular attention include advances in quantum computing that can reduce reliance on GPS, which is vulnerable to jamming, cyber threats becoming harder to navigate as technology becomes more advanced, and biological threats that can cause enormous harm in the form of new pathogens and other weapons of mass destruction. Maritime The review has committed to creating a new hybrid navy that will build on the Dreadnought and SSN-Aukus submarines, as well as cutting-edge warships and support ships, while transforming the carriers into hybrid air wing vessels that can act as a launch pad for drones as well as aircraft. 2203 Royal Navy future attack-submarine SSNR class It also encourages the forces to introduce new autonomous vessels to patrol the North Atlantic and beyond. It calls on the Royal Navy to play a leading and co-ordinating role in securing undersea pipelines, cables and maritime traffic. It points out that the smooth running of daily life and the economy depends on Critical National Infrastructure not being interfered with and warns: Based on adversaries current doctrine, in the event of major war the UK should expect sub-threshold attacks. It tells the Government that it must articulate as a priority which elements of UK CNI are integral to to sustaining operations and projecting force overseas. The Royal Navy's surface and submarine fleet It says that the Navy must move towards working with a mix of uncrewed, crewed and autonomous surface and sub-surface vessels and aircraft, as well as developing the next-generation capabilities such as 12 new nuclear-powered SSN-AUKUS submarines. A total of 15 billion will be invested in new nuclear warheads. In order to deter and defend in the Euro-Atlantic the Navy has been urged to focus on its Atlantic Bastion plan, which works to secure the North Atlantic from a modernising Russian submarine force, and Type 45 destroyers, which provide air and missile defence. Land domain While the Army has used advanced simulation to provide effective training, the report warns that personnel must not lose sight of their live fire ability over distances of 100km or more, which remains essential to assuring the Armys fighting capability. Despite the move towards a greater focus on autonomous systems and cyber, it also adds that the Army will continue to need armoured platforms and attack helicopters to confront a major state adversary, fighting to take and hold ground, showing that traditional methods of fighting are not obsolete yet. But it acknowledges that autonomous and uncrewed land and aerial systems are an essential component of land warfare. It is called the recce-strike approach where existing capabilities and technologies are combined with evolving technology. It urges the Army to be bolder in its ambition, seeking to increase lethality ten fold. The Armys fighting capability just be improved - LPhot Finn Stainer-Hutchins The SDR also found the Army must increase troop numbers for the first time in a generation to combat the growing threat from rivals such as Russia. It has recommended an uplift in the number of soldiers to 100,000, including both regulars and reservists. Air domain The review insists that the RAF keeps up with air evolution, transitioning from crewed combat air platforms to a Future Combat Air System which is a combination of crewed, uncrewed and autonomous platforms. It says new autonomous platforms must be designed to operate in collaboration with the fourth, fifth and future generations of combat aircraft and to be able to operate on the UKs two aircraft carriers. It suggests that to ensure value for money, the new F-35s to be procured should be a combination of both F-35 a and b models. It says further E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft should be bought when funding permits, and suggests a cost-sharing arrangement with Nato allies as a way to achieve this. It says the current flying training arrangements for fast jets must be urgently revised to optimise capacity and advises that Hawk T1 and Hawk T2 should be replaced with a cost-effective fast jet trainer. It also calls on Brize Norton, the RAF base, to allow commercial facilities to use it should it be unavailable for operations. Space domain The report notes how congested and contested space is becoming, flagging that operational satellite fleets of China and Russia grew by 70 per cent in 2019-21. As a result, it says that defence must improve its ability to deter threats to and if necessary protect its interests in space. It calls on the MoD to invest in the resilience of UK military space systems, focusing on space control, decision advantage and capabilities. It instructs the MoD to seek partners to develop a next-generation, overhead, persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability. It says that by doing this they can warn and track threats in the Euro-Atlantic. Industry The report states that the effectiveness of a military can be measured by how quickly an industry can innovate and bring new technology into operation. The review says that for defence to be fully successful it must develop an understanding of the relationship between its military competitiveness and the performance of the defence innovation and industrial base. It suggests as a starting point that the MoD tracks metrics for the lethality of Armed Forces, productivity within defence and industry and also the national economic impact of defence spending and procurement. It says that at the heart of the transformation of defence should be developing a thriving, resilient innovation and industrial base which can scale innovation and production. The report adds that it is not new to look to better the relationship between defence and industry, but that it has yet to make the cultural change for success. George Orwell was literary editor for the Tribune magazine - Ullstein Bild/Getty George Orwells former magazine has been taken over by the founder of a Muslim TV channel. Tribune has traditionally been a key publication for the Labour movement, and Orwell served as literary editor for the magazine, which published leading writers including HG Wells and George Bernard Shaw. The magazine, founded in 1937, has now been acquired by Mohamed Ali Harrath, chairman of the E Media Group, which owns the Islam Channel. The channel, which was fined 40,000 by Ofcom in 2023 for broadcasting content the regulator found to be anti-Semitic and highly offensive, is now run by Mr Harraths son Mohamed Harrath, who acts as chief executive. Mohamed Ali Harrath, chairman of the E Media Group, has acquired the Tribune Mohamed Ali Harrath will serve as chairman for the newly acquired Tribune magazine, for which Labour MP Jon Trickett acts as an editorial adviser. He said: A new future for Tribune should excite anyone who wants real change, and a better and brighter future for all. The editorial independence and the tradition of Tribune are assured, and Im confident that it can become an even more powerful voice for the entire progressive Left, whether inside or outside the Labour Party, as well as for the huge numbers who feel they have no voice in politics and public life. The Tribune is the famous Left-wing political publication - Jeffrey Blackler /Alamy Mr Harrath was granted refugee status by the UK in 2000 after fleeing Tunisia, where he had established the Tunisian Islamic Front, intended to provide non-violent opposition to Ben Alis dictatorship. He founded the Islam Channel in 2004. The Islam Channel announced news of the magazines acquisition, stating that the deal for ownership of Tribune would continue a proud tradition of anti-fascism, anti-imperialism, and advocacy for peace and equality. Tribune plans to produce more issues than its current quarterly output, while also pursuing an ambitious expansion of its editorial mission, according to an editorial message on the magazines website. The late Robin Cook sits behind a poster for Tribune during the Labour conference in Brighton in 1997 - Steve Eason/Getty Mr Trickett, chairman of the Tribune advisory board, has welcomed the takeover. He said: The UK is crying out for an alternative to the establishment media. The scourge of growing poverty alongside extreme wealth should be at the top of the news agenda. The voices of socialists, trade unionists, anti-racists, peace campaigners and anti-imperialists need to be heard far more loudly and clearly. The takeover comes after the Islam Channel was sanctioned by Ofcom for broadcasting the documentary The Andinia Plan, the name of a conspiracy theory that claims Jews made plans to establish a state in South America. Ofcom found that the the theme of a world Jewish conspiracy is one which incites, promotes and justifies hatred based on anti-Semitism and anti-Israeli feeling across the globe, including in the UK. The Islam Channel has been sanctioned by Ofcom for the broadcasting of the documentary The Andinia Plan The channel has also been the subject of a complaint to Ofcom by Dr Taj Hargey, the director of the Oxford Institute for British Islam. Dr Hargey, regarded as a liberal thinker within British Islam, has claimed that the channel consistently portrays Islam as under siege from an oppressive West, and presents Hamas, Iran and Islamist Jihadi groups as legitimate resistance movements against Western democracies. Ofcom said that it is assessing the complaints against our rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate. The Islam Channel denied the accusations in an April rebuttal, adding that for many years, Islam Channel has been under sustained attack from elements of the UK media. Sir Keir Starmers Defence Review faces criticism over funding and troop commitments amid growing Russian threats - WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe For decades, British defence policy has willed the end but not the means. Prime ministers have made soaring speeches, filled with promises to strengthen the Armed Forces, but without demonstrating how all the glittering equipment programmes will be paid for. Incredibly, not even Europes biggest war since 1945 has been enough to end this dismal pattern. Sir Keir Starmer duly announced a Strategic Defence Review (SDR) replete with grandiose phrases (a battle-ready, armour-clad nation) but no new money. The Prime Minister could only restate his existing pledge to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2027, with an ambition to hit 3 per cent in the next Parliament, which means by 2034. So what should have been done? The answer can be summed up in three words: money, mass and drones. Starmer has promised to make Britain a battle-ready, armour-clad nation - Andy Buchanan/via Reuters Money First and foremost, the Prime Minister should have committed to spending 3 per cent of GDP on defence by 2029 at the latest aligning Britain with what is fast becoming the European consensus. Every Nato country bordering Russia now treats 3 per cent as the bare minimum. Poland already spends more than 4 per cent and intends to exceed 5 next year. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are all above 3 per cent and climbing toward 5, while Finland aims to reach 3 per cent by 2029. Yet Britain has only expressed an ambition to reach that target five years later. What assumptions is the Government making about Russias military trajectory? Is Sir Keir confident that Moscow will be unable to invade a Nato ally or launch a broader war in Europe before 2034? If so, why does his assessment differ so starkly from that of Germanys defence chief, General Carsten Breuer, who warned this week that Russia could be ready to strike a Nato country by 2029? This is what the analysts are assessing, Breuer said. So we have to be ready by 2029. Being ready by 2034 will be of little use if heaven forbid the German assessment proves correct. To show true seriousness of purpose, Sir Keir should have set out a clear path to reaching 3 per cent by 2029, with a year-by-year breakdown of spending commitments. Germanys defence chief, Gen Carsten Breuer, has warned that Russia could be ready to attack a Nato country by 2029 - Sean Gallup Mass One of the clearest lessons from the war in Ukraine is that numbers matter. No amount of advanced technology or cyber capability can offset the brutal reality that high-intensity warfare exacts a devastating human toll. Armies must be large enough to absorb heavy losses and still regenerate their fighting strength. It is astonishing that a nation of nearly 70 million has struggled to maintain an army of just 82,000 the modest target set in the 2015 Defence Review. Today, the Armys trained strength has slipped below 73,000 and continues to fall. The Russian army, by contrast, is recruiting about 30,000 new soldiers every month, which means that Vladimir Putin is replicating the entire British Army every 10 weeks. If the Government were serious, it would be doing everything in its power to grow the Army starting with schools and universities, which should be championing military careers as proudly as any other. Instead, despite talk of a whole-of-society approach, Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed on Monday that Army numbers wont rise for another four years. John Healey, the Defence Secretary, said Armed Forces troop numbers will not increase until 2029 - Thomas Krych/PA Media By failing to do whatever it takes to expand the regular Army, the Government risks giving the impression that it has ignored a prime lesson of Ukraines struggle and still underestimates the significance of mass. Mass does not apply simply to the Army. The SDR promises that Britain will build up to 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines to replace the current Astute class by the end of the 2030s. That is good news but the qualifying phrase is revealing. Governments use the phrase up to when they know they will not build the maximum number, but want to give the impression that they might. Far better if Mr Healey had secured the budget increase that would have allowed the deletion of up to. Recommendation 34 of the Defence Review says the Government must confirm the intended numbers of new submarines as soon as possible. Indeed. But time will not make this decision any easier. The failure to agree a final number is yet another sign that this Defence Review follows the worst traditions of its predecessors. Drones Ukraine has just crippled the air-launched component of Russias nuclear arsenal by sending swarms of armed drones to destroy enemy bombers on their bases. Earlier, Ukraine crippled the Russian Black Sea fleet and forced it from its home port of Sevastopol by unleashing fleets of autonomous marine drones. Meanwhile, on the front line, drones have become the single biggest killer hunting down individual soldiers and making it impossible for either side to deploy main battle tanks or armoured personnel carriers in combat. Drones, sensors and artillery have combined to create a battlefield where Ukraine routinely breaks up Russian attacks with heavy casualties. The lesson is unmistakable: to be able to fight Russia, Britain needs more drones. Here, the picture in the Defence Review is far better. Mr Healey said that Britain would double investment in autonomous systems and learn the lessons of Ukraine, focusing even more on high technology. British aircraft carriers will be the first in Europe to go to sea with hybrid air wings combining manned and unmanned aircraft. The Royal Navy will become a hybrid force, deploying both conventional warships and autonomous vessels. The RAF will increasingly operate autonomous fighters alongside its Typhoon and F-35 jets, capable of defending Britains skies and striking anywhere in the world. The Defence Review says the Army will become 10 times more lethal by integrating its existing formations with land drone swarms. So there is some good news, even if the pattern of grand announcements without new funding is sadly familiar. But drones alone do not convey seriousness of purpose as clearly as increased spending and manpower. By failing to do what is necessary and what many of our European allies are already doing Sir Keir has squandered the chance to demonstrate that he truly grasps the gravity of the moment. Number of reported injuries in the crash rises from 79 - Owen Humphreys/PA The number of reported injuries from the Liverpool victory parade has risen to 109, police have said. Four remained in hospital on Monday, a week after a car ploughed into fans celebrating Liverpool FCs Premier League title win. Police initially said 79 people had been injured in the incident on Water Street, and later revealed that the youngest victim was nine, and the eldest 78. Meanwhile, Paul Doyle, a former Royal Marine, 53, appeared at Liverpool magistrates court on Friday facing seven charges, including wounding with intent, causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent and attempting to cause GBH with intent and dangerous driving. Paul Doyle appeared at Liverpool magistrates court on Friday facing seven charges, including causing grievous bodily harm - Julia Quenzler/REUTERS In an update on Monday, a Merseyside Police spokesman said: The number of people reported to have been injured currently stands at 109. Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said it was a complex and constantly evolving investigation. She added: We are still working through and assessing those reporting being injured and our inquiries remain ongoing. I would like to thank everyone who has been in touch with us so far to give witness accounts or supply information or video footage. The response so far has been of great assistance in progressing the investigation. We have had more than 500 submissions to the Major Incident Police Portal (MIPP) and a team of detectives are currently working through the information provided. I would continue to appeal for anyone who has information and is yet to come forward to please get in touch as a matter of urgency. The youngest person injured in the incident on Water Street was reported to be aged nine - X Mr Doyles charges relate to six victims, including two children aged 11 and 17. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear for a plea hearing on August 14. Detective Superintendent Wilson said: As a person has now been charged in connection with this incident, I would like to remind people not to speculate or share information or footage which could in any way jeopardise the case. We understand that emotions are still running high, and people are seeking answers, but it is vital that we allow the matter to go through the judicial process. Police previously said they believed the car that struck pedestrians was able to follow an ambulance crew attending to someone suffering a heart attack after a road block during Liverpool FCs celebrations was temporarily lifted. Hamit Coskun leaving Westminster magistrates court, where he was found guilty of a religiously aggravated public order offence - Aaron Chown/PA Wire British courts have been accused of reviving blasphemy laws after a man who set fire to a copy of the Koran was convicted of a racially aggravated public order offence. Hamit Coskun shouted f--- Islam and Islam is religion of terrorism while holding the religious text above his head during a protest on Feb 13. The 50-year-old, who was violently attacked by a passerby during the demonstration in London, went on trial last week, accused of an offence under the Public Order Act. At Westminster magistrates court on Monday, he was found guilty of a religiously aggravated public order offence of using disorderly conduct, which was motivated in part by hostility towards members of a religious group, namely followers of Islam. Robert Jenrick, shadow justice secretary, said: This decision is wrong. It revives a blasphemy law that parliament repealed. Free speech is under threat. I have no confidence in Two-Tier Keir to defend the rights of the public to criticise all religions. Blasphemy laws were abolished in the UK 17 years ago. Derogatory remarks about Islam In a statement after the verdict, Coskun said the decision was an assault on free speech that would deter others from exercising their democratic right to protest. He added: As an activist, I will continue to campaign against the threat of Islam. Christian blasphemy laws were repealed in this country more than 15 years ago, and it cannot be right to prosecute someone for blaspheming against Islam. Would I have been prosecuted if Id set fire to a copy of the Bible outside Westminster Abbey? I doubt it. The CPS said that Coskun was not being prosecuted for burning the book. They argued it was the combination of his derogatory remarks about Islam and the fact that it was done in public that made it an offence. The CPS originally charged Coskun, who is an atheist, with harassing the religious institution of Islam. However, the charge was later amended after free speech campaigners took up his cause and argued he was essentially being accused of blasphemy. Credit: Crown Prosecution Service District Judge John McGarva said, there was a real problem with the original charge, which referred to Islam as if it was a person, when it is not. He said, however, that the current prosecution was not an attempt to bring back and expand blasphemy law. He said: A decision needs to be made as to whether your conduct was simply you exercising your right to protest and freedom of speech or whether your behaviour crossed a line into criminal conduct. Katy Thorne KC, Coskuns barrister, had argued that even the amended charges against him effectively criminalised any public burning of a religious book and were tantamount to blasphemy laws. It is effectively chilling the right of citizens to criticise religion, she said. She said Coskuns actions were not motivated by hostility towards the followers of Islam but the religion itself. Judge McGarva, however, said he did not accept that argument. Addressing Coskun, he said: You believe Islam is an ideology which encourages its followers to violence, paedophilia and a disregard for the rights of non-believers. You dont distinguish between the two. I find you have a deep-seated hatred of Islam and its followers. That is based on your experiences in Turkey and the experiences of your family. Highly provocative actions Giving his verdict, Judge McGarva said: Your actions in burning the Koran where you did were highly provocative, and your actions were accompanied by bad language in some cases directed toward the religion and were motivated at least in part by hatred of followers of the religion. The judge ordered Coskun, who is currently claiming asylum, to pay a fine of 240. The court heard Coskun, who is now in hiding, had to flee his home country of Turkey two and a half years ago to escape persecution. He argued he was protesting against the Islamist government of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Giving evidence, Coskun made a number of comments about Islam, including claiming the majority of paedophiles are Muslim. Lawyers for the CPS insisted that Coskun was not being prosecuted for setting fire to the Koran. Philip McGhee, for the CPS, said: He is being prosecuted for his disorderly behaviour in public. He added: Nothing about the prosecution of this defendant for his words and actions has any impact on the ability of anyone to make any trenchant criticism of a religion. On Feb 13, Coskun, who is of Armenian-Kurdish descent, travelled from his home in the Midlands to the Turkish consulate in Knightsbridge. He then set fire to the holy book and held it above his head, shouting, Islam is religion of terrorismand f--- Islam. As he did so, a passerby attacked him and appeared to slash at Coskun with a blade and then began kicking him when he fell to the ground. Although the man has admitted assaulting Coskun, he has denied using a knife in the attack. The man, whose identity is subject to reporting restrictions, will go on trial in 2027. We intend to appeal this verdict The National Secular Society (NSS), which, alongside the Free Speech Union, paid for Coskuns legal fees, said the verdict jeopardises free expression. A spokesperson for the FSU said: This is deeply disappointing. Everyone should be able to exercise their rights to protest peacefully and to freedom of expression, regardless of how offensive or upsetting it may be to some people. The Free Speech Union and the National Secular Society intend to appeal this verdict and keep on appealing it until its overturned. If that means taking it all the way to the European Court of Human Rights, we will do so. Religious tolerance is an important British value, but it doesnt require non-believers to respect the blasphemy codes of believers. On the contrary, it requires people of faith to tolerate those who criticise and protest against their religion, just as their values and beliefs are tolerated. Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt are co-chairs of the BMAs resident doctors committee A militant group of medics which recruits through social media is driving forward strike action by resident doctors. The current co-chairs of the British Medical Associations (BMA) resident doctors committee are members of DoctorsVote, which professes to be a grassroots organisation committed to advocating for the full pay restoration of UK doctors. The group is prolific on social media, where disgruntled medics unite, often behind pseudonyms, seeking to forge ahead with more strikes designed to further boost their salaries. In spring, junior doctors now referred to formally as resident doctors were offered the biggest pay rise in the public sector in a bid to end years-long disruption to the NHS. The average full-time salary for a resident doctor will now be more than 54,000, the Department of Health and Social Care said but the BMA wants another set of strikes to force another 30 per cent pay hike. The slogan: Be a crab, not a scab is used to enforce picket lines, and now crustaceans can be seen on the social media accounts of advocates. The humble crab is now shorthand for strike approval. The humble crab is now shorthand for strike approval Reddit, TikTok, Instagram and X are awash with the group, which makes use of Gen Z memes and trends to promote its message. This, in tandem with a traditional TV and PR campaign, creates a potent propaganda machine. In recent years, the group has come to dominate the BMA. The co-chairs of the BMA resident doctors committee in 2022-2024 both had roots in DoctorsVote. Their successors, Dr Melissa Ryan, a 45-year-old paediatrician from Nottingham, and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt, a 29-year-old surgical trainee from Merseyside, were also elected under the same banner. DoctorsVote won 70 out of 75 seats on regional junior doctor committees across England in 2023. The fresh 30 per cent demand comes on the back of a 22 per cent pay rise that Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, and Sir Keir Starmer prioritised after Labours landslide election win last year. Wes Streeting and Sir Keir Starmer may be paying the price for their negotiation tactics - LEON NEAL/AFP Now, the Government appears to be paying the price for it negotiation tactics. As one Tory MP told The Telegraph: If you roll over so easily then, why would they stop now? Or, as one anonymous doctor online put it: We have them by the balls. Lets squeeze. Dr Nieuwoudt confessed earlier this week that Mr Streetings latest offer was generous but, he said, not generous enough. The BMA sent out a leaflet to the 50,000 members who will vote on whether they are prepared to take strike action and to further the pay dispute. Half need to reply for it to progress. In the leaflet, a section of frequently asked questions includes one in which junior doctors raise concerns that they are now perceived as greedy by their registrars and consultants. They are now cognisant of the reality that they profited the most in recent years compared to other public sector professions, and are worried about how fresh action would look. And, it seems, the public shares their stance and has a diminishing perception of the strike advocates. Gone is the majority support for them to be paid more, replaced by a sense of fatigue that strikes and withdrawal of care are being used to wring out more money from the taxpayer. The public is growing increasingly weary of NHS strikes - Jordan Pettitt/PA More people now oppose strikes than support them, a YouGov poll has found a profound shift from last year, when more than half of people said they supported the strikes. Now, the resident doctors of DoctorsVote want to strike again. Coordination of industrial action with more senior doctors and specialists could hobble the NHS at skeleton staffing akin to Christmas Day levels. The cost to the NHS of 44 days of strike action last year was around 3 billion, according to the NHS Confederation, and this enormous cost is now also being weaponised by the movement. Dr Ryan told The Sunday Times: We know how much the strikes last time were disruptive to patient care and the waiting list, but we also know exactly how much they cost the government, and it was more than what it would cost to get to full pay restoration. Last time we ended up coordinating some action and it was immensely disruptive for patient care, and we can see that on the horizon for this Government too. The cairn built in memory of the 29 people killed in the RAF Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre - Andrew Milligan/PA The Ministry of Defence is facing a human rights lawsuit over the Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre 30 years ago that killed 29 people. The families of those who died have said they are beginning legal action against the MoD for not ordering a public inquiry. They want a High Court judge to review information which they say was not included in previous investigations, and which they believe will shed new light on the airworthiness of the helicopter. RAF Chinook ZD576 was carrying 25 British intelligence personnel from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to a conference at Fort George near Inverness when it crashed in foggy weather on June 2 1994. All 25 passengers made up of personnel from MI5, the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the British Army were killed, along with four crew members. The wreckage of the RAF Chinook helicopter, which crashed on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994 - Chris Bacon/PA The families of the victims, who have formed the Chinook Justice Campaign, said failing to order a public inquiry was a breach of the Governments human rights obligations. In a letter to the Government 31 years after the crash, the group said: The investigations conducted to date, whether considered individually or in combination, have failed to discharge the investigative duty. They have also called for the release of documents that were sealed at the time of the crash for 100 years, something revealed in a BBC documentary last year. Mark Stephens, the solicitor representing the families, said: In this case, the families of those who were killed have seen more than enough evidence to convince them, and us, that there was a failure by the MoD to apply appropriate safeguards in order to protect the passengers and crew. In fact, they were put on board an aircraft that was known to be positively dangerous and should never have taken off. That is why we are seeking a judicial review into the Governments failure to hold a public inquiry which the families have sought for more than a year. Flight Lieutenants Jonathan Tapper, left, and Richard Cook, the two pilots of the Chinook - PA Following the crash, the Chinooks pilots, Flt Lt Richard Cook and Flt Lt Jonathan Tapper, were accused of gross negligence, but this verdict was overturned by the government 17 years later, following a campaign by the families. A subsequent review by Lord Philip set out numerous concerns raised by those who worked on the Chinooks, with the MoDs testing centre at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire declaring the Chinook Mk2 helicopters unairworthy prior to the crash. In 2010, it was reported that faulty computer software could have led to the crash. Esme Sparks, who was seven when her father Maj Gary Sparks was killed in the crash, said: We dont want to have to take legal action against the Government and MoD but we do want and need answers surrounding the circumstance of this crash. We want to know who or what is being protected? Who made the decision to let this helicopter take off? What is being hidden? In our view, a public inquiry is key. The MoD said that records held in the National Archives contain personal information and early release of those documents would breach their data protection rights. An MoD spokesman said: The Mull of Kintyre crash was a tragic accident and our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families, friends and colleagues of all those who died. Alex Davies-Jones was targeted while on the campaign trail - Roger Harris A pro-Gaza protester who harassed a minister will avoid a criminal record if she does not reoffend within the next year. Hiba Ahmed, 26, and Ayeshah Behit, 31, left justice minister Alex Davies-Jones feeling terrified after confronting her during the 2024 general election campaign. They had filmed a confrontation with Ms Davies-Jones, the Labour MP for Pontypridd, in her constituency. Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring found both defendants guilty of harassment but sentenced them to a conditional discharge and fine at Cardiff magistrates court. Ahmed, an architecture student at the University of Cardiff with no previous convictions, was given a 12-month conditional discharge. Her conviction will not show up in criminal records checks if she does not offend within the next year. If she does reoffend, she can be sentenced for this offence and the new one. Ayeshah Behit put posters on the Labour office referring to politicians enabling genocide - Claire Hayhurst/PA Behit, who has a conviction relating to a protest in Cardiff in 2024, received an 18-month conditional discharge. They were both ordered to pay 650 costs and a 26 court surcharge at a rate of 20 per month. During the trial, Ms Davies-Jones told the court that as she made her way to the campaign meeting place with some young Labour members she saw Behit and Ahmed with leaflets describing her as a full-blown supporter of this genocide, referring to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Hiba Ahmed leaves the court in Cardiff after escaping a jail sentence - Claire Hayhurst/PA They asked me about the ceasefire and why I had abstained. I clarified I hadnt abstained, I wasnt in the country, I was paired in that vote, she said. Ahmed and Behit then followed them down the street shouting: Why do you support genocide, why are you murdering babies Alex Davies-Jones? Video posted on social media Later in the day, the defendants put posters on the walls of the Labour office in the town that referred to politicians enabling genocide. They also placed stickers in black capital letters reading Alex Davies-Jones how many murdered children is too many? on the office and a poster that said Alex Davies-Jones supports genocide on a bus stop. A video of the confrontation posted on social media described Ms Davies-Jones as racist. Judge Goldspring told Ahmed and Behit: This conduct was clearly designed to cause alarm and distress to her. He said their actions went beyond the boundaries of freedom of speech and was beyond robust scrutiny or political process. Ahmed said she and Behit,both of Treforest, had wanted to raise awareness of Ms Davies-Joness actions on Palestine ahead of the election. Speaking outside court, she said that both she and Behit would appeal their convictions. In a statement shared after the convction Ms Davies-Jones said: As the Minister for Victims in the UK Government I know all too well how difficult it can feel to experience crime and go through the criminal justice system but I also know how important it is to do so. I want to thank South Wales Police, the witness support officers and the Chief Magistrate for their service to our justice system. I am not the first politician to experience this kind of abuse, and unfortunately probably wont be the last. I have great admiration for colleagues of all political parties who are working hard to serve their constituents we should be able to do so freely and safely. I am always happy to engage in constructive debate and discuss differing views with any of my constituents. Its an honour to serve my community and I try to be as accessible as possible. What todays verdict has shown is that harassment and intimidation of politicians is unacceptable. We are human beings doing our jobs. And now, Im back to getting on with mine. Beach Box Spa Brighton says their move to ban trans women goes against everything they believe in Transgender rights activists have forced a spa to apologise for banning biological men from a steam room session. Beach Box Spa in Brighton was accused of giving in to the woke mob after it said sorry for excluding trans women from the female-only session last Thursday. Owners had originally opted to exclude transgender women from the session to allow female customers to feel safe while relaxing in their swimwear. They later performed a U-turn after facing criticism from transgender activists online. In a message on their website, they said the decision had been wrong and goes against everything we believe in. They also said they believe trans women are women and trans men are men. The firm is also now holding a new queer sauna session from Thursday and said its staff may require further LGBTQ+ inclusion training. The apology issued by Beach Box Spa Customers accused the spa of ignoring the law in light of the Supreme Courts ruling that transgender women are not legally women. One said: This self-flagellation over supporting womens right to safety, privacy and dignity is sickening. Another customer pointed out that the business had opted to alienate and offend women rather than take into account the court ruling. The row began after an Instagram follower asked if a transgender woman could attend, only to be told: This is for cis women. Cis, or cisgender, is a term used to describe someone whose gender identity aligns with their biological sex. India Willoughby, a transgender newsreader and vocal critic of JK Rowling, accused the spa of excluding trans women from womens spaces. One critic said: I absolutely loved your saunas but your decision to exclude trans women is incredibly disappointing. Your business operates in a queer city. I wont be using a space that excludes my trans siblings. Please do better than this. Against everything we believe in The full apology from Beach Box said: We got it wrong and we are so incredibly sorry. At Beach Box, weve always aimed to create an inclusive, welcoming space for everyone-regardless of gender, identity, background or lived experience. But this week, we made a mistake that caused hurt and disappointment, particularly within our trans communities. We want to say, with sincerity we are truly sorry. We now understand that promoting or hosting a cis-only event goes against everything we believe in. It was wrong, and we take full responsibility for the harm this has caused. One of our comments on Instagram added to that harm, and we deeply regret it. We want Beach Box to continue to be a space where everyone feels welcome and well keep doing the work to make sure it feels that way. Villagers have won their fight to have a giant fence that was blocking beautiful views removed - Wales News Service Villagers have won a fight to tear down a giant fence that was blocking views of a Welsh national park. Dubbed the Great Wall of Clydach, the 6ft-high steel fence is a 200 metre-long and cost 40,000 to build despite the Labour-led council giving residents no notice. But now after weeks of complaints, officials have agreed to spend 20,000 tearing it down. The roadside structure blocks views of the mountains and valleys within Waless Brecon Beacons National Park (now known as Bannau Brycheiniog) and close to the Unesco World Heritage site of Blaenavon. Villagers described the fence, made of galvanised steel with sharp spikes on top, as disgusting and criticised the council for a lack of consultation. The fence is made of galvanised steel with sharp spikes on top - Wales News Service Officials said it was erected along Pwll Du Road, which has been closed to traffic for five years, over fears it could collapse. Clive Thomas, a resident, said: Its just an eyesore. When the sun is on it and everything, it just looks out of place. Simon Elliott, who also lives in the village, added: There was no consultation with anyone. The fence has been put up with no understanding at all of what the area is. All it needed was a low-level fencing to stop any cattle or people going over the edge into the quarry. The giant fence is about 200m long - Wales News Service Monmouthshire county council has agreed to remove the fence and replace it with a shorter structure that will blend in with the surroundings. Simon Howarth, an independent councillor, said he was pleased with the councils decision, but added: We shouldnt have got here, and claimed the huge bills could have been avoided. He said: Overall, we are where we should have started, but around 50,000 to 70,000 worse off. A council spokesman said: Following a positive meeting, the local community and the council agreed with the proposal to reduce the height of the back line of the palisade fencing, replacing it with stock proof fencing and painting the reveals and pillars with a suitable colour to blend in with the landscape. Premier Chris Minns government has vowed to spend $344m on preventing psychological injuries in the workplace as it attempts to get its workers compensation bill passed. Photograph: Alamy This week is crunch time for the New South Wales ailing workers compensation system. A bill that will constrain claims for psychological injury at work as a result of trauma, PTSD, bullying and harassment has been introduced into state parliament and will be debated. The government wants to limit the ability of NSWs 4.5 million workers to claim compensation for psychological injury in a bid to rein in costs. The government wants to raise the threshold when it comes to the level of injury required for compensation, and it will be harder to get lifetime payments. Unions, the legal profession and medical experts were highly critical of the first draft, saying it was too draconian and would make it all but impossible for injured workers to claim for psychological injury. Related:NSW workers compensation overhaul would make it virtually impossible to lodge successful claims for psychological injuries, experts warn Over the past month, the government has made changes to try and win over opponents. It has moved to better define injuries suffered by police and paramedics who witness traumatic events. Labor also wants a fast track for people to receive compensation for harm caused by bullying and harassment, rather than needing an industrial relations commission ruling. Its added excessive work demands as a compensable harm. It has promised to spend $344m on preventing psychological injuries in the workplace, including more workplace inspectors. Labor needs to convince the crossbench or the Coalition that the legislation is fair and workable to get the bill passed. Why have claims for psychological injury increased so much? People have become much more aware of psychological injuries. Workplaces are now legally obliged to recognise and deal with circumstances and behaviours that can lead to psychological harm, such as repeated witnessing of traumatic situations, as well as bullying in the workplace or sexual harassment. Rather than tolerate it, workers are encouraged to speak up. This has also led to a surge of people seeking redress through the workers compensation system. The government is expecting another 80,000 claims over the next five years. Unlike people with physical injuries the majority of whom return to work within a year 50% of those with psychological claims are still off work after one year, the government says. Covid is thought to have further exacerbated psychological claims in the workplace because of the wave of mental health problems it spurred. So whats the big hurry? The state workers compensation scheme is in big trouble financially. Over the past five years the NSW government has tipped $6bn into the scheme, Chris Minns says. That is money from hospitals, schools, public transport, farmers and flood relief going into a system that should sustain itself, the premier told parliament last week. The Icare nominal insurers workers compensation scheme recorded a net loss of $1.88bn last financial year. With the state budget due to be delivered on 24 June, the treasurer, Daniel Mookhey, will be forced to reveal the latest losses and the expected financial trajectory of the scheme over the next four years. It will not be a pretty picture, but just how bad it is depends on whether the legislation is passed. Mookhey says businesses are facing a 36% increase in workers compensation premiums due to increased claims, mainly for psychological injury. What are the key changes the government has proposed? The government wants to limit claims for lifetime financial support by changing the threshold for whole-of-person impairment from 20% to 30%. The Australian Association of Psychologists vice-president, Katrina Norris, previously told the Guardian that raising the threshold of permanent impairment to above 30%, as had been proposed, would make successful claims nearly impossible. An impairment of 15% requires an individual to be unable to function independently in almost all domains of life, she has said. The government has introduced clearer definitions of vicarious trauma and acknowledged that psychological injuries arising from repeated exposure to other peoples traumatic experiences are compensable. The revised bill states that witnessing attempted suicide or suicide is such an event. Initially, the government proposed tough rules around claims for psychological injury caused by alleged harassment or bullying, which would have first required a court or tribunal finding that such conduct occurred. This could act as a significant deterrent to workers seeking compensation for psychological injuries, King & Wood Mallesons law firm said in a note to clients. Now, there is a proposed eight-week pathway for assessing bullying and harassment claims, leading to limited payments. Workers can still choose the alternative route of heading to the Industrial Relations Commission first. The government says it wants to recognise harm caused by bullying and harassment, but get people back to work as quickly as possible. What sweeteners has the government offered? The government says preventing these type of injuries at work is better than compensation. Its promoting preventive measures through a workplace mental health package worth $344m to provide additional support in the workplace, including more than 50 new inspectors specialising in psychological injury and wraparound psychological support services for people navigating the claims process. What are the chances of the legislation passing? Labors best bet is getting the Coalition onside. The crossbench and Greens in the lower house have expressed serious reservations even with the amendments proposed last week. The NSW workers compensation scheme needs reform, but it must not come at the cost to our most vulnerable workers, the independent MP Alex Greenwich has said. He has offered to work with the government and the union movement to improve the bill. The opposition was meeting to discuss the legislation on Monday. We recognise the need to reform the workers compensation system to put major downward pressure on premiums, the opposition leader, Mark Speakman, said on Sunday. Shadow cabinet has had the complex bill for less than a week. It has major changes from the exposure draft, which itself was hastily produced. 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 This article was corrected on 3 June 2025 to make clear that 50% of people with psychological claims are still off work after one year, not five years as previously stated. A really complex mix of factors influences the chances of whether someone becomes a perpetrator of intimate partner violence. Photograph: Islandstock/Alamy One in three Australian men has reported committing domestic violence, world-first research has found and the same research has identified new ways to tackle it. The Australian Institute of Family Studies found fostering affectionate relationships between sons and fathers (or father figures) was associated with reducing the risk of intimate partner violence (IPV) by as much as 48%. The AIFS Ten To Men Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health is the largest of its kind. It started tracking about 16,000 boys and men in 2013-14, and in 2023-24 added another 10,000 men to the database. Related: Men are not expected to be interested in babies: how society lets new fathers and their families down The definition of intimate partner violence includes emotional as well as physical abuse. Having good social supports is another protective factor, according to the AIFS report based on the studys robust data up to 2022. Men who reported high levels of social support all the time in 2013-14 were 26% less likely to report committing IPV by 2022. Mental health issues such as depression can increase the incidence of violence. Men with moderate or severe depressive symptoms in 2013-14 were 62% more likely to report committing IPV by 2022, while those with mild depressive symptoms were 32% more likely. Those who had experienced suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts were 47% more likely. The report said it was essential to acknowledge that only a minority of men experiencing depressive symptoms will later use [IPV]. Ten to Men respondents were surveyed about their use of, and experience of IPV, and invited to provide yes/no answers to questions including: Have you ever behaved in a manner that has made a partner feel frightened or anxious? (emotional-type abuse) Have you ever hit, slapped, kicked or otherwise physically hurt a partner when you were angry? (physical violence) By 2022 35% of men answered yes to one or both of those questions. About 9% reported physically abusing their partner. The study focused on mental health and social and familial support as factors in IPV, and did not look at other known factors for example, masculine norms and alcohol and drug use were noted as important but not within the studys scope. While the report noted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men have been identified as a priority group within the National Mens Health Strategy 20202030, they were not analysed as a separate group in the report, because of small sample sizes. Ten to Men program lead, Dr Sean Martin, said focusing on mens mental health was good in itself, but he said the research also suggested a broader benefit for their families and communities. Related: An uncomfortable truth: police already know about many offenders who murder women He said, overall, a really complex mix of factors influenced the chances someone would become a perpetrator. It really is this Gordian knot of individual relationships, society, cultural and attitudinal factors, he said. He said the study aimed for a detailed look at some key factors, as well as providing estimates. For us, that was things like mental health and suicide. It was also protective factors: we were particularly looking at social connection and paternal affection, because a lot of previous work has been on parental affection but that usually meant maternal. Micaela Cronin, Australias domestic, family and sexual violence commissioner, said the findings should help inform evidence-based policies. If we are going to end gender-based violence we need to understand more about pathways in to violence, what are protective factors and what are pathways out, she said. Cronin said it was powerful to see the results about affectionate, close relationships with fathers and father figures and young boys. But we need to unpack that and understand it more, she said. What are the elements of it that really lead to strong role models? In 2013-14, about one in four men aged 18 to 57 (24%) in the study had reported committing a form of IPV, according to the report. By 2022, that had risen to one in three. When that data is extrapolated to Australias population, it suggests each year, on average, about 120,000 men are committing IPV for the first time. AIFS director, Liz Neville, said that showed clearly the devastating consequences of delays in effective interventions. Each act of violence harms individuals, families and communities. We hope these disturbing numbers provide the impetus for further action by governments at all levels, underpinned by evidence, she said. The federal government pledged in 2022 to end family and domestic violence in one generation. Australias National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 20222032 has been criticised by some people for its emphasis on gender equality as a primary prevention method, over intervention on specific risk factors. Related: We wont stop violence against women with conversations about respect. This is not working. We need to get real | Jess Hill After an uptick in alleged intimate partner homicide, the government convened a panel of experts last year to do a rapid review of prevention approaches. In response to that, and a review of legal assistance, Anthony Albanese announced a $4.7bn, five-year plan to deal with what he has called the national crisis in domestic violence. The new social services minister, Tanya Plibersek, said the AIFS findings were concerning, but sadly not surprising. Its critical that we look at the factors that might lead to violence so we can make sure were funding programs that stop it at the start, Plibersek said. To end domestic and family violence we need to invest in the frontline services that help people and keep them safe, but we also need to stop the behaviours that lead to it. The studys findings will be used in briefings to governments and policymakers. I will be raising it in every forum I can to ensure attention is paid to it, Cronin said. Martin said there were a lot of things we can do now, but he said also that the broader cultural shifts will take time. In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and at MensLine on 1300 789 978. The national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. The main image on this article was changed on 3 June 2025 to better reflect the story. Since the launch of her Netflix show, Meghan Markle has returned to social media and has been sharing glimpses of her family life with fans. (Getty Images) (Samir Hussein via Getty Images) While Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have previously shared official portraits of their two children, Archie and Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor, they have chosen to keep both out of the spotlight since their departure from royal duties and move to California in 2020. But, coinciding with the release of her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, earlier this year, the Duchess of Sussex returned to social media offering fans a snapshot of her familys new life in the Golden State. The first tidbit Meghan shared was part of a tribute to her late dog Guy, where both Archie and Lili could be seen playing with the pup, and audio of them talking could be heard alongside the backing track. Then, we later saw snippets of the children in a Reel of Meghan making biscuits with friends. She also previously shared a video on Instagram Stories, showing her and Lili wearing matching beekeeping outfits as they approached a beehive. Today, celebrating her daughter's fourth birthday, Meghan posted two black-and-white images of them both one taken recently, the other of when she had just given birth. In all of these pictures, though, she has chosen to keep her children's faces out of shot or obscured to protect their identities. Of course, Meghan and Harry have both expressed their desire for privacy over the years, instead choosing what, when and how they share information with the public (for the most part). But, theyre not the only parents who choose to shield their kids faces when sharing photos and videos online. This is becoming a particularly pertinent trend among parents since various updates to data-sharing policies and Metas announcement that it would be using certain user images and content to help train artificial intelligence (AI) models. Even so, "sharenting" the movement of parents sharing content of their kids online has long been a hot topic of debate. Some argue that social media allows them to connect with other parents and similar communities, as well as give updates to family and friends. But others brandish the exercise as irresponsible and exploitative and thats before we even get to kids having access to their own social media accounts and how to navigate that. So, here's what you need to know. Counsellor Jenny Warwick explains to Yahoo UK that the desire to share content of our children online usually stems from love and pride. (Getty Images) (JGI/Jamie Grill via Getty Images) Can social media platforms share my images? First things first, its important to understand what tech companies can do with images and information. Dr Jason Nurse, a reader of cyber security at the University of Kent, tells Yahoo UK that, depending on the social media platform, there is a risk that images can be shared and used in different ways. He explains: "Companies dont usually own the pictures uploaded to them. Rather, by uploading photos, we are typically agreeing to grant the platform a licence to use our content. This could include obvious actions, such as displaying content on ones profile page, but it may also allow them to use a persons content for other purposes. "This doesnt necessarily mean that photos will appear in other places online (e.g. in advertisements), but it is wise to always read the terms of service before using social media sites," he adds. Developer OpenAI, for example, has previously confirmed that it uses copyrighted material and data from the internet in order to train its chatbot, ChatGPT. Snapchat has also said that by using its AI-generated selfie feature, users' images may be used in ads and sponsored content. Some social media and tech firms have confirmed they are using images and data to train AI models. (Getty Images) (Youngoldman via Getty Images) Should I set my social media accounts to private? Dr Nurse says that while some platforms may have different rules, generally speaking, private settings are more of a safeguard when it comes to protecting your content, particularly if you're worried about sharing pictures of your children. "For some, private accounts primarily control which other individuals on (or off) the platform can view posts or photos. This therefore may not naturally translate to greater restrictions on social media platforms," he explains. "For others, setting photos or posts to private may afford users a higher level of privacy even in terms of their use by the platform itself; this has been discussed especially around private posts, with some platforms like X confirming that such posts are not used to train AI." Should I show my children's faces online? Additional online safety threats, according to Dr Nurse, include photo misuse and exploitation and privacy violation. "Sharing photos of children exposes them to this long before they are even able to curate their own digital presence," he adds. "Shielding their faces, as Meghan has done, can be a good way to protect their identities, as our faces are our most distinguishing features." The impact 'sharenting' can have on children As well as being an issue of consent, sharing content of your child can impact their digital footprint before they even get social media themselves. (Getty Images) (Oscar Wong via Getty Images) Jenny Warwick, a BACP-accredited counsellor who specialises in providing support for parents and carers of adolescents and teenagers, stresses: "Once images are online and 'out there' they are 'out there'. They become widely accessible and can be downloaded, altered, shared and circulated without your consent. Even the most innocent photos can be exploited and misused by people whose intention is not innocent. It's a horrible thought, but unfortunately, it's a reality that highlights the potential for harm." She adds: "Additionally, due to the long-lasting and often permanent imprint of digital footprints, your children are inheriting an online presence that they have not or could not have chosen, which can impact their futures. It also opens up the risk of identity theft as personal information, such as full names, locations, or school uniforms, for example, can be used fraudulently." Jenny Warwick, a BACP-accredited counsellor who specialises in providing support for parents and carers of adolescents and teenagers, stresses: "Once images are online and 'out there' they are 'out there'.. (Getty Images) (Yuliia Kokosha via Getty Images) How would you feel? While Warwick understands the motivation behind posting can range from pride and love to a desire to feel less lonely, she says it's important to assess what can happen beyond the immediate post. She says: "Sharing our children's milestones helps boost a sense of connection and community, so we feel supported and less alone. We want to keep memories of our kids' childhood, and social media platforms make it easy to create a digital scrapbook or diary. Plus, likes, comments and engagement can give a sense of validation and social approval, which feels rewarding. "But when sharing about your child online, consider their future feelings by asking yourself if you would want this information or content shared about you. Avoid posting personal details like full names, school names, locations or dates of birth." "Ask yourself if the content could be misinterpreted or misused, particularly in the case of photos taken at bath time, the beach or during emotionally vulnerable moments," Warwick continues. "While sharing humorous or cute content might feel fun, ask yourself if this is respecting your child's dignity. Is this something they might feel embarrassed or ashamed of if they were aware of it? Ask your child how they feel about a photo being shared. Even very young children can express their consent or dissent." "If your children discover that things were shared without their knowledge, they might feel betrayed, undermining their trust in caregivers to prioritise their well-being," says Jenny Warwick, a BACP-accredited counsellor (Getty Images) (Prostock-Studio via Getty Images) Performing and long-term damage Warwick warns that, while sharing pictures can build a sense of family connection and pride if done mindfully, children may also feel pressure to "perform" for the camera rather than just being themselves. "They may feel embarrassed or ashamed particularly if their private or vulnerable moments are made public," she says. "If they're feeling overly scrutinised or 'known' online, this can impact their mental health, and they may develop anxiety or challenges with their identity." She adds: "If your children discover that things were shared without their knowledge, they might feel betrayed, undermining their trust in caregivers to prioritise their well-being. Plus, when their boundaries and consent aren't considered, they will struggle with boundaries and distinguishing between public and private in their own lives." Before you post... Finally, Dr Nurse advises: "I would always suggest parents consider the implications of sharing such photos, and weigh them up against the risks. If sharing is deemed appropriate, its really important for parents to limit whats included in the photos of children and who can access them. "Ideally, I suggest always limiting viewing to a small circle of family members or friends, and asking them never to re-share photos without your consent." Read more about parenting: German police have begun setting up blue tents at the site in preparation for the search - SOLARPIX Detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are to begin fresh searches close to the former Algarve home of the prime suspect in the case. Around 30 German police officers, along with forensic specialists, will examine a site on the outskirts of Praia da Luz, where convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner was living at the time. Portugese police officers block the access to reporters looking to cover the new search for Madeleine McCann on Tuesday - PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images The 48-year-old German who is currently serving a seven-year sentence for raping an American tourist in Portugal is due to be released from prison later this year and police face a race against time if they are to charge him in the McCann case before he walks free. Portuguese police close roads in the Atalaia area near Praia da Luz on Monday - JTP/Solarpix The fresh searches, which are the most extensive since 2008, will focus on a 26-mile strip of land around Brueckners former cottage, while digs will also take place in specific locations. The area being focused on extends eastwards from the cottage towards an inland area known as Atalaia, close to the resort of Lagos. Sources said the search teams would pay particular attention to wells, ruins and water tanks. The searches will be carried out by officers from the BKA, Germanys equivalent of the FBI. Madeleine McCann was three years old when she vanished - REAL MADRID TV Brueckner had been living in a ramshackle property on the outskirts of Praia da Luz when three-year-old Madeleine was abducted from her parents holiday apartment in May 2007. The convicted rapist and paedophile had spent a number of years living as a drifter in the Algarve in the years leading up to Madeleines disappearance. In 2005, he raped a 72-year-old American tourist after breaking into her home close to Praia da Luz. He was jailed for the offence in 2019 and is due to be released in September this year. Last year, a German court cleared him of another rape and a string of sex abuse charges which allegedly took place in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. Christian Brueckner (left) arriving at court in 2024 - Alexander Koerner The German authorities are considering appealing against that verdict and, if successful, he could be forced to face a retrial. But prosecutors, who named him as the prime suspect in Madeleines disappearance five years ago, are understood to be keen to press charges before he is released. One source said: As soon as Brueckner is free, he will disappear and likely never be seen again. Weve seen it time and time again over the years with other offences and even his own lawyers have said it. He cannot be released. It is believed the latest operation is part of a final push to secure the evidence needed to put him before the courts. On Monday, in preparation for the fresh search, Portuguese police closed roads leading to the area and erected several blue, forensic-style tents. A source in Portugal said: The landowners havent had to be asked for permission and they cant stop the searches from continuing if they turn up because police will be acting with a judicial warrant. They will be land searches only. The main objective is to look for any signs of Madeleines body. Around 30 German police officers have already arrived in Portugal and will be starting the search tomorrow [Tuesday]. Portuguese police will also be on the ground. We are talking about a rural area with a lot of waste ground. Some of the areas that are going to be looked at have already been searched before. The operation is expected to last for three days and signifies the first major search in the Algarve for two years. In 2023, a joint team from Germany, Portugal and the UK carried out digs and dives at a remote dam around a 40-minute drive from Praia da Luz. The prime suspect was known to spend a lot of time at the Barragem do Arade dam, which was even dubbed Brueckners paradise. In a statement, a spokesman for the Portuguese police said: The Policia Judiciaria (PJ) is complying with a European Investigation Decision (DEI) issued by the German authorities and issued by the co-ordinator of the public prosecutors office of the Faro District, with a view to carrying out a wide range of measures, specifically search warrants. They will be carried out between the 2nd and 6th of June in the municipality of Lagos. The search warrant was issued by the Braunschweig public prosecutors office, which is conducting preliminary proceedings against a German citizen suspected of the murder of British citizen Madeleine Beth McCann, who disappeared from a holiday resort in Praia da Luz on 3 May 2007. All the evidence seized by the PJ will, with the prior authorisation of the national public prosecutors office, be handed over to the agents of the German federal criminal police service. Scotland Yard confirmed it was aware of the operation and said it would support the investigation where necessary but would not be involved on the ground. A spokesman for the German federal prosecutors office told The Telegraph: As part of the investigation into the Madeleine McCann case, criminal proceedings are currently under way in Portugal. These proceedings are being implemented through mutual legal assistance by the Portuguese law enforcement authorities with the support of officers from the federal criminal police office. Mexicos President Claudia Sheinbaum at the national palace in Mexico City on Monday. Photograph: Henry Romero/Reuters Mexicos President Claudia Sheinbaum has defended the countrys unprecedented judicial elections after just 13% of Mexicans turned out to vote, a record low in a federal election. Roughly 2,600 posts, from local magistrates to supreme court justices, were up for grabs on Sunday, as an entire judicial system was put to the vote for the first time in the world. Despite the low turnout, Sheinbaum described the process as a complete success, adding: Mexico is the most democratic country in the world. The vote was the result of a radical reform by the governing Morena party, which said it would reduce corruption and impunity in the judicial system by making it more responsive to popular opinion. Related: Mexico steps into unknown with worlds first popular election of all judges: A blind date with democracy But the concept was challenged by critics who said it would bulldoze the separation of powers and could flood the judicial system with candidates who were underqualified and aligned with political interests. The National Electoral Institute had to design and implement the unprecedented and seismically important election in a matter of months. Given the sheer number of positions and candidates involved, critics had warned that a low turnout was likely. Parts of the opposition also called for a boycott. Still, the estimated 13% turnout is far below the more than 60% that tends to turn out for presidential elections, and also lower than any other federal vote in Mexicos democratic history. Once blank and spoiled ballots are taken into account, the effective vote could be still lower. The opposition, which has been unable to find a response to Morenas electoral machine since former president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador first led it to power in 2018, seized on the low turnout to criticise the reform. As we said from the beginning: the election of the judiciary was an absolute failure, said Ricardo Anaya, a former presidential candidate from the conservative Pan party. What we saw was a simulation, a fraud and a mess. Empty ballot boxes, ballots marked prematurely, and citizens who did not even know who they were voting for. This is not democracy. It is an insult. However, there is no minimum turnout required to formally legitimise an election in Mexico. The vote count is expected to be protracted, and results will drip in over the next two weeks. Low turnout favours the clientelistic vote, and there was evidence of illegal party interference in the elections through the distribution of cheat sheets largely with the names of the governments favoured candidates. Many of these sheets focused on the supreme court, which has often acted as a check on Morenas executive power, and a new disciplinary tribune, which will keep judges in line. Other interests including organised crime groups may also have managed to place their own favoured candidates by mobilising voters. Over the coming weeks, experts will scrutinise the results to discern which interests have emerged with more and less influence in Mexicos courts. The new judges will take their seats in a transformed judicial system in September. Yesterdays turnout at the polls met expectations, said Sheinbaum. It was an innovative process that generated interest among the participants. Everything can be perfected, added Sheinbaum, looking ahead to the second round of judicial elections in which another 1,000 judges will be chosen. We will draw conclusions from yesterday to make improvements for 2027. Reform candidate Ross Lambie and councillor Thomas Kerr attend a party event on May 31 in Hamilton - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Reform UK is in an absolute cat fight with Labour and the SNP to win a bellwether Scottish by-election this week, Richard Tice said, ahead of a campaign visit by Nigel Farage. Mr Tice, Reforms deputy leader, told The Telegraph that the SNP remained hot favourites to win Thursdays contest for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse seat in the Scottish Parliament. But, speaking ahead of a joint visit with Mr Farage, the Reform leader, to the constituency on Monday, he said they were chuckling at the apparent desperation of Labour and the SNP over what to do about Reform. Between them, he said both parties had completely dominated Scottish politics for decades and now appeared terrified. The by-election is being viewed as a bellwether for next years Scottish Parliament contest. First Minister John Swinney claimed last week that the Labour campaign had collapsed and the by-election was a straight fight between the SNP and Reform. John Swinney, on the campaign trail on May 31, said the by-election is a fight between the SNP and Reform - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty However, Mr Tice said there was a lot of management of expectations going on and Mr Swinneys ploy was to try and get Labour supporters to vote tactically for the SNP. The Boston and Skegness MP also said that he and Mr Farage would use a press conference in Aberdeen on Monday morning to provide more details on Reforms plan to scrap net-zero targets. Sir Keir Starmers ban on further exploration in the North Sea is deeply unpopular in the north east of Scotland, where thousands of oil and gas workers are based. Mr Tice said Reform wanted to drill, Scotland, drill and to change the course of direction for the Scottish oil and gas industry, and therefore the prospect of jobs and wealth creation. Mr Farages trip to Aberdeen and the by-election are his first campaign visits to Scotland for years, with Mr Tice saying he hoped it was a significant moment for the party. Although he failed to make a single trip north of the border during last years general election, Reform still attracted seven per cent of the popular vote. Its support has surged over the past year and one poll has predicted it will be the second largest party at Holyrood after next years election. Nigel Farage is coming to visit ahead of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Victory in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse would be Reforms first election win in Scotland. However, even a second-placed finish for Mr Farages party would be humiliating for Labour. The by-election was supposed to be a straight fight between the SNP and Labour when it was called in mid-April, following the death of Scottish government minister Christina McKelvie. But both parties activists have been left surprised by the strength of support for Reform on the doorsteps and are worried that it could pull off an unlikely win. Mr Tice said: Obviously the SNP are hot favourites but weve also noticed a lot of chat (Reform could win). I know our team, are working very hard and lets see. These things work in riddles. For all we know there could be a lot of deliberate managing expectations by the SNP and Labour. Its hard to tell. He said Reform has had a really good campaign and it is about getting the vote out on the day. However, he added: Were sort of chuckling at the apparent desperation from two parties that have completely dominated Scottish politics for the last three or four decades. And all of a sudden theyre in an absolute cat fight. And they both seem to be terrified of Reform. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar had accused Reform UK of dog whistle racism over a campaign advert claiming he wants to prioritise the Pakistani community. However, Reform has denied it is racist and insisted it was merely highlighting Mr Sarwars own words, with Mr Farage accusing him of introducing sectarianism into Scottish politics. Mr Swinney said: Be in no doubt, Nigel Farage doesnt care about Scotland. He poses a threat to our values and must be stopped, and only the SNP can do that. In this by-election, the SNP is the only party investing in Scotlands future, delivering for families and confronting Farage. On Thursday, vote SNP to stop Farage. Stephen Flynn, the SNPs Westminster leader and Aberdeen South MP, added: He wont like the comparison, but its the one he deserves - Nigel Farage is just as dangerous to Scotlands long-term energy and economic future as the activists who would shut down the oil and gas industry tomorrow. Those who work in the energy sector understand that there is an obvious path to follow that protects the oil and gas jobs of today whilst at the same time developing the net-zero jobs of tomorrow and by doing so you can secure skills and investment for generations to come. The move by Nigel Farages party has been criticised as political theatre by senior local authority figures and opposition politicians. Photograph: Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock Reform UK has told council officers they will face gross misconduct if they obstruct an Elon Musk-style department of government efficiency unit to examine all council spending in areas they control. The party will pilot the Doge-style scheme in Kent county council, led by a team including the Brexit donor Arron Banks as well as cybersecurity entrepreneur Nathaniel Fried. The move has been criticised as political theatre by senior local authority figures and opposition politicians. Robert Hayward, the Conservative peer and pollster, told Politico he had written to the Electoral Commission arguing that the Reform volunteers should be scrutinised under political donation rules as a donation in kind. Lord Hayward said: Without full disclosure, the risk is that any donation could be buying access or influence election results. Announcing the new initiative, Reform said the team would start to go through all council expenditure, beginning with Kent county council, to identify wasteful spending in the manner of the unit set up by Musk under Donald Trump with the aim of cutting wasteful spending. It said it would use artificial intelligence, advanced data analysis tools and forensic auditing techniques to identify wasteful spending and recommend actionable solutions. It said all council officers should hand over all documents requested, including internal investigations or whistleblowing reports relevant to financial matters. It added: Should you resist this request, we are ready to pass a council motion to compel the same and will consider any obstruction of our councillors duties to be gross misconduct. We trust this will not be required. The instruction was signed by the council leader, Linden Kemkaran; the party chair, Zia Yusuf; and the Reform leader, Nigel Farage. Announcing the scheme, Yusuf said: For too long British taxpayers have watched their money vanish into a black hole. Their taxes keep going up, their bin collections keep getting less frequent, potholes remain unfixed, their local services keep getting cut. Reform won a historic victory on a mandate to change this. As promised, we have created a UK Doge to identify and cut wasteful spending of taxpayer money. Our team will use cutting-edge technology and deliver real value for voters. Farage told GB News that all of those involved were doing it on a voluntary basis. He said: This is day one of Doge. The Doge team has gone into County Hall in Maidstone in Kent this very morning, a team of young tech entrepreneurs who are not being paid. Theyre doing it of their own free will, and were going in to have a look at Kent, have a look at the contracts, to have a look at the expenditure. We hope that the Kent chief executive and the council will work with us because, of course, many of the decisions decisions on spending would have been political decisions. No, Doge is active, up and running as we speak. John Merry, the deputy mayor of Salford who chairs the Key Cities group of 24 councils across the UK, said Doge was absolutely the last thing local authorities need right now. He said: I hear daily from members facing mounting pressures across vital services like Send [special educational needs and disabilities], social care and homelessness. In this context, it is difficult to see how Reforms Doge initiative offers any meaningful solution. What councils need now is not inefficient cost-cutting at the margins, but a serious commitment to long-term funding reform one that aligns grant allocation with local needs and supports a resilient foundation for economic growth. Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, said: If youre looking at Elon Musks Doge and thinking that is how we want to have our bins collected and potholes filled, you might be learning the wrong lesson. Joni Ernst speaks during a news conference at the US Capitol in Washington DC on 10 September 2024. Photograph: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Senator Joni Ernst triggered fierce criticism after making light of voters fears that Republican Medicaid cuts could prove fatal, telling a town hall audience we all are going to die and then filming a mocking response video over the weekend. The Iowa Republican, who is facing a possibly challenging re-election battle in 2026, was explaining at a Friday town hall how the Republican immigration and tax package would affect Medicaid eligibility when an audience member shouted that people could die if they lost coverage through the proposed cuts. Well, we all are going to die, Ernst responded as the crowd groaned. So, for heavens sakes. For heavens sakes, folks. Rather than clarify or apologize, Ernst channeled Trump-era defiance in her response on Saturday with an Instagram video that appeared to be filmed in a graveyard. I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that, yes, we are all going to perish from this earth, she said. So I apologize, and Im really, really glad that I did not have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy as well. She concluded by telling viewers: For those that would like to see eternal and everlasting life, I encourage you to embrace my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. The controversy comes as Senate Republicans prepare to tackle the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill, which passed the House and would slash social safety net spending by more than $1tn over a decade. Congressional Budget Office projections suggest the measure could strip Medicaid coverage from 8.7 million people and leave 7.6 million more Americans uninsured. On Monday afternoon, the White House defended the legislation with a mythbuster statement dismissing claims that the bill would cause deaths as one of Democrats most disgusting lies. The White House argued the bill would actually strengthen and protect the social safety net by removing what it claimed were 1.4 million undocumented people from Medicaid rolls and implementing work requirements for able-bodied adults. By removing at least 1.4 million illegal immigrants from the program, ending taxpayer-funded gender mutilation surgeries for minors, and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse, the One Big Beautiful Bill will ensure Medicaid better serves the American people, the statement read. Senate Republicans acknowledge the House-passed bill will undergo significant revisions, with several Republican senators seeking changes to the Medicaid provisions. Ernsts comments have also provided Democrats with potent ammunition for their argument that Republicans prioritize tax cuts for wealthy Americans over healthcare for ordinary citizens. The Iowa Democratic state senator JD Scholten told Politico on Monday he was launching a campaign to unseat Ernst, saying the senator disrespected its residents. The Democratic National Committee chairperson, Ken Martin, said Ernst had said the quiet part out loud, arguing Republicans dont care whether their own constituents live or die as long as the richest few get richer. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut told CNN on Sunday that the Republican bill is about life and death. Everybody in that audience knows that theyre going to die. They would just rather die in old age, at 85 or 90, instead of dying at 40, Murphy said. And the reality is that, when you lose your healthcare, you are much more at risk of early death. In Iowa, the stakes are notably high, with roughly one in five residents relying on Medicaid coverage, including half of all nursing home residents, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Ernst attempted damage control during Fridays town hall, insisting Republicans would focus on those that are most vulnerable and protect people who meet Medicaid eligibility requirements. The senator faces several primary challengers as she seeks a third term, with the Medicaid controversy potentially complicating her political positioning in a state where healthcare access remains a key voter concern. In December, she was attacked from her right flank for being a Rino after initially hesitating on confirming the secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth. When asked for comment, her office stayed the path. Theres only two certainties in life: death and taxes, a spokesperson for Ernst said, and shes working to ease the burden of both by fighting to keep more of Iowans hard-earned tax dollars in their own pockets and ensuring their benefits are protected from waste, fraud and abuse. EastEnders actor Ross Kemp has said he owes the BBC soap a great debt for giving him a career in television and has refused to rule out a return to the show. The 60-year-old returned to EastEnders as Grant Mitchell after almost 10 years away during its 40th anniversary celebrations earlier this year, as his character returned to Albert Square to help his brother Phil with his mental health problems. Grant recently left Walford again for his home in Portugal. Ross Kemp returned for EastEnders 40th anniversary celebrations (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Asked on ITVs Loose Women whether he would return to the role again, Kemp said: You just dont know, do you? You dont know whats in the minds of the people who work on it. Ive also (always) known that without it, I wouldnt have had the career that Ive had, Ive always owed it a great debt and it was very good to me, and hopefully I was good to it, and why not keep it that way? Ive always believed that you should leave doors swinging rather than shut them. Kemp, who went on to produce a number of documentaries since first leaving EastEnders in 1999 including Ross Kemp On Gangs, Ross Kemp In Afghanistan and Ross Kemp: Extreme World, said he enjoyed returning to the soap. He explained: It was so wonderful to jump into Grants leather jacket again, which I can still get in. Its a family, its an ongoing thing, and Im talking about the past, and theyre really busy doing their own thing, I just parachute in, and I exit generally by the tube station. But theyve got to be welcoming, because its like a high-speed train, youve got to jump on it at the right time or you miss it. So luckily, Steve McFadden (who plays Phil), and Paul Bradley (who plays Nigel Bates), and Letitia (Dean, who plays Sharon Watts) opened the door for me, and it was like going back home, and it was great. Kemp began on the soap in 1990, and his previous appearance prior to his 2025 return, in 2016, marked his on-screen mother Dame Barbara Windsors final episode as Peggy Mitchell. The actor currently hosts the BBC gameshow Bridge Of Lies, which challenges contestants to cross a digital bridge by choosing a true statement over a set of wrong ones. Former UK trade minister Greg Hands has been appointed as an adviser to the new owner of Royal Mail. Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinskys business EP Group announced that the former Conservative minister has been made a full-time strategic adviser on Monday. Mr Hands, who was minister for trade policy until last summer when he lost his seat in the House of Commons, will advise the business with a special focus on the UK and Germany, the investment business said. He said in a statement on LinkedIn that he has known Mr Kretinsky, who has been dubbed the Czech Sphinx, for a long time. Former chairman of the Conservative Party Greg Hands (Stefan Rousseau/PA) The appointment came as Royal Mails parent firm, International Distribution Services (IDS), formally left the London Stock Exchange on Monday after being taken over by Mr Kretinsky. In April, shareholders approved the 3.6 billion takeover deal, giving the more than 500-year-old company a foreign owner for the first time. Mr Hands said: I am honoured to join EP Group as strategic adviser for the UK and Germany. I have known Daniel Kretinsky for a long time, and I know that EP Group has a strong track record in energy and infrastructure. I look forward to contributing to its continued growth and commitment to energy security and sustainable energy solutions in these regions. Mr Kretinsky said: We are delighted to welcome Greg Hands to EP Group. His deep understanding of the UK and German business and energy landscapes, coupled with his extensive experience in government and international trade, will be invaluable as we navigate the evolving sectors in these key markets. Greg has unique capabilities for the job, including fluency in German and good Czech, and understands many of our markets very well. Russia plane attack slider Wars have always forced innovation. From Hannibal at Cannae and Alexander the Great at Gaugamela to the SAS commandos of the desert campaign in the Second World War, tactical breakthroughs have shattered enemy complacency and changed battle strategy for ever. Sundays extraordinary Ukrainian attacks against Russias strategic bomber force arguably one of the most important raids in the history of modern warfare will have a similar effect. The rules of war have just been rewritten, and the consequences will be felt globally. The most immediate impact will be felt in Russia, where the illusion of invincibility that hung over its long-range aviation fleet has been so spectacularly sundered. Officials in Kyiv reckon they have destroyed or damaged up to a third of Russias most prized air assets, planes that have wrought devastation in Ukraine for so long. The two principal consequences of Operation Spiders Web, as Ukraine has christened it, can be broken down into the psychological and the strategic. Both will shape the way Vladimir Putin is able to wage war. Perhaps most significantly, the raid will complicate Moscows strategy of raining bombs on Ukrainian cities. Russia has been reliant on its Tupolev bombers, which can fly thousands of miles and carry nuclear or conventional warheads, to conduct large-scale cruise missile attacks. Moscow will find this harder to do if it has lost a significant number of its strategic bombers, according to Fabian Hoffman, a missile technology expert at the Centre for European Policy Analysis, a Washington-based think-tank. To generate this type of force power, you need these big bombers that can carry multiple cruise missiles, he said. If you take out the bombers, then you really limit Russias ability to launch these types of attacks. During the largest sorties, multiple bombers take to the air to fire dozens of cruise missiles from different locations in an effort to overwhelm Ukrainian defences. For such missions to succeed, Russia has to operate a strict rotational system: for every bomber in use, a second is undergoing short-term repairs, while a third is in long-term maintenance, according to military analysts. Russia has relatively few strategic bombers, with most independent experts estimating no more than 90 in operation. Ukrainian officials said on Monday that their army of quadcopter drones had destroyed 13 Russian aircraft 12 of them strategic bombers a figure echoed by Russian military bloggers. Another two dozen may have been damaged, though to what extent remains unknown. On Tuesday, US and European intelligence officials confirmed that about 20 of Russias prized strategic bombers had been hit in the attack. Credit: Via Reuters Russian commentators close to the military called the strikes a black day for Russian long-range aviation, likening it to Russias Pearl Harbor moment. Given the scale of the raid, it seems likely that while Russia will still be able to mount cruise missile attacks on Ukraine, it may have to do so with reduced frequency and intensity. In addition, Russia will be forced to divert resources to protect facilities far from the front, straining its war machine. The psychological consequences are just as significant. For more than a week, Ukraine has endured some of the most intense Russian bombardment of the war. Its frontline cities lie in ruins, while Russian forces have been advancing relentlessly if glacially for more than a year. The brazenness and ingenuity of Operation Spiders Web will lift spirits, just as earlier Ukrainian spectaculars did. The sinking of the Moskva, flagship of Russias Black Sea Fleet, in 2022, and the maritime drone assaults that forced the Russian navy largely to abandon the Crimean port of Sevastopol are the most memorable of these. Operation Spiders Web in which the jewels of Russias air force exploded into fireballs 2,600 miles from the Ukrainian border may well eclipse both. The mission will likewise damage morale in Russia. It did more than burn planes: it also scorched Russias national confidence. Moscow will not be able to replace its losses quickly or easily. The Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers that made up most of the losses are no longer being produced. Russia is still making the Tu-160 the largest and heaviest bomber in the world but production is so slow that one or two enter service each year. The losses may also force Moscow into making choices it would rather avoid. Russias long-range bombers fly around the world to menace the edges of Nato airspace and maritime waters. Putin may now have to sacrifice his desire to project military power globally in order to maintain full aerial pressure on Ukraine. This dilemma will be welcomed in Western capitals yet Ukraines June surprise will be causing sleepless nights outside Russia. Military planners everywhere will now be fretting about the security of their own air forces. Vasyl Malyuk, head of Ukraines security service, looks at a map showing a Russian military aircraft base - Security Service of Ukraine/AFP via Getty Images Many Western countries have concentrated their air assets in ever fewer bases to save money. Aircraft are frequently parked on aprons with no protection from the skies. Western governments now face the unpleasant prospect of having to invest heavily in hardened aircraft shelters and counter-drone systems. This will be both expensive and time-consuming but until it is done, prized Nato assets will remain vulnerable to any malign state or non-state actor with a handful of cheap kamikaze drones. Sir Keir Starmer delivers his speech on defence on a visit to the BAE Systems Govan facility, in Glasgow - Andy Buchanan/Pool Photo Happy Strategic Defence Review Day, when Santa pops down the chimney and hands out guns to childish MPs. Once more: everything has changed. Yet again: the world is more dangerous than ever. This time the Government is going to make us safer by attaching nuclear bombs to planes. Clearly someone has never seen Thunderball. The PM launched Operation Sound Butcher Than Reform at a shipyard in Govan, underscoring the preposterous but influential belief that Russia intends to invade Britain. If it does, it better not start with hard-as-nails Govan. They dont just throw Molotov cocktails, they drink em. As always with the PMs speeches, the crowd looked as if they were gathered around a grave, the life gradually sucked out of them as Starmer droned on about drones. Sailors told him nothing works unless we all work together. In this moment of danger for our country, thats the spirit we need! The good news is were halfway there nothing works though why he proposes to launch a billion submarines into the Atlantic when we cant fend off one dinghy in the Channel, je ne sais pas. The Tories hit upon the real problem with the review: they hadnt read it. Later in the Commons, shadow boom-boom secretary James Cartlidge vented that while hed not been given a copy, the media and industry enjoyed advanced sight that morning, defying parliamentary custom and raising serious questions about security. Cartlidge needs to put his own house in order. By leaning over the press gallery, any spy disguised as a correspondent for the Racing Post could easily read the notes he had balanced on his knee. The word SECURITY! was scribbled in pen. The Telegraph knows more than we do, lamented MPs. Simon Hoare suggested the House be suspended. We were one glass of sherry from a buffer demanding a general election. If you want to see the review so much, said John Healey, the Defence Secretary, Ill leave some copies outside. Attenshun! Mark Francois marched out like Windsor Davies, returned with a review and it wound up in the lap of Jesse Norman: what do you expect me to do with it, ducky? Jesse got as far as the foreword before obviously finding it as dull as ditch-water, flipped open his phone and read his WhatsApps instead. The Telegraph provides you with in-depth analysis; all Jesse could say is that the review is competently stapled. Defence Secretary John Healey spoke about the heavy metal of our platforms - House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Healey talked nonsense ...best of defence technology with the heavy metal of our platforms... and the Tories pointed out that without a budget, his pledges remain fantasy. Tan Dhesi, the dim chairman of the defence committee, asked if this strategic defence review will be fully matched with a completely, corresponding, ambitious strategic defence review, apparently unaware that we were discussing said review right now. The most interesting contributions came from what remains of the Commons Left, who wished to know why the Government is switching from strategic to tactical nuclear weapons, ie defensive to offensive, and how this will increase independence if the tech is reliant upon America. Labours voting fodder laughed; one could smell the uranium on their breath. Its good for jobs, they said. But if there is a nuclear war, I doubt unemployment will be our chief problem. Banners showing pictures of South Korea's Democratic Party's presidential election candidate Lee Jae-myung. Photograph: Lee Jin-man/AP The snipers positioned on Seoul rooftops scan the crowd through telescopic sights while counter-terrorism units patrol the perimeter with bomb-detection dogs. Bodyguards clutching ballistic briefcases form a protective ring. On stage, Lee Jae-myung addresses thousands of supporters from behind bulletproof glass, protection that has become necessary after death threats and a stabbing attack against him last year. Yet at times the scene is closer to a celebration than a campaign rally shadowed by violence, as supporters break into spontaneous dance routines between speeches, while waving balloons and chanting. Related: After chaos of the Yoon era, South Korea prepares to pick a new president The striking contrast reflects how deeply South Korea has fractured, but also the determination to heal those divisions, as the nation prepares for a presidential election on 3 June, exactly six months after former president Yoon Suk Yeol attempted to impose martial law, plunging the nation into its gravest constitutional crisis in decades. Lee, the Democratic party frontrunner whose continuous vilification by conservatives once made him unpalatable to moderate voters, is now gaining support from members of that same group who see him as the path back to political normalcy. Through the insurrection, the People Power party (PPP) betrayed the state and the people, says Kim Sang-wook, a conservative MP who dramatically defected from Yoons conservative party to join Lees Democrats in May. His transformation from party loyalist to opponent reflects a broader pattern of conservative defections that has left the ruling PPP institutionally weakened. This conservative migration reflects what observers describe as an institutional crisis rather than mere electoral opportunism. According to Hankyoreh polling data, only 55% of Yoons 2022 voters now support conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo, with nearly half having defected or remaining undecided. The People Power Party must disappear quickly, says Jeong Kyu-jae, a prominent conservative commentator. Only when it collapses quickly can proper conservatism stand. A political rebrand The PPPs current crisis stems in part from its steadfast defence of Yoon throughout the martial law episode and opposition to his impeachment. Despite belated apologies and forcing Yoon to voluntarily leave the party, it cannot escape his shadow: Yoon endorsed Kim Moon-soo, highlighting the toxic association that makes credible renewal nearly impossible. Choi Sang-hwa, a former official under Park Geun-hye, the conservative president impeached for corruption in 2017, also joined the Democratic party this month, alongside multiple Park Geun-hye supporter groups and conservative organisations that have publicly backed Lee. Lee has capitalised on this conservative political homelessness through a strategic pivot, declaring that the Democratic party is originally centre-right, not progressive while courting what his campaign calls rational conservatives and branding the People Power party as a far-right criminal organisation. His appeal to conservatives centres on economic pragmatism rather than ideology: promises of business-friendly policies, inheritance tax reforms, and massive AI investment while carefully avoiding divisive social issues that might alienate traditional voters. For many, he simply represents the clearest rejection of martial law and Yoons legacy. Domestic economic stagnation and shifting international dynamics have created an urgency around productivity and growth over redistribution, says Jeong Kyu-jae. So riding on that wind, Lee naturally moves rightward. The Democratic Partys signature blue on campaign posters and Lees jacket, necktie and footwear now combines with hints of conservative red, a deliberate metaphor for his courtship of disaffected conservatives. The strategy appears to be working. In their final opinion poll before a pre-election blackout period, Gallup Korea showed Lee maintaining a commanding 49% to Kims 35%, with Lee Jun-seok, leader of the smaller conservative New Reform party, at 11%. Realmeters final poll echoed this trend, with Lee at 49.2% and Kim at 36.8%. This realignment may also prove easier in South Korea, where political divisions often centre more on opinions on North Korea, regional loyalties and leadership personalities than on western-style ideological orthodoxies. Yet Lees path to the presidency remains shadowed by legal uncertainties. He faces multiple criminal trials, including charges of bribery and alleged involvement in a property development scandal, with South Koreas supreme court recently ordering a retrial of an election violation case after overturning his acquittal, with instructions for conviction. Courts have agreed to postpone further hearings of ongoing trials until after the election, allowing him to contest the presidency while the cases remain unresolved. Lee denies all charges, describing them as politically motivated persecution. Should he win though, legal questions remain over whether presidential immunity would halt his ongoing prosecutions, as opposed to simply preventing new charges, potentially setting up another constitutional crisis. Kim Moon-soo, meanwhile, has been trying to distance himself from well-documented ties to far-right elements, including his co-founding of a political party with the notorious pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, an extremist preacher known for inflammatory rhetoric and who has defended Yoons martial law. Kims own past statements, including his claim that homosexuality is much more harmful than smoking cigarettes, illustrate the challenge facing conservatives trying to broaden their appeal beyond their traditional base. Lee Jae-myung is someone who can integrate both conservative and progressive functions with an open mind, says Kim Sang-wook. The candidates trajectory from an impoverished child factory worker to governor of Gyeonggi, South Koreas most populous province, resonates with voters who prioritise stability over ideological purity, particularly as economic hardships mount, he says. For Sangchin Chun, a professor of sociology at Sogang University, this election represents the confrontation between those who support democracy and those who deny it. Whether Lees pivot proves enduring or merely reflects crisis-driven pragmatism remains uncertain. But as South Koreans head to the polls still scarred by their encounter with authoritarianism, his message offers a hopefully different path. The extreme form of seeing opponents as enemies was the martial law declaration to sweep away the opposition, Lee told the Guardian on the sidelines of Tuesdays final televised debate. But whether someone supports me, opposes me, or is indifferent, I will respect them equally as citizens of the Republic of Korea. The Prime Minister also hit out at Reform UK during his speech in Glasgow - Andy Buchanan/PA Wire Sir Keir Starmer has savaged the SNPs calls for Britain to unilaterally scrap its nuclear deterrent amid the war in Ukraine and the growing threat from hostile states. The Prime Minister said Trident, based at Faslane on the Clyde, was the single most important part of the UKs defence and had kept the country safe for decades. Speaking as he launched the Governments Strategic Defence Review in Scotland, Sir Keir said his absolutely paramount priority was the security and safety of its citizens. He contrasted his stance with the SNPs demands that the UK scraps the nuclear deterrent at this time of renewed threat and instability. For decades, the SNP has supported unilaterally scrapping Trident, despite polls showing that Scots overwhelmingly support its retention. A recent survey showed 56 per cent backed the deterrent, with 22 per cent opposed. Ian Blackford, the SNPs former Westminster leader, has also said the party should support a multilateral approach to disarmament, in which the UK would only reduce its nuclear stockpile if other countries, such as Russia, did the same. In 2022, Svitlana Zalishchuk, an adviser to Ukraines deputy prime minister, said the Russian invasion of the country wouldnt have started if it had not given up its nuclear weapons in the 1990s. But John Swinney, the Scottish First Minister, has recently doubled down on the SNPs demand, arguing that nuclear weapons have not managed to stop the conflict we are wrestling with in Ukraine. Era of renewed threat and instability A Scottish Government blueprint, published last year, claimed that an independent Scotland could remove Trident from Faslane as soon as possible, while also joining Nato. This is despite Nato being a nuclear-tipped alliance and Trident forming part of its supreme guarantee of members security. Sir Keir launched the defence review at BAE Systems Govan shipyard in Glasgow against the backdrop of the HMS Belfast and HMS Birmingham, two Type 26 frigates the yard is building for the Royal Navy. The Prime Minister said: I think that security and safety of everyone in Scotland is paramount, absolutely paramount. I cant imagine anybody who seriously wants to be prime minister of this country coming to Scotland and saying that the first priority is not the safety and security of Scotland. Consider the consequences of somebody as prime minister saying that. He added: Remind ourselves that at this time of renewed threat and instability across Europe, the SNPs position is to get rid of our nuclear deterrent, the single most important part of our capability that has kept Scotland and the United Kingdom safe for many, many years. With support for Reform UK also surging in Scotland, Sir Keir also accused Nigel Farages party of making billions of pounds of uncosted spending pledges, saying: That is what Liz Truss did, thats what blew up the economy. He added: Im not prepared ever to let that be inflicted on Scotland ever again, and thats why Im absolutely clear in my priorities, which is the safety and security of everybody in Scotland and making sure that we never have the prospect in Scotland here of a Westminster government that blows up their finances. Dave Doogan MP, the SNPs defence spokesman, said: The SNPs position on nuclear weapons is longstanding, we are committed to joining Nato as an independent country and we have led support for Scotlands Armed Forces in the face of Westminster austerity cuts. For decades, Scottish regiments have been systemically hollowed out by Westminster with conventional forces decimated under successive Tory and Labour governments, and personnel left without the equipment, pay and support they deserve. Reform were approached for comment. Sir Keir Starmer and John Healey meet British soldiers - Stefan Rousseau/PA Democratic politicians would prefer not to prepare for war. This is understandable. There are always huge pressures on public spending. Peace anyway an obviously desirable state of affairs provides a financial dividend that our leaders do not want to lose. They only really change their minds when a threat stares them in the face. Since Winston Churchill, our least war-averse prime minister was Margaret Thatcher, but even she, after first coming into office, initiated defence cuts. Determined to fulfil Nato obligations to defend against the Soviet Union (three per cent of annual GDP), she tried to cut everything else in the defence budget. Then Argentina suddenly invaded the Falkland Islands in April 1982, just before Mrs Thatcher had implemented her proposed navy cuts. Within about three days, she reversed the policy. Our armed forces were still just capable of fighting serious battles 8,000 miles away. We won the war, and she won the next election. Even Ukraine itself, the object of direct threat and actual Russian violence since 2014, was not unanimous about resistance until Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022. Western policymakers tended to think that President Zelensky would accept their invitation to escape and Vladimir Putin would install his puppets. Ever since then, with infinitely smaller resources than the Nato alliance, Ukraine has fought on because it is fighting for its life. Necessity is the mother of their great invention, as we were reminded this weekend by Ukraines stunningly bold and successful attacks on several Russian airfields. I hope that the authors of our latest strategic defence review, published on Monday, note the raids lesson, not only about courage, but about the way drones, costing only tens of thousands of pounds, can cut their way through steel which costs many millions. It is clear from the review and from the way that Sir Keir Starmer talks about it that he does not seriously believe there will be war with Russia in the foreseeable future. He is anxious, yes, and supportive of Ukraine, but firmer in tone about the need not to make big spending promises than he is about the need to confront Putin. His is not a wicked position: it remains unlikely that Russia will directly attack the United Kingdom. But the sobering fact is that those Nato countries which border Russia do quite definitely fear Russian attack and most of them are preparing accordingly. We should pay attention because these are the nations which know the Russians best. Militarily, we are helping countries like Estonia and Lithuania, but are we learning enough from them about the reality of the threat? As Nato members, we are bound to treat an attack on them as an attack on all and therefore to come to their aid. Could we? They and Ukraine itself should now become our teachers, rather than the other way round. The history of Russian behaviour stretching back to Stalin and even to Tsarist times, and also what Putin has done already, should instruct us in the danger. It is a very, very big thing to try to change the borders of Europe by force. Putin did not content himself with the minor incursions which President Biden foolishly said, early on in proceedings, might be all right. His attack on Ukraine is an absolute and deliberate defiance of the basis of the post-1945 peace. One of the terrifying things is that President Trump seems not to understand this. We think we do, but we are still not facing the hard military realities. Currently, Russia recruits about 40,000 men a month. We struggle to recruit 7,000 in a year. We are still not serious. I do not doubt that Sir Keir wants to stop Putins progress, but the Review does not suggest he knows how. Call them striking doctors Junior doctors dislike being so-called because, they say, the name makes them sound inferior. So they are now officially called resident doctors, reflecting their base in one hospital. I notice that the new name has not taken on. Headlines still use the word junior. Perhaps neither name is satisfactory. I have another suggestion. How about calling them striking doctors? It is true that there have been one or two past incidents of industrial action (1975, 2016) by junior doctors, but it is only in the past two years that this has become endemic, arriving in wave after wave. Now the doctors threaten another strike, despite winning a 22.3 per cent rise last year. They want another 28 per cent. The traditional doctors taboo against striking is fading. That means that striking doctors are ceasing to be professionals. The privileges of being in a profession and the respect in which a profession is held depend on self-restraint and self-imposed standards which are higher than those of the ordinary worker. If a doctor strikes, he or she is breaking their sacred duty to patients. This is true whether or not the particular pay claim is justified. A doctor who refuses to do his duty thereby forfeits respect. In the longer term, this means that NHS doctors will also do less well financially. If they behave just like any old grumpy public-sector interest group, they will be treated accordingly, both by government and by the public. The decline of respect for doctors is the natural consequence of the way the NHS is constructed. From its inception, it has put the interests of the bureaucracy above those of the patient and of the profession. Since Covid-19, the demoralisation, which has been building for 80 years, has become pervasive. The Astute class submarines have been on order since 1997, and so far just five are in service - LA(Phot) J Massey/MoD Crown Copyright Today, Sir Keir Starmer is pledging that the UK will raise the rate at which it builds submarines to one every 18 months. That sounds splendid, but like many grand government announcements it amounts to little more than a repackaging of what is already happening. And what is happening is the bare minimum necessary to maintain our vital national nuclear deterrent. At the moment, Britain is building the Astute class attack submarines. The contract for these was signed in 1997, almost three decades ago. The sixth boat is in the water but not yet in service and the seventh, now to be known as HMS Achilles after the King reportedly vetoed the name Agincourt, may be commissioned next year. Considered on that basis, these submarines will have taken an average of around four years each to acquire. So speeding up production to two every three years sounds very impressive. But that is to ignore the awful, painful gestation of the Astutes. Before starting work on them, Britain had not designed a new class of submarines for 20 years, and we had forgotten how to do it. After terrible, protracted struggles, cost overruns and delays, we basically had to get the Americans to show us how. A lot of design work was done in Connecticut, and at one stage an American employee of General Dynamics had to be brought in as Astute project director at our submarine yard in Barrow. The name ship of the class, HMS Astute, finally went into full Royal Navy service in 2014. Succeeding A-boats have arrived at shorter and shorter intervals since then: HMS Achilles may be, in fact, no more than 18 months behind HMS Agamemnon. The Astute class build problems were not the only issues weve had with our nuclear submarines. In 2010 Lord Cameron, then prime minister, delayed the replacement of our nuclear deterrent Vanguard class submarines to appease his peacenik Lib Dem coalition partners. The old V-boats have now been in service for more than thirty years, and theyre starting to really show their age. They need replacing as a matter of urgency: its now proving so difficult to get the next boat ready once one has gone out on patrol that our deterrent submariners are now routinely having to stay out for more than six months at a time. This cant go on for much longer. So right now were already building submarines at a rate of one every eighteen months. It has long been not only the plan to ramp up submarine production to at least this level, but a critical national necessity. We must get the final Astute boats built and out of the way so that we can replace the creaking deterrent V-boats. So well done for stating all this clearly, Sir Keir. But lets not act as if this is new and all is well. A Russian warplane is struck by Ukrainian forces at an air base on Sunday Key Trump allies have condemned the Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian nuclear bombers, warning the attacks risked escalating the conflict at a time when Washington is trying to keep both sides at the negotiating table. Steve Bannon, the White House chief strategist during Donald Trumps first term, used a Second World War comparison as he pointed out that Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, launched the operation just a day ahead of talks in Turkey. On the eve of peace talks or ceasefire talks he takes the Japanese role in Pearl Harbor the sneak attack, he said on his popular War Room show. He called on the Trump administration to immediately condemn the strikes if it had no warning that Ukraine was planning such a huge attack. Mr Bannon and his allies fear the world is hurtling towards a Third World War, as China and Russia deepen ties, and flashpoints ignite around the world. A day earlier, Ukrainian officials said the surprise drone offensive had destroyed or damaged more than 40 warplanes at air bases deep inside Russia. Operation Spiders Web, 18 months in the planning, targeted strategic bombers capable of launching nuclear weapons. As well as sending a message to Moscow, analysts said it was hard not to see a message for Mr Trump after his Oval Office showdown with Mr Zelensky, when he told the Ukrainian president: You dont have the cards. With us, you have the cards, but without us, you dont have any cards. The strike was launched ahead of a big week of diplomacy. Mr Trump is expected to speak to Xi Jinping, the Chinese premier, and he will host Friedrich Merz, the new German chancellor, on Thursday. Mike Flynn, who was Mr Trumps first national adviser in 2017 before resigning over undeclared meetings with Russian officials, described the weekend strikes as a geopolitical insult if Washington had not been informed in advance. People, and especially world leaders, need to realise the global implications to such an operation as Ukraine just pulled off, he posted on X. Russia will respond. Action, reaction, counteraction. Those are the shifting tides of warfare. This wasnt a bold action, it was brash. Ukraines short-term win could be the worlds long-term loss. Volodymyr Zelensky meets with Ukrainian officials The US president has moved one way and then the other as he tries to make good on his campaign promise to end the conflict in Ukraine. Long an admirer of Vladimir Putin and his hardline rule of Russia, he hardened his position on Moscow after a surprise meeting with Mr Zelensky at the Vatican in April, but has not pushed through additional sanctions and has given the Russian leader more time to show he is serious about wanting peace. On Monday, the two sides met for just an hour in Turkey. That was still enough time to agree to swap the bodies of 6,000 soldiers killed in action. Mr Bannon said: This is scampering up the escalatory ladder at the exact moment President Trump wants to get everybody off the escalatory ladder. Mr Bannon and his allies speculated that the Trump administration had given tacit approval. Vasyl Malyuk, the head of Ukraines Security Service, looks at a map showing a Russian military aircraft base amid the attack on Russia - AFP Theres no way that our intelligence services could not have known about this, Jack Posobiec, a conservative activist and conspiracy theorist, told Mr Bannons show. Weve had intelligence services that have been on the ground, as we know prior to the war, that are directly embedded, direct embeds with Ukrainian intelligence services and Ukrainian security services. Mr Bannon may no longer be in the White House, but he continues to talk with the president and his show is deeply influential with the wider Maga base. Russia is just not going to sit there and take it, he said about the strikes The attack was audacious and bold and brilliant. Thats also not the point. Florian Willet reportedly suffered a mental health crisis after he was arrested by Swiss police last year - ARND WIEGMANN/AFP A right-to-die activist questioned for murder after the death of a woman using a suicide pod has died by assisted suicide. Florian Willet suffered a mental health crisis after he was arrested by Swiss police in September last year, said Philip Nitschke, the inventor of the Sarco suicide capsule. Mr Willet was the director of Last Resort, the Swiss suicide organisation, which was set up to facilitate the use of the Sarco. The 47-year-old German was investigated for aiding and abetting suicide. Prosecutors also investigated whether he had strangled the woman, but that was ruled out before he was released in December after 70 days of pre-trial detention. Gone was his warm smile and self-confidence. In its place was a man who seemed deeply traumatised by the experience of incarceration and the wrongful accusation of strangulation, said Mr Nitschke, the director of Exit International, the pro euthanasia group. The Australian former physician, who is called Doctor Death by his critics, said Mr Willet sought help and was admitted to a psychiatric hospital twice before his death on May 5. Mr Nitschke told the Dutch newspaper Volkskrant that Mr Willet had died in Germany with the help of an unnamed specialised organisation. It is not known how he died. Fiona Stewart of Last Resort presenting the Sarco suicide capsule in Zurich in 2024 - ARND WIEGMANN/AFP To describe Florian is to talk of a man who was thoughtful, caring, funny, and friendly. He was an easy person to be around, said Mr Nitschke, who lives in the Netherlands. But most of all, Florian was kind. Florian was also passionate about a persons right to choose when to die. Suicide is legal under certain conditions in Switzerland, but the pod had never been used before and there were warnings it would be illegal. Mr Willet was the only person present when a 64-year-old American woman, who has not been named, pressed a button to fill the Sarco pod with nitrogen gas. The woman had suffered from an immune disease. He informed the authorities after her death in a forest in the canton of Schaffhausen but was arrested, along with several others, including a newspaper photographer. They were later released but Mr Willet, a former media spokesman for euthanasia clinic Dignitas, continued to be detained. He had described the first death in the controversial Sarco pod as peaceful, fast and dignified. The 3D-printable capsule cost about 550,000 to research and develop in the Netherlands over 12 years. Last Resort has said that future reusable pods could cost about 12,600. By the age of five I took my own dying by suicide into consideration, Mr Willet said in an interview before his arrest. He revealed his father had died by suicide when he was 14 and claimed he was completely fine with it. He added: I was extremely sad because I loved my father. But, I understood immediately my father wanted to do this because he was a rational person, which means that expecting him to remain alive just because I need a father would mean extending his suffering. China expands visa-free access to 5 Latin American countries Xinhua) 09:14, June 02, 2025 An aircraft of Air China takes off from Guarulhos Airport, on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Brazil, on April 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Rahel Patrasso) BEIJING, June 1 (Xinhua) -- China on Sunday began implementing a trial policy that unilaterally grants visa-free entry to citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay. It is the first time that China has extended such access to nations in Latin America and the Caribbean. Under the policy, which will remain in effect through May 31, 2026, holders of ordinary passports from these five countries can enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for purposes including business, tourism, family visits, cultural exchange, and transit. The move is part of China's broader efforts to expand visa-free access in line with its commitment to high-level opening-up. With this expansion, China now offers unilateral visa-free entry to 43 countries. Once made difficult by distance and complex visa procedures, travel between Latin America and China is increasingly accessible thanks to improved air connectivity and relaxed entry policies. In 2024, a direct flight was launched between Mexico City and south China's Shenzhen, spanning a distance of over 14,000 kilometers to become China's longest direct international passenger route. Other routes, such as the Beijing-Madrid-Sao Paulo, Beijing-Madrid-Havana and Beijing-Tijuana-Mexico City routes, have also strengthened links between China and Latin America and the Caribbean. Carolina Araya, a Chilean citizen and Spanish instructor at Anhui International Studies University in east China, was quick to share the news on social media after learning of the new policy, garnering many likes from friends and family. "With this visa-free policy, it will be so much easier for my parents to visit us," she said. "I'm looking forward to welcoming them here in China." Carola Ramon with the Argentine Council of Foreign Relations noted that recent years have seen growing cooperation between Argentina and China in areas such as student exchange, cultural collaboration and sports. She believes China's visa-free entry initiative will enhance people-to-people ties and broaden exchange -- not only between China and Argentina but across the broader China-Latin America region. Economic ties between China and Latin America have also deepened significantly. Bilateral trade has doubled over the past decade, surpassing 500 billion U.S. dollars in 2024. Chinese exports, including electric vehicles, are increasingly popular in the region, while Latin American goods such as Chilean cherries and Argentine beef have become Chinese household staples. China has been steadily adjusting and optimizing its visa policies to boost cross-border mobility. Since late 2023, the country has rolled out a series of traveler-friendly measures. In late May, it announced that citizens of four Gulf countries -- Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain -- will also enjoy visa-free entry for up to 30 days, from June 9, 2025, through June 8, 2026. Additionally, China's visa-free transit period has been extended to 240 hours for travelers from 54 countries. These policies have already had a notable impact. In 2024, China recorded 3.39 million entries under its unilateral visa-free policy, representing a 1,200 percent increase from the previous year. During this year's May Day holiday alone, 380,000 people entered China visa-free, a 72.7 percent year-on-year jump. Yu Haibo, an associate professor of tourism management at Nankai University in Tianjin, said that China's continued expansion of its visa-free policies reflects its commitment to high-standard opening-up. "These measures demonstrate China's resolve to foster a more dynamic, inclusive and resilient form of economic globalization," he said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Arafat Sermon 2025 by Sheikh Saleh al Humaid to broadcast in 34 languages Arafat Sermon 2025 to be delivered by Khateeb Hajj Imam e Haram Sheikh Saleh al Humaid from Masjid Namirah on Thursday Dhul Hijjah 9, 1446H will be available in 34 languages Monday June 2, 2025 3:26 PM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies Hajj 2025: Arafat Sermon 2025 to be delivered by Khateeb Hajj Imam e Haram Sheikh Saleh al Humaid from Masjid Namirah on Thursday Dhul Hijjah 9, 1446H will be available in 34 languages. The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophets Mosque said it has completed preparations for the Arafah sermon translation project. The project aims to convey Islams message of tolerance to a global audience in their native languages, fostering better communication between Muslims and non-Muslims. "It also underscores the Kingdoms pivotal role in serving the two holy mosques and its unwavering commitment to supporting pilgrims worldwide", the authority said. Real-time Translation of Arafah Sermon The project aims to provide real-time translation of the Arafah sermon in more than 34 languages, making it one of the largest initiatives of the Hajj season. A key feature of the project is the integration of Quick Response (QR) codes, which offer easy access to both textual and audio translations. This allows pilgrims to listen to the sermon in their respective languages, regardless of their location, whether within the holy sites or beyond. "To expand the reach and amplify the impact of the service, QR codes have been displayed on screens in key facilities, buses, and pilgrim accommodations", the authority said. Additionally, the service has been promoted through various government media platforms and shared with international media in coordination with the Ministry of Media. List of 34 Languages The 34 languages in which the Arafah Khutbah this year will be broadcast live are: 1. Arabic, 2. Urdu, 3. English, 4. French, 5. Indonesian, 6. Persian (Farsi), 7. Hausa, 8. Chinese (Mandarin), 9. Russian, 10. Bengali, 11. Turkish, 12. Malay (Bahasa Melayu), 13. Spanish, 14. Portuguese, 15. Italian, 16. German, 17. Filipino (Tagalog), 18. Amharic (Ethiopia), 19. Bosnian, 20. Hindi, 21. Dutch, 22. Thai, 23. Malayalam, 24. Swahili, 25. Pashto, 26. Tamil, 27. Azerbaijani, 28. Swedish, 29. Uzbek, 30. Albanian, 31. Fulani (Fula), 32. Somali, 33. Rohingya, 34. Yoruba The Saudi Royal Court had earlier announced that Youm ul Hajj or Arafat Day this year will be observed on Thursday June 05, 2025 when around 2 million pilgrims from all across the world on the Plains of Arafat. Standing on the Plains of Arafat is key ritual of Hajj. As on Friday May 31, 2025, over 1.3 million foriegners have already arrived in the Kingdom, according to the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah. Meanwhile, preparations to welcome pilgrims in Mina is in final stages. Mina - the Tent City, is the first stop of Haj Pilgrims. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Law enforcement officials investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall on Sunday in Boulder, Colorado. Photograph: David Zalubowski/AP A man has been charged with a federal hate crime and multiple other felonies after he allegedly used a makeshift flamethrower and incendiary devices to attack a crowd of people who were raising awareness for Israeli hostages in Gaza, injuring 12 victims. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, is alleged to have shouted Free Palestine as he attacked the crowd on Sunday. The FBI said Soliman told police he planned the attack for a year and had specifically targeted what he described as the Zionist group, the Associated Press reported. At a press conference on Monday the Boulder county district attorney said Soliman would be prosecuted for a federal hate crime and 16 counts of attempted murder. If convicted, he would be jailed for the rest of his life, with a cumulative sentence of more than 600 years. At the press conference, the US attorney for the district of Colorado said in a statement that Soliman had resorted to molotov cocktails when he was unable to obtain a gun. At least 16 unused molotov cocktails were recovered from the scene, according to the US attorneys office. An FBI affidavit said Soliman upon confessing to Sundays attack after his arrest told the police he would do it again. Officials said there was no indication that the attack was associated with any group. NBC reported Soliman was an Egyptian national, and the White House claimed Soliman was in the US without legal status. Four women and four men between 52 and 88 years old, including a woman that a Department of Justice official said was a survivor of the Holocaust, were transported to hospitals, Boulder police said, with injuries ranging from minor to very serious. Four additional victims had minor injuries but were not hospitalized. The attack took place on the Pearl Street Mall, close to the University of Colorado, during an event organized by Run for Their Lives, a group which aims to draw attention to the people taken hostage following Hamass 2023 attack on Israel. Soliman is alleged to have thrown a device into a group of people who had assembled in a pedestrianized zone for the peaceful rally. The Boulder police chief, Stephen Redfearn, said the department received calls at about 1.26pm local time on Sunday of a man with a weapon near a downtown courthouse and that people were being set on fire. Brooke Coffman, a 19-year-old University of Colorado student, told Reuters she saw four women lying or sitting on the ground with burns on their legs. One of them appeared to have been badly burned on most of her body and had been wrapped in a flag by someone, Coffman said. She said she saw a man whom she presumed to be the attacker holding a glass bottle of clear liquid and shouting. Everybody is yelling: Get water, get water, Coffman said. Alex Osante, from San Diego, told the Associated Press he was having lunch on a restaurant patio across the pedestrian mall when he heard the crash of a bottle breaking on the ground, a boom sound followed by people yelling and screaming. In a video of the scene filmed by Osante, people could be seen pouring water on a woman lying on the ground who Osante said had been burned during the attack. After the initial attack, Osante said the suspect went behind some bushes and then re-emerged and threw a molotov cocktail but appeared to accidentally set himself on fire as he threw it. The man then took off his shirt and what appeared to be a bulletproof vest before the police arrived. The man dropped to the ground and was arrested without any apparent resistance in the video that Osante filmed. The justice department said one of the victims was a Holocaust survivor. She endured the worst evil in human history. She came to America seeking safety, said Leo Terrell, a senior counsel on civil rights in the justice department. This is all caused by the same type of hatred: antisemitism. Terrell, who leads the Trump administrations antisemitism taskforce, was criticized in March after he shared a post by a white supremacist. Mark Michalek, the FBI special agent in charge of the Denver field office, identified Soliman as the lone suspect. It is clear that this is a targeted act of violence and the FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism, Michalek told a press conference, citing witnesses. Kash Patel, the director of the FBI, described the incident as a targeted terror attack, and Colorados attorney general, Phil Weiser, said it appeared to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted. Soliman was due to appear in court at 1.30pm local time on Monday, according to Boulder county jail records. He is being held on a $10m bond. Law enforcement officials said Soliman was also injured and was taken to the hospital to be treated, but did not elaborate on the nature of his injuries. On his Truth Social platform on Monday, Donald Trump said the attack will not be tolerated in the United States of America. The US president also said acts of terrorism will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In a post on X, Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy, described Soliman as an illegal alien who had overstayed his tourist visa. Miller criticized Joe Bidens presidential administration, whom he said had given Soliman a work permit. CNN, citing law enforcement officials, reported that Soliman arrived in the US in August 2022 as a non-immigrant visitor. It reported that the officials said he was granted a work authorization in March 2023, which expired at the end of March this year, more than two months into Trumps presidency. Soliman had previously applied for asylum in the US, CNN reported. He was denied a visa to enter the country in 2005. Miller said the attack was further evidence of the need to fully reverse what he described as suicidal migration. In his Truth post, Trump linked Solimans presence in the US to Bidens ridiculous Open Border Policy, which has hurt our country so badly. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, said Soliman was illegally in our country. He entered the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired on February 2023. He filed for asylum in September 2022, McLaughlin said. The attack comes amid heightened tensions over Israels war on Gaza, which in the US has spurred both an increase in both antisemitic and anti-Muslim hate crimes. It follows the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington DC who had attended an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee, an advocacy group that fights antisemitism and supports Israel. Conservative supporters of Israel have branded pro-Palestinian protests as antisemitic, and Trumps administration has detained several protesters of the war without charge, while cutting off funding to elite US universities where protests against Israels war on Gaza have taken place. Hamas launched an attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people. It is still holding 58 hostages in Gaza, of whom 20 are believed to be still alive. Israel responded to the attack by launching a bombing campaign on Gaza which has killed more than 54,000 people. The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said in a statement that the Colorado victims were attacked simply because they were Jews and that he trusted US authorities would prosecute the cold blood perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law. The tourist, identified only by his surname Sun, jumped 18ft into a display of the clay warriors - Newsflare A tourist climbed over a fence and jumped into a section of Chinas Terracotta Army display, damaging two ancient clay warriors. The 30-year-old, from China, was visiting the museum housing the Terracotta Army in the city of Xian on Friday when he climbed over the guard rail and the protective net and jumped, public security officials said. The man, whose surname is Sun, was found to be suffering from mental illness, and the case is under investigation. He pushed and pulled the clay warriors, and two were damaged to varying degrees, the statement said, before he was controlled by security personnel. The pit into which he jumped is up to 18ft deep, according to the museums website. Built around 209 BC to stand guard over the tomb of the first emperor, the 8,000-strong Terracotta Army is one of Chinas most important archaeological discoveries and is considered a symbol of ancient Chinese artistic and military sophistication. A main tourist attraction in Xian, capital of the northern province of Shaanxi, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987. A worker at the museum said on Saturday that the display was open as usual. It is uncommon for a US president to change their portrait so soon into their term - White House Donald Trump has updated his official portrait just months after taking office, in an apparent bid to appear less menacing. The new image, as displayed on the White Houses social media channels, casts Mr Trump in a warmer light and softens his expression from his first portrait in a break from presidential tradition. The other changes in the picture include swapping out a turquoise tie for his favoured red power tie, and changing the background the US flag in what appears to be a state room to black. It is uncommon for a US president to change their portrait so soon into their term, but Mr Trump, a former reality TV star, is famously conscious of his appearance. The White House now uses this portrait - White House In his first portrait, published a few days before his inauguration in January, he appeared stony-faced, with his right eye narrowed and squinting, while his lips were pressed together tightly. It drew comparisons to the mugshot released by authorities in Georgia after his arrest on racketeering charges in 2023. The Republican is famously image-obsessed and reportedly practised how he would pose for the mugshot which was later released by Fulton County Sheriffs Office. He subsequently claimed it was the number-one selling mugshot in history which beat Elvis and beat Frank Sintara, and later installed it on a wall in the Oval Office after winning the presidential election last year. He appears to have been less enamoured of his official portrait, however. The previous official portrait (right) had been compared to Mr Trumps mugshot (left) Its not the first time the president has sought to remove an unflattering portrait. Colorado removed the portrait of Mr Trump hanging in its state capitol in March when the president complained about its appearance and called on Governor Jared Polis to take it down. That painting was by Sarah Boardman, a British artist, who after being commissioned for the piece in 2018 described it as showing the president with a serious, thoughtful, non-confontational expression. But Mr Trump called it truly the worst. Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before, he wrote on his Truth Social platform. The artist also did President Obama, and he looks wonderful, but the one on me is truly the worst. She must have lost her talent as she got older. In any event, I would much prefer not having a picture than having this one, but many people from Colorado have called and written to complain. In fact, they are actually angry about it! Keir Starmer is shown a new autonomous drone, the StormShroud, during a visit to a defence contractor in Bedfordshire last month. The prime minister said defence was the nations top priority. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images Britain will spend an extra 2bn on drones and seek to introduce weapons and tactics developed during the war in Ukraine under a strategic defence review unveiled by the government. The plan will prioritise cheap one-way attack craft and more expensive reusable systems, as well as the creation of a drone centre to share knowledge and better coordinate across the armed forces. John Healey, the defence secretary, told MPs the army would become 10 times more lethal by combining technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence with the heavy metal of tanks and artillery. It was part of a wider commitment to make the UK battle-ready in the words of the prime minister, Keir Starmer. He argued on a visit to the BAE Systems shipyard at Govan, in Glasgow, that defence had to come above other public services. Related: Growing threats, new weapons, more troops: key points of UKs defence review Drones have transformed the battlefield in Ukraine, with Moscow and Kyivs forces now making heavy use of attack and surveillance drones several miles beyond the frontline, causing an estimated 70% of casualties. On Sunday, Ukraine launched coordinated attacks from remotely piloted drones hidden inside trucks aimed at airfields deep inside Russia. Kyiv claimed it had destroyed or damaged 41 Russian aircraft in the innovative long-range attack. The strategic review said drones had become an essential component of land warfare and the army needed to invest in a mix of attack drones, surveillance craft and counter-drone technology. But critics said remotely piloted drones risked increasing the chance of conflict. Chris Cole, of the research group Drone Wars UK, said that drones lower the threshold for the use of armed force and so could encourage war as the first rather than the last option. Starmer said the 140-page defence review was a blueprint to make Britain safer and stronger, a battle-ready, armour-clad nation with the strongest alliances and the most advanced capabilities. The prime minister reiterated that the UK would spend 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2027, but declined to set a firm date on when that would increase to 3%. Labour has committed to a further increase during the next parliament. The review concluded that Britain faced multiple, direct threats to its security for the first time since the end of the cold war and that to deter conflict in the future the UK must be ready to fight and win. But while the review team described the governments 2.5% target as good news, it said a reversal of the hollowing-out of the armed forces would take about 10 years on current budget forecasts. As we live in such turbulent times, it may be necessary to go faster, the team said. The target size of the British army will be increased from 73,000 to 76,000 in the next parliament as funding becomes available, Healey told MPs. But he added that the immediate priority was to reverse falls in personnel numbers. Last week, the total number of soldiers had dropped to a low of 70,860. The review also commits the UK to: Explore the possibility of reintroducing air-launched nuclear weapons by discussing with the US and Nato the possibility of buying F-35A fighters equipped with US B61-12 bombs. Spending 15bn to develop new submarine-launched nuclear warheads and committing to build 12 nuclear-powered attack submarines in Derby and Barrow, starting in the 2030s. Investing 1bn in air and missile defence, 6bn on munitions during this parliament and opening at least six weapons factories to increase military stockpiles, which currently may last only a few days in a crisis. Developing a home guard, modelled on the army reserves, to ensure the protection of airports, communications sites and other parts of the critical national infrastructure in a major crisis. On Monday, Starmer said he was not as the prime minister of a Labour government, going to make a commitment as to the precise date as to when defence spending would increase to 3%. I dont believe in performative fantasy politics, and certainly not on defence and security, the prime minister said. That prompted the Conservatives to accuse Labour of underfunding the new plan. James Cartlidge, the shadow defence secretary, said the prime minister had been unable to set a date for the 3% target because the Treasury havent approved a plan to pay for it. Starmer is due to join western leaders at a Nato summit this month. NATO members are expected to agree to a proposal from Mark Rutte, the alliances secretary general, that member states agree to spend 3.5% on defence by 2035 and a further 1.5% on cyber defences and other military-related infrastructure. Donald Trump, the US president, has demanded that Nato members lift defence budgets to 5% of GDP while Washington has indicated it would reduce its focus on Europe. No American troops are expected to participate in a reassurance force designed to ensure peace in Ukraine if a long-term ceasefire is agreed. Expectations are low for the latest round of talks. (Getty) (Handout via Getty Images) Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine ended barely an hour after they began in Istanbul, confirming low expectations for the meeting a day after a massive Ukrainian drone attack on Russia's air force. The talks - the second such direct contacts between the sides since 2022 - started on a bad foot, after being delayed by two hours without explanation and a furious Russian delegation. Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan chaired the peace talks in Istanbul and said the talks aimed to discuss both sides ceasefire terms, adding that the whole worlds eyes are focused on the contacts and discussions you will have here. The Ukrainian delegation was led by defence minister Rustem Umerov, while Russia's was led by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian president Vladimir Putin. Speaking at a press conference in Poland, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the talks had focused on facilitating future prisoner swaps between the two sides. Over the weekend, Ukraine struck numerous airbases across Russia, stretching as far as their border with Mongolia, and Kyiv claims to have destroyed or damaged 40 long-range bombers. They say this is roughly 30% of the total number of long-range bombers Moscow controlled, with many of the destroyed aircraft no longer in production and irreplaceable. Russia says they lost far less equipment, but satellite imagery shows they suffered significant damage. Ukraine said over the course of 18 months, they smuggled the 117 drones into Russia and planned the coordinated strike, with each drone having its own pilot. Zelenskyy said it was a "brilliant result" and was "achieved solely by Ukraine". In response, Russia launched the biggest number of drones on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraines air force said. The strike killed at least 12 soldiers and wounded 60 others at the 239th training ground, prompting the head of Ukraine's land forces to take responsibility and resign, the Guardian reported. Read more about the Russia-Ukraine talks from our media partners below: Ukraine-Russia peace talks end after barely an hour, Turkish officials say Members of Ukrainian and Russian delegations attend peace talks presided over by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. (Getty) (Handout via Getty Images) The mood in Russia was angry as the talks kicked off, with influential war bloggers calling on Moscow to deliver a fearsome retaliatory blow against Kyiv after Ukraine on Sunday launched one of its most ambitious attacks of the war, targeting Russian nuclear-capable long-range bombers in Siberia and elsewhere. Ukraine and Russia have issued starkly different assessments of the damage done to Russia's fleet of nuclear-capable bombers - a key element in its nuclear arsenal - but it was clear from publicly available satellite imagery that Moscow had suffered some serious equipment losses. Reads the full story from Reuters Ukrainian drones destroyed Putins bombers. A secret smuggling operation made it possible In this undated photo provided by the Ukrainian Security Service, head of the Security Service Vasyl Malyuk studies a photo of a map of Russia's strategic aviation location in his office in Ukraine. (AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Life in the villages of deepest Siberia or Russias Arctic north felt a world away from the front lines of their countrys war with Ukraine. Yet suddenly, as they went about the Sunday business, the war unmistakably and dramatically arrived at their doorsteps. From the roof panels of nondescript container lorries parked in quiet rural lay-bys, drone after buzzing drone rose nonchalantly into the sky before hurling itself at nearby airbases housing some of Russias most prized military assets. Read the full story from The Telegraph Ukraine has proved it doesnt need Trump This operation has demonstrated that Ukraine is very much still in the fight, whatever dour statements emerge from the White House. Mr Trump, easily distracted and unfocused on his best days, has told big and small lies about the war since the beginning of his second term, all damaging to the reality and perception that Ukraine is holding its own. Read the full piece from the Telegraph Putin humiliated by 'Russia's Pearl Harbor' - as Kyiv goes for broke In this image taken from video released by the Ukrainian Security Service shows a Ukrainian drone striking Russian planes deep in Russia's territory. (AP) An audacious Ukrainian drone attack against multiple airbases across Russia is a humiliating security breach for Vladimir Putin that will doubtless trigger a furious response. Pro-Kremlin bloggers have described the drone assault - which Ukrainian security sources said hit more than 40 Russian warplanes - as "Russia's Pearl Harbor" in reference to the Japanese attack against the US in 1941 that prompted Washington to enter the Second World War. Read the full article from Sky News Trump was not informed about Ukraine attack which destroyed huge fleet of Russian planes, reports claims Vice President JD Vance speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as President Donald Trump listens in the Oval Office at the White House. (AP) (Mystyslav Chernov, Associated Press) Donald Trump was not given a heads-up about Ukraines unprecedented drone strikes that took out a huge fleet of Russian planes on Sunday, according to reports. Ukraines large-scale drone attack launched deep into Russian territory wiped out 40 military bombers and targeted five bases, Ukrainian security sources told CBS News. The attack took over a year and a half to plan and was personally supervised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the sources added. Read the full article from the Independent Scottish Water workers have begun one week of strike action in a row over a pay deal. Members of GMB Scotland and other unions are striking from Monday for seven consecutive days at the publicly-owned organisation, with a mass rally planned in Glasgow on Wednesday. Scottish ministers have been urged to get involved in the dispute, which began in June 2024. Workers at GMB Scotland backed industrial action after the water company reduced the terms of a pay offer that had already been rejected, according to the union, which claimed that executives received record bonuses last year. Unionised staff voted against an offer of 3.4% or 1,400 covering the last nine months as the company changed the date for annual rises from July to April. The company branded industrial action unnecessary and said seven offers have been made since June 2024. Scottish Waters latest offer would see an average pay increase of around 7% over two years (2024/25 and 2025/26), in addition to a 3.5% yearly salary increase. It called for sensible negotiations from the unions, rejecting suggestions that emergency works would be impacted. In a marginal majority, 51% of Unison workers employed by the water supplier voted to reject the pay offer, and 49% voted to accept. The turnout was 86%. GMB said 60% of its members voted against the offer, and 40% chose to accept, on a turnout of 78%, while statistics were not provided by Unison. The strikes will conclude on June 8, and follow two days of industrial action in April. GMB Scotland organiser Claire Greer wrote to secretary for net zero Gillian Martin, raising concerns about the failure to resolve the dispute. Ms Greer said: It is impossible to know whether Scottish Water is playing games or simply inept, but the relentless progress of this dispute towards industrial action could have been halted at any time with open and straightforward negotiations. Instead, we have been given a series of needlessly complicated offers, one worse than the last, as managers spend more time attempting to undermine staff unions than delivering a fair offer. It needs to stop and if Scottish Water do not know how, ministers must explain public money is being risked by a dispute that should have been settled months ago. The public deserves better and workers deserve a fair pay offer. Peter Farrer, chief operating officer at Scottish Water, said: This weeks industrial action is unnecessary. It will mean union members losing valuable wages and add extra costs to the business which are ultimately paid for by customers. We invited the joint trade unions to talk over the weekend but unfortunately they refused to meet without preconditions. Given how close the vote against our latest pay offer was, we felt a resolution was possible and would be welcomed by all our colleagues. It is now time for the joint trade union leadership to return to the table with a sensible solution that ends this dispute. In the meantime, we have robust plans in place to maintain essential services should the trade unions press ahead with their strike action. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: Ministers have set out their policy in relation to public sector pay. It is a matter for Scottish Water and its unions to agree a settlement within the constraints of that policy and affordability. The Scottish Government urges both parties to resume negotiations to find an agreement. Its infuriating. My kids contributed literal blood and tears to help demonstrate the safety of these vaccines, a parent said. Photograph: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP/Getty Images As the Trump administration contemplates new clinical trials for Covid boosters and moves to restrict Covid vaccines for children and others, parents whose children participated in the clinical trials expressed anger and dismay. Its really devastating to see this evidence base officially ignored and discarded, said Sophia Bessias, a parent in North Carolina whose two- and four-year-old kids were part of the Pfizer pediatric vaccine trial. Its infuriating. My kids contributed literal blood and tears to help demonstrate the safety of these vaccines, Bessias said. Related: Doctors fear devastating consequences for pregnant people after RFK Jr order on Covid-19 boosters As a parent and also a pediatrician, I think its devastating that we might no longer have the option to protect kids against Covid, said Katherine Matthias, a pediatrician in South Carolina and a cofounder of Protect Their Future, a childrens health organization. Robert F Kennedy Jr, head of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has called for new trials using saline placebos for each of the routine childhood vaccines recommended by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even though these vaccines have already been tested against placebos or against vaccines that were themselves tested against placebos. Marty Makary, the head of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Vinay Prasad, the FDAs vaccines chief, outlined a plan in a recent editorial to restrict Covid boosters for anyone under the age of 65 without certain health conditions. For everyone else between the ages of six months and 64 years old, each updated Covid vaccine would need to undergo another randomized controlled clinical trial, Makary and Prasad said. Its not clear when, how or whether this plan will be implemented officially. On Tuesday, top US health officials said on the social media site X that they would remove the recommendation for Covid vaccination from the childhood immunization schedule, and would also cease recommending it for pregnant people, who have much higher risks of illness, death and pregnancy complications with Covid. On Friday, the CDC appeared to contradict that announcement by keeping Covid vaccines as a routine immunization for children though the agency now says health providers may recommend the vaccine, instead of saying they should recommend it. Changing recommendations could affect doctors and parents understanding of the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines. Vaccines recommended by the CDC are also covered by the federal Vaccines for Children program, and health insurers are required to cover the costs of routine vaccines. Its not clear if the wording change from should to may will affect that coverage. If insurance no longer covers the vaccines, pediatricians are less likely to keep many of the shots in stock, Matthias said, and pharmacies are limited by different state laws on which ages they may vaccinate which means families who want the vaccines may not be able to find them. Matthias drove her children, then aged 15 months and 14 years old, two hours each way to a Moderna pediatric trial. They did six or seven visits, plus two visits to receive the actual vaccines after they learned they had received placebos. Child participants spent hours on each visit and endured blood draws, Covid swabs, regular symptom and temperature monitoring, and, of course, several shots. Each shot was followed by a week of daily journaling and side-effect reporting. Participants who got Covid, even months later, had blood draws to check their antibody responses. It was a pretty big commitment of our time and energy. But I did it because I wanted to be sure that my kids and all kids had access to vaccines, Matthias said. Laura Labarre, a parent in Oregon, said the trials involved committing to something that felt important but larger than ourselves, because it ended up being a lot of work and a lot of logistics and a lot of effort. She drove her two kids, then aged one and three, an hour and a half each way to a Pfizer trial, and searched for ways to keep them occupied for hours on end. When most people hear about new developments in pediatric medicine, such as new vaccines, they dont often consider the hard work of volunteers, some only a few months old, who made the trials possible, Labarre said. I dont think people consider the toll on the families who are the ones who bravely and nervously put their children up to be the first to try it out, she said. When Nick Giglia got the call asking if he still wanted to enroll his one-year-old daughter in the Pfizer pediatric vaccine trial, he immediately said yes. For eight visits, extending over nearly a year, he would drive an hour each way to a trial in New Jersey. In all, his daughter received seven shots three saline placebos, three vaccines and a booster. It was very rigorous, Giglia said of the study design. Now, he said, its really difficult to hear people harping on the thoughts of there not being the placebo group. Well, its news to me. My kid was in the placebo group, he said. Parents who were eager to enroll in the original trials now wonder whether families would want to endure another round of placebo-controlled trials for updated vaccines. Finding the number of participants that they would need would be extremely difficult, Matthias said. To think that they would subject anyone, let alone children, to potentially getting the placebo in a trial where we know that the control is already so beneficial for health, just seems highly unethical and really disturbing, Labarre said. A new trial today would not add anything we dont already know, Bessias said. It would feel like actually participating in a project of undermining the existing evidence, rather than contributing new evidence. And the whole point of updating the vaccines is to counter new strains, Matthias said. Those vaccines would be out of date by the conclusion of a new study, which could take years. People should have the option to get Covid vaccines, Matthias said. The people who dont want it dont have to get it. When Matthias enrolled her kids in 2021, she felt as though they were in a limbo, and we were all just desperate to get our kids protected, she said. To kind of have that feeling coming back now we worked so hard and we advocated so much to get our kids access and now it might just be taken away is really upsetting. While Covid mortality rates are highest among people over the age of 65, Covid is still the eighth leading cause of all deaths among children. Any child dying a preventable death is a tragedy, Bessias said. We have to take a step back and realize that absolute numbers matter, too. And we can really avoid a lot of hospitalizations and deaths and transmission and horrible experiences for families by reaching those younger children. Its baffling because that seems to be completely left out of these discussions. Labarre feels profoundly enraged and betrayed by the Trump administrations actions. Limiting access to the vaccine, especially while proposing cuts to Snap and Medicaid, feels like an additional audacious battlefront theyve opened up in this sort of war on children, she said. It is destabilizing, frustrating and enraging to feel like my daughter, who wasnt even 18 months old, has done more for public health than some people who are now currently in charge of it, Giglia said. It is very frustrating to hear that sacrifice that we volunteered to make for the country, and frankly, the world, belittled. At the end of the trial, Giglias daughter was given a stuffed teddy bear in a sweater that said Covid-19 vaccine study hero. I dont care what anybody says. Thats what she is, Giglia said. I look forward to one day being able to tell my little girl all about how she helped save the world. And its hard to hear that many people think that we did the exact opposite. Food & Wine / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hausser / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer King Kamehameha II couldn't have known that he was helping make way for the first luaus when he made the once unthinkable decision to eat with his mother in 1819, ending the longstanding system of kapu, or taboo, that governed native Hawaiian society. Complex rules around who could eat what with whom were left by the wayside, and families began to eat together for the first time in many generations. And the celebrations that grew out of that first taboo-breaking meal look very different from the commercial luaus that tourists (myself included) frequent when they visit what was once the Kingdom of Hawaii. While its system of government may have been overthrown by the U.S., the people and foodways remain. For Hawaiians, native and otherwise, a luau is a family or community celebration to which you must be invited. For the rest of us, we pay for some kind of buffet and show. (I, for one, love a cheesy tourist performance, as long as the facts are right and the money is going to the right people.) Still, there's a thread, even if it is sometimes tenuous, between the community feasts and the tourist extravaganzas, which is most often visible in the food itself. There are dishes served at both tables that it's difficult to get anywhere else, especially on the mainland, whether it's poi (pounded taro root) or kalua pork cooked in a real imu (earth oven). The recipes here are dishes from that buffet bounty that have proved to be especially portable, brought to kitchens around the world by chefs like Sheldon Simeon, Kiki Aranita, Steve Balantac, and Henry Adaniya, who have a longstanding connection with the islands. That includes mac salad, poke, huli huli chicken, Spam musubi, butter mochi, Mai Tais, and more. Missing are local icons like lomi lomi salmon (salty chopped salmon that's used like a condiment), lau lau (meat or fish wrapped and cooked in taro and ti leaves), ube (purple sweet potatoes), chicken long rice (chicken with rice vermicelli), sweet rolls (not unlike King's Hawaiian), haupia (coconut cream pudding), as well as the all-important staple, poi, a starchy base ideal when paired with a flavorful bite. But, as Sheldon Simeon writes in his cookbook, Cook Real Hawai'i, a dish like poi is so "elemental" that it should "have to be experienced in Hawai'i to be fully understood and appreciated." The history of the U.S. and Hawai'i has been in many ways defined by consumption. Mainlanders have absorbed Hawai'i as an idea and ideal, bought its agricultural products, patronized its tourism industry, and used (by way of the U.S. military) its strategic location. People living in Hawai'i, on the other hand, have seen imported canned food like Spam become staples. (Even lomi lomi salmon is made with nonlocal fish.) This back-and-forth has been anything but even; a better word is extractive. But something special can happen in a kitchen when a cook submits themselves to the wisdom of a recipe. They become apprentices: students who learn by doing, cooking, eating. Even if you mess it up on your first try, for a moment the tradition lives in you. So if you are planning a large community celebration, let yourself be a student of the culinary wisdom of Hawai'i. And if you do make it to Mokupuni Hawaii (the Hawaiian islands), don't leave without trying the poi. Save to MyRecipes Love any of these recipes? Tap "Save" to add them to MyRecipes, your new, free recipe box for Food & Wine. Kalua Pork Christopher Testani / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Prissy Lee In a recipe adapted from Cook Real Hawaii, chef Sheldon Simeon translates imu-style kalua pork for the home kitchen with banana leaves and Hawaiian sea salt, delivering smoky, succulent strands of meat. For me, cooking in banana leaves is a connection to the past, Simeon says. Also, the flavor it imparts in food is so delicious. Get the Recipe Ginger-Ponzu Salmon Poke Heami Lee / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Christine Keely Chef Kiki Aranitas punchy salmon poke blends Korean perilla oil and lavender ponzu for a dish thats luscious and elegant delicate even. For Aranita's family, it's also traditional. "It's not Thanksgiving without poke!" Aranita says. Get the Recipe Mac Salad Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Ali Ramee / Prop Styling by Christina Daley Mac salad is creamy comfort incarnate: Best Foods (aka Hellmann's) mayo a must for Sheldon Simeon, overcooked noodles, soft potatoes, and boiled eggs, plus a touch of grated carrot for color. "Done right," Simeon says of this recipe, which he includes in Cook Real Hawaii., "mac salad should be so creamy and lush that you have to take a drink of water after a few bites!" Get the Recipe Huli Huli Chicken Wings Greg DuPree A marinade of fresh ginger and pineapple juice make these wings from chef Sheldon Simeon sweet, tangy, and just a little smoky. Huli huli means turn turn, a command that vendors in Hawai'i obey by turning their chickens inside a special rotating grill. At home, turn the wings often on the grill so they crisp evenly. Get the Recipe Hawaiian-Style Garlic Butter Shrimp Victor Protasio Inspired by the food trucks of O'ahu's North Shore, chef Sheldon Simeon marinates his shrimp in a mixture of calamansi juice, Italian dressing, mayonnaise, and salt. Make extra garlic butter youll want it on everything. Get the Recipe Gau Gee Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Lydia Pursell "At the many family feasts that I attend in Hawaii, gau gee are ubiquitous," says chef Kiki Aranita. She serves these fried treats wonton wrappers with pork and water chestnut tucked inside with spicy mayo made with her version of the Hawaiian condiment chile pepper water. Get the Recipe Pulehu Steak Tip Skewers with Maui Onion Sauce Victor Protasio Pulehu means "to cook over hot coals" in Hawaiian, and this recipe for grilled steak tip skewers from chef Sheldon Simeon has both a homemade marinade and basting sauce to flavor the beef. If you can't find Maui onions, turn to Vidalia or a similarly sweet, crunchy variety. Get the Recipe Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl Food & Wine / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hausser / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer "In Hawai'i, we don't serve poke with any sides/extra garnishes, says chef Kiki Aranita. No cucumbers, cabbage, or avocado in Hawaiian poke! This classic recipe lets the ahi tuna shine almost entirely on its own, supported with a dash of sesame oil, crunchy macadamia nuts, and sliced scallions over rice. Get the Recipe Cold Saimin Salad with Soy-Ginger Grilled Pork Victor Protasio Saimin gets its name from Chinese, but just about everything else is up for debate. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, and Portuguese communities in Hawai'i have all laid claim on various components of this ubiquitous noodle dish. Though it's usually served in a dashi-like broth, here saimin noodles make up a cold salad topped with crispy pork shoulder, crunchy bean sprouts, shredded nori, ribbons of eggs, and slices of pickled cucumber. Get the Recipe Mai Tai Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon Forget pink cocktails the real Mai Tai is golden, almond-scented, and rum-forward. Make a batch for your whole party to enjoy. Get the Recipe Hawaiian-Style Hot Dog Food & Wine / Photo by Robby Lozano / Food Styling by Chelesa Zimmer / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hauser Before their son Henry Adaniya was born, the parents of the one-time Chicago restauranteur owned a hot dog stand on O'ahu. In 2006, after a successful career in fine dining, Adaniya opened his own hot dog stand in Honolulu, which he ran until 2024. Adaniya opts for spicy Portuguese linguica sausage for this Hawaiian-inspired hot dog. Its easier to find than portagee, Hawaii's local version of linguica. Get the Recipe Musubi Lettuce Wraps with Pineapple Salsa Caitlin Bensel / Prop Styling by Christina Daley / Food Styling by Ali Ramee This musubi is wrapped in lettuce rather than nori, and stuffed with sticky and sweet ham rather than lightly seared Spam. These snacks are definitely party-ready. Get the Recipe Beef Poke Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Shell Royster This take on poke swaps raw fish for rare-seared beef, fresh tomatoes, and slices of sweet Maui onion all tossed in a glossy sauce of soy and brown sugar. We wanted meat lovers to experience what fish lovers enjoy so much about poke, explains Paul Rivera, Balantacs executive chef. Get the Recipe Butter Mochi Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Christina Brockman "In Hawaii, butter mochi is more popular than brownies," says chef Kiki Aranita. Crisp-edged, chewy-centered, and impossibly buttery, butter mochi is a potluck icon. Aranita calls it a mystical union of butter, coconut milk, and rice flour perhaps a decendent of Filipino bibingka and most certainly a product of Hawaiian home baking. Get the Recipe Spam-and-Kimchi Musubi Con Poulos Chef Roy Choi calls portable, snackable musubi the peanut butter and jelly sandwich of Hawaii." Made with seared Spam, sushi rice, and pureed kimchi, it's wrapped in nori for easy handling (and eating) on the go. Get the Recipe Lilikoi Wendell T. Webber Mixologist Julie Reiner made a lot of smoothies when she lived on O'ahu, which inspired this tropical mocktail made with mango puree, passion fruit nectar, and fresh citrus juices. It's a great option for a bright, refreshing nonalcoholic beverage when entertaning a large group, but it's also especially delicious in a mimosa. Get the Recipe Read the original article on Food & Wine (Corrects paragraph 3 to say 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March, not April) (Reuters) -The founder of 23andMe, Anne Wojcicki, has asked a U.S. judge to reopen an auction for the genetic testing company, saying she has the support of a Fortune 500 company with a current market capitalization of more than $400 billion. Wojcicki did not name the Fortune 500 company in court filings. South San Francisco, California-based 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March, seeking to sell its business at auction after a decline in consumer demand and a 2023 data breach that exposed sensitive genetic and personal information of millions of customers. Last month, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals agreed to buy the firm for $256 million, topping a $146 million bid from Wojcicki and TTAM Research Institute, which was founded by Wojcicki and describes itself as a California non-profit public benefit corporation. In a filing dated May 31, Wojcicki claimed that 23andMe's debtors had attempted to tilt the sales process away from TTAM and in favor of Regeneron. TTAM and Wojcicki said in the filing that 23andMes financial and legal advisers unfairly capped their maximum bid at $250 million due to misplaced concerns about TTAM's "financial wherewithal". The plaintiffs said the auction was prematurely concluded before they had the opportunity to submit a bid that would have exceeded $280 million. The company's debtors said the auction results came after an extensive and careful consideration by a four-member special committee of independent directors, according to the filing. According to another filing, 23andMe is seeking court approval to let Wojcicki and Regeneron submit final proposals by June 12. 23andMe is also seeking a $10 million breakup fee for Regeneron if Wojcicki's bid is ultimately accepted. Regeneron said it does not comment on the ongoing proceeding and aims to close the acquisition as intended. Lawyers for 23andMe's debtors and TTAM parties did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment. (Reporting by Urvi Dugar; Editing by Nia Williams) Katie Cooper/SWNS Katie Cooper's small freckle turned out to be melanoma that spread to her bones, breaking her back. NEED TO KNOW Katie Cooper was just 25 when she noticed a small freckle behind her ear, which was removed as a precaution Four years later, she developed melanoma in the same spot, but was told it was successfully removed until she began experiencing debilitating pains that left her bedridden The mom learned her melanoma had returned, spreading to her spine and bones, leading to a bleak terminal diagnosis A mom was given a devastating terminal cancer diagnosis after a small freckle behind her ear developed into terminal melanoma seven years after it was removed. Katie Cooper, 32, first had what she described as a small freckle behind her ear removed as a precaution, but four years later, noticed a small lump in the same spot. The lump was melanoma, but as the civil servant, who hails from the UKs Greater Manchester area, said, she was told she was cancer-free once it was removed, according to The Daily Mail. But then, in March 2024, symptoms started; Cooper began experiencing aches and pains following a trip to Disneyland Paris, but doctors dismissed them as just a virus shed picked up on her trip. Five weeks later, she was bedridden in agony and a return visit to the doctor delivered terrifying news: her melanoma had returned, and metastasized. Courtesy Katie Cooper / SWNS Katie Cooper's melanoma spread to her spine and bones, breaking her back. As a GoFundMe established to help Cooper pay for medical expenses explains, Coopers back was broken, as the cancer was in her spine and bones as well as in her liver, abdominal wall, lungs, and ovaries. We had no idea and we just thought I was unwell. It blindsided us, she said, according to the outlet. Finding out subsequently that it was in my other organs as well, I knew it would be quite difficult from here on out. Cooper is undergoing radiation and immunotherapy treatment, in an effort to extend her life, but as her friend, Abi Smith, said, her best prognosis of living for the next ten years is 60% if the treatment works. Now, Cooper's primary concern is her toddler, Aurora; As Smith 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, Smith said. Courtesy Katie Cooper / SWNS Katie Cooper is hoping her treatment works so se can be there for her toddler's 'milestones.' The American Cancer Society has estimated that approximately 105,000 new melanomas will be diagnosed in 2025 and about 8,400 are expected to die of melanoma. The organization noted that while it is more common for older adults to be diagnosed with melanoma, its one of the most common cancers in young adults. While melanoma accounts for only about 1% of skin cancers, it causes a large majority of skin cancer deaths. 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. Read the original article on People Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Russia overwhelmed by surprise Ukrainian drone attacks Ukraine on Sunday June 1, 2025 unleashed over hundred unmanned drones deep inside Russia targeting important military bases that also hit and destroyed nuclear bombers Monday June 2, 2025 10:04 PM , Agenies Moscow/Kyiv/Istanbul: Ukraine on Sunday June 1, 2025 unleashed over hundred unmanned drones deep inside Russia targeting important military bases that also hit and destroyed nuclear bombers. Code named Operation Spiders Web, the latest Ukrainian strike hit targets in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions of Russia. In the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions, the launch of FPV drones from an area in close proximity to airfields resulted in several aircraft catching fire, the Russian Defence Ministry said. FPV Drones FPV drones are unmanned aerial vehicles with cameras on the front that relay live footage to operators, who in turn use those visuals to direct the drones. More than 40 aircraft were known to have been hit in the operation, according to an SBU security source, including TU-95 and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers and one of Russias few remaining A-50 surveillance planes. Analysts have called Ukraines Sunday drone attack on the bomber bases the most significant by Kyiv since the beginning of the war, CNN reported. Watch Video Belaya, June 1, 2025, operation Spiderweb, another footage pic.twitter.com/QIcrkpU5EN IgorGirkin (@GirkinGirkin) June 2, 2025 The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said that it had hit Russian military planes worth a combined $7bn in a wave of drone strikes on Russian air bases thousands of kilometres behind the front line, Al Jazeera reported. Targets included the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk, about 4,300km (2,670 miles) from the Ukrainian border, and the Olenya airbase in south Murmansk, some 1,800km (1,120 miles) from Ukraine. Russia is yet to confirm the extent of the damage, but the attack could mark Ukraines most damaging drone strike of the war to date. Russia has had very tangible losses, and justifiably so, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said while claiming his army used 117 drones for the Sunday surprise attack. Istanbul Talks Ukraine drone attack on Russia came a day before crucial peace talks in Istanbul, Turkiye. The peace talks were held despite the attack, and officials from both the sides major breakthrough. We agreed on an all-for-all exchange of seriously wounded and seriously ill prisoners of war. The second category is young soldiers aged 18 to 25, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said at a press conference. We also agreed on the return of 6,000-for-6,000 bodies of dead soldiers, he added, emphasizing that while the agreement focused on specific categories rather than fixed numbers, the humanitarian aspect was clear, according to the state owned Anadolu Agency. Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation, also confirmed the agreement. Moscow and Kyiv agreed on the largest-ever war prisoners exchange an all-for-all format covering heavily wounded and young soldiers between the ages of 18 and 25", Medinsky said adding that Moscow would return the bodies of 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers. The agreement was finalized during the second round of talks at Istanbuls Ciragan Palace, where Turkish mediation efforts brought both sides together once more. Meanwhile, calling called the Russia-Ukraine peace talks held in Istanbul magnificent, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkiye is planning to host Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump so as to find ways to end more than three years of war. My greatest wish is to bring together Putin and Zelenskyy in Istanbul or Ankara and even add Trump along, Erdogan said addressing a news conference in Ankara. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Christina Daley Looking for an escape? Open a cookbook. There are thousands of cookbooks that center on a specific place ones that take a deep dive into that regions style of cooking through recipes and stunning location photography. A good travel cookbook has the power to transport you across the world, without even having to leave your kitchen. Whether youre shopping for your next vacation destination or hoping to learn more about another countrys culinary culture, these new cookbooks will take you there and beyond. Related: The 35 Best Cookbooks of All Time, According to Chefs and Our Editors Yassou by Shaily Lipa Food & Wine / Hachette Book Group Named after the casual Greek greeting, Yassou transports readers to Greece, where the cuisine is fresh and the sea is a true blue. Author Shaily Lipa shares traditional recipes inspired by her grandparents from Thessaloniki, embracing the simplicity and less-is-more approach of Greek cooking, from baked feta with jammy cherry tomatoes to salt-baked whole fish. Pakistan by Maryam Jillani Food & Wine / Hardie Grant Books Until now, there has never been a major cookbook about Pakistani cuisine one tackling its history, regional diversity, and the people who have shaped its evolution. Pakistani writer Maryam Jillani takes readers through seven regions of the country with thoughtful essays and more than 100 recipes that define its cuisine, including street food, curries, and flatbreads. Related: The Best Cookbooks of 2024, According to Food & Wine Editors Ghana to the World by Eric Adjepong with Korsha Wilson Food & Wine / Penguin Random House Chef Eric Adjepong, a first-generation Ghanaian American, shares the beauty and complexities of West African cuisine in this cookbook. Its filled with personal essays, transportive photography, and recipes ranging from traditional jollof rice and malva pudding to modern interpretations like grilled corn with garlic piri piri butter. Coastal by Scott Clark with Betsy Andrews Food & Wine / Chronicle Books In Coastal, chef Scott Clark takes readers on a journey down the Central Coast along the Pacific Coast Highway. Starting at his own American restaurant, Dads Luncheonette in Half Moon Bay, he hits the road, highlighting the restaurants and people that make the oceanside trek so unique with plenty of quintessentially Californian recipes along the way. French at Heart by Marjorie Taylor and Kendall Smith Franchini Food & Wine / Abrams Books In 2008, American mother-daughter duo Marjorie Taylor and Kendall Smith Franchini followed their dreams and opened a cooking school in Burgundy, France. In their second cookbook, they share the life theyve created in Beaune through simple, French-inspired family recipes like salade Nicoise and cheesy gratin dauphinois. Read the original article on Food & Wine Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks at the California Democratic party convention at the Anaheim Convention Center on Saturday. (Carlin Stiehl/Los Angeles Times) In the aftermath of Democrats widespread electoral failures last year, party activists in California who gathered for their annual convention this weekend struggled with balancing how to stick to their values while also reconnecting with voters who were traditionally part of their base notably working-class Americans. California's progressive policies and its Democratic leaders were routinely battered by Republicans during the 2024 election, with then-vice president and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris taking the brunt of it. Harris ultimately lost the election to Trump, partly because of shrinking support among traditional Democratic constituencies, including minorities and working-class voters. We got to be honest in what happened, because losing elections has consequences, said Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris running mate, during a rousing speech Saturday afternoon. We're in this mess because some of it's our own doing. None of us can afford to shy away from having hard conversations about what it's going to take to win elections. Walz, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, said Democrats don't need to retreat from their ideals, such as protecting the most vulnerable in society, including transgender children. But they need to show voters that they are capable of bold policy that will improve voters lives rather than delivering incremental progress, he said. The Democratic Party, the party of the working class, lost a big chunk of the working class, he said. That last election was a primal scream on so many fronts: do something, do something, stand up and make a difference. California is home to the most Democrats in the nation as well as a large number of the partys most deep-pocketed donors, making the state a popular spot for presidential hopefuls from across the country. In addition to Walz, another potential 2028 White House candidate who addressed the 4,000 delegates and guests at the Anaheim Convention Center was New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker. Booker argued that Democrats must remember the courage of their ancestors who fought for civil and voting rights and created the social safety net for the most vulnerable Americans as they try to fight Trumpism. Real change does not come from Washington. It comes from communities. It comes from the streets, he said in a Saturday morning speech. The power of the people is greater than the people in power. Harris, who is weighing a 2026 gubernatorial run and is also viewed as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, addressed the convention by video. Gov. Gavin Newsom, also viewed as a possible White House contender, did not appear at the convention. Read more:The California Democratic Party's premiere event will have two notable no-shows Delegate Jane Baulch-Enloe, a middle school teacher from Pleasant Hill in the Bay Area, said she wasnt sure that Californias particular brand of liberalism will sell on the national stage. I dont know if a California Democrat can win a presidential election, she said as she and her daughter sorted through swag and campaign fliers in the convention cafe. California is thought of as the crazy people. ... I dont mean that in a bad way though I know some people do but we do things differently here. She said she learned from President Obamas memoir, Audacity of Hope, that most, if not all, Americans want the same things, but talk about them differently and have different approaches for getting there. California Democrats, Baulch-Enloe said, need to get people on our side and help them understand that we arent just wacko liberals, and teach people that its okay to want things like healthcare for all and high union wages. But the 2028 presidential race was not the focus of this years California Democratic Party convention. Delegates were more concerned about last years presidential and congressional losses though California was a rare bright spot for the party, flipping three districts held by the GOP and preparing for next years midterm elections. Delegates hope Democrats will take control of Congress to stop Trump from enacting his agenda. Aref Aziz, a leader of the party's Asian American Pacific Islander caucus, said the party needed to sharpen its messaging on economic issues if they want to have a chance of victory in coming elections. When it comes to the affordability issue, when it comes to economics, those are the things that across the broad spectrum of our coalition, all those things matter to everybody, Aziz said. And what really is, what really is important is for us to focus on that economic message and how we're going to improve the quality of life for everyone in these midterm elections and future presidential elections. He noted he was in France on his honeymoon recently, and was strolling through a grocery store and buying half a dozen eggs for 1.50 euros (the equivalent of $1.70) when the news broke that Californias economy had grown to the fourth largest in the world. Read more:California overtakes Japan to become world's fourth-largest economy. But tariffs pose threat When you look at a lot of our economies, California and New York, by all accounts, GDP, the numbers that you look at, they're doing great, he said. But when it comes to the cost that consumers are paying in these places, they're so high and so far above other countries that we end up diminishing whatever value there is in our GDP, because everything's so expensive. Some Democrats questioned the impact of the weaponization of California's liberal policies, including defending transgender rights, on voters in battleground states in 2024. Read more:News Analysis: If Democrats want to win back the American people, does California need to stand down? But delegates and party leaders largely argued that the state needs to continue to be on the vanguard of such matters. People like to point a finger somewhere, and I think California is an easy target, but I disagree, said delegate Melissa Taylor, president of Foothill Community Democrats. "Because I think that California is standing up for values that the Democratic Party believes in, like we believe in labor, we believe in healthcare, we believe in women's rights, we believe in rights for LGBTQ people." Jodi Hicks, the president of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, said issues such as reproductive healthcare access also have an economic impact. "We have to walk and chew gum at the same time," she said, adding that the party's 2024 losses were likely prompted by multiple factors, including Harris' being the Democratic nominee for a little over three months after then-President Biden decided not to seek reelection. "We're going to be analyzing 2024 for a very long time," Hicks said. "It was such unique circumstances." Times staff writer Laura J. Nelson contributed to this report. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. BOULDER, Colo. (AP) A man posing as a gardener to get close to a group in Boulder holding their weekly demonstration for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza planned to kill them all with Molotov cocktails, authorities said Monday. But he had second thoughts and only threw two out of the 18 incendiary devices he had into the group of about 20 people, yelling Free Palestine and accidentally burning himself, police said. Twelve people were injured in the Sunday attack. He had gas in a backpack sprayer but told investigators he didnt spray it on anyone but himself because he had planned on dying. He said he had to do it, he should do it, and he would not forgive himself if he did not do it, police wrote in an affidavit. He didnt carry out his full plan because he got scared and had never hurt anyone before. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, planned the attack for more than a year and specifically targeted what he described as a Zionist group, authorities said in court papers charging him with a federal hate crime. The suspects first name also was spelled Mohammed in some court documents. When he was interviewed about the attack, he said he wanted them all to die, he had no regrets and he would go back and do it again, Acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell for the District of Colorado said during a press conference Monday. Federal and state prosecutors filed separate criminal cases against Soliman, charging him with a hate crime and attempted murder, respectively. He faces additional state charges related to the incendiary devices, and more charges are possible in federal court, where the Justice Department will seek a grand jury indictment. During a state court hearing Monday, Soliman appeared briefly via a video link from the Boulder County Jail wearing an orange jumpsuit. Another court hearing is set for Thursday. Soliman is being held on a $10 million, cash-only bond, prosecutors said. An FBI affidavit says Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody Sunday and told the police he was driven by a desire to kill all Zionist people, a reference to the movement to establish and protect a Jewish state in Israel. Soliman's attorney, public defender Kathryn Herold, declined to comment after the hearing. Soliman was living in the U.S. illegally after entering the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a post on the social platform X. The burst of violence at the popular Pearl Street pedestrian mall in downtown Boulder unfolded against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war that continues to inflame global tensions and has contributed to a spike in antisemitic violence in the United States. The attack happened on the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot and barely a week after a man who also yelled Free Palestine was charged with fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staffers outside a Jewish museum in Washington. Six victims hospitalized The victims who were wounded range in age from 52 to 88, and the injuries spanned from serious to minor, officials said. All four of the latest victims had what police described as minor injuries. Six of the injured were taken to hospitals, and four have since been released, said Miri Kornfeld, a Denver-based organizer connected to the group. She said the clothing of one of those who remains hospitalized caught on fire. The volunteer group called Run For Their Lives was concluding their weekly demonstration when video from the scene shows a witness shouting, Hes right there. Hes throwing Molotov cocktails." A police officer with his gun drawn advances on a bare-chested suspect who is holding containers in each hand. Witness Alex Osante of San Diego said he was across the pedestrian mall when he heard the crash of a bottle breaking and a boom followed by people yelling and screaming. In video of the scene captured by Osante, people could be seen pouring water on a woman lying on the ground who Osante said had caught on fire during the attack. Molotov cocktails found Soliman said he dressed up like gardener with an orange vest in order to get as close to the group as possible, police wrote. Osante said that after the suspect threw the two incendiary devices, apparently catching himself on fire as he threw the second, he took off his shirt and what appeared to be a bulletproof vest before the police arrived. The man dropped to the ground and was arrested without any apparent resistance in the video Osante filmed. District Attorney Michael Dougherty said 16 unused Molotov cocktails were recovered by law enforcement. The devices were made up of glass wine carafe bottles or jars with clear liquid and red rags hanging out of the them, the FBI said. Soliman told investigators he constructed the devices after doing research on YouTube and buying the ingredients. He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year and was waiting until after his daughter graduated to conduct the attack, the affidavit says. Soliman also told investigators he took a concealed carry class and tried to buy a gun but was denied because he is not a legal U.S. citizen. Suspect hospitalized after attack Authorities said they believe Soliman acted alone. He was also injured and taken to a hospital. Authorities did not elaborate on the nature of his injuries, but a booking photo showed him with a large bandage over one ear. In video and photos shot right after the attack by a woman at the gathering, Soliman can be seen pacing without his shirt on with what appears to be burns down one of his arms. He and a small group of people around him are screaming at each other, with some witnesses filming him. Soliman, who was born in Egypt, moved to Colorado Springs three years ago, where he lived with his wife and five kids, according to state court documents. He previously spent 17 years living in Kuwait. McLaughlin said Soliman filed for asylum in September 2022 and was granted a work authorization in March 2023 that had expired. DHS did not immediately respond to requests for additional information. Shameka Pruiett knew Soliman and his wife as kindly neighbors with three young kids and two teenagers whod play with Pruietts kids. Another neighbor, Kierra Johnson, said she could often hear shouting at night from his apartment and once called police because of the screaming and yelling. On Sunday, Pruiett saw law enforcement vehicles waiting on the street throughout the day until the evening, when they spoke through a megaphone telling anyone in Solimans home to come out. Nobody came out and it did not appear anyone was inside, said Pruiett. ___ This story has been updated to correct that the suspect's first name is spelled Mohamed, not Mohamad. ___ Tucker reported from Washington. Associated Press journalists Brittany Peterson and David Zalubowski in Boulder, Colorado; Jesse Bedayn in Colorado Springs; Kimberlee Kruesi in Providence, Rhode Island; Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis; Alanna Durkin Richer and Michael Biesecker in Washington and Jim Mustian in New York contributed to this report. getty images getty images Since she was a child, Brandi Jones struggled with hair lossnot minor shedding or overall thinning, but large bald spots that made her feel like her head looked like a leopard or cheetah, she says. Jones, now 54, is a benefits manager at a medical center in Louisville. She was diagnosed with alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that disrupts regular hair growth, at just 18 months old and has lived with the disease for over half a century. For most of her life, she wore extensions, wigs, or toppers (small partial hairpieces) to hide her hair loss and feel normal. Even after she got engaged, shed climb into bed before her fiancewith the lights outso he wouldnt see her patchy scalp. Its something that you never stop worrying and thinking about. People will say to you, Its just hair. It doesnt matter, she says. But when you look at yourself in the mirror, there is no way that it cant take a toll on you, mentally. But this all started to change in 2021. That year, Jones took part in a clinical trial for a new alopecia areata drug called Leqselvi, which was designed to treat the condition and help grow hair back. Flash forward four years, and Jones looks like she belongs in a shampoo commercialher thick, layered locks cascade down in soft waves past her shoulders. This year, I treated myself to the Dyson Airwrap, she says. Joness hair-regrowth success since she has been on the drugwhich the FDA approved in July of 2024has been particularly dramatic. The new drug joins two others used to treat alopecia areata, Litfulo and Olumiant, which have helped thousands of women and men see their hair restored in recent years. Although the medications, called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, dont cure alopecia areatahair falls out again if patients stop taking itthey are revolutionizing treatment and making the impossible seem possible. Courtesy of Brandi Jones - Hearst Owned After taking these medications for a year and a half, up to 40 percent of patients have at least 80 percent of their scalp hair regrown, says Ross Kopelman, MD , a hair restoration surgeon in New York City and Palm Beach County, Florida. This is life-changing for a lot of people who have significant hair loss. April Noel, 49, experienced this firsthand. The music teacher from Illinois started taking Litfulo about five years ago and has recovered about 90 percent of her scalp hair. Id always hoped Id get my hair back, she says. The first time I drove with my windows down and felt the breeze in my hair, I thought I would cry. Immune System Overload Before diving into the ins and outs of the new treatments, its helpful to understand exactly how alopecia areata impacts the body and your hair. At its most basic, this condition occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicleslike an army mistakenly firing on its own troops. That attack doesnt lead to the death of hair follicles, but it puts them in a dysfunctional state, so they dont grow hair, says Brett King, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut, whose research has played a key role in bringing JAK inhibitors for alopecia areata to the market. Although its cause is unknown, experts know that alopecia areata has a genetic component. Theres some sort of environmental input that flips the switch and turns the disease on at a specific time in an individuals life, says Amy McMichael, MD, a professor in the department of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. But we dont really know what that switch is. With alopecia, everyones hair loss pattern looks different. Some people develop circular bald patches, while others lose all the hair on their heads but have it elsewhere. Others grow no hair at all and resort to penciling in eyebrows and wearing fake lashes. Hair growth can wax and wane over the years, frustrating patients and their doctors who dont know why this happens. One of the unique things about this condition is you can go into remission at any time, says Deeann Graham, 53, an alopecia advocate and educator, author of Head-On, Stories of Alopecia and host of the podcast Alopecia Life . Graham was diagnosed at 7, had regrowth at 14, and then lost almost all of her hair between 28 and 32. When I was diagnosed, they said the most predictable thing about it is its unpredictability, says Caitlin Riley-Klepac, 37, a mental health therapist in Lansing, Michigan, who, with the loss of hair on the sides and back of her head, likes to say she could pass for a punk rocker. She lost much of the hair on her body (one armpit would grow hair; the other wouldnt) and has tattooed eyebrows. Damian Vines - Hearst Owned Women are more likely to develop the condition, which typically starts in childhood. Its also more common in Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations, says Dr. McMichael. Alopecia areata patients also often have other autoimmune disorders. About three in 10 people with alopecia areata have autoimmune thyroid disease, and the same ratio stands with rates of eczema, says Dr. King. Its not uncommon to also see patients with inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Shaking the Stigma For the roughly 700,000 Americans who suffer from alopecia areata, the social and emotional consequences and stigma of a bald or patchy scalp are tough to contend with, which makes effective treatments like Litfulo revolutionary. In fact, the mental impact of the condition is on par with developing post-traumatic stress disorder, according to Dr. King. Stigma can run deep within societys psyche. For starters, humans seem hardwired to think something is wrong with a person missing hairperhaps because it can be a sign of illness or aging. Case in point: When people in studies are shown photos of alopecia patients who still have eyebrows and scalp hair, they say that the patients look like normal people, according to Dr. McMichael. But when the scalp hair and eyebrows are removed, they say the person looks ill. The patients are assumed to have some sort of really severe disease, she says. And this just increases the stigma people with alopecia feel. Lara Ziobro, a 45-year-old working in marketing and communications from New Jersey, was diagnosed in early 2024, and noticed that having no hair makes it seem like youre not taking care of yourself, like theres something wrong with you. This shame and stigma can make people with alopecia hold back, avoiding activities that might expose them to humiliationlike going to a swimming pool or dating. Riley-Klepac kept her diagnosis from her closest friends and used to hide when anyone stopped by her home and she wasnt wearing a wig. Since Graham was diagnosed while still in grade school, she remembers being teased in school and classmates pulling off her wig. When she first met her husband, she had only a few bald spots. And it took her a few weeks to build up her courage before sharing her diagnosis. Thinking about telling him was pretty consuming, she says. But she knew shed have to break the news eventually, because you cant hide alopecia. Hair is also often part of self-expression. And Ziobro felt like she was losing a part of her identity after she started losing her hair. I was always so proud of my hair. It was one of my trademarks, she says. Where she used to switch up her hairdyeing it red or blonde, going from long to shortshe now switches her part from side to side or arranges her remaining hair to disguise bald spots. getty images JAK to the Rescue So far, three JAK inhibitors have been approved for severe alopecia areata by the FDA. Olumiant (baricitinib) was approved in 2022 for adults, Litfulo (ritlecitinib) in 2023 for adults and adolescents age 12 and over, and Leqselvi (deuruxolitinib) in 2024 for adults. These treatments work by blocking Janus kinase enzymes, which play a role in a key immune system-signaling pathway that results in inflammation. By targeting these enzymes, the medication helps repress inflammatory responses in hair follicles, keeping them healthy. The first JAK inhibitors were designed to treat other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis (another autoimmune condition), and have also shown promise for some skin diseases including eczema and vitiligo. Other JAK inhibitors for alopecia areata are in the pipeline. About half of people taking the approved new wonder drugs see significant hair growth, which is a high bar for any medication. Its really quite extraordinary, says Dr. King. But some patients see less-than-stellar resultsor no results at all. Naomie Schreuder, 24, who lives in the Netherlands and participated in a clinical drug trial in Germany, gave up after a year and a half on a JAK inhibitor when she didnt grow back any hair. I was very hopeful, she says. I saw a lot of people who had great success. While there are exceptions, the drugs generally appear to be less effective in people whove had the disease for longer. (Schreuder has had alopecia areata for 21 years.) Sandra Kelberlau, 51, an art conservator in Raleigh, North Carolina, has had moderate hair growth with Olumiant. But shes noticed that if she has a virus or needs to take antibiotics, it triggers a flare of hair shedding. Missing doses can also cause problems, according to Amelia Anderson, 32, a web designer in Meridian, Idaho. When her prescription refill was briefly delayed four months into starting the medication, she began losing hair within a few days. Currently, JAK inhibitors are only approved for people who have severe alopecia areatathose with 50 percent or more hair loss. Many people using the drugs have tried other treatment options in the past that didnt work. Corticosteroids, either taken orally or injected directly into bald spots on the scalp, are a mainstay of treatment and help calm inflammation linked to the disease. But unlike JAK inhibitors, they are effective only at the injection sites, and are not systemic treatments. Steroid treatments are still used by patients with mild to moderate hair loss and an important option, Dr. McMichael says. And doctors may also use steroids at the same time as JAK inhibitors to help promote more hair growth. Hearst Owned Ziobros disease falls in the mild-to-moderate category. So, her dermatologist injected a steroid into bald areas as they appeared on her scalp, about once a month, which she says made it feel like they were playing whack-a-mole. (She is not currently doing injections since her bald spots have minimized but would resume if needed). Her head would hurt after the shots, and shes experienced itching and redness, but, so far, the treatment has kept her bald spots to a minimum by helping her hair grow. Topical and oral minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine) can also help keep the hair follicle in the growth phase, allowing hair to increase in diameter and density, and is sometimes used in tandem with the new JAK inhibitors, says Dr. McMichael. And the immunosuppressant drug methotrexate can help treat alopecia areata by helping treat the inflammation that causes hair loss. But so far, JAK inhibitors are the most promising long-term treatment doctors have seen for full hair regrowth. Unwanted Effects The side effects of these revolutionary medications can be a challenge, particularly in the beginning. Early on, Anderson felt mild nausea and fatigue and also experienced mood swings and occasional headaches, but the effects gradually diminished as her body adjusted to the medication. The drugs also confer a greater risk for common infections such as colds and UTIs. They can also raise cholesterol levels, which means some patients may need to take cholesterol-lowering drugs, like statins, at the same time. More concerning, the FDA imposed a black box warning on certain medications based on initial trials that used JAK inhibitors for conditions other than alopecia areata. Despite the fact that trials for JAK inhibitor Xeljanzwhich is approved for inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis (among others)had older, sicker subjects who were also taking another drug at the same time, results did show an increased risk of serious heart-related events such as heart attack or stroke, cancer, blood clots, and death. However, the American Academy of Dermatology says not all of these side effects occurred in all safety studies for different JAK inhibitors approved for alopecia areata. However, when a side effect was found in one type of JAK inhibitor, the FDA required it also be listed as a potential risk on the others that function similarly. Still, people with a history of cancer, blood clots, heart attack, stroke, or serious infection should have a conversation with their doctor about their risk. Hearst Owned Of course, not everyone who has alopecia areata can take the medications, and some people with the condition choose not toor cant afford it. These drugs can cost $20,000 to $30,000 a year, says Dr. Kopelman. And with this condition you have to be on them forever. This is especially an issue for medically underserved minorities, often people of color, who may have trouble accessing any kind of health care, Dr. McMichael says. Private insurance may or may not cover the cost, and coverage through Medicaid varies from state to state. Pharma companies, however, have put in place several patient programs to try to make this treatment more accessible. A Complex Choice After decades of coming to terms with their hair loss, people with alopecia areata have mixed feelings about the new medications. Many feel that alopecia has become part of their identity and dont necessarily feel the need to fix themselves to meet social expectations of what they should look like. Theyve also found strength in forming supportive communities with one another. Of course, no one would question a persons right to pursue a powerful, effective treatment for a life-altering disease. But at the same time, Riley-Klepac, Graham, and others in the hair loss community are determined that people with alopecia be comfortable with themselves, whether or not they decide to use the drugs. Some, like Grahamin league with actress Jada Pinkett Smith and bluegrass musician Molly Tuttleare happy rocking their bald looks. It took me years to go bald publicly, Graham says. Now theres no other way for me to be. For Riley-Klepac, who started taking Olumiant at the end of last year, excitement about the possibility of growing hair is mixed with guilt. I sometimes feel like I am cheating on my community, she says. In the summer before her senior year in high school in 2005, she attended a National Alopecia Areata Foundation conference in Tampa. The sea of bald heads blew my mind, she says. At the end of the week, I felt so free without my wig, I got a second-degree sunburn on my head at the swimming pool. Meeting people like me gave me my life back. When Riley-Klepac returned to school, she finally shared her diagnosis with her principal and classmates, first in a public letter, then during an assembly, to great applause. I got an overwhelmingly positive response, she says. That year she was elected homecoming queen and proudly wore a special crown (one that didnt require a comb to attach it) on her bare scalp. I want people to feel confident and happy just as they are, she says, with or without a full head of hair. You Might Also Like NEED TO KNOW Authorities have reportedly determined the cause of death for a man whose body was found "burned severely" on a mountain in Georgia on Saturday, May 31 Police said the man's death has been ruled a suicide This is the first time in my knowledge that something like this has happened, Stone Mountain Park Department of Public Safety spokesman John Bankhead told Atlanta News First Authorities have reportedly determined the cause of death for a man whose severely burned body was found in Georgia over the weekend. On Saturday, May 31, Stone Mountain Park Department of Public Safety spokesperson John Bankhead announced that a hiker had discovered the charred remains of a man on Stone Mountain, just outside of Atlanta, around 8:18 a.m. local time and called 911. In an update on Sunday, June 1, Stone Mountain Park police said that the mans death has been ruled a suicide, according to the Associated Press, NBC affiliate WXIA and Atlanta News First. Based on his driver's license, the man was described as White and in his late 20s. "Given the sensitivity and possible impact of reporting of suicides, Park police are not releasing the name of the deceased and ask that a link be provided to the Georgia Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988," authorities said, per WXIA. The man reportedly left a note about his plans, helping confirm it was a suicide. This is the first time in my knowledge that something like this has happened, Bankhead, the police spokesperson, told Atlanta News First. Finding a body on top of the mountain weve found bodies ... but nothing like this, its very unusual," he added. The mans body was taken to the DeKalb County Medical Examiner's Office and his cause of death is being investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, according to AP. His remains were found in Stone Mountain Park, located roughly 20 miles from downtown Atlanta. The tourist destination features giant carvings of three Confederate leaders: Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. The man's body was spotted under rocks and an overhang, PEOPLE previously reported. "It's in an area that visitors usually don't go to," Bankhead previously said, per Atlanta News First. "You can see right behind me, it's under some trees. It's not in a popular area for visitors," he added. Atlanta News First/YouTube Police car at Stone Mountain Park "We are fortunate that the individual [the 911 caller] did spot the body. We'd like to talk to him if he would call park police," Bankhead said, describing the incident as a very odd situation. Stone Mountain Park Police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment on Monday, June 2. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7. Read the original article on People By Evan Garcia, Patrick Wingrove, Rich McKay BOULDER, Colorado (Reuters) -An Egyptian national charged with tossing gasoline bombs at a pro-Israeli rally in Colorado, injuring a dozen people, spent a year planning his attack and used Molotov cocktails instead of a gun because his status as a noncitizen barred him from purchasing firearms, prosecutors said on Monday. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, told investigators that he wanted to "kill all Zionist people" but had delayed committing the attack in the city of Boulder until after his daughter had graduated from high school, according to state and federal court documents charging him with attempted murder, assault and a federal hate crime. Police and FBI affidavits quoted the suspect as saying he had learned to shoot a gun in a class he took for the purpose of obtaining a concealed-carry permit but ended up using Molotov cocktails because of his immigration status. Soliman told investigators that he had learned how to make the fire bombs from YouTube. Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said Soliman had overstayed a tourist visa and had an expired work permit. Trump administration officials immediately seized on Sunday's violence as an example of why they are cracking down on illegal immigration. A police affidavit filed in support of Soliman's arrest warrant said he was born in Egypt, lived in Kuwait for 17 years and moved three years ago to Colorado Springs, about 100 miles (61 km) south of Boulder, where he lived with his wife and five children. "In light of yesterdays horrific attack, all terrorists, their family members, and terrorist sympathizers here on a visa should know that under the Trump administration we will find you, revoke your visa, and deport you," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X. According to the Boulder police affidavit, Soliman had planned for a year to carry out the attack, which unfolded on the Pearl Street Mall, a popular pedestrian shopping district near the University of Colorado. The victims, many of them elderly, were taking part in an event organized by Run for Their Lives, an organization devoted to drawing attention to the hostages seized in the aftermath of Hamas' 2023 attack on Israel. The attack was the latest act of violence aimed at Jewish Americans linked to outrage over Israel's escalating military offensive in Gaza. It followed the fatal shooting of two Israel Embassy aides that took place outside Washington's Capital Jewish Museum last month. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the suspect would be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law for what was described as an "antisemitic terror attack." Authorities said they found 16 gasoline-filled Molotov cocktails near where the suspect was detained. The police also found a gasoline canister in his car parked nearby and a weed sprayer filled with gasoline at the scene. The federal affidavit references a video posted on social media during the attack showing Soliman "shirtless, pacing back and forth while holding what appear to be Molotov cocktails." During a brief court appearance on Monday, Soliman appeared via a video feed from the Boulder County Jail, standing and wearing an orange jumpsuit. He answered "yes" to some procedural questions from the judge but otherwise did not speak. Soliman's attorney, public defender Kathryn Herold, said during the hearing that she would reserve any arguments regarding his bond conditions until a future date. The suspect faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if found guilty on the federal hate crime charge because he was also charged with attempted-murder charges in state court. The multiple counts of attempted murder are punishable by up to 384 years in prison. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson previously said Soliman had entered the United States in August 2022 and filed for asylum the following month. "The suspect, Mohamed Soliman, is illegally in our country," the spokesperson said. "There are millions of individuals like this that we are attempting to locate from the past administration that weren't properly screened that were allowed in," Lyons, the acting ICE director, said during a press conference in Boston. "I will tell you that's a huge effort for ICE right now." U.S. President Donald Trump said in a social media post that such attacks would not be tolerated. "This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland," he said. Under former President Joe Biden, ICE prioritized arrests of serious criminals and called for officers to consider humanitarian factors when making arrests. Four women and four men between 52 and 88 years of age were transported to hospitals after Sunday's attack, Boulder police said. On Monday, local authorities said four more surviving victims had since been identified. Rabbi Yisroel Wilhelm, the Chabad director at the University of Colorado, Boulder, told CBS Colorado that the 88-year-old victim was a Holocaust refugee who fled Europe. Sunday's attack was not the first high-profile incident of mass violence in Boulder, a university town that attracts many young professionals and outdoor enthusiasts. In 2021, a gunman fatally shot 10 people, including an off-duty police officer, in a local supermarket. (Reporting by Evan Garcia in Boulder, Colorado; Rich McKay in Atlanta and Patrick Wingrove in New York; Additional reporting by Jasper Ward, Raphael Satter, Mark Makela, Kristina Cooke, Nate Raymond, Joseph Ax and Keith Coffman; Writing by Patrick Wingrove and Steve Gorman; Editing by Rod Nickel and Matthew Lewis) Costco is testing a new feature allowing customers to scan and pay for items from warehouses on their phones. (Justin SullivanGetty Images) Costco is testing a feature that would allow customers to scan items in its warehouses and pay for them on their phones, following the lead of Walmart-owned rival Sams Club. CEO Ron Vachris offered few details on the technology, but a guide on Costcos website said customers will receive a QR code after paying that they scan at a kiosk before exiting. Costco is turning to technology to get its customers out the door faster, a feature pioneered by rival Sams Club. On the companys fiscal third-quarter earnings call, CEO Ron Vachris said the company has been quietly testing technology that would allow customers to use their phones to scan items and pay, bypassing checkout lines and improving the speed at which customers can complete their purchases. Weve also engaged in some Scan & Go done by Costco kind of tests that were doing out there that have been extremely successful of moving people through the lines and expediting the transactions, Vachris said on the earnings call. Weve seen some very, very early results that have been very positive and great adoption from our membersseeing that as well. The name Scan & Go is trademarked by Walmart-owned rival Sams Club, which has been developing this type of checkout technology for years. An early version of the tech, which launched in 2013, allowed customers to scan their items in the app but required them to pay in the self-checkout lane. Later, Sams Club allowed customers to pay for scanned items in the app, and is now looking to replace self-checkout lanes across the U.S. with the tech. Costco CEO Vachris offered few details about its version of the technology, but a guide on the Costco website explains its Scan & Pay technology, offered in partnership with Instacart, is similar to that of Sams Club. By scanning items barcodes, customers build up a digital shopping cart which they can then pay for directly in the app and receive a QR code to scan at a Scan & Pay kiosk before exiting. Costco did not immediately respond to Fortunes request for comment. Customers have long complained about the warehouse clubs lackluster digital services and the fact it doesnt offer the scanning technology Sams Club has developed for more than a decade. Now Costco is apparently embracing the idea with several new technology pilots, Vachris said. More than half of Costco members have downloaded the companys app, and chief financial officer Gary Millerchip sees the companys foray into Scan & Pay tech as a growth area for the company. We still think theres plenty of opportunity to keep driving higher penetration of digital engagement with our members, and we think its got a runway to continue to grow in the future, Millerchip said on the earnings call. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Adobe / Allrecipes When I think of peaches, Im not first reminded of biting into a fresh Georgia peach over the kitchen sink, juice dripping down my chin and onto my sticky hands. Instead, I think of the soda that has lasted generations and tastes like homePeach Nehi. As a child of the 90s and Nickelodeon fan, the sodas label conjures up memories of Slime Time with its coral background, white gradient splatter, and Nehi in bold green letters outlined in white. No Southern road trip or hot summer day feels complete without the ritual of sauntering into a gas station, feeling the blast of cold air once you open the refrigerated cooler door, and grabbing a cold bottle of Peach Nehi. Its sweet, aggressively peachy fizz satisfies like no other. For the ultimate experience, I pour the soda over gas station ice in a big Styrofoam tumbler. It pairs perfectly with greasy roadside fare like hot dogs, nachos, or fried chicken. The syrupy sweetness cuts through the richness like nothing else, and one bottle never quite feels like enough. Allrecipes / Nehi Peach-flavored everything is wildly popular in Georgia, but even I was surprised to learn that the soda actually originated here in my home state. Nehi, pronounced "knee-high," was introduced in 1924 by Chero-Cola/Union Bottle Works, founded by Columbus, Georgia native and grocer Claud A. Hatcher. A grocer and pharmacist, Hatcher had a knack for mixing flavors. Hatchers early creations included root beer and ginger ale, but he pushed into fruit sodas to compete with Coca-Cola and offer something different. By 1915, the company introduced a Cherry Cola, and in 1924, Nehi sodas were launched in peach, orange, and grape flavors. The name Nehi was inspired by the 12-inch tall glass bottlesjust about knee high. Eventually, the company rebranded as Nehi Corporation and continued evolving. In 2008, it became part of the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group (now known as Keurig Dr. Pepper Inc.), cementing its place in convenience store coolersnow in plastic bottles, but still unmistakably Peach Nehi. "When I think of Georgia peaches, I dont picture fresh fruit juice dripping from my chin. My mind goes straight to Peach Nehithe fizzy, fragrant soda that defined my summers." Learning the fascinating history of Peach Nehi made me appreciate those tender memories even more. It tastes like sultry Southern summer road tripsgood music playing, the highway passing beneath us. Though it was born in Georgia, Peach Nehi is beloved beyond state lines. I know folks in Tennessee, for instance, who speak lovingly about it in a way I assumed was uniquely Georgian. What once felt like a local secret is now stocked in 12-packs at grocery stores. So no, when I think of Georgia peaches, I dont picture fresh fruit juice dripping from my chin. My mind goes straight to Peach Nehithe fizzy, fragrant soda that defined my summers. Perhaps its hyperbole, but I stand by it: Theres no better, more memorable, peach-centric soda than Peach Nehi. Its not just a drink. Its an irreverent Georgia staple that still tastes like home. Read the original article on ALLRECIPES WASHINGTON - Rep. Jerrold Nadler is demanding a congressional investigation after an aide at his Manhattan office was handcuffed and detained by Department of Homeland Security officers. The incident, which occurred on May 28, began after the staffer saw federal agents detaining migrants outside a courtroom located in the same building as the New York Democrats office, according to The New York Times. Robert Gottheim, Nadler's chief of staff, told The New York Times in an interview that staff members had invited immigration rights advocates who witnessed the detentions to the office. Nadler alleged in a CNN interview on June 2 that the officers had "barged" into his office because the officers were "upset" that his staff members watched them detain immigrants. "And they were upset that my staff invited some of the observers up to my office. They then came up to the office and demanded entrance. One of my staff members said, you cant come in here, you need a warrant. They said, 'No, we dont need a warrant,' which is incorrect," Nadler said. Nadler further claimed that one of the officers pushed his aide and she pushed back, and was then shackled. Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin alleged in a statement that the aide "became verbally confrontational and physically blocked access to the office." In a video shared by Gothamist, a New York City-focused news website that first reported the incident, an officer with the Federal Protective Service, part of the Department of Homeland Security, can be seen handcuffing an apparently distressed staffer. Another officer had confronted a second Nadler aide, who asked for a warrant. Youre harboring rioters in the office, the officer claimed, according to the video. Nadler wrote in a statement after the incident that no arrests were made and that he was alarmed by the aggressive and heavy-handed tactics used by the Department of Homeland Security. She was obviously traumatized. Now the fact is that this was totally unacceptable, the tactics were totally unacceptable, and they needed a warrant, Nadler told CNN. "And my office is a congressional office. Its a completely separate branch of government. A co-equal branch of government with the executive for which they work. And they had no right to come in." Jan 5, 2023; Washington, DC, USA; Rep. Jerry Nadler reads a book during a session of the House of Representatives on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, trying to elect a Speaker of the House. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY McLaughlin said in a statement the officers were conducting a security check after hearing reports that protesters were allegedly present in Nadler's office. "Based on earlier incidents in a nearby facility, FPS officers were concerned about the safety of the federal employees in the office and went to the location to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those present," she said. Nadler said he is writing a letter to Rep. Jim Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, demanding an investigation of the incident. USA TODAY reached out to the House Judiciary Committee for comment. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rep. Nadler demands congressional investigation after staffer detained Indosat's CEO Vikram Sinha (first from left) and GoTo's CEO Patrick Walujo (first from right) at at the launch of Sahabat AI's consumer chatbot at the National Museum in Jakarta on June 2, 2025. (Courtesy of Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison) Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, one of Indonesias largest telecom operators, and tech startup Goto, are launching a 70-billion parameter large language model and multilingual chat service to serve Indonesias giant consumer market. The development builds on Sahabat-AI, an Indonesian large language model launched in mid-November. Indosat led the Sahabat-AI project, which is part of a drive to preserve local culture and dialects amid a global surge in AI development, currently led by models trained in the U.S. and China. This latest model operates in Bahasa Indonesia, the countrys national language, as well as five other local languages including Javanese, Balinese and Bataknese. These languages can boast tens of millions of speakers: Approximately 70 to 80 million people speak Javanese, roughly equal to the number of people that speak Italian. People across the Indonesian archipelago of some 17,000 islands may often converse in local dialects rather than Bahasa Indonesia. Indosat is proud to lead the development of Indonesias sovereign AI capabilities. Sahabat-AI is more than a modelits a national asset powered by collaboration and built for all Indonesians, Indosat CEO Vikram Sinha said in a statement The company added that all data and GPU infrastructure used to serve the model are stored within Indonesia territory or on users own servers. Indosats subsidiary, Lintasarta, launched GPU Merdeka, a GPU-as-a-service platform powered by Nvidias H100 GPUs in late August. Telco to techco Indosat is one of Indonesias leading telecoms companies, serving nearly 100 million consumers across the country. Yet the firm is pursuing a telco to techco strategy, leveraging its broad consumer base to start serving other internet-based services. (Other Southeast Asian telecoms companies, like the Philippines Globe Telecom, are also foraying into new businesses like fintech). In an interview with Fortune in mid-May, Sinha revealed that Indosat is already providing AI services to more than 20 Indonesian firms, including banks and commodities companies. Still, the company hasnt revealed how much it has invested in Sahabat so far. The firm is launching its consumer-focused Gen AI application right as its getting squeezed by rising living costs. The majority of mobile subscriptions in Indonesia are pre-paid, so customers can easily scale back their spending as budgets tighten. Revenue for the three months ending March 2025 came in at 13.58 trillion rupiah ($833.3 million), down 1.8% from the same period a year ago. Yet a local language LLM could help Indosat reach rural Indonesians that dont speak English or even Bahasa Indonesia. Getting more Indonesians hooked on AI services will increase data use, and encourage them to top up their mobile spending a little more. Sinha said the company wanted to support and solve their problems by offering an AI search tool. There are also monetization opportunities down the line. Data collected from queries, especially in the several dialects, will help Indosat fine-tune its AI model and the company could eventually market its Gen AI-as-a-service applications to business like call centers. Sinha added that that could be a more premium AI search function that could require a paid subscription as well. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Registrations of new Tesla EVs more than tripled in Norway in May, led by the refreshed Model Y. But European buyers elsewhere are no longer lining up to buy Elon Musks cars, and a growing number are looking at China-based BYD. Theres a paradise on Earth for EV enthusiasts, and its called Norway. More than nine out of 10 new cars there are fully electrica statistic unmatched anywhere elseand despite its vast oil riches, fewer than 200 of the overall 43,000 vehicles sold there through April ran on gasoline alone. Even if Europe as a whole appears to be turning its back on Tesla, the worlds friendliest country for EVs is proving it remains loyal to Elon Musks carmaker, according to data published on Monday. Registrations of new passenger cars, which lag retail sales slightly, showed demand for Tesla more than tripled last month to 2,600 vehicles, led by a surge in volumes of the Model Y. The strong showing put Tesla back at the top of all car brands in Norway for the month while also erasing its previous year-to-date losses and then some. Dutch, Swedish, and French buyers arent buying Teslas in the same numbers The good news is the Y could recoup almost all the ground it had lost as a result of the changeover to the newer version over the first five months. The bad news is now that May showed there was sufficient supply to permit Y sales in Norway to double from Aprils tally, bulls may have to rethink their thesis that weakness in the rest of Europe is due to constraints stemming from the production ramp of Teslas best seller. As bright as things look in Norway, the picture for Tesla looks far more challenging across the rest of the continent. The Netherlands registered a 36% year-on-year drop in May, while Sweden saw volumes collapse by more than half. France was the worst hit, with volumes shrinking by two-thirds last month. All three are traditionally strong Tesla markets with an above-average share of EVs in relation to their new car fleets. Yet between them all, there were only 2,281 Tesla cars registered in May. Thats fewer than the number of Model Y crossovers in Norway over the same time period. By comparison, Spain is a more difficult market, with EV demand relatively low compared to northern Europe. Here, too, Tesla saw a sharp drop, even if at 29% it was less pronounced. Tesla rival BYD enjoying explosive growth in May Yet one brand is already seeing explosive growth in Spain: BYD. While published data does not differentiate between EVs and its DM-i range of plug-in hybrids, the Chinese carmaker saw sales increase by a factor of 10 thanks to its Seal U crossover. BYDs success in Spain is part of an ongoing trend. Even before its European car plant in Hungary celebrates its start of production later this year, the brand notched another monthly record for overseas sales. The Chinese EV brand remains firmly on track to eclipse Tesla for the first time across a full year of sales. On Monday, it reported that volumes of its fully electric passenger cars surged by 42% in May. Tesla, which only publishes aggregated data once a quarter, did not respond to a request for comment. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com FILE - Gerry, left, and Kate McCann, parents of four-year old Madeleine McCann, present a picture of their daughter during a press conference in Berlin, Wednesday, June 6, 2007. (AP Photo/Sven Kaestner, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) LONDON (AP) Police investigating the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann will carry out fresh searches near the Portuguese holiday resort she was last seen 18 years ago, authorities said on Monday. The 3-year-old disappeared from her bed while on vacation with her family in the Praia da Luz resort, in southern Portugal, on May 3, 2007. She has not been seen since. Detectives acting on a request from a German public prosecutor will carry out a broad range of searches this week in the area of Lagos, in southern Portugal, a Portuguese police statement said. The main suspect in the case is a German national identified by media as Christian Brueckner, who is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence in Germany for raping a 72-year-old woman in Portugal in 2005. He is under investigation on suspicion of murder in the McCann case but hasnt been charged. He spent many years in Portugal, including in Praia da Luz, around the time of the child's disappearance. Brueckner has denied any involvement in her disappearance. Prosecutors in Braunschweig, Germany, who are responsible for the investigation, didnt give details of the judicial measures taking place in Portugal, according to Germany's dpa news agency. They said the measures are being carried out by Portuguese authorities with support from officers from Germanys Federal Criminal Police Office. Britain's Metropolitan Police said it was aware of the searches being carried by the BKA (German federal police) in Portugal as part of their investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. The Metropolitan Police Service is not present at the search, we will support our international colleagues where necessary," the force added, without giving more details. The McCann case received worldwide interest for several years, with reports of sightings of her stretching as far away as Australia as well as books and television documentaries about her disappearance. Almost two decades on, investigators in the U.K., Portugal and Germany are still piecing together what happened on the night she disappeared. She was in the same room as her brother and sister 2-year-old twins while their parents, Kate and Gerry, had dinner with friends at a nearby restaurant. The last time police resumed searches in the case was in 2023, when detectives from the three countries took part in an operation searching near a dam and a reservoir about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the Praia da Luz resort. Madeleine's family marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance last month, and expressed their determination to keep searching. ___ Barry Hatton in Lisbon and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed. Memorial Hermann Maricela Hernandez Quezada survived a life-threatening stroke mid-flight. NEED TO KNOW Maricela Hernandez Quezada, 35, almost died when she had a stroke during an international flight on Friday, May 30 A doctor on board urged the flight crew to make an emergency landing in Houston After a blood clot was removed from her brain, Hernandez Quezada can walk and talk again A 35-year-old woman suffered a stroke mid-flight, but was saved by a doctor on board. Maricela Hernandez Quezada was traveling from Turkey to Mexico when she collapsed on Friday, May 30. A doctor realized what was happening and administered oxygen to the woman before he urged the flight crew to make an emergency landing in Houston. Hernandez Quezada was then rushed to Memorial Hermann Northeast, where she was stabilized, before she was transferred to Memorial Hermann The Woodlands. There, a surgeon immediately removed a life-threatening brain clot, according to a hospital press release. Hernandez Quezada is now stable. The woman said she was healthy and doesnt smoke or drink, but later realized she made an error when she didnt move during the long international flight. I realized the problem was I didn't move in the airplane, said Hernandez Quezada in a video shot at the hospital that was shared with PEOPLE. I didn't go to the toilet. I didn't stand up. Hernandez Quezada said she realized something was wrong when she couldnt speak when people around her began asking her questions. She doesnt know the name of the Mexican doctor who assisted her, adding, I just barely remember his face. When the woman arrived at Memorial Hermann, she was partially paralyzed. She was found to be weak and paralyzed on the right arm, [and] right leg completely, said Dr. Haris Kamal, Medical Director of the stroke program at Memorial Hermann Northeast, in the video, as well as having trouble with her speech where she could not comprehend what was being told to her. Following the emergency surgery, Hernandez Quezada can now walk and talk. I expect her to continue this trajectory of improvement, to hopefully being near normal or normal in a few months' time, the neuro-interventional surgeon continued. Anyone who would be speaking with her would probably not be able to tell that she had literally just been through a major neurological event. Memorial Hermann Maricela Hernandez Quezada. 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. Experts warn that a stroke can happen to anyone. Long flights can increase the risk of blood clots if people are seated for hours at a time. Doctors urge travelers to stay hydrated and to move every two to three hours during long journeys, according to the hospital and the National Blood Clot Alliance. Hernandez Quezada is happy to have survived. I feel blessed because of the doctors and nurses that [have taken] care of me, she said in the hospital video. I'm just feeling like a new person. Read the original article on People Some areas along Florida's Gulf Coast are still rebuilding after being slammed by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which hit the Sunshine State back-to-back during the 2024 hurricane season. But the hot-spot tourist communities are also trying to share a simple, but vital message that they're open for business. Caddy's Waterfront Restaurant in Treasure Island, Florida, has set up a temporary restaurant in a parking lot next door, complete with a food truck, as its physical building undergoes repairs from last year's storms. "We have all the tables. We have a full bar. We have the TVs. We have the sound, the music. It really is a restaurant that we built from the ground up," said Stephen Santasieri, the general manager of Caddy's. Santasieri said it was important to get his employees back up and running and just as important to get tourists to come back. "I think that tourism has not been where it was. We've been getting quite a bit of tourism around the holidays, though, which has been great," he said. Tourism impact on the Gulf coast Tourism is the main economic engine for communities along the Gulf Coast. Last year, more than 15 million visitors had an $11 billion impact on the St. Petersburg and Clearwater, Florida, area. This year, it remains to be seen. While businesses and hotels are back up and running, scars from the storms remain. In Madeira Beach, more than 1,400 structures were damaged. The city has issued about as many building permits as it has residents, around 2,000. "We were consumed by the Gulf," said Madeira Beach city manager Robin Gomez about when Hurricane Helene hit. "The surge pushed up, upwards of 7 feet." Sand and water on the streets after Hurricane Milton, in Holmes Beach, Anna Maria Island, Florida. / Credit: Maxar Technologies After struggling to rebuild, businesses are thankful for the support they've received and are hopeful for the future. "We have a lot of families that come every year, that are still coming, but we just need more support from everyone right now," said Savannah Huskie, the store manager of The Bronze Lady in Madeira Beach. For some, there's still work to do. "When you live here, you have to expect something like that can happen," said Andreas Bieri, one of the owners of The Mucky Duck Bar and Restaurant, a staple in Captiva Island, Florida, for decades. They started the restaurant 50 years ago before it was leveled by last year's fierce storms, but Bieri says they still feel lucky while continuing to rebuild nine months later. "I can't really complain too much that you know, we are here. We see the light at the end of the tunnel. We are rebuilding everything and we hope to be back in business by Christmas." While the past destruction is still fresh in their minds, the coastal communities haven't forgotten about the upcoming hurricane season. "It's always in my mind. But we'll be prepared. We're ready, and it's just something you have to living in this environment, this is what we call our 'two miles long and a smile wide' in our paradise, but it does come with a little bit of cost the price we pay for living next to the Gulf," Gomez said. 2025 NOAA Atlantic hurricane season forecast Last month, NOAA announced its forecast for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, predicting a 60% chance of an above-normal season. NOAA expects between 13 and 19 named storms, with six to 10 of them becoming hurricanes. Forecasters said around three to five could become major hurricanes. NOAA predicts an The Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season saw 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes and five major hurricanes, which is defined as a Category 3 or larger storm. Sneak peek: Where is Jermain Charlo? Hegseth orders Navy to rename USNS Harvey Milk, Jeffries calls it "a complete and total disgrace" FEMA, Trump administration react to sources saying chief did not know U.S. had a hurricane season Jason Aldean Reveals Gift From Tim McGraw That Meant 'More Than Anything' originally appeared on Parade. Country superstar Jason Aldean appeared on the Taste of Country podcast show Friday, May 30, and among other things, he talked about the fact that it's customary for a headliner on a tour to give their opening act a gift when the tour wraps. It's not something we knew about, and it's really cool. Aldean revealed some of the best gifts he has both given and received, including two incredible gifts from stars Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw. Aldean's tour with McGraw was actually one of his very first tours, way back in 2008 on McGraw's Live Your Voice tour, where Aldean and the duo Halfway to Hazard (comprised of David Tolliver and Chad Warrix) were McGraw's opening acts. At the time, McGraw said of Aldean in a press release announcing the tour, "I'm looking forward to having Jason and Chad and David out there this year. They are among the best live performers out there, and I think it's a great combination that the fans will enjoy." RELATED: Jason Aldean Recording New Song With Former Duet Partner Now, Aldean revealed what McGraw gave him at the end of the tour and how at the time, it was the best gift. "McGraw gave me a nice watch and some cash, which was really cool at the time because I could use the cash more than anything back then," said Aldean with a laugh. It's probably very true for up-and-coming acts material gifts are nice, but money is probably the most valuable thing at the time. Aldean later went on tour with Chesney in 2015 when Aldean's Burn It Down tour combined with Chesney's Big Revival tour. "Chesney gave me a Can-Am Spyder, like the tryke, and so I still have that thing, that one's pretty cool...that one was the coolest, that motorcycle that I still have," said Aldean, adding, "Kenny's awesome, man." When asked if someone ever gave him kind of a crummy gift at the end of a tour, or maybe no gift at all, Aldean played coy and said, "Probably, yeah. I don't know," but he deflected over to what he has given his opening acts over the years. SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox "I'd say the best gift I ever gave somebody, when Luke [Combs] was out with me, it was kind of the year he blew up, probably 2012, I think it was, and I got him a bass boat at the end of the tour," said Aldean. "He had blown up, obviously, and it was such a fun tour. One of my best friends. We just had an amazing year out there. He had just bought some property, and I got him a bass boat. So that's my best gift I've ever given anybody." Aldean also revealed he got Kane Brown a four-wheeler, saying, "You get out there, get to know these guys, see what they're into, what they like, and then you figure it out." Jason Aldean Reveals Gift From Tim McGraw That Meant 'More Than Anything' first appeared on Parade on Jun 2, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared. Gemini Wheel Horoscope June is not for the faint of heart, but thats what makes it so transformative. This month not only encourages you to be more intentional but also dares you to evolve into the best version of yourself. The sky is alive with possibility and just enough chaos to keep us guessing. It begins with the first quarter moon in Virgo on June 2, which is a call to make grounded decisions and course corrections. This energy is equivalent to cleaning house, both for fine-tuning the details and letting go of what no longer serves you. Then, on June 6, Venus returns to its sign of rulership, Taurus, offering a deliciously indulgent reminder to savor lifes simple pleasures and, more importantly, to prioritize what feels safe and secure. From skincare routines to financial stability, this luscious transit wants you to treat your life like its worth investing in because it is. I wouldn't get too comfortable, though. On June 8, Mercury will conjunct Jupiter in Gemini, opening the mental floodgates and turning up the volume on all the chatter. This is followed by Mercurys ingress into sentimental Cancer, which is where things get interesting. You could be brainstorming on ideas one minute and swimming in your feelings the next, but it doesnt end there. Expect a major shift on June 9, when Jupiter the planet of luck, expansion and opportunity enters Cancer for the first time in over a decade. Jupiter exalts (thrives) when transiting this Water sign, so in addition to expanding our emotional bandwidth, it will highlight themes around home, family and healing. However, not without a bit of friction, as Mercury will square Saturn while Venus squares Pluto retrograde that same day, which could signal everything from growing pains to tension in relationships, as well as the need to navigate control issues. Then, ready or not, the full moon in Sagittarius on June 11 brings truth to light. This lunation is all about clarity, freedom and perspective. Revelations may contribute to a change in your philosophy or belief system, as this is about seeing the bigger picture and owning your truth. Dont be surprised if things get turbulent mid-month. For instance, before concluding its journey through Leo, Mars will face off with Uranus on June 15, while Jupiter squares Saturn. There could be a push-pull between the desire and expand, versus limitations and real-world consequences. Fortunately, Mars debut in Virgo on June 17 shifts our focus to productivity and precision, which can help you sort through messes and get organized. Still, illusions are bound to creep in on June 18, when Jupiter squares Neptune, as this could test our ability to see things clearly and stay grounded amid the emotional upheaval. The buzzing cerebral energy takes a backseat when the sun enters Cancer on June 20, ushering in a much-needed shift toward home, family and self-care. This is followed by the suns square to Saturn on June 22, and Neptune on June 23, which could cloud your intuition and emotional radar, stirring frustration and confusion when it comes to our boundaries and expectations. Related: Mercury Cazimi in Gemini Is a Total Gamechanger and 3 Zodiac Signs Are Having Major Breakthroughs On a brighter note, a magical breakthrough arrives on June 24 when the sun conjuncts Jupiter in Cancer, flooding the skies with abundance, hope and emotional fulfillment. Look to the new moon in Cancer (June 25) to set intentions around nurturing yourself and settling into your safe haven. This is your cosmic reset, offering a fresh emotional start. On June 26, Mercurys debut in Leo inspires us to be more expressive, confident and courageous in our exchanges. Embrace your inner voice and dont hesitate to partake in some bold storytelling. As the month comes to a close, Mercury will form a steady trine to Saturn (June 27) and Neptune in Aries (June 28), offering everything from the creative inspiration we seek to the structure and discipline needed to bring our visions to life. Mercury will also go head-to-head with Pluto retrograde on June 28, leaving you with no choice but to speak your truth and perhaps ruffle some feathers along the way. In the meantime, read on for what Junes astrology has in store for your zodiac sign. Aries (March 20-April 19) Aries horoscope for June June kicks off with a major vibe shift, and chances are you can feel it in your bones, Aries. Starting with the first-quarter moon in Virgo on June 2, you could set your sights on streamlining your day-to-day, whether in terms of productivity, meal prepping or even a long-overdue workout regimen that actually complements your lifestyle. However, the real magic happens at home as Jupiter (planet of abundance) moves into Cancer, and your fourth house of family and emotional foundations on June 9. This is a call to expand your perception of comfort, safety and belonging, which may result in you investing in a cozy space of your own, or simply spending more time with family and friends. Sadly, it wont be all warm fuzzies as Mercury will face off with Saturn in your sign, challenging your confidence and self-discipline, while Venus stirs up financial drama in your social circles. If youre feeling equally sensitive and stubborn, dont overthink it. Lets just say, the cosmos understood the assignment. Towards the middle of the month, Mars will shake things up in your love life, while also clashing with unpredictable Uranus in your second house of financial stability. Dont be discouraged; this is a call to take bold risks without blowing your budget. Moreover, Junes full moon in Sagittarius will light up your ninth house of expansion, wisdom and self-discovery, making it the perfect opportunity for spontaneous travel or perhaps a moment of clarity that sets your soul on fire. Once Cancer season begins on June 20, the focus returns to your personal life. Family matters, personal healing and emotional stability take center stage. Also, between the new moon on June 25 and a gorgeous Sun-Jupiter conjunction the day before, this is your cosmic permission slip to start anew. Whether youre moving, reconnecting with your roots or creating your personal sanctuary, your power lies in embracing both your softness and your strength. Taurus (April 19-May 20) Taurus horoscope for June Youre giving main character energy in June, Taurus. With your irresistible planetary ruler, Venus, strutting into your sign on June 6, youll be glowing from the inside out. On top of unapologetically making yourself a priority, this annual transit is every reason to indulge in a new wardrobe, a fresh haircut, a slow morning and whatever else lights you up. The first-quarter moon in Virgo on June 2 will also touch down on your fifth house of love, passion and self-expression, reminding you that joy is indeed a worthy pursuit. Savvy Mercury will also team up with Jupiter in Gemini (your second house of money, security and self-worth) on June 8, so expect a money-making idea or a surge of confidence that hypes you up. That catch? Venus will clash with Pluto retrograde on June 9, highlighting everything from power plays to financial secrecy in your career sector. Maybe youre tired of pretending to be someone youre not, while others decide to speak up and ask for that long-overdue raise! A few shakeups arrive in the middle of the month, specifically around your living space and emotional foundation, as Mars goes head-to-head with erratic Uranus in your sign on June 15. Feeling inspired to rearrange your furniture at 3 a.m.? Maybe youre contemplating an impromptu move or deciding to stay with family and friends until things get settled. Either way, youre well aware that something needs to change, and fast. The good news is that Mars will slip into productive Virgo on June 17, turning your focus back to passion projects, creative expression or maybe even a summer fling! The full moon in Sagittarius on June 11 could also bring financial clarity around shared resources or an emotional turning point that feels like a cathartic release. Once Cancer season rolls around, the sun will slip into your curious third house of communication, thought processes and immediate environments, bringing you right back to your comfort zone. Expect heartfelt conversations, new connections that feel familiar and maybe even a weekend getaway with close friends or family. One things for sure: with the sun conjunct Jupiter on June 24 and the new moon on June 25, your words hold magic, so say what you mean and mean what you say. Gemini (May 20-June 20) Gemini horoscope for June June is your cosmic comeback, and the spotlight is yours, Gemini. In addition to celebrating another trip around the sun, your planetary ruler, Mercury, will be joining forces with lucky Jupiter in your sign on June 8, bringing a surge of clarity, confidence and an idea so good you might even shock yourself! Youre speaking with power and moving with purpose, but with Venus also slipping into your mystical 12th house on June 6, theres also a quiet undercurrent of longing, maybe for closure or simply for more rest. The first quarter moon in Virgo on June 2 has you thinking about what home really means, while the full moon in Sagittarius on June 11 shines a light on your one-on-one relationships. A truth may surface, or you could have a Where is this even going? conversation with someone youve been dancing around for too long. The best part? Your second house of values, money and self-worth gets a major glow-up starting June 9 as lucky Jupiter slips into Cancer. Its time to believe in your self-worth and charge accordingly. You may decide to raise your rate, create a new revenue stream or finally buy that thing youve been eyeing (yes, even if its slightly over budget, just blame Jupiter!). In any event, watch for tension mid-month as Jupiter will square Saturn and Neptune in your 11th house, which could result in social pressures or dream-chasing distractions that leave you second-guessing yourself. Dont spiral. By the end of the month, Mercury struts into Leo and lights up your third house, turning your words into a work of art. Whether you're launching a podcast, updating your socials or finally saying whats been on your mind, your voice is your superpower. Use it. Cancer (June 20-July 22) Cancer horoscope for June Your solar season is around the corner, but theres even more reason to celebrate, Cancer. Before indulging in the birthday glow-up, Jupiter will slip into your sign on June 9, for the first time in over a decade. In addition to having the planet of abundance and opportunity in your sign, youre also considered the celestial favorite for the next 12 months, so make it count! Whether youre revamping your style, soft-launching a new version of yourself or finally learning to take up space without apologizing, the cosmos is giving you full permission to start fresh. Granted, you could still feel the weight of responsibility creeping in, especially while Jupiter squares Saturn and Neptune in your 10th house of career. If the pressure to have it all figured out gets loud, take a pause and remember that growth isnt linear. You're allowed to ebb, flow and change course. Moreover, the full moon on June 11 encourages you to check in on your health and wellness. Consider your sleep schedule, your work-life balance and more importantly, quit putting so much pressure on yourself, thinking you have to do it all alone. Mid-to-late June could feel like a whirlwind. For instance, as Mars enters Virgo on June 17, the red planet sharpens your communication skills, helping you articulate those big feelings with grace and precision. Its actually perfect for sending that bold text or speaking up in the group chat. It gets better, though. The sun will join forces with Jupiter on June 24, followed by a new moon in your sign the following day. Consider this a double dose of magic, compliments of the cosmos. Whether youre launching a creative project, declaring your love to someone special or simply stepping into your next chapter with confidence and intention, this is your moment to start again. Also, with Mercury sliding into your stability-seeking second house of money, stability and self-worth on June 26, your ideas are gold. Pitch them, post them, and believe in them! Leo (July 22-Aug. 22) Horoscope sign Leo June's your soft launch, and your solar season will be the grand reveal, Leo. The month begins with a first-quarter moon in Virgo on June 2, igniting your stability-seeking second house of values, finances and self-worth. Venus also slips into Taurus, dazzling your 10th house of career and publicity. Youre making moves behind the scenes that will eventually turn heads, but this month asks for patience and self-love before the applause. On June 9, Jupiter will slip into Cancer and your secretive 12th house of closure, dreams and all things behind the scenes. This is an invitation to rest, release and trust the process, even if youre itching for a dramatic comeback. Tensions may flare midmonth, especially around June 15, when Mars squares off with Uranus in your career sector. If you feel like flipping a desk over or subtweeting the raging steam offmaybe take a walk first? Change is certainly coming, but it doesnt need to be chaotic. On June 11, the full moon in Sagittarius will ignite your fifth house of love, passion and self-expression, bringing a romantic experience full circle, or presenting the opportunity to share your art with the world. This will be a fun lunation and with Cancer season starting shortly after, the mood shifts and takes you inward. This is partly because, as the sun wanders through your 12th house of closure, dreams and secrets, solitude becomes as sacred as ever, and your intuition will be turned all the way up. The sun will join Jupiter in Cancer on June 24, followed by a new moon, bringing breakthroughs through rest, therapy, dreams or perhaps while journaling streams of consciousness. Not to worry, by the time Mercury enters your sign on June 26, youll be ready to speak your truth again, with power and purpose. Be it a hot take, a heartfelt confession or a full-on rebrand, your voice matters, and the world will know your name. Virgo (Aug. 22-Sept. 22) Virgo horoscope for June You're not just checking boxes this month, youre rewriting the entire checklist, Virgo. The first quarter moon in your sign on June 2 serves as your personal green light to realign, refresh and possibly even rebrand. Whether youre finally posting that project you've been quietly perfecting or setting firm boundaries with energies that drain you, this is your moment to act with purpose. On June 6, Venus enters sensually driven Taurus, adding a sense of wanderlust to your world, as the love planet touches down on your expansive ninth house of travel, wisdom and self-discovery. Dont be afraid to explore the beauty that exists beyond your comfort zone and usual routine. A change of scenery, whether it's an actual getaway or just a new philosophy you're exploring, could change everything. In the meantime, your celestial ruler, Mercury, will be doing the most, first syncing up with lucky Jupiter in your career sector (hello, boss moves), then entering your 11th house of community affairs. Network, post and pitch your little heart out! Your words and ideas could land you in the right room at the right time. Things get extra spicy and energizing mid-month when Mars enters your sign on June 17, revving up your energy and giving you that rare mix of precision and power. Youll be unstoppable, especially as the sun, mercury and Jupiter enter your 11th house of social contributions simultaneously. On top of manifesting meaningful connections and big-picture dreams, there is opportunity everywhere you look. Whether you're building a new team, launching a collaborative project or simply finding your people in the Interwebs, theres magic in the collective. The new moon on June 25 is an invitation to set intentions around community and impact. Still, with Mercury shifting into your 12th house on June 26, youll also want to protect your space and peace of mind. Trust your instincts. Libra (Sept. 22-Oct. 22) Libra horoscope for June This month evokes a desire for both intimacy and impact, Libra. With Venus (your celestial ruler) entering Taurus and your seductive eighth house of mergers and emotional bonds, youre not just navigating the boardroom but also the bedroom with a new kind of depth. Youre getting real about your desires, whether its deepening a relationship, setting boundaries or having a closer look at your financial partnerships. As if this werent already occupying the majority of your focus, Mercury and Jupiters shift into Cancer brings emphasis to your bossy 10th house of authority, career and reputation. This is followed by the sun entering this Water sign, bringing a wave of potential for visibility, leadership and long-term success. This could look like stepping into a major role, getting public recognition or finally sharing a project that feels vulnerable, but also aligned. Still, its important to be mindful of tensions between whats personal and whats strictly business. Otherwise, you could feel pressured to choose between your professional ambitions versus showing up fully in a relationship. On June 11, the full moon in Sagittarius will light up your curious third house of communication, offering a chance to speak your truth, or at the very least, get something off your chest. This could be a heart-to-heart conversation with a sibling, an important email or even some journaling that helps you connect the dots. As Mars slips into your 12th house on June 17, your energy turns inward, so dont hesitate to take a step back to rest, recharge and take a break from the social scene. However, be sure to look to the new moon in Cancer on June 25, as it marks a fresh chapter in your professional life. Whether youre launching something bold, meeting a mentor or redefining your goals, trust that your emotional intelligence is your superpower at this time. The best part? Once Mercury enters Leo on June 26, your voice becomes even more magnetic in group settings, so go ahead and share your vision. People are ready for it. Scorpio (Oct. 22-Nov. 21) Scorpio horoscope for June Youre leveling up this month, and the cosmos is urging you to feel your way through it, Scorpio. On June 6, Venus will slip into Taurus and your relationship sector, putting themes around commitment, collaboration and partnership front and center. Whether youre deepening a connection or navigating power dynamics (especially around June 9 when Venus squares off with your modern ruler, Pluto), youre encouraged to show up with authenticity and accountability. At the same time, Mercury and Jupiter activate your eighth and ninth houses, pulling you into deeper conversations, new perspectives and possibly even a big spiritual awakening. Travel plans, course enrollments or late-night philosophical debates? All fair game. On June 11, the full moon in Sagittarius shines a light on your self-worth, finances and values, signaling the need to either raise your rates or surrender a money mindset thats been keeping you small. The full moon in Sagittarius on June 11 shines a light on your self-worthmaybe its time to raise your rates or release a money mindset thats keeping you small. Not to worry, as you are stepping into your visionary era mid-to-late month. Also, Mars will clash with Uranus on June 15, creating tension between your career goals and your one-on-one relationships. You may feel torn between chasing your ambitions versus keeping the peace, but there is growth in the disruption of it all. Moreover, when Mars enters Virgo on June 17, youll be as energized and inspired as ever to find your people and focus on your long-term goals. Then comes a wave of clarity with the sun, Mercury and Jupiter in Cancer, activating your expansive ninth house of wisdom and self-discovery. Followed by a new moon in the same sign on June 25, this is an invitation to explore new horizons and venture into the unknown. Plan your seeds of intention; a new philosophy, destination or opportunity sets the stage for your next big chapter. Mercurys debut in Leo on June 26 puts a spotlight on your public persona and reputation in the world. Dont be shy about pitching an idea or taking on a leadership opportunity. Maximize the attention you're getting, and do it wisely. Sagittarius (Nov. 22Dec. 21) Sagittarius horoscope for June Youre walking into June like a boss, Sagittarius: ambitious, energized and ready to take the wheel. On June 2, the first quarter moon in Virgo puts your career in focus, urging you to refine, tweak and streamline. Youre getting serious about your goals and as focused as ever on where youre headed to next. Venus debut in Taurus contributes to this boss energy, as it helps you see the beauty in the details, whether thats curating a more supportive and productive routine or upgrading your workspace to suit your needs. (Aesthetic counts!) However, the real fun begins on June 9, when your celestial ruler, Jupiter, slips into Cancer, where the Greater Benefic planet thrives, which inevitably reflects onto your personal and professional life. Whether youre entering a new partnership, pitching yourself to a dream client or simply feeling more in sync with your people, your intuition is at an all-time high. Trust it. Also, drumroll please: the moon will peak in your sign on June 11, putting a spotlight on everything from your innermost feelings to your personal life and emotional foundation. On top of this culmination or celebration for some, consider this an opportunity to release whats been weighing you down, so you can step into your truth and power. Still, its important to keep in mind that with your celestial ruler, Jupiter, now transiting through your eighth house of intimacy, joint ventures and shared resources, youre embarking on a season of emotional expansion, one that requires surrender and trust. This could be financially, exploring shadow work or leaning into a connection thats equally transformative and intense. Be mindful of illusions, too, as Jupiter will eventually clash with Saturn and Neptune. Sure, fantasy is fun, but youll want to be crystal clear with your investments and endeavors. The hustle intensifies upon Mars debut in Virgo on June 17, energizing your 10th house of career and reputation. However, with the sun debuting in Cancer on June 20, theres no denying the emotional depth of your experiences. Moreover, the sun will join Jupiter in Cancer on June 24, followed by a new moon in this Water sign, signaling a powerful moment to let go of past baggage and reclaim your power. Prepare for a spontaneous surge of wanderlust as the month comes to a close. Once Mercury enters Leo on June 26, your spirit will crave expansion and adventure, whether youre booking a trip, sharing your story or diving headfirst into something that speaks to you on a soul level. Capricorn (Dec. 21-Jan. 19) Capricorn horoscope for June Your desire to invest or merge with another is at the forefront in June, Capricorn. While you would normally tackle this like the boss and leader you are, this goes much deeper. The month begins with the first quarter moon in Virgo on June 2, which could inspire you to take a leap of faith. For instance, you may be planning a trip or considering returning to school. One things for sure: the possibilities are endless. On a more enticing note, Venus sashays into sensually driven Taurus, and your flirtatious fifth house of love, passion and self-expression on June 6. In addition to softening your edges, this transit brings a much-needed dose of joy and fulfillment. Whether its a summer crush, a passion project or a flirty DM, the love planets got you covered. As for the main event? Lucky Jupiter enters Cancer on June 9, igniting your committed seventh house of partnerships, which ushers in a year-long era of relationship blessings, whether personally or professionally. From business collabs to soulmate-level love, you're attracting people who see you for who you are, but that doesnt mean its always smooth sailing. For instance, with your taskmaster ruler, Saturn, shaking up your fourth house of home, family and innermost feelings, not to mention while at odds with Jupiter, youre being called to untangle energies from the past, so you can build something real in the present. If youre feeling overwhelmed mid-month, take a beat. This is especially true during the full moon in Sagittarius on June 11, as it will touch down on your 12th house of closure, dreams and all things behind the scenes. Consider this an opportunity to clear space for what (and who) truly matters. Fortunately, with Mars entering Virgo on June 17, youll reconnect with your thirst for knowledge, adventure and more importantly, the desire to see results. Then, by the time the sun, Mercury and Jupiter are all in Cancer, your relationships could start to feel like a mirror, reflecting your growth and your capacity for emotional connection. Look to the new moon on June 25, as it is the perfect time to set intentions for love and commitment. Also, once Mercury moves into Leo on June 26, conversations around intimacy and connection go much deeper. Whether you're merging lives or connecting at a soul level, this month is your invitation to love harder and let someone meet you halfway. Aquarius (Jan. 19-Feb. 18) Aquarius horoscope for June Youre deep in your feelings this month, but dont mistake that for weakness, Aquarius. June kicks off on an intense note, as the first quarter moon in Virgo on June 2 shakes up your eighth house of transformation, psychological motivations and intimate affairs. This encourages you to face what youve been avoiding, whether it be emotional baggage, financial entanglements or fears in general. Then, on June 6, Venus will slip into your fourth house of home, family and innermost feelings, evoking a desire and craving for emotional connection, plush bedding and a cozy aesthetic. However, once the love planet faces off with Pluto retrograde in your sign on June 9, there could be a dramatic plot twist surrounding family dynamics or your living situation. Fortunately, with Jupiter entering Cancer and your sixth house of health, routines and workplace environments that same day, a surge of blessings and opportunity results in you thinking bigger about your day-to-day lifestyle. Expect a creative breakthrough, too, as Mercury joins Jupiter in your fifth house of love, passion and self-expression. On another note, the full moon in Sagittarius on June 11 could bring a group effort or social contribution full circle, while others gain clarity on who your true friends are. Warning: mid-month could feel like relationship boot camp. On June 15, Mars will square off with your modern ruler, Uranus, stirring unexpected quarrels and conflict, whether with a roommate or significant other, as you could suddenly feel a strong need for space and freedom. The irony? Mars slips into meticulous Virgo on June 17, and this is the kind of transit that requires depth and the exact opposite of surface-level connections. While activating your eighth house of joint ventures and emotional bonds, consider what needs to be reworked or improved in your personal life and relationship investments. Finally, as Cancer season begins together with the new moon in your sixth house of due diligence youll intuitively feel the call to reorganize your workspace, or maybe even get your yearly check-up. Whether its finding a fitness routine that actually feels good, setting boundaries at work or choosing peace over people-pleasing, this is about creating a lifestyle that nourishes you. After all, with Mercury entering your relationship sector on June 26, let alone going head-to-head with Pluto in your sign by months end, an intense but necessary conversation could bring a significant relationship shift. Speak your truth, but lead with your heart. Pisces (Feb. 18-March 20) Pisces horoscope for June June brings a major reality check in your relationships, Pisces. Kicking off with the first-quarter moon in Virgo on June 2, its time to get clear on whos really showing up for you and whos just vibing inconsistently. Then, on June 6, Venus will enter Taurus and your curious communication sector, dazzling your exchanges with poise, grace and irresistible charm. Whether it be a flirtatious text message, a heartfelt apology or poetry you wrote past midnight, youre as confident as ever in your approach. Still, the real fun begins once Mercury and Jupiter enter Cancer, flooding your fifth house of fun, creativity and self-expression with evocative melodies and romantic musings. Cue the spontaneous crush, artistic breakthrough or just the undeniable urge to feel something. You could find yourself falling in love with someone (or something) all over again. Then, on June 11, a bountiful full moon in Sagittarius puts a spotlight on your career, bringing recognition, expansion or even clarity around what you truly want to be known for. Reflect on what you want your legacy to be about. The good news is that your fifth house stays lit all month long (and for the next 13 months, thanks to your traditional ruler, Jupiter), bringing magic to everything from dating and self-expression to fertility and creative projects. Still, when considering Jupiters square to Neptune (both your celestial rulers at odds with each other) on June 18, this could create confusion or blur financial boundaries. Be sure to keep your feet on the ground when it comes to your investments or overly dreamy ideas. The energy is still delicious, especially on June 24 when the sun conjuncts Jupiter in Cancer, followed by the new moon on June 25. A powerful reset and opportunity for emotional fulfillment, consider this your green light to start again. Whether its a new passion project, a fresh romantic start or the decision to prioritize more fun, its never too late to say yes to happiness. As Mercury shifts into Leo on June 26, youll be ready to bring structure to all the magic, creating a schedule or routine that actually supports your vision. When your heart and habits are aligned? Thats when you thrive. Read the original article on People Venezuelan migrants deported from the United States deplane at the Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, Venezuela, Friday, May 2, 2025. Credit - Ariana CubillosAP Hundreds of thousands of migrants could be at risk of deportation after a divided Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the Trump Administration canfor nowend a Biden-era program that extended humanitarian parole protections to migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. The CHNV special-parole program allowed migrants from the four countries to travel legally to the U.S. and stay and work in the country for up to two years. It was used by at least 530,000 migrants since late 2022. The Supreme Courts ruling, the latest of several decisions the court has issued green-lighting the Trump Administrations aggressive approach to immigration, gives Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem the discretion to revoke the parole program while legal challenges to its termination move through the courts. [The Biden Administration] allowed more than half a million poorly vetted aliens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela and their immediate family members to enter the United States through these disastrous parole programs; granted them opportunities to compete for American jobs and undercut American workers, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said after the ruling came down. Ending the CHNV parole programs, as well as the paroles of those who exploited it, will be a necessary return to common-sense policies, a return to public safety, and a return to America First. Several immigration advocacy groups said the decision will have devastating consequences on immigrant communities. This is a deeply tragic decision that penalizes half a million people for complying with our immigration laws, Todd Schulte, president of FWD.us, an immigration and criminal justice reform advocacy organization, wrote in a statement emailed to TIME. This decision will have devastating and immediate consequencesThe government failed to show any harm remotely comparable to that which will come from half a million people losing their jobs and becoming subject to deportation. Heres what to know about the program and the Supreme Courts decision. What is the CHNV program? The program, rolled out during the Biden Administration, allowed migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to obtain authorization to come to the United States legally, as well as to stay and work legally in the country and seek humanitarian relief or other immigration benefits, if they were eligible, during a two-year parole period. It was initially adopted in 2022 as a response to high levels of illegal immigration, specifically for Venezuelan immigrants, says David Beir, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute. The program was predated by a similar program created in early 2022 for Ukrainian immigrants in response to the surge of Ukrainians who came to the border seeking asylum after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The program required migrants from Venezuela to obtain a sponsor in the United States who would be willing to take some measure of financial responsibility for them, as well as an airline ticket to fly directly, and legally, to the United States. The Biden Administration rolled out the program in hopes that it would give the government control to vet incoming migrants and manage the flow of arrivals through air travel, rather than across the southern U.S. border, Beir wrote in 2023. Eligibility for the protections was later extended to people from Cuba, Nicaragua, and Haiti, as well. What did the Supreme Court rule? The Supreme Courts Friday decision overruled a lower court in Massachusetts that temporarily blocked the federal government from implementing Noems March 25 order to revoke the legal status given to migrants under the program. That order was in line with President Donald Trumps Jan. 20 Executive Order Securing Our Borders, which instructed Noem to terminate all categorical parole programs that are contrary to the policies of the United States established in my Executive Orders. The Supreme Court ruling will allow the Administration to end the program while the case proceeds. The decision was unsigned and not accompanied by an explanation. Justice Kentaji Brown Jackson issued an incensed dissent, joined by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, stating that the court has plainly botched this assessment today. What will the impact of the ruling be? The program had been widely lauded by immigrant rights groups as a humanitarian relief program utilized to help those in unstable conditions in their own countries seek refuge. Even within an immigration system that is decades overdue for a Congressional overhaul, the CHNV parole processes stood out as an innovative model for creating legal and orderly pathways, wrote Schulte, of FWD.us. Granting parole to people fleeing harm dramatically reduced unauthorized migration to the southern border, and it allowed people to work and contribute, bringing greater stability to families, employers, and communities across the country. Beir, of the Cato Institute, said that terminating the program could quickly end the legal status of migrants who have been protected under the program. The administration's already empowered its agents to arrest people who are on parole, to arrest people who are applicants for asylum, Beir told TIME. The practical upshot is that a lot of these people had parole for two years, and if they haven't applied for asylum, then there's really no basis for them to be in the country, and they start accumulating unlawful presence as soon as this decision takes effect. According to Beir, it is unclear how many migrants will be affected and potentially deported due to the ruling. Certainly half a million came in through the program, Beir said. But then, a lot of these people were from Haiti and Venezuela, have temporary protected status, which you know the administration is eventually going to revoke as well. And then, of course, the backstop of being an asylum applicant for many people will be another way for them to be able to keep working legally and, you know, going through the process and stay here. Beir says an important aspect of this decision that must be highlighted is that the migrants who used the program went through legal pathways to enter the United Statespathways opened based on promises made by the United States government when the program began: They pay for their own flights. They travel on airlines like any other visitors to the United States and the other you know, part of this is really completely unprecedented for an administration to en masse terminate the status of people who've come to the United States legally like this. Contact us at letters@time.com. Dozens of Palestinians were shot dead by the Israeli military near an aid distribution site in Gaza on Sunday according to Palestinian officials and eyewitnesses, with Israels military denying that its troops fired within or near the aid site. The Palestinian health ministry, hospital officials and a half-dozen eyewitnesses said the Israeli military was responsible for the gunfire. Palestinian officials said 31 Palestinians had been killed. The Israeli military said its forces did not fire at civilians while they were near or within the aid site, but an Israeli military source acknowledged that Israeli forces fired toward individuals about 1 kilometer (1093 yards) away, before the aid site opened. The incident is the latest in which Palestinians have been killed while attempting to receive aid from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial US-backed mechanism to distribute aid to the embattled and hungry enclave after a months-long Israeli blockade. The GHF has been criticized by the United Nations and others, who warn it risks further displacing Palestinians and endangering civilians and last week. Previous distributions of aid at its sites have been marred by chaos and violence. Multiple eyewitnesses told CNN they were fired upon at what is known as the Al-Alam roundabout approximately 800 meters (874 yards) from the site run by the GHF in southern Gaza. The health ministry said that more than 200 casualties had reached hospitals, including dozens with serious injuries. It added that all those killed had been shot in the head or chest. The International Committee of the Red Cross said that it received an influx of 179 cases, including women and children at its nearby field hospital, including 21 who were declared dead upon arrival. Other dead and wounded were taken to Nasser Hospital. This is the highest number of weapon-wounded in a single incident since the establishment of the field hospital over a year ago, the Red Cross said in a statement. Thousands of Palestinians were headed toward the aid distribution site in Rafah in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, hoping to be among the first in line to obtain aid ahead of the sites opening, a paramedic from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), the only medical professionals present in the area at the time, told CNN. One medical official told CNN that it was impossible to identify who was shooting but those areas of the distribution are all under Israeli army responsibility in regards to security. Whether they shoot or others who are working for them, it is still their responsibility. CNN cannot independently verify who was responsible for the shooting. Israel prevents international media from entering Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said allegations that Israeli soldiers fired on Gazans near or within the aid distribution site were false reports. It added: Findings from an initial inquiry indicate that the IDF did not fire at civilians while they were near or within the humanitarian aid distribution site and that reports to this effect are false. An Israeli military source said IDF forces did fire warning shots towards suspects approaching their position approximately a kilometer (1,100 yards) away from the aid distribution site in an incident that happened several hours before the site opened. In a post on X, Philippe Lazzarini executive director of UNRWA, the main United Nations agency in the Palestinian territories said aid distribution has become a death trap. Mass casualties including scores of injured & killed among starving civilians due to gunshots this morning. This is according to reports from international medics on ground. Dr. Ahmed Abu Sweid, an Australian working at the Nasser medical complex, said the victims brought in from the area of the aid hub had gunshot and shrapnel wounds. Some had gunshot wounds to the head and thorax, he said. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which runs the site, insisted: There was no gunfire in the (distribution) center and also not in the surrounding area. All aid was distributed today without incident. We have heard that these fake reports have been actively fomented by Hamas. They are untrue and fabricated. Palestinians pray during a funeral for people who were killed while heading to a Gaza aid hub on Sunday. - Abdel Kareem Hana/AP Later Sunday, the foundation released surveillance video showing hundreds of people running towards the distribution point at dawn. One 4-minute video, which was without sound, showed no violence or injuries but there were what appeared to be two bursts of tracer fire nearby. Other GHF videos released later showed hundreds of people carrying away boxes of food. Witnesses told CNN of chaotic scenes as people were trampled amid what they said was random gunfire. One man said: Its not a humanitarian point its a death trap. CNN video showed thousands of people streaming away from the site. Some were carrying plastic bags and empty cardboard boxes, but none appeared to have received any aid. One man, Ghassan Eid Al-Aghan, told CNN: We couldnt even reach the place where the aid was being handed out. The situation there is terrifying. Heavy gunfire. I wont risk my life to go. Things cant go on like this, he added. Mohammad Qdeih said people had been told the gates would open at 5:30 a.m. local time, but then there was intense gunfire. The amount of aid the Americans bring is tiny, Qdieh said. Whoever manages to push forward might get something. Those who cant get nothing. Theyre sniping everyone women, children, innocent civilians who have nothing to do with anything, Qdieh said. Basel Abu Alwan said he had arrived at the site on Saturday night. Instructions had been given via a drone telling people to come back at 6 a.m., he said. No distribution happens. People move forward and fall. Gunfire is sprayed randomly at everyone, he said. Whoever can grab something does. If not, they may get trampled, he added. Many of the civilians told CNN that they had left wherever they were staying around midnight to make the long trek to the distribution site but most left empty-handed. Abdul Majid Al-Zayti said that he had walked for seven hours to reach the site. Many people didnt get anything. The large crowds that came from Gaza City and other areas got nothing, he said. I couldnt get any aid. Im an old man. I have hungry children. No-one in this world wants to help them. One man who declined to give his name said that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation place four or five wooden boards with aid on them and open the gates for people to storm and fight over it. Near the same Al-Alam junction on Monday morning, three Palestinians were shot dead and dozens wounded as they made their way to the aid distribution point, according to the Ministry of Health, which said Israeli forces opened fire as they approached the location. The IDF said that Israeli forces fired warning shots towards several suspects who advanced toward the troops in Rafah. Relatives mourn as the bodies of Palestinians are brought to the Nasser hospital on Sunday. - Hani Alshaer/Anadolu via Getty Images The GHF was set up amid Israeli accusations that Hamas is stealing aid in Gaza and profiting from sales, though Israel hasnt presented any evidence publicly. UN aid groups, such as UNRWA, typically check identification and rely on a database of registered families when distributing aid. But the GHF is not screening Palestinians at aid distribution sites, despite Israeli officials saying that additional security measures were a core reason for the creation of the new program. United Nations aid agencies have criticized the GHFs aid mechanism, saying it violates humanitarian principles and raises the risks for Palestinians. Criticism has been mounting against both Israel and the GHF after chaos broke out last week when tens of thousands of starving Palestinians arrived at two new food distribution sites. According to Palestinian Ministry of Health figures, 11 people had been killed and dozens injured since the aid distribution sites opened last week before Sundays casualties. In a statement issued Sunday, the GHF said it would continue scaling, with plans to build additional sites across Gaza, including in the northern region, in the weeks ahead. The statement added that it had provided more than 4.7 million meals in six days, including delivering 16 truckloads of food on Sunday morning, providing over 887,000 meals. Palestinians carry boxes and bags containing food and humanitarian aid packages in Khan Younis on Sunday. - Abdel Kareem Hana/AP The interim executive director of GHF, John Acree, acknowledged Sunday that the flow of humanitarian relief into Gaza remains far below whats needed. The demand is overwhelming and growing by the day. He added that GHF was currently the only organization able to deliver food in a secure manner, but we are still operating under immense constraints and at the mercy of factors beyond our control. This story has been updated with additional developments. CNNs Eugenia Yosef, Manveena Suri and Sophie Tanno contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Drinking coffee appears to support healthy aging in women, according to recent study findings. Image credit: OLEKSANDRA TROIAN/Getty Images. This article originally appeared on Medical News Today Coffee has many potential health benefits, and research into its potential benefits is ongoing. Experts are interested in how coffee may impact women, specifically. Results from a recent study shared at the Nutrition 2025 conference indicated that drinking coffee may increase womens chances of not having major chronic diseases and physical or mental limitations as they get older. Coffee may offer several health benefits, including minimizing the risk of liver problems and diabetes. Experts are interested in exploring coffees potential benefits and how it might influence specific groups. For women, drinking coffee might be a good thing when it comes to aging well. According to recent study results, total caffeine and regular coffee intake increased the chances of experiencing no physical function limitations, memory complaints, mental health impairments, cognitive impairments, or major chronic diseases among women in the Nurses Health Study. The results of the study were shared at Nutrition 2025, a conference held between May 31-June 3, 2025, in Orlando, FL. They suggest that drinking coffee regularly may help with healthy aging. These findings are yet to appear in a peer-reviewed journal. The link between coffee and healthy aging for women Healthy aging is a broad concept, but for this study, participants were described as having healthy aging if they met the following criteria: living to a least 70 years old not having 11 major chronic diseases being free of physical functional limitations free of mental health or cognitive impairments having no memory complaints. Researchers used data from the Nurses Health Study. This cohort allowed researchers to pull data from a large number of women over a long period. In all, they included 47,513 women. Researchers examined food frequency questionnaires to look at caffeine intake from decaf and regular tea, cola, and decaf and regular coffee. They determined a baseline exposure based on the average of the 1984 and 1986 food frequency questionnaires. They examined caffeine consumption in 80 milligram (mg) increments. They looked at coffee in 8-ounce cups a day and cola in 12-ounce glasses a day. In their analyses, they were able to adjust for factors like participants ages, physical activity levels, smoking habits, and alcohol intake. The study had a 30-year follow-up, with researchers looking at questionnaires from 2014 and 2016. In 2016, just over 3,700 women experienced healthy aging based on the studys criteria. Most caffeine intake came from coffee, and the median caffeine consumption at baseline was 315 mg daily. Total caffeine intake increased participants chances of experiencing healthy aging and its subdomains. When looking at caffeine sources, regular coffee increased participants chances of experiencing healthy aging. Researchers did not find an association between healthy aging or its domains and drinking tea, decaffeinated tea, or decaffeinated coffee. The results also suggested that drinking cola might actually decrease womens likelihood of healthy aging. Study author Sara Mahdavi, BSc, HBSc, RD, MSc, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University, and adjunct professor at the University of Toronto, Canada, in the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Nutritional Sciences, highlighted the following findings of the study to Medical News Today: We found that moderate intake of caffeinated coffee during midlife was modestly associated with healthy aging later in life. We defined healthy aging stringently: Not only surviving into older age, but doing so without major chronic disease, cognitive decline, physical disability, or poor mental health. Each additional cup of coffee was linked to about a 2% higher chance of healthy aging, while cola intake was associated with a 20% lower chance. The association appeared to be dose-responsive for coffee, though modest, and was not observed with decaf or tea, possibly due to lower intake and differences in bioactive content. What conclusions can we draw from this research? While this study appears to be encouraging for coffee lovers, it may still be too soon to draw strong conclusions based on its findings. For one, since the data only included women and the majority of them were white, it would be helpful to see if similar results could be replicated in other groups. It might also be helpful to do further research that considers other age ranges and healthy aging outcomes. Then, seeing that at least some data relied on participants answering health-related questions, there could be some errors related to this. It is also possible that researchers did not account for confounding factors that could have impacted the overall results. Additional details about the study are also unclear at this time. For example, based on another published study, details about some coffee additives like sugar and creamer are available for this cohort, and it is unclear how researchers may have addressed this, other coffee additive scenarios, or accounted for factors like coffee type in the current study. It is also unclear if they accounted for changes in caffeine intake since they focused on baseline caffeine consumption. Bruce G. Rankin, DO, CPI, FACOFP, president of the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, who was not involved in the current study, told MNT that: Meta-analysis studies could further support the theory that moderate amounts of caffeinated coffee daily promote healthy aging. If the results show they are reproducible, then it would suggest caffeinated coffee provides a clinical health benefit over time to women. We know that caffeinated coffee in moderation is safe for the general population. There are health conditions that require close monitoring of excessive caffeine intake like hypertension. Coffee is not universally beneficial Overall, the study results suggest that drinking coffee in midlife may offer long-term benefits for women. It also indicates the potential damage related to drinking soda. Sherry Ross, MD, a board-certified OB/GYN and Womens Health Expert at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, not involved in the study, said that its clinical implications [] support the health benefits of moderately consuming caffeinated coffee, [and that] with its antioxidants and other bioactive compounds, [coffee] should be encouraged for healthy aging. Adding caffeinated coffee to your list of healthy lifestyle choices should be encouraged for healthier aging, Ross suggested. This study also shows that reducing the amount of sugary soft drinks should be encouraged for healthy aging. The nonalcoholic beverages you consume with aging should be an important part of lifestyle choices made to give you the best chance of living a healthy and long life. However, despite the noted benefits of coffee, there should also be some caution. For people taking medication to control chronic conditions, in particular, it is a good idea to speak to a doctor about how caffeine might interact with any medications, or impact any underlying conditions. Mahdavi offered the following caveat: Coffee is not universally beneficial. Caffeine metabolism varies significantly based on both genetics and hormonal factors, such as estrogen, which slows caffeine clearance. Our prior research has shown that women with slower caffeine metabolism (due to genetic variation in the CYP1A2 gene) may not benefit from high intakes, and could be more susceptible to adverse effects. Personalized nutrition taking into account both sex and genetic differences will be key in future recommendations. View the original article on Medical News Today Miranda Aldridge/Shelby MacClellan Miranda Aldridge with her daughter Cameron NEED TO KNOW Miranda Aldridge first noticed a tiny bump near her daughter Camerons eye in 2024 At first, it didnt seem alarming. But as the weeks passed and it still hadnt gone away, she took her to the doctor Not much later, Cameron was diagnosed with cancer When Miranda Aldridge first noticed a tiny bump near her daughter Camerons eye, it didnt seem alarming, just unusual. But as the weeks passed and it still hadnt gone away, Miranda, who doesnt consider herself a panic mom, began to worry. By the end of August 2024 after nearly a month of watching and waiting Miranda decided to take Cameron, 3 at the time, to the pediatrician. The doctor suspected it was a cyst and referred them to dermatology for a closer look. Thats when the real frustration began. Although the referral was sent in late August, the earliest available dermatology appointment wasnt until April of the following year. We couldnt believe it, Miranda, 30, tells PEOPLE exclusively. It just didnt seem right to wait that long for a child. Miranda Aldridge Cameron Aldridge when the bump began to appear Still, the Palatka, Fla.-based family booked the appointment and tried to stay optimistic. But by the first week of September, the bump had grown significantly. Alarmed, Miranda and her husband, Bryan, 40, began calling local dermatologists daily, sometimes multiple times a day, hoping for a cancellation. One day, an office called and said, Actually, can you come right now? And I said, Yes, Miranda recalls. Im a teacher, and it was the beginning of the school year, everything was hectic. But I dropped everything and got her in. That urgent visit proved critical. The dermatologist immediately saw something the pediatrician hadnt. She didnt think it was a cyst, but rather a pilomatricoma, a slow-growing, benign tumor that forms in hair follicles. They were referred to plastic surgery at the local childrens hospital, and a procedure was scheduled just two weeks later, on Sept. 27, 2024. By then, the bump had doubled in size. Miranda Aldridge Cameron Aldridge on surgery day It was huge, Miranda says, adding that cancer still wasnt on their radar. We were just relieved it was finally getting taken out. 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 surgery lasted only 10 to 15 minutes and seemed to go smoothly. Afterward, the plastic surgeon told Miranda and Bryan that Cameron, now 4, had done great and described the mass as fatty tissue, not a typical cyst or tumor. Still, it was sent to pathology as a precaution. We were told to expect results within a week, Miranda says. In our minds, it was done. We didnt think about it anymore. But just four days after surgery, before the pathology report even came back, Miranda noticed something troubling: beneath Camerons butterfly strips, the bump was already reappearing. She assumed it was swelling. Then came the call. Courtesy of Miranda Aldridge Cameron Aldridge after surgery It was Oct. 3, 2024. Miranda was at work when she saw the surgeons office number on her phone. When she answered, they asked to do a video call to discuss the results. She wasnt expecting bad news then the surgeon said the word malignant. Obviously I knew what it meant, Miranda says. But it still didnt sink in. She told us oncology would be reaching out. During her planning period, Miranda rushed home to tell Bryan in person. We just sat there, she says. I kept saying, It cant be leukemia shes not even sick. Soon after, the next call came, this time from the childrens hospital. The woman on the phone apologized and said the biopsy showed leukemia, Miranda says. I dont remember much after that. But she does remember asking: Do we need to come now? The answer: Yes. Go home, pack a bag, and plan to stay at least a week. Back at school, Miranda held it together long enough to pick up Cameron, pack quickly, make arrangements for their older children her daughter Charlotte and stepson Carter and head straight to the hospital. It was a whirlwind, she says. Everything changed in a moment. That night, at the hospital, the oncologist spent more than an hour walking Miranda and Bryan through everything: the diagnosis, treatment plan and next steps. It was information most parents receive over days or weeks delivered all at once. Initially, doctors suspected acute lymphoblastic leukemia. But after Camerons bone marrow aspiration the next day, the results came back completely clear: no leukemia cells, no abnormalities. Her spinal fluid was clean, too. A few days later, on Oct. 6, full-body CT and MRI scans revealed the only visible cancer was the tumor on her face though slightly enlarged lymph nodes were also detected. With no cancer in her bone marrow or spinal fluid, her diagnosis was revised to B-cell lymphoma, which according to the American Cancer Society is the most common type of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the United States. One of the most common symptoms is enlargement of one or more lymph nodes. Other symptoms can include fever, chills, night sweats, weight loss, feeling tired and swelling in the abdomen. My husband and I weve never experienced anything like this. We wouldnt wish it on anyone, Miranda says. That first night at the hospital, I laid on that couch and waited for someone to come in and say, We got the wrong kid. But they never did. Courtesy of Miranda Aldridge Cameron Aldridge in the hospital Cameron began treatment immediately. Her plan includes five phases: induction (weekly chemotherapy), consolidation (weekly chemotherapy plus spinal taps with intrathecal methotrexate) and a third phase every 10 days, depending on her blood counts. The fourth phase, delayed intensification, which she's in now, is the most intense, involving multiple chemotherapy drugs and more spinal taps. Then, in late June or early July, Cameron will begin the final phase: maintenance. That phase will continue until December 2026 and includes spinal taps and IV chemo every 12 weeks. "I can't really remember her being upset about going in the beginning," Miranda says. "Since we started this, shes always stayed pretty positive about going to the clinic. But her port, thats been a challenge. She was only 3 when all of this started, so of course its scary." Actually, just this past week was the first time she didnt cry, she adds. Shed been psyching herself up, saying, Im not going to cry this time. I can do it without crying. And now she can. She even said, Im never going to cry again. It doesnt even hurt. I think about myself, how when I dont feel good, I just want to lay down and do nothing, Miranda continues. But she always wants to do something. She wants to get out of the house, go on a little adventure." As doctor visits became a regular part of life, Miranda and Bryan began documenting the journey, not only to keep friends and family updated, but to help themselves focus on moments of joy. Miranda started by posting on Facebook, sharing one positive thing each day: a photo, a small moment, something good. Before long, she turned to TikTok and Instagram, where she already had a modest following from her teaching days. She began posting short videos that captured glimpses of their daily life, sometimes joyful, sometimes difficult, often both. The videos quickly gained traction, drawing thousands of views. Miranda Aldridge Cameron Aldridge in the hospital But the real turning point came when the family learned Cameron would soon lose her hair. Miranda says, Shes always been very girly bows, ponytails, jewelry so I knew that part was going to be tough. To help her prepare, Miranda and Bryan gently explained that the medicine helping her body would also make her hair fall out but that it would grow back. They read childrens books together and pointed out other kids at the clinic who had already lost their hair, always emphasizing how beautiful and brave those children looked. By December, the hair loss began. Cameron would find strands on her pillow. She could run her hand through her hair and watch it come out. Then one day, Miranda came across a TikTok video that showed a hairstylist named Carly, recently diagnosed with breast cancer, sitting in a salon chair while friends and loved ones each took a turn cutting a piece of her hair. I lost it, Miranda says. I showed it to Cameron, and she lit up. She said, Mom, I want to do that. I want you to cut my hair. I want Dad to cut my hair. Can Bubba cut my hair? She just ran with it. They let the idea sit for a while, but Cameron kept bringing it up, especially as her March birthday approached. I kept wondering if it was too soon, Miranda says. She was just 3, turning 4. Should I really let her make this decision? It was hard. Around that time, a friend who had been through breast cancer reached out and offered to take photos and help document the haircut. Miranda agreed and decided to make a TikTok video too. That video now has more than 60 million views and upwards of 148,000 comments. Since then, Miranda has transformed her page which recently surpassed 1 million followers into a space dedicated to Camerons journey. Having a video go viral, you think, 'Wow, so many people saw this. So many people commented,' Miranda says. But then to have so many people follow us follow Cam thats what really hit me. Theyre not following me. Theyre following her. They want to see whats happening in her world, all the little things along the way. Thats been the most overwhelming part, she adds. Its not just that a bunch of people watched one moment, its that they want to keep showing up for her. Shelby MacClellan Miranda Aldridge with her daughter Cameron Along with the support from their online community, Miranda says the family has been incredibly blessed by the outpouring of love and help from their local community. At the start, they rallied together to help Miranda take a few weeks off work. Then, they organized a fundraiser, launched a local T-shirt drive and so much more. Schools, churches, friends, family and even strangers have cooked meals, sent small gifts for Cameron, dropped off care packages at their door and offered constant prayers. We absolutely wouldnt have been as strong as we were at the start if it wasnt for our community, Miranda says. Its hard to accept being on the receiving end of so much support, but its important to remember, you can always pay it forward. Weve felt that very strongly. As their platform continues to grow, Miranda sees it as a meaningful opportunity to give back. That vision inspired the recent launch of Courage for Cam, a nonprofit dedicated to spreading hope, love, and courage to children facing pediatric cancer. Miranda and Cameron created a coloring book together one of several in the works with 100% of proceeds going directly to the nonprofit. Their goal is simple but powerful: to get these books into the hands of kids facing tough diagnoses. Shelby MacClellan A closeup of Cameron Aldridge "Its a way to bring joy and creativity into hospital rooms, chemo chairs and quiet moments when children need a little light," Miranda says, adding how their nonprofit is also hosting a T-shirt fundraiser featuring designs inspired by Cams spirit and strength. When things feel impossibly heavy, I try to keep perspective, she adds. Knowing that even in our own pain, someone else is facing something even harder. You dont have to carry it all on your own. Let people in, because the kindness of others can carry you further than you think. This was the most challenging part for me, and ultimately became my biggest blessing. Shelby MacClellan The Aldridge family For Miranda and her family, she adds how despite the social media following, its never been about the views or viral moments its about the connections. Theyve heard from future pediatric oncology nurses, teens whove lost a sibling and others walking through their own version of this journey. One of the most meaningful connections came when a mother reached out to Miranda after her own daughter was diagnosed, shortly after Cameron. We just clicked, Miranda says. Ive been able to offer her advice, and shes been such a great listening ear for me, too. They live in another state, but were connected. The girls FaceTime, and Cameron gets to see someone her age with a port someone who truly understands. Her daughter is about to go through hair loss, and shes been able to watch Cameron walk through it first. Those connections have been ... I dont even know how to describe them. Unbelievable, Miranda adds. Thats whats made this journey feel a little less heavy. Read the original article on People Ryan Blaney took control of the race with a pass for the lead on the restart with 116 laps to go, then drove to his first victory of the NASCAR Cup Series season in the Cracker Barrel 400 on June 1 at Nashville Superspeedway. Blaney won Stage 2 but dropped behind Joey Logano after pit stops at the stage break. Blaney then drove by Logano on a restart on Lap 199 and held the top spot for the majority of the final 100 laps. The final pit cycle completed under green, with Blaney holding a sizeable lead over second-place Carson Hocevar and third-place Denny Hamlin. Hocevar finished in second for the second time this season, tying his career-best finish in the Cup Series. Here are the winners and losers from Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Nashville: NASHVILLE RACE RESULTS: Ryan Blaney is winner, plus full leaderboard for Cracker Barrel 400 NASCAR Nashville winners and losers: Winner: Carson Hocevar Hocevar is a future star in the sport, and always a part of the story. Sunday's race had the best and worst of Hocevar, all in 300 laps. In Stage 2, Hocevar drove hard into turn 3 and bumped Ricky Stenhouse Jr., sending the No. 47 Chevrolet spinning and into the wall. Stenhouse did not finish, credited with 39th, then told Amazon in an interview that retribution could be coming. But Hocevar finished the second stage in the top 10, then worked the strategy late to end up second after the final pit cycle completed with about 30 laps to go. Hocevar couldn't cut into Blaney's lead at the end, but was able to hold off Hamlin to finish second. It ties a runner-up finish at Atlanta earlier this season as his career-best in the Cup Series. Winner: Bubba Wallace Bubba Wallace needed a good finish badly, but probably did not think he would get one early in the race. Wallace was penalized for speeding on the first stop of the race, on Lap 44. He lost a lap, and wasn't able to get it back at the stage end. Wallace did get the free pass on Lap 104 as a group of cautions helped the bottom of the running order, then steadily climbed the leaderboard. The No. 23 Toyota entered the top 10 early in the final stage, and Wallace drove up into sixth on the final run. Wallace entered Nashville with three straight DNFs, dropping out of the top 10 in points. Sunday's result should help Wallace and his 23XI Racing team reset positively as the second half of the regular season begins this month. Loser: Alex Bowman Alex Bowman's stretch of poor finishes continued on Sunday in Nashville after wrecking alongside Noah Gragson early in Stage 2. Bowman's 36th-place finish is his fifth finish of 29th or worse in the last seven races, and it puts into question his playoff status with 12 regular-season races left. To give context on Bowman's struggles: He finished second at Homestead and was third in points through six races. After Nashville, Bowman is in 12th in points. Loser: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Stenhouse was on the receiving end of Hocevar's too-aggressive bumping on Lap 106. (That incident comes up a couple times, doesn't it?) The No. 47 Chevrolet was a model of consistency throughout the first 13 races, coming into Nashville at 13th in points despite just two top-10 finishes but no finishes outside the top 25. But Hocevar's contact sent Stenhouse into the wall, out of the race and down the standings and the playoff picture. The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR Nashville winners and losers: Ryan Blaney gets first win of 2025 Sri Lanka's customs authorities arrested on Friday a woman and seized the largest haul of cocaine ever detected at the country's main international airport, an official said. The unnamed 38-year-old Thai woman was carrying nearly 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of cocaine stuffed into three plush toys, Customs Additional Director-General Seevali Arukgoda said. "This is the biggest attempt at cocaine smuggling stopped by Sri Lanka Customs at the airport," Arukgoda said in a statement. Customs officials at Bandaranaike International Airport posed for photos with the cocaine, which had been neatly stuffed into just over 500 plastic capsules, with an estimated street value of $1.72 million. The seizure follows three other hauls this month totaling nearly 60 kilograms of synthetic cannabis. Three foreign nationals from Britain, India and Thailand were arrested in separate cases. The Briton, identified as Charlotte May Lee, 21, a former cabin crew member from London, was produced before a magistrate on Friday and further remanded until June 13, court officials said. She was arrested on May 12 when officials discovered that her two suitcases were packed with 46 kilograms of kush, a synthetic drug. Lee told the BBC she had traveled from Bangkok to Sri Lanka's capital Colombo to renew her Thai visa. She described her living conditions at a prison in Negombo, a city just north of the capital, saying she spends most of her day inside, although she does get to go outside for fresh air. "I have never been to prison and I've never been to Sri Lanka," she told the BBC. "This heat and just sitting on a concrete floor all of the time." British woman accused of drug offences appears in Sri Lanka court https://t.co/s53nBjG2HZ BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) May 30, 2025 All four suspects, including the Thai woman arrested on Friday, could face life imprisonment if convicted. Sri Lankan authorities have previously seized large quantities of heroin off the country's shores, suggesting the island is being used as a transit hub for narcotics destined for other locations. In October, a Sri Lankan court sentenced 10 Iranian men to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to smuggling more than 111 kilograms of heroin. In 2023, nine Iranians received life sentences in a separate drug smuggling case. Sri Lanka's largest single seizure of narcotics occurred in December 2016, when Customs found 800 kilograms (1,760 pounds) of cocaine in a shipment container of timber addressed to a company in neighboring India. The wonderfully weird world of artist Luigi Serafini Fans turn out for estate sale at home of Tom Petty Why the FBI is calling the Boulder mall attack a "targeted act of violence" By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) -Israeli fire killed at least three Palestinians and wounded dozens of others near an aid distribution site operated by the U.S.-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, local health authorities said on Monday. The Israeli military said it was aware of reports of casualties and the incident was being thoroughly looked into. It said in a statement that troops operating overnight in Rafah, which is under full Israeli military control, in the southern Gaza Strip, had fired warning shots "to prevent several suspects approaching them", adding the incident took place about 1 km (0.6 miles) away from the aid distribution site. The GHF, a private group sponsored by the United States and endorsed by Israel, said there had been no fatalities or injuries at its distribution site or the surrounding area. Reuters could not independently verify what took place. The reported incident was the latest in a series underscoring the volatile security situation that has complicated aid delivery to Gaza, following the easing last month of an almost three-month Israeli blockade. On Sunday, Palestinian and international officials said at least 31 people were killed and dozens wounded near the same site, one of four operated by the GHF in Rafah. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Monday he was appalled by reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza on Sunday, and called for an independent investigation. The Israeli military denied firing at people gathering to collect aid, and the GHF said Sunday's distribution was carried out without incident, describing reports of deaths as fabricated by Hamas. In a separate statement, the Israeli military said that in the past day its forces expanded ground operations in the Gaza Strip, killed gunmen, and dismantled weapons storage facilities and military infrastructure above and under the ground. Meanwhile, the Gaza health ministry said Israeli strikes across the enclave had killed 51 people and wounded 500 others in the past 24 hours. Local health authorities said at least 16 of those were killed at a house in Jabalia, in northern Gaza, earlier on Monday. RISK OF FAMINE The GHF said Monday's deliveries raised the number of meals it has distributed since it began operations to nearly 6 million. The United Nations has said most of Gaza's 2 million population is at risk of famine after an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid entering the strip. The GHF launched its first distribution sites last week and said it would launch more. Its aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the U.N. and humanitarian organisations, which say the GHF does not follow humanitarian principles. The Palestinian NGOs Network urged a boycott of what it called the "U.S.-Israeli aid mechanism" in protest over the killings on Sunday. At Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, relatives of Hussam Wafi, a 37-year-old father-of-six, who was killed near the aid site on Sunday, arrived to pay their last respects before burial. Wafi's brother Ali said the victims were driven by hunger. The U.S. and Israel, what do they tell us? Go and get your food and water, and the aid. When the aid arrives, they hit us. Is this fair?" Wafi told Reuters. "They were going peacefully, they were killed. They went to get food and water for their children, to get a can of hummus or fava beans, a box or whatever is available, and they got shot, they died, Wafi's neighbour, Abu Youssef, told Reuters. CEASEFIRE TALKS TO RESUME Israel and Hamas, meanwhile, traded blame for the faltering of a new Arab and U.S. mediation bid to secure a temporary ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli jails. On Monday, a Palestinian official close to the mediation effort said Hamas leaders were in constant contact with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo and Doha. Israel says it accepts a temporary truce to release hostages, but that war can only end once Hamas is driven out of Gaza. Israel began its offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli tallies, and saw 251 taken as hostages into Gaza. Israel's campaign has devastated much of Gaza, killing more than 54,000 Palestinians and destroying most buildings. Much of the population now lives in shelters in makeshift camps. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi. Additional reporting by Alex Cornwell and Hatem Khaled; Editing by Alex Richardson) By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) -A federal judge on Monday said the administration of President Donald Trump likely broke the law by stripping 50,000 transportation security officers of the ability to unionize and bargain over their working conditions. U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman in Seattle, Washington, blocked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from canceling a union contract covering TSA officers pending the outcome of a lawsuit by the American Federation of Government Employees and other unions. Pechman said that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem failed to explain why she was reversing the Obama administration's finding that unionizing would benefit TSA officers, who staff checkpoints at U.S. airports and other transportation hubs, and in turn the public they serve. "The Noem Determination appears to have been undertaken to punish AFGE and its members because AFGE has chosen to push back against the Trump Administrations attacks to federal employment in the courts," wrote Pechman, an appointee of President Bill Clinton, a Democrat. The White House, TSA and DHS did not immediately respond to requests for comment. AFGE, which represents about 800,000 federal government employees, praised the decision. National President Everett Kelley said "the preliminary injunction underscores the unconstitutional nature of DHSs attack on TSA officers First Amendment rights ... we will not back down from defending our members rights against unlawful union busting." Trump, a Republican, has moved to curb union bargaining for wide swaths of the federal workforce. A U.S. appeals court in May allowed those efforts to proceed, pausing a lower court ruling that had blocked seven agencies from canceling union contracts while it considers an appeal. Because of the sensitive nature of their jobs, TSA officers are not governed by the civil service system and do not have the same rights to unionize and collectively bargain over working conditions as most other federal employees. During former President Barack Obama's administration, the TSA granted officers the ability to bargain over certain subjects. Former President Joe Biden's administration expanded the scope of bargaining in 2021. The agency last year reached a seven-year labor deal with AFGE, the largest federal worker union. Workers received enhanced shift trade options, increased allowance for uniforms and additional paid leave as part of the agreement. On February 27, Noem rescinded the directives that had allowed TSA officers to unionize and directed the agency to cancel the bargaining agreement within 90 days. Noem said the union contract guarantees benefits such as paid leave that are abused by a small number of officers and shields poor performers from being fired, burdening the entire agency. Noem also said she had asked lawyers at DHS to adopt policies barring any future administration from granting TSA workers the right to bargain without action from Congress. AFGE and the other unions that sued said Noem failed in her memo to provide a reasoned explanation for her decision and that TSA lacks the power to set aside the bargaining agreement. Pechman on Monday agreed, calling Noem's reasoning "threadbare." She said Noem had not backed up her claims that collective bargaining threatens the safety of the transportation system and that the 2024 union contract benefits AFGE at officers' expense. Pechman said Noem had likely violated a federal law that governs policymaking by agencies and the unions' rights to due process under the U.S. Constitution. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; additional reporting by David Shepardson in San Diego; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi, Rod Nickel, Stephen Coates and Sonali Paul) SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea condemned a multilateral sanctions monitoring group's recent report on ties with Russia as political and biased, saying its military cooperation with Moscow was a "legitimate exercise of the sovereign right," state media said on Monday. A report by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team, a group comprising 11 UN members, said North Korea enabled Russia to increase missile attacks against critical Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and supplied more than 20,000 containers of munitions. The MSMT is "a political tool operating according to the geopolitical interests of the West and, therefore, it has no justification to investigate the exercise of sovereign rights of other countries," the North Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement cited by the state KCNA news agency. The ministry called the group's move "hostile" and "outrageous encroachment" on its sovereignty. The group also said Moscow helped North Korea improve missile performance in return by supplying data. It was launched in October last year to monitor U.N. sanctions against North Korea after a Security Council panel was scrapped by Russia and China. 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 Foreign Ministry said its Russia military cooperation was legitimate following their treaty requiring each parties to provide military assistance in case of an armed attack against the other. "We express serious concern over the provocative acts of the West to encroach upon the sovereign rights of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea with its unilateral and high-handed political and legal standards as a yardstick and give stern warning against the negative consequences to be entailed by its reckless acts," the ministry said, according to state media. (Reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by Rod Nickel) Key Takeaways Tabasco recommends storing their hot sauce in a cool, dry, dark place like the pantry, but the fridge is OK tooit's personal preference. The salt and vinegar in Tabasco act as natural preservatives and make the sauce last three to five years. I think there are very few dishes that are not improved by the addition of hot sauce. Whether it be fried eggs, hot chicken, tacos, or Bloody Marys, Im breaking out a bottle of hot sauce to add a zing of acidic spice and balance my meals. I undoubtedly work my way through the bottles pretty quickly, which means I havent given much thought to how long hot sauce lasts, much less how to store it. As a kid, all the hot sauce was kept in the door of our refrigerator, a tradition Ive maintained as an adult. But recently, at a friend's place, theirs was in the pantry along with other shelf-stable condiments, which got me wondering: What is the best way to store hot sauce? I sought out some answers by chatting with the experts over at Tabasco, one of the most iconic hot sauce brands out there, to get their expertise. Simply Recipes / Getty Images What Is the Best Way To Store My Hot Sauce? Tabasco recommends storing hot sauce in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, like a cupboard or pantry. In the fridge is a-OK too. The most important thing, they say, is that you store your bottle in close reach so its easily accessible! Agreed. As it turns out, storing hot sauce in the fridge vs. the pantry is a personal preference. The taste wont be affected using either storage method. At the end of the day, says Tabasco, its up to personal preference whether you enjoy your condiment at room temperature or cooled slightly in the refrigerator. How Long Does Hot Sauce Last? While Tabasco hot sauce is made from just three ingredientsoak-barrel-aged peppers, non-iodized salt, and distilled white vinegarthe salt and vinegar act as natural preservatives, resulting in a shelf life of five years, say the experts at the brand. Curtis Braun, a food safety specialist at South Dakota State University, further explains that the acid in vinegar is what helps to keep these ubiquitous condiments shelf stable for so long. The acid "can be used to prevent the sauce from oxidizing and also decreasing the pH." Pathogens can easily grow if the pH gets too high, so ingredients are key in determining how long your hot sauce will last. For example, hot sauces with a large percentage of fruit might turn more quickly. Simply Recipes / Getty Images How Do I Know When Hot Sauce Has Gone Bad? Like any other ingredient in your kitchen, first and foremost, check the expiration date and use that as an indication of when its time to toss. Most hot sauces have a multi-year shelf life, as long as you keep an eye on the label, it is safe to consume even if its color changes over time. Color changes can be prevented by keeping hot sauces in the fridge (especially for those fruit-heavy selections). But remember, the discoloration process is a purely aesthetic change, reminds Tabasco. If you see mold, it's time to toss it. Read the original article on SIMPLYRECIPES Dodging vehicles and narrowly missing being hit, a pet zebra ran into traffic along a busy greater Nashville interstate over the weekend, officials said. As of June 2, the zebra remained missing, a Rutherford County dispatcher told USA TODAY. The zebra broke loose on Saturday, May 31 "wreaking havoc" on Interstate 24 near Joe B. Jackson Parkway in Rutherford County, Sheriff's Office Lt. Kenneth Barrett reported. The parkway about 35 miles south of downtown Nashville in the city of Murfreesboro, a booming town home to Middle Tennessee State University, the largest undergraduate university in The Volunteer State. Officials in Middle Tennessee are searching for pet zebra that escaped in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on May 30. "Sheriffs deputies had to close the interstate because the zebra was running through traffic on both sides of the highway," Barrett said. Officials later reopened the highway after the zebra disappeared into the woods. The following day a patrol deputy snapped a photo of the zebra still on the loose. Presidential protector: Watch military dog who protected Trump, Biden reunite with handler Where was the zebra in Murfreesboro last seen? According to the sheriff's office, the zebra escaped into a wooded area off Interstate 24 between Joe B. Jackson Parkway and the Epps Mill Road exits Saturday afternoon. The parkway is a busy throughfare with scores of businesses and other establishments lining it. According to a press release from the sheriff's office, Cpl. Zach Campbell the zebra belonged to a couple who he interviewed the night it escaped. The owners, law enforcement reported, "obtained the zebra Friday night." It escaped the following day. It was not immediately known whether the zebra was injured, how it escaped or where it escaped from. Is it legal to have a pet zebra in Tennessee? While the Library of Congress says zebras "unpredictable nature and tendency to attack preclude them from being good candidates for domestication," it is legal to own one in Tennessee, the Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network reported. Along with llamas, camels, and giraffes, Tennessee categorizes zebras as Class III animals so they do not require special permits or paperwork to be kept as pets. USA TODAY has reached out to the sheriff's office. Anyone who spots the zebra is asked to not approach it and call the sheriff's office at 615-898-7770. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pet zebra on the loose in Tennessee after escaping, running on highway Su Mustecaplioglu Another Tomorrow coat and Tabayer ring "The way we get dressed every morning is as personal as it gets. There are outfit repeaters, vintage treasure hunters, and even emotional dressers. But while everyone loves a good fashion trend, here at InStyle, we're interested in the deeper stuff, too: the way jewelry makes us feel, the way a beloved coat can spark joy on a cold day, the way a pair of shoes can pull a whole look together. How I Get Dressed unpacks fashion routines, rituals, and go-tosstraight from the fashion tastemakers we love." Sarita Choudhury never plays the damsel in distress, and she doesnt dress like one, either. The British actress's career spans three decades of embodying tenaciously strong women in film and television. Whether she's playing Lee Moldaver, the hardened antagonist in the post-apocalyptic Fallout series, or flamboyant real estate dynamo Seema Patel on And Just Like That... Choudhury knows how important style and costume design are to a performance. Marc Piasecki/WireImage Choudhury attend the 'And Just Like That' Season Three Paris Photocall with co-stars Nicole Ari Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kristin Davis As Seema, the actress is often seen bedecked in powerful garb from Fendi goddess gowns to Olivia Von Halle silk slips and Ralph Lauren jumpsuits. Over-the-top fashions have become a hallmark of the HBO Max hit, but in a time of overwhelming casualness, there's still an undeniable allure to seeing women of a certain age standing in their unapologetic truth while standing in sky-high stilettos. "There's an outlandish confidence to [Seema's] style that whenever I go into the costume fitting, I have to adjust myself because she doesn't think anything is too much, or too loud, or too sexy," Choudhury exclusively tells InStyle. "I wore this velvet, leopard [Etro] suit, and it's something I would never choose, but the way it was cut made me feel like I was strong," she says of her costumes on Sex and the City spinoff. "That was my favorite because sometimes you're wearing something that ends up looking amazing, but that doesn't mean you feel amazing in it, and it can really translate on screen." Craig Blankenhorn Choudhury in the leopard Etro suit. Now heading into the show's third season, Choudhury has become even more involved not only in Seema's character's story arc but her fashion as well. "I feel I can have a little more input now," Choudhury shares. "I've always been asked for input, but it's taken me a while to give it, and in season three, Seema goes through major changes in her life, and I think you'll see it in the costumes." With the success and killer styles of AJLT, Choudhury has also become a New York fashion plate both onscreen and off. At New York Fashion Week, she can be spotted seated in the front row or walking on the catwalk modeling for designers like Prabal Gurung and Daniella Kallmeyer. "Well, with Prabal, it was so lovely to meet someone from my side of the world... and it was super exciting to be able to support him," Choudhury says of the Nepalese-American fashion designer. "And with Daniella from Kallmeyer, she introduced me to my stylist Caitlin Burke, who then would put me in all these looks from the brand, so it became this fabulous thing between us." George Chinsee/Getty Images Choudhury modeling in the Kallmeyer Fall RTW 2025 show. To celebrate the release of the third season of And Just Like That..., InStyle spoke with Choudhury on everything from vintage shopping to why she loves New Yorkand how fashion is a lot like flirting. Ahead is Sarita Choudhury's How I Get Dressed. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Her Style in Three Words Chic. Ease. Italian, IndianI know I cheated. Where She Shops If I'm shopping, I'm mostly looking for vintage...even if I'm shopping online. I tend to veer towards French and Italian brands, or when I'm visiting India, there are specific stores I go to. There is a place in Paris, in Le Marais, where I found my favorite Saint Laurent shoes. Love me a Saint Laurent! And in Rome, where I grew up, there's the Porta Portese market where you can get a vintage cashmere cardigan, old books, and unique pink knee-high socks. Su Mustecaplioglu Fforme coat and dress. Her Go-To Uniform It's a pair of jeans that everyone always asks me about that are really old Levi'. They were given to me by a guy, so you know they have that kind of heavy weight to them. I wear those with a white T-shirt and usually Repetto ballerina slippers. How Family Has Influenced Her Style It's funny, I never thought about [style] in my family, you know, definitely on my British side. I do have a certain reserve, and I love a good collar and an A-line skirt. There's definitely an influence there. Recently, when I went home to Kolkata, one of my aunties came over, and she was wearing a sari that had a very old look to it, almost like a black and white photo made in red, and she had these thick rim, almost like German intellectual glasses on, and I looked at her, and I was like, "Oh if I wore a sari, I would wear it like her." Su Mustecaplioglu Rohe dress. Why She Loves New York Every city has its thing, and in New York, it's more about the person you are than the clothes you're wearing. New York has a real sense of freedom of expression, and you can change who you are or what you wear every year, and no one will judge you. Whereas, in a smaller place, everyone is like, "Who does she think she is? You know?" I don't feel that here. Why She Doesn't Follow Trends In New York, there are so many people from different countries and backgrounds that it's not as apparent on the street what a trend is. I can fall in love with a trend without really knowing what it is, but I definitely don't follow them. Su Mustecaplioglu Heirlome dress, Monica Sordo cuff, and Altuzarra ring. On Working With Her Stylist Caitlin and I have this running joke, because when we first met, which was over Zoom, I said to her, "Since I'm new to this, do you mind if we keep things to like only one or two emails and only a few choices of dresses because I think I'm going to get overwhelmed?" She laughed and goes, "That's my dream!" So we kind of stuck to that, and now it's kind of beautiful working with her because she really watches out for what I like. On Finding Fashion Inspiration Fashion comes from the books you read, the art you like, and the way you love and flirt. Like when you flirt, do you like to look at the ease [of someone], or do you like to look [at them] architecturally? I think the same goes for fashion. Credits Photographer Su Mustecaplioglu Stylist Caitlin Burke Hair Moiz Alladina Makeup Lisa Houghton Read the original article on InStyle Authorities in Europe have relaunched the search for Madeleine McCann, who disappeared nearly two decades ago from a vacation apartment in Portugal as her parents ate at a nearby restaurant. Portuguese police are searching the Algarve region, where the British toddler vanished in 2007 when she was 3 years old, according to Reuters. The Algarve, the country's southernmost area, is known for its beaches and golf resorts. Portugal's investigative Judicial Police said the new search comes on the heels of a request from German authorities, Reuters reported. The child's disappearance sparked one of the most publicized missing-person investigations in British history. Authorities in Europe have relaunched the search for 3-year-old Madeleine McCann, who disappeared in 2007 from a vacation apartment at a resort in southern Portugal as her parents ate at a nearby restaurant. Judicial Police were "executing a European Investigation Order on behalf of the public prosecutor's office in Braunschweig, Germany," according to a statement obtained by Reuters. In 2022, prosecutors in Braunschweig identified a German man, Christian Brueckner, as a primary suspect in the case. Search warrants were to be carried out June 2 to June 6 in Lagos, Portugal, and any evidence seized is set to be handed over to Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office, Reuters reported, citing Portuguese police. Police works at the site where they started digging in an allotment area near Hanover, Germany July 29, 2020, where a suspect in the Madeleine McCann investigation lived. Authorities in Europe have relaunched the search for the 3-year-old girl who disappeared in 2007 from a vacation apartment. The search will focus on an area between Praia da Luz, a civil parish belonging to the town of Lagos, and one of the houses where Brueckner lived at the time the girl vanished, CNN Portugal reported. German prosecutors told Reuters "criminal procedural measures" related to the McCann case were taking place in Portugal involving German police and Portuguese law enforcement. The attorneys did not elaborate. Here's what to know about the case. Escaped inmates: 2 inmates caught in Texas extradited back to Louisiana; 2 more still on the run Where did Madeleine McCann disappear? Kate and Gerry McCann attend a service to mark the 11th anniversary of the disappearance of their daughter Madeleine from a holiday in Portugal, near her home in Rothley, Britain May 3, 2018. Authorities in Europe have relaunched the search for the 3-year-old, who disappeared in 2007 from a vacation apartment. Madeleine disappeared from her bed in a rental apartment in the resort town of Praia da Luz in the Algarve region on May 3, 2007. She vanished while her parents ate dinner a few hundred yards away and her 2-year-old twin siblings slept in the same room. When did police last search for Madeleine McCann? The last search for McCann was carried out in May 2023, when police combed an inland reservoir in the Algarve but did not find anything. In June 2020, police in Germany announced McCann was assumed dead and Brueckner "was likely responsible," Reuters reported, adding Brueckner has denied involvement in her disappearance. Although now serving a prison sentence in Germany for raping a senior woman in Algarve, Brueckner has never been charged with any crime related to Madeleine's disappearance. Parents of missing girl Madeleine McCann, Kate and Gerry McCann pose with an artist's impression of how their daughter might look at age 9. Authorities in Europe have relaunched the search for the girl who disappeared in 2007 from an apartment at a resort in southern Portugal. Police are searching the Algarve region. How old would Maddie McCann be today? Madeleine was born on May 12, 2003. As of June 2, she would be age 22. Contributing: Reuters Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What happened to Madeleine McCann? Why police relaunched the search A new study has found a link between chronic cannabis use including in edible form and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease that's comparable to the effects of smoking tobacco. The study published May 28 is the latest to associate cannabis with negative health impacts and was conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, who analyzed the cardiovascular health of 55 people who consumed cannabis at least three times a week for at least a year. They found vascular function was reduced by about half when compared with those who did not consume cannabis regularly. They also showed signs of increased risk for premature heart disease, researchers found, similar to tobacco smokers. Those included in the study were tested to ensure they do not smoke tobacco or vape and were not frequently exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke. "This study enhances the understanding of the potential risks to vascular health linked to cannabis use and provides more evidence that cannabis use is not benign," the researchers concluded. What does the new study say about edibles? Alan Butts and Elena Kaiser, of Columbus, Ohio, harvest a marijuana plant from their indoor home-grow setup. The finding that surprised researchers most was that the vascular function of those who chronically used THC-laced edibles was over 50% reduced when compared with non-users. Those who smoked marijuana showed an average reduction of 42%. Edibles have been seen as possibly less harmful than smoking or vaping marijuana. When I first saw the THC result, I said to (lead study author Dr. Leila Mohammadi), Scientifically, this THC result is really interesting but boy does it screw up the public health messaging, Matthew Springer, senior study author and professor of medicine at UC San Francisco, told the outlet SFGate. Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, is displayed at the Great Smokey Cannabis Company's shop located on the Qualla Boundary, the homeland of the sovereign Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), in Cherokee, North Carolina, on November 2, 2024. Mounting evidence is tying cannabis to health risks Last year, a study linked daily use of marijuana whether smoked, vaped, or eaten in edible form to a significantly higher risk of heart attack and stroke. In 2023, a study led by a Stanford University researcher found that using marijuana every day raised the risk of coronary artery disease. That study, however, did not differentiate the risk of different types of cannabis products, such as vapes and edibles. The American Heart Association has also said that cannabis is associated with negative health implications and has advocated for further research to confirm its impacts. More research is needed People roll a blunt during the informal annual cannabis holiday, corresponding to the numerical figure widely recognized within the cannabis subculture as a symbol for all things related to marijuana, in Denver, Colorado, U.S., April 20, 2023. In an interview with CNN, Springer said the research shows that "cannabis users have poor vascular function, not that cannabis use causes poor vascular function. While no causal relationship has been established, the results of the study have begun to pique the interest of other experts. Could it be that other forms of marijuana teas, tinctures, edibles are perhaps not as benign as we once thought? Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver, told CNN. We need larger studies to make a better conclusion about this finding. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are edibles better for you than smoking weed? New study suggests not New research confirms singing to your baby boosts their mood. (CREDIT: iStock Images) When your baby is fussy, what do you instinctively do? Most likely, you start singing. Researchers have now confirmed what parents have always sensed: singing to your baby significantly boosts their mood and overall well-being. In a recent study led by Yale's Child Study Center and published in the journal Child Development, scientists found that infants experience notable improvements in mood when caregivers regularly sing to them. This discovery could reshape how families approach infant care, highlighting the simplicity and effectiveness of music. Singing as a Universal Caregiving Tool Across cultures and generations, parents have consistently sung to their infants. Regardless of a familys background or income, music has always served as a calming influence. This universal behavior intrigued researchers, who wanted to scientifically validate its effectiveness. Structure of the experiment. Researchers conducted an offset-design randomized trial with a one-week pre-test, a four-week intervention, and a one-week post-test (see the areas highlighted in green). (CREDIT: Child Development) Every parent knows intuitively that singing helps calm a fussy baby, said Samuel Mehr, principal investigator at Yales Child Study Center. Parents naturally use music to manage infant emotions because they quickly learn how effective singing is at soothing. Mehr's team studied 110 families, each with a baby around four months old. Families were randomly divided into two groups. One group was given resources, including songbooks and karaoke-style videos, to encourage daily singing. Researchers sent weekly newsletters suggesting ways parents could easily incorporate music into their routines. Throughout four weeks, parents answered short surveys on their smartphones about their babys mood, fussiness, and caregiver well-being. The second group received the intervention afterward, allowing researchers to compare the differences clearly. Related Stories Clear Improvements in Infant Mood The findings were striking. Infants whose parents sang to them regularly showed significant improvements in overall mood compared to babies in the control group. This positive change wasn't temporary; the infants generally appeared happier, not just immediately after hearing songs. "Singing is simple, free, and effective," emphasized Eun Cho, co-first author and postdoctoral researcher at Yale. "Families are already singing, and now we have evidence that it can truly improve infant health." Surprisingly, the study didn't show significant improvements in the caregivers' moods, although the researchers believe this may change over longer periods. They speculate ongoing benefits could reduce parental stress and even help mitigate postpartum depression. "If improvements to infant mood persist, they could positively impact the entire family's health," noted Mehr. Music enrichment increases the frequency of infant-directed singing. (CREDIT: Child Development) Music as a Communication Tool Music plays a powerful role in communication, even from the earliest age. Researchers found that infants responded better to singing than to speech alone. In one earlier study, babies listened twice as long to singing compared to regular talking before beginning to cry. Familiar songs, particularly lullabies, proved most effective in calming infants quickly. "Our evolutionary understanding suggests music communicates care and safety," explained Mehr. "Lullabies tell babies clearly: 'Im here, youre safe, everything is okay.'" This study supports earlier research indicating that music enriches family interactions. Music provides a multi-sensory experience combining voice, touch, eye contact, and movement. Infants respond actively by smiling, cooing, or moving, reinforcing emotional bonds with caregivers. Music enrichment alters parent responses to infant fussiness. In each EMA ping, we asked the parent if their infant was fussy in the previous 23 h; if they answered Yes, then we asked how they attempted to soothe the infant. (CREDIT: Child Development) Promising Results and Next Steps This research opens exciting possibilities. Previous studies demonstrated that sustained musical activities, like parent-child singing groups, reduce parental stress and strengthen emotional bonds. Researchers hope further studies might uncover long-term benefits, including improved infant sleep and caregiver mental health. The Yale team has launched a follow-up study called "Together We Grow," examining singing's long-term effects over eight months. They anticipate even stronger outcomes for families who aren't already regularly singing. "Even though our families were already musical, we saw clear benefits," said Lidya Yurdum, co-first author from the University of Amsterdam. "We expect greater improvements among families who don't usually use music." Music enrichment improves infant mood but not caregiver mood. In each EMA ping, caregivers were asked to report their infant's mood and their own mood during the previous 23 h, both on a 100-point slider anchored at Very negative and Very positive. (CREDIT: Child Development) Ultimately, this research encourages caregivers everywhere to embrace music. Singing requires no training, no cost, and minimal effort, yet its impact is undeniably significant. It underscores that sometimes the simplest methods are the most powerful. Mehr summarizes it well: We don't always need complicated solutions. Music is effective, natural, and universally accessible. Thats what makes it incredibly valuable. Your baby agreesand they're listening. Note: The article above provided above by The Brighter Side of News. Like these kind of feel good stories? Get The Brighter Side of News' newsletter. Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty; Courtesy of Bero Tom Holland (left) and Bero NEED TO KNOW Tom Holland's non-alcoholic beer brand, Bero, has a new flavor called Double Tasty Double Tasty is a West Coast-style IPA with signature notes of citrus and pine PEOPLE tried the new variety and was impressed how similar it tasted to a regular IPA Tom Hollands non-alcoholic beer has a new variety that cracks open twice the flavor. Bero, the brand the actor co-founded in 2024, announced on Monday, June 2, that its latest launch is Double Tasty, a West Coast-style IPA. The first new brew since the original Bero lineup hit shelves in October, Double Tasty is being released just a day after the Spider-Man star's 29th birthday. A press release Bero shared with PEOPLE calls it a bold, hop-forward addition to the portfolio, which also includes a pilsner, a hazy IPA and a wheat. Courtesy of Bero Double Tasty (second from left) joins Bero's lineup of non-alcoholic beers While the West Coast IPA is widely known for its Californian roots, its lineage traces back to Britain, where pale ales and IPAs first laid the groundwork for hop-centric brewing, the release adds. Beros version bridges these two traditions, honoring the precision of British technique and the unapologetic character of the American West. PEOPLE got an early taste of the new brew, and editors were impressed by how similar it tastes to a regular IPA. In fact, we wouldnt have been able to tell it was non-alcoholic. When poured, it appeared very foamy, just like a traditional beer, and the immediate smell was that of an IPA. It was less fizzy than regular beer, but still had a strong flavor. The brand says the beers aromatics are amplified by a touch of hop extract, and its signature notes of citrus and pine were apparent on first sip. Courtesy of Bero Bero Double Tasty According to the press release, its brewed with premium Colorado malts and a trio of standout hops Mosaic, El Dorado, and Cascade sourced from the Western U.S. The release adds that the name Double Tasty is inspired by a phrase the actor has always used with his close friends, and the beers West Coast style represents a place that has become a second home to him. When we launched Bero, it was about creating something that reflected my own journey and love for beer, says Holland, whose cofounder is John Herman. A premium option that could seamlessly fit into your lifestyle, show up in any setting and always leave you feeling your best. It just feels right that we would keep bringing people more variety to achieve that. To already be expanding our lineup with Double Tasty feels surreal in the best way, but also really natural for what we set out to achieve, he continues. We want to offer people more not just in the quantity of beers to choose from, but in life. Courtesy of Bero Bero's non-alcoholic beers Holland previously opened up about the importance of creating a non-alcoholic option in an interview with Forbes last fall. When I got sober, I started exploring the world of non-alcoholic beers and realized there was space for me to fit in. My first year sober was really difficult, and had I had Bero, I think it would have been easier, he told the outlet. Bero will host a series of events in New York City, Los Angeles and London to celebrate the launch of Double Tasty. Double Tasty is currently available on BERObrewing.com in a single-flavor six-pack and will join the rest of the lineup in an updated four-flavor 12-pack. Target will be the first national retailer to carry Double Tasty, which will continue rolling out to retailers nationwide, including Amazon, Sprouts, BevMo, Erewhon, Total Wine and more. Read the original article on People As the Senate prepares to put its imprint on President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act this week, Republicans are grappling over the potential impact the megabill might have on the national debt, which has ballooned to nearly $37 trillion. With a 10-year budget bill, deficit hawks in the Senate like Rand Paul and Ron Johnson are drawing a red line pushing for deeper cuts than those in the bill the House sent to them. As lawmakers aim to send a bill to Trump by the Fourth of July, those demands could complicate the Senate's calculus for passage where Republicans can only afford three defections. On one hand, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act reduces outlays by more than $1.5 trillion against current baseline spending according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office's preliminary analysis, meeting reconciliation's target for between $1.5 to $2 trillion in spending reductions. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images - PHOTO: Sen. Rand Paul speaks against the federal omnibus spending legislation for FY 2023 that at a news conference with Sen. Rick Scott and Sen. Ron Johnson at the U.S. Capitol on December 20, 2022 in Washington, DC. On the other hand, the bill still adds about $3.1 trillion to the debt, according to the CBO though some Republicans like Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky predict it could add up to $20 trillion to the debt over the next decade. At odds with the White House Paul and Johnson are directly at odds with the White House, which points to an analysis from the White House Council of Economic Advisors that finds the legislation will save $1.6 trillion over 10 years. "There's $1.6 trillion worth of savings in this bill," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a May 19 press briefing. "That's the largest savings for any legislation that has ever passed Capitol Hill in our nation's history." In a press briefing on Thursday, Leavitt attacked the CBO and other scorekeepers, saying they used "shoddy assumptions and have historically been terrible at forecasting across Democrat and Republican administrations alike." The Senate is expected to alter the House-passed proposal and some of the Senate's fiscal hawks have conditioned their support on the implementation of even steeper cuts. But any cuts these members want implemented will have to be balanced by Senate leadership against the desires of moderates who wish to preserve key social safety net programs, creating major challenges for hopes of offsetting the cost of the package. Al Drago/Getty Images - PHOTO: Sen. Josh Hawley speaks to reporters prior to the Senate Republicans weekly policy luncheon, in the US Capitol on March 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Will the House and Senate see eye-to-eye? Another complication: any changes to the bill made by the Senate must be approved by the House, which narrowly sent the bill to the upper chamber by just one vote. Speaker Mike Johnson, who guided the bill through the House over the objections from both fiscal hard-liners and moderates in his conference, declared "It's not going to add to the debt," when asked if Trump would take ownership of an increase of the deficit. And he said he and Trump has the same concerns as Johnson and Paul. "He's also concerned as I am, as Ron Johnson is, as Rand Paul is, as all of us are about the nation's debt, and he and I talk about this frequently, and he is excited about changing that trajectory," he said on NBC's "Meet the Press." The bill sent to the Senate would also hike the federal debt limit by $4 trillion dollars, another sticking point with fiscal hawks. "There's nothing fiscally conservative about expanding the debt ceiling more than we've ever done it before," Paul said after the bill passed through the House two weeks ago. "This will be the greatest increase in the debt ceiling ever, and the GOP owns this now." Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images - PHOTO: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks to the media after the House narrowly passed a bill forwarding President Donald Trump's agenda at the U.S. Capitol, May 22, 2025 in Washington. 'Wimpy and anemic' At an event last week in Iowa, Paul repeated his disdain for the bill, calling the current cuts "wimpy and anemic" and suggesting that additional cutbacks could happen to entitlement programs like Medicaid and Social Security areas where a line has been drawn by Trump and fellow GOP senators like Josh Hawley of Missouri, who called building the bill on cutting health insurance for the working poor "morally wrong and politically suicidal." Paul told CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday that he thought there were enough votes among his Senate Republican colleagues to block the bill. "I think there are four of us at this point, and I would be very surprised if the bill at least is not modified in a good direction," he said. Trump called Paul out over the weekend, writing on his Truth Social platform that if the senator votes against the bill, "Rand will be playing right into the hands of the Democrats, and the GREAT people of Kentucky will never forgive him!" Talking to reporters on Monday, Leavitt suggested there will be a price to pay for those who vote against it. "Their voters will know about it. That is unacceptable to Republican voters and all voters across the country who elected this president in a Republican majority to get things done on Capitol Hill," she said. Budget reconciliation, the tactic congressional Republicans are using to get the bill passed, is not subject to the filibuster, enabling the Republican majority to enact sweeping changes with only a simple majority. But changes to Social Security and Medicare are exempt from the fast-track budgeting process. Any changes to those entitlements would require 60 votes and bipartisan cooperation from Democrats a prospect Republicans are not entertaining as they go it alone on the bill. Paul called for steeper spending cuts so that raising the debt limit would not be part of this bill. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called on Congress to increase the statutory debt limit by the end of July to prevent the country from defaulting on its debt obligations. "I want [Trump's 2017] tax cuts to be permanent. But at the same time, I don't wanna raise the debt ceiling five trillion," he told CBS on Sunday. "The GOP will own the debt once they vote for this." Sen. Johnson, a notable fiscal hawk, has also signaled strongly that he would not support the bill in its current form, given that it adds to the debt. "It's so far off the mark. It's so bad," he told reporters at the Capitol while the House was still advancing the bill through the Rules Committee. "I've been trying to interject reality. I've been trying to interject facts and figures. They're on my side." Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump shakes hands with House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune after the National Prayer Breakfast in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol on February 06, 2025 in Washington, DC. Big or beautiful? At a Newsmaker luncheon Wednesday in Milwaukee hosted by WisPolitics and the Milwaukee Press Club, Johnson claimed there was "no amount of pressure" that Trump could place on him in order to support it in its current form. Asked Sunday on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" if he was willing to push so far as to blow up Trump's agenda, Johnson stressed his loyalty was with the American people. "I want to see [Trump] succeed. But again, my loyalty is to the American people, to my kids and grandkids. We cannot continue to mortgage their future," Johnson said. Trump adviser Elon Musk, who left the White House on Friday after his role as a special government employee reached its 130-day limit, broke publicly with the president during an interview with CBS a couple days earlier in which he said he was "disappointed" by the massive spending bill. "I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful," Musk told CBS News, "but I don't know if it can be both. My personal opinion." -ABC News' Isabella Murray and Kelsey Walsh contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will likely speak this week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday, days after Trump accused China of violating an agreement to roll back tariffs and trade restrictions. Leavitt is the third top Trump aide to forecast an imminent call between the two leaders to iron out differences on last month's tariff agreement in Geneva, among larger trade issues. It was not immediately clear when the two leaders will speak. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday that Trump and Xi would speak "very soon" to iron out trade issues including a dispute over critical minerals and China's restrictions on exports of certain minerals. Trump said on Friday he was sure that he would speak to Xi. China said in April that the two leaders had not had a conversation recently. On Saturday, the U.S. Trade Representative's office announced it would continue to exclude certain solar manufacturing equipment and other products from existing tariffs on Chinese goods until August 31, offering a three-month extension while talks with Beijing continue. Bessent led negotiations with China in Geneva last month that resulted in a temporary truce in the trade war between the world's two biggest economies, but progress since then has been slow, the U.S. Treasury chief told Fox News last week. The U.S.-China agreement to dial back triple-digit tariffs for 90 days prompted a massive relief rally in global stocks. But it did nothing to address the underlying reasons for Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods, mainly longstanding U.S. complaints about China's state-dominated, export-driven economic model, leaving those issues for future talks. A U.S. trade court on Wednesday ruled that Trump overstepped his authority in imposing the bulk of his tariffs on imports from China and other countries under an emergency powers act. But less than 24 hours later, a federal appeals court reinstated the tariffs, saying it was pausing the trade court ruling to consider the government's appeal. The appeals court ordered the plaintiffs to respond by June 5 and the administration to respond by June 9. (Reporting by Katharine Jackson, Doina Chiacu and Andrea Shalal; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Rod Nickel) Starmer Defence Secretary John Healey unveiled a military overhaul in Scotland on Monday. - Andy Buchanan/PA/AP Britain will build new attack submarines, invest billions on nuclear warheads and move toward war-fighting readiness, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday, shortly before the publication of a landmark review of the future of the countrys military. Starmers government said it would build up to 12 new attack submarines as part of its AUKUS partnership with the United States and Australia, replacing the countrys current class of seven subs from the late 2030s. And he will launch a historic renewal of the UKs nuclear deterrent backed by a 15 billion ($20.3 bn) investment, Starmer said in a speech in Scotland on Monday. The announcements came on the same day as the publication of the long-awaited UK Strategic Defense Review into Britains armed services, which outlined how the British military would pursue an immediate shift toward greater use of autonomy and AI in the wake of Ukraines experiences in its war with Russia. When we are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces, the most effective way to deter them is to be ready, and frankly, to show them that were ready to deliver peace through strength, Starmer said Monday. But Starmer refused to set out the timeline for his pledge that Britains overall defense spending would hit 3% of the UKs gross domestic product (GDP). The uplift, announced earlier this year, is set to be reached by the end of the next parliament in 2034, but is dependent on economic conditions. And the prime minister did not set out where the money to pay for the new weaponry will come from; he previously announced cuts to the UKs aid budget to fund the uplift in defense spending, and he declined to rule out similar moves on Monday. Starmer pledged to turn the UK into a "battle-ready, armour-clad nation." - Andy Buchanan/PA/AP According to the 144-page review, units in future will be made up of only 20% crewed vehicles, with the remainder of capabilities split between reusable platforms, like drones that survive repeated missions, and 40% single-use weapons, like rockets or attack drones. The Royal Navy is to move toward a more powerful but cheaper and simpler fleet, and the UKs two aircraft carriers (the largest in Europe) will shift to being used as a base for European rather than only British aircraft and drones. Meanwhile, under the waves, unmanned subs and sensors will police the North Atlantic against Russian military movements. However, some such capabilities will require a decade of investment and development, Dr Marion Messmer, a senior research fellow at thinktank Chatham House told CNN. That stretches far beyond the forecast of certain European countries that Russia could be ready to threaten European borders militarily six months to a few years after ending fighting with Ukraine. Even so, the boosted investment in the UKs nuclear capabilities as well as potential integration with European deterrence outlined in the document will strike a nerve with Moscow, she said. The fiscal promise from the UK falls short of defense spending promises from some NATO countries, whose spending has been closely scrutinized by US President Donald Trump. NATOs Secretary General Mark Rutte said last month he assumed NATO members will agree on a defense spending target of 5% at Junes NATO summit, a significant increase from the 2% benchmark, which was agreed to in 2014. Per 2024 NATO data, only Polands defense expenditure was above 4% of GDP, although Latvia and Estonia had promised increases to 5%, with Italy promising a hike to between 3.5 and 5% of GDP. The US defense expenditure sat at 3.38% of GDP in 2024, making up some 64% of total NATO expenditure. Just weeks before NATO allies could agree on a significantly higher spending target, it seems a little risky for the UK government to essentially have boxed itself in to a 2.5%-of-GDP spending cap, analyst Messmer told CNN. The UKs ambition to lead in NATO, doesnt fit with spending in the middle of the pack among NATO allies, she said. Countering the Russia threat Russias invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent pressure from Trumps administration on European nations to boost their own military capabilities has sparked a race among Europes key military powers to boost their readiness and counter the Russian threat should the White House pull its support for Kyiv. The UK cannot ignore the threat that Russia poses, Starmer told the BBC on Monday. Russia has shown in recent weeks that its not serious about peace, and we have to be ready. Starmer said Monday he intended to turn the UK into a battle-ready, armor-clad nation with the strongest alliances, and the most advanced capabilities, equipped for the decades to come. Government MP and member of the British Parliaments Defence Select Committee, Fred Thomas, told CNN that the review was a bold plan, and the first since the 1980s that argued for doing more, not less, with the UKs military. However, the British military of today is a long way from its Cold War ancestor. At under half the strength of the regular military in 1989, the British army is a shadow of its former self. In 1989, defense spending accounted for 4.1% of GDP. If you want to prepare for tomorrows war, you need to make sure youre at least ready for todays war. And were not ready for todays war, MP Thomas said. The planners hope machines will make up for manpower. As part of the UK military fundamentally transforming how it works, the review recommended enabling any sensor and weapon across the armed forces arsenal to work in tandem, using AI to predict threats and speed up decision-making. 10 times as lethal? Combining conventional armored forces with AI and land drone swarms, the review boasted of creating a military 10 times more lethal than the British militarys currently is. Writing in the Financial Times MP Thomas on May 31, the lawmaker criticised the UKs ministry of defences, deep cultural and structural resistance to change, but he said he saw reason to hope in the recommendations laid out in todays review. At times frank the review highlighted how a focus on focus on exquisite capabilities has masked the hollowing out of the Armed Forces warfighting capability the document still offered a somewhat rosy vision of the British armed forces. This is at odds with much commentary in the British press, which has slammed the dwindling size, troubled and inefficient equipment procurement and failures of conduct plaguing the British military through its wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Analyst Messmer advised caution around some of the reviews promises. Ten times more lethal is something that sounds good, but I would really want to see more evidence, she said, I think its more marketing than anything else. Given decades of shrinking investment in the British military, questions have been raised over the deterrence that Britains conventional and nuclear weapons offer, particularly given its reliance on a US supply chain. In the past eight years, the UK has publicly acknowledged two failed nuclear missile tests, one of them in the waters off Florida, when dummy missiles didnt fire as intended. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com FILE - A woman walks in the al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria's Hasakeh province, where tens of thousands of mostly women and children linked to the Islamic State group have been living for years, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue,File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) WASHINGTON (AP) A naturalized U.S. citizen who pleaded guilty to receiving military training from the Islamic State group was sentenced Monday to 10 years in federal prison. Lirim Sylejmani, 49, engaged in at least one battle against U.S.-led forces after he entered Syria in 2015, according to prosecutors. U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras in Washington, D.C., imposed Sylejmani's prison sentence followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Sylejmani, who was born in Kosovo and moved to Chicago roughly 25 years ago, pleaded guilty last December to one count of receiving military training from a foreign terrorist organization. In November 2015, Sylejmani and his family flew to Turkey and then crossed the border into Syria, where he began training with other IS recruits, according to prosecutors. They said he was injured in a battle with Syrian forces in June 2016 and was captured with his family in Baghouz, Syria, in February 2019. "The conduct is far more than a single, impulsive act. He chose to jeopardize the safety of his family by bringing them to a war-torn country to join and take up arms for ISIS," prosecutors wrote. Sylejmani's attorneys say he isn't a committed jihadist and doesn't espouse violence. He is guilt ridden for his actions and the harm he has visited on his family, who remain detained in a refugee camp in Syria living under terrible conditions," his lawyers wrote. "He wishes only to complete his time and find his wife and children, so he can live an average law-abiding life with them. By Patricia Zengerle and David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Republican leader of the U.S. Senate said on Monday the chamber could begin work this month on a bill imposing stiff sanctions on Russia - and secondary sanctions on countries that trade with Russia - over its war in Ukraine. Majority Leader John Thune said President Donald Trump's administration still hopes for an agreement to end the three-year-old conflict, but the Senate is prepared to help put pressure on Moscow. "We also stand ready to provide President Trump with any tools he needs to get Russia to finally come to the table in a real way," Thune said in a speech opening the Senate. Thune told reporters afterward he has been discussing the sanctions legislation with the White House. The measure would impose 500% tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other exports. China and India account for about 70% of Russia's international energy business, which helps fund its war effort. The bill, whose lead sponsors are Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, now has at least 82 co-sponsors in the 100-member Senate. Graham said in Kyiv last week he thought the Senate could take up the bill as soon as this week, but Thune did not set that timeframe. "I think right now they're still hopeful they'll be able to strike some sort of a deal. But as you might expect, there's a high level of interest here in the Senate, on both sides of the aisle, and moving on it, and it very well could be something that we would take up in this work period," Thune said. He was referring to the weeks before lawmakers leave Washington ahead of the July 4 Independence Day recess. "We're working with the White House to try and ensure that what we do and when we do it, it works well with the negotiations that they've got under way," Thune said. Graham has said the legislation would impose "bone-breaking sanctions" on Russia and its customers if Moscow does not engage in talks, or if it initiates another effort undermining Ukraine's sovereignty after any peace deal. The measure is a rare example of bipartisanship in the bitterly divided U.S. Congress. Trump appears to be growing increasingly impatient with what he has suggested might be foot-dragging over a wider agreement with Moscow to end the war. To become law, the legislation must pass the Senate and House of Representatives and be signed by Trump. Trump has said he worries more sanctions would hurt prospects for a peace deal. There has been no indication from the House's Republican leaders of any plan to allow a vote on the sanctions package. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; additional reporting by David Morgan; editing by Nia Williams) By Andrew Chung (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear a challenge to the legality of state restrictions on assault-style rifles and large-capacity ammunition magazines, passing up for now cases that offered the justices a chance to further expand gun rights. The justices turned away two appeals after lower courts upheld a ban in Maryland on powerful semiautomatic rifles such as AR-15s and one in Rhode Island restricting the possession of ammunition-feeding devices holding more than 10 rounds. The lower courts rejected arguments that the measures violate the U.S. Constitution's Second Amendment right to "keep and bear arms." Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch dissented from the court's decision to reject the appeals. A fourth conservative justice, Brett Kavanaugh, expressed sympathy in a statement accompanying the Maryland case toward the argument made by the challengers that AR-15s are in common use by "law-abiding citizens and therefore are protected by the Second Amendment." Kavanaugh said the court "presumably will address the AR15 issue soon." In a nation bitterly divided over how to address firearms violence including numerous mass shootings, the Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, often has taken an expansive view of the Second Amendment. In the two cases turned away on Monday, the challengers contended that states and courts are flouting precedents that make clear that the Second Amendment protects weapons that are in "common use." Maryland in 2013 enacted its ban on military-style "assault weapons" such as the AR-15 and AK-47 after a shooter used such a firearm in the 2012 mass killing of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. The law carries a penalty of up to three years in prison. A Maryland resident who was seeking to purchase one of the banned guns, as well as three gun rights organizations including the Firearms Policy Coalition, sued. The Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the challenge, saying assault weapons "are military-style weapons designed for sustained combat operations that are ill-suited and disproportionate to the need for self-defense." As such, the "excessively dangerous" firearms are not protected by the Second Amendment, it decided. The 4th Circuit said it refused "to wield the Constitution to declare that military-style armaments which have become primary instruments of mass killing and terrorist attacks in the United States are beyond the reach of our nation's democratic processes." The plaintiffs told the Supreme Court that the term "assault weapon" is a political term that is designed to exploit public confusion over machine guns and semiautomatic firearms. The banned weapons, they said, are "identical to any other semiautomatic firearm - arms that are exceedingly common and fully protected by the Second Amendment." Thomas wrote in a dissent on Monday that the court should not have waited to take up the case. "I doubt we would sit idly by if lower courts were to so subvert our precedents involving any other constitutional right," Thomas wrote. Gun safety groups welcomed the court's decision to let the laws in Maryland and Rhode Island stand. "Courts have repeatedly upheld laws limiting access to highly dangerous weapons," said David Pucino, legal director at Giffords Law Center. "They are proven measures that protect families and reduce gun violence." Rhode Island's law, passed in 2022 as a response to mass shootings, bars most "large-capacity feeding" devices such as a magazine or drum that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. The state calls it a "mild restriction on a particularly dangerous weapons accessory," and that in mass shooting situations "any pause in fire, such as the pause to switch magazines, allows for precious seconds in which to escape or take defensive action." Four gun owners and a registered firearms dealer sued. The Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the claims. The Supreme Court broadened gun rights in landmark rulings in 2008 and 2010 as well as in a 2022 case that made it harder to defend gun restrictions under the Second Amendment, requiring them to be "consistent with the nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation." The court has been buffeted in recent years by challenges to gun restrictions. On March 26, it upheld a federal regulation targeting largely untraceable "ghost guns." The court last year struck down a federal ban on "bump stock" devices that enable semiautomatic weapons to fire rapidly like machine guns. (Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will Dunham) An Indiana 19-year-old is accused of making bombs using Monster Energy drink containers and planning an attack at her former high school, according to local authorities. Evansville police were transporting Ahnna Tipton to St. Vincent, a local health system, for evaluation when officers at the medical facility found a suspicious item inside her backpack, according to the Evansville Police Department. The object looked like a pill bottle wrapped in duct tape, with a matchstick protruding from the lid with a piece of cloth, police said. The officer found a second suspicious item inside Tiptons backpack: an aluminum pipe sealed at both ends with duct tape. Inside the pipe, the St. Vincent Police Officer found incendiary materials with a strong chemical odor. 19-year-old admitted to making the devices Evansville Police Departments Bomb Technicians responded to the scene and interviewed Tipton, who said she made the devices. She said she had two more at her home in Warrick County, about 24 miles east of Vanderburgh County. Officials secured a search warrant for her home, where they found two more incendiary devices hidden inside Monster Energy drink bottles. Monster energy drinks are seen for sale in a motorway services shop in Reading, Britain on Jan. 25, 2019. Tipton told authorities she planned to deploy the devices at her former high school with the intent to cause harm to others. She was arrested and charged with possession of a destructive device, Evansville police said. It was not clear on June 2 who is representing her in court. USA TODAY has reached out to police and St. Vincent for details on how Tipton ended up at the hospital for an evaluation. Thanks to the quick thinking of the St. Vincent Police Officer and the professionalism of our EPD Bomb Technicians, their diligence and teamwork prevented what could have potentially been a tragic event, Evansville police said. Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Indiana woman charged in plot to detonate Monster containers: Police by Alessandra De Poli After the removal of conservative President Yoon Suk-yeol, the country will go to the polls tomorrow to pick a new president. If elected, the frontrunner Lee Jae-myung will lead a divided country, seeking a balance between social justice and growing polarisation. For Prof David C. Kang of the University of Southern California, this is a test of democratic stability, but South Korean society is not in decline. Milan (AsiaNews) The South Korean political landscape is seeking a new balance after the crisis that broke out after then President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law last December. The unprecedented move was quickly blocked by the National Assembly, which led to Yoon's impeachment, opening a period of intense political turmoil. And tomorrows presidential elections is bound to redefine the country's path. Lee Jae-myung, the candidate for the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), appears to be way ahead of the conservative camp, which is split between Kim Moon-soo, who is running for the People Power Party (PPP), and Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party (RP), but it is unclear whether his victory will help heal the deep divisions in South Korean society. According to Professor David C. Kang, an expert in international relations at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, the recent political upheavals in South Korea are clear signs of a polarised society. The right and the left live in two separate worlds, and have fundamentally different visions of things, Kang notes. The ideological gap is similar to that in the United States, but with a difference: Society in South Korea is very stable and not in decline. In fact, the events following the declaration of martial law have demonstrated the resilience of democratic institutions after decades of dictatorial rule. South Koreans are going through a lot of changes. The older generation has gone from having thatched roofs to having bathrooms in their homes. Theyve experienced all sorts of social, cultural, political, economic changes, and theyre trying to adapt in real time, Kang says. Professor Kang points out that Yoon's conservative stance was often considered even further right than many conservatives. This extreme position, coupled with his isolation from key advisors and the perceived influence of outside elements, contributed to his downfall. We know of people at the top of the National Security Council, members of the government and the military, for example, who told him that he was going too far with Japan. But he ignored them. It cannot be ruled out that the influence of right-wing YouTubers and shamans close to the former president and his wife contributed to Yoons detachment from the reality of the country. But the trigger was frustration with the National Assembly that kept blocking what he wanted to do because it was in the hands of the opposition, Lees DPK. If he wins, Lee Jae-myung might usher in a shift towards the political centre, both domestically and in foreign policy. Lee is not as left-wing as other progressive presidents in the past. Even a conservative president would now return to centrist politics after the extremes reached by Yoon, Kang says. Lee also probably will not take extreme actions, nor will he return to square one in domestic politics. South Korea is divided on gender issues, on economic inequality, like in the United States, but it is not clear what the solution to these problems is. Lee will also inherit a new situation in foreign policy. Any decision might seem like a big change because Yoon was particularly unconventional. He was very close to the United States and Japan. Whoever is elected will have to repair relations with China, but it is not a given that he will move away from this totally pro-US and pro-Japan attitude, although it is hard to imagine the same enthusiastic approach towards Tokyo. While an overture towards North Korea is likely, South Koreans in general are more in favour of engaging the North than the Americans, Kang stresses, suggesting a pragmatic approach towards potential future summits. One question remains: How will the younger generation evaluate the stability achieved so far? This group has not experienced the authoritarian past but is increasingly burdened by the problems of advanced economies (tight labour market for educated young people). Certainly, the bigger picture is that this is a test for (South) Korean democracy. Its a long national process where (South) Koreans will have to figure out what to value. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians office did not specify why he relieved Hovannisian of his duties right after a resignation submitted by the latter. The Armenian Interior Ministry did not give any reasons either. Hovannisian, who ran the police and automatically served as deputy interior minister for only two years, likewise did not shed light on his exit in a written farewell message to his subordinates. The 58-year-old police general praised his track record and thanked Pashinian for entrusting me with this important position during a period full of trials. Nina Karapetiants, a civil rights activist, criticized the authorities over the lack of clarity. We will see if this is part of the pre-election period or we are dealing with something that is not visible to the public and has to do with internal bickering or discord, she told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. But I dont think Mr. Hovannisian is the kind of person who could disagree with the authorities on any issue regardless of who is in power at present. Citing unnamed sources, Armlur.am, the news website of the Zhoghovurd daily, claimed that Pashinian ordered Hovannisian to step down because of the latters worsening conflicts with Interior Minister Arpine Sargsian. The Interior Ministry, of which the Armenian police are a division, denied the report. A career policeman, Hovannisian has been a fixture during just about every major antigovernment demonstration held in Armenia in the last few years. He personally ordered and coordinated the use of force against angry citizens who protested last year against Pashinians unilateral territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Security forces led by Hovannisian hurled dozens of stun grenades in downtown Yerevan in June 2024 during scuffles with scores of protesters led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanian. At least 83 protesters and 8 journalists were injured as a result. The riot police are believed to have used Zarya-3 grenades which are designed, according to their Russian manufacturer, to temporarily suppress mental stability of armed criminals with acoustic and light effects. Health Minister Anahit Avanesian added them to her ministrys list of authorized crowd control equipment two weeks after the crackdown. Armenian opposition figures and civil society members seized upon this fact to argue that the use of Zarya-3 was illegal. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have also criticized the crackdown. The police and another law-enforcement agency, the Investigative Committee, still refuse to specify the type of explosive devices used by them. Hovannisian was expected to be replaced by Aram Ghazarian, a retired police officer who has governed the countrys northern Lori province until now. Ghazarian resigned as Lori governor right after the official announcement of Hovannisians effective sacking. The churchs supreme head, Catholicos Garegin II, and bishops said the shameful campaign is designed to silence the voice of the Church and reduce its public influence and linked it to Azerbaijans continuing demands to Armenia. The Armenian Church, conscious of its commitments, will steadfastly continue its mission of spiritual salvation and national preservation, opposing nationally harmful and destructive processes and constantly pursuing the protection of the paramount interests of the state and nation, our sacred values, they said in a statement issued after an emergency meeting at the churchs Mother See in Echmiadzin. The statement marked the churchs first official reaction to the campaign which Pashinian began last Thursday during a weekly cabinet meeting in Yerevan. He used obscene language to attack the next day senior clergymen who deplored his claims that churches across Armenia look like closets and are littered with construction waste. In a series of other social media posts, Pashinian alleged that many of those clergymen have had secret sex affairs in breach of their vows of celibacy and must therefore be defrocked. He did not offer any proof of his claims. If it turns out that Garegin II has indeed broken his vow of celibacy and has a child, he cannot be the Catholicos of All Armenians, he wrote on Monday. In another post, Pashinian declared that the Armenian government must have a decisive say in the choice of the next Catholicos. Some legal experts described the demand as illegal, pointing to the churchs long-running independence and separation from the state guaranteed by the Armenian constitution. Church issues are resolved in accordance with church orders and rules and are beyond the jurisdiction of state and political figures, read the statement by the top clergy, We call on relevant state bodies to stop this illegal and short-sighted policy of the prime minister. There is no need to involve the Church in artificial agendas and push it into counter-action, it warned. Some furious government critics have called on the church to excommunicate Pashinian in response to his profanities used against clerics. They as well as representatives of Armenias leading opposition groups have also accused Pashinian of coordinating his smear campaign with Azerbaijan. They argue that it followed Bakus renewed criticism of the Armenian Church and is being covered and praised by Azerbaijani state media. The church statement similarly said that Pashinians campaign is somewhat connected with the slander and false accusations directed against the Armenian people and the Armenian Church by the Azerbaijani propaganda machine. The ancient church, to which the vast majority of Armenians around the world belong, has blamed Pashinian for the fall of Nagorno-Karabakh and denounced his unilateral concessions to Azerbaijan. Garegin attended and addressed late last week an international conference in Switzerland on the preservation of Karabakhs Armenian religious and cultural heritage. In a speech, he accused Azerbaijan of committing ethnic cleansing in Karabakh and illegally occupying Armenian border areas. He also denounced the ongoing sham trials of eight former Karabakh leaders captured during Azerbaijans September 2023 offensive. Garegin described them as hostages. By contrast, Pashinian and other Armenian officials now refrain from openly condemning Bakus actions in their public statements. 2 June 2025 23:08 (UTC+04:00) The open court session continued on June 2 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. The court reviewed the incident scene inspection protocols and expert opinions regarding the damage to Azerbaijans civilian infrastructure and the civilian casualties during the 44-day war in 2020, with Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev in attendance. At the outset, documents concerning the shelling of the Aghjabadi district during the war were examined. It was reported that as a result of the armed attacks and military aggression launched by the Armenian armed forces on September 27, 2020, at around 6:00 a.m., one civilian was deliberately killed, and 19 others sustained varying degrees of bodily injuries in the Aghjabadi district. Among those wounded were 5 women and 14 men, including 2 minors. The armed attacks and military aggression also caused significant material damage in the Aghjabadi district, affecting 536 civilian buildings, 17 vehicles, and 50 farms. As a consequence of the armed attacks and military aggression, the Aghjabadi district experienced substantial material damage, impacting 536 civilian buildings, 17 vehicles, and 50 farms. According to official documents, starting from September 27 to November 10, 2020, the Aghdam district came under heavy artillery fire from the Armenian armed forces. Weapons used included tanks such as the T-64, T-72, T-80, T-90; self-propelled artillery systems like the 2S3 Akatsiya, 2S1 Gvozdika; and large-caliber cannons such as the 2A36 Giatsint-B, D-20, D-30, D-44, and D-81/D-81M, as well as mines, grenade launchers, and BM-21 ("Grad") multiple rocket launchers. As a result of this, 7 civilians were intentionally massacred and 46 civilians injured in the Aghdam district. Substantial material damage was inflicted on state property, as well as on 2,098 individuals and 2 legal entities. According to other documents, in Beylagan district, 2 civilians were killed and 5 others received injures due to shelling; 73 civilian structures and 3 vehicles were also damaged. 62 individual homes, 10 business premises, and 1 administrative facility were among the buildings affected in Beylagan. The area was shelled using 122-mm Grad rocket "G2000" and "9M528" Smerch 300-mm rocket launch systems in Barda district, with inspections confirming that. From October 5 to November 7, 2020, 29 civilians were intentionally killed, and 112 were injured. Substantial material damage was reported to state property, 333 individuals, and 2 legal entities. According to documents, 3 civilians were intentionally killed, and 17 were injured. Extensive material losses affected state property and 376 individuals in Fuzuli district. It was reported that during the 44-day war, 8 people were killed and 12 were injured by rocket and explosive device attacks in Goranboy district and Naftalan city. 368 individuals reported property damages, 7 vehicles were damaged, and 8 non-residential buildings were also affected. Afterwards, documents regarding the shelling of the city of Mingachevir were reviewed. As indicated in the analyzed documents, the city of Mingachevir, the 4th largest city of the Republic of Azerbaijan, positioned completely beyond the area of conflict, as well as the "Azerbaijan Thermal Power Plant" Limited Liability Company (LLC) the countrys major electricity supplier - located in the city were deliberately targeted by the Armenian armed forces with "Smerch" multiple-launch rocket systems, which have a great destructive power, on October 4, 2020, at about 22 p.m., with shots being fired in that direction. The investigation identified that one of the "Smerch" missiles exploded in front of a gate built in the courtyard of a private residential house belonging to Baghirov Elchin Yagub, born August 21, 1984, located at Bozdag Street 60, Mingachevir city. As a result, the house, the Hyundai Grandeur belonging to the victim, the Kamaz 55111 truck parked in front of the courtyard, belonging to the victims relative, a resident of the Evoghlu village of Aghdam district, Safarov Atamoghlan Sabir oglu, born September 10, 1958, were damaged. Additionally, Baghirov Elchin Yagub oglu, his mother Baghirova Nabat Charkaz gizi, born September 10, 1957; his relative Safarov Atamoghlan Sabir oglu, as well as the resident of the neighboring house Ibrahimli Adil Mushvig oglu born September 2, 2004, sustained body injuries. The investigation determined that the distance from the scene to the Azerbaijan Thermal Power Plant LLC was 2,800 meters, and the distance to the dam of the Mingachevir water reservoir is 5,300 meters. One of the "Smerch" missiles fell into the empty area between the 6th and 7th power units of the "Azerbaijan Thermal Power Plant" LLC located in the Azdres settlement of Mingachevir city, pierced the asphalt cover, sinking to the depth of 40 centimeters, and fortunately did not explode. The distance from the missiles impact site to the entrance door of the 6th power unit of the "Azerbaijan Thermal Power Plant" LLC was 19 meters, and the distance to the entrance door of the 7th power unit was 29 meters. The hearing also determined that the Armenian armed forces deliberately targeted the city of Mingachevir after October 4, firing rockets in that direction. Thus, on October 11, at around 05:00, the area where the Azerbaijan Thermal Power Plant LLC is located was targeted once again and the fired rocket fell into the grass-covered area in the park located at the courtyard of the LLCs administrative building. Fortunately, it did not explode, leaving no deaths or injuries. No military facilities were located in the vicinity of the scene. During the incidents, 45 private houses were damaged in Mingachevir. Then the court reviewed documents regarding the targeting of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and the South Caucasus Pipeline with Smerch missiles during the war. These documents detail instances of missile launches directed toward the Yevlakh district and Goran village in the Goranboy district. The court also reviewed documents related to the deaths of civilians, damage to civilian infrastructure, and destruction of private property in Tartar district. The destructions and fatalities resulted from heavy artillery shelling during the 44-day war. Following the break, statements from victims were heard in court. Victim Parvin Gasimova testified that on the morning of October 4, 2020, a missile fired by Armenian armed forces struck the house they lived in on Aziz Aliyev Street in Ganja city. As a result, she lost her eyesight and sustained injuries to her face, arms, and other parts of her body. Her mother, who was at home during the incident, was also injured. In response to questions from public prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev, the victim stated that her 3-year-old and 4-month-old daughters were at home at the time of the incident, adding that her eldest daughter is still dealing with emotional distress: When an aircraft passes overhead, she fears that a rocket may strike the house. The sound of fireworks triggers intense fear and panic." Victim Irada Gasimova confirmed what her daughter P. Gasimova said, noting that she had lost consciousness during the incident. Gasimova mentioned that shes still getting treatment for her injuries. While answering questions from prosecutor Tarana Mammadova, I. Gasimova said: My oldest granddaughter is still scared. She keeps asking if theyre going to fire rockets at our house again. I tell her, Baby, nothing more will happen. Victim Qoshgar Khalilov stated that he was recognized as the legal heir of his children - Khalilli Orkhan Qoshgar oglu and Amrahli Maryam Qoshgar gizi. He noted that on October 17, 2020, at around 1:00 am, when the city of Ganja came under heavy artillery shelling by the Armenian military forces, a rocket fell near his house on M. Hajiyev Street and exploded, killing his son Orkhan, daughter Maryam, his ex-wife Khatira Gahramanova, and sister-in-law Laman, who lived in that house. In response to a question from Nasir Bayramov, Head of the Department of Public Prosecutions at the Prosecutor Generals Office, Qoshgar Khalilov mentioned that there were no military facilities in that area. Responding to questions from Tugay Rahimli, Assistant to the Prosecutor General for Special Assignments, victim Khosrov Ajdarov emphasized that on October 2, 2020, at around 8:00 pm, he and his friend Rufat Valiyev were driving by the administrative building of the Tartar District Police Department when one of the missiles fired by the Armenian armed forces landed near their car, injuring him. Victim Shamama Guliyeva mentioned that she, her daughter Maya Guliyeva, and military journalist Anar Shushali (Anar Hasanov, who worked at AZTV at the time - ed.) were injured as a result of artillery fire opened by the Armenian armed forces at the Banovshaler settlement of the Aghdam district on October 19, 2020 at noon and consequently, her house sustained damage during the incident. During her testimony, Sh. Guliyeva spoke directly to the accused saying: Are you waging war against civilians? Killing the elderly and infants is not warfare. You sought to annihilate Azerbaijanis. While answering questions from public prosecutor Fuad Musayev, the victim noted that there were several villages between the frontline and the Banovshelar settlement at that time. Following the victims testimony, the inspection protocol concerning the shell strike in his yard was examined. The court also read out medical expert opinions regarding the victims. During the trial, accused Davit Ishkhanyan was informed that his defense attorney would be unable to participate due to health related issues and that a new attorney would be appointed. D. Ishkhanyan stated that his current defense attorney was competent, raising no objections to the appointment of a new one. The next court hearing is scheduled for June 5. 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. 2 June 2025 19:55 (UTC+04:00) The ongoing hearing at the Baku Military Court on Monday, with the participation of Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev, examined the expert opinions from the scene and the inspection protocols regarding the damage to the civilian infrastructure of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as the killing of civilians during the 44-day war in 2020. The majority of the documents highlighted the evidence of targeting the city of Mingachevir. As indicated in the analyzed documents, the city of Mingachevir, the 4th largest city of the Republic of Azerbaijan, positioned completely beyond the area of conflict, as well as the "Azerbaijan Thermal Power Plant" Limited Liability Company (LLC) the countrys major electricity supplier - located in the city were deliberately targeted by the Armenian armed forces with "Smerch" multiple-launch rocket systems, which have a great destructive power, on October 4, 2020, at about 22 p.m., with shots being fired in that direction. The investigation identified that one of the "Smerch" missiles exploded in front of a gate built in the courtyard of a private residential house belonging to Baghirov Elchin Yagub, born August 21, 1984, located at Bozdag Street 60, Mingachevir city. As a result, the house, the Hyndai Grandeur belonging to the victim, the Kamaz 55111 truck parked in front of the courtyard, belonging to the victims relative, a resident of the Evoghlu village of Aghdam district, Safarov Atamoghlan Sabir oghlu, born September 10, 1958, were damaged. Additionally, Baghirov Elchin Yagub oghlu, his mother Baghirova Nabat Charkaz gizi, born September 10, 1957; his relative Safarov Atamoghlan Sabir oghlu, as well as the resident of the neighboring house Ibrahimli Adil Mushvig oghlu born September 2, 2004, sustained body injuries. The rocket explosion left a crater at the spot where it hit the ground. The iron-framed cargo compartment of the truck broke away from the vehicle and fell into a water channel about 8 meters away from the scene. The investigation determined that the distance from the scene to the Azerbaijan Thermal Power Plant LLC was 2,800 meters, and the distance to the dam of the Mingachevir water reservoir is 5,300 meters. One of the "Smerch" missiles fell into the empty area between the 6th and 7th power units of the "Azerbaijan Thermal Power Plant" LLC located in the Azdres settlement of Mingachevir city, pierced the asphalt cover, sinking to the depth of 40 centimeters, and fortunately did not explode. The distance from the missiles impact site to the entrance door of the 6th power unit of the "Azerbaijan Thermal Power Plant" LLC was 19 meters, and the distance to the entrance door of the 7th power unit was 29 meters. The hearing also determined that the Armenian armed forces deliberately targeted the city of Mingachevir after October 4, firing rockets in that direction. Thus, on October 11, at around 05:00, the area where the Azerbaijan Thermal Power Plant LLC is located was targeted once again and the fired rocket fell into the grass-covered area in the park located at the courtyard of the LLCs administrative building. Fortunately, it did not explode, leaving no deaths or injuries. No military facilities were located in the vicinity of the scene. The court proceedings continue against Armenian nationals accused of crimes including war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, aggression, terrorism, and violations of the laws of war. The charges also include financing of terrorism, the violent seizure and retention of power, and other serious offenses. 2 June 2025 17:07 (UTC+04:00) By Farman Aydin | AzerNEWS There can exist various types of bilateral relationships between states, some unique and without precedent, but what domains they encompass, and how exactly they influence regional dynamics, often raises pressing questions. Frances recent decision to establish a new post within its Foreign Ministrya coordinator for cooperation with Armeniaraises a fundamental question: is this a role truly intended to benefit Yerevan, or is it, in fact, a new window into the South Caucasus for Pariss broader ambitions? This initiative was disclosed during the Fifth Conference on Decentralised Cooperation between Armenia and France by the French Ambassador to Armenia, Olivier Decottignies, who, in characteristically distorted language, once again articulated Frances misguided stance on regional matters. A fundamental question arises: what business does France have with Garabagh? Why does Paris maintain a double standard, recognising the region as Azerbaijani territory in principle while acting otherwise in practice? Frances unchanging and dangerous policies appear designed to water the seeds of revanchism in the South Caucasus, nurturing them back to life. As the French diplomat stated: What we are building together is not just technical cooperation, not just friendship, but also real levers to have an impact on the situation, support Armenia, and act for peace. Goris is a city that is at the heart of Armenias geopolitics and a city that hosted the entire [Armenian] population displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. These words leave little doubt: Frances intentions are not confined to Armenia alone. Paris seeks to artificially reignite a conflict that has long since ceased, stoking the fires of revanchist factions under the pretence of peace. The dissonance between Frances rhetoric and its actions could not be more stark: deploying heavy artillery, fortifications, and even military personnel to Armenian territory in the name of peace is a contradiction so brazen it borders on the absurd. One must ask: Is France truly needed in the Caucasus peace process? What stake does Paris have in permanent regional stability? Or is the opposite trueby deepening tensions, France is attempting to carve out a new geopolitical outpost for itself, transforming Armenia into a forward operating base? Ambassador Decottignies remarks reveal a targeted agenda focused squarely on Baku. His rhetoric seeks to provoke Armenia into a confrontational posture, redirecting regional attention and energy back to the conflict. While France is fully aware that the Armenian military, even when armed by Paris, remains unfit for war, it is nevertheless determined to capitalise on whatever small window of opportunity remains. France is, in effect, playing with fire. When the ambassador claimed that Goris will become a crossroads again, and our presence here is very significant, he echoed, almost verbatim, the same manipulative narratives that Prime Minister Pashinyan has long used to evade peace agreements. It is clear that these talking points originate in Paris, and that France is positioning Armenia at the centre of its regional ambitions, empowering revanchist forces to one day realise their irredentist dreams. If one were to ask whether France has ever acted as an honest broker in a peace process anywhere in the world, the answer would be tantamount to searching for water in the desert. Frances bitterness towards Baku stems from the erosion of its influence in Africa and the island states. It now seeks to retaliate by entering the Caucasus, targeting Baku, and manipulating Armenia as a pawn in its geopolitical game. Perhaps Paris has been unsettled by the growing strategic importance of Lachin, including the major infrastructure developments in the region and the recent AzerbaijanTurkeyPakistan summit held there. Colonial powers, after all, rarely view the positive initiatives of others with goodwill. For such states, suspicion is a default response. In this regard, Armenias worldview increasingly aligns with that of Paris. The concerns of these two sister states appear synchronised, fuelled by mutual anxiety over regional developments. After all, what genuine strategic interest could Goris, or Zangazur as historically known, possibly hold for France? The truth is that Zangazur is of strategic valuenot only to France, but to every state with economic interests in the broader region. It is no coincidence that even Armenias closest neighbours have previously voiced concern over developments there. Some even rushed to establish consulates and dispatch diplomatic missionsonly to later realise the situation was far more complex than they had assumed. France today repeats this mistake again, but this time with added sentimentality. It operates on the territory of its favourite ally, Armenia, perhaps even more favoured than its own citizens. Clearly, nothing has changed. As the saying goes, same old, same old... 2 June 2025 20:22 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more At least 41 Russian aircraft were destroyed or damaged across four airfields in one of the most devastating Ukrainian drone strikes since the war began. The targeted aircraft included strategic assets such as the A-50 early warning aircraft Russias equivalent of the AWACS and long-range Tu-22M3 and Tu-95 bombers. This operation, deep behind enemy lines, marks a significant escalation and could reshape the strategic landscape of the conflict. What does this mean for the future of the war? Could this act redefine the rules of modern warfare? And perhaps most critically: how might Russia respond? To explore these questions, expert perspectives from Kyiv, Moscow, and Ankara have been brought together at Azernews: Ukrainian military expert Vadim Tryukhan emphasized the multilayered impact of the strike: First. The key result of yesterday's special operation is political. Ukraine has effectively responded to the unfounded statements of Mr. Trump and some of his associates that it has no so-called cards, that it is losing the war, and that it has no chance of defeating Russia. Ukraine has jokers. Not just cards, but jokers. Ukraine has the weapons savvy and the specialists to inflict serious damage on Russia. The second result. It is naval. These aircraft were used to launch massive missile strikes on Ukrainian territory. Now, Russia's ability to launch such strikes has decreased by at least 35 percent. Moreover, a huge number of missiles were also destroyed there. That is, Russia will apparently need some time to produce them. And those aircraft that were destroyed cannot be replaced at all. They no longer have the ability to produce such aircraft. The third result is geopolitical. In fact, the strategic balance between Russia, as a nuclear state, and the United States of America has been disrupted. After all, these missile carriers, these planes, they were designed and manufactured to deliver nuclear warheads, to launch missiles with nuclear warheads for thousands of thousands of kilometers. Therefore, in fact, Ukraine has now played into the hands of the United States of America and other Western countries. The fourth effect. Economic. Yesterday, the stock exchanges where shares of Russian companies are traded collapsed. And the last one moral, moral and ethical. In fact, Russia humiliated, disgraced Putin personally and terrorist Russia. So it seems to me that yesterday's special operation and drones, together with these long-range vehicles, have become a real game changer... According to Tryukhan, Ukraines strategy is evolving toward full-scale demilitarization of Russian capabilities, including its energy infrastructure, and while Russian retaliation is expected, Ukraine remains resolute: "What kind of blow Ukraine will strike next, you and I do not know. It is clear that it will be something different, but it seems to me that this is only the beginning. And then Russia will hit the Russian energy and other infrastructure more and more painfullyUkraine will hit the Russian energy and other infrastructure more and more painfullyso that Russia will have fewer opportunities to fight not only with Ukraine, but with any other state. In fact, Ukraine has begun to demilitarize Russia. It has been doing this for more than three years. As we know, the Black Sea Fleet actually ceased to exist after the cruiser Moskva and other ships were sunk. Now we are demilitarizing the airspace. I think that there will be other tasks in the future. One last thing. Russia, of course, will try to take revenge, but in fact it will not come up with anything new. Ukraine has already suffered hundreds of thousands of attacks by any weapons except nuclear weapons, which Russia has, including chemical weapons. That is why we expect that there will be attempts at massive, combined missile and drone strikes, but our armed forces, other units of the defense forces are preparing for this. There is no easy way out. We need to defend our country, our people, and drive the Russian occupiers, terrorists, out of our land. That's what we're doing." Moscow-based analyst Andrew Korybko took a more geopolitical and strategic lens, suggesting the implications hinge on upcoming diplomacy and retaliatory choices: A lot will depend on the outcome of the latest talks in Istanbul; whether Russia significantly retaliates against Ukraine (such as using the Oreshniks again); and the USs response if that happens. If Russia doesn't significantly retaliate, then its ground campaign will continue until Ukraine concedes to more of its ceasefire demands, while the drone and aerial war by both sides will also continue. If it does significantly retaliate, however, then this will either coerce Ukraine into the aforesaid concessions or possibly provoke the US into escalating to de-escalate on the same or better terms for Ukraine. While the US might grow fatigued with the conflict and just walk away, Trumps recent rhetoric on social media suggests that he might either stay the course or double down in that scenario. The so-called rules of war are always changing, regardless of whatever politicians and their media surrogates on any side might claim. This is the objective reality for better or for worse. As regards this case, Ukraine did indeed surprise Russia, and the operation that it pulled off, which Russia considers to be a terrorist act, will change how other countries defend their military assets. Thats because drones have now proven themselves to be the great equalizer in the sense that very low-cost tech can inflict heavy costs on expensive military assets. Anyone can now employ them. This greatly expands the threat spectrum for all countries but will also correspondingly inspire creative solutions thatll also eventually proliferate for restoring a degree of balance, too. Russia has reportedly used a wide array of assets against Ukraine over the last 1,200 days or so that the conflict has been raging. Ukraine wanted not only to take them out, but to achieve political goals. The timing coincided with the second round of newly resumed bilateral talks after a three-year hiatus and was thus likely intended to coerce Russia into accepting an unconditional ceasefire. Theres also a soft power aspect too with regard to emphasizing the narrative that this is a David vs Goliath conflict, which Ukraine has claimed since the get-go to generate popular support in the West. Turkish military and security expert Abdullah Agar highlighted an even more alarming dimension the nuclear implications of Ukraines attack: The devastating operation Ukraine carried out against five strategic Russian bases deep inside Russia may have been organized with the aim of hitting Russia's key war vehicles, forcing the Russians to a ceasefire and make peace, and revealing and exploiting weaknesses in the air defense and intelligence infrastructure. However, there is another very serious aspect to the matter. It is definitely not only about damaging Russia's operational power and prestige values... This issue corresponds to: The possible deterioration in the global nuclear terror balance, The Russians' nuclear doctrine being under pressure, And the shaping of the Russian nuclear attack environment. In the Ukrainian attacks, it seems that not only the four air baseswhere the Russians deployed nuclear-capable Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and the early warning-alert-command aircraft A-50s, which are involved in nuclear issues with their strategic offensive/defense capabilitieswere hit, but also the main base of the Russian Northern Sea Fleet in the Murmansk region, Severomorsk, where their nuclear submarines were also deployed. And this developing situation corresponds to a very serious uncertainty/crisis on a global scale. Because these nuclear engagement attacks correspond to the physical and prestige pressure of at least two of the Russians' nuclear triad concepts, and even the disruption of their nuclear fiction. We do not know how much damage the Russians have suffered (within the scope of their nuclear capabilities) or how they will perceive these attacks. But now there is a huge question: What will the Russians do in the face of such an attack system that targets: The disruption of the global nuclear terror balance against the Russians, The temporal mathematics of the global terror balance, Global geopolitical power, deterrence, and prestige? The Russians' nuclear doctrine foresees a nuclear response in the event that a critical government or military infrastructure is attacked, the functioning of nuclear forces is disrupted, or the retaliation capability is threatened. 2 June 2025 10:21 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Today marks the launch of Baku Energy Week 2025, the regions premier industrial event that annually brings together global energy leaders. Now in its 30th year, the event has grown into a trusted regional and international energy platform and has become a key fixture on the global energy calendar, Azernews reports. According to the information, Baku Energy Week unites three prestigious events under one umbrella: - The 30th Anniversary Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition, - The 13th Caspian International Power and Green Energy Exhibition (Caspian Power), - And the 30th Anniversary Baku Energy Forum. While the Caspian Oil and Gas and Caspian Power exhibitions are held at the Baku Expo Center, the Baku Energy Forum takes place at the eco-designed Baku Congress Center. As part of the exhibitions, traditional B2B (Business-to-Business) and B2G (Business-to-Government) meetings will be held, offering local and international companies the chance to discuss cooperation and explore future partnerships face-to-face. These meetings also provide private sector representatives the opportunity to engage directly with government officials. Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed during the event to strengthen long-term collaboration. The event will also feature multiple sessions and panel discussions on key industry topics, including: Sustainability in the Energy Sector; The Role of Nuclear Power as an Alternative Energy in Reducing Carbon Emissions;Best HR Practices for Attracting and Developing Young Talent; Innovation in Energy: The Role of Education in Shaping the Future of the Industry;The Voice of Energy a special media-focused session. The Voice of Energy will bring together veteran journalists, media professionals, and event organizers to reflect on the role of the media in promoting the Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition over the years. Journalists who have made notable contributions will be recognized with certificates of appreciation. A heartwarming highlight of Baku Energy Week is an art exhibition featuring works created by children from the inclusive Umid Var (There is Hope) community. These artworks will be displayed during the evening gala and auctioned off during the event. Baku Energy Week 2025 continues its legacy of fostering innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in the energy sector, reinforcing Bakus role as a key hub for global energy dialogue. 2 June 2025 12:00 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. During the first four months of 2025, Azerbaijan exported non-oil products worth $100.5 million to Switzerland, Azernews reports, citing the State Customs Committee. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 2 June 2025 13:16 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan has presented two new electronic systems: Intranet the digital workplace for civil servants, and Health System and Public Health Monitoring and Analysis, Azernews reports. Speaking at the presentation, Minister of Health Teymur Musayev stated that the initiative supports the governments strategic priorities in digitalisation. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, significant steps have been taken to accelerate the transition to digital government and diversify the economy. The Ministry of Health continues its efforts to develop a modern digital healthcare ecosystem in line with these national goals, he said. According to the minister, the use of digital technologies plays a vital role in improving access to health services and data. The integration of public health monitoring systems into a unified digital platform is expected to improve decision-making, optimise the performance of medical institutions, and contribute to better population health outcomes. Musayev also noted that expanding access and accuracy in healthcare services through digital solutions remains one of the Ministrys top priorities. Digital transformation in healthcare will continue in order to enhance service quality and increase citizen satisfaction with public services, he added. Advisor to the Minister, Rufat Hajiaghalibeyov, also addressed the event. He reported that nearly 45 digital initiatives had been implemented by the Ministrys Digital Health Centre over the past year, including 17 in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Among them are the "Medicine Tracking and Monitoring System, E-Prescription System, Electronic Discharge Summary, and E-Sick Leave System. However, Hajiaghalibeyov highlighted the Intranet system as a particular point of pride. Developed using Agile methodology, it is the first system in the public sector to automate a government employees digital workspace. Accessible only to authorised Ministry personnel, the platform provides a secure internal network environment. The Intranet system enables continuous access to internal digital resources, structured storage of documents and work materials, collaboration tools, document exchange, staff directories, meeting room reservations, and access to medical registries and analytical modules all supporting the day-to-day work of civil servants within the ministry. 2 June 2025 15:18 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. In January-March 2025, Azerbaijan exported 708.2 million cubic meters of natural gas to Georgia, generating revenues of 93.1 million US dollars, Azernews reports, citing the State Statistical Committee. This marks a significant increase compared to the same period last year, with gas exports to Georgia rising by... Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 2 June 2025 14:59 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more An agreement on comprehensive strategic cooperation in the energy sector has been signed between the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan and China Energy Engineering Corporation Limited, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry. The document was signed during the 30th Anniversary International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition (Caspian Oil and Gas). The agreement was signed by Azerbaijans Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, and Vice President of China Energy Engineering Corporation Limited, Bo Wan. The number of mutual official visits between Azerbaijan and China, a country with significant influence on the global economy, is increasing, and their relations are strengthening. As in many other economic sectors, green energy projects are also being developed collaboratively between the two countries. 2 June 2025 16:24 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more The Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan has signed a series of agreements as part of the 30th Anniversary International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition, further advancing the countrys green energy agenda, Azernews reports. One of the key agreements was signed with Enerso Jabrail LLC for the lease of land to construct the 50-megawatt Shams solar power plant in Azerbaijan. In a similar move, the Ministry also signed a land lease agreement with Universal Solar Azerbaijan for the development of the 100-megawatt Gobustan solar power plant. These projects are part of Azerbaijans broader strategy to boost its renewable energy capacity and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. 2 June 2025 16:33 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more A grand opening of the art exhibition "Western Azerbaijan in Cultural Memory" has taken place at Ankara State Museum of Fine Arts in Turkiye, Azernews reports. The exhibition is dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding artist, the founder of realistic painting in national fine art Mirza Gadim Iravani (1825-1875). The event was jointly organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, Turkiye's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Ankara, the Azerbaijan National Art Museum as well as the Ankara State Museum of Fine Arts The opening ceremony was attended by a delegation led by Azerbaijan's Deputy Culture Minister Saadet Yusifova, representatives of the Turkiye's Ministry of Culture and Tourism as well as the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY). Welcoming speeches were made by Azerbaijan's Deputy Culture Minister Saadet Yusifova and Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkiye Serdar Cam. In their remarks, they emphasized the exceptional significance of Mirza Gadim Iravani's heritage in the development of Azerbaijani fine arts, and also noted the importance of preserving historical memory and promoting cultural values through such exhibitions. Director of the Azerbaijan National Art Museum Shirin Malikova spoke about the concept of the exhibition and the exposition, which presents about 40 unique works from the museum collection. Among them are graphic portraits of Mirza Gadim Iravani, as well as reproductions of wall panels that once adorned the Sardar Palace in Iravan. With the help of artificial intelligence technologies, the enchanting interior of the palace itself was recreated, which allowed viewers to immerse themselves more deeply in the atmosphere of the era. The exhibition also includes paintings by artists I. Zankovsky and N. Grushev, who captured Iravan in their works, a series of works "Refugees" by the outstanding painter Behruz Kangarli, portrait works by People's Artist Huseyn Aliyev, as well as examples of decorative and applied art reflecting the exquisite atmosphere of the Iravan palace interiors. As part of the opening, a screening of the feature documentary film "A Dream of Paradise" was also held, filmed by order of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry in the framework "Creative Azerbaijan" project and dedicated to the 200th anniversary of Mirza Gadim Iravani. The exhibition will be open to visitors until July 18. 2 June 2025 16:48 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) of Azerbaijan, in cooperation with its Regional Centers, the Department for Small Vessels Supervision and Water Rescue, held a training exercise in the Caspian Sea area near Buzovna settlement, Khazar district of Baku city. According to a statement from the Ministrys Public Relations Department to Azernews, the drill focused on Rescue and Diving Search Operations in Water Bodies and involved personnel from the aforementioned units, as well as specialists from the MESs Department for Emergency Response Coordination and the Medical Service. The training aimed to improve coordination, management, and control in ensuring safety on the waters. It also sought to enhance the knowledge and skills of leadership teams, commanders, and other participants in emergency response operations, as well as to test the reliability of communication and alert systems. During the exercise, emergency teams responded promptly to a simulated incident in the controlled area where a small boat faced the danger of sinking at sea. Citizens aboard the boat were reported to be stranded without assistance, and one individual simulated to have drowned. As a result of the rescuers swift intervention, those stranded on the boat were safely evacuated, and the body of the drowned person was recovered and handed over to the appropriate authorities. Following the successful completion of the exercise, the results were discussed, and relevant instructions were issued. It is noted that cadets from the MES Academy attended the drill as observers for practical training purposes. 2 June 2025 12:37 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more From May 2729, 2025, the Russian capital, Moscow, hosted the 13th International Meeting of High-Level Officials Responsible for Security Issues, focusing on the theme: Equal and Indivisible Security Architecture: Opportunities and Threats for the Global South and East. The Azerbaijani delegation was led by Secretary of the Security Council, Colonel General Ramil Usubov, Azernews reports, citing the Security Council of Azerbaijan. The three-day dialogue brought together 126 delegations from 105 countries, highlighting growing global attention to emerging security challenges and the need for comprehensive, cooperative solutions. Key topics discussed included: The creation of a new global security architecture based on equality and indivisibility; Protection of critical information infrastructure from terrorist attacks and sabotage; Combating cyber fraud and internet-related threats. In his speech, Colonel General Ramil Usubov stressed that the rapidly evolving global landscape is introducing new challenges and threats to security and stability. He expressed concern that the Global South and East lack the capacity to address these threats in isolation, underscoring the urgent need for collective international action. Usubov highlighted Azerbaijans contributions to regional and global security, emphasizing the role of President Ilham Aliyevs leadership and diplomatic efforts in fostering a sustainable and equitable security environment. He noted that Azerbaijans geographic position at the crossroads of global interests further amplifies its strategic importance in promoting balanced and durable international cooperation. 2 June 2025 14:41 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The Secretary-General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Haitham Al-Qais, expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for his continued support of the Declaration of Cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC countries, Azernews reports. Azerbaijan has been a key participant in the Declaration since its signing in 2016, the statement said. Al-Qais also praised the strategic approach of Baku Energy Week in addressing key issues on the global energy agenda, noting that it aligns with the priorities and theme of the 9th OPEC International Seminar, scheduled to take place in Vienna on July 9-10, 2025. Today marks the opening of the 30th Baku Energy Week, the regions leading industry event, which annually gathers global leaders in the energy sector. The event features three prestigious exhibitions running until June 4: the 30th Caspian Oil and Gas International Exhibition, the 13th Caspian Power International Exhibition, and the 30th Baku Energy Forum. 2 June 2025 13:33 (UTC+04:00) On June 2, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister for Petroleum of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Azernews reports. During the conversation, the sides recalled the recent trilateral meeting held in Lachin between the Presidents of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, describing the event as a demonstration of brotherhood and solidarity among the three countries. They commended the development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan across all sectors and emphasized that bilateral cooperation also covers the energy sector. Both sides touched upon the importance of the 30th Anniversary International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition and the 13th Caspian International Power and Green Energy Exhibition, held as part of the Baku Energy Week, praising the role of these important events in expanding global cooperation in the energy sector. The discussion focused on the prospects for mutual cooperation in energy and renewable energy fields. Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik invited Azerbaijani companies to explore opportunities within Pakistans energy sector. 2 June 2025 19:16 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. During this period, Azerbaijan exported natural gas to Turkiye, Georgia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Italy, and Greece, while imports originated from Russia and Turkmenistan. Compared to the same period last year, the volume of exports rose by... Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 2 June 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00) A passenger motorboat sank in a river off the coast of Bangladesh's Noakhali district on Saturday, apparently due to bad weather and tidal waves, killing one person, police confirmed, adding that 33 people have been rescued so far and five are still missing, Azernews reports, citing Yeni Safak. Ajmal Huda, officer in charge of Hatia Police Station, told Anadolu that the passenger boat carrying 39 people on its way to Janata Ghat from Bhasan Char island in Hatia town of the district capsized in the Meghna River, one of Bangladesh's major rivers from the Ganges Delta. Following the incident, local police and fishermen rushed to the scene, rescuing 33 people and recovering the body of a man whose identity has yet to be determined, he said. Five people remain missing, including one member each of the police and the Ansar, a paramilitary auxiliary force, he said, adding that those who were rescued were taken to a nearby health facility. Rescue operations are continuing despite the adverse weather, he said. According to local Channel 24 TV, the passengers included 22 ordinary passengers, six Rohingya, three police officers, four Ansar members, and four of the boat crew The police official, however, was unable to confirm how many Rohingya were on the boat. More than 1.3 million Rohingya are seeking refuge in Bangladesh's overcrowded coastal Cox's Bazar district. The majority arrived following Myanmar's military crackdown in 2017. As more Rohingya arrived, the Bangladeshi government relocated approximately 30,000 to Bhasan Char, a remote island in the Bay of Bengal, despite opposition from some rights organizations. The coastal district, including the island of Hatia, has been experiencing continuous rain since Thursday due to a depression over the Bay of Bengal, which caused heavy tidal waves and flooding of nearby coastal lands, submerging and damaging hundreds of houses and dozens of fishing enclosures. The rough weather forced the suspension of all the river connectivity with the rest of the country in Hatia. The weather office on Saturday said that the southwest monsoon has begun over Bangladesh. It, however, advised the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla, and Payra to reduce signals. 2 June 2025 09:32 (UTC+04:00) Pakistans Navy has completed a two-day military exercise aimed at countering sub-conventional and asymmetric threats at the countrys major ports and harbors, Dawn newspaper reported Sunday, citing an official statement. According to Commodore Ahmed Hussain, Director General of Public Relations for the Pakistan Navy, the comprehensive drills were conducted to assess and improve defense tactics against unconventional threats, such as sabotage and infiltration, targeting key maritime infrastructure. The operation included coordinated efforts by Pakistan Navy Fleet units, Pak Marines, the Navys Special Services Group (SSG), and Naval Aviation assets, according to Anadolu Agency. The exercises simulated various sub-conventional scenarios to sharpen inter-agency coordination, situational awareness, and rapid response capabilities. These drills were vital for refining operational readiness and ensuring a robust defense posture, the Navy said in its statement, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding Pakistans maritime frontiers against emerging and non-traditional threats. 2 June 2025 23:51 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli recently unveiled plans to build a new city in the desert that will receive about 7 percent of the Nile Rivers annual water quota, Azernews reports. Facing increasing water shortages, Egyptian authorities hope the ambitious project will boost the value of state assets and drive up land prices through unconventional, innovative ideas, Madbouli said in a statement. According to Reuters, approximately 10 million cubic meters of Nile water will flow daily to the 6.8 million square meter city of Jirian, located 42 kilometers west of central Cairo. This water supply will also support irrigation for the expansive 2.28 million acre New Delta agricultural project nearby. Madbouli emphasized that the project aims to address Egypts growing challenges with water and electricity shortages, as well as the worsening economic crisis. By developing this city, the government hopes not only to create new economic opportunities but also to increase the value of state-owned land by raising real estate prices. The citys design includes residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, a marina, and a free economic zone intended to attract investment and foster trade. In addition to its economic goals, the project reflects Egypts broader vision of sustainable desert urbanization, aiming to transform arid lands into thriving, self-sufficient communities powered by renewable energy and advanced water management technologies. 2 June 2025 22:23 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The Philippines is considering the purchase of intermediate-range missile systems, specifically the American-made Typhon system, as part of efforts to modernize its defense capabilities, Azernews reports. According to officials, the country has sufficient financial resources to acquire such systems. However, a final decisionparticularly if it involves the acquisition of the Typhon platformwill require approval at multiple levels of government, including defense and foreign policy authorities. The Typhon missile system, developed by the United States, is a mobile land-based platform capable of launching a variety of precision-guided missiles, including the Tomahawk cruise missile. In April 2024, the U.S. military temporarily deployed Typhon batteries to Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines. These batteries, capable of striking targets in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and along the Chinese coastline, were part of joint military exercises under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). The deployment marked a significant step in U.S.-Philippine defense cooperation and sent a strong strategic signal amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly regarding maritime disputes and concerns over Chinese military expansion. If the Philippines proceeds with the acquisition, it would become one of the first U.S. allies in Asia to host and potentially operate the Typhon system, significantly boosting its long-range strike capabilities. Such a move would not only enhance the countrys defensive posture but could also reshape regional power dynamics, especially in the context of contested waters in the South China Sea. The Typhon system represents a new class of land-based missile platforms developed after the U.S. withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 2019. Its modular design allows for rapid deployment and flexibility in launching different missile types, including those previously restricted under the treaty. As regional security concerns continue to mount, the Philippines consideration of such advanced systems signals a broader shift toward greater military self-reliance and deepening strategic ties with the United States. Rare Sperm Whale Stranding on N. Oregon Coast, Was Hit by Boat Published 06/01/25 at 5:55 p.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Gearhart, Oregon) First, came reports from at sea: fishermen had spotted a dead sperm whale was floating some 15 mile off the Oregon coast on May 23. Then one more time on May 27th it was seen a mere seven miles away. Thursday night, the deceased cetacean rolled up onto his last resting place: between Del Ray and Sunset Beach in the Gearhart area, some 12 miles north of Seaside, according to Tiffany Boothe of Seaside Aquarium. (Photos Tiffany Boothe / Seaside Aquarium) Boothe and crew from Seaside Aquarium / Marine Mammal Stranding Network arrived, finding a 53-foot male sperm. A few days later today, June 1 they performed a necropsy to try and determine out how it died. The findings there weren't good. A necropsy was performed today by Portland State University, Cascadia Research Collective, and the Seaside Aquarium, Boothe said. During the necropsy, damage to the vertebrate was visible along with signs of hemorrhage, this helped the team determine that this whale was struck by a vessel. Now, the plan is to simply leave the whale to decompose on the spot: no burying it in sand, as they often do on busier beaches. By doing this naturally, it gives the local ecosystem a boost. This will provide not only an opportunity to see this large whale but also provide a nutrition boost to the local ecosystem, Boothe said. Scavengers such as turkey vultures, bald eagles, and even coyotes will have the ability to feed on this whale for quite some time. Boothe said you'll definitely want to keep away from the dead sperm whale which likely won't be too hard since it's guaranteed to, well, put up a stink. There are distinct health hazards, however. Please remember to look- but do not touch, Boothe said. Marine mammals may spread potential diseases to humans and pets. The event is a bit rare on this part of the north Oregon coast. The last sperm whale found was back in 2023, and at that time aquarium manager Keith Chandler said they only run into this every few years. Indeed, Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff have been covering these incidents for more than twenty years. There were only three reports before that for the northern half of the coast and south Washington coast: in 2007, 2017 and 2012. Last time it happened was an odd set of coincidences: Three Whales Hit Oregon Coast Sands: Causes of Death Released One near Winchester Bay, two at Fort Stevens They are usually found quite a ways offshore, so when they do die they tend to sink to the bottom of the ocean, Boothe told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. That is what makes it rare for a dead one to wash ashore. We tend to see one every few years. Sperm whales are on the rebound bit still categorized as endangered after the whaling industry nearly wiped them out 100 years ago. This is why federal authorities sometimes get involved with these strandings. The 2007 stranding of a sperm whale near Cannon Beach included federal authorities tracking down a man who had taken parts of the whale a federal crime if it involved an endangered species. Penalties are as much as one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Coast Guard Barque 'America's Tall Ship' Coming to Portland Rose Fest, N. Oregon Coast's Astoria - Portland events: June 5 - 8; Astoria events June 13 - 15 Sperm whales can reach nearly 60 feet and weigh well over 40 tons, Boothe said. They have been known to live up to 60 years, with males maturing around the age of 50 at a length of approximately 52 feet. They feed on deep water species, such as squid, sharks, skates, and fish. Also see Man Caught Stealing from Whale Carcass on Oregon Coast - Archived from 2007 Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW OREGON COAST HOTEL REVIEWS (hit refresh to see different reviews) Where Primeval Forest Vibes Meet Oregon Coast Sands at Twin Tierra Del Mar Re... This pet friendly set of dreamy homes exemplifies the teensy burgh's best. 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Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Regarding the recent Israel /Iran Conflict (the "12 Day War"), culminating in the United States Air Force employing seven B2 Bombers to complete a 33 hour flight, dropping 14 fifteen ton bunker busting bombs on three Iranian nuclear facilities buried deep under mountain rock, which destroyed Iran's nuclear ambitions against Israel and the United States: Should President Trump have unilaterally made the decision to make such a bold decision to conduct this operation, without first running this prospective operation before the US Congress for their approval? 12.5% No, The War Powers Act prohibitions, which requires NO presidential military action without congressional approval.87.5% Yes, the President has Article 2 Constitutional authority to take unilateral military action to protect the American People, providing he does not break congressional codes, which he did not.0% Don't care, never have. The candidate backed by Poland's populist nationalist anti-immigration party, Law and Justice, and also endorsed by US President Trump, has won Poland's presidential election. Historian Karol Nawrocki has defeated Warsaw's globalist centrist mayor, who was backed by the governing coalition of globalist pro-EU prime minister Donald Tusk. That leaves the presidency in the hands of Law and Justice, the party of the outgoing president. It was a tough race that featured election interference from globalist run EU countries and from Tusk's government. One of the more outrageous moves was Tusk cutting off the government funding for Nawrocki's campaign. Political campaigns in Poland rely mostly on government funding. Tusk's government had used a frivolous reason to deny funding Nawrocki's campaign while fully funding that of Tusk's own candidate. Tusk refused to follow orders from election officials to release the money, and then even disobeyed orders of Poland's courts to do so. Nawrocki was able to overcome this major handicap and still win the race. He also had to overcome smears in Poland's government run media as well as media owned by Soros. President-elect Nawrocki is a staunch opponent of mass migration and a staunch supporter of national sovereignty against EU encroachment. During the campaign, he would often declare that "Poland is not a province of Brussels" ( Brussels is the EU capital) Nawrocki said that all of his decisions as president will be based solely on what is best for Poland. https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/we-are-not-a-province-of-brussels-patriot-wins-polish-presidency/ https://rmx.news/article/poland-votes-conservative-nawrocki-swept-majority-of-polish-voters-in-the-us-nearly-all-of-duda-voters/ https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2025/06/01/conservative-nawrocki-wins-polish-presidential-election-defeating-neo-liberal-mayor-of-warsaw/ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14771283/poland-elects-president-karol-nawrocki.html Given the tremendous amount of his political capital that Tusk put into trying to put his man into the presidency, there are questions about his future as prime minister. He could feel compelled to resign or could face a vote of no confidence. Law and Justice could form a majority in the current parliament with the help of two parties. Confederation Liberty and Independence, is to the right of Law and Justice and endorsed Nawrocki even though it is an "odd couple" party in Tusk's government coalition. The Polish Peoples Party is a rural conservative party that has formed coalitions with Law and Justice in the past but is now part of the Third Way grouping that is in Tusk's coalition. The EU climate measures backed by Tusk have hit Polish farmers hard. A Law and Justice, Confederation Liberty and Independence, and Polish Peoples Party coalition would have a majority in the current parliament. Beating the Dead School Horse BY: HOOD RICHARDSON The controversy of closing Snowden School seems like the issue will go on forever. This is because I and the concerned public have been saying, shouting and now screaming about the same four falsified issues over and over without any acknowledgement from the powers who have connived to close the school. Those issues are: money saved, travel times for students, damage to the community and ethics. Closing Snowden will come to a head this coming Tuesday night, June 3 at 5:30 PM, at the School Board meeting located at 845 North Pierce Street in Washington. A vote is scheduled. The representation that the School System will save 1.76 million dollars is false. This is not a matter of opinion, that amount of savings is false. The amount of 1.76 million dollars is the total cost of operating the S. W. Snowden school for one year. That is the cost of teachers, electricity, water, insurance, sewer, supplies, etc., etc. According to information provided by the school system, 1.44 million of that is the cost of teachers. Teachers are paid by the State of North Carolina, not Beaufort County. That 1.44-million-dollar expense will continue whether or not Snowden is closed. Therefore, the maximum amount to be saved is $320,000.00. Most of this cost is for supplies and electricity which will be there wherever the student is located. Therefore, the savings in expense may be one hundred thousand dollars. The report prepared by the Big Cheese to close Snowden does not address the increased cost of buying buses and paying for drivers, insurance and fuel to haul these students to Chocowinity. The report skirts around additional costs for school buildings at Chocowinity by implying that there is adequate space available. Simply because the report does not make an unqualified statement means all of the space is not available. The report fraudulently presents travel times by addressing travel times inside the existing school district. It never addresses the additional travel time for the 25 miles from Aurora to Chocowinity. This goes to the welfare of those students who may spend as much as four hours per day on the bus. The welfare of the student is one of the things the General Statute says must be addressed in closing a school. The report prepared by the Big Cheese to justify the closing of the S. W. Snowden school fails in all respects. Great damage will be done to the Aurora community in closing Snowden because the entire southeast corner of Beaufort County will become very unattractive to residential development and therefore to business. The success of small communities comes and goes. Closing Snowden is a negative for the long-term future of Aurora. There are serious ethics (honesty) questions about the two husbands who serve on the Board of Commissioners with their two wives serving on the School Board. They vote in lockstep with each other. Another ethical issue is the two Republicans who formed an alliance with the two Democrats and vote as a block. All of these people are in this tight knit cell that vote identically with each other. These players are: Randy and Carolyn Walker, Ed and Eltha Booth, Jerry Langley and Fake Frankie Waters. It looks like the person who is striving for the closing of Snowden is the School Superintendent, the Big Cheese. Modern schoolhouse liberals want to consolidate schools under the false flag of saving money. Their real motive is to get these young minds into one large building away from parents so they can be taught modern liberal thinking. This includes DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), CRT (critical race theory), modern illogical math, and social studies without history or the Constitution. They do not like textbooks either. Closing Snowden will allow the Big Cheese to eliminate his lowest performing school. Questions presented to the School Board at the May 5 Commissioners meeting indicate that neither the School Board nor the Superintendent have put any effort into saving Snowden. The lack of initiative by the School Board shows a strong degree of apathy. The Big Cheese is telling School Board members that keeping Snowden open could cost them teachers. This is a big farce. The State Department of Public Instruction assigns teachers to the schools by the number of students in the school. The teachers go with the students. The Big Cheese may be able to wangle one teacher in each school. However, a complaint to the Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh will put things right. Show up Tuesday night to support neighborhood schools and fight the evils of consolidation. A Muslim illegal alien who came into the US under Biden has been arrested for a firebomb attack on a Jewish parade in Boulder, Colorado. The parade which was at the start of a Jewish holiday was called in remembrance of the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza.. The terrorist attacker, Mohammed Soliman, threw Molotov cocktails at the parade, injuring six participants, one of whom is fighting for her life in the hospital. One of the victims was a Holocaust survivor. Soliman shouted "Free Palestine" as he threw the Molotov cocktails. The illegal alien, who is from Egypt entered the US during the Biden open borders regime. He said after his arrest that he would like to undertake more attacks on Jewish targets. Both Colorado authorities and big media tried to cover up the matter, described the Muslim terrorist simply as "a white man" and saying that his motivations were unknown. President Trump called him out for what he is, however, a terrorist. This follows shortly after the shooting to death of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, DC by a BLM activist who was also shouting "Free Palestine. In that one, too, some of the media tried to cover up his motives saying they were unknown. https://dailycaller.com/2025/06/02/tom-emmer-colorado-terror-attack-open-borders/ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14772105/boulder-colorado-terror-attack-pearl-street-live-updates-mohamed-soliman.html https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/editorials/3428581/boulder-attack-underscores-the-urgency-of-deportations/ https://dailycaller.com/2025/06/02/legacy-media-cnn-abc-cbs-coloraod-boulder-terror-free-palestine-israel-hostages/ https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/06/new-details-illegal-behind-colorado-targeted-terror-attack/ https://redstate.com/rusty-weiss/2025/06/02/holocaust-survivor-among-the-victims-of-boulder-illegal-immigrant-terrorist-attack-n2189917 https://thefederalist.com/2025/06/02/boulder-attack-shows-why-trump-is-right-to-revoke-visas-for-anti-american-views/ https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/06/update-usaid-paperwork-found-vehicle-biden-illegal-alien/ https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2025/06/02/more-on-the-boulder-colorado-attack-n2189958 The product is being developed in partnership with AMIC. A Belfast-based firm is investing nearly 2m on developing a cyber security product for advanced manufacturing. Angoka is spending 1.8m creating the solution designed to help businesses defend increasingly digitalised manufacturing processes. The product is being jointly developed with the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), a project which brings together Queens University Belfast and Ulster University with public sector bodies to support industry. The project has also received funding from Invest NI. Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said: This investment by Angoka will help increase productivity, create good jobs, and boost innovation across two of our priority sectors - cyber security and advanced manufacturing. It is the result of collaboration between government, academia and the private sector. And it has been enabled by the City and Growth Deal which established the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre. So todays announcement is a great example of our economic strategy paying dividends. Angoka chairman Steve Berry said: With cyber threats growing in both scale and sophistication, demand for solutions that protect online devices has surged across the globe. COSMIC is a reaction to the growing need for cyber security adoption in the advanced manufacturing sector due to the detrimental impact any breaches could have on the operational resilience of manufacturing facilities. Steve Berry, chairman of Angoka Group Our new solution will allow us to expand our core offering and achieve ambitious growth targets. It will be designed for ease of deployment both on existing and new manufacturing equipment. This seamless deployment will be a key enabler for breaking into new markets across the globe. Sam Turner, chief executive of AMIC, said the company is at the heart of the innovation support system for Northern Ireland manufacturing. Led by Queens University in partnership with industry, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Ulster University, we support our industrial clients in transforming processes and introducing new cutting-edge innovative products. With our new Factory-of-the-Future opening in 2026 and our mission to drive growth, competitiveness and innovation, the AMIC team is delighted to support Angoka with this project. Dr Vicky Kell, director of innovation, research and development at Invest NI said: This investment in R&D is a vote of confidence in our talent, infrastructure and R&D capabilities in Northern Ireland. The product is being developed in partnership with AMIC. The benefits of investing in R&D are rich, and Angoka is testament to how R&D can enable the development of game changing products which can drive competitiveness in the global market. This investment directly supports our business strategy, which prioritises accelerating innovation and maximising the wider benefits of City and Growth Deals to drive innovation and build collaboration with academia and industry to develop next-generation products and services. Angola was founded in 2019 by Mr Berry, and specialises in authentication technology. It also offers threat analysis and risk assessment services to companies. Clients and partners include Sunderland City Council and the UK Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. As part of its work on the security of self-driving vehicles, Angoka is one of the partners on the Harlander self-driving bus, which aims to enter service on the Belfast Harbour estate in the coming months. Bakery chain Greggs has opened a new flagship shop in Belfasts Titanic Quarter, bringing 16 new jobs and marking its sixth opening here in six months. The store at The ARC development, described by Greggs as a key milestone its expansion in Northern Ireland, opened on May 31. The company said its part of its plan to open 10-15 shops in the region within a year, supporting its wider goal of reaching over 3,000 shops across the UK. Other notable shop openings in Northern Ireland include the opening of Greggs first drive-thru outlet in Northern Ireland in Craigavon. The new store has creating 16 new jobs, part of around 100 new roles its creating here though new openings. Charles Morris has been appointed shop manager. The shop will offer Greggs full menu of freshly prepared food-on-the-go items, including the sausage roll, steak bake, and a variety of vegan options. Gillian Long, retail operations director at Greggs, said: Northern Ireland is a key focus in our wider growth strategy, and this latest opening reflects our commitment to expanding our presence in the region. Read more MLA on journey from pulling pints to working in Number Ten... and going to uni with Prince William and Kate "Weve seen strong demand from customers, and were pleased to be able to cater to this by providing greater accessibility and investment. As we grow, we remain focused on delivering positive impact - creating local employment opportunities, supporting economic development, and contributing to healthier, more connected communities. With each new shop opening in the area, were proud to offer high-quality jobs, career development opportunities, and a workplace culture that values and supports our teams. Were excited to welcome new colleagues as we continue to build the future of Greggs together. Richard Henderson, estate manager at Titanic Quarter, added: We are looking forward to welcoming Greggs to The ARC. The new store will be a great addition to Titanic Quarters growing retail community and the wider, local community. "Greggs will provide residents and visitors with an additional family-friendly food option to choose from throughout the day, building upon Titanic Quarters attractiveness as a key leisure location in Belfast. The new Greggs at Belfast's Titanic Quarter Emergency services attened scene of overturned car in east Belfast Titanic Quarters retailers play a huge role in the local community, fostering a lively and welcoming community space. Occupants at ARC Retail have seen continued footfall growth and look forward to this increasing further as our new residential and hotel developments complete. "The decision by Greggs to open a new store at Titanic Quarter is testament to that. GCSE performance is down in Northern Ireland, and fewer pupils are heading to universtiry The number of pupils leaving school with at least five GCSEs at grades A* to C dropped significantly last year, statistics from the Department of Education have revealed. Girls are still more likely to achieve top grades than boys, and fewer students are heading to university, the figures also show. After reaching a high of 78% of pupils achieving at least five top grades (including English and Maths) in 2022, the figure has fallen sharply to 71.6% for those who reached school leaving age in summer 2024. Unsurprisingly, despite efforts to address underachievement in areas of social deprivation, the number of pupils qualifying for free school meals attaining top GCSE grades remains well below those who dont. At the end of the 2023/24 academic year, just over half of those on free school meal entitlement achieved five GCSE at Grades A*-C (51.8%) compared to 77% of all other pupils, though both figures mirror the downward trend across qualifications. Some 76.3% of females achieving those top grades in at least five GCSE subjects, compared to 68.1% of males. Grammar schools also continue to outperform all other school types with 94.5% of school leavers achieving at least 5 GCSEs at A*-C (or equivalents) including English and maths. That figure falls considerably to 55.3% across all other school types. When English and Maths are removed as a consideration, the overall number of school leavers achieving at least five GCSEs at grades A* to C or equivalent has decreased by 2.4% since 2022/23 (89.8%) to 87.4%. Pupils identifying as Catholic are also more likely to leave with higher graders. The statistics show 72.9% achieved at least five GCSEs at grades A*-C compared to 71.1% of Protestants and 68.3% of those identifying as no religion or other. The latest statistics also show where students head to after leaving school. Some 40.3% continued their studies in Higher Education at university, with 30.8% going to Further Education, 11.3% moving directly into employment, 13.6% taking on training courses and 2.4% registering as unemployed. In A Levels, the proportion of school leavers achieving three or more qualifications at grades A* to C or equivalent was 38.5% in 2023/24, a decrease of 3.6% from 2022/23 (42.1%) and 2.5% down on the number from five years ago (41.0% in 2018/19). Grammar schools continue to produce much better results at A Level with 64.1% of pupils achieving at least three A Levels (Grades A*- C) compared to just 20.3% at non-grammar schools. At 48.1%, the proportion of females going to university was higher than that for males (32.7%) last year. When religion of pupil was considered, 37.4% of Protestant school leavers reported as heading to university compared to 43% of Catholics. Overall the number of leavers who go on to attend university has fallen from 42% in 2018/19 to 40.3% this year, a figure which reflects the declining number of pupils who left school with top A Level grades. Females continued to outperform males in terms of A-level qualifications. In 2023/24, 45.5% of females achieved at least three A-levels at grades A* to C or equivalent on leaving school compared to 31.9% of males. And the gap between the performance of pupils at grammar school and those attending other types of school has widened. The proportion of pupils leaving non-grammar schools who achieved at least two A-levels at grades A* to E or equivalent has decreased by 2.2% from 37.2% in 2022/23 to 35.0% in 2023/24. The proportion of pupils leaving grammar schools who achieved this standard has decreased by 1.5% from 81.5% in 2022/23 to 80% in 2023/24. A total of 23,341 pupils left school at the end of the 2023/24 academic year, with 230 of them doing so without any formal qualifications. Breaking the figures down by where pupils live, Lisburn and Castlereagh is producing higher qualifications than elsewhere in Northern Ireland with 60.6% of all school leavers achieving at least two A Levels (Grades A*-E). Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon district produces the fewest grades in this category, at 46.7% of all pupils. Lisburn and Castlereagh also leads the way in producing pupils who achieve at least five GCSEs (Grades A*-C) at 90%, while Newry Mourne and Down is the lowest at 86.0%. In Belfast 55.2% of leavers achieved at least two A Levels (Grades A*-E), with 86.4% leaving with at least five GCSEs (Grades A*-C). But there will be cause for concern at the exam performance of special educational needs pupils across all schools. Only 18.8% of pupils with a SEN statement left school with two or more A-levels at grades A* to E with 31.9% gaining at least five GCSEs at grades A* to C. Margaret Tubridy with her husband, Terry, and daughters, Sara and Clare Margaret Tubridy with one of her grandchildren, Katie A Belfast pensioner who took part in a clinical trial investigating whether exercise can help people with colon cancer is now lifting weights and is a regular at gym classes. The CO21 Challenge trial, led by researchers in Northern Ireland and Canada, involved 889 people with colon cancer from six countries, including the UK. The study found a structured exercise routine can reduce the risk of death for people with colon cancer by more than a third. The results, unveiled at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference yesterday, could transform how colon cancer is treated around the world, the researchers said. The scientists hope the findings will prompt healthcare providers to integrate exercise plans into routine cancer care. The CO21 Challenge trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that a structured exercise programme significantly reduced the likelihood of the disease returning and improved overall survival compared with standard advice. After five years, 80% of patients who followed a tailored exercise regime were cancer-free, compared with 74% of those who were offered just health education materials. This means the risk of dying, cancer coming back, or developing a new cancer was 28% lower in the exercise group. After eight years, survival rates were 90% in the exercise group compared to 83% in the health education group, representing a 37% lower risk of death. More than 31,000 people in the UK die from colon cancer every year, according to Cancer Research UK. The study was part-funded by Cancer Research UKs Stand Up To Cancer campaign and carried out in collaboration with the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG). The three-year programme saw patients supported by physical activity consultants, starting with weekly in-person sessions for the first six months and moving to monthly sessions either in person or online. Activities were tailored to the individual, from brisk walking to gym-based circuit training. Among the patients to benefit from the trial was Margaret Tubridy (69), from north Belfast. Margaret Tubridy with her husband, Terry, and daughters, Sara and Clare Before her cancer diagnosis, she said she had never exercised. Now, five years on, she says she is lifting weights, pole walking and taking part in gym classes twice a week. I wanted to take part in the trial to help other people living with cancer, she said. I had never exercised in my life, but with the right support and encouragement I was able to walk more and more. From there I started going to classes at the gym and now I do weight training twice a week, pole walking, and Im in a walking group. I had never been to a gym before, but once I was shown how to use the machines and do the exercises, I loved it. Margaret, who is originally from north Belfast but has lived most of her life in Glengormley, is now retired but worked as a receptionist for Mercedes-Benz for 26 years. Its been almost five years since my cancer diagnosis, and if I meet anyone I tell them I am doing great, she added. Taking part in the trial helped me so much. I am stronger, fitter, and my anxiety is better. I never thought at 69 years of age I would be able to do all of this. I am chuffed to bits. Professor Vicky Coyle, UK lead researcher and clinical professor at Queens University Belfast, said the study gives clear and encouraging evidence that physical activity can reduce colon cancer mortality. We now need to work with policymakers and healthcare providers to embed exercise into treatment plans where appropriate, she said. Cancer Research UK said the findings should act as a wake-up call for health services, adding it could transform clinical practice. However, Caroline Geraghty, senior specialist information nurse at the charity, said this can only happen if health services have the necessary funding and staff to make it a reality for patients. She added: Its important to remember that every cancer journey is different. Starting new activities after treatment can feel overwhelming, and it may not be the right option for everyone. Take things at your own pace and speak to your doctor to discuss what is safe for you. The researchers said more work is needed to explore the biological mechanisms behind exercises effect on cancer, but the evidence is already strong enough to prompt urgent action. The Independent The financial cost of maintaining historic buildings in Northern Ireland is the main reason behind so much of our built heritage deteriorating, new research has found. Some 36% of listed buildings here are in a poor or very poor condition, while a third are lying vacant, according to a recent survey. Listed buildings are those deemed to be of special historical or architectural interest. Once a building is listed, it is offered a degree of legal protection. Any significant changes to such buildings can only happen with consent from the local council. There are around 9,000 listed buildings across Northern Ireland, with properties frequently being added to the list. A survey of listed building owners has recently been published by Stormonts Department for Communities, following research which revealed a significant decline in the condition of listed buildings over the last decade. More than four-fifths of respondents thought the listed building they owned or were responsible for was either very important or important in terms of the overall historic environment, the character of their local area, local history or heritage for future generations. The survey also explores the reasons behind this deterioration, with the most cited reasons relating to the costs involved in maintenance. Over three-quarters of respondents (77%) said the lack of government funding to meet higher maintenance costs was an issue, while 67% said that the cost of suitable skilled builders and appropriate materials was a factor. Around a fifth of respondents (19%) felt that the value of their building did not justify the cost of investing in it. Those surveyed gave various suggestions as to what would encourage them to carry out repairs, including grants for repairs and help with rates and VAT. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons (Liam McBurney/PA) Responding to the findings, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said: For the first time, this research gives us a detailed picture of the views of listed buildings and scheduled monument owners on the benefits they see, the barriers they face, and the interventions they think we might make, to ensure that our privately owned heritage is as well maintained as it can be. Our buildings and monuments are a public good, they do more than provide benefits to individual owners. They help all our society by attracting jobs and tourism, reflecting civic pride, improving our wellbeing, reinforcing our identity and by being a key resource to learn about our long and unique history. As a society we owe our gratitude to those who look after these structures, and as a department we will use this research to refine and develop the practical support and help which we can provide to owners. On the findings that more than a third of listed buildings here are in a poor or very poor condition, Mr Lyons said it paints a very worrying picture. Heritage is a key driver of tourism to Northern Ireland and a source of civic pride and identity. Once lost, it and the potential that it holds are gone forever, he added. I have asked my Department to consider this within the Heritage, Culture and Creativity Programme. The new programme will deliver policies for arts, museums, public libraries and the historic environment. These are due to go to public consultation this year and my hope is that the Historic Environment Policy will provide the step change that we need and help kickstart a proper appreciation of our built heritage what we have and how it can be utilised creatively for public benefit. A 22-year-old man has been charged with driving with excess alcohol in his breath following a one-vehicle RTC in east Belfast. Emergency services attended the scene of the one-vehicle collision in the Shandon Park area of the city shortly before 9pm. Police and the Ambulance Service were called to the incident; on arrival, officers discovered a black Seat Leon FR overturned in the street. The Belfast Telegraph understands that the car clipped a tree before overturning. Police arrested a man in his 20s at the scene before placing him in the back of a police car, where he was breathalysed. Following a further assessment by paramedics, the male was taken from the scene by police. He is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Monday, 30th June. As is usual procedure, the charge will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. Councillor Tracy Kelly is the new Lord Mayor of Belfast Belfasts new Lord Mayor has said she wants to ensure every young person in the city can be the best they can be as she became the first DUP woman to hold the office. DUP Councillor Tracy Kelly has officially been installed as Lord Mayor of Belfast, taking over from Alliances Micky Murray. Speaking at Mondays meeting at Belfast City Hall where she was presented with the mayoral chain, Ms Kelly pledged to ensure no-one is left behind as she began her year in office. My priority as Lord Mayor is to make sure that everyone in Belfast feels part of the changes that are happening in our city and can find a place for themselves within them that no-one is left behind, she said. Our city has come a long way in a short period of time, but its important that everyone in Belfast feels part of that journey and has a chance to fulfil their potential. I want to celebrate the projects and people working to build a place that is safe, fair, welcoming and inclusive for everyone and to reconnect our communities back to the city core, so everyone can enjoy the benefits of a vibrant, shared and well-connected city. The 47 year old DUP councillor represents the Botanic area in the south of the city and has served in City Hall since May 2019. Ms Kelly has a background in community development and said supporting young people who are not in employment, education or training will also be a key goal during her term. She is currently office manager at the DUP constituency office of MLA and Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots. She also previously worked for MLA Christopher Stalford who died suddenly in 2022. "He asked me to run in that election," she recalled in an interview with BBC Northern Ireland. "Him and constituents pressurised me into running in the 2019 election. I never thought I would ever sit in city council never mind be Lord Mayor." She said she wants to ensure young people can connect to jobs in the city in emerging areas and wants to break down barriers in education. Belfast is already leading the way when it comes to innovation and tech, but its vital that we create and develop a pipeline to connect more of our young people to the jobs that exist in these, and other, emerging areas, both now and in the future, she said. These opportunities should be open to everyone, so I want to do what I can to break down barriers to accessing education and training and encourage every young person to be the best they can be. I will be a Lord Mayor who listens to all those in the community, and Im looking forward to representing those voices during my year in office. Councillor Tracy Kelly is the new Lord Mayor of Belfast News Catch Up - Monday 2nd June During the meeting, SDLP Councillor Paul Doherty was installed as the new Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast. He represents the Black Mountain electoral area, and takes over from the DUPs Andrew McCormick. Mondays council meeting also saw the appointment of new committee chairs, with the meeting streamed live via the councils website. The DUP last held the role of First Citizen of Belfast in 2020, with Frank McCoubrey. The last previous female unionist mayor was Councillor Grace Bannister (UUP) who held the civic title in 1981. Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, who died at the weekend after a long illness, was a significant public figure in Northern Ireland. He was a former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and later held a number of important posts, including one as national governor of the BBC in Northern Ireland. He was 94. Donaghadee RNLI volunteers were tasked to the incident The lifeboat crew has attended two calls in the last 48 hours A parrot named Sid was among those rescued after a yacht lost power on its way to the Isle of Man on Sunday. The rescue was one of two carried out by RNLI lifeboat volunteers in Donaghadee within 48 hours over the weekend. The crew had received an initial call around 6.35pm on Sunday evening when they were requested by HM Coastguard to go to the aid of a 36ft yacht in difficulty near the Briggs Buoy at Orlock Point. However, while on their way to the incident, they were retasked to a priority request known as a Pan Pan from another yacht to the east. "The second yacht which was approximately 26 foot with one person and one parrot (called Sid) onboard, and was en route to the Isle of Man, said a spokesperson. "It was reported that the yacht lost the main engine and was struggling in the conditions. In good visibility with a slight to moderate sea state, the crew onboard the all-weather lifeboat MacQuarie made best speed and were on scene within 10 minutes. "Due to the evening drawing in, the freshening sea state and the condition of the skipper and vessel it was determined by the coxswain Philip McNamara, that the best course of action was to secure a tow line to the vessel and return it to the safety of Bangor Harbour. Sid the parrot was among those rescued Crew member Chris Stewart then boarded the yacht when it was closer to shore and assisted the captain in returning the vessel to the harbour. The volunteers were then called out for a second time in the early hours of Monday June 2 to respond to a 38ft yacht which had lost power close to the Mew Island with two people on board. A towline was secured and the vessel was again brought to safety at Bangor Harbour. Speaking following the call outs, Coxswain Philip McNamara said: On both occasions the skippers of these yachts requested assistance as soon as they realised they were in difficulty and before the situation worsened, which was the correct thing to do. "As always we recommend vessels check their engines and equipment prior to going to sea, and of course wear lifejackets at all times and have a working means of communicating with the coastguard in the event of getting into difficulty. "I extend my thanks as always to the volunteer crew who responded to these emergencies. A woman accused of helping her son clear up the scene after he had allegedly beaten his partner to death must remain in custody, a judge has ruled. Funeral of Derry nurse and daughter (six) killed in crash hears heartbreaking tribute from family: We will miss you every second of every day Forensic investigators at Fairgreen Shopping centre in Carlow, where a man died following a shooting incident on Sunday evening (Niall Carson/PA) A man who died in a shooting incident at a shopping centre in Co Carlow had earlier walked through the retail premises firing a shotgun in the air, gardai have confirmed. Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hilman said the suspect, a white Irish man aged in his 20s, then shot himself outside the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow town after being challenged by armed gardai. The man, named locally as Evan Fitzgerald, aged in his 20s, from Kiltegan in Co Wicklow, had appeared in court last year along with two others on firearms offences. It is understood he had been facing an imminent further court appearance. At a previous hearing last year, where the then-steel yard worker was granted bail with strict conditions, the court was told he had a fascination with firearms but that the interest was more of a hobby rather than a nefarious one. By Monday evening, a technical examination of the car park scene in Carlow had concluded, but the scene remained held and the Fairgreen Shopping Centre remained closed. Ms Hilman said the incident on Sunday evening was a terrifying experience for shoppers who fled the building when the gunman starting shooting in the air. Speaking to media at Carlow Garda Station on Monday, the assistant commissioner confirmed that no one else was injured by any of the shots fired. Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hilman speaking to the media on Monday (Niall Carson/PA) She said a young girl sustained a minor leg injury when she fell while running from the centre. Earlier, the scene of the fatality outside the Tesco store was declared safe after an examination by Irish army explosives officers. Gardai had called the bomb disposal experts to the scene after observing a bottle containing an unknown substance on the body of the dead man. Irish premier, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, said he was deeply shocked and saddened at the incident. Ms Hilman said gardai attended the incident after receiving multiple reports of shots being fired in the shopping centre around 6.15pm. Gardai responded to the scene and met a large number of people running from the shopping centre, she told reporters. An unarmed uniform unit arriving at the scene observed the suspect exiting the shopping centre. The suspect discharged a firearm a shotgun into the air. Another plain clothes armed garda unit responding drew their official firearms and identified themselves as armed gardai. The suspect discharged the firearm again, self-inflicting a fatal wound. No member of An Garda Siochana discharged a weapon. An Garda Siochana now understands that the lone male had walked through the shopping centre and had discharged the firearm, into the air, on a number of occasions. No person was injured by the shots discharged. A young girl, in the shopping centre with her parents, suffered a minor leg injury when she fell while running from the scene. This was meant to be a normal day out on a bank holiday weekend. This was a terrifying experience for every person that was present in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre yesterday evening. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal team near to the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre (Niall Carson/PA) The body of the man was removed from the scene on Monday afternoon, and taken to the mortuary in Dublin. A post mortem is to be carried out by the State Pathologist tomorrow. Ms Hilman added: I would like to acknowledge the management and business community of the Fairgreen Shopping Centre for their assistance and support to the public yesterday evening. I also want to acknowledge the assistance of all the emergency services yesterday evening, local fire brigade, ambulance services and the Defence Forces for their professionalism and assistance. I specifically want to highlight the response of local Garda members, who on receipt of a call of a very dangerous incident immediately responded to protect their community. Their courage was exemplary. An Garda Siochana is conscious that this serious incident has an impact on the local community and local Garda management will work with the local community, business community and other state agencies in the coming days to help the community come to terms with this incident. An Garda Siochana is also very aware that there is a family grieving the death of their loved one at this time and An Garda Siochana appeals for privacy for the family. Forensic investigators at Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow on Monday (Niall Carson/PA) An incident room has been established at Carlow Garda Station, with a senior investigating officer (SIO) appointed to lead the investigation. The Garda said a family liaison officer was providing support to the dead mans family. Local Fine Gael councillor Fergal Browne said people in the town had been left terrified. People were obviously terrified, a bank holiday Sunday, going into town to do their shopping, he told the PA news agency. People ran from the centre crying and upset. There was a bunch of foreign students in the area, who could not believe they were caught up in the middle of all of it. Mr Browne added: Its very upsetting for everyone who was involved in it or who witnessed it. Gardai have appealed for witnesses to come forward. They have also urged anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead provide it directly to the investigating team. John Kearney in his submersible which he dived to search for the wreckage in. Photo: Lishen Wei One of the first Irish vessels to have been sunk during World War II has been located north of Donegals Tory Island. Just over 85 years after the steam trawler Leukos went missing with 11 young fishermen on board, the wreck of the vessel has been located by diver and submariner John Kearneys commercial submersible in 105 metres of water. Mr Kearney, a former Naval Service diver, is now hoping to contact relatives of those who died in the attack from Dublin, England and Scotland with a view to laying a plaque on the wreck after further examination. Mystery has surrounded why the 216-tonne trawler was targeted by the German submarine U-38 (Heinrich Liebe), and whether it was trying to use its neutrality as an Irish-owned vessel to shield five British fishing vessels from enemy fire. Owned by the Dublin Steam Trawling Co Ltd, the Leukos had been working in Donegal Bay close to five vessels from Fleetwood, England, at the time. Video footage which Mr Kearney recorded from his submersible, Atlantic Explorer 2, shows that the bow of the vessel is missing indicating that it may have been cut in two. The Leukos. Painting by Kenneth King from the National Maritime Museum The Uboat.net research website states that at 9.13pm on March 9, 1940, the neutral Leukos, under skipper James Potter Thomasson (28), was attacked without warning by submarine U-38 about 48km north-west of Tory. It says that the U-boat spotted six trawlers near Tory, and thought they were forming a patrol line. It says the U-boat had surfaced and fired a shot from its deck gun at the Leukos. The shot is said to have hit the trawlers engine room, and it sank. The U-boat waited one hour and then continued its patrol. On board with Mr Thomasson, who was from Dublin, were fireman Michael Cullen (17) from Ringsend, Dublin, mate William Donnelly (no age recorded) from Blackpool, England, apprentice James Hawkins (17) from Ringsend, Dublin, cook Patricio McCarthy (42) from Dublin and chief engineer Alexander McLeod from Stornoway, Scotland. Also on board were young deckhands Thomas Mulligan and Anthony Pill from Dublin, bosun PJ Scanlon from Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, second engineer Bernard Smith (23) from Marino, Dublin, and apprentice Robert Sumler (16) from Dublin. The Leukos was only reported missing on March 12, three days after the sinking, when it failed to return to Dublin. A lifeboat bearing the ships logo was washed ashore near Scarinish on Tiree on the Scottish west coast on March 21, 1940. Mr Kearney, from Baltimore, Co Cork, has been involved in many search, rescue and recovery operations in Irish waters. Last year, he acquired the first of two commercial Dutch-built submersibles, as the craft offers a much larger window for working at depth than diving. There are many stories about what really happened, as some say that it was torpedoed The Atlantic Submersible 2, which he deployed off Donegal last week, can take three people to a depth of 300 metres for 18 hours. It is currently undertaking a number of searches around the coast for the non-profit company, Fastnet Maritime Heritage, he said. I had obtained the drawings of the Leukos, and knew the reported position where it was sunk 12 nautical miles north-west of Tory, so I would say that without doubt this is it. I picked a really calm day last week and began diving at 4am. I could see the rudder, the propeller, the engine space, but the wheelhouse had gone. A pod of dolphins met up with us and accompanied us on the dive and to the wreck and halfway back into Lough Swilly. Mr Kearney says the Leukos hull requires further forensic examination, if funding is forthcoming. The wreck of the Leukos lying on the seabed north of Tory island. Photo: John Kearney Seamus Bovaird, a director of the Inishowen Maritime Museum in Greencastle, Co Donegal, welcomed Mr Kearneys confirmation of the vessels location, and said the Leukos had almost been forgotten about. The crew who came from Ringsend and Dublin would be remembered in this area, and a wreath was laid for it at sea by a Greencastle vessel some years ago, he said. There are many stories about what really happened, as some say that it was torpedoed and others say the U-boat started shelling the fleet, while there is another story that the Leukos tried to ram the submarine. A total of 18 Irish vessels were sunk during the second world war, the first being the passenger ship Munster in Liverpool Bay in February 1940, a month before the Leukos. The late artist Kenneth King was commissioned by the Maritime Institute of Ireland to paint the Leukos as part of a series organised by the institutes president Des Branigan to commemorate the role of Irish seafarers during the Emergency. Maritime historian Capt Frank Forde reported that 136 people died aboard the 16 ships lost and 14 fishermen died on two trawlers, including the Leukos. An inflatable field tent at the scene in Water Street near the Liver Building in Liverpool (Peter Byrne/PA) The number of people reported injured after a car drove into crowds at Liverpools victory parade has risen to more than 100, police have said. Four people remained in hospital on Monday, a week on from the incident which happened on Water Street, in the city centre, just after 6pm. In an update, a Merseyside Police spokesman said: The number of people reported to have been injured currently stands at 109. Last week, police said 79 people had been injured. Paul Doyle, 53, has been charged in connection with the crash and appeared in court last week. Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: This is a complex and constantly evolving investigation and we are still working through and assessing those reporting being injured and our inquiries remain ongoing. I would like to thank everyone who has been in touch with us so far to give witness accounts or supply information or video footage. The response so far has been of great assistance in progressing the investigation. We have had more than 500 submissions to the Major Incident Police Portal (MIPP) and a team of detectives are currently working through the information provided. Police officers at the scene in Water Street near the Liver Building in Liverpool (Peter Byrne/PA) I would continue to appeal for anyone who has information and is yet to come forward to please get in touch as a matter of urgency. Those injured and their families are being supported by specialist officers and police are being assisted in the investigation by forces in Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Lancashire, North Wales and Cheshire. Doyle, reported to be a former Royal Marine, from Croxteth, Liverpool, is charged with 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. The offences relate to six victims, including two children aged 11 and 17. He was remanded in custody after appearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday and is due appear for a plea hearing on August 14. Police and emergency personnel at the scene on Water Street, Liverpool (Danny Lawson/PA) Detective Superintendent Wilson said: As a person has now been charged in connection with this incident, I would like to remind people not to speculate or share information or footage which could in any way jeopardise the case. We understand that emotions are still running high, and people are seeking answers, but it is vital that we allow the matter to go through the judicial process. Police previously said they believed the car that struck pedestrians was able to follow an ambulance crew attending to someone suffering a heart attack after a road block during Liverpool FCs celebrations was temporarily lifted. A man accused of using a makeshift flamethrower and an incendiary device to attack a US group bringing attention to Israeli hostages in Gaza has been charged with a federal hate crime. Mohammed Sabry Soliman, 45, told police he had planned it for a year and targeted what he described as the Zionist group, the FBI said. Twelve people were injured in the attack in Colorado, some with burns, as a group was concluding a weekly demonstration to raise visibility for the hostages who remain in Gaza. Witnesses reported the man shouted Free Palestine during the attack. A bomb disposal robot is deployed at the Pearl Street Mall (David Zalubowski/AP) An FBI affidavit says Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody on Sunday and told the police he would do it again. The affidavit was released in support of a federal hate crime charged filed by the Justice Department on Monday. The burst of violence at the popular Pearl Street shopping centre, a four-block area in central Boulder, unfolded against the backdrop of a war between Israel and Hamas that continues to inflame global tensions and has contributed to a spike in antisemitic violence in the US. The attack happened on the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which is marked with the reading of the Torah, and barely a week after a man who also yelled Free Palestine was charged with fatally shooting two Israeli embassy employees outside a Jewish museum in Washington. Federal and state prosecutors filed separate criminal cases against Soliman, charging him with a hate crime and attempted murder, respectively. He faces additional state charges related to the incendiary devices, and more charges are possible in federal court, where the Justice Department will seek a grand jury indictment. During a state court hearing on Monday, Soliman appeared briefly via a video link from the Boulder County Jail wearing an orange jumpsuit. Another court hearing is set for Thursday. Soliman is being held on a 10 million dollar (7 million) cash-only bond, prosecutors said. Solimans attorney, public defender Kathryn Herold, declined to comment after the hearing. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement on Monday saying he, his wife and the nation of Israel were praying for the full recovery of the people wounded in the vicious terror attack in Colorado. Sadly, attacks like this are becoming too common across the country, said Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the FBIs Denver field office. In New York, the police department said it had upped its presence at religious sites throughout the city for Shavuot. The eight victims who were wounded were aged between 52 and 88 and the injuries ranged from serious to minor, officials said. The attack occurred as people with a volunteer group called Run For Their Lives was concluding a weekly demonstration to raise visibility for the hostages who remain in Gaza. Sniffer dogs were involved in the police response (David Zalubowski/AP) Video from the scene shows a witness shouting, Hes right there. Hes throwing Molotov cocktails, as a police officer with his gun drawn advances on a bare-chested suspect holding containers in each hand. Alex Osante, of San Diego, said he was having lunch when he heard the crash of a bottle breaking on the ground and a boom sound followed by people yelling and screaming. In video of the scene captured by Mr Osante, people can be seen pouring water on a woman lying on the ground who Mr Osante said had caught fire during the attack. After the initial attack, Mr Osante said the suspect went behind some bushes and then re-emerged and threw a petrol bomb, but apparently accidentally caught himself on fire as he threw it. The man then took off his shirt and what appeared to be a bulletproof vest before the police arrived. The man dropped to the ground and was arrested without any apparent resistance in the video filmed by Mr Osante. Law enforcement found more than a dozen unlit petrol bombs near where Soliman was arrested. Inside his car, officers found papers with the words Israel, Palestine, and USAid, the affidavit says. Soliman told investigators he constructed homemade petrol bombs after doing research online and buying the ingredients. He drove to Boulder with the devices in his car and stopped on the way for fuel, according to the affidavit. He said in his interview that his goal was to kill all Zionists, the FBI said, and that he targeted the group and knew they they would be assembled on Sunday afternoon. Boulder County courthouse (David Zalubowski/AP) He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year and was waiting until after his daughter graduated to conduct the attack, the affidavit says. Authorities said on Sunday they believed Soliman acted alone and that no other suspect was being sought. He was also injured and was taken to hospital to be treated. Authorities did not give details of his injuries, but a booking photo showed him with a large bandage over one ear. Soliman was living in the US illegally after entering the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. She added that Soliman filed for asylum in September 2022 and was granted a work authorisation in March 2023 that had expired. Public records listed him as living in a modest rented townhouse in Colorado Springs, where local media outlets reported federal law enforcement agents were on the scene on Sunday. An online resume under Solimans name said he was employed by a Denver-area health care company working in accounting and inventory control, with previous employers listed as companies in Egypt. Under education, the resume listed Al-Azhar University, a historic centre for Islamic and Arabic learning in Cairo. FBI leaders immediately declared the attack an act of terrorism and the Justice Department denounced it as a needless act of violence, which follows recent attacks against Jewish Americans. This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts. We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it, FBI deputy director Dan Bongino said. I was broken: Belfast boxer on how pilgrimages to Medjugorje changed his life Retired fighter battled suicidal thoughts and drinking problems before hearing what he believes was the Virgin Marys voice Martin Rogan David O'Dornan Mon 2 Jun 2025 at 20:00 Former heavyweight boxer Martin Rogan has told of his spiritual awakening at the holy shrine of Medjugorje after battling back from suicidal thoughts and fears over his marriage. Ukraine, Russia to resume peace talks in Istanbul on June 2 Xinhua) 09:20, June 02, 2025 ISTANBUL, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine and Russia will resume negotiations on Monday in Istanbul as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continue, Turkish authorities announced on Sunday. According to the Turkish presidential office, the delegations are scheduled to meet at 1:00 p.m. local time (1000 GMT) at the Ciragan Palace on the European side of the city, along the shores of the Bosphorus Strait. 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) Adobe Stock Americans believe. Most people are wary of the government, the future and even each other, but they still believe in astonishing possibilities. Almost all Americans 92 percent of adults say they have a spiritual belief, in a god, human souls or spirits, an afterlife or something beyond the natural world, as we reported earlier this year. The country seems to be acknowledging this widespread spiritual hunger. Americas secularization is on pause, people have stopped leaving churches, and religion is taking a more prominent role in public life in the White House, Silicon Valley, Hollywood and even at Harvard. Its a major, generational shift. But what does this actually look like in peoples lives? I have spent the past year reporting Believing, a new project for The Times. This project is personal to me. I was raised a devout Mormon in Arkansas. Ive left the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I understand how wrestling with belief can define a life. I hoped to capture what that journey looked like for others, too both inside and outside of religion. I interviewed hundreds of people, visited dozens of houses of worship and asked Times readers for their stories. More than 4,000 responded. In my reporting, I found that there are many reasons for this shift in American life. Researchers say the pandemic and the countrys limited social safety nets have inclined people to stick with (or even turn to) religion for support. But there is another reason, too: Many Americans are dissatisfied with the alternatives to religion. They feel an existential malaise, and theyre looking for help. People want stronger communities, more meaningful rituals and spaces to express their spirituality. Theyre also longing to have richer, more nuanced conversations about belief. Unsatisfying Alternatives Over the past few decades, around 40 million Americans left churches, and the number of people who say they have no religion grew to about 30 percent of the country. Many people turned to their jobs, gym classes (yoga, CrossFit, SoulCycle) and mysticism (astrology apps and meditation) for answers on how to live well. Some stopped speaking about their past faith it was unfashionable, in big cities and on college campuses, to do so. Studies provide a sense of how thats going: There is overwhelming empirical support for the value of being at a house of worship on a regular basis on all kinds of metrics mental health, physical health, having more friends, being less lonely, said Ryan Burge, a former pastor and a leading researcher on religious trends. People who practice a religion tend to be happier than those who dont, a study by the Pew Research Center found. They are also healthier: They are significantly less likely to be depressed or to die prematurely from suicide, alcoholism, cancer, cardiovascular illness or other causes, multiple studies from Harvard found. This isnt true for everyone, of course. Many people have built happy, healthy lives outside of faith, and about a third of Americans who have left religion appear to be doing just fine, according to a new study from Burge. But in aggregate, religion seems to help people by giving them what sociologists call the three Bs belief in something, belonging in a community and behaviors to guide their lives. Religion fills a psychological need, Michele Margolis, a political scientist at the University of Pennsylvania, told me. We want to feel connection, she said. We want to feel like life makes sense. Finding these things alone or creating them from scratch is really hard, she added. A New Conversation Now, something is shifting. Most Americans identify as religious (around 70 percent of adults), and many are very committed to their faith (44 percent of Americans say they pray at least once a day). For the first time in decades, Americas religiosity is remaining stable. This may change, of course, in the coming years, especially as young people age. But for now, many nones people who have no religious affiliation that I spoke to seem to have a dawning recognition that, in leaving faith, they threw the baby out with the baptismal water, as my Opinion colleague Michelle Cottle said. Some are even converting to a religion. Depressed and doomscrolling during the pandemic, Matt McDonough, a 39-year-old in Minnesota, said he found a profound community in a mens Bible study. I got baptized as an adult. My mental and physical health improved dramatically. Most say they arent going back to religion. But many people told me they want new spaces to discuss and explore their spirituality. My inner life is rich with spiritual reflection, and I sometimes yearn for a more open dialogue about it, said Doris Andujar, 42, from Ponce, P.R. Looking For Belief Conservatives seem to be better at naming this longing. They speak to civilizational renewal and a restoration of moral values. They promise deliverance through politics. They use the infrastructure of evangelical Christianity to communicate their vision. Its working for them. But is this the only way? Successful alternatives havent emerged at scale, and many liberals have ignored American spirituality this longing at their partys peril. This data reveals that finding a way forward may require acknowledging that Americans want to wrestle with hard questions about how to live. Theyre looking to heady concepts confession, atonement, forgiveness and sacrifice for answers. In short, theyre looking to believe in something. Read more in my article, Americans Havent Found a Satisfying Alternative to Religion. Lauren Jackson is an editor for The Morning, The NY Timess flagship daily newsletter. Before joining The NY Times, she worked at the United Nations, the Reuters Institute and CNN, where her reporting on religion won three awards from the Religion News Association. Bennington, VT (05201) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. The Well Restaurant and Bar will reopen this weekend under new management, but with some of the same staff, just weeks after four friends banded together to buy the beloved Main Street haunt. The pausing of just two contracts sparked by the uncertain price of imported steel under expected new tariffs is all it took to upend a busy season. Local public health officials said overall measles vaccination rates in the Berkshires are high enough to keep children protected from measles, but there are some concerning exceptions that would leave pockets of the county vulnerable to measles if, and when, exposed. When most people hear the term purgatory they are thinking of it as a type of waiting place. Its not quite hell, but it surely isnt heaven. The more sin you commit on earth, the longer your time in purgatoryunless you can have a few dear people on earth pray for your departed soul or give money on your behalf. That, of course, is a rather crude representation of the doctrine of purgatory. This view of purgatory is not a faithful portrayal of the Catholic doctrine of purgatory. I will be making the argument that the doctrine of purgatory, as stated within Roman Catholicism, is not a doctrine faithful to the Scriptures. But I aim to be fair and accurately represent this doctrine from a Roman Catholic perspective. It is only then that we will be in a position to ask whether or not such a doctrine is found in the Bible. What Is Purgatory, according to the Catholic Church? According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church purgatory is the belief that: All who die in Gods grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Catholic Encyclopedia is also informative, teaching that it is a place or condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in Gods grace, are not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions. Notice a few things here. First, this is not teaching that purgatory is a waiting place to determine if youll go to heaven or hell. The person in purgatory is enduring a temporal punishment for venial (pardonable) sins of which there was no true repentance. The person in purgatory will eventually be in heaven. Secondly, the language of purification and punishment are both used. It is a type of cleansing one endures in order to be made ready for heaven as well as to pay the satisfaction due to their transgressions. Purgatory, in Roman Catholicism, is also intricately tied to prayer for the dead. This was decreed at the Council of Trent: there is a purgatory, and that the souls therein detained are helped by the suffrages of the faithful, but principally by the acceptable Sacrifice of the Altar. In other words, prayer for the departed and Mass on their behalf assists to shorten their suffering in purgatory. If Scripture and tradition teaches a prayer for the dead, then clearly it must be effectual. Catholic Answers asks For why pray for the dead, if there be no belief in the power of prayer to afford solace to those who as yet are excluded from the sight of God? Purgatory, then, is the belief that when we die, we are not yet prepared to see God. A time of purification is needed in order to make us ready for the beatific vision (a direct self-communication between God and an individual). Throughout the history of the church, we see prayers on behalf of the departedthus providing solace while this purification process takes place. Perhaps C.S. Lewis, a Protestant, gives an apt description of the necessity of purgatory. In his Letters to Malcom, Lewis says this: Our souls demand Purgatory, dont they? Would it not break the heart if God said to us, Its true, my son, that your breath smells and your rags drip with mud and slime, but we are charitable here [meaning, in heaven] and no one will upbraid you with these things, nor draw away from you. Enter into the joy? Should we not reply, With submission, sir, and if there is no objection, Id rather be cleaned first. It may hurt, you know Even so, sir. (14546) But is this concept biblical? Is this doctrine found in the Bible? Is Purgatory in the Bible? Is the concept of nothing impure being able to enter into heaven found in Scripture? You bet. Revelation 21:27 and Habakkuk 1:13 tell us about both the holiness of God and the purity of heaven. And its not difficult to believe both from Scripture and personal experience that none of us leave this world perfectly free from sin. Do the Scriptures speak of a type of after-life purification process? Some would go to Isaiah 4:4 as evidence of this burning and judgment as part of the process of washing away the filth of the people of God. Others would see in Matthew 5:25-26 the idea that our sin must be paid to the last penny. And evidence for this being through the refining fires of purgatory, they would say, is found in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. Here stubble is burned up but the soul remains and is saved. Where does the idea of praying for the dead come from? Or of a type of forgiveness happening after death? One example, which will not be persuasive for Protestants, is found in 2 Maccabees 12:41, 42, 45. In that text Jewish soldiers have fallen because of wearing amulets of Jamnia. But Judas Maccabeus leads his army to pray for the dead and to make an expiatory sacrifice on their behalf. This is the clearest example of something akin to the Roman Catholic doctrine of purgatory. And it could be argued that even if you do not accept 2 Maccabees as inspired Scripture, it is, nevertheless, evidence of the concept within religious history. Where in Scripture is there a type of forgiveness happening after death? Some would use Matthew 12:32 as evidence of Jesus speaking of a type of forgiveness happening even in the age to come. Jesus, it is said, is here leaving open the possibility of forgiveness in the next worldjust not for speaking against the Holy Spirit. Augustine argued this in part and Gregory the Great held this position a bit more dogmatically. Most of the case for a doctrine of purgatory rests upon tradition. But if one wanted to put together a biblical case for the doctrine, this is the best argument that I have found. I think a case can be made that early on in church history, a belief in a necessary stage of purification can be established, though it is far from that decreed by the Council of Trent. But to me, the more weighty and definitive argument needs to be given to the Scriptures, and Ialong with other Protestants--ultimately find a biblical argument for purgatory to be unpersuasive. Photo credit: SparrowStock Why Don't Protestants Believe in Purgatory? The biggest reason for not believing in a doctrine of purgatory has to do with a different understanding of the nature of the gospel and forgiveness. My Roman Catholic friends, feel free to correct me and help me out if this illustration is too simplistic. I cannot remember where I heard the illustration but Ive shared it with a few professing Catholics who said it seemed to accurately sum up their view of salvation and the need for the sacraments. Imagine you have a cup. In that cup is grace. In order for one to see God, the cup needs to be full. The sacraments (things like baptism, eucharist, etc.) will fill up the cup. When a child is baptized their cup is full. The problem, though, is that whenever we engage in a venial sin our cup leaks. When we engage in a mortal sin our cup is drained. It must be filled back up. If your cup is empty when you die then it will lead to damnation. If your cup isnt full (but its not drained through an unconfessed mortal sin) then youll need to endure purgatory in order to have the cup filled back up. (This is why the living souls engaging in the Eucharist is connected to souls being given comfort in purgatory). A Catholic would argue that it is grace and the work of Jesus applied throughout the entire process. But as a Protestant I am going to find that system of forgiveness and grace to be in error. I would lean heavily upon the book of Hebrews to show that the sacrifice of Jesus is not something that needs to be perpetually applied. Hebrews 10:12-14 helps us to see that For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. 1 Peter 3:18, Romans 5:18-19, 2 Corinthians 5:21, John 19:28-30, and a host of others are what I would lean upon to say that when we are united to Christ our cup is immediately and forever full. Not because of our righteousness but because we trade cups with Jesus. We inherit his fully and forever righteous record and he drinks the cup of Gods wrath (the cup weve inherited) to the dregs. I would be okay with saying that upon the moment of death, there is a type of change that has to take place in order to make our souls entirely and experientially pure and ready for heaven. But I would argue that this process is likely the removal of something (the flesh) which happens at death. Its hard for me to argue with things like 2 Corinthians 5:8 that to be away from the body is to be at home with the Lord. To put it simply, I dont believe in purgatory because Jesus has already endured it on our behalf. His sacrifice and his perfect record are delivered to our account through our union with him. Why Does This Matter? Does this ultimately matter? If someone believes in purgatory what is the harm? I do not think ones view of purgatory is an issue of salvation. You can trust in Jesus but be confused about the process or differ on the way his sacrifice is applied. However, I cannot help but think that there are ramifications to wrong belief in this area. For one, an erroneous belief in the sufficiency of Christs sacrifice will have consequences on things such as fear, security, and walking in the freedom of Jesus. It will, perhaps, change the nature of our discipleship. (And I suppose our Catholic friends could encourage us not to be lax in our obedience because we deny purgatory, and this would be a fair admonishment). It matters because walking in truth matters. God will be honored and our lives will be enriched when we trust in what God says in His Word and live accordingly. If purgatory is not biblical (or not in accordance with truth) then it would behoove us to have a correct view of what happens to us after death. 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians are examples of what happens when our view of death is askew. So ultimately, we ask whether or not this is biblicalbecause if its not biblical then we do not want to base our faith upon such a thing. We want to teach the truth as is in Jesus and not fall into speculation. I hope I have fairly represented the Roman Catholic doctrine of purgatory and have also shown why Protestants ultimately find their arguments unpersuasive. I do not believe that a simple reading of Scripture would lead one to believe that there is an extended time of purifying that a believer must endure upon their death. On the whole the Scriptures seem to proclaim that to depart is to be with the Lord Jesus. If one did not already begin with a belief in purgatory from tradition, I think you would be hard pressed to find it in the Scriptures. For this reason, and because of our different views of the nature of salvation, I do not believe we can say that the doctrine of purgatory is a biblical doctrine. Related articles What Happens to Believers in-between Death and Ultimate Resurrection? Are There Levels of Hell? What Will We Do in Heaven? Photo credit: Getty Images/doidam10 Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. Conclave actor Ralph Fiennes said he felt flattered when he learned the new Pope had watched the Oscar-winning film that sees his character arrange a papal gathering to elect the next head of the Catholic Church. Pope Leo XIV made history as the Churchs first American pontiff when he was elected leader in early May, following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. Advertisement The Popes older brother, John Prevost, told NBC News that the former cardinal watched the movie before voting in the conclave began so he would know how to behave. Pope Leo XIV waves at the end of a Mass for the Jubilee of Families in St. Peters Square, at the Vatican (Andrew Medichini/AP) In an appearance on The One Show, Fiennes was asked about the film and whether he felt surprised at the news Pope Leo XIV had watched the movie. Didnt his brother suggest he watch it, so he could learn how a Conclave went or something? And I was of course flattered, he told the show. Asked what he said to his brother before the conclave, Mr Prevost told NBC News in May: I said: Are you ready for this? Did you watch the movie Conclave, so you know how to behave? Advertisement And he had just finished watching the movie Conclave, so he knew how to behave, he said with a laugh. Fiennes, 62, played Cardinal Lawrence in the film, also starring Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow, that was adapted from Robert Harriss novel of the same name. He was nominated for leading actor gongs at the Oscars and Baftas earlier in the year, but missed out both times to Adrien Brody who won for his role playing Laszlo Toth in historical epic The Brutalist. Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini, Stanley Tucci and Edward Berger attends the BFI London Film Festival gala screening of Conclave (Ian West/PA) Overall, however, the film performed well during awards season and won the adapted screenplay Oscar and four Baftas for best film, adapted screenplay, editing and outstanding British film. Advertisement Fiennes, also known for playing Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter film series, appeared on the show to discuss Theatre Royal Baths new staging of William Shakespeare play As You Like It, which he is directing. He said: Ive done a lot of serious Shakespeare tragedies and histories with a lot of blood and gore and angst, and I just felt compelled by As You Like It. Its a wonderful play of spontaneous young love. And Ive not been in it, so I have no baggage about having been in it. Ive seen it before, and its something about young love, young people transformed by love, by desire, in the context of a forest where, like in A Midsummer Nights Dream, their personalities, who they are, their sense of themselves, is changed by love and by nature. Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan has accused the Government of a "cop out" on the Occupied Territories Bill and her party's Israeli bonds bill. 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 on Wednesday. Advertisement While the Government is proceeding with the Occupied Territories Bill, some opposition politicians have criticised the fact that services will be excluded from it. In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Ms Boylan said: "People are dying, almost 100 people are dying every single day, and children are starving to death and the Irish government has leverage which it is refusing to use. "I do appreciate the fact that Ireland recognised the state of Palestine and that was a very important step. It was good that they wrote and asked for a review of the EU Israel Association Agreement, but again that was February. So over a year ago, and now we're only seeing action on that, and it's not even being suspended. It's pending the review. We need to stop the killing. We need to stop the slaughter. "We need to stop the killing. We need to stop the slaughter. And that means using whatever leverage each member State has. You're not going to get a consensus at an EU level. That's very, very clear after 19 months. It's not going to happen. So take the unilateral measures. You're covered under international law to do that. And and that's where Israel will sit up and listen." Advertisement Sinn Fein's bill would have given the Finance Minister the power to stop the Irish Central Bank from facilitating the sale of Israeli government bonds across the EU. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe described it as "unworkable". Ms Boylan accused the Government of hiding behind the EU, and compared it to the State going against the EU in the Apple tax case. 'Cynical' "I also find it really cynical of the government to hide behind that as an excuse because we're regularly taken to court by the EU for not being compliant and there's no issue. We were taken to court over the Apple tax, we vigorously defended that. Advertisement "If the genocide happening was important enough for the Irish Government, I think the general public are saying 'well then take on the EU and wait and see if the EU will take this to court,' I don't believe they would because I don't believe the EU has a leg to stand on legally." The Occupied Territories Bill will ban imports originating from the Palestinian Territories that are illegaly occupied by Israel under international law, according to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). However, the bill the Government are considering differs from the initial bill put forward by Senator Frances Black, as it will not ban trade in services with the Occupied Territories. "The ICJ Occupied Territories ruling has decided those territories are occupied illegally. Advertisement "On the ICJ ruling, every state should take measures to prevent the genocide from happening. That means not providing financial assistance in any way, including economic trade. So I would say to them put it up to the EU, use it as an excuse to take them on and go 'OK, well, we're not going to be the ones on the wrong side of history'. "I think the the watering down of the Occupied Territories Bill is to make sure that it is more or less a symbolic bill which is deeply disappointing. Seventy per cent of trade is in services. "The ICJ ruling was clear. It's economic trade, they made no distinction between trade and goods and trade and services so it is a cop out on the part of the Government. Not only have they delayed and stalled this bill, they've now made sure it's as ineffective as they possibly can. It has been described as symbolic." In a recent speech in the European Parliament, Ms Boylan made an apology to the people of Gaza for EU "inaction". Advertisement It went viral, and Ms Boylan said she was surprised by the huge response to her words. Lynn Boylan's recent 'apology' speech to Gaza went viral. "I've had messages from across the world and I've never had that on the back of speeches. But I don't mean just messages on social media, people actually taking the time to send you an e-mail or people who know me saying they passed it on to work colleagues. "The thing is that they wanted somebody to say that they're sorry because they're marching, they're doing everything and none of it seems to be having any impact. I think it's sort of tapped into the emotions that people are feeling, that feeling of complete helplessness and despair at what's happening. "It's not having the impact on our politicians. That is why I felt that frustration that I just may want to make an apology because the role I have as chair of of the European Parliament Delegation to Palestine, I'm meeting with Palestinian solidarity groups, I'm meeting with groups that are in Gaza on the ground and I've literally nothing positive to say to them anymore because everything we have tried has just been stonewalled. I was just overwhelmed by the reaction to it, to be honest. "It's just soul destroying, because what is the red line anymore? "The control or the influence that Israel has over the Western world, that they're just allowing international law to be shredded in front of our eyes and war crimes to be committed and to do nothing. You have to question the long-term impacts of this, both for the European Union, for democracy, for people, humanity, it is all being called into question because of what we're seeing." BBC management must reflect on the outcome of the Gerry Adams libel case and avoid knee-jerk reactions to the verdict, a Sinn Fein minister has said. Stormonts Finance Minister John ODowd said he welcomed the outcome of the high-profile case. Advertisement Former Sinn Fein leader Mr Adams took the BBC to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, which he said defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson, for which he denies any involvement. A jury at the High Court in Dublin awarded Mr Adams 100,000 when it found in his favour on Friday after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. It also found the BBCs actions were not in good faith and the corporation had not acted in a fair and reasonable way. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years. Advertisement Mr Adams legal team said the verdict of the jury was a full vindication for their client while the BBC said it was disappointed with the outcome, warning it could have profound implications and potentially hinder freedom of expression. Following the jurys decision, Mr Adams said his case had been about putting manners on the BBC. The veteran republican claimed the corporation upheld the ethos of the British state in Ireland and was out of sync on many fronts in relation to the Good Friday peace agreement. The National Union of Journalists has described those remarks as chilling. Seamus Dooley, Irish secretary of the NUJ, also said the case showed the need for reform of Irelands defamation laws. Advertisement Gerry Adams outside the High Court in Dublin after he was awarded 100,000 in damages after winning his libel action against the BBC (Brian Lawless/PA) However, Mr ODowd said the BBC reaction to the case indicated it was unwilling to learn lessons. I welcome the judgment, he told BBC Radio Ulster. I think its a timely reminder that everyone has the right to defend their name in court. Gerry has been successful in his case and I think the BBC have lessons to learn, and they should instead of the knee-jerk reaction that weve heard thus far from them, I think they should take a time of reflection and reflect on that court judgment. The minister was asked if Mr Adams claims about the BBC upholding the ethos of the British state and being out of sync with the Good Friday Agreement reflected Sinn Feins position on the broadcaster. Advertisement I think its a position that many in society hold, he replied. There are many, many fine journalists from the BBC theres no question about that. But I think the upper echelons of the BBC in the north and the reaction to the court judgment shows that theyre unwilling to learn lessons. Theyre unwilling to reflect on their own role and responsibility. So, I think this is a time for the BBC to reflect, and the upper echelons of the BBC to reflect, rather than some of the knee-jerk reactions weve seen from them thus far. Authorities are searching for evidence after a man with a makeshift flamethrower yelled Free Palestine and threw an incendiary device into a group raising attention for Israeli hostages in Gaza Eight people were injured, some with burns, in the attack in the Pearl Street shopping centre in central Boulder, Colorado. Advertisement The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was booked into Boulder County jail north of Denver and is expected to face charges in connection with the attack which the FBI was investigating as a terrorist act. Mohamed Sabry Soliman (Boulder Police Dept/AP) The burst of violence unfolded against the backdrop of a war between Israel and Hamas that continues to inflame global tensions and has contributed to a spike in antisemitic violence in the US. The attack happened at the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which is marked with the reading of the Torah, barely a week after a man who also yelled Free Palestine was charged with fatally shooting two Israeli embassy employees outside a Jewish museum in Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement on Monday saying he, his wife and the nation of Israel were praying for the full recovery of the people wounded in the vicious terror attack in Colorado. Advertisement This attack was aimed against peaceful people who wished to express their solidarity with the hostages held by Hamas, simply because they were Jews, he said. Across the US, New York Police Department said it had increased its presence at religious sites throughout the city for Shavuot. Sadly, attacks like this are becoming too common across the country, said Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the FBIs Denver field office. This is an example of how perpetrators of violence continue to threaten communities across the nation. Sniffer dogs were involved in the police response (David Zalubowski/AP) The eight victims were aged between 52 and 88 and the injuries ranged from serious to minor, officials said. Advertisement The attack occurred as people with a volunteer group called Run For Their Lives was concluding a weekly demonstration to raise visibility of the hostages who remain in Gaza. Video from the scene shows a witness shouting, Hes right there. Hes throwing Molotov cocktails, as a police officer with his gun drawn advances on a bare-chested suspect holding containers in each hand. Alex Osante, of San Diego, said he was having lunch on a restaurant patio when he heard the crash of a bottle breaking on the ground, a boom sound followed by people yelling and screaming. In video of the scene captured by Mr Osante, people can be seen pouring water on a woman lying on the ground who he said had caught on fire during the attack. A man, who later identified himself as an Israeli visiting Boulder who decided to join the group that day, ran up to Mr Osante on the video asking for some water to help. Advertisement After the initial attack, Mr Osante said the suspect went behind some bushes and then re-emerged and threw a petrol bomb but apparently accidentally caught himself on fire as he threw it. The man then took off his shirt and what appeared to be a bulletproof vest before the police arrived. The man dropped to the ground and was arrested without any apparent resistance. A bomb disposal robot is deployed at the Pearl Street Mall (David Zalubowski/AP) Lynn Segal, 72, was among about 20 people who had gathered on Sunday. They had finished their march in front of the courthouse when a rope of fire shot in front of her and then two big flares. She said the scene quickly turned chaotic as people worked to find water to put out flames and find help. Advertisement Ms Segal, who said she is Jewish on her fathers side and has supported the Palestinian cause for more than 40 years, was concerned that she might be accused of helping the suspect because she was wearing a pro-Palestinian shirt. There were people who were burning, I wanted to help, she said. But I didnt want to be associated with the perpetrator. Authorities did not disclose details about Soliman but said they believe that he acted alone and no other suspect was being sought. He was also injured and was taken to hospital to be treated. Officers did not elaborate on his injuries but a booking photo showed him with a large bandage over one ear. Soliman was living in the US illegally after entering in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. She said Soliman filed for asylum in September 2022. Public records listed Soliman as living in a modest rented townhouse in Colorado Springs, where local media outlets reported federal law enforcement agents were on the scene on Sunday. An online resume under Solimans name said he was employed by a Denver-area health care company working in accounting and inventory control, with previous employers listed as companies in Egypt. Under education, the resume listed Al-Azhar University, a historic centre for Islamic and Arabic learning in Cairo. FBI leaders immediately declared the attack an act of terrorism and the Justice Department denounced it as a needless act of violence, which follows recent attacks against Jewish Americans. This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts. We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it, FBI deputy director Dan Bongino said in a post on X. Harvey Weinstein does not plan to testify at his New York sex crimes retrial, his lawyer said on Sunday. That means jurors soon will get the case against the former movie studio boss who propelled the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct. Advertisement The trial will move on to closing arguments on Tuesday without testimony from Weinstein, Arthur Aidala said on Sunday night. The court handles other cases on Mondays. It is unclear whether jury deliberations would begin on Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday. Harvey Weinstein attends his retrial at a Manhattan court (John Angelillo/Pool via AP) It was a fraught decision for Weinstein, who has never answered questions in open court about any of the accusations women have made. He did not testify at previous trials in New York and California and was convicted in both. Advertisement He denies the allegations, and lawyer Mr Aidala has said that Weinstein was giving a lot of thought to whether to take the stand this time. While his California appeal winds on, Weinstein won a new trial in his New York rape and sexual assault case when the states highest court overturned his 2020 conviction. He is charged in New York with raping Jessica Mann in 2013 and forcing oral sex on Miriam Haley and Kaja Sokola, separately, in 2006. Ms Mann was an actor and hairstylist, Ms Haley a production assistant and producer, and Ms Sokola a model who aspired to an acting career. Advertisement All three women have testified for days at the retrial, giving emotional and graphic accounts of what they say they endured from a powerbroker who suggested he would help them achieve their show-business dreams, but then manoeuvred them into private settings and preyed on them. His lawyers have argued that anything that happened between him and his accusers was consensual. In the US, defendants in criminal cases are not obligated to testify, and many decide not to, for various reasons. Among them: the prospect of being questioned by prosecutors. Advertisement Weinstein has been watching the New York retrial intently from the defence table, sometimes shaking his head at accusers testimony and often leaning over to one or another of his lawyers to convey his thoughts. One of the lawyers, Mr Aidala, said outside court on Thursday that Weinstein thought a lot of holes had been poked in the accusers accounts, but that he also was pondering whether jurors would feel they needed to hear from him. The jury has heard from a few other defence witnesses one of them via a transcript read by court employees. That witness, Talita Maia, testified at the 2020 trial but was unavailable this time, so jurors instead got a reading Friday of her earlier testimony. Advertisement One court stenographer voiced the 2020 lawyers questions, while another stenographer sat in the witness box and rendered Ms Maias answers, at times with emphasis. Ms Maia and Ms Mann were roommates and friends in 2013, but later fell out. According to Ms Maia, Ms Mann never mentioned in those days that Weinstein had hurt her in any way. Both Ms Maia and another witness, Thomas Richards, met up with Ms Mann and Weinstein shortly after Ms Mann has said she was raped. Both witnesses testified that they saw nothing amiss. Mr Richards, who was subpoenaed to appear and said he did not want to be seen as a Weinstein supporter, recalled Ms Mann and Weinstein having a friendly conversation at a meal he shared with them that day. Ms Mann testified earlier this month that she never told police or anyone else that Weinstein had sexually assaulted her because she didnt think shed be believed, and she was scared of how he might react. Weinsteins defence also brought in Ms Sokolas pal Helga Samuelsen, who also has friendly ties to the former producer. Ms Samuelsen testified on Thursday that Weinstein visited Ms Sokola once and spent about a half- hour in a bedroom with her in a New York apartment the women briefly shared in 2005; Ms Sokola told jurors no such thing happened. The Associated Press generally does not name people who say they have been sexually assaulted, but Ms Sokola, Ms Mann and Ms Haley have given their permission to be identified. Delegations from Russia and Ukraine have met for a second round of direct peace talks in just over two weeks, but the discussion lasted barely an hour and produced no major progress towards ending the three-year-old war, officials said. The talks in Turkey unfolded a day after a string of long-range attacks by both sides, with Ukraine launching a devastating drone assault on Russian air bases and Russia making its largest drone attack of the war against Ukraine. Advertisement At the negotiating table, Russia presented a memo setting out the Kremlins terms for ending hostilities, the Ukrainian delegation said. Defence minister Rustem Umerov, who led the Ukrainian delegation, told reporters that Kyiv officials would need a week to review the document and decide on a response. Ukraine proposed further talks on a date between June 20 and 30, he said. Russian and Ukrainian delegations at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul (Ukrainian Ministry of Defence/AP) After the talks, Russian state news agencies Tass and RIA Novosti published the text of the Russian memorandum, which suggested Ukraine withdraw its forces from the four regions that Russia annexed in September 2022 but never fully captured, as a condition for a ceasefire. As an alternative way of reaching a truce, the memorandum presses Ukraine to halt its mobilisation efforts and freeze western arms deliveries, conditions that were suggested earlier by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The document also suggests Ukraine stop any redeployment of forces and ban any military presence of third countries on its soil as conditions for halting hostilities. Advertisement The Russian document further proposes that Ukraine end martial law and hold elections, after which the two countries could sign a comprehensive peace treaty that would see Ukraine declare its neutral status, abandon its bid to join Nato, set limits on the size of its armed forces and recognise Russian as an official language on par with Ukrainian. Ukraine and the West have previously rejected all those demands from Moscow. In other steps, the delegations agreed to swap the bodies of 6,000 soldiers killed in action and set up a commission to exchange seriously wounded troops. Kyiv officials said a surprise drone attack on Sunday damaged or destroyed more than 40 warplanes at air bases deep inside Russia, including the remote Arctic, Siberian and Far East regions more than 4,300 miles from Ukraine. Advertisement The complex and unprecedented raid, which struck simultaneously in three time zones, took over a year and a half to prepare and was a major slap in the face for Russias military power, said Vasyl Maliuk, head of the Ukrainian security service, who led its planning. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called it a brilliant operation that would go down in history. The effort destroyed or heavily damaged nearly a third of Moscows strategic bomber fleet, according to Ukrainian officials. Europe, together with America, has better weapons than Russia. We also have stronger tactical solutions our operation Spiderweb yesterday proved that. Russia must feel what its losses mean. That is what will push it toward diplomacy. And when Russia takes losses in this pic.twitter.com/7vel0PRFrn Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) June 2, 2025 Russia on Sunday fired the biggest number of drones 472 at Ukraine since its full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraines air force said, in an apparent effort to overwhelm air defences. That was part of a recently escalating campaign of strikes in civilian areas of Ukraine. US-led efforts to push the two sides into accepting a ceasefire have so far failed. Ukraine accepted the proposed truce, but the Kremlin effectively rejected it. Recent comments by senior officials in both countries indicate they remain far apart on the key conditions for stopping the war. Advertisement The previous talks on May 16 in Istanbul were the first direct peace negotiations since the early weeks of Moscows 2022 invasion. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the fact that the two sides met again on Monday was an achievement in itself. Mr Zelensky said a new release of prisoners of war was being prepared after the meeting. The May 16 talks also led to a swap of prisoners, with 1,000 on both sides being exchanged. Ukraine also handed Russia an official list of children it says were forcibly deported and must be returned, said Andriy Yermak, head of Mr Zelenskys office. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant in 2023 for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the countrys commissioner for childrens rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, accusing them of abducting children from Ukraine. Advertisement The head of the Russian delegation said Kyiv had made a show out of the topic and children would be returned if their parents or guardians could be located. He said 339 children were named on the list. Mr Zelensky said that if Russia turns the Istanbul meeting into an empty talk, there must be a new level of pressure, new sanctions, and not just from Europe, in an apparent reference to US threats to further penalise Russia. Vladimir Putin (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo/AP) Without pressure, Putin will just keep playing games with everyone who wants this war to end, he said. Ukraine was triumphant after targeting the distant Russian air bases. The official Russian response was muted, with the attack getting little coverage on state-controlled television. Mr Zelensky said the setbacks for the Kremlin would help force it to the negotiating table, even as its pursues a summer offensive on the battlefield. Russia must feel what its losses mean. That is what will push it toward diplomacy, he said on Monday in Vilnius, Lithuania, as he met leaders from the Nordic nations and countries on Natos eastern flank. Ukraine has occasionally struck air bases hosting Russias nuclear-capable strategic bombers since early in the war, prompting Moscow to redeploy most of them to the regions farther from the front line. Because Sundays drones were launched from trucks close to the bases in five Russian regions, military defences had virtually no time to prepare for them. Many Russian military bloggers criticised the military for its failure to build protective shields for the bombers despite previous attacks, but the large size of the planes makes that challenging. A truck burning in the Irkutsk region, more than 2,500 miles from Ukraine (Igor Kobzev/AP) Mr Zelensky said earlier that if the Istanbul meeting brings nothing, that clearly means strong new sanctions are urgently, urgently needed against Russia. Fierce fighting has continued along the 620-mile front line, and both sides have hit each others territory with deep strikes. Russian forces shelled Ukraines southern Kherson region, killing three people and wounding 19 others, including two children, regional officials said on Monday. Also, a missile strike and shelling around the southern city of Zaporizhzhia killed five people and wounded nine others, officials said. Russian air defences downed 162 Ukrainian drones over eight Russian regions overnight, as well as over the Crimean peninsula, Russias Defence Ministry said. Ukrainian air defences damaged 52 out of 80 drones launched by Russia overnight, the Ukrainian air force said. As the final votes are recounted in Bradfield, and the Coalition parties promise to listen better and to go to therapy after their brief separation, CBDs eyes are now turned to the latest position up for grabs in the upcoming 48th parliament. Were talking about the semi-official role of crossbench whip, or the MP responsible for ensuring their crossbench colleagues all get their voices heard during the chaos of question time. Crossbench MPs could have significant influence over the next parliament. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer In the past, this task had fallen to former Greens leader Adam Bandt, or rather, his office. And when the crossbench swelled to a record 16 MPs after the 2022 election, it took on an outsized role, particularly after Labors leader of the house Tony Burke increased the amount of airtime crossbenchers got in question time. It made sense for Bandt to take on the role since, as leader of a designated political party, he had more staff. This put him in a different category than the teal independents, who were left livid when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese slashed their staffing allocations after the 2022 election in a manner that made Scott Morrison seem like Santa. Australias drug and medical device watchdog is suing global medical technology giant Philips after the company sold respirator and sleep apnoea machines with defective insulation foam to thousands of Australians. Philips was forced to recall every one of its respirator devices in 2021 after the Therapeutic Goods Administration identified a real risk that a polyester-based insulation foam inside the devices could degrade, causing particles to be blown into its customers lungs. A Philips Dreamstation CPAP machine, one of the dozens of models affected by the recall. Credit: Stuart Layt The recall included all Philips Controlled Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines. In documents filed to the Federal Court, the TGA alleges that Philips was breaking the law between June 2019 and October 2022 by selling devices that posed a potentially hazardous and unacceptable risk to patients and failed to meet Australian safety and performance requirements. The TGA alleges Philips sold 44,000 devices over this period. Symptoms of short- and medium-term exposure to the potentially hazardous particles include headaches, asthma, reproductive impacts, irritation of the skin, eyes and respiratory tract, and neoplasia (an abnormal or excessive tissue growth). If used over the long term, the exposure could be carcinogenic, the TGA said in its court filing. Philips last year reached a $1.1 billion deal to settle lawsuits in the United States related to its respirator devices. More people will be able to fly from Brisbane to north Queensland before the end of this year. Larger Boeing 737 planes are being deployed by Virgin Australia for its routes to Mount Isa and Townsville. The company says this will add about 6,000 extra return seats per month to Townsville, and inject up to $3 million into the citys economy each month. Business and economy seating will be offered. Virgin is upsizing from the previous Fokker 100 aircraft on the Mount Isa and Townsville routes. Credit: Bloomberg The planes will begin flying Brisbane to Mount Isa from July, and from Brisbane to Townsville in November. More seats mean more visitors, stronger tourism outcomes, improved connectivity for business travel, and greater liveability for locals who rely on this essential link, Townsville Enterprise chief executive Claudia Brumme-Smith said in a statement. Accused triple murderer Erin Patterson has taken to the witness stand declaring she had always been close to her in-laws, but in the months before their deaths felt distance was growing between them. On the opening day of her evidence, the 50-year-old spoke of her low self-esteem, her early life with now estranged husband Simon Patterson, and the spiritual moment that saw her turn from an atheist into a Christian. Dressed in a paisley-patterned shirt, black pants and sandals, Patterson nodded along throughout questioning from her defence barrister, Colin Mandy, SC, with her hands visibly shaking as she lifted cups of water to her mouth. Her decision to speak in her own defence came after the prosecution closed its case on Monday after 24 days of opening addresses and witness testimony to a Supreme Court jury in Morwell. Erin Patterson is charged with murdering in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, Gails sister Heather Wilkinson and attempting to murder pastor Ian Wilkinson by cooking death cap mushrooms into a beef Wellington dish she served them at her Leongatha home on July 29, 2023. Asked about her relationship with Don and Gail during that year, Erin Patterson said she had begun to see them less. I had felt for some months that my relationship with the wider Patterson family, particularly Don and Gail had perhaps had a bit more distance or space put between us, she said. Erin Patterson and Simon Patterson. Id begun to have concerns that Simon was not wanting me to be involved too much with the family any more. Perhaps I wasnt being invited to so many things. She explained that in the year the trio died, she had been busy helping her children settling into new schools. Erin Patterson said the pair lived with her full-time, visiting their father when they wished. She said at the time, she was also preparing to return to study in 2024 after being accepted into a bachelor of nursing and midwifery at Federation University, which she had previously deferred to care for her children. The accused was also asked about her Leongatha home, telling the jury shed helped design it using Microsoft Paint and wanted it to be her forever home. Where once they moved away for uni or work, they could come back and stay wherever they liked, bring their children and Id grow old there. Thats what Id hoped, she told the jury. I really liked living there. I was comfortable financially, such that I could afford to go to university and I didnt need to work a full-time job at the same time. A softly spoken Patterson, seated in the witness box, explained that in the early days of her relationship with Simon Patterson they had lived together in Perth. There, she said, Don and Gail Patterson visited several times a year, even helping plan part of her wedding to their son by arranging a large marquee and food. Gail and Don Patterson. But in early 2023, she said she felt things began to change. Partly as a consequence that I no longer lived in the same town as Don and Gail, she said. Patterson said her relationship with Simon Patterson after separating in 2015 had grown to be only functional and they no longer related to friend things like they used to. The accused said by 2023, she was also not feeling good about herself physically and had been fighting a never-ending battle with low self-esteem, putting on weight, and was unable to exercise as much as previously. Court sketch of Erin Patterson. Credit: Anita Lester I was planning to have weight-loss surgery, you know, is it gastric bypass? I was planning to do that, she said. Mandy took Erin Patterson back to the beginning of her romantic relationship with Simon Patterson which she said began in mid-2005 before they married in June 2007. She said it was while they were dating in early 2005 she first met Don and Gail Patterson while staying at their house during a weekend away. The accused said at the time she knew her partner was Christian, but she described herself as a fundamentalist atheist. That all changed though, she said, during her first-ever visit to church where Ian Wilkinson was giving a sermon at Korumburra Baptist Church. So through the course of those months, December 04, January, February 05 we had a lot of conversations about life, religion, politics and a lot about religion, and I was trying to convert him to being an atheist, but things happened in reverse and I became a Christian, she said. Korumburra Baptist Church. Credit: Joe Armao I remember being really excited about [going to her first church service] because Id never been to a church service before, Id been to my sisters wedding in a church but that was it. I remember that there was a banner up on the wall, behind where Ian was preaching it said ... faith, hope and love. Theres a passage in the Bible that talks about faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love. I had, what at best can be described as, like a spiritual experience. Patterson said she went on to attend Bible study sessions with Simon Patterson and some of his family and friends before the couple got married in June 2007. We got married in the Korumburra Anglican Church. A beautiful church. We wanted Ian and Heather to be able to come and relax as guests rather than have jobs for the day like they would have if wed got married at Korumburra Baptist, she said. The accused said her husbands cousin walked her down the aisle as her parents were in Russia on a train at the time. Don and Gail hired a huge marquee and put on a buffet for everybody, she told the jury. Trying to hold back tears, Erin Patterson detailed the help Gail Patterson had been to her after the traumatic birth of her first baby. Don and Gail came very quickly. It would have been only a couple weeks after, she said. I remember being really relieved that Gail was there because I felt really out of my depth. Erin said Gail was really supportive, gentle and patient with her, giving advice about helping settle the baby and trying to interpret his cries. She gave me good advice about just relax and enjoy it, you dont have to stick to this timetable, this schedule, just relax and enjoy your baby. In late 2009, Erin and Simon Patterson took their three-month-old son on a trip across the top of Australia, but she said travelling with a baby was difficult and she eventually returned to Perth where the couple separated for the first time. The jury was told after reuniting two or three months later, the pair endured further separations during their relationship until 2015 when they split permanently. She said there didnt appear to be any conflict in their parenting of the children. Several members of the Wilkinson and Patterson families were present in the court on Monday, including lunch survivor Ian Wilkinson and Don Pattersons brother Colin Patterson. Erin Patterson has pleaded not guilty to three charges of murder and one of attempted murder. She says the deaths were an accident. The trial continues. Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert. Two University of Melbourne students face expulsion and another two could be suspended after they helped take over and occupy the office of a prominent Jewish academic last year. Student groups have reacted with anger after a committee recommended the disciplinary action last week over a sit-in at an academics office on the universitys main campus in Parkville in October. A protest inside the University of Melbourne arts building in May 2024. Credit: Eamon Gallagher Vice chancellor Emma Johnston, who is expected to sign off on the expulsions this week, said the university was committed to using disciplinary processes to respond to any actions that may intimidate or threaten the safety of students and staff on our campuses. The four students are accused of and deny harassing and intimidating university workers during the occupation by about 20 protesters, some of them masked, of the office of Jewish professor Steven Prawer, who had been outspoken in the previous months about antisemitism on campus. A 24-year-old British woman has been arrested and charged over a horror e-scooter crash in Perths CBD on Saturday night, which left a 51-year-old man in a critical condition. Alicia Kemp appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Monday after she was charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm under the influence of alcohol and dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm under the influence of alcohol. Perth Magistrates Court Credit: Elliahn Blenkinsop She was allegedly riding an e-scooter when it hit the man who was taken to Royal Perth Hospital after the incident in Perths CBD on Saturday night around 8.40pm. Another woman was allegedly riding on the back of the scooter at the time. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese insists bullying complaints against West Australian senator Dorinda Cox were dealt with appropriately as he hailed her shock defection from the Greens to join his government. The move represents a body blow to the Greens, which lost three of its four lower house seats, including that of former leader Adam Bandt, at the election but had held its ground in the Senate. Cox said she only informed new Greens leader Larissa Waters of her decision 90 minutes before Albanese held an afternoon press conference with Cox in Perth on Monday before a cabinet meeting in the state on Tuesday. I have reached a conclusion after deep and careful reflection that my values and priorities are more aligned with Labor than the Greens, Cox said. Ive worked hard to make Australia fairer and much more reconciled. But recently, Ive lost some confidence in the capacity for the Greens to assist me in being able to progress this. Today Telstra has become the first Australian telco to turn on its satellite-to-mobile messaging capability, powered by SpaceXs Starlink constellation in low earth orbit. This means customers will be able to send and receive text messages in remote locations beyond the Telstra mobile network. Heres everything you need to know about how it works, and how to access it. Phones will show a satellite symbol in the top right when connected to the service. Credit: What is satellite-to-mobile text messaging? The technology involves a constellation (or mesh) of satellites in low earth orbit that can communicate with smartphones and mobile networks. The idea is that if a user does not have any mobile reception, and they have a clear view of the sky, theyll be able to connect to a satellite to act as a bridge between their phone and the network. Telcos including Telstra and Optus have been working with SpaceX to integrate a product it offers, called Direct to Cell, into their networks. Apple offers a similar service using satellites operated by Globalstar, allowing iMessages over satellite, but its available only in the US and Canada. Australian iPhone users can use Apples satellite service for emergency messages only. "As the bank behind the broker, NAB is proud to be a partner of this major event once again," said Adam Brown, executive, broker distribution at NAB. "Brokers and aggregators demonstrate remarkable dedication to achieving excellent outcomes for customers, and these awards provide us all with the chance to be inspired by the outstanding achievements in the mortgage industry over the past year. We hope you enjoy the celebrations." The work of our fusion cells has demonstrated that a piece of data that may be unremarkable on its own, when joined with other pieces of data, can form powerful intelligence, Lowe said. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code AFRIQUE :: Manifesto: The Laurier-proVerbe goes to Fodjo kadjo Abo :: AFRICA Remiscing 2015, the year Ivorian author Fodjo Kadjo Abo managed to coup in the African literary scene, with his essay entitled Que ne ferait-on pas pour du pognon. The work is a wonder of its kind. It deals with a topic of broad and current interest: Money, a book topic that sells. Yet in Cameroon, Que ne ferait-on pas pour du pognon appears amongst the three finalists for the GPLA 2015 trophy, in the essay category, which was eventually won by the Minister of Higher Education, Professor Jacques Fame Ndongo awarded for his Essai sur la semiotique d'une civilisation en mutation. It's always with great pleasure we discover the books by Fodjo kadjo Abo ever since. The latest being Ma grand-mere me disait, a continuation of Mon grand-pere me disait released in 2021, has further reinforced us in the project that motivates us since we read his masterpiece Que ne ferait-on pas pour du pognon. The work even earned him the merit of being quoted by Eric Mendi, twice winner of the Grand Prix of Literary Associations (Belles-lettres Category), especially in an article published by Africultures under the title La corruption en Afrique ou ailleurs c'est gris... What is the project? The project is... We the Reading is so Bookul squad who sign this appeal, have decided to crown Ivorian author Fodjo Kadjo Abo with a laurel wreath which we opportunely named Laurier-proVerbe. In that, Fodjo kadjo Abo is himself a walking encyclopaedia of the Abron proverbs; still, within proverb lives the verb. The verb is the speech that conveys the wisdom, so dear to the author, he a teacher of common sens and wisdom, that African moralist of modern times as the writer of Adoumkrom. Let us set it in stone, for "his work is as long-lasting as airain" (Horatius); let us write it, that in the year 2025, the Laurier-proVerbe was awarded to Ivorian author Fodjo kadjo Abo, majestic and Majesty, king the Abron people from Adoumkrom, a village located in the northeast of Cote d'Ivoire. CONGRATS! Monday, June 2, 2025 at 10:09AM Embed from Getty Images Samsung is reportedly nearing a comprehensive deal with Perplexity to add its artificial intelligence-powered search technology into Samsung devices, in a move that may help reduce its reliance on Google's services. The companies are rumoured to be in private, active discussions to preload Perplexity's app and assistant on upcoming devices and add its search features to Samsung's web browser, Bloomberg reported, citing people with knowledge of the matter. They are also reportedly discussing the possibility of integrating Perplexity's technology into Samsung's Bixby assistant, with plans to announce the integrations as early as 2025. Sources claim the companies are aiming to make Perplexity's service the default assistant option in the Samsung Galaxy S26, which is expected to launch in the first half of 2026. Bloomberg noted that Samsung is anticipated to be one of the biggest investors in a new funding round, which is reportedly aiming to raise US$500 million at a US$14 billion valuation. SOURCE This is it. The excise tax exemption on pickup trucks is now gone thanks to the effectivity of the Capital Market Efficiency Promotions Act ... THE Agri Aware charitable trust welcomes the return of its flagship Open Farm event this June with an exciting new addition for 2025. The event will take place in two counties, in Kildare and a brand-new Open Farm experience in Galway. Open Farm is the flagship event in Agri Awares mission of enhancing agricultural literacy, giving the public and schoolchildren a unique opportunity to experience a working Irish farm firsthand and understand the journey of food from farm to fork. Returning once again, the Kildare Open Farm will be hosted on the Doran familys dairy farm in Donadea (W91 DH99). On Thursday 12 June the farm will welcome over 800 primary school students from Kildare and Dublin for a dedicated Schools Day. Students will explore how dairy products are made, learn about sustainable farming practices and develop a deeper appreciation for where the food they consume comes from. On Saturday 14 June, the farm gates will open to the general public for a fun, educational and interactive day out for all ages. Visitors will enjoy self-guided tours, a mini-farm village, food demos, kids games and the chance to speak with the Dorans about how they care for their animals and the environment. Open Farm is sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the National Dairy Council, the Irish Farmers Association, Tirlan, Our Food Connects, ABP, Teagasc, Kildare Milk Producers Group and the Fresh Milk Producers Group. Kildare host farmer Kevin Doran added: When I was first approached about hosting Open Farm, I immediately said yes. We are passionate as a family in what we do here in terms of producing a sustainable top-quality product with, first and foremost, the welfare of our animals being the top priority. To be able to showcase this to both primary school students and the general public as part of Agri Awares Open Farm is one of excitement for us as a family that we are looking forward to. Open Farm is a free-of-charge event. Gates open to the public from 10.30am to 5pm. For full details on the event. see https://agriaware.ie/open-farm/ or Agri Aware social media channels. More details are emerging of the gunman involved in the shooting incident at a Co Carlow shopping centre on Sunday. The man is understood to be 22-years-old and from Kiltegan on the Wicklow/Carlow border. The man is known to gardai and previously appeared before the courts in connection with possession of firearms and explosive devices. Last night, gardai cordoned off the mans home in Kiltegan and carried out extensive searches of the premises. An incident room has been established at Carlow Garda Station, with a senior investigating officer appointed to lead the investigation. A family liaison officer is providing support to the deceased's family, gardai said. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan expressed his solidarity with those impacted by the incident. In a statement, Mr O'Callaghan said: "My thoughts are with everyone affected by the shooting and the community and families impacted including those working at the scene. "This is something we never want or expect to happen in our communities. Gun violence is very rare in Ireland, and I am determined that will remain the case. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he is "deeply shocked and saddened" by the shooting incident. In a post on X, he said: "My thoughts are with the families affected and the local community in Carlow after what was a very serious and traumatic incident. "I urge anyone who has information to speak to the gardai. Gardai are urging anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead to provide it to gardai at Carlow Garda Station. They also issued an appeal to anyone with information to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059-9136620 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. The army explosives unit has finished its examination of the scene of Sunday's shooting in Carlow town in which one man died and a girl was injured. The area has now been declared the area safe and gardai confirmed that the scene of the shooting remains sealed while the garda technical unit and the State Pathologist conduct examinations a day after the incident. The incident area has now been deemed to be controlled and there was no longer a threat to public safety, gardai said. A man fired a number of shots in the Tesco supermarket at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre at around 6.15pm. The man, who was aged in his 20s, was fatally injured during the incident, with his gunshot wounds appearing to be self inflicted. Gardai identified the deceased man as a white Irish male. The girl sustained minor injuries in the incident, was attended to by paramedics at the scene and was then taken home by relatives. It is unclear as to how the girl sustained her injuries according to gardai. By Rebecca Black, PA A man is in a serious condition in hospital following an incident close to the Irish border in Co Armagh. Police have issued an appeal for information following a report that the man sustained serious head injuries in the vicinity of the Edenappa Road close to Jonesborough in the early hours of Saturday. Three men were arrested and questioned about the incident. A police spokesperson said: The man is currently in hospital in a serious condition as inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident continue. Three men aged 27, 34 and 42, were arrested in connection with the investigation but have all been released on bail to allow for further inquiries to be conducted. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or anyone with CCTV or other footage that could assist with the investigation is asked to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference CW 35 31/05/25. Sean McCarthaigh A physiotherapist has been struck off over his failure to notify his regulatory body that he had been temporarily suspended from practising in the UK amid concerns over his professional competency. An inquiry found Thangapandian Subramanian guilty of professional misconduct for failing to notify CORUs Physiotherapists Registration Board that he had been made the subject of two interim suspension orders by its UK counterpart in February and August 2023. Mr Subramanian, who worked at the TLC nursing home in Citywest, Co Dublin, had his registration suspended by the UKs Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) two years ago. The Indian native, who had worked as a physiotherapist for over 24 years, had been registered to work in Ireland since March 2019. The inquiry by CORUs Professional Conduct Committee also found that Mr Subramanian had breached the Health and Social Care Professional Act 2005 in relation to the requirement to update information and correct errors. It followed admissions by the physiotherapist about his failure to notify CORU the regulatory body of health and social care professionals about his suspension from practising in the UK and his acceptance that it constituted professional misconduct. Mr Subramanian acknowledged that the failure also constituted breaches of the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Physiotherapists. However, he insisted the issue arose out of a misunderstanding. The inquiry heard the physiotherapist had provided false responses when filling out forms about whether he had ever been registered with another regulator and, if so, if he had any restrictions placed on his practice or had adverse findings made against him. Counsel for CORU, Eoghan OSullivan BL, told the inquiry that all physiotherapists have a duty to notify CORU within seven days of any matter which might affect their registration. The inquiry heard that CORU only became aware of the interim suspension orders in August 2023 when the HCPC sent its Irish counterpart a list of registrants whose practice was subject to restriction. In correspondence with CORU, Mr Subramanian apologised unreservedly for the lack of honesty he had shown when renewing his registration in September 2023. Mr Subramanian said he had asked the HCPC that same month to cancel his UK registration as he did not want to return to work there, but had not realised that his registration could not be cancelled while a complaint against him was being investigated and an interim suspension order was in place. I thought I could remove my name from the register and the complaint would be closed, he explained. In further correspondence, the physiotherapist claimed he wrongly believed when filling out the registration form for CORU that questions about any restrictions on his practice only related to matters within the jurisdiction of Ireland. Mr Subramanian insisted that providing incorrect information was unintentional, as he had not meant to withhold information. The inquiry heard that the physiotherapist had been suspended for an initial period of 18 months in the UK over concerns about his work with the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust. The issues related to the physiotherapists general conduct, clinical knowledge, poor communications and documentation errors. It was also claimed Mr Subramanian had got a trauma patient to carry out repeated weight-bearing exercises when they were unable to do it, as well as keeping inaccurate records which did not make clinical sense. The physiotherapist said he had resigned from his job with the NHS due to pressure and rejected the concerns raised about his performance, which he claimed were baseless, racially motivated and fabricated. In recommending that Mr Subramanians registration should be cancelled, the inquirys chairperson, Shane McCarthy, said he had dishonestly misrepresented that he was not the subject of an interim suspension by his regulator in the UK. The committee finds that honesty is expected of all members of society and of members of a profession as it goes to public safety and the reputation of the profession, said Dr McCarthy. He said the committee did not accept Mr Subramanians claims that his lack of transparency and honesty was not deliberate. Dr McCarthy said the sanction of cancelling the physiotherapists registration pointed to the gravity of his misconduct and was necessary to protect the public. Although he had expressed remorse and demonstrated limited insight, Dr McCarthy said the committee was not convinced that his insight minimised a repetition of the conduct as he appeared more focused on getting back to work in Ireland. The sentencing of former state representative Robin Smith has been delayed once again as her attorney says she will provide additional help to the government against co-defendants Glen Casada and Cade Cothren. Mr. Smith faces up to 20 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to one count of honest services wire fraud in 2022. She was the chief witness against former House Speaker Casada and his top aide, Cothren, in the recent federal trial in Nashville. Ms. Smith, of Hixson, testified three days and was available for a fourth. Casada and Cothren were found guilty by a jury of bribery and kickback charges. Sentencing for Casada, 64, and Cothren, 38, will be Sept. 12. The sentencing for Ms. Smith, 61, will be Oct. 24 at 9 a.m. It initially was to be June 9. Authorities said in November 2019 that Cothren set up a firm called Phoenix Consulting that was said to be headed by Matthew Phoenix, which in fact was a fictitious name and the actual operator of the firm was Cothren. The firm was set up to get payments from a program in which legislators could use up to $3,000 each per year for mailings to constituents. Ms. Smith at one time headed the state Republican Party as well as the Hamilton County Republican Party. She ran for the Third District U.S. House seat long held by Zach Wamp in 2010. The race was won by Chuck Fleischmann, who still holds the seat. Rescuers on Sunday afternoon brought out a 51-year-old woman who fell an estimated 50 feet off a bluff in North Hamilton County. Her husband called 911 reporting his wife had fallen on the Leggett Trail part of the Cumberland Trail. At 2:51 p.m., the Sale Creek Volunteer Fire Department and Hamilton County Sheriffs deputies responded to the scene and walked down the trail to find the injured hiker. HCEMS arrived shortly after fire and police and met up with the injured hiker. According to the husband, his wife was using a walking pole on the trail when the ground near the bluff gave away and she fell. He said he was able to climb down to her where he was able to help her walk back up to the trail. Moments later, first responders arrived to treat the injured hiker. At 4:20 p.m., she was loaded on a stretcher, transported by Sale Creeks ATV and eventually carried by first responders to the ambulance. Tennessee State Parks and the city of Dayton Rope/Rescue team responded to the scene for additional manpower. Christian Business Mens Connections Operation Timothy is a free, proven program that connects fathers with dynamic faith, resulting in a genuine, lasting difference for families nationwide. For more than 50 years, Operation Timothy, a relational disciple-making tool inspired by the relationship Paul had with Timothy, has helped individuals develop a solid foundation for a lifetime of faithfulness to Jesus. That translates into better family relationships, including the roles fathers have in raising their children. There has never been a time when a fathers dynamic presence in the family has been more important, said Joe Beckler, CBMC Vice President, Development, Marketing and Communications. Time and time again, weve seen Operation Timothy help fathers translate their faith into effective parenting strategies that make an eternal difference. A fathers involvement means children are twice as likely to go to college, 80% less likely to go to jail, and are 75% less likely to experience teen pregnancy, according to statistics from A Fathers Place. But when a father is absent or not engaged, their children are responsible for 71% of high school dropouts, 90% of homeless and runaway children and 63% of youth suicides, the same research indicates. And a fathers positive impact extends beyond measures of worldly success, experts say. Dads play a vital role in spiritual formation, can foster a childs independence, and have a transformative effect on childrens development. But theres a paradox: many men who could be great fathers lack either the example or the training to accomplish the mission. Enter Operation Timothy andits time-tested discipleship tools. OT offers a clear pathway for meaningful discipleship, having spiritual conversations that impact hearers, and building lasting bonds. Its accessible anywhere and delivers a clear pathway for meaningful discipleship, having spiritual conversations that impact hearers, and building lasting bonds in the workplace and at home. This Gospel-centered OT program is fully integrated into the CMBC Advance program, making it accessible at work, home or on a mobile device. Its our privilege to offer the Operation Timothy tools part of the CMBC Advance app and including three books on Life Questions, Life Foundations and Life Perspectives that help men find their spiritual focus and orient their lives towards discipleship and leadership at home, Mr. Beckler said. We know, because weve seen it many times, that OT is a great way to help men in spiritual development. A new report from United Way of Greater Chattanooga and its research partner United for ALICE revealed that the cost of living for a Hamilton County family of four with two children in child care rose by $8,200 in just one year. At the same time, poverty rose by 2 percent. Even though more residents joined the workforce, it wasnt enough to close the growing gap between wages and the cost of basic needs like housing, child care, food and transportation, said officials. The latest ALICE data from 2023 provides a picture of financial hardship across the Greater Chattanooga region. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are households earning more than the Federal Poverty Level but not enough to afford the basics. ALICE families often work multiple jobs and earn too much to qualify for assistance, but too little to make ends meet. Traditional federal poverty measures overlook ALICE families entirely. In the most recent year of available data, 14 percent of Tennessee households were officially in poverty. But that number more than doubles when ALICE is included. Combined, 44 percent of Tennessee households were living below the ALICE threshold. In Georgia, that number is 45 percent of households. When we underestimate how many families are struggling, we underestimate what it truly takes to build a thriving community, said Lesley Scearce, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Chattanooga. ALICE represents our teachers, healthcare workers, delivery drivers, and caregiverspeople holding up the local economy while struggling to support their own households. In both Tennessee and Georgia, many of the most common jobs dont pay enough to cover basic needs. In Tennessee, 32 percent of workers in the 20 most common occupations lived in households that couldnt afford essentials. In Georgia, that number was slightly higher at 35 percent. Hamilton County Snapshot In 2023, 10,961 households with children lived below the ALICE threshold, a 15 percent increase from the previous year. While the percentage of ALICE households overall remained steady, poverty rose by 2 percent, meaning more families are falling deeper into crisis, said officials. North Georgia Snapshot Catoosa County: 2 percent decrease in households below the ALICE threshold, with improvements in income and workforce participation. Walker County: 6 percent decrease in ALICE households, but poverty increased by 3 percent, showing mixed progress. Dade County: Little change, but financial hardship remained high. Across Greater Chattanooga, families are struggling to find stability. A single unexpected expense can spiral into deeper hardship, said officials. Community Action ALICE represents neighbors, coworkers and friends. United Way of Greater Chattanooga is urging the community to take action to support local families. When businesses, nonprofits, and local governments work together, we can make a real difference for working families, said Ms. Scearce. When families thrive, so does the economy. Thriving families raise thriving kidsthe future of our workforce. And a strong workforce is the foundation of a strong economy. We cant afford to leave hardworking families behind. Here are recommendations from United Way: Employers: Join the upcoming United for Working Families Summit to support financial resilience for local employees. Community Members: Advocate for family-friendly policies and vital resources like Head Start and SNAP by sending a message to U.S. representatives and senators. Donors: Support emergency assistance and long-term solutions through United Ways 211 helpline and community programs. Learn more and explore the latest ALICE data at unitedwaycha.org/alice. The Katherine Dunham Juba Dance Festival on June 14 is a celebration that honors the legacy of dance, cultural identity and activism pioneered by Katherine Dunham. This annual festival offers a space where the past meets the present, merging Ms. Dunhams innovative fusion of dance, anthropology, and Black diasporic expression with the voices of todays artists and creators. The festival offers a mix of workshops, master classes and performances designed to engage dancers, creators and cultural workers in dialogue through movement. This years festival will focus on the intersection of art and activism, encouraging participants to connect with their craft and their community in profound ways. "We are excited to continue Katherine Dunhams tradition of blending artistic expression with cultural awareness and activism," said Crystal Newson, festival director and artistic director of Juba. "The Juba Dance Festival offers a space where dance is not only celebrated as an art form but also as a powerful tool for social change." Here is the schedule of events: June 14 Dance Master Classes at Annex Chattanooga Ballet 607 N Market St. Suite 102 9:15-10:30 a.m. Contemporary with Maya Lightfoot 10:40 a.m.-12 p.m. Jazz with William Harris III 12:10-1:30 p.m. Hip-Hop with Chmira Dayvon Led by artists from the region, these master classes provide an opportunity for participants to connect, grow and learn culturally significant dance forms. Each session is designed to inspire both beginners and experienced dancers alike. June 14 JUBA Dance Ensemble Performance University Center, 715 Mocs Alumni Dr. Doors open: 6:30 p.m. Show starts: 7 p.m. This performance showcases the strength, artistry and legacy of Katherine Dunham. Directed by Crystal Newson, the show will feature work by renowned artists including Madia Cooper-Ashirifi, Kofi Mawuko, Maya Lightfoot, and Shabaz Ujima, director and founder of Shackled Feet DANCE. Ujima joins the festival from Nashville as both choreographer and performer. Smith, Albert L., Jr., of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away on May 31, 2025, at the age of 73. Albert was a proud graduate of Red Bank High School, Class of 1969. He went on to earn his degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1982. Albert was honorably discharged from the United States Army Reserve and went on to dedicate over 30 years to a successful career in the telecommunications industry. Albert was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Lester Smith Sr. and Anna Jo Smith. He is survived by his loving wife, Brenda Smith. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Jimmy Farrar and Mary; sisters-in-law, Shirley Wagoner and Judy Miller; and nephews, Andy Wagoner and Alan Wagoner. Albert will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his service to his country, and a life well lived. He will be greatly missed by his wife, family, friends, and beloved pets. A private service will be held in Alberts memory. He will be laid to rest in Chattanooga Memorial Park. Arrangements are entrusted to Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, Tn. 37415, 423 877-3524, lanefh.com. In November, Tennesseans and Americans across the country voted overwhelmingly to get crime under control, secure our border and remove criminal illegal aliens from our country. Since Inauguration Day, President Trump and congressional Republicans have been working hard to carry out this mandate. Yet, in recent weeks, Democrats have tried their best to obstruct the will of We the Peopleincluding in Tennessee. Just last week, Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell doxxed federal law enforcement officers after Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers worked with the Tennessee Highway Patrol to arrest nearly 200 criminal illegal aliens in Nashville, including convicted rapists, drug dealers, and individuals affiliated with MS-13. By releasing these officers names to the public, Mayor OConnell has handed criminal gangs information on a silver platter that they can use to target these officers and their families. This disturbing action stems from an executive order the mayor issued following the arrests requiring city departments to report any interactions with federal immigration authorities to his office. Now, Mayor OConnell is apparently using this information to make it more difficult for law enforcement to do their jobs, undermine President Trumps efforts to make America safe again, and turn Nashville into a sanctuary city, which Tennessee law explicitly forbids. Law enforcement officers deserve our unwavering support, especially at a time when ICE officers are facing a 413 percent increase in assaults as they work to remove criminal illegal aliens from our streets. Thats why, on Friday, I sent a letter urging Attorney General Bondi and the Department of Justice to investigate the mayors actions to determine whether he is using taxpayer dollars to aid illegal aliens and obstruct federal law enforcement efforts. I will also use every available tool in the Senate to investigate the mayor and hold him accountable for threatening Tennesseans safety. Make no mistake: If Mayor OConnell broke the law, he must resign from his position immediately. Thankfully, the Trump administration is already taking action to address the threat posed by blue cities that harbor criminals who have no right to be in our country. After Mayor OConnell released the ICE agents information, Border Czar Tom Homan said the administration will flood the zone with agents in Nashville to ensure that criminal illegal aliens are removed from our communities. On Thursday, the Trump administration also released a list of cities and counties across more than 30 states that have been identified as sanctuary jurisdictions, including Shelby County and Nashville. By identifying these cities and counties, the administration can work to ensure that they are complying with federal immigration laws and not undermining ICE agents who are keeping Americans safe. These efforts are especially important as Democrats continue to side with criminal illegal aliens over American citizens. Just last month, three House Democrats stormed an ICE facility in New Jersey and engaged in a melee with federal law enforcement officers. As a result, Democrat congresswoman LaMonica McIver (N.J.) now faces federal charges of assaulting, impeding, or interfering with law enforcement. One thing should be clear: President Trump and Republicans are standing for law and order. Democrats, meanwhile, are standing for criminals, lawlessness, and open borders. Sheriff Austin Garrett announced Gracyn Gordon is joining the HCSO as the agencys newest public information officer in the Public Relations Office, effective Monday. As public information officer, Ms. Gordon will serve a role in the HCSOs Public Relations Office helping to coordinate media relations, assisting with the planning and execution of press conferences and public events, and managing various aspects of the social media platforms. Her responsibilities will support the HCSOs ongoing efforts to maintain transparency, promote public awareness, and enhance communication between the Sheriff's Office and the citizens of Hamilton County. Ms. Gordon brings with her a background in broadcast journalism. Most recently, she served as a reporter/multi-media journalist for Local 3 News in Chattanooga, covering a wide range of stories across the region since May 2023. Prior to her time in Chattanooga, she worked for WAPT News, the ABC affiliate in Jackson, Ms., and began her journalism career at WTVA in Tupelo, Ms., while attending the University of Mississippi. Gracyn has distinguished herself as a talented and dedicated reporter, bringing valuable experience from covering stories across Mississippi and our broader tri-state area," said Sheriff Garrett. "As sheriff, I remain firmly committed to strengthening transparency and open communication from this office. It is essential that our county stays informed about the work we do each day, and the experience Gracyn brings with her will help ensure our operations continue to be accessible, accountable, and clearly communicated." Gracyn is a graduate of the University of Mississippis School of Journalism and is originally from Oxford, Mississippi. Her dedication to public service and her background in storytelling make her a valuable addition to the HCSOs efforts to keep the public informed and engaged. The state concluded its evidence on Monday afternoon in the trial of former county school teacher Duane Sanders. Sanders is charged with 19 child sex cases involving nine different students, though the state agreed to dismiss several counts. Male students who were in Sanders' first grade class told through forensic interviews or courtroom testimony about the teacher repeatedly putting them in his lap and molesting them. Several parents also took the witness stand. One parent said she and her family were at the dinner table when their son said he had been "touched a lot by my teacher." The mother said afterward, "I started crying." She said, "I was shocked." She said her husband went directly to call detectives. When her nine-year-old was taken to talk with authorities he was told, "Just tell the truth. Tell what happened." One child said he was fondled by the teacher "200 times." The defense called Dr. Zac Brown, county school chief talent officer, who gave an outline of Sanders' career with the schools. He said he was a substitute teacher starting in 2009, then was an educational assistant from 2014-2016 at East Brainerd Elementary School with some work at Westview Elementary. Dr. Brown said Sanders was an educational assistant and teacher intern at East Side Elementary in the spring of 2019. He became a teacher at Wallace A. Smith Elementary that fall. He was arrested in March 2023. MXenes are adept at hosting catalytically active particles. This property can be exploited to create more potent catalyst materials that significantly accelerate and enhance the oxygen evolution reaction, which is one of the bottlenecks in the production of green hydrogen via electrolysis using solar or wind power. A detailed study by an international team led by HZB chemist Michelle Browne shows the potential of these new materials for future large-scale applications. The study is published in Advanced Functional Materials. Green hydrogen is set to play an important role in the future energy system: it can be used for storing chemical energy, as a raw material for the chemical industry, and for producing climate-friendly fuels. Green hydrogen can be generated in a nearly climate-neutral manner if the energy used for electrolysis the process of splitting water into its elements comes from solar or wind power. However, special catalysts are needed to speed up the formation of hydrogen and oxygen at the two electrodes. In particular, the oxygen evolution reaction is sluggish and would require significantly more energy without effective catalysts. Currently, such catalysts are made from precious metals, which are rare and expensive. For green hydrogen to be produced in the required quantities at a reasonable price, catalysts made from readily available elements are needed. Flaky structures At HZB, a team led by Michelle Browne is developing sophisticated alternatives based on so-called MXenes. MXenes are flaky structures made of carbon and so-called transition metals. Catalytically active particles can adhere to the inner surfaces of MXenes, thereby enhancing their catalytic effect. A new study in the journal Advanced Functional Materials now shows that this idea works. The study's first author, Can Kaplan, used different variants of a vanadium carbide MXene as the basis for his research. He took the opportunity to conduct research at the laboratory of the Swedish partners at Linkoping University during his PhD, as part of an exchange programme during his PhD. The role of vacancies There, we synthesised two MXene variants: pure V2CTx and V1.8CTx with 10% vanadium vacancies. These vanadium vacancies ensure that the internal surface area of this variant is significantly larger, explains Can Kaplan. Embedding CoFe into MXene In Michelle Browne's HZB laboratory, Kaplan developed a multi-step chemical process to embed Co 0.66 Fe 0.34 catalyst particles into the MXene. Images taken with a scanning electron microscope show that this was successful; the pure MXenes have a pastry-like structure, but this changed significantly due to the incorporation of the cobalt-iron particles. Best efficiency: CoFe in the vanadium deficient MXene The team then investigated the effect of the different catalyst samples in use during electrolysis: pure iron-cobalt, and mixed with one of the two MXene variants. The results were very clear: also pure iron-cobalt compound acts as a catalyst. However, when embedded in MXene, the catalytic effect increased significantly. And the efficiency is further enhanced when the iron-cobalt compound is embedded in MXene with numerous vacancies. Using in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the SOLEIL synchrotron source in France, the team was able to track changes in the oxidation numbers of cobalt and iron during the electrolytic reaction. Promising path to a new class of catalysts We tested these catalysts on both a laboratory scale and in a much larger electrolyser, emphasises Kaplan. This makes our results really meaningful and interesting for industrial applications. A new international study led by Helmholtz Munich and the University of Rostock reveals that emissions from modern gasoline cars despite meeting the currently strictest European emission standards EURO 6d can become significantly more harmful after being released into the atmosphere. The findings, published in Science Advances, challenge the assumption that filtered exhaust from EURO 6d-compliant vehicles is inherently safe. Car exhaust fumes are converted into secondary particulate matter in the atmosphere by hydroxyl radicals and ozone from photochemistry. Dr. Hendryk Czech, University of Rostock Sunlight Triggers Toxic Changes in Car Exhaust The research focused on a gasoline vehicle equipped with a gasoline particulate filter (GPF), designed to drastically reduce primary particulate emissions. Freshly emitted exhaust showed no detectable cytotoxic effects on human lung cells. However, once the exhaust underwent photochemical aging a natural transformation process driven by sunlight and atmospheric oxidants it became substantially more toxic. The aged emissions caused notable DNA damage and oxidative stress in both cancerous alveolar and normal bronchial epithelial cells. This toxicity was not only associated with newly formed particles, known as secondary organic and inorganic aerosols (SOA and SIA), but also with oxygenated volatile compounds, such as carbonyls, generated during their residence in the atmosphere. Lab-Based Emission Standards Overlook Atmospheric Transformation According to Dr. Mathilde Delaval, first author of the study and researcher at Helmholtz Munich, these findings point to a critical shortfall in current vehicle emissions testing and regulation. While EURO 6d standards ensure low emissions at the tailpipe, they do not account for the chemical transformations those emissions undergo once released into the environment. Our study shows that we are missing a big part of the picture by not considering how exhaust gases change and become more harmful after they leave the car, she said. The results have important implications for how air quality standards are set and monitored. Current regulations focus primarily on the emissions measured directly after combustion, without factoring in how these emissions interact with sunlight and atmospheric chemicals to form new, more harmful pollutants. Theres a clear disconnect between how we test vehicle emissions in the lab and how those emissions behave in the real world, said co-author Dr. Hendryk Czech from Helmholtz Munich and the University of Rostock. If we ignore what happens to exhaust after it enters the atmosphere, we risk underestimating the true health impact of traffic-related air pollution. Atmospheric Aging Demands an Updated Approach to Pollution Control Air pollution remains a major global health issue, responsible for increased rates of respiratory and cardiovascular disease, cancer, and premature death. The discovery that filtered emissions from even the cleanest gasoline cars can still become toxic once airborne suggests that future regulations must evolve to address both primary and secondary pollutants. This study was a joint effort by a multidisciplinary team of biologists, aerosol physicists, and chemists investigating the health impacts of air pollution. Led by Prof. Ralf Zimmermann, professor of analytical chemistry at the University of Rostock and head of the Joint Mass Spectrometry Group at Helmholtz Munich and the University of Rostock, the project brought together researchers from Germany, Finland, Switzerland, and Israel. Key collaborators came from Helmholtz Munich, the University of Rostock, the University of Eastern Finland, Research Center Julich, the Weizmann Institute of Science, the University of Basel, and the University of the Bundeswehr Munich. The work was conducted within the Helmholtz International Lab aeroHEALTH and supported by the EU-funded project ULTRHAS, with core experiments carried out at the ILMARI research facility in Kuopio, Finland, led by Prof. Olli Sippula. Emilee Carpenter, Christian wedding photographer in New York City. | Screenshot: YouTube/ Alliance Defending Freedom A federal judge has blocked New York from enforcing laws that could require a Christian photographer to work same-sex weddings. In a decision published Thursday, Judge Frank Geraci of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York sided with photographer Emilee Carpenter, who has been engaged in a multi-year legal battle to ensure she is not forced to violate her deeply held religious beliefs as a condition of doing business in New York. Carpenter argued that the state's public accommodation laws, which prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, violate her rights to free speech, free association, and the free exercise of her religion. She, a devout Christian who believes marriage is between a man and a woman, expressed concern about having to photograph same-sex weddings to comply with state law. From start to finish, Plaintiff provides a customized, tailored photography service that is guided by her own artistic and moral judgment, Geraci wrote. In his ruling, Geraci agreed that Carpenters wedding photography services are mediums of expression protected by the First Amendment. The judge, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, granted Carpenter's request for a preliminary injunction, preventing the state from enforcing certain nondiscrimination laws against her during the ongoing litigation. New York can't force Plaintiffs to offer to same-sex couples the same engagement- and wedding-photography services they provide to opposite-sex couples and prevent Plaintiffs from adopting their desired Beliefs and Practices policy, the ruling states. The state is also barred from enforcing a part of the law that seeks to prevent Plaintiffs from asking prospective clients questions sufficient to determine whether they seek photography services celebrating a same-sex wedding or engagement or from asking materially similar questions, the court added. Carpenters case against New York has been ongoing for several years. After the federal court ruled against her in 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis held that the First Amendment prohibits states from using expressive activity to compel speech. Following the Supreme Courts decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ordered the district court to reconsider the case in light of the ruling. If found to have violated the law, Carpenter could face a fine of $100,000, the revocation of her business license, and up to a year in jail. Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaritan's Purse, meets with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin on May 27, 2025. | Photo Credit: Franklin Graham's Facebook At the European Congress on Evangelism in Berlin, evangelist Franklin Graham shared that he had met earlier that day with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to pray for peace amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The congress, organized by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association which Graham leads, assembled around 1,000 evangelical leaders from 56 countries to focus on proclamation evangelism. Graham took the stage to announce the meeting and led the delegates in a prayer for the cessation of the war on Tuesday evening. I thought I would just say a word about Europe, Graham told the 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. 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 Ive ever heard. I dont know, he added. Graham revealed that the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) had written to both Zelensky and Putin about the war, encouraging prayer for peace. Today, I had the privilege to meet with President Zelensky, he said. And I prayed with him that God will give them wisdom and that God will give them a path forward for peace. He acknowledged the very difficult circumstances caused by the complications in Ukraine and Russia, stating, only God can solve this, and urged the delegates to pray aloud for the situation. Several minutes were spent with delegates raising their voices in prayer for an end to the war, and Graham concluded the session with his own closing prayer. Prayer is the most important thing we can do, Graham emphasized afterward, 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. He highlighted the horrific toll of the conflict, noting, Thousands upon thousands of people have been killed. No one even actually knows the numbers, but we know its horrific. And it needs to come to an end. We need to pray for those, but we also need to pray for President Trump, whos trying to help mediate it. You know, try to get them started at least talking to one another, and thats 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. Home News 'Boise Pride Season Kickoff' canceled for low attendance: 'It takes showing up' The scheduled "Pride Season Kickoff" in Boise, Idaho, on June 6 was called off because too few were interested in purchasing tickets, despite online enthusiasm. "We created the Pride Season Kickoff to bring more Pride to June, based on community demand," Boise Pride wrote in a Facebook post last week. "But despite strong interest, attendance didn't reach the level needed to hold the event responsibly. As a result, the June 6 event is canceled and all tickets have been refunded." "We remain committed to growing Pride in Boise but it takes more than excitement. It takes showing up," the group added. "Thanks for your continued support. We hope to bring this event back in the future stronger and together." Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Boise Pride holds an annual celebration in the Idaho capital in September, but added the summer celebration because "the desire for more Pride programming is real we hear it constantly," the group said, according to local CBS2. The canceled event comes amid years-long tension in Idaho regarding LGBT issues. Boise remains one of the few blue bastions at odds with the otherwise overwhelmingly red western state. Democratic Mayor Lauren McLean delivered the keynote address at a LatinX Pride event on Saturday, warning that present times are "uncertain," according to the Idaho Statesman. "We see you, we welcome you, we love you, we need you here," McLean told the audience in a local park. "We will make it through these tough times better for it, stronger for it and more Boise than Boise's ever been." Last month, the Boise City Council voted 5-1 to make the LGBT pride flag an official city flag, thereby attempting to circumvent a new state law that limits the flags that can be flown on government property. Councilwoman Luci Willits, who cast the only dissenting vote against the resolution, expressed concerns that the state government would slap the city with "a huge fine" over its actions. Despite the liberalism in its capital city, the Idaho state Legislature has passed multiple bills pushing back against transgender ideology. In 2023, Republican Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed the "Vulnerable Child Protection Act," which made dispensing puberty-blocking drugs and sex-change surgeries on minors a felony. The bill was opposed at the time by a group of Idaho satanists who protested in the state Capitol. The state also took action earlier this year to prevent trans-identified men from entering women's spaces amid ongoing pushback against policies that allow men to enter women's restrooms, locker rooms and showers. House Bill 264, which Little signed in April, requires correctional facilities, domestic violence shelters, juvenile correction centers and state institutions of higher education in Idaho to "designate each multi-occupancy restroom, changing room, and sleeping quarters for the exclusive use by either females or males." "Every restroom, changing room, or sleeping quarters within a covered entity that is designated for females or males shall only be used by members of that sex," the bill further stipulates. Home News 8 suffer burns in Boulder terror attack at Israeli hostages event; suspect carrying flamethrower shouted free Palestine A man set fire to a group of people participating in a peaceful walk in Boulder, Colorado, supporting Israeli hostages. Eight people four men and four women were injured, including one woman who was engulfed in flames. The FBI has described it as a "targeted terror attack." Authorities say the suspect shouted free Palestine as he attacked with what was described as a makeshift flamethrower. The assailant, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, threw incendiary devices into the crowd gathered on the Pearl Street Mall around 1:26 p.m. Sunday, The New York Times reported. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The victims, aged between 52 and 88, were participating in Run for Their Lives, a weekly walk commemorating hostages taken during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. Witnesses told media that smoke and screams filled the pedestrian corridor as victims dropped to the ground and bystanders tried to extinguish the flames. Among those injured was an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor who had fled Europe during the Nazi regime, Rabbi Israel Wilhelm of the University of Colorado told CBS Colorado. The four men and four women were hospitalized. One of the injured might not survive. A video recording, which Storyful said it had verified, captured a shirtless man wielding two bottles, yelling amid chaos as parts of the grass near the Boulder County Courthouse burned. Police Chief Steve Redfearn confirmed that Soliman was apprehended at the scene after witnesses identified him. He was also hospitalized. Officials said two victims were airlifted to a Denver burn unit, and at least one was in critical condition. The suspect allegedly shouted End Zionists! and They are killers! before igniting and throwing the devices, which included Molotov cocktails, according to the New York Post. The organizer of the event, Miri Kornfeld, was quoted as saying Soliman had been waiting for the group near the courthouse, holding bottles of clear liquid. As participants arrived, he lit and threw the containers, setting five people alight. FBI Denver Special Agent Mark Michalek told the media the incident is being investigated as an act of terrorism. As a result of these preliminary facts, it is clear that this is a targeted act of violence, he was quoted as saying. Michalek added there was no evidence yet connecting Soliman to any organized group. The Department of Homeland Security is also involved in the investigation. FBI Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said on X that the National Counterterrorism Center is working with agencies on the ground. The groups organizers said the event is not a protest, but a peaceful walk to show solidarity with the hostages and their families, and a plea for their release, according to Axios. The suspect, Soliman, is an Egyptian national who overstayed a tourist visa, according to Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Post said, citing sources. He entered the U.S. through Los Angeles International Airport on Aug. 27, 2022, with permission to stay until Feb. 26, 2023. He later received work authorization, which expired in March 2025. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller commented on X, Immigration security is national security. No more hostile migration. Keep them out and send them back. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser stated that the attack appears to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted. He added, Violence is never the answer to settling differences. Mayor Aaron Brockett of Boulder called the attack disgusting and appalling, adding that the victims were marching for peace and for hostage return. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis also expressed outrage, calling the act heinous and unacceptable. The attack occurred less than two weeks after two Israeli Embassy employees were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., by a man who also shouted Free, free Palestine. The victims in that case were Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim. The Anti-Defamation League, which combats antisemitism, has said it is monitoring the Boulder case and noted its timing just hours before Shavuot, a Jewish holiday that began at sundown. In response, the NYPD said it would increase police presence at religious sites throughout New York City. The Boulder Police Department has asked the public to avoid the downtown area near the courthouse while investigations continue. Home News At least 80 shots fired in North Carolina shooting that leaves 1 dead, 11 injured One person is dead and 11 were injured during a shooting at a North Carolina house party Sunday. Authorities say at least 80 shots were fired across multiple properties by potentially more than one shooter. No arrests have yet been made. The violence broke out around 12:45 a.m. on Walnut Acres Drive in the Mountain View community of southwest Catawba County, about seven miles south of Hickory, The Associated Press reported. The shooting occurred during a large house party attended by as many as 100 people, many of whom were reported to be high school students, according to law enforcement officials. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The Catawba County Sheriff's Office identified the deceased as 58-year-old Shawn Patrick Hood, a resident of Lenoir. Hood was pronounced dead at the scene. His connection to the party or the shooters has not been made public. Of the 11 others injured, at least one person was in critical condition as of Sunday afternoon, WBTV reported. Seven of the wounded remained hospitalized late Sunday, while authorities have not released the names or specific ages of the victims. The victims ranged in age from 16 to 58. Witnesses described scenes of panic as guests scrambled for cover and ran to their vehicles to escape the gunfire, WLOS reports. Some of the injured sustained wounds while fleeing. Law enforcement officials believe more than one shooter was involved. Multiple weapons were used, though investigators have not disclosed the types. Maj. Aaron Turk of the sheriff's office confirmed that at least one long weapon was believed to have been used. Shell casings continued to be recovered as of late Sunday, and the total number of shots fired may rise. The crime scene stretched across several properties in the residential neighborhood and spanned approximately two acres, including both indoor and outdoor areas, according to AP. Investigators said the party was held in a home in a normally quiet neighborhood and that the property was known to authorities due to a noise complaint earlier in the evening. Turk said deputies had responded to the noise complaint roughly two hours before the shooting. However, investigators do not believe the complaint was related to the motive behind the shooting. A neighbor who was woken up by the gunfire told WBTV the gathering appeared to be a pool party. "I heard a lot of shots going off and people running to the front," the witness told the outlet. "I ain't ever seen anything like this; it was like a movie." The FBI is assisting in the investigation with a specialized evidence response team. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Hickory Police Department are also involved. As of Sunday evening, no arrests had been made The sheriff's office said Sunday afternoon that it is still working to establish a motive and identify the individuals responsible. Authorities indicated that the gunfire came from varying distances. No specific information had been released regarding suspects, and officials did not offer details on whether they believed the shooters had targeted any individuals or fired indiscriminately. The Catawba County Sheriff's Office has urged anyone who attended the party or has knowledge of the incident to come forward. The investigation remains active. Home News Sesame Street stokes backlash for promoting pride month: 'G for Groomer' "Sesame Street" drew fire on social media Sunday for celebrating pride month, the latest firestorm related to allegations that the publicly funded PBS children's program is pushing LGBT ideology on children. "On our street, everyone is welcome. Together, lets build a world where every person and family feels loved and respected for who they are. Happy #PrideMonth!" the show's official X account posted on Sunday to mark the first day of LGBT pride month. The post also featured multi-colored puppet arms clasping in solidarity to resemble the rainbow. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe On our street, everyone is welcome. Together, lets build a world where every person and family feels loved and respected for who they are. Happy #PrideMonth! pic.twitter.com/6JJFhxO9dC Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) June 1, 2025 The post, which has 14 million views as of Monday, drew scorn from many X users who accused "Sesame Street" of being part of a pervasive demonic cultural agenda to morally corrupt children. The show received similar backlash for a nearly identical post last year. Multiple users posted a meme depicting a man being thrown into the sea with a millstone around his neck, a reference to Jesus Christ strongly warning against scandalizing children in Matthew 18:6. "I'd prefer you just focus on content for children instead of pushing sexual identity stuff onto them," wrote Wade Miller, who serves as executive director of the nonprofit Citizens for Renewing America. "I grew up with Sesame Street. I wont let my kids watch it because of all the woke nonsense you push. Plenty of other wholesome and sane shows for them to watch." "My grandchildren will never watch your propaganda," said James White, a pastor and theologian who serves as director of Alpha and Omega Ministries. "I would say 'shame on you' for grooming children, but that would assume you have a worldview that would even understand the natural and proper place of 'shame.'" "Sesame Street was brought to you today by the letter 'G' for Groomer," wrote Christian author William Wolfe, the executive director of the Center for Baptist Leadership. Brady Gray, president of the Texas Family Project, added, "Sesame Street, a show designed for young children promoting immoral, perverse sexual lifestyles. Im so glad my children have never watched this trash." "Sesame Street" has faced backlash before for promoting left-wing ideology to its toddler target audience, including featuring drag queens. The popular X account Libs of TikTok accused "Sesame Street" of grooming children, posting a compilation of clips from recent years during which the show presented a narrative in support of COVID-19 vaccines and Black Lives Matter rallies. President Donald Trump signed an executive order May 1 ending public funding for PBS and NPR, alleging bias in their reporting. On Friday, PBS filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in response. Approximately 16% of PBS' funding comes from the federal government, according to a spokesperson who spoke to Politico. Parents, BEWARE! Sesame Street is grooming your kids. This show is aimed at TODDLERS and what do they promote? - covid vaccines - BLM protests - transgender kids - pride month - lgbtq propaganda GROOMERS. https://t.co/VEyMpxnt7Jpic.twitter.com/4mShlAooko Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 1, 2025 Home News Supreme Court lets Trump revoke protections for Cubans, Haitians, Venezuelans and Nicaraguans The U.S. Supreme Court has permitted the Trump administration to move forward with its plan to revoke temporary protected status for hundreds of thousands of migrants from four Latin American countries. The unsigned opinion allows the mass cancellation of protections originally announced in March while the legal challenge to the administration's decision remains pending. The TPS program grants temporary legal status to certain migrants who cannot safely return to their home countries due to humanitarian crises or public interest considerations. The ruling affects migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela and Nicaragua, and could render about 530,000 individuals immediately subject to deportation. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The Supreme Court's brief order was issued without a full opinion or explanation, a common practice for emergency decisions. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, appointed to the bench by President Joe Biden, wrote in dissent and was joined by Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Jackson contends the majority "plainly botched" the legal analysis of who would face greater harm if the policy were allowed to take effect during ongoing litigation. Jackson argued there would be "devastating consequences" for nearly half a million noncitizens whose lives and livelihoods would be "precipitously upended." It follows a previous ruling allowing the administration to strip protections from more than 300,000 Venezuelans under a separate TPS-related initiative. The Trump administration argues that the presence of these migrants is "against the national interests" and asserts that courts have no authority to override executive decisions on such matters. The program's cancellation is part of the administration's crackdown on immigration, aimed at increasing deportations even of those who were previously granted legal permission to live and work in the country. A group of immigrant rights organizations brought the case on behalf of the TPS holders and their sponsors, challenging the legality of the program's early termination. Karen Tumlin, founder and director of the Justice Action Center, said in a statement that the ruling would create "widespread chaos" not only for the affected migrants but also for their families, workplaces and communities. She estimated it could take as long as eight months before the case returns to the Supreme Court for a definitive ruling. Many of the migrants currently have pending applications for other types of relief. The administration has already started canceling work permits and deportation protections for TPS recipients, claiming the program has failed as a deterrent to illegal migration and complicates enforcement of immigration laws against those already residing in the country. Labor unions contend the migrants have become integral to the U.S. economy by filling critical labor shortages in sectors such as healthcare, construction and manufacturing. However, the Justice Department has maintained that the lower courts were interfering with democratically enacted policies, noting that immigration reform was a major issue in the last presidential election. Last month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that the TPS designation for Afghanistan would be terminated. According to the department, Afghan nationals with TPS must leave the country by July 14, 2025, as security and economic conditions in Afghanistan have improved. The TPS protection for Afghan nationals began during the Biden administration after the U.S. military's withdrawal and ensuing take over by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated that TPS must be temporary and reviews indicated that Afghanistan's conditions no longer justify continued designation. In April, members of the Church of the Apostles in Raleigh, North Carolina, had urged the Trump administration not to deport nearly two dozen Christian refugees from Afghanistan after they were ordered to leave the country within days before a judge had heard their asylum claims. Afghanistan ranks as the 10th worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors International's World Watch List. "We've been advocating with members of Congress and senators," Julie Tisdale, a seminary student who attends the church, told The Christian Post at the time. Home News Ukrainian church leader says thousands coming to faith in time of war: 'The Gospel is unstoppable' As war continues to devastate Ukraine, a powerful spiritual revival is unfolding amid the ruins, according to Ukrainian evangelist David Karcha, who told a gathering of European church leaders that the Gospel becomes unstoppable in a time of war. Speaking at the European Congress on Evangelism in Berlin, Germany, on May 29, Karcha described how churches across Ukraine have become beacons of hope, drawing thousands to Christ even as the country endures deep physical and emotional suffering. His address came just a day after Franklin Graham met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin to pray for peace, underscoring the Congress message of gospel resilience in the face of crisis. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe In a time of peace, the Gospel is powerful. But in a time of war, it is unstoppable, said Karcha in his opening remarks in which he brought greetings from the Evangelical wider Church in Ukraine to the Berlin Congress delegates. A Church, he said pointedly, and not the buildings because then theyd not be allowed to suffer. Instead, the Church greeting the Berlin Congress is one that cannot be bound or darkened with smoke. After Russias invasion in February 2022, Karcha said Ukrainian Evangelicals faced a critical choice: to fracture and flee, or to remain and share in the suffering of their fellow countrymen. This was not because we had a plan, not because we felt ready, but because we saw that even the smallest act done in faith becomes a part of something much greater. "Hope as a reality is something searched for as part of human existence seeking something greater, something essential, Karcha pondered. For the Church in Ukraine, this journey of hope, made within the light of the living Lord Jesus, has meant taking small steps as a unified community moving together. By doing so, it becomes a movement no war can stop. Karcha wanted to set the record straight about religious persecution, often dominating news about Christian Ukrainians. He pointed out that the main headline story is about evangelicalism in Ukraine with masses of people turning to Christ. As an example, the church minister said that in 2023 alone, Baptist churches witnessed thousands of people publicly profess their faith through baptism. The Church has woken up to the spiritual hunger in the country and stood up to the challenge of serving not just bodies but souls. In the last three years, Karcha testified that hundreds of thousands of people have walked through the doors of Ukrainian churches and encountered the love and care of God. Many of them for the first time in their life, he added, and told the story he heard from a German pastor at the Congress of a particular woman who knew nothing of church but fled to Germany as a refugee and sought shelter in a church. She experienced food, care and the church showed love, telling her about Jesus. The woman eventually gave her heart to Jesus Christ. Karcha thanked churches across Europe for their loving support for Ukrainians in the past few years of the war. The body of Christ is not confined to one country or to one border, but is alive and active whenever his people are present, said Karcha, to more applause. Thank you for being his hands and his heart for those who are in real need. God is teaching us to listen and to see where he is already at work, he continued. Ukrainian churches are there on the front lines, ministering as chaplains in the trenches and grounds, at hospitals, bringing prayer and the hope of Christ to the soldiers in the fire of battle and places of hopelessness. We are there for the widows of fallen soldiers and for the orphans whose mothers are never coming home, holding their clothes, sharing the grief. We minister to those who have lost everything, homes reduced to rubble, families torn apart, bodies and souls scared by unspeakable fragments and torture brought to us by the Russian army. All of these ministries start with active listening, Karcha said, We listen. We pray. We help. And then when we see how we can help and what can be gone, we speak Jesus. A man called Viktor, in his mid-50s, came to Karchas own church as a refugee, like so many other at that time. He was a quiet man, according to the church leader, who seemed broken and carried a lifelong lifetime of burdens. One day, Viktor asked Karcha if they could talk. He disclosed that he knew about God since childhood and spent many decades running away from him, causing pain around him. However, he declared a readiness to surrender his life to Christ. He cried. He wept. And he was born again, right in front of our eyes, said Karcha, adding that God is still at work and listening, and still redeeming, bringing children home. Dear brothers and sisters, Karcha told delegates, this is a little bit of what God is doing in our country. He's awakening his church, stirring a desperate search for hope, and teaching us to listen and watch him work." He's stirring suffering into testimony, fear into faith, and small acts of love into seeds for his kingdom. In the world's eyes, Ukraine is a story of war. But in God's eyes, it is a story of revival, a story that reminds us all that the Gospel advances. That even when the rockets are exploding next to us, the foundation of Christ stands firm. That even in the darkest night, the light of his truth still breaks." "Let history bow down to the cross," Karcha said, concluding with an encouragement to boldly proclaim Jesus as Lord regardless of circumstance. This article was originally published by Christian Daily International. Home Opinion Seattle gets more of the misbehavior it tolerates For the second time in four days, Seattle police on Tuesday arrested pro-LGBT activists who showed up in force at a pro-family rally. This time, the Christian rally took place on the steps of City Hall, with the Seattle Police Department blocking off nearby streets. Once again, leftist agitators assaulted police, who made eight arrests. The rally protested Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell (D) who showed more partisanship than justice in his reaction to a similar altercation at the pro-family Christian groups initial rally last Saturday. There, pro-LGBT counter-protestors had also assaulted the thin blue line separating them from the peaceful crowd, resulting in 23 arrests. In response, Harrell blamed everyone but the pro-LGBT agitators who engaged in violence, from anarchist infiltrators to the peaceful rallygoers themselves, who he said staged their rally to provoke a reaction by promoting beliefs that are inherently opposed to our citys values. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The justice system likewise provided scant consequences for the activists who committed violence. An elected county judge allowed charges against only eight of the alleged perpetrators, and she released all but one activist a trans-identifying man who was also charged with robbery without bail. Thus, having cleared the violent activists of both punishment and blame, city officials ensured they would get more of the same behavior. Like unruly children, these agitators will indulge whatever behavior they can get away with. And, like unruly children, the only effective response is for the proper authority to enforce proper behavior through proper discipline. Only four days later, at the next pro-family rally, angry pro-LGBT activists attacked the rallys police protection once again. The counter-protestors went well beyond peaceful protest, attempting to push their way into the event and blockading the exits, according to local news reporting. The first arrests came less than 15 minutes into the rally and continued intermittently for the next three hours. Its worth emphasizing that police officers who are paid to face dangerous situations are not the only ones threatened by the persistent hum of lawlessness that characterizes leftist street activism. With counter-protestors blocking entrances to the rally on the steps of City Hall, hundreds of attendees who showed up for the pro-family rally required a police escort through the hostile crowd. In one alarming video, a young family of five was surrounded by a jeering crowd of counter-protestors. A woman, who is evidently the mother, held a baby in her arms, only inches away from a wall of people who blocked her forward progress. Directly beside her stands a man, evidently the father, holding the hands of two small boys, one of whom is visibly crying. The entire group is surrounded by people on all sides, and at least a third of these people have concealed their faces, are filming the family, or are shouting at them. Perhaps the kindest comment came from a protestor with dyed hair standing directly in front of the mother, repeatedly yelling, Get these pretty babies out of here. Im sure in that moment the parents had the same brilliant thought but where could they go? Some may blame the parents for bringing their small children into the middle of a protest but how were they to know, when they loaded their little ones in the minivan or slathered them in sunscreen, that the peaceful rally they hoped to attend would be surrounded by a threatening, hostile crowd that would close in on them and block their entry? The incident raises constitutional issues as well. Free and open political activism has been a staple of the American political system since the founding, so much so that the Founders saw fit in the First Amendment to guarantee the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Political protest plays an outsized role in our polarized, media-saturated climate, where they communicate to elected officials the strength and intensity of various interest groups. But political activism must remain perfectly peaceable, which includes the absence of spoken or unspoken threats. In the video described above, people on one side of a political issue use their words, dress, demeanor, and physical obstruction to dissuade people on the other side of the issue from participating in a peaceful political demonstration. Such misbehavior goes beyond the limits of peaceable assembly and seeks to intimidate others away from peaceable assembly through lawlessness or threatened lawlessness. This dynamic is especially pronounced where young families are concerned. Two adults surrounded by a hostile crowd are vulnerable, but they are far more vulnerable when they have three young children to protect. These tender youngsters are incapable of self-defense and are more likely to be harmed in a fight or mentally scarred by what they see and hear. In the video, the crowd holds this point against them, citing the children as the reason why the family should pack up and go home. If this is considered to be permissible conduct, it effectively denies young families those members of society with the greatest vested interest in the future the ability to attend rallies on controversial political subjects. This is especially ironic because the Left often seeks to inculcate political activism in youth, encouraging them to protest, participate in civil disobedience, and like activities. Here is a family modeling peaceful political activism, and the Left tells them to go home. Fortunately for the family, the Seattle Police Department was alert and proactive. Before any violence occurred, at least a dozen officers pushed their way through the crowd, escorting the family to safety between two walls of officers, like the walls protecting the causeway that connected ancient Athens to the seaport of Piraeus. Thank God the police were there protecting them in the midst of this rally, said Rep. Mark Harris (R-N.C.) on Washington Watch. Fortunately for America, the Trump administration seems much more responsive to the corrosive reach of lawlessness than top Seattle officials. At 8:15 p.m., only minutes after the first arrests at Tuesdays rally, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino tweeted that the FBI had tasked a team to fully investigate allegations of targeted violence against religious groups at the Seattle concert. The timing of the tweet (8:15 p.m. Eastern time) was outside normal work hours but closely tied to the timing of the Seattle rally, suggesting that the FBI is indeed keeping a close eye on developments in that city. If the City of Seattle continues to tolerate misbehavior by left-wing agitators, it seems that the Trump administration will not. It should be a sigh of relief among believers across this country that justice is returning to the United States, said Harris. Originally published at The Washington Stand. Home Opinion The best lies always have an element of truth in them The best lies always have an element of truth in them. At no time is that more apparent than every June when Hollywood and corporate America join hands for Pride Month. Admittedly, the movement seems to have lost a bit of steam as more and more of society continues to wake up to the damaging confusion and chaos caused by embracing the LGBT doctrine. As a Christian and pastor, though, my greater concern is the constant effort to normalize homosexual behavior in the faith community. Despite the Churchs uniform rejection of same sex relationships since its inception over 2,000 years ago, many today falsely boast that monogamous gay relationships and Christianity are somehow compatible. In recent years, entire denominations have been swept away by these cultural pressures and deceptions. At least three lies have become commonplace. One of the most common lies you might hear this month is that homosexuality wasnt even mentioned in the Bible until 1946 with the publication of the Revised Standard Version of Scripture. The premise is that a mistranslation of 1 Corinthians 6:9 is the source of unwarranted dismissal and discrimination of the gay lifestyle. Obviously, the implication is that Christianitys rejection of homosexuality is a recent development requiring correction. But is that true? Through a logical sleight of hand, LGBT supporters falsely equate the absence of a single word with the absence of a concept. Because Scripture translates from Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic to English, the evolution of the English language is irrelevant when identifying conceptual realities. Both same sex activities and desire are repeatedly forbidden throughout the Bible, under Old Testament Law (Lev. 18:22, 20:13) and in the New Testament (Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Tim. 1:10). Did you know, similarly, that the word sex does not appear in the Bible either. Yet, no one attempts to argue that the concept does not surface frequently. When the book of Genesis, for example, says that Adam knew his wife Eve and she conceived, none of us are left wondering exactly what that means. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Interestingly, the book of Leviticus uses the same euphemism to denounce homosexuality when it states, If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act (Lev. 20:13). Granted, the text is void of our modern descriptions, but are we really confused about its meaning? Likewise, the New Testament just as forcefully reprimands men who commit what it calls detestable acts because they burn in lust for one another (Rom. 1:26-27). No honest reading can deny that these are instructions forbidding same-sex relationships. The recent adoption of the word homosexuality to describe gay activities in no way eliminates its prior sinfulness. Another familiar lie often repeated this time of year is that condemnations of homosexuality in the Bible focus exclusively on abusive acts or excesses and, therefore, do not eliminate committed, monogamous relationships between same sex partners. The argument here is that biblical authors knew nothing of sexual orientation, what some define as consistent gay attractions that form ones identity. Thus, says this rationale, the restrictions of Scripture should not be viewed as a blanket dismissal of queer lifestyles, but isolated acts instead. By creating a new category of existence, Pride advocates recklessly allege that the Bible is silent about these matters. What they overlook, though, is that Gods Word has much to say about deviant desires, or the equivalent of orientations, which are never divorced from the behaviors they produce. Peter warned that mockers of the faith would be driven by their lusts (2 Pet. 3:3). Paul defined the provisions of the flesh, such as sexual promiscuity and sensuality, as expressions of fleshly ambition (Rom. 13:13-14). He also admitted that many of our longings war against the Spirit of God and that doing what we please is often egregious (Gal. 5:16-17). I could go on, but you get the point. The notion that the persisting nature of a sinful desire (orientation) makes it more acceptable is both misguided and deceptive. All Christians struggle with nagging temptations rooted in unholy desires, but the solution is their abandonment, not their approval. Claiming a sustained propensity for adultery does not make the devaluation of marriage more respectable (Matt. 5:31-32). Orienting as a habitual thief does not justify taking what is not yours (Eph. 4:28). And struggling with same-sex attraction (what Paul identifies as degrading passions) does not merit actions that are contrary to nature itself (Rom. 1:26-27). Still another easily debunked rehearsed lie is that Jesus never addressed the subject of homosexuality. Aside from the fact that silence on any practice does not equal its endorsement, this assertion erroneously implies that Jesus words carry more weight than the rest of Scripture (a view the Savior Himself did not hold). Christ promised to fulfill every word of the Law and Prophets, not dismiss them. In addition, Jesus frequently quoted the Old Testament as authoritative. On one occasion, while addressing divorce and remarriage, He affirmed that there are two genders and that marriage is a permanent covenant between a man and a woman (Matt. 19:4-6). His source was the book of Genesis, revealing His broader worldview, which leaves absolutely no room for the legitimacy of homosexual marriage. Speaking primarily to Jewish audiences, there was no need for our Lord to reiterate what they already knew. While it is true that our Savior did not directly confront every practice, His indirect affirmations leave no doubt about where He stood on matters of human sexuality. Jesus never spoke about incest, bestiality, or sexual abuse either, but His rejection of these sensual aberrations is not the subject of debate. Likewise, our Lord never condemned slavery or abortion, yet no groups arguing His endorsement of these practices are taken seriously. Grown adults are free to choose how they live their lives. We do not have the liberty, however, to identify that which is so thoroughly outside the boundaries of Scripture as an expression of Christian orthodoxy. Christ calls us to come out of our sin, not to celebrate it. Home Opinion What if the Lord isnt willing? I want you to stop and consider something for a moment. Reflect on today and recall what happened to you, the things you did, and the experiences you had. If its early for you right now, substitute yesterday for today and do the same thing. All done? Now let me ask you: would any of that have happened had God not willed that it would? Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Id wager that the vast majority of us, whether Christian or not, believe were mostly in control of what goes on in our lives. We call the shots, make the decisions, and determine the outcomes we experience. But James warns us this is an arrogant way to live because it omits the fact theres a sovereign God whos behind everything we see and dont see. James says: Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit. Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that (James 4:1315). Re-read that last verse and ask yourself, what does James mean when he says, If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that? What happens if the Lord isnt willing? I suppose James could just be making a general, high-level statement about us not forgetting about including the idea of God in whatever we plan or do. Perhaps hes just reminding us about something that Paul said: whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). Maybe. But as you read through Scripture, you see this Lord willing statement add up to something more. For example, Paul told the Ephesian Christians, I will come back if it is Gods will (Acts 18:21); he told those in Rome, now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you (Rom. 1:10); he told the Corinthians, I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing (1 Cor. 4:19); he promised the believers in Corinth to spend some time with them if the Lord permits (1 Cor. 16:7). The writer of Hebrews told his audience the same thing: And this we will do, if God permits (Hebrews 6:3). Statements like this about Gods sovereignty litter the pages of the Bible, with some going down to the smallest of details. Just one example is Jesus saying: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father (Matt. 10:29). And if a sparrow doesnt die outside of the will of your Father, what about all the things that happened to you today or yesterday? How would they escape Gods will? Such a thing sure raises a lot of questions. For instance, how do we account for all the awful things that go on every day that would seem to be contrary to the will of a good and loving God? And how do we reconcile statements made about salvation and God desiring all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4), not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9) with the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matt. 7:14)? If the Lord is willing that they find it, then why dont they? The wills of God Theologians who have drilled into these questions tell us about the different wills of God that include His sovereign and moral will, efficient and permissive will, secret and revealed will, will of decree and will of command, decretive will and preceptive will, will of sign and will of good pleasure. Thats a lot of wills. The big question about all of them revolves around whether Gods will is determinative or merely preferential. Philosophical theology professor Fritz Guy has argued the case for the latter, saying Gods will is more delighting more than deciding and apart from a predestinarian presupposition, it becomes apparent that God's will is always to be understood in terms of intention and desire. This, however, runs contrary to how Scripture declares Gods sovereignty, the definition of which means a supreme and independent power or authority, His absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure, with the Greek term for it being dynastes that signifies one who is in a position to command others. For example, the psalmist says: Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in Heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps (Ps. 135:6). The stakes are high if this isnt true. As R. C. Sproul points out: If there is any part of creation outside of Gods sovereignty, then God is simply not sovereign. If God is not sovereign, then God is not God. If there is one single molecule in this universe running around loose, totally free of Gods sovereignty, then we have no guarantee that a single promise of God will ever be fulfilled. This ruffles some peoples feathers who say such a thing smacks of divine determinism, the view that all events (including human actions) are somehow inevitable or necessitated and so reduces human beings to being merely Gods hand puppets. Few, though, hold that position with most understanding there is a blending of divine sovereignty with human self-determination. For example, you see both when Peter tells his early-church-days audience, this Man [Jesus], delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death (Acts 2:23). Fine, but how do we go about solving puzzles like God desiring all to be saved, but only a few actually finding salvation? In his essay, Are there two wills in God?, John Piper explains it like this: There are two possibilities as far as I can see. One is that there is a power in the universe greater than God's which is frustrating him by overruling what he wills The other possibility is that God wills not to save all, even though he is willing to save all, because there is something else that he wills more, which would be lost if He exerted His sovereign power to save all The difference between Calvinists and Arminians lies not in whether there are two wills in God, but in what they say this higher commitment is. What does God will more than saving all? The answer given by Arminians is that human self-determination and the possible resulting love relationship with God are more valuable than saving all people by sovereign, efficacious grace. The answer given by Calvinists is that the greater value is the manifestation of the full range of God's glory in wrath and mercy (Romans 9:22-23) and the humbling of man so that he enjoys giving all credit to God for His salvation (1 Corinthians 1:29). Whichever side of the fence you fall on this particular matter, youll still feel the weight of tension between these kinds of biblical paradoxes. Between statements where God tells Pharaoh Let my people go! and at the same time reading The Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart. And thats OK. Theres mystery surrounding Gods sovereignty that we should expect not to unravel, even down to wondering how everything that happened to us today was what God willed. What we do know about Gods sovereignty is that it practically 1. Provides assurance that He is in complete control, which supplies trust in His care for us; 2. Delivers confidence in every circumstance; 3. Reminds us to rely solely and ultimately on Him and not ourselves, and so it keeps us humble. All good things, dont you agree? Its like Charles Spurgeon said: There is no attribute of God more comforting to His children than the doctrine of Divine Sovereignty It is God upon His throne whom we trust. So, what do you say is everything that happens to you today Gods will or not? Home News New Gateway Church Pastor Daniel Floyd warmly received by congregation New Gateway Church Senior Pastor Daniel Floyd and his wife, Tammie, were warmly received by the congregation in Southlake, Texas, with a standing ovation on Sunday, a week after the elders announced he had been selected for the role. I guess you heard the announcement, Floyd quipped in his preamble to his first message as the churchs senior pastor, Some Things Never Change. We really believe the best days are ahead, and we believe that God's up to something great. We were just praying before we came in with the team, and my prayer was, Lord, let your kingdom come; your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. And we're believing that Heaven can come to Earth. Not just in our church, but in our city, he said. We're really honored, humbled and grateful for your warm reception and your kindness to us. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Tammie Floyd, who shares four children with her husband, including an adopted son, quoted from the book of Lamentations after describing her family as a party in an SUV, not a minivan. I just want to echo my husband. We're so grateful for you. We love you. We've actually loved you for a really long time, she said. We've been praying for you. And you know the book of Lamentations, which if something good comes out of Lamentations, you should really pay attention, she explained. Lamentations 3 says that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies, they never come to an end. They are new every single morning. Great is His faithfulness and that's really what this weekend feels like for us, she continued. We stand on the faithfulness of God and every day and every moment, His mercy will be new for you. Whatever mercy you may need, His mercy is ready for you every day, Tammie Floyd added as she promised to return to the church with their entire family, including their four children: Owen, 18, Faith, 15, Abigail, 8, and Jonas, 6. Before preaching his sermon, Floyd told the congregation that great churches aren't built by great pastors, they're built by great people. So we're just going to say, we need your help, everybody. There's a lot of people to reach with the love of Jesus, and there's a lot of work to be done. But I believe, together, we're going to see God do some amazing things, he said. Gateway Church announced Floyd as its new senior pastor nearly a year after founder Robert Morris resigned amid child sex abuse allegations. Prior to joining Gateway Church, Floyd and his wife founded Lifepoint Church in 2005 with just 50 people. They grew that church to five locations in Virginia, along with church plants in Kentucky and Arizona. They also founded Lifepoint College in 2016. Floyd earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Southeastern University and two master's degrees from Liberty University. His wife is also a graduate of Liberty University. In a video greeting to the Gateway Church congregation a week ago, the couple said they plan to transition to Texas over the summer ahead of the new school year. "For us, this isn't just a new assignment; it's a sacred calling. Twenty years ago, we had the privilege of planting Lifepoint Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia. And it's been the honor of our lives to shepherd that community. So when we say this next season is a calling, we don't take that lightly, and we mean it with all of our hearts," Floyd said. "Over the past five months, we've walked closely with the elders here at Gateway. We deeply honor and we are thankful for their wisdom, their time, their prayer, and their patience. We've also sought the counsel of godly mentors and spiritual oversight. But most importantly, we've leaned into the voice of the Holy Spirit, and with full confidence, we can say, 'God has called us here.'" China's inland municipality emerges as global logistics nexus 10:00, June 02, 2025 By Zhao Jiale, Li Xiaoting ( Xinhua CHONGQING, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The inland municipality of Chongqing, where mountains and hills account for 90 percent of its terrain, has been transforming into a pivotal logistics nexus, linking the world via multiple trade arteries. In April, a freight train loaded with polyester chips departed from Chongqing to Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent, launching the first regular freight train route, which operates twice monthly, from the municipality to Central Asia. "The 12-day route spanning 4,700 km slashes the transportation time by 30 percent, empowering Chinese enterprises to better serve Central Asian markets," said Xu Meiqiong, an engineer with China Railway Chengdu Group Co., Ltd. This freight train route exemplifies how China's western landlocked regions are seamlessly integrating into global commerce through the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC) -- a multimodal transportation network integrating rail, road, and sea systems. Established in 2017 through cross-regional collaboration between provincial-level regions in western China and Southeast Asian countries, the corridor now pulses with commercial vitality. In March, 200 vehicles of Changan Automobile, a leading auto brand in China, boarded a specialized JSQ freight train for export. Unlike traditional cargo trains featuring containers, it has 29 special carriages, each able to accommodate nine to 10 vehicles, which can be driven on and off the carriages. Cars were transferred directly onto roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessels to Qinzhou Port in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, bound for Dubai. "This integrated logistics solution reduces transport time by over 10 percent, cuts costs by more than 8 percent compared to traditional methods, and minimizes potential vehicle damage," said Li Yan, deputy director of Chongqing port and logistics office, adding that the debut of the multimodal logistics route provides a more competitive solution for Chinese automobile exports. The ILSTC's network, extending to Europe and Southeast Asia, now connects 563 ports across 127 countries and regions. As of mid-May this year, the cargo throughput transported via the ILSTC had surged 72.3 percent year on year to 549,600 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Apart from the capacity to deliver bulky items, the efficient international corridor also tackles perishable logistics puzzles. In recent years, fresh durians, mangoes, and other tropical fruits from Thailand and Vietnam have reached the Chinese market at competitive prices, while Guangxi citrus has found swift global distribution. Yang Ming, general manager of Zuncheng (Chongqing) Logistics Chain Management Co., Ltd., said imported fruit previously entered from China's coastal metropolis of Shanghai and then sailed more than 1,600 km westward along the Yangtze River before being transported to his firm. "In recent years, our customers no longer worry about fruit getting moldy due to long transit times," he added. Dutch company New Silk Way Logistics has used the China-Europe rail services for nine years. The company introduced temperature-controlled containers to help European pharmaceutical enterprises access the Chinese market. Hanno Reeser, a strategic expert from the company, said that medical products are highly sensitive to temperature and transit time, while the freight train has reduced the journey from Europe to China to less than 20 days, which is far quicker than by sea. For ASEAN-bound shipments from Chongqing, the ILSTC cuts the transit time by approximately 25 days via smooth intermodal coordination, which outperforms the traditional routes along the Yangtze River waterway to coastal ports in east China. The ILSTC also creates greater value in the development of remote areas. After a 43-day journey, Arctic sweet shrimp were shipped from Canada, via Qinzhou Port, to a factory of Jiajiarong food company in the mountainous area of Chongqing. Following streamlined manufacturing processes including cleaning, shelling, and flash-freezing, shrimp products are packed and transported via refrigerated trucks to east China's Shandong Province, and then shipped to their final destination -- counters of sushi shops and supermarkets in Japan, with a total transportation time of only one week. "The ILSTC brings us the business of processing and re-exporting supplied materials. Our workers in mountainous areas are engaged in international business," said Wang Lezhi, general manager of Jiajiarong, adding that the company has exported over 80 tonnes of aquatic products as of April this year. In the first quarter, the import and export volume via the ILSTC exceeded 200 billion yuan (about 27.84 billion U.S. dollars), marking a year-on-year growth of over 10 percent and setting a historic high, according to Chongqing Customs. (Intern Zhang Jiaxuan contributed to the story.) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) Home News Human trafficker sentenced after family of 4 froze to death trying to enter US illegally More than three years after a family of four from India froze to death trying to enter the United States through Canada during a blizzard, the ringleader behind the international human smuggling operation was sentenced for his role in the conspiracy. Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 29, was sentenced in Minnesota on Wednesday to 10 years and one month in prison. Patel, an Indian national known as Dirty Harry, will be returned to his home country after his sentence. The co-conspirator and driver, Steve Anthony Shand, 50, of Florida, was sentenced to six years and six months in prison, as well as two years of supervised release. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe A federal jury convicted both men in November 2024 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. 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 Departments Criminal Division, said in a statement. This case demonstrates the grave danger associated with human smuggling operations. I thank the prosecutors and our law enforcement partners in the U.S. and in Canada who are working to secure the northern border and end the perilous smuggling of aliens into the United States, Galeotti continued. Prosecutors said during the trial that Patel and Shand were part of an illegal operation that brought Indian nationals to Canada on fraudulent student visas and then smuggled them across the U.S. border. Both men received money for their part in the human smuggling operation, with prosecutors noting that being smuggled from India through Canada into the U.S. can be as much as $100,000. Despite repeated warnings, the pair arranged to smuggle 11 illegal aliens on foot from Canada into the U.S. in January 2022. The group of immigrants included a family of four, which consisted of two adults and their children an 11-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son. 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 Jan. 19 was -36 degrees, the DOJ reported in its statement. The family of four froze to death during the smuggling operation. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police found their bodies in an isolated area on the Canadian side of the border on Jan. 19, 2022. In the early morning hours on the same day, a U.S. Border Patrol agent found Shands van stuck in the snow, arresting him and two illegal immigrants. 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, Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick for the District of Minnesota stated. As weve seen time and time again, human traffickers care nothing for humanity, she added. I am proud of the work of our law enforcement partners in holding these defendants accountable for their unspeakable crimes. Prosecutor Michael McBride stated that the father, Jagdish Patel, died while trying to shield his toddler sons face from the blistering wind with a frozen glove, CBS News reports. His wife, Vihangi, died slumped against a chain-link fence she must have thought salvation lay behind, according to McBride. Seven migrants the smugglers tried to sneak into the country survived the journey. One of the survivors was flown to the hospital with severe frostbite and hypothermia. Prosecutors wanted a sentence of nearly 20 years for the ringleader of the human smuggling operation, whom McBride accused of not showing any 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 claimed. Defense attorneys for the leader of the human smuggling operation argued that the evidence against Patel was insufficient, as CBS News reported. Shands attorney, federal defender Aaron Morrison, argued that the driver was on the outside of the conspiracy and that he had a limited role in it. Home News ISIS claims first attack on new Syrian govt, claims to kill 7 members of apostate regime The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for its first attack targeting Syria's transitional government, saying it killed or injured seven members of what it described as the "apostate Syrian regime." The terror group, also known as ISIS or ISIL, claimed it carried out two attacks on a military road in the desert region of Talul al Safa in the southern province of Suwayda on May 22 and May 28. In one attack, on May 22, a blast in the desert region killed or wounded seven Syrian soldiers, IS said in a statement, according to The Associated Press. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Militants also ambushed a reconnaissance unit from the Free Syrian Army that was monitoring IS, leaving one killed and three injured, a military source told CNN, adding that the terrain in the area is often exploited for cover by IS because of its rugged terrain. SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors Islamic extremist activity online, said IS posted two separate statements claiming responsibility for the incidents, claiming that bombs planted by IS fighters killed and wounded members of the Syrian military and allied militias. IS has maintained cells in southern Syria despite having been largely absent from the area for two years, according to the Institute for the Study of War, based in Washington, D.C. The terror group previously maintained control of large territories in Syria and Iraq but was territorially defeated by U.S.-backed forces in 2017. Since then, it has operated as an underground insurgency, particularly in Syria's central desert and eastern provinces. The attacks are the first directly claimed by IS since the installation of Syria's transitional government under former jihadist Ahmed al-Sharaa in December. The new government emerged after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime, and it has faced criticism for failing to restore order in key parts of the country, including Suwayda. The United States and other Western governments have urged the new Syrian administration to prevent the resurgence of extremist groups. However, efforts to assert control in certain areas have faltered. Before these attacks, IS had only targeted the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces since December, reports BBC jihadist specialist Mina Al-Lami. "IS attributed these [recent] attacks to its so-called Houran sub-branch in Syria, which had not claimed any attacks since 2023," Al-Lami posted on social media. Suwayda, primarily populated by the Druze minority, remains unstable due to ongoing sectarian clashes. Over 100 were killed in violent confrontations between local militants and pro-government forces in the province during late April and early May. Hundreds died in clashes that erupted in early March along Syria's Mediterranean coast, in Latakia and Tartous. The Syrian government has not officially acknowledged any IS attacks in Suwayda. It did, however, report two raids against IS operatives in the Damascus area last week. The attacks come amid deepening instability across Syria. Syrians continue to face a deteriorating security situation, with frequent kidnappings, thefts and reprisals in both urban and rural areas. A recent report from a Syrian Christian, whose name was withheld for security reasons, described the new government's focus as being more on "whitewashing its brutal history" than addressing domestic insecurity, according to Christian Daily International. The report noted a worsening humanitarian situation, including electricity cuts down to as little as two hours per day in some areas and water shortages. Infrastructure remained crumbling, and the country's healthcare system was under strain due to staffing cuts reportedly based on ethnic and religious identity. Before leaving office in January, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that U.S. troops should stay in Syria to prevent IS from regaining a foothold and feared that pulling out prematurely could allow the terror group to grow back into a significant threat to global security. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. has begun pulling troops out of Syria. The U.S. also shuttered small operating bases in Syria's northeast, reducing troop levels to about 1,400 from 2,000, senior officials told The New York Times in April, adding that a reassessment will be done after two months. A source said that commanders have urged the administration to keep at least 500 troops in Syria. Last December, the Department of Defense announced that there were 2,000 U.S. troops deployed in Syria, which is more than double the 900 that had been reported in the past. Pentagon officials said in April that the U.S. would consolidate its forces and reduce the troop total to under 1,000 in Syria in the coming months. "Recognizing the success the United States has had against ISIS, including its 2019 territorial defeat under President Trump, today the Secretary of Defense directed the consolidation of U.S. forces in Syria under Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve to select locations in Syria," Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement. "This consolidation reflects the significant steps we have made toward degrading ISIS' appeal and operational capability regionally and globally." Home News Pro-life pregnancy centers celebrate Vermont amending 'discriminatory' law Amid legal pressure, Vermont has amended a law that pro-life pregnancy centers claimed censored their ability to advertise. Vermont lawmakers approved a measure late last week to change language to Senate Bill 37, a law passed in May 2023 that was to curb "misleading" advertisements by pro-life pregnancy care centers. The conservative legal group Alliance Defending Freedom filed a stipulated dismissal of the case of National Institute of Family and Life Advocates et al v. Clark et al last Thursday, following the amending. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "Women who become unexpectedly pregnant should know they have life-affirming options available to them, from emotional support to practical resources, which is exactly what our clients offer," ADF Legal Counsel Julia Payne Koon said in a statement. "We're pleased that Vermont recognized it needed to amend its discriminatory law that unlawfully targeted faith-based pregnancy centers and restricted their ability to speak and act according to their conscience." "Pregnancy centers must be free to serve and empower women and their families by offering the support they need without fear of unjust government punishment," she added. Anne O'Connor, NIFLA's vice president of legal affairs, said the state "has backed away from attacking the work of pro-life pregnancy centers." "Pregnancy centers are no longer under direct threat from the law and pro-abortion lobby in Vermont," O'Connor said. "For this, NIFLA celebrates; however, if in the future the state again decides to unconstitutionally pursue the work of pro-life pregnancy centers, NIFLA stands ready to take Vermont back to court and seek appropriate relief." Signed by Vermont's Republican Gov. Phil Scott in May 2023, the provisions within S.37 defined pregnancy centers that do not provide abortions or emergency contraception as "limited-services" centers and prohibited them from advertising what "is untrue or clearly designed to mislead the public about the nature of services provided." Critics contended that the law targets pro-life pregnancy centers as "limited services" providers because these organizations don't perform abortions, instead offering free pregnancy resources and counseling to women. Under the law, pregnancy centers in the state could face a fine of up to $10,000 if the Vermont attorney general determines that their advertising was misleading. The National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, Aspire Now and the Branches Pregnancy Resource Center sued state officials in July 2023. The complaint argued that the law "censors the centers' ability to advertise their free services" and "precludes centers from offering non-medical services, information, and counseling unless provided by a licensed health care provider." The lawsuit says the law offers a "vague and viewpoint-discriminatory" standard on what constitutes misinformation, adding that it "provides no guidance as to how it should be applied to advertisements including medical information on which there is no medical consensus." Pregnancy centers are frequently targeted by supporters of abortion, who often seek to enact legislation that would limit their outreach capacities or the services they offer. Detractors of these centers claim that they manipulate women into choosing life for their children and rely on "deceptive" strategies to lure women away from abortion facilities. Critics also allege that pregnancy centers lie about the services they provide women by posing as medical clinics. As the pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute highlighted in a 2024 report titled "Pregnancy Centers Offer Hope for a New Generation," more than 2,750 pregnancy centers serve women and families nationwide. The report noted that throughout 2022, the total value of material goods and services provided by pregnancy centers was over $367 million. The percentage of clients who reported that they had a positive experience and were satisfied with the care they received was 97.4%. Home News Theologian says apartheid legacy fuels farmer attacks in South Africa, claims 'white genocide' allegations are 'a myth' South African billionaires allege 'white genocide' after heated Trump meeting with Ramaphosa President Donald Trumps remarks about "dead white people" during a tense meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa two weeks ago stirred international debate after he raised concerns about allegations of genocide and violence against white farmers in the majority black country. In what quickly became a viral exchange between Trump, Ramaphosa and his delegation, Trump asked aides to dim the lights in the room as a video began to play showing footage of South Africas Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Party singing the apartheid-era Shoot the Boer song with lyrics that include kill the Boer, kill the white farmer in front of a massive crowd filling a stadium. Despite the presidents Oval Office lesson on South African history, most Americans are unfamiliar with the plight of the Afrikaners, the minority ethnic group who are mostly descendants of Dutch arrivals who began arriving at the Cape of Good Hope Colony in 1652. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Trump, who expressed concern about the situation even during his first term, labeled Afrikaners as refugees by executive order in February. But was the presidents allegation of white genocide accurate? It depends on who you ask. Entrepreneur and investor Rob Hersov, one of South Africas wealthiest men, says he believes systemic issues such as corruption, mismanagement and race-based laws are behind what he calls an "economic genocide" targeting minorities, especially white farmers. Hersov, 64, a fifth-generation South African, spoke with Patrick Bet David on a May 21 episode of the "PBD Podcast" about the country's decline since the end of apartheid in 1994, particularly after 2008 under leaders like Jacob Zuma and Ramaphosa, who signed a law in January that allows land seizures by the government without compensation. In describing the political status of Afrikaners, Hersov went as far as comparing South Africa to Germany in the early 1930s. The white minority are being boiled like frogs, said Hersov. There's an economic genocide taking place with black economic empowerment, with expropriation without compensation, with the destruction of the economy." Hersov said farm murders in South Africa have reached a critical level, and while official government numbers are hard to pin down, Hersov put the attacks in perspective by comparing the roughly 30,000 farmers in South Africa with the American commercial farming population of about 334 million. Our government have flown over here to try and tell Donald Trump there is no genocide, he said. If you extrapolate, if you take a pro rata number of South African farmers attacked and murdered and killed to the American population over the last 20 years, 233,000 American farmers would have been murdered. And you don't think that's some form of genocide? For Darrell Bock, senior research professor of New Testament Studies and executive director for Cultural Engagement at Dallas Theological Seminary, the answer is no. I am afraid that the portrayal of a genocide in South Africa is a myth, Bock told CP. There is still some racial tension in pockets of South Africa. That is, in significant part, the result of decades of violent discrimination that caused the world to isolate South Africa years ago until apartheid ended. Efforts to achieve full reconciliation has struggled to be realized as the division was deep. Following the Oval Office meeting, Tesla CEO and Trump advisor Elon Musk, who is South African, contrasted the Ramaphosa government policy of land seizures without compensation with open calls for what he termed white genocide. White people are a small minority in South Africa and yet over 100 laws against whites in South Africa were passed after democratic rule, including taking property without payment, which was passed this year, Musk tweeted. Public calls for white genocide are allowed to happen in South Africa with no punishment. But for Bock, calling the policy of the South African government a form of genocide is to exaggerate significantly what is happening, empties the term of its real comprehensive meaning, and dismisses the past historical context for the current division in South African society. Indeed, Ramaphosa pointed to the legacy of the apartheid era during his meeting with Trump, saying, Weve got to deal with the past. But what about the theology behind apartheid? Afrikaners, also known as Boers, were descendants of primarily Dutch Calvinists and German and Belgian Protestants, who settled in todays Cape provinces of South Africa in the late 17th century. Under the leadership of religious institutions like the Low German Reformed Church and the Dutch Reformed Church, led by the former Prime Minister of the Netherlands Abraham Kuyper, Afrikaner neo-Calvinism essentially taught that Afrikaners were Gods chosen people and that South Africa was their promised land. At the heart of their theology, said Bock, was the view of many who claimed a curse of Ham relegated blacks to a secondary status as a justification for apartheid. This is a serious misread of Genesis 9 that racialized the environment in the South Africa of the past, Bock added. ... Apartheid is not something to be proud of or defend, as it reflected a distortion of the idea every human is made in Gods image. As many as 80% of South Africans identify as Christian, with 35% considered Evangelical, including Pentecostals and Charismatics. While Dutch Reformed Church numbers have declined due to its association with apartheid, Pentecostal and Charismatic churches have grown significantly. African Independent Churches, particularly Zionist Churches with about 9 million adherents, blend Christian and traditional African practices, creating a syncretistic challenge. But for Hersov, the debate over whether white genocide is occurring in South Africa isnt theological, but statistical. Hersov believes the current situation for Afrikaners can legally called genocide since it meets seven out of 10 criteria for the United Nations own definition of genocide. If you go to the United Nations definition 10 elements make up genocide, starting with classification, organization, persecution, and all the way down to extermination and denial, Hersov said during a May 24 interview on The Rubin Report with Dave Rubin. So, there are 10 elements, and South Africa has probably seven of those ongoing simultaneously. He said that while extermination has not taken place, the video played during Trumps Oval Office meeting with Ramaphosa suggests that outcome may not be far off. If you listen to [EFF leader] Julius Malema, ... with 90,000 people jumping up and down ... [chanting], Kill the Boer, kill the farmer, one settler, one bullet,'" Hersov recalled, "he [later] said a terrible thing in an interview, We have not yet cut the throat of whiteness.'" Malema made the comments in February, saying, These people, when you want to hit them hard, go after a white man. They feel terrible pain because you have touched a white man. We're cutting the throat of whiteness. We will kill white women, children, and their pets. ????????????SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICAL LEADER: WE WILL CUT THE THROAT OF WHITENESS Julius Malema: These people, when you want to hit them hard, go after a white man. They feel terrible pain because you have touched a white man. We're cutting the throat of whiteness. We will kill white https://t.co/nFBMwU4RTGpic.twitter.com/TsNzC6W8Hp Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 9, 2025 Musk responded to the comments by asking Ramaphosa, Why do you allow this? "This is a major political party in the South African parliament and their leader is calling for genocide of white people," Musk tweeted. This week, Ramaphosa criticized President Donald Trump for demanding that EFF leader Malema be arrested for repeatedly chanting "kill the farmer." The EFF drew under 10% of the vote in last May's election and is not included in the government of national unity. "It's not a matter where we need to be instructed by anyone [to] go and arrest this one," Ramaphosa was quoted as saying by Fox News. "We are a very proud sovereign country that has its own laws, that has its own processes." According to Hersov, if current trends continue, the number of Afrikaner refugees could end up in the millions dwarfing the nearly 60 refugees who arrived in Washington, D.C., earlier this month. "A million South Africans, mainly white, have left the country. Left, gone the other way, he told Rubin. If you have the means even if youre not being persecuted literally, you know, Gestapo at your door if you can go, you will go." Home News Trump envoy 'didn't know' Kennedy Center VP fired after CNN report on his Christian beliefs: source U.S. Ambassador Richard Grenell, the first openly gay person to hold a cabinet-level position who now leads the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, "did not know" the official who was fired following a CNN report about his Christian beliefs on marriage and homosexuality, a source told The Christian Post. Floyd Brown, author and founder of the conservative commentary site The Western Journal, was fired Wednesday following a CNN report describing Brown as an "anti-gay Obama conspiracy theorist" who opposes "acceptance of the open promotion of the gay lifestyle inside the tent of conservatism." The story from CNN's Andrew Kaczynski also highlighted Brown's comments on same-sex marriage, which Brown called "godless" and "a hoax." Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe According to an X post Thursday, Brown, who was hired as vice president of development less than a month ago, said his firing "came approximately two hours" after CNN reached out for comment on his "past writings and statements about traditional marriage and homosexual influence" in the Republican Party. Brown also shared his response to CNN, in which he said that the past comments were "rooted in my personal Christian views" and "have no impact upon my work here at the Kennedy Center nor do they impinge on my interactions with colleagues who do incredible work for the patrons of the Center. As a Christian I am called to work with others of different beliefs and worldviews." He says when he asked for a reason for his dismissal and requested to speak to Grenell, the Kennedy Center president, his requests were "ignored." Instead, Brown said he was told "at the time" of his firing to "recant your belief in traditional marriage and your past statements on the topic, or you will be fired." "Needless to say, I refused to recant and was shown the door," Brown added. Brown said that he and Grenell were both professing Christians and Brown's "only conclusion is [Grenell] was intimidated by a [CNN] story, which hasn't been aired or published, so he preemptively fired me for my Christian beliefs on marriage." When reached for comment Friday, a source familiar with the Kennedy Center told CP that Brown's tweet "is not accurate" and denied Grenell ever met Brown. "Grenell had not met with Brown, did not know him, and was not involved in his hiring," the source told CP. In his X post, however, Brown alleged he and Grenell whom he called a "professing Christian" who is "married to a male spouse" had, in fact, met during Brown's time as a political organizer in Arizona, including as a volunteer chairman for Kari Lake's failed Senate campaign in 2024. When CP asked for further comment, Brown declined to do so. According to a CNN rush transcript, the comments allegedly made by Brown were part of a video clip in which he compared the political utility of homosexual campaign staffers to himself. "What most people don't understand is that many of the Republican members have homosexual staff, and the reason that they do is because the homosexuals, usually unlike me, I had two kids at home, I had a wife at home," CNN quoted Brown as saying. "I had responsibilities at home, and I needed to spend time with my children. And they don't. They didn't. They literally worked for the member 24/7 and then went out to Adams Morgan and had their gay sex, and then came back to work the next day." In another clip described by CNN, Brown claimed that homosexuality was "a punishment that comes upon a nation that has rejected God." "And that's why I believe it is so powerful in this nation right now," Brown was quoted as saying. "And we have to we have to turn and we have to really repent of all sexual sin if we want to save America. They're debasing themselves and their humanity." An archived 2011 article shows that Brown criticized "GOProud" Republicans for embracing LGBT-identified conservatives. Calling homosexuality "a sin," Brown added that the "addict is to be pitied and accepted in Christian love but not the pusher or promoter of the agenda." "Our problem with GOProud and why we don't believe they belong in the conservative tent is because they are the 'pusher' of their alternative lifestyle," he said at the time. The Kennedy Center, which traces its origins to legislation signed by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1958 to create a "national cultural center" for the United States, was named in honor of former President John F. Kennedy in 1964, shortly after his assassination. The center describes itself as "a federal facility" and, as a result, "the Federal Government funds the maintenance and upkeep" of the institution. A 36-member bipartisan board normally oversees its operations. In February, President Donald Trump was elected the new chair of the center after 18 board members appointed by former President Joe Biden were dismissed. Grenell, a longtime Trump ally, was named interim executive director. However, a source familiar with the Kennedy Center told CP that the current "correct title" for Grenell is "President of the Kennedy Center." Grenell, who launched his political career with the 2012 Mitt Romney presidential campaign, served in the first Trump administration, where he led an effort to decriminalize homosexuality in nearly 70 nations. Michelle Obama On Female Reproduction, Abortion Drug Safety Report, Why Francis Chan Left His Megachurch link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:22 07:22 Top headlines for Monday, June 2, 2025 In this episode, former First Lady Michelle Obama's recent comments on the capabilities of a woman's reproductive system have sparked intense reactions from pro-life advocates, highlighting the ongoing debate over reproductive rights. In response, a pro-life organization has published a peer-reviewed report challenging the narrative around the safety of abortion medications, comparing them to common pain relievers. Additionally, we explore the spiritual journey of former megachurch pastor Francis Chan, who shares his reasons for moving away from the megachurch model of worship. 00:12 Michelle Obama says creating life is 'least of' what women can do 01:05 California Supreme Court rejects appeal from Christian baker 01:53 Report refutes 'baseless' claim that abortion pill is 'safer than 02:47 FBI will investigate Supreme Court Dobbs leak, other cases 03:41 ERLC president says it's time to 'ban pornography' 04:33 Pastor Jamal Bryant pushes electronic protest of Dollar General 05:32 Francis Chan reveals why he left his megachurch Abonati-va sa primiti pe email saptamanal lista articolelor adaugate pe parcursul saptamanii. Adresele .ru nu sunt acceptate. Email NEWSLETTER By Thaut Images, Adobe The Association of Chairs (AoC) is trying to reclaim its website domain from cyberattackers after falling victim to a recent attack. AoC said that the cyberattack happened on 23 May, which caused the organisation to lose access to its website domain and all the email addresses associated with it. The organisations new website domain is associationofchairs.co.uk and its internal email addresses have also been changed to end with .co.uk rather than .org.uk, such as [email protected] . AoC stated that there was no evidence that any personal data had been accessed or compromised, and its members login details are securely held by its software company partner, sheepCRM. It advised that charity members can log in to access their resources as usual via the SheepApp or by using the members area button on AoCs new website. Old domain up for sale AoC chair Joe Saxton told Civil Society that initially, the organisation did not know what the hackers wanted from the organisation. Saxton said: We didn't know whether they were after our data. We didn't know whether they were trying to use it to get money from our payment system. However, AoC chief executive Liz Lowther said the organisation took steps to ensure its systems were safe within minutes of the attack. We informed members and supporters on multiple channels not to reply to any emails or requests coming from the old domain, or to use our website until further notice, she said. Association of Chairs staff and suppliers worked on this throughout the bank holiday weekend. AoCs old domain currently states that the website is up for sale at auction. However, AoC stated that it is expecting to regain access to its old domain in the coming days and will be in talks with Nominet , the company that operates the UKs national domain name registry. Saxton said: We want to find out how the hosting company could let that happen without us giving any permission to have our domain name moved away. The ridiculous thing is that we are not a domain name that's valuable. It's not like we have a domain that you could use for anything other than who we are. But I imagine these are people who are doing it with hundreds of organisations the whole time. Back to business as usual Days after the cyberattack, AoC thanked people for their support in a LinkedIn post . We are particularly grateful to our trusted IT suppliers, Ave, sheepCRM, and Transpeed Ltd, it said. Their senior teams remained available over a bank holiday weekend, offering us practical help and personal kindness. Their professional guidance and reassurance made a huge difference to our ability to resolve website issues quickly. Choosing to work with reliable and security-focused partners has hugely limited the harm of this attack. In time we will share learnings from this experience in the hope of supporting others. For now, we hope you can support our journey back to business as usual. AoC would not have received any emails from anyone who had emailed them using the .org.uk email address since 4 pm on Friday, 23 May. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. Recently, John Maherthe president of The Oregonian and OregonLive, one of the largest publishers in the statenoticed something different about Google search results. So he decided to run a test. He entered a reference to an article published by his newsroom: Washington county sewer district Hawaii clean water services. What came up was an AI-generated summary of the story, along with summaries of articles that quoted or highlighted its reporting. The results meant that no one would have a reason to click through. It gets to the heart of whats happening on a macro scalehow our content is being assimilated into AI summaries, Maher told me. In April, he described his experiment to the state senate, as part of testimony in support of a bill called the Oregon Journalism Protection Act. If passed, it would be the first law of its kind in the United States, forcing Big Tech to compensate press organizations in Oregon for a portion of the value that news generates on major platforms. Khanh Pham, a state senator and the bills primary sponsor, drafted the legislation based on other efforts to compensate journalistsin Australia and Canada, where such laws have gone into effect, and in California and New Jersey, which have made similar attemptsand with input from a coalition that included Oregon Public Broadcasting, the Fund for Oregon Rural Journalism, the Oregon Association of Broadcasters, the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association, and the Society of Professional Journalists. If all goes to plan, Big Tech companies, defined by revenue and reach, would be required either to pay a set total sum or to enter arbitration with Oregons publishers to settle on payouts. The total amount owed, as of now, is set at $122 million annually: $104 million from Google and $18 million from Meta. (That calculation is based on Oregons GDP as a proportion of the $12.9 billion in annual value that a 2023 study found news content generates for those companies in the US.) Individual newsrooms would receive payouts based on the number of journalists they employ. The bill differs from other initiatives for its consideration of local and independent outlets. Ninety percent of the money would go to journalism operations in Oregon with at least a hundred thousand dollars in revenue, a majority of which is generated by editorial content, but 10 percenta significant carve-outwould support a civic information consortium tasked with providing grants to rural operations and startups. That could deliver as much as twelve million dollars to local news. The board of the consortium would be managed by the University of Oregon and modeled after the Civic Information Consortium in New Jersey. When newsrooms close, Oregonians lose, Pham said. We must act now. Oregons news ecosystem has had a tough decade. In March, the Agora Journalism Center at the University of Oregon released a report revealing that, since 2022, nearly twenty local news outlets statewide had closed or merged and, even where news remains, the output is thin. Out-of-state companies now own roughly 50 percent of Oregons newspapers, and have been known to cut staff post-acquisition. The proliferation of AI-generated content, meanwhile, has created an opportunity for zombie sites, operating under the titles of defunct local outlets, to publish plagiarized, jumbled stories, sometimes under the names of real, unsuspecting journalists who live far from Oregon. The bill has faced opposition. Some publishers have voiced concerns about potential long delays and significant expense caused by extended arbitration with Big Tech, the cost of which would come out of their awards. By the time the litigation resolves, Chuck Corra, the associate director of policy and advocacy at an industry group called Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers, wrote in a testimony, newsrooms could very well be out of business. Google and Meta, to no ones surprise, have also come out against the legislation. In written testimony, Meta claimed that the bill was based on a false premise, since news outlets post on its platforms voluntarily, and threatened a ban on news in Oregon akin to the one imposed in Canada. (The brunt of that impact was borne by small French- or Indigenous-language outlets and remote community-focused publications that relied heavily on Facebook to disseminate their coverage.) But in Mahers view, the consequences of losing news on Meta are overblown and outdated. In many cases, that traffic never comes through anyway, he said. In his testimony, he described the risk of a link tax as cynical spin by large platforms that ignores the real impact of Big Tech, including that of generative AI. Besides, if Meta were to ban news, that would just be ammunition for me, Branden Andersenthe founder and sole proprietor of Newsberg, a two-year-old hyperlocal digital news outlet serving Newberg, a town of nearly thirty thousand just outside Portlandtold me. Id be able to tell my community, Meta doesnt want this level of discourse on their platform anymore. Sign up for CJRs daily email Andersen is hopeful that the bill can deliver resources to support his work. Still, as a one-person newsroom, he would qualify only for grants awarded through the consortium, and he worries that, as written, the legislation could allow a disproportionate amount of the money to flow out of stateto Carpenter Media Group, Sinclair, and the Advance media empire, which owns The Oregonian. The bill requires newsrooms to primarily serve an Oregonian audience, but there is no requirement for local ownership; The Oregonian and Oregon Public Broadcasting would be eligible for the largest shares of the awards. In testimony, Andersen called for amendments to the bill that would ensure money goes to Oregon journalists. For me, the huge sticking point is the idea of funding large conglomerates that, in many ways, gutted our local media landscape, he said. If we could prioritize and write local ownership into this, I think it would go a long way. The bill is expected to go to a vote on the Oregon senate floor in the coming weeks. Oregons Republican minority issued proposed amendments that would shift the funding from Big Tech to taxpayers, using tax credits for subscriptions and nonprofit donations. Matt Pearcethe director of policy at Rebuild Local News, a national nonprofittold me that he was encouraged by the bipartisan energy to save news, notably the GOPs embrace of public subsidies. You need bipartisanship for any of this to be durable, he said. It cant be a partisan issue to say that communities need community information. Even so, there are many rivers to cross before this bill becomes law, Doyle Canning, Phams senior policy adviser, said. The bill has passed its committee vote and is now headed to the floor, then over to the Oregon House of Representativescontrolled by Democratswhere, she said, it will likely see more amendments. Were working fast and furiously to keep it movingand were optimistic. Oregons legislature adjourns June 29. I have no idea which way the winds are going to blow, because theres a lot of opposition, Andersen told me. But the Oregon news media landscape is growing, and we are working together. If nothing else, thats been a very positive output from all of this. All the publishers, reporters, and editors have come together and said, We feel this is important. Our communities tell us it is important. Now we need to make sure that were able to sustain ourselves for the long term. From June 3-5, community members can view three Blimps flying over Akron in tandem in what the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime event. David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com AKRON, Ohio Spotting a Goodyear Blimp on the horizon or at a sporting event is a treat. But the tire manufacturer has something special planned for the Blimps 100th anniversary this week. Three Blimps Wingfoot One, Wingfoot Two and Wingfoot Three will fly over Akron together in what promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime event. The three-day flyover (June 3-5) celebrates the Blimps storied legacy. How to view the Blimps each day: June 3 Community members can view the Blimps at the waterfront of Wingfoot Lake State Park. The park is located at 993 Goodyear Park Boulevard, Mogadore. The Blimps will fly over Lock 3 during the Akron State of the City Address. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the event begins at 5 p.m. The event is free, but registration is required. Lock 3 is located at 200 S. Main St. On June 3, between 5:30-6:30 p.m., the Blimps will fly over Canal Park before the Akron RubberDucks game. The first 1,000 fans who enter the stadium will receive a T-shirt to commemorate the Blimps anniversary. Canal Park is located at 300 S. Main St. June 4-5 The Blimps will soar over downtown Akron and East Akron. Timing has not been announced. How it all started Though Goodyears work to develop lighter-than-air crafts started in 1910, the companys first noncommissioned Blimp, Pilgrim, launched in 1925. The non-rigid airship used helium, featured a passenger car and had the companys name painted on the side. The Pilgrim logged 95,000 miles and was the first airship to be used for public relations, according to the companys website. Want more Akron news? Sign up for cleveland.coms Rubber City Update, an email newsletter delivered at 5:30 a.m. Wednesdays. LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- As the only Northeast Ohio community with trained paramedics attending to Lake Erie rescues, the Lakewood Fire Department has been planning a new boat purchase for a while. We were trying to be fiscally responsible, applying for different grants, but after being turned down year after year and with the lifespan of our existing boat running out, it was decided to make the purchase, Capt. Joe Cawley said. Firefighters are currently training on the new $360,000 Safe Boat 25. The 25-foot-long aluminum boat features plenty of modern bells and whistles, including an enclosed and heated cabin for fire personnel and patients. This model is what the Coast Guard used for years, Cawley said. It has a fully enclosed cab, so everybody is out of the weather. Also, communication is beyond dramatically improved. The old boat had a center console with a small windshield. If youre out on the water, you just cant hear anything because of all the wind noise. The boat boasts modern radios, allowing Lakewood officials to have instant communication with the Coast Guard, as well as other entities and civilian boaters. The new purchase replaces the departments 21-foot-long Ribcraft boat, which is more than a dozen years old. Cawley said the normal lifespan of a rescue boat is in the 10-year range. The Lakewood Fire Departments rescue boat operation is based out of Station No. 2. John Benson/cleveland.com While the rescue boat operation is based out of Station No. 2, the new vessel is docked at the mouth of the Rocky River in the Clifton Lagoons. Fire members are still familiarizing themselves with the new boat, which is a big difference with twin motors, Cawley said. Itll spin inside its footprint, so maneuverability is dramatically improved. That brings in some more complexity, but along with that a lot more versatility, as well the way you can control this boat in slow speeds. The old boat is expected to be sold to another local agency or go to auction. Were super proud that we can provide a service to not only the citizens of Lakewood, but also the surrounding communities, Cawley said. Read more news from the Sun Post Herald. A Unitree robot shakes hands with a convention guest at the Robotics Summit & Expo, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) AP WASHINGTON, D. C. - A bipartisan group of U.S. House Representatives, including Ohios Bob Latta, is relaunching a congressional robotics caucus to ensure the United States keeps up with countries like China that are widely deploying robotics technology. Its priorities will include education, international competitiveness, a national robotics strategy, employee protections, employer incentives, and ethics, according to a press release from the Congressional Robotics Caucus. The caucus will host briefings designed to educate its Congressional colleagues on the importance of addressing robotics domestically and internationally, the press release added. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Robotics Caucus, I remain committed to ensuring the United States remains at the forefront of robotics and automation, said a statement from Latta. By educating our colleagues, supporting research and development, and encouraging public-private partnerships, the Robotics Caucus will help to foster innovation and support a workforce ready to lead in a rapidly evolving global economy. The other caucus co-chairs are California Republican Jay Obernolte and Democrats Haley Stevens of Michigan and Jim McGovern of Massachusetts. The caucus was first formed in in 2007 to focus on key issues facing the nations robotics industy, its website said. It helps members of Congress investigate the uses and highlight the potential of robotics in agriculture, mining, logistics, defense, education, manufacturing, and healthcare. Caucus members share cutting-edge information with one another, learn from experts in the field, and discuss efforts to improve the responsible, ethical, and robust deployment of robotics across many sectors. We believe that accelerated adoption of robotics, along with enabling technologies like artificial intelligence, machine vision, and motion control, will strengthen every US industry in the future, said a statement from The Association for Advancing Automation (A3). Robotics and automation are essential to bringing more manufacturing back to the US while creating better, safer and higher paying jobs for American workers. We look forward to working with the Robotics Caucus to raise awareness among policymakers and advance this critical technology area. According to MIT Technology Review, China controls most of the key companies around the world that produce humanoid robot components, which lets Chinese manufacturers produce humanoid robots at lower prices than their international competitors. Unitrees H1 is priced at $90,000less than half the cost of Boston Dynamics Atlas, a comparable model, the publication says. Cleveland is dwarfed by Columbus in population these days, but overnight Cleveland could be Ohio's biggest city. All it would take would be making all of Cuyahoga County the city of Cleveland.David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com As Columbus continues its relentless growthnow pushing 933,000 residents according to the latest Census Bureau estimatesNortheast Ohio remains a fragmented patchwork of municipalities that, if unified, could create an economic juggernaut. This vision of a unified Cleveland metropolitan area was discussed in Mondays episode of Today in Ohio, where host Chris Quinn once again made a case for regionalism as the key to Northeast Ohios future prosperity. A gavel is placed on its block in one of the courtrooms at the Cuyahoga County Court House in Ohiof on Feb.11` 11, 2017. John Kuntz, cleveland.com COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As federal immigration agents ramp up courthouse arrests under a Trump-era policy shift, Ohio lawmakers are moving to stop local judges from getting in the way. Senate Bill 172 would require local officials to permit the arrest or detention of anyone who is, or is suspected of being, unlawfully present in the U.S. And it would block court officials from interfering directly or indirectly with any federal, state or civil arrest. Persons who are unlawfully present in the United States are not privileged from arrest, said Sen. Kristina Roegner, a Hudson Republican. But immigration attorneys and advocates warn that aggressive courthouse enforcement could have a chilling effect--pushing even legal immigrants to avoid court altogether, whether theyre victims, witnesses or simply seeking help. Under Ohio law, certain people are protected from civil arrest when attending or traveling to court. That includes jurors, witnesses, attorneys, court officials and parties in a case. Roegners bill would eliminate that protection for undocumented individuals. She said its a direct response to rules issued earlier this year by the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. In late February, judges there adopted two emergency rules: One bans civil arrests inside the courthouse, and another blocks court personnel from assisting immigration officers, asking about someones immigration status, or executing a judicial warrant without approval from a local judge. In a news release, the court said these new policies were a response to increased immigration enforcement on courthouse grounds in the last 30 days. And that arresting people at the courthouse affects the fairness of trials and other court proceedings for citizens and non-citizens alike, directly intruding on the Courts own core responsibilities for due process and public safety. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security rescinded prior guidance that had limited immigration arrests in and around courthouses shortly after President Donald Trump took office. The updated memo -- Common Sense Enforcement Actions in or Near Protected Areas -- grants ICE agents broad discretion to make arrests if they believe a targeted individual is or will be present, so long as no state or local law prevents it. Roegners bill would ensure no such protections exist in Ohio. If you have not broken the law, then you have nothing to fear, Roegner said. Whatever the crime might be, we have a system in place for our courts to determine guilt and innocence. The same goes for immigration. But Democratic Sen. Casey Weinstein said the bills language raises serious red flags--particularly the part that allows someone to be detained on suspicions of being in the country illegally. Thats an open door to stripping people of their rights and due process, and that should concern everyone, he said. Weinstein said hes heard from Nepali immigrants and green card holders in his district who fear any interaction with law enforcement or public officials. Theyre legal long-term residents, and they are deeply concerned. Some are afraid to travel, he said. This is concerning to a lot of people. SB 172 is scheduled for its second hearing Wednesday. Roegner hopes it can pass before lawmakers leave for their summer break at the end of June, but she recognizes that might not be possible. Anna Staver covers state government and politics for Cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer. They're at it again in the Ohio Statehouse, focusing on trifling issues like moments of silence while the state faces a property tax revolt that could bring chaos. Lawmakers are fiddling while Ohio burns. (Jeremy Pelzer, cleveland.com)(Jeremy Pelzer, cleveland.com) Jeremy Pelzer, cleveland.com In a state facing property tax chaos, redistricting battles, and what Today in Ohio podcast host Chris Quinn describes as major threats to the future of Ohio, legislators have found time to focus on... mandatory moments of silence in public schools. The bipartisan bill, introduced by Beachwood Democrat Eric Synenberg and Republican Gary Click, would require all public schools to begin each day with a moment of silence. While the sponsors pitch it as a mental health measure, critics see it as another encroachment of religion into public education. Smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to be the most dense over Northeast Ohio Monday night into Tuesday morning, according to forecasters with the National Weather Service in Cleveland. Courtesy U.S. Energy Information Administration CLEVELAND, Ohio Hazy skies are anticipated across Northeast Ohio on Monday and Tuesday as wildfire smoke from central Canada drifts southeast into the region. The smoke is expected to increase into the afternoon on Monday, partially obscuring what would otherwise be clear skies, according to forecasters with the National Weather Service in Cleveland. The thickest concentration of wildfire smoke will occur Monday night into Tuesday morning, forecasters said. Some of that smoke may begin to settle lower in the atmosphere on Tuesday, but its not expected to reduce visibility at the surface. Tuesday will be hazy with a whitish tint present in the sky due to the wildfire smoke. Any lingering smoke over the region should exit generally to the north and northeast by daybreak Wednesday, thanks to southerly and southwesterly winds near the surface and southwesterly winds aloft, according to forecasters. Is the smoke impacting air quality in NE Ohio? Because the wildfire smoke has so far been primarily confined to the upper levels of the atmosphere, it is not expected to have a significant impact on air quality in Northeast Ohio. As of Monday morning, Clevelands PM2.5 level which measures fine particulate matter 2.5 microns or smaller was at 55, according to AirNow.gov. This falls into the moderate range on the air quality index, meaning those who are unusually sensitive to particle pollution should consider reducing activity levels or shortening the amount of time spent active outdoors. PM2.5 readings in the rest of Northeast were in the good range as of Monday morning. The air quality forecast for Tuesday is expected to be similar, with Cleveland falling under the moderate range while the rest of the region remains in the good range. The U.S. air quality index, or AQI, is a tool utilized by the Environmental Protection Agency to communicate about outdoor air quality and health. Over 1,000 locations in the U.S. monitor and record the air in a color-coded index for four significant pollutants: ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. Heres a breakdown of what each level means: Green (0-50) is good. Yellow (51-100) is moderate. Orange (101-150) is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Red (151-200) is unhealthy. Purple (201-300) is very unhealthy. Maroon (300+) is hazardous. In the U.S., the worst effects of the wildfire smoke are being felt in Montana, North Dakota and northern Minnesota, where air quality alerts have been issued. Whats causing the wildfire smoke? Nearly two dozen active wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Manitoba, which is just north of Minnesota and North Dakota. Manitoba declared a state of emergency on Wednesday as the fires burning from the northwest to the southeast forced roughly 17,000 residents to be evacuated from their homes. Thousands also have been affected by wildfires in Saskatchewan and Alberta, with 1,300 people forced from their homes. watch now Here are the most important news items that investors need to start their trading day: 1. May flowers wilt U.S. stock futures fell Monday to kick off June, following a strong performance for equities in May. The S&P 500 rose 6% for May, its best monthly performance since November 2023. The Nasdaq Composite jumped 9% for the month, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 4%. Investors will be watching tariff developments after a wave of news in recent days. Tensions between the U.S. and China climbed again, President Donald Trump said he would double duties on steel to 50% and an appeals court paused a ruling that would have scrapped many of his administration's levies on imports. The May jobs report due Friday will offer more clarity on how the U.S. economy has weathered Trump's unpredictable trade policy. Follow live market updates. 2. Pointing fingers U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, and China's International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang pose, at a bilateral meeting between the U.S. and China, in Geneva, Switzerland, May 10, 2025. Keystone/eda/martial Trezzini | Via Reuters The trade detente between Washington and Beijing appears to be cracking. China accused the U.S. of undermining an agreement that led the trading partners to slash tariff rates for three months. The complaint came days after Trump contended China was violating the terms of the deal. The Trump administration's export restrictions related to semiconductors and decision to revoke visas for Chinese students "seriously undermine" the trade pact, a Chinese commerce department spokesperson said. Trump advisor Kevin Hassett had said over the weekend that the U.S. president and Chinese President Xi Jinping could have a conversation about trade as soon as this week. It is unclear now whether either side will respond by changing their tariff policies. 3. Steel curtain U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at U.S. Steel CorporationIrvin Works in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, U.S., May 30, 2025. Leah Millis | Reuters China was not the only front where trade tensions increased. Trump on Friday threatened to impose the steep 50% tariff on steel imports as he lauded his approval of U.S. Steel's merger with Japan's Nippon. He said the increase would take effect on Wednesday though he has repeatedly set effective dates for tariffs and then rescinded them. He said the duties would "further secure" the U.S. steel industry. "At 25%, they can sort of get over that fence," Trump said. "At 50%, they can no longer get over the fence." The European Union criticized Trump's move, as a spokesperson said it "undermines" efforts to reach a trade agreement. The bloc is "prepared to impose countermeasures," the spokesperson added. 4. Buffett line 5. Rarefied air American Airlines new business-class suite. American Airlines The aging population has implications for the markets around the world. Yet it isn't just health-care companies and senior living facilities that will reap the benefits. Financial companies also stand to gain as demographics shift, according to Morgan Stanley and UBS. As longevity increases and fertility rates fall, the oldest generation will represent an increasingly larger part of the world's total population. In the United States, those aged 65 and older made up about 17% of the population in 2020. They are expected to represent 21% of the population by 2030 and the percentage will keep climbing through 2060, according to the Census Bureau . UBS calls this one of three " transformational innovation opportunities " that will drive stocks in the next decade. The firm estimates the annual longevity market opportunity will grow by an incremental $2.5 trillion to reach $8 trillion in total revenue by 2030. While its current longevity portfolio consists of largely health-care companies, it sees opportunity for financials as well. "Financial services is affected by longevity by helping individuals plan for extended lifespans," a team of strategists in UBS' chief investment officer wrote in a March 26 note. "Diversified financials, insurers, and banks are driving innovation in retirement planning and financial resilience." Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley believes the expectations for increasing lifespan can have "significant ramifications across the asset and wealth management industry," said analyst Michael Cyprys. It anticipates retirement planning by the aging population can unlock an incremental $400 billion in revenue by 2028 for the businesses. "We see this today driving product innovation. It's influencing asset allocation strategies and creating new market opportunities," Cyprus told CNBC. "As people are living longer, investment time horizons need to extend over which people will then accumulate a nest egg right to prepare them for retirement." There will also be a need for help drawing down on income, when the time comes, and ensuring that people don't outlive their retirement income. "We think about the affluent group needing the most increase in services, especially if government pension funds and such come under pressure, Social Security and otherwise, and this could create a bull market for financial advice," he said. Asset manager plays When determining which asset managers stand out from their peers, Morgan Stanley looked at the solutions they offered, access to alternatives, insurance and the ability to connect to customers in the retirement channel. "We think that having alternative investment capability is going to key here in terms of helping address longevity risk and providing income and retirement solutions," Cyprys said. "Private market players, broadly speaking, should be well placed, particularly those with exposure to private credit and exposure to real assets and real estate and infrastructure, as well as those that have a meaningful presence in the wealth, private wealth channel." Two names that stand out are Blackstone and Brookfield , both rated overweight at Morgan Stanley. BX YTD mountain Blackstone year to date Beyond alternative investments, the two companies also offer annuities , which provide a guaranteed income stream, Cyprus pointed out. Brookfield owns an annuity-writing company and Blackstone partners with insurance companies, he said. He has a $150 price target on Blackstone, suggesting 8% upside from Friday's close, and a $66 price target on Brookfield, implying nearly 6% upside. Cyprys also has an overweight rating on BlackRock . His $1,111 price target suggests the stock can move 13% higher from Friday's close. The company has alternative investment capabilities and has very broad-based offerings of multi-asset solutions across channels, he said. "They are also early in the market with some interesting, innovative products," Cyprus said. "They have this LifePath Paycheck, which basically embeds an income stream for life within a target date fund, because they partnered with some insurance companies that have helped embed an annuity into the target date fund." BLK YTD mountain BlackRock year to date Shares of BlackRock are down more than 4% year to date, while Blackstone's stock lost more than 19% and Brookfield is up marginally so far this year. Wealth managers in the spotlight When it comes to wealth managers, LPL Financial and Charles Schwab should both benefit from the increased demand for financial advice, Cyprys said. He has overweight ratings on both stocks. "If there is a rising tide for financial advice on the back of aging populations and greater need to manage to prepare for retirement, that's only going to lead to greater need, potentially, for financial advice from which LPL and Schwab could both benefit from," he said. While LPL has 16% upside to his $450 price target, as of Friday's close, Schwab has bypassed his current $83 price target. SCHW YTD mountain Charles Schwab year to date Schwab has two businesses it acts as custodian for financial advisors and it offers a direct-to-consumer business. The company is increasingly bringing advice into the latter, which will be key, Cyprys said. LPL basically acts as a broker for financial advisors and offers a slew of services, he said. Charles Schwab's stock has gained nearly 18% year to date, while LPL Financial rose about 15%. Bank of America is also a name Morgan Stanley likes as a play on the aging population. "On longevity, BAC's scaled tech and services breadth mean the firm is well-suited to take advantage of opportunities presented by the mass affluents' growing need for tailored retirement strategies (and the associated education around such investments)," the team wrote in an October report. Analyst Betsy Graseck has an overweight rating and $47 price target on the stock, suggesting more than 6% upside from Friday's close. Shares are down fractionally so far this year. Boeing was upgraded at Bank of America, which heralded the use of the company's planes as a bargaining chip in the Trump administration's trade deals. The firm upgraded the stock to buy from neutral and raised its price target to $260 from $185. "Boeing (BA) aircraft have emerged as the favored trade tool for the Trump Administration in recent trade deals," wrote analyst Ronald Epstein in a Monday note. "We view those recent deals struck in the UK (32 aircraft orders), Qatar (210 aircraft orders), UAE (28 aircraft orders), and China (removing the ban on BA aircraft), as setting a precedent for future global trade negotiations, to BA's benefit." The new price target represents a 25% gain from Friday's close. Boeing shares added about 1% in premarket trading following the call. Boeing at one point during the height of the trade turmoil in April broke below $130 a share. The stock is up 60% off those lows and now 17% higher this year as its planes began to be included in these trade deals. BA YTD mountain Boeing YTD President Donald Trump and his administration secured on May 8 a preliminary trade agreement with the U.K., and alongside that deal was a British Airways aircraft order worth nearly $13 billion to Boeing. As part of the trade war halt between the U.S. and China hatched last month, Boeing deliveries to China will restart this month. "Boeing's backlog hasn't been the lynch pin to our valuation," the analyst said. "However, we do see the progress in stabilizing production, carve-outs alleviating FCF burn, and a renewed focus across the portfolio all performing in concert with the 'favored trade mechanism' status creating a buying opportunity." Bank of America believes CEO Kelly Ortberg, who took over last August, is well on the way to breaking the company's "doom loop." Boulder attack suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman poses for a jail booking photograph after his arrest in Boulder, Colorado, on June 2, 2025. The man accused of a fire attack on demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, was charged with multiple counts of attempted murder on Monday in state court. Prosecutors asked that a judge order Mohamed Sabry Soliman held on a $10 million cash bond "given the seriousness of the crimes." Soliman, 45, was also hit with a federal hate crime charge by prosecutors, who revealed that the married dad of five confessed that he had planned the horrific assault for a year, and waited until his daughter graduated from school to commit it. An FBI affidavit filed as part of that federal complaint said there is probable cause to believe Soliman attacked the demonstrators on Sunday with a makeshift flamethrower because they were supporting Israel in calling for the release of hostages still being held by the Palestinian terror group Hamas. Soliman is due to appear Monday afternoon in Boulder court to face the state charges related to the attack, which left eight people hospitalized with burns and other injuries. He is charged there with eight counts of attempted first-degree murder after deliberation, and another eight counts of attempted first-degree murder with extreme indifference. Soliman also faces six counts of first-degree assault on an at-risk victim, two counts of possession of an incendiary device, and 16 counts of attempted possession of an incendiary device. He is charged in U.S. District Court in Colorado with a hate crime involving actual or perceived race, religion, or national origin. Prosecutors plan to ask a federal judge to detain Soliman in the federal case without bail. An affidavit signed by an FBI agent says that Soliman threw "Molotov cocktails into a pro-Israel crowd while yelling 'Free Palestine.' " The affidavit says that after he was detained by law enforcement, authorities found a black plastic container with a yellow top near the site of the arrest. In that container "were at least fourteen unlit Molotov cocktails, comprised of glass wine carafe bottles or Bell jars containing clear liquid and red rags hanging out of the bottles," the affidavit says. The liquid in those bottles, and a backpack weed sprayer also found nearby, was determined to be 87 octane gasoline, the agent wrote. Bristol Myers Squibb on Monday made a splashy move to fortify its drug pipeline. However, the subdued stock reaction suggests Wall Street is looking for more show than tell. So are we. The news The drugmaker announced a licensing deal with Germany's BioNTech to jointly develop and commercialize the latter's experimental cancer therapy known as BNT327. The drug, which is still in clinical trials, belongs to an increasingly popular group of treatments called immuno-oncology. Often called IO for short, these treatments work by getting a patient's own immune system to help fight the cancer. Merck 's Keytruda is the best-known drug in the class, but Club name Bristol Myers' own Opdivo is there, too. Within the field of IO, there's a lot of buzz around the newer dual-acting approach that BNT327 and similar drugs being investigated by other companies use to treat the disease. Bristol Myer's agreement with BioNTech is potentially worth around $11 billion to the German drugmaker if certain milestones are achieved in the coming years. Bristol Myers is paying $1.5 billion upfront and owes another $2 billion in payments through 2028. Profits and losses from the drug will be shared equally between the two companies, according to a Bristol Myers press release. BioNTech is best known for its work on a Covid-19 vaccine in collaboration with Pfizer . Big picture For investors, Bristol Myers entered the year with a lot to prove, as the company navigates the loss of exclusivity for cancer drug Revlimid and nears the same fate for top-selling drugs such as bloodthiner Eliquis, and the aforementioned Opdivo in the coming years. The burden of proof got even higher in April following a failed trial for its new schizophrenia treatment Cobenfy, which investors including the Club have viewed as critical to the company's future revenue growth. While CEO Chris Boerner has argued that the trial results do not "really have any impact on the long-term potential" of Cobenfy, the market is divided. Speaking on CNBC on Monday, Boerner said the company's partnership with BioNTech gives the company "another leg for growth as we exit this decade." Boerner said he believes the two companies have an opportunity to "transform the outcomes for patients" in hard-to-treat solid tumors, including lung and triple-negative breast cancer. "We think this could be the next new frontier in the treatment of cancer," said Boerner, who added that Bristol Myers' experience in IO drugs with Opdivo is helpful in pursuing the BNT327 opportunity. BMY YTD mountain Bristol Myers' year-to-date stock performance. The long-term sales potential of Cobenfy isn't the only question mark that has lately weighed on shares of Bristol Myers, which are down around 18% over the past three months. Bristol Myers and its peers are also facing incoming tariff hurdles from President Donald Trump . Though the Trump administration has not formally announced tariffs on pharmaceuticals, the president has said they are being considered. Trump also signed an executive order in May to incentivize domestic manufacturing for prescription drugs. Bristol Myers already pledged a $40 billion investment in the U.S. last month. Asked about these other political dynamics Monday, Boerner said that the company is "engaging with the president and his administration on tariffs," noting that the majority of its infrastructure and sales are U.S.-based. "We need to make sure they understand the complexity of the supply chain so any tariffs that are implemented are implemented in a way that we don't see supply disruptions," the CEO said, further stating that this is a priority to ensure patients get their medicine. He also added that it would take time to shift supply chains. Bottom line Bristol Myers' deal with BioNTech is promising and given the importance of filling out its drug pipeline with additional candidates to drive growth and assuage investor concerns about the patent cliff, Jim Cramer said he would have expected to see a more positive market reaction Monday. In afternoon trading, the stock gained less than 1% to just over $48 per share. BioNTech shares surged more than 19%, though. Jim called that disparity "a very one-way street." The hope, Jim explained, is that BNT327 could be competitive with Merck's Keytruda, if not even more effective. Nevertheless, we understand that investors have a higher bar for Bristol Myers these days in the wake of the Cobenfy trial in April. "It's turned into a show-me story," said Jeff Marks, director of portfolio analysis for the Club. Indeed, we sold 100 shares of Bristol Myers back in March when the stock was above $60 a share, but have held off on rebuilding it at these lower price levels for that reason. We lowered our price target on the stock to $60 a share from $70 following earnings in April to account for the new Cobenfy information. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long BMY. 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. China on Monday refuted Washington's claims that it had broken the Geneva trade agreement, instead accusing the U.S. for breaching deal terms, signaling talks between the worlds top two economies have taken a turn for the worse. Trade frictions between Washington and Beijing have flared up after a hiatus following a meeting between U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and his Chinese counterpart He Lifeng in Geneva, Switzerland, that had led them to suspend most tariffs for 90 days. The Trump administration has ratcheted up export restrictions on semiconductor design software and chemicals to China, while announcing it would revoke visas for Chinese students, drawing ire from Beijing. Those steps "seriously undermine" the deal reached in Geneva, a Chinese commerce department spokesperson said, while vowing that Beijing would take measures to safeguard its rights and benefits, if the U.S. presses ahead with actions that "damage China's interests." China has kept a firm grip on its rare earths exports, contrary to Washington's expectations. Chinese state media in an article Monday touted coordinated efforts across the nation on scrutinizing and curbing illicit mining and exports of critical minerals. Beijing is "comfortable taking an extremely firm stance in these negotiations" and "sees no reason to roll over," said Stephen Olson, a former US trade negotiator who's now a visiting senior fellow with ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. "It is well understood in Beijing that any deal reached with the U.S. will only buy some short-term peace, not the end of the story," Olson added. The U.S. has continued to unilaterally provoke new economic and trade frictions, increasing the uncertainty and instability in the bilateral economic and trade relations," the Chinese spokesperson said. Last Friday, President Donald Trump accused China of violating its preliminary trade agreement with the U.S. In a social media post, Trump wrote, "China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!" CNBC's Jim Cramer says shares of off-price retailer TJX are a bargain after unfairly taking a beating over the past couple weeks. "The stock got hit off one of the best quarters, and that's just not right," Jim said Monday on "Squawk on the Street." "What we're looking for is trying to find which stocks are anomalies. This one is the anomaly." TJX, the parent company of T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods, beat expectations on both revenue and earnings in its first quarter of fiscal 2026. Management also reiterated its full-year guidance. Yet shares have dropped about 6% since the day before its May 21 report. Cramer has pointed out many times that this kind of post-earnings dip isn't new for TJX. Management tends to under promise with cautious guidance that underwhelms investors. But then it typically exceeds expectations when results come in. As we noted in our TJX earnings analysis at the time, the sell-off presented a buying opportunity and still does. "The stock is still too low as far as I am concerned," Jim wrote in this week's Sunday column . TJX stands out in a retail landscape that is "mighty hard to trust" right now, he added, with its ability to cut or maintain prices even as other retailers are forced to raise them. So far this year, TJX stock is up 4.3%, way ahead of the S & P's Retail Select Industry Index , which is down 4.7%, and outperforming the S & P 500's modest 0.5% gain. As of Monday, the stock traded flat near $126 per share, still about 7% below its 52-week high of $135 made on May 20 just before earnings. TJX YTD mountain TJX stock performance YTD. TJX CEO Ernie Herrman made the company's strategy clear on the post-earnings webcast: keep prices low. Herrman stated that TJX aims to maintain a significant gap between their prices versus those at traditional retailers. He emphasized the company's ability to take advantage of the "chaos" in retail by sourcing merchandise more profitably and passing those savings on to customers is its key competitive edge. While Herrman noted "the tariff situation might make things obviously more complicated," he's confident the company can maintain its value proposition. That "chaos" Herrman described is being driven by President Donald Trump's unpredictable tariff policy marked by abrupt changes. That's creating huge uncertainty for major retailers struggling to maintain favorable pricing for consumers. Walmart warned it will have to raise prices on many items because of tariffs. Target will also resort to price increases on certain products to help offset tariff costs. Abercrombie & Fitch , Macy's and Best Buy cut their profit outlooks, while American Eagle , Canada Goose , Ross and Mattel pulled their full-year guidance. TJX is much better positioned. JPMorgan analyst Matthew Boss on Monday raised the firm's price target to $145 from $130, a 15% upside as of Monday's price, while keeping a buy rating. In the note, Boss said he had increased "confidence in continued global market share gains across categories" after meeting with the company's management team. He sees a "trifecta" of drivers in the second half of TJX's 2026 fiscal year and into fiscal 2027, including same-store sales, improving merchandise margin and better earnings flow-through. CEO Herrman's comments that industry inventory is "off the charts" also stood out to Boss. That excess supply gives TJX an advantage to scoop up high-quality goods at a deep discounts and don't have to rely on price hikes to offset tariff costs. In fact, management told Boss that the company's No.1 weapon against the current tariff backdrop is its liquidity and open-to-buy position, meaning the financial flexibility to jump on deals. TJX's scale helps here. It sources from 21,000 vendors in more than 100 countries, fueling a constant stream of merchandise and the kind of treasure hunt experience that drives store traffic and same-store sales. Jim Cramer praised the call, noting the JPMorgan analyst "has timed this push well" after the stock has taken a big hit. Looking ahead, TJX CEO Herrman said the current second quarter is already off to a strong start, focused on value, flexible and opportunistic buying that could set it up for more gains ahead. Investors like us are willing to look past the knee-jerk sell-off and stick with this long-term growth story in an unpredictable retail industry. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long TJX. 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. Neurotech startup Paradromics on Monday announced it has implanted its brain-computer interface in a human for the first time. The procedure took place May 14 at the University of Michigan with a patient who was already undergoing neurosurgery to treat epilepsy. The company's technology was implanted and removed from the patient's brain in about 20 minutes during that surgery. Paradromics said the procedure demonstrated that its system can be safely implanted and record neural activity. It's a major milestone for the nearly 10-year-old startup, as it marks the beginning of its next chapter as a clinical-stage company. Once regulators give it the green light, Paradromics plans to kick off a clinical trial later this year that will study the long-term safety and use of its technology in humans. "We've shown in sheep that our device is best in class from a data and longevity standpoint, and now we've also shown that it's compatible with humans," Paradromics founder and CEO Matt Angle told CNBC in an interview. "That's really exciting and raises a lot of excitement for our upcoming clinical trial." A brain-computer interface, or BCI, is a system that deciphers brain signals and translates them into commands for external technologies. Paradromics' system is called the Connexus Brain-Computer Interface, and the company says it will initially help patients with severe motor impairments such as paralysis speak through a computer. Every weekday the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer holds a "Morning Meeting" livestream at 10:20 a.m. ET. Here's a recap of Monday's key moments. The S & P 500 fell on the first trading day of June after a weekend of no progress on China trade talks. In fact, China refuted President Donald Trump 's accusation Friday morning that Beijing violated its trade agreement with the U.S. The White House on Monday said Trump will likely talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week. "I think the Chinese would be nuts to make a deal," Jim Cramer said during the Morning Meeting. "China does not seem to have as much to lose as we think." In Jim's Sunday column , he looked at how the president's tariff unpredictability is holding back the market in 10 ways. Late Friday, at a rally in Pennsylvania, the president said he's doubling the tariff rate on steel to 50%, starting June 4. Shares of steelmaker and miner Cleveland-Cliffs on Monday jumped more than 25% on the news, while rival Nucor , which is in our Bullpen, gained more than 10%. Steel tariffs, in theory, can even the global playing field on price. Companies that make steel and service the domestic industry may benefit in the near term, but what about industrials that rely on steel as an input cost? Many of them are down Monday, including Club name Dover, which has some steel exposure. "We might have to go pick at this one," Jim said. "I think that's way too low." "Let's go to something I find actionable in our portfolio that I do not get," Jim said. "The action is Capital One." The Club stock, which was down Monday with the banks, has not been rewarded for its Discover acquisition. Goldman Sachs put Capital One on its conviction list. "When I worked at Goldman, I would have picked up the phone and told everybody they have to be in this stock," Jim said. To investors without positions in Capital One, "I would be a huge buyer of this thing," Jim said. The benefits of the acquisition are "intrinsic and excellent," Jim said, noting the catalyst of Discover's payment network and the prospects for second-half stock buybacks. Stocks covered in Monday's rapid fire at the end of the video were Campbell's , Bullpen name Boeing , and Club name GE Vernova . (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) 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. President-elect Lee Jae-myung arrives to attend a public vote count broadcast event hosted by the Democratic Party near the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, South Korea, on June 4, 2025. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images South Korea's opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung was elected the new president in a snap election, marking a turning point for the country after months of turmoil following former leader Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law imposition. Lee won with 49.42% of the votes, defeating the conservative candidate Kim Moon Soo's share of 41.15%, according to the final count released by the National Election Commission. The Democratic Party candidate will be sworn in as president at the National Assembly at 11 a.m. local time, Yonhap News reported, and assume office from the current acting president Han Duck-soo immediately, skipping the 60-day transition period during regular election cycles. Lee will take over the helm for the next five years and determine the trajectory of South Korea's trade negotiations with the U.S. and its policies toward China and North Korea. The country's Kospi index jumped over 2% to a 10-month high Wednesday morning, according to LSEG data, tracking to enter a bull market, defined as a 20% jump from a recent low. The South Korean won strengthened modestly to 1,376.3 against the U.S. dollar. watch now Yoon was impeached after his short-lived declaration of martial law last December and was removed from office by the country's Constitutional Court in April. This triggered the snap presidential election. Lee, who lost to Yoon by a razor-thin margin in the 2022 presidential election, held a sizable lead in opinion polling ahead of the election. His eligibility for the presidency was in doubt after he was charged with breaching election laws, but a final ruling on the case was postponed until after the election by South Korea's High Court. Eurasia Group said that, while Lee had shifted his stance to the political center in a bid to attract independent and centrist votes, he is likely to pursue a more left-leaning agenda in office. "Key watchpoints include the size of a second supplementary budget and Lee's approach to U.S. tariff negotiations," the consultancy added. Lee will contend with the dual challenges of reviving South Korea's economy and completing a "package" agreement with the U.S. by July, Eurasia said. "However, he has signaled a desire to move more slowly in talks with Washington and will likely seek to benchmark Korea's deal against the terms negotiated by other countries, including Japan, before finalizing an agreement," Eurasia noted. Lee had reportedly said on May 25 that the deadline for tariff talks with the U.S. should be extended. Seoul and Washington had agreed to craft a package of deals on tariffs by July 8. watch now U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Lee on his election win in a statement and said the two countries "share an ironclad commitment to the Alliance grounded in our Mutual Defense Treaty, shared values, and deep economic ties." Concerns are mounting in Seoul over the credibility of U.S. security commitments, as the U.S. Forces Korea reportedly considers reducing troop levels below 20,000 for the first time, said James Brady, vice president of political risk consultancy Teneo, anticipating "difficult negotiations" over increased host-nation support payments. U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled his intent to pressure South Korea to pay more for the deployment of American troops. The Trump administration is confident that a massive liquified natural gas project in Alaska will find investors despite its enormous cost. President Donald Trump has pushed Alaska LNG as a national priority since taking office. Alaska has already spent years trying to build an 800-mile pipeline from the North Slope above the Arctic Circle south to the Cook Inlet, where the gas would be cooled and shipped to U.S. allies in Asia. But Alaska LNG has never gotten off the ground due to a stratospheric price tag of more than $40 billion. Trump has pushed Japan and South Korea in particular to invest in the project, threatening them with higher tariffs if they don't offer trade deals that suit him. "If you get the commercial offtakers for the gas, financing is pretty straightforward," Energy Secretary Chris Wright told CNBC's Brian Sullivan in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. "There [are] countries around the world looking to shrink their trade deficit with the United States, and of course, a very easy way to do that is to buy more American energy," Wright said. Energy analysts, however, are skeptical of the project. Alaska LNG "doesn't have a clear cut commercial logic," Alex Munton, director of global gas and LNG research at Rapidan Energy, told CNBC in April. "If it did, it would have had a lot more support than it has thus far, and this project has been on the planning board for literally decades," Munton said. Defense Department support Wright said the project would be built in stages and initially serve domestic demand in Alaska, which faces declining natural gas supplies in the Cook Inlet. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the Department of Defense is ready to support the project with its resources. "They're ready to sign on to take an offtake agreement from this pipeline to get gas to our super strategic, important bases across Alaska," Burgum said of the Pentagon in a CNBC interview at Prudhoe Bay. Marta Nawrocka and supported by Law and Justice party candidate for the President of Poland Karol Nawrocki during the election evening of the second round of the Presidential election in Warsaw, Poland on June 1, 2025. Nationalist Karol Nawrocki, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, clinched the Polish presidency in a tight run-off race that spells trouble for the country's current pro-EU government. A final count showed Nawrocki, who stood for the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party that lost its majority in 2023, secured 50.89% of votes against the 49.11% of rival Warsaw Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski. Early results released before polls closed had put the liberal in the lead. Nawrocki will succeed fellow conservative Andrzej Duda who himself won the leadership with a razor-thin advantage against Trzaskowski in 2020 for a five-year term and can then stand for re-election once. The Polish election was closely watched in Europe, the United States and battling Eastern European neighbors Russia and Ukraine as it raises questions over the solidity of Warsaw's future alignment with Brussels and Kyiv. The head of state's role in Poland is overshadowed by that of parliament, but the president retains a critical veto over legislation. Duda has exercised this to block several reforms spearheaded by Prime Minister Donald Tusk's coalition. Eurosceptic Nawrocki can likewise deliver considerable setbacks to former European Council President Tusk's pro-EU government, which repaired fractured relations with Brussels and last year unlocked payments of up to 137 billion euros ($156 billion) of EU funds that had been frozen over rule-of-law concerns. The country of 37 million and the EU's sixth-largest economy was the largest net beneficiary of EU funds in 2024. "I'm confident that the EU will continue its very good cooperation with Poland. We are all stronger together in our community of peace, democracy, and values," EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Monday on the X social media platform. "So let us work to ensure the security and prosperity of our common home." But nearly two months after the April announcement, the White House has so far only announced a deal with Britain . At the time, the Trump administration said it was aiming to close "90 deals in 90 days." President Donald Trump on April 9 paused his "reciprocal" tariffs on most U.S. trade partners for 90 days, pushing implementation of the steep levies to early July. "As long as we continue to make progress, I think you're going to see a lot more deals that are announced prior to that July 9 time frame," Faulkender said on CNBC's "Squawk Box." Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender said Monday that the Trump administration continues "to make very good progress" on trade negotiations , and it is "close to the finish line on a couple" of deals. Nonetheless, top Trump advisors have indicated they do not plan to extend the 90-day deadline. Faulkender said the White House is looking "to conclude as many of these discussion as we can" before the 90-day pause expires, noting that negotiations "are sometimes complicated." "We want to see that we reach at least terms of an agreement prior to the expiration of that pause, as long as [trade partners] make progress and demonstrate goodwill, we will continue to make progress towards announcing those deals," he said. "We look to make announcements and bring some resolution, both to the American people and to markets, as quickly as we can," he added. Faulkender also said the White House negotiators "continue to make very good progress on a couple of countries that should be imminent." Major U.S. stock indexes opened lower Monday, weighed down by investor concerns about escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China. The monthslong tariff-fueled trade war between the two countries appeared to de-escalate last month, following negotiations in Switzerland. But they flared again last week, when the Trump administration accused China of violating a preliminary trade agreement by slow-walking its pledge to renew exporting critical minerals to the U.S. China pushed back against Trump's claims on Monday, and countered that the U.S. had undermined the Geneva deal by imposing new restrictions on Chinese student visas, among other measures. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett signaled Sunday that Trump and China's President Xi Jinping could hold a direct talk as soon as this week. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to speak this week, a senior White House official told CNBC on Monday. The expected discussion follows a series of flare-ups between Washington and Beijing that threaten to derail a tentative trade agreement that the two economic superpowers reached just weeks earlier. The two leaders could speak one-on-one "very soon," though probably not today, the official said on condition of anonymity. U.S. market indexes opened lower on Monday morning, as investors responded to the increasingly confrontational tone of public messages between the U.S. and China. Trade between the countries who rely heavily on each others' business was effectively crushed in April, when Trump ratcheted blanket tariffs on Chinese imports up to 145% and Beijing issued steep retaliatory duties. The two sides agreed to scale back most of those tariffs for 90 days following an initial round of trade negotiations in Switzerland in mid-May. But each nation has since accused the other of undermining the agreements struck in Geneva. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has accused China of slow-walking renewed exports of critical minerals to the United States, while Beijing has called out Washington for issuing a warning against using Chinese chips. Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer releases the Homestretch an actionable afternoon update, just in time for the last hour of trading on Wall Street. Markets: Stocks were mixed to start the week . The market on the first trading day in June stumbled around the open and traded lower in the absence of any real progress on trade talks between the U.S. and China, with both countries now accusing the other of violating their Geneva trade agreement announced on May 12. Industrials and other cyclicals also felt some pain in response to President Donald Trump doubling tariffs on steel imports to 50%. Underwhelming economic data, including construction spending and ISM manufacturing, also sparked some weakness. However, the market started to cut its losses shortly before 11 a.m. ET after a senior White House official told CNBC's Eamon Javers that Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping were likely to speak later this week. This is the same storyline that helped the market recover Friday afternoon from a sell-off earlier in the session. A few key companies, including Club names Broadcom and CrowdStrike , are set to report quarterly results later this week. But overall, we're in a quiet stretch for earnings. As a result, the market will likely be driven more by economic data and trade-related headlines. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it helps explain why the market is so fixated on every new development out of Washington. Update: Bullpen name Boeing was on the move Monday after analysts at Bank of America upgraded the stock to a buy rating, with a new high price target of $260 per share. That represents more than 25% upside to Friday's close. Shares rose over 2% on Monday. Boeing has had quite a run over the past seven weeks. We added shares of the jet maker to our Bullpen watch list on April 10, because we believed the company would be the No. 1 beneficiary of trade deals with other countries. This thesis quickly proved true. Shortly after the U.S. and the UK announced their trade deal in early May, British Airways' parent company, International Consolidated Airlines Group , IAG for short, announced an order of 32 Boeing Dreamliners in a deal valued at around $10 billion. Boeing later received a ton of orders during Trump's tour of the Mideast, including a record-breaking order of up to 210 aircraft from Qatar Airways. Boeing also got orders from airlines based in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. BA YTD mountain Boeing YTD The trade war de-escalation, especially with China, has helped the stock, too. Boeing shares were trading around $210 per share on Monday, a level not seen since January 2024. At that time, the company was dealing with the immediate fallout from an incident in which a door plug on a 737 Max 9 blew out. It's easy to have regrets for not pulling the trigger on Boeing when we added it to the bullpen. Our thesis has played out just like we thought, and we would be enjoying this big move if we did. However, that doesn't mean the story is over, which is why we aren't removing it from the Bullpen. We continue to like the turnaround story here and the improvements to operations that CEO Kelly Ortberg has put in place. The trade deal angle is the cherry on top. We'll watch Boeing in the weeks and months ahead and look out for pullbacks in the stock because it could be one to buy in the event tariffs and trade wars re-escalate, causing the market to sell-off. Up next: There are no major earnings reports after Monday's closing bell. Dollar General , Signet Jewelers , and Chinese smart EV maker Nio are scheduled to report earnings before Tuesday's open. On Tuesday's economic calendar, it's data factory orders and durable goods orders data. The government also releases its Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, commonly referred to as JOLTS. It's the first of three reports on the job market , leading up to the Labor Department's monthly employment report. (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) 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. Air India and Air Mauritius, on Monday, announced an expansion of their existing codeshare partnership to strengthen flight connectivity between India, Mauritius, and parts of Southern Africa.The updated agreement was signed during the 81st Annual General Meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), held in New Delhi. Campbell Wilson, CEO and Managing Director of Air India, and Kishore Beegoo, Chairman of Air Mauritius, were present at the signing.The enhanced codeshare agreement allows the two airlines to place their respective designator codesAI for Air India and MK for Air Mauritiuson a total of 17 routes. These routes include destinations in India, Mauritius, Reunion, South Africa, and Madagascar.Wilson said, The expanded codeshare partnership with Air Mauritius is another step toward widening our extended global network, which enables our customers to easily access these destinations.With this expansion, Air India will now place its AI code on Air Mauritius-operated flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, as well as Antananarivo in Madagascar. This will allow passengers travelling from India to book a single ticket for their journey, including travel beyond Mauritius, and have their baggage checked through to the final destination.Wilson added, India is one of the largest tourism source markets for destinations in Southern Africa, including Mauritius and South Africa, as well as a strong trade partner to the region.Air India already codeshares on Air Mauritius flights between Mauritius and three destinationsMumbai, Delhi, and Reunion. Air Mauritius, on its part, will place its MK code on Air India flights between Mauritius and Mumbai.In addition, it continues to place its code on Air India domestic flights connecting Mumbai with Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Goa.The newly codeshared flights will be available for booking from July 1, through the booking channels of both Air India and Air Mauritius, as well as through travel agents.As a result of the updated agreement, all direct flights between India and Mauritius operated by either airline will carry both carriers codes. This move will provide more travel choices and greater convenience for customers of both airlines.Beegoo said, Air Mauritius is pleased to expand its collaboration with Air India, offering our passengers connections to numerous destinations across India via Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai. Travellers from India to Mauritius will not only experience the warmth of our multi-cultural society and the richness of our diverse local cuisine, but also enjoy the convenience of connecting to Reunion, South Africa, and Madagascar beyond with Air Mauritius. It was just another day, another show for Indian comedian Gaurav Gupta until he realised there was a Pakistani guest in the audience. What followed was a banter, with the Pakistani guest being an equal sport.Gupta, who started his US-Canada tour last month, on Sunday shared a video of the hilarious interaction with the Pakistani man.As the man identified himself, people in the crowd started shouting 'Sindoor,' referring to Operation Sindoor carried out by Indian armed forces last month in the wake of the ghastly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.After asking the audience to behave, Gaurav turned to the audience members and jokingly commanded, "Chalo Hanuman Chalisa padho ab. Padho, padho!"The crowd erupted in laughter and applause, while the fan, to his credit, took it positively.Gupta continued, asking the man if he understood his Hindi jokes. When the man appeared to say yes, Gupta said: Toh tumhe samajh nahi aata, nahi milega tumhe? Itne saalon se keh rahe hain nahi milega, nahi milega, phir aa jaate ho tum.The joke was a reference to the long-standing Kashmir issue between the two countries. It once again drew applause and cheers from the crowd.Earlier, Gupta took a moment to appreciate the man for being a terrific sport. "Brother, you have the guts to come here," he said. He thought artists were banned, but the audience is still allowed!"The viral moment came weeks after the social media handles of multiple Pakistani actors and influencers were banned in India.Pakistani artists are also banned in India, with streaming platforms removing Pakistani content, films, music, and dramas. #WATCH | Delhi: During the bilateral meeting with President of Paraguay, Santiago Pena Palacios, PM Modi says "India and Paraguay stand shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism. There is immense potential for cooperation to fight common challenges like cybercrime, pic.twitter.com/x5PFWWVGMX ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2025 Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India and Paraguay are an integral part of the Global South and urged greater cooperation to tackle shared global challenges, during a meeting with Paraguayan President Santiago Pena Palacios in New Delhi on Monday, 2 June.Modi called for closer collaboration on issues such as cybercrime, organised crime and drug trafficking during talks held at Hyderabad House.India and Paraguay stand shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism. There is immense potential for cooperation to fight common challenges like cybercrime, organised crime, and drug trafficking, the Prime Minister said.He also said both nations could learn from one another, given their shared aspirations and concerns. India and Paraguay are an integral part of the Global South. Our hopes, aspirations and challenges are similar, so we can deal with these challenges effectively by learning from each other's experiences, he said, according to ANI.President Palacios is on a three-day state visit to India, which runs until 4 June. He arrived on 2 June and was received by Minister of State Harsh Vardhan Malhotra. He was formally welcomed with a Guard of Honour at Palam Air Force Station. After concluding key meetings in the capital, Palacios is expected to travel to Mumbai.Modi described Palacios visit to India as historic and said the Presidents stop in Mumbai reflected a clear commitment to deepening the bilateral relationship.Your visit to India is historic. This is the second visit of the President of Paraguay to India. You are visiting not only Delhi but Mumbai as well. This clearly reflects your commitment to mutual relations, he said.I believe that through mutual cooperation, we will pave the way for shared prosperity. We have new opportunities for cooperation in areas like digital technology, critical minerals, energy, agriculture, health, defence, railways and space, he added.Modi also said India was glad it could support Paraguay during the Covid-19 pandemic by supplying vaccines.He said the two countries have an opportunity to advance India-Latin America ties by building greater trust, increasing trade, and working more closely across various sectors. I am sure that your visit will provide new strength to the pillars of mutual trust, trade and close cooperation. It will also add new dimensions to India-Latin America relations, he said.Last year, I participated in the CARICOM Summit in Guyana, where we discussed increasing cooperation on many subjects. We can work together with Paraguay and all Latin American countries in all these areas, he added. Weve all heard the stories about politicians completely misunderstanding protest songs. When a song goes, Born in the USA, or, I aint no fortunate son, or, I hate the government and hate this candidate in particular, a politician will blindly assume that it must be their kind of anthem, just because it sounds inspiring. But lets not get too complacent, making fun of those dumb guys. You yourself have probably misunderstood the meanings of a bunch of protest songs. In your defense, its because the song is protesting some issue thats so weird, youd never dream that the song could be about that. 5 Dirty Water Don't Miss Dirty Water by the Standells is a classic song about Boston. Its kind of a song about how much Boston sucks, as it calls out the Charles Rivers filth and the populations many criminals, but that doesnt stop people from singing it with pride. Sure, the city might have birthed a Strangler, but its our city that birthed a Strangler, say Bostonians. Besides, the water is cleaner and the streets are safer than back in 1966 when the song was written, so none of us need to take those parts too seriously. However, the song also contains these lines, the meaning of which is totally inscrutable to people today: Frustrated women Have to be in by 12 oclock But Im a-wishin and a-hopin That just once those doors werent locked I like to save time for my baby to walk around Yeah, people today might think, vaguely, while singing along. Women, right? Every guy wants a girlfriend, and plenty of gals are frustrated, by just everything. And then they move on to the chorus before thinking too hard about this verse. But the verse referred to a very specific issue: the guest policy at Boston University. Back then, BU dorms had strict cutoff times regarding when students could come in, and this was an issue songwriter Ed Cobb thought to immortalize in song. We say back then, but that guest policy, complete with a midnight cutoff time, was still around at BU 40 years later before finally changing. The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. 4 I Cant Drive 55 The literal meaning of 1984s I Cant Drive 55 is clear, even if you only know the song from hearing it in Back to the Future. Sammy Hagar is complaining about the speed limit. But we all know how music works, so we understand that when someone sings about driving, theyre really singing about life. When I drive that slow, you know its hard to steer, sings Hagar, And I cant get my car out of second gear. Advertisement This is a guy who wants to go faster in life and possibly faster in bed. Except, no. The song actually is protesting the speed limit, which used to be a very serious annoyance. Advertisement Advertisement Richard Nixon created the 55-mile-per-hour speed limit, and it was too low. It wasnt just too low for crazy rock star speed freaks but too low for anyone who wanted to drive the optimal way. The speed limit wasnt set so low to prioritize safety. It was set so low to reduce gas consumption during the energy crisis. People later forgot the fury over the 55 MPH limit, first because cops started giving everyone 10 or 20 miles grace over the 55 limit and then because most states wised up and shifted their limits upward. 3 For What Its Worth Some of you might have trouble recognizing the title of this Buffalo Springfield song, but youll definitely recognize the song once you hear it. Its the one whose chorus goes, You better stop, hey, whats that sound? Everybody look, whats going down? Theres something happening here But what it is aint exactly clear Theres a man with a gun over there Telling me I got to beware Advertisement Advertisement The song is clearly protesting something, and the tone alone lets you know this song is definitely about war. Given that its a 1960s protest song, its surely about Vietnam. What a field day for the heat A thousand people in the street Singing songs and they carrying signs Mostly say, Hooray for our side Youd assume its about the war, and youd be wrong. For What Its Worth was a protest song about a curfew in Los Angeles that said teens couldnt stay out after 10 p.m. It feels like the song is mourning people who were senselessly killed, but its really about kids bitter they cant hang out late. Yes just like Dirty Water. Advertisement The same was true with many of the physical student protests in the 1960s. You think, looking back, that it was all about national policy or racial discrimination, but with many kids, it was all about protesting mandatory curfews. Which was a serious issue for students, and a feminist issue, but its an issue no one today remembers. 2 Spasticus Autisticus The United Nations declared 1981 to be the International Year of Disabled Persons. Into this setting came Spasticus Autisticus, a protest song by Ian Dury, who was disabled from childhood polio. Clearly, this song called for the better treatment of the disabled, right? Advertisement Advertisement Nope. The song protested the International Year of Disabled Persons, which Dury thought was a stupid idea. I wibble when I piddle, cause my middle is a riddle, sings Dury. I dribble when I nibble. And I quibble when I scribble. Widdling, griddling, skittling, diddling, fiddling, diddling, widdling, diddling spasticus. Advertisement The BBC considered the song offensive to disabled people and banned it from airplay. In more recent years, however, people have come more to sympathize with Durys point-of-view that declaring an International Year of Disabled Persons was condescending and pointless. When London hosted the Paralympics in 2012, artists performed Spasticus Autisticus at the opening ceremony. TV acting veteran and King of the Hill star Jonathan Joss died last night after a confrontation with a neighbor turned violent. According to the police department of San Antonio, Texas, officers responded to a call about a shooting in process at a house on the citys south side late last night and arrived on the scene to find Joss with several gunshot wounds. Paramedics provided medical assistance, but pronounced Joss dead on the scene. Officers arrested the suspect, identified only as Joss neighbor, a block away from where Joss was discovered. Don't Miss The prolific sitcom performer was 59 years old. Joss, who played the role of John Redcorn on King of the Hill from Season Two to Season 13, was returning from a trip to Austin, Texas when an argument broke out between him and his neighbor late Sunday night. San Antonio PD is currently speaking to witnesses to determine the cause of the conflict, but the police say that the yet-unidentified suspect drew a gun and fired several shots into Joss before fleeing the scene in a vehicle. Witnesses to the shooting provided police with a description of the car, leading to the suspects swift arrest. Advertisement Beyond his work on the beloved animated sitcom King of the Hill, Joss also had recurring roles on other hit shows such as Parks and Recreation and Walker, Texas Ranger. In the last year, Joss experienced serious hardship when he lost his home and his dog in a house fire. He is survived by his husband, Tristan Kern. Theres a hole in my heart where you used to go Shortly after the news broke that King of the Hill star Jonathan Joss had been shot and killed during a violent altercation with a neighbor on Sunday evening, fans flocked to social media to memorialize the late John Redcorn actor. Im not really a praying man, but I truly hope Jonathan is at peace, one fan wrote of the star, who had publicly struggled after losing his San Antonio home and two dogs in a fire earlier this year. Just horrible, heartbreaking news. A very good actor who had a ton of depth, another recalled of Joss acting chops, taking care to note his portrayal of Chief Ken Hotate of Parks and Recreation as well. As good as his performance as Jon Redcorn was, he stole every scene he was part of on Parks and Recreation, they added, as a third memorialized the star using his King of the Hill characters now iconic song lyrics. Theres a hole in my heart where you used to go, they recalled, quoting John Redcorns metal band, Big Mountain Fudgecake. RIP to a legend. Over the years, numerous Redditors have taken to the King of the Hill subreddit to share some of their favorite John Redcorn/Jonathan Joss moments. Check out some of his greatest scenes for yourself below, the funniest of which include his kickball woes and his musings on turning 40. Advertisement 15 Advertisement 14 13 12 Advertisement Advertisement 11 10 Advertisement 9 Advertisement 8 Advertisement 7 6 Advertisement 5 Advertisement 4 Advertisement 3 2 Advertisement Advertisement Just one day before he would die from multiple gun-shot wounds following a tense confrontation with his neighbor at his home in San Antonio, King of the Hill actor Jonathan Joss made some gallows-humor jokes about his relationship with people on his block that play especially dark today. This morning, the San Antonio Police Department announced that Joss had died after suffering multiple gunshot wounds at his home on the citys south side yesterday evening. According to the police, Joss neighbor, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, drew a firearm and killed Joss following a tense confrontation on the latters property before fleeing the scene in a vehicle. Ceja is now in custody. Don't Miss On Saturday, Joss made what would be his final public appearance during a live show for Bwaaa! A King of The Hill Podcast in Austin, Texas, during which he made numerous dark jokes about the hardships he had faced in the last several months, along with making some serious claims about the circumstances surrounding the tragic house fire that he suffered earlier this year, which took the life of his three dogs. Back in January, Joss family home in San Antonio, which his parents built in 1957, burnt down with his three dogs trapped inside. At the time, Joss blamed a gas-powered heater he had been using after the power went out in the house for the blaze, telling the press, Mistakes happen, man. And its my fault for, I guess, leaving something on. During his appearance on Bwaaa! A King of the Hill Podcast on Saturday, Joss seemed to suggest that he had come to suspect foul play was involved in the tragic fire. My ex-wife is involved in Texas, San Antonio real estate, and she was kind of messing with me, Joss told his hosts of the fire. Because Ive been in mental wards and stuff, the courts dont believe me when I tell them things are happening. But my house got burned down. They could not rule out arson. Joss continued of the suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire in a low, echoing tone, My closest friends said, Jonathan, we know you set that fire fire fire. We know you did it for the money money money money. I said, Guys, my dogs dogs dogs were there! I would never hurt my dogs!' Advertisement I would never light my dogs on fire, Joss insisted, before taking a sharp left turn and joking, That's why I shot the little fuckers and then I burnt the house down! So my neighbors now are really scared, Joss remarked. While, at the time, Joss' dark joke about the tragic house fire played as some off-color comedy, following the shooting that took his life just one day later, we have to wonder if Joss was using humor to mask the actual tension that had been brewing between him and his neighbors since the fire. Throughout the podcast episode, Joss made numerous shocking jokes about serious subjects, which, considering the hardships he faced in the final months of his life, come as no surprise, but its hard not to worry that the punchlines were warnings in disguise. When North Korea tried to launch a warship the other day, things did not go entirely to plan and the vessel capsized. Labour's announcement of its defence plans nearly went the same way. What a foul-up they made of it. MPs were cross that they were not allowed to read the defence review until the Secretary of State, John Healey, was at the despatch box. The Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, went on the war path, voicing backbenchers' fury and ensuring that Mr Healey's announcement was delayed by other squabbles. Commons leader Lucy Powell took several direct hits from Sir Lindsay. She curled a lip at him but that only encouraged him to unleash more verbal torpedoes. Ms Powell was soon listing, holed below decks and with much of her superstructure gone. After further sorties from her Tory counterpart, Jesse Norman, she may be beyond salvage. While a 'glug glug glug' came from HMS Powell, Mr Healey glided to the despatch box to agree that MPs should, yes, be allowed to read the document before asking him about it. By this stage, many of its contents had already been reported by newspapers a proud day for journalists, egad and Sir Keir Starmer had held a wonderfully wooden event in front of two half-built frigates at Govan. The nasal knight was surrounded by shipyard workers. He gulped, blinked, said 'er' and 'um', and managed to create further confusion as to when, if ever, defence spending would reach 3 per cent of gross domestic product. Back at Westminster a junior defence minister, Luke Pollard, had a sticky time explaining what the Government's policy on nuclear weapons would now be. Mr Pollard, hesitating, explained: 'I don't want to eat the Secretary of State's sandwiches.' Speaker Hoyle, roaring in broad Lancastrian: 'Don't you wurry, the Sunday papers did it already!' Mr Healey was by now in the chamber, going through the text of his speech but perhaps silently thinking 'cripes, what a shambles'. Beside him sat another defence minister, Maria Eagle, dabbing at her runny nose with a sopping Kleenex. The chemical warfare laboratory at Aldermaston would not have handled that hankie without a hazmat suit. Defence Secretary John Healey addresses the House of Commons on the day the Strategic Defence Review is unveiled Just when things could hardly deteriorate further, Tory frontbencher Mark Francois came scampering into the chamber like a plump old spaniel with a string of butcher's sausages. He whispered something urgent to the shadow secretary of state, James Cartlidge, who promptly stood up to announce that the review document had been given to leading defence firms at 8am. Two and a half hours before even the journalists? Disgrace! Speaker Hoyle whooshed back to his feet and said he hoped there had been no insider-dealing on the stock market as a result. Up in the gallery beside us blunt nibs, meanwhile, sat Lord Robertson, the Labour grandee and former Nato boss who led the defence review. Tories suggested he must be appalled by the goings-on. Lord Robertson looked to me as if he was enjoying the chaos enormously. Finally we reached real points of debate. Jeremy Corbyn and a few Lefties complained about a breaking of nuclear non-proliferation treaty agreements. The Greens Ellie Chowns from the SAS lands of Herefordshire, indeed wailed that 'warheads don't buy a safer world'. Tory heckler: 'I think you'll find they do.' Debbie Abrahams (Lab, Oldham E) fretted about mental health. The Labour MP for Aldershot wanted a new bank. And the Lib Dems are no longer opposed to nukes. Provided they are fuelled by lentil gas, perhaps. Mr Healey ground his jaw. He spoke of 'our island home' and said 'we must now move to war-fighting readiness'. His macho routine did not work as well as it usually does. When he claimed that Rachel Reeves had 'fixed the economic foundations', I regret to say that the House just laughed. Not that Mr Healey will mind that the Treasury, which may be his more immediate foe than even the Kremlin, has now become a national joke. Im a man without conviction, Im a man who doesnt know, sang Culture Clubs Boy George in his huge 1980s hit Karma Chameleon. It could be Keir Starmers theme song. Less than a decade ago, as a rather dull, modestly Left-wing lawyer (he spouted all the usual nostrums of the fashionable North London cognoscenti), he signed up to Jeremy Corbyns warmed-over Marxism to become a leading member of the old frauds shadow cabinet. When Corbyn went down in flames in the 2019 general election, Starmer retained his Corbynista persona to clinch leadership of the Labour Party in early 2020. But what wins you party elections doesnt win you general elections. So Starmer junked his Corbynism to move rapidly to the centre, taking power last summer on a milk-and-water social-democratic prospectus. Now there are growing signs that Starmer is about to shape-shift for a third time. The Labour tribe is increasingly disillusioned with its robotic, visionless, insipid leader. The Labour Party is finding its voice and it has a distinctly Left-wing accent. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner lodged a memo with the Treasury urging more tax rises rather than spending cuts in the upcoming spending review on June 11. Somehow it was leaked (to the Daily Telegraph of all places), thereby conveniently establishing with her Left-wing base she was in a different place from Chancellor Rachel Reeves. There are growing signs that the Labour tribe is increasingly disillusioned with its robotic, visionless, insipid leader Sir Keir Starmer Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner lodged a memo with the Treasury urging more tax rises rather than spending cuts in the upcoming spending review on June At the weekend, Starmers former Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh called on the Government to rip up our self-imposed tax rules and deliver a proper wealth tax. Thus speaks the authentic voice of the Labour Left, which is flexing its muscles across the board. Multiple Labour MPs are warning party whips they will not support welfare cuts, especially to disability payments. The mounting chorus of dissidents has been encouraged to speak up, even rebel, by Starmers proclivity to U-turn when it suits him. So he is now under pressure to move Left on a number of fronts. There is every chance he will do so, if only to save his skin. Indeed, the Leftward shift has already begun. A screeching U-turn is under way to restore winter fuel payments for pensioners, so cavalierly cut by Reeves in her first Budget last October. That is not so much a concession to the Left as the reluctant bending to common sense. There is a strong case for targeting these payments more on those pensioners who most need them. But that was not Reevess purpose: she wanted to strut the stage as the Iron Chancellor who could take tough decisions. So she wielded the axe, not the scalpel. Thus did she end up devising the single most unpopular policy in Labours short time in power. Hence the U-turn. The future of the two-child benefit cap will be much more significant in revealing the direction Starmer now intends to go. Lets start by clearing up some confusion. It is not about child benefit, which is not means-tested and is paid for all children under 16 (there is some clawback from families with incomes over 60,000). The dispute is over the Universal Credit child supplement, worth up to 3,500 a year per child, separate from child benefit. The Tories capped this at two children eight years ago. Its a popular policy. Labour railed against it in opposition but decided to leave it in place in power. People, especially those on the Red Wall who voted Labour last summer, generally dont like the idea of parents having children they cant afford and sending the bill to the rest of us. But the Labour Left, egged on by child poverty campaigners, hate it. They want the cap removed. Starmer is ready to oblige. The imminent spending review will be tough on so-called unprotected departments like housing, local government and the environment, all favourites of the Labour faithful. So Starmer needs to throw the party a bone. Or several. He will likely retreat on welfare cuts too. A screeching U-turn is under way to restore winter fuel payments for pensioners, so cavalierly cut by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her first Budget last October Whether he (or Reeves) can afford to is another matter. Cuts to the winter fuel allowance and some disability payments were meant to save 5 billion a year. Restoring the allowance and scrapping the child benefit cap would cost 5 billion a year, wiping out any savings. Easing up on planned welfare rules would cost several billion more. All of which merely reinforces the growing notion that Reeves will be back with more big tax rises in her autumn Budget. If Starmer gives in over the child benefit cap not because its unpopular (which it isnt) but because the Labour Left demands it, that will confirm that hes tilting to the Left with all that means for tax and spend in the years to come. Ironically, hes under pressure to do so not just from his own party but from Nigel Farage, doing some shape-shifting of his own, who wants rid of the cap for pronatalist reasons the country needs more kids. Just why he thinks that remains a mystery. There is no labour shortage looming, not when there are 9 million of working age not actually earning a wage. The shortage is of folks willing to work, sedated by a never-ending flow of no-questions-asked welfare payments. But Starmer is running scared of Reform even more than he is of the Labour Left. So that child benefit cap is unlikely to be long with us. Labours modest efforts at welfare reform have fallen at the first hurdle. Whitehall resounds again to the sound of screeching U-turns. Seventies-style tax and spend is back in vogue even though the tax burden is already at a 76-year high. Today, the state spends a record 1.35 trillion a year (45 per cent of GDP) versus 890billion (40 per cent GDP) only five years ago. And the interest bill on a national debt of 2.8 trillion (80 per cent above where it was a decade ago) has risen from 40 billion pre-pandemic to over 110 billion now. Hopes of Starmer reversing Britains decline are vanishingly small. Signs of failure and incompetence are everywhere. The target of 1.5 million new homes by 2030 is already a fantasy. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy says that disaffection in the post-industrial northern heartlands is so severe they could go up in flames at any moment. Nearly 1,200 illegal migrants crossed the Channel on Saturday, the most in a single day so far this year, in 18 dinghies carrying over 50 passengers each. The French police watched benignly from the shore, as useless after we lobbed 480 million their way as they were without it. Almost 15,000 boat people have made the journey so far this year, the highest ever recorded and over 40 per cent up on the previous 12 months. Starmers promise to smash the people-smuggling gangs is clearly as effective as his efforts to smash the drug-running gangs. Economic decline, which Britain is once again sadly experiencing, is slow, even imperceptible. It takes time, as it did in the 1970s, before the dire consequences of whats happening dawns. But the English Channel is an obvious failure all can see nightly on their TVs. It reinforces the idea that the Government is incompetent, out of control and hasnt a clue what to do. Such sentiments have been the death knell of governments in the past. As they will be for the Starmer Government too. Keep an ear out for Kemi Badenochs fruity language at this weeks PMQs. I hear Commons clerks are worried that the Tory leader is pushing the limits of acceptable parliamentary language. Six weeks ago, she sent them into a spin after inelegantly accusing the PM of having no balls over his woeful record on gender self-ID and protecting single-sex spaces. Then, just ten days ago, the Tory leader followed it up by suggesting he and his policies were shafting the country. Its rare indeed for either the PM or the Leader of the Opposition to be brought up short by the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, during Commons exchanges. But Sir Lindsay will be guided by his bewigged officials before deciding whether to rebuke Badenoch if she pushes it too far again. How long before she reduces Hansard, the official report of parliamentary proceedings, to using asterisks? Six weeks ago, Kemi Badenoch accused the PM of having no balls over his record on gender self-ID and protecting single-sex spaces QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie reveals that a new car is being released: Kia has announced a model that performs U-turns unaided the Kia Starmer. Labour's bad D:Ream A YouGov poll reveals Labour has recorded its lowest approval rating since the dreaded Jeremy Corbyn was leader. Under Sir Keir Starmer, the partys rating has fallen to 21 per cent. As D:Ream and Labour sang in 1997: Things can only get better. Jeremy Corbyn, an Arsenal supporter, has been lamenting the departure from the BBC of Match Of The Day presenter Gary Lineker. Lineker, said Corbyn, was a brilliant sportsman, an outstanding broadcaster and wonderful human being. Presumably hes forgotten that, in 2017, Lineker tweeted pithily: Bin Corbyn. An outbreak of invasive honey fungus mushrooms has felled a birch tree on the Dorneywood estate, the grace-and-favour country retreat of Chancellor Rachel Reeves in Buckinghamshire. Im sure it wont be long before Tory wags delight in referring to the Chancellor as dead wood. Lord (Michael) Farmer, a former Tory treasurer, had a clever riposte to Nigel Farage over the Reform leaders decision to support lifting the two-child benefit cap. Limiting the number of children the State will pay for is popular because working people sense it is fair and encourages responsibility, said the hedge fund millionaire, who founded an academy school to help disadvantaged children. They are not willing to pay higher taxes to subsidise other families when they have already cut their own cloth to suit their income. Quite. Talking of Farage, there was a touch of genius about the choice of venue for his lift the cap press conference last week. This was held in Whitehalls Royal Horseguards Hotel, in the same building as the National Liberal Club, the haunt of senior Lib Dems such as leader Sir Ed Davey. The sight of the Farage fox inside their hen house had Lib Dem activists spitting feathers, I hear. Another fine mess, Sadiq On the same day London Mayor Sadiq Khan caused predictable uproar by irresponsibly calling for the decriminalisation of cannabis, he discreetly raised the congestion charge in the capital by a swingeing 20 per cent to 18. The move has been sparked by large numbers of drivers refusing to pay his hated Ultra Low Emission Zone fines. In February, the resulting shortfall was put at 438 million. And they are not the only defaulters. The capitals foreign embassies, who argue that the Ulez charge is a tax and they are therefore not liable to pay it, owe a further 143 million. I've just come back from Ukraine and the magnificent Black Sea port of Odessa where one thing was abundantly clear: Kyiv is our teacher now. Attending a security conference there, British speakers discussed tanks and ships while Ukrainian leaders spoke about drones and tech. Less than 24 hours later, we saw why. Kyiv's Operation Spiderweb destroyed a third of Moscow's strategic bombers, the planes used to murder civilians and threaten the West with nuclear annihilation. Audacious, seemingly impossible in fact, Spiderweb smuggled 117 drones on to Russian soil over a period of 18 months and caused devastating explosions in Russian bases thousands of miles away. And Ukraine succeeded because its planners focused obsessively on one question: will this work? Every one of Kyivs decisions is measured against brutal reality, not political aspiration. The contrast with Britains approach to defence could not be starker. While Ukrainian officials speak with the clarity that comes from existential threat, our Defence Secretary, John Healey, spent his weekend performing semantic gymnastics on TV. We saw what Ukraine could do in Operation Spiderweb - an attack of audacity, imagination but, also, intense practicality Firm commitments, including raising defence spending to a very necessary three percent, were transformed into mere aspirations under the gentlest questioning. This predictable retreat is the reality behind today's Strategic Defence Review (SDR). Many of the proposals - more submarines, for example, new munitions factories, improved housing for service personnel - are very welcome. So are the plans outlined in the review to give electronic warfare a dedicated cyber command. Yet none of this can work without firm financial commitments. And Healey's uncertainty has exposed a dangerous gap between Labours military ambitions and financial reality. The economics of war are brutal to those who think politics can replace the truth. And while Russia can see, day by day, that Ukraine is serious, Moscow will conclude that we are not. Our opponents dont merely listen to what our Government says, they see what it actually does and where the cash goes. So, yes. We do need 12 new nuclear submarines. We need to build them to deliver on our commitment to the AUKUS security partnership with Australia and the United States. And we need them to maintain the intelligence picture essential to our future. With Chinas naval expansion accelerating, the submarine programme addresses head-on the challenges we face in the Indian and Pacific Oceans - not least protecting the freedom of navigation that underpins global trade. We also need the munitions factories promised in the SDR. Healey backed us when the Conservative government called for the same thing. And I am supporting him now for putting our plans into action. The SDRs 6billion commitment to build six new ammunition factories is exactly the kind of unglamorous but vital infrastructure investment that wins wars. A dedicated command structure for cyber warfare recognises that modern conflicts are fought as much with keyboards as Kalashnikovs. Remember, it wasnt Ukraines navy that sank the Russian flagship Moscva and scared the Black Sea fleet into port, it was Kyivs tech-savy army. Using airborne drones and unmanned submarines, Ukraine has transformed the Black Sea from Russias boating lake into a piranha pool. Ukraines digital warriors have even turned Russian soldiers own mobile phones into tracking devices, so helping prove that the keyboard is now a weapon of war, as Healey rightly put it. Yet on current budgets, these aspirations simply wont happen. Aspirations dont sink enemy submarines or intercept hostile missiles. Only careful military planning and firm financial commitment make us safer. We must also start to think differently - and very much more clearly. How, we might ask, does the recent 3.4billion deal to give the Chagos Islands to Mauritius - then rent back the military base there - help us in our current plight? Ukrainian units smuggled 117 drones into Russia over 18 months then destroyed a third of the Russian strategic bombers that menace us with the threat of nuclear attack and kill Ukrainian civilians every night This vast sum of money will be taken, piece by piece, straight out of the defence budget! It is the logic of the madhouse. Perhaps most concerning of all is the fantasy that our drastic recruitment problem can be fixed without a radical change of approach. The SDR plan to boost army strength to 72,500 sounds impressive until you confront the brutal reality of Britains recruitment crisis. The disconnect is stark. This isnt about patriotism. Young people today are just as determined and impressive as any generation and can fight just as hard. Its about economics. The private sector pays better, offers an easier life and often better career prospects for exactly the talented and self-reliant people that the Armed Forces need the most. Experienced personnel are leaving faster than we can replace them. And they take irreplaceable institutional knowledge away with them. You cant build a 21st-century military on 20th-century employment terms. Clear thinking particularly matters as we approach crucial decisions about investments in, for example, the Tempest fighter programme, the Type 31 frigates and the Ajax armoured vehicle programme. All these require sustained political commitment over decades. Ukraine is showing us how to do it. There, officials speak with the clarity that comes from existential threat. Theyve scrapped kit that doesnt work and squeezed the cash they do have to deliver the kind of operation unimaginable only a few years ago. With a few thousand dollars-worth of drones, they have just destroyed $7billion of Russian aircraft. That really is resetting the economics of war. Here in Britain, meanwhile, gestures are made and promises trailed, but theres no new money - and nothing scrapped to save money, either. Sadly, Ive seen all this before. First when I was in uniform, and three more times from the vantage point of Parliament, where I have been both chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and security minister. Labours reluctance to make the hard choices that serious defence policy requires is the fundamental problem facing Britain and its Armed Services alike. You simply cannot promise military modernisation, and maintain social spending commitments, and avoid difficult conversations about taxation or borrowing. Its just not honest. Something has to give, and Healeys weekend retreat suggests it will be defence capability. Learning that Ukraines success doesnt come from grand strategic documents but from prioritisation and relentless adaptation is a lesson we need to take - and urgently. Their commanders dont have the luxury of aspiration. Every shred of resource must deliver measurable results against a determined enemy. We need to do the same. We must start with the honesty that Britain deserves and ask what we can actually afford. Better a smaller, superbly equipped military than a larger force struggling with obsolete equipment and unfilled ranks. It means having frank conversations with the public about the real costs of security in an increasingly dangerous world. It means building alliances and learning from those who are at the cutting edge - fighting for their existence. Most importantly, it means distinguishing between hope and need. As we have just seen, determination and innovation can multiply modest resources into devastating effect. But that requires leaders willing to make hard choices rather than soft commitments. When a Defence Secretary starts hedging his bets in public or makes obviously unfunded commitments, it sends a signal to allies and adversaries alike that Britain prefers warm words to cold truths. For all the impressive thinking in the SDR - and there is plenty - its not actually a plan until we agree to spend the money thats required. Meanwhile, our enemies in Beijing and Moscow are watching. A flight attendant has revealed the secret trick she uses to 'punish' passengers who refuse to swap seats. Mitra Amirzadeh, an Orlando-based flight attendant, revealed she has her own secret method of dealing with difficult passengers. The cabin crew member claimed she doesn't always get involved in seat swapping dilemmas, but if it involves a child needing to sit with a parent she will step in. Mitra revealed that asking the passenger who is refusing to move seats, to look after the child, is a very quick way to get them to move seats fast. She told the The Wall Street Journal: 'I have said before, "OK, so you're going to watch the toddler? '"You'll want their snacks and their colouring books then, because they're going to need that".' She claimed this quickly motivates the passenger to allow the child to be seated with their parent. However Mitra, who is also a union rep for an airline that charges passengers for advance seat selection, said she doesn't want passengers to be 'forced' to swap seats if they have paid for it. Mitra Amirzadeh, who is an Orlando-based flight attendant, revealed she has her own secret method of dealing with difficult passengers (stock image) She continued: 'The next time you feel yourself getting angry or getting frustrated that you're not getting the seat you want, you need to remind yourself that you didn't pay to pick your seat. Otherwise, you'd be in it.' Mitra revealed that the frustrating seat-swapping drama occurs on roughly 80 per cent of her monthly flights. It comes after travel expert Jamie Fraser, of Wild Packs American summer camp, offered his top tips on how to respond to a seat swapping request with proper etiquette. His advice comes in the wake of a viral incident involving a woman who was filmed by a passenger and berated online after refusing to give up her seat to a crying child - resulting in her losing her job. Jennifer Castro, a 29-year-old bank employee from Brazil, became the centre of an internet firestorm after a row on a GOL Airlines domestic flight in December 2024, and has since filed charges against the airline and the passenger who filmed her. According to YouGov, a mere six per cent of Brits would not switch seats under any circumstances, even though this could cause a disturbance. To ensure a hassle-free flight, Jamie Fraser recommends following his advice next time you're asked to move on a plane. Fraser stresses that passengers are not obligated to switch seats with a fellow flyer. The cabin crew member claimed she doesn't always get involved in seat swapping dilemmas but if it involves a child needing to sit with a parent she will step in (stock image) Your seat number is printed on your boarding pass, and if you have pre-booked a window or aisle seat, for example, you are entitled to choose to remain in that designated spot. If you are asked to switch to a middle seat, Fraser advises to simply tell the passenger you prefer to keep the seat you're in. If the request persists, Fraser recommends calmly repeating your refusal without further explanation. After all, your fellow passenger had just as much opportunity as you to book their preferred seat in advance. If the passenger doesn't take no for an answer, Fraser recommends staying firm but polite. The expert explains: 'If the passenger continues to press you to swap seats, it is important to stay firm but polite in your response. 'Remember that it isnt rude to decline. Calmly reiterate that you wont swap seats. 'If necessary, involve a flight attendant as they are trained to handle these types of situations.' When should you consider swapping seats? Fraser notes that there are a few situations where it may be appropriate to consider a seat swap. He advises: 'You should only seriously consider swapping your seat when a young child has been separated from their family. 'However, the family should first consult the airline for help before asking a passenger to swap seats. Even then, you are not obligated to switch seats. 'You can, of course, consider swapping seats if you are unhappy with your current one, and a passenger offers you a better seat. Outside of this situation, however, asking to swap seats is considered poor travel etiquette.' Fraser adds that wanting to sit next to a friend, disliking a middle seat, or failing to book seats together in advance are not justifiable reasons to expect someone to move. Why you shouldn't take someone's seat without permission Another major mistake to avoid is assuming that it's okay to take another passenger's seat without their input. An important rule when travelling is to never sit in someone's seat before they board, as this can cause unnecessary delays. It can also potentially lead to tension or, worse, a confrontation between you and the rightful ticket holder. Fraser warns: 'A member of staff may ask you to leave the plane or you could find yourself going viral online.' Offering a 'fair' swap Those travelling by plane should follow the correct travel etiquette if they want to switch seats with a fellow passenger (stock images) If you're the one requesting to swap seats, it's important to make sure you are offering a fair trade. This could be the same type of seat elsewhere in the cabin, or a seat upgrade with more space. Fraser stresses that expecting someone to swap their window or aisle seat for a middle seat is not good travel etiquette. It comes after influencer Maddie Borge, 24, revealed she'd managed to bag a whole row of seats to herself on an Etihad Airways flight, thanks to the carrier's neighbour-free scheme. The scheme asks passengers to put in how much money they'd be willing to spend to get the row to themselves and if the plane is not busy, they are then awarded the extra seats. British women are flocking to Australia to work in mines and earn up to 4,400 for just two weeks of work. As an increasing number of young people complain about the lack of career opportunities in the UK, others have found a solution Down Under as FIFO workers, which stand for Fly In Fly Out. FIFO, an employment type where professionals fly to and from remote locations for shift work, has grown in popularity in mining and resources sectors, particularly in states such as Queensland and Western Australia, according to Bravus. While it may not seem like a typical career path, multiple individuals have left their lives behind in England and Ireland to work a blue-collar mining job in sunny Australia. Hardcore manual labour might not be for everyone, but the hefty sums of cash on offer after just hours working on the sites have lured countless Britons to give the job a go. After struggling to find opportunities with her Film Degree from Queen's University in Belfast, Caithilin Hughes, 26, left Ireland's Derry for a machine operator job in Perth's mines. The lifestyle change was admittedly not a passion but part of the 'money game', she told the Irish Independent. Caithilin told the newspaper, 'The average hourly wage for a machine operator is around $55. We work 12-hour days for 14 days straight. That's around $9,240 before tax.' 'Aussie girl' Faith (pictured) shares footage from the mines to her 40 thousand followers on TikTok An increasing number of young people, including Faith Isabel (pictured), from Australia, have traded office work for mining jobs Down Under Aimee Gale (pictured), from England, shared her top tips for others look to get into Australia's mining industry Given that she's on a working holiday visa, she's taxed 15 per cent on her first $45,000. She added, 'Now I spend my days driving huge machines in the mines of Western Australia, earning in two weeks what would take some at home in Ireland, nearly two months to earn.' Caithilin further explained her earnings on TikTok, saying, 'Most jobs are probably going to range from $30 an hour to maybe $60 or $70 an hour. 'I work as a machine operator, so I can only really talk about what a machine operator makes. Most people who come on a holiday working visa tend to work as machine operators. So, you're probably going to get paid from $45 to $65 an hour. 'Probably most people will make the $50 to $55 range. So based on $55 an hour, 12 hours a day, you're going to get paid $660 a day.' Caithilin's daily schedule sees her rise at 3.30 am before grabbing some breakfast and heading to the site at 5 am to start driving a 777-dump truck for around 12 hours at a time. On TikTok, she revealed how her daily itinerary changes when she shared a clip of herself turning up to work one day only to discover that she'd be operating a digger despite having no previous experience with the machinery. 'This was not on my card for today,' she said on TikTok, adding, 'I've been thrown on the digger, I've never driven a digger in my life before.' The TikTok user told others that she contacted around 30 different agencies before securing a job An increasing number of young people, including Caithilin Hughes (pictured), 26, from Derry, have left their lives behind in the UK for mining jobs in Australia When she's not working 12-hour shift on the mines, Caithilin enjoys the nightlife that Perth has to offer Before getting to work, she added, 'This is mental, what am I doing?' But she soon managed to get into the swing of things and added in the caption, 'How fun.' She spends time between her Perth apartment and the mines, where she spends two weeks at a time before enjoying a six-day break. In the long term, the machine operator sees herself moving back to Ireland to pursue a career in investigative journalism, but in the meantime, she's enjoying the ride Down Under. When she's not hard at work, Caithilin appears to be making good use of her earnings and has shared clips of enjoying overnight island stays as well as splashing out on new beauty purchases and clothes. Having shared her experience on TikTok, individuals keen to follow in her footsteps regularly inundate her inbox asking for tips. Elsewhere, English Aimee Gale took to TikTok to explain her journey into becoming a miner in Australia despite having no experience in the industry. Aimee said, 'I must have contacted around 30 different agencies, maybe even more, just calling them, emailing them, and if I didn't get a response, I would go up to the recruitment agency and show my interest that way. 'A lot of people didn't even respond,' she admitted, adding, 'They also said they were looking for somebody who had a year experience or at least six months.' 'However, there are so many companies out there that will take you on with zero experience as long as you have the basic tickets to get you into the mines. They are your white card, working at heights, confined spaces, and gas testing. Those are the only ones I had. Aimee continued, 'My first shutdown was doing rollers; if anybody knows rollers, it was awful. Then, I was doing TA and hose tech, so [it was] simpler, but still hard. Those were 12-hour days. 'It's not for everybody, don't get me wrong. It's hard being away from home. Being eaten alive all the time for work is hard work... Mosquitos love me, and the heat, oh my goodness, it's so, so hot, and you're in your full PPE all day. 'So, you've just got to go in open-minded. You can't go in thinking, 'Oh my gosh, this is going to be amazing, and I'm going to meet so many new people', which you do, and it's amazing, but there are downsides to things as well. It's not all sunshine and rainbows.' After receiving an influx of questions from viewers, Aimee continued her explanation in a second video. 'So, before even entering Australia, you will need a working holiday visa, and this will give you rights to work in Australia. I had the 417. 'Then, once you're in the country, you can apply for your licenses. These are your working in confined spaces, working at heights, gas testing, and your white card. You will need these as a basic requirement to enter the mines. 'Don't get me wrong, there'll still be a lot of companies that won't appreciate those tickets, they'll expect you to have higher tickets and more experience, [but] there are companies out there that will take you on with no experience. 'Like I said before, you can't expect to get accepted straight away. There's going to be a lot of people in the same boat as you, so don't get deflated.' Mariah Fishwick (pictured), 28, from Perth, opened up on the reality of working in the mines - and said it can be hard to see friends and family TikTok user Jess Riches (pictured), from Essex, has relocated to Perth to operate machinery in the mines When she's not donning work attire, Jess is glammed up and enjoying Perth's rooftop bars and nightlife 'One last thing I'll say is that some companies might as you for a police clearance report, so that's basically saying about no criminal record. Not every company will ask for that, but just to give you a heads up, some will.' She concluded, 'Just to clarify, you could be applying for months and still have no luck. You could be applying for weeks and get in straight away. It really does depend on who you speak with on that day.' When she's not working in the mines, Aimee is making the most of the Australian lifestyle. In addition to snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef, she's also spent many days soaking up the rays on Australia's sandy beaches. Meanwhile, Jess Riches, from Essex but now working in Perth, has also shared insight into her lifestyle in Australia. She wrote on TikTok, 'Life is weird. One minute I'm in the UK living the Essex girl life. The next I'm in Western Australia working as a FIFO bus driver in the mines.' Jess added in the caption, 'We just be out here breaking the stereotypes whilst living my best life.' Her lifestyle isn't just hard work. Jess also shares footage of her time outside the office, including her enjoying jet ski rides and looking all glammed up while making the most of Perth's nightclub and rooftop bar offerings. Meanwhile, Tom Gisbourne, 24, has shared his experience of mining on TikTok. He left England at the start of 2024 for sunny Australia. Tom Gisbourne (pictured) claimed to have made $8,000, the equivalent of 3,804, after just two weeks of working in the mines Tom said he rejected his school's expectations of going to university to work in the mines. He believes it's the right decision for him and he claimed to earn a staggering $8,000, the equivalent of 3,804, after just two weeks of working in the mines. Elsewhere, Australian Faith Isabel shared insight into what daily life is like working in the mines. She wrote, 'Day 11 of 14 and your personality is 70 per cent sarcasm [and] 30 per cent caffeine'. Faith also regularly uploads glamorous content on TikTok, posing in bikinis and sharing glimpses of her rural 'Aussie girl' life to her 40 thousand followers. Aussie-born Mariah Fishwick, 28, who works in Perth, also shared a dose of reality for others looking to get into the industry. 'Three things about mining you should know before starting. One, you will lose friends. Being away from work does make it hard to see family and friends, relax and do things on RnR. 'Two, the issues you hear about mining are a minority. Don't let it scare you away from a career. 'Three, you will miss out on special occasions. Be prepared to miss birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and even final goodbyes.' The bar was co-owned by New York-based hospitality heavyweight Linden Pride Celebrity chef Neil Perry has called last drinks at his luxe Double Bay cocktail bar Bobbie's, just under 12 months after opening it. The stylish basement bar in Sydney's eastern suburbs, is tucked beneath his popular Cantonese restaurant Song Bird inside Gaden House. The nine-month-old establishment was a passion project Perry launched in partnership with New York-based hospitality heavyweight Linden Pride, co-owner of Dante and Caffe Dante - two of Manhattan's most acclaimed bars. The team from the swanky jazz bar broke the news of the sudden closure on May 29 - leaving customers devastated. 'Last drinks at Bobbie's. Tonight we raise a glass one final time - to the memories, the music, the cocktails, the team and the incredible guests who made Bobbie's so special,' a Bobbie's spokesperson said on social media. 'A heartfelt thank you to everyone who sipped, danced, and shared all the good times. Your support meant the world. 'And today we remember and honour the man who inspired it all - the legendary Bob Rogers. Bobbie's was named for you, and you will always be in our hearts. With love and gratitude, The Bobbie's Team.' Perry revealed the decision was made jointly as his business partner shifts focus to his booming business overseas. Celebrity chef Neil Perry has called last drinks at his luxe Double Bay cocktail bar Bobbie's, just less than 12 months after opening it (pictured with celebrity cook Maggie Beer) The stylish basement bar in Sydney's eastern suburbs, is tucked beneath Neil Perry's popular Cantonese restaurant Song Bird inside Gaden House 'Linden's US-based hospitality group, Dante, is expanding rapidly, with multiple new venues planned across America in the next 18 months,' the top chef said in a statement, according to Hospitality Magazine. 'Our landlords are in discussions with prospective operators interested in taking over the space.' The restaurateur opened both Bobbie's and Song Bird in August 2024, with Bobbie's cocktail bar occupying the basement, and Song Bird just above on street level. With an ambitious vision of delivering world-class cocktails to Sydney's eastern suburbs, Bobbie's dream was short-lived, with operations winding up quietly amid behind-the-scenes reshuffling at Gaden House. Locals were quick to comment last week at their dismay of the popular bar closing, with many referring to it as an 'institution'. 'So sad to see you go. An institution. Thanks for the great memories. Thinking of all the beautiful thoughtful staff who worked there,' one wrote. 'So sad - fantastic cocktails and such amazing bartenders and service. You will all be missed,' another added. 'This is heartbreaking - we love you Bobbie's,' one shared. 'My favourite bar - such great shame,' another revealed. 'Absolutely devastated - Sydney needed this,' one said. Pictured: Neil Perry with his wife Samantha Perry While the bar's closure has sparked speculation around the future of Song Bird upstairs, Perry was quick to quash rumours that his multi-level Cantonese restaurant is also shutting up shop. 'Song Bird is absolutely not closing,' he told Hospitality Magazine, clarifying that recent reports in the Australian Financial Review referred to a strategic review of the restaurant's footprint - not its demise. Instead, Perry revealed he's scaling back from four floors to three, with the top level - originally set to house an event space and a la carte dining - now being handed over to become private offices. 'Managing three levels as part of the restaurant proved more complex than we anticipated. Streamlining our footprint will greatly enhance our operations,' he explained. With the changes, Song Bird will now seat 140 diners, including outdoor tables, and introduce a new menu inspired by Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese flavours. While the bar's closure has sparked speculation around the future of Song Bird upstairs, Perry was quick to quash rumours that his multi-level Cantonese restaurant is also shutting up shop 'Song Bird is absolutely not closing,' he told Hospitality Magazine in a statement. Song Bird will now seat 140 diners, including outdoor tables, and introduce a new menu inspired by Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese flavours Perry described the revised layout as 'the ideal size to manage and a key part of the Margaret Family Precinct moving forward.' The closure of Bobbie's marks a rare misstep for Perry, whose dining empire includes restaurant's Rockpool, Spice Temple, Margaret, and Next Door located in Sydney, as well as Rockpool and Rosetta in Melbourne. 'Running Bobbie's has been a fantastic experience. While we're disappointed to see it go, this move allows Linden to focus on Dante's growth and gives me the opportunity to concentrate fully on Song Bird, Margaret, Next Door, and our bakery,' Perry said. Princess Eugenie has revealed the most important life given to her by her mother, Sarah Ferguson. During a recent interview for Cressida Bonas's podcast, Lessons From Our Mothers, the youngest of Prince Andrew's brood said learning to harness one's inner strength was one of the most important lessons she had gleaned from her mother. The daughters of the Duchess of York, Princessess Eugenie, 35, and Beatrice, 36, are known to share a close bond with Sarah and even refer to themselves as the 'tripod'. Both appeared on the podcast last month, joined by hosts Cressida and Isabella Branson, to reflect on what thy had learned from Sarah over the years. Revealing the most important takeaway from her upbringing, Eugenie said: 'I think for me, it's the fire inside, you know, the strength inside of you. And how to bring that out, and to pull it in when you most need it'. The sisters emphasised the importance of 'collaborating' with one another to source solutions, something else they had picked up from Sarah, affectionately known as Fergie. 'The forced collaboration, you're slightly annoyed about because she's pushing on a bit of a nerve, but the forced collaboration and that joy of the making up at the end was a big part of what she instilled in us,' Beatrice said. 'This sense that it's OK to feel, it's OK to push on those emotions, but you have to figure out what the resolution looks like as well. So she was very resolution-driven,' the royal added. Princess Eugenie has revealed the most important life given to her by her mother, Sarah Ferguson. Pictured during a visit to the Teenage Cancer in April During a recent interview for Cressida Bonas's podcast, Lessons From Our Mothers, the youngest of Prince Andrew's brood said learning to harness one's inner strength was one of the most important lessons she had gleaned from her mother. Pictured with Sarah Ferguson, centre, and Princess Beatrice, left 'The more I get to know her in my life, the more incredible this woman is becoming. As a mum, she is becoming more effervescent in her ability to bring joy,' she gushed, adding that Sarah was now 'reaching her greatness' aged 64. Achievements that Beatrice was particularly proud of given 'what's she been through in the last year', predominately related to her various 'health issues'. The Duchess, who shares Beatrice and Eugenie with ex-husband Prince Andrew, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, just months before receiving another diagnosis for malignant melanoma. Though she remains positive, having recently described feeling 'better than ever', the mother-of-two has been told by doctors to avoid the phrase 'cancer free'. Reflecting on Sarah's strength and compassion for other's battling cancer, Beatrice said: 'She loves nothing more than meeting people and those that are also suffering from cancer because there's so much empathy there.' She added that she was grateful to still have her mother 'around' for when she herself 'needs mothering'. Reflecting on their own bond, Beatrice and Eugenie credited their close relationship to their mother's lose ties to her sister, Jane. It comes just days after Princess Eugenie shared a rare glimpse into her own life as a mother, sharing a sweet tribute to her 'golden boy', Ernest, as she celebrated his second birthday with husband, Jack Brooksbank. Reflecting on their own bond, Beatrice and Eugenie credited their close relationship to their mother's lose ties to her sister, Jane. Pictured in June 2023 The Duchess, who shares Beatrice and Eugenie with ex-husband Prince Andrew, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, just months before receiving another diagnosis for malignant melanoma. Pictured in April On Friday, she shared a series of photographs of her sons Ernest, two, and August, four, to mark her youngest's birthday on Friday. In one photograph, Ernest is thrown into the air by his father while on a snowy ski trip. In another, he plays in the mud with his four-year-old brother. Ernie is also seen being held by his mother while on a ski trip, the youngster bundled up in a bright teal snowsuit and holding firmly to a lion-shaped comforter. And in another, he adorably wears a pair of sunglasses upside-down. The mother-of-two said: 'Happy Birthday my darling Ernie. 2 today! And what an incredible two years it's been. 'Always smiling, always laughing, always giving hugs and hello's and making everyone happy. 'My golden boy, we love you!' In other pictures from the rare snapshot, Ernie and August are seen holding hands as they walk down a street in London, with another picturing them together on an airplane. Eugenie recently opened up about the 'sense of shame' she felt when she first saw her scoliosis scar. In a rare, wide-ranging interview, the royal mother-of-two, 34, also discussed how her Sarah Ferguson raised her to be proud of her scar after she went underwent surgery at the age of 12. In 2002, Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughter had rods inserted into her spine after she was diagnosed with scoliosis (curvature of the spine), and told that she would need corrective surgery. After the eight-hour operation, Prince Andrew's daughter spent three days in intensive care, a week on a spinal ward and six days in a wheelchair before she was able to walk again. Speaking to The Telegraph, Eugenie revealed she had a 'sense of shame' when she couldn't wash or dress herself and was shown her scar, which runs down her neck and spine. However, she claimed her mother, the Duchess of York, removed all the stigma about the scar and helped her see it in a positive light. Eugenie said: 'She was amazing. She'd ask me if she could show it to people, then she'd turn me around and say, "my daughter is superhuman, you've got to check out her scar". 'All of sudden it was a badge of honour a cool thing I had. It trained my brain that it's ok, scars are cool.' British foodies have been left divided after discovering an Australian version of Mars bar is landing in the UK. The latest chocolate treat to have arrived in the UK is the Mars Pods, described as bite-sized mouthfuls of crunchy wafer biscuit, luxurious caramel and a thick layer of milk chocolate. The treat pouches arrived in Iceland in May and have since caused a stir on social media, with unconvinced Brits describing the Mars-inspired snack as 'awful', while Australian's have hailed it as 'addictive'. Now available to British chocolate lovers, the shell-shaped chocolates are priced at 3.50 and come in 160g bags. While a new addition to British chocolate stocks, Mars Pods have been a staple sweet treat on Aussie shelves for more than a decade, having first being rolled out in 2008. The Oceanic nation is also home to other varieties of chocolate Pods, with Snickers and Twixt flavours also available. News of the arrival was shared on the Facebook page, Food Finds UK, where many divided samplers wrote their varying reviews in the comments. Some said the treat looked 'banging', while other samplers described them as 'absolutely awful'. News of a nostalgic Australian chocolate snack hitting shelves in the UK has left foodies divided (stock image) Another person remarked: 'Eh, I don't rate them, give me Tim Tams or Teevee snacks any day! Although out of all the flavours of Pods, Mars is the best.' 'I've tried them, and they're s**t. All the laundry comes out brown and sticky. The chocolate smell is nice, but they don't seem to make things any cleaner at all,' a second commented. 'They were OK but nothing amazing. Dry & very sweet,' another wrote. But other's took a more optimistic opinion. 'I highly rated them and the snickers ones, been in B&M a few times,' said one delighted shopper. 'These are great. Didn't know they were only an Australian thing,' one added. Prior to them landing in Iceland, the chocolate snacks were also available on international candy websites for fans to get their hands on. Across multiple websites, including Sanza & More, Poppin Candy and Americancandycrush, Mars Pods have been awarded enviable product ratings, with the closed overall star review an impressive 4.6 out of five. Foreign chocolate fiends said they became 'addicted' to the treat after sampling them in Australia. The latest chocolate treat to have arrived in the UK is the Mars Pods, described as bite-sized mouthfuls of crunchy wafer biscuit, luxurious caramel and a thick layer of milk chocolate One wrote: 'These are wonderful, I was addicted when I was in Aus. They have a thin biscuit cup that is filled with caramel and chocolate.' Others called them 'seriously yummy' and 'awesome' in the reviews. It comes shortly after it was rumoured that the confection maker was re-releasing a fan favourite - the white chocolate Maltesers. White chocolate Maltesers were launched in 2003 but were axed in 2014 with the manufacturer - Mars Wrigley citing low sales. However, many lamented the loss of the product, and a petition was launched in 2017, calling for its return, with a number of X users writing about their love of the white chocolate treat. One said: 'White chocolate Maltesers were the best thing I've ever had and i need them back.' Another added: 'Like Maltesers white chocolate that was sooo good as well.' A third simply asked: 'Why did they discontinue white Maltesers?' News of the arrival was shared on the Facebook page, Food Finds UK, where many divided samplers wrote their varying reviews in the comments Now, it appears the snack may well be coming back to shops across the UK, with reports that they could be available again soon. According to influencer johns_snackreviews, the return date is not yet confirmed. In a post on Instagram, he wrote: 'White Maltesers are BACK!!!! Coming soon to the UK! 'After being discontinued from 2014, they're back after huge public demand. Expected mid June - start of July release. 'NB: dates might not be 100% accurate. Unsure which shop will have them first, but they'll be in all shops eventually.' People took to the comments section of the post to share their delight about the news. One fan of the product wrote: 'NO WAY. These were me favourite back in day I was only taking about them the other day as well. Will definitely be stocking up on these.' Another added: 'This better be real. I've wanted these bad boys to make a comeback for so long!! Remember when they used to do the buckets of them!!' Speaking recently to Sky News, when asked about whether white chocolate Maltesers will be making a comeback, a Mars Wrigley UK spokesperson hinted that a return could be on the cards. They said: 'We're always listening to the fans of our chocolate and fruity treats, which is why we're constantly innovating our ranges. 'Whilst White Chocolate Maltesers aren't currently on shelves, we're pleased to offer many delicious alternatives such as M&M's, and of course, our original Maltesers. 'We've always got an ear to the ground and recognise the enduring love for old favourites, so stay tuned for some epic comebacks that could be happening soon Watch this space!' Mako Komuro left the royal family in 2021 and moved to New York Princess Mako of Japan has welcomed her first child, the Imperial Household Agency has announced. Mako Komuro, who is the niece of Emperor Naruhito, left the royal family in 2021 when she married her former college classmate Kei Komuro, a commoner. The former princess, 33, was required to give up her royal status by law and, following her marriage, moved to New York, where her husband is a lawyer. The decision led to comparisons with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who also turned their backs on royal duties to live privately in the US. Now, she and her husband, also 33, have welcomed their first child together. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, a representative for the agency said both mother and child are in good health, though neither the newborn's name nor gender were revealed. Fumihito, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, Mako's parents, were said to be delighted at the news and wished the family the greatest happiness. 'This is a matter for a person who has left the Imperial Family, and we had hoped that she would spend her time in a quiet environment,' said grand master Naomasa Yoshida at the conference, as reported in the Japan Times. Princess Mako of Japan has welcomed her first child with her husband Kei Komuro (pictured together, 2017) 'We decided to make the announcement, however, in light of some media reports (about the birth).' Mako made headlines around the world in 2021 when she sensationally forfeited her royal status to marry her college sweetheart, 31-year-old Kei Komuro. They married in a civil ceremony back in 2021 and Mako moved to New York City to live with her husband. The low-key ceremony was met with protests, and was held behind closed doors without any of the pomp and pageantry of other Japanese royal weddings, which traditionally include a reception and banquet. Reading out a prepared statement at a press conference following their wedding, Mako defended her decision to marry, describing Kei as 'irreplaceable' and saying 'our marriage is a necessary step for us to be able to protect our hearts.' She also criticised news reports written during their engagement which she accused of spreading false information and 'one-sided rumours' that had left her 'feeling sadness and pain.' The royal household previously revealed she was suffering from PTSD. Formerly the Princess of Akishino, Mako, who previously held a high profile position within the royal family, took her husband's name to go by Mako Komuro - the first time in her life that she has had a surname. In his pre-prepared statement, Kei apologised for any distress caused but said that he loved Mako and would support her throughout their life together. Mako forfeited her royal status to marry Kei, and they moved to New York together (pictured in NYC in 2023) High profile: Princess Mako of Japan, right, donned a traditional Junihitoe as she took part in a procession through Tokyo's Imperial Palace to mark her uncle's formal ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019 'I love Mako. We only get one life, and I want us to spend it with the one we love,' he said. 'I feel very sad that Mako has been in a bad condition, mentally and physically, because of the false accusations.' Mako and Komuro met at Tokyo's International Christian University in 2013 and became engaged in secret, before announcing their intention to marry in September 2017. But the wedding was delayed following a financial scandal involving an unpaid debt allegedly owed by Kei's mother and suggestions he was marrying for money. As part of the announcement, the royal household said Mako would forgo all traditional ceremonies and surrender a 1million payment she was entitled to according to Japanese tradition. She became the first imperial family member since World War II to not receive the payment while marrying a commoner and chose to do so because of the criticism over her marrying a man some considered unfit for a princess. 'There will be different kinds of difficulties as we start our new life, but we'll walk together as we have done so in the past,' Mako said at the time, thanking everyone for their support. Mako, apparently referring to mental health issues, noted 'many people have difficulty and hurt feelings while trying to protect their hearts'. She said: 'I sincerely hope that our society will be a place where more people can live and protect their hearts with the help of warm help and support from others.' The decision led to comparisons with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle , who also turned their backs on royal duties to live privately in the US. Pictured at their wedding in 2018 Princess Mako was forced to give up royal life in 2021 when she married Kei Komuro Protesters hold banners during a march against the marriage between Japan's Princess Mako and her fiance Kei Komuro The princess's position within the family means she would have been afforded a full royal wedding had she chosen to marry a fellow royal. Mako had reportedly been making use of her background in art history by serving as an unpaid volunteer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 'She has specifically been involved in preparing an exhibition of paintings inspired by the life of a 13th-century monk who traveled throughout Japan as he introduced Buddhism,' according to a 2022 Japan Times article. Mako has a degree in art and cultural heritage from Japan's International Christian University, where she met her husband. She went on to study art history at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland before receiving her master's in art museum and gallery studies from the University of Leicester in England. Kei is a graduate of Fordham University law school and has a job at a New York law firm. Upon marrying him, Mako had to give up her place in the Imperial Family. All Japanese princesses relinquish their royal status upon marriage as there is only male succession. Female royals are forced to give up their status if they marry a commoner. Pictured: Princess Mako and her husband Kei Komuro in a press conference to announce their marriage in 2021 Other princesses have married commoners and left the palace. But the reaction to Kei and Mako was especially frenzied, much of it focusing on whether he would be able to support his wife. Mako's uncle Emperor Naruhito also married a commoner, Harvard graduate Masako, who suffered from depression in the cloistered imperial life. Former Emperor Akihito, Naruhito's father, was the first member of the imperial family to marry a commoner. The family holds no political power but serves as a symbol of the nation, attending ceremonial events and visiting disaster zones. The Japanese Royal Family is facing an ongoing crisis - and has openly admitted it is 'running out' of heirs. Japan's strict laws of succession forbid women from ascending to the Chrysanthemum Throne and force them to give up their titles if they marry commoners. Meanwhile, many of the royal family are ageing - with eight members over 60, while only four members of the family are male. In June last year, Emperor Naruhito made a rare comment about the crisis facing the imperial household. Japan's Princess Mako, the first daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, in full dress leaves the Imperial Palace in Tokyo after meeting with the emperor and empress on October 23, 2011 He said: 'The number of male members of the imperial family is decreasing, they are ageing, and female members of the imperial family leave the imperial family upon marriage.' If the marriage was to a prince, they could stay within the family - the trouble is that there are no fellow male royals for them to wed. 'Due to these factors, the number of members of the imperial family who can take on public duties is decreasing compared to before,' he continued. 'This is a problem that relates to the future of the imperial family, but I would like to refrain from commenting on matters related to the [legal] system.' His comments made for a rare insight into the royal dynasty, as emperors have avoided discussing items of political importance since Japan's defeat in the Second World War. The slimmed down state of the Japanese monarchy is partly due to male primogeniture rules, meaning only male members of the royal family can succeed the throne. Billie Piper sent fans into meltdown when she was revealed to be the next Doctor Who - but it is perhaps unsurprising that the star, who has cemented herself as a UK television legend, landed such a quintessentially British role. Viewers have seen the actress, 42, evolve her range from being a pop star to tackling powerful roles on the screen - from playing the Newsnight producer who secured Prince Andrew's infamous interview in Scoop to a high class proustite in Secret Diary of a Call Girl. And among her roaring success and breaking down stigmas for women in the industry - including reportedly starring in the longest solo sex scene on British TV with her character in I Hate Suzie pleasuring herself for seven minutes and four seconds - the star's turbulent love life has too been publicly documented. Billie was only 18 when she first wed presenter Chris Evans, then 35, in 2001, which she has described as being drunk 'for five years with an old man'. The former child star said she had a lot of 'baggage' to deal with when she moved into acting after her music career fizzled out. 'A lot of it was just tabloid fodder,' she told The Guardian. 'Rather than "Oh, she was a pop star" it was more, "She was a pop star, then she got p***ed for five years with an old man." I think that was the lasting image when I walked into an audition room.' The couple, who had a 16 year age gap, split when she was 21 and divorced in 2007, but remain close friends, she has claimed, hailing their relationship as a happy experience. 'Loved it. Loved that time. Learned so much,' she added. 'Really needed it, after the experiences that I'd had, leading up to that point. And I felt like I'd actually found a real friend. Billie Piper sent fans into meltdown when she was revealed to be the next Doctor Who - but it is perhaps unsurprising that the star, who has cemented herself as a UK television legend, landed such a quintessentially British role 'I guess meeting someone who had experienced [fame] for 20 years, at that level, it was very nurturing. And also very drunken, which I needed. I had a lot of fun during those years.' She was thrust back into the spotlight when she starred in Doctor Who alongside Christopher Eccleston and then David Tennant until she left her permanent role in the show in 2008 - a show that will now see her return in the titular role. Around that same time, Billie was highly praised for her equal parts raunchy and nuanced portrayal of a sex worker. Based on the real life blog and books of Belle de Jour (a pen name), in ITV's Secret Diary of a Call Girl, the actress played a fictional character called Hannah Baxter, who racks in extra cash through he secret side-hustle. Many commended her performance as a successful university graduate who turns to the career for promise of more money and control over her finances, but others felt the show 'glamourised' the work. Speaking about the role to The Telegraph in 2008, she expressed: 'We've only been exposed to the drug-fuelled, sex traffic side but the fact is, there are middle-class, cultured, well-read women who take part in this job. They're able to emotionally disconnect when it comes to sex which most of us can't do. I can't.' Billie was only 18 when she first wed presenter Chris Evans, then 35, in 2001, which she has described as being drunk 'for five years with an old man' Also brewing during this peak of her career was a romance with actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox - with the pair getting married in 2007 Based on the real life blog and books of Belle de Jour (a pen name), in ITV's Secret Diary of a Call Girl, the actress played a fictional character called Hannah Baxter, who racks in extra cash through he secret side-hustle Billie added: 'We watch The Sopranos Tony is a murderer and yet we sympathise with him. 'He's brutal, yet we love him. But when a woman lies on her back and earns money, it upsets people. It's a scary subject, but the fact is, it happens.' Also brewing during this peak of her career was a romance with actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox - with the pair getting married in 2007. They have two sons, but since 2016 appear to be embattled in a messy split aftermath, which has seen the ex GB News host slam his former wife for alleged 'outright lies' after she claimed co-parenting their two sons was 'enormously difficult' amid his numerous scandals. Billie who shares Winston, 12, and Eugene, eight, with Laurence finally broke her silence on the toxic split last year, in an interview with British Vogue, six years after their divorce. Following its publication, her ex accused Billie of being untruthful in a lengthy social media post and said while 'not being perfect', he'd done his best to put his children first. He previously spoke about their parenting arrangement in 2022, claiming Billie was using their children as 'weapons' and that he'd been denied access to seeing them. Laurence has also accused Billie of taking him to court 'over a dozen times' since their split, making them both spend money which should be 'going towards their children's futures'. After Billie and Laurence's split, she dated Johnny Lloyd for eight years - and the pair share five-year-old daughter, Tallulah together - but reportedly split in February. Both pictured in 2021 She tied-the-knot with Laurence in a low-key parish church ceremony on New Year's Eve in 2007, after a few drinks in the local pub. They were married in a 50-minute ceremony at a village church near their 750,000 home in Eastbourne, West Sussex, with the actress wearing a formal, low-cut wedding dress in ivory with a flash of pink. It was Billie's former husband Chris and his new wife, Natasha Shishmanian, that made the guest list somewhat unusual. The presenter was also the first person to visit the newly-married couple's home, with the trio chinking glasses in a cordial toast before Chris drove to his own country pile, just a few miles away. In 2010, Billie spoke about their relationship, admitting they had aimed for 'thespian couple' ideal of only one person working at a time. Yet she confessed: 'But we've failed at that already we're so selfish, we couldn't even make a year.' Billie added the pair had also invested in a place in London as well as their cottage in West Sussex, as she'd begun to feel isolated, admitting: 'It was getting a bit "Sylvia Plath" down there.' In 2012, Billie in an interview also admitted that her husband wasn't a fan of her popular sultry TV role as a call girl. Billie and Chris, who had a 16 year age gap, split when she was 21 and divorced in 2007, but remain close friends, she has claimed, hailing their relationship as a happy experience The former child star said she had a lot of 'baggage' to deal with when she moved into acting after her music career fizzled out. Pictured in 1998 The actress is well-known to longtime Who fans, having previously played The Doctor's companion Rose Tyler, and The Moment interface in the show's 50th Anniversary Special Speaking to Evening Standard, she explained: 'You're never going to be going, "Woo-hoo, you go and have sex, and have a wonderful time!" 'You're never going to do that, whether you're an actor or a window cleaner.' Years later, and despite being a regular to on-screen nudity, Billie also expressed that she actually finds getting her kit off on set 'annoying'. The actress in 2016 told ES Magazine that she was rarely offered a script that does not contain at least one raunchy scene. 'Whats annoying is that they are fun roles, if you can remove the sex. Its the sex that makes it annoying,' she added. 'Otherwise they are interesting stories, interesting women with chequered pasts. However, she also said that she feels TV roles for women are getting much better in the changing, modern times. Reuniting with Call Girl writer Lucy Prebble for Penny Dreadful, the theatre star confessed that the new project is 'sort of beautifully bleak' instead of overtly sexy. 'I would say tonally its black comedy,' she explained of the new role, 'but it might just be black. Reuniting with Call Girl writer Lucy Prebble for Penny Dreadful, the theatre star confessed that the new project is 'sort of beautifully bleak' instead of overtly sexy. Billie in the hit show In 2020, she reportedly starred in the longest solo sex scene on British TV with her character in I Hate Suzie pleasuring herself for seven minutes and four seconds Yet Billie didn't suffer the same problem with her next role, landing a lead part in the 2024 Netflix drama Scoop, a dramatic retelling of the process of securing and filming the 2019 Prince Andrew interview with Newsnight The same year - Billie and Laurence confirmed they had separated after eight years of marriage, and insisted that 'no third parties involved' in their split. A post on his official Facebook account at the time read: 'Laurence Fox and Billie Piper have separated. No third parties are involved. For the sake of our family we request and appeal for space and privacy at this time.' The pair were granted a 'quickie divorce' in a court ruling that took just 50 seconds, citing unreasonable behaviour. The actress, was not present when her request for a decree nisi from the actor was granted on the grounds that the marriage had 'irretrievably broken down' on the grounds of his 'unreasonable behaviour'. At the time of their split, they stated their intention to 'co-parent their children with the utmost mutual respect for each other'. But between 2016 and 2017, Laurence and Billie then became embroiled in a lengthy custody dispute over access to their children. The proceedings concluded in the Family Division of the High Court in December 2017 and Laurence previously claimed that they drained his finances. The actor said that he'd been forced to put his career on hold so that he could help their children cope with the aftermath of the split. Speaking in January 2018, he said: 'I was certainly in a very dark place at one point at my lowest ebb. I almost felt like I couldn't go on. It all felt so hopeless. That same year, she starred in another Netflix series, Kaos - a contemporary re-imagining of Greek mythology - where she played prophetess Cassandra 'With divorce, you immediately lose half the time you'd spend with the kids. That in itself is a mental health crisis. But, like everything, these feelings pass and you start to feel stronger with every day. 'Men no longer feel comfortable talking about relationships, and for the men who bottle it, it can be disastrous they end up throwing themselves off buildings.' After his court proceedings, Laurence started campaigning to transform the family court system, which he described as 'unnecessarily adversarial'. At the time, he said: 'Actually I feel really sad. The process didn't need to be so long, drawn-out and adversarial. 'And ours was quick, because we have cash. I feel the children have been robbed of their young lives. It's been half of Eugene's life.' In 2022, Laurence brought their custody dispute back into the public eye when he accused Billie of denying him access to their children, alleging that he has not been able to see or speak to his eldest son Winston on his 14th birthday. He penned: 'It is [my son's] birthday tomorrow and his mother has denied him any access to see or speak with me, I am using my platform to highlight what child alienation does to families. Kids need both parents. 'Don't be the parent who refuses to let their sons speak to their dad, especially on their birthday. Don't be that parent. Put children first. Don't use them as weapons. Ncuti Gatwa became the 15th Doctor in 2023 but during Saturday's episode it appeared that Ncuti's Doctor, had regenerated into Billie, with her first words being: 'Oh hello!' 'It is so bad for kids. Child alienation needs to be talked about openly, along with all other child abuse.' But X users were quick to hit back at his allegations and accused him of using his children as 'weapons' - which he had claimed Billie was doing - by sharing the ranting post. The pair's divorce has also appeared turbulent in light of Laurence's many controversies following the split. When asked during her British Vogue interview last year how she navigates co-parenting Billie shared: 'With enormous difficulty.' She continued: 'I close everything down and keep a very strict routine with the kids so that there's consistency. I keep them close. That's all I can do... 'What is paramount for me is the privacy and anonymity of my children. They deserve not to be extensions of the parents and to forge their own identities.' Billie added she tries to avoid hearing anything about her ex, who has hit headlines for a slew of scandals. He was in 2023 dropped from GB News after launching into a 'sexist' rant about a female journalist and lost a high profile libel case after calling two men 'paedophiles'. Billie will now be the second woman to take on the role as the Time Lord after Jodie Whittaker portrayed the 13th doctor Yet Billie does her best to avoid being drawn into his scandals, explaining: 'I try to keep people from telling me stuff but it's really, really hard. 'I don't read it but everyone wants to talk about it. Sometimes I have to say to people: "Please don't bring this to me, now or ever."' Yet she confessed she isn't the best person to ask about Laurence, saying: 'Look, if people want to try and understand the workings of the guy, they ought to either ask him or his family. 'Ask [Fox's brother-in-law, actor and comedian] Richard Ayoade what he thinks, or his wife [Fox's actor sister] Lydia. They might have a more interesting take.' Laurence previously confessed in a Sunday Times interview that he had fallen out with his brother-in-law, half-Nigerian comedian Richard, after his controversial race rant on Question Time. Appearing on the BBC panel show in 2020 he accused Rachel Boyle, an academic at Edge Hill University on Merseyside, of 'being racist' after she called him 'a white privileged male' for denying the Duchess of Sussex was hounded from Britain for being mixed-race. After his controversial statements, Laurence revealed his half-Kuwaiti girlfriend of five months, Sara McKinnon dumped him and caused tension with Richard. Laurence said: '[Richard] was furious. He told me I have never encountered racism. I responded. "Yeah, of course I have". I've encountered racism from black people towards me, when I was working in Kenya [as a safari driver] for seven months. 'It's the way you're spoken to. Racism can be deferential.' He revealed Richard didn't attend Sunday lunch at their house for a few weekends, as a result of their feud but claimed they had since become friends again. After Billie and Laurence's split, she dated Johnny Lloyd for eight years - and the pair share five-year-old daughter, Tallulah together - but reportedly split in February. Meanwhile, in past years Billie has continued to pursue roles which have taken her from strength to strength according to critics. In 2020, she reportedly starred in the longest solo sex scene on British TV with her character in I Hate Suzie pleasuring herself for seven minutes and four seconds. Billie, who starred as the title character and co-wrote the series with longtime collaborator, playwright Lucy Prebble, 'was determined to show women doing it for themselves', a source told The Sun. In episode four of the series Suzie is also seen taking the batteries out of her son Frank's robot for her sex toy. The source told the publication that it is 'not often' women are seen on TV 'enjoying themselves' 'solo'. They added: 'So frankly it makes a refreshing change to see such a long and animated scene like this one.' The Swindon-born star was lauded for her brooding portrayal of former popstar Suzie Pickles, who has her life thrown into disarray when intimate photos of her in a compromising position with a man who isn't her husband, are leaked online. Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 95 percent, while Billie received a TV BAFTA nomination for her work in both the first season and follow-up I Hate Suzie Too. However, despite going down a treat with critics, it failed to draw in a big enough audience, and it was not renewed for a third season. Speaking to the Mail about the show's cancellation, Billie mused: 'It just didn't get a big enough audience - that's the way it goes. 'People in television loved it, because I guess it is largely about the world in which they work, but it wasn't seen by as many people beyond that world as we would like it to have been.' Yet Billie didn't suffer the same problem with her next role, landing a lead part in the 2024 Netflix drama Scoop, a dramatic retelling of the process of securing and filming the 2019 Prince Andrew interview with Newsnight. The series was praised by viewers and critics alike, with a whopping 2.75 million households tuning in for the first week alone. Billie also secured another TV BAFTA nomination for her role as producer Sam McAlister. That same year, she starred in another Netflix series, Kaos - a contemporary re-imagining of Greek mythology - where she played prophetess Cassandra. The eight-episode series also starred Jeff Goldblum and Janet McTeer and received good reviews. Fans were left crushed when the series was not renewed, with Kaos ultimately becoming the most-watched cancelled series in the second half of 2024. Yet Billie had no time to mourn the end of the show as she was thrust into work on Netflix megahit Wednesday. The mother-of-two has landed a role as Isadora Capri, Nevermor Academys new head of music. A former child prodigy, Isadora is described as being 'brilliant, intense, and enigmatic'. According to Netflix, she takes a special interest in Wednesdays (Jenna Ortega) musical gifts and becomes a mentor to fellow werewolf Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers). Wednesday Season 2, Part 1 will drop on August 6, with Part 2 following on September 3. Billie will then be kept busy filming for Doctor Who after the jaw-dropping finale saw her unveiled as the next incarnation of the Time Lord. The actress is well-known to longtime Who fans, having previously played The Doctor's companion Rose Tyler, and The Moment interface in the show's 50th Anniversary Special. Ncuti Gatwa became the 15th Doctor in 2023 but during Saturday's episode it appeared that Ncuti's Doctor, had regenerated into Billie, with her first words being: 'Oh hello!' Billie will now be the second woman to take on the role as the Time Lord after Jodie Whittaker portrayed the 13th doctor. However, while her reveal understandably sparked a huge frenzy on social media, others have been quick to spot one key problem with her regeneration, following Ncuti Gatwa's long-speculated exit from the show. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, some fans were quick to note in the episode's closing credits, Billie was not credited as 'The Doctor,' with it instead simply stating: 'Introducing Billie Piper.' Reacting to the news Billie said: 'It's no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there, so to be given the opportunity to step back on that Tardis one more time was just something I couldn't refuse.' It is not known when the show will return and Billie's next scenes will air. A pub-goer has been left gobsmacked by the price of just two drinks after visiting Dublin's notoriously steep Temple bar. A photograph of a receipt shared to social media revealed that one patron had paid an eye-watering 15.40 (12.99) for just one pint of Guinness and a shot of Baby Guinness. The Irish pub, which is located in Dublin's city centre and highly popular among tourists, is renowned for it's premium prices, with customers having long lamented the cost of it's drinks. The expensive tab was shared to X from an account called @PintsO_Guinness, which shares posts relating to Ireland's iconic stout. The account's description reads: 'Capturing the perfect pints & sharing the magic.' It revealed that the unknown customer had visited on 29 May at 9:46pm and paid a whopping 10.45 (8.82) for one pint of Guinness, and 4.95 (4.18) for 'mixer/ baby', believed to be a Baby Guinness. Captioning the post, the Guinness fan page simply wrote 'Christ'. The post has since gone viral, gathering nearly 50,000 views and dozens of commenters from frustrated boozers complaining about the extortionate price tags. Writing on X, one said '8.50 for a pint, ouch', while multiple called out the venue for creating 'outrageous' prices. A photograph of a receipt shared to social media revealed that one patron had paid an eye-watering 15.40 (12.99) for just one pint of Guinness and a shot of Baby Guinness A pub-goer has been left gobsmacked by the price of just two drinks after visiting Dublin's notoriously steep Temple bar One Dublin local described the prices as 'bare faced robbery' and griped that the venue was often 'absolutely rammed'. They wrote: 'I live five minute walk away from Temple Bar, born and reared in the area and in my 40 years of being of drinking age I can count on one hand how many times Ive had a session in Temple Bar, you just cant do it, its bare face robbery and its going on years too. 'Also the place is absolutely rammed full of tourists so much so they have to drink out on the streets as the pubs are so full.' A second asked: 'Why do people still enter this establishment?' 'Dublin isnt cheap but thats mental. The average in the city centre would be around 7 now,' remarked another. 'They should replace 'Thank you for your custom' with 'You have been ripped off', a commenter joked. However, some were more keen to blame the continuous stream of customers for the cost, telling people to 'stay away' if they want to see the price reduced. 'This business operates on what people will pay.. they depend on a revolving customer base, people get shafted, they leave. Somebody else walks in, next day repeat. Best to stay away and advise others to do the same,' they wrote. The post has since gone viral, gathering nearly 50,000 views and dozens of commenters from frustrated boozers complaining about the extortionate price tags The Temple Bar is famous for its 10am-2am live music sessions, flower-covered facade, 450-strong whiskey selection. It's not the first time that the pub, widely considered Dublin's most famous pub, has come under fire for it's drinks prices . A tourist revealed that they had been left shocked by the price he paid for a single round. Ryan had been enjoying a holiday in the Irish capital but was left stunned after forking out 107.20 (91.16) at the bar in Dublin's tourist hot spot. The eye-watering tab at The Temple Bar in the centre of the city covered one beer, one Coke, two rums and six Baby Guinness shots. He paid a staggering 11.45 (9.74) for a pint of Heineken, 4.95 (4.21) for a Coke, six Baby Guinness shots costing at 11.35 each (totalling 68.10 (57.91)), and two shots of Malibu, costing 11.35 each and coming to 22.70 (19.30). The surprised customer shared the receipt, dated Friday, April 4 at 2.52pm, on X and it quickly went viral with many jumping to his defence to question the prices. On his X profile @Ryan_AVFCC, Ryan simply wrote in the caption: 'Suicidal' and shared his shock with other users who flocked to the comments. One person wrote underneath: 'Nearly 70 for 6 baby Guinness I'd never check my bank app again' while another said: 'Got scammed bro'. One shocked X user commented: 'WTF is a baby Guinness and how the hell is it worth $10?'. In March, customers were appalled at the pub's prices during St Patrick's Day. Punters who wanted to enjoy a Guinness at the historic pub, had to fork out a whopping 10.45 (8.79) for a pint. Shockingly, a Guinness wasn't the most expensive pint on offer during the celebration - a Heineken, Carlsberg, Smithwick's Pale Ale or Bulmer's Cider will set pub goers back 11.45 (9.63). According to the Irish Pub Guide, the average price of a pint of Guinness 'or any stout' in May 2024 in Ireland was 5.77 (4.84). One man called the pricing 'obscene' while another likened the price list to 'robbery without violence'. 'They might as well serve you while wearing a striped jumper a eye mask,' one woman replied. 'That's why I stay away from the city centre,' a Dubliner said. READ MORE: Eva Longoria is ever the doting mom as steps out for morning stroll Her six-year-old son Santiago was confused as to why everyone knew his mom Longoria, 50, was posing on the red carpet at Cannes earlier this month Eva Longoria's son knows who she is - but he doesn't understand why everyone else does. The glamorous mom was attending a Nespresso event in Cannes, France, earlier this month with her family - when her six-year-old son Santiago hilariously stole the show thanks to his adorable realization that he's not the only one who wanted her attention. In a clip shared online, Longoria, 50, was seen walking the red carpet and posing for photos as a sea of photographers called out her name. Santiago watched from the sidelines when he suddenly wandered onto the carpet and asked the snappers, 'How do you know my mom?' 'Everybody knows my mom... stop taking pictures of her,' the confused youngster continued, as Longoria laughed. Fans loved the adorable moment between Longoria and her son, and the video quickly went viral, transforming little Santiago into a sensation. 'Lmao its cute how protective of her he got,' one user wrote. 'Bless it, what a precious moment to get on camera,' agreed another. Eva Longoria 's son Santiago, six, hilariously stole the show while she walked the carpet at a Nespresso event in Cannes, France Santiago watched from the sidelines when he suddenly wandered onto the carpet and asked the snappers, 'How do you know my mom?' 'Lmfaoooo hes so cute. He really said, "Im tired of this every time we go out." The kid's had enough,' chimed in another. They continued: 'It's understandable 'cause I was annoyed when I would go shopping with my mom and she would want to look at clothes for herself if this had happened to me as a kid I would have been so pissed.' Another praised Longoria for not exposing her son to her Hollywood life. 'Actually, she gets Mom of the Year for keeping her boy unknowing about her fame. Its obvious shes trying to raise him without all the hoo-ha surrounding her celebrity,' they praised the Desperate Housewives alum. Longoria and her husband Jose Baston, 56, have been married for almost a decade - first getting together in 2013, before tying the knot in May 2016 and welcoming Santiago two years later. Reflecting on falling for the media mogul, Eva told People in 2017: 'It was like the cliche angels singing, and there was a glow around him, and it was immediate chemistry. 'He was the most handsome man I'd ever seen. He was so charismatic, charming, sweet, and funny. I thought, "Who is this guy?!" 'I want to yell from the highest mountaintop about everything that goes on with us because I'm so happy and excited to be with a person as kind as Pepe is. Fans loved the adorable moment between Longoria and her son, and the video quickly went viral, transforming little Santiago into a sensation Longoria was spotted several time throughout the festival with her son, looking every inch the doting mom Longoria and her husband, Jose Baston, 56, welcomed Santiago in 2018 'He is probably one of the first men I've dated that has been older and established and, basically, a grown-up.' Longoria was spotted several time throughout the festival with her son, looking every inch the doting mom. Last year, she spoke about her 'cultured son,' explaining he travels with her often for work. 'You know what I love is, hes always with me when Im working,' she said while on the Today Show. 'If were in Spain, we just all go to Spain. If were in Rome, were all in Rome. And hes very cultured,' the Texas native expressed. She went on to give example of some of 'cultured' stuff her son has said, like, 'Oh mom, can we have macaroons if you go to Paris?' and, 'We can eat jamon when were in Spain.' The actress explained, 'I just love how global hes growing up, and understands and appreciates other cultures and other languages.' Running a brush through wet hair seems like a easy way to detangle it - but it actually could cause some serious damage, according to an expert. Alexia Donovan, the Director of Client Services at Barber Surgeons Guild, told DailyMail.com that brushing hair while its damp can actually lead to increased breakage and result in your locks thinning dramatically over time. 'Generally speaking wet hair is more elastic than dry hair - it can snag, stretch and snap or break,' she said. She continued: 'It is also more likely to tangle, which can lead to breakage or damage.' In order to avoid damage, she recommended gently towel drying your hair before brushing it - preferably with a microfiber towel. She also suggested you use a wet hair brush with wider, flexible bristles. According to VS Sassoon, you should avoid brushing hair when it's wet because that's when it's at its weakest. The website noted that when it's weaker it becomes vulnerable to breakage, which can lead to flyaways, split ends, and long-term damage. Running a brush through wet hair seems like a easy way to detangle it - but it actually could cause some serious damage, according to an expert (stock image) 'Even worse, you can actually pull hair from the roots that way,' the site read. Instead, it's recommended that people brush their hair when it's 'almost or completely dry.' For those with tangles in their hair, experts advise using a wide-tooth comb - but smooth tooth ends so you dont irritate your scalp - and do so slowly. David Johnson, a dermatologist and co-founder of RedliteX, and Dr. Ross Kopelman, a hair transplant surgeon at Kopelman Hair Restoration, previously explained to Dailymail.com that hot water opens up the outside layer (the cuticle) of the hair and causes loss of moisture. 'That eventually results in brittle and frizzy hair,' he shared. Dr. Ross added: 'For the hair specifically, heat and over-washing can compromise the integrity of the hair shaft, especially for those with chemically treated or textured hair. 'The water causes the hair shaft to swell, stretches the cuticle and makes it more susceptible to breakage.' Dr. Mehmet Erdogan, co-founder and hair transplant surgeon at Smile Hair Clinic in Istanbul, also told Fox News Digital why exactly it can be so damaging. Alexia Donovan, the Director of Client Services at Barber Surgeons Guild, told DailyMail.com that brushing hair while its damp can actually lead to increased breakage (stock image) Instead, it's recommended that people brush their hair when it's 'almost or completely dry' (stock image) Although research has shown that wet hair stretches more than dry hair before breaking, Erdogan clarified that this doesnt mean the hair is more flexible and resilient. 'The opposite is true this stretching damages the internal protein structure, leading to weaker hair over time,' he said. The doctor explained the brush then pulls on the weakened strands, which causes them to over stretch. 'As they dry, they dont return to their original state and remain damaged at a structural level,' he added. According to Garnier, the best way to brush hair when it's dry - and keep it in tact - is to work in sections. 'You can maximize the benefits of brushing hair by working in sections and starting a few inches from the bottom,' the website explained. 'Then, move upward to the roots using short, slow strokes to detangle and smooth. This technique is much more efficient and is one way to prevent hair damage.' It's also possible to overbrush hair, with experts recommending once or twice a day. Famous flood blogger Nagi Maehashi was brought to tears at Saint Peter Australia's beloved food blogger Nagi Maehashi was left stunned by a stranger's random act of kindness at a restaurant - a surprise gesture that brought her to tears. The RecipeTin Eats founder was dining at the acclaimed seafood restaurant Saint Peter in Sydney with a friend when a nearby patron quietly footed the bill for their meals on Thursday night. Maehashi only discovered her bill had been taken care of when she went to pay, and was surprised when staff gave her a handwritten note from the kind stranger. 'So something really weird, incredible and amazing just happened. Someone actually picked up the bill for us,' she said in a video posted on her Instagram. 'Nothing like this has ever happened to me before. I don't even know who it was because it's anonymous. Kind donors paid for our dinner. 'Whoever my dinner fairy was... thank you.' The note read: 'Nagi, we acknowledge you're not taking donations for RecipeTin Meals. Keep up the great work.' The act of kindness has struck a chord with fans of Maehashi, many of whom have followed her recipes for years - and more recently, admired her for her commitment to charity. Australia's beloved food blogger Nagi Maehashi has been left overwhelmed after a stranger picked up the bill for her dinner during a recent night out Through her not-for-profit food bank RecipeTin Meals, Maehashi funds and prepares over 500 meals every day for vulnerable individuals and families across Sydney. She does not accept public donations and instead funds the initiative herself, using profits from her popular website and best-selling cookbooks. 'I have tears in my eyes because Nagi is generous with her time and money with her food bank and yet when someone can do a small gesture like this for her to acknowledge all she does it brings tears to her eyes,' one fan said. 'Why am I crying?! How beautiful,' another shared. 'Absolutely love this random act of kindness for you Nagi. So many people see the incredible work you do. You're a national treasure,' one shared. 'So many people see the incredible work you do, Nagi. Youre a national treasure,' another added. Even culinary royalty had their say, with Nigella Lawson calling the stranger's gesture as 'so lovely, and so deserved.' The heartwarming moment comes just weeks after Maehashi made global headlines by accusing TikTok star and fellow cookbook author Brooke Bellamy of plagiarism. In a post shared on her website and social media, Maehashi claimed Bellamy's debut cookbook Bake With Brooki featured two recipes that closely resembled her own: caramel slice and baklava. The RecipeTin Eats founder was dining at the acclaimed seafood restaurant Saint Peter in Sydney with a friend when a nearby patron quietly footed the bill for their meals on Thursday The heartwarming moment comes just weeks after Maehashi made global headlines by accusing TikTok star and fellow cookbook author Brooke Bellamy (right) of plagiarism Maehashi alleged Penguin Australia, the publisher of Bellamy's cookbook, had 'exploited' her work without permission. 'To me, the similarities are so specific and detailed that calling these a coincidence feels disingenuous,' Maehashi claimed. 'There are also recipes from other authors where the similarities are so extensive, dismissing it as coincidence would be absurd (in my opinion).' Maehashi said she felt compelled to speak out against the publishing giant. 'Staying silent protects this kind of behaviour,' she said. Bellamy has since responded on Instagram to vehemently deny the accusations. Despite the stress of the ongoing controversy, the unexpected kindness from a pair of anonymous diners served as a moment of gratitude - and a reminder of how much Maehashi's work means to everyday Australians. 'That's so classy and thoughtful,' one fan wrote. 'You deserve all the kindness that comes your way,' another shared. 'Good things always come around to good people,' one added. An American woman living in the UK has had a rude awakening after accidentally consuming raw chicken. Gizelle Cade, who is from California but now lives in the UK, shared a video to TikTok in which she branded a breaded chicken product from Marks & Spencer 'so gross'. In the clip, she held a piece of half-eaten chicken up to the camera to show the pink flesh and blood near the bone inside. Criticising the chicken, Gizelle said: 'For the record, if you are ever eating chicken that has this kind of pink in it, it is bad. 'It's really, really bad. Look at that. So gross.' She wrote in the caption: 'Tried M&S chicken. It was pink. Emetophobia kicked in. Instant panic.' Emetophobia is the fear of vomit. Those who suffer from it often avoid foods that could make them sick and throw up, including undercooked meats that could lead to food poisoning. However, Gizelle was quickly corrected by British viewers, who pointed out that unless she had bought the chicken from the picnic foods section of M&S, the meat required cooking before it could be eaten. TikTok content creator Gizelle Cade, who moved from California to the UK, took to the video platform to complain about chicken she purchased from M&S However, it transpired that the American had no idea the breaded chicken product had to be cooked at a high temperature for a set amount of time before it could be eaten In one of her replies to comments, it was apparent she was under the impression that the chicken only needed to be heated, not cooked. She said: 'It was cooked, it's the Southern Chicken that comes cooked, all you gotta do is heat it.' But others reiterated that the product would have had to be cooked in the oven or air fryer for a certain amount of time, and the instructions were stated on the package. 'It's part cooked,' one person clarified, while another added: 'It literally says that you need to cook it.' 'It's not a ready cooked product,' a third explained. 'She bought it from the RAW MEAT section, didn't bother to read the packaging and just dug in. 'The top of the packaging literally says 'NEEDS COOKING' and there's detailed cooking instructions on the back.' In a follow-up video, Gizelle realised her error thanks to comments from viewers. 'You literally just changed my life in like two seconds with one comment,' she said in reply to a message clarifying that the chicken needed to be fully cooked in the oven. Gizelle showed her TikTok followers a piece of half-eaten chicken that was still pink and bloody inside and it became evident she had not read the instructions on the packaging The label on the product stated it 'needs cooking', but Gizelle complained further that the chicken already appeared cooked M&S's breaded chicken range can be found in the raw meat section and each package has detailed instructions on how to cook it in the air fryer or oven However, Gizelle was still unhappy with the popular M&S product, explaining that the chicken already looks cooked thanks to its breaded exterior. 'This is the chicken that I was telling you guys was making me sick - why does it say 'needs cooking'?' she asked. 'Why does the chicken look like this, why do I have to cook it? Now I have more problems with the UK.' She added in her caption: 'Proof one should never assume. Why did I go to get the chicken and it looks like my husband had some too! Lol! Hopefully he read the box.' British TikTok users were largely unimpressed by Gizelle's complaint, but a few attempted to explain why the chicken is sold already breaded and partially cooked. 'They sell it pre-breaded so you can cook and eat it fresh,' one person said. 'We all know pre-cooked chicken is dry as hell. 'Unless it says 'ready to eat' on packaging, assume you need to cook it.' Another added: 'Just because it's breaded doesn't mean it's cooked, friend! Also it's a requirement to shelve cooked and uncooked meats on different sections in a shop to avoid confusion, so you would've had to have bought it from the aisle/shelving units containing other raw meats.' British viewers were quick to inform Gizelle that she was meant to cook the chicken before eating it, and it was revealed she thought it only had to be heated Some people explained why the chicken looked cooked but needed to be put in the oven at home, while others bluntly told the American creator of her error Others were less sympathetic to her grievance, to put it mildly. 'Why does it say 'needs cooking'... That'll be because it needs cooking. Hope this helped,' a commenter wrote. 'This is entirely on you, darling,' another said, while a third added that this was 'the definition of user error'. 'Why don't you read the label? Sis please,' one person commented, to which Gizelle replied: 'Girl, I assumed.' M&S's breaded chicken range, which is stocked in the raw meat section in-store, includes cooking instructions to either air fry or oven cook the product at high temperatures to ensure it's cooked all the way through before eating. The range also includes flavours such as Hot Honey Chicken Tenders, Korean Chicken Bites, Buttermilk Chicken Tenders, Mighty Cajun Chicken Tenders, and Tempura Chicken Tenders. A lifeline drug currently denied to thousands of NHS patients with incurable breast cancer could boost survival by almost 50 per cent, pivotal new research has suggested. A major trial of the drug Enhertu was found to extend the lives of patients with one of the hardest to treat forms of the disease, buying them an extra year or more of life. Campaigners said health chiefs have 'betrayed' sick women as the NHS will not offer the life-extending treatment on the NHS in England or Wales, despite being available in Scotland. The NHS spending watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), has repeatedly denied approval of the 'wonder drug' as it is deemed too expensive. Enhertu, also known as trastuzumab deruxtecan, costs around 10,000 per patient per month in the US but the NHS can negotiate lower drug prices. Given as an infusion, it is a treatment for patients with an aggressive and fast-growing type of cancer, known as HER2-positivewhich accounts for roughly one in five cases of the disease. Presenting the latest findings at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago, researchers said their results showed Enhertu was a 'highly effective' drug that should become the first port of call for patients with this form of breast cancer that has spread. In the trial, women taking Enhertu alongside another treatment called pertuzumab saw their cancer stop growing for more than three years, compared to just over two among those who took standard treatment. Campaigners said the new findings add to the 'betrayal' that they cannot get the life-extending treatment on the NHS in England or Wales when it is already available in Scotland. Pictured, Campaigners in Westminster last July paint their breasts to send a message that Enhertu should be made available on the NHS Enhertu was refused on cost grounds last year, despite being available in Scotland and across Europe Enhertu also slashed the risk of death or the disease progressing by 44 per cent, the scientists added. After two years, around 70 per cent of patients on the new combination had not seen their cancer grow or spread, compared to around 52 per cent on standard treatment. Dr Sara Tolaney, head of breast oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and study lead author, said the findings show Enhertu could be the new go-to treatment for women with this type of breast cancer. 'Treatment for these patients hasn't seen significant innovation in more than a decade,' she added. Around 1,000 women with breast cancer that has spread to other areas of the body each year in England could benefit from the drug, which patients described as 'the last roll of the dice'. Last year, after NICE prevented the drug from receiving NHS funding, one 46-year-old patient told how Enhertu would give her more time with her seven-year-old daughter. Former marketing professional Kathryn Hulland, who lives in Devon, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and underwent chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumour. She responded well, but in December 2022 she found a lump on her neck and was told her cancer had returned and spread. Symptoms of breast cancer to look out for include lumps and swellings, dimpling of the skin, changes in colour, discharge and a rash or crusting around the nipple Former marketing professional, Kathryn Hulland, who lives in Devon, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and underwent chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumour. She responded well, but at Christmas 2022 she found a lump on her neck and was told her cancer had returned and spread Checking your breasts should be part of your monthly routine so you notice any unusual changes. Simply rub and feel from top to bottom, in semi-circles and in a circular motion around your breast tissue to identify any abnormalities She said: 'If my chemo stops working, there won't be many treatments left.' 'Six months more with her would mean the world. It's heartbreaking that patients in Scotland can get it, but I can't. It's a lifeline I can't reach.' NICE previously accused the firm behind the drug, AstraZeneca, of refusing to 'offer a fair price'. But the pharmaceutical giant said the drug was available in 18 other European countries, including Scotland. Commenting on the latest findings, breast cancer specialist and author Dr Liz O'Riordan told MailOnline: 'This trial yet again shows the huge benefits Enhertu can offer women, giving them vital extra months and years. 'This postcode lottery is so unfair. It's a betrayal to patients in England and Wales that they cannot access Enhertu, when it is already available in Scotland. Dr Catherine Elliott, director of research at Cancer Research UK, added: 'These results suggest that Enhertu could prevent or slow the growth of this type of breast cancer beyond three years. 'Importantly, people given this treatment were also more likely to see their tumour shrink or disappear.' A groundbreaking cancer treatment hailed as a 'holy grail' is offering fresh hope to patients previously given just months to live. A new study in California looked at 15 men who were 'knocking on death's door' due to late-stage prostate cancer like the one suffered by former president Joe Biden. The therapy involved injecting liquid nitrogen to freeze their tumors, followed by a powerful cocktail of drugs that trigger the immune system to destroy the cancer. Overall, 53 percent - or eight of the patients - saw all signs of their cancer disappear. In another five cases, the tumors shrank dramatically and in two instances the disease stopped growing. No one experienced their cancer progressing further. Doctors involved in the study underlined how sick the patients were, saying 13 had cancers that had spread to their bones and, in every case, their disease had not responded to standard treatments. In stage four prostate cancer, the median survival rate is just two to three years. Only a third of people make it to five years. But, in this study, nine in 10 patients are still alive after 14 months. Dr Jason Williams, the scientist who pioneered the therapy and who was involved in the study, told the Daily Mail in an exclusive interview that he felt the results were 'really impressive' and underlined the effectiveness of the therapy. He said: 'These results were really good, even in those patients who were metastatic, patients who were heavily treated and failed all other immunotherapies, and basically had nothing left.' Eric White, then 49, (pictured above with wife Megan) blamed the pain he was experiencing in his testicles on hours spent on a forklift. Turned out he had prostate cancer. When White started experiencing testicular pain at the age of 49, he blamed it on spending hours at a time operating a forklift at work 'If we got more healthy patients, patients before they were treated, it is likely that our results would be even better. But, of course, the fact our results are already so good says a lot,' he added. Doctors said the experimental therapy works because it is able to 'harness the immune system', prompting it to hunt out and destroy cancer cells in the body. For the treatment - known as SYNC-T - doctors initially freeze part of the tumor in the prostate to kill the cancerous cells. This is done by inserting a needle into the tumor, and then either injecting it with liquid nitrogen or blasting it with rapid electrical pulses (These are quick and painless to the patient). The tumor is then left to thaw for about ten minutes, before it is injected with a cocktail of four immunotherapy drugs. Patients are injected with about 15 milliliters of the mix, which is called SV-102 and includes two monoclonal antibody drugs, at a pace of about three milliliters a minute. Researchers said this further triggers the immune system, helping it to identify and then hunt out and destroy cancer cells throughout the body. The therapy was granted fast track designation by the FDA in July last year, expediting the process to approve the drug. The study was revealed at ASCO 2025, the largest cancer conference in the world being held in Chicago, Illinois, and prompted gasps from members of the audience. One member was quick to call it potentially the holy grail of cancer treatments, while a second simply uttered damn when the results were revealed. Former President Joe Biden posted a smiling selfie to X in mid-May alongside wife and former first lady Jill Biden, who had a somber expression and was holding their gray tabby cat Willow. Biden has revealed he has been diagnosed with 'aggressive' prostate cancer CANCER-FREE: Doctor Larry Boyer, a father-of-two from Connecticut, was given just six months to live after he was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. But after receiving a similar therapy to the prostate cancer patients in this study, he is still alive The therapy involved injecting liquid nitrogen to freeze tumors, followed by a powerful cocktail of drugs that trigger the immune system to destroy cancer Your browser does not support iframes. Joe Biden, 82, revealed last month that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had already spread to his bones. In comments last week, he told reporters he 'feels good' and expects to 'be able to beat this'. Dr Williams claimed his therapy could be offered to patients like Biden. We know that they have the information on our trial, he said. So they [Biden's medical team] have seen it, and, hopefully, they can make a decision, because he clearly has advanced prostate cancer, and this is an advanced treatment option. In the study, patients were aged 60 on average - with a range from 49 to 74. Nine of the patients were white, five were Hispanic and one was black. Ten had previously received hormone therapy to treat their cancer, while five had been refused the therapy. Three, or 20 percent, had completed a course of chemotherapy, while five, or 33 percent, had received radiation. Two, or 13 percent, had undergone immunotherapy. Each patient received up to 12 cycles of the therapy, which was administered once every four weeks. Patients also underwent full-body MRI and PET scans every eight weeks, allowing doctors to track the progression of their tumors. On average, patients had elevated levels of immune cells that fight tumors in their blood within 24 hours of their first cycle of the treatment. Side effects such as fevers were recorded, which the scientists said was likely to have been triggered by a surge in immune system activity. There were no major adverse events recorded, the report showed. In one case, a patient saw all 50 cancerous growths in their bones disappear after receiving the treatment. The above shows the survival rate for prostate cancer. It drops when it is diagnosed at a later stage Mrs White recently revealed her husband had 18 more rounds of radiation to the mass in his pelvis and he is now undergoing chemotherapy. The patients in the study had metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, meaning their cancer had spread to other areas of the body and hormone therapy was no longer effective in controlling its growth. Dr Williams has urged other doctors to adopt his method of injecting immunotherapy drugs directly into the tumor instead of systemically, or into the blood stream, as is standard practice. He said: 'Hopefully, this is going to open people's eyes. 'Doctor's say, you think putting medication in tumors is going to work, and I say, that's like saying if you've got a house on fire, do you think you should put the water on that house or on another one nearby'. The therapy has also been used to treat other cancers in cases previously reported by the Daily Mail. These include a doctor suffering from pancreatic cancer who had been told he had just six months to live and a mother-of-five given 24 months to live after her stage four breast cancer spread 'everywhere'. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the US, with about 236,000 men diagnosed with the disease every year. Age is the biggest risk factor for the disease, with one in eight men being diagnosed with the disease during their lifetimes. Those aged 70 and over have about a 50:50 risk of developing the disease, studies suggest. Women taking oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are being advised to talk to their doctor if they also start using the weight-loss jab Mounjaro, amid concerns they could be at a higher risk of womb cancer. Meanwhile, there are fears that women getting hold of Mounjaro online rather than through their GP will be unaware of the potential risk. HRT provides oestrogen to ease menopause symptoms such as hot flushes, low mood and reduced sex drive. Because oestrogen thickens the lining of the womb, which can increase the risk of it becoming cancerous, it is combined with progesterone, or a progestogen (a synthetic version of progesterone) in HRT to help keep the lining thin. Many women take oestrogen in the form of a rub-on gel or skin patch rather than orally but progestogen in the form of a tablet which has to be absorbed into the bloodstream through the lining of the stomach. The worry is that a reduction in the absorption of oral progesterone or progestogen as a result of taking Mounjaro could increase the risk of cancer of the womb. And there is a different risk for women taking the oral contraceptive pill and the weight-loss jabs: an unplanned pregnancy. The new obesity-fighting drugs contain semaglutide (brand names Wegovy and Ozempic) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro) these work by slowing digestion ('gastric emptying'), and can cause gastric symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, which may reduce the absorption of oral medication. Doctors should consider raising a woman's dose of oral progestogen when she starts on Mounjaro, says Professor Annice Mukherjee, a consultant endocrinologist Now new guidelines from the British Menopause Society (BMS) warn Mounjaro could interfere with absorption of oral forms of HRT. While the cancer risk is 'theoretical' only, doctors should consider upping a woman's dose of oral progestogen when she first starts on Mounjaro, says Professor Annice Mukherjee, a consultant endocrinologist at Spire Healthcare in Manchester, who helped write the new guidelines. This is when the effect on the absorption of oral pills is greatest (according to the Mounjaro patient leaflet). The progestogen dose should then increase temporarily each time the dose of the weight-loss drug increases to compensate for the additional effect on absorption. The BMS guidelines are aimed at women who take oral progestogen alongside oestrogen in gel or patch form. (Among those on combined oral contraceptives, absorption of both oestrogen and progestogen are reduced and women who've had a hysterectomy are not included in the new guidelines, as they take only oestrogen.) Professor Mukherjee told Good Health that the reduction of progestogen 'is a particular issue for women living with obesity and diabetes [the conditions the new jabs are designed to treat] as they already have an increased risk of womb thickening and cancer'. 'Patients suitable for Mounjaro should generally be offered transdermal oestrogen [eg gels or patches], which is considered mostly safe in women with diabetes and obesity, and not oral oestrogen, which can increase risks of blood clots.' An alternative to increasing the dose of oral progesterone is to switch to a non-oral form of progesterone, such as the Mirena coil implant, or use a combined oestrogen-progestogen patch, says Dr Alice Scott, a menopause specialist at Essex Private Doctors. New guidelines from the British Menopause Society warn Mounjaro could interfere with absorption of oral forms of HRT Another potential consequence of reduced progestogen absorption is unexpected bleeding and spotting. Dr Scott, who has treated patients with the problem at her clinic, says she's seen this in women who've bought slimming injections online without proper medical guidance. 'My concern is that with it being so easy to get these medications online, women are not having adequate consultations before obtaining them,' she says. 'This means that advice about the effect of these medications on other oral drugs is not given. 'There's evidence that these weight-loss medications generally [ie not only Mounjaro] may also reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptive pills which could increase the risk of pregnancy, so it is important for women using these to discuss this with their doctor, too. 'The problem is many people do not disclose to their doctors that they are on Mounjaro or other weight-loss jabs, so it is important that healthcare providers directly ask patients at their medication reviews.' Novo Nordisk, which makes Ozempic and Wegovy, recommends that the drugs are taken under medical supervision. A spokesperson added: 'No clinical trials have specifically looked at how HRTs and semaglutide interact. In other pharmacology trials, semaglutide did not affect the absorption of oral medications to any clinically relevant degree.' But they added: 'As semaglutide causes a delay of gastric emptying it may potentially impact the absorption of oral medication taken alongside it, as such, caution should be exercised when taking oral medications alongside semaglutide and should be discussed with your healthcare professional.' Mounjaro manufacturer Eli Lilly said information given to healthcare professionals explains that 'tirzepatide delays gastric emptying and thereby has the potential to impact the rate of absorption of concomitantly administered oral medicinal products'. 'This effect is most pronounced at the time of tirzepatide treatment initiation,' added a spokesman. 'Patients should consult their doctor or other healthcare professional regarding the right treatment options or to report any side-effects they may be experiencing.' Experts have sounded the alarm over a surge in the number of people falling ill after eating unwashed salad that's contaminated with deadly bacteria. An alarming 17 per cent of people in the UK have admitted that they don't bother washing their salad, significantly increasing the risk of being infected by potentially deadly bugs such as listeria, according to a new study. Listeriawhich can killusually causes a fever, sickness and diarrhoea. But, in more serious cases, it can lead to deadly conditions such as meningitis or sepsis. More than 280 people meanwhile were struck down by a virulent form of food poisoning that was linked to contaminated lettuce grown in the UK last summer. An investigation by food safety experts linked the outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (STEC)a rare strain of the diarrhoea-causing bug E.colito multiple types of ready meal sandwiches containing the leaves. In a fresh report analysing UK residents' salad washing habits, experts warned that better awareness of bacteria lurking in saladeven products that are labelled washed and ready to eatis essential to keep food poisoning at bay. Dr Deborah Lee, a UK-based GP turned medical writer, said: 'Salad leaves are a common source of pathogens, including norovirus, Hepatitis. A, cryptosporidium, giardia, toxoplasma, salmonella, E.coli, campylobacter, yersinia and listeria. 'They can become contaminated at every step of the production process, from contact with soil, water, handling, equipment or storage. The NHS recommends rewashing all prewashed salads and vegetables before use. This is a vital step in food preparation to help reduce gastroenteritis (food poisoning).' Whilst 60 per cent of Brits are aware that unwashed salad carries a risk of food poisoning, 17 per cent say they don't bother washing their leaves, either because they don't think it's necessary, they forget, are strapped for time, or think it's messy Symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing E.coli include severe diarrhoea and vomiting, according to the UK Health Security Agency The study analysed the salad washing habits of 2,000 UK residents and found that, whilst 60 per cent of people were aware that unwashed leaves could cause food poisoning, 64 per cent of those who admitted to not washing their produce said that didn't think it was necessary. Almost eight per cent of participants said they only use pre-washed, bagged salad. However, Dr Lee warned that just because a salad bag says 'washed and ready to eat', it does not mean that it is free from bacteria. 'Prewashed salad is washed with chlorine as a disinfectant, then rinsed with pure water,' she explained. 'Although this kills over 90 per cent of bacteria, many remain.' Importantly, food that is contaminated with bacteria such as listeria may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. For most people, listeria poisoning is similar to the flu, causing a high temperature, muscles aches or pains, chills and nausea or vomiting. Usually symptoms will improve after a few days. Health experts recommend re-washing salad at home, to better protect against potentially life-threatening infections. According to the GP, even washed and ready to eat salad is not guaranteed to be free from bacteria Those who eat food containing listeria develop an infection called listeriosis, which can cause a fever, aches and pains, chills, nausea, sickness and diarrhoea 'Rewashing at home provides an additional opportunity to remove any pathogens,' Dr Lee advised. 'For best results, after washing or rewashing, always dry lettuce leaves before eating. I would advise always drying salad leaves in a salad spinner spinning the lettuce creates a centrifugal force that pulls the water and any pathogens away from the leaves,' she added. This is because leaving produce damp can encourage the growth of deadly bacteria and mould. The study also found that more than 70 per cent of people thought that rinsing produce under the tap would suffice, with only 10 per cent using food-safe cleaning solutions such as vinegar. Heidi Thomas, Head of Marketing for brands such as Zyliss who commissioned the study, said: 'Consumers are increasingly aware of the need to eat healthily, but its just as important to eat safely. 'The potential risks of not washing salad are very serious so we must all take time to prep our greens appropriately, even if it slows the cooking process down momentarily,' the food expert added. Official also raised the alarm last month over a surge in cases of STEC seen since the pandemic. In 2024 alone, more than 60 salads, sandwiches and wraps sold across 11 major shops in the UK were slapped with 'do not eat' alerts, over fears they could contain STEC. In December, a 17-year-old girl from Buckinghamshire was left fighting for her life after contracting the deadly E. Coli strain. Antonia Hay is believed to have caught STEC-HUS, caused by E. coli O157, from food at a Christmas market in Great Missenden Officials have not yet traced the source of the outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (STEC), a rare strain of the diarrhoea-causing bug. But they believe it is linked to a 'nationally distributed food item' or 'multiple food items' The outbreak sickened 288 patients, causing nine cases of haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) a life-threatening condition that can lead to kidney failure and two deaths, the UKHSA reported. Experts believe the fact that salad items, such as lettuce, are not usually cooked could be behind the surge in cases, as heating can kill off bugs, decreasing the risk of food poisoning. Symptoms of infection vary from stomach cramps and vomiting to bloody diarrhoea, UKHSA says, with around half of people infected experiencing the latter. However, it is often difficult to spot because the same symptoms can be caused by a variety of bugs, including norovirus. According to the annual report, other bacterial infections rose including yersinia infections rising to 660 cases from 454 and cyclospora cases almost doubled from 61 in 2023 to 123 in 2024. Between 2022 and 2024, Campylobacter laboratory reports rose 27 per cent between 2022 and 2024, with 70,300 cases. Campylobacter is the most common source of food poisoning. It typically causes diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting that gets better naturally within a week. In severe cases, however, it can be life-threatening for vulnerable groups, including young children, the elderly and immunosuppressed. Apart from the misery and pain of the illness itself, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) estimates the bacteria costs the economy some 900million a year in terms of NHS treatment and lost days at work. They are two of the biggest rivals in the world of pharma. But the CEO of drug giant Pfizer has sprung to Moderna's defense following the Trump administration's decision to cut its funding for the development of a bird flu vaccine. The company was told that the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) had withdrawn a $766million grant awarded by the Biden administration to pay for development and purchase of its experimental shot. The HHS said an investigation found the project did not meet the scientific standards or safety expectations required for continued federal investment, but there is a sense that it is part of the new health secretary RFK Jr's push towards an anti-vaccine agenda. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla has slammed this decision and at a conference on Friday, he said that Moderna's new vaccine, called mRNA-1018, is 'extremely well tested [and] the science is proven.' Referencing the fact that there have been around 1.5 billion mRNA vaccine shots against Covid-19 administered worldwide from his company alone, Bourla said they were 'probably the most utilized vaccine[s] in the history of humanity'. And if vaccination rates decline, it 'will not take a long time' for diseases to return Using the technology pioneered during the Covid pandemic, mRNA-based vaccines have been tested as cancer treatments, with some promising early results. They are two of the biggest rivals in the world of pharma. But the CEO of drug giant Pfizer has sprung to Moderna 's defense following the Trump administration's decision to cut its funding for the development of a bird flu vaccine Your browser does not support iframes. In one research paper out of Penn State College of Medicine, the scientists note: 'mRNA vaccines are an attractive and powerful immunotherapeutic platform against cancer because of their high potency, specificity, versatility, rapid and large-scale development capability, low-cost manufacturing potential, and safety.' Bourla says that Pfizer - which does not rely on government funding, with most of its cash from sales and partnerships - will continue its investment into vaccines. HHS boss Robert F. Kennedy Jr has expressed deep skepticism regarding jabs, including the Covid shots despite real-world evidence they saved millions of lives. Bourla says that the issue with this and other changes to US health agency policies is that they are 'not based on any scientific data.... It's just based on a belief.' Despite fiction between the government and the drug companies over vaccines, Bourla says there are 'several topics' in the medical sphere that they do agree upon - with cancer being one of these. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla has slammed the government's decision to cut Moderna's vaccine funding and at a conference on Friday, he said that Moderna's new vaccine, called mRNA-1018, is 'extremely well tested [and] the science is proven' 'We are working to address those things as we agree to disagree on the things that divide us,' Bourla added on the subject. The mRNA bird flu vaccine is based on the same technology as Pfizer's and Moderna's Covid vaccines. The vaccine contains mRNA, which acts like a set of instructions for the body. Cells read the mRNA and temporarily produce a harmless piece of the bird flu virus like a decoy. The immune system recognizes this protein as a threat and builds defenses against it. If a person is later exposed to bird flu, their immune system is already trained to fight it off. Researchers tested the vaccine on mice and ferrets and observed a strong immune response in the animals. It was hoped it would produce similar successful results in the late stage trial, which is now on hold. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. RFK Jr's move to cut Moderna's vaccine funding comes despite growing concerns about the H5N1 bird flu strain that is tearing through poultry and dairy farms in the US At least 70 people in the US have been sickened and one person died. Scientists fear that continued mutation of the virus could allow it to become more virulent or more easily spread in people, with the possibility that it could trigger a pandemic. Moderna received $176 million in July 2024 and was due to receive an extra $590m after the package was approved in January under Biden. The January award would have supported a late-stage clinical trial that could have determined the vaccine's efficacy against pandemic viruses, including bird flu. The shot had already been tested in 300 healthy adults to gauge its safety. A Moderna spokesman said at the time: '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.' It's uncertain whether Moderna will continue developing its bird flu vaccine without government funding. Meanwhile, Pfizer recently made a breakthrough with one of its drugs called Braftovi. While the prescription medicine is traditionally used to treat adults with skin cancer in combination with another drug, in a clinical trial, it was also found to double the length of time patients with an aggressive form of colorectal cancer lived with treatment. Researchers found cancer patients lived for an average of 30 months on the drug compared with 15. Bourla highlighted this as a 'very, very important finding,' especially as colorectal cancer numbers, 'particularly among younger people, are skyrocketing right now.' At least 31 killed by Israeli gunfire near aid center in S. Gaza: health authority Xinhua) 10:23, June 02, 2025 This photo released by Israel Defense Forces on June 1, 2025 shows Israeli troops operating in the Gaza Strip. At least 31 Palestinians were killed on Sunday by Israeli gunfire near a humanitarian aid center in southern Gaza, according to Palestinian sources. (Israel Defense Forces/Handout via Xinhua) GAZA, June 1 (Xinhua) -- At least 31 Palestinians were killed on Sunday by Israeli gunfire near a humanitarian aid center in southern Gaza, according to Palestinian sources. At least 31 people were killed and dozens of others seriously injured in the morning when Israeli forces opened fire near a humanitarian aid distribution point in Rafah, southern Gaza, where residents were gathering to receive aid, Gaza-based health authority said in a statement. Most of the injuries were in the upper body, and the death toll could rise due to the severity of the wounds, said Mohammed Abu Afash, director of the Medical Relief Organization in Gaza, adding that ambulances have difficulty reaching the scene due to ongoing Israeli military activities. Eyewitnesses told Xinhua that thousands of people had arrived at the aid center since early morning hours when gunfire and explosions erupted. Calling the incident part of a "pattern of repeated targeting" of aid distribution locations by Israel, the Hamas-run Gaza government media office said in a press statement that the area was operating in coordination with an American-Israeli company and under the supervision of Israeli forces. Also on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that it is unaware of injuries caused by its fire within the Humanitarian Aid distribution site, and that the matter is still under review. Israeli media cited military sources as saying that Israeli military operations in the area were aimed at targeting "terrorist elements." Israel closed border crossings and curtailed the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza on March 2. Limited access has been permitted since May 22. Israel resumed its assault on Gaza on March 18, following a two-month truce with Hamas. Since then, 4,149 Palestinians have been killed and 12,149 injured, according to Gaza-based health authorities on Sunday. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) The Biden administration has been accused of covering up the devastating reality of a potential Ohio cancer cluster. A new whistleblower report shows Biden and authorities like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ignored and failed to publish health data after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023. The Government Accountability Project has obtained federal emails and documents alleging the government knew there would be 'inevitable health impacts' from the incident. They also claim the Biden administration knew residents would need health checkups for at least 20 years after the spill but failed to disclose that to the public. The chemicals released during the disaster, many of which are known carcinogens, spilled into the soil of the 5,000-person town and the nearby Ohio River. They also spread through the air in massive 'really toxic' smoke plumes,' which could increase the risk of 'cancer clusters' forming, according to the head of the watchdog group. Two years later, East Palestine residents are still exposed to a dozen chemicals linked to respiratory issues, fatigue, high blood pressure, leukemia and kidney, lung, liver and brain cancer. And a recent paper found 540,000 square miles, spanning 16 states, were exposed to traces of volatile chemicals during the disaster. A giant plume of smoke from the aftermath of the incident in East Palestine, Ohio, could be seen from miles away Your browser does not support iframes. Lesley Pacey, an investigator with the Government Accountability Project, told NewsNation: 'They knew that there would be the potential for cancer clusters. 'These documents confirm what East Palestine residents have feared: government officials knew about the serious health risks posed by the derailment and controlled burn but deliberately kept this information from the community.' Pacey obtained FEMA documents and emails between the agency and the White House, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Justice and the National Security council, which showed the people of East Palestine are still prone to devastating health consequences. According to Pacey, the emails noted 'the occurrence of a cancer-cluster in [East Palestine] is not zero' and urged efforts 'to identify cancer clusters.' The Government Accountability Project's report also revealed the Biden administration allegedly thought East Palestine residents would need at least 20 years of medical checks following the incident. The Project also determined the findings 'point to inevitable health impacts.' Over a dozen chemicals were in the rail cars, including several carcinogens. Vinyl chloride, for example, travels through the blood and gets broken down by the liver into even more toxic chemicals. When breathed in over many years, it can cause liver and nerve damage and leave people with a weakened immune system. The Government Accountability Project has accused former president Joe Biden (pictured here) of covering up the cancer cluster and ignoring the health of East Palestine residents Exposure to the gas is also associated with a heightened risk of a rare form of liver cancer (hepatic angiosarcoma), as well as primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), brain and lung cancers, lymphoma and leukemia. When burned, vinyl chloride creates hydrogen chloride and phosgene a highly toxic, colorless gas with a strong odor that can cause vomiting and breathing trouble and was used as a chemical weapon in World War I. Trichloroethylene, meanwhile, is a clear liquid used as a solvent in for rubbers, fats, oils, waxes and resins. It's also a known carcinogen that has been linked to kidney and liver cancer, as well as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. And colorless liquid butyl acrylate has been linked to irritation in the eyes, including redness and tearing up, a scratchy throat, issues with breathing and redness and cracking of the skin. Continued exposure over months and years can cause the skin to itch and affected areas to ooze. Sil Caggiano, a hazardous materials specialist and former fire department chief, told WKBN 27 First News in 2023: 'We basically nuked a town with chemicals so we could get a railroad open.' Day in and day out, I see the tragic human fallout from our lackadaisical attitude towards cannabis. I work in a specialist service for people with emerging severe mental illness and most of my patients have experienced psychosis. The vast majority of them have used cannabis, and their lives have been shattered by this dreadful drug. Around one third of psychosis cases in the capital are the result of cannabis, according to research by Sir Robin Murray, a professor of Psychiatric Research at Kings College London. These studies join the hundreds of others showing that, far from being the benign substance campaigners would have us believe, cannabis is a dangerous intoxicant that has a profound effect on the structure and function of the brain. Several times a day, every day that Im at the hospital, I meet patients whose minds have been broken by cannabis. I implore them, for the sake of their own sanity, never to smoke it again, but it is an uphill battle because they just do not seem to understand its impact on their mental health. And who can blame them? Our political class long ago gave up trying to stop people using it. The police couldnt care less. People are now emboldened to smoke it openly in public. Walk down the street in central London and you are constantly confronted by the sickly whiff of weed. I hate this drug because I see the lives that it destroys. This is why it makes me so angry to hear the likes of Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, last week recommend that it be partially decriminalised. Has he lost his mind? Does he not see what this will do? He is a classic example of the ostrich class, as my colleague Peter Hitchens described him and his ilk in this newspaper last week. Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has recommend the partial decriminalisation of cannabis He is so detached from the reality of what this drug does to people and communities. Khan banned images of scantily clad women on the Tube in case it triggered eating disorders, yet advocates allowing people to use cannabis. It makes no sense. I spent ten years working with eating disorder patients and I can assure you that not one ever told me they caught anorexia from a poster on the Tube. Yet Ive seen countless people whose lives have been ruined by cannabis. Data from our neighbours in Europe offers an insight into the potential pitfalls of Khans proposal, with Portugal seeing a huge surge in cannabis-induced psychosis after it decriminalised the drug in 2001. The more people who use it, the more lives will be destroyed. It has now been proved beyond doubt that cannabis is associated with depression, anxiety, psychosis and avolition (poor motivation). It seems to me a bitter irony that, just as we are becoming more aware of mental illness, the use of a drug directly responsible for blighting the mental health of so many people is being allowed to become so widespread. It has been proved beyond doubt that cannabis is associated with depression, anxiety, psychosis and avolition Furthermore, the idea of decriminalisation is nonsensical. Surely, there should only be two options: enforce the law or legalise cannabis. If we are going to accept that we have lost the war on this drug then, rather than turn a blind eye to its use, we must make it legal, regulate it and control it. Khans policy is the worst possible option. Decriminalising cannabis means its still illegal, but there are no consequences for using it. This risks sending a dangerous signal to criminals, and to our young people that the law doesnt matter and is there to be broken. Teens will surely then assume that a lax attitude means that, really, its no big deal. And, given that drug dealers are unlikely to check a customers date of birth unlike with the purchase of alcohol or tobacco in shops in a decriminalised system, cannabis effectively has no age restrictions. Think about it it means there would be more control over who can buy the cigarette papers used to make a joint than there is over the drug that goes in it. Of course, it also means that criminals will continue to make money. As studies have shown, crime has risen, not fallen, in countries that have decriminalised cannabis. Still think Khan might be on to something? What about the fact that cannabis farms are linked with modern slavery, people trafficking, prostitution, guns and violent crime? It is a world of utter misery. It destroys communities. As much as the thought sends shivers down my spine, Ive come around to the idea that there might be an argument for legalising cannabis. At least then it can be taxed, regulated and produced without slave labour. The type of cannabis being sold could be monitored, with the level of potency kept in check, regulations placed on its sale and controls introduced around who is selling it. The taxes raised could be used to fund specialist services like the one I work for to help mop up those whose mental health will continue to suffer due to the drug, whether or not it is legal. But, no, Khan plays to the spliff-smoking crowd and calls for decriminalisation an approach that will ruin lives. I applaud Kara's cancer honesty Kara Tointon has spoken out about her double mastectomy after finding out she was at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer Former EastEnders actress Kara Tointon has undergone a double mastectomy following a gene test. The 41-year-old revealed that tests showed she carried a mutated BRCA gene which can put her at very high risk of breast and ovarian cancer. She was tested in 2018 when her late mother was undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer. Last week she posted about her mastectomies on social media. In general, Im not a fan of celebrities revealing all about their health woes because it tends to encourage health anxiety in people who are perfectly well. But, in this case, I applaud her. It cannot have been easy for her to talk about, but many women simply dont know about this gene mutation and the risks attached to it. Its not until they have symptoms themselves and a surgeon asks about a family history that it becomes apparent they are carriers. Thats a tragedy because, if they had been tested before, then they might have avoided cancer altogether. I loved shadow justice secretary Robert Jenricks crusade against fare dodgers. He confronted people on the Tube who hadnt bought a ticket. I recently challenged someone who tailgated me through a barrier and was met with abuse. Why not give Tube workers financial incentives to stop it? It would help oppose an underclass which believes it can behave however it likes. Dr Max prescribes... Free online exercise class Im determined to do what I can to help tackle the obesity epidemic and so have started a free online exercise class (getslimmr.co.uk/exercise) for those middle-aged or older who would like to gently improve their physical activity from the comfort of their own home. Its on a Wednesday at 7pm and run by personal trainer Ben Hodson. Northern Irelands own Jonathan Anderson has picked up the baton at Dior as creative director of womens, mens and haute couture collections. Designers rarely shuffle around the industry, but this year theres been a revolving door of creative directors shaking up some of fashions oldest names. And Andersons next appointment has been one of the most rumoured and anticipated to date. Jonathon Anderson on the Loewe runway at Paris Fashion Week September 2024 In January we saw Louise Trotter take the helm at Bottega Veneta, replacing Matthieu Blazy (who has taken up residence at Chanel). March played a backdrop for peak house hopping: Simone Bellotti, previously Bally, announced his new start at Jil Sander replacing Luke and Lucie Meier; Donatella Versace stepped down after 27 years and was replaced by Dario Vitale; then at Gucci, Demna (previously Balenciaga) was announced as creative director. If youre confused, dont worry - its akin to following a game of chess. Anderson has taken over from Maria Grazia Chiuri, who joined as Diors first female artistic director of womens haute couture, ready-to-wear and accessories in 2016, and Kim Jones who served as Diors artistic director of menswear for 7 years. The announcement of Andersons new role comes just days after the showcase of Chiuris last Dior Cruise collection held in Rome. Dior Cruise 2025 show in Rome Chiuri led the brand to unprecedented success over nine years, bolstering LVMHs profits. But this is the first time since Monsieur Dior, a creative director like Anderson will helm all of these sectors collectively, with an aim to bring order and cohesion to the brands design vision. 'I have always been inspired by the rich history of this House, its depth, and empathy. I look forward to working alongside its legendary Ateliers to craft the next chapter of this incredible story,' says Anderson. And after a fabulous 11-year tenure at the head of Loewe, its no surprise the French multinational luxury goods conglomerate LVMH (the owner of Dior) has snapped up Anderson to supply a fresh take on the brand. Dior Cruise Show 2025 in Rome 'Jonathan Anderson is one of the greatest creative talents of his generation. His incomparable artistic signature will be a crucial asset in writing the next chapter of the history of the House of Dior,' emphasises Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH. But what will happen to JW Anderson? Its said that he will remain at the helm of his eponymous brand. Dior show at Paris Fashion Week March 2025 Andersons debut womens ready-to-wear collection will take place this October during Paris Fashion Week, following his debut with the Dior menswear collection on the 27th of this month. The FROWs eyes remain peeled for this exciting new design phase. A Chicago television news anchor is mourning the loss of her firefighter husband after following a grueling and courageous battle with stage 4 brain cancer. Diane Pathieu, who broadcasts for ABC 7, revealed how her spouse Nicholas Adamski passed away last week at the age of 42. Adamski died after attempting to fight the cancer for four years having been diagnosed shortly before Christmas in 2020, after suffering a seizure that left him collapsed and unconscious. Adamski always faced long odds but managed to live years beyond his initial glioblastoma prognosis, refusing to surrender even as the disease ravaged his body. In a raw and emotional tribute posted on Instagram, Pathieu shared a black-and-white photo of her husband. 'My angel, Nicholas 'Nick' Adamski, has gained his wings. He was surrounded by love and peace. Firefighter. Husband. Advocate. Hero. 'Nick faced stage 4 glioblastoma brain cancer with unmatched courage, grace, and an unshakable belief in PMA - Positive Mental Attitude. 'He was a man who served others, uplifted everyone he met, and never stopped smiling - even through the hardest days. Forever in our hearts. I love you for always sweetheart. Keep that PMA. Love hard. Help others. And never, ever give up, and as Nick would say, "peace and veggie grease."' Diane Pathieu, who broadcasts for ABC 7, revealed how her husband Nicholas 'Nick' Adamski passed away last week at the age of 42 Nick Adamski was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma shortly before Christmas 2020 Before illness struck, Adamski was a Milwaukee firefighter. He as hailed a hero after he once rushed into a burning building to save an infant for which he received the Medal of Valor The comment section beneath the post quickly flooded with condolences, words of support from friends, colleagues, and complete strangers, many of whom had never met Nick personally. Before illness struck, Adamski had been a Milwaukee firefighter. He was hailed a hero after he once rushed into a burning building to save an infant, an act of courage for which he received the Medal of Valor - the highest honor a firefighter can earn. His selflessness was legendary among his peers and remained unshaken even after his diagnosis. According to ABC 7, Adamski first realized something was wrong when he suffered a seizure in December 2020, collapsing without warning. 'The only thing I remember is my right leg going up and shaking everything,' Adamski recounted. 'After that, I couldn't tell you anything.' Doctors at Lutheran General Hospital delivered the devastating news that he had stage 4 glioblastoma, the most aggressive and lethal form of brain cancer. Even with aggressive treatment, the prognosis was grim with patients typically given about a year to live. But Adamski refused to let a number define his future. His battle cry became three simple letters: PMA - Positive Mental Attitude. Pathieu posted this photo of Adamski with angel wings as she paid tribute to her husband A ceremonial guard from the Milwaukee Fire Honor Guard took part in Nick's funeral Members of the Milwaukee Fire Department paid tribute to their fellow firefighter A memorial service was held for Nicholas 'Nick' Adamski on Saturday afternoon Adamski stepped into the public eye and attempted to use his diagnosis as a platform to inspire others. He and his wife Pathieu became vocal advocates for brain cancer awareness. The American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) paid tribute to Adamski in a statement that echoed the depth of feeling over the loss of Adamski's. 'We are deeply saddened by the passing of Nicholas 'Nick' Adamski, beloved husband of ABC7 Chicago's Diane Pathieu,' the organization wrote. ' A devoted firefighter, fierce advocate, and GBM warrior, Nick faced grade 4 glioblastoma with extraordinary courage, grace, and his signature PMA - Positive Mental Attitude. 'Through every challenge, Nick never stopped smiling. He served others, inspired hope, and uplifted everyone around him. His legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him - and in the countless lives he touched.' In his final days, Adamski entered hospice care, surrounded by love and by those he had spent his life protecting. Pathieu announced she would be stepping away from social media to spend his remaining time by his side. Diane Pathieu works as a traffic anchor for local Chicago broadcaster ABC 7 The couple attempted to share PMA - Positive Mental Attitude throughout his cancer journey Pathieu continued to share updated on her husband's disease as he steadily grew weaker ABC 7 Chicago issued its own statement of condolence: 'Nick's life was defined by service, strength, and a deep compassion for others. As a member of the Milwaukee Fire Department, he earned the Medal of Valor for saving an infant from a fire. Not only did Nick fight that vicious disease with bravery, but he also inspired others. 'He became a public voice for hope with his signature message of PMA: Positive Mental Attitude. As Diane says, Nick never judged and never complained. He simply loved.' Those who knew Adamski personally speak of a man who remained kind, selfless, and hopeful even as the disease eroded his physical strength. He never wavered in his resolve to 'love hard, help others, and never, ever give up' - a mantra that Pathieu vowed in her post to carry on. CNN pundit Scott Jennings has mercilessly mocked the ailing Democratic Party while musing about the lack of viable candidates to become their next leader. Conservative commentator Jennings, 47, who is somewhat of a black sheep on the left-leaning channel, poked fun at several top Democrats for being too radical or incompetent to stand a chance at orchestrating the floundering party's comeback. He took aim specifically at Wes Moore's communication skills, and Tim Walz, who he said 'is a special mixture of extreme buffoonery and a mean spirit', after the duo appeared at a Democratic rally in South Carolina the day before. Jennings spoke on CNN's State of the Union show Sunday morning while sitting beside Democrat Representative for Michigan Debbie Dingell, whose summary of where her party is heading prompted his brutal takedown. 'Democrats have to stop being against Donald Trump and start being for something. We've got to lay out our agenda for what we're going to do,' Dingell said. Jennings disagreed, saying the Democrats 'are for things'. 'I'll defend the Democrats,' he said. 'They are for things: illegal aliens. You're for boys in girl's sports. I mean, you are for things,' he added as Dingell repeatedly said 'no, no.' 'That's why you have such struggles right now in your party, because you're not for anything that's on the right side of any of the 80/20 issues that are driving this cultural divide in America,' Jennings continued. CNN pundit Scott Jennings (pictured) has mercilessly mocked the ailing Democratic Party while musing about the lack of viable candidates to become their next leader Jennings spoke on CNN's State of the Union show Sunday morning while sitting beside Democrat Rep. for Michigan Debbie Dingell (pictured right during the exchange), whose summary of where her party is heading prompted his brutal takedown 'I think Wes Moore is actually a pretty talented communicator. The other person who spoke in South Carolina, Tim Walz, is a special mixture of extreme buffoonery and a mean spirit, which is a toxic brew. He is not the future of the Democratic Party. 'Moore is interesting. Moore is interesting, probably more interesting than some of the radicals you have out there - Crockett, AOC - I mean, those are the true leaders of your party right now.' 'But you'd probably be better off replacing them with Moore.' Minnesota Governor Walz used his appearance at the South Carolina rally on Saturday to encourage his supporters at the South Carolina rally to 'bully the s*** out of Donald Trump. The 2024 vice presidential candidate slammed the President and told the crowd to bully Trump, bestowing him the nickname the 'cruel man,' claiming that liberals 'need to be meaner.' Walz branded Trump a 'wannabe dictator' and 'existential threat' to democracy and he urged his fellow Democrats to abandon their usual approach and get tough with Trump. Conservative commentator Jennings (pictured on the right) who is somewhat of a black sheep on the left-leaning channel, poked fun at several top Democrats for allegedly being too radical or incompetent to stand a chance at orchestrating the party's comeback It comes as a recent CNN poll indicated that liberals believe New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the person who best reflects the party's key principles. However, there wasn't a clear winner and many respondents had no opinion at all. The survey asked Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independent voters which politician best reflects the core values of the Democratic Party today. Ten percent of voters chose AOC while former Vice President Kamala Harris was a close second with nine percent of the votes. Sanders came in third with eight percent while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was placed fourth with six percent. Former President Barack Obama and Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett were tied for fifth with four percent. California Governor Gavin Newsom, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer were all tied at two percent. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could be the next Democratic Party leader, voter polls indicate Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders came in third place in the CNN poll of 1,206 liberal voters Another fifteen Democrats including some lawmakers and governors each received one percent of the votes, while a whopping 26 percent of respondents had no opinion. Trump allies greeted the results of the poll as good news as the progressive Democratic congresswoman has long been accused of being too far left by moderates. Conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro also shared the poll on his show, dubbing the results 'brutal' for Democrats. He claimed the New York Congresswoman is 'totally out of touch with most Americans.' The survey conducted March 6-9 included 1,206 respondents and has a margin of error of 3.3 percentage points. Frequent MSNBC contributor Tom Winter is facing backlash after branding the suspect of Sunday's Colorado terror attack 'a white male'. The misrepresentation, offered on MSNBC's The Weekend Primetime, appeared to ignore Egyptian national Mohamed Sabry Soliman's actual origins as an illegal alien. The FBI had already confirmed the nature of the 'targeted' terror attack when NBC National Security and Justice Correspondent Winter made the characterization, but it came shortly before Soliman was publicly identified. Still, several were quick to accuse the correspondent for omitting certain facts, after the incident occurred in Boulder during a pro-Israel rally. Soliman, 45, was filmed shouting 'Free Palestine' before hurling homemade incendiary devices at a crowd, injuring eight and leaving at least one injured critically. 'There is an individual who is taken into custody. He's a white male - whether or not that's the person police ultimately arrested and charged with this crime is a bit of a question at this time,' Winter said just after 7pm ET. 'I guess that covers it for the extreme view of everything. White male,' one user wrote in response, as many reacted to a reshared clip of the reporter's wording when describing Soliman's arrest. NBC National Security and Justice Correspondent and frequent MSNBC contributor Tom Winter is facing backlash after branding the suspect of Sunday's Colorado terror attack 'a white male'. Winter is seen on MSNBC Reports late last year The misrepresentation, offered on MSNBC's The Weekend Primetime, appeared to ignore Egyptian national Mohamed Sabry Soliman's actual origins as an illegal alien 'I wouldn't expect anything less from the fake news media networks,' sniped someone else, slamming Winter for what they saw as a needlessly calm assessment. 'MSNBC: If reality doesnt fit, we Photoshop it mentally,' wrote another. 'This really doesnt fit their narrative at all.' The Department of Homeland Security has since confirmed Solomon arrived in the US in August 2022 on a B2 Visa before overstaying by more than two years. Shortly after the indecent at Pearl Street Mall at around 1:26pm MDT on Sunday, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed it was 'targeted' and meant to inspire terror. As footage circulated of the middle aged suspect hurling Molotov cocktails, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino branded it 'an act of terror and targeted violence'. Soliman - who feds on Sunday said unsuccessfully applied for asylum in September 2022 - was heard on video saying 'Palestine is Free,' MSNBC later reported. The crowd he attacked was convened an event organized by Run For Their Live in honor of the remaining Israeli hostages. Many were quick to call out the correspondent for omitting certain facts, seemingly to weave a more MSNBC-friendly narrative. Soliman, however, had yet to be identified Mohamed Sabry Soliman (pictured), lived illegal in El Paso county, Texas, and appeared to taunt the victims in footage of the attack. Wearing only jeans and sunglasses, he was heard yelling: 'End Zionists... they are terrorists' and 'free Palestine', witnesses said Winter's words came as video and images from the scene showed the suspect several victims laying motionless on the ground beside Israel flags as witnesses rushed to pour water on their wounds He lived illegal in El Paso county, Texas, and appeared to taunt the victims in footage of the attack. Wearing only jeans and sunglasses, he was heard yelling: 'End Zionists... they are terrorists' and 'free Palestine'. Shortly after Winter's broadcast Sunday, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said Soliman is an 'illegal alien' who arrived in the US on a visa issued by the Biden administration. When he illegally overstayed that visa, he was given a second chance and issued a new work permit, feds said. He was authorized to stay until February 2, 2023, but never left. CNN's lead national security correspondent, Alex Marquardt, has revealed he is leaving the network - four months after he cost it at least $5million for a defamatory report on Navy veteran Zachary Young. 'Some personal news: I'm leaving CNN after 8 terrific years,' Marquardt wrote to followers on X late Monday morning. 'Tough to say goodbye but its been an honor to work among the very best in the business,' he added. No other details were provided, but sources told former CNN media correspondent Oliver Darcy that Marquardt was fired - citing 'editorial differences' with his higher-ups at the network. CNN declined to comment on the development due to it being a 'personnel matter.' Marquardt, meanwhile, thanked his colleagues on CNN's national security team in his cryptic post - the same team who worked on the November 2021 report that landed him in hot water. It also tarnished CNN's reputation - after jurors ruled Marquardt's report falsely suggested Young illegally profited during the Biden administration's disastrous pullout from Afghanistan. 'We're gonna nail this Zachary Young mf**ker', the longtime correspondent told members of that team in texts used against him in the high-profile case. CNN's lead national security correspondent, Alex Marquardt, has revealed he is leaving the network four months after he cost it at least $5million for a defamatory report on Navy veteran Zachary Young The report erroneously implied Young - a security consultant who helped corporations remove staff from the war-torn country in late 2021 - illegally profited during the Biden administration's pullout from Afghanistan. Young is seen in court earlier this year The text, and a litany of others, saw a six-person jury find CNN guilty of defamation, after Young was repeatedly mentioned during the finished segment from Marquardt that claimed contractors were charging up to $14,000 for 'black market' evacuations. Young said he'd never accepted any money from Afghans who needed rescue and relied on corporate and nongovernmental organization sponsorships to help people flee - facts not included in the report. It aired on the Lead with Jake Tapper, and opened with Tapper claiming Afghans that were trying to flee the surging Taliban insurgency at the time 'face[d] a black market full of promises, demand of exorbitant fees and no guarantee of safety or success.' Tapper then cut to CNN's chief security correspondent Marquardt, who claimed that an Afghan man in the US had found some people on Facebook charging $10,000 to evacuate relatives. Marquardt used that to claim 'desperate Afghans are now being exploited' by 'exorbitant and impossible' amounts, before some b-roll brought up a LinkedIn post from Young advertising his services. Young filed his defamation lawsuit in 2022 and successfully alleged that CNN had damaged his reputation by lying that he was taking advantage of the ill-fated operation. After being threatened by Young, CNN made an apology, before issuing a retraction and removing the segment from public view. But Young, 49, sued anyway. In depositions screened during the hearing that ensued, several senior staffers argued that the network should never have apologized to Young due to Marquardt not specifically saying he was taking advantage of the situation. Jurors ruled in favor of the 49-year-old's argument that the 2021 report led by the longtime correspondent, seen here during raw footage of the segment that aired in court, had been a hit piece CNN aired this image of Young with a strap on the bottom that read: 'Afghans trying to flee Taliban face Black Markets'. He sued CNN for tying him to the black markets Jurors felt differently in January, after seeing Marquardt give similar testimony in footage that proved integral to the case. In a sit-down interview recorded outside of court, the correspondent said he did 'not necessarily' agree with the apology and 'did not believe [the report] was an error.' In an interview with Fox News, Katy Svitenko, one of the jurors, said that testimony was the final straw for juror's already put off by texts between Marquardt and his team that suggested they were out to get Young with their piece. '[Marquardt] was arrogant. He acted as though he really didn't need to be there,' the retired schoolteacher said, after the case's conclusion earlier this year. 'Like he was far too important to be sitting there on the witness stand,' she added. '[The] "I don't feel the need to apologize,"' she added, 'we heard that over and over and over.' 'Alex Marquardt had put in an email, "I'm going to nail this Zachary Young,"' she added of an expletive-ridden message sent by Marquardt to staffer Katie Bo Lillis as they mapped out the report in late 2021. 'Wow this guy is an a**hole,' senior reporter Bo Lillis wrote back to her boss, before slamming Young as a 'scumbag'. Kabul is pictured during the chaotic 2021 US withdrawal, which saw the Taliban immediately surge back to power 'At that point it seemed as though he had put a target on Mr. Young's back, and he was not going to let up until he reached his goal,' Svitenko said. 'It was obvious to the entire jury that [Marquardt] was out to get him.' Marquardt previously served seven years as a foreign correspondent at ABC News, following a first stint with CNN that lasted only a year. Prior to that, Marquardt - who had been a frequent contributor to the Situation Room - worked as a page for NBC. He studied science, technology and international affairs at Georgetown University. The latest to leave the network following the ousters of Jim Acosta and Chris Wallace, has yet to announce any future plans. Within days of the lawsuit loss, CNN laid off hundreds of staffers - months after another 100 cuts that occurred last summer. The investing world loves an acronym and there's a new one in town thanks to President Trump: The Taco Trade. As Wall Street has rallied after its tariff-induced slump, investors have coined the phrase as a way to capitalise on the the US President's mercurial behaviour. Coined by Financial Times journalist Robert Armstrong, Taco stands for 'Trump Always Chickens Out.' The trade involves buying stocks after markets go down, due to Trump imposing or threatening tariffs or other measures, then selling them as their value recovers when the president declares a pause or retreat. After initial fears that he might not back down on his hardline tariff policies, traders are now back to betting that Trump will reverse course if the economic fallout becomes too severe and obvious. It's a bold trade, considering Trump's unpredictable ways, but it paid off with the 90 day pause on his initial Liberation Day tariffs and then again recently on short-lived measures against the EU. Retreat: 'The US administration does not have a very high tolerance for market and economic pressure, and will be quick to back off when tariffs cause pain,' says Robert Armstrong Tom Hibbert, multi-asset strategist at Canaccord Wealth, said: 'The Taco Trade is gaining traction among traders who now see these tariff tantrums as buying opportunities rather than lasting threats.' Near the end of May, President Donald Trump warned that he would slap a 50 per cent tariff on goods imported from the European Union starting from the beginning of June. He said negotiations were 'going nowhere' with the trading bloc, which sold more than $600billion of goods to the US last year. Yet after shares spiralled and the EU said it would not make a deal based on 'mutual respect, not threats,' Trump backed down just two days later. He said the tariffs would instead be imposed from 9 July. US stocks subsequently soared the following Tuesday. It was not the first time Trump has backtracked on tariffs; he agreed to lower taxes on imported Chinese goods from 145 per cent to 30 per cent last month for 90 days after China raised their own levies on US products to 125 per cent. And on 9 April, the US president suspended 'reciprocal' tariffs - higher import taxes on dozens of nations - announced in his 'Liberation Day' speech the previous week. As Armstrong wrote: 'The US administration does not have a very high tolerance for market and economic pressure, and will be quick to back off when tariffs cause pain.' Trump unsurprisingly reacted badly when asked about the acronym by a reporter, calling her question 'nasty.' He remarked: 'I think we really helped China tremendously because, you know, they were having great difficulty because we were basically going cold turkey with China. 'We were doing no business because of the tariff because it was so high. But I knew that.' More recently, the president reignited uncertainty into the global trading system as he warned of his intentions to double tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to 50 per cent. And on Monday, China accused the US Government of 'seriously violating' the trade deal agreed last month in Geneva, Switzerland. Hibbert, at Canaccord Wealth, said: 'There is an element of negotiating strategy' in Trump's approach to tariff policy, although it relies more on blunt force than measured diplomacy, which has introduced huge uncertainty.' Mown down in front of her mother during a morning stroll through Manchester, she's one of the youngest victims of Britain's drug-driving epidemic. Three-year-old Louisa 'Lulu' Palmisano was struck by a van driven by Rawal Rehman, who had at least 20 lines of cocaine in his system after visiting two massage parlours. Jailed this week for 12 years, the 36-year-old courier is the sordid face of a growing menace, with drug-related road deaths rising by 164 per cent in less than a decade. That cocaine rivals cannabis as the most common drug involved should be of no surprise. After all, it is now cheaper and stronger than ever. The criminals behind this dubious achievement? The Albanian mafia - whose 'supermarket-style' tactics of buying in bulk in return for a smaller cut on sales have helped them seize control of the UK's cocaine market. So just how widespread is Britain's cocaine problem, what damage is it causing, and what are the names and faces of the kingpins fuelling it? Answering the first question is easy: cocaine is now, in the words of one expert, 'ubiquitous'. Snorting 117 tonnes (and rising...) every year, the UK has the world's second highest rate of cocaine use after Australia. Louisa 'Lulu' Palmisano, three, was struck by a van driven by Rawal Rehman, who had at least 20 lines of cocaine in his system after visiting two massage parlours The 36-year-old courier was jailed for 12 years for causing death by dangerous driving Lulu was hit while walking alongside her mother on a Saturday morning in central Manchester Your browser does not support iframes. Gangs make around 4 billion a year selling the drug in the UK, according to the National Crime Agency (NCA). For context, the annual revenues of the entire British publishing industry were 7.1 billion in 2023. Professor Ian Hamilton, a leading narcotics expert who serves as associate professor of addiction at the University of York, said increasing cocaine use inevitably meant more people were driving while under the influence of it. And while politicians decrying cocaine use typically recite worn stereotypes about it being a 'middle-class' drug snorted at suburban dinner parties, the academic believes this model is now completely out of date. 'Cocaine is stronger and more affordable than it's ever been,' he told MailOnline. 'It was previously seen as a drug for affluent people, but that's no longer the case - almost everyone can afford it and it's easy to get hold of. 'When a drug grows in popularity, more people will drive under the influence of it. Cocaine works quickly but wears off quickly too. So, people won't be high so they think they can drive but may still be impaired and have longer response times.' He credits Britain's binge drinking culture as one reason for cocaine's popularity, with its stimulating effects helping partygoers and clubbers carry on drinking for longer. But using cocaine is far from risk free, with deaths linked to the drug hitting 1,118 in 2023 - up by 30 per cent compared to the year before. The NCA have also blamed cocaine for fuelling domestic violence, and disputes between gangs peddling the drug are frequently a factor behind stabbings, kidnappings and murders. Dritan Rexhepi, the ringleader of the Kompanio Bello drug cartel, was recently extradited to Albania after 27 years on the run Rexhepi - seen arriving in Albania - is believed to be responsible for trafficking tens of millions of pounds worth of cocaine into the UK and other European countries Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Police credit the Albanian mafias takeover of the UK cocaine market with a decision taken decades ago to forge direct links with South American cartels. By cutting out middlemen, they can secure larger volumes of the drug at a cheaper price. The Albanians are also said to have forged close links with the Italian Ndrangheta, which dominates the cocaine market in mainland Europe, while gaining a reputation for professionalism and reliability. Professor Hamilton believes the increasing purity and affordability of cocaine is a deliberate strategy by organised crime groups to make their product as attractive as possible to consumers. 'Organised crime groups work on the same principles of supermarkets - they'd rather shift a lot of something and make a little profit than a little and not make as much,' he said. 'They want to make sure their product is popular and well used.' The narcotics expert also pointed to factors further down the supply chain in South America, where he said authorities have eased off efforts to eradicate coca plantations. 'Under President Bush that was a priority so there was a lot of pressure from the US, but Biden and Trump are more focused on immigration,' he explained. Although top-tier cocaine traffickers tend to shy away from the limelight, some are so notorious that their names have become widely known. James Stevenson, who plotted to flood Scotland with 76million worth of cocaine from Ecuador was sentenced to 20 years in jail Border Force found 952 blocks of cocaine hidden inside the banana boxes in total The cocaine was hidden in boxes of bananas bound for a fruit market in Glasgow These include Dritan Rexhepi, nicknamed the 'King of Cocaine', who was finally extradited back to Albania earlier in January after 27 years on the run. The kingpin was responsible for trafficking tens of millions of pounds worth of cocaine into the UK and other European countries, and appeared on the Met's most wanted list in 2023. He is said to have been leader of an international drug cartel called Kompanio Bello and is believed to be responsible for shooting dead two police officers in his homeland in 1999. But Albanians are far from the only nationality involved. One recent big fish busted by police was Jamie 'The Iceman' Stevenson, who was one of Britain's most wanted men before he was locked up earlier this year. The 59-year-old, once described as Scotlands answer to Tony Soprano, arranged for 76million of cocaine to be smuggled into Britain inside boxes of bananas from Ecuador before the operation was exposed by decrypted EncroChat messages. Stevenson planned for the shipment of 952 blocks of cocaine to be sent to a Glasgow fruit merchant before it was intercepted by Border Force in 2020. Just months before, police had raided a Kent Valium factory linked to the gangster, prompting him to flee to the Netherlands, where he was arrested in 2022. He was jailed for 20 years last October. Bananas have been used to hide cocaine before, with officers uncovering 2.3 tonnes of the drug worth 186million in a cargo boat in Portsmouth harbour in 2021 Following an undercover sting, officers found 33kg worth of cocaine hidden under kitchen cabinets Members of the conspiracy included Petko Zhutev, a 39-year-old Bulgarian, and Albanian Bruno Kuci, 40 Olsi Ebeja and Gjergii Diko were also jailed following the successful police operation Bananas have been used to hide cocaine before, with officers uncovering 2.3 tonnes of the drug worth 186million in a cargo boat in Portsmouth harbour in 2021. But in an undercover operation reminiscent of a Hollywood thriller, police kept the seizure a secret and replaced the cocaine with fruit before posing as lorry drivers to deliver it to the smugglers' warehouse in north London. Armed police then arrested four of the gang during a swoop on the lock-up which uncovered a loaded revolver hidden on a roof beam as well as the electronic key flat to a flat in nearby Islington. While the flat appeared to be empty, police went on to find another 33 kilo blocks of cocaine worth 2million hidden under kitchen cabinets. Last year, Erik Muci, 45, was jailed for 33 years for leading the operation, while his fellow Albanian conspirators Bruno Kuci, 33, and Olsi Ebeja, 40, received 21 years and 17 years consecutively. Petko Zhutev, a 39-year-old Bulgarian, was sentenced to 27 years and 33-year-old Italian Gjergji Diko, 33, to 18 years. While hiding cocaine in sea freight is the most common method used by traffickers, other methods are used too, including submarines and aeroplanes. One gang jailed earlier this year flew 4.2million worth of cocaine into the UK from France on small planes specially designed to evade radar. These aircraft would take off from the coastal town of Cherbourg before flying 70 miles over the Channel to Dorset - avoiding radar by flying low and switching off their transponders - before jettisoning the packages over the countryside. Arjan Lisaj, 33, (left) with Martynas Pieca, 37, (right), were part of a gang that flew 4.2million worth of cocaine into the UK from France on small planes Tomas Bauza, 44, (left) and his 47-year-old brother Ronaldas (right) were also involved in the operation The drugs were stashed at a car wash in the Hertfordshire hamlet of Spellbrook to the horror of locals who had no idea it was being run by criminals. It is now under new management Blocks of cocaine branded with the logos of Audi and Under Armour The coordinates of the drop-off locations were agreed in advance, and gang leader Martynas Piecia, 37, or his associate, 47-year-old Lithuanian Rolandas Bauza, would be waiting in a car to pick the packages up. Rolandas's brother Tomas Bauza, 44, made up the fourth member of the conspiracy, which organised at least three flights in total. The drugs were then stashed at a car wash in the tiny hamlet of Spellbrook of Hertfordshire to the horror of locals who had no idea it was being run by criminals. While Britain's cocaine problem may appear to be spiralling out of control, authorities insist they are taking effective action. Seizures of cocaine at the UK border have been rising steeply, with more than 26 tonnes seized by Border Force in England last year - a 75 per cent increase compared to 2023. And to tackle the trade at source, the government has struck an agreement to station British officers in Colombia - the world's largest cocaine producer - and Ecuador, a key smuggling route. But as the vast size of recent seizures show, the cocaine trade is currently in rude health, suggesting that cartel-related killings will continue to be a daily reality of life in both nations. And with the UK's voracious hunger for cocaine making it 'the country of choice' for drug-peddlers, its impacts - like the heartbreaking drug-driving death of Lulu Palmisano - will continue to be felt here too. The tragic case of Joshlin Smith, a six-year-old whose mother sold her to a self-professed 'healer', has captivated and horrified South Africa. Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, 35, was last week found guilty of kidnapping and trafficking her daughter and will spend the rest of her life in prison. The court heard how Little Joshlin, who had a fair complexion and striking turquoise eyes, was sought out by the 'healer' for her 'light eyes and skin'. She disappeared in February 2024 and is widely believed to have been killed for her body parts and organs after a months-long search operation failed to locate her. But Joshlin is far from the only child to have met this bleak fate simply because of their appearance. Human trafficking and murder for body parts and organs are rife in some parts of Africa, and no one is more at risk of becoming a victim than people with albinism (PWAs). The continent's albinos - sometimes referred to as 'the invisibles' - have historically suffered appalling treatment. Not long ago, albino babies were routinely killed at birth, thought by their parents to be bad omens or curses. Today, infanticide has largely declined, but many PWAs are born with a price tag on their head as those who believe in black magic and traditional medicine claim their fair skin and eyes can bring good fortune and cure afflictions. There are hundreds of recorded cases across East and Central African nations of albino children and adults alike being butchered - sometimes by their own relatives - and their remains used in macabre concoctions. Bones are ground down and buried in the earth by miners, who believe they will be transformed into diamonds. The genitals are made into treatments to bolster sexual potency, and their hair is woven into fishermen's nets. 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 shocking trial has captivated South Africa for the last few months with Joshlin still missing despite a major search operation Baraka Cosmas, a child with albinism, is seen with a severed hand after he was maimed Undated image of Asimwe Novath, a two-and-a-half-year-old child with albinism who was abducted and murdered for her organs in Tanzania last year Albinos are sometimes targeted due to the belief that their body parts can be used in magic rituals (file image of a boy with albinism in Kenya) Albinism is a condition caused by a genetic mutation that strips the skin, hair and eyes of pigment created by melanin, a substance that also acts as a shield against the sun's harmful ultraviolet light. The lack of protective melanin comes with heightened risks of skin cancer and vision loss for those exposed to the sun. Those born with it can generally live long, healthy lives provided they are appropriately looked after as children and have the provisions to protect themselves as adults. Unfortunately, this is not often the case in large parts of Africa. More than 90% of people with albinism on the continent, where roughly one out of every 5,000 people is born with the condition, die before they reach the age of 40 due to health complications brought on by sun exposure. However, white skin from albinism can be a death sentence for a very different reason, especially in Tanzania where roughly one in 1,400 people are born with albinism - the highest incidence of the condition anywhere in the world. In rural areas, PWAs are sometimes banned from working or going to school and are isolated by their communities - a move that makes them all the more vulnerable to bounty hunters, traffickers, witch doctors and impoverished citizens with nowhere else to turn. One of the most dangerous myths is that having sex with an albino can cure HIV. That belief has driven an epidemic of sexual violence against albino women, many of whom contract the virus as a result. Then there are the killings. PWAs are hunted, murdered, and dismembered. Children are kidnapped from their families, or in some cases sold off by willing parents desperate for money. Even in death, they are not safe. Grave robbers are known to desecrate the graves of PWAs to steal their bones. In May 2024, Tanzania's Kagera region witnessed the horrific abduction and murder of Asimwe Novath, a two-and-a-half-year-old child with albinism. On May 30, reports emerged that Asimwe had been abducted after a unknown group attacked her mother and tore her away, according to The Citizen. On June 17, 2024, Asimwe's mutilated body was discovered. Her limbs, tongue and eyes had been removed, and what remained of her corpse was dumped by a roadside in a sack. Asimwe's own father was among nine people charged in connection with the murder. The Tanzanian government has found it necessary to set up special centres to protect people with albinism who have had to flee their villages People in Cameroon are seen protesting against the government and a lack of prosecutions for attacks on PWAs The lack of support has seen PWAs and families of those with albinism launch their own charitable organisations and activist groups to protect members of their communities and raise awareness As attacks on PWAs became more widely reported after the turn of the century, governments and judiciaries have taken some steps to reduce the violence. In 2009, a Tanzanian court handed out death sentences to three men who were convicted of abducting and butchering 14-year-old albino boy Matatizo Dunia - the first time capital punishment was handed out for such a crime. The attackers broke into Dunia's home and dragged him out of his bed before hacking him to pieces. One was reportedly found holding his severed leg while the boy's dismembered corpse was discovered dumped in scrubland. But there are thought to be dozens if not hundreds of cases of attacks on PWAs that go uninvestigated or unreported altogether, and critics say many governments - including that of Tanzania - are doing little to change the violent trend. In February, the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) delivered a landmark judgment against the Tanzanian government after civil rights groups successfully argued officials were committing human rights violations by failing to prosecute attacks against PWAs. The ruling decreed that the government must launch a years-long public awareness campaign, criminalise attacks against PWAs and increase healthcare provisions for albinos those with skin and eye problems. It came after the UN last year condemned Tanzanian authorities for their failure to condemn and investigate attacks against PWAs after examining multiple cases of mutilation which were either not investigated, or had prosecutions withdrawn. It remains to be seen whether the ACHPR's ruling will have any effect on the Tanzanian government's policies, given that there is no official method to enforce the court's decisions. Tanzania is just one of several nations where violence against PWAs is rife. The past two decades have seen dozens of cases of PWA mutilations and killings in neighbouring Kenya, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), among others. One particularly depraved case in Malawi saw a Catholic priest slapped with a 30-year prison sentence for killing a 22-year-old man with albinism before trying to sell his body parts. Judge Dorothy NyaKaunda Kamanga said priest Thomas Muhosha had planned to traffic 22-year-old MacDonald Masambuka's tissue. Masambuka was violently killed in February 2018 after he was lured to a secluded spot on the pretence that friends had found him a potential wife. He was reported missing and his mutilated corpse was discovered a month later missing all of its limbs. Five people, including Muhosha and the victim's own brother, received jail sentences for their role in the murder. The killing occurred at the height of a spree that saw over 40 people with albinism murdered and scores of others assaulted in a matter of months. 'The convicts took advantage of the deceased's psychological need for love,' the judge said. 'They lured him into believing that they had found a prospective wife for him and that they should go and meet her - that ended up being his death trap.' A group protest against the discrimination faced by people with albinism in Cameroon Chairperson for Machinga Association of Persons with Albinism Abdul Byson, right, talks during a meeting with members of the association in Machinga, Malawi People supported by Cameroon's Association for the Welfare of Albinos (AWA) pose with bottles of suncream The lack of support has seen PWAs and families of those with albinism launch their own charitable organisations and activist groups to protect members of their communities and raise awareness. Madame Ngom Maceline, founder and executive director of Cameroon's Association for the Welfare of Albinos (AWA), is one such charity that works to educate and empower people with albinism. The organisation raises funds to provide PWAs with suncream, appropriate clothing and other provisions, and works to protect them from vile attacks by fellow villagers. It also seeks to promote understanding in communities, as it takes on the mammoth task of changing people's attitudes and safeguard people with albinism in doing so. 'Persons with albinism are not considered 'normal',' said Maceline, who has the condition herself. 'In that way, they are always left behind. They don't have any belongings, they don't receive direct support from the government.' 'You have people that use their hair for wealth,' Maceline said. 'They say that when you have the hairs of a person with albinism, especially women's, it empowers you to get riches.' Her campaigning has seen her speak to government ministers and work with the UN in the hope of changing attitudes towards albino people across Cameroon. Meanwhile in Tanzania, specialist centres have been set up to protect PWAs, effectively operating as communes or sanctuaries, but they are often woefully underfunded. A government minister has warned he cannot guarantee that all elderly and vulnerable people will be safely switched over to digital landlines - as he revealed he can never get hold of his own father on the phone. Minister for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology Sir Chris Bryant exclusively told MailOnline he'd be 'fibbing' if he promised every household will be transferred to internet-based landlines safely, with telecare devices still working. His comments coincide with a new government campaign aimed at raising awareness about the switchover, to encourage vulnerable and elderly people to get in touch with their landline provider for assistance. Telecoms firms including BT, Sky and Virgin are currently switching every household in Britain to new internet-based landlines, as ageing copper wires are increasingly unreliable and at risk of failure. The transition is expected to be completed by early 2027. The tech giants are moving to the final phase of turning off the UK's old copper wire system, and forced migrations to a new digital service have resumed. After previously telling MailOnline the fear of people being left with telecare devices - alarms that call for help in the case of an emergency - kept him up at night, Sir Chris says he is now more confident the correct support systems are in place to transition people safely. Asked if he could guarantee everyone would always be able to call emergency services after being switched over to the new phone line, he said: 'I can't guess what terrible set of circumstances there might be in one particular street. 'Sometimes if you're in an area where mobile connectivity is very poor, and obviously some older people won't have a mobile phone. I can never persuade my father to have a mobile phone which is really irritating, it makes him very difficult to get hold of. Minister for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology Sir Chris Bryant exclusively told MailOnline he'd be 'fibbing' if he promised every household will be transferred to internet-based landlines safely, with telecare devices still working His comments coincide with a new government campaign aimed at raising awareness about the switchover, to encourage vulnerable and elderly people to get in touch with their landline provider for assistance 'I can't say 100 percent, I'd be fibbing, but what we've tried to do is put in as many different measures to make sure that as many different people in as many sets of circumstances are protected. 'It might be that the cable's down, or all sorts of different things that might arise, and you want to mitigate against all of those, but it's impossible to get to 100 percent.' He added that his department had written to every local authority to request details of vulnerable people in their area to be passed onto telecoms firms - and that 95 percent have provided this information. This leaves five percent of councils which have not. In 2023, telecoms firms were forced to halt non-voluntary upgrades following several incidents of personal alarms failing in emergencies. Some 1.8 million people in the UK rely on life-saving telecare devices to sound the alarm in the case of a medical emergency or fall. The devices function by being linked to a wearer's landline or mobile phone. There have been concerns for years over the transition to digital as, while traditional landline phones continue working in the case of a blackout or internet outage, internet-based phonelines do not. Ofcom, the industry regulator, ruled that telecoms firms must provide a back-up to the landline lasting at least one hour to all vulnerable people in case they need assistance during an outage. But Sir Chris said this is not enough, and the majority of firms have agreed to provide between four and seven hours. But amid data published last year that revealed millions of people still have no idea about the ongoing transition, he added that he doesn't think elderly people 'actually need to understand' what is being done to their landline, as long as it happens. The minister said: 'Two thirds of people have already been done. And probably they dont even know that thats whats happened. For the first time, government and telecoms firms are working with local authorities to help identify vulnerable people and systems before transitions take place 'I dont care about that, what I care about is whether the telecare device around somebodys aunties neck still works when they go from one system to another. 'Thats what I care about and thats what were making sure happens. And it may be that some elderly people dont actually need to understand whats happening to the cable outside their home as long as the system works.' He told MailOnline the firms 'needed help' with the transition: 'On almost day one of me arriving in post I said [the switchover] is one of the things I want to focus on, and within weeks we had a meeting of all the operators and they were really responsive. 'I think they all wanted to move together, they wanted a sense of where government wanted them to go, they needed some help actually. 'They wouldn't know who the vulnerable people are with telecare devices, the only people who know that are the social care departments of local authorities. 'I could help get that information so we could work together and I think it felt like a very productive round table that we had.' But the minister also warned that severe weather events and local disasters could still pose a major risk to vulnerable people who rely on landlines. 'A few years ago in one of the big storms, we had big flooding in one of my areas in the Rhondda. 'Now in that situation you're not going to have any kind of electricity, nothing's going to work, it's probably going to be out for several days and there's nothing you can do about that.' He told how, before the last election, a lorry drove straight into a telephone cabinet in his constituency, knocking out services for a week. 'I was very angry just as a constituency MP, this was before the last election, I didn't feel that the operators were actually sorting that out, responding quickly enough. But that was a massive accident, the lorry had gone straight into the cabinet, and the entire village was out. 'And I know there was an incidence there where somebody was not able to make a phone call to get an ambulance.' A checklist - which telecoms giants are understood to have signed up to during Sir Chris' first meeting with firms last summer - means all 'vulnerable' customers will be able to have an engineer visit their household to support them through the transition. The engineer will then test any telecare devices before leaving to ensure they are still working. If any issue occurs, there is the option to return the household to their old landline until this can be fixed, if no alternative is available. And vulnerable households will be given back-up devices to protect them in the case of a power cut or internet outage - with firms pledging to ensure this exceeds Ofcom's minimum recommendation that such devices provide one hour of battery power. Firms have been instructed to ensure that no telecare user will be migrated to digital landline services without the communication provider, the customer, or the telecare service provider confirming that the user has a compatible and functioning telecare solution in place. A lovestruck prison officer who pursued an illicit relationship with an inmate now faces being locked up herself. Megann Gibson, 26, engaged in sexual communications with the prisoner while working at Wealstun prison near Wetherby, West Yorkshire. The rookie guard flooded the criminal's mother with more than 900 messages, reportedly in a bid stay in contact with him. She also allowed the unnamed inmate into restricted areas of the Category C resettlement prison and visited his home address, a court heard. Gibson, from Leeds, West Yorkshire, was this week warned she faces jail over the forbidden romance, while joining a growing list of shamed female prison guards convicted over behind-bars liaisons. The shamed officer, who admitted misconduct in a public office and possession of cannabis, will be sentenced in August. Gibson, who lives in a semi-detached home with her sister and driving instructor mother in the Gipton suburb of Leeds, was warned by a judge at the city's crown court: 'You may well be serving a prison sentence.' Her twin sister Hollie declined to comment on the case, saying: 'I really don't want to talk about it. It's not a very nice subject for me.' Megann Gibson, 26, engaged in sexual communications with the prisoner while working at Wealstun prison near Wetherby, West Yorkshire Gibson also allowed the unnamed inmate into restricted areas of the Category C resettlement prison and visited his home address, a court heard Gibson, who lives in a semi-detached home with her sister (pictured together) and driving instructor mother in the Gipton suburb of Leeds, was warned by a judge at the city's crown court: 'You may well be serving a prison sentence.' The plea hearing was told that Gibson is undergoing assessment for mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress linked to a previous relationship. She was released on unconditional bail but warned her offence was a 'serious matter'. At least 29 female prison guard have been given the sack in the past three years for forming improper relationships with prisoners. That compares to just nine women who lost their jobs for the same offence between 2017 and 2019. Katie Evans, 26, embarked on an illicit romance with inmate Daniel Brownley while working at HMP Doncaster, calling herself his 'queen' as she lavished him with attention. The mother-of-one, who was jailed for 21 months in March, boasted about sex acts on the criminal and collecting drugs cash on his behalf. Her criminal behaviour was exposed during an anti-corruption investigation into another crooked guard at the category B jail. Morgan Farr Varney, 24, was this month locked up for ten months after being caught slipping into a cupboard with a prisoner while working at HMP Lindholme in South Yorkshire. Gibson, who admitted misconduct in a public office and possession of cannabis, will be sentenced in August Gibson flooded the criminal's mother with more than 900 messages, reportedly in a bid stay in contact with him Gibson's twin sister Hollie (pictured) declined to comment on the case, saying: 'I really don't want to talk about it. It's not a very nice subject for me.' She became besotted with crack cocaine dealer Jordan Stones, 30, who pinned racy snaps of his prison officer lover to his cell walls. Cherrie-Ann Saddington, 29 smuggled a Calpol syringe into jail to artificially inseminate herself with a prisoner's sperm. The shamed officer became obsessed with convicted sex offender Bradley Trengrove after he was moved to HMP The Verne in Dorset. The female prison warden told Trengrove she was pregnant in November 2022, although she later miscarried after eight weeks. She was mercifully spared jail by a judge in May after being left in a wheelchair from a spinal stroke. In January, former Wandsworth prison officer Linda De Sousa Abreu, 31, was jailed for 15 months after a film of her having sex with an inmate was shared online. Britain's railways are becoming increasingly unsafe as new data reveals serious offences such as sexual and violent crimes have soared to all-time highs. The country's rail network saw record levels of crime, with a total of 80,000 incidents recorded by British Transport Police in 2023-2024. Violent crimes and sex offences both soared to all-time highs and have more than doubled in the last ten years, with overall crime up 55 percent compared to 2014. And while the majority of crimes occurred at large, busy stations with high footfall, some criminals are taking advantage of a lack of police at tiny stations around the country to get away with committing offences. Johnston, an unstaffed stop in the Pembrokeshire village of the same name, saw 10 crimes in 2024, according to British Transport Police (BTP) figures. Four of these were violent crimes, which can involve anything from a minor assault to stabbing. Although barely any crimes were committed at Johnston, it logged the UK's highest rate 1,440 per million passengers because of its low footfall. Just 7,000 passengers used the station in 2024, the equivalent of 19 a day. It comes as footage showing a man threatening two women on a train earlier this month went viral this week, after he repeatedly said he would kill them and their boyfriends. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Footage filmed by the victims shows a man named 'Elijah' becoming increasingly agitated and shouting the threats while his friends urge him to stop and say he is 'embarrassing' them as they travelled between Cardiff Central and Swindon. Elijah is heard saying: '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'. 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. 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 was most attractive out of him and his friends on the journey between Cardiff Central and Swindon '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.' Meanwhile at London St Pancras, former F1 world champion Jenson Button's wife was recently targeted in a robbery that saw the thief make off with more than 250,000 worth of jewellery and designer handbags. She and her husband were outside the station and getting into a car when the man nabbed her Goyard carry-on suitcase in a matter of seconds, stealing sentimental items that Brittny Button had hoped to pass on to her daughter. Mourad Aid, 41, pleaded guilty to theft at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 19 February 2025, five days after the incident. He is due to be sentenced in court today. London St Pancras had the highest number of crimes recorded of any station last year, at 1,616. At neighbouring King's Cross, Made in Chelsea's Yasmine Zweegers fell victim to a terrifying new theft scam. The 25-year-old influencer was outside the major railway hub in King's Cross - having just returned from Yorkshire - when thieves cruelly stole her jewellery, laptop, camera and clothes, totalling to around 8,000, on February 10. Yasmine believed a man, who had offered the reality TV star a tissue to clean brown paint from her coat, was simply being a kind stranger, however seconds later her bag was snatched as she was distracted. Brittny Button, Jenson Button's wife, had over 250,000 worth of items stolen by a crook after alighting the EuroStar (pictured in 2016) The 41-year-old has since pleaded guilty to theft at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 19 February 2025, five days after the incident and is to be sentenced today At King's Cross, Made in Chelsea's Yasmine Zweegers fell victim to a terrifying new theft scam The 25-year-old star had paint thrown on her coat on Sunday while she was waiting for a taxi outside of London's St Pancras International station And in March, a group of youngsters were seen trying to stab one another at Queensbury Tube station in north London. In footage which was later uploaded onto social media, a youngster wearing a black jacket and grey hat lashes out with a machete and narrowly misses a boy dressed all in black, who wields a smaller knife. An accomplice of the machete yob appears to be carrying a bottle which he then hurls at his rival from less than two feet away. The fight - which took place in broad daylight - involved at least five youths but only two were armed with blades. British Transport Police confirmed that they were aware of the 34-second long footage, posted onto X and Facebook, and said that one teenager had been arrested. A force spokesman told MailOnline: 'Officers were called to Queensbury underground station at around 5.30pm yesterday (24 March) to reports of a fight involving knives on the platform. 'Officers attended and one boy aged 16 was arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article and possession of a drug (Class B). 'Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to get in touch by texting 61016 or calling 0800 405040 quoting reference 490 of 24/03/25.' In another incident which shocked the nation a gang of teenage girls were filmed attacking train staff, passengers and police in a booze-fuelled rampage at Barnham Station, West Sussex last year. The five girls, the youngest of which was 13, were spared prison, despite throwing punches, headbutts and ripping out the hair of victims. One girl held up a clump of hair from the head of a rail passenger like a trophy during the hour-long melee, a court heard. All five admitted affray and assaults on train staff, police and members of the public. The judge said they would have been jailed if they had been old enough. A teenage girl gang were filmed attacking train staff, passengers and police officers in an alcohol-fuelled rampage at Barnham Station last March The five girls, who cannot be named for legal reasons, threw punches, headbutts and ripped out hair during the violent outburst While London St Pancras topped the charts based on raw crime figures alone, a huge 35.8 million people use the station every year. In contrast Redbridge, on the outskirts of Southampton had 1,180 crimes per million passengers. Redbridge, operated by South Western Railway, saw 38 crimes last year, against its passenger count of more than 32,000. The most common crimes were vehicle related, likely break-ins of cars and vans at its four-space car park. Tiverton Parkway on the busy Bristol to Exeter line in mid-Devon is the top large station where passengers may be targeted by criminals. In 2024, 484 crimes were reported there against its 581,000 footfall, giving a rate of 830 per million passengers. Nearly half of these reports (219) were theft, while another 84 were shoplifting. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Technically, Ince and Elton Station in Cheshire saw the highest rate of 11,600 crimes per million passengers but it only saw one offence committed. It served 86 passengers on an extremely limited 'parliamentary service', meaning just one crime highly inflates the rate. MailOnline excluded crime rates for stations which had fewer than five crimes and fewer than 10,000 passengers. Stations with more than five crimes and fewer than 10,000 footfall, or vice versa, are included in the rankings. It comes after 19-year-old mother Stephanie Marie was stabbed to death in front of commuters by her boyfriend Jason Flore, 26, after an angry confrontation at Crawley Station, West Sussex, last August. Chilling CCTV caught the moment the murderer, who plunged a 20cm knife into the heart of the mother of his child, casually walked his dog just moments later. Within the 45 minutes between the murder and the arrest, Flore disposed of crucial evidence which included his blooded tracksuit bottoms. This is the spine chilling moment murderer Jason Flore casually walks his dog moments in Crawley after stabbing a young mother to death in front of commuters Stephanie Marie's (pictured) heartbroken family said their lives 'will never be the same' following the death of the 'much-loved 'daughter, sister and mother Ms Marie's partner Jason Flore was found guilty of murder by unanimous jury verdict Dorothy Chiles - who was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother - died after the attack at Birmingham New Street railway station And last November, a 'lively and outgoing' grandmother was 'senselessly' attacked at Birmingham New Street Station, one of the country's busiest transport hubs. Dorothy Chiles, 87, died at home six weeks later, just two days after Christmas, after being suffering a broken hip and being discharged from hospital. Police said that a woman in her 20s was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. A BTP spokesperson said: 'Every offence is one too many, and while we understand the concern that we recorded more total crimes last year, it's important to understand these figures within their context. The chance of becoming a victim of crime on the railway remains extremely low, and reports of high harm crime such as robbery and violence remain low at 2.2 incidents per million passenger journeys. 'Crucially, we know that these figures are influenced in part by more and more people having the confidence to report things like sexual harassment to us, and through the abundance of daily intelligence-led proactive operations taking place right across the railway network in England, Scotland and Wales. For example, in just one week alone in November our County Lines Taskforce arrested 65 people and seized 42 weapons through proactive deployments, and stop and search is at its highest use in BTP since 2010, with a 50% positive find rate in the last nine months. 'It is also important not to sensationalise crime rate data. Stations like Johnston appear to have a high crime rate because they have a low number of crimes recorded combined with a low footfall of passengers, but with less than one crime recorded per month it's simply incorrect to say that passengers are at greater risk of crime at these stations.' A millionaire property developer accused of the 'wanton vandalism' of an historic Victorian pub is being prosecuted by council bosses. Charlie Southall, 46, bought the 150-year-old Montreal Arms in Brighton 'on a whim' after it closed during lockdown. He then hired a team of workers who took a pneumatic drill to the historic glazed green tiles of the locally listed pub. Residents were furious and confronted the property developer in the street, demanding he stop vandalising the historic pub. Police were called and the council issued an emergency stop order to prevent him further damaging the heritage tiles. Residents branded Mr Southall a 'vandal' after the incident in 2022 and Green MP Caroline Lucas called on the council to take action. Council bosses ordered the developer to replace the green glazed tiles in 2023 and restore the damage to the pub. But after a series of appeals and planning applications by Mr Southall, no work has been carried out. Slide me A millionaire property developer accused of the 'wanton vandalism' of the Montreal Arms in Brighton is being prosecuted by council bosses (Slide for before and after) Charlie Southall hired a team of workers who took a pneumatic drill to the historic glazed green tiles of the locally listed pub (above) Mr Southall (above) bought the 150-year-old pub 'on a whim' after it closed during lockdown Now the council has announced it has launched legal proceedings against the developer for failing to restore the pub to its former glory. Cllr Tim Rowkins of Brighton & Hove City Council said: 'I can now confirm that the council has filed a summons with the court to prosecute the owner for the failure to comply with the enforcement notice relating to the reinstatement of the tiles. 'The next step will be for the court to issue the summons and fix a date for the first hearing.' The pub was built during a boom period of Victoria construction in Brighton in the 1870s and was the centre of a bustling community. The tiles date from around 1927 when work was carried out following the merger of the Portsmouth United brewery and Brighton's Rock brewery. Mr Southall, who also runs Dragonfly Digital Video Services, bought the pub for around 425,000 following its closure during the Covid lockdown. Nine days after collecting the keys, he decided to offer it for use as a free co-living space for refugee women and children fleeing the war in Ukraine. But when the property developer asked the local community to crowdfund a 85,000 renovation residents began to question his motives. Residents branded Mr Southall a 'vandal' after the incident in 2022 and Green MP Caroline Lucas (above) called on the council to take action In a heated exchanged during a public meeting, residents accused him of offering the property as accommodation for refugees in order to push through a change of use with city planners. Days later Mr Southall and a team of builders arrived outside the pub with a drill and proceeded to remove the glazed tiles from the exterior. Horrified residents gathered in the street and tried to stop the builders removing any more tiles In just over six hours, the team drilled off around one third of the listed green tiles before the council ordered issued an emergency stop order. Resident Harry Magee said: 'The tiles are called green faize tiles. They reflect different colours from different angles and are made of lead dyes. Each one will be handmade.' Accusing him of 'wanton vandalism', resident James Elliott said: 'He turned up with some guys armed with an almighty drill and proceeded to ruin a pub that has stood here for 150 years. He's an absolute disgrace and he's behaved like a spoilt child.' In a statement at the time Mr Southall, of Brighton, said: 'The new property owner has exactly the same permitted development rights as any other property owner in the area, and it is entirely lawful for external features to be altered or removed. This is a privately owned property.' The pub has now been put up for sale for 425,000 by Mr Southall and the estate agents are holding an open day next week. Mr Southall bought the pub for 420,000 in 2022 but has recently valued the pub at 150,000 in his own company accounts. Brighton and Hove City Council say responsibility for restoring the tiles would then fall on the new owner, who would be prosecuted if they failed to carry out the work. Labour was accused of an embarrassing U-turn last night after appearing to water down a crucial military spending pledge. Ahead of a long-awaited defence review being published today, the Defence Secretary rowed back on a commitment to spend 3 per cent of GDP on national security by 2034. Just 72 hours after giving an interview in which he said Britain 'will spend' such an amount 'in the next Parliament', John Healey yesterday downgraded it to a mere 'ambition'. Sir Keir Starmer will today launch the Government's Strategic Defence Review from a UK dockyard, following many months of work and lobbying by military chiefs. But critics warn the ten-year plan is likely to prove unaffordable without a hike to 3 per cent. A Nato summit later this month is expected to push for members to hit 3.5 per cent by 2032, while US President Donald Trump has already called for a jump to 5 per cent within the alliance. Mr Healey told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show: 'We have a historic commitment to increasing defence spending to 2.5 per cent in two years' time [2027]. We haven't hit that level since Labour was last in power in 2010. And an ambition to meet 3 per cent in the next Parliament.' The presenter challenged him, asking: 'So it's still just an ambition? That's not a guarantee.' Mr Healey declined to confirm spending 3 per cent of GDP in the next Parliament, instead talking about being able to 'deliver the vision' of today's review. Ahead of a long-awaited defence review being published today, the Defence Secretary (left, with Sir Keir Starmer on a visit to British troops at the Tapa Nato base in Estonia in 2023) rowed back on a commitment to spend 3 per cent of GDP on national security by 2034 Just 72 hours after giving an interview in which he said Britain 'will spend' such an amount 'in the next Parliament', John Healey yesterday downgraded it to a mere 'ambition'. Pictured: File photo Sir Keir Starmer (pictured last month) will today launch the Government's Strategic Defence Review from a UK dockyard, following many months of work and lobbying by military chiefs Some of that vision was made clear last night as the Ministry of Defence announced plans to build up to 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines to boost the Royal Navy's commitment to the Aukus Pacific defence partnership with Australia and the United States, while investing 15 billion in warheads. But the first of these UK-built submarines is not expected to enter service before the late 2030s, defence sources confirmed last night. It will also be for future Parliaments to honour this spending commitment, so it could be cancelled. Last night, the Conservatives leapt on Labour's apparent muddle on defence, accusing Mr Healey of weakening UK security. Tory defence spokesman James Cartlidge told the Mail: 'These promises on submarines are a fantasy fleet without real money to back them up. 'The fact is, John Healey has been forced into a humiliating climb down by the Treasury after confirming, as recently as Thursday, that defence spending would definitely rise to 3 per cent. 'But by Sunday he was backtracking completely. John Healey has been badly let down by the Chancellor so now he knows how the rest of us feel.' In an effort to clarify the situation, a Labour source told the Mail last night: 'He [Mr Healey] was expressing an opinion [to The Times last week], which is that he has full confidence that the Government will be able to deliver on its ambition to spend 3 per cent of GDP on defence in the next Parliament.' The Mail's Don't Leave Britain Defenceless campaign has lobbied successive governments to commit to boosting military spending to 3 per cent by 2030, with defence chiefs warning the country cannot afford to delay. Some of that vision was made clear last night as the Ministry of Defence announced plans to build up to 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines to boost the Royal Navy's commitment to the Aukus Pacific defence partnership. Pictured: File photo Last night, the Conservatives leapt on Labour's apparent muddle on defence, accusing Mr Healey (pictured, on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg yesterday) of weakening UK security Naval experts welcomed the plans for up to 12 attack submarines which are nuclear-powered but do not carry the UK's nuclear deterrent. But Matthew Savill, from the Royal United Services Institute defence think tank, added: 'This will be tremendously expensive and will have a lot riding on Aukus surviving as well as the expansion of the current maritime construction capacity of the UK.' Ex-Navy commander Tom Sharpe agreed, saying: 'There is a ton of resourcing required. "Up to 12" is classically vague. One thing is for sure, the current Government defence spending commitment of 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027 will not provide this.' It comes after the Mail exposed how, in September last year, the Royal Navy did not have a single attack submarine at sea. Mr Healey labelled today's review a 'message to Moscow', with the building of bomb factories, the purchase of thousands of long-range weapons and investment in drone technology and cyber defences. But he said he does not expect to raise the number of soldiers until the next Parliament. The externally-led review, written by former Labour defence secretary and Nato secretary general Lord Robertson, makes 62 recommendations which the Government is expected to accept in full. The Prime Minister is expected to say today: 'National security is the foundation of my Plan for Change and this plan will ensure Britain is secure at home and strong abroad.' Donald Trump has dashed Elon Musk's hope that one of his close allies would run NASA by reneging on his nomination days before he was due to face the confirmation vote. The president maintains he backflipped on billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman's appointment after learning of his past donations to the Democrats. But MAGA loyalists suspect Trump may have been set up to make the call by insiders who have it out for Elon Musk and are looking to hurt him by punishing his friend. Trump ally Laura Loomer wrote: 'There is reason to believe that Isaacman may be facing retaliation because of his friendship with Elon Musk. 'If so, this would suggest there is a coordinated hit job on Isaacman in an effort to damage ties between President Trump and Elon Musk before the 2026 midterms. 'Is President Trump aware of the ulterior motives by some individuals in the administration who have an interest in seeing Isaacman's nomination pulled?' The New York Times revealed on Sunday that Trump reportedly knew about Isaacman's donations from the moment he chose to nominate him to run NASA. Donald Trump has dashed Elon Musk 's hope that one of his close allies would run NASA by reneging on his nomination days before he was due to face the confirmation vote The president maintains he backflipped on billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman's appointment after learning of his past donations to the Democrats Isaacman was selected by Trump at the height of his bromance with Musk, who has a long and storied connection with the fellow billionaire. It is understood that Musk lobbied for Isaacman's appointment and that Trump deferred to the SpaceX founder for the final decision. Pictured: Isaacman and Musk together Isaacman had reportedly disclosed that over the years he had donated to prominent Democrats, including in the past two campaign cycles. Musk has also donated to Democrats in the past, before going on to become the single largest benefactor to the MAGA movement during the last campaign in his push to see Trump return to the White House. Isaacman was selected by Trump at the height of his bromance with Musk, who has a long and storied connection with the fellow billionaire. It is understood that Musk lobbied for Isaacman's appointment and that Trump deferred to the SpaceX founder for the final decision. At the time, Trump described Isaacman as 'an accomplished business leader, philanthropist, pilot and astronaut.' He had been approved by a Senate committee and was headed to a confirmation vote this week when Trump suddenly pulled his nomination. The president gave Musk a heads up on Friday - his last day at the White House - that he intended to do so. Musk's time in the White House was fraught with tension and pushback from some of Trump's closest advisors, some of whom didn't like the access Musk had to the president and the power he wielded over departments with his Department of Government Efficiency. This has sparked rampant speculation that in the wake of his official departure as a Special Government Employee, that some of his foes are exacting revenge by getting in Trump's ear about Isaacman's nomination. He had been approved by a Senate committee and was headed to a confirmation vote this week when Trump suddenly pulled his nomination The president gave Musk a heads up on Friday - his last day at the White House - that he intended to do so Trump himself appeared to quell concerns that he and Musk were on the outs on Sunday night, sharing a new picture to Truth Social of him with the former First Buddy and one of Musk's sons Republican Senator and Trump ally Tim Sheehy wrote on X: 'Astronaut and successful businessman @RookIsaacman was a strong choice by President Trump to lead NASA. 'I was proud to introduce Jared at his hearing and strongly oppose efforts to derail his nomination.' It is understood that some of Trump's allies had been pressing him about Isaacman's donations to the Democrats in recent days, prompting Trump to renege on his offer. Loomer said despite his liberal ties, Isaacman was an ideal candidate to lead NASA, with 'unmatched credentials.' 'Isaacman was on track to get over 70 Senate votes. So why the sudden reversal and talks to pull his nomination?' she asked. 'Because the Deep State doesn't want President Trump to have allies like this in his administration.' White House assistant press secretary Liz Huston pushed back against any suggestion that the decision was not Trump's. 'The Administrator of NASA will help lead humanity into space and execute President Trump's bold mission of planting the American flag on the planet Mars,' she said. Musk clashed with Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent (left) and openly backed Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick (right) to get the role 'It's essential that the next leader of NASA is in complete alignment with President Trump's America First agenda and a replacement will be announced directly by President Trump soon.' And Trump himself appeared to quell concerns that he and Musk were on the outs on Sunday night, sharing a new picture to Truth Social of him with the former First Buddy and one of Musk's sons. Musk left his role less than a week ago and just days ahead of schedule, signing off with a warm X post praising Trump. But days earlier, he had openly criticized Trump's landmark 'big, beautiful bill' and lamented the treatment of his baby-faced DOGE henchmen during his time in the White House. He said: 'I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it.' And in the days since his departure, a laundry list of allegations have surfaced about the simmering tensions between Musk and a handful of Trump's other allies. Former Chief Strategist Steve Bannon told DailyMail.com that Musk's turbulent time in the White House was marred when he physically 'shoved' 62-year-old Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent after he was confronted over wild promises to save the administration 'a trillion dollars'. 'Scott Bessent called him out and said, 'You promised us a trillion dollars (in cuts), and now you're at like $100 billion, and nobody can find anything, what are you doing?'' the prominent MAGA figure revealed. Musk's time in the White House was fraught with tension and pushback from some of Trump's closest advisors, some of whom didn't like the access Musk had to the president and the power he wielded over departments with his Department of Government Efficiency 'And that's when Elon got physical. It's a sore subject with him. 'It wasn't an argument, it was a physical confrontation. Elon basically shoved him.' Bannon said the physical altercation came as the two billionaires moved from the Oval Office to outside Chief of Staff Susie Wiles' office, and then outside the office of the then National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz. 'Trump 100%' sided with Bessent after the clash, he added. 'I don't think Bessent has any bad blood, but he's got a job to do and he's going to do it.' The revelations of the Musk-Bessant clash follow an explosive New York Times report that alleged Musk was using a cocktail of drugs on the campaign trail including ketamine, ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms. Bannon added that Musk also lost status in Trump's orbit when it was leaked to the New York Times in March that the billionaire was preparing to receive top-secret military briefings on China, which Trump abruptly stopped. 'People in the administration and the White House realized he didn't have any idea what he's doing,' Bannon said. 'They cauterized the damage.' Separately, reports claimed Musk insulted Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, by accusing him in front of Trump, of not cutting back on his staff and clashed with Transport Secretary Sean Duffy for not firing enough air traffic controllers. He also called Peter Navarro, the architect of Trump's trade policy, 'a moron.' A university student has returned from an holiday to find a stranger living in her Sydney apartment. University of Sydney student Denoora Lyu, 22, found Dylan Patrick Yelkovan, 30, shirtless in her two-bedroom apartment in inner-city Pyrmont on February 17. She and her partner, William Qu, were shocked by the encounter, but the intruder was not. Instead, Yelkovan calmly said he had been 'setting up the house' and began gathering his things. Footage showed the 30-year-old collecting items from around the trashed apartment, casually went between rooms to get dressed and used the balcony to escape. 'I felt really shaken. There was a complete stranger standing in my home, and he wasn't even wearing a shirt. It just didn't seem normal,' Ms Lyu told 7News on Friday. 'I kept thinking, what if he had a knife? I was scared of what he might do.' Ms Lyu believed Yelkovan also used the balcony to enter the apartment, which she was temporarily subletting from a friend. Denoora Lyu, a 22-year-old student from the University of Sydney, found 30-year-old Dylan Patrick Yelkovan (pictured) in her Sydney apartment It's believed Yelkovan (pictured) was living in the apartment for a week before the couple returned home The couple were able to perform a citizen's arrest with the help of their building manager and Yelkovan was jailed awaiting a court hearing. On further inspection of the apartment, Ms Lyu found all her belongings had been rifled through, including her computer which Yelkovan had used to listen to music. The stranger had also worn Mr Qu's clothes, leaving them stained with faeces, and left the toilet unflushed. One particularly odd detail which left Ms Lyu disturbed was an attempt by Yelkovan to beautify the home by turning a wine decanter into a vase and filling it with flowers. The couple had to throw out almost everything Yelkovan used and spent nearly $2,000 on a hotel for a week while the apartment was professionally cleaned. They later found Yelkovan had used Mr Qu's bank card, with transaction records indicating he had been in the home for a week. Fortunately, the bank refunded the stolen money. The couple had to throw away most of the things Yelkovan used and hire a professional cleaning service, which took a week (pictured, boxes Yelkovan went through) Ms Lyu never expected to be the victim of an attempted-squatter. 'I've seen stories about break-ins like this before, but when it actually happens to you, it's still really shocking,' she said. Yelkovan was released from custody following his court hearing at Sydney Downing Centre on April 1. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment, to be served as an Intensive Correction Order (ICO) for the break-in, running until December 31. The sentence means Yelkovan will be free but subject to strict supervision, cannot use drugs and must steer clear of prohibited locations - including the apartment in Pyrmont. Ms Lyu has since seen him in Sydney's CBD. Yelkovan also faced charges of driving without consent, reckless driving, breaching a domestic violence restraining order, and multiple counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was handed another ICO running until March 31 next year, with similar conditions of supervision and good behaviour. A Melbourne man has highlighted the 'reality of casual everyday racism' after he was stereotyped while trying to order food at a McDonald's. Praveen Param said a staff member at the restaurant assumed he was an Uber Eats driver when he approached the counter. 'The gentleman behind the counter looks at me, looks at the screen, looks back at me and I already knew what was going to come out of his mouth,' he said. 'He says: "Uber?" I said, "No, I would like to order please."' After receiving his meal, Mr Param questioned the employee's assumption. 'I said to him, "just because a lot of people from my ethnic background may do Uber, it doesn't mean everyone does Uber - assuming that only makes you look like an a**hole,"' Mr Param said. The McDonald's worker then decided to push back. 'This white man then obviously decides to double down on his racism and says, "oh nah I didn't mean it like that, it's just that the people who come into this Maccas who are Indian often end up being Uber drivers."' Praveen Param (above) said a McDonald's employee stereotyped him on May 31 Mr Param said the worker's response perfectly illustrated his point about casual racism in Australia. 'This is the reality of being a South East Asian person living in Australia. 'No matter what your achievements are, how you treat people, how you dress, [or] how you conduct yourself you will always be reduced to some stereotype by some white person out there. 'Australians - do better. People here think that they're open minded, when the reality is they are not.' He said the McDonald's incident wasn't isolated, but part of the everyday experience for many non-white Australians. Mr Param urged Australians to reflect on their own casual racism - but many dismissed his concerns, accusing him of overreacting. One said: 'I'm half Sri Lankan. I've been stereotyped like that before. Instead of playing the victim I had a laugh with the worker and told them not to worry about it. It's not that deep. They're not doing it out of malice.' A second said: 'Nothing wrong with the assumption. The Uber guy is just doing a job just like you have a job. Nothing bad at all to be assumed you do Uber. Sorry mate. It should not bother you if you respected others doing Uber.' The worker asked Mr Param if he was an Uber employee before taking his order A third said: 'I'm a South Asian and I don't find that assumption offensive if it was made in good faith. Not everyone is racist.' But others were disappointed by the backlash and defended Mr Param's message. 'What is wrong with these comments? His point is that an assumption was made about him based on his race and that is inherently RACIST,' one said. 'I am a white woman and no one would ever assume I was doing Uber. These comments telling him to leave Australia are disgusting. Shame on all of you.' A second said: 'The comment section just proved his point. You all need to change your mindset.' McDonald's issued a statement where it apologised for the incident and urged Mr Param to get in touch with to discuss what happened. 'At McDonalds, we are committed to giving our customers a great experience every time they visit our restaurants,' a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. 'Our doors are open to everyone, and we strive to ensure our restaurants are safe, inclusive, and respectful workplaces for our customers and crew. 'We are sorry to hear of this customers experience and encourage them to reach out to our customer service team so we can investigate further.' A make-up artist has filmed herself confronting the man who promised to rent her a room in his house but changed his mind, leaving her homeless after relocating to the other side of the country. Monique Muskens had driven her Tesla from Sydney to Perth for a new job and was set to move into a rented room she had secured more than a month earlier. She had been in regular contact with the homeowner, Jamie, who had sent her photos and updates via text and FaceTime. But when Ms Muskens was just four hours away from Perth, Jamie texted her to say she could no longer move in on Saturday as planned, but her room would be ready for Monday. 'I went to the house thinking that I'd sleep on the couch or something but he fully turned me away and said the bed fell off the roof of the car so they're sorting that and moving some stuff around,' she said. On Sunday, Ms Muskens checked in with Jamie to make sure the room was ready for the following day only to be told she couldn't move in anymore. She wrote: 'Will I still be homeless tomorrow?' 'I was just about to message you,' Jamie replied. 'My wife had a meltdown over me bringing a woman into this house. Monique Muskens, who had driven her pink Tesla across the country for five days from Sydney to Perth, was told she had nowhere to live just hours before she was due to move into a room Ms Muskens had been in contact with Jamie (pictured) for over a month before she was due to move into the room 'Definitely check on a few different platforms. It's f***ed cause I held the room for ages and she's pulled this.' Ms Muskens, whose plight was worsened by the fact she was due to start a new job the next day, decided to confront Jamie and turned up at the house unannounced. She recorded a video showing the confrontation. 'I'm meant to be living here but apparently not anymore,' she said to which an unknown man replied: 'I don't know anything about that.' Jamie then came to the door and said 'that's true'. The make-up artist hit back: 'What's true? That I'm not living here? That's hectic so when did you want to tell me that?' 'I told you today,' Jamie replied. Ms Muskens said: 'You told me half an hour ago I was meant to move in two days ago.' Ms Muskens was told she could no longer rent the room just hours before she was due to move in, which was two days after the original move-in date The make-up artist was left desperately trying to find somewhere to live on a public holiday weekend in Perth Ms Muskens then questioned whether the bed in the advertised room was actually broken, as Jamie had previously claimed. He confirmed that it was. 'And you've decided today that I can't move in tomorrow? I'm mean to start work tomorrow,' she said while Jamie gave her a thumbs up. 'You're looking me in the eye and saying, "Hey I've agreed to let you live here and now you're homeless,"' she said. 'Unfortunately that's the outcome,' Jamie said. He then told her he had to prioritise his wife's wishes before saying, 'it's time to go,' and shutting the door in her face. Ms Muskens later explained that she turned up at Jamie's house to force him to take some accountability for his actions. She said it was difficult given it was a public holiday weekend for Western Australia Day, and many hotels were fully booked. Having secured a hotel room, she has shared footage of the encounter online, drawing a strong response from social media users. 'That's actually cooked - I hope you find somewhere soon and hopefully this doesn't ruin your opinion on how beautiful Perth is,' one wrote. 'If there's no contractual agreement you're cooked. Time to find a new housemate,' a second added. 'I absolutely love that you confronted him,' a third said. Others sided with Jamie 'No means no,' one wrote. 'Anyone can change their mind at any point.' Another said: 'I get your position, but it's not really old mate's fault. Take it up with his missus.' Footage has captured the moment police confronted a street preacher for holding a sign with a Bible verse on it outside the Sydney Opera House. Local evangelist Mike McCarthy, 72, shared video of five security guards and two NSW Police officers confronting him on Saturday. The 72-year-old was walking around outside the Opera House with a handheld sign. 'Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. There is no other way to the father but by me. John 14:6,' it read. In the 12-minute clip shared to his YouTube channel 'Mike with a mic', police urged Mr McCarthy to move away from the area as he was violating a set of bylaws. '[Security] have given you just a simple request to leave the sign over there. They do have bylaws here, governing this area,' one officer said. 'You've refused to comply with them and you've also failed to stop to speak with the security guard. 'Now since then, they've asked you multiple times, and as I understand, because I have dealt with him in the past, they've tried to be reasonable with you.' Local evangelist Mike McCarthy filmed the moment five security guards and two NSW police officers confronted him over his sign outside of the Sydney Opera House Mr McCarthy fired back and asked the officer to explain what he has done wrong and which laws he had violated. 'No, you're going to have to tell me what I'm doing wrong or I'm not going anywhere,' he said. 'This is Australia. The Constitution of Australia says I can preach religion anywhere within Australia. 'That's all I'm doing, and I'm not even doing that. I'm just walking around, looking at that.' The officer informed Mr McCarthy he was violating the bylaws governing the Opera House's premises. The bylaw prohibits a person from distributing or displaying 'by oral, visual written, electronic or other means, an advertisement, sign, bill, poster or other promotional material'. 'I'm not interested in bylaws. I'm interested in being free,' Mr McCarthy said. 'What are you going to do, are you going to arrest me?' In the 12-minute clip, shared to his YouTube channel 'Mike with a mic' , police urged Mr McCarthy to move away from the area as he was violating a set of bylaws The officer responded: 'I don't want to. I'm just asking you to leave.' Mr McCarthy replied: 'On principle I'm not going to leave, because I'm an Australian citizen. If I can't walk anywhere in Australia with this sign, there is a problem.' The confrontation ended peacefully after Mr McCarthy walked away with his sign to Circular Quay. NSW Police said no move-on direction was issued, however, Mr McCarthy told 2GB host Ben Fordham on Monday that such an order was 'threatened'. 'I wasn't trying to be difficult, I was just sticking up for my rights and I believe we all should,' he said. The Christian preacher cited the Australian Constitution section 116 outlining the freedom of religion and stipulates that the Commonwealth is prohibited from making laws which prohibit the free exercise of religion. Mr McCarthy believes the bylaws do not apply, as section 109 of the constitution stipulates federal law prevails when a conflict arises between federal and state government laws. He told Fordham he was not shocked that security had called the police as it 'happens to us frequently'. Police informed the 72-year-old he was violating a bylaw which stipulates signs are prohibited from being displayed on the Opera House's premises 'I was hassled about walking on state-owned land, which I believe it is, for just carrying a sign,' Mr McCarthy said. 'Well, a 72-year-old guy with a sign has got to be a clear and present danger, so we got to shut him down. It's just ridiculous. 'I walk around with this sign everyday. We go everyday out on the street and preach the word of God. We pray with people. That's all we do. 'I took it on principle. I'm not just going to stop. I believe I have a right to do this. I'm not contravening any law that I can see. I'm not stirring up people, I'm not creating havoc, I have no loud speaker. I just had a sign in my hand.' Social media users backed Mr McCarthy, with many questioning why police had stopped him but did nothing to stop a large crowd protesting against Israel's war in Gaza ers in the same place in 2023. Protesters, many carrying signs, gathered outside the Opera House when it was going to be lit-up in support of Israel following the Hamas attack in October. 'This man has every right to display his sign and is covered by his and everyone's right to religious expression and freedoms and when you impinge on his rights you are the one breaking the law,' one wrote. A second chimed in: 'What happened to freedom of expression? 'Everyone should go to the Opera House and hold a sign saying: "We have the right of freedom of expression".' It was a top-secret operation some 18 months in the planning. Codenamed 'Spider's Web', it was executed with devastating effect yesterday afternoon and was as audacious as it was genius. And as Volodymyr Zelensky said, just hours before Ukrainian and Russian delegates meet for negotiations in Turkey's capital Istanbul today, the attack on Vladimir Putin's irreplaceable nuclear bombers 'will undoubtedly be in [the] history books'. The attack was carried out exactly 29 years to the day after Ukraine handed over dozens of the same strategic bombers to Russia, along with up to 2,000 strategic nuclear warheads and 176 ICBMs in exchange for a promise not to be attacked, under the Budapest Memorandum. In their most daring attack of the war to date, Ukrainian special forces first smuggled 117 first-person view (FPV) kamikaze drones which allow pilots to control them remotely through a live feed into Russia. Then came mobile wooden cabins, whose roofs had hidden compartments into which the small flying weapons were stashed. They were loaded on to civilian trucks heading into enemy territory, their hired local drivers seemingly unaware of what they were carrying. Finally, yesterday afternoon, with all the lorries within range of five airfields stretching from northern Russia down to Siberia a safe 2,500 miles from Ukraine they struck. The roofs of the wooden cabins were opened remotely and the FPV drones took to the skies. Ukraine managed to destroy an A-50 Mainstay (pictured), which is used as an aerial command and radar centre Also destroyed were several Tu-22Ms (pictured), of which less than 500 were manufactured Ukraine took out an estimated 1.5billion worth of Russian military equipment, including several Tu-95s (pictured) Head of the Ukraine's Security Service Vasyl Maliuk looks at a map of an airfield, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in an unknown location in Ukraine Russian TU-95 Bear strategic bombers at the Olenya airbase on the Kola Peninsula being destroyed by Ukrainian drones thousands of miles away from the front line Russia was left reeling after the attack which left Putin and his army humiliated on Sunday With the help of front-positioned cameras, the missile-loaded drones headed straight for Russia's highly expensive bomber planes. Which Russian planes were destroyed in Operation Spider's Web? Tu-95 Type: Strategic heavy nuclear bomber Manufactured: 1952-1993 Number built: >500 Armament: 2x 23mm autocannons Payload: Up to 33,000lbs (15,000kg) of cruise missiles TU-22M Type: Strategic bomber/Maritime striker Manufactured: 1967-1993 Number built: 497 Armament: 1x 23mm cannon Payload: Up to 54,000lbs (24,000kg) of bombs and missiles A-50 Type: Airbone command centre Manufactured: 1978-1992 Number built: >40 Armament: 2x 23mm autocannons Payload: N/A Advertisement Footage showed decimated enemy planes in flames on the runway and last night Ukrainian security sources claimed to have taken out 41 aircraft worth some 1.5billion. These, they say, include the nuclear capable Tu-95 and Tu-22M as well as the surveillance A-50 'Mainstay' plane, worth an estimated 250,000,000 that is used as a radar and command centre, of which Russia is only believed to have around ten in operation. 'Mainstays' are critical to coordinating Russian fighter jets and air defences, meaning that this will have severely hampered Putin's war effort. Moscow has long stopped producing any of these aircraft meaning, if confirmed, these assets could not be replaced. There are only around 120 Tu-95s and Tu-22Ms in operation and they are vital for Putin's nightly bombing raids on Ukraine. They had been moved to bases thousands of miles away from Ukraine, out of reach of Western-donated Storm Shadows and ATACMS which have a range of up to 185 miles. The FPVs, which can reach just 12 miles, would have been the last thing on Russian minds. Mr Zelensky last night claimed that the operation took out a third of Russia's strategic bombers and had been conducted under the noses of its secret service. He said: 'What's most interesting, is that the 'office' of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions. 'In total, 117 drones were used in the operation, with a corresponding number of drone operators involved, and 34 per cent of the strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at air bases were hit. We will continue this work.' Military blogger Roman Alekhin said the incident will go down as 'Russia's Pearl Harbour' - a reference to the Japanese attack against the US in 1941 that prompted Washington to enter the Second World War. But experts also drew comparisons to the 1942 SAS raid on the Sidi Haneish airfield in Egypy, when elite British commandos put 40 Luftwaffe aircraft out of action using jeeps mounted with machine guns. While the attack wasn't a pivotal moment in the Desert War, it massively boosted British morale and disrupted Axis logistics in North Africa. It was also one of the pivotal events that helped forge the legendary status of the SAS. Former RAF pilot and military analyst Mikey Kay told the BBC: 'The Russians would never have expected something like this. I mean, it's genius, if you think about just the devastating effect that it's had on strategic assets of Putin.' Philip O'Brien, professor of strategic studies at St Andrews University, said the raid was 'the most remarkable and successful operation of the war.' He told The Times: 'This is a big blow to Russian strategic air power, which is hard to overestimate. We do not know what the Russian reaction will be, however we can assume it will be violent.' Russian Belaya Air Base in Irkutsk region, Siberia, was ablaze today after a suspected drone strike linked to Ukraine The Russian army launched a combined strike on the Dniprovskyi district of Kherson, Ukraine A Telegram channel called Fighterbomber, widely believed to be run by Captain Ilya Tumanov of the Russian Army, wrote of the attack: 'Today will later be called a black day for Russian long-range aviation. And the day is not over yet.' Mr Zelensky, who is said to have overseen the operation over the last year and a half, celebrated the strike on social media last night. The Ukrainian president wrote: 'A result achieved solely by Ukraine. One year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution. Our most long-range operation.' He added: 'These are Ukrainian actions that will undoubtedly be in [the] history books.' A delegation from Kyiv is due to meet counterparts from Moscow for a second round of peace talks in Istanbul today but it was not clear last night if it would still go ahead. Ukraine has said that its proposals will include a full 30-day ceasefire followed by the return of all prisoners held by each side. Negotiators also want some 20,000 Ukrainian children who were kidnapped by Russia to be repatriated before Mr Zelensky and Putin meet. Zelensky was seen congratulating the Head of the Security Service Vasyl Malyuk Malyuk's agency was in charge of the major operation Zelensky claimed that this attack was one for the 'history books' Russia has so far refused to agree to a 30-day pause in fighting and overnight on Saturday launched its largest strike of the war so far with 472 drones and seven missiles. Kyiv's Operation Spider's Web struck Belaya air base in the Irkutsk region of Siberia; Dyagilevo air base in Ryazan, western Russia; Olenya air base in Murmansk, northern Russia; and Ivanovo air base in Ivanovo, central Russia. The fifth air base was yet to be identified last night. The operation, led by Mr Zelensky and security service boss Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk, marks the first time Ukraine has struck targets inside Siberia. Kyiv put the cost of the damage at more than 1.5billion because each A-50 aircraft is valued at around 260million. Last night Russia was arresting the truck drivers, but hours earlier Ukraine had reported that its agents were safely home. FPV drones usually need a pilot within six miles which suggests Ukrainians may have been close to the airfields during the strikes. Hours before the drone strikes a wave of bomb attacks targeted Russian bridges and railway lines in regions bordering Ukraine. Russia declared them 'acts of terrorism' with seven killed and dozens injured when a passenger train travelling to Moscow was derailed by a collapsed bridge in Bryansk on Saturday night. Hours later, in neighbouring Kursk where Ukraine launched its major cross-border incursion last August, a freight train was derailed by another fallen bridge. A Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian army training area killed at least 12 soldiers yesterday and wounded more than 60 others, the Ukrainian army said. Kyiv has carried out a series of daring attacks on Russia since the start of the war, with one of first being the counter-offensive which liberated the city of Kherson in November 2022. Ukrainian armed forces also took swathes of territory in Kursk last August in what was the first occupation of Russian land since the Second World War. Putin only succeeded in pushing Ukraine out of the territory in March. Thursday May 15 It began when Pheobe failed to check in for her flight from Bundaberg via Brisbane to Perth, where she was planning to meet her boyfriend. She was being driven there by her housemates, Tanika Bromley, 33, and James Wood, 34, in Tanika's 14-year-old silver Hyundai ix35 SUV. She had been living with them at their ramshackle home after recently moving out of her mother's family farmhouse just outside of town. Pheobe used her phone for the last time during the trip in a call to her boyfriend at 8.30am, who later told a friend he was unable to hear anything before the call cut out. He later revealed how he waited for hours at Perth Airport for her to arrive, but flight after flight touched down without her. The mystery began on Thursday May 15, when Pheobe Bishop (pictured) failed to check in for an 8.30am flight from Bundaberg to Perth Pheobe's mum Kylie Johnson (right) made her first public appeal for help finding the teen on May 16 Friday May 16 When she failed to appear in Perth, the alert was raised and on Friday, Pheobe was declared a missing person. Mother Kylie Johnson made her first public appeal for help in the search and work began on sending out hundreds of flyers around town. Her worried mum insisted that the teen's disappearance was out of character. Bromley and Wood told police they dropped her off with her luggage at the airport. Pheobe was described as carrying luggage and wearing a green tank top and grey tracksuit pants. Saturday May 17 Housemate James Wood told a friend he had been printing flyers and admitted 'cops basically asked me if I did her in or hurt her at all...cause I was one of the last people to see her alive.' Wood is divorced and only moved to Gin Gin from Emerald, 500km west in Queensland's Central Highlands, around six months ago after the end of his marriage. Bromley is a mother of two and Gin Gin local with family believed to be in the Canberra area. The couple are said to have moved in together earlier this year. Police questioned both over Pheobe and released them without any charges in connection with her disappearance. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest that Wood or Bromley were involved in Pheobe's disappearance. Wood also took to social media offering his 5m tinnie fishing boat as a reward for any information about Pheobe's whereabouts. Wood (pictured) told a friend he had been printing flyers and police had asked him 'if I did her in or hurt her at all' Monday May 20 Police searched Airport Drive but couldn't find any of Pheobe's belongings. They also failed to locate any CCTV of Pheobe at Bundaberg Airport. A nearby resident supplied CCTV footage of the Hyundai allegedly on Samuels Rd, just west of the airport, around 10.30am, two hours after Pheobe was due at the airport at 8.30am. Tuesday May 21 Reports emerge that Pheobe may have had an argument while being given a lift to the airport and was 'kicked out' of the car. Wednesday May 22 Detectives sealed off Bromley and Wood's rented Gin Gin property, and officers in forensics gear could be seen poring over the house, just off the main road in the centre of town. They were also seen combing areas around Samuels Rd, including a search beyond the perimeter of a local dump. Bromley's Hyundai was also seized by police, with forensic experts examining it at a facility in Bundaberg. Pheobe's last posts to social media before her disappearance also came to light, including an eerie March post to TikTok where she described having a conversation with her younger self. She said she did not 'see nor talk' to her mother any more 'but it's better like this'. This publication also revealed that Bromley (pictured) was on bail and facing unrelated charges for possessing a sawn-off shotgun and a flick knife in public A stomach-churning stench surrounded the Gin Gin home (pictured) Pheobe also wrote that she had been 'in and out' of home for years, but 'this time we're not going back'. The first reports of dead dogs found at the property emerge. Thursday May 22 Daily Mail Australia identified that Wood and Bromley were the couple Pheobe had been living with at the Gin Gin house. The couple's neighbour, Shari Loughland, said Pheobe had only been living there 'for a few weeks, up to a month or two'. Living next door to the couple had become 'horrible' because it was cluttered with rubbish and there had been noise from parties and a howling dog, Ms Loughland said. A stomach-churning stench surrounded the home and Ms Loughland said the remains of up to 11 dead dogs had been found at the property during police inquiries. Daily Mail Australia also revealed Bromley was on bail and facing unrelated charges for possessing a sawn-off shotgun and a flick knife in public. She had been charged back on February 24 after police allegedly discovered the weapons on her on the Capricorn Highway in Emerald, Queensland. Friday May 23 Pheobe's despairing mum made an impassioned plea for the teen to get in touch. 'As each day goes by, it gets harder to breathe. I feel numb, not knowing where you are or if you're okay,' Ms Johnson said. The police search has now expanded into new rural areas for any trace of the teenager, and called in divers to search local waterways. Detective Acting Inspector Ryan Thompson confirmed that officers are focusing on various locations for any signs that could lead to Pheobe's whereabouts. 'We are searching for any evidence or information that could help us find Pheobe,' Detective Thompson said. Saturday May 24 Police and SES volunteers began conducting a land, water and aerial search of the Good Night Scrub National Park, 40 minutes south of Gin Gin. Pheobe's final posts to social media before she disappeared were revealed and suggested the teen had fallen out with her mother, and would not return home. Ms Johnson addressed her daughter directly in a post on Facebook, which also featured a child's drawing of a rainbow and the words 'thinking of you'. 'Phee Phee we won't stop looking for you 'til your home. I urge everyone in Gin Gin to keep their porch lights on tonight and guide our girl home,' she wrote. On Saturday May 24 police and SES volunteers began conducting a land, water and aerial search of the Good Night Scrub National Park Bromley visited the local police station as part of her bail conditions, trying to hide her face and shunning questions from reporters Sunday May 25 The seach for Pheobe took a dark twist as detectives brought in cadaver dogs in their search of the scrubland park. A former friend revealed she had cut off all contact with one of Pheobe's housemates in recent months over his behaviour. Monday May 26 Detectives said they had recovered items potentially linked to their investigation - but they also believed some evidence may have been moved from the park before they arrived. Police also revealed Bromley had been charged with further unrelated weapons offences, after they allegedly found a shortened firearm, replica handguns and ammunition during their search of the Hyundai. The 33-year-old had been arrested at Milbank the day before and spent a night in jail before she appeared in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Monday. During the appearance, Magistrate John McInnes told Bromley she appeared to have an 'unhealthy interest in in short firearms'. But he added that she was a victim of domestic violence and 'I suspect you might not be the prime mover here'. Bromley was granted bail with strict conditions, including that she not see Wood, and that she check in at the Gin Gin police station three days a week. Bromley's vehicle has been spotted with what appeared to be deliberately altered number plates from 414-EW3 to 474-BW8 Tuesday May 27 Bromley's Hyundai was released by police and was spotted in Bundaberg, sporting a makeshift fake rego plate and the Hyundai logo altered to look like a Toyota symbol. Using tape, white paint and a permanent marker, the numbers of the car's Queensland registration 414-EW3 had been tweaked to be a fake NSW plate 474 BW8. Wednesday May 28 Police suspended their search of Good Night Scrub National park, but said their probe was ongoing and they remained focused on the greater Gin Gin area. Bromley also visited the local police station as part of her bail conditions, trying to hide her face and shunning questions from reporters. That night, police confirmed that Wood had also been charged with unrelated weapons offences over the guns allegedly found in the Hyundai when they searched it. Thursday May 29 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. 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 Wood (pictured) appeared to have been living out of the Hyundai since police released it to him Wood appeared to have been living in the Hyundai since police released it to him. 'He's here, he's hiding here,' the local yelled, prodding the 34-year-old with a beach umbrella before he sped away. His bizarre public appearance 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 and her sister Kaylea 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 night. 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'. 'I'm flying the f*** out of here to see my boyfriend,' she wrote, in texts shown on Ten. '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.' Pheobe's mother reacted immediately on social media after The Project segment aired, saying her sister knew 'nothing' about her daughter Daily Mail Australia revealed that Bromley was once good mates with Pheobe's mum Kylie and even worked for her NDIS support company 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. Saturday May 31 Daily Mail Australia revealed that Bromley was once good mates with Pheobe's mum Kylie and even worked for her NDIS support company. Friends said the pair fell out, with Ms Johnson making Bromley redundant from her role at Smileys Support Coordination last year. On the unrelated weapons charges, Wood is due to appear in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on June 13, while Bromley is due to appear on June 23. Pheobe's grief-stricken mother admitted the 'worst case-scenario could have happened' in a harrowing video released by Queensland Police. She begged the public to share any information about her disappearance with police as Kylie Johnson's voice wavered in front of the camera. 'This investigation will not be over for me until we find Pheobe,' she said. 'The search for Pheobe goes on. I still hold hope that Pheobe will come home but I have to consider the possibility that she also won't. 'If the worst-case scenario has happened, I at least need to know where she's resting. I need to know where Pheobe is. 'My daughter wouldn't just disappear. Someone knows something. 'As a mum, I'm asking you to come forward with your information. 'Please speak to police if you have any information, big or small. You can report information to police anonymously, via PoliceLink or CrimeStoppers.' Sunday June 1 Pheobe's mum posted statement online furiously hitting back after her public plea for help to find her daughter was ripped apart by trolls. 'People wanted a statement, they got one yet still question me as a mother,' her post read. 'I'm sorry that I'm currently an emotional wreck, trying to protect our other children from the media and the trolls, trying to continue to breathe while your world shatters around you! 'If anyone would like to be in this position please step in and show me how to do this. 'Show me what a perfect parent looks like? Show me how to navigate this? Show me how to deal with the unknown and the uncertainty? 'Show me how to use perfect language and emotion in a situation that NO parent ever wants to be in?' The search for Pheobe goes on. 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 made with 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 from a smaller, differently-coloured plate than those of her guests, who ate off 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 said the death cap mushroom poisoning was 'isolated' to Patterson's deadly lunch. Multiple witnesses, including Erin's estranged husband, Heather's husband 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 that 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 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 sat in court and listened as details of how 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 get answers. 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 had 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 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. On Thursday, lead defence barrister Colin Mandy SC (pictured) suggested to Sen-Constable Eppingstall that a photo taken during the Leongatha police search depicted the mysterious Phone A. Mr Mandy also highlighted other devices he suggested police failed to seize including laptops and a USB stick. Later, the jury heard Facebook messages between Patterson and her online friends in which they discussed Simon, pets and the death of actress Kirstie Alley. The jury also heard Signal messages between Don and Erin in which Don and Gail (pictured) wished Patterson well and also prayed for her health. On Friday, the jury heard more messages between Erin, Don, Gail and Simon. They discussed Pattersons health and Don also offered to help tutor Erins son. Erin also praised Gail in another message. Happy Mothers Day to the best mother-in-law anyone could ever ask for, Erin wrote. Labor is back in power for at least another three years - given the size of its thumping election victory it's more staying there for another six years at a minimum. And with that certainty comes instant talk of new taxes, despite election commitments to the contrary. Labors climate and energy spokesman, Chris Bowen, has said that hes open to a carbon tariff on certain products to help Australia meet its 2030 emissions targets. Labor backbencher and medical doctor Mike Freelander wants a sugar tax to help tackle obesity and diabetes. Then there is the super tax set to be legislated when parliament returns at the end of July. This new tax was at least part of Labors election manifesto, even if it was hardly a central issue during the campaign. And there is speculation that negative gearing concessions and perhaps even the capital gains tax (CGT) break too are up for discussion. The problem with all of the above isnt that changes to the tax and spend system should be off limits. Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should be thinking about wholesale tax reform... not piecemeal slugs Its not even that most of the options being looked at werent flagged at the election, or that a number of them were specifically ruled out. The real issue is that what is being looked at is piecemeal and not part of a proper tax reform package that balances tax increases with tax cuts, thereby improving the efficiency of the system at the same time as ensuring that government taxes and spending dont just keep increasing. The pre-election budget already highlighted that the tax-to-GDP ratio is at near record levels, with spending as a percentage of GDP even higher. The government uses the latter to justify more taxes, rather than as a reason to stop the record spending because its unsustainable. I have no problem in principle with sin taxes such as on sugary products. They mirror other sin taxes on tobacco, alcohol or on industry designed to push down emissons. There is a logic to such a shake-up, as long as cutting other taxes forms part of the discussion. But Australia has shied away from wholesale tax reform ever since Kevin Rudd ignored many of Ken Henrys recommendations in his 2009 tax reform paper, and when Malcolm Turnbull junked the tax and federation white papers Tony Abbott commissioned before losing the prime ministership in a coup. Booze has long since been a key Federal government 'sin tax' - despite the tiniest tweaks to the beer excise during the last campaign Boomers with more than $3million in super are set to be slugged if the government can get its proposal past the Senate at the end of July Instead these taxes are embraced not as part of a wider review to improve efficiencies and better target who and what to tax, but as a simple revenue grab to keep chasing growing spending which needs to be reined in. The design of the superannuation tax will, in decades to come, turn it into a virtual inheritance tax, given that its not indexed and will over time engulf many more Australians super savings than it will at the point of implementation. The flagging of other taxes to be debated and likely introduced in coming budgets is a sign that Labor is confident in its victory. The size of its victory will neuter the Coalition for years to come. But that confidence should extend to emulating the reforming credentials of the Hawke and Howard administrations. Reforming the GST is another area of tax that needs to be looked at, again with tax cuts in other areas (such as on income taxes for example) as part of the discussion. Lets hope that the growing calls within Labor for higher taxes isnt just as a case of Labors back - and so are the taxes. Travellers are warned to be extra careful at bars and beaches The Australian government has updated its Smartraveller advisory, urging tourists to exercise a high degree of caution when traveling to Indonesia - particularly Bali - and other parts of Southeast Asia. This follows a series of recent incidents involving drownings and methanol poisoning. 'Australians have drowned in coastal areas, due to rough seas and strong rip currents at popular tourist beaches including in Bali,' the update warned. 'Be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks. 'Cases of methanol poisoning in drinks have previously been reported in Indonesia, including in Bali and Lombok.' The advisory also outlines important Do's and Don'ts for Bali, including safety tips and advice on how to avoid visa problems 'Indonesian authorities have strict standards for damaged passports, and travellers have been refused entry into Indonesia with a damaged passport,' it reads. 'Water damage, minor tears or rips to the pages can be considered damaged.' It also urged Aussies to respect local customs. The Federal Government has updated its travel guidelines for Aussies travelling to Indonesia after a string of drownings and poisonings on the island in recent months Drownings and methanol poisonings have become more common since November 2024 when six travellers were fatally poisoned in Laos (stock pictured) 'Offensive behaviour that fails to respect local culture, religion, places of worship, and traditional ceremonies can lead to criminal penalties and/or deportation.' The updated warning follows the suspicious death of 23-year-old Byron Haddow from the Sunshine Coast, who died in Bali on May 27. Earlier this year, Jacob Vennix, 32, drowned on the island after a strong current pulled him out to sea while he was on his honeymoon. Last year six tourists, including two Australian teenagers, died of methanol poisoning in Laos. In 2024 Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, died after visiting the tourist town of Vang Vieng in November when they suffered a suspected methanol poisoning. Taxpayers are set to foot the bill for assistance offered to an Australian man facing the death penalty in Bali for alleged drug smuggling. The 43-year-old son of former Queensland Senior Constable Les Ahchee was arrested in Bali last Thursday after he was allegedly caught collecting two parcels sent from the UK. About 1.8kg of cocaine was allegedly hidden inside two Lindt chocolate boxes, each containing 54 individual packets with 8.3g of cocaine each. The former tech manager, originally from Cairns, has allegedly tested positive for drugs while in police custody. Mr Ahchee's lawyer Edward Pangkahila told reporters his client firmly denied dealing drugs, but conceded he was a 'drug addict'. 'Lamar has been set up by someone called "Boss",' Mr Pangkahila said, referencing a stranger in England who allegedly sent the Lindt boxes. 'He was told to collect the package, but he actually didn't know what the package was. He thought it was a normal package.' Queenslander Lamar Ahchee (centre) is facing the death sentence in Bali if found guilty of attempting to smuggle cocaine onto the island Police allege 1.8kg of cocaine was allegedly hidden inside two Lindt chocolate boxes, each containing 54 individual packets (pictured) of the drug The quantity of cocaine Ahchee is accused of trying to smuggle into Indonesia, with an estimated street value of $1.1million, puts him over the threshold for the death penalty. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has confirmed it is offering consular assistance to an Australian in Bali. Despite the harsh penalties the suspect is facing, 5AA host and News Corp columnist David Penberthy believed many Australians would prefer Ahchee be left to his own devices than shoulder his bill. 'There are gigantic yellow billboards in every Indonesian airport featuring a large image of a gun and warning: "This country executes drug dealers",' he wrote in the Sunday Mail. 'Nothing too subtle about that.' The journalist used prior cases of Australians caught smuggling drugs into Indonesia, like the Bali Nine, to highlight the 'presumptuousness' of 'taxpayer-funded assistance'. 'I never saw any polling on the question but my hunch is that most Australians wouldn't have much cared if the Bali Nine actually remained in jail in Bali for the rest of their lives,' he said. 'Lamar Ahchee has become the latest Aussie to put his hand up for consular assistance. Former News Corp editor David Penberthy questioned why DFAT should use taxpayer funds to assist alleged drug smugglers (pictured, Ahchee - who has not been found guilty of smuggling) The quantity of cocaine Ahchee (centre) is accused of trying to smuggle into Indonesia, with an estimated street value of $1.1million, puts him over the threshold for the death penalty 'Maybe I've had a compassion bypass. Maybe you don't want your government to leave you high and dry by withholding any assistance before you've even been found guilty. 'But [if] you have been found guilty, I think many Australians struggle to understand our unyielding generosity on behalf of all these halfwits who are incapable of working out what the gun is alluding to on those big yellow billboards.' Ahchee's lawyer said his client was 'very upset and stressed' at the prospect he could face the death penalty if he is found guilty. He called on police to track down the person who allegedly set up his client. 'If we can get this guy, we will find out the whole story here,' Mr Pangkahila said. Bali Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya alleged the chocolate boxes arrived in Indonesia on May 12. When they arrived at the Renon Main Post Office, customs officers at Ngurah Rai Airport scanned them and suspected they contained narcotics. Officers and the Bali Regional Police Narcotics Directorate organised a controlled delivery as part of their investigation. Ahchee (left), the 43-year-old son of former Queensland Senior Constable Les Ahchee, was arrested in Bali last Thursday They allege the first package came from Runwell, east of London, and was addressed to 'Alex and Julie' in Kuta Utara, near Canggu. The second was allegedly sent from Braintree, a town east of London, to 'Dave Jones' in the same region. The following day, police alleged Ahchee asked a driver to collect the packages from the post office. They met at a restaurant on May 22, and the Australian businessman allegedly took the packages back to Canggu. Ahchee was then arrested by the Bali drug squad and allegedly suffered several injuries while resisting arrest. They allege he offered almost 50million Indonesian rupiah, about AU$4700, to receive and distribute the drugs. Ahchee has been charged with three drug offences, including importing drugs. Ahchee has been living in Bali since 2017. He worked in hospitality and had stepped down as the general manager of Canggu restaurant Brick Lane Bali in November after eight months. His online profiles revealed he worked as the director and co-founder of tech groups in Jakarta and Bali from 2019, as well as previously for marketing firms in Sydney. Daily Mail Australia has contacted DFAT for comment. An Australian disability campaigner has hit out at an English comedian over a joke about diabetes she says is 'deeply sickening'. Carmen Azzopardi, a type 1 diabetic, was appalled when Paul Foot launched into a ten minute skit on diabetes sufferers during his show at the Moth Club in Hackney, east London, last Wednesday. In the ten minute skit, Foot 'made fun of people' who wear continuous glucose monitors - a device diabetics use to keep track of their blood glucose levels - Ms Azzopardi claimed. He then mimicked a diabetic having a hypoglycaemic episode, shaking on stage, before suggesting they died after suffering a heart attack. In footage shared on TikTok by Ms Azzopardi, she could be heard booing and calling out the comedian following the skit. 'That was a s*** joke. I have type 1 diabetes, that was extremely insensitive and mis-informative,' she said. Foot hit back and said he didn't believe he was being insensitive as he attempted to continue his set. 'I dont think its up to you to decide if its insensitive or not,' Ms Azzopardi said. The pair continued to clash during a tense exchange as the comedian argued 'comedy is subjective' while the audience could be heard nervously laughing intermittently. Foot went on to blame the activist for the show's 'awkward' ending. 'Due to the failure of you to grasp that simple intellectual point, cause you fail to grasp the difference between these issues, cause of that its ending in an awkward way,' he said. Ms Azzopardi said her friends urged her to leave the gig, but she wanted to stand her ground and avoid the comedian making fun of her once she had left. Foot then called out Ms Azzopardi for talking while he was finishing up his set and said they would never agree over his comments as he was sharing 'an intellectual argument' while she was on 'the emotional side'. The disability campaigner explained why she was angered by Foot's comments in a video posted online. 'All in all, deeply embarrassing for him, deeply deeply sickening to witness as someone who is living with that disease,' Ms Azzopardi said. Foot told Ms Azzopardi he didn't believe he was being insensitive before blaming her for an 'awkward' end to his set Carmen Azzopardi, a type 1 diabetic, was appalled when Paul Foot launched into what she claimed was a 'deeply sickening' joke about diabetes Paul Foot delivered a ten minute skit on diabetes sufferers during a show at the Moth Club in Hackney, east London 'Its probably one of the most blatant acts of ableism that I have ever personally experienced since being diagnosed with this illness, because thats what it is, its an illness, not a punch line to a joke.' Social media users agreed with Ms Azzopardi. 'Is the joke in the room with us? I don't understand which part is meant to be funny. Well done for calling him out!' one said. 'This is so weird? Did someone with diabetes break up with him? This is such a random gripe to have,' another wrote. 'Why were people laughing? Not a single thing in this clip was funny,' a third added. 'I have type 1 diabetes and I used to do stand up and there is a way to make tasteful jokes about YOUR own illness and experience but this aint it,' a third said. However, disagreeing with the campaigner, one wrote: 'God forbid a comedian tells a joke.' Daily Mail Australia contacted Foot and Ms Azzopardi for comment. The FBI has identified the suspect who attacked a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado as Egyptian native Mohamed Sabry Soliman. The 45-year-old had been granted a visa and a work permit under the Biden administration - both of which he overstayed, federal officials confirmed Sunday night. 'The Biden Admin granted the alien a visa and then, when he illegally overstayed, they gave him a work permit,' White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller wrote on X, later calling Soliman an 'illegal alien.' 'Immigration security is national security,' he continued. 'No more hostile migration. Keep them out and send them back.' Congressman Brandon Gill, of Texas, also claimed that the Biden administration allowed Soliman to enter the United States on the B1/B2 visa program. 'He overstayed his visa so Biden awarded him with a work permit,' Gill wrote. 'He then overstayed his work permit, before brutally attacking American Jews.' Six people aged between 67 and 88 were injured Sunday afternoon when Solimon allegedly firebombed the pro-Israel demonstration, which was organized to remember the October 7 victims who are still being held hostage by Hamas militants in Gaza. Mohamed Sabry Soliman (pictured), 45, has been identified as the suspect who attacked a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday Six people were injured in the 'targeted terror attack' involving Molotov cocktails in Boulder, Colorado White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller confirmed Soliman was living in the United States on a work permit One of the victims was in critical condition, while other victims' injuries ranged from serious to minor, Colorado Newsline reports. Two of the victims also had to be airlifted to a burn unit in Aurora. At least one of the victims was a Holocaust survivor, according to the New York Times. Boulder Police said the horror unfolded during the event, organized by Run For Their Lives, on Pearl Street Mall in the city's downtown at around 1.26pm on Sunday, the first day of a Jewish holiday called Shavuot. Shocking videos posted online showed Soliman appearing to taunt the victims while brandishing bottles of alcohol for the Molotov cocktails in each hand as smoke rose from the scene. Wearing only jeans and sunglasses, he yelled: 'End Zionists... they are terrorists' and 'free Palestine'. He also said: 'How many children have you killed?' according to the ADL Center on Extremism. EMTs used stretchers to move people into ambulances while flames spread in patches across the ground. Blackened burned-out bottles littered the scene. Another video showed what looked like a burn scar across the ground close to the city's old courthouse. FBI Director Kash Patel has called the incident a 'terror attack' while Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said it 'appears to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted'. FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek confirmed the suspect's identity Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn told a press conference that victims suffered 'injuries consistent with burns, and other injuries' and that wounds ranged from 'minor' to 'potentially life-threatening'. Law enforcement told NBC just before 8pm that one person was in a critical condition. Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Denver field office, told another press conference later on Sunday that witnesses said Soliman used 'a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device into the crowd'. He noted there was nothing tying Soliman to a larger terror network and it is believed he acted alone, but the FBI will continue to investigate. Soliman was taken into custody 'without incident,' Chief Redfearn said. Soliman, who was wearing sunglasses and jeans with no shirt when he was detained, was also taken to the hospital with 'minor injuries'. Chief Redfearn did not disclose the motivation behind the attack. 'It would be irresponsible for me to speculate on motive this early on,' he said. Boulder Police were also initially split with the FBI on whether to call the incident a terror attack, with Redfearn saying it was too early to define the incident. Soliman appeared to taunt the victims while brandishing bottles of alcohol for the Molotov cocktails in each hand as smoke rose from the scene Good Samaritans were seen trying to douse one of the victims with water Yet Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said the attack 'appears to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted. 'People may have differing views about world events and the Israeli-Hamas conflict, but violence is never the answer to settling differences,' he added. 'Hate has no place in Colorado. We all have the right to peaceably assemble and the freedom to speak our views. 'But these violent actswhich are becoming more frequent, brazen and closer to homemust stop and those who commit these horrific acts must be fully held to account.' Weiser added that his 'thoughts are with those injured and impacted by today's attack against a group that meets weekly on Boulder's Pearl Street Mall to call for the release of the hostages in Gaza.' FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino also called the incident 'an act of terror and targeted violence'. 'All of the necessary assets will be dedicated to this investigation. If you have any investigative tips please contact the FBI. And if you aided or abetted this attack, we will find you. You cannot hide,' he wrote on X. Meanwhile, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement that he was 'closely monitoring' the situation, adding that 'hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable.' Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty noted that Soliman will now be charged in the coming days. 'Theres a couple different options, but what I would stress now, most importantly, is we are fully united 100% in making sure the charges we bring hold the attacker fully accountable,' he said at a news conference. Police said Soliman was taken into custody without incident Tactical teams were seen responding to the scene of the firebombing Law enforcement officials investigate after the attack on the Pearl Street Mall Sunday The Boulder attack occurred as law enforcement authorities in the US grapple with a sharp spike in antisemitic violence. It comes just over a week after a man was arrested over the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, DC on May 22. The victims were identified as German-Israeli dual national Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and his girlfriend Sarah Milgrim, 26. Lischinsky had been planning to propose to Milgrim after buying a ring. The suspect, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, repeatedly shouted 'Free Palestine' after shooting them dead, as police dragged him away. Jewish human rights organization the Simon Wiesenthal Center said the Boulder attack came on the eve of a religious holiday. 'On the eve of Shavuot, a sacred celebration of Jewish identity and tradition, we are forced yet again to confront a horrifying reality: Being Jewish, supporting Israel, or simply gathering as a community now makes American Jews a target,' the center's CEO Jim Berk said. 'This afternoon in Boulder, Colorado, a man threw a Molotov cocktail into a peaceful solidarity walk calling for the release of 58 hostages still held by Hamas, a humanitarian cause that should unite, not divide.' He blamed the attack, as well as the murders of the Israeli embassy staffers, on 'months of anti-Israel propaganda, moral equivocation, and silence in the face of raging antisemitism'. 'The nonstop demonization of Israel and Zionism on our campuses, in our streets, and across digital platforms has created a climate where hate flourishes, and physical attackseven murderof Jews is inevitable,' Berk said. This is a breaking news story and will be updated. A New Zealand flag printed with the words 'please walk on me' and laid on the floor of an art gallery has once again been packed away following public outcry, 30 years after protests forced the removal of the same artwork. The Suter Art Gallery in the city of Nelson said Thursday it had taken down the work by Maori artist Diane Prince due to escalating tensions and safety fears. The episode mirrored an Auckland gallery's removal of the work amid public backlash and complaints to law enforcement in 1995. This time, the flag was meant to remain on display for five months. Instead, it lasted just 19 days, reigniting long-running debates in New Zealand over artistic expression, national symbols and the country's colonial history. Police said that officers were investigating 'several' complaints about the exhibition. The piece, titled Flagging the Future, is a cloth New Zealand flag displayed on the floor with the words 'please walk on me' stenciled across it. The flag features the British Union Jack and red stars on a blue background. Maori artist Diane Prince's 'Flagging the Future' piece has been removed from display after public outcry The Suter Art Gallery in New Zealand's city of Nelson had intended to display the artwork for five months but ended up removing it after just 19 days on May 29 The work was part of an exhibition, Diane Prince: Activist Artist, and was meant to provoke reflection on the Maori experience since New Zealand's colonization by Britain in the 19th century. Prince created the piece in 1995 in response to a government policy that limited compensation to Maori tribes for historical land theft. 'I have no attachment to the New Zealand flag,' Prince told Radio New Zealand in 2024. 'I don't call myself a New Zealander. I call myself a Maori.' New Zealand's reckoning with its colonial past has gathered pace in recent decades. But there has been little appetite among successive governments to sever the country's remaining constitutional ties to Britain or change the flag to a design that doesn't feature the Union Jack. Warren Mundine said the artwork made no sense especially since New Zealanders had already voted against changing their flag in 2015. 'Like the Voice Campaign in Australia, New Zealand actually voted on their flag,' Mr Mundine told Sky News Australia. 'The vast majority of New Zealanders - all supported the flag. 'This is not going to fix race relations in New Zealand.' Warren Mundine, who had been a strong advocated for the No campaign against the Voice to Parliament in 2023, had publicly criticised the piece 'Some artist is just having a brain explosion.' New Zealand is among countries where desecrating the national flag is considered taboo and prohibited by law. Damaging a flag in public with intent to dishonor it is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 New Zealand dollars, but prosecutions are fleetingly rare. The country's flag is synonymous for some with military service. But for others, particularly some Maori, it's a reminder of land dispossession, and loss of culture and identity. A veterans' group also denounced the piece as 'shameful' and 'offensive.' City council member Tim Skinner said he was 'horrified' by the work's inclusion. But others welcomed it. Nelson's deputy mayor, Rohan O'Neill-Stevens, posted on social media 'in strong defense of artistic expression and the right for us all to be challenged and confronted by art.' The former policeman charged with murdering a television presenter and his partner says he has offered to provide information about a second person who he claims helped dispose of the bodies. Beau Lamarre-Condon is accused of shooting dead Jesse Baird, 26, and Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies, 29, at Paddington in Sydney's eastern suburbs in February 2024. The 29-year-old is further alleged to have bundled the couple's bodies into surfboard bags before dumping them at a rural property in the Southern Tablelands. A source close to Lamarre-Condon has now revealed the alleged killer has offered to provide information to police and prosecutors about another person he says was involved with disposing of the bodies. 'Lamarre-Condon wants to do the right thing for the families and is happy to assist investigators with information about who else played a part in the incident,' the source claimed. 'So far both the DPP and the officer in charge have failed to reply to the offer made by Lamarre's legal team for assistance.' The source claimed that a witness had told investigators they had waited at the fence line of the Bungonia property where the bodies were first dumped for 15 to 20 minutes. Phone records indicated Lamarre-Condon and the witness were at the farm for almost two hours, the source claimed. Beau Lamarre-Condon, the former policeman charged with murdering a television presenter and his partner, says he has offered to provide information about a second person who helped dispose of the bodies. Lamarre-Condon is pictured The bodies of the two young men were found at Bungonia, on the NSW Southern Tablelands. A police line search is pictured above 'Police also located two sets of white overalls at the scene where bodies were located which indicates it was a two-person job,' the source said. A NSW Police spokeswoman said: 'As this matter is before the court, we are unable to comment.' A spokeswoman for the DPP said the same thing. Lamarre-Condon has spent more than a year in prison since the shootings, which were allegedly the result of a months-long campaign of 'predatory behaviour' targeting Mr Baird. The onetime celebrity chaser reportedly briefly dated Mr Baird before the TV presenter began a relationship with Mr Davies. Suspicions of foul play were raised after possessions belonging to the dead men were found in a skip bin in the southern Sydney suburb of Cronulla, leading police to Mr Baird's blood-smeared terrace. The case returned to Downing Centre Local Court last month after confidential discussions between prosecutors and the alleged killer's Legal Aid lawyer Alex Curnick. Both sides agreed 'things are progressing,' magistrate Megan Greenwood was told. A forensic psychiatrist's report was also tendered after Lamarre-Condon was assessed in previous weeks. Lamarre-Condon is accused of shooting dead Jesse Baird (right) and Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies (left) at Paddington in Sydney 's eastern suburbs in February 2024. NSW Police at the terrace in Paddington where Lamarre-Condon allegedly murdered the pair Lamarre-Condon has not entered pleas to two counts of domestic violence-related murder, and one count of break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence. He was sacked by the NSW Police Force in March 2024. Lamarre-Condon joined the force in 2019 and previously ran a celebrity blog, posing in photos with dozens of A-listers including Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus and Harry Styles. Baird worked on TV programs Studio Ten and Totally Wild while Davies, his new boyfriend, was a respected Qantas flight attendant. He is expected to appear via an audiovisual link on June 17. Chris Bowen has refused to rule out a 'carbon tariff' on cement or steel as he acknowledged that Australia must 'do more' to achieve its climate targets. The Energy and Climate Change Minister was quizzed by the ABC's David Speers about whether he would bring in a carbon tariff. This would see levies placed on carbon-intensive products such as steel, cement and lime imported from abroad and could make the building process more expensive. It is a way of preventing Australian companies from outsourcing carbon-emitting activities to other countries with less ambitious carbon-reduction targets. 'We have been clear that we want to ensure Australian industry is best placed to compete in a decarbonising world,' Bowen told the program. 'What could be the case is we look at particular sectors first around cement and lime, [which] are places that we looked at in particular, but I'm not going to get in front of the process 'We'll have more to say during the course of this term.' The Australian Government appointed Professor Frank Jotzo to lead a review into carbon leakage and what policy options were available to address it. Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen (pictured) was quizzed by the ABC's David Speers about whether he would bring in a carbon tariff - and twice refused to rule it out This would see levies placed on carbon-intensive products such as steel, cement and lime imported from abroad and could make the building process more expensive His preliminary report identified cement, clinker and lime as industries in which there was a high leakage risk, while steel, glass and ammonia posed a moderate risk. The European Union has brought in a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which will imposes a carbon tax on imports from countries with less strict climate policies. Bowen's refusal to rule it out was criticised by the Coalition's new energy spokesperson Dan Tehan. 'Now before the election, Chris Bowen, this arrogant minister, said nothing about carbon tariffs,' he said. 'Yet here he is immediately after the election talking about putting them in place.' Tehan accused Bowen of putting Australia's 'energy security at risk' and putting gas and electricity prices up. 'Now he wants to follow Donald Trump's lead and put in tariffs. What a mess,' he added. Bowen said Australia was 'by and large on track' to meet its target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 43 per cent by 2030. This is despite figures last week showing little progress was made in 2024. 'We've never suggested it's a linear line But with the right approach from government, yes, we can continue to be on track (despite) facing headwinds and challenges from time to time,' he said. Labor was criticised by environmental groups for approving a 40-year extended licence to WA's North West Shelf, the largest oil and gas project in the country. The government has a deadline this year to set its 2035 emissions reduction target. As the Australian government looks to increase the environmental taxes, New Zealand last week lifted a ban on oil and gas drilling as it abanoned net zero targets and prioritised cheap energy. 'We are feeling the pain of constrained supply,' NZ Energy Minister Shane Jones said. 'The government is not prepared to sit on the sidelines and watch our industrial and manufacturing dwindle because of energy security concerns.' The class president at Massachusetts Institute of Technology was banned from walking across the stage to receive her diploma after she gave a jaw-dropping anti-Israel speech. Megha Vemuri was set to serve as the marshal of this year's graduation ceremony on Friday, but received an email earlier in the day that she could not attend the event, and her and her family were banned from campus for most of the day, the Boston Globe reports. 'You deliberately and repeatedly misled Commencement organizers,' MIT Chancellor Melissa Nobles wrote in the email. 'While we acknowledge your right to free expression, your decision to lead a protest from the stage, disrupting an important institute ceremony was a violation of MIT's time, place and manner rules for campus expression.' The email came just one day after Vemuri veered from her prepared statements at the OneMIT commencement ceremony to instead call on the university to cut all ties with Israel. 'You have faced the obstacle of fear before and you turned it into fuel to stand up for wat is right,' she told her fellow graduates, university officials and even Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey - who was sitting in the audience. 'You showed the world that MIT wants a free Palestine,' Vemuri said of the widespread anti-Israel protests at the Cambridge campus. Megha Vemuri was banned from walking across the stage to receive her diploma at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Friday She used her speech at a ceremony the day before to commend her fellow students who held anti-Israel protests on campus 'You called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and you stood in solidarity with the pro-Palestine activists on campus,' she continued. 'You faced threats, intimidation and suppression coming from all directions, especially your own university officials, but you prevailed because the MIT community that I know would never tolerate a genocide.' Vemuri then concluded her speech by saying she and her fellow graduates will carry 'the stamp of the MIT name - the same name that is directly complicit in the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, so we carry with us the obligation to do everything we can to stop it.' Data from the US Department of Education shows MIT reported receiving $2.8 million in grants, gifts and contracts from Israeli entities between 2020 and 2024, according to the Globe. It is unclear, however, whether the funds came from individual, academic or government sources or how the money was spent. But Vemuri's speech caused a stir, as video obtained by Fox News showed Jewish students walking out of the annual ceremony. Some students and audience members could also be heard jeering, while others cheered and applauded Vemuri's remarks. Vemuri spoke for four minutes, calling on her fellow students to stand up for Palestine and calling on the university to cut all ties with Israel Some Jewish graduates walked out of the speech in protest When University President Sally Kornbluth then took the podium to speak at the ceremony, she tried calming down the rhetoric. 'OK listen folks, at MIT we value freedom of expression, but today's about the graduates,' she began, as the cheers and shouts continued. 'There is a time and place to express yourselves and you will have many, many years to do it,' she continued. 'Let's talk about the graduates,' said Kornbluth - who previously had to testify before Congress about the school's alleged failure at protecting Jewish students. She was then met with applause, and the ceremony continued as planned. But the MIT Jewish Alumni Alliance suggested she did not go far enough, as it issued a statement criticizing the university leaders who 'failed to prevent a rogue student from taking over yesterday's graduation ceremony.' The group said Vemuri 'took the opportunity to hijack the ceremony and to dedicate the entirety of her speech to berating and defaming Israel and promoting Hamas-inspired propaganda. When University President Sally Kornbluth then took the podium to speak at the ceremony, she tried calming down the rhetoric The MIT Jewish Alumni Alliance argued school officials should have done more 'to address or acknowledge what had transpired' 'One attendee who traveled from Israel with his family to receive his PhD diploma commented that his children were distraught over the speech and he needed to explain to them why a random person halfway across the world hates them,' the Jewish Alumni Alliance continued in their statement. 'This is not what a graduation ceremony is meant to be. A graduation ceremony is meant to honor its graduates and their accomplishments,' they argued. House Speaker Mike Johnson even hit out at Vemuri for her remarks, which he called 'ignorant, hateful [and] morally bankrupt. 'Where is the shame - or appropriate response from the institution?' he wrote on X. 'Have your children avoid MIT and the Ivy League at all costs,' he added, apparently referring to the embattled Harvard University. Yet others seemed to support Vemuri, with some even chanting at the ceremony on Friday 'Let Megha Walk.' Emma Zhu, who graduated with a combined degree in computer science and economics, also told the Globe that she supported Vemuri's right to protest at graduation 'even if it is a bit inflammatory. 'At the end of the day, she should have the right to say her opinions and this is probably her biggest moment to be able to express what she feels to the world,' Zhu said. In fact, Vemuri told the Globe ahead of the graduation festivities that she wanted to 'optimize my impact.' 'I'm nervous because I want to make the absolute most of this opportunity,' she said at the time. 'It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing... It's literally some of the greatest minds of our generation who are going to be listening to me, right?' A university spokesperson said that while the school 'supports free expression' it 'stands by its decision' to bar Vemuri from graduation, as the speech she gave 'was not the one that was provided by the speaker in advance' Vemuri will still receive her diploma from the school, where she studied computation and cognition and linguistics Still, a university spokesperson said that while the school 'supports free expression' it 'stands by its decision' to bar Vemuri from graduation, as the speech she gave 'was not the one that was provided by the speaker in advance.' Vemuri, who grew up in Georgia, will still receive her degree, though, in computation and cognition and linguistics, according to the New York Times. She now says she is not disappointed to miss the ceremony. 'I see no need to walk across the stage of an institution that is complicit in this genocide,' the graduate said. But she added that she is 'disappointed' in the school's response, and claimed university officials 'massively overstepped their roles to punish me without merit or due process.' She also told CNN she can 'handle the attention, positive and negative, if it means spreading the message further.' Vemuri said she is not disappointed to miss the graduation ceremony Yet Vemuri is not the only university graduate this year to face backlash for anti-Israel remarks as President Donald Trump cracks down on schools that condoned the widespread protests amid the war in Gaza - and even cut funding to Harvard for what he claimed was a failure to protect Jewish students. At New York University, officials withheld a diploma from Logan Rozos, who referred to 'the atrocities currently happening in Palestine' in his commencement speech. At George Washington University in Washington DC, a graduate named Cecilia Culver also used her speech to urge others not to donate to the school and repeated requests for it to divest from companies that do. The university similarly responded by barring her from campus and any further university-sponsored events, the Times reports. A Holocaust survivor and a college professor were among those injured when a terrorist launched makeshift flamethrowers at a peaceful pro-Israel rally in Colorado on Sunday, according to witnesses. Police said Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, injured eight people - setting at least one ablaze - at a demonstration honoring the October 7 victims who are still being held hostage by Hamas militants in Gaza. The horror unfolded during an event organized by Jewish group Run For Their Lives on Pearl Street Mall in the city's downtown just before 1.30pm local time on Sunday. Boulder Police have not publicly identified the victims of the hate crime, but described them as four women and four men ranging in age from 52 to 88. Longtime Boulder residents Rabbi Israel Wilhelm and filmmaker Lisa Effress said the oldest victim of Sunday's attack lived through the horrors of the Holocaust. Wilhelm told CBS Colorado the 88-year-old female victim was a refugee who fled Europe during Adolf Hitler's purge. He described her as a 'very loving person'. Effress, 55, said she is friends with the same victim, adding that she witnessed medics loading her into an ambulance at the scene on Sunday afternoon. 'It was horrible,' she told the New York Times. Shocking video and images from the scene showed several victims laying motionless on the ground beside Israel flags as witnesses rushed to pour water on their wounds Eight people have been injured after a screaming shirtless man hurled Molotov cocktails at them during a peaceful pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado Police identified the attacker as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old the White House described as an 'illegal alien'. Fox News said he was from Egypt. Wilhelm, who is the Chabad director at the University of Colorado Boulder, added that another victim is a professor at the college. Effress, who has lived in the ordinarily peaceful Colorado mountain town for 17 years, said the demonstration Soliman targeted has been taking place every Sunday since a few weeks after the October 7, 2023 terror attack in Israel. A group of varying size - usually around 20 to 100 people - gathers at Pearl Street Mall in the city's downtown each week to draw attention to the 58 Israeli hostages who are still being held by Hamas militants in Gaza. Effress usually takes part but did not this Sunday. She was across the street having lunch with her daughter, and as soon as she heard police and ambulance sirens on the mall she knew what had happened. 'I knew immediately - I just knew,' she said. 'I ran across the street, looking for everyone.' Ed Victor, who was part of the pro-Israel walk on Sunday, said the group sometimes encounters hecklers, but he was not prepared for a vicious Molotov cocktail attack. 'We stood up, lined up in front of the old Boulder courthouse, and I was actually on the far west side,' he told CBS Colorado as he recalled the horrific incident. 'There was somebody there that I didn't even notice, although he was making a lot of noise, but I'm just focused on my job of being quiet and getting lined up. Eight people have been injured after a screaming shirtless man hurled Molotov cocktails at them during a peaceful pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado Eyewitness Brooke Coffman said she saw 'a big fire go up' at the scene, prompting her to call 911. (Pictured: Police detaining the suspect at the scene) Police and the FBI said the horror unfolded at Pearl Street Mall on Sunday afternoon 'And, from my point of view, all of a sudden, I felt the heat. It was a Molotov cocktail equivalent, a gas bomb in a glass jar, thrown. 'Av [another marcher] saw it, a big flame as high as a tree, and all I saw was someone on fire.' Victor said one member of the group with medical experience stepped in to take care of the woman on fire, while he comforted her husband. He said several people nearby also rushed in to help, with many bringing water from nearby restaurants and houses. They included bystander Brian H, who did not want to give his last name. He witnessed the horror while he was dining outside nearby with his family. Brian told CNN he saw a man launching 'Molotov cocktails' at the demonstration. He said another man was trying to talk the suspect down, but the suspect yelled at them: 'F**k you, Zionist,' 'You all deserve to die,' and 'You've killed these children.' 'He was very erratic, shouting and spewing terrible things at different people,' Brian said. Brian said he saw an elderly woman lying unresponsive on the ground. 'There were several people attending to her and wrapping her up, trying to ensure she was ok,' he told CNN. Pictured: Law enforcement officials investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall Sunday, June 1, 2025, in downtown Boulder, Colorado Pictured: Smoke rising from the scene of the terror attack in Boulder on Sunday afternoon More images showed cops arresting a shirtless man at the scene, Pearl Street Mall in Boulder He added that he brought a large bucket from the restaurant and filled it with water from a fountain in the courtyard, before pouring it on the burn victims. Victor said there were around 30 people at the demonstration on Sunday walking their usual route while singing the Israeli national anthem, telling stories and recounting the names of the hostages. Street performer Peter Irish described witnessing the horrors of the attack as 'traumatic'. 'I saw the aftermath,' he told CBS Colorado. 'It was like minutes after. 'I came out, it was chaos, people were writhing on the ground. It was traumatic to watch, to be honest with you. It was chaos.' FBI Director Kash Patel called the incident a 'terror attack' while Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said it 'appears to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted'. Shocking footage from the scene showed several victims laying motionless on the ground beside Israel flags as witnesses rushed to pour water on their wounds. Soliman appeared to taunt the victims while brandishing bottles of alcohol for the Molotov cocktails in each hand as smoke rose from the scene. Wearing only jeans and sunglasses, he yelled: 'End Zionists... they are terrorists' and 'free Palestine'. He also said: 'How many children have you killed?' according to the ADL Center on Extremism. Disturbing footage of Soliman's attack showed EMTs used stretchers to move people into ambulances while flames spread in patches across the ground. Another video showed what looked like a burn scar across the ground close to the city's old courthouse. Blackened burned-out bottles littered the scene. The Boulder attack occurred as law enforcement authorities in the US grapple with a sharp spike in antisemitic violence. It comes just over a week after a man was arrested over the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, DC on May 22. The victims were identified as German-Israeli dual national Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and his girlfriend Sarah Milgrim, 26, pictured together It comes just over a week after a man was arrested over the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, DC on May 22. The victims were identified as German-Israeli dual national Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and his girlfriend Sarah Milgrim, 26. Lischinsky had been planning to propose to Milgrim after buying a ring. The suspect, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, repeatedly shouted 'Free Palestine' after shooting them dead, as police dragged him away. Jewish human rights organization the Simon Wiesenthal Center told DailyMail.com the Boulder attack came on the first day of a religious holiday. 'On the eve of Shavuot, a sacred celebration of Jewish identity and tradition, we are forced yet again to confront a horrifying reality: Being Jewish, supporting Israel, or simply gathering as a community now makes American Jews a target,' the center's CEO Jim Berk said. 'This afternoon in Boulder, Colorado, a man threw a Molotov cocktail into a peaceful solidarity walk calling for the release of 58 hostages still held by Hamas, a humanitarian cause that should unite, not divide.' He blamed the attack, as well as the murders of the Israeli embassy staffers, on 'months of anti-Israel propaganda, moral equivocation, and silence in the face of raging antisemitism'. 'The nonstop demonization of Israel and Zionism on our campuses, in our streets, and across digital platforms has created a climate where hate flourishes, and physical attackseven murderof Jews is inevitable,' Berk said. READ MORE: Aussie woman spends night in US prison after being refused entry The US government has launched an extraordinary attack on an Australian woman who complained she was detained, stripped and held overnight in a federal prison while trying to visit her American boyfriend. Former NSW Police officer Nikki Saroukos, 25, was detained by US border officials when she arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii on May 17. 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. Mrs Saroukos had successfully visited Hawaii three times in recent months on an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Program. At no point was she given a reason for her detention on May 17, beyond the fact that border officials did not believe that she was visiting her husband. Mrs Saroukos said she was 'treated like a criminal' and claimed she was denied her rights, subject to invasive searches, humiliating treatment and a night in a federal detention facility before being deported back to Australia. The US Department of Homeland Security fired back at Mrs Sourokos and issued a 'fact check' on her claims in a post shared to social media platform X on Saturday. The department defended its officers who determined Mrs Saroukos was 'travelling for more than just tourism', and took aim at the brief duration of her marriage. Nikki Saroukos, 25, is pictured alongside her husband whom she had planned to visit before she was detained and deported back to Australia over the weekend 'Nicolle Saroukos's recent long-term trips to the United States and suspicious luggage resulted in her being reasonably selected for secondary screening by CBP,' the post read. Officials claimed she had packed more clothing than was necessary for a three-week stay. 'Officers determined that she was traveling for more than just tourism. She was unable to remember her wedding date just four months prior,' the post read. 'Saroukos met her now-husband during a trip on December 13, 2024, the same day her ex-partner left her. The two spent only eight days together before she returned to Australia on December 21. 'Saroukos then got married on January 24, 2025, after only knowing her husband for just over a month.' The department also accused Mrs Saroukos of having 'unusual activity on her phone' and making false claims about her husband's military service. 'During screening, CBP (Customs and Border Protection) noted there was unusual activity on her phone, including 1000 deleted text messages from her husband because she claimed they caused her "anxiety",' the post read. 'Saroukos even claimed that her husband was going to leave the US military, despite him telling CBP he was adding her to his military documents. 'If you attempt to enter the United States under false pretenses, there are consequences.' In a post described as a 'fact check', the US Department of Homeland Security defended its officers who determined Mrs Saroukos was 'travelling for more than just tourism' and took aim at the brief duration of her marriage Ms Saroukos (right) was travelling with her mother (left) at the time. The two were taken aside for questioning before her mother was allowed access to the country Mrs Saroukos vehemently denied having any plans to live in the US permanently and slammed Homeland Security's reasons for putting her in a jail cell as 'unjustifiable'. While she agreed with the department's timeline of her relationship, she claimed it failed to mention she had been talking to her husband on a dating app for months before they met in person. Mrs Saroukos also denied the department's claims that she had met her now-husband on the same day she split from her former-partner. She explained she had split from her ex-partner earlier in the year, but had stayed in 'separate rooms' when they holidayed together in Hawaii. Mrs Saroukos added she relocated to a different hotel when her ex left the island and reached out to meet her future husband three days later. When asked about why she was unable to remember her wedding date, Mrs Saroukos said her mind went blank as she was interrogated for hours. 'I was crying at this point. I was under immense stress,' she told news.com.au. 'With the decision of them coming out and saying 'she didn't remember her (wedding) date', I'm like it's not a criminal offence to forget a date? I mean, I don't even remember people's birthdays let alone a date under that amount of stress.' Mrs Saroukos argued the reason she could not recall her wedding date was due to her mind going 'blank' after hours of interrogations (pictured, Daniel K Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, where Ms Saroukos was detained) Mrs Saroukos said she had deleted the 1,000 text messages as they were when she and her partner were having a disagreement and she did not want to re-read them. She claimed officials could have easily read the conversation by recovering the messages from the deleted section on her iPhone. 'It's not a bloody crime to delete text messages between you and your partner,' Mrs Saroukos said. 'It's my f***ing phone. I'm not committing an offence. They've just grabbed that and run with it and they're missing out the fact they actually read the deleted text messages and there was nothing (illegal) there.' She added she had no intention of applying for a green card as a military spouse, despite the discrepancies in her and her husband's statements about the future. Mrs Saroukos said the long-term plan had always been for her husband to apply for a visa and move to Australia after he left the military. She claimed her husband only mentioned applying for a green card while she was being questioned as the ordeal was proving difficult for her to travel. Mrs Saroukos was travelling to Hawaii with her mother for a planned three weeks together, being joined by her working husband on weekends. Ms Saroukos added the US Department of Homeland Security's reasons for detaining and deporting her were 'unjustified' (pictured, Federal Detention Centre, Honolulu) After clearing customs, however, it became clear things would not be as simple as they had been on her many previous visits. The pair were taken to a holding area at the Daniel K Inouye International Airport in Honolulu where their bags and documents were inspected. 'We went through customs and border security, as per usual, and we got stopped to check our passports,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'He [customs officer] went from being super calm, very nice, even giving my mum a compliment, to just instantly turning. 'He yelled at the top of his lungs and told my mum to go stand at the back of the line because she was being nosy and asking too many questions. 'Everyone in the airport kind of just froze because his voice literally echoed three rooms over... that's how loud he was.' The mother and daughter were then taken downstairs where officers searched their luggage. They were then taken to a private room where the 25-year-old was forced to hand over her phone and passcode. The Australian citizen said she felt unsafe in the prison which, she was told, housed inmates convicted of serious federal offences (stock image) Her mother, who was questioned in the same room, was soon allowed to leave but Mrs Saroukos had to stay, and it would be nearly 24 hours before the two would see each other again. The officers demanded a written statement on her reasons for travel, income and personal information regarding her relationship with her husband. Some time later, she was required to sign a declaration stating she had no cartel affiliations before being subjected to an oral DNA swab and fingerprinting. She was then told that her entry to the US had been rejected and she would spend the night in a federal detention facility before being deported back to Australia. Ms Saroukos then requested a phone call to her husband but officers assured her they would inform him on her behalf - a promise she would learn the following day they had not made good on. She was then handcuffed and marched through the airport in full view of the public before being subjected to a full body cavity search at Honolulu Federal Detention Facility. Ms Saroukos was then processed and given a blanket. She was told she had missed the cut-off for dinner and would have to go hungry and was denied a shower on the basis there were no available towels. At 8.40pm, she was locked in a cell with a Fijian woman who had also been detained upon attempting to enter the country for a wedding. The 25-year-old former NSW police officer now claims she never wants to return to the United States after she was 'treated like a criminal' (pictured, Diamond Head in Honolulu, Hawaii) After a sleepless night, Ms Saroukos returned to the airport under police custody and received a call from the Australian embassy. She requested they inform her mother she had been booked on a 12.15pm flight so that she might also book a ticket. Several hours later, she was once again escorted by officers in view of the public to her gate and made to board the flight ahead of all other passengers. Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms Saroukos said she felt 'disgusted' and vowed never to return to the US. 'I felt like I was targeted, and they treated me like I was a criminal, and they kept telling me that I had done nothing wrong, but yet their actions don't reflect what they were telling me,' Mrs Saroukos said. 'I never want to return back to the United States. 'They've pretty much traumatised me [from] ever returning back there, which automatically strains my marriage as well, because my husband lives over there.' A stabbing spree at a homeless shelter in downtown Salem, Oregon on Sunday left at least 11 people injured. Salem Police said they responded to a call about a stabbing incident involving multiple victims at the Union Gospel Mission of Salem at around 7.15pm, the Statesman Journal reports. Eleven people were then transported to Salem Health hospital with various injuries as the unidentified suspect was taken into custody. Video posted online appeared to show officers apprehending a man lying facedown on the sidewalk. The victims were described in emergency radio traffic as being inside the shelter, in front of the business and across the street. One victim was also described as 'bleeding heavily from the neck,' according to the Statesman Journal. The identity of the suspect and a motive for the attack remain unclear. But witness Malik Law said he watched in horror as the man stabbed at least seven people. 'Everybody was basically trying to move out of his way,' Law told the Statesman Journal. 'He started attacking them.' Footage appeared to show the unidentified stabbing suspect as he was taken into custody Police in Salem, Oregon responded to the scene of a mass stabbing Sunday evening Dan Mills, 62, who lives at the shelter, also said he was working at the front desk when the suspect entered. Other employees then tried to get the man to leave, as the building was closed to the public at the time, when the man allegedly started stabbing people. 'I just heard a scream,' Mills said, noting that he had never seen the suspect before. 'I was standing right at the front desk. I was probably no more than 10 feet away and he stabbed one of the staff members.' Meanwhile, Bobby Epperly, 48, said he was upstairs and saw the man outside of the building, screaming at traffic while holding a knife. He did not realize anyone had already been stabbed, he said, until he went downstairs and saw 'blood everywhere.' Detectives are now continuing to investigate, and warned residents to avoid the area. Police said they will not be providing any updates overnight. Barefoot Investor Scott Pape has opened up on the worst investment he's made - livestock. On Sunday, Pape shared a story from his farm in regional Victoria, describing the financial struggles he faced during a drought. 'Life on the farm is bloody tough right now. We're in drought, so there's bugger-all grass, and I'm spending $250 a day on feed. Every. Single. Day,' he said in his weekly column. In particular, the sheep are draining the investor's pockets. 'As old farmers love reminding me, once you get to this stage, you're not making money. But, with heavily pregnant ewes, I've got no choice - I need them in good nick for lambing,' Pape wrote. However, Pape believed what he's lost in finances to the farm, his kids have gained in development. 'It's a blinding flash of the obvious, really. If you give kids the chance to roll up their sleeves and take responsibility, they grow,' he said. Barefoot Investor Scott Pape (pictured) revealed his Victorian farm is costing him $250 a day in livestock feed Pape urged those struggling in the agriculture industry to reach out to the government-backed Rural Financial Counselling Service 'If you do everything for them, they don't.' A widespread drought is currently affecting Tasmania, Victoria, much of the east of South Australia and south-eastern New South Wales, and parts of the interior and the west of Western Australia. In May, Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino explained the dry-spell in some regions was beyond anything farmers had seen before. 'Parts of South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania just endured their driest start to a year on record as a lack of early autumn rain worsened drought conditions in parts of all three states,' he said. 'Some areas in southern Australia saw their lowest rainfall on record during the first four months of this year. This included parts of South Australia, southwest Victoria and northwest Tasmania.' In response to the massive drought, the Victorian Government announced an extension of its Drought Package to farmers statewide on Friday. The package will be delivered in coming weeks and informed by a dedicated new Drought Response Taskforce. 'The increasingly devastating effects of drought aren't confined by postcode or region - its impacting farmers across Victoria. It's why we're expanding support statewide,' Premier Jacinta Allan said. 'The new Taskforce will bring together Victorians from different communities, different backgrounds and different political parties. A devastating drought has hit large parts of southern Australia with some regions in Victoria seeing the driest start of year on record 'Most importantly, it'll be focused on delivering real relief for farming communities.' For agriculture workers in need of financial help, Pape recommended the government-backed Rural Financial Counselling Service. RFCS provides free and independent financial counselling to eligible farmers, fishers, foresters and small related businesses experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship. 'Rural Financial Counsellors get what you're facing. They can help you apply for drought assistance, talk to your bank, and be a steady financial sounding board when things get tough,' Pape said. RFCS is available on 1300 771 741. Elon Musk says most of the savings made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will be wiped out within a year by President Donald Trump's freshly unveiled 'big, beautiful bill.' Musk made the astounding comments during a blistering interview aired on Sunday despite initially declaring he only wanted to avoid discussing 'presidential policy' and stick to 'spaceships'. In a previously released clip last week, Musk took aim at Trump's bill saying that he didn't think it could be both big and beautiful - just one or the other. Speaking just days after officially leaving his advisory post, Musk warned that Trump's sweeping legislation would quickly obliterate the fiscal reforms DOGE had fought for. 'I was, like, disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, doesn't decrease it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing,' Musk told CBS Sunday Morning. The 'big, beautiful bill,' hailed by Trump as the keystone of his second-term agenda, proposes $5 trillion in tax cuts alongside aggressive new spending hikes, lifting the debt ceiling by more than $4 trillion over two years. Despite its ambitions, reshaping tax law, overhauling immigration policy, and slashing Medicaid benefits in the future, Musk believes the bill is fundamentally at odds with the hard choices DOGE made to streamline government. 'I actually thought that, when this "big, beautiful bill" came along, it'd be like, everything he's done on DOGE gets wiped out in the first year,' CBS reporter David Pogue said bluntly. Elon Musk says most of the savings made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will be wiped out within a year by President Donald Trump 's freshly unveiled 'Big Beautiful Bill.' Musk finally left the White House on Friday after spending 130 days in an advisory role alongside President Donald Trump 'I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful... but I don't know if it could be both. My personal opinion,' Musk laughed. It was a rare, public rebuke of Trump from Musk - a man once dubbed the president's 'first buddy' and hailed on the campaign trail as a 'truly incredible guy' by Trump himself. Musk spent $288 million supporting Trump's election and became a fixture at the White House, invited into Cabinet meetings and leading the charge to slash federal bureaucracy with DOGE's chainsaw-wielding fervor. But after months of political warfare, Musk's relationship with Washington, and with Trump, has cooled. Lawsuits and protests coupled with a 71 percent crash in Tesla profits followed DOGE's drastic cuts which saw 250,000 federal workers either fired or bought out across every federal department. Musk saw grants slashed and staffing culled at environmental agencies including the EPA and NOAA, despite decades of warning about the risks of climate change. Musk's personal net worth shrank by $100 billion, whilst government workers blamed DOGE for everything from Social Security delays to shuttered national parks. 'It's a bit unfair because DOGE became the whipping boy for everything,' Musk said. 'If there was some cut, real or imagined, everyone would blame DOGE. Ive had people think that, like, somehow, DOGE is going to stop them from getting their Social Security check, which is completely untrue,' he went on. 'We became essentially the DOGE boogeyman, where any cut anywhere would be ascribed to DOGE,' he said. For the first several months of Trump's second term, Elon Musk seemed to be everywhere Trump was Musk spent $288 million supporting Trump's election and became a fixture at the White House Musk led the charge to slash federal bureaucracy with DOGE's chainsaw-wielding fervor Musk was even allowed to attend cabinet meetings under his role as White House Senior Advisor Given DOGE's contentious work, including initiating sweeping federal layoffs, investors grew worried about damage to the brand but Musk has now stepped back entirely Originally touting a $2 trillion savings goal, Musk later revised his target to $1 trillion. In the end, Musk claims DOGE managed to slash an estimated $175 billion before his departure - a far cry from his lofty ambitions. Yet now, with Trump's bill promising $3.8 trillion in added debt over the next decade, Musk believes even those savings would essentially be rendered meaningless. 'We do expect, over time, to achieve a trillion,' Musk explained on Friday during his farewell press conference, but it was also clear he knew that a huge wave of fresh spending would overwhelm any of DOGE's victories. Musk's departure came after CBS previewed the interview in which he criticized the bill in a clip that quickly went viral and reached the Oval Office within hours. The timing was no coincidence: Musk's formal 130-day stint as a 'Special Government Employee' was over - yet until that moment, Musk seemed to imply that he would continue contributing to White House efforts part-time. At an Oval Office farewell event on Friday, both men tried to downplay the rupture. Trump presented Musk with a ceremonial gold key, praising him as a 'very special person.' At an Oval Office farewell event on Friday, both men tried to downplay the rupture between them with Trump presenting Musk with a ceremonial gold key Musk's departure came after CBS previewed a clip from Sunday's interview clip where he criticized the bill. it quickly went viral and reached the Oval Office within hours 'Elon's really not leaving,' Trump said. 'He's going to be back and forth, I think. I have a feeling.' 'DOGE is gonna continue, just as a way of life,' Musk told CBS. 'I will have some participation in that, but as I've said publicly, my focus has to be on the companies at this point.' Sporting a noticeable black eye that he claimed to have received from a playful punch by his son 'Little X' he also made sure to praise the president one last time. 'The DOGE team is doing an incredible job. They're going to continue doing an incredible job, and I will continue to be visiting here and be a friend and advisor to the president,' Musk said. Despite the highly choreographed moment, there still appeared to be some tension. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who reportedly clashed with Musk behind closed doors, stood stone-faced at the event. Trump wistfully that both him and Musk had endured 'slings and arrows'. He described Musk as someone he would keep close. 'Many of the things that we're working on right now, we're going to have to remember Elon as we find them,' Trump said. Following the latest bill announcement, Musk appears to be distancing himself from the administration's latest fiscal ambitions. After months of political warfare, Musk's relationship with Washington, and with Trump, has cooled Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who reportedly clashed with Musk behind closed doors, stood stone-faced at the event alongside Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick 'My frank opinion of the government is that it's just like the DMV that got big, okay?' Musk told CBS. 'When you say, "Let's have the government do something," you should think: "Do you want the DMV to do it?" 'It's not like I agree with everything the administration does. But we have differences of opinion. There are things that I don't entirely agree with. But it's difficult for me to bring that up in an interview because then it creates a bone of contention,' Musk explained. 'So then, Im a little stuck in a bind, where Im like, well, I dont want to, you know, speak up against the administration, but I also dont want to take responsibility for everything this administrations doing.' Following the CBS interview, Musk returned to SpaceX's Texas headquarters, where he attended the ninth test launch of Starship. As the massive rocket spiraled out of control and disintegrated upon re-entry, some observers couldn't help but note the symbolism. 'I can't guarantee success, but I can guarantee excitement,' Musk noted dryly. A man who paid tens of thousands of dollars to watch children being sexually abused overseas via livestream has been jailed for more than 10 years. The 67-year-old man from Elizabeth, located in Adelaide's north, was sentenced after a trial that lasted several months, which concluded in the District Court of South Australia on May 26. The court heard he had paid around $60,000 to watch the abuse take place live online. Police became aware of the man after being alerted by AUSTRAC, which had flagged several of his international remittance payments in 2020. When officers raided his home they sifted through mountains of garbage before finding several hard drives containing child sexual abuse material which were seized. Once officers inspected the hard drives they the found illegal material which resulted in a total of nine charges being brought against the 67-year-old. 'Further analysis of his laptop identified records of online communications between the man and people in the Philippines discussing the streaming of sexual abuse of children,' the Australian Federal Police said in a statement on May 28. The man was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to 10 years, one month and 25 days in prison with a non-parole period of five years and nine months. South Australian Police discovered several hard drives in the home of a 67-year-old Elizabeth man which contained child abuse material in September 2021 AFP Sergeant Stephen Hegarty said sexual predators who expect to remain hidden online should not be so confident. 'Everything you do online leaves a trace, and we are working tirelessly to identify it,' he said. 'Our goal is to protect children wherever they live and ensure anyone trying to harm them is brought before the courts.' Markus Erikson, AUSTRAC National Coordinator Law Enforcement, was one of the investigators who tipped off South Australia's Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team. He said digital money trails are one of the easiest ways officers track down child predators as they reveal 'not only who they were, but how they operate'. 'Financial transactions are helping us piece together the full picture of offending and connect perpetrators across international borders,' Mr Erikson said. 'We must dismantle this vile trade and ensure that the system enabling profits becomes the tool that catches the offenders.' The Australian Federal Police said the man had paid around $60,000 to watch children being sexually abused overseas The Elizabeth man was initially charged with four counts of accessing and possessing child abuse material in 2021. After investigators looked closer into the hard drive's contents however, he received another five charges. These included two counts of encouraging an offence, namely sexual activity with a child outside Australia, and one count of using a carriage service to transmit indecent communication to a person under the age of 16. He was also charged with one count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material and one count of using a carriage service to access child pornography. His trial stretched from February to March 2025 and his sentencing was backdated to his initial arrest in September 2021. He will be eligible for parole in June 2027. Former teal independent MP Zoe Daniel has finally conceded defeat. After celebrating her victory on the night of the election - including with ecstatic dancing - before demanding a recount despite the win falling outside the margin that requires one, Daniel has eventually acknowledged that she lost. The Liberal win in the electorate of Goldstein was the only seat anywhere in the country picked up by either of the Coalition parties. The Nationals didnt win a single seat off Labor or regional independents. Beyond defeating Daniel in Goldstein the Liberals didnt defeat a single sitting Labor, Green or teal MP. No other teals lost their seats. On any estimate, Daniels failure was an isolated incident. It speaks to both the failure of the one term MP and the success of the campaign returning MP Tim Wilson ran against her. Far from being a blueprint for success, Daniels loss was a sure sign that something wasnt right about her foray into parliamentary politics. Not that youd know it if all you heard about the Goldstein showdown was Daniels five minute concession video posted to social media. So far as ungracious defeats go, it was right up there. Perhaps not analogous with Donald Trumps reaction to losing the 2020 US Presidential election - but not as far off as you might have expected given the scathing commentary Daniel delivered Trumps way soon afterwards, accusing him of struggling to accept the reality of his loss. It took an unnecessary recount demanded by Daniel and weeks of denial to pass before the loser eventually reversed her election night victory dance and called Wilson to concede. The concession video including everything from claims about supporting lower taxes (Daniel voted for cancelling the legislated stage three tax cuts and once argued for a higher GST) to complaints about dirty tricks on the campaign trail. Daniel even delivered a statement directly to Vida Goldstein whom the seat is named after (Vida, its a mission) despite the pioneering feminist and suffragette passing away 76 years ago. There were hints in the concession speech that Daniel might run again, but no guarantees. If she does do so, shell need to adopt a more conciliatory style to make a better fist of it. Despite Daniels strong advocacy for the Palestinian cause, her concession video also included claims that she worked hard for both Jewish and pro-Palestinian constituents. Zoe Daniel celebrating the night she thought she won. She later put up video of a dance party in her office when the result suddenly became more uncertain During the course of the campaign, however, Jewish advocacy groups were critical of the stance Daniel took. It is highly likely that the Jewish vote in Goldstein was of itself enough to flip the seat given the seat has one of the highest Jewish populations of any electorate. While Daniel can be proud of winning the seat in 2022, there is little doubt that her ungracious failure to admit defeat before this weekend is a blight on her time in office. Whether it also turns out to be a nail in the coffin of any future ambition to return to parliament remains to be seen. The home of an illegal alien suspected of committing an atrocious firebomb terror attack at a Colorado pro-Israel demonstration was surrounded by police last night. Mohamed Soliman, 45, unleashed hell on a group of about 30 peaceful protestors in Boulder, using a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to set eight victims alight. The casualties, which included an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor, were rushed to hospital on Sunday afternoon with varying injuries but at least one was considered critical. Soliman arrived in the United States from Egypt in August 2022, but overstayed his initial tourist visa and was ultimately handed a two-year work permit by the Biden administration, which he also overstayed, DHS sources told Fox News. The Trump administration turned up the heat on Biden overnight, demanding answers as to why Soliman was allowed to remain in the country despite twice breaching the conditions of his visa. 'Suicidal migration must be fully reversed,' White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said. 'The Biden Admin granted the alien a visa and then, when he illegally overstayed, they gave him a work permit. 'Immigration security is national security. No more hostile migration. Keep them out and send them back.' Soliman's latest work permit lapsed in March 2025. The sources said he had filed a claim with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services on September 9, 2022, and the status of that claim remains unclear. Mohamed Sabry Soliman (pictured), 45, attacked demonstrators as they gathered to remember the October 7 victims who are still being held hostage by Hamas militants in Gaza The unassuming El Paso County home (pictured) was surrounded by officers as confused neighbors noted they didn't know the residents of the address well Authorities revealed late on Sunday night that the casualty toll had risen from six to eight as the investigation into Soliman's alleged actions continues Authorities revealed late on Sunday night that the casualty toll had risen from six to eight as the investigation into Soliman's alleged actions continues. The victims, aged between 52 and 88, were taking part in the weekly Run for Their Lives event which raises awareness for the hostages being held captive in Gaza. Two of them had to be airlifted to a burn unit with serious injuries, while the remainder suffered minor injuries. In addition to the Holocaust refugee, who has been described as a 'very loving person', a second victim is a professor at Colorado University. The FBI was quick to describe Soliman's actions as hate motivated and an act of terror. Officers within the FBI's Denver unit arrived at a home linked to the suspect to conduct 'court-authorized law enforcement activity' as part of the investigation. The unassuming El Paso County home was surrounded by officers as confused neighbors noted they didn't know the residents of the address well. 'As this is an ongoing investigation, no additional information is available at this time,' the FBI said. According to The New York Times, a woman was allowed to enter the home which had been identified as belonging to Soliman. More images showed cops arresting the shirtless man at the scene, Pearl Street Mall in Boulder The FBI was quick to describe Soliman's actions as hate motivated and an act of terror Shocking video and images from the scene showed several victims laying motionless on the ground beside flags as witnesses rushed to pour water on their wounds And according to CNN, senior officials are closely examining the 45-year-old's mental health history. 'He's shirtless, screaming, used rudimentary (explosive) devices, and stuck around to be arrested,' one source said. The source said Soliman's method of attack did not align with a thought-out plan to cause large scale casualties. But chilling footage clearly demonstrated that Soliman was able to exact terror upon his targets at Pearl Street Mall just before 1:30pm local time on Sunday. Witnesses recalled the horror of seeing victims writhe around on the floor in pain as their skin melted off their bodies as Soliman paced up and down shouting vile accusations at the traumatized group. One witness, identified only as Brian, said he watched Good Samaritans rush toward the carnage to offer assistance to the victims. One woman was being wrapped up and attended to on the ground. Another, he said, 'looked like their skin had just melted off their bodies. 'He was very erratic, shouting and spewing terrible things at different people.' During the attack, he was shouting 'Free Palestine' at the Jewish demonstrators. Chilling footage clearly demonstrated that Soliman was able to exact terror upon his targets at Pearl Street Mall on Sunday. California tourist Alex Osante was eating at an Italian restaurant off Boulder's famed Pearl Street pedestrian mall when he heard a 'big boom' and saw a woman 'on fire from head to toe on fire.' Within minutes, a nearby man ran to his table to grab two bottles of water before rushing back to victims writhing in flames on the ground. 'People were screaming and yelling tripping over each other,' he told Daily Mail. 'The terrorist had a Molotov cocktail in his hand. He had two other bottles, and he threw a bottle at the group, and a lady caught on fire from head to toe fully immersed in fire. 'And then the other few people, maybe four others, were also on fire but not as bad,' he said. He said he saw victims lying on the grass and writhing around while it felt 'way too long' until first responders arrived. Meanwhile, Soliman appeared to taunt the victims while brandishing bottles of alcohol for the Molotov cocktails in each hand as smoke rose from the scene. Wearing only jeans and sunglasses, he yelled: 'End Zionists... they are terrorists' and 'free Palestine'. He also said: 'How many children have you killed?' according to the ADL Center on Extremism. Soliman appeared to taunt the victims while brandishing bottles of alcohol for the Molotov cocktails in each hand as smoke rose from the scene Pictured: Smoke rising from the scene of the terror attack in Boulder on Sunday afternoon Pictured: Law enforcement officials investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall Sunday, June 1, 2025, in downtown Boulder, Colorado Ed Victor, who was participating in the walk, told CBS he and a group of about 30 people had gathered for their demonstration on Sunday afternoon as they had every week since the October 7 attacks. He said they would sing songs and share the names of the hostages in Gaza each week. Sometimes they were heckled, often they were praised and clapped by onlookers. Whatever reception they received, they never expected to be attacked. Sharing details of Sunday's chilling events, he said: 'So we stood up, lined up in front of the old Boulder courthouse, and I was actually on the far west side. 'And there was somebody there that I didn't even notice, although he was making a lot of noise, but I'm just focused on my job of being quiet and getting lined up. 'From my point of view, all of a sudden, I felt the heat. 'It was a Molotov cocktail equivalent, a gas bomb in a glass jar, thrown. Av [another marcher] saw it, a big flame as high as a tree, and all I saw was someone on fire.' While another participant who had medical experience rushed in to help the victim, Victor stayed back with her husband, providing him comfort. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said: 'The Biden Admin granted the alien a visa and then, when he illegally overstayed, they gave him a work permit' Eight people have been injured after a screaming shirtless man hurled Molotov cocktails at them during a peaceful pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado Street performer Peter Irish described witnessing the horrors of the attack as 'traumatic'. 'I saw the aftermath,' he told CBS Colorado. 'It was like minutes after. I came out, it was chaos, people were writhing on the ground. It was traumatic to watch, to be honest with you. It was chaos.' Jewish human rights organization the Simon Wiesenthal Center told DailyMail.com the Boulder attack came on the first day of a religious holiday. 'On the eve of Shavuot, a sacred celebration of Jewish identity and tradition, we are forced yet again to confront a horrifying reality: Being Jewish, supporting Israel, or simply gathering as a community now makes American Jews a target,' the center's CEO Jim Berk said. The incident has attracted an outpouring of support for the community and outrage for the suspect's actions, particularly as the Jewish diaspora in America still reels from the shooting death of two young embassy employees just a fortnight ago. FBI Director Kash Patel called the incident a 'terror attack' while Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said it 'appears to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted.' New York Congressman Ritchie Torres blamed a 'hate movement' for contributing to rising anti-Semitism in the community, while Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino issued a chilling warning that his department would not rest until justice was served. 'If you aided or abetted this attack, we will find you. You cannot hide,' he said. The governing body of the South Australian Liberal Party adopted a policy of abandoning net zero - only for the party's leader to walk back the move hours later. Leaked documents showed that at a meeting of the state council on Saturday party members debated whether to drop the emissions reduction target. 'That the State Council calls upon the Federal Parliamentary Liberal Party, if achievable, to rescind their policy of Net Zero by 2050,' the motion for debate stated. The policy was reportedly agreed at the meeting, with outspoken Liberal Senator Alex Antic claiming it as a victory. 'Today the governing body of the South Australian Liberal Party voted to call upon the Federal Parliamentary Liberal Party to rescind their policy of Net Zero by 2050,' he posted on X alongside the words 'net zero' with a red cross through them. 'Its time to scrap Net Zero and Save Australia!' But hours later, SA Liberal Leader Vincent Tarzia walked back the claims, telling reporters that 'none of these policy discussions bind any of the parliamentary wings of the party'. Despite the party leader pouring cold water on it, Senator Antic continued to gloat. The policy of abandoning net zero was reportedly agreed at the meeting, with outspoken Liberal Senator Alex Antic (pictured) claiming it as a victory Despite the party leader pouring cold water on the idea, Senator Antic continued to gloat (pictured) On Monday, he shared a video of US President Donald Trump at one of his rallies rambling about how he was 'going to win so much you may even get tired of winning'. 'President Trump when asked about the South Australian Liberal Party membership rejecting Net Zero on the weekend (Haters are going to say this is fake!),' was Antic's accompanying caption. SA Labor frontbencher Tom Koutsantonis claimed that the 'Alex Antic takeover of the SA Liberals is now complete'. 'While ordinary South Australians are worried about the cost of living and ensuring their kids have a good job and a good home, the South Australian Liberals are obsessing over the culture wars,' he said. 'The SA Liberals are now the most extreme and shambolic political operation in the country. 'They are not a party fit for government. They are a party of division.' In March, 200,000 homes and businesses around the Yorke Peninsula were plunged into darkness in South Australia following a power outage. Other items on the agenda at Saturday's meeting concerned changes to school education and rescinding the state's 'disastrous' voice to parliament. The motion claimed it had 'made no progress Indigenous Australians and seeks to divide us by race, and to divert savings made by abolishing the Voice to frontline services for indigenous communities'. Katie Piper has revealed a date once left her with a 740 restaurant tab after running off due to her facial disfigurement. The British author and TV presenter, 41, was the victim of a horrific acid attack set up by her ex-boyfriend when she was 24 - leaving her with severe scarring to her face, neck, chest, arms and hands. Speaking at the Hay Festival, Piper recalled the shocking moment a man she had met in a bar invited her to the famously expensive Japanese restaurant Nobu in central London, before doing a runner. 'We'd met on a night out. I'd had pioneering treatment with incredible results, so when I would go out somewhere with dark lighting, where people were very drunk, often they weren't able to see what I fully looked like,' she said. 'So I met this guy and we messaged for quite a long time. He suggested we go out for dinner. I hated going out for dinner because I had a lot of oesophageal damage and often I'd choke when I ate, so the whole idea of eating in front of someone on a first date was nerve-wracking, but I agreed.' The date took place in summer so it was daylight, the star said, and she realised straight away the man had not realised she had a facial disfigurement when first meeting her in the bar. The date had chosen the dinner location and ordered a three-course meal, Piper added. 'He said, ''I've seen some people I know over there, I'm going to go and say hi to them and I'll be back''. He didn't come back.' Katie Piper inside the Winners Room at the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on May 11 The British author and TV presenter, 41, was the victim of a horrific acid attack set up by her ex-boyfriend when she was 24 Piper recalled the shocking moment a man she had met in a bar invited her to the famously expensive Japanese restaurant Nobu in central London, before doing a runner (pictured in 2023) Piper, now happily married and a mother-of-two, said she ran through 'ridiculous excuses' as she sat at the table, considering if the man might have suddenly become ill. She didn't have a lot of money at the time - living on disability benefit after the attack - but ended up paying the 740 bill on her own. Shockingly, Piper said the man got back in touch with her years later after seeing her on Strictly Come Dancing, not to offer an apology but to joke: 'We must catch up!' The mother said she wishes she had replied with a more assertive response but simply replied: 'Lol yeah, let's do that. Haha.' Since the attack, Piper has been a fierce advocate for the well-being and inclusion of survivors of burns and traumatic scarring. She believes in the importance of improved after-care, rehabilitation, and a world where scars do not hinder a person's quality of life. Couples marrying abroad could be landed with a huge inheritance tax bill if their foreign wedding is not legally binding, a husband and wife have warned. Antonia Medlicott, 49, and Tim Pindar, 44, tied the knot in 2009 in the wedding of their dreams in Spain. The couples families flew out for a 'big Catholic wedding' on the continent, but were unaware that they had 14 days to register their marriage at the town hall, they told The Telegraph. The priest who officiated the wedding had tried to warn the couple that their marriage would be null and void, but the couple did not understand Spanish and the priest did not speak any English. The couple found out their marriage was not legally binding some months later, but decided to ignore it for the next 13 years. However in 2023 the couple were forced to remarry, after discovering they could be set to lose a huge amount of money if one of them passed away. The spousal exemption allows married couples to avoid paying inheritance tax when passing assets to their wife or husband when they die. Unmarried couples however, do not have the same privilege and those who leave assets worth over 325,000 have to pay 40 per cent inheritance tax on the amount over the allowance. Tim Pindar, 44, and Antonia Medlicott, 49, married in Spain in 2009 but their wedding was not legally binding Unmarried couples may soon lose out on pension savings too if their partner dies, under new plans by Rachel Reeves. Pension savings can currently be left to an unmarried partner without any inheritance tax being paid, but this is set to end in 2027. Ms Medlicott and her husband discovered that they could be set to lose thousands after speaking to a lawyer about their wills. She said: 'He pointed out that if something happens to either one of us, there's a massive inheritance tax bill coming our way. So we decided we would have to just get on with it.' The couple estimated they would have had an 80,000 inheritance tax bill on their house alone. With potentially more coming from pensions, savings and a business owned by Ms Medlicott. If the worst had happened, the surviving spouse would have been forced to sell their family home to cover the bill. Far from their extravagant Spanish wedding in 2009, the couple opted for a quieter affair in 2023. They described their second wedding as 'bare bones' costing around 1,000 all in - including a bottomless bunch with six friends. Ms Medlicott wore a brown dress and borrowed boots from a friend as the couple finally officially tied the knot at a civil wedding in their local registry office. Claire Trott, head of advice at St James's Place, said: 'Getting married for tax purposes isn't a new concept, particularly in the world of pensions. Many defined benefit schemes have restrictions on who death benefits can be paid to, sometimes depending on when a couple marries. 'My own father married my stepmother just before his defined benefit pension came into payment, because under the scheme rules, death benefits were only payable to the spouse at the date of retirement. Had they married after that point, even after 30 years together, she wouldn't have been entitled to anything.' She said that marriage could soon become an even more valuable planning tool to deal with inheritance tax, particularly with pensions being brought into the scope for the levy. Ms Medlicott said she felt 'resentful' about having to remarry just to save thousands of pounds. She said that marriage 'isn't for everyone' and felt it was 'ridiculous' that a piece of paper could be the difference between huge sums of money for couples. Sir Keir Starmer was today warned he faces having to hike taxes to get Britain 'war-ready' - as he dodged on funding for his plan to see off Russia's Vladimir Putin. The PM has heralded a strategic review of the UK's military and promised investment in new submarines, munitions and personnel. He insisted the mounting threat from Russia and allies such as Iran and North Korea means the country must ramp up preparations. But the premier refused to commit to a firm timetable for defence spending reaching 3 per cent of GDP - even though the 10-year plan is predicated on that happening. The Treasury appears to be panicking over how to balance the books as the economy stalls, and Labour MPs force their party's leadership to retreat on welfare cuts. The respected IFS think-tank said 'chunky' tax rises are the only way to keep finances under control, while ex-foreign secretary Jack Straw cautioned there was 'no alternative' to increasing the burden on households. Economists predicted that Chancellor Rachel Reeves will have to smash her fiscal rules. Lord Dannatt, the former head of the Army, warned that vague funding pledges will not 'cut the mustard'. He said it was like telling Hitler in 1938 'please don't attack us until 1946 because we're not going to be ready'. External authors of the strategic defence review (SDR) - the 62 recommendations of which are being accepted in full by Sir Keir - have suggested that reaching 3 per cent is 'vital' to its success. In a sign of the urgency of the situation, Germany's defence chief has raised the prospect of Putin attacking a NATO state within the next four years. And a senior Liberal Democrat MP said this morning that he believes the UK will be directly at war with Moscow within a decade. Key elements of the proposals include: Up to 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines will be built; A 1.5billion push to set up at least six munitions factories, supporting the procurement of up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons British fighter jets could soon carry nuclear weapons for the first time; Increasing the number of people in the Armed Forces, but not until the next Parliament; Setting up a new cyber command and investing 1billion in digital capabilities; Up to 1billion in new funding for homeland air and missile defence; More than 1.5billion in extra funding will go to military homes in response to the review. Sir Keir Starmer was warned he faces having to hike taxes to get Britain 'war-ready' - as he dodged on funding for his plan to see off Russia's Vladimir Putin The Ministry of Defence has already announced plans to build up to 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines (pictured, HMS Astute in service in April) Speaking in the House of Commons this afternoon, Defence Secretary John Healey pledged to make the British Army '10 times more lethal' In the SDR, Russia is branded 'an immediate and pressing threat', as the invasion of Ukraine 'makes unequivocally clear its willingness to use force to achieve its goals'. Meanwhile, China is labelled a 'sophisticated and persistent challenge' with Beijing 'likely to continue seeking advantage through espionage and cyber attacks' and expected to have 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030. Both Iran and North Korea are described as 'regional disruptors'. Key points of the Strategic Defence Review Defence Secretary John Healey has pledged to 'create a British Army which is 10x more lethal', by combining capabilities with air-defence, long-range weapons and other technologies. Russia has been described as 'an immediate and pressing threat', as the invasion of Ukraine 'makes unequivocally clear its willingness to use force to achieve its goals'. China is labelled a 'sophisticated and persistent challenge'. The review warns that Beijing is 'likely to continue seeking advantage through espionage and cyber attacks' and is expected to have 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030. The UK is already experiencing attacks targeting critical national infrastructure, and a war could see attempts to disrupt the economy as well as efforts to manipulate information and undermine community cohesion. As well as looking to prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems, the MoD should invest in the UK's resilience of military space systems. A 'small uplift' in the number of Army regulars should be prioritised when the funding allows, and the number of active reserves should be increased by 20 per cent when there is the money, which is likely to be in the 2030s. Personnel in back-office roles should also be moved into front-line roles with automation taking over a portion of jobs such as HR and finance. When it comes to Army recruitment there should be a focus on speed, helping potential recruits get from the point of expressing an interest to beginning work more quickly. Officials should also look to the 'gap year' model used in Australia, the report suggests. The review promotes an Integrated Force Model, looking to breakdown distinctions between the Army, Navy and RAF to get them to a position where they are working as a combined operation. More F-35 fighter jets will be required in the next decade, ministers have been told. Ministers have been told they should do more to ensure that the permanent joint headquarters at Northwood is resilient to both physical and cyber attacks given its importance. The National Security Council of ministers should review progress on the UK's nuclear deterrent at least twice a year, the reviewers say. Mr Healey has pledged to create a new 'hybrid Navy' with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels that can patrol the North Atlantic. He has also promised a 'next-generation RAF' with 'F-35s, upgraded Typhoons next-generation fast jets'. As part of plans to increase innovation, defence experts should have faculty positions in partner universities from the 2026/27 academic year. Advertisement Speaking in the House of Commons this afternoon, Defence Secretary John Healey pledged to make the British Army '10 times more lethal'. He told MPs: 'The threats we face are now more serious and less predictable than at any time since the end of the Cold War. 'We face war in Europe, growing Russian aggression, new nuclear risks, and daily cyber attacks at home. 'Our adversaries are working more in alliance with one another, while technology is changing the way war is fought. 'We are in a new era of threat, which demands a new era for UK defence.' Mr Healey said the Government wants to be the first in a 'generation' to oversee an increase the number of soldiers in the British Army. He set out an aim for there to be at least 76,000 full-time soldiers in the next Parliament, up from the current level of around 70,000. The capacity of Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium is 74,140. The SDR has also recommended an expansion in the cadet forces by 30 per cent by 2030, with an overall of 250,000 signed up in the longer term. The authors of the SDR are Labour former minister Lord Robertson, Russian expert Fiona Hill and General Sir Richard Barrons. Writing in The Telegraph, they said the 'Government's important decision to raise defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027-28 and, vitally, to 3 per cent in the next Parliament made an enormous difference'. The trio added: 'The decision established the affordability of our recommendations across a 10-year programme.' After Sir Keir refused to set out a clear timeline for spending 3 per cent of GDP on defence, Tory shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge claimed there had been a 'total unravelling' of the SDR. 'They haven't got a plan to fund it,' he told MPs. 'An SDR without the funding is an empty wish list. 'The ships and submarines it talks of are a fantasy fleet. The reviewers were clear in the Telegraph today that the commitment to 3 per cent, and I quote, established the affordability of the plan. 'On Thursday, the Defence Secretary said in an interview with The Times that reaching 3 per cent was a certainty. 'But by the weekend he had completely backtracked to 3 per cent to being just an ambition. 'And today the PM was unable to give a date by when 3 per cent would be reached. Why? Because the Treasury hasn't approved a plan to pay for it.' Sir Keir had said earlier: 'We had a commitment for 2.5 per cent by the end of this Parliament. We pulled that right forward to 2027. 'We showed that when we say there's a new era of the defence and security of our country, is our first priority as it is that we meant it. We take the same approach to 3 per cent. 'But I'm not going to indulge in the fantasy politics of simply plucking dates from the air until I'm absolutely clear that I can sit here in an interview with you and tell you exactly how that's going to work, because I take the defence and security of our country extremely seriously.' He added on BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I am not going to make a commitment as to the precise date.' Mr Healey told MPs this afternoon he was 'totally confident' the Government will increase defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP 'in the next Parliament'. The Defence Secretary yesterday rowed back on a statement that the increase 'will' happen, stressing that it is an 'ambition'. Tory shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge claimed there had been a 'total unravelling' of the strategic defence review The Prime Minister was speaking at the BAE Systems' Govan facility in Glasgow today Sir Keir launched the Government's SDR in Scotland, following many months of work and lobbying by military chiefs. A NATO summit later this month is expected to push for members to hit 3.5 per cent by 2032, while US President Donald Trump has already called for a jump to 5 per cent within the alliance. Speaking in Glasgow, Sir Keir said: 'First, we are moving to war-fighting readiness as the central purpose of our armed forces. 'When we are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces, the most effective way to deter them is to be ready, and frankly, to show them that we're ready to deliver peace through strength.' 'The second change is that the Government will adopt a 'Nato-first' stance towards defence so that everything it does adds to the strength of the alliance.' Sir Keir added: 'Third, we will innovate and accelerate innovation at a wartime pace, so we can meet the threats of today and of tomorrow, as the fastest innovator in NATO.' German defence chief General Carsten Breuer told the BBC over the weekend that Russia could attack a NATO Baltic state member by 2029, or even earlier. 'This is what the analysts are assessing - in 2029. So we have to be ready by 2029... If you ask me now, is this a guarantee that's not earlier than 2029? I would say no, it's not. So we must be able to fight tonight,' he said. Lord Dannatt told Times Radio that the Government might have to 'tighten its belt' or increase taxes to escalate defence spending. 'Just moving to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027 does not cut the mustard in any shape or form,' he said. 'And this rather vague commitment to move to 3 per cent by the end of the next parliament, 2034, I mean, it just doesn't stack up. 'It's a little bit like saying in 1938 to Adolf Hitler, please don't attack us till 1946, because we're not going to be ready. 'Well, frankly, if we'd behaved like that, we wouldn't be speaking English this morning, would we?' IFS director Paul Johnson pointed out that the Government was already making noises about reinstating the winter fuel allowance, and easing the two-child benefits cap. 'We've got a spending review next week. And if we're really going to spend another 10-15billion a year on defence, whilst inevitably we're going to spend more and more on health and pensions and so on, you really do have to ask that question, what are the choices that you're going to make?' he told Times Radio. 'And I mean, bluntly, it really does seem to me that the only choice that is available, if we're going to go through all of those things, is some really quite chunky tax increases to pay for it. 'But of course, that's not something the prime minister or the chancellor is willing actually to say.' Former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane also predicted tax rises 'towards the end of the year', and suggested Ms Reeves will also have to rewrite her fiscal rules to get defence spending higher. 'It will require Rachel to loosen herself imposed fiscal chains to some degree, and indeed, we'll need to see some tax rises I suspect towards the end of the year,' he told LBC. 'We'll need a bit more borrowing, a bit more taxation and a loosening of our fiscal shackles, to step up to the plate on defence things and beyond.' Labour veteran Mr Straw said welfare would have to be curbed alongside tax increases. 'Taxes will have to rise. I don't see any alternative to that and at the same time, there will have to be some quite difficult retrenchment, particularly on parts of the social security budget,' he said. 'Ministers are quite right to look at things like the huge growth in some aspects of disability payments. It's very hard for individual claimants. But the truth is, even a few years ago, these were not available, and people were still managing.' Mr Healey told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show yesterday: 'We have a historic commitment to increasing defence spending to 2.5 per cent in two years' time. We haven't hit that level since Labour was last in power in 2010. And an ambition to meet 3 per cent in the next Parliament.' Challenged that it was an 'just an ambition' rather than a 'guarantee', Mr Healey talked about being able to 'deliver the vision' of today's review. Defence minister Luke Pollard again refused to confirm the commitment this morning, telling Times Radio: 'Well, we've set out that we are spending 2.5 per cent by April 2027, with the ambition to spend 3 per cent in the next parliament, when economic conditions allow.' He added: 'Well I've got no doubt that we will get to 3 per cent in the next parliament, as I've said a number of times.' Mr Pollard said the strategic defence review was the 'biggest transformation of our armed forces in 100 years'. He said: 'It seeks to learn the lessons from the war in Ukraine, refresh our capabilities, invest in our people, and underscore that increased defence spending up to 2.5 per cent of our GDP by April 2027 is an engine for growth.' The Ministry of Defence has already announced plans to build up to 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines to boost the Royal Navy's commitment to the Aukus Pacific defence partnership with Australia and the United States, while investing 15billion in warheads. But the first of these UK-built submarines is not expected to enter service before the late 2030s. It will also be for future Parliaments to honour the spending commitment. Vladimir Putin is poised to strike back at Ukraine after Kyiv delivered a devastating blow to the Russian air force on Sunday, with European defence officials warning that Moscow is stockpiling a massive contingent of battle tanks and ammunition. The Russian tyrant has stayed out of sight since the attacks on multiple air bases in Ukraine's audacious Operation Spiderweb - a top-secret mission some 18 months in the making, showing off Ukraine's capability to stagger the Russian invasion. But an insider warned that Putin 'will hit back at Ukraine' while also 'avenging his underlings who allowed this humiliation to happen'. The sleeping FSB security service - headed by close ally Alexander Bortnikov, 73 - faces blame over Ukraine using a warehouse next door to an intelligence HQ in Chelyabinsk to prepare the drone strikes on his airbases. And Pro-Russian Telegram channel Fighterbomb, believed to be run by Capt. Ilya Tumanov of the Russian Army, acknowledged that Sunday would 'later be called a black day for Russian long-range aviation,' adding: 'And the day is not over yet.' Ukraine will now be bracing for Russia's response. Russia claimed it had intercepted 162 Ukrainian drones overnight, and struck back with a Shahed drone seen on video diving then exploding in a fireball in Izyum, Kharkiv region as it hit a target. Germany's defence chief warned that Putin has fostered a massive increase in battle tanks - as many as 1,500 each year - and artillery, to be used against Ukraine, but also possibly signalling readiness for an attack on a NATO member. 'There's an intent and there's a build up of the stocks' for a possible future attack on Nato's Baltic state members,' General Carsten Breuer told the BBC as Ukraine struck deep into Russia, claiming to have destroyed 34% of Russia's strategic cruise missile carriers. Chris Cavoli, NATO's top commander, echoed the concerns in recent comments, telling the Senate Armed Services Committee that Russia was replacing troops, tanks and munitions at an 'unprecedented pace', on course to 'build a stockpile three times greater than the United States and Europe combined'. Western military and intelligence officials have also told the Wall Street Journal that Russian military engineers were expanding army bases near the border with Finland, expected to house tens of thousands of troops in the coming years. Russian TU-95 Bear strategic bombers at the Olenya airbase on the Kola Peninsula being destroyed by Ukrainian drones thousands of miles away from the front line Putin stayed out of sight since the attacks on multiple air bases in Ukraine's audacious Operation Spiderweb Russia was left reeling after the attack which left Putin and his army humiliated on Sunday Russian Belaya Air Base in Irkutsk region, Siberia, was ablaze after a suspected drone strike linked to Ukraine Breuer said that the Suwalki Gap, a region that borders Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Belarus, was particularly vulnerable to Russian military activity. 'The Baltic States are really exposed to the Russians, right? And once you are there, you really feel this... in the talks we are having over there,' he said. 'We have to be ready by 2029,' he assessed. 'If you ask me now, is this a guarantee that's not earlier than 2029? I would say no, it's not. So we must be able to fight tonight,' he said. Shortly before Breuer's comments, Ukraine launched one of its most audacious attacks of the war using a 'swarm' of kamikaze drones unleashed from the backs of trucks to devastate some of Russia's most major airfields. The strikes have left Vladimir Putin humiliated and his prized warplanes in smouldering ruins, though Moscow has claimed to have 'repelled' all the attacks. Zelensky said on social media that the operation had 'an absolutely brilliant result', adding that it was one 'achieved solely by Ukraine.' He said in a post: 'One year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution. 'Our most long-range operation. Our people involved in preparing the operation were withdrawn from Russian territory in time.' 'Of course, not everything can be revealed at this moment, but these are Ukrainian actions that will undoubtedly be in history books,' he said. In the wake of the heavy losses, Putins Doomsday Radio burst into activity spewing out codewords. The UVB-76 channel - which springs into life at moments of perceived danger - is a hangover from the Soviet period. But as peace talks got underway in Istanbul on Monday, Ukraine followed up its Operation Spiderweb success with a series of new overnight assaults on Russian military targets. Smoke rises following what local authorities called a Ukrainian drone attack, in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, in Olenegorsk of the Murmansk region, Russia, in this still image from social media video released on June 1, 2025 Drones were loaded onto civilian trucks heading into enemy territory, their hired local drivers seemingly unaware of what they were carrying Video showed the drones emerging from containers on Sunday as Ukraine rained hell Sunday's attack was carried out exactly 29 years to the day after Ukraine handed over dozens of the same strategic bombers to Russia, along with up to 2,000 strategic nuclear warheads and 176 ICBMs in exchange for a promise not to be attacked, under the Budapest Memorandum. In their most daring attack of the war to date, Ukrainian special forces first smuggled 117 first-person view (FPV) kamikaze drones which allow pilots to control them remotely through a live feed into Russia. Then came mobile wooden cabins, whose roofs had hidden compartments into which the small flying weapons were stashed. They were loaded onto civilian trucks heading into enemy territory, their hired local drivers seemingly unaware of what they were carrying. Finally, yesterday afternoon, with all the lorries within range of five airfields stretching from northern Russia down to Siberia a safe 2,500 miles from Ukraine they struck. The roofs of the wooden cabins were opened remotely and the FPV drones took to the skies. With the help of front-positioned cameras, the missile-loaded drones headed straight for Russia's highly expensive bomber planes. Footage showed decimated enemy planes in flames on the runway and last night Ukrainian security sources claimed to have taken out 41 aircraft worth some 1.5billion. These, they say, include the nuclear capable Tu-95 and Tu-22M as well as the surveillance A-50 'Mainstay' plane, worth an estimated 250,000,000 that is used as a radar and command centre, of which Russia is only believed to have around ten in operation. 'Mainstays' are critical to coordinating Russian fighter jets and air defences, meaning that this will have severely hampered Putin's war effort. Ukraine managed to destroy an A-50 Mainstay (pictured), which is used as an aerial command and radar centre Also destroyed were several Tu-22Ms (pictured), of which less than 500 were manufactured Ukraine took out an estimated 1.5billion worth of Russian military equipment, including several Tu-95s (pictured) Head of the Ukraine's Security Service Vasyl Maliuk looks at a map of an airfield, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in an unknown location in Ukraine Moscow has long stopped producing any of these aircraft meaning, if confirmed, these assets could not be replaced. There are only around 120 Tu-95s and Tu-22Ms in operation and they are vital for Putin's nightly bombing raids on Ukraine. Which Russian planes were destroyed in Operation Spider's Web? Tu-95 Type: Strategic heavy nuclear bomber Manufactured: 1952-1993 Number built: >500 Armament: 2x 23mm autocannons Payload: Up to 33,000lbs (15,000kg) of cruise missiles TU-22M Type: Strategic bomber/Maritime striker Manufactured: 1967-1993 Number built: 497 Armament: 1x 23mm cannon Payload: Up to 54,000lbs (24,000kg) of bombs and missiles A-50 Type: Airbone command centre Manufactured: 1978-1992 Number built: >40 Armament: 2x 23mm autocannons Payload: N/A Advertisement They had been moved to bases thousands of miles away from Ukraine, out of reach of Western-donated Storm Shadows and ATACMS which have a range of up to 185 miles. The FPVs, which can reach just 12 miles, would have been the last thing on Russian minds. Mr Zelensky last night claimed that the operation took out a third of Russia's strategic bombers and had been conducted under the noses of its secret service. He said: 'What's most interesting, is that the 'office' of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions. 'In total, 117 drones were used in the operation, with a corresponding number of drone operators involved, and 34 per cent of the strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at air bases were hit. We will continue this work.' He assessed that the attack on Putin's irreplaceable bombers 'will undoubtedly be in [the] history books'. Military blogger Roman Alekhin said the incident will go down as 'Russia's Pearl Harbour' - a reference to the Japanese attack against the US in 1941 that prompted Washington to enter the Second World War. But experts also drew comparisons to the 1942 SAS raid on the Sidi Haneish airfield in Egypt, when elite British commandos put 40 Luftwaffe aircraft out of action using jeeps mounted with machine guns. While the attack wasn't a pivotal moment in the Desert War, it massively boosted British morale and disrupted Axis logistics in North Africa. It was also one of the pivotal events that helped forge the legendary status of the SAS. Former RAF pilot and military analyst Mikey Kay told the BBC: 'The Russians would never have expected something like this. I mean, it's genius, if you think about just the devastating effect that it's had on strategic assets of Putin.' Philip O'Brien, professor of strategic studies at St Andrews University, said the raid was 'the most remarkable and successful operation of the war.' He told The Times: 'This is a big blow to Russian strategic air power, which is hard to overestimate. We do not know what the Russian reaction will be, however we can assume it will be violent.' Russian Belaya Air Base in Irkutsk region, Siberia, was ablaze today after a suspected drone strike linked to Ukrain Mr Zelensky, who is said to have overseen the operation over the last year and a half, celebrated the strike on social media last night. The Ukrainian president wrote: 'A result achieved solely by Ukraine. One year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution. Our most long-range operation.' He added: 'These are Ukrainian actions that will undoubtedly be in [the] history books.' A delegation from Kyiv is due to meet counterparts from Moscow for a second round of peace talks in Istanbul today but it was not clear last night if it would still go ahead. Ukraine has said that its proposals will include a full 30-day ceasefire followed by the return of all prisoners held by each side. Negotiators also want some 20,000 Ukrainian children who were kidnapped by Russia to be repatriated before Mr Zelensky and Putin meet. Zelensky was seen congratulating the Head of the Security Service Vasyl Malyuk Russia has so far refused to agree to a 30-day pause in fighting and overnight on Saturday launched its largest strike of the war so far with 472 drones and seven missiles. Kyiv's Operation Spider's Web struck Belaya air base in the Irkutsk region of Siberia; Dyagilevo air base in Ryazan, western Russia; Olenya air base in Murmansk, northern Russia; and Ivanovo air base in Ivanovo, central Russia. The fifth air base was yet to be identified last night. The operation, led by Mr Zelensky and security service boss Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk, marks the first time Ukraine has struck targets inside Siberia. Kyiv put the cost of the damage at more than 1.5billion because each A-50 aircraft is valued at around 260million. Last night Russia was arresting the truck drivers, but hours earlier Ukraine had reported that its agents were safely home. FPV drones usually need a pilot within six miles which suggests Ukrainians may have been close to the airfields during the strikes. Hours before the drone strikes a wave of bomb attacks targeted Russian bridges and railway lines in regions bordering Ukraine. Russia declared them 'acts of terrorism' with seven killed and dozens injured when a passenger train travelling to Moscow was derailed by a collapsed bridge in Bryansk on Saturday night. Hours later, in neighbouring Kursk where Ukraine launched its major cross-border incursion last August, a freight train was derailed by another fallen bridge. Malyuk's agency was in charge of the major operation Zelensky claimed that this attack was one for the 'history books' A Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian army training area killed at least 12 soldiers yesterday and wounded more than 60 others, the Ukrainian army said. Kyiv has carried out a series of daring attacks on Russia since the start of the war, with one of first being the counter-offensive which liberated the city of Kherson in November 2022. Ukrainian armed forces also took swathes of territory in Kursk last August in what was the first occupation of Russian land since the Second World War. Putin only succeeded in pushing Ukraine out of the territory in March. The latest developments will be watched carefully by Western leaders, increasingly concerned by the possibility of a Russian attack against a NATO member. Germany's General Carsten Breuer said Russia poses a 'very serious threat' to the Western defence bloc, the likes of which he has never seen in his 40-year military career.' A chilly winter blast will sweep across Australia this week as winds from the Antarctic, snow and several bands of rain wreak havoc. A cold change is heading towards Australia from south-east from Tasmania, and will move into NSW in the coming days. On the other side of the country, Perth will receive its heaviest rainfall this year as a slow-moving low pressure system brings totals potentially exceeding 85mm over Tuesday and Wednesday. The extreme conditions in the first week of winter comes after Australia enjoyed its fourth warmest autumn on record. The south-western regions of Western Australia will a cop a soaking after a relatively dry start to 2025 with below-average rainfall in its capital. Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Angus Hines told Daily Mail Australia thunderstorms presented the main threat to south-western WA. '(We've just) had the first band of what will probably be a few different bands of showers and storms between now and Wednesday,' he said. 'Parts of western WA will see a good few storms out over the water, which are headed towards Perth over the next few hours. 'Then that's going to become quite a common pattern between now and Wednesday. Perth is forecast to cop its highest rainfall this year as several rain bands approach WA Perth is set to receive its heaviest rainfall this year with more than 85mm expected in the coming days 'They'll likely see bands of showers embedded with a few storms, and then in between those bands, it'll probably brighten up again and the sun will come out, and then another band will roll through.' There is a chance that thunderstorms could develop into severe thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts or extra heavy rainfall which could produce flooding in coastal areas. 'That risk is there for well the next few hours, as this first band goes through that it come back on Tuesday with another another spell of showers and storms,' Mr Hines said. West Australians will see the system start to weaken by Thursday. 'There might be a few lighter showers lingering, but the venom will have been sucked out of this weather system,' he said. Some bands of rain may reach as far north as the Pilbara, bringing unseasonal showers to the area, but in a diminished capacity. Elsewhere across Australia, a cold change is making its way towards the south-east mainland. '(That) has been slowly crossing Tasmania and on Tuesday morning, that'll move across Victoria and about the southern half of South Australia,' Mr Hines said. 'Then on Tuesday night and into Wednesday, that'll move up through through NSW.' Light rainfall was expected across many regions of Australia, but is expected to ease in the ease over the week A cold change is heading towards Australia south-east from Tasmania , which will move into NSW later this week The cold front will likely bring rain and a little snow to the higher peaks of Tasmania. 'As the slightly cooler air kicks in on Tuesday, we could certainly see some snow falling across both the Tasmanian mountains and then eventually, a little bit later on tomorrow, Victoria and southern NSW mountains,' Mr Hines said. The chance of rain will ease over the week, however, the frosty air is expected to stick around for several days, with plummeting overnight temperatures expected. Meteorologists expect rainfall totals to be minor, in good news for the rain-battered regions of the NSW north coast, which are only now starting to recover from the damage of the recent flooding. 'Sometimes fronts can bring really vigorous and punchy sort of rain and storms and big accumulations of snow,' Mr Hines said. 'But this one is only bringing pretty minor rainfall totals really. There will be a bit of rain with it today and tomorrow as it moves northwards, but certainly nothing significant and not likely to be heavy rain or flooding.' 'So it's just going to be the snow and the cold air will be more of the notable effects of this front.' The cold 'pool' is expected to hang over south-east NSW and Victoria, which could mean at least two days of snow for the alpine regions over the June long weekend. The cold systems will, however, drop snow atop the southeastern alpine regions in Tasmania, Victoria, the ACT and New South Wales Western Australia's south-west will a cop a soaking this week after a dry start to 2025 Snow can be expected at lower levels as the coldest air of the front arrives, about 900m on the mainland and 600m of elevation in Tasmania. The bureau issued a warning to graziers in areas of the NSW Snowy Mountains on Tuesday, warning the chilly conditions could cause the loss of lambs. Marine wind warnings are also in place for much of the NSW coastline. A second cold front will approach south-eastern Australia closer to the weekend. That system is expected to bring snow to the highest areas of the Australian Alps on Saturday, just in time for the long weekend. Cold air systems are expected to dispense snow to Australia's highest regions, including the Snowy Mountains (above) Another, more significant mass of cold air will hit the same regions on Sunday into Monday. Sydney Tuesday: The chance of morning fog in the outer west. Mostly sunny day. Slight chance of a shower at night. Min 11. Max 20. Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers along the coastal fringe, medium chance elsewhere. Min 11. Max 16. Thursday: Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower along the coastal fringe in the morning. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Min 8. Max 17. Friday: Partly cloudy. Light winds. Min 8. Max 17. Saturday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Min 9. Max 19. Melbourne Tuesday: Cloudy. Very high chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Min 10. Max 14. Wednesday: Cloudy. Medium chance of showers in the northwest suburbs, slight chance elsewhere. Min 8. Max 14. Thursday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a morning and early afternoon shower. Areas of morning frost in the northeast suburbs. Min 6. Max 15. Friday: Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Min 7. Max 14. Saturday: Partly cloudy. Very high chance of showers. Min 8. Max 15. Maximum temperatures in Melbourne are unlikely to exceed 15C until past Saturday Hobart Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the early morning. Min 5. Max 12. Wednesday: Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Min 4. Max 12. Thursday: Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Min 6. Max 13. Friday: Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Light winds. Min 4. Max 14. Saturday: Cloudy. High chance of showers. Min 8. Max 14. Adelaide Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Min 10. Max 17. Wednesday: Sunny. The chance of morning frost about the northern suburbs. Min 4. Max 16. Thursday: Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Min 5. Max 18. Friday: Cloudy. Very high chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Min 9. Max 18. Saturday: Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. Min 9. Max 17. Perth will see heavy rainfall and likely thunderstorms until conditions ease around Friday Perth Tuesday: Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. A thunderstorm likely. Min 13. Max 21. Wednesday: Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. A thunderstorm likely. Min 13. Max 20. Thursday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning. The chance of a thunderstorm near the coast. Min 12. Max 20. Friday: Partly cloudy. Light winds. Min 8. Max 19. Saturday: Sunny. Light winds. Min 6. Max 20. Darwin Tuesday: Mostly sunny. Min 21. Max 31. Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Light winds. Min 22. Max 32. Thursday: Mostly sunny. Light winds. Min 22. Max 31. Friday: Partly cloudy. Light winds. Min 21. Max 32. Saturday: Partly cloudy. Light winds. Min 21. Max 32. Canberreans will brave minimum temperatures of -3C in the first week of winter Brisbane Tuesday: Medium chance of showers, most likely in the early morning. The chance of a thunderstorm in the south in the early morning. Mostly sunny day. Min 15. Max 25. Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Slight chance of an afternoon shower. Min 14. Max 23. Thursday: Sunny. Light winds. Min 11. Max 22. Friday: Mostly sunny. Light winds. Min 11. Max 23. Saturday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds. Min 12. Max 24. Canberra Tuesday: Mostly sunny. The chance of morning fog. Slight chance of a shower in the late afternoon and evening. Min 1. Max 17. Wednesday: Slight chance of a shower in the early morning. Sunny afternoon. Min 2. Max 12. Thursday: Sunny. Areas of morning frost. Light winds. Min -3. Max 13. Friday: Cloudy. Areas of morning frost. Min -3. Max 13. Saturday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Min 1. Max 12. A student has fallen to her death after she unclipped her safety belt while parasailing. Tijana Radonjic, 19, was on holiday in Budva, Montenegro, when she plunged into the Adriatic Sea after flying at a height of 50 metres. Despite emergency services rushing to find her, they confirmed she had died last Wednesday. Harrowing footage of Ms Radonjic, from Novi Sad, Serbia, which MailOnline has chosen not to publish, showed her distressed in her parasailing seat. She tries to pull herself up on the two straps on the side but then unbuckles the seatbelt and jacket. The teen then twists around in her seat before tipping upside down and falls through the leg braces. Horrified spectators on the beach are said to have heard Ms Radonjic screaming just moments before the fall: 'Put me down! Put me down!'. Local outlet Republika said others heard her shout 'help me'. Tijana Radonjic, 19, was on holiday in Montenegro, when she plunged into the Adriatic Sea after parasailing at a height of 50 metres Ms Radonjic had allegedly agreed to a free parasailing ride in exchange for the video to 'boost business with tourists for the summer holiday season' The circumstances around her death remain unclear, with some local news outlets reporting that she had been filming a promotional video for a local tourist agency. Ms Radonjic had allegedly agreed to a free parasailing ride in exchange for the video to 'boost business with tourists for the summer holiday season'. The film was supposed to show Ms Radonjic in a bikini soaring happily over the Budva Riviera on a parasail being towed by a speed boat, it was reported in NewsFlash. Witnesses told local media she looked happy and relaxed as she was buckled in and told how to sit in the safety harness. But Republika have reported that she may have suffered a 'panic attack'. Another outlet has said suicide has not been ruled out, but loved ones said they do not believe she would have taken her own life. The teen's parents, Branka and Goran, shared a heartbreaking farewell ahead of her funeral today: 'We will never come to terms with this, nor accept that you are gone. 'You will remain in our hearts forever. Our bravest we love you endlessly and will be missed forever. The teen's parents, Branka and Goran, shared a heartbreaking farewell ahead of her funeral today: 'We will never come to terms with this, nor accept that you are gone' 'Rest in peace and may the angels watch over you. Now you are one of them.' Police are investigating the death but the owner of the operating tour company said she appeared happy before the activity: 'She was cheerful and in a good mood before the flight. She showed no fear of heights or flying. 'Before we set off, she waved to her friends on the beach and they waved back. Everything seemed fine. 'We don't know why she unbuckled her seat belt and harness and jumped out. 'I guess she didn't do it consciously, but in a moment of uncontrollable fear.' He added: 'I am sorry for the death of the young girl. I hope to meet her parents to express my condolences in person. 'We are all in shock after the accident that happened.' The tour company suspects she got scared because she thought something was wrong with the equipment, adding: 'Maybe she wasn't aware of the height she was flying at.' It was reported Ms Radonjic had been on holiday with her aunt when she passed away They added: 'I do not know exactly what happened. She did not show any fear of flying, she underwent training, after which the tragedy followed. 'Technical inspections of all the equipment are underway, and the results of the autopsy are awaited.' Republika reported that she had been on holiday with her aunt when she passed away. She posted in a moving tribute online: 'I can't believe I'm writing this. 'We should now be thinking about what bathing suits to bring, where to drink coffee while the baby sleeps, what song to sing in the car. 'We should have enjoyed the sun and you said to me: "go, rest, I'll take care of the baby now." 'We should have celebrated graduation, not sent you off. 'I can still hear your laugh. I can still see how you hold my son and how you talk to him, how you laugh while he laughs.' Her friends in her hometown paid tribute to the victim, with one lifelong pal saying: 'If I could choose who to spend my childhood with, I would choose you again.' Another friend posted: 'She was full of life, always smiling. She never cared about what others thought of her.' Reform UK says it will send in its first Elon Musk-style Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) unit to look at 'wasteful spending' in councils. A team of software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors will 'visit and analyse' local authorities it controls, starting today with Kent County Council. It follows the US Doge, which was launched during Donald Trump's presidency with the Tesla billionaire in charge to cut federal spending. Reform says its UK version will be led by a yet-unnamed man described as one of the country's 'leading tech entrepreneurs with a specialism in data analytics who has also been a turnaround CEO'. However its previous efforts to root out what it sees as unnecessary spending by authorities it controls have so far struggled to make any impact. New Greater Lincolnshire mayor Andrea Jenkyns vowed to remove diversity officers from the county council, which later confirmed it did not employ any. And a recent claim by party chairman Zia Yusuf that the party would scrap low traffic neighbourhoods in the 10 council areas it controls was undone when it was found that there were none. It comes as Nigel Farage visits Scotland to press the party's hopes of winning its first seat in the Scottish Parliament. Reform says its UK version will be led by a yet-unnamed man described as one of the country's 'leading tech entrepreneurs with a specialism in data analytics who has also been a turnaround CEO'. It comes as Nigel Farage visits Scotland to press the party's hopes of winning its first seat in the Scottish Parliament. A team of software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors will 'visit and analyse' local authorities it controls, starting today with Kent County Council, led by Linden Kemkaran Mr Farage will give a press conference in Aberdeen on Monday as the race in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election enters its final days. While the SNP and Labour were seen as frontrunners in the seat in a contest sparked by Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie, Reform UK has entered the mix ahead of the vote. But the party has come in for criticism for how it has campaigned in the seat, with attack ads on Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar being branded racist. Both of the frontrunners have also turned their attacks on Reform, with Mr Sarwar describing Mr Farage as a 'poisonous little man' and the First Minister accusing him of bringing 'racism and hatred' to the South Lanarkshire race. Further south in England, the party said that the unit being sent to Kent will use artificial intelligence, advanced data analysis tools and forensic auditing techniques to 'identify wasteful spending and recommend actionable solutions'. Reform took control of the authority in May and leader Linden Kemkaran has already ordered the Ukrainian flag be removed from the council chamber. A letter sent to the council read: 'The scope of the review includes but is not limited to: Contractual arrangements with suppliers and consultants, all capital expenditure, use of framework agreements and direct awards, any off-book or contingent liabilities, use of reserves and financial resilience, any audit flags raised by internal or external auditors in the last three years. 'We request that all relevant council officers provide the Doge team with full and prompt access to: Council-held documents, reports and records (electronic and paper), relevant finance, procurement, audit and contract data, meeting minutes and correspondence concerning major procurements, any internal investigations or whistleblowing reports relevant to financial matters, any additional documents that might be of assistance.' It added: 'Should you resist this request, we are ready to pass a council motion to compel the same and will consider any obstruction of our councillors' duties to be gross misconduct. We trust this will not be required.' It is signed by Mrs Kemkaran, party chairman Zia Yusuf and Mr Farage. A Kent County Council spokesman declined to comment. Americans like Prince William more than Prince Harry - and the Princess of Wales more than Meghan Markle - because the Sussexes' have chosen celebrity and self-martyrdom over royal duty, it was claimed today. A recent YouGov poll in the US revealed Prince William enjoys a 63 per cent favourability rating among Americans - comfortably above Harrys rating of 56 per cent. The Princess of Wales has a 49 per cent rating in the US compared to the only American on the list, Meghan Markle, who has a 41 per cent rating. Even worse for the Duchess of Sussex, 25 per cent of Americans view her unfavourably compared to six per cent for her British sister in law, best known as Kate Middleton across the Atlantic. UK-US politics expert and policy maker Lee Cohen has said that the polls show that Americans prefer the 'unshowy sense of duty' of the Wales' over the 'self-promoting' Sussexes. He believes that Meghan and Harry have come to 'personify grievance, vanity and betrayal'. 'Even in a land that rejected monarchy, public sentiment favours hands down the Prince and Princess of Wales over the rogue runaways who swapped Buckingham for Beverly Hills', he said. Your browser does not support iframes. Prince William (left) and Prince Harry (right) pictured together in July 2021 Kate, William, Harry and Meghan in Windsor in September 2022 after Queen Elizabeth II died. They were once close but are now estranged Mr Cohen is a trade expert and senior Fellow of the London Centre for Policy Research who worked in Congress. Having worked in both countries he has also become a commentator for issues on both sides of the Atlantic. Writing for The Spectator US, he said that Americans are tiring of Meghan and Harry, who is viewed negatively by one in five in the US - but is more popular than his wife. 'In an age of cultural decay and institutional collapse, Americans crave continuity. We are drawn to symbols of permanence and poise', he said. 'William and Kate, with their unshowy sense of duty, offer exactly that. The Sussexes, by contrast, offer only the fleeting buzz of celebrity and worse, a corrosive kind of self-martyrdom disguised as liberation. Fame is not the same as honour. Accepting disingenuous awards, peddling lifestyle brands and monetizing private grievances may pay the bills, but it commands revulsion rather than respect. True nobility lies in service, not self-promotion'. He said that the Sussexes, in 'casting off' royal duties, have also lost their 'mystique' and Americans are 'running out of patience'. 'William and Kate, by simply showing up, remind us of a forgotten truth: that dignity, loyalty and service are not relics of the past but virtues still worth aspiring to. 'As Harry and Meghan sink into self-inflicted irrelevance, the Wales' soar not because they bully nor shout the loudest, but because they understand Queen Elizabeths example of the power of humble duty done well'. The most popular royal overall is William and Harrys late mother Princess Diana, who died in 1997, with a 79 per cent positive rating and 4 per cent negative. The late Queen Elizabeth II, who died in 2022, is in second place with a 73 per cent positive and 8 per cent negative ranking. William is in third overall and Harry fourth. The Prince of Wales has a 63 per cent positivity rating in America and 10 per cent negative, which puts him in first place among living royals. (From left) Sophie, Edward, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Princess Anne, the Duke of Kent, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince George, Kate, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte on the Buckingham Palace balcony in London yesterday for the VE Day 80 flypast The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the Time100 Summit in New York City on April 23 Your browser does not support iframes. Some 56 per cent of US adults have a positive view of the Duke of Sussex while 21 per cent a negative opinion, according to the YouGov study for The Times. The Princess of Wales has a 49 per cent positive rating and 6 per cent negative All the senior royals are more popular than Meghan, the only US citizen on the list, whose ratings are 41 per cent positive and 25 per cent negative. The poll of 1,296 US adults was carried out between April 21 and 23, before Harrys bombshell BBC interview in which he called for reconciliation with his family. Some 61 per cent have not changed their opinion on the couple since their move to the US, but 17 per cent said it was now worse and 10 per cent said it was now better. Yesterday it emerged that Prince Harry sought advice from Princess Diana's brother about changing his family name to Spencer. Sources told the Mail on Sunday the Duke of Sussex actively explored ways to assume his mother's surname a move that would have involved ditching Mountbatten-Windsor, used by his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. It is understood he discussed the issue with Earl Spencer whose family seat is Althorp in Northamptonshire during a rare visit to Britain, but was told that the legal hurdles were insurmountable. 'They had a very amicable conversation and Spencer advised him against taking such a step,' said a friend of Harry. Nevertheless, the fact that he consulted the Earl over the issue a proposal that would dismay his brother and father is a vivid expression of the toxic rift with his family. Mountbatten-Windsor is the surname available to descendants of the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. It combines the Royal Family's name of Windsor and the Duke of Edinburgh's adopted surname. On their birth certificates, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's children are Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. Royal author Tom Bower has claimed that 'Meghan decided her real object in life was to be Diana'. If the name change had succeeded, Meghan's daughter, who is believed to have met the King only once, would have become Lilibet Diana Spencer, a more fulsome tribute to Harry's late mother. It is understood Prince Harry (right) discussed changing his family name with Earl Spencer (left) A young Prince Harry with his mother Princess Diana during a visit to Majorca in 1987 Althorp House - the Spencer family seat in Northamptonshire The move would be particularly hurtful to King Charles, who cherishes the Mountbatten name just as his father did. A mentor to Prince Philip, the 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma was also a strong influence on his great-nephew, the future King Charles. Philip adopted the Mountbatten name when he became a naturalised British subject and renounced his Greek and Danish royal title in 1947. The Queen and Philip decided in 1960 that they would like their own direct descendants to be known as Mountbatten-Windsor. According to the Government, you do not have to follow a legal process to start using a new name, but it suggests on its official website using a 'deed poll' to apply for or to change official documents such as a passport or driving licence. Names and titles are a highly sensitive subject for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. They were given their Sussex titles by Queen Elizabeth on the day of their wedding in 2018. Meghan recently insisted her surname is Sussex, correcting a guest on her Netflix cookery and lifestyle programme. In episode two of With Love, Meghan, which was released in March, the 43-year-old former actress was joined by comedienne Mindy Kaling. Meghan told her: 'It's so funny you keep saying 'Meghan Markle' you know I'm Sussex now.' A former Cheese-rolling champion has shared his tips for success at Britain's wackiest and most adrenaline-inducing race. Chris Anderson, 37, is something of a legend in Cooper's Hill in Gloucestershire, having earned a place in the Guinness World Records for his cheese-chasing triumphs. Having stepped back from competing, he now offers advice to competitors on how to stay safe. It comes after a competitor in last week's annual competition was airlifted to hospital, and another was carried away on a stretcher. A video from the event captured the terrifying moment one competitor, dressed as a wizard, came flying down the huge hill before slamming into the ground. Reflecting on the race, Anderson told The Guardian: 'It's risky, there is no doubt about it. Youve just got to be able to try and stay on your feet as long as possible and lean backwards so you can stay in control of yourself.' He said that it is better for competitors to stay in control rather than going flat out for speed. If you fall, the best bet is to do an army roll and then get back on your feet as quickly as possible, the former military man said. Chris Anderson, 37, is a 23-time champion of the Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling event Chris Anderson (yellow top) competing in the quirky race in his home village in 2018 Competitors pictured taking part in last weeks latest edition of the long-running tradition Tom Kopke (front), from Munich in Germany, cruised to victory in the opening men's race The event challenges people to pursue a 3kg Double Gloucester cheese rolling down the steep 200 yard hill, though has also prompted safety warnings in recent years. Hundreds of people have been gathering at Cooper's Hill to watch the occasion that is thought to have its roots in a pagan festival celebrating the return of spring. Competitors chase the cheese down the 180m-high hill, with many tripping and tumbling on their way - only to pick themselves up and resume the pursuit. The first runners to catch the cheese, which can reach speeds of up to 70mph, are declared victors in various races across the event that dates back to the 1800s. Anderson believes mid-20s is the ideal age for competitors, blending fitness with a bit of experience. But being an adrenaline junkie is also crucial. The 23-time winner of the event suggested that anyone taking part should visit the site before the event itself. He said that many willing competitors turn up on the day to run the race and pull out after viewing the hill for the first time. Now a ground worker for the event, Anderson had his preferred route down the hill, avoiding a tricky hollow. A man dressed as a wizard, was attempting to break the course record for the fastest descent when he began to tumble down the hill Photos showed a man being carried away from last week's cheese rolling on a stretcher Tom Kopke, from Munich in Germany, won the opening men's race for the second year running He grew up in Brockworth where the event is held each year and witnessed the race every year since he was young. He admitted that in his teenage years he and his friends used to go up the hill and 'push each other down'. In 2004, Anderson finished second place aged just 16 and vowed he would return to win the race in the future. Wasting no time, he won the event the following year, but broke his ankle when he fell in a hole while celebrating. Anderson returned to win the event another 22 times, becoming a local legend of the event. In 2022 he retired after breaking the record for the most wins. It is not known when the race was first run, but it is thought to date back for hundreds of years. The event is now a global phenomenon which attracts visitors and viewers from all over the world. Chris Anderson from Brockworth holds his prize cheeses after winning all three races in 2011 Chris celebrating his victory at Cooper's Hill in 2009 Rebel cheese rollers have been staging their own unofficial event after health and safety fears caused the official competition to be cancelled in 2010. This year's event prompted a safety warning from the local ambulance, police and fire services, who warned they could be overwhelmed if there was a 'mass casualty incident'. But it went ahead as planned, with Tom Kopke, a 23-year-old YouTuber from Munich, retaining the title he won last year. Luke Briggs won one of the men's contests dressed in a Superman costume - while first-time racer Ava Sender Logan, 20, from London, was triumphant in the first women's event before admitting she did not even like cheese. She told of not remembering most of her downhill tumble, but said of the occasion: 'It's such a cool tradition.' Assistant Chief Constable Arman Mathieson from Gloucestershire Police has previously described the event as a 'unique tradition', adding that the force had 'no desire to stop it'. But officers said they had a duty to tell the public the local Tewkesbury Borough Safety Advisory Group had declared it unsafe, raising concerns about the potential strain on emergency services. The advisory group is made up of multiple agencies, including emergency services, who work to promote safety and welfare at events. One cheese pursuer in a Superman costume was among those toppling down the steep incline An air ambulance was seen landing in a nearby field on Monday during the race Members have told of concerns about how officials could respond if there were a major incident, after ambulances struggled to access the site in 2023. The winner of that year's women's race was knocked unconscious at the finish line and only discovered had won after waking up in a medical tent. The tradition could be given an official honour by being added to a UK heritage list. The Government is asking the public to nominate their favourite traditions that best reflect Britain, to be recorded in a new Inventory of Living Heritage in the UK. Other traditions in the same county such as surfing the Severn Bore and Woolsack Races in Tetbury have also been touted as potential contenders for the list, with heritage minister Baroness Twycross saying last month: 'The UK is rich with wonderful traditions.' A former private secretary to King Charles and Princess Diana has died aged 91. Major General Sir Christopher Airy was hired to bring stability to the warring royal couple's marriage in 1990, but he lasted less than a year in the role. Sir Christopher, a former Grenadier Guards officer and distinguished soldier, was hired after a stint commanding the Army's Household Division. He had become a familiar face to the late Queen Elizabeth and other royals in that latter role and had, decades earlier, lined the route at Her Late Majesty's coronation in 1953. But he was described as one of the then Prince Charles' 'worst' appointments by royal expert Valentine Low. Writing in his book Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown, Low detailed how Sir Christopher was left frustrated at the increasing division between Charles and Diana's respective staff as tensions in their marriage increased. One contemporary described him as a 'very bad fit' and 'completely on a different planet'. Charles and Diana announced their separation in 1992 and then divorced in 1996, a year before the late Princess of Wales was killed in a car crash in Paris. Major General Sir Christopher Airy, former private secretary to King Charles and Princess Diana has died aged 91 Charles and Diana announced their separation in 1992 and then divorced in 1996, a year before the late Princess of Wales was killed in a car crash in Paris. Above: The couple in Germany in 1991 Sir Christopher was born in Woolwich in 1934, the second sun of Colonel Eustace Airy. Educated at Marlborough College, he underwent officer training at Sandhurst and was then commissioned into the Grenadier Guards. Stationed at Windsor, he was invited to join the Queen and the Royal Family for dinner at the Castle. Sir Christopher ended up joining the royals in a game of charades, on a team with Princess Margaret. As his military career continued to flourish, he served as an assistant to War Secretary John Profumo, who would later resign in disgrace after a sex scandal. Sir Christopher later commanded the Queen's Company of the 1st Battalion in Northern Ireland in 1970 and then served as brigade major of 4th Guards Brigade in Munster, West Germany. In 1982, he was appointed Assistant Chief of Staff of UK Land Forces. In that role he played a key part in the decision to deploy soldiers in the Scots Guards and Welsh Guards for fighting in the Falklands War. Sir Christopher, a former Grenadier Guards officer and distinguished soldier, was hired after a stint commanding the Army's Household Division. Above: Sir Christopher seen right as Prince Edward attends the Royal Tournament in Earl's Court, 1987 After further distinguishing himself by being appointed as commander of the Household Division, Sir Christopher retired from the Army in 1989. Sir Christopher's appointment as private secretary to both Charles and Diana was announced in late 1989 and he started in the role in the middle of the following year. He replaced Sir John Riddell, who had served for less than four years. But Sir Christopher very quickly discovered that the role was not what he had expected. One courtier, quoted in Low's book, said the 'fundamental' issue was that he did not 'fit in'. 'He was not attuned to Charles' growing charitable interests and struggle to understand the differences between the prince's various organisations,' they said. Another contemporary said: 'Christopher was a very bad fit. He was very charming, very posh, very Household Cavalry. 'But he was very naive about how the world went round outside. He was completely on a different planet. Prince Charles and Princess Diana seen during their tour of Cameroon, March 1990 Major General Sir Christopher Airy at his desk. His departure from his role was announced in May 1991 'He must have been miserable. We would all talk acronyms, all this charitable, voluntary sector, government stuff. 'And Christopher was completely lost.' Patrick Jephson, who served as Diana's private secretary from 1988 to 1996, recounted an incident when Sir Christopher told Charles that he had to attend a particular state occasion because it was 'his duty'. The King was said to have 'stiffened at the remark. He allegedly replied in sarcastic fashion: "Oh, is it?" Sir Christopher's departure from his royal role was announced in May 1991. The Queen gave him the honour of receiving him when he left. Sir Christopher and his wife later moved to a farmhouse in Somerset and spent the rest of their lives there. He raised money for charity and was also chairman of the Not Forgotten Association. He died on April 8 but his passing only emerged in recent days. West Australian senator Dorinda Cox has defected from the Greens to Labor. Senator Cox, who was first elected to the upper house in 2021 to fill a vacancy for the Greens, said her values had aligned more with Labor. She approached Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on an offer to join Labor and bolster its ranks in the Senate. 'I've worked hard to make Australia fairer and much more reconciled, but recently, I've lost some confidence in the capacity for the Greens to assist me in being able to progress this,' Senator Cox told reporters in Perth on Monday. 'I feel reassured with my experience, my skills and my knowledge I can continue to collaborate and build on the existing relationships with an already amazing team of Labor MPs across the country.' A Yamatji-Noongar woman, Senator Cox had previously been a member of the Labor Party before joining the Greens, and will be formally admitted into Labor on Tuesday. She was not required to run in this year's federal election as she was elected for a six-year term in 2022. The defection represents a further setback for the Greens after losing three seats at the federal election, with Senator Cox only informing party leader Larissa Waters about an hour prior to the announcement. West Australian senator Dorinda Cox (pictured with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese) joined forces with Labor on Monday Senator Cox was first elected to the upper house in 2021 to fill a vacancy for the Greens Mr Albanese said Senator Cox, the first Indigenous woman to represent the state in the upper house, would be a welcome addition to the government benches. 'She wants to be part of a team that's delivering progress for this country by being a part of a government that can make decisions, to make a difference,' he said. 'Dorinda Cox is someone who's a former police officer. She's someone who has a lot to offer in terms of policy development.' The senator had been accused of bullying staffers in 2024, with as many as 20 employees leaving the office in a three-year period and complaints made with parliament's workplace support service. The prime minister said the allegations had been examined. 'They were all dealt with in Senator Cox's case and dealt with appropriately,' he said. Despite having last year suggested the Albanese government was 'not interested' in closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, Senator Cox said she felt her values and priorities were better aligned with Labor than the Greens. 'I've worked hard to make Australia fairer and much more reconciled, but recently, I've lost some confidence in the capacity for the Greens to assist me in being able to progress this,' she told reporters. The PM described Senator Dorinda Cox as someone who has a lot to offer Senator Cox (pictured with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday) will be formally admitted into Labor on Tuesday) 'I feel reassured with my experience, my skills and my knowledge, I can continue to collaborate and build on the existing relationships with an already amazing team of Labor MPs across the country.' Senator Waters said the party was disappointed but wished Senator Cox well. 'Senator Cox has said that her values align with the Labor party. This is the same Labor party who this week approved the climate wrecking North West Shelf gas project, which UNESCO advises will destroy significant First Nations heritage and ancient rock art,' she said in a statement. 'Senator Cox would have had more chance of effecting change by continuing to work with the Greens in the sole balance of power.' A man has been arrested after another man was found stabbed to death in Sydney's inner-west in what police alleged was a 'drug deal gone wrong'. Emergency services were called to the Kembla Street home in Croydon Park shortly after 5pm on Monday following a concern for welfare report. Police found the body of a man, believed to be aged in his 50s inside the home suffering horrific injuries, including multiple stab wounds. He couldn't be revived. Another man, 32, was arrested at the scene and taken to Burwood Police Station, where inquiries continue. No charges have yet been laid. A crime scene was established, where dozens of police and forensic officers remained on Monday night. Emergency services arrived 'within minutes' to confronting scenes. 'What I can say is this is a gruesome crime. The man's injuries are horrific,' Superintendent Christine McDonald told reporters. Police remain at the scene in Croydon Park where a man was found dead with stab wounds A man, 32, was arrested at the scene (pictured) and taken to Burwood Police Station 'From very preliminary investigations, we believe this is a drug deal gone horribly wrong. However, that may change as we proceed through the investigation steps. 'I'm unsure whether they are known to each other previously, all the information that I have at this stage is that it is a drug deal gone horribly wrong.' Police are yet to confirm or locate the weapon allegedly used. The 32-year-old was arrested at the scene when police arrived. 'We didn't give him any time to run away. We were here too quick,' Supt McDonald said. She added the investigation was in its early days and that nothing could be ruled out. 'The information that we have so far from people at the scene is that this relates to a drug deal gone horribly wrong,' Supt McDonald said. 'We don't believe it to be domestic related. We don't believe it to be gang related. But we need to work through all those steps of the investigation before I can rule anything out.' Police were called to the Kembla Street home in Croydon Park shortly after 5pm on Monday 'This is a gruesome crime. The man's injuries are horrific,' Supt McDonald said The victim is yet to be formally identified. It's currently unclear whether the two men were known to each other. 'We're still piecing together who resides at this location, who attended this location this afternoon and for what reason,' Supt McDonald said. 'And we'll work through that in the coming hours and days as this investigation progresses.' She rushed to the scene on Monday night to support police who were confronted with traumatic scenes. 'I've literally come down from the police station straight away to be here with my officers, to thank them for being here so quickly, and to be among the community down here who I know would be shocked that something so brutal has happened in their street,' Supt McDonald said. Police urge anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers. In scenes straight out of a Cold War spy thriller, footage of the disastrous effects of Ukraine's covert operation inside Russia has laid bare how it staged the covert mission that left dozens of Putin's prized warplanes in ruins. Dubbed Operation Spiderweb, the mission - overseen in secret by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky himself - used hundreds of first-person view (FPV) attack drones smuggled into Russia in wooden containers disguised as modular homes. Driven by unsuspecting Russian lorry drivers, the vehicles were parked near strategic airbases before their roofs opened remotely, unleashing swarms of drones that targeted and destroyed bombers on the ground. The devastating strikes took place on Sunday, with dramatic videos posted by pro-Kremlin military bloggers showing flames engulfing aircraft at multiple locations, including one deep inside Siberia, some 2,600 miles from the Ukrainian front lines. At least four more Russian strategic airbases were struck: Olenya in the Arctic region of Murmansk; Dyagilevo in western Russia; Ivanovo, northeast of Moscow; and Podmoskovye in Moscow. Sources inside Ukraine's SBU security service claimed the operation crippled 34 per cent of Russia's long-range strategic bombers, including the nuclear-capable Tu-95s and Tu-22M3s, often used to launch cruise missiles into Ukraine. These planes, however, are no longer manufactured, and so cannot be replaced. 'At the right moment, the roofs of the cabins were opened remotely and the drones flew to hit Russian bombers,' an intelligence source told the Kyiv Independent. The first-person view (FPV) Ukrainian attack drones were smuggled into Russia in wooden containers disguised as modular homes A truck filled with Ukrainian drones was seen in footage posted to Telegram channel Mash exploding in the Amur region The vehicle had reportedly been driving along the Chita-Khabarovsk highway and caught fire while moving In a statement, the SBU said at least 41 long-range bombers had been damaged or destroyed. The deadly payloads were hidden in what drivers thought were modular homes - and delivered to Russian airfields in Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ryazan, and Ivanovo. In images released by the Ukrainian secret services, the wooden containers are seen packed with 117 FPV kamikaze drones which allow pilots to control them remotely through a live feed. Dozens of black drones are lined side-by-side in the mobile wooden cabins. The roofs had hidden compartments into which the small flying weapons were stashed. These boxes were then loaded on to civilian trucks heading into enemy territory, their hired local drivers seemingly unaware of what they were carrying. Finally, yesterday afternoon, with all the lorries within range of five airfields stretching from northern Russia down to Siberia they struck. Several drivers, now being questioned by Russian investigators, claim they had no idea they were transporting lethal Ukrainian drones. According to Baza Telegram channel, one of the drivers, 55-year-old Chelyabinsk resident Alexander Z, said he had received an order from an entrepreneur from the Murmansk region, who said that he needed to organise the delivery of four frame houses from Chelyabinsk to the Kolsky district of the Murmansk region. The men agreed on a price, after which Alexander loaded the 'goods' into the car and took to the road. According to the driver, while driving, an unknown person contacted him on the phone and gave him instructions on where and when Alexander needed to stop. He then pulled in to Rosneft petrol station near a Murmansk airfield when the truck's roof flew open and dozens of drones blasted out. With the help of front-positioned cameras, the missile-loaded drones headed straight for Russia's highly expensive bomber planes. Images and footage from the scene showed how the drones rose out of the back of a nondescript truck in Irkutsk region as attacks were launched on Putin's strategic sites. A drone lifts off from wooden sheds loaded onto a truck that was driven to the perimeter of an air base, as smoke rises in the background, in Mal'ta, Irkutsk Region One of the trucks with Ukrainian drones that exploded on the Chita-Khabarovsk highway was bought three months ago in the Sverdlovsk region The deadly payloads were reportedly hidden in what drivers thought were frame houses or modular cabins - and delivered to Russian airfields in Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ryazan, and Ivanovo Smoke rises following what local authorities called a Ukrainian drone attack, in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, in Olenegorsk of the Murmansk region, Russia, in this still image from social media video released on June 1, 2025 Russian Belaya Air Base in Irkutsk region, Siberia, was ablaze after a suspected drone strike linked to Ukraine Finally, yesterday afternoon, with all the lorries within range of five airfields stretching from northern Russia down to Siberia they struck A similar event occurred in Irkutsk, where 61-year-old Andrey M. was tasked to deliver frame houses to the region. However, at the moment when the driver parked at the Teremok cafe in Usolye-Sibirskoye, drones began to fly out of the car. Similar stories were also told by the drivers of trucks from which drones were launched in the Ryazan and Ivanovo regions. Sergey, 46, told investigators that he was transporting a modular house from Chelyabinsk. But when he entered Ryazan, the roof of his Scania was blown off while driving, and drones began blasting out. The fourth truck, from which drones were launched yesterday at the Ivanovo airfield, was also loaded in Chelyabinsk. Amid the drone blasts, one Russian man recalled to Mash Telegram channel throwing stones into the backs of the trucks in an attempt to stop the drones from taking off. Footage captured the moment dozens of Russian locals launched rocks towards the trucks with some climbing on top of the vehicles to get a better shot. Those on the ground threw the large stones to the Russians on the truck roof. A video surfaced showing one of the trucks used to launch the Ukrainian (FPV) drones against Russian airbases, moments before it self-destructed. The footage captures a Russian man entering the cargo truck, unaware of the built-in self-destruction mechanism, which ignites seconds later, resulting in a massive explosion. The trucks self-destruct system activates to ensure that no evidence or technology can be recovered by Russian forces. This method prevents reverse engineering and eliminates any traceable Ukrainian assets left behind. The trucks are all linked to a mysterious man named Artem, 37, believed to be Ukrainian, and had reportedly been loaded in Chelyabinsk. All drivers reported receiving cryptic phone calls with instructions on exactly where to stop just hours before the drone launches. The trucks involved were seen in clips shared on social media with smoke billowing from the roofs as slabs of the wooden crates lay on the side of the road. Footage showed decimated enemy planes in flames on the runway and last night Ukrainian security sources claimed to have taken out 41 aircraft worth some 1.5billion. In drone footage, several Russian planes were seen erupting in a blaze as they soared over the Russian aircrafts. As they continued their journey, the drones blasted the planes stationed ahead, sending them into a ball of fire. Separate images revealed the destruction as plumes of black clouds billowed into the sky behind buildings as the attack was carried out. Footage appeared to show black smoke at the scene on the Kola Peninsula following explosions at the secret base. According to Baza, Russian officials have launched a terrorism investigation and are now hunting Artem, who is believed to have fled. Russian Belaya Air Base in Irkutsk region, Siberia, was ablaze on Sunday after a suspected drone strike linked to Ukrain Russian TU-95 Bear strategic bombers at the Olenya airbase on the Kola Peninsula being destroyed by Ukrainian drones thousands of miles away from the front line Ukraine took out an estimated 1.5billion worth of Russian military equipment, including several Tu-95s (pictured) Also destroyed were several Tu-22Ms (pictured), of which less than 500 were manufactured Ukraine managed to destroy an A-50 Mainstay (pictured), which is used as an aerial command and radar centre Russia was left reeling after the attack which left Putin and his army humiliated on Sunday Russian TU-95 Bear strategic bombers at the Olenya airbase on the Kola Peninsula being destroyed by Ukrainian drones thousands of miles away from the front line The Russian tyrant has stayed out of sight since the attacks on multiple air bases in Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb, but an insider has warned: 'He will hit back at Ukraine, but also avenge his underlings who allowed this humiliation to happen'. Meanwhile, the SBU says all Ukrainian personnel involved in preparing and guiding the mission are already safely back in Ukraine, dismissing Moscow's response as a 'another staged performance for the domestic audience'. In a statement, President Zelensky hailed the 'perfectly prepared' operation, which he claimed was run out of a building located near an office of the Federal Security Service, Russia's principle security service. The sleeping FSB security service - headed by close ally Alexander Bortnikov, 73 - now faces blame over Ukraine using a warehouse next door to an intelligence HQ in Chelyabinsk to prepare the drone strikes on his airbases. Operation Spiderweb was 18 months in the making and under the control of Vasyl Malyuk, the head of the Ukrainian security service, the SBU. Zelensky also noted its symbolic timing as the operation came exactly 29 years after Ukraine handed over its own strategic bombers to Russia as part of the ill-fated Budapest Memorandum, under which Moscow promised never to attack its neighbour. 'We can say with confidence that this is an absolutely unique operation,' he said in statement on social media, revealing that 117 drones were used to target bombers 'used to fire at our cities.' 'What's most interesting, is that the 'office' of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions,' he added. 'In total, 117 drones were used in the operation, with a corresponding number of drone operators involved, and 34 per cent of the strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at air bases were hit. We will continue this work.' He assessed that the attack on Putin's irreplaceable bombers 'will undoubtedly be in [the] history books'. Military blogger Roman Alekhin said the incident will go down as 'Russia's Pearl Harbour' - a reference to the Japanese attack against the US in 1941 that prompted Washington to enter the Second World War. Pro-Russian Telegram channel Fighterbomb, believed to be run by Capt. Ilya Tumanov of the Russian Army, acknowledged that Sunday would 'later be called a black day for Russian long-range aviation,' adding: 'And the day is not over yet.' Head of the Ukraine's Security Service Vasyl Maliuk looks at a map of an airfield, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in an unknown location in Ukraine Former RAF pilot and military analyst Mikey Kay told the BBC: 'The Russians would never have expected something like this. I mean, it's genius, if you think about just the devastating effect that it's had on strategic assets of Putin.' Philip O'Brien, professor of strategic studies at St Andrews University, said the raid was 'the most remarkable and successful operation of the war.' He told The Times: 'This is a big blow to Russian strategic air power, which is hard to overestimate. We do not know what the Russian reaction will be, however we can assume it will be violent.' A delegation from Kyiv is due to meet counterparts from Moscow for a second round of peace talks in Istanbul today but it was not clear last night if it would still go ahead. Ukraine has said that its proposals will include a full 30-day ceasefire followed by the return of all prisoners held by each side. Russia has so far refused to agree to a 30-day pause in fighting and overnight on Saturday launched its largest strike of the war so far with 472 drones and seven missiles. Just hours before the drone strikes a wave of bomb attacks targeted Russian bridges and railway lines in regions bordering Ukraine. Russia declared them 'acts of terrorism' with seven killed and dozens injured when a passenger train travelling to Moscow was derailed by a collapsed bridge in Bryansk on Saturday night. Hours later, in neighbouring Kursk where Ukraine launched its major cross-border incursion last August, a freight train was derailed by another fallen bridge. A Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian army training area killed at least 12 soldiers yesterday and wounded more than 60 others, the Ukrainian army said. A personal trainer who put seven police officers in hospital following a 120mph crash while on the way home from a first date has been jailed. Mazyar Azarbonyad, 20, was giving Courtney Redfern a lift back in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, in his BMW X5 series when officers attempted to pull him over due to a faulty rear light. Azarbonyad - who had no licence or insurance and had only ever taken three driving lessons - instead panicked and drove off. Officers spotted the him about half an hour later but when he failed to stop for a second time, a high-speed chase was sparked. The pursuit reached the A1 on the outskirts of Newcastle when Azarbonyad suddenly hit the brakes at 119mph and caused the multi-vehicle pile up. Seven officers, some of whom had to be cut out of their cars, were taken to hospital and although none were seriously injured they needed treatment and say they have been 'affected pschologically'. Five police vehicles were damaged in the crash. The road was closed for around 14 hours after the smash on April 9, causing 'traffic chaos' for commuters trying to get to work and do the school run. Azarbonyad, who came to the Uk from Iran aged 14 in around 2020, and has been granted leave to remain as a refugee, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, two counts of failing to stop, having no licence and driving with no insurance. Mazyar Azarbonya, 20, who put seven police officers in hospital following a 120mph crash while on the way home from a first date, has been jailed Azarbonyad had been taking Courtney Redfern (pictured) home from a first date when the crash happened and she told police the BMW felt 'unsafe' and 'wobbly' due to the high speed The car collided with police vehicles in the traumatic incident which happened in April The scene on the A1, which was shut in both directions following the major collision He also admitted five offences of having no licence or insurance in relation to being caught behind the wheel in the days that followed the crash and has a previous conviction for the same offending in 2023. Judge Tim Gittins sentenced him to 14 months with a three years and seven months road ban. The maximum sentence for dangerous driving is two years. Judge Gittins said Azarbonyad's speed reached a 'hair raising' level, adding: 'It is nothing short of a miracle that no one was more seriously injured or that there were not multiple fatalities. 'It is difficult to imagine a worse single offence of dangerous driving without serious injury or death being caused.' Azarbonyad, who has never had a full driving licence, had been taking Ms Redfern home from a first date when the crash happened and she told police the BMW felt 'unsafe' and 'wobbly' due to the high speed. She told officers after the smash she had told him 'several times' to slow down and stop. Prosecutor Jolyon Perks told the court it was 'truly remarkable' nobody was seriously injured. Azarbonyad was giving a woman a lift back in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, in his BMW X5 series The personal trainer had been on a first date with Ms Redfern when the collision happened The aftermath on the A1, which was closed in both directions following the serious crash Police collision investigation teams on the scene of the crash involving a number of police cars A man takes photographs of the scene on the A1 after the collision in April Azarbonyad is pictured arriving at Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing earlier today Judge Tim Gittins sentenced him to 14 months with a three years and seven months road ban The court heard that despite the devastation he caused on April 9, Azarbonyad was back behind the wheel on April 11, 12, 13, 15 and 16, which he claimed was essential for him to get to work The court heard after Azarbonyad had refused to stop for police initially, tactical units were deployed to take over the chase, which was caught on dash cam. Mr Perks added: 'He was pursued by a number of police vehicles with lights illuminated. 'The lead police pursuit vehicle had dash cam footage which showed the defendant travelling in excess of 100mph and them approaching speeds of 120mph in an attempt to get away from the police. 'As the defendant apporached the junction of the A186 he chose to abandon his attempt to escape but rapidly decelerated from 119mph to a complete stop in the middle of the carriageway. 'As a consequence the pursuing police vehicles were forced to emergency brake in an unsuccessful attempt to avoid serious collision. 'The collision was captured on CCTV footage from a police air support helicopter.' The court heard that despite the devastation he caused on April 9, Azarbonyad was back behind the wheel on April 11, 12, 13, 15 and 16, which he claimed was essential for him to get to work. Penny Hall, defending, said Azarbonyad travelled from Iran to the UK with his uncle, who he lost contact with during the journey and has not seen any of his family since. Miss Hall said Azarbonyad spent time in the care system until he reached 18 when he was assisted with getting a tenancy for his home, which he will lose if he goes to prison and has no real support. Labour will today be challenged to halt Sir Keir Starmer's new fishing deal with the EU until France does more to help stop migrants crossing the Channel. Senior Tory MP Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, will call on the Government to 'immediately suspend' the 12-year agreement with Brussels. It comes after more than 1,100 migrants arrived in Britain after crossing the Channel on Saturday - the highest number recorded on a single day so far this year. The latest Home Office figures show that 1,195 arrived in 19 boats, bringing the provisional annual total so far to 14,812. This is 42 per cent higher than the same point last year (10,448) and 95 per cent up from the same point in 2023 (7,610), according to an analysis. French police were seen watching as migrants boarded at a beach in Gravelines, between Calais and Dunkirk, and authorities were then pictured escorting the boats. France has intercepted just 38 per cent of boats this year, down from 45 per cent last year, 47 per cent in 2023, and 42 per cent in 2022. This is despite the UK agreeing a 480million deal with France to beef up its efforts to stop migrant crossings in 2023 under former prime minister Rishi Sunak. Labour are being challenged to halt Sir Keir Starmer's new fishing deal with the EU until France does more to help stop migrants crossing the Channel A group of people wait in the sea to board a small boat leaving the beach at Gravelines, France, in an attempt to reach the UK by crossing the Channel on Saturday One French police officer appeared to take a photo as people boarded a small boat on the beach at Gravelines As part of his Brexit 'reset' deal announced last month, Sir Keir enraged British fishermen by allowing a further 12 years of access to UK waters for EU boats. The PM made the 11th-hour concession in order to get his wider 'reset' deal - which also included a new defence pact and an agrifood agreement - over the line. Mr Philp said he would challenge Home Secretary Yvette Cooper over both the fishing deal and French efforts to stop Channel migrants in Parliament. He told the Telegraph: 'The French are completely failing to stop these illegal immigrants, despite receiving hundreds of millions of pounds from the UK taxpayer to do so. 'They are also failing to intercept any boats at sea and return them as the Belgians do. It's time for the Government here to get serious about this. 'The 12-year fishing deal the UK Government recently proposed with the EU, which is itself outrageous, should be immediately suspended until the French actually stop all these illegal immigrants, including using interceptions at sea. 'And if they won't, the fishing deal should be cancelled. I'll be putting this to Yvette Cooper in Parliament on Monday. 'This Government is so weak they surrendered our fishing rights to the French for 12 years while at the same time the French stand by and watch tens of thousands of illegal immigrants flood into the UK. 'It's time for this madness to end.' Defence Secretary John Healey on Sunday admitted Britain had 'lost control of its over the last five years' as he responded to the 'shocking' scenes on Saturday. He added: 'We saw the smugglers launching elsewhere and coming around like a taxi to pick them up.' The Cabinet minister said it is a 'really big problem' that French police are unable to intervene to intercept boats in shallow waters. He added the UK is pressing for the French to put new rules into operation so they can intervene. Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, said the French were 'taking Britain for fools'. He said: 'Since 2015 we have pledged and given the best part of 800million to the French. 'Their officers watched like tourists as over 1,000 young men made the illegal crossing to England. 'We are being taken for fools. We paid them to stop the boats. They only make a half-hearted effort to do so.' A Home Office spokesperson pointed to measures to share intelligence internationally, enhance enforcement operations in northern France and introduce tougher rules in its immigration legislation. 'We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security,' they said. 'The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay and we will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice. 'That is why this Government has put together a serious plan to take down these networks at every stage.' Nigel Farage demanded tax cuts for North Sea oil and gas firms today as he set out to woo Scottish voters ahead of a key Holyrood by-election. The Reform leader hit out at the overall rate of 78 per cent - including the windfall tax - paid by companies who have made massive profits in recent years, on a visit to Aberdeen. A long-standing critic of Net Zero, Mr Farage said the 'disastrous' tax rate, brought in by the Tories and increased by Labour, was putting off firms from applying to drill at a time when fossil fuels are needed. Ahead of the by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse next week he also suggested the country should get new powers to generate its own income because devolution is 'here to stay'. He also unveiled a Reform defector from the Tories, local councillor Duncan Massey, and and vowed to unveil a Labour defector when he visits Hamilton later. Mr Farage said his audience at an upmarket restaurant in the east coast city included several prominent businessmen and businesswomen who are 'very worried about the future of the oil and gas industry'. '2025 will be a year of record consumption of fossil fuels,' he said. 'We can con ourselves as much as we like, there'll be more coal burnt this year than has ever been burnt in the history of mankind. The Reform leader hit out at the overall rate of 78 - including the windfall tax - paid by companies who have made massive profits in recent years, on a visit to Aberdeen. A long-standing critic of Net Zero, Mr Farage said the 'disastrous' tax rate, brought in by the Tories and increased by Labour, was putting off firms from applying to drill at a time when fossil fuels are needed. He also unveiled a Reform defector from the Tories, local councillor Duncan Massey, and and vowed to unveil a Labour defector when he visits Hamilton later. 'And the same applies to the use of gas and oil, even the most ardent opponent of net zero has to accept the world will still be using oil and gas.' Rachel Reeves increased the Energy Profits Levy (EPL) to 38 per cent in November, which Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) said would push the headline rate on upstream oil and gas activities up to 78 per cent. The Reform leader also said he was open to looking at alternatives to the Barnett Formula, which has been used to apportion UK government cash to the nations since the 1970s. But Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said that the formula, which brings 50billion into Scotland, was a 'Union dividend is worth thousands of pounds each year to every person in Scotland'. 'Nigel Farage's reckless proposal would slash funding for our NHS, schools, roads and many other essential public services,' he said. 'Reform's hare-brained suggestion of ripping up the Barnett formula is irresponsible. It would take a wrecking ball to our public services and cause misery for Scottish families, workers and businesses.' While the SNP and Labour were seen as frontrunners in the seat in a contest sparked by Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie, Reform UK has entered the mix ahead of the vote. But the party has come in for criticism for how it has campaigned in the seat, with attack ads on Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar being branded racist. Both of the frontrunners have also turned their attacks on Reform, with Mr Sarwar describing Mr Farage as a 'poisonous little man' and the First Minister accusing him of bringing 'racism and hatred' to the South Lanarkshire race. As campaigning enters its final days, Mr Swinney warned of the potential threat from Reform, saying: 'Things remain tough for too many families who feel let down by Labour who have given up in this campaign and the deeply concerning rise in support for Farage. 'Be in no doubt, Nigel Farage doesn't care about Scotland. He poses a threat to our values and must be stopped, and only the SNP can do that. 'In this by-election, the SNP is the only party investing in Scotland's future, delivering for families and confronting Farage. On Thursday, vote SNP to stop Farage.' Britain has failed to sign a letter from a string of countries demanding reform of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Denmark, Italy, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland all said there was a need to 'look at' the influence of Strasbourg judges. The leaders of the nine countries penned an open letter calling for 'more freedom'. They suggested the ECHR, which interprets the European Convention on Human Rights, was limiting their ability to 'make political decisions in our own democracies'. But the UK's signature was absent from the letter despite Attorney General Lord Hermer recently calling for Britain to lead efforts to reform international agreements. Senior Tory MP Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, accused Lord Hermer and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of hypocrisy. He told The Times: 'Starmer talks about reforming the ECHR, but his actions tell a completely different story. 'This shows Hermer's comments last week were a cynical ploy to give the impression Labour want to be part of the solution, when really they're helping to defend a broken system that stops us controlling our borders.' In a speech last week, Attorney General Lord Hermer callied for Britain to lead efforts to reform international agreements Denmark, Italy, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland all said there was a need to 'look at' the influence of the European Court of Human Rights The nine countries suggested the ECHR, which interprets the European Convention on Human Rights, was limiting their ability to 'make political decisions in our own democracies' In a speech last week, Lord Hermer had argued that 'British leadership to strengthen and reform the international rules-based system is both the right thing to do and the only truly realistic choice'. But the Attorney General also sparked fury with his address by comparing calls for the UK to quit the ECHR - as Mr Jenrick wants - to events in Nazi Germany. Lord Hermer subsequently said he 'regrets' the remarks and acknowledged his 'choice of words was clumsy', although he rejected the 'characterisation of his speech by the Conservatives'. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch called on Sir Keir to sack his Attorney General, claiming that Lord Hermer 'believes in the rule of lawyers, not the rule of law'. In their open letter, the nine European leaders said there was 'a need to look at how the European Court of Human Rights has developed its interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights'. 'We believe that the development in the Courts interpretation has, in some cases, limited our ability to make political decisions in our own democracies,' they wrote. 'And thereby affected how we as leaders can protect our democratic societies and our populations against the challenges facing us in the world today. 'We have seen, for example, cases concerning the expulsion of criminal foreign nationals where the interpretation of the Convention has resulted in the protection of the wrong people and posed too many limitations on the states ability to decide whom to expel from their territories.' Their letter stated that the 'safety and stability of our own societies should have the highest priority', adding: 'We believe that we should have more room nationally to decide on when to expel criminal foreign nationals.' It continued: 'We need more freedom to decide on how our authorities can keep track of for example criminal foreigners who cannot be deported from our territories. 'Criminals who cannot be deported even though they have taken advantage of our hospitality to commit crime and make others feel unsafe. 'We need to be able to take effective steps to counter hostile states that are trying to use our values and rights against us. For example, by instrumentalising migrants at our borders.' 'We want to use our democratic mandate to launch a new and open minded conversation about the interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights,' the leaders said. 'We have to restore the right balance. And our countries will cooperate to further this ambition.' The Attorney General's Office said in a statement: 'We have seen the initiative led by Denmark and Italy and are committed to a clear framework and fair balance for the application of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights in the context of migration. 'Tackling illegal migration is a key priority for this Government.' One Government source blamed the omission of Britain from the list of signatories on Brexit and suggested the letter had been arranged at an EU meeting. Peers are poised to sign off hiking their 'overnight' allowances by 20 per cent today - and will be able to claim 63 to stay in their own London properties. The House of Lords is due to consider a recommendation to ramp up entitlements on top of the tax-free 371 'per diem' members get for attending sittings. Under the proposals, those who declare their main residence is outside the capital are set to be able to claim 125 per night towards hotels - or private clubs - instead of the 103 at present. Nearly 100 peers received 57,000 worth of overnight allowances in December. Meanwhile, owners of second properties in London will be able to get taxpayer cash to use them for the first time. That will start at 63 a night. The plans from the ruling House of Lords Commission are expected to be approved this afternoon, and will take effect immediately. The cross-party committee stressed that those who claim the allowance must be 'away from their registered residential address for the purpose of attending sittings of the House'. Receipts also need to be filed. Peers in the House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament last year Your browser does not support iframes. The peers said they recognised that some members would be maintaining properties they own or rent in London. 'We therefore propose introducing an additional allowance to contribute towards other accommodation costs, such as for those who rent or own accommodation that is not their registered residential address residence, in order to attend sittings of the House,' the report said. Most Lords are not paid salaries, and can instead claim for every day they attend. The standard per diem for members of the House of Lords rose to 371 last month, in line with the 2.8 per cent increase in MPs' salaries. With the House sitting for roughly 150 days a year, that gives a potential income of 55,600. A normal worker would require a salary of around 81,000 to take that sum home after tax. Sessional returns show that the average length of the sitting day in 2023-24 was six hours and 17 minutes - although peers could have been working outside the chamber. Current rules allow peers to claim on 'attendance travel costs' including mileage, rail fares and plane tickets. A House of Lords spokesman said: 'Members from across the UK should be able to attend House of Lords business, scrutinise and revise laws and hold the government to account. 'To reflect the cost of residing overnight in London when attending the House of Lords, an allowance of 63 per night is proposed for those who incur accommodation costs but whose registered residential address is outside the Greater London area. 'For those Members who require hotel accommodation because they do not live in Greater London, an increase in the current overnight maximum allowance to 125 per night is proposed. The plans from the ruling House of Lords Commission are expected to be approved this afternoon, and will take effect immediately 'This is equal to the lowest rate civil servants can claim for hotel costs in London. 'The Lords chamber should be accessible to all, regardless of someone's financial position or where they live. 'It is important that membership of the House reflects the whole of the UK, and that Members who don't live in London or its environs are not prevented from attending the House due to the cost of doing so.' One in five Muslim migrants living in Germany is susceptible to radicalisation, according to a new study conducted by one of the nation's foremost socio-political research organisations. Experts at the University of Munster's Research Centre for Islamic Theology last week shared the results of a survey it conducted to gauge socio-political views of Muslims with a 'migration background' across the country. Their study found that 19.9% of almost 1,900 respondents in the representative survey exhibited an emotional state that is ripe for radicalisation, based on strong anti-Western, anti-Semitic attitudes and a 'resentment' of German politics and societal norms, German media reported. 'Migration background' is a term used in Germany to refer to first-generation migrants and their offspring. There are more than 5.5 million Muslims in Germany with such a background, suggesting that one million people could be susceptible to being radicalised, according to Die Welt. Of the nearly 20% of respondents that researchers claimed could be targets for radicalisation, a third reportedly support violence in response to perceived injustices against Muslims. A majority of these respondents also said they felt that Islamic Sharia law was far superior to German law and want Islam to be the 'sole and final political authority' in Germany, according to media reports. Speaking to German outlet NOZ, Munster-based religious psychologist Sarah Demmrich said: 'With the emotional state of resentment, we were able to uncover a new and even strong factor in radicalisation. 'The capacity for criticism within Islam must be strengthened in order to promote reflective debates on religious and social issues,' she said. MailOnline has contacted the research centre for comment. The German federal police controls vehicles coming into Germany from Austria at the border control station Kiefersfelden, southern Germany, on May 9, 2025 Federal Police officers lead a knife attack suspect out of the helicopter to his arraignment at the Federal Supreme Court (BGH) in Karlsruhe, Germany German police officers stand guard at the border with France to prevent illegal immigration The emergence of the research by the Centre for Islamic Theology comes weeks after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz scrapped his nation's open border policy and issued orders to turn undocumented migrants away at the frontiers. Alexander Dobrindt, Merz's new interior minister, rescinded former Chancellor Angela Merkel's 2015 order, which had previously allowed hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers to enter Germany. The new rules will now see everyone without proper documentation, apart from children and pregnant women, turned away if they try to enter Germany from a neighbouring country. Merz also moved to initiate a process to allow for the deportation of Syrian migrants following the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad's regime late last year. The Chancellor, who made the order on his first day in office early May, pledged during the election to crack down on migration. To implement the new measures, Dobrint ordered a massive increase in border force personnel, with local media reporting that a further 3,000 cops are being brought in for a total of 14,000 border guards. 'It's clear that we want to take stronger steps against illegal immigration and the result must be that we deploy a bigger police presence at the borders for that. The numbers remain significantly too high,' Dobrint said. Merz defended the policy, saying: 'The European Union must send a signal to those who are setting off for Europe without valid entry permits. 'Above all, we need to send a signal to the smuggling organisations that these routes will become much more difficult in the future - and that at some point, they will be closed altogether. That is the right and strong common signal.' Newly elected German chancellor Friedrich Merz (pictured) has scrapped Angela Merkel's open border policy An officer of the German Federal Police (Bundespolizei) escorts a group of migrants near Forst, eastern Germany Suspected illegal migrants sit on the ground after they were detained by German police during their patrol along the German-Polish border to prevent illegal migration Merz last month succeeded his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, whose government collapsed six months ago. Scholz, too, had been under pressure to curb migration as shelters across the country had been filling up for years. His government tried to speed up asylum procedures and also negotiated agreements for countries to take unsuccessful asylum seekers back in exchange for more opportunities for legal immigration. In February, Scholz extended strict border controls brought in to tackle migration and Islamist terrorism by a further six months past their planned expiry in March. According to the EU, member states are allowed to temporarily reintroduce border controls in cases of a serious threat, such as internal security. But the regulations stipulate that border controls should be time-limited and applied as a last resort in exceptional situations. Recent attacks on German soil refocused attention on security and immigration ahead of the election earlier this year. In December, the country was rocked by an attack in Bavaria, when an Afghan asylum seeker allegedly stabbed a two-year-old boy and a passerby to death in a German park. Confectionery giant Nestle has been accused of leaving pensioners without money for days - though they have placed the blame on HSBC bankers. British investors in the firm's pension scheme were relying on their latest payments reaching accounts last Thursday - only to be hit by an apparent glitch. Multinational Nestle, which has its UK base in Crawley and is behind products such as Nescafe, KitKat, Smarties and Nespresso, runs a pensions investment fund. OAPs who have subscribed to the service have been sharing online their frustration after being denied their scheduled payments on May 29. Complaints have been raised on a messageboard set up by consumer guru Martin Lewis, who founded the website Money Saving Expert. One disgruntled investor wrote: 'I'm a Nestle pensioner and find that my pension for May 2025, due to be paid in on Thursday 29th May, was not paid in. 'When I've contacted them they say that the fault is with HSBC that didn't transfer the money. 'My question is - do I have any rights to compensation from HSBC? I've had to shuffle money around to cover direct debits coming out of the pension account. Confectionery giant Nestle has been accused of leaving pensioners without money for days The confectionery firm has placed the blame on banking firm HSBC OAPs who have subscribed to the service have been sharing online their frustration after being denied their scheduled payments on May 29 (stock image) 'The money is not paid yet (31st May) and has been promised by 3rd June.' He followed up by saying there was 'no financial loss so far' - but highlighted 'the hassle of moving money around'. He added: 'HSBC is the bank that Nestle use to pay pensioners from. Fingers crossed the payment will go in on Tuesday and all will be well.' Nestle has also faced questioning on X, formerly Twitter, from others missing out. One asked the company: 'My pension has not been paid and both your phone lines are down - whats going on??' The firm's social media account responded by saying: 'Hi, we apologise for the inconvenience, as the team is experiencing technical issues. 'We recommend trying again via phone later today or you can email.' Another customer posted: 'Mine should have gone in 29th May will not be paid until 3rd June so it says on their website due to banking error.' Investors in Nestle Pensions have been commenting online over a delay in latest payments An apology has been posted on the Nestle Pensions website, titled: 'Notice to pensioner members Mays pension payment will be paid on 3rd June.' It goes on to say: 'We are aware that there has been an issue with this months pension payment and that pensions were not paid to our pensioners on 29th May. 'The issue was with our paying agent HSBC UK who did not process this months payment in the usual way. 'Nestle pensions and the UK payroll team have been working with HSBC and we can now confirm that pensions will be paid on Tuesday 3rd June. 'We know this has been a source of concern and frustration to all of our pensioners and we apologise for this extremely rare error.' And in a further statement, a Nestle spokesperson told MailOnline: 'This was a third-party issue outside of our control and we have worked quickly to make sure that payments are made early this week. 'We apologise to those affected by the delay and will conduct a full review to make sure it does not happen again.' Nestle is among the world's largest food and drinks firms, but announced last October a significant drop in sales over the previous year. A Swiss national flag flies beside a flag of the canton of Bern in front of the logo of Nestle at a plant in Konolfingen in the company's home country of Switzerland The maker of Nespresso and Nestle coffee, Purina and Felix pet food, Lean Cuisine and Stouffers ready meals, San Pellegrino water and DiGiorno pizza said sales were down by 2.4 per cent for the nine months to the end of September. Nestle CEO Laurent Freixe told the Wall Street Journal, 'The perception of consumers everywhere but especially in the US is that food prices are high'. He added that the business would now cut prices and offer discounts to attract customers back. Other Nestle procucts include Nesquik drinks and Vittel bottled water, while the company with its global HQ in Swiss town Vevey is also a major investor in L'Oreal. MailOnline has contacted HSBC for comment. The wife of Colorado terror attack suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman turned over his iPhone to police after he attacked a group of peaceful pro-Israel protesters with a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails. Soliman, 45, has been charged with first-degree murder and assault over the fiery attack. Soliman, in his confession, said he wanted to 'kill all Zionists'. He told investigators he left messages for his family on his iPhone 14, which his wife handed over to the Colorado Springs Police Department shortly after his arrest, according to a federal affidavit. Investigators also recovered a journal from his home in which he planned out the horrific attack. Four additional victims have been identified in the Boulder attack, which Soliman planned the attack for more than a year and specifically targeted what he described as a Zionist group. President Donald Trump has vowed that Soliman will be 'prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law' - while also blaming Joe Biden's 'ridiculous open border' immigration policies for contributing to the attack. The Justice Department - which leads investigations into acts of violence driven by religious, racial or ethnic motivations - called the attack a 'needless act of violence' and charged Soliman with a federal hate crime Monday morning. A lost dog has been found after making an incredible 40-mile journey and even swimming to an island. Amber, a five-year-old retriever cross, had been missing for 36 days when she was picked up by a boat crew as she tried to swim back to the mainland. The rescue dog vanished from her foster home in Bramshaw in the New Forest on April 25. In the following days there were 63 reported sightings of her in the National Park, with food stations put out and cameras set up in a bid to locate her. She somehow walked in a south westerly direction across the forest to the coast, ending up on Sandbanks in Poole. Amber then doggy-paddled for one mile across Poole Harbour to reach Brownsea Island. During her four days on the tiny island, she was befriended by one of its mere 30 residents who laid out food for her every night. Amber, a five-year-old retriever cross (pictured) has been found after making an incredible 40-mile journey that lasted five weeks and even involved her swimming to an island. The rescue dog went missing from her foster home in Bramshaw in the New Forest on April 25 In the days following her disappearance, there were 63 reported sightings of Amber in the National Park. Yet, she somehow walked in a south westerly direction across the forest to the coast, ending up on Sandbanks in Poole Your browser does not support iframes. Amber then attempted to swim back to the mainland but was fortunately spotted by the crew of a passing ferry who initially mistook her for a seal. Noticing she was struggling with the tide, the heroic crew turned the boat around before someone jumped into the water to help her. Ethan Granta, a member of the crew, said: 'I then realised it was a dog and thought 'what's that doing out there?' 'You could see she was struggling so we thought we need to get her out otherwise she wouldn't have made it.' Amber was checked out by a vet and, despite spending five weeks fending for herself, was left relatively unscathed. Unsurprisingly, the young pet had lost a lot of weight and is now getting extra meals to gain it back before she can be considered for adoption. Amber had previously been rescued as a street puppy in Qatar but had then spent most of her life living in a shelter there. At the time of her disappearance, Amber had been staying with foster carer Jess Wadsworth (pictured) in Bramshaw who said she had no idea how she escaped from her home as she had eight foot-high deer fencing installed Pictured: Brownsea Island, which has a population of just 30 people. During her four days on the island, Amber was befriended by one of the very few residents who laid out food for her every night Pictured: Amber on the ferry after just being rescued. She had been attempting to make the mile-long swim back to the mainland when she was spotted by the crew of a passing ferry who initially mistook her for a seal Kelly Parker, who runs KS Rescue, the dog rescue service Amber was brought to after arriving in the UK, said she could not believe how far Amber had travelled, describing her as 'remarkable' She was later brought to the UK by KS Angels Rescue, an organisation run by husband and wife team Sam Collins, 38, and Kelly Parker, 36. At the time of her disappearance, the young pup had been staying with foster carer Jess Wadsworth in Bramshaw who said she had no idea how she escaped from her home as she had eight foot-high deer fencing installed. Ms Wadsworth said: 'We were really concerned because she had no knowledge of the UK, no one she had bonded with and she was just running from everyone. 'We were wondering how on earth we would ever get her back.' Meanwhile Mr Collins said that during her time at the rescue centre Amber had not yet formed bonds with the staff and so often 'bolted' at an unbelievably fast speed, remarking: 'she was always moving faster than we were'. He added: 'She was absolutely all over the place, she kept returning to where she went missing from and was moving in bigger and bigger circles. 'But then we had no sightings for a week before I got a call that she was on a boat. While Amber has lost some weight, she was checked out by a vet and, despite spending five weeks fending for herself, was relatively unscathed (Pictured: Amber's extraordinary journey from Bramshaw to Brownsea Island) Amber had previously been rescued as a street puppy in Qatar but spent most of her life in a shelter there. She was later brought to the UK by KS Angels Rescue, an organisation run by husband and wife team Sam Collins and Kelly Parker. (Pictured: Amber, far left, as a puppy) Amber swam about a mile to get from Sandbanks (foreground) to Brownsea Island (centre) in Poole Harbour 'We know she entered the water at Sandbanks as we were sent a photo of her there. It is about a mile of swimming, which is just incredible.' Ms Parker said she could not believe how far Amber had travelled, describing her as 'remarkable'. She said: 'It is miraculous she did not get run over. We are absolutely over the moon that she is back. 'We took her to the vets and apart from being underweight, she was given a clean bill of health.' Both Mr Collins and Ms Parker praised the response from residents across Hampshire and Dorset who assisted in the search for Amber. The young pup will now be spending some time recovering from her extraordinary ordeal with her foster family, who hope she will slowly be able to build a tolerance to other people. Ms Wadsworth also confirmed that the woman Amber befriended on Brownsea Island is 'in talks' with the pair about the possibility of adopting her. A 15-year-old girl missing for six weeks after she vanished from outside her school has miraculously been found alive 500 miles from home. Alisa Petrov, 15, disappeared on April 21 after being dropped off at school in Utah, getting on a train out of town and asking for help to get to Las Vegas. Nothing was heard from her until she walked into Stetson Hills police station in Colorado Springs on Sunday night and identified herself. Police said the teen was 'in good health,' but it is still unknown where she was or if she was being held against her will. 'Alisa's parents have been notified of her location and are working with South Jordan Police to bring her home,' police said. Hours after she went missing, her frantic parents Olga and Nikolai Petrov discovered their daughter had a terrifying double life when her secret iPad was found hidden in her dresser. The teenager dug the long-forgotten device out of a dusty old box and was chatting with three three men accused of exchanging graphic and explicit messages with her. All three are now behind bars. Alisa Petrov, 15, disappeared after she was dropped off at her school in American Fork, Utah, on April 21 and has only just been found alive 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 Alisa with her parents Nikolai and Olga, and her younger brother Nikolai announced on Facebook that Alisa was found and that the family would soon travel to see her in Colorado. 'We are all really happy that Alisa is found and looking forward to seeing her!' he wrote. 'Special thanks to the South Jordan Police Department who worked on weekends, and to the Salt Lake City FBI who helped them. 'Thank you to all of our friends for your help and support. On April 21, Alisa was dropped off at her school, Canyon Grove Academy, in American Fork, about 32 miles south of Salt Lake City. Instead of going to class, she bought supplies at a nearby Speedway 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, where she had arranged to meet Matthew Nicholas Menard, 35. Olga last week told DailyMail.com her daughter had about $1,000 saved from pocket money and birthday gifts that she didn't spend after she turned 15 on April 16, just five days before running away. 'Somebody else is either helping her and we don't know who or where... I'm not suspecting the worst,' she said. 'That means she's with somebody else and we don't know if it's a good person or a bad person.' Instead of going to class on the morning of April 21, Alisa bought supplies at a nearby gas station and convinced a man there to drive her to the local train station Alisa as a young girl with her parents Olga and Nikolai Petrov, who say they did all they could to keep their daughter safe Alisa dug a long-forgotten old iPad out of a dusty box and was chatting to three accused pedophiles, all now behind bars South Jordan Police Sergeant Shaun Becker said the investigation wasn't over just because Alisa was found - 'if anything, it's just beginning'. 'Theyre going to continue to do everything they can to figure out what happened,' he said at a press conference. 'This was a missing girl case and we were for finding and holding bad actors involved in that case accountable. 'If others become available, we will do the same and hold them accountable as well.' Alisa has not explained why she ran away, but messages on Discord and Snapchat between Alisa and Samuel Teancum Mitchell, 41, another of the men accused of communicating with her, revealed deep animosity she apparently felt for her parents. 'Within their chat, the juvenile mentions suicide and that she hates her parents,' police wrote in a probable cause affidavit for Mitchell's arrest. 'Mitchell advised he had met a girl online who was mad at her parents and had started cutting herself.' Alisa also requested multiple times for Mitchell to 'kidnap her.' Eight days before she ran away, she sent him locations of where she would be, the affidavit said. The pair allegedly tried to arrange a meeting, with Alisa asking: 'like r we [for real] meeting?? like please confirm please before tonight confirm if we r meeting pls bring condoms.' Mitchell replied saying he was sick and couldn't meet her. Alisa allegedly Mitchell to 'kidnap her' from a family ski trip (pictured on that trip) the weekend before she went missing 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 He later told police she 'mentioned that she met an FBI agent in Florida and had an interest in that guy,' the affidavit alleged. That man is believed to be Menard, a tech sales executive, not an FBI agent, who allegedly spent months grooming Alisa for sex. Just two days before she disappeared, Alisa messaged Mitchell at 12.34am, saying: 'IM RUNNING AWAY, please don't contact me'. This was allegedly because Alisa had changed her plan to meeting Menard while he was on a business trip to Las Vegas, before flying to Los Angeles and then his home in Miami. Police detailed in affidavits the disturbing messages between Alisa and Menard dating back to January 17. The pair never met, and police in Miami seized his phone on April 30 after messages were found between them on Alisa's iPad. 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, and surrendered to police eight days later. Another man Alisa was allegedly talking to, William Taylor Glines, 37, from Texas City, Texas, was arrested on May 8 and remains in custody. Glines was 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. Samuel Teancum Mitchell, 41, an accused 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 Matthew Nicholas Menard, 35, from Miami was charged with aggravated 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. Mitchell was arrested last Wednesday and thrown in the Salt Lake County Jail charged with five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Police found no child porn of Alisa on his phone, but allegedly found disturbing conversations with two other girls, one confirmed to be 15 and another who appeared to be about 12, and nude photos and videos of both of them. Olga said she and her husband 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... but she was sneaky and we didn't know. I wish we figured this out sooner and could help her.' A violent rampage erupted Sunday evening at a homeless shelter in Salem, Oregon, leaving 11 people stabbed just across the street from the city's police headquarters, according to authorities. The attack erupted around 7:15 p.m. at the Union Gospel Mission's recently opened Men's Mission, a 150-bed facility located directly across from the Salem Police Department. Among the wounded is at least one staff member, police confirmed. The suspect, who is now in custody, had stayed at the shelter the night before and was attempting to check in again when the violence broke out. Officials said the man began fighting just as he was supposed to hand his belongings over. 'Something set him off, and he evidently had a knife in his bag,' said Craig Smith, Executive Director of the Union Gospel Mission, in an interview with NBC News. 'The whole incident is on video,' he added, noting the footage has been turned over to investigators. All 11 victims were taken to a local hospital with what police described as 'varying types of injuries.' The suspect, who is now in custody, had stayed at the shelter the night before and was attempting to check in again when the violence broke out The attack erupted around 7:15 p.m. at the Union Gospel Mission's recently opened Men's Mission, a 150-bed facility located directly across from the Salem Police Department Scene at United Gospel Mission of Salem after police and fire responded to reports of multiple stabbings in Salem, Oregon. Their current conditions have not been disclosed. The shelter, which opened in 2021 to replace the organization's aging 1960s-era facility, was designed to serve the city's growing homeless population. Footage shared on social media appears to show the suspect lying on the pavement as officers take him into custody. 'This is a very fresh incident, and detectives are gathering the facts,' said Angela Hedrick, a spokesperson for the Salem Police Department. A violent rampage erupted Sunday evening at a homeless shelter in Salem, Oregon , leaving 11 people stabbed just across the street from the city's police headquarters, according to authorities Authorities have not yet released the suspect's identity or specified what charges he may face. Founded in 1952 by a group of local Christian businessmen, Union Gospel Mission was established to serve the citys homeless population. A beauty queen who competed in the Miss Universe pageant has died tragically at the age of 28. The death of Maria Lorena Arguello, a semifinalist in Ecuador's Miss Universe pageant last year, was confirmed by the nation's pageant committee on Sunday. No further details were provided. 'We stand with respect and solidarity with her family and loved ones in this time of grief,' the Concurso Nacional de Belleza said in a statement on Instagram. 'Her memory will always be with us.' Arguello represented Ecuador's capital city of Quito in the 2024 contest, her first-ever pageant. She obtained a medical surgeon degree from the University of Las Americas on June 30, 2024, three weeks before she came up short in the pageant. Arguello's unexpected death stunned her friend Maria Topic, who went on to be crowned Miss Universe Ecuador. 'Today heaven gained a beautiful soul,' Topic wrote on social media. 'My heart mourns your passing, but I trust that God holds you in his arms. Nadia Mejia, who was crowned Miss California 2016 and competed in last month's Miss Universe Ecuador contest, described Arguello as 'one of the kindest people' she had ever come across. Former beauty queen Maria Lorena Arguello died Sunday, according to Ecuador's National Beauty Pageant committee. The 28-year-old was a semifinalist in the Miss Universe Ecuador pageant in 2024 Arguello represented Ecuador's capital city of Quito in the 2024 contest, her first-ever pageant Arguello (pictured) had a knack for 'always supporting others and lifting them up with her light,' according to Nadia Mejia, who was crowned Miss California 20216 and competed in last month's Miss Universe Ecuador contest '[She was] always supporting others and lifting them up with her light. A true queen,' Mejia wrote on her Instagram. 'God gained a true angel today. Please pray for peace for her family and friends at this time. So much love for you, Lore.' Maria Jose Cordova recalled competing against Arguello for the chance to represent Ecuador at the Miss Universe pageant and how it led to a long-lasting friendship. 'At first, this seemed like just a pageant, but it ended up being a family. Although we started in 2024, we remain united because we all created bonds that go beyond the crown,' Cordova wrote. Maria Lorena Arguello received her medical surgeon degree from the University of Las Americas on June 30, 2024 'Today, it pains us to see her go, but it comforts us to know that she did what she loved: discovering herself and shining,' she added. 'Her passing reminds us that every step leaves a mark, and that with faith, love, and hope, we can continue fighting for our dreams. 'May her example always inspire us to give our best, in her honor, and for all those who share this path.' Holidaymakers are set to enjoy quicker flights and fewer delays due to an overhaul of the UK's airspace, the Government claimed today. Ministers have set out plans for the largest redesign of Britain's system of flight paths since it was first decided in the 1950s, when there were only 200,000 flights per year. This compares to 2.7million flights in the UK last year, while - since winning power at last July's general election - Labour has committed to expanding major airports. The Department for Transport (DfT) said redesigned 'skyways' would cut delays and emissions per flight by reducing the need for planes to circle in the sky while waiting to land. It also claimed the overhaul could allow planes to climb quicker during take-off and descend more smoothly. DfT said this would reduce noise and air pollution for residents who live along flight routes. But - despite the plans being welcomed by airline and airport bosses - campaign groups hit out at a lack of detail about the potential changes. They warned some overflown communities could be 'hammered' by greater aircraft noise. Holidaymakers are set to enjoy quicker flights and fewer delays due to an overhaul of the UK's airspace, the Government claimed Ministers have set out plans for the largest redesign of flight paths since they were first decided in the 1950s. There were more than 2.7million flights in the UK last year The Department for Transport (DfT) said redesigned 'skyways' would cut delays and emissions per flight by reducing the need for planes to circle in the sky while waiting to land Under the proposals, the Government hopes a new UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) will be fully operational by the end of this year. Its initial focus will be on redesigning London's airspace, after Labour backed a third runway at Heathrow earlier this year in its scramble for economic growth. Campaigners have said Heathrow expansion could result in an extra 250,000 flights per year. UKADS could also in future design routes that support flight paths for new techonologies such as drones and flying taxis. Mike Kane, the aviation minister, said: 'Redesigned 'skyways' will turbocharge growth in the aviation industry, not least by boosting airport expansion plans and supporting job creation, driving millions into the UK economy as part of the Plan for Change. 'Modernising our airspace is also one of the simplest ways to help reduce pollution from flying and will set the industry up for a long-term, sustainable future.' Karen Dee, chief executive of AirportsUK, the trade association for UK airports, described Britain's airspace as 'some of the most complex in the world'. 'The UK's airspace is a critical piece of our national infrastructure and these proposals will help modernise it, bringing forward new technologies and routing methods that will make it more efficient, cleaner, and provide passengers with a better experience,' she added. Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, said: 'Modernising UK airspace is long overdue and these changes will help to speed up a programme that will provide tangible reforms, from a reduction in delays, improved resilience and lower carbon emissions.' But Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (Hacan) and Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (Cagne) were critical of the plans. Campaign groups warned some overflown communities could be 'hammered' by greater aircraft noise Paul Beckford, policy director for Hacan, criticised the lack of detail about potential new flight paths as leaving 'longer periods of uncertainty before overflown communities receive any clarity'. 'Whilst we recognise the potential airspace modernisation might bring in terms of reduced noise for some communities and lower emissions from flight, the health impacts of the greater concentration of flight paths needs to be properly understood,' he added. 'The airspace modernisation programme will enable aircraft to fly closer together, which will mean that overflown communities will be hammered by a greater intensity of noise and more frequent noise events.' Cagne said 'residents must live in fear of what is being planned for above their heads and homes.' It branded UKADS as 'another tier of bureaucracy to simply weaken the community voice'. Fresh police searches are due to start tomorrow near the spot where Madeleine McCann was last seen. German police are said to have requested the searches, expected to take place between Praia da Luz where the three-year-old vanished on May 3 2007 and a house near the holiday resort where principal suspect Christian Brueckner used to live. A well-placed Portuguese source confirmed this week's operation was scheduled get underway tomorrow but said some preparation work may take place beforehand. He said: 'They will be land searches only. The main objective is to look for any signs of Madeleine's body.' Sources said the searches would take place on more than 20 privately-owned pieces of land near to a ramshackle rented cottage on the outskirts of Praia da Luz where Brueckner spent several years living before 2007. One said: 'The search will take place on 21 privately-owned pieces of land which in some cases are open and not fenced off. Wells, ruins and water storage tanks will be searched.' Portuguese police are understood to have agreed to cooperate with the search after it was approved by the country's judicial authorities following a formal request from German cops and prosecutors. The search is expected to last around three days unless anything relevant emerges. It will be the first search in Portugal for more than two years, following a near-week-long operation involving Portuguese, German and police officers at a remote dam a 40-minute-drive from Praia da Luz. The searches in May 2023 at Arade Dam, an 'area of interest' that Brueckner reportedly called his 'little paradise', came to nothing. Madeleine McCann, who disappeared from a holiday flat in Portugal in May 2007 Principle suspect Christian Brueckner pictured in court in October 2024 It is not clear if detectives are now acting on a new tip-off about where Madeleines body could be. The German police team is expected to include forensic experts, who were also present for the May 2023 Arade Dam searches. They were the first major searches in Portugal for Madeleine McCann in nine years following an earlier June 2014 operation when British police were given permission to carry out digs in Praia da Luz that involved sniffer dogs trained in detecting bodies and ground-penetrating radar. Those digs were linked to the leading UK police theory at the time Madeleine died during a break-in and burglars hid her body nearby. They also failed to produce any evidence pointing to the missing youngster's whereabouts. In a smaller operation in July 2020 Portuguese police and firefighters searched three wells for Madeleine's body but failed to find any trace of her. Prime suspect Christian Brueckner remains in prison in Germany where he is serving a seven year term for rape. The 48-year-old convicted paedophile faces having his hopes of being released from jail in September scuppered after reportedly being accused of new offences against prison guards behind bars. He is under investigation on suspicion of abduction and murder in the McCann case but has denied any involvement in the girl's 2007 disappearance. Portuguese authorities at a base camp in Silves, Portugal during the May 2023 search Authorities scoured the area around the Arade Dam in Silves but found nothing While German investigators made the unusual move of naming the convicted paedophile as a suspect in the case, he has not been charged. Brueckner's prison term is set to end with his release this September - much earlier than prosecutors had hoped for after he was acquitted of unrelated sexual offences in court last October following a trial. The convicted rapist is no longer being held in solitary confinement as he nears the end of his sentence. With Brueckner's release looming, pressure is mounting on prosecutors to charge him following explosive revelations in a Channel 4 documentary and evidence found in a former factory, which authorities believe may link him to Maddie's abduction. The materials, unearthed at a disused box factory in Germany, include a vile catalogue of depraved documents, children's clothing, small bikes, and more than 75 swimsuits and toys believed to belong to young girls. Some were reportedly buried beneath the body of Brueckner's dead dog, which was exhumed during the police search. 'The clock is against the case here and investigators do not want to see Brueckner walk free,' a source told The Sun. 'Their best option could be intervention from UK cops but they have to be prepared to take it on. There are 20,000 pages of Madeleine evidence and the Germans are ready to translate the lot.' The searches are expected to take place between Praia da Luz where the three-year-old vanished on May 3 2007 and a house near the holiday resort where principal suspect Christian Brueckner used to live A vehicle of Portugal's Emergency Services carries wheelbarrows at the site of a remote reservoir during the search in Silves, Portugal, May 22, 2023 Portuguese police at a makeshift base camp in the Arade dam area, Faro district, one day before the official start of the 2023 search Officers scoured the area around the Arade Dam in Silves in May 2023, but made no significant progress in their investigation. The site is about 45 minutes from Praia da Luz, where Madeleine vanished without a trace in 2007 aged three. It was the first major operation of its kind since June 2014, when British police were given permission to dig in Praia da Luz using sniffer dogs trained in detecting bodies and ground-penetrating radar. Portuguese broadcaster SIC reported that German police sought permission to search the dam in an official judicial request to Portugal after concluding it was 'an area of interest'. Authorities in Washington are urgently searching for three young girls who vanished after leaving their mother's home with their father for a scheduled visitation. Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were last seen around 5 p.m. on Friday, May 30, when they left home with their dad, Travis Decker, according to a statement from the Wenatchee Police Department. The girls haven't been seen or heard from since. 'The Wenatchee Police Department is asking for assistance in locating three juvenile females believed to be missing and unable to return home on their own,' the department said in a Facebook post. Police added that while the visitation was part of a parenting plan, Decker has since violated its termssomething they described as 'not normal and cause for the alarm.' Decker, 32, is reportedly homeless and known to stay in his vehicle, area hotels, or campgrounds. He was last seen driving a 2017 white GMC Sierra pickup with Washington license plate D20165C. A statewide endangered missing person alert (EMPA) has been issued by the Washington State Patrol. Authorities in Washington are urgently searching for three young girls who vanished after leaving home with their father for a scheduled visitation Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were last seen around 5 p.m. on Friday, May 30, when they left home with their dad, Travis Decker, according to a statement from the Wenatchee Police Department The girls' mother, Whitney Decker, has posted about their disappearance on Facebook and is asking the public for help. A post from May 31 read: 'Last night at 8pm Travis was supposed to drop the girls back off with me and never showed. 'The cops have him going north out of Wenatchee at 5:41. If you could please all keep an eye out for him, his phone is off and every hotel in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee have been checked.' Paityn is described as 4'8' and 80 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a blue shirt, purple shorts, and pink Nike sneakers. Evelyn is 4'4' and 50 pounds, with blond hair and brown eyes. Olivia is 4'2', also 50 pounds, with blond hair and brown eyes. Olivia was last seen in a coral or pink shirt, while Evelyn's clothing is unknown. The girls haven't been seen or heard from since (left to right: Olivia Decker, Evelyn Decker, Paityn Decker) Travis Decker is described as 5'8' and 190 pounds, with black hair worn in a ponytail and brown eyes. He was last seen in a light-colored shirt and dark shorts. The Washington State Patrol also released a photo of him via X (formerly Twitter). DailyMail.com has reached out to the Wenatchee Police Department for comment. Reform UK is to send its first Elon Musk-style Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) unit into a council to look at 'wasteful spending' - under the leadership of a 28-year-old tech entrepreneur. Nathaniel Fried will lead a team of software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors who will 'visit and analyse' local authorities controlled by Nigel Farage's party, starting with Kent County Council. It follows the US Doge, which was launched during Donald Trump's presidency with the Tesla billionaire in charge to cut federal spending. Reform billed Mr Fried as one of the country's 'leading tech entrepreneurs with a specialism in data analytics who has also been a turnaround CEO'. He co-founded TurgenSec, which developed systems to uncover data breaches for businesses. It hit the headlines in 2020 when it found an insecure Virgin Media database that allegedly contained information linking customers to pornographic sites. He will be joined by party chairman Zia Yusuf and Arron Banks, the millionaire founder of the Leave.EU campaign ahead of the 2016 referendum. Mr Banks, who will act as an adviser, stood to be mayor of the West of England last month but failed to win. Nathaniel Fried will lead a team of software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors who will 'visit and analyse' local authorities controlled by Nigel Farage's party, starting with Kent County Council. Reform says its UK version will be led by a yet-unnamed man described as one of the country's 'leading tech entrepreneurs with a specialism in data analytics who has also been a turnaround CEO'. Mr Fried (back right) will be joined by party chairman Zia Yusuf (centre) and Arron Banks (far left), the millionaire founder of the Leave.EU campaign ahead of the 2016 referendum. Reform's previous efforts to root out what it sees as unnecessary spending by authorities it controls have so far struggled to make any impact. New Greater Lincolnshire mayor Andrea Jenkyns vowed to remove diversity officers from the county council, which later confirmed it did not employ any. And a recent claim by Mr Yusuf that the party would scrap low traffic neighbourhoods in the 10 council areas it controls was undone when it was found that there were none. Mr Fried has not always been a fan of Mr Farage, tweeting in 2021 that his YouTube account was being filled with the leader's 'Cameo rubbish' - a reference to bespoke video messages he records for paying customers. Reform said that the unit being sent to Kent will use artificial intelligence, advanced data analysis tools and forensic auditing techniques to 'identify wasteful spending and recommend actionable solutions'. Reform took control of the authority in May and leader Linden Kemkaran has already ordered the Ukrainian flag be removed from the council chamber. A letter sent to the council read: 'The scope of the review includes but is not limited to: Contractual arrangements with suppliers and consultants, all capital expenditure, use of framework agreements and direct awards, any off-book or contingent liabilities, use of reserves and financial resilience, any audit flags raised by internal or external auditors in the last three years. 'We request that all relevant council officers provide the Doge team with full and prompt access to: Council-held documents, reports and records (electronic and paper), relevant finance, procurement, audit and contract data, meeting minutes and correspondence concerning major procurements, any internal investigations or whistleblowing reports relevant to financial matters, any additional documents that might be of assistance.' It comes as Nigel Farage visits Scotland to press the party's hopes of winning its first seat in the Scottish Parliament. A letter sent to the council read: 'The scope of the review includes but is not limited to: Contractual arrangements with suppliers and consultants, all capital expenditure, use of framework agreements and direct awards, any off-book or contingent liabilities, use of reserves and financial resilience, any audit flags raised by internal or external auditors in the last three years. Mr Fried has not always been a fan of Mr Farage, tweeting in 2021 that his YouTube account was being filled with the leader's 'Cameo rubbish' - a reference to bespoke video messages he records for paying customers. A team of software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors will 'visit and analyse' local authorities it controls, starting today with Kent County Council, led by Linden Kemkaran It added: 'Should you resist this request, we are ready to pass a council motion to compel the same and will consider any obstruction of our councillors' duties to be gross misconduct. We trust this will not be required.' It is signed by Mrs Kemkaran, party chairman Zia Yusuf and Mr Farage. A Kent County Council spokesman declined to comment. Mr Farage today demanded tax cuts for North Sea oil and gas firms today as he set out to woo Scottish voters ahead of a key Holyrood by-election. The Reform leader hit out at the overall rate of 78 per cent - including the windfall tax - paid by companies who have made massive profits in recent years, on a visit to Aberdeen. A long-standing critic of Net Zero, Mr Farage said the 'disastrous' tax rate, brought in by the Tories and increased by Labour, was putting off firms from applying to drill at a time when fossil fuels are needed. Ahead of the by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse next week he also suggested the country should get new powers to generate its own income because devolution is 'here to stay'. He also unveiled a Reform defector from the Tories, local councillor Duncan Massey, and and vowed to unveil a Labour defector when he visits Hamilton later. Mr Farage said his audience at an upmarket restaurant in the east coast city included several prominent businessmen and businesswomen who are 'very worried about the future of the oil and gas industry'. '2025 will be a year of record consumption of fossil fuels,' he said. 'We can con ourselves as much as we like, there'll be more coal burnt this year than has ever been burnt in the history of mankind. 'And the same applies to the use of gas and oil, even the most ardent opponent of net zero has to accept the world will still be using oil and gas.' Rachel Reeves increased the Energy Profits Levy (EPL) to 38 per cent in November, which Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) said would push the headline rate on upstream oil and gas activities up to 78 per cent. The Reform leader also said he was open to looking at alternatives to the Barnett Formula, which has been used to apportion UK government cash to the nations since the 1970s. While the SNP and Labour were seen as frontrunners in the seat in a contest sparked by Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie, Reform UK has entered the mix ahead of the vote. But the party has come in for criticism for how it has campaigned in the seat, with attack ads on Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar being branded racist. Both of the frontrunners have also turned their attacks on Reform, with Mr Sarwar describing Mr Farage as a 'poisonous little man' and the First Minister accusing him of bringing 'racism and hatred' to the South Lanarkshire race. As campaigning enters its final days, Mr Swinney warned of the potential threat from Reform, saying: 'Things remain tough for too many families who feel let down by Labour who have given up in this campaign and the deeply concerning rise in support for Farage. 'Be in no doubt, Nigel Farage doesn't care about Scotland. He poses a threat to our values and must be stopped, and only the SNP can do that. 'In this by-election, the SNP is the only party investing in Scotland's future, delivering for families and confronting Farage. On Thursday, vote SNP to stop Farage.' Police bodycam footage captured the chaotic moment a Massachusetts councilwoman attempted to block the arrest of a migrant who allegedly beat up her pregnant daughter. The intense encounter took place on May 8 in Worcester - about 50 minutes outside of Boston - when ICE agents confronted a crowd of about 25 'unruly' activists as they tried to arrest Rosane Ferreira de Oliveira. De Oliveira, a 40-year-old Brazilian national, entered the US illegally in August 2022. While agents attempted to apprehend de Oliveira, who is accused of assaulting her pregnant 16-year-old daughter, Democrat City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj was seen grabbing ICE officers and shouting at them to 'get out of our neighborhood.' Following the dramatic incident, authorities said Haxhiaj 'incited aggression towards the police' and 'eventually assaulted both Worcester police and federal law enforcement officers on scene.' The Worcester Police Patrolmans Union also noted that the councilwoman's 'behavior also emboldened others to act in this manner,' as many bystanders were seen filming the moment and also screaming at officers. Officials have called for an ethics investigation to take place following the ordeal, as Massachusetts US Attorney Leah Foley warned that her office will look into anyone who tries to interfere with ICE operations, including elected officials. 'This conduct poses significant public and officer safety risks. It is conduct that should be vilified rather than glorified,' Foley said. Democrat City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj (pictured) was seen trying to block the arrest of a migrant woman on May 8 in Worcester, Massachusetts by screaming and grabbing ICE agents Rosane Ferreira de Oliveira, 40, (center) was arrested for illegally entering the US in August 2022. She has also been accused beating up her pregnant daughter The councilwoman (pictured) was seen arguing with several officers on the sidewalk begging them to let the teenager go The overwhelming scene began when police officers arrived to help ICE officers who requested assistance with the rowdy crowd. De Oliveira's teenage daughter, dressed in a black and white sweater vest, was seen with her face on the hood of a car as officers surrounded her. Haxhiaj was then seen interfering, as she put her finger in an officer's face before turning to the 16-year-old, screaming: 'Let her go! Do not touch her!' Other people then gathered around the scene as the teen suspect shouted: 'Don't touch me!' 'Don't touch her!,' Haxhiaj then yelled as she shoved an ICE officer's arm and tried to get a hold of the girl. During another moment, the councilwoman was seen arguing with several officers on the sidewalk begging them to let the teenager go. 'She hasn't done anything. She's traumatized. She's my constituent!,' she yelled as officers pushed her back. Haxhiaj added: 'She's my constituent and you're hurting her!' She then questioned why the minor was being arrested, telling officers: 'She has done nothing!' An officer then addressed her as councilor and warned her to back away. He continued: 'Back away and get your hands off of us!' During a press conference just days after the altercation, Haxhiaj said: 'The message to our city manager, our police department and every single member of this community is that the response yesterday from the federal government and the police department was completely unacceptable.' The unidentified 16-year-old (pictured) was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest Haxhiaj is seen up-close in an officer's body camera during the confrontation Both de Oliveira and her teenage daughter, who has not been named, were taken into custody after the minor ran after the car her mother was in and kicked its passenger side, according to Mass Live. Just before she ran toward the vehicle, she handed off her sister's child to another person. The juvenile was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. She was later released from custody. De Oliveira, who authorities said is a 'violent criminal illegal alien,' has been charged with endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. The raid was caused by an altercation the day before when Augusta Clara, the older sister of the teenager, said her partner and father of her three-month-old son was arrested by an ICE agent. Clara, who shared details of the ordeal on a GoFundMe page, said she was then confronted by ICE officers the following morning, 'demanding I return my partners car and report to sign immigration paperwork.' The raid was caused by an altercation the day before when Augusta Clara, the older sister of the teenager, said her partner and father of her three-month-old son was arrested by an ICE agent. (Pictured: Clara, her son and partner) She then left her baby with her teenage sister and went with the officers, who soon informed her she was under arrest. At that point, she called her mother, de Oliveira, to take her son, but when she arrived 'ICE agents tried to arrest her too,' Clara said. 'Then they violently pinned my sister to the ground as seen in the viral video and arrested both her and my mother. They even tried to take my baby from me, but thanks to neighbors who recorded and protested, they backed down,' she added. Clara said she is now 'living in fear' and has since been staying with friends. 'I cannot work, and Im struggling to survive,' she added. The Worcester Police Department said the investigation is ongoing, Fox News reported. DailyMail.com contacted Haxhiaj's office, ICE and Foley's office for comment. The number of people injured in during Liverpool FC's Premier League celebrations has risen to 109. Police were contacted at 6pm on Monday May 26 to reports of a grey Ford Galaxy driving into pedestrians on Water Street in the city centre, close to the parade route of the Reds' team bus. Paul Doyle, 53, of West Derby in Liverpool, has been charged with a multitude of offences in connection with the incident and remains in custody. Four people remain in hospital as of today, Merseyside Police said this afternoon. Detectives are continuing to appeal for witnesses as they investigate the full circumstances of the Water Street horror. They have received more than 500 submissions to the public information portal set up in the wake of the incident. Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: 'This is a complex and constantly evolving investigation and we are still working through and assessing those reporting being injured and our enquiries remain ongoing. 'I would continue to appeal for anyone who has information and is yet to come forward to please get in touch as a matter of urgency.' The scene of devastation after a car drove into Liverpool fans during Premier League celebrations last week Paul Doyle, 53, has been charged with a multitude of offences in connection with the incident A court sketch of Doyle as he appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court last week. He is yet to enter a plea to the charges against him Doyle appeared in court last week charged one count of dangerous driving alongside two counts each of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, wounding with intent to cause GBH and attempting to cause GBH with intent. The court heard the charges relate to six alleged victims, including four adults - two men and two women - and two children aged 17 and 11. The maximum sentence he could face is life imprisonment. He did not indicate a plea on Friday. Prosecutors allege that he used his car 'deliberately as a weapon' to injure those he allegedly struck with his car. DSI Wilson added: 'As a person has now been charged in connection with this incident, I would like to remind people not to speculate or share information or footage which could in any way jeopardise the case. 'We understand that emotions are still running high, and people are seeking answers, but it is vital that we allow the matter to go through the judicial process.' Specialist officers are continuing to support the injured and their families - with forces across the country including Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Lancashire, North Wales and Cheshire offering up resources given the scale of the incident. During last week's hearing at Liverpool Magistrates Court, Doyle shook his head as the seven charges were read out. Judge Healey said the investigation was in the 'very early stages,' adding: 'There is a real prospect of further charges and extensive inquiries need to be concluded. 'I am satisfied this is a truly exceptional case. It shocked and outraged the people of Liverpool and beyond.' Distressing footage captured the moment that the people carrier struck fans gathering for the parade on May 26 The driver was swiftly detained by police after the car eventually came to a halt on Monday Fans being led away from the scene of the Water Street incident on Monday May 26 Liverpool fans had been celebrating their team's Premier League title just minutes before the incident Appearing at Liverpool Crown Court later the same day, Doyle was remanded into custody ahead of a trial fixed for November 24, expected to take three to four weeks. The court heard Doyle will be expected to enter a plea on August 14. Around 50 people were taken to hospital following the incident on Monday evening, the youngest aged nine and the eldest aged 78. Distressing footage posted online shows supporters banging on the car's windows before it accelerated and hit fans at speed, causing several to be catapulted off the bonnet and leaving four trapped under its wheels. Detectives quickly ruled out terrorism as a motive and went public with some details of the suspect to head of misinformation swirling on social media within hours of the incident. The charges levelled against Doyle, a former Royal Marine, shocked his neighbours. One said: 'I just can't believe it. They are like part of the family, we have known them for years, their boys grew up with our children, I'm stunned, I really am.' A leading member of France's governing party has described Britain as an 'El Dorado' for migrants with a 'very weak asylum policy'. The comments made by Eleonore Caroit, 39, on Monday are particularly significant because she is a close lieutenant of President Emmanuel Macron, and vice president of the National Assembly's foreign affairs committee. The Renaissance Party member was asked if a generous benefits culture and lax controls meant the UK was still an 'El Dorado' the mythical city of gold in South America. Ms Caroit replied: 'It is. It's a complex situation, people want simple solutions, but you have to go to Calais and see what it looks like, and how many small boats you have and how many people are waiting to go to the UK. 'So, of course, there is a part that can be improved in France, and we're working towards that. 'But I also think the UK needs to take responsibility, because it is so attractive on these migrant routes today, and we actually need to work together instead of blaming each other.' Ms Caroit was speaking to French media after British politicians expressed anger at the failure of the French to stop thousands of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats. A boy is lifted onto a migrant dinghy as a French rescue vessel watches on, on May 31, 2025 in Gravelines, France The numbers of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats is up roughly 40% on last year Ensemble Pour la Republique's MP Eleonore Caroit speaks during a session of questions to the government at the National Assembly, France's lower house of parliament, in Paris, on May 20, 2025 Ten people have died this year alone making the perilous trip from northern France, and Saturday saw a daily record of 1,194 people reaching the south coast of England. The French stopped just 184 migrants out of 1,378 leaving their shores, most of them on flimsy inflatables organised by people smugglers. This brought the total for 2025 up to 14,811 the highest ever recorded in the first five months of a year, and up 42% on this time last year. Ms Caroit said it was 'unfair' to attack French police for standing by as migrants headed for Britain. She said: 'Once the boats are in the water, it is impossible for the French policemen to actually intercept them.' Calling for a legal change to allow officers to intervene in shallow waters, Ms Caroit said: 'It's a matter of legislation, but it's also a matter, again, of what happened after Brexit. Before it was easier to have the migrants return. 'We need increased co-operation between the UK and the French, the authorities and policemen, so that we can actually have a clear division of what can be done when the boats are in the water. 'And most importantly, it is important to deter these boats from actually wanting to go to the UK. Because unless we stop this, we can put more money into it, but there will be more boats.' French gendarmes pass a family as they patrol a beach known to be used by people smugglers, on May 29, 2025 in Oye-Plage, France French police watch as migrants board dinghies on May 31, 2025 in Gravelines, France Ms Caroit also said Britain was suffering for no longer being part of the Dublin Agreement, which had enabled the UK to return migrants to the EU if it was shown they had travelled through a European country and had failed to claim asylum there. No replacement for the Dublin accord was negotiated in the Brexit talks, although Prime Minister Keir Starmer is seeking to agree a similar scheme. Ms Caroit said: 'One thing is certain the numbers have been increasing since Brexit, because the UK is no longer part of the Dublin Regulation and has a very weak asylum policy.' The French have intercepted just 38% of migrants in small boats this year, down from 45% in 2024, 47% in 2023 and 42% in 2022. This is despite Britain investing 480million over three years to fund extra officers and surveillance equipment on French beaches. Senator John Fetterman's wife was notably missing from the crowd during a spicy debate in which he issued a new attack on his fellow Democrats. Gisele Fetterman's absence comes weeks after she was spotted by the Daily Mail without her wedding ring and rumors are swirling that the pair's relationship is in ruins. The Daily Mail has also previously revealed that Gisele hasn't been to Washington, D.C., with her husband this entire year, with one Senate staffer saying: 'I haven't seen her once.' Fetterman was taking on fellow Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick, a Republican, in a testy debate hosted by Fox News. During the course of Monday's forum, the two discussed the war between Israel and Hamas, the importance of preventing a nuclear-armed Iran and the need for increased security on America's southern border. Fetterman pointed to a provision to increase border funding as one he can support in the Republican government spending package known as President Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful bill.' It was sent to the Senate by the House of Representatives in the final hours before the Congressional Memorial Day recess last month. Calling out members of his own political party, Fetterman noted that his 'party did not handle the border appropriately.' 'If I had to find something in that, the big, beautiful bill that I can support that, and that's a mistake that our party made, and that's the border. I absolutely support those kinds of investment to make our border security as well...' Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., left, and Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Penn., right, greet before participating in a debate moderated by Fox News anchor Shannon Bream, not shown, Monday, June 2, 2025 Pennsylvania senator Dave McCormick, a Republican, participated in a debate at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Boston on Monday, June 2, 2025 Gisele has been pictured many times wearing her wedding ring, but said she does not have it on as she is a firefighter and it could be dangerous 'I thought the border was really important, and our party did not handle the border appropriately' Fetterman argued. Overall, Fetterman still plans to oppose the government funding package due to provisions such as cutting Medicaid, as well as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Democrat Senator's wife Gisele Baretto Fetterman wasn't seen in the crowd during Mondays debate after weeks of speculation about their marriage. In a bombshell New York Magazine report last month it was claimed Gisele - a formerly undocumented immigrant from Brazil, and a vocal progressive - dislikes her husband's staunch public defense of Israel. 'They [Israel] are bombing refugee camps. How can you support this?' she reportedly asked her husband, according to a staffer who spoke to the magazine. In a text to a staffer she also reportedly described how Fetterman was 'fighting to get access of the Twitter account... Please promise me that he'll never have access.' Gisele told the Daily Mail this is her favorite picture and implored us to keep using it But last month, Gisele told the Daily Mail that the pair are doing fine, batting away questions about the state of their union. When asked about the missing wedding band, she said: 'I'm a firefighter, did you know that? If I wore my wedding ring to fight fires, that would be dangerous. That's why it's not here.' In recent years, Gisele has volunteered as a part-time firefighter. Gisele has become somewhat of a political star in her own right. Last month, Politico columnist Bill Scher included Gisele on his roster of a proposed Democrat 'Shadow Cabinet' to be created to oppose the Trump Administration's policy agenda. Gisele was suggested by Scher for the role of Shadow Secretary of Homeland Security. In her most recent post on X made in February, she wrote about the issue of immigration: 'I still hate politics but I [heart emoji] people and I believe all people deserve to feel safe in their homeland. And if your home is a chosen one, then you should also feel safe there.' Gisele Barreto Fetterman made no attempt to hide her left hand which no longer has the ring husband John gave her when they married in 2008 A shadow cabinet is present in parliamentary governance systems in nations such as Canada and the United Kingdom. Senator Fetterman also had the chance to publicly address a call made on Sunday by the Philadelphia Inquirer - one of the duo's more prominent home state newspapers - for him to step aside. In an opinion piece published by the paper's editorial board Sunday, Fetterman was told 'to serve Pennsylvanians, or step away' due to what the board believes is a neglect of his duties as a U.S. Senator. Fetterman was bashed for missing votes, and for his lack of travel around the Commonwealth. Battleground Pennsylvania senators - Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Dave McCormick - faced off at a Fox News co-hosted forum to debate on June 2nd, 2025 U.S. Senator John Fetterman addressed concerns over missed votes during a Fox News co-hosted forum on June 2nd, 2025 Fetterman responded that the votes he has missed have been 'procedural' in nature, adding: 'At this point I'm hearing I'm doing that job, I'm defending on all those things and all of those important votes, I've always been there.' 'We all know those votes that I've missed were on Monday. Those are travel days, and I have three young kids and I, those are throwaway procedural votes that there were never determinative. They were important. That's a choice that I made,' Fetterman concluded. Shocking new footage has shown tourists atop Mount Etna sprinting for safety after clouds of volcanic ash more than four miles high erupted this morning. A portion of the famous volcano's southeastern crater is thought to have collapsed shortly after 11am local time this morning, authorities said, triggering an avalanche of molten rock that hurtled down the side of the towering landmark. Terrified tourists visiting the volcano on the Italian island of Sicily were forced to run for their lives as the gigantic ash cloud plumed behind them. But the footage also showed some keen holidaymakers refusing to leave until they had stopped to snap a few pictures of the monstrous clouds. Tourists are able to visit the 3,300m-high Mount Etna in guided tours, though some areas of the volcano can be accessed independently. A red aviation warning was briefly issued by the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre after the so-called 'pyroclastic flow' occurred at 11:24am local time, as the ash cloud reached 6.5 kilometres (4 miles) in height. Pyroclastic flows occur when volcanic rock, ash and hot gases surge from volcanoes, often following some kind of tremor or disturbance. Dr Agust Gudmundsson, from the Department of Earth Sciences at Royal Holloway, University of London, told MailOnline: 'Pyroclastic flows, even comparatively small ones, are always dangerous since they move very fast. 'The origin of this one is not entirely clear, but seems to be partly related to some sort of a collapse.' Etna, the most active volcano in Europe, had been experiencing some activity with volcanic tremors felt overnight, which experts said likely triggered the continuous 'explosions of growing intensity' this morning. Tourists pause to snap pictures of the huge cloud of volcanic ash Tourists fled for their life after a monstrous ash cloud exploded behind them on Mount Etna An image shared by a climber visiting Mt. Etna shows the incredible plume of smoke generated by the pyroclastic flow Dozens of holidaymakers began running along a ledge of the volcano, triggered by an avalanche of boiling rock hurtling down its slope Terrified tourists on guided tours ran after a ginormous ash cloud erupted behind them Terrifying clouds of ash more than a mile high erupted from Mount Etna this morning A US tourist who was hiking around the volcano on Monday told DailyMail.com that their guide told them to run away when the ash cloud erupted. Jamie Boone, from Washington DC, said the volcano had been 'active all morning', but nobody had any idea it was set to erupt so violently. As footage she shared to social media shows, a huge plume of smoke unexpectedly filled the skies and sent an avalanche of boiling rock down the side of the mountain. 'That was when it got a little scary and we weren't sure how much danger we were in,' she said, describing the eruption as 'loud and explosive .' 'That's when our guide told us to run to get away,' she added. 'We were glad to have an experienced guide telling the others what to do, as some were going toward it. 'We were mid-mountain and that was scary, I can't imagine how it felt being at the top right by the crater. Our guide told us if it had collapsed outward instead of inward, we and a lot of others would have been in real trouble.' The pyroclastic flow - an avalanche of burning ash careening down the slopes at a fast pace and high density - does not appear to have passed the edge of the Valley of the Lion, one of Etna's slopes. The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, Etnean Observatory, said it was 'probably produced by a collapse of material from the northern flank of the South-East Crater'. A 'lava fountain' has also begun after the ash bomb, according to the institute. The ominous ash cloud is said to mainly consist of water and sulfur dioxide and was 'drifting towards the southwest' The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology said earlier this morning: 'Over the past few hours, the activity flagged in the previous statement issued at 4.14am (3.14am BST) has carried on with strombolian explosions of growing intensity that, at the moment, are of strong intensity and nearly continuous. 'Over the past few hours, the falling of a little thin ash has been flagged in the Piano Vetore area.' The terrifying volcanic tremor began just after 10pm last night, reaching its peak three hours later at about 2.8km below the crater. The eruption occurred at 11.24am local time (0924 GMT). While some holidaymakers were running for their lives, others decided to stop and capture the incredible ash cloud Huge plumes of ash were seen spewed out of the most active volcano in Europe The ominous ash cloud is said to mainly consist of water and sulfur dioxide and was 'drifting towards the south west Your browser does not support iframes. As some dashed down the gravelly slopes, some tourists made enough time to take in the dramatic cloud formation or take photos Users on social media have been sharing footage of the horrifying ash cloud that is threatening to cover the Italian island In one video, the monstrous formation begins to blot out the sun Crowds look on in shock as a ginormous ash cloud begins to cover the city of Catania Smoke rises from the crater of the Etna volcano as it erupts Volcanic steam rises from Mount Etna, near Motta Camastra, Sicily, Italy Huge plumes fo ash were seen spewing out of Mount Etna from Catania early this morning Activity has calmed in the last few hours but the threatening grey cloud is still visible. Mount Etna, located on the eastern coast of Sicily, is one of the most active volcanoes worldwide and has been going through an especially active period for the last five years. Last summer, the volcano caused chaos at nearby airports as they were forced to limit and divert flights as pilots struggled with visibility. A usually busy Catania airport had to send flights to other airports on the island, such as Palermo and Comiso. Arriving flights were reduced to six per hour and one section of the airport was closed, while local towns were also covered in a blanket of black ash. The 500,000-year-old volcano has been spewing lava during repeated outbursts in May before today's explosion. Etna's most destructive eruption covered 14 villages and towns in lava flows and earthquakes from the volcano. The eruption, which lasted several weeks, killed nearly 20,000 people, with thousands more made homeless, according to records from 1669. A pregnant reality TV star was shot dead in front of her young daughter in a horrific street attack in Romania. Teodora Marcu, 23, was shot four times while out walking with her young daughter and her cousin on the outskirts of Bucharest at around 7pm on Saturday night. The young woman, who was 26 weeks pregnant at the time, was killed by former partner Robert Lupu, Antena 3 CNN reports. The taxi driver from Onesti, 49, was alleged to have shot Marcu with a pistol before shooting himself with another handgun hours later, judicial sources told Libertatea. Witnesses told local media that Lupu had followed his former partner, approaching calmly before pulling out a weapon and shooting her from close range. Marcu was taken to hospital, but doctors were unable to save her life. The young woman rose to fame as a contestant on a Romanian version of 'Love Island' broadcast in 2022. She had spoken out about her strained on-off relationship with Lupu and took out a protection order against him in 2021. Teodora and partner Alex Marcu announced they were expecting a child only in April, despite doctors telling them she would not be able to conceive, A1 reports. She would have given birth to a son. She was 26 weeks pregnant with her second child when she was attacked The young woman had previously appeared on 'Love Island' in Romania Horrific surveillance footage showed a man dressed in black approaching the young group. It did not pick up the sound of gunfire. A woman pulls the children away from scene before going back over to Marcu, the footage shows. Bystanders tried to provide first aid, Adevarul reports. Marcu had been at a children's party with her cousin and her children before the attack. They left the party and went to buy ice cream together when the victim was reportedly shot four times in the chest and abdomen. The suspect calmly left the scene. Police found Lupu at a residential complex nearby soon after. He shot himself as officers surrounded him, local media reports. Lupu, 26 years her senior, had met Marcu when she was 14, Libertatea reports. Marcu had claimed that they broke up after she learned that his relationship with his ex-wife had not completely ended, according to Adevarul. They reconciled and then continued dating for two years before parting ways. Teodora Marcu was walking with her young child when she was shot dead Police found her ex-partner Robert Lupu at a residential complex soon after. He shot himself as officers surrounded him, local media reports. But speaking on Season 6 of the Romanian 'Love Island', she had said that she had sought a protection order as 'he was always coming after us and it annoyed me'. 'Alex and I really got along very well, and to see him always after you...' 'They lived in terror for a long time,' a former contestant, who wished to remain anonymous, told Actualitate.net. 'He knew everything: where they lived, where Teodora went, what she did. He followed her step by step.' 'She found out she was pregnant when she was on the show. And when Robert, her ex, found out, he said he was coming and cutting her belly,' they added. Her partner, Alex, was in Chisnau at the time of the shooting, A1 reports. Lupu had written a book, titled 'The Life of a Ragman and His Analyses', about his obsession with Ms Marcu, Libertatea reports. In the book, which went unpublished, he claimed she had cheated on him with Alex Marcu. In the book he reportedly describes how he decided to 'do something crazy' and 'become a magician with proper documents' in a bid to win her back. The young woman had spoken out about her strained on-off relationship with Lupu and took out a protection order against him in 2021 Lupu had written a book detailing his efforts to win Marcu back after their split A police statement said that officers were called to the scene of the shooting at around 7:09pm on May 31. They were told that 'on a street in a residential neighborhood, in the Stefanestii de Jos commune, a 23-year-old woman had been physically assaulted, by shooting, with a weapon, by a man'. Police, joined by medics, immediately went to the scene and provided first aid. Marcu was then taken to hospital, where she later died. 'Following the checks carried out, the man in question, aged 49, was identified and will be tracked down,' the statement read. Police said: 'Two lethal firearms were found on the man, one of which he used to commit suicide. 'The two weapons were seized by specialists from the Weapons Service of the Ilfov County Police Inspectorate and we are still trying to determine their origin.' The investigation into her alleged murder is ongoing. The family of a British hiker who died with his friend in the Dolomites have revealed their 'heartbreak' after his body was found. Aziz Ziriat, 36, and Samuel Harris, 35, were hiking in the Italian mountains when they vanished on New Year's Day without a trace, sparking a major search operation. On Saturday, Mr Ziriat's body was discovered in a rocky crevice about 400-metres below where Mr Harris' body was found almost five months earlier. His grieving family said: 'Whilst we are relieved to have finally found him, there are no words to describe how heartbroken we are to lose our beloved Aziz.' His relatives added the past few months had been 'incredibly difficult for everyone who knew and loved him'. 'But we have been comforted by the overwhelming love we have received - we will be eternally grateful for everyone's support,' they added. Mr Harris was found dead just over a week after he went missing, with his body covered under deep layers of snow. A phone, card, and glasses belonging to Mr Ziriat were all discovered close to Mr Harris' body, but there was no sign of him then. The body of a missing British hiker who disappeared with his friend on New Year's Day has been found in Italy. Aziz Ziriat's remains were discovered this morning and the Trentino Alpine and Speleological Rescue team are now working to recover his remains Aziz Ziriat (left), 36, and his friend Samuel Harris (right), 35, both from London, were hiking in the Dolomites in northern Italy when they vanished without a trace His family have been informed of the discovery, according to the mountain rescue organisation. Pictured: Mr Ziriat with his girlfriend, Bex Paying tribute to his 'optimism, good humour and humility', Mr Ziriat's family added: 'Being with Aziz was to witness his deep connection with and appreciation of life. 'He lived every moment with optimism, good humour and humility; he was, and still is, loved by so many.' In a video to friends before they vanished, the pair had detailed plans to scale a 3,000-metre mountain on January 1. But their family and friends became concerned when the two explorers missed their flights back to Britain on January 6 and alerted Italian authorities, who launched an urgent search, which were hampered by heavy snow and strong winds. The last known location of Mr Ziriat, who worked for Crystal Palace's Palace for Life foundation, and Mr Harris was close to a hut called Casina Dosson, which is near the town of Tione Di Trento, near Riva del Garda, on Lake Garda. Rescuers on a helicopter search tragically confirmed Mr Harris's body was found 'buried under the snow' at around 2,600m on January 8. Italy's alpine rescue service said ground teams found his body at the base of the Care Alto peak and suggested he may have fallen from rocks above the spot. The rescue teams had been searching the area after tracking a 'phone of one of the two mountaineers'. Following the discovery of Mr Harris's body at 1pm, rescuers and sniffer dogs continued searching for his hiking partner until 1.30pm, when the hunt was called off due to worsening wind and fog. An investigation is under way into the circumstances of the incident, a spokesperson said at the time. Samuel Harris (pictured) was found dead just over a week after he went missing, with his body covered under deep layers of snow In a video to friends before they vanished, the pair had detailed plans to scale a 3,000-metre mountain on January 1. Pictured: Rescuers searching for the men Rescuers are pictured on a mountain after the body of Sam Harris was located in the Dolomites Earlier that day, rescuers said the men's backpacks and equipment were found during a search of a bivouac hut they are believed to have taken refuge in. The discovery of Mr Harris's body came just hours after Mr Ziriat's girlfriend, Bex Dimmock, said their disappearance 'just doesn't make sense'. Breaking down in tears on Good Morning Britain, Ms Dimmock said: 'There's just so many different possibilities and scenarios, that's the hardest thing. It doesn't make sense and we don't know what decisions they have made.' She added: 'They are really experienced, they have been to some really harsh conditions. 'This trip, they had a plan to go hut to hut and if the weather permitted they would sleep outside. 'They did have a nice route planned where they would end up in Lake Garda and have some time in that town before coming back.' In a separate interview with the BBC, Ms Dimmock said: 'They wanted to do a New Year's hike. They wanted to go from hut to hut throughout the Dolomites. 'They were planning on going off-grid, so that's not unexpected at all. 'I think they wanted to have some nights where they were out in nature and in fresh air and sleeping in the wild. They have all the gear and they've done hikes before. 'But they also wanted to get into the huts and have fires and drink red wine because it was New Year's, which they did do, because he did message me at one point and he was carrying a log up the mountain to one of the huts.' She added: 'I know they made it to the hut, and they were drinking red wine, but he said it was freezing.' She said she last spoke to Mr Ziriat at about 10.00am GMT on New Year's Day. 'He sent some photos of the mountains and a couple of himself,' she said. 'He said his phone was about to die but he would write back to me properly soon.' She said a few hours later, her messages were not being received by Mr Ziriat's phone. 'His phone had obviously died at that point, or he was out of range,' she said. The much-ridiculed waxwork figure of President Emmanuel Macron has been stolen from a Paris museum by Greenpeace activists over France's continued involvement with Russia. Two women and a man allegedly entered the Grevin Museum in central Paris posing as tourists, covered the 35,000 lookalike with a blanket and left through an emergency exit. One local outlet reported that the activists changed their clothes once inside to look like employees, allowing them to get close to the display. Activists then set up a demonstration outside the Russian embassy in the 16th arrondissement with placards, a Russian flag, mock warning road signs and a wax statue of French President Emmanuel Macron. The director general of Greenpeace France, Jean-Francois Julliard, said: 'For us, France is playing a double game. 'Emmanuel Macron embodies this double discourse: he supports Ukraine but encourages French companies to continue trading with Russia'. 'Emmanuel Macron is being specifically targeted because he bears particular responsibility in this situation.' He added that Macron 'should be the one to lead European discussions' to end trade contracts between European countries and Russia. Alleged Greenpeace environmental activists hold placards, a Russian flag, mock warning road signs and a wax statue of French President Emmanuel Macron Greenpeace environmental activists set up a wax statue of French President Emmanuel Macron - they say to have stolen from the Musee Grevin The activists allegedly entered the Grevin Museum in central Paris posing as tourists, covered the 35,000 lookalike with a blanket and left through an emergency exit Despite sanctions and Macron's fierce support for Ukraine, Greenpeace say France has continued to import large amounts of gas, uranium and chemical fertiliser from Russia. Between 2021 and 2022, France tripled its imports of Russian industrial nuclear products, according to a study by Polish think tank Forum Energii. This has since come down slightly. France also became the largest European importer of Russian liquefied natural gas, surging by almost 80 per cent in 2024 compared to the year before, it was reported by European Gas Hub. And in 2023, French imports of Russian fertilisers also jumped up 86 per cent against figures from 2021. Thanks to his continued involvement with the Kremlin, the activists claimed Macron 'does not deserve to be exhibited in this world-renowned cultural institution until he has terminated French contracts with Russia and initiated an ambitious and lasting ecological transition on a European scale'. Before his excursion, the waxwork of Macron had a framed image of the French leader shaking the Russian despot, Vladimir Putin, placed on his desk. Energy Transition campaigner at Greenpeace France, Roger Spautz, said Macron 'must abandon his nuclear revival'. He said: 'To persist in this trajectory is to persist in a dangerous dependence on hostile regimes like Russia, and to continue financing the industry of a criminal regime. The activists said they targeted the French leader's statue because 'he supports Ukraine but encourages French companies to continue trading with Russia' Macron 'should be the one to lead European discussions' to end trade contracts between European countries and Russia, the activists said When the figure was created in 2018, even museum staff admitted the Macron waxwork did not look much like Mr Macron 'There is no sovereignty, no energy transition, and no peace possible with Vladimir Putin's uranium. 'It is time to put an end to this double talk and turn the page on nuclear power, once and for all.' It was not immediately clear whether the thieves would be ransoming the waxwork, though Greenpeace have since said they 'borrowed' it. A man soon contacted the museum after it had gone missing saying he was a member of Greenpeace and that he had taken the figure. When the statue was created in 2018, even museum staff admitted the Macron waxwork did not look much like Mr Macron. The depiction of the 47-year-old head of state has often been compared to a Thunderbird puppet, or a Ken and Barbie doll. Grevin's director, Yves Delhommeau, said: 'A tense and anguished face, a frozen statue that doesn't live, this is not beautiful, it is something that just doesn't work.' Before his excursion, the waxwork of Macron had a framed image of the French leader shaking the Russian despot, Vladimir Putin, placed on his desk Despite sanctions and Macron's fierce support for Ukraine, Greenpeace say France has continued to import large amounts of gas, uranium and chemical fertiliser from Russia Mr Delhommeau said President Macron did not meet with them in order to scan his face, so sculptors were forced to work with pictures of the 40-year-old. Others went online to ridicule the model, saying it was one of the worst depictions of a public figure ever made. The Grevin Museum is often compared to Madame Tussauds, the wax museum founded in London in 1835 by the French sculptor Marie Tussaud. Like the British version, Grevin displays the waxworks of numerous famous figures from around the world. Both museums are massive tourist attractions, with hundreds of thousands of visitors enjoying the waxworks every year. When it was created in 2018, even museum staff admitted the Macron waxwork did not look much like Mr Macron. An American tourist revealed the terrifying moment she was hiking on Mount Etna when the volcano erupted in a horrifying near-death experience. Jamie Boone, from Washington DC, told DailyMail.com her dream vacation in Italy with her husband turned into a nightmare during their morning hike on Monday. She said the volcano had been 'active all morning', but nobody had any idea it was set to erupt so violently, until footage Boone shared to social media showed a huge plume of smoke filled the skies after the eruption. Boone was seen running with her fellow hikers as the volcano exploded and an avalanche of boiling rock was sent hurtling down the side of the mountain. 'That was when it got a little scary and we weren't sure how much danger we were in,' she said, describing the eruption as 'loud and explosive.' 'That's when our guide told us to run to get away,' she added. 'We were glad to have an experienced guide telling the others what to do, as some were going toward it. 'We were mid-mountain and that was scary, I can't imagine how it felt being at the top right by the crater. Our guide told us if it had collapsed outward instead of inward, we and a lot of others would have been in real trouble.' An American tourist revealed the terrifying moment she was hiking on Mount Etna when the volcano erupted in a horrifying near-death experience Jamie Boone, from Washington DC, told DailyMail.com her morning hike on Monday with her husband turned into a nightmare when the volcano erupted Boone said their 'experienced' guide realized the danger and raced them down the mountain, and helped turn around other hikers as they ran for their lives Boone said their guide sprang into action when the volcano erupted, but officials did not stop hikers from going up the mountain beforehand. 'We were excited to see the activity and talking to our guide about how unique the experience was,' she said. 'Then the large eruption started, much louder and more explosive. That's when our guide told us to run to get away in case it shifted towards us.' Boone was among dozens of tourists who were forced to run for their lives as a ginormous ash cloud filled the skies over the mountain. Tourists are able to visit the 3,300m-high Mount Etna in guided tours or access certain areas independently. A red aviation warning was briefly issued by the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre Toulouse but has now turned to orange. The most active volcano in Europe had been experiencing some activity in the last few hours with volcanic tremors felt overnight but has escalated to continuous 'explosions of growing intensity'. Dozens of holidaymakers began running along a ledge of the volcano, triggered by an avalanche of boiling rock hurtling down its slope Terrified tourists on guided tours ran after a ginormous ash cloud erupted behind them Huge plumes of ash were seen spewed out of the most active volcano in Europe Your browser does not support iframes. The pyroclastic flow - an avalanche of burning ash careening down the slopes at a fast-pace and high-density - does not appear to have passed the edge of the Valley of the Lion, one of Etna's slopes. The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, Etnean Observatory, said the pyroclastic flow was 'probably produced by a collapse of material from the northern flank of the South-East Crater'. A 'lava fountain' has also begun after the ash bomb, according to the institute. The ominous ash cloud is said to mainly consist of water and sulfur dioxide and was drifting towards the south west The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology said earlier this morning: 'Over the past few hours, the activity flagged in the previous statement issued at 4.14am (3.14am BST) has carried on with strombolian explosions of growing intensity that, at the moment, are of strong intensity and nearly continuous. 'Over the past few hours, the falling of a little thin ash has been flagged in the Piano Vetore area.' The terrifying volcanic tremor began just after 10pm last night, reaching its peak three hours later at about 2.8km below the crater. A livestream of the volcano captured the terrifying moment and users can watch the cloud descend over the island. Users on social media have been sharing footage of the horrifying ash cloud that is threatening to cover the Italian island Smoke rises from the crater of the Etna volcano as it erupts Activity has calmed in the last hour but the threatening grey cloud is still visible. Mount Etna, located on the eastern coast of Sicily, is one of the most active volcanoes worldwide and has been going through an especially active period for the last five years. Last summer, the volcano caused chaos at nearby airports as they were forced to limit and divert flights as pilots struggled with visibility. A usually busy Catania airport had to send flights to other airports on the island, such as Palermo and Comiso. Arriving flights were reduced to six per hour and one section of the airport was closed, while local towns were also covered in a blanket of black ash. The 500,000-year-old volcano has been spewing lava during repeated outbursts in May before today's explosion. Etna's most destructive eruption covered 14 villages and towns in lava flows and earthquakes from the volcano. The eruption, which lasted several weeks, killed nearly 20,000 people, with thousands more made homeless, according to records from 1669. Senator Lindsey Graham sent social media users fuming after he slammed green energy activist Greta Thunberg for trying to enter Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war. The Swedish woman who grew to fame for her climate activism is inserting herself in the years-long conflict to try and break the Israeli naval blockade on the Gaza Strip. She and her crew debarked from Sicily on Sunday aboard a sailboat named the Maldeen on the journey that could take several days. She burst into tears while addressing reporters over the weekend, sharing: 'We are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying.' Taking a swipe at the potentially dangerous escapade, Trump ally Senator Graham shared a tongue-in-cheek message for the voyagers. 'Hope Greta and her friends can swim!' Graham posted on X alongside a report about the 22-year-old activist's latest stunt. The flotilla includes aid workers, supplies, activists and documentarians hoping to break through Israeli defenses that have been patrolling the coast. The journey is being supported by the nonprofit Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FCC), whose officials have admitted the aid will come in 'limited amounts, though symbolic.' Greta is part of the crew of the ship Madleen, headed to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid on June 01, 2025 in Catania, Italy. Swedish activist Greta Thunberg is among those who will attempt to sail to Gaza on a boat organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), in a bid to break Israel's blockade of the Palestinian territory Freedom Flotilla had to abort a previous journey in early May after it said its boat came under attack by drones in international waters near Malta South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham joked on X that he hopes Greta and her friends can swim as they attempt to break the Israeli naval blockade on Gaza in a sailboat The Republican senator was immediately skewered for his comments and received backlash for his 'threatening' message. 'A sitting United States Senator threatening a convoy full of nonviolent activists - including Greta Thunberg - with a bombing,' former MSNBC host and journalist Mehdi Hasan wrote on X. 'It's difficult to describe how sociopathic, unhinged, and criminal some of the pro-Israel folks have become,' he added. Another user wrote: 'Why is a 69-year-old U.S. senator joking about the drowning of a 22-year-old Swedish activist? Is this where American politics is now?' The post received over 8,000 comments in response, many of them ridiculing the senator as a 'disgrace.' 'Why would a US senator be threatening a young climate activist?' another user asked. Israel has three naval patrol squadrons that have been deploying regularly to defend the Jewish nation's coast and the shores of Gaza, each is equipped with a suite of advanced weaponry like 25mm and .50cal guns. In May, the FCC previously attempted to break the Israeli blockade with another vessel, the Conscience, though that mission was scuttled after the ship was hit by drones and partially disabled off the coast of Malta. The damaged Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel 'Conscience' is anchored at sea outside Maltese territorial waters, after it was bombed by drones while carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, May 3, 2025 Climate activist Greta Thunberg, center, waits to board the Madleen boat, before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025 Thunberg and her crew wore shirts that said 'ship to Gaza' before leaving Italy for the Gaza Strip FCC claims that Israel was behind the drone attack, though the country has not responded to the allegations. 'The moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity,' Thunberg said before departing. 'And no matter how dangerous this mission is, its not even near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the live-streamed genocide.' The FCC has said that the voyage 'is a non-violent, direct action to challenge Israel's illegal siege and escalating war crimes.' The voyage from the Italian island of Sicily to Gaza should take roughly a week if the boat is not intercepted, organizers estimate. The Daily Mail has not received a response from the FCC to its request for comment. Stephen Miller launched another intriguing tweet correcting Elon Musk, his wife's employer, shortly after touting his happy family life. 'The Big Beautiful Bill decreases total spending over the budget window by nearly $2 trillion,' the top adviser to President Donald Trump wrote on X Sunday. The tweet comes after an interview aired with Musk on CBS This Morning in which the Tesla founder admitted to differences with the administration. 'It's not like I agree with everything the administration does,' said Musk, who left his formal government role last week. He went on to express his disappointment with Trump's legislative blue print, saying it 'undermines the work' of his Department of Government Efficiency, which sought to make massive cuts to federal spending by cutting contracts, killing agencies and firing workers. Stephen and Katie Miller - above at a state dinner in September 2019 - met while working in the first Trump administration and married at the Trump International Hotel in Washington DC Miller has pushed back against criticism of the 'big, beautiful bill.' The back-and-forth drama over government spending between the two men close to Trump has been amplified after Stephen's wife Katie Miller decided to follow Musk to the private sector amid his exit from the White House inner circle. Katie Miller, a prominent figure in Trump's first administration, was spokesperson for Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. Stephen Miller, who serves Deputy White House Chief of Staff, has never called out Musk by name in his tweets but his defense of the president's legislation is clear and the timing coincides with Musk's criticism of the bill. Other members of the Trump administration have been just as vocal in defending the 'big, beautiful bill.' DailyMail reached out to the White House for comment on the matter. Stephen and Katie Miller have been married for over five years. The couple met through their work in the first Trump administration. They married on February 16, 2020 at what was then Trump's hotel in Washington D.C. The president attended the event as did several prominent figures in Trump's first term, making it one of the social events of the year among the MAGA crowd. They have a daughter and two sons, whom they brought to the White House Easter Egg Roll in April. Stephen Miller touted their great family life in an interview with Lara Trump that aired Saturday on Fox News. 'This is the most family-friendly work environment. You can bring your kid to work any time you want,' he said of working in the White House. He also described President Trump as 'great with kids.' 'My daughter is always asking to see the president againShe's always desperate for any chance to get face time with the president,' he said. Miller did not, however, discuss Katie's new role with Elon Musk in the interview. But he did talk about how they met, when he was an adviser in the White House and she was spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security. 'When I first met her, she was the communications director at the Department of Homeland Security, so it's very on-brand, the relationship, because we were on conference calls every day on border security,' he said. White House Senior Advisor to the President, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk (center) is accompanied by Katie Miller (left) as he leaves a meeting with Senate Republicans in the U.S. Capitol in March Katie and Stephen Miller at their wedding in February 2020 Musk, meanwhile, formally left the Trump administration on Friday, holding court with the president in an Oval Office press conference. The Tesla founder sported a black eye during the event, which he said was the result of his son X punching him. But even before he departed the White House Musk made clear his disagreement with the 'big beautiful bill,' which is Trump's signature legislation that funds the government. Musk said he was 'disappointed to see the massive spending bill' because it increases the budget deficit and undermines DOGE. 'I was, like, disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, doesn't decrease it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing,' he told CBS News. I said, 'I actually thought that, when this 'big, beautiful bill' came along, it'd be like, everything he's done on DOGE gets wiped out in the first year.' 'I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful,' Musk added with a laugh. 'But I don't know if it could be both. My personal opinion.' The legislation will add about $3.8 trillion to the federal government's $36.2 trillion in debt over the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Katie Miller was in the Oval Office on Friday when Elon Musk held a press conference with President Trump to talk about the end of his government tenure Stephen and Katie Miller brought their children to the White House Easter Egg Roll in April Musk has claimed to save the federal government billions through his DOGE efforts. He was designated a 'Special Government Employee,' which allows private sector figures to work for the federal government, but restricts them to 130 days per year. Katie Miller had the same designation so she also had to leave the administration or get an exemption to stay on board with Team Trump. She, instead, took a full time gig with Musk, handling press for him as he returns to his business interests, which took a hit during his controversial time with the government. A man set himself on fire inside a busy subway station in Brazil in a horrific scene captured on video. The unidentified 74-year-old was seen engulfed in flames in the Sao Bento station in downtown Sao Paulo on the morning of Friday, May 30. The man reportedly drank a flammable liquid and then poured it on himself before setting himself ablaze. He later died at the hospital. Video showed the man walking on the Line 1-Blue platform completely covered in flames as passersby looked on in horror. Subway security agents and bystanders responded and helped extinguished the flames. The Sao Paulo Fire Department and paramedics later arrived on the scene and provided the man emergency first aid. After the blaze was extinguished, the man was seen standing motionless with many of clothing burned off. A worried witness approached to ask what he had done, according to a video. 'My god in heaven, what is this?' the witness is heard asking. 'My god, why would you do this?' My god. Holy f*****g s***,' he added. A person uses an fire extinguisher to out the flames after a 74-year-old man set himself on fire at a subway station in Sao Paulo, Brazil Passengers walk at the Sao Bento Line 1 - Blue train station in downtown Sao Paulo Subway security agents and bystanders responded and helped extinguished the flames The man was rushed to Sao Paulo Hospital, where he was reportedly confused and angered as he received treatment. He died shortly after 8pm local time, the hospital said. Witness Wellington Castello was at the station at the time and said he saw the man fully covered in flames when he and two other passengers decided to help. 'He wasn't screaming, he was just walking with his hands open. At first, I even thought it was some kind of "magic,"' Castello wrote on social media, according to the news outlet Jornal de Brasilia. 'But I realized that it was a person on fire. Then, a guy grabbed a fire extinguisher and ran, I grabbed another one, and another came from the other side with one too. The fire wouldn't go out, it took a few seconds,' he added. A hospital trust at the centre of a maternity scandal is now being investigated for corporate manslaughter, police said today. Dozens of babies died or suffered serious injury at the Queen's Medical Centre and City Hospital, both run by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. The trust is currently the subject of the largest-ever maternity review, which is being led by independent midwife Donna Ockenden, who is examining more than 2,000 cases of neonatal deaths, stillbirths and harm to mothers and babies. Nottinghamshire Police launched a criminal investigation in September 2023 and on Monday said it had now formally commenced an investigation into corporate manslaughter after reviewing more than 200 'family folders'. It said it was looking at whether the trust had been 'grossly negligent in the management of its activities'. Det Supt Matthew Croome, who is leading the investigation said the force was looking at whether the trust had 'been grossly negligent in the management of its activities, which has then led to a person's death' Independent midwife Donna Ockenden is examining more than 2,000 cases of neonatal deaths, stillbirths and harm to mothers and babies Det Supt Matthew Croome, who is leading the investigation named Operation Perth, said corporate manslaughter 'relates to circumstances where an organisation has been grossly negligent in the management of its activities, which has then led to a person's death'. He said: 'In such an investigation we are looking to see if the overall responsibility lies with the organisation rather than specific individuals and my investigation will look to ascertain if there is evidence that the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has committed this offence. 'In order to deliver a fair, impartial and objective investigation, I have informed the trust of these facts, and this is a decision I've taken based on the progress we have made within Operation Perth so far.' The force said its investigation into deaths and serious injuries related to NUH's maternity care had seen more than 200 family cases referred to it so far and it expected to look at 2,500 in total. Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Rob Griffin due to the 'scale and complexity' he expected it to take a 'considerable length of time' for the force to complete the investigation. Dozens of babies died or suffered serious injury at the Queen's Medical Centre and City Hospital, both run by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust The parents of a baby who was stillborn under the care of the trust said the corporate manslaughter investigation 'is just one piece of the jigsaw towards accountability'. Dr Jack and Sarah Hawkins, who both used to work for the trust until their daughter Harriet died in 2016, said: 'Our lives were completely destroyed by the unimaginable and repeated trauma at the hands of NUH. 'This investigation is just one piece of the jigsaw towards accountability. 'A prosecution for corporate manslaughter will only penalise the trust, not the individuals responsible, many of whom are still working today. 'We must never lose sight of individual accountability for those who so cruelly stole not just our daughter's life and voice but many others. 'We will continue to fight for justice, not only for Harriet, but for all those whose lives have shattered.' In a statement, the Nottingham affected families group said the probe was 'welcome' but added that 'no investigation will ever reverse the harm and suffering'. Their statement read: 'Today's announcement is one of mixed emotions. 'We wholeheartedly welcome and support the investigation into corporate manslaughter at NUH. 'It is also tinged with sadness that it has taken so many tragedies for this investigation to have been opened. Sarah and Jack Hawkins, whose baby Harriet was stillborn under the care of the trust, said the corporate manslaughter investigation 'is just one piece of the jigsaw towards accountability'. They are pictured with their second daughter, Lottie. 'Over many years families have repeatedly raised concerns over maternity safety, only to be ignored and turned away. 'Had our concerns been listened to and acted upon, lives could have been saved. 'No investigation will ever reverse the harm and suffering that thousands of families have endured, but right now families are feeling an immense sense of vindication.' The announcement comes four months after the trust was fined 1.6m for 'avoidable failings' connected to the deaths of three babies in 2021. Earlier this year, it emerged records linked to the scandal were mysteriously deleted. Internal investigations by the trust and the NHS Counter Fraud Authority were unable to determine how the files came to be deleted, leading to The trust said the missing files were later digitally retrieved and passed to the police. Ockenden's final report was due in September this year but is now not expected until June next year. Problems at the trust's maternity department were first highlighted in 2021, with dozens of avoidable deaths since 2010. Midwives at the hospital wrote to the trust's board in 2018 raising concerns about unsafe staffing levels but whistleblowers said a 'Teflon team' of managers failed to take action. Nottinghamshire police has been given Home Office special grant funding for the investigation, which involves more than 70 officers and police staff. Nick Brett, a partner at law firm Brett Wilson, said: 'In light of the ongoing narrative surrounding the safety of the Lucy Letby convictions, it is of interest that the police have chosen to announce that it is investigating Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust for corporate manslaughter. 'This means that this investigation is focused on the management of the trust's maternity services as opposed to individual failings and may suggest concern about systems and supervision. 'A successful prosecution for corporate manslaughter requires proof of a gross breach of relevant duty of care and so the threshold is high.' In a joint statement on Monday, Nick Carver, Chair and Anthony May, Chief Executive at the trust said: 'It is absolutely right that we take organisational accountability where we have failed women, families and babies. 'We are deeply sorry for the pain and suffering caused. We know that for many families this harm and suffering will be lifelong . 'We are fully committed to the ongoing police investigation and the Independent Review of Maternity Services, led by Donna Ockenden.' A 21-year-old woman was stabbed to death 'by her drugged-up boyfriend' while hundreds of people danced nearby at an outdoor rave, according to reports. Emma Drebenstedt had attended a techno party, along with nearly 200 others, in a forest near Dresden, Germany, before she was tragically killed in the early hours of May 18. At around 3.45am, furious locals called the police to file complaints about the noise coming from the 'illegal' rave. Patrol cars from the local station were dispatched to comb the area and around three hours later cops broke up the party. But a group of partygoers stumbled across Emma's boyfriend, 16, a short time later as they made their way home. He appeared confused, intoxicated, and had bloody hands, according to local reports. The young woman's body was then found near a wooded path nearby, riddled with stab wounds to her neck and stomach. Pathologists later ruled that she had died from blood loss following her injuries. Her boyfriend, from the town of Pirna, tested positive for drugs when he was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. He has since been placed in a psychiatric facility and no information regarding a motive has yet been released. Speaking to German newspaper Bild, Emma's father, music producer Patrick Drebenstedt, 42, revealed the boy and Emma had just started dating. Emma Drebenstedt had attended a techno party, along with nearly 200 others, in a forest near Dresden, Germany , before she was tragically killed in the early hours of May 18 Emma's body was found near a woodland path close by. Pathologists later ruled that she had died from blood loss from multiple stab wounds to the neck and abdomen. Pictured: Emma Drebenstedt and father, Patrick 'Emma was such a wonderfully cheerful person, she loved music, and she still had so much planned', he said. The woman was set to begin an apprenticeship this year and wanted to enjoy a relaxing summer of freedom before starting work. 'She quit her part-time job specifically for this,' her father told the newspaper. Following the tragic death, Emma's father has set up a GoFundMe on May 21 in a bid to raise money to fund her funeral. 'The money won't bring the child back. But it should also help with the upcoming court case,' he said. Over 32,000 has been raised so far. After the coroner has given his approval, Emma's body will be transported to Saxony-Anhalt where she will be laid to rest at the family's grave in Magdeburg. 'She always wished to one day be buried in the family grave. We are now granting her this wish far too soon,' her father added. It comes after five people were killed and four more injured after a man allegedly went on a rampage at a child's 15th birthday party when a guest refused to have sex with him last month. Seventeen-year-old Mikhail Paramonov is believed to have attacked guests at a country house in Siberia's Baikalsk after a 14-year-old girl turned him away. Friends at the event in Irkutsk region, Russia stood up for the girl after she rejected his advances, and urged him to go to sleep because he was 'drunk'. 'Emma was such a wonderfully cheerful person, she loved music, and she still had so much planned,' her father said But Paramonov, whose parents owned the dacha, was said to have become 'heavily intoxicated' before allegedly attacking and killing four teenagers with a knife. Children between the ages of 13 and 16 were killed in the attack, TASS reported. Four others among the 14 present were also wounded. One girl named Veronika, 15, pretended to be dead after being stabbed - which may have saved her life. She ran to a neighbour for help, who called the police. When the police arrived, they saw the suspect 'naked and holding a knife'. He ran back into the house and 'opened a gas canister' before setting the house on fire, killing himself, per TASS. Police found five bodies in the smouldering remains of the house, including four males and one female. An 88-year-old woman was nearly buried alive after she 'woke up' while her presumed dead body was being prepared by funeral workers, according to local media. The elderly woman had appeared unresponsive after her partner could not wake her one morning at their home in Pilsen, Czech Republic. Fearing the worst, he called emergency services who rushed to help the distressed pensioner but a coroner soon declared her dead, it was reported in Blesk. But funeral workers realised while they were working on her body that the woman was in fact still alive. Various reports claim that the pensioner suddenly opened her eyes as she was placed in the coffin while others have suggested the workers noticed she was breathing. Once it was established she was alive, the pensioner was then taken to hospital where she is reportedly doing well. Local police have launched an investigation into how the woman could slip through still alive and the coroner is being suspected of failing to offer aid. The company that the coroner belonged to has apologised and insisted there will be consequences. An 88-year-old woman woke up in a coffin while her body was being prepared by funeral workers The ambulance spokesman Martin Stepan siad: 'Our operations centre received a call in the early morning hours, during which the operator proceeded in accordance with the valid recommendations of the professional society and the methodology for situations related to the death of a patient. 'Following this procedure, the entire incident was handed over to the coroner.' After funeral workers spotted the woman was breathing, 'the operations centre immediately dispatched emergency medical services to the scene'. 'The woman's basic life functions were ensured on site and she was subsequently transported to a medical facility,' Mr Stepan added. The police spokeswoman Michaela Raindlova said the force were 'dealing with the reported death of an elderly woman, but it was subsequently discovered that she was alive'. 'We are examining the circumstances of the case. The legal qualification has not yet been determined.' In 2022, another man woke up in a coffin but managed to smash his way out after he was offered as a 'sacrifice to mother earth'. Victor Hugo Mica Alvarez, 30, had passed out while drinking at the opening of the Mother Earth Festival in El Alto, Bolivia, when he found himself 50 miles away inside a casket in Achacachi. Victor Hugo Mica Alvarez, 30, has told of how he smashed his way out of a coffin after being buried alive by festival goers 'as a sacrifice to mother earth' After passing out the night before following a heavy drinking session at the opening of the Mother Earth Festival, Alvarez found himself 50 miles away inside a casket The Mother Earth Festival sees people giving thanks to Pachamama, the goddess of earth and fertility, where they give offerings, also known as a 'sullu', to the planet Indigenous Bolivians believe the goddess 'opens her mouth' for offerings in August, and many will give anything from live animals to sheep foetuses, as well as cocoa leaves and sweets The Mother Earth Festival sees people giving thanks to Pachamama, the goddess of earth and fertility, where they give offerings, also known as a 'sullu', to the planet. Indigenous Bolivians believe the goddess 'opens her mouth' for offerings in August, and many will give anything from live animals to sheep foetuses, as well as cocoa leaves and sweets. Some say ancient human sacrifices and offerings are still carried out in secret. Alvarez believes that other party-goers had buried him alive as a 'sullu', sacrificing him to mother earth. The 30-year-old told local Bolivian news outlet Pagina Siete: 'Last night was the pre-entry [of the festival], we went dancing. And afterwards I don't remember. 'The only thing I remember is that I thought I was in my bed, I wanted to get up to go urinate and I couldn't move. 'When I pushed the coffin, I was able to break a glass that it had and that way I was able to get out.' 'They wanted to use me as a sullu.' But to add insult to injury, when Alvarez reported his burial to police they refused to believe him saying he was too drunk. The offerings to Pachamama continue all year round, with many indigenous people taking part in folk dances and ritual ceremonies. Yvette Cooper today tried to lay the blame for a massive surge in migrants crossing the Channel on the French - as Keir Starmer admitted voters have 'every right to be angry'. The Home Secretary came under fire in the Commons after almost 1,200 people reached the UK in small boats on Saturday - the first four-figure daily tally this year. Saturday's crossings brought the provisional annual total so far of migrants who have made the journey to 14,812. Ms Cooper told MPs she had been in contact with her French counterpart Bruno Retailleau about the 'disgraceful and unacceptable' scenes on the beaches. It came after PM Keir Starmer publicly acknowledges the scale of the problem. Writing on social media site X on Monday, the Prime Minister said: 'You have every right to be angry about small boat crossings.-Starmer'-angry 'I'm angry too. We are ramping up our efforts to smash the people smuggling gangs at source.' He claimed hundreds of boats and engines had been 'seized', raids on illegal working were up, and 'almost 30,000 people' had been returned. But Tory leader Kemi Badenoch hit back, responding: 'Rubbish! Even the Defence Secretary admits the govt has 'lost control' of our borders.' The Home Secretary came under fire in the Commons after almost 1,200 people reached the UK in small boats on Saturday - the first four-figure daily tally this year. Ms Cooper told MPs she had been in contact with her French counterpart Bruno Retailleau about the 'disgraceful and unacceptable' scenes on the beaches. It came after PM Keir Starmer publicly acknowledges the scale of the problem. It came after a leading member of France's governing party has described Britain as an 'El Dorado' for migrants with a 'very weak asylum policy'. The comments made by Eleonore Caroit, 39, on Monday are particularly significant because she is a close lieutenant of President Emmanuel Macron, and vice president of the National Assembly's foreign affairs committee. The Renaissance Party member was asked if a generous benefits culture and lax controls meant the UK was still an 'El Dorado' the mythical city of gold in South America. Ms Caroit replied: 'It is. It's a complex situation, people want simple solutions, but you have to go to Calais and see what it looks like, and how many small boats you have and how many people are waiting to go to the UK. 'So, of course, there is a part that can be improved in France, and we're working towards that. 'But I also think the UK needs to take responsibility, because it is so attractive on these migrant routes today, and we actually need to work together instead of blaming each other.' Some 1,195 migrants arrived in 19 boats on Saturday, bringing the provisional annual total so far of migrants who have made the journey to 14,812. This is 42 per cent higher than the same point last year (10,448) and 95 per cent up from the same point in 2023 (7,610). It is still lower than the highest daily total of 1,305 arrivals since data began in 2018, which was recorded on September 3 2022. At Gravelines in northern France, more than half a dozen French police officers simply stood by and watched as migrants waded into the sea and scrambled on to an inflatable boat. French authorities said they rescued 184 people. 480million over three years to stop the crossings, including 175million in the current financial year more than 480,000 per day. Britain had agreed a deal in 2023 under the last Tory government to pay France Speaking during Home Office questions today Ms Cooper said: 'Criminal gangs will likely have made millions of pounds this weekend alone. 'The gangs are increasingly operating a model where boats are launched from further along the coast and people climb in from the water, exploiting French rules that have stopped their police taking any action in the sea. This is completely unacceptable. 'The previous government raised this with France for years, but to no avail, and I have raised it with the French government since the summer. 'The French interior minister and the French cabinet have now agreed their rules need to change. 'A French maritime review is looking at what new operational tactics they will use, and we are urging France to complete this review and implement the changes as swiftly as possible. 'I have been in touch with the French interior minister who supports stronger action again this weekend, and there are further discussions under way this week.' As he made a major defence speech in Glasgow this morning, the Prime Minister was asked if the Government was failing to keep the UK safe in the English Channel. He replied: 'In relation to border security, I want to be really clear: nobody should be making that journey across the Channel and it's our duty to make sure that we ensure that they don't. 'We are working very closely with our counterparts in France and elsewhere to take further action in northern France, and of course, we are giving enhanced powers to our own law enforcement through the Borders Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.' Speaking about the previous Government's Rwanda plan, Sir Keir insisted it 'didn't deter anybody'. He added: 'I'm not up for gimmicks. I'm up for the hard work of working with partners, enhancing the powers that law enforcement have, in my determination to take down the gangs that are running this vile trade.' A blueprint to get Britain war ready to fight Vladimir Putin has revealed this countrys vulnerabilities in the event of a major conflict. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR), published today, includes a chilling list of the potential effects on the UKs way of life. But, despite these threats, top brass are expected to save money. The SDR, which has recommended an overhaul of the UKs Armed Forces, also lays bare Britains overseas dependencies and threats. In the event of war, Britain would be subject to attacks on its military bases at home and abroad, long-range drone and cruise missile sorties, cyber-attacks crippling national infrastructure and disruptions to economic interests and international trade routes. The report reveals 95 per cent of the UKs data is carried by undersea cables that are vulnerable to attack, and Britain relies on imports for 46 per cent of its food. It says: Undersea pipelines and data cables are critical for sustaining daily national life. The maritime domain is increasingly vulnerable. The Royal Navy must be prepared to deter maritime incidents similar to the sabotage of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and the cutting of undersea data cables in UK and international waters. In recent years as much as 77 per cent of the UKs gas imports have come from Norway. So, if the Nordic state was compromised, Britains energy supplies would be cut. The SDR, written by former Nato secretary-general Lord Robertson, retired general Sir Richard Barrons and Russia expert Fiona Hill, was described today as the most profound change to defence in 150 years. It sets out technologies which are redefining warfare such as artificial intelligence, robotics, enhanced precision and directed energy weapons, hypersonic missiles, space-based capabilities, quantum mechanics, cyber threats and engineering biology. Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launchers take part in the Victory Day military parade in Moscow While for centuries the Royal Navy, the Army, and more recently the Royal Air Force have trained separately, they are to come together as never before under the review And while for centuries the Royal Navy and the Army, and more recently the Royal Air Force have trained and equipped themselves separately, they are to come together as never before. Though the plan stops short of a full merger, the services will effectively be moulded into an Integrated Force. The SDR argues this will be more efficient than maintaining a siloed Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. It says: In practice, the single services have largely evolved separately in terms of design, equipment and training. The result is a force that joins up only on the battlefield. The effectiveness of the Armed Forces on operations is determined by the capabilities available to each service at the point of deployment, rather than the result of joined up planning and delivery. The weakening of the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as independent entities, which is likely to trigger fierce debate, is reinforced by the language of the report. The separate services are scarcely mentioned whereas the newly raised Integrated Force is referred to repeatedly. This afternoon, Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge described the SDR as an empty wish list due to funding constraints'. He told the House of Commons: Today, the Prime Minister was unable to give a date when 3 per cent [of GDP] would be reached, because the Treasury hasnt approved the plan. For the Treasury to do so, it will have to feature billions of pounds of cuts from existing MoD programmes. The SDR has deferred all the big decisions on existing capabilities. The terrible shame of this SDR unravelling is that this was an extraordinary opportunity to overhaul our armed forces, in a world of growing threats. For the past year the Treasury has used the SDR to effectively put MOD procurement on hold, absolutely shameful when we need to rearm at pace. Our Armed Forces deserve better. This Government has produced a damp squib SDR that is overdue, under-funded and underwhelming. Sections of the SDR are devoted to domains, land, sea, air, cyber and space, rather than by service. As part of its contribution to the land domain, the SDR expects the Army to deliver a ten-fold increase in lethality. But this will have to be achieved with just a small uplift in the size of the Army from 73,000 to 76,000 regular soldiers as the settled size of the full-time ranks. The report concedes there is a strong case for a small increase in regular numbers when funding allows. Your browser does not support iframes. The SDR suggests fewer paratroopers will be trained to jump. The Parachute Regiment has three full-time battalions, but according to the report, parachute capability and capacity should remain focused on specialists and a single battalion group. For its part, the Royal Air Force will provide the Integrated Forces quickest means of striking targets'. The report calls on the RAF to become more efficient and use civilian planes when a task does not require military capability. While as the Mail revealed last week, the RAF will invest in autonomous collaborative platforms (ACPs) to protect legacy aircraft and vehicles. The Red Arrows display team will have to find new jets as the report recommends replacing the Hawk T1 and T2 planes with a cost-effective fast jet trainer. Disturbingly, the Royal Navy is expected to move towards being cheaper. The report adds the service should explore alternative approaches to delivering a balanced and cost-effective fleet. Admirals are expected to use commercial vessels for transportation in non-contested environments and to share logistical challenges with allies. The UKs 7billion combined cost aircraft carriers are expected to become more versatile, with adaptions to ensure long-range missiles can be fired from their decks and more uncrewed aircraft. Sea drones will also take up a multitude of roles that are currently undertaken by sailors, such as mine hunting. The SDR emphasises homeland defence and the Euro-Atlantic over expeditionary warfare or ambitions to shape the global security environment. This represents a marked change from the advocation of a Pacific tilt in the UKs military posture as recently as 2021. The SDR has made 62 recommendations which government ministers have pledged to accept in full. It was designed to prepare this country to engage against an adversary such as Russia in this decade. The launch of a Russian Armageddon nuclear rocket dubbed Satan-2 Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits a Vanguard class submarine off the coast of Scotland with Defence Secretary John Healey Russian TU-95 Bear strategic bombers at the Olenya airbase on the Kola Peninsula being destroyed by Ukrainian drones thousands of miles away from the front line It stresses the importance of the UKs contribution to Nato. In future, all aspects of preparation for conflict, such as training and procurement, will be predicated on the needs of the defence alliance. On technology, the review says advantage on the battlefield will not come from a single technological advance but from the combination of existing capabilities and a range of emerging technologies that include: Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and data science The review says these technologies will improve the quality and speed of decision-making and operational effectiveness for Britains military, its allies and its enemies. Robotics and autonomy The battlefield of the present, in Ukraine, is dominated by uncrewed and autonomous capabilities. For example, Ukraines devastating attack on Russian airfields was delivered by drones. Uncrewed platforms will also integrate with manned aircraft and vehicles to generate mass and lethality. Enhanced precision weapons These mean targets can be struck with greater accuracy from ever greater ranges. Directed energy weapons Systems such as the UKs Dragon Fire, a world-leading laser ground to air system being developed by boffins at Porton Down, Wiltshire, can save millions of pounds in expenditure on ordnance systems. Their accuracy also means they reduce collateral damage. Hypersonic missiles The UK is developing rocket systems which travel at over five times the speed of sound, which may offer greater range and ability to evade defences Space-based capabilities The SDR says approaching 20 per cent of GDP is reliant on satellite services, making space a critical national infrastructure sector and the site of growing international competition. Major disruption to these satellites would cost the UK economy an estimated 1billion a day. Damage to the UKs satellites would also cripple missile systems and communications on the battlefield. The SDR calls on the Government to urgently develop the resilience of its military space systems. It suggests the purchase of earth-based sensors and counterspace systems, but without providing details. Quantum Advances in quantum computing offer the potential for allies and adversaries to break encryption, making secure communications more challenging. Quantum technologies also have the potential to reduce dependency on satellite-based GPS which is vulnerable to interference and hacking. Cyber threats The report warns cyber threats will become harder to mitigate as technology evolves, with government departments, military hardware and communications increasingly vulnerable. Engineering biology Advances in wellbeing, bionic enhancement and supplementation could enhance the performance of soldiers in combat. The report says there are also possibilities for new energetic and explosive materials, as well as avenues for enormous harm in the shape of new pathogens and other weapons of mass destruction. Kamala Harris has triggered further speculation that she is not running for governor of California and has higher political ambitions. Rumors of a 2028 White House run started circulating after she delivered a lackluster three-minute virtual address to the Democratic state political convention that was politely received by the audience. In a steady, monotone voice, she spoke about the Trump administration's recent actions against universities and praised activists efforts to fight the president's agenda. 'While this administration in Washington tries to divide us, we hear know that we are stronger when we stand together,' she said, a flashback to her 2024 campaign slogan. Harris' failure to appear at the convention and her video address suggested she was not interested in running for governor of California, and instead pursuing a return to presidential politics. The Democratic primary for the governor race is scheduled for June 2, 2026, with the general election scheduled for November. Harris has always been popular in California, easily beating Democratic challengers in her race for Attorney General and her race for Senator of California. Her 2020 race for president, however, failed spectacularly as she ended her campaign before the Iowa caucuses and the California primary. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at an event at the White House Former Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Leading Women Defined Summit at the Ritz-Carlton Since her loss, Harris has vowed to 'stay in the fight' and organized some of her trusted aides into the organization Pioneer49, while she explores her political future. California Democratic activists are frustrated by the lack of signals from Harris, as they are impatient to move forward with a clear candidate. If Harris runs for governor, she will likely forego another run for president in 2028, which Democratic strategists in Washington, DC fully expect her to explore. She continues to delay any decisions about running for governor or diving into presidential politics again, telling advisors she will made a decision in late-summer. A third option remains, that she will forego a political career entirely and remain a paid speaker and inspirational figure for activists with the option of publishing a book of her memoirs. In the meantime, Harris continues to take the stage to protest the Trump administration and rally activists. Last week, she appeared at an event in Australia where she shared a bizarre story about her mother and spiraled into word salads when asked to speak about the importance of humility. Harris also appeared at the lavish Met Gala last month wearing a custom look from Off-White, designed by creative director IB Kamara, but skipped the red carpet. Kamala Harris shares a photo of her dress for the Met Gala Kamala Harris attended the Met Gala with a dress designed by creative director IB Kamara The failed presidential candidate also took the stage at Emerge 20th anniversary gala at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco to deliver the keynote speech that began late in the evening. 'It's good to be home!' Harris laughed as she took the stage, criticizing Trump for his agenda, particularly his tariffs. 'Instead of the administration working to advance America's highest ideals, we are witnessing a wholesale abandonment of those ideals,' she said. Trump's agenda, she said, was 'not lowering costs' and 'not making life more affordable' and 'not what they promised.' She noted that the Trump administration was counting on the fact that fear was 'contagious.' Former Vice President Kamala Harris delivers the keynote speech at the Emerge 20th Anniversary Gala Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris delivers a keynote address during the Emerge 20th Anniversary Gala at the Palace Hotel She also urged Democrats to find courage in the video of the San Diego Zoo elephants who responded to a recent earthquake by circling around each other. 'As soon as they felt the earth shaking beneath their feet, they got in a circle and stood next to each other to protect the most vulnerable,' she said. 'Think about it. What a powerful metaphor.' Harris cautioned Democrats from dismissing Trump's efforts as 'chaos.' 'Understand what we are in fact witnessing is a high velocity event, where a vessel is being used for the swift implementation of an agenda that has been decades in the making,' She urged Americans to stand against the administration with courage. United States President Donald J Trump makes remarks during a cabinet meeting Former Vice President Kamala Harris delivers the keynote speech at the Emerge 20th Anniversary Gala 'What we are experiencing right now is exactly what they envisioned for America, right now we are living in their vision for America, but this is not a vision that American's want.' She praised people who protested the president's agenda, including his deportation orders. 'It is not okay to detain and disappear American citizens or anyone without due process,' she said. Harris only spoke for about 15 minutes, but it was the crowning moment for the event that helped raise money for female political candidates. Russia and Ukraine have agreed a large-scale transfer of prisoners and fallen soldiers following a second round of peace negotiations hosted by Turkey, but Moscow dismissed a demand from Kyiv to hand over 'stolen' Ukrainian children. Delegates from the warring nations met in Istanbul again today, less than a month after their first round of direct negotiations ended within two hours. Today's talks were over in even shorter order. Only an hour had passed when the negotiators emerged, though not before they managed to agree a major exchange of dead and detained personnel. Under the terms of the agreement, some 6,000 bodies of fighters from each side killed in action will be handed over for burial. At least 1,000 prisoners of war on each side will be exchanged along with all soldiers under the age of 25 and those who suffered serious injuries in combat, Ukraine's lead negotiator and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov told reporters in Istanbul. Despite the positive outcome on prisoner transfers, the negotiations appeared to yield no progress toward the full and unconditional ceasefire desired by Ukraine. Ukrainian officials said their Russian counterparts only offered partial two-to-three-day ceasefires at certain points of the frontline to allow for the recovery of those killed in action. Ukraine's state centre for strategic communications, Spravdi, said Russia was only present at the talks to avoid further sanctions from the United States, whose President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with the slow pace of negotiations. Russia's lead negotiator Vladimir Medinsky in turn dismissed a Ukrainian request for Moscow to return children forcibly relocated from the occupied regions into Russia. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in March 2023 for Vladimir Putin and Russia's children's ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova on war crimes charges related to the abduction of Ukrainian children. 'Don't put on a show for bleeding-heart European old ladies with no children of their own,' Medinsky is said to have claimed during the talks after he was presented with an official list of 339 children Kyiv claims have been abducted by Russian authorities. At least 1,000 prisoners of war on each side will be exchanged along with all soldiers under the age of 25 and those who suffered serious injuries in combat Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the progress made during today's talks was superb and expressed a desire to host a face-to-face summit between Zelensky , Putin and Trump in the near future The meeting in Istanbul came just one day after Ukraine's SBU security service pulled off a breathtakingly coordinated operation that saw a swarm of kamikaze drones demolish dozens of Russian military planes and other assets Head of the Ukrainian delegation and Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov (C) and members of his delegation leave the Ciragan Palace after a second round of direct talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul, on June 2, 2025 A truck carrying Ukrainian FPV drones explodes in Russia after curious bystanders attempt to intervene There were doubts today's proceedings would return any progress toward a proper ceasefire even before talks got underway in Istanbul. While Ukraine presented their negotiating papers and requests to the Russian side one week in advance of the talks, Moscow's representatives only gave their terms today, leaving Kyiv's negotiators with no time to study them. The meeting in Istanbul also came just one day after Ukraine's SBU security service pulled off a breathtakingly coordinated operation that saw a swarm of kamikaze drones demolish dozens of Russian military planes thousands of miles from Ukrainian soil. The stunning attack - reportedly more than 18 months in the making - represents a glaring intelligence failure on the part of Russia's security apparatus and has been lauded as a great success by Zelensky. That followed one of the largest single-day drone and missile attacks on Ukraine by Russia of the war so far. Yet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the progress made during today's talks was superb and expressed a desire to host a face-to-face summit between Zelensky, Putin and Trump in the near future. 'My greatest wish for both sides is to bring both Vladimir Putin and Zelensky together in Istanbul or Ankara, and even to bring Mr Trump to their side, if they accept,' he said. Many analysts doubt that Putin has any interest in meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart and have predicted that ceasefire talks between Kyiv and Moscow will go round in circles unless Washington steps up to play a more significant role. Zelensky himself said that 'if Russia turns the Istanbul meeting into an empty talk, there must be a new level of pressure, new sanctions, and not just from Europe,' in an apparent reference to US threats to further penalise Russia. 'Without pressure, Putin will just keep playing games with everyone who wants this war to end,' he said. The relentless fighting has frustrated Trump's goal of bringing about a quick end to the war. A week ago, he expressed impatience with Putin as Moscow pounded Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with drones and missiles for a third straight night. Trump said on social media that Putin 'has gone absolutely CRAZY!' but offered no further details. Servicemen from the mobile air defence unit of the 115th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fire a ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft cannon towards a Russian drone during an overnight shift, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv Region, Ukraine June 2, 2025 Russia was left reeling after the attack orchestrated by Ukraine's SBU security service yesterday Zelensky claimed that the Operation Spiderweb attack was one for the 'history books' Ukraine's Minister of Defence Affairs Rustem Umerov speaks to the media during a press conference following the Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey, June 2, 2025 Ukraine's Umerov told reporters in Istanbul that officials in Kyiv would need a week to review the Russian document setting out fresh ceasefire proposals before deciding on a response. The Ukrainian delegation offered to enter a third round of talks on a date between June 20 and June 30, but Russia is yet to respond. In the meantime, Putin and his military officials are likely to be plotting revenge for Ukraine's so-called 'Operation Spiderweb' that Kyiv claims damaged or destroyed up to one-third of the aircraft used to deliver cruise missile strikes on Ukraine. Because Sunday's drones were launched from trucks close to the bases in five Russian regions, military defences had virtually no time to prepare for them. The attack was so devastating that Russian military bloggers termed the operation 'Russia's Pearl Harbor'. The attacks were 'a big blow to Russian strategic air power' and exposed significant vulnerabilities in Moscow's military capabilities, said Phillips O'Brien, a professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Edward Lucas, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Center for European Policy Analysis, called it 'the most audacious attack of the war' and 'a military and strategic game-changer.' 'Battered, beleaguered, tired and outnumbered, Ukrainians have, at minimal cost, in complete secrecy, and over vast distances, destroyed or damaged dozens, perhaps more, of Russia's strategic bombers,' he said. A fourth man has been arrested by police investigating fires at two properties and a car linked to Sir Keir Starmer. Cops say the 48-year-old was detained at Stansted Airport in Essex earlier today on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. The arrest is connected to a probe into a vehicle blaze on May 8, a fire at the entrance of a property on May 11 and a fire at a residential address on May 12. The man - who has not yet been named - has been taken to a London police station, where he currently remains in police custody. Three men have already been charged in connection with the fires, Ukrainians Petro Pochynok, 34, and Roman Lavrynovych, 21, and Ukrainian-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, who are all due to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday. Pochynok was charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. He was arrested in the Chelsea area of London on May 19. The charge relates to three arson incidents: a vehicle fire in Kentish Town, a fire at the Prime Minister's private home in the same street, and another blaze at an address where he previously lived in the Islington area. One of the fires took place in the early hours of May 12 at the property where Sir Keir lived before he became Prime Minister and moved into Downing Street. Sir Keir Starmer's home, as well as a flat and a car (pictured) he previously owned, were targeted in suspected arson attacks in London between May 8 and 12 A fourth man has been arrested as part of an investigation into a series of fires in north London linked to Sir Keir (pictured) A car was torched in the same street four days earlier on May 8. The other fire took place on May 11 at the front door of a house converted into flats in Islington. Pochynok has been accused of conspiring with Lavrynovych and Carpiuc. Lavrynovych, 21, of Sydenham, south-east London, has already been charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life in connection with the fires. He denied the charges in a police interview. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court last month and was remanded in custody until a further hearing at the Old Bailey scheduled for June 6. Carpiuc, 26, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on May 20 and was remanded in custody to appear alongside Lavrynovych on the same date. Sir Keir has let his 2million private home in the Kentish Town area of north London to his sister-in-law on a peppercorn rent since he moved into 10 Downing Street following his general election victory. The property was set alight in the early hours of May 12, with the London Fire Brigade alerting police to reports of a fire there at 1.35am. Pictured: The remains of the burnt-out car that was set alight in Kentish Town Aspiring model Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, who lives in Romford, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday Court artist drawing of Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court 21-year-old Roman Lavrynovych (pictured), of the Sydenham area of south-east London, has been charged The blaze damaged the porch of the property but no one was hurt. Firefighters were able to bring it under control within 20 minutes, stopping it from spreading further indoors. It came just 24 hours after a flat the Prime Minister previously lived at, in the nearby Islington area, caught fire. Firefighters attended the blaze, helping one person to safety, with the door of the property suffering fire damage. On May 8, in the same street as Sir Keir's Kentish Town property, a car he sold to a neighbour last year also burst into flames. The new owner of the Toyota Rav 4 is understood to have thought the fire started because of a faulty battery. The hybrid car was completely destroyed in the blaze, which occurred on VE Day. All three targets of the arson attacks have 'previous connections with a high-profile public figure', the Metropolitan Police confirmed - so officers from the force's Counter Terrorism Command are leading the investigation. Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is being asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 441/12 May. President Donald Trump's administration rounded up nearly 1,500 migrants in Massachusetts alone - the biggest ICE sweep yet, officials said Monday. A total of 1,461 have been arrested in the state in the month of May. Massachusetts ICE Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde said 277 migrants have been deported and 790 of them were criminals. A migrant arrested on May 7 was found to be deported five previous times and came back into the US committing a slew of violent offenses, Leah Foley, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts said in a news conference. 'Those arrested included individuals who pumped deadly narcotics into our neighborhoods, trafficked firearms for trans-national criminal organizations, defrauded government benefit programs, and in some cases, preyed on vulnerable children,' Foley added. 'These are defendants who didn't simply cross a border, they crossed a line and jeopardized the safety of Massachusetts.' Todd Lyons, the director of ICE credited 'hundreds of brave officers' who 'risked their lives everyday' to capture migrants. Lyons, a Boston native, said they arrested several convicted murderers, child sex offenders and abusers as he turned to a board of mugshots of some of the migrants arrested. Todd Lyons, the director of ICE credited 'hundreds of brave officers' who 'risked their lives everyday' to capture migrants President Donald Trump's administration rounded up nearly 1,500 migrants in Massachusetts alone 'ICE is going to make sure we keep the community safe,' Lyons added. The announcement comes just after a series of ICE detainments were made in the Boston area, including an 18-year-old high school student who was arrested over the weekend. The student, Marcelo Gomes da Silva, described by his coach as an 'exceptional citizen,' was detained by officers Saturday morning after being pulled over in a car with his teammates on his way to volleyball practice. The Milford High School junior never made it to practice as his coach Andrew Mainini said he received a text around 8.30am from a student who witnessed the athlete get arrested. Mainini said two other students who were inside the vehicle at the time were released by ICE officers because they were minors. The details surrounding his arrest remain unclear. 'I was sitting there thinking, "This can't be happening",' Manini told NBC Boston. 'I'm a person who watches a decent amount of news and it's one thing to see things happening in the world. It's another to have them directly impact the people you work with and care for on a daily basis.' The announcement comes just after a series of ICE detainments were made in the Boston area, including an 18-year-old high school student who was arrested over the weekend. (Pictured: A crowd of people protesting his arrest Monday) The teen's coach isn't the only one who's been left confused and frustrated by his sudden arrest, as Governor Maura Healey expressed the same emotions, and even called out Trump about it. 'I'm demanding immediate answers from ICE about the arrest of a Milford High School student yesterday, where he is and how his due process is being protected,' she posted on X. 'The Trump Administration continues to create fear in our communities, and its making us all less safe.' On May 8, a furious anti-ICE protestor flung her baby out of the way to kick and shove agents in shocking scenes as deportation demonstrations took over Worcester - a small town about 50 minutes outside of Boston. Two people were arrested as the demonstration escalated, and footage showed dozens of people surrounding a car with the woman inside to try and stop it from leaving. On May 8, a furious anti-ICE protestor flung her baby out of the way to kick and shove agents in shocking scenes as deportation demonstrations took over Worcester - a small town about 50 minutes outside of Boston The Worcester Police Department said it was called to assist the ICE agents as they were set upon by the mob, and cops said 'several people were putting their hands on federal agents' when they arrived. One of those arrested was a woman who was seen holding a baby in front of the car to block its path, and handed the infant to another protester so she could kick the ICE vehicle. Another woman, named Ashley Spring, 38, was also arrested for throwing an 'unknown liquid' at officers, authorities said. As of April, 5,178 illegal migrants have been arrested in the country since October 1, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection statistics. Former President Bill Clinton said he never thought Joe Biden was unfit to seek a second term and that the former president known for occasionally mangling phrases and botching names was always 'on top of his brief.' Clinton, 78, vouched for his fellow Democratic former president as journalists Alex Thompson and Jake Tapper promote their new book 'Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again', which weaves together efforts by White House staff to insulate the president amid his public mental and physical stumbles. 'I thought he was a good president. The only concern I thought he had to deal wit was, could anybody do that job until they were 86 and we've had several long talks. I had never seen him and walked away thinking he can't do this anymore,' Clinton said of Biden, 82. 'He was always on top of his brief,' Clinton told CBS Sunday Morning anchor Tracy Smith. Clinton was 46 when he became the third-youngest person elected president. Biden retired as the oldest president and would have been 86 when he left office. As it turns out, Bill and Hillary Clinton were among the first to throw their support to Vice President Kamala Harris after Biden dropped out of the race under pressure following his debate disaster. Former President Bill Clinton called Joe Biden a 'good president' who was 'on top of his brief,' but said he did have doubts about whether Biden could do the job at 86, which he would have been if he filled out his term Clinton, whose longtime advisor James Carville was among those calling for Biden to go to avoid a political bloodbath after the debate, said he didn't recognize the Biden as depicted in the book which he has chosen not to read. 'I didn't know anything about any of this, and I haven't read the book. I saw President Biden not very long ago, and I thought he was in good shape,' Clinton said. Clinton bit his lower lip as he speculated: 'Some people are trying to use this as a way to blame him for the fact that Trump was re elected.' Biden spoke to CBS Sunday Morning and also addressed his own health scare Clinton, who backed Kamala Harris after Biden dropped out, said Biden was 'on top of his brief' when they interacted He said the book 'didn't register with me, because I never saw him that way,' speaking of Biden. When Smith asked point blank why he didn't read the book, Clinton replied: 'I didn't want to, because he's not president anymore, and I think he did a good job. And I think we are facing challenges today without our president in our history.' Clinton, his voice sounding raspy, spoke about his own recent health scare. 'Basically, kind of lost my balance, and I knew I was sick, and I went to the hospital and checked, and they said I was severely dehydrated,' he said. 'When you're older, you have to be more careful to stay hydrated,' he added, after contending with heart problems after leaving office. He spoke following a claim that Biden sometimes got lost in his own coat closet, while President Trump promoted a bizarre theory that Biden had died and been replaced by clones in just his latest online attack on his rival. Trump ally Florida Rep. Byron Donalds accused Clinton of 'lying' in his new comments. 'Bill Clintons lying. Lets just be honest. Hes lying, frankly, again. Joe Biden was not capable of doing the job. We all know this,' he told Stuart Varney on Fox Business. 'Its not just his mental capabilities; in my view, its also his physical capabilities. He wasnt able to hold long extended meetings with members of Congress, and its Democrat members of Congress, Republican members of Congress, Republican leadership. He wasnt able to do it. They would send him out there every now and again to do a speech or to speak to the press, and if the press started asking too many questions, his staff would come in and break it up,' he said. Clinton also said courts are stopping Trump from carrying out acts he said exceeded presidential authority. Asked what's stopping Trump, he responded, 'The courts, including a lot of judges he appointed.' Both Clinton and and Trump survived impeachment efforts. 'And you know, he is looking for ways to basically defy all these court orders, but I think he'll have a hard time doing that, and if he does, I think it will hurt him in America,' Clinton said. An 18-year-old university student died of carbon monoxide poisoning from a portable heater in an aristocrat's cottage that shouldn't have been used indoors, an inquest was told. Tom Hill was about to have a bath when he inhaled the highly poisonous gas leaking out of a portable heater at Glenmark Cottage, nestled in the Scottish Highlands, and collapsed shortly afterwards. The Stirling University student had been staying with his girlfriend Charlotte and her immediate family on October 28, 2015, where it was heard the device was situated in a bathroom, which had windows sealed by paint and was 'simply too small'. Winchester Coroner's Court was told an alarm sounded the night before Tom had died, which prompted Charlotte's father Mark Beard to switch off various devices in the kitchen, but it hadn't occurred to him to vacate the property. Mr Beard told the inquest that the LPG Heaters were 'ubiquitously used' at the property which was heated by a wood-burning stove and portable heaters, but had no electricity or mains gas. He said there were no clear instructions on the heater saying it shouldn't be used indoors, and described not checking the device despite being informed by his son that it was switched on as one of his 'life long regrets'. 'The night before Tom died, that alarm did activate,' he told the coroner's court: 'What I did was turn off all appliances in that kitchen that I thought may be sources of carbon monoxide. Tom Hill, 18 (pictured) died from carbon monoxide poisoning from a portable heater in an aristocrat's cottage in the Scottish Highlands, an inquest was told The heater should not have been used indoors an inquest into the Stirling University student's death heard today 'The kitchen was the place where there was the greatest number of those sources,' he added: 'One of my life long regrets is that I didn't take his information about the bathroom heater as seriously as I should have done. 'I didn't tell anyone to get out of the cottage, it didn't occur to met to get out of the cottage.' Mr Beard said he had visited the cottage, which was once owned by the Earl of Dalhousie and his heir Lord Ramsay, many times in his life, describing the location as an 'idyllic beauty' and a place to 'unwind'. Despite being owned by the Dalhousie estate, it was rented out by retired teacher Piers Le Cheminant. On the night of the aquaculture student died, Charlotte's father recalled his daughter 'knocking' on the bathroom door and calling for him. 'When I heard the change in her tone of voice, it became more alarmed, that peaked my attention particular,' he said: 'I rushed downstairs to see what was up and by the time I got there, so had my wife and son. 'Charlotte was quite distraught at not getting any response from Tom.' Mr Beard said he asked his teenage son to fetch a wooden axe which they used to forcibly open the 'solid' door to the bathroom. The engineer described an 'intense' atmosphere upon breaking into the room, which was 'hot and humid'. Describing it as a 'very visceral experience,' he added: 'It was extremely hot and the air was very humid - you could almost taste it.' Adding how there was a 'strong smell of unburnt gases', and how 'it smelt like the heater wasn't operating properly,' Mr Beard said the device was 'also making a loud buzzing which was very unusual'. 'He didn't live a very long life but in the short time he had, he really made the most of his time,' his father Jerry Hill said Mr Beard said he lifted Tom out of the bathroom and carried him downstairs and outside into the 'fresh air'. An ambulance was called for the teenager but he passed away in the vehicle, which was travelling from Brechin to Dundee. 'Carbon monoxide is very much a silent killer and as much awareness when using potentially lethal devices that can be raised is so much better for everybody,' he said. Jerry Hill, Tom's father, told the inquest that his son was 'very interested in wildlife and nature' with a particular interest in understanding how different creatures interacted. 'He didn't live a very long life but in the short time he had, he really made the most of his time,' he said. 'He had his whole ahead of him,' Mr Hill said of his son, who he described as 'very passionate' about the practice of aquaculture. The grieving father believes more needs to be done on what to do when a carbon monoxide alarm sounds. 'It should be made really clear to people what to do in these circumstances,' he added,' 'I don't think people do know what to do when [alarms] go off.' Now, almost 10 years after his death, Jason Pegg - area coroner for Hampshire, Southampton, and Portsmouth - delivered an accidental death conclusion, but said he will raise a prevention of future deaths report into the use of such devices. Addressing Mr and Mrs Hill, the coroner said: 'You are clearly very proud parents of Tom, who in his 18 years, as you say, made the most of his life. 'It's desperately sad that Tom had future plans with his aquaculture degree, he had a girlfriend, loving parents. Today, a decade after his death, Jason Pegg - area coroner for Hampshire, Southampton, and Portsmouth - ruled his death accidental, and will raise a prevention of future death report into the use of portable heaters 'At the time of his death, he was enjoying some time up in Scotland in a remote, idyllic cottage with his girlfriend and her family.' The coroner referred to the LPG heaters in the bathroom and said: 'It is quite clear that this type of heater, and the size of heater, shouldn't have been used in the bathroom which I'm told had the size of 11 cubic metres. 'The bathroom was simply too small for for that heater. 'In addition, there was no ventilation. The windows had been painted shut and could not be opened.' Mr Pegg also said there 'damage to the heater' which 'exacerbated' the combustion of the gas and the rate at which it was emitted. He concluded that Tom inhaled a 'fatal quantity' of this gas while he prepared for his bath. The coroner said he will issue a prevention of future deaths report relating to the warning on the heater. 'There is a warning within the box where you put the gas canister, but anyone, such as the Beard family, turning up to a rented cottage, they would not know that the heater should not be used in such close confines,' Mr Pegg told the inquest. 'In rented cottages, and tenant cottages, there are going to be heaters of this sort which are in rooms which are too small [and] this gives rise to future deaths. 'As you sadly know, carbon monoxide is very much a silent killer and as much awareness when using potentially lethal devices that can be raised is so much better for everybody.' Jade Goody's mum has furiously hit back at Jeff Brazier and his attempts to stop her seeing grandson Freddie over concerns for his welfare. TV presenter Jeff launched legal action to keep Freddie, 20, and his gran, Jackiey Budden, apart amid their years-long feud. On Sunday, it was reported that Freddie had been spotted 'smoking a joint' with Jackiey as onlookers claimed she was 'acting erratically'. It was the latest milestone in the fiery relationship between her and former son-in-law Jeff. Jackiey, 68, is the mother of Jade, who died of cervical cancer in 2009. Freddie was just four at the time and his brother, Eastenders star Bobby, was five. She has today defended herself, dismissed the legal action and attempts to stop her seeing Freddie and also issued a heartbreaking tribute to Jade, who would have turned 45 on Thursday. Jackiey said: 'This is all nonsense - seriously. I'm serious. Freddie has been here this morning. 'He's just left. He will come back. I'm still going to be seeing him.' Jakcie and Freddy were filmed smoking suspicious cigarettes together during an outing at London's Tower Bridge The Mail On Sunday revealed that Freddy, who was restricted from seeing Jackiey, spent last week at her home, after reuniting despite his father's efforts to keep the 20-year-old away Jackiey (pictured) and Jeff have clashed multiple times, and it was revealed last month the star is taking action to legally block contact between his son and grandmother, 'to keep him safe' Outside her Bermondsey flat, new tributes to Jade have been displayed by Jackiey. Among them are flowers, a series of photos of the pair together and Mother's Day cards. They also include love heart signs and flowers. Neighbours of Jackiey - who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother with Jade - have also defended her. One said: 'I've known her for years. She's a good nan. She's been through hell. 'She loves those boys. She might not always be very diplomatic. But she's protective of the lads. 'She'd do anything for them.' The comments come as Jackiey and Jeff have clashed multiple times over the year, with it being revealed last month Freddie's dad was now taking legal action 'to keep him safe'. The Mail on Sunday revealed yesterday that Freddy, who was restricted from seeing Jackiey by Jeff, after he filed court paperwork, spent last week at her home in Bermondsey anyway. Freddy Brazier and grandmother Jackiey Budden were spotted smoking 'suspicious cigarettes' after their recent reconciliation, despite dad Jeff's legal war to block contact The influencer, 20, was seen puffing with his gran, 68, in front of tourists near Tower Bridge in South London Freddy cut a casual figure in a burgundy top and beige shorts Onlookers said: 'The pair were puffing away in the open, in full view of tourists passing by and there was an aromatic smell in the air. It didn't seem to be normal tobacco they were smoking' Family friends say the duo remain 'extremely close,' explaining: 'Jeff was never going to keep Freddy away from his Nanny for very long they've always had a strong bond. 'Jeff may hate her for all sorts of reasons going back many years, but Freddy loves her very much. 'They had a great time together, playing with her dog and catching up at her flat where he has often stayed over the years. 'Whatever Jeff hoped to achieve with his legal efforts, it hasn't worked.' Amid onlookers spotting the pair smoke suspicious cigarettes together, there were claims Jackiey was 'acting erratically'. A court date being set for Jeff's legal battle with Jackiey has sparked a vicious war of words between the pair. Furious Jackiey said she knew nothing about his legal bid before it was leaked to a newspaper and insisted that Freddy, who is now 20, was old enough to make his own decisions. Sitting down with The Mail afterwards, she raged: 'I could ruin him if I wanted to. I just need to make sense of it all. I only found out about this court business when he told the newspapers about it he didn't even tell me himself. The pair were also seen controversially dancing together to lyrics that said: 'She's my n****r for a reason, I can tell her for a reason, because I know that she'll keep them and nothing will come between us' Freddy previously took to his TikTok with a video of himself and Jackiey performing a trend as they danced alongside a female pal to a song which used the N word 'He's never liked Freddy being with me. He says it's because I smoke and give him drugs. Listen, Fred was fully involved when he was with his dad. I'm talking about drugs; that boy had his first bit of weed at fourteen. 'He never took a puff at my house until he was 16. I smoke with him, but he was safe with me because I knew what he was smoking; it was in my house. 'There have been issues for a few years ago Jeff has been trying to stop Freddy from seeing me, but he's 20 years old now and he has to be allowed to make his own decisions and do what he wants to do for himself. 'He used to lie to Jeff about where he was, but about a year and a half ago I asked "Does your Dad know you're here?" and he just replied "Yes", and said he was sick of lying about it.' But this weekend Freddy returned to his grandmother's home, in a move likely to infuriate Jeff who has long disliked Jackiey's close relationship with late Big Brother star Jade's sons. Freddy and his older brother Bobby remained close to the 67-year-old after their mother's tragic death from cancer in 2009, aged just 27. The family feud was highlighted again in 2023 when Jeff insisted Jackiey should not attend the BBC Strictly Come Dancing studios where Bobby was competing. Her notable absent came after a period of estrangement, but she and Bobby later reconciled. It's understood the young EastEnders actor was heartbroken to be caught in the middle of the disagreement between his father and grandmother telling friends the feud was 'extremely hurtful'. A pair of North Carolina parents have been charged with manslaughter for allowing their seven-year-old son to walk home with his older brother, a decision judges say cost him his life. Legend Jenkins was killed on Tuesday after darting out into traffic in Gastonia. He was walking home from the grocery store with his older brother. The driver, an unidentified 76-year-old woman, stayed at the scene. She has not been charged - but the boy's parents, Sameule and Jessica Jenkins, have. Prosecutors say they are guilty of involuntary manslaughter and child neglect. The pair are now in jail, and were recently denied a request to attend the boy's funeral. Authorities said the older brother tried to pull Legend back from the road, but was too late. Legend Jenkins died last week after darting out in front of a car while walking home. His parents, who allowed him to walk home alone with his 10-year-old brother, have now been charged Legend had run out in front of an SUV on this road in Gastonia, North Carolina The boy's parents, Sameule Jenkins and Jessica Ivey, were arrested Thursday. They have now been charged with involuntary manslaughter and child neglect Summer Williams, a witness to the crash, told local outlet WSOC she tried to comfort the young boy as they waited for emergency responders. 'Just letting him know that somebody was there and he wasn't alone,' she told the outlet. 'Stay with us, sweetheart. You're going to be alright. Stay with us.'' 'Even at night, I still see his face,' Williams added. 'The children were very young. They shouldn't have been crossing a busy intersection like that in the first place,' said Williams. Legend was first rushed to a local hospital and later transferred to a children's facility in Charlotte. He succumbed to his injuries four hours later. Police said the driver is not expected to face charges. There is no evidence she was speeding or driving recklessly. 'While the Gastonia Police Department offers its deepest sympathies to the family for the heartbreaking loss of their child, the investigation revealed that the children involved were unsupervised at the time the boy stepped into traffic,' police wrote in a statement on Facebook. 'In such cases, adults must be held accountable for their responsibilities to ensure a safe environment for their children.' Legend was first rushed to a local hospital and later transferred to a children's facility in Charlotte 'At this time, there is no evidence of speeding or wrongdoing on the part of the driver, therefore no charges have been filed,' the statement continued. 'The driver continues to be cooperative and the incident remains under active investigation by the Gastonia Police Department's Traffic Division. Before her arrest, Ivey, the boy's mother, told the Gaston Gazette the store was close by and it was the first time she had ever let the boys walk home on their own. At a bond hearing Friday, both parents asked to be released so they could attend their son's funeral. The judge denied the request and set bail at $1.5 million each A fundraiser has been set up by the boy's family. The GoFundMe has since raised $6,250 raised of its $10K goal. At a bond hearing Friday, both parents asked to be released so they could attend their son's funeral. The judge denied the request and set bail at $1.5 million each 'My baby was only 7 about to be 8 in august and he was tragically killed by a car accident right outside of his neighborhood. 'He was a mommas boy up and down. He was smart, creative, and even if he was ill would always keep a smile,' his parents wrote in the description. 'He loved playing any sports. He was truly a warrior, but after being revived close to twelve times he unfortunately passed away at. 'WE ASK that y'all send prayers for our family in this time of heartbreak and if you wish to give, anything would be very grateful.' Portuguese police have this afternoon been seen closing dirt roads and setting up tents near the former address of Christian Brueckner, the main suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, as a new search for clues begins. The Policia Judiciaria police, which has led the hunt in Portugal for Maddie since she vanished in 2007, said this afternoon that the request to search the area was made by German authorities, who currently have Brueckner in custody. The searches are expected to take place between Praia da Luz where the three-year-old vanished on May 3, 2007,and a house near the holiday resort where Brueckner used to live. The search will take place between June 2 and June 6, with a well-placed Portuguese source confirming: 'They will be land searches only. The main objective is to look for any signs of Madeleine's body.' Sources said the searches would take place on more than 20 privately owned pieces of land near to a ramshackle rented cottage on the outskirts of Praia da Luz where Brueckner spent several years living before 2007. One said: 'The search will take place on 21 privately owned pieces of land which in some cases are open and not fenced off. Wells, ruins and water storage tanks will be searched.' Portuguese police said: 'The Policia Judiciaria (PJ) is complying with a European Investigation Decision (DEI) issued by the German authorities and issued by the Coordinator of the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Faro District, with a view to carrying out a wide range of measures, specifically search warrants. Portuguese police have this afternoon been seen closing dirt roads in the Atalaia area near Praia da Luz where tomorrow's search for clues pertaining to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann will mainly take place The Policia Judiciaria police, which has led the hunt in Portugal for Maddie since she vanished in 2007, said this afternoon that the request to search the area was made by German authorities The searches are expected to take place between Praia da Luz where the three-year-old vanished on May 3, 2007,and a house near the holiday resort where Brueckner used to live Maddie McCann, who disappeared from a holiday flat in Portugal in May 2007 'The search warrant was issued by the Braunschweig Public Prosecutor's Office, which is conducting preliminary proceedings against a German citizen suspected of the murder of British citizen Madeleine Beth McCann, who disappeared from a holiday resort in Praia da Luz on 3 May 2007. 'All the evidence seized by the PJ will, with the prior authorisation of the national Public Prosecutor's Office, be handed over to the agents of the German Federal Criminal Police Service.' The search is expected to last around three days unless anything relevant emerges. It will be the first search in Portugal for more than two years, following a near-week-long operation involving Portuguese, German and police officers at a remote dam a 40-minute-drive from Praia da Luz. The searches in May 2023 at Arade Dam, an 'area of interest' that Brueckner reportedly called his 'little paradise', came to nothing. It is not clear if detectives are now acting on a new tip-off about where Madeleine's body could be. The German police team is expected to include forensic experts, who were also present for the May 2023 Arade Dam searches. They were the first major searches in Portugal for Madeleine McCann in nine years following an earlier June 2014 operation when British police were given permission to carry out digs in Praia da Luz that involved sniffer dogs trained in detecting bodies and ground-penetrating radar. Those digs were linked to the leading UK police theory at the time Madeleine died during a break-in and burglars hid her body nearby. They also failed to produce any evidence pointing to the missing youngster's whereabouts. In a smaller operation in July 2020 Portuguese police and firefighters searched three wells for Madeleine's body but failed to find any trace of her. Brueckner remains in prison in Germany where he is serving a seven year term for rape. The 48-year-old convicted paedophile faces having his hopes of being released from jail in September scuppered after reportedly being accused of new offences against prison guards behind bars. He is under investigation on suspicion of abduction and murder in the McCann case but has denied any involvement in the girl's 2007 disappearance. Principle suspect Christian Brueckner pictured in court in October 2024 Portuguese authorities at a base camp in Silves, Portugal during the May 2023 search Authorities scoured the area around the Arade Dam in Silves but found nothing While German investigators made the unusual move of naming the convicted paedophile as a suspect in the case, he has not been charged. Brueckner's prison term is set to end with his release this September - much earlier than prosecutors had hoped for after he was acquitted of unrelated sexual offences in court last October following a trial. The convicted rapist is no longer being held in solitary confinement as he nears the end of his sentence. With Brueckner's release looming, pressure is mounting on prosecutors to charge him following explosive revelations in a Channel 4 documentary and evidence found in a former factory, which authorities believe may link him to Maddie's abduction. The materials, unearthed at a disused box factory in Germany, include a vile catalogue of depraved documents, children's clothing, small bikes, and more than 75 swimsuits and toys believed to belong to young girls. Some were reportedly buried beneath the body of Brueckner's dead dog, which was exhumed during the police search. 'The clock is against the case here and investigators do not want to see Brueckner walk free,' a source told The Sun. 'Their best option could be intervention from UK cops but they have to be prepared to take it on. There are 20,000 pages of Madeleine evidence and the Germans are ready to translate the lot.' The searches are expected to take place between Praia da Luz where the three-year-old vanished on May 3, 2007, and a house near the holiday resort where principal suspect Christian Brueckner used to live A vehicle of Portugal's Emergency Services carries wheelbarrows at the site of a remote reservoir during the search in Silves, Portugal, May 22, 2023 Portuguese police at a makeshift base camp in the Arade dam area, Faro district, one day before the official start of the 2023 search Officers scoured the area around the Arade Dam in Silves in May 2023, but made no significant progress in their investigation. The site is about 45 minutes from Praia da Luz, where Madeleine vanished without a trace in 2007 aged three. It was the first major operation of its kind since June 2014, when British police were given permission to dig in Praia da Luz using sniffer dogs trained in detecting bodies and ground-penetrating radar. Portuguese broadcaster SIC reported that German police sought permission to search the dam in an official judicial request to Portugal after concluding it was 'an area of interest'. A bowls-loving British pensioner who was 'found with 200,000 meth' in Chile has been pictured. William 'Billy Boy' Eastment, 79, faces dying behind bars after being intercepted at Santiago Airport with the class A drug on May 18. He had arrived on a flight from Cancun and was booked to travel to Sydney in Australia the following day having been allegedly promised 4,000 by a Mexican gang to smuggle the suitcase, The Mirror reports. Eastment was known by neighbours in his home village of Milborne Port, Somerset as quiet and 'just a simple pensioner'. The arrest has come as a shock, with locals describing his love of crown greens and fondness of fishing. A retired heavy goods and bus fitter, Eastment was remanded in custody following a court appearance after a judge approved a prosecution request to send him to prison pending probable charges and trial. Chilean police say the 79-year-old is behind bars in Santiago 1 Penitentiary - a place far removed from the humble set of bungalows he previously inhabited. Police previously said the drugs he was caught with would have been worth around 200,000 on the streets of the south American country. He was intercepted after his luggage was put through an airport scanner. A bowls-loving British pensioner who was 'found with 200,000 meth' in Chile has been pictured Eastment was known by neighbours in his home village of Milborne Port, Somerset as a quiet OAP and 'just a simple pensioner' who liked fishing The pensioner was arrested in Chile after a Mexican gang allegedly promised him 4000 to smuggle a suitcase of crystal meth The British traveller was asked to open his suitcase in front of officers after they detected a 'suspicious' substance and police discovered a secret compartment where 5kg of the drugs had been packed. Airport police chief Sergio Paredes said it was the first time the arrested man had entered Chile. Despite some positive testimonies from neighbours, Eastman's ex-partner claimed she knew a darker side of the pensioner as he was 'always shouting at swearing' at her, according to The Mirror. Adding she had not spoken to Eastman since 2017, she said: 'People around here wont know him very well because they knew he was trouble. 'He had a hell of a temper and was always falling out with people. So neighbours would nod and say hello, but otherwise didnt get involved.' One neighbour recalled seeing Eastman just days before his arrest, saying he had mentioned going to Mexico but 'missed his flight' meaning he 'had to get a later one'. The neighbour questioned 'what on earth is someone like that doing mixed up drugs' and said 'he's just a simply pensioner, I thought...he's hardly living the high life there'. One neighbour recalled seeing Eastman just days before his arrest, saying he had mentioned going to Mexico but 'missed his flight' meaning he 'had to get a later one' The neighbour questioned 'what on earth is someone like that doing mixed up drugs' and said 'he's just a simply pensioner, I thought...he's hardly living the high life there' Chilean customs intercepted the suitcase allegedly carried by William "Billy Boy" Eastment, which contained the Class A drugs The drugs arrest is the latest in a series of similar recent apprehensions around the world involving British nationals, although most have been far younger than Eastman. Officer Paredes said: 'This person came from Mexico and when he was arrested and taken to the anti-narcotics squad's airport offices, he said that the suitcase had been received by some Mexican nationals at Cancun airport. 'He was due to spend a night in a hotel in the centre of Santiago before boarding a flight to Sydney, Australia.' Mr Paredes added police were still investigating whether the drugs were due to remain in Chile or be taken to Australia. He told local press: 'Prosecutors are looking into this and trying to establish whether the drug was for internal consumption or was due to be transported by this British national to Australia.' Chilean customs officers released pictures of the drugs they had confiscated, saying: 'Customs officials intercepted a foreign citizen with more than five kilos of methamphetamines hidden in a secret compartment in his luggage at Santiago Airport. 'He was stopped after his luggage was scanned and has been remanded in custody.' Yesterday it emerged a British couple aged 33 and 34 had been held at Valencia airport after police discovered 33 kilos of cannabis in their luggage. Bella May Culley, 18, was holidaying in Thailand but was arrested 4,000 miles away on drug offences in Georgia, allegedly carrying 14kg of cannabis into the ex-Soviet nation And recently 21-year-old Charlotte Lee May, from Coulsdon, south London, was arrested in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo after police discovered 46kg of 'Kush' - a synthetic strain of cannabis - in her suitcase The pair claimed they were tourists coming from Thailand after they were intercepted as they got off a flight from France. A 23-year-old British woman in Ghana was arrested last week after being accused of attempting to bring up to 18kg of cannabis into the UK on a May 18 British Airways flight to Gatwick. Bella May Culley, 18, sparked a massive international search operation in early May after she was reported missing while she was believed to be holidaying in Thailand. However, it was later revealed that the teen, from Billingham, County Durham, had been arrested 4,000 miles away on drug offences in Georgia, allegedly carrying 14kg of cannabis into the ex-Soviet nation. And recently 21-year-old Charlotte Lee May, from Coulsdon, south London, was arrested in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo after police discovered 46kg of 'Kush' - a synthetic strain of cannabis - in her suitcase. The former flight attendant, facing up to 25 years in prison if convicted, is claiming she had 'no idea' about the drugs worth up to 1.2 million and insisting they must have been planted in her luggage without her knowledge. California Senator Scott Wiener declined to tour a junkie hot spot in his very own district. The Democrat, who represents San Francisco, was stopped by ABC7 News Bay Area Sunday while the outlet checked out Mission Street to report on illegal street vending. After arriving, the reporter quickly realized a bigger issue plaguing the community - rampant open drug use on the streets. During the segment, Wiener openly talked about the 'violence' illegal street vending brings to the area, but when they asked if he wanted to join them on a walk down the drug-infested street, he refused. The reporter asked Wiener: 'Would you like to see with us to see what's going on there?' Wiener, who appeared to stumble on his words, responded: 'What? Uh, I'm here regularly so I'm aware of what's going on and it's bad.' Although the senator declined joining the news outlet, the reporter said they 'didn't hesitate' to check it out for themselves. Video showed several people laying on the pavement as paramedics made their rounds after three wellness calls were made to the fire department in less than five minutes, the outlet reported. Locals in the neighborhood said they frequently call 911, as one man said: 'I just thought they might be dead.' California Senator Scott Wiener declined to tour a junkie hot spot in his very own district after a reporter asked if he would join her Video showed several people laying on the pavement as paramedics made their rounds after three wellness calls were made to the fire department in less than five minutes Francisco Grande, another resident, compared the scene to 'a third-world county.' 'It's very bad right now, it looks terrible. I don't know why the authorities don't do anything,' he added. The outlet not only asked Wiener about the issue, but also contacted District nine Supervisor Jackie Fielder to comment on the growing issue. She did not respond. Soon after ABC 7 left the scene, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie drove by the area to see the chaos for himself. He then went on to tell a crowd at the Bay Area-Silicon Valley Summit: 'And there were hundreds of people gathered at 5pm. I made some calls, and by 8pm it was clear. 'We are sending a message that if you are on our streets, we want to get you help, but the streets are no longer the option,' Lurie added. Before declining to join the outlet, Wiener spoke about his new bill, which would allow Bay Area police officers to cite illegal vendors. 'This is for folks who are selling goods that have been placed on a list of commonly stolen goods, who don't have a permit and don't have proof of purchase,' he explained. Locals in the neighborhood said they frequently call 911, as one man said: 'I just thought they might be dead' Francisco Grande, another resident, compared the scene to 'a third-world county' 'Then, the police will be able to cite them and on the third offense, they can get a misdemeanor.' The reporter then mentioned that not a single person was arrested for using drugs on the street, to which Wiener said: 'I can't speak for why they don't make a particular arrest for drugs. I know there have been more drug arrests recently.' In March, there were 140 drug-related arrests within 300 meters of Mission Street and the BART station, according to San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) incident reports seen by the outlet. 'We're receptive to the resident and business owners that are telling us this, and we are citing and arresting people for drug use or for their warrants,' Robert Rueca, a spokesperson with SFPD, said. 'We've done this more in the last few months than we have ever.' DailyMail.com contacted both Wiener and Fielder's office for comment. Elon Musk got prickly when asked by CBS about one of President Donald Trump's most controversial policies. Musk, who attended an official going away ceremony in the Oval Office on Friday, had been interviewed Tuesday at SpaceX's headquarters outside of Brownsville, Texas - with the full sit-down released on Sunday. CBS' David Pogue first queried Musk on whether his businesses had been impacted by President Donald Trump's tariffs and then asked the South African-born Musk if he supported Trump's attempts to ban foreign students. 'Yeah. I mean, I think we wanna stick to, you know, the subject of the day, which is, like, spaceships, as opposed to, you know, presidential policy,' Musk responded. Pogue, who was conducting the interview for CBS Sunday Morning, pushed backing telling the billionaire that he had been told 'anything is good' as far as an interview subject. 'No, well - no,' Musk replied. But throughout the sit-down, Musk complained that DOGE became blamed for anything unpopular the Trump Administration was doing. 'Yeah, I think what was starting to happen was that, like, it's a bit unfair because, like, DOGE became the whipping boy for everything,' Musk said. 'So, if there was some cut, real or imagined, everyone would blame DOGE.' Elon Musk got prickly when asked by CBS Sunday Morning about one of President Donald Trump's most controversial policies - moves to bar overseas students 'I've had people think that, like, somehow DOGE is gonna stop them from getting their Social Security check, which is completely untrue,' he continued. Pogue asked if Silicon Valley's mantra of 'move fast and break things 'really works 'before you really understand what the agency does?' Musk answered that 'it depends on where you're coming from.' The billionaire, who funneled $288 million to help get Trump elected in 2024, said he was ideologically a proponent of small government. 'So, now if somebody's a proponent of, you know, more government programs and bigger government, and they see, "Hey, DOGE is cutting all these government programs," then they'll be fundamentally opposed to that because they just think the government should do more things,' he said. 'That's just a fundamental, I guess, ideological opinion.' 'But my frank opinion of the government is that, like, the government is just, like, the DMV that got big, OK? So, when you say it like, "Let's have the government do something," you should think, "Do you want the DMV to do it?"' Musk mused. Pogue pointed out when the interview aired that Musk started speaking out about his differences with the Trump Administration unprompted. 'And you know, it's not like I agree with everything the administration does,' Musk revealed. 'So it's like, I mean, I agree with much of what the administration does. But we have differences of opinion. You know, there are things that I don't entirely agree with. But it's difficult for me to bring that up in an interview because then it creates a bone of contention,' he continued. Elon Musk (left) was feted in the Oval Office Friday by President Donald Trump (right) after announcing his role leading DOGE was coming to an end 'So then, I'm a little stuck in a bind, where I'm like, well, I don't wanna, you know, speak up against the administration, but I also don't wanna take responsibility for everything this administration's doing,' the billionaire added. In a clip that aired Tuesday ahead of Sunday's full interview, Musk was heard complaining about Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' and how it basically erases the cost-savings he says DOGE is responsible for. Musk said 'I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful. But I don't know if it could be both.' That criticism irritated some in Trumpworld and by Wednesday, Musk was announcing that his time in Washington, D.C. was coming to an end. His final D.C. appearance involved him being asked about a story that appeared in The New York Times alleging widespread drug use. A reporter also asked Musk why he had a black eye. Musk responded that he had encouraged his son X to punch him in the face - and the little one left a mark. California governor says small businesses devastated by Trump's tariffs Xinhua) 10:28, June 02, 2025 SACRAMENTO, the United States, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Following rulings by two federal courts blocking key tariff measures enacted by the Trump administration, California Governor Gavin Newsom praised the decisions but warned that the damage to small businesses had already been severe and would only worsen if the tariffs remain in place. "This has already had an impact, and the impact would be even more acute as it relates to shortages and supply constraints that are inevitable if this continues," Newsom said during a podcast interview with Ben Meiselas, co-founder of MeidasTouch Network. "We're in this chaotic moment. It's self-inflicted by the Trump administration. That chaos continues. The damage has been done," he said. Newsom said he had met with more than a dozen small business owners and found that the tariffs had caused "complete devastation" to their operations. He shared the story of one such entrepreneur, a woman who sells baby products, who said she might lose her home because of the levies. "That's because of Trump's unilateral policies, illegal," he added. Newsom also cited another case involving a family-run business from which he purchased an electric bike as a holiday gift for his son. The owner, having found Newsom's email address on the receipt, reached out directly. In his message, the business owner explained that although he had a full container of inventory, he could no longer afford the tariffs and was at risk of shutting down. He asked the governor for help. "I said, we have this lawsuit ... I'm looking forward to emailing him back and reminding him of this momentary impact of this federal court decision today that may give him a reprieve." Newsom was referring to a ruling issued Thursday by U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras, who determined that President Donald Trump lacked the unilateral authority to impose tariffs on behalf of two Illinois toy importers. The decision came less than 24 hours after the U.S. Court of International Trade similarly blocked another set of Trump-era tariffs, ruling that the president could not use emergency powers to enforce them. However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit later issued a stay on the Trade Court's ruling, temporarily reinstating the so-called "reciprocal" tariffs while litigation over their legality proceeds. Contreras' decision was unaffected by the appellate stay, although the judge put his ruling on hold for 14 days to give the administration time to file an appeal. Newsom commended the courts' decisions against the tariffs, describing them as particularly "rewarding" for small businesses that have been disproportionately impacted by the trade measures. "California was the first to sue Trump over these unlawful tariffs, and now the courts are saying exactly what we argued from day one," Newsom said. "Families in California and across the country have felt the real cost of Trump's ego-driven trade war: canceled shipments, layoffs, business closures, even parents losing their homes." Newsom reiterated the impact of the tariffs on one segment of the economy. "This is real. It's consequential. And it's small businesses, in particular, that are being devastated by this uncertainty," he added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) Ashley Biden unleashed a profanity-laced defense of her father, former President Joe Biden, in a fiery Instagram post that slammed media critics and directly addressed claims about his health, legacy, and time in office. The 42-year-old adopted Donald Trump's favorite catch phrase, branding the media criticism 'fake news.' in an emotional post. The former president's daughter shared a beach photo of herself with her parents, Joe and Jill Biden, writing: 'I am so grateful. too grateful to be angry about all this bullshit.' Her emotional outburst came just days after CNN anchor Jake Tapper aired a segment questioning the transparency around Biden's recent cancer diagnosissuggesting the administration had 'downplayed' the severity of his condition while he was still in office. Tapper's reporting coincided with the release of his new book, Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, which claims to expose a White House effort to conceal Biden's cognitive decline from the public. Ashley didn't mention Tapper by name, but her post left little doubt about its target. 'The ONLY coverup of this family is a BEACH coverup !!!' she wrote, mocking the idea of a media conspiracy and defending her father's record. 'The truth is, Dad gave his ALL to America and continues til this day. He NEVER gave up on you. And he listened to all of you. And he acted. The man has led his life by ACTIONS not words.' Ashley Biden posted a profanity-laced Instagram rant defending her father, former President Joe Biden, amid renewed criticism over his health and legacy In a lengthy caption, Ashley didn't hold backblasting detractors who she accused of spreading 'noise/static' and 'fake news' about her father's abilities, while praising his decades of public service Joe Biden, now 82, left office on January 20, 2025, after losing the 2024 election to Donald Trump. In May 2025, his office revealed that he had been diagnosed with aggressive, bone-metastatic prostate cancer. The cancer carried a Gleason score of 9a high-grade classification indicating that the cells were highly abnormal and likely to grow and spread quickly. His treatment began with hormone therapy and is being closely monitored by specialists. Despite the diagnosis, Biden appeared publicly on May 30 and said he was feeling strong, adding that his bones remained healthy and that he remained optimistic about his prognosis. Ashley's post directly addressed critics questioning whether her father had been fit to serve during his final year in office: 'He aged, YES! As we all do! And the stress of the presidency accelerates. But he was always MORE than capable of doing the job. And a damn good one. 'He worked harder than anyone I have ever known- he took his duty and sacred obligation to this country very seriously. 'The noise is so DAMN disrespectful and untrue AND, it's just that- noise/static- created by those committed to perpetuating and profiting from some real BS. Get lost with your anonymous sources and fake news.' She also thanked supporters for rallying around her family during what she called an 'uphill' time: 'AND, i am super grateful for the love and support over the past few weeks. Ashleys emotional post comes just months after Biden returned to private life, following four turbulent years in the White House Tapper has been on a whirlwind press tour promoting the book - but has been branded a 'phony' as many claim he was complicit in the cover-up Pictured: Biden seen in public for first time since cancer diagnosis as he makes two-word remark on prognosis 'We, like any family, chose HOPE during times of great despair/uphill battles. And we continue - to chose hope. 'That's what Dad taught + gave us. And all your + support continues to give him HOPE - for his own healing, for this country he so loves and for the world he united.' The post, set to Elton John's Your Song, ended with a pointed warning: 'please note: if you are disrespectful in the comments- you will be deleted and blocked. I wish you peace #deuces.' Ashley Biden has largely remained out of the political spotlightbut her outburst marks a rare, deeply personal response to renewed scrutiny of her father's health. While in office, Joe Biden championed major initiatives including the American Rescue Plan, a sweeping infrastructure package, climate legislation, the withdrawal from Afghanistan, and aid to Ukraine. But following a disastrous June 2024 debate performance, he withdrew from the 2024 race the following month, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. He served out his full term until January 2025. Tapper's book, released last week, has drawn backlash from critics who now accuse him of trying to rewrite his role in what they claim was a media-enabled cover-up. They have enjoyed a slower-paced life, sitting behind their desks manning the backroom operations. But a major Police Scotland shake-up to put more boots on the ground means officers used to the indoor environment have to step back out once again. Scores off staff are going from long-term desk jobs to dangerous frontline roles - but it has been claimed theyll need skills and fitness retraining to deal with the transition. News of the reshuffle comes as the cash-strapped force struggles to get a grip on deadly gang wars being fought in parts of the country. Ruthless feuding between drug lords and notorious criminal families has seen over a dozen attacks including fire bombings and gun violence as the grapple for control that kicked off in Edinburgh spread to Glasgow in recent months. Drugs and people trafficking and other violent crimes are also stretching the thin blue line to breaking point amid shrinking numbers of officers, which fell to the lowest level since 2007 in the middle of last year. The Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents the rank and file, yesterday warned officers working desk jobs for years will need to be prepared for the demands of frontline policing. David Kennedy, SPF general secretary, said they had concerns about the transition for those who had been non-operational for an extended period of time. Scores of Police Scotland officers are going from long-term desk jobs to dangerous frontline roles as part of a shake-up Mr Kennedy said: Issues such as refresher training, fitness and welfare are paramount to ensure officers are fully prepared for the demands of frontline policing. The Federation has emphasised that any move back to operational duties must be supported appropriately to safeguard both the officers and the public. According to Mr Kennedy, there are also issues around flexible working for officers involved. He said: We are aware that a lot of officers who work 9 to 5 do so because they have caring responsibilities and they will now need to apply for flexible working. Mr Kennedy was also critical of police Scotlands use of on call, which means officers may be required to be available for duty outside of their regular shift. He said: On call is another major concern as we believe that Police Scotland relies too heavily on this in the day-to-day 24/7 of policing. And he added: You can shake it up as much as you want but you cant get more from less and Police Scotland needs more police officers. The force is recruiting extra civilian staff to free up scores of desk officers for operational duties in a bid to improve visibility in communities and boost the fight against crime. The overhaul spearheaded by Chief Constable Jo Farrell reverses moves of previous years that saw bobbies pulled from the beat for back office roles after budget cuts saw civilian staff made redundant. Now the Contact Centre, Firearms Licensing and Investigation section is among the first to see the release officers from these roles back to front line policing roles. According to a force report, 32 officers in firearms licensing will switch back to local policing with civilians being recruited to replace them, with the rebalancing of the force set to see hundreds more moved from desk jobs to bolster the thin blue line. The report says: We plan for a further uplift of 30 police staff in the future and further remodelling of the function. At the end stage, we should release 58 dedicated and approximately 300 non-dedicated police officer firearms enquiry officers from the function in a phased approach. We are also carrying out a rebalancing of the workforce mix within our contact centres. Phase one - replacing 25 constable posts and 10 sergeant posts with 25 staff posts - was completed this quarter. It is expected that phase two - replacing a further 50 constables and 20 sergeants with 50 staff posts - will be complete by quarter four 2025/26. Desk-bound police officers are being offered fitness training as part of preparation to return to the front line Seven months after taking up the top job in June 2023, Chief Constable Jo Farrell said she was shocked by the lack of focus on frontline policing. She said the force was being held under water on a daily basis by the scale of demand it faces, and highlighted officers being taken off the front line to do work that should be done by civilian police staff. Police Scotland declined to elaborate over the ultimate number of officers expected to be switched from desk jobs to the frontline as part of the forces rebalancing blueprint. But it said, all officers are expected to maintain fitness levels for operational duties as they can be deployed operationally for major incidents or policing events. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell added yesterday: The Chief Constable has been clear that bringing frontline policing to its strongest position is a priority. We began the additional deployments from back-office and corporate functions across the organisation in November 2024, which is already enabling frontline officers to stay in communities to prevent crime and address threat, risk and harm. Routine refresher training is already carried out and we are working to identify additional training requirements and will support these as required. ACC Waddell added: We recognise the challenges that caring responsibilities can place on our people, which frontline officers on shift patterns are not immune to either. There are mitigations in place to address exceptional circumstances, such as flexible working applications, and any applications will be considered. A drug dealer who 'attempted to run away from the justice system' by faking an illness and fleeing to the Caribbean has finally been jailed. Nicholas Knowles, 32, was found unanimously guilty by a jury within mere hours when he stood a four-week trial at Bolton Crown Court in 2018. Dubbed the head of the 'Tommy' crime group, he controlled its day-to-day running since its formation in 2013 during which time he 'exploited vulnerable people' and 'blighted the local community'. But on the day of his sentencing, Knowles faked an illness to avoid going to court and subsequently fled the UK. He was located and captured in the Caribbean and brought back home and was sentenced on May 16, 2025, to 34 weeks to run consecutively with his 13 and a half year sentence that was passed in his absence. Knowles had denied conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine. Following his escape, he was located on October 9, 2024. It comes after detectives had closed in on Knowles' organised crime group in May 2015. Four other gang members all pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and were sentenced for their involvement. After the arrest of one of the crime group's members, Cameron Johnson, for his possession of heroin and crack cocaine with the intent to supply, the group's activities were unearthed in the heart of Bury. Dubbed the head of the 'Tommy' crime group, Nicholas Knowles (pictured) controlled its day-to-day running since it formation in 2013 It emerged they had been selling Class A drugs across Greater Manchester 'relentlessly'. A drug line called the 'Tommy' shot-line was established in Bury in 2014 which transitioned into a second Tommy line. On January 15, 2014, Knowles and Robinson were arrested after patrols stopped their vehicle, Robinson was found with a total of 420 which was hidden in his pockets and socks along with five mobile phones located on his person. The SIM card found in one of the hidden phones matching the number of a second 'Tommy' line. But it would take a series of arrests over the course of months for detectives to finally be able to bring a charge. Knowles entrusted Johnson to run the business in his absence and used his cell mate's prison phone account to keep in touch with his second in command from Forest Bank jail. In one text Johnson said: 'If you get nicked and you have got that phone you're f***ed.' It took a lengthy investigation, detectives finally had enough evidence to charge the members of the group. A series of arrests were made before detectives at Greater Manchester Police finally had enough evidence to charge the gang. It emerged they had been selling Class A drugs across Greater Manchester 'relentlessly' It emerged the group had been selling Class A drugs across Greater Manchester 'relentlessly'. Pictured: Officer at Greater Manchester Police wearing a hi vis equipment vest Detective Inspector Ian Toole, said: 'We are pleased to report that Knowles has been in court to face justice at last after attempting to run away from the justice system, and has now been sentenced. 'His actions and the actions of the crime group blighted our local community and exploited vulnerable people further afield. 'On the day of his sentencing in 2018, he pretended to be ill and using this as an opportunity to flee the country which started an international manhunt to locate him. 'No matter how much time has passed, we won't give up on finding you. We were assisted using our partner agencies to drag him back to the UK to face justice. 'If you are a criminal that has fled the UK to live in another country and thinks they can enjoy a life of luxury, you can't, we will find you and bring you back to face justice. 'It is only a matter of time before there will be a knock at your door and you will be dragged back here to face justice.' The other members pleaded guilty and were sentenced at Bolton Crown Court in December 2016 and January 2017. Nathan Dagnall, 30, from Breightmet, was jailed for 36 months for two counts of conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin. Cameron Johnson, from Sale, received a custodial sentence of 40 months for two counts of conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin. Noel Cowan, 50, from Tottington, was given two years' imprisonment, suspended for two years, for conspiracy to supply cocaine. A child is caught carrying a knife every four days in Scotland, sparking warnings of a youth violence epidemic. Police using stop-and-search powers recorded 91 cases of youngsters under the age of 18 being found in possession of a blade or pointed weapon in 2024. Teens now account for almost a third of positive knife searches across all age groups, and the figures come amid several high-profile cases involving youths and deadly weapons. Two teenagers have died in the last three months, while other incidents involving knife-related disorder have been reported across the country. Kayden Moy, 16, of East Kilbride, was allegedly stabbed to death at Irvine beach, Ayrshire, on May 17 with two boys, aged 17, charged with his murder. Another teen was allegedly knifed at Portobello Beach in Edinburgh on May 16. Knife crime among the young has dominated Scotlands political debate in recent weeks and prompted First Minister John Swinney to issue a reassurance about his governments commitment to youth disorder. Last July, a 10-year-old was caught with a knife in the east of Edinburgh, while 12-year-olds were found carrying blades in the capital, Ayrshire, Glasgow and Lanarkshire throughout 2024. Kayden Moy, 16, of East Kilbride, was allegedly stabbed to death at Irvine beach, Ayrshire, on May 17 And more than a dozen children aged 13, two of them girls, were also subjected to a positive blade search. Scottish Labours justice spokeswoman Pauline McNeill called for more early intervention schemes. She told the crime and justice publication, 1919 Magazine: These shocking figures are yet another sign that there is a youth violence epidemic emerging in Scotland. The SNP has created a perfect storm by cutting youth work services, letting police officer numbers fall, and mismanaging CAMHS [Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services] and education. Each one of these 91 cases is very serious for our communities and potentially for those actually carrying the weapon. The only way to tackle this effectively is to have early intervention schemes that get to the root cause, and without this we will fail our communities. The SNP must take urgent action in all of these areas to tackle knife crime and actually do something that will halt this epidemic. The Scottish Conservatives claimed that soft-touch sentencing policies which lessen the punishment for under 25s are emboldening young people to carry weapons. The partys community safety spokeswoman Sharon Dowey said: These alarming figures lay bare just how drastically knife crime has spiralled out of control. The absurd under-25s sentencing guidelines mean that violent young offenders are emboldened to carry dangerous weapons. There must be meaningful punishments for those who use a knife and expanded stop-and-search powers for police to act as a deterrent. The SNPs soft-touch attitude towards justice represents an abject dereliction of duty by John Swinneys government. Its high time nationalist ministers woke up to the gravity of this situation and urgently gave our police the resources they need to keep our communities safe. David Threadgold, chair of the Scottish Police Federation, called for more effective preventative strategies. He said: Each of these statistics is a real situation which created significant risk for my colleagues, as well as potentially life changing consequences for the perpetrator, and sadly - as we have seen so tragically across Scotland recently - the victim of knife crime, their families and friends. The solution to this problem cannot rest alone with the police; much greater and more effective preventative strategies have to be in place across Scotland. He warned against soundbites from politicians and asked: As long as we cut police officer numbers, continue with a programme of closing police stations, and are forced to develop responses such as the proportionate response to crime in an attempt to deal with unsustainable demand for our services, can we truly become strongly integrated in our communities to allow the development of the type of relationships that would allow us to play our part in keeping our communities safe? First Minister John Swinney has said he shares the devastation about the loss of young lives and recently told MSPs of a three-step approach to the issue - early intervention through education programmes, school and community engagement, and effective punishment when offences take place. On the stop-and-search figures, a Scottish Government spokesman said: Stop and search powers should be used where lawful, necessary and proportionate. Their use in individual cases is an operational matter for Police Scotland. Police do use stop and search, and it is one tool to tackle violence alongside a range of other measures such as prevention and education. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is attacking members of the president's own party for their opposition to his 'big, beautiful bill.' During a Monday afternoon appearance on Fox News' America Reports, Leavitt called out Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) who is presently a no vote on the GOP spending package which is soon headed to the Senate after it passed the House before Memorial Day. 'Well, anyone who votes against the one big, beautiful bill including Senator Rand Paul, will be voting for a tax hike of more than $4 trillion on the American people and their voters will know about it,' Leavitt warned. 'That is unacceptable to Republican voters and all voters across the country who elected this president in a Republican majority to get things done on Capitol Hill,' Leavitt continued. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt does a television interview at the White House, Monday, June 2, 2025, in Washington White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters at the White House, Monday, June 2, 2025, in Washington Paul was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010, long before Trump's foray into politics, and was reelected to a third term in 2022 during Joe Biden's presidency. Paul is not up for election again until 2028. Kentucky's other Senate seat is up as an open seat in the 2026 midterms election. The commonwealth's senior senator and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is not running for another term. Paul has been making his rounds on the Sunday shows in recent weeks, sharing his perspective against the GOP spending package during appearances on Face the Nation on CBS Fox News Sunday and Fox News Sunday. On Face the Nation, Paul told host Margaret Brennan that the math in the 'big, beautiful bill' 'doesn't really add up.' 'Well, the math doesn't really add up. One of the things this big and beautiful bill is, is it's a vehicle for increasing spending for the military and for the border. It's about $320 billion in new spending,' Paul said. Senator Paul then put those numbers into perspective, comparing the spending package with the funds anticipated to be saved by spending cuts pushed for by the Depart of Government Efficiency (DOGE). On Face the Nation, Paul told host Margaret Brennan that the math in the 'big, beautiful bill' 'doesn't really add up.' Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks on Capitol Hill on Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Washington 'That's more than all the DOGE cuts that we found so far. So, the increase in spending put into this bill exceeds the DOGE cuts. When you look just at the border wall, they have $46.5 billion for the border wall.' He went one: 'Well, the current estimate from the CBP is $6.5 million per mile. So, if you did 1,000 miles, that's $6.5 billion, but they have $46 billion. So they've inflated the cost of the wall eight fold,' Paul continued. 'So, there's a lot of new spending that has to be counteracted. But essentially, this is a bill by the military industrial complex advocates who are padding the military budget. There's going to be a lot of extra money.' 'Look, the President has essentially stopped the border flow without- without new money and without any new legislation. So, I think they're asking for too much money. And in the end, the way you add it up to see if it actually is going to save money or add money, is how much debt are they going to borrow? 5 trillion over two years, an enormous amount' Paul concluded. A May 20th analysis from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the federal deficit would increase by $3.8 trillion due to tax changes. The American people, like the Great People of Kentucky, do not support Biden spending levels and $5T in new debt. Therefore, I will not. Its simple. pic.twitter.com/m9sTuDiGZK Rand Paul (@RandPaul) June 1, 2025 Speaking with Fox News Sunday host Shannon Bream on May 25th, Paul shared further reservations about the increase to the national debt, while also touting his past support for lowering taxes. 'You know, the bigger a bill, the more it includes, the more difficult it is to get everybody to agree to things. I supported the tax cuts in 2017. I support making them permanent. So, I support that part of the bill,' Paul noted. WATCH: @RandPaul explains why he's a no on the current House GOPs version of Trumps big, beautiful bill. pic.twitter.com/RRXaiGz1HW Fox News Sunday (@FoxNewsSunday) May 25, 2025 'I support spending cuts. I think the cuts currently in the bill are wimpy and anemic, but I still would support the bill even with wimpy and anemic cuts if they weren't going to explode the debt,' Paul argued. Later in the conversation, Paul also warned that 'the deficit is a threat to our country. I think it's the greatest threat to our national security', adding that the United States brings in 'about $5 trillion in revenue', while spending $7 trillion. Senator Paul's office did not return a request for comment from the Daily Mail. You might dimly remember that the police are supposed to be impartial, refusing to take sides in political debate. But that is a fast-receding memory in Scotland, where officers were told gender-critical campaigners are on a par with Nazis. As we revealed last week, a dangerously barmy message was circulated within the ranks making the obscene comparison. It came to light just as top brass were preparing to host a summit with diversity groups about the Supreme Court transgender ruling. In the best traditions of the single force, the media were kept out and weve no idea, officially, about what went on behind closed doors. The timing couldnt have been much worse its hard to build bridges with people youve just smeared as fascists. Police officers and staff were told that gender binary - the belief there are only two genders - was a key feature of Nazism. The identities of the person who sent the memo, or the officers who okayed it, havent been disclosed - but it was removed from the force intranet and advice will be given around the use of language. Police Scotland officers were told gender-critical campaigners are on a par with Nazis Well, thats all right then but doesnt it seem a woefully inadequate response, given the seriousness of the charge the document contained? In any sane universe, whoever gave the green light for this inflammatory and grossly offensive document would be sacked, or at the very least severely disciplined, with questions asked about how they passed vetting procedures. Tory MSP Tess White is pressing the Chief Constable, Jo Farrell, for answers - but so far the force hasnt gone beyond the rather woolly statement about advice on language. Theres a deafening silence, as you would expect, from John Swinney and his colleagues - passionate advocates of the radical transgender policies recently found to have been without legal foundation by the highest court in the land. The Supreme Court ruling in April stipulated that sex means biological sex under the Equality Act 2010 - which presents something of a challenge for the public sector, including Police Scotland. Trans ideology is baked into their protocols to comply with SNP government diktats - and now it will have to be rooted out. Much dragging of feet has ensued - though were promised a new Police Scotland gender strategy soon, which will make everything crystal clear. Presumably, it wont repeat the Nazi slur - but who knows? The police position on these issues is hopelessly muddled. It had to write to the Equality and Human Rights Commission for guidance on whether rapists should be allowed to self-identify as women. And last month Ms Farrell said police wouldnt be rushed into change in the wake of the Supreme Court judgment, while her deputy Alan Speirs said it had had no bearing on how the force does business. The Scottish Police Authority, which is supposed to hold the force to account, seemed largely content with this inertia, with some honourable exceptions on the board. The lack of urgency comes as the United Nations warns against letting criminals choose their own gender, after a new report found that 49 rapists were allowed to identify as female offenders in the UK. Reem Alsalem, the UNs special rapporteur for violence against women and girls, said at least a third of UK forces were still collecting data on criminals and victims self-identified gender rather than their assigned sex at birth. Police Scotland has been accused of misleading parliament over its own policy on recording gender, after any number of apparent flip-flops. Ms Farrell said last year that a man who commits rape or serious sexual assault will always be recorded as male. But in March it emerged that this stance - which campaigners said was a major policy U-turn - was not communicated to officers. With the number of claims of rape and attempted rape soaring to a record level, its hard to see how any of this will provide reassurance to victims who might be considering whether to report their ordeal to the police. A woke crusade has drained credibility from a force which seems to be disconnected from the reality of life for those it is supposed to serve. Outside the sanctuary of police bosses Zoom chats, gangland and youth violence are spiralling out of control. A diminished front line is battling this rising tide while police chiefs, who once kowtowed to a legally baseless equalities agenda, are busy trying to reverse out of the cul-de-sac they built for themselves. On streets where the reek of cannabis fumes is ever-present, young people are being stabbed and addicts are openly injecting drugs, sometimes only yards away from the SNP-backed heroin shooting gallery - which costs us more than 2million a year. Beat bobbies are rarely seen on patrol and police stations are being sold off, reinforcing the impression that the force is in headlong retreat. More than 12,000 supposedly minor crimes have been effectively written off under the proportionate response approach, which is good news for criminals - but just another slap in the face for long-suffering victims. Yet the many mistakes of the SNP as it inflicted swingeing cutbacks on policing have been compounded by the misjudgments of police chiefs who approved this disgraceful abdication of responsibility. Last month a senior officer broke ranks to suggest that police need to stop wasting their time probing social media posts and get back on the streets to deter crime. Police Scotland has been accused of misleading parliament over its own policy on recording gender Rob Hay, president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, deserves praise for pointing out that it is not the job of police to intervene when people were offended by posts. He said unless a crime was suspected, officers should be nowhere near social media and must get back into the community to prevent and fight crime. Mr Hay has previously warned police must be pacifists in the culture war and stay away from the divisive, political and toxic nature of some of the debate raging in wider society. Its the kind of common sense which Police Scotland badly needs - but it shows no sign of heeding Mr Hays wise counsel. For proof, consider the case of Tory MSP Murdo Fraser, whose mocking tweet about the SNP governments transgender policy was logged as a hate incident. He shared a column which claimed the governments non-binary equality action plan would lead to children being damaged by this cult. The row over Police Scotlands Nazi claim gives us an insight into the mindset of police chiefs - and makes it easier to see why police would regard an MSPs honestly held view as something akin to a thought crime. Once again, the only beneficiaries of this absurd shambles are the real criminals who are running riot - while policing is reduced to a laughing stock. Embattled Newark Airport is raising eyebrows for yet another disaster, this time involving a child. A two-year-old managed to ride on top of Newark Liberty International Airport's baggage conveyer belt last week after slipping behind a ticketing counter without his parents noticing. The tot then climbed onto the ankle-high conveyer belt where passengers leave their luggage before boarding their flights. The incident occurred inside Terminal A on Wednesday, May 28, as the childs mother was attempting to re-book a flight on Jet-Blue Airlines. The toddler rode the conveyor belt down to the checked baggage room on the lower level of the airport. Port Authority officers responded to the incident and located the child. Port Authority Police PBA President Frank Conti told Pix11 that the responding officers jumped on the conveyor belt to track down the toddler. The two cops were able to move fast into the system, he told the outlet. Which was vital.' There was a split in the belts, he explained. One officer went toward one direction, one toward the other direction. A two-year-old managed to ride on top of Newark Liberty International Airport's baggage conveyer belt last week after slipping behind a ticketing counter without his parents noticing (Pictured: stock photo of Jet Blue desk at Newark Airport, New Jersey) The toddler rode the conveyor belt down to the checked baggage room on the lower level of the airport (Pictured: Baggage claim area with conveyor belt at Newark Airport) One of them was able to observe the child as the child was approaching one of the x-ray units. The child was unharmed when he was found. Medics were dispatched to check the child as a precaution. The incident comes as Newark Airport has been plagued by delays and cancellations for months. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy held a news conference at the airport on Monday to announce the reopening of a major runway nearly two weeks ahead of schedule. The ongoing delays have been caused by air traffic control outages, runway construction, and the fact that over 20 percent of FAA controllers at Newark walked off the job, among other factors. Just last month, health officials also sounded the alarm over a potential measles outbreak at Newark Airport. The incident occurred inside Terminal A on Wednesday, May 28, as the childs mother was attempting to re-book a flight on Jet-Blue Airlines Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy (pictured) held a news conference at the airport on Monday to announce the reopening of a major runway nearly two weeks ahead of schedule An infected individual traveled through the airport's Terminal B - used by United, JetBlue and international airlines, potentially exposing hundreds to the world's most infectious disease. And the week prior to that, Newark airport's control tower went dark for 90 seconds, prompting workers to take trauma leave as chaos ensued at the travel hub. The case also marked at least the second time a measles infected patient has passed through Newark's gates, after another patient also visited in early April. An non-verbal autistic girl has been reunited with her support dog after the pet was blocked from accompanying her on a flight - leaving the child without her beloved pooch for several weeks. Teddy, a Labrador, was accompanied by a trainer and departed from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the flight to Lisbon, Portugal on Friday, according to the news outlet G1. The ordeal began back on April 8, after 12-year-old Alice Porto, who suffers from autism, moved to Portugal with her family after her father, a doctor, accepted a job there. The family was waiting to check in at the airport when a representative for TAP Air Portugal informed them that the ticket for Teddy had been cancelled the previous day because the dog's documents were not going to be accepted upon landing in Portugal. After obtaining a court order and the proper documentation, a second attempt to get Teddy overseas on May 24 fell short when Teddy he was blocked from sitting with Alice's sister, Hayanne, on the flight because he was not traveling with the person to whom he provided support. The airline suggested that the family place Teddy in the plane's hold, but they rejected the offer, arguing that he could not be placed in the cargo area because he was a service dog. The airline countered that not doing so would ignore the company's operation guidelines and put the passengers and crew in danger. Hayanne and Teddy were booked later in the day on another flight, which was delayed by three hours. Just as they were set to board, the airline obtained a court order allowing the aircraft to leave Brazil without Alice's sister and her dog. Alice Porto spent almost two months without Teddy, her support dog Alice Porto suffers from autism and is allowed to travel with Teddy, a service dog Ricardo Cazarotte, who retired from training dogs for the Sao Paulo Military Police's kennel and who was responsible for training Teddy for a year and a half, joined Teddy on the flight fro Rio de Janeiro to Lisbon, Portugal last Friday To make matters worse, the family had to obtain another International Veterinary Certificate because the document would have expired by the time the flight arrived in Portugal. The separation generated episodes of emotional distress for Alice, who spent all of last week awaiting for Teddy to arrive. Her parents had a difficult time explaining why she had to wait to be reunited with Teddy. 'She communicates through an app,' her father told G1. 'We explained that it was an unforeseen event, but we can't explain this injunction situation and the real reason why the dog didn't board the plane.' The failed attempts caused Silvio Costa Filho, Brazil's Minister of Ports and Airports, to intervene last Tuesday. As part of the agreement between the airline and the family, Teddy was allowed to board the flight with Hayanne and Ricardo Cazarotte, who retired from training dogs for the Sao Paulo Military Police's kennel and who was responsible for training Teddy for a year and a half. 'We who train know how important this dog is. It must already be triggering several crises,' Cazarotte told Brazilian news outlet G1. 'If you take the autistic person out of his routine, it triggers aggression, anxiety. My role here is to organize this meeting, to make her happy and him happy too.' Nigel Farage has launched a reckless plan to consider scrapping the Holyrood funding deal which helps provide an annual Union dividend for every Scottish family. The Reform UK leader was accused of a hare-brained suggestion after he called for a review of the Barnett Formula and for the Scottish Parliament have more responsibility for raising the money it spends - sparking fears of savage cuts to public services like the NHS and schools or massive tax rises. He also shrugged off the risk that he could help hand the SNP another five years in power, saying his party could get things done at Holyrood while in opposition. On his first visit to Scotland in six years, he also doubled down on his race row with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and also accused First Minister John Swinney of inciting protesters by branding him a racist. Mr Farage held a press conference in Aberdeen to warn of the threat of deindustrialisation because of the SNP and Labours opposition to new oil and gas development, before giving the press pack a slip in Hamilton. The Barnett Formula determines that the Scottish Government must get extra funding through the block grant as a direct consequence of any public spending in devolved areas south of the Border. It helped contribute to 1,521 more net expenditure per person in Scotland than across the UK as a whole last year. Asked whether he would look to scrap the Barnett Formula given he has previously said English taxpayers are cheesed off with the amount of extra money spent in Scotland, Mr Farage said: The Barnett Formula, it seems to me, is really somewhat out of date. Reform leader Nigel Farage said English taxpayers are cheesed off with the amount of extra money spent in Scotland What Id like to see is a Scottish Government that is able to raise a bit more of its own revenue and a Scottish economy that has actually got genuine growth, and I dont think that can happen without this sector (oil and gas) booming. The Barnett Formula goes back to the 1970s. Is there an argument that it should be looked at again? Of course there is. He insisted that devolution is here to stay but said it has not been working well. If Scotland had to raise more of the money it spends, it could lead to massive tax rises or savage spending cuts to balance the books. Mr Farage shrugged off polling showing that Reforms rising support will help hand the SNP another term as the largest party at Holyrood, saying that his party can shift national debate and government policy regardless of whether we are in power or not. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: The Union dividend is worth thousands of pounds each year to every person in Scotland. Nigel Farages reckless proposal would slash funding for our NHS, schools, roads and many other essential public services. Alternatively, it would mean further tax rises on hard-working Scots or, more likely, a double whammy of both cuts and tax hikes. Reforms hare-brained suggestion of ripping up the Barnett formula is irresponsible. It would take a wrecking ball to our public services and cause misery for Scottish families, workers and businesses. The SNP must be delighted by Farages latest idea because the only people in Scotland who would benefit from scrapping the Union dividend are nationalists. If Farage knew or cared anything about Scotland, he would know that such a reckless move would increase support for the SNP and independence. He added: Our public services are a complete mess after 18 years of SNP Government. Schools and hospitals need smart investment, not the savage cuts that would be the consequence of Reforms plan. Nigel Farage needs his head examined if he thinks scrapping the Union dividend is sensible. Mr Farage was greeted by a crowd of around 20 protesters chanting Nigel go home when he arrived at Aberdeens Pocra Quay, with one banner proclaiming Farage not welcome in Scotland. He claimed that protests had been incited by Mr Swinney saying he was bringing racism and hatred into the heart of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election. Mr Farage said he had not heard chants calling him a racist in England for a very long time and said Mr Swinney used the word in a deliberate and very, very provocative way. He added: Do you know what, the more they insult me the more I know we must be doing something right. And I think they are in a blind state of panic. They are chucking around insults. I think the First Minister was yesterday trying to be inciteful in what he said. For today, I will not return the compliment. Im not going to get involved in a war of words. He also doubled down on his partys controversial criticism of Mr Sarwar, after it published a social media video claiming he would prioritise the Pakistani community. Mr Farage said: We dont talk about race at all. We think everybody should be treated equally, we object very strongly to the segmentation of people into different types. And I think, to be frank, Mr Sarwar has a record of obsessing on this issue. There was the speech that he gave in the Scottish Parliament saying why are the judiciary white, why are these leading figures in Scotland white. The most extraordinary speech given the statistics and figures here. And actually I think that speech that he gave was sectarian in its very nature, you know we are the south Asian community, we are going to take over the country, take over the world. Reform yesterday unveiled Aberdeen councillor Duncan Massey as the latest to defect to the party from the Conservatives. Mr Farage said the party is now making remarkable strides in Scotland and said polls suggest it is beginning to eclipse Labour as the second-biggest party north of the Border. Condemning the opposition of the SNP and Labour governments to new oil and gas development which he said would make the UK more reliant on imports, he said: We are seeing Scotland, and many parts of England and Wales, literally deindustrialising before our very eyes. Yes there are arguments around new industries, but for every job created in a new industry many more could be lost in conventional industries. We now have the most expensive commercial energy prices in the world and the whole thing is complete and utter madness. Mr Farage was met by a small group of left wing protesters during his visit to Scotland Reform UK Richard Tice said it is a tragedy that Scotlands energy treasure is being left in the sea, and backed a policy of drill Scotland drill. He said: If it aint broke dont fix it. We know it works and we should be accelerating it. I now call it net stupid zero. I think it is the greatest act of financial self harm ever imposed on this nation by people at Westminster. Mr Farage also yesterday said he is confident of finishing third in Thursdays by-election and it would be a very nice surprise to finish second. He went on: Do I realistically think we could win? Well, if we do then that will be the biggest earthquake Scottish politics has ever seen. However, he failed to turn up to a press call organised by his own party ahead of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election on Thursday. Instead, he chose to have a drink in a pub in Larkhall with a select few with no explanation given to those left waiting. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said Today the chief clown Nigel Farage finally found his way to Scotland and showed just how totally out of touch with our country he is. Nigel Farage turned up, admitted he cant win the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election and pledged to cut funding for Scotlands NHS and public services. Nigel Farage is a dangerous clown and the people of Scotland see right through him. To neighbors, Mohamed Soliman was a quiet father of five who drove for Uber and watched his children play and ride bikes in his yard. That perception changed on Sunday night when FBI agents woke up the street by swarming his two-bedroom home in Colorado Springs while executing a search warrant. Soliman, 45, had been arrested 100 miles away in Boulder, accused of attacking up to eight participants of a the group Run for Their Lives, during a walk in solidarity with hostages held by Hamas. He now faces attempted murder and federal hate crime charges for the horrifying attack with a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails while reportedly shouting Free Palestine. Twelve victims, including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor, were burned in the second high-profile attack on Jews in the United States in two weeks. The Department of Homeland Security has since confirmed that Soliman is in the country illegally, and the FBI was quick to declare it a terrorist attack. He is Egyptian and moved to America in August 2022 on a visa that expired the following February, a source told the Daily Mail. To neighbors, Mohamed Soliman was a quiet father of five who drove for Uber and watched his children play in the street outside his Colorado Springs home (pictured above) It is understood that he left a job in the accounts department of healthcare company Veros Health in 2023 and started delivering food for Uber the same year. Soliman began driving for the ride-share firm nine months ago and was still picking up passengers until his arrest. He had lived a quiet family existence with his wife, their teenage son, teenage daughter, nine-year-old girl and younger twins. But the FBI claims Soliman was planning the attack for a year, and waited until his daughter graduated from high school to carry it out. Neighbors expressed disbelief over the allegations against Soliman, whose yard was littered with childrens bikes and toys. Stunned residents of the street have told the Daily Mail that there were no signs that Soliman - or his family - were radicalists. The Solimans seemed, they said, like normal people. Shameka Pruiett, who lives two doors down from the family, said her daughter would often play with their nine-year-old. She added that she would often see the mother - whose name she didnt know - loading the four children into a blue minivan. They got up, took their kids to school. We knew Mohamed, she said. He took care of his kids. Youd see him out playing with his kids and taking the trash back and forth, she said. He was a father a husband. They were a Muslim family but they were not radicalists, she said. They didnt put their beliefs on anybody or any of that. Soliman faces attempted murder and federal hate crime charges for the horrifying attack in Boulder with a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails while reportedly shouting Free Palestine Prosecutors have identified the attacker as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old migrant from Egypt. A photo shows the aftermath of the rampage Pruiett first heard about the attack on Sunday through social media but had never previously known the Solimans last name. When she saw the suspects picture, she thought: It just seemed like there was something really bothering him. Thats not [like] the guy that walks through this neighborhood. Authorities arrived Sunday evening at Solimans address and gave three warnings for occupants to leave - with no answer, Pruiett said. They then gained entry using what looked like a cinder block: You could hear the vibrations, she said. Solimans wife was known for making food to take to neighbors, including a new Jewish family that moved in across the street. The Solimans' teenage son would casually play ball with a 13-year-old neighbor, Dylin. He told the Daily Mail that the Solimans son said hed be moving to Michigan to stay with family and finish high school. Dylins sister, Katie Carlson, 28, told the Daily Mail: Theyve been, from what weve seen, really respectful, polite. The Solimans arrived around two years ago to the community filled with working and peaceful neighbors. The neighborhood abuts a sprawling park with a playground and beautiful mountain views. Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody Sunday and told police he would do it again, according to an affidavit seen by the Daily Mail. He also said he 'wanted to kill all Zionist people', 'wished they were all dead' and told investigators he had researched the attack for up to 12 months, according to a chilling update from the Department of Justice on Monday. 'He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year and was waiting until after his daughter graduated to conduct the attack,' the affidavit said. Soliman constructed homemade Molotov cocktails after doing research on YouTube and buying the ingredients. He drove to Boulder with the devices in his car and stopped along the way for gas, the complaint said. Law enforcement found more than a dozen unlit Molotov cocktails near where Soliman was arrested. The devices were made of glass wine carafe bottles or jars with clear liquid and red rags hanging out of them, the FBI said. Inside his car, law enforcement found papers with the words 'Israel,' 'Palestine' and 'USAID', the affidavit said. Uber confirmed on Monday that Soliman was one of its drivers. The rideshare company told the Daily Mail that Soliman had met all legal requirements and it had received no concerning feedback from passengers. Eight victims between the ages of 52 and 88, including a Holocaust survivor, were burned in the second high-profile attack on Jews in the United States in two weeks Members of a law enforcement tactical team get in place after the horrifying incident in downtown Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday After his arrest, his drivers account was banned and Uber is cooperating with law enforcement. President Donald Trump condemned the attack on Monday and blamed the Biden administration. In a Truth Social post, he vowed revenge for the 'horrific' attack, saying acts of terror will 'not be tolerated in the US'. He promised that Soliman will be 'prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law' - while also blaming Joe Biden's 'ridiculous open border' immigration policies for contributing to the attack. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt branded the attack an act of 'despicable evil' on Monday. Soliman lived with his family in Colorado Springs. He was actively driving for Uber before his arrest. A discarded bike sits outside the home She told Fox News that the tragedy 'absolutely is an act of targeted terrorism' and echoed President Trump's promise for revenge. 'The president is going to ensure that this individual is held to the fullest extent of the law, and not just this individual, but any individual, especially illegal criminals, who engage in acts of terrorism, will be held accountable under this president,' she said. Leavitt also warned that entering the US is a 'privilege, not a right' and said officials 'are not going to allow people who are pushing anti-American values and especially engaging in acts of violence to remain in our country'. 'Your visa will be revoked, and you will be deported,' she added. Meanwhile on Soliman's street, neighbors tried reconcile the details emerging with the man they lived beside. Pruiett said she just kept thinking about 'the kids, the kids, the kids ... and his wife.' A body has been found in the search for a hiker who disappeared while on 'Britain's toughest walk' in the Scottish Highlands. Bernard Trottet, 65, disappeared while traversing across the Cape Wrath path. He was last seen in Corryhully Bothy in Glenfinnan on Tuesday May 27. Scottish cops said the Swiss hiker was planning to walk north to Kinloch Hourn before heading to a campsite in the Morvich area, but he failed to arrive. Following a multi-day search, the force later said a body was found in the water in the Kinloch Hourn area just before 1pm on Monday. Police Scotland said: 'Formal identification has yet to take place, however, the family of Bernard Trottet, who was reported missing in the area, has been informed.' It added that it did not believe there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding the disappearance, and that a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal, Scotland's public prosecution service. The Cape Wrath Trail is a 200-mile route the cuts through the Scottish Highlands and the West Coast of Scotland. Bernard Trottet, 65, disappeared while traversing across the Cape Wrath path Scottish cops said the Swiss hiker was planning to walk the Cape Wrath trail, one of the toughest long-distance walks in the UK It is considered one of the the toughest long distance walks in the UK. The difficulty of the route lies in it being completely unmarked, and running through extremely wild and rugged terrain. The trail is unlike other, prepared and marked routes that walkers can follow with ease. Instead, many parts of the route are pathless, meaning that a high level of navigational skill is required to attempt it. On top of this, there are also several unbridged river crossings that can be dangerous in the wrong circumstances. READ MORE: Accused Aussie drug smugger swaps life of luxury for a Bali jail cell Seven men have been charged with plotting to bring more than 300kg of illicit drugs into Australia. Since September 2023, detectives were investigating a 42-year-old man and his associates for allegedly importing and supplying large amounts of prohibited drugs and illicit tobacco. The men were allegedly claiming to have the ability to circumvent border controls with shipments coming in from Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Panama. Police allege the 42-year-old man was using a freight forwarding company in Punchbowl, south west of Sydney, to import the drugs. More than 280kg of liquid methamphetamine was located in an industrial cooler imported from Vancouver, Canada, in July 2024, allegedly organised by the man. On August 5, 2024, two men - aged 43 and 31 - were allegedly seen trying to access the cooler and preparing to extract the liquid methamphetamine at an address in Riverstone, in north-west Sydney. Later that same day, police arrested the 43-year-old man at a fast-food restaurant in Londonderry in Greater Western Sydney. Police allege the man was involved in the preparation to extract the liquid methamphetamine. Police have arrested seven men for allegedly plotting to import more than 300kg of illicit drugs into Australia investigators established a 42-year-old man was planning to import 50kg of cocaine concealed in cement bags loaded in a shipping container from Panama During a search of a property in Londonderry, police located and seized gel blasters, a methamphetamine cookbook and other items used in the manufacturing and supply of drugs. The 43-year-old man was charged with 17 offences including attempted possession of a commercial quantity of an unlawful import: border controlled drug, 13 counts of possessing an unauthorised pistol, firearm etc found at premises-subject to prohibition order, and participating in a criminal group. Police arrested the 31-year-old man after executing a search warrant at an address in Box Hill, north-west Sydney, and was charged with participating in a criminal group. Police continued their investigation into the 42-year-old man who allegedly continued to use the freight forwarding company to import illicit drugs. Over three separate consignments, the man allegedly imported more than 20 million cigarettes from the United Arab Emirates. In May, investigators established the man was planning to import 50kg of cocaine concealed in cement bags loaded in a shopping container from Panama. Police allege the man asked two other men - who flew to Australia from Canada - for help to retrieve the cocaine from the cement bags and supply it to organised crime groups in NSW. Investigators arrested four men at about 2pm on Friday after executing six search warrants in Moorebank, Punchbowl and Mt Annan, in south-west Sydney, Smithfield and Doonside, in Sydney's west. Police allege the 42-year-old man asked two other men - who flew to Australia from Canada - for help to retrieve the cocaine from the cement bags and supply it to organised crime groups in NSW Police allege the 42-year-old man was using a freight forwarding company in Punchbowl, south west of Sydney , to import the drugs A number of items were located and seized during the searches, including 243 boxes of tobacco at two storage facilities in Moorebank. The 42-year-old man was charged with three counts of importing large quantities of tobacco, two counts of attempted importing of a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and intending it as an instrument of crime. He was also charged with dealing with proceeds of indictable crime, knowingly and recklessly directing a criminal group and participating in a criminal group. The man was refused bail and is set to face Downing Centre Local Court on July 31. Police charged another 42-year-old man with attempting to import commercial quantity of border controlled drug and participating in a criminal group. He was refused bail and will appear before Downing Centre Local Court on June 5. Meanwhile, two Canadian nationals, aged 24 and 31, were also charged with attempting to possess commercial quantity unlawful import: border controlled drug and participating in a criminal group. The pair were refused bail and will appear at Downing Centre Local Court on June 13. nvestigators arrested four men at about 2pm on Friday after executing six search warrants in Moore bank, Punchbowl, Smithfield, Doonside and Mt Annan The men were all refused bail and are set to face Downing Centre Local Court at a later date Detectives also arrested a 36-year-old man at Sydney Airport at about 6.50pm on Saturday. He was charged with importing large quantities of tobacco and participating in a criminal group. He was refused bail. The investigation was part of a long police operation which started in September 2023. Investigators from MAST (Multi Agency Strike Team) established Strike Force Aulic to investigate the 42-year-old man and his associates. MAST is made up of 41 officers from the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, NSW Crime Commission, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre and the Australian Taxation Office. MAST has been designed to target trusted insiders who are assisting transnational serious organised crime syndicates impacting NSW. Donald Trump's new official portrait pictures a stern-faced president over an all-black background and shows indications of a heavy-handed photo-shop tools. The portrait replaces the one then president-elect Trump released three days before his inauguration. That portrait drew a striking resemblance to Trump's mugshot taken at the Fulton County jail during his reelection campaign after being charged with a racketeering conspiracy to overturn the state's election results. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ultimately dismissed several of the charges and the case stalled. The White House released a new official version Monday in the form of a video clip of an aide hanging the new portrait on a wall that was posted on X. It shows Trump looking straight ahead, and squinting, wearing a light blue suit and sporting an American flag pin. It reveals a slight downgrade in the intensity of his prior portrait, which captured Trump with an eyebrow raised and appearing to glower after reclaiming the White House while railing against 'witch hunts' against him and enduring two assassination attempts. That portrait now hangs in government buildings around the country. The White House has released a new official portrait of President Donald Trump. Experts immediately pointed to hallmarks of photo-shop, including changes that could obscure loose skin below the president's chin. Trump, 78, prizes physical prowess and recently called former President Joe Biden a 'decrepit corpse.' The new portrait does show bags under Trump's eyes, which are somehow absent in the Trump portrait from January, which features much starker lighting. The official Trump portrait released shortly before he left office bore a strong resemblance to his mugshot The new portrait comes amid changes to the Oval Office decor. Some experts say the official portrait relied on photo-shop Pictured: Sarah Boardman's portrait of Donald Trump which hung in the Colorado State Capitol until the president threw a tantrum over it and ordered its removal Topping both may be Trump's mug shot, which show Trump gazing downward the first time he was charged with a crime. Aides hanged a newspaper photograph of that portrait soon after Trump took office. It was one of many changes that Trump added to the Oval Office. DailyMail.com has asked the White House for information on the new portrait. The earlier one was taken by chief White House official photographer Daniel Torok. In April, Trump hung a stark portrait of himself between paintings of former first ladies Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton. A month earlier, Trump railed against an 'unflattering' portrait of himself that legisators hung in the Colorado state Capitol building. 'Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves,' Trump wrote on Truth Social about the painting. 'But the one in Colorado, in the State Capitol, put up by the Governor... was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before,' Trump complained, prompting legislators to remove it. A combat veteran arrested for violently beating a woman inside the California home of the Beanie Babies CEO made an obscene gesture as he appeared in court on Monday. Russell Maxwell Phay, 42, is facing charges of attempted murder, burglary, kidnapping, and assault for the attack on 60-year-old Linda Malek-Aslanian at reclusive CEO Ty Warner's Montecito, California home. The victim, Malek-Aslanian is a financial services expert who once worked for Warner's hotels division, was comatose due to a brain injury. Police say the former Army combat soldier, who once claimed he was 'trained to eliminate' his enemies, broke into the home and demanded everyone leave on May 21. When officers then arrived at the scene, they found Malek-Aslanian outside with 'severe injuries' and Phay 'barricaded' in a second-story bathroom. He allegedly tried to evade arrest by jumping from the bathroom window, but was tackled to the ground by sheriff's deputies and K-9 officers. Phay has been held at the Santa Barbara County jail without bail. He appeared at the Santa Barbara Superior Court on Monday - where he previously pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Exclusive photos for DailyMail.com from the court appearance show the veteran in gray coveralls with a blue undershirt giving the middle finger to a photographer at the scene. In the end, Judge Stephen Foley ordered that Phay - whose wrists and ankles were restrained - undergo a mental evaluation. Russell Maxwell Phay, 42, is facing charges of attempted murder, burglary, kidnapping, and assault for allegedly beating a woman Exclusive photos for DailyMail.com show the veteran gave the middle finger to a photographer at the court appearance Phay is accused of beating 60-year-old Linda Malek-Aslanian, a financial services expert 'who once worked for Beanie Babies executive Ty Warner's hotels division' Police have said they were called to Warner's mansion about a disturbance shortly after 4.30pm, and found Phay holed up inside. Officers feared the suspect had hostages inside, and deployed a BearCat armored vehicle, K-9 officers and a helicopter as they set up a perimeter. Authorities were ultimately able to enter the home in search of victims - and discovered that the occupants, including Warner himself, had escaped. Phay, though, was still hiding in a restroom upstairs. At that point, crisis negotiators were deployed to try to talk Phay into coming out of the bathroom - but Phay attempted to flee out of the window instead. Prosecutors now claim Phay entered Warner's home with the 'intent to commit larceny' before assaulting Malek-Aslanian and inflicting 'great bodily injury'. The criminal complaint said Malek-Aslanian 'was particularly vulnerable'. Yet officials have said they do not believe Phay personally knew his alleged victim, a financial services expert 'who once worked for Warner's hotels division', KSBW reports. Police have claimed Phay broke into the home and demanded everyone leave on May 21 Fearing he may be holding hostages, police deployed a BearCat armored vehicle to Warner's Montecito, California home Prosecutors now claim Phay entered Warner's mansion (pictured) with the 'intent to commit larceny' before assaulting Malek-Aslanian and inflicting 'great bodily injury' Santa Barbara County District Attorney John Savrnoch, who branded the case as 'very serious', has also filed special allegations against Phay, claiming he poses 'serious danger to society'. The Army veteran appears to have a history of alleged violence, and was named in ac criminal complaint as recently as last year, when he allegedly threatened a couple over the phone according to KEYT. Phay was also arrested in in Siskiyou County in 2018 and charged with battery and assault, but the case was dismissed last year. Additionally, in 2014, Phay allegedly threatened his wife and followed her across state lines after she tried to flee with their son. A violent attack against his wife resulted in a prison sentence, but upon his release Phay was eligible for diversion programs that targeted ex-military personnel battling mental health issues. He told The San Francisco Chronicle after his release: 'They've recognized that I am salvageable. I need treatment, and I've gotten treatment. I feel like people here understand the brotherhood.' Phay, who has a previous criminal history, has pleaded not guilty to the charges Phay left the Army as a trained infantry combat soldier with specialized weapons training, telling the newspaper how 'I have been trained to eliminate you'. He admitted that his remark 'sounds crazy, but it is true.' Phay was expecting to serve in Kuwait, but his tour of duty expired before he could be deployed. In the charging documents for his latest alleged offense, DA Savrnoch cited Phay's previous criminal records, which he claimed were 'both numerous and of increasing severity'. He also alleged that Phay's behavior on probation, parole, and post-release supervision was 'unsatisfactory'. The suspect is now due back in court on June 30. More submarines, soldiers and drones, along with an airborne nuclear strike capability and the exploration of technologies such as lasers, AI and robotics, are among the proposals in the Strategic Defence Review. These are the key ambitions outlined in the SDR: Army to be 'ten times more lethal' This ambition relies on the harnessing of new technologies and weapon systems, particularly drones. Lethality is difficult to measure and the claim is strong on political rhetoric. Only a couple of months ago, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, said the ambition was to double lethality by 2027 and triple it by 2030. The new Archer artillery system, the belated introduction of the Ajax vehicle and Challenger 3 tanks will increase lethality but to what extent? British soldiers walk back to their vehicles at the end of an exercise on February 17, 2025 in Smardan, Romania Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin attending a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London on the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 8, 2025 Three forces to be integrated into one The Integrated Force, unveiled as part of the SDR, is not a merger of the Armed Forces, but they will lose much of the traditional independence as they are moulded into a centralised Integrated Force. The SDR suggested the services were 'siloed'. The need for them to train together and prepare for war shoulder to shoulder was essential in the months and years ahead. 15billion boost for nuclear warheads Britain's nuclear deterrent has long been in need of recapitalisation. The 15billion will pay for these weapons to be upgraded or replaced. It will also see the significant modernisation of infrastructure at the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston, supporting more than 9,000 jobs at the Berkshire site. Sir Keir Starmer delivering a speech at a facility in Glasgow as the government unveiled its defence spending on June 2 Up to 12 new nuclear attack submarines The as yet uncosted pledge to develop 'up to' 12 new attack submarines has been welcomed by military observers but the first boat is not expected to enter service before the late 2030s. The submarines will support the AUKUS security alliance between the UK, Australia and the United States and will be used to protect the Pacific from Chinese aggression. Over the decades ahead, the boats will replace the Royal Navy's current fleet of seven Astute-class submarines. They will be built at key sites such as BAE in Barrow-in-Furness. Six new factories to make munitions The SDR proposes at least six factories making munitions and energetics such as explosives and propellants for weapons. The SDR recommends creating an 'always on' munitions production capacity in the UK, allowing production to be scaled up at speed if needed. Britain's military warehouses are bare after 5billion in weaponry and munitions was provided for Ukraine since the start of the conflict in 2022. The programme will create more than 1,000 skilled jobs, according to the SDR. Defence Secretary John Healy visits the production line for long-range cruise missile, Storm Shadow, on May 31 Robotics, cyber warfare and AI The review says AI will improve the quality and speed of decision-making and operational effectiveness for Britain's military, its allies and its enemies. It should be an immediate priority to 'shift towards greater use of autonomy and AI within the UK's conventional forces'. This has shown to be transformational in Ukraine. Chiefs will launch a Defence AI Investment Fund by February 2026. The report warns cyber threats will become harder to mitigate as technology evolves, with government departments, military hardware, communications, increasingly vulnerable. Hardening critical defence functions to cyber-attack is crucial. Directed Energy Weapon systems, such as the UK's DragonFire, a world-leading laser ground to air system being developed at Porton Down, Wiltshire, can save millions of pounds in expenditure on ordnance systems. The review also calls for the MoD to seize the opportunities presented by technologies such as robots and lasers. 4billion expansion of the drone force The Government unveiled a 4billion investment package for drones and autonomous systems. Drones are dominating the conflict in Ukraine and in Russia, following the audacious Ukrainian attack on Russian airfields in Siberia just days ago. They provide proved lethality at minimal financial cost and would spare the lives of British troops because they are not required to engage with the enemy at close proximity. Cheap to produce drones can be effective against 'legacy' military systems worth billions of pounds and are necessary to protect and augment the UK's manned military systems, such as aircraft, helicopters and armoured vehicles. A F-35A Lighting II fighter jet (pictured in the Netherlands being used by the Finnish Air Force) Fighter jets to carry nuclear bombs Britain is exploring the potential return of air-delivered nuclear weapons in collaboration with the United States. America's F-35A Lightning II aircraft is capable of carrying tactical gravity nuclear bombs. The proposal marks the most significant shift in UK nuclear posture since the Cold War. Currently, this country's nuclear deterrent is carried by the Royal Navy's 'bomber' submarines. The air-launched nuclear weapons would carry a much smaller payload. The lower yield B61 munitions are already integrated into US aircraft stationed on continental Europe and could be brought to Britain. Thousands of new long-range weapons At least 7,000 long-range weapons will be made to restock UK military warehouses and to prepare for an extended conflict against an adversary such as Russia. Children taught value of the military Defence chiefs will work with the Department for Education to develop understanding of the Armed Forces among young people in schools, by means of a two-year series of public outreach events across the UK, explaining current threats and future trends. Schools and community-based cadet forces will also be expanded, with an ambition of a 30 per cent rise by 2030 with a view to the UK having 250,000 cadets, many of whom will then go on to join the armed forces. HMS Artful an Astute-class nuclear-powered fleet submarine is manoeuvred in Clyde in March 2025 More reservists and investment in them To meet the challenge of engaging in a lengthy conflict, the report identified the need to boost the number of reservists. These part-time personnel, many of whom are former regulars with operational experience, would join full-time troops on the frontline. The report identified the need to increase the size of the UK's Active Reserve forces by at least 20 per cent 'when funding allows, most likely in the 2030s'. The UK has around 25,000 Army reservists, 3,500 Royal Navy and Royal Marines reservists and 3,200 RAF reservists. Tucker Carlson said he's not sure he can support the Republican party after a Florida congressman called for Gaza to be nuked. Congressman Randy Fine, who was recently elected to replace Mike Waltz in Florida as the preferred candidate of President Trump, made the jaw dropping comments in a Fox News interview last month. He said: 'In World War 2 we did not negotiate a surrender with the Nazis, we did not negotiate a surrender with the Japanese. 'We nuked the Japanese twice in order to get unconditional surrender. That needs to be the same here in Gaza. 'There is something deeply wrong with its culture and it needs to be defeated.' The extraordinary comments sparked widespread outrage and prompted a response from Hamas itself - the terror cell and de facto government in Gaza. Carlson, speaking on his podcast alongside Glenn Greenwald, said he was so taken aback by the comments that he initially thought they couldn't have been made by a real politician. 'I text a friend of mine in Congress,' Carlson said. 'This is a person who I confirmed is a real person. I didn't believe it at first... I didn't believe he was really a member of Congress.' Tucker Carlson has turned on a Trump-backed Republican after he called for Gaza to be nuked Congressman Randy Fine, who was recently elected to replace Mike Waltz in Florida as the preferred candidate of President Trump (pictured together), made the jaw dropping comments in a Fox News interview last month 'It's evil. How can you say something like that and not get expelled from Congress? How can that person still be in the Republican party?' Carlson went on to say that Fine's comments had made him question whether he could remain loyal to the Republican party. 'I don't know if I can support a party with someone like Randy Fine... that's so disgusting. 'So we're gonna nuke Gaza because of its culture? We're going to kill everyone because we don't like their culture?' he repeated incredulously. 'There are Christians in Gaza. Muslims in Gaza. To say there is some Gazan culture that's cohesive.' Carlson has been one of MAGA's most outspoken and high profile supporters, particularly loyal to Trump. But Fine is a Jewish Trump-backed pick who won 83 percent of the Republican primary vote after the president's endorsement. 'Randy Fine has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, RANDY, RUN!' Trump said at the time. Fine said: 'In World War 2 we did not negotiate a surrender with the Nazis, we did not negotiate a surrender with the Japanese. 'We nuked the Japanese twice in order to get unconditional surrender. That needs to be the same here in Gaza' Gaza's coast line has been reduced to rubble during the conflict with Israel Fine is a Jewish Trump-backed pick who won 83 percent of the Republican primary vote after the president's endorsement Fine has a history of bad blood with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has also fallen out with Trump after running against him in the Republican presidential primary. 'I think these are voters who didn't like Randy Fine, but who basically were like, ''You know what? We're going to take one for the team. The President needs another vote up there. And so we're going to do it'',' DeSantis said of Fine's victory, going on to describe him as a 'squish.' And the Florida congressman doubled down in his attacks on Gaza on Monday, sharing a post to Instagram in the wake of the anti-Israel terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. 'We need to not be afraid to call evil by its name. Palestinianism,' he wrote. Fine added that his Jewish sons had been picked on at school since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel which led to the current conflict in the region. A greedy Scottish mother has been put behind bars after she swiped 500k from two businesses over the course of four years. Stephanni Houston, also known as Bryden, had previously raided cash accounts of a blind lady aged 93 and an 89-year-old frail woman in her relentless pursuit of money. She was sentenced to three years jail in 2023 at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court after having defrauded the pensioners at an Ayrshire care home out of thousands years earlier. Now, prosecutors have been awarded a confiscation order of 81,589.86 - with the possibility more cash could be pursued in the future. Speaking of the order, Sineidin Corrins, Deputy Procurator Fiscal for Serious Casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: 'This confiscation underscores the fact that prosecution of those involved in financial crime does not stop at criminal conviction and sentencing. 'Even after that conviction was secured, the Crown pursued Proceeds of Crime action to ensure the funds Stephanni Houston obtained illegally were confiscated. 'Confiscation orders have ongoing financial consequences, meaning we can seek to recover further assets from this individual in the future to reflect the full amount.' Stephanni Houston (pictured), also known as Bryden, had previously raided cash accounts of a blind lady aged 93 and an 89-year-old frail woman in her relentless pursuit of money She was sentenced to three years jail in 2023 at Keilmarnock Sheriff Court after having defrauded the pensioners at an Ayrshire care home out of thousands years earlier Houston avoided jail in 2014 when she was ordered to pay back all of the 2,425 she defrauded while working as an administrator for Berelands Care Home in Prestwick. It comes as she had raided accounts belonging to four OAPs - a 93-year-old blind woman, a frail 89-year-old woman, and two men aged 83 and 91. After admitting fraud at Ayr Sheriff Court, Houston was ordered to do 240 hours of unpaid work and to repay the money within a year. The court heard she had forged managers' signatures to take residents' money from the home between April 1 and December 21, 2013. Houston's deceit was described by a sheriff as 'a serious offence against those who are the most vulnerable' and bosses reported having to compensate residents for their losses. She told the Daily Record at the time: 'I feel hellish. I'm so ashamed of the mess I've made. I just want to say how sorry I am to the residents. It was a stupid mistake.' But in a matter of years, Houston was ordered to prison as she betrayed two more employers. The fraudster admitted emezzling 253,281.30 while working as an office administrator at Kelburne Construction in Kilmarnock from February 1, 2017, to March 31, 2021. Months later she began the process of embezzling 262,987.68 in her job as a book-keeper for WM Donnelly and Co in East Kilbride, swiping the cash between May 17, 2019, and March 31, 2021. A source close to the record said at the time it was 'clearly a greed thing' and pointed out colleagues had been 'scratching their heads' due to her Houston having a better car than her boss - a top-of-the-range Audi. They added her name had been 'Bryden' when done for the nursing home fraud but Houston when she went to Kelburne. The source said: 'Everyone got on fine with her in the office. 'She got a warning for the incident in the nursing home and got out of going to jail but shes obviously not shown any respect for the authorities or her employers. 'The day police came into the yard she was the one who showed them to the bosss office. She must have had a few heartbeats when the police car drew up that day.' A compensation order in the sum of 41,610.83 was awarded to Wm Donnelly and Co Ltd. A second compensation order in the sum of 39,979.03, was awarded to Kelburn Construction. Britain's Armed Forces aren't ready to fight a war against a military with similar capabilities, the authors of Britain's Strategic Defence Review have warned. In a stark assessment, the report said that our forces are better suited 'to a peacetime era' and are 'not currently optimised for warfare against a "peer" military state'. The externally-led Strategic Defence Review (SDR), written by former Nato secretary general Lord Robertson, retired general Sir Richard Barrons and Russia expert Fiona Hill, was described as the most profound change to defence in 150 years. While it leaned heavily into new technologies, it has also recommended an increase in the size of the regular Army from 73,000 to 76,000 in the next Parliament. This follows decades of the Army shrinking from 156,000 at the end of the Cold War. The review also includes a chilling list of the potential effects of conflict on the UK's way of life and lays bare Britain's overseas dependencies and threats. In the event of war, Britain would be subject to attacks on its military bases at home and abroad, long-range drone and cruise missile sorties, cyber-attacks crippling national infrastructure and disruptions to economic interests and international trade routes. The SDR states that the defence medical services couldn't cope with a mass casualty event and that the military is suffering from a recruitment crisis which means only a small number of troops could be deployed. The document added: 'The UK is entering a new era of threat and challenge. The West's long-held military advantage is being eroded as other countries modernise and expand their armed forces at speed.' A Gunner from B Company the 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, engages enemy positions with the general purpose machine gun (GPMG) during the combined arms live-fire exercise (CALFEX) phase of Exercise Swift Response on the 4th of May 2024 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from the UK's Royal Air Force land at Murted Air Base in Ankara for inspection by Turkish officials on December 18, 2024 Handout photo dated 28/04/25 issued by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of vessels during Operation Highmast as they make their way to the western Pacific Rim via the Mediterranean and Middle East to conduct interoperability training and defence engagement This officer from the Rifles moving quickly through the water, keeping low whilst moving to another target during a live attack in Brecon The report also reveals that 95 per cent of the UK's data is carried by undersea cables that are vulnerable to attack and that the UK relies on imports for 46 per cent of its food. It stated: 'Undersea pipelines and data cables are critical for sustaining daily national life. The maritime domain is increasingly vulnerable. The Royal Navy must be prepared to deter maritime incidents similar to the sabotage of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and the cutting of undersea data cables in UK and international waters.' In the year to September 2024, the UK suffered 89 nationally significant cyber-attacks. The Navy and RAF conducted 374 escorts of Russian Federation vessels between 2020 and 2024. In that same period there were 32 launches of RAF Typhoon Quick Reaction Alert aircraft. The report added: 'Defence must prepare for a much more difficult world of heightened competition, more frequent crises and conflict that sees conventional military attacks combined with intensified sub-threshold aggression. 'The UK is already subject to daily sub-threshold attack, targeting its critical national infrastructure, testing its vulnerabilities as an open economy and global trading nation and challenges its social cohesion. 'Changes in the strategic context mean that UK defence must plan on the basis that Nato allies may be drawn into war with or be subject to coercion by another nuclear-armed state.' The SDR will bring about a transformation of the Armed Forces, including the development of a so-called Integrated Force, a coming together of the separate services. Members of the Welsh Guards prepare a general-purpose machine gun (GPMG) ahead of a visit by Prince William on November 26, 2024 in Wiltshire, England Eurofighter Typhoon jet from the UK's Royal Air Force lands at Murted Air Base in Ankara for inspection by Turkish officials on December 18, 2024 While defence chiefs are determined to meet the Prime Minister's challenge to become 'war ready', the SDR reveals they are also expected to make savings. The Army is expected to deliver 'a ten-fold increase in lethality' but without a significant number of regular soldiers, although the report concedes there is a 'strong case for a small increase in regular numbers when funding allows'. The SDR suggests fewer paratroopers will be trained to jump. The report calls on the RAF to become more efficient and use civilian planes when a task 'does not require military capability'. The Royal Navy is expected to move towards a 'cheaper' fleet. Admirals are expected to use 'commercial vessels' for transportation in non-contested environments and to share logistical challenges with allies. The UK's 7 billion combined-cost aircraft carriers are expected to become more versatile, with adaptations to ensure long-range missiles can be fired from their decks and more uncrewed aircraft. Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'We must move to war-fighting readiness, to avoid the huge costs that wars create. We prevent wars by being strong enough to win them. 'We will establish a new hybrid-Navy, our carriers will carry the first hybrid airwing in Europe. We will create a British Army which is ten times more lethal, with an aim of 76,000 regular soldiers in the next parliament. 'We will also increase the number of cadets by 30 per cent and develop a new strategic reserve by 2030.' The SDR has made 62 recommendations which government ministers have pledged to implement in full. Passengers on an airplane were left terrified after the cabin filled with smoke following an explosion of a power bank just 15 minutes into a flight. Video footage showed passengers panicking as thick, acrid smoke began billowing out of an overhead locker. People could be heard shouting at each other, and opening it up to find one passenger's camera battery and power bank smouldering in a locker. A flight attendant appeared with a small fire extinguisher to put out the fire. The incident took place on China Southern Airlines flight CZ6850 from Hangzhou to Shenzhen in China on Saturday, May 31. The pilot of the plane was forced to return to Hangzhou International Airport after the passengers power bank ignited shortly after take-off. An airline spokesperson said: 'The crew handled it properly and quickly eliminated the safety risk. To ensure safety, the flight immediately returned to the airport and landed safely 15 minutes after take-off.' The spokesperson added that no one was injured, and that the airline would help any passengers affected by the delay. Video footage showed passengers panicking as thick, acrid smoke began billowing out of an overhead locker People could be heard shouting at each other, and opening it up to find one passenger's camera battery and power bank smouldering in a locker The incident took place on China Southern Airlines flight CZ6850 from Hangzhou to Shenzhen in China on Saturday, May 31 The airline also reminded customers to follow aviation safety regulations to prevent incidents like this in the future. Earlier this year, fellow Asian carriers Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air said that passengers are now not allowed to use lithium-based powerbanks aboard their planes. Many airlines across the world have banned the use of the devices on their planes in recent years due to the risk they carry of igniting unexpectedly. Passengers also have to take them out of carry-on bags and place them so they are visible at all times. What do you give the person who has it all? This was the question Canadian Premier Gary Doer was faced with when Prince Edward came to visit. As a Commonwealth realm, Canada has a strong relationship with the British Monarchy. The prince met families of Canadian military serving in Afghanistan as part of a three-day visit to Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada, as part of a royal tour in June 2008. His visit included meeting with the Premier, military families and presenting awards at the Children's Hospital. The usual gift for such occasions is a soapstone carving which tell stories, preserve cultural traditions and represent important beliefs and values. Famously the Queen was given a gift of five trumpeter swans for her coronation in 1952. But Manitoba's Premier had a gift in mind that would hark back to centuries-old tradition and honour the prince's two young children. Prince Edward and Manitoba Premier Gary Doer met families of Canadian military serving in Afghanistan as part of a three-day visit to Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada Edward arrives at the Manitoba Legislature accompanied by Mr Doer on June 2, 2008 Edward is pictured with wife Sophie, then Countess of Wessex, and children Lady Louise and James, then Viscount Severn, in May 2009 The Premier presented the prince with a pair of framed notices naming two lakes in the central Canadian province after his children. Edward had recently welcomed his second child, James now the Earl of Wessex. Lady Louise was four years old at the time and the children grew up largely out of the spotlight. The gift followed a centuries-old tradition of naming cities and landmarks after royalty. And Manitoba has lakes named after the Queen's six other grandchildren. Also in the province are Lakes Prince William, Prince Henry, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Peter Phillips and Zara Phillips. Two cuddly toys were presented to the prince by s-year-old Lexie Pellerine Edward was given this gift in honour of his visit to Churchill in northern Manitoba in 1990 For a long time, members of the Royal Family named places in Canada after themselves. Queen Victoria has more namesakes in Canada than any other royal even though she never visited. And there is another Lake Louise in Canada which was named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, Queen Victoria's fourth daughter. She became the first princess to cross the Atlantic Ocean and the province of Alberta is also named for Princess Louise. In 1878, her husband, John Campbell, Lord Lorne, became governor general of Canada and they moved to Ottawa. The couple played a key role in the creation of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts and the National Gallery of Canada and took part in the first royal tour of British Columbia. The princess wrote in 1924: 'I am intensely proud of this beautiful and wonderful Province being called after me, and that my husband should have thought of it.' Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada, was named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, who became the first princess to cross the Atlantic Ocean 'The Queen had a deep and abiding love and affection for Canadians,' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Queen Elizabeth and Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau attend a banquet on August 1, 1978, in Canada In June 2008, also among the 300 guests keen to catch a glimpse of Edward were two young children from military families who presented the prince with cuddly polar bears for his own children. The Vancouver Sun wrote at the time: 'Recognising that two children even royal ones wouldnt have much use for a piece of parchment, Doer also called upon two children of Manitoba soldiers to present the prince with two plush polar bears in honour of his visit to Churchill in northern Manitoba in 1990.' Edward reportedly said he hoped one day his children would get to see a real polar bear in the wilds of northern Manitoba, as he himself had in the past. The prince's mother, the late Queen, loved Canada and often called it her 'second home'. The Queen made 22 official visits to Canada in her 70-year-reign, and one as Princess Elizabeth more than any other country outside the UK. On her death, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said: 'The Queen had a deep and abiding love and affection for Canadians. 'She was our queen for almost half of Canadas existence and was one of my favorite people in the world.' Queen Elizabeth is pictured during her visit to Canada in June 1959 presenting gold cards to the girl guide Jean Tramblay, aged 15, in Saguenay, Quebec The Queen (pictured) inspects a detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and their black horses - brought from Canada - at Combermere Barracks, Windsor, in 1957 Burmese was reportedly the Queen's favourite horse which she rode at Trooping the Colour for 18 consecutive years, from 1969 to 1986 In June 2009 Edward gifted a 16-month-old yellow Labrador called Suzanna to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police during a ceremony in Alberta Perhaps because of this, Edward turned to his mother, who was honorary commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), when it came to picking a gift when he returned to the country the following year. In 2009 he gifted a 16-month-old yellow Labrador called Suzanna to the RCMP, of which the Queen was Commissioner-in-Chief, during a ceremony in Alberta. He said that the Queen picked Suzanna's name in honour of the 1936 novel by Canadian author Muriel Denison. There is a longstanding relationship between the Royal Family and the RCMP. The force gifted eight horses to the Queen since 1969, including four that are still alive today. Her first horse given, presented in 1969, was a black mare named Burmese. Burmese was reportedly her favourite horse, and she rode her at Trooping the Colour for 18 consecutive years, from 1969 to 1986. The four surviving horses George, Elizabeth, Derby and Sir John, led her funeral procession. But after training as a bomb-sniffing dog, Suzanna retired in 2013 after it became apparent her 'docile temperament' was not a fit for police work. The now Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are pictured with Louise and James at Trooping the Colour in 2013 Lady Louise shares many similar traits to her grandmother, the late Queen. Hopefully she will share her love for Canada and we may see a Royal Visit to her namesake lake in the future Edward's eldest child, Lady Louise is expected to step into the spotlight after university The prince returned to Manitoba with his wife Sophie, now Duchess of Edinburgh, in June 2016 to award the Duke of Edinburgh's International certificates. This was Edward's 38th visit to Canada and Sophie's first visit to Manitoba. As their daughter Lady Louise approaches her final year at university, it is expected she will step into the spotlight. The young royal shares many similar traits with her grandmother, the late Queen, from her love for animals to her appearance. She may also share Elizabeth's love for Canada and we may see a Royal Visit to her namesake lake in the future. Water in the Colorado River Basin, a vital source for over 40 million people, has vanished at an alarming pace over the past 20 years, a new study has found. The Colorado River Basin spans over 246,000 square miles and supplies water to seven US states, including Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Arizona, Nevada, and California. Researchers used more than two decades of satellite data to track water loss in the region. Between April 2002 and October 2024, the basin lost more than 13 trillion gallons of freshwater that is nearly two-thirds of it from underground reserves. Since 2003, nearly 28 million acre-feet of groundwater roughly the full capacity of Lake Mead has depleted, driven by unregulated pumping and drought. They used data from NASA to monitor underground water loss. It shows that since 2015, the groundwater has been depleting 2.4 times faster than surface water, marking a sharp acceleration in water loss. The groundwater loss is driven largely by over-pumping in the Lower Colorado River Basin, particularly in Arizona, Nevada, and California where regulation is minimal or nonexistent. Professor Jay Famiglietti, the study's senior from Arizona State University, said: 'Everyone in the US should be worried about it, because we grow a lot of food in the Colorado River Basin and that's food that's used all over the entire country.' Groundwater in the Colorado River Basin, an important water source for over 40 million people, is vanishing at a alarming pace, The Colorado River and its underground supply support everything from drinking water for cities like Los Angeles and Phoenix to massive agricultural operations growing water-heavy crops like alfalfa, much of which is exported. 'Over-pumping is the main cause of groundwater losses over the past 20 years,' Professor Famiglietti said. 'There's nothing illegal about it, it's just unprotected.' The Colorado River Basin has long depended on snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains to refill its rivers, reservoirs, and aquifers. But rising temperatures and droughts, driven by climate change, are shrinking snowpack and reducing surface water flow. The decreasing supply of surface water is visually apparent throughout the region. Lake Powell and Lake Mead have seen sharply falling levels, and the Colorado River's overall flow has diminished, a trend researchers say will likely continue if warming intensifies. As surface water becomes less reliable, cities and farms are leaning more heavily on groundwater but that safety net is also collapsing. 'We used to say the Colorado River is the lifeblood of the western US,' Professor Famiglietti told The Guardian. 'Now it's becoming clear that groundwater is the lifeblood and it's vanishing.' The Colorado River's flow has dropped about 20 percent over the past century. The study highlights that the Lower Basin including Arizona, Nevada, and parts of California has been hit hardest. Groundwater accounts for more than 71 percent of total water loss in that region. Arizona in particular faces critical risk. Outside of designated management areas, groundwater pumping remains largely unregulated. As a result, wells are drying up, pumping costs are rising, and food security is under growing threat. As groundwater vanishes, wells run dry, pumping costs rise, and food security is threatened. About 80 percent of the Colorado River Basin's water goes to agriculture, supporting a $1.4 billion industry in Arizona alone, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The new study conducted by Arizona State University offers one of the most detailed looks yet at water loss in the Colorado River Basin. Since 2015, most of the Colorado River Basin's freshwater loss has been driven by aggressive groundwater pumping in Arizona, where the absence of statewide regulations outside designated Active Management Areas has allowed unchecked extraction for agriculture and growing urban demand. More than 40 million people rely on the river basin for drinking water. However, the water feeds farms across the US The research used satellite-based gravity data to measure changes in total water storage including snow, surface water, soil moisture, and groundwater. The Lower Basin, which includes Arizona, Nevada, and parts of California, was hit hardest, with groundwater making up more than 71 percent of its total water loss. This isn't the first warning. Previous studies using NASA's data have documented steady groundwater declines in the region between 2003 and 2014. But the latest research confirms that the pace of depletion has accelerated, especially since 2015. The Colorado River's flow has dropped 13 percent below its 20th-century average in recent years, and if current warming trends continue, experts warn it could shrink by as much as 30 percent by mid-century. States in the region were forced to reach a federal agreement in 2023 to limit water usage and try to protect the river's supply. The more water that is lost from the river, Professor Famigletti told the Washington Post, 'the more pressure there's going to be on the groundwater' in the basin. 'And then,' he said, 'it becomes a ticking time bomb.' Meanwhile, demand is only rising, with the region attracting water-intensive industries like data centers and semiconductor factories. For centuries, the Cave of Salome has been revered by Christians as the resting place of the woman who helped deliver Jesus Christ. Constructed around 2,000 years ago, the historic cave southwest of Jerusalem has long been linked with 'Salome', midwife from the Book of James. From the 8th or 9th centuries, Christians flocked to the cave to light oil lamps in a prayer for Salome, similar to how churchgoers today light candles. But now, a controversial study contests this long-held Christian interpretation. In fact, Jesus' midwife Salome may not have been laid to rest there at all, the scientists behind the study claim. Undoubtedly, the name 'Salome' is inscribed in the cave in rock, interpreted as a dedication like an etching on a gravestone. But experts from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) say it might've referred to another woman of the era a princess of the same name. 'Following the new excavation at the site, and findings at nearby sites, it is suggested that the grandeur burial estate belonged to a member of the royal family,' they say. For centuries, the Cave of Salome has been revered by Christians as the resting place of the woman who helped deliver Jesus Christ Salome (right) and the midwife 'Emea' (left), bathing the infant Jesus, is a common figure in Orthodox icons of the Nativity of Jesus; here in a 12th-century fresco from Cappadocia Your browser does not support iframes. The researchers describe the Cave of Salome as 'one of the largest and most magnificent burial estates ever discovered in Israel'. About 30 miles (48km) southwest of Jerusalem, it comprises several chambers with rock-hewn burial niches and broken ossuaries (stone boxes), attesting to the Jewish burial custom. Two Greek inscriptions mention the name 'Salome' as the saint to whom the cave was dedicated widely interpreted as Mary's midwife, as mentioned in the Bible, since the 8th century. According to the scripture, the midwife could not believe that she was asked to deliver a virgin's baby, and her hand became dry and was healed only when she held the baby's cradle. The Bible reads: 'And the midwife went forth of the cave and Salome met her. And she said to her: Salome, Salome, a new sight have I to tell thee.' Old broken lamps also provide evidence that in later years the site was converted into a Christian chapel dedicated to the midwife where people lit lamps in tribute. But the researchers now contest this centuries-long interpretation of Cave of Salome, which was excavated almost entirely in the mid-1980s. While they acknowledge the interpretation of 'Salome' as the midwife, the experts point out 'several [other] possibilities for identifying Salome'. Inscriptions left by pilgrims are seen on the wall of the 2000-year-old burial cave southwest of Jerusalem Clay lamps recovered from the burial cave. According to the archaeologists, hundreds of complete and broken lamps were found in the forecourt, 'proving' that the cave was a place of worship for woman who delivered Jesus What is the Cave of Salome? Constructed around 2,000 years ago, the cave of Salome is an extensive Jewish burial cave, one of the most impressive ever discovered in Israel. Over time, the cave became associated with Salome, a character from the apocryphal Book of James who witnesses the birth of Jesus. A later 8th-century Latin tradition held that Salome was Marys midwife and helped deliver the baby Jesus - but a new study offers other interpretations. Source: Biblical Archaeology Advertisement The researchers think the burial site was fit for 'a member of the royal family' before it was eventually transformed into a Christian pilgrimage site. They point to the 'exceptional opulence' of the burial estate, described as 'one of the most elaborate burial complexes of the Second Temple period', which includes a a large courtyard at the entrance. 'Given its scale and grandeur, we propose that it belonged to the royal family or, at the very least, to the highest elite of Second Temple period society,' they say. Their leading theory is that it belonged to Princess Salome, the sister of the Judaean king Herod the Great, the cruel ruler who had young children massacred. Also known as Salome I, she was close to her brother but spent her life plotting against a myriad of people, including her sister-in-law Mariamme. Another possibility is that the cave was dedicated to Herod's granddaughter, also called Salome, who demanded the execution of John the Baptist. The researchers seem sure of the Herod connection, because Herods family possessed 'the necessary economic resources to construct such an estate'. They add: 'Herod is also known to have built several grand structures in other remote locations, such as Herodium and Masada.' The cave consists of several chambers with multiple rock-hewn burial niches and broken ossuaries that were used to hold the bones of the deceased Previously, excavations in the courtyard uncovered a row of shop stalls that, according to the excavators, sold or rented clay lamps Yet another interpretation is Salome was one of Jesus female disciples, who may have been Marys younger sister, as referenced in Matt. 27:56; Mark 15:40. It's also worth bearing in mind that the name Salome (or in Hebrew: Shalom or Shlomit) was a common Jewish name in the Second Temple period of Jewish history, spanning roughly 516 BC to AD 70. The study, published in the IAA journal 'Atiqot, present several more possibilities 'for identifying Salome in the Christian realm'. The team conclude: 'The finely hewn ashlars, the monumental stone paving and the decorations on the vestibules facade and around the caves entrance testify to the grandeur and high socioeconomic status of the burial estates owners, raising a question regarding who built this magnificent estate.' However, another archaeologist who was not involved in the study said the alternative arguments are 'interesting but not conclusive'. Boaz Zissu at Israel's Bar-Ilan University told Live Science that the claims demand 'more rigorous evidential support'. Scientists have been baffled to discover that South Africa is rising out of the ocean. New measurements reveal that the country is rising by as much as two millimetres per year in some places. Previously, scientists thought this rapid uplift was due to a phenomenon called mantle flow - the movement of semi-molten rock beneath the Earth's crust. But a new study claims that climate change is actually to blame. Using a network of static GPS receivers dotted across the country, scientists made extremely precise measurements of South Africa's height. This revealed that the areas bulging upwards the most were the areas that had experienced the most severe water shortages. Co-author Dr Makan Karegar, from the University of Bonn, says: 'This data showed an average rise of six millimetres between 2012 and 2020. 'We believe that it [is] also possible that a loss of groundwater and surface water is responsible for the land uplift.' Scientists have discovered that South Africa is rising out of the ocean, and they say that climate change could be to blame. Pictured: Cape Town, South Africa Using data from South Africa's network of GPS receivers, scientists found that the country is rising an average of two millimetres per year (illustrated) Thanks to South Africa's network of GPS receivers, known as the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), scientists have known for some time that the country is rising. Scientists had assumed that this was caused by something called the Quathlamba hotspot. This huge, tube-like structure transports hot material from closer to the Earth's core towards the surface under the mantle. In theory, this movement of mass towards the surface could create a bulge that would cause the land to rise up. However, scientists from the University of Bonn have tested a new theory which they believe offers a better explanation. By comparing the GNSS data with factors like precipitation rates across the country, they found a clear parallel in the data. The areas that had suffered severe droughts all experienced a particularly pronounced increase in height. Although the Earth might seem solid from our perspective, on the planetary scale it behaves much more like a rubber ball. Although it had been thought to be a product of rising material beneath the Earth's crusts, scientists say that droughts are the real reason for South Africa's rise. Pictured: The Theewaterskloof dam near Cape Town during the 2018 drought This graph shows the rising (red) and falling (blue) rates of South Africa's GPS stations. The rise is particularly rapid during periods of intense drought such as the years between 2015 and 2018 Co-author Christian Mielke, of the University of Bonn, told MailOnline: 'The total mass of surface water, soil moisture, and groundwater is so large that it deforms the Earth's crust - like putting pressure on an elastic ball. 'Droughts are associated with loss in these water storages. The loss of water mass due to the drought causes the Earth's crust to lift again. In their paper, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, the researchers argue this is now happening in South Africa. In addition to the GNSS and precipitation data, the researchers looked at data from the GRACE satellite mission - a joint project between NASA and the German Aerospace Center. Using sensitive equipment, this satellite measures subtle changes in the Earth's gravitational field in the ground below. Mr Mielke says: 'These results can be used to calculate, among other things, the change in the total mass of the water storage including sum of surface water, soil moisture and ground water.' Even though the GRACE satellite only has a resolution of several hundred kilometres, the data clearly showed that the lower the mass of water in a region, the higher the uplift measured by the GPS stations. In increasingly drought-stricken South Africa, the loss of water mass has been so pronounced that it has led to rapid increases in elevation. Between 2015 and 2018 South Africa's Cape Town lived under threat of 'Zero Day', a day where there would be no water at all. Pictured; people queue to collect water at a spring in Cape Town during the 2018 drought This rise was most pronounced between 2015 and 2019 during which South Africa faced one of its worst droughts in history. In that period, Cape Town, South Africa's capital and the continent's 10th largest city, lived under the impending threat of 'Zero Day' - a day without any water. As human-caused climate change leads to a hotter climate, droughts are becoming more common and more intense. For example, in 2022, scientists found that climate change made the droughts which struck the Northern Hemisphere over 20 times more likely to happen. Ultimately, the researchers believe the elevation changes in South Africa are more likely to be 'episodic' rather than permanent. 'The strong uplift we observed was mainly caused by water loss during the server drought years,' Mr Mielke adds. 'Outside of drought years, it is to expect that water reserves will replenish and land subsidence will occur. 'However, if it doesn't rain more often in future, the land could continue to rise on average until there is no more water.' The data shows that areas with the worst droughts (brown) were also the areas with the highest uplift (red triangles). This information could help scientists monitor water levels in real time using GPS data While Mr Mielke points out that this probably won't have any other consequences, it could provide a useful way to manage our warmer climate. If droughts and low water levels cause the ground to rise, scientists can use the data from the GPS system to get a real-time measurement of water reserves. This could allow scientists to measure the effects of droughts more precisely than ever before, using a method which is cheaper and easier than any other option. Given the ongoing threat of drought faced by South Africa, and many other countries including the UK, this could become a vital water management tool. From the death of the sun to a sudden asteroid impact, there are a number of terrifying ways the world could end. Now, scientists have revealed just how likely one of those doomsday scenarios really is. Researchers from Durham University have calculated the odds of the Milky Way colliding with the Andromeda galaxy, swallowing the Earth in the process. Across 100,000 simulations, the researchers found that there is a 50/50 chance of our galaxy colliding with Andromeda within the next 10 billion years. This collision - estimated to occur at a staggering speed of 220,000mph - would be 'devastating' for both galaxies, the experts warn. Before you start to panic, the good news is that this probability is actually significantly lower than previous studies had suggested. Co-author Professor Alis Deason, a computational cosmologist at Durham University, said: 'It used to appear destined to merge with Andromeda forming a colossal "Milkomeda". 'Now, there is a chance that we could avoid this fate entirely.' Scientists have revealed how likely it is that the Milky Way collides with the Andromeda Galaxy to form a single body called Milkomeda (artist's impression) The researchers say that the likely scenarios are that the galaxies pass by at over one million light-years apart (left) or they drift within 500,000 light-years (right) for a close pass At 2.5 million light-years from Earth, the Andromeda Galaxy is the Milky Way's nearest major galaxy. The large spiral galaxy measures 152,000 light-years from end to end and is believed to be roughly the same mass as the Milky Way. But as the Milky Way and Andromeda drift through space, the gravitational pull of other nearby galaxies is pushing them dangerously close together. As they pass in space, the galaxies' mutual gravitational attraction causes them to spiral ever closer together and, eventually, to merge. Although galactic collisions are rare, light from very distant galaxies, which has been travelling since the early days of the Universe, gives us a hint of what this might look like. Co-author Professor Carlos Frenk of Durham University, a cosmologist at Durham University, says: 'The Universe is a dynamic place, constantly evolving. 'We see external galaxies often colliding and merging with other galaxies, sometimes producing the equivalent of cosmic fireworks when gas, driven to the centre of the merger remnant, feeds a central black hole emitting an enormous amount of radiation, before irrevocably falling into the hole.' Previous studies had suggested that the Milky Way and Andromeda would almost certainly suffer this fate in around five billion years' time. In half the simulations, Andromeda and the Milky Way drift closer together and merge within eight to ten billion years If Andromeda (pictured from Earth) and the Milky Way merge after eight billion years, the Sun will likely have extinguished before this time MAGELLANIC CLOUDS: SATELLITE GALAXIES FOR THE MILKY WAY The Magellanic Clouds can be seen in the night sky with the naked eye and have been observed by ancient cultures for thousands of years. The Large Magellanic Cloud is a relatively small 160,000 light years away from us, while the Small Magellanic Cloud is around 200,000 light years away. They orbit the Milky Way once every 1,500 million years and each other once every 900 million years. They were the closest known galaxies to the Milky Way until recently, when the Sagittarius and Canis Major dwarf galaxies were discovered and found to be even closer. Advertisement However, the researchers' new simulations now suggest that this might not be the way the world ends. Professor Frenk says: 'Until now we thought this was the fate that awaited our Milky Way galaxy. We now know that there is a very good chance that we may avoid that scary destiny.' In just two per cent of the 100,000 simulations, the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxies collided within five billion years. In around half of the simulations, the galaxies passed close enough to one another that they slowed, and began to spiral around into an eventual merger. However, these collisions took place within eight to 10 billion years' time, rather than five billion. This suggests that the collision between the two galaxies is not likely to mean the end of the world. Lead author Dr Till Sawala, of the University of Helsinki, told MailOnline: 'Our results suggest that a collision, even if it happens, might take place after the Earth and the sun no longer exist. 'Even if it happens before that, it's very unlikely that something would happen to Earth in this case - even when two galaxies collide, collisions between stars are very unlikely. Even if the Milky Way and Andromeda do merge before the sun dies, Earth will likely be unaffected since collisions between stars are so rare. Picture: a graph showing the simulated distances between the two galaxies The researchers say their simulations yield a lower probability because they took more of the Milky Way's neighbouring galaxies into account, in particular the pull from a galaxy called the Large Magellanic Cloud. Although this 'satellite galaxy' is relatively small, its pull is in the right direction to significantly impact the Milky Way's trajectory through space. Including this factor in the simulations, makes it much less likely that the Milky Way will get close to Andromeda. The bad news is that it is 'nearly certain' that the Milky Way will merge with the Large Magellanic Cloud in around two billion years. 'However, unlike the possible merger between the Milky Way and Andromeda, the merger with the Large Magellanic Cloud will be a so-called "minor merger" that will leave the Milky Way intact,' adds Dr Till. A massive solar storm that hit Earth over the weekend is intensifying, with the potential to trigger radio blackouts and strain power grids. Officials issued a Level 3 geomagnetic storm warning on Monday, which means solar activity could disrupt GPS signals, radio communications, and electrical systems, while also making auroras visible much farther south than usual. A geomagnetic storm is a temporary disturbance in Earth's magnetic field caused by a burst of charged particles from the Sun's outer atmosphere. Power system disruptions are possible parts of the Midwest and Northeast, such as false alarms and systems shutdowns, triggering blackouts. The powerful storm is also expected to create stunning northern lights across 13 US states on Monday and Tuesday. The auroras may be visible in Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, northeast Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The best time to catch the colorful display is between 10pm and 2am local time. The stunning lights will also be visible across northern UK and Europe. In the UK, aurora activity will 'become progressively confined to Northern Ireland and Scotland,' the Met Office said. A massive solar storm that hit Earth over the weekend is intensifying, with the potential to trigger radio blackouts and strain power grids To see the spectacle, wait for clear skies to get dark and then go outside, ideally away from bright city lights. Taking a picture with a smartphone camera may also reveal hints of the aurora that aren't visible to the naked eye. The sun unleashed a massive M8.2 solar flare on Sunday, a very strong burst of energy. A solar flare is like a massive explosion on the suns surface. It sends out a huge amount of energy in the form of light, X-rays and charged particles. They are ranked as A, B and C being the weakest, M is deemed medium and X is the strongest. Sunday's explosion hurled a powerful coronal mass ejection (CEM), a large expulsion of plasma and magnetic field from the sun's surface, directly at Earth, which is causing the geomagnetic storm. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said that solar activity will linger for the next few days, causing a G3 storm. This space weather scale is much like the scale for measuring hurricanes, tracking how intense a geomagnetic storm will be when it collides with Earth, ranging from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). Power system disruptions are possible parts of the Midwest and Northeast (pictured, orange and red mean power disruptions) A G3 geomagnetic storm can cause minor disruptions to radio and satellite communications, potentially leading to a few hours of lost radio contact, according to NOAA. 'Infrastructure operators have been notified to mitigate any possible impacts,' NOAA shared in an alert. 'Some risk for mainly controllable power fluctuations in the power grid. Possible, slight risk of various satellite operations' effects.' The alert added that GPS may also stop working in some areas. Dr Tamitha Skov, an independent space weather physicist, posted on X: 'The speed of this storm is fast, but the field strength is moderate thus far. G3 to G4 levels are possible during this early phase. 'A stronger region of the storm will likely come later, but for now aurora is brightening quickly! GPS users & HF radio operators expect signal disruptions on the nightside of Earth.' The solar activity comes as scientist warned that humanity is not prepared for extreme space weather. They conducted a 'solar storm emergency drill', simulating what would happen if a major geomagnetic storm hit Earth. Results showed power grids failed, blackouts were triggered and communication broke down across the US. The exercise ran four simulations of geomagnetic storms of different severities, which is is a temporary disturbance of Earth's magnetic field caused by a massive eruption of charged plasma from the sun's outermost layer. One scenario included a 'solar superstorm', strong enough cause an 'internet apocalypse,' resulting in power grid disruptions across the entire US with the eastern seaboard experiencing blackouts, which lasted for weeks. Not only were power grids impacted, but railways and pipelines were also knocked offline, causing mass disruptions of travel and dramatic price increases of gas. Scientists are now calling for a whole-of-government planning approach, arguing it will be critical for protecting America from cosmic disaster. That would include deploying more satellites to monitor space weather, enhance real-time data collection to improve forecasting models, and provide earlier warnings. An amateur metal detectorist has found a stunning 18th-century ring in a field in Norfolk that has links to the British nobility. Malcom Weale, 53, unearthed the gold jewellery in a field near Thetford, Norfolk, after searching the area for 18 months. The detectorist was 'shaking' when he saw the ring glinting in the sunlight. Mr Weale told the BBC: 'I knew this was something very special and I did a bit of a dance.' 'There it was, a glint of pure gold, shiny as the day it was dropped, six inches down in the mud. 'It's very rare to put a name to anything you find.' The treasure was crafted about 300 years ago to commemorate a member of the British nobility, called Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy. A hollowed-out part of the ring's exterior depicts what's thought to be a skull, while an inscription on the interior records his death date. An amateur metal detectorist discovered the gold mourning ring containing a piece of skull embedded dating from the 18th century The oval depression on the exterior contains jewellery enamel a material made by fusing powdered glass or ceramic at high temperatures. Against the grayish background, black spots and lines have been used to create the squashed-looking skull, Live Science reports. Mr Weale made the find on August 9 last year, but it has only just been declared treasure having being studied through the Portable Antiquities Scheme by experts at the British Museum. It pays tribute to Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy, the 3rd Baronet of Harling, who died in a hunting accident in 1723, aged 56. He is described as a 'notable sportsman' who liked 'rackety exploits'. The name and date of death of the baronet are inscribed on the inside of the ring. The inscription reads 'B.G. Bart. ob: 10. Oct: 1723. aet: 56,' which means 'B.G. Baronet, died 10th October 1723, aged 56', according to historian Helen Geake. Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy likely left orders for several of these 'mourning rings' to be made when he died, but only one has been found by Mr Weale. The jewellery is believed to be a memorial ring for Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy - the 3rd Baronet of Harling Who was Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy? Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy (1667-1723), 3rd Baronet of Harling, was a member of the British nobility. He was son of Norfolk painter Sir John Gawdy, who was deaf all his life and an early pioneer of sign language. Bassingbourne died in a hunting accident in 1723, aged 56. Records suggest he died unmarried and that his hereditary title went extinct. Advertisement But who exactly owned this particular ring 300 years ago is still something of a mystery. Records suggest Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy was unmarried and without children so perhaps it was owned by a close friend or associate. Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy was the son of famous painter Sir John Gawdy (1639-1699) who, along with his brother Framlingham, was born deaf and mute. The brothers hold the distinction of being the first known British born deaf persons to be educated and taught to read and write through sign language. John is recorded as a handsome and intelligent man with a notable talent for painting, for which he 'attained no small degree of celebrity', according to one record. But Bassingbourne (his son) remained unmarried and upon his death from his accident on October 10, 1723 the baronetcy became extinct. Both John and Bassingbourne were part of a successful and influential family of lawyers who flourished in Norfolk and Suffolk in the 16th and 17th century. The Gawdy family is said to have descended from Sir Brews Gawdey, a French knight who was captured during the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453). The ring was made in honour of Norfolk baronet Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy, who was son of painter John Gawdy (depicted here in this self portrait) Malcolm Weale, 53, unearthed the ring in a field near Thetford, in Norfolk, on August 9, 2024. It has been declared treasure after being studied through the Portable Antiquities Scheme by experts at the British Museum After being taken prisoner in 1352, it appears Sir Brews Gawdey was naturalised and settled in Suffolk, although the Gawdy Hall estate in Norfolk was built by the family in the 1500s. Queen Elizabeth I is thought to have stayed in Gawdy Hall in 1578. Mr Weale, who has been a detectorist since he was seven years old, said discovery of the historic ring 'turned out to be one of my best days'. 'Over the years I've found all sorts of treasures including a hoard of late Roman coins, gold rings and jewellery,' he told the BBC. 'Last year was a particularly good year for detecting as, thanks to the rainfall, the moisture levels in the ground were very high. 'With metal detecting you can spend days, weeks or months searching, or sometimes just 20 minutes and make an amazing discovery.' With chiselled jaws and bulging muscles, Hollywood's ultra-masculine heartthrobs are often held up as the ideal of male attractiveness. But it's bad news for macho stars like Chris Hemsworth and Jason Momoa, as science suggests women prefer blokes with more feminine faces. In a test of over 1,500 participants from Japan and the UK, researchers discovered no preference for men with more masculine features. Despite some research suggesting otherwise, participants across the board had a general preference for more feminine features in both men and women. Lead researcher Dr Thora Bjornsdottir, of the University of Stirling, told MailOnline: 'We were somewhat surprised that we didn't find that any group preferred masculinity in men's faces.' Strikingly, this preference was consistent across genders, sexualities, and ethnicities - with only the degree of preference changing between groups. For example, among heterosexual women in the UK, being younger was associated with greater levels of preference for feminine features in men. This might help explain the popularity of less traditionally masculine stars such as Tom Holland, Timothee Chalamet and Harry Styles who have widespread popularity with young fans. In bad news for macho men, scientists have shown that women prefer more feminine features such as those of Timothee Chalamet (pictured) Scientists asked participants to rate male and female faces which had been digitally altered to be more or less feminine. Across the board, there was no preference for more masculine men and women generally preferred more feminine features While it might seem odd for scientists to investigate attractiveness, research shows that this factor has a big impact on people's lives. This is referred to as the 'halo effect', a phenomenon which means more attractive people are also seen more positively in other ways, such as being friendlier or more successful. The same is also true of someone's perceived masculinity or femininity. For example, a recent study from researchers at Princeton University found that men with masculine features like a square jaw were considered to be better at their jobs than others. However, there isn't a great deal of rigorous research into the connection between these two categories. Likewise, what research has been conducted generally focuses on white heterosexual individuals from Western countries. To address this, Dr Bjornsdottir and her colleagues recruited heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual participants who were either White British or East Asian Japanese. The participants were asked to complete two tasks designed to test their preferences towards masculine or feminine features. Traditionally, men with more masculine features such as Chris Hemsworth (left) or Jason Momoa (right) have been thought to be more attractive. But new evidence shows this isn't the case Men who like MEAT are more likely to bag a date In a recent study, scientists found that being a vegetarian makes both women and men less attractive as potential partners. Male vegetarians are also viewed as less masculine, according to the researchers. 'Women who reject traditional masculinity based on strength and dominance may perceive male vegetarians differently than those who embrace traditional masculinity,' they said. 'This, in turn, may explain why for some women a vegetarian man is "not a real man".' Advertisement In the first task, the participants were shown two images of the same face that had been digitally altered to be more masculine or feminine and asked to choose which they preferred. In the second, the participants were given an image and asked to use a slider to adjust the levels of masculinity or femininity until they deemed it most attractive. Overall, participants from all backgrounds tended to choose the more feminine faces in the first task and were more inclined towards feminine features in the second. This result came as a surprise given that both conventional wisdom and some previous research suggest that some groups prefer more masculine men. Dr Bjornsdottir says: 'It's important to note that some heterosexual women prefer masculine men's faces, but as a group on average they didn't prefer either masculinity or femininity in our study.' However, there was evidence of cultural impacts on participants' preferences. Male and female Japanese participants showed a stronger preference for feminine facial features than their British counterparts, particularly in male faces. The researchers also found that white women's faces were judged more attractive when made increasingly feminine than East Asian women's faces. By contrast, East Asian men were considered more attractive when feminised than white men. The researchers suggest this shows that that preference for male or female features was not an absolute preference, but one informed by a number of other factors. Dr Bjornsdottir says these preferences might be due to the judgements that we all subconsciously make about people based on their faces. She says: 'People aren't just perceiving attractiveness when they look at faces; they're also making inferences about what that person is like, what their personality might be. 'For example, there is research indicating that people assume that men with more feminine faces will be better caregivers and that men with more masculine faces will be more dominant but less reliable, even though this isn't necessarily the case.' Additionally, this study was the first time that the masculinity or femininity preferences of bisexual participants have been measured. Notably, this showed that bisexual individuals had distinct patterns of preference which were not simply a midpoint between heterosexual and homosexual preferences. Bisexual men in both cultures preferred less femininity in women's faces compared with heterosexual men but had very similar preferences to their heterosexual counterparts when it came to judging men's faces. Among British heterosexual women, being younger was associated with a higher preference for feminine features. This could explain the popularity of less traditionally masculine stars such as Harry Styles amongst younger fans The graphs show the average preferences for female participants both from Japan (pink) and the UK (red). This shows that women of all sexualities have a slight preference for more feminine men and women Homosexual men on the other hand tended to prefer increased masculinity in both male and female faces. Bisexual women, meanwhile, showed different preferences based on their cultural backgrounds. British bisexual women had a greater preference for femininity in male faces and a greater preference for masculinity in female faces. However, their Japanese counterparts preferred less femininity in both male and female faces. Dr Bjornsdottir says: 'People often tend to think of sexuality in terms of a gay/straight binary, but this doesn't reflect reality. 'Very little is known about what bisexual people find attractive in others, and we wanted to address this.' A massive plume of dust the size of the entire US is moving across the Atlantic Ocean and is set to hit Florida this week. The dust cloud is coming from the Sahara Desert and was formed by strong winds sweeping tiny sand and mineral particles off the surface. Officials in Puerto Rico have already warned residents of poor air quality as the dust sweeps over the Caribbean. The National Weather Service alerted the island that 'peak concentrations of Sahara dust from this event are rolling in and arriving in the next few hours.' The plume is predicted to hit South Florida by Wednesday and the Gulf States a few days later, but locals could begin seeing dust hanging in the atmosphere sooner. Experts warn that it can make breathing difficult, especially for people with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory issues, because it carries fine particles that can irritate the lungs. As of Monday, the cloud extended roughly 2,000 miles from Jamaica to well past Barbados in the eastern Caribbean, and about 750 miles from the Turks and Caicos Islands in the north down to Trinidad and Tobago in the south. 'It's very impressive,' said Alex DaSilva, lead hurricane expert with AccuWeather. A massive plume of dust the size of the entire US is moving across the Atlantic Ocean and is set to hit Florida this week While the plume is moving toward the US, DaSilva said it likely lost most of its concentration in the eastern Caribbean. 'Those islands tend to see more of an impact, more of a concentration where it can actually block out the sun a little bit at times,' he added. Scientists in Florida have reported seeing slightly hazy skies this wee, Joseph Prospero, professor emeritus at the University of Miami Center for Aerosol Science and Technology, told The New York Times: 'Typically we have nice blue skies, but with the dust, the whole sky looks soft and warm because the particles themselves are red.' 'Everything looks muted,' he added. The dry and dusty air known as the Saharan Air Layer forms over the Sahara Desert in Africa and moves west across the Atlantic Ocean starting around April until about October. Each summer, seasonal weather patterns like the West African Monsoon and high-pressure systems create strong winds that sweep across the Sahara. These winds pick up tiny particles known as aeolian dust and lift them into the atmosphere. Meanwhile, the Bermuda-Azores High, a high-pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean, produces steady east-to-west winds that help carry the dust across the ocean. Officials in Puerto Rico have already warned residents of poor air quality as the dust sweeps over the Caribbean. Pictured is Puerto Rico blanketed in dust in 2020 It also prevents tropical waves from forming during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30. June and July usually have the highest dust concentration on average, with plumes traveling anywhere from 5,000 feet to 20,000 feet above the ground, DaSilva said. In June 2020, a massive Saharan dust cloud, nicknamed the 'Godzilla plume,' swept from West Africa across the Atlantic, bringing hazy skies from Texas to the Carolinas. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) called it the largest event in nearly 50 years, with reduced visibility and air quality alerts issued across multiple states. Then in July 2023, another thick wave of Saharan dust blanketed Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, turning skies orange and pushing air quality into 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' in cities like Miami and Houston. This year's plume is different as it's earlier, denser, and more concentrated, with higher levels of fine particles. As a result, health officials and meteorologists are keeping a close eye on its impact. The size and intensity of these dust clouds vary from year to year, but scientists believe that shifting wind patterns and climate change may be contributing to more frequent and powerful plumes. A small town in Idaho has experienced 12 earthquakes in the last 24 hours. The US Geological Survey (USGS) detected the seismic activity near Stanley, a town that played a key role in the gold rush during the late 1860s and 1870s. The first earthquake struck at 4:33pm ET on Sunday, with the most recent recorded at 2:17pm today, ranging in magnitude from 2.5 to 3.4. According to Michigan Tech University, quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 are typically felt by people and may cause minor damage. No damage has been reported from this swarm. Stanley sits near the Sawtooth Fault, a 40-mile-long fault line running through central Idaho. While geologically ancient, the Sawtooth Fault was only clearly identified in 2010. It drew national attention after a magnitude 6.5 earthquake in 2020, one of the largest in Idaho in recent history, which was felt across several states. Scientists estimate the fault could produce magnitude 7.0 or greater earthquakes, strong enough to cause serious shaking and damage hundreds of miles away. Experts have called the Sawtooth Fault a 'sleeping giant' as it is dormant for long periods but capable of triggering a devastating earthquake when it awakens. The US Geological Survey (USGS) detected the seismic activity near Stanley, a town that played a key role in the gold rush during the late 1860s and 1870s The vast majority of earthquakes result from the constant movement of tectonic plates, which are massive, solid slabs of rock that make up the planetary surface and shift around on top of Earth's mantle the inner layer between the crust and core. As the tectonic plates slowly move against each other, their edges can get stuck due to friction and stress will build along the edges. When that stress overcomes the friction, the plates slip, causing a release of energy that travels in waves through the Earth's crust and generates the shaking we feel at the surface. The Sawtooth Fault is believed to be millions of years old and is part of the larger tectonic process that shaped the Basin and Range Province in the western US. That region has been stretching and pulling apart for at least 17 million years, creating many north-south faults like the Sawtooth. The last major earthquake to hit, a 6.5 magnitude, hit on March 31, 2020, but the area experienced aftershocks for at least three more months. This was the second largest to hit the states, followed by a 6.9 magnitude in 1983. Officials found that two months later, Stanley Lake's beach - a popular fishing and swimming spot - had collapsed due to the powerful tremor. 'One of the most dramatic effects of the earthquake was liquefaction at Stanley Lake. Ground shaking can weaken loose, water-saturated sediments, causing them to behave almost like a liquid,' the USGS said. The first earthquake struck at 4:33pm ET on Sunday, with the most recent recorded at 2:17om today, ranging in magnitude from 2.5 to 3.4 At Stanley Lake, the sandy area near the inlet stream sank dramatically due to liquefaction. 'A popular beach at the inlet stream delta completely disappeared, and large cracks and sand boils formed along the shore.' The event also triggered snow avalanches, debris slides and rock falls. More than 47,000 people reported feeling shaking from at least six surrounding states. Those included Montana, Washington, Utah, Nevada, Oregon and in parts of southern Canada. After the earthquake, scientists used new lidar data to create a detailed map of the Sawtooth Fault. Instead of one long crack, the map revealed that the fault is actually made up of several broken sections. Using this map, researchers chose spots to dig trenches across the fault to study past earthquakes. These trenches let scientists examine layers of soil that shifted during old quakes. In one trench, geologists found signs of an earthquake that happened about 9,000 years ago. More trenches are planned to help better understand the faults full earthquake history. One person was confirmed dead and 11 others injured were injured in North Carolina after a gunman opened fire at a small-town high school party. Authorities were called to a home near Hickory - about 60 miles outside of Charlotte - around 12.45am Sunday over reports of multiple people shot. A teenager who was at the party told WSOC: 'As soon as I heard the shots everybody started scattering off, ducking our heads, running off toward our cars toward safety. Trouble: A gunman opened fire at a high school party early on Sunday morning Big: As many as 100 people may have attended the party 'And I called my friend and he said call 911 I need help.' One victim is in critical condition, according to the Catawba County Sheriffs Office. The others remain hospitalized. No arrests have been made and police have not released information on potential suspects. Investigators said there were as many as 100 people attending the party and most of them were from local high schools, the outlet reported. The shooting is currently under investigation by the Catawba County Sheriff's Office, special agents with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Hickory Police Department. The sheriff's office has asked the public to come forward with any information related to the incident. Spain might be one of the UK's favourite summer holiday destinations, but protests against tourists in leading hotspots such as Barcelona and Majorca have left some Brits put off. But while more than 18 million British tourists visited Spain in 2024, there are a few regions that fall outside the limelight. So, where are Brits unlikely to run into other tourists in 2025? La Rioja According to Spain's National Institute of Statistics (INE), La Rioja was the country's least visited region in 2024. The gorgeous destination, known for its wine production, welcomed just 123,123 visitors last year. La Rioja is an inland region in northern Spain and deserves far more attention than it tends to get. Lonely Planet reveals: 'Wine goes well with the region's ochre earth and vast blue skies, which seem far more Mediterranean than the Basque greens further north. La Rioja is an inland region in northern Spain and deserves far more attention than it tends to get 'This diverse region offers more than just the pleasures of the grape, though, and a few days here can see you mixing it up in lively towns and quiet pilgrim churches, and even hunting for the remains of giant reptiles.' Head to the Museo de la Rioja, a history museum located in an 18th-century baroque building, to find out more about the region's past. And of course, make sure to visit one of the region's more than 500 wineries to sample one of it's world-renowned reds. El Hierro and La Gomera And Marek Bron, travel expert at the Indie Traveller, told MailOnline Travel that La Gomera is the most underrated of the Canary Islands While the Canary Islands are one of Spain's busiest destinations, a couple of the islands get much less attention. According to Statista, both La Gomera and El Hierro received just 69,000 visitors in 2022. And Marek Bron, travel expert at the Indie Traveller, told MailOnline Travel that La Gomera is the most underrated of the Canary Islands. He said: 'It has these very lush forests that feel like rainforests and they're amazing for hiking.' Meanwhile El Hierro is the smallest Canary Island with far fewer crowds than popular spots like Tenerife and Lanzarote. Tourists can visit the pretty hidden gem by taking a ferry or plane from Tenerife or Gran Canaria. Marina Lucense One of the region's most spectacular beaches is As Catedrais, or the Cathedrals. The 1.5km long beach earned its name from the Gothic-looking rock towers and arches on its sands According to statistics from the INE and Turespana, Marina Lucense is the Spanish stretch of coast that's the least visited. The breathtaking region is located on Spain's northern Galician coast where some of the country's least well-known beaches are. While the weather can't be guaranteed to be sunny, the beaches in Marina Lucense are much quieter than in the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca. Visit Spain explains: 'The Marina Lucense has around 100km of coastline where you'll find old whaling ports and a variety of landscapes.' One of the region's most spectacular beaches is As Catedrais, or the Cathedrals. The 1.5km long beach earned its name from the Gothic-looking rock towers and arches on its sands. Cabrera Maritime-Terrestrial National Park Just an hour's boat ride from Majorca, the Cabrera Maritime-Terrestrial National Park archipelago will 'definitely surprise you', says Spain's tourism board Of Spain's 16 national parks, the Cabrera Maritime-Terrestrial National Park is the country's least visited according to INE statistics. Just an hour's boat ride from Majorca, the archipelago will 'definitely surprise you', says Spain's tourism board. It says: 'This oasis has one of the best-preserved examples of marine life in the whole of the Mediterranean Sea. 'Its almost untouched sea shore hosts a wealth of species native to the Balearic Islands.' The national park can be enjoyed on a boat trip and is home to more than 400 botanical species and 200 fish species. As holiday booking season reaches peak fever, many Brits are on the hunt for the best travel bargains. But a travel expert has warned keen holidaymakers to watch out for several scams that could leave you several thousands out of pocket. Thanasis Mougious, travel expert at Kinglike Concierge, has shared five scams that could catch out tourists. Fake e-tickets and lookalike airline sites Thanasis explains that these scams usually involve fake webpages which are designed to steal payment details or trick travellers. He says: 'Only book flights through official airline websites or trusted platforms like Expedia, Kayak or Skyscanner. 'Be cautious with third-party resellers unless they're well-known and accredited. Watch for red flags in emails such as generic greetings, incorrect domains or urgent language are common in phishing attempts. 'Always check the sender's email address, and verify confirmations by logging into the airline's official site or contacting their customer service directly.' Thanasis Mougious, travel expert at Kinglike Concierge, has shared five scams that could catch out tourists including lookalike holiday websites Fake travel agents The expert warns that scammers can even create fake websites or mimic legitimate travel agencies. Thanasis advises customers to always verify their travel agent's details through trusted industry bodies, such as ABTA. How can holidaymakers spot a fake agent? Thanasis says: 'Legitimate agents provide contracts, transparent cancellation policies, and don't pressure you into quick, non-refundable payments via cash apps, wire transfers, or gift cards. 'If an agency lacks online reviews, a physical address, or a customer service line, it's likely a scam.' The 'free cruise' trap Thanasis says many scammers 'have clocked on to the sudden interest in cruise vacations' and used it to target 'budding travellers'. Before making any payment, the travel expert explains it's important to receive a 'written contract that clearly outlines all fees, taxes, port changes and cancellation policies (stock image) He warns: 'Be careful of unsolicited cruise offers, especially those claiming you've "won" a trip or an "exclusive invite" as reputable cruise lines don't operate this way.' Thanasis urges travellers to 'always verify cruise details directly with the official company by cross-checking ship names, itineraries and departure dates.' Before making any payment, the travel expert explains it's important to receive a 'written contract that clearly outlines all fees, taxes, port changes and cancellation policies.' Timeshare scams and high-pressure sales Victims of this scam are often 'lured into fraudulent timeshare deals or bogus resale offers' that promise 'luxury vacations, exclusive perks and high-end amenities', says Thanasis. He explains that these scams often look 'legitimate' and have 'polished marketing materials'. 'Many scams hinge on verbal promises that never make it into the actual agreement,' says Thanasis. He advises: 'Do your homework by researching the developer, location and customer reviews on platforms.' Thanasis says: 'To avoid accommodation scams, always book through trusted platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, or the hotel's official site, and stick to their built-in messaging and payment systems' (stock image) Fake vacation homes and cloned hotel listings Thanasis says: 'To avoid accommodation scams, always book through trusted platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, or the hotel's official site, and stick to their built-in messaging and payment systems.' If a seller encourages you to pay them money outside the platform, never do it warns Thanasis. 'If someone asks [for that] it's a major red flag and likely a scam,' he says. And the golden rule? Thanasis says: 'If it feels too good to be true, it usually is.' TUI Airways has returned to Southampton Airport for the first time in 15 years, with new flights to a leading Spanish destination. The airline will fly to Palma, the capital of Majorca, on a weekly basis from Southampton Airport. The first flight took off on Tuesday May 27 and the service is set to operate until the end of September. Gavin Williams, managing director at Southampton Airport, says: 'Our passengers were hugely excited when the return of TUI was first announced last year. 'It was fantastic to see our passengers on the first services which provides an exciting new travel opportunity for the Central South region. 'We look forward to welcoming more passengers on this flight as we continue to expand and enhance our travel options.' TUI last ran flights from Southampton to Majorca in 2009. Karen Switzer, TUI UK's director of flight capacity management aviation planning, said: 'We are extremely excited to see the return of TUI Airways to Southampton Airport to reconnect travellers with the vibrant corner of the world that is Palma. TUI Airways has returned to Southampton Airport for the first time in 15 years, with new flights to a leading Spanish destination The airline will fly to Palma, the capital of Majorca, on a weekly basis from Southampton Airport 'We understand how important it is for customers to have access to flights from their local airports, and this latest addition brings the number of regional airport that TUI Airways fly from to 24. 'We look forward to welcoming customers on board from May next year and taking them away on their dream Mallorcan holiday.' Palma Airport is the gateway to everything Majorca has to offer, from dazzling beaches to Moorish landmarks. There's not really a bad time to visit as the island temperature tends to average around 20 degrees even in autumn. From stressful airport experience, to pre-flight jitters, you've never probably had time to realise why all passengers board airplanes from the same side. No matter what country you visit and regardless of airline, you'll likely always board and disembark the aircraft from the left hand side. Food catering and luggage is then loaded on the right side of the plane, a practice that has steadfastly remained the same for decades. But how did it come about and why don't we ever board from the right side? Michael Oakley, the managing editor of The Aviation Historian, has revealed exactly why, and it dates back to historical times. He started by explaining: 'Much of aviation terminology had its origins in maritime lore (rudder, cockpit, cabin, bulkhead, knots, etc), and similarly, the aeronautical ways of doing things owe a lot to sailing.' The travel expert continued: 'Just as boats and ships have a port side the side of the vessel conventionally adjacent to the dock when in port aircraft are the same. 'Sensibly, people decided to continue to board on the port (or left) side.' From stressful airport experience, to pre-flight jitters, you've never probably had time to realise why all passengers board airplanes from the same side No matter what country you visit, and regardless of airline, you'll likely always board and disembark the aircraft from the left hand side Food catering and luggage is then loaded on the right side of the plane, a practice that has steadfastly remained the same for decades As air travel began to quite literally take off, the practice was carried over to the industry. However, in the 1930s, United Airlines decided to turn the process on its head, and started boarding passengers on the right-hand side of their planes. Bosses at the airline eventually reverted back to boarding on the left as air travel became more popular and it became apparent it was more efficient. Matthew Burchette from the Museum of Flight in Washington explained: 'Since the pilot sits on the left, airports began to be built with gates on the left so the pilot could better judge distances as they taxied to the gate. 'As soon as more complex airports were developed, with passengers using Jetways as a means of walking directly aboard from the terminal, ground operations were a lot easier if every aircraft did the same thing in the same direction.' Fast forward to today, the setup means passengers can board and disembark aircraft without getting in the way of ground staff, who can work on making sure the plane is fueled and your bags are loaded on board. Meanwhile, a China Eastern Airline flight recently turned chaotic upon landing when a passenger suddenly opened an emergency exit - claiming he wanted 'to get some fresh air.' Footage showed the aftermath of the random act, which saw a male passenger yank the emergency handle before deploying the evacuation slide on flight MU5828, which was still taxiing on the runway as it arrived in Kunming from Changsha on 11 May. In the 1930s, United Airlines decided to turn the process on its head, and started boarding passengers on the right-hand side of their planes Bosses at the airline eventually reverted back to boarding on the left as air travel became more popular and it became apparent it was more efficient According to witnesses, the man appeared calm, but had told others he opened the door to get a breath of fresh air. But his bizarre actions reportedly caused chaos in the cabin, and passengers were prevented from disembarking the plan for around 20 minutes as crew members dealt with the situation. Though no one was hurt, the suspect, described as a young male, was escorted off the plane by police for further questioning, as reported by NeedToKnow. The flight took off from Changsha, China, and arrived at Kunming Changshui International Airport at around 8.42am on 11 May. READ MORE: TUI launches new flights from UK airport to gorgeous Med island More than 50,000 people have paid for a flight to nowhere. It might sound unusual but this flight - which takes off from Heathrow and lands back there around 40 minutes later - has been especially designed to help people with a fear of flying. The flight, which is operated by British Airways, is part of the airline's 'Flying with Confidence' scheme. BA says that its 'life-changing, one-day course gives you the knowledge and techniques' needed to 'overcome a fear of flying'. In a TikTok video, travel experts at the @thepointsguy, explain that the course utilises the experience of pilots and psychologists to help attendees overcome their phobia. They reveals that the course starts at an airport hotel conference space with a presentation by senior British Airways pilots. The Points Guy says the pilots will 'explain how safely planes fly, how pilots operate them and the rigorous selection and regular training pilots must undertake to take to the skies'. Attendees will then be joined by a clinical psychologist who will 'explain how fears of flying develop and can be managed'. It might sound unusual but a flight - which takes off from Heathrow and lands back there around 40 minutes later - has been especially designed to help people with a fear of flying There will then be a 'guided meditation' and 'relaxation exercise' to 'soothe course attendees into a deep calm'. Trained staff will then guide course members through security and help them 'board a special British Airways charter flight', explains The Points Guy. On the flight, experts will explain what every noise and 'bump' is to help attendees keep calm. BA says: 'During the flight, an extra pilot on the flight deck gives a running commentary explaining all the various phases of the flight and just what is happening. 'This aspect of the course has been found to be very reassuring and valuable, helping people overcome their fear of flying.' Does it work? According to British Airways, more than 50,000 people have taken the course over the last 30 years and it has a 98 per cent success rate. The airline's primary course costs 399 and passengers will take a short flight from Heathrow at the end of the day. LEFT: The Points Guy says the pilots will 'explain how safely planes fly, how pilots operate them and the rigorous selection and regular training pilots must undertake to take to the skies'. RIGHT: On the flight, experts will explain what every noise and 'bump' is to help attendees keep calm Its premium course costs 1,899 and includes two flights on British Airways' domestic services. BA explains: 'Normally the "turnaround" time on the ground at the destination is less than an hour, with an opportunity for a flight deck visit.' Who is the course for? BA says that the course will help those with a fear of flying whether that's due to a lack of control, claustrophobia, a fear of heights or of falling. In one corner, an enigmatic, Maserati-driving Asian millionaire. In the other, the cashed-up property mogul who once blamed avocado toast for killing the Millennial dream of home ownership. Honestly, can you think of a feud that better sums up Australia in 2025? That's exactly what unfolded in Melbourne this past week, when Christopher Shao declared war on Saint Haven - the members-only wellness clinic owned by widow's-peaked Rich Lister Tim Gurner. It all began when Shao went public with a strongly worded complaint against Saint Haven, claiming a staff member spoke to his elderly mother in a 'condescending' tone during her visit to the spa. 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. Enigmatic, Maserati-driving millionaire Christopher Shao last week declared war on Saint Haven, the members-only wellness clinic owned by widow's-peaked Rich Lister Tim Gurner It all began when Shao (right) went public with a strongly worded complaint against Saint Haven, claiming a staff member spoke to his elderly mother in a 'condescending' tone during her visit to the spa His mum, Shao claimed, had apparently received a stern talking-to for carrying her phone into the bathhouse area at the private members club. Saint Haven emphasises a device-free environment to better allow its well-heeled clientele to unwind and recharge. But 29-year-old Shao claims this rule is widely ignored, including by staff, and believes his mother was singled out. 'How ironic that you're enforcing no phones in the bathhouse but your staff is walking around carrying electronics?' he wrote in a furious email to spa management, which he reposted on Instagram. 'A staff [member] is telling my mum off for carrying her phone in the bathhouse and said, "I will let you off this time and don't do it again," in a very condescending way like a school teacher telling off a student.' Shao described the no-phone policy as a 'joke' given that there are at least five people using phones or wearing earbuds whenever he visits the venue. A clinic staff member responded via email to Shao - which he also shared publicly - and admitted the no-phone rule was an ongoing challenge for management. 'It is common practice for us to issue reminders about phone usage in the bathhouse to maintain a relaxing and respectful atmosphere for all,' they began. The exclusive wellness club is known for its jaw-dropping waitlist of 15,000 people 'We strive to maintain a phone-free zone, though it can be an ongoing challenge, and we do our best each day to enforce this policy.' Saint Haven is said to have a jaw-dropping wait list of 15,000 people. The ritzy spa, which has three locations in Collingwood, South Yarra and Toorak and is opening its first Sydney venue in Bondi in Spring 2026, is owned by the controversial property developer Tim Gurner. Mr Gurner, one of Australia's richest men with an estimated fortune of $990million, is no stranger to making headlines. The corporate cringelord sparked global uproar in 2017 when he claimed Millennials would be able to afford houses if they stopped buying smashed avocado at cafes. In 2023, he issued a rare apology after his remarks that unemployment should jump to remind arrogant workers of their place drew widespread condemnation. Little is known about young property mogul Shao; however, it is understood he sold his Melbourne penthouse in recent years for close to $15million. He later purchased a fully rendered home named 'Ruin X' in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast after falling in love with it on social media. Saint Haven, which has locations in Collingwood, South Yarra and Toorak and is opening its first Sydney venue in Bondi in 2026, is owned by divisive property developer Tim Gurner (left) 'How ironic that you're enforcing no phones in the bathhouse but your staff is walking around carrying electronics?' Shao wrote in a furious email to spa management 'It's one-of-a-kind. There's nothing like it in Australia,' he told a real estate website at the time. 'Being young, it's my kind of style. 'I've always wanted to move to the Gold Coast so yes, it's great to get my dream house.' Mr Shao's Instagram account once boasted of his extreme wealth, Rolex collection (one for every day of the week) and his fleet of luxury vehicles, said to include a Maserati, Ferrari, 4WD Mercedes and Lamborghini. Photos also exist of him inside a Bentley. But his Instagram was recently wiped with his grid now showing no posts, although he does still post Stories offering a 24-hour glimpse into his life. Last week, it was announced Saint Haven planned to open a 1300 sqm flagship site in Bondi Beach slated for a 2026 opening. Little is known about young property mogul Shao, who in 2022 bought a fully rendered home named 'Ruin X' in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast after falling in love with it on social media Mr Shao's Instagram account once boasted of his extreme wealth, Rolex collection (one for every day of the week) and his fleet of luxury vehicles, said to include a Maserati and Ferrari 'Bondi is a global icon of health and wellness, and Saint Haven will take that to another level. This will be unlike anything Sydney has ever seen,' Mr Gurner said. The Sydney club will incorporate a wholefood restaurant, business lounge and co-working spaces, as well as a tech-led wellness and recovery space complete with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, cryotherapy, IV infusions and red light beds. The 'Ancient Bathhouse' will boast a hot magnesium pool and cold plunge pools set into natural stone, plus a hybrid training gym offering reformer and mat Pilates, yoga, sound healing and more. Further Sydney locations are being scoped out. Chloe Brockett made sure all eyes were on her as she showed off her very ample assets following her bitter split from her ex-boyfriend Jack Fincham. The TOWIE beauty, 24, and former Love Island winner, 34, have had a tumultuous relationship over the years after first getting together in 2019, but last month the pair went their separate ways for a sixth time after a string of heated rows. Despite the blow, Chloe took to Instagram to show that she is getting on with her life without Jack by sharing a cheeky video of herself wearing nothing but a lace bra. In the clip, she could be seen opening a drawer, flashing a glimpse of herself clad in the plunging underwear, which highlighted her cleavage. The reality star styled the striking number with a full face of makeup and glamorous hair. 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. Chloe Brockett made sure all eyes were on her as she showed off her very ample assets following her bitter split from her ex-boyfriend Jack Fincham Despite splitting for the sixth time Chloe took to Instagram to show that she is getting on with her life without Jack by sharing a cheeky video of herself wearing nothing but a lace bra Later in the day, Chloe posted a slew of stunning snaps to her Instagram stories and appeared to be in good spirits as she tried to move on. Wearing a pastel yellow cardigan and blue jeans, Chloe posed in a sultry way down the camera, before heading to a flower market to buy herself a bouquet to brighten up her day. The sexy video and pictures come after Chloe revealed a devastating panic attack forced her to cancel a solo surgery trip abroad following her split. Taking to her Instagram Stories Chloe answered followers questions and while not divulging what surgery she had been planning, said she'd made it all the way to the airport before 'freaking out' and having to head home. She wrote: 'Guys you will not believe this... I got all the way to the airport and turned around! I freaked myself out,' 'I was going alone as all my friends are busy/working etc and I was saying oh I'll be brave and independent and had a panic attack at the airport! was nothing to do with the company just sometimes thing don't feel right and you have to go with your gut!'. Last week Chloe broke her silence on the split after Jack hinted that they had reunited for a seventh time, as he mysteriously uploaded a loved-up selfie of the couple to his Instagram Stories only to delete it moments later. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline about the social media post, Chloe said: 'I'm not sure why he posted that picture of me last night I'll be honest, but what I can say is when we were in Ibiza [where the picture was taken], it was a really beautiful time in our relationship and we were happy.' In the clip, she could be seen opening a drawer which had her camera places inside and facing up towards her as she pulled it open The reality star stunned in the plunging underwear, which highlighted her cleavage and styled the striking number with a full face of makeup and glamorous hair Later in the day, Chloe posted a slew of stunning snaps to her Instagram stories and appeared to be in good spirits as she tried to move on Wearing a pastel yellow cardigan and blue jeans, Chloe posed in a sultry way down the camera, before heading to a flower market to buy herself a bouquet to brighten up her day Chloe looked absolutely stunning for the outing and made sure heads turned as she rocked a soft yellow cardigan with a cherry pattern and ripped jeans Jack recently said he doubts his relationship with Chloe is over for good, and it appears Chloe feels the same, admitting: 'I'm sure he would like to go back to that time in our relationship, as would I to some extent. 'Obviously I'm focusing on moving out and things going on in my career and Jack is focusing on a lot of things going on in his. 'I wish him well and we'll always be involved in each other's lives to some extent, whether romantically or in a friendship way, but as of right now I'm focusing on myself.' 'I've seen a lot about us slamming each other, I can assure you that is definitely not what is going on. 'Me and Jack have been in each other's lives for a really long time, six nearly seven years now, and we tried living together and it didn't work for multiple reasons, not because of my OnlyFans at all.' It comes after Jack said he doubts his relationship with Chloe is over for good but doesn't currently know what is going to happen. Jack and Chloe moved into their first home together in May 2024 and even created a joint Instagram account to share their home updates. The reality star has now explained that he has moved back in with his mum while Chloe has 'moved out into her own flat'. It comes after Chloe revealed a devastating panic attack forced her to cancel a solo surgery trip abroad following her latest split from Jack The TOWIE beauty and former Love Island winner have had a tumultuous relationship over the years after first getting together in 2019 (pictured together earlier this year) Chloe also gushed that she was 'at peace' after moving into her new home following the split Speaking exclusively to MailOnline about the social media post, Chloe said: 'I'm not sure why he posted that picture of me last night I'll be honest' He told The Sun: 'Chloe and I haven't been in a great place. I'm living at my mum's and she has moved out of the house we lived in and into her own flat. I don't know what will happen between us. I still love her. I doubt it's over for good. 'We've been through a hell of a lot in the past couple of years. I didn't tell her about the bulimia, it is a hard thing to discuss with anybody. Even Mum doesn't know. 'I am a very open bloke. I cry, I wear my heart on my sleeve, but bulimia, for a bloke, I didn't think it was something I could discuss.' Chloe has also begun her new chapter in life as she revealed to her Instagram followers that she has the keys to her new place. Sharing a snap of herself opening the door to her new home, Chloe gushed: 'Todays a good day.. got the keys to my new place .' It comes after Chloe took to her Instagram Stories last month to open up about living with a 'narcissist' for a year, although she didn't name anyone specifically. In now-deleted posts, she told her followers: 'I wasn't going to say anything but I'm going to say something. 'I think the scariest part about living with a narcissist is that they genuinely believe their own lies. Chloe previously took to her Instagram Stories and opened up about living with a 'narcissist' for a year 'So they genuinely believe the things they are saying and this version of themselves that they are presenting to the world is the true version because they see them day in and day out. 'I wasn't going to say anything but when you see this person just repeatedly projecting this absolute false version of themselves to the world. 'I had the pleasure of spending a year around this human that was nothing like the person they presented themselves. 'I just had to say something. I think narcissist are probably the most scariest people you can ever encounter in your whole entire life and just for so long I genuinely believed the lies that I was being told. 'I just woke up one day and was like "wow.. you're being lied to."' Chloe later took to her Instagram Stories to reveal that she had deleted the posts in question and said she would speak on the topic 'at a later date'. MailOnline has contacted representatives of Jack for comment. It comes after Chloe announced she is once again single and wants to 'focus on myself', as they both prepared to move into separate homes. Last month, during a Q&A session with her Instagram followers, Chloe was asked if she was still in a relationship. She responded: 'No I'm not in a relationship anymore... just want to focus on myself and the things that make me happy.' When asked if she was moving in with Jack, she explained: 'No I am moving to Brentwood on my own... I can't wait to show you all my little place it's so pretty.' In another Instagram Story, she added: 'I wanna give myself a cuddle after the last year I've had... only way is up from here'. She was one of the most glamorous women on Aussie TV, starring alongside Larry Emdur as a model on The Price Is Right in the early 2000s. But Sarita Stella (now Holland), 42, looks worlds away from her game show days in new photos she recently shared to social media. The former glamour model, who was once a blonde bombshell, recently crossed over to the dark side and has dyed her hair chocolate brown. She showed off her new look while enjoying a serene wellness retreat in Queensland over the weekend. The mother-of-three, who is now a popular lifestyle influencer, posed in sleek black activewear as she took part in yoga sessions and soaked up the peaceful surroundings. 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. Sarita Stella was one of the most glamorous women on Aussie TV, turning heads as the beauty who exchanged quips with Larry Emdur on The Price Is Right in the early 2000s. Pictured in 2003 The former model now looks worlds away from her game show days in new photos she recently shared to social media Despite the change in hair colour and lifestyle, the former TV star is still every bit the stunner as she was on TV two decades ago. Sarita, who is married to AFL Brodie Holland star, appeared on Channel Nine's The Price Is Right from 2003 - 2005. She went on to become a glamour model, posing in skimpy bikinis for several popular men's magazines. She also worked as a 'Grid Girl' and launched a successful modelling career in Asia. Sarita met her footy star beau Brodie, 45, when she was 18, and the couple married in Bali in 2008. Brodie played for the Magpies and Fremantle during his 20-year AFL career. They share daughter Stevie, 15, and twin sons Kip and Bowie, 14. They live with their children in an Essendon mansion after having sold their Ascot Vale home for $1.525million in 2019. Sarita posted a gallery of fresh-faced photos of herself wearing skintight black activewear while enjoying a serene wellness retreat in Queensland Sporting a darker hair colour, minimal makeup and a glowing complexion, Sarita was barely recognisable from her early 2000s TV days - but still every bit as glam Sarita, who is married to AFL star Brodie Holland, appeared on Channel Nine's The Price is Right from 2003 - 2005 She also worked as a 'Grid Girl' and launched a successful modelling career in Asia Sarita is now a popular lifestyle influencer and brand ambassador, and often shows off her incredibly toned figure in bikinis and activewear on her Instagram page. Despite her glamorous persona, Sarita insists she's 'super low maintenance'. She told Sophia Cachia for her blog in 2019 that while she has 'every single night cream ever' she always forgets to use them. 'The only thing I probably do is freak out in the middle of the night when I forget to put my fake tan on. So that would probably be my go-to night time product, especially when I've got a shoot on the next day,' she said. Sutton Foster dazzled solo on the red carpet at Sundays 69th Annual Drama Desk Awards but desperately avoided questions amid her eyebrow-raising romance with Hugh Jackman, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal. The 50-year-old Broadway star stepped out under intense scrutiny surrounding her relationship with the 56-year-old Wolverine actor, whose messy divorce from wife Deborra-Lee Furness has stirred up plenty of controversy. After Deborra-Lee, 69, officially filed for divorce two years after announcing their separation, she opened up exclusively to DailyMail.com about her heartbreak, taking a pointed swipe at Jackman amid swirling rumors he cheated with Foster. 'My heart and compassion go out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal,' Furness said in the bombshell statement. Despite Furness' scathing remark, Foster stepped out smiling at the glitzy eventher first appearance since the jabwhere she was nominated for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musicalbut made a swift exit from the red carpet to avoid the press. SUBSCRIBE to our new Showbiz newsletter for all the latest on Hugh Jackman and more Sutton Foster dazzled solo on the red carpet at Sundays 69th Annual Drama Desk Awards but skillfully avoided questions amid her eyebrow-raising romance with Hugh Jackman , DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal The 50-year-old Broadway star stepped out under intense scrutiny surrounding her relationship with the 56-year-old Wolverine actor, whose messy divorce from wife Deborra-Lee Furness has stirred up plenty of controversy Despite Furness brutal jab, Foster arrived smiling at the glamorous event where she was nominated for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musicalbut made a swift exit from the red carpet, appearing to avoid the press Arriving just before the show started, Foster stuck close to her publicist and shared photos with costar Michael Urie but avoided the area where reporters were gathered. While stars like Nicole Scherzinger, Debra Messing, and Sarah Hyland paused for interviews, Foster clearly wanted to keep the spotlight on her performancenot her personal life. Nominated alongside Darren Criss, Tom Francis, Jonathan Groff, Audra McDonald, and Scherzingerall of whom openly answered questionsFosters avoidance seemed very deliberate. Still, she appeared to enjoy her time on the red carpet, especially catching up with costar Urie and other Broadway friends. A day before Furnesss swipe at Hugh, reports surfaced that Foster is 'slowly moving' her belongings into Hughs New York penthousethe same one he bought with Furness in 2022. According to New Idea, Deborra-Lee is 'shattered' that the Broadway star is making the property they once shared her own. 'They're living together, they're inseparable... She's slowly migrating her things over to Hugh's place,' a source said. 'Deb is shattered knowing Sutton is making the penthouse her own - the place she poured her soul into,' they added. Arriving just before the show started, Foster stuck close to her publicist and shared photos with costar Michael Urie but avoided the area where reporters were gathered While stars like Nicole Scherzinger, Debra Messing, and Sarah Hyland paused for interviews, Foster clearly wanted to keep the spotlight on her performancenot her personal life; (posing with Michael Urie) Nominated alongside Darren Criss, Tom Francis, Jonathan Groff, Audra McDonald, and Scherzingerall of whom openly answered questionsFosters avoidance seemed very deliberate Tituss Burgess and Debra Messing were dressed to impress at the event Nicole Scherzinger is Broadway's newest star with her leading role in Sunset Blvd Sarah Hyland gave a leggy display Messing was all smiles on the red carpet for the Broadway spectacle Darren Criss was a fellow nominee Sarah Snook wins Outstanding Lead Performance In a Play for The Picture of Dorian Gray at the 2025 Drama Desk Awards Sarah Snook speaks to the audience after winning a Drama Desk Award Andrew Scott gives a speech after winning Outstanding Solo Performance for Vanya at the 2025 Drama Desk Awards The insider claimed Deb wants to be 'treated fairly' so she can move on from their split. Hugh and Deborra-Lee bought the $22 million penthouse in New Yorks Chelsea district in 2022. The spacious 440 sqm apartment is part of an ultra-chic building with just 57 exclusive units. Recently, Hugh was spotted with Sutton carrying moving boxes into the swanky penthouse. Later, Sutton was seen leaving the luxe digs before hopping on a Citi Bike to jet off. Meanwhile, Deborah didnt mince words in her exclusive interview with DailyMail, describing Hughs betrayal as a profound wound that cuts deep. She added, '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 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. A day before Furnesss swipe at Hugh, reports surfaced that Foster is 'slowly moving' her belongings into Hughs New York penthouse the same one he bought with Furness in 2022; (seen in 2022) Deborra-Lee Furness is 'shattered' that the Broadway star is making the property they once shared her own. (seen in 2013) 'It can hurt, but in the long run, returning to yourself and living within your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom.' Back in January, DailyMail.com exclusively reported that the estranged spouses had yet to file as their decision to dismiss a prenup was proving to be a point of contention. Insiders at the time claimed that their split could get messy as they were struggling to divvy up their estimated $250 million fortune. One of the biggest reasons why they havent yet filed is that they never had a prenup, an insider close to Jackman said. When they got married, they thought it would be forever. Who doesnt? At the time, neither of them expected Hughs career to get as enormous as it has. Because there was no prenup, and he made a fortune during their marriage, this divorce is not going to be cut and dry. It may even get messy because the stakes are high. A lot of moving parts need to be worked out and there is a huge amount of money involved.' The insider insisted they both wanted to make this as easy as possible, but that after three decades and one partner becoming a massive A-list star, its not quite that easy. 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. Meanwhile, Deborah didnt mince words in her exclusive interview with DailyMail, describing Hughs betrayal as a profound wound that cuts deep' (seen in 2022) She was married to Ted Griffin at the time (Griffin and Foster are also in the midst of finalizing their divorce). Furness and Jackman 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.' Soon followed rumblings that Jackman had struck up a relationship with Foster, with the pair finally confirming their romance in January, as they left a Los Angeles restaurant hand-in-hand. Back in January, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that the estranged couple had yet to file for divorce, with the absence of a prenup becoming a major sticking point. Insiders warned the split could turn messy as they wrestled over their estimated $250 million fortune. One of the biggest reasons why they havent yet filed is that they never had a prenup, a source close to Jackman explained. When they got married, they thought it would be forever. Who doesnt? At the time, neither expected Hughs career to explode the way it has. Because there was no prenup, and he made a fortune during their marriage, this divorce isnt going to be straightforward. It could get messythe stakes are high, there are many moving parts, and a huge amount of money is involved. Following her decision to officially file for divorce from Deadpool & Wolverine star, 56, two years after announcing their separation, the Australian actress, 69, addressed her heartbreak in an exclusive statement to DailyMail.com (pictured in 1999) The insider added that both want to make this as easy as possible, but after three decades together and one partner becoming a major A-list star, its not quite that simple. Their marriage began to unravel during the COVID-19 pandemic, as previously reported by DailyMail.com, coinciding with Jackmans blossoming friendship with Foster, his co-star in the 2022 Broadway revival of The Music Man. At the time, Foster was married to Ted Griffin (who is also now finalizing a divorce from her). Furness and Jackman publicly announced their separation in a joint statement in September 2023, saying they were shifting and had decided to separate to pursue our individual growth. Rumors soon followed of Jackmans relationship with Foster, which the couple confirmed in January when they were spotted leaving a Los Angeles restaurant hand-in-hand. Rebecca Judd has surprised fans by referring to herself in an unexpected way while flaunting her famous figure in a racy new video. The AFL WAG, 42, took to social media to share a clip of herself strutting around her backyard spa in a crocheted bikini by It's Now Cool, proudly showing off her slender, gym-honed physique. Bec looked effortlessly glamorous in the footage, which captured her walking confidently in the revealing swimwear. But it was her caption that really turned heads: 'Winter fit check with @itsnowcool. This little Maori-white girl needs a tan. See you soon, Broome.' The remark left many fans surprised - but it's a nod to her little-known New Zealand heritage. 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. Rebecca Judd has surprised fans by referring to herself in an unexpected way while flaunting her famous figure in a racy new video In August 2023, Bec reflected on her cultural background while speaking to Stellar. The mother-of-four, who is soon to start on The Amazing Race, revealed she is Maori on her mother's side, with fans rarely guessing it as her heritage. 'Mum's side is Maori, so we did a lot of trips to New Zealand when we were kids,' the catwalk star told the publication. 'No-one ever guesses that I'm Maori. No-one. Ever.' Bec said her grandfather has a large farm in New Zealand, with their family regularly enjoying a hangi - a traditional way of steaming food underground. 'My pop has a big farm, and we'd have all the uncles and aunties over to have a hangi every time we went over,' she added. During Bec's wide-ranging Stellar interview, she also spoke of her working class roots to the publication. 'We didn't have much growing up and every dollar counted, so we really respected our food, our home and our belongings,' she said. The AFL WAG took to social media to share a clip of herself strutting around her backyard spa in a crocheted bikini by It's Now Cool, proudly showing off her slender, gym-honed physique The remark left many fans surprised - but it's a nod to her New Zealand little-known heritage. The mother-of-four previously revealed she is Maori on her mother Kerry's (left) side, with fans rarely guessing it Both Rebecca's mother and father, Hugh Twigley and Kerry Brown, are from New Zealand. They lived in a small cray fishing town called Leeman. The pair moved to Western Australia in the late 70s to take advantage of the mining boom, before having Bec and older sister, Kate. Kerry and Hugh separated early in Bec's childhood, but remain close friends. 'When they moved, mum was 16 and Dad was 22...they were like two kids,' Rebecca previously told the Herald Sun. 'I look back and think, ''I can't believe they were ever together'',' Bec added. Bec is married to former AFL star Chris Judd and the couple have four children: Oscar, 14, Billie, 11, and twins Darcy and Tom, eight. Seven's Sunrise and Nine's Today are famed for their long-running ratings feud and differing styles. But the breakfast show rivals appear to have one thing in common - they rarely finish on time. According to a new survey, both programs extended their usual running time several times last month. Industry blog TV Tonight monitored both shows in May and noted that neither Sunrise or Today managed to wrap up by 9am. According to the publication, Sunrise regularly ate into the running time of The Morning Show, which follows the breakfast show Monday to Friday. 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. Seven's Sunrise and Nine's Today are famed for their long-running ratings feud and differing styles, but the breakfast show rivals appear to have one thing in common - they rarely finish on time Industry blog TV Tonight monitored both shows in May and noted that neither Sunrise or Today managed to wrap up by 9am. Pictured: Nine's Today Extended episodes of Sunrise occurred across five episodes in one week. One episode on May 22 finished at 9.14am - almost 15 minutes past the start time for The Morning Show. Over on Nine, the survey found a similar story. Hosted by Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo, Today ran into overtime across five days, with one episode on May 23 finishing at 9.13 am - well past the 9 am start time for Today Extra. The report indicated that the overruns at both networks could give their mid-morning programming a 'jolt' in the ratings. Meanwhile, a Nine spokesperson explained said the extended run times for Today are due to breaking stories. 'As a live news and current affairs program, Today is inherently dynamic and responsive to the unfolding news cycle,' they said. 'The 9.00am news bulletin, in particular, can vary in duration depending on the volume and urgency of the days stories. We believe delivering comprehensive and current news to our audience is the most important consideration.' According to the publication, Sunrise regularly ate into the running time of The Morning Show, which follows the breakfast show Monday to Frida Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Seven and Nine for comment. The Australian Communications and Media Authority offers guidelines for electronic program guide, which is self-regulated and includes classification details for parental guidance. Recommendations include that 'the following program field in the EPG must change straight away to the 'present program'. 'There is no formal requirement for broadcasters to meet the EPG principles however we use a number of means, including public complaints, to monitor their performance against the principles,' an ACMA spokesperson told TV Tonight. Bridget Fair, CEO of FreeTV Australia, told the publication that the EPG 7-day schedule is a 'forecast only' and free-to-air requires flexibility around breaking news. 'However, the now/next information [on the EPG] needs to accurately reflect what program is actually going to air, for common consumer device features such as parental lock to work properly,' she added. She recently revealed she was concerned with the results of her nose job, admitting that her 'nostrils were uneven'. And Indy Clinton showed off her recent rhinoplasty as she touched down in Sydney on Sunday following a girl's weekend away. The influencer, 27, arrived home after enjoying a relaxing stay at the Hugh Jackman-owned Gwinganna retreat in Queensland with fellow influencers, including Rachael Finch and Married At First Sight star Jules Cameron. As she said goodbye to her celebrity mum gang Indy could be seen wearing a red 'Bouf Head' hat, repping her newly-released haircare brand. She also risked a major wardrobe malfunction by going braless in a very low-cut top teamed with a black blazer and relaxed pair of trousers. 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. Indy Clinton showed off the final results of her rhinoplasty as she touched down in Sydney on Sunday following a girl's weekend away after admitting that her nostrils were uneven She also risked a major wardrobe malfunction by going braless in a very low-cut top teamed with a black blazer and relaxed pair of trousers As she said goodbye to her celebrity mum gang Indy could be seen wearing a red 'Bouf Head' hat, repping her newly-released haircare brand Indy underwent rhinoplasty surgery in March and she has since admitted it left her with two uneven nostrils. The content creator initially put her lopsided look down to swelling, however as time has gone by it seems that may not be the case. A few weeks ago, the TikTok star addressed her rhinoplasty in a social media video while she got ready for her young daughter's preschool disco. 'Yes my nostril is uneven,' she said as she put her makeup on. Indy admitted she wasn't sure why her nostrils aren't the same size as they weren't operated on. 'I put it down to swelling these last few months but it probably shouldn't be uneven because it wasn't touched,' she explained. Indy recently made a defiant return to social media after she was relentlessly bullied by followers over the results of her rhinoplasty. In April, Indy shared a clip to TikTok in which she revealed she was happy to be back, while offering some choice words to her haters. Indy strolled around the airport terminal alongside Rachael Finch Indy underwent rhinoplasty surgery in March and she has since admitted it left her with two uneven nostrils Rachael Finch looked stunning makeup free as she headed home to her family following the retreat Jules Robinson also enjoyed the wellness weekend away She wore comfortable black activewear for her flight home Indy underwent rhinoplasty surgery in March and she has since admitted it left her with two uneven nostrils 'I'm coming back online for good! I'm 27-years-old and I've had a few tweaks, like my nose for example. I was so open about why I was doing it,' she began. 'But I still got so much hate. Online love to see you struggling, they love it so much. As soon as you are doing half good they hate you because you are not relatable anymore.' The mother-of-three added the trolls seemed to like her more when she was struggling and didn't like seeing her succeed. 'People loved it so much when I had three [kids] under three. I had milk leaking from my t**s, I was so sleep-deprived, exhausted, burnt out and depressed. People ate that s**t up,' Indy said. She finished by saying her followers could either support her or leave because she had no time for haters. Prior to that, Indy hit back at trolls that likened her to Michael Jackson following a cosmetic procedure on her nose. She had been criticised for covering her face, like the late pop star, and not showing the aftermath of the surgery. 'I have a lot of swelling obviously on the outside, but also internally which is making my nostrils look uneven,' she explained. 'It's going down everyday,' she said of the swelling, adding that it was 'so much worse' and she's been sleeping with little splints in her nostrils to help the healing. High-profile businessman Nick Russian celebrated his 46th birthday on Friday night with his famous friends and glamorous wife Rozalia. The Bar Bambi owner looked dapper in a black Gucci blazer, black pants and a bow tie as he partied at his well-known establishment in Melbourne. His wife Rozalia flaunted her incredible figure in a black sheer dress as she embraced her husband while he cut his cake. Guests were treated to a delicious meal while comedian Nick Giannopoulos took the microphone to entertain all in attendance including AFL star Chris Judd. After arriving at the event, guests were greeted by a burlesque dancer dressed in a pink ensemble. 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. High-profile businessman Nick Russian celebrated his 46th birthday on Friday night with his famous friends and glamorous wife Rozalia After arriving to the event, guests were greeted by a burlesque dancer dressed in a pink ensemble Nick, who is a major name in the Melbourne nightclub scene, cut a large two-tier cake while his wife stood alongside him. The couple were also left surprised after a dancer walked out and performed for them during the night. Nick co-runs Bar Bambi with Rozalia. Ballerina-turned-model Rozalia has collaborated with brands such as Dior, Louis Vuitton and L'Oreal Paris. The couple tied the knot in 2013 and share two children - daughter Willow, 10, and son Kingston, eight. Following his stint as a reality television star on Temptation Island, Nick ran the popular nightclub Eve Bar. He met a slew of celebrities before selling the venue in 2015. The couple met over 10 years ago when she visited his nightclub, Eve, in Melbourne. The couple were also left surprised after a dancer walked out and performed for them during the night Guests were treated to a delicious meal during the event. Pictured Nick (centre) with Chris Judd (right) Comedian Nick Giannopoulos took the microphone to entertain all in attendance In 2016, Nick and his brother Daniel decided to close the venue, which had been a celebrity hot spot. 'It was mixed emotions when it ended because every single morning on a Saturday, I would wake up with massive anxiety about the night ahead,' Nick told Domain in 2021 about the club. 'When I walked out there for the final time, it felt like an enormous relief to an extent. 'I also felt proud because we have achieved everything we possibly could.' Christian Wilkins has sparked speculation he has cut off all his hair. The Sydney-born model, 30, who is the son of television personality Richard Wilkins, has become synonymous with his long, lush locks over the years. On Tuesday, Christian posted a picture on Instagram hinting he'd made the big chop. In the snap, clumps of blonde hair could be seen discarded in what appears to be a dustbin. 'Is that me?' he captioned the post. 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. Christian Wilkins has sparked speculation he has cut off all his hair On Tuesday, Christian posted a picture on Instagram hinting he'd made the big chop. In the snap, clumps of blonde hair could be seen discarded in what appears to be a dustbin After reaching out to Christian about the possible beauty transformation, Daily Mail Australia can confirm he is still rocking his long, luscious locks. The model quickly put out rumours that he'd gotten a trim, adding that the hair in hte bin was not his. 'I was just out and someone popped their wig in the bin,' he said with a laugh. Christian recently revealed in an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Australia that the only way he would part with his locks was if he scored a film gig. Speaking at Australian Fashion Week, Christian, who moved to LA in 2023 to pursue his acting career, said he would shave his luscious locks for a movie role. 'Yeah, I mean Anne Hathaway won an Oscar for doing that [for Les Miserables],' he said. 'Only if I can win an Oscar, that's where I am! 'I love my hair... I feel it is such a big part of my identity, but to be able to chase your dreams and do something you really love, of course.' After reaching out to Christian about the possible beauty transformation, Daily Mail Australia can confirm he is still rocking his long, luscious locks Christian previously starred alongside Babygirl actress Sophie Wilde and Samuel Johnson in the 2021 Stan Original Series Eden. The fashion icon, who effortlessly pushes the boundaries of style and gender-normative conventions in the world of fashion, dished on all the details of his beauty regime. The Sydney-born star said to achieve the perfect blowout he swears by the Shark FlexStyle which he uses 'all the time'. 'It's really rare that you get to work with brands that you genuinely love,' he said of the appliance company, praising their innovation. And as for how he keeps his hair healthy, Christian narrows it down to one thing - genetics. 'People ask me all the time what I do. I do take supplements and collagen and stuff like that, but I think it's really genetics [and Shark beauty],' he said with a wink. Georgia Love and Lee Elliot are selling the Melbourne home they once shared as a married couple. The pair, who met on the 2016 season of The Bachelorette and married in 2021, have listed their spacious Hampton East townhouse for between $1.5 million and $1.58 million. And some details in the online listing feature some flashbacks from happier times. A picture of the living room includes a framed family photo of Georgia and Lee dancing and smiling at each other - a reminder of their time as a couple. Another photo of the study features a neon sign that says 'All You Need Is Love'. 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. Georgia Love and Lee Elliot are selling the Melbourne home they once shared as a married couple The pair's marital home in Melbourne will go under the hammer later this month. The former couple, who announced their split in February, paid an estimated $1.35million for the chic ultra-modern two-storey townhouse in 2021. Located 17km from the CBD in the upmarket Bayside area, the property boasts a thoughtful open-plan layout and an al fresco dining area with a BBQ kitchen. They flaunted their original purchase of the property back in October 2021 on social media. Georgia and Lee shared a series of pictures showing them standing in front of their new home, with a 'sold' sign in the background. The news of the sale of the home comes after the pair, who were married for four years, announced their breakup five months ago. The broke the news of their separation with identical posts on Instagram in February. 'After nine wonderful years together, including four as husband and wife, [we] have made the incredibly difficult decision to lovingly part ways,' they wrote. And some details in the online listing feature some flashbacks from happier times A picture of the living room includes a framed family photo of Georgia and Lee smiling happily together - a reminder of their time as a couple Another photo of the study features a neon sign that says 'All You Need Is Love' 'Our relationship has been so special and we will always cherish the memories, love, and laughter we've shared. 'There is no drama, no bad blood. Just two people who have grown in different directions while still holding deep respect and care for each other.' Georgia and Lee had fuelled rumours they had split for some time ago before eventually confirming their breakup. The pair spent Christmas apart with their respective families before Georgia jetted off to New York City for a holiday without Lee. They were also both spotted without their wedding bands, which led to a wave of speculation online suggesting they had ended their relationship. The pair met and fell in love on the 2016 season of The Bachelorette, which saw Georgia, a former TV news reporter, choose tradie Lee as her winning suitor. They married in 2021 at the Frogmore Creek Winery outside Hobart and the following year they moved into their townhouse, which is now set to got to auction on June 21. Robert Irwin has revealed what Prince William is really like after the pair teamed up for a major environmental initiative last year. The 21-year-old conservationist was named a Global Ambassador for the Prince of Wales' prestigious Earthshot Prize, which is awarded annually to five people in recognition of their services to environmentalism. In an interview with Us Weekly, the reality TV star said he was thrilled at the chance to work alongside royalty to promote the planet. 'I think Prince William has been such an amazing person to work with. There is such an incredible synergy between what he does, who he is and who we are,' he said. 'It's all about conservation. It's wonderful that someone is so influential - that has such a fantastic platform - is using that to really better our environment. He is a true environmental hero, working with him has been a great privilege.' 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. Robert Irwin has revealed what Prince William is really like after the pair teamed up for a major environmental initiative last year The I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! co-host praised the royal's down-to-earth personality and said the pair have been sharing ideas and insights on how to protect nature on a global scale. We've definitely compared a lot of notes in the conservation space, Robert said. It doesnt matter where you're from - whether internationally, in Australia, here in America, wherever you are - we need to prioritise taking care of our natural world. And he's really at the forefront of that. Plus, hes just a great guy. When you have a conversation with him, he's the most lovely, intelligent person to talk to and is just so easy-going, so much fun. I love working with him. A really good guy. The wildlife advocate took part in The Earthshot Prize ceremony in South Africa last year and spoke passionately at the time about the initiative's power to inspire global action. 'The Earthshot Prize is a beacon of hope for all of us who care about the environment and about our ability to ensure a liveable future for ourselves and future generations,' he said. 'Healthy oceans, ecosystems, and species equal a healthy planet, and The Earthshot Prize recognises the importance of investing in and helping grow solutions that protect these critical resources.' Launched by Prince William in 2020, The Earthshot Prize aims to spotlight and support innovative solutions tackling the worlds most pressing environmental challenges. The 21-year-old conservationist was named a Global Ambassador for the Prince of Wales' prestigious Earthshot Prize, which is awarded annually to five people in recognition of their services to environmentalism The I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! co-host praised the royal's down-to-earth personality and said the pair have been sharing ideas and insights on how to protect nature on a global scale In November, Prince William went on a walk with Robert on the second day of his visit to South Africa for the initiative. William traversed a rocky climb as he walked up Signal Hill and quipped as he spied the waiting media: 'I'll try not to wipe myself out in front of everybody.' Robert later tweeted a video of him with William, in which he asked the prince what his 'favourite African animal' was. William replied: 'It's a tough question. I think I'm going to have to say the cheetah. Fantastic animal,' and Robert replied his favourite was the chameleon. The prince also spoke with park rangers, firefighters, mountain rescue volunteers, biodiversity experts and youth volunteers in front of the scenic backdrop. They told him about the diversity of fauna and flora and the work they do to protect the environment while ensuring residents and tourists are able to enjoy the area. Just days after sharing her daughter Eloise's first birthday with her social media followers, Sofia Richie was spotted out on a rare outing. The 26-year-old socialite was spotted in Brentwood on Sunday with her daughter and husband Elliot Grainge. Her husband Elliot - who she tied the knot with back in 2023 - was also spotted giving her daughter a kiss during the outing. Richie was spotted wearing a v-neck white t-shirt with her blonde hair tied back in a ponytail. She also donned black oversized sunglasses while carrying a beverage during the family outing. The sister of Nicole Richie completed her look with light blue jeans that were folded at the cuffs and brown sandals. Just days after sharing her daughter Eloise's first birthday with her social media followers, Sofia Richie was spotted out on a rare outing. The 26-year-old socialite was spotted in Brentwood on Sunday with her daughter and husband Elliot Grainge Her husband Elliot - who she tied the knot with back in 2023 - was also spotted giving her daughter a kiss during the outing Her husband Grainge was seen wearing a brown shirt under a light white coat with white pants and brown loafers. The socialite recently celebrated her first Mother's Day, sharing a rare snap of her lifting Eloise in the air with her 11 million Instagram followers. She captioned the post in which she wore jeans, a pale yellow shirt, and periwinkle ballet flats 'My mini.' It has so far collected over 336,000 likes, including one from fellow new mom Hailey Bieber. Last month, Sofia threw a backyard party complete with little pink toddler-sized tents, a bounce house, a tiered cake and even an adult dressed as a baby. But when she posted updates from the festivities to Instagram, the standout image was a heart-melting snap of her and Elliot doting over Eloise on a pile of cushions. In her caption, Sofia wrote a touching message in which she reflected on the 'mix of emotion' she felt watching her daughter complete her first year in the world. 'A year ago today my little girl was born. I didnt realize her first birthday was going to be such a mix of emotion for me,' Sofia wrote. 'On one hand its the most amazing beautiful milestone. On the other hand I look back and realize those tiny little moments are something Ill never get back.' The socialite recently celebrated her first Mother's Day, sharing a rare snap of her lifting Eloise in the air with her 11 million Instagram followers Last month, Sofia threw a backyard party complete with little pink toddler-sized tents, a bounce house, a tiered cake and even an adult dressed as a baby 'On one hand its the most amazing beautiful milestone. On the other hand I look back and realize those tiny little moments are something Ill never get back.' In spite of the bittersweet nature of the occasion, Sofia gushed: 'Watching her grow has been a gift. My greatest achievement will ALWAYS be her.' She added: 'She has given me purpose, and I am nothing without her. Elliot and I couldnt love anything in this life more. I dont know what I did to deserve my little buggie, but all I know is my heaven is right here on earth with her so beyond blessed'. Sofia and Elliot tied the knot in the South Of France in April 2023, in a glittering ceremony at the glamorous Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes. They began dating in 2021, but had apparently been acquainted with each other for several years before striking up their romantic relationship. Magda Szubanski has expressed immense gratitude in the wake of her devastating stage four cancer diagnosis. The beloved Aussie comedian, 64, who revealed she is battling Mantle Cell Lymphoma last week, took to Instagram to thank her family, friends and fans for the outpouring of support. Speaking in a video posted on Sunday, Magda said she had been 'overwhelmed' by the response to her announcement. 'I just wanted to say a massive thank you for all the love and support,' she said in the clip. 'It's just been so moving and, really, youse are the wind beneath my wings. Thank you very much, love you all. Sorry I can't reply this. 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. Magda Szubanski has expressed immense gratitude in the wake of her devastating stage four cancer diagnosis The beloved Aussie comedian, 64, who revealed she is battling Mantle Cell Lymphoma last week, took to Instagram to thank her family, friends and fans for the outpouring of support 'It's pretty overwhelming, but I just feel so loved.' Last week, Magda shocked her followers when she revealed she was battling a rare and fast-moving blood cancer. 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. '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. Last week, Magda shocked her followers when she revealed she was battling a rare and fast-moving blood cancer 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.' 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.' The Block star Dan Reilly teased that the new season of the blockbuster renovation show will soon be heading to Channel Nine. Dan took to his social media on Sunday to share a gallery of snaps featuring cast and crew from the Daylesford construction site in rural Victoria. In one photo, Dan, who works as a foreman on the ratings winner, can be seen taking a celebratory drink with his partner Dani Wales. Other photos show the happy couple grinning and posing with judges Shaynna Blaze and Marty Fox. While Dan was careful not to show off any of the homes featured in the upcoming season, a glimpse of what appears to be completed structures can be glimpsed in the background of one photo. 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. The Block star Dan Reilly teased that the new season of the blockbuster renovation show will soon be heading to Channel Nine. Dan took to his social media on Sunday to share a gallery of snaps featuring cast and crew from the Daylesford construction site in rural Victoria. Pictured: Dan and his partner Dani Wales on the Block 2025 site Dan also shared this snap with with judges Shaynna Blaze and Marty Fox and Dani (pictured) Aerial photos released in April revealed that the 2025 season will feature some massive homes. The sprawling construction site located in the tiny rural getaway, 112km from Melbourne, features five blocks. All of the two-storey dwellings are built as a 'H' design layout with courtyard spaces in front and back of the home. It comes after claims that the upcoming season allegedly hit a serious snag which has caused production to be delayed. An industry insider exclusively told Daily Mail Australia in January that filming was set to commence in Daylesford that month but was pushed back. Production on the popular Channel Nine reality renovation series was slated to begin in February after being delayed for a month. And the reason for the hold up? Our source revealed that producers are less-than-enamoured with the crop of contestants who applied for the show's 21st season. They claimed casting producers have been in crisis meetings with Nine executives this week because they are so far unhappy with the presented line-up for 2025. The sprawling construction site located in the tiny rural getaway, 112km from Melbourne, features five blocks. Pictured: Members of The Block team Dan and Dani shared a toast in Daylesford 'There are desperate measures being made to get the show right for the next series,' the source said. 'There has been a noticeable absence of what Channel Nine were interested in showcasing later this year.' The source said Nine was interested in attracting 'older and wiser' contestants for 2025, in a bid to move away from on screen drama that has become a fixture on the show in recent seasons. Much of the 2024 season was dominated by the controversial 'flirtgate scandal' involving married couple Brad and Kylie Baker, and their co-star Mimi Belperio. 'The Nine network wants to shift gears from what we have seen in the last few years but the problem has been the 2025 series hasn't attracted the right kind of applicants,' the source said. 'The show has had a toxic culture and what happens when a trend like that forms is that similar people apply. 'There are people wanting to be the next Kylie and Brad and there are people wanting to be the next Kristy and Brett [the 2023 'villains']. 'That is the nature of these reality shows. The people applying seem to look back at what we have just seen and try to emulate that.' The source claimed that the network is now more interested in attracting contestants who are environmentally minded. The source also took time to praise the network for listening to what Block fans really want after the latest drama-packed season divided fans, with some claiming the show was trying to become like Married At First Sight. Coronation Street star Barbara Ferris has died aged 85. The actress was known for playing barmaid Nona Willis at the Rovers Return, but left the soap after 10 episodes because she struggled to understand the Lancastrian accent. Barbara also had roles in Catch Us If You Can and Children Of The Damned. Her last film role came in 1990, in Peter Medaks The Krays. She was the sister of a champion springboard diving champion Liz, who won a bronze medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Barbara, who is survived by her husband and their children, Nicholas, Christopher and Catherine, died on May 23, 2025. The cause of death has not been confirmed. 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. Coronation Street star Barbara Ferris has died aged 85 (pictured with James Bolam in Oranges and Lemons) The actress was known for playing barmaid Nona Willis at the Rovers Return (pictured) but left the soap after 10 episodes because she struggled to understand the Lancastrian accent Barbara pictured with John Neville in Sunday Night Theatre, Blinkers' TV programme in 1973 Barbara was born in London and began her acting career as a teenager, working in adverts and pantomimes. She then moved into modelling, and also enjoyed a career in dance, performing in Bob Fosse's The Pajama Game. As well as being a star of stage and screen, she also enjoyed fringe theatre, producing and financing two compilation shows at the Kings Head in Islington. One of her most famous roles was as Dinah, who eloped with Dave Clark in the 1965 film Catch Us If You Can. Barbara also had a leading role in Edward Bond's controversial play Saved. The play, set in London during the 1960s, focused on cultural poverty and frustration of a generation of young people on government benefits. It was originally refused a licence without severe cuts by the Lord Chamberlain. In response to the censorship, Laurence Olivier wrote a letter to The Observer, saying that: 'Saved is not a play for children but it is for grown-ups, and the grown-ups of this country should have the courage to look at it.' Barbara had roles in Catch Us If You Can and Children Of The Damned. Her last film role came in 1990, in Peter Medaks The Krays (pictured in Oranges and Lemons) She is never shy showing off her physique when on her many holidays. And Jessica Alba was flaunting her toned and tanned physique as she enjoyed her latest sun-soaked getaway this weekend. The actress, 44, slipped into a skimpy white and beige patterned two piece as she flashed a peace sign by the pool. Jessica had her abs and toned legs on display as she accessorised with a sunhat and shades while another shot showed her cooling off in the pool. After her divorce from Cash Warren, she penned in the caption of her post: 'Channeling chill - breathwork - friendship and selfcare.' 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. Jessica Alba was flaunting her toned and tanned physique as she enjoyed her latest sun-soaked getaway this weekend The actress, 44, slipped into a skimpy white and beige patterned two piece as she cooled off in the pool In her slew of snaps she also posed in a strapless leopard print swimsuit while spending time at a luxury spa where they were staying. Her holiday comes after she was recently spotted kissing and cozying up to a new mystery man just weeks after her divorce from Cash Warren. But recently an insider has shed light into Jessica's life back on the market. While she seemed to have a potential new beau in London, a source insisted to Us Weekly that Jessica isn't dating anyone in particular at the moment and is merely 'embracing' the attention coming her way. '[Jessica has] gone on dates, but she isn't seeing anyone specific right now,' the source said. 'She's having a lot of fun going out with her girlfriends and being more spontaneous. She's embracing all the attention she's getting,' they added. Indeed, Jessica seems to be living it up now that she is single again. Her Instagram account shows her traveling to numerous destinations where bathing suits are a must, and she even celebrated her birthday with her gal pals in Las Vegas. 'A vegas birthday was not in the cards, but a time was definitely had,' Jessica mused on Instagram as she shared snaps from her travels to Sin City in early May. In her slew of snaps she also posed in a strapless leopard print swimsuit while spending time at a spa After her divorce from Cash Warren, she penned in the caption of her post: 'Channeling chill - breathwork - friendship and selfcare' 'Grateful for the women who have been by my side through every season with nothing but love & support. No matter where we are in the world, we have the best time when we're together - te amo.' The post even included the L.E. Bowman poem 'A New Kind of Sexy', a telling clue of her post-divorce attitude. While Jessica may be an independent woman, she has had some company in recent weeks. Earlier this month Alba was spotted enjoying a very cosy-looking stroll with a man in London's Regent's Park. An onlooker told The Sun that the pair could be seen kissing on deckchairs and embracing as they strolled through the park. They said: 'They looked very intimate. They were hugging and holding hands as they walked through the park together. 'They rented out some deck chairs and they were sitting on them kissing. 'It looked very much like a new relationship.' Jessica cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reasoning behind her separation from Cash when it was announced earlier this year, with him soon filing afterwards. During the course of their marriage, the former couple welcomed three children: Honor, 16, Haven, 13, and Hayes, seven - and both have requested for joint physical and legal custody of their kids. Her holiday comes after she was recently spotted kissing and cozying up to a new mystery man just weeks after her divorce from Cash Warren (seen in November 2024) Eight months before it was revealed that Jessica and Cash were 'set for divorce,' the Hollywood star uploaded her final anniversary post to celebrate 16 years of marriage. At the time, Alba shared an assortment of images to her main Instagram page of the pair from over the years. She also penned a cryptic caption to accompany the snaps while reflecting on how they have gone through 'thick and thin.' '16 years of marriage, 20 years together and forever to go Happy Anniversary @cashwarren,' the mother-of-three began. 'I'm proud of us for making it this far. There is no real set of rules or guidance that can ever prepare you for what it means to commit to another person and choose to be family.' The Honey star concluded with, 'Through thick and thin we have continually found our way back to each other and have chosen one another. Cheers to us, I love you.' It's been three decades since Billie Piper burst onto the showbiz scene with her hit single Because We Want To. As a fresh-faced 15 year old, she had the world at her feet, with the talented teen tipped for mega stardom after becoming the youngest artist to debut at number one. Having pivoted to acting, Billie then enjoyed a string of high-profile roles, including spots on Doctor Who, Secret Diary of a Call Girl and Penny Dreadful. Yet in the 2010s, Billie's work commitments took a backseat to her personal life as she split from right-wing political activist Laurence Fox broke down and went on to welcome a daughter with Tribes frontman Johnny Lloyd. Now, with Billie, 42, confirmed to be returning to Doctor Who, her career is looking brighter than ever, with a string of lucrative new roles in the pipeline. The actress is now estimated to have a net worth of 9 million, Celebrity Net Worth reports. 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. Billie Piper has been enjoying a career resurgence with a string of lucrative new roles including her surprise Doctor Who return (pictured on the show) It's been three decades since Billie burst onto the showbiz scene aged 15 with her hit single Because We Want To and now her career is better than ever (pictured in 1998) The turning point came in 2020, with the release of her critically acclaimed Sky series, I Hate Suzie. The Swindon-born star was lauded for her brooding portrayal of former popstar Suzie Pickles, who has her life thrown into disarray when intimate photos of her in a compromising position with a man who isn't her husband, are leaked online. Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 95 percent, while Billie received a TV BAFTA nomination for her work in both the first season and follow-up I Hate Suzie Too. However, despite going down a treat with critics, it failed to draw in a big enough audience, and it was not renewed for a third season. Speaking to the Mail about the show's cancellation, Billie mused: 'It just didn't get a big enough audience - that's the way it goes. 'People in television loved it, because I guess it is largely about the world in which they work, but it wasn't seen by as many people beyond that world as we would like it to have been.' Yet Billie didn't suffer the same problem with her next role, landing a lead part in the 2024 Netflix drama Scoop, a dramatic retelling of the process of securing and filming the 2019 Prince Andrew interview with Newsnight. The series was praised by viewers and critics alike, with a whopping 2.75 million households tuning in for the first week alone. Billie also secured another TV BAFTA nomination for her role as Newsnight producer Sam McAlister. The turning point came in 2020, with the release of her critically acclaimed Sky series, I Hate Suzie. However, despite going down a treat with critics, it failed to draw in a big audience Billie didn't suffer the same problem with her next role, landing a part in Netflix's Scoop, a retelling of the process of securing and filming the 2019 Prince Andrew Newsnight interview Billie also secured another TV BAFTA nomination for her role as Newsnight producer Sam McAlister (pictured at the ceremony in May) That same year, she starred in another Netflix series, Kaos - a contemporary re-imagining of Greek mythology - where she played prophetess Cassandra. The eight-episode series also starred Jeff Goldblum and Janet McTeer and received good reviews. Fans were left crushed when the series was not renewed, with Kaos ultimately becoming the most-watched cancelled series in the second half of 2024. Yet Billie had no time to mourn the end of the show as she was thrust into work on Netflix megahit Wednesday. The mother-of-two has landed a role as Isadora Capri, Nevermor Academys new head of music. A former child prodigy, Isadora is described as being 'brilliant, intense, and enigmatic.' According to Netflix, she takes a special interest in Wednesdays (Jenna Ortega) musical gifts and becomes a mentor to fellow werewolf Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers). Wednesday Season 2, Part 1 will drop on August 6, with Part 2 following on September 3. That same year, she starred in another Netflix series, Kaos - a contemporary re-imagining of Greek mythology - where she played prophetess Cassandra Billie's next role is in Netflix's Wednesday (L to R) Georgie Farmer, Victor Dorobantu, Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nayo, Joy Sunday, Owen Painter, Emma Myers, Billie, Jenna Ortega, Evie Templeton, Luis GuzmAn, Isaac Ordonez, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Alfred Gough, Noah Taylor, Miles Millar, Tim Burton, Steve Buscemi, Moosa Mostafa, Hunter Doohan Billie will then be kept busy filming for Doctor Who after the jaw-dropping finale saw her unveiled as the next incarnation of the Time Lord. The actress is well-known to longtime Who fans, having previously played The Doctor's companion Rose Tyler, and The Moment interface in the show's 50th Anniversary Special. Ncuti Gatwa became the 15th Doctor in 2023 but during Saturday's episode it appeared that Ncuti's Doctor, had regenerated into Billie, with her first words being: 'Oh hello!' Billie will now be the second woman to take on the role as the Time Lord after Jodie Whittaker portrayed the 13th doctor. However, while her reveal understandably sparked a huge frenzy on social media, others have been quick to spot one key problem with her regeneration, following Ncuti Gatwa's long-speculated exit from the show. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, some fans were quick to note in the episode's closing credits, Billie was not credited as 'The Doctor,' with it instead simply stating: 'Introducing Billie Piper.' Reacting to the news Billie said: 'It's no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there, so to be given the opportunity to step back on that Tardis one more time was just something I couldn't refuse.' It is not known when the show will return and Billie's next scenes will air. He's the wildlife warrior who set hearts racing earlier this year when he stripped down to his Bonds in a racy underwear campaign that went viral across the country. But Robert Irwin has now revealed the unexpected - and overwhelming - side effect of his new status as an Aussie heartthrob. Speaking to Us Weekly ahead of the Steve Irwin Gala in Los Angeles, the 21-year-old conservationist admitted the fallout from the sultry shoot has been a lot to handle. 'I'm in a scary place right now,' he confessed. 'I've been kinda sorta avoiding the direct message section for a little bit.' It comes after the internet went into meltdown over images of Robert posing shirtless in Bonds underwear - flaunting his ripped torso while cuddling up to native animals including a koala and snake. 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. He's the wildlife warrior who set hearts racing earlier this year when he stripped down to his Bonds in a racy underwear campaign that went viral across the country But Robert Irwin (pictured) has now revealed the unexpected - and overwhelming - side effect of his new status as an Aussie heartthrob The thirst was real and so was the flood of cheeky DMs. But Robert insists the shoot was never about vanity, and everything he does comes back to one thing: his passion for conservation. 'I really thought in modelling Bonds underwear or doing Dancing With the Stars, that sort of thing, I could bring in a whole new audience to listen to my conservation message,' he explained. And he's sticking to that plan - just weeks ago, he announced he'd joined the cast of the US version of Dancing With The Stars, once again showing off his buff bod while cradling a snake for the promo. 'That's how I feel comfortable. That's who I am,' he said. 'It's all about this mission and I've got a real sense of purpose and passion. I got to achieve that.' 'I definitely feel like I'm really lucky that now I've got a whole new audience that I can reach and hopefully just put out a bit of positivity and hopefully say, "Life's for living at 100."' It comes after Robert denied the photos from the Bonds campaign have been digitally altered. Robert quickly put paid to the suggestion of digital chicanery, revealing that everything that appeared in the images was 100 per cent real. It comes after Robert denied the photos from the Bonds campaign have been digitally altered 'Mate, everything is 100 per cent real,' Robert confirmed during an interview with Karl Stefanovic on Today. 'Everything you see was all there. The spider - that was right there, the beautiful big black headed python that was all there.' Robert continued: 'My abs - none of that was airbrushed. That was a lot of work - a lot of work and very little carbohydrates.' Karl then asked Robert to clarify claims, published by New idea, that mum Terri had a problem with the Bonds shoot as it did not align with the Irwin family-friendly brand. 'Mum was fully on board,' Robert revealed. '[She] used to do bodybuilding so she was actually giving me tips. 'Bindi took a bit of convincing. It was a bit uncomfortable. 'I'm still not 100 per cent comfortable with some of it anyway, but you know what? We did it and you just got to own it and give it your all,' he said. With Robert's steamy shoot setting hearts aflutter across the globe, Karl asked the I'm A Celebrity host how he is dealing with all the attention. Georgia Toffolo has displayed her toned figure in an array of bikinis while on a girls' work trip to Greece. The former Made In Chelsea star, 30, revealed last month she had taken her team of staff at The Visionary Talent Agency on holiday to Greece for a work trip. And after returning home, and feeling the holiday blues, Georgia took to Instagram on Sunday to share a final carousel of snaps. Featured were several pictures of Georgia sporting bikinis, with the star showing off her toned torso in a blue diamante halterneck number featuring a starfish design. Another two-piece Georgia was spotted wearing was a cute black and white polka dot wired bra with a flower applique. 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. Georgia Toffolo has displayed her toned figure in an array of bikinis while on a girls' work trip to Greece as she took to Instagram on Sunday One two-piece Georgia was spotted wearing was a cute black and white polka dot wired bra with a flower applique Among the snaps included Georgia in a skintight grey playsuit for a day out at the beach, and another saw her wearing a cute white cardigan and polka dot midi skirt. She also sported a bright red plunging swimsuit as she rode a jeep through the beach with one of her pals. Georgia shared another snap as she posed with her team as they basked in the sun during their trip. She captioned the snaps: 'Can't believe I'm saying this but the Greece spam is officially over. One last dump because this trip deserves it xx 'We had slightly chaotic boat rides, UNO matches that got weirdly intense, and sunsets that made us all go a bit soft. 'Whisked the gang away as a little thank you for being the most hardworking, hilarious, brilliant bunch Best decision ever. Heart = full. 'Already dreaming up the next escape Where should we go next? Hit me with recs pls!! .' During the trip, Georgia shared a hilarious video on Instagram of her nightmare boat trip in Greece. She also sported a bright red plunging swimsuit as she rode a jeep through the beach with one of her pals Among the snaps included Georgia in a skintight grey playsuit for a day out at the beach Another snap included in the carousel saw her wearing a cute white cardigan and polka dot midi skirt Georgia shared another snap as she posed with her team as they basked in the sun during their trip She captioned the snaps: 'Can't believe I'm saying this but the Greece spam is officially over. One last dump because this trip deserves it xx' She wrote: 'We had slightly chaotic boat rides, UNO matches that got weirdly intense, and sunsets that made us all go a bit soft' The former Made In Chelsea star began the ride with perfect blow dried hair, dressed in her stylish beach attire, but was soon left completely windswept after a very hectic boat trip. She was left in hysterics as she held onto the boat for her life during the 'gale-force journey' around the gorgeous Greek seas. In the clip, Georgia could be heard shouting 'Make it stop!' while holding onto her beach hat to stop it blowing away. She captioned the post: 'When we said boat day this is not what we had in mind 'BUT swimming off the boat in the most crystal clear water, surrounded by fish was just magic. So calm SO PERFECT it almost made us forget the gale-force journey. 'This trip just keeps surprising us in the best (and most hilarious) ways. Although we are very glad to be back on dry land lol. Never felt more grateful what a team xxx' Her trip comes after her new husband James Watt revealed how he lost 150,000 while gaining a wife in Georgia, as the couple opened up on their need to keep adding to their already eye-watering multimillion pound fortune. The BrewDog co-founder, 42, and Georgia began dating in 2023, before tying the knot in a low key ceremony in March this year. Last month it was revealed that the newlyweds are worth a staggering 425million, according to The Sunday Times, overtaking the likes of Ed Sheeran, Lord Sainsburys, Harry Styles and Lewis Hamilton. Previously, Georgia flashed her abs in a skimpy blue bikini as she shared a hilarious video on Instagram of her nightmare boat trip in Greece The former Made In Chelsea star began the ride with perfect blow dried hair, dressed in her stylish beach attire, but was soon left completely windswept after a very hectic boat trip Following their placing at 304 on the publication's Rich List, the couple opened up to the The Sunday Times on their relationship, where they both insisted that they couldn't rest on their fortune and needed to keep making money. Reflecting on how they came to fall for each other, James revealed that their first date came about as a result of one of his 'worst-ever investments' that cost him 150,000. He recalled: 'Georgia is the outcome of one of my worst-ever investments. I have a portfolio of about 20 small businesses and one of them fell by the wayside, but the founder of that business knew Georgia and set us up. 'So I may have lost 150,000 but I gained a wife. Maybe it was my best investment ever?' Explaining her attraction to James, Georgia said that her type is 'powerful, successful men' and while giving an insight into their marriage, she admitted the couple 'talk about work constantly'. Pregnant Kelsey Parker shared her appreciation for her boyfriend Will Lindsay on Sunday - one month before the birth of their first child together. The podcast host, 34, shares kids Aurelia, five, and Bodhi, four, with The Wanted star Tom Parker who tragically died from brain cancer in 2022, at the age of 33, four years after they married. She is now expecting a baby with tree surgeon Will after finding love again last September. In an update posted to Instagram, Kelsey said she was 'full of gratitude' for her partner and thanked him for his help with her young children. She included a series of loved-up photos of them together, including one of them on holiday and photos of Will with Aurelia and Bodhi. 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. Pregnant Kelsey Parker shared her appreciation for her boyfriend Will Lindsay on Sunday- one month before the birth of their first child together The podcast host, 34, found love again last September wit Will after her husband The Wanted star Tom Parker tragically died from brain cancer in 2022, at the age of 33 Kelsey wrote: 'Appreciation post. I know youre not a fan of being on my social media, but I cant help itthis moment deserves to be shared. 'Were just a month away from meeting our baby, and Im so full of gratitude. Thank you for everything you dofor me and for the kids. 'We love and adore you more than words can say I cant wait to start this next chapter with you. 'Honestly, I think youre going to find the newborn stage a breeze after handling a 5 and 4-year-old!' The couple announced their romance last September and Kelsey, who is due in June, previously revealed her third pregnancy was a 'happy accident'. Ahead of welcoming her little one, Kelsey devastatingly revealed she has been getting a lot of hate online but her new partner has been very supportive. Speaking on ITV's Lorraine, in their first joint interview together, Kelsey explained: 'It's been three years, this is Tom's three year anniversary of his death and it's almost like people want me to feel guilty for moving on.' She added: 'I'm always going to have guilt but what's so hard is that Tom's not here anymore so what do people want me to do?' In an update posted to Instagram, Kelsey said she was 'full of gratitude' for her partner and thanked him for his help with her young children She included a series of loved-up photos of them together, including one of them on holiday and photos of Will with Aurelia and Bodhi Kelsey wrote: 'We love and adore you more than words can say I cant wait to start this next chapter with you' Tom tragically died from brain cancer in 2022, at the age of 33, four years after marrying Kelsey (the couple are pictured in October 2021) Kelsey continued: 'Our house was full of so much sadness but now it's full of happiness, the kids deserve that more than anything. 'They've been through so much, I feel like we are taking the steps forward to heal but I just want other women to feel like it's OK to move on, it's not taking anything away from the love I had for Tom.' Kelsey also opened up about the impact meeting Will has had on her life and how the trolls don't 'understand how she feels' because they are not in her shoes. Will now lives with her at the home she used to share with Tom and their kids, remarking how he 'gradually moved in' when the time 'felt right'. Do you know more? Email: stephen.gibbs@dailymail.com Former TV star plans to appeal severity of conviction A former Big Brother contestant has been convicted of assaulting a younger man who was staying on his farm. David 'Farmer Dave' Graham, 45, broke his silence to Daily Mail Australia on Monday night after he pleaded guilty to common assault last week. Graham escaped jail time last Friday when he was sentenced to a nine month conditional release order in Windsor Local Court over the January 27 altercation. The order requires him to not commit any offences while subject to the order and to attend court if called upon at any time during its term. A two-year Apprehended Violence Order was also lodged against Graham, who famously came out as gay to his housemates on national television during the sixth season of Big Brother in 2006. While Graham admitted that he did the 'wrong thing', he plans to appeal the severity of the conviction. Graham said he allowed the victim, whom Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to name, to stay at his farm on Sydney north-west outskirts as the man 'had nowhere else to stay'. The reality television star first met the man through his work assisting troubled young people to learn trades and train dogs. 'Farmer Dave' David Graham pleaded guilty to one count of common assault last Friday The 45-year-old first appeared on Big Brother Australia in 2006 (pictured) before returning on the program again in 2022 Graham claimed the victim 'hosted drinking parties and consumed drugs' at his farm while he was away in Queensland visiting his terminally ill mother. 'I counselled him that he must find alternative accommodation,' he told Daily Mail Australia. He also claimed the young man had not fed his animals while he was away and found one of his dogs in almost skeletal condition Graham also alleged he found 'drugs and alcohol' in his home. After returning from Queensland, he asked the man to leave the property, which the victim complied. Graham claimed he woke later that night to find the man had returned to the property with a mate. He claimed the men refused to leave and insisted on collecting the victim's belongings. 'I was shocked and as I'm in recovery from PTSD after five years working in a high stress work environment,' Graham recalled. While the two time Big Brother contestant admitted that he did the 'wrong thing', he plans to appeal the severity of the conviction 'I pushed with two open palms (the victim) from my house out past the truck to get them away from my door. 'At the time I had no way of knowing how many men were in the dark ... both men were well over six foot, I was alone on my rural property and needed to assert myself and I did so.' Graham admitted he did the wrong thing. 'I accept that pushing a human is assault, I plead guilty to doing that,' Graham said. Three other charges, including intentionally choke person without consent, stalk/intimidate intending fear physical harm, and destroy or damage property worth less than or equal to $2000 were withdrawn. Graham claimed the withdrawn charges were 'false allegations' and 'did not occur'. The AVO prevents Graham from assaulting or threatening the victim, stalking or harassing him, and intentionally destroying or damaging property or animals belonging to him. It expires in May 2027. Graham plans to appeal the severity of his conviction and insisted he has learned an important lesson. 'As a man recovering from severe depression and PTSD, I acted on impulses with the threat as presented to me in the night by men with a truck backed up to my house on a rural property,' he said. 'I know now 'no good deed goes unpunished' and will no longer give assistance to the homeless. 'I made a mistake by giving (the victim) another chance while I was away from my farm and not in a well mindset due to my personal issues and my mother's diagnosis. 'This is the universe telling me I must learn to set clear boundaries and not take on other people's problems and focus on my own recovery.' Three other charges were withdrawn against the farmer David Graham was sentenced to a nine month conditional release order An animal behavourist and farmer, Graham first found fame when he appeared on the sixth season of Big Brother in 2006. Graham won nationwide support for coming out as gay to his housemates on the show, where he finished third. In 2022, he returned for 14th season of Big Brother, where he finished 13th out of 22 contestants. The reality show fan favourite was a presenter and speaker before he started the charity RuffTrack in 2019, which aims to connect at-risk young people with dogs to help foster responsibility and trust. The program invited participants to train a dog, while training them in fields including landscaping, welding, and animal husbandry among other trades. He revealed to Daily Mail Australia last December that he has since walked away from the initiative he set up after becoming burnt out. Jennifer Lawrence and Dakota Johnson cut casually stylish figures as they stepped out in blazers together for dinner in New York on Sunday. The actresses, who have become good friends, were snapped looking down as they left a car in the city. Dakota, 35, wore a long brown blazer to the dinner, which she paired with a black silky top and grey, oversized trousers. Wearing her hair down with light makeup, a splash of colour was added to the look by her green gemstone necklace and orange bag. Jennifer, 34, also wore a blazer, this time in black, and appeared to be wearing an all-black ensemble consisting of an oversized top and trousers. Like her friend, she wore her hair down with minimal makeup, adding some colour to the look with gold jewellery and a red handbag. 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. Jennifer Lawrence and Dakota Johnson cut a casually stylish figure as they stepped out together for dinner in New York on Sunday The actresses, who have become good friends, were snapped looking down as they left a car in the city, dressed in matching blazer outfits This is the second time the pair have been snapped together in recent weeks and they also attended a screening of Jennifer's new film, Die My Love, together at Cannes. Also starring Robert Pattinson, 31, the film tells the story of a young mother living in a rural area as she undergoes a battle with psychosis. The friends wore more glamorous outfits to the French film festival on May 17 while ensuring they adhered to its new rules regarding modesty. Dressing as a leading lady, Jennifer wore a wrap-around silky black dress that she once again added a splash of colour to with her jewlery, opting for silver and green statement earrings. She wore her hair back to ensure all eyes were on her glamorous makeup look, which featured a much darker eye than she had for her casual dinner in New York. Dakota, meanwhile, opted for what appeared to be a 70s-inspired look, consisting of a wildly patterned brown jacket and dress. She added further colour to the look with her large, statement brown sunglasses, once again wearing her dark hair down in a natural wavy style. The friends wore more glamorous outfits to Cannes in May, while ensuring they adhered to the film festival's new rules regarding modesty The pair, who have both famously dated Coldplay's Chris Martin, 48, appeared closer than ever at the event, with Dakota snapped smiling as she held Jennifer's shoulders The pair, who have both famously dated Coldplay's Chris Martin, 48, appeared closer than ever at the event, with Dakota snapped smiling as she held Jennifer's shoulders. While Dakota is still happily in a relationship with Chris, and has been since 2017, Jennifer just welcomed her second child earlier this year with her director husband, Cooke Maroney, 40. She previously dated the Coldplay frontman between 2014 and 2015 before finding lasting love with Cooke in 2018 through a reported mutual friend. The pair both rose to fame in the early 2010s, with Jennifer starring as Katniss Everdeen in the film adaptations of the Hunger Games series. Dakota, meanwhile, famously played Anastasia Steele in Fifty Shades of Grey. This Hollywood star was unrecognizable on a bicycle ride in Los Angeles on Sunday. This beauty was cute with a helmet on as she put safety first. The brunette has links to both Ben Affleck and Bradley Cooper. Can you tell who it is? It's Jennifer Garner. The Alias actress, 53, who has spoken about the struggles of being a parent while promoting her Once Upon a Farm brand, wore a sturdy looking helmet as she rode her Rad Power electric bike in the Brentwood area. The Deadpool & Wolverine star pedaled around wearing some black animal print leggings and sneakers with a large tan overshirt. 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. This Hollywood star was unrecognizable on a bicycle ride in Los Angeles on Sunday. This beauty was cute with a helmet on as she put safety first. The brunette has links to both Ben Affleck and Bradley Cooper . Can you tell who it is? Her chestnut locks were pulled back in a low ponytail and she wore large, dark framed sunglasses. The Emmy nominee seems to have been using the bike basket for a very special project. Video on social media show she spent a good part of the day wrapping trees near her home in different colored ribbons to create a rainbow effect. 'Pride trees = my favorite time of the year! ' she wrote on Instagram to explain what she was doing. Garner even invited a young friend to assist her in the project. 'You wanna help me wrap?' she asked the adorable volunteer. 'LOVE YOU LADY and LOVE THIS,' exclaimed actress Tracee Ellis Ross. 'My queen,' wrote activist Dylan Mulvaney. 'Once again, I nominate Jennifer Garner as an American Treasure,' wrote a fan. Pride Month may have a more special meaning for the mother of three whose middle child Fin, 16, born Seraphina, has identified as non-binary. Garner is also mom to Yale student Violet, 19, and Sam, 13, whom she shares with ex-husband Ben Affleck, 52. It's Jennifer Garner. The actress, 53, who has spoken about the struggles of being a parent while promoting her Once Upon a Farm brand, wore a sturdy looking helmet as she rode her Rad Power electric bike in the Brentwood area Her chestnut locks were pulled back in a low ponytail and she wore large, dark framed sunglasses Of course, not everyone was happy about her support of the LGBTQ+ community. 'June is Veterans Month. Why not celebrate that?' queried one. 'The rainbow belongs to GOD & GOD Only!' stated a commenter. 'Oh lord not you too,' said another. 'I hope everyone unfollowing has the most uncomfortable month! Happy Pride yall!' was one fan's pushback. Video on social media shows she spent a good part of the day wrapping trees near her home in different colored ribbons to create a rainbow effect 'Pride trees = my favorite time of the year! ' she wrote next to the clip 'LOVE YOU LADY and LOVE THIS,' exclaimed actress Tracee Ellis Ross Of course, not everyone was happy about her support of the LGBTQ+ community Garner even invited a young friend to assist her in the project. 'You wanna help me wrap?' she asked the adorable volunteer In 2018, while promoting her film Love, Simon, about a teen who comes out to his parents, Garner revealed her best friend had come out to her as a teen, telling Pride Source she was 'honored and thrilled' her friend trusted her. 'That is one of the things that I hope kids take away from this movie: Don't let yourself be so isolated with whatever it is you're scared about,' she advised. 'Find some way to reach out, whether it's to somebody online, whether it's one friend you feel like you can trust; hopefully it'll be your parents and you can lean on them.' King of the Hill voice actor Jonathan Joss was killed in San Antonio, TX on Sunday night. The Texan native was pronounced dead, at age 59, when paramedics were unable to revive him after neighbor Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja allegedly shot him several times following a heated argument, according to TMZ. The San Antonio Police Department captured the suspect in his car a block from the scene after he fled, and he's being held on $200K bond. The slain actor's husband later claimed his killer was motivated by homophobia. Last Saturday, Jonathan who boasts 9K social media followers shared a video of himself in good spirits, urging fans to visit him at Tribe Comics and Games in Austin, TX for a signing. On Sunday morning, Joss thanked fans on Facebook for helping him secure a ride back to San Antonio. King of the Hill voice actor Jonathan Joss was killed in San Antonio, TX on Sunday night (pictured Saturday) The Our Lady of the Lake University grad's last IMDb-credited gig was voicing characters for CD Projekt RED's video game Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty in 2023 alongside Keanu Reeves and Idris Elba. Jonathan also voiced the character Healing in Paul McComas and Holly Trasti's animated drama Unplugged alongside the late Louis Gossett Jr., the late Ed Asner, Christina Ricci, and Jeri Ryan. But Joss is best known for voicing musician and healer John Redcorn, who embarked on a 14-year-long affair with anchorwoman Nancy Hicks-Gribble (Ashley Gardner), on the Fox animated sitcom from seasons 2-13. Last Friday, the charismatic actor of Native descent crashed the King of the Hill reunion at ATX TV Festival in Austin and briefly rambled during the Q&A with co-creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels as well as actors Pamela Adlon, Lauren Tom, and Toby Huss. On January 23, Jonathan suffered the loss of his three beloved dogs when his childhood home, that his father built in 1957, burned to the ground. Joss also lost his car in the blaze, but the GoFundMe organized by Logan Kostroun successfully raised $10,721 from a $15K goal. But neighbors told TMZ on Monday that his house burned down because he attempted to use a BBQ pit to heat it after the city allegedly 'shut off his power when the property was deemed unsafe and uninhabitable.' On Monday, the long-haired star's widow Tristan Kern de Gonzales - whom he wed on Valentine's Day - claimed he was murdered after they were 'harassed' for two years by 'openly homophobic' individuals who 'did not accept our relationship.' The Texan native was pronounced dead, at age 59, when paramedics were unable to revive him after neighbor Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja allegedly shot him several times following a heated argument (pictured last Wednesday) The San Antonio Police Department captured the suspect in his car a block from the scene after he fled, and he's being held on $200K bond (Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja's mugshot) Last Saturday, Jonathan shared a video of himself in good spirits, urging fans to visit him at Tribe Comics and Games in Austin, TX for a signing On Sunday morning, Joss thanked fans on Facebook for helping him secure a ride back to San Antonio The Our Lady of the Lake University grad is best known for voicing musician and healer John Redcorn (R), who embarked on a 14-year-long affair with anchorwoman Nancy Hicks-Gribble (L, Ashley Gardner), on the Fox animated sitcom from seasons 2-13 Last Friday, Jonathan crashed the King of the Hill reunion at ATX TV Festival in Austin and briefly rambled during the Q&A with co-creators Mike Judge (2-L) and Greg Daniels (L) as well as actors Pamela Adlon (2-R), Lauren Tom (R), and Toby Huss On January 23, Joss suffered the loss of his three beloved dogs when his childhood home, that his father built in 1957, burned to the ground The charismatic actor of Native descent also lost his car in the blaze, but the GoFundMe organized by Logan Kostroun successfully raised $10,721 from a $15K goal But neighbors told TMZ on Monday that his house burned down because he attempted to use a BBQ pit to heat it after the city allegedly 'shut off his power when the property was deemed unsafe and uninhabitable' On Monday, Jonathan's widow Tristan Kern de Gonzales (pictured April 8) - whom he wed on Valentine's Day - claimed he was murdered after they were 'harassed' for two years by 'openly homophobic' individuals who 'did not accept our relationship' The South Carolina native (L, pictured March 18) recalled on Facebook: 'When we returned to the site to check our mail we discovered the skull of one of our dogs and its harness placed in clear view. This caused both of us severe emotional distress' Tristan continued: 'While we were doing this a man approached us. He started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired. Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life' Joss is also remembered for his role as Chief Ken Hotate in five episodes of NBC's mockumentary sitcom Parks and Recreation spanning 2011-2015 'When we returned to the site to check our mail we discovered the skull of one of our dogs and its harness placed in clear view. This caused both of us severe emotional distress,' the South Carolina native recalled on Facebook. 'While we were doing this a man approached us. He started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired. Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life.' Tristan added: 'My focus now is on protecting Jonathans legacy and honoring the life we built together.' Jonathan is also remembered for his role as Chief Ken Hotate in five episodes of NBC's mockumentary sitcom Parks and Recreation spanning 2011-2015. His former costar Nick Offerman shared a tribute to the slain actor on later on Monday. Joss had small roles in TV shows like Walker Texas Ranger, Charmed, ER, Ray Donovan, and Tulsa King. He also acted in films like True Grit, The Magnificent Seven, Pocahontas 2: Journey to a New World, and Johnson Family Vacation. Victoria's Secret veteran Heidi Klum had some amazing news on her 52nd birthday which fell on Monday. The German supermodel is now the face of Calzedonia, a company Kendall Jenner has worked for. The cover girl looked incredible in the itty bitty swimsuits that highlighted her flat tummy, sculpted arms and lean legs. She was seen at on a balcony and swimming pool as she worked on her tropical tan in what appeared to be a mansion in the hills of Hollywood. 'For your perfect summer with @Calzedonia ,' wrote Klum in her Instagram caption as she marked the post an ad. 'Congratulations to the fifties and congratulations for the beautiful bikinis,' said one fan while another raved: 'She's still got it!' There were plenty of German fans that said things like the shoot drove them 'verruckt,' which means crazy. Another added, 'She is outstanding, classy.' Then there were several 'happy birthday' wishes with heart emojis. This comes 10 years after reality TV star turned President Donald Trump said Klum was 'no longer a 10.' Victoria's Secret veteran Heidi Klum had some amazing news on her 52nd birthday which fell on Monday The German supermodel is now the face of Calzedonia, an Italian company Kendall Jenner has worked for The cover girl looked incredible in the itty bitty swimsuits that highlighted her flat tummy, sculpted arms and lean legs In March Jenner worked with Calzedonia. Jenner has showed off her incredible 5ft11in figure in a new set of photos shared to Instagram. The 29-year-old supermodel was topless as she wore a string thong bikini bottom from Calzedonia, an Italian brand she often poses for. The leggy looker from Calabasas, California was sunbathing alone by a swimming pool. Jenner left no caption as Hailey Bieber, Gigi Hadid, Sami Sheen, Candice Swanepoel and Lauren Sanchez hit the like button on her post. Calzedonia is an Italian fashion brand specializing in legwear, hosiery, swimwear, and lingerie. It was founded in 1986 by Sandro Veronesi and has expanded internationally, with a presence in over 50 countries. Calzedonia is part of the Calzedonia Group, which also owns other brands like Intimissimi, Intimissimi Uomo, and Tezenis. In May Klum was seen getting frisky with her husband Tom Kaulitz on a hotel balcony in Cannes, France. The supermodel was seen putting her hand on the 35-year-old musician's private parts as she sipped chilled white wine. Kaulitz was bare-chested as he wore leopard-print swim trunks, a cap and sunglasses. She was seen at on a balcony and swimming pool as she worked on her tropical tan in what appeared to be a mansion in the hills of Hollywood 'For your perfect summer with @Calzedonia ,' wrote Klum in her Instagram caption as she marked the post an ad Klum had her dirty blonde hair down with an orange cap on during the afternoon PDA session. He got handsy too: In a video she shared to Instagram, the German wonder was laying chest down on a lounge chair while in a skimpy rust-colored thong bikini that exposed her butt when he used his heavily tattooed hand to rub oil on her derriere. Heidi spoke German to her better half as she flashed a naughty grin in the saucy clip. They were also seen getting frisky while in Paris. The pair were also seen enjoying some Aperol Spritz al fresco in the French capital, even sharing a smooch at their table. Heidi wore a pair of oversized blue denims, white vest and oversized blue shirt for the stroll. She cut a casual figure in her trainers, accessorizing the outfit with oversized silver glasses. 'Congratulations to the fifties and congratulations for the beautiful bikinis,' said one fan while another raved: 'She's still got it!' Another added, 'She is outstanding, classy.' Then there were several 'happy birthday' wishes with heart emojis This comes 10 years after reality TV star turned President Donald Trump said Klum was 'no longer a 10' Tom meanwhile opted for an equally casual look, wearing black trousers and a vest with a slightly open black shirt. The couple, who have been married since 2019, have consistently been unfazed by their 16-year age gap since they met in February 2018 at a birthday party. However, they have had to contend with online trolls, who Heidi said must be motivated by 'spitefulness'. The former Victoria's Secret model told Glamour Germany: 'Perhaps many people also think Ive had too much luck in life. 'I have a great job, I get to travel the world, I can buy expensive things. Calzedonia is an Italian fashion brand specializing in legwear, hosiery, swimwear, and lingerie It was founded in 1986 by Sandro Veronesi and has expanded internationally, with a presence in over 50 countries. Calzedonia is part of the Calzedonia Group, which also owns other brands like Intimissimi, Intimissimi Uomo, and Tezenis 'And now Ive also got myself such a great man.' The couple's appearance in Paris comes after they enjoyed the Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning screening on day two of the Cannes Film Festival. The model put on a busty display in a chic blue sequined gown from Elie Saab's 1001 Seasons Haute Couture Collection. The striking number featured a plunging neckline, off-the-shoulder detailing, sheer panels and a dramatic floor-length train that oozed old Hollywood glamour. The German beauty styled her signature blonde locks in a voluminous blowout and amped up the drama with a bold smoky eye and flawless complexion. Klum let her husband Tom Kaulitz get handsy with her on a hotel balcony in Cannes, France in May And the 51-year-old supermodel was so proud of the 35-year-old musician's move, she posted a video of it to Instagram The German wonder filmed the lusty experience. She was laying chest down on a lounge chair while sunbathing in a skimpy rust-colored thong bikini that exposes her butt Meanwhile, her musician husband Tom looked incredibly dapper in a classic black tuxedo as he posed for sweet snaps alongside his stunning wife. The couple looked every inch the A-list power duo as they made their stylish entrance. They were also keen to show their affection for each other at Cannes too and shared a kiss for the cameras on the red carpet. Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning is the eighth and final instalment in the long-running franchise, wrapping up the two-part storyline that began with Dead Reckoning Part One. The husband of the King of the Hill voice actor fatally shot in south San Antonio Sunday claims the attack was a homophobia-fueled hate crime. Tristan Kern de Gonzales, who identified himself as the husband of slain King of the Hill star Jonathan Joss, 59, said the shooting that claimed his spouse's life was carried out as part of a hate-fueled attack. A man named Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez was booked in connection with suspicion of murder, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office said. In a statement posted on Joss' Facebook page, Tristan Kern de Gonzales provided background details on the incident, and others that had preceded it. 'My husband Jonathan Joss and I were involved in a shooting while checking the mail at the site of our former home,' Kern de Gonzales wrote. 'That home was burned down after over two years of threats from people in the area who repeatedly told us they would set it on fire. De Gonzales said he and Joss 'reported these threats to law enforcement multiple times and nothing was done' despite ongoing harassment from 'openly homophobic' residents in the area 'who made it clear they did not accept our relationship.' Tristan Kern de Gonzales (below), the husband of King of the Hill voice actor Jonathan Joss (above) who died after he was fatally shot in San Antonio Saturday claims the attack was a homophobia-fueled hate crime A man named Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez was booked in connection with suspicion of murder, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office said Joss voiced the role of John Redcorn (pictured) on King Of The Hill Police in Texas Monday told the AP that they found Joss injured near the street when they arrived to perform life-saving measures on Sunday evening around 7:00 PM. In a statement, authorities with the San Antonio Police Department said that 'the officers attempted life saving measures until EMS arrived' and 'pronounced the victim deceased.' Speaking to the AP, de Gonzales said he and the voice actor had wed this past February on Valentines Day; and that his husband had been 'murdered' in the attack Sunday night. In the social media statement, de Gonzales said that he and his husband had moved from the home, and when they returned to get their mail, they 'discovered the skull of one of our dogs and its harness placed in clear view.' He added: 'This caused both of us severe emotional distress. We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw. 'While we were doing this a man approached us. He started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired.' In the comprehensive post, de Gonzales said that he and his spouse had been grieving the loss of their beloved pet when the violence was inflicted upon them. 'Jonathan and I had no weapons,' de Gonzales wrote. 'We were not threatening anyone. Police in Texas Monday told the AP that they found Joss critically-injured near the street when they arrived to perform life-saving measures on Sunday evening around 7:00 p.m. Speaking to the AP, de Gonzales said he and the voice actor had wed this past February on Valentines Day; and that his husband had been 'murdered' in the attack Sunday night de Gonzales said that 'instead of donating [money,] Jonathan and I would both rather you spread the word about the consistent injustice done to him, to us, and to our dogs' He continued: 'We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life.' In the post, de Gonzales said that his husband 'was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other.' He added: 'I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved. To everyone who supported him, his fans, his friends, know that he valued you deeply. He saw you as family. 'My focus now is on protecting Jonathans legacy and honoring the life we built together.' In the sad post, de Gonzales said Joss gave him 'more love in our time together than most people ever get' in their entire lives. 'We were newlyweds,' de Gonzales said. 'We were in the process of looking for a trailer and planning our future.' In a follow-up post, de Gonzales addressed his late spouse's followers on plans for a celebration of life ceremony. 'While I deeply appreciate the support from everyone I wanted to let you know that I have had a couple offers regarding covering expenses for a celebration of life,' de Gonzales wrote. 'I have absolutely no plans yet on that but I will try to keep everyone updated. Theres not a need to donate to the gofundme. In the sad post, de Gonzales said Joss gave him 'more love in our time together than most people ever get' in their entire lives In a statement posted on Joss' Facebook page, Tristan Kern de Gonzales provided background details on the incident, and others that had preceded it In a follow-up post, de Gonzales addressed his late spouse's followers on plans for a celebration of life ceremony 'But I want everyone to remember the joy and love Jonathan has brought and will continue to bring forever. I have my essentials covered and our family in San Antonio is taking care of me until I get back to South Carolina.' To conclude, de Gonzales said that 'instead of donating, Jonathan and I would both rather you spread the word about the consistent injustice done to him, to us, and to our dogs. He ended the second post in saying, 'We had so many beautiful plans for the future.' Joss was also remembered by his Parks And Recreation costar Nick Offerman. Joss has provided vocals of the character John Redcorn on the popular animated series King of the Hill between the show's second and 13 seasons, appearing on 34 total episodes of the animated series between 19972009, according to iMDb. The character was initially voiced by actor Victor Aaron, who died in a car accident in September of 1996. The world's first ever floating McDonald's - once met with skepticism over fears it would cheapen Missouri's scenic waterfront - has resurfaced in the spotlight, thanks to a wave of fascinating photos from its heyday. On March 11, 1980, the first ever floating McDonald's - designed to resemble a 19th-century riverboat - opened for business on the St. Louis riverfront, anchored just south of the iconic Gateway Arch. Built on a repurposed cement barge, the 702-ton boat could seat an impressive 134 diners inside, with room for another 200 on its open-air decks. Executives for the chain had high hopes, predicting the riverboat restaurant would flourish and bring in more than $100,000 in tax revenue annually. 'We have nothing like this in the whole world,' Pat Flynn, a senior vice president for the fast food chain in 1980, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch at the time of its grand opening. On the other hand, locals worried that adding a fast-food chain to the riverfront would make the area look tacky and take away from the charm and natural beauty of the water. Marilyn O'Neill wrote on a Facebook nostalgia post: 'I thought at first McDonald's would make the riverfront look cheap, but it was pretty cool for a while.' Despite the early criticism, the floating McDonald's was a city staple for decades, delighting both locals and tourists - and leaving 80s kids with the magical impression that they were enjoying their favorite greasy meals aboard a yacht. The world's first ever floating McDonald's (pictured) has resurfaced in the spotlight, thanks to a wave of fascinating photos from its heyday On March 11, 1980, the first ever floating McDonald's (pictured) - designed to resemble a 19th-century riverboat - opened for business on the St. Louis riverfront, anchored just south of the iconic Gateway Arch But after 20 years on the water, the iconic McBoat quietly vanished, leaving behind unanswered questions and a wake of nostalgia. All that remains in its once-lively wake are historical photographs - snapshots from a time when spotting the boat was both routine and a whimsical highlight of waterfront trips. The photos, captured in both black-and-white and color, feel like a glimpse into a totally different era. The only clear link to today's modern McDonald's is the iconic red and yellow color scheme that still remains widely recognizable. Its fascinating history began in 1980, when Dr. Benjamin H. Davis Sr. made the floating eatery his fourth McDonald's franchise, according to St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The idea originated the year before, when Samuel Haynes, the company's real estate manager at the time, announced that 'McDonald's is interested in special feeding'. 'If we can find a large group of people together, we should be able to feed them,' Haynes told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch at the time. 'The Arch draws more than 3million people a year.' Initially, the company aimed to purchase space in the museum beneath the Arch, but the government was not willing to lease the space to private enterprises. Despite the early criticism, the floating McDonald's endured for decades, delighting both locals and tourists - and leaving 80s kids with the magical impression that they were enjoying their favorite greasy meals aboard a yacht Built on a repurposed cement barge, the 702-ton boat (pictured) could seat an impressive 134 diners inside, with room for another 200 on its open-air decks 'Then we looked down at the river and saw a lot of people taking advantage of it,' Haynes added. 'So we thought there was no reason why a company as adaptable and progressive as McDonald's couldn't do it.' In 1979, a groundbreaking 25-year lease was signed, launching the very first floating McDonald's - a bold venture that would change the dining landscape. Measuring 185 feet in length and rising 50 feet high, the restaurant was nearly ready to launch with a 200-member crew, each outfitted in unique, custom uniforms designed exclusively for the floating location. For those who experienced it, it became a lasting memory. 'I remember taking my parents to the floating McDonald's when they came to visit me from upstate New York,' author Cameron Collins recalled in his book, Treasures of St. Louis. 'My dad had never seen the Mississippi up close and personal, and tried to wade in it,' he added. 'I have memories of eating a Big Mac and taking in the Arch and hearing my mom yell at my dad, "Peter! Get away from the edge!"' Inside the floating McBoat, 19th-century paintings and murals lined the walls - creating an atmosphere meant to reflect the grandeur of the paddleboat era. Measuring 185 feet in length and rising 50 feet high, the restaurant was nearly ready to launch with a 200-member crew, each outfitted in unique, custom uniforms designed exclusively for the floating location Still, for at least the next decade, the floating McDonald's turned heads and won hearts - even among skeptics - eventually becoming a core memory for those who experienced it Staff walked around in custom uniforms designed specifically for the floating location (pictured). Even Dr. Benjamin H. Davis Sr., the owner of the location, donned an admiral's outfit while on board But as if the stubborn champagne bottle had been a warning from above, the floating McDonald's restaurant officially closed its doors on November 6, 2000 due to its structure - never to be seen in the St. Louis riverfront ever again Staff walked around in custom uniforms that only just enhanced the intended feel of the restaurant. Even Davis donned an admiral's outfit while on board. The floating McDonald's restaurant officially closed its doors on November 6, 2000 - never to be seen in the St. Louis riverfront ever again. McDonald's issued a statement, explaining that the location closed 'because the structure is in need of extensive renovation, which is financially not justifiable at the present'. A further explanation never surfaced, and the attraction quietly disappeared. What became of it after that final day remains undocumented - and shrouded in mystery. Big Lots will reopen 78 stores this week as part of a wave of store revivals, months after it was saved from bankruptcy. The discount retailer secured a last-minute rescue deal in December with retail focused investment firm Gordon Brothers and Variety Wholesalers. Under the agreement, Gordon Brothers would purchase the retailer and then transfer between 200 and 400 Big Lots stores to Variety Wholesalers, which operates discount chains including Roses, Maxway and Bargain Town. The retailer's remaining locations saved by Variety Wholesalers will open across nine states this week. The states with the soon-to-be-opened stores are Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. 'We are excited to reopen additional Big Lots stores this Thursday, June 5!,' Variety Wholesalers told DailyMail.com. 'We have been thrilled with customer response to the soft openings we've held so far and cannot wait to continue serving these 78 additional communities.' The company opened its first 141 locations between April and May. It will celebrate the new stores with 'exciting new deals' at a grand opening event this fall. The newly revamped Big Lots stores will reopen throughout nine states on Thursday after being purchased by Variety Wholesalers Inc. Variety Wholesalers CEO Lisa Seigies insisted the company's mission will be 'providing great value' to shoppers 'This enthusiastic response reinforces our belief that taking Big Lots! back to the roots of what made it a huge success resonates with our customers. Proving great value will always be out core mission,' Variety Wholesalers CEO Lisa Seigies said. Big Lots had been struggling for over a decade before filing for bankruptcy protection last year. Shoppers first spotted the chain's 'closing' signs hanging at about 315 stores in multiple states this past summer. While the chain later trimmed its store closures to 292, they confirmed the number rose to 500 that fall. All stores offered massive liquidation sales, but it wasn't enough for the company to survive its financial woes. The chain closed around 555 locations by November and announced its plan to go out of business a month later. However, Big Lots was saved soon afterward when the chain reached a deal with Gordon Brothers to transfer assets to other companies. Other retailers that purchased Big Lots locations include Trader Joe's, Ollie's Bargain Outlet and Ocean State Job Lot. Variety Wholesalers began reopening Big Lots stores in multiple states earlier this year Big Lots will be throwing a grand opening celebration this fall featuring 'exciting new deals' Variety Wholesale is exploring the possibility of purchasing more Big Lots locations. The company has not revealed if it intends to keep the Big Lots name in other potential stores. Various brands have not been able to retain their name after a sale. Hudson's Bay launched liquidation sales after planning to permanently shutter stores by June 15. The company struck a deal to sell up to 28 stores to Canadian mall owner Weihong (Ruby) Liu, who plans to launch a new store concept and not keep the Hudson's Bay name. Some retailers like Joann Fabrics and Crafts, Forever21, and the Party City chain were unable to be saved, permanently closing all locations this year. Singapore continued to be Indiaas largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) for the last seven years, as the country received the highest inflows of about $15 billion in 2024-25. The overseas inflow grew 13 per cent to $50 billion in the last fiscal. The total FDI, which includes equity inflows, reinvested earnings and other capital, grew by 14 per cent to $81.04 billion during the last financial year. It is the highest in the last three years. FDI from Singapore in 2024-25 increased to $14.94 billion from $11.77 billion in 2023-24, according to the latest government data. Singapore accounted for around 19 per cent of total inflows in 2024-25. Since 2018-19, Singapore has been the largest source of such investments in India. In 2017-18, India attracted the maximum FDI from Mauritius. In the last fiscal, the country received $8.34 billion in foreign inflows from Mauritius. During 2024-25, Mauritius was followed by the US ($5.45 billion), the Netherlands ($4.62 billion), the UAE ($3.12 billion), Japan ($2.47 billion), Cyprus ($1.2 billion), the UK ($795 million), Germany ($469 million), and Cayman Islands ($371 million). According to experts, Singaporeas position as a global financial hub, combined with strong bilateral ties and its role as a gateway for global private equity and venture capital, makes it a natural conduit for investments into India. Rumki Majumdar, Economist, Deloitte India, said despite turmoil in the capital markets and uncertainties around trade, India has managed to attract huge investments, which are stable and long-term. Double Tax Avoidance Agreement between the two nations helps all Singapore-based organisations to invest in India and reduce the total tax burden on income earned from India, Majumdar said. aGiven that Asia is the second largest region to receive foreign capital inflows, a large part of the funds come from Singapore. There are quite a few reasons for that. One, being a low-tax jurisdiction and with a robust legal framework, Singapore is considered the strategic financial gateway to Asia,a she said. Lokesh Shah, Partner, IndusLaw, said the India-Singapore tax treaty was one of the major drivers of FDI. aSingaporeas continued dominance in India FDI now relies more on genuine business and regulatory advantages, Singaporeas sophisticated financial market, its status as a regional hub, and political and economic stability,a Shah said. Rudra Kumar Pandey, Partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas and Co, said that while Singapore will continue to be a significant and active investor in India, the landscape is gradually evolving. aSingaporeas rising FDI into India is anchored in its role as a global financial hub, home to a large number of international private equity and venture capital funds,a Pandey said. These investors see India as a high-growth destination, particularly in sectors like financial services, banking, insurance, business process outsourcing, logistics, computer software and hardware, trading, telecommunications and pharmaceuticals and use Singapore as a key base to manage and deploy capital across Asia, he added. Foreign investments are crucial for India to overhaul its infrastructure like ports, airports and highways to push growth. FDI also helps improve the countryas balance of payments situation and strengthen the rupeeas value against other global currencies, especially the US dollar. India and Paraguay stand united in the fight against terrorism and there is immense possibility to work unitedly to combat shared challenges such as cybercrime and drug trafficking, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday. Modi made the remarks at delegation-level talks with Paraguayan President Santiago Pena Palacios. Pena arrived in Delhi this morning on a three-day visit to India to explore ways to expand overall cooperation. It is his first visit to India and only the second trip by a president of the South American country. Paraguay is an important trading partner for India in the Latin American region. Several Indian companies in the automobile and pharmaceuticals sectors have their presence in Paraguay. "We see new opportunities for cooperation in areas such as digital technology, critical minerals, energy, agriculture, healthcare, defence, railways, space and overall economic partnership," Modi said. The prime minister also referred to New Delhi's preferential trade arrangement with South American trading bloc MERCOSUR. "We can work together to further expand it," he said. MERCOSUR or Common Market of the South is a trading bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The two leaders also deliberated on ways to combat terrorism against the backdrop of the Pahalgam terror attack. "India and Paraguay stand united in the fight against terrorism. There is immense possibility of cooperation to fight against shared challenges such as cybercrime, organised crime, and drug trafficking," Modi said. The prime minister described Paraguay as an integral part of the Global South. "India and Paraguay are integral parts of the Global South. Our hopes, aspirations and challenges are similar. And this is why we can learn from each other's experiences to deal with these challenges effectively," he said. "We are pleased that India could extend support to Paraguay by sharing its vaccines during the Covid pandemic. We look forward to continuing this spirit of cooperation by sharing more of our capabilities," he added. India and Paraguay established diplomatic relations on 13 September 1961, cultivating warm and friendly ties between the two nations. Both countries have since developed cooperation in various sectors, including trade, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals and information technology. The two countries share common views on various international issues, including UN reforms, climate change, renewable energy and combating terrorism, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. Northpointe Bancshares (NYSE:NPB Get Free Report) and Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE:BHB Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends, valuation, profitability and analyst recommendations. Insider & Institutional Ownership 54.5% of Bar Harbor Bankshares shares are held by institutional investors. 18.4% of Northpointe Bancshares shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 2.6% of Bar Harbor Bankshares shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Get Northpointe Bancshares alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Northpointe Bancshares and Bar Harbor Bankshares, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Northpointe Bancshares 0 0 2 0 3.00 Bar Harbor Bankshares 0 0 0 0 0.00 Profitability Northpointe Bancshares currently has a consensus target price of $17.25, suggesting a potential upside of 30.58%. Given Northpointe Bancshares stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe Northpointe Bancshares is more favorable than Bar Harbor Bankshares. This table compares Northpointe Bancshares and Bar Harbor Bankshares net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Northpointe Bancshares N/A N/A N/A Bar Harbor Bankshares N/A N/A N/A Dividends Northpointe Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.10 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.8%. Bar Harbor Bankshares pays an annual dividend of $1.28 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.4%. Bar Harbor Bankshares pays out 44.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Bar Harbor Bankshares has raised its dividend for 22 consecutive years. Bar Harbor Bankshares is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Northpointe Bancshares and Bar Harbor Banksharess gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Northpointe Bancshares $196.56 million 2.31 N/A N/A N/A Bar Harbor Bankshares $150.40 million 2.96 $43.65 million $2.85 10.20 Bar Harbor Bankshares has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Northpointe Bancshares. Summary Northpointe Bancshares beats Bar Harbor Bankshares on 6 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About Northpointe Bancshares (Get Free Report) Northpointe Bancshares, Inc. operates as a bank holding company. It offers a nationwide mortgage purchase program, residential mortgage loans, digital deposit banking to retail customers and custodial deposit services. The company was founded by Charles A. Williams in 1998 and is headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI. About Bar Harbor Bankshares (Get Free Report) Bar Harbor Bankshares operates as the holding company for Bar Harbor Bank & Trust that provides commercial, lending, retail, and wealth management banking services. It accepts various deposit products, including interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing demand accounts, savings accounts, time deposits, and money market deposit accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. The company also provides commercial real estate loans, such as multi-family, commercial construction and land development, and other commercial real estate classes; commercial and industrial loans, including loans to commercial and agricultural businesses, and tax exempt entities; residential real estate loans consists of mortgages for 1-4 family housing; and consumer loans comprises home equity loans, lines of credit, auto, and other installment lending. In addition, it provides life insurance, annuity, and retirement products, as well as financial planning services; and third-party investment and insurance services. Further, the company offers trust and estate administration, wealth advisory, and investment management services to individuals, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and municipalities; and 401K plan, financial, estate and charitable planning, investment management, family office, municipal, and tax services. It operates 53 locations across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The company was founded in 1887 and is based in Bar Harbor, Maine. Receive News & Ratings for Northpointe Bancshares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Northpointe Bancshares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kohls (NYSE:KSS Free Report) had its price target upped by Barclays from $4.00 to $5.00 in a report released on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an underweight rating on the stock. A number of other analysts have also weighed in on KSS. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed a market perform rating and issued a $9.00 price objective on shares of Kohls in a research note on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of Kohls from $15.00 to $12.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a sell rating on shares of Kohls in a report on Thursday. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of Kohls from $10.00 to $8.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 12th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Kohls from $11.00 to $8.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 17th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have given a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Kohls has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $9.75. Get Kohl's alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Kohls Kohls Stock Up 1.1% NYSE:KSS opened at $8.13 on Friday. Kohls has a 1-year low of $6.04 and a 1-year high of $24.83. The company has a 50-day moving average of $7.38 and a 200 day moving average of $11.08. The firm has a market cap of $905.06 million, a PE ratio of 3.66 and a beta of 1.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.12. Kohls (NYSE:KSS Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 29th. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.22) by $0.09. Kohls had a net margin of 1.47% and a return on equity of 6.44%. The company had revenue of $3.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.01 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned ($0.24) earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Kohls will post 1.3 EPS for the current fiscal year. Kohls Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 25th. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 11th will be issued a $0.125 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 11th. This represents a $0.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.15%. Kohlss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 45.87%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kohls Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in Kohls by 8.1% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 4,470,215 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,566,000 after acquiring an additional 335,917 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH boosted its holdings in Kohls by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 3,646,011 shares of the companys stock valued at $51,190,000 after acquiring an additional 117,819 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in Kohls by 29.7% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,973,512 shares of the companys stock valued at $24,323,000 after acquiring an additional 680,766 shares during the period. Two Sigma Investments LP boosted its holdings in Kohls by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 2,255,480 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,667,000 after acquiring an additional 87,235 shares during the period. Finally, Two Sigma Advisers LP boosted its holdings in Kohls by 6.0% during the 4th quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 2,222,100 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,198,000 after acquiring an additional 126,600 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.04% of the companys stock. Kohls Company Profile (Get Free Report) Kohls Corporation operates as an omnichannel retailer in the United States. It offers branded apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty, and home products through its stores and website. The company provides its products primarily under the brand names of Croft & Barrow, Jumping Beans, SO, Sonoma Goods for Life, and Tek Gear, as well as Food Network, LC Lauren Conrad, Nine West, and Simply Vera Vera Wang. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Kohl's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kohl's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI Free Report) (TSE:CNR) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report issued on Friday. Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Bank of America raised their target price on Canadian National Railway from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Barclays reduced their price target on Canadian National Railway from $104.00 to $101.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Canadian National Railway from $122.00 to $114.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Loop Capital cut Canadian National Railway from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Susquehanna raised shares of Canadian National Railway from a neutral rating to a positive rating and set a $120.00 target price for the company in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Canadian National Railway has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $119.52. Get Canadian National Railway alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Canadian National Railway Canadian National Railway Price Performance CNI opened at $104.99 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94. The stock has a market cap of $65.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.51, a PEG ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 0.97. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $100.43 and a 200 day moving average price of $102.13. Canadian National Railway has a 1 year low of $91.65 and a 1 year high of $127.89. Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI Get Free Report) (TSE:CNR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The transportation company reported $1.29 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.26 by $0.03. Canadian National Railway had a return on equity of 22.48% and a net margin of 26.09%. The company had revenue of $3.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.38 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.72 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Canadian National Railway will post 5.52 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Canadian National Railway A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of CNI. Intech Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Canadian National Railway by 112.5% during the first quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 49,745 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $4,840,000 after acquiring an additional 26,331 shares during the period. Focus Partners Wealth raised its position in Canadian National Railway by 11.1% during the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 11,514 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,122,000 after purchasing an additional 1,146 shares in the last quarter. Ransom Advisory Ltd acquired a new stake in Canadian National Railway in the first quarter valued at about $78,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its holdings in shares of Canadian National Railway by 42.9% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 975,049 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $95,028,000 after purchasing an additional 292,704 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Logan Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Canadian National Railway by 50.7% during the first quarter. Logan Capital Management Inc. now owns 26,486 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $2,581,000 after buying an additional 8,916 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.74% of the companys stock. About Canadian National Railway (Get Free Report) Canadian National Railway Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail, intermodal, trucking, and marine transportation and logistics business in Canada and the United States. The company provides rail services, which include equipment, custom brokerage services, transloading and distribution, business development and real estate, and private car storage services; and intermodal services, such as temperature controlled cargo, port partnerships, and logistics parks. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Canadian National Railway Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian National Railway and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CNK Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eleven analysts that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have given a hold recommendation, seven have issued a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $33.20. A number of equities analysts have weighed in on CNK shares. Barrington Research reissued an outperform rating and set a $36.00 price objective on shares of Cinemark in a research note on Monday, May 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Cinemark from $34.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, May 5th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Cinemark from $40.00 to $35.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 20th. Macquarie reissued an outperform rating and set a $35.00 price objective on shares of Cinemark in a research note on Thursday, February 20th. Finally, B. Riley started coverage on Cinemark in a research note on Friday, May 16th. They set a neutral rating and a $35.00 price objective on the stock. Get Cinemark alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on CNK Insider Buying and Selling Institutional Inflows and Outflows In related news, insider Valmir Fernandes sold 25,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $33.01, for a total transaction of $825,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 130,612 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,311,502.12. The trade was a 16.07% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, EVP Melissa Thomas sold 7,200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.43, for a total value of $226,296.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 210,968 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,630,724.24. The trade was a 3.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 2.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Cinemark by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 12,505,099 shares of the companys stock worth $387,408,000 after acquiring an additional 109,179 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Cinemark by 12.9% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 9,346,856 shares of the companys stock valued at $232,643,000 after purchasing an additional 1,066,225 shares during the last quarter. Candlestick Capital Management LP lifted its holdings in shares of Cinemark by 48.1% in the 4th quarter. Candlestick Capital Management LP now owns 4,931,618 shares of the companys stock valued at $152,782,000 after purchasing an additional 1,601,537 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its holdings in shares of Cinemark by 100.2% in the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 4,104,552 shares of the companys stock valued at $127,159,000 after purchasing an additional 2,054,579 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Cinemark by 12.8% in the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 3,801,578 shares of the companys stock valued at $117,773,000 after purchasing an additional 430,006 shares during the last quarter. Cinemark Stock Up 2.4% Shares of CNK stock opened at $33.76 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $29.17 and a 200 day moving average of $29.57. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.28. The stock has a market cap of $3.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.63 and a beta of 1.91. Cinemark has a twelve month low of $16.32 and a twelve month high of $36.28. Cinemark (NYSE:CNK Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 2nd. The company reported ($0.32) EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of ($0.32). The firm had revenue of $540.70 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $604.62 million. Cinemark had a return on equity of 65.83% and a net margin of 10.16%. The firms revenue was down 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.19 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Cinemark will post 1.93 EPS for the current year. Cinemark Cuts Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 12th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 29th will be paid a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 29th. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.95%. Cinemarks payout ratio is presently 21.05%. About Cinemark (Get Free Report Cinemark Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the motion picture exhibition business. As of February 16, 2024, it operated 501 theatres with 5,719 screens in 42 states and 13 countries in South and Central America. Cinemark Holdings, Inc was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Cinemark Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cinemark and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Skyline Champion (NYSE:SKY Get Free Report) declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback program on Friday, May 30th, RTT News reports. The company plans to buyback $50.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to reacquire up to 1.3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually a sign that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have recently commented on SKY shares. Barclays cut their price objective on Skyline Champion from $97.00 to $72.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 28th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on Skyline Champion from $96.00 to $82.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $80.60. Get Skyline Champion alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on Skyline Champion Skyline Champion Stock Down 0.3% Shares of SKY opened at $65.36 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $3.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.01 and a beta of 1.37. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $85.41 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $93.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a current ratio of 2.59 and a quick ratio of 1.74. Skyline Champion has a 1 year low of $64.45 and a 1 year high of $116.49. Skyline Champion (NYSE:SKY Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 27th. The company reported $0.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.75 by ($0.10). The firm had revenue of $593.87 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $595.42 million. Skyline Champion had a return on equity of 13.80% and a net margin of 6.80%. The firms quarterly revenue was up .7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.62 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Skyline Champion will post 3.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Skyline Champion (Get Free Report) Skyline Champion Corporation produces and sells factory-built housing in North America. The company offers manufactured and modular homes, park models RVs, accessory dwelling units, and modular buildings for the multi-family and hospitality sectors. It builds homes under the Skyline Homes, Champion Home Builders, Genesis Homes, Athens Park Models, Dutch Housing, Atlantic Homes, Excel Homes, Homes of Merit, New Era, Redman Homes, ScotBilt Homes, Shore Park, Silvercrest, and Titan Homes brands in the United States; and Moduline and SRI Homes brand names in western Canada. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Skyline Champion Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Skyline Champion and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Douglas Lane & Associates LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB Free Report) in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor acquired 6,942 shares of the pipeline companys stock, valued at approximately $415,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Williams Companies by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 130,356,165 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $7,054,876,000 after buying an additional 1,008,213 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Williams Companies by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 31,263,235 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $1,687,797,000 after buying an additional 540,533 shares during the last quarter. Blackstone Inc. lifted its position in shares of Williams Companies by 36.5% during the 4th quarter. Blackstone Inc. now owns 18,954,088 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $1,025,795,000 after buying an additional 5,068,738 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp lifted its position in shares of Williams Companies by 12.5% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 15,236,940 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $824,623,000 after buying an additional 1,696,618 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in Williams Companies in the 4th quarter worth about $575,103,000. 86.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Williams Companies alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, SVP Larry C. Larsen sold 8,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.94, for a total transaction of $455,520.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 81,265 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,627,229.10. This trade represents a 8.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO Micheal G. Dunn sold 96,687 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.04, for a total value of $5,128,278.48. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 714,693 shares of the companys stock, valued at $37,907,316.72. This represents a 11.92% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 113,583 shares of company stock valued at $6,095,318 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.44% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have commented on WMB shares. CIBC increased their target price on Williams Companies from $56.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Williams Companies from $58.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 25th. Scotiabank increased their target price on Williams Companies from $51.00 to $53.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, March 6th. Truist Financial increased their target price on Williams Companies from $56.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $63.00 target price on shares of Williams Companies in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Williams Companies presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $60.75. View Our Latest Report on WMB Williams Companies Trading Up 0.2% Shares of WMB stock opened at $60.39 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $73.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.00, a PEG ratio of 5.01 and a beta of 0.66. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $58.34 and a 200-day moving average of $57.24. The company has a current ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. The Williams Companies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $40.41 and a 1-year high of $61.67. Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 5th. The pipeline company reported $0.60 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.55 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $3.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.90 billion. Williams Companies had a return on equity of 15.85% and a net margin of 21.17%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 10.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.59 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that The Williams Companies, Inc. will post 2.08 earnings per share for the current year. Williams Companies Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 13th will be paid a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 13th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.31%. Williams Companiess payout ratio is 106.95%. Williams Companies Company Profile (Free Report) The Williams Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company primarily in the United States. It operates through Transmission & Gulf of Mexico, Northeast G&P, West, and Gas & NGL Marketing Services segments. The Transmission & Gulf of Mexico segment comprises natural gas pipelines; Transco, Northwest pipeline, MountainWest, and related natural gas storage facilities; and natural gas gathering and processing, and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WMB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Williams Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Williams Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stock analysts at Citizens Jmp began coverage on shares of American Integrity Insurance Group (NYSE:AII Get Free Report) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, MarketBeat.com reports. The brokerage set an outperform rating and a $23.00 price target on the stock. Citizens Jmps price objective would suggest a potential upside of 38.89% from the companys previous close. A number of other equities analysts have also commented on AII. Piper Sandler started coverage on shares of American Integrity Insurance Group in a report on Monday. They set an overweight rating and a $20.00 price target on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised American Integrity Insurance Group to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, American Integrity Insurance Group presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $21.50. Get American Integrity Insurance Group alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on AII American Integrity Insurance Group Trading Up 0.4% About American Integrity Insurance Group American Integrity Insurance Group stock opened at $16.56 on Monday. American Integrity Insurance Group has a 1 year low of $16.02 and a 1 year high of $19.45. (Get Free Report) We are a profitable and growing insurance group headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Through our insurance carrier subsidiary, American Integrity Insurance Company of Florida, Inc (AIICFL), we provide personal residential property insurance for single-family homeowners and condominium owners as well as coverage for vacant dwellings and investment properties, predominantly in Florida. See Also Receive News & Ratings for American Integrity Insurance Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Integrity Insurance Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Caledonia Mining Co. Plc (LON:CMCL Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as GBX 1,320 ($17.77) and last traded at GBX 1,310 ($17.63), with a volume of 8906 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1,238 ($16.66). Caledonia Mining Price Performance The businesss 50-day moving average price is GBX 1,038.84 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 895.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.38. The company has a market capitalization of 319.57 million, a P/E ratio of 33.03 and a beta of 0.73. Get Caledonia Mining alerts: Caledonia Mining Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 3rd were given a $0.14 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 3rd. This represents a dividend yield of 1.22%. Caledonia Minings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 110.94%. Caledonia Mining Company Profile Caledonia Mining (NYSE:CMCL, AIM:CMCL) is a profitable cash generative gold producer with a strong growth profile, Caledonias primary asset is the Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe. By 2022 the Company plans to increase its annual production by 37%, up to 80,000 ounces. The Company is listed in New York and London with a current Market Capitalisation of U$174m. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Caledonia Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Caledonia Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. National Bank Financial lowered shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM Free Report) (TSE:CM) from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research report report published on Friday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. National Bank Financial also issued estimates for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces FY2025 earnings at $5.77 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $6.08 EPS. Several other analysts have also commented on the company. Scotiabank assumed coverage on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a report on Thursday, May 15th. They set a sector outperform rating for the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, May 24th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $109.00. Get Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Performance Shares of CM opened at $67.94 on Friday. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a 12 month low of $46.99 and a 12 month high of $69.88. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $61.57 and a 200-day moving average price of $61.97. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. The firm has a market cap of $63.87 billion, a PE ratio of 12.70, a P/E/G ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.06. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM Get Free Report) (TSE:CM) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 29th. The bank reported $1.44 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.34 by $0.10. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a return on equity of 14.01% and a net margin of 11.10%. The firm had revenue of $5.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.78 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.75 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 13.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will post 5.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 28th. Investors of record on Friday, June 27th will be paid a $0.7024 dividend. This is a positive change from Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces previous quarterly dividend of $0.67. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 27th. This represents a $2.81 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.14%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 47.28%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 6.1% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 5,857,844 shares of the banks stock worth $359,320,000 after acquiring an additional 334,545 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers raised its stake in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 12.6% during the 4th quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 3,622 shares of the banks stock valued at $229,000 after buying an additional 404 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. raised its stake in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 8.5% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 299,211 shares of the banks stock valued at $18,927,000 after buying an additional 23,403 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors purchased a new position in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce during the 4th quarter valued at about $424,386,000. Finally, Mission Wealth Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce during the 4th quarter valued at about $322,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 49.88% of the companys stock. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Company Profile (Get Free Report) Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Easterly Government Properties (NYSE:DEA Get Free Report) had its price target dropped by research analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from $27.50 to $22.00 in a note issued to investors on Monday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an underperform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Royal Bank of Canadas price target would suggest a potential upside of 2.21% from the stocks previous close. A number of other research firms also recently issued reports on DEA. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Easterly Government Properties from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Compass Point reiterated a neutral rating and set a $23.75 target price (down previously from $37.50) on shares of Easterly Government Properties in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of Easterly Government Properties in a research report on Monday, March 17th. They set a buy rating and a $32.50 target price on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $27.69. Get Easterly Government Properties alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on DEA Easterly Government Properties Price Performance DEA stock traded down $0.21 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $21.53. The stock had a trading volume of 68,865 shares, compared to its average volume of 502,205. The firm has a market capitalization of $966.58 million, a P/E ratio of 119.74 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a current ratio of 4.01, a quick ratio of 4.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $21.95 and a 200 day simple moving average of $26.05. Easterly Government Properties has a 52 week low of $19.33 and a 52 week high of $36.31. Easterly Government Properties (NYSE:DEA Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.73. The firm had revenue of $78.68 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $80.67 million. Easterly Government Properties had a net margin of 6.25% and a return on equity of 1.34%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.29 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Easterly Government Properties will post 1.17 EPS for the current year. Institutional Trading of Easterly Government Properties Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Strs Ohio bought a new stake in shares of Easterly Government Properties in the 1st quarter worth $193,000. Foresight Group Ltd Liability Partnership grew its position in Easterly Government Properties by 0.9% during the first quarter. Foresight Group Ltd Liability Partnership now owns 1,012,520 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $10,705,000 after buying an additional 8,900 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC grew its position in Easterly Government Properties by 87.6% during the first quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 111,019 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,177,000 after buying an additional 51,832 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC grew its position in Easterly Government Properties by 271.5% during the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 115,677 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,226,000 after buying an additional 84,536 shares during the period. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its position in Easterly Government Properties by 1.1% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 714,042 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $7,569,000 after buying an additional 7,785 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.51% of the companys stock. Easterly Government Properties Company Profile (Get Free Report) Easterly Government Properties, Inc (NYSE: DEA) is based in Washington, DC, and focuses primarily on the acquisition, development and management of Class A commercial properties that are leased to the U.S. Government. Easterlys experienced management team brings specialized insight into the strategy and needs of mission-critical U.S. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Easterly Government Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Easterly Government Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Eldorado Gold Co. (TSE:ELD Get Free Report) (NYSE:EGO) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as C$29.55 and last traded at C$29.39, with a volume of 126080 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at C$27.69. Analysts Set New Price Targets ELD has been the topic of several recent research reports. National Bankshares boosted their price target on Eldorado Gold from C$25.00 to C$29.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 19th. Cormark dropped their price target on Eldorado Gold from C$33.50 to C$30.00 in a research report on Monday, February 10th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on Eldorado Gold from C$29.00 to C$27.00 in a research report on Friday, February 7th. National Bank Financial upgraded Eldorado Gold to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on Eldorado Gold from C$25.00 to C$29.00 in a research report on Monday, April 21st. Get Eldorado Gold alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Eldorado Gold Eldorado Gold Price Performance Insider Buying and Selling at Eldorado Gold The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of C$25.86 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$23.18. The company has a market cap of C$4.19 billion, a PE ratio of 15.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 56.20 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a current ratio of 3.37, a quick ratio of 2.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 23.28. In other news, Senior Officer Frank Hamilton Herbert sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$27.64, for a total transaction of C$55,280.00. Also, Senior Officer Nicolae Stanca sold 4,235 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$13.92, for a total value of C$58,951.20. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 34,063 shares of company stock valued at $753,143. 0.58% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. About Eldorado Gold (Get Free Report) Eldorado Gold Corp is a gold and base metals producer with mining, development and exploration operations in Turkey, Canada, Greece and Romania. It has a portfolio of high-quality assets and long-term partnerships with local communities. Some of its projects include Kisladag, Efemcukuru, Skouries; Perama Hill and Certej projects. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Eldorado Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eldorado Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE:EMR Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the eighteen brokerages that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $133.53. A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on EMR. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Emerson Electric from $113.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Emerson Electric from $121.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 21st. Wall Street Zen raised Emerson Electric from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on Emerson Electric from $119.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 8th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on Emerson Electric from $140.00 to $130.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 8th. Get Emerson Electric alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on EMR Insider Activity Institutional Investors Weigh In On Emerson Electric In related news, CEO Surendralal Lanca Karsanbhai sold 16,698 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.33, for a total value of $1,892,384.34. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 164,957 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,694,576.81. The trade was a 9.19% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . Corporate insiders own 0.50% of the companys stock. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Emerson Electric by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 53,536,974 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $6,634,837,000 after buying an additional 384,313 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in shares of Emerson Electric by 6.9% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 15,280,950 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,675,403,000 after buying an additional 980,652 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Emerson Electric by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 11,685,615 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,443,725,000 after buying an additional 232,540 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of Emerson Electric by 9.3% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 7,166,817 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $785,770,000 after buying an additional 611,105 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Emerson Electric in the 4th quarter valued at $885,886,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.30% of the companys stock. Emerson Electric Stock Down 0.5% Emerson Electric stock opened at $119.27 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $67.09 billion, a PE ratio of 28.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 1.26. Emerson Electric has a 12 month low of $90.06 and a 12 month high of $134.85. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $108.64 and a 200-day simple moving average of $118.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 1.54 and a quick ratio of 1.17. Emerson Electric (NYSE:EMR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The industrial products company reported $1.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.41 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $4.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.42 billion. Emerson Electric had a return on equity of 12.08% and a net margin of 13.74%. The businesss revenue was up 1.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.36 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Emerson Electric will post 5.96 EPS for the current fiscal year. Emerson Electric 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 $0.5275 dividend. This represents a $2.11 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.77%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 16th. Emerson Electrics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 50.48%. About Emerson Electric (Get Free Report Emerson Electric Co, a technology and software company, provides various solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and consumer markets in the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. It operates in six segments: Final Control, Control Systems & Software, Measurement & Analytical, AspenTech, Discrete Automation, and Safety & Productivity. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Emerson Electric Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Emerson Electric and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report) by 4.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,077 shares of the insurance providers stock after purchasing an additional 163 shares during the period. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $1,078,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of TRV. Bank of America Corp DE raised its holdings in Travelers Companies by 236.9% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 3,507,219 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $844,854,000 after acquiring an additional 2,466,098 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Travelers Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $560,918,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in Travelers Companies by 31,132.9% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,203,481 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $582,733,000 after acquiring an additional 2,196,426 shares during the last quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. raised its holdings in Travelers Companies by 153.8% in the 4th quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 1,497,339 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $360,694,000 after acquiring an additional 907,266 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Travelers Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $138,619,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.45% of the companys stock. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades TRV has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Travelers Companies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Travelers Companies from $287.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Evercore ISI increased their price target on shares of Travelers Companies from $288.00 to $296.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on shares of Travelers Companies from $290.00 to $303.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. Finally, HSBC cut shares of Travelers Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $270.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Monday, March 24th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Travelers Companies has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $271.11. Travelers Companies Price Performance Travelers Companies stock opened at $275.95 on Monday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $261.47 and a 200-day simple moving average of $253.59. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $200.21 and a 12-month high of $277.65. The company has a current ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The stock has a market cap of $62.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.65 and a beta of 0.53. Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 16th. The insurance provider reported $1.91 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.53 by $1.38. Travelers Companies had a net margin of 10.77% and a return on equity of 19.06%. The firm had revenue of $10.52 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.97 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $4.69 EPS. Equities analysts expect that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.02 EPS for the current fiscal year. Travelers Companies Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 10th will be paid a $1.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 10th. This is a positive change from Travelers Companiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.05. This represents a $4.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.59%. Travelers Companiess payout ratio is currently 23.95%. Insider Buying and Selling at Travelers Companies In other news, EVP Maria Olivo sold 36,199 shares of Travelers Companies stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.20, for a total value of $9,925,765.80. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 118,116 shares of the companys stock, valued at $32,387,407.20. The trade was a 23.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Vice Chairman William H. Heyman sold 2,000 shares of Travelers Companies stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.50, for a total transaction of $549,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 255,086 shares in the company, valued at approximately $70,021,107. The trade was a 0.78% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 163,869 shares of company stock worth $44,868,201. 1.46% of the stock is owned by company insiders. About Travelers Companies (Free Report) The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Travelers Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Travelers Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lbmc Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report) by 33.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 31,461 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 7,933 shares during the period. Lbmc Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Southern were worth $2,893,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of SO. Investors Research Corp grew its position in shares of Southern by 400.0% in the 1st quarter. Investors Research Corp now owns 270 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 216 shares during the period. YANKCOM Partnership bought a new stake in shares of Southern during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. WFA Asset Management Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Southern by 84.9% during the 4th quarter. WFA Asset Management Corp now owns 429 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 197 shares during the period. Valley National Advisers Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Southern by 244.4% during the 4th quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 434 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 308 shares during the period. Finally, Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Southern during the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. Institutional investors own 64.10% of the companys stock. Get Southern alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages recently commented on SO. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Southern from $83.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Southern from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $94.00 target price for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of Southern from $83.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Southern from $95.00 to $99.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Southern in a report on Thursday, March 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Southern presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $92.21. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CEO Kimberly S. Greene sold 32,190 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.12, for a total transaction of $2,997,532.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 106,819 shares in the company, valued at $9,946,985.28. This represents a 23.16% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.16% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Southern Price Performance Shares of NYSE:SO opened at $89.94 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $89.89 and a 200-day moving average of $87.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $98.85 billion, a PE ratio of 22.43, a PEG ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 0.40. The company has a current ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.60. The Southern Company has a 12 month low of $76.96 and a 12 month high of $94.45. Southern (NYSE:SO Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.23 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.20 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $7.78 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.17 billion. Southern had a net margin of 16.47% and a return on equity of 12.23%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 17.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.03 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that The Southern Company will post 4.29 EPS for the current fiscal year. Southern Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Investors of record on Monday, May 19th will be given a dividend of $0.74 per share. This represents a $2.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.29%. This is a boost from Southerns previous quarterly dividend of $0.72. Southerns dividend payout ratio is currently 70.64%. Southern Company Profile (Free Report) The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. LVW Advisors LLC reduced its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) by 2.0% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 26,762 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 554 shares during the quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. accounts for approximately 0.8% of LVW Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 22nd largest holding. LVW Advisors LLCs holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $6,565,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Redwood Park Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Sellwood Investment Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Investment Counsel Co. of Nevada bought a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Midwest Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Finally, Prudent Man Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $43,000. 71.55% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get JPMorgan Chase & Co. alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on JPM. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $273.00 to $265.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 1st. UBS Group boosted their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $277.00 to $305.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 17th. Baird R W upgraded JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, March 7th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $235.00 to $236.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 20th. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $220.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 20th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, JPMorgan Chase & Co. presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $266.65. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Trading Down 0.2% Shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock opened at $263.97 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. The firm has a market cap of $733.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 1.07. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $245.86 and a 200-day simple moving average of $249.24. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a fifty-two week low of $190.88 and a fifty-two week high of $280.25. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 11th. The financial services provider reported $5.07 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.63 by $0.44. The business had revenue of $45.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $43.62 billion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a return on equity of 16.99% and a net margin of 20.96%. The companys revenue was up 8.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $4.44 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 18.1 EPS for the current fiscal year. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 3rd will be issued a $1.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 3rd. This represents a $5.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.12%. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 27.49%. Insider Activity In other news, insider Robin Leopold sold 1,250 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, March 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.92, for a total value of $308,650.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 49,127 shares in the company, valued at $12,130,438.84. This represents a 2.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, General Counsel Stacey Friedman sold 2,821 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $265.71, for a total value of $749,567.91. Following the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 68,757 shares in the company, valued at $18,269,422.47. This trade represents a 3.94% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 95,594 shares of company stock worth $23,991,061 over the last 90 days. 0.47% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. About JPMorgan Chase & Co. (Free Report) JPMorgan Chase & Co is a financial holding company, which engages in the provision of financial and investment banking services. It focuses on investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. It operates through the following segments: Consumer and Community Banking (CCB), Commercial and Investment Bank (CIB), Asset and Wealth Management (AWM), and Corporate. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JPM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (NYSE:MAA Free Report) by 22,463.1% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 581,000 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 578,425 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLCs holdings in Mid-America Apartment Communities were worth $97,364,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Metis Global Partners LLC increased its position in Mid-America Apartment Communities by 9.5% in the 4th quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 17,273 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,670,000 after acquiring an additional 1,499 shares during the period. Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC increased its position in Mid-America Apartment Communities by 1,582.9% in the 4th quarter. Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC now owns 6,698 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,035,000 after acquiring an additional 6,300 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its position in Mid-America Apartment Communities by 31.6% in the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 189,428 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $29,280,000 after acquiring an additional 45,519 shares during the period. Starwood Capital Group Management L.L.C. increased its position in Mid-America Apartment Communities by 17.7% in the 4th quarter. Starwood Capital Group Management L.L.C. now owns 219,407 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $33,914,000 after acquiring an additional 33,000 shares during the period. Finally, Sanctuary Advisors LLC increased its position in Mid-America Apartment Communities by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 11,220 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,704,000 after acquiring an additional 69 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.60% of the companys stock. Get Mid-America Apartment Communities alerts: Mid-America Apartment Communities Price Performance MAA stock opened at $156.55 on Monday. Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. has a 1 year low of $133.19 and a 1 year high of $173.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.08 and a current ratio of 0.08. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $159.14 and its 200 day moving average price is $158.14. The firm has a market cap of $18.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.94, a PEG ratio of 3.72 and a beta of 0.80. Mid-America Apartment Communities Announces Dividend Mid-America Apartment Communities ( NYSE:MAA Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.16 by $0.04. Mid-America Apartment Communities had a return on equity of 8.53% and a net margin of 24.03%. The firm had revenue of $549.30 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $551.21 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.22 EPS. Mid-America Apartment Communitiess revenue was up 1.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. will post 8.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 15th will be paid a $1.515 dividend. This represents a $6.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.87%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, July 15th. Mid-America Apartment Communitiess payout ratio is currently 126.25%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts recently issued reports on MAA shares. JMP Securities boosted their price target on Mid-America Apartment Communities from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Mid-America Apartment Communities from $158.00 to $161.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. Raymond James lowered Mid-America Apartment Communities from a strong-buy rating to an outperform rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $185.00 to $175.00 in a report on Thursday, May 15th. Jefferies Financial Group raised Mid-America Apartment Communities from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $148.00 to $190.00 in a report on Monday, March 10th. Finally, Mizuho lowered their price objective on Mid-America Apartment Communities from $166.00 to $161.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $169.50. View Our Latest Report on Mid-America Apartment Communities Insider Activity at Mid-America Apartment Communities In other Mid-America Apartment Communities news, CEO H Eric Bolton, Jr. sold 2,643 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, April 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.93, for a total value of $396,264.99. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 319,813 shares in the company, valued at approximately $47,949,563.09. The trade was a 0.82% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Amber Fairbanks sold 173 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $166.85, for a total value of $28,865.05. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 3,012 shares of the companys stock, valued at $502,552.20. This trade represents a 5.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 7,313 shares of company stock valued at $1,171,707. 1.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. About Mid-America Apartment Communities (Free Report) Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc is a real estate investment trust, which engages in the operation, acquisition, and development of apartment communities. It operates through the Same Store and Non-Same Store segments. The Same Store Communities segment represents those apartment communities that have been owned and stabilized for at least 12 months as of the first day of the calendar year. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MAA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (NYSE:MAA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Mid-America Apartment Communities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mid-America Apartment Communities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Parallel Advisors LLC increased its stake in KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report) by 10.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 17,175 shares of the construction companys stock after buying an additional 1,613 shares during the quarter. Parallel Advisors LLCs holdings in KBR were worth $855,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of KBR in the 4th quarter worth about $1,131,000. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of KBR by 56.9% in the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 3,021 shares of the construction companys stock worth $175,000 after buying an additional 1,095 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its holdings in shares of KBR by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 355,496 shares of the construction companys stock worth $20,594,000 after buying an additional 4,431 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its holdings in shares of KBR by 37.9% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 2,168 shares of the construction companys stock worth $126,000 after buying an additional 596 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its holdings in shares of KBR by 33.0% in the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 882,086 shares of the construction companys stock worth $51,099,000 after buying an additional 218,853 shares during the last quarter. 97.02% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get KBR alerts: Insider Activity In other news, insider Gregory Sean Conlon sold 19,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.59, for a total transaction of $961,210.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 63,533 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,214,134.47. The trade was a 23.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.11% of the companys stock. KBR Trading Up 1.5% Shares of KBR opened at $52.19 on Monday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $51.89 and its 200-day moving average price is $54.30. KBR, Inc. has a twelve month low of $43.89 and a twelve month high of $72.60. The stock has a market cap of $6.77 billion, a PE ratio of 21.93, a P/E/G ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69. KBR (NYSE:KBR Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The construction company reported $0.98 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.10. KBR had a return on equity of 28.87% and a net margin of 4.35%. The firm had revenue of $2.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.09 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.77 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that KBR, Inc. will post 3.26 EPS for the current fiscal year. KBR Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 13th will be given a dividend of $0.165 per share. This represents a $0.66 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.26%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 13th. KBRs dividend payout ratio is presently 22.07%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on KBR shares. KeyCorp boosted their price target on shares of KBR from $59.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Citigroup lowered their price objective on KBR from $77.00 to $69.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut KBR from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $55.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, May 27th. Finally, Truist Financial lowered their price objective on KBR from $70.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $67.57. View Our Latest Research Report on KBR KBR Profile (Free Report) KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. It operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KBR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for KBR Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KBR and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Phoenix Group Holdings plc (LON:PHNX Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as GBX 645 ($8.68) and last traded at GBX 644 ($8.67), with a volume of 14224298 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 634 ($8.53). Analysts Set New Price Targets PHNX has been the topic of several analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Phoenix Group from GBX 500 ($6.73) to GBX 565 ($7.60) and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Friday, March 28th. Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 650 ($8.75) price objective on shares of Phoenix Group in a report on Monday, February 17th. Get Phoenix Group alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on PHNX Phoenix Group Stock Performance The stock has a market cap of 6.44 billion, a PE ratio of -12.35, a P/E/G ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 586.56 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 539.85. The company has a quick ratio of 0.12, a current ratio of 3.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 160.32. Phoenix Group (LON:PHNX Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, March 18th. The company reported GBX 45.40 ($0.61) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Phoenix Group had a negative return on equity of 21.76% and a negative net margin of 2.10%. Analysts expect that Phoenix Group Holdings plc will post 51.179941 earnings per share for the current year. Phoenix Group Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, April 24th will be paid a GBX 27.35 ($0.37) dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 24th. This is a boost from Phoenix Groups previous dividend of $26.65. This represents a dividend yield of 4.66%. Phoenix Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -101.58%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, insider Andrew Briggs sold 151,586 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 582 ($7.83), for a total value of 882,230.52 ($1,187,389.66). 14.96% of the stock is owned by insiders. Phoenix Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Phoenix is the UKs largest long-term savings and retirement business with c. 300 billion of assets under administration and c. 12 million customers. We are a constituent of the FTSE 100 with c. 7,800 colleagues and offer a broad range of products to support people across all stages of the savings life cycle. We are a growing and sustainable business with a clear purpose helping people secure a life of possibilities. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Phoenix Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Phoenix Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. cut its holdings in shares of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO Free Report) by 11.4% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 29,292 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,756 shares during the period. Coca-Cola accounts for 1.1% of Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest position. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc.s holdings in Coca-Cola were worth $2,098,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Douglas Lane & Associates LLC increased its stake in Coca-Cola by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Douglas Lane & Associates LLC now owns 1,034,913 shares of the companys stock valued at $74,120,000 after purchasing an additional 3,901 shares in the last quarter. Wright Investors Service Inc. increased its position in shares of Coca-Cola by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Wright Investors Service Inc. now owns 90,100 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,453,000 after acquiring an additional 1,260 shares during the period. Czech National Bank raised its stake in Coca-Cola by 5.7% in the 1st quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 889,250 shares of the companys stock worth $63,688,000 after acquiring an additional 48,131 shares during the last quarter. Quantum Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in Coca-Cola by 22.5% during the 1st quarter. Quantum Financial Advisors LLC now owns 5,609 shares of the companys stock worth $402,000 after acquiring an additional 1,030 shares during the period. Finally, Mirador Capital Partners LP purchased a new stake in Coca-Cola during the 1st quarter valued at about $341,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.26% of the companys stock. Get Coca-Cola alerts: Coca-Cola Trading Up 0.9% Shares of Coca-Cola stock opened at $72.13 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.61. The Coca-Cola Company has a twelve month low of $60.62 and a twelve month high of $74.38. The firm has a market capitalization of $310.47 billion, a PE ratio of 29.20, a P/E/G ratio of 3.79 and a beta of 0.47. The firms 50-day moving average price is $71.35 and its 200 day moving average price is $67.32. Coca-Cola Announces Dividend Coca-Cola ( NYSE:KO Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The company reported $0.73 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $11.13 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.23 billion. Coca-Cola had a return on equity of 45.37% and a net margin of 22.59%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down .7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.72 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that The Coca-Cola Company will post 2.96 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.51 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 13th. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.83%. Coca-Colas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 81.60%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades KO has been the subject of several research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Coca-Cola from $74.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, April 21st. DZ Bank raised Coca-Cola from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $75.00 price target for the company in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Cfra Research upgraded Coca-Cola to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on shares of Coca-Cola from $73.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Coca-Cola from $70.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $75.81. Get Our Latest Research Report on Coca-Cola Insiders Place Their Bets In other Coca-Cola news, insider Nikolaos Koumettis sold 55,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.01, for a total value of $3,941,055.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 246,909 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,533,008.09. This trade represents a 18.35% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, COO Henrique Braun sold 25,277 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.47, for a total value of $1,806,547.19. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 52,466 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,749,745.02. This trade represents a 32.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 229,761 shares of company stock valued at $16,474,587 in the last 90 days. 0.97% of the stock is owned by insiders. Coca-Cola Company Profile (Free Report) The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures, markets, and sells various nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. The company provides sparkling soft drinks, sparkling flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and other beverages. It also offers beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as fountain syrups to fountain retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Coca-Cola Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Coca-Cola and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL Get Free Report) was the recipient of unusually large options trading activity on Monday. Investors acquired 23,103 call options on the company. This is an increase of 83% compared to the typical volume of 12,624 call options. Hecla Mining Stock Performance Shares of HL stock traded up $0.50 on Monday, reaching $5.64. The stock had a trading volume of 23,740,824 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,351,144. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The firms 50-day moving average is $5.32 and its two-hundred day moving average is $5.42. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 113.32 and a beta of 1.57. Hecla Mining has a 12 month low of $4.41 and a 12 month high of $7.68. Get Hecla Mining alerts: Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The basic materials company reported $0.04 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.05 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $261.34 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $238.50 million. Hecla Mining had a net margin of 3.85% and a return on equity of 3.10%. The firms revenue was up 37.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned ($0.01) earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Hecla Mining will post 0.21 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hecla Mining Announces Dividend Insider Buying and Selling The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.0038 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $0.02 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.27%. Hecla Minings payout ratio is presently 9.09%. In related news, Director Catherine J. Boggs bought 20,000 shares of Hecla Mining stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 7th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $4.99 per share, with a total value of $99,800.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 348,169 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,737,363.31. This trade represents a 6.09% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.62% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Strs Ohio acquired a new position in shares of Hecla Mining during the 1st quarter worth approximately $188,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its position in shares of Hecla Mining by 24.1% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 1,959,276 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $10,894,000 after acquiring an additional 380,448 shares in the last quarter. Aristeia Capital L.L.C. acquired a new stake in shares of Hecla Mining during the 1st quarter worth approximately $333,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Hecla Mining by 20.9% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,285,345 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $23,827,000 after acquiring an additional 739,360 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Hecla Mining by 12.7% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 12,124,216 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $67,411,000 after acquiring an additional 1,366,700 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.01% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have recently commented on HL shares. HC Wainwright restated a buy rating and set a $11.50 price objective on shares of Hecla Mining in a research note on Friday, February 14th. BMO Capital Markets restated a market perform rating and set a $5.50 price objective (down from $7.50) on shares of Hecla Mining in a research note on Monday, May 5th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Hecla Mining from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, February 17th. Roth Mkm reduced their price objective on shares of Hecla Mining from $6.60 to $6.50 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Finally, National Bank Financial upgraded shares of Hecla Mining to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $7.13. View Our Latest Report on HL Hecla Mining Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hecla Mining Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides precious and base metal properties in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and China. The company mines for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates, as well as carbon material containing silver and gold for custom smelters, metal traders, and third-party processors; and dore containing silver and gold. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hecla Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hecla Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TV Asahi Holdings Co. (OTCMKTS:TVAHF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 36,100 shares, a decline of 38.4% from the April 30th total of 58,600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently days. TV Asahi Stock Performance Shares of TV Asahi stock traded up $0.60 on Monday, hitting $19.45. 2 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 259. The firms 50-day moving average is $18.30 and its 200 day moving average is $16.35. TV Asahi has a 52-week low of $12.42 and a 52-week high of $19.45. Get TV Asahi alerts: About TV Asahi (Get Free Report) Further Reading TV Asahi Holdings Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in television (TV) broadcasting business in Japan and internationally. The company operates through TV Broadcasting Business, Internet Business, Shopping Business, and Other Businesses segments. It engages in the video distribution with advertisements using the internet, production of video distribution content, and licensing of rights; mail-order sales on TV shopping programs and EC sites; and other businesses, including music publishing, event, equipment sales and leasing, and investment in film business. Receive News & Ratings for TV Asahi Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TV Asahi and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. County Derry fashion designer Jonathan Anderson is to take on the role of creative director of both women's and men's collections at Dior. In April, Anderson confirmed he was to become the artistic director of the luxury French fashion house menswear, one month after stepping back as creative director at Loewe after more than 10 years in the job. Anderson's designs have been donned by many a star in Hollywood including Harry Styles, Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande to name a few. He becomes the first designer to head both the women's and men's lines at the well-known brand. The 40-year-old, who was born in Magherafelt, said it was a "great honour" to take on the role. "I have always been inspired by the rich history of this House, its depth, and empathy," he said in an Instagram post on Monday. "I look forward to working alongside its legendary Ateliers to craft the next chapter of this incredible story." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jonathan Anderson (@jonathan.anderson) In a statement on Instagram, Dior said: For the first time at Christian Dior couture, since Monsieur Dior, a creative director will work on all the womens, mens, and haute couture collections, further strengthening its global creative vision. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dior Official (@dior) Anderson is to take on the womenswear collection after its artistic director, Maria Grazia Chiuri, announced her departure after almost a decade in the job last week. In January, designer Kim Jones stepped down as artistic director for Dior's menswear. A number of redundancies have been announced at the Derry e-learning company, Learning Pool Limited, based at the Old City Factory on Patrick Street, as part of a global reorganisation. Confirming the redundancies to The Derry News, a spokesperson for Learning Pool said the decision was taken following a recent strategic review. A spokesperson for the company said: As part of a recent strategic review, Learning Pool has made the difficult decision to adjust the size of its global team. This decision was not taken lightly and has been approached with care to protect the long-term health of the business and ensure continued investment in the areas that matter most to its customers. Learning Pool is deeply proud of its roots in Derry, where it continues to have a strong presence and where its Head Office remains at the heart of the company. While change is never easy, the company is confident these steps will strengthen its ability to deliver on its long-term strategy and continue supporting customers with the innovation and service they expect. The process is still ongoing and, out of respect for those involved, the company is not in a position to share specific numbers or comment on individual locations at this time. Learning Pool is committed to handling all conversations with care and transparency, and to fully supporting anyone impacted. Speaking at last week's full Derry City and Strabane District Council meeting, Sinn Fein councillor Sandra Duffy said, although the redundancies had not been publicly announced, she had been contacted by a number of affected employees from the Council area. Cllr Duffy said: Learning Pool is a global organisation and it is here in the city; it provides really good employment to quite a number of people. Unfortunately, a number of weeks ago, we did hear it was engaging in a redundancy programme; there wasnt too much talk about it but I have since been contacted by quite a number of employees who have been affected. I have to say, I have always believed Learning Pool was a really good organisation within this city and provided really good jobs. Unfortunately some of the stuff that I am being told by employees is in relation to how this process was announced; how it has been conducted; and how Learning Pool has been engaging with some of the staff that have been involved. I know the process of redundancy is a global process that it has embarked on but it is in relation to the people of this council area who are affected. What they have asked of me is that we as a Council engage with Learning Pool, on the same basis that we engage with BT regarding its redundancy process, just to try to get clarity on some of the issues they [employees] feel they are struggling with. The Ballyarnett representative subsequently proposed that Derry City and Strabane District Council should set up a meeting with Learning Pool to discuss the redundancy process it is currently going through. [To] try and support some of the staff that are going through that and get answers and clarity to some of the concerns that they have, said Cllr Duffy, whose proposal was unanimously agreed. Speaking to The Derry News, Cllr Duffy described the redundancy announcement as hugely disappointing and causing uncertainty and low morale for all involved. Following the recent BT announcement, I am concerned for many people and their families facing hardship through the loss of their jobs. The Derry News has subsequently learned the manner in which Learning Pool employees learned about the job losses. It appears, Learning Pools Derry employees were informed they would receive an email outlining their position. Thirty minutes later, they had an email saying either their job was safe or that they were being made redundant. According to its website, Learning Pool was established by Paul McElvaney and a small team in 2006 at his kitchen table to bring online learning into organisations in a collaborative way. In May 2016, Carlyle Cardinal Ireland (CCI) - a provider of alternative investment capital in the Irish Market - acquired Learning Pool in partnership with the founder and management team. Under CCIs ownership, the business completed four accretive bolt-on acquisitions, significantly improved the technology and service offering, and expanded its geographic reach. Learning Pool was sold to Marlin Equity Partners - a global software and technology investment firm - in 2021. The deal was valued at 175 million. Representatives from Concerned Residents Around Magee (CRAM) group, which has been campaigning for a 10% cap on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in the city, are scheduled to meet officers from Derry City and Strabane District Council. At the meeting, which is taking place today (Monday), CRAM will highlight how the 10% cap would prevent the dereliction and decline of their communities. The group is also challenging the claim Councils consultation methodology on the issue involved residents in meaningful ways. CRAM described the process as deeply flawed. In a letter presented to Council in advance of its May plenary on Wednesday afternoon, CRAM described itself as ordinary residents who have worked hard to become informed about housing policies and planning because we are already living with the consequences of a swell in HMO numbers. There were several members of CRAM in the public gallery of the Guildhall during the meeting. CRAM added: Our appeal for 10% is based on evidence. Our research, and the extensive knowledge contained within the National HMO Lobby group research, makes clear 10% is the tipping point at which communities become significantly negatively affected by HMO. Many (especially historic) cities across the UK have adopted a 10% threshold for precisely this reason. We calculated, in a typical terraced street in Rosemount, a 30% HMO target will result in an absolute minimum of 44, but more likely to be closer to 55, transient adult residents. There are currently 60 long-term adults living in the street. To say 30% is a balanced and acceptable percentage is completely wrong. CRAM has not had a response from Council to an email it sent in February asking about the required amendments requested by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI/Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) [to the Local Development Plan (LDP)]. It was concerned about the lack of resident involvement in this decision and believed amendments to the wording of the LDP to be of public interest. The LDP will have a profound impact on the city. It must be informed by the opinions of its residents. We are legally entitled to have a say in what is proposed as per the Statement of Community Involvement, said CRAM. Our research would also suggest [the LDP] has been informed by out-dated and inaccurate information that has been discredited or discounted in other council areas, it added. For example, reliance on a 17-year-old HMO Subject Plan for Belfast dated 2008 is not acceptable, particularly as this plan was unsuccessful and has since been changed. Belfasts LDP now has a 20% cap to reflect this. There is no legal reason why Derry City and Strabane District Council had to look at other local council LDPs when there is a raft of HMO policies available from across the UK. In addition, the methodology used to calculate the percentages of HMO numbers is deeply flawed and again distorts the accuracy of the statistics upon which the LDP plan is built. Council has indicated to CRAM it disagrees with it on the validity of the methodology. However, CRAM said it offered no case to support that point of view. Saying you disagree, doesnt make the methodology used correct, said CRAM. Following CRAMs deputation to Derry City and Strabane District Councils Governance and Strategic Planning Committee on April 1, , 2025, it was advised Council would seek ways to address the problem. CRAM added: What we received as a reply was a rehashed document originally written in 2021 that simply restated the planning departments flawed development of the LDP plans. We do not believe there has been a meaningful attempt by the Council executive to find a solution to the problem. There are solutions and we believe that omitting to inform councillors of these options, is misleading. We also believe it is misleading to suggest that any amendment would result in a two-year delay to LDP adoption. On what is this based? The Department has powers to make directions to Council in respect of the LDP. Given the flawed database presented for the HMO cap and the requirement that the LDP protects and reflects the interests of the residents of the Magee area who are directly affected by its implementation, the Department's further engagement would expedite the process and serve to assuage Councillors concerns about a two-year delay, said CRAM. Requesting an opportunity to address the issues at a full Council meeting before the adoption of the LDP, CRAM urged Derry City and Strabane District Council to consider fully the impact of adopting the LDP that allows a 30% HMO threshold. The residents group added: If it goes ahead without amendment, you will be responsible for allowing a flawed plan based on inaccurate information to become policy. This will have profound consequences for the city for years to come. The only winners in that scenario are profiteering developers. A saturation of HMO development is not the answer to Derrys housing needs. We cannot wait until the LPP fixes the problem of HMO numbers. It will be too late. Insist on a 10% cap now. Veteran Derry republican, Danny McBrearty, said he was deeply honoured to be asked to lay a wreath on the Bodenstown grave of Theobald Wolfe Tone - leader of the 1798 Rebellion and the 'father of Irish republicanism'. Mr McBrearty will be laying the wreath on behalf of the Derry branch of the newly established National Independent Wolfe Tone Commemoration Committee, which is hosting the event on Sunday, June 8 at 2.00pm. The commemoration will be chaired by Seanie McGuinness, a former Republican prisoner from South Armagh and the oration will be delivered by John Crawley, ex-POW and author; Sean Whelan, chairperson of the National Graves Association, will also speak. Speaking to The Derry News, John Crawley described Wolfe Tone as a Church of Ireland patriot who never considered for a moment because he was Protestant, he was British. Padraig Pearse said of Tone: He has spoken for all time, and his voice resounds throughout Ireland, calling to us from this grave when we wander astray following other voices that ring less true, he said. On June 8, We want to remind people what Irish Republicanism is really about; it is about breaking the connection with England and establishing national unity across the sectarian divide. Whereas with the Good Friday Agreement nowadays, it has been twisted that it is a United Ireland but it is not really united because you can be British or Irish in the Six Counties in perpetuity. It keeps the sectarian dynamic. It keeps continuing British Government supervision of Irish governance by the British - Irish Intergovernmental Council continuing even after a Unity Poll is won. We are not saying that is wrong; we are saying it is not Republican. People who claim to be Republican should not be saying that is the Republican agenda because it most certainly is not. Republicans believe that an enduring process of national reconciliation can only begin when Britain leaves Ireland and can no longer interfere in our internal affairs. When Britain left the three Ulster counties of Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan in 1922, the Unionists in those counties did sign the Ulster Covenant and 103 years later they are still Protestant, those who wish to be are still Orangemen but they are not the British presence. They are equal and valued citizens of the Irish state. We are firm believers in Wolfe Tones Republican analysis was the correct one and still is, about uniting across the sectarian divide, in other words, what we are saying as Republicans is we should end these divisions for the sake of peace, whereas the shared island narrative is that we should embrace these divisions for the sake of peace. The author of The Yank said he believed a shared island meant we share in Britains analysis of the nature of the conflict as a domestic dispute between sectarian factions. He added: It means we share in the colonial legacy of sectarian apartheid, and we share in the imperial project of divide and rule. Differences that would become incidental in a genuine Republic remain fundamental in this Shared Island. Robert Emmet did not request his epithet be withheld until his country had taken its place as two nations among the nations of the earth. On June 8, we will stand beside the grave of Wolfe Tone, a remarkable patriot, to honour his service and sacrifice and to reaffirm our commitment to his ideals. We will stand not as southern or northern Irishmen and women, not as Catholics or Protestants, not as inhabitants of this island nor advocates of insipid All-Island institutions, but as United Irishmen and women. We will stand as Tone and his comrades stood then as proud and unapologetic Irish republicans. A bus to the Bodenstown Commemoration will leave Creggan shops at 8:30am on Sunday, June 8, and then from Free Derry Corner at 9.00 am. Tea and refreshments will be available to those travelling. Numbers are limited so please phone one of the following if you wish to book a seat: Debbie: 07508 961104; Paddy: 07545 935000; or Alice: 07443 830686. Ancient Silk Road hub inspires global dialogue Xinhua) 10:38, June 02, 2025 LANZHOU, May 31 (Xinhua) -- As dusk falls over the Gobi Desert, the golden hues of the Mogao Caves seem to whisper tales of a bygone era. Yet within these ancient grottoes lies something extraordinary: cutting-edge technology now breathes new life into millennia-old art. At the ongoing fourth Dialogue on Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, this fusion of past and future has emerged as a central theme, positioning Dunhuang as both a guardian of heritage and a pioneer of 21st-century cultural innovation and cultural exchange. The "Digital Dunhuang" project, a decade-long endeavor to create virtual replicas of caves and murals, has drawn particular attention. Delegates examined 3D-printed replicas of eroded statues and augmented reality projections that restore faded pigments to their original brilliance. Jointly hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Gansu Provincial Government, the dialogue gathered nearly 400 participants, including foreign political leaders, scholars, and representatives from international organizations. Marking the first time the dialogue has been held outside Beijing since its 2019 inception, the choice of Dunhuang -- a UNESCO World Heritage site -- underscores its enduring role as a bridge between civilizations. "It is interesting for this symposium to take place in Dunhuang, as part of the Silk Road where so many different items and ideas were traded for so very long," said Christopher Merrill, director of the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa. "When people come together and exchange ideas, poems, and stories, they come away with different understandings not only of the culture they are exposed to, but of their very own ways of thinking about the world." For centuries, Dunhuang's Mogao Caves stood as a melting pot of Buddhist art, Persian motifs, and Hellenistic influences. Today, its frescoes tell timeless tales: Western traders with aquiline noses leading camels meet East Asian merchants; Hindu apsaras (celestial beings) mingle with Chinese mythological figures like Fuxi and Nuwa. "Dunhuang is where civilizations began to converse," remarked Eliso Elisashvili, president of Georgian International University, marveling at the city's "beautiful, magnetic" blend of histories. The dialogue's agenda -- spanning topics from AI-era cultural shifts to museum collaborations -- reflects modern challenges. Delegates from Nepal, Egypt, and beyond emphasized that mutual respect for diversity must be the foundation of global discourse. "Dunhuang offers a blueprint for dialogue," said one participant after touring the caves' vibrant murals. "Dunhuang's openness remains instructive," noted Lee Kang-bum, professor emeritus and specialist in Confucian classics and classical Chinese texts at Chung-Ang University in the Republic of Korea. "In the digital age, we no longer depend solely on a singular ancient Silk Road, but instead embrace countless 'digital Silk Roads' that connect billions globally. Artificial intelligence is also reshaping the methods and depth of cross-cultural exchanges," German sinologist Martin Woesler added. Fan Jinshi, the honorary president of Dunhuang Academy, said: "In today's era, as nations worldwide share the mission of pursuing peaceful development, we hope countries can draw lessons from the Silk Road's historical legacy of civilizational integration and cultural dialogue to advance the Silk Road Economic Belt and promote the flourishing of diverse cultures across the globe." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) There were several heated exchanges in the Guildhall council chamber as the members of Derry City and Strabane District Council discussed the boycott of a council working group by north west environmental organisation, The Gathering. The Gathering describes itself as a collaboration of earth and water protectors, community groups, activists and individuals who come from all over the island of Ireland. The group was one of several local environmental groups invited to meet Councils Planning Working Group on Wednesday (May 27) to discuss their submissions to the review of planning in the city and district. The Planning Working Group meeting was attended by representatives from Faughan Anglers Limited and Prehen Historical and Environmental Society. Independent councillor Gary Donnelly said the Planning Working Group had been boycotted by the most significant environmental group in the city and throughout the island because in a lot of peoples opinions, it was a box-ticking exercise. He added: There is a lot of anger out there about comments made in this chamber regarding environmentalists who presented in this chamber and the word fascist was used. Cllr Donnelly was referring to remarks made by Sinn Fein councillor Christopher Jackson at Councils February regarding members of The Gathering and Save The Moat campaign who had made a presentation to Councils Environment and Regeneration committee earlier in the month. Responding, Cllr Jackson said he had been shocked to see the communication received by the Planning Working Group from The Gathering. That was the first time I've seen communication from The Gathering, who raised concerns about comments made in this chamber and, in my view, misconstrued comments that were made in this chamber, said Cllr Jackson. I just want to point out it was about three months later that I first heard of these concerns. The work of the Planning Working Group has been going on for years, so people that have decided they boycott it as a point of principle over a comment that was made three months ago just doesn't stack up. And to say it is a box-ticking exercise, I think is a bit unfair given the fact Council has spent an absolute fortune carrying out independent reviews. There has been quite extensive work undertaken by council to examine concerns that have been raised by some of those who attended yesterday, and it has come at some significant expense to Council and a significant expense to the ratepayers. Given the gravity of the concerns, we felt and it was supported by the vast majority of people in this chamber, we needed to explore it, we needed the process to be transparent. In relation to the fascist comment, I stand over the comment I made. There were two environmental activists who attended a committee and gave a presentation. They made a suggested proposal. None of them are elected to Council. Some of them have tried to be elected to council but were unsuccessful, so they have come on and used that platform and made a proposal. There was nobody that was democratically elected to council who supported that proposal. They were heard, they were listened to and then it was raised at full Council and again there wasn't support for the proposal. The Waterside councillor said he had reminded people that if we are going to be in a situation where people are making demands of Council and expecting other people to follow what they are dictating to us, that is fascism. There is nobody within this Council chamber that would support that, he added. I made it very clear I welcomed the contribution from the environmental activists; I at no stage called them fascists and I never would but I am completely opposed to any form of fascism, any form of dictatorship and I will proudly stand against those who are trying to impose their views on others regardless of their democratic mandate or not. Thanking the groups who attended the Planning Working Group, People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin added that Cllr Jacksons comments were really bizarre and actually quite dangerous. He said: The reason why they are dangerous is because you you are talking about fascism and who is fascist in a period when we actually have the growth of fascism around the world, where we have the American President embracing actual fascist organisations, when we have Elon Musk giving a fascist salute at his inauguration, when we have people like Tommy Robinson trying to whip people up into a frenzy in Britain - targeting um minorities. We have fascists in the north and south of Ireland trying to whip people up into a frenzy against - the LGBTQ community - I just think it's wrongheaded to be talking about environmental and climate justice campaigners and associating them with fascism at all, full stop, which is what you were doing. And that's what the problem was with the last discussion. What you are saying is that organisations without a mandate, which is the vast majority of organizations and campaigners and community groups, they don't have an elected mandate but they have every right to come to this Council to make case, to appeal to organise protests and rallies and occupations and sit ins, to demand that government and local government do certain things. For years, women came to this chamber calling for the right to choose; they didn't have a mandate. Were they ever called fascist? We have Irish language campaigners demanding equality for the Irish language. Are they fascists when they come to chambers and organise protests? Thats why these comments are nonsense and wrongheaded and upside down. They were the wrong way to describe your disagreement with environmental justice campaigners who should be afforded a platform in this Council to actually come in and speak. Why did he leave? Why did he come back? Whats going on? What happened to Kieran McGowan in the intervening 45 years? Accomplished Derry actor, Gerry Doherty, one of the stars of the poignant comedy-drama The Derry Yank, enticingly setting the scene for the plays curtain-up in Derrys Millennium Forum on Friday and Saturday, June 27 and 28, at 8.00pm. Following last years sell-out premiere in St Columbs Hall, the two-act play by local writer Eamonn Lynch, is back by popular demand. Gerry who is reprising his role as the mysterious Martin Duffy, will be joined onstage by Maeve Connelly, playing Maggie Kelly, and Pat Lynch, the compassionate curmudgeon Kieran McGowan. Speaking to The Derry News, Gerry described The Derry Yank as a great laugh. It is full of Derry humour. There are marvellous moments in it. Kieran McGowan has at least one marvellous moment. I cant reveal what the marvellous moment is but the audience will definitely recognise it when it happens! said Gerry, whose previous stage roles have included the elder John Hume in Hume: Beyond Belief in Derrys Guildhall; he also played The Father in the 2004 Oscar-nominated short film, Everything in This Country Must. Kieran is hilariously funny. He is a typical Derry man. Hes got great wit and humour about him and as Martin Duffy, I am battling against that. Ive been in America. Ive been away for so long, therefore I am missing a lot of Kierans quick-wittedness, revealed Gerry. He added: And, beneath it all there is this undercurrent of Whats going on between these two? And the play slowly reveals all that and then we meet a character, Maggie Kelly, and she has a complicated backstory as well - like a lot of people in Derry throughout what is euphemistically called The Troubles. The three of us as characters all blend into that mish-mash of Derry humour and the rapid fire witticisms, the slagging, and the slagging beneath the slagging. The Derry Yank is a great wee play. I think it is a beautiful way of telling three separate stories and personally, as an actor, I always think when I come away from a play, God, I went nine rounds with Mike Tyson because I can stand on the stage as a character and 300 feet away I can make somebody cry and 300 feet away I can make somebody laugh and 300 feet away I can make somebody think about what I just said. Thats the power of theatre and when the audience walks out afterwards thinking theyve done nine rounds with Mike Tyson as well because theyve been up there and down there and battered and back again and wow. I hate that boy, naw I love him, all those emotions, said Gerry with great enthusiasm. Smiling while, eventually, getting her spoke in, Maeve Connelly, or is it momentarily Maggie Kelly, said she was relishing re-visiting her good, substantial female role in The Derry Yank. She added: Maggie is a strong character. She is feisty. She has had a terrible experience in her past and that is really upsetting for her and she covers that up. It is also a lovely role in that there are lots of different emotions. Maggie is quite nosey and quite cheeky. There is always a lot of banter between her and Kieran. Shes got a well of hurt and pain underneath it which she suppresses but then she has to deal with that and that is interesting. It is not a play about The Troubles but the Troubles definitely come into it, said Maeve. Maggie Kelly also brings a bit of balm between Martin Duffy and Kieran McGowan. She softens their relationship, said Maeve. She takes a hand out the two of them and metaphorically bangs their heads together. I think the audience will like the darker, very emotional storyline about a horrendous experience she has had in her past. I think as any woman does, Maggie lightens the atmosphere but she brings poignancy and emotional depth to The Derry Yank as well, said Maeve, who was full of praise for her fellow actors. Pat and Gerry are brilliant, they really, really are. They are very funny. There is a lot of banter between them and a lot of fun. They have been wonderful to work with and that is the reason I am doing the play again is because they are such good fun - although we have had moments of tension, she laughed. Maeve, who recently had a role in the film The Death of Robin Hood which starred Hugh Jackman and Julie Comer, described Michael Poymor, director of The Derry Yank as an absolute sweetheart. He has a real heart of gold. He is so learned and experienced. He can do stage lighting and sets and costume and set building. He has done it all. He knows his stuff and he trusted us as well to do what we had to do, she said. Delighted to have been cast in The Derry Yank by talented playwright Eamonn Lynch, Maeve said she couldnt wait to get back onto the Millennium Forum stage. The last thing I did there was The Bog Couple by Liam Campbell, directed by Kieran Griffiths. For bonus and hilarious behind the scenes updates on The Derry Yank as opening night approaches, tune into its social media platforms: Instagram - thederryyank and TikTok - thederryyank. Tickets for The Derry Yank cost 24 which includes a 1.50 development fee and are available here. The correct offences were prosecuted in the case of a leading loyalist who was jailed for firearms offences, Northern Irelands Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has said. Winston Irvine was sentenced to two-and-a-half years, with half to be served in jail, at Belfast Crown Court last month following an incident where firearms and ammunition were found in the boot of his car. Irvine avoided a statutory five-year sentence on several of the charges he faced after Judge Gordon Kerr KC ruled that there were exceptional circumstances in his case, namely Irvines work for peace and his charity work in the community. The PPS has previously said it is considering whether there is any legal basis to appeal the sentence. However, the length of Irvines sentence and the fact that he and his co-accused Robin Workman were not prosecuted for terrorism offences have attracted some criticism from politicians. In a statement, the PPS said it understood the public interest relating to the sentences but said some of the recent commentary on and coverage of this case has contained a number of factual inaccuracies. It said the charges were brought under the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004. The PPS statement added: Consideration was given to whether additional offences should be prosecuted. After careful consideration of all the evidence submitted by police, it was concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute either defendant for any additional offence, including a terrorist offence, such as membership of a proscribed organisation. To prosecute for such an offence, there needs to be admissible evidence upon which a court could be sure that a defendant is a member, and not merely an associate of members of a proscribed organisation, or a supporter of any such organisation. Statements in the media in relation to a defendants alleged position within a proscribed organisation do not constitute admissible evidence. The PPS is satisfied that the correct offences were prosecuted in this case. Irvine, 49, of Ballysillan Road in north Belfast and Workman, 54, of Shore Road in Larne, County Antrim, had both previously admitted possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances. They also admitted two counts of possessing a handgun without a certificate, one count of possessing ammunition without a certificate, possessing a prohibited weapon and possessing a firearm without a certificate. Workman further pleaded guilty to possessing a .177 calibre air rifle without holding a firearm certificate. The offences were committed on June 8 2022, when Workman transported a quantity of weapons and ammunition to the Glencairn area of Belfast in his van, which were then put into the boot of Irvines Volkswagen Tiguan car. A short time later, Irvines vehicle was stopped by police in Disraeli Street. A long-barrelled firearm, two suspected pistols, several magazines and a large quantity of ammunition were discovered inside a bag in the boot. While the judge noted that UVF paraphernalia was found in the homes of both defendants, he did not consider that there was a terrorist link to the weapons that were seized. The PPS statement said that while sentencing is a matter for the independent judiciary, the Director of Public Prosecutions is currently giving consideration to referring the sentences as unduly lenient. The statement added: The full sentencing remarks and submissions are being obtained, and the advice of senior counsel sought, to assist in determining whether there is a proper legal basis to refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal. A decision to refer must be taken within 28 days of the date on which the sentence was imposed. The date by which a referral must be made in this case is June 17. Stormont is currently set to fund less than half the number of social homes it had pledged to start construction on this year, MLAs have heard. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said a proposed capital budget allocation of 63 million would facilitate work on between 900-1,000 new build social homes. The target for new social home build starts in the Executives three-year Programme for Government is 5,850 equating to just under 2,000 a year. Mr Lyons expressed hoped that he would be able to drive up the rate of construction as the year progressed. He noted that in the last financial year the initial budget allocation only allowed for 400 new starts, yet at the end of the year work had commenced on 1,502 in 2024/25. Outlining his proposed budget plan to the Assembly on Monday, the minister said: Social housing is crucial, as it provides affordable, stable housing options for those who might otherwise struggle in the private rental market. The inclusion of housing as one of the key pillars of the Programme for Government shows the widespread support to deliver affordable, sustainable and quality housing. My proposed budget of 63 million will facilitate the start of approximately 900-1,000 new build social homes. This is on top of the 105 million for pre-commitments to housebuilding from last year. But this is not enough. This assembly last year declared a housing crisis in Northern Ireland, yet we are left in a position to fund less than 50% of the Programme for Government housing target. Mr Lyons said it was not enough to simply ask for more money as he made clear there was a need to do things differently. The minister said he would be bringing forward proposals to the wider Executive aimed at doing more with the money available. The DUP MLA said his spending plan would also see an additional 3.7 million diverted to the Homelessness and the Supporting People Programme. He said he was also proposing a 2.8 million capital injection to the New Foundation Project to secure 110 units of accommodation to support young people leaving care. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Samsung squeezed: TSMC scales 3nm heights, SMIC cracks 5nm Samsung Foundry has boosted utilization with fresh 7nm and 8nm chip orders from Nintendo and multiple AI chipmakers. Yet its persistent setbacks at the 3nm node continue to spotlight serious cracks in its advanced process competitiveness. After a long dry spell, Samsung's foundry unit is generating some positive buzz with its 3nm Exynos 2500 chip slated for the next Galaxy foldables, alongside a gaming system-on-chip reportedly secured for Nintendo. But as new 3nm projects enter the pipeline, analysts warn Samsung's most advanced node is about to face a full-scale litmus test, just as mature-node competition grows increasingly cutthroat. Samsung's 3nm turns threebut yields still stuck at 50% According to ChosunBiz and the JoongAng Ilbo, Google initially planned to use Samsung's 3nm process for its Tensor chips, but has since pivoted to TSMC. Qualcomm and AMD have also reportedly sidelined Samsung Foundry from their advanced node vendor lists. While Samsung has landed some 5nm and 7nm orders, SMIC's growing customer traction is adding a new layer of competitive pressure to the global foundry market. South Korean sources say Samsung's 3nm yield remains at a sluggish 50%, despite the gate-all-around-based process entering mass production back in June 2022. By contrast, TSMC's 3nm yield is reportedly exceeding 90%, with stronger reliability in both performance and stability. Apple, Qualcomm, Nvidia, and MediaTek are all leveraging TSMC's third-generation 3nm (N3P) process, with plans to transition to 2nm in 2026. Google is expected to adopt TSMC's N3E process for its next-generation Tensor G5 in a bid to narrow the performance and power efficiency gap with rivals. South Korean outlets note that a growing number of firms exploring Samsung's advanced nodes are backing out after failed test runs, shifting to TSMC instead. As one local semiconductor expert put it, the foundry business hinges on trustsomething Samsung has lost due to its yield issues, and regaining it from marquee clients won't be quick. Galaxy Z foldables face make-or-break moment Samsung's Galaxy Z foldables, expected in July 2025, will debut its in-house Exynos 2500 chip, designed by its System LSI division and built on Samsung Foundry's 3nm process. This marks the company's most advanced node in active mass production. Until now, Samsung's 3nm capacity had been reserved for external customers. This marks the first time it's fabricating a chip for internal use, and the first instance its Mobile eXperience (MX) division is using an in-house chip in a flagship foldable. That said, rolling out its 3nm chip in a high-profile in-house foldable raises the stakes for Samsung Foundry. It now has to prove yield viability while managing thermals and power consumption on the Exynos 2500metrics that will be scrutinized as benchmarks of its design and process strength. SMIC advances despite equipment constraints SMIC is steadily closing the distance with Samsung Foundry, gaining ground by capitalizing on China's domestic market. Despite US bans on EUV lithography tools, SMIC has pressed ahead with both 7nm and 5nm production. SMIC still trails Samsung in 5nm yield and chip performance due to its lack of advanced lithography tools. But analysts suggest aggressive government subsidies could help offset that shortfall. Huawei has launched a notebook powered by SMIC's 5nm chip. Local media hailed it as a breakthrough, highlighting that after being constrained at 7nm, Huawei's in-house development and mass production of a 5nm chip signal a major stride for China's semiconductor goals. South Korean analysts caution that SMIC's ascent could undermine Samsung's fallback strategy, relying on 5nm and 7nm nodes to compensate for its lagging 3nm and 4nm performance. Despite headline wins like Nintendo, Samsung faces intensifying competition from Chinese rivals, including SMIC and Hua Hong Semiconductor. Industry sources warn SMIC's growing traction may weaken Samsung's appeal among Chinese clients, posing yet another strategic headwind. Article edited by Jerry Chen Foxconn keeps Young Liu as chairman through 2028 Foxconn Technology Group appointed Young Liu as chairman during its annual shareholders meeting on May 29, 2024, following a major board reshuffle. The newly elected board, which includes four directors and five independent directors, convened immediately after the meeting to vote unanimously for Liu's continued leadership. The new term will run through 2028. Record-breaking performance amid global uncertainty Despite global geopolitical and economic headwinds, Liu highlighted that 2024 was a record-setting year for Foxconn, with revenue reaching NT$6.86 trillion (US$229 billion) and net income hitting NT$152.7 billion both all-time highs. The company's market capitalization also surged by 138% over the past year. Market dominance across key sectors Foxconn maintained its position as the world's leading electronics manufacturer in 2024, commanding a 44.2% global market share. Its dominance in AI server manufacturing grew, with more than 40% market share in that category. In consumer smart devices, revenue increased by 20% over the past five years, while cloud and networking products surged 60% over the same period achievements that Liu said demonstrate a more balanced and diversified customer and product portfolio. Technology transformation accelerates Looking ahead, Liu emphasized Foxconn's commitment to becoming a technology-driven manufacturing platform. Over the past three years, Foxconn's research institute has secured 35 approved patents, with 63 more applications in progress. The company has also published 234 academic papers and participated in 128 international conferences. "Foxconn is transforming from a manufacturing Foxconn to a technology Foxconn," Liu declared. ESG roadmap expansion As part of what Liu calls the company's dual E operating equation EPS + ESG he provided an update on Foxconn's 32 existing ESG sustainability targets and revealed that a new five-year sustainability roadmap is in development. The plan, set to be unveiled soon, will be aligned with global best practices and stakeholder expectations, aiming to address long-term environmental and social responsibility goals. Board diversity and expertise The newly appointed board reflects Foxconn's commitment to diversity and independence. Independent directors continue to hold a majority, and one-third of board seats are now held by women. The board includes professionals with deep expertise across business, law, finance, technology, and management. In addition to reappointing Young Liu and Dr. Christina Yee-ru Liu, the board welcomes new members such as Shang-Yi Chiang, former Co-COO of TSMC and current Chairman of ShunSin Technology Holdings, and Ching-Ray Chang, former Interim President, National Taiwan University and current Chairman, Taiwan Association of Quantum Computing and Information Technology. Among independent directors, returning members include Tsing-yuan Hwang, James Wang, Len-yu Liu, and Yue-min Chen. They are joined by newly elected independent director Tzu-Mei Hsu, a former supervisor, at BankTaiwan Life Insurance and Director-General, the National Taxation Bureau of the Central Area, Ministry of Finance. Hsu is currently the Visiting Professor, School of Business, Soochow University. Article edited by Jerry Chen Weekly news roundup: Huawei's 5nm PC, Wolfspeed's SiC crisis, and China's export chokehold These are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories from May 26 to June 1. Top highlights include Huawei's 5nm HarmonyOS PC as a milestone in China's chip self-sufficiency, Wolfspeed's looming bankruptcy threatening Renesas' US$2 billion SiC deal, China's EUV-free 5nm efforts, mounting export control risks, Samsung Electronics' delayed entry into Nvidia's HBM3E supply chain, and Malaysia's US$270 billion pivot to IC design and advanced packaging. Huawei's 5nm HarmonyOS PC signals China's end-run around EUV blockade Huawei has launched its first HarmonyOS PC powered by the 5nm Kirin X90, built using SMIC's N+2 node and JCET's 4nm packaginga milestone in China's push for chip self-sufficiency. Though its 90120 MTr/mm transistor density trails TSMC's 5nm (~150 MTr/mm), the chip showcases a viable EUV-free DUV-based approach. Xiaomi's new 3nm XRring O1 SoC, made by TSMC and paired with a MediaTek modem, highlights a parallel front in China's chip race, as both Xiaomi and Huawei drive forward domestic semiconductor design under growing export restrictions. Wolfspeed's collapse threatens SiC market: US$2B Renesas deal in jeopardy Wolfspeed is reportedly nearing bankruptcy, raising alarms for clients like Japan's Renesas, which prepaid US$2 billion in a 10-year SiC wafer deal signed in 2023. A slowdown in EV demand and rising Chinese competition have weakened Wolfspeed's finances, prompting a May SEC filing citing "substantial doubt" over its viability. Renesas, set to begin production with Wolfspeed wafers in 2025, now faces possible losses and supply chain instability. The situation also pressures Japanese peers like Rohm and Fuji Electric as China expands its SiC capabilities. China's export chokehold rattles global buildouts, sparks sourcing rethink China's stricter export controls on materials like gallium, graphite, and precision tools are disrupting factory setups abroad, especially in Southeast Asia. Since mid-2024, licensing rules have slowed shipments of Chinese-made machinery, used in up to 50% of some lines, driving a shift toward localized sourcing despite added cost and certification hurdles. China's 5nm workaround: DUV tricks push limits as EUV blockade bites Huawei and Lenovo have reignited debate over China's chip capabilities with AI devices powered by 5nm-class chipsHuawei's Kirin X90 and Lenovo's SS1101both built without EUV tools. Huawei spotlighted the launch on CCTV, while Lenovo kept a low profile amid foreign IP sensitivities. Using SMIC's N+1/N+2 nodes, both chips rely on DUV-based multi-patterning to approximate 5nm. But with lower yields, higher costs, and transistor densities trailing TSMC's 5nm, China's EUV-free workaround remains technically viable but economically limited. Huawei builds China's Merck: Zhuhai Cornerstone to secure chipmaking materials Founded in 2022, Huawei-backed Zhuhai Cornerstone aims to localize key chipmaking materials, like photoresists and CMP slurries, positioning itself against global players such as Merck and DuPont. Despite its addition to the US Entity List in late 2024, the firm retains support from Huawei and SASAC, with over 60% of its R&D team holding PhDs. Malaysia bets on advanced chip design to power US$270B semiconductor ambition Malaysia is shifting from chip assembly to IC design and packaging, targeting US$270 billion in exports by 2030. A key ARM partnership will train 10,000 engineers via its CSS platform. The Selangor IC Design Park hosts firms like Cortical Labs and Weeroc, while local players such as Skychip, StarFive, and Adorsys are gaining ground amid talent and scaling challenges. Samsung edges toward Nvidia HBM3E approval, but SK Hynix remains dominant Samsung may pass Nvidia's 12-layer HBM3E certification by late 2025, but SK Hynix, the first to mass-produce 8- and 12-layer HBM3E, remains the primary supplier for Nvidia's GB300/GB200 chips. Samsung has cleared single-die tests and is in full-package validation, but its role may stay limited. Micron, meanwhile, says it exceeded HBM3E shipment targets and aims to match its HBM and DRAM market share by late 2025. Article edited by Jack Wu Efforts must be made at the Department of Defence to ensure that the father of Dundalk soldier Michael McNeela can receive the army pension given to his late wife in recognition of their sons death, Louth TD Ruairi O Murchu has said. Michael McNeela was just 21 when he was killed in Lebanon in 1989 while on his second tour of duty for the UN. His father, John McNeela who is 84, told the Sunday Times and RTEs This Week show at the weekend that the refusal by the Defence Department to allow him to continue to collect the small monthly allowance given to his late wife, Kathleen, under the Army Pensions Act, has left him poor. The case was raised with Tanaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris by the Dundalk Sinn Fein TD after he was contacted by Mr McNeela, but Minister Harris said the legislation does not provide for the transfer of the pension, worth just 342 per month, to Mr McNeela. Deputy O Murchu said the legislation which governs pensions given to the families of Defence Forces members who are killed on duty, is 80 years old and needs to be changed and updated. He said the McNeela case was extremely rare and pleaded with the government to allow Mr McNeela to get the pension. Deputy O Murchu said he had started the process of drafting legislation to amend the anomaly but wants the government to make an interim payment for the Dundalk father, as has happened in the past with other uniformed services. Mr McNeela said: Not having access to this allowance is leaving me poor. It is only a pittance to the army or the government, what I would be getting. And after all, he was my son too. He said the allowance from the Defence Forces let him run a car and without it, he would struggle to live independently as he sometimes has difficulty walking and added that he felt let down by the State. Read Next: Dundalk IT goes purple to raise awareness of domestic violence In response to the McNeela case, the Department of Defence said it treats any case involving a deceased soldier with the utmost of sensitivity. In this specific case, under the current law, the Army Pensions Act, there is no provision to transfer a dependants allowance to another person, at any stage. The secretary-general of the Department of Defence will this week raise this case with her colleagues in the Department of Social Protection to see what other supports may be available to Mr McNeela. Like all families of deceased soldiers, we will do all we can to support them. Dundalk Town Centre Commercial Manager (TCCM) Martin McElligott has said that he and the team behind the SEEK Festival, are excited to announce that EPSO Seek Art Language Culture Fest will take place from Saturday 7 June to Sunday 15 June this year in Dundalk. Revealing details of the festival, Mr McElligott said that: Over the past six years SEEK Urban Arts Festival has gone from strength to strength but now as we move forward, and look to the future, we are excited to introduce EPSO - an expanded vision for the festival that will elevate its scope and impact. We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to the success of SEEK, since the start of the project in 2019. So many people were instrumental along the journey and we would like to express a special thanks to Sarah Daly and the team in Creative Spark for their invaluable input. Moving forward EPSO FEST creates an opportunity to embrace all the creativity that is happening in Dundalk during the week of the festival - spanning a broader range of events to include talks, tours, music, poetry and more. Martin continued Over the next five years our aim is to deliver a contemporary creative arts festival that brings other elements of Dundalks Story to life in a vibrant and engaging way - celebrating local history, heritage, music, poetry, and culture through street art, creative practices, and storytelling in all its forms. EPSO will encompass a wider range of artistic disciplines and expressions, and offer the public a rich and immersive experience, reaching a broader and more diverse audience. The inaugural event of EPSO FEST 2025 is a celebration of poetry and song entitled Tribe & Fire: Poetry Day and will take place in Dundalk Library from 2pm on Saturday 7th of June. Read also: PHOTOS: Colaiste Ris in Dundalk school awards Organised by Dundalk Writers Group, and described as a gathering of the tribes, this event welcomes visiting poets Bernie Crawford and Ruth Quinlan, Donegal Poet James Finnegan, Cathy Conlon, Larry Doherty, Michael Farry and Eithne Lannon! The audience will also be treated to musical performances by Roisin Ward Morrow and Ines Tola. All welcome. Part 2 of this wonderful event will take place from 8pm in The Spirit Store at The After Party open Mic evening with plenty more poetry, ceol agus craic for all to enjoy! Also taking place on Saturday 7th of June at 3pm: Discover the History of The Green Church with Trevor Patterson - this insightful talk will explore the rich history and community of this landmark building in the town centre, and is open to all who are interested in learning more about the churchs fascinating past. The first in a week-long series of historical walking tours of the street art in Dundalk will take place at 2pm on Sunday the 8th. Tickets are free but booking is essential, contact Dundalk Tourist Office on 0429352111 for more information. Step back in time and discover the fascinating history of Aiken Barracks on a special walking tour led by Sgt. Ricco Lucchesi. Taking place at 6.30pm on Thursday, 12th June, this 90-minute guided tour offers a unique insight into not only the heritage, but the people behind the walls of this historic barracks. Booking is essential, call 042 933 2295/6 Also taking place on Thursday is A Conversation on Dorothy Macardle at 7pm in Louth Libraries, Dundalk Branch. This captivating discussion will explore life and works of Dorothy Macardle, renowned Irish author, revolutionary and human rights advocate. Contact Dundalk library for full details 042 935 3190. At 1pm on Friday the 13th in County Museum in Dundalk, retired fire fighter Jim Kerley of the Old Dundalk Society, will give a highly anticipated talk on the iconic Merryweather fire engine. This historic fire engine travelled to assist with the relief efforts in Belfast during the German blitz of the city in 1941. After the talk Jim will provide a tour of the Merryweather which will be on display in the Museum courtyard. In addition to this exciting line-up of events four new largescale murals will be revealed in the town centre throughout the week! Artists from Spain, South Africa, Ireland and the UK will unleash their creative magic on the walls of Dundalk. The themes they will explore or reimagine include Aonbharr, Edward the Bruce, and St Oliver Plunkett - in celebration of 400 years since the birth, and 50 years since his canonisation! The 4th and final installation is more about our individual identity as it resonates to modern day Dundalk. all will be revealed throughout the festival. Visitors and locals alike are encouraged to enjoy everything that the festival has to offer over the week, be sure to check out EPSO social media accounts or contact Dundalk BIDS & Tourist Office with any enquiries. EPSO FEST and Dundalk Town say they would like to thank all of their sponsors, Louth County Council, Failte Ireland, Colourtrend, Hire Direct, Mo Chara and The Brassil for their amazing support and commitment. The Naughton Foundation Scholarship scheme is inviting all applicants from Louth to submit their entries as the 2025 closing date quickly approaches. The Naughton Scholarships are a scheme of scholarships to promote the study of engineering, science and technology at third level by students in Ireland. Each year from February to June, Leaving Certificate students can apply for a scholarship if they intend on studying science, computer science, mathematics, engineering or technology at third level that year. The closing date for receipt of application forms for The Naughton Foundation Scholarship 2025 is Saturday, 29th June 2025 at midnight. There will be one guaranteed scholarship for each of the participating counties, 36 allocated in total. The Naughton Foundation was established by Dr Martin and Carmel Naughton in 1994 and its goal is to support worthwhile causes in the arts and education. In 2008 they decided to create the scholarship programme to increase their support for Leaving Certificate students who would like to study engineering, mathematics, science, computer science and technology at third level in Ireland. Originally the scholarship programme only applied to students from counties Louth, Meath and Monaghan however it has since expanded nationwide and students from all counties in the Republic of Ireland are eligible to apply. Read also: PHOTOS: St Vincent's School Dundalk awards ceremony Students are invited to apply if they are currently attending secondary schools in County Louth, and if they are studying two or more of the following subjects- physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, mathematics, and applied mathematics. Each Naughton Scholarship is valued at 25,000 so it is a contribution of 6,000 for each year of the students third-level course for a student studying science, engineering, maths or technology in any publicly funded university or third-level institution in Ireland, including Northern Ireland. The school of each winner is also awarded 1,000. Applications must be submitted by midnight Saturday, 29th June 2025 to be considered eligible for the scholarship. The 2025 application forms for The Naughton Foundation Scholarship Programme are available for download and can be completed online on The Naughton Foundation website, www.thenaughtonfoundation.com The closing date for receipt of applications is Saturday 29th June 2025. The right to protest against Israels actions in Palestine, the rights of trans people, and other key issues should not impact whether Irish students can travel to the US for summer work, University College Corks (UCC) students union has said. UCCs communications and engagement officer, Eoin ODonnell, was speaking after the US State Department issued an order on Tuesday night compelling US embassies to pause work on the processing of applications to travel to the US on J1 and other student visas. The order, from the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, suggests that the pause is to facilitate a review of social-media policy by US Immigration officials. There have been reports of J1 visa applicants being refused due to pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel activity on their social-media accounts. Mr ODonnell said that the students of the university had made their positions crystal clear on issues relating to Palestine and trans rights. We are seeing, again, a decision from the Trump administration cracking down globally on freedom of speech, he said. Students shouldnt be in a position where their right to protest is impacting going J1 and we stand with students who will navigate these new processes. The union advises J1 visa applicants and holders to be careful when entering the US and to be cautious of invasive border checks. This means not taking a chance on immigration law and minding themselves throughout their trip and specifically when travelling. A travel advisory issued by Aontas na Macleinn in Eirinn (AMLE)/Union of Students Ireland provided updated guidance to students who either already applied and had been accepted or those who were planning to put in an application. While the work to process applications has been paused, students who have a visa sponsor and who have yet to apply should do so as soon as possible and keep in contact with the sponsor. AMLE president Chris Clifford said that the J1 programme continued to be a vital cultural opportunity for Irish students. AMLE is committed to safeguarding that experience for all participants, he said. At the same time, AMLE acknowledges growing concerns around political expression, social-media monitoring, and student safety. We call on both US and Irish authorities to provide clear, consistent information to protect students rights and ensure their safety while abroad. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) stated that officials had been in contact with the US embassy on the matter. It is important to recall that US immigration policy is a matter for the US authorities, a DFA spokesperson said. We will continue to monitor this unfolding situation very closely. The Cork county Garda division recorded a 25% year-on-year increase in the number of drivers caught using their mobile phones, with 199 people caught on their phones in the last three months of 2023 compared to 248 in the last quarter of 2024. Thais has prompted Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ni Mhurchu to plead with drivers to put down the mobile phone as Garda figures show a spike in the number of drivers caught driving whilst holding a mobile phone. Ms Ni Mhurchu welcomed the fact that Garda divisions including Cork city, recorded year-on-year decreases in the number of people caught driving using their mobile phones. She called for increased use of unmarked Garda lorries, which she said have proved extremely effective at catching drivers using their mobiles. The high cab trucks are accompanied by a patrol car or an unmarked interceptor vehicle and offer gardai a bird's eye view of bad behaviour on our roads,'' she said. She also suggested discounted insurance policies for drivers who are willing to install or use technology that blocks phones whilst driving. It comes as the most recent monthly report from the Road Safety Authority from April 2025 found that over 30% of all drivers currently with penalty points on their licence were based in Cork and Dublin. A total of 51,360 drivers currently have penalty points in Cork - 45,263 people received penalty points after being caught speeding and 6,094 were caught driving while holding a mobile phone. Speaking to The Echo, Social Democrats Cork South Central TD Padraig Rice called the new figures concerning, saying that they: point to ongoing driver complacency, despite the appalling carnage on our roads. It underscores the need for the government to adequately resource the Garda Roads Policing Unit and the importance of promoting responsible driver behaviour through high profile public awareness campaigns. It is also crucial there is proper garda enforcement to ensure that those receiving a six-month driving ban after obtaining the maximum number of penalty points fully comply with the law and stay off our roads. Labour party Cork City councillor Peter Horgan added: Its welcome that the penalty point system is having an impact. But we still need to see an increase in The Roads policing unit in the Cork City division, and we need to see a quicker rollout of the enforcement cameras that can catch and penalise those drivers who break red lights and ignore safety mechanisms at junctions in our city. That is a crucial piece in addressing driver behaviour. Residents of a village near Mallow have called for action to be taken on a building which has been derelict for decades. Pat Rice, a member of the Ballynoe Community Council, explained that they believe the dispensary was bought by the HSE in the 1960s, saying: We understand that the dispensary was last used in the early 1980s and has sat for almost 40 years derelict and unused. The gates are locked with no access to the site, the windows have been boarded up. The overgrown look to the building is an eyesore in the centre of the village and there has been little to no ground keeping carried out on the site, the back of the site is overgrown and is not kept tidy. "Pest control has been an ongoing issue with vermin being frequently observed around the building. They are calling for the site to be transferred to Cork County Council, so it remains in state ownership, and for the council to put it to use as a community hub, shop, or cafe, suggesting this could be staffed by volunteers, with assistance from people with special needs. A tourism office to facilitate tours to the nearby Ballynoe Monastery and ogham stones, a remote working hub, library, parent and toddler or autism friendly space are among their other ideas for the building. Social Democrats TD for Cork East Liam Quaide raised the issue in the Dail last week, and told The Echo: The Ballynoe Community Council have a strong drive to enhance their village by repurposing this building for a variety of possible uses. I very much look forward to working with them, the HSE and Cork Co. Council on this project. Mr Rice told The Echo: This building has been empty for time and eternity, and it got to a point of blindness where we practically saw it rotting into the ground. Were a village who lost our shops, our butcher, post office we had two pubs and both were closed, though one has re-opening now. When I was young you could live in the village and you didnt have to go anywhere else. He thanked Mr Quaide, saying, Ballynoe is on the edge of the county boundaries, between East and North West constituencies, and its hard to get any recognition. Liam has been great, working with us to try and help fix this classic case of state dereliction. A spokesperson for HSE South West said it has confirmed that it has no future use for the former HSE Dispensary building in Ballynoe. The property has consequently been listed for disposal. HSE South Wests Capital and Estates Office is currently working through the Land Development Agency (LDA) and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform processes for the disposal of properties which are surplus to requirements, they said, adding that HSE properties are first offered to all state agencies through the Intra-State Property Register. Cork Photographers are being encouraged to submit their entries for the Irish astrophotography competition Reach for the Stars, with the deadline for submissions at 5pm on June 4. Organised by the School of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), the competition aims to find the best astro photographs taken in Ireland between April 26 2024 last year and June 2 2025, while photographs can be entered across five different categories. For the first time this year, Under 18s can enter the smartphone category the Night Sky in Your Hand. Shortlisted entrants will be announced in late June with the public invited to vote for their favourite to win the Peoples Choice category at that stage. Chair of the judging panel and Director of DIAS Dunsink Observatory, Professor Peter Gallagher said: People have a natural interest and deep curiosity about the stars and the planets. The images captured each year are breathtaking and give us an insight into the beauty of the night sky." Further information about the competition can be found on www.reachforthestars.ie Cork County Council is seeking public input to inform the development of a new regional electric vehicle (EV) strategy. A consultation process to inform the strategy has been launched, in conjunction with Kerry County Council, to establish a guideline for the rollout of EV charging infrastructure across the South-West region. As part of this initial phase of the project, the two local authorities are seeking public opinions to help shape the future of EV infrastructure in the area. Mayor of the County of Cork, councillor Joe Carroll said that EV infrastructure is vital for people living and working within communities across Cork county. This strategy will be the first step in developing a network of electric vehicle charging stations across County Cork and County Kerry, said Mr Carroll. This new strategy is intended to support the growing number of EVs on our roads. It is vital that all areas are adequately served and that the chargers can be used by local communities, businesses and the tourists who visit the South West region. By working together and making it easier for people to switch to EVs, regardless of where they live or travel, we will help to reduce transport emissions and meet our climate action targets. As part of this regional consultation, stakeholders are asked to consider two key types of local charging infrastructure when providing their inputs. This includes destination charging, which involves installing charging stations at popular destinations such as shopping centres, hotels, and tourist attractions; and neighbourhood charging, which focuses on providing charging options within residential areas. The council has said that feedback will be instrumental in developing the EV charging infrastructure strategy, as it aims to meet the needs of those situated in communities across the South West region. Feedback on the proposed EV charging infrastructure strategy, which is now open for submissions, can be provided via an online questionnaire until 4pm on June 30."" For further information, or to access the online questionnaire, visit: www.southwestevstrategy.com. A new flight service from Cork Airport to Izmir in Turkey has been launched which is being operated by SunExpress, a joint venture of Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. SunExpress is the newest airline to commence operations at Cork Airport, which is reporting that their year to date passenger traffic at the airport is up 14% compared with the same period (January May) last year. This new and direct service by SunExpress will be flying twice a week from Cork to Izmir on Boeing 737 aircraft, with return fares starting from 259.99. To mark the launch, departing passengers on the Cork to Izmir flight on Saturday, May 31, were treated to a selection of Turkish style snacks at a special celebratory event hosted by Cork Airport. Tobias Bracht, head of sales for SunExpress, said the airline is excited to launch this new route from Cork Airport to Izmir. Network This new service not only expands our network but also gives travellers from Cork an exciting new gateway to explore the vibrant culture, history, and experiences that Izmir has to offer. Mr Bracht added: Were dedicated to delivering high-quality travel experiences, and this route is another step in delivering meaningful travel opportunities for Irish passengers. Tara Finn, head of aviation business development and communications at Cork Airport, said: Were thrilled to celebrate the inaugural SunExpress flight to Izmir, which is a brilliant addition to our already exciting summer route network. Based on market research, we noted very strong demand for a direct Turkish route, and I would like to thank SunExpress for working with us to introduce this new service, she added. SunExpress is the ninth and the newest airline to operate at Cork Airport, and I have every confidence that the new Izmir route will perform very well indeed. Tanaiste Simon Harris has confirmed that the passport office in Cork is to relocate to a larger facility next year to meet increasing demand. Speaking in the Dail last week in response to a question from Cork East Fine Gael TD Noel McCarthy, Mr Harris confirmed the plans for the Cork office, saying a new building will accommodate further expansion and allow for an increase in staff. Full Capacity At present, the passport office is operating at its full capacity with a total of 117 staff members. It is not possible to have any more staff in Cork because the building is now full. However, there are plans to move the passport service in Cork to a new building, Mr Harris said. I believe that will be ready next year, which will give us an opportunity to further expand our footprint and staffing numbers in Cork as there is need and demand for that. Mr McCarthy welcomed the Tanaistes reply. As public representatives, we often see a large rise in the number of passport queries in the run up to the school holidays, and I have no doubt this is one of the passport services busiest periods of the year. That is why it is important that the additional staff are hired during this period, which the Tanaiste has acknowledged, to ensure that the current turnaround times are kept and no processing backlogs emerge. Sarah Slater A man has died and a girl was injured following a shooting incident in a supermarket in Carlow town. The incident unfolded at 6.15pm when it appears a man fired a number of shots towards the roof of the busy Tesco supermarket at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre. Shoppers and staff ran for cover when two rounds of shots rang out. It is understood that the man, then ran outside of the building and shot himself dead. Gardai have said a white Irish adult male is deceased at the scene. A girl was also injured and it remains unclear if he sustained gunshot or other injuries as people fled from the scene. The girl has been taken to St Lukes General Hospital for treatment. It is understood that security personnel and shoppers called the emergency services as the drama unfolded from their mobile phones. In panicked scenes, gardai and emergency services rushed to the scene as members of the public spilled out from the centre. A local man who witnessed the shooting unfold and who did not want to be named said: All we could hear were popping sounds and loud shouts but I couldnt make out what was being said. It was terrifying. "The man was fatally injured during the incident, his gunshot wounds appear self-inflicted. Men in a nearby barbershop also heard two loud continuous bangs and looked startled from their premises located in the centre. The non-national said: We could see a person shooting and got out of the way as quickly as we could. An onlooker outside the supermarket added: I think the gardai shot him down but now it appears the man shot himself. The public were warned by gardai and the Armed Response Unit to stay away from the scene with them bringing the situation under control at 7.30pm. The shopping centre was evacuated and gardai sealed off the scene overnight. They are currently carrying out a wider security check of the area. The Army Bomb Disposal Team has also been called in as a precaution as gardai became concerned about the possibility that the man may have been carrying an explosive device. The body of the man remains at the scene but will not be removed until the area has been declared safe. Local Fine Gael councillor Fergal Browne said his thoughts are with anyone who may have witnessed the unfolding events and that it was shocking to hear reports of a shooting in Carlow town over the Bank Holiday weekend. Gardai said that they have no further concern for public safety. They have urged people not to share recorded footage of the incident on social media but to provide it to the gardai at Carlow Garda Station. They have also appealed to witnesses or anyone with information to contact them. Anyone with information is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059-9136620 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. Gardai added: No additional information is available at this time. Minister for Justice Jim OCallaghan has expressed his solidarity with those impacted by a serious incident in Carlow. This was a really shocking incident. My thoughts are with everyone affected by the shooting and the community and families impacted including those working at the scene. I would appeal to anyone who has any information to speak to the Gardai and help with their investigations in any way that they can. This is something we never want or expect to happen in our communities. Gun violence is very rare in Ireland, and I am determined that will remain the case. The area in Carlow is safe. We must now allow An Garda Siochana to investigate this incident fully. Speaking on the incident, Tanaiste Simon Harris said: "I am deeply shocked and saddened at the shooting incident in Carlow this evening. "My thoughts are with the families affected and the local community in Carlow after what was a very serious and traumatic incident. "I urge anyone who has information to speak to the Gardai." Sarah Slater The man at the centre of the supermarket shooting in Carlow town on Sunday has been named locally as Evan Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald, along with two other men, was arrested by gardai last year for firearms and explosive devices possession offences. He was on bail at the time of the shooting. He is understood to have been 22 years old and from Kiltegan on the Wicklow/Carlow border. On Monday, gardai confirmed that no members of the force discharged any firearm during a shooting incident. Gardai also confirmed on Monday evening that the man's body has been removed from the scene and taken to the mortuary in Dublin, where the State Pathologist will carry out a post-mortem on Tuesday. The technical examination of the car park scene has also concluded, but the scene remains held, and the Fairgreen Shopping Centre remains closed. However, gardai said that they are now allowing people whose cars were left in the car park to collect them. Access will only be granted to people who left a vehicle in the car park. The man was said to have been walking through the retail premises while firing a shotgun in the air. Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hilman said the suspect, a white Irish man aged in his 20s, then shot himself outside the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow town after being challenged by armed gardai. Ms Hilman said the incident on Sunday evening was a terrifying experience for shoppers who fled the building when the gunman started shooting in the air. Speaking to media at Carlow Garda Station on Monday, the assistant commissioner confirmed that no one else was injured by any of the shots fired. She said a young girl sustained a minor leg injury when she fell while running from the centre. Last night, gardai cordoned off the mans home in Kiltegan and carried out extensive searches of the premises. An incident room has been established at Carlow Garda Station, with a senior investigating officer appointed to lead the investigation. A family liaison officer is providing support to the deceased's family, gardai said. Gardai are urging anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead to provide it to gardai at Carlow Garda Station. They also issued an appeal to anyone with information to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059-9136620 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. The army explosives unit also finished its examination of the scene of Sunday's shooting in Carlow town. The incident area has now been deemed to be controlled, and there is no longer a threat to public safety, gardai said. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan expressed his solidarity with those impacted by the incident. In a statement, Mr O'Callaghan said: "My thoughts are with everyone affected by the shooting and the community and families impacted, including those working at the scene. "This is something we never want or expect to happen in our communities. Gun violence is very rare in Ireland, and I am determined that will remain the case. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he is "deeply shocked and saddened" by the shooting incident. In a post on X, he said: "My thoughts are with the families affected and the local community in Carlow after what was a very serious and traumatic incident. "I urge anyone who has information to speak to the gardai. Additional reporting from PA 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. Amphibians like frogs and salamanders face mounting threats around the world, including habitat loss, climate change, deadly fungus and road mortality. Roads pose an immediate danger by cutting amphibians off from crucial migration corridors and putting them in the path of vehicles, which kill millions of animals annually. Now, a first-of-its kind study led by researchers from University of Vermont (UVM) shows that wildlife underpasses can reduce amphibian deaths by more than 80 percent while helping to preserve ecosystems. Over a decade of research by scientists and citizens from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, the local community and University of Vermont assessed the effectiveness of a pair of wildlife underpass tunnels installed under a road located in Monkton, Vermont, a press release from UVM said. A frog attempts to cross a road in Monkton, Vermont. Joshua Brown / University of Vermont The two underpasses led to an incredible 80.2 percent fewer amphibian deaths. It was surprising. I knew that underpasses would work, but I didnt think they would be that effective, said lead author of the study Matthew Marcelino, an ecologist at UVM. And when we took climbing amphibians out of the picture which in our context are primarily spring peeper frogs we noticed a 94% decrease in mortality in the treatment areas. The research team monitored the road mortality of amphibians in the area from 2011 to 2015 before constructing the underpasses and from 2016 to 2022 after construction. They compared three zones: the first a treatment with underpasses and wing walls; the second a buffer area at and beyond the edge of the wing walls and away from the tunnels; and the third a control area far away from the infrastructure changes. Standardized surveys were conducted during brief spring migration windows across a dozen species of toads, frogs and salamanders. Initially the team found a total of 5,273 amphibians, including 2,545 peeper frogs almost 70 percent of which were deceased and 1,702 spotted salamanders, almost half of which were also dead. The death rates were significantly lower in treatment and buffer areas, where the animals had been using the tunnels rather than being displaced. This underpass in Hallau, Switzerland leads to a wetland and was built for migrating frogs to avoid traffic. SiyueSteuber / iStock / Getty Images Plus The study is the first to provide long-term evidence of the effectiveness of amphibian-specific wildlife underpass tunnels in the northeastern United States. It highlighted that design details such as wall height and angles, materials and tunnel layout make a difference. Amphibians frogs, toads, and salamanders play vital roles in ecosystems and are highly sensitive to environmental disruption, the press release said. Many amphibians in Vermont and a large portion of the Northeast spend most of their lives in upland forest streams or soils, including long winters underground. They emerge in early spring on temperate, rainy nights to begin their migrations from woods to wetlands, flooded meadows and ponds to breed. Its usually sometime between late March and late April, explained ecologist Brittany Mosher, senior author of the study and a professor at UVMs Rubenstein School of Environmental and Natural Resources. Many species will breed in the same ponds. So its not just a single species migrating its many, many species. And oftentimes, we see hundreds or thousands making this movement all at the same time. Roads frequently stand in the way of amphibians journeys from upland forests to aquatic habitats. Planners state and federal transportation planners often build roads between these steeper forested upland habitats and nice flat aquatic habitats, Mosher said. So the roads are placed exactly in the wrong spot if you were an amphibian planner. Because they are small and move slowly, amphibians are particularly vulnerable to vehicle collisions. Unlike larger mammals that might dart across a road in seconds, frogs and salamanders can take several minutes to cross and with hundreds migrating at once, mortality rates can be staggering, the press release said. The cost of the 0.81-mile stretch of road that the underpasses cover was $342,397 much lower than that of large overpasses and underpasses designed for mammals, which can run anywhere from $500,000 to almost $100 million each. The amphibian underpass design features two concrete tunnels that are four feet wide with wing walls that help guide them toward the tunnels and underneath the road. The Lewis Creek Association used wildlife cameras to count 2,208 amphibians using one underpass in 2016. Other animals also took advantage of the tunnels, including bobcats, porcupines, bears, snakes, birds and racoons. The researchers emphasize that their findings should be used as a model for policymakers and road planners across the country. This study provides strong evidence that wildlife underpasses work, Marcelino said. We hope this will encourage transportation departments to include them in future plans, when building or repairing roads. Mosher added that the underpasses are not only helpful for amphibians, but demonstrate that communities can work together to protect local wildlife. This story began with local community members who were engaged and concerned, Mosher said. And it provides a view for how other communities can protect their amphibian populations too. The study highlights the crucial role of research, community engagement and investment in targeted infrastructure to support biodiversity. Conservation takes commitment, Marcelino said. But when we invest in good tools and take the time to do it right, the payoff for ecosystems and wildlife can be enormous. These are beautiful creatures so beautiful, so ancient. The findings of the study, Assessing the Efficacy of Wildlife Underpasses in Mitigating Amphibian Road Mortality: A Case Study from the Northeastern United States, were published in the Journal for Nature Conservation. Elizabeth City, N.C. An Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) professor has received one of the highest honors in the University of North Carolina Systeman award that celebrates exceptional teaching and the power of impact and influence in students lives. Adetayo Victor Adedeji, Ph.D., professor of physics, has been named a recipient of the prestigious 2025 University of North Carolina Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching. Established in 1993, the Board of Governors Award recognizes exceptional faculty across the UNC System who demonstrate a steadfast commitment to teaching, scholarship and student success. With this honor comes a $12,500 stipend and formal recognition during each universitys spring commencement ceremony. Since joining ECSU in 2007, Adedeji has become a pillar of the Department of Chemistry and Physics, earning accolades for his innovative teaching, research and mentorship. He has secured over $6.5 million in research funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Defense, authored 47 peer-reviewed publications, and remains deeply involved in national scientific discourse through conferences and collaborations. Teachinginstilling curiosity, feeding a thirst for knowledge, and creating lifelong learnersis the foundation of the University of North Carolina System, said UNC System President Peter Hans to Adedeji in a formal letter. I am grateful for your passion, expertise and scholarship, and join the Board of Governors in congratulating you on your achievement. Yet for Adedeji, the heartbeat of his work is his students. Adedeji opens new doors for his students, helping them discover talents and abilities they never knew they had, said Interim Chancellor Catherine Edmonds. His classes are dynamic and engaging, incorporating innovative group work, hands-on experiments, and thoughtful discussions that enable his students to thrive academically and personally. His teaching philosophy, developed over the years at ECSU, centers on action-based learning. I have always believed that you learn physics concepts not just by listening to lectures but by doing. Doing those examples again, doing homework and talking about issues encountered in the process of doing. he explained. Homework is not a test but a tool to deepen understanding of concepts. That is why they have multiple attempts per question and the opportunities to get help from the instructor, course tutor and classmates. As a former faculty member at Georgia Southern University and a graduate research assistant at Auburn University as a graduate student, Adedeji exemplifies the ideal educator, committed to rigorous academic standards and nurturing each students growth. He believes todays professors must do more than lecturethey must inspire. The role of a professor today is to introduce students to concepts in the subject matter through discussions, demonstrations when possible, and relevant practical examples that capture students imaginations, he said. A remarkable teacher first sparked his own imagination. I was fortunate to have a very good and dedicated physics teacher, Mr. Bayo Adeogun, at my high school in Nigeria. He was compassionate and firm at the same time. I decided to teach physics as well because of the built-in power to influence the career path of young and talented minds. His former teachers shaped his decision to enter education and his style. Some of them were so funny, and I like to be funny sometimes to ease the tension of learning new, not-so-easy concepts, he said. Adedeji recalls defining moments of connection in his teaching journey. A good teacher keeps eye contact with the students most of the time. Points of absolute satisfaction come for me at times when I am looking at my students eyes, and I am 100% certain that the student just understood what I was trying to explainand the student turns around, providing alternative explanations to the concept we were discussing. It is always magical! Success isnt solely about test scores for Adedeji. Its measured in transformation. True success comes for me when I see a change in attitude and dedication, students who failed the class during their first attempt and decided to re-take the class with a new commitment and passed with a very good grade, and hardworking students who will not give up and will not quit even when the test grades are very bad. They actively seek and find help to ensure their success in the class. He warns against the temptation to lower standards. His advice to new faculty members is rooted in conviction and care. Do not give up on the students even when you think the concepts are so difficult and they may not be able to understand them. The easiest and cheapest thing to do is not to cover what you think the student may not understand, though it is essential to their success. That sense of purpose is his enduring why. I have had many mentees who passed through my courses and had research experience in my research lab and have now completed or are about to complete their doctoral programs. Some have become reputable educators or established medical professionals or are currently in professional schools, he said. Adedeji was formally recognized during ECSUs 2025 spring commencement. As ECSU continues to demonstrate academic excellence, this honor is a reminder of the transformational impact of excellent teachingmeasured not only in accolades but in the lives forever changed by one professors belief in the power of learning. Google is still waiting to hear how it will have to address its monopoly in the search engine business it plans to appeal the judgement but in the meantime, it also has to answer to its shareholders. According to a report from The Financial Times, Google's parent company Alphabet has reached a preliminary settlement with shareholders who were also suing the company for allowing Google's anticompetitive behavior, which they believe exposed the company to "reputational damage" and "substantial costs." The new settlement will reportedly force Alphabet to rebuild its "global compliance structure" and will cost the company a minimum of $500 million over the next 10 years to make it happen. At its most basic, this means establishing some kind of committee within the Alphabet board to oversee regulatory issues, of which Google has accrued many in the last few years. "A new body made up of senior executives would meanwhile report directly to chief executive Sundar Pichai," FT writes, while another group "consisting of product managers and internal compliance experts," would consult. The goal is to prevent Alphabet and its subsidiaries from making the kind of business decision that led to Google being deemed a monopoly on multiple counts. A judge will need to approve the settlement before the company can move forward, though. The case against Alphabet officials like Sundar Pichai and Sergey Brin was originally brought by a Michigan pension fund on behalf of shareholders back in 2021. In comparison to the structural changes the US Department of Justice is requesting, paying some money and forming some committees is a small ask. In the grand scheme of things, changing how Alphabet deals with regulation will likely be one of the more minor ways the company's business is forced to change in the next few years. Loretta Swit, the Emmy Award-winning actress who portrayed Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on the groundbreaking television series "M*A*S*H*," died Friday at her New York City home at 87 years old. Harlan Boll, the star's publicist, confirmed Swit passed away from natural causes in the early morning hours of May 30, shortly after midnight. Swit earned widespread recognition for her role as the demanding head nurse of a mobile Army surgical hospital during the Korean War on the CBS series that aired from 1972 to 1983. She won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1980 and 1982, along with ten consecutive nominations throughout the show's run. The actress appeared in 240 of the show's 251 episodes during its 11-season run. Along with Alan Alda, who played Hawkeye Pierce, Swit was one of only two actors to appear in both the pilot and series finale. The latter of which attracted more than 100 million viewers, making it the most-watched episode of any scripted series in television history. Swit transformed the character of Major Houlihan from Sally Kellerman's one-dimensional portrayal in Robert Altman's 1970 film into a complex, evolving character on television. The growing feminist movement of the 1970s influenced her decision, but much of the change stemmed from the actress' own input with the show's writers. "Around the second or third year I decided to try to play her as a real person, in an intelligent fashion, even if it meant hurting the jokes," Swit told author Suzy Kalter. She emphasized treating the character's development as continuous rather than episodic, saying she "took each traumatic change that happened in her life and kept it." Born Loretta Jane Szwed in Passaic, New Jersey, in 1937 to Polish immigrants, Swit studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts before moving to Hollywood in 1969. Beyond "M*A*S*H*," she appeared in numerous television shows including "Gunsmoke," "Hawaii Five-O," "Mission: Impossible," and "Bonanza." Swit also maintained an active theater career, starring on Broadway in "Same Time, Next Year" in 1975 and "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" in 1986. She was a passionate animal rights advocate, establishing the SwitHeart Animal Alliance in 2016 and serving as a spokesperson for Humane World for Animals, formerly the Humane Society of the United States, as per the Hollywood Reporter. Megyn Kelly wasted no time criticizing Michelle Obama's recent remarks about her marriage to former President Barack Obama on "The Megyn Kelly Show." Michelle recently opened up about the inevitable challenges in a long marriage, telling listeners on her podcast that "you're gonna have a bad decade" in a relationship that lasts decades. "If the odds were you're going to be married to your partner for 50 years, and 10 of those years could be bad, you'd sign up for it," Michelle said. Kelly was quick to challenge this outlook. "Is it, Michelle? It's not. I've been married for 17 and a half years, and not one was bad. I think she and he married the wrong people." The journalist also argued that Michelle seeks to be the dominant figure in the marriage, saying bluntly, "She's supposed to be the star, Michelle Obama." Kelly aimed Michelle's "IMO" podcast, which, despite heavy promotion, has only attracted about 200,000 subscribers. Kelly found it telling that the former first lady was interviewing Dr. Sharon Malone, wife of former Attorney General Eric Holder, suggesting both women are frustrated about their perceived secondary status compared to their high-profile husbands. "As these two ladies, married to two very famous men, are pissed that they are not the alpha in terms of popularity and recognition in their marriages." The commentator added that this fits a broader pattern of complaints from the former first lady about not receiving enough attention or recognition for her role during Barack's presidency. Beyond issues of fame and recognition, Kelly accused Michelle of being out of touch with the real problems many Americans face. "How do you not stop, especially when your husband was commander in chief for eight years, and think there will be people who hear this clip who have no arms and legs, thanks to these wars that we fought in Iraq and Afghanistan?" Kelly said, referring to injured veterans and first responders. She said people who have experienced severe hardships "don't want to hear about how someone had to reach past her to shake Barack Obama's hand." Kelly argued that Michelle Obama "has zero perspective for what actual problems are." Public Appearances Amid Divorce Rumors Amid months of rumors suggesting the Obamas' marriage was in trouble, the couple was recently seen together on a date night in New York City, putting those speculations to rest. Michelle appeared radiant in a black lace dress as she smiled, leading Barack Obama out of The Lowell Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The couple left under the protection of the Secret Service. Pax Jolie-Pitt, the 21-year-old son of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, was spotted in a troubling state after a night of partying in Los Angeles over the weekend. According to eyewitnesses and photos obtained by DailyMail, the young adult needed help from friends to stand and walk after leaving the Chateau Marmont hotel on Saturday night. Pax, a budding photographer and former assistant director on one of Jolie's recent films, looked visibly unsteady as he exited the well-known celebrity hotspot. Dressed in a black t-shirt and tan pants, he appeared to have trouble keeping his balance. Friends were seen holding him up as he stumbled on the sidewalk. The group, which included four women and one man, later visited a local strip club, where Pax was seen showing his ID and being searched by security before entering. The group reportedly stayed for about 30 minutes and ended their night around 2:30 am. One of the women was seen holding hands with Pax and attempting to shield her face from photographers. Though Pax smiled and seemed to be enjoying himself, the scene raised concerns about his well-being. The outing comes after a rough few years for him, including two serious e-bike accidents and the lasting impact of his parents' highly publicized divorce. EXCLUSIVE Fears for 'troubled' child of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt pictured unable to STAND on wild night out weeks after near-death accidenthttps://t.co/71ZoKaCO8i Top-news (@ZasaAdam667777) June 1, 2025 Angelina Jolie's Son Pax Suffered Serious Head Injury in 2023 Bike Crash In July 2023, Pax crashed into a car while riding an electric bike without a helmet, suffering a head injury. Witnesses initially feared the crash was fatal. He reportedly experienced "complex trauma" and faced a long recovery. Just months later, in January 2024, he crashed againthis time into another car while riding hands-free in Hollywood. He did not appear injured in that incident. Pax was just 12 when his family fell apart. In 2016, Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Brad Pitt, sparking an eight-year legal battle over custody and property. He publicly supported his mother during the split and harshly criticized Pitt in a now-deleted 2020 Instagram post, calling him a "despicable person." The long divorce was finalized in December 2024, though some matters, like ownership of a French winery, remain unsettled, Meaww said. Jolie is now reportedly ready to speak more openly about the divorce and is discussing it directly with her six children. Pax was adopted by Jolie from Vietnam in 2007. Though Pitt later became his legal father, Pax has remained closest to Jolie throughout the family's difficulties. Despite the recent events, Jolie has expressed pride in Pax's creative talents, saying in past interviews that he enjoys music, DJing, and photography. Michelle Obama's recent date night with former President Barack Obama in Manhattan has sparked a wave of online speculation, with some social media users questioning whether the former first lady is using the popular weight loss drug Ozempic. On Tuesday, May 28, the Obamas were photographed leaving the upscale Lowell Hotel restaurant in New York City. Michelle wore a black ruffled two-piece ensemble from Zimmermann, featuring a V-neck top with sheer sleeves and a matching midi skirt. Barack opted for a classic black blazer and slacks. While the couple's outing appeared uneventful, it quickly drew attention online, particularly centered on Michelle's noticeably slimmed-down appearance. "Dang. Michelle on the Ozempic," one commenter wrote on Page Six. Another added, "What do I think? Semi-glutide, eg, Ozempic, Wegovy, or Zepbound." A third comment read, "Looking at her face, she lost too much weight. BTW, which of the drugs was she on?" Others refrained from making direct accusations, instead noting perceived changes in her appearance. "What happened to Michelle's forehead........... WOW," another user posted. Michelle Obama, who stands at 5 feet 11 inches, has consistently maintained a lean physique. However, recent public appearances including a live podcast taping with her brother, Craig Robinson, during the SXSW Film Festival in March have fueled ongoing speculation about her weight. At the SXSW event, she wore a burnt orange Western-style jacket with matching pants and black boots. Despite the loose-fitting outfit, commenters claimed she looked thinner than usual, prompting concern among some fans. "The beautiful Michelle Obama is dwindling away to nothing. She is getting so skinny soon she'll be a walking shadow," one Instagram user wrote. Another simply said, "Michelle lost weight." The former first lady has not responded to the recent online chatter. However, in a 2022 interview with People magazine, she discussed experiencing weight gain during menopause, explaining that it had prompted her to become more aware of her health. "I never used to weigh myself. I'm not trying to stick to numbers, but when you're in menopause, you have this slow creep that you just don't realize," she said at the time. "We're all in menopause with stretchy [waist] bands and our athleisure wear on, and you look up and you can't fit the outfits you had last year. I have to be more mindful, not obsessive, but more prudent." Ozempic, a prescription drug initially developed to treat Type 2 diabetes, has recently gained popularity among celebrities for its off-label use in weight loss. Despite growing public curiosity, there is no evidence that Michelle Obama has ever used the medication. Neither Michelle nor Barack Obama has publicly addressed the latest round of speculation. Prince Harry reportedly explored the idea of adopting the surname Spencer, stepping away from the royal family name Mountbatten-Windsor. The 40-year-old Duke of Sussex is said to have consulted with Earl Spencer, his late mother Princess Diana's brother, during a recent trip to the UK. A source close to the Duke of Sussex told the Daily Mail that the discussion between the two family members was "very amicable," but Earl Spencer advised against changing the surname due to the legal complications involved. The source revealed, "They had a very amicable conversation and Spencer advised him against taking such a step." Harry's children, Archie and Lilibet, bear the name Mountbatten-Windsor a combination of the royal family name Windsor and the surname of Prince Philip. If the dad-of-two had gone through with it, his daughter, Lilibet, would have been known as Lilibet Diana Spencer breaking with royal protocol. The surname Mountbatten-Windsor was established by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1960, blending Philip's adopted surname Mountbatten with the royal family name Windsor. The Duke of Edinburgh relinquished his Greek and Danish titles and adopted Mountbatten when he became a British citizen. Harry and Meghan Markle have emphasized that they are sensitive to their titles and family names. When they got married in 2018, they became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and Harry's official title transitioned from Prince Henry of Wales to the Duke of Sussex. The Duchess of Sussex has publicly expressed the importance of the family name she shares with her children, once correcting Mindy Kaling during a Netflix show appearance, saying, "It's so funny you keep saying 'Meghan Markle.' you know I'm Sussex now." The former "Suits" star went on, "You have kids and you go, 'No, I share my name with my children.' I didn't know how meaningful it would be to me but it just means so much to go 'This is OUR family name. Our little family name.'" The couple's children officially became Prince and Princess in 2023, after the couple announced they were being christened and King Charles III took the throne. Prior to that, Archie and Lilibet were identified as Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Miss Lilibet. Happy wool wedding anniversary to Harry and Meghan Sussex May their marriage and fruitful lives with Archie and Lilibet continue to flourish pic.twitter.com/9R0shCVH5f Lorraine King (@lorrainemking) May 19, 2025 Meghan is Still Using the HRH Title Meghan has been accused of flouting her "Her Royal Highness" (HRH) title in private communications despite stepping back from royal duties. In a podcast interview, Meghan posted a picture of a gift basket sent to friend Jamie Kern Lima, along with a note signed "With the compliments of HRH the Duchess of Sussex." Although Meghan, it had been claimed, only used the title in private, its use was challenged as inappropriate by a royal commentator following her multiple promises to the late Queen Elizabeth II. In the same interview, Meghan shared how difficult being a royal could be, saying it felt as if she were "in the trenches." Meghan Markle's recent recollections about her pregnancies may paint an idealized version of motherhood that overlooks its most difficult moments, according to a psychologist who suggests the duchess could be "rewriting memories" as she continues to build her personal brand. The mom of two recently shared details about her experiences during pregnancy and early motherhood on her podcast, "Confessions of a Female Founder." One of Markle's more light-hearted anecdotes is her recall of insisting on wearing stilettos while heavily pregnant. "I always wear my five-inch, pointy-toed stilettos," the Duchess of Sussex said. "You have the most enormous bump and your tiny little ankles are bracing themselves in these high heels . . ." "So you're just going, how on earth am I not just tipping, you know, face-planting? I was clinging very closely to my husband, like, 'Please don't let me fall.'" 'Consumed' by Motherhood Aside from humorous memories, the former "Suits" star also spoke candidly about the emotional weight of being a parent. "People forget that Lili is three, and Archie is five," she said. "So you look at the past five, six years of my life, it's yes, with being pregnant or with a newborn or with a toddler, and then another one." Psychologist Stefan Walters said Markle's recent openness could indicate deeper emotional processing, possibly connected to past trauma. "There's an element of getting a second chance here," Walters told The Mirror. "Pregnancy was a difficult, painful time for them, and at times she seemed to be struggling. It wasn't necessarily associated with a lot of happy memories." He noted that Markle's increasing disclosures may also be an attempt to reclaim that period of her life in a more positive light. "So, now she's perhaps feeling that she's able to create and relive some happy memories around pregnancy and the early years of her children's lives." Markle also spoke out about her struggles following the birth of her son, Archie, during a royal tour of South Africa. In a 2019 interview, she revealed, "Any woman, especially when you're pregnant, you're really vulnerable, so that was made really challenging. So then when you have a newborn ... especially as a woman, it's a lot." But Markle's podcast comments reflect a contrast in tone. "I was like 'Oh gosh, I'm going to give a speech with a baby on my hip,'" she shared. "I had a whole vision and then you fast forward ... granted, I had a lot of external things happening by the time I had both pregnancies and both babies. But it was not the way I envisioned it." The Sussexes, now settled in California, often feature their family in social media posts that show a curated glimpse into their private lives. Meghan Markle has just admitted to having a nanny for the last five years. You have no idea what it is like to be a mother. Beyond shameful, beyond freaking shameful, dont ever speak again about the hardships of motherhood. You full on blatant hypocrite. How dare you, Megan! pic.twitter.com/vImlGLi6WK opinionated russian (@Katsbigopinion2) April 29, 2025 Finding Her Voice Post-Royal Life According to Walters, Markle may be embracing a new level of freedom in how she expresses herself. "She probably feels that she wasn't allowed to have an authentic voice before because it went against what the royal protocol was, and it went against the brand of the royals," he explained. "So she's creating an authentic voice and just being honest and open." Branding expert Lynn Carratt said Markle and her husband may be walking a tightrope between relatability and overly polished public imagery. "While recent glimpses into her life hint at a softer side, some of the narratives still feel unattainable for many people," she said. Still, Carratt noted the couple's focus on family is a step in the right direction. "I think their future PR strategy should aim to portray a family image that is still positive but maybe more grounded and relatable," she said. "Life isn't perfect and acknowledging the struggles, much like she does when discussing the challenges of running a business with two young children on her podcast, would resonate more authentically with the public." As Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial continues into its third week, explosive testimony from former employees and high-profile witnesses has painted a disturbing portrait of abuse and control. But legal experts say that despite the mounting allegations, the music mogul could still emerge from the courtroom with a legal victoryif jurors clear him of the most severe charges. The Bad Boy Records founder faces a series of federal charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and prostitution-related crimes. The trial has seen testimony from several accusers, including Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura, former assistant "Mia," and rapper Scott Mescudi, known as Kid Cudi. Mia, who worked for Combs starting in 2009, testified last week about enduring years of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse while employed by the hip-hop figure. Her gut-wrenching account described alleged rapes, violent outbursts, and being hit with objects, including a bowl of spaghetti and a computer. "I was going to die with this," she told the jury, explaining why she kept silent about the abuse. "I wondered, what did I do to make him like this to me?" she testified, breaking down in court. A shoutout to all of the people who partied with #Diddy and never said a word about the DEMON he is. You all knew. We pic.twitter.com/fHObsSlJRB Law Aficionado (@LawJustice323) May 30, 2025 Legal Expert Breaks Down the Charges Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor not affiliated with the case, told The US Sun that the outcome may hinge on whether the prosecution can prove coercion and trafficking beyond consensual behavior. "Diddy's defense is that these individuals engaged in these sex acts willingly," Rahmani said. "There was no force. There was no coercion. They chose to do drugs. They weren't drugged." According to Rahmani, even if jurors convict Combs of lesser crimes, like prostitution, while acquitting him of racketeering or sex trafficking, it would still be a significant win for the defense. "To the extent that the defense gets guilty verdicts on prostitution only, and not guilties on racketeering and sex trafficking, that would be a huge win for Diddy in the defense," he added. Rahmani also explained that Combs faces "three charges, or three sets of charges," with the most serious being sex trafficking. "Typically, you don't see federal cases for prostitution only, which is why it's the least serious of the crimes," he said. Originally published on Music Times Support Us Your Support will ensure EPWs financial viability and sustainability. The EPW produces independent and public-spirited scholarship and analyses of contemporary affairs every week. EPW is one of the few publications that keep alive the spirit of intellectual inquiry in the Indian media. Often described as a publication with a social conscience, EPW has never shied away from taking strong editorial positions. Our publication is free from political pressure, or commercial interests. Our editorial independence is our pride. We rely on your support to continue the endeavour of highlighting the challenges faced by the disadvantaged, writings from the margins, and scholarship on the most pertinent issues that concern contemporary Indian society. Every contribution is valuable for our future. 1 El protocolo "contra el sentido comun" cierra ya el Retiro 10 dias, un "1%" en el que se desploman el "80%" de las ramas You Might Also Like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, like other European leaders, is racing to rebuild the UK's military capabilities after US President Donald Trump told the continent it needed to take more responsibility for its own security. Artist Anne Nordhaus-Bike has launched a new website to showcase her colorful watercolor paintings and mixed media art. Award-winning Chicago artist Anne Nordhaus-Bike has launched a new art website at https://annenordhausbike.com/ for Anne Nordhaus-Bike Art. The colorful website shows some of her latest art, such as flower collections and mixed media works, as well as her classic colorful horizons paintings and other selected works. It also features her blogs, biographical information, information on purchasing her original art, and a fun section called "Sterling Suggests"whimsical art featuring animals for a cat-approved experience that even her cat Sterling would enjoy. "As of now, I'm a full-time artist," said Nordhaus-Bike, who previously also worked as an editor, writer, and astrologerbut all the while as an artist as well. "The website is filled with new paintings and some past favorites, as well as some of my mixed media artwork," Nordhaus-Bike explained. "There is much to explore, and I hope art lovers have fun exploring it." She added that she is thrilled that art lovers are "with me for this momentous launch and huge step in my art life." By Amy Reast A woman was nearly suffocated by a 1.3kg growth that caused her neck to be almost the same size as her head. Harimalala, 24, began to notice her throat swelling at just 12, and it never stopped. The then-schoolgirl, from Manakara, eastern Madagascar, tried everything to stop its growth. The mass ballooned to the point that it began to compress Harimalala's airways - making it difficult for her to swallow, talk and breathe. The growth got to 1.3kg in weight and was becoming life-threatening before Harimalala learned she could get life-saving surgery. In August 2024 she underwent a four-hour procedure on board MercyShips' hospital ship 'Africa Mercy' to remove the mass. Harimalala says she feels like she's now living a "new life" after recovery - and can eat, speak and wear necklaces with ease. She said: I feel like Ive entered a new life because the previous one, it was uncertain whether I would die or live." Harimalala's sore and swollen throat got worse throughout her teens, and she would hide it with a scarf. Despite trying medicines and visiting a local healer, nothing could stop the growth. She became unable to bend down, run, or carry heavy things like water. It affected her socially too - as she constantly faced stares and gossip from local people for looking different. She said, before her surgery: "I feel ashamed with people and don't dare go to church because people stare at me. "People gossip, they talk they say I have a big thing on my neck." Like nine out of 10 people in sub-Saharan Africa, she was unable to access safe, affordable, and timely surgical care. But in 2024, Harimalala heard the good news that the Africa Mercy had arrived in Toamasina and she travelled over 600km alone to see the doctors. The medical team quickly realized her condition was critical and she could not return home until she had surgery. Harimalala was asked to spend several months at the Mercy Ships HOPE (Hospital Out Patient Extension) Centre, receiving care to reduce the size of the mass before surgery could take place. During her time there, the medical team were able to stabilize her health and she was able to gain weight. Then on August 8, 2024, Dr. AJ Collins, who has led Mercy Ships thyroid surgery program for 17 years, performed the operation. He described her condition as, A typical but massive multinodular goitre, which is the most common type of thyroid pathology worldwide. He said: "It tends to compress the airway so breathing and talking and exercising become very difficult. "It can make it hard to swallow your food. "Those problems just become worse until they get to a critical point, which I think for her, was close." He added: "I can't imagine what [it was] like seeing all the young people around you get on with their lives and do things like getting married and having families or other things. She had a deep feeling that wasn't going to happen for her. After a complex four-hour procedure, Harimalala was freed of the mass. Harimalala said: I really like necklaces, but I had a goitre so I couldn't wear them - but now I can. I can get married and have children now because the growth is gone." Mexico's president hailed the country's unprecedented elections for judges a success even though only around 13 percent of eligible voters turned out for a poll that sharply divided opinion. With Mexico plagued by rampant crime, corruption and impunity, the government and its supporters argued that the reform making Mexico the only country in the world to select all of its judges and magistrates by popular vote was needed to clean up a rotten justice system. Turnout in Sunday's polls hovered between just 12.57 and 13.32 percent of the nearly 100 million eligible voters, National Electoral Institute head Guadalupe Taddei said in a televised statement. Despite that low turnout, President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the unique exercise as a "complete success." "For the first time in history, almost 13 million Mexican women and men exercised their right to decide the new ministers, magistrates and judges," Sheinbaum said in a video message posted to social media. She insisted on the eve of the vote that only those who "want the regime of corruption and privileges" to continue were against it. Voters were tasked with selecting around 880 federal judges -- including Supreme Court justices -- as well as hundreds of local judges and magistrates. Another election for the remainder will be held in 2027. Sheinbaum had defended the judicial reforms but critics feared the elections would politicize the justice system and make it easier for criminals to influence the courts with threats and bribery. Arturo Giesemann, a 57-year-old retiree, said his main motivation for voting was "the disgust I have with the current judiciary because of its corruption." Many voters struggled to choose from such a large list of largely unknown candidates. "We are not very prepared," said Lucia Calderon, a 63-year-old university teacher. "I think we need more information." In the western state of Jalisco, 63-year-old housewife Maria Estrada said she used her "intuition" because she did not know the candidates. - 'Easily infiltrated' - While corruption already exists, "there is reason to believe that elections may be more easily infiltrated by organized crime than other methods of judicial selection," Margaret Satterthwaite, the United Nations special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, told AFP. Hundreds of opponents of the reforms marched through Mexico City waving flags and banners with slogans including: "Hands off our democracy" and "No to electoral fraud." The elections send the judiciary "to its grave," said Ismael Novela, a 58-year-old company worker. "It was the last counterweight we had against the totalitarianism of the executive branch." The run-up to the vote was not accompanied by the kind of violence that often targets politicians in Mexico. However, "it is logical that organized criminal groups would have approached judges and candidates who are important to them," said consultant Luis Carlos Ugalde, a former head of Mexico's electoral commission. Rights group Defensorxs has identified around 20 candidates it considers "high risk," including Silvia Delgado, a former lawyer for Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. Another aspiring judge, in Durango state, spent almost six years in prison in the United States for drug crimes. - 'Good reputation' - Candidates were supposed to have a law degree, experience in legal affairs and what is termed "a good reputation," as well as no criminal record in Mexico. To do a good job, voters "would have to spend hours and hours researching the track record and the profiles of each of the hundreds of candidates," said David Shirk, a professor at the University of San Diego. He believes that most of the corruption in Mexico's judicial system is in law enforcement agencies and public prosecutors' offices. "If you can avoid being prosecuted, you don't have to worry about the judge," said Shirk, who heads the Justice in Mexico research project. The judicial reforms were championed by Sheinbaum's predecessor and mentor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who frequently clashed with the courts before stepping down last year. The main reason for the elections seems to be "because Lopez Obrador had a grudge against the judges," Shirk said. bur-dr/pbt/lb Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday announced a parliamentary confidence vote next week, hoping to demonstrate continuing support for his pro-EU government after nationalist Karol Nawrocki won the presidential election. European far-right leaders have hailed the election of 42-year-old Nawrocki, a fan of US President Donald Trump who has said he will oppose the Tusk government's progressive agenda on abortion and LGBTQ rights. Nawrocki won Sunday's runoff in the highly polarised EU and NATO member state with 51 percent of the vote to 49 percent for Tusk's liberal ally Rafal Trzaskowski. Former EU chief Tusk set the confidence vote for June 11 and vowed to stay on, telling reporters: "Some things can be done better, faster. And this vote of confidence should be a new beginning: offensive, not defensive." The announcement came after opposition leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski of the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party said Poles had shown the government the "red card". Celebrating his victory, Nawrocki said he wanted Poland to be "a state that matters in international, European and transatlantic relations". Nawrocki could revive tensions with Brussels over rule-of-law issues and complicate ties with neighbouring Ukraine as he opposes NATO membership for the war-torn country and wants to cut benefits for Ukrainian refugees. "Nawrocki's presidency will be a rough ride for the Tusk government," said analyst Piotr Buras, adding that the president-elect "wants to overthrow" Tusk. He told AFP the election result could lead to "early parliamentary elections, maybe not this year, but next". Reforms planned by Tusk, who came to power in 2023, have been held up by a deadlock with outgoing president Andrzej Duda, who endorsed Nawrocki. There have also been divisions in Tusk's governing coalition, which analysts said could be exacerbated by the election result. Polish presidents hold crucial veto power over legislation. - 'You picked a WINNER!' - Nationalist leaders rushed to congratulate Nawrocki. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban hailed his "fantastic victory", French far-right leader Marine Le Pen welcomed the "good news", and Italy's far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sent "best wishes" to Nawrocki and said their countries "share common values". Trump congratulated Poland on electing his ally: "Congratulations Poland, you picked a WINNER!" Other EU leaders gave a more measured response. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was "confident" that "very good cooperation" would continue with Warsaw. French President Emmanuel Macron urged Nawrocki to work towards "a strong, independent and competitive Europe that respects the rule of law". Russia said on Tuesday it did not expect Nawrocki's victory to lead to better ties with Poland -- historically frayed and further strained by Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. "We can't expect a politician to come to power with a broader political vision that could prompt a reconsideration as to the normalisation of relations with their neighbours, including Russia," the Kremlin said. - 'Devastating' - Many Nawrocki supporters said they hoped the new president would help curb immigration and advocate for more sovereignty for Poland within the European Union. During the campaign, Nawrocki also tapped into growing resentment against the estimated one million Ukrainian refugees living in Poland. He used his last campaign hours to leave flowers at a monument to Poles killed by Ukrainian nationalists during World War II. Nawrocki opposes same-sex unions and said in April that "the LGBT community cannot count on me to address their issues". He also opposes any easing of Poland's near-total ban on abortion, declaring he is "in favour of protecting life". Tomasz Szypula, 45, an activist, said the outcome "pushes back the prospect of any positive change for LGBTQ people for another five years" -- the duration of presidential terms in Poland. He called the realisation "devastating". Nawrocki's campaign was overshadowed at times by controversies over a murky apartment purchase and his football hooligan past. An amateur boxer, Nawrocki also denied media reports that he had procured sex workers while working as a hotel security guard. bur-mmp/jhb The man suspected of a Molotov cocktail attack on Jewish protesters in Colorado is facing federal hate crime charges, officials said Monday, as President Donald Trump's administration vowed to pursue "terrorists" living in the US on visas. Mohammed Sabry Soliman is alleged to have thrown fire bombs and sprayed burning gasoline at a group of people who had gathered on Sunday in support of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Twelve people were hurt in the attack in the city of Boulder, police said, two of them seriously. Most of those taken to the hospital have now been discharged. J. Bishop Grewell, acting US Attorney for the District of Colorado, told reporters the 45-year-old suspect had been planning the attack for a year. Soliman threw "Molotov cocktails at a group of men and women, some of them in their late 80s, burning them as they peacefully walked on a Sunday to draw attention to Israeli hostages held in Gaza," he said. "When he was interviewed about the attack, he said he wanted them all to die. He had no regrets, and he would go back and do it again." Soliman told investigators he had previously tried to buy a gun, but had been thwarted because he was not a US citizen. Police who rushed to the scene of the attack found 16 unused Molotov cocktails and a backpack weed sprayer containing gasoline that investigators say he had intended to use as a makeshift flamethrower. Soliman faces federal hate crime charges that could result in a life sentence, as well as state charges for attempted murder that could carry hundreds of years prison time. US Homeland Security officials said Soliman was in the country illegally, having overstayed a tourist visa, but that he had applied for asylum in September 2022. Trump lashed out at his predecessor, Joe Biden, over the incident. "Yesterday's horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America," Trump said on his Truth Social network, describing it as a "terrible tragedy." He blamed "Biden's ridiculous Open Border Policy" for allowing Soliman into the country. "This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland," he wrote. His Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, vowed to hunt down people who wreak havoc. "All terrorists, their family members, and terrorist sympathizers here on a visa should know that under the Trump Administration we will find you, revoke your visa, and deport you," he wrote on social media. - Bystander Video - The attack occurred on Sunday afternoon during a regular demonstration in support of hostages taken in the assault on Israel by Hamas gunmen on October 7, 2023. In one video that purportedly shows the attack, a shirtless man holding bottles in his hands is seen pacing as the grass in front of him burns. He can be heard screaming "End Zionists!" and "They are killers!" towards several people in red T-shirts as they tend to a person lying on the ground. Other images showed billowing black smoke. In another video, a police officer rushes to arrest the same man, who is lying on the grass. Several people are milling around nearby. Witness Brian Horowitz told CNN he had rushed towards the scene to see if he could help. "The attacker was yelling things like: 'You effing Zionists. Kill my people. I kill you' at 20 different people," he said. "He was saying: 'You're a killer. You're a killer,' making eye contact with me, telling me that I was a killer and he'll kill us." Sunday's attack occurred during the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. It comes almost two weeks after the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers outside a Jewish museum in Washington, where a 31-year-old suspect, who shouted "Free Palestine," was arrested. Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon voiced outrage. "Terrorism against Jews does not stop at the Gaza border -- it is already burning the streets of America," he said. hg/sla Ukraine said Sunday that its drones destroyed Russian bombers worth billions of dollars as far away as Siberia in its longest-range assault of the war, as it geared up for talks on prospects for a ceasefire. In a spectacular claim, Ukraine said it damaged $7 billion worth of Russian aircraft parked at four airbases thousands of kilometres across the border, with unverified video footage showing aircraft engulfed in flames and black smoke. A source in the Ukrainian security services (SBU) said the strikes hit 41 planes that were used to "bomb Ukrainian villages". The drones were concealed in the ceilings of transportation containers that were opened remotely for the assault, the source added. - Ceasefire talks - The long-planned operation came at a delicate moment three years into Russia's invasion. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that he was sending a delegation to Istanbul led by his Defence Minister Rustem Umerov for talks on Monday with Russian officials. Turkey is hosting the meeting, which was spurred by US President Donald Trump's push for a quick deal to end the three-year war. Zelensky, who previously voiced scepticism about whether Russia was serious in proposing Monday's meeting, said priorities included "a complete and unconditional ceasefire" and the return of prisoners and abducted children. Russia, which has rejected previous ceasefire requests, said it had formulated its own peace terms but refused to divulge them in advance. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his US counterpart Marco Rubio spoke by telephone Sunday about "several initiatives aimed at a political solution to the Ukraine crisis", including Monday's talks, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement carried by the TASS news agency. - 'Spider's Web' - Zelensky on Sunday hailed "brilliant" results of the coordinated attack, code-named "Spider's Web", which he said had used 117 drones and was the country's "most long-range operation" in more than three years of war. Russia's defence ministry confirmed on Telegram that several of its military aircraft "caught fire", adding that there were no casualties. Rybar, an account on the Telegram message platform that is close to the Russian military, called it a "very heavy blow" for Moscow and pointed to what it called "serious errors" by Russian intelligence. The SBU source said the strikes targeted Russian airbases in the eastern Siberian city of Belaya, in Olenya, in the Arctic near Finland, and in Ivanovo and Dyagilevo, both east of Moscow. The operation was prepared for over a year and a half, the SBU source said, and aimed to destroy "enemy bombers far from the front". Zelensky said one of the targeted locations was right next to one of the offices of the FSB Russian security services. - 'First such strike on Siberia' - Russia said it had arrested several suspects, including the driver of a truck from which a drone had taken off, state agencies said. But Zelensky said people involved in preparing the attacks were "extracted from Russian territory in time". Igor Kobzev, governor of Russia's Irkutsk region, which hosts the Belaya airbase, said it was "the first attack of this sort in Siberia". He called on the population not to panic and posted an amateur video apparently showing a drone in the sky and a large cloud of grey smoke. - Russia drone strikes - Russia has been announcing Ukrainian drone attacks on a near-daily basis, usually saying they had all been shot down. At the same time, Russia has been carrying out constant attacks on Ukraine. On Sunday, Ukraine's air force said it was hit by 472 Russian drones and seven missiles overnight, a record number since the beginning of the invasion in February 2022. In a rare admission of its military losses, the Ukrainian army said Russia's "missile strike on the location of one of the training units" had killed a dozen soldiers, most of whom had been in shelters during the attack, and wounded more than 60. The attack led Ukrainian ground forces commander Mykhailo Drapaty to announce his resignation, saying he felt "responsibility" for the soldiers' deaths. Separately on Sunday, the Russian army said it had captured another village in Ukraine's northern Sumy region, where Kyiv fears Moscow could mount a renewed ground assault. bur/djt/rlp/js UN chief Antonio Guterres called Monday for an independent investigation into the killing and wounding of scores of Palestinians near a US-backed aid centre in Gaza the day before. Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli gunfire killed at least 31 people and wounded 176 near the aid distribution site in the southern city of Rafah on Sunday, with medics at nearby hospitals also reporting a deluge of gunshot wound victims. The Israeli military denied firing at people "while they were near or within" the site. But a military source acknowledged "warning shots were fired towards several suspects" overnight about a kilometre away. "I am appalled by the reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza yesterday. It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food," Guterres said in a statement, without assigning blame for the deaths. "I call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held accountable." Israel's foreign ministry called the statement "a disgrace", and faulted Guterres for not criticising Hamas. The Israeli government has worked with the group running the site, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), to introduce a new mechanism for distributing aid in Gaza that has bypassed the longstanding UN-led system. The UN has declined to work with the group out of concerns about its neutrality. - 'Bullets were chasing people' - One 33-year-old who was present on Sunday told AFP it was "around 5 or 5:30 am, before sunrise" when the gunfire broke out at a spot known as the Al-Alam roundabout, where a crowd had gathered from the early hours of the morning to wait before heading to the GHF centre about a kilometre away. "Of course it was the Israeli army who shot live bullets," said the witness, who declined to be named for fear of Israeli reprisals. "Thousands of people were waiting at Al-Alam roundabout... but the army fired and everyone ran away. There was fear and chaos. I saw with my own eyes martyrs and wounded in the area." Another witness elsewhere in the crowd, 35-year-old Mohammed Abu Deqqa, said "at first, we thought they were warning shots". "But it didn't take long before the shooting intensified. I began to see people lying on the ground, covered in blood. That was around 5:30 am , " he said. "People started running, but many couldn't escape. The bullets were chasing people even as they tried to flee." AFP photos taken around 5:40 am showed civilians loading bodies onto donkey carts shortly after sunrise. Gaza civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said teams of rescuers arrived around 6:00 am and began assisting with the dead and wounded, though civilians and other paramedics had already taken some to Nasser hospital and a Red Cross field hospital. - 'Warning shots were fired' - The military on Sunday said an initial inquiry indicated its troops "did not fire at civilians while they were near or within the humanitarian aid distribution site", and urged "media to be cautious with information published" by Hamas. But according to an Israeli military source, "warning shots were fired towards several suspects who advanced towards the troops" overnight. The incident took place "approximately one kilometre away" from the GHF distribution centre, outside of operating hours, the source said. Army spokesman Effie Defrin said Sunday that "Hamas is doing its best, its utmost, to stop us from" distributing aid, and vowed to "investigate each one of those allegations" against Israeli troops. A GHF spokesperson also accused Hamas of circulating "fake reports", saying: "All aid was distributed today without incident." In a video message from Nasser hospital later on Sunday morning, visiting British surgeon Victoria Rose described a scene of "absolute carnage", saying "all the bays are full, and they're all gunshot wounds". The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that its field hospital in Rafah received 179 people, including 21 pronounced dead on arrival. The ICRC reported that all the wounded "said they had been trying to reach an aid distribution site", adding that "the majority suffered gunshot or shrapnel wounds". - 'Intense force' - GHF said that as of Monday, it had distributed more than 5.8 million meals' worth of food from its centres. Israel has come under increasing international pressure to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza following a more than two-month blockade on aid that was only recently eased. The UN has warned the entire population is at risk of famine, and has also reported recent incidents of aid being looted, including by armed individuals. Talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire have so far failed to produce a breakthrough. Civil defence spokesman Bassal said 14 people were killed on Monday in an Israeli strike on a house in Jabalia, in the north. Asked for comment, the army said only that "strikes were conducted toward terror targets in northern Gaza". The Israeli military also issued an evacuation order for parts of Khan Yunis on Monday. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says at least 4,201 people have been killed in the territory since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 54,470, mostly civilians. Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, also mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. bur-az-smw/dcp Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty announced attempted murder charges in connection with an attack on Run For Their Lives demonstrators on the Pearl Street Mall in a June 2, 2025 press conference. (Screenshot from City of Boulder livestream) The man suspected of attacking a group of demonstrators with incendiary devices in Boulder on Sunday, leaving multiple people hospitalized with severe injuries, faces state and federal charges for attempted murder and a hate crime, law enforcement officials announced. Officials said the total number of victims in the attack had risen to 12, at least some of whom were participants in the Boulder branch of Run For Their Lives, which organizes events calling for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. They suffered burns from Molotov cocktails and what FBI officials described as a makeshift flamethrower. At least two victims remained hospitalized as of Monday afternoon, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said. The suspect, 45-year-old Mohammed Sabry Soliman, was arrested by Boulder police and later told investigators that he targeted what he called a Zionist group after learning about it through an online search, according to an FBI affidavit filed Monday. Officials previously reported that Soliman, a Colorado Springs resident, was heard to shout Free Palestine during the attack. He stated that he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead, the FBI wrote of the suspects interview after his arrest. He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year. A criminal complaint filed in federal court charges Soliman with one count of a hate crime offense involving the actual or perceived race, religion, or national origin. No American should experience violence motivated by hatred based on their faith or national origin, and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice will act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators of such crimes to justice, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said in a statement. There can be zero tolerance for such acts in our great nation. At a press conference later Monday, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said his office had charged the suspect with 16 counts of attempted murder in the first degree, two counts of the use of an incendiary device, and 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device. A judge has set a $10 million cash bond on the state charges. Soliman made a brief appearance in Boulder County court on Monday afternoon, and is scheduled to return for a formal filing of charges on Thursday. Our office and the U.S. Attorneys Office will be working closely together and in coordination with one another to ensure that the defendant is held fully accountable, Dougherty said. Tricia McLaughlin, the Department of Homeland Securitys assistant secretary for public affairs, said Monday that Soliman was in the U.S. unlawfully, having entered the country in August 2022 on a tourist visa that expired in February 2023. An Egyptian national, he filed an asylum claim in September 2022, McLaughlin said. J. Bishop Grewell, the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, said additional federal charges could be forthcoming. In a press release Monday, the Department of Justice called the incident an anti-Semitic terrorist attack. Weve moved to charge quickly, to send the message to the community that no acts of anti-Semitism are going to be tolerated, Grewell told reporters. Just because theres only one charge that has been made so far doesnt mean that were not considering other charges that could come in the future. FBI agents worked through the night to gather evidence at the scene and execute a search warrant at the suspects Colorado Springs residence, said Mark D. Michalek, special agent in charge of the FBIs Denver field office. The suspect was not previously known to the FBIs local Joint Terrorism Task Force, Michalek said. While at this time it appears the perpetrator acted alone, we do continue to investigate all possibilities and pursue all investigative leads, he added. All evacuations and closures in downtown Boulder had been lifted as of early Monday morning, Redfearn said. This morning, I walked down Pearl Street with members of my team. I interacted with a lot of business owners community out there, and the way I felt leaving there was I was heartened, said Redfearn. I was heartened by the resilience of our community. Once again, as a community, were going to recover after coming together. This story was originally produced by the Colorado Newsline which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. A man reportedly yelling Free Palestine attacked a group of elderly people participating in a Jewish community rally for Israeli hostages held in Gaza with a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails in Boulder, Colorado Sunday. Six people ages 67 to 88 were taken to local hospitals after the attacks. Witnesses told police some were set on fire by attack. The FBI and Boulder police have arrested Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45. The suspect was heard to say Free Palestine during the attack, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek during a press conference Sunday. Free Palestine is a popular slogan with activists and protesters opposed to U.S. military and diplomatic support for Israel and Israels war in Gaza against Hamas after the latters Oct. 7, 2023 attacks. The Boulder rally was a weekly event to highlight hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas. The attacks are being investigated as terrorism, according to FBI and Trump administration officials. The Boulder attacks come after another man shot and killed two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington D.C. last month outside a Jewish museum. The alleged shooter in that case also yelled Free Palestine to media cameras when he was arrested by D.C. police. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argues the slogan Free Palestine is code for antisemitism and calling for the elimination of Israel. Netanyahu contends the Palestinian rally cry is a modern-day equivalent to Heil Hitler. U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, was among those condemning the violent Colorado attack Sunday. Absolutely appalling. Anti-semitism has no place here in America and the terrorists who attacked these peaceful protesters should be held accountable, Daines said. Police believe Soliman was the only person involved in the attack. Hamas originally took approximately 250 people hostage during the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks. That includes several with dual Israeli-American citizenship. Israel which has killed Hamas leaders and laid siege to Gaza during the ensuing war believes there are 20 living hostages still held in the Palestinian territory. More than 56,000 people (54,700 Palestinians and more than 1,700 Israelis) have died in the Holy Land war, according to estimates from both sides. Anti-war and relief groups as well as European countries have been increasingly critical of Israels current siege of Gaza and strikes at Hamas, warning of worsening humanitarian conditions. Israel counters that Hamas steals relief aid and other shipments have been looted. The NFU has warned that farms face financial ruin unless the Treasury rethinks its 'destructive' inheritance tax changes, following stark findings in a new report. The government must urgently reconsider its controversial changes that could, according to the Family Businesses UK report, devastate family farming businesses. It warns that reforms to agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) announced in the 2024 budget may trigger severe consequences for rural enterprises. The report estimates that the changes could cost the Treasury 1.9 billion by 2030 and force 60% of farms to cut investment by more than 20%. More than 200,000 full-time jobs could also be under threat in the next five years due to the tax overhaul. The study also forecasts a 14.8 billion blow to gross value added (GVA) in the wider economy. It was compiled by independent consultants at CBI Economics and adds to growing concern among industry bodies about the unintended consequences of the new inheritance tax approach on family-run farms. As part of it, the government plans to impose a 20% tax on inherited agricultural assets valued over 1 million half the standard rate from April 2026. NFU President Tom Bradshaw said the the reforms was a 'punitive family farm tax', adding that the potential consequences of it were 'catastrophic'. He said: FBUKs new report shows only too clearly the catastrophic impacts on family farming businesses across the UK of this governments punitive Family Farm Tax. "This report must serve as a wake-up call to Treasury, or we face major cuts to investment and significant job losses." Mr Bradshaw added that the NFU was eager to be a constructive partner and understood the fiscal challenges the government faced. However, he stressed that Labour's proposed policy was "flawed, badly thought-out, and destructive." To address the issue, several industry bodies have proposed an alternative in the form of a clawback mechanism. This would allow for the full 40% inheritance tax to be applied only if inherited farming assets are later sold. However, Number 10 recently declined to consider it. It is not too late for Treasury Ministers to listen, to do the right thing, and change direction, for the sake of farming and the wider economy," said Mr Bradshaw. Acting now would also remove the abhorrent untold human impacts which we have warned about and are tragically starting to come to light. Last month, a cross-party committee of MPs called on the government to delay its reforms to avoid harming family farms and restore trust in British agriculture. The EFRA Committee urged ministers to delay final decisions on APR and BPR reforms until October 2026, with changes taking effect from April 2027. Scientists are racing to develop the innovations that could save British farming from disaster as the UK faces its harshest drought in nearly 70 years. As the UK sees its driest spring since 1956, researchers at the James Hutton Institute have highlighted their vital role in helping agriculture cope and to prepare for future challenges. This year's spring has brought historically low rainfall, leaving farmlands across the country parched and rivers shrinking. Key crops such as wheat, barley, and potatoes are already showing signs of stress, with yields expected to fall sharply due to dry soils and soaring temperatures. Livestock farmers are also struggling, with poor grass growth forcing greater reliance on costly feed and tightening already slim margins. Professor Tim George, director of James Huttons International Barley Hub (IBH), said the next few weeks would be crucial. He added: Without significant rainfall, the UK could formally enter a state of drought, triggering further restrictions. "Looking further ahead, climate models suggest this wont be a one-off. Droughts like this are likely to become more frequent, longer and more intense." The James Hutton Institute, based in Aberdeen, is currently prioritising improving drought tolerance in crops through numerous approaches. Cutting-edge techniques such as marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, gene editing, and precision breeding are used to identify and tweak genes that control drought response. Meanwhile, drones and sensors provide real-time monitoring to accelerate development of climate-resilient crops in field conditions. However, the droughts impact goes beyond farming: river flows in some areas have dropped to their lowest levels since records began in 1958, threatening freshwater wildlife and habitats. Eastern Scotland faces record-low groundwater levels, forcing emergency measures like water transport to remote communities. When rain finally arrives, scientists fear that the degraded soils risk causing flooding through rapid runoff. And wildfires, once rare in the UK, have surged in frequency and severity this year, burning more land than any previous full year on record. Dr Tracy Valentine, research leader at James Hutton, said: Climate resilience isnt just about reacting to crises, its about anticipating them, adapting to them, and innovating beyond them. "Whether its through smarter farming, better water management, or cutting-edge genetics, the path forward is clear, and science has a critical part to play in our future sustainability. The Royal Highland Shows iconic Grand Parade is under fire again this time with vegan activists calling for cows to be replaced by a potato procession. Animal activist group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has demanded the removal of live cattle from the showgrounds main ring. Instead, it has proposed replacing the celebrated livestock showcase with a memorial statue and a procession of root vegetables, including a cortege of potatoes and squashes. It's not the first time PETA has targeted the Royal Highland Show. In previous years, it suggested replacing livestock competitions with turnip beauty pageants and potato-sculpting as part of its campaign to end the use of animals in public events. Their latest proposal, however, is expected to be dismissed once again by organisers of the show, which takes place 19 - 22 June. Playful cows and clever sheep dont want to be put on display for rowdy spectators who will soon be dining on their siblings and cousins, said PETA vice president of vegan corporate projects, Dawn Carr. PETA urges the Royal Highland Show to celebrate Britains hard-working plant farmers and leave animals in peace. The show, which will take place later this month, remains one of the UKs premier agricultural events, and contributing significantly to Scotlands economy. In 2023, it generated over 900,000 in revenue for rural businesses and invested more than 300,000 in charitable projects, including support for the Royal Highland Education Trust and local agricultural shows. Johnnie Furse, spokesperson for the Countryside Alliance, dismissed PETAs campaign as attention-seeking and praised the enduring relevance of the event. We hope that this year's Royal Highland Show will be another roaring success, and we would like to thank the organisers and all farmers who will be involved for their sterling work in championing the countryside and British produce. "Shows like the Royal Highland Show are incredibly important for rural communities. They are a boon to local economies, encourage rural tourism, and do invaluable work in building an understanding of food and farming. "PETA routinely put out bizarre and irrelevant demands to get attention. They are best ignored. Meanwhile, the rest of us will proudly continue supporting farmers and the rural way of life. The event is produced by the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), a charitable organisation that marked its 240th anniversary last year. RHASS supports education, community development, sustainable agriculture, and rural heritage across Scotland. Fitch Ratings has warned that ongoing trade tariff uncertainties continue to pose execution risks for US soft goods retailers, exacerbating pre-existing structural challenges in the sector. In April, the agency revised its 2025 outlook for the US retail and consumer products sectors to deteriorating from neutral, citing the potential for increased trade barriers, rising retail costs, and waning consumer sentiment. Retailers reliant on imports from China, Vietnam, and Cambodia are especially vulnerable, with Fitch noting the absence of a long-term trade agreement and persistent uncertainty despite a recent US Federal court ruling. Soft line and department store retailers face heightened sourcing risks, which could affect holiday season planning and lead to markdowns, inventory issues, or lost market share, it said in a press release. Fitch Ratings has downgraded its 2025 outlook for the US retail and consumer products sector to 'deteriorating', citing tariff uncertainty, soft consumer demand, and sourcing risks, especially for soft goods retailers. Apparel and footwear sales are expected to decline mid-single digits, pressuring margins. While firms like Dillard's remain resilient, others like Capri Holdings face heightened risk. Fitch projects mid-single digit topline declines for discretionary spending, including apparel and footwear, in 2025. This could result in EBITDA declines of up to mid-teen levels due to sales deleverage, increased markdowns, and some absorption of tariff costs. However, Fitch also noted divergence across product categories and company strategies. Larger, higher-rated retailers such as Signet Jewelers (BBB-/Stable) and Dillards (BBB-/Positive) are expected to better withstand volatility due to stronger vendor relations, design capabilities, and liquidity. In contrast, companies like Capri Holdings (BB/Negative), which is already experiencing EBITDA and topline pressure, may face greater challenges. Capri could benefit in the near term from the proceeds of its Versace sale. Fitch expects retailers to preserve liquidity by limiting share buybacks, capital expenditure, and dividends, as they did during past downturns. While most Fitch-rated issuers have sufficient rating headroom and manageable maturity risk, companies such as Levi Strauss, Macys, Nordstrom, and Samsonite may see EBITDAR leverage trend near or above negative rating sensitivities in 2025 before improving in 2026, the release added. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD) Ten years into the free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the formers trade turnovers with Armenia, Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus have surged 61-fold, 4.2-fold, 1.3-fold and by 34 per cent respectively, according to data from the Eurasian Economic Commission. Vietnam-EAEU trade doubled to reach $5.6 billion in 2024, Ta Hoang Linh, director of the department of foreign market development in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said at a press conference in Hanoi recently to mark the 10th anniversary of the FTA. Ten years into the FTA between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the former's trade turnovers with Armenia, Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus have surged 61-fold, 4.2-fold, 1.3-fold and by 34 per cent respectively. Vietnam-EAEU trade doubled to reach $5.6 billion in 2024. Envoys from all five EAEU nations expressed their desire to further strengthen cooperation relations with Vietnam. Vietnamese businesses have been capitalising on tariff incentives to boost exports, he noted. The pact was officially signed in Kazakhstan on May 29, 2025, during the second meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council. It was the first trade agreement the EAEU signed with a non-member country. Ambassadors from all five EAEU nations expressed their desire to further strengthen cooperation relations with Vietnam, a Vietnamese news agency reported. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Press Release Supporting Nickel Downstream Industry in Indonesia, Danantara Indonesia and INA Announce Strategic Partnership with Eramet Jakarta, 28 May 2025 - The Indonesia Investment Management Agency, Danantara Indonesia, and the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with French mining company Eramet to explore the establishment of a strategic investment platform in the nickel sector, spanning upstream to downstream operations. The signing was witnessed in person by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto, and the President of France Emmanuel Macron, at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (28/052025). This partnership aims to develop a sustainable and integrated electric vehicle (EV) battery raw materials ecosystem in Indonesia. The parties will conduct a preliminary assessment to identify the most suitable project to maximize the potential of the national EV ecosystem, while also preparing a roadmap for future collaboration. In implementing this cooperation, the parties agreed that asset management must not only prioritize efficiency and economic value, but also adhere to strict international standards. Chief Investment Officer of Danantara Indonesia Pandu Sjahrir, believes that this partnership will strengthen Indonesia's position as a global hub in the EV battery supply chain. Pandu explained that in this partnership, Danantara Indonesia and INA will manage long-term financing to support investment development, while Eramet will contribute through its technical expertise and experience in executing large-scale mining projects in line with international sustainability standards. "This partnership reflects the commitment of all three parties to drive world-class nickel downstream investment in Indonesia, which is one of the key pillars in strengthening the competitiveness of the national industry. This collaboration also integrates global-level technical capabilities in environmentally conscious mining that supports the development of a sustainable industry," Pandu added. Chairman of the INA Board of Directors, Ridha Wirakusumah, welcomed the partnership and stated that this initiative is an important step in strengthening Indonesia's critical minerals supply chain and downstream sector, particularly nickel, in line with INA's investment focus in the mineral and downstream industries. "The strategic collaboration between Eramet, Danantara Indonesia, and INA combines technical excellence and a global track record in sustainable mining management with the design of long-term financing structures to support industrial growth. This synergy reflects a collective commitment to building a value-added industrial foundation within the country and attracting high-quality investments into Indonesia's strategic sectors," said Ridha. Eramet Group Chief Executive Officer Paulo Castellari said "With a long-term commitment in nickel in Indonesia since 2006, Eramet has significantly contributed to the development of Indonesia's largest nickel deposit over the past years." Eramet has been actively present in Indonesia since 2006 through its nickel mining operations in Weda Bay, Maluku. Demonstrating its continued commitment to sustainable development, the company also marked a milestone in 2024 by partnering with Indonesia's Geological Agency to initiate studies and exploration of critical minerals-including lithium-as part of its support for the country's energy transition goals. "With a clear focus on downstream processing, energy transition, and critical minerals, Danantara Indonesia and INA's priorities are well aligned with Eramet's strategic ambitions in Indonesia. We have been investigating opportunities to participate in the nickel EV battery value chain in Indonesia and we welcome today's initiative. We are ready to contribute through our sustainable mining expertise and long-term commitment to developing strategic industries in the country", added Paulo. [END] ABOUT DANANTARA INDONESIA Danantara Indonesia is a strategic investment management agency established under Law Number 1 of 2025. As an independent institution under the President, Danantara Indonesia has the mandate to manage and optimize government investments and state-owned enterprise (SOE) assets to support the achievement of the Asta Cita mission, the national strategic plan, and government programs aimed at accelerating industrialization and economic growth. With a professional, transparent, and accountable approach, Danantara Indonesia aims to strengthen the governance of state assets, create added value for the economy, and enhance Indonesia's competitiveness in the global market. For more information, visit: www.danantaraindonesia.com Media Contact media@danantaraindonesia.com ABOUT INDONESIA INVESTMENT AUTHORITY (INA) The Indonesia Investment Authority (INA) is Indonesia's Investment Management Institution mandated to increase investments to support sustainable development in Indonesia and build national wealth for future generations. INA carries out investment activities and collaborates with leading global and domestic investment institutions in sectors that strengthen Indonesia's competitive advantages and provide optimal returns with measured risks. For more information, visit www.ina.go.id . Media Contact Indonesia Investment Authority (INA) Putri Dianita Ruswaldi VP of Communications putri.dianita@ina.go.id ABOUT ERAMET Eramet is a global mining and metallurgy company headquartered in France. The group manages earth mineral resources to provide sustainable and responsible solutions for industrial growth and energy transition challenges. Eramet and all of its employees are committed to realizing this through a community-oriented approach and by making tangible contributions in every region where they operate. Manganese, nickel, mineral sands, and lithium - Eramet processes and develops these critical metals needed to build a more sustainable future. As a strategic partner for industry players, Eramet plays a vital role in supporting resilient infrastructure, efficient mobility solutions, safer medical technologies, and more reliable telecommunications systems. With a strong commitment to future metals, Eramet aspires to be a pioneer in the responsible transformation of earth's resources for a better shared future. As part of its long-term commitment to Indonesia, Eramet focuses on the sustainable development of mineral resources to support the national energy transition and create long-term value for the Indonesian people. Together with its strategic partner, Tsingshan Group, Eramet holds a minority ownership in PT Weda Bay Nickel (WBN), which operates in nickel mining and ferronickel production. www.eramet.com For more information, please contact: Rheinmetall, Renk und Hensoldt haben den Rustungsboom der letzten Jahre dominiert, doch inzwischen sind diese Titel fundamental heillos uberbewertet. KGVs jenseits der 60, KUVs uber 4, und das in einem politisch fragilen Umfeld mit wackelnder Haushaltsdisziplin. Fur spateinsteigende Anleger kann das teuer werden. Doch es gibt Alternativen, die bislang unter dem Radar fliegen; solide bewertet, operativ stark und mit Nachholpotenzial. In unserem kostenlosen Report zeigen wir dir, welche 3 Rustungsunternehmen noch Potenzial haben und wie du von der zweiten Welle der Zeitenwende profitieren kannst, ohne sich an uberhitzten Highflyer zu verbrennen. Holen Sie sich den neuesten Report! Verpassen Sie nicht, welche Aktien besonders vom weltweiten Aufrusten profitieren durften, und laden Sie sich das Gratis-PDF jetzt kostenlos herunter. Dieses exklusive Angebot gilt aber nur fur kurze Zeit! Daher jetzt downloaden! 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! Strategic Board has Experience with Public and Private Companies as well as Government, Military and Diplomatic Corps MIAMI, FL AND VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 / Sekur Private Data Ltd. (OTCQB:SWISF)(CSE:SKUR)(FRA:GDT0) (" Sekur " or the " Company "), a leading Swiss-hosted cybersecurity and private communications platform, is pleased to announce the appointment of three members to its newly created Strategic Advisory Board,operating in publicly listed companies, corporate sector and government and diplomatic corps. Jill Kelley Jill Kelley's global board experience and expertise in adding value to publicly traded companies through strategic partnerships with multinational government and stakeholders will be instrumental in Sekur's goals to meet the growing demand from stakeholders, shareholders, and investors, and become the leading privacy communications platform. Known globally as the "Diplomatic Fixer ", Kelley has held significant international leadership roles, including supporting U.S. military operations across over 60 countries as part of the U.S. Coalition Allies. As a diplomatic advisor and executive to multinational companies, she regularly collaborates with Presidents, Prime Ministers, Parliamentarians , and Royals to strengthen diplomatic, military, security, and economic ties. Previously, she served as the honorary ambassador to U.S. Central Command Commander Jim Mattis and special advisor to CIA Director David Petraeus. Mrs. Kelley will support Sekur's mission to become the leading communication platform offering both privacy and security, leveraging her decades of expertise in public-private partnerships and her role as an inventor and cofounder of dual-use blockchain technology. In addition, Mrs. Kelley is a cofounder and chief development and commercialization officer within the biotechnology sector and holds multiple patents in that realm. She's an established entrepreneur and advisor to many startups that seek her experience to increase companies' valuation by forging strategic partnerships to catalyze early exits at their highest valuation. Her work with Sekur will focus on engaging strategic allies, high-profile clients, C-level executives , to enhance security through Sekur's proprietary technology, positioning it as a leader in non-Big Tech cybersecurity and privacy solutions and will play a part in Sekur's efforts to capitalize on growing demand for privacy-focused tools amid rising cyber threats. Mrs. Kelley advocates strongly for the right of every law-abiding citizen to privacy and security, aligning her efforts with Sekur's mission to deliver long-overdue data protection solutions. Jill Kelley stated: "Every law-abiding citizen should have the right to both privacy and security , and with my experience and advocacy combined with President Trump's effort to protect our data and communications , I believe that Sekur will provide us with the security and privacy that is long overdue". James M. Connelly James M. Connelly is the Founder and CEO of JC RES, LLC and Associates, bringing over three decades of experience as a Washington, D.C. insider in business development and International government relations. With a robust network spanning Fortune 50 and 100 companies, diplomatic circles, government affairs, foundations, associations, non-profits, and universities. Mr. Connelly has facilitated high profile projects including securing embassy and cultural center locations for over 45 foreign countries in Washington, D.C. and New York. Mr. Connelly excels in fostering client success through targeted initiatives, leveraging his direct relationships with CEOs, Venture Capitalist, Ambassadors, and Capitol Hill officials. With James, Sekur has identified government, NGO and private sector opportunities out of its Washington, D.C. offices. James and his connections, will facilitate partnerships or contracts with U.S. - based enterprises in sectors including finance, healthcare, or technology, where secure communications are critical. His diplomatic corps exposure is also connecting Sekur with foreign embassies and international organizationsbased in Washington, D.C. needing private communication solutions. His affiliations include prestigious organizations such as the National Press Club, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Urban Land Institute, and the International Red Cross Ball (Palm Beach), among others. Based in Washington D.C., Mr. Connelly remains a trusted advisor in global solutions provider with strong Congressional, Senatorial, and Diplomatic ties. Nikolas Perrault Mr. Perrault spent the first 15 years of his career working with some of Canada's largest financial institutions, including National Bank, Merrill-Lynch, CIBC and Scotia Capital. He has extensive experience in securities trading, human resources management and financial analysis. His focus throughout his career has been on small to medium cap companies worldwide. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and obtained his Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1997 . Since 2007, Mr. Perrault has been providing independent consulting services to clients which benefit from his experience in going-public transactions, spin-offs, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions. Over the last 30+ years, through extensive travel, he has developed a significant international network of strategic relationships. He regularly publishes several blogs, and occasionally special situation research reports. Nikolas' extensive background in finance, strategic relationships, and consulting makes him an asset for Sekur. His M&A expertise can support Sekur in identifying acquisition targets (e.g., complementary tech firms) or partnership opportunities to expand its product offerings or market reach. Nikolas has already helped Sekur in its Africa and Europe expansion through partnerships already in discussion. Alain Ghiai, CEO of Sekur stated, "We are honored to have Jill, Jamie and Nikolas join our Strategic Advisory Board. We have already seen the fruits of this association as we have been engaged in discussions to adopt Sekur in several countries in Africa and Europe , thanks to their efforts and vast network of contacts. We are seeing real interest in our privacy communications solution considering the exponential risks of cyberattacks in the main email and messaging providers. And we intend to be very proactive to demonstrate the unique proposal of Sekur's suite of solutions." Swiss Privacy Protection Sekur's solutions are hosted exclusively in Switzerland, ensuring user data remains secure from external data access requests. Switzerland's robust Federal Act on Data Protection, in place since 1993, upholds strict privacy standards, prohibiting unauthorized data processing and protecting against the publication of information based on leaked "secret official discussions." This regulatory framework provides a unique level of data privacy protection, reinforcing Sekur's commitment to safeguarding user information. About Sekur Private Data Ltd. Sekur Private Data Ltd. is a Swiss-hosted cybersecurity and privacy communications provider. offering a secure suite of tools to protect governments, businesses and individuals from unauthorized access and cyber threats. With solutions such as SekurMail, SekurMessenger, and SekurVPN, Sekur provides an accessible and reliable means of digital communication and data storage, grounded in Swiss privacy standards. Sekur sells its solutions through its website www.sekur.com , approved distributors and telecommunications companies globally. Sekur serves governments, businesses and consumers worldwide. CONTACT Alain Ghiai President and Chief Executive Officer SEKUR PRIVATE DATA LTD. Email: connect@sekur.com www.sekurprivatedata.com Tel: +1.305.347.5114 Follow Sekur on: X LinkedIn YouTube For sales brochure on our enterprise security solutions, or partnership opportunities, contact: partners@sekur.com. To find out more about Sekur's privacy communications solutions visit: https://sekur.com For more company information, please visit: https://sekurprivatedata.com Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). 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", "project" and similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes or that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they do not guarantee future performance. Sekur cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Sekur's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the future of the Company's business; the success of marketing and sales efforts of the Company; the projections prepared in house and projections delivered by channel partners; the Company's ability to complete the necessary software updates; increases in sales as a result of investments software development technology; consumer interest in the Products; future sales plans and strategies; reliance on large channel partners and expectations of renewals to ongoing agreements with these partners; anticipated events and trends; the economy and other future conditions; and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in Sekur's prospectus dated May 8, 2019, filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available on www.sedarplus.ca. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Sekur undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. SOURCE: Sekur Private Data Ltd. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/sekur-private-data-ltd.-announces-newly-constituted-strategic-adv-1034314 Events organized by global consultancy Levisky Legado aim to raise US$25 million SAO PAULO, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In June, Levisky Legado, a global consultancy specializing in the promotion and fundraising for social, cultural, and educational projects, will host gatherings in New York (USA) and London (UK) to raise funds for the Kianda Foundation, a Kenyan institution dedicated to including girls and women in vulnerable situations in the educational and professional system. The events will take place at two times: on June 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at The Africa Center in New York, and on June 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at The Royal Institution in London. On these occasions, the work of the Kianda Foundation will be presented to philanthropic leaders and businesspeople committed to gender equity. "We expect to raise US$25 million for the institution over 5 years," says Ricardo Blay Levisky, CEO of Levisky Legado, which since 2002 has carried out over 150 initiatives and generated more than US$185 million in business aimed at promoting the financial sustainability of organizations. Over more than 60 years of existence, the Kianda Foundation has helped over 550,000 girls and women access education, contributing to their financial independence and the assurance of their rights. The events will feature prominent figures supporting humanitarian causes in Africa. In New York, Lynda Kasina, Director of Sustainability at the Kianda Foundation, will welcome former Kenyan Ambassador to the U.S. and current CEO of The Africa Center, Martin Kimani, and Mary Ellen Iskenderian, CEO of Women's World Banking. In London, attendees will include Alice Gugelev, CEO of GDI Africa, and Tom Hall, CEO of the UBS Optimus Foundation. The gatherings are also supported by the Limmat Foundation, a Swiss endowment that promotes the financial sustainability of organizations through endowment funds. Spots are limited, and those interested in participating can email: rsvp@leviskylegado.com. Through strategic relationships, Levisky Legado connects and globally empowers institutions for causes in the realm of social, educational, and environmental philanthropy, as well as sponsorships in the arts, heritage, and culture sectors. The consultancy has developed structuring projects for over 150 Brazilian and international organizations. More information at http://www.leviskylegado.com . View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/philanthropists-and-business-leaders-gather-in-ny-and-london-to-support-education-for-vulnerable-women-in-kenya-302469748.html MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - The UN and a group of non-governmental organisations are calling for international law to regulate AI-driven drones that are reshaping warfare and raising deep ethical questions about autonomy in combat. As international policymakers scramble to set ground rules, pressure mounts to draft an international regulation of Lethal Autonomous Weapons, or LAWS. The UN Office for Disarmament Affairs; Human Rights Watch; and Stop Killer Robots, a coalition campaigning for a new international law on autonomy in weapons systems, said a new regulation is necessary to avoid a near-future where machines dictate life-and-death choices. For several months, the Kherson region of Ukraine has come under sustained attack from weaponized drones operated by the Russian military, principally targeting non-combatants. More than 150 civilians have been killed, and hundreds injured, according to official sources. An independent UN-appointed human rights investigation has concluded that these attacks constitute crimes against humanity. The Ukrainian army is also heavily reliant on drones and is reportedly developing a 'drone wall' - a defensive line of armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles - to protect vulnerable sections of the country's frontiers. Once the preserve of the wealthiest nations that could afford the most high-tech and expensive UAVs, Ukraine has proved that low-cost drones can be modified to lethal effect. As conflicts around the world mirror this shift, the nature of modern combat is being rewritten, the UN said in a press release. 'The Secretary-General has always said that using machines with fully delegated power, making a decision to take human life is just simply morally repugnant,' says Izumi Nakamitsu, the head of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs. It should not be allowed. It should be banned by international law. That's the United Nations position.' 'Several countries with major resources are investing heavily in artificial intelligence and related technologies to develop, land and sea based autonomous weapons systems,' warns Mary Wareham, advocacy director of the Arms Division on Human Rights Watch. 'It's being driven by the United States, but other major countries such as Russia, China, Israel and South Korea, have been investing heavily in autonomous weapons systems.' Experts cite the risk of letting the machines take over on the battlefield, as the technology is far from foolproof. Also, the UN and many other organisations see the use of LAWS as unethical. 'It's very easy for machines to mistake human targets,' says Wareham of Human Rights Watch. 'People with disabilities are at particular risk because they of the way they move. Their wheelchairs can be mistaken for weapons. There's also concern that facial recognition technology and other biometric measurements are unable to correctly identify people with different skin tones. The AI is still flawed, and it brings with it the biases of the people who programmed those systems.' Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 2025 AFX News MaaT Pharma submitted today a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for its product candidate MaaT013, under the registered brand name of Xervyteg Xervyteg has the potential if approved, to become the first microbiota therapeutic approved by the EMA and the first one in hemato-oncology globally. has the potential if approved, to become the first microbiota therapeutic approved by the EMA and the first one in hemato-oncology globally. The MAA submitted to the EMA is based on data from the Pivotal ARES study, evaluating the safety and efficacy of Xervyteg in adult patients with acute Graft-versus-Host Disease including gastro-intestinal involvement who received two prior lines of therapy and supported by data from the ongoing Early Access Program. in adult patients with acute Graft-versus-Host Disease including gastro-intestinal involvement who received two prior lines of therapy and supported by data from the ongoing Early Access Program. MaaT Pharma prepares for a potential 2026 commercial launch through a strategic partnership to address this key unmet need in hemato-oncology. Regulatory News: MaaT Pharma (EURONEXT: MAAT the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company and a leader in the development of Microbiome Ecosystem TherapiesTM (MET) dedicated to enhancing survival for patients with cancer through immune modulation, today announced the submission of the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for its lead drug candidate MaaT013, under the registered brand name of Xervyteg. If approved, the Marketing Authorization would establish Xervyteg as the first microbiota therapeutic approved by the EMA, and the first one globally for a hematology indication. Xervytegwould also be the first approved therapy for the treatment of acute Graft-versus-Host Disease including gastro-intestinal involvement (GI-aGvHD) following 2 prior lines of systemic therapy. "Submitting our MAA to the EMA marks a major regulatory milestone for MaaT Pharma and a meaningful advancement for patients with refractory aGvHD-a life-threatening complication of stem cell transplantation with no approved therapies," said Herve Affagard, Co-founder and CEO of MaaT Pharma. "We are now closer to providing a much-needed treatment option and remain deeply committed to advancing immunomodulating microbiota technologies in hemato-oncology, where new solutions are urgently needed." While advancing toward the commercialization of Xervyteg (if approved) in Europe, MaaT Pharma is also actively exploring strategic partnerships to ensure broad access in timely fashion. The Company has active discussions with experienced partners who share its mission of delivering meaningful advancements to patients. In parallel to the MAA submission, MaaT Pharma continues to provide access to Xervyteg in Europe and the U.S. through its Early Access Program (EAP)1 for patients with aGvHD and other indications. In 2024, physician demand for Xervyteg under the EAP (n=107) increased by 75% compared to 2023, driven by growing adoption across Europe and in the U.S. In France where the EAP first started, MaaT Pharma has captured 25% of the addressable market on a yearly basis in 2024. Overall, this position reflects the increasing recognition of Xervyteg as a valuable treatment option for GI-aGvHD patients. aGvHD is the most severe complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, a standard-of-care treatment with curative intent offered to patients with blood cancers and some non-malignant hematological conditions. aGvHD refractoriness to current treatments is frequently encountered and severely impacts prognosis. In particular, patients with aGvHD failing both steroid and ruxolitinib typically exhibit a dismal prognosis, with a median survival of 28 days and 85% mortality at one year (Abedin et al 2021). Currently, no therapy is approved for third-line aGvHD, underscoring the urgent need for innovative therapies capable of improving survival and quality of life. The MAA is supported by positive results from the Pivotal ARES study, a single-arm, open-label, multicenter European study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Xervyteg in GI-aGvHD as third-line therapy in 66 patients. Notably, the study met its primary endpoint, achieving a gastrointestinal overall response rate (GI-ORR) of 62% at Day 28, significantly exceeding the expected 38% response rate, and an overall response rate across all organs of 64% at Day 28. Among responding patients at Day 28, the majority exhibited full resolution of GvHD clinical manifestations (i.e., complete response), an important finding predictive of durable control of aGvHD clinical manifestations over time. The 12-month probability of survival was 54% (vs 15% Abedin et al, 2021). Importantly, patients who exhibited gastrointestinal response at Day 28 had a significantly better probability of survival than non-responders (67% vs 28% respectively, p <0.0001), indicating that Xervyteg-mediated aGvHD control is associated with a remarkable survival benefit. Additional secondary endpoints, including overall survival, will become available in late H2 2025. The Company also integrated supporting safety and efficacy data from 186 aGvHD patients2 treated under its ongoing EAP, which aligns with the positive topline results of the ARES trial and further supports Xervyteg's strong efficacy and favorable safety profile in aGvHD. The safety and tolerability of Xervyteg has been monitored by an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB). In March 2025, the DSMB reviewed the overall safety of the trial (after all patients completed Day 28 visit or were discontinued earlier) and confirmed that "given the remarkable efficacy results, the study results show an acceptable safety profile and a favourable benefit /risk ratio". The DSMB members will continue to review safety on an ongoing basis until the 1-year follow-up. The EMA will review the application under the centralized marketing authorization procedure and potentially a marketing authorization could be granted in H2 2026. This centralized procedure means that a single marketing authorization application can be submitted to the EU, and if granted by the European Commission, the authorization is valid in all EU Member States as well as in the European Economic Area (EEA) countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. About acute Graft-versus-Host Disease Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease occurs in patients within 100 days of undergoing a stem cell or bone marrow transplant, where the transplanted cells initiate an immune response and attack the transplant recipient's organs, causing inflammation of the skin, liver and/or gastro-intestinal tract and leading to significant morbidity and mortality. GI involvement is associated with severe complications such as profound diarrhea, abdominal pain, intestinal bleeding, and death. These complications are often life-threatening, with increased mortality risk, due to the challenges of managing severe GI inflammation and the associated risks of infection, malnutrition, and organ failure. The standard first line therapy for treating aGvHD is the use of systemic steroids. If patients do not respond to steroids, they are considered Steroid Resistant (SR) and other agents can be administered. Currently the only agent approved for treating SR aGvHD after failure of steroid treatment is ruxolitinib, which is currently approved for this indication in USA and has received approval from the European Medical Agency's Committee for Human Medicinal Products (CHMP) on March 25, 2022. About Xervyteg (MaaT013) MaaT Pharma's Microbiome Ecosystem Therapies (MET) are designed to leverage a full microbiome ecosystem to restore balance and maximize clinical benefits for patients with severe, treatment-induced dysbiosis in acute diseases. Xervyteg (MaaT013) is a full-ecosystem, off-the-shelf, standardized, pooled-donors, enema Microbiome Ecosystem TherapyTM for acute, hospital use. It is characterized by a consistently high diversity and richness of microbial species and the presence of ButycoreTM (a group of bacterial species known to produce anti-inflammatory metabolites). Xervyteg (MaaT013) aims to restore the symbiotic relationship between the patient's functional gut microbiome and their immune system to correct the responsiveness and tolerance of immune functions and thus reduce steroid-resistant, gastrointestinal (GI)-aGvHD. Xervyteg (MaaT013) has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). About MaaT Pharma MaaT Pharma is a leading, late-stage clinical company focused on developing innovative gut microbiome-driven therapies to modulate the immune system and enhance cancer patient survival. Supported by a talented team committed to making a difference for patients worldwide, the Company was founded in 2014 and is based in Lyon, France. As a pioneer, MaaT Pharma is leading the way in bringing the first microbiome-driven immunomodulator in oncology. Using its proprietary pooling and co-cultivation technologies, MaaT Pharma develops high diversity, standardized drug candidates, aiming at extending life of cancer patients. MaaT Pharma has been listed on Euronext Paris (ticker: MAAT) since 2021. Forward-looking Statements All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release about future events are subject to (i) change without notice and (ii) factors beyond the Company's control. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by, or including words such as "target," "believe," "expect," "aim", "intend," "may," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "project," "will," "can have," "likely," "should," "would," "could" and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control that could cause the Company's actual results or performance to be materially different from the expected results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. 1 Updated data from the Early Access Program will be presented at the EHA Annual Congress in Milan, June 12-16, 2025 2 The cutoff date was October 3, 2024 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250602568637/en/ Contacts: MaaT Pharma Investor Relations Guilhaume DEBROAS, Ph.D. Head of Investor Relations +33 6 16 48 92 50 invest@maat-pharma.com Rx Communications Group U.S. Investor Relations Michael Miller Managing Director +1-917-633-6086 mmiller@rxir.com MaaT Pharma Media Relations Pauline RICHAUD Senior PR Corporate Communications Manager +33 6 14 06 45 92 media@maat-pharma.com Catalytic Agency U.S. Media Relations Heather Shea Media relations for MaaT Pharma +1 617-286-2013 heather.shea@catalyticagency.com OSAKA, Japan, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 21, 2025, the "Shanghai Select - Made in Shanghai Showcase" and the Osaka edition of the "Shanghai Summer" global campaign officially opened at Grand Green Osaka, Japan. The event welcomed nearly 100 representatives from the design, travel, and media sectors of both cities, underscoring the growing cultural and commercial connections between Shanghai and its regional neighbors. Mr. Fang Wei, Deputy Consul General of the Chinese Consulate-General in Osaka, delivered opening remarks highlighting the strong ties between Shanghai and Osaka, both leading hubs of commerce and innovation. As a flagship initiative driving Shanghai's transformation into a global consumption center, the "Shanghai Summer" International Consumption Season offers a lively, immersive experience for international visitors. Running from early July through mid-October, the campaign includes over 100 events citywide, with the theme "Come, Play, and Shop in Shanghai." The 2024 edition delivered impressive results. According to China UnionPay, overseas card spending increased by 68.2% year-on-year during the campaign, while total offline spending reached RMB 815.9 billion. During the recent May Day holiday alone, Shanghai welcomed over 615,000 cross-border entries and exits, with inbound spending rising more than 211%. Key updates were unveiled at the Osaka event. Ms. Yi Zhaojun, General Manager of Shanghai Design Week, introduced the new "240-Hour City Experience" product series designed for short-stay tourists, along with the launch of the Shanghai Pass-a co-branded card by Jiushi Group. Functioning similarly to Thailand's Rabbit card, the Shanghai Pass provides seamless access to transportation, major attractions, and 2,000+ retail outlets. Travel connectivity was another highlight. China Eastern Airlines announced four new European routes and over one million discounted tickets to boost access to Shanghai. Visa revealed its upcoming "Shanghai Summer Visa Payment-Friendly Zone" and exclusive privileges in collaboration with the Osaka Prefectural Government. UnionPay introduced six themed shopping routes and a payment network covering more than 100,000 merchants across Shanghai. The Osaka showcases sparked enthusiasm among local attendees, who praised the campaign's convenience-driven approach and rich storytelling potential. As Shanghai continues to open its doors to the world, Southeast Asian travelers-especially those from Thailand-are warmly invited to explore, indulge, and experience the city's vibrant charm through the "Shanghai Summer" journey. Media Contact : Lulu,media@shanghaisummer.com, +44 7463077291 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2701397/Shanghai_Pass.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/recap-of-the-shanghai-summer-global-campaign--osaka-edition-302470897.html Tentpole event for the region addresses labor challenges, regulatory shifts and emerging innovations. NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 / MD&M East , the region's largest event for the engineering sector, returned to New York City hosting professionals from around the world to explore cutting-edge technologies, innovative strategies and collaborative solutions. Attendees engaged in timely conversations across MedTech, packaging, plastics, design and manufacturing, automation and quality, as the industry experiences unprecedented challenges, opportunities and transformation in the face of rapid technological advancement, shifting regulatory frameworks and global supply chain disruption. With a focus on bringing back intentional content curated to address the most current trends and advancement shaping the sector, the event kicked off with a keynote presentation from A.K. Karan of Baxter International, "Baxter's Approach to Optimizing Supply Chains with AI & Machine Learning," showcasing how cloud-connected AI/ML systems with sensor monitoring are revolutionizing manufacturing operations by enabling real-time anomaly detection and predictive maintenance to create resilient production in today's complex global landscape. Emily Winston of Boichik Bagels continued with the keynote "Bridging Tradition and Innovation: Enhancing Quality Food Production Through Automation," demonstrating how an engineering background transformed artisanal bagel-making into a scalable operation where hybrid production systems with robotic arms maintain hand-crafted quality while increasing output to 50,000 bagels daily. Omar Khateeb of Khateeb & Co. presented "The Third Wave: The Future of Big Tech and MedTech," examining strategic acquisition trends of AI companies by larger tech firms and the rise of software-first models in medical device development, highlighting both exciting acquisition opportunities and pressing regulatory concerns. "Engineering and manufacturing are evolving and accelerating into an era defined by intelligence, connectivity and purpose, "says Melissa Magestro, VP of Informa Markets Engineering. "From AI-driven MedTech to adaptive automation strategies, the energy, ingenuity and conversations at MD&M East reflected not just a showcase of technology, but a collective readiness to lead through changes and advance the dialogue that drive progress." Beyond the keynotes, education sessions continued the theme centering on the strategic integration of advanced technologies, from AI and machine learning to robotics and software-first approaches, to enhance traditional industries while maintaining quality, improving efficiency and addressing complex challenges in manufacturing and healthcare. Additional sessions highlighted advancements in digital lean manufacturing, factory data optimization, metal additive manufacturing and sustainable practices in areas such as packaging, automation and supply chain management, reflecting the industry's push toward smarter, cleaner and more connected operations. New partnerships were brought forward and fostered this year, reinforcing a focus on innovation across key vertices, exemplified by the New York Robotics Network's debut activation "Bagels & Bots," an onsite activation that showcased several robots from its collective. The interactive display highlighted the Network's mission to create a connected ecosystem for manufacturers, coders and end-users by demonstrating real-world interoperability and collaboration among New York's growing robotics community. The TAG Awards for MedTech celebrated its 2025 winners at the event, recognizing breakthrough innovations that improve healthcare delivery, safety, access and outcomes. Among the honorees, Perimeter Medical Imaging AI was recognized for the B-Series OCT System featuring ImgAssist AI, which enables real-time margin analysis during surgery. Vibrant Gastro also received honors for the Vibrant System, an ingestible vibrating capsule paired with an app that offers a drug-free treatment for chronic constipation. The early bird rates for the 2026 awards are now live. The event comes at a time when the industry is undergoing rapid transformation, with AI-driven tools reshaping how products are designed, developed and delivered. Over 900 AI- enabled medical devices have been cleared by the FDA in the past three decades , underscoring the accelerating role of machine learning in diagnostics, imaging and patient care. Meanwhile robotics adoption in manufacturing continues to surge, with the U.S. seeing record investments in automation as companies seek to boost resilience, precision and scalability amid ongoing labor and supply chain challenges. The MD&M series will continue its momentum with MD&M South returning to Charlotte, NC in 2026, before heading back to New York City in 2027. For event updates and information visit: www.mdmsouth.com. About MD&M MD&M, organized by Informa Markets Engineering, is the leading group of business events across the U.S. for professionals in medical, critical and advanced manufacturing. United under one brand, MD&M is the premier platform where professionals meet, learn and collaborate to drive innovations in life-saving devices, cutting-edge technologies and advanced manufacturing processes. Founded in 1985, the MD&M portfolio includes MD&M West , MD&M East , MD&M South and MD&M Midwest . Focusing on fostering collaboration across regions and sectors, MD&M is dedicated to empowering professionals through year-round engagement, advanced matchmaking technology and specialized events that reflect the ever-evolving needs of the industry. About Informa Markets Engineering Informa Markets Engineering is the leading B2B event producer, publisher, and digital media business for the world's $3-trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry. Our print and electronic products deliver trusted information to the engineering market and leverage our proprietary 1.3-million-name database to connect suppliers with buyers and purchase influencers. We produce more than 50 events and conferences in a dozen countries, connecting manufacturing professionals from around the globe. The Engineering portfolio is organized by Informa Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), the world's leading exhibitions organizer that brings a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit? www.informamarkets.com . Media Contact Informa Markets Engineering PR EngineeringPR@informa.com SOURCE: INFORMA MARKETS - ENGINEERING View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/publishing-and-media/ai-and-automation-reshape-manufacturing-and-medtech-at-mdandm-east-1034450 Naples, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - June 2, 2025) - Detailers of Naples, a premier automotive protection brand founded by entrepreneur Brennen Seaman, has officially expanded its operations beyond Florida, opening multiple locations in SWFL and now to Michigan. The expansion marks a significant milestone in the company's decade-long journey, positioning it as a leading name in luxury detailing and automotive protective services across the eastern United States. Detailers of Naples To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8798/252194_e76ac58504845aa0_001full.jpg Founded in 2014 as a mobile detailing operation, Detailers of Naples evolved its service model in 2020 to specialize in high-end protective offerings, including XPEL paint protection film (PPF), ceramic coatings, and window tinting. Under Seaman's leadership, the company has grown from a single mobile unit into a multi-location enterprise, now with five operational locations across Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota, and Michigan. "This expansion reflects our dedication to craftsmanship, client experience, and doing things the right way," said Brennen Seaman, Founder and CEO. "We've built our reputation on precision, and this next chapter allows us to bring that standard to more clients across the country." Customer-First Approach and Industry Recognition Detailers of Naples serves a wide range of clients from exotic car collectors and performance enthusiasts to everyday drivers who want the best protection for their vehicles. While once reserved for high-end supercars, automotive protection services like PPF, ceramic coatings, and high end tinting are now essential for everyone and anyone looking to preserve their vehicle's appearance and value. Recently named the 2024 XPEL Florida Dealer of the Year, the company continues to set the standard for premium service and lasting results. Further reinforcing its commitment to best-in-class service and results. "From luxury cars to everyday vehicles, our clients count on us to protect their investments," said Seaman. "It's about more than just looks-we're here to preserve that showroom finish, elevate the driving experience, and give our customers peace of mind every mile of the way." With a strong focus on customer experience, Detailers of Naples emphasizes personal connection, transparent communication, and a service-first mindset. Every team member is trained not only in technical excellence but in delivering an experience that goes above and beyond. Under Seaman's leadership, the company has built a culture rooted in care, trust, and the belief that every customer deserves to feel like a VIP. Strategic Growth Built on Leadership and Systems Detailers of Naples began as a passion project, one where Seaman was personally involved in every wash, polish, and paint correction. "I used to be in the bay from open to close," he recalls. "It taught me what great work really looks like." As demand grew, so did the vision. Seaman shifted his focus from doing every job himself to building a team that shared his values of precision, pride, and unmatched customer care. By investing in training, leadership, and consistent systems, Detailers of Naples has scaled without losing its boutique feel. Today, that same hands-on attention is delivered across every location, backed by a clear mission: to redefine what excellence in automotive care truly means. To learn more about Detailers of Naples, visit the official website or follow them on Instagram. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/252194 SOURCE: APG Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 2, 2025) - Spark Energy Minerals Inc. (CSE: SPRK) (OTC Pink: SPARF) (FSE: 8PC) ("Spark" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce the publication of its maiden NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Arapaima Lithium and Rare Earth Elements (REE) Project, located in the heart of Brazil's "Lithium Valley" in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Covering a vast contiguous land package of 919 km, the report confirms Arapaima as a highly prospective early-stage exploration project with compelling lithium and REE potential. Highlights Identification of 123 individual pegmatite occurrences across 13 trends with a combined strike length of 31 km. Discovery of anomalous lithium values in rock chip samples (up to 1,397 ppm Li) and stream sediments (up to 191 ppm Li), as well as evolved pegmatites with K/Rb ratios as low as 23.84, potentially indicative of spodumene-rich LCT pegmatites. Promising REE mineralization in the Caladao Granite, with soil samples returning >3,000 ppm TREO and stream sediments >6,000 ppm TREO, adjacent to high-grade drill results reported by neighbouring company Axel REE Limited. Excellent access via sealed roads and proximity to established infrastructure and the producing Sigma Lithium mine, located just 15 km away. "This technical report validates our exploration thesis and highlights Arapaima's position as one of the most exciting early-stage lithium and REE projects in the region," said Eugene Hodgson, CEO of Spark Energy Minerals. "We are committed to executing a systematic and focused exploration campaign to unlock its full potential." The full NI 43-101 Technical Report is available on SEDAR+ and the Company's website here. Arapaima Lithium and REE Project Overview Location The Arapaima project covers ~919 km in northeastern Minas Gerais. It spans parts of the Aracuai pegmatite belt, with nearby towns including Aracuai, Teofilo Otoni, Itinga, Virgem da Lapa, Padre Paraiso and others. The project area is about 550 km (~8.5-hour drive) from Belo Horizonte via sealed highways BR-381 and BR-116. Air access is available to regional centers (an ~85 km drive to the project). The town of Padre Paraiso lies at the southern edge (the "gateway of the Lithium Valley") and serves as a field base. Padre Paraiso lies on a new high-voltage transmission line (Padre Paraiso-Governador Valadares 6) which will strengthen the regional grid. This will ensure reliable power for future operations. Figure 1: Arapaima Lithium and REE project - Access To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10093/254096_e903c42c04f5dab6_002full.jpg Project Ownership Spark owns 100% of the Arapaima package, comprising of 58 granted exploration licenses (ELs) plus 4 applications (total 62 licenses) covering roughly 919 km. Previously, the size of Arapaima had been report as 64,359-hectares however over the course of developing the technical report, the outlying tenements have been included as an all-encompassing project that stretches throughout the Lithium Valley and in close proximity to other notable projects, including Sigma Lithium, Lightning Minerals, Lithium Ionic, Axel REE, etc. Figure 2: Arapaima Lithium and REE project tenements relative to neighbouring projects To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10093/254096_e903c42c04f5dab6_003full.jpg Geology The project lies in the Eastern Brazilian Pegmatite Province (EBPP), a ~150,000 km Paleoproterozoic-Neoproterozoic belt (mostly in eastern Minas Gerais) known for its lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) and gem pegmatites. Minas Gerais hosts ~90% of the EBPP; pegmatites here have been mined for gems and rare elements since colonial times. Arapaima falls within the Aracuai pegmatite district ("Lithium Valley"), which includes major LCT-pegmatite fields at Itinga, Coronel Murta, Pedra Azul, Padre Paraiso, etc. Figure 3: Regional Geology (Source: Modified from Pedrosa-Soares et al. 2011) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10093/254096_e903c42c04f5dab6_004full.jpg Mineralization Target mineralization is predominantly LCT-type granitic pegmatites (hosting lithium, cesium, tantalum, niobium, etc.) and rare-earth-oxide (REO) clay deposits developed by weathering of REE minerals. The field observations report pegmatites ranging from centimetres to ~200 m thick, often in swarms along 13 mapped trends (total ~31 km of strike). All exposed pegmatites are heavily weathered in the tropical climate; outcrops are quartz-tourmaline-feldspar-mica lodes with no intact spodumene visible at surface. As a result, surface samples typically return low Li (due to leaching of spodumene and lepidolite), even when the underlying rock may host economic lithium levels. Sahara notes that deeply weathered profiles can hide higher-grade spodumene zones at depth. Pathfinder geochemistry (stream sediments, soils, rock chips) shows characteristic ratios of fertile LCT-pegmatites: high K/Rb, strong Li-Nb correlation, and anomalous tin, tantalum, gallium, etc., with low Ta/Nb ratios (typical of spodumene-bearing pegmatites). These element associations will guide target selection. Spark's Exploration History Beginning November 2024, Spark engaged Avant Geofisica to reprocess regional magnetics/radiometrics and conduct satellite multispectral targeting. Concurrently, Spark conducted ground mapping and sampling. By early 2025, the field program had completed ~397 geochemical samples (stream sediment, soil, rock-chip). SEM geologists logged 401 outcrop observations and identified 123 pegmatite occurrences (13 trends) on the tenure. Four high-priority exploration targets (e.g. Grota do Maquem, Agua Branca, Cruzeta and Caladao) were defined for immediate follow-up. Figure 4: Arapaima Lithium and REE project advanced targets To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10093/254096_e903c42c04f5dab6_005full.jpg Lithium Targets The Cruzeta Target has produced the highest assays to date with 739ppm, 1,217ppm and 1,397ppm Li respectively. The K/Rb ratios for these three samples report as low as 23.84 to 36.42 pointing to the potential proximity of highly evolved Lithium, Cesium, Tantalum (LCT) pegmatites which are characterized by this ratio and the corresponding pathfinder elemental association. The Cruzeta Target along with Grota do Maquem and Agua Branca account for the identification of 123 individual pegmatite occurrences across 13 trends with a combined strike length of 31 km. Figure 5: Cruzeta Lithium Target and corresponding rock chip and stream sediment results (Source: Spark 43-101, March 2025) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10093/254096_e903c42c04f5dab6_006full.jpg Rare Earth Element (REE) Potential Spark completed reconnaissance geological mapping over the Caladao Granite. Australian junior explorer Axel REE Limited (Axel) has reported significant Gallium and REE results within the Caladao Granite. Spark's tenements are contiguous with Axel's Caladao Project and has returned high-grade REE and gallium mineralization after completing a first phase drill program. Results include 49.92m @ 5,909ppm TREO with 1m @ 22,115ppm TREO. Initial soil and stream sediment samples collected by Sprak within their contiguous tenements have returned anomalous TREO results > 3000ppm in soils and > 6000ppm TREO in stream sediment samples. The figure below highlights Sparks results along with Axel's drilling results all hosted within the Caladao Granite. Figure 6: Caladao Target - REE Results from Axel drilling and Spark stream sediment and soil sampling (Source: Spark 43-101, March 2025) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10093/254096_e903c42c04f5dab6_007full.jpg Qualified Person: The scientific and technical information disclosed in this document has been reviewed and approved by Beau Nicholls, BSc (Geo) FAIG, a Qualified Person consistent with NI 43-101 and the QP of Spark Energy's 43-101. About Spark Energy Minerals Inc. Spark Energy Minerals, Inc. is a Canadian company focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing battery metals and mineral assets, with a particular emphasis on its substantial interests in Brazil. The Company's flagship project is the Arapaima Lithium project spanning 64,359 hectares in Brazil's renowned Lithium Valley, one of the most prolific mining regions in the world. This region is rapidly gaining global recognition for its vast deposits of lithium and rare earth minerals, positioning Brazil as a critical player in the global energy transition. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer Certain statements contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively "forward-looking information") as those terms are used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could," "intend," "expect," "believe," "will," "projected," "estimated", "anticipates" 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 Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the business of the Company, the Property, financing and certain corporate changes. In addition, it should be noted that rock, soil and stream sediment samples are inherently selective samples and may not represent the true underlying mineralization. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254096 SOURCE: Spark Energy Minerals Inc. The European Equity Fund, Inc. (NYSE: EEA) (the "Fund") announced today that Hansjoerg Pack will replace Juan Barriobero as the Fund's portfolio manager effective July 1, 2025. Effective July 1, 2025, Mr. Barriobero, who has served as the Fund's portfolio manager since 2020, will replace Frank Kuemmet as the Fund's deputy portfolio manager. Mr. Pack joined DWS in 1997 and has extensive portfolio management experience, including multiple global equity strategies with significant exposure to European markets. He also has experience in managing funds with significant allocations to German small and mid-cap equity securities, including DWS Aktien Strategie Deutschland (with current net assets of over EUR 2 billion) from 2016 to the present. Mr. Pack received a BA in Business Administration from Sheffield Hallam University; a Master's Degree in Economics ("Diplom-Volkswirt") from University of Duisburg-Essen; and is a CEFA Certified European Financial Analyst. Important Information The European Equity Fund, Inc. is diversified and primarily focuses its investments in equity securities of issuers domiciled in Europe, thereby increasing its vulnerability to developments in that region. Investing in foreign securities, particularly of emerging markets, presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, and risks of currency and capital controls, political and economic changes, and market risks. Any fund that concentrates in a particular segment of the market or a particular geographical region will generally be more volatile than a fund that invests more broadly. The shares of most closed-end funds, including the Fund, are not continuously offered. Once issued, shares of closed-end funds are bought and sold in the open market through a stock exchange. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount to net asset value. The price of a fund's shares is determined by a number of factors, several of which are beyond the control of the fund. Therefore, a fund cannot predict whether its shares will trade at, below, or above net asset value. War, terrorism, sanctions, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and, in the future, may lead to significant disruptions in US and world economies and markets, which may lead to increased market volatility and may have significant adverse effects on the funds and their investments. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the laws of such state or jurisdiction. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. NOT FDIC/ NCUA INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE NO BANK GUARANTEE NOT A DEPOSIT NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY DWS Distributors, Inc. 222 South Riverside Plaza Chicago, IL 60606-5808 www.dws.com Tel (800) 621-1148 2025 DWS Group GmbH Co. KGaA. All rights reserved The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc. which offers investment products or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C. which offer advisory services. (R-106206) (05/25) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250602428372/en/ Contacts: For additional information: DWS Press Office (212) 454-4500 Shareholder Account Information (800) 294-4366 DWS Closed-End Funds (800) 621-1148 Saguenay, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - June 2, 2025) - First Phosphate Corp. (CSE: PHOS) (OTCQB: FRSPF) (FSE: KD0) ("First Phosphate" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the second and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement financing (the "Offering"), as further described in the Company's news releases dated May 9, 2025 and May 28, 2025. As part of both tranches of the Offering, the Company raised a total of $3,517,519 through the issuance of 7,275,309 Flow-Through Shares at a price of $0.35 for gross proceeds of $2,773,858, and 2,124,747 Hard Dollar Units at a price of $0.35, comprised of 2,124,747 Common Shares and 1,062,373 Warrants, for gross proceeds of $743,661. Together with this Offering, the Company has raised to date a total of approximately $23.8 million in 7 management-led non-brokered private-placement financings since June 2022. Under the final tranche of the Offering, the Company raised a total of $1,126,365 through the issuance of 2,883,429 Flow-Through Shares for gross proceeds of $1,009,200, and 334,757 Hard Dollar Units, comprised of 334,757 Common Shares and 167,378 Warrants, for gross proceeds of $117,165. In total, in connection with the Offering, the Company paid $800 in cash finder's fees, issued 471,152 Compensation Shares and advisory shares at a price of $0.35 per common share, and issued 444,867 Compensation Warrants, exercisable at a price of $0.50 per common share of the Company, until December 31, 2025, subject to an Accelerated Expiry Date. All securities issued under the Offering are subject to a four-month and one day statutory hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Offering as disclosed in the Company's press release dated May 9, 2025. Capitalized terms used in this news release and not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Company's news release dated May 9, 2025. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Completion of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals. There can be no assurance that any further securities will be sold under Offering. About First Phosphate Corp. First Phosphate (CSE: PHOS) (OTCQB: FRSPF) (FSE: KD0) is a mineral development company dedicated to producing high-purity phosphate for the LFP battery industry. The Company is committed to sustainable extraction and purification with a low anticipated carbon footprint. Its vertically integrated model connects phosphate mining directly into the supply chains of North American battery producers. First Phosphate's flagship project, the Begin-Lamarche Property in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec, contains rare igneous anorthosite rock that yields high-purity phosphate with minimal impurities. Investor Relations: investor@firstphosphate.com Media Relations: media@firstphosphate.com Website: www.FirstPhosphate.com Follow First Phosphate: X: https://x.com/FirstPhosphate LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-phosphate -30- Forward-Looking Information and Cautionary Statements This news release contains certain statements and information that may be considered "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" and other similar expressions. In addition, statements in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, including, among other things: the Company's planned exploration and production activities; the properties and composition of any extracted phosphate; the Company's plans for vertical integration into North American battery supply chains; and the receipt of all necessary approvals. These statements and other forward-looking information are based on assumptions and estimates that the Company believes are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to, the various assumptions set forth herein and in the Company's public disclosure record including the short form base prospectus dated June 5, 2024, and the receipt of all necessary approvals. 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. There can be no assurance that any opportunity will be successful, commercially viable, completed on time or on budget, or will generate any meaningful revenues, savings or earnings, as the case may be, for the Company. In addition, the Company will incur costs in pursuing any particular opportunity, which may be significant. These factors and assumptions are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors and assumptions that could affect the Company and, though they should be considered carefully, should be considered in conjunction with the risk factors described in the Company's other documents filed with the Canadian and United States securities authorities, including without limitation the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis dated January 29, 2025 and Annual Report on 20-F dated July 8, 2024, which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company has attempted to identify factors that would cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in the forward-looking information or information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254245 SOURCE: First Phosphate Corp. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 2, 2025) - Atrium Mortgage Investment Corporation (TSX: AI) ("Atrium") today announced the appointment of Gigi Wong as Chief Financial Officer, effective June 2, 2025. Robert Goodall, CEO of Atrium, stated, "We are very pleased to welcome Gigi to Atrium. She brings more than two decades of experience in finance and operational leadership, and will be responsible for overseeing the company's financial reporting and compliance functions. Gigi has held senior financial leadership roles across the asset management and financial services sectors. Her experience spans finance operations, risk management, and leading teams through periods of growth and change. She is recognized for her disciplined approach to financial governance and her ability to align financial strategies with broader business objectives. As both a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Gigi's credentials and leadership track record make her a great asset to our executive team. We are excited to have her on board. I also want to sincerely thank Razvan Vulcu who has acted as our Interim CFO over the last couple months and consistently performed at a very high level." About Atrium Canada's Premier Non-Bank Lender Atrium is a non-bank provider of residential and commercial mortgages that lends in major urban centres in Canada where the stability and liquidity of real estate are high. Atrium's objectives are to provide its shareholders with stable and secure dividends and preserve shareholders' equity by lending within conservative risk parameters. Atrium is a Mortgage Investment Corporation (MIC) as defined in the Canada Income Tax Act, so is not taxed on income provided that its taxable income is paid to its shareholders in the form of dividends within 90 days after December 31 each year. Such dividends are generally treated by shareholders as interest income, so that each shareholder is in the same position as if the mortgage investments made by the company had been made directly by the shareholder. For further information, please refer to regulatory filings available at www.sedarplus.ca or Atrium's website at www.atriummic.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254238 SOURCE: Atrium Mortgage Investment Corporation Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 2, 2025) - Kingsview Minerals Ltd. (CSE: KVM) (FSE: 0L40) (the "Company" or "Kingsview") is excited to announce the acquisition of the Vernon property located in southeastern New Brunswick. The Vernon Mine, which historically produced copper in the 1860s, represents a significant unexplored opportunity for gold mineralization. The property, situated along the Bay of Fundy just west of Fundy National Park and approximately 50 km southeast of Sussex, has a rich history of mining activity. Although historical assessments reported impressive gold grades of up to 4 oz/ton Au in the Peacock Vein, no gold production was reported during its operational years from 1864 to 1865 (New Brunswick Mineral Report of Work 473635. The Report can be downloaded at https://dnr-mrn.gnb.ca/ParisWeb/AssessmentReportDetails.aspx). More recent mineral exploration has revealed key indicators of potential gold mineralization, including structural faulting, quartz-carbonate veining, and sericite alteration. Notably, gold was identified through assay in pyrite-sericite schists at the intersection of two structural trends associated with copper- and silver-bearing quartz-carbonate veins. Key findings noted in New Brunswick Mineral Report of Work 473635 include: Numerous reports of anomalous gold and copper values from surface grab samples; notably immediately adjacent the historical Vernon Mine adit and the Peacock vein as well as a gold-copper occurrence approximately 900 metres from the Peacock vein. Historic silt and soil sampling identified gold anomalies both associated with known mineral showings and ones where the source of the anomaly had not been identified. Kingsview Minerals is committed to further exploration and development of the Vernon property, aiming to unlock its significant gold potential. Terms of the Acquisition On April 25, 2025, the Company announced its intention to acquire the property in an arm's length transaction via Definitive Agreement. As consideration for the Proposed Transaction, the Company issued 3,000,000 common shares in the capital the Company (the "Common Shares"), at a deemed issuance price of $0.12 per Common Share, equal to CAD$360,000. The acquisition was completed by way of a three-way amalgamation, whereby the company owning the property was amalgamated with a newly incorporated wholly owned subsidiary of the Kingsview. Completion of the Transaction was subject to customary conditions including but not limited to: receipt of all required consents; and the approval of the Proposed Transaction by the CSE. The owners of property now hold 44% of the common shares in Kingsview. No changes to management were made and no finders' fees were paid. Qualified Persons Review The technical and scientific information contained within this news release have been reviewed and approved by Mr. David Benson P.Geo a Qualified Person ("QP") as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Benson has over 20 years' experience evaluating historical mine and grassroots base and precious metals projects across Canada. Both the Company and QP caution the reader that the technical and scientific information used in this press release was gathered through literature review of historical Mineral Reports of Work on the Property submitted by previous operators to the government of New Brunswick. The Company plans to verify the historical scientific and technical information, where applicable, during future exploration campaigns. The Company and QP caution the reader that the scientific and technical information presented in this press release may not be representative of future scientific and technical results. About Kingsview Minerals Ltd. Kingsview is a mineral exploration company focused on gold and base metal exploration. Learn more: http://www.kingsviewminerals.ca/. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions and accordingly, actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. You are hence cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include words or expressions such as "proposed", "will", "subject to", "near future", "in the event", "would", "expect", "prepared to" and other similar words or expressions. All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements and include but are not limited to statements regarding the potential that the projects will yield any precious metals in future exploration programs and the Company's ability to advance its properties. Where the Company expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is based on assumptions made in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. Such assumptions include the Company's ability to implement a drill program on the projects, that the Company will have sufficient funds available to it and that the Company will continue to be able to retain skilled personnel. Factors that could cause future results or events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the state of capital markets; there being no assurance that any future exploration program on the projects will result in mineral resources; the inability of the Company to raise sufficient funds and/or retain necessary personnel to conduct its operations; the impact on the business, operations and financial condition of the Company resulting from the announcement of the purchase of the projects; the impact that the recovery post COVID-19 may have on precious metals; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the transaction described in this press release; other unforeseen events, developments, or factors causing any of the aforesaid expectations, assumptions, and other factors ultimately being inaccurate or irrelevant; and any risks associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. You can find further information with respect to these and other risks in filings made with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities that are available on the Company's SEDAR profile page at www.sedar.com. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254241 SOURCE: Kingsview Minerals Ltd. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 2, 2025) - GoldQuest Mining Corp. (TSXV: GQC) ("GoldQuest" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of the first tranche (the "First Tranche") of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Common Shares"), originally announced on May 14, 2025. In response to strong investor demand, the Private Placement has been increased to a maximum of 32,352,877 Common Shares at a price of C$0.50 per Common Share, for total gross proceeds of up to C$16,176,439. Under the First Tranche, the Company issued a total of 21,450,877 Common Shares at a price of C$0.50 per Common Share, raising gross proceeds of C$10,725,438.50. Approximately 82% of the funds raised in the First Tranche were contributed by investors based in the Dominican Republic, reflecting strong national support for the Company's projects and its commitment to local development. The entire Second Tranche will also be funded by Dominican capital. Demand from Dominican investors was exceptionally strong, resulting in an oversubscription of the offering and requiring the Company to limit allocations and defer participation from a number of interested investors. This level of demand underscores the confidence and momentum behind GoldQuest's strategy and the Romero Project. Insider participation in the First Tranche includes investments by three members of the Board of Directors, including the Company's CEO, demonstrating strong confidence in the Company's strategy, leadership, and the advancement of the Romero Project. In connection with the First Tranche, the Company paid a cash finder's fee of approximately C$203,275 to Paola Cornielle, an arm's length party. The Private Placement remains subject to final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX-V"). All Common Shares issued pursuant to the Private Placement are subject to a four-month statutory hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. Use of Proceeds The net proceeds of the Private Placement will be used to fund the following initiatives: Completion of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) at Romero. Finalization of the Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) for the Romero Project. Mineral Exploration at the Tireo Belt. General Corporate Purposes. Second Tranche The Company has entered into a subscription agreement with Guess Investments Ltd. (the "Investor"), an existing shareholder and insider of the Company, for the purchase of the remaining 10,902,000 Common Shares under the Private Placement at a price of C$0.50 per Common Share, for additional gross proceeds of C$5,451,000 (the "Second Tranche"). Closing of the Second Tranche is subject to TSX-V approval, including the satisfactory completion of certain Personal Information Forms required to be submitted by the Investor. Insider Participation and MI 61-101 Disclosure Insiders of the Company acquired an aggregate of 1,242,000 Common Shares (C$621,000) under the First Tranche and are expected to acquire an additional 10,902,000 Common Shares (C$5,451,000) under the Second Tranche. Such insider participation constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined under TSX-V Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the securities to be acquired by insiders, nor the consideration paid by them, exceeds 25% of the Company's Market Capitalization. About GoldQuest Mining Corp. GoldQuest Mining Corp. is a Canadian-based mineral exploration and development company with projects in the Dominican Republic. The Company is focused on advancing the Romero gold-copper project and exploring the Tireo Formation, a district known for its rich mineral potential. GoldQuest is listed on the TSX-V under the symbol GQC. Forward-Looking Statements: Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking information that involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the closing of the Second Tranche, including receipt of TSX-V approval and the subscription from the Investor, the use of proceeds of funds raised under the Private Placement, and the Company's focus on advancing the Romero gold-copper project and exploring the Tireo Formation. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "looks forward", "has proven", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "potential", "likelihood", "appears", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "at least", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which 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 statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks related to related to the implementation, application and interpretation of the recent changes to the Dominican Republic's environmental regulations; risks related to the ability of the Company to advance and complete a Feasibility study, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and other studies on the Romero project; economic and political conditions globally and in the Dominican Republic; uncertainties inherent in drill results and the estimation of mineral resources; commodity prices; changes in general economic conditions; market sentiment; currency exchange rates; the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's ability to raise funds through equity financings; risks inherent in mineral exploration; risks related to operations in foreign countries; future prices of metals; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals; government regulation of mining operations; environmental risks; title disputes or claims; limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of litigation. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could affect the Company and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, 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 statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, do not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All statements are made as of the date of this news release and the Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable, including expectations regarding mineral exploration and development costs; expected trends in mineral prices and currency exchange rates; the accuracy of the Company's current mineral resource estimates; that the Company's activities will be in accordance with the Company's public statements and stated goals; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; that all required approvals will be obtained and that there will be no significant disruptions affecting the Company or its properties. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254244 SOURCE: GoldQuest Mining Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 2, 2025) - Goldshore Resources Inc. (TSXV: GSHR) (OTCQB: GSHRF) (FSE: 8X00) ("Goldshore" or the "Company" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc. (the "Lead Underwriter") as lead underwriter and sole bookrunner, and a syndicate of underwriters to be formed (together, the "Underwriters") pursuant to which the Company has launched a "bought deal" private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of $25,000,000 (the "Offering") of: 22,727,272 Charity flow-through shares (the "CFT Shares") at a price of $0.44 per CFT Share for total gross proceeds of $10,000,000; 32,258,064 Hard dollar common shares (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.31 per Common Share for total gross proceeds of $10,000,000; and 13,157,894 Flow-through common shares (the "FT Shares" and together with the Common Shares and CFT Shares, the "Offered Shares"), at a price of $0.38 per FT Share for total gross proceeds of $5,000,000. The FT Shares and CFT Shares will qualify as "flow-through shares" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Act") Gross proceeds from the sale of CFT Shares and FT Shares will be used to incur eligible Canadian exploration expenses and flow-through mining expenditures, as defined in the Act ("Qualifying Expenditures") related to the Company's Moss Gold Project in Ontario, on or before December 31, 2026, and to renounce all the Qualifying Expenditures in favour of the purchasers of the FT Shares and the CFT Shares effective December 31, 2025. Eventus Capital Corp. is an advisor to the Company. Specifically, the Company intends to use the proceeds from the FT and CFT financings for the following activities: 21,000m of tight spaced "grade control" drilling to define drill spacing for the infill MRE conversion drill program and provide sample for feasibility level metallurgical test work 7,500m scout drilling to test district targets generated by the winter drill program An update to the Mineral Resource Estimate and additional test work to support the ongoing PEA Ongoing environmental baseline costs Ongoing community engagement programs Additional generative exploration, including bedrock geochemical samples plus outcrop stripping for mapping and sampling Field overhead costs Michael Henrichsen, CEO of Goldshore commented, "The gross proceeds from the FT and CFT Share sale will be used to advance the Moss Gold Deposit through a critical phase of development, positioning the Company for the release of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) from G-Mining Services in Q4 of this year, and ultimately driving further de-risking and development activities thereafter." Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, the CFT Shares and the Common Shares will be offered to purchasers resident in all Provinces of Canada (excluding Quebec) pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption") of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"). Offered Shares sold pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption in Canada will not be subject to resale restrictions under applicable Canadian securities laws. The Offered Shares may be re-offered or re-sold on a private placement basis in offshore jurisdictions as permitted and in the United States pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "U.S. Securities Act"), as amended. The FT Shares will be offered to purchasers resident in all Provinces of Canada (excluding Quebec) pursuant to other applicable exemptions from the prospectus requirements of NI 45-106. There is an offering document related to the Offering (the "LIFE Offering Document") that can be accessed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.goldshoreresources.com. Prospective investors should read this LIFE Offering Document before making an investment decision. The Company has agreed to pay the Underwriters a cash commission of 6.0% of the gross proceeds raised under the Offering, which shall be reduced to 3.0% for subscribers on the president's list. In connection with the Offering the Company will grant the Underwriters an option to sell up to an additional 15% of the aggregate amount of Offered Shares, exercisable, in whole or in part, any time up until 48 hours prior to the closing date of the Offering. The Offering is expected to close on or about June 19, 2025 and is subject to the Company receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval from the TSX Venture Exchange. The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction. About Goldshore Goldshore is a growth-oriented gold company focused on delivering long-term shareholder and stakeholder value through the acquisition and advancement of primary gold assets in tier-one jurisdictions. It is led by the ex-global head of structural geology for the world's largest gold company and backed by one of Canada's pre-eminent private equity firms. The Company's current focus is the advanced stage 100% owned Moss Gold Project which is positioned in Ontario, Canada, with direct access from the Trans-Canada Highway, hydroelectric power near site, supportive local communities and skilled workforce. The Company has invested over $60 million of new capital and completed approximately 80,000 meters of drilling on the Moss Gold Project, which, in aggregate, has had over 235,000 meters of drilling. The 2024 updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate ("MRE") has expanded to 1.54 million ounces of Indicated gold resources at 1.23 g/t Au and 5.20 million ounces of Inferred gold resources at 1.11 g/t Au. The MRE only encompasses 3.6 kilometers of the 35+ kilometer mineralized trend, remains open at depth and along strike and is one of the few remaining major Canadian gold deposits positioned for fast track through this development cycle. For more information, please visit SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company's website (www.goldshoreresources.com). Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to expectations regarding the exploration and development of the Moss Gold Project, the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering, the completion of a PEA, and the timing thereof, statements about the Offering (including the completion of the Offering on the terms and timelines as announced or at all, the tax treatment of the FT Shares and CFT Shares, the timing to renounce all Qualifying Expenditures in favour of the subscribers and the use of proceeds of the Offering), and other statements that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: exploration and development of the Moss Gold Project will not be undertaken as anticipated; the Company will not complete a PEA in 2025; the Offering will not be completed on the terms anticipated or at all; the Company may not obtain all required regulatory approvals for the Offering, include that of the TSX Venture Exchange; the Company may not be able to use the proceeds of the Offering as anticipated; the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions acceptable; compliance with extensive government regulation; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company's business and results of operations; and the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company's securities, regardless of its operating performance. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company 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. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254261 SOURCE: Goldshore Resources Inc. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 2, 2025) - FRNT Financial Inc. (TSXV: FRNT) (OTCQB: FRFLF) (FSE: XZ3) ("FRNT" or the "Company"), a leading institutional capital markets and advisory platform focused on digital assets, today provides context following the release of the Q3/2025 FRNT financial results and wishes to clarify for investors new revenue lines. In Q3 2025, FRNT originated over $15 million in Bitcoin-backed loans through its newly launched institutional lending platform, which debuted in late-2024. FRNT originates USD loans collateralized by BTC and other liquid digital assets between institutional lenders and borrowers. Loans are executed and monitored on the FRNT Lending Platform, with BitGo serving as tri-party custodian. Highlights and differentiators of the FRNT Platform include: Fully automated tri-party structure with no rehypothecation and 24/7 margin monitoring Robust crypto-native infrastructure combined with institutional-grade risk management Real-time loan dashboards with instant visibility into collateral health, margin status and historical activity The Company notes that revenue for this business line will be recognized in two-ways, 'spread revenue' and 'origination fees.' Spread revenue is collected with interest payments throughout the life of the loan. This implies that if a loan is liquidated or for whatever reason is closed before the end of the term, FRNT will only earn revenue for the period the loan was active. Origination fees represent compensation for FRNT's facilitation and operational support in setting up the loan. Where the fee relates solely to loan origination, it is recognized upfront. Giles Colwell, Head of North American Distribution, notes, "We've built a turnkey solution for institutions looking to lend against crypto securely. Our early traction shows just how much demand exists for infrastructure that bridges traditional capital with digital assets." CEO Commentary: Stephane Ouellette, CEO of FRNT, noted, "While in Q3, the industry was impacted due to macro disruptions surrounding global trade, in the weeks following the end of the quarter enthusiasm and interest from institutions in the digital asset space returned in full-force. FRNT finds itself uniquely positioned for the revenue re-rating in institutional crypto services and is seeing particularly strong growth trends in its lending and merchant banking businesses. We are extremely excited for the opportunities presented in the second half of the year as this market-cycle continues to mature." About FRNT Financial Inc. FRNT Financial is an institutional capital markets platform that bridges traditional and web-based finance through innovative technology-forward solutions. The Company partners with financial institutions and crypto-native firms to deliver a range of capital markets services. Headquartered in Toronto, FRNT was co-founded in 2018 by CEO Stephane Ouellette. For further information, 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. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable law which may include, without limitation, statements relating to revenue generation methods, financial and business prospects of the Company and other matters. Generally, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". All forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by the Company as at the date of such information. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are 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 statements and forward-looking information, including but not limited to: the general risks associated with the speculative nature of the Company's business, current global financial conditions, uncertainty of additional capital, price volatility, government regulation in the industries in which the Company operates, political and economic risk, absence of public trading market, arbitrary offering price, dilution to the Company's common shares, dependence on key personnel, currency fluctuations, insurance and uninsured risks, competition, legal proceedings, conflicts of interest and lack of dividends. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement or forward-looking information that is included herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254264 SOURCE: FRNT Financial Inc. La Defense, 2 June 2025 INDIGO Group forges strategic partnership with LAZ Parking in Canada LAZ Parking acquires a 60% stake in INDIGO Park Canada INDIGO Group, a global player in parking and urban mobility solutions, announces that it has signed an agreement with LAZ Parking (LAZ) to sell 60% of INDIGO Park Canada Inc. (IPC), one of Canada's leading parking operators. As the second-largest operator in the United States, LAZ has experienced outstanding growth since 2007 with INDIGO Group's strategic support until 2021. Since 2021, technological synergies have been successfully developed between the two groups, including an online booking platform and a digital offering that are among the most advanced in North America. This partnership marks a new stage in the collaboration between the two organizations on the North American continent. With nearly 1,700 employees and a portfolio of over 1,200 parking facilities, IPC has established itself as a key player in the Canadian market, operating several iconic locations in the country's main cities. Combined, the LAZ/IPC partnership makes it the largest operator in North America. With this transaction, LAZ becomes IPC's majority shareholder and, alongside INDIGO Group's active role in its governance, aims to continue the company's accelerated development in the Canadian market, with a view to sustainable growth and enhanced service quality. John Laires remains as CEO of INDIGO Park Canada Inc., and will continue to lead the company's operations, ensuring managerial and strategic continuity. Backed by a solid financial base and a proven operational fit, IPC will be able to broaden its offering and accelerate its expansion in major markets and within special segments, such as airports, bringing greater value to its customers and partners. The completion of the sale is subject to the lifting of usual condition precedents for this type of transaction. ********** INDIGO Group Analyst / Investor contact: Press contact: Mathieu Barnavon Bruno Tallent ir@group-indigo.com bruno.tallent@group-indigo.com About INDIGO Group S.A. The INDIGO Group, which owns nearly 100% of INDIGO Infra, Indigo Neo and INDIGOweel, is a global player in parking and urban mobility, managing more than 1.4 million parking spaces and their associated services in 10 countries. INDIGO Group is indirectly 49.3% owned by Credit Agricole Assurances, 34.4% owned by Vauban Infrastructure Partners and 14.9% owned by MR Infrastructure Investment GmbH (MEAG), and held 0.2% of its own shares in treasury, with the Group's management owning the remainder of the shares. www.group-indigo.com About INDIGO Park Canada INDIGO has been present in Canada since the founding of INDIGO Park Canada in Quebec City in 1988. Now based in Montreal, IPC is one of Canada's leading parking operators. Its portfolio comprises over 1,200 sites in all major Canadian provinces, with a concentration in major urban areas and diversified activities covering off-street, on-street, institutional and commercial parking. IPC employs over 1,700 people across the country. About Laz Parking LAZ Parking is the largest, fastest-growing privately owned parking operator in the United States and a pioneer in digital parking technology. Founded in Hartford, CT by Alan Lazowski, Jeffrey Karp, Michael Harth, and Michael Kuziak, LAZ has been providing best-in-class parking management and transportation services since 1981 and operates over 1.7 million parking spaces in more than 4,000 locations in 42 states and 530 cities in the U.S. and Canada. LAZ is an industry leader in business intelligence, remote monitoring, eCommerce solutions, and Proximity On-Demand Services or "LAZ PODS". We leverage our international network of parking facilities to offer cutting-edge, tech-enabled solutions that include EV charging, micro warehousing, last-mile logistics, working across the hospitality, commercial, healthcare, airports, transportation, universities, government, retail, events, residential, and shuttle service industries. LAZ is a people-first, conscious capitalist company, committed to elevating humanity through business. Additional information can be found at www.lazparking.com . Notice The information contained herein has been included in good faith but is intended for general information purposes only. All reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure that the information contained herein is not false or misleading. It should not be relied upon for any specific purpose and no representation or warranty is made as to its accuracy or completeness. This press release should be read in conjunction with the information about INDIGO Group S.A. (the "Company") published on its website at www.group-indigo.com. This press release does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for, any securities. Its preparation does not constitute a recommendation regarding securities. Nothing in this document may be used as the basis for entering into a contract or agreement. This document may contain objectives and forward-looking statements concerning the Company's financial condition, results of operations, business activities and expansion strategy. Although based on reasonable assumptions, these objectives and statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including factors not presently known to the Company or that it does not currently consider material, and there can be no assurance that the anticipated events will occur or that the stated objectives will be achieved. All forward-looking statements are the current expectations of the Company's management regarding future events and are subject to several factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The information is current only as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Additional information about the factors and risks that could affect the Company's financial results is included in the documents filed by the Group with the Autorite des Marches Financiers and available on its website at www.group-indigo.com. Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates, officers or employees shall be liable for any loss, damage or expense arising out of access to or use of this document, including, without limitation, any lost profits, indirect, incidental, or consequential loss. No part of this document may be sold or distributed for commercial purposes or modified. ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: mWltk5SbaJnFyZubl8iZaZeYmZxqx5Kdl2ecmpaal8qcnW9gnJlpZ8jGZnJjlWVv - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-92009-20250602-press-release-ndigo-group-forges-strategic-partnership-with-laz-parking-in-canada.pdf VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 / Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (TSX:NDM)(NYSE American:NAK) ("Northern Dynasty" or the "Company") reports it has received payment of $12 million representing the third tranche investment under the Company's royalty agreement dated July 26, 2022, as amended (the "Royalty Agreement"). Concurrent with the completion of the investment, the Company and the royalty investor (the "Royalty Holder") agreed to further amend the terms of the Royalty Agreement (the "Second Amendment") to increase flexibility of payment installments and to extend the July 26, 2025 expiration date. All currency figures are U.S. dollars. Under the initial amendment to the Royalty Agreement, as reported in the Company's news release dated November 13, 2023, the Royalty Holder received, among other things, the right to fund the three remaining $12 million tranches on or before July 26, 2025. Completion of each additional tranche entitles the Royalty Holder the right to receive an additional 2% of the payable gold production and 6% of the payable silver production from the Pebble Project. In exchange for an early payment of the third $12 million tranche before the July 26, 2025 deadline, the Company has agreed to extend the deadline for completion of the remaining two tranches to September 30, 2025. Additionally, if the fourth $12 million tranche is completed on or before September 30, 2025, the Royalty Holder will have the right to complete the fifth and final $12 million tranche investment at any time up to and including December 31, 2025. The aggregate total purchase price of $60 million and maximum royalty rates (10% of payable gold production and 30% of payable silver production) remain unchanged from the original Royalty Agreement. "We are pleased to see the Royalty Holder make its third payment of $12 million, bringing its total investment in the royalty up to $36 million of a possible $60 million available under the Royalty Agreement," said Ron Thiessen, Northern Dynasty President and CEO. About Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. Northern Dynasty is a mineral exploration and development company based in Vancouver, Canada. Northern Dynasty's principal asset, owned through its wholly owned Alaska-based U.S. subsidiary, Pebble Limited Partnership, is a 100% interest in a contiguous block of 1,840 mineral claims in Southwest Alaska, including the Pebble deposit, located 200 miles from Anchorage and 125 miles from Bristol Bay. The Pebble Partnership is the proponent of the Pebble Project. For further details on Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Project, please visit the Company's website at www.northerndynastyminerals.com or contact Investor services at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114. Public filings, which include forward looking information cautionary language and risk factor disclosure regarding the Company and the Pebble Project can be found in Canada at www.sedarplus.ca and in the United States at www.sec.gov. Ronald W. Thiessen President & CEO U.S. Media Contact: Dan Gagnier, Gagnier Communications (646) 569-5897 Forward Looking Information and other Cautionary Factors This document includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under applicable provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. All statements in this document, other than statements of historical facts, which address permitting and the development and production for the Pebble Project and the ability of the Company to successfully complete the full financing transaction discussed above (the "Royalty Financing") are forward-looking statements. Additional forward looking statements made by the Company under its continuous disclosure obligations include statements regarding (i) the development plan for the Pebble Project (ii) the right-sizing and de-risking of the Pebble Project, (iii) the design and operating parameters for the Pebble Project development plan, including projected capital and operating costs, (iv) the social integration of the Pebble Project into the Bristol Bay region and benefits for Alaska, (v) the political and public support for the permitting process, (vi) the ability of the Pebble Project to ultimately secure all required federal and state permits, (vii) the ability of the Company and/or the State of Alaska to challenge the Environmental Protection Agency's ("EPA's") Final Determination process under the Clean Water Act and ultimately the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Record of Decision ("USACE ROD") through legal actions; (viii) exploration potential of the Pebble Project, (ix) future demand for copper, gold and other metals, (x) if permitting is ultimately secured, the ability to demonstrate the Pebble Project is ultimately commercially viable, and (xi) the potential addition of partners in the Pebble Project. Although NDM believes the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way be construed as guarantees that the Pebble Project will secure all required government permits or regarding the ability of NDM to develop the Pebble Project in light of the USACE ROD and its subsequent remand decision and the EPA's Final Determination, establish the commercial feasibility of the Pebble Project, achieve the required financing or develop the Pebble Project. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by NDM as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Assumptions used by NDM to develop forward-looking statements include the assumptions that (i) the Pebble Project will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses without undue delay, (ii) any feasibility studies prepared for the development of the Pebble Project will be positive, (iii) NDM's estimates of mineral resources will not change, and NDM will be successful in converting mineral resources to mineral reserves, (iv) NDM will be able to establish the commercial feasibility of the Pebble Project, and (v) NDM will be successful in its legal action against the EPA and the USACE and any action taken by the EPA in connection with the Final Determination will ultimately not be successful in restricting or prohibiting development of the Pebble Project. There is no assurance that the Royalty Holder will complete the two remaining investment tranches under the Royalty Agreement, In addition, the likelihood of future mining at the Pebble Project is subject to a large number of risks and will require achievement of a number of technical, economic and legal objectives, including (i) the current development plan may not reflect the ultimate mine plan for the Pebble Project, (ii) obtaining necessary mining and construction permits, licenses and approvals without undue delay, including without delay due to third party opposition or changes in government policies, (iii) finalization of the mine plan for the Pebble Project, (iv) the completion of feasibility studies demonstrating that any Pebble Project mineral resources that can be economically mined, (v) completion of all necessary engineering for mining and processing facilities, (vi) the ability of NDM to secure a partner for the development of the Pebble Project, and (vi) receipt by NDM of significant additional financing, including the full Royalty Financing, to fund these objectives as well as funding mine construction. NDM is also subject to the specific risks inherent in the mining business as well as general economic and business conditions. Investors should also consider the risk factors identified in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and included in its annual report on Form 40-F filed on EDGAR (www.sec.gov), as well as the risk factors set out in the Company's subsequent public continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR+ and EDGAR. For more information on the Company, Investors should review the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. The National Environment Policy Act Environmental Impact Statement process requires a comprehensive "alternatives assessment" be undertaken to consider a broad range of development alternatives, the final project design and operating parameters for the Pebble Project and associated infrastructure may vary significantly from that currently contemplated. As a result, the Company will continue to consider various development options and no final project design has been selected at this time. SOURCE: Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/northern-dynasty-third-tranche-of-amended-royalty-agreement-completed-with-receip-1034565 DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 / TeamSec announced the addition of three prominent figures in global finance to its Board of Directors earlier this year: Ayman Amin Sejiny (former CEO of ICD), Alex Wiedmer (Partner at Rasmal Ventures), and Neeraj Makin (Senior Executive Vice President at Emirates NBD). Collectively, they bring more than 90 years of expertise in international banking, venture capital, and strategic finance. An AI-driven fintech and regtech company, TeamSec delivers capital optimization and liquidity solutions through a fully automated, end-to-end securitization and invoice financing platform. The company continues to solidify its industry position by expanding its leadership with seasoned experts with extensive cross-market experience. As part of this initiative, Ayman Amin Sejiny was named Vice Chairman, while Wiedmer and Makin joined as board members to help steer TeamSec's strategic growth. "Our board expansion represents a meaningful step forward in our journey," said Esad Erkam Koroglu, CEO of TeamSec. "We are honored to welcome Ayman, Alex, and Neeraj-each a leader in their field-whose backgrounds in investment banking, venture capital, and business strategy align with our mission to modernize capital markets through AI-powered securitization. These appointments reflect our intent to deepen our global capabilities, particularly in new markets and evolving regulatory environments." Ayman Amin Sejiny brings over three decades of experience in corporate and investment banking, having served as CEO of institutions such as Barclays Saudi Arabia, Ibdar Bank, and Alkhair Bank. Most recently, he led the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), the private-sector arm of the Islamic Development Bank Group, operating in 55 member countries. His early career includes senior roles at Citibank and ABN AMRO's Saudi affiliate, where he focused on corporate banking, fintech partnerships, and strategic growth in e-commerce and cash management. Alex Wiedmer joins the board with a 25-year track record in venture capital across Europe, North America, and the MENA region. Currently Partner and Director at Doha-based Rasmal Ventures, he previously held a long-term partnership at Paris-based Iris Capital and contributed to the STC Ventures investment committee, achieving top-decile returns. Wiedmer has executed over 60 investments in more than 50 companies, establishing himself as a key figure in entrepreneurial finance. Neeraj Makin , Group Head of Strategy, Analytics, and Venture Capital at Emirates NBD and a member of its Executive Committee, rounds out the new appointments. He has led key M&A activities, including BNP Paribas Egypt and DenizBank in Turkey, and spearheaded the bank's expansion into Saudi Arabia and India. He also oversees Emirates NBD's corporate venture fund, investing in analytics centers and fintech startups. His consulting experience at EY and McKinsey deepens his strategic insight into banking and technology integration. These appointments mark a key milestone for TeamSec's corporate governance and growth trajectory. In early 2024, the company raised $7.6 million in a funding round led by Deniz Ventures, the venture capital arm of DenizBank under the Emirates NBD Innovation Fund, alongside Rasmal Ventures. The investment is directed toward expanding operations across the MENA region and further scaling TeamSec's AI-powered Securitization-as-a-Service platform. TeamSec remains focused on providing advanced liquidity and working capital solutions to banks and corporates through its AI-native infrastructure. For more details, visit teamsecfin.com About TeamSec TeamSec is a next-generation fintech and regtech innovator, delivering AI-powered capital optimization and working-capital liquidity solutions via a fully automated, end-to-end securitization and invoice-financing platform. Our cloud-native, machine-learning infrastructure digitizes the entire securitization lifecycle-from asset selection and SPV setup through issuance and investor reporting-enabling faster, more flexible, and compliant access to capital markets. Operating across Turkiye, the Gulf region, and the United Kingdom, TeamSec empowers financial institutions and corporates alike to issue asset- and mortgage-backed securities or scale through digital credit solutions with zero operational burden. For more information, visit teamsecfin.com. Media Contact Information Pirix.co Media Visibility for Startups TeamSec cigdem@pirix.co https://teamsecfin.com/ SOURCE: TeamSec View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/finance-industry-veterans-join-teamsec-board-to-advance-ai-powered-c-1034750 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 / Star Copper Corp. (the "Company" or "Star Copper") (CSE:STCU)(OTCQB:STCUF)(FWB:SOP) is pleased to announce that, further to its news releases dated April 29, 2025 and May 16, 2025, it has closed the first tranche (the "First Tranche") of its ongoing non-brokered private placement (the "Offering"), pursuant to which the Company raised aggregate gross proceeds of C$3,753,141.97. LIFE Offering Under the First Tranche, the Company issued 2,000,000 units of the Company (each, a "LIFE Unit") at a price of C$0.50 per LIFE Unit (the "LIFE Offering") for gross proceeds of C$1,000,000, in accordance with the listed issuer financing exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption") under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"). Each LIFE Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant of the Company (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable to acquire one Common Share (each a "Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.75 per Warrant Share for a period of 12 months from the date hereof (the "Closing Date"). The Warrant Shares are subject to resale restrictions prohibiting the transfer thereof until the date which is four months and one day from the date of issuance (the "Warrant Share Restriction"). Pursuant to Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, the Common Shares issued under the LIFE Offering are not subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, however the Warrant Shares underlying the Warrants issued under the LIFE Offering, if any are issued, will be subject to the Warrant Share Restriction. The Warrants issued pursuant to the LIFE Offering will not be listed for trading on any stock exchange. As previously announced, the Company intends to use the net proceeds of the LIFE Offering for general working capital purposes and to advance its mineral resource projects. No commissions or fees are payable by the Company in connection with the LIFE Offering. Unit Offering Secondly, under the First Tranche of the Company's ongoing offering of units of the Company (each a "Unit") at a price of C$0.50 per Unit (the "Unit Offering"), Star Copper issued 4,005,000 Units for gross proceeds of C$2,002,500 to subscribers pursuant to other prospectus exemptions available to the Company under NI 45-106. Each Unit consists of one Common Share and one Warrant, with each Warrant exercisable to acquire one Warrant Share at a price of C$0.75 per Warrant Share for a period of 12 months from the Closing Date. All securities issued in connection with the Unit Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. As previously announced, the Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Unit Offering for project evaluation, general working capital purposes and investor relations activities. No commissions or fees are payable by the Company in connection with the First Tranche of the Unit Offering. The Company may pay finder's fees in connection with the remainder of the Unit Offering in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. FT Offering Third, under the First Tranche of the Company's ongoing offering of flow-through Common Shares (each, an "FT Share") at a price of C$0.57 per FT Share (the "FT Offering"), Star Copper issued 1,316,915FT Shares for gross proceeds of C$750,641.97 to subscribers pursuant to other prospectus exemptions available to the Company under NI 45-106. The FT Shares are issued as a "flow-through shares" (as such term is defined in subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada)). As previously announced, the Company intends to use the gross proceeds of the FT Shares to advance the Company's British Columbian flagship Star Project. Please refer to the Company's February 26, 2025 technical report in respect of the Start Project, available under its profile at www.sedarplus.ca, for more information about the Star Project. In connection with the First Tranche of the FT Offering, the Company paid certain finders a fee consisting of (a) cash commissions equal to 7% of certain subscriptions under the FT Offering, for an aggregate cash commission of C$40,266.92, and (b) non-transferable Warrants (the "Finder's Warrants") equal to 7% of certain subscriptions under the FT Offering, for an aggregate of 70,643 Finders' Warrants. The Finder's Warrants are exercisable at C$0.75 per Common Share for a period of 12 months from the Closing Date. The Company may pay additional finder's fees in connection with the remainder of the FT Offering in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. All securities issued in connection with the FT Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Board Update The Company also announces the resignation of Wes Siemens from the board of directors. The Company thanks Mr. Siemens for his contributions and wishes him the best in his future endeavors. About Star Copper Corp. (CSE:STCU)(OTCQB:STCUF)(FWB:SOP) Star Copper is focused on contributing to the green economy by finding and developing copper resource assets in stable jurisdictions. The Company is positioned to earn a 60-per-cent interest in the Indata copper-gold project located in north-central British Columbia. After the acquisition of Cavu Energy Metals, the Company has acquired 100% of the Star copper-gold porphyry project in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia, as well as the 100% owned Quesnel project in the middle of the Quesnel Trough, host to a number of alkalic copper-gold porphyry deposits running northwest across western British Columbia. For more information visit https://starcopper.com/ On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Star Copper Corp. ~Darryl Jones~ Darryl Jones President, CEO & Director Star Copper Corp. Contact Star Copper Invictus Investor Relations +1 (604) 788-9533 walter@invictusir.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. In particular, this press release contains forward looking statements concerning the Offering, the intended use of proceeds of the Offering, and payment of finder's fees under the remainder of the Unit Offering or FT Offering. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including: that the proceeds of the Offering may not be used as stated in this news release and adverse market conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Company. 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 market conditions and the risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. 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 as expressly required by applicable law. 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 news release. SOURCE: Star Copper Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/star-copper-announces-closing-of-c3.75-million-first-tranche-of-non-brokered-priv-1034781 Commentary: Resolving int'l disputes with a belief in harmony 10:52, June 02, 2025 By Dong Yue ( Xinhua BEIJING, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) was held Friday in Hong Kong. The birth of the organization will fill an institutional gap in international mediation and serve as an important public good in the field of the rule of law for better global governance. Amid accelerating multipolarity and economic globalization, closer interactions among nations are accompanied by rising disputes, which have intensified calls from the international community to improve mechanisms dedicated to international dispute settlement. The establishment of the IOMed illustrates the shared aspirations of countries to pursue peace, promote stability and seek development. As an innovative step to promote a community with a shared future for mankind, the IOMed embodies the wisdom of harmony and will play a positive role in upholding international fairness and justice. Mediation, as is clearly stated in the UN Charter, is one of the first means that should be tried in seeking peaceful solutions to international disputes. The creation of IOMed fulfills the goals and principles outlined in the UN Charter. It incorporates the very best of major legal systems, respects the wishes of parties concerned, and draws upon the strengths of being more flexible, cost-effective, convenient and efficient. Meanwhile, the IOMed will form synergies with litigation, arbitration and other existing international dispute settlement mechanisms, which can help transcend the "you-lose-I-win" zero-sum mentality, fostering more harmonious international relations. As the driving force behind the establishment of the IOMed, China has contributed both Chinese wisdom and practical expertise. Mediation fully respects the will of the parties concerned, reflecting the Eastern tradition of valuing amity and harmony. In recent years, this unique tradition has demonstrated remarkable vitality on the international stage. From brokering the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran to facilitating unity among Palestinian factions, China has consistently transformed the wisdom of harmony into successful cases of dispute resolution. The birth of the IOMed is yet another example of the value and relevance of China's harmony-centered approach in the contemporary world. Three years ago, China and like-minded countries jointly initiated the IOMed's establishment. On Friday, about 400 high-level representatives from 85 countries and nearly 20 international organizations attended the signing event. Among them, 33 countries signed the convention on-site, making them the founding members of the IOMed. The broad support and positive response for establishing the IOMed reflect the strong aspiration of the international community, particularly developing countries, for peace, security, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation. It also embodies the shared desire of the Global South to advance global governance in a more just and equitable direction. In today's globalized world, the future of humanity is closely intertwined. When disputes are resolved through mediation and mutual accommodation, swords can be turned into plowshares, while high walls can be knocked down to make way for smooth paths. It is hoped that the international community will work together to enable the IOMed to play a positive role in peacefully resolving international disputes, thereby contributing to a brighter future for humanity. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) Suchata Chuangsri topped a field of 108 contestants in the contest held in Indias southern Hyderabad city. Hasset Dereje Admassu of Ethiopia was the first runner-up in the competition read more Opal Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand was crowned Miss World on Saturday in India, where the international pageant was held this year. Chuangsri topped a field of 108 contestants in the contest held in Indias southern Hyderabad city. Hasset Dereje Admassu of Ethiopia was the first runner-up in the competition. She received her crown from last years winner Krystyna Pyszkova. The 72nd Miss World beauty pageant was hosted by Miss World 2016 Stephanie del Valle and Indian presenter Sachiin Kumbhar. India hosted the beauty competition last year as well. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Is Bollywood the next step for the winner? Speaking to ANI, Chuangsri said she would love to work in Bollywood if there is an opportunity. She also spoke about her emotions over her giant victory. Chuangsri said, I feel very happy and proud. It is an honour to take the first Miss World crown to Thailand I hope I have made them proudIf I get the opportunity, I would love to (act in Bollywood films); it is a wonderful opportunity She added, It was amazing in India. Since the first day I was here, everyone has been so nice..people are amazing, they have been so wonderful to me and we went to so many places..all are so beautiful..whether it is infrastructure or nature.. its great to be here and I will definitely be back. I would like to thank the Telangana government and all the people here for providing us with the best accommodation and allowing us to have such a great time in your home, the Miss World continued. Born on March 20, 2003, in Phuket, Thailand, she was raised in a family hailing from the hospitality industry. Currently, shes studying Political Science at Thammasat University, specialising in International Relations. Shes originally from Phuket and is a student of international relations. Her cancer story She revealed, I had breast surgery after being diagnosed with a benign tumour when I was 16. I promote breast cancer awareness. Opal is also an animal lover. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A Mahila Court in Chennai on Monday sentenced the lone convict, A Gnanasekaran, to life imprisonment without remission in the 2024 Anna University campus sexual assault case. On December 23, a 19-year-old student, who was with her male friend, was sexually assaulted by the 37-year-old biryani vendor on the campus of her varsity. The case led to a huge outcry over the safety of students and triggered a political slugfest read more A court in Tamil Nadu has awarded life imprisonment to the lone convict in the 2024 Anna University campus rape case. The Mahila Court in Chennai on Monday (June 2) announced its verdict, sentencing A Gnanasekaran to a life term without remission. The rape case had created a massive outrage in Tamil Nadu, gaining national limelight after the survivors identity was leaked. It also sparked a political slugfest, with the opposition attacking the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) over the law and order situation in the state. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But whats the case? We will explain. Rape on campus rocks Anna University On the night of December 23 last year, a 19-year-old student of the Anna University in Chennai was raped in the university campus. The survivor was sitting with her male friend on the campus when Gnanasekaran, 37, confronted them, Indian Express reported, citing the Tamil Nadu police. He pretended to record the video of the pair and blackmailed them with the footage. Gnanasekaran, who ran a biryani outlet on a sidewalk near the campus, then went on to sexually assault the student in a secluded spot. He also filmed the rape on his mobile phone. Gnanasekaran tried to blackmail her by threatening to send the footage to her father and the college authorities if she failed to heed his demands. The student, however, did not stay silent. She, with the support of her family and college, approached the Kotturpuram All Women Police Station the next day. Gnanasekaran was arrested on December 25. Gnanasekaran, convicted in the Anna University sexual assault case, being escorted by the police after he was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Mahila Court, in Chennai, June 2, 2025. PTI The incident triggered a huge uproar in the varsity over the safety of women on campus. The Students Federation of India (SFI) and the All India Democratic Womens Association (AIDWA) organised protests, demanding justice for the survivor. FIR leaked, SIT formed After the First Information Report (FIR) with the survivors details and identity was uploaded on the official website and then leaked to mediapersons, the case drew national attention. The Madras High Court took suo motu cognisance and chided the Tamil Nadu Police over the leak of the FIR and its tone that was perceived as shaming the survivor. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The High Court also formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising senior women IPS officers. The SIT filed a 100-page chargesheet on February 24. It named history-sheeter Gnanasekar as the lone accused. As per NDTV sources, the convict had also confessed to carrying out thefts at several houses in Chennai during questioning. More than 100 sovereigns of gold and a luxury SUV were recovered from him. ALSO READ: Ankita Bhandaris killers get life term: How Uttarakhand receptionist was killed for refusing to serve VIPs Political storm over the rape case The rape case led to the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) targeting the MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government over the law and order. The issue took a political turn after BJP members shared photos of Gnanasekaran with Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. The DMK had dismissed the pictures, with CM Stalin reportedly asserting he was only a supporter, not a member of the party. The then BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai had publicly whipped himself outside his house in Coimbatore to protest the sexual assault at Anna University. #WATCH | Coimbatore | Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai self-whips himself as a mark of protest to demand justice in the Anna University alleged sexual assault case. pic.twitter.com/ZoEhSsoo1r ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2024 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Look at the state of the law & order in the state. A repeated offender like Gnanasekaran (the accused) was not on the rowdy list because of his connection with DMK leaders, he alleged at a press conference last December. The AIADMK had held a road roko protest near the university campus in Chennai. Rape convict sentenced The Mahila Court in Chennai on Monday sentenced Gnanasekaran to life imprisonment for a minimum period of 30 years without remission. Last week, the court found him guilty on 11 charges, including rape, abduction, wrongful confinement, and criminal intimidation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act, and the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act. As per The Hindu, Mahila Court judge M Rajalakshmi said while pronouncing the sentence: For the charge under Section 64(1) [rape] of the BNS, you are sentenced to life imprisonment for a minimum period of 30 years without remission. Also, a Rs 25,000 fine is imposed under this section, and if you default to pay the fine, you will have to undergo simple imprisonment for three months. Gnanasekaran has been convicted separately on different charges, while his sentences will run concurrently. He has to pay a total fine of Rs 90,000. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The judge also ordered the Tamil Nadu government to pay compensation to the survivor, reported The Hindu. The defence previously urged for leniency, citing Gnanasekarans aged mother and young daughter. However, the prosecution had opposed the plea, calling for maximum punishment. The court upheld the prosecutions argument, ruling the sexual assault a premeditated act exploiting institutional vulnerabilities. The survivor continues her studies at the varsity. With inputs from agencies Six people have been injured in a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado in the US after a shirtless man used a makeshift flamethrower at an unsuspecting crowd of people who had collected, demanding the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. The suspect, who is now in custody, has been identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman. But who is he? read more Mohamed Sabry Soliman has been identified as the suspect in Boulder, Colorado, attack. He threw an incendiary device at Jews holding a solidarity march. Image Courtesy: X End Zionists. They are killers. With these words, a shirtless man wreaked havoc at a peaceful demonstration in Colorados Boulder when he used a makeshift flamethrower and hurled Molotov cocktails at a crowd who had collected on Sunday (June 1), demanding the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The incident , which the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is calling a targeted terror attack, has resulted in injuries to six people while the suspect himself has been taken into custody. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But what really happened? Whos behind the tragedy? What were his motives? How have authorities reacted so far? We try to piece together what exactly happened and get you all the answers from this heinous incident. What exactly happened? Around 1.26 pm on Sunday, a volunteer group known as Run For Their Lives had gathered in the popular Pearl Street pedestrian mall in downtown Boulder to raise visibility for hostages who remain in Gaza as the war between Israel and Hamas continues. The Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish activist group, said on X that this group of people meet on a weekly basis in support of the hostages seized during the October 7 attack by Hamas. This attack happened at a regularly scheduled weekly peaceful event, FBI agent Mark Michalek confirmed to reporters. According to authorities, they rushed to the scene after receiving a number of emergency calls from the citys downtown area. The initial callers indicated that there was a man with a weapon and that people were being set on fire, Boulder chief of police Stephen Redfern later told a press conference. When we arrived, we encountered multiple victims that were injured, with, injuries consistent with burns and other injuries, he added. Law enforcement officials dress in protective gear to investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall, in Boulder, Colorado. AP Eyewitnesses recounting the horror that unfolded said that a shirtless man approached the group and used a makeshift flamethrower and threw Molotov cocktails. According to a CBS News report, the witnesses told investigators the suspect also allegedly yelled End Zionist! during the attack. The suspect was also heard yelling, Free Palestine. One witness, identified as Brooke Coffman, told CNNs affiliate KUSA, that she saw a big fire going up. She said that she was on the phone with her mother when she saw some flags moving around, people wrestling, and like someone was getting beat up or something. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When she saw the flames, Coffman said she hung up on her mother, ran over to the area and called 911. There was a kid yelling, Call 911, she recalled. People on the street were just yelling, Call 911. People were running. Coffman added that she jumped over a small fence to get to two women who were rolling around a bit on the grass and in their underwear from stripping their pants. They have really bad burns all up on their legs, she said. One of the victims was screaming and was wrapped in a flag. Videos have started circulating on social media depicting the horror it shows a shirtless man holding clear bottles in his hands, pacing as the grass in front of him burns. He can be heard screaming End Zionists! and They are killers! towards several people as they tend to a person lying on the ground. Law enforcement officials at the scene of the attack in which a man used a makeshift flamethrower and hurled Molotov cocktails. AP Who are the victims of the attack? Six people have been injured in the incident in Boulder with the police saying that they are aged between 67-88. According to Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn, one was seriously injured and said to be in a critical condition. Rabbi Israel Wilhelm, the Chabad director at the University of Colorado Boulder, told CBS Colorado that one of the injured is an 88-year-old Holocaust refugee who fled Europe, calling her a very loving person. Another victim is a professor at CU, Wilhelm said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD An Israeli flag is placed at the Pearl Street Mall, after an attack that injured multiple people in Boulder, Colorado. Reuters Whos the suspect in the Colorado attack? The suspect in the attack has been taken into custody with authorities identifying him as Mohamed Sabry Soliman. He was arrested from the scene of the crime and taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. While no charges have been officially announced, officials say they intend to hold him fully accountable. FBI Denver Special Agent-in-charge Mark Michalek later told the media that they dont believe that 45-year-old Soliman is part of a larger group or network and had acted alone in this incident. A CNN report citing sources said that in 2005, Soliman was denied a visa to enter the United States. Its unclear when or how the suspect entered the US. Soliman allegedly used a makeshift flamethrower and threw Molotov cocktails at the crowd. Image Courtesy: X Two enforcement officials have now told NBC News that Soliman is an Egyptian national with no prior significant contact with law enforcement. Even his social media accounts show no indication to any specific ideology. Later, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said the suspect in the attack had illegally overstayed a tourist visa. He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa, Miller wrote in a post on X. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit. Miller characterised the suspect as an illegal alien. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What are authorities saying about the attack? The FBI, who arrived at the scene of the incident and now cordoned it off, is treating it as a terror attack. FBI chief Kash Patel has called it a targeted terror attack and added that US President Donald Trump has been briefed about it. Meanwhile, Colorado Governor Jared Polis condemned the attack in Boulder, calling it hateful act and saying theres no place for this. Speaking to MSNBC, Polis added that everybody deserves to be safe and called attacks on people for their opinions, beliefs or religion completely unacceptable. He said his thoughts were with the victims and their families, as well as the Jewish community more broadly. Regardless of anybodys views on global politics or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, that this kind of act of terrorism, act of violence, is completely unacceptable. We condemn it. I know the suspect has been arrested. I hope hes prosecuted the full extent of the law, Polis said. Law enforcement officials investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall. AP He added that the attack was a strike on free speech and stressed the importance of respectful discourse over physical violence. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X, Were united in prayer for the victims. Terror has no place in our great country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israeli officials also expressed horror and shock at the incident. Danny Danon, Israels ambassador to the UN said on X that the Boulder attack was terrorism. In a post on X, the ambassador says, Jewish protesters were brutally attacked. Terrorism against Jews does not stop at the Gaza border it is already burning the streets of America, he added. Israels Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar also condemned the attack. On X, he wrote, Shocked by the terrible antisemitic terror attack targeting Jews in Boulder, Colorado. This is pure antisemitism, fuelled by the blood libels spread in the media. I spoke with our Ambassador in the US and our Consul General in LA. I pray for those who were wounded in the attack. Notably, this is the second high-profile attack in less than two weeks in the US suspected to be related to the ongoing war in Gaza. Just on May 21, a man opened fire on people who had gathered for a networking event at the Capital Jewish Museum in downtown Washington, DC. A young couple who worked for the Israeli embassy were shot dead by the man identified as Elias Rodriguez , who shouted free, free Palestine as he was arrested. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Tech billionaire Elon Musks father, Errol Musk, is on a five-day visit to India. During his stay, the 79-year-old plans to visit the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Notably, he recently joined the global advisory board of Indian company Servotech. As part of the trip, he will tour Servotechs solar and EV charger manufacturing facility in Safiabad, Haryana, and take part in a tree plantation drive read more Errol Musk will also take part in several meetings related to business. X/@servotech_ltd Tech billionaire Elon Musks father, Errol Musk, is visiting India for five days. He landed in Delhi on Sunday and is expected to leave for South Africa on Friday. While in India, Errol plans to visit the Ram temple in Ayodhya. He will also take part in several meetings related to business. So, who is Errol Musk? What has been planned for his trip to India? Lets get you the answers to these and more. What is Elon Musks father doing in India? A video shared by PTI showed Errol Musk receiving a warm welcome upon arriving in India. On Monday, the South African businessman is expected to meet with policymakers, investors, business leaders, and senior officials. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD VIDEO | Errol Musk, father of billionaire Elon Musk and a newly appointed member of the global advisory board of homegrown company Servotech, has arrived in India to visit the Ram temple in Ayodhya as part of his tour this month. Errol is scheduled to attend various pic.twitter.com/NEZbnAYLu7 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 1, 2025 Musk will also visit Ram Janmabhoomi Ayodhya Ram Mandir to seek blessings from Shree Ram Lalla, reflecting his engagement with Indias cultural and spiritual heritage," PTI reported. According to sources familiar with the visit, the news agency said Errol Musks schedule includes events focused on supporting Indias goals in green technology and EV charging infrastructure exports. Notably, the 79-year-old recently joined the global advisory board of Indian company Servotech. As part of his visit, he will tour Servotechs solar and EV charger manufacturing facility in Haryanas Safiabad and take part in a tree plantation drive. Musk will also visit Ram Janmabhoomi Ayodhya Ram Mandir to seek blessings from Shree Ram Lalla, reflecting his engagement with Indias cultural and spiritual heritage, they added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Several state ministers and top officials are expected to attend the events. Servotech has organised a plantation drive on June 5, celebrated as World Environment Day, as part of Musks visit to promote efforts around sustainability and the environment, The Times of India reported. Errol Musk was appointed to Servotechs Global Advisory Board on May 5. The company said he will offer strategic guidance on infrastructure, technology, and renewable energy. Once his visit to India is over, Musk will head to South Africa. With shared vision and purpose, Rishabh Bhatia, Head of Marketing, joins @Errol_Musk_EM, driven by a common goal: to innovate, collaborate, and propel India's renewable energy landscape forward.#ErrolMuskInIndia #ErrolMusk #MuskFoundation #AlexandraMusk#ElonMusk pic.twitter.com/zENWkyNkBp Servotech Renewable Power System Ltd (@servotech_ltd) June 2, 2025 Wewelcome Errol Musk to the Servotech Renewable family. His vast experience, profound global insights, and unwavering passion for groundbreaking innovation will be invaluable as we accelerate our mission to forge a greener, smarter future for India and beyond, said Servotech Managing Director Raman Bhatia in a statement. Elon Musk-Errol Musk relationship In a podcast appearance earlier this year, Errol Musk openly criticised his son, Elon Musk. When asked whether he believed Elon was a good father, Errol replied no, claiming he relied too heavily on nannies. He also said Elon did not spend enough time with his children. ALSO READ | Is Elon Musk a doting dad? Or does he bring his children to work to divert attention? Elon, on the other hand, has spoken about having an unhappy childhood and said he did not grow up with financial privilege. However, Errol disputed this, saying Elon went to school in a Rolls-Royce and the children were raised in comfort. Errol Musks scandalous past Elon is the son of Errol Musk and Maye Musk, and they had two other children together. Their marriage ended in 1979 after Errol cheated on Maye, a supermodel. The couple had been together for nine years. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Maye said Errol was both emotionally and physically abusive during their marriage. Errol, who has seven children, later married Heide Bezuidenhout in the early 1990s and had two daughters, Alexandra and Asha Rose. The couple separated after two years. Recently, Errol claimed that China is attempting to recruit his seven-year-old son. Reuters/File Photo Years later, Errol entered a relationship with Jana Bezuidenhout, his former stepdaughter and Heides daughter, and the two had two children together. Speaking to The Sunday Times in 2018, Errol said of the relationship, One thing led to another you can call it Gods plan or natures plan. Elon, who has since reconnected with his father, once told Rolling Stone that Errol was a terrible human being with a carefully thought-out plan of evil. Recently, Errol claimed that China is attempting to recruit his seven-year-old son, Elliot Rush, also known as Rush, to compete in a gaming tournament. They say he will be the biggest thing in China. They say hes a prolific gamer and hes a champion," Errol told Daily Mail. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite ongoing tensions between China and the US, Errol did not express concern about his son potentially being involved in the alleged recruitment. Russian officials are set to meet in Istanbul today to hold talks on a truce with Ukraine. Canadas Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet the countrys provincial and territorial premiers in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. In India, Meghalaya and Assam are set to hold the next round of border talks in Guwahati read more Russian officials are likely to hold peace talks with Ukrainian counterparts today. AP It is set to be a busy Monday with several events lined up for the day. Firstly, Russia will hold peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul today. Meanwhile, Canadas Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet the countrys provincial and territorial premiers in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan today. Dylan Earl, a British man will go on trial for accused of masterminding arson attacks on Ukrainian-linked businesses for Russia. In India, Meghalaya and Assam are set to hold the next round of border talks today at Guwahati. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here is all that is set to take place throughout the day. Russia likely to hold peace talks in Istanbul Russia is likely to hold peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2. The talks follow a previous meeting in Istanbul on May 16, which was the first one since March 2022. Moscow has laid out prerequisites for a ceasefire, to which Kyiv has not yet replied. We hope that all those sincerely interested in the success of the peace process will support holding a new round of negotiations, said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Vladimir Medinsky, head of Russias negotiating team, said he had contacted Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov to propose the June 2 meeting in Istanbul, stating Russia was ready for a substantive discussion on the ceasefire package, reported news website The Indian Express. Mark Carney to meet Canadas premiers Canadas Prime Minister Mark Carney will convene an in-person meeting with Canadas provincial and territorial premiers in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan today. This gathering aims to address pressing national issues, including economic resilience, internal trade barriers and the countrys response to escalating trade tensions with the United States. Canadas Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to meet the premiers of his country. AP The meeting follows Carneys recent visit to Washington, DC, where he met with US President Donald Trump to discuss the imposition of new tariffs on Canadian goods. In a social media post, Carney emphasised the need for launching big nation-building projects, removing internal trade barriers and building one Canadian economy to strengthen the nations economic foundation. This First Ministers Meeting is Carneys first in-person engagement with the premiers since assuming office in March 2025. It serves as a critical step in aligning federal and provincial strategies to navigate economic uncertainties and reinforce Canadas sovereignty amid external pressures. British man to go on trial accused of masterminding arson attacks A 20-year-old British man Dylan Earl is scheduled to stand trial at Londons Old Bailey after being accused of orchestrating an arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked business in East London. Prosecutors allege that Earl masterminded the March 2024 blaze at a warehouse in Leyton, acting on behalf of the Russian state and the Wagner Group, a proscribed terrorist organisation in the United Kingdom, reported news website BBC. Earl faces charges under the National Security Act 2023, marking one of the first applications of this legislation. He has pleaded guilty to aggravated arson and preparatory conduct to commit acts endangering life but denies a charge of assisting a foreign intelligence service. The fire, which required 60 firefighters to control, targeted a warehouse owned by a Ukrainian businessman, referred to in court as Mr. X. The incident is part of a broader pattern of suspected Russian-backed sabotage across Europe, including arson attacks in Poland, Lithuania, and Germany. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Assam-Meghalaya to resume border talks Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma will meet his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma to hold the next round of border talks on June 2 at Guwahati aimed at resolving the longstanding border disputes between their states. This meeting marks the continuation of efforts following the March 2022 memorandum of understanding (MoU), which addressed six of the twelve contentious areas along the 885-kilometer interstate boundary. Earlier, Meghalaya chief secretary Donald Philips Wahlang said that the meeting would be held at the Chief Minister level. The next Chief Minister level talks would be held to sort out differences, including issues that we have both for phase I and II, Wahlang said. With inputs from agencies Queen Elizabeth II was just 27 years old when she ascended the throne after her fathers death. It was not until June 2, 1953, that she officially became queen of England and the Commonwealth after her coronation. This was also the first coronation that was televised, with 20 million people watching the broadcast read more This photograph of the newly crowned monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, was sent by special radiophoto circuit from London. AP The world watched in wonder as Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne on June 2, 1953. Although she had become the queen after her fathers death on February 6, 1952, it was from June 2 that her reign formally began as monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It was on this day in 2014 that Telangana, the 29th state of India, came into existence. The people had been struggling for decades to separate from Andhra Pradesh and form a state of their own. Here are some of the events that took place on this day. Elizabeth IIs coronation Queen Elizabeth II was one of the few leaders of the world who witnessed it all, from the moon landing to the pandemic. She took over the monarchy from her late father King George VI. The Kings health had been deteriorating since 1949 due heavy smoking but continued to perform his duties until his death in 1952. Elizabeths journey as a monarch was very similar to that of her father full of surprises. King George VI took over the monarchy after his brother Edward VIII abdicated the crown. Despite not being born to be the queen, Elizabeth was prepared from a young age for royal responsibilities. Queen Elizabeths coronation was the first televised ceremony of the monarchy. File image/AP Queen Elizabeth IIs coronation took place at Westminster Abbey in London, marking the formal beginning of her reign as monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. The ceremony followed centuries-old rituals, including the anointing with holy oil, the presentation of royal regalia, and the formal crowning with the St Edwards Crown by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The coronation oath was a key part of the event, during which Elizabeth pledged to uphold the laws of her realms and govern with justice and mercy. Dignitaries, royals and representatives from around the world attended, emphasising Britains global influence and the importance of the Commonwealth. The streets of London were lined with crowds, despite rainy weather, celebrating the young queen who symbolises hope and continuity in a changing world. The coronation was a historic and symbolic event that became the first in British history to be televised live. Over 20 million people in the UK alone watched the broadcast, and many millions more around the world tuned in. This decision helped modernise the monarchy and bring it closer to the public. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Birth of Telangana state June 2 is an important day for India because it was on this day in 2014 that Telangana was officially created. It became the 29th state of India after its formal separation from Andhra Pradesh. But why did the people demand for a separate state? Telangana, historically part of the Hyderabad princely state annexed by India in 1948, was merged with the Andhra region (formerly of the Madras Presidency) in 1956 to create Andhra Pradesh, based on linguistic similarities. However, a widespread sentiment in Telangana held that the promises of the Gentlemens Agreement which was designed to protect their interests were unfulfilled leading to grievances concerning the inequitable distribution of water, jobs, education and development opportunities. The movement for a separate Telangana gained momentum in the late 1990s and 2000s, led by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) under K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR). Mass protests, student participation, and public mobilization increased pressure on the central government. After intense political debate, Parliament passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act in February 2014, approving the bifurcation. On June 2, 2014, Telangana was officially declared a separate state with Hyderabad as its capital, shared with Andhra Pradesh for a 10-year transitional period with K Chandrashekar Rao becoming its first Chief Minister. Every year June 2 is celebrated as Telangana Formation Day, commemorating the aspirations, struggles, and achievements of the people who made the state a reality. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This Day, That Year On this day in 1946, the people of Italy passed a referendum to replace the governing monarchy with a republic. Constantine II, king of Greece from 1964 to 1974, was born in Psikhiko, near Athens on this day 1940. With Bangladeshs Supreme Court restoring Jamaat-e-Islamis political registration, the controversial Islamist party is poised to return to mainstream politics after a decade-long ban. Given its anti-India stance, historical ties to Pakistan and support from student radicals, what does this mean for New Delhi? read more Supporters of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami occupy street of Matijheel area to hold a rally in Dhaka, Bangladesh, October 28, 2023. File Image/Reuters Bangladeshs Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to restore the registration of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), a right-wing Islamist party that had been barred from contesting elections since 2013. The ruling follows nearly a decade-long legal struggle mounted by the party, which had been disqualified by a High Court verdict deeming it incompatible with the countrys constitution. The final ruling now enables JeI to once again operate as a recognised political entity and potentially contest future elections. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The decision to restore JeIs registration came after the interim government under Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus assumed power in the aftermath of violent anti-government protests that led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. JeI had backed the protests under the platform Students Against Discrimination (SAD), alongside other parties. Soon after the change in administration, the Yunus-led government lifted the ban on Jamaat, allowing the party to reposition itself in the mainstream political sphere. The Election Commission has been tasked with deciding whether the party may resume using its traditional scale symbol. This legal victory was accompanied by another controversial development. The apex court recently overturned the conviction of JeI leader ATM Azharul Islam, who had previously been sentenced to death in 2014 for genocide, rape, and murder during the 1971 Liberation War. The courts decision to acquit Islam, a figure once found guilty of crimes against humanity, further cemented JeIs return to legitimacy. The partys counsel, Mohammad Shishir Manir, said: Today concludes the decade-long legal battle. We hope Bangladesh will have a vibrant parliament after this verdict. We hope voters will vote for the Jamaat candidate of their choice now. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The acquittal was welcomed by interim law adviser Asif Nazrul, who credited the July-August 2024 mass movements leadership for creating the scope for establishing this justice. With JeIs legal and political standing restored, it has now begun an active rebranding campaign ahead of national elections. Why Jamaat-e-Islami is controversial JeI has long had a polarising presence in Bangladeshs political landscape. The partys predecessor, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, openly opposed Bangladeshs independence in 1971 and collaborated with the Pakistan Army in its brutal crackdown on the civilian population of East Pakistan. Many of its leaders and activists were found to have participated in atrocities, including mass killings and sexual violence. Following Sheikh Hasinas return to power in 2009, her administration launched legal proceedings against individuals accused of collaborating with Pakistani forces during the war. These efforts were undertaken by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD), which found several JeI leaders guilty. The convictions were upheld by the Supreme Court, leading to the execution of six senior Jamaat figures and one senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) member. JeIs links to regional instability are another cause for concern, especially for neighbouring India. During the BNP-JeI coalition government, which held power in the early 2000s, Indian insurgent groups operating in the northeast were reportedly allowed to operate from Bangladeshi soil. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This changed when Sheikh Hasina came to power and took steps to dismantle insurgent networks, handing over several key figures to Indian authorities. Indian security analysts have also noted JeIs history of receiving backing from Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The party, along with its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, has been accused of spreading radical ideologies and fanning anti-India sentiment within Bangladesh. Chhatra Shibir was a key participant in the protests that led to Hasinas fall in 2024, and it has continued to function as the partys grassroots mobilisation tool. Recently, it faced backlash after an article in its magazine Chhatra Sangbad described Muslim participation in the 1971 Liberation War as a failure and a lack of foresight. Though the group later apologised, the BNPs student wing distanced itself. What this means for India The Islamist party maintains a pro-Pakistan stance and advocates for the establishment of an Islamic state in Bangladesh. This ideological position poses a direct challenge to Indias interests, especially as it coincides with attempts to foster closer ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan under the Yunus government. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In fact, JeIs re-entry into politics may offer a gateway for Pakistan to reassert its influence in Dhakas policymaking circles. Yunus has publicly expressed an interest in strengthening ties with Islamabad, a move that dovetails with JeIs longstanding foreign policy leanings. Indian observers worry that this alignment could weaken India-Bangladesh cooperation on a range of issues including counterterrorism, border security and regional connectivity. The threat extends beyond rhetoric. JeI leaders have met with international delegations to advance controversial proposals. In a recent meeting in Dhaka with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) representatives led by Peng Jiubin, Director-General of the Southeast and South Asian Affairs Bureau, JeI suggested the creation of an independent Rohingya state. According to NDTV, such a move could destabilise the region further, particularly in the context of escalating conflicts along Myanmars borders, including the rise of the Arakan Army. India, which has invested heavily in regional connectivity initiatives like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project and the Sittwe Port in Myanmar, could find these efforts undermined. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD These projects are crucial for improving access to Indias northeast and enhancing links with Southeast Asia. Any disruption caused by radical shifts in Bangladeshs foreign policy posture or by increased Islamist activism could directly impact Indias strategic interests. Are BNP and Jamaat still allies? Although the BNP and Jamaat were long-time allies, recent developments suggest their alliance is under strain. The BNP has distanced itself from JeI since the latters re-entry into politics and has opposed several of its initiatives, including views expressed on the 1971 war and electoral strategies. One key point of divergence is the timeline for elections. While the BNP has insisted on holding elections by December 2025, Jamaat has shown willingness to allow the interim government to extend its term. This has been interpreted as Jamaat seeking more time to consolidate its political revival. Despite not securing a majority in past elections, JeI has often played the role of kingmaker, influencing political outcomes through strategic alliances. Its renewed legitimacy, coupled with a weakened Awami League which has been disbanded pending trial for its crackdown on the 2024 protests raises concerns about a potential reshaping of Bangladeshs political landscape along more radical lines. With inputs from agencies US President Donald Trump has floated a new conspiracy theory about his predecessor, Joe Biden. He reposted a claim on Truth Social alleging that Biden was executed in 2020 and replaced with a robotic clone. This comes a month after Biden disclosed that he has prostate cancer, which has spread to his bones. Notably, Trump has earlier questioned whether Biden personally made major decisions during his term due to his use of an autopen to sign key documents read more This comes just a month after Biden revealed he had prostate cancer, which had spread to his bones. Reuters/File Photo US President Donald Trump has come up with a new conspiracy theory about his predecessor, Joe Biden. The strange claim? That Joe Biden was executed in 2020 and swapped with a robotic clone. The false post was first made by another user on Truth Social. Trump then reposted it. ALSO READ | The ultimate Trump card: How US Presidents family is getting richer faster than most Americans This comes just a month after Biden revealed he had prostate cancer , which had spread to his bones. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In this explainer, we look at Trumps bizarre claim, how people reacted to it, and where Biden is today. Lets take a look: Biden was executed in 2020: Trumps wild conspiracy theory Donald Trump has shared a wild new theory about Joe Biden - that the former US President was executed in 2020 and replaced by a group of soulless, mindless clones. Trump did not say anything about the strange conspiracy theory directly, but reposted a message on Truth Social from a lesser-known user named llijh. Trump just reposted this on Truth Social. There is no Joe Biden. Biden was executed and replaced with clones. It's confirmed. pic.twitter.com/Tl7fkMHcof Kab (@Kabamur_Taygeta) June 1, 2025 There is no #JoeBiden executed in 2020. #Biden clones doubles & robotic engineered soulless mindless entities are what you see. >#Democrats dont know the difference, it read. It is not known why Trump chose to share it. However, he often uses social media to target critics with controversial content. Trump and Biden last met face-to-face about five months ago during Inauguration Day. They also appeared together on debate stages in both 2020 and 2024. (File) US president Donald Trump. Reuters Trump has previously raised doubts about whether Biden is making key decisions himself. He pointed to Bidens use of an autopen for signing important documents, something now being looked into by the House Oversight Committee. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speaking during an Oval Office event alongside Elon Musk, the US President said, I think the autopen is going to become one of the great scandals of all time. Hes been a sort of a moderate person over his life, and a smart person, but somewhat vicious person, I will say, if you feel sorry for him, dont feel so sorry because hes vicious. The post Trump reshared comes after Bidens team revealed he has prostate cancer. His office said the cancer was aggressive but could still be treated. The diagnosis has sparked questions about whether the illness was detected late or kept quiet, and whether it might explain concerns over his performance at the June presidential debate against Trump. Whats the truth behind the claims? There is no reliable proof to back any part of this theory. Joe Biden has appeared in several live events, taken part in unscripted press briefings, and held direct talks with world leaders. Joe Biden has appeared in several live events. Reuters/File Photo A report by The New York Times found that during Trumps first term as president, he often made false or misleading claims. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to the report, Trump made 30,573 such remarks, an average of 21 each day, and frequently pushed conspiracy theories in the run-up to the 2024 election. An analysis by the NYT of Trumps thousands of social media posts and shares over six months in 2024 found that at least 330 of them made false claims about secret plots against him or the American public, along with specific names of those he blamed. These included claims that the FBI had tried to have him killed and that government officials were behind the January 6 Capitol attack. How did people react to the claim? Trumps supporters quickly backed the post, with some sharing meme comparisons of Biden, claiming these are not the same people. Some users pointed to changes in Bidens earlobes, claiming they looked unattached before 2020 but now appear attached. Another person even suggested that Biden was given a funeral cannon salute at Arlington on Inauguration Day, saying it had been shown on television. Far-right activist and commentator Laura Loomer posted on X: Trump just reposted this on Truth. There is no Joe Biden, adding a laughing emoji. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Critics of Trump called the repost concerning. One user wrote on X, the funny thing about biden has been replaced by a clone is like ok, who did that, why, and how do we know they didnt replace trump with a clone too. Notably, Trumps wife, Melania, has also faced similar claims in the past. During his first term, some alleged that a body double had replaced her. The White House dismissed those claims at the time, calling them a non-story. South Korea will vote on Tuesday to elect their next president. As voting day nears, celebrities are taking great precautions while making gestures for photos. The V sign is an absolute no for them. Heres why read more The 'V' sign has become taboo for Korean celebrities during presidential elections. Instagram/txt_bighit South Korea is heading to elections on Tuesday (June 3). The East Asian country will elect its new president after months of political upheaval. Democratic Partys presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung is pitted against the conservative candidate, Kim Moon Soo. The June presidential elections have prompted Korean celebrities to be mindful about their actions in public for fear that they could be interpreted as support for a political candidate. Lets look at what is going on. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD V sign out, clenched fists in K-pop stars are being wary about their hand gestures and poses as South Korea elects the new president this week. Celebrities are avoiding making the popular V sign in public. As per a report by AllKpop, NMIXX girl group members Bae and Sullyoon organised a YouTube livestream on May 27 during which Bae made the V sign with her fingers. More from Explainers South Koreas presidential election: A look at the pivotal issues However, she immediately shouted, No! Dont do the V!", holding her head in distress. Sullyoon tried to ease the situation with a similar gesture. She hesitantly made a V sign as part of a challenge ending pose. However, after realising it might be seen as a political statement, Sullyoon immediately showed one to five numbers with her fingers. The selfies taken on voting days have also stirred controversies in South Korea. Some celebrities have gone to great lengths to choose their poses and outfits, even hiding their hair colour, reported The Korea Times. As the V sign becomes taboo during elections, Korean stars have been clenching their fists when being photographed. The boy band Tomorrow X Together, or TXT, was recently captured showing clenched fists in a group photo. They also grabbed headlines after they improvised their V sign by counting from one to five during a live broadcast. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD To avoid controversy, virtual boy band PLAVE carefully folded their fingers while posing for a group photo on May 24 during a YouTube livestream. As per AllKpop, the boy band ZEROBASEONEs Kim Tae Rae edited a selfie last week after sharing his picture making a V sign on the fan communication app Bubble, with the caption Im in Korea via. He wrote a message later: Oh right. I heard we shouldnt do the V sign during this season, and added, Ill neutralise it with my blue phone case. He took down the photo after this text. Why V sign is a big NO K-pop stars have ditched certain poses and hand gestures during the presidential race as they could be perceived as making a political statement. The V sign can be interpreted as support for the conservative People Power Party. It is number 2 on the ballot and identified with the colour red, as per the AllKpop report. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As the V sign resembles the number 2, the gesture can be seen as celebrities endorsing a particular party. South Koreas snap elections South Korea is voting to pick the successor of conservative Yoon Suk Yeol . Yoon was ousted by Parliament last December after he briefly imposed martial law. His impeachment was upheld by the Constitutional Court in April. Now, liberal Democratic Party candidate Lee is facing People Power Partys Kim in the South Korean presidential elections. Four other candidates are in the race, including Lee Jun-seok of the small conservative New Reform Party. Surveys give Lee an edge over Kim in the presidential race, with the Democratic Party candidate leading with 49.2 per cent against the PPP nominees 36.8 per cent. Early voting has concluded, with the 21st presidential election slated for Tuesday. With inputs from agencies In one of its most daring operations, Ukraine struck multiple Russian airbases using long-range drones. The precision attacks damaged or destroyed over 40 strategic aircraft, including bombers used to launch missiles on Ukrainian cities read more (Left) Head of the Ukraine's Security Service Vasyl Maliuk looks at a map of an airfield, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in an unknown location in Ukraine, in this handout picture released June 1, 2025; (Right) Smoke rises above the area following what local authorities called a drone attack on a military unit in the Sredny settlement, in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in the Usolsky district of the Irkutsk region, Russia, in this still image from a video published June 1, 2025. Ukraine press service & Telegram Ukraine successfully carried out a drone assault deep into Russian territory on Sunday, targeting strategic airbases and dealing one of the most significant blows to Moscows military aviation assets since the start of the war. The attack, described by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a brilliant and absolutely unique operation, comes just ahead of renewed peace negotiations between the two countries in Istanbul. How Ukraine carried out the operation The aerial assault was the result of planning that took more than 18 months, Ukrainian officials confirmed. The attack was executed under the codename Spiders Web (also referred to as Web in some official communications) and targeted four key Russian airbases spread across multiple time zones. The long-range mission struck airfields in the Irkutsk region of Siberia, Olenya in the Arctic, and Ivanovo and Dyagilevo east of Moscow. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to a military source who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press, the entire operation was supervised personally by Zelenskyy. It involved the smuggling of first-person view (FPV) drones into Russian territory, where they were concealed inside mobile wooden sheds. These sheds were then mounted on trucks and transported to airfield perimeters. Later, drones were hidden under the roofs of these houses while already placed on trucks. At the right moment, the roofs of the houses were remotely opened, and the drones flew to hit Russian bombers, the official said. Supporting video and images circulating on Russian social media platforms showed drones launching vertically from the trucks, with roofing panels strewn nearby on the ground. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), which claimed responsibility for the strike, estimated the total damage at approximately $7 billion and stated that 34 per cent of Russias fleet of strategic missile carriers had been hit. These included Tu-95 and Tu-22M bombers, which Russia has used extensively for missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, as well as A-50 aircraft that serve as airborne command and control centres. How damaged is Russias strategic aviation Ukraines drone offensive resulted in direct hits on 41 aircraft stationed at Russian military airbases. Among the targeted planes were Tu-95 Bear bombers and Tu-22M supersonic aircraft. Both have been central to Russias aerial campaign against Ukraine, delivering long-range cruise missile attacks. A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft were also struck, a serious blow to Russian coordination and radar surveillance capabilities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Video shared by a Ukrainian security source with Reuters showed large bombers ablaze on the tarmac. While the footage could not be independently verified, its visual matches to satellite imagery of Russian bases suggest it was filmed at the Belaya airfield in the Irkutsk region. #Ukraine - #Russia: Ukraine struck four Russian airbases in a coordinated long-range drone attack, destroying over 40 aircraft, including Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers, as well as an A-50 surveillance jet. The drones were smuggled deep into Russia, hidden inside wooden sheds pic.twitter.com/y7L0wVTMS6 POPULAR FRONT (@PopularFront_) June 1, 2025 Photographs provided by the source showed numerous quadcopter drones staged inside a warehouse prior to deployment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Other images displayed the wooden shed structures with their metal roofing removed, exposing drones inside the roof cavity. Social media clips on Russian Telegram channels appeared to confirm this deployment method. Russian authorities acknowledged attacks on airbases in Irkutsk and Murmansk regions. Additionally, the Russian Ministry of Defence said air defence systems repelled drone strikes in the Amur region in the Far East and in the western territories of Ivanovo and Ryazan. These regions lie thousands of kilometres from the Ukrainian border. Igor Kobzev, governor of the Irkutsk region, confirmed a drone assault on a military unit near Sredny village, close to the Belaya base, and noted that drones had been launched from a truck. 100% made in Ukraine Zelenskyy pointed out that the entire attack had been developed and executed by Ukrainian forces without foreign military involvement. Its genuinely satisfying when something I authorised a year and six months ago comes to fruition and deprives Russians of over forty units of strategic aviation. We will continue this work, he wrote in a post on X. In his nightly address, Zelenskyy stated that 117 drones were used in the assault and hailed the operation as Ukraines longest-range strike to date. This is our longest-range operation, Zelenskyy noted, adding that all personnel involved in the planning and execution had been safely evacuated from Russia shortly before the strike. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk delivered a report regarding todays operation. An absolutely brilliant result. A result achieved solely by Ukraine. One year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution. Our most long-range pic.twitter.com/oN41NFYyfw Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) June 1, 2025 He also disclosed that the operation had been coordinated from an office positioned next to a local Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) branch a daring detail meant to highlight the proximity and effectiveness of Ukraines covert activities. This is an absolutely brilliant outcome, Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post. And an outcome produced by Ukraine independently. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How Russia responded Russia launched what Ukraines air force called the largest drone barrage since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian forces fired 472 drones and seven missiles across various Ukrainian targets on Sunday. The head of communications for Ukraines Air Force, Yuriy Ignat, confirmed these figures in a press briefing. A particularly deadly Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian army training unit killed at least 12 service members and wounded more than 60. The unit was located away from the front lines, but remained within reach of Russian reconnaissance and strike drones. Following the attack, Ukrainian army commander Mykhailo Drapatyi submitted his resignation. Ukraine has faced an ongoing shortage of troops and often avoids concentrated troop gatherings to reduce visibility to Russian aerial reconnaissance. The skies across the front line are saturated with Russian drones looking for targets, a military spokesperson said. In a separate series of overnight incidents in Russian territory, drone debris caused fires and infrastructure damage in the Kursk and Voronezh regions. In Kursk, 57 drones were shot down, and falling wreckage ignited fires in residential areas. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In Voronezh, 16 drones were intercepted, but debris severed power lines that collapsed onto the M-4 expressway a vital transport link. Both regional governors confirmed the incidents and stated there were no injuries. What this means for Russia-Ukraine peace talks Also on Sunday, Russian authorities reported the collapse of two bridges in separate regions Bryansk and Kursk both bordering Ukraine. The incidents caused train derailments and at least seven deaths. Russias Investigative Committee initially attributed the incidents to explosions, but later removed the term from its official press release, refraining from confirming the cause. The large-scale Ukrainian drone operation occurred just ahead of a scheduled round of direct peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul. Zelenskyy confirmed that Defence Minister Rustem Umerov would lead the Ukrainian delegation. Today, a brilliant operation was carried out. The preparation took over a year and a half. Whats most interesting, is that the office of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions. In total, 117 drones were used in pic.twitter.com/tU0SMN9jdB Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) June 1, 2025 We are doing everything to protect our independence, our state and our people, Zelenskyy said in a statement on Telegram. Kyiv has demanded that Moscow provide a written memorandum outlining its position prior to negotiations. Zelenskyy also reiterated Ukraines readiness for a ceasefire: Not for a single second did we want this war. Since March 11, the US proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire has been on the table. It was the Russians who chose to continue the war. He continued, Pressure is truly needed, pressure on Russia that should bring it back to reality. Pressure through sanctions. Pressure from our forces. Pressure through diplomacy. All of it must work together. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was briefed on the attack while visiting Nellis Air Force Base. A senior American defence official said that Washington was not given advance warning of the Ukrainian drone strikes and noted that the technical complexity of the operation was unlike anything previously seen in the conflict. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies Ukraine stunned Moscow on Sunday with its drone strike on multiple air bases deep inside Russian territory. Kyiv claims to have destroyed 41 warplanes as it launched 117 drones in the operation codenamed Spiders Web. Some military commentators and pro-Russia bloggers have called the drone assault Russias Pearl Harbor. Heres a comparison read more This photo released by Governor of Irkutsk region Igor Kobzev Telegram channel on June 1, 2025 shows a truck apparently used to release Ukrainian drones seen burning in the Irkutsk region. Governor of Irkutsk via AP Russia and Ukraine held direct peace talks on Monday (June 2) in Turkey, a day after Kyivs surprise drone attacks against air bases deep inside Russian soil. The shadow of the operation, codenamed Spiders Web, loomed large as the warring sides met for just over an hour amid little hope for a breakthrough. Some military commentators and pro-Russian Telegram channels are dubbing Ukraines weekend drone attack as Russias Pearl Harbor moment. As speculation over Moscows expected response grows, we take a look at the similarities and differences between Ukraines Spiders Web operation and Americas Pearl Harbor. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ukraines drone attack stuns Russia Ukraine on Sunday (June 1) attacked strategic bomber aircraft at several Russian air bases, using explosive-laden drones to hit the targets. According to the Ukraines Security Service, Kyiv hit 41 Russian warplanes at military airfields, including A-50, Tu-95 and Tu-22M aircraft, reported Associated Press (AP). The Tupolev Tu-22M supersonic long-range strategic bombers are housed at the Belaya air base in the Irkutsk region of Siberia, over 4,000 kilometres from Ukraine. This was the first time Ukraine launched a drone attack so far from the front lines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the drone assault, calling it an absolutely brilliant outcome. And an outcome produced by Ukraine independently, he wrote on Telegram. This is our longest-range operation. Later, in his nightly video address, he said 117 drones were used in Operation Spiders Web. Zelenskyy stated that Russian forces suffered very tangible losses, and justifiably so, as per Reuters. He claimed the operation had been headquartered near a regional office of Russias FSB intelligence service. As per the Ukrainian president, it took more than a year and a half to prepare for the complex operation. Ukraine smuggled hundreds of drones inside the roofs of wooden sheds, which were loaded onto trucks that were driven to the perimeter of the air bases, Reuters reported, citing a Ukrainian security official. At the right moment, the roofs of the houses were remotely opened, and the drones flew to hit Russian bombers, a Ukrainian military source told AP. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ukraine struck four air bases deep inside Russian territory in the operation personally supervised by Zelenskyy. The Security Service claims to have destroyed 34 per cent of Russias strategic cruise missile carriers with damages estimated at $7 billion. Russias Defense Ministry confirmed the drone assault, which damaged aircraft and ignited fires on air bases in the Irkutsk region and the Murmansk region in the north. Strikes were also reported in the Amur region in Russias Far East and the western regions of Ivanovo and Ryazan. How Ukraines drone attack compares to Pearl Harbor Some pro-Russia bloggers are calling Ukraines large-scale drone strikes on Russian air bases the countrys Pearl Harbor a reference to Japans attack in 1941 that triggered the United States entry into World War II. We hope that the response will be the same as the US response to the attack on Pearl Harbor, or even tougher, Roman Alekhin, a Russian military blogger, said on the messaging app Telegram. All eyes are now on Russias retaliation to Ukraines most damaging strikes of the war yet. Meanwhile, the similarity between Ukraines strikes on Russia and the Imperial Japanese Navys attack on the US naval base in Hawaii is the element of surprise. Both Russia and the US were caught off guard by the attacks, respectively. These assaults also showed the might of their adversaries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is where the similarities end. A major difference is that Russia and Ukraine are already at war. The neighbouring countries have been fighting since February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. However, when Japan struck the US naval base more than eight decades ago, America was not at war with the East Asian country. In fact, the attack led the US to declare war on Japan. The Pearl Harbor attack On December 7, 1941, Japan hit Pearl Harbor , the US naval base near Honolulu, Hawaii. After months of planning and practice, the Japanese forces launched a surprise attack to destroy the US Pacific Fleet. Hundreds of Japanese fighter planes rained bombs, bullets and aerial torpedoes on the Pacific Fleet. The attack damaged or destroyed nearly 20 American ships and more than 300 airplanes, as per History.com. Over 2,400 US sailors, soldiers and civilians were also killed. About half of those who died at Pearl Harbor were on the battleship USS Arizona, which was struck by a 1,800-pound bomb. Also, 1,178 people were wounded, while 129 Japanese soldiers were killed. This file photo shows the US Pacific Fleet as it burns in its home base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, after 360 Japanese warplanes made a massive surprise attack on December 7, 1941. File Photo/AFP The Japanese forces sank four of the eight US battleships at Pearl Harbor, while damaging the remaining four. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The day after the attack, the then-US President Franklin Roosevelt addressed a joint session of Congress, seeking a declaration of war. The Senate unanimously supported the declaration. After the president signed the declaration, the US officially entered World War II, more than two years after the conflict had begun. While Japans attack on the US was a surprise, the two sides had been moving closer to war for decades. America had imposed economic sanctions on Japan to stop its expansionist agenda in Asia. This affected Japans access to aircraft exports. Japanese forces attacked the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor to prevent the US challenge as Japans armed forces spread across the South Pacific. With inputs from agencies With Yahya and Mohammed Sinwar dead, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, known as the Ghost of the al-Qassam Brigades, has risen to lead Hamass military operations in Gaza. A veteran commander with decades in the ranks, he now oversees key decisions on hostages, warfare and ceasefire negotiations read more Izz al-Din al-Haddad is also known by his aliases Abu Suhaib and the Ghost of the al-Qassam Brigades." Image/X With the confirmed death of Mohammed Sinwar and the earlier assassination of Yahya Sinwar, Hamass military command structure has taken a significant hit. The man now emerging as the groups de facto military leader in Gaza is Izz al-Din al-Haddad, a seasoned commander with deep roots in armed and intelligence operations. Known by his aliases Abu Suhaib and the Ghost of the al-Qassam Brigades, al-Haddad has not only evaded Israels most intensive manhunts but is now believed to hold authority over hostages, military operations and key decisions regarding ceasefire negotiations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Who is Izz al-Din al-Haddad? Al-Haddads rise through the Hamas hierarchy has spanned decades. His career began in the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades as a company-level commander. From there, he took charge of a battalion and, over time, commanded a total of six battalions and a special forces unit. His ascent reached a new height following the Israeli killing of Bassem Issa in 2021. Al-Haddad was appointed commander of the Gaza Brigade, one of the most critical posts within the armed wing. In June 2024, he was reportedly designated as the overall commander for northern Gaza. Following the death of Yahya Sinwar, reporting by The Wall Street Journal indicated that al-Haddad assumed responsibility for two major regional commands and 14 battalions. He was, in effect, sharing command of the Gaza Strip with Mohammed Sinwar until the latters confirmed elimination. This division of power marked the beginning of al-Haddads consolidation of control over Hamass military wing. Izz al-Din al-Haddads role in the October 7 attacks The night before the attack, al-Haddad reportedly convened a secret meeting with senior commanders under his authority. During this meeting, he distributed a document that outlined the missions core objectives: the mass abduction of Israeli soldiers to be transported into Gaza, real-time documentation of the assault and the capture of border-adjacent Israeli communities, reported Ynet news. His role in that days events has been substantiated by multiple intelligence assessments. Among the operations under his command was the assault on the Nahal Oz military base, where more than 60 Israeli soldiers and 15 civilians were killed. Numerous others were taken hostage and transported into Gaza as part of the offensives coordinated abduction plan. Al-Haddad later gave an interview on Al Jazeeras More Hidden Than Revealed, in which he defended Hamass actions by claiming the group had discovered Israeli military plans for a major Gaza operation. Hamas launched the October 7 assault after allegedly uncovering information from Unit 8200 servers, he said, asserting that the organisation breached an Israeli system and retrieved a document detailing an Israeli Defense Forces war plan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How al-Haddad has survived Al-Haddad has long been a target of the Israeli military. He has survived at least six assassination attempts, with attacks dating back to 2008. Israeli airstrikes targeting his residence were carried out in 2008, 2012, 2021 and 2023. Since the latest war began, three more targeted operations have attempted to eliminate him including one where Israeli troops raided a location where he was believed to be hiding, only to find he had already fled. According to intelligence sources, al-Haddad is extremely guarded about his whereabouts and movements. He frequently shifts locations and maintains tight security protocols, relying on only a select few from his inner circle. This strategic caution has helped him remain elusive, even as Israel has placed a $750,000 bounty on information leading to his capture or death. His eldest son, Suhaib, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on January 17, 2025. The same strike also took the life of his grandson. In April 2025, his second son was also killed during an Israeli operation. How much sway does al-Haddad hold in Hamas Al-Haddad was also a senior figure in al-Majd, an internal counterintelligence unit established by Yahya Sinwar. This organisation was tasked with identifying and eliminating alleged collaborators with Israel. His work in al-Majd deepened his relationship with Sinwar and provided him with critical insight into Gazas internal threat landscape. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Reports indicate that the trust between al-Haddad and the Sinwar brothers was rooted in years of collaboration, both in intelligence operations and armed strategy. This alliance helped position him as a natural successor once senior Hamas figures began falling to Israeli attacks. Following the intense fighting that marked the early months of the war, there was a brief lull during which several Israeli hostages were released. In one such transfer, involving three hostages including British-Israeli dual national Emily Damari al-Haddad was reportedly involved in ensuring the handover process went smoothly. By this point, he had already begun overseeing both military and civilian aspects of Hamass reconstruction efforts in Gaza. He is also reported to have held veto power over the latest ceasefire proposal mediated by US envoy Steve Witkoff, reported The Times. While Hamas said it accepted the deal in principle, the group later an amendment that Witkoff condemned as unacceptable and a move that only takes us backward. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Al-Haddads influence over such high-stakes decisions indicates that he now holds a decisive role not only in battlefield tactics but also in Hamass strategic policymaking. His current standing makes him one of the few individuals capable of greenlighting or blocking a ceasefire agreement. While al-Haddad remains behind the scenes, public diplomacy has largely been delegated to others. Muhammad Ismail Darwish, once considered an obscure figure, has emerged as a key negotiator on Hamass behalf. Darwish, who previously managed financial operations for the group, is now believed to have taken over many responsibilities from the former lead negotiator. The case of Muhammad Shabana Though al-Haddad is now seen as the primary commander in Gaza, another senior figure was briefly considered a potential successor: Muhammad Shabana, commander of the Rafah Brigade. Shabana took on his role during Operation Protective Edge in 2014, following the deaths of three Hamas leaders. He has overseen four battalions, including the elite Nukhba unit that played a frontline role in the October 7 attack. Shabana, like al-Haddad, has survived several Israeli assassination attempts. Reports suggest he was targeted during IDF ground operations in Rafah, and three of his sons lost their lives during the conflict. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speculation arose that Shabana might have died alongside Mohammed Sinwar in a tunnel strike. However, this has not been confirmed by either Israeli or Palestinian sources. In the absence of verified reports on Shabanas fate, al-Haddads leadership appears uncontested for now. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies Outpatient departments (OPDs) at Indian hospitals are seeing a three-time rise in footfalls in the past 10 days. Doctors attribute this to the Covid surge in the country as of Monday, the country has a total of 3,961 active cases. But despite the rise in infections, medical experts note that the situation is under control read more India has reported 3,961 active Covid-19 cases on Monday, with Delhi recording the highest single-day rise of 47 cases and one more death, while Kerala remained the worst-hit state with 1,435 active infections. File image/Reuters Its never a dull moment in hospitals across India and with Covid-19 infections rising across the country, hospitals are seeing a rise in footfalls in the outpatient departments (OPDs). Indias coronavirus burden is rising on a daily basis with many patients rushing to the hospital, fearing the worst. Several states in India are recording a spike in coronavirus infections on Monday (June 2), Indias active COVID-19 cases stand at 3,961 with 203 new cases being added only on Sunday. Thats not it; the country is also recording a rise in Covid-related deaths four have been reported since Sunday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So, whats going on? How bad is the situation? Indias Covid burden keeps rising As of Monday (June 2), the countrys active Covid cases are 3,961 more than a 15-fold increase in just 10 days, according to the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Health authorities attribute the rapid increase to the emergence of new, more transmissible Omicron sub-variants, specifically NB.1.8.1 and NF.7 , predominantly affecting southern and western India. Data shows that the most cases have been detected in Kerala 1,435 cases whereas Maharashtra comes in second with 506 Covid cases. Delhi with 483 infections comes in third while Gujarat recorded 338 cases, coming in fourth. West Bengal (331), Karnataka (253), Tamil Nadu (189) and Uttar Pradesh (157) are the other states where Covid infections are being recorded in high numbers. Along with the rising infections, Covid deaths are also being reported in the country. Four deaths one each in Delhi, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu have been reported across the country in the past 24 hours. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Dr Rajiv Bahl was quoted as telling the media that the rise in cases began in southern states, followed by western and now northern regions. The ICMR is closely monitoring the situation through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), he said. He further added, The variants we have sequenced from South and West India are not much severe. Four variants have been discovered LF.7 series, XFG series, JN.1 series and NB.1.8.1 series in the same order. We are sequencing the samples from other areas to check for more new variants The cases are not very severe and people should not worry, but only stay vigilant. OPD admissions in hospitals increase And as a result of the increasing Covid cases, patient footfall at OPDs is rising by at least three to four times. Dr Pradeep Bajad, senior consultant, pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at Faridabad-based Amrita Hospital, told News18, At present, we are not seeing a surge in ICU admissions due to Covid-19 directly. However, we are witnessing a marked increase in OPD footfall, with patient visits increasing by nearly three to four times in the past 10 days. Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant, internal medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, also noted a rise in patients visiting the OPD. He also stated that most of those who are visiting the OPD are complaining of fever, sore throat, and upper respiratory symptoms, which he calls routine and manageable. Dr Arup Halder, consultant pulmonologist at CMRI Hospital, Kolkata, also said that there was a significant rise in OPD consultations. People with fever and cold-like symptoms are walking in to get themselves checked out, he was quoted as saying. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A doctor inspects an isolation ward prepared for the patients with Covid-19 symptoms at a government hospital in Secunderabad in Telangana. AFP The rising infections have also got hospital authorities on high alert; they are ramping up preventive measures such as increased Covid testing and preparation of hospital beds. In fact, many hospitals across the country are preparing isolation wards amid the Covid spike. For instance, in Haryana, officials have been asked to ensure hospitals establish dedicated flu corners and maintain adequate isolation beds, oxygen supplies, PPE kits, N95 masks, antibiotics, and testing kits. At the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh, special wards for Covid-19 patients, including ICU beds and high-dependency units, have been activated. A similar picture is prevalent in Karnataka wherein hospitals are preparing bigger and better isolation wards. Covid symptoms to watch out for Doctors note that most of the patients being diagnosed with Covid have the usual symptoms fever, sore throat, cough, cold, headache, body ache and fatigue. However, this time theres one specific symptom that could help patients discern if they are infected and thats having diarrhoea, especially watery diarrhoea. Many are coming in with diarrhoea. Painless, watery stools for a day or two followed by severe lethargy or fatigue. Lethargy can persist for weeks post-discharge from the hospital. So, any patient who presents with unexplained diarrhoea, check for COVID-19, Dr Chatterjee was quoted as telling News18. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Doctors note that this change may be due to the viruss altered behaviour in the body or its interaction with the guts immune system. Dr Charudatt Vaity, director of critical care at Fortis Hospital Mulund, also noted that an increasing number of patients with runny diarrhoea were testing positive for Covid. Despite the rise in cases, doctors are of the opinion that the situation is still under control and that there is no need to panic. File image/PTI Doctors calls for extra vigilance But despite the rise in cases, doctors are of the opinion that the situation is still under control and that there is no need to panic. However, medical experts have called for an increase in vigilance. Dr Sanjay Jain, dean research, PGIMER, said, Most new variant cases are mild, but vigilance is essential, especially to protect the vulnerable. Even Union Minister of State for Health and AYUSH (Independent Charge), Prataprao Jadhav, assured that the Centre is fully prepared to handle any situation that may arise. Both our Central Health Department and the AYUSH Ministry are fully alert and closely monitoring the situation across all states. We have spoken with the respective Health and AYUSH Secretaries, as well as other concerned ministers, Jadhav was quoted as telling news agency ANI. Soumya Swaminathan , former chief scientist at the World Health Organisation (WHO), also echoed similar sentiments. She has urged the public to stay cautious but not to panic. Speaking to News18, she said that the current trends do not indicate a return to the devastating waves of 2020 or 2021. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Covid or SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus, is another respiratory virus, like the many others that are circulating amongst us human beings in the world today. It has been around for five years now. Its, of course, constantly mutating and changing, like other viruses, she said. She further added, What youre seeing now is a mild disease mostly. Even though people are testing and reporting positivity, you find that hospitalisations are rare. With inputs from agencies A mysterious woman linked to Pakistani intelligence is a key figure in the CRPF SI Motiram Jat espionage case, according to sources. Multiple raids were conducted across eight states as part of the ongoing investigation. read more Police personnel stand guard at the Red Fort, amid tight security in the wake of tension between India and Pakistan, in New Delhi, Friday, May 9, 2025. PTI A mysterious woman has surfaced as a central figure in the ongoing CRPF SI Motiram Jat espionage case investigation. According to sources from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Motiram Jat allegedly passed sensitive information to a female operative linked to Pakistani intelligence. This woman used persuasion and blackmail to extract classified details about Indian defence, paramilitary forces, and border security from Motiram. In exchange, Motiram reportedly received payments through various financial channels. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Saturday, the NIA carried out multiple raids across Kolkata related to the case. Two individuals have been summoned for questioning as part of the ongoing probe. In a massive search operation on Saturday, the NIA conducted raids at 15 locations across eight states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and West Bengal. These actions relate to a Pakistan-linked espionage case involving the recent arrest of CRPF personnel ASI Motiram Jat. As per the avialable details, Jat shared classified information with Pakistani Intelligence officials who posed as TV journalists and had reportedly received funds from them. The raids targeted premises linked to suspects connected to Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). He was allegedly approached by a woman posing as a Chandigarh-based news reporter from a leading TV news channel, who requested that he share some information. After some messages and phone calls, including over video, Jat allegedly started sharing classified documents with her. After two-three months, a man, a Pakistan intelligence officer, started talking to him, posing as a journalist of the same news channel, said a CRPF source said to The Indian Express. In some chats, Jat shared news clippings about paramilitary forces but was told not to send publicly available information. Later, he began receiving 3,500 every month and 12,000 for key intel, which was deposited into his and his wifes bank accounts, sources said. His activities were being monitored for weeks, and he was transferred to Delhi five days before the Pahalgam terror attack. Despite the news of Amit Shahs visit to J&K being public, he allegedly shared it again and also passed on details about the closure of 50 tourist spots due to security concerns, the source added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Over 2,000 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have been pushed back from the Indian borders since the start of Operation Sindoor on May 7. Many immigrants voluntarily contacted the authorities amid fears of a crackdown read more Over 2,000 alleged illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were reportedly deported from India since the start of Operation Sindoor on May 7. A government source told The Indian Express that these immigrants were pushed back after the Indian authorities conducted a nationwide verification exercise. The source also mentioned that amid the tensions between India and Pakistan , a similar number of immigrants showed up near the India-Bangladesh border voluntarily to exit the country amid fears generated by Indias crackdown following the Pahalgam terror attack that took place in Kashmir on April 22. The source told The Indian Express that verification processes were conducted along the Bangladesh border in Tripura, Meghalaya and Assam. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is pertinent to note that the state of Gujarat began the round-up and has accounted for nearly half of all those who have been pushed back. As per the report, Delhi and Haryana also sent back immigrants in large numbers, with the rest being rounded up from Assam, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The illegal immigrants were handed over to the BSF The government source told The Indian Express that the alleged illegal immigrants were ferried to the borders in IAF aircraft from various locations and handed over to the BSF to be held in makeshift camps along the border. In the camps, they were provided with food and some Bangladeshi currency. Some of them can be pushed back into their country after a few hours of detention. It is an ongoing process, and all states which have cities with significant economic activity are rounding up such illegal immigrants after verification of their documents. A focused effort began in this direction following the Pahalgam attacks in April. Since Operation Sindoor, it has picked up pace. Gujarat was the first off the blocks, followed by Delhi and Haryana. More states will begin sending soon. The instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs are clear in this regard, and the states, too, are cooperating, the source told the Indian news outlet. There is a perception that these states have been chosen because they are BJP-ruled. But that is not true. BJP is a small minority in Meghalaya. These states were chosen because of the ease of pushing back from these states. In West Bengal, because of the nature of the border, which often passes through the middle of villages or even houses, and the familial connections on either side, there was fear of law and order issues cropping up," the security official furthered, referencing to the measures that are being taken along the border in Tripura, Meghalaya and Assam. As per the report, a little less than 2,000 Bangladeshi immigrants showed up at the border voluntarily to cross over. Because of large-scale reporting in the media about a crackdown, many illegal immigrants from Bangladesh are voluntarily leaving the country for fear of being detained, the official explained. The government source made it clear that the operation has been running smoothly so far, and the Indian authorities are also receiving smooth cooperation from the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB). However, the source maintained that they are expecting unease among officers in Bangladesh if the numbers swell to 10,000 or 20,000 a week, The Indian Express reported. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India and Paraguay share common views on various international issues, including UN reforms, climate change, renewable energy and combating terrorism, according to the Ministry of External Affairs read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Paraguay Santiago Pena Palacios during a meeting at the Hyderabad House, in New Delhi. PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Monday that India and Paraguay are united in their fight against terrorism and that there is a great deal of possibility for cooperation in tackling common challenges like drug trafficking and cybercrime. The comments were made by Modi during delegation-level discussions with Santiago Pena Palacios, the president of Paraguay. Pena, who is visiting India for three days to look into ways to increase general cooperation, landed in Delhi this morning. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is just the second time a South American president has travelled to India, and it is his first visit. Paraguay is one of Indias most significant commercial partners in Latin America. There are several Indian businesses operating in Paraguay in the automotive and medicinal industries. We see new opportunities for cooperation in areas such as digital technology, critical minerals, energy, agriculture, healthcare, defence, railways, space and overall economic partnership, Modi said. The prime minister also referred to New Delhis preferential trade arrangement with South American trading bloc MERCOSUR. We can work together to further expand it, he said. MERCOSUR or Common Market of the South is a trading bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The two leaders also deliberated on ways to combat terrorism against the backdrop of the Pahalgam terror attack. India and Paraguay stand united in the fight against terrorism. There is immense possibility of cooperation to fight against shared challenges such as cybercrime, organised crime, and drug trafficking, Modi said. The prime minister described Paraguay as an integral part of the Global South. India and Paraguay are integral parts of the Global South. Our hopes, aspirations and challenges are similar. And this is why we can learn from each others experiences to deal with these challenges effectively, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We are pleased that India could extend support to Paraguay by sharing its vaccines during the Covid pandemic. We look forward to continuing this spirit of cooperation by sharing more of our capabilities, he added. India and Paraguay established diplomatic relations on 13 September 1961, cultivating warm and friendly ties between the two nations. Both countries have since developed cooperation in various sectors, including trade, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals and information technology. The two countries share common views on various international issues, including UN reforms, climate change, renewable energy and combating terrorism, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. While details of the visit are still being finalised, one potential date under discussion is July 26, which marks Maldives Independence Day, according to a report read more India is considering an invitation from the Maldives for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the strategically important Indian Ocean nation in July, according to a report, citing sources familiar with the matter. The move comes after Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel reaffirmed President Mohamed Muizzus 2024 invitation during his visit to India last week. According to a Times of India report, while details of the visit are still being finalised, one potential date under discussion is July 26, which marks Maldives Independence Day. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If the visit goes ahead, it would be PM Modis first trip to the Maldives since President Muizzu took office in November 2023, added the report. According to a Wion report, the visit, if it materialises, is likely to focus on the inauguration of India-supported projects in the country with a focus on wider stability of the Indian Ocean region where both countries have been working with each other under initiatives like the Colombo Security Conclave. Khaleel visited India last week for the third time this year, signaling the Maldives intent to strengthen ties with New Delhi amid growing concerns in both India and the West over its relationship with China. During the visit, Khaleel and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar reviewed bilateral cooperation across several key areas, including development partnership, defence and security, and trade and investment. Following the meeting, Jaishankar reaffirmed Indias commitment to the Maldives progress and development, and expressed gratitude for Maldivian support on counter-terrorism efforts. President Muizzu has consistently said that the Maldives will not take any steps that compromise Indias security interests. He has defended his decision to withdraw Indian military personnel from the country as a reflection of the Maldivian peoples aspiration for sovereignty and non-interference in domestic affairs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In an interview to Ceylon Today last week, the president said the Maldives will not allow its geographical location to be misused by any country for deliberate attempts that undermine the peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region. Our approach will always be for regional peace and sovereignty, and fair diplomacy with everyone," he was quoted as saying. India has been a key economic and infrastructure partner for the Maldives, notably supporting the Greater Male Connectivity Project the countrys largest infrastructure initiative. The project, linking Male to Villingili, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi via bridges, causeways, and roads, is vital for the proposed Gulhifalhu Port and is expected to drive future economic growth and job creation. It is backed by a $400 million Line of Credit and a $100 million grant from India. PM Modi last visited the Maldives in 2019, shortly after beginning his second term. During that visit, he addressed the newly elected Peoples Majlis and oversaw the signing of MoUs in hydrography, health, and sea-based passenger-cargo services. He also pledged support for the restoration of the historic Hukuru Miskiiy (Friday Mosque) in Male. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India has consistently acted as the Maldives first responderfrom the 2004 tsunami to the COVID-19 pandemicand remains the largest provider of defence training for the Maldivian National Defence Force, having trained over 1,500 MNDF personnel in the past decade. With inputs from agencies Just as Indias non-colonial, non-invasive ascent shames the imperial West, China too is shamed by Indias democracy and freedoms read more The two interviews Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan granted to Bloomberg and Reuters at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore revealed how global media shapes and distorts narratives. Both interviews focused on General Chauhans confirmation of an unspecified but small loss of Indian fighter jets. They did not focus on his confirmation of the unprecedented devastation Indian fighter jets and cruise missiles inflicted on military airbases and terrorist sites deep inside Pakistan. General Chauhan added that India penetrated and disabled Pakistans Chinese-made air defence systems with impunity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The global reaction to the four-day conflict also shows the deep anxiety in the West and China at Indias growing military power and its willingness to use it against a nuclear-armed enemy state. Indias retaliatory attack on Pakistans military airfields and terrorist headquarters has transformed Indias global image from a soft power into a hard power. Consider the reaction of the United States and China as well as countries allied to the two superpowers. US foreign policy has historically leant towards Pakistan. Through the Cold War from 1950-91, Pakistan was Americas loyal henchman. Washington rewarded Islamabad by conferring on Pakistan the status of a non-NATO ally and plying it with F-16 fighter jets as well as generous financial aid. In return, as Pakistans foreign minister Ishaq Dar confessed on television last month, We did the Wests dirty work for over 30 years. That included breeding good and bad terrorists. India has now signalled to the world friend and foe that the old rules of military engagement no longer apply. The failure of Pakistans Chinese-made air defence systems to thwart Indias multiple missile attacks has been noted in Beijing and Western capitals around the world. Significantly, China did not move a muscle to open up a second front on the LAC. It knew that 60,000 Indian troops, backed by one of Indias three S-400 air defence systems, stood on alert at the India-China border. Two other S-400 systems remain deployed on the western front. They shot down multiple Chinese and Turkish drones and missiles fired by Pakistan during the May 7-10 clash. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Embroiled in a bitter trade war with the US, Beijings reaction to the India-Pakistan conflict has been relatively muted. It cannot cut ties with India which has the potential to compensate for some of the trade lost due to US tariffs on Chinese imports. Chinese investments in Indias mobile phone and consumer markets are growing at a steady pace. Yet China is quietly enhancing delivery of advanced weaponry to Pakistan. A tripartite deal with Islamabad and Kabul is aimed at reviving the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which has become a white elephant for most debt-ridden countries. For China the Pakistan-Afghanistan route is crucial to extend the BRI across Eurasia. The reaction of the two superpowers to the four-day India-Pakistan conflict offers a study in contrasts. Under President Donald Trump the US has become an unpredictable power, ruled by Trumps changing moods. Washington continues to regard Pakistan as a nuisance, but a necessary nuisance, in south-central Asia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Triangle of convenience The US-Pakistan-China triangle of convenience is based on expediency. Pakistan plays broker to the two superpower rivals, trying to get back into Washingtons good books while remaining Chinas economic handmaiden. Under transactional Trump, the arrangement works. Pakistan is well-versed in the dark arts of playing one country against another. As long as he can gain commercially from Pakistans corrupt military and political leadership, especially its new crypto ventures, Trump is willing to look the other way at Islamabads growing dependence on China even though Beijing is Americas single biggest geopolitical threat. Double-dealing comes naturally to Pakistan. So does being subservient to both the US and China and doing their bidding. Indias autonomous foreign policy in contrast has long annoyed the big powers. Europe reacted with patronising fury in 2022 when India refused to condemn Russias invasion of Ukraine and continued trading with Moscow. Former European colonial powers were not used to a former European colony defying sanctions that the US and Europe had slapped on Russia even though the Russia-Ukraine war was Europes war, not Indias. It took firm schooling by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to put Europe in its place. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Putting the US in its place was next. India made it clear that Washington had no role to play in the ceasefire on May 10. The point was driven home clinically, frequently, and with undiplomatic candour by the Indian leadership. China has watched Indias new assertive policy with interest and concern. While Europe and the US became rich and powerful by exploiting other countries through colonialism and slavery, China like India has been a victim of Western colonialism as well. The West for long saw India as an upstart former European colony that needed to be lectured on democracy, freedom and governance. No former colony of the West, impoverished by European colonialism, had ever before risen to economic, military and geopolitical power in the manner India has. Though still poor, India is now among the worlds top three nations across key domains: third largest passenger vehicles manufacturer, second largest steel producer, largest milk producer, largest software services exporter, second largest consumer market, and second largest mobile phone market. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dealing with India requires a reset in Western and Chinese thinking. Both know they stand shamed by Indias progress. The West because India has risen without invading, colonising, shipping African slaves across an ocean, and settling on indigenous peoples land. These taint Western civilisation. China for its part has historically regarded India as a weak, disunited nation that succumbed to British colonialism which China resisted except for ceding Hong Kong to Britain. But Chinese think tanks have recently concluded that India will by 2050 be a major global economic, military and technological power. Its consumer markets will be larger than Chinas, its population younger and more stable at 1.40 billion, while Chinas population shrinks and ages. But just as Indias non-colonial, non-invasive ascent shames the imperial West, China too is shamed by Indias democracy and freedoms which China has bartered away for growth. India has preserved both, growth and democracy. The writer is an editor, author and publisher. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On May 30, 2024, I published an article in Firstpost titled How Yunuss capitulation to foreign powers is wrecking Bangladeshs future. In the article, I discussed how the student protests that ultimately led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina were orchestrated at the behest of US agencies working in tandem with Pakistans ISI, and how Mohammad Yunus is able to protect neither the religious minorities nor the sovereignty of Bangladesh. The Chief Advisor of the Government of Bangladesh took notice of my article, calling it highly controversial and propagandistic and sought to provide a point-by-point rebuttal. While, I may humbly submit, the panicked and rushed-up nature of the response is little more than a slight admission of guilt, this further provides me an opportunity to delve deeper into the unholy nexus between the US Deep State, Pakistans agencies and the Mohammad Yunus government. I gladly take up this opportunity to further explain how the Yunus government is working against the interests of the people of Bangladesh and undermining the values of democracy, free speech and free and fair elections. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Chief Advisor of the Government of Bangladesh, henceforth referred to as CAGoB for the sake of brevity, stated, The columnist went on to claim that the July-August movement in Bangladesh was not a genuine, grassroots uprising demanding justice, but rather a carefully orchestrated operation masterminded by the CIA, with Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) acting as a willing collaborator. No evidence supports this claim, and on June 27, 2023, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller explicitly rejected all such allegations regarding American intentions on Saint Martins Island. The United States has denied any interference in the unrest in Bangladesh, with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre proudly announcing, So, we have had no involvement at all. Any reports or rumours that the United States government was involved in these events is simply, simply false. That is not true. While I appreciate the sentiment, I am, at the same time, hard-pressed to find an instance where a nation creating civil and political unrest in a country would admit doing so on official platforms. By this benchmark, the United States, similarly, has had no role in the civil and political unrest in countries like Libya, Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan either. One needs to go much further than the White House Press Secretary to try to find the skeletons in the closet. Mike Benz, a US State Department official who served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Communications and Information Technology from 2020 to 2021, explained that the US also sought to influence Bangladeshs political landscape, particularly in efforts to weaken Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas government. He suggests that this was due to Bangladeshs growing economic and strategic partnership with China, which US policymakers viewed as a challenge to their regional influence. According to leaked documents published by The Grayzone, US agencies, including the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), worked to destabilize Bangladeshs politics. He further explained how these strategies included recruiting activists, mobilising groups and using cultural and ethnic tensions to create divisions within society. One of the more unusual claims is that US taxpayer money was used to fund Bangladeshi rap music that was designed to promote anti-government sentiment. Benz suggested that these songs were strategically targeted at students and youth activists to encourage mass protests. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US interference in a nations political and social system often comes in the garb of promoting democracy, inclusivity and freedom, but these words hold as much meaning in this context as the words democratic and peoples in North Koreas official name, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. As per internal documents shared with Sunday Guardian, the plan to remove Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh was set in motion in early 2019, and it became the latest victory for the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI). The Washington-based IRIs stated objective is to promote democracy through supporting democratic institutions, political parties, civil society, and electoral processes and it serves as an implementing partner for USAID funded projects aimed at enhancing democratic governance. In March 2019, IRI, after receiving the grant for its activities from USAID and NED, started the process of execution of a program to bring about a regime change in Dhaka. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Moreover, no discussion on the US interference in South Asia can be complete without mentioning the usual suspect, Pakistan. It is extremely curious that when Pakistan Army was committing genocide and mass rapes in Bangladesh, it was India that intervened and saved the life and liberty of the people, and today, a large section of misled and brainwashed youth in Bangladesh are rallying against India and supporting Pakistan, but that is a discussion for another time. As per reports, the main architect behind the turmoil in Bangladesh that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government and left over 300 dead is believed to be the Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS), the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh. This organisation is believed to have deep connections with the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI and many of its cadres have also gone to Pakistan. There are reports that ISI members had joined the student movement by putting fake DPs of students and were engaged in instigating them on social media. The students of the Islami Chhatra Shibir got trapped in the clutches of ISI and the movement turned violent. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD There are also reports mentioning the influx of weaponry from Pakistan to Bangladesh to further inflame the unrest. And among those involved in the protests were also students of BRAC University in Dhaka, whose parent organisation, Bangladeshi NGO BRAC, is one of the worlds largest non-profit set-ups. It has for long been funded by Soross Open Society Foundations (OSF). OSF extended $10 million through BRAC in the name of helping displaced Rohingya people who had taken refuge in Bangladesh. Coming to St. Martin Island, lets first understand its strategic importance and why the US has been eyeing it since the time of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman. St. Martin Island falls into Bangladeshs Exclusive Economic Zone, and a potential military base on this island would provide any country with oversight of the Bay of Bengal. An article titled Mujib Refused to Allow U.S. Base in Bay of Bengal, published in the Organiser on September 25, 1971, revealed that the United States had been attempting to secure a strategic military foothold in the Bay of Bengal for a long time. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This shows that the tale of the United States seeking a military base on that island is quite old. Therefore, when today, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina alleges that the United States has played a role in her ouster from power because she refused to allow the establishment of a US Air Force base on St Martins Island, one does not need to be a Nobel laureate to connect the dots. But yes, you need to be a Nobel laureate to convince people that the protests that instated you as the de-facto head of the state were a spontaneous outpouring of anger by students and ordinary citizens against Sheikh Hasinas brutal, authoritarian rule, which had suppressed democracy and led to widespread violence. Now, the question arises, why Muhammad Yunus? The answer is not that complicated. Yunus has been close to USAID and organisations like Ford Foundation for years, where Ford Foundation is already under the scanner of Indian investigating agencies for allegedly pumping up anti-India sentiment. Back in 2013, Yunus and USAID Administrator signed an MOU in a high-level ceremony to work in collaboration and, it was indeed very heartwarming to find out that the headquarters of Ford Foundation in New York has dedicated to Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is also extremely interesting to note that the Chief Advisor to the Government of Bangladesh is calling Sheikh Hasina a dictator, but is imprisoning journalists, banning the opposition Awami League Party and perennially postponing elections. If that is not the textbook definition of fascism and dictatorship, then what is? More interestingly, the US agencies promoting democracy and freedom of speech are nowhere to be seen when opposition parties are being banned under anti-terrorism law and 640 journalists are being jailed within a few months. And the less said about the state of religious minorities in Bangladesh, the better. Yunus did not facilitate the anti-Hindu riots but wasnt able to quell the chaos for a long time either. If you claim that after 2,200 attacks on the Hindu minority, you still acted decisively to contain communal unrest in time, then I have nothing more to add on this. Also, as I mentioned in my column dated August 25, 2024, One has to be bafflingly ignorant to buy the story of job quotas and student protests for two broad reasons: One, Bangladeshs top court had already rolled back most of the controversial job quotas by July 20, a full 15 days before the Sheikh Hasina ouster. Second, why would a student protest categorically be hostile to the countrys non-Muslim minorities? Soon enough, the cat was out of the bag. Rolling back the controversial job quotas did nothing to quell the protests; if anything, they were further intensified. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Even after refuting every single claim by the Chief Advisor of the Government of Bangladesh, I am still forced to admit that the most bizarre statement in that hasty reply to my article was: Omer Ghazis article merely echoes the defeated Awami Leagues narrative, reflecting a well-coordinated campaign across social and international media to undermine Bangladesh and the interim government. Well, the interim government, yes, but, Bangladesh, no. In fact, it is quite the contrary. India has always stood up for the people of Bangladesh and vice versa, and this equation goes back to the very conception of the state of Bangladesh. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, India has always had a warm relation with its neighbouring country, something that India is still aiming for. However, India is alarmed by the anti-democratic nature of the interim government of Bangladesh and is closely monitoring the situation on ground. Through this open letter, I wish to make this humble appeal that if the Chief Advisor of the Government of Bangladesh is really meaning to work for the betterment of people of Bangladesh, he should stop fact-checking articles on the Internet and rather work on freeing the imprisoned journalists, imprisoning the radicals and rioters, lifting the ban from Awami League party and conducting free and fair elections without delay. The writer takes special interest in history, culture and geopolitics. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Taiwan today is a barometer of the state of the liberal international order, the legitimacy of deterrence theory, the stability of the world economy, and the integrity of alliance politics read more Few fault lines in global power politics are as flammable and so consequential as the Taiwan Strait is. War between China and Taiwan is no more a far-off possibility. It is a live variable shaped by daily movements, doctrinal changes, and the steady disintegration of the presumptions behind deterrence. Taiwan today is a barometer of the state of the liberal international order, the legitimacy of deterrence theory, the stability of the world economy, and the integrity of alliance politics. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China has until today refrained from military escalation, and the world has kept strategic ambiguity, avoidance of unambiguous commitments to Taiwans defence, but has quietly prepared for the possibility. This has managed the cross-Strait relationship over more than two decades through a precarious equilibrium. However, now there is a breakdown of this equilibrium. Beijing has specifically mandated that the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) be ready for an invasion by 2027. Satellite pictures verify the building of forward-operating sites close to the Taiwan Strait and the deployment of nuclear-capable aircraft. For Taiwan, Chinas grey-zone warfare, i.e., cyber intrusions, economic pressure, and disinformation campaigns, has become a daily reality. Taiwan has responded urgently in parallel. Under record defence spending, doctrinal changes towards asymmetric warfare, and civil mobilisation projects like Kuma Academy, President Lai Ching-te has supervised Taiwan is getting ready to impose costs, postpone conquering, and oppose collapse, not just survive. The real concern, though, is not how effectively Taiwan gets ready. It is, if the rest of the world is ready to back it. Pete Hegseths clear warning at the Shangri-La Dialogue that a Chinese invasion could be imminent marks the demise of strategic ambiguity as a policy concept. The U.S. has embraced uncertainty since the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act to discourage Taipei from attesting to independence and Beijing from invading. But in a reality where China is openly preparing for war and Taiwan is progressively de facto autonomous, this dual deterrence theory loses relevance. Once a useful strategic instrument, ambiguity today runs the danger of being seen as incoherence. As China probes red lines and practices amphibious assaults, claritynot cautionmay be the better deterrent. After all, deterrent is about resolve rather than only military power. How can enemies be supposed to be discouraged if allies are unsure of what the United States will do should a Chinese attack? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Further, Taiwan generates more than 90 per cent of the most advanced chips and over 60 per cent of the semiconductors used worldwide. One cannot stress its centrality to the global tech economy. Global supply systems would not only be interrupted but also collapse if Taiwan were attacked or blockaded. Industries, including automotive ones, would stop. The development of artificial intelligence would pause. From weapons to cellphones, everything would suffer manufacturing delays. Taiwan becomes a choke-point economy from this vulnerability. Unlike oil-rich Gulf states, Taiwans geopolitical significance is found inside its fabs, particularly TSMC, the crown jewel of worldwide chip production, not on its territory. Thus, a war over Taiwan is a systematic shock to globalisation itself rather than a regional conflict. None of the 21st-century economic security plans could afford to overlook this. Furthermore, a model of 21st-century warfare is the Taiwan crisis. Chinas approach is hybrid, not only kinetic. It combines cyberattacks on Taiwanese infrastructure, electromagnetic warfare to disrupt communication, disinformation campaigns on social media, and economic coercion to compel companies and countries interacting with Taipei. Under this framework, Taiwans security extends beyond force deployments and naval readiness to encompass data protection, satellite resilience, and psychological preparedness. In any future battle, the first salvos might not be missiles but viruses. Emphasising whole-of-society resilience, Taiwan reflects this knowledge. The battlefield of the future is virtual as much as physical. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Taiwan is a normative challenge to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), not only a geopolitical puzzle. With its vibrant democracy with civil liberties, free elections, and strong institutions, Taiwan presents a mirror reflecting what China might have been. For Xi Jinping, letting a culturally Chinese democracy blossom right off his shore is ideologically unacceptable. Taiwans existence negates the CCPs assertion that authoritarianism is required for order and development. This renders the Taiwan problem existential for Beijing rather than merely a geographical one. It also qualifies Taiwan as a litmus test for democratic solidarity. Where else can moral authority be claimed if the world cannot defend a free, open civilisation threatened by an expansionist autocracy? Furthermore, Japan, Australia, the Philippines, and South Korea are becoming increasingly unstable. Japan promised to double its defence budget. Under AUKUS, Australia has escalated military cooperation. The U.S. is being granted access to critical military bases by the Philippines. Still, behind this activity is uncertainty. One can count on the United States. Will Europe get involved? With what threshold should one intervene? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Many ASEAN nations, meanwhile, still hedge. Strong trade ties with China help them to postpone confrontation. But hedging, by nature, gets more difficult as uncertainty disappears. As Hegseth pointed out, depending on China economically hampers crisis decision-making. Hedging becomes paralysis eventually. The idea of deterrence relies on a rational actor model, in which nations precisely estimate the costs and benefits. But the Taiwan issue exposes the limits of this approach. China would consider the symbolic loss of Taiwan as more important than any financial outlay. Domestically, political dynamicsnationalism, elite competitiveness, historical grievancemay overwhelm reason. In democratic societies, too, the populace may be reluctant to participate in distant battles, particularly after protracted operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. This results in deterrence tiredness, a hollowing out of trustworthiness resulting from perception rather than competence. China could be planning on such deterioration. In strategic analysis, the human cost is too often absent. Taiwan has a population of 23 million individuals. Long-term psychological anguish, refugee crises across East Asia, and thousands of civilian casualties might all follow from an invasion. Taiwan is an island; there are no overland escape routes unlike Ukraine. Even as the likelihood of violence rises, the humanitarian preparedness for a Taiwan contingency is essentially non-existent. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Finally, the waiting game is ending. Taiwan is a moral challenge, a test of will, a fault line of world order, not only a line on the map. Strategic ambiguity is an invitation to miscalculation rather than a cover. The world must choose today whether deterrence is to be revived or merely remembered. Aditya Sinha (X:@adityasinha004) is OSD, Research at Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy called the policy a strategic move to make India a manufacturing base for EVs, stating that the plan provides a strong policy framework to attract both foreign and domestic manufacturers read more India has rolled out a revised incentive program aimed at attracting foreign automakers to set up electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing operations within the country, offering significantly lower import duties in return for firm investment commitments. The Ministry of Heavy Industries on Monday (June 2) notified detailed guidelines for the scheme, which allows global manufacturers to import a limited number of fully built EVs valued at $35,000 or more at a concessional duty rate of 15 per cent. This compares with the existing duty structure of 70 to 110 per cent. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In exchange, companies must commit to investing at least Rs 4,150 crore, or approximately $486 million, and begin producing electric passenger vehicles locally within three years of receiving approval. Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy called the policy a strategic move to make India a manufacturing base for EVs, stating that the plan provides a strong policy framework to attract both foreign and domestic manufacturers seeking long-term presence in the growing Indian EV market, according to a report by Moneycontrol. Investment rules and revenue requirements Approved companies will be permitted to import up to 8,000 vehicles annually at the reduced tariff. Any unused quota may be carried over to subsequent years. The total benefit derived from the lower duties has been capped at Rs 6,484 crore or the actual investment made, whichever is lower. To qualify, applicants must belong to corporate groups with at least Rs 10,000 crore in annual revenue from automotive manufacturing and a minimum of Rs 3,000 crore in fixed assets. A non-refundable application fee of Rs 5 lakh will apply. The ministry said it will accept applications for at least 120 days starting this month, with a final deadline of March 15, 2026, although new windows may be opened at the governments discretion. Companies must meet revenue targets of Rs 5,000 crore in the fourth year after approval and Rs 7,500 crore in the fifth. Failure to meet these benchmarks could result in penalties of up to 3 percent of the shortfall in revenue. Domestic value addition and industry response The program includes mandatory local content targets. Manufacturers will need to achieve 25 percent domestic value addition (DVA) within three years and raise it to 50 per cent by the fifth year. The government believes these thresholds will support its Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives while allowing firms to introduce advanced EV technologies. Through calibrated customs duty concessions and clearly defined DVA milestones, the scheme aims to balance technology infusion with local capability development, said Kumaraswamy. The government had originally announced the plan in March 2024 but held it back for revisions to attract larger players and impose more stringent eligibility norms. Automakers such as Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Kia, Skoda and Volkswagen have expressed interest in entering the Indian market under the revised terms. Kumaraswamy added that Tesla, which has been in discussions with Indian officials for years, is not expected to manufacture cars in the country for now, although it is preparing to start vehicle sales. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The new guidelines may ramp up competition for Indian automakers that currently dominate the local EV space. Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra, which together lead the segment, had previously lobbied against a broad cut in import duties to protect their early investments. Indias EV penetration remains modest. Just 2.5 per cent of 4.3 million passenger vehicles sold in 2024 were electric, but the government has set a goal of reaching 30 per cent by 2030. The Facebook and Instagram parent company already offers AI tools that generate variations of existing ads, tweak them, and identify suitable audiences. Now, its working to let advertisers build entire campaigns from scratch using AI read more Meta is looking to move ad content creation to fully be outsourced to AI. Image Credit: Reuters Meta Platforms is doubling down on artificial intelligence in its advertising business, in a bid to fully automate the creation and targeting of ads by the end of next year, Wall Street Journal reported quoting people familiar with the matter. The Facebook and Instagram parent company already offers AI tools that generate variations of existing ads, tweak them, and identify suitable audiences. Now, its working to let advertisers build entire campaigns from scratch images, videos, text, and all using AI. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Metas push into fully AI-generated advertising is part of CEO Mark Zuckerbergs strategy to transform the company into an AI powerhouse. Advertising remains Metas primary source of revenue, accounting for more than 97 per cent of the companys total income in 2024. That revenue underwrites Metas multibillion-dollar investments in data centers, AI chips, and large-scale model training. More from Tech Musks driverless dream: Tesla announces June 12 rollout for robotaxi in Austin With the upcoming ad tools, businesses would be able to upload a product image, set a budget, and let Metas AI create the full ad and decide whom to target across Facebook and Instagram. The system would also recommend how to allocate the budget, according to people briefed on the plans. In a further step toward personalisation, Meta is developing features that tailor ads in real time based on viewer context, such as location. For example, a user in a snowy region might see a car ad featuring the vehicle on a mountain road, while someone in a city might see it navigating urban streets. Zuckerberg outlined his vision during Metas annual shareholder meeting last week, describing it as a redefinition of the category of advertising. On a recent podcast, he said the company wants to reach a point where a business can simply state its goal, specify how much it is willing to pay per result, link a bank accountand leave the rest to AI. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Such tools could be a significant boost for small and midsize businesses that lack resources for large-scale ad production. But not everyone is convinced. Some major brands remain cautious about giving Meta more control over creative processes and worry AI-generated campaigns may lack the polish and brand alignment of ads made by human teams. Meanwhile, technical limitations still exist. AI-generated visuals across the industry are often distorted or inconsistent, requiring additional manual effort to refine. Metas tools are expected to be computationally intensive and may involve custom AI models for individual advertisers, sources said. Ukraines Operation Spider Web rocked the Russian airfields, changing the rules of modern warfare. Here are 5 lessons the innovative mission delivered to the world read more On Sunday, Ukraines Security Service (SBU) officially confirmed that it carried out major drone strikes against Russian military airfields , under what they called Operation Spider Web . Moscow eventually confirmed that five of its airfields were damaged by the Ukrainian attack. While giving an update on the operation, SBU noted that the latest strike has resulted in an estimated $7 billion in damage a figure that has not yet been independently verified. Seven billion US dollars. This is the estimated cost of the enemys strategic aviation, which was hit today as a result of a special operation by the SBU Spiderweb, the agency said in a statement released Sunday, June 1. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The operation not only rocked Russia but also made the world know that the landscape of modern warfare has completely changed. Now, the countries dont rely on battle tanks; it is the drones and the use of Artificial Intelligence that have taken over and changed the war games. Here are five ways Ukraine managed to change the rules of warfare through Operation Spider Web. 5 ways Ukraines Strike Changed the War Games Puts focus on precise planning, more than precise strikes: Operation Spider Web reflected how the Ukrainian authorities took their time in planning out the strike, putting more emphasis on planning than precision. In his post on X, Zelenskyy lauded the operation, revealing that the preparation took over a year and a half. Planning, organisation, every detail was perfectly executed. It can be said with confidence that this was an absolutely unique operation, the Ukrainian leader said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Trade routes can be weaponised. According to the report by Kyiv Post, a specialised drone called FPV was smuggled into Russia along with mobile wooden cabins. Drones were smuggled into Russia and were unleashed from trucks. The cabins were then carried by trucks with the drones hidden inside. The cabin roofs opened remotely, and then the drones took off and zoned in on the nearby bases to conduct the attacks. This indicated how both nations can smuggle tactical weapons into each others territories. Drones have a range of missiles: The drones that were smuggled into Russia hit bases as far away as Siberia and the Far East. This reflected how drones used in the operation ultimately had a range well beyond the range of conventional Ukrainian drones or ballistic missiles. Cost-benefit advantage: Drones destroyed 41 aircraft worth millions of dollars that carry cruise missiles and detect enemy planes. Ukraine claims it hit $7 billion worth of Russian military planes in a drone attack. What is interesting about this operation is the fact that the operation incurred an extremely low cost than the damage it incurred. Ukraine has been asking for military aid from its allies, and operations like these put Ukraine in an advantageous position. Secrets cant protect assets Ukraine targeted top-secret strategic bombers, reflecting how Russia couldnt keep its crucial bombers hidden from Ukraine. In his post on X, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine also had its camps in Russian territory and especially near FSB headquarters. Whats most interesting, and this can now be stated publicly, is that the office of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions, Zelenskyy wrote on X . Overall, Operation Spider Web opened new avenues for striking enemies. The ongoing war between the two nations further escalated after Russia conducted its largest drone strikes in Ukraine. As both the warring nations prepare for the second round of peace talks, it will be interesting to see which way the war is heading. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Nawrockis victory underscores the enduring appeal of nationalist rhetoric among about half of the country along the eastern flank of Nato and the European Union, and its deep social divisions read more Presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian backed by the right-wing Law and Justice party greets supporters as he arrives at his headquarters after the presidential election runoff in Warsaw, Poland. AP Poland has elected Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian and fervent nationalist, as its next president in a closely watched poll that suggests a rise of right-wing populism in Europes heartland. Nawrocki, who will take office on August 6, is expected to shape the countrys domestic and foreign policy in ways that could strain relations with Brussels while aligning the Central European country of nearly 38 million people more closely with President Donald Trumps administration in the United States. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here are six key takeaways: 1. Conservative populism on the rise Nawrockis victory underscores the enduring appeal of nationalist rhetoric among about half of the country along the eastern flank of Nato and the European Union, and its deep social divisions. The 42-year-old historian who had no previous political experience built his campaign on patriotic themes, traditional Catholic values, and a vow to defend Polands sovereignty against the EU and larger European nations like Germany. His win also reflects the appeal of right-wing nationalism across Europe, where concerns about migration, national sovereignty, and cultural identity have led to surging support for parties on the right even the far right in recent times. Far-right candidates did very well in Polands first round of voting two weeks earlier, underlining the appeal of the nationalist and conservative views. Nawrocki picked up many of those votes. As his supporters celebrate his win, those who voted for the defeated liberal candidate, Warsaw Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski, worry that it will hasten the erosion of liberal democratic norms. 2. Prime Minister Donald Tusks troubles Nawrockis presidency presents a direct challenge to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who returned to power in late 2023 pledging to mend relations with the EU and restore judicial independence which Brussels said was eroded by Law and Justice, the party that backed Nawrocki. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But Tusks coalition a fragile alliance of centrists, leftists, and agrarian conservatives has struggled to push through key promises including a civil union law for same-sex couples and a less restrictive abortion law. Nawrocki, who opposes such measures, will have the power to veto legislation, complicating Tusks agenda and potentially triggering political gridlock. 3. Ties with the Trump administration Nawrockis election could signal a stronger relationship between Poland and the Trump administration. Poland and the U.S. are close allies, and there are 10,000 U.S. troops stationed in Poland, but Tusk and his partners in the past have been critical of Trump. Nawrocki, however, has a worldview closely aligned with Trump and his Make America Great Again ethos. Trump welcomed Nawrocki to the White House a month ago and his administration made clear in other ways that he was its preferred candidate. 4. A shifting focus on Ukraine While Nawrocki has voiced support for Ukraines defense against Russian aggression, he does not back Ukrainian membership in Nato and has questioned the long-term costs of aid particularly support for refugees. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His rhetoric has at times echoed that of Trump, for instance by accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of what he said was insufficient gratitude for Polands assistance. With growing public fatigue over helping Ukrainian refugees, Nawrockis approach could shift Polands posture from strong ally to conditional partner if the war drags on much longer. 5. Ties with the EU The election result is a setback for the EU, which had welcomed Tusks return in 2023 as a signal of renewed pro-European engagement. Nawrocki and the Law and Justice party have criticized what nationalists view as EU overreach into Polands national affairs, especially regarding judicial reforms and migration policy. While the president does not control day-to-day diplomacy, Nawrockis symbolic and veto powers could frustrate Brussels efforts to bring Poland back into alignment with bloc standards, particularly on rule-of-law issues. 6. Market jitters Though an EU member, Poland has its own currency, the zloty, which weakened slightly on Monday morning, reflecting investor concerns over potential policy instability and renewed tensions with EU institutions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Billions of euros in EU funding has been linked to judicial reforms which Tusks government will now be unlikely to enact without presidential cooperation. Amid rising anger in India over Turkeys support for Pakistan, Air India plans to shift its aircraft maintenance away from Turkish Technic. The airline is now exploring other options in Southeast Asia, West Asia, and the US, according to CEO Campbell Wilson. read more Amid growing anger in India over Turkeys support for Pakistan during the ongoing escalation, Air India is exploring alternative options for aircraft maintenance. Currently, Turkish Technic carries out heavy maintenance for some of Air Indias wide-body aircraft, according to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson. We want to respect public sentiment We will be adjusting our plans. We will reconsider where we send our aircraft for maintenance, and we will try to find alternatives to Turkish Technic . But such a shift will take timeit cant happen overnight, Wilson said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to Wilson, Air India is likely to begin sending its aircraft to other major maintenance centres in regions such as Southeast Asia, West Asia, and the United States, instead of Turkish Technic . Since India currently lacks sufficient facilities for servicing wide-body aircraft, the airline remains largely dependent on foreign MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) providers. On 30 May, aviation regulator DGCA granted IndiGo a final three-month extension to continue using two Boeing 777 aircraft leased from Turkish Airlines. The airline must end the lease by 31 August. When asked about some of Air Indias wide-body aircraft being sent to Turkish Technic for maintenance, the airlines CEO and MD said that aviation is a global business with a global supply chain. It does take a while to adjust when circumstances around us change, but we are obviously sensitive to national sentiment and, perhaps, national expectations. So, regardless of the country involved, we clearly take note of what people want and expect us to do, he told PTI in an interview. Heavy maintenance of some of Air Indias B777 and B787 wide-body aircraft is currently handled by Turkish Technic, based in Turkiye. In the short term, Wilson said the airline will continue to send some aircraft for MRO work abroadto the Middle East, Southeast Asia, the US, and, in a few cases, to Turkish Technicas it will take time for India to build sufficient capacity for such operations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With this most recent development, we will look to recalibrate where we send our aircraft, reduce the number sent to Turkiye, and redirect them to other locations. But that does take time, because aircraft need regular maintenance We are aware of recent developments and will look to adjust our plans accordingly, he added. Currently, Air India has a fleet of 191 aircraft, including 64 wide-body planes. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents over 350 carriers globally, on Monday projected that airlines will make a profit of USD 36 billion on USD 979 billion revenues read more The real cost of flying has fallen 40 per cent than a decade ago despite rising cost and tax challenges, global airlines grouping IATAs Director General Willie Walsh said on Monday as the number of air travellers is projected to cross 5 billion annually. At the IATA annual general meeting, which is taking place in India after 42 years, Walsh also said the rate of growth in the airlines industry has slowed down as a result of supply chain issues. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents over 350 carriers globally, on Monday projected that airlines will make a profit of USD 36 billion on USD 979 billion revenues. The expected profit this year translates to a net margin of 3.7 per cent or USD 7.20 net profit per passenger. Our profitability is not commensurate to the enormous value that we create at the heart of a value chain supporting 3.9 per cent of global GDP and providing and supporting jobs for 86.5 million people, Walsh said. Despite ever increasing cost and tax challenges, he said the real cost of flying is 40 per cent less than a decade ago. India is one of the fastest growing civil aviation markets in the world and air traffic demand is on the rise while there have been concerns about airfare trajectory. Meanwhile, referring to the supply chain issues that have been impacting the aviation industry, the IATA DG said that regarding aircraft, the manufacturing sector is failing badly. The delivery backlog of 17,000 implies a 14-year wait between ordering and delivery the number of deliveries scheduled for 2025 is 26 per cent less than what was promised a year ago, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD More than 1,100 aircraft under 10 years of age are in storage, which Walsh said is 3.8 per cent of the entire fleet, nearly three times the pre-pandemic comparison of 1.3 per cent. Also, the annual fleet replacement rate of 3 per cent is well below the normal 5-6 per cent. This hits revenues because some demand goes unmet. And scarcity pushes up maintenance and leasing costs. Its just not acceptable that manufacturers estimate it could take until the end of the decade to sort this mess out, Walsh said as he also advocated for keeping aerospace outside of trade wars. According to the IATA DG, bad regulation can destroy value and stand in the way of affordability. The litmus test for any regulation is cost-benefit analysis. As business leaders we take this much more seriously than regulators. They are not playing with their own money and the difference between political success and solving a problem is often wide. That makes bad regulation far too prevalent, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While talking about safety, Walsh said less than half of the accident investigations over the last six years have been published a final report. Missing insights from accident reports are lost safety opportunities, he noted. Last year, there were seven fatal accidents among 40.6 million flights, and 244 fatalities among 4.8 billion passengers. In the last 12 months, Walsh said two civil aircraft were downed in conflict zones, several airports with civilian aircraft on the ground were bombed in military operations, and incidents of interference with navigation systems near conflicts rose sharply. Beijing claims recent US actions, including halting sales of chip design software to Chinese firms, advising against using Huawei-made chips, and cancelling visas for Chinese students, violate the terms of a recent trade truce read more China has accused the US of breaching its art of the two nations' agreement on trade. Representational Image China on Monday (June 2) accused the United States of severely violating a recent trade truce and pledged to take strong measures to defend its interests. The Ministry of Commerce said Washington had seriously undermined the agreement reached in May during talks in Geneva, where both countries agreed to lower tariffs on each others goods. The ministry also cited a breach of consensus from a January phone call between President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tariff troubles remain The US had reduced tariffs on Chinese imports from 145 per cent to 30 per cent, while China lowered its tariffs on American goods from 125 per cent to 10 per cent. However, Beijing claims recent US actions, including halting sales of chip design software to Chinese firms, advising against using Huawei-made chips, and cancelling visas for Chinese students, violate the terms of the deal. President Trump said Friday (May 30) that China had totally violated its agreement with us, without providing specifics. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer later stated that China had failed to remove non-tariff barriers as agreed, BBC reported. Xi, Trump expected to hold talks soon Despite escalating tensions, Treasury Secretary Bessent and National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett indicated that Xi and Trump could hold talks this week. Both officials said the leaders are willing to engage, though no date has been confirmed. The Trump administration had shifted focus toward negotiating tariffs with other major trading partners including India, Japan, and the European Union, after trade talks with China stalled . Last week, Trump announced plans to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 per cent, citing the need to bolster domestic industry and reduce reliance on China. The fragile nature of the current truce shows the challenges in achieving a long-term trade agreement between the worlds two largest economies. With inputs from agencies Several people were injured in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday after a man attacked a group taking part in a rally supporting Israeli hostages. The FBI has called it a targeted terror attack and is investigating the incident. read more Colorado attack: Several injured after pro-Israel protesters set on fire; FBI calls it targeted terror. Image: X Several people were injured on Sunday in what the FBI described as a targeted terror attack in Colorado, targeting demonstrators seeking the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, FBI chief Kash Patel said on X. According to local media, witnesses said a man threw what looked like a homemade Molotov cocktail at a group protesting for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When asked if the attack targeted protesters, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said it was way too early to speculate on the motive. The incident happened shortly before 1:30 pm (1930 GMT). BOULDER, COLORADO - Apparent video shows the suspect in the targeted terror attack holding Molotov cocktails. pic.twitter.com/3LgCGji7tq AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) June 1, 2025 A video believed to show the attack features a shirtless man holding spray bottles as a fire burns on the grass in front of him. He is heard shouting phrases like End Zionists, Palestine is free, and They are killers at people wearing red shirts who were helping someone on the ground. Other images showed thick black smoke rising above a park. Redfearn said the first calls reported a man with a weapon and people being set on fire. Police responded quickly and found several injured people, some with burns. The suspect was taken into custody without any resistance. The Anti-Defamation League said on X that it was aware of the reports and confirmed the incident happened during the Boulder Run for Their Lives, a weekly event where Jewish community members walk or run in support of Israeli hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India issued a formal notice to the US at the WTO proposing retaliatory action, but the US rejected the move, stating that its tariffs were not safeguard measures and ruled out any talks on the matter. read more India may impose retaliatory duty as US rejects its WTO notice on Trump tariffs: Report. Reuters/File Photo The US has rejected Indias 9 May notice at the World Trade Organization (WTO), which proposed retaliatory action over high US import tariffs on steel and aluminium, Hindustan Times reported. Washington stated that the tariffs were not safeguard measures, and therefore it would not engage in discussions with New Delhi on the issue, sources said on Sunday. Given the situation, India may respond by suspending certain trade benefits for US goodssuch as almonds and walnutsand by increasing customs duties on American metal imports, sources told Hindustan Times. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indias notice challenged the US decision of 10 February to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all steel and aluminium imports, effective from 12 March. The matter escalated further on 30 May, when the Trump administration doubled the tariffs to 50 per cent, effective 4 June, citing national security. More from World Mexicans elect judges in historic polls engulfed by the shadow of crime, corruption In response to the US raising import duties on steel and aluminium to protect its domestic metal industry, India formally informed the WTO on 9 May that it could withdraw trade benefits granted to the US after 30 days, beginning 8 June. In reaction to Indias notice, the US informed the WTO on 22 May that Indias proposed retaliation was not in line with global trade rules. Washington argued that its tariffs on metals were not safeguard measures. Accordingly, there is no basis for Indias proposal to suspend concessions or other obligations under Article 8.2 of the Agreement on Safeguards with respect to these measures, it said in its latest communication to the WTO. Claiming the tariffs are not safeguard measures, the US declined to hold talks with India to resolve the issue, effectively putting the next move in New Delhis hands. The United States will not discuss the Section 232 tariffs under the Agreement on Safeguards as we do not view the tariffs as a safeguard measure, the American communication to the multilateral body added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The IAEA report shows Irans stockpile of 60% enriched uranium has grown from 274.8 kgs in early February to 408.6 kgs, an increase of about 50% read more This combo of pictures show President Donald Trump, left, addressing a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, March 4, 2025, and a handout of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attending a ceremony in Tehran, Iran. AP File Iran has stockpiled enough highly enriched uranium to build approximately 10 nuclear weapons, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing a confidential report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The UN nuclear watchdog revealed that Iran has continued enriching uranium at a steady pace, roughly one bombs worth per month, over the past three months, despite ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran on a potential new nuclear agreement. The IAEA report shows Irans stockpile of 60% enriched uranium has grown from 274.8 kilograms in early February to 408.6 kilograms, an increase of about 50%, reported The Wall Street Journal. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Based on IAEA standards for the minimum fissile material needed, this enrichment level gives Iran enough material for around 10 nuclear weapons, up from an estimated six in the previous report, added the news outlet. According to the report, citing US officials, Iran could convert its stockpile of highly enriched uranium into weapons-grade material enriched to 90% in less than two weeks. While Tehran maintains that its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful, Washington believes Iran has not yet decided to build a nuclear weapon but could assemble one within a few months if it chose to do so. The IAEA report does not offer a monthly breakdown of enrichment activity but indicates there has been no slowdown in Irans production of 60%-enriched uranium since talks with the US resumed on April 12. Iran remains the only country without nuclear weapons currently producing uranium enriched to this level. The IAEA has also said it is unable to verify that Irans nuclear activities are strictly peaceful. The significantly increased production and accumulation of highly enriched uranium by Iran, the only non-nuclear-weapon State to produce such nuclear material, is of serious concern, WSJ quoted IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi as saying in the report. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iran and the US have held five rounds of nuclear talks aimed at establishing a framework agreement on key issues. While President Trump has said the talks are going well, a major sticking point remains: whether Iran will be allowed to continue enriching uranium under the deal. President Trump has made it clear that Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb, WSJ quoted White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt as saying on Saturday, adding that Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff had sent a detailed proposal to Iran. Its in their best interest to accept it, she added. However, according to a Reuters report on Monday, citing an Iranian diplomat, Iran is poised to reject the US proposal to end a decades-old nuclear dispute, dismissing it as a non-starter that fails to address Tehrans interests or soften Washingtons stance on uranium enrichment. Iran is drafting a negative response to the U.S. proposal, which could be interpreted as a rejection of the U.S. offer, Reuters quoted the senior diplomat, who is close to Irans negotiating team, as saying. The US proposal for a new nuclear deal was presented to Iran on Saturday by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, who was on a short visit to Tehran and has been mediating talks between Tehran and Washington. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD After five rounds of discussions between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and President Donald Trumps Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, several obstacles remain. The US withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in 2018 under President Trump, ending temporary restrictions on Iran in exchange for sanctions relief. The IAEA report, shared with member states on Saturday, accuses Iran of failing to cooperate with a probe into undeclared nuclear material, first launched in 2019. Despite Irans claims of full disclosure, the agency said Tehran likely ran a secret nuclear programme until the 2000s and retained unknown nuclear material or contaminated equipment at a Tehran site until 2018. The report, requested by European powers, could lead to renewed sanctions under the 2015 deals snapback mechanism. European diplomats are threatening to declare Iran noncompliant with the Non-Proliferation Treaty and plan to present a resolution at the IAEA board meeting starting June 9. A final decision on reimposing sanctions is expected by summer, before the October deadline, reported The Wall Street Journal. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a joint statement by Irans foreign ministry and atomic agency, Tehran called the IAEA report unbalanced and labeled some of the charges baseless. They warned that Iran would take proportionate measures if targeted at the agencys boardan approach that in the past has included ramping up enrichment or limiting inspections. Iran has also threatened to withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and revise its nuclear policy if sanctions are reimposed, though its leadership maintains it does not seek nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the findings show the international community must act now to halt Irans nuclear ambitions. The agency presents a stark picture that serves as a clear warnings sign: despite countless warningsIran is totally determined to complete its nuclear weapons programme, WSJ quoted Netanyahu as saying in a statement. Israel, widely believed to possess nuclear weapons though never officially confirming it, has threatened military action against Irans nuclear facilities if Tehran moves to build a bomb. However, President Trump confirmed this week that he advised Israel against launching an attack at this time. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While Irans structured nuclear weapons program is believed to have ended in 2003, Western officials say it has continued conducting weapons-related experiments. In 2024, US intelligence reported that Iran was engaged in activities that could aid in developing a nuclear weapon. The IAEA report noted that Irans failure to provide technically credible answers raises concerns that it may still possess undeclared nuclear material potentially usable for non-civilian purposes. With inputs from agencies Veteran defence journalist Tyler Rogoway has warned that the United States is also vulnerable to attacks like yesterday when Ukraine took out nearly a third of Russias nuclear-capable long-range bombers with drones. read more (Left) Head of the Ukraine's Security Service Vasyl Maliuk looks at a map of an airfield, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in an unknown location in Ukraine; (Right) Smoke rises above the area following what local authorities called a drone attack on a military unit in the Sredny settlement, in the Usolsky district of the Irkutsk region, Russia. After Ukraine destroyed dozens of Russian long-range bomber aircraft, veteran defence journalist Tyler Rogoway has warned that the United States is also vulnerable to such attacks overseas as well as at home. In an unprecedented feat, Ukraine on Sunday mounted drone attacks at five airbases in Russia , some of which were as far as 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) from Ukraine in Russias Siberia region. Ukrainian officials have said that as many as 41 long-range, nuclear-capable bombers of Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 types as well as an A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft (AEWAC) were destroyed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a series of posts on X, Rogoway said that the kind of attacks that Ukraine conducted could happen in the US tomorrow. This was a pivotal event. U.S. military and political leadership cannot live in partial denial of this threat anymore. Our most prized aircraft are sitting ducks, said Rogoway, the Editor-in-Chief of The War Zone, a military- and security-focussed news outlet. ALSO READ: 5 ways Ukraines Spider Web drone attack changes the rules of war Ukrainian officials said that the drone attacks destroyed nearly a third of Russias entire long-range bomber fleet. Our most prized aircraft are sitting ducks Rogoway noted the lack of hardened shelter at US airbases at home and abroad, and the lack of seriousness to address the issue of unknown flying objects around critical installations and said that US military and political leadership cannot live in partial denial of this threat anymore. Rogoway said, For over a decade I have outlined the exact scenario as we just saw in Russia. It could happen in the US tomorrow. This was a pivotal event. U.S. military and political leadership cannot live in partial denial of this threat anymore. Our most prized aircraft are sitting ducks. ALSO READ: Rogoway referred to a Congressional censure of the US defence establishment that noted that while China built 400 hardened shelters in recent years, the United States built just 22 such shelters in the same period. Such shelters are critical in avoiding the kind of carnage Ukraine carried out yesterday in Russia. For over a decade I have outlined the exact scenario as we just saw in Russia. It could happen in the U.S. tomorrow. This was a pivotal event. U.S. military and political leadership cannot live in partial denial of this threat anymore. Our most prized aircraft are sitting ducks. Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) June 1, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Its not that the consequences of lack of such shelters are not known. In 2023, a wargame by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) projected that, in case of an armed conflict with China over Taiwan, the United States may lose most of its aircraft parked on the ground and not in aerial combat. Rogoway further said that the Ukrainian drone attacks are a wake-up call for the world. He noted that the attacks did not just destroy so many planes but struck at the heart of Russias strategic aviation capabilities and one arm of its nuclear deterrent should serve as a global wake-up call. Mysterious UFOs are actually spy drones, suggests Rogoway In his indictment of the US national security establishments preparedness against the dangers of drones, Rogoway also suggested that the mysterious unidentified flying objects (UFOs), which have made sensational headlines in recent years, are likely drones used by foreign adversaries for spying purposes. Instead of some advanced alien technology, Rogoway suggested that those aircraft were spy drones. In an article in 2021, Rogoway noted that the evidence suggests that the so-called UFOs spotted around US critical installations in recent years are actually the manifestation of foreign adversaries harnessing advances in lower-end unmanned aerial vehicle technology, and even simpler platforms, to gather intelligence of extreme fidelity on some of Americas most sensitive warfighting capabilities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio after Ukraines Operation Spiders Web rattled its five airfields and 40 bombers read more US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov and members of the delegations attend talks at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reuters As the Russia-Ukraine war continues to escalate, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke late June 1, regarding the prospects of peace talks in Turkey . According to the statement released by the US State Department, the call was conducted at Lavorvs request soon after the tensions between Moscow and Kyiv escalated. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, at Russias request. Secretary Rubio reiterated President (Donald ) Trumps call for continued direct talks between Russia and Ukraine to achieve a lasting peace, US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, the Russian foreign ministry issued a separate statement in which they mentioned that the situation linked to the Ukraine crisis was discussed. SV Lavrov and M Rubio also exchanged views on various initiatives concerning a settlement of the Ukraine crisis, including plans to resume direct Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul on June 2, the ministry statement reads. The ministry also noted that during the conversation, Rubio expressed condolences over the deaths that occurred when two bridges collapsed in two separate regions in Russia, bordering Ukraine. Russian officials noted that at least seven people were killed and 69 were injured when the two bridges were blown up on Saturday. The escalation The talks between the two diplomats came after Ukraine staged a dramatic series of strikes across Russia, deploying drones hidden in trucks deep inside the country to hit strategic airfields far away in eastern Siberia. Meanwhile, Moscow launched one of its longest drone and missile attacks against Kyiv. The tensions between the two nations have been escalating ahead of crucial peace talks between Russia and Ukraine this week. Multiple reports suggested that over 40 Russian aircraft, including the Tu-95 and Tu-22 M3 long-range bombers capable of deploying conventional and nuclear weapons, as well as the A-50, have been damaged in the operation on Sunday. The preparation took over a year and a half. Planning, organisation, every detail was perfectly executed. It can be said with confidence that this was an absolutely unique operation. Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) June 1, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a series of posts on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the operations and revealed that the plan took a year and a half to prepare. Today, a brilliant operation was carried out on enemy territory, targeting only military objectives, specifically the equipment used to strike Ukraine. Russia suffered significant losses, entirely justified and deserved, Zelenskyy wrote in the post. The preparation took over a year and a half. Planning, organisation, and every detail were perfectly executed. It can be said with confidence that this was a unique operation, he added. With inputs from agencies. A wax figure of French President Emmanuel Macron, often mocked for its appearance, has been stolen from the Grevin Museum in Paris by individuals claiming to be Greenpeace activists, according to a report read more Greenpeace environmental activists set up a wax statue of French President Emmanuel Macron - they say to have stolen from the Musee Grevin - during an action against France's gas and fertilizer imports from Russia, outside the Russian Embassy in Paris on Monday. AFP A wax figure of French President Emmanuel Macron, often mocked for its appearance, has been stolen from the Grevin Museum in Paris by individuals claiming to be Greenpeace activists. According to a Mail Online report, citing police, two women and a man entered the museum posing as tourists, covered the statue with a blanket, and exited through an emergency door. Shortly after, a man contacted the museum, identifying himself as a Greenpeace member and admitting to the theft, added the report. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The activists later staged a protest featuring placards, a Russian flag, mock warning signs, and the stolen Macron wax figure. For us, France is playing a double game. Emmanuel Macron embodies this double discourse: he supports Ukraine but encourages French companies to continue trading with Russia, Mail Online quoted Jean-Francois Julliard, Director General of Greenpeace France, as saying. Macron was specifically targeted because he holds particular responsibility in the current situation, Julliard said, adding that the French president should be leading European efforts to end trade agreements with Russia. Its unclear whether the stolen wax figure will be held for ransom or melted down. When unveiled in 2018, even staff at the Grevin Museum admitted the 35,000 figure bore little resemblance to Macron. It has since been widely mocked, with comparisons to a Thunderbird puppet or a Ken doll. A tense and anguished face, a frozen statue that doesnt live, this is not beautiful, it is something that just doesnt work, Grevins Director Yves Delhommeau was quoted as saying. Delhommeau revealed that President Macron declined to sit for a face scan, forcing sculptors to rely solely on photographs of the then-40-year-old for the wax figure. The result drew widespread ridicule online, with many calling it one of the worst likenesses of a public figure ever made. Often compared to Londons Madame Tussauds, the Grevin Museum features wax figures of prominent personalities from around the world. Both museums attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and are popular tourist destinations. Even when the Macron figure was unveiled in 2018, Grevin staff admitted it bore little resemblance to the real president. With inputs from agencies The government and its supporters said the reform making Mexico the worlds only nation to select all of its judges and magistrates by popular vote was needed to clean up a rotten justice system read more A man votes at a polling station during the world-first Mexican elections for all judges and magistrates in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, Mexico on June 1, 2025. AFP Mexicans chose their judges Sunday in unprecedented elections that sharply divided opinion in a country plagued by rampant crime, corruption and impunity. The government and its supporters said the reform making Mexico the worlds only nation to select all of its judges and magistrates by popular vote was needed to clean up a rotten justice system. Arturo Giesemann, a 57-year-old retiree, said his main motivation for voting was the disgust I have with the current judiciary because of its corruption. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Turnout appeared to be low as many voters struggled to choose from hundreds of largely unknown candidates. We are not very prepared, said Lucia Calderon, a 63-year-old university teacher. I think we need more information. In the western state of Jalisco, 63-year-old housewife Maria Estrada said she used her intuition as she did not know the candidates. Experts were concerned that the elections would politicize the justice system and make it easier for criminals to influence the courts with threats and bribery. While corruption already exists, there is reason to believe that elections may be more easily infiltrated by organized crime than other methods of judicial selection, Margaret Satterthwaite, the United Nations special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, told AFP. Hundreds of opponents of the reforms marched through Mexico City waving flags and banners with slogans including: Hands off our democracy and No to electoral fraud. The elections send the judiciary to its grave, said Ismael Novela, a 58-year-old company worker. It was the last counterweight we had against the totalitarianism of the executive branch. Regime of corruption President Claudia Sheinbaum hit back at her critics on the eve of the vote. Those who want the regime of corruption and privileges in the judiciary to continue say this election is rigged. Or they also say its so a political party can take over the Supreme Court, she said in a video message. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Nothing could be further from the truth, she insisted. The run-up to the vote was not accompanied by the kind of violence that often targets politicians in Mexico. But it is logical that organized criminal groups would have approached judges and candidates who are important to them, said consultant Luis Carlos Ugalde, a former head of Mexicos electoral commission. Rights group Defensorxs has identified around 20 candidates it considers high risk, including Silvia Delgado, a former lawyer for Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Joaquin El Chapo Guzman. Another aspiring judge, in Durango state, spent almost six years in prison in the United States for drug crimes. Good reputation Voters were tasked with choosing around 880 federal judges including Supreme Court justices as well as hundreds of local judges and magistrates. Another election for the remainder will be held in 2027. Candidates are supposed to have a law degree, experience in legal affairs and what is termed a good reputation, as well as no criminal record. To do a good job, voters would have to spend hours and hours researching the track record and the profiles of each of the hundreds of candidates, said David Shirk, a professor at the University of San Diego. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He believes that most of the corruption in Mexicos judicial system is in law enforcement agencies and public prosecutor offices. If you can avoid being prosecuted, you dont have to worry about the judge, said Shirk, who heads the Justice in Mexico research project. The judicial reforms were championed by Sheinbaums predecessor and mentor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who frequently clashed with the courts before stepping down last year. The main reason for the elections seems to be because Lopez Obrador had a grudge against the judges, Shirk said. The victory of nationalist Karol Nawrocki in Polands presidential election looks set to strain relations with Ukraine and embolden Donald Trump-inspired conservatives in central Europe, analysts and diplomats said on Monday. read more Presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian backed by the right-wing Law and Justice party greets supporters as he arrives at his headquarters after the presidential election runoff in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP) The narrow victory of nationalist Karol Nawrocki in Polands presidential election is poised to upend the countrys political balance and strain ties with Ukraine, according to diplomats and regional analysts. Nawrocki, backed by the conservative opposition party Law and Justice (PiS), edged out centrist Warsaw Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski in a tightly contested vote, a setback for Prime Minister Donald Tusks pro-European Civic Coalition government. Though Nawrocki has pledged continued support for Ukraines defense against Russia, he strongly opposes Kyiv joining Western institutions such as NATO, a position that breaks with Polands longstanding bipartisan alignment on regional security. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Nawrocki rejects suggestions that his stance is pro-Russian. But his campaign, backed by the nationalist opposition party Law and Justice (PiS), tapped into a mix of weariness with Ukrainian refugees and worries Poland could be drawn into the war over the border that many Polish voters feel. All parties in Poland have ruled out sending troops to Ukraine. Although real executive power lies with the government, the Polish president has veto powers, meaning he can stymie the governments agenda. The head of state can also propose laws. Nawrocki signed a declaration saying he would not ratify Ukraines accession to NATO, as it could result in the alliance being drawn into a conflict with Russia, a move that was sharply criticised by Kyivs ambassador to Warsaw and which marked a departure from previous Polish policy under both PiS and KO. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy congratulated Nawrocki on Monday and said he looked forward to future fruitful cooperation with Poland. But elsewhere in Ukraine, the mood was less positive. The choice of the Poles will most likely complicate the dialogue within the EU and our European integration, Ukrainian lawmaker Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze was quoted as saying by Interfax-Ukraine. A European diplomat based in Warsaw said that while policy on Ukraines future in the EU and NATO would continue to be set by Tusks government, Nawrocki could create a shift in tone thats not going to be helpful. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In his role a head of Polands Institute of National Remembrance, Nawrocki has been a harsh critic of what he said was Ukraines reluctance to exhume the remains of Polish victims killed by Ukrainian nationalists during World War Two. EUROPE Nawrockis campaign echoed the language of other eurosceptic politicians in central Europe, lambasting a perceived over-reach of Brussels into areas that they consider should be the domain of individual countries. Yes, we want a common market, we want development, we want to be a strong voice in the European Union, but we do not want our freedom in the entire scope of social life to be decided by the Brussels elites, Nawrocki told a campaign rally in March. The election of Tusk, a former European Council president, as prime minister in 2023 catapulted Poland back to the heart of European decision-making. He succeeded in unblocking billions in EU funds that had been held back over rule-of-law concerns, even as critics said Warsaw had not actually implemented the necessary court reforms as a result of PiS-ally President Andrzej Dudas veto. Of course it (the election result) will mean a lot to the prime minister of Poland, who now instead of being a very strong force in the EU will be more marginalised, said a second European diplomat. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, himself facing a tough election battle in 2026, hailed Nawrockis fantastic victory on Monday. This is definitely emboldening for all pro-Trumpist or pro-MAGA eurosceptics, said Botond Feledy, a geopolitical analyst at Red Snow Consulting, adding that in Hungary it could add strength to Orbans argument that protecting national identity is more important than EU money. With the co-habitation of a government and president from different political camps looking likely to continue at least until parliamentary elections in 2027, a third diplomat said that they hoped they will not be spending more energy on fighting each other than they will (on) Polands leadership in Europe. Stanley Bill, Professor of Polish Studies at the University of Cambridge said that Tusks pro-European government would set foreign policy, but that if Nawrocki uses an even more aggressive rhetoric against the European Union than Duda has thats clearly going to create a greater impression of chaos. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Strained bilateral relations, lingering tensions over pro-Khalistan separatist activities, and potential security concerns are among the key reasons PM Modi is unlikely to attend the G7 summit in Canada. He has also not received an official invitation read more Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit being hosted by Canada later this month, marking the first time in six years he will miss the high-profile gathering of world leaders. PM Modi has not received an official invitation for the June 1517 summit in Alberta, and Indian officials say he was unlikely to travel to Canada even if one were issued. Strained bilateral relations, lingering tensions over pro-Khalistan separatist activities, and potential security concerns are among the key reasons, Times of India reported. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A Canadian G7 spokesperson declined to confirm whether PM Modi would be invited. Indian officials say any last-minute invitation is unlikely to be accepted due to logistical challenges and concerns over possible disruptions by Sikh separatist groups. Relations between the two countries soured sharply last year after then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused the Indian government of involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. India denied the allegation and criticised the lack of evidence. The fallout led to a diplomatic standoff, with both nations expelling senior diplomats. Trudeaus successor, Prime Minister Mark Carney, has not directly addressed the Nijjar case but has expressed interest in rebuilding ties with India through expanded trade. India, in turn, has expressed hope that Carney will take a more measured approach than his predecessor and has reiterated its willingness to engage based on mutual trust. India has urged Ottawa to ensure the safety of Indian diplomats and take stronger action against extremist and secessionist elements operating on Canadian soil. Although Canada has not publicly announced its guest list for the summit, local media reports indicate invitations have been extended to leaders from Australia, Ukraine, South Africa, and Brazil. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Modi has attended every G7 summit since 2019, when France invited him as a guest. His participation in the forum of leading industrial democracies has been seen as a sign of Indias growing influence in shaping global policy and addressing cross-border challenges. In a major setback to Donald Tusks government, right-wing candidate Karol Nawrocki took a lead in the overnight projection of Polands presidential election runoff read more Karol Nawrocki, front, the conservative candidate heading into the second round of Poland's presidential election, meets with union members in Warsaw, Poland, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (AP Photo) As Poland goes to the polls in full swing, overnight projections from the countrys crucial presidential run-off showed that right-wing candidate Karol Nawrocki has managed to gain a narrow lead in the race. The preliminary results were drawn out using a combination of exit polls and counted ballots and published at 1 am (local time) on Monday, The Guardian reported. The latest figure gave Nawrocki a 51-49 per cent lead over his liberal contender Rafa Trzaskowski, an ally of the ruling government led by . It is pertinent to note that Nawrockis candidacy was backed by the right-populist Law and Justice (PiS) party, which ruled Poland until Tusk won the parliamentary elections in 2023. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What makes Nawrockis lead concerning is that if he goes on to win the race, it will be a major blow to Tusks reform agenda, and the Polish parliament would find it difficult to pass any reforms before the 2027 parliamentary elections, also affecting the popularity of the government. A surprising lead According to The Guardian, Nawrockis lead was a dramatic reversal of projections, the initial exit poll appeared to show Trzaskowski would edge the contest with a 0.6 per cent advantage. The results of the opinion polls even went on to prompt Trzaskowski to declare victory on stage at his campaign headquarters. Weve won! he announced to whoops and cheers from the crowd. This is truly a special moment in Polands history. I am convinced that it will allow us to move forward and focus on the future, he said. However, the celebration eventually proved to be premature. Meanwhile, during a speech at his own campaign headquarters, Nawrocki did not concede, saying he remained confident he would win when all the votes were counted. We will win and save Poland, he said. We must win tonight. According to official results overnight, with ballots counted at nearly four-fifths of polling stations, Nawrocki had 52.7 per cent to Trzaskowskis 47.3 per cent. The full results are expected to be announced on Monday morning, and the standings could change as more votes are counted. However, the pollster Ipsos claimed its final poll had a margin of error of just 0.5 per cent for each candidates totals. What are they bringing to the table? During the election campaign, the two men offered very different visions of Poland. Trzaskowski, the pro-European, progressive mayor of Warsaw, supports the liberalisation of abortion laws and the introduction of civil partnerships for LGBTQ couples. Meanwhile, Nawrocki, a historian and former amateur boxer, has firmly rejected these moves and would probably veto any moves to implement them if elected. It is the presidential power of veto that makes the result of the race extremely crucial. It is pertinent to note that the run-off came after neither candidate achieved more than 50 per cent of votes in a crowded first-round voting two weeks ago. The winner would ultimately replace the outgoing president, PiS ally Andrzej Duda, who will step down in August after completing two terms. Tusk was already facing a hard time in bringing reforms, given that he had to deal with an ideologically different president. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While the presidential role is largely ceremonial in Poland, it does have some influence over foreign and defence policy, as well as the critical power to veto new legislation. This can only be overturned with a 60 per cent majority in parliament, which Tusks government does not have. Hence, a Nawrocki win would prolong the political deadlock. The Russian defense ministry said five of its air bases were hit by drone attacks from Ukraine, causing damage to some aircraft. Ukraine claimed it destroyed about 40 Russian planes, including powerful bombers, in the strikes. read more A screenshot from a video of the alleged attack released by the SBU on June 1, 2025 (Source: Ukraine's Security Service via Kyiv Independent) The Russian Defence Ministry said on Sunday that five of its air bases were hit by Ukrainian drone attacks, damaging an unknown number of aircraft. Ukraine claimed it had destroyed around 40 Russian planes, including powerful strategic bombers, in large-scale drone strikes on Russian bases. Ukrainian officials said the attack was carefully planned over 11 months by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). The SBU added that the strikes targeted Russian military aircraft worth an estimated $7 billion at air bases deep inside Russia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Today, the Kyiv regime carried out a terrorist attack using FPV drones on airfields in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions. All terrorist attacks on military airfields in the Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions were repelled, the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement. No casualties were reported among either servicemen or civilians. Some of those involved in the terrorist attacks have been detained, it added. brilliant operation carried on enemy territory: Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the strikes as a brilliant operation that took over a year and a half to plan, saying 117 drones were used. Today, a brilliant operation was carried out on enemy territory, targeting only military objectives, specifically the equipment used to strike Ukraine. Russia suffered significant losses entirely justified and deserved. Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) June 1, 2025 Today, a brilliant operation was carried outon enemy territory, targeting only military objectives, specifically the equipment used to strike Ukraine. Russia suffered significant lossesentirely justified and deserved. The preparation took over a year and a half. Planning, organisation, every detail was perfectly executed. It can be said with confidence that this was an absolutely unique operation, Zelenskyy said in a post on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For the first time, Ukraine has hit deep Russian air basesOlenegorsk in the Murmansk region and Sredny in Siberias Irkutsk regionusing drones launched from nearby areas, according to reports. Experts believe President Zelenskyy is increasing pressure on Moscow ahead of the second round of peace talks, scheduled for Monday in Istanbul. Russias delegation, led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, has already arrived in Turkey for the talks. In Madrid, Spains Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares expressed unwavering support for Indias zero-tolerance stance on terrorism, following a meeting with an all-party Indian delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi read more Spain on Monday extended its unequivocal support for Indias efforts to combat terrorism as an all-party delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi met with Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares in Madrid to convey New Delhis strong message of zero tolerance for the menace. The delegation arrived in Madrid on Saturday for a three-day visit in the final leg of its five-nation tour. The delegation called on foreign minister Albares to apprise him of Indias position and to discuss Indias efforts at combatting terrorism, the Indian Embassy in Madrid posted on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD H.E. Mr. @jmalbares conveyed his understanding and the unequivocal support of Spain for Indias efforts to combat terrorism, and reaffirmed the importance of global peace. He emphasised that terrorism will never prevail and that Spain stood with India on this issue, it said. The parliamentary delegation met with intellectuals, academicians, think tanks and civil society representatives at a discussion hosted by Spain India Council Foundation or Fundacion Consejo Espana India. During the meeting, they reiterated Indias firm stance against terrorism and its unwavering commitment to global peace. Members of the foundation expressed staunch support for Indias efforts and discussed strategies to combat terrorism, the embassy said in another X post. Earlier the delegation reiterated Indias resolve for a safer and more compassionate world during a meeting with an organisation of terror victims in Spain, as it shared New Delhis experience in confronting cross-border threats. The group is one of the seven multi-party delegations that have been tasked to visit 33 global capitals as part of Indias diplomatic outreach following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. Hosted by Asociacion de Victimas del Terrorismo, an organisation that stands with over 4,800 victims of terror, the All-Party Parliamentary Delegation held a heartfelt exchange on the pain and resilience born from terrorism, the Indian embassy in Spain said in a post on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The delegation shared Indias experience in confronting cross-border threats, reaffirming a shared resolve to build a safer, more compassionate world, it added. During the visit, the group will meet members of the Spanish government and civil society representatives to present Indias stance on zero-tolerance against terrorism. On Sunday, the delegation, which arrived here from Latvia, paid homage to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi. They also interacted with members of the Indian diaspora. In a post on X, Kanimozhi said, As part of the all-party parliamentary delegations engagements in Spain yesterday, I was delighted to meet the Tamil community, who were filled with warmth and love. It was wonderful to connect with so many Indians living far from home. Besides Kanimozhi, the group includes Rajeev Kumar Rai of SP, Brijesh Chowta of BJP, Prem Chand Gupta of RJD, Ashok Mittal of AAP and Manjeev Singh Puri, Former Ambassador of India to EU and Nepal. Its visit is part of Indias broader outreach with key international partners to build an international alliance for cooperation in addressing terrorism. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack, with India carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7. Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani actions. The on-ground hostilities ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10. The irony is that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina now stands accused of crimes against humanity before the very tribunal she created in 2009 to try war criminals of the 1971 Liberation War. Once the architect of justice, she is now branded the mastermind behind mass killings during the 2024 student-led protests. read more In a dramatic twist of history, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina now stands accused of crimes against humanity before the very tribunal she helped establish more than a decade ago to prosecute war criminals of the 1971 Liberation War. Hasina, who ruled the country for 15 years until her dramatic ouster in August 2024, has been formally charged along with two senior officials for ordering violent crackdowns during last years student-led uprising that engulfed the nation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The irony is profound. The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), which Hasina launched in 2009 to seek justice for the atrocities committed during the war of independence from Pakistan, is now poised to try her for alleged atrocities against her own people and this time not for wartime collaboration, but for domestic political repression. According to an investigation submitted on May 12, Hasina is described as the mastermind, conductor, and superior commander of the brutal crackdown that swept through the country between July and August 2024. The tribunals probe alleges that she directed state forces, the ruling Awami League, and allied groups to launch a systematic campaign of terror against student demonstrators. The charges include mass killings, injuries, sexual violence, incineration of bodies and the denial of medical care to the wounded. The United Nations has estimated that as many as 1,400 people were killed in the three-week crackdown, a staggering figure that stunned the international community. Three days after Hasina fell from power, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge as interim prime minister. His administration has since outlawed the Awami League and amended national laws to facilitate legal action against former regime figures, including Hasina. Adding another layer to the unfolding saga, Yunus has called for Hasinas trial to be broadcast live, a move critic say is aimed less at justice and more at cementing political legitimacy. His government insists the trial will expose the magnitude of state-sponsored atrocities; however, the Awami League denounces it as a mock trial in a kangaroo court, driven by vendetta and political opportunism. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The tribunal that Hasina once championed was itself controversial, frequently accused of serving political ends, particularly in the execution of top leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and a senior figure from Khaleda Zias Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Hasinas government had long rebuked the courts ties with Islamist groups. Now, the same court is turning its legal machinery on its founder. While the charges are grave, their political implications are no less weighty. The trial not only seeks to hold Hasina accountable for the alleged atrocities of 2024 but also threatens to reshape Bangladeshs political arena. Whether the court delivers justice or reinforces political theatre, the spectacle of Hasina once prosecutor now defendant highlights a grim paradox in the countrys turbulent march toward accountability. Trump open to join a peace summit in Istanbul with Putin and Zelenskyy, as Russian and Ukrainian negotiators failed to agree on a ceasefire. The White House stressed Trumps attendance depends on both sides serious commitment to peace, while fighting and stalemates continue to plague the conflict. read more US President Donald Trump is open to attending a proposed peace summit in Istanbul with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the White House announced on Monday, indicating a potential high-stakes diplomatic intervention as the war continues. The president has said hes open to it if it comes to that, but he wants both of these leaders and both sides to come to the table together," US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a press briefing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The announcement came as Russian and Ukrainian negotiators met in Istanbul for a second round of peace talks . While both sides agreed to a large-scale prisoner exchange, the talks failed to produce a breakthrough on a ceasefire. Ukrainian delegate Sergiy Kyslytsya said Moscow once again rejected Kyivs proposal for an unconditional halt to hostilities. The Russian side continued to reject the motion of an unconditional ceasefire, he told reporters following the discussions. Russia has consistently resisted ceasefire proposals it views as opportunities for Ukraine to regroup and resupply, particularly as Russian forces press forward in contested regions. After the talks, Russian state news agencies Tass and RIA Novosti published the text of the Russian memorandum, which suggested that Ukraine withdraw its forces from the four regions that Russia annexed in September 2022 but never fully captured as a condition for a ceasefire. As an alternate way of reaching a truce, the memorandum presses Ukraine to halt its mobilization efforts and freeze Western arms deliveries, conditions were suggested earlier by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The document also suggests that Ukraine stop any redeployment of forces and ban any military presence of third countries on its soil as conditions for halting hostilities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Russian document further proposes that Ukraine end martial law and hold elections, after which the two countries could sign a comprehensive peace treaty that would see Ukraine declare its neutral status, abandon its bid to join NATO, set limits on the size of its armed forces and recognize Russian as the countrys official language on par with Ukrainian. Ukraine and the West have previously rejected all those demands from Moscow. In other steps, the delegations agreed to swap 6,000 bodies of soldiers killed in action and to set up a commission to exchange seriously wounded troops. Earlier on Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his offer to mediate directly between the warring parties and invited Trump to join a potential trilateral summit. My greatest wish is to bring both Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy together in Istanbul or Ankara, and even to bring Mr. Trump to their side, if they accept, Erdogan said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While no date has been set, Trumps openness to the invitation adds a new dimension to the stalled negotiations and could heighten pressure on Moscow and Kyiv to explore diplomatic off-ramps. The White House emphasised that Trumps participation would depend on genuine readiness from all sides to seek a path toward peace. With inputs from agencies Ukraine has proposed holding the next round of peace talks with Russia between June 20 and 30, despite Moscow rejecting Kyivs call for an unconditional ceasefire during the Istanbul talks, according to a report read more In this photo released by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, Russian and Ukrainian delegations attend talks at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul, Turkey, on Monday. AP Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov on Monday said that Ukraine has proposed holding the next round of peace talks with Russia between June 20 and 30, despite Moscow rejecting Kyivs call for an unconditional ceasefire during the Istanbul talks. According to The Guardian report_,_ citing Russian state media, Russian negotiators have handed Ukraine two proposed options for a ceasefire. The first would require Ukraine to commence a complete withdrawal of all its forces from four regions of the country that Russia has claimed as its own territory. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The second option would be a package deal containing a number of conditions, added the report, citing RIA. The Russian side continued to reject the motion of an unconditional ceasefire, Kyiv negotiator Sergiy Kyslytsya told reporters in a press conference after the talks. Instead, Russias chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky suggested a limited ceasefire lasting two to three days in select frontline areas to allow for the recovery of soldiers bodies. Ukraine has yet to respond to the proposal. We have proposed a specific ceasefire for two to three days in certain areas of the front line, The Guardian quoted Medinsky as saying, so that commanders can collect the bodies of their soldiers. During the talks, Ukraine and Russia agreed to give each other next week lists of people they want included in a planned prisoner of war swap, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said. According to Reuters, Zelenskyy told an online news briefing that negotiators for Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each, with the possibility of swapping an additional 200 POWs. He said there was also agreement to return the remains of killed service personnel, but this would take careful preparation. Zelenskyy said Ukrainian negotiators gave their Russian counterparts a list of nearly 400 children it wanted Russia to return home to Ukraine, but that the Russian delegation agreed to work on returning only 10 of them. Zelensky also urged his US counterpart Donald Trump to approve more sanctions to push Russia into a full ceasefire. We really expect Trump to take strong steps, AFP quoted him as saying at a briefing with journalists, calling for Washington to push the Russians to the ceasefire with strong sanctions. Meanwhile, the White House on Monday said that President Trump is open to an invitation by his Turkish counterpart to hold three-way peace talks in Turkey with the Russian and Ukrainian leaders. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The president has said hes open to it if it comes to that, but he wants both of these leaders and both sides to come to the table together, AFP quoted Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt as saying when asked about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans proposal. The Istanbul talks came a day after Ukraine said it had destroyed Russian bombers worth billions of dollars as far away as Siberia, marking its longest-range attack of the war. Ukraine claimed to have damaged $7 billion worth of Russian aircraft at four airbases thousands of kilometers away, releasing unverified videos showing planes engulfed in flames and thick black smoke. A source from Ukraines security services (SBU) said the strikes targeted 41 planes used to bomb Ukrainian villages. With inputs from agencies A day after the largest exchange of missile and drones, Ukraine and Russia are holding peace talks in Istanbul. Turkey is mediating between the two warring sides. read more Chief of the Turkish General Staff, Metin Gurak, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Turkey's intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, Ukrainian delegation led by Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, attend a meeting at Ciragan Palace on the day of the second round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, in Istanbul, Turkey, June 2, 2025. (Photo: Reuters) A day after the largest exchange of missiles and drones, Ukrainian and Russian officials are on Monday holding direct talks in Turkeys Istanbul. Turkish officials are mediating talks between Ukraine and Russia. This is the second round of talks between the two countries that began last month. These talks are the first time the two sides are engaging directly since negotiations broke down over Russias maximalist demands in the early weeks of the war in 2022. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The talks come after Ukraine carried out an unprecedented drone attack inside Russia in which Ukrainian officials said more than 40 Russian long-range bomber aircraft nearly a third of the entire bombers fleet were destroyed. Russia also launched the largest drone attack at Ukraine so far involving 472 drones one of these strikes at a military training facility killed at least 12 Ukrainian soldiers and injured around 60. In Istanbul, the Ukrainian delegation is led by Defence Minister Rustem and the Russian delegation is led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky. The two sides have come to the negotiating table at the initiative of US President Donald Trump. ALSO READ: In high-stakes call, Trump gives in to Putin & endorses Russias position in Ukraine war As Russian leader Vladimir Putin continues to ramp up attacks and stick to maximalist demands, there are no expectations of a breakthrough in this round of talks. Ahead of the talks, US and Ukrainian officials had criticised Russia for not submitting its term sheet in advance. On its part, Ukraine has stated its broad terms. In a post on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy laid down the countrys demands: a full and unconditional ceasefire, the release of prisoners, and the return of abducted children. Russia is expected to submit its conditions to end the war in ongoing talks. There are indications that Russia is going to stick to its maximalist demands. Ahead of the meeting, Reuters had reported that Putin has finalised a set of demands to end the war in Ukraine : a written pledge by major Western powers to stop the eastward expansion of Nato, guaranteed neutrality of Ukraine, the lifting of Western sanctions on Russia, the resolution of the issue of frozen Russian assets, and protection of Russian speakers in Ukraine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In recent weeks, Putin has been emboldened by US President Donald Trump, who has rewarded Russia by accepting his terms at every step . Even though Putin has rejected all ceasefire proposals so far and Ukraine has accepted all of them, and Putin has rejected all public pleas by Trump to stop attacks on civilians, Trump has not put any pressure on him. Instead, he has continued to put pressure on Ukraine. Trump has also backtracked from his own demand of an immediate 30-day ceasefire and instead accepted Putins demand for direct talks between Russia and Ukraine . It is an open secret that Putin has been using direct talks involving low-level delegations to prolong the conflict and maximising battlefield gains to have more leverage to push his maximalist agenda. The US has given its blessing to a plan by Syrias new leadership to incorporate thousands of foreign jihadist former rebel fighters into the national army, provided that it does so transparently, President Trumps envoy said read more A member of the former rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham stands guard near an image of Syria's Bashar al-Assad at the fourth division headquarters in Damascus, Syria, on January 23, 2025. Reuters File The United States has given its blessing to a plan by Syrias new leadership to incorporate thousands of foreign jihadist former rebel fighters into the national army, provided that it does so transparently, President Donald Trumps envoy said. Three Syrian defence officials said that under the plan, some 3,500 foreign fighters, mainly Uyghurs from China and neighbouring countries, would join a newly-formed unit, the 84th Syrian army division, which would also include Syrians. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Asked by Reuters in Damascus whether Washington approved the integration of foreign fighters into Syrias new military, Thomas Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey who was named Trumps special envoy to Syria last month, said: I would say there is an understanding, with transparency. He said it was better to keep the fighters, many of whom are very loyal to Syrias new administration, within a state project than to exclude them. The fate of foreigners who joined Syrias Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebels during the 13-year war between rebel groups and President Bashar al-Assad has been one of the most fraught issues hindering a rapprochement with the West since HTS, a one-time offshoot of al Qaeda, toppled Assad and took power last year. At least until early May, the United States had been demanding the new leadership broadly exclude foreign fighters from the security forces. But Washingtons approach to Syria has changed sharply since Trump toured the Middle East last month. Trump agreed to lift Assad-era sanctions on Syria, met Syrias interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh and named Barrack, a close friend, as his special envoy. Two sources close to the Syrian defence ministry told Reuters that Sharaa and his circle had been arguing to Western interlocutors that bringing foreign fighters into the army would be less of a security risk than abandoning them, which could drive them into the orbit of al Qaeda or Islamic State. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US State Department and a Syrian government spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment. Chinese concerns Thousands of Sunni Muslim foreigners joined Syrias rebels early in the 13-year civil war to fight against Assad, who was himself aided by Iranian-backed Shiite militias. Some fighters formed their own factions, while others joined established groups such as Islamic State, which briefly declared a caliphate in swathes of Syria and Iraq before being routed by an array of forces backed both by the United States and Iran. Foreign fighters within HTS earned a reputation as loyal, disciplined and experienced militants, and formed the backbone of the groups elite so-called suicide units. They fought against Islamic State and against other wings of al Qaeda from 2016, when HTS broke away from the group founded by Osama bin Laden. The Uyghur fighters from China and Central Asia are members of the Turkistan Islamic Party, a group designated as terrorists by Beijing. A Syrian official and a foreign diplomat said China had sought to have the groups influence in Syria restricted. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said: China hopes that Syria will oppose all forms of terrorism and extremist forces in response to the concerns of the international community. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Osman Bughra, a TIP political official, told Reuters in a written statement that the group had officially dissolved and integrated into the Syrian army. At present, the group operates entirely under the authority of the Ministry of Defence, adheres to national policy, and maintains no affiliations with external entities or groups, he said. In December, the appointment of a handful of foreign jihadists who were part of HTSs senior leadership to top military posts had alarmed Western governments, raising concerns over the direction of Syrias new Islamist leadership. Demands to freeze the appointments and expel rank-and-file foreign fighters became a key point of contention with Washington and other Western countries up until the week of Trumps landmark meeting with Sharaa. Sharaa has said that foreign fighters and their families may be granted Syrian citizenship due to their role in fighting Assad. Abbas Sharifa, a Damascus-based expert on jihadist groups, said the fighters being included in the army had shown loyalty to Syrias leadership and were ideologically filtered. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But if you abandon them they become prey to ISIS or other radical groups he said. Ukraine said that its drones destroyed Russian bombers worth billions of dollars as far away as Siberia in its longest-range assault of the war, as it geared up for talks on prospects for a ceasefire read more In this photo released by Acting Governor of the Kursk Region Alexander Khinshtein telegram channel on Saturday, May 31, 2025, a view of a fire at the territory of an agrofirm after Ukrainian drones struck near Rylsk in the western Kursk region of Russia. AP The Russian Defence Ministry said on Sunday that five of its air bases were hit by Ukrainian drone attacks, damaging an unknown number of aircraft. Ukraine said that its drones destroyed Russian bombers worth billions of dollars as far away as Siberia in its longest-range assault of the war, as it geared up for talks on prospects for a ceasefire. In a spectacular claim, Ukraine said it damaged $7 billion worth of Russian aircraft parked at four airbases thousands of kilometres across the border, with unverified video footage showing aircraft engulfed in flames and black smoke. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A source in the Ukrainian security services (SBU) said the strikes hit 41 planes that were used to bomb Ukrainian villages. The drones were concealed in the ceilings of transportation containers that were opened remotely for the assault, the source added. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the strikes as a brilliant operation that took over a year and a half to plan, saying 117 drones were used. For the first time, Ukraine has hit deep Russian air basesOlenegorsk in the Murmansk region and Sredny in Siberias Irkutsk regionusing drones launched from nearby areas, according to reports. The return of Jamaat-e-Islami to Bangladeshs political arena under interim PM Muhammad Yunus marks a seismic shift, reversing Sheikh Hasinas hardline ban. Once condemned for opposing the 1971 liberation and aiding Pakistani atrocities, the Islamist partys revival signals a controversial realignment ahead of upcoming elections. read more Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami leader A.T.M. Azharul Islam (C) gestures after he was released from prison in Dhaka on May 28, 2025. In a move that has ignited sharp debate across Bangladeshs political arena, the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has formally lifted the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, the countrys largest Islamist party followed by the Appellate Division of Bangladeshs Supreme Court order to reinstate of the Islamist partys registration as a political party, reopening the door to electoral politics for a pro-Pakistan group long viewed as a symbol of divisive ideology and historical trauma. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The decision, announced through a Ministry of Home Affairs notice on Wednesday, claimed there was no specific evidence of Jamaat-e-Islami or its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, engaging in any recent violent or subversive activity. However, the gravity of the partys past continues to cast a long shadow over Bangladeshs fragile democracy. The burden of history Jamaat-e-Islamis reputation is indelibly linked to its opposition to Bangladeshs 1971 war of liberation from Pakistan. The party not only opposed the creation of Bangladesh but actively collaborated with the Pakistani military, lending ideological and operational support to infamous paramilitary groups like the Al-Badr, Al-Shams and Razakars. These militias were implicated in mass killings, torture and the systematic rape of Bangladeshi womenatrocities that left as many as 300,000 people dead, according to conservative estimates. Despite this dark legacy, the Jamaat steadily regained political relevance. By 2001, it was a key ally of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) under Khaleda Zia, contributing two cabinet ministers and 17 members of Parliament to the BNP-led coalition. Hasinas reckoning When Sheikh Hasina returned to power in 2009, she pursued a long-promised reckoning with war crimes. Her government established the International Crimes Tribunal, which led to the conviction and execution of several top Jamaat leaders for their role in the 1971 atrocities. By 2013, Bangladeshs Supreme Court declared Jamaat-e-Islami unfit for electoral politics, stating that the partys constitution violated the secular principles enshrined in the nations founding document. Hasina further intensified her stance just days before being forced to resign on August 5, banning Jamaat outright and labeling it a terrorist and militant organisation. Yet the ban was more than a legal strikeit was a political line in the sand, reinforcing the Awami Leagues narrative of nationalism and secularism. A political resurrection With Hasina ousted and in exile, the political winds have shifted dramatically. The Supreme Court under Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, has now ordered the Election Commission to restore Jamaats registration, paving the way for its return to the political battlefield. The court left the decision of allowing Jamaat to use its traditional scale symbol to the Election Commission, signaling a cautious but consequential rehabilitation of the controversial party. This legal revival is not occurring in a vacuum. A recent meeting in London between BNPs acting chairperson Tarique Rahman, his mother Khaleda Zia and Jamaats top leadership, including Ameer Shafiqur Rahman and Nayeb-e-Ameer Syeed Abdullah Muhammad Taher has set off speculation about a renewed alliance. Once estranged, the two former coalition partners appear to be mending ties, likely in anticipation of a political comeback. What Yunus stands to gain For interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus, the lifting of the ban is not just a legal gesture but a calculated political maneuver. By restoring Jamaats political rights, Yunus positions himself as a champion of pluralism and electoral inclusivity, perhaps aiming to unify fragmented conservative and Islamist voter bases that had been politically orphaned during Hasinas tenure. Furthermore, Yunus may see in Jamaat a counterweight to the Awami Leagues entrenched secular-nationalist narrative. With Hasinas departure and the Awami League weakened, the interim governments ability to manage transition and legitimacy could hinge on rallying broad-based support, even if that means aligning with groups once deemed untouchable. A dangerous gamble? Critics argue that this rehabilitation could jeopardise Bangladeshs secular ethos and embolden regressive politics. Jamaats reentry into the electoral arena not only revives the wounds of 1971 but also threatens to upend the hard-won progress of the last decade in building a modern, inclusive democracy. Analysts warn that while the immediate political calculus may favor Yunus and the BNP-Jamaat bloc, the long-term consequences of re-legitimising a party with such a violent and anti-liberation past could be profound. The scars of 1971 are not mere historical footnotes but they are central to Bangladeshi identity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As the country braces for a new electoral cycle, the return of Jamaat-e-Islami marks a watershed moment. Whether this move heralds a renewed era of democratic pluralism or a dangerous regression will depend on how responsibly the political class navigates the stormy waters ahead. 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. Germany's dependence on these critical raw materials became apparent once again following the customs dispute in April, when China restricted exports of rare-earth elements and other elements to the U.S. and, consequently, to Europe. The laser industry, along with other high-tech and defense companies, is also feeling the effects of the supply shortage. This is because the elements are needed for laser crystals and active laser fibers as an amplification medium to generate laser radiation, among other things. Materials worth a few hundred euros thus determine the manufacture of systems worth hundreds of thousands of euros. Guaranteeing the availability of adequate laser crystals and fibers and having control over their processing is vital not only for the competitiveness and independence of the German and European economies but also for our security, says Marc Eichhorn, director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB in Ettlingen and Oberkochen. There, the Laser Technology department, headed by Christelle Kieleck, conducts research into new laser sources and improved, more powerful crystals as well as fiber-optic components as the basis for the further development of laser systems. From the simulation and design of new materials to demonstrators, the institute covers the entire value chain of laser production. Growing and processing laser and non-linear crystals Laser crystals are integral to every laser. They amplify light by storing optical energy at higher energy levels and, depending on their doping with certain rare-earth elements, release it as laser radiation at defined wavelengths. If there are no laser crystals available for certain wavelengths, a conversion using non-linear optical materials (NLO) is possible. Due to their optical properties, these materials can convert the wavelengths (and therefore colors) of a laser beam, halving, tripling or even mixing several wavelengths. This allows the laser light to be modified in a controlled manner within a defined range, enabling stronger interaction with materials, detection of specific molecules and higher-resolution microscopy. Applications involving laser radiation that can damage the eyes, such as distance measurements, can be shifted to harmless wavelength ranges using NLO. These sources therefore enable new applications in medical technology, environmental analysis and defense. For both laser and NLO crystals, the quality of the available crystals has often been a limiting factor. After all, not all crystals are the same: In addition to the doping, the optical quality and absorption as well as the thermal conductivity and polarization properties of the crystals play a decisive role in their performance, says Eichhorn. This can result in temperature differences within the crystal at higher performance levels, which negatively affects efficiency and beam quality. That is why growing and processing laser crystals is truly a science in itself. A great deal of expertise is required. Many processes cannot be automated, adds Kieleck. Raw crystals have to be cut, ground, polished, coated or microstructured. This particular processing method is crucial in ensuring efficiency and resilience. That's why we need to maintain and expand this process knowledge so that we can continue to develop the technology further. The researchers first simulate the composition of the crystals by gradually varying the degree of doping and the growing conditions to improve their properties. They are then grown in special furnaces and examined using X-ray diffraction. High pressures and safety requirements pose a challenge to the production process. In the laboratory, the optical components are then sawed out of the crystals, further processed using specific methods and polished. One aim is to use certain processes to increase the damage threshold, i.e, the robustness of the crystal when exposed to laser radiation. To achieve this, the researchers at Fraunhofer IOSB have set up a new test stand that uses the latest measurement technology to determine optical damage thresholds. Finally, the sources are tested in laser systems, which in turn are optimized according to crystal quality and geometry. Glass fiber research for customized optical fibers In addition to crystals and NLO materials, the researchers are also developing active laser fibers and new fiber components for specific applications from material processing to laser surgery. The focus here is on the short-wave and mid-infrared spectrum. To generate laser radiation in fiber lasers, in which the doped core of a glass fiber serves as the active medium, the researchers are focusing on rare-earth-doped quartz glass fibers and fluoride laser fibers. At our new location in Oberkochen, we will produce customized and robust high-performance fibers for lasers with low volume, weight and energy requirements in-house, says Kieleck. Fraunhofer IOSB will be presenting its crystals, non-linear optics, damage threshold measurement technology and fiber lasers at the LASER trade show in Munich, Hall A2, Booth 415, from June 24 to 27. The mountains, valleys and islands of Washington state are renowned for their natural beauty. But for those dealing with cancer (or trying their best to avoid it!), these magnificent physical features can become chronic obstacles that stand in the way of cancer screening, diagnosis and care. From frustrating ferry lines to months-long waiting times to lack of transportation, health insurance or health literacy, Washington residents living in rural counties, isolated islands, tribal communities, urban medical deserts and other medically underserved areas continue to struggle to have their health needs met. Thats where Fred Hutch Cancer Center comes in, as part of the Fred Hutch/University of Washington/Seattle Childrens Cancer Consortium. Fred Hutch and the Office of Community Outreach & Engagement, or OCOE, serves all of Washington state including those far-flung mountains, valleys and islands. The goal of a cancer center is to improve health and outcomes from cancer and if we dont improve the health and outcome of everybody with cancer, we miss the opportunity to truly fulfill our mission, said Thomas J. Lynch Jr., MD, welcoming patients, caregivers, clinicians and dozens of community health organizations to the OCOEs Pathways to Health Symposium, held on the Fred Hutch campus May 13. Lynch holds the Raisbeck Endowed Chair. Ive seen the community outreach and engagement we have in Sunnyside and Eastern Washington and in other communities around the state, he said. You are making a difference. The difference that community organizations and the OCOE make is more crucial than ever as federal cancer research funding levels remain uncertain. But as Fred Hutch cancer prevention professor emeritus Beti Thompson, said in her recorded greeting, "Disparities do not disappear just because theyre not recognized. The work of the OCOE, according to director Jay Mendoza, MD, PhD, continues with even greater urgency. It continues unabated. Elon Musk laughs during a news conference with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025 Chris Dillmann/Vail Daily Amanda Precourt cuts the ribbon during the dedication of the Precourt Healing Center on Friday in Edwards. The facility is now open and is at full capacity for its current staffing levels. May 30, 2025 By Matthew Olay, DOD News Hegseth Outlines U.S. Vision for Indo-Pacific, Addresses China Threat While delivering plenary remarks at a Singaporean security summit today, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined to numerous Asian ally countries DOD's vision for the Indo-Pacific region, while also addressing the strategic threat posed by China. Speaking at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue, Hegseth began his remarks by underscoring the Defense Department's priorities of achieving peace through strength by focusing on restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military and reestablishing deterrence. The secretary then used the topic of deterrence noting, specifically, that our allies around the world are beginning to invest more in their self-defense to segue into speaking about the Indo-Pacific region. "As our allies share the burden, we can increase our focus on the Indo-Pacific: our priority theater," Hegseth said. Stating the futures of the U.S. and its Indo-Pacific allies are "bound together," Hegseth said the security and prosperity of Americans are linked to the security and prosperity of U.S. ally countries' citizens. "We share your vision of peace and stability, of prosperity and security and we are here to stay," he said. The future vision for the Indo-Pacific is one "grounded in common sense and national interests," Hegseth said, where the U.S. and its allies work together while respecting their mutual self-interests and engaging on the basis of sovereignty and commerce, as opposed to war. The secretary pointed out, as President Donald J. Trump continues to lead European allies to step up in their self-defense, the U.S. can then focus more resources on the Indo-Pacific region. "This enables all of us to benefit from the peace and stability that comes with a lasting and strong American presence here in the Indo-Pacific," Hegseth said. "These benefits, they only multiply when our allies and partners are also strong," he added. Regarding American influence in the region, Hegseth said the U.S. isn't interested in the approach to foreign policy of the past. "We are not here to pressure other countries to embrace and adopt our politics or ideology; we are not here to preach to you about climate change or cultural issues; [and] we are not here to impose our will on you. We are all sovereign nations," Hegseth said, adding the U.S. seeks to work with its allies in areas where mutual interests align for peace and prosperity. "On this sure foundation of mutual interests and common sense, we will build and strengthen our defense partnerships to preserve peace and increase prosperity," he said. Pivoting to the threat China poses to the region, Hegseth made clear the U.S. is not actively seeking conflict. "We do not seek conflict with communist China. ... But we will not be pushed out of this critical region and we will not let our allies and partners be subordinated and intimidated" he said. Noting China is "credibly preparing to use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific," Hegseth said any attempt by China to conquer neighboring Taiwan would result in "devastating consequences" not just for the Indo-Pacific, but the entire world. "There's no reason to sugarcoat it: the threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent," Hegseth said, adding while nobody truly knows what China might ultimately do, the U.S. and its allies must nonetheless be ready with "urgency and vigilance." While once again reiterating the U.S. seeks peace as opposed to war, Hegseth said the U.S. must also be prepared for armed conflict. "If deterrence fails and if called upon by [the] commander in chief we are prepared to do what the Department of Defense does best: to fight and win, decisively," he said. Hegseth then revisited the topic of reestablishing deterrence in the region. The U.S. is working that line of effort in three ways, he said: improving DOD's forward force posture, helping allies and partners strengthen their defense capabilities and rebuilding U.S. and ally countries' defense industrial bases. "Across the board, the United States, our allies and our partners have made great progress in these and many other areas toward achieving peace through strength," Hegseth said. "But we have to do this quickly, and we have no time to waste," he added. Hegseth wound down his remarks by emphasizing those who long for peace must prepare for war, and the U.S. is looking to its partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific to do just that. "Our time is now," Hegseth said, adding the threats the U.S. and its allies are facing will not wait. "And nor can we," he concluded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address OIC Condemns the Decision by the Israeli Occupation to Establish 22 New Settlements Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) 30-05-2025 The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly condemned the decision of the Israeli occupation authorities to approve the establishment of 22 new settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Such a decision is nothing but the continuation of its colonial plans, aiming to alter the geographical and demographic reality in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which constitutes a blatant violation of international law and related United Nations resolutions, in particular the Security Council Resolution no. 2334 of 2016. The OIC reiterated its call on the international community, in particular the UN Security Council, to assume its responsibilities to put an end to the crimes of aggression, displacement, colonization and famine committed by the Israeli occupation, and to support efforts to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2334. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address May 31, 2025 Release Trilateral Defense Consultations Ministerial Meeting Joint Statement on Efforts to Deepen Our Defense Cooperation Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth convened the fifteenth Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting (TDMM) in Singapore on May 31, 2025 during the 22nd International Institute for Strategic Studies Asia Security Summit (2025 Shangri-La Dialogue). Through this meeting, we also mark our first ministerial session of Trilateral Defense Consultations (TDC), announced in November 2024. United by a shared commitment to each other and to collective deterrence, we acknowledge the remarkable progress made by our three countries to advance trilateral interoperability and operational coordination. Building on the discussion and joint statements of two Trilateral Defense Ministers' Meetings in 2024, we reaffirm our efforts to deepen our practical cooperation and deliver on our ambitious agenda. The trilateral partnership ensures we are prepared to address the most consequential challenges in the Indo-Pacific. We acknowledge the severe and complex security environment in the Indo-Pacific and the importance of the Australia-Japan-United States partnership to maintain and reinforce a free and open Indo-Pacific. We reinforce our commitment to working with partners and to demonstrating strong leadership to reinforce defense and deterrence capabilities of our respective countries. Strategic Alignment and Operational Cooperation We welcome practical progress under our TDC to support trilateral alignment of policy and operational objectives. We are bolstering cooperation across the Indo-Pacific, including enhancing activities in the area surrounding Japan and increasing Japan's participation in Australia-United States force posture activities. Under the TDC, we reiterate our commitment to coordinate existing regional activities, align strategic communications, and discuss effective cooperation through initiatives including Table Top Exercises on responses to regional contingencies. As a priority, we direct each defense authority to further explore the reinforcement of systems, to support trilateral policy and operational coordination. Australia and the United States welcome the establishment of the Japan-Self Defense Forces (JSDF) Joint Operations Command (JJOC) in March 2025. We look forward to continued improvement of trilateral operational coordination between our respective command centers, including with the upgraded United States Forces Japan and the reciprocal exchange of liaison officers between JJOC and Australia Headquarters Joint Operations Command. We reiterate our commitment to increase bilateral and trilateral joint capabilities, including through: Further facilitating access of Australian Defence Force (ADF) and other partners' forces to Japan to undertake more practical activities with JSDF in order to strengthen deterrence and response capabilities in the area surrounding Japan. The first trilateral F-35 activity in Australia at Exercise SOUTHERN CROSS in northern Australia (July 2026). Continuing progress on trilateral F-35 training, including inaugural trilateral F-35 training at Exercise COPE NORTH 2025 (February) and the upcoming first trilateral Exercise BUSHIDO GUARDIAN 2025 (September). Reciprocal deployments of trilateral air assets, including airlift and F-35s. The largest ever JSDF contribution to bilateral Australia-U.S. Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 2025, including amphibious training involving all three countries, as announced at the November TDMM 2024. Increasing trilateral Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) cooperation. Cooperation on reciprocal asset protection. Closer operational cooperation among our three countries and the Philippines, including through Japan's participation in high-end exercises in the Philippines with Australia and the United States. Continuing defense cooperation among Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States in the South China Sea, including through regular Maritime Cooperative Activities to support regional maritime security and uphold international law. Defense advanced capabilities and industrial resilience We welcome pursuing trilateral cooperation on the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM), including exploring opportunities for live fire training. We aim to leverage our respective strengths of Australia's long-range strike capabilities, Japan's stand-off defense capabilities, and U.S. systems to increase trilateral deterrence and response capabilities. We commend steady progress to build a networked air and missile defense architecture to counter regional air and missile threats. We welcome accelerated efforts to establish an information sharing mechanism through technical working level consultations to further develop the trilateral architecture. We look forward to conducting a live fire exercise in 2027 at Exercise TALISMAN SABRE. We acknowledge progress on cooperative projects under the trilateral Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) Arrangement and intend to finalize planning and commence joint research on composite aerospace materials by mid- 2026. We commend the completion of the Trilateral Concept on Human Machine Teaming in the Air Domain by our respective air services as steady progress towards our aims for collaborative combat aircraft and autonomous systems, and we are pleased to implement this Trilateral Concept. Australia and the United States celebrate the success of Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) Japan 2025, and we confirm our intention to promote multilateral defense industry cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, in terms of production, sustainment, and supply chain cooperation opportunities, including the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR) work stream efforts, with the participation of our respective public and private sectors. We look forward to deepening these defense industrial partnerships, including by exploring collaborative opportunities across our respective defense industrial bases. We recognize the importance of a resilient supply of critical minerals to achieve required defense capabilities, and we welcome efforts to realize the stable supply of critical minerals by multiple stakeholders across related government agencies and industry sectors. Cooperation with regional partners We affirm our shared ambition to further expand cooperation with regional partners in the Indo-Pacific, such as India, the Philippines, and the Republic of Korea, in order to reinforce deterrence and stability in the Indo-Pacific. We welcome continued engagement of our three countries with Pacific Island countries, as exemplified by Japan's participation in Exercise PUK PUK and Operation RENDER SAFE in 2025. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4202592/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address May 31, 2025 Release Readout of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's Meeting With Vietnam's Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang On May 31, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met with Vietnam's Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang. Both leaders appreciated progress in the bilateral defense relationship, reflecting that 2025 is the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The leaders discussed opportunities to deepen defense cooperation, including on defense trade and information sharing, and reaffirmed that war legacy issues are a top priority of the Trump Administration. Secretary Hegseth expressed that the Trump Administration values Vietnam's leadership in maintaining peace and stability in Southeast Asia. The Secretary applauded Vietnam's rapid military modernization, which shows Vietnam's commitment to regional security and a free and open Indo-Pacific. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4202577/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address May 31, 2025 Release Readout of PTDO Assistant Secretary of Defense John Noh's Meeting With Cambodia's Secretary of State for Defence Rath Dararoth John Noh, Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, met with Lieutenant General Rath Dararoth, Secretary of State, Ministry of National Defence, to discuss regional security issues and the bilateral military relationship. Both leaders look forward to a U.S. Navy ship visit and maritime training to occur at Ream Naval Base later this year, as well as travel by Secretary Hegseth to visit the U.S. ship while in port at Ream. PTDO ASD Noh shared his appreciation for Cambodia's commitment to furthering the bilateral relationship and the open invitation to visit and conduct training at Ream Naval Base https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4202575/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address May 31, 2025 Release Joint Statement on the Meeting of Defense Ministers From Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen, Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. and United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met together on May 31, 2025 in Singapore. This marked the fourth Defense Leaders Meeting of these four countries in the last three years, underscoring their sustained and significant collaboration to advance a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. The defense leaders expressed continued serious concern about China's destabilizing actions in the East China Sea (ECS) and the South China Sea (SCS) and any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion. They also reiterated their serious concern about dangerous conduct by China in the SCS against the Philippines and other countries, and stressed the importance of the peaceful resolution of disputes. They underscored the importance of upholding international law, freedom of navigation and overflight, particularly as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The defense leaders called for peace and stability in the region. They underscored the importance of the central role of ASEAN and the ASEAN-led regional architecture in ensuring security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The defense leaders announced four key developments in their partnership: Synchronizing Priority Defense Investments: The defense leaders reaffirmed the importance of enhancing security cooperation by aligning their efforts, including infrastructure investments, to support Philippine defense priorities and a free and open Indo-Pacific. Together, the installation of Japan-made air surveillance radar systems at Wallace Air Station, the United States' continued development and integration of air domain sensors at Basa Air Base Command and Control Fusion Center, and Australia's efforts to support the growing defense infrastructure in the Philippines have collectively helped improve the Armed Forces of the Philippines' air domain awareness in the SCS. The defense leaders committed to further synchronizing security cooperation to better support air and maritime domain awareness and other defense priorities Enhancing Information-Sharing: The defense leaders recognized the importance of information-sharing to establish a common operating picture in the SCS and the Indo-Pacific region. They welcomed the recent conclusion of the bilateral General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) between the United States and the Philippines, and noted that Australia and Japan intend to undertake bilateral discussions for similar agreements with the Philippines. They affirmed that these efforts will facilitate greater information-sharing and analysis, including at a combined hub for such purpose. Strengthening Cybersecurity and Resilience: The defense leaders reached consensus on jointly investing in the Philippines' cybersecurity and resilience for defense, including through existing defense exercises and trainings. The defense leaders also recognized the importance of cooperation to counter threats to national security posed by malicious actors. Increasing Operational Coordination and Interoperability: The defense leaders reaffirmed the significance of their operational collaboration and synchronization in the Indo-Pacific region, including in the ECS and SCS, for greater deterrence, peace, and security. Building on the success of past multilateral maritime cooperative activities, they committed to sustaining their participation and expanding the scope and frequency of such engagements with additional like-minded partners. They also reached consensus to explore planning joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities to improve interoperability and coordination on effective maritime and air domain awareness in the ECS, the SCS, and surrounding waters. The defense leaders concurred on the importance of regularly convening meetings at ministerial and officials' levels to reinforce cooperation and coordination among the four countries. Looking ahead, they committed to continue working together and with other like-minded partners to support peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4202565/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address May 31, 2025 Speech Remarks by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore (As Delivered) Well, good morning. It is great to be in Singapore. And Bastian, thank you very much for your warm welcome. The Shangri-La Dialogue is an important forum for bringing together defense leaders from across the Indo-Pacific and the world. And I want to thank IISS for hosting us this morning. As was mentioned, I'm certainly proud to be back into the Indo-Pacific for the second time as the Secretary of Defense. And I'm going to keep coming back, and back, and back again. You're stuck with me. But it's not just me. America is proud to be back in the Indo-Pacific and we're here to stay. The United States is an Indo-Pacific nation. We have been since the earliest days of our Republic. We will continue to be an Indo-Pacific nation with Indo-Pacific interests for generations to come. And under President Trump's leadership, the United States is committed to achieving peace through strength. That starts with deterring aggression around the world and here in the Indo-Pacific, here in our priority theater, here with you our allies and our partners. The United States stands ready to work with any country that is willing to step up and preserve the global and regional peace that we all hold dear. Your presence here today sends a strong message about our shared purpose, our shared commitment to peace, our shared dedication to a free and open Indo-Pacific. So, this morning, I'd like to share the U.S. Defense Department's vision for the Indo-Pacific. You see, my job is to create and maintain decision space for President Trump, not to purport to make decisions on his behalf. And in doing that I'm joined today by two great military leaders from the United States military. Our Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Dan "Raisin" Cane, is here with me, a great partner, who understand how to take a global look, globally integrate American interests and American power, regionally and internationally. And of course we're joined by our Indo-Pacific Commander, Admiral Sam Paparo, America's fighting general in the Pacific. Admiral, thanks for being here. It is our job, the three of us and the entire Defense Department, to keep our military strong and create options. President Trump was elected to apply America first on the world stage. You know, getting a chance to watch him first hand in the Oval Office and around the world, the world is incredibly fortunate to have an American president with the combination of being a peace seeker and a strong leader. President Trump has the unique ability to make possible things that seem impossible, moving the Overton window. He is the ultimate deal maker. And to that end from day one, President Trump gave me a clear mission at the Defense Department: achieve peace through strength. To accomplish this mission, our overriding objectives have been equally clear: restore the warrior ethos, rebuild our military, and reestablish deterrence. And it starts with the warrior ethos. All of us in this profession of arms understand that humans are far more important than hardware. So, we're focused on lethality, meritocracy, accountability, standards, readiness, and warfighting. We respect human nature, hard training, and the lessons of history. Our combat formations will be trained and skilled. Our standards will be high and unwavering. If you can do the job, you'll be in our formation. If you can't, you are not. Color blind. Gender neutral. Merit-based. It's as simple as that. That is restoring the warrior ethos, and our troops, in America, are responding to it. Morale, recruiting, retention, readiness, training, capabilities, all rapidly increasing thanks to President Trump's back-to-basics approach. Our second priority is rebuilding the military. We're equipping American warfighters with the most advanced capabilities so that we remain the strongest and most lethal fighting force in the world. President Trump is spending for the first time ever over $1 trillion next year to do this. A 13 percent increase in American defense spending. The Golden Dome for America, our new sixth generation fighter the F-47, our new stealth bomber the B-21, new submarines, destroyers, hypersonics, drones, you name it. It's all part of it. The best military equipment in the world. We're reviving our defense industrial base and investing in our shipyards. We're rapidly fielding emerging technologies that will help us remain the world leader for generations to come. We are stronger yet more agile than ever before. When our opponents know that our military is armed with the most capable weapons systems, wielded by skilled warriors with the will to prevail, they are less likely to challenge us on the battlefield which is the point. This leads to the third objective which is reestablishing deterrence. Across four years of deferred maintenance under the Biden administration, the world saw, unfortunately, a feckless and weak America. An invasion of 21 million illegals on our southern border, Russian aggression in Ukraine after what had happened under the previous Democratic administration in 2014 in Crimea. Islamist terror on October 7th in Israel. A humiliating and deadly retreat in Afghanistan. An enriched and emboldened Iran. A Chinese spy balloon flying over our country. And a Secretary of Defense that was AWOL for a week. That ends now. Not anymore. We are re-establishing deterrence around the world, but credible deterrence starts at home, like our historic Golden Dome for America. And it starts at our borders. Border security for us, and for all of you, is national security. So we have surged troops to our Southern border and we'll have 100% operational control of there soon enough. We spent two decades patrolling other borders. It's time to prioritize the defense of our own. We're also increasing security in the Western Hemisphere and taking back the Panama Canal from malign Chinese influence. It is key terrain, after all. China did not build that canal. We did. And we will not allow China to weaponize it or control it. Deterrence starts in our own backyard. But beyond our borders, and beyond our neighborhood, we are reorienting toward deterring aggression by Communist China. We'll talk a little bit more about that in a minute. But elsewhere and around the world we are engaging with, enabling, and empowering our allies. Sometimes with tough love, but love nonetheless. We're pushing our allies in Europe to own more of their own security to invest in their defense, things that are long overdue. We still believe that the "N" in NATO stands for North Atlantic and that our European allies should maximize their comparative advantage on the continent. And thanks to President Trump, they are stepping up. An alliance cannot be ironclad if in reality or perception it is seen as one-sided. That is changing and that is very important. And as our allies share the burden, we can increase our focus on the Indo-Pacific, our priority theater. You see, here in the Indo-Pacific, our futures are bound together. The prosperity and security of the American people are linked to those of your people. We share your vision of peace and stability, of prosperity and security. And we are here to stay. And as a matter of fact, we are here this morning, and somebody else isn't. But for a generation, the United States ignored this region. We became distracted by open-ended wars, regime change, and nation building. I had a front row seat as a soldier in Iraq and Afghanistan. These costly diversions lacked clearly defined goals and were not tied to vital and core American interests. President Trump is changing that. We are not making the same mistakes. Not this generation and not now. We are done with that approach. We're focused on delivering for the American people, on safeguarding their security, on protecting their economic interests, and on using common sense to preserve peace in the Indo-Pacific. You know, standing here in Singapore, I think this approach aligns quite well with the pragmatic style of Singapore's legendary Prime Minister, Lee Kwan Yew. Across three decades, he built this country into one of the world's most important hubs of finance and innovation. Like the late-Prime Minister, President Trump's approach is grounded in common sense and national interests, built on a willingness to work with others while respecting mutual self-interest, and informed by an understanding of military strength but shaped by a preference for engaging on the basis of commerce and sovereignty not war. These two historic men share a willingness to challenge old ways of doing things that no longer make sense. We refuse to accept any paradigm that makes conflict inevitable. As President Trump said in Riyadh, in an historic speech in Saudi Arabia, America does not have or seek permanent enemies. Under President Trump's leadership, we are applying this common sense approach to defense here in the Indo-Pacific and throughout the world. And we believe the results speak for themselves. President Trump is leading European allies to step up in their own defense, as I mentioned. He is striking new, fairer trade deals that protect Americans while providing a lasting and secure basis for commerce. Not to mention resilient, anti-fragile, and reliable supply chains for our and your defense needs. He's also rebalancing security and defense arrangements with key allies in the region. This enables all of us to benefit from the peace and stability that comes with a lasting and strong American presence here in the Indo-Pacific. These benefits, they only multiply when our allies and partners are also strong. As President Trump also said in Riyadh, the United States is not interested in the moralistic and preachy approach to foreign policy of the past. We are not here to pressure other countries to embrace or adopt policies or ideologies. We are not here to preach to you about climate change or cultural issues. We're not here to impose our will on you. We're all sovereign nations. We should be able to choose the future we want to build. We respect you, your traditions, and your militaries. And we want to work with you where our shared interests align for peace and prosperity. On this sure foundation of mutual interests and common sense, we will build and strengthen our defense partnerships to preserve peace and increase prosperity. But a threat gathers. As we all know, strength and security underpin peace and enable prosperity. And our common sense approach to achieving security achieving peace through strength requires seeing things crystal clearly. It requires confronting obvious truth about the threats we face in the Indo-Pacific. And requires meeting those threats with a very real sense of urgency. So, before we get to those hard truths, and to make sure for our friends in the press our words are not misconstrued as they so often are, let me begin by saying, we do not seek conflict with Communist China. We will not instigate nor seek to subjugate or humiliate. President Trump and the American people have an immense respect for the Chinese people and their civilization. But we will not be pushed out of this critical region. And we will not let our allies and partners be subordinated and intimidated. China seeks to become a hegemonic power in Asia. No doubt. It hopes to dominate and control too many parts of this vibrant and vital region. Through its massive military build-up and growing willingness to use military force to achieve its goals, including grey zone tactics and hybrid warfare, China has demonstrated that it wants to fundamentally alter the region's status quo. We cannot look away, and we cannot ignore it. China's behavior towards its neighbors and the world is a wake-up call. And an urgent one. China uses its vast and sophisticated cyber capabilities to steal technology and attack critical infrastructure in your countries and in the United States, as well. These actions not only compromise our countries, but endanger the lives of our citizens. In the South China Sea, China harasses its neighbors - many of which are here in the room today. China seeks to intimidate you in your own waters. We've all seen the videos and pictures of water cannons, and ship-to-ship collisions, and illegal boardings at sea. We're also seeing the illegal seizing and militarizing of lands in the South China Sea. These actions reveal a lack of respect for neighbors and they challenge sovereignty, freedom of navigation, and overflight. We are watching very closely China's destabilizing actions. And any unilateral attempt to change the status quo in the South China Sea and the First Island Chain by force or coercion is unacceptable. Every day you see it. China's military harasses Taiwan. These activities have been paired with China's rapid military modernization and buildup - including huge investments in nuclear weapons, hypersonics, and amphibious assault capabilities. It has to be clear to all that Beijing is credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. We know. It's public that Xi has ordered his military to be capable of invading Taiwan by 2027. The PLA is building the military needed to do it. Training for it every day. And rehearsing for the real deal. Admiral Paparo has spoken very clearly about this on multiple occasions. Again, to be clear: any attempt by Communist China to conquer Taiwan by force would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world. There's no reason to sugarcoat it. The threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent. We hope not. But it certainly could be. Facing these threats, we know that many countries are tempted by the idea of seeking both economic cooperation with China and defense cooperation with the United States. Now that is a geographic necessity for many. But beware the leverage that the CCP seeks with that entanglement. Economic dependence on China only deepens their malign influence and complicates our defense decision space during times of tension. Nobody knows what China will ultimately do, but they are preparing. And therefore we must be ready as well. Urgency and vigilance is our only option at the Department of Defense with our allies, because the United States, especially under President Trump, does not seek war. We do not seek to dominate or strangle China. To encircle or provoke. We do not seek regime change, nor will we instigate or disrespect a proud and historic culture. We will be ready, but we will not be reckless. Instead, we seek peace. But we must ensure that China cannot dominate us or our allies and partners. Maintaining the status quo requires strength. That's just a rational, common sense goal that all should be able to live with. President Trump has also said that Communist China will not invade Taiwan on his watch. So, our goal is to prevent war, to make the costs too high, and peace the only option. And we will do this with a strong shield of deterrence, forged together with you - America's great allies and defense partners. Together, we will show what it means to execute peace through strength. In many ways seen and unseen. Overt and covert. But if deterrence fails, and if called upon by my Commander in Chief, we are prepared to do what the Department of Defense does best - fight and win decisively. And as I've said many times before, and it's important for this room to hear today, and all the world America First certainly does not mean America alone. Especially alongside so many of our allies, model allies like Poland, Israel, and the Gulf States, the Baltic States. And it does not mean ignoring the world. As you have all seen President Trump is committed to a lasting and durable peace in Ukraine. And with an unwavering commitment to ensure Iran never has nuclear weapons. He seeks a strong and verifiable negotiated deal. The other option is regional war, or worse. As we shift our focus to this region, and as Europe steps up and takes greater ownership for its own security, President Trump and I will be counting on you, on this room - our allies and partners - to be force multipliers for peace alongside the United States. We ask and indeed, we insist that our allies and partners do their part on defense. Sometimes, that means having uncomfortable and tough conversations. Partners owe to it to each other to be honest and to be realistic. As many of you have been with me in the past few days and I with you. This is the essence of a pragmatic, common sense defense policy. But you will also see that we are and will remain loyal to our allies and partners. The military-to-military relationship between many of our countries goes back decades, and in some cases, centuries. In fact, the only way to ensure lasting alliances and partnerships is to make sure that each side does its part and sees the benefit. We will stand with you and work alongside you to deter Chinese aggression. Each day, together, creating more and more dilemmas and complications should China want to act. Should they decide to overturn the status quo. More dilemmas, more complications, more questions, more concerns, more variables, more reasons to say, "it's not worth it." No one should doubt America's commitment to our Indo-Pacific allies and partners. We will continue to wrap our arms around our friends and find new ways to work together not only our treaty allies here, but also our key defense partners in ASEAN and across the Indo-Pacific. For example, look no further than to our growing defense relationship with India, where we pass new milestones by the dayfrom shared ventures of our defense industries to the increased operational coordination and interoperability between our two militaries. I urge all our allies and partners to seize this moment with us. Our defense spending must reflect the dangers and threats that we face today. Because deterrence doesn't come on the cheap, just ask the American taxpayer. Time is of the essence. We must step up and move out with urgency. And it's hard to believe, a little bit, after some trips to Europe that I'm saying this this - but thanks to President Trump Asian allies should look to countries in Europe as a new-found example. NATO members are pledging to spend 5% of their GDP on defense, even Germany. So it doesn't make sense for countries in Europe to do that while key allies in Asia spend less on defense in the face of an even more formidable threat, not to mention North Korea. Ultimately, a strong, resolute, and capable network of allies and partners is our key strategic advantage. China envies what we have together. And it sees what we can collectively bring to bear on defense. But it's up to all of us to ensure that we live up to that potential by investing. U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific can, and should, quickly upgrade their own defenses. President Trump said it himself last month in Riyadh - and will never hesitate to wield American power swiftly and decisively if necessary. That is re-establishing deterrence. So, we're doing this here in the Indo-Pacific in three distinct ways, and forgive me as I go into a little bit of detail: First, by improving our forward force posture, second, by helping allies and partners strengthen their defense capabilities, and third by rebuilding defense industrial bases. So first, the Department of Defense is prioritizing forward-postured, combat credible forces in the Western Pacific to deter by denial along the first and second island chains. In my first trip to the Indo-Pacific in March, I traveled to the Philippines to meet with President Marcos and Secretary of National Defense Teodoro. While there we announced our commitment to deploy more advanced U.S. military capabilities to the Philippines. We announced the inaugural overseas deployment of NMESIS, a U.S. Marine Corps mobile anti-ship missile system, to the Philippines. The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment - one of the U.S. military's most capable and lethal formations - exercised NMESIS along with our Philippine allies. Together we deployed the system to the Batanes Islands on the Luzon Strait between the Philippines and Taiwan. This enhanced our interoperability and improved our readiness on cutting-edge platforms where we need them, and when we need them. We also announced that U.S. Special Operations Forces and Philippine Marines are training together on complex landing scenarios in the Batanes Islands. This demonstrates that our forces can conduct high-end operations in the most challenging of environments. I also had a chance to visit Tokyo and meet with Prime Minister Ishiba and Defense Minister Nakatani. We announced that we're upgrading U.S. Forces Japan headquarters. This is about warfighting and deterrence - as well as common sense. Upgrading USFJ demonstrates the significant work of the U.S.-Japan Alliance as it evolves to emerging threats. It also reflects the progress the Alliance has made towards improving interoperability and strengthening Japan's capabilities. And, this summer, the U.S. Army has plans to conduct its first live-fire test of its Mid-Range Capability system in Australia. This will be the first time that system is fired west of the International Date Line, the first time it's been tested on foreign soil. Deployments like this represent a commitment to the region, and there are many more planned. On the home front, Golden Dome for America will protect the U.S. homeland against a catastrophic missile attack by adversaries. It will strengthen missile defenses for the U.S. homeland as we look for ways to improve regional missile defenses right here in the Indo-Pacific. We're also using regional integrated air and missile defense. And we're deploying several key missile defense technologies and data-sharing partnerships with Japan and Australia. Leveraging America's best-in-class technologies to strengthen regional air and missile defense architectures. Second, we're supporting allies and partners as they strengthen their own defense capabilities and capacity. We want to empower you - as partners, not dependents - to work more capably with the United States. We're working to rapidly deliver the kinds of off-the-shelf, innovative, autonomous systems for which the American defense industry is renowned. It's why the Department partnered with U.S. industry to launch the Maritime Security Consortium. This consortium will build and sustain maritime domain awareness to deliver real operational effects by employing unmanned aircrafts and vessels. These capabilities, delivered quickly and at a lower cost, give a cutting edge advantage into the hands of our warfighters and of our defense partners in Southeast Asia. A critical part of working with our partners is increasing interoperability - learning how to sail, fly, and fight as one. This year's BALIKATAN exercise in the Philippines was the largest-ever. In the South China Sea, we continue to conduct regular maritime activities alongside Australia, Japan, and the Philippines. We're also expanding our security partnership with India through robust military exercises like TIGER TRIUMPH. And we're also amplifying cooperation within the Quad and other multilateral frameworks. Within the Quad we are also leading an initiative called the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network, enabling Quad partners to leverage shared logistics capabilities in the Indo-Pacific. You know, they say, rookies talk strategy, pros talk logistics. And we're grateful for the opportunity to train with all our allies in the region in other exercises like TALISMAN SABRE with Australia and COBRA GOLD in Thailand. These exercises enhance our lethality while improving our readiness to respond at a moment's notice. And that was certainly put into practice last March with the Thai military in response to the earthquake there. Flying, and sailing, and operating together in peacetime ensures we are prepared for the unexpected. And third, we are revitalizing our defense industrial bases and reallocating resources toward the most lethal and effective capabilities. We are doing this because success of the warfighters requires it. It's one thing for an adversary to see multinational forces operating together in exercises. It's another thing entirely for that same country to see an integrated defense industrial base supporting those forces and standing ready to keep them in the fight. That's why we're pleased to endorse the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience, also known as PIPIR a U.S.-initiated multilateral forum of 14 allies and partners working with industry, capital providers, and key non-governmental stakeholders, to strengthen industrial resilience, expand our capacity, and accelerate deliveries. So today, I'm proud to announce the first PIPIR projects. The first project plans to establish repair capability and capacity for P-8 radar systems in Australia. It will also enable Indo-Pacific allies and partners operating the aircraft, including New Zealand and the Republic of Korea, to repair aircraft within the region rather than relying on single repair sources in the continental United States. The second is a project that will develop standards for small unmanned aerial systems across the Indo-Pacific, identifying secure sources of production for their critical components, and increasing global supply chain resilience for these essential systems. Similarly, we are working through our Regional Sustainment Framework to do things like expand existing contracts for U.S Army Watercraft repair. The goal of this initiative is to bring in more providers and expand existing repair capability more broadly across the Indo-Pacific. We'll also use our allies' world-class ship repair capabilities to enhance the U.S. Navy's operational effectiveness to save taxpayers money. These moves will strengthen regional resiliency by increasing access to repair capabilities in theater and reducing dependency on far away supply chains. We're deepening our cooperation with Australia's Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance enterprise with historic momentum and purpose. This work secures our technological edge and makes our munitions supply chains resilient. In the last two months, we've reached an agreement for Australia to produce 155 millimeter ammunition and to assemble Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, or GMLRS. These steps enhance our readiness and facilitate upgrades to our collective defense industrial base. And we're working with India to co-produce equipment needed to deter aggression. And this includes negotiating an agreement to bring our industrial bases ever closer. Last month, we held our first-ever U.S.-India industry-government experts exchange to produce and field state-of-the-art autonomous systems as part of the U.S.-India Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance. So, across the board, the United States, our allies, and our partners have made great progress in these and many other areas towards achieving peace through strength. But we have to move quickly and we have no time to waste. So, as I conclude, it is with sage leadership, and strategic vision, and a sense of urgency that Lee Kwan Yew turned Singapore into one of the world's great success stories. Many call it the "Singapore Miracle." That's what common sense policies can achieve. And that's precisely what President Trump's vision is all about. President Trump is a leader of peace, a man of peace, a force for peace. And together, we will achieve that peace through strength. Reestablishing deterrence. Sharing our burdens. Multiplying our strengths. Reinforcing our great alliances. Respecting our cultures. Not starting wars, but preventing them. And building a better future for our nations, for our mutual benefit. During my last visit to the Indo-Pacific, I watched oil seep out from the wreckage of USS ARIZONA at Pearl Harbor. I saw the rows of crosses marking the graves of over 17,000 American soldiers at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines. And I had the chance to walk the black sandy beaches of Iwo Jima. In these hallowed places you can't help but immediately feel connected to the past to the warriors who went before us. They gave their all for me, for men and women they never knew, for freedom and for peace. So, as we mark 80 years since the end of World War II, we owe it to today's warriors, to our citizens as we put our citizens first and you put your citizens first. We owe it to them, to our children and our grandchildren, to preserve this peace. The motto of my first platoon, first one I led, was: "Those who long for peace, must prepare for war." And that's exactly what we're doing. We are preparing for war in order to deter war to achieve peace through strength. And we look out in this room and we look to you to our allies and to our partners to join us in this important work. Our time is now. The threats we face will not wait. And nor can we. Thank you and Godspeed. https://www.defense.gov/News/Speeches/Speech/Article/4202494/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas formally responds to new U.S. proposal for Gaza ceasefire IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 31, 2025 The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, says it has formally submitted its response to a recent ceasefire proposal presented by the United States' Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. In a statement on Saturday, Hamas said the response, following a series of internal national consultations, reflects the movement's "profound responsibility towards its people and their suffering." The Palestinian group said that the proposal sent through mediators aims to achieve "a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive withdrawal [of Israeli forces] from the Gaza Strip, and ensure the flow of aid to our people." "As part of this agreement, ten living Israeli captives held by the resistance will be released, along with the handover of eighteen bodies, in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners," the statement posted on Telegram read. Hamas did not specify the number of Palestinian prisoners Israel would release, but stressed that any deal must address the wider suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. The initiative, led by Witkoff with the support of regional mediators, followed months of stalled negotiations between the Israeli regime and the Palestinian resistance group. Israel has hampered the ceasefire process with its unsolicited demands, despite repeated calls by the international community for an end to the war, which has left more than 54,000 Palestinians dead, hundreds of thousands displaced, and triggered a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. 4399**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Arab ministers condemn Israel for blocking planned visit to West Bank IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 31, 2025 Foreign ministers from five Arab nations have condemned Israel's decision to block their planned visit to the occupied West Bank, where they were scheduled to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday. The delegationincluding representatives from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirateswas expected to arrive alongside Turkey and the Arab League's Secretary-General. However, Israel's move to prevent their visit sparked sharp criticism from regional leaders. The ministers condemned "Israel's decision to ban the delegation's visit to Ramallah (on Sunday) to meet with the president of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas," the Jordanian foreign ministry said. The West Bank has witnessed heightened tensions in recent months, with Israeli forces launching frequent raids in towns and cities, leading to deadly clashes with Palestinian fighters. The visit was planned as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman pushes for international recognition of Palestinian statehood as the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza drags on for 603 days, resulting in the deaths of more than 54,000 Palestinians. Bin Salman has made efforts to convince Western states, particularly the U.S., to recognize Palestinian statehood. Saudi Arabia is confident that France will be among the states that will do so in June. 2050**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.N. says Gaza is 'the hungriest place on Earth' IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 31, 2025 The humanitarian situation is deteriorating in the Gaza Strip, where Israel continues to block aid in defiance of international calls, with a senior United Nations official now saying that Gaza is "the hungriest place" on the planet. "Gaza is the hungriest place on Earth," Jens Laerke, the spokesperson of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) told reporters in Geneva on Friday. He added the Gaza Strip is the only territory in the world, where the entire population is at risk of famine as Israel continues to constraint aid entry into the region. "The aid operation that we have ready to roll is being put in an operational straitjacket that makes it one of the most obstructed aid operations, not only in the world today, but in recent history," Laerke said, according to U.N. News. He said that Israel permitted the entry of approximately 900 aid trucks into Gaza ten days ago, but less than 600 have so far been offloaded. The limited number of truckloads allowed into Gaza is "drip-feeding food into an area on the verge of catastrophic hunger," the U.N. official said. The Israeli regime imposed a total blockade on humanitarian aid supplies to Gaza on March 2 to pressure Hamas to accept a ceasefire deal on Tel Aviv's conditions. Amid international outcry, Israel and the United States have also pushed for an aid plan to replace the existing UN-backed programs. Their plan has drawn strong criticism from the U.N. and international aid organizations, which say the scheme serves Israel's war objectives. On Friday, Francesca Albanese, the U.N. special rapporteur on the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, urged the international community to "stop the clock" on continued and deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid into Gaza by the Israeli regime. "We continue to witness a brutal humanitarian camouflage, where the red lines have led to massive atrocities. Israel pretends to promote humanitarian solutions in order to continue its control of Gaza and sustain its systematic denial of life-saving humanitarian aid to the starving population in the besieged strip," she said, according to a news release by Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. She added that what Israel is doing is a deliberate strategy aimed at masking atrocities and diverting international attention from legal accountability. 4208**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Barcelona breaks ties with Tel Aviv over Gaza genocide IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 31, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Barcelona's city council has decided to cut ties with the Israeli regime over its violations of international law and the rights of Palestinians. The city council on Friday voted for an end to all official relations with Israel "until respect for international law" and the "basic rights of the Palestinian people" are restored. Barcelona will also suspend a 1998 friendship agreement with Tel Aviv, urging the trade fair organizer Fira de Barcelona not to host Israeli pavilions or companies involved in the arms trade or profiting from the occupying entity's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip. "The suffering and death in Gaza over the past year and a half, and recent attacks by the Israeli government, make any relationship unviable," Barcelona's Mayor Jaume Collboni said during the council session. The move came a year after Spain, Ireland, and Norway officially recognized the Palestinian state. Israel launched the brutal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, after the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, carried out a retaliatory operation against the regime. So far, at least 54,249 Palestinians have been killed and 123,492 wounded in Gaza. Reacting to the development, the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, said it commended the decision and encouraged other countries to do the same. 4354**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas urges U.S. to provide serious guarantees for end of Gaza war IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 31, 2025 Jihad Taha, a Hamas spokesperson, has said that the organization, in coordination with other resistance groups, is meticulously reviewing a proposal presented by the United States' Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve, Witkoff, according to the Palestinian Information Center. Taha said that Witkoff's plan lacks the necessary guarantees and fails to address many of Hamas' requests. However, he said, Hamas maintains a positive stance toward any initiative or suggestion that could lead to the end of the war and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. He also said that any agreement must include a full ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli military from the Gaza Strip. However, the final version of Witkoff's plan does not provide any immediate or staged guarantees for the cessation of the war. Taha further called on international organizations to declare a state of emergency to save Gaza from a humanitarian catastrophe. According to the Wafa news agency, the Israeli war on Gaza has resulted in 54,321 deaths and 123,770 injuries since October 7, 2023. 4208**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PH, US discuss defense ties, 'reestablishing' Indo-Pacific deterrence Philippine News Agency By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora May 31, 2025, 11:28 am MANILA -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reaffirmed the United States' commitment to bolstering defense cooperation with the Philippines, as he described the two nations' partnership as key to helping keep peace and stability in the Indo Pacific region. This was after Hegseth met with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 30. In a readout, the US Department of Defense (DOD) said the two discussed "steps the two countries are taking together to reestablish deterrence in the Indo-Pacific," as well as ways to "further enhance Alliance readiness." "The Secretaries noted the importance of partnership and transparency in deterring China and committed to continued progress on strengthening their defense cooperation," it said. During the meeting, Hegseth commended the Philippines for standing up against China's aggressive actions targeting lawful Philippine activities in the South China Sea. "I want to applaud them for their courage and their clarity in the South China Sea, and the recognition of the challenges that we face," he said. "Shoulder-to-shoulder, we want peace and stability, and our partnership is central to that." Teodoro, meanwhile, said the Philippines is eager to enhance its already robust defense relationship with the US. "We will continue to enhance our bilateral and multilateral relationship, all with the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific and, of course, our shared interest in upholding a rules-based international order," he said. "The Philippines does seek peace, but in this instance, it is important to have a sustainable peace that is based on our own resilience and alliances with like-minded partners." Meanwhile, they hailed the recent conclusion of Exercise BALIKATAN in the Philippines, which the US DOD described as the "biggest and most complex" in alliance history. The drills, the DOD said, enhanced deterrence by enabling the two countries to train together and for the US to deploy increasingly advanced capabilities, including the Typhon missile system, the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), and highly capable unmanned surface vessels. Cooperation with Singapore, Australia In the same defense forum, Teodoro met with his counterparts from Singapore and Australia, underlining Manila's equal commitment to boosting more "strategic defense partnerships" in the region. In a meeting with Singapore Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing, Teodoro conveyed Manila's interest to learn from Singapore's experience in operating the C-130J aircraft, especially in operations, maintenance, and cost-efficiency. Chan welcomed the proposal and invited Philippine special forces to conduct training in Singapore. He also expressed interest in reciprocal opportunities for Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) troops in the Philippines, as well as expanding collaboration in navigation flights; Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO); and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR). Teodoro's meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles reiterated the same spirit of deepening bilateral cooperation. The Filipino official highlighted the growing momentum in trilateral defense engagements involving the Philippines, Australia, and the US. He also conveyed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to reinforce defense ties not only with Australia but also with Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. Marles likewise praised the evolving defense relationship and welcomed the two states' sustained maritime cooperation. The Department of National Defense said Teodoro offered to host the second Philippines-Australia Defense Ministers' Meeting, back-to-back with the conduct of Exercise ALON between Philippine and Australian forces. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Museum ignites youth's curiosity with dual-festival science carnival Xinhua) 10:53, June 02, 2025 Children have fun at Xiamen Science and Technology Museum in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 2, 2024. (Photo by Zeng Demeng/Xinhua) BEIJING, May 31, (Xinhua) -- As China's Dragon Boat Festival coincides with International Children's Day this weekend, the China Science and Technology Museum (CSTM) in Beijing is rolling out a science-packed extravaganza, blending tradition with innovation to spark curiosity among young minds. From immersive dinosaur adventures to cultural quests, the museum has been transformed into a playground of discovery during the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday starting Saturday. The museum hosted a special screening of the BBC classic series Walking with Dinosaurs at its 4D cinema as part of a family movie salon. Guided by Xing Lida, a paleontologist from China University of Geosciences (Beijing), children and parents traversed 180 million years back in time, exploring the habitats and mysteries of ancient reptiles. A visitor surnamed Zhao from Xuzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, along with her fifth-grade son, travelled to Beijing to spend the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. She booked a visit to the museum as her son has long been interested in science. She said that the boy was particularly excited to encounter a dinosaur film, emphasizing that the 4D experience with wind, mist, and seat vibrations amplified the adventure. "The kids will not only watch history. They'll feel it," said Zhao. The multisensory experience combines cutting-edge visuals with expert storytelling, turning science education into an unforgettable adventure, she noted. On International Children's Day, which falls on Sunday, children are expected to become cultural explorers in a special ancient village folk adventure hosted by the museum, where they will decode traditional customs through hands-on tasks like solving puzzles, stacking straw, and repairing bridges. Additionally, the museum will host a special Dragon Boat Festival science camp to integrate study tours, scientific experiments, and hands-on activities, aiming to cultivate scientific thinking and an innovative spirit among youth. Children will craft miniature dragon boats to explore buoyancy principles and assemble herbal massage tools to uncover the medicinal science behind the festival customs. In addition, the museum has also arranged a little volunteer open day to invite young enthusiasts to step into the role of science communicators, sharing their insights on exhibits, from cutting-edge technologies to stories of Chinese scientific pioneers. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) PH, Singapore, Australia deepen defense ties at Shangri-La Dialogue Philippine News Agency May 31, 2025, 10:57 am SINGAPORE -- Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. met with his counterparts from Singapore and Australia on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue Friday, conveying President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to reinforce defense ties. Teodoro reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to bolstering strategic defense partnerships in the region through interoperability, joint training, and enhanced logistical cooperation. In his meeting with Singapore Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing, both sides underscored the importance of strengthening defense cooperation through increased training engagements. Teodoro highlighted the Philippines' expansive training areas ideal for urban and airborne exercises and expressed interest in learning from Singapore's experience operating the C-130J aircraft, especially maintenance and cost-efficiency. Chan welcomed the proposals and invited Philippine special forces to conduct trainings in Singapore. He also expressed interest in reciprocal opportunities for Singapore Armed Forces troops in the Philippines, as well as expanding collaboration in navigation flights; maintenance, repair and overhaul; and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR). In his meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles, Teodoro reiterated the same spirit of deepening bilateral cooperation. He noted the growing momentum in trilateral defense engagements with Australia and the United States. Marles praised the evolving defense relationship and stressed the need to translate longstanding people-to-people connections into a strong strategic and defense partnership. He also welcomed sustained maritime cooperation. Teodoro offered to host the second Philippines-Australia Defense Ministers' Meeting, back to back with the conduct of Exercise ALON between Philippine and Australian forces. The bilateral engagements concluded with a shared commitment to promoting regional stability, strengthening defense cooperation, and exploring new avenues of collaboration in logistics, HADR, personnel exchanges and capability development. (PR) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas says responded to US-led Gaza ceasefire proposal Iran Press TV Saturday, 31 May 2025 5:11 PM Hamas says it has submitted a response to a ceasefire proposal presented by US President Donald Trump's regional envoy, Steve Witkoff, to mediators. The Palestinian resistance group said in a statement on Saturday that its response included a demand for an end to Israel's genocidal war on Gaza. Under the deal, Hamas said, it would release 10 living Israeli captives held by the resistance and 18 bodies in return for Israel's release of Palestinian prisoners. "This proposal aims to achieve a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and ensure the flow of aid to our people and our families in the Gaza Strip." According to Hamas, the response came "after conducting a round of national consultations." Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Friday that he "accepts the new Witkoff outline." The Witkoff proposal reportedly includes a 60-day pause in Israel's offensive on Gaza, renewed efforts toward a long-term peace, and guarantees from the Israeli regime that it will not resume its military offensive after Hamas releases captives a promise Tel Aviv previously broke when it ended a two-month ceasefire on March 18. The ceasefire collapsed after Israel refused to move to a planned second phase that could have led to a permanent end to its devastating war in Gaza. The regime, instead, resumed its deadly attacks on the strip and stopped allowing virtually all humanitarian aid into Gaza. "After nearly 80 days of a total blockade, communities are starving - and they are no longer willing to watch food pass them by," the World Food Program (WFP) said on Saturday. The United Nations and regional powers have urged both Hamas and Tel Aviv to agree to a deal to put an end to the war and its humanitarian consequences. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Brazilian oil unions demand energy embargo on Israel over Gaza genocide Iran Press TV Saturday, 31 May 2025 11:27 AM Two of Brazil's major oil trade union federations have urged President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to enforce an energy embargo on Israel in response to its atrocious military campaign against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip. The National Federation of Oil Workers and the Single Federation of Oil Workers have jointly signed a letter addressed to the Brazilian president and various ministers, calling on the government to adopt a stronger approach towards the genocidal war being waged against the impoverished Palestinian coastal sliver. The federations stated that Brazil needs to take further action beyond merely issuing public statements and enforces a complete ban on oil sales to Israel, to effectively halt the "ongoing Nakba" - the Arabic term for catastrophe, which pertains to the ethnic cleansing and mass exodus of Palestinians in 1948. The letter indicates that Brazil exported 2.7 million barrels of crude oil to the Israeli-occupied territories last year, which constitutes a substantial part of Tel Aviv's military fuel supply. It noted that Brazil is obligated to prevent any involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity, as outlined by legal experts and international organizations, including the Oil Change International (OCI) NGO. The signatories urged Brazil to "honor its diplomatic legacy, affirm its position on the right side of history, and ensure that its economic policies reflect its ethical and legal commitments to human rights and international law." The letter also commended actions implemented by various nations, such as Colombia's suspension of coal exports to the Israeli-occupied lands in the previous year. President Lula has openly condemned the Gaza genocide and vehemently criticized the Israeli military's actions in the territory. Earlier this week, the Chilean government declared its decision to withdraw all military, defense, and air force attaches from Tel Aviv as a form of protest against the ongoing war in Gaza. A Chilean Foreign Ministry statement on May 28 said the decision is a result of "the extremely serious humanitarian situation currently experienced by the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip." At least 54,381 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and another 124,054 individuals injured in the brutal Israeli military onslaught on Gaza since October 7, 2023. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli attacks killed at least 20 captives in Gaza: Report Iran Press TV Saturday, 31 May 2025 10:33 AM Israeli military offensives across the Gaza Strip have put the lives of at least 54 captives held by Palestinian resistance groups in danger, leading to the death of 20 individuals, according to a report. The Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz revealed that over a span of 601 days of the Gaza war, commencing in early October 2023, the actions of the Israeli army, which included airstrikes, resulted in the deaths of captives either directly or indirectly as a consequence of military offensives in proximity to their locations. Haaretz asserted that although numerous strikes were averted due to concerns regarding the proximity of captives, the Israeli military does permit strikes within several hundred meters. "The more strikes there are, the greater the risk," a military source told Haaretz. Another admitted, "Where there is no information [about captives], the attack proceeds." The investigation challenges the official assertions made by the army concerning their attempts to take all possible precautions to safeguard the captives held in Gaza. Resistance groups in the Gaza Strip are reportedly holding 58 captives, including 57 of the 251 caught by Hamas-led resistance fighters on October 7, 2023. They include the bodies of at least 35 confirmed dead by the Israeli military. Of them, 20 are believed to be alive. Hamas released 30 captives including 20 Israeli settlers, five soldiers, and five Thai nationals and the bodies of eight captives killed in the indiscriminate Israeli bombardment of Gaza during a ceasefire between January and March, and one additional captive, Alexander, earlier this month. The Gaza-based Palestinian resistance movement also freed 105 Israeli settlers during a weeklong truce in late November 2023, and four captives were released before that in the early weeks of the war. In exchange, Israel has freed some 2,000 Palestinian abductees as well as Gazans detained during the ongoing genocidal war against the besieged territory. Eight Israeli captives have been found by the regime's troops alive, and the bodies of 41 have also been recovered, including three mistakenly killed by the Israeli military and the body of a soldier who was killed in 2014. The body of another Israeli soldier killed in 2014, identified as Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, is still being held by Hamas and is counted among the 58 captives. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US mulls sanctions against Chile over possible break with Israel: Report Iran Press TV Saturday, 31 May 2025 10:27 AM In response to Chile's recall of military attaches from Tel Aviv over the ongoing Gaza genocide, the United States is reportedly considering imposing sanctions against the South American country. On Tuesday, Chile's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense jointly announced the withdrawal of the country's air, defense, and military attaches from its embassy in the Israeli-occupied territories. Chile's President Gabriel Boric is expected to address the issue during his high-profile Cuenta Publica speech on Sunday and raise the possibility of a full diplomatic break from the Zionist regime. According to a report by Media Line, an American news agency covering West Asia, in retaliation to Chile's decision, Donald Trump's administration is considering an array of sanctions against Santiago. The punitive measures include canceling Chile's participation in the US Visa Waiver Program, increasing tariffs on Chilean exports, suspending student visa interviews, and even closing the US consulate in Santiago. Chile is currently the only country in the Southern Cone of South America that is included in the Visa Waiver Program. The program allows Chilean citizens to travel to the US without a visa for short stays. Ending the program will mark a significant diplomatic setback for both countries. According to the report, the US is prepared to adopt measures as severe as those taken with Colombia's President Gustavo Petro, who severed ties with Israel earlier this year. Boric who has been in office since 2022, has increasingly distanced Chile from the Israeli regime. His administration delayed the accreditation of the Israeli ambassador in its first year and barred Israeli companies from participating in the 2024 FIDAE aerospace fair (Chile's International Air and Space Fair). In November 2023, Chile recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv and left the post unfilled. Chile's government has criticized the Israeli regime's "disproportionate and indiscriminate" military actions in Gaza and blocking aid to civilians. The Ministry of Health in Gaza said on Tuesday that at least 4,000 people have been killed in the territory since March 18, after the Israeli regime shattered a 2-month ceasefire deal with Hamas and resumed its genocidal war against the narrow Strip. Since October 7, 2023, the war has taken a devastating toll of over 54,000 lives and injured 124,000 individuals, with children and women constituting the majority of casualties. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Mockery of the mass tragedy': UNRWA dismisses current amount of aid flow into Gaza Iran Press TV Saturday, 31 May 2025 10:04 AM Commissioner-General of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini has warned that the current aid flow into Gaza is "a mockery to the mass tragedy" unfolding under international observation. Lazzarini said that rather than finding urgent solutions, the international community has fallen back into a "blaming game" as Palestinians in Gaza face starvation and struggle for survival. While Israel claims approximately 900 aid trucks have entered Gaza over the past two weeks, the UN notes this meets barely 10% of the enclave's daily humanitarian requirements. Local sources added that many of these trucks have reportedly been looted by gangs backed by Israeli forces. "This is not enough," Lazzarini said. "We are watching mass starvation unfold. It can be stopped. It only takes political will." During the temporary ceasefire earlier this year, the UN and UNRWA brought in 600 to 800 trucks a day. "No aid was diverted," Lazzarini noted. "That's how we turned the tide and prevented a man-made famine." UN says conditions in Gaza worst since war began UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric addressed reporters in New York, saying, "Any aid that gets into the hands of people who need it is good." However, he underscored that "the aid deliveries so far overall have had very, very little impact." "The catastrophic situation in Gaza is the worst since the war began," he warned. The US-backed aid plan has been widely criticized for its unfair and inadequate distribution system. 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 launched a campaign of genocide in Gaza on October 7, 2023, killing at least 54,321 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring 123,770 others. 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. On March 18, the regime resumed the strikes on Gaza, breaking the nearly two-month-long ceasefire. Israel had enforced a total blockade on Gaza before resuming the offensive, preventing any food, medical supplies, or goods from entering the besieged territory. The Gaza Government Media Office reports that since then, starvation and medical shortages have claimed at least 300 lives, including 58 from acute malnutrition and 242 from lack of food and medicine. Israel has been condemned for using starvation as a weapon of war against Palestinians. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas: US must provide 'serious' guarantees to end Israel's war on Gaza Iran Press TV Saturday, 31 May 2025 8:56 AM The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has urged the US to provide "serious" guarantees to end Israel's ongoing war on Gaza, stressing that any potential agreement must include a ceasefire and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the besieged territory. Jihad Taha announced on Friday that Hamas was in consultations with other Palestinian factions on the ceasefire proposal it had recently received from Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy to West Asia, and was reviewing it to achieve a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. "We are discussing the Witkoff proposal for a ceasefire with high responsibility, alongside all factions," he said. "The Witkoff proposal does not take into account the understandings that the movement presented to the mediators, but we are discussing it seriously," Taha was quoted as saying by the Qatar-based Al Jazeera network. Taha reiterated that Hamas is open to all proposals and ideas that would end the aggression and lead to withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. But he highlighted that Hamas "demanded serious guarantees from the American mediator to stop the war in Gaza." "Any agreement must include a full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a ceasefire," he added. According to Taha, the most recent proposal by Witkoff lacks any immediate or phased commitment to cease hostilities, whether partially or in stages. "We have question marks regarding the Witkoff proposal, which does not include sufficient and clear guarantees," Taha said, adding, "We call on the international community, with all its institutions, to declare a state of emergency to save the Gaza Strip, which is experiencing a major humanitarian tragedy." Earlier in the week, Al Jazeera cited unnamed sources as saying that Hamas and Witkoff had in the Qatari capital of Doha reached a formula for a permanent ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, in a move that may pave the way for an end to the 19-month-long war. The Palestinian Shehab News Agency said the agreed formula provides for a 60-day ceasefire as a first stage, including the release of 10 Israeli captives in two batches, in addition to the exchange of bodies for Palestinian prisoners. Shehab added that the exchanges will take place while a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza would begin based on an agreement reached in January. Hamas has repeatedly affirmed its readiness to start comprehensive negotiations to release Israeli prisoners "at once" in exchange for ending the Gaza genocide, withdrawing the Israeli occupation army, and releasing Palestinian prisoners. Israel launched its genocidal war against Gaza on October 7, 2023, killing at least 54,321 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring 123,770 others. 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 which included an end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. On March 18, the regime resumed the strikes on Gaza, breaking the nearly two-month-long ceasefire. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel to block rare Saudi-led ministerial delegation from visiting West Bank: Report Iran Press TV Saturday, 31 May 2025 7:42 AM Israel says it will not allow an Arab ministerial delegation led by Saudi Arabia to visit the occupied West Bank, according to a report. An Israeli official told CNN on Friday that the Zionist regime will "not cooperate" with plans from the Palestinian Authority (PA) to host the Saudi-led delegation. The Israeli official claimed that the meeting is "provocative" and said that "Israel will not cooperate with such moves aimed at harming it and its security." Ministers from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and Turkey led by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan were planned to arrive in Ramallah on Sunday to meet PA President Mahmoud Abbas, according to Hussein Al-Sheikh, vice president of the PA. It would have been the highest-level Saudi visit to the area since it was occupied by Israel in 1967. Palestinian ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mazen Ghoneim told Saudi state-run media that "The ministerial visit... is considered a clear message. The Palestinian cause is a central issue to Arabs and Muslims." The visit would come as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman pushes for international recognition of Palestinian statehood as the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza drags on for 603 days, resulting in the deaths of more than 53,000 Palestinians. Bin Salman has made efforts to convince Western states, particularly the US, to recognize Palestinian statehood. The kingdom is confident that France will be among the states that will do so in June. In his initial term, US President Donald Trump had made efforts to normalize ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel, leading to a plan by Saudi Arabia to establish diplomatic relations with Israel and in exchange receive a lucrative defense treaty with Washington, including the possibility of a nuclear program in the kingdom. However, the brutal massacre of Palestinians since October 7 infuriated the Saudi public and the Arab world, forcing Bin Salman to tell US officials that it would not normalize relations unless Israel agreed to a pathway for a Palestinian state and "calm in Gaza." Bin Salman has also doubled down in his criticism of Israel, saying it is committing genocide in Gaza. On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron said the eventual recognition of a Palestinian state was "not only a moral duty but a political necessity." He warned that Israel has "hours or days" to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza or face a "tougher" European stance. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen will soon turn pride of Israel's aircraft into source of mockery Iran Press TV Saturday, 31 May 2025 3:11 AM Yemen says it is working to upgrade the country's air defense systems amid repeated Israeli attacks, vowing that they will soon turn the pride of the enemy's aircraft into a source of mockery. Mahdi al-Mashat, the head of Yemen's Supreme Political Council, said on Friday that there would soon be good news about the Israeli enemy's aircraft involved in the aggression against Yemen. "You will soon receive, God willing, good news about the Zionist enemy aircraft used in the aggression against our country," President Al-Mashat said in a statement to Yemen News Agency (SABA). He added, "Our Armed Forces, particularly our air defenses, will soon turn the enemy's aircraft into a source of ridicule." "For the safety of air and maritime navigation in the areas of our Armed Forces' operations, we have issued directives to designate the paths used by the Zionist enemy to attack our country as dangerous zones for all companies, " he stressed. He said Yemen's Armed Forces are capable of dealing with hostile Israeli aircraft without causing any harm to air or maritime navigation. The official said the army has issued directives to designate flight paths used by the Zionist regime to attack the country as dangerous zones for all companies. Al-Mashat stressed that for their own safety, airlines must avoid routes used by Israel to strike Yemen. The Arab country has been repeatedly struck by Israel over the past weeks. Yemen says Israeli warplanes carry out the attacks by hiding behind civilian aircraft to avoid air defense systems. As the genocidal war on Gaza escalated, the Yemenis enforced a strategic blockade on essential maritime routes, intending to obstruct the delivery of military supplies to Israel and urge the international community to take action regarding the ongoing humanitarian emergency in Gaza. The Yemeni Armed Forces have declared they will not stop their assaults unless Israel ceases its ground and aerial offensives in Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza genocide needs more than sympathy, requires consistency, actions: Malaysian PM Iran Press TV Saturday, 31 May 2025 6:44 PM Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has described the Israeli regime's ongoing genocidal campaign in Gaza as a "test of our collective conscience" that demands concrete action. While addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue, a prominent annual forum for defense and security held in Singapore, Anwar brought attention to the worrisome surge in global armed conflicts, noting that the count of these conflicts is currently at its highest level since World War II, citing the ongoing situations in Ukraine, Gaza, Myanmar, and Sudan. "Genocide in Gaza is a test of our collective conscience, the scale of devastation, open defiance of humanitarian norms, and the paralysis of institutions meant to uphold them, demand more than sympathy; they demand consistency and actions," he said. The United Nations says the besieged Gaza Strip is the "hungriest place on Earth", adding that the territory's entire 2.3 million people face "catastrophic hunger." According to the Health Ministry in the besieged coastal territory, Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed at least 60 people over the past 24 hours. Since Israel broke the ceasefire on March 18, at least 4,117 Palestinians have been killed and 12,013 injured in attacks. At least 54,381 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and another 124,054 individuals injured in the brutal Israeli military onslaught on Gaza since October 7, 2023. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman Reaffirm Commitment to Market Stability on Current Healthy Oil Market Fundamentals and Steady Global Economic Outlook and Adjust Production Saudi Press Agency Saturday 04/12/1446 Riyadh, May 31, 2025, SPA -- The eight OPEC+ countries, which previously announced additional voluntary adjustments in April and November 2023, namely Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman met virtually on May 31, 2025, to review global market conditions and outlook. In view of a steady global economic outlook and current healthy market fundamentals, as reflected in the low oil inventories, and in accordance with the decision agreed upon on December 5, 2024 to start a gradual and flexible return of the 2.2 million barrels per day voluntary adjustments starting from April 1, 2025, the eight participating countries will implement a production adjustment of 411 thousand barrels per day in July 2025 from June 2025 required production level. This is equivalent to three monthly increments as detailed in the table below. The gradual increases may be paused or reversed subject to evolving market conditions. This flexibility will allow the group to continue to support oil market stability. The eight OPEC+ countries also noted that this measure will provide an opportunity for the participating countries to accelerate their compensation. The eight countries reiterated their collective commitment to achieve full conformity with the Declaration of Cooperation, including the additional voluntary production adjustments that were agreed to be monitored by the JMMC during its 53rd meeting held on April 3, 2024. They also confirmed their intention to fully compensate for any overproduced volume since January 2024. The eight OPEC+ countries will hold monthly meetings to review market conditions, conformity, and compensation. The eight countries will meet on July 6, 2025, to decide on August production levels. --SPA 14:18 Local Time 11:18 GMT 0021 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Philippines deployed corvette at 18 knots into core waters of Huangyan Dao, Chinese delegate reveals provocation at South China Sea Global Times By Guo Yuandan and Xia Wenxin in Singapore Published: Jun 01, 2025 06:01 PM At the Shangri-La Dialogue held on Sunday, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro made unwarranted accusations against China regarding the South China Sea issue. In response, Major General Meng Xiangqing from the delegation of the China People's Liberation Army National Defense University said that the root cause of the tensions in the South China Sea lies in the Philippines stirring up trouble at sea with the backing of external forces, provocative infringement and interference by external forces. Meng noted that the Philippines has been persistently provoking incidents around Huangyan Dao, frequently dispatching vessels to intrude into China's territorial waters around the island. It even dispatched corvette speeding at 18 knots directly into the core area, to test China's response speed, said Meng. "It must be pointed out that the Philippines has always been the provocateur and China's actions have been legitimate responses. Here, I solemnly warn the Philippine side: The South China Sea is not a place where the Philippines can act recklessly. We also urge the Philippines to immediately cease its provocations and violations, adhere to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and return to the correct path of bilateral negotiations. We are determined and capable, together with ASEAN countries, to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation," Meng stressed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sirens sound in 300 Israeli settlements after new missile launch by Yemen IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 1, 2025 The Yemeni Armed Forces have launched a missile strike on the occupied territories, setting off emergency sirens across 300 towns and settlements. Reports on Sunday said that loud sirens were heard in occupied Al-Quds and Tel Aviv following a ballistic missile launch from Yemen, forcing thousands of settlers to seek shelter. The attack also prompted the temporary shutdown of Ben Gurion Airport's airspace, disrupting several flights, including those arriving from Boston and London, according to Yedioth Ahronoth. The Israeli media said that 43 ballistic missiles have been fired from Yemen since Israel resumed the genocidal war on Gaza on March 18, despite a ceasefire with Hamas that had been in place since January. The Yemeni forces have launched hundreds of missile attacks targeting Israeli positions in the occupied territories and Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea since November 2023, shortly after the war on Gaza began. They say the operations will not stop until Israel halts the war on Gaza and lifts the siege. 3266**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bangladesh charges former leader Sheikh Hasina with 'crimes against humanity' IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 1, 2025 Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been charged with "crimes against humanity" by prosecutors for her alleged role in the "systematic attack" on the mass protests of July 2024. Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has identified Hasina as the "key instigator" behind the mass killings that occurred across the country in July and August last year. In addition to Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Mamun have also been named as co-accused in the case. On May 12, 2025, investigators submitted a report alleging that Hasina had ordered the killings. ICT Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam claimed that more than 1,500 people were killed, over 25,000 injured, and countless others subjected to torture and other forms of inhumane treatment. Hasina, who remains in self-imposed exile in neighbouring India, has rejected the charges against her. 2050**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel is turning aid centers into 'death traps' in Gaza: Health ministry IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 1, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The Director General of the Ministry of Health in Gaza says Israel has turned humanitarian aid distribution centers into "death traps" to kill and forcibly displace starving Palestinians. In a statement on Sunday, Munir al-Bursh said that those who arrived at hospitals following the Israeli attack on Palestinian aid seekers in Rafah had sustained one gunshot wound to the head or chest. He added that this proved the Israeli regime was insisting on "brutally killing civilians" in Gaza. The official also warned of a deepening medical crisis in Gaza as Israel has been blocking the entry of nearly 3,000 medical devices and equipment through the Egyptian border crossing at al-Arish. Bursh further cautioned about the growing risk of disease outbreaks due to the lack of medicines and vaccines, pointing specifically to rising cases of diarrhea and meningitis. "Ninety percent of Gaza's population is suffering from water insecurity," he added. Meanwhile, the Hamas movement released a statement condemning the latest massacre by Israeli forces at an aid distribution center in Rafah, where at least 32 Palestinians were killed and scores of others were injured. 9341**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Worse than Nazi crimes': Hamas condemns Israeli massacre of Gaza aid seekers IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 1, 2025 Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, has condemned Israel's recent attack on starving Palestinian aid seekers in southern Gaza, noting that this massacre sends a clear message to the Islamic world that the time has come to stand up against the killers. Earlier today, the Gaza Government Media Office reported that Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian civilians near an aid center in Rafah, killing at least 30 and injuring scores more. Abu Zuhri described the attack as surpassing the atrocities of fascism and Nazism, holding the United States accountable for enabling the aggression through its unwavering support for the Israeli regime. "Today's massacre and the blood of our martyrs deliver a message to the Islamic Ummah and all free people worldwide: it is time to confront these killers," he emphasized. Abu Zuhri also addressed stalled ceasefire negotiations, saying Hamas had responded positively to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff's proposal but was met with an unexpected rejection. He accused the U.S. of prioritizing the release of Israeli prisoners over ending the genocide. Also, in a statement, the international humanitarian organization strongly condemned the deadly Israeli attack on Palestinian aid seekers in Rafah, warning that the U.S.-Israeli aid plan for Gaza is "failing catastrophically." The Israeli regime imposed a total blockade on humanitarian aid supplies to Gaza on March 2 to pressure Hamas to accept a ceasefire deal on Tel Aviv's conditions. Israel and the U.S. also pushed for an aid scheme to replace the existing U.N.-backed programs. Their plan has drawn strong criticism from the United Nations and international aid organizations, which say it serves Israel's war objectives. 3266**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Doctors Without Borders: Israel using Gaza aid to forcibly displace Palestinians IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 1, 2025 Doctors Without Borders has warned that the Israeli regime is using humanitarian aid for Gaza as a tool for the forced displacement of the Palestinian people from the besieged territory. In a statement on Sunday, which was carried by Qatar-based Al Jazeera news network, the international humanitarian organization strongly condemned the deadly Israeli attack on Palestinian civilians in Gaza's southern city of Rafah, warning that the U.S.-Israeli humanitarian aid plan for Gaza is "failing catastrophically." The group said the assault exemplifies how aid is being weaponized. The statement also denounced Israel's handling of humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip, describing it as a policy of inhuman treatment over the past 19 months. It added that the humanitarian system in the coastal territory is suffocating due to the occupying entity's tight restrictions, which allow only a trickle of aid trucks to enter. The Israeli regime imposed a total blockade on humanitarian aid supplies to Gaza on March 2 to pressure Hamas to accept a ceasefire deal on Tel Aviv's conditions. Amid international outcry, Israel and the United States have also pushed for an aid plan to replace the existing U.N.-backed programs. Their plan has drawn strong criticism from the United Nations and international aid organizations, which say the scheme serves Israel's war objectives. 4354**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel keeps killing Palestinians at aid distribution sites IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 1, 2025 The Israeli regime targeted Palestinians congregating at aid distribution sites in southern and central Gaza, causing the deaths of at least 30 civilians in Rafah. Israeli forces open fire on Palestinians gathered at aid distribution sites in southern and central Gaza, killing at least 30 people in Rafah and one more near the Netzarim Corridor, a strip of land that divides Gaza in two, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday. At least 120 individuals have been wounded in the recent strikes against Palestinians. Israeli forces are preventing ambulances from reaching the bombing site in Rafah to provide aid to the wounded, as Al Jazeera reported. Meanwhile, the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip reported that the Israeli regime is blocking the entry of vital children's vaccines into Gaza. Ahmed Al-Fara also told Al Jazeera that Israeli forces have destroyed 75% of Gaza's hospital capacity. Israel's war on the Gaza Strip has killed at least 54,381 Palestinians and wounded 124,054, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. 7129** NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen says Israel only understands language of force to halt Gaza war IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 1, 2025 Deputy head of Yemen's Ansarullah media office Nasruddin Amer has said that military pressure is the only way to force Israel to stop its genocide in Gaza. Amer said that the Yemeni Armed Forces will do everything possible to escalate pressure on Israel in order to pave the way for ending the suffering of the oppressed residents of the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Information Center reported him as saying on Saturday evening. Since the start of the Gaza war in early October 2023, Yemen has been engaged in military operations both against Israel-linked vessels in the Red Sea as well as targets inside Israeli-occupied territories. One of the targets repeatedly hit in Yemeni attacks is Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. On Friday, Amer said that the airport is no longer safe, and urged all international airlines to suspend flights to and from Ben Gurion to protect their personnel and passengers. In the meantime, Yemen's Ministry of Defense warned foreign companies and investors to leave the Israeli-occupied territories as soon as possible. Th warning was issued by a senior ministry official on Saturday, according to Yemen's Al Masirah TV network. The official said that Yemen's missiles are equipped with multiple warheads, which if intercepted, would split into several parts to hit more targets, effectively paralyzing Israel's defense systems. The unnamed official said that Yemen will halt retaliatory attacks only after Israel ends the war and lifts its siege on Gaza. 4208**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The United Kingdom "considers Morocco's autonomy proposal, submitted in 2007 as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution of the dispute" over the Moroccan Sahara, and "will continue to act bilaterally, including economically, regionally and internationally in line with this position to support resolution of the conflict". Morocco Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sunday 01 June 2025 This position was expressed in a Joint Communique signed, Sunday in Rabat, by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, David Lammy, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita. This document underlines that the UK "follows closely the current positive dynamic on this issue under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI." It adds that London "recognises the importance of the question of Western Sahara for the Kingdom of Morocco," noting that this settling this regional dispute "would strengthen the stability of North Africa and the relaunch of the bilateral dynamic and regional integration." The UK affirms, in the Joint Communique signed at the Foreign Ministry headquarters, that UK "can consider supporting projects" in the Sahara, notably as part of "the UK Export Finance's 5bn commitment to support new business across the country." It also underlines that the UK "recognises Morocco as a key gateway to Africa's socio-economic development and reaffirms its commitment to deepening engagement with Morocco as a partner for growth across the continent". In this document, "both countries support, and consider vital, the central role of the UN-led process," reaffirming "their full support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Mr. Staffan de Mistura." To this end, the UK underlines that it is "ready, willing and committed to lend its active support and engagement to the Personal Envoy and the parties." "As a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, the United Kingdom agrees with Morocco on the urgent need to find a resolution to this long-held dispute, which would be in the interest of the parties", the document notes, adding that "the time for a resolution and to move this issue forwards is long-overdue, and would strengthen the stability of North Africa and the relaunch of the bilateral dynamic and regional integration,". This new position of the United Kingdom, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, aligns with the strong stances expressed by many major powers, notably the United States, France, and Spain. This new position of the United Kingdom, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, reinforces the growing international momentum driven by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in support of the Autonomy Plan under Moroccan sovereignty. It also confirms the credibility of this initiative and the broad consensus backing it to reach a final resolution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The position expressed by the United Kingdom regarding the Moroccan Sahara will help reinforce the momentum this issue has gained under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, stated Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, on Sunday in Rabat. Morocco Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sunday 01 June 2025 This position represents "a significant development," given that the United Kingdom is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a member of the Group of Friends of the UN Secretary-General on the Sahara, noted MFA Bourita during a press briefing with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, David Lammy. In this regard, the minister noted that "four countries within the Group of Friends of the UN Secretary-General on the Sahara have now joined this dynamic and expressed support for the Autonomy Initiativenamely France, the United States, Spain, and now the United Kingdom." MFA Bourita also emphasized that the United Kingdom has always been an influential and credible voice at the European, UN, and international levels. He added that this position will also have positive economic implications, as UK Export Finance may consider supporting investment projects in the southern provinces of the Kingdom. He stressed that Morocco does not view the growing support for its position on the Sahara as a privilege or a means of maintaining the status quo, but rather as a factor that can help bring about a resolution to a conflict that has lasted more than 50 years. MFA Bourita noted that the United Nations and the international community now have a real opportunity to reach a definitive solution to this dispute, based on the Autonomy Initiative proposed by Morocco within the framework of its sovereignty. He expressed hope that all parties will engage seriously in finding a lasting resolution to the issue. Furthermore, MFA Bourita described Lammy's visit to the Kingdom as "historic" in many respects. He explained that this is the first visit by a UK Foreign Secretary to Morocco since 2011, and it will allow for a qualitative leap in bilateral relations. It also provided an opportunity to hold the 5th session of the Strategic Dialogue between the two countries and to discuss various bilateral and regional issues. "This visit is also significant and historic in that it enabled the United Kingdom to express its position on the Moroccan Sahara," the minister added, noting that the joint communique signed on this occasion affirms that the United Kingdom "considers the Autonomy Proposal presented [by Morocco] in 2007 as the most credible, serious, and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution to the regional dispute" over the Moroccan Sahara, and "will continue to act at the bilateral level, particularly in economic matters, as well as regionally and internationally, in line with this position." MFA Bourita also stated that this visit marks a turning point in relations between the two countries. He emphasized that, in line with the High Royal Directives aimed at diversifying and strengthening partnerships, Morocco has engaged in a dialogue to further develop "our bilateral relations based on the centuries-old ties between the two countries and the special relationship uniting the two Royal Families." As a result, the minister stressed that the two countries are working to inject new momentum into their bilateral relations and to elevate the Morocco-UK partnership to cover all sectors, including the economy, security, culture, defense, investment, education, and scientific research. In addition, MFA Bourita recalled that four agreements were signed on this occasion, with more expected to be concluded in the coming two days, giving new impetus to Morocco-UK relations and ushering in a new era of bilateral cooperation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The United Kingdom welcomes the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI in strengthening Moroccan-British relations, promoting regional stability, and fostering national development. Morocco Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sunday 01 June 2025 This position was expressed in a Joint Communique signed, Sunday in Rabat, following talks between Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, and the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, David Lammy. "Their Majesties King Mohammed VI and King Charles III continue to anchor Moroccan-United Kingdom ties," the document emphasizes, adding that "their leadership has continuously fostered the stability and high-level commitment necessary to develop an ambitious, forward-looking strategic partnership." Regionally, the UK praised the "initiatives launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI to progress peace, stability and socio-economic development in Africa, notably, notably, "the Initiative of the Atlantic African States Process and the "International Royal Initiative to facilitate access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic ocean," thus recognizing the Sovereign's enlightened choice to make the development of the African continent a strategic priority, focusing on pragmatic and solidarity-based cooperation. Regarding His Majesty the King's continued commitment to the Palestinian issue, the UK commends the "key role played by His Majesty King Mohammed VI as Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee." The UK also welcomes and supports the "major reforms undertaken by Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI," the Communique concludes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China destab efforts cause 'serious concern' among defense chiefs Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno June 1, 2025, 12:04 pm Updated on June 1, 2025, 2:24 pm MANILA -- The defense chiefs of the Philippines, Australia, Japan and the United States have expressed their "continued serious concern" on China's destabilizing actions in the East China Sea (ECS) and South China Sea (SCS). Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen, and United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued the remarks after their meeting in Singapore on Saturday, according to a news release. "The defense leaders expressed continued serious concern about China's destabilizing actions in the ECS and the SCS and any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion," they said in a joint statement. This marked the fourth defense leaders meeting of the four countries in the last three years, underscoring their sustained collaboration to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific. "They also reiterated their serious concern about dangerous conduct by China in the SCS against the Philippines and other countries and stressed the importance of the peaceful resolution of disputes," the joint statement added. The defense leaders highlighted the importance of upholding international law, freedom of navigation and overflight, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. "The defense leaders called for peace and stability in the region. They underscored the importance of the central role of ASEAN and the ASEAN-led regional architecture in ensuring security and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region," the statement added. Major developments The defense chiefs came up with four key developments in their partnership. -- Synchronizing priority defense investments, including infrastructure investments, to support Philippine defense priorities and a free and open Indo-Pacific. "Together, the installation of Japan-made air surveillance radar systems at Wallace Air Station, the United States' continued development and integration of air domain sensors at Basa Air Base Command and Control Fusion Center, and Australia's efforts to support the growing defense infrastructure in the Philippines have collectively helped improve the Armed Forces of the Philippines' air domain awareness in the SCS. The defense leaders committed to further synchronizing security cooperation to better support air and maritime domain awareness and other defense priorities," they said. -- Enhancing information-sharing to establish a common operating picture in the SCS and the Indo-Pacific Region. "They welcomed the recent conclusion of the bilateral General Security of Military Information Agreement between the United States and the Philippines, and noted that Australia and Japan intend to undertake bilateral discussions for similar agreements with the Philippines. They affirmed that these efforts will facilitate greater information-sharing and analysis, including at a combined hub for such purpose," the statement read. -- Strengthening cybersecurity and resilience by jointly investing in the Philippines' cybersecurity and resilience for defense, including through existing defense exercises and trainings. The defense leaders also recognized the importance of cooperation to counter threats to national security posed by malicious actors. -- Increasing operational coordination and interoperability in the Indo-Pacific region for greater deterrence, peace and security. "Building on the success of past multilateral maritime cooperative activities, they committed to sustaining their participation and expanding the scope and frequency of such engagements with additional like-minded partners. They also reached consensus to explore planning joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities to improve interoperability and coordination on effective maritime and air domain awareness in the ECS, the SCS and surrounding waters," according to the report. The defense chiefs recognized the importance of regularly convening meetings at ministerial and officials' levels to reinforce cooperation and coordination. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas condemns US envoy's 'blatant disregard' for Palestinian rights Iran Press TV Sunday, 01 June 2025 6:50 PM The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has strongly condemned recent provocative remarks by the US ambassador to the Israeli-occupied territories, in which he proposed establishing a Palestinian state on French soil. In a statement released on Sunday, Hamas said the resistance movement considers the remarks by Mike Huckabee "a blatant disregard for our people's legitimate national rights and a flagrant violation of international law and UN resolutions." "Huckabee's disgraceful statement reflects shameless adoption of the fascist occupation's narrative that denies our people's rights to their land and holy sites." The remarks by the US envoy provide political cover for the Netanyahu regime's crimes in its attempts to impose a reality of brutal genocide and forced displacement, the Palestinian group said "The statements further confirm the American complete bias toward the Zionist occupation and its colonial expansionist approach," Hamas said. Elsewhere, Hamas called on the UN and international community to "take serious action to support Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle for freedom, self-determination, and the establishment of their independent Palestinian state on their own land." Huckabee recently described recognition of a Palestinian state by European countries, including France, as "inappropriate" while Israel is fighting a war in the besieged Gaza Strip. "It's incredibly inappropriate in the midst of a war that Israel is dealing with to go out and present something that I think increasingly Israelis are steadfast against," he told Fox News. Huckabee's comments came after French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that recognizing a Palestinian state, with conditions, is "not only a moral duty, but a political necessity." Macron said that European countries should "harden the collective position" against Israel if it did not respond appropriately to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including keeping open the possibility of sanctions. Macron, during a visit to Singapore on Friday, said France could "apply sanctions" against Israeli settlers unless the regime in Tel Aviv puts an end to the humanitarian assistance blockade on Gaza. The French leader urged the international community not to remain passive regarding the devastating hunger crisis in Gaza. Huckabee, a Baptist pastor who preached for more than a decade in Arkansas churches, also served as Arkansas governor from 1996 to 2007. The 70-year-old has been known for his staunch support for illegal settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories, dehumanization of Palestinians, and opposition to Palestinian statehood. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel delays incoming flights after Yemen's missile targets Ben Gurion Airport Iran Press TV Sunday, 01 June 2025 5:59 PM Israel was forced to delay several incoming flights at its main international airport following a ballistic missile attack launched from Yemen, local media reported. The disruption at Ben Gurion Airport occurred after air raid sirens were triggered across several cities in the occupied territories, prompting authorities to halt scheduled landings as a precaution. Among the affected flights were El Al services arriving from Boston and London, according to Yedioth Ahronoth. Israel's military said its air defense systems had intercepted a missile fired by Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement. "Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted," the military said in a statement. Yemen later said its Armed Forces had fired a "ballistic missile" at the airport. Military spokesperson Yahya Saree said three drones were also launched at the occupied territories. Sunday's attack marked the latest in a series of operations by Yemen's Armed Forces against Israel. On Thursday, the Yemeni Armed Forces targeted Ben Gurion Airport with a hypersonic ballistic missile, Saree said at the time. He also said that another missile struck a "vital target" in the eastern part of Jaffa, central Israel. Houthi's military spokesman vowed that retaliatory operations would continue and escalate unless Israel ends its war on the Gaza Strip. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel displaced over 630,000 people in Gaza since March 18: OCHA Iran Press TV Sunday, 01 June 2025 5:20 PM The UN humanitarian agency says more than 630,000 Palestinians have been displaced since Israel broke the nearly two-month-old ceasefire with the Hamas resistance movement in the besieged Gaza Strip. In its latest humanitarian situation update, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement on Sunday that at least 632,000 people had been displaced again since March 18. The OCHA analysis found that since breaking the ceasefire, Israel has issued over 30 forced displacement orders covering a swathe of 68 out of 79 neighborhoods, some multiple times. Israel has used mass displacement orders and relentless military assault to systematically force civilians into five restricted zones that now make up less than 20 percent of Gaza. These, together with the expanding "no-go" Israeli military zones, make up over 80 percent of the Gaza Strip. The sheer scale and relentless frequency of these orders have made it virtually impossible for people to find refuge. The pattern suggests a deliberate campaign to dismantle and depopulate Gazaa process of forced displacement which is a war crime. Israel's far-right ruling coalition, led by 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. The OCHA statement also said that about 30 humanitarian workers were killed by the Israeli attacks and strikes in May alone. "Moreover, at least 28 aid workers have been killed since May 1," it said, The OCHA added that 452 in total have been killed since Israel's war began on October 7, 2023. Elsewhere in the statement, the UN agency further said health system has been crippled by the Israeli attacks and overwhelmed due to the ongoing brutal Israeli military campaign across the blockaded strip. Meanwhile, dozens more civilians were killed on Sunday morning as the Israeli military opened fire on Palestinians heading towards an aid distribution site in southern Gaza. Hamas denounced the massacre as proof of the Israeli regime's fascist nature, adding that opening fire on civilians exposes premeditated intent to commit the crime. The group held both Israel and the US administration fully responsible for the carnage and the use of starvation as a weapon of war against Palestinians. It also called on the UN to form an independent international commission of inquiry to enter Gaza, investigate the systematic crimes, and hold those responsible as war criminals. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bangladesh tribunal indicts former Prime Minister Hasina for mass murder Iran Press TV Sunday, 01 June 2025 5:02 PM Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal has indicted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina on several charges. The court on Sunday indicted the 77-year-old former leader and two other officials for their alleged role in ordering the police and supporters to carry out a deadly crackdown on student-led protests in 2024. Hasina and her government have been accused of crimes against humanity over the mass killing of the students. Prosecutors say that during her reign, Hasina ruled the nation with an iron fist. "The accused unleashed all law enforcement agencies and her armed party members to crush the uprising," Mohammad Tajul Islam, chief prosecutor at Bangladesh's domestic International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), told the court in his opening speech on Sunday. Islam has accused the former leader of ordering the "massacres" of defenseless people, mostly youths, in the brutal crackdown by police. He said Hasina and the two other officials are accused of "abetment, incitement, complicity, facilitation, conspiracy, and failure to prevent mass murder" during the student-led mass uprising. Nearly 1,400 Bangladeshis were killed between July and August 2024, according to UN estimates. In mid-October, ICT issued an arrest warrant for Hasina, who has been living in self-imposed exile in India since her ousting during the student-led uprising. Since fleeing to neighboring India, Hasina has not been seen in public. The new government is making efforts to bring Hasina back to the country to face the charges. "Bangladesh has a criminal extradition treaty with India, which was signed in 2013," Islam said. "As she has been made the main accused of the massacres in Bangladesh, we will try to legally bring her back to Bangladesh to face trial." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza aid distribution sites have become Israeli 'death traps': UNRWA chief Iran Press TV Sunday, 01 June 2025 4:56 PM Commissioner General of the UN's Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) says the newly established aid distribution sites run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in the Gaza Strip have become "death traps" for starving civilians in the blockaded territory. Philippe Lazzarini made the remarks in a post on his X account on Sunday, after the Israeli regime carried out two deadly attacks on the aid distribution centers in Gaza earlier in the day, killing dozens of Palestinians. Lazzarini further condemned the aid delivery and distribution model introduced by the Israeli regime and the US, saying, "This humiliating system has forced thousands of hungry and desperate people to walk for tens of miles to an area that's all but pulverized due to heavy bombardment" by the Israeli military. He also noted that aid deliveries and distribution must be at scale and safe, emphasizing that this can only be done through the United Nations, including UNRWA. The UNRWA chief further called on Israel to lift the siege on Gaza and allow safe and unhindered access for humanitarian aid in the besieged enclave, stressing that this is the only way to avert mass starvation, including among 1 million children. "With competing narratives and disinformation campaigns in full gear, international media must be allowed into Gaza to independently report on the ongoing atrocities, including this morning's heinous crime," Lazzarini said. Early on Sunday morning, Israeli forces opened fire on a GHF site in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, killing at least 40 people and injuring 150 others. Soon after, a Palestinian was reported killed in a shooting at the GHF's distribution point, in Gaza City, south of the so-called Netzarim Corridor. The US-backed aid sites began operations in the Gaza Strip last Monday. Early the next morning, as thousands of Palestinians lined up at the aid site, Israeli forces opened fire, killing three Palestinians and injuring dozens. The GHF said it opened a second site on Wednesday, the same day that Israeli forces again opened fire on aid seekers at one of its sites west of Rafah, this time killing at least six Palestinians. Gaza's Government Media Office said in a statement on Sunday that in less than a week, the Israeli regime has killed 50 people and wounded hundreds at GHF sites. Separately on Sunday, the Gaza Ministry of Health said the GHF aid distribution centers have become "Israeli death traps," adding that they are a new mechanism for the forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza. In a statement published on Telegram, the ministry stated that everyone who arrived at hospitals following Sunday's attack on Palestinians at an aid distribution site in Rafah sustained one gunshot wound to the head or chest, stressing that this confirms the Israeli "insistence on brutally killing civilians". Munir al-Barsh, Director General of the Health Ministry in Gaza, condemned "the international silence regarding the massacres being committed against the starving residents of the Gaza Strip," adding that severe shortages of medical supplies in the territory are producing "dire conditions" at hospitals. He went on to say that 3000 trucks carrying badly needed medical supplies are currently stalled at the border, accusing Israel of "deliberately spreading infectious diseases and epidemics" by the blockade. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address One killed as Israeli drone hits motorbike in southern Lebanon despite truce Iran Press TV Sunday, 01 June 2025 11:12 AM In the latest blatant violation of a shaky ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, the Israeli military has attacked the Arab nation's southern province of Nabatieh, killing at least one individual. The Public Health Emergency Operations Center at the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health announced in a statement that an Israeli drone fired a guided missile at a motorbike as it was traveling along the road linking the village of Arnoun to the Chaqif region. No immediate details were provided about the identity of the victim. The strike came a day after a commander of the Hezbollah resistance movement was killed in an Israeli drone strike in the town of Deir al-Zahrani, deep in southern Lebanon. Lebanon's official National News Agency reported that the Israeli military carried out the aerial attack early on Saturday, killing Mohammad Ali Jammoul. Jammoul, 33, was on his "usual early-morning drive from his home to perform dawn prayers at the mosque in his hometown," when the drone attacked his vehicle, "killing him instantly," said the report. The report noted that the strike was preceded by the flight of Israeli helicopters over the area for the first time at that depth. A Lebanese Civil Defense source said their personnel extinguished the fire that had broken out in the targeted vehicle and transported the body to a hospital in the city of Sidon. Following significant losses sustained over nearly 14 months of conflict and the failure to meet its objectives in the offensive against Lebanon, Israel was compelled to accept a ceasefire with Hezbollah. This ceasefire took effect on November 27, 2024. Since the commencement of the agreement, the occupying forces have been launching assaults on Lebanon, including airstrikes throughout the Arab nation, breaching the ceasefire. On January 27, 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Arab ministers condemn Israel's 'arrogant' ban on West Bank visit Iran Press TV Sunday, 01 June 2025 10:43 AM The foreign ministers of several Arab countries have strongly criticized Israel's decision to prevent their planned visit to the occupied West Bank, describing it as an "arrogant" move. Ministers from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and Turkey led by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan were planned to arrive in Ramallah on Sunday to meet Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas. The meeting would have been the highest-level Saudi visit to the area since it was occupied by Israel in 1967. However, on Friday the Israeli regime announced that it will "not cooperate" with plans from the PA to host the Saudi-led delegation. In a joint statement, the ministers said the decision to block the visit "reflects the extent of the Israeli government's arrogance, its disregard for international law, and its continued illegitimate measures and policies that besiege the brotherly Palestinian people and their legitimate leadership." The ministers added that Israel was seeking to perpetuate "the occupation and undermine the chances of achieving a just and comprehensive peace." Hussein Al Sheikh, the deputy chair of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) said in a post on X that Israel's decision is a "dangerous escalation that reflects arrogant, provocative, and unprecedented behavior." "We are examining, along with our Arab brothers, how to respond to this decision," he wrote. Last month, Israeli forces opened fire near a diplomatic convoy near Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, triggering an international outcry. The convoy included diplomats from the European Union, the United Kingdom, Russia and China. The Israeli military claimed its soldiers fired "warning shots" after the group deviated from an agreed-upon route. The Israeli regime's decision to ban the Arab ministers comes ahead of an international conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, due to be held in New York on June 17-20 to discuss the issue of Palestinian statehood. The Israeli regime has come under increasing pressure from the international community for its genocidal actions in Gaza and the construction of new illegal settlements in the Occupied West Bank. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address West Bank tensions spike as Israeli forces, settlers carry out violent raids Iran Press TV Sunday, 01 June 2025 10:00 AM Israeli forces have intensified their violent incursions into numerous areas of the West Bank, as the occupying entity continues its aggressive actions in the region alongside the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Palestine's official news agency WAFA said two Palestinian youths were injured on Saturday evening by the Israeli occupation forces in the east of the occupied West Bank city of Ariha. One of them was wounded by live gunfire and another as a result of physical assault, the report added. "One of the victims sustained a live bullet wound, while the other suffered a head injury due to beating. Both were transferred to hospital for treatment," the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said. WAFA also reported that Israeli forces had set up a military checkpoint east of Ariha, where they opened live fire at civilians and assaulted several others. In another development on Saturday evening, several Palestinians were injured when dozens of Israeli settlers attacked the town of Deir Dibwan, located east of Ramallah. WAFA said the settlers stormed the eastern entrance of the town and attempted to force their way in while local residents confronted them, which resulted in multiple minor injuries among the Palestinians. Under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces, the settlers also assaulted Palestinian civilians in an area between the town of Ni'lin and the nearby village of Qibya, west of Ramallah. Youssef al-Khawaja, head of the Ni'lin municipality, was cited by WAFA as saying that the settlers attacked several Palestinians on their own land, forcing them to leave after releasing their sheep into the fields and destroying agricultural crops. Khawaja underlined that Ni'lin has been subjected to persistent settler violence, particularly from a nearby outpost established on Palestinian land in the Jabal al-'Alam area, on the outskirts of the town. In the town of Sa'ir, northeast of al-Khalil, gun-toting Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers as they were tending their land. The Israeli occupation forces, who arrived to protect the attackers, detained a young Palestinian man while defending the farmers. The incidents reflect an increasingly systematic pattern of Israeli settlers' aggression against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, which is carried out with the active backing and passive consent of the Israeli forces. In April, Israeli settlers conducted 231 attacks involving the vandalism and theft of Palestinian property. The aggression also included the destruction of vast areas of farmland and the uprooting of 1,168 olive trees530 in Ramallah and al-Bireh, 300 in Nablus, and 298 in Salfit. The regime has escalated its West Bank violence since October 7, 2023, when it launched its genocide in Gaza. Since then, Israeli forces and settlers have killed about 1,000 Palestinians in the occupied territory. According to the health ministry of Gaza, at least 54,381 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 124,381 individuals injured in the brutal Israeli military onslaught on Gaza since October 7, 2023. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At least 40 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on US-backed aid sites in Gaza Iran Press TV Sunday, 01 June 2025 7:56 AM Israel has carried out two deadly attacks on newly established aid sites run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), killing dozens of Palestinians in the third and fourth such attacks on the aid distribution centers in Gaza since they began operating last week. Early on Sunday morning, the Israeli forces opened fire, killing at least 40 people, and injuring 150 others at a GHF site in Rafah. Soon after, a Palestinian was reported killed in a shooting at the GHF's distribution point, in Gaza City, south of the so-called Netzarim Corridor. The US-backed aid sites began operations in the Gaza Strip last Monday. Early the next morning, as thousands of Palestinians lined up at the aid site, Israeli forces opened fire, killing three Palestinians and injuring dozens. The GHF said it opened a second site on Wednesday, the same day that Israeli forces again opened fire on aid seekers at one of its sites west of Rafah, this time killing at least six Palestinians. Gaza Media Office said in a statement on Sunday that in less than a week the Israeli regime has killed 50 people and wounded hundreds at GHF sites. "[These killings] reflect the nature of these areas as mass death traps, not humanitarian relief points," the statement warned. "We confirm to the entire world that what is happening is a systematic and malicious use of aid as a tool of war, employed to blackmail starving civilians and forcibly gather them in exposed killing points, managed and monitored by the occupation army and funded and politically covered by the occupation and the US administration, which bears full moral and legal responsibility for these crimes," it added. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) has condemned "the new massacre of the starving people in Rafah" saying it was "a genocide with international complicity and American participation." Hamas in a statement on Sunday also condemned the "horrific massacre" and said the resistance group holds the Israeli regime and the US administration responsible for the crime. "This massacre confirms the fascist nature of the occupation and its criminal objectives behind this mechanism, where it uses centers under its control as traps to lure starving innocent people, practicing the most brutal forms of killing, humiliation, and abuse against them," it noted. GHF is an Israel-US-backed group, based in Geneva that has been set up to function as an alternative to the already established methods of aid delivery, through UN-affiliated organizations, to Gaza. GHF has claimed that since the Israeli regime allowed for a limited entrance of humanitarian aid into Gaza, it has delivered and distributed "many" truckloads of food among the population. The Geneva-based group has claimed that based on the new method of delivery and distribution, designed by the regime and the US, it will distribute 300 million meals in its first 90 days of operation. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) spokesperson, Jens Laerke, said about GHF that "It is a distraction from what is actually needed, which is a reopening of all the crossings into Gaza; a secure environment within Gaza; and faster facilitation of permissions and final approvals of all the emergency supplies that we have just outside the border that need to get in." Since October 7, 2023, when the Israeli regime began its genocidal war on Gaza, it has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians and injured over 124,000 others, most of whom are children and women. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has escalated dramatically since March 2, after the Israeli regime imposed an aid blockade on the besieged territory. Since the aid blockade began, 57 children have died from the effects of malnutrition, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health. This number is likely an underestimate and is likely to increase, according to the World Health Organization. WHO warned last month that if the situation persists, nearly 71,000 children under the age of five are expected to be acutely malnourished over the next eleven months, citing a report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni official warns only language of force can end Israel's Gaza crimes Iran Press TV Sunday, 01 June 2025 6:29 AM A senior Yemeni official says the use of force is the only viable method to deter Israeli aggression against Palestinians in Gaza, stressing that the Israeli regime only understands the language of force. "The unrelenting attacks on the Gaza Strip can only be stopped through exertion of military pressure on the Zionist regime, as it only responds to force," Yemen's Deputy Minister of Information Nasruddin Amer said on Saturday. He added, "By the grace of God, the Yemeni Armed Forces will utilize all their might to expand the scope of the conflict and intensify pressure on the occupying regime's domestic front. We can thereby end the suffering and plight of oppressed people of Gaza." The Yemeni military took responsibility on Thursday night for launching a fresh "hypersonic ballistic missile" attack against the central part of the Israeli-occupied territories, saying it was aimed at Ben Gurion Airport. Yemeni military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree said in a statement, aired by al-Masirah television channel, that the Arab nation would continue its attacks "until the Israeli aggression on Gaza stops and the blockade is lifted." "We will continue to ban Israeli air traffic to and from Ben Gurion Airport," Saree added. As the genocidal war on Gaza escalated, the Yemenis enforced a strategic blockade on essential maritime routes, to obstruct the delivery of military supplies to Israel and urge the international community to take action regarding the ongoing humanitarian emergency in Gaza. The Yemeni Armed Forces have declared they will not stop their assaults unless Israel ceases its ground and aerial offensives in Gaza, where over 54,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children have been killed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US rebuffs Hamas' response to ceasefire proposal; accuses movement of turning it down Iran Press TV Sunday, 01 June 2025 12:59 AM The United States has rejected Hamas' response to a proposed ceasefire, accusing the Palestinian resistance movement of turning the offer down. The office of Washington's regional envoy, Steve Witkoff passed the remarks in a post on X, former Twitter, on Saturday after receiving Hamas' reaction to the proposal. "I received the Hamas' response to the United States proposal. It is totally unacceptable and only takes us backward," the office claimed. It alleged that Hamas had turned down the framework, suggesting that the movement was, therefore, preventing realization of the prospect of subsequent "proximity talks." "This (the proposal) is the only way we can close a 60-day ceasefire deal in the coming days," in which half of the Israeli regime's living captives and half of the deceased ones would be handed over, Witkoff's office, meanwhile, purported that the proposal was meant to pave the way for "substantive negotiations" in good faith aimed at achieving a "permanent ceasefire." Hamas denies rejection Contrary to the US's allegations, senior Hamas' official Bassem Naim said the group did not reject the proposal, but instead offered a response that met the basic demands of the Palestinian people under the circumstances. "We did not reject Mr. Witkoff's proposal," he explained. "We agreed with him last week on a proposal, which he considered acceptable as a basis for negotiation." "However, the response we received from the other side did not align with our agreed-upon terms and failed to meet the minimum demands of our people," Naim added. Hamas' key demands, as stated by Naim, had included ensuring the Israeli enemy's adherence to a 60-day temporary truce and allowing transfer of sufficient humanitarian aid from United Nations organizations. The movement had also demanded a guarantee that the negotiations would lead to the end of the Israeli regime's October 2023-present war on the Gaza Strip and the withdrawal of hostile forces. 'US always preferring Israel's interests' Naim also expressed frustration with the negotiations, saying the Israeli response was often treated as the sole basis for talks, undermining fairness and justice in the mediation process. He, meanwhile, noted how the American proposal had been crafted so it would ensure provision of the regime's interests. According to the resistance official, the proposal featured a 60-day ceasefire without guarantees that the regime would abide by it. Humanitarian aid would also only enter Gaza under the regime's proposed plans, which Hamas sees as legitimizing Tel Aviv's military control, he stated. The official, meanwhile, noted that negotiations over withdrawal maps were based on the regime's current military presence, potentially perpetuating control over Gaza. The American initiative, he concluded, also failed to include any guarantees for an end to the war or the withdrawal of hostile forces, as discussions rather focused on redeployment and security arrangements. Hamas reaffirms commitment to permanent ceasefire Also on Saturday, Taher al-Nono, a media advisor for Hamas' Political Bureau, further clarified the group's position. Echoing al-Nono's remarks, he emphasized that the movement had not rejected the proposal, but instead focused on ensuring a ceasefire with guarantees for the delivery of aid. "We agreed to the release of 10 captives, but the disagreement lies in the timing of the release," al-Nono said. He additionally reaffirmed Hamas' rejection of any attempts to legitimize the Israeli regime's atrocities through negotiations and denounced the US for supporting the occupation's vision. "We have dealt with the US to alleviate the suffering of our people, but the weapon of resistance is non-negotiable," he added. The developments came as the war and a simultaneous near-total siege deployed against Gaza by Tel Aviv continues to exact a heavy human and material toll on Gaza. The warfare has already claimed the lives of around 54,400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, while the siege has seen the regime use starvation as, what human rights experts call, a weapon of war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli Attack on Rafah Aid Distribution Zone Leaves 21 Dead - Health Ministry Sputnik News 20250601 BEIRUT (Sputnik) - An Israeli attack on a humanitarian aid distribution zone in the southern Gaza province of Rafah left 21 people dead and 158 others injured, the Gaza Health Ministry said on Sunday. "According to preliminary data, the massacre carried out by the occupation forces in the humanitarian aid distribution zone in Rafah province resulted in 179 hospital admissions, including 21 dead, five in clinical death and 30 in extremely serious condition," the health ministry said in a statement. Emergency and surgical departments are overwhelmed by the high number of casualties. There is an acute shortage of surgical supplies, medications and resuscitation equipment, with the situation described as critical. 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. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lifting of Israeli blockade 'the only way to avert mass starvation' in Gaza: UNRWA chief 1 June 2025 - Amid disputed reports of Israeli forces firing on civilians near a new privatised aid distribution point in southern Gaza, the head of the Palestine refugee agency, UNRWA, said on Sunday that lifting the months-long aid blockade of the enclave is the only way to avoid "mass starvation". Philippe Lazzarini posted on social media saying that aid distribution "has become a death trap," citing reports from international medical staff on the ground and local health authorities who reported at least 31 deaths and more than 150 injured as civilians were lining up to receive aid from the Israel and United States-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation - which bypasses existing aid agencies. 'Humiliating system' "A distribution point by the Israeli-American plan was put far south in Rafah," Mr. Lazzarini said on X. "This humiliating system has forced thousands of hungry and desperate people to walk for tens of miles to an area that's all but pulverized due to heavy bombardment by the Israeli army." He said aid delivery and distribution "must be at scale and safe. In Gaza, this can be done only through the United Nations including UNRWA." The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation - which uses private contractors and involves Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to secure its sites - has strongly denied that civilians were fired on, accusing Hamas militants of misinformation. Disputed events The IDF said on social media that reports of them firing towards residents receiving aid from the foundation were false: "Findings from an initial inquiry indicate that the IDF did not fire at civilians while they were near or within the humanitarian aid distribution site." The IDF posted video which it said showed gunmen shooting at civilians collecting aid, adding that "Hamas is doing everything in its power to prevent the successful distribution of food in Gaza." Medical staff at Nasser hospital in nearby Khan Younis told media outlets that around 79 people were admitted on Sunday, mostly with gunshot wounds, along with the bodies of some of those killed. Journalists on the scene posted video footage of bodies being carried on carts along with wounded arrivals. 'Lift the siege' UNRWA chief Lazzarini called on Israel to lift the three-month old aid blockade and allow safe and unhindered access. "This is the only way to avert mass starvation including among one million children." Highlighting the difficulties of clearly establishing facts on the ground due to Israel's ban on international media from entering the Gaza Strip, the UNRWA chief said that amid competing narratives and "disinformation campaigns in full gear," the ban on eyewitness reporting must be lifted immediately. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Sudan must stop - Statement by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. in Sudan, Kristine Hambrouck UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Port Sudan, 01 June 2025) I am alarmed by the recent wave of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Sudan, which represent a blatant violation of international humanitarian law. On 30 May, Eldaman International Hospital in Al Obeid, the state capital of North Kordofan, was struck in a reported drone attack that killed at least six health workers and injured more than 15 others. Patients and medical personnel were caught in the line of fire inside a facility dedicated to healing and hope. Hospitals are not battlegrounds they are protected under international law and must be respected as such. Just one day earlier, on 29 May, the World Food Programme's premises in Al Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, came under repeated shelling, causing significant damage to a key humanitarian hub. Both attacks were reportedly carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). These facilities are essential to sustaining life in the face of a worsening humanitarian crisis. Attacking humanitarian assets puts millions at risk, depriving them of the critical aid they rely on to survive. These attacks must stop immediately. I call on all those engaged in the conflict to honour their obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians and civilian objects. Humanitarian personnel and facilities must never be targeted. Those who attack them must be held accountable. *** For more information, please contact: Dan Teng'o, dan.tengo@un.org; +249 91 253 2791 1 June 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address CDC confirms ample supply of COVID-19 drugs, vaccines ROC Central News Agency 06/01/2025 06:13 PM Taipei, June 1 (CNA) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reiterated Sunday that Taiwan has sufficient antiviral medication for COVID-19 patients and emphasized the importance of vaccination, amid concerns raised by public figures. Taiwan has 458,000 courses of Paxlovid, the first-line treatment for eligible COVID-19 patients, along with 9,900 courses of the second-line alternative Molnupiravir and 5,000 courses of the Japan-developed Xocova, which became available in mid-May, the CDC said in a statement. In addition to oral medications, Taiwan still has 204,000 doses of the injectable drug Remdesivir, according to the CDC, which released the COVID-19 medication inventory Thursday amid rumors of a shortage. The medications are more than sufficient to meet projected treatment needs during the current surge in COVID-19 cases, as they are prescribed only for patients at higher risk of developing severe illness, the CDC said. The CDC's statement Sunday pushed back against questions raised by Taipei City Councilor Hou Han-ting (), who questioned the adequacy of Taiwan's COVID-19 medication supply in a Facebook post the day before. The New Party city councilor noted that the Ministry of Health and Welfare projected up to 1.81 million COVID-19 cases and questioned whether the 810,000 courses of medication would leave 1 million patients without access to treatment. The CDC said the health ministry estimated up to 1.71 million hospital visits due to COVID-19 between late May and early June -- not the 1.81 million cases Hou cited in his post. Only about 20 percent of people who test positive for COVID-19 are prescribed antiviral treatments to prevent severe illness or death, while others receive medication for mild symptoms, the CDC said. The CDC also responded to an op-ed by Wang Jen-hsien (), president of the Taiwan Counter Contagious Diseases Society, published in Sunday's edition of the China Times, in which he argued that the government does not need to promote vaccination when only Moderna's mRNA-based vaccine is available. The CDC denied the claim that it only offers Moderna vaccines, saying Taiwan has been procuring COVID-19 vaccines from both Moderna and Novavax since May 2023. It is the government's responsibility to provide evidence-based expert recommendations so the public can make informed decisions about vaccination, the CDC said. The vaccination is not mandatory, it added. (By Chen Chieh-ling and Kay Liu) Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Wang Yi Meets with Mauritanian Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: May 30, 2025 23:55 On the evening of May 30, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Hong Kong with Mauritanian Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, who attended the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed). Wang Yi noted, it is the common aspiration of all countries to properly resolve disputes through dialogue and consultation, which is an important background for the establishment of the IOMed. Mediation works when all parties accept it willingly and it is conducive to developing countries, especially small- and medium-sized ones, in better safeguarding their legitimate interests. Wang Yi said, this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Mauritania. Over the past 60 years, the two sides have always treated each other with mutual respect and equality, setting an example of mutual support, mutual benefit and win-win results between developing countries. During the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in September last year, President Xi Jinping and President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani jointly announced the establishment of a strategic partnership, charting the course for the development of bilateral relations. China is ready to work with Mauritania to fully deliver on the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state, carry forward the traditional friendship, consolidate unity and cooperation, jointly maintain peace and stability in the Sahel region, and constantly create new prospects for the development of the China-Mauritania strategic partnership. Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug extended congratulations on the successful signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed, and said that he looks forward to the IOMed playing an important role in safeguarding international peace and security. The friendly relations between Mauritania and China are solid. China is a true strategic partner of Mauritania. Mauritania remains firmly committed to the one-China policy, and upholds that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. Mauritania is ready to work with China to jointly celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, enhance exchanges at all levels, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and promote the continuous development of bilateral relations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Wang Yi Meets with Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: May 30, 2025 23:55 On the afternoon of May 30, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Hong Kong with Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, who attended the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed). Wang Yi noted their joint attendance at the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed in the morning. Laos has actively participated in the establishment of the IOMed and is among the first to sign the Convention, making significant contributions, which China appreciates. The establishment of the IOMed aligns with the trend of the times and conforms to the spirit of the United Nations Charter. It has explored new paths and built a new platform for resolving international disputes and maintaining peace and stability. Wang Yi expressed the belief that Laos will continue playing an active role in facilitating the early entry into force of the Convention and promoting the effective functioning of the IOMed. Wang Yi said that China and Laos, sharing common ideals and standing together through thick and thin, always treat each other with sincerity and offer mutual support. Under the strategic guidance of General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, the building of the China-Laos community with a shared future has steadily advanced, demonstrating the broad prospects of the development of relations between the two Parties and two countries. China is ready to work with Laos, focusing on implementing the important common understandings reached by the top leaders of the two Parties and two countries, to deepen strategic cooperation, foster new drivers of cooperation, enhance coordination and collaboration at both bilateral and multilateral levels, jointly resist unilateralism and bullying acts, uphold multilateralism and international fairness and justice, and advance the China-Laos community with a shared future to a higher level. Saleumxay Kommasith extended congratulations on the successful signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed, saying that mediation reflects the cultural characteristics of Asia and is a preferred approach for many developing countries in resolving disputes. He expressed confidence that the IOMed will attract more countries to join and play an important role in promoting regional peace and security. The Lao side expressed appreciation for China's long-standing and firm support, and expressed the willingness to implement the important common understandings reached by the top leaders of the two Parties and two countries, strengthen exchanges at all levels, advance cooperation projects such as the Laos-China-Thailand Railway, and work for more outcomes in building the Laos-China community with a shared future. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Wang Yi Meets with Swiss Federal Councillor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: May 30, 2025 23:54 On the afternoon of May 30, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Hong Kong with Swiss Federal Councillor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, who attended the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed). Wang Yi said that Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis's special trip to Hong Kong to attend the event demonstrated both his personal and Switzerland's support for the establishment of the IOMed. It also reflected Switzerland's positive attitude as a neutral country in practicing multilateralism and supporting the resolution of differences through dialogue and consultation. The Chinese side commends Switzerland for leveraging its role as a "bridge-builder" in international affairs and looks forward to working with the Swiss side to enhance communication, collaboration and experience sharing in areas such as dispute resolution through the new platform of the IOMed. Efforts should be made to ensure the successful development and operation of the IOMed, the first intergovernmental organization specialized in mediation, enabling it to interact and reinforce mutually with arbitration and judiciary, while jointly practicing multilateralism and upholding international fairness and justice. Wang Yi said that the successful practice of "One Country, Two Systems" in Hong Kong has effectively promoted social stability and economic development in the region. He expressed the hope that Switzerland will deepen exchanges and cooperation with Hong Kong across various fields to achieve mutual benefits and win-win outcomes. Wang Yi also introduced the recent high-level meeting on economic and trade affairs between China and the United States in Geneva and expressed appreciation for the facilitation provided by Switzerland. Ignazio Cassis extended congratulations on the successful signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed, describing it as a significant step toward resolving differences through mediation and a new area of cooperation between Switzerland and China. He said that today's world is full of uncertainties and called for a greater role from China. Switzerland is honored to contribute to the China-U.S. high-level meeting on economic and trade affairs in Geneva, and is willing to maintain a positive approach toward China and advance Switzerland-China relations by taking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity. The two sides also had an exchange of views on international and regional issues such as the Iranian nuclear issue and the Ukraine crisis. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin Holds the China-Russia-Mongolia Deputy Foreign Ministers' Consultation Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: May 30, 2025 11:06 On May 29, 2025, Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin held the China-Russia-Mongolia Deputy Foreign Ministers' Consultation in Beijing with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Andrey Rudenko and State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Munkhtushig Lkhanaajav. Liu Bin said that under the strategic guidance of the three heads of state, China, Russia, and Mongolia have focused on implementing the mid-term roadmap for trilateral cooperation, and actively advanced the construction of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor and key trilateral cooperation projects, which have brought tangible benefits to the people of the three countries. China is ready to work with Russia and Mongolia to continuously consolidate political mutual trust, ward off external interference, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance coordination within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and constantly enrich the substance of trilateral cooperation. Russia and Mongolia highly praised the positive outcomes achieved in trilateral cooperation, expressing their willingness to implement the important common understandings reached by the three heads of state and advance trilateral cooperation to a new level. Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin also held a bilateral meeting with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrey Rudenko. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Head of PLA National Defense University delegation delivers speech at Shangri-La Dialogue, expressing opposition against unilateralism, hegemonic bullying Global Times By Guo Yuandan and Xia Wenxin in Singapore and Liu Caiyu in Beijing Published: May 31, 2025 08:17 PM Rear Admiral Hu Gangfeng, Vice President of the National Defense University of the PLA, attended the third simultaneous session of the Shangri-La Dialogue titled "Cooperative Maritime Security in the Asia Pacific" and delivered a speech on Saturday afternoon. Hu said that China will uphold President Xi Jinping's three global initiatives, actively practice the concept of a maritime community with a shared future, and create a peaceful, friendly, and cooperative sea in the Asia-Pacific through cooperation. In his speech, Hu said, first, China adheres to true multilateralism, maintains maritime security order in the Asia-Pacific, and uphold the concept of Asia-Pacific governance based on consultation, joint construction, and sharing. China opposes unilateralism and hegemonic bullying. China also opposes turning the Asia-Pacific waters into an arena for pursuing hegemony; and firmly opposes illegal actions that create division, obstruct unification, and harm the core interests of sovereign nations. Second, Hu said that China insists on sincere dialogue and consultation to promote lasting maritime peace in the Asia-Pacific. Territorial and maritime rights disputes should be resolved peacefully through friendly consultations among the directly involved parties, adhering to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. China opposes any actions that deliberately draw lines without regard for right or wrong, or that incite conflict, Hu said at the session. Third, China upholds equal exchanges and mutual learning to create a bright future for the Asia-Pacific at sea. This should be based on the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness. He emphasized the insistence to a shared security model in Asia, seeks common ground while reserving differences, and promotes dialogue and consultation, in order to create an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future and build a community with a shared future for mankind. Hu said 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. We must firmly defend the legacy of World War II and resolutely uphold the post-war international order. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The US Secretary of Defense exaggerates 'China threat' in his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Chinese FM expresses strong dissatisfaction Global Times By Global Times Published: Jun 01, 2025 01:01 AM It was reported that on Saturday, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, in which he exaggerated the so-called "China threat" and made negative remarks on Taiwan question and South China Sea issue. The Chinese Foreign Ministry (FM) stated on Sunday that Hegseth ignored the calls of regional countries for peace and development, promoted a Cold War mentality of bloc confrontation, smeared and attacked China, and exaggerated the "China threat theory"remarks that were full of provocation. China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to these remarks and has made solemn representations to the US, the FM said. In fact, the US is the world's true hegemonic power and the biggest factor undermining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, the FM continued. In order to maintain its hegemony and advance the so-called "Indo-Pacific Strategy," the US has deployed offensive weapons in the South China Sea, stoked tensions, and created instabilityturning the region into a "powder keg" and arousing deep concern among regional countries. The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, and no foreign country has the right to interfere. The US should not entertain illusions about using the Taiwan question as a bargaining chip to contain China, nor should it play with fire. China urges the US to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, and to stop supporting "Taiwan independence" forces. There has never been a problem with freedom of navigation or overflight in the South China Sea. China has always insisted on addressing differences with relevant countries through dialogue and consultation, and on safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with law. The US is the biggest factor undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea, the FM said. China urges the US to genuinely respect the efforts of regional countries to maintain peace and stability, stop deliberately undermining the region's peaceful environment, refrain from exaggerating conflicts and confrontation, and avoid further exacerbating tensions, the FM added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Experts blast Dutch accusation of Chinese chip espionage as 'baseless', stress self-reliant tech progress Global Times By Global Times Published: Jun 01, 2025 08:42 PM Chinese experts rejected the claim made by Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans on Saturday that China was targeting the Netherlands for espionage, particularly in the semiconductor sector. They described the allegation as politically motivated and lacking factual support, experts said, emphasizing that China's progress in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing is based on independent innovation. The Dutch military intelligence agency claimed in its annual report in April 2024 that China had shown interest in sectors such as semiconductors, aerospace, and maritime industries. Commenting on this issue, on Saturday, Brekelmans claimed that cyber activities originating from China are "intensifying," Reuters reported. "The semiconductor industry, which we are technologically leading, or technology advanced, of course, to get that intellectual property - that's interesting to China," Brekelmans said in an interview on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security meeting in Singapore, according to Reuters. Ma Jihua, a veteran telecom industry analyst, told the Global Times on Sunday that such claims are baseless. He added that the Dutch minister's comments mirror the US position, framing semiconductor technology as a political and strategic weapon against China. Ma emphasized that China's progress in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing is driven primarily by independent innovation and ongoing global collaboration. "Breakthroughs have come from internal momentum - China's comprehensive industrial chain, deep talent pool, and strong domestic demand," he noted. "As China advances in technological innovation out of necessity, some Western countries' baseless criticism reflects growing unease over their gradually diminishing tech advantage," Ma said. Ma said cybersecurity is a shared global responsibility, and China has consistently worked to safeguard its own networks while opposing all forms of cyberattacks. He criticized the Dutch official's remarks as exploiting security concerns to serve commercial interests and align with efforts to suppress China's high-tech sector. "The claim lacks both evidence and logic," Ma said. Xiang Ligang, a Chinese telecommunications expert, told the Global Times on Sunday that lithography technologies are among the most heavily protected industrial secrets and cannot be obtained through simple cyber intrusions or piecemeal information. "Assuming that core breakthroughs can be achieved through hacking shows a lack of understanding of the technology," he said. China's progress in lithography has come through continuous independent innovation, and growing Western suspicions reflect anxiety over China's accelerating technological rise, he said. On February 7, 2024, in response to a report from the Netherlands that claimed that Chinese hackers launched cyberattacks on one of the networks of the Dutch Ministry of Defence, a spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands said China always firmly opposes and cracks down on cyberattacks in all forms in accordance with the law. We will not allow any country or individual using Chinese infrastructure to engage in such illegal activities. Cyber security is a common challenge of all countries. China opposes any malicious speculations and groundless accusations. We uphold jointly safeguarding cyber security through dialogue and cooperation, the spokesperson said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cuba slams US diplomat's 'meddling, provocative' conduct amid rising tensions Iran Press TV Saturday, 31 May 2025 7:15 AM Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement of protest against the head of the United States mission to the island, criticizing his "meddling" and "provocative" behavior since his arrival late last year. In a news release published on Friday, the Cuban Foreign Ministry said Michael Hammer, a career diplomat, has been "irresponsibly" inciting Cuban citizens to act against the government. "By inciting Cuban citizens to commit extremely serious criminal acts, attacking the constitutional order, or encouraging them to act against the authorities or demonstrate in support of the interests and objectives of a hostile foreign power, the diplomat is engaging in provocative and irresponsible conduct," read the statement. It added that the immunity enjoyed by an American diplomat could not be used as cover for his misconduct, contrary to the sovereignty and internal order of the country before which he is accredited. The statement added that the US official had violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and also the agreement to re-establish diplomatic relations signed between the two governments. Hammer has traveled to several Cuban cities in the past weeks where he has held meetings with anti-government opposition leaders. During his visits, he incited the opposition to do acts of civil disobedience and violence. At a press conference in Miami, Florida, Hammer revealed that the White House aims to apply new measures to tighten the decades-long blockade slapped on Cuba. Miami is the stronghold of the Cuban American community in the United States and the main destination for dissidents fleeing Cuba. Since 1958, the US has imposed an embargo on Cuba, preventing US businesses from conducting trade or commerce with the island. There have been efforts to ease tensions, notably during the administrations of Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden in the US. In the waning days of his term in January, Biden removed Cuba from the US's list of "state sponsors of terrorism." But upon taking office for his second time on January 20, Donald Trump reversed course, putting Cuba back on the list that very same day. In recent months, there have also been signs that Trump plans to return to the "maximum pressure" campaigns that typified foreign policy during his first term. Hammer had also recently signaled that new sanctions were on the way for the island. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea slams US for threatening global peace, warns of 'powerful' response Iran Press TV Saturday, 31 May 2025 11:09 AM North Korea's state security minister has said that the US's unilateral and militaristic approach to foreign policy threatens global stability, vowing a response of "powerful might" should the US continue its current course. Ri Chang-dae made the remarks on Wednesday during a speech at a high-level security officials' meeting held in Moscow from Tuesday to Thursday, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Friday. "Due to the arbitrariness and abuse of power by certain forces on the international stage, the internationally recognized principles of international relations are openly being ignored," the KCNA quoted Ri as saying. He harshly criticized the US for posing a continuing threat to the foundation of global peace and security through its "unilateral and militaristic hegemonic" policies and pursuing its own power and interests against the wishes of the international community. "We will never stay silent to any kinds of hostile acts that threaten the country's autonomy and dignity and the people's wellbeing," Ri also said, adding that his country will "respond with powerful might." The minister also expressed determination to align closely with Russia, saying his country "will fulfill its responsibilities to build an equal, multipolar world, and guarantee global peace and security." According to Russian news agency Tass, Ri held a meeting with Russia's Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Moscow on Wednesday, during which they discussed issues related to North Korea's deployment of troops to support Russia in the war against Ukraine. On Thursday, the United States and ten allies accused Russia and North Korea of engaging in military cooperation that they claim violates UN sanctions. They made the accusations in their first report since joining forces to monitor sanctions against North Korea after Russia vetoed a resolution in March 2024 to continue the monitoring by a UN Security Council. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address INDIAN ARMY CONDUCTS TRIALS OF NEXT-GEN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGIES UNDER SIMULATED OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 31 MAY 2025 3:18PM by PIB Delhi The Indian Army is currently undertaking extensive Capacity Development Demonstrations at key locations across the country, including the Pokhran Field Firing Ranges, Babina Field Firing Ranges, and Joshimath, with dedicated Air Defence equipment demonstrations also scheduled at Agra and Gopalpur. These field trials are being conducted under near-combat conditions, integrating electronic warfare simulations to assess the performance of cutting-edge defence systems rigorously. On 27 May 2025, General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, visited Babina Field Firing Ranges and reviewed the ongoing demonstrations and interacted with all stakeholders. The demonstrations feature a wide array of advanced technologies developed under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aimed at accelerating indigenous capability development. The trials mark a significant step in the Indian Army's roadmap for a "Decade of Transformation" and are designed to ensure rapid absorption of emerging technologies to meet evolving battlefield requirements. A large number of defence industry partners are taking part in the demonstration, reflecting the increasing synergy between the Indian Army and domestic manufacturers. Key platforms undergoing evaluation include: Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) UAV Launched Precision Guided Munition (ULPGM) Runway Independent (RWI) Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) Counter-UAS Solutions Loitering Munitions Specialised Vertical Launch (SVL) Drones Precision Multi Munition Delivery Systems Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDDIS) Low Level Light Weight Radars VSHORADS (Next Generation) IR Systems Electronic Warfare (EW) Platforms Through these evaluations, the Indian Army aims to strengthen its technological edge, enhance operational readiness, and reaffirm its commitment to indigenous innovation and self-reliance in defence capability development. __________________________ NA (Release ID: 2132979) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MAIDEN VISIT OF EUNAVFOR SHIPS TO INDIA India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Ships from Spanish Navy and Italian Navy operating under EUNAVFOR engaged in Table Top Exercise in Mumbai Joint Exercise at Sea, between Indian Navy and EUNAVFOR also planned Posted On: 01 JUN 2025 6:08PM by PIB Delhi ESPS Reina Sofia, commanded by Cdr Salvador Moreno Regil, Spanish Navy and ITS Antonio Marceglia, commanded by Cdr Alberto Bartolomeo, Italian Navy, are in Mumbai from 26 May to 01 Jun 2025 for an operational turn around. Both ships presently operate under European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR). The visit is significant being the first such visit to India conducted under the aegis of the European Union. It is a follow-up to the discussions between Shri Narendra Modi, Honourable Prime Minister of India and Ms Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union, highlighting their shared commitment towards international peace and security. The EUNAVFOR side, led by Rear Admiral Davide Da Pozzo, Force Commander, Op Atalanta, interacted with Rear Admiral Vidyadhar Harke VSM, Chief Staff Officer (Operations), Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy at the Headquarters, Western Naval Command and discussed matters related to furthering maritime cooperation between the two sides. Both sides agreed on the need for extended cooperation in the military domain and the meeting was a stepping stone for expanding avenues of cooperation between the Indian Navy and EUNAVFOR. During the ships' stay in harbour, activities such as Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) and a Table Top Exercise (TTX) were conducted between the two sides, aimed at refining key issues necessary for tactical-level cooperation at sea. Both sides benefitted immensely from the exchanges on experiences gained during Anti-Piracy and Anti-Smuggling operations. The harbour engagements laid the foundation for the Joint Exercise between the Indian Navy and EUNAVFOR which is planned post-departure of the ships from Mumbai on 01 Jun 2025. The exercise at sea will see participation by ESPS Reina Sofia and ITS Antonio Marceglia from EUNAVFOR and ships and aircraft from the Indian Navy. The complex tactical exercises are aimed at enhancing the interoperability between the two sides and will enable seamless operations when deployed for combating non-traditional threats in the Indian Ocean Region. Both India and EU share a strong commitment towards rules-based maritime order, allowing for free and open use of international waters while respecting the territorial integrity of littoral states. The current visit embodies the shared interest of safeguarding legitimate trade and countering non-traditional threats such as piracy, smuggling, and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, which also reflects the discussions undertaken during the 4th India-EU Maritime Security Dialogue, held in New Delhi in March 2025. These maritime engagements would further strengthen the increasing multi-domain cooperation between India and EU, with a common aim of progressing shared interests. ***** VM/SPS (Release ID: 2133148) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Omani foreign minister presents U.S. proposal to Iran: Araqchi IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 31, 2025 Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has announced that during a one-day visit by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi to Tehran he has presented the elements of the U.S. proposal to Iran. "My dear brother @badralbusaidi, distinguished Foreign Minister of Oman, paid a short visit to Tehran today to present elements of a US proposal which will be appropriately responded to in line with the principles, national interests and rights of the people of Iran," Araqchi wrote in a post on his X account. 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. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran rejects West's demand to halt enrichment as 'attempt at dominance' IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 31, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has strongly rejected Western demands for Iran to abandon uranium enrichment, calling them an effort to impose dominance over the Iranian nation. Araqchi was speaking during a visit to Imam Khomeini's mausoleum, south of the capital Tehran, on Saturday to renew his allegiance to the ideals of the late founder of the Islamic Republic. "When the other parties say you must not have enrichment, they are essentially trying to assert a kind of dominance and superiority over us," he said. "Under international law, we have the same right as any other country to benefit from peaceful nuclear technology, including enrichment." Araqchi also dismissed Western concerns over Iran's enrichment program as unjustified grounds to deny the country its legal rights. "They say you must not enrich uranium simply because they are concerned. But is their concern a valid reason to deprive us of a legal and legitimate right?" he asked. He warned that accepting such a demand would be tantamount to accepting foreign domination, something the Iranian people would never tolerate. "Whether or not we need enrichment - and we do - it's unacceptable for some to impose restrictions on us just because they consider themselves powerful," he said. "No one in Iran will submit to that." Speaking at the event, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said there was some progress in indirect negotiations with the United States but rejected unrealistic demands in the talks. "Some people in New York are talking about zero enrichment, but these things are the enemies' pipe dream and are mostly intended for the Zionist society," Mohammad Eslami said. 4354**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran urges IAEA to reflect truth after slamming agency's politically-charged report Iran Press TV Saturday, 31 May 2025 11:55 PM Iran has called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to reflect the realities concerning the Islamic Republic's peaceful nuclear energy program and prevent political exploitation of its coverage of the country's nuclear activities. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the remarks to the IAEA's Director General Rafael Grossi during a telephone conversation on Saturday. The call featured the officials' discussing, among other things, the agency's newly published report on the Islamic Republic. During the exchange, Araghchi reaffirmed the country's continued cooperation with the IAEA, noting that all of its nuclear activities were under the agency's supervision and conducted in line with the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. The agreement allows the IAEA to verify that all nuclear materials in a country are used only for peaceful purposes, and are not diverted towards production of nuclear weapons. The Iranian top diplomat, meanwhile, emphasized that there had been no deviation concerning either nuclear materials or activities at any stage of the nation's nuclear program. FM: IAEA should resist pressure aimed at politicization Araghchi urged Grossi to ensure the agency's reports accurately reflected these facts to prevent certain actors from using the IAEA as a political tool against the Islamic Republic. He also called on the agency's director general to underscore Iran's cooperation with the United Nations nuclear watchdog at the upcoming IAEA Board of Governors' meeting and to caution against politically-driven actions against the country, particularly by European states. Araghchi warned that Iran would respond appropriately to any unjustified move and that responsibility for such outcomes would rest with those politicizing the agency's mission. The remarks concerned underway efforts by the UK, France, and Germany -- the United States allies in a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran -- to return the UN's sanctions against the Islamic Republic by resorting to the so-called "snapback" mechanism. Araghchi's conversation with Grossi came after Iran's Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) issued a joint statement strongly criticizing the IAEA's recent quarterly report, which had accused the Islamic Republic of, what the IAEA had called, stepping up its production of highly enriched uranium. Denouncing the report as "political and unbalanced," the ministry had said that the document had been drafted under pressure from European states and failed to reflect Tehran's comprehensive cooperation with the agency. The statement had dismissed as baseless the IAEA's expression of alleged concern and repeated accusations against the Islamic Republic, asserting that the allegations lacked credible evidence and were being used for political maneuvering. It had also condemned the report for relying heavily on forged documents provided by the Israeli regime. The ministry and the AEOI had regretted that the agency had subjected Iran to its most rigorous verification processes, but closed its eyes on the Israeli regime's extensive nuclear arsenal. The developments came amid threats issued by the United States and the regime, Washington's dearest regional ally, of destroying the Islamic Republic's nuclear sites under the pretext that the country had allowed its nuclear energy program to deviate towards "military purposes." Iran, however, has reiterated that its uranium enrichment program was fully peaceful, transparent, and conducted under the full oversight of the IAEA. Officials have also emphasized that there was no prohibition under the international law against the country's use of nuclear energy for civilian purposes. Tehran additionally underscores that its defense doctrine principally excludes nuclear weapons entirely as per a fatwa (binding religious decree) issued by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran received 'elements of' a US proposal from Oman; will respond in line with nation's interests, rights: FM Iran Press TV Saturday, 31 May 2025 9:28 PM Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has confirmed Iran's having received parts of a proposal from the United States as conveyed by Oman's top diplomat, whose country is serving as the intermediary in indirect talks between Tehran and Washington. The Iranian official made the announcement in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday. "My dear brother Badr Albusaidi, distinguished Foreign Minister of Oman, paid a short visit to Tehran today to present elements of a US proposal," he wrote. The foreign minister did not disclose the contents of the proposal, but emphasized that Tehran's response would be measured and consistent with its sovereign values and priorities. "It (the portions of the proposals that have been conveyed to Iran) will be appropriately responded to in line with the principles, national interests, and rights of the people of Iran." Also on Saturday, Araghchi reiterated during an event in the capital Tehran that Iran's foreign policy, including its position on the nuclear issue, remained rooted in firm rejection of foreign domination. He underscored the Islamic Republic's right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, calling it a non-negotiable national entitlement. "The statement that you should not carry out enrichment is itself a form of domination. Why shouldn't we have enrichment? This is absolutely unacceptable to the Iranian nation." Iran and the United States have been engaged in indirect Omani-facilitated talks since April in an effort to resolve outstanding issues between the two sides. The US has, on multiple occasions, threatened military aggression against Iran's nuclear sites and also insisted on the Islamic Republic's reducing its uranium enrichment levels to "zero." Tehran, though, has maintained that recognition of its nuclear rights and the lifting of the US's illegal and unilateral sanctions were non-negotiable matters. Still addressing the event, Araghchi stressed that Tehran remained committed to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and highlighted a fatwa (religious decree) that had been issued by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, which categorically bans development of nuclear weapons. President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a recent interview with Oman's state television, reiterated that while Tehran was open to whatever instance of cooperation to further prove the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities, it would not compromise on its rights. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Role of new Iran-China rail line in changing global order Iran Press TV Saturday, 31 May 2025 11:43 AM Missing from the headlines amid the fifth round of indirect talks with the US, a freight train from China rolled into Iran last week at a time of a simmering war of corridors. The train from the eastern Chinese city of Xian arrived at the Aprin dry port near Tehran with a cargo of solar panels in time for Iran's ardent push to expand its renewable power capacity. The event flies in the face of President Donald Trump's administration which Reuters has said - whether truly or falsely - is considering stopping and inspecting Iranian oil tankers at sea. With the rail line far from any American military presence, Iran can export oil and import goods from China with the ease of mind if the sea trade is disrupted. Ninety percent of Iran's exports to China are oil-based products such as petrochemicals, petroleum products and gases, or mining-based products such as copper concentrate, iron concentrate, and the like. While these goods are difficult to transport on rail and must be transported by ship, the new route offers a vital just in case solution to keep bilateral trade from the tentacles of US hegemony. Trump has vowed to restore a "maximum pressure" campaign to isolate Iran from the global economy and drive its oil exports to zero. The rail mode shortens the delivery time for goods to 15 days, compared to 30 days via the maritime route and helps China evade the Malacca Strait chokepoint. The Malacca Strait is a narrow waterway where a significant portion of China's crude oil imports from West Asia and Africa pass through. But with the Red Sea having turned into a battle zone between Yemen's resistance forces on one side and Israel and its allies on the other, shipping costs have jumped 250%, according to BBC, and transit has declined by 70 percent. The new line - part of the evolving East-West Corridor linking China to Iran, the Persian Gulf littoral states, Africa and ultimately Europe - presents one of the most secure trade routes currently in play. On May 12, railway officials from Iran, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Turkey met in Tehran to advance a transcontinental rail network linking Asia to Europe. The six nations agreed on competitive tariffs and operational standards to streamline regional rail services and boost trade connectivity. China and Iran have expanded trade and economic relations in recent years. Both countries share a strategic view to counter US global hegemony, having faced sanctions and other pressures from the American side for years. Iran is part of China's One Belt One Road (BRI) initiative, which seeks to re-establish overland trade routes once known as the Silk Road. The rail link integrates Iran into the trillion-dollar BRI and lays the groundwork for deeper political and economic ties. Its genesis lies in a historic 25-year economic cooperation agreement worth $400 billion which they signed in 2021. The successful implementation of the rail project demonstrates the strength and potential of Iran's logistics infrastructure in attracting international cargo. It can serve as a model for developing and strengthening international trade routes and a successful example of regional and international economic integration. Its advantages over some competing corridors such as the trans-Caspian Middle Corridor which includes China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey will increase Iran's transit position in the region, facilitate trade and promote the Islamic Republic's economy and entrepreneurship. In general, the implementation of the East-West Corridor plan under the New Silk Road and the North-South Corridor plan via Iran can enhance the country's position in the new regional order. In a broader perspective, the China-Iran rail connection project is a strategic alternative to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) project which aims to turn Israel into a gateway for trade in goods and energy in West Asia. The IMEC starts in India and stretches to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, before reaching the Israeli occupied territories and Europe through the Mediterranean Sea. In other words, the Iran-China rail project should be seen in the context of a major corridor war of Iran and China with the United States that is set to determine the future of the new world order. Lying ahead is improving the transport and customs infrastructure along the corridor to help further facilitate trade and the movement of goods. Also, efforts to increase the number of trains and improve transportation schedules will help strengthen this corridor and create wider trade networks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's nuclear issue proceeding on principle of 'renouncing domination': Araghchi Iran Press TV Saturday, 31 May 2025 11:20 AM Iran's foreign minister says the country's inalienable right to enrich uranium is based on the principle of "renouncing foreign domination." Abbas Araghchi was speaking during a visit alongside the employees of the Iranian Foreign Ministry to Imam Khomeini's mausoleum in southern Tehran on Saturday to renew their allegiance to the ideals of the late founder of the Islamic Revolution. "The main foundation of [Iran's] foreign policy is based on the mentality and principle of renouncing foreign domination," Araghchi said. "In the very first article of the Constitution, it is stipulated that the establishment of the Islamic Republic is based on the rejection of oppression and being oppressed, and domination and being dominated," he added. "This has been and continues to be the foundation of our movement." The top Iranian diplomat underlined that the same policy is pursued in Tehran's ongoing talks with Washington over the Islamic Republic's nuclear energy file. "There is much to say about the nuclear issue and enrichment as one of the country's necessities, but in nuclear negotiations, another focus of our work relates to the issue of rejecting domination; this has always been our guiding principle in the current negotiations," Araghchi said. "The statement that you should not carry out enrichment is itself domination. Why shouldn't we have enrichment? This is absolutely unacceptable to the Iranian nation." Stressing that the Islamic Republic has been pioneering in the denunciation of nuclear weapons, Araghchi added, "They are by no means entitled to deprive the Iranian nation of its rights. Nuclear energy is the inalienable right of the Iranian people." In an interview with Oman's state television on Wednesday, President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran is prepared for relevant cooperation aimed at proving the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities, but will not relinquish its nuclear rights under any circumstances. Pezeshkian also noted that a fatwa (religious decree) that had been issued by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei had clearly prohibited the Islamic Republic from seeking nuclear weapons. Iran and the United States have been engaged in indirect negotiations, mediated by Oman, since April to find a replacement for the 2015 nuclear agreement - formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iran showed the peaceful nature of its nuclear program to the world by signing the landmark deal with six world powers in 2015. The JCPOA was derailed in 2018 by the US, which unilaterally walked out of the accord and launched its so-called campaign of maximum pressure against Iran. Iran now wants guarantees that the US will terminate all the sanctions and won't again unilaterally derail the new deal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Watchdog Flags 'Serious Concern' Over Iran's Uranium Enrichment Surge By RFE/RL May 31, 2025 Iran has substantially increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels in recent months, multiple media outlets cited a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as saying, likely raising further doubts about a potential deal with the United States on Tehran's nuclear program. Israel reacted swiftly, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office saying the UN nuclear watchdog's confidential May 31 report showed that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons. Tehran, meanwhile, rejected the report, calling it "politically motivated" and saying it will take "appropriate measures" in response to any attempts to take action against the country, without being specific. The agency report said Iran had amassed 408.6 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 percent as of May 17, up from just under 275 kilograms in the IAEA's most recent report, in February, according to the Associated Press. It's a "short, technical step" from 60 percent to weapons-grade levels of 90 percent, AP reported. It cited the IAEA as saying about 42 kilograms of 60 percent enriched uranium is theoretically enough to produce one atomic bomb if enriched further to 90 percent. The IAEA report said Iran is now "the only non-nuclear-weapon state to produce such material," which it said was of "serious concern." It comes as US President Donald Trump has been seeking to forge a deal with Iran to rein in its nuclear activities. Washington and Tehran have held five rounds of talks since Trump, who withdrew the United States from a 2015 international deal with Iran during his first term and reimposed sanctions, returned to office in January of this year. Uranium enrichment has been a major sticking point. The US administration maintains Iran must cease all enrichment activities, and Iran has rejected that demand. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who leads Tehran's negotiating team in the talks, on May 31 said he had received "elements" of a US proposal for a potential deal following the Omani-mediated talks. Araqchi wrote on social media that Omani counterpart Badr al-Busaidi "paid a short visit to Tehran today to present elements of a US proposal which will be appropriately responded to in line with the principles, national interests, and rights of the people of Iran." Senior Iranian officials said on May 29 that any deal must include the removal of sanctions against Tehran and must allow its nuclear program -- which it insists is peaceful -- to continue. Still, Trump said on the following day that he believes an agreement could be reached in the "not too distant future," adding Iran "would rather make a deal" than "be blown up" -- a reference to his repeated warnings that Tehran could face major military consequences if it does not conclude a nuclear pact. On May 28, Trump said he had told Netanyahu to hold off on striking Iran to give the US administration more time to push for a new nuclear deal with Tehran. Shortly after news of the IAEA report emerged, Netanyahu's office said the level of uranium enrichment Iran had reached "exists only in countries actively pursuing nuclear weapons and has no civilian justification whatsoever." The report "strongly reinforces what Israel has been saying for years -- the purpose of Iran's nuclear program is not peaceful," it said in a statement, adding: "The international community must act now to stop Iran." A separate, in-depth IAEA report, which was also confidential and also seen by media outlets, lamented what it said was "less than satisfactory" cooperation from Iran over traces of uranium found by IAEA inspectors at multiple locations that Tehran has not declared to be nuclear sites. Grossi reiterated his "urgent call upon Iran to cooperate full and effectively" with the ongoing IAEA investigation involving those sites. According to AP, "Western officials suspect that the uranium traces discovered by the IAEA could provide evidence that Iran had a secret military nuclear program until 2003." With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-nuclear- uranium-weapons/33430365.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Slams IAEA Report on Uranium Enrichment as Politicized and Biased Sputnik News 20250531 TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Tehran considers the new report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) politicized and protests its contents, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. Earlier the day, a French news agency cited the IAEA as saying in a confidential "comprehensive" report that Iran had accelerated the production of uranium enriched to 60%. The UN nuclear watchdog reportedly called Tehran's cooperation "less than satisfactory." "Iran regrets the publication of this report, which was prepared solely for political purposes by pressuring the IAEA, and expresses its protest against its contents. This report goes beyond the duties assigned to the IAEA Director General [Rafael Grossi] and violates the professional norms governing the activities of international organizations, especially the principle of impartiality," the ministry said in a statement. The ministry said that Iran's military posture "leaves no room for nuclear weapons" and warned that Iran would take action against countries that might seek to misuse the IAEA report at the IAEA Board of Governors' meeting. The ministry also accused Israel of feeding the UN nuclear watchdog "unreliable, misleading" intel for its latest report a move Tehran says violates the IAEA's standards of professional verification. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran will make appropriate decisions if its patience is abused: Foreign Ministry IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 1, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi emphasizes that Iran's nuclear program remains peaceful, warning of appropriate decisions if its patience is "abused" by certain countries. Gharibabadi made the comments in a statement in response to a report issued by Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (I.A.E.A.) Rafael Grossi alleging that Iran had carried out nuclear activities with undeclared materials. "The Islamic Republic of Iran is neither pursuing nuclear weapons nor does it possess any undeclared nuclear materials or activities. Iran has hitherto remained committed to all of its obligations," Gharibabadi said in his detailed statement published on the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website Sunday. He also warned that Iran will be compelled to "adopt and implement appropriate decisions" should its patience abused by certain countries. The full text of Gharibabadi's statement is as follows: The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency has released his new report regarding certain safeguards-related matters pertaining to the Islamic Republic of Iran. In this regard, I wish to convey the following points: First, the IAEA's Director General has cited the November 2024 Resolution as the mandate for the preparation of this report. Regrettably, the resolution in question was adopted in a political move by the three European states and the United States in the Board of Governors without consensus and with total disregard for the outcomes of the Director General's visit to Iran. It is unfortunate that the Director General, in the present report, has made no reference whatsoever to this disregard for his mandate by those states. Second, the entirety of this report pertains to the alleged presence of a limited amount of nuclear material at four purported locations more than two decades ago, based on a series of fabricated data provided by the Zionist regime. Notably, nowhere in the report is there any ambiguity concerning Iran's current nuclear activities or any deviation in its nuclear materials or operations. In this regard, several points merit consideration: All allegations pertaining to Iran's past nuclear program were, pursuant to the November 2015 Resolution following the conclusion of the JCPOA, formally closed. The I.A.E.A.'s current actions are, therefore, in explicit contradiction with the provisions of the resolution in question and constitute a political attempt to resurrect unproven and misleading allegations. The I.A.E.A. itself states in the report that two of the four locations in questionnamely Lavizan-Shian and the so-called Marivanare no longer considered outstanding issues. The emphasis placed on these two matters and their reappearance in the report serve no purpose other than to repackage old, unsubstantiated allegations into an inflated dossier for the purpose of renewed political exploitation against Iran. As to the other two sitesVaramin and Turquzabadit must be underscored that Iran has furnished the I.A.E.A. with the necessary explanations and supporting documents, including during two recent visits by the Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Safeguards to Tehran. The Islamic Republic of Iran has had no undeclared nuclear materials or activities, nor does it currently possess any. It is a matter of record that extensive documentation and explanations have been submitted to the I.A.E.A. regarding these two sites, the allegations concerning which date back more than twenty years. While all of Iran's nuclear materials and activities are under the I.A.E.A. monitoring and verification and no deviation has been observed, the magnification of these two alleged issues and the exaggerated expression of concern thereon is a mere pretext to fabricate a contrived sense of alarmparticularly in a region where the Zionist regime remains outside all instruments of weapons of mass destruction disarmament treaties and is armed with such weaponry, while the Agency and the claimant states lack the courage to take any action. Third, although the I.A.E.A. claims in its report that "these three locations, and other possible related locations, were part of an undeclared structured nuclear programme carried out by Iran until the early 2000s and that some activities used undeclared nuclear material," it also explicitly affirms elsewhere in the same report that "the Agency has found no credible indications of the existence of an undeclared structured nuclear program currently being implemented in Iran, and it takes note of statements by Iran's highest authorities that the use of nuclear weapons is incompatible with Islamic law." This acknowledgment by the I.A.E.A. reveals that, under political pressure from certain states, the Agency has been reduced to an instrument for reopening previously closed files, thereby exerting pressure on Iran. Fourth, another issue raised in the report that lies entirely outside the scope of the I.A.E.A.'s assigned mandate is that of 60% uranium enrichment. The report states: "Although enrichment activities under safeguards are not prohibited per se, the fact that Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon State producing and accumulating uranium enriched up to 60% continues to be a source of serious concern and has drawn international attention in view of its potential proliferation implications." On this point, it must be emphasized that so long as a country's nuclear activities are under the I.A.E.A.'s monitoring, there is no cause for concern. According to Agency instruments, there exists no limitation on the level of enrichment, and the only relevant restriction is the prohibition on the diversion of such activities or materials to non-peaceful purposes. Within this framework, the Director General has neither the right nor even the obligation to designate a lawful activity as one of concern. Mr. Grossi's action in this regard is entirely political and aligned with the interests of certain specific states, for which he must be held accountable. Fifth, another extraneous matter raised by Mr. Grossi in the report relates to Modified Code 3.1. It must be acknowledged that following the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and the failure of the three European parties to fulfill their obligations under the agreement, the Islamic Republic of Iranin execution of the Strategic Action Law enacted by the Islamic Consultative Assemblysuspended the implementation of its voluntary nuclear obligations beyond the Safeguards Agreement under the JCPOA. Modified Code 3.1, which pertains to the early declaration of nuclear facilities, does not constitute a safeguards obligation, and the IAEA's continued invocation of it as such does not confer any legitimacy thereon. Sixth, the report further alleges that "in recent years, Iran has implemented de-designations of experienced inspectors in a manner that undermines the Agency's ability to implement safeguards effectively and efficiently." It must be noted, however, that pursuant to the I.A.E.A.'s report on the implementation of the Safeguards Agreement in 2024, as of 31 December 2024, a total of 274 inspectors were employed in Iran's operational divisions and the verification office, with 120 of those inspectors specifically stationed in the Iran verification office. That the Islamic Republic of Iran, in response to the political action of the three European states in the Board of Governors, revoked the designation of certain inspectors of those nationalities must not be interpreted as an impairment of the I.A.E.A.'s capacity or capability in Iran. It is self-evident that Iran cannot reasonably be expected to place full confidence in inspectors holding the nationality of such states, and the withdrawal of their designation constitutes the Islamic Republic of Iran's sovereign right under the Safeguards Agreement. It is indeed regrettable that Mr. Grossi ignores the presence and work of 120 inspectors of various nationalities operating in Iran and reduces the entirety of the I.A.E.A.'s capability to a mere handful of inspectors from three European states. Seventh, all of the foregoing stands in stark contrast to the fact that this very report states: "Iran continues to cooperate with the Agency on routine safeguards matters, and the Agency is undertaking extensive verification efforts in the country in line with its nuclear fuel cycle and related activities." Moreover, the 2024 Safeguards Implementation Report notes: "Based on the evaluation conducted, the Secretariat has concluded that the declared nuclear material in 31 States, including Iran, remained in peaceful activities." That same report also contains several noteworthy figures. For instance, it indicates that among the 32 countries that have concluded safeguards agreements without Additional Protocols in force, of which Iran is one, 21 out of 100 safeguarded nuclear facilities are located in Iran. Of the 682 inspections conducted among this group of states, 493 were carried out in Iran alone. Out of 224 design information verifications, 144 were conducted solely in Iran. Of the total 1,895 inspector-days across this group, 1,260 were expended in Iran alone. Furthermore, the report states that 22,626,000 of the Agency's regular 38,905,000 budget for 2024 was spent exclusively in Iran. Additionally, 4,300,000 of the Agency's 28,000,000 in extrabudgetary or voluntary contributions were also allocated to activities in Iran. What does such an extensive volume of the Agency's activities in Iran signify, if not Iran's constructive and comprehensive cooperation with the I.A.E.A.? That the Agency has found no diversion and no irregularity whatsoever with respect to the ongoing safeguards concerning Iran's nuclear materials and activities, yet has directed its focus toward previously closed matterswhat does this indicate, if not a politically motivated act carried out under the pressure of certain states? Eighth, throughout the history of the I.A.E.A., numerous instances of politicization and political manipulation have been observed within this international body. The deafening silence of Western countries, the United States, and Agency officials in the face of the Zionist Israeli regime exemplifies this politicization. On the other hand, we have previously witnessed that, in the case of two Member States of the Agency and the Non-Proliferation Treaty that had conducted undeclared enrichment activities, their files were closed in the Board of Governors without any consequential action whatsoever. Why, then, are the I.A.E.A. and certain states seeking to fabricate a contrived dossier against the Islamic Republic of Iran by reviving unsubstantiated and, indeed, closed allegations? The judgment lies indeed with the court of public opinion. Ninth, and finally, let it be stated unequivocally: the Islamic Republic of Iran is neither pursuing nuclear weapons nor does it possess any undeclared nuclear materials or activities. Iran has hitherto remained committed to all of its obligations. The cost that Iran has borne has been for the sake of preserving its dignity, honor, progress, and steadfastness in the face of coercion and the hegemonic ambitions of certain powers. Should these states choose to abuse Iran's patience and persist in their erroneous path, Iran will be compelled, commensurate with the evolving circumstances and actions of the other parties, to adopt and implement appropriate decisions, the responsibility, consequences, and ramifications of which shall rest entirely with those states. 4208**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tehran: I.A.E.A. report distorted by Israeli fabrications and Western agenda IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 1, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran has strongly condemned the latest report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.) as unbalanced and politically motivated, saying the report has been shaped by fabricated information provided by Israel and aligns with the agenda of Western powers. In a joint statement, the Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (A.E.O.I.) maintained that at a time when the Islamic Republic continues to cooperate with the I.A.E.A. under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and the issuance of joint statements, the report makes references to minor, irrelevant, and extra-mandate issues. The following is the full text of the joint statement: In view of the recent report issued by the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, contained in document GOV/2025/25 dated 31 May 2025, the Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran deem it necessary to put emphasis on the following points: The governments of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the United States of America have repeatedly violated their commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and Security Council Resolution 2231, while simultaneously resorting to imposing illegal unilateral sanctions and pressures against the Islamic Republic of Iran in breach of principles of international law. At the November 2024 meeting of the I.A.E.A. Board of Governors, these countries, through an unjustified political move and regardless of the achievements of the director general's visit to Iran, presented a resolution against the Islamic Republic of Iran. This approach resulted in the lack of support from many members, exposing the political and destructive nature of the resolution's sponsors. The stance once again proved that the European troika and the US are not sincere in their claims to preserve the I.A.E.A.'s credibility and in their efforts to reach an agreement. They have spared no effort to use the agency for leverage in the ongoing political process. Despite serious reservations regarding the content and direction of the Board of Governors' resolution dated November 21, 2024 and legitimate opposition to the approach of the European troika and the US as the resolution's sponsors, the Islamic Republic of Iran, based on a principled approach founded on constructive interaction with the I.A.E.A. within the framework of its rights and obligations stipulated under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, has sincerely continued its extensive cooperation with the agency. In this regard, the director general of the I.A.E.A. has visited Tehran twice, and Iran has also hosted the deputy director general for safeguards on two occasions. Unfortunately, despite such broad cooperation on part of Iran, the comprehensive report prepared, although acknowledging Iran's cooperation, does not reflect the actual level of such cooperation. In the report, the director general, by relying extensively on forged documents provided by the Zionist regime, has reiterated previous biased and unfounded accusations. The allegations leveled in the current report are based on a few claims about undeclared activities and locations from past decades. This is while Iran has repeatedly declared that it has had no undeclared nuclear sites or activities. At the same time, Iran has given the I.A.E.A. access to the alleged locations, allowing sampling, and providing detailed information and explanations on various occasions regarding the history of the alleged sites, providing the necessary cooperation with the agency. Other claims in this report revolve around issues such as Iran's sovereign right to accept inspectors, Modified Code 3.1, the joint statement, enrichment levels, and reading intentions. As for the appointment of inspectors, while the I.A.E.A. currently has appointed 125 inspectors for Iran, the cancellation of the mandate of a small number of them based on the sovereign and indisputable rights of the Islamic Republic (Article 9 of the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement) is a completely normal action and is in line with the rights of member states of the treaty. At a time when Iran continues to cooperate with the I.A.E.A. under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and the issuance of joint statements, the released report makes references to minor, irrelevant, and extra-mandate issues. The Islamic Republic of Iran would like to stipulate that the improper distinction between obligations under the NPT and voluntary commitments under the JCPOA is another fundamental flaw of this report. The report has been prepared in a way that some of Iran's voluntary actions are incorrectly presented as binding safeguards obligations, whereas the legal basis for such an interpretation is not supported by the agency's foundational documents nor does the Islamic Republic have such legal commitments. Meanwhile, invoking unreliable and misleading information provided by the Zionist regime as a non-NPT party possessing weapons of mass destruction and responsible for the most heinous crimes against humanity, including genocide, contradicts the professional verification principles of the I.A.E.A. These points lead the Islamic Republic of Iran to conclude that the structure and content of the report are unbalanced and fail to comprehensively and accurately evaluate the factors affecting the current situation, including the US's withdrawal from the JCPOA and the fundamental non-compliance of European countries with their commitments under the deal. While voicing regret over the publication of the report, which was prepared with political objectives through pressure on the agency, the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly protests its content. The report goes beyond the director general's mandate and conflicts with the professional requirements governing international organizations, including the principle of impartiality. The repetition of baseless allegations that cannot lend credibility to these claims, coupled with voicing too much concern in this regard, serves merely as a pretext for political propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran. This is while the fake Israeli regime, without being a signatory to the NPT, possesses a nuclear arsenal and simultaneously threatens the peaceful nuclear facilities of an NPT member nation. Unfortunately, despite his legal duties and repeated requests from the Islamic Republic of Iran to condemn these threats, the I.A.E.A. director general has taken no action. The Islamic Republic of Iran expresses deep regret about the director general's lack of impartiality and his disregard for professional conduct under political pressures in the preparation and publication of the report. The Islamic Republic also warns against any political exploitation of the report's contents and reiterates the following: According to a fatwa issued by the Leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution, nuclear weapons have no place in the nation's defense doctrine; In accordance with fundamental principles of international law, there is no prohibition or restriction on the inherent and inalienable right of any country to peaceful nuclear energy; Iran's enrichment program is solely for peaceful purposes, fully transparent, under complete I.A.E.A. supervision, and in accordance with the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement; Had it not been for the political motives and hypocrisy of the European troika and the US at the agency, such an unfair and repetitive report would have had no justification. In conclusion, it is emphasized that should certain countries seek to misuse Iran's cooperation and engagement with the Agency, as well as its transparent and confidence-building approach in the Agency's verification activities or the current report during the Board of Governors meeting, the Islamic Republic of Iran will adopt and implement appropriate measures in response to such an approach, in order to safeguard the country's legitimate rights and interests. The consequences and responsibility for such actions will rest with those countries. 4354**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Araqchi warns of proper response if I.A.E.A. meeting is used for anti-Iran political agenda IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 1, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has urged Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.), to clarify Iran's cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog during the upcoming meeting of the Board of Governors, warning that Iran will respond appropriately to any improper move by European countries. Araqchi and Grossi spoke on the phone on Saturday evening following a newly released report by the I.A.E.A. on Iran's nuclear program. The report comes ahead of the Board of Governors' meeting scheduled for June 9-13. The top diplomat referred to Iran's continuous cooperation with the I.A.E.A., saying that the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities are under the agency's supervision and within the framework of the Safeguards Agreement. He also emphasized that there has been no diversion in the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities and materials, calling on the director general to accurately reflect the realities of the Iranian nuclear program to prevent some parties from misusing the I.A.E.A. for their political agenda against the Iranian nation. Araqchi also urged Grossi to clarify Iran's cooperation with the I.A.E.A. and highlight the repercussions of any political move against Iran when the agency's Board of Governors meet in Vienna later in the month. Iran will respond appropriately to any improper moves by European countries, Araqchi warned, stressing that the responsibility would lie on those who exploit the I.A.E.A. and its arrangements to pursue their political agenda against Iran. 4208**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Air Force ready to defend Iran skies 'under any circumstances': Commander Iran Press TV Sunday, 01 June 2025 6:17 PM Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF), Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi, says his force is vigilant and fully ready to defend the country's skies "under any circumstances." Vahedi made the remark in a meeting with Air Force commanders of Shahid Habibi air base in the northeastern city of Mashhad on Sunday. He said constant vigilance and quick response are among the most important principles of Iran's Air Force, given the volatile situation in the region. He added that his unit must maintain its continuous preparedness and improve its capabilities. "The IRIAF is ready to provide a decisive defense of the country's airspace under any circumstances," the chief commander emphasized. Vahedi stressed the importance of making use of indigenous knowledge in the Air Force, saying, "We are duty-bound to maintain the deterrent power of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force at the highest level by relying on domestic expertise and knowledge." He noted that continuous maneuvers and specialized training ensure the operational readiness of the Air Force's pilots and technical personnel. Iran has relied on domestic knowledge and expertise to make significant strides toward enhancing the self-sufficiency of its Armed Forces. Following the directives of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Iranian officials have consistently emphasized that the country will not hesitate to enhance its military capabilities, which are solely for defensive purposes and, therefore, non-negotiable. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In key visit to Egypt, Iran FM plans to discuss bilateral ties, regional crises: Envoy Iran Press TV Sunday, 01 June 2025 3:52 PM Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to hold talks with top officials in Egypt and Lebanon to discuss bilateral relations and regional crises during his upcoming two-leg trip. Araghchi will begin his two-day visit on Monday. Mohammad Hossein Soltani-Fard, head of Iran's Interests Section in Cairo, said on Sunday that Araghchi's visit to Cairo will take place at the invitation of his Egyptian counterpart, Tasnim news agency reported. As part of his consultations with key regional players on the latest developments, Araghchi will travel to Egypt and Lebanontwo leading and influential countries in the region, he added. The Iranian foreign minister is expected to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, his counterpart Badr Abdelatty, as well as political and economic elites, according to Soltani-Fard. Highlighting the "clear objectives" of the visit, the envoy emphasized that ongoing regional crisesincluding the Gaza war, Israeli military aggression, and the conflicts in Sudan and Libyacall for dialogue and negotiations among "influential and impactful" nations. Regarding Tehran-Cairo relations, he noted that progress has been steady, with regular consultations and intensive discussions between the foreign ministers of the two countries. He said he hopes Iran and Egypt will take the "final steps" toward enhancing relations in the very near future. Iran supports Egypt's opposition to forced displacement of Gazans In response to a question about Iran-Egypt cooperation on Palestine, Soltani-Fard said, "The issue of Palestine and Gaza remains a regional priority." "Iran has supported Egypt's stance against the forced migration of Gaza's people and its efforts to secure a ceasefire. Egypt plays a crucial role in this regard," he added. He emphasized that regional and Muslim countriesincluding Iran and Egyptare working toward establishing a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring the Palestinian people's "legitimate rights." Back in December, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian traveled to Egypt, marking the first visit by an Iranian president to the Arab country since 2013a significant event against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions. The primary agenda of the visit was participation in the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, also known as the Developing-8, an organization of developing Muslim nations aimed at fostering economic cooperation within the Islamic world. However, the main significance of the Iranian president's historic visit lay in its potential to open a new chapter of cooperation between Iran and Egypt, building on strenuous efforts made over the past two years. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran warns against 'abusing its patience' after politically-motivated IAEA report Iran Press TV Sunday, 01 June 2025 9:54 AM Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs has rejected a politically-motivated report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about the nation's peaceful nuclear program, warning of appropriate response if certain states "abuse its patience." Kazem Gharibabadi made the remarks on Sunday after the IAEA claimed in a confidential report to member states that Iran has failed to report its nuclear activities at three undeclared locations and raised concerns about the country's stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% purity. He said the report is based on "a series of fabricated data provided by the Zionist regime" dating back to more than two decades ago. All accusations about Iran's past nuclear activities were terminated under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, which formally endorsed the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), he added. Gharibabadi also noted that the report by the UN's nuclear watchdog is once again raising old "unsubstantiated issues" intended for "new political exploitation against Iran." "Iran is neither pursuing nuclear weapons nor does it possess any undeclared nuclear materials or activities. Iran has hitherto remained committed to all of its obligations. The cost that Iran has borne has been for the sake of preserving its dignity, honor, progress, and steadfastness in the face of coercion and the hegemonic ambitions of certain powers," he said. "Should these states choose to abuse Iran's patience and persist in their erroneous path, Iran will be compelledcommensurate with the evolving circumstances and actions of the other partiesto adopt and implement appropriate decisions, the responsibility, consequences, and ramifications of which shall rest entirely with those states." The deputy foreign minister further emphasized that the IAEA - under political pressure from certain states- has turned into a tool of pressure against the Islamic Republic. Expressing concerns about Iran's nuclear materials and activities is a mere pretext to fabricate a contrived sense of alarm, particularly in a region where the nuke-armed Zionist regime remains outside all instruments of weapons of mass destruction disarmament treaties, he pointed out. "So long as a country's nuclear activities are under the IAEA's monitoring, there is no cause for concern." Reports say the IAEA's report could serve as the basis for an anti-Iran resolution during a meeting of the agency's Board of Governors in Vienna on June 9-13. On Saturday, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, urging him to "reflect the realities." He also warned that Tehran would "respond appropriately to any improper actions by European parties." Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) in a joint statement said Grossi is repeating "previous biased and unfounded accusations" against Iran by relying extensively on "forged documents" provided by Israel. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Sends 'Acceptable' Nuclear Deal Offer to Iran - White House Urges Tehran to Say Yes Sputnik News 20250601 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The administration of US President Donald Trump has made Iran a detailed and acceptable offer as part of the nuclear talks, and Tehran should accept it, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. "Special Envoy Witkoff has sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime, and it's in their best interest to accept it," Leavitt said in a statement. She added that the US administration would not comment on the details of the offer given to Tehran. On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Oman had presented Iran with details of the US offer on the nuclear deal. According to the Iranian minister, Tehran will respond appropriately based on its national interests. Earlier, Trump, according to Bloomberg, said that a new nuclear deal with Iran should allow the US to destroy any nuclear facilities in Iran. At the same time, he noted that, in his opinion, a deal with Iran could be concluded within the "next two weeks." Iran and the US, with the mediation of Oman, held five rounds of indirect talks on the Iranian nuclear dossier. The last of them took place in Rome on May 23. Following the talks, Araghchi announced the mechanisms proposed by Oman that could help remove obstacles to achieving progress in the talks. Such progress, the Iranian minister said, is possible in one or two rounds. At the same time, before the fifth round, the contradictions between the parties increased. Thus, before the talks, the US demanded that Iran abandon uranium enrichment, the Iranian side rejected such demands, indicating that the parties would not be able to agree if the US insisted on Tehran abandoning uranium enrichment technology. At the same time, Iran allowed for the possibility of reducing the level of uranium enrichment, and also spoke about its readiness to allow greater control over its nuclear activities in order to demonstrate the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraq says US sanctions blocking Turkmenistan's gas flow via Iran Iran Press TV Sunday, 01 June 2025 7:26 PM Iraqi authorities say US sanctions on Iran have prevented the Arab country from accessing gas supplies from Turkmenistan. Iraqi Ministry of Electricity spokesman Ahmad Musa said on Sunday that US sanctions on Iran have restricted Iraq's access to Iranian electricity supplies as well as to gas supplies from Turkmenistan that were supposed to reach the Arab country via the Iranian pipelines. Musa told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the restrictions had caused Iraq to lose nearly 5 gigawatts (GW) of its electricity generation capacity for this summer, which he said was meant to reach 27 GW. He said that Iraq has been unable to compensate Iran for transit fees related to gas supplies from Turkmenistan because of US sanctions, losing an electricity production capacity of 4 GW. Under a gas swap contract signed last year between Iran, Iraq, and Turkmenistan, the Arab country was supposed to receive up to 20 million cubic meters (mcm) per day of gas via the Iranian pipelines. Musa said that restrictions on direct electricity imports from Iran had also disrupted 1 GW of Iraq's power supplies. Iran supplies up to 50 mcm of natural gas and 1 GW of electricity to Iraq every day. The United States announced in early March that it had revoked a waiver from its Iran sanctions that allowed Iraq to pay for electricity imports from its eastern neighbor. That comes as a years-long US waiver for Iraq to import natural gas from Iran is still in place, as the Arab country relies on Iranian gas for 43% of electricity generation in its power plants. Direct electricity imports from Iran also account for up to 10% of Iraq's domestic demand for power. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Japan-U.S. Consultation on U.S. Tariff Measures Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan May 31, 2025 On May 30, commencing at 8 a.m. local time (9 p.m., Japan time), for approximately 130 minutes, H.E. AKAZAWA Ryosei , Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization of Japan, met with the Honorable Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury of the U.S. and the Honorable Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce of the U.S. to hold the Japan-U.S. Consultation during his visit to Washington D.C., United States. The overview is stated in the attached Cabinet Secretariat press release. (Reference) Cabinet Secretariat Press Release (PDF) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the Spokesperson in Response to Media Queries Regarding Increase in Islamophobic Incidents Across India Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Responding to media queries about increase in Islamophobic incidents across India, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: "Pakistan expresses grave concern over the alarming rise in Islamophobic incidents across India. Pakistan calls upon the Government of India to uphold the rights and safety of all its citizens, regardless of faith. The targeting of Muslims through hate speech, discriminatory actions, and state complicity is a matter of serious concern for the international community. At a time when restraint and reconciliation are most needed, the deliberate incitement of religious hatred for political or ideological purposes violates international human rights obligations and vitiates the prospects for communal harmony, and regional stability." Islamabad 31 May 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif visited Command & Staff College Quetta today and addressed the faculty and graduating officers. Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan Rawalpindi - May 31, 2025 No PR-180/2025-ISPR Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif visited Command & Staff College Quetta today and addressed the faculty and graduating officers. PM commended the outstanding performance of the Pakistan Armed Forces during Bunyanum Marsoos. The Prime Minister praised the bravery, professionalism, and sacrifice of the Armed Forces, saying that their exemplary conduct has earned the nation's highest accolades. The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of the Armed Forces in safeguarding the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security. He reaffirmed the Government's commitment to supporting the Armed Forces in their mission to protect the nation. The Prime Minister also emphasized the need for continued synergy between all elements of national power in addressing challenges and pursuit of national interests. The PM also said that India after having suffered a humiliating defeat during Ma'rka-e-Haq has now intensified its campaign of terrorism inside Pakistan through its proxies. PM resolved that all such nefarious and ill designs of India and its proxy Fitna al Hindustan will be defeated by Pakistani nation, Insha'Allah. Earlier on arrival at Command & Staff College, PM was received by the Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M). NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kremlin: France is Not on the Path to Peace It's Increasing Pressure on Russia Sputnik News 20250531 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - France is not pursuing peace but is rather escalating pressure on Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday. "France is not on the path to peace. France is on the path of increasing pressure on Russia," Peskov told Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin. The Kremlin spokesman said it was regrettable that French President Emmanuel Macron did not understand the real state of affairs and believed that pressure could help him achieve his goals. "One can only express regret that the head of the French state does not understand the real situation," Peskov added. Macron has repeatedly made sharply anti-Russian statements and proposals. In March, he claimed that Moscow had allegedly become a threat to France and Europe, and called for a discussion on the use of France's nuclear weapons to protect the entire EU. The Kremlin described these remarks as extremely confrontational. It also noted that Macron failed to mention NATO's expanding infrastructure toward Russia's borders and Moscow's legitimate concerns on the matter. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Officials Investigating 2 Separate Train Crashes In Western Russia; 8 Killed By RFE/RL's Russian Service June 01, 2025 A road bridge collapsed onto a railway in western Russia, derailing a passenger train and killing at least eight people, investigative and railway officials said. Initial reports blamed an explosion. In a separate incident in a neighboring region early on June 1, a railway bridge collapsed as a freight train was crossing it, injuring at least one of the train drivers, the local governor said. It was not immediately clear whether the two incidents, which occurred late on May 31 in Bryansk and early June 1 in Kursk, were connected. Statements issued by the national Investigative Committee initially cited explosions as a possible cause, but that allegation was omitted from later statements. In the Bryansk region, which borders Belarus and Ukraine, a passenger train was struck by debris from an overpass at around 11 p.m. local time, the Investigative Committee said in a statement. The committee said the collapse was due to an explosion, and it blamed "illegal interference" without giving further details. The train was traveling to Moscow. Aleksandr Bogomaz, governor of the Bryansk region, said in a post on Telegram that seven people were killed and nearly four dozen injured. Photographs and video published on social media showed rescue crews working under spotlights to pick through the wreckage of the train cars. Russia's national railways company confirmed the derailment and said it was sending crews to help in the recovery. It said no disruptions to rail traffic were expected. The second incident occurred around 3 a.m. on June 1 in the Kursk region, officials said, about 90 kilometers to the south of the Bryansk derailment. A cargo train fell onto a highway as the train was crossing an overpass, said the Investigative Committee. In an initial statement released midmorning on June 1, the committee cited explosions as a possible cause for the incidents. But a statement issued around two hours later omitted mention of an explosion. There was no immediate explanation for the discrepancy, which was first reported by the independent Russian news outlets Vot Tak and MediaZona. Aleksandr Khinshtein, the Kursk regional governor, said at least one of the train drivers was injured. The Investigative Committee said three train employees were hospitalized. Russian Railways, the state-owned national rail company, later said one of the train workers had died after being hospitalized. The timing and location of the two separate events and the initial allegation that explosions could be responsible, raising fears of possible sabotage. Bordering Belarus and Ukraine, both the Bryansk and Kursk regions have a heavy military presence as part of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The Kursk region was the site of a seven-month cross-border invasion by Ukrainian forces; in late April, Russia claimed to have pushed out all Ukrainian forces from Kursk. Russia's war on Ukraine has continued unabated as the United States and other Western nations have pushed Kyiv and Moscow to sit down for peace talks. The two sides are expected to meet in Istanbul on June 2 for the second round of talks; an earlier round produced no substantive breakthrough, although the two sides agreed to exchange hundreds of prisoners of war. Though Ukraine has agreed to an unconditional cease-fire, Russia has dragged its heels, proposing additional broader conditions including a stop to Western weaponry supplies for Ukraine as well as the demand that Ukraine should never be allowed to join NATO. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-train-bryansk-klimov- derailment/33430473.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Rubio's Call with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson June 1, 2025 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, at Russia's request. Secretary Rubio reiterated President Trump's call for continued direct talks between Russia and Ukraine to achieve a lasting peace. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address One killed, three wounded as Israeli strikes hit military positions in Syria Iran Press TV Saturday, 31 May 2025 5:57 AM Israeli warplanes have carried out a series of strikes on former Syrian army outposts in the western provinces of Latakia and Tartus, in the latest string of attacks targeting the Arab country's military infrastructure following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that at least one civilian was killed and three others were injured early on Saturday when a string of aerial raids hit the 107th Brigade in the countryside of Jableh, near the coastal city of Latakia. Local sources identified the site as a weapon storage facility containing surface-to-surface and surface-to-sea missiles. Moreover, Israeli fighter jets struck al-Shamiyah barracks on al-Qasr road in Lattakia, as well as military sites in the Mina al-Bayda port area. The Britain-based monitoring group also said a number of airstrikes targeted a military facility formerly used by special forces, as well as sites in the al-Wuhaib industrial area and the al-Balata barracks in Tartus. There were no immediate reports available on possible casualties or the extent of damage caused. Militant factions, led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, toppled Assad's government on December 8, 2024. Since the collapse of Assad's government, the Israeli military has been launching airstrikes against military installations, facilities, and arsenals belonging to Syria's now-defunct army. Israel has been widely condemned for the termination of the 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria, and for exploiting the chaos in the Arab nation in the wake of Assad's downfall to make a land grab. The United Nations has condemned ongoing Israeli attacks inside Syrian territory and continuing violations in and around the buffer zone created as part of a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Damascus. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In nod to normalization, Jolani says Syria, Israel 'have common enemies' Iran Press TV Saturday, 31 May 2025 6:23 PM Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, head of the HTS-led administration in Syria, has told a publication serving the Jewish community in Damascus that "the reality is, we have common enemies and we can play a major role in regional security." Jolani's comments echo a line he has maintained since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government in December 2024. At the time, Jolani signalled a significant policy shift by expressing openness toward the Israeli regime while naming the Lebanon-based resistance group Hezbollah and Iran as his primary adversaries. "We are open to friendship with everyone in the region including Israel. We don't have enemies other than the Assad regime, Hezbollah, and Iran," Jolani said in a December 9, 2024, interview. Despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes, territorial encroachments, and the theft of Syrian resources, Jolani reaffirmed his position to the Jewish Journal. In his talk with the Journal, Jolani also voiced support for reviving the principles of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement (Dofa Accord), portraying it not merely as a ceasefire line, but as a foundation for mutual restraint and civilian protection. "Syria's Druze are not pawns," he said. "They are citizens deeply rooted, historically loyal, and deserving of every protection under the law. Their safety is non-negotiable." "Peace must be earned through mutual respect, not fear. We will engage where there is honesty and a clear path to coexistence and walk away from anything less," Jolani added. His remarks come two weeks after US President Donald Trump announced his intention, during a visit to Riyadh, to lift all US sanctions on Syria. The decision followed reports that the new Syrian administration had proposed making "peace" with the Israeli regime. "Now it is their time to shine. We are taking them (the sanctions) all off. Good luck, Syria. Show us something very special," Trump said. Shortly after Trump's announcement, the European Union lifted economic sanctions imposed against Syria, as the HTS administration. The European Council adopted legal acts lifting all economic sanctions on Syria. Before Trump's remarks, Jolani had reportedly proposed "peace" with Tel Aviv and floated symbolic gestures such as the construction of a "Trump Tower" in Damascus. The HTS, formerly aligned with al-Qaeda in Syria, seized control of Syria in December last year amid a barrage of Israeli airstrikes targeting both civilian and military infrastructure in the Arab country. Before its takeover, the group led a prolonged and deadly insurgency against Syria's former elected government, which had maintained a firm anti-Israel policy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister, High-Level Economic Delegation Arrive in Damascus Saudi Press Agency Saturday 04/12/1446 Damascus, May 31, 2025, SPA -- Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrived in Damascus on an official visit to Syria, accompanied by a high-level economic delegation. The economic delegation comprises Royal Court Advisor Mohammed bin Mazyad Al-Tuwaijri, Vice Minister of Finance Abdulmuhsen bin Saad Alkhalaf, Assistant Minister of Investment Dr. Abdullah Aldubaikhi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic and Development Affairs Abdullah bin Zarah, as well as several officials from various sectors. The foreign minister is scheduled to meet with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The high-level economic delegation will hold a consultation session with their Syrian counterparts to discuss avenues for joint action aimed at supporting the Syrian economy, strengthening government institutions, and achieving the aspirations of the Syrian people. -- SPA 14:30 Local Time 11:30 GMT 0022 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2025/05/31 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Date 6 a.m. May. 30 (Fri.) to 6 a.m. May. 31 (Sat.) (UTC+8) 2.PLA activities 12 sorties of PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN ships, and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 10 out of 12 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern, 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. 1140531_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan [Open a new window] 1140531_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan [Open a new window] NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China warns US not to 'play with fire' over Taiwan Iran Press TV Sunday, 01 June 2025 3:41 PM China has warned the United States that it "should not play with fire" after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Beijing posed an "imminent" threat to Taiwan. China's warning came following Pete Hegseth's comments during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Asia's most important security forum, amid an escalation of tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. Speaking at the first plenary session of the International Institute for Strategic Studies on Saturday, the Pentagon chief warned the attendees that Beijing posed an "imminent" threat to Taiwan. In response to Hegseth's remarks, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Sunday warned Washington against playing with fire. "The Taiwan issue is purely China's internal affairs. No foreign country has the right to interfere," the spokesperson said in the statement. Beijing is "strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposed" to what it considered a "provocative and inciting" speech by Hegseth that was "full of provocations." "The US should not use the Taiwan issue as a bargaining chip to contain China and should not play with fire." Beijing said the US military has "deployed offensive weapons in the South China Sea, fanned the flames and created tensions in the Asia-Pacific region." It slammed the Western countries for arming nations in the region, blaming them for the escalation of tensions. The Indo-Pacific region has been turned by the United States and its Western allies into a "powder keg," Beijing said. The spokesperson added that "there has never been any problem with freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea," where it maintains territorial disputes with neighboring countries such as the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam, and that China manages its differences "through dialogue and consultation" under the law. "China urges the US to earnestly respect the efforts of regional countries to maintain peace and stability, stop deliberately undermining the regional peace and stability, exaggerating conflicts and confrontations and exacerbating regional tensions," it said. "China is strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposed to this and has lodged solemn representations to the US," it said. In his speech on Saturday, Hegseth had warned that China seeks to "dominate and control" parts of the region and assured that Washington will not allow Beijing to change the status quo by force. Hegseth also claimed the Chinese military has been ordered to be capable of invading Chinese Taipei by 2027 and is "training for it every day (...) rehearsing for the real deal." "Let me be clear: any attempt by Communist China to conquer Taiwan by force would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world. There's no reason to sugarcoat it. The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent," the Pentagon chief added. Also speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore on Friday night, French President Emmanuel Macron drew a parallel between the dispute over Taiwan and the ongoing Russian military operation in Ukraine. If Russian President Vladimir Putin could take Ukrainian territory "without any restrictions, without any constraints ... what could happen in Taiwan? What will you do the day something happens in the Philippines?" Macron asked. China's embassy in Singapore said in a Facebook post on Saturday that these two situations are entirely different and cannot be compared. The Chinese embassy accused Macron of applying a "double standard" for the false analogy of his argument. "Comparing the Taiwan question with the Ukraine issue is unacceptable," the embassy said. "The two are different in nature and not comparable at all." China sees Taiwan as an inseparable part of the country, saying it will achieve "national reunification" with the wayward island while warning its officials to refrain from formally declaring independence. Almost all countries adhere to the "One-China" principle. However, some Western countries sell arms and maintain informal ties with Taiwan, irking Beijing. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China denounces Macron's 'unacceptable' Ukraine-Taiwan analogy Iran Press TV Sunday, 01 June 2025 8:38 AM China has condemned French President Emmanuel Macron's recent remarks, in which he drew a parallel between the dispute over Taiwan and the ongoing Russian military operation in Ukraine. Macron had linked the war in eastern Ukraine to the question of Taiwan in a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore Friday night. If Russian President Vladimir Putin could take Ukrainian territory "without any restrictions, without any constraints ... what could happen in Taiwan? What will you do the day something happens in the Philippines?" Macron said. China's embassy in Singapore said in a Facebook post on Saturday that these two situations are entirely different and cannot be compared. "Comparing the Taiwan question with the Ukraine issue is unacceptable," the embassy said. "The two are different in nature, and not comparable at all," the embassy added, accusing Macron of a "double standard," it added. China sees Taiwan as an inseparable part of the country, saying it will achieve "national reunification" with the wayward island while warning its officials to refrain from formally declaring independence. Almost all world countries adhere to the "One-China" principle. However, some Western countries sell arms and maintain informal ties with Taiwan, irking Beijing. Regarding the former eastern Ukrainian regions, which have voted in separate referendums to join Russia, Moscow says that to end the conflict in Ukraine, Kiev must recognize Russia's new borders and withdraw its troops from Russian territory. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK Eyes Nuclear-Capable US Jets in Biggest Defense Boost Since Cold War Sputnik News 20250601 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The UK government wants to buy US fighter jets capable of using tactical nuclear weapons, in particular free-fall bombs, the Times newspaper claims. As the newspaper notes, the purchase of the planes will be the largest UK defense expansion since the Cold War. UK Defence Secretary John Healey and the chief of general staff, Adm. Sir Tony Radakin, plan to buy US-made fighter jets capable of launching free-fall bombs of lower power than conventional nuclear bombs, the publication said. According to the newspaper, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also supported these discussions, and the UK government has allegedly held talks with the Pentagon. Senior sources have said that the UK was considering buying the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning stealth fighter, but other types of aircraft are also being discussed, the newspaper said. Earlier, Healey said that the country would spend 3% of GDP on defense by 2034. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New munitions factories and long-range weapons to back nearly 2000 jobs under Strategic Defence Review Procurement of up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons and 1.5 billion to build at least six munitions and energetics factories. From: Ministry of Defence, The Rt Hon John Healey MP and The Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP Published 1 June 2025 Procurement of up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons and 1.5 billion to build at least six munitions and energetics factories. Work to create more than 1,000 new jobs and support around 800 more across the UK, driving defence as an engine for economic growth and supporting the Plan for Change. Delivers the Strategic Defence Review's focus on warfighting readiness to deter and follows historic uplift in defence spending. The UK will build at least six new munitions and energetics factories and thousands more long-range weapons to strengthen Britain's Armed Forces and create new jobs across the country. Through the Strategic Defence Review - published in the coming days - the UK's defence and deterrence is being bolstered with thousands of long-range weapons and a new 1.5 billion government investment in munitions and energetics factories. Together the investment will back around 1,800 highly-skilled jobs across the UK, putting money in the pockets of working people, and supporting the government's Plan for Change by driving growth in every region and nation. The SDR recommends creating an 'always on' munitions production capacity in the UK allowing production to be scaled up at speed if needed. It says the MOD should also lay the industrial foundations for an uplift in munitions stockpiles to meet the demand of high-tempo warfare. Taking the lessons from Ukraine which shows that our military is only as strong as the industry that stands behind it, the measures will boost British jobs while improving the warfighting readiness of both British Armed Forces and industry. The additional funding will see UK munitions spend hit 6 billion this Parliament. It follows the Prime Minister's historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, recognising the critical importance of military readiness in an era of heightened global uncertainty. Commitments include: 1.5 billion in an "always on" pipeline for munitions and building at least 6 new energetics and munitions factories in the UK. Creating more than 1,000 skilled manufacturing jobs, the factories will produce munitions and energetics, which are key components of weapons, including propellants, explosives, and pyrotechnics. Up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons for the UK Armed Forces, supporting around 800 defence jobs.The lessons from Ukraine demonstrate the importance of long-range weaponry and boosting our military capabilities. The SDR sets a path for the next decade and beyond to transform defence and make the UK secure at home and strong abroad. It ends the hollowing out of our Armed Forces and will also drive innovation, jobs and growth across the country, allowing the UK to lead in a stronger NATO. Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said: The hard-fought lessons from Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine show a military is only as strong as the industry that stands behind them. We are strengthening the UK's industrial base to better deter our adversaries and make the UK secure at home and strong abroad. We will embrace the Strategic Defence Review; making defence an engine for economic growth and boosting skilled jobs in every nation and region as part of our Government's Plan for Change. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: A strong economy needs a strong national defence, and investing in weaponry and munitions and backing nearly 2,000 jobs across Britain in doing so is proof the two go hand-in-hand. We are delivering both security for working people in an uncertain world and good jobs, putting more money in people's pockets as part of our Plan for Change. The new investments will form an 'always-on' approach for priority munitions. They will provide a steady drumbeat of investment to industry sustaining a thriving defence industrial base that drives growth and jobs to deliver on the Plan for Change, while strengthening the UK's commitment to NATO. The funding will help transform the UK's Armed Forces readiness and ability to endure in prolonged campaigns, providing the industrial foundations needed to support our Armed Forces in warfare, as demonstrated by the conflict in Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK to expand submarine programme in response to Strategic Defence Review The UK will build up to a dozen new attack submarines to keep Britain safe. From: Ministry of Defence, Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street, The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP and The Rt Hon John Healey MP Published 1 June 2025 UK to build up to 12 attack submarines as part of AUKUS programme in response to the rapidly increasing threats Builds on 15 billion investment set out for the UK's sovereign nuclear warhead programme, keeping the UK safe for generations to come and delivering on the Plan for Change Nuclear investments will transform critical parts of the defence nuclear industry, directly supporting 30,000 highly skilled jobs up-and-down the country and the doubling of apprentice and graduate roles across the next ten years. The Prime Minister will announce tomorrow that the UK's conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet will be significantly expanded, with up to 12 new SSN-AUKUS boats to be built. The increase in submarines will transform the UK's submarine building industry and, following the 15 billion investment in the warhead programme outlined, will deliver on this government's Plan for Change, supporting 30,000 highly skilled jobs up-and-down the country well into the 2030s, as well as helping work to deliver 30,000 apprenticeships and 14,000 graduate roles across the next ten years. The announcement comes as the government unveils its new Strategic Defence Review tomorrow. The externally-led review is expected to recommend that our Armed Forces move to warfighting readiness to deter the growing threats faced by the UK. The report makes 62 recommendations, which the government is expected to accept in full. Responding to the report, the government will make significant commitments to its armed forces and deliver greater security for working people through the government's Plan for Change. That includes: A landmark shift in our deterrence and defence: moving to warfighting readiness to deter threats and strengthen security in the Euro Atlantic area; Increasing stockpiles of munitions and support equipment, ensuring that production capacities can rapidly scale up in response to crises or war; The procurement of up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons for the UK Armed Forces, supporting around 800 defence jobs, and boosting our military capabilities A new CyberEM Command to put the UK at the forefront of cyber operations, alongside 1bn investment in pioneering digital capability; and Improving the lives of thousands of British military personnel and their families through more than 1.5 billion of additional funding to repair and renew armed forces housing. The Prime Minister is expected to say: From the supply lines to the front lines, this government is foursquare behind the men and women upholding our nation's freedom and security. National security is the foundation of my Plan for Change, and this plan will ensure Britain is secure at home and strong abroad, while delivering a defence dividend of well-paid jobs up and down the country. This Strategic Defence Review will ensure the UK rises to the challenge and our Armed Forces have the equipment they need that keeps us safe at home while driving greater opportunity for our engineers, shipbuilders and technicians of the future. Alongside the commitment to expand the UK's conventionally armed attack submarine fleet, the government is securing the future of the Royal Navy's Continuous At Sea Nuclear Deterrent, backed by a 15 billion investment into the sovereign warhead programme in this parliament and supporting more than 9,000 jobs. It is the first time the UK has outlined the full scale of its investment plans in its warhead programmes and is further evidence of the Government's triple lock commitment to the nuclear deterrent: to maintain our continuous at-sea deterrent; to build the new fleet of Dreadnought submarines; and to deliver all future upgrades necessary. This will see significant modernisation of infrastructure at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) in Aldermaston and supporting more than 9,000 jobs at the Berkshire site, and thousands more across the UK supply chain - from Scotland to Somerset. The nuclear warhead programme includes some of the most advanced and sensitive science, engineering and manufacturing facilities in the UK. Both the UK's sovereign warhead programme and the UK's conventionally-armed submarine fleet will make Britain and NATO safe for decades to come. Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: Our outstanding submariners patrol 24/7 to keep us and our allies safe, but we know that threats are increasing and we must act decisively to face down Russian aggression. With new state-of-the-art submarines patrolling international waters and our own nuclear warhead programme on British shores, we are making Britain secure at home and strong abroad, while delivering on our Plan for Change with 30,000 highly-skilled jobs across the country. Already supporting more than 400,000 skilled British jobs, UK defence is a crucial engine for economic growth, delivering on the government's Plan for Change - supported by the Government's historic uplift in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from 2027, and the ambition to hit 3% in the next parliament, when economic and fiscal conditionals allow. Currently the UK is set to operate 7 Astute Class attack submarines, which will be replaced with an increased fleet of up to 12 SSN-AUKUS submarines from the late 2030s. The boost to the SSN-AUKUS programme will see a major expansion of industrial capability at Barrow and Raynesway, Derby, with the build of a new submarine every 18 months in the future. The increase in capacity at the two sites will allow the UK to increase its fleet to up to 12 attack boats, as part of the AUKUS partnership. To ensure the demands of this expanded programme can be met, government is working closely with industry partners to rapidly expand training and development opportunities, aiming to double defence and civil nuclear apprentice and graduate intakes. This will result in 30,000 apprenticeships and 14,000 graduate roles over the next ten years. The SDR calls for significant investment into the UK sovereign warhead programme this parliament, while maintaining the existing stockpile. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Staff Prepared Ukrainian Invasion of Kursk Region for 6 Months Sputnik News 20250531 KURSK, Russia (Sputnik) - The NATO bloc's staff committee had been preparing the Ukrainian armed forces' invasion of Russia's Kursk Region for over half a year, the deputy head of the Russian Defense Ministry's military-political office, Lt. Gen. Apti Alaudinov, told Sputnik. "The NATO bloc's staff committee was preparing such a super operation, which in essence had to be guaranteed to be effective. They gathered all the resources that they had, all types of foreign equipment, trained fighters. They had been preparing the operation for more than half a year, with the fighters trained in the United Kingdom and in other NATO countries," Alaudinov said. The Ukrainian Armed Forces planned to use the territories they had temporarily captured in the Kursk region as leverage in negotiations. "The result? As always, Russia prevailed. NATO troops suffered a decisive defeat once again on our sacred land, where the enemy tried yet again to prove something to us and failed once more. And all in all, it seems unlikely they'll even be able to recover from these losses," Alaudinov added. In August of last year, Ukrainian units attempted to seize territory in the Kursk region, but their advance was halted. In early March, Russian forces launched a large-scale offensive in the border areas of the Kursk region, and on April 26, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov reported to Vladimir Putin that the operation to liberate the region from Ukrainian militants had been completed. He noted that the army is now continuing to establish a security zone in the Sumy region. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Says Russia-Ukraine Peace Terms Up to Them, But Acknowledges Own Conditions Sputnik News 20250531 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States worked to sit Russia and Ukraine down at the negotiating table but the decision on how to settle the conflict is up to them, although Washington has its own demands, US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said on Saturday. Bruce told Fox News that although US President Donald Trump had been very public about his views on the negotiations, which she could not comment on, the terms of a deal should ultimately be determined between Ukraine and Russia. Bruce emphasized that the US had facilitated negotiations between the parties, who were aware of American requirements, but stressed that the outcome would truly depend on them. The spokeswoman also said that the US did not want Russia-Ukraine talks to drag on for months and years, believing that every day counts. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hundreds Still Missing, 304 Dead After Ukrainian Raid on Russia's Kursk Region Sputnik News 20250531 KURSK, Russia (Sputnik) - An estimated 576 civilians who went missing during the Ukrainian invasion in the western Russian region of Kursk in August remain unaccounted for 10 months on, the region's acting governor, Alexander Khinshtein, said on Saturday. "The number of people whose whereabouts today, unfortunately, are unknown to us, stands at 576 at this moment. Of course, this is a very large number, but at the same time, it is accurate. It was compiled from a number of sources because, when forming our register, we based it on data from all relevant agencies," Khinshtein told reporters. Khinshtein held a working group meeting on the aftermath of the Ukrainian invasion and the mass disappearance of civilians, including four children. He estimated that of the 2,287 people reported missing after the invasion 1,290 had been found and the whereabouts of another 421 had been located. The governor said that 304 civilians were confirmed to have been killed by the Ukrainian armed forces during the incursion. "Unfortunately, as our settlements continue to be liberated, military personnel and investigators are finding evidence of the barbaric crimes committed by the Ukrainian armed forces. As of today, the death of 304 civilians has been confirmed. Most of them have been identified," he said. The evacuation of the bodies from the affected territories is ongoing, Khinshtein said. Volunteers have been assisting in the evacuation and the mapping of potential sites where more slain civilians may have been buried, he added. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Warns: German Taurus Missiles to Ukraine Could Drag Europe Into a 'Monstrous' War Sputnik News 20250531 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Europe will be drawn into a thoughtless war if Germany starts to supply Taurus missiles to Ukraine, the chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Leonid Slutsky, said. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that the United Kingdom, France and the United States had lifted restrictions on military supplies to Ukraine, allowing Kiev to strike deep into Russian territory. Meanwhile, German Vice Chancellor and leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) Lars Klingbeil said on Monday that the German government had not changed its position on range limits of weapons supplied to Kiev. "Sensible German politicians do not want Germany to be drawn into a completely thoughtless and completely monstrous war in Ukraine. This is exactly the kind of war that awaits Europe if Germany starts supplying Taurus to the Kiev regime," Slutsky told the Rossiya 24 broadcaster on Friday. On Wednesday, Merz said at a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Germany would support Ukraine in developing its own long-range weapons. Slutsky said that Russia understands that any operations with Taurus missiles from Kiev-controlled territories are impossible without the aid of foreign specialists. "Is Merz ready for a full-scale war to keep Mr. Zelensky in power? There is no sign of support for peace in Ukraine here, but rather genetic russophobia, which has blinded Merz to such an extent that he is not paying attention to his own citizens," Slutsky said. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has stressed that Moscow would regard a strike by German-made Taurus missiles on any Russian facilities as Germany joining in the hostilities on Kiev's side. Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said on Friday that if Germany were to provide Taurus missiles to Ukraine, which would mean getting directly involved in the conflict, it would give Russia the right to consider all options to "properly" respond to such a move. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Round of Russia-Ukraine Talks Could Take Place in Erdogan's Office in Istanbul - Source Sputnik News 20250531 ISTANBUL (Sputnik) - A new round of Russia-Ukraine talks will most likely take place in the office of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's administration in Istanbul, a source told Sputnik. "Most likely, [the round will take place] again in the office in Dolmabahce," the source said. At the upcoming possible negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul, Russia proposes exchanging memoranda on the approaches of both sides to the negotiation process, Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said on Friday. Russian President Vladimir Putin previously suggested to Ukraine resuming direct talks without preconditions in Istanbul on May 15. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the purpose of the proposed talks with Ukraine is to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and ensure Russia's interests. The Russian delegation arrived in Istanbul on May 15, but there were no contacts between the representatives of the two countries. The meeting took place the following day and lasted almost two hours. Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, who led the Russian delegation, stated that Moscow and Kiev agreed to present their visions of a possible future ceasefire. Medinsky also stated Russia's readiness to continue talks with Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the Russian delegation is ready to present to the Ukrainian side a memorandum on the settlement during the second round of talks in Istanbul on June 2. At the same time, the Kremlin said that Russia has not yet received Ukraine's response to its proposal to hold talks in Istanbul on June 2. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Will Not Simply Wait for Russia to Mature Enough to End the War - Address by the President President of Ukraine 31 May 2025 - 20:30 I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians, We are now preparing for new diplomatic steps together with our partners in Europe and, importantly, with our partners in the United States. In fact, we are in contact almost daily with everyone who can make diplomacy meaningful. As of now, there is no clear information about what exactly the Russians plan to bring to Istanbul. We don't have it, Turkiye doesn't have it, the United States doesn't have it either, and neither do other partners. And at this point, it looks far from serious. We discussed this yesterday with President Erdogan of Turkiye. Of course, everyone in the world wants diplomacy to work and for an actual ceasefire to take place. Everyone wants Russia to stop playing games with diplomacy and end the war. Everyone wants a serious peace and Russia must agree to that. That should be the agenda of the meetings. We have already presented our agenda. We hope the American side will be decisive on the issue of sanctions to help bring peace closer. For now, however, we are only seeing new Russian strikes and new Russian assaults. Today, Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi delivered a report. The situation at the front remains complicated in some directions, we are detecting increased Russian activity. The fiercest battles are taking place in the Pokrovsk, Lyman, and Kupyansk directions. We are also continuing our Kursk operation, which prevents a significant number of Russian troops from operating on Ukrainian territory. The war must be pushed back onto Russian territory back to where it came from. I want to thank our warriors today for their resilience, and I want to thank everyone for their precision. Looking at this week's results, I will give special recognition primarily to the assault regiments operating in the Kursk region. These are the 33rd, 225th, and 425th Separate Assault Regiments. Also among the best in this direction is the 103rd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. Thank you! In the Pokrovsk direction, the warriors of the 1st Assault Regiment are performing especially effectively, and in the Toretsk direction, the 100th Separate Mechanized Brigade has achieved good results. Well done! And of course, the 82nd Bukovynska Separate Air Assault Brigade. Thank you, guys! We are working very actively to guarantee that our Defense Forces are fully equipped with everything they need. Weapons both production and supplies, financial support, training for every need, we are developing new agreements with our partners. Special thanks this week to Sweden: we are making active progress within the announced aid packages. Germany: we have very good agreements on investment in our Ukrainian weapons production. The Netherlands is working on supplying F-16s. The United Kingdom is directing proceeds from frozen Russian assets specifically for weapons and equipment repairs for Ukraine. Altogether, this amounts to billions of dollars strengthening the defense of our state and strengthening our people. Next week, we are preparing agreements with the Baltic and Nordic countries. We are also filling out the agendas for our summits the G7 and NATO summits, which will take place soon. We are also actively engaging with everyone who can toughen sanctions against Russia and who supports such very important decisions. Ukraine will not simply wait for Russia to mature enough to end the war. We are doing everything to ensure that Russia is effectively forced into peace. I thank everyone who is helping us! I am proud of our people! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Senators Learn About Ukraine's Efforts to Return Ukrainian Children from the Russian Federation Under the Bring Kids Back UA Initiative President of Ukraine 31 May 2025 - 09:15 A meeting was held at the Child Rights Protection Center in Kyiv between the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets; the Chief Operating Officer of Bring Kids Back UA and Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President, Dariia Zarivna; U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal; and U.S. Charge d'Affaires ad interim to Ukraine, Julie Davis. The U.S. delegation was briefed on the current situation regarding the return of Ukrainian children who were illegally deported or forcibly transferred to Russia. Particular attention was given to the actual mechanisms for bringing the children back. "Today, there are two primary channels for returning Ukrainian children. The first is through diplomatic mediation by third countries. At present, Qatar, the Republic of South Africa, and the Vatican play this role. Ukraine is actively working to expand the circle of mediators, with a special focus on countries of the Global South. The second channel involves rescue missions organized by the state in close partnership with civil society and volunteer organizations," noted Dariia Zarivna. She emphasized that Ukraine provides mediators with up-to-date information and is ready to support large-scale returns if Russia cooperates. "The deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children is a crime of genocide. The Russian Federation changes children's documents to Russian ones, indoctrinates them, and militarizes their education. The goal is to eventually turn them into soldiers for the Russian army who would fight against their own homeland. To save them, we need a strong international response," emphasized Dmytro Lubinets. The meeting also addressed the possibility of including the issue of returning Ukrainian children in future peace processes, as well as the importance of maintaining sanctions pressure on Russia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vladimir Putin was briefed on the situation in the Kursk and Bryansk regions June 1, 2025 11:40 Throughout the night, the President received updates from the FSB and the Emergencies Ministry on the train incidents that occurred in the two regions. In addition, Vladimir Putin had telephone conversations with Bryansk Region Governor Alexander Bogomaz and Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov who reported on the measures being taken. Minister of Healthcare Mikhail Murashko briefed the President on the assistance provided to those wounded in the Bryansk Region train incident. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Baiba Braze on a working visit in Singapore: support for Ukraine is a contribution to global security Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 01.06.2025 The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braze, during her working visit to Singapore, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Vivian Balakrishnan, for a discussion on cooperation in economy, innovations and security, including cybersecurity, and cooperation in international organisations. Baiba Braze also met with high-ranking officials from other countries: the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean-Noel Barrot; the Secretary of Defense of the United States Pete Hegseth, and Congressman Brian Mast, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, Jan Adams; the Minister of Defence of New Zealand, Judith Collins; the Deputy Minister of Defence of Canada, Stephanie Beck; the Minister for Defence of Papua New Guinea, Dr Billy Joseph; the Minister of Defence of Finland, Antti Hakkanen; and the Minister of Defence of Sweden, Pal Jonson. In a conversation with US Defence Secretary Hegseth, Baiba Braze addressed preparations for the NATO summit in The Hague. Defence Secretary Hegseth welcomed the investment by the Baltic states in the development of their defence capabilities and contribution to the strengthening of the Alliance's common security while moving towards spending 5% of GDP on national defence and security. The Foreign Minister participated in the Shangri-La Dialogue 2025 - one of the most important security forums in the Asia-Pacific region. This year, the event focuses on innovations in defence and security, especially cyber security, maritime security and interregional security challenges. Baiba Braze thanked Minister Balakrishnan for Singapore's support to Ukraine and for strengthening a rules-based international order. Singapore has imposed financial sanctions on Russia and voted in favour of the United Nations General Assembly resolutions condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine. The minister called on Singapore to join the Drone Coalition. The Foreign Ministers of Latvia and Singapore agreed that further support to Ukraine is a contribution to strengthening global security, also taking into account the close link between the European security space and that of the Indo-Pacific region: "Latvia and Singapore, as small countries, recognise and value their current independence, sovereignty and security, being aware that we must fight for those values every day and invest in them because freedom comes at a cost." The Minister expressed Latvia's desire to strengthen bilateral relations and economic cooperation, especially in the field of innovation and technology. In the first three months of 2025, exports of Latvian goods to Singapore have increased by 169%, compared to the first three months of 2024. In a meeting with the Secretary of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Jan Adams, Baiba Braze called for even closer security cooperation, including cyber security, the fight against hybrid threats and disinformation. Baiba Braze thanked Australia for its involvement in the Drone Coalition and for participation in the Drone Summit held in Riga on 28 May. In a conversation with New Zealand's Defence Minister Judith Collins, Baiba Braze welcomed New Zealand's participation in the Drone Coalition and called for closer cooperation in security, defence, economy, and innovation. Baiba Braze thanked the Deputy Minister of National Defence of Canada, Stephanie Beck, for Canada's contribution to strengthening security in Latvia and NATO's eastern flank. The officials discussed the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, further support to Ukraine, and the need to put further pressure on Russia. The Foreign Minister was in Singapore for a working visit on 30-31 May. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's Bryansk Oblast Governor says collapsed bridge in region was 'blown up' Iran Press TV Sunday, 01 June 2025 11:28 AM The governor of Russia's Bryansk Region, Alexander Bogomaz, has said that an overpass bridge was deliberately "blown up" while a train was passing under it. "There was an explosion of a bridge on the track while a train with 388 passengers was traveling under it," Bogomaz said, reporting the incident which took place late on Saturday as the train was heading toward the capital city, Moscow. The bridge overpass collapse derailed the passenger train. According to officials, the incident has the hallmarks of a deliberate act of sabotage. Russian authorities have launched an investigation in this regard. According to Bogomaz, all of the injured passengers were swiftly hospitalized following the incident. In earlier reports, the governor had put the death toll at 7, with 35 injured. "As of this hour, the number of victims is 69 people, including three children. Three of the victims are in serious condition, including one child, 44 people have been hospitalized, and 22 people are undergoing outpatient care," the governor said on Telegram. A source in Russia's law enforcement agencies told RT that according to preliminary data, a part of the bridge fell on the tracks in front of the train, with the driver having no time to avoid the crash. The driver and his assistant likely died immediately from the impact of the collision, the source told RT. A Russian Federation Council member pinned the blame for the incident on Ukraine. Andrey Klishas said Kiev was to blame for the train's derailment, writing on Telegram. He said such acts of terrorism proved that "Ukraine is being controlled by a terrorist group." "Ukraine has long lost the attributes of a state, turning into a terrorist enclave without borders, without legitimate authorities and laws," he said. The senator urged the creation of a vast buffer zone inside Ukrainian territory to make sure that "terrorists" are unable to reach Russia in the future. US President Donald Trump, who boasted he would end the Ukraine war against Russia in 24 hours, has criticized Both Moscow and Kiev for the failure to reach a peace deal. Moscow has proposed June 2 as the date for the next round of talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, Turkey. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iskander Strikes Smash Ukrainian Drone Hubs in Sumy Region as Russian Forces Liberate Alekseyevka Sputnik News 20250601 A Russian Iskander-M tactical missile system struck Ukrainian Armed Forces' mobile drone launch and control stations near the settlement of Krolevets in the Sumy region, the Russian Defense Ministry reported. "As a result of the missile strike, two vehicles equipped with mobile drone launch and control stations, along with their crews, were hit. Objective control systems also recorded fires among UAVs prepared for launch, followed by detonation of their warheads," the statement said. Additionally, an Iskander-M missile strike targeted a position of long-range drone launchers in Chuguyev, Kharkov region. According to objective monitoring data, the precision strike destroyed six drone launchers, eight vehicles, and around 30 kamikaze drones that had been prepared for deployment by Ukrainian nationalists. Furthermore, the Russian Army has liberated the settlement of Alekseyevka in the Sumy region, the Ministry of Defense reported on Sunday. "Units of the Sever Battlegroup liberated the settlement of Alekseyevka in the Sumy region through decisive actions," the military summary stated. Russian Battlegroups Inflict Heavy Losses on Ukrainian Forces Yug Battlegroup Casualties inflicted: Up to 280 Ukrainian troops Targets engaged: Mechanized, assault, airmobile, and territorial defense brigades Locations: Nelepovka, Seversk, Serebryanka, Klevan-Byk, Konstantinovka, Ivanopolie, Dyleyevka (DPR) Destroyed Equipment: three artillery pieces one US-made M113 APC one US-made HMMWV Strategic gains: Improved frontline positions Vostok Battlegroup Casualties inflicted: Up to 280 troops Key strikes: EW station and four ammo depots destroyed Equipment losses for Ukraine: three artillery pieces M113 and HMMWV Sever Battlegroup Casualties inflicted: Over 200 troops Units targeted: three mechanized, three airborne assault, one ranger brigade, one assault regiment, two territorial defense brigades Locations: Andreyevka, Pavlovka, Mogritsa, Sadki, Ryzhevka, Korchakovka, Novaya Sech, Pisarevka, Khrapovshchina, Iskriskovshchina (Sumy region) Destroyed assets: one APC five artillery pieces one EW station Zapad Battlegroup Casualties inflicted: Up to 210 troops Brigades engaged: two mechanized, one assault, one airmobile, one territorial defense Locations: Kupyansk, Dibrova, Glushchenkovo (Kharkov), Volchiy Yar, Krasny Liman, Torskoye (DPR) Destroyed Equipment: three armored vehicles five artillery pieces (including Polish Krab) one EW station ("Kvertus") three ammo depots Tsentr Battlegroup Casualties inflicted: Over 510 Ukrainian troops Brigades targeted: six mechanized, one assault, one airborne, two marine, two territorial defense, three National Guard, one Azov* special forces Locations: Shevchenko, Poltavka, Razino, Muravka, Udachnoye, Dimitrov, Yablonovka, Krasnoarmeysk, Rusin Yar, Ulyanovka, Petrovskogo, Alekseyevka (DPR) Destroyed Equipment: five APCs (including 3 Finnish Sisu Pasi XA-185 and 2 US M113) one HMMWV three artillery pieces 36D6 air radar AN/TPQ-37 counter-battery radar (USA) Dnepr Battlegroup Casualties inflicted: Over 85 troops Targeted brigades: two mechanized, two coastal defense, one territorial defense Locations: Kamenka, Pavlovka (Zaporozhye), Berislav, Antonovka, Tokarevka, Sadovoye (Kherson) Destroyed Equipment: M777 (USA) and TRF1 (France) 155mm howitzers two EW stations two ammo depots Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bridge Collapses Disrupt Rail Traffic in Russia's Bryansk & Kursk Regions: Seven Dead and 66 Injured Sputnik News 20250601 In the Bryansk region, a section of a road bridge collapsed onto a passing passenger train. Seven people were killed and 66 were injured. The bridge was blown up, the regional governor said. Another bridge was also blown up in the Kursk region, where a train fell onto a roadway. What Happened A passenger train traveling from Klimovo, Bryansk region, to Moscow was passing under a bridge on the A-240 federal highway when a span of the bridge collapsed directly onto the train. The impact damaged the locomotive and several railcars, causing a derailment. The train was carrying 388 passengers. Authorities confirmed that seven people were killed, including the train driver. Sixty-six people were injured, 47 of whom were hospitalized, with three in critical condition. Among the injured were two children, including a 5- to 6-month-old baby in a serious condition. A truck driver transporting Miratorg products across the bridge also sustained injuries in the collapse. Cause of the Collapse The cause of the incident is being investigated. Earlier in the day, Russia's state railway company RZD stated that the bridge span collapsed as a result of "unauthorized interference in transport operations." Investigators confirmed that debris from an explosion brought down the bridge onto the train. Bryansk Governor Alezandr Bogomaz later stated that the bridge had been intentionally blown up. Rescue and Recovery Operations Emergency services responded immediately. Around 180 personnel and 60 units of equipment were deployed to the site. Rescuers worked through the night, clearing the damaged railcars and searching for survivors. According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM), priority efforts were focused on search and extraction. By morning, repair teams had started clearing the tracks. Two recovery trains and engineering units were dispatched to remove bridge fragments and restore the railway. Second Incident: Freight Train Derailed in Kursk Region Just hours later, on June 1, a second railway incident occurred in the Kursk region. Acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein reported that a railway bridge on the Trosna-Kalinovka road collapsed as a freight locomotive was crossing it. Details of the Kursk Incident The bridge collapsed around 3:00 AM local time, causing the locomotive and three empty freight cars to derail and fall onto the highway below. A fire broke out in one of the locomotive sections but was later extinguished. Three railway workers were injured, including the train operator, who suffered leg injuries. Putin Briefed by Bryansk Governor, Russian Railways CEO on Train Incidents Russian President Vladimir Putin was briefed over the phone on the train incident in the Bryansk region by Governor Alexander Bogomaz and Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozyorov, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday. "Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation with the governor of the Bryansk region, Alexander Bogomaz, and the head of Russian Railways, Oleg Belozerov... The head of state listened to reports on measures being taken in response to the rail incident," the Kremlin spokesman said. Peskov added that Putin received reports throughout the night from the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Ministry of Emergency Situations regarding rail incidents involving trains in Bryansk and Kursk regions. "Russian President Vladimir Putin received reports all night from the FSB and EMERCOM about the train incidents in the Kursk and Bryansk regions," Peskov said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Envoy Admits Putin Right About Ongoing NATO Proxy War Against Russia Sputnik News 20250601 MOSCOW, June 1 (Sputnik) - Russian President Vladimir Putin is right that there is currently a "proxy war" between Russia and NATO, US special presidential envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg admitted. During an interview with Fox News, the envoy discussed US-Russia negotiations on the Ukrainian conflict. Kellogg also noted US President Donald Trump's progress in resolving the Ukrainian conflict. "Putin made these comments, 'if you are going to to supply them [Kiev] with weapons, we will continue to be part of the aggressor,'" he said. "And he [Putin] considers this a proxy war with NATO as well right now. And frankly, in a way it is. Look at what the Europeans nations have done with support. It is clearly Putin sees this." When asked by the host whether the Ukrainian conflict would end peacefully, Kellogg answered positively. "If anybody can do this, it's President Trump," Kellogg noted, emphasizing that "everybody is working really hard" to resolve the conflict. Russia believes that arms supplies to Ukraine hinder the settlement of the conflict and directly involve NATO countries in it. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would be a legitimate target for Russia. The Kremlin stated that the West's pumping Ukraine with weapons does not contribute to the negotiations and will have a negative effect. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A Brilliant Operation Was Carried Out on Enemy Territory, Aimed Exclusively at Military Targets - Address by the President President of Ukraine 1 June 2025 - 21:41 I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians! Just now, I received a report from Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk - a brilliant operation was carried out. It took place on enemy territory and was aimed exclusively at military targets - specifically, the equipment used in strikes against Ukraine. Russia suffered truly significant losses - entirely justified and deserved. I thank the Security Service, General Maliuk personally, as well as everyone who was involved in the operation. The preparation took over a year and a half. Planning, organization, every detail was perfectly executed. I can say with certainty that this is an absolutely unique operation. What's most interesting - and this can now be stated publicly - is that the "office" of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions. In total, 117 drones were used in the operation - with a corresponding number of drone operators involved. 34% of the strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at air bases were hit. Our personnel operated across multiple Russian regions - in three different time zones. And the people who assisted us were withdrawn from Russian territory before the operation, they are now safe. It is genuinely satisfying when something I authorized a year and six months ago comes to fruition and deprives Russians of over forty units of strategic aviation. We will continue this work. Even before this operation was carried out, we had intelligence indicating that Russia was preparing another massive strike. And it is very important for all our people not to ignore the air raid alerts. Last night, there were nearly 500 Russian drones, attack drones. Each week, they have been increasing the number of units used per strike. Now, they have also prepared Kalibr missiles launched from naval carriers. We know exactly who we are dealing with. And we will defend ourselves by all means available to us - to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Not for a single second did we want this war. We offered the Russians a ceasefire. Since March 11, the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire has been on the table. It was the Russians who chose to continue the war - even under conditions where the entire world is calling for an end to the killing. And pressure is truly needed - pressure on Russia that should bring it back to reality. Pressure through sanctions. Pressure from our forces. Pressure through diplomacy. All of it must work together. Today, I held an extended meeting with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Head of my Office, the heads of our intelligence agencies, and military leadership. We discussed our expectations for the meeting in Istanbul on Monday. We continue to propose a full and unconditional ceasefire, along with all dignified and rational steps that could lead to a lasting and reliable peace. The Ukrainian proposal we presented to the Russians is logical and realistic. The Russians have not shared their "memorandum" with anyone - we don't have it, the Turkish side doesn't have it, and the American side doesn't have the Russian document either. Despite this, we will attempt to achieve at least some progress on the path toward peace. Today, I also received a report from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi - on the situation at the front and on our Kursk operation. I am grateful to all our units. Resilience on the ground is just as important as our operations on enemy territory - operations that truly inspire. And one more thing. Today, the Russians launched a missile strike on a military training facility in the Dnipro region. Unfortunately, there are casualties. Our servicemen were killed. My condolences to all their families and friends. This is not the first such attack when Ukraine loses people. I have scheduled a meeting - with the participation of, among others, Mykhailo Drapatyi, Andrii Hnatov, Oleksandr Syrskyi, and Defense Minister Umerov upon his return from the negotiations in Istanbul - to address this issue in detail. All our fighters are needed on the front line - defending Ukraine. Every one of them. And every life must be protected. All necessary decisions to that end will be made. I thank everyone who is helping. I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Now The War Has Reached Us Too,' Russians Far From Ukraine Say After Drone Attacks By RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities June 02, 2025 For more than three years, most of Russia has viewed the war sparked by the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine from afar. Now, some say, following an audacious attack by Ukraine that saw hoards of drones smuggled into Russia and then deployed on June 1 to wipe out dozens of long-range bombers, it has arrived on their doorstep. In the Irkutsk, Murmansk, Ryazan, and Ivanovo regions, drones struck air bases, shocking Russian authorities and citizens. "It was a fiery hell," residents of the Irkutsk region told RFE/RL's Siberia Realities. In Siberia, some 4,000 km away, residents appeared to be shaken. "Now the war has reached us too," residents told Siberia Realities. Ukraine's Secret Service (SBU) said dozens of long-range bomber aircraft across Russia were attacked with drones that were smuggled in wooden shipping crates carried on truck beds into the country and then launched from nearby locations. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the attacks the "absolutely brilliant outcome" of an operation that had taken more than a year and half to prepare. According to eyewitnesses, the drones flew out of a truck that stopped on the R-255 "Siberia" highway. That information was confirmed by regional Governor Igor Kobzev, who noted that this was the first drone attack in Siberia. At the Belaya military base in the village of Sredniy in the Irkutsk Region, a drone attack destroyed at least one transport aircraft, according to one eyewitness, who said the attack lasted at least an hour and a half. "I watched the whole nightmare through binoculars -- it was a truly terrifying sight," the witness, a man who identified himself as Roman, told RFE/RL. "First we heard a bang and saw a huge column of smoke. At first, I thought that another plane had crashed -- two months ago a bomber fell from this airfield. "Then I definitely saw four strong explosions. Because after each of them gray smoke started pouring out...And when they hit the transport plane, the entire airfield seemed to be on fire," he said. Added another eyewitness from the town of Buret, near the airfield: "Our house shook several times from the blast wave." The June 1 attack is seen as another major embarrassment for Russia's military and intelligence agencies as Ukraine appears to be waging a covert, low-level campaign inside Russia for months. Kyiv doesn't usually admit to such attacks -- which use drones and possibly special forces to strike things such as fuel depots and pipelines and are largely targeted at areas closer to the Ukraine-Russia border. Reports of the June 1 drone attacks came hours after two incidents damaged railway infrastructure in western Russia that killed at least 8 people. It was not immediately clear whether the two incidents, which occurred late on May 31 in Bryansk and early on June 1 in Kursk, were connected. The national Investigative Committee blamed "illegal interference" without giving further details. In Irkutsk, Kobzev called for calm among the region's residents, but some said they had had enough of the war. "The war is in its fourth year, what will happen in the fifth year? You don't know how to fight, make peace, don't disgrace yourself," a woman who identified herself as Marina said. Others also began to question the ability of the authorities to keep them safe amid fears that if a truck could be driven this far into the country and then used in an operation, this may not be the last attack. "How? How is this possible? How did they let these trucks through? There are so many questions," asked a woman who called herself Svetlana. In the Murmansk region, Governor Andrei Chibis confirmed an attack by drones that also were launched out of a truck parked near the town of Olenegorsk. Eyewitnesses from the area told Siberia Realities that they observed at least 10 explosions at the air base. "The war has started in Olenegorsk. Smoke from explosions is billowing behind the forest," one said, noting that it appeared the driver of the truck that may have contained the drones was arrested by police. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-drone-attacks- siberia-fears-war/33431082.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine, Russia Set For Istanbul Talks Even As Deadly Air Strikes Intensify Back Home By RFE/RL June 02, 2025 Delegations from Ukraine and Russia are scheduled to meet on June 2 in Istanbul for the next round of peace talks, even as air assaults are ramped up in the military struggle back at home. Russian state media reported that the Kremlin's negotiating team had arrived at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport late on June 1 in anticipation of talks to begin at 1 p.m. the next day in the Turkish city. Meanwhile, in a presidential decree, Kyiv said that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will head Ukraine's delegation, backed by at least a dozen other officials. The decree did not state if the team had already arrived in Turkey. The US State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken by phone with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on June 1 to discuss the upcoming talks. It said the call was made at Russia's request and that Rubio had reiterated President Donald Trump's call for continued direct talks to "achieve a lasting peace." Heading into the talks, Ukraine appeared to bolster its negotiating position after its forces struck dozens of long-range bomber aircraft across Russia with drones that were smuggled in wooden shipping crates carried on truck beds into the country and then launched from nearby locations. Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claimed that as many as 40 bombers may have been hit in the June 1 attack, described as an "absolutely brilliant outcome" by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who added that the operation had taken more than a year and half to prepare. Zelenskyy on May 30 said the Kremlin was "doing everything" to ensure that the proposed peace talks yield no results after a large-scale drone attack on Ukraine's second-largest city left almost a dozen people injured and following a series of air assaults on Kyiv had hit multiple residential and civilian sites. Ukraine agreed in April to a US proposal for a 30-day cease-fire, but Russia has balked at the plan, and many of Ukraine's allies have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to drag out the process so he can take advantage of the current situation on the battlefield, where Russia has been gaining ground in territories it claims to rule. Much of the destruction has been centered around civilian infrastructure, which Russia claims it doesn't target despite mounting evidence that appears to show the opposite. Trump's special envoy, Keith Kellogg, said in an ABC interview that US, German, French, and British officials would be in Istanbul or the June 2 meeting. Russia has said it would use the meeting to present a "memorandum" outlining its terms for a peace settlement. Kyiv said it was ready to take part but wanted to see Russia's proposals for ending the war first. Suspilne, Ukraine's public broadcaster, reported what it said were the details of the memorandum that Kyiv planned to present in Istanbul. Russian news agencies reported that Kremlin adviser Vladimir Medinsky, who heads Moscow's delegation, had received the document. Key points include the call for a complete cease-fire and "confidence-building measures" to address humanitarian issues. Also, it said Ukraine "does not undertake to be neutral. A state can choose to be part of the Euro-Atlantic community and move towards EU membership. Kyiv's membership in NATO depends on consensus within the Alliance." Moscow has pressed for Ukraine's neutrality and a pledge by Kyiv that it will not attempt to join the Western military alliance -- points Zelenskyy has long rejected. The memorandum spoke of potential sanctions relief against Russia, but only under specific conditions. "Some restrictions can be lifted from Russia, but in stages and only gradually, with a mechanism for renewing sanctions if necessary. Frozen Russian sovereign assets are used to rebuild Ukraine or remain frozen until reparations are paid," it said. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia- istanbul-negotiations-trump-putin-zelenskyy/33431087.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address LOS ANGELES, June 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As global temperatures continue to rise and daily comfort becomes a growing concern, TORRAS is making waves with its innovative Coolify seriesa wearable air conditioner engineered to deliver rapid, personal cooling through cutting-edge semiconductor technology. But beyond its impressive specs and sleek aesthetics, Coolify is also gaining recognition for another powerful role: providing much-needed relief to women experiencing hot flashes and hormonal imbalances, especially during menopause. TORRAS, a technology brand known for blending innovation with lifestyle-driven solutions, believes that technology should serve real human needs, and Coolify is a perfect reflection of that mission. A Breakthrough in Personal Cooling Technology Coolify isnt just another neck fanits a wearable air conditioning system designed for next-generation, body-centered comfort. At its core lies an advanced semiconductor cooling plate embedded within the collar, capable of dropping the skin temperature on the neck by up to 18F (10C) within just 3 seconds. Unlike traditional fans that simply circulate ambient air, Coolify creates a genuine cooling effect that users can feel immediately. Engineered with ergonomics in mind, Coolify fits snugly around the neck and targets the sides and back of the neckareas rich in arteries that play a crucial role in regulating core body temperature. By focusing cooling power on these critical zones, the device ensures rapid and efficient heat relief without compromising comfort. Additional features include: Three-speed smart temperature controls for customizable comfort 8-hour battery life for all-day usability Ultra-quiet operation for discreet use in workspaces, social settings, or while sleeping Lightweight and travel-friendly design with a stylish, minimalist look that complements any outfit With its combination of advanced engineering and sleek design, Coolify has quickly become a favorite among tech-savvy consumers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. But some of its most impactful use cases come from a group that isn't always the center of tech innovation: women in midlife. Supporting Womens Health: A Lifesaver for Hot Flashes and Hormonal Spikes For women going through menopause, hot flashes are among the most common and disruptive symptoms. Sudden spikes in body temperature, facial flushing, sweating, and anxiety can make everyday lifewhether at home, work, or out in publicuncomfortable and overwhelming. Traditional solutions like hormone therapy or cooling gels are either invasive or short-lived. This is where Coolify is quietly changing lives. Through direct customer feedback, TORRAS has discovered that a significant portion of Coolify users are women managing menopause-related symptoms. One user shared: I was waking up drenched and exhausted every night. Coolify changed that. I wear it before bed, and I finally sleep through the night. Another wrote: Its discreet and stylishI can wear it in the office or on walks without drawing attention. Most importantly, I feel like I have control over my body again. Because the neck houses multiple arteries that influence body temperature, cooling this area directly helps reduce hot flash intensity and duration. Unlike fans or ice packs, Coolify is hands-free, consistent, and wearable throughout the day or night. By offering a non-invasive, drug-free, and dignified solution for a problem that affects millions of women, TORRAS is proud to be supporting a demographic often overlooked in the tech innovation space. Everyday Comfort, Anywhere and Everywhere While its impact on womens wellness is significant, Coolify was also designed for a wide range of everyday scenarios, making it a multi-purpose companion for the modern lifestyle. 1. Daily Commutes & Urban Life Subways, buses, traffic-filled streetsurban environments can feel stifling in the summer. Coolify ensures personal climate control with a simple press of a button, making rush hour more bearable and sweat-free. 2. Travel & Theme Parks From family vacations to amusement parks like Disney, Coolify has been praised as the ultimate travel essential. A recent user blog even hailed it as the best neck fan for Disney, helping visitors beat the heat while enjoying outdoor attractions. 3. Outdoor Adventures Whether hiking, biking, or camping, Coolify is a powerful yet compact cooling device for those who love the outdoors. With no external fans to hold and no cords to manage, it allows full freedom of movement while keeping body temperature in check. 4. Office & Remote Work Environments In offices where thermostats cant be adjusted or in shared workspaces, Coolify provides personalized cooling without disturbing colleagues. Its low-noise operation makes it perfect for Zoom calls, deep focus sessions, and quiet rooms. 5. Nighttime Use & Sleep Quality Some users incorporate Coolify into their nighttime routine, using it before sleep or even throughout the night to prevent heat spikes, leading to better rest and reduced sleep disturbances. Tech with Purpose: TORRASs Vision for Human-Centered Innovation More than a cooling gadget, Coolify represents a new frontier of wearable wellness tech. By marrying scientific design with empathy for daily challengeslike menopausal discomfort, urban heat stress, and the need for discreet comfortTORRAS has crafted a product that is both technically advanced and emotionally intelligent. We didnt just want to create a product that cools the skin, says a spokesperson for TORRAS. We wanted to create a product that elevates how people feel, improves their day-to-day lives, and empowers them to move freely, comfortably, and confidentlyno matter the temperature or stage of life. As TORRAS continues to expand its innovation pipeline, the company remains committed to addressing real human needs with high-performance, beautifully designed solutions. Whether youre managing hormonal transitions, chasing your kids through a summer park, or just trying to stay cool on the subway, Coolify is here to offer a smarter, kinder, cooler experience. About TORRAS TORRAS is a global lifestyle technology brand dedicated to enhancing everyday life through smart, human-centric design. From award-winning smartphone accessories to cutting-edge wearable devices, TORRAS blends function and form to create thoughtful solutions for modern living. For more information, visit: https://coolify.torraslife.com Media Contact TORRAS Marketing: marketing@torraslife.com TORRAS PR Manager: Ray@torras-global.com WASHINGTON, June 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Most headlines worry about foreign AI dominance. But former hedge fund manager Enrique Abeyta sees a different threat rising from within. Abeyta explains in his recent briefing that with Elon Musks AI supercomputer Dojo accelerating toward national rollout and President Trumps executive order removing the last legal barriers Abeyta warns: It wont be China that runs the machine economy. Itll be Musk. Trump just ensured Dojo stays American. But in the process, he handed Musk the keys. Domestic Superpower: What Musk Built Dojo isnt just a chip or a data project. Its a complete, real-time AI system thats: Trained on 160 billion frames of daily real-world video Built on a proprietary chip 6x faster than Nvidias top processor Designed to control machines in motion not simulations Teslas next step? The June 1st launch of a fully autonomous robotaxi no pedals, no steering wheel, no driver. Trumps Order Removes the Last Obstacle President Trumps Removing Barriers to American AI Innovation executive order gives domestic AI leaders unprecedented freedom to develop and deploy systems like Dojo without traditional oversight. One key partner in Musks AI ecosystem is already expecting to receive billions of dollars from the Trump administration. The stated goal: outpace China. The result? Musk now operates the fastest, most government-aligned AI infrastructure in the country. About Enrique Abeyta Enrique Abeyta is a former hedge fund manager who tracked high-level capital movements and strategic shifts across markets, infrastructure, and policy. After managing nearly $4 billion in institutional capital, he now leads Breaking Profits, a research platform dedicated to exposing the next generation of power systems shaping Americas future. Media Contact: Derek Warren Public Relations Manager Paradigm Press Group Email: dwarren@paradigmpressgroup.com Editor's Note: The time of the press conference has been updated to 9:30 a.m. CST. All other details remain the same. Farmers, Veterans, Small Business Owners and Hemp Advocates to Speak Out Against Bills Threat to Jobs, Economic Growth and Freedom of Choice Over 100,000 Petition Signatures and Thousands of Handwritten Letters Expected to be Delivered to Governors Office AUSTIN, Texas, June 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHAT: A coalition of concerned Texans will host a press conference to address Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), legislation that dismantles the legal hemp industry and ignores the voices of small businesses, farmers, veterans and consumers across the state who rely on hemp-derived products for their livelihoods and general well-being. WHO: Industry leaders, farmers, small business owners, veterans and consumer advocates will come together to voice their concerns about the bills impact on jobs, agriculture and access to legal hemp-derived products. WHEN: Monday, June 2 at 9:30 a.m. CST WHERE: Texas Capitol House Press Conference Room 2W.6 1100 Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701 WHY: The Texas hemp industry is responding to Lieutenant Governor Dan Patricks ongoing false and inflammatory rhetoric, including his recent claim that hemp businesses want to kill your kids. This kind of fearmongering vilifies law-abiding Texas farmers, veterans and small business owners and distracts from the real public health risks at hand. SB 3, passed by the Texas House, bans hemp-derived products without establishing a regulatory alternative. If signed into law, the bill will not only dismantle a $4.3 billion industry supporting over 53,000 jobs, but will also open the floodgates to unregulated, unsafe products in Texas. The Texas Hemp Business Council and its supporters are calling on Governor Abbott to veto SB 3 and stand with the hundreds of thousands of Texans, including small business owners, workers, consumers and veterans, who depend on this industry for jobs, economic opportunity and the freedom to choose hemp-derived products. VISUALS: Coalition of farmers, veterans, business owners and industry leaders. Boxes of handwritten letters to be delivered to the governors office. Petition signage. Veterans sharing personal stories. About the Texas Hemp Business Council The Texas Hemp Business Council is an industry organization dedicated to promoting the hemp-based cannabinoid industry in Texas, while advocating for consumer safety, education and stakeholder engagement. More information is available at http://www.texashempbusinesscouncil.com. Media Contacts: Natalie Mu/George Medici PondelWilkinson 310.279.5980 nmu@pondel.com Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR At interim analysis, PSMAddition trial met its primary endpoint showing statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefit for Pluvicto plus hormone therapy versus hormone therapy alone, with positive trend in overall survival (OS) 1 Pluvicto is already approved for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and now shows potential in patients in an earlier disease setting 1,2 Novartis to present results at an upcoming medical meeting and, based on FDA feedback, will submit for regulatory review in the second half of the year Novartis is investigating a broad portfolio of RLTs in advanced cancers, including breast, colon, lung and pancreatic and is investing in multiple manufacturing facilities, with industry-leading infrastructure to accelerate delivery of RLTs to patients Basel, June 2, 2025 Novartis today announced topline results from a pre-specified interim analysis of the Phase III PSMAddition trial. The trial met its primary endpoint with a statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefit in radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) with a positive trend in overall survival (OS) in patients with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) treated with radioligand therapy (RLT), Pluvicto (lutetium (177Lu) vipivotide tetraxetan), in combination with standard of care (SoC) versus SoC alone1. In PSMAddition, the SoC is a combination of androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) therapy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)3. Almost all mHSPC patients ultimately progress to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)4. There is a need for additional treatment options with novel mechanisms of action that further delay progression, prolong OS and improve disease control compared to the current SoC, while showing a favorable safety and tolerability profile. The progression from metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer to castration-resistant disease remains a formidable challenge that can profoundly impact the survival of patients," said Shreeram Aradhye, M.D., President, Development and Chief Medical Officer at Novartis. "These results further strengthen our confidence in Pluvicto as a PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy. Following the recent FDA approval based on the PSMAfore trial in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, these data suggest using it in an earlier disease setting could advance care and address a significant unmet need for hormone-sensitive prostate cancer patients." This is the third positive read-out for Pluvicto in a Phase III trial, following the VISION and PSMAfore studies5,6. Results from PSMAddition in mHSPC show potential for treatment in an earlier setting with Pluvicto, which was recently granted US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for earlier use in mCRPC, based on results from PSMAfore1,2. Novartis is harnessing the innovation of world-class scientists, strategic partnerships and one of the industrys most competitive pipelines to explore the potential of new, targeted therapies and precision medicine platforms to address the greatest unmet needs in prostate cancer. Data will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and, based on FDA feedback, will be submitted for regulatory review in the second half of the year. About PSMAddition study PSMAddition (NCT04720157) is a Phase III, open-label, prospective, 1:1 randomized study comparing the efficacy and safety of Pluvicto in combination with SoC (ARPI + ADT) vs. SoC alone in adult patients with PSMA-positive mHSPC3. Patients randomized to the SoC alone arm are allowed to crossover to receive Pluvicto, upon confirmation of radiographic progression by blinded independent review committee (BIRC) and per the discretion of the treating physician3. The primary endpoint is rPFS, defined as the time to radiographic progression by PCWG3-modified RECIST V1.1 (as assessed by BIRC) or death3. The key secondary endpoint of OS is defined as time to death due to any cause3. About Pluvicto (INN: lutetium (177Lu) vipivotide tetraxetan) Pluvicto is an intravenous RLT that combines a targeting compound (a ligand) with a therapeutic radionuclide (a radioactive particle, in this case lutetium-177)5,7. After administration into the bloodstream, Pluvicto binds to PSMA-expressing target cells, including prostate cancer cells that express PSMA, a transmembrane protein5,7. Once bound, energy emissions from the radioisotope damage the target cells and nearby cells, disrupting their ability to replicate and/or triggering cell death7. Pluvicto is the only PSMA-targeted agent approved for PSMA-positive mCRPC and is the first targeted RLT to demonstrate a clinical benefit for patients with PSMA-positive mHSPC1. Novartis is investigating Pluvicto in earlier stages of disease, including oligometastatic prostate cancer (PSMA-DC, NCT05939414). Novartis and radioligand therapy (RLT) Novartis is reimagining cancer care with RLT for patients with advanced cancers. By harnessing the power of targeted radiation and applying it to advanced cancers, RLT is designed to deliver treatment directly to target cells, anywhere in the body8,9. Novartis is investigating a broad portfolio of RLTs, exploring new isotopes, ligands and combination therapies to look beyond gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) and prostate cancer and into breast, colon, lung and pancreatic cancer. Novartis has established global expertise, with specialized supply chain and manufacturing capabilities across its network of RLT production sites. To support growing demand for RLTs, we have expanded production capabilities in Millburn (NJ), Zaragoza (Spain), Ivrea (Italy) and a state-of-the-art facility in Indianapolis (IN). In Carlsbad (CA), Novartis is establishing its third US-based RLT manufacturing site to support expanded use of RLTs, create resiliency in its manufacturing network and optimize the delivery of medicines to patients on the West Coast. Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as potential, can, will, may, could, trend, potentially, upcoming, progression, progress, investigating, investing, look beyond, or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for Pluvicto, or regarding potential future revenues from Pluvicto. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that Pluvicto will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that Pluvicto will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding Pluvicto could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AGs current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Novartis Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend peoples lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach nearly 300 million people worldwide. Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at https://www.novartis.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X/Twitter and Instagram. References Data on file. Pluvicto [prescribing information]. Millburn, NJ: Advanced Accelerator Applications USA, Inc.; 2025. An International Prospective Open-label, Randomized, Phase III Study Comparing 177Lu-PSMA-617 in Combination With SoC, Versus SoC Alone, in Adult Male Patients With mHSPC (PSMAddition). ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04720157. Updated March 5, 2025. Accessed June 2, 2025. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04720157. Oing C, Bristow RG. Systemic treatment of metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancerupfront triplet versus doublet combination therapy. ESMO Open 2023l doi: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2023.101194 Sartor O, J. de Bono KN, Chi K, et al. Lutetium-177PSMA-617 for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. NEJM 2021; doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2107322. Morris M, Castellano D, Herrmann K, et al. 177Lu-PSMA-617 versus a change of androgen receptor pathway inhibitor therapy for taxane-naive patients with progressive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (PSMAfore): a phase 3, randomised, controlled trial. The Lancet 2024; doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01653-2. University of Chicago Medicine. Lutetium-177 PSMA Therapy for Prostate Cancer (Pluvicto). Accessed June 18, 2024. https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/cancer/types-treatments/prostate-cancer/treatment/lutetium-177-psma-therapy-for-prostate-cancer. Jadvar H. Targeted Radionuclide Therapy: An Evolution Toward Precision Cancer Treatment [published correction appears in AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2017 Oct;209(4):949. doi: 10.2214/AJR.17.18875]. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2017;209(2):277-288. doi:10.2214/AJR.17.18264 Jurcic JG, Wong JYC, Knoc SJ, et al. Targeted radionuclide therapy. In: Tepper JE, Foote RE, Michalski JM, eds. Gunderson & Teppers Clinical Radiation Oncology. 5th ed. Elsevier, Inc. 2021;71(3):209-249 # # # Novartis Media Relations E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com Novartis Investor Relations Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944 E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com Chinese scientist devotes 63 years to communication technology development Xinhua) 09:30, May 31, 2025 This file photo taken in 2020 shows Liu Jiaxing posing for a photo during his visit to the Jiamusi Deep Space Station in Jiamusi, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. (Xinhua) CHENGDU, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Liu Jiaxing, born in southwest China's Chongqing in 1940, is still in active service at a research institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation. He has devoted himself to the field of radar, communication as well as space telemetry and control technology for 63 years. Liu was assigned to a team on the development of telemetry devices to gauge the explosion power of China's first atomic bomb in 1963, shortly after his graduation from college. The next few decades saw him involved in the research of fire control radar for the country's home-made fighter jet, and the telemetry, control and command systems for the country's synchronous communication satellite, the manned space expeditions, the Chang'e lunar missions, and the Mars exploration missions. "Over the years, the communication distance of the devices I've worked on has expanded from dozens of kilometers to 400 million kilometers," said Liu, "I feel lucky to be part of these accomplishments, and I am confident that our course is looking at a much rosier future with further innovation and development." This file photo taken in 1962 shows Liu Jiaxing's portrait at the beginning of his career. (Xinhua) Liu Jiaxing reads files at a research institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Liu Jiaxing (3rd L) has a discussion with his colleagues at a research institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Liu Jiaxing (C) chats with young researchers at a research institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Liu Jiaxing (C) chats with young researchers at a research institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) This file photo taken in the 1990s shows Liu Jiaxing posing for a photo during his assignment on the telemetry and control equipment for China's space tracking ship Yuanwang. (Xinhua) (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Kou Jie) Chinese fireworks spark growth with expansion into Africa Xinhua) 11:04, June 02, 2025 CHANGSHA, May 31 (Xinhua) -- At the headquarters of a fireworks company in Liuyang City, central China's Hunan Province, Hu Yichuang guided clients through the dozens of fireworks on display in the showroom. From time to time, he scanned QR codes on the packaging with his smartphone, instantly bringing the dazzling spectacle of each firework to life on screen. "These videos give clients a clearer visual understanding of how the products perform," Hu said. Born in the 1990s, Hu took over the family business after completing his studies abroad. He now serves as general manager of Happy Fireworks Export Trading Co., Ltd., which has exported more than 500 types of fireworks products to over 60 countries worldwide. An experience abroad gave Hu a fresh perspective on the fireworks industry in his hometown of Liuyang. "During my time in Britain, I witnessed how fireworks displays became the highlight of London's New Year's Eve celebrations, with spectators reserving premium viewing spots up to six months in advance," Hu recalled. What truly astonished him was the discovery that the majority of these dazzling pyrotechnics originated from Liuyang, which filled him with both pride for his hometown and professional inspiration. "This revelation showed me how highly sought-after our hometown's fireworks are overseas," Hu said. "Liuyang's pyrotechnics have tremendous potential in the global market." The discovery steeled his resolve to return home, join the family business, and expand its international footprint in the fireworks industry. Liuyang, acclaimed as China's fireworks hub, is currently home to 431 fireworks production enterprises with annual output exceeding 50 billion yuan (about 6.96 billion U.S. dollars). The city's fireworks account for approximately 70 percent of China's total exports, reaching consumers across the world. With traditional Western markets nearing saturation, Liuyang's fireworks industry is increasingly focusing on emerging markets, including Africa, according to Wen Guanghui, chairman of a local fireworks industry association. "Africa's booming population, vibrant festival culture, and rising purchasing power are driving rapid growth in the fireworks market," Hu said. He added that his company has identified Africa as a strategic growth engine for its global operations and has established partnerships with enterprises in seven countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Uganda. "Our fireworks exports to Africa are on track to hit 10 million yuan this year." Liuyang fireworks are gaining steady recognition across Africa. Sebunya Hussien, a Ugandan pyrotechnics distributor who has long been engaged in fireworks sales and displays, recalled how "China's Liuyang" kept appearing during his online searches for premium suppliers when he was working on expanding his import channels. After viewing a series of production process demonstration videos released by Hu's company, along with vlogs documenting their staff's participation in international trade exhibitions and market research trips across global markets, Hussien promptly reached out to the company. This initial contact ultimately led to his 40-hour cross-continental journey to conduct an on-site inspection in Liuyang. Witnessing firsthand how simple paper tubes are transformed into breathtaking aerial displays -- and learning about Liuyang's advanced pyrotechnic manufacturing processes -- left Hussien deeply impressed. He said this experience has cemented his commitment to forging long-term partnerships with Liuyang's fireworks producers. To better align with African market preferences, local fireworks manufacturers are continuously refining their product strategies. "African clients favor fireworks with vibrant colors and high-intensity bursts," Hu explained. "Building on China's popular 'viral fireworks' trends, we've developed innovative products that deliver stunning visual impact alongside exceptional cost-performance." Hu noted that the company has also launched a new line of daytime fireworks specifically designed to meet the needs of African consumers for sporting events, weddings, and other daytime celebrations. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) Press Release Colt, Honeywell and Nokia join forces to trial space-based quantum-safe cryptography Tech collaboration will explore ways to protect encrypted data from quantum risk using Low Earth Orbit satellites. Trial to use space-based quantum key distribution to overcome terrestrial distance limitations. 2 June 2025 Espoo, Finland Colt Technology Services (Colt), a global digital infrastructure company, Honeywell and Nokia today announced a collaboration to explore quantum-safe networking using satellite communications. As part of the initiative, the companies are planning to test new ways of protecting encrypted optical network traffic from risks presented when quantum computing potentially breaks through traditional encryption methods, leaving data vulnerable to cyber threats. Traditional encryption methods, or cryptography, rely on complex mathematical problems that are difficult for computers to solve, but quantum computers are expected to solve these problems faster, potentially breaking through traditional encryption methods and putting data at risk. One promising advancement in this field is quantum key distribution (QKD), a technology central to the quantum evolution. However, QKD currently faces a major limitation: terrestrial physical constraints restrict its range to around 100 kilometers. To achieve global coverage of QKD, the technology can overcome these limitations by moving into space. Colt, Honeywell and Nokia plan to explore quantum-safe cryptography, trialling space-based and subsea techniques which are resistant to quantum computing attacks. The companies will trial quantum key distribution - a method used to securely share encryption keys between two parties using low earth orbit satellites for ultra-long distances and transatlantic reach. The three companies share a collective goal: enable customers to benefit from the huge potential of quantum computing in ways that help solve pressing challenges, while protecting them from risk. The trial is expected to be of interest to organisations responsible for vast amounts of highly sensitive data such as financial firms, healthcare and pharmaceutical organisations and government bodies. Fundamental to the collaboration between Colt, Honeywell and Nokia is a shared passion and determination to push the boundaries of technology to find solutions which safeguard our customers and help them succeed. At Colt, we do everything we can to make life easier for our customers. Its why were taking action now to protect our customers from future cybersecurity risks, tackling tomorrows threats, today, said Buddy Bayer, chief operating officer, Colt Technology Services. With over five decades of aerospace expertise, Honeywell has witnessed and adapted to the evolution of the global communications landscape. We are proud to continue as a leader in innovating future-proof solutions such as the QEYSSat and QKDSat missions for the quantum era. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in securing the future of critical data: designing solutions to enhance resilience, ensuring long-term data security for critical infrastructure and communications systems, said Lisa Napolitano, vice president and general manager, Space, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. Nokia is helping our customers stay ahead when it comes to securing critical data through resilient defense-in-depth strategies. Quantum computing brings great promise, but its also a potential threat to the encryption models on which society has relied so far. This collaboration with Colt and Honeywell shows how space-based quantum-safe technologies can help protect networks, safeguarding sensitive information across every domain against future quantum threats, said James Watt, vice president and general manager, Optical Networks at Nokia. Ahead of the trial, Colt, Honeywell and Nokia have drafted a white paper with more detail on the risks, threats and opportunities presented by quantum cryptography. The paper, entitled The Journey to Quantum-Safe Networking is available to download here. The announcement follows a pilot Colt announced in March to explore quantum-secure networking across terrestrial networks. Multimedia, technical information and related news Web Page: Quantum Explained Web Page: Quantum Safe Technologies About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation. With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future. About Colt Technology Services Colt Technology Services (Colt) is a global digital infrastructure company which creates extraordinary connections to help businesses succeed. Powered by amazing people and like-minded partners, Colt is driven by its purpose: to put the power of the digital universe in the hands of its customers, wherever, whenever and however they choose. Since 1992, Colt has set itself apart through its deep commitment to its customers, growing from its heritage in the City of London to a global business spanning 40+ countries, with over 6,000 employees and more than 80 offices around the world. Colts customers benefit from expansive digital infrastructure connecting 32,000 buildings across 230 cities, more than 50 Metropolitan Area Networks and 275+ Points of Presence across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and North Americas largest business hubs. Privately owned, Colt is one of the most financially sound companies in the sector. Obsessed with delivering industry-leading customer experience, Colt is guided by its dedication to customer innovation, by its values and its responsibility to its customers, partners, people and the planet. About Honeywell Products and services from Honeywell Aerospace Technologies are found on virtually every commercial, defense and space aircraft, and in many terrestrial systems. The Aerospace Technologies business unit builds aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin electronics, wireless connectivity systems, mechanical components, power systems, and more. Its hardware and software solutions create more fuel-efficient aircraft, more direct and on-time flights and safer skies and airports. For more information, visit aerospace.honeywell.com or follow Honeywell Aerospace Technologies on LinkedIn. Honeywell is an integrated operating company serving a broad range of industries and geographies around the world. Our business is aligned with three powerful megatrends automation, the future of aviation and energy transition underpinned by our Honeywell Accelerator operating system and Honeywell Forge IoT platform. As a trusted partner, we help organizations solve the world's toughest, most complex challenges, providing actionable solutions and innovations through our Aerospace Technologies, Industrial Automation, Building Automation and Energy and Sustainability Solutions business segments that help make the world smarter and safer as well as more secure and sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom. Media inquiries Nokia Press Office Email: Press.Services@nokia.com Sarah Miller - Nokia media relations Phone: 613-720-9716 | Email: sarah.miller@nokia.com Colt Head of PR Anne Amlot Email: anne.amlot@colt.net Honeywell Juliet Collins-Achong Phone: +44 7787 282932 Email: juliet.collins-achong@honeywell.com Follow Nokia on social media LinkedIn X Instagram Facebook YouTube Follow Colt on social media LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Facebook Dublin, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Addiction Disorders Drugs Market by Indication, Product Type, Route of Administration, Dosage Form, Distribution Channel, End User - Global Forecast to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Addiction Disorders Drugs Market grew from USD 27.08 billion in 2024 to USD 28.89 billion in 2025. It is expected to continue growing at a CAGR of 6.48%, reaching USD 39.49 billion by 2030. Over the past decade, the addiction therapeutics landscape has undergone profound transformation, propelled by breakthroughs in neuroscience and a heightened emphasis on personalized medicine. Digital therapeutics and telehealth solutions have augmented traditional pharmacotherapy, facilitating patient adherence and extending the reach of evidence-based care. Concurrently, the approval of novel opioid antagonists and long-acting formulations has redefined maintenance strategies, enabling clinicians to tailor regimens with greater precision. Amid these advancements, societal attitudes toward addiction are shifting, reducing stigma and encouraging earlier intervention. Collaborations between payers and providers are driving value-based payment models, incentivizing outcomes rather than volume. Moreover, regulatory agencies are streamlining approval pathways for therapies targeting high-unmet-need indications, accelerating time to market. These transformative shifts underscore a broader trend toward integrated, patient-centric frameworks that prioritize holistic recovery over symptom suppression. Assessing the Ripple Effects of 2025 US Tariff Policies on Drug Supply Chains In 2025, the introduction of new United States tariffs on active pharmaceutical ingredients and drug imports has generated ripple effects across the supply chain. Manufacturers dependent on overseas raw materials have confronted increased production costs, prompting adjustments in pricing strategies and contract negotiations. These cost pressures have been most pronounced for generics and off-patent formulations, where margins are inherently constrained. To mitigate the impact, several stakeholders have diversified supplier networks, exploring domestic sourcing and vertical integration initiatives. Some companies have accelerated innovation pipelines to offset higher input costs through premium product launches. Meanwhile, payers and providers are recalibrating formularies to balance budgetary constraints with clinical efficacy, favoring therapies that demonstrate robust real-world outcomes. As the market adapts to this new tariff environment, agility and supply chain resilience have emerged as critical differentiators for industry participants. Decoding Regional Dynamics Across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific Regional analysis reveals distinct market dynamics across the Americas, Europe Middle East and Africa, and Asia-Pacific. In the Americas, high healthcare expenditure coupled with well-established regulatory frameworks fosters rapid uptake of innovative therapies, particularly in opioid and alcohol dependence. The convergence of public and private payer systems has also facilitated broad access initiatives, driving prescription volume growth. Within Europe, Middle East and Africa, heterogeneity in healthcare infrastructure and reimbursement policies yields varied adoption rates. Western European markets emphasize evidence-based formulary inclusion and tend to favor branded medications, whereas emerging economies in the Middle East and Africa show heightened demand for cost-effective generic solutions. Collaborative agreements between local authorities and multinational corporations are instrumental in expanding treatment accessibility. The Asia-Pacific region is characterized by escalating investment in mental health programs and an accelerating shift toward outpatient care models. Nations such as Japan and Australia are pioneering long-acting injectable therapies, while Southeast Asian countries prioritize scalable, low-cost interventions. Regulatory reforms aimed at streamlining clinical trial processes are attracting significant R&D interest, positioning the region as a key growth frontier. Profiling Leading Stakeholders Steering Innovation and Market Growth Key players are deploying multifaceted strategies to consolidate their market positions and advance therapeutic frontiers. Leading pharmaceutical companies have fortified their pipelines through acquisitions of biotech innovators specializing in novel receptor targets and long-acting delivery platforms. Strategic alliances are enabling the co-development of combination therapies that integrate pharmacological agents with digital adherence solutions. Generic manufacturers are leveraging scale efficiencies to penetrate value-driven markets, while niche biotech firms concentrate on underserved indications and precision medicine approaches. Contract research organizations and specialty pharmacies have also emerged as vital partners, delivering integrated services that streamline patient onboarding and support adherence monitoring. The competitive landscape continues to evolve as emerging entrants pursue orphan drug designations and expedited approval pathways, challenging incumbents to maintain agility and clinical leadership. Strategic Pathways for Industry Leaders to Navigate Future Challenges Industry leaders should prioritize portfolio diversification by balancing established therapies with novel modalities that address unmet needs. Investment in real-world evidence generation will strengthen payer negotiations and support value-based contracting. Cultivating partnerships with digital health providers can amplify patient engagement and adherence metrics, enhancing clinical and economic outcomes. Supply chain resilience must be reinforced through dual sourcing strategies and advanced inventory management systems to mitigate tariff and geopolitical risks. Organizations are advised to explore regional manufacturing hubs to reduce import dependencies and shorten lead times. Engaging with regulatory bodies to shape policy frameworks will facilitate faster approval pathways and market access for innovative treatments. Finally, adopting patient-centric service models that integrate pharmacotherapy with psychosocial support will differentiate offerings in a crowded marketplace. Embedding predictive analytics into care delivery can anticipate relapse risks and tailor interventions, ensuring sustained patient recovery and long-term market growth. Market Segmentation & Coverage This research report categorizes to forecast the revenues and analyze trends in each of the following sub-segmentations: Indication Alcohol Dependence Acamprosate Disulfiram Naltrexone Opioid Dependence Buprenorphine Methadone Naltrexone Smoking Cessation Bupropion Nicotine Replacement Therapy Gum Inhaler Lozenge Patch Varenicline Stimulant Dependence Off Label Drugs Research Drugs Product Type Branded Generic Route of Administration Injectable Intramuscular Intravenous Oral Sublingual Film Tablet Transdermal Patch Dosage Form Capsule Film Injectable Solution Patch Tablet Distribution Channel Hospital Pharmacy Online Pharmacy Retail Pharmacy End User Clinics Homecare Settings Hospitals This research report categorizes to forecast the revenues and analyze trends in each of the following sub-regions: Americas United States California Texas New York Florida Illinois Pennsylvania Ohio Canada Mexico Brazil Argentina Europe, Middle East & Africa United Kingdom Germany France Russia Italy Spain United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia South Africa Denmark Netherlands Qatar Finland Sweden Nigeria Egypt Turkey Israel Norway Poland Switzerland Asia-Pacific China India Japan Australia South Korea Indonesia Thailand Philippines Malaysia Singapore Vietnam Taiwan The companies profiled in this Addiction Disorders Drugs market report include: Pfizer Inc. Johnson & Johnson Indivior plc Alkermes plc Camurus AB Orexo AB BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mallinckrodt plc Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 196 Forecast Period 2025-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $28.89 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $39.49 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.4% Regions Covered Global For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/aioixn 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. ALMATY, Kazakhstan, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shoqan School , founded by Kenges Rakishev and Aselle Tasmagambetova, has become the first educational organization in Kazakhstan to issue bonds, which in this case will be used to support the institution's growth. The Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) Listing Commission approved the inclusion of Shoqan School's bonds in the official bond list on the exchange's alternative trading platform on May 22, 2025. The bond issue totals one billion tenge, with a par value of one thousand tenge per bond and a maturity of three years. Trading started on May 28, 2025. The instrument offers investors an annual yield of 21%, payable quarterly. "Deploying capital-market instruments for education is how we match world-class ambitions with financial discipline," said Shoqan School co-founder Kenges Rakishev, a Kazakh investor and entrepreneur. "This bond shows investors that impact, and financial return can coexist in Kazakhstan's growing education sector," he stated. Shoqan School was founded in Almaty in 2020 by Kenges Rakishev and Aselle Tasmagambetova. Since its creation, the school has been recognized for its innovative approach to education, which emphasizes personalized learning as a key tool towards academic excellence. Originally named after Shoqan Walikhanov, a nineteenth-century Kazakh scholar, it operates as a non-profit and currently educates over 1,200 pupils. Co-founder Aselle Tasmagambetova noted that "our model proves that personalized education is the right tool to unlock the potential of future generations." On February 12, 2024, Rakishev and Tasmagambetova announced full scholarships for students from Shoqan School who are admitted to top-ten global universities, as ranked by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. This year, the school announced that three Shoqan School students were admitted to Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley, under the school's Mentoring Program, established by both founders. Kenges Rakishev (born 1979 in Almaty) is the Chairman of Fincraft Group and the majority shareholder of Fincraft Resources, which is listed on the KASE. He has consistently appeared on Kazakhstan's Forbes List since 2012. Teniz Capital Investment Banking acted as the financial advisor on the bond placement. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4c90c97b-ab71-4918-a93e-d559450b568c KEY HIGHLIGHTS: Chabot Target: 3.90 grams of gold per tonne (g/t Au) over 3.5 metres (m), including 9.62 g/t Au over 1 m near surface (PEN-25-100); second zone returned 2.6 g/t Au over 1.3 m with over 1% zinc (1) . Alpha Target (Muskego North Shear Zone): 1.00 g/t Au over 1.0 m (MSK-25-004), confirming the down-dip extension of a 2022 bedrock sample that graded 5.18 g/t Au. Foxtrot, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta Targets: Multiple zones of stratabound and remobilized sulphide mineralization with elevated gold, copper, and zinc values in structurally and lithologically favorable settings. Pending results from an additional 5 drill holes at the Aljo Gold Target (Aljo) to be released as they become available. Increased exploration budget to approximately C$4.4M that will focus at Aljo and other high-priority targets. Drilling at Aljo to resume in July 2025 with a 3,000 m drill program focused on targeting the depth and strike extensions of the HW, Main and FW Zones. SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GFG Resources Inc. (TSXV: GFG) (OTCQB: GFGSF) (GFG or the Company) announces results from its Phase 1 2025 greenfield drill program at the Pen Gold Project (Pen), located in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt southwest of the Timmins Gold Camp of Ontario (See Figures 1-2). The winter drill program focused on systematically testing the Muskego North Shear Zone (Alpha and Foxtrot targets), the southern Muskego Shear Zone (Charlie target), and interpreted extensions of the Destor-Porcupine Fault (Delta target), and from the Chabot Target (Chabot). Brian Skanderbeg, President and CEO of GFG commented, The results from our Phase 1 drilling at Pen are encouraging, particularly at the Alpha and Chabot targets, where weve intersected meaningful gold and base metal mineralization. This inaugural drill program at Muskego has confirmed the potential of the Muskego shear system, and were especially pleased to see mineralization aligning with key structural and lithological controls. With multiple new targets tested across the property, our generative work is delivering a strong pipeline for discovery. Weve increased our exploration budget and meterage to support an aggressive second half of the year, with a focus at Aljo and further advancement of high-priority targets. Backed by a strong balance sheet, we are fully funded to continue executing on our exploration strategy and unlocking value across our portfolio. Technical Summary of Results (2) Alpha Target (Muskego North Shear Zone) The first five holes (MSK-25-001 to 005) focused on the Muskego North Shear Zone, host to a 2022 sonic bedrock sample that returned 5.18 g/t Au with associated pathfinder anomalism. Notably, hole MSK-25-004 intersected 1.00 g/t Au over 1.0 m in highly strained and brecciated chlorite-altered mafic volcanics at a depth of 64.7 m. This intercept projects well to the up-dip sonic sample location, confirming the presence of shear-hosted gold mineralization. Additional zones of stratabound and remobilized sulphides were observed across multiple holes, including anomalous base metal results such as 0.34% zinc over 0.75 m in MSK-25-001 and 0.3% zinc over 0.8 m within a 20.0 m interval of anomalous copper and zinc in MSK-25-004. Foxtrot Target Hole MSK-25-005 tested a gold-in-till anomaly 1.3 km east of the Alpha Target and intersected stratabound and remobilized sulphides with up to 0.3% zinc and 0.14% copper. Bravo Target (Porcupine Basin Margin) Drilling at the Bravo target tested the southern margin and core of the interpreted Porcupine sedimentary basin (holes MSK-25-006 and 007). Although sulphide mineralization was weak, thick sequences of feldspar porphyry intrusions and felsic tuffs were encountered, with up to 2% disseminated pyrite noted locally. Charlie Target (Muskego South Shear Zone) Follow-up drilling on 2022 sonic till anomalies at Charlie returned a highlight of 0.57 g/t Au over 0.65 m (MSK-25-008) and identified broad quartz-carbonate veining within altered and strained porphyry units in MSK-25-009. These structural features warrant additional work. Delta Target (Destor-Porcupine Fault Zone) Hole MSK-25-010 marked the first test of the Destor-Porcupine fault zone west of the historic Joburke Gold Mine. The hole intersected a rubbly fault zone from 100 to 159 m within strongly hematized, syenite-like porphyry and ultramafic rocks, validating the faults presence and its potential for mineralization. Chabot Target Significant near-surface gold mineralization was intersected in hole PEN-25-100, which returned 3.90 g/t Au over 3.5 m from 15 m downhole, including 9.62 g/t Au over 1.0 m, with nearly 0.1% copper. A second zone at 110 m depth returned 2.6 g/t Au over 1.3 m with over 1% (1) zinc and nearly 0.1% copper. These intervals were encountered in sericite-altered felsic tuffs and porphyries and suggest a previously unrecognized style of gold mineralization outside the typical iron-formation host. In addition to the drilling program, GFG completed a sonic drill program focused on the western portion of the Muskego target area. The purpose of the sonic drill program is to gain till and bedrock samples to generate additional drill targets in this underexplored region. Further, the Company completed a 54 line-kilometre IP survey over the main portion of the Muskego target. The IP survey will support exploration efforts by refining current targets and outline new targets. Anders Carlson, Vice President, Exploration of GFG commented, Our first-ever diamond drill programs at the Muskego and Chabot targets confirm the strong discovery potential of the Pen Gold Project. These initial holes help us rewrite the geological model at Muskego, where we've intersected widespread altered felsic porphyry systems along major regional structuresinformation that has never been known due to the lack of historic exploration. With this new data in hand, were well-positioned to prioritize the most prospective targets and plan the next phase of exploration in one of the most underexplored and exciting areas of the Abitibi. Outlook GFGs exploration program for the remainder of 2025 continues to expand, driven by a growing pipeline of regional targets and increasing geological confidence across brown and greenfield targets. At Aljo, the next phase of drilling will begin in July, targeting both the expansion of known mineralized zones and step-out holes into newly defined targets. The geological model at Aljo has been significantly advanced by the Q1 2025 drill campaign, positioning the Company to begin internal resource scoping for the first time at this target. Concurrently, prospecting efforts will focus southeast along strike from Aljo, where favourable variolitic mafic volcanic units have been identifiedpotentially representing the next regional drill target. Additional target generation is also underway northwest of Aljo, in an area where mafic volcanic flows are in direct contact with the Pipestone Fault and felsic porphyriesan underexplored geological setting with strong discovery potential. GFG is actively evaluating strategies to efficiently scale up exploration across this emerging and highly prospective corridor of the Abitibi. The goal is to advance several of these new targets to drill stage within the next 6 to 12 months. At Pen, data from the Q1 exploration program is being integrated with results from a recently completed 2D IP geophysical survey at Muskego. This new dataset will support improved targeting by correlating conductivity and resistivity models with diamond and sonic drill results across the Muskego area. With the new data in hand, GFG plans to conduct prospecting and mapping focused on the east and west flanks of the swamp to further constrain the structural and lithological context of Phase 1 drill intercepts. At Chabot, a new intercept of 3.90 g/t Au over 3.5 m represents a priority target that warrants follow-up drilling as the system is open in all directions. Summer prospecting around Chabot will focus on tracing this mineralized trend along strike, where outcrops coincide with significant regional gold-in-till anomalies. At the Dore Property, prospecting efforts will continue along the eastern margin, where strong gold-in-till anomalies generated from the 2023 and 2024 regional sampling programs remain untested by drilling. These anomalies represent compelling drill targets for future phases of exploration. Figure 1: Regional Map of GFG Gold Projects in the Timmins Gold District Figure 2: Muskego Target - Plan View Map About GFG Resources Inc. GFG is a North American precious metals exploration company focused on district scale gold projects in tier one mining jurisdictions. The Company operates three gold projects, each hosting large and highly prospective gold properties within the prolific gold district of Timmins, Ontario, Canada. The projects have similar geological settings that host most of the gold deposits found in the Timmins Gold Camp which have produced over 70 million ounces of gold. For further information, please contact: Brian Skanderbeg, President & CEO or Marc Lepage, Vice President, Business Development Phone: (306) 931-0930 Email: info@gfgresources.com Website: www.gfgresources.com Stay Connected with Us X (Twitter): @GFGResources LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gfgresources/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GFGResourcesInc/ Footnotes: (1) Full assay result is incomplete as overlimit assays remain pending. (2) Drill intercepts are presented using a 1.0 g/t Au cut-off and as drilled length. Composites include internal dilution of up to 3 m at grades less than 1.0 g/t Au. True width is estimated to be 70 to 90% of drilled length. Sampling protocols, quality control and assurance measures and geochemical results related to historic drill core samples quoted in this news release have not been verified by the Qualified Person and therefore must be regarded as estimates. Sampling and Quality Control All scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been prepared under the supervision of Anders Carlson, P.Geo. and Vice President, Exploration of GFG, a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. Drill core samples are being analyzed for gold by Activation Laboratories Ltd. in Timmins, Ontario. Gold analysis consists of the preparation of a 500-gram pulp and an assay of a 50-gram aliquot by Pb collection fire assay with an Atomic Absorption Spectrometry finish (Package 1A2-50. Samples assaying above 5 ppm Au are routinely re-run using a gravimetric finish (Package 1A3-50). Selected samples are also undergoing multi-element analysis for 59 other elements using a four-acid digestion and an ICP-MS finish (Package MA250) by Bureau Veritas Commodities Canada Ltd. in Vancouver, British Columbia. Quality control and assurance measures include the monitoring of results for inserted certified reference materials, coarse blanks and preparation duplicates of drill core. 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. CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (referred to herein as forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the Companys future exploration plans with respect to its property interests and the timing thereof, the prospective nature of the projects, future price of gold, success of exploration activities and metallurgical test work, permitting time lines, currency exchange rate fluctuations, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of exploration work, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims and limitations on insurance coverage. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate or believes, or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results, may, could, would, will, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved or the negative connotation thereof. All forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions, including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management, the assumed long-term price of gold, that the Company will receive required permits and access to surface rights, that the Company can access financing, appropriate equipment and sufficient labour, and that the political environment within Canada will continue to support the development of mining projects. In addition, the similarity or proximity of other gold deposits to the Companys projects is not necessary indicative of the geological setting, alteration and mineralization of the Goldarm Property, the Pen Gold Project and the Dore Gold Project. 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 GFG to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: actual results of current exploration activities; environmental risks; future prices of gold; operating risks; accidents, labour issues and other risks of the mining industry; availability of capital, delays in obtaining government approvals or financing; and other risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties and the additional risks described in the Companys most recently filed annual and interim MD&A are not and should not be construed as being exhaustive. Although GFG 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. 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. In addition, forward-looking statements are provided solely for the purpose of providing information about managements current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of our operating environment. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date hereof and GFG assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8fc08cc7-7169-40db-8ec1-1f8e86b78a70 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/004640ef-1aa6-429b-ad7e-f4210f53935c LAS VEGAS, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hyperscale Data, Inc. (NYSE American: GPUS), a diversified holding company (Hyperscale Data or the Company), today announced the sale of its minority equity interest in a privately held pharmaceutical company for gross proceeds of $4.65 million in cash. Hyperscale Data purchased the equity position for $1.5 million in several closings between three and four years ago. This transaction is consistent with the Companys ongoing strategy to exit non-core investments and concentrate capital and resources on its primary asseta 617,000 square foot data center located in Michigan, which is being developed to support high-performance computing (HPC) workloads, including artificial intelligence (AI) applications. As we streamline our operations and sharpen our focus, this sale demonstrates our commitment to unlocking value and deploying capital where we believe we have the greatest long-term opportunity, said William B. Horne, Chief Executive Officer of Hyperscale Data. We are firmly focused on developing our Michigan data center to meet the accelerating demand for AI infrastructure. In February 2025, the Company announced that its indirect, wholly owned subsidiary Alliance Cloud Services, LLC (ACS) had reached an agreement in principle with its primary local utility to expand the Michigan facilitys available power from approximately 30 megawatts (MW) to 300 MW. The completion of this power upgrade is anticipated to take 44 months from execution of a formal letter of authorization between ACS and the utility, which is currently being negotiated. In addition, the Company also announced that ACS has reached an agreement in principle with the local natural gas utility to provide an additional 40 MW. The project is expected to be completed within 18 months of the execution of definitive agreements. Combined, this expansion would bring the total expected power capacity of the data center to approximately 340 MW, positioning Hyperscale Data to host large-scale AI and HPC workloads. The completion of the power upgrades is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, one or more which could result in the project being curtailed, delayed or terminated, including, but not limited to: failure to agree upon terms and execute definitive agreements; the inability of the Company or ACS to raise sufficient funds to pay for the power upgrades; failure to obtain regulatory consents and approvals; the inability to obtain sufficient easements, rights-of-way and land rights necessary to the work to be performed, and other presently unforeseen events or conditions. For more information on Hyperscale Data and its subsidiaries, Hyperscale Data recommends that stockholders, investors and any other interested parties read Hyperscale Datas public filings and press releases available under the Investor Relations section at hyperscaledata.com or available at www.sec.gov. About Hyperscale Data, Inc. Through its wholly owned subsidiary Sentinum, Inc., Hyperscale Data owns and operates a data center at which it mines digital assets and offers colocation and hosting services for the emerging AI ecosystems and other industries. Hyperscale Datas other wholly owned subsidiary, Ault Capital Group, Inc. (ACG), is a diversified holding company pursuing growth by acquiring undervalued businesses and disruptive technologies with a global impact. Hyperscale Data expects to divest itself of ACG on or about December 31, 2025 (the Divestiture). Upon the occurrence of the Divestiture, the Company would solely be an owner and operator of data centers to support HPC services, though it may at that time continue to mine Bitcoin. Until the Divestiture occurs, the Company will continue to provide, through ACG and its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries and strategic investments, mission-critical products that support a diverse range of industries, including an AI software platform, social gaming platform, equipment rental services, defense/aerospace, industrial, automotive, medical/biopharma and hotel operations. In addition, ACG is actively engaged in private credit and structured finance through a licensed lending subsidiary. Hyperscale Datas headquarters are located at 11411 Southern Highlands Parkway, Suite 190, Las Vegas, NV 89141. On December 23, 2024, the Company issued one million (1,000,000) shares of a newly designated Series F Exchangeable Preferred Stock (the Series F Preferred Stock) to all common stockholders and holders of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis. The Divestiture will occur through the voluntary exchange of the Series F Preferred Stock for shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of ACG (collectively, the ACG Shares). The Company reminds its stockholders that only those holders of the Series F Preferred Stock who agree to surrender such shares, and do not properly withdraw such surrender, in the exchange offer through which the Divestiture will occur, will be entitled to receive the ACG Shares and consequently be stockholders of ACG upon the occurrence of the Divestiture. 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. These forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as believes, plans, anticipates, projects, estimates, expects, intends, strategy, future, opportunity, may, will, should, could, potential, or similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. More information, including potential risk factors, that could affect the Companys business and financial results are included in the Companys filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Companys Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. All filings are available at www.sec.gov and on the Companys website at hyperscaledata.com. Hyperscale Data Investor Contact: IR@hyperscaledata.com or 1-888-753-2235 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Patagonia Gold Corp. (Patagonia or the Company) (TSXV: PGDC) is pleased to announce that, further to its news releases dated March 14, 2025, April 14, 2025 and May 20, 2025, it has completed the US$40 million investment (the Calcatreu Financing) by Black River Mine Inc. (Black River) in the Companys subsidiary, Patagonia Gold Canada Inc. (PG Canada). In connection with the Calcatreu Financing, PG Canada issued an aggregate of 40 million preferred shares (the Preferred Shares) at a price of US$1.00 per share. The Preferred Shares were issued pursuant to the terms of the investment agreement dated April 13, 2025 between PG Canada and Black River. Proceeds from the Calcatreu Financing will be used solely for funding the development of the Companys Calcatreu project in Rio Negro province, Argentina (the Project) and to pay fees and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the Calcatreu Financing. The Company did not pay any finders fee in connection with the Calcatreu Financing. The Preferred Shares issued pursuant to the Calcatreu Financing are non-voting and are subject to restrictions on transfer in accordance with PG Canadas articles and the terms of a shareholders agreement among the Company, PG Canada and Black River. The TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) conditionally approved the Calcatreu Financing; however, it remains subject to final approval of the TSXV. Black River is controlled by Carlos J. Miguens and therefore is a related party of the Company (as Mr. Miguens has ownership and control over 200,717,161 common shares, representing 43.2% of the 465,051,490 common shares of the Company currently outstanding). Accordingly, the Calcatreu Financing is a related party transaction under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). Since Mr. Miguens participation in the Calcatreu Financing exceeded 25% of the Companys market capitalization (calculated in accordance with MI 61-101), the Company obtained shareholder approval in accordance with MI 61-101 at a special meeting of shareholders (the Meeting) held on May 20, 2025. The Company is exempt from the requirement to obtain a formal valuation in connection with the Mr. Miguens participation in the Calcatreu Financing in reliance of Section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101. Details of the Project The Project is the Companys flagship project located near the southern border of Rio Negro, approximately 85 kilometres south of the town of Ing Jacobacci. The Company acquired the Project from Pan American Silver in 2018 and since then has been dedicated to obtaining the permits to advance the Project to production. In November 2024, the Company was notified by the local Provincial authorities that the final permit to proceed with construction and development of the Project had been granted (please see November 7, 2024 news release on https://patagoniagold.com/investors/news-releases/). The Project has approximately 746,000 contained AuEq (gold equivalent) ounces of measured and indicated mineral resource category and 390,000 contained AuEq ounces of Inferred Mineral Resources as disclosed in the Technical Report (as defined below). Qualified Persons Statement Donald J. Birak, an independent consulting geologist, Registered Member of SME, Fellow of AusIMM, and qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. Additional information about the Project and the mineral resources referred to in this news release are available in the technical report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, entitled NI 43-101 Technical Report, Mineral Resource Estimate, Calcatreu Gold-Silver Project, Rio Negro Province, Argentina, dated effective December 31, 2018 (the Technical Report), which is available under the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. About Patagonia Gold Patagonia Gold Corp. is a South America focused, publicly traded, mining company listed on the TSXV. The Company seeks to grow shareholder value through exploration and development of gold and silver projects in the Patagonia region of Argentina. The Company is primarily focused on the Calcatreu project in Rio Negro and the development of the Cap-Oeste underground project. Patagonia, indirectly through its subsidiaries or under option agreements, has mineral rights to over 400 properties in several provinces of Argentina and is one of the largest landholders in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina. For more information, please contact: Christopher van Tienhoven, Chief Executive Officer Patagonia Gold Corp. T: +54 11 5278 6950 E: cvantienhoven@patagoniagold.com FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements with respect to, the intended use of proceeds from the Calcatreu Financing; the proposed advancement of the Project; the receipt of TSXV approval; the advancement and development of gold and silver projects in the Patagonia region of Argentina; and the anticipated growth in shareholder value. Wherever possible, words such as may, will, should, could, expect, plan, intend, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict or potential or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect managements current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof. Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. In particular, the Company advises that it does not have defined mineral reserves and it has not based its decision to advance development of the Project on a feasibility study of mineral reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability, and, as a result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. TORONTO, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emerita Resources Corp. (TSX-V: EMO; OTCQB: EMOTF; FSE: LLJA) (the Company or Emerita) provides comments with respect to the announcement made on May 30, 2025 by the Minister of Energy and Mines of Andalucia, Mr. Jorge Paradela, that the Junta de Andalucia, through his ministry, has granted the exploitation license to Minera Los Frailes (MLF) to develop the Aznalcollar project. Spanish independent legal counsel of Emerita has reassured the Company that this announcement will have no bearing on the outcome of the ongoing criminal trial related to the awarding of the Aznalcollar Public Tender (see news release dated March 3, 2025). At the press conference where the announcement was made, no member of MLF was present. The resolution granting the exploitation permit to MLF will not be official until it is published in the official gazette. Since it is an administrative decision, it can be revoked or overturned, particularly when there are several legal proceedings related to the Aznalcollar public tender, including a criminal trial yet to be settled involving several alleged crimes of prevarication and corruption. Further, with respect to the proposed discharge of water from the project as proposed by MLF, there is an ongoing administrative litigation yet to be resolved, that was initiated by Ecologistas en Accion, a non-governmental group, along with other interest groups. It is unlikely that the development of the Aznalcollar project can proceed with that litigation outstanding. Emerita, through its Spanish subsidiary Emerita Resources Espana, intends to appeal this decision by the Junta awarding the Exploitation License to MLF on the grounds that there is still a criminal trial to be resolved, and if the ruling is in favor of Emerita, the Company reserves its right to pursue all legal remedies, including the right to seek compensation for damages. On Friday, May 30, 2025 there was strong media reaction, and a series of news items appeared in the press and on television in Spain related to the Aznalcollar criminal court case. Of particular interest, Mrs. Leire Diez, known in the media as the fixer of the PSOE (the Spanish Socialist Workers Party) was reportedly recorded in several audio recordings in which she allegedly attempted to blackmail members of the UCO (federal police) to avoid ongoing investigations of corruption charges against the PSOE in several different cases. Friday's news reports specifically refers to one such audio recording where the First Deputy Prime Minister of Spain (federal), Mrs. Maria J. Montero allegedly instructed Mrs. Leire to launch a program to discredit Emerita and liberate Mr. Vicente Fernandez (the most senior government official implicated in the Aznalcollar criminal trial) from the charges in the Aznalcollar criminal proceedings. Mrs. Montero and Mr. Fernadez worked together at the Junta de Andalucia during the last Socialist Party term in the regional government when the Aznalcollar tender was resolved. Mr. Fernandez had been appointed as president of SEPI, the Spanish state-owned industrial holding company connected to the Ministry of Finance, but had to resign when criminally charged in the Aznalcollar case. Emerita has not heard these recordings and is conveying information from the Spanish press as relates to them. It is Emeritas belief, as corroborated by several media sources, that Mrs. Montero had kept the SEPI presidential position vacant for 18 months after Mr. Fernandezs resignation in the hope that Mr. Fernandez could be freed from the charges in the Aznalcollar case and resume the role. David Gower, P.Geo., CEO of Emerita notes, The announcement by the Minister of Energy and Mines is unfortunate considering that a completion of the criminal trial related to awarding the Aznalcollar public tender is near and could force the disqualification of Minera Los Frailes bid. Emerita has complete confidence in the impartiality of the judges who are conducting the criminal trial, and whose hearings are due to be completed in July with the judges' decisions to be rendered shortly thereafter. Regarding the news of alleged corruption at higher level in government and media reports indicating the existence of audio recordings in which the PSOE (Socialist Party) politicians gave instructions to damage the interests of a Canadian company, we reserve the right to take any action in this regard to protect our interests and the interest of our shareholders. The 16 defendants, who are members of the panel responsible for evaluating and awarding the tender, as well as the two proprietors of a Spanish company, Minorbis S.L.U., face criminal charges for the alleged rigging of the Aznalcollar mining public tender, including accusations of influence peddling, fraud and embezzlement. About Emerita Resources Corp. Emerita is a natural resource company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Europe, with a primary focus on exploring in Spain. The Companys corporate office and technical team are based in Sevilla, Spain with an administrative office in Toronto, Canada. For further information, contact: Ian Parkinson +1 647 910-2500 (Toronto) info@emeritaresources.com www.emeritaresources.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the legal proceedings regarding the Aznalcollar public tender, the Companys legal rights regarding the Aznalcollar project, the Companys ability to acquire the Aznalcollar project and the Companys future plans. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. 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 Emerita, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; the actual results of current exploration activities; risks associated with operation in foreign jurisdictions; ability to successfully integrate the purchased properties; foreign operations risks; and other risks inherent in the mining industry. Although Emerita has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Emerita does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. HIGH RIVER, Alberta, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today Western Financial Group is proud to announce a multi-year strategic partnership with the Calgary Stampeders, uniting two powerhouse organizations that share a deep commitment to community, performance, and Canadian values. Through this partnership, Western Financial Group will be a home and away jersey sponsor as well as on-field and in-arena advertiser, prominently featured across McMahon Stadium through impactful branding. As Canadas insurance broker, Western Financial Group is powered by a team of experts dedicated to protecting what matters most to our customers, said Grant Ostir, CEO of Western Financial Group. Partnering with the Calgary Stampeders reflects our bold vision for the future, one built on teamwork, trust, and delivering value to our customers and the communities we serve. Were proud to welcome Western Financial Group to the Stampeders family, said Jay McNeil, President of the Calgary Stampeders. This partnership brings together two organizations deeply rooted in community values and Western Canadian spirit. We look forward to building something special together for our fans and the broader community. Under Grants visionary leadership, Western recently unveiled a transformative growth strategy for 2025, and this new partnership is a testament to our alignment to our goals and our belief in the power of collaboration and community. With Western Financial Groups presence on the field, in the stands, and on Stampeders jerseys, fans can expect to see more of the brand they trust. This partnership is a celebration of two great Canadian organizations rooted in tradition, with a commitment to customer care and a community focus, said Tonia Berger, Marketing Consultant, Western Financial Group. Were proud to support the CFL and stand alongside the Calgary Stampeders as we build on our shared legacy of excellence. About Western Financial Group Inc. Headquartered in High River, Alberta, Western Financial Group is a diversified insurance services company that has provided over one million Canadians with protection for over 100 years. Western, a proudly Canadian company, is committed to community service, customer service, innovation, growth, and people while providing personal and business insurance through our engaged team of over 2,000 people in over 200 communities, affiliates, and various connected channels. Since the very beginning, supporting our local communities has guided everything we doit's who we are. In 2001, the Western Financial Group Communities Foundation (our non-profit charity) was created as a way for our team members to give back and positively impact the people and pride in the places where we live, work, and play. To date, we have granted over $9 million back into our communities. Western Financial Group is a subsidiary of Trimont Financial Ltd., a subsidiary of The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company. Visit https://westernfinancialgroup.ca for more. About the Calgary Stampeders The Calgary Stampeder Football Club was founded in 1945. The team has finished first in their division 21 times, has made 17 Grey Cup appearances and has won the championship on eight occasions. The Stampeders are proud members of the Calgary and Southern Alberta communities and are actively involved in a number of causes, with amateur football and health and wellness programs being particular areas of focus. Not for distribution to United States Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Great Northern Energy Metals Inc. (GNEM or the Company) (CSE: GNEM) is pleased to announce that it intends to proceed with a brokered private placement of up to 5,715,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the Shares) at a price of $0.35 per Share (the Issue Price), for gross proceeds of up to approximately $2,000,250 (the Offering). The Company has entered into an engagement letter dated May 29, 2025 (the Engagement Letter) with Haywood Securities Inc. (Haywood) whereby Haywood will act as lead agent and sole bookrunner for the Offering on a reasonable best-efforts basis. Haywood has the right to invite other investment dealers to act as agents (together with Haywood, the Agents) in connection with the Offering. The Company will pay cash commissions to the Agent(s) equivalent to 7% of the gross proceeds of the Offering and will also pay to Haywood a corporate finance fee in the amount of $25,000 plus applicable taxes. The terms of the Engagement Letter are expected to be superseded by the terms of a definitive agency agreement to be entered into between GNEM and Haywood. The Company has granted the Agents an option (the Agents Option) to offer for sale up to an additional 571,000 Shares at the Issue Price. The Agents may exercise the Agents Option by providing notice to GNEM at any time up to 48 hours before the closing of the Offering. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering as follows: (a) to make certain cash payments as they become due: (i) under the previously-announced option agreement (the Nuvemco Option Agreement) with Ventura Uranium LLC (dba Nuvemco, LLC) and Paul Szilagyi, dated August 20, 2024, pursuant to which the Company, as the assignee of the original optionee, has the exclusive right to acquire up to a 100% interest in a Colorado-based uranium project (the Property) through a two-stage option to acquire all of the membership interests in a newly formed Colorado limited liability company, NUV2C, LLC (Holdco), which holds legal and beneficial title to the Property; and (ii) under the previously-announced option agreement (together with the Nuvemco Option Agreement, the Option Agreements) with UREnergy, LLC, dated February 6, 2025, which entitles the Company, as the assignee of the original optionee, to earn a 100% interest in a package of mineral claims and leases located in San Miguel County, Colorado, including the Slickrock Lease (together with the Property, the Properties); and (b) for general working capital purposes. The Shares will be offered for sale to eligible purchasers resident in each of the Provinces of Canada and/or in jurisdictions other than Canada that are mutually agreed to by the Company and Haywood, subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions. Closing of the Offering is subject to a number of conditions, including receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals. All Shares issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation. The Offering is not subject to a minimum aggregate amount of subscriptions. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the Shares in the United States. The Shares have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. United States and U.S. person are as defined in Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act. On Behalf of the Board of Great Northern Energy Metals Inc. "David Mitchell CEO & Director About Great Northern Energy Metals Inc. GNEM is a Canadian-based exploration and development company focused on securing and developing critical energy metals, including uranium. The Companys mission is to support the global transition to clean energy through responsible resource development. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words such as "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements appearing in this news release include, without limitation, statements relating to the Offering and the intended use of proceeds therefrom, and statements related to interests that the Company may earn in the Properties under the Option Agreements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company's public securities filings with the Canadian securities commissions. 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 may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 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 may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, 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. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Companys management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contact David Mitchell Chief Executive Officer Great Northern Energy Metals Inc. 416-574-4818 david@greatnorthernenergymetals.com www.greatnorthernenergymetals.com (figures in Canadian dollars) TORONTO and KNOXVILLE, Tenn., June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solar Alliance Energy Inc. (Solar Alliance or the Company) (TSX-V: SOLR, OTC: SAENF), a leading solar energy solutions provider focused on the commercial and utility solar sectors, announces it has filed its unaudited financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The Companys Financial Statements and related Managements Discussion and Analysis are available under the Companys profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Solar Alliances main activity in Q1 2025, was the build-out of a large solar energy project for major repeat customer located in Kentucky. Due to unusually severe weather in Kentucky, which included widespread flooding, power outages, and tornadoes throughout the state, the project experienced delays in the quarter. This led to a reduced level of activity and a decline in revenues to $835,609, in Q1 2025 compared to $1,604,326, in Q1 2024. As the severe weather setbacks subside, the company is coordinating closely with our client and our partners to expedite delivery of the project, said CEO Brian Timmons. This contract is expected to be concluded in the second quarter of 2025. Solar Alliance continues to see strong demand for commercial solar projects, and we remain focused on these larger projects, and community solar projects to generate meaningful growth. In addition to executing on larger projects, to the Company continues to service a steady flow of renewable energy projects for small and medium-sized businesses in rural communities. Looking ahead, we continue to target full-year profitability for 2025 as we focus on opportunities in the Southeast U.S commercial solar sector, concluded Timmons. Key financial highlights for Q1, 2024 Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $835,609 compared to $1,604,326 in the comparative period in 2024. Cost of sales of $882,092 (Q1, 2024: $1,01,4394) resulting in a gross deficit of $46,483 (Q1, 2024: profit $585,932). Net deficit of $474,277 (Q1, 2024: Net Income $141,303). Cash balance of $13,111. Total expenses of $424,065 (Q1, 2024: $451,188). Key business highlights and outlook The Company continues to target larger customers for solar system sales and installations, specifically for utility and commercial customers. The Companys business development activity is now engaged in assessing specific projects of a scale up to 5MWs. The board believes the Company has a competitive advantage and can offer a compelling proposition in this segment of the market. In this regard, the Companys track record and engagement with local power companies and progressive, high-quality corporate customers evidences its capacity to successfully undertake solar projects in the multi-megawatt range. While pursuing a determined, new focus on larger, commercial and local community solar projects, with a view to accelerating growth rapidly, the Company will continue, as a base level activity, to service the demand from small and medium-sized businesses in rural communities. The strength of demand for projects at this size level could be impacted by curtailment of certain incentives, referred to below, arising from budgetary developments arising from the current political background, referred to below. Corporate growth opportunities. The Company is also pursuing corporate opportunities to expand through partnerships, joint ventures or other initiatives that meet the Companys criteria of profitability, market opportunity and strong management teams. Brian Timmons, CEO For more information: Investor Relations Brian Timmons, CEO 1.865 888 9925 btimmons@solaralliance.com About Solar Alliance Energy Inc. (www.solaralliance.com) Solar Alliance is an energy solutions provider focused on the commercial, utility and community solar sectors. Our experienced team of solar professionals reduces or eliminates customers' vulnerability to rising energy costs, offers an environmentally friendly source of electricity generation, and provides affordable, turnkey clean energy solutions. Solar Alliances strategy is to ultimately build, own and operate our own solar assets while also generating stable revenue through the sale and installation of solar projects to commercial and utility community customers. Statements in this news release, other than purely historical information, including statements relating to the Company's future plans and objectives or expected results, constitute Forward-looking statements. The words would, will, expected and estimated or other similar words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the resumption of trading of the Companys common shares. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Companys actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different than those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include but are not limited to: the ability to complete the Companys projects on schedule or at all, uncertainties related to the ability to raise sufficient capital; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; litigation, legislative or other judicial, regulatory, legislative and political competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties; the ability to maintain revenue growth; the ability to execute on the Companys strategies; the ability to complete the Companys current and backlog of solar projects; the ability to grow the Companys market share; the high growth rate of the US solar industry; the ability to convert the backlog of projects into revenue; the expected timing of the construction and completion of the 1500 kW Kentucky solar projects; the targeting of larger customers; the ability to predict and counteract the effects, should they re-emerge, of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19, on the construction sector, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains; potential corporate growth opportunities and the ability to execute on the key objectives in 2025. Consequently, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. 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." HOUSTON, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (the Company) announced today a monthly distribution of $0.08 per share for June 2025. This distribution is payable to common stockholders on June 30, 2025 (as outlined in the table below). The Company declares distributions on a monthly basis, with its next distribution expected to be declared in early July. Payment of future distributions is subject to the approval of the Companys Board of Directors, as well as meeting the covenants on the Companys debt agreements and the terms of its preferred stock. Record Date / Ex-Date Payment Date Distribution Amount Return of Capital Estimate 6/13/25 6/30/25 $0.08 50%(1) (1) This estimate is based on the Companys anticipated earnings and profits. The final determination of the tax character of distributions will not be determinable until after the end of fiscal 2025 and may differ substantially from this preliminary information. Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (NYSE: KYN) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, whose common stock is traded on the NYSE. The Companys investment objective is to provide a high after-tax total return with an emphasis on making cash distributions to stockholders. KYN intends to achieve this objective by investing at least 80% of its total assets in securities of Energy Infrastructure Companies. See Glossary of Key Terms in the Companys most recent quarterly report for a description of these investment categories and the meaning of capitalized terms. The Company pays cash distributions to common stockholders at a rate that may be adjusted from time to time. Distribution amounts are not guaranteed and may vary depending on a number of factors, including changes in portfolio holdings and market conditions. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer or sale is not permitted. Nothing contained in this press release is intended to recommend any investment policy or investment strategy or consider any investors specific objectives or circumstances. Before investing, please consult with your investment, tax, or legal adviser regarding your individual circumstances. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This communication contains statements reflecting assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions, or beliefs about future events. These and other statements not relating strictly to historical or current facts constitute forward-looking statements as defined under the U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements involve a variety of risks and uncertainties. These risks include but are not limited to changes in economic and political conditions; regulatory and legal changes; energy industry risk; leverage risk; valuation risk; interest rate risk; tax risk; and other risks discussed in detail in the Companys filings with the SEC, available at www.kaynefunds.com or www.sec.gov. Actual events could differ materially from these statements or our present expectations or projections. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Kayne Anderson undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein. There is no assurance that the Companys investment objectives will be attained. Contact investor relations at 877-657-3863 or cef@kayneanderson.com. NAMPA, Idaho and MCKINNEY, Texas, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JTS , a Mission Critical Group (MCG) Company, today announced the opening of a new 172,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility on 14 acres in Nampa, Idaho, known as JTS Nampa 1. The $55 million investment adds 140 jobs, doubles the companys production capacity and supports long-term economic growth in the region. MCGs U.S.-based manufacturing footprint now exceeds 1 million square feet, reinforcing its commitment to building critical power infrastructure in America. This expansion marks a pivotal moment for JTS and the customers we serve, said Greg Blake, President of JTS. Were doubling our capacity and accelerating our ability to deliver innovative, high-quality power solutions that keep critical infrastructure running. Were proud to invest in the community and drive the next chapter of American manufacturing here in Idaho. JTS now operates three locations Caldwell, ID; Nampa, ID; and Abilene, TX to support its growing customer base with fully integrated generator enclosures and modular power systems. JTS Nampa 1, located near the Caldwell facility, shares resources to maximize efficiency and was built using LEAN manufacturing principles to streamline operations. The new Nampa facility is more than an expansion its a milestone in our mission to shape the future of American manufacturing, said Jeff Drees, CEO of Mission Critical Group. It strengthens our ability to serve data centers, hospitals, utilities and other critical infrastructure with dependable power solutions. Were also proud that our shared ownership model gives employees a real stake in our success, aligning our growth with the prosperity of the people who power it. Due to ongoing investments in data centers, infrastructure and advanced technologies, the nations electricity demand is expected to increase by over 50% by 2050. Meeting this growing energy need will require innovative and resilient power and electrical system solutions. JTS Nampa 1 enables MCG to meet this rising demand. Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling added, Were proud to welcome JTSs new facility to Nampa. This investment brings 140 quality jobs to our city and strengthens our local economy. Its a great example of how strategic partnerships and innovation can fuel lasting impact in our community. A grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration will take place at the JTS Nampa 1 facility on June 17, 2025, from 12:00 to 3:30 PM MT, with remarks, tours and more. For details, click here . For more information on JTS, MCG, or the new JTS Nampa 1 facility, visit www.missioncriticalgroup.com . About Mission Critical Group Mission Critical Group (MCG) designs, manufactures, delivers and services innovative solutions to solve our customers critical power challenges. MCG offers packaged power solutions and products, leveraging over 900 employees with 200+ years of combined mission critical staff leadership experience. Operating across over one million square feet of manufacturing space, MCG is ready to effectively meet evolving industry demands. MCG Companies include JTS , Point Eight Power and DVM Power + Control . For more information, please visit www.missioncriticalgroup.com . Media Contact: Laura Noland lnoland@missioncriticalgroup.com 407-341-2512 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAW CALGARY, Alberta, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Unless otherwise stated, all numbers in this press release are presented in Canadian dollars. Alaris Equity Partners Income Trust ("Alaris" or the "Trust") (TSX: AD.UN) is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced offering of convertible unsecured senior debentures ("Debentures") with a syndicate of underwriters (the "Underwriters") led by National Bank Financial, CIBC Capital Markets and Desjardins Capital Markets, and including Acumen Capital Partners, Raymond James Ltd., RBC Capital Markets, Scotiabank, and Cormark Securities Inc. A total of $80 million aggregate principal amount of Debentures were issued at a price of $1,000 per Debenture (the "Offering"). The Trust has also granted the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional $12,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Debentures, on the same terms and conditions, exercisable in whole or in part, from time to time, up to 30 days following the closing of the Offering. The Debentures will bear interest at a rate of 6.50% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 30 and December 31 of each year commencing on December 31, 2025. The first payment will include accrued and unpaid interest for the period from closing to, but excluding, December 31, 2025. The Debentures will mature on June 30, 2030. The Debentures will commence trading today on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "AD.DB.B". The Trust intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to partially repay outstanding indebtedness under Alaris' subsidiary's senior debt facility which may be subsequently redrawn and used to fund future investments in new Partner (as defined below) investments or general trust purposes. The Shipyard Follow-On On May 14, 2025, Alaris closed a US$21.5 million follow-on investment into The Shipyard LLC ("The Shipyard") in exchange for additional preferred equity in The Shipyard, which entitles Alaris to an additional annualized distribution of US$3.01 million (the "Shipyard Distribution"). The Shipyard used the proceeds of the additional investment to fund the purchase price of an acquisition. ABOUT ALARIS The Trust, through its subsidiaries, invests in a diversified group of private businesses ("Partners") primarily through structured equity. The primary goal of our structured equity investments is to deliver stable and predictable returns to our unitholders through both cash distributions and capital appreciation. This strategy is enhanced by common equity positions, which allow us to generate returns in alignment with the founders of our Partners. This news release is not an offer of securities of Alaris for sale in the United States. The Debentures have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Debentures may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an applicable exemption from such registration. No public offering of securities is being made in the United States. This news 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. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements within the meaning of "safe harbor" provisions under applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this news release may be forward-looking statements including, without limitation, management's expectations, intentions and beliefs concerning: the use of proceeds of the Offering, the use of the senior debt facility and the Shipyard Distribution. Many of these statements can be identified by words such as "believe", "expects", "will", "intends", "projects", "anticipates", "estimates", "continues" or similar words or the negative thereof. There can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations on which these forward-looking statements are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements require Alaris to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Key assumptions include, but are not limited to, assumptions that: Alaris will use the net proceeds from the Offering in the manner described herein, that the Debentures will trade on the TSX consistent with as described herein and that Alaris will receive annual distributions from The Shipyard as set forth herein. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and should not be read as guarantees or assurances of future performance. The actual results of the Trust and the Partners could materially differ from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of certain risk factors, including, but not limited to: the use of proceeds from the Offering in a manner that differs than as set forth herein, the ability of The Shipyard to pay distributions and that the listing of the Debentures will not occur in the timeframes set out herein. Additional risks that may cause actual results to vary from those indicated are discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" and "Forward Looking Statements" in the Trusts Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024, which is filed under the Trusts profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on its website at www.alarisequitypartners.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information contained in this news release as a number of factors could cause actual future results, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from the targets, expectations, estimates or intentions expressed in the forward-looking statements. Statements containing forward-looking information reflect managements current beliefs and assumptions based on information in its possession on the date of this news release. Although management believes that the assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and Alaris does not undertake or assume any obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new events or circumstances except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation. Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information please contact: ir@alarisequity.com P: (403) 260-1457 Alaris Equity Partners Income Trust Suite 250, 333 24th Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2S 3E6 www.alarisequitypartners.com PORTLAND, Ore., June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green Building Initiative (GBI) announces the release of the Green Globes Data Center Campus Certification, tailored to the unique operational and infrastructure demands of data center campuses. The innovative offering provides data center owners and operators with a streamlined, efficient, and cost-effective way to assess and certify the sustainability of multiple buildings on a site. GBI partnered with Compass Datacenters to develop the program and maximize its industry impact. Digital infrastructure is the backbone of todays society, and its critical that we design, construct, and operate these spaces with sustainability at the forefront, said Vicki Worden, CEO of GBI. The Green Globes Data Center Campus Certification empowers operators to optimize environmental performance across entire campuses while meeting evolving stakeholder expectations and regulatory requirements. As demand for energy-intensive digital infrastructure continues to grow, the new Green Globes Data Center Campus Certification supports mission critical facilities working to reduce environmental impact and achieve long-term resilience. The certification recognizes the interconnected nature of data center campus operations and makes it possible to evaluate redundant infrastructure and systems to holistically improve efficiency and sustainability. Recently named one of the fastest-growing companies in the Americas by the Financial Times, Compass Datacenters is delivering data centers for the world's largest hyperscalers and cloud providers. The company leverages its modular designs and manufacturing-style approach to construction, allowing for tremendous speed to market. As a developer of data center campuses worldwide, Compass was the ideal partner for creation of the Green Globes Data Center Campus Certification. Compass campuses in Dallas, Phoenix, Chicago, and Mississippi will be the first to pursue the new campus certification. By standardizing our campuses, we reduce digital, procedural and physical waste to scale faster. GBI is wisely adopting that mindset with the campus-wide certification, making it possible to streamline documentation and certification across data halls and buildings into a single, unified process, said Amy Marks, SVP Innovation for Compass Datacenters. Our co-development of this process with GBI underscores our belief that doing the right thing is good businessand it advances continuous improvement across materials, energy and water use, and community engagement. GBI Green Globes is a nationally recognized, flexible, and transparent multi-attribute certification that assesses energy and water efficiency, site impact, emissions reduction, material selection, and resilience at any stage of the building lifecycle. The Green Globes process includes a third-party, on-site assessment by a dedicated Green Globes Assessor (GGA) and may qualify projects for financial incentives and compliance with local sustainability mandates. Green Globes Data Center Campus Certification Features and Benefits: Holistic Campus Assessment: Evaluates performance across three or more buildings sharing common design and infrastructure Evaluates performance across three or more buildings sharing common design and infrastructure Streamlined Certification Process: Replication of documentation and questionnaires across buildings Replication of documentation and questionnaires across buildings Dedicated Assessment Support: Consistent assignment of a Green Globes Assessor across projects when possible Consistent assignment of a Green Globes Assessor across projects when possible Pricing Efficiencies: Discounts on registration, specification review (optional), assessment, and travel Discounts on registration, specification review (optional), assessment, and travel Recognition & Promotion: Certified campus plaques, custom GBI-issued press releases, and social media promotion Certified campus plaques, custom GBI-issued press releases, and social media promotion Actionable Insights: Personalized improvement recommendations from the assigned Green Globes Assessor Eligibility for campus certification requires GBI organizational membership at the Stewardship Level or above and completion of a kickoff consultation with GBI. The program is now available for new construction campuses that include three or more new construction buildings (up to 18 months of occupancy or less than 12 months of consecutive utility data) and will soon be released for existing buildings. GBI invites industry leaders, developers, and data infrastructure stakeholders to explore this innovative pathway to sustainability and operational excellence. For more information on the Green Globes Data Center Campus Certification, visit GBIs Green Globes for Data Centers webpage. About GBI GBI is an international nonprofit organization and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer dedicated to improving the built environments impact on climate and society. Founded in 2004, the organization is the global provider of the Green Globes, Journey to Net Zero and federal Guiding Principles Compliance building assessment and certification programs. GBI also issues professional credentials, including Green Globes Emerging Professional (GGEP), Green Globes Professional (GGP), and Guiding Principles Compliance Professional (GPCP). Discover opportunities to get involved with GBI by contacting info@thegbi.org or visiting thegbi.org. About Compass Datacenters Compass Datacenters, one of Inc. Magazine's 5000 fastest growing companies, designs and constructs data centers for the world's largest hyperscalers and cloud providers. Through prefabrication and applying modern manufacturing principles to construction, Compass is uniquely able to deliver customizable, scalable, sustainable, and low-cost data centers in an expedited time frame. These large-scale, long-lived campuses create economies of scale for customers and local communities. Compass is backed by Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and Brookfield Infrastructure. For more information, visit www.compassdatacenters.com. MEDIA CONTACT Megan Baker, GBI Vice President of Engagement, (971) 256-7174, megan@thegbi.org A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d4a675a9-1df6-4f5c-a328-b94769f66bd2 Luton, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Potential Therapy Equipment Market Research Report As of 2024, the global market for potential therapy equipment is valued at approximately $18 billion. The market is poised for significant growth, with projections estimating a market value of around $32 billion by 2034, reflecting a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 6.0% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. Get a Sample PDF Brochure: https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/65746/potential-therapy-equipment-market#request-a-sample The current status of the market indicates a rising demand driven by an increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and an aging population. Key trends include advancements in technology, such as the integration of artificial intelligence and telehealth solutions, which enhance treatment efficacy and patient engagement. Challenges persist, including regulatory hurdles and high initial costs of sophisticated therapy equipment, which may restrict market entry for smaller firms. However, substantial opportunities exist in emerging markets where healthcare infrastructure is rapidly improving. Market Segmentation By Product Type Physiotherapy Equipment (~40%) Occupational Therapy Equipment (~25%) Rehabilitation Equipment (~15%) Electrotherapy Devices (~10%) Hydrotherapy Equipment (~8%) By Application Orthopedic (~35%) Neurological (~20%) Cardiovascular (~15%) Pediatric (~10%) Geriatric (~20%) By End User Hospitals (~45%) Rehabilitation Centers (~30%) Physiotherapy Clinics (~15%) Home Care Settings (~10%) By Distribution Channel Direct Sales (~50%) Online Sales (~30%) Third-Party Distributors (~20%) By Technology Electromagnetic Technology Cryotherapy Technology Browse full Report - https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/65746/potential-therapy-equipment-market Regional Analysis North America: Largest market (~40% share), driven by infrastructure, chronic disease, R&D, regulatory support Largest market (~40% share), driven by infrastructure, chronic disease, R&D, regulatory support Europe: ~30% share, growing at 6.5% CAGR, focus on rehabilitation, aging demographics ~30% share, growing at 6.5% CAGR, focus on rehabilitation, aging demographics Asia-Pacific: Fastest-growing (8.2% CAGR), improving infrastructure, rising incomes, urbanization Fastest-growing (8.2% CAGR), improving infrastructure, rising incomes, urbanization Emerging Markets (Latin America, Middle East): High potential but face economic and regulatory challenges Competitive Landscape Key Players: Medtronic Siemens Healthineers GE Healthcare Philips Healthcare Johnson & Johnson Abbott Laboratories Stryker Corporation Olympus Corporation Boston Scientific 3M Health Care Baxter International Hill-Rom Holdings Terumo Corporation Canon Medical Systems Zimmer Biomet Market Dynamics Growth Drivers Rising Chronic Diseases and Aging Population The global increase in chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and neurological disorders is a primary catalyst for the therapy equipment market. These diseases often require long-term management involving various therapeutic devices. Additionally, as the global population ages, there is a higher prevalence of mobility impairments, stroke recovery needs, and degenerative diseases. This demographic shift intensifies demand for rehabilitation devices, neurostimulation equipment, and assistive therapy technologies designed to improve quality of life and prolong independence in elderly patients. Shift Towards Preventive Care and Rehabilitation Healthcare systems worldwide are increasingly focusing on prevention rather than just treatment. Early intervention with therapy equipment can reduce hospital readmissions and complications, promoting faster recovery and long-term health maintenance. Rehabilitation therapies post-surgery or injury are gaining emphasis, driving demand for advanced rehabilitation robotics, physiotherapy devices, and home-based therapy solutions. This shift also aligns with value-based care models where outcomes and patient satisfaction are prioritized. Technological Advancements (AI, Telehealth, Wearable Devices) Innovation in artificial intelligence, machine learning, wearable technology, and telehealth platforms has revolutionized therapy equipment. AI-powered devices can offer personalized treatment plans, real-time monitoring, and predictive analytics to preempt complications. Teletherapy solutions enable remote delivery of rehabilitation and therapeutic services, expanding access to patients in underserved or rural areas. Wearables that track physiological parameters continuously provide feedback loops that optimize therapy efficacy and adherence. Regulatory Incentives Supporting Innovative Therapies Governments and regulatory bodies are increasingly providing faster approval pathways, grants, and reimbursement incentives for innovative medical devices that demonstrate clinical efficacy and safety. Programs like the FDAs Breakthrough Device Program encourage rapid commercialization of transformative therapy technologies. Such regulatory support reduces time-to-market and encourages investment in cutting-edge therapy equipment, fostering market growth. Increased Healthcare Expenditure and Infrastructure Investments Rising healthcare budgets, especially in emerging economies, enable acquisition of advanced therapy equipment. Investments in modern healthcare infrastructuresuch as specialized rehabilitation centers and integrated care facilitiesdrive demand for state-of-the-art devices. Additionally, public-private partnerships and health insurance coverage expansion improve accessibility to costly therapy technologies, boosting market penetration. Buy Now : https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/purchase/?currency=USD&type=single_user_license&report_id=65746 Challenges & Restraints Regulatory Complexity and Long Approval Times Despite incentives, navigating diverse and stringent regulatory frameworks across regions remains a significant hurdle. Lengthy clinical trials, documentation, and compliance with safety standards delay product launches. Differences in approval processes between countries add complexity for global market players, increasing time and costs. High Initial Cost Limits Market Accessibility Many advanced therapy devices, especially those integrated with AI and robotics, involve substantial upfront investments. This high cost restricts adoption in low-income regions and among smaller healthcare providers. Patients without adequate insurance coverage may find such technologies unaffordable, limiting widespread accessibility. Supply Chain and Logistics Disruptions Recent global events have exposed vulnerabilities in the supply chains of medical equipment, including therapy devices. Delays in raw material procurement, manufacturing bottlenecks, and transportation issues can interrupt availability and inflate costs. Dependence on a limited number of suppliers for critical components exacerbates this challenge. Pricing Pressures Impacting Profit Margins Intense competition, especially from emerging market players and generic device manufacturers, exerts downward pressure on prices. Additionally, healthcare payers and governments are pushing for cost containment, demanding value-based pricing and discounts. These factors can compress profit margins for manufacturers and slow reinvestment in R&D. Opportunities & Trends AI and Predictive Analytics Integration Integrating AI and predictive analytics into therapy devices offers tremendous potential for proactive care. Devices that analyze patient data to anticipate disease progression or therapy response enable personalized and adaptive treatment. This not only improves clinical outcomes but also reduces overall healthcare costs by minimizing complications and hospitalizations. Digital Health and Teletherapy Expansion The expansion of telehealth platforms has created new channels for delivering therapeutic services remotely. Digital therapeutics and teletherapy allow patients to undergo rehabilitation and monitoring from home, enhancing convenience and adherence. This trend is accelerating with improvements in broadband access and user-friendly digital interfaces. Subscription and On-Demand Therapy Models To overcome high upfront costs, companies are exploring subscription-based or pay-per-use models for therapy equipment. These business models reduce capital expenditure for healthcare providers and patients, increasing affordability and adoption. On-demand models also enable flexible scaling according to patient needs, particularly beneficial for home care and remote therapy. Growing Demand in Home Care and Remote Monitoring Patients increasingly prefer home-based care for convenience and comfort. Therapy devices designed for home use, combined with remote monitoring capabilities, enable continuous care outside hospital settings. This trend is driven by demographic factors, rising healthcare costs, and the need for social distancing measures post-pandemic. Emerging Market Expansion with Local Adaptation Emerging economies such as India, China, Brazil, and Southeast Asian countries offer substantial growth opportunities due to rising healthcare awareness, expanding infrastructure, and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. However, success in these regions requires tailoring products to local needs, affordability, and regulatory environments. Companies investing in local manufacturing and partnerships are positioned to capture this growing demand. Recent Developments 1. Medtronic Launch of MiniMed 780G Insulin Pump (October 2023) Medtronic made a significant advancement in diabetes care by launching the MiniMed 780G insulin pump, which incorporates cutting-edge artificial intelligence algorithms for glucose monitoring and automated insulin delivery. This device represents a leap forward in managing Type 1 diabetes, offering users more precise control over their blood sugar levels with minimal manual input. The MiniMed 780G continuously monitors glucose levels and automatically adjusts insulin doses, reducing the risk of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. The integration of AI allows the system to learn and adapt to individual patient patterns, improving glycemic control over time. This personalized approach enhances patient compliance and quality of life. Medtronics launch aligns with the broader industry trend of integrating digital health solutions with therapeutic devices. By enhancing real-time data analytics and connectivity features, the MiniMed 780G supports remote monitoring and telehealth applications, enabling healthcare providers to tailor treatments more effectively. This product launch not only strengthens Medtronics leadership in diabetes management but also positions the company favorably against competitors like Abbott and Dexcom. 2. Siemens Healthineers Expansion in India with New Manufacturing Facility (September 2023) Siemens Healthineers announced a strategic expansion into the Indian market by establishing a new manufacturing plant in Pune, Maharashtra. This move is designed to boost local production of advanced imaging and diagnostic therapy equipment, enhancing supply chain efficiency and reducing costs associated with imports. The Pune facility will focus on producing high-end medical devices tailored to regional healthcare needs, including therapy equipment used in rehabilitation and diagnostics. Local manufacturing allows Siemens to respond more quickly to market demands and offer more competitive pricing, which is critical in price-sensitive emerging markets. This expansion reflects Siemens Healthineers commitment to localizationa trend gaining momentum as healthcare providers worldwide seek affordable, high-quality medical technologies. The new facility will also serve as a hub for innovation, facilitating faster development cycles and collaboration with local research institutions. This initiative strengthens Siemens foothold in Asia-Pacific, a rapidly growing region in therapy equipment demand 3. Philips Healthcare Partnership to Enhance Digital Therapeutics Portfolio (August 2023) Philips Healthcare entered into a strategic partnership with a prominent healthcare startup specializing in wearable health monitoring technologies and advanced data analytics. This collaboration aims to expand Philips digital therapeutics capabilities, integrating real-time patient monitoring with personalized treatment algorithms. By combining Philips expertise in medical devices with the startups innovative AI-driven health data platform, the partnership focuses on creating smart therapy equipment that adapts dynamically to patient conditions. Wearables paired with therapy devices will enable continuous tracking of physiological parameters, allowing for more responsive interventions in areas such as pain management, rehabilitation, and chronic disease care. This alliance supports Philips vision of patient-centric care delivered through connected health ecosystems. Enhanced data integration and analytics improve clinical outcomes while reducing hospital visits and healthcare costs. The partnership highlights the growing convergence of medical hardware with digital health, signaling a shift toward more holistic and preventive therapy solutions. 4. Johnson & Johnson Acquisition of Auris Health to Expand Robotics in Therapy (November 2023) Johnson & Johnson strengthened its position in advanced therapy equipment by completing the acquisition of Auris Health, a pioneer in robotic endoscopic technology. Auris Healths Monarch Platform, designed for minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, complements Johnson & Johnsons existing portfolio in surgical and rehabilitation devices. The Monarch Platform integrates robotics, software, and data science to improve precision in procedures, reducing recovery times and improving patient outcomes. This acquisition enables Johnson & Johnson to broaden its offering in image-guided therapies, which are increasingly vital in treating complex orthopedic and neurological conditions. By leveraging Auris Healths robotics and AI technologies, Johnson & Johnson aims to develop next-generation therapy equipment that enhances accuracy and automation. This strategic move is expected to accelerate innovation in rehabilitation therapies and minimally invasive interventions, driving future growth in a competitive market segment. 5. Abbott Laboratories Launch of Next-Gen Neurostimulation Device for Chronic Pain (July 2023) Abbott Laboratories recently launched a next-generation neurostimulation device designed specifically for chronic pain management. The device utilizes advanced closed-loop feedback systems that monitor nerve signals and adjust stimulation parameters in real time, offering highly customized pain relief. This new device builds upon Abbotts existing portfolio in neuromodulation by introducing enhanced battery life, miniaturized hardware, and wireless control features. Patients can manage their therapy more conveniently via mobile applications, improving adherence and satisfaction. Abbotts innovation addresses a significant market need as chronic pain prevalence rises globally, especially among aging populations. By offering a more effective and less invasive alternative to opioid treatments, Abbott is positioning itself as a leader in pain management technologies. The launch also reflects the broader healthcare trend towards personalized and technology-enabled therapies. This report is also available in the following languages : Japanese (), Korean ( ), Chinese (), French (Marche potentiel des equipements therapeutiques), German (Potenzieller Markt fur Therapiegerate), and Italian (Potenziale mercato delle apparecchiature terapeutiche), etc. Get a Sample PDF Brochure: https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/65746/potential-therapy-equipment-market#request-a-sample More Research Finding Medical High Energy Ray Therapy Equipment Market The global market for medical high-energy ray therapy equipment is valued at approximately $4.2 billion in 2024. It is projected to reach around $6.8 billion by 2034, reflecting steady growth driven by advances in cancer treatment technologies and increasing demand for radiotherapy. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034 is estimated to be approximately 5.1%. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/65779/medical-high-energy-ray-therapy-equipment-market Radionuclide Therapy Equipment Market The global radionuclide therapy equipment market is valued at approximately $4.3 billion, driven by increasing prevalence of cancer and advancements in targeted therapies. The market is projected to reach around $7.8 billion by 2034, reflecting significant growth opportunities primarily attributed to technological advancements, enhanced diagnostic capabilities, and a rising focus on personalized medicine. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/65775/radionuclide-therapy-equipment-market Gynecological RF Therapy Apparatus Market The gynecological RF therapy apparatus market is expected to reach a valuation of approximately $450 million in 2024, driven by an increasing demand for non-invasive treatments and advancements in technology. The market is projected to experience robust growth through 2034, with an estimated value of around $800 million, reflecting the rising adoption of radiofrequency technology in gynecological applications. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/65744/gynecological-rf-therapy-apparatus-market Carbon Dioxide Laser Therapy Machine Market The global market for Carbon Dioxide Laser Therapy Machines is valued at approximately $1.2 billion in 2024, with projections indicating it could reach around $2.5 billion by 2034. This growth trajectory represents a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of roughly 8.1% from 2025 to 2034. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/65740/carbon-dioxide-laser-therapy-machine-market Medical Neonatal Phototherapy Device Market The global market for medical neonatal phototherapy devices is valued at approximately $550 million in 2024. It is projected to reach around $1.1 billion by 2034, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of about 7.3% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/65629/medical-neonatal-phototherapy-device-market Far Infrared Therapy Unit Market The global far infrared therapy unit market is valued at approximately $160 million in 2024, with a robust growth trajectory projected for the upcoming decade. By 2034, the market is expected to reach around $450 million, reflecting the rising acceptance of infrared therapy in pain management and recovery processes. This growth represents a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of nearly 11% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/65627/far-infrared-therapy-unit-market Mesotherapy Guns Market The global mesotherapy guns market is valued at approximately $380 million in 2024, driven by escalating demand for non-invasive aesthetic procedures and enhanced skincare solutions. The market is projected to reach around $750 million by 2034, reflecting significant growth due to increasing consumer awareness and advancements in technology. This results in a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 7.4% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/65620/mesotherapy-guns-market Molecular Targeted Therapy Market The molecular targeted therapy market is poised for robust growth, valued at approximately $127 billion in 2024. The market is projected to expand significantly, reaching around $246 billion by 2034, driven by increasing prevalence of cancer and advancements in precision medicine. This translates to a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 7.2% during the forecast period of 2025-2034. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/65591/molecular-targeted-therapy-market Heavy Ion Therapy Technology Market The global heavy ion therapy technology market is valued at approximately $4.2 billion. This market is anticipated to experience significant growth, reaching an estimated $8.8 billion by 2034, reflecting a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 8.4%. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/65576/heavy-ion-therapy-technology-market Physiotherapy Heating Compress Equipment Market The physiotherapy heating compress equipment market is estimated to reach a value of approximately $1.2 billion in 2024, driven by increasing demand for non-invasive pain management solutions and rising awareness about rehabilitation therapies. The projected market value is expected to grow to $2.0 billion by 2034, reflecting a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/65571/physiotherapy-heating-compress-equipment-market Haemorrhoidal Energy Therapy HET Market The Haemorrhoidal Energy Therapy (HET) market is valued at approximately $420 million in 2024, with projections indicating a market value of around $720 million by 2034. This translates to a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.06% over the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/65563/haemorrhoidal-energy-therapy-het-market Ultraviolet Phototherapy Instrument Market The global ultraviolet (UV) phototherapy instrument market is poised for significant growth, valued at approximately $1.2 billion in 2024. This market is projected to reach around $2.2 billion by 2034, reflecting a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 6.5% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/65008/global-ultraviolet-phototherapy-instrument-market Radioimmunotherapy Market The global radioimmunotherapy market is poised for significant growth, currently valued at approximately $2.5 billion in 2024. Projections indicate an increase to around $5.5 billion by 2034, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 8.5% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/64998/global-radioimmunotherapy-market Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD Market The global Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) market is poised for significant growth, valued at approximately $18.2 billion in 2024. The market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 9.3%, projecting a valuation of roughly $42.7 billion by 2034. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/63385/global-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd-market Hearing Loss Therapy Market The global hearing loss therapy market is valued at approximately $15 billion in 2024, with projections estimating it will reach around $35 billion by 2034. This represents a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/63359/global-hearing-loss-therapy-market Bi-Specific Antibodies Therapy Market The global bi-specific antibodies therapy market is anticipated to reach a valuation of approximately $7.5 billion in 2024, driven by advancements in immunotherapy and increasing adoption of innovative treatment modalities. Looking ahead, the market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12% from 2025 to 2034, potentially reaching over $22 billion by the end of the forecast period. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/63284/global-bi-specific-antibodies-therapy-market Gene Therapy On Cardiovascular Disease Market The global gene therapy market for cardiovascular diseases is poised for significant growth, currently valued at approximately $3.5 billion in 2024. With advancements in molecular biology and increasing investment in research, the market is projected to reach around $10 billion by 2034, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.2% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/63229/global-gene-therapy-on-cardiovascular-disease-market Phototherapy Treatment Market The global phototherapy treatment market is currently valued at approximately $1.5 billion in 2024, driven by rising prevalence of skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and other dermatological disorders. The market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2025 to 2034, forecasting a valuation of around $3.5 billion by 2034. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/63186/global-phototherapy-treatment-market Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation CES Devices Market The global market for Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) devices is projected to reach approximately $1.2 billion in 2024, reflecting a growing recognition of the efficacy of non-invasive mental health treatments. For the forecast period from 2025 to 2034, the market is expected to expand significantly, with a projected value of $2.5 billion by 2034, driven by increasing healthcare awareness and demand for innovative mental health solutions. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/62814/global-cranial-electrotherapy-stimulation-ces-devices-market Phage Therapy Market The global phage therapy market is valued at approximately $500 million in 2024, with projections indicating substantial growth. By 2034, the market is expected to reach around $2.5 billion, driven by rising antibiotic resistance and increasing investments in alternative therapies. This growth trajectory suggests a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of about 17.5% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/62611/global-phage-therapy-market Stem Cell Therapy for Osteoarthritis Market The global stem cell therapy market for osteoarthritis is estimated to be valued at approximately $1.2 billion. The market is projected to experience significant growth, reaching an estimated value of $4.2 billion by 2034, reflecting a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of around 13.2% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/62388/global-stem-cell-therapy-for-osteoarthritis-market TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- When purchasing property in a distinctive region like Leelanau County, working with a real estate agent who truly understands the local landscape can make all the difference. Sander Scott of Net Real Estate in Leelanau County, Michigan, shares that a local expert does far more than guide transactionsthey provide essential insights that shape smarter, more informed home-buying decisions. In areas where geography, seasons, and community characteristics vary dramatically, local knowledge becomes a key asset. Scott emphasizes that a well-informed real estate agent can offer guidance on details often overlooked in listings, such as how fluctuating lake levels affect waterfront properties or which backroads may flood during seasonal thaw. These are the types of insights that can protect buyers from future inconvenience or costly surprises. Beyond the logistics of the property itself, a real estate agent who knows the area well also brings a broader understanding of lifestyle factors. From school districts and community events to public resources and local ordinances, this context helps buyers find homes that not only meet current needs but also support long-term goals. According to Scott, for families, investors, or second-home seekers alike, a home purchase is more than a financial decisionits a personal one. Particularly for those new to the region, a local agent becomes a trusted guide. Their understanding of future development plans, seasonal nuances, and neighborhood dynamics ensures that clients are choosing a home that aligns with their vision and values. Rather than simply finding a property, theyre helping clients find a sense of place within the community. The full article, Work with a Real Estate Agent Who Knows the Area Well , features in-depth perspective from Sander Scott of Net Real Estate in HelloNation Magazine. About HelloNation HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative edvertising approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. Staff Writer info@hellonation.com www.hellonation.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8cfcabf9-b26e-4119-83c2-ec5817024a63 NEW YORK, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (BigBear or the Company) (NYSE: BBAI) and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia , and docketed under 25-cv-00623, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired BigBear securities between March 31, 2022 and March 25, 2025, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials. If you are an investor who purchased or otherwise acquired BigBear securities during the Class Period, you have until June 10, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. [Click here for information about joining the class action] BigBear is an artificial intelligence - driven technology solutions company. The Company purportedly offers national security, supply chain management, and digital identity and biometrics solutions. In June 2021, BigBear.ai Holdings entered into a merger agreement (the Merger Agreement) with GigCapital4, Inc. (GigCapital4), a special purpose acquisition company, GigCapital4 Merger Sub Corporation (Merger Sub), and BBAI Ultimate Holdings. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub first merged with and into BigBear.ai Holdings, with BigBear.ai Holdings being the surviving entity in the merger (the First Merger). Then, immediately following the First Merger, BigBear.ai Holdings merged with and into GigCapital4, with GigCapital4 being the surviving entity in the merger (the Second Merger, and together with the First Merger, the Mergers, and together with the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Business Combination). On December 7, 2021, the Mergers were consummated and GigCapital4, Inc. was renamed as BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. Upon completion of the Business Combination, BigBear issued $200 million of unsecured convertible notesdebt instruments that can be converted into equity at a future datedue to mature on December 15, 2026 (the 2026 Convertible Notes or 2026 Notes). The 2026 Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.0% per annum, payable semi-annually, and not including any interest payments that are settled with the issuance of shares, and were convertible into 17,391,304 shares of the Companys common stock at an initial Conversion Price of $11.50. Convertible notes are often classified as long-term debt and as such, consistent with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), they must be accounted for in a companys quarterly and annual reports as liabilities until they reach maturity, at which point they either convert to equity or are repaid as principal and interest. BigBear uses the Financial Accounting Standards Boards Accounting Standards Codification (ASC)the single source of United States (U.S) GAAPto account for all transactions and events in which it obtains control over one or more other businesses (even if less than 100% ownership is acquired), to recognize the fair value of all assets and liabilities assumed and to establish the acquisition date fair value as of the measurement date. Accordingly, because the Business Combination qualified as such a transaction, BigBear was required to account for it, and its issuance of the 2026 Convertible Notes therewith, in accordance with the ASC. Under ASC 815-15, an entity is required to bifurcate and separately account for a feature or derivative embedded within a host contract (such as the conversion option within the 2026 Convertible Notes) if: (1) the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract; (2) the hybrid instrument is not remeasured at fair value under otherwise applicable GAAP with changes in fair value reported in earnings as they occur; and (3) a separate freestanding instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative would meet the definition of a derivative and would not qualify for a derivative scope exception. An embedded derivative may qualify for a scope exception if, for example, it meets the requirements of ASC 815-40, which covers contracts issued or held by an entity that are both indexed to its own stock and classified in stockholders equity in its statement of financial position. If an embedded feature qualifies for a derivative scope exception, the entity does not separate it from the host contract and the entity accounts for the entire instrument (assuming no other embedded features require bifurcation) in accordance with other U.S. GAAP. Therefore, whether BigBear was required to bifurcate the conversion option within the 2026 Convertible Notes as a derivative was dependent, in part, upon the conversion options qualification for a derivative scope exception. The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) BigBear maintained deficient accounting review policies related to the reporting and disclosure of certain non-routine, unusual, or complex transactions; (ii) as a result, the Company incorrectly determined that the conversion option within the 2026 Convertible Notes qualified for the derivative scope exception under ASC 815-40 and failed to bifurcate the conversion option as required by ASC 815-15; (iii) accordingly, BigBear had improperly accounted for the 2026 Convertible Notes; (iv) the foregoing error caused BigBear to misstate various items in several of the Companys previously issued financial statements; (v) as a result, these financial statements were inaccurate and would likely need to be restated; (vi) BigBear would require extra time and expense to correct the inaccurate financial statements, thereby increasing the risk that the Company would be unable to timely file certain financial reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); and (vii) as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On March 18, 2025, BigBear disclosed in a filing with the SEC that certain of the Companys financial statements since fiscal year 2021 should no longer be relied upon and would be restated. Specifically, management identified a material error in the previously reported financial statements related to the accounting treatment of the Companys 2026 Convertible Notes. In addition, BigBear revealed that, as a result of the foregoing, the Company would be unable to timely file its Annual Report for 2024 (the 2024 10-K) without unreasonable effort or expense. On this news, BigBears stock price fell $0.52 per share, or 14.9%, to close at $2.97 per share on March 18, 2025. Then, post-market on March 25, 2025, BigBear filed its 2024 10-K. In discussing the error in the previously reported financial statements, the 2024 10-K stated, in relevant part, that a conversion option embedded within the 2026 Notes was incorrectly deemed to be eligible for a scope exception from the bifurcation requirements of ASC 815-15 and therefore requires bifurcation as a derivative (2026 Notes Conversion Option) and that [t]he 2026 Notes include certain adjustments to the conversion rate that violate the fixed-for-fixed criteria described in [ASC] 815-40. As a result, the consolidated financial statements were restated to reflect the issuance of the 2026 Notes Conversion Option at fair value as of December 7, 2021 and the subsequent remeasurement to fair value at each reporting date. The 2024 10-K further revealed that the adjustments reflected in the restatements related to, among other items, accumulated deficit, derivative liabilities, deferred tax liabilities, net loss, interest expense, and amortization of debt issuance discount. Finally, the 2024 10-K disclosed that the Company had identified a material weakness in its internal control over financial reportingspecifically, that BigBear had not consistently executed [its] technical accounting review policies, inclusive of the application of certain interpretations subject to significant judgement or differences in interpretation, at a precision level sufficient to achieve complete, accurate and timely financial accounting, reporting and disclosures of certain non-routine, unusual, or complex transactions. On this news, BigBears stock price fell $0.32 per share, or 9.11%, to close at $3.19 per share on March 26, 2025. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP dpeyton@pomlaw.com 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 London, UK, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZA Miner, a trailblazer in cloud-based cryptocurrency mining, has officially announced a significant round of strategic investment aimed at scaling its cutting-edge AI-integrated mining infrastructure. This pivotal funding marks a transformative step in ZA Miners mission to lead the global shift toward intelligent, sustainable, and high-reward blockchain mining. As market demand for efficient, low-emission crypto mining soars, ZA Miner is moving decisively to expand its renewable energy data centers and deploy AI-driven optimizations that promise to elevate user returns, system efficiency, and long-term platform stability. Improving Mining Efficiency with AI Since its launch in 2020, ZA Miner has built a global reputation for innovation and sustainability. This new investment will accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence across its mining farms, allowing for smarter, real-time decision-makingfrom forecasting ideal mining intervals to dynamically adjusting power consumption. By embedding AI deep within its mining ecosystem, ZA Miner aims to increase operational efficiency and user profitability by up to 20%, while ensuring more consistent, predictable mining outcomes for both new and seasoned investors. Global Growth Fueled by Green Energy The capital infusion will also support the development of new renewable-powered mining facilities across key global regions, including North America, Europe, and Asia. These sites will be powered entirely by clean energy sources like hydro and wind, solidifying ZA Miners leadership in eco-conscious blockchain infrastructure. With over 100 advanced mining farms already under management and a robust commitment to carbon-neutral operations, ZA Miner is uniquely positioned to meet the growing demand for sustainable digital asset mining at scale. Why Millions Trust ZA Miner Global Presence, Proven Results : Since 2020, ZA Miner has maintained over 100 high-performance mining operations globally, delivering stable, high-speed output. : Since 2020, ZA Miner has maintained over 100 high-performance mining operations globally, delivering stable, high-speed output. Massive Community Backing : With 100,000+ mining machines and a loyal user base exceeding 9 million , ZA Miner has earned its reputation for trust, transparency, and long-term profitability. : With and a loyal user base exceeding , ZA Miner has earned its reputation for trust, transparency, and long-term profitability. High-Earning Potential : Flexible contracts starting from just $100 allow users to earn up to $990 per day , with full principal return at contract maturity. : Flexible contracts starting from just allow users to earn up to , with full principal return at contract maturity. Elite Hardware Partners : ZA Miner uses equipment from top-tier brands like Bitmain, Antminer, and Giant Miner to ensure consistent mining results. : ZA Miner uses equipment from top-tier brands like to ensure consistent mining results. Secure & Compliant : Headquartered and registered in the UK, ZA Miner operates with enterprise-level security and full regulatory transparency. : Headquartered and registered in the UK, ZA Miner operates with enterprise-level security and full regulatory transparency. Multi-Coin Flexibility : Mine and earn with a wide selection of cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH, DOGE, LTC, SOL, and USDT . : Mine and earn with a wide selection of cryptocurrencies, including . Always-On Support : Users benefit from 24/7 IT support and a world-class customer service team. : Users benefit from 24/7 IT support and a world-class customer service team. Rewarding Referral Program: Invite others and earn bonuses of up to $25,000 through ZA Miners generous affiliate system. AI cloud mining contract upgrade: About ZA Miner Founded in 2020, ZA FUNDINGS LTD (operating as ZA Miner) is a UK-based leader in cloud mining technology. With a mission to simplify digital wealth creation through intelligent, one-click mining, the company leverages clean energy, advanced cloud computing, and AI-driven insights to provide users worldwide with secure, efficient, and profitable mining experiences. As the industry evolves, ZA Miner remains at the forefront, committed to building a greener, smarter, and more accessible blockchain future. For more information, visit www.zaminer.com or follow ZA Miner on Twitter @zamining. Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and the possibility of losing funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor. NEW YORK, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Bakkt Holdings, Inc. (Bakkt or the Company) (NYSE: BKKT). 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 Bakkt and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. You have until June 2, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Bakkt 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 March 17, 2025, after market close, Bakkt disclosed that Webull Pay LLC (Webull) was terminating its commercial agreement with the Company, effective June 14, 2025. Bakkt revealed that in the prior nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the full year ended December 31, 2023, Webull made up 74% of Bakkts crypto services revenue. In that same period, the Company derived 98% of its revenue from crypto services. Bakkt also disclosed that Bank of America was terminating its loyalty services contract with the Company, effective April 22, 2025. Bakkt revealed Bank of America made up 17% of Bakkts loyalty services revenue in the prior nine months ended September 30, 2024. The customer cancellations will collectively result in a 73% loss in top line revenue going forward. On this news, Bakkts stock price fell $3.50 per share, or 27.28%, to close at $9.33 per share on March 18, 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. York, Pa., June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For the 18th consecutive summer, WellSpan and local libraries across central Pennsylvania are launching an interactive, outdoor scavenger hunt designed to exercise the body and mind known as the Get Outdoors, or GO!, program. The GO! program expands this year to include Union County, joining Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties, all offering unique activities. Additionally, the program will now incorporate math problems into interactive exercises as part of the journey. Each summer, the GO! program increases opportunities for children and their caregivers to learn through reading activities, engage in physical exercise to promote health and wellness, and explore local parks and trails while having fun along the way, said Sandra Gladfelter, health education coordinator lead at WellSpan Health. This is a highly anticipated program, where we see families come back every year to participate. We are so proud of our continued collaboration with local libraries and now expanding into a new county to add unique hiking opportunities for anyone across the region. This years GO! program theme is Get Outdoors and Color Our World, encouraging participants of all ages to visit a local library to read books about different colors, places to see color and things that use color. Across all seven counties, there are 114 hiking trails that include several options with wheelchair and stroller accessibility. As participants explore a new trail, they will engage in interactive reading exercises connecting developmental, physical and mental growth and well-being. Participants will also find a QR code within their guidebook that directs them to the new math problems added to the program this year. Another goal of the program is to help decrease childhood obesity while addressing summer slide or the tendency for children to experience a regression in their reading and critical thinking skills when they are outside of structured learning environments. Last year alone, more than 11,000 children participated, walking more than 39,000 miles throughout the region. WellSpans continued support is part of its Spotlight on Childrens Health initiative, a program that aims to champion the physical, emotional, intellectual, and developmental needs of children from birth to 6 years old. This program offers a collection of safe and free activities that families can do together to remain active both physically and intellectually, so they can return to school energized and ready to learn in the classroom by the end of summer, said Dr. Christopher Russo, medical director of pediatric services at WellSpan. How GO! Works The program begins with participants visiting their local library to pick up a guidebook called the sketchbook. With the help of the sketchbook, participants can follow clues to locate hidden wooden posts that are also referred to as markers across various locations in the seven participating counties. As participants find a marker, they use crayons on a rubbing sheet to help capture and record the discoveries. Another way participants can record their discovery and receive credit for the hike is by finding the code at the marker and logging it online into a digital app called Beanstack. There will be a chance to win prizes once each county program concludes. While all counties are now open to explore the program, program end dates vary by county. Each county has a dedicated GO! website that includes directions to parks, information on prizes, and clues to find the wooden posts. Additionally, it is encouraged to share photos of your GO! hunts and offer tips, via the programs county-by-county Facebook pages. For county-specific information visit the respective county's GO! program website: The GO! program is partially funded through WellSpans Community Partnership Grant Program. Grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations that improve the health of the communities and people WellSpan serves. For more information on WellSpans efforts to support healthy communities, visit WellSpan.org. Attachments Columbia Falls, Maine, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) announces the kickoff of its annual Giving in July campaign! For WAA, this annual celebration is dedicated to local groups and individuals participating in the organizations Sponsorship Group Program. Through this unique program, supporters can help local programs make a difference in their communities with each $17 sponsorship to WAA. Since its founding in 2007, WAA has collaborated with hundreds of charities, community programs and civic groups nationwide to remember and honor our nations veterans and active-duty military all year. Giving in July celebrates these groups and highlights the opportunity to give back to them through the sponsorship of veterans wreaths. WAA has given back more than $28 million in local contributions through this national program over the last 17 years! Click here to learn more and show your support by sponsoring a veterans wreath through one of WAAs many Sponsorship Groups nationwide! I have long said it would be disingenuous for us as an organization whose mission is to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom if we do not support other like-minded programs doing just that in their communities, said WAA Executive Director Karen Worcester. Our Sponsorship Group Program is a year-round effort, but through Giving in July, we hope to remind people that across the country there are programs providing resources to our nations veterans, active-duty military and families who need our support now. Follow the hashtag #GivinginJuly to learn the impactful stories of volunteers and Sponsorship Groups doing good in their communities and benefiting from dollars raised through wreath sponsorships. Tune in to Wreaths Across America Radio to hear their stories, available on the iHeart Radio app, TuneIn, and the Audacy app, at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio, or on SoundCloud here. More than 5,000 locations will participate in National Wreaths Across America Day this year on Saturday, December 13, 2025. This free event is open to all, and WAA encourages community members to participate by volunteering locally or sponsoring a wreath for an American hero. # # # About Wreaths Across America Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun in 1992. The organizations yearlong mission Remember, Honor, Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington and thousands of veterans cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Ibotta To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you purchased or otherwise acquired stock of Ibotta (a) pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and related prospectus (collectively, the "Registration Statement") issued in connection with Ibotta's April 18, 2024 initial public offering (the "IPO"); (b) purchased or otherwise acquired Ibotta securities between April 18, 2024, and February 26, 2025, inclusive (the Class Period) and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). [You may also click here for additional information] NEW YORK, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Ibotta, Inc. (Ibotta or the Company) (NYSE: IBTA) and reminds investors of the June 16, 2025 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com. As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose 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 another large customer, 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. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. On or around April 13, 2024, Ibotta conducted its initial public offering of 6.6 million shares priced at $88.00 per share. Then, on August 13, 2024, Ibotta issued a press release reporting its financial results for the second quarter of 2024. In the results, Ibotta reported, among other items, a net loss of $34.0 million, attributable to operating expenses that more than doubled year-over-year. Ibotta also provided a third quarter revenue forecast in the range of $91 million to $96 million, below consensus estimates. Following this news, Ibotta stock dropped $15.53 per share, or 26%, to close at $42.66 on August 14, 2024. On February 26, 2025, after market hours, Investing.com published an article entitled "Ibotta shares plunge 30% as Q4 earnings miss, Q1 guidance disappoints." This article stated, in pertinent part, that Ibotta "saw its shares tumble [. . .] after reporting fourth-quarter earnings that fell short of expectations and providing weak guidance for the first quarter of 2025." Following this news, Ibotta stock dropped $29.08 per share, or 46%, to close at $34.01 on February 27, 2025. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Ibottas conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. To learn more about the Ibotta class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/IBTA or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook. Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1264676c-0320-4240-a8e3-7a75930a5346 SALT LAKE CITY, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Granite Credit Union is excited to announce the official grand opening of its new Sandy Branch, located at 9383 S 700 E, Sandy, Utah 84070. The celebration will take place on Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The community is invited to enjoy food from local food trucks, GirlsWhoSmash and Udder Rivals, music, prize drawings, giveaways, and activities for all ages, including a cash machine. A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available in this link. Were thrilled to celebrate the opening of our new branch with our members and the community, said Charlotte Toone, branch manager. This location offers exceptional convenience, centrally located near shopping and in one of Sandy's fastest-growing areas. It's a place where members can connect with our team for personalized financial guidance and support in achieving their financial goals. The new Sandy Branch features a modern, open design that creates a welcoming and innovative environment for members to manage their finances. Granite Credit Union offers various services, including savings and checking accounts, insurance, investments, automobile loans, ITIN loans, real estate, commercial, and business lending. As Granite Credit Union continues to celebrate its 90th anniversary, it remains grounded in its core values and focused on the future. Whether through expanded access to financial products, deeper community engagement, or its pledge to serve the underserved, Granite Credit Union isand always will be"always there...so you can make life happen. To learn more about the event, please visit Granite Credit Union. About Granite Credit Union Founded in 1935, Granite Credit Union serves over 37,000 members and has nearly $900 million in assets. Committed to helping members achieve their financial goals, Granite Credit Union offers a variety of financial products and services, including competitive rates, flexible lending options, and personalized financial guidance. With a vision of "always there... so you can make life happen," the credit union strives to empower members with the tools and support they need to succeed financially. Members enjoy access to secure mobile banking services, online tools, and personalized in-branch assistance at locations across Utah. Granite Credit Union is dedicated to positively impacting its communities through financial education, trusted relationships, and exceptional service. Granite Credit Union is always there...so you can make life happen. Learn more at granite.org. Media Contact: marketing@granite.org NEW YORK, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Cable One, Inc. (Cable One or the Company) (NYSE: CABO). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Cable One and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On May 1, 2025, Cable One reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2025. Among other items, Cable One reported earnings that fell significantly short of analyst expectations and suspended its dividend. Analysts at Keybanc called the results extremely disappointing and questioned the credibility of Cable One's management. Raymond James also criticized Cable Ones management, claiming that [t]he results for Q1 were worse than expected, yet management was adamant they will see growth in both broadband top line revenue and subscribers for the year. On this news, Cable Ones stock price fell $109.48 per share, or 41.79%, to close at $152.51 per share on May 2, 2025. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP dpeyton@pomlaw.com 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 WASHINGTON, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, American Humane Society, the countrys first national animal welfare organization, announced the launch of its 15th annual Hero Dog Awards. This nationwide search celebrates the most courageous and inspiring dogs from across the country. Past honorees have been ordinary dogs that do extraordinary things, including serving on the frontlines as working and military dogs, saving lives, assisting their human companions, and contributing significantly to the wellbeing of people everywhere. Through the Hero Dog Awards, we celebrate the incredible bond between humans and animals, said Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of American Humane Society. We are proud to mark 15 years of sharing uplifting stories about heroes on both ends of the leash and giving these remarkable dogs the recognition they deserve. Starting today, people across the U.S. can nominate their most heroic furry friends at www.americanhumane.org/herodogawards. This years five categories include: Law Enforcement and First Responder Dogs Service and Guide/Hearing Dogs Therapy Dogs Military Dogs Emerging Hero and Shelter Dogs Each year, the Hero Dog Awards honor exceptional dogs from around the country. Following public voting, the program culminates in a gala awards show. Past celebrity participants include Carson Kressley, Christie Brinkley, Kyle Richards, Beth Stern, Kristen Chenoweth, and many others. For more information about the Hero Dog Awards, visit www.americanhumane.org/herodogawards, to learn about sponsorship opportunities, email herodoginfo@americanhumane.org. About American Humane Society: American Humane Society is the United States first national humane organization and the worlds largest certifier of animal welfare, helping to verify the humane treatment of more than one billion animals across the globe each year. Founded in 1877, American Humane Society has been at the forefront of virtually every major advancement in the humane movement to rescue, care for and protect animals. For more information or to support our life-changing work, please visit www.AmericanHumane.org, follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram and subscribe to our channel on YouTube for the latest breaking news and features about the animals with whom we share our Earth. Contact: comms@americanhumane.org Please note that attendance and registration for this media availability session is limited to media only. All materials shared with the media will be made available on www.aeso.ca following the session. CALGARY, Alberta, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is hosting a media availability session to speak about the amount (megawatts) of new large load data centres that can be reliably served in the immediate term. The AESO will also share the methodology to assign that load amount to developers currently requesting system access for data centre projects. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation. Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 Who: Aaron Engen, President & CEO Robert Davidson, Vice President Grid Reliability Projects and Planning Time: 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. MDT Location: Online via Teams (click here to register) Why: As the Independent System Operator, the AESO is responsible for connecting data centres and other large-load projects while protecting grid reliability in Alberta. Background: Data Centre Connection Process Update (March 20, 2025) Connections Project Dashboard Starter Portal Contact: AESO Media Relations at media@aeso.ca www.aeso.ca X (Twitter): @theaeso The Alberta Electric System Operator is responsible for the safe, reliable, and economic planning and operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. We provide open and non-discriminatory access to Albertas interconnected power grid, and we also facilitate Albertas competitive wholesale electricity market. More than 70 marine transportation organizations will slow down or move away from key areas of importance to at-risk whales, including hot spot for endangered orcas VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority-led Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program launched expanded threat reduction measures to reduce the impacts of commercial shipping on at-risk whales such as the southern resident killer whales. As part of the ECHO Programs 2025 measures, ship operators from more than 70 marine transportation organizations will slow down or move away from key areas of southern resident killer whale critical habitat from June to approximately November this year. New this year, the program has expanded its voluntary ship slowdown at Swiftsure Bank to more effectively overlap with a hot spot of southern resident killer whale activity identified by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. This expansion is in addition to the program's annual ship slowdown at Haro Strait and Boundary Pass and its route alteration in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Altogether, the measures will cover a record-high distance of about 86 nautical miles of the Pacific Ocean, and more than 50% of the killer whale critical habitat that overlaps with commercial shipping lanes. Swiftsure Bank is an important area where southern resident killer whales hunt, play, and forage together as the highly social marine mammals they are, which is why keeping noise to a minimum in this area is of critical importance to supporting the whales recovery, said Lance Barett-Leonard, senior scientist at the Raincoast Conservation Foundation and founding advisor of the ECHO Program. In previous years, the ECHO Programs threat reduction measures have effectively reduced underwater noise from commercial shipsa key threat to at-risk whalesby up to half, and research shows that the slowdowns can also reduce the risk of whale strikes by up to nearly a third and cut air emissions by approximately a quarter. Over the last ten years, the ECHO Program has continuously adapted its initiatives to reflect the latest research on where southern resident killer whales are present and how threats from shipping can be mitigated, said Jennifer Natland, vice president of properties and environment at the port authority. We hope to continue to demonstrate how collaborative, science-based efforts like these can create quieter oceans for endangered whales. Last May, the port authority partnered with the Government of Canada and marine industry partners to extend the Species at Risk Act (Section 11) Conservation Agreement to Support the Recovery of the Southern Resident Killer Whale for another five-year term. As part of the agreement, the partners committed to continue leading and participating in efforts to address shipping impacts such as underwater noise and physical disturbance through voluntary initiatives such as ship slowdowns, route alterations, and research efforts. Transport Canada contributed $3.2 million over two years to support the continued operation of the ECHO Program. The Southern Resident killer whale is an iconic species, and its recovery depends on strong, sustained partnershipswith Indigenous communities, industry, and local stakeholders. Through our work with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and the ECHO Program, were taking coordinated action to reduce underwater vessel noise and create a safer, quieter ocean environment that will support the recovery of this species, said Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade. Launched in 2014, the ECHO Program is one of the port authoritys key efforts to enable Canadas trade through the Port of Vancouver while protecting the environment. The ECHO Program brings together partners and advisors from across the marine transportation industry, government, Indigenous communities, and environmental groups, to plan and implement threat reduction measures for at-risk whales. Cruise Lines International Association is a strong supporter of the partnership of the Conservation Agreement and ECHO Program, recognizing the importance of the voluntary initiatives and collaborative measures to protect the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales, said Donna Spalding, Cruise Lines International Association. "Were pleased to continue our strong support for these voluntary slowdowns for the endangered Southern Resident killer whales. The ECHO program is a great example of how diverse interests and co-users of Canadas waterways can work together and put constructive solutions into place, said Miako Ushio, Director, Environmental Affairs, Shipping Federation of Canada. Our members at the Chamber of Shipping are proud participants in the ECHO Program, demonstrating that commerce and conservation can coexist, said Bonnie Gee, President of the Chamber of Shipping. For more information: About the ECHO Program The Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program is a first-of-its-kind, regional collaborative program developed and led by the port authority to better understand and reduce the cumulative effects of commercial shipping on at-risk whales along British Columbias southern coast, with a focus on endangered southern resident killer whales. About the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is the arm's-length federal agency that stewards the lands and waters that make up the Port of Vancouver, alongside the enduring stewardship of First Nations. As a Canada Port Authority, it is accountable to the federal Minister of Transport and operates pursuant to the Canada Marine Act. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authoritys purpose is to enable Canadas trade through the Port of Vancouver by being reliable and innovative, while protecting the environment. The port authority is structured as a non-share corporation, is financially self-sufficient and does not rely on tax dollars for operations. Revenues come from port terminals and tenants who lease port lands, and from port users who pay various fees such as harbour dues. Profits are reinvested in port operating services and infrastructure. The Port of Vancouver is Canadas gateway to diverse markets, enabling trade of approximately $350 billion every year with 170 countries. Located on the southwest coast of British Columbia in Canada, its 29 major deep-water terminals and more than 1,000 tenants move goods and people across five sectors (auto, bulk, breakbulk, container and cruise). The port is made up of approximately 16,000 ha of water, 1,500 ha of land and 350 km of shoreline, extending across Burrard Inlet, Fraser River and Roberts Bank. It borders 16 municipalities and intersects the traditional territories and treaty lands of more than 35 Coast Salish First Nations. The Port of Vancouver is the fourth largest port in North America by tonnage and handles almost as much cargo as Canadas next five largest ports combined. Port operations sustain more than 132,000 supply chain and related jobs across Canada. Media Contact Arpen Rana Senior Communications Advisor 778-239-5264 Arpen.Rana@portvancouver.com CENTREVILLE, Va., June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark) , a leading provider of household credit and consumer loan solutions, continues to expand its Virginia footprint, opening a new branch in Centreville. The branch is located at 5953 Centreville Crest Lane and is expected to serve hundreds of customers, retailers, and auto dealerships in its first year. Luis Santos, who serves as the branch manager, will be responsible for the administration of all daily operations. These include building personal relationships with customers and integrating into the community to ensure area residents receive a superior level of individualized loan services that meet their unique financial needs. Nestled in the heart of Northern Virginia, Centreville offers a scenic blend of rolling landscapes and suburban charm, just minutes from Washington D.C., and a family-friendly atmosphere makes this the perfect location for Lendmark to expand, said Dan Quann, Vice President of Branch Operations at Lendmark. This new branch in Centreville is going to create new job opportunities to further enhance the community and provide access to loans for those facing planned and unplanned financial needs. In addition to serving consumers directly, Lendmark provides financing solutions for thousands of retailers and independent auto dealerships, allowing these businesses customers to obtain Lendmark financing. Local businesses that are interested in partnering with Lendmark to provide financing solutions for their customers should visit the branch or call 571-686-5141. Lendmarks Climb to Cure is its signature cause-related initiative. The company has committed to raising $10 million by 2025 to mark its 10-year anniversary partnering with CURE Childhood Cancer. So far, Lendmarks employees, partners and customers have raised $8.83 million to support CURE, an Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to funding targeted pediatric cancer research that is utilized nationwide. Lendmark customers can participate by donating $1 when closing their loan. Lendmark matches the donation. About Lendmark Financial Services Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark) provides personal and household credit and loan solutions to consumers. Founded in 1996, Lendmark strives to be the lender, employer, and partner of choice by offering stability and helping consumers meet both planned and unplanned life events through affordable loan offerings. Today, Lendmark operates more than 520 branches in 22 states across the country, providing personalized services to customers and retail business partners with every transaction. Lendmark is headquartered in Lawrenceville, Ga. For more information, visit www.lendmarkfinancial.com . Media Contact Jeff Hamilton Senior Manager, Corporate Communications jhamilton@lendmarkfinancial.com 678-625-3128 LONDON, Ontario and BOSTON, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sernova Biotherapeutics, (TSX: SVA) (OTCQB: SEOVF) (FSE/XETRA: PSH), a leading regenerative medicine company focused on developing its Cell Pouch Bio-hybrid Organ as a functional cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D), today announced the appointment of Sernovas Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Rigby as Interim Chair of the board of directors. Mr. Rigby will assume the Chair role, effective immediately, until a new independent director is appointed to serve as the next Chair of the Board. Sernova continues to advance financing discussions as previously disclosed with GoldTrack Ventures and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, regarding a potential investment and continues to believe that this will be a promising partnership. Sernova is making significant strides on multiple strategic and operational fronts. The recent release of encouraging clinical data, formation of a world-class Clinical Advisory Board, and active investment discussions with multiple parties is encouraging, said Jonathan Rigby, Interim Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Sernova. As we advance toward our goal of delivering a functional cure for type 1 diabetes, we remain focused on execution and creating long-term shareholder value. Sernova also announced the departure of Modestus Obochi, its Chief Business Officer. The company thanks Dr. Obochi for his leadership and contributions during his tenure and wishes him well in his future endeavors. ABOUT SERNOVA BIOTHERAPEUTICS Sernova Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage company developing regenerative medicine therapeutics combining its Cell Pouch with human donor cells or stem-cell derived islet like clusters in collaboration with Evotec to create Bio-hybrid Organs to treat T1D. A Bio-hybrid Organ is comprised of non-biomaterials, such as the Cell Pouch, integrated with living tissues to restore or enhance the function of a compromised organ. This innovative approach aims to deliver a potentially revolutionary treatment for patients with chronic diseases, initially focusing on T1D and thyroid disorders. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: David Burke VP, Investor Relations (917) 751-5713 Email: David.Burke@sernova.com Website: https://sernova.com/ The TSX has not reviewed this news release and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this news release. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements in this press release include the potential to finalize an agreement with GoldTrack Ventures to provide funding for operations. With respect to the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, Sernova has made numerous assumptions regarding, among other things: the companys ability to secure additional financing on reasonable terms, or at all; and the ability to conduct all required preclinical and clinical studies for the companys Cell Pouch, including the timing and results of those trials. A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing Sernova appears in Sernovas Annual Information Form for the year ended October 31, 2024, filed with Canadian securities authorities and available at www.sedarplus.ca, as updated by Sernovas continuous disclosure filings, which are available at www.sedarplus.ca. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Sernova disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statements or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. ROCHESTER, N.Y., June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ), a leading beverage alcohol company, announced today that it has closed its previously announced transaction with The Wine Group to divest 1 primarily mainstream wine brands and associated inventory, facilities, and vineyards from its wine portfolio. Brands divested to The Wine Group include Woodbridge, Meiomi, Robert Mondavi Private Selection, Cooks, SIMI, and J. Roget sparkling wine. Constellations retained wine portfolio consists of a collection of highly regarded wines from top regions around the world, predominantly priced $15 and above. This includes iconic Napa Valley brands Robert Mondavi Winery, Schrader, Double Diamond, To Kalon Vineyard Company, Mount Veeder Winery, and The Prisoner Wine Company; the My Favorite Neighbor family of wine brands from Paso Robles; Kim Crawford from New Zealandproducer of the #1 Sauvignon Blanc in the U.S. 2 ; acclaimed Tuscan producer Ruffino Estates and Ruffino Prosecco; sought-after gems like Sea Smoke from Santa Barbaras Santa Rita Hills AVA, Lingua Franca from Oregons Willamette Valley, and more. This outstanding collection is complemented by Constellations award-winning craft spirits portfolio including High West whiskey, Nelsons Green Brier whiskey, Mi CAMPO tequila, and Casa Noble tequila. We are pleased to have completed this transaction and look forward to executing against our repositioned portfolio, focused exclusively on the higher-end that more closely aligns to consumer-led premiumization trends which we believe will enable us to help deliver improved performance within this segment of our business over time, said Bill Newlands, President and CEO, Constellation Brands. We appreciate the dedication of our internal teams, and the support and collaboration from The Wine Group and our business partners to help us close this transaction and seek to ensure as smooth a transition as possible. Following the completion of the transaction, Constellations fiscal year 2026 outlook and its outlook for fiscal year 2027 and fiscal year 2028 provided on April 9, 2025 remain unchanged. 1 We sold and, in certain instances, exclusively licensed the trademarks of a portion of our wine and spirits business, primarily centered around our mainstream wine brands and associated inventory, wineries, vineyards, offices, and facilities 2 #1 in dollar sales, Circana, total U.S. Multi-Outlet + Convenience, 52 weeks ended May 18, 2025 ABOUT CONSTELLATION BRANDS Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ) is a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits with operations in the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. Our mission is to build brands that people love because we believe elevating human connections is Worth Reaching For. Its worth our dedication, hard work, and calculated risks to anticipate market trends and deliver for our consumers, shareholders, employees, and industry. This dedication is what has driven us to become one of the fastest-growing, large CPG companies in the U.S. at retail, and it drives our pursuit to deliver whats next. Every day, people reach for brands from our high-end, imported beer portfolio anchored by the iconic Corona Extra and Modelo Especial, a flavorful lineup of Modelo Cheladas, and favorites like Pacifico and Victoria; our exceptional wine brands including The Prisoner Wine Company, Robert Mondavi Winery, Kim Crawford, Schrader Cellars, and Lingua Franca; and our craft spirits brands such as Casa Noble Tequila and High West Whiskey. As an agriculture-based company, we strive to operate in a way that is sustainable and responsible. Our ESG strategy is embedded into our business, and we focus on serving as good stewards of the environment, investing in our communities, and promoting responsible beverage alcohol consumption. We believe these aspirations in support of our longer-term business strategy allow us to contribute to a future that is truly Worth Reaching For. To learn more, visit www.cbrands.com and follow us on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The word expect and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These statements may relate to business strategy, future operations, prospects, plans, and objectives of management, including related to executing against Constellations repositioned wine portfolio, Constellations efforts to align with consumer-led premiumization trends and to deliver improved performance within its wine and spirits segment over time, the transition of the divested brands and related inventory, facilities, and vineyards, and Constellations outlook for fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028, as well as information concerning expected actions of third parties. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on managements current expectations and should not be construed in any manner as a guarantee that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will in fact occur or will occur on the timetable contemplated hereby. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release and Constellation does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. In addition to risks and uncertainties associated with ordinary business operations, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are subject to other risks and uncertainties, including any purchase price or other postclosing adjustments, the accuracy of all projections, and other factors and uncertainties disclosed from time-to-time in Constellation Brands filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2025, which could cause actual future performance to differ from current expectations. MEDIA CONTACTS INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS Amy Martin 585-678-7141 / amy.martin@cbrands.com Carissa Guzski 315-525-7362 / carissa.guzski@cbrands.com Joseph Suarez 773-551-4397 / joseph.suarez@cbrands.com Snehal Shah 847-385-4940 / snehal.shah@cbrands.com David Paccapaniccia 585-282-7227 / david.paccapaniccia@cbrands.com A downloadable PDF copy of this news release can be found here. SYDNEY, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN) today announced the appointment of Mark Gossington as a Senior Managing Director in the Risk & Investigations practice within the firms Forensic and Litigation Consulting segment. Mr. Gossington, who is based in Sydney, brings more than 25 years of experience leading complex risk engagements and remediation programmes that have helped companies strengthen resilience under regulatory scrutiny, recover from misconduct issues and build compliance frameworks that stand up to enforcement and market shifts. He has expertise across UK and Australian regulatory requirements, compliance obligations and risk management frameworks. In his role at FTI Consulting, he will focus on helping financial services clients in Australia and the Asia Pacific region navigate complex governance, risk management and compliance issues in the face of regulatory-driven change. Mark combines strategic advisory capabilities with hands-on experience delivering governance, risk management and compliance programmes to clients, said Dawna Wright, Head of FTI Consultings Forensic and Litigation Consulting segment in Australia. His experience will be of great value as boards, chief risk officers and senior executives are facing a growing number of regulatory reviews and investigations. Mr. Gossington was a partner at a Big Four firm before joining FTI Consulting. Prior to that, he held a senior risk and compliance role at Barclays Bank in the United Kingdom. He has also advised emerging firms in the Australian technology-enabled financial sector. Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Gossington said, Financial services clients must operate under a robust regulatory framework, with an emphasis on transparency, accountability and consumer protection. I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues as we help clients navigate evolving risks to the sector and increased regulatory scrutiny by delivering solutions that drive business performance, regulatory confidence and long-term resilience. Mr. Gossingtons hiring builds on the growth of FTI Consultings global Financial Services practice and follows the recent appointments of Alma Angotti, Michael Peters, Steven Hansen, Laura Huntley, Wolfgang Konkel, Creighton Oswald and Syed Raza. About FTI Consulting FTI Consulting, Inc. is a leading global expert firm for organisations facing crisis and transformation, with more than 8,100 employees located in 33 countries and territories as of March 31, 2025. In certain jurisdictions, FTI Consultings services are provided through distinct legal entities that are separately capitalised and independently managed. The Company generated $3.70 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2024. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com. FTI Consulting, Inc. Level 22, Gateway 1 Macquarie Place Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia Investor Contact: Mollie Hawkes +1.617.747.1791 mollie.hawkes@fticonsulting.com Media Contact: Rebecca Hine +61 402.235.829 rebecca.hine@fticonsulting.com The Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) Aboriginal Corporation and Rio Tinto have signed a Co-Management Agreement to support a lasting and trusted partnership. The agreement is the overarching framework for Rio Tinto's iron ore operations on PKKP Country and formalises how they engage on proposals affecting heritage and social surroundings throughout the mine lifecycle. It will ensure knowledge-sharing and joint design is at the centre of Rio Tinto's operations on PKKP Country, so significant heritage is preserved and co-managed. Pinikura Traditional Owner and Chairperson of PKKP Aboriginal Corporation, Terry Drage said: "The effect of this agreement is that PKKP Traditional Owners will receive certainty that our important places on Country will be protected from mining, while at the same time Rio Tinto will receive certainty around where they can develop much earlier in the mine cycle. "Ultimately, this is good for us as Traditional Owners, and it is good for business." Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Simon Trott said: "The destruction of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters on the 24th of May 2020 brought immeasurable pain to the PKKP and profoundly changed our company. "Our actions were wrong. We failed to uphold our company values, and our systems and processes were inadequate. Simply put, it should never have happened, and for that we will forever be sorry. "Through the open and gracious sharing of knowledge and experiences, the PKKP have helped to shape a renewed approach to managing cultural heritage protection and mining activities." The agreement is designed to provide certainty to the PKKP for the protection and management of their heritage. It also gives Rio Tinto certainty for its operations and development. The broader terms of the agreement were finalised and signed last month, ahead of the five-year anniversary of the tragic destruction of rock shelters at Juukan Gorge. The Co-Management Agreement reinforces Rio Tinto's commitment to PKKP to continue to work together on the rehabilitation of the Juukan Gorge area, focusing a shared effort to rehabilitate and preserve its cultural heritage. Note to editors: The Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) Aboriginal Corporation's media release on the Co-Management Agreement is available here. Broadcast-quality vision and interviews with PKKP leaders Burchell Hayes, Terry Drage, Dr Jordan Ralph and Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Simon Trott, as well as photographs, are available for download here. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250601064423/en/ Contact Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com Media Relations, United Kingdom Matthew Klar M +44 7796 630 637 David Outhwaite M +44 7787 597 493 Media Relations, Australia Matt Chambers M +61 433 525 739 Rachel Pupazzoni M +61 438 875 469 Michelle Lee M +61 458 609 322 Media Relations, Canada Simon Letendre M +1 514 796 4973 Malika Cherry M +1 418 592 7293 Vanessa Damha M +1 514 715 2152 Media Relations, US Jesse Riseborough M +1 202 394 9480 Investor Relations, United Kingdom David Ovington M +44 7920 010 978 Laura Brooks M +44 7826 942 797 Wei Wei Hu M +44 7825 907 230 Investor Relations, Australia Tom Gallop M +61 439 353 948 Phoebe Lee M +61 413 557 780 Rio Tinto Plc 6 St James's Square London SW1Y 4AD United Kingdom T +44 20 7781 2000 Registered in England No. 719885 Rio Tinto Ltd. Level 43, 120 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 Australia T +61 3 9283 3333 Registered in Australia ABN 96 004 458 404 riotinto.com Category: General Empire Metals Ltd. ("Empire" or "the Company") Commencement of Major Drilling Campaign Targeting Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate LONDON UNITED KINGDOM, June 2, 2025 - Empire Metals Limited (LON:EEE), the AIM-quoted and OTCQB-traded exploration and development company,is pleased to announce the commencement of a major drilling campaign at the Pitfield Project in Western Australia ('Pitfield' or the 'Project'). This programme will target high-grade titanium mineralisation within the in-situ weathered cap at the Thomas Prospect, with the objective of delivering a maiden JORC Compliant Mineral Resource Estimate ('MRE'). Highlights A total of 164 drill holes planned: 124 Air Core ('AC') drillholes for approximately 6,700 metres, and 40 Reverse Circulation ('RC') drillholes for approximately 4,000 metres, totalling 10,700 metres of drilling. The Thomas Prospect was selected for the maiden MRE due to the extensive, thick and high-grade titanium mineralisation hosted within the broad, in-situ weathered zone. This programme, the largest at Pitfield to date, will cover over 11 square kilometres and aims to deliver a globally significant MRE. Notable intercepts within the in-situ weathered cap from previous drilling at Thomas include: 51m @ 7.88% TiO? from surface (AC25TOM039) 57m @ 7.48% TiO? from surface (AC25TOM040) 52m @ 7.43% TiO? from surface (AC25TOM042) Shaun Bunn, Managing Director, said:"We are pleased to commence this important drilling campaign at Pitfield, focused on delivering our maiden MRE from the Thomas Prospect.The Thomas Prospect contains broad, continuous, high-grade zones of high-purity titanium dioxide mineralisation within the in-situ weathered cap: confirmed by assay results from the February 2025 AC drill campaign, averaging 6.20% TiO? over an average depth of 54m (announced 28 April 2025). "This fully funded campaign, scheduled to run over the next four to five weeks, is the largest undertaken to date at Pitfield. With 164 holes planned over an 11 square kilometre area and to an average depth of 65 metres, this work is designed to deliver a globally significant Mineral Resource Estimate." MRE Drilling Programme The location and spacing of the planned AC drillholes have been designed, with the input of mineral resource consultants Snowden-Optiro, to provide the necessary drill assay data density to allow the preparation of an MRE at the Thomas Prospect. The programme consists of 124 AC drillholes, on a 400 x 200m drillhole-spaced grid with an average forecast depth of 54.1m, for a total of 6,700 metres, and 40 RC drillholes within the AC drilling grid, to a depth of 100m, for a total of 4,000 metres. The overall drillhole grid extends 5.2km by 2.2km and totals an area of 11.4 sq km (refer Figure 1). The drilling is targeting the near surface, highly weathered zones within the Thomas Prospect; drilling has now commenced and will run over several weeks, with laboratory analysis scheduled for completion in August. Figure 1. Planned Air Core drill hole collar locations within the Thomas Prospect priority area. The near-surface, in-situ weathered cap at the Thomas Prospect contains a high percentage of the key titanium bearing minerals, primarily anatase and rutile. The drilling targets areas were selected on the basis of three key parameters: high-purity TiO 2 mineral assemblage, high average TiO 2 grades and significant depth of weathering (refer Table 1). The AC and RC drillholes will be geologically logged and sub-sampled on 2m intervals and geochemically analysed; this data will provide the basis for geological modelling and for the development of the MRE at the Thomas Prospect. Air core drilling has previously been utilised at Pitfield to drill-test the weathered cap and collect bulk metallurgical samples (announced 28 April 2025). It is a cost-effective and efficient drilling method that is commonly used for shallow exploration projects and the success of the previous campaign confirmed its suitability for the preparation of the MRE. Table 1: Weathered Zone drill intercepts from the Thomas Prospect (previously released results) including high-grade intervals to be followed up by MRE drilling Hole ID Easting Northing Depth From (m) Depth To (m) EOH (m) Weathered Interval (m) Grade TiO 2 (%) RC24TOM021 373699 6724326 4 76 154 72 6.75 including 4 58 54 6.90 including 4 12 8 9.03 including 8 10 2 9.98 RC24TOM022 373329 6724796 0 54 154 54 7.02 including 4 12 8 8.54 RC24TOM023 373639 6724978 0 58 154 58 5.68 including 6 20 14 6.09 DD24TOM006 373947 6724741 0 46.5 70.5 46.5 5.94 including 4.5 45 40.5 6.10 including 10.5 22.5 12 6.95 AC25TOM021 373250 6724746 0 49 49 49 7.49 including 20 26 6 10.71 AC25TOM036 373358 6725089 2 54 54 52 7.21 AC25TOM039 373506 6724612 0 51 51 51 7.88 AC25TOM040 373599 6724639 0 57 57 57 7.48 including 6 22 16 10.00 AC25TOM041 373572 6724737 0 54 54 54 7.19 including 4 18 14 10.06 including 4 12 8 11.67 AC25TOM042 373546 6724823 0 52 52 52 7.43 including 4 16 12 10.17 including 4 12 8 11.32 The Pitfield Titanium Project Located within the Mid-West region of Western Australia, near the northern wheat belt town of Three Springs, the Pitfield titanium project lies 313km north of Perth and 156km southeast of Geraldton, the Mid West region's capital and major port. Western Australia is ranked as one of the top mining jurisdictions in the world according to the Fraser Institute's Investment Attractiveness Index published in 2023, and has mining-friendly policies, stable government, transparency, and advanced technology expertise. Pitfield has existing connections to port (both road & rail), HV power substations, and is nearby to natural gas pipelines as well as a green energy hydrogen fuel hub, which is under planning and development (refer Figure 2). Figure 2. Pitfield Project Location showing the Mid-West Region Infrastructure and Services Competent Person Statement The technical information in this report that relates to the Pitfield Project has been compiled by Mr Andrew Faragher, an employee of Empire Metals Australia Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Empire. Mr Faragher is a Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Faragher has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. Mr Faragher consents to the inclusion in this release of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears. Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, as incorporated into UK law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, until the release of this announcement. **ENDS** For further information please visit www.empiremetals.co.uk or contact: Empire Metals Ltd Shaun Bunn / Greg Kuenzel / Arabella Burwell Tel: 020 4583 1440 S. P. Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nomad & Broker) Ewan Leggat / Adam Cowl Tel: 020 3470 0470 Shard Capital Partners LLP (Joint Broker) Damon Heath Tel: 020 7186 9950 St Brides Partners Ltd (Financial PR) Susie Geliher / Charlotte Page Tel: 020 7236 1177 About Empire Metals Limited Empire Metals is an AIM-listed and OTCQB-traded exploration and resource development company (LON: EEE) with a primary focus on developing Pitfield, an emerging giant titanium project in Western Australia. The high-grade titanium discovery at Pitfield is of unprecedented scale, with airborne surveys identifying a massive, coincident gravity and magnetics anomaly extending over 40km by 8km by 5km deep. Drill results have indicated excellent continuity in grades and consistency of the mineralised beds and confirm that the sandstone beds hold the higher-grade titanium dioxide (TiO?) values within the interbedded succession of sandstones, siltstones and conglomerates. The Company is focused on two key prospects (Cosgrove and Thomas), which have been identified as having thick, high-grade, near-surface, bedded TiO? mineralisation, each being over 7km in strike length. An Exploration Target* for Pitfield was declared in 2024, covering the Thomas and Cosgrove mineral prospects, and was estimated to contain between 26.4 to 32.2 billion tonnes with a grade range of 4.5 to 5.5% TiO 2 . Included within the total Exploration Target* is a subset that covers the weathered sandstone zone, which extends from surface to an average vertical depth of 30m to 40m and is estimated to contain between 4.0 to 4.9 billion tonnes with a grade range of 4.8 to 5.9% TiO 2 . The Exploration Target* covers an area less than 20% of the overall mineral system at Pitfield which demonstrates the potential for significant further upside. Empire is now accelerating the economic development of Pitfield, with a vision to produce a high-value titanium metal or pigment quality product at Pitfield, to realise the full value potential of this exceptional deposit. The Company also has two further exploration projects in Australia; the Eclipse Project and the Walton Project in Western Australia, in addition to three precious metals projects located in a historically high-grade gold producing region of Austria. *The potential quantity and grade of the Exploration Target is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral Resource. This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. SOURCE: Empire Metals Limited View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Paris, 2 June 2025, 8:00 a.m. PRESS RELEASE Eramet's response to the Gabonese government's announcement on crude manganese export ban starting in 2029 Eramet takes note of the Gabonese government's intention to ban crude manganese exports from January 1st, 2029. This move is described as part of the country's stated ambition to strengthen its industrial base, initiated by H.E. President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and his Government. A long-standing partner of Gabon and with over 30 years of presence in the country, Eramet has a track record as a committed investor in Gabon, supporting the country's industrial development ambitions through investing in sustainable mining operations, constructing value-adding transformation facilities and upgrading key infrastructure. Eramet acknowledges the Government's ambition and, as the main co-shareholder in Comilog, will continue to work with the authorities in a spirit of constructive partnership and mutual respect. Eramet will remain attentive to this policy shift and will work collaboratively to identify further opportunities for it to contribute to Gabon's economic development in the long term, whilst maintaining the sustainability of its mining and metals operations. In particular, the Group aims to safeguard the strategic role of Comilog and Setrag in being an internationally significant supplier of manganese to the global steel industry - and the 10,460 Gabonese jobs they sustain. Calendar 30.07.2025: Publication of 2025 half-year results 30.10.2025: Publication of 2025 Group third-quarter turnover ABOUT ERAMET Eramet transforms the Earth's mineral resources to provide sustainable and responsible solutions to the growth of the industry and to the challenges of the energy transition. Its employees are committed to this through their civic and contributory approach in all the countries where the mining and metallurgical group is present. Manganese, nickel, mineral sands and lithium: Eramet recovers and develops metals that are essential to the construction of a more sustainable world. As a privileged partner of its industrial clients, the Group contributes to making robust and resistant infrastructures and constructions, more efficient means of mobility, safer health tools and more efficient telecommunications devices. Fully committed to the era of metals, Eramet's ambition is to become a reference for the responsible transformation of the Earth's mineral resources for living well together. www.eramet.com INVESTOR CONTACT Director of Investor Relations Sandrine Nourry-Dabi T. +33 1 45 38 37 02 sandrine.nourrydabi@eramet.com PRESS CONTACT Media Relations Officer Nedjma Amrani T. +33 6 65 65 44 49 nedjma.amrani@eramet.com Attachment Toronto - Laurion Mineral Exploration Inc. (TSX-V: LME) ("LAURION" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce the engagement of Oak Hill Financial Inc. ("Oak Hill") to provide investor relations and capital markets advisory services. Under the terms of the engagement, Oak Hill will work closely with LAURION's management to raise the Corporation's profile within the investment community. Oak Hill will provide strategic investor relations support, including the development of investor materials, strategic engagement with brokers and institutional investors, and the provision of monthly progress reports to LAURION detailing engagement activities and feedback from the investment community. "Oak Hill brings deep expertise and a robust network of high-net-worth brokers and institutional investors," said Cynthia Le Sueur-Aquin, President and CEO of LAURION. "We look forward to leveraging their capabilities to further enhance awareness of LAURION's value proposition and to broaden our investor base as we continue working to advance our flagship Ishkoday Project. The engagement of Oak Hill complements the ongoing efforts of Doug Vass of Integral Wealth Management (i.e. LAURION's market maker) and US Capital Global Partners ("USCGP"), who all continue to play pivotal roles in assisting LAURION with advancing its corporate and financing strategies. Oak Hill's focus on investor relations and capital markets advisory services is designed to augment these existing efforts by expanding the Corporation's access to a broader base of brokers, institutional investors and strategic capital sources. LAURION prides itself on assembling a team of best-in-class third-party specialists, each bringing unique expertise that aligns with the Corporation's evolving needs. This complementary approach continues to enhance shareholder value while positioning the Corporation to explore potential transactions and strategic opportunities that are expected to benefit stakeholders." In connection with this engagement, the Corporation and Oak Hill have entered into an advisory services agreement (the "Agreement"), pursuant to which, among other things, Oak Hill has agreed to provide certain investor relations services in accordance with Policy 3.4 - Investor Relations, Promotional and Market-Making Activities ("Policy 3.4") of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The Agreement is effective June 2, 2025 until June 30, 2025 (the "Initial Term"), and may be extended by LAURION on a month-to-month basis, in its sole discretion. The Agreement may be terminated in any of the following circumstances: (i) following the Initial Term, the Agreement may be terminated by either party at any time, for any reason, with five days' prior written notice to the other party; (ii) the Agreement may be terminated by mutual consent of the parties at any time; and (iii) the Agreement may be terminated by either party immediately if the other party is winding up, becomes subject to bankruptcy proceedings or materially breaches the Agreement and fails to remedy such breach within 60 days of receiving a formal request to remedy. In consideration for Oak Hill's services, LAURION will pay Oak Hill a cash advisory fee of $10,000 (plus HST) on the effective date of the Agreement (June 2, 2025). If LAURION elects to extend the Agreement beyond the Initial Term, LAURION will pay an additional cash advisory fee of $10,000 (plus HST) every month thereafter, until the Agreement is terminated. The Corporation will also issue 250,000 stock options to Oak Hill at an exercise price of $0.40 per common share. The options will vest in equal tranches of 25% every three months over a 12-month period following the date of grant, in compliance with the Corporation's stock option plan and Policy 3.4. The Agreement does not contain any performance factors. Oak Hill and the Corporation are unrelated and unaffiliated entities. LAURION's engagement of Oak Hill and the granting of stock options, as contemplated in the Agreement and summarized above, remain subject to TSXV approval and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. About Oak Hill Financial Inc. Oak Hill is a leading provider of investor relations and capital markets advisory services, supporting companies in enhancing visibility, credibility and engagement within the investment community. Oak Hill also provides third party marketing services for asset managers looking to access the Canadian CIRO retail brokerage market. Oak Hill's office is located at 2 Bloor Street, Suite 2900, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3E2. About LAURION Mineral Exploration Inc. The Corporation is a mid-stage junior mineral exploration and development company listed on the TSXV under the symbol LME and on the OTCPINK under the symbol LMEFF. LAURION now has 273,644,904 outstanding shares, of which approximately 73.6% are owned and controlled by insiders who are eligible investors under the "Friends and Family" categories. LAURION's emphasis is on the exploration and development of its flagship project, the 100% owned mid-stage 57 km2 Ishkoday Project, and its gold-rich polymetallic mineralization. LAURION's chief priority remains maximizing shareholder value. A large portion of the Corporation's focus in this regard falls within the scope of its mineral exploration activities and more specifically, advancing the Ishkoday Project. A consequence of LAURION's success and advancement over the past several years is that the Corporation has become positioned as an acquisition target for appropriate potential acquirors. Accordingly, the Corporation's Board of Directors is aware that possible strategic alternatives and transactional opportunities may arise and/or could be procured in the short or medium terms. The Corporation will promptly issue a press release if any material change occurs. In the meanwhile, LAURION will continue to work towards advancing the Ishkoday Project while exploring opportunities and potential transactions that are strategically beneficial to the Corporation and its shareholders. LAURION Mineral Exploration Inc. Cynthia Le Sueur-Aquin - President and CEO Tel: 1-705-788-9186 Fax: 1-705-805-9256 Douglas Vass - Investor Relations Consultant Email: info@laurion.ca Website: http://www.LAURION.ca Follow us on X (@LAURION_LME), Instagram (laurionmineral) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-le-sueur-aquin-laurion-lme-04b03017/) Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the Corporation's current expectations regarding future events including with respect to LAURION's business, operations and condition, management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions, the Corporation's ability to advance the Ishkoday Project, the nature, focus, timing and potential results of the Corporation's exploration activities, Oak Hill's ability to heighten capital market awareness and understanding of LAURION, raise the Corporation's profile within the investment community or achieve any of the other aforementioned potential or anticipated benefits that may be derived from the Corporation's engagement of Oak Hill, statements regarding the Corporation's exploration or consideration of any possible transactions and strategic opportunities that may arise and/or could be procured in the future with respect to the Corporation, as well as the potential outcome(s) of this process and/or the Corporation's engagement of USCGP, the possible impact of any potential transactions referenced herein on the Corporation or any of its stakeholders, and the ability of the Corporation to identify and complete any potential acquisitions, mergers, financings or other transactions referenced herein, and the timing of any such transactions. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including risks relating to the Corporation failing to obtain the requisite regulatory (including the TSXV) approvals and the engagement of Oak Hill on the terms described herein. Actual events and future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements could differ materially from those projected herein including as a result of a change in the trading price of the common shares of LAURION, the interpretation and actual results of current and future exploration activities, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future prices of gold and/or other metals, possible variations in grade or recovery rates, failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, the failure of contracted parties to perform, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration, as well as those factors disclosed in the Corporation's publicly filed documents. Investors should consult the Corporation's ongoing quarterly and annual filings, as well as any other additional documentation comprising the Corporation's public disclosure record, for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. Subject to applicable law, the Corporation disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. 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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. VANCOUVER, June 02, 2025 - Patagonia Gold Corp. ("Patagonia" or the "Company") (TSXV: PGDC) is pleased to announce that, further to its news releases dated March 14, 2025, April 14, 2025 and May 20, 2025, it has completed the US$40 million investment (the "Calcatreu Financing") by Black River Mine Inc. ("Black River") in the Company's subsidiary, Patagonia Gold Canada Inc. ("PG Canada"). In connection with the Calcatreu Financing, PG Canada issued an aggregate of 40 million preferred shares (the "Preferred Shares") at a price of US$1.00 per share. The Preferred Shares were issued pursuant to the terms of the investment agreement dated April 13, 2025 between PG Canada and Black River. Proceeds from the Calcatreu Financing will be used solely for funding the development of the Company's Calcatreu project in Rio Negro province, Argentina (the "Project") and to pay fees and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the Calcatreu Financing. The Company did not pay any finder's fee in connection with the Calcatreu Financing. The Preferred Shares issued pursuant to the Calcatreu Financing are non-voting and are subject to restrictions on transfer in accordance with PG Canada's articles and the terms of a shareholders' agreement among the Company, PG Canada and Black River. The TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") conditionally approved the Calcatreu Financing; however, it remains subject to final approval of the TSXV. Black River is controlled by Carlos J. Miguens and therefore is a related party of the Company (as Mr. Miguens has ownership and control over 200,717,161 common shares, representing 43.2% of the 465,051,490 common shares of the Company currently outstanding). Accordingly, the Calcatreu Financing is a "related party transaction" under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Since Mr. Miguens' participation in the Calcatreu Financing exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization (calculated in accordance with MI 61-101), the Company obtained shareholder approval in accordance with MI 61-101 at a special meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") held on May 20, 2025. The Company is exempt from the requirement to obtain a formal valuation in connection with the Mr. Miguens' participation in the Calcatreu Financing in reliance of Section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101. Details of the Project The Project is the Company's flagship project located near the southern border of Rio Negro, approximately 85 kilometres south of the town of Ing Jacobacci. The Company acquired the Project from Pan American Silver in 2018 and since then has been dedicated to obtaining the permits to advance the Project to production. In November 2024, the Company was notified by the local Provincial authorities that the final permit to proceed with construction and development of the Project had been granted (please see November 7, 2024 news release on https://patagoniagold.com/investors/news-releases/). The Project has approximately 746,000 contained AuEq (gold equivalent) ounces of measured and indicated mineral resource category and 390,000 contained AuEq ounces of Inferred Mineral Resources as disclosed in the Technical Report (as defined below). Qualified Person's Statement Donald J. Birak, an independent consulting geologist, Registered Member of SME, Fellow of AusIMM, and qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. Additional information about the Project and the mineral resources referred to in this news release are available in the technical report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report, Mineral Resource Estimate, Calcatreu Gold-Silver Project, Rio Negro Province, Argentina," dated effective December 31, 2018 (the "Technical Report"), which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. About Patagonia Gold Patagonia Gold Corp. is a South America focused, publicly traded, mining company listed on the TSXV. The Company seeks to grow shareholder value through exploration and development of gold and silver projects in the Patagonia region of Argentina. The Company is primarily focused on the Calcatreu project in Rio Negro and the development of the Cap-Oeste underground project. Patagonia, indirectly through its subsidiaries or under option agreements, has mineral rights to over 400 properties in several provinces of Argentina and is one of the largest landholders in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina. For more information, please contact: Christopher van Tienhoven, Chief Executive Officer Patagonia Gold Corp. T: +54 11 5278 6950 E: cvantienhoven@patagoniagold.com FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements with respect to, the intended use of proceeds from the Calcatreu Financing; the proposed advancement of the Project; the receipt of TSXV approval; the advancement and development of gold and silver projects in the Patagonia region of Argentina; and the anticipated growth in shareholder value. Wherever possible, words such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "expect", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict" or "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof. Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. In particular, the Company advises that it does not have defined mineral reserves and it has not based its decision to advance development of the Project on a feasibility study of mineral reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability, and, as a result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. TORONTO, June 2, 2025 - IsoEnergy Ltd. ("IsoEnergy" or the "Company") (NYSE American: ISOU) (TSX: ISO) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an equity distribution agreement (the "Distribution Agreement") with Virtu Canada Corp. (the "Canadian Agent") and Virtu Americas LLC (together with the Canadian Agent, the "Agents"). Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Company may distribute up to C$75,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) of common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Common Shares"), from time to time through the Agents (the "ATM Program"). Philip Williams, CEO and Director of IsoEnergy, commented, "With our NYSE American listing completed on May 5, 2025, the launch of our ATM Program is both timely and aligned with practices across our peer group, many of whom have similar programs in place. Backed by a strong cash balance of C$46.1 million and marketable securities of C$35.1 million as of March 31, 2025, we believe that the Company is in a solid financial position to execute its 2025 work programs. We intend to use the ATM Program prudently, accessing it when market conditions and liquidity are favourable. Ultimately, it provides an additional financing tool, enhancing our financial flexibility moving forward." Any Common Shares sold through the ATM Program will be sold (i) through ordinary brokers' transactions on the NYSE American LLC (the "NYSE American") or another U.S. "marketplace", as such term is defined in National Instrument 21-101 - Marketplace Operation ("NI 21-101"), (ii) through ordinary brokers' transactions on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") that constitute "at-the-market distributions" as defined in National Instrument 44-102 - Shelf Distributions, (iii) on another Canadian "marketplace", as such term is defined in NI 21-101, upon which the Common Shares are listed, quoted or otherwise traded, or (iv) otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The volume and timing of sales under the ATM Program, if any, will be determined at the Company's sole discretion and in accordance with the terms of the Distribution Agreement. The TSX has conditionally approved the listing of the Common Shares that may be issued under the ATM Program, and the Company has applied for authorization from the NYSE American for the listing of such Common Shares. The Company is not obligated to make any sales of Common Shares under the ATM Program. The ATM Program will be effective until the earlier of the issuance and sale of all of the Common Shares issuable pursuant to the ATM Program and the date that the ATM Program is otherwise terminated pursuant to the terms of the Distribution Agreement. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the ATM Program, if any, for general corporate purposes, which may include funding of corporate and project overhead expenses, financing of capital expenditures, repayment of indebtedness, technical studies and exploration in the United States and Australia and additions to working capital. The ATM Program is being established pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated May 30, 2025 (the "Canadian Prospectus Supplement") to the Company's short form base shelf prospectus dated September 5, 2024, as amended on May 8, 2025 (the "Base Shelf Prospectus"), as filed with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, and pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated May 30, 2025 (the "U.S. Prospectus Supplement") to the Company's U.S. base prospectus included in its registration statement on Form F-10 (the "Registration Statement") and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on May 13, 2025. The Company has filed the Registration Statement (including the U.S. base shelf prospectus) and the U.S. Prospectus Supplement to which this communication relates with the SEC. Before you invest, you should read the Registration Statement, the U.S. Prospectus Supplement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC, as well as the corresponding documents filed in Canada, for more complete information about the Company and this offering. The Canadian Prospectus Supplement and Base Shelf Prospectus may be downloaded for free from SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, and the U.S. Prospectus Supplement and the Registration Statement are accessible for free via EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the Company will send you copies of such documents upon request made to the Company contact provided below, and the Agents will send copies of such documents to investors upon request by contacting Virtu Canada Corp. at 1720 - 222 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5K 1B7, by email at ATMCanada@virtu.com, or by telephone at (646) 682-6322 or by contacting Virtu Americas LLC at 41st Floor - 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019 United States, by email at ATM@Virtu.com, or by telephone at (646) 682-6322. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor will there be any sale of the securities in any province, territory, state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such province, territory, state or jurisdiction. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release. About IsoEnergy Ltd. IsoEnergy (NYSE American: ISOU and TSX: ISO) is a leading, globally diversified uranium company with substantial current and historical mineral resources in top uranium mining jurisdictions of Canada, the U.S. and Australia at varying stages of development, providing near-, medium- and long-term leverage to rising uranium prices. IsoEnergy is currently advancing its Larocque East project in Canada's Athabasca basin, which is home to the Hurricane deposit, boasting the world's highest-grade indicated uranium mineral resource. IsoEnergy also holds a portfolio of permitted past-producing, conventional uranium and vanadium mines in Utah with a toll milling arrangement in place with Energy Fuels. These mines are currently on standby, ready for rapid restart as market conditions permit, positioning IsoEnergy as a near-term uranium producer. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of U.S. securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". These forward-looking statements may relate to the anticipated sale and distribution of Common Shares under the ATM Program; the volume and timing of the sale and distribution of Common Shares under the ATM Program; the expected uses of the net proceeds from the ATM Program; the Company's properties, including expectations with respect to the advancement of the Company's properties; the Company's ability to execute on its 2025 work programs; and any other activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at the time, 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. Such assumptions include, but are not limited to, assumptions that the results of planned exploration and development activities are as anticipated; the anticipated mineralization of IsoEnergy's projects being consistent with expectations and the potential benefits from such projects and any upside from such projects; the price of uranium; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms; and that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct the Company's planned activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. Although IsoEnergy 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. 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. Such statements represent the current views of IsoEnergy with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by IsoEnergy, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following: negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing; uncertainty of additional financing; no known mineral reserves; aboriginal title and consultation issues; reliance on key management and other personnel; actual results of exploration activities being different than anticipated; changes in exploration programs based upon results; availability of third party contractors; availability of equipment and supplies; failure of equipment to operate as anticipated; accidents, effects of weather and other natural phenomena; other environmental risks; changes in laws and regulations; regulatory determinations and delays; stock market conditions generally; demand, supply and pricing for uranium; other risks associated with the mineral exploration industry; and general economic and political conditions in Canada, the United States and other jurisdictions where the Company conducts business. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking statements are described in the risk factors in IsoEnergy's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis and annual information form and IsoEnergy's other filings with securities regulators which are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. IsoEnergy does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/isoenergy-announces-launch-of-at-the-market-equity-program-302470265.html SOURCE IsoEnergy Ltd. Capella Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: CMIL) (OTC Pink: CMILF) (FRA: N7D2) ("Capella" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a Non-Binding Letter of Intent (the "LOI" or "Agreement") with leading Turkish mining company, Tumad Madencilik Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S. ("Tumad"), with respect to a staged earn-in proposal for the Company's portfolio of precious and base metal projects in Scandinavia. Under the terms of the Agreement, Tumad will have the exclusive option to earn-in to majority interests in Capella's Norwegian copper-cobalt-zinc projects and Finnish gold-copper projects through a series of exploration and development investments. The current LOI is expected to be subject to a further 30 day Due Diligence period. Tumad currently produces approximately 200,000 ounces of gold per annum from two mining operations located in western Turkiye. This strategic partnership with Capella is expected to provide Tumad with an excellent opportunity to expand its international footprint in to the highly prospective Scandinavian region. Eric Roth, Capella's President and CEO, commented today: "I am extremely pleased to be announcing today this strategic partnership with leading mining company Tumad. I strongly believe that the respective strengths of the two Companies - Capella's team with its highly-successful exploration / discovery history and operating experience both within Scandinavia and elsewhere globally, together with Tumad's highly successful mine building and operational experience - will combine to ensure a successful venture going forward for both parties." Highlights Key terms of the Capella - Tumad Agreement are as follows: Tumad will make a cash payment to Capella of USD 50,000 upon signing of the LOI. Furthermore, Tumad will make cash payments to Capella of USD 250,000 each for the Norwegian and Finnish projects upon execution of the Definitive Agreements for the both projects. With respect to the Company's 100%-owned Norwegian copper-cobalt-zinc projects (Hessjgruva/Kongensgruve, Kjeldebotn, and Kviteseid), Tumad would be granted an earn-in on the following terms: Phase 1 (Earn-in to 30% shareholder of the license holder company) - Tumad will be required to invest USD 2,500,000 in exploration expenditures (including a minimum 8,000m of core drilling) during the First Year after the signing of the Definitive Binding Agreement. This investment is deemed to be the minimum investment commitment. Should Tumad then elect not to continue on to Phase 2, Tumad's interest in the project will revert to a 1% NSR. Phase 2 (Earn-in to 51% shareholder of the license holder company)(Optional) - Tumad will be required to invest a further USD 5,000,000 in exploration expenditures, which is expected to include the completion of a further 15,000m of infill / step-out drilling, a Canadian NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate, plus initial metallurgical and mining studies. Phase 3 (Earn-in to 80% shareholder of the license holder company)(Optional) - funding of all studies required for completion of a 43-101 compliant Feasibility Study. Subsequent to the completion of Phase 3, Capella will either be required to contribute to future exploration and development costs on a pro-rata basis or will dilute out to a 1.5% NSR. Tumad will hold a buy-back right on the 1.5% NSR for USD 5,000,000 until anytime up to the commencement of commercial production. With respect to the Company's Northern Finland gold-copper projects (Killero E, Killero W, Saattopora W, Jolhikko, and Selsunselka)(Cullen Joint Venture; ASX: CUL), Tumad has been granted an earn-in on the following terms: Phase 1 (Earn-In to 30% shareholder of the license holder company) - Tumad will be required to invest USD 1,250,000 in exploration expenditures (including a minimum 4,000m of core drilling) during the First Year after the signing of the Binding Agreement. This investment is deemed to be the minimum investment commitment. Should Tumad then elect not to continue on to Phase 2, Tumad's interest in the project will revert to a 1% NSR. Phase 2 (Earn-in to 51% shareholder of the license holder company)(Optional) - Tumad will be required to invest a further USD 2,500,000 in exploration expenditures, and which is expected to include an additional 8,000m of infill and step-out drilling. Phase 3 (Earn-in to 80%*)(Optional) - funding of Feasibility-level technical studies Subsequent to the completion of Phase 3, Capella will either be required to contribute to future exploration and development costs on a pro-rata basis or will dilute out to a 1.5% NSR. Tumad will hold a buy-back right on the 1.5% NSR for USD 5,000,000 until anytime up to the commencement of commercial production. The Phase 1 investments indicated for both the Norwegian and Finnish projects are deemed mandatory, with further exploration being undertaken purely at Tumad's discretion and based on positive technical results. Should Tumad elect to withdraw from either project at the end of the First Year (Phase I), then it shall retain a 1% NSR on the project. During the Period starting from Phase 1 and ending upon the completion of the Phase 3 Tumad will fund the exploration expenditures that will be outlined in the Definitive Binding Agreement, and the Projects will be operated jointly by Tumad and Capella, through technical committee overseeing work programs and budget allocations. Tumad will take a lead role in executing exploration programs, while Capella will contribute local expertise and regulatory and community engagement support. *80% of Capella's interest in the license holder company Private Placement The Company put aside its previously announced non-brokered private placement of up to 15,000,000 units ("Units") at $0.05 per Unit as a direct result of the uncertain market conditions that prevailed during Q1, 2025. The Company did raise $105,600 from one subscriber and will issue 2,112,000 Units upon receipt of regulatory approval. The Company believes that now may be more fortuitous timing and will again seek to raise gross proceeds of up to $750,000 through the sale of Units. Each Unit shall consist of one common share and one-half of one share purchase warrant, each whole warrant entitling the holder to acquire an additional share at a price of $0.10 for a period of two years from date of issuance. The Company may close in tranches and gross proceeds of up to $750,000 will be used for general working capital; advancing current projects; and reviewing and researching new exploration project opportunities. Qualified Persons and Disclosure Statement The technical information presented in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") and approved by Eric Roth, the Company's President & CEO, a Director, and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Roth holds a Ph.D. in Economic Geology from the University of Western Australia, is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and is a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG). Mr. Roth has over 35 years of experience in international minerals exploration and mining project evaluation. On Behalf of the Board of Capella Minerals Ltd. "Eric Roth" Eric Roth, Ph.D., FAusIMM President & CEO About Capella Minerals Ltd Capella is a Canadian exploration and development company with a focus on global gold-copper projects and is currently exploring in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt of northern Finland & copper-cobalt projects in central Norway. In northern Finland, the Company's portfolio consists of 5 copper-gold projects including the priority Killero E target (a former Anglo American copper-gold project that was never drill tested) and the Saattopora W target (the western extension to Outokumpu Oy's Saattopora former copper-gold mine2) - all of which are located about 40km SW of Agnico Eagle's Kittila Gold Mine2, currently the largest gold producer in Europe. In the Trndelag Province of central Norway, the Company's focus is on the discovery of high-grade copper-cobalt massive sulfide (VMS) deposits in the former mining districts of Lkken2 and Rros2. The Company's portfolio includes: i) a 100% interest in the advanced exploration-stage Hessjgruva copper-cobalt project and adjacent Kongensgruve project in the northern Rros mining district, and ii) exposure to the discovery of new satellite copper-cobalt-zinc VMS targets around the past-producing Lkken copper mine through a strategic partnership with Teako Minerals Corp. (CSE: TMIN). Capella also holds significant equity positions in Teako Minerals Corp. (CSE: TMIN) and Grit Metals Corp. (formerly European Energy Metals Corp.; TSXV: FIN) as a direct result of the recent divestiture of non-core assets. For additional information you are cordially invited to visit the Capella Minerals Ltd website at www.capellaminerals.com, or contact Karen Davies, VP Shareholder Relations and Corporate Development, at Tel: +1.604.314.2662 Cautionary Notes and Forward-looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of Capella, including the timing, completion of and results from the exploration and drill programs described in this release. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. All such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Capella in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. This information, however, 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. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from this forward-looking information include those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in Capella's most recently filed MD&A. Capella does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Capella Minerals Limited Contact Capella Contacts: Eric Roth, Email: info@capellaminerals.com; Karen Davies, +1.604.314.2662 Urano Energy Corp. (CSE: UE) (OTCQB: UECXF) (the "Company" or "Urano Energy") announced today the increase of its previously announced non-brokered private placement of $700,000 CDN to $900,000 CDN. The Company may now issue up to 12,857,000 units at a price of $0.07 per Unit. The closing date of June 6, 2025 and all other terms of the offering remain the same. Please see the Company's news release dated May 26, 2025 for further information. The Offering is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. About Urano Energy Corp. Urano Energy is a mineral exploration company which holds numerous advanced conventional uranium projects hosting historic resources and mining lode claims in the Colorado Plateau, a region with a rich history of uranium and vanadium mining. As the need and support for domestic uranium and nuclear energy in the United States advances, Urano Energy is well positioned to complete the necessary work to advance permitting for key projects. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Statements This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expected", "will be", "anticipated", "may" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. 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, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws. /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES/ SOURCE Urano Energy Corp. For additional information: Jason Bagg, Chief Executive Officer and Director, (833) 888-2862, info@uranoenergy.com, www.uranoenergy.com Installation of additional underground pumping complete; water levels set to stabilize Phase 1 and 2 concentrators continue to be supplied by stockpiles, and will be supported by ore from western side of Kakula Mine Ivanhoe Mines to provide next week plans for reopening the western side and restart of the eastern side of Kakula Mine Kolwezi, June 2, 2025 - Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) announces today that following the temporary suspension of underground operations at the Kakula Mine announced on May 20, 2025, senior management continues to work alongside world-leading engineering experts to safely and conservatively restart mining operations. Kamoa Copper's engineering teams are currently updating the short-, medium-, and long-term plans to resume operations on both the western and eastern sides of the Kakula Mine. Subject to dewatering progress, underground mining is expected to restart later this month on the western side of the mine, which remains dry and supported by over 1,000 litres per second of operational pumping capacity. Operations on the eastern side of the Kakula Mine are expected to restart once dewatering is complete. Kamoa Copper has implemented a two-stage plan to dewater the entire Kakula Mine: Stage One involves the installation of temporary underground pumping infrastructure to stabilize and maintain current water levels. Stage One was completed today, with total underground pumping capacity increasing to approximately 4,400 litres per second, sufficient to manage water inflows. Stage Two involves the installation of high-capacity, surface-mounted pumps and new permanent infrastructure to fully dewater the entire Kakula Mine. Stage Two is already underway. Kamoa Copper has ordered four high-capacity pumps, each rated at 650 litres per second. Additional pumps will also be ordered as part of the long term pumping infrastructure plan. These pumps will be deployed in pairs and installed in existing ventilation shafts that access the water catchment areas of the Kakula Mine. Delivery and installation of the surface pumps is expected within 90 days. Meanwhile, the Phase 1 and 2 concentrators continue to operate at approximately 50% of their combined capacity, processing ore from surface stockpiles. Ore from the western side of the Kakula Mine will be fed into the concentrators once underground operations restart. Since mining operations began at Kakula in 2021, crews have completed over 18 months' worth of underground development ahead of the mine plan. This extensive advance development provides significant operational flexibility, allowing access to multiple production areas as they are deemed safe for re-entry. Mining operations at the Kamoa underground mine and ore processing at the adjacent Phase 3 concentrator remain unaffected and continue as normal. Ivanhoe Mines to provide next week plans for reopening the western side and the restart of the eastern side of the Kakula Mine Senior management from Ivanhoe Mines and the Kamoa Copper joint venture, together with world-class geotechnical specialists, are in the process of concluding their thorough, conservative geotechnical assessment of the Kakula Mine. The results of the assessment, as well as the restart plans for the western and eastern sides of the Kakula Mine are expected next week. About Ivanhoe Mines Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal projects in Southern Africa; the expansion of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC, the ramp-up of the ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC; and the phased development of the tier-one Platreef platinum-palladium-nickel-rhodium-gold-copper Mine in South Africa. Ivanhoe Mines is exploring for copper in its highly prospective, 54-100% owned exploration licences in the Western Forelands, covering an area over six times larger than the adjacent Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, including the high-grade discoveries in the Makoko District. Ivanhoe is also exploring for new sedimentary copper discoveries in new horizons including Angola, Kazakhstan, and Zambia. Follow Robert Friedland (@robert_ivanhoe) and Ivanhoe Mines (@IvanhoeMines_) on X. Forward-looking statements Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified using words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events, or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company's current expectations regarding future events, performance, and results and speak only as of the date of this news release. Such statements include, without limitation: i) statements that water levels are set to stabilize; ii) statements regarding the operating capacity of the Phase 1 and 2 concentrators, processing of stockpiles and that Ore from the western side of the Kakula Mine will be fed into the concentrators once underground operations restart; iii) statements regarding plans to resume mining operations in the western section of Kakula; iv) statements regarding the water inflow rate and the pumping capacity being sufficient to stabilize current water levels; v) statements regarding the procurement, deployment, installation and delivery of high-capacity pumps; vi) statements regarding the timing of conclusions by senior management and geotechnical specialists, as well as the timing and the stages for restart plans for the western and eastern sides of Kakula mine; and (vii) statements that the company will provide plans for reopening the western and eastern sides of Kakula Mine next week. Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether such results will be achieved. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to: (i) uncertainty around the rate of water ingress into underground workings; (ii) the ability, and speed with which, additional equipment can be secured; (iii) the continuation of seismic activity; (iv) the state of underground infrastructure; (v) uncertainty around when future underground access can be secured; (vi) future mine stability cannot be guaranteed; and (vii) future mining methods, may differ the impact on Kakula operations. Additionally, the factors discussed above and under the "Risk Factors" section in the company's MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and its current annual information form, and elsewhere in this news release, as well as unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; changes in the rate of water ingress into underground workings; the continuation of seismic activity; the state of underground infrastructure; delays in securing underground access; changes to the mining methods required in the future; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the company believes are reasonable assumptions, the company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release. The company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors outlined in the "Risk Factors" section in the company's MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and its current annual information form. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254168 Singapore, June 2, 2025 - St. Augustine Gold and Copper Ltd. (TSX: SAU) ("St. Augustine" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with its creditor and major shareholder, Queensberry Mining and Development Corp. ("Queensberry"), whereby the Company has agreed to convert CAD$1,670,207, being the total amount owed to Queensberry, into 25,306,166 common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") at a deemed issue price of CAD$0.066 per Common Share (the "Debt Conversion"). Following completion of the Debt Conversion, Queensberry will hold 525,763,405 Common Shares, representing approximately 52.0% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company. Closing of the Debt Conversion is expected to occur on or about June 9, 2025. The Debt Conversion is subject to the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange. The Debt Conversion is a "related party transaction" for the purposes of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on an exemption from the minority shareholder approval and formal valuation requirements of MI 61-101 due to the fact that the value of the transaction does not represent greater than 25% of the market capitalization of the Company. The Company has not filed a material change report 21 days prior to the closing of the Debt Conversion as no agreement to that effect was in place at that time. About St. Augustine St. Augustine (SAU.T) is a TSX-listed mining company focused on the development of the King-king Copper-Gold Project. The Project is one of the largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits in the world and is listed as a top three-priority mining project by the Philippine government. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This announcement includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein are forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions. While we consider these assumptions to be reasonable based on currently available information, they may prove to be incorrect. 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. Forward-looking information is also subject to certain factors, including risks and uncertainties, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's current expectations, including changes in market conditions, governmental or regulatory developments and general economic conditions. Other risks and uncertainties related to the Company are disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2025 and filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking information contained in this announcement is based on our current estimates, expectations and projections, which we believe are reasonable as of the current date. You should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely on this information as of any other date. While we may elect to, we are under no obligation and do not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required by applicable securities law. ST. AUGUSTINE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS No. 21, Greenwood Lane Singapore, 286949 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254175 TORONTO, June 02, 2025 - Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. (TSX-V: MON) (OTCPK: MXTRF) ("Montero" or the "Company") reminds shareholders that a Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") will be held at 9:30am EDT on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at the offices of Peterson McVicar LLP at 110 Yonge Street, Suite 1601, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Shareholders will vote on a proposed approximately C$15 million distribution, on a pro rata basis, through a reduction in stated capital (the "Distribution"). These funds represent part of the net proceeds from the Company's US$27 million settlement with the United Republic of Tanzania, which resolved the dispute over the expropriation of the Wigu Hill rare earth element project. The Company's management information circular dated May 7, 2025 (the "Circular") outlines the details of the proposed Distribution. Shareholders are encouraged to vote in advance of the Meeting. To guarantee a vote is recorded, kindly submit the proxy by 9.30 am EDT on Monday, June 9, 2025, in accordance with the instructions provided in the proxy form. The Circular, form of proxy and related meeting materials can be accessed on Montero's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com as well as Montero's website www.monteromining.com. About Montero Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. is a Canadian exploration company with a focus on mineral development in emerging markets. The Company recently concluded a US$27 million settlement with the Government of Tanzania, bringing closure to the dispute over the expropriated Wigu Hill rare earth project. Montero holds the Avispa copper-molybdenum project in northern Chile and is currently advancing the project through exploration. The Company's board and management have a strong track record in discovering and developing precious metal and base metal projects. Montero is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MON and has 8,353,833 Common Shares and 741,667 stock options outstanding. For more information, contact: Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. Dr. Tony Harwood, President, and Chief Executive Officer E-mail: ir@monteromining.com Tel: +1 604 428 7050 www.monteromining.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. All figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Such information is based on information currently available to Montero and Montero provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking information by its very nature involves inherent risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Montero to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Actual results relating to, among other things, the Corporation's deployment of capital, business prospects, strategies, regulatory developments, future commodity prices, exchange rates, satisfactory arrangements for the payment of legal expenses, the ability of the Company to find suitable exploration projects, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of Montero's mineral properties, and financial condition and prospects, all of which could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: the inability to receive shareholder approval for the Distribution; changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with Montero's activities; and other matters discussed in this news release and in filings made with securities regulators. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of Montero's forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Montero does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Alonso snaps up son of F1 legend Montoya Fernando Alonso's next protege is now on the long road to Formula 1. Fernando Alonso, Spanish GP 2025 Aston Martin Racing The headline star of the two-time champion's driver management company, A14 Management, is Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto. On the occasion of Alonso's home Spanish GP, the 20-year-old Brazilian reiterated the credit the Aston Martin driver deserves for paving his way to the grid. Fernando was a great support for me since Formula 3, he told DAZN. "He helped me get to F3 and also Formula 2 and gave me so much good advice. He's been great for me, Bortoleto added in Barcelona. I'm very happy to have him as my manager. No amount of money can pay for the things I have learned from him, and it is the experience coming from one of the best of all time. Also in Alonso's driver stable is F2 driver Pepi Marti, Formula E driver Maximilian Gunther, Dani Jucadella - and many others. And the latest signing to A14 has a very famous surname - Montoya. A14 Management is pleased to announce that Sebas Montoya has joined the company, Alonso's outfit declared during the Spanish GP weekend, where the 20-year-old son of famous former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya finished P2 in the Formula 2 feature race. (GMM) Previous article: President Mahama on how GoldBod will push for gold refineries in Ghana Ho: Residents protests construction of gas station in a residential area Alberto Mario Noretti Jun - 02 - 2025 , 12:32 2 minutes read Some residents in Ho have opposed the construction of gas station at Hopedo, in the midst of a residential area. They have therefore petitioned the Ho Municipal Assembly to look into how a permit was granted to a private developer to construct the gas station in the midst of houses at the C. K. Road residential area at Ho-Hopedo. The walls of the ongoing project are just about one metre away from some of the houses. Apart from that, the erection of the walls of the station has resulted in persistent flooding in the area, making life unbearable for the residents. The residents last Thursday (May 29) took to the streets to protest against what they called the wrong choice of site of the project, and vowed to resist its continuation. A spokesman of the residents, Abel Youngs, told Graphic Online that that the project started in 2018 in defiance of objections by the residents. He said in 2023 the residents wrote to the then Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, who asked the developer to halt the project. Mr Youngs said the residents also had an engagement with representatives of the developer whose name he gave as David Debre on the issue and made clear their stance against the project. We told them we are concerned about our safety and how water now fills our homes in the area, the spokesman added. Worst of all, Mr Youngs said the station was sited beside a power transformer, making it a recipe for disaster. He said the residents also met with officials of the Environmental Protection Agency, and regional command of the Ghana National Fire Service to ensure the project was halted. Mr Youngs said the residents were now left with more questions than answers with the recent resumption of the project in the swampy area. He said the developer had already sunk two tanks at the site surreptitiously, raising greater fears and anxieties among the residents. When contacted, the Municipal Chief Executive, Stephen Adom said the permit was issued to the developer some years ago, before we took office. He said the assembly had already invited the developer and his team to the assembly for discussions as a part of investigations into the matter. We are looking into the matter meticulously, the MCE added. 10 years after June 3rd Disaster, Nii Ashitei Ashietey leads community effort to tackle flooding in Klottey Korle GraphicOnline Jun - 02 - 2025 , 17:00 3 minutes read As Ghana approaches the tenth anniversary of the June 3, 2015, twin flood and fire tragedy that claimed over 150 lives in Accra, technology professional and community advocate Nii Ashitei Ashietey has launched a bold community-led effort to desilt the Klottey River, one of the capitals most flood-prone waterways. Operating with limited resources, Nii Ashitei mobilised a dredging team to clear critical sections of the river in the Klottey Korle constituency, a jurisdiction that bore the brunt of the 2015 disaster and continues to suffer from annual flooding. For several days, the dredger removed significant amounts of silt, waste, and debris that have long obstructed the rivers flow and contributed to perennial inundation of homes and roads. It has been 10 years since the June 3rd tragedy, yet we are still grappling with the same problem, Nii Ashitei said. The Klottey River continues to pose a significant risk to lives and livelihoods. We cannot allow this cycle to persist. The June 3rd Disaster, widely regarded as one of the worst in Ghanas history, remains a haunting reminder of the consequences of inadequate drainage systems and unregulated urban sprawl. Despite government interventions since the catastrophe, flooding continues to threaten urban centres across the country, particularly in Accra. Nii Ashiteis initiative, though modest, has ignited new conversations about civic leadership and grassroots solutions. He has urged the Ministry of Works and Housing, the Klottey Korle Municipal Assembly, and other relevant agencies to go beyond seasonal interventions and commit to long-term engineering solutions. The loss of life and property from these floods is a national tragedy, and we cannot afford to wait for the next disaster before acting decisively, he said. This is not just an environmental issue; its a national security concern, an economic challenge, and a human crisis. He is advocating for the re-engineering of Accras outdated drainage infrastructure, particularly where rivers like the Klottey discharge into the sea. He also called for consistent maintenance, regular dredging, and a strong public education campaign to shift behaviours that contribute to environmental degradation. Residents of Osu, Adabraka, and other low-lying parts of the constituency who often bear the brunt of the floods have welcomed the dredging effort. While they expressed appreciation for Nii Ashiteis commitment, they underscored that lasting relief must come from sustained government leadership and funding. The Klottey River initiative also aligns with Ghanas broader climate adaptation agenda and President John Dramani Mahamas vision for building sustainable and climate-resilient cities. Yet, Nii Ashitei warns that unless the momentum is sustained, Accra will continue to face avoidable disasters each rainy season. Beyond his work on flood resilience, Nii Ashitei is also pioneering an ICT and Data Analytics Lab in Osu to equip young people with digital skills. We are building the future through education and technology, but our people must first have safe and secure environments to thrive, he stated. Addressing the Klottey River flooding is not just an environmental issueits an economic and social imperative. With the rainy season already in full swing and the spectre of June 3rd looming large, Nii Ashiteis call to action is a timely reminder that solving Ghanas flood crisis will require a blend of political will, community ownership, and sustained investment. Previous article: Ken Ofori-Atta still in US, requests virtual meeting with OSP 20 arrested for illegal mining in Central Region Shirley Asiedu-Addo Jun - 02 - 2025 , 10:09 3 minutes read The Central North Regional Police Command has arrested 20 suspects in a series of anti-galamsey operations. The command also seized four excavators, eight pumping machines, and eight "changfans" machines used for the illegal mining activities. The Central North Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police Abraham Acquaye who briefed the media said the crackdown formed part of the Inspector General of Police's commitment to combat illegal mining activities nationwide. He indicated that the first of the three recent anti galamsey operations was undetaken on May 25, 2025, when a task force led by himself, conducted an intelligence-led operation at Ebenezer, a suburb of Diaso in the Upper Denkyira West District resulting in the arrest of eight persons engaged in illegal mining activities. He said the suspects included Kwame Joe, 45; Yaw Mireku, 28; Mark Baba, 18; Kofi Donkor, 18; Nana Kwame, 26; Yaw Marfo, 30; Okyere David, 18; and Kwaku Asante, 28. During the operation, DCOP Acquaye said the team seized two excavators and a cylinder, which were transported to the Diaso Police Station. Additionally, he stated that eight pumping machines retrieved from the sites were moved to the Regional Headquarters in Assin Fosu. In another operation on May 29, 2025, DCOP Acquaye said the Dunkwa-On-Offin Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent David Ashong and a team of 20 officers arrested two individuals, Samuel Ankamah and Daniel Agyemang who were illegally mining using excavators along the River Offin. Both suspects he said were detained, and the impounded excavators sent to the police station pending further investigation. DCOP Acquaye said another joint operation was carried out by the Central North Regional Command and the Dunkwa Divisional/District Command, led by ASP Ebenezer Ampah and ASP Emmanuel Bruce leading to the arrest of 10 more suspects. The arrested individuals he said included Kwesi Attey, Anane Sampson, Saviour Aziati, Augustine Arthur, Gabriel Gidisu, Siame Joe, Louis Ntoseh, Yaw Adomina and Wasiu Latiff. He said the operation targeted illegal miners within Dunkwa township and surrounding areas. DCOP Acquaye said upon seeing the police, several of the suspects jumped into the river and swam across the River offin in an attempt to escape however, police managed to arrest the 10 at the scene. He said preliminary investigations revealed that the chanfans used in the illegal operation were owned by Kwesi Attey, Aboagye DaCosta, Apeti, and Abass adding that efforts were underway to apprehend these owners to assist in the ongoing investigation. Changfans burnt He stated that due to the inability to retrieve or dismantle the chanfans from the river and to prevent the equipment from being reused by the miners, the police set all eight machines ablaze at the scene. He said all suspects were currently in police custody and would be promptly processed for court. Commitment to fight crime In the last three months, the Central North Regional Police Command acting on the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno has launched a dedicated task force to fight illegal mining and organized crime across the region. The team, he said had carried out multiple successful operations, leading to the arrest of several illegal miners, seized many excavators, and destroyed many other mining equipment used in galamsey activities. Unfortunately, the team has lost one of its officer, Constable Dogbe whi drowned in one such operations. DCOP Acquaye said the command remained unwavering in its resolve to uphold the law, protect natural resources, and ensure lasting security in the region. Next article: Ken Ofori-Atta is not fleeing from justice, he is just not well, he is sick - Frank Davies Disclaimer: No letter issued on Malik Basintale's degree verification by Univ of Ghana graphic.com.gh Jun - 02 - 2025 , 18:49 2 minutes read The University of Ghana has issued a disclaimer denying social media reports that it has issued a letter regarding the degree verification of Malik Basintale, the acting CEO of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA). A letter dated June 2, 2025 issued by Dr Elizier Taiba Ameyaw-Buronyah, the Director of the Public Affairs Directorate of the University of Ghana indicated that a letter being circulated on social media, purportedly signed by the Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah and addressed to the Secretary of the Civil Service Council with the title "RE: REQUEST FOR VERIFICATION OF DEGREE - MALIK BASINTALE" and dated 27th May, 2025, was "a forgery and neither the Registrar nor any other officer of the University has received, processed or responded to any such request." DISCLAIMER ON PURPORTED LETTER REGARDING DEGREE VERIFICATION FOR MALIK BASINTALE It has come to the attention of the University of Ghana that a letter purportedly signed by the Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah and addressed to the Secretary of the Civil Service Council with the title "RE: REQUEST FOR VERIFICATION OF DEGREE - MALIK BASINTALE" and dated 27th May, 2025, is being circulated on social media. The said letter is a forgery and neither the Registrar nor any other officer of the University has received, processed or responded to any such request. The public is hereby urged to disregard the said letter. E-VAT system: GRA signs on 3,000 businesses - 5,000 More prepare to onboard Kester Aburam Korankye Jun - 02 - 2025 , 12:58 3 minutes read The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has brought onto its electronic Value Added Tax (E-VAT) system over 3,000 taxpayers (businesses) since its inception in 2022. The authority said it held series of talks with more than 5,000 taxpayers across the country last year, and those entities were all ready for onboarding. The acting Commissioner-General of GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic, assured that there would be an enhanced use of technology in the implementation of the E-VAT. Declining to mention the current vendor or whether it would procure a new vendor, the GRA boss said the use of enhanced technology fell in line with the move to review the entire VAT payment system to capture all VAT registered taxpayers across the board and provide an improved and upgraded platform. Mr Sarpong expressed the belief that the new system would be capable of providing a simplified VAT accounting system for all taxpayers. The electronic VAT exercise is ongoing but as you may be aware, were doing a comprehensive review of the entire structure, and the Minister for Finance is seriously giving it some attention, so we are hoping to conclude the work soon to seek parliamentary approval, the Commissioner-General of GRA said. What I can assure you is that the process is getting more enhanced and modern technology will play a key role to ensure full accountability at the end of the day, the former Country Partner of Accounting and advisory firm, KPMG, stated. Mr Sarpong said GRA would continue to onboard taxpayers after the directive from the minister to ensure an equitable tax system. Since 2022 after the pilot, VAT revenue from the pilot to the second phase has been growing due to the onboarded taxpayers, the authority said. In 2024, VAT revenue from the onboarded taxpayers grew by 28 per cent, the GRA said. Compliance exercise Mr Sarpong said a compliance exercise with the existing tax payers on-board was underway . This is expected to support the assessment of the exercise to ascertain its performance as the implementation enters the final stage, he added. The GRA conducted the compliance exercise from April to May this year. It involved random test purchases and invoice verification on selected onboarded taxpayers. Challenges with approach The GRA boss said the on-boarding exercise was ongoing despite challenges with taxpayer systems and technicalities on the approach for the entire process. He explained that the E-VAT system was part of the mandated provisions in the Revenue Administration Act, 2016 (Act 915) for the Commissioner-General to ensure an equitable and fair tax administration system. E-VAT implementation will help to formalise a large number of informal taxpayers, boost domestic tax revenue, improve efficiency in tax administration and support effective tax audits, Mr Sarpong stressed. Next article: TCDA sets minimum producer price for fresh mango at GH4.82 per kilogramme for 2025 major season Ghana lauded for elevating women in peacebuilding, political leadership Kweku Zurek Jun - 02 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read Ghana has been hailed as a regional exemplar in advancing womens participation in peacebuilding and democratic governance, with the countrys strategic policies and leadership appointments receiving praise at the 2025 Conflict Prevention and Sustainable Peace Forum held last Wednesday (May 28, 2025) in Accra. Delivering the keynote address on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed - Mubarak Muntaka, highlighted the significant milestones achieved by Ghana in recent years to amplify womens voices in matters of peace and political transitions. Chief among these, he said, was the historic election of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as Ghanas first female Vice-President in 2025, a development that, alongside the passage of the Affirmative Action Law, signals a transformative shift in national governance. Ghana has taken bold strides to advance womens leadership in peace and democratic governance, exemplified by the appointment of the countrys first female Vice President in 2025, three female Chief Justices, and two Electoral Commission chairs over the past two decades, Muntaka stated. The Affirmative Action Act of 2024, mandating a minimum of 40% female representation in public office appointments, further underscores this commitment. The forum, themed Amplifying Womens Voices in Democratic and Political Transitions, drew stakeholders from across Africa and beyond, including Australia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, along with leading civil society actors. It served as a platform to evaluate progress on the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda while calling for greater reforms to ensure womens equitable participation in national development. gender equality Australias High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Berenice Owen-Jones, reaffirmed her countrys dedication to gender equality and peacebuilding on a global scale. She announced Australias increased voluntary contribution of $15 million to the UN Peacebuilding Fund and its leadership role in developing a new Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel. Liberias Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Musu J. Ruhle, used the occasion to push for deeper systemic reforms, warning against tokenism in the pursuit of inclusive governance. Representation alone does not equate to transformation, she declared. True empowerment requires structural reformin political parties, electoral financing, customary law, and transitional justice. Experience She recalled Liberias own post-war experience, where grassroots womens peace movements were instrumental in ending over a decade of civil conflict, yet many of those women remain sidelined from policymaking and state leadership roles. Democracy cannot thrive unless women have an equal voice, she stated. Security remains incomplete until every womanregardless of where she livesfeels safe, heard, and respected. The forum was convened by the Australian High Commission in partnership with the Liberian and Sierra Leonean missions in Ghana, the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), and the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS). Discussions centred on policy action, institutional reforms, and collaborative strategies to mainstream gender in governance across the sub-region. Next article: Ghana lauded for elevating women in peacebuilding, political leadership Govt commissions 300 trading standards inspectors to boost consumer protection Kester Aburam Korankye Jun - 02 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has commissioned 300 newly trained Trading Standards Inspectors (TSIs) to enforce fair trading practices and safeguard consumer rights across the country. The ceremony which was held at the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) headquarters in Accra last Friday was further testimony of the governments efforts to ensure accurate measurements, quality control and compliance with the Ghana Standards Authority Act 2022 (Act 1078). The newly appointed inspectors underwent a two-week intensive training programme at the Police Training School in Koforidua, Eastern Region, during which they were equipped with the necessary skills to monitor goods and services in markets nationwide. Ms Ofosu-Adjare emphasised that the TSIs would play a pivotal role in Ghanas push towards a 24-hour economy, ensuring that consumers had access to safe and reliable products at all times. She explained that a 24-hour economy demanded a robust framework for trade, and those inspectors would help maintain high standards, build consumer trust and support economic growth. Consumer confidence The TSIs are mandated to inspect and verify the quality of goods in markets, enforce compliance with standards to prevent substandard products as well as the protection of consumers from unfair trade practices. The minister urged the inspectors to perform their duties with integrity, stressing that their work was critical to the success of President John Dramani Mahamas vision of a 24-hour economy. GSAs commitment The Deputy Director-General of the GSA, Clifford Frimpong, reiterated the Authoritys commitment to safeguarding public health and promoting fair trade. He noted that with those inspectors deployed nationwide, the GSA was better positioned to curb the influx of substandard goods and ensure businesses adhered to regulations. Mr Frimpong instructed the commissioned officers to reflect on their training as they awaited deployment. As you await your full enrolment into the GSA system, use this period to reflect on your training, build networks among yourselves, and prepare to make a meaningful impact the moment you are deployed, he said. Strengthening market integrity The Director of Inspectorate at GSA, Jessica Nkansah, emphasised that the Trading Standards Inspectorate was created to address critical gaps in market regulation. "As our economy grows, we need a robust system that protects consumers, ensures fair trade and upholds standards that safeguard public health and confidence," she stated. The TSIs will combat the proliferation of substandard, mislabeled and falsely measured goods that disadvantage both consumers and honest traders. Enforcement powers The inspectors have been granted significant authority under Section 44 of Act 1078, including rights to enter manufacturing and retail premises, inspect goods, collect samples, and review trade documentation. Mrs Nkansah stressed that while TSIs could confiscate items for testing, they must issue receipts but were prohibited from direct cash collections. "All penalties must be paid through official GSA channels no inspector should ever personally receive payments," she clarified. Accountability measures To ensure transparency, all TSIs will carry GSA-issued identification matching their Ghana Cards. The public is encouraged to verify these credentials and report any misconduct. "We demand professionalism from our officers," Mrs Nkansah said, warning that incidents of bribery or abuse would be severely sanctioned. The system includes mechanisms for reporting malpractice to maintain public trust in the new inspectorate. Beyond enforcement, the TSIs will serve an educational function, sensitising traders on the standards and addressing consumer complaints. "They are both watchdogs and educators," Mrs Nkansah noted, framing their role as essential for building a commercial environment that rewarded compliance and protected consumers. Next article: President Mahama on how GoldBod will push for gold refineries in Ghana Previous article: E-VAT system: GRA signs on 3,000 businesses - 5,000 More prepare to onboard Govt supports Ghana Bauxite Company's smooth operation Daily Graphic Jun - 02 - 2025 , 12:57 2 minutes read The government has assured the Ghana Bauxite Company Limited of smooth and continuous operations following its takeover by a Ghanaian investor. The Western North Regional Minister, Wilbert Petty Brentum, assured the entity on behalf of the government while commending it for its successful operations at Awaso in the Western North Region. During a familiarisation visit to the Ghana Bauxite Company Limited site at Awaso, the regional minister said the company's operations had resulted in significant job creation and economic growth in the region. The visit was to discuss matters of mutual interest between the company and the Regional Coordinating Council. Mr Brentum assured the company of the government's support through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to ensure its smooth operations. The ministers commendation underscored the governments appreciation for the companys contributions to the local economy. Shining example The regional minister stated that the company, owned and operated by Ghanaians, was a shining example for other mining companies to follow. An aerial view of mining operations at the Ghana Bauxite Company He urged other companies to emulate the model for better efficiency and productivity. Mr Brentum expressed excitement about the company's corporate social responsibility initiatives which had benefited the local community. He encouraged the company to continue giving back to the community. The visit culminated in an agreement to strengthen collaboration between the Ghana Bauxite Company Limited and the Regional Coordinating Council to ensure continued growth and development in the region. The General Manager of the company, Alexander Gyedu, stated that the company had undergone significant changes since Ofori-Poku Company Limited (OPCL) took over as the major shareholder in 2022. The changes had reflected in the company's human resources, machines, fleet of vehicles and production, he explained. Mr Gyedu emphasised that the company valued its human resources and was committed to their welfare and continuous capacity building. As of the end of February 2025, the company's workforce had grown from 483 to 1,158 employees, with plans to hire more staff to increase production. UESD wins speech-tech hackathon Joyce Awuni Jun - 02 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read The University of Environmental and Sustainable Development (UESD), the youngest public university in the country, has emerged as the overall winner of the 2025 T3kyer3mapa Hackathon. They triumphed over four top universities, including teams from KNUST, Whisper Way (multi institutional group), University of Energy and Natural Resources (UNER) and the University of Ghana. The hackathon, themed, T3kyer3mapa was aimed at developing automatic speech recognition (ASR) tools to support individuals with speech impairment. The event, which was held in Accra last Friday, showcased groundbreaking innovations that aimed at helping people with speech challenges communicate more effectively in the Akan language and other local languages Data-Driven The speech data used in the hackathon, which was collected in Akan as part of the project, has successfully captured over 50 hours of data. The event formed part of a broader initiative supported by the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation. Commitment Speaking with the Daily Graphic, the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, reiterated the governments commitment to ensuring inclusivity. He described the showcased innovation as restorative technologies designed to close the countrys digital accessibility gap. He emphasised the governments digital transformation agenda underpinned by the one million coders initiative and the establishment of zonal ICT centres and inclusive AI frameworks focused on equity, inclusion and accessibility. The building of the digital Ghana does not leave the speech impaired, poor, the rural or the disabled behind, he said. Policy reforms The minister highlighted the one million coders initiative and said at least 10 per cent of participants would be persons with disabilities. He said the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC) had introduced digital literacy training tailored for the visually impaired. The minister said the government was working hard to fix long-standing issues in the telecom sector. Speaking ahead of a high-level meeting with three CEOs, the minister noted that those who "superintended eight years of mess" were impatient with the pace and reforms. The minister described the ongoing work as extensive, and that it was targeted at price, value and quality. He blamed the previous government for implementing a knee-jerk Significant Market Power (SMP) policy that hurt 76 per cent of the market without strengthening other networks. "You punished customers without giving them a better option," the statement ended Partnerships The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, said inclusive technologies were essential for bridging the gaps in society. She noted that the innovations reflected the universitys commitment to research that transformed lives and advanced human right. She applauded the development of AI- powered speech tools which were to support Ghanaian languages. Prof Appiah Amfo highlighted the importance of partnerships and encouraged stakeholders to continue supporting research that promoted digital inclusion. Such collaborations help ensure that all Ghanaians, regardless of your ability or background, can fully participate in society, she added. Next article: Otumfuo warns of unrest if Ghanas mining gains stay overseas, urges gold markets to invest in local industry GTEC to name, shame and take legal action against politicians on usage of honorary doctorate titles Jemima Okang Addae Jun - 02 - 2025 , 16:05 1 minute read The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has issued a final warning, directing individuals using honorary doctorates and professorships to cease using such titles publicly. In a statement dated May 30, 2025, and signed by the Acting Deputy Director-General, Professor Augustine Ocloo, the Commission reiterated its earlier caution against the use of honorary academic titles, particularly emphasising the need for public compliance. The directive, GTEC stated, is especially aimed at politicians, business people, and other public figures who often incorporate honorary titles into their official communications and public engagements. The Commission described the practice as deceitful and unethical, stressing that it undermines the credibility of the higher education system and devalues the significance of earned doctoral degrees and academic promotions. GTEC further announced that it will begin naming and shaming individuals who flout the directive and will pursue legal action against repeat offenders. The Commission urged all stakeholders to support efforts to preserve the integrity and standards of Ghanas tertiary education landscape. "The Commission would, from now onwards, in addition to naming and shaming of those individuals who be found to have flouted the GTEC directives, take legal action against them," the statement read. Next article: Ken Ofori-Atta declared wanted again by OSP for failing to report in person Ken Ofori-Atta is not fleeing from justice, he is just not well, he is sick - Frank Davies Enoch Darfah Frimpong Jun - 02 - 2025 , 18:22 5 minutes read One of the legal representatives of Ken Ofori-Atta, Frank Davies has said the former Minister of Finance was not fleeing from justice and that he is just not well, he is sick and unable to travel back to Ghana at the moment. Mr Ofori-Atta, according to the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng has been diagnosed with cancer. This, according to Mr Kissi Agyebeng was indicated in a letter from his lawyers addressed to the OSP explaining why he is still in the United States of America (USA), where he was currently undergoing treatment. Mr. Ofori-Atta, through his lawyers, had written to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in a letter dated May 28, 2025, requesting a virtual meeting, as he was unable to travel back to Ghana due to medical reasons. But the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has declined that request and re-declared Mr Ofori-Atta a wanted man. Read also: Ken Ofori-Atta declared wanted again by OSP for failing to report in person According to the OSP, processes for an Interpol red notice to be issued for his arrest have been initiated. OSP re-declares Ken Ofori-Atta a wanted man. Processes for Interpol red notice initiated by OSP pic.twitter.com/kLjPdl2NMP June 2, 2025 The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, at a press conference on Monday evening, stated that the OSP's patience with Mr. Ofori-Atta has run out, following what he described as repeated delays and non-compliance with ongoing criminal investigations against him. This office has always requested his attendance, and we have indicated clearly to him that we are unwilling to waive it. If we were amenable to taking any statement from Ken Ofori-Atta in absentia, we would have done so in February, and not waited till June 2, 2025. We want him here physically, and we insist on it. A suspect in a criminal investigation does not pick and choose how the investigative body conducts its investigations and the methods suitable to him and his convenience. We will not countenance this conduct, not in this case. Reacting, Frank Davies one of the legal representatives of Mr Ofori-Atta indicated that Mr Ofori-Atta had requested a virtual meeting with the OSP since he was unable to travel back to the jurisdiction for medical reasons. He said Mr Ofori-Atta and his lawyers will watch the OSP on what he wants to do after indicating to him Mr Ofori-Atta's condition with medical support. "But Kissi Agyebeng should know that there is a matter pending in court which touches on all the things he has spoken to, I want to believe that he clearly understands what he is doing because the justice delivery system is not to be treated casually especially when you are dealing with the fundamental human rights of a suspect or an accused person at this stage," he stated. Deadline to report Meanwhile the deadline for Ken Ofori-Atta to report to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) expired on June 2, 2025. The OSP had earlier stated that if Mr Ofori-Atta failed to appear, his name was going to be be added back to the list of wanted persons and he will again be declared a fugitive from justice. The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is investigating Mr Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, a former Minister of Finance, over five major issues during his tenure in office under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo: The Key Issues under investigations are: Petroleum and Minerals Revenue Assurance: Contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). Electricity Company Contract Termination: The termination of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC). National Cathedral Project: Procurement procedures and financial transactions related to the National Cathedral. Ambulance Procurement: A Ministry of Health contract with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for purchasing and maintaining 307 ambulances. GRA Tax P-Fund Management:Handling and disbursement of funds from the Tax P-Fund Account of the GRA. In January 2025, the OSP officially notified Mr Ofori-Atta that he was a suspect in five separate cases and asked him to appear in person on February 10, 2025. Mr Ofori-Atta's lawyers informed the OSP that he was abroad indefinitely for medical reasons, and offered to represent him in his absence. The OSP rejected the claim of indefinite absence and demanded a firm return date by February 10, 2025, and warned of legal consequences for failure to comply. It also reminded that legal representatives cannot respond to criminal charges on behalf of clients. On February 10, 2025, Mr Ofori-Atta's lawyers submitted a doctors note stating he was undergoing tests and possibly surgery, with no clear return date. On February 12, 2025 the OSP declared Mr Ofori-Atta a fugitive from justice, acting on an arrest warrant. On February 18, 2025, Mr Ofori-Atta appealed to the OSP to remove his name from the Wanted List and provided a definite return date in May 2025. The OSP accepted his assurance and subsequently took his name off the list In March 2025, Mr Ofori-Atta filed a lawsuit against the OSP and the Special Prosecutor, seeking compensation for what he called an unlawful declaration of him as wanted, and asked for the removal of related publications from the OSPs social media. The High Court in Accra (Human Rights Court) heard an interim application from Mr Ofori-Atta, asking that the OSP be barred from declaring him wanted again on March 28, 2025. Following this the OSP gave a deadline of June 2, 2025 for Mr Ofori-Atta to report in person to the OSP headquarters. According to the OSP, if he fails to appear, his name will be added back to the list of wanted persons and he will again be declared a fugitive from justice. In such case, the OSP will also begin the process to request an INTERPOL Red Notice against him. OSP re-declares Ken Ofori-Atta a wanted man. Processes for Interpol red notice initiated by OSP pic.twitter.com/kLjPdl2NMP DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) June 2, 2025 Writer's email: [email protected] Follow @enochfrimpong Follow @Graphicgh President Mahama on how GoldBod will push for gold refineries in Ghana Mohammed Ali Jun - 02 - 2025 , 12:39 3 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has announced a series of policy measures aimed at reducing Ghanas longstanding reliance on the export of unprocessed minerals, stressing the need to develop domestic refining, battery production, and value-added industries. Speaking at the Global Mining Summit in Accra on Monday [June 2, 2025], the President Mahama argued that Ghanas current approach to mineral extraction benefits foreign economies far more than it helps its citizens. He noted that minerals are exported in raw form and later imported as finished goods at a much higher cost. We must move beyond extraction to transformation, Mr Mahama said. Refining our gold, producing jewellery, converting lithium into battery components, and processing bauxite into alumina and aluminium is the path to a resilient and diversified economy. Ghana remains Africas leading gold producer and holds commercially viable deposits of lithium, iron ore and bauxite. Despite this wealth, Mr Mahama pointed out that these resources have not resulted in broad-based economic improvements for most Ghanaians. He attributed the issue to years of external dominance in the sector and limited local industrial development. He explained that government policy now seeks to link the mining sector more closely with manufacturing, energy and logistics, backed by research institutions and skills training. He also disclosed plans to increase Ghanaian ownership in the mining value chain through avenues such as the stock exchange and other domestic investment platforms. Touching on gold, Mr Mahama pointed to early results from the Ghana Gold Board, which he said has generated $2.7 billion in export earnings so far. He added that the Boards collaboration with the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) is expected to strengthen these gains. A new track-and-trace system is set to be introduced to verify that all exported gold meets both environmental and ethical standards. He also said the Board would work with private companies to rehabilitate 10,000 hectares of land affected by mining. On lithium and other minerals used in clean energy technologies, Mr Mahama said Ghana will introduce clear policies and legal measures to attract long-term investors, encourage technology transfer and support local participation in emerging industries. According to him, these efforts are aimed at making Ghana a regional centre for battery production and related industries. With the headquarters of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) located in Accra, the President also urged stronger cooperation among African countries with mineral resources to increase benefits across the continent. We welcome partnerships with Guinea on bauxite, the DRC on cobalt, South Africa on platinum, and any willing nation for mutual beneficiation, he said. The 2025 summit, officially known as Mining in Motion, brought together African heads of state, traditional rulers, industry leaders and global partners to discuss how the continents mineral wealth can support sustainable growth. T he event was held under the patronage of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. Ken Ofori-Atta still in US, requests virtual meeting with OSP Mohammed Ali Jun - 02 - 2025 , 11:55 3 minutes read Former Minister of Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, is unable to comply with a directive by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to appear in person today, June 2, 2025, due to ill health, according to his lawyer, Mr Frank Davies. Mr Davies, a member of the former ministers legal team in a radio interview with Joy FM said Mr Ofori-Atta is currently in the United States receiving medical treatment and is not in a condition to travel back to Ghana to report at the OSPs offices in Accra. He said the OSP had been formally notified of the situation and had been provided with relevant medical documentation. The legal team, he added, had also communicated Mr Ofori-Attas willingness to participate in a video interview in line with the Electronic Transactions Act, 2008 (Act 772). In this age of technology, Ken has confirmed to the OSP that he is available for a virtual interview, which is permissible under the law, Mr Davies stated. He said a formal letter outlining Mr Ofori-Attas medical condition and proposal for remote engagement was sent to the OSP on May 27, 2025. The OSP had directed Mr Ofori-Atta to appear in person today or risk being declared a fugitive again. The office also indicated that it would initiate steps to issue an INTERPOL Red Notice to trigger international arrest and extradition if he failed to comply. But Mr Davies said the approach taken by the OSP did not reflect the legal and medical reality surrounding his clients circumstances. This was known long before the charges were filed, he said. If his medical condition has worsened, why insist on his physical presence when the same process can be conducted lawfully via virtual means? Mr Ofori-Atta is currently under investigation in connection with five separate matters relating to his tenure as Finance Minister under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The cases include a contract between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA); the termination of an agreement between the Electricity Company of Ghana and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC); and issues concerning procurement and financial transactions related to the National Cathedral project. Other areas under investigation involve a Ministry of Health contract with Service Ghana Auto Group for the supply and maintenance of 307 ambulances, and the management of funds from the GRAs Tax P-Fund Account. In February, the OSP declared Mr Ofori-Atta a wanted person, describing him as a fugitive from justice after he failed to respond to a January 24 invitation. He was later removed from the wanted list when he gave a definite date for his return to Ghana, which the OSP accepted. In March, Mr Ofori-Atta filed a case at the Human Rights Court, challenging the legality of the OSPs decision to list him as wanted and requesting the removal of all such publications from its platforms. The case has been adjourned to June 18, 2025, for a ruling. Mr Davies noted that the matter is now before the court, and the OSP is aware of the adjournment. So it is unclear why media publications are suggesting that Mr Ofori-Atta is evading justice, he said. He added that the legal team was waiting for a formal response from the OSP regarding its latest correspondence. You dont respond through social media. You acknowledge letters and engage formally, Mr Davies said. Previous article: GTEC to name, shame and take legal action against politicians on usage of honorary doctorate titles Otumfuo warns of unrest if Ghanas mining gains stay overseas, urges gold markets to invest in local industry Mohammed Ali Jun - 02 - 2025 , 15:46 2 minutes read The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has cautioned that Ghana and other African gold-producing countries risk social unrest if foreign gold markets continue to reap the bulk of the wealth from raw mineral exports without supporting value addition on the continent. Addressing the Global Mining Summit in Accra on Monday [June 2, 2025], the Asantehene said the current practice where gold is mined in Africa and exported for processing and manufacturing in richer economies has created an uneven system that leaves mining communities with little to show for their efforts. It is impossible to deny the contention that some sweat to eke out crumbs while others reap the rich rewards of the end-use world, basking in the gilded pomp of the products of nations, His Majesty said. This world of inequity is untenable and unsustainable. Otumfuo called on major international gold markets, including London, Dubai, Zurich, and Brussels, to do more than just buy raw materials. He urged them to support the establishment of refineries and factories in Ghana and other African countries, allowing producer nations to process their own minerals and benefit more from the trade. He warned that the growing gap between those who extract the resources and those who enjoy the profits could result in serious consequences. If we acknowledge this inequity in the wealthy world, we may be storing the ingredients for social disaster and disorder with catastrophic consequences, possibly sooner than we realise, he said. Ghana remains the continents largest gold producer, yet most of its raw output is shipped abroad for refining and further use in high-value industries. According to Otumfuo, this pattern must be reconsidered if African economies are to grow beyond raw material exports. He appealed to international financial institutions and investors to reassess their views on doing business in Africa and to support private sector growth through productive ventures that can create jobs and build industrial capacity. The gold market can show the way, he said. An economically strengthened Africa can only be a bulwark for market stability, which must be what the doctor orders for investors. Otumfuos message was part of a wider call for a shift in the global economic structure. He believes the mining industry, because of its long history of partnerships across borders, can lead this shift. The friendships within the World Gold Council encourage me to dare to think that we can work together to herald a new era of equity in shared prosperity, he added. Next article: Ken Ofori-Atta still in US, requests virtual meeting with OSP Police arrest 49 for illegal mining in nationwide crackdown Jemima Okang Addae Jun - 02 - 2025 , 12:03 1 minute read The Ghana Police has said it has intensified its clampdown on illegal mining with a series of intelligence-led operations, leading to the arrest of 49 individuals engaged in illicit mining activities across the country. The coordinated operations took place in Huniso, Wassa-Dadieso, and Wassa-Gyapa in the Western Region; Akrokerri in the Ashanti Region; Dunkwa-On-Offin and Diaso in the Central Region; as well as the Awin River at Pankese and Akyem Akwadum in the Eastern Region. According to a police statement, these efforts resulted in the seizure of various mining equipment used in the illegal operations. At Huniso, Wassa-Dadieso, and Wassa-Gyapa, the Western Central Regional Police Command arrested 19 suspects, disabled over 135 chanfan machines, and retrieved 23 water pumping machines, four excavator batteries, and a motorbike. In Akrokerri, the Ashanti South Regional Police Command apprehended nine individuals involved in illegal mining. At the Awin River in Pankese and Akyem Akwadum, the Eastern South Regional Police Command arrested eleven (11) suspects and confiscated one excavator monitor, two excavator pedals, seven excavator control boards, and a gold detecting device. In Dunkwa-On-Offin and Diaso, the Central North Regional Police Command arrested ten (10) suspects and retrieved four excavators, eight pumping machines, and one cylinder machine. All the suspects are currently in police custody, assisting with ongoing investigations. Read the full statement below Why OSP says Ken Ofori-Attas conduct is 'totally unacceptable' and has re-declared him wanted Enoch Darfah Frimpong Jun - 02 - 2025 , 20:40 11 minutes read The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has re-declared former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, a wanted person and a fugitive from justice. This was after Mr Ofori-Atta failed to appear before the OSP for an investigative interview scheduled for Monday, June 2, 2025. The Special Prosecutor (SP), Kissi Agyebeng, has subsequently initiated processes for an Interpol red notice and extradition to compel the return of Mr Ofori-Atta to Ghana to face investigations into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences. At a press briefing in Accra Monday evening [June 2], Mr Agyebeng chronicled months of failed attempts to secure Mr Ofori-Attas personal attendance after the OSP first notified him, that he was under investigation. He said the OSP's patience with Mr Ofori-Atta had run out, following what he described as repeated delays and non-compliance with ongoing criminal investigations against him. This office has always requested his attendance, and we have indicated clearly to him that we are unwilling to waive it. If we were amenable to taking any statement from Ken Ofori-Atta in absentia, we would have done so in February, and not waited till June 2, 2025. We want him here physically, and we insist on it. A suspect in a criminal investigation does not pick and choose how the investigative body conducts its investigations and the methods suitable to him and his convenience. We will not countenance this conduct, not in this case, Mr Agyebeng stated. Below is a copy of the entire address read by the Special Prosecutor at the press briefing We recall that by a letter dated 24 January 2025, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, a former Minister of Finance was informed that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has commenced investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding cases in respect of which the OSP considered him a suspect. Further, he was directed to attend, in person, the OSP on 10 February 2025 for interviewing. Mr. Ofori-Atta was out of the jurisdiction at the time. By a letter dated 31 January 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta informed the OSP, through his lawyers, that he was out of the jurisdiction indefinitely on medical grounds and that the firm would notify the OSP of his arrival in the country in aid of rescheduling his personal attendance at the OSP. Further, the lawyers offered its willingness to provide the OSP with any information we may require to aid in the investigation until his arrival in the country. Upon receipt of these representations from his lawyers, the OSP, by a letter dated 5 February 2025, informed Mr. Ofori-Atta that the OSP did not need or required notification from his lawyers of his future arrival in the jurisdiction. The OSP acknowledged his lawyers offer to provide us with information in aid of the investigation. However, the OSP insisted that his personal attendance at the OSP was required. The OSP directed Mr. Ofori-Atta to indicate, by close of business on 10 February 2025, a reasonable date of his return to the jurisdiction and attendance at the OSP. The OSP warned him if that if he failed so to do, the OSP would take all necessary legal steps to secure his return to the jurisdiction and attendance at the OSP at our own choosing. Mr. Ofori-Atta failed to indicate a reasonable date of his return to the jurisdiction upon the expiry of the 10 February 2025 deadline, except to still persist in his expressed intent of remaining indefinitely outside the jurisdiction by the transmission of his lawyers of a purported and brusque medical letter on 10 February 2025, which only sought, in effect, to state that he may undergo a possible surgical intervention in March 2025. In the considered opinion of the OSP, that medical letter could not be held to be a disclosure of a reasonable date of Mr. Ofori-Attas return to the jurisdiction and attendance at the OSP since it merely indicated that there may be a possible surgical intervention that may or may not occur in March. The letter, which was in no way a medical report, neither stated nor demonstrated that Mr. Ofori-Atta was a travel risk or that he was an invalid who needed around-the-clock intense medical attention to the point that travelling to the jurisdiction would endanger his life. Upon the expiry of the 10 February 2025 deadline, the Special Prosecutor publicly declared Mr. Ofori-Atta a wanted person and a fugitive from justice on 12 February 2025 on the ground that his avowed posture of remaining indefinitely outside the jurisdiction without indicating a reasonable time of his return to the jurisdiction showed clearly that he had no intention of voluntarily returning to the jurisdiction. By a letter dated 17 February 2025, Mr. Ofori-Attas lawyers transmitted to the Special Prosecutor, a communication laced with vituperation and designed variously as a denigration of the OSP; a lecture on their suppositions as to the mandate of the OSP; a threat of legal action; a sort of homily as to how the OSP should conduct its affairs; an attack on the person of the Special Prosecutor; and a suggestion that the Special Prosecutor had embarked on a personal vendetta against Mr. Ofori-Atta without disclosing the alleged series of retaliatory, vengeful, or hostile acts the Special Prosecutor had directed at him or alleged exchange of such acts between Mr. Ofori-Atta and the Special Prosecutor. Crucially, the 17 February 2025 letter from Mr. Ofori-Attas lawyers failed to indicate a reasonable date of Mr. Ofori-Attas return to the jurisdiction and attendance at the OSP. On this reckoning, the OSP, by a letter dated 17 February 2025, re-affirmed and restated to Mr. Ofori-Atta that he remained a wanted person and a fugitive from justice. The OSP further stated that this tag would so remain until he indicated a reasonable time of his return to the jurisdiction with the necessary and reasonable assurances of abiding by his indicated reasonable time, or until such time that the OSP enforced his return to the jurisdiction and attendance at the OSP, whichever came first. By a letter dated 18 February 2025, Mr. Ofori-Attas lawyers communicated to the OSP that he was scheduled for a possible surgical intervention in the United States on 20/21 March 2025 and further that taking the date of the possible surgical intervention into account, he would require a recovery period of six to eight weeks. On this basis, his lawyers stated that he should be able to return to the jurisdiction between 14 and 30 May 2025. By a letter dated 18 February 2025, the OSP acceded to Mr. Ofori-Attas request to return voluntarily to the jurisdiction between 14 and 30 May 2025, as the Office deemed the indicated recovery period reasonable in the circumstances. Consequently, the OSP removed Mr. Ofori Attas name from the list of wanted persons pending his voluntary return to the jurisdiction based on his own indicated dates. Consequently, the OSP directed Mr. Ofori-Atta to attend the OSP, in person, on Monday 2 June 2025 at 13:30 GMT for interviewing. The OSP emphasised that if he failed to voluntarily return to the jurisdiction within his stated dates, and if he failed to attend the OSP on the rescheduled date of Monday 2 June 2025 at 13:30 GMT, his name would be re-entered on the list of wanted persons and the OSP would consider him a fugitive from justice, whereupon the Office would take all necessary legal steps to secure his return to the jurisdiction and attendance at the OSP at our own choosing. By a letter dated 28 May 2025, Mr. Ofori-Attas lawyers informed the Special Prosecutor that a medical expert has diagnosed Mr. Ofori-Atta with cancer and has earmarked 13 June 2025 for surgery for which reason he would be unable to return to the jurisdiction as scheduled. His lawyers stated that, to the knowledge of the OSP, this has been brought to the attention of the court before which Mr. Ofori-Atta is presently pursuing a human rights claim against the OSP and the Special Prosecutor. His lawyers stated further that in order not to hold the Office back in the performance of its function they had Mr. Ofori-Attas instructions of his readiness to go through video recorded interview for the purpose of eliciting his caution statement. His lawyers offered to meet the Special Prosecutor in person or approach the bench for the purpose of viewing Mr. Ofori-Attas biopsy report whichever suited the Special Prosecutor. Now lets step back a bit from the 28 May 2025 letter from Mr. Ofori-Attas lawyers and place matters in their proper context. The letter from Mr. Ofori-Attas lawyers dated 18 February 2025 clearly indicated that the possible surgical intervention to be performed on him was to occur 20/21 March 2025, upon which reckoning the OSP carefully considered the recovery period and indulgently pushed Mr. Ofori Attas attendance at the OSP to 2 June 2025. Therefore, Mr. Ofori-Atta had a duty to promptly inform the OSP of any fundamental change in his medical circumstances on 21 March 2025, when the advertised surgical intervention was not performed to enable the OSP reschedule a new date of his attendance at the OSP to accommodate any such material changes in his medical condition and treatment itinerary. Mr. Ofori-Atta has known, at least, since 21 March 2025, that no surgical procedure was to be performed on him in March. Yet, he purposively sat by indolently and chose not to inform the OSP of such fundamental changes in his circumstances. Instead, about sixty-seven days after learning of the alleged changed circumstances around 21 March 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta elected to spring a surprise on the OSP just six days before his scheduled attendance at the OSP by offering to undergo a video recorded interview and a viewing of his biopsy report. Back to the 28 May 2025 letter from the lawyers of Mr. Ofori-Atta. By a letter dated 30 May 2025, the OSP declined Mr. Ofori-Attas offer of video recorded interview for the purpose of eliciting his caution statement. This Office has always insisted on his personal attendance, and we have indicated clearly to him that we are unwilling to waive it. If we were amenable to taking any such statement from Mr. Ofori-Atta in absentia we would have done so in February. We want him here physically and we insist on it. A suspect in a criminal investigation does not pick and choose how the investigative authority should conduct its investigations and the methods suitable to him and his convenience. We will not countenance such conduct not in this case, or in any other case. Further, the OSP has declined Mr. Ofori-Attas invitation to view his biopsy report as we consider it a pointless exercise. This is because it is common learning that a biopsy report contains nothing more than a conclusion, upon the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from a living body, that some disease or malady was indicated in the samples. A biopsy report is not an expression of a reasoned medical opinion that the subject is an invalid and unable to travel as Mr. Ofori-Atta seeks to suggest is his condition and for which reason he cannot return to the jurisdiction. This much is clear since 24 January 2025 till date, Mr. Ofori-Atta has failed to show any medical report which suggests that he is a travel risk and unable to return to the jurisdiction by reason of his medical condition. It has all been his singular say-so. Therefore, the OSP views Mr. Ofori-Attas lawyers letter dated 28 May 2025 as an expression of utter bad faith on the part of Mr. Ofori-Atta, and it confirms our long-held well-considered opinion and conclusion that Mr. Ofori-Atta has no intention of voluntarily returning to the jurisdiction and to attend the OSP. Further, this Office is unaware of his purported information to the court, whether orally or by written statement, of the alleged change in his circumstances. Today is Monday 2 June 2025. It is more than three hours past the scheduled time of Mr. Ofori-Attas attendance at the OSP and Mr. Ofori-Atta failed to attend the OSP. Mr. Ofori-Attas conduct is totally unacceptable and a baleful spite at law enforcement and criminal investigations. It ends here. It ends today. We would no longer accommodate him. Consequently, the OSP re-declares that Mr. Ofori-Atta is a wanted person and a fugitive from justice. His name is hereby re-entered on the OSPs list of wanted persons. The OSP would take all necessary legal steps to secure Mr. Ofori-Attas return to the jurisdiction and to answer to the criminal enquiries against him. In pursuance of this, about thirty minutes before this briefing, I triggered processes for the issuance of an INTERPOL Red Notice for the location and provisional arrest of Mr. Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta in whichever jurisdiction pending extradition or surrender. Around the same time, I dispatched a request for extradition processes to be instituted for the provisional apprehension in any jurisdiction in which Mr. Ofori-Atta may be located or found, and his extradition to the Republic of Ghana. The OSP would prefer criminal charges in the courts against Mr. Ofori-Atta in due course whether in absentia or otherwise. The principle upon which we proceed is that no person, regardless of title, status, or medical condition, is beyond the reach of inquiry by the OSP. Writer's email: [email protected] Follow @enochfrimpong Follow @Graphicgh Chairman Wontumi executes bail, released from EOCO custody Justice Agbenorsi Politics Jun - 02 - 2025 , 20:06 2 minutes read The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako a.k.a Chairman Wontumi, has been released from the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), five days after securing a bail. That was after Chairman Wontumi, who is under investigation on suspicion of multiple criminal offences including fraud, money laundering and causing financial loss to the state, successfully executed his bail condition set by the investigative body. With his release, the suspect will now assist with investigations from home and is expected to make himself available as and when he is needed. Background The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service had earlier 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. In a post on social media last Thursday (May 29) the Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai said Chairman Wontumi was under investigation for multiple criminal offences including fraud, money laundering and causing financial loss to the state. According to the Deputy A-G, the ongoing criminal investigation is running concurrently with asset recovery efforts to prevent the suspected proceeds of crime from being dissipated. He also gave a hint of a second strand of investigations involving Chairman Wontumis alleged role in a larger international organised crime scheme. EOCO is said to be working closely with international law enforcement partners in this regard, he indicated. Chairman Wontumi has already spent five nights in custody for failing to meet the bail condition of GH50 million with two sureties to be justified. Writers mail: [email protected] Improving governance oversight: Limit Ministers from Parliament Participants Albert K. Salia Politics Jun - 02 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read Participants in town hall meetings have suggested limiting or abolishing the appointment of ministers from Parliament. That, they argued, would strengthen separation of powers, improve oversight and boost ministerial performance. They were of the view that Members of Parliament (MPs), who also became Ministers, focused more on government work, which weakened Parliaments ability to check their actions. The participants were concerned that the dual roles of MPs weakened checks and balances between branches of government. These were the outcomes of town hall fora on Citizens expectations of the new government: findings from post-election town hall forums. It was organised by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), between February 25 and March 20, 2025, with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It was to gather the views and expectations of citizens regarding the priorities and direction of the government of Ghana. The regional town hall fora, which focused on 10 themes local government, the constitutional review, anti-corruption, cost of politics, education, state-owned enterprises, electoral reforms, the economy, youth development and illegal mining (galamsey) were undertaken in 12 regions, with 14 town hall meetings (10 regional and 4 specialised town halls). The regional town halls were purposefully selected to capture regional diversity, socio-political dynamics and grassroots perspectives while the four specialised forums targeted the youth, women, PWDs and the elderly. Presentation At a presentation of the outcomes of the forums, the Director of Policy Engagement and Partnerships of the CDD, Dr Kojo Pumpuni Asante, said the discussions highlight a strong citizen desire for more accountable, transparent and inclusive governance structures that address Ghana's national and development challenges. He said the discussions revealed widespread concerns about corruption, with citizens demanding stronger accountability mechanisms and effective enforcement. Dr Asante said constitutional reforms, particularly regarding the Council of State and the dual role of MPs as ministers, were prominently discussed, with many participants advocating for clearer separation of powers. Citizens expressed the need for reforming the Council of State to enhance transparency, effectiveness and accountability, he noted. Reform Dr Asante said participants suggested the reform of the selection process of members of the Council of State to reduce presidential appointment powers and ensure diverse, merit-based, non-partisan selection. He said the Council of States selection process was seen as lacking transparency and was often viewed as partisan rather than neutral. He noted that the participants were in favour of more authority to be given to the Council of State to move beyond solely an advisory role. He noted also that many participants advocated the abolition of the Council of State, due to its purely advisory role and lack of impact on governance. Removal of Chief Justice: Reforms urgently needed CDD fellow Albert K. Salia Politics Jun - 02 - 2025 , 09:57 2 minutes read A democracy fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Dr John Osae-Kwapong, has expressed his support for government plans to introduce a comprehensive set of rules to govern the process for removing justices of Ghanas superior courts, including the Chief Justice. Such reforms, he said, would also make the process not vulnerable to partisan politics. He was speaking in an interview to the Daily Graphic in response to a statement attributed to the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, that there were plans to introduce a legislative framework that would clearly define the grounds for removing Supreme Court judges, especially around the terms "incompetence" and "stated misbehaviour", which have long lacked legal clarity. Context While speaking to journalists last Wednesday, Mr Ayariga indicated that the new framework is aimed at addressing ambiguities in the current judicial disciplinary process and strengthening transparency and accountability in the judiciary. Lawyers and jurists have had their bite. I, as a lawyer, have also looked at it, and there are just two key words there: stated misbehaviour and incompetence, he noted. Mr Ayariga said he had tried to find the exact meanings for the terms stated misbehaviour and incompetence in the Constitution, but found none. He highlighted how the Constitution currently left it to a five-member committee to make such determinations without a clear legal basis. The Constitution simply says that the five people should decide on what it is, and if they are satisfied that a particular conduct amounts to stated misbehaviour and a particular level of performance of one's task can be described as incompetence, he said. Dr Osae-Kwapong, who is also the Project Director, Democracy Project, said if a president was allowed to play a gatekeeper role, he or she might be reluctant to trigger 146(6) against a person they appointed, but eager when the opposite was true. It is exactly why the role of a president, in my view, needs clarification, he stated. He said Article 146(8), which prescribes how proceedings unfold once 146(6) is triggered, created a highly secretive process. Correction Dr Osae-Kwapong said the core reform needed to correct the defect was more transparency. It may require providing the public with an abridged version of the petition, even if a petitioners identity must be kept secret. In addition, the response of a Chief Justice must be made a part of the public record, he said. He pointed out that the gravity of removing a Chief Justice from office was such that it must be done in a way that builds confidence in institutions. The first shovel of dirt turned Monday on an $868,888 expansion project meant to improve patient services at the Northern Regional Community Health Center in Dededo. Leadership and team members of the Department of Public Health and Social Services, senators, and Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero led the groundbreaking ceremony, which marks the official start of construction. Heres to a center that truly welcomes all, serves all, and heals all, Public Health Director Theresa Arriola said during the ceremony. Contractor Green Community Development will design and build: a new secure main entrance for the center a modernized lobby and patient waiting area an upgraded registration area for streamlined check-ins a dedicated medical records office According to Arriola, the project was funded using $627,000 of American Rescue Plan funding and Guam Community Health Centers program income fund, and supplemental capital improvement grant administered by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. Arriola stressed that the community health centers served about 8,595 patients in 2024, and served everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. We only want to see that number grow. We encourage everyone to schedule an appointment with one of the many great providers we have at both our Northern and Southern Regional community health centers, Arriola said. The director said Public Health has been expanding rapidly to meet the growing needs of the island community. She touted recently expanded laboratory services to include childhood blood lead level testing, and the groundbreaking for a new Public Health laboratory and training facility in Mangilao. The governor, speaking during the ceremony, stressed that Public Health has been leading health care on Guam since after World War II, providing vaccination, childcare education, and general care for people with chronic diseases. Its a model that the island should continue to improve, especially given the support it provides to people with limited resources, she said. To provide $860,000, to me, is minimal investment, and we need to improve it more with more clinic base, more nurses, more doctors, the governor said. She stressed that every check up prevented patients from needing acute care at the hospital. This is the beginning of many expansions for our Public Health, the governor said, with more plans coming for the Southern Regional Community Health Center. Guam Civil Defense Administrator Charles Esteves pleaded not guilty Friday to two misdemeanor charges stemming from a reported March assault inside a Washington, D.C. hotel room. He appeared via Webex video link before Judge Heide L. Herrmann, who presided on behalf of Judge Sean C. Staples in the District of Columbia Superior Court. Esteves was represented by attorney Jason M. Kalafat. He asserted his trial rights and entered a plea of not guilty to simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm. Defense counsel informed the court that Esteves had been booked in Guam. The District of Columbia booking order remains held in abeyance, meaning it is on hold, temporarily suspended, or deferred until further notice. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Dal Lago was present in court. Esteves was released on personal recognizance under the supervision of the Pretrial Services Agency. No bond amount was set. A pretrial stay away order was issued and filed that same day. An alert was issued to reflect the conditions of the order. A status hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on July 17, before Judge Staples. According to court filings, Esteves and his girlfriend were in bed at 3 a.m. on March 23 at the Washington Hilton. During a conversation, he became angry, yelled at her, straddled her as she lay on the bed, pulled her hair, placed both hands around her neck, and began choking her. The woman recorded part of the encounter using a phone she hid under the bed and later provided the footage to investigators. She told detectives that Esteves continued yelling, threatened to kill her family, attempted to damage the hotel room, as well as urinated on the bed and on her clothing. She prevented more extensive destruction, according to the court filing. On April 11, after flying back to Washington, D.C., the woman filed a police report and turned over a photocopy of Esteves Guam drivers license. She told police that Esteves is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army National Guard. An arrest warrant was issued on May 1. During his initial court appearance in Guam, Esteves was released on his own recognizance and ordered to comply with all restraining orders issued in the case. Separately, Esteves is one of six employees at the Guam Office of Civil Defense indicted in April in an ongoing investigation into overtime payments. On May 1, he pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of certifying officer malfeasance and two counts of official misconduct. Each charge includes a special allegation of commission of a crime against the community. Senators moved to the voting file Sen. Telo Taitagues three bills aimed at modernizing Guams election laws, enhancing transparency, and protecting voter privacy. The three measures received broad support from lawmakers on the session floor, following public hearings and the committees markup meeting, during which key amendments were made to strengthen each measure. Im grateful to my colleagues for supporting this package of reforms, and to the Guam Election Commission for their guidance and collaboration, Taitague said in a statement. These bills represent meaningful progress in ensuring that Guams elections remain secure, transparent, and accessible to all eligible voters. The measures that were moved to the voting file include: Bill 53-38, which seeks to end the outdated practice of publicly posting hardcopies of the voter registration index, protecting voter privacy while maintaining secure access for authorized entities. Bill 54-38, which would update Guams voter registration process, ballot handling procedures, and election timelines. Bill 55-38, which seeks to strengthen campaign finance oversight by establishing quarterly reporting requirements for campaign contributions and expenditures. Taitague said these reforms were developed in partnership with GEC and with input from legal experts, government officials, and members of the public. By implementing this quarterly reporting, it gives the public, and the media, and concerned citizens, the ability to review our campaign finances, which I think is very important to examine these reports and to kind of see whos supporting who, Sen. Chris Barnett, whos in favor of Bill 55-38, said in a statement. Sen. Shawn Gumataotao, in support of Bill 55-38, said when GEC presents recommendations, they should be addressed expeditiously. This is another best practices billany and all efforts to reinforce public competence in our electoral process should be a priority effort, we as elected officials should get behind, he said. With senators set to hear testimony on a proposed rollback of the business privilege tax rate from 5% to 4% next week, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero is urging lawmakers to look closely at a potential $80 million in annual revenue loss. A public hearing on Sen. Shawn Gumataotaos rollback Bill 11-38 is set for 9 a.m. on June 9, and is backed by the Guam Chamber of Commerce and leadership of the Republican-led Legislature. I have spoken to Shawn, Democrat Leon Guerrero said Monday. And I asked him to please do a very thorough economic analysis before they push this forward of what we are going to be losing in terms of revenues. The governor stressed that she does not support the bill. Leon Guerrero said her numbers show about an $80 million annual loss for GovGuam if the tax is rolled back to 4%, and legislative budget Chairman Sen. Chris Duenas previously put the figure at $90 million. This comes at a time when Guam is also dealing with a potential loss of more than $100 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding meant for major school repairs due to a shortened spending deadline, and millions of dollars more in other federal education funding. Senators have not identified local funding yet to make up for these losses. Not small businesses The 1% that they want to decrease is really going to benefit the big, multibillion dollar contractors, not the small business people, the governor said, pointing to large, off-island construction companies. She stressed that every small business making under $500,000 annually already pays a 3% BPT rate under Guam law, and that she has urged for the ceiling to be raised to $1 million annually. If advocates for the rollback were going to argue that it benefits small businesses, they needed to provide those numbers, the governor said, because thats not what were seeing. Leon Guerrero also rejected arguments from Gumataotao and the Chamber of Commerce that a lower tax rate will help businesses that are struggling to reinvest in the goods and services they provide, benefit workers, and potentially help lower prices. Any savings they do get, turn it back into their employees? That would be great if they do that, the governor said. But my recollection from the last time that we raised the BPT to 6% and we rolled it back to 4%, that did not happen. They kept their prices. Guam hiked BPT to 6% in the early 2000s, but later reduced it to the 4% that held until 2018. BPT was hiked to 5% that year, after President Donald Trump cut corporate tax rates in his first term in office. The Chamber has argued that the hike was supposed to be temporary, and that the public sector has seen increasing revenues while businesses bear the cost of government. The time to provide businesses with the opportunity to improve their employment packages, products, or environment is now, so lets lower the BPT from 5% to 4% and bring some balance back to the table, the largest business organization said in a statement Monday. Other BPT changes Leon Guerrero also weighed in on other legislative proposals that would affect the BPT on Monday. I know they talked about exempting pharmaceuticals and groceries and so forth but, you know, once they start doing that, they need to do an analysis of how much revenue were going to be losing, and where are we going to make up for that revenue? she said. Sen. Jesse Lujans Bill 101-38 would provide a full BPT exemption on the sale of prescription drugs, while Sen. Will Parkinsons Bill 71-38 would exempt nonprescription drugs, food, medical devices, baby and sanitary products. The governor also expressed some doubts about Duenas proposal in Bill 88-38, to have business print the amount of BPT applied to a sale or service on receipts. Bill 88-38 is set for a vote by lawmakers at Tuesdays legislative session, and could hit the governors desk by this week. Thats going to impact the cashiers and the companies, Leon Guerrero said Monday. Now they have to redo their whole system to make sure that they record the receipt, the 4% or the 3%. I think it might create some kind of complicated procedures, and it might be a bit of a struggle and a difficulty to do that. On the possibility of using the BPT on receipts as a first step to move from the BPT, which taxes business gross receipts, to a sales tax applied to customers who purchase goods and services, the governor said, its like changing your whole tax code if you go to a sales tax. Christopher D. Anderson, who left Guam in 1992 to pursue his studies and build a career in law, has returned to the island to work as an assistant attorney general in the Civil Division of the Office of the Attorney General. This will be Andersons first time practicing law on Guam since leaving the island after graduating from Father Duenas Memorial School in 1992, the AGs office said in a release. Anderson has been an attorney for 25 years and is licensed in California, with a Juris Doctorate from the Seattle University School of Law. He was a private attorney working for national and multi-national insurance companies based in California and Washington. On Friday, Anderson was sworn in by Supreme Court of Guam Chief Justice Robert Torres as a Guam-licensed attorney. The AGs office, in a release, congratulated Anderson on passing the Guam Bar examination and welcomed him to serve the people in the Civil Division as a civil litigator. On an island with limited resources, especially in professional labor, we have been forced to recruit attorneys from off-island mainland locations, the AGs office said. It hasnt been an easy task and many mainland professionals suffer from problems associated with culture shock moving to Guam, the office said. Anderson is CHamoru and grew up on Guam and is coming home after years off-island, the AGs office said. According to the AGs office, it requires a team of up to 96 attorneys and support staff to ensure public safety and to provide services. This AGs administration remains committed to using our laws to recruit loyal, dedicated and competent attorneys to keep us all safe. Without enough professional attorneys, the people of Guam do not have a law office, and Chris is helping to serve, the AGs office added. Guam's high school students can learn a trade skill and earn elective credits through the Guam Community College free Career and Technical Education Summer Program. GCC, in a news release issued by the initial June 2 deadline to apply, said the application will be open "until the program registration is filled." The summer program is from June 16 through July 18. It will be from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. All high school students from public, charter, and private schools can join the CTE Summer Program. The programs offered are: Automotive Construction trades Culinary/food service management Early childhood education Hospitality and tourism Information technology Introduction to criminal justice Maritime academy Visual communications Students who successfully complete the program will earn high school elective credits toward their high school graduation. Additionally, recent high school graduates that participate in this program will earn college credits that can be applied toward their degree, through GCCs postsecondary programs. Along with the eight programs that GCC offers during the summer session, the college partnered with the Western Pacific Maritime Academy, WPMA, to offer training opportunities for anyone interested in a career in the maritime industry. "Deadline to apply is by Monday, June 9, or until the program registration is filled," GCC said. Interested parents and students are encouraged to contact Catherine Salas at (671) 735-5589 ext. 5578 or email catherine.salas@guamcc.edu for more information. Taiwan investors in every sector, from tech and tourism to aquaculture and retail, have their eye on Guam, according to Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, who just came back from an economic mission from the island nation. Besides a meeting with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te to talk tourism, Leon Guerrero said her team was able to meet with a number of different industries during the trip. We met with people in the chip industry, and they are wanting to come to Guam to do chip manufacturing here for semiconductors, the governor told the Pacific Daily News on Monday. Were talking about space, were talking about location. Were talking about infrastructure needs, and certainly, I think we have that capacity. So that one, to me, is exciting, she said. Taiwan produces about 90% of the worlds most advanced semiconductor computer chips, and President Lai has announced plans to spend billions of dollars moving some of that capacity to the U.S., NBC News reports. The governor on Monday said a firm is also planning to move an AI data center to Guam, with a private investor already signed on to the project. Specifics about what tech companies are interested in the island were still pending from Adelup spokesperson Krystal Paco-San Agustin as of press time Monday. Besides tech, the Guam trade mission also had a chance to focus on the old-fashioned tourism industry. Shift in travel plans Leon Guerrero said President Lai sat down with her for about two-and-a-half hours, and spent some of that time discussing visitor potential. The people from Taiwan do like to travel, and theyre not traveling that much to China. So were wanting to shift that population over to Guam, she said. On the heels of a direct Guam-Taipei route launched by United Airlines, China Airlines may be interested in direct flights from Kaohsiung City, the third-largest city in Taiwan, according to the governor. Its a seaport area. They do a lot of commerce and trade there. And so its just right, I think, for them to do a direct flight. The president is going to work very hard to see if China Airlines can resume, its a matter of airline inventory, Leon Guerrero said. As of March, Guam visitor numbers were at 42.5% of what they were in 2019, the benchmark year before the COVID-19 pandemic flatlined the islands tourism industry. Leon Guerrero on Monday said reports from travel agents at a Taiwan tourism expo during the trip showed a large interest in visitors coming to Guam. She said she also had a chance to meet with representatives from Everrich Duty Free, a Taiwan-based duty free retailer that also provides food and beverage, and other products. According to Leon Guerrero, aquaculture was also a subject of the visit, though she didnt get into the specifics on Monday. She said that overall, the Guam team did a good job representing the island. They made some really good contacts that I know theyre already discussing it, because Im already seeing it in the email. So it was very good, productive, fruitful tour, and they want us to come back again, she said. Asked whether she was concerned that the visit might inflame U.S.-China tensions, she said, I dont think so. Were there for more economic and general social welfare situations, the governor said. I think if the tensions increase, its because of the geopolitical situations. The mark of a good leader is more action and less words. It is about transparency, and that includes holding town halls or other speaking events where people can ask questions on issues which are important towards their households. When it comes to federal issues, this is the primary role of our congressman, who was elected to be our lone voice in Washington, D.C. I have observed Congressman James Moylans performance since his re-election and have noted several concerns. He has not held any town halls, has limited visits to Guam, and his office has issued media releases that lack clarity. Then there is the production, or lack of, coming out of Guams congressional office. What exactly are they even working on? Many constituents have expressed that they feel he is presenting an image of productivity without substantive results, and I agree. There have been shocking changes in his office recently, with reports indicating that up to five employees have resigned this past month. This might correlate with his decision in promoting individuals who do not meet the qualifications for leadership roles, but he gave it to them anyways. This is concerning as it could affect the quality of service provided to Guamanians seeking federal assistance, including veterans. This also further exacerbates production. Upon contacting his D.C. office, it was confirmed that he is currently on vacation, again. Given the departure of several staff members, lack of production, and prolonged absence from his constituents, his decision to take a vacation at this time warrants further scrutiny. Ai Adai. No shame. He recently contacted me to arrange a meeting, but I declined. My reason was that I was not interested in attending a meeting where I might hear stories that could be perceived as gaslighting. I prefer to see concrete actions rather than feeling like I am being persuaded to join something without substance. I told him that his actions are reactive and not proactive. Additionally, I suspect that his staff intends to take a picture of us together, portray us as close acquaintances, state that I am content, and share it on social media. This does not address any real issues. Taya, nothing. Last month, I sent several emails requesting information about his claims that he secured funds for Guam in a military spending bill. Specifically, I asked for copies of amendments and scripts of his speeches at the hearing to prove his efforts. I noted that he was not present during the hearing, making it unlikely that he facilitated the allocation of funds to Guam, and had no document trail to confirm his words. Additionally, I had to remind him that some of the actions he also took credit for had no bearing on Guam, something he and his office dont seem to understand. Despite my inquiries, neither he nor his office responded, possibly due to the embarrassment. Because of their lack of transparency with me and the community last month, I told myself that meeting him now is just a waste of time. I thought that since he was inviting me this time, he would provide me with the documents, since I asked once again, instead I got no reply, again. Instead, he writes an article claiming I declined his request without saying why, downplaying me. This article is my truth in why I declined, and why many others would have done as well. Guam doesnt just deserve good governance in D.C. but needs it as well. With federal cuts impacting all states and territories, we need attentive and experienced leadership. Our congressman needs to focus, be transparent, and stop gaslighting us. He also needs to surround himself with experienced staff. Actually, with all his employees walking out, he needs to surround himself with staff, period. Is President Trump a good negotiator? It depends on where you look. Trumps big claim is he knows The Art of the Deal. Few observers see evidence of it. On Wall Street, they even have a name for how bad Trump is at making deals. Its called the TACO trade. TACO stands for Trump Always Chickens Out. Investors who believe in TACO bet against Trumps tariff threats. They figure he always blinks. And they win. There is plenty of evidence for the TACO view. And not just on trade. Look at his first term. Guam residents remember the scare when Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un began nuclear saber rattling. What was the outcome? Negotiations followed, but nothing changed. Trump said they fell in love but Kim still has nuclear weapons and tests missiles. Or take the Iran nuclear deal. Obama negotiated it. Trump tore it up, saying he could do better. Instead, Iran accelerated its enrichment program and increased support for militant groups. When the U.S. killed a top Iranian commander, Iran launched missiles on a U.S. base. When the dust settled from that tit for tat, Iran was still standing and enriching uranium. Today, Trump is trying to get a deal that looks a lot like Obamas. The pattern continues in Trumps current term. Trump came in promising to settle the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts on day one. They are as lethal as ever. Trump looks close to walking away from them. Even on trade, his signature issue, Trumps tough talk hasnt produced much. His tariff war with China in his first term cost U.S. soybean farmers their main market and got little in return. He forced Canada and Mexico to renegotiate NAFTA but got back something very similar to it. His current term began with massive tariffs tailor made to every country on earth. In a couple of weeks, he postponed them. He put extra high tariffs on China. China hit the U.S. with counter-tariffs. He threatened higher tariffs on Canada, Mexico and the EU. Canada levied counter tariffs, Mexico and the EU got some ready. Trump has backed off or postponed all of these, too. Sure, many countries on trade want to negotiate, not fight. But Trumps idea that countries would come crawling and take any terms he dished out have proven wrong. Take the three countries whose negotiations seem farthest along the United Kingdom, India and Vietnam. Trump announced a deal with the UK with great fanfare. It covers only a few sectors, with other areas TBD. And many of its provisions favor the UK. Thats to be expected. Trade deals take time and are supposed to benefit both parties. But thats not what Trump told us. The deal with India made progress in some areas but hit roadblocks on others. Meanwhile, India has gone to the WTO to get approval for retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. agricultural goods. Even Vietnam, the most vulnerable, is no pushover. The talks just ended their second round with no agreement in sight. For Vietnam, its ties with China are just as important as the U.S. Many countries offer us deals that wont bring jobs back. A common tactic is to buy more American natural gas. This reduces the U.S. trade deficit and costs these countries nothing. Theyll just buy less from another country. This does nothing for U.S. manufacturing. But when it comes to deals Trump makes for himself and his family, he does seem like a good negotiator. Just in the past week or two we have learned: Qatar offered Trump a luxury jet to use in office and keep when he leaves. During Trumps Middle East trip, his sons signed lucrative deals in the UAE. Trump joined investors in the familys crypto coin business for dinner. A woman attended a million-dollar-a-plate Trump fundraiser and got a pardon for her son, who had ripped off his employees Social Security taxes. Now the son doesnt even have to pay restitution, worth $4.2 million. A new exclusive club in Washington, D.C., set up by Trumps sons, charges half a million dollars for admission, which gives members special access. To Trump. Clearly, negotiating with countries is different from business or personal deals. Does he just not know how to make a deal in the national interest? To be sure, the Saudis, UAE and Qatar promised to invest billions of dollars in the U.S. And trade negotiations are still in progress. Some Trump tariffs are still in place. There will be deals. But will they bring jobs back? Will the Gulf states follow through on their promises? After Trumps return, Qatar Airways cancelled a contract to buy Boeing aircraft. They switched to the European company, Airbus. Right now, the smart money is still on the TACO trades. Haiti - FLASH : 2,188 illegal Haitians arrested in Dominican hospitals in 1 month On Sunday, June 1st, the Directorate General of Migration (DGM) confirmed that it was maintaining its special immigration control measures in Dominican public hospitals, in accordance with the protocol established by the Presidency on April 6, 2025. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44651-haiti-flash-new-regulations-in-public-hospitals-for-haitians-illegally-in-the-dr.html According to the DGM, these immigration control measures allowed the National Health Service to note a significant decrease in the flow of irregular immigrants at the end of May, "the obligation to present documents to regularize the presence of foreigners on the national territory being respected." The Directorate General indicated that this work is being carried out in coordination with the National Health Service (SNS) authorities and hospital staff, thus guaranteeing access to health services for all the needs of people present in the country, even those in an irregular situation. Current regulations stipulate that once patients are discharged from the hospital, primarily postpartum women, are transferred after verifying compliance with the 72-hour (three-day) observation period for natural births and the seven-day period for cesarean sections, as set out in the protocol. The DGM ensures that in all cases, appropriate humane treatment is provided and that in the event of the repatriation of women and minors, suitable transport vehicles are used for the several-hour journey to the border https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44794-haiti-flash-new-fleet-of-vehicles-in-the-dr-for-dignified-transport-of-deported-haitians.html , and that the necessary care and attention are provided. The DGM reiterated that it maintains a presence in the 33 hospitals designated as priority centers https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44752-haiti-flash-migration-protocol-active-in-33-dominican-public-hospitals-list-first-expulsions.html and that it visits other centers at the request of hospital security personnel when it is necessary to send a unit to transport an irregular migrant, treated and discharged from the hospital, to a migrant reception center. Statistics : The DGM revealed that from April 21 to May 30, 2025, 2,188 irregular migrant workers were detained following the implementation of the protocol agreed between the National Health Service (SNS) and the DGM, as part of at least 642 interventions carried out in health centers nationwide. In Santo Domingo alone, 218 operations were carried out, while in the border provinces, 21 were carried out in Dajabon; 60 in Elias Pina; 24 in Independencia; 25 in Montecristi; and 33 in Pedernales, among others. During these operations, the agency reports that 353 men and 442 women were arrested, including 186 pregnant women, 559 women in labor, and minors (178 girls and 470 boys). Regarding the most vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women, women in labor, and minors, DGM agents act, in each operation, in accordance with the provisions of General Migration Law 285-04. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44794-haiti-flash-new-fleet-of-vehicles-in-the-dr-for-dignified-transport-of-deported-haitians.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44752-haiti-flash-migration-protocol-active-in-33-dominican-public-hospitals-list-first-expulsions.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44651-haiti-flash-new-regulations-in-public-hospitals-for-haitians-illegally-in-the-dr.html S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Diplomacy : New American Ambassador to Haiti In a notye, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the appointment of Ambassador Henry Wooster to lead the U.S. mission to Haiti. "I am pleased to announce that Ambassador Henry Wooster will serve as Charge d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Haiti. Ambassador Wooster has been tasked with leading a whole-of-government approach to U.S. policy in Haiti. He will work with our partners around the world who provide critical support to Haitian security forces [..] Ambassador Wooster has a long and distinguished career, including his service at the Embassy in Port-au-Prince. Given his extensive experience in Washington and his proven track record as a leader abroad, he is ideally suited to lead this mission at this critical time." He will assume his duties on June 12, 2025, replacing Ambassador Dennis B. Hankin, who is retiring after a nearly 40-year career. Wooster is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Minister Counselor class. Previously, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Paris. Earlier in his career, he served as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iran in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the State Department. He also served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Paris and Amman, Political Counselor in Islamabad, Director for Central Asia at the National Security Council, and Political Counselor to the Joint Special Operations Command. His most recent position was Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Maghreb and Egypt in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the State Department. His extensive experience in complex diplomatic environments, combining diplomatic expertise and leadership, is seen as an asset in strengthening the U.S. presence and supporting stabilization efforts in Haiti. In addition to English, he speaks French and Russian and has a working knowledge of Arabic, Persian, and Aramaic. Wooster holds a Bachelor of Arts from Amherst College and a Master of Arts from Yale University. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1985 to 2009. HL/ HaitiLibre According to the draft proposal, employers could offer a fixed-term contract without a specific reason when hiring a person for the first time, or if five years have passed since the last employment with the same employer. The Finnish government has proposed changes to labour law that would allow fixed-term employment contracts to be signed without justification under limited conditions. The move has drawn sharp criticism from both employers and employee organisations. The reform would permit up to three such contracts, provided their total duration does not exceed 12 months. If a contract lasts more than six months, it would be subject to standard termination procedures. At the end of each contract, employers would be required to explain whether a permanent contract could be offered or whether continued fixed-term employment has a valid reason. The aim is to reduce misuse, such as discrimination linked to pregnancy or parental leave. In parallel, the notice period for layoffs would be reduced from 14 days to seven. Employers and employee representatives would also be able to agree locally on even shorter notice periods, overriding collective agreements. The obligation to rehire laid-off workers would only apply to employers with at least 50 staff. Katariina Sahlberg, legal counsel at the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), said the changes threaten job security without creating economic benefit. The government's proposals are shocking from the employee's perspective. They have already cut labour rights severely, and this adds to the damage, Sahlberg told Yle. She warned that the reform is likely to increase the number of fixed-term contracts, weakening long-term employment prospects. The law should be withdrawn. It does not create jobs or help the economy. It's simply a new way to penalise workers, Sahlberg said. Miia Kannisto, senior specialist at Akava, said the changes would undermine the role of permanent contracts as the default employment model. If implemented, these measures would cause more harm than good. They should be abandoned. If pursued, safeguards must be added to prevent increased discrimination, Kannisto said. Employer organisations also expressed dissatisfaction, but for different reasons. The Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) argued that the proposal is too limited and does not fully match the governments original plan outlined in its programme. Katja Leppanen, a labour market expert at EK, said the draft law includes restrictions that dilute its intended purpose. The proposal helps lower the barrier to hiring, but it only goes halfway. Several limitations have been added that were not in the government programme, Leppanen said. These include restricting the changes to only first-time employment, introducing a right for employees to resign without cause, and adding a new reporting requirement for employers. EK stated that international agreements such as ILO conventions and the European Social Charter do not prevent Finland from implementing the original reform in full. The Finnish Entrepreneurs Association welcomed the direction of the proposal but also called it too cautious. Atte Rytkonen-Sandberg, director at the association, said the layoff notice reduction was a particularly important step. Shortening the notice period for layoffs is a significant reform. It helps companies respond quickly to changing conditions. Making fixed-term hiring easier is also important, Rytkonen-Sandberg said. The proposal was released for consultation by a tripartite working group from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. All major labour market organisationsSAK, Akava, STTK, EK, KT, and the Finnish Entrepreneursfiled dissenting opinions. HT A new type of online banking scam is circulating in Finland, with police confirming around 30 reported cases since April. The scam, which unfolds in three stages, is designed to extract banking credentials using automated calls and fake customer service agents. In the first stage of the scam, victims receive an automated phone call claiming to be from a bank. The call, often from a Croatian number starting with +385, states that unauthorised transactions have taken place in the victims online bank account. The message instructs the person to press a key on their phone if they did not authorise the transactions. Doing so connects the call to a person posing as a customer service representative. In the second stage, the scammer provides more specific details, claiming that someone has logged into the victim's account using a particular type of mobile device and sent money abroad. The fake representative says they have managed to cancel one large transaction but are having trouble reversing a smaller one. The third stage involves the scammer asking the victim to log into a website using their online banking credentials. The site is presented as a place to cancel the remaining transaction using a mobile authentication method. Once the victim enters their credentials, the scammer gains access to the bank account. Police say the method is one of several rapidly evolving fraud schemes targeting users in Finland. They emphasise that bank credentials should never be shared with anyone or entered on unfamiliar websites. Cybercriminals are constantly developing new methods to trick users into giving up personal information, the police said. Authorities urge the public to be cautious of calls claiming to be from financial institutions, especially those coming from foreign numbers. Any suspicious request to log in via an unfamiliar website should be ignored. HT Both candidates had claimed victory based on exit polls immediately after polls closed. The result was confirmed early Monday morning after votes were counted from Sundays second round. The margin between the candidates remained below two percentage points. Karol Nawrocki has won Polands presidential election with 50.9 percent of the vote, defeating Rafal Trzaskowski , who received 49.1 percent. The Ipsos poll published at that time showed Trzaskowski slightly ahead with 50.3 percent, but it fell within the two-point margin of error. We won by the slimmest of margins, Trzaskowski told supporters on Sunday night. Tonight we will win. We will win and we will save Poland, Nawrocki said at his own campaign event. Nawrocki, a historian aligned with the conservative Law and Justice party, had placed second in the first round of voting. He received 30 percent in that vote, just behind Trzaskowskis 31 percent. The role of the president in Poland is largely ceremonial, but includes veto power. Outgoing president Andrzej Duda used that power frequently to block legislation from the government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Nawrocki is expected to continue in Dudas path, potentially halting reforms planned by Tusks administration. The government campaigned on easing Polands strict abortion laws and improving protections for sexual and gender minorities. These proposals have stalled under Dudas vetoes. The re-election of a nationalist president signals further difficulty for the coalition government, which formed in 2023 after defeating Law and Justice in parliamentary elections. Although Tusks Civic Platform leads the current government, it lacks a friendly president to enable its agenda. The victory also drew attention abroad. Nawrocki received support from allies of US president Donald Trump. Weeks before the election, Nawrocki visited the White House and met with Trump. A MAGA-themed conference was held in Poland during the campaigns final week. The event included an appearance by US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who praised Nawrocki and criticised Trzaskowski. Nawrocki has the chance to be as strong a leader as Donald Trump, Noem said at the event. She referred to Trzaskowski as a socialist. Trumps influence extended to Polish voters abroad. Nawrocki won a clear majority among Poles voting in the United States, according to data from the first round. Nawrockis alignment with the Law and Justice party suggests a continuation of its confrontational stance towards the European Union. During its time in power, the party clashed with the EU over judicial independence and media freedom. These conflicts led to temporary freezes in funding from Brussels. The current government under Tusk had begun efforts to repair relations with the EU. Poland rejoined the Weimar Triangle with France and Germany and took an active role in supporting Ukraine. The presidential election outcome casts uncertainty on those efforts. Poland remains politically divided. Support for the governments pro-EU stance is concentrated in urban areas. Trzaskowski, the mayor of Warsaw, drew his core backing from cities. Nawrocki found support in rural areas and among more religious voters. The countrys large Catholic population remains a base for the Law and Justice party. During its time in power, Law and Justice increased child benefits, pensions and social transfers. These policies remain popular among some voters, despite ongoing discontent over restrictions on abortion and lack of progress on civil rights. The next parliamentary election is scheduled for 2027. Until then, the balance of power remains delicate. With a nationalist president in office and a centrist-liberal government in parliament, legislative gridlock is expected to continue. HT John Helin , an analyst at Black Bird Group, said in a Monday interview that visual and satellite evidence does not support the higher estimates. According to analysts, the operation may have destroyed or disabled around ten aircraft. Ukrainian sources claimed over 40 bombers were affected, but this figure has not been independently verified. Ukraine launched its most extensive drone operation of the war over the weekend, striking five Russian airbases and reportedly damaging strategic bombers used in long-range missile attacks. At this point, it looks like around ten bombers were lost, Helin said. The drone operation targeted bases in Murmansk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, Irkutsk, and Amur. These locations are spread across Russia, with Olenya airbase near Murmansk being the closest to NATO territory. The strikes, orchestrated by Ukraines Security Service (SSU), were the result of an operation called Spiders Web that was in planning for 18 months. The SSU transported the drones in wooden crates by lorry to within range of the airbases. The drones were launched remotely to strike Tupolev Tu-95 and Tu-22 aircraft, which Russia uses to fire cruise missiles and potentially launch nuclear payloads. Ukrainian media published images showing drones hidden under lorry roofs, but the authenticity of these images has not been confirmed. This undated and unlocated handout picture, released on June 1, 2025 by the Security Service of Ukraine shows Ukrainian military drones, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Photo: Handout / AFP / Lehtikuva Vasyl Maliuk, head of the SSU, briefed President Volodymyr Zelensky on the operation on Sunday. Russias Defence Ministry acknowledged the strikes and confirmed the targets. It did not provide figures on losses. Analysts say that several bombers being left outdoors and unprotected contributed to the damage. Russia responded on Sunday with its largest drone attack of the war, launching 472 drones against Ukraine, according to Ukraines air force. The timing of the attacks came just before planned peace talks in Istanbul. Delegations from both Ukraine and Russia are scheduled to meet Monday in Turkey, but expectations for a breakthrough are low. Christian Perheentupa, a lecturer in strategy at Finlands National Defence University, said the talks are unlikely to produce major results. There might be progress on technical matters like prisoner exchanges, but theres little indication of a broader agreement, Perheentupa said. Helin echoed that view, saying Russia is not yet ready to negotiate seriously. Real talks will likely be delayed until later in the year. The question now is how the West, especially the US, reacts to this escalation, Helin said. Russian bombers are a key component of the countrys strategic strike capability. Many of the aircraft at the targeted bases are no longer in production. Russia had about 120 operational long-range bombers, according to Ukrainian sources. The potential loss of even a small number affects Russias ability to launch missile strikes against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Military experts say the attacks represent a symbolic and strategic move by Ukraine to demonstrate reach deep into Russian territory. The drone strikes showed coordination, planning, and operational precision, targeting high-value assets far from the front lines. The decision to strike before the Istanbul talks suggests Ukraine does not anticipate diplomatic progress. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly said they will not make territorial concessions and seek a full withdrawal of Russian forces. The Istanbul talks, mediated by Turkey, are taking place without public disclosure of Russias submitted proposals. Ukraine has not confirmed any points of agreement or concessions. The attack also raises concerns for NATO member states. Olenya airbase, near the Finnish border, is within striking range of northern Europe. Observers have speculated that Russia could increase its military presence in the region in response to Ukrainian actions. The war, now in its third year, has seen an increase in drone warfare by both sides. Sundays attack from Russia involved hundreds of drones aimed at military and civilian targets across Ukraine, but the Ukrainian air force has not confirmed the full scale of the damage. Ukraines drone capabilities have expanded through domestic innovation and support from Western allies. While the exact origin of the drones used in the latest attack is not confirmed, they appear to be long-range and locally launched inside Russian territory. HT Footage shared on social media showed crowds of visitors descending rapidly from the upper slopes of the volcano. One guide from the tour company Go Etna recorded his group huddled below an expanding ash cloud. A sudden eruption at Mount Etna on Monday forced tourists to flee as pyroclastic material surged down the volcanos slope. Italian authorities confirmed the eruption sent a column of ash, gas, and volcanic rock several kilometres into the air but said no immediate danger was posed to surrounding areas. We were nearly grazed we were two steps away, said Giuseppe Panfallo, who filmed the moment and described an immense roar as the eruption began. Mount Etna, located in Sicily, is Europes largest active volcano and receives about 1.5 million visitors annually. Though eruptions are frequent, authorities said this was the most intense since 2014. The eruption began around 11.24am local time, according to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). Surveillance data indicated a partial collapse on the northern flank of the southeast crater, generating both a pyroclastic flow and an eruptive column. INGV described the event as a pyroclastic eruption marked by volcanic tremors and the release of hot gas, ash, and rock fragments. Later in the day, the eruption transitioned into a lava fountain, consistent with past activity observed at Etna. Explosions were reportedly heard in towns as far as Taormina and Catania, located 50 and 40 kilometres from the summit respectively. No ashfall was expected in Catania, although the city remained on alert in case wind conditions changed. Nearby airports in Catania and Palermo continued operations, although flights were advised to avoid the airspace around Etna. Some planes were redirected to Palermo. A red aviation alert indicated the volcanic cloud reached an altitude of 6.5 kilometres. Authorities have closed several access roads to the volcano. Emergency services are monitoring the situation and have advised against approaching the summit area. Salvo Cocina, head of the Sicilian Civil Protection Unit, said tourists should avoid the region due to the potential for further activity. In consideration of the potential evolution of the phenomenon, we ask that the area be avoided, he said. Renato Schifani, president of Sicily, said experts confirmed the pyroclastic flow had not passed beyond the Valley of the Lions, a common destination for tourists. The partial collapse of the southeast crater is being monitored with extreme caution, Schifani said. Mount Etna remains under constant observation by Italian geological services. Although Mondays event was visually dramatic, officials have not recorded wider damage or injury. Volcanic eruptions on Etna typically begin and end rapidly, and activity often fluctuates in intensity. According to INGV, eruptions of this scale, while not rare, can be followed by several days of continued lava flow or tremors. Mondays eruption produced lava in the early afternoon. Etnas frequent volcanic activity is due to its location on the collision boundary of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. Despite the risks, it has become one of the most visited volcanoes in the world. The current alert level remains elevated but stable, according to Italian civil protection services. No evacuation orders have been issued beyond the immediate summit area. Tour operators working near the volcano have confirmed that all personnel and guests have been accounted for. HT Deputies arrest four in drive-by shooting in River Stone The Henderson County sheriffs deputies charged four people after a county grand jury indicted them in a drive-by shooting on March 19 in the River Stone community in Fletcher. Related Stories Following an extensive investigation, detectives identified four suspects. All suspects have been formally charged with discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling and felony conspiracy. Daniel Ingle, 23, of Asheville, is currently incarcerated in the North Carolina Department of Corrections on unrelated charges. A hold has been placed for transfer to Henderson County custody. Ethan Scott, 19, of Alexander, was arrested without incident and has since been released on a $25,000 secured bond. Eight people were burned in Boulder, Colorado, in a firebombing attack on a demonstration to draw attention to the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza. At least one of the victims, who ranged from 55 to 88, was critically injured, according to authorities. Police arrested one man at the scene. The FBI identified him as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, and said he had used a makeshift flamethrower in the attack, which the agency said it was investigating as an act of terrorism. Soliman yelled, Free Palestine, during the attack, according to an FBI agent. An eyewitness account posted by a... Exhibition themed on "Mayas, Ceiba and Cosmos" held at Henan Museum in Zhengzhou Xinhua) 11:11, June 02, 2025 People watch exhibits at the exhibition "Mayas, Ceiba and Cosmos" at the Henan Museum in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, May 30, 2025. The ongoing exhibition has attracted many visitors, offering them a unique opportunity to explore the resonances between the Chinese and Mayan civilizations and to enhance the cultural exchanges between China and Mexico. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan) A visitor watches exhibits at the exhibition "Mayas, Ceiba and Cosmos" at the Henan Museum in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, May 30, 2025. The ongoing exhibition has attracted many visitors, offering them a unique opportunity to explore the resonances between the Chinese and Mayan civilizations and to enhance the cultural exchanges between China and Mexico. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan) A visitor watches exhibits at the exhibition "Mayas, Ceiba and Cosmos" at the Henan Museum in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, May 30, 2025. The ongoing exhibition has attracted many visitors, offering them a unique opportunity to explore the resonances between the Chinese and Mayan civilizations and to enhance the cultural exchanges between China and Mexico. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan) A visitor watches exhibits at the exhibition "Mayas, Ceiba and Cosmos" at the Henan Museum in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, May 30, 2025. The ongoing exhibition has attracted many visitors, offering them a unique opportunity to explore the resonances between the Chinese and Mayan civilizations and to enhance the cultural exchanges between China and Mexico. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) Chinese, international scientists urge greater collaboration for sustainable development Xinhua) 11:30, June 02, 2025 BEIJING, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and international scientists have called on the global scientific community to unite and make greater contributions toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through continued exploration at the frontiers of science and technology. The remarks were made in Beijing on Saturday at a seminar titled "Sustainable Development and Inclusive Collaboration: Responsibilities of the Scientific Community," held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Academic Divisions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Hou Jianguo, president of the CAS, noted that global challenges such as climate change, environmental pollution, resource scarcity, and food security are increasingly intertwined, while the opportunities and challenges of the new technological revolution are profoundly reshaping the landscape of global sustainable development. He said that as China's national scientific research institution, the CAS has consistently strengthened its research efforts in fields such as ecological conservation, life sciences, health, and energy technology over the years, exploring new pathways and solutions to leverage emerging technologies for sustainable development. Looking ahead, Hou emphasized that the CAS will remain committed to openness, working closely with global partners and leading scientists to deepen international collaboration in key research areas. The CAS also aims to enhance talent exchange and joint training, conduct advisory evaluations on sustainable development, promote open data sharing for sustainability, and harness the power of artificial intelligence, Hou noted. Reflecting on five decades of personal collaboration with Chinese scientists, as well as institutional ties between Australia and China, Chennupati Jagadish, president of the Australian Academy of Science, underscored the enduring power of inclusive bilateral and multilateral scientific cooperation. He highlighted the potential of science to transcend geopolitical boundaries and foster global cooperation, particularly in transformative fields such as quantum technologies and artificial intelligence. Sergei Chernyshev, vice president of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), said the RAS prioritizes cooperation with China. Future collaboration between RAS and CAS will be key to addressing global challenges and strengthening bilateral relations, he noted. Peter Gluckman, president of the International Science Council (ISC), said the CAS has emerged as a true leader in global science, not only for its research contributions, but also for the partnerships it fosters and its commitment to science as a global endeavor. The ISC is committed to promoting international scientific cooperation, safeguarding the principles of science, and ensuring that science continues to evolve to address global challenges, Gluckman said. More than 60 participants attended the seminar, including heads of science academies and international scientific organizations from 14 countries and regions, along with domestic and foreign members of the CAS. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) The man who lit eight people on fire in Colorado with a makeshift flamethrower immigrated from Egypt and originally came to the U.S. on a tourism visa, according to new reports. Police say that on Sunday afternoon Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, attacked people who were near an event organized by the "Run For Their Lives" group, an organization highlighting people held hostage by Hamas in Gaza following the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel, Fox News reported. The group organizes walking and running events advocating for the release of the hostages. Soliman originally came to the U.S. on a tourism visa in August 2022, which expired in February 2023. Despite the original temporary tourism visa, Soliman filed for asylum in September 2022 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and was granted a work authorization. However, that authorization expired in March of this year, Fox News reported. "A terror attack was committed in Boulder, Colorado by an illegal alien," White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller wrote on X. "He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit. Suicidal migration must be fully reversed." Witnesses said they heard Soliman shout Soliman "Free Palestine" during the attack, according to ABC News. FBI officials told ABC News that they believed the incident was a "targeted terror attack," adding that the FBI believes it was "ideologically motivated violence." ABC News reported that the victims ranged in age from 52 to 88 and that one of those injured was listed in critical condition. Originally published on Lawyer Herald Ten Colombian former soldiers were among the suspects arrested after an improvised landmine killed six Mexican troops in a drug cartel heartland this week, authorities said Friday. More than 40 explosive devices were seized along with other weapons in the western state of Michoacan, according to statements from the national and local governments. In total, 17 suspected members of a criminal group, including a dozen Colombians, were detained in the municipality of Los Reyes, authorities said. The blast late Tuesday destroyed the armored vehicle in which the Mexican troops were traveling, according to an internal military report seen by AFP. Military planes and helicopters were deployed to help the casualties, it said. 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. US President Donald Trump has designated six Mexican drug trafficking groups terrorist organizations, fueling speculation that he might order military strikes against them. Thousands of Afghans protested across the country on Friday against the Israeli bombardment in Gaza, responding to a nationwide call by the Taliban authorities. Large crowds gathered in several cities after Friday prayers waving Palestinian flags and burning pictures of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "We are out in support with Gaza. And to show the world that Gaza is not alone, we are standing with them. Wherever Muslims are oppressed, we strongly defend them and condemn it," said 28-year-old Jannat, who goes by one name, in the capital Kabul. Negotiations to end nearly 20 months of war have so far failed to achieve a breakthrough, with Israel resuming operations in Gaza in March, ending a six-week truce. Israel has in recent days partially eased a total aid blockade on the Palestinian territory that it imposed on March 2. The blockade led to severe shortages of food and medicine with the United Nations warning that "100 percent" of Gazans are at risk of famine. Taliban Prime Minister Hassan Akhund condemned on Friday Israel's actions in Gaza, labelling them a "genocide" and expressing growing concern over the escalating violence against Palestinian civilians. "The situation continues to deteriorate daily, in blatant violation of fundamental humanitarian principles," he said in a statement. The Taliban government, which is not internationally recognised, has long maintained vocal support for the Palestinian cause and regularly condemns Israeli actions in the occupied territories. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh will cater to growing demand from the region's thriving industrial and automotive sectors. IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world's leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement with Kevit Retreats Private Limited for the development of Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pithampur. Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2028, the hotel reflects the brand's strategic focus on growing in high demand markets and bridging the gap for quality branded hospitality in secondary markets in India. Holiday Inn Express, IHG's largest and fastest-growing hotel brand with over 3,200 hotels worldwide, is designed to keep travel simple and smart. The brand continues to be the first choice for a growing number of travellers seeking a convenient, engaging place to rest, recharge and work. Focused on delivering more where it matters most, Holiday Inn Express offers streamlined service, modern design and comfortable accommodation at every stage of the journey. With the introduction of its future ready Generation 5 concept, the brand is elevating the guest experience through flexible design and exceptional value, further reinforcing its position as a category leader across EMEAA. Located in Pithampur, part of the rapidly expanding Indore Metropolitan Region, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pithampur will be part of a large-scale mixed-use development comprising industrial, logistics, and warehousing facilities. This prime positioning will allow the hotel to cater to a diverse and growing base of business travellers visiting the region's industrial and automotive clusters. The hotel will feature 150 well-appointed rooms, two dining options, modern meeting spaces, a fitness centre, and ample parking, offering guests a smart, comfortable, and efficient stay experience. Located in Madhya Pradesh, Pithampur is recognized as one of central India's leading industrial zones, housing a dense concentration of major automobile and pharmaceutical companies. It is also home to NATRAX, one of Asia's largest automotive testing facilities, which attracts a wide range of automotive professionals and industry stakeholders. Additionally, Pithampur features India's first greenfield Special Economic Zone (SEZ), further reinforcing its position as a high-potential business hub. These key developments serve as major demand drivers for quality hospitality infrastructure, making the location well-suited for a globally recognized hotel brand. IHG currently has 50 hotels operating across six brands in India, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, voco Hotels, Holiday Inn Resort and Holiday Inn Express, and a strong pipeline of 63 hotels due to open in the next 3-5 years. Hotel website Agora, Doha, Autograph Collection is pleased to announce the promotion of Cristian Truca to the position of Hotel Manager. Cristian brings over 11 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including four years with Emaar in Dubai across various operational roles. Since joining Marriott seven years ago, he has held key leadership positions, notably as Front Desk Manager and Front Office Manager at La Ville Hotel and Suites, Dubai. In 2021, Cristian joined the pre-opening team at Agora, Doha, Autograph Collection as Rooms Operations Manager and was subsequently promoted to Resident Manager. Throughout his time at Agora, Cristian has been instrumental in shaping the hotel's guest experience and operational standards. Under his leadership, the hotel was named Best Boutique Hotel in Qatar in 2023 in the LLQ Awards, and achieved the highest guest satisfaction score among Autograph Collection properties within Marriott across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in 2024. Cristian is known for his people-first leadership approach, building strong relationships with both guests and associates while nurturing a culture of service excellence and teamwork. As Cristian takes on his new role, we are confident he will continue to elevate Agora's reputation as a distinctive and dynamic boutique hotel destination in Doha. The UN Tourism Executive Council has met again for a milestone session to build on the legacy of the last eight years. Meeting for its 123rd session, the Council assessed progress made around the priorities of innovation, investments and education and looked ahead with the nomination of Shaikha Al Nowais as new Secretary-General from 2026. Upon confirmation by the UN Tourism General Assembly, Ms. Shaikha Al Nowais will become the woman to hold the position. According to the May 2025 World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism, over 300 million tourists travelled internationally in the first three months of 2025, about 14 million more than in the same months of 2024. On the back of this positive data, Member States were given an overview of the progress made in key areas designed to build a more innovation, resilient and sustainable sector. Over the last eight years, UN Tourism has embraced a transformative vision. We have put tourism at the forefront of the global agenda to enhance its competitiveness and economic value. And we have never lost sight of our key priorities: education, investments, sustainable and rural development, women empowerment, new technologies, and international expansion. Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili Shaikha Al Nowais nominated to make history as first female UN Tourism head Following protocol, the Council elected Shaikha Al Nowais as the next Secretary-General, to begin in January 2026. Her nomination will be put to the UN Tourism General Assembly for their approval. The nomination represents a landmark first for the sector, as the first woman leader of UN Tourism in its 50-year history. Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais is an Emirati business leader with over 16 years of experience in global hospitality. As Corporate Vice President at Rotana Hotels, she has overseen owner relations across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkey. A graduate of Zayed University in Finance, she also chairs the Abu Dhabi Chamber's Tourism Working Group and serves on the boards of the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council and Les Roches Hospitality Academy. Celebrating shared progress In Segovia, Secretary-General Pololikashvili presented a comprehensive report reviewing the outcomes of his eight-year mandate. The report was built around the main outcomes of the approved Programme of Work, namely: Tourism Insights, including Key data trends shaping the industrys future. Tourism Knowhow, including the development of tourism products. Investments and Innovation, supporting the core drivers of growth Sustainability, with a focus on initiatives aligning with the SDGs. Education and Human Capital development to build a strong, skilled workforce. UN Tourism on the ground and its assistance to Member States. Budget allocation and Human Resources. Highlights included strengthened tourism data systems, expanded rural tourism initiatives (including the Best Tourism Villages and STAR tool), new programming in gastronomy, sports, and urban tourism, and the integration of Artificial Intelligence and social innovation into the Organizations broader agenda. Member States were also updated on the significant growth in the UN Tourism Online Academy, new International Academies in Association with UN Tourism, and record foreign direct investment figures. Strengthening global presence and new Innovation Office for Africa The Council also welcomed updates on the development of Thematic and Regional offices. On the eve of the Executive Council Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili and Tourism Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco Fatim-Zahra Ammor and UN Tourism formalized an agreement to create he first UN Tourism Thematic Office on Innovation for Africa in Rabat. The office will advance UN Tourisms 2030 Agenda for Africa, and aims to position tourism as a key driver of development through innovation across the region. About UN Tourism UN Tourism is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. An intergovernmental organization, UN Tourism has 160 Member States, 6 Associate Members, 2 Observers and over 500 Affiliate Members. The General Assembly is the supreme organ of the Organization. The Executive Council takes all measures, in consultation with the Secretary-General, for the implementation of the decisions and recommendations of the General Assembly and reports to the Assembly. UN Tourism headquarters are based in Madrid, Spain. The election for Secretary General will be in May 2025. UN Tourism Communications Department +34 91 567 8100 UN Tourism PARSIPPANY, N.J. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts today unveiled its first-annual Hotel Owner Trends Report. A multi-month effort spanning two industry-wide surveys of hundreds of hotel owners and property developers, the findings paint a picture of an industry that, despite the tumultuous news cycle, remains confident in its resilience and long-term growth prospects. There's a lot of noise in the marketplace right now and yet, more than 90% of hotel owners and developers are optimistic about what the next five years hold for them. That's because they know that in hospitality, they're playing the long game. Case in point: While most admit to having concerns over current economic volatility, four-out-of-five say they still plan to expand their portfolios over the next five years. Amit Sripathi, Chief Development Officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Brands Matter Highlighting the critical role brands play in hotel ownership, virtually all surveyed (98%) said they're currently open to exploring new branded offeringsunderscoring the value brands bring to the table versus operating as an independent. Further, most (55%) are interested in traditional or hard brands while just under half (45%) are seeking soft brand opportunities. Here's what owners and developers are also looking for: Support and Leadership Access Ranking the top two factors owners and developers look for when choosing which brand to join, support from industry experts tops the list (including marketing, revenue management and operational expertise), followed by access to executive leadership. Ranking the top two factors owners and developers look for when choosing which brand to join, support from industry experts tops the list (including marketing, revenue management and operational expertise), followed by access to executive leadership. A Strong Loyalty Program More than 80% of hotel owners and developers say a strong loyalty program is very important or critical to a hotel's success, with nearly two-thirds (62%) of those open to joining a brand or switching brands citing it as a top five factor they consider. More than 80% of hotel owners and developers say a strong loyalty program is very important or critical to a hotel's success, with nearly two-thirds (62%) of those open to joining a brand or switching brands citing it as a top five factor they consider. A Robust Array of Brand Offerings When looking at expansion, interest spans virtually all segments. Just over a third (39%) have lifestyle and boutique hotels in their sights, while a similar number (36%) are looking at midscale and upper-midscale. The same is true for economy (35%). Capitalizing on Extended-Stay Extended-stay hotels continue to be front and center for hotel owners and developers. Buoyed by historically high demand and developer ROI, nearly all surveyed (96%) see opportunity in extended-stay, highlighting it as an investment with great potential. Here's what else owners and developers are saying about extended-stay: The Model Matters Operating in extended-stay means operating in a way that's different from traditional brands. Nearly three-out-of-five surveyed (59%) recognize this, a highlight that embracing the unique operating model of extended-stay is critical to success. Operating in extended-stay means operating in a way that's different from traditional brands. Nearly three-out-of-five surveyed (59%) recognize this, a highlight that embracing the unique operating model of extended-stay is critical to success. All Eyes on Infrastructure With historic multi-year infrastructure spend on the rise, 100% of respondents said they anticipate an increase in new business over the next five years (including those outside of the extended-stay segment) as a result of the many projects these investments are funding. With historic multi-year infrastructure spend on the rise, 100% of respondents said they anticipate an increase in new business over the next five years (including those outside of the extended-stay segment) as a result of the many projects these investments are funding. Cross-Sell and Upsell are Key Both in extended-stay and beyond, when it comes to driving increased revenue, more than 80% of hotel owners and property developers say cross-sell and upsell opportunities are key, describing them as either critical or very important to their hotel's success. Fueling the Future with Technology When choosing a brand, the majority of owners and developers list access to best-in-class technology as one of their top five factors. What's more, one-in-five (20%) say investing in technology is how they plan to differentiate their hotel from the competition. Here's what owners and developers are also saying about technology: Investing in Tomorrow's Traveler Recognizing the role technology plays in delivering a great guest experience, nearly two-thirds (61%) of hotel owners have already invested in, or are considering investing in, things like streaming, digital room keys and self-service kiosks. Meanwhile, nearly half (46%) have done or are considering the same when it comes to EV charging stations. Recognizing the role technology plays in delivering a great guest experience, nearly two-thirds (61%) of hotel owners have already invested in, or are considering investing in, things like streaming, digital room keys and self-service kiosks. Meanwhile, nearly half (46%) have done or are considering the same when it comes to EV charging stations. Harnessing the Power of AI Over 90% of hotel owners are already leveraging AI in some capacity. Notably, more than 70% are deploying the technology to support operations while more than 60% are using it for guest-facing services. Over 90% of hotel owners are already leveraging AI in some capacity. Notably, more than 70% are deploying the technology to support operations while more than 60% are using it for guest-facing services. An Interconnected Guest Experience When it comes to guest messaging platforms, one-in-three hotels (33%) are already utilizing this technology, with nearly another third (30%) looking to invest in or increase their investment in it. The same is true for mobile tipping: a third of those surveyed (33%) say they already offer mobile tipping, with nearly another third (30%) expecting to invest or increase their investment in it. The message from today's hotel owners and property developers is clear: it's not just about growing their portfolios, it's about growing their portfolios with the right brands and the right partners. They also want the best. The best technology, the best rewards program, the best support. The good news? T hat's exactly what Wyndham offers, and its why our franchisee retention rate has grown to nearly 96%, including our economy brands, which are among the highest in the industry. Scott Strickland, Chief Commercial Officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Proven Resilience Over the last twenty-five years, select-service hotels, like those owned and operated by most Wyndham franchisees, have repeatedly proven their resilience in weathering challenging environments. From 2000 to 2023, U.S. select-service RevPAR grew at a 2.6% CAGR, and during some of the most historic economic events on record, Wyndham's select-service hotels have consistently outperformed STR's upscale and above segments. In 2001, following the attacks of 9/11, they outperformed by 300 basis points. In 2008, in the wake of the global financial crisis, they outperformed by 500 basis points. And most recently, in 2020, amid the backdrop of the global pandemic, they outperformed by 2,500 basis points. These results are not coincidental and reflect the tested, long-term value proposition of Wyndham's select-service brands. The Wyndham Advantage As the world's largest hotel franchisor, Wyndham takes an OwnerFirst approach to franchising, prioritizing the needs of hotel owners and their success. From unprecedented access to Company leaders, to launching new brands designed to take advantage of the extended-stay boom (ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham and WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham) to investing nearly $350 million in best-in-class technology since going public in 2018, Wyndhamthrough the Wyndham Advantageis making moves that not only help owners succeed today, but also help set them up to innovate and grow their business in the future. A white paper detailing the findings of Wyndham's first-annual Hotel Owner Trends Report is slated to be available for download later this month. To sign-up for early access, click here. For more information on franchising opportunities, visit www.wyndhamdevelopment.com. About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world's largest hotel franchising company by the number of franchised properties, with approximately 9,300 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 907,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 25 hotel brands, including Super 8, Days Inn, Ramada, Microtel, La Quinta, Baymont, Wingate, AmericInn, ECHO Suites, Registry Collection Hotels, Trademark Collection and Wyndham. The Company's award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 115 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com. Survey Methodology Managed by Wakefield Research, the Wyndham Survey was conducted among 325 Hotel Owners & Hotel Property Developers, with minimum seniority of VP+, in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, between February 4th and February 12th, 2025, using an email invitation and an online survey. A follow-up survey was conducted between May 16th and May 27th, 2025, with another 325 Hotel Owners & Hotel Property Developers, using similar methods. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. For the interviews conducted in both studies, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 6.2 percentage points for the total data, 6.9 percentage for the U.S., 9.8 percentage points for Canada, and 19.6 percentage points for the Caribbean, from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample. SOURCE Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Hyatt Launches New Brand 'Unscripted by Hyatt' to Expand Essentials Portfolio - Image Credit Hyatt Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the launch of 'Unscripted by Hyatt', a new brand aimed at the upscale market. The brand plans to open over 40 global properties. Hyatt Hotels Corporation revealed the addition of 'Unscripted by Hyatt' to its Essentials portfolio, marking a strategic expansion into the upscale hotel segment. This new brand is designed to offer a collection-style hotel experience, where each property maintains a unique identity influenced by its local environment while upholding Hyatt's standards of quality and service. The 'Unscripted by Hyatt' brand is positioned to facilitate growth through adaptive reuse and conversion opportunities, making it appealing for independent properties and small hotel portfolios. This approach allows hotel owners to retain their distinctive character and appeal while benefiting from Hyatts extensive global network and the World of Hyatt loyalty program, which currently boasts over 56 million members. Advertisement Hyatt's strategic focus with this launch is enhancing its Essentials portfolio, which has seen a significant increase in room count, growing by 10.5% as of the end of the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year. This growth is part of Hyatts broader initiative to diversify and deepen its market penetration across various segments, including lifestyle and luxury offerings. In addition to the Essentials portfolio, Hyatt's Lifestyle portfolio has also experienced growth, with an 11% increase in room count over the same period. This includes the integration of more than 30 new properties and the acquisition of brands like Standard International. The Lifestyle portfolio, known for its emphasis on design and cultural programming, continues to attract strong demand, further solidifying Hyatt's presence in this niche market. The expansion is not limited to these two portfolios. Hyatt's Luxury segment continues to thrive, driven by a demand for high-end experiences and branded residences. Hyatt's Luxury portfolio has grown over 5% in room numbers, with several new properties slated to open through 2026, including locations in major cities and exotic destinations like Los Cabos, Kuala Lumpur, and the Turks & Caicos Islands. Taj Brand Expands with Three New Lodges in Kruger National Park, South Africa - Image Credit IHCL The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has announced the development of three new wildlife lodges under the Taj brand in the Balule Game Reserve, located in Kruger National Park, South Africa. The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) is expanding its portfolio by entering the wildlife hospitality market in South Africa with three new lodges. These facilities will be located in the Balule Game Reserve, part of the larger Kruger National Park area. This area spans nearly 20,000 square kilometers and is renowned for its rich wildlife, including the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceroses, and buffaloes. The three lodges, Taj Lion Kings Hilltop Tented Camp, Taj Lion Kings Bush Lodge, and Taj Lion Kings River Lodge, will collectively offer 42 keys. Each lodge is designed to provide a unique experience: the Hilltop Tented Camp will have 30 keys, while the Bush Lodge and River Lodge will each offer 6 keys. These lodges are intended to blend luxury accommodations with the natural environment, featuring amenities such as all-day dining restaurants, spas, swimming pools, and recreation areas. This development is a strategic move by IHCL to tap into the growing market for purpose-led travel and eco-tourism. The lodges are designed to offer guests immersive safari experiences, including expert-led jungle drives and community engagement initiatives that emphasize conservation. Due to its tightly controlled environment, the Balule Game Reserve is noted for its high degree of exclusivity and privacy. This setting ensures a secluded getaway for guests and fosters a closer connection with nature. The reserve's unfenced borders allow for the free movement of animals, enhancing the authenticity of the wildlife encounters that can be experienced during both day and night safaris. IHCL has partnered with OM USA LLC for this venture, marking a significant collaboration to combine luxury travel with wildlife conservation. The launch of these lodges is expected to attract global travelers seeking authentic and responsible safari experiences. IHCL Announces New Hotel in Nathdwara, Rajasthan - Image Credit IHCL IHCL has signed an agreement to open a new Gateway hotel in Nathdwara, Rajasthan. Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) is set to expand its presence in Rajasthan with the introduction of a new Gateway hotel in Nathdwara. The property, featuring 101 rooms, is part of IHCL's strategic expansion into key spiritual and cultural destinations across India. Located in the scenic Aravalli Hills, the Gateway Nathdwara will cover an area of 6 acres. The hotel is designed to cater to tourists and pilgrims visiting the region, known for its spiritual significance and cultural heritage. The facility will include a variety of dining options, including an all-day dining restaurant and a specialty restaurant. Additionally, the hotel will offer extensive banqueting facilities, boasting over 8,000 square feet of indoor event space and a 10,000 square foot outdoor lawn. Recreational amenities at the Gateway Nathdwara include a swimming pool and a fitness center, enhancing the guest experience with leisure activities. This hotel is being developed in collaboration with local partner Mr. Madan Singh Chauhan, who aims to boost the hospitality offerings in the area. With the addition of the Gateway Nathdwara, IHCL will increase its portfolio in Rajasthan to 31 hotels, including eight currently under development. This expansion is aligned with IHCL's objective to increase its footprint in regions with high tourist and cultural value. The project details, including the timeline for completion, have not been disclosed yet. Rosewood Hotel Group Appoints New COO and VP Operations EMEAC - Image Credit Rosewood Hotels Anthony Ingham has been named Chief Operating Officer and Luca Finardi will join as Vice President, Operations, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Caribbean Atlantic (EMEAC). Rosewood Hotel Group announced the appointment of two new corporate executives who will reinforce our strategic vision of becoming the global powerhouse in luxury, travel and lifestyle and further elevate our operational strengths. Anthony Ingham, the Groups new Chief Operating Officer, will begin his term on September 1, 2025, reporting directly to Sonia Cheng, the Groups Chief Executive Officer. Anthony brings decades of experience to his new role and will be instrumental in shaping the Groups operations and strategy to achieve its vision. He will also be responsible for enhancing the guest experience and driving operational and commercial success across all the Groups properties while leading the global teams across operations, commercial, CRM, retail, wellness, digital and e-commerce. I am thrilled to be joining the Rosewood team at a pivotal moment in the Groups substantial growth phase, as it develops one of the most robust luxury pipelines in the industry, said Anthony Ingham. Its an exciting opportunity to contribute further to the extraordinary work that has been done to date to position Rosewood as one of the most innovative and creative brands in the luxury lifestyle space. A seasoned veteran of the luxury and lifestyle hospitality sectors at global hotel groups, including InterContinental, Starwood and Marriott International, Anthony has extensive experience in leading large global portfolios of luxury hotels, specializing in brand strategy, experience design, operational transformation and commercial performance. He was responsible for spearheading the holistic brand transformation of W Hotels following the acquisition by Marriott International and has a decade of experience in shaping the brand proposition, experience and marketing for over 120 Luxury Collection Hotels globally. He will join Rosewood Hotel Group from The Hong Kong Jockey Club, where he led the membership club business, the hospitality operations of two of the worlds leading racecourses, and the Clubs overall brand, marketing and customer experience strategy. To further elevate the Groups operational strengths, the Group is also welcoming Luca Finardi as Vice President, Operations, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Caribbean Atlantic (EMEAC), on June 1, 2025. An accomplished hotelier with over 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Luca spent the past decade establishing Mandarin Orientals Italian portfolio and was most recently General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Paris and Area Vice President, Operations for France, Italy and Czech Republic. I am honored to join Rosewood and look forward to contributing to the Groups success by embracing its vision and values as it pursues its quality growth strategy, said Luca Finardi. This is a definitive moment for the Group, and it is a privilege to be part of the team, shaping its operational ethos and bringing positive impact in our communities. Luca will report to Anthony and partner closely with Managing Directors of Rosewoods properties and key internal stakeholders to oversee the operational strategies of the Groups portfolio and sustain its quality growth in the EMEAC region. Together with the Vice Presidents, Operations for Americas and Asia Pacific, Luca will also play a pivotal role in identifying opportunities for optimization and developing best practices as the Group continues to expand its footprint and solidify its leading position. Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Families, friends, and faculty gathered in the Wahconah Regional High School gym on Sunday to celebrate the 115 graduates of the class of 2025. (photos by Sabrina Damms) Feature: For Saudi youth, learning Chinese is a crucial path to cultural understanding Xinhua) 11:33, June 02, 2025 RIYADH, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Under the bright sunlight of Jeddah, red Chinese knots swayed in the breeze, national flags fluttered, and the melodic notes of the guzheng filled the auditorium at King Abdulaziz University (KAU). The air rang with cheerful greetings -- "Nihao!" and "I love China!" -- as Saudi students welcomed visitors in Mandarin. On May 27, the Saudi finals of the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for foreign college and secondary school students began in this coastal city, coinciding with the 35th anniversary of China-Saudi diplomatic ties and the ongoing China-Saudi Cultural Year. For the first time, the event featured a dedicated middle school division, drawing 15 university and 15 secondary school participants from across the kingdom. "Learning Chinese is a journey of growth, with both sweet and bitter moments," said Meshari Almutairi, a student from the KAU. "Chinese characters looked like paintings when I first started. But I kept going. I believe this 'key' will one day open the door to truly understanding China." Among the most inspiring performances came from Ahmed Alarishi, a visually impaired university student. "I love the Tang and Han dynasties. I learn by listening to documentaries and talking with Chinese friends," he said. Using auditory tools and Pinyin, Ahmed taught himself Mandarin. "It's not that difficult. You just need time and dedication." Alarishi's recital was followed by a performance of Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese fitness routine, which brought the audience to its feet. "Understanding a culture brings you closer to the soul," he said. "Chinese is my window to the world." "Ahmed is one of our most dedicated students. His love for learning drives him to overcome every challenge," said his instructor Zhang Wenyi. The student spent two months preparing for the event, and he aspires to pursue his master's and doctoral studies in China, aiming for a future in academia. The growing interest in Mandarin reflects a wider trend. Since 2023, over 100 Saudi middle schools have introduced Chinese courses. Wang Junbao, a Chinese teacher in Riyadh with teaching experience across Africa, South Asia and Latin America, said Saudi students are increasingly fluent not just in Mandarin, but in expressing their hopes through it. "They're drawn to Chinese culture," he said. "Their curiosity is sincere." Zhang Xinying, director of the Confucius Institute at Prince Sultan University, echoed the sentiment. "In the eyes of many Saudis, Chinese is not just a language -- it's a life skill," she said. "As China-Saudi cooperation deepens, Mandarin is becoming a strategic tool for the next generation." For students like Saba Anwar from Al-Brayan Model School in Jeddah, the motivation is clear. "I hope to work for a Chinese company someday," she said. "I see more Chinese firms building roads, ports and factories here. Learning Chinese will help me find a good job." Quoting a well-known Arab proverb, Wang Qimin, Chinese Consul General in Jeddah, said, "'Seek knowledge, even as far as China,' -- Saudi youth are now living that wisdom, using Chinese as a bridge to build lasting ties." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice China said the US severely violated the consensus reached during their recent trade talks in Geneva and threatened forceful measures in response, dealing a big blow to the prospect of a thaw in the trade war between the two largest economies. The Chinese commerce ministry on Monday accused Washington of seriously undermining progress in mending trade relations with its series of actions, including the revocation of visas for Chinese students. The statement marked the latest sign of deteriorating relations between China and the US under Donald Trump, who imposed sweeping import levies on Beijing and sparked a tit-for-tat tariff war. The two sides had managed to dial down tensions after a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, last month led to the lowering of tariffs on goods imported from each nation and even raised hopes of a phone call between Mr Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The commerce ministry said China was strictly implementing the consensus reached in Geneva but the US was taking steps that seriously undermine it, state media reported. The United States has been unilaterally provoking new economic and trade frictions, exacerbating the uncertainty and instability of bilateral economic and trade relations, it said. If the US insists on its own way and continues to damage Chinas interests, China will continue to take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. open image in gallery Made in China stickers seen on plastic squeeze bottles typically used for hair dye application at a beauty products wholesaler in Doraville on 9 May 2025 ( AP ) This came after Mr Trump said in a Truth Social post on Friday that China had TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. The president said he had agreed to a fast deal with Beijing to save them from what I thought was going to be a very bad situation. So much for being Mr NICE GUY! he added. Mr Trump told reporters he wanted to speak with Mr Xi to resolve their ongoing disputes. China, on the other side, accused Washington of violating trade agreements by issuing "export control guidelines for AI chips, stopping the sale of chip design software to China, and announcing the revocation" of visas for students from the Asian country. open image in gallery Donald Trump holds a chart showing US tariffs as various countries at the White House on 2 April 2025 ( AFP/Getty ) As tensions resurfaced, US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday the negotiations with China were "a bit stalled. "What China is doing is they are holding back products that are essential for the industrial supply chains of India, of Europe, and that is not what a reliable partner does," Mr Bessent told CBS News. He suggested that a phone call between Mr Trump and Mr Xi would be necessary to break the stalemate. Mr Trump had signaled his wish to have a phone call with Mr Xi as early as February and even said he was willing to visit his counterpart, although no such arrangement was scheduled. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The people of South Korea are heading to the polls for their 21st presidential election. Voters will be hoping to restore political stability after months of turmoil. The election aims to fill the power vacuum left by former leader Yoon Suk Yeol's failed attempt to impose martial law. In this single-round election, the candidate with the most votes will be declared the winner and serve a five-year term. Results are expected on the evening of Tuesday, 3 June or early on Wednesday, 4 June. Heres what you need to know about the leading candidates, key dates, and other important details. open image in gallery A woman casts her vote in the South Korean election ( AP ) 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 per cent public support, followed by his main conservative rival Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party with 35 per cent and another conservative candidate, New Reform Party's Lee Jun-seok, on 11 per cent. 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 Mr Kim, media reports said. The youngest candidate is Lee Jun-seok, who is 40, and the oldest is Kim Moon-soo at 73. open image in gallery Lee Jae-myung, centre, is the favourite to win the election ( AP ) Number and makeup of voters There are 44.39 million eligible voters, with women accounting for 50.5 per cent 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 per cent share of those in their 20s and 30s. Gyeonggi Province is home to the largest number of voters, accounting for 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 20-25 May in 118 countries, the NEC said. 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. open image in gallery South Korean soldiers wait in a line to cast their early vote for the upcoming presidential election at a polling station in Nonsaan ( Yonhap ) Election schedule The official election campaign is relatively short in South Korea in a bid to contain costs. It started on 12 May. There were 3,568 polling stations across the country open for early voting that was allowed between 29-30 May. Eligible voters could cast their ballots at any of the polling stations without pre-registration between 6am and 6pm. 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 per cent of the total, voted during early ballots between 29-30 May, compared to the 2022 election's proportion of 36.9 per cent. Election day on 3 June is a public holiday and voting will run from 6am until 8pm with an indication of the results likely to start emerging that evening or early the next day. On 4 June, the National Election Commission is expected to verify the results and the inauguration of the new president will be held. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An Indian passenger allegedly trying to smuggle venomous vipers was held in Mumbai after flying from Thailand, customs officials in the western city said on Sunday. The man, whose identity wasnt revealed, had concealed 52 live animals, including 44 Indonesian pit vipers, in his checked-in luggage. Photos released by Mumbai Customs showed dozens of turquoise-coloured pit vipers squirming in a bucket and venomous spider-tailed horned vipers slithering. He was also carrying Asian leaf turtles, native to Southeast Asia and known for their distinctive camouflage of leaf-like carapace. open image in gallery Spider-tailed horned vipers found in passengers luggage at Mumbai airport ( Mumbai Customs Zone III ) An Indian national arriving from Thailand was arrested, Mumbai Customs said, adding that they had seized 44 Indonesian pit vipers, three spider-tailed horned vipers and five Asian leaf turtles. One of the 44 pit vipers had died by the time the luggage was opened. The man, travelling from Bangkok, was intercepted after he exhibited signs of nervousness, The Times of india">India quoted the investigators as saying. open image in gallery Asian leaf turtles are native to Southeast Asia and known for their distinctive leaf-like carapace ( Mumbai Customs Zone III ) The haul of live animals is a rare seizure in Mumbai, where customs authorities regularly seize smuggled gold, cash or drugs. However, this is not the first time they have found live animals flown into India. In February, Mumbai airport authorities found a smuggler with five endangered Siamang gibbons, a small ape native to the forests of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. The apes were found concealed in a plastic crate placed inside the passengers trolley bag. open image in gallery Pit vipers found in Indian mans luggage at Mumbai airport ( Mumbai Customs Zone III ) In April last year, customs officials in the southern city of Bangalore arrested a passenger for allegedly smuggling 10 yellow anacondas concealed in his checked-in bag. The passenger was flying in from Bangkok, Thailand. In September 2023, a passenger from Bangkok was found carrying six Capuchin monkeys, 55 ball pythons in various colour variations, and 17 king cobras in their luggage. The primates were found dead, but the snakes were still alive and were later sent to their country of origin. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice At least 32 people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced across northeastern India after relentless monsoon rains caused flash floods and landslides, overwhelming infrastructure and cutting off communities in five states. Rivers have breached embankments in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Manipur, washing away roads and submerging entire villages. In Assam, the Brahmaputra has flooded 175 villages in 12 districts, affecting some 58,000 people. The state has reported at least eight deaths so far, including five in the capital Guwahati, due to landslides. Assams chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, said electricity had been disconnected in several areas to cut the risk of electrocution. State authorities have set up 52 relief camps for about 10,000 people while the Indian air force has airlifted 14 people stranded on a river island in Arunachal Pradesh. The state has reported nine fatalities, many due to landslides. In Manipur, torrential rains have triggered severe flooding in the Imphal Valley, damaging hundreds of homes and displacing thousands of people. Emergency repairs are underway to prevent further inundation. The Imphal river breached its embankments at multiple points, flooding several areas around the state capital city. The army has evacuated over 1,500 people from flood-affected areas in Imphal East and West. People cross a flooded street on a cycle rickshaw after heavy rains in Guwahati, Assam ( AP ) Tripura has opened 60 relief camps sheltering around 10,600 people from 2,800 families. Agartala has received 140mm of rainfall over the past 24 hours and Kailashahar in Unakoti district 192.2mm. The state government has deployed 14 rescue teams to assist in relief efforts. Mizoram has seen six people die, including three Myanmarese nationals who perished when a hotel collapsed during a landslide. Meghalaya has reported seven deaths due to landslides, drowning and lightning strikes. In Sikkim, nearly 1,500 tourists remain stranded in the Mangan district after heavy rains triggered landslides and damaged key bridges, including the Phidang Bridge. Road connectivity to the Lachung area has been restored and evacuation work started. However, a search for at least eight missing tourists has been suspended due to rising water levels in the Teesta river. The India Meteorological Department has forecast continued heavy rainfall in the region, raising concerns about further flooding and landslides. The situation remains critical, with many areas still inaccessible and thousands awaiting aid. The government has urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant and follow safety advisories. Authorities are actively engaged in rescue and relief operations, but challenging weather conditions continue to hamper efforts. The devastation comes just days after rainwaters inundated Mumbai and other parts of western India with the early onset of the monsoon season. Studies show the monsoon in South Asia is getting worse due to the climate crisis, with a rise in the number of "extreme rain days", which means more rainfall falling over shorter periods, overwhelming the infrastructure. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A scandal-hit NHS trust is being investigated for potential corporate manslaughter after The Independent revealed babies had died or suffered serious injuries at its maternity units. Detectives launched a criminal investigation into Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust in September 2023 after concerns were raised about severe harm allegedly linked to the trusts maternity services. On Monday, the force said the probe was focused on corporate manslaughter, with police investigating whether NUH one of the UKs largest hospitals had been grossly negligent in the management of its activities in the lead-up to deaths. NUH is currently the subject of the largest-ever NHS maternity review, led by former senior midwife Donna Ockenden, who also chaired the Shrewsbury maternity scandal inquiry. In 2020, an expose by The Independentfound evidence of repeated poor care, spanning a decade, at the NUH, with families accusing the hospital of covering up what happened to them. The investigation, conducted jointly with Channel 4, found 46 cases of babies who had been left with permanent brain damage, 19 stillbirths and 15 deaths. Several families and staff came forward to The Independent with stories of failings by the trust. A major review was commissioned in July 2020, but was soon superseded by Ms Ockendens independent review. Within months of the new review being launched, hundreds of families came forward. The review now includes more than 2,000 experiences of maternity care at the trust, including deaths and injuries. open image in gallery Dr Jack and Sarah Hawkins, whose baby Harriet was stillborn, with their daughter Lottie ( PA Archive ) One piece of the jigsaw The parents of a baby who was stillborn under the care of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust have said the corporate manslaughter investigation is just one piece of the jigsaw towards accountability. Dr Jack and Sarah Hawkins, who both used to work for the trust until their daughter Harriet died in 2016, said: Our lives were completely destroyed by the unimaginable and repeated trauma at the hands of NUH. This investigation is just one piece of the jigsaw towards accountability. A prosecution for corporate manslaughter will only penalise the trust, not the individuals responsible. We must never lose sight of individual accountability for those who so cruelly stole not just our daughters life and voice but many others. We will continue to fight for justice, not only for Harriet, but for all those whose lives have shattered. Mixed emotions In a statement, the Nottingham affected families group said the probe was welcome, but added that no investigation will ever reverse the harm and suffering. Their statement read: Todays announcement is one of mixed emotions. We wholeheartedly welcome and support the investigation into corporate manslaughter at NUH. It is also tinged with sadness that it has taken so many tragedies for this investigation to have been opened. Over many years families have repeatedly raised concerns over maternity safety, only to be ignored and turned away. Had our concerns been listened to and acted upon, lives could have been saved. No investigation will ever reverse the harm and suffering that thousands of families have endured, but right now families are feeling an immense sense of vindication. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Archaeologists have discovered that the ancestors of the Tibetan people, including a mysterious group known as the ghost population, came from Chinas Yunnan province more than 7,100 years ago. Researchers say the discovery helps solve an important mystery about how humans spread across East Asia. Scientists studying ancient DNA from East and Southeast Asia know that humans started spreading across the continent at least 19,000 years ago and that they split into northern and southern branches early on. But there are significant gaps in our understanding of the genetic origin of modern populations such as the Tibetans. Tibetan people carry genes from northern East Asians but also from an unknown group the ghost population which some archaeologists think may be linked to ancient humans such as the Denisovans or an early group of modern humans from Asia. Denisovans are an extinct group of archaic humans previously known mainly from remains discovered in Siberia and Tibet, according to the European Research Council. open image in gallery Human skeleton found in Tomb M7 at the Xingyi site ( Yunnan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology ) Previous research has pointed to Chinas Yunnan region as the key to understanding the origins of Tibetan as well as Austroasiatic populations, referring to ethnic communities in Southeast Asia who speak Austroasiatic languages like Vietnamese, Khmer, and Mon. Studies indicate that about 80 per cent of the genetic makeup of Tibetan people comes from northern Chinese populations who lived between 9,500 and 4,000 years ago. The ancestry of the remaining 20 per cent remains unclear and is referred to as Tibets ghost population. In a new study, scientists sequenced DNA from over 125 individuals who lived in Yunnan between 7,100 and 1,500 years ago. They compared the ancient genomes to the DNA of modern Tibetans and found that one person who might belong to the ghost group carried genes of both ancient and modern Tibetans. This 7,100-year-old individual from Yunnan was discovered to be as genetically distinct from most modern East Asians as a 40,000-year-old person from the area now known as Beijing, indicating a previously unknown Asian ancestry. Scientists say this individual is the first known potential representative of Tibets previously uncharacterised ghost lineage. open image in gallery Skeleton of an individual found in Tomb M14 at the Baiyangcun site in western Yunnan ( Yunnan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology ) Researchers suspect this lineage likely diverged from other early Asian people over 40,000 years ago and managed to survive in southern regions due to more stable climates during the Ice Age. They discovered that a unique central Yunnan ancestry, different from the known northern and southern East Asian groups, appeared some 5,500 years ago and helped shape the genes of people speaking Austroasiatic languages today. This ancestry seems to have emerged before the widespread adoption of agriculture in the region, suggesting demographic expansions likely preceded the spread of farming. The findings show that Yunnan was for long an important crossroads where different groups of people met and mixed. This study not only fills a critical gap in the genetic data of prehistoric populations in East and Southeast Asia but also identifies one of the Tibetan Plateaus ghost ancestors for the first time from a genetic perspective, researchers said. They hope to study central Yunnan and the nearby Red River Valley further to uncover more details about Austroasiatic prehistory. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A fourth man has been arrested as part of an investigation into a series of fires at properties in north London linked to Sir Keir Starmer. The 48-year-old was detained at Stansted Airport on Monday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, the Met Police said. Three other men have been charged on suspicion of arson after two fires took place in Kentish Town, north London on 12 May. On 11 May, the front door of a house converted into flats in Islington was set alight. And on 8 May, a car was set ablaze. Ukrainian national Petro Pochynok, 34, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court last month accused of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. open image in gallery Emergency services were called to a fire in the former home of Sir Keir Starmer (James Manning/PA) ( PA Wire ) It is alleged that he conspired with fellow Ukrainian Roman Lavrynovych and Ukrainian-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc. Lavrynovych, 21, of Sydenham, south-east London, was charged in May with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life in connection with the fires. Carpiuc, 26, of Romford in east London, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court in May and was also remanded in custody. This is a breaking news story. More to follow... Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Primary school children have been banned from their playground after a spate of attacks by a dive-bombing buzzard. The bird of prey, nicknamed Brenda by pupils, has been attacking villagers in Havering-atte-Bower, near Romford, Essex, since Easter weekend, according to residents. Dame Tipping Primary School said nothing can be done but to keep pupils inside due to the animal being a protected species. Resident Nikki Dix, 37, said she was dead shocked after the bird left scratch marks on her head while she was walking through a park in March. He was giving me an evil eye so then I carried on my journey for quite a while just swinging my bag above my head, she said. open image in gallery Louise Whittle ran away from the menacing bird after it swooped down on her head ( SWNS ) Footage showed the buzzard swooping down on Louise Whittle, a parent of a pupil at the school, as it appeared to aim for her head. She said: It's absolutely bonkers that there is a buzzard attacking people. But its been a great learning experience for the children. They have learnt all about buzzards that they otherwise wouldnt have done. The school has been absolutely fantastic in prioritising the children's safety and finding other alternatives for getting out. However, she worried that "the birds are being prioritised over the children" and voiced her hope "hopeful that they fly away so everyone can get back to normal". The school said the children had grown fond on the bird and decided to call her Brenda. Headteacher Ms McCarthy told the BBC: The children the named the bird Brenda and put out posters for protecting Brenda and looking after her... they've been writing stories, reports; next week they'll be doing and newspaper articles, they've done artwork." On the playground ban, she added: We have also introduced additional indoor breaks with lots of engaging activities including traditional board games, cup stacking competitions and puzzles. open image in gallery The buzzard has forced teachers to keep pupils inside ( Dame Tipping Primary School ) A Havering Council spokesperson said: "The RSPCA has advised that the buzzard may be protecting its nest or chicks, which lines up with the information we have received. "Buzzards are protected under UK law, therefore our intervention options are very limited, and we have advised that warning signs would be the easiest solution at this time. "We completely understand how difficult and worrying this situation is for the school and local residents and we regret that there is not a quick or straightforward solution." In March, a rogue hawk caused mayhem in a Hertfordshire village after it began a campaign of violence, targeted mainly at tall men. The bird, which is usually native to Brazil, Argentina and Chile, was responsible for over 20 attacks after a sudden change in behaviour. The Harris hawk was sighted several times in the historic parish village of Flamstead, with professionals and local falconers recruited in an attempt to bring the bird under control. Speaking to The Times, Roy Lambden, 68, said he was out walking when he felt a whack on his head, and soon realised he was bleeding. It was only from the corner of my eye that I realised it was a bird because I saw it fly away. I was one of the first to be hit by it, he said. Since then, around 20 people I know have been attacked. Lots of bleeding heads my friend who is bald has got two scars from it. The hawk was captured in April by a falconer, who said it had been carrying out the attacks because it was hormonal. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Nearly 1,200 migrants arrived in the UK on Saturday, crossing the English Channel from France in small boats, new government figures have revealed. The Home Office confirmed that 1,194 migrants made the journey in 18 boats, capitalising on settled weather conditions. This marks the highest number recorded on a single day this year, bringing the provisional annual total to 14,811. The figure is 42 per cent higher than at the same point last year, increasing pressure on the Labour government, which came to power a year ago partly due to public dissatisfaction with the previous Conservative administration's attempts to control the crossings. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has promised to tackle the issue by dismantling the criminal gangs facilitating the crossings. This comes after his government abandoned the Conservative plan to send migrants arriving in the UK through unauthorised channels to Rwanda. open image in gallery French authorities escort people thought to be migrants onboard a small boat leaving France ( PA Wire ) Since gaining power, Sir Keir's government has sought better intelligence-sharing internationally, enhanced enforcement operations in northern France and has adopted tougher rules in its immigration legislation. French police officers were seen watching on Saturday as migrants boarded at a beach in Gravelines, between Calais and Dunkirk. Authorities were then pictured escorting the boats. French authorities said they rescued 184 people. "Pretty shocking, those scenes yesterday," Defence Secretary John Healey told Sky News. He added that it is a "really big problem" that French police are unable to intervene to intercept boats in shallow waters, adding that the UK is pressing for the French to put new rules into operation so they can intervene. open image in gallery People thought to be migrants wade through the sea at Gravelines awaiting a boat ( PA Wire ) "They're not doing it, but, but for the first time for years we've got the level of cooperation needed," he told Sky News. "We've got the agreement that they will change the way they work, and our concentration now is to push them to get that into operation so they can intercept these smugglers and stop these people in the boats, not just on the shore." Despite French and UK efforts, the cross-Channel route, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, remains a major smuggling corridor for people fleeing conflict or poverty. Many migrants favour the UK for reasons of language, family ties or perceived easier access to asylum and work. The Home Office says 36,816 people arrived in the UK on small boats in 2024, 25 per cent more than in 2023 (29,437). The highest number of arrivals was in 2022, with 45,774. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Britain will build up to 12 new nuclear-powered submarines, Sir Keir Starmer will announce as he unveils his much-anticipated defence review. In a bid to ensure the UK rises to the challenge of growing global security threats, the prime minister will say that the 130-page review is a radical blueprint signalling a wave of investments into military infrastructure and weaponry. An extra 15bn will be spent on new nuclear warheads for the UKs nuclear deterrent. open image in gallery Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and defence secretary John Healey visit a Vanguard-class submarine off the coast of Scotland ( Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street ) The plans will significantly increase the UKs conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet, with the new vessels built under a joint deal with the US and Australia, known as the Aukus partnership. Heres all you need to know about the UKs fleet of nuclear-deterrent submarines, and the proposed plans for its future: How many submarines does the Royal Navy currently have? The Royal Navy currently operates nine submarines, including five Astute-class conventionally armed nuclear-powered attack vessels. The Astute class is Britains largest and most advanced fleet of submarines. The remaining four are Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), which carry the UKs Trident nuclear missile system. A new group, the Dreadnought class, will be introduced in the early 2030s. These will be both nuclear-powered and ballistic missile-armed. How many submarines will the UK have in the future? Two further Astute-class submarines, HMS Agamemnon and HMS Agincourt, are set to enter service in late 2025 and late 2026 respectively. Agamemnon is currently going through trials with the Royal Navy as part of a test and commissioning programme, while Agincourt remains under construction. As part of the joint defence deal between the US, Australia and the UK - known as Aukus - the UK is set to significantly boost its fleet of submarines following the defence review. An added 12 submarines would bring the UKs fleet up to more than 20 in total. This remains far smaller than the USs fleet of 71, and China and Russias fleets of 66 each. open image in gallery The HMS Agamemnon nuclear submarine seen docked at the BAE systems factory in Barrow-in-Furness ( Getty ) How powerful are the UKs submarines? The Astute class is the latest class of nuclear-powered attack submarines and is constructed by BAE Systems Submarines. Submarines of this class can fit dozens of weapons - up to 38 - and are armed with Tomahawk IV cruise missiles, which can strike targets at a range of well over 1,600km away. But the UKs nuclear deterrent is found in the four Vanguard-class boats, which use the Trident missile system. Each boat can carry up to 16 Trident missiles, which can carry up to 12 nuclear warheads each. The Dreadnought class will be both nuclear-powered and ballistic missile-armed. Where are they kept? The Royal Navy Submarine Service base is found in HMNB Clyde, in Scotland, known by Navy personnel as Faslane. It is 25 miles west of Glasgow and is found off the Firth of Clyde. The base is one of Scotlands largest employers, employing more than 6,000 military and civilian personnel. Situated in a relatively secluded area, the base sits among deep waters with quick access to submarine patrolling areas in the North Atlantic. What are they used for today? One of the key roles of the submarines is to act as the UKs nuclear deterrent. Our Vanguard class submarines - the UKs strategic nuclear deterrent force - are continually in operation: patrolling the worlds oceans undetected, ready to strike at any time, the Royal Navy website reads. Their presence alone sends the most powerful message to anyone who would do us harm, it adds. With the Astute class of attack or hunter-killer submarines, the Royal Navy can attack surface vessels, other submarines, and targets hundreds of miles inland. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Watch live as Sir Keir Starmer launches the landmark Strategic Defence Review in Glasgow, unveiling new measures as the country moves to warfighting readiness. The prime minister will announce that the UK plans to build up to 12 new attack submarines which will replace the current fleet from the late 2030s onwards, during his speech on Monday (2 June). He is also expected to confirm that 15billion will be spent on its nuclear warhead programme. The review, led by former Labour defence secretary Lord Roberston, will make an 60 additional recommendations, which the Labour government is expected to agree to in full. Speaking on BBCs Radio 4's Today programme on Monday (2 June), Sir Keir could not rule out the possibility of sending forces to Natos eastern border. Asked by Nick Robinson if British troops could be sent risk their lives and possibly die, the prime minister said he hopes not, though stressed the only way to stop this was to prepare. On Sunday (1 June), Germans chief of Defence, General Carsten Breuer, told the broadcaster that Russia would attack again within the next four years. Sir Keir also said earlier that while he wants to reach spending of 3% of GDP on defence, he would not indulge in the fantasy politics of simply plucking dates from the air. Publishing a strategic defence review right now is, to put it mildly, challenging. Bearing in mind that the footage that has just been released of Ukrainian kamikaze drones blowing up nearly half of Russias irreplaceable strategic bomber fleet, thousands of kilometres inside Russian territory, suggests that the old certainties tanks, submarines, large platforms may not be entirely relevant in modern warfare. Well, the answer that seems to be contained in the review is the obvious one: you need both, but the balance needs to change decisively. Various commentators have talked about the British army moving towards a 20-40-40 model: 20 per cent of its armoury would comprise traditional weaponry, such as tanks and artillery; 40 per cent would be the cheap-and-cheerful one-way kamikaze drones; and the remaining 40 per cent would consist of higher-end missiles and long-range weaponry. Would this produce a really different-looking British army? For sure. And the signs are that as part of the review, the Royal Navy will also move to a similar type of model. Already, mine-hunting operations have begun to transition from dedicated mine-hunting ships to motherships that deploy unmanned underwater vehicles. The navy has been testing a range of uncrewed surface vessels, and the work is looking into how, in the future, a crewed warship would be accompanied by uncrewed vessels so as to increase sea coverage, as well as effectiveness. Submarines, too, will also operate more and more uncrewed systems, to be able to detect enemy submarines much further away and then to engage them from safer distances. And the RAF will see more uncrewed combat air vehicles, as opposed to fighters with pilots. The common view is that the manned fighter of the future will be accompanied by uncrewed fighters, and will be able to launch shorter-range missiles/drones. The growth of AI is fuelling the possibilities for uncrewed systems across every part of every battlefield. What might have been seen as impossible a decade ago is now either possible or will be soon. But there will never be a battlefield without fighters, on land, air, or sea warfare is a human endeavour, and there are many things that will not be handed over to robots. The day when there are no human soldiers or sailors is not going to arrive any time soon. But if there is some uneasiness about what the prime minister talked about at the review reveal in Glasgow, then it is to do with the uncertainties of the governments plan. Its still setting the ambition to hit 3 per cent, hedged by the disclaimer that this will be subject to economic and fiscal conditions far from a guarantee. The prime minister might certainly receive some criticism about this at the Nato summit in The Hague towards the end of this month. An increasing number of Nato nations are already spending more than 3 per cent of GDP (Poland is now above 4 per cent), and are looking to go even higher, so Britains reserved view of what can be spent on defence is going to make it look even more out of step with its allies. It is possible that the PM might get ambushed by a drive to pledge to spend 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence, a figure that is being widely floated. open image in gallery Members of the Royal Navy take part in a military procession to mark VE Day last month ( PA ) Some might be surprised at the spending on non-essential things such as armed forces housing and infrastructure, but this is required. The appalling state of accommodation is the main reason why army personnel leave; getting this right will hopefully result in more people joining, and then remaining in service for longer the same being true of pay increases. A defence review is not just about equipment. There are several challenges. The first is speed. If the UK is to reform and reshape its forces, then this needs to be done within a few years certainly not decades. The past 15-20 years have seen a marked deterioration in the capabilities of the UKs forces they need to be restored, especially if the Russian threat is as persistent as it is believed to be by many European defence departments. Which brings us to the second challenge: money. There is no point in saying Youll get the required cash in 2030 or whenever the tap needs to be turned on now if we are to see progress. You want to build six new munitions factories? If the spades are to cut soil, the money needs to come today, not next year. Those 7,000 long-range weapons? They must be ordered today, not in several years time, and that means money now, at a time when the UKs fiscal position is less than rosy. open image in gallery Former defence secretary Grant Shapps (centre) during a visit to view the first prototypes of the Challenger 3 tank in 2024 ( PA ) And an extra challenge: wise spending. The UK spends far more, like-for-like, than France and Italy, and gets far less at the other end. If the UK is to get real bang for its buck, then it needs to be even more rigorous about how it spends any extra cash. The record of reform here has, historically, been patchy at best. The UK has put off modernising its defence programmes for at least a decade, and it shows. Despite the evidence from Ukraine of the efficacy of drones, the UK has made little progress on actually buying any. Two years ago, in an interview, the chief of the defence staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, said that he wanted to see a British army kamikaze drone unit as soon as possible there still isnt one, although Kyiv says that drones are now the largest cause of casualties in the war with Russia. Will the defence review change UK defence decisively? The mood music has been promising. But there is one last thing to consider: Lord Robertson might be the first person in British politics to deliver two decent defence reviews, both of which are then sabotaged by a lack of spending in the face of Treasury hostility. Watch this space. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Keir Starmer's bold defence plans have been overshadowed by a row over money as he was warned Britain may not be moving quickly enough to counter the rapidly growing threats from countries such as Russia. The prime minister vowed to make Britain "a battle-ready, armour-clad nation as he unveiled his strategic defence review (SDR) at the Govan shipbuilding yard in Scotland, which included an army boosted to 100,000 personnel, 12 new submarines, drones and a rollout of Artificial Intelligence. Defence secretary John Healey said Britains army needed to become 10 times more lethal in the face of the immediate and pressing threat" from Russia and the rise of China. We are in a new era of threat, which demands a new era for UK defence, he told MPs. But questions were raised over the governments big ambitions to make Britain safer and stronger after Sir Keir refused to commit to spending 3 per cent of Britains gross domestic product on defence by 2034 which the review warned was essential to ensure the plans were affordable. open image in gallery Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he would not resile from his duty to stabilise the economy ( PA ) With a backdrop of turbulent times and a promise to learn lessons from the Ukraine conflict, the report even warned it may be necessary to go faster on increasing the UKs defence capabilities. Economists also warned tax rises may be needed to fund the plans. The review found that the armed forces are not ready to fight opponents like Russia or China, with inadequate stockpiles of weapons, medical services that cannot cope with a mass-casualty conflict and a personnel crisis that means only a small number of troops are ready to be deployed. One of its authors, General Sir Richard Barrons, warned that a cruise missile was only 90 minutes away from the UK. Sir Keir said: Russia is already menacing our skies and our waters, and threatening cyber-attacks, so this is a real threat were dealing with. The long-awaited 140-page SDR, put together for the government by a team headed by Labour peer and former Nato chief Lord George Robertson, made 62 recommendations, including: Building up to 12 attack submarines for the Royal Navy as part of the Australia-UK-US Aukus Procuring up to 7,000 long-range weapons built in the UK and opening of at least six new munitions factories Using more AI and technology, including creating a team of cyber and tech experts to be deployed alongside military personnel Teaching schoolchildren more about the army as parts of moves to reconnect the armed forces and wider society Unveiling the details of the review, Sir Keir said he was "100% confident" the plans to make Britain ready for war could be delivered on current funding plans. The government, which has said it will implement all 62 recommendations, has promised to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027, and has an ambition but no firm commitment to hike it to 3 per cent in the next parliament. The planned increase in defence spending was the biggest since the Cold War, said Sir Keir. But the documents authors warned the recommendations would be unaffordable unless Sir Keir stuck to the vital commitment to raise the funding, which is currently 2.3 per cent. It said: The governments important decision to raise defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027/28 and, vitally, to 3 per cent in the next Parliament made an enormous difference. The decision established the affordability of our recommendations across a 10-year programme. open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer with Defence Secretary John Healey and former Nato chief Lord Robertson ( PA ) Paul Johnson, the director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), also warned the only way to pay for the increased defence budget would be through chunky tax rises as the government grapples with other key areas of public spending. He told Times Radio: "You really do have to ask that question, what are the choices that you're going to make? Bluntly, it really does seem to me that the only choice that is available, is some really quite chunky tax increases to pay for it." But Professor Malcolm Chalmers, deputy director general of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), warned that moving too rapidly to achieve the 3 per cent target - such as trying to achieve it during this parliament - would lead to important trade offs. Not only would it make it more difficult to achieve the prosperity objectives of the government, he warned, but it would also mean ministers would be forced to rely on imports from abroad for defence procurement, rather than spending the defence dividend in Britain. Professor Chalmers described the SDR as the most radical defence review weve seen for a generation, warning that the changing global landscape in the face of Russian aggression requires a radical rethink. There was a furious row in parliament over the way MPs were not allowed to see the document which had been trailed over the weekend and given to defence firms at 8am, hours before the announcement. But Tory shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge focussed on the lack of certainty with funding. He said: While they have tried to hide the document today from us, what they cannot hide is what has happened in plain sight. A total unravelling of their strategic defence review because quite simply they haven't got a plan to fund it. "An SDR without the funding is an empty wish list. The subs and ships he is promising are a fantasy fleet." Lib Dem defence spokesperson Helen Maguire added: It is staggering that we still dont have an answer to the vital question - where is the money coming from? The government has flipflopped a number of times on 3 per cent. Former foreign secretary Sir James Cleverly added his voice to those concerned that the SDR was too timid. He said: If we are facing an era defining moment, why not move with the pace that era demands. Matthew Saville, director of military sciences at RUSI, said the SDR fails to provide a real sense of the tradeoffs, the compromises and the choices when it comes to defence spending. What is it that we dont need as much of, dont need at all, and where might we take some risks?, he asked. It also, frankly, is a bit light on targets. There is very little here in actual cost. Launching the review in the shadow of Type 26 frigates being built in BAE Systems' shipyard in Govan, Glasgow, Sir Keir said three fundamental changes" would be made to the UK's defence. He said the UK was moving to war-fighting readiness, adding: "When we are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces, the most effective way to deter them is to be ready, and frankly, to show them that we're ready to deliver peace through strength." The second change is that the government will adopt a "Nato-first" stance towards defence so that everything it does adds to the strength of the alliance. Sir Keir added: "Third, we will innovate and accelerate innovation at a wartime pace, so we can meet the threats of today and of tomorrow, as the fastest innovator in Nato." The report also recommends more lessons about the army in schools, as well as an attempt to boost the army cadets numbers by 30 per cent to 250,000. The report calls on the MOD to work with the Department for Education to develop understanding of the Armed Forces among young people in schools, as part of moves to improve relations with wider society. Along with more submarines, there will also be more F35 fighters. open image in gallery Putin is identified as the biggest threat ( Sputnik ) It is hoped that investments in more equipment such as 12 new Astute submarines will drive economic growth with jobs across the UK in places like Glasgow and Derby. A new Defence Readiness Bill is to be put before Parliament giving ministers powers to respond effectively in a crisis. Sir Keir also flagged up his aim to create a hybrid Royal Navy with greater use of AI, as well as creating a new Digital Warfighter Group with appropriate recruitment and pay freedoms. At least ten per cent of the MOD equipment procurement budget should be spent on new technologies every year, the report noted, with an added recommendation that barriers for collaboration with industry partners should be removed. Savings will be made by cutting the cost of the civil service defence workforce by 10 per cent. This will include a switch from back office to front office by automating 20 per cent of HR, finance and commercial functions by summer 2028 as a minimum first step. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Keir Starmer has unveiled the results of his root and branch review of Britains armed forces, with a pledge to make the UK battle-ready. The prime minister has ordered up to a dozen new attack submarines, 15bn worth of nuclear warheads and thousands of new long-range weapons after the report concluded that the country should prepare for war. Here The Independent looks at what is in the prime ministers long-awaited strategic defence review, which warns of the threat posed by Russia and draws heavily on the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine. A more lethal army and other immediate steps Ministers have announced they will implement all 62 of the reports recommendations in full but there will be a number of immediate steps. These include creating a British Army that is ten times more lethal with more personnel, long-range missiles and land-drone swarms. As well as the new nuclear warheads and nuclear-powered attack submarines, ministers will also buy new autonomous vessels to patrol the North Atlantic and beyond, create a next generation RAF with F-35s, upgraded Typhoons and autonomous fighters. They will also spend 1bn on a homeland defence system to protect the UK from drones and missiles, use defence spending to drive economic growth and create a 400m defence innovation fund. Review backs spending 3 per cent of GDP on defence The PM is embroiled in a row over defence spending after he failed to make a firm commitment to hike it to 3 per cent of GDP by 2034. The defence reviews authors say the governments ambition to spend 3 per cent of GDP on defence is good news, but they add: However, as we live in such turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster. open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer ordered a review of Britains defence capabilities within weeks of taking office(Andy Buchanan/PA) ( PA Wire ) It is understood that the report was written with the assumption that ministers would meet the 3 per cent target. Behind the scenes, Donald Trump has also been pressuring Sir Keir to hike Britains defence spending, as the US president seeks to wean Europe off dependence on the US for military support. Alongside this, Donald Trump has been pressuring Sir Keir to hike Britains defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP years earlier than planned, as the president seeks to wean Europe off dependence on the US for military support. The UK must move to war fighting readiness One of the themes of the defence review is to make Britain war-ready, including protecting critical infrastructure in the event of a crisis. open image in gallery John Healey said cyber is now cyber is now the leading edge of conflict between countries ( Sky News ) The SDR calls for a new Defence Readiness Bill, which would give ministers powers to respond effectively in the event of an escalating conflict. Already ministers have announced they will respond to the call for always on munitions by building up to six factories to create more weapons on British soil. Equipment and new technology will win future conflicts In the foreword to the review, the defence secretary John Healey writes: "Whoever gets new technology into the hands of their armed forces the quickest will win. Ministers have already announced plans for up to 12 new nuclear attack submarines, 15bn of investment in the nuclear warhead programme and 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons. At the weekend Mr Healey appeared to confirm he wants to purchase fighter jets capable of firing tactical nuclear weapons, a major pledge which would signal the UK recognised the world had entered a more dangerous era. The report also calls for greater use of AI as well as a new Digital Warfighter Group, which it says should not be held back by constraints on how much it can pay its staff, calling for appropriate recruitment and pay freedoms. The SDR also says at least 10 per cent of the MoD equipment procurement budget should be spent on new technologies every year, and it urges ministers to remove red tape and other barriers to collaboration with industry partners. Already Mr Healey has announced a cyber command to counter a continual and intensifying level of cyber warfare as well as plans to invest more than 1 billion into a new digital targeting web to be set up by 2027, to better connect weapons systems and allow battlefield decisions targeting enemy threats to be made and executed faster. Starmer told to increase the size of the army The strategic defence review calls for a small" rise in the size of the regular army as a priority although it does add when funding allows. On Sunday, however, the defence secretary said that would not happen before 2029 at the earliest. The other recommendations include that the UK should have a minimum of 100,000 soldiers - of which 73,000 are regulars. Ministers should hike the number of active reservists by 20 per cent, when funding allows, and new joiners should be offered shorter periods of services including the MODs planned gap years to aid recruitment. The government should cut costs by slashing the civil service defence workforce by 10 per cent and automating 20 per cent of HR, finance and commercial functions in the next three years as a minimum first step. Red tape and excessive bureaucracy created by people policy, process and assurance should be removed, the report says. Ministers have also announced they are to spend an additional 1.5bn fixing up the military at home amid claims years of neglect have led to troops quitting. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice As the Canadian wildfires continue to rage, some oil production in the country, a U.S. supplier, has been forced to shut down, raising concerns national gas prices may rise. Around 95 fires were out of control in Canada on Monday afternoon, with more than half burning in the province of Alberta, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Bloomberg reports the fires in Alberta have shut down nearly 350,000 barrels of daily heavy crude oil production, roughly 7 percent of Canadas oil output. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, told The Independent that if the oil production shutdown continues, it could be a bit more problematic to [U.S.] refineries and it could be more impactful to things like gasoline. open image in gallery As the Canadian wildfires have raged, some oil production in Canada, a U.S. supplier, has shut down ( EPA ) open image in gallery Bloomberg reports the fires in Alberta have shut down nearly 350,000 barrels of daily heavy crude oil production, which is roughly 7 percent of Canadas oil output ( Manitoba Government/AFP via Getty Images ) Canada is the fourth-largest oil producer in the world and a major supplier to the U.S. The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, a major trade association, said in a blog post from January that 25 percent of crude oil in U.S. refineries comes from Canada. Refineries need heavy crude oil to run and make petroleum products such as gasoline. The trade association said in another blog post, Nearly 70% of U.S. refining capacity runs most efficiently with heavier crude. De Haan told MarketWatch in March, Canadas oil has always been there, and its always been there at a discount. open image in gallery Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, told The Independent that if this oil production shutdown continues, it could be a bit more problematic to [U.S.] refineries and it could be more impactful to things like gasoline ( Manitoba Government/AFP via Getty Images ) The fires have displaced thousands and are causing air quality alerts in several U.S. states. The wildfires have now threatened the countrys oil output, potentially affecting the national average gas price, which currently stands at $3.09 per gallon, according to GasBuddy. Cenovus Energy Inc., a Canadian oil producer, shut down output on May 29, according to Bloomberg. It said Sunday that it expects to resume operations in the near term. Two other Canadian oil producers, MEG Energy Corp. and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., have also temporarily ceased operations. De Hann explained in a phone interview with The Independent on Monday that much of the crude oil in U.S. refineries in the Midwest and Rocky Mountains comes from Canada. So, a shutdown in the flow of oil, or at least a partial shutdown in the flow of oil from Canada, could be impactful to refineries down in these regions, he said. De Hann said refineries usually have at least several days of crude oil stored, but if this hit to Canadian oil production continues for potentially more than a week or two, and/or if it worsens in terms of the amount of oil shut in, it could be a bit more problematic to these refineries and it could be more impactful to things like gasoline. I don't really see any impact to prices, but we will have to see, the expert added. De Hann warned since theres less Canadian oil available, it's likely narrowing the Canadian crude oil discount that generally we see, but that's not really going to be too impactful to motorists. The U.S. still makes 60 percent of its crude oil, according to American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, and it gets the other 17 percent of its oil from other countries. What to know about the Canadian wildfires There were 189 active fires in Canada as of Monday afternoon, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Most are in British Columbia and Alberta. The fires have burned through roughly 1.7 million acres across Saskatchewan and Manitoba, The New York Times reported, citing the center. Two people were killed in a wildfire that burned through a small Manitoba town, the Times reported. CBS reported on Sunday that more than 25,000 residents have been evacuated over the fires and smoke was worsening air quality in Canada. The fires have also caused air quality alerts in Minnesota, Michigan and South Carolina, which remained in place Monday, per NBC News. Pollutants can cause health risks, especially for those with a respiratory disease such as asthma. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A toddler slipped past security and got lost in the maze of luggage conveyor belts in Newark Liberty International Airport, say officials. The two-year-old child crawled onto a conveyor belt at a JetBlue ticketing counter on the departures level inside the airport, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed. Officials managed to intervene moments before the child was about to pass through the luggage X-ray machine, according to The New York Daily News. Quick-thinking officers with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey jumped onto the conveyor belt to chase after the child. David Grizzle, the former chief operating officer and head of air traffic control for the Federal Aviation Administration, told NPR that Newark has grappled with decades-old staffing and technology issues. "It's extremely dangerous," Keith Jeffries, the vice president for K2 Security Screening Group, told ABC News. "You've got diverters back there that are actually these gigantic pushers or levers, if you will, that will shove those bags down the appropriate conveyor belt, and that alone can be fatal for a small child." Police officers assigned to Terminal A responded immediately and tracked down the toddler, who was uninjured, and found the child in the checked baggage room on the lower level. Emergency Medical Services officials were requested as a precaution, and the childs parents declined further medical attention following the incident. Newark Airport refused to comment on the incident. The childs mother had reportedly been attempting to rebook a JetBlue flight when the child slipped out of sight and into the luggage labyrinth, according to The Daily News. Officers Angel Paulino and Joe DeSilvio with the Port Authority leapt into action. They jumped onto the conveyor belt to follow the child after being alerted by a concerned JetBlue employee. The frantic search lasted less than five minutes, according to a statement from the Port Authority. open image in gallery It is unclear how the child managed to escape from under their parents nose at Newark Airport last week ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) An official social media post on the incident read: Two Port Authority cops rescued a toddler who wandered onto a luggage conveyor belt in Terminal A, Newark Liberty International Airport. The cops, realizing the danger the child was in, without hesitation, entered the conveyor system and, after about four minutes, located the child who was headed for an X-ray machine. It has been a tumultuous few weeks for Newark officials after several incidents caused havoc at the airport. Last month, there was pandemonium on the concourse after hundreds of flights were cancelled and many faced delays following an incident when air traffic controllers experienced a radar and communications blackout. open image in gallery ( Getty Images ) There were no accidents, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy later confirmed that the outage lasted for only 30 seconds. One of Newark Airports runways under construction is set to reopen Monday, 13 days ahead of schedule, reports CBS News. The Independent contacted JetBlue and Newark Airport for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Immigration authorities are collecting DNA from immigrants including children and feeding that information into a massive criminal database. Most of those immigrants are not accused of committing any crime, but federal law enforcement agencies can now access their detailed DNA profiles as part of a massive surveillance dragnet that sweeps in information about everyone, according to a lawsuit demanding information from Donald Trumps administration. Mondays lawsuit from the Georgetown Law Center on Privacy & Technology calls on the Department of Homeland Security to answer how, exactly, the agency collects, stores and uses those DNA samples. Georgetown Law and two other immigration groups filed a Freedom of Information Act request for information last year. Nine months later, without any response, the groups are now suing the agency for answers. DHS is quickly becoming the primary contributor of DNA profiles to the nations criminal policing DNA database, according to Stevie Glaberson, director of research and advocacy for Georgetown Laws Center on Privacy & Technology. open image in gallery Since 2000, immigration authorities added more than 1.5 million DNA profiles to a national criminal database. A lawsuit from Georgetown Law and other groups wants to know how they use the data. ( REUTERS ) The Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, is administered by the FBI. The network is used by local, state and federal enforcement agencies to match DNA from crime scenes to identify suspects. Last year, Georgetowns center discovered that border agents are collecting DNA from virtually anyone in their custody, no matter how long they have been detained. That information is fed into CODIS, where it lives indefinitely, simply because they were not born in the United States, according to Daniel Melo, an attorney with Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, which joined Georgetowns lawsuit. Homeland Security has added more than 1.5 million DNA profiles to the database since 2020, marking a 5,000 percent increase in submissions between 2000 and 2024, the report found. That figure includes more than 133,000 children, according to data reviewed by Wired. Nearly 230 children are under the age of 13 and more than 30,000 were between 14 and 17 years old. The governments DNA collection program represents a massive expansion of genetic surveillance and an unjustified invasion of privacy, report author and Center on Privacy & Technology Justice Fellow Emerald Tse said at the time. The program reinforces harmful narratives about immigrants and intensifies existing policing practices that target immigrant communities and communities of color, making us all less safe, Tse added. Americans deserve visibility on the details of this program, and the departments lack of transparency is unacceptable, Glaberson said Monday. open image in gallery The Trump administration is accused of advancing a massive surveillance dragnet through immigration enforcement and partnerships with big tech firms ( REUTERS ) The lawsuit joins a wave of litigation against Trumps expanding mass deportation operation, which is deploying officers across all federal law enforcement agencies to ramp up arrests and rapidly remove people from the country. Emily Tucker, executive director at Georgetown Laws Center on Privacy & Technology, said its a mistake to consider DNA collection part of immigration enforcement. The president is instead relying on broad immigration authorities to justify Trumps expansion of federal law enforcement, according to Tucker. This program is one part of a massive surveillance dragnet that sweeps in information about everyone, Tucker added. They will use it for deportation, but they will also use it to intimidate, silence, and target anyone they perceive as the enemy. Last week, reports emerged that the administration has deepened the federal governments ties to Palantir, a tech firm allegedly building wide-ranging data tools to collect and surveil information for millions of Americans. Palantir co-founded by Silicon Valley investor, Republican donor, and JD Vance mentor Peter Thiel is reportedly working inside Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, among other agencies. The administration has reportedly spent more than $113 million with Palantir through new and existing contracts, while the company is slated to begin work on a new $795 million deal with the Defense Department. The Independent has requested comment from Homeland Security. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Staff across federal agencies said that red tape implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency is wasting more time than ever. Workers at 19 agencies revealed how sweeping changes brought in by DOGE Elon Musks team that pledged to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse have instead resulted in delays for the most basic transactions and projects put on hold for months, The Washington Post reports. People are so demoralized, anxious and sleep deprived, a NASA employee told the outlet. Nobody is working at top efficiency. Employees at the State Department, Social Security Administration, National Institutes of Health and the Federal Aviation Administration were among those feeling the strain as DOGE laid off staff and brought in new hurdles, impacting financial and policy protocols. One staffer at the State Department told The Post that hiring an international vendor for an event required multiple layers of additional sign off because of the administrations requirement to eradicate diversity, equity and inclusion from government. open image in gallery Workers at 19 agencies revealed how sweeping changes brought in by DOGE Elon Musks team that pledged to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse have instead resulted in delays for the most basic transactions and projects put on hold for months. ( AP ) The vendor refused to sign paperwork confirming that it did not promote DEI, resulting in the staffer having to go through several rounds of sign-off to secure the contract. The process would have typically taken a day but instead took an entire week, according to the outlet. In response, the State Department told The Post that it would never apologize for putting processes in place to ensure taxpayer dollars are used correctly. While many federal workers told the newspaper they supported scrutiny of how the government spends taxpayer money, the reality was running counter to the goal of efficiency. An employee at the Federal Aviation Authority said that the new process for payment systems means that staff must now write statements justifying all expenditures, from bigger expenses to ordering pens and pencils. It has slowed down the process of getting windows cleaned at air traffic control towers, the employee said. Purchase orders that would take 15 to 20 minutes now take up to 2 hours. These are things that people dont think about, but clean windows are crucial for controllers, the employee told the outlet. open image in gallery Employees at the State Department, Social Security Administration, National Institutes of Health and the Federal Aviation Administration were among those feeling the strain as DOGE laid off staff and brought in new hurdles, impacting financial and policy protocols. ( AP ) Meanwhile at some parts of the National Institutes of Health, one staffer revealed that grants must be fed through an AI tool to detect references to DEI, transgender, China or vaccine hesitancy. Staff must also check that grant recipients are not on the list of institutions that President Donald Trump has targeted, including Harvard, Changes at the Social Security Administration pushed through by DOGE are also causing chaos after the team reassigned central-office workers to take lower-level positions, according to The Post. In February, the agency outlined plans to cut 7,000 jobs. Staff are overburdened as they have reportedly been taken off normal duties in order to train new staffers. You now have half the staff with very little knowledge of how to do the work, a relocated staffer told the outlet. And the other half of staff overwhelmed with work and unable to really train or mentor these new folks. The agency said that the reassignment of approximately 2,000 staff has not caused disruptions. A statement said the reassignment of the staffers would further accelerate the progress the agency is making. Responding to the claims made in The Posts reporting, White House spokesman Harrison Fields said that President Trump is curbing government waste and reforming a system that has long burdened American taxpayers through DOGE. Anyone resistant to these critical reforms has had ample opportunity to step aside, but the work of DOGE will press forward unobstructed, he added. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice 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. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Lesley Stahl, who has spent decades as a correspondent for the seminal Sunday night newsmagazine 60 Minutes, is making it clear that she is angry with her corporate boss for looking to settle Donald Trumps frivolous civil lawsuit against CBS News. The legendary newswoman also said she is pessimistic about the future of 60 Minutes, adding that were in very dark times and that shes already preemptively mourning the potential destruction of the long-running program amid an upcoming merger and the presidents attacks on legacy media. In a wide-ranging conversation with The New Yorkers chief editor David Remnick, Stahl sounded off on CBS parent company Paramount's efforts to make Trumps $20 billion lawsuit over the way 60 Minutes edited an interview with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, which the president contends was done deceitfully to interfere in the 2024 election. Following Trumps return to the White House, Paramounts top shareholder Shari Redstone has pushed for a settlement as the company needs the administrations approval for an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, which pro-Trump business mogul Larry Ellison backs. Additionally, Redstone has not only pressured 60 Minutes to ease up on its Trump coverage amid the lawsuit and merger drama, but also criticized the show over the way it's covered the Gaza war. Amid the discussions with Trumps legal team about a settlement, 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens and CBS News chief Wendy McMahon who had said they would not apologize as part of any deal with the president abruptly resigned. Paramounts board has reportedly offered Trump a $15 million settlement, which is in line with ABC News capitulation to the president, but Trump is demanding at least $25 million and an apology. open image in gallery Longtime 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl said she is angry with Paramount chair Shari Redstone for pushing to settle a frivolous lawsuit with President Donald Trump. ( AP ) Asked by Remnick what is behind the presidents lawsuit, Stahl who has interviewed Trump four times said that it is an effort to chill us, noting that there arent any damages suffered by Trump. I mean, he accused us of editing Kamala Harris in a way to help her win the election. But he won the election, she added. Trumps legal team has since argued in court that the interview caused the president mental anguish. Labeling it as a frivolous lawsuit, Stahl went on to describe Owens as a hero to the newsroom while lobbing criticisms towards Redstone over the 60 Minutes producer feeling the need to step down. [H]e was being asked to either not run pieces or to change parts of the stories, and he was standing up to that. I dont know, frankly, if there was one request that led to it or just an accumulation, one after the next, she said. That was just painful. Painful, she continued, speaking about Owens resignation. Everybody at 60 MinutesI think everybody, most of usreally appreciated his standing up to the pressure, and saw him in heroic terms. So when he announced that he was stepping down, it was a punch in the stomach. It was one of those punches where you almost cant breathe. Adding that McMahon had also served as an intermediary between us and the corporation, and she sided with CBS News, Stahl then expressed disappointment over the likelihood that Paramount will settle with the president. Are you angry at Shari Redstone? Remnick wondered, prompting Stahl to reply: Yes, I think I am. I think I am. At the same time, though, the veteran CBS reporter said that while Owens being forced out may have been a bridge too far for much of the staff, she claimed he urged everyone on the show to stay. Bill Owens leaving was a line, and here we all are, she stated. He asked us not to resign. He explicitly asked us not to resign. Because it was discussed that we would leave en masse. open image in gallery Lesley Stahl, seen here interviewing Donald Trump, called it a hard thing that the corporate overlords are placing pressure on 60 Minutes over its coverage. ( CBS News/60 Minutes ) Stahl also said it was hard and not a small thing that Redstone had been applying pressure on the news division over its coverage, making her wonder if any corporation should own a news operation going forward. It is very disconcerting, she proclaimed. As for CBS News new corporate overlords at Skydance if the merger goes through, Stahl said shes praying and hoping that they'd allow the network to be independent and for journalists to do their jobs. Still, she acknowledged that it could be a little Pollyannaish to believe that will be the outcome. Im not optimistic. I am not. Im pessimistic, she told Remnick. Im pessimistic about the future for all press today. The public doesnt trust us. The public has lost faith in us as an institution. So were in very dark times. Stahl also expressed concern about the fragility of press institutions as a whole, especially with mega-billionaires and large conglomerations pressuring the news organizations they own to soften their coverage of the current administration while they cozy up to the president. The pain in my heart is that the public does not appreciate the importance of a free and strong and tough press in our democracy, she lamented, adding: We are a headache. An expensive headache. And thats part of the fragility. Amid the continued push to reach a settlement with Trump, Democratic lawmakers have warned the Paramount board and Redstone that paying the president to kill the lawsuit could run afoul of anti-bribery laws, considering that the company is hoping to coax the administration to approve a merger. The California State Senate has now opened an inquiry into Paramount over whether it violated state laws on bribery, inviting both Owens and McMahon to testify. Paramount executives, in fact, have even discussed the possibility of being held liable or criminally charged if the business settles the complaint. The Freedom of the Press Foundation has since threatened to sue the company if it reaches a settlement with the president. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice In March, operatives with DOGE, erratic billionaire Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency, seized control of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), a congressionally funded and quasi-governmental but fully independent nonprofit organization, following a dramatic standoff with staffers. As the DOGE team forced their way into the institutes gleaming Moshe Safdie-designed concrete-and-glass headquarters at the northwest corner of the National Mall, local police and FBI agents ejected everyone from the building, including institute president George Moose, a career diplomat who served for 30-plus years under Republican and Democratic administrations alike. The institute was established in 1984 by Republican president Ronald Reagan with a stated mission to advance international stability and promote global conflict resolution. Still, less than a month into Donald Trumps latest term as president, he issued an executive order taking aim at USIP as unnecessary. DOGE then swiftly fired USIPs workforce and replaced its board with MAGA loyalists, after which the purported cost-cutting agency locked the doors to $500 million structure and essentially walked away attracting rats and roaches and letting conditions erode to such a point that the facility will now likely require hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs, according to USIP chief of security Colin OBrien. OBrien, along with a contract engineer, was the first to thoroughly inspect the institutes building last month after a federal judge declared DOGEs takeover illegal, ruling its actions as null and void. OBrien, a U.S. Army veteran who then worked in law enforcement before joining USIP in August 2023, said what he found was, in a word, offensive. The offices that were abandoned for two months looked like a scene from a zombie apocalypse movie, frozen in time, with everything left exactly as it was when the house was cleaned out, according to OBrien. And this, he said, was precisely the problem. open image in gallery U.S. Institute of Peace president George Moose last month after being allowed back into the publicly-funded nonprofit's D.C. headquarters following an attempted takeover by DOGE. ( AP ) Anyone who manages large commercial buildings understands that maintenance is not something you can just stop doing for two months, OBrien told The Independent. After DOGE took over, they canceled a lot of contracts and critical functions stopped happening. Rodents became a problem because DOGE employees neglected to clear out any of the food left on the premises after taking over, OBrien explained. USIP had a cafe managed by a contractor, with food being stored onsite, he said. Additionally, OBrien said, USIP personnel had food in refrigerators throughout the building, along with snack items they didnt have a chance to remove from desks and cabinets before DOGE summarily booted them from the property. Over the next eight weeks, DOGE wouldn't let any USIP staff in the building, and didn't do anything to prevent the moldering food from spoiling further, which quickly attracted vermin. Roaches were also attracted to the abandoned perishables throughout the space, entering through wastewater and drainage pipes that had dried up from lack of use, OBrien said. There were several water leaks, as well, that contributed to their ability to come into the building, he added. open image in gallery Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency managed only a fraction of its promised spending reductions, while crippling a raft of vital government programs. ( AP ) Beyond the various infestations, OBrien recalled that, among other things, ceiling tiles were mysteriously missing throughout the building, water damage was rampant, vehicle barriers had become non-operational, and weeds were growing in the cooling tower on the roof a potential vector for Legionnaires disease. Since the location was left without adequate security, graffiti also appeared on an exterior wall. These things can turn into major, $100,000-plus repairs for lack of maintenance, OBrien said. Now were in a rush to play catchup. However, according to OBrien, the issues went beyond maintenance. They ripped the main logo off the wall when you come into the lobby, and while we have most of the parts back, would you be surprised that were still missing four letters: U, S, I, and P? OBrien said. Thats not coincidental. More than a dozen USIP flags were also removed from their flagpoles and remain unaccounted for, which OBrien believes were taken, along with the USIP logo remnants, as war trophies. He called the situation uncharted, and struggles to accurately put into words the mix of emotions he felt upon walking back into the USIP building. The closest thing you can compare this to is McCarthyism, and even that pales in comparison to the total destruction that is occurring right now, OBrien said. open image in gallery U.S. Institute of Peace employees held an impromptu celebration on May 19, following a ruling by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell that DOGE's seizure of the independent entity had been unlawful. ( AP ) OBriens colleagues at USIP are the most incredible group of people, who care about making the world better, oftentimes at the expense of their own health and personal safety, he continued. While the current administration claims to see USIPs programs as expendable, the institute in fact grew during Trumps first turn in office from 2016 to 2020. To OBrien, the disconnect is massive. [Trump] gets sworn in on January 20, and in his inauguration speech, he said, Im a peacemaker, OBrien said. USIP is the only publicly-funded private institution that is dedicated to peace in the developed world. We are unique, with a 40-year legacy of trying to do the right thing and make this world just a little bit better. Regardless of political affiliation, the men and women at USIP are still prepared to cooperate with the Trump administration however necessary in order to leave the world a little bit better than we found it, according to OBrien. Its not that were against the administration, or against Trump, he said. Its that were ready to do this work with whomever. On May 19, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the DOGE seizure of USIP had been unlawful, and ordered Moose and his staff reinstated. In handing down her opinion, Howell said Trumps efforts here to take over an organization represented a gross usurpation of power and a way of conducting government affairs that unnecessarily traumatized the committed leadership and employees of USIP, who deserved better. As USIP once again assumes control of its building, Musk left DOGE as his 130-day tenure as a special government employee comes to an end. The hastily formed agency managed only a fraction of its promised spending reductions, while crippling a raft of vital government programs and reportedly leading Trump to ask, Was it all bulls**t? The 80-year-old Moose now has a daunting task in reconstituting and relaunching USIP, according to OBrien, who insisted he would take a bullet for his boss without hesitation. He is that kind of person, a wonderful man, great leader, and something to live up to, OBrien said. Ride or die, Im standing next to him. DOGE officials did not respond to requests for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump is planning on resettling thousands of white South Africans in the U.S., a State Department official has revealed in a new report. Earlier this month, Trump granted a group of 59 white South Africans entry to the United States as refugees. Afterwards, Trump was accused of ambushing South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with claims of a white genocide by flashing articles and videos of alleged violence against white farmers in the country. Several pieces of evidence that Trump provided were found to be misleading, incorrect, or entirely unrelated to his claims. Now, a government official has told that the number of white Afrikaner refugees is expected to surge towards the second half of summer. We wont be talking about dozens of arrivals, but hundreds and perhaps thousands, the official told the outlet. The White House has not commented on the matter. The official said that he was confident in saying that [...] towards the second half of summer, well start to massively scale this up. The State Department said on Thursday that it had received nearly 50,000 inquiries from South Africans interested in the program, according to the New York Times. The Trump administration expects the number to continue to rise, according to The Caller. In March, Trump claimed that South Africa is being terrible, plus, to long-time Farmers in the country. They are confiscating their LAND and FARMS, and MUCH WORSE THAN THAT, he wrote on Truth Social. The timing of his tirade came as Trump and the worlds richest man, and South African Tesla billionaire, Elon Musk, were closely tied thanks to the latters role with the Department of Government Efficiency. Trump ambushed President Cyril Ramaphosa with allegations of a white genocide in South Africa earlier this month ( Getty ) The news of this resettlement comes as the Trump administration continues its efforts to ramp up arrests of undocumented immigrants. Meanwhile, dozens of people who are legally permitted to be in the U.S. have also been caught in the crossfire of Trumps immigration crusade, prompting stark criticism about the rushed nature of mass deportations. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Trump's administration could temporarily revoke the legal status of over 500,000 migrants living in the U.S. The Independent contacted the White House and the office of the South African Presidents office for comment. Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Tulsa's Mayor Monroe Nichols has proposed a $100 million private trust to provide scholarships and housing assistance to descendants of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Nichols, the first Black mayor of Tulsa, announced the plan at the Greenwood Cultural Center, located in the once-thriving district that was destroyed by a white mob. The mayor's proposal is part of a city-backed effort to atone for one of the worst racial attacks in U.S. history. The plan would not include direct cash payments to descendants or the last two centenarian survivors of the attack that killed as many as 300 Black people. Nichols said he does not use the term reparations, which he calls politically charged, characterizing his sweeping plan instead as a road to repair. This is, I think, a very significant first step, Nichols said. And it's something we can all unite around. I think we can unite around housing specifically for affected populations. I think we can unite around investing in the Greenwood district and making sure that we're able to revitalize it to be an economic power again. Nichols said the proposal would not require city council approval, although the council would need to authorize the transfer of any city property to the trust. open image in gallery Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols speaks to North Tulsa resident Robbin Jones on Thursday, May 22, 2025, as part of a series of "community conversations" the first-term mayor had across the city ( AP ) The private charitable trust would be created with a goal to secure $105 million in assets, with most of the funding either secured or committed by June 1, 2026. Although details of the trust programs would be developed over the next year by an executive director and a board of managers, the plan calls for the bulk of the funding, $60 million, to go toward improving buildings and revitalizing the city's north side. The Greenwood District at its height was a center of commerce, Nichols said. So what was lost was not just something from North Tulsa or the Black community. It actually robbed Tulsa of an economic future that would have rivaled anywhere else in the world." Nichols' proposal comes on the heels of an executive order he signed earlier this year recognizing June 1 as Tulsa Race Massacre Observance Day, an official holiday for the city. Nichols also realizes the current national political climate, particularly President Trump's sweeping assault on diversity, equity and inclusion programs, provides challenging political crosswinds. The fact that this lines up with a broader national conversation is a tough environment, Nichols admitted, but it doesn't change the work we have to do. Jacqueline Weary, is a granddaughter of massacre survivor John R. Emerson, Sr., who owned a hotel and cab company in Greenwood that were destroyed. She acknowledged the political difficulty of giving cash payments to descendants. But at the same time, she wondered how much of her family's wealth was lost as a result of the massacre. If Greenwood was still there, my grandfather would still have his hotel, said Weary, 65. It rightfully was our inheritance, and it was literally taken away. Tulsa is not the first U.S. city to explore the idea of reparations. The Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois, was the first U.S. city to make reparations available to its Black residents for past discrimination, offering qualifying households $25,000 for home repairs, down payments on property, and interest or late penalties on property in the city. The funding for the program came from taxes on the sale of recreational marijuana. open image in gallery Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols speaks to residents of the city's north side on Thursday, May 22, 2025, as part of a series of "community conversations" the first-term mayor had across the city ( AP ) Other communities and organizations that have considered providing reparations range from the state of California to cities like Amherst, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; Asheville, North Carolina; and Iowa City, Iowa; religious denominations like the Episcopal Church; and prominent colleges like Georgetown University in Washington. In Tulsa, there are only two living survivors of the Race Massacre, both of whom are 110 years old: Leslie Benningfield Randle and Viola Fletcher. Both received direct financial compensation from both a Tulsa-based nonprofit and a New York-based philanthropic organization, but have not received any recompense from the city or state. Damario Solomon-Simmons, an attorney for the survivors and the founder of the Justice for Greenwood Foundation, could not be reached for comment on the mayor's plan, but said earlier this year that any reparations plan should include direct payments to Randle and Fletcher and a victims' compensation fund for outstanding claims. A lawsuit filed by Solomon-Simmons on behalf of the survivors was rejected by the Oklahoma Supreme Court last year, dampening racial justice advocates' hopes that the city would ever make financial amends. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Australias defence minister called on China to explain its massive military build-up, claiming it was sparking concern in the region due to a lack of transparency. Richard Marles urged Beijing to offer strategic assurance about its defence policies. What we have seen from China is the single biggest increase in military capability and build-up in conventional sense by any country since the end of the Second World War, Mr Marles said on Sunday. It is the fact that it is happening without strategic reassurance. Its happening without a clear strategic intent on the part of China. What we want to see is strategic transparency and strategic reassurance be provided by China and an understanding of why it is needed to have such an extraordinary military build-up. He pointed to Australia as a model of transparency, claiming that Canberra publicly shared its defence strategy and reviews to make it utterly clear that its military build-up was meant to ensure security for the country and the region more broadly. So, there is total strategic clarity and assurance that is being provided by Australia to our neighbours, to the region, to the world. That's what we would like to see, he said. Mr Marles said Chinas recent military exercise near Australia and New Zealand was disruptive and could have been done in a better way but added that ultimately China was acting in accordance with international law. Australian defence minister Richard Marles speaks during the 22nd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on 31 May 2025 ( Getty ) In February, Chinas military exercise in the Tasman Sea, involving three naval ships and possibly live fire, prompted flight diversions between Australia and New Zealand. Australia called the manoeuvres unusual, while China maintained they were lawful and in international waters. At the time, Chinas foreign ministry confirmed that it was carrying out naval training and exercises in distant waters. A spokesman, Guo Jiakun, said the drills were conducted safely, in professional manner and in line with international laws and norms. Mr Marles emphasised the importance of upholding a rules-based order. The guiding light, the bedrock here, needs to be compliance with international law. Thats what we keep talking about, is the rules-based order, he said. On calls for Indo-Pacific allies of America to boost defence spending amid Chinas rise, Mr Marles said Australia was taking steps and up for it though it hadnt yet committed to president Donald Trumps push for increasing military spending to 3 per cent of the national GDP. China earlier rejected US defence secretary Pete Hegseths warning of a real and potentially imminent threat from Beijing, calling his claim groundless. Beijing also accused the US of being the biggest troublemaker for regional peace. The Chinese embassy in Singapore said on Facebook that the speech was steeped in provocations and instigation and that Mr Hegseth had repeatedly smeared and attacked China and relentlessly played up the so-called China threat. As a matter of fact, the US itself is the biggest troublemaker for regional peace and stability, the embassy said. What the US now offers the most to the world is uncertainty. The country claims to safeguard peace and not to seek conflicts. Weve heard it. Lets see what moves will it take. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Erin Patterson, the Australian woman accused of murdering three relatives with a poisoned beef wellington, took the stand on Monday to give evidence about her fractured relationship with her estranged husband and his family. Ms Patterson, 50, is charged with deliberately serving death cap mushrooms to her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, Gails sister Heather Wilkinson and Heathers husband Ian during a 2023 lunch at her house in the township of Leongatha in Victoria. Ian Wilkinson was the only guest to survive. She spoke of a rift with her separated husband and his family. A bit more distance or space between us, Ms Patterson said. She had started to have concerns that her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, no longer wanted her involved with his family. Perhaps I wasnt being invited to so many things, she said, describing their relationship at the time as functional. open image in gallery A sign at the entrance of the township in Leongatha, where Erin Patterson lives ( Getty ) Ms Patterson also spoke about the highs and lows of her relationship with Mr Patterson, telling the court they had separated several times following the birth of their son in 2009. Obviously our relationship was struggling to cause a separation, it was really important to both of us to cooperate about [our son] and make it as easy on him as possible, she said. Primarily what we struggled with over the entire course of our relationship ... it was, we just couldnt communicate well when we disagreed about something. We could never communicate in a way that would make each of us feel heard and understood. Ms Patterson met her husband in 2004 while working at the Monash Council, a local government authority, and early in the relationship, she was a fundamentalist atheist trying to convert him despite his Christian faith. But a service at the Korumburra Baptist Church, led by Mr Pattersons uncle, Ian Wilkinson, and centred on faith, hope and love, had a profound effect on her. open image in gallery Patterson is photographed in Melbourne in April ( AAP ) I had what can be best described as like a spiritual experience, she said. I had been approaching religion as an intellectual exercise up until that. Does it make sense? Is it rational? But I had what I would call a religious experience there and it quite overwhelmed me. Ms Patterson told the court she had envisioned her Leongatha home as the final house and even designed the initial layout herself. I was involved right from the beginning of the design. Simon and I were involved through the whole design process. I drew a design first myself in Microsoft Paint, she said. I saw it as the final house, meaning I wanted it to be a house where the children would grow up, where, when they moved away for university or work, they could come back and stay whenever they want, bring their children, and Id grow old there. Thats what I hoped. She admitted to struggling with low self-esteem for much of her adult life, which worsened as she grew older. I had been fighting a never-ending battle of low self-esteem most of my adult life, she said. And the further inroads I made into being middle-aged, the less I felt good about myself, I suppose. Put on my weight, could handle exercise less. The trial continues. The British government is finally recognising the growing threat of a direct attack from its foreign enemies and the countrys huge gaps in its defences when dealing with such threats. It has been steadily dawning over the last few years that war is no longer something that only happens to other people a long way away, and that will never directly affect British people at home. In a speech today, Sir Keir Starmer said money would be made available for all plans laid out in the new strategic defence review, which includes extra attack submarines, 15 billion on nuclear warheads and thousands of new long-range weapons. The government has promised to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2027, and has an ambition but no firm commitment to hike it to 3 per cent in the next parliament. Adversaries like Russia have spent years pouring resources into ways of striking targets at immensely long distances not only missiles with ranges of thousands of kilometres but also covert and semi-deniable means of attack, such as cyberstrikes and recruiting proxies to carry out arson, sabotage and assassination. And the warnings have been coming through loud and clear from both inside and outside government that the UK is ill-prepared to defend itself against these attacks, or to deal with the consequences if its defences fail. In April, a senior RAF officer was among the first in his position to be explicit about the inadequacy (or, by some accounts, close to non-existence) of the UKs air and missile defences and this after decades of Russia sending its long-range bomber flights towards British airspace. Defence Secretary John Healey warned this weekend that Russia is conducting daily cyber attacks on the UK. And the heads of both MI5 and MI6 have been increasingly blunt in their warnings of Russias staggeringly reckless campaigns of sabotage, with MI5 chief Ken McCallum describing Russias mission of triggering sustained mayhem on British streets. The cyberattacks, sabotage, and assassinations have until now been isolated pinpricks and test runs across Europe, but could have devastating effects if delivered in a mass, coordinated fashion. Russias reported test runs planting incendiary devices on aircraft show just how willing Moscow is to cause mass casualty events well beyond Ukraine including, in a dramatic escalation, practising for attacks against flights to the US and Canada. People in Britain might reasonably ask why Russia would attack them at home, and what Moscow would stand to gain from it. The answers lie not only in the wild verbal onslaughts on the UK by Russian propagandists on television, whose fever dreams are haunted by mythical Anglo-Saxons whose historical mission has been to thwart Russias every ambition. Theres also a very real sense in which the UK has been a problem for Russia. It was Britain that, in the early stages of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, galvanised European and even American resolve to support Kyiv, pouring weapons into the country when others had written off Ukraines chances of survival. open image in gallery A Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launcher rolls through Red Square in 2023 ( Sputnik ) And now, it is the UK, together with France, that still seems to nurture the ambition of leading a coalition of the willing to insert itself into Ukraine in order to frustrate Russian plans to restart the conflict there if any form of ceasefire is agreed. Whether those plans are realistic or not, Russia wants to deter them and ensure they never become a reality. And thats where Russias military theories of deterrence and coercion come in. Critics of the idea that Russia might want to attack Nato like to dismiss it with nonsensical caricatures of Russian paratroopers appearing over the South Downs, or Soviet-style armoured divisions rolling forward across the plains of Europe. Thats a far less likely form of attack than the doctrine Russia has been developing of coercion rather than invasion delivering sufficient damage against a target country at a distance that they change their political course without necessarily having to move tanks across its border. We know from the experience of Ukraine, and of Syria before it, what this looks like. It doesnt mean strikes on military facilities, it means attacking those targets that cause the maximum human suffering among the population. That is critical infrastructure, hospitals, power generation and distribution, and other facilities that keep people alive, in order to target the most vulnerable in society so as to demonstrate the costs of opposing Russia. open image in gallery The UK is ill-prepared to defend itself against these attacks, or to deal with the consequences if its defences fail ( AFP/Getty ) The idea of Russian missiles landing in London or Liverpool without war or warning still seems far-fetched for most people. And for decades, it was, while there was no doubt over the solidarity of Nato, including the certainty that any such attack would trigger the support of the United States in retaliating against Moscow. But sadly, the fact that Britains defence planning has also treated the idea as far-fetched paradoxically makes such a scenario more likely by increasing the chances that Russia might think it would be successful. And thats a problem in a new world environment where Moscow might think rightly or wrongly that it could get away with attacking the UK and not bringing on a devastating US response. All of this explains why defence commentators who have been awake to the issue have castigated the refusal by successive British governments to make any plans or preparations for the possibility of major disruption at home due to enemy action. Last week, the Commons defence committee heard once again how the threat to the British homeland has evolved far faster than British willingness to do anything about it. This weeks announcement of government plans to finally consider the issue is long overdue. We have to wait and hope that they will lead to meaningful action. Keir Giles is the author of Who Will Defend Europe?: An Awakened Russia and a Sleeping Continent On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice British police said Monday that a fourth man has been arrested in connection to a series of fires at properties and a car linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The 48-year-old man, who hasn't been identified, was arrested at Stansted Airport near London on Monday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. No one was injured in the fires that occurred between May 8 and May 12 at a house owned by Starmer, a building where he once lived and a car that he had owned. Three men have already been charged in connection with the fires: Ukrainians Petro Pochynok, 34, and Roman Lavrynovych, 21, and Ukrainian-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 26. They are being held without bail before a June 6 hearing at Londons Central Criminal Court. Last week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed a report in the Financial Times that said U.K. security officials were looking into whether Russia was involved in the attacks. Counterterrorism detectives led the investigation because it involves the prime minister. Starmer called the fires an attack on all of us, on democracy and the values that we stand for. Starmer and his family had moved out of his north London home after he was elected in July, and they live at the prime ministers official Downing Street residence. A Toyota RAV4 that Starmer once owned was set ablaze on May 8, just down the street from the house where he lived before he became prime minister. The door of an apartment building where he once lived was set on fire on May 11, and on May 12 the doorway of his home was charred after being set ablaze. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice German police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are launching a major new search in Portugal. Madeleine disappeared in 2007 while on holiday with her family in the resort of Praia da Luz. She vanished from a bedroom in a holiday apartment complex while her parents were out for dinner with friends a short walk away. The subsequent search for the missing girl became one of the highest-profile unsolved missing person cases in the world. On Monday, Portuguese police said that searches will be carried out this week in the municipality of Lagos, following a request from German authorities. In a statement, the countrys investigative Judicial Police said it was executing a European Investigation Order on behalf of the public prosecutor's office in the German city of Braunschweig, which in 2022 formally identified German national Christian Brueckner as an official suspect in Madeleine's disappearance. open image in gallery Madeleine vanished 18 years ago and no trace of her has ever been found ( PA Media ) The search for traces of the child's body will focus on an area between Praia da Luz, a civil parish belonging to Lagos, and one of the houses where Brueckner lived when Madeleine disappeared 18 years ago, according to news reports by CNN Portugal and German newspaper Bild. Brueckner, who is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence in Germany for the rape of an elderly woman at her home in Praia da Luz in 2005, has denied any involvement in Madeleines disappearance. Police last carried out searches in the country in 2023 near the Barragem do Arade reservoir, about 30 miles from Praia da Luz - but found no evidence. The reservoir had previously been searched in 2008, when Portuguese lawyer Marcos Aragao Correia paid for specialist divers to search it after he claimed to have been tipped off by criminal contacts that Madeleines body was there. Later, in 2014, British police were given permission to examine scrubland near where she vanished. On Monday, The Sun reported that searches are to be carried out this week, near where she was last seen. A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police said: We are aware of the searches being carried by the BKA (German federal police) in Portugal as part of their investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. open image in gallery The prime suspect in the case is Christian Brueckner ( AP ) The Metropolitan Police Service is not present at the search, we will support our international colleagues where necessary. Last month Madeleines family marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance, describing her as beautiful and unique before her 22nd birthday, and expressing their determination to keep searching. A statement from her parents Kate and Gerry McCann and the family said: The years appear to be passing even more quickly and whilst we have no significant news to share, our determination to leave no stone unturned is unwavering. We will do our utmost to achieve this. In April, ministers approved more than 100,000 in additional funding for Scotland Yard detectives investigating Madeleines disappearance. Close Inside buildings scoured in new search for Madeleine McCann On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Animal bones are reported to be among limited findings after a three-day search for forensic evidence in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann case, who vanished from a holiday home in Portugal 18 years ago, was called off. Local media said some material had been gathered on Wednesday and sent for analysis to see if it contained anything relevant to the investigation. German investigators were given until Friday to search an area between Praia da Luz and the cottage where he lived at the time of the toddlers disappearance in 2007, but the search was wound up on Thursday. Christian Brueckner, a suspect in case, is due to be released from prison within months. A neighbour who lived near Brueckner around the time of Madeleines disappearance described him as quite angry, and said she would hear him having rows with his girlfriend. Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann ramped up their hunt of scrubland and abandoned buildings on Wednesday with heavy machinery, including JCB and ground-penetrating radar. Madeleine was three when she disappeared, sparking a Europe-wide police investigation. German national Brueckner, who was formally identified as a suspect in 2022, has denied any involvement. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Tourists fled from the sides of Sicilys Mount Etna on Monday after it erupted, sending dense clouds of ash and gas miles into the sky. Dozens of people were seen scrambling down Europes largest active volcano after it was shaken by tremors that were widely felt in surrounding towns and villages. Billowing clouds were visible from some distance, with images showing the eruption visible from the Ancient Theatre of Taormina, about 45 kilometres away. However, the eruption was confined to the summit and did not threaten any visitor zones or local towns, officials said. It began in the early hours of Monday morning following volcanic tremors, and Italys National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology said eruption activity has continued since then with increasing intensity and was almost continuous, with the potential to escalate further. open image in gallery Mount Etna is seen erupting, from the Ancient Theatre of Taormina ( Robert Graystone ) But Sicilian officials and volcanic experts reassured locals and tourists alike that the closely monitored eruption posed no danger to those on the Mediterranean island. Although this can appear terrifying to tourists visiting the volcano, this activity is nothing unusual for Mount Etna, which is almost continually active and has these sorts of eruptions every year or two, Bill McGuire, professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at University College London told The Independent. Locals close to the volcano took Mondays eruption in their stride. Mount Etna is erupting, look! said Giorgio, a local hotel owner who explained the eruptions are regular and that Sicilians in the port city of Catania are now used to regular disturbances which can coat the area in a thin layer of ash. In the centre of Catania, celebrations continued for Festa della Repubblica, a national holiday marking the foundation of the modern Italian republic in 1946. Tourists near the Basilica Cattedrale di SantAgata queued for gelato in the 29C heat as plumes of smoke drifted skywards in the distance. Alert levels were raised at Catania Airport, but no major flight disruptions were reported. It was one of more than a dozen eruptions this year alone at Mount Etna, which is also known as the Lady of the Rings due to rings of water vapour it can produce. Professor Dougal Jerram, a volcanologist and geologist, said this weeks eruption on Etna followed plenty of recent eruptive behaviour. There was around, I think, 13 reported eruptions in the year. And often they can be quite small. Occasionally, they can start with an explosive phase like this one has, he told The Independent. While Mondays eruption began explosively, a key reassurance for officials and the more than one million people living within roughly 18 miles of the volcano was that lava flow had not yet reached the Valley of the Lion, which is the limit to how high tourists are allowed to go on the mountain. open image in gallery ( AFP/Getty ) President of the Sicilian region Renato Schifani said authorities were following the volcanic activity with extreme caution. At the moment, from the first surveys, the material has not exceeded the edge of the Valley of the Lion and, as they assure me, there is no danger for the population. Enrico Trantino, the mayor of Catania, the closest large urban area, said everything was normal and under control. He told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that due to the monitoring of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, the summit area had already been closed prior to the eruption. open image in gallery Video posted on social media showed tourists hurrying away from the mountainside, but the eruption was confined to the summit ( Aurelien Pouzin/X ) Prof Jerram said continuing volcanic activity is the main concern. The thing to look out for is whether this then does carry on for some significant time. It can often go on for several days, weeks and even months, whether that leads to more significant lava flows in the not-too-distant future, he said. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian backed by Donald Trump, has won Polands tightly fought presidential election against centrist candidate Rafal Trzaskowski. Polish voters cast their ballots on Sunday in a tightly fought race, the result of which was expected to shape the country's political future and its relations with the EU. Mr Nawrocki, 42, a Eurosceptic nationalist, won 50.89 per cent of the votes cast while Mr Trzaskowski, a liberal Warsaw mayor, won 49.11 per cent after the final count, according to Onet. Mr Nawrocki, a historian and amateur boxer who ran a national remembrance institute, campaigned on a promise to ensure economic and social policies favouring Poles over other nationalities, including refugees from neighbouring Ukraine. Overnight projections after the polling showed Mr Nawrocki leading Mr Trzaskowski by a fraction of a percentage point. However, the race was too close to call as two of the three exit polls showed Mr Trzaskowski leading ahead of Mr Nawrocki. open image in gallery Karol Nawrocki reacts to exit polls of the second round of the presidential election in Warsaw, Poland, on 1 June 2025 ( Reuters ) As votes were still being counted, a set of preliminary results combining exit polls and counted ballots at 1am local time on Monday showed Mr Nawrocki ahead with 50.7 per cent of the vote over Trzaskowski with 49.3 per cent. Locked in a near-dead heat, both candidates claimed victory in meetings with their supporters in Warsaw before the result was out. We won, Mr Trzaskowski told his supporters. This is truly a special moment in Poland's history. I am convinced that it will allow us to move forward and focus on the future. I will be your president." Mr Nawrocki, speaking to his supporters at a separate event in Warsaw, said he believed he was on track for victory. "Well win and save Poland," he said. "We must win tonight." A victory for Mr Trzaskowski, a liberal pro-EU politician, was set to strengthen prime minister Donald Tusks pro-European agenda and help curb the rise of the far-right across Europe. open image in gallery Karol Nawrocki, right, waves as he takes part in a march one week ahead of a decisive election in Warsaw Poland on Sunday ( AP ) In contrast, Mr Nawrockis win was expected to threaten the stability of Mr Tusks coalition and deepen rifts between Poland and its EU neighbours. Mr Nawrocki, 42, aligned with US conservatives, including US president Trump, was backed by the right-wing Law and Justice party. Last month, Mr Trump invited Mr Nawrocki to the Oval office and US homeland security secretary Kristi Noem had urged Poles to elect him, saying he had the capability of working together with Mr Trump. He needs to be the next president of Poland, Ms Noem said. While the Polish presidency is largely ceremonial with limited sway over foreign policy and defence, the president enjoys veto power over legislation a significant check on prime minister Tusks pro-EU coalition which lacks the parliamentary majority needed to override it. The vote on Sunday was a runoff between the two highest vote winners in the first round of the election on 18 May when Mr Trzaskowski held a lead, but marginally. Mr Trzaskowski had won just over 31 per cent and Mr Nawrocki nearly 30 per cent, eliminating 11 other candidates. open image in gallery Rafal Trzaskowski, mayor of Warsaw, on the campaign trail in Tarnobrzeg ( EPA ) From 2015 to 2023, Poland was ruled by the nationalist Law and Justice party, which curbed abortion rights and expanded state control over the media. Though a centrist coalition led by Mr Tusk came to power in 2023, president Andrzej Duda a conservative ally of Law and Justice remained in office, enabling him to block much of Tusks agenda. Mr Dudas term ends this summer and the race to succeed him is widely seen as a referendum on Mr Tusk, whose popularity is waning amid challenges in pushing through key reforms. The election attracted widespread international attention as it was being held in Ukraines neighbourhood where Russias war raised security fears. While candidates support aid to Kyiv, Mr Nawrocki opposes Nato membership for Ukraine while Mr Trzaskowski supports it in the future. Mr Nawrockis campaign drew on themes popular among the American right, particularly a focus on traditional values. His supporters fear Mr Trzaskowskis pro-EU position could cede too much control over Polish affairs to European powers like France and Germany. Many European centrists had rallied behind Mr Trzaskowski, viewing him as a defender of democratic values at a time when they were under threat from rising authoritarianism worldwide. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Ukrainian drone attack destroyed more than 40 Russian planes deep in the countrys territory, Ukraine's Security Service said on Sunday, while Moscow pounded Ukraine with missiles and drones just hours before a new round of direct peace talks in Istanbul. The so-called Spider Web operation, carried out by Ukraines SBU security service, saw drones smuggled thousands of kilometres into Russian territory using lorries, before they were unleashed to destroy the aircraft, the SBU said. In his evening address on Sunday, Volodomyr Zelensky said that 117 drones had been used in the operation. He claimed the operation had been headquartered out of an office next to the local FSB headquarters, the Russian intelligence and security service. Russia confirmed that Ukraine attacked airfields across five regions, causing several aircraft to catch fire. The attacks occurred in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions. Air defences repelled the assaults in all but two regions, Murmansk and Irkutsk, Moscows defence ministry said. open image in gallery Ukrainian drone attack on a military unit in the Sredny settlement, Usolsky district of the Irkutsk region ( Reuters ) Vladimir Putin will be infuriated by the unprecedented attack if it is as damaging as Kyiv claims, Russia expert John Lough told The Independent, describing it as a huge win for Ukraine that will boost morale within the military. Its an embarrassment [for Russia]. Its just another humiliation at a moment where Putin is very keen to show the Americans in particular that Ukraine is losing, and [that] its only a matter of time before the Russians roll them over, said Mr Lough, head of foreign policy at the New Eurasian Strategies Centre. Around 18 months in the planning, Ukraine says operation Spider Web appears to have dealt a heavy blow to the aircraft used by Russian forces to launch long-range strikes on Ukrainian cities, including Tu-95 and Tu-22 strategic bombers. open image in gallery Vladimir Putin will be furious after the attack, Russia expert says ( AFP/Getty ) The attack came hours after Russian forces launched the biggest overnight air attack on Ukraine since its full-scale invasion three years ago, according to Kyivs air force, which said 472 drones and seven missiles were fired. Mr Zelensky also confirmed on Sunday that he would send a delegation for direct peace talks in Istanbul on Monday, despite Moscows refusal to heed Kyivs calls for it to provide a promised memorandum setting out its demands for a ceasefire before the talks. The talks will begin at 1300 local time [GMT 1000], a Turkish source said. One of the Russian airbases struck by Ukraine in the Irkutsk region is more than 4,000km (2,485 miles) from the Ukrainian border, an SBU source told The Kyiv Independent. This is unprecedented. They havent been able to hit this number of aircraft on this scale, going to those regions of the country, Mr Lough said. To go out to east Siberia is absolutely phenomenal. open image in gallery Ukrainian drone attack in Olenegorsk of the Murmansk region, Russia ( Reuters ) Emil Kastehelmi, a military analyst for the Black Bird Group, told The Independent that, if the scale of damage is verified, the attack is really, really significant. Explosive-laden drones were hidden in the roofs of wooden sheds, which were then loaded onto trucks and driven to the perimeter of the air bases, according to a Ukrainian security official. The roof panels of the sheds were lifted off by a remotely-activated mechanism, allowing the drones to fly out and begin their attack, the official said. The operation does not appear to have gone entirely to plan, Mr Kastehelmi said, explaining that it is very likely that one or two of the trucks carrying the drones into Russia exploded before they could reach their targets. Meanwhile, seven people were killed and dozens injured after huge explosions caused two bridges to collapse and derailed two trains in western Russia overnight, officials said on Sunday, without saying what had caused the blasts. open image in gallery A bridge collapse in the Bryansk region of Russia yesterday ( Reuters ) The first bridge, in the Bryansk region on the border with Ukraine, collapsed on top of a passenger train on Saturday, causing casualties. The train's driver was among those killed, state-run Russian Railways said. Hours later, officials said a second train derailed when the bridge beneath it collapsed in the nearby Kursk region, which also borders Ukraine. Russia's Investigative Committee, the country's top criminal investigation agency, said explosions had caused the two bridges to collapse without giving more detail. Several hours later, it edited the statement to remove the words "explosions", but did not explain why. The committee said that it would be investigating the incidents as potential acts of terrorism. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice When the lorry stopped close to the Belaya airfield at the weekend, and the wooden sheds onboard opened their roofs to release a swarm of quadcopters, warfare changed for ever. The success of Ukraines Operation Spiderweb, which destroyed more than 40 Russian bombers, will have elicited both delight and terror in the hearts of Kyivs allies. The homegrown operation to hide drones in false compartments within prefabricated sheds and unleash them simultaneously many thousands of miles apart and many thousands of miles behind enemy lines has clipped the wings of Vladimir Putins strategic air operations. Ukraine claims that its SBU intelligence service destroyed 41 Russian aircraft, causing $7bn (5bn) worth of damage to long-range bombers that carried the cruise missiles Putin has been using against Ukraine. open image in gallery A Ukrainian drone strikes a Russian plane deep inside Russian territory ( Ukrainian Security Service ) Videos of the attack on Belaya show aircraft bursting into flames, as drones, which may have been autonomous or semi-autonomous, dived onto planes sitting on the tarmac in a raid as daring as the first successful Special Air Service attack on the Italian airfield at Tamet, Libya, in 1941, which destroyed 24 aircraft. But, aside from a handful of agents who were involved in the 18 months of preparation it took to bring Operation Spiderweb to its conclusion, no commandos had to risk their lives to blow up the Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers and the Russian A-50 early warning spy plane. Kyiv said that the 41 aircraft attacked represented 34 per cent of the Kremlins long-range bomber capability. The operation involved assembling sheds with hidden compartments for the nests of drones, sneaking them onto lorries, and, in the case of the Belaya assault, driving the trucks more than 4,000km across the Russian Federation. The vehicles were then parked, and the roofs of the sheds were opened by remote control to release the drones, which were flown to their targets using the Russian mobile telephone network. Given that 117 drones were used in the four attacks, it is unlikely they were all flown by human pilots, so it seems probable that a form of artificial intelligence was used in the drone targeting system although no Ukrainian officials have said as much. open image in gallery The drones targeted Russias Tupolev Tu-22M3 bombers (file photo) ( Reuters ) Operation Spiderweb came after Russia drastically increased its air campaign against Ukraine using primitive Iranian-designed long-range Shahed drones as well as ballistic and cruise missiles. The airfields hit were Belaya in Irkutsk oblast, Siberia; Olenya in Murmansk oblast, in Russias extreme northwest; Dyagilevo in Ryazan oblast, in the west; and Ivanovo, within the western Ivanovo oblast. In conventional military doctrine, the destruction of so many strategic aircraft would be conceived as part of a multimillion-dollar operation using long-range missiles, probably involving an aircraft carrier, and risking the lives of pilots similar to what the US and UK have been doing in recent attacks against the Houthis in Yemen. But Ukraine has achieved a dramatic strategic impact using guile and cheaply produced quadcopters similar to those that can be bought on any high street in Britain. Putin has realised that Russia is not winning the war, and that Ukraine is capable of such ingenious military operations. In fact, Ukraine has debunked the myth that it doesnt have the cards, said Olekandr Morezkho, chair of Ukraines parliamentary foreign affairs committee. Before this attack, [Donald] Trump thought that Ukraine is losing the war and didnt want to help much, remembering experiences of Vietnam and Afghanistan. Yet all of a sudden, Ukraine has proved that its military is very active and creative, and capable of delivering painful and humiliating blows to the enemy. People are less inclined to support the side which they believe is losing the war, but they want to help more when they see that the side is capable of gaining victories on the battlefield. In a word, it might be beginning of turning the tide in the course of the war. open image in gallery Volodymyr Zelensky has praised the brilliant operation ( X/Volodymyr Zelensky ) Ukraine focused on attacking other airfields in recent weeks in order to get the Russians to concentrate their strategic bombers in a small number of locations, Ukrainian sources said. Russias intelligence agencies said they had detained an undisclosed number of people allegedly involved in Operation Spiderweb but Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, said that all operatives had left the country before the attacks were triggered. Eyewitnesses in Siberia reported that they had seen one of the lorry drivers running about after his vehicle released its swarm, and it is not clear whether the Russians involved in the plot were even aware of what they were doing. Ukraines latest operation is the culmination of a series of homegrown long-range attacks against Russian energy infrastructure, airfields, and transport hubs. Secret agents working for Kyiv have also targeted Russian generals, killing at least two in recent assassinations on the streets of Moscow. Ukraine has been forced to lead the world in drone operations because of severe restrictions on its use of long-range conventional weapons, imposed by the US and, until recently, the UK. With the war now well into its fourth year, Germany has signalled its willingness to help Ukraine with longer-range strikes into Russia, which would not require the stealth and cunning of Operation Spiderweb. But the success of the drone campaign will be noted by intelligence officials, military leaders, and terrorist groups around the world. The adaptation of commercially available drones into guided missiles, pioneered on Ukraines front line against Russian forces, has already been adopted by militant groups in the Middle East and Africa. Operation Spiderweb shows how non-state actors can humble a superpower. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Climate campaigner Greta Thunberg is among a group of 12 activists sailing to Gaza with the aim of breaking Israels siege of the devastated territory. The activists will try to reach the shores of the Gaza Strip on the sailing boat Madleen from the Sicilian port of Catania. The boat is operated by the activist group Freedom Flotilla Coalition. Before their departure, the group said at a news conference on Sunday that they intend to deliver aid and increase international awareness of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. We are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying, Ms Thunberg said, bursting into tears. Because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity. And no matter how dangerous this mission is, its not even near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the live-streamed genocide, she added. open image in gallery Thunberg meets with journalists in Catania, Italy, ahead of her departure ( AP ) Israel, which was founded in the aftermath of the Holocaust, has adamantly rejected genocide allegations against it as an antisemitic blood libel. In mid-May, Israel slightly eased its blockade of Gaza after nearly three months, allowing a limited amount of humanitarian aid into the territory. Experts have warned that Gaza is at risk of famine if more aid is not brought in. UN agencies and major aid groups say Israeli restrictions, the breakdown of law and order, and widespread looting make it extremely difficult to deliver aid to Gazas roughly 2 million Palestinians. Among those joining the crew of the Madleen are Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European parliament who is of Palestinian descent. She has been barred from entering Israel due to her active opposition to the Israeli assault on Gaza. The activists expect to take seven days to get to their destination, if they are not stopped. open image in gallery The Freedom Flotilla human rights organisations Madleen boat is docked near Catanias harbour ( AP ) Ms Thunberg, who became an internationally famous climate activist after organising massive teen protests in her native Sweden, had been due to board a previous Freedom Flotilla ship last month. That attempt to reach Gaza by sea, in early May, failed after another of the groups vessels, the Conscience, was attacked by two alleged drones while sailing in international waters off the coast of Malta. The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the front section of the ship, in the latest confrontation over efforts to send assistance to the Palestinian territory devastated by nearly 19 months of war. The Israeli government says the blockade is an attempt to pressure Hamas to release hostages it took during the 7 October attack that catalysed the conflict. Hamas-led militants assaulted southern Israel that day, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Hamas is still holding 58 hostages, 23 of whom are believed to be alive. open image in gallery Palestinians gather outside a charity kitchen to receive limited rations ( EPA ) In response, Israel launched an offensive that has killed over 52,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gazas health ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians. Israels bombardment and ground operations have destroyed vast areas of the territory and left most of its population homeless. The Flotilla group was only the latest among a growing number of critics to accuse Israel of genocidal acts in its war in Gaza. Israel vehemently denies the allegations, saying its war is directed at Hamas militants, not Gazas civilians. We are breaking the siege of Gaza by sea, but thats part of a broader strategy of mobilisations that will also attempt to break the siege by land, said activist Thiago Avila. Mr Avila cited the upcoming Global March to Gaza an international initiative also open to doctors, lawyers and media which is set to leave Egypt and reach the Rafah crossing in mid-June to stage a protest there, asking Israel to stop the Gaza offensive and reopen the border. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Iran says it will not strike a nuclear deal with the US until it has clarity on sanctions relief even as Washington pushes for a speedy agreement. Iran and the US have held five rounds of talks since April, primarily mediated by Oman, to work out a new agreement, with Washington focussed on preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Iran says its willing to negotiate but insists on a deal that guarantees lasting sanctions relief and respects its right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes, a key sticking point. "I regret to inform you that the American side has not yet been willing to clarify this issue," a foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, said during a weekly press conference in Tehran. "It must be clear to us how the oppressive sanctions against the Iranian people will be lifted to ensure that past experiences are not repeated. No agreement will happen unless we have clear and reliable assurances about the end of sanctions. So far, we havent seen what we need to from the other side only repeated waves of sanctions before each round of negotiations. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, right, walks down from his plane as he arrives for talks with US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat, Oman, on 25 April 2025 Omani foreign minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, who is mediating the talks, presented elements of an American proposal for a nuclear deal during a short visit to Tehran on Saturday. US president Donald Trump, who ripped up the previous nuclear deal during his first presidency, recently said he envisioned an agreement with Iran that would let America blow up any infrastructure, such as nuclear sites and labs, deemed a threat. He said such a deal could be finalised in the next couple of weeks and claimed talks had made a lot of progress. An advisor to Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said accessing Irans nuclear sites and blowing up infrastructure is a fantasy past US presidents shared. Iran is independent, with strong defenses, resilient people, and clear red lines, Ali Shamkhani added. In his first term, Mr Trump unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear agreement with Iran known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. He now wants to replace or modify it with a "stronger" deal, threatening military action if diplomacy fails. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Airline Southwest recently ditched the cherished perk of free checked luggage, causing uproar among its customers. The policy was seen as a key differentiator between the Dallas-based airline and its competitors and means that now, all the major US airlines charge for checked luggage on domestic routes. So, does anything separate them when it comes to luggage policies? We raked over the often convoluted baggage rules and fees for the nine biggest American carriers and discovered that some are definitely more generous than others when it comes to leeway with luggage. We name the two airlines to avoid if you don't want to pay for carry-on bags, the ones with especially confusing explanations around their rules and declare which carrier is No.1 overall for carry-on generosity. American Airlines open image in gallery American Airlines (economy cabin above) allows all passengers a free carry-on bag ( American Airlines ) In the cabin: One personal item and one carry-on for free. Your personal item, like a purse or small handbag, must fit under the seat in front of you, says American Airlines. Dimensions should not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches, or 45 x 35 x 20cm. The total size of your carry-on, including the handles and wheels, cannot exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches, or 56 x 36 x 23cm. Grand overhead bin total: 45 inches, or 114cm. In the hold: For travel within/between the U.S, Puerto Rico, and U.S Virgin Islands, the first checked bag fee in economy is $40 ($35 if you pay online) and the second checked bag fee is $45. For travel to/from Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and Guyana, the first checked bag fee is $35 and the second checked bag fee is $45. First checked bag is free for eligible AAdvantage credit cardholders and those with enough status; various international destinations, not including the UK. Delta Air Lines open image in gallery The first checked bag is free for Delta passengers on various international flights, including to Northern Europe ( Delta Air Lines ) In the cabin: One personal item and one carry-on for free. Your personal item must fit under the seat in front of you. Carry-on bags for the overhead locker may not exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches, or 56 x 35 x 23cm. Grand overhead bin total: 45 inches, or 114cm. In the hold: For travel on domestic flights within the U.S, first checked bag in economy is $35, second is $45. First checked bag is free for passengers on various international flights, including to Northern Europe; Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and select Delta SkyMiles American Express Card Members. United Airlines open image in gallery On United flights, carry-on items for overhead bins must be no bigger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches ( United Airlines ) The Independent tries out United Airlines' new Dreamliner seats In the cabin: One carry-on bag and one personal item for free "on most flights". Personal items must fit under the seat in front of you, so they must be 9 x 10 x 17 inches, or 22 x 25 x 43cm. Carry-on items for overhead bins must be no bigger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches, or 56 x 35 x 23cm. Grand overhead bin total: 45 inches, or 114cm. In the hold: United has a "checked bag fee calculator", which reveals that the first checked bag in economy on a domestic flight costs $40 ($35 prepaid) and must not exceed 62 linear inches, or 157cm. The first checked economy bag is free on many international flights, including to London, but a fee of $60 is charged on some routes. Southwest Airlines open image in gallery Southwest Airlines (above) allows passengers to take carry-on bags up to 50 linear inches onboard for free. But the carrier now charges for checked luggage ( Southwest Airlines ) In the cabin: One bag and one personal item. The bag should be stowed in the overhead compartment, and the small personal item stowed under your seat. Carry-on items for overhead bins must be no bigger than 24 x 16 x 10 inches, or 60 x 40 x 25cm. Grand overhead bin total: 50 inches, or 127cm. In the hold: First checked bag in economy is $35, a second checked bag costs $45. Checked bags must not exceed a linear length of 62 inches, or 157cm. Alaska Airlines open image in gallery The first checked bag on an Alaska Airlines flight will cost you $35 ( Alaska Airlines ) In the cabin: You're allowed one carry-on bag plus one personal item with Alaska. The carry-on bag size limit for flights on all aircraft types is 22 x 14 x 9 inches, or 56 x 35 x 23cm. Grand overhead bin total: 45 inches, or 114cm. In the hold: First checked bag in economy is $35, a second checked bag costs $45. Checked bags must not exceed a linear length of 62 inches, or 157cm. Frontier Airlines open image in gallery Frontier charges up to $99 for carry-on bags. The Frontier plane above is pictured at Denver International Airport ( Photo by Matt Nager ) In the cabin: One personal item is included with your fare. Carry-on luggage incurs a fee of between $59 and a hefty $99 depending on your departure date and destination. Passengers must use a fee checker on the airline's website to find out what they'll be charged. Maximum size: 10 x 16 x 24 inches, or 25 x 40 x 60cm, including handles, wheels and straps. Grand overhead bin total: 50 inches, or 127cm. In the hold: Checked bags incur a fee depending on the departure date and destination (typically between $55 and $100) and must not exceed 62 linear inches, or 157cm. Hawaiian Airlines open image in gallery With Hawaiian Airlines, checked bags are free on international flights, except to Australia and New Zealand ( Hawaiian Airlines ) In the cabin: You're allowed one carry-on bag plus one personal item. The carry-on bag size limit for flights on all aircraft types is 22 x 14 x 9 inches, or 56 x 36 x 23cm. And bags must not exceed 25 Ibs (11kg). Grand overhead bin total: 45 inches, or 114cm. In the hold: First checked bag is $30 if flying to a neighbor island, second bag is $40. If flying to North America, first checked bag is $40 and second is $45. Checked bags are free on international flights, except to Australia and New Zealand. Hold bags must not exceed a linear size of 62 inches (157cm). JetBlue open image in gallery Above are the overhead bins in a JetBlue economy cabin. There is no weight limit for carry-on bags ( JetBlue ) In the cabin: Each economy customer is allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item for free. Carry-on bags must not exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches, or 55 x 35 x 22cm. Grand overhead bin total: 45 inches, or 114cm. There is no weight limit. In the hold: JetBlue's checked baggage rules are quite complicated, with passengers charged different fees depending on their fare type and when they book the baggage. Within the U.S, the first checked bag is $35, the second $40. For transatlantic flights the fee is $60 for "Blue Basic" but included for seats in tiers above this. Hold bags must not exceed a linear size of 62 inches (157cm). Spirit Airlines open image in gallery Carry-on baggage is free with Spirit, but not if you're on the most basic fare tier ( Spirit ) In the cabin: All passengers can bring one personal item, and carry-ons are free for three fare types, but those on the basic "Go travel" option will have to pay a fee of between $37 and $65 depending on whether they pay online, when checking in, or at the gate. Carry-on bags must not exceed 22 x18 x10 inches, or 56 x 46 x 25cm. Grand overhead bin total: 50 inches, or 127cm. In the hold: Spirit charges for all checked bags, with prices starting from $31. Checked bags must not exceed 80 inches or 203cm in linear size. Verdict Southwest Airlines offers the best overall carry-on allowance, allowing passengers to take 50 inches of overhead bin luggage onboard for free. Frontier and Spirit are also generous with the carry-on size allowance, matching Southwest's 50 inches for overhead locker luggage, but they both charge basic fare passengers a fee. It's more difficult to separate the airlines when it comes to checked luggage, though many will find the fee-checking tools being used on some websites, such as Frontier and United's, annoying. Southwest garners extra points here for laying out its fees clearly in a table, while JetBlue, Hawaiian Airlines' and Spirit lose marks for less-than-clear baggage explanations. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice British citizens will be required to have their fingerprints scanned whenever they go to the European Union due to delays in the development of digital biometrics software. Every UK passenger entering the Schengen area will need to exit their car to be photographed and fingerprinted individually. A spokesperson for the Port of Dover, which facilitates transit and trade with countries like France and the Netherlands, told The Independent the plans will be rolled out in the autumn. This is because a new biometric entry-check system for non-EU citizens was expected to be implemented last year, but this has been postponed. The Independent initially reported on the delay to the new system at the end of 2024, with suggestions that the demand for fingerprints may quietly be dropped. Every UK passenger entering the Schengen area will need to exit their car to be photographed and fingerprinted individually ( Gareth Fuller/PA Wire ) Doug Bannister, the ports chief executive, told The Guardian it will be business as usual this summer but said a big change in travel will be phased in from November. An individuals fingerprint or a picture of their face will be checked alongside their passport number on every trip. The technology is being utilised to eliminate "wet stamping" of passports and enable an automated recording of the duration of visitors' stays in mainland Europe. In time, an app installed on UK Border Force tablets is intended to be passed into the car to verify each persons fingerprints. However, Mr Bannister said the app, which has been developed by the EUs border agency Frontex, wont be ready any time before November, but hopefully it could come swiftly after that. Frontex said it was up to each member state to implement its use. Mr Bannister admitted second, third, fourth time travellers still need to have a biometric captured at the border. This means that passengers will still be required to step out of their vehicles every time until the app is ready. There will be significant infrastructure improvements in Kent in an effort to reduce disruptions to cross-border transport. To accommodate passengers getting off cars and buses, the Port of Dover is reclaiming 13 hectares of land. In a solution supported by the UK and French governments, the port said it will create a virtual system around 1.5 miles across the ports surrounding area for checks. Mr Bannister is certain that the upcoming inspections at the port, which handles up to 10,000 trucks and 15,000 passenger cars every day during the summer, will require only an extra six minutes to each trip. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Were sincerely sorry for the disruption experienced by flight VS358 customers due to the urgent medical diversion followed by technical inspections of the aircraft. So said Virgin Atlantic after a recent London Heathrow to Mumbai flight spent two nights on the ground at a small, remote airport. As always when medical emergencies happen in flight, the crew are entirely focused on what is best for the unwell passenger. On this occasion they landed as soon as they could, at Diyarbakir in southeastern Turkey about 80 miles (128km) north of the Syrian border. Touching down heavily with enough fuel for five more hours of flight meant engineers had to be summoned to check the Airbus A350 could safely fly again. More than 250 passengers as well as airline staff endured a miserable 40 hours before they finally reached Mumbai. Diversions on compassionate grounds are essential, but expensive and disruptive. We need a debate on the right of a passenger to travel regardless of the impact on fellow travellers. Medical diversions are becoming more frequent, for three reasons. Average aircraft size is increasing. The more passengers, the higher the chance one of them will need medical attention. Flights are getting longer, giving more time for the stresses of flying to manifest themselves on a vulnerable passenger. People are living longer and travelling into their eighties and nineties, with a commensurate increased risk of inflight complications. A former senior executive for a highly rated long-haul airline told me how medical diversions unfold. Not all airlines are equal you get what you pay for. You are paying for experience and operational preparedness. Good airlines will likely have arrangements for remote medical support, so that the crew and possibly a doctor, if one is on board can liaise with health specialists. There might be a medical advantage to 'pressing on', or turning back. Some airlines have contracts with ground providers all around the world not at every airport, but enough to give them good back-up coverage. That will impact how fast they can be en route again, as the providers can guarantee to the airport that costs will be settled. The horror scenario is if the crew run out of hours. There's always some buffer room for regular operational reasons but it might not be sufficient if a medical diversion eats it away. There is one simple message my source wants to put out: If you are in doubt, don't fly. Travel insurance is relevant here. If you have an imminent booking for a flight that cost many hundreds or thousands of pounds, you might feel impelled to step aboard rather than wasting the money. Good insurance should remove that pressure. Should passengers be obliged to complete a health declaration before flying, I asked on X (formerly Twitter)? And, if so, should that apply only to travellers over a certain age. Of more than 1,100 responses, 36 per cent said everyone should make a declaration. That was slightly ahead of the one in three who said no one should need to provide health information in advance. Older travellers be warned: they could be coming for you. One in seven respondents said everyone over 70 should be compelled to complete a form; one in six recommended the age divide should be 80. open image in gallery Flight rights: My poll on X about fit-to-fly certification ( X ) There are many reasonable objections to any controls being imposed. Surely everyone should have the right to fly? Wouldnt banning alcohol be a less-discriminatory way to reduce diversions, because drunk and aggressive passengers trigger diversions too? One possible solution: make it mandatory for everyone boarding a long-haul plane to have travel insurance in place that will cover the losses for the airline (in the case of Virgin Atlantic incident, probably around 500,000) if the passenger falls ill and the pilots divert. The market will see to it that those who pose the highest risk will face painfully high premiums that may price them out of flying. Cruel, but possibly also kind: medical standards vary widely across the world, and a passenger who suddenly needs healthcare may not get the best possible treatment in a random foreign hospital. Let me know your thoughts, by email to s@hols.tv Simon Calder, also known as The Man Who Pays His Way, has been writing about travel for The Independent since 1994. In his weekly opinion column, he explores a key travel issue and what it means for you. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Turbulence is undoubtedly the scariest aspect of a flight for nervous fliers with their fears compounded by not knowing how long it'll last or how severe it's going to get. But fortunately there's a hack to help with this, a tool that gives passengers-in-waiting almost as much information about turbulence levels for their upcoming flight as pilots receive. The feature is by website turbli.com, which monitors and predicts turbulence using the same sources pilots and airlines use to plan their flights the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the MetOffice. Fliers who believe in a "better the devil you know" approach to life simply input their upcoming departure and arrival airports, and flight numbers, into turbli.com's forecasting tool to see hour-by-hour turbulence levels for their trip, presented as a graph. open image in gallery Fliers input their upcoming departure and arrival airports, and flight numbers, into turbli.com's forecasting tool to see hour-by-hour turbulence levels for their trip. The graph above is for an American Airlines flight from JFK to London Heathrow on Monday, June 2 ( turbli.com ) open image in gallery Turbli.com produces insightful interactive turbulence maps, with passengers able to plot their upcoming flight route and see any patches of turbulence their plane might pass through ( turbli.com ) This indicates whether turbulence will be light, moderate or strong along the expected route, along with a one-line summation of how bumpy things will get. The website describes "light" turbulence as "smooth flight conditions"; "moderate" as leading to "difficulty with walking and food services"; and "strong" as "passengers straining against seat belts". Further down the page, and viewers can see predicted tailwinds and headwinds, crosswinds at the expected take-off and landing runways, plus thunderstorm forecasts. The website also produces insightful interactive turbulence maps, with passengers able to plot their upcoming flight route and see any patches of turbulence their plane might pass through. In addition, turbli.com produces lists of the airports and flight routes that are the worst for turbulence. In North America, the most turbulent airport for approaches and descents take-offs and landings are affected by crosswinds, not turbulence is Denver, Colorado, followed by Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. Salt Lake City, Jackson Hole Airport and Las Vegas also make the top 10, with Albuquerque to Denver ranked as the route with the highest average turbulence. open image in gallery A turbli.com map showing areas of turbulence across the US ( turbli.com ) Las Vegas to Reno and Las Vegas to Salt Lake City also make the top 10 most turbulent route table. Turbulence is caused by warm air rising through cooler air; mountains or manmade structures disrupting air flow, and pockets of air moving in different directions. It's completely normal and modern aircraft are designed to withstand more turbulence than you'll ever experience on a flight. According to data from America's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there have been only 184 serious turbulence injuries between 2009 and 2023, with 37 of those people passengers, the rest crew members. North America's 10 most turbulent airports Denver (17.29 EDR eddy dissipation rate) Bozeman (17) Albuquerque (16.44) Salt Lake City (16.43) Jackson Hole Airport (16.14) Las Vegas (15.74) Vancouver (15.68) Reno (15.67) Seattle (15.49) Boise (15.40) North America's most turbulent routes A man who witnessed an attack on a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado has described how demonstrators fell to the floor after a suspect allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at them. At least eight people, all aged between 52 and 88, were injured during the attack on Sunday (1 June). A tourist told AP that the attacker threw a Molotov cocktail at one woman which lit her on fire from head to toe. Alex Ostante said he believes the suspect also accidentally lit himself on fire. The FBI have named 45-year-old Mahamed Sabry Soliman as the suspect who used a makeshift flamethrower on the crowd. The incident is being investigated as a targeted act of violence. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump was not given a heads-up about Ukraines unprecedented drone strikes that took out a huge fleet of Russian planes on Sunday, according to reports. Ukraines large-scale drone attack launched deep into Russian territory wiped out 40 military bombers and targeted five bases, Ukrainian security sources told CBS News. The attack took over a year and a half to plan and was personally supervised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the sources added. Ukrainian officials did not give the Trump administration advance notice of the attack, both Ukrainian and U.S. officials told Axios. The attack comes as Zelensky announced he would send a delegation headed by Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov to conduct ceasefire talks with Russia in Istanbul on Monday. President Donald Trump was kept in the dark about a Ukrainian drone strike that took out a huge fleet of Russian planes, according to reports. ( REUTERS/AFP via Getty Images/EPA ) A Ukrainian official told Axios the operation was conducted by the countrys security service, with officers launching drones from trucks covertly parked near Russian air bases. Some of the trucks were parked in Siberia, thousands of miles away from Ukraine, according to the report. About 40 Russian military planes, including strategic bombers, were reportedly struck in the attack. During the first months of his second term, Trump has pushed for the now three-year-old war between Russia and Ukraine to come to an end. Trump, who has long been an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, recently vented his frustrations about the Russian leader online, writing on his Truth Social platform that Putin was absolutely CRAZY and needlessly killing a lot of people in Ukraine. Ukraines unprecedented drone attack on Russia comes as seven people were killed and 69 more injured after bridges collapsed in separate incidents across Russia. Russias Railways initially blamed the collapse in the Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine, on illegal interference in the operation of transport, in a likely reference to Ukrainian saboteurs, but the Telegram post was later removed. The operator of a well known Dublin restaurant, Cleaver East, is blocking plans to almost triple the size of U2s former hotel The Clarence only months after writing an enthusiastic letter of support for the project. The operator of Cleaver East restaurant at the four-star Clarence Hotel, Banta Restaurants Ltd, is lodging an appeal with An Bord Pleanala against the Dublin City Council decision to green light the project. It places a question mark over the entire hotel redevelopment project in Dublins Temple Bar and stalls the scheme for at least four months. Pre-tax profits at the Cork-based food firm that operates the Cully & Sully brand rose by 5pc to 3.07m last year. New accounts filed by the Irish arm of global health and wellness company Hain Celestial show the business recorded the increase in profits as revenues rose by 7pc from 26.39m to 28.32m in the 12 months to the end of June 2024. Maria Somerville: I loved the Spice Girls but Im not sure you would be able to tell on this album Indie songsmith Maria Somerville on how she struggled to surrender control as she sought a less introverted second album Maria Somerville. Photo: Cait Fahey Lauren Murphy Mon 2 Jun 2025 at 03:30 The old adage says you cant go home again, but that is precisely what Maria Somerville did. After years in Dublin, the Galwegian musician returned to her home village on the shores of Lough Corrib in the midst of the pandemic. It was there that her second album Luster, released last month, began to take form. The fibres of her Connemara home are woven throughout every note. Rewind: A period drama that changed TV Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle as Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet in the BBC's six-part 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen's novel 'Pride and Prejudice' To borrow from the opening line of Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice, it is a truth universally acknowledged, that there have been more screen adaptations of the novel than the world needs. The two most famous big-screen versions are the 1940 film with Greer Garson as Elizabeth Bennet and Laurence Olivier as Fitzwilliam Darcy, and the 2005 one with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. But when it comes to bringing Austens most popular novel to television, the BBC just cant keep its hands off it. It was first adapted in 1938, and again in 1949, 1952 and 1958. These four versions are considered lost productions. The BBC had another shot at it in 1967, and yet another in 1980. But the best-remembered, most critically acclaimed and most enduringly popular BBC adaptation of all is the six-part 1995 one with Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth and Colin Firth as Darcy. To mark the series 30th anniversary, and the 250th anniversary of Austens birth, BBC4 is reshowing it this week with three episodes on Wednesday, June 4, at 10.15pm and the remaining three at 11.15pm the following night. STUFFY Up to that point, British TVs period literary dramas tended to be staid, stuffy, stagey productions, heavy on reverence for the source material and light on visual flair or innovation. They were shot mainly on videotape in a studio, with a clunky transition to film inserts for the outdoor scenes. Pride and Prejudice changed all that and indeed changed the way period dramas were made from then on. Producer Sue Birtwistle insisted the series be shot on 16mm film an expensive undertaking that pushed the budget, shouldered between the BBC and Americas A&E Network, up to a million pounds an episode. Screenwriter Andrew Davies, who shared Birtwistles love of the novel, wanted this version to be a more modern interpretation and to have something the previous ones lacked: a real sense of the attraction/tension between the smart, free-spirited Elizabeth and the seemingly haughty, emotionally reserved Darcy. In other words, he wanted to make it sexy as well as romantic. He certainly succeeded in his aim. A famous scene in episode 5, when Elizabeth comes upon Darcy as he emerges from a swim in a lake, his soaking wet shirt clinging to his torso, became Pride and Prejudices most iconic moment, despite being an addition by Davies that had no equivalent in the novel. To say the series was a success is a chronic understatement. It was a cultural phenomenon. Between 10 and 11 million viewers in the UK watched it on Sunday nights, with a further 3.7 million tuning in in the US, where it was shown on A&E in double-episodes over three consecutive nights. Even before the final episode had aired, the double-cassette video of the series had sold 100,000 copies, unprecedented at the time. There were hundreds of articles about it and a shower of awards nominations on both sides of the Atlantic, including a best actress Bafta win for Ehle. The American-born actress chose not to capitalise on her newfound fame and instead returned to the theatre with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Firth, who was nominated for a Bafta, but lost to Robbie Coltrane in Cracker, became an international star almost overnight, as well as a reluctant sex symbol (due to that wet shirt). Thirty years on, how does Pride and Prejudice measure up against todays TV dramas? The answer is extremely favourably. Its briskly paced and the satire of money and class distinction has a nice, sharp edge to it. The chemistry between Ehle and Firth still jumps off the screen (the pair were a real-life couple for a year) and is the main reason it remains so watchable. Not everything stands up to 21st-century scrutiny, though. Alison Steadman, as Elizabeths status-obsessed mother, is so gratingly far over the top, she appears to have wandered in from a film called Carry on Jane Austen. As the bitchy, snobby Caroline Bingley, Anna Chancellor goes full-on panto villain, alternating between sneering and wearing the sour expression of someone whos accidentally taken a bite out of a lemon. The series should probably be TVs last word on the novel. It isnt, of course. Netflix is making a new version with Emma Corrin and Jack Lowden. The period between feature documentaries showing at festivals and cinemas, then turning up in our living rooms has shortened significantly in recent years. Ciaran Cassidys excellent Housewife of the Year (RTE1, Monday, June 2) did the festival circuit last year, winning a prize at Galway Film Fleadh, and enjoying a limited run in cinemas. And yet television, where it will reach a much larger audience, feels like its natural home. After all, television was the home of the bizarre spectacle that was the Housewife of the Year competition. It started in 1967, was televised live by RTE from 1982 and lasted astonishingly until 1995. From the outset, it was a cringe-inducing anachronism. The contestants were judged on qualities including sense of humour, budgeting skills, civic-mindedness and their ability to prepare a simple meal for the hubby coming home from a hard days work. They were also encouraged, Rose of Tralee-style, to do a party piece. Its very good to be good-looking, but thats no excuse for bad cooking, ran one self-penned poem. Presiding over the whole thing was host Gay Byrne. Clips from the original broadcasts, skilfully assembled by editor Cara Holmes, remind us that Byrne who always received an inordinate amount of credit for supposedly dragging Ireland into the light of modernity when it was others, mainly women, who were doing the real heavy lifting could be gratingly patronising. Are you a womens libber? he asks one woman, as the audience whoop with laughter and clap like performing seals. The whole thing was an embarrassment ripe for mockery, and mock it plenty of people did. Cassidy uses the Housewife of the Year competition, absurd as it was, as a jumping off point for a look at how generations of women were subjugated by the State and the church A lesser documentary might have gone down the point-and-snigger route: Look at this! Can you believe how backward Ireland was in those days? Instead, Cassidy uses the Housewife of the Year competition, absurd as it was, as a jumping off point for a look at how generations of women were subjugated by the State and the church which were basically one and the same entity sometimes with the collusion of their husbands and parents. Margaret Carmody from Skibereen, Co Cork, being announced Housewife Of The Year 1978. Photo: Provision In its own unwitting way, the competition was a small brick in the wall of sexism and misogyny that kept Irish women where the patriarchy thought they belonged: in the kitchen and the maternity ward. Theres no narration, no learned talking heads. Just the faces and voices of some of the women who entered it and, in some cases, won. We see them first as they were in those old clips, then as they are now standing on a bare stage, telling their personal stories of sadness and cruelty from a time when contraception and divorce were outlawed, and women had to give up work as soon as they married (teachers were an exception). One was married at 20. At 31, she had 13 children, including four sets of twins. I didnt know which end of me was up, she says. Her husband drank their money. The more kids she had, the more he retreated to the pub. She used to take a pot to a food centre to have it filled with stew. On the bus home, everyone could smell the stew the smell of embarrassment. She entered the competition for the prize 300 in cash and a gas cooker and won. Another, having taken some photos of herself and her two friends on an innocent rowing boat trip with some boys when she was 16, left the film in the pharmacy for developing. The pharmacist brought the pictures to the local priest, who showed them to her parents and said: You need to do something about this one. They took his advice and deposited her with the Magdalene Sisters, then left without saying goodbye. Vivid and moving as their recollections are, theres a remarkable lack of bitterness here There were stories here of a woman abandoned by her husband, of one who made contact with the mother whod given her up for adoption, only to be told by her half-sisters, You werent wanted then and youre not wanted now, and of one who gave up a nursing career in London to marry into a life of domestic drudgery. I was doing things that didnt need doing at all, just to occupy my mind, she says. Vivid and moving as their recollections are, theres a remarkable lack of bitterness here. The Housewife of the Year show may have been a symbol of a repressive society, but some of them look back on it with a certain degree of affection. The World Organization for Animal Health has recognized Brazil, the world's leading beef exporter, as a country free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination, a Brazilian official and a spokesperson for the intergovernmental body said. Brazilian lobbies representing some of the largest Brazilian meatpackers, including JBS, Minerva and Marfrig, said the development was historic, as it can help Brazil to win new markets. LATEST | Carlow shopping centre shooting: Gunman who fired shots in the air was on bail for firearms offences Terrified shoppers fled after gunman fired shots in busy retail centre in Carlow on Sunday Gunman declared dead at the scene, child (9) also suffered a leg injuryGunman was on bail for firearms offences Bomb squad called as device found on white Irish adult male; area declared safe on Monday Gardai will issue update when cars parked at the scene can be retrieved Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman at Carlow garda station Robin Schiller, Conor Feehan, Laura Lynott and Aisling Bolton-Dowling Mon 2 Jun 2025 at 11:45 The man who sparked a security alert at a Carlow shopping centre yesterday was on bail for firearms offences. Sources claim the company is seeking up to 126 redundancies at Dublin base A view of the entrance to the LinkedIn HQ office building in Dublin city centre. Photo: Getty LINKEDIN staff have asked that upcoming job losses are voluntary rather than forced and claim some workers feel devastation, fear, anxiety and betrayal. In a letter to management, employees at the social media platform have raised concerns about the redundancy process, sought a bigger severance package, an extension of health and dental cover and accelerated stock vesting for those who depart. Sources claim that the company is seeking up to 126 redundancies at its Dublin base. Its parent company Microsoft is expected to cut up to 3pc of its global workforce. A Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment spokesperson previously declined to comment on the number of collective redundancies that were notified to the minister. The letter from an Employee Representative Group to the UK-Ireland leadership team this month also sought a minimum three-month notice period for visa-dependent employees and recognition of lost pension contributions. We did really push for voluntary but theyve been very, very clear that thats not on the table, said a staff member. Weve had to accept that, although its very disappointing. In terms of the selection criteria, if theyve gone through performance ratings and the scores are the same, it goes to tenure. A view of the entrance to the LinkedIn HQ office building in Dublin city centre. Photo: Getty We were arguing that it should be voluntary at that point but it is not allowed even in that situation. We definitely felt that was very inflexible. The workers said some colleagues are going through fertility treatment and others are pregnant, and very concerned that their health cover will end. Many have mortgages or school fees and its really stressful, said the worker. They have worked so long and are high performers in leadership roles and have to leave due to an arbitrary business decision. They are getting rid of roles in Dublin but potentially opening in different regions, but there was no opportunity to talk about relocation. Its being presented as a fait accompli. The employee groups letter said a timeline for consultations included a 12-day period during which no meetings were scheduled. The emotional toll of this process cannot be overstated It said there is an uneven distribution of workload among employee representatives. The emotional toll of this process cannot be overstated, it said. Across the board, employees have expressed feelings of devastation, fear, anxiety, and betrayal. Not only in response to the news itself, but to how the process has been handled. Many are navigating this experience while balancing significant personal and family pressures, with several on maternity leave or managing critical life transitions. The sense of instability and uncertainty is pervasive. It said there is clear precedent in Ireland for large multinationals offering voluntary redundancy pathways, and severance entitlements worth at least six weeks pay per year of service. The letter said the loss of pension contributions should be addressed in the severance offering. It said the current jobs market in Ireland and the UK is particularly difficult for senior tech professionals, especially in sales. Ian McArdle, deputy general secretary of the Communications Workers Union which has members at LinkedIn, said the union had asked the company to examine the voluntary option first. He said collective bargaining legislation in Ireland is not adequate. A spokesperson at Microsoft, said: We continue to implement organisational changes necessary to best position the company for success in a dynamic marketplace. Company sources said LinkedIn had adjusted its workforce even in the best of times in the past, and now aims to reduce the number of managers it employs. Literary experts from around the world to mark 50 years since publication of Seamus Heaneys landmark collection North Three-day conference will take place in the Seamus Heaney Centre in Queens University Belfast from June 5-7 The late Seamus Heaney whose 1975 collection North will be the focus of a three-day conference at Queens University Belfast. Photo: Getty Jonathan McCambridge Mon 2 Jun 2025 at 03:30 The 50th anniversary of the publication of Seamus Heaneys collection North, which saw the poet directly address the Troubles for the first time, is to be marked. Tributes have been paid following the death of the mother of music manager Louis Walsh, following a decade-long battle with Alzheimers. Maureen Walsh, of Church Street, Kiltimagh, Mayo, the mother of former Boyzone manager and music mogul, Louis Walsh, died today. Ms Walsh, a mother-of-nine, had been battling with Alzheimers disease for the last decade. "My mum has got Alzheimer's now. She doesn't know me. But she's fine, healthy and happy and doesn't know any better," Mr Walsh told Woman Magazine in 2015. The former The X Factor judge said then that the pair are famously close, with his mother flying to London and Miami where her son had homes. She even appeared on The X Factor show in 2007, where she revealed that his real name is Michael Louis Vincent Walsh. Ms Walsh is predeceased by her husband Frank, her daughter Catherine, her parents Martin and Delia, her brother Sean and her son-in-law Pat OConnor. Maureen Walsh of Church Street, Kiltimagh, Mayo Today's news in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 She is the cherished mother of Evelyn (OConnor), Louis, Paul, Frank, Eamon, Padraic, Joseph, Noel and Sara (Keogh), according to her death notice. Ms Walsh will repose at her home in Church Street, Kiltimagh, on Wednesday evening from 4pm until 8pm. Her removal from her home will take place on Thursday morning to the Church of the Holy Family, Kiltimagh for funeral mass at 12pm. This will be followed by a burial afterwards in Kilkinure Cemetery, Kiltimagh. Tributes have been pouring in for Ms Walsh, with one condolence describing her as a true lady. One person recalled how they had fond memories of a gracious, kind and generous lady. "My deepest sympathy to all the Walsh family on the passing of yer Mum. A lovely lady. May she rest in peace, another said. Fire at the territory of an agrofirm after Ukrainian drones struck near Rylsk in the western Kursk region of Russia. Photo: AP Yesterday, June 1, may go down as one of the most significant days of this war. It may be a sign that the pendulum is at last swinging in Ukraines favour. Fionnan Sheahan: Talk of Christine Lagarde bailing out for top job in Davos puts Paschal Donohoe in play for ECB role His departure at any point would be a big loss to the Government and Fine Gael as he is the heavy-hitting policy brains behind a pretty lightweight party President of the European Central Bank Christine Lagarde and president of the Eurogroup, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, talk during a eurozone meeting in Brussels, Belgium. Photo: Reuters Fionnan Sheahan Mon 2 Jun 2025 at 03:30 She was closely tied with Irelands economic bailout 15 years ago, but now Christine Lagarde is contemplating a bailout of another sort, impacting upon a finance minister. The European Central Bank president is being linked with an early move from her role as regulator for the 20-country euro area. Madam In last weeks Sunday Independent (May 25) senator Michael McDowell took a sideswipe at those of us who worked in RTE current affairs at the height of the Provisional IRAs war against the Irish people. In doing so he distorted the historical record and recycled the hairy old conspiracy theory that RTE had been infiltrated by The Workers Party activists who held the stations current affairs coverage in a vice-like grip. I was one of the Stalinists senator McDowell was getting at in his interview with Donal Lynch. For the record, I wasnt infiltrated into RTE in 1978 but was offered the post of producer/director after a rigorous open public competition. I joined the current affairs programme Today Tonight in 1980 and was part of a large editorial team who robustly debated how to cover the biggest story of the day: the Provisional republican movements attempt to take power in Ireland, North and south, through the ballot box and the Armalite. Like the majority of my producer and researcher colleagues in RTE at the time I supported the ban on Provo and loyalist frontmen appearing on air to justify their terror campaigns. In backing Section 31, I and others like me in RTE, believed we were acting in defence of Irish democracy against an evil sectarian insurgency that sought to plunge the island of Ireland into a full scale ethnic civil war. In Dail Eireann Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Labour and the Progressive Democrats all embraced this point of view. Workers Party TDs took the opposite view and voted in support of the arguments advanced by purist advocates of free speech and most RTE journalists. Their contention was that the apologists for murder would be held to account by tough forensic journalism. That never happened. In 1994 the ban on Sinn Fein appearing on RTE was lifted. At that time the Provos had no TDs sitting in Dail Eireann. Thirty years later, despite being unrepentant about the war crimes of its military wing, Sinn Fein has 39 TDs, one more than Fine Gael. Like senator McDowell I regard the Provisional IRA campaign that Sinn Fein justifies as an abomination. That murderous Provisional abomination was at its most lethal in the 1970s and 80s. I am proud to state that I was one of many RTE programme makers who saw the slaughter perpetrated on behalf of Irish freedom by Provo volunteers for what it was, and called it out when it was most needed. Gerry Gregg, Blackrock, Co Dublin Our politicians must act on Gaza genocide Madam In years to come, a global generation of young people will confront their parents with two simple questions. What did you do to oppose the catastrophic genocide of innocent civilians in Gaza and what did you do to resist the deliberately induced famine? The very least we should be able to answer is that we demanded of our TDs an immediate implementation of the Occupied Territories Bill. A piece of legislation which in and of itself is a totally inadequate response to the incremental displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank and yet consecutive Irish governments have found multiple excuses to not apply even this deficient response. If we do not mobilise as a national collective to demand our representatives act on Israeli genocide, we, too, will have to bear the guilt of the morally outraged, yet at the same time otherwise engaged citizen. Kevin McCarthy, Killaloe, Co Clare Put Israels horrible crimes on front page Madam I read the article last week, Doctor sees nine of her 10 children killed in new IDF atrocity, and wondered why it wasnt on the front page. These awful atrocities by Israel continue and our national news is more interested in what new disrespectful, bully-boy tactics have been dreamed up by Trump, giving him priority. What has happened in the world where poor children can just be killed by a powerful and rich nation, cheered on by the USA (a country I used to respect), while the rest of the world seems afraid to show our total disgust. The bad will continue to wreak havoc uncontested if the good remain silent. I am proud that Ireland is vocal in its condemnation of Israel, but the media needs to give it more priority. Less prominent pages of newspapers can be reserved for Trump news. Siobhan Buckley, Mallow, Co Cork Have we forgotten Hamas started this? Madam Letter writers last week wrote about the suffering of children in Gaza and accused Israel of genocide. No mention that the current war began when Hamas perpetrated the highest number of murders of Jews in one day since the Holocaust. If the Israeli military campaign in Gaza was genocide then the Allied campaign against Nazi Germany would have been genocide, too. Ciaran Masterson, Cathedral Road, Cavan Stunning lack of empathy by Boyne Madam John Boyne writes that he came out as gay to unequivocal family support. Many of us were not so lucky. He also says he was too afraid to attend Pride as a teenager. Many of us attend Pride, and campaign for our community, in spite of or even because of that fear. If all he can do at a time of rising anti-LGBTQ+ hate across the world is sit on the sidelines and throw barbs at a community he has never needed or aided, that might go some way to explain why our community doesnt need or heed him now. Jess Connor, Glasnevin, Dublin 9 Madam In his recent article, John Boyne argued for the repeal of the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) 2015, referring to it as problematic at best, and deeply misogynistic at worst. Yet he offers no explanation as to what these problems might be. The issue of gender recognition has been thoroughly examined by the Irish courts and the Dail since Dr Lydia Foys case began in 1997. To scrap this legislation would make Irish law incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. Mr Boyne mentions fear of being attacked as a teenager. Yet repealing the GRA (the mechanism by which trans people can update documents to match their gender, presentation and appearance) would force trans people to out themselves constantly. We face the same hatred, from the same people, but Mr Boyne refuses to empathise with us. He would prefer to split our community based on our differences, rather than unite under our shared struggle. Ciara Witts, Birr, Co Offaly Madam John Boynes column reads like a lengthy exercise in privilege, positioning himself as a spokesperson for a respectable gay minority. His account of coming out to unequivocal family support, a string of relationships, and public success is not just his personal experience its a profoundly atypical one. His suggestion that Pride is no longer necessary because his life is comfortable reveals a breathtaking detachment from the daily realities still faced by many LGBTQ+ people. Pride was not built for those who never needed it. Boynes attempt to distance himself from LGBTQ+ culture does not make him brave or insightful. It makes him condescending. To imply that queer students are just ruthlessly straight middle-class dilettantes, or that trans women pose a threat to womens rights, is scapegoating fear dressed as reason. He praises the Cass Review as if it were universally respected, failing to acknowledge the flaws that have prompted criticism from within the medical and academic communities. What Boyne dismisses as hollow allyship being told he is loved, seen and heard is, in fact, empathy. His rejection of it says more about his own discomfort than the intentions of allies. Empathy, not elitism, is what underpins meaningful progress. Caz Koopman, Cobh, Co Cork Brave and balanced column from Boyne Madam I wish to compliment John Boyne on his brave, balanced, honest and insightful article about being gay. He sums it up very well when he says, it is just the way I was born. I agree. Dr Pat Mc Grath, Monkstown, Co Dublin Madam It is wonderful to read John Boynes clear and refreshing refutation of our modern Pride celebration and the LGBTQ+ label. At a time when Pride flags are draped year round outside secondary schools and youth centres, we have to wonder what confusing ideology is being promoted to our youth in the guise of compassion and inclusion. The pendulum has swung too far and clear thinking and maturity is needed from the leaders of our community. Boyne is clearly showing leadership here and I hope our educators listen. Alan Coakey, Roscommon town Vance will continue Trumps vile legacy Madam As someone who has visited the United States many times, it saddens me that I will probably never go there again. Trumps recent intention to have the social media accounts of visa applicants looked at is not only creepy, but scary. To me it is the last straw. This is going to cause widespread damage to the plans of students in Ireland who go to America every summer to work on a J1 visa. And after he is gone, his legacy will still linger as the much younger and even more right-wing JD Vance, the vice president who has publicly let it be known that he dislikes foreigners immensely, especially Europeans, will carry on Trumps catastrophic policy of ripping Americas reputation to bits. Mike Burke, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare Well done Nikki, you are a brave woman Madam I want to congratulate Nikki Hayes for being so candid with Niamh Horan in last weeks Sunday Independent. I was stuck by the veracity of Nikkis story and I want to take this opportunity to wish this brave woman every good wish for the future. John OBrien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary Liberal feminists are opposed to surrogacy Madam As an Irish pro-choice, pro-gay marriage feminist, I was delighted to read in the Sunday Independent that the commencement of the Governments recently enacted surrogacy legislation has been paused and that a reconsideration is taking place. It is simply not the case that only conservative people oppose this legislation. There are very many liberal feminists in Ireland who oppose surrogacy because they want and work towards the best possible life for women and girls and this does not include having babies for anyone other than themselves. Anne Weadick, Galway city Kane interview a pure masterpiece Madam How timely was Niall MacMonagles interview with artist Michael Kane. Niall interviewed the artist before the opening of his exhibition in the Taylor Galleries. Michael died the day after. This particular interview captured the essence of the artist and this particular column is to be treasured because it captures the essence of the man. Niall is a superb interpreter of the art world and we could do with more words and more space from this columnist. Phyl Herbert, Rathmines, Dublin 6 Michelin Man needs to go outside Dublin Madam Your restaurant critics review is my go-to page in Life magazine. It is always enjoyable. Last week, Lucinda asked: Could this be the first 3-star? This being Chapter One restaurant in Dublin and the 3-star being the elusive Michelin award. She supports her suggestion by telling us that, at the recent RAI awards, Chapter One, a Michelin 2-star restaurant, took the gong for the best restaurant in Dublin. I have no doubt that this is truly deserved. However, at the very same awards ceremony, Dede in Baltimore, also a Michelin 2-star restaurant, not only took the gong for the best restaurant in Ireland, but, as it happened, retained the gong won in 2024 for the best restaurant in Ireland. I would respectfully suggest that the Michelin Man should be more inclined, if and when they give the 3 stars, to look at the best in Ireland, rather than the best in Dublin even if it is in West Cork, rather than in the capital. Michael Kenefick, Whitegate, Co Cork Why didnt Harris take housing job? Madam Gabija Gataveckaite and Mary Regans timely piece recently highlighted growing coalition unease over James Brownes performance as Housing Minister. Its hard not to ask: why didnt Simon Harris, as FG leader, take the role himself? With housing in crisis, it would have been a clear signal of leadership. Instead, he chose Foreign Affairs and Defence. As Shane Ross noted recently, Ireland is acting like a small country with a swollen head. With record homelessness and housing starts at a four-year low, Harriss decision speaks volumes. When the house is on fire, he is out installing satellite dishes. A housing tsar might yet be appointed, but we needed a political heavyweight months ago. Dylan Redmond, Leixlip, Co Kildare Bidens record will stand test of time Madam In response to a letter writer who pined for a more charismatic and youthful president of the United States, I wrote a letter to your newspaper with Boring Joe Biden is doing just fine. He doesnt have to leave his basement to get votes and instead concentrates on policy and enacting legislation. Your predecessor edited those words to Boring old Joe Biden and gave me 50. Reading Shane Rosss article last week, Politics is a vocation where vanity captures its victims I should know, Im reminded of that ageist sentence. Joe Biden was boring but by any standard he was one of the most successful bipartisan legislators of the past 50 years in US politics. What he was not good for though was selling newspapers or advertisements on cable TV. And therein lies the problem in the English-speaking western media. The 46th US president may still have lost to Donald Trump had he resisted the pile-on from the media and others to step down, but his record in government will stand the test of time. Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry Again, please give us a capital M for mass Madam If mass is the scientific term for the quantity of matter in a given object, and Mass is the ceremony that celebrates the sacrament of the eucharist, might it be a good idea to differentiate the two by using lowercase and uppercase? Mary Lally, Clontarf, Dublin 3 Uncharted crew the real heroes Madam Having watched Uncharted on RTE, may I compliment the real heroes, the camera crew and the back-up team who took serious risks to get the daring footage. Well done also to Ray Goggins and the other amazing participants on their bravery. PJ Callanan, Craughwell, Co Galway Cork cybersecurity expert warns major data breach would be hugely damaging to economy A new Cybersecurity academy is being launched for second-level students Stock image Kevin Galvin Mon 2 Jun 2025 at 09:00 A cybersecurity expert says that Ireland needs to be at the forefront of internet security or run the risk of severe job losses. It was confirmed at last Fridays meeting of the Kenmare Municipal District that no section of the long anticipated South Kerry Greenway will be open in 2025. This will undoubtedly come as a disappointment to many, especially as it had been anticipated a significant amount of work on the project would be completed early this year. Motions were tabled by Cathaoirleach of the Kenmare MD and Fianna Fail councillor Tommy Cahill and Fine Gael councillor Teddy OSullivan-Casey with both asking for Kerry County Council to provide a progress report on the project. In their reply to these motions, the Council confirmed that land acquisition is underway and that negotiations with landowners are progressing well. As well as this, the Council confirmed that construction works are well advanced on a 5km section of the Greenway between Glenbeigh and the N70 road overbridge at Coolnaharragill Upper, adding that fencing, capping, drainage works and accommodation works are progressing well in this area. Works on a further section between Gortnagree and Kells PO (3.5km) are also progressing well, the Council confirmed. The Council also added that advance works contracts for retaining structures and site clearance works at Mountain Stage have been completed and that temporary fencing will commence shortly on the section from Kells Station to Cloghanelinaghan. Ecological monitoring is ongoing while further advance works and surveys are underway. Both Cllr Cahill and Cllr OSullivan-Casey said in the meeting that there have been concerns locally in Cahersiveen and further afield about the pace of the project, especially by businesses in the area, some of whom Cllr Cahill said, are hanging by a thread. In addition, Cllr OSullivan Casey inquired as to whether the project is experiencing difficulties in regards to the viaduct, near Mountain Stage and Kells. Work on the viaduct was described by Kerry County Council as challenging due to that fact that it is such an old structure that needs to be brought up to modern standards. While confirming that there was no issue involved, there are challenges presented in an engineering perspective. Tender documents for the section between Mountain Stage and Kells PO are currently being finalised and these, the Council said, are expected to published in the third quarter of this year, subject to the necessary approvals. The Council continued their update on the project by saying that consultants have been appointed to obtain the statutory consent necessary for the section from Renard to Cahersiveen (including northeast of the Valentia Estuary Viaduct). A public consultation outlining the Study Area and Route Options took place back in October 2024 in Cahersiveen and this was well attended. The preferred option for both study areas will be chosen and displayed in the third quarter of the year. The council finished by saying describing the South Kerry Greenway as a large infrastructure project and while as outlined above, there are various sections at different stages of construction, the current project management approach agreed with TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) does not provide for separate phasing of the project that would allow sections to be opened in the near term. Mayo Rose Clara Gardiner talks about being a mother in a competition that once barred single moms Clara Gardiner might think this writer is a dinosaur, a relic of the past for asking what it feels like being a mother taking part in a diverse festival such as The Rose of Tralee. The 24-year-old Mayo Rose is mother to Noah who turns three on August 7 just days before his mom heads off on her epic Rose of Tralee tour around Ireland enroute to Tralee. The plan is to have Noah in Tralee waving at his mother during the famous parades on the Saturday and Sunday of the festival. In the early hours of this morning Clogherhead RNLI was requested by the Dublin Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre to assist a yacht with two sailors onboard that had drifted onto rocks and a shingle beach near Gyles Quay, Dundalk. April Martin has found a sense of community after getting a home in the 81.3m social housing project officially opened by Meath County Council on Friday Chief Executive of Meath County Council Kieran Kehoe, Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council Cllr Sharon Tolan and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, TD, at Farganstown, Navan. A Meath mother has said moving into her new social home in Navan has given her a sense of community, after spending eight years on the housing waiting list. Her move comes as part of a 81.3m social housing project officially opened by Meath County Council last Friday. April Martin, a 35-year-old new mother, had spent almost a decade on the social housing waiting list before receiving the keys to her new home in Farganstown three weeks ago. Cradling her four-month-old son, Rico, she described the moment as a chance to be happy Its amazing having a place to call home; youre not worried about a landlord saying you need to move out, she said. Before getting her permanent home, Ms Martin was living in a rented accommodation. She said: The place we were living before was really bad. My baby was at the hospital three times in two weeks for Bronchiolitis. The first night we moved in here, it all stopped. His health has improved a 100pc. Ms Martin added: Hes only four months old so it was heartbreaking seeing him not being able to breathe. In Meath, 1260 Inspections were carried out on rented properties for Q1 2025. Of this figure, 401 were first inspections, only 14 properties passed after their first inspection. The new mother who is originally from Dublin and has been living in Meath since she was on the waiting list said Farganstown is a beautiful place to live. The neighbours are really nice and helpful, there is already a sense of community. Ms Martins new residence is one of 231 new homes across three developments in Navan (Farganstown), Clonee (Aylesbury), and Ashbourne (Millrace). The projects were formally opened by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, during events on Friday last. Beyond the numbers and delivery figures, it's crucial to remember the real impact: a family or individual whose life will be greatly enhanced by having a long-term, secure, and affordable home in a thriving community, Minister Browne said. These 231 new homes aren't just roofs over heads; they offer peace of mind and long-term security. The Farganstown site in Navan, where Ms Martin and Rico now live, features 84 new homes and cost over 25.8 million. The development includes a mix of one- to four-bedroom units and was completed in February 2025. It includes landscaped open space, car and bicycle parking, and communal facilities. Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Cllr Sharon Tolan, welcomed the new developments and said: Late last year, when we launched Meath County Councils Corporate Plan, I emphasised the Council's unwavering commitment to excellence in every priority, strategy and vision we set out. Providing high-quality homes to people was a key priority in that plan. I am thrilled to welcome the completion of 231 beautiful new homes in three rapidly growing areas within our county, especially considering the current national housing challenges. Meanwhile Chief Executive of Meath County Council Kieran Kehoe praised the councils achievement in exceeding national social housing targets, despite ongoing pressures. These developments are yet another example of Meath County Council and our partners in the Department of Housing recognising our communities diverse needs and delivering high-quality housing solutions to meet them. Ms Martin hopes her story will inspire other families still waiting. I hope other families get what we got - a chance for the kids and themselves to be happy and healthy. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme The students of FCJ Secondary School in Bunclody were in for a treat as a former student and Olympian visited to celebrate their awards ceremony. Last week, over 1000 students gathered in the school gym as awards were given out across a wide range of subjects, sports, and community activities. Teacher Justin Kelly said the event really illustrated the high level of success and talent that the students have achieved over the last year. "It was a brilliant display of the success and talent that our students from first to sixth year possess. From academics, to sport, to leaning and kindness it really makes you proud to see all that our students achieve and are capable of! he said. As a result, it was apt that former student, Irish rugby player and Olympian Lucy Mulhall was invited to present a number of awards. "We were delighted to welcome back past student Lucy Mulhall. Lucy was an Irish rugby sevens player, and the former captain of the Womens Irish ruby seven teams, not to mention an Irish Olympian! Lucy with one of the award recipients. Lucy announced her retirement from the sport last year following a bad hamstring injury and subsequent reinjury during their Olympic run in Paris. Taking to social media at the time, she wrote: Sin a bhfuil. Its been the honour of my life to play for and captain the Ireland Womens Sevens team for the past 10 years, but now its time for me to step aside and watch my amazing team-mates and friends take this team forward and on to bigger and better things. Two major awards on the night were named in honour of two much-loved FCJ greats. The Sr Madeliene Hayes Kindness Award went to third year Annie Kavanagh, while the Pat Connaughton Award, named after their late colleague, went to Luke Burke. The Roscommon native, a father of four, was a teacher at the FCJ School in Bunclody and an influential stalwart of the stage before his sad passing in 2013. Manager Mico Hassett (right) and Board Member Anne Butler (left) joined Ministers Dara Calleary and Jerry Buttimer from Department of Rural and Community Development for the announcement of Dormant Accounts Fund awardees. The National 1798 Rebellion Centre in Enniscorthy has big plans in store after receiving 86,760.75 from the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, TD, and Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Jerry Buttimer, TD, through the DAF Growing Social Enterprise Fund 2024/2025. Funding for over 120 social enterprises throughout Ireland was announced at the Food Cloud distribution centre in Tallaght on Tuesday, May 20. This award will fund a new lift in the 1798 Centre, replacing one that has been breaking down regularly and for which parts are no longer available. The manager of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre, Mico Hassett, was invited to make a short speech at the announcement, explaining the importance of the award to the Centre. We deeply feel that history should be accessible by all and we are actively upgrading our exhibition to improve legibility, increase font sizes, and modernise our technology to be more accessible. Every young person, every older person, every group, should be able to have the same experience when visiting us. Museums, heritage sites and cultural attractions should be as fully accessible as possible." "We are very grateful for the support of the DAF Growing Social Enterprise Scheme in helping us strive for this and for committing to accessibility and inclusivity, she added. The centre extended thanks to everyone involved in making this funding possible, especially Minister Calleary and Minister Buttimer. They look forward to improving our visitor experience with this important piece of equipment. The National 1798 Rebellion Centre is open to visitors seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 p.m to 5 p.m. on Weekends and Bank Holidays for self-guided tours of the award-winning exhibition. They are happy to provide pre-booked, group guided tours of the 1798 Centre, Enniscorthy Castle and Vinegar Hill Battlefield. Teachers Mary OHanlon and Ellen McCarthy with past pupil Shane Duhig, who was joint-first nationally in the DCG Leaving Cert exam 2024. A Wexford student has been commended for his outstanding achievement having received top marks in last years Design and Communication Graphics (DCG) Leaving Certificate exam. Staff and parents of CBS New Ross gathered recently to celebrate Shane Duhig, who was awarded joint-first in the state examination. Speaking about the achievement, school principal, Sarah Rice said: We are immensely proud to celebrate Shanes incredible accomplishment, which places him among the very best in the country and reflects his exceptional talent, creativity and dedication. Teachers Mary OHanlon and Ellen McCarthy with past pupil Shane Duhig, who was joint-first nationally in the DCG Leaving Cert exam 2024. Ms Rice added that Shanes success is a testament, not only to his hard work and commitment, but also to the support and guidance of his teachers, Ms Mary OHanlon and Ms Ellen McCarthy, who nurtured his skills and passion for design throughout his time in CBS New Ross. Their expert teaching and encouragement helped Shane develop the precision, problem-solving ability and visual communication skills that DCG demands. This national recognition is a source of great pride for the school community and, Ms Rice stated that achievements as such highlight the standard of teaching and learning at CBS New Ross. "Shanes achievement serves as an inspiration to all students, showing what is possible through perseverance and creativity. We warmly congratulate Shane, his family, Ms. OHanlon and Ms. McCarthy on this remarkable success, concluded Ms Rice. A new housing development in Wexford town is to be named in honour of the Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem who settled in the area in the 12th century. Revealing details of the eight-unit development on Belvedere Road in Wexford town, county architect Shay Howell said it would consist of a duplex, three two-bed units, and four one-bed units. Mr Howell brought this information to the May meeting of the Wexford Borough District where he provided two suggestions for the naming of the new development. There was a bit of research done on this and two things came out of it, he said. Its in St. Johns Parish, which used to be known as the St. Johns Knights in the twelfth century. Also the area is historically linked to the St. Iberius Ward. We looked at some Irish names for this and came up with Cluain Ridire, which means Knights Meadow. The alternative is Bealach Iberius which means Iberius Way. Courthouse artistic director Kieran O'Toole and Elis Taves at the launch of her Water Colour exhibition at the Courthouse Arts Centre in Tinahely. Photo: John McGowan Elis Taves with independent art curator curator Tony Strickland at the launch of Taves' Water Colour exhibition at the Courthouse Arts Centre in Tinahely. Photo: John McGowan Mestre Sansao at the launch of Taves' Water Colour exhibition at the Courthouse Arts Centre in Tinahely. Photo: John McGowan Elis Taves and Fr Niall Mackey at the launch of Taves' Water Colour exhibition at the Courthouse Arts Centre in Tinahely. Photo: John McGowan Anna Hennings and Helena Brennan at the launch of Elis Taves' Water Colour exhibition at the Courthouse Arts Centre in Tinahely. Photo: John McGowan Wicklow-Wexford TD Malcolm Byrne, Elis taves and Courthouse chair Ian Davis at the launch of Taves' Water Colour exhibition at the Courthouse Arts Centre in Tinahely. Photo: John McGowan Elis Taves, Alan Breslin, Ray O'Sullivan, Aine Breslin and John O'Sullivan at the launch of Taves' Water Colour exhibition at the Courthouse Arts Centre in Tinahely. Photo: John McGowan Brazilian Ambassador to Ireland Mr Flavio Helmold Macieira, Elis Taves, and Mrs Josieane Cotrim Macieira at the launch of Taves' Water Colour exhibition at the Courthouse Arts Centre in Tinahely. Photo: John McGowan Brazilian ambassador to Ireland, Mr Flavio Helmold Macieira, joined his compatriot and talented Wicklow artist Elis Taves to shine a spotlight on the global water crisis at the launch of her exhibition, Water Colour, in the Tinahely Courthouse Arts Centre. Drawing audiences from across Ireland to experience a vibrant fusion of fine art photography, environmental consciousness, and cross-cultural dialogue, the insightful exhibition was introduced by Courthouse artistic director Kieran OToole, followed by a captivating solo performance by Mestre Sansao on the berimbau, a traditional Brazilian instrument central to capoeira, the Afro-Brazilian martial art that blends music, rhythm, and movement. Guests were welcomed with the Brazilian flag on display and served traditional caipirinhas, adding a festive and immersive cultural touch to the event. Mr Macieira addressed the audience with a poignant message about the urgent need for global climate action, emphasising the importance of COP30, the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference to be hosted by Brazil in 2025, while praising Taves work for elevating water as both a natural and symbolic resource. Anna Hennings and Helena Brennan at the launch of Elis Taves' Water Colour exhibition at the Courthouse Arts Centre in Tinahely. Photo: John McGowan Started in 2009, Taves Water Colour series invites viewers to reflect on the state of water around the world, with the project a visually arresting archive of water imagery captured in diverse global settings. What if water, in its fragility, no longer flowed freelyor disappeared altogether? Taves asked. Through these images, I hope to awaken a deeper reflection on waters fragility and its vital importance in our lives. The enchanting evening concluded with a poetry reading by Wexford-based writer, Sylvia Cullen. Water Colour will remain on view at the Courthouse Arts Centre until Sunday, June 8. The exhibition will close with a special event from 3 to 5 pm, featuring guest speaker William Fagan, chairperson of the Photography Museum of Ireland. A bus can be booked via the Courthouse website for 10 per person. It will depart from the Signal Arts Centre in Bray at 1.45 pm and return from Tinahely at 5 pm. Limited edition postcards featuring a QR code with a preview of the next show are available for purchase. Avondale has been reimagined and now attracts visitors from around the world, as reporter David Medcalf discovered Charles Stewart Parnell wrote and practices his speeches at Avondale for his keen-eared sisters, and now visitors can scale the estates very trees. Coillte, the State forestry company, is responsible for a million acres and for hundreds of sites around Ireland, with a presence in practically every one of the 26 counties. Their open door policy means that they have at least 250 recreational forests. None of the other sites, however, is quite like Avondale in County Wicklow, which has become a light-hearted showcase for Irish forestry and Irish timber. Changes to generous EU flight compensation rules are needed, airline lobby group says EU transport ministers meet this week to discuss possible changes to EU261 rules Passengers can be entitled to hundreds of euro in compensation if their flights are delayed John Mulligan Mon 2 Jun 2025 at 03:30 EU transport ministers will meet this week in Luxembourg to discuss potential changes to the generous compensation that air passengers can secure when their flights are delayed. UK border checks on fruit and vegetable imports from EU scrapped The UK government has said Prime Minister Keir Starmers Brexit reset deal will stop the proposed controls coming into force on July 1 Border checks for some fruit and vegetable imports have been scrapped (Aaron Chown/PA) Henry Saker-Clark Press Association Mon 2 Jun 2025 at 14:52 Planned border checks on fruit and vegetables imported into the UK from the European Union will be scrapped. LATEST | Russia hands Ukraine two proposed ceasefire options as both agree prisoner swaps Second round of direct talks held in TurkeyRussia and Ukraine stances still far apartBoth sides agree to new prisoner swapTalks come day after Ukrainian drones hit Russian bombers Russian and Ukrainian delegations at the Ciragan Palace (Ukrainian Ministry of Defence/AP) Vladimir Soldatkin, Tom Balmforth and Huseyin Hayatsever Reuters Mon 2 Jun 2025 at 18:58 Russian negotiators have handed Ukraine two proposed options for a ceasefire, Russian state media said on Monday. On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy rewrote the rules of warfare. Almost no one had imagined that the Japanese could sneak across an entire ocean to attack an impregnable fortress, as US strategists had described Hawaii. Pattth OTT Release Date: One of the most talked-about Malayalam films of the year is finally getting its digital release. Following its success at the 29th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in 2024, Pattth is set to stream exclusively on Manorama Max starting June 6. For those who missed watching it in festivals or theatres, this is your chance to catch a truly original story from Malayalam cinema. Whats Pattth about? At the centre of Pattth is Unni, a struggling video editor whos just trying to make ends meet by editing a travel vlog. While working on one particular vlog, he comes across a song sung by a Kenyan tribe. Sounds pretty random, right? But thats when something strange happens: his grandmother hears the song and starts singing along. She says she knows it, even though its supposed to be from a faraway African tribe. Unni, surprised and curious, shares the video of his grandma singing the song on social media along with his girlfriend Anupama. People start commenting on the video, saying theyve heard the same song too. It turns into a mystery. Where did this song really come from? How does his grandma know it? And how do others in Kerala seem to know it too? Thats when Unni and Anupama decide to dig deeper. They start travelling across Kerala, meeting people who claim to have heard or sung the song before. What starts as a small curiosity turns into a bigger journey about history, culture, and the strange ways music connects people across continents. Meet the team behind Pattth The film is directed by Jithin Issac Thomas, who has already made a name for himself with movies like Attention Please and his segment in Freedom Fight. His last film, Rekha, got a lot of attention for its storytelling and bold subject. Jithin writes the screenplay along with Ananthan Raju. Pattth is produced by Able Joseph, Nithyan Martin, and the team at Mangoes N Coconuts. Subhash Kumaraswamy handles the cinematography and captures Keralas vibe perfectly. The editing by Anandhu Shejith keeps the story tight and moving, while Milan V S has done a great job with the music. Sound design is done by Ajayan Adat, Tinu Samuel, Vipin George, and Piousmon Sunny. Other crew members include Unni Lalu for costumes, Prathapan K S for casting, Deepak Sivan for VFX, and Aneesh Ravi, who worked on colour grading (DI). Meet the cast of Pattth You wont find big stars here, and thats part of the charm. Pattth features Ashik Safiya Aboobakker as Unni and Gauthami Lekshmi Gopan as Anupama. Theyre not household names, but their performances are natural and honest, which makes the film feel more real. Theres also a long list of supporting actors, including M Kethi, Cheriyakaalan, Jasmine Kavya, Divakaran Vishnumangalam, Rajan C R, Jitheesh Raichel Samuel, Surya S Kurup, and many others. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, as well as celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. US President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by amplifying a conspiracy theory about current President Joe Biden. Over the weekend, Trump reshared a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, which falsely claimed that Biden died in 2020 and has since been replaced by clones or robotic lookalikes. The original post, created by another user, stated: There is no Joe Biden executed in 2020. Biden clones, doubles and robotic engineered soulless, mindless entities are what you see. The post included several hashtags and concluded with the line: Democrats dont know the difference. Trump did not add any comment when reposting the message. The post was one among several links shared by Trump on Saturday night. Most of them focused on his ongoing pitch to revive the American steel industry, but the post promoting false claims about Biden stood out and received attention online. Earlier comments on Bidens health Just days before sharing the post, Trump had commented on President Bidens health. Following public reports that Joe Biden had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, which had spread to his bones, Trump had issued a public statement. Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden's recent medical diagnosis, Trump said in the statement. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery. US President Donald Trump | Credit: X Doubts on disclosure timing Trump had earlier expressed concerns about the timing of the announcement regarding Bidens health. Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office, he questioned why the public had not been informed sooner. I think its very sad, actually, Trump said. Im surprised that it wasnt, you know the public wasnt notified a long time ago. GwaliorAgra Expressway: A major infrastructure boost is underway with the GwaliorAgra Expressway. A 88.4 km long Greenfield expressway is all set to be constructed to reduce travel time and improve regional connectivity. This six-lane expressway will pass through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, enhancing traffic flow between the key cities of Gwalior and Agra. As part of this mega project, the existing NH-44 (National Highway 44) connecting Gwalior to Agra will also be repaired. The construction company responsible for the expressway has been directed to upgrade NH-44 to improve road conditions, ensure smoother traffic movement, and support the new expressway's efficiency. Total Cost of GwaliorAgra Expressway The estimated total cost of the GwaliorAgra Expressway project is approximately 4612.65 crore. This includes land acquisition, construction of bridges, flyovers, underpasses, and repair work on NH-44. The project has been awarded to a construction company based in Udaipur, and construction is expected to begin in November 2025. GwaliorAgra Expressway: Travel Time Currently, the journey from Gwalior to Agra takes around 3 hours. With the new expressway, travel time will be reduced to just 90 minutes. This development will especially benefit the residents of Dimni, Ambah, and Porsa, who currently spend up to 4 hours covering 130 km. GwaliorAgra Expressway Route Details The expressway will start from the outer ring road of Agra and extend to the Gwalior bypass. It will cover 65 villages, including land from 14 villages in Uttar Pradesh, 18 in Rajasthan, and 30 in Madhya Pradesh. Key areas along the route include Rajakheda (Morena), Dholpur, and Agra. GwaliorAgra Expressway: Key Features Eight major bridges and 23 small bridges Six flyovers and five elevated viaducts One rail overbridge 42 underpasses Fully access-controlled road GPS-based toll and traffic management systems Maximum speed limit: 100 km/h Also, four to five entry/exit loops will be constructed every 2025 km, including loops on NH-552 in Morena and Rajakheda Road in Dholpur. (as per news24) GwaliorAgra Expressway: Completion Timeline The GwaliorAgra Expressway is expected to be completed by 2028. Once operational, it will enhance trade, tourism, and daily commutes across three major states. The project is a part of Indias push toward better road connectivity and economic development in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events. Megha Vemuri, a graduating student of Indian origin at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was prevented from attending her own commencement ceremony. The decision came after she delivered a speech supporting Palestine during a campus event, raising questions around protest boundaries and institutional response at U.S. universities. Why MIT took disciplinary action Vemuri had been assigned a formal role as a student marshal during the ceremony. However, days before the event, Chancellor Melissa Nobles informed her that she would not be allowed to take part in graduation. Her family was also restricted from entering the campus for most of the day. According to an email quoted in The Boston Globe, Nobles wrote that Vemuri had deliberately and repeatedly misled Commencement organizers. Nobles clarified that while MIT acknowledges student rights to expression, leading a protest during an official event violated the institution's rules on time, place, and manner of protest. What she said in her speech During the speech, Vemuri wore a red keffiyeh, commonly associated with Palestinian solidarity, and criticized MIT for its ties to Israels military. The Israeli occupation forces are the only foreign military that MIT has research ties with, she said. She argued that these links make the institute complicit in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. She urged graduates to take a stand, calling for support for humanitarian efforts, an end to arms transfers, and the severing of institutional ties with Israel. She also acknowledged previous campus activism, pointing out student votes calling for MIT to cut connections with the Israeli military and support a ceasefire in Gaza. Megha Vemuri. A bright neuroscience undergrad. Gets carried away. Wears Islamic Keffiyeh. Ignores Hamas Bloodshed. Bashes Israel & MIT. Misuses platform. No parent there would've wanted to listen to this BS. Activism should be kept out of Universities. pic.twitter.com/w135kH4pzD Karthik Reddy (@bykarthikreddy) May 31, 2025 Online reactions and personal background After her speech went viral online, Vemuris LinkedIn profile was taken down. Screenshots of it were shared widely on social media platform X. The Palestinian Youth Movement later identified her as the speaker. Born and raised in Alpharetta, Georgia, Vemuri graduated from Alpharetta High School in 2021. At MIT, she majored in computer science, neuroscience, and linguistics, and also served as class president. She is affiliated with Written Revolution, a student group focused on anti-imperialist perspectives. Before MIT, she interned at the Neuroscience Institute at the University of Cape Town in South Africa and participated in several leadership and science programs. Larger context on campus protests Vemuris case follows a wider trend of disciplinary measures against students involved in Palestine-related protests. At New York University, for example, a students diploma was withheld after a commencement speech criticizing the Gaza conflict. At MIT itself, students have staged sit-ins and walkouts since April, demanding that the institution cut its academic and financial ties with Israels defense sector. MIT has acknowledged such relationships but defended them as part of its educational and research commitments. Vemuri has not made any public comments following the universitys decision, but her supporters continue to voice criticism of MITs handling of the matter. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Kim Soo Hyuns iconic drama My Love from the Star is officially making its debut in Brazil today (June 2), marking its first broadcast in South America 11 years after it originally aired in Korea. The move is being seen not just as a nostalgic rewatch, but as a sign that the dramas enduring popularity is being recognised for its cultural value, separate from current celebrity controversies. The development comes as a rare win for Kim Soo Hyun, who has recently faced global backlash and boycott calls following resurfaced allegations about his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron. He has been accused of dating her when she was underageclaims he has deniedclarifying instead that they were briefly involved only after she reached the legal age of consent. SBT launches a dedicated K-drama time slot for My Love from the Star. According to K-media outlet BNT News, Brazils largest private broadcaster, SBT, announced that it will air the hit K-drama at 4:45 p.m. local time. This broadcast marks the start of its new Asian Production Line programming block, created in response to the rising demand for Korean and Asian content in Brazil. SBT explained the choice by saying, The demand for Korean popular culture content in Brazil is increasing explosively. My Love from the Star broke ratings history First aired in Korea from December 2013 to February 2014, My Love from the Star tells the story of Do Min Jun, an alien who crash-landed on Earth during the Joseon Dynasty, and his relationship with top star Cheon Song Yi, played by actress Jun Ji Hyun. The 21-episode fantasy rom-com became a massive hit in Korea, starting at 15.6% viewership and climbing to a high of 28.1%, averaging an impressive 24.3%. After the global Hallyu wave took the world by storm, the drama was recognised as one of the cult classics, cementing Kim Soo Hyun's position as one of the top drama stars. Is Kim Soo Hyun ready for his big comeback? With renewed global attention on his most famous work, fans are speculating whether this could signal a comeback for Kim Soo Hyun. Despite recent controversy involving Kim Sae Ron, many supporters continue to stand by him, separating his acting legacy from personal matters. His longtime followers and fan club have been organising events in his support, sending strong messages, and defending his legacy, even as the actor faces boycotts from all corners in South Korea. Uncertainty still surrounds Disney+ drama Knock Off Kim Soo Hyun's Knock Off poster| Credit: IMDb While My Love from the Star is enjoying a resurgence, the status of Kim Soo Hyuns new Disney+ project Knock Off remains unclear. No release date or official update has been confirmed, leaving fans waiting to see what direction his career takes next. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. There are more Greeks returning to their homeland as of 2023 than there are leaving, Deputy Premier Kostis Hatzidakis said at the "inForum Brain Retain & Regain" conference on Monday. The event was organized by news site in.gr at the Parliament Library, the former Public Tobacco Factory. Citing data , Hatzidakis said, "Overall, of the 600,000 Greeks who left during the crisis, 400,000 have returned. In addition, in 2023, the inflow-outflow balance of Greek citizens was positive for the first time since 2008: 47,200 of our fellow-patriots returned, against 32,800 who left." Hatzidakis continued, "This is not accidental. It relates to more specific measures the government has taken, such as special tax incentives with a 50% tax cut for 7 years for those returning, the efforts of the Labor Ministry in cooperation with the business community in Greece, even more specialized measures for doctors. But basically, it is related to the fact that the conditions are changing. We are no longer in a Greece of crisis. We have not become a paradise, but things have definitely changed. There is a lot that needs to be done, but there are opportunities that lead to us having more Greeks return to Greece than ones who leave." iefimerida.gr Greece is introducing a single digital identification number for all citizens in a sweeping overhaul of its public administration systems, aiming to reduce bureaucracy and unify existing registries. The Personal Number (P.A.) will become the countrys unique digital key for identification across state and, eventually, private sector services. Starting Tuesday, June 3, citizens will be able to apply for the new ID number through the governments myInfo platform, according to Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou. Mr. Papastergiou said the initiative will simplify transactions by replacing multiple identifiers such as the Tax Identification Number (AFM), Social Security Number (AMKA), and National ID number with a single 12-character code. The goal is to make life easier for citizens by having one number for everything, Mr. Papastergiou said in a recent statement. The Personal Number will be mandatory for all new national ID cards, which are already being rolled out and are due to fully replace older blue identity cards by August 2026, in line with European Union regulations. More than 1.7 million new IDs have been issued to date, with 371 issuing centers operating across the country. The Personal Number will be structured with three alphanumeric characters (two chosen by the user, one system-generated), followed by the citizens existing Tax Identification Number (AFM), and ending with a checksum character. Applications for the Personal Number will require login credentials for Greeces Taxisnet system and a verified mobile phone number registered in the National Communication Registry. Citizens will authenticate their identity through two-factor login (OTP) and then verify or correct their official records before receiving the number. Digital Access and Usage Once issued, the number will appear on the back of new ID cards and in digital IDs stored in the gov.gr Wallet app. Initially, it will be used in interactions with public services, but future expansion to private services, such as banks and insurance companies, is planned. The Personal Number will be permanent and immutable, regardless of changes to a persons name, address, or other identifiers. Transition Period and Exceptions For a limited time after the launch, ID cards can still be issued without the new Personal Number if a citizen has not yet obtained one. After the grace period, all new IDs will require it unless the applicant is unable to complete the registration process due to reasons beyond their control. Parents or legal guardians will be able to obtain the number on behalf of minors, and individuals without Taxisnet credentials or mobile phones will need to apply in person at Citizen Service Centers (KEP) or consulates abroad. Authorities estimate over 2 million citizens will benefit from corrections to outdated or incorrect data as the new system synchronizes multiple public registries. Errors in records, such as names or existing ID numbers, can be reported and corrected through the myInfo platform. Mr. Papastergiou said the system was designed with high standards for data protection and cybersecurity, noting that the Personal Number does not contain sensitive information and is tied to secure digital authentication. The move is part of Greeces broader effort to modernize its public administration and align with EU digital governance standards. The government has not ruled out further digital reforms in the near future. iefimerida.gr A 49-year-old Turkish national accused of opening fire on officers of Greeces National Intelligence Service (EYP) has appeared before a prosecutor in Thessaloniki, facing attempted murder and weapons charges. The suspect claims he panicked and believed he was being targeted by rival Turkish criminals, not Greek agents. The man, who was arrested last week while hiding in a remote hut near the Bulgarian border, is charged with attempted homicide, illegal possession of a weapon, and unlawful use of a firearm, following the May 28 shooting in the northeastern region of Rodopi. In his initial statement, the man claimed he believed he was being followed not by Greek agents but by Turkish individuals linked to a rival criminal gang. I panicked. I thought they were enemies sent by the Turkish regime, from which I have suffered torture, he said, according to Mega TV. I apologize for my actions. I came to Greece seeking safety and acted out of fear. Greek authorities say the man is a known organized crime figure in Turkey, reportedly wanted on multiple charges including drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, weapons violations, and escape from custody. State broadcaster ERT reports he fears deportation or extradition to Turkey, where he claims his life is in danger due to an ongoing feud with another gang, possibly involving a contract on his life. After abandoning the silver SUV used in the shooting, the man was allegedly picked up by an accomplice a fellow Turkish national living in Komotini before going into hiding. The hideout, located in a deserted hut in Kato Vyrsini, just 4 kilometers from the Bulgarian border, was equipped with a solar panel that allowed the suspect to charge his phone. Police were able to track him down using its signal. Authorities are continuing their investigation to locate at least two other suspects involved in the incident. iefimerida.gr John Griffith, president and chief executive officer of American Water Works, at the company's headquarters in Camden. Read more The big money in utilities is at multibillion-dollar gas and electric companies. Investment banker John Griffith bet his career in the opposite direction. Three years ago, he left Wall Street and joined the largest for-profit U.S. water and wastewater operator, American Water Works, based in Camden. On May 14, he became the chief executive officer. In his first week on the job, the 139-year-old company, which has 14 million customers across 1,700 U.S. towns and military bases, said it would buy a group of utilities serving another 47,000 customers in eight states next year. Advertisement Amid that growth, boosted in Pennsylvania by a 2016 law, Act 12, activists in some communities have mobilized against expansion by American Water and other for-profit operators, fearing higher consumer rates to cover private bonds and shareholder dividends. Twice in the past year, Pennsylvania authorities have asked American Water to take over failing small-town water companies. By contrast, voters in Gloucester Township rejected joining American Water in November by more than 3-1. A week into his new job, Griffith agreed to take questions in his riverside headquarters overlooking Philadelphia across the Delaware. The interview has been lightly edited for clarity. You were an investment banker, buying and selling utilities for fees. How did you end up running a water company? I was glad to grow up in the utilities business. Wall Street is great training. You work like crazy. You have access to CEOs and CFOs. I was at Merrill Lynch, a banker in regulated utilities, mostly gas and electric companies. Water was not a large sector. I had that background in strategic and planning work. I knew Susan Hardwick, who was chief financial officer at [Midwestern gas utility] Vectren Corp. and led their sale to CenterPoint Energy in 2019. She then joined American Water, and when the CFO job came open in 2022, I was attracted to the company, to the mission people here feel around water. Bryn Mawr-based Aqua America, American Waters closest rival among private operators, bought a gas company in 2020 and then changed its name to Aqua Essential Utilities. Is your company also going to diversify? We are water and wastewater. Thats what weve been since 1886, and thats what we intend to be. This is a massively fragmented industry. There are 53,000 [U.S.] municipally owned water utilities and 18,000 municipally owned wastewater utilities. Water systems are a patchwork around the country. They werent founded around a regional generating station, like an electric utility. They were founded after the local hotel burned down because the local fire company volunteers couldnt find enough water to stop a fire. There is so much investment needed in water and wastewater. We are going to invest $40 [billion] to $42 billion in our system over the next 10 years. Some of that will be acquisitions. But most is organic capital investment in our systems. Does the federal government help fund water and wastewater utilities? A lot of public funding came into water and wastewater in 1970s through the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Act. There hasnt been that much since. If you are the mayor and the town council, water and wastewater arent the first thing you are thinking about when you build your budget. They are focused on police, fire, affordable housing. Water and wastewater tend to be a little neglected. But water is super important. Water is the one utility you ingest. Our mission and our operations derive from that. Jackson, Miss., and Flint, Mich. [both of which suffer poor-quality water] are municipally operated systems. Since Pennsylvania passed Act 12 in 2016, some small and rural Pennsylvania towns have sold their systems, but some larger towns and regional authorities have refused. Why would a town want to sell to you? We make the investments these systems need, but towns dont always make on their own. We arent afraid to take on systems that are distressed. After we close transactions, the sellers are very happy they are in the hands of professionals. Employees often have a laundry list of projects they have not been able to accomplish. We can deliver the capital they need. And sometimes we operate systems [for towns]. You catch the fish; well scale it and fillet it and season it for you. Dont private utilities have to charge more to finance capital improvements and pay shareholder dividends? Economics of scale are a real thing. Our operating and maintenance metrics in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are good. We also sell systems. We had one community on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, it was [too small]. We exited Long Island, N.Y., where they put a lot of taxes on water and had us collect them. They made it look like our rates were really high. Will you try to buy bigger utilities, like the Philadelphia Water Department? We could absorb Philadelphia, but systems that size are not our focus. We dont look for systems that are too big or too small. We want to be able to demonstrate to investors that we have a repeatable growth pattern. Under your predecessor, sales growth speeded up to over 10% a year. You traded at a higher price-earnings ratio than other utility stocks. Is your goal faster and faster growth? Our long-term growth rates are on the high end of the utility sector. Our target is 7%-9% earnings-per-share growth compounded annually. Theres no end in sight of the capital we could invest, based on our ability to attract [investors]. But it has to be paid back, and we are careful about customer affordability. We restrain growth. We want to make sure our systems are in good shape, while also getting a good return on capital. Does having President Donald Trump in office make it easier or harder for you to grow as a private utility? Under this administration, you should expect less federal dollars for water systems. We work hard to design rates that are helpful in terms of affordability. We advocate for universal affordability tariffs. We look at income and apply discounts to customer bills. Are you saying that rich towns pay higher water and wastewater rates to help subsidize poor towns? The state Public Utility Commissions have those programs, and they approve our plans. They do the same for electric utilities. And we contribute shareholder dollars as well. You called Americas water supply a patchwork. Are there countries with simpler, efficient systems? Northern European countries have excellent systems. Their rates are two times and three times higher. In France, the water systems arent all good. In England, Thames Water [a deeply indebted private utility serving London] is a mess. Under the Biden administration, the EPA ordered water companies to clean up chemical pollutants and toxic metals. Will that be rolled back under Trump? Incrementally. But the main parts will remain in place. We feel quite good about the regulatory landscape, environmental compliance, and safety compliance. Whats with the little plastic ducklings all over your offices? Puddles the Duck. We give those away wherever we go. A Bucks County man stole more than $103,000 from 15 people with intellectual disabilities by manipulating them and abusing their trust over the course of six years, authorities said. Quay Fetherson, 36, was charged with financial exploitation of a care-dependent person, identity theft, and related crimes for his schemes from 2018 to 2024, Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Alexander Blumenthal said Monday. Advertisement Fetherson was arrested May 27 and was released on an unsecured bail of $375,000, according to court records. Fetherson was a fiscal liaison for Community Options Inc., a nonprofit organization that helps people with intellectual disabilities acquire housing and employment, and built trust with the 15 people who lived at homes overseen by the organization, Blumenthal said. Fetherson would persuade some of the victims to sign their checks over to him and pay for his personal expenses, Blumenthal said. Fetherson would forge their signatures on checks and would drive them to banks to withdraw money he would then steal, prosecutors said. Community Options could not be immediately reached for comment Monday. In a statement read by Blumenthal on Monday, Community Options said it was cooperating with the investigation into Fetherson and lamented the alleged thefts from people under its care and supervision. The organization said there would be safeguards put into place in the future to prevent such a situation from happening again. Community Options said of the allegations in the statement: We are deeply saddened and outraged by the actions of a former employee who stole from the personal accounts of individuals with disabilities entrusted to our care in Philadelphia. This individual was entrusted with significant responsibility and abused that position for personal gain. Zambia hosts national final of Chinese language proficiency competition Xinhua) 11:35, June 02, 2025 Two students wait for the final of the 18th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students in Zambia, in Lusaka, Zambia, May 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun) LUSAKA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia on Friday hosted the final round of the Chinese language proficiency competition. The event featured 10 students competing in the final of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students in Zambia, and nine students in the 18th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students in Zambia. Participants demonstrated their proficiency in the Chinese language and showcased their knowledge of Chinese culture through poetry recitations and performances of Chinese pop songs. Speaking at the opening of the event, Wang Sheng, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Zambia, said the Chinese Bridge competition serves not only as a platform for language and cultural expression, but also as a bridge connecting China with the rest of the world. He encouraged the students to use the competition as a springboard for continuous personal development and cultural exchange. "I hope that through the Chinese Bridge competition, more and more Zambian youth will develop a passion for the Chinese language, master it, and gain a deeper appreciation of China from a multidimensional and comprehensive perspective," he said. Wang further said China and Zambia are all-weather friends and that cooperation in all sectors, including people-to-people exchanges, has grown, guided by the principles of mutual respect, equality, and common development. He urged young people to embrace the development opportunities brought about by the friendship between the two countries through learning the Chinese language. Felix Masiye, acting vice-chancellor of the University of Zambia, praised the Chinese language for being a vital bridge that connects nations and cultures, facilitates access to technology and business, and fosters people-to-people relationships. Masiye commended the Confucius Institute for its role in promoting the learning of Chinese in Zambia and for training local teachers. He said such efforts would significantly contribute to the widespread teaching and adoption of the language across the country. Mubanga Museba, a student at Kasama Girls Secondary School in northern Zambia, emerged victorious in the secondary school category. She expressed her joy over the victory, noting that the outcome was unexpected given the high level of competition among the contestants. Museba said she began learning Chinese out of love and passion for the language, as well as a desire for self-development. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) Moshe Porat, former dean of Temple University's Fox School of Business. Read more The United States Supreme Court will not review the conviction of Temple Universitys business school former dean who was found guilty of federal wire fraud following a rankings scandal. The courts denial of the petition for review filed by Moshe Porat, who led the Fox School of Business from 1996 to 2018, marks an end to his criminal case. Advertisement Porat, 78, continued to maintain his innocence following the Monday decision from the Supreme Court, saying that he was wrongly blamed for the misdeeds of a subordinate. I worked my entire professional career to ensure that the Fox education was excellent, Porat said. The Fox school programs were well respected and provided outstanding education before and after this unfortunate chapter. In his January 2024 petition to the Supreme Court, Porat said that his fraud conviction shouldnt stand because the victims of the rankings scheme didnt suffer economic harm. Porat argued that he was not guilty as a matter of law because students received exactly what they paid for a high-quality education and a degree," the petition said. The Third Circuit Court ruled that Porats scheme did inflict financial harm on students, because rankings went into the economic calculus when choosing a school. Other circuits, in other cases, handed down rulings both agreeing and disagreeing in line with the argument that fraud required economic harm. This kind of circuit split makes a case ripe for Supreme Court review. But unfortunately for the disgraced dean, the Supreme Court last month unanimously upheld the fraud conviction of Stamatios Kousisis, who lied about fulfilling diversity requirements to obtain Schuylkill bridge and 30th Street Station repair contracts from PennDot. Kousisis argued that his conviction should be vacated because the projects were completed, and the government didnt suffer economic harm. Porat submitted a friend of the court brief in the Kousisis case, tying his destiny to that of the PennDot contractor. In the brief, Porat said that the question before the court is virtually identical to the question raised from his case whether fraud can be charged even when there is no economic harm for the victims. Consequently, if this Court rules that the answer is no, Porats conviction would have to be reversed, the support brief said. The Supreme Court did not agree with that analysis. In short, the wire fraud statute is agnostic about economic loss. The statute does not so much as mention loss, let alone require it, Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote for the majority opinion. READ MORE: A unanimous Supreme Court upheld the fraud conviction of a man who lied to get PennDot contracts Porat was forced from his post as dean of the business school in 2018 following allegations that he misrepresented data to U.S. News & World Report to elevate Temples online MBA to the top spot in national business school rankings. A federal jury found him guilty of federal conspiracy and wire fraud charges in 2021. Porat was sentenced to 14 months in prison the following year. At sentencing, Porat didnt apologize or acknowledge that his crimes harmed students. He still doesnt think he did anything wrong. He has never accepted any responsibility, U.S. District Judge Gerald J. Pappert said during the hearing. He blames everyone else. Porat served his sentence and was released from federal prison in August 2024, according to Federal Bureau of Prisons records. Chad and Hanna Williams outside of Friday Saturday Sunday restaurant at 21st and Rittenhouse Square in 2022. Read more For years, Chad and Hanna Williams hunted for a space to open a sequel to Friday Saturday Sunday, their acclaimed Center City restaurant. They have found it right next door. Advertisement Rather than open something new, the Williamses plan to expand Friday Saturday Sunday, which in 2023 was named the James Beard Foundations Outstanding Restaurant for its intimate airs, top-flight cocktails, and Chad Williams eight-course tasting menu, which melds Euro techniques with Caribbean, Southern, and soul food influences. And they are ready to shoot the moon with an 18-seat chefs counter that will become part of a new show kitchen serving what they call a more top-tier experience an ideal format for the tastes of the Michelin judges who have officially descended upon the city. The couple have an agreement to buy the rowhouse at 2048 Rittenhouse Square, where they plan to breach the walls on the second and third floors. The new kitchen will be on the houses second floor, while the first floor of the home would become a private dining room. Plans for the third floor have not been finalized, they told The Inquirer. The Beard Award-nominated Lovers Bar on the first floor, as well as the second-floor dining room at the current restaurant, on the corner of 21st Street and Rittenhouse Square, would remain largely as they are. The two buildings would have separate entrances. According to plans, 2048 Rittenhouses facade would receive only minor modifications. The Williamses went before the Center City Residents Association last week to seek neighbors support for the planned expansion, which requires a special exemption from the city Zoning Board of Adjustment. The meeting, held on Zoom, turned into a veritable love-in, with CCRA officers and neighbors alike praising the couple, who bought the landmark building in 2015, renovated it from top to bottom, and reopened in 2017 to rave reviews. I would love to be able to get a table more often, said one board member, to laughs. Fourteen nearby neighbors indicated support for the project. The Williamses dashed any neighborhood concerns about additional traffic. The restaurant now accommodates about 200 people a night, Chad Williams told The Inquirer. Theres never been a line of Ubers, Hanna Williams said. With the expansion, they said, they expect to see an additional 40 to 50 customers. The CCRA said it would not oppose the plans, though it added provisos for trash collection, deliveries, and ventilation. The ZBA hearing is set for Sept. 10. If the variance is approved, the couple said, the changes would be ready about a year from now. Chad Williams told The Inquirer that he would offer a new, higher-end tasting menu at the new chefs counter, while the current offering, now priced at $165 a person, would still be available in the existing space. As tasting menus go, thats not crazy, if you consider what else is out there, he said. Fixed-priced menus at high-end restaurants around town include Vetri Cucina ($165), Jean-Georges ($198), Provenance ($225), Royal Sushi Omakase ($300, including service), and the kitchen counter at Ambra ($300). The more exclusive tasting menus price and format have not been determined. Lovers Bar would continue offer a la carte dining, as it does now. Having a second kitchen will be a boon to the operation, the couple said. Theyve been putting out pretty incredible food from 20-year-old stoves in a really tiny space, Hanna Williams said. Weve been looking for a second space for a long time, and nothing ever really felt right, she said. I think a lot of that is because Chad and I were wondering about how to be in two places at the same time, and does one place suffer because youre not there. When their next-door neighbor decided to sell, it just seemed perfect heres our opportunity to have another space and be able to be in both places at once. It seemed like a no-brainer. Friday Saturday Sundays backstory Friday Saturday Sunday dates to 1973, when seven friends each chipped in $2,000 to open a restaurant on the former site of a hippie coffeehouse called the Gilded Cage. It joined what is regarded as Philadelphias restaurant renaissance, when such spots as Astral Plane, Frog, and Knave of Hearts enlivened the citys buttoned-up dining scene with quirky decor, mismatched china, and blackboard menus of eclectic fare such as cream of mushroom soup, chopped chicken liver pate, and stuffed Cornish hen. Shortly after the opening, cofounder Weaver Lilley bought out his partners and later installed a popular second-floor bar built around a 135-gallon aquarium (thus its nickname, Tank Bar). A commercial photographer by day, Lilley oversaw FriSatSun for four decades before selling in 2015 to the Williamses, who took more than a year to renovate the building. They got married in 2017 in the kitchen shortly before opening. Hanna Williams, a front-of-the-house veteran formerly in the Jose Garces orbit, is a product of the Philly restaurant renaissance; her father, Charlie Whitaker, was a chef at Frog, and her mother, Christine, waited tables at both Frog and Astral Plane. Chad Williams, a West Philly native, worked as a chef with Garces at Alma de Cuba and El Vez, moving with him to open Amada in 2006, and even appearing with Garces on Iron Chef competitions. He also worked at Mugaritz in Spain and Saison in San Francisco, and in 2013 opened Telas Market in the citys Francisville neighborhood. A counterfeit Novo Nordisk A/S Ozempic pen. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and other attorneys general have warned the public about the risks of counterfeit Ozempic and asked the Food and Drug Administration to intervene. Read more Temple University physician Rohit Soans worries that patients using weight-loss medications may be considering risky options to keep taking these popular drugs. As new restrictions on popular GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic kicked in this month, social media forums are being flooded with worried consumers unsure how they would get the drugs, which cost hundreds without insurance coverage. Some recommend seeking them from other countries, outside of federal regulation. Advertisement That prospect has physicians like Soans and state authorities raising alarms about the dangers of seeking weight-loss drugs outside of legitimate sources. Law enforcement officials have noted a rise in counterfeit GLP-1 weight-loss drugs that can produce dangerous side effects. Patients should be really careful, said Soans, the medical director of Temple University Hospitals bariatric surgery division, noting the difficulty that patients face in navigating the shifting availability of GLP-1 drugs. Ahead of the summer, when more patients might be looking to lose weight, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is also warning about the dangers of counterfeit GLP-1 drugs. He and 35 other attorneys general from around the country in February asked authorities to step up enforcement around fake drugs. The attorneys general cited news reports finding dangerous contaminants in GLP-1 drugs purchased online from vendors claiming to supply prescription medications sold commercially as Ozempic, Wegovy, and other brand names. GLP-1 receptor agonists are now prescribed to about one in eight American adults. They mimic the effects of the GLP-1 hormone to regulate blood sugar levels. Some are approved by the FDA only to treat diabetes or cardiovascular disease, but others are approved to encourage weight loss as well. In a February letter to the FDA, several state attorneys general highlighted reports from the agency as well as coverage in the New York Times and other news outlets about a rise in counterfeit GLP-1 drugs sourced from China, Turkey, and India, which can contain other drugs, contaminants, and dangerously high amounts of active ingredients. They also warned of online shops selling the active ingredients in GLP-1 drugs without prescriptions on social media; these sellers, too, sometimes use ingredients sourced from outside the U.S. In some cases, counterfeit drugs have landed people in the hospital, including three people in the United States whose blood sugar levels plummeted after, authorities suspect, they took fake Ozempic, Reuters reported. These counterfeit products flooding the market can cause harm, and I strongly advise anyone shopping for GLP-1 drugs to use extreme caution, Sunday said in a news release last month. I continue to urge the FDA to use its investigative, inspection, and enforcement powers to protect consumers. And, Sunday and other attorneys general said, the FDA should more closely monitor compounding pharmacies that make customized drugs for patients, including GLP-1 drugs, to meet specific needs such as specialized doses or when formulas arent commercially available. Access to weight-loss drugs changing GLP-1 drug shortages driven by intense demand led the FDA to temporarily allow compounding pharmacies to produce them. With shortages easing, the FDA has banned these pharmacies from continuing to make GLP-1s, though Axios reported some retailers plan to skirt the ban. In recent months, several insurers have restricted coverage for GLP-1s. And other patients have relied on compounding pharmacies for cheaper versions of the drugs that may not now be available. At Temple, Soans has not seen any patients who took counterfeit GLP-1 drugs. But, he said, with compounding pharmacies again banned from producing the drugs, patients should avoid purchasing from them. The ones that are doing it now are doing it wrong, he said. Soans was also concerned that patients who could no longer afford GLP-1 drugs, because theyd either lost insurance coverage or lost access to their compounded forms, might turn to less reputable sources. From a patient experience standpoint, its really tenuous, Soans said. Patients are now going to be looking for other sources [for the drugs] because its going to get more expensive. At Backwoods Smoke Shack on Raystown Lake, owner Brian Paterson, said business at the familys seasonal BBQ restaurant is down up to 45% percent from this time last year. Thats hundreds of families not coming through here every weekend. This will put a hurting on us. If they dont do anything soon, this summer is ruined. Read more HESSTON, Pa. On a blustery Memorial Day weekend, customers trickled into Seven Points Bait & Grocery looking for fingerling trout and nightcrawlers, for scoops of sweet and salty caramel ice cream and propane refills. They browsed the racks of tourist sweatshirts, too, most of them emblazoned with Raystown Lake across the front. Advertisement Judy Norris, 81, has owned the store by Pennsylvanias largest lake for 49 years, though, and shes seen enough seasonal Saturdays to know the foot traffic wasnt adding up as summer unofficially kicked off. Were way off, maybe 40 to 50% down, Norris said, beside the bait tank. This is Memorial Day weekend. You normally cant move in here. The parking lot is usually jammed. Just down the road, along the shore of the lake in Huntingdon County, gates to some U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds were shut, and the hundreds of campsites beyond them sat vacant. The playgrounds were empty. A headline on a local newspaper at Norris store spelled it out: Campground closures impact businesses. In March, the Army Corps Baltimore office announced that 300 of its campsites on the 8,600-acre lake would be closed indefinitely due to executive-order driven staffing shortages. Those staffing shortages would require the Army Corps to focus on dam operations for flood protection and emergency response readiness ahead of the 2025 season. Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency has targeted cutbacks at a slew of government agencies, including the Army Corps. The lakes Seven Points, Susquehannock, and Nancys Boat-to-Shore Campgrounds all popular and often booked out far ahead of summer were closed, and the Army Corps began refunding campers who had made reservations. In addition, farther north in Tioga County, Tompkins Campground on Tioga-Hammond and Cowanesque Lakes also closed, along with its swim beach and boat ramp. Tompkins has approximately 125 sites. Norris business is seasonal, following the campground schedule, and she assumed, then hoped, that the situation would be resolved before Memorial Day. She reached out to elected officials and the Army Corps, to no avail. This affects the entire county, not just us, Norris said. This is recreation. Were talking about campsites. This isnt hurting anyone, and its not going to save the government any money by closing these campgrounds. Norris said the Raystown campsites make money for the Army Corps, and, according to the agencys Value to the Nation report, visitors within 30 miles of the lake spent $62.7 million there in 2023. Of the 1.2 million visitors that year, 313,135 were campers/overnight visitors. Last week, Army Corps spokeswoman Cynthia Mitchell said there had been no change to the campground shutdown order. If there are staffing issues at Raystown, Norris and other business owners have wondered why a portion of the campgrounds could be closed, instead of all of them. Mitchell said the Army Corps explored all available resource options prior to making the decision to close access to Raystowns campsites. Norris said she has had to reduce staffing plans for the summer as a result of the shutdowns. There is absolutely a trickle-down effect to all of this, she said. Tourism officials in the region have been reminding the public that Raystown Lake its trails, boat launches, and concessions remain open for summer, but acknowledged the pain of the campground closures. Yes, it is definitely having an impact here, said Matt Price, executive director of Raystown Lake Region. But there are dozens of private and state campgrounds where people can stay to get close to the lake. Day-use facilities remain open at Raystown Lake, and there are other options for camping nearby, including waterfront tent and RV sites and rooms at the Lodge at Raystown Lake. Raystown Lake was created by a hydroelectric dam process in 1973, and unlike other large bodies of water in Pennsylvania, like Lake Wallenpaupack and Harveys and Conneaut Lakes, it has seen almost no development. There is not a single house on its 118 miles of shoreline. Raystown is the only lake in Pennsylvania where visitors can rent houseboats, though many of them anchor at Nancys Boat-to-Shore Campground, which is now closed. Pennsylvanias Department of Conservation and Natural Resources found that camping reservations for state parks skyrocketed in the wake of Army Corps closures. Trough Creek State Park, just a few miles from Raystown Lake, saw a whopping 189% increase in camping reservations. The federal government may have shuttered their campsites but ours are open and ready for you," Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wrote on X in April. Across the street from Seven Points, at Backwoods Smoke Shack, manager Kris Paterson said tourists, including campers, are the lifeblood of the familys seasonal BBQ business. Is this hurting our business? Yeah its hurting our business, she said. It could destroy us this summer. We get a lot of campers here, all summer. Owner Brian Paterson, 37, Kris son, said business is down up to 45% from this time last year. Thats hundreds of families not coming through here every weekend, he said. This will put a hurting on us. If they dont do anything soon, this summer is ruined. Brian Paterson said he reached out to everyone in office for answers. And weve gotten nothing, he said. Pennsylvania U.S. Sens. Dave McCormick and John Fetterman did not return requests for comment. Huntingdon County voted overwhelmingly for President Donald Trump and other Republicans in the last three presidential election cycles. Norris who did not vote for Trump and doesnt support him pointed out that no one in Huntingdon County voted for Musk or DOGE. People are wondering what we did to him to deserve this, Norris said of Musk. I wish I had clout and could go down there and tell them, This is what you did to the people who voted for you. BOULDER, Colo. A man armed with a makeshift flamethrower and other incendiary devices launched a fiery attack on demonstrators in Colorado who were calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Twelve people were injured and the FBI described the violence as a targeted terror attack. The suspect, identified by the FBI as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, yelled Free Palestine durig the attack Sunday, according to Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the FBIs Denver field office. Authorities believe Soliman acted alone. Advertisement He faces multiple federal and state charges, including commission of a hate crime. READ MORE: FBI says 8 injured in Colorado attack by man with makeshift flamethrower who yelled Free Palestine How did the attack unfold Authorities said the attacker targeted volunteers with Run for Their Lives, which organizes running and walking events to call for the immediate release of Israelis being held in Gaza. The hostages were captured by militants during an incursion into southern Israel in 2023 that precipitated the latest Israel-Hamas war. The group gathered Sunday at the Pearl Street pedestrian mall, a four-block area in downtown Boulder frequented by tourists and students. Witnesses said the suspect first used the flame thrower, then threw two Molotov cocktails into the crowd. Soliman was arrested at the scene. Video from the scene shows a shirtless Soliman shouting at onlookers while holding two clear bottles containing a transparent liquid. Another video shows a witness shouting: Hes right there. Hes throwing Molotov cocktails, as a police officer with his gun drawn advanced on the suspect. Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty told reporters Monday that authorities uncovered 16 unused Molotov cocktails. One witness, Alex Osante, said Soliman appeared to catch himself on fire during the attack. A booking photo shows him with a bandage over one of his ears. Police said he was taken to the hospital after he was arrested but havent described his injuries. What was his motive? Witnesses said Soliman yelled Free Palestine as he launched the attack. An FBI affidavit said he confessed to the attack. He told investigators he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead, that he specifically targeted the Run for Their Lives group and that he had researched and planned the attack for more than a year, according to the affidavit. This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts. We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a post on X. The Israel-Hamas war has inflamed global tensions and contributed to a spike in antisemitic violence in the United States. A week earlier, two Israeli Embassy staffers were shot to death in Washington, D.C., by a man who yelled I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza as he was led away by police. What charges does Soliman face? Soliman is charged federally with commission of a hate crime, which carries a sentence of life in prison when the charge includes attempted murder. Colorado state charges include 16 counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of using an incendiary device and 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device. A judge set a $10 million cash-only bond on the state charges. Additional charges are possible in federal court. The Justice Department plans to seek a grand jury indictment. Who is Soliman? Soliman was born in Egypt and he moved three years ago to Colorado Springs, where he lived with his wife and five children, according to state court documents. He previously spent 17 years living in Kuwait. The Department of Homeland Security said Soliman filed for asylum in September 2022 and has been living in the U.S. illegally since his visa expired in February 2023. Soliman worked as an Uber driver and had passed the companys eligibility requirements, which include a criminal background check, according to a spokesperson for Uber. An online resume under Sulimans name says he was employed by a Denver-area health care company working in accounting and inventory control, with prior employers listed as companies in Egypt. Soliman listed Al-Azhar University, a historic center for Islamic and Arabic learning located in Cairo, on the resume. Who was injured? The people injured in the Pearl Street attack range in age from 52 to 88. Their injuries some serious and some minor were consistent with reports of people being set on fire, Redfearn said. Authorities initially said there were eight victims, but said four others later were identified. Photos from the scene showed a burning woman lying on the ground in a fetal position and a man helping to put out the flames using a jug of water. The immense wave of positive messages weve received is another signal of the health and strong spirits of our community, Rabbi Yisroel and Leah Wilhelm, directors of the Rohr Chabad House at the University of Colorado said in a statement. We encourage everyone to respond energetically to this attack by celebrating Shavuot joyously, by attending the reading of the Ten Commandments, and by recommitting to the heritage and traditions we hold so dear." An aurora borealis as seen in October in Idaho. Read more For Philadelphians, a storm forecast that doesnt quite work out is a familiar experience, but in this instance it canceled a potential cosmic magic show. Advertisement All the ingredients appeared to be aligned for a possibly spectacular display of the northern lights, perhaps as far south as Alabama for Sunday night. A rare and powerful geomagnetic storm that would incite the aurora borealis did arrive unfortunately, several hours before forecast. And to Philadelphia and other areas around the country, that evidently made all, or at least most, of the difference, said Bryan R. Brasher, project manager at NOAAs Space Weather Prediction Center. Two severe geomagnetic storms G4s on the 1 to 5 scale were officially observed at 4 a.m. and 9:46 a.m. Philadelphia time. Brasher noted the postings on social media of images of the aurora early Sunday in Wyoming, which is two hours behind Philly; however no such images were evident anywhere near our region. For obvious and less-obvious reasons, daylight is no friend to auroral displays, said Brasher. In addition, the lights would have been competing against veils of Canadian wildfire smoke. Aurora sightings were reported north of here after sunset, and some spectacular images captured in the early morning hours of Monday were posted on social media from Montana, Idaho, and Colorado. Those may been the result of a substorm, Brasher said. Later Monday morning, a major G3 storm was detected; however it was unlikely to be powerful enough to turn on the lights over Philly, he said. The space weather center predicted the show might come tantalizingly close to the region Monday evening. Unfortunately, the layer of smoke appeared to have thickened, said Paul Fitzsimmons, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, and was expected to persist. Theres a reason the agency calls their outlooks experimental. They are very much subject to change, given that they are based on material arriving from the sun interacting with earths geomagnetic field. We used to say were about 50 years behind the meteorologists, said William Murtagh, longtime program coordinator at the space weather center. I remind the meteorologists, You guys got the first 10 miles. Ive got the other 93 million. What causes the aurora borealis? Solar storms commonly called sunspots can eject massive quantities of charged particles and magnetic fields that stream toward Earth at ultrahigh speeds. That was the case Sunday. The interaction of the solar material from the so-called coronal mass ejection, or CME, and the magnetosphere created the colorful, undulating and pulsating curtains of light that some fortunate people got to observe. The polar regions are the auroras most frequent venues; however, the stronger storms can drive them toward the midlatitudes, as was the case Sunday. What happened to the lights Sunday? Given the timing, its likely that over Philadelphia the lights were wasted on daylight and that persistent veil of smoke, said Tom Kines, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather Inc. Sunlight would upstage the aurora, Brasher said, but its deeper than just the light. Its better for the show if the geomagnetic storm develops after sunset. On the night side of the planet, he said, the earths magnetic field behaves in such a way in darkness that it becomes more favorable to generating the lights. Philly had its day (or night) in the lights in the fall On rare occasions, it does all come together around here. The lights did appear, albeit briefly, in October, rose-colored and purple-ish, and spectacular while they lasted. And that was the first time they were visible around here in over 20 years. Is that all there is? Not necessarily, Brasher said. Sunspot activity peaks in roughly 11-year cycles, the most recent one beginning in 2019. We are still at the peak. He said the sun isnt quite as frisky as it was in 2024, but solar activity remains elevated. We are likely to continue seeing more frequent and intense solar flares and CME storms over the next year or so. To monitor the aurora prospects, visit the Space Weather Prediction Center site, and its aurora dashboard, and check out the Northern Lights Alert Facebook page. Ama Schley (left) performs with her group Kulu Mele African Dance and Drum Ensemble on the stage at the 49th annual Odunde Festival on June 9, 2024. Read more What started as a small block gathering with a $100 grant is now turning 50. The Odunde Festival one of the largest African American street festivals in the country returns to South Philadelphia on Sunday, June 8, to mark its milestone year with a daylong celebration of African culture, community, and tradition. Advertisement The free event draws as many as 500,000 attendees each year, transforming South Street and the surrounding area into a vibrant showcase of live music, dance, art, and food from across the African diaspora. The festival was founded in 1975 by Lois Fernandez, a Philadelphia social worker inspired by a Yoruba pilgrimage she took to Nigeria. Now led by her daughter, Oshunbumi Fernandez-West, Odunde has grown into a 15-block cultural institution one that continues to honor its roots while evolving with the city it calls home. Heres everything you need to know about this years golden anniversary celebration. When is the Odunde Festival? This years 50th annual Odunde Festival takes place on Sunday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Festivities begin at noon with a vibrant procession, and then the streets fill with celebration. Two live performance stages one at 23rd and South Streets and another at Grays Ferry Avenue and Catherine Street will feature a full day of music and dance. The Odunde procession The festival begins at noon with a spiritual procession that starts at 23rd and South Streets, and moves toward the Schuylkill, where participants make traditional offerings including fruit and flowers to Oshun, the Yoruba goddess of the river. The ritual, which honors the festivals West African roots, is open to all and serves as the cultural and spiritual kickoff to the days events. Events and performers at the Odunde Festival Two main stages one at 23rd and South Streets and another at Grays Ferry Avenue and Catherine Street will feature a full day of live music, dance, and cultural performances. This years headliners include hip-hop legends Rakim and Doug E. Fresh, who will take the 23rd Street stage at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively. Expect high-energy sets that blend old-school beats with the celebratory spirit of the festivals 50th anniversary. Arts and crafts vendors More than 100 vendors will line the streets, offering handmade goods like jewelry, clothing, art, and natural body care products. The African marketplace also features authentic wares from Africa, the Caribbean, and South America, making it one of the most vibrant and diverse shopping experiences in the city. Will there be food and drinks? The festival brings African, Caribbean, soul, and Brazilian food to Philadelphia. There will be food vendors all over the 16 blocks of the festival. Road closures The following roads will be closed from 8 a.m. on Sunday, June 8, to 1 a.m. on Monday, June 9, and will be marked as temporary no-parking zones: South Street, from 15th Street to South Bambrey Street 23rd Street, from Lombard Street to Grays Ferry Avenue 22nd Street, from Lombard Street to Bainbridge Street Grays Ferry Avenue, from South Street to Fitzwater Street If youre worried about parking, check out The Inquirers guide on parking near Phillys biggest attractions. How to get to the Odunde Festival Your best bet is to take public transit driving and parking will be tricky due to street closures. SEPTAs B-Line subway (formerly the Broad Street Line) drops you just a few blocks from the action at Lombard-South Station. You can also take Regional Rail to Suburban Station or hop on a trolley and walk from City Hall. Several bus routes including the 7, 12, 17, and 40 normally stop near the festival footprint. But keep in mind: All four will be on detour starting at 5 a.m. Sunday, June 8, through midnight due to street closures. Tip: Use SEPTAs Trip Planner at plan.septa.org or the Transit app to plan your route before heading out. Where does the money go? Odunde is a nonprofit organization. The funds generated by the festival will go toward Odunde 365, a program that provides yoga, dance, fashion, karate, fitness, videography, and other programs for Philadelphia youth. Marchers carry one of the sections of the huge rainbow flag along Walnut Street during the Pride March on Sunday. Read more As she stood alone on Walnut Street in Center City, Rowan Thayers eyes sparkled with joy as she felt everything but lonely. Amid Pride flags and drum rolls, the 25-year-old who recently moved from a rural area in Massachusetts found a sense of belonging in her first Philadelphia Pride March Sunday morning. Advertisement On Sixth and Walnut Streets, an ocean of people dressed in rainbow patterns, holding signs, and carrying LGBTQ+ flags provided a warm welcome. Wearing a pink shirt reading Our presence is permanent, Councilmember-at-large Rue Landau the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to Philadelphia City Council addressed the crowd. As much as pride is a moment of celebration, we are also here to say that we are going to stand up and fight back, Landau said, referring to the Trump administrations crackdown on LGBTQ+ peoples rights. I promise you, City Council we are here for you, we will stand up for you, and we will fight back. In the last four months since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, multiple policies targeting the LGBTQ+ community have been put in place, including having the National Park Service remove the word transgender from the Stonewall National Monument website. As a transgender and nonbinary person, Thayer also confessed to feeling upset at the Trump administrations policies. That anger hasnt done much for me at this point, Thayer said. Thats why I came here, because being out there existing was really isolating. As marchers waved the newly expanded 600-foot-long Pride flag down Sixth Street and toward the heart of the Gayborhood, Thayer wasnt the only one feeling less lonely. Proudly holding her girlfriends hand, Kerryne Mesidor, 21, was happy to be at her first Pride celebration since recently coming out to her parents. Coming out was a scary thing to do, but Im proud of myself, Mesidor said. Its liberating for sure and its nice to be out in the open. Mesidor and her girlfriend, Kiara Peralta, have been dating for the last two months. Peralta loves Mesidors drive and courage, but she cant help but feel like in the current political climate its hard to plan for the future. Its uncomfortable that our rights could potentially be taken away, Peralta said. It feels like unknown and scary, but we do our best to stay positive, thats why this is uplifting, Mesidor pitched in. Holding Say gay, Stop homophobia, and multiple other signs in both arms, Ron Raz, 75, also is trying to remain hopeful. For the last 50 years, he has shared his life with his now husband in Bucks County. He is everything to me, Raz said. He might have retired from his corporate job, but he continues to fight for the rights of LGBTQ+ people, including to be married. I will be upset if they roll back [marriage rights] and will be here fighting, but we can be positive that Trump wont be in office forever, Raz said. [LGBTQ+ people] have been around since the beginning of time. There is no reason for us to allow them to crush us. In the spirit of resilience, the crowd arrived at the Pride festival, at 11th and Locust Streets, around noon, where food trucks, stages, and performances awaited them to continue the celebration. The crowd dispersed with some lining up for Colombian empanadas and other food options, as others watched street performances including the Philadelphia Gay Mens Chorus interpretation of Rise up from the Broadway musical Hamilton. In total, more than 100,000 people were expected to participate in Pride weekend, spokesperson Korey Aversa said. Festivities were to extend past Sunday. On Monday, Visit Philly will be unveiling a new installation for Pride Month at Cherry Street Pier. Organizers were keeping specifics under wraps over the weekend. Beyond the celebrations, Raz hopes younger LGBTQ+ people know they are not alone. Dont ever give up, Raz said. One day, you will get to express yourself and feel alive. Keep going. On Friday, May 30, 2025, in Marian Anderson Hall, being honored by the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts: from left, Judge Marjorie O. Rendell and former governor and mayor Edward G. Rendell. With them is David L. Cohen, chief of staff during much of Ed Rendell's term as Philadelphia mayor. Read more Speeches at an arts fundraiser might not be where youd expect to find great substance, much less genuine emotion. But Friday night, Ed Rendell made it so. Speaking from a wheelchair, stricken with Parkinsons, the former governor and mayor showed he can still hold a room in this case, the Academy of Music. He recounted the genesis of the Avenue of the Arts while weaving in a song of the city, talking about Philadelphias ills and how the fight for its future must outlive him. Advertisement It was a moment of a once-ubiquitous politician, now 81, clearly enjoying being back in front of a crowd. It was also poignant. I think looking at the actuarial tables, I wont be around too much longer to participate in this movement, he said, referring to the perpetual drive to solve the citys problems. Philadelphia has a lot to be proud of, he said. But, he told an audience holding its share of bigwigs: Id like to say to you, right now I fear one thing in Philadelphia. Too many of our young people have decided that they dont have any hope. And so theyre resorting to violence at record numbers and record intensity. Weve got to give them something to feel hope about. The occasion of Rendells cris de coeur was this years Great Stages Gala. About 600 tickets were sold to the benefit, whose profits will go toward operational expenses of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts and restoration of the Academy of Music. Rendell and former wife Judge Marjorie O. Midge Rendell were honored as stalwarts of arts and culture in Philadelphia, along with Philadanco founder Joan Myers Brown. The Philadelphia Orchestra did not perform at this years gala, though Philadanco did, and the event was studded with smaller ensembles. Opera Philadelphia chief and countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo and chorus serenaded briefly in the Kimmel plaza he, in any case no shrinking violet, dressed as a giant flower perched high above the crowd. Brown, 93, said she had received many honors including a 2012 National Medal of Arts presented by President Obama but none is more rewarding than today, being appreciated in your own hometown for the work you have done in its community and knowing of the many lives your work has changed. Ticket prices for the evening which culminated in a buffet dinner and dance party at the Kimmel Center ranged from $750 per person to $50,000 for sponsorship packages. The event grossed $1.1 million, said a POEA spokesperson, who declined to specify what the net proceeds were after expenses. Philanthropy has taken on greater urgency in the current funding environment. The Trump administration is pursuing the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities and Institute of Museum and Library Services all bedrock funding sources in arts and culture for decades. None of the half-dozen speakers Friday night mentioned Trump or the administration by name. None needed to. Let me say that at a time when the arts are facing increased threats to our freedom of expression and experiencing abrupt funding cuts, we need you now more than ever, Yannick Nezet-Seguin, the Philadelphia Orchestras music and artistic director, told the Academy of Music crowd. We need your support. And we need you to keep speaking up, to speak louder than some other voices that we keep hearing. The audience applauded heartily. Rendell spotlighted the leaders who helped to create the Avenue of the Arts as a tool for urban revitalization at a time when Philadelphia struggled with severe financial and image problems. The concept bubbled up through the imagination of others, but Rendell embraced it zealously upon becoming mayor in 1991. Among those who worked more quietly was his then-wife. Midge was like the little angel sitting on Eds shoulder, always whispering arts and culture, arts and culture, David L. Cohen, chief of staff for much of Rendells time as mayor, told the audience. Ed understood that arts and culture are what gives our city vibrancy, Cohen said. They are what make our city a destination to live and work. They are drivers of our economy. All I did was have the good sense to recognize the great idea and try to turn it into reality, Ed Rendell said. The Avenue of the Arts added hundreds of millions of dollars in new and renovated facilities to South Broad Street, and building its signature bit of ambition, the Kimmel Center, was a great civic achievement. We all should feel very proud of it, said Rendell. But Philadelphias civic health remains elusive, he suggested. I want to conclude by saying that its a fine honor, said Rendell of the recognition. But if you really want to honor me do it by fighting for the city, by giving some of your energy and some of your resources and some of your hope to people who have very little. We can do this. This city has incredible natural assets. We can be a great city. We can build a beautiful city. Were on our way, but we cant let up. U.S. Sen. John Fetterman speaks at the Penn Ag Democrats Luncheon at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, Pa., on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. Read more A poll conducted last week by a progressive PAC found 65% of likely Democratic primary voters in the state disapprove of how Sen. John Fetterman is doing his job. The poll, from Forward Blue, a political action committee focused on increasing turnout among young voters, polled 3,972 Democratic primary voters on May 29-30 via text survey. Advertisement The survey found 34% of Democratic primary voters were undecided or open to alternatives if Fetterman faces a primary challenger and only 26% of respondents said they would definitely vote for Fetterman again. Democrats win when we show up, fight for working people, and stand by our values, not when we ghost the job, David Austin, the PACs founder, said in a statement. Austin formerly worked on Fettermans 2022 Senate campaign and acknowledged the goal of the survey was partly to attract potential primary challengers to his former boss when his term is up in 2028. According to two sources, Austin did not leave Fettermans campaign on good terms. Austin told The Inquirer he was on staff as a digital organizer from April 2022 to August of that year and left voluntarily. Fetterman has drawn the ire of progressives since becoming an outspoken supporter of Israel in the war in Gaza and after voting for several of President Donald Trumps cabinet nominees, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, who received her only Democratic vote from Fetterman. The Pennsylvania senator has been candid about mistakes he thinks his own party has made and has developed friendships with Republicans in the Senate, including freshman Sen. Dave McCormick. Fetterman also visited with Trump at Mar-a-Lago earlier this year. Former staffers expressed concerns in several publications about Fettermans health and commitment to the job. If Senator Fetterman wont take accountability, then yes, we hope these numbers catalyze others to step up and know that the current youth voter demographic is receptive to them, Austin said in a statement to the Inquirer. While Austins PAC focuses on Gen-Z voters, the poll was administered to a representative sample of the primary voting population in the state, he said. Austin, a South Jersey native, started the PAC during the 2024 presidential cycle at age 20 and brought in $22 million, according to FEC reports. The PAC ended the cycle with about $4 million cash on hand as of a December report. Fettermans office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Fetterman was in Boston Monday morning at a televised debate with McCormick (R., Pa.) where he addressed recent criticism of his job duties. He called the concerns of former staffers smears, politically motivated after he started defending Israel in the War in Gaza, speaking out for more border security, and voting to prevent a government shutdown. Its just part of a smear and thats just not accurate, he told Fox News Shannon Bream in the conversation. Im here. Im doing that job. Im defending on all those things and all of those important votes. Ive always been there. Fetterman has missed fewer votes and committee hearings in recent weeks. He ramped up his travel last week spending part of his recess traveling around western Pennsylvania. Its unclear what the political situation may be in 2028 when Fettermans term is up and a presidential campaign is also unfolding. Democrats focus right now is on gearing up to win back seats in the 2026 midterms. Democrats and Republicans in the Senate have largely stood by Fetterman. But progressive tensions remain. Indivisible Pa., a statewide coalition of progressive groups, called on Fetterman to resign last month following frustrations with some of his policy stances and inaccessibility to the group. On Sunday a former Democratic committeeperson from Cheltenham, Sophia Zoe Kilmer, called on Fetterman to resign at a local Pride event and announced her intent to run for U.S. Senate against him if he doesnt. Kilmer, a 41-year-old lawyer and advocate for transgender people, said in an interview with The Inquirer that Fettermans votes to confirm Bondi and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem upset her after campaigning for Fetterman. The Democratic response has been, What does it matter they were going to be appointed anyway? And what I say is the opposition party matters, Kilmer said. Youre our voice and when you abandon part of the people who get you elected, we cant trust youre gonna fight for any of us. This story has been updated to include the dates of Austins employment with the Fetterman campaign. Pennsylvania Sens. Dave McCormick, left, and John Fetterman play with Fetterman's three-legged dog, Artie, at Fetterman's home in Braddock, Pennsylvania on Feb. 2. Read more Democratic Sen. John Fetterman walked onto the stage through a doorway cast in a bright blue light. Republican Sen. Dave McCormick followed from the right-hand side, which was glowing bright red. But from there on, it was mostly an agreeable conversation between Pennsylvanias senators under white lights at Bostons Edward M. Kennedy Institute in the fifth installment of The Senate Project, a debate series aimed at promoting bipartisanship in the U.S. Senate. Advertisement Fetterman, in his signature black hoodie and shorts, sat beside McCormick in a navy suit. The 30-minute conversation Monday morning was moderated by Fox News Shannon Bream and livestreamed on Fox Nation. The friendly tone for the conversation was expected. The duo have publicly embraced one another in the last four months, even after Fetterman campaigned with McCormicks opponent, former Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat who held the seat for three terms before his ouster in November. Fetterman and McCormick did an interview with the Washington Post at Fettermans home in Braddock earlier this year, and McCormick was the most vocal defender of Fetterman among lawmakers of both parties after former staffers criticized his commitment to his Senate duties. Save for an exchange about the Republican-led budget bill which includes cuts to Medicaid and food assistance that the Senate will debate this week Pennsylvanias two senators largely agreed on the issues raised, including on several foreign affairs topics and a recent deal between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel, Japans largest steel company. Fetterman defends himself against criticism and thanks McCormick for support When a flood of news stories scrutinized Fettermans behavior and job performance last month, McCormick reached out to ask his Senate counterpart if it was OK to defend him. He actually asked me, Is it OK to defend you? I dont want it to create more political problems, Fetterman told Bream. I thought it might hurt him, McCormick said. But Fetterman welcomed the support and he called the reports including an Inquirer editorial cited by the moderator smears against him. The more-left media have these kinds of an attack. Its just not accurate, Fetterman said, adding: Im here, Im doing my job, Im defending on all those things, all those important votes. Fetterman defended his voting attendance record the third-worst in the Senate as of a month ago noting most of the votes he missed were on Mondays, travel days for senators when they typically take procedural votes. I have three young kids. Those are throw-away votes. ... If you want to attack me for that, go ahead, Fetterman said. Fetterman also noted that Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who has been touring the country for rallies against President Donald Trumps agenda, missed more votes than he has this year but avoided scrutiny. Fetterman, for his part, has ramped up his travel around the state, visiting several parts of Western Pennsylvania during the Senates recess last week. Alignment on Israel Both Fetterman and McCormick talked about the urgent need to fight antisemitism, following an attack in Boulder, Colo. on Sunday that injured eight people. Police say a man who yelled Free Palestine! launched Molotov cocktails into a gathering of people demonstrating to raise visibility for Israeli hostages who remain in Gaza. The attack in Boulder, which the FBI has called an act of terrorism, happened at the beginning of the Jewish holiday Shavuot and barely a week after a man was charged with fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staffers outside of the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington. This is something we have to stand up against with complete moral clarity, McCormick said, referencing college campuses that he thinks have not done enough to curb antisemitic speech. And its something that you cant you cant have it both ways. You have to stand up with with complete strength, McCormick said. Fetterman called the incidents of violent antisemitism astonishing. And for me as my friend pointed out, rampant across all the universities ... we really need to call it what it is and now and for me, politically, being very, very firmly side on Israel, that kind of put parts of my party at odds for that. Both Fetterman and McCormick have been ardent supporters of Israel in the war in Gaza and have visited Israel several times since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack. I have people following me and screaming Free Palestine, and Genocide John, and thats been going on for 18 months, Fetterman said. Thats a small, small thing. I cant imagine how members of the Jewish community must feel constantly under assault. Both senators also support legislation putting sanctions on Russia to pressure the country to engage in peace negotiations with Ukraine in the ongoing war. Asked when the president might get fed up with Vladimir Putin, McCormick defended Trump and placed the blame on former President Joe Biden. To be partisan for a minute, I dont think we would have been in this situation had we not had the Biden administration and the mixed signaling, the withdrawal of Afghanistan ... all of these things, I think, gave a green light to Putin to go into Ukraine," McCormick said. It was one of several times McCormick took a shot at Biden or worked praise for Trump into his remarks. Fetterman, who had defended Biden while he was still the partys candidate, didnt push back on any of McCormicks criticism. The former president has become a complicated figure for his party amid media scrutiny about his own health in recent months and his initial decision to run for reelection. A vote for and against the Big Beautiful Bill The lone topic that showcased disagreement between Fetterman and McCormick was the budget reconciliation legislation, which is up for debate in the Senate this week. McCormick said he supported the bill because of its extension of Trumps tax plan, border security enhancements, dialed-up national defense spending, and government spending reductions. Fetterman said he was a no vote because of cuts to Medicaid, though he said he does support a stronger border and bringing down the debt. I dont think Id ever be in a position to support cutting Medicaid, and another thing Im troubled by is cuts to SNAP, said Fetterman who sits on the Agriculture Committee and whose wife co-founded the Free Store in Braddock, which provides food and clothing to people in need. McCormick said he is not advocating that we take Medicaid away from people for whom the program was designed, but rather reduce its growth by identifying fraud. Several nonpartisan studies of the planned reductions and addition of work requirements show the cuts would result in 8.6 million people losing their healthcare coverage. Fetterman didnt push back on McCormick on Medicaid, though he agreed there is room to cut fraud efficiently. He said as his party goes into what will be another heated vote, he plans to stay out of personal attacks. I refuse to engage in that kind of a rhetoric. Thats not going to make this conversation anymore any better, Fetterman said. ... We will vote differently on the Big, Beautiful Bill. But that doesnt make him terrible if he votes for yes. And it doesnt make me, you know, something terrible, either, if I vote no on those things. ... And its like, thats the way democracy works. U.S. Representative Dan Meuser, visiting a dairy farm in Lebanon County in April, would have support from President Donald Trump if he decides to run for Pennsylvania governor in 2026. Read more President Donald Trump said last week that he would support U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser for Pennsylvania governor if he decides to run, pledging the most-coveted endorsement for the GOP gubernatorial primary in 2026. Meuser, a Republican in his fourth term who represents parts of Northeastern Pennsylvania, has been all-but-outright campaigning for governor over the last six months, as Republicans hope to more seriously challenge Gov. Josh Shapiros reelection. Advertisement Trump, during a speech at a U.S. Steel mill outside Pittsburgh on Friday, quipped that he had heard a rumor Meuser was considering a run. If he does, Trump said he will be behind him. If thats your decision, youve got my support, you know that, Trump said to Meuser, who was in the audience full of steelworkers and other GOP elected officials, as they celebrated the acquisition and investment of U.S. Steel by Japanese competitor Nippon Steel. If you run, you have my support totally, and youll win, Trump added. The people are gonna get it real fast. Meuser, a 61-year-old former businessman and former state revenue secretary, has been running a shadow campaign for governor and making a bid for Trumps support through frequent national TV appearances defending the presidents agenda, making campaign-like visits around the state, and attending a recent fundraiser at Trumps Mar-A-Lago resort in Florida. Meuser said in a statement Monday that he appreciates Trumps support and encouragement, adding that he is still strongly considering running and will make a decision this summer. I believe the United States is headed in the right direction under strong leadership but Pennsylvania is being left behind," Meuser added. Were losing population, opportunity, and momentum, Meuser said. I firmly believe our commonwealth could be doing far better for all Pennsylvanians particularly with a governor who enacts policies modeled after the nations most successful states, such as Texas, Florida, Utah, Georgia, and Indiana." READ MORE: Rep. Dan Meuser came to Germantown and made a very Philly pitch for his likely run against Gov. Shapiro At least two other GOP candidates are considering running to be Pennsylvanias next governor: Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who is the commonwealths top vote-getter of any statewide candidate of all time, and State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R., Franklin), who lost to Shapiro in 2022 by 15 percentage points. Whoever triumphs as the GOP nominee will face an uphill battle: Pennsylvania Republicans have struggled to win statewide elections in recent years when Trumps name is not at the top of the ticket, and Shapiro remains unusually popular in the politically purple state that elected him governor by a wide margin in 2022 and then went for Trump just two years later. And in 2026 in Pennsylvania, the governorship will be the biggest race on the ballot. The Pennsylvania GOP declined to make an endorsement in the 2022 race for governor, contributing to the Republicans down-ballot losses that year with voters in the primary election choosing Mastriano, a far-right candidate, to run at the top of the ticket. This time, top party leaders have emphasized that they will not sit on the sidelines for the primary and will make sure that their party unites around one candidate to challenge Shapiro in 2026. Shapiro will likely face criticism from Republican candidates for his rumored 2028 presidential ambitions that would keep him out of the state and on the campaign trail for much of a second term, or if successful, would keep him from completing the rest of it. So far in Trumps second term, Shapiro has largely stayed clear of Trumps political minefield, while focusing on criticizing specific administration policies that he believes will hurt Pennsylvanians. He has sued the Trump administration on several occasions, and recently raised alarms about Congress proposed cuts to Medicaid that would result in hundreds of thousands of people losing health coverage. A spokesperson for Shapiro declined to comment. Meanwhile, Mastriano told conservative radio host John Fredericks on Monday that Trumps endorsement came after pressure from Meuser to endorse him early. But Trump, Mastriano said, will express support for any Republican who asks this far out from the race. The president is known to make major endorsements on his Truth Social account, as evidenced last month, when he announced his support of Republican Jack Ciattarelli for New Jersey governor on the social media platform. Hes a gentleman, Mastriano added. But when it comes to an endorsement, its a very serious thing. Trump endorsed Mastriano in the final days of the 2022 gubernatorial primary. But he later regretted that endorsement, sources close to Trump told Politico in 2023, as Mastriano considered a run for U.S. Senate. Mastriano who has been one of Trumps biggest supporters in Pennsylvania following his 2020 loss and who encouraged lawmakers to overturn Pennsylvanias election results remains a staunch supporter of the president. Mastriano has also floated that he and Garrity run together as a governor-lieutenant governor pairing. He said that he and Garrity have met privately about teaming up but have not made a decision and that they continue to pray about it. If we did team up in any race, we would win, Mastriano said on Fredericks show Monday, noting that he believes he would win the GOP nomination on his own no matter what. Garrity, in a statement, said she is still strongly considering a run for governor. President Trump is the leader of our party, and I will support whichever candidate myself or not that he decides to endorse," Garrity added. The confusion around the Trump administrations release of a massive list of so-called sanctuary cities intensified on Monday after the government removed the list from the internet. The removal followed weekend criticism from the National Sheriffs Association, which said the lists inclusion of supposedly non-compliant sheriffs could damage the relationship between the administration and law enforcement. Advertisement The list reappeared briefly for some people Monday morning before disappearing again. My hope is that Trump maybe picked up a Bible and saw the countless teachings to welcome your neighbor and love your neighbor as yourself, but I highly doubt that, said Peter Pedemonti, co-director of New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia. The listing going up and then down shows how the administration is cruel but incompetent, he said Monday. This is not a moment to exhale, he said, noting that Trump has threatened to cut federal funding to jurisdictions that dont help enforce federal immigration laws. Philadelphia and every other county should prepare to file lawsuits and fight this at every step. Philadelphia, long a strong sanctuary jurisdiction but now a welcoming city, has received no official notification from the federal government about potential cuts, City Solicitor Renee Garcia said Monday. Confusion around which cities, counties, and states were named began almost immediately after the list was released Thursday night. Leaders in three rural Pennsylvania counties that Trump won by more than 20 percentage points were surprised to see that their federal funding was now at risk. Those GOP-controlled counties never held sanctuary policies surrounding immigration, a topic that has been major target of the Trump administration. The only sanctuary policies some of them have were implemented in response to sanctuary initiatives elsewhere, intended to reaffirm their allegiances to the federal governments rules. In central Pennsylvanias Montour County, the commissioners passed a 2021 resolution making the 18,000-resident community a Bill of Rights Sanctuary County. Clarion County, a Western Pennsylvania county of about 37,000 residents, passed a resolution naming itself as a Second Amendment Sanctuary County in 2021, declining to enforce any law that restricts gun access. Philadelphia was prominent on the Trump administration list, long having been a sanctuary leader. The list named jurisdictions, hundreds across the country, that the administration believes are not helping enforce federal immigration laws and now face cuts in federal funding as a result. On the Department of Homeland Security website, the page where a list of sanctuary jurisdictions had been visible since Thursday evening now shows a Page Not Found error message. DHS issued a statement later on Monday that said the list is being constantly reviewed and can be changed at any time and will be updated regularly. Patty Torres, co-executive director of the immigration advocacy group Make the Road PA, on Monday called the list haphazard and brazen overreach by the federal government. Vague lists of enemies are just weak cover to target and punish anyone that DC insiders disagree with an illegal move that wont be tolerated, she said. Sheriffs lead criticism over list The removal came after the National Sheriffs Association criticized the inclusion of many cities and counties as arbitrary. This list was created without any input, criteria of compliance, or a mechanism for how to object to the designation, wrote National Sheriffs Association president Sheriff Kieran Donahue of Canyon County, Idaho, a Trump supporter who visited the White House in April. DHS has done a terrible disservice to President Trump and the sheriffs of this country. The Presidents goals to reduce crime, secure the Borders, and make America safer have taken a step backward, Donahue added over the weekend. The sheriffs of this country feel betrayed. Speaking on Fox News on Sunday morning, DHS secretary Kristi Noem said nothing about removal of the list but did mention criticism over the inclusion of some jurisdictions. Some of the cities have pushed back, Noem said on Sunday Morning Futures. They think because they dont have one law or another on the books that they dont qualify, but they do qualify. She added, That list is absolutely continuing to be used, and it is going to be identifying those cities and those jurisdictions that arent honoring law and justice. The list, which included areas in 30 states, accused local leaders of deliberately and shamefully obstructing enforcement of federal laws and endangering American communities. Philly suburbs still scrambling for answers The removal of the list left Philadelphia collar-county officials as baffled as they had been when it was released. I dont know, its a crazy world, Josh Maxwell, a Democrat who chairs the Chester County Board of Commissioners, said Monday. Hopefully theyre getting more accurate information. Three of Philadelphias four collar counties Chester, Montgomery, and Delaware were listed as sanctuary jurisdictions that violated federal immigration law. Bucks County, the one swing county in the region and the only county that voted for Trump last year, was not considered a sanctuary county. Its sheriff is seeking to have his deputies work with ICE through a controversial partnership agreement. None of the four counties have approved policies declaring themselves sanctuary jurisdictions. As of Monday morning officials across the counties said they had not heard directly from the federal government explaining their placement on the list or the consequences of inclusion. While some hoped that the removal of the list indicated some jurisdictions may come off it, they also pointed to the general unpredictability of the Trump administration. It sort of speaks to the act first and ask questions later tendencies of the current presidential administration, said Delaware County Councilwoman Christine Reuther. Montgomery County Democratic commissioners Neil Makhija and Jamila Winder published an opinion article in The Inquirer last month declaring that no county worker would be deputized to help ICE. They have said the countys new immigration-services officer is working to ensure that county employees are not asking about residents immigration status. Despite pressure from activists to adopt a formal welcoming-county policy, county officials have said they lack the power. The Democratic commissioners said in statements Monday that the county was following federal and state law, but they did not directly dispute the sanctuary designation. Makhija compared the DHS list to a poorly-prompted ChatGPT response. Winder said the county values all its residents, including immigrants. While some may label us a sanctuary jurisdiction, what that truly reflects is our unwavering commitment to fairness, dignity, and public safety for all residents, she said. Homeland Security officials claim that sanctuary jurisdictions protect criminal, undocumented immigrants from facing consequences while putting law enforcement officers in peril. Officials in those jurisdictions say thats silly, that they simply choose not to spend local tax dollars to help ICE do its job. Undocumented immigrants living in so-called sanctuary cities are not shielded from federal immigration enforcement, nor from being arrested and charged by local police for local offenses. Montgomery County Commissioner Tom Dibello, the lone Republican on the board, said Monday that he had spent the end of last week reaching out to contacts in Washington, including Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, whose district encompasses Bucks County and part of Montgomery, seeking an explanation for the countys inclusion on the list. This doesnt make any sense to me, DiBello said. If my inquiries prove out to be fruitful, well be removed from the list. Similarly, Chester Countys GOP commissioner, Eric Roe, said he had been trying to contact colleagues who used to work for DHS, hoping to get in contact with agency officials. Roe said Chester County does everything in its legal power to cooperate with ICE. Why single us out, why lump us in with the rest of the southeast when weve been cooperative? he asked. Bucks Countys Republican sheriff, Fred Harran, has applied to participate in a controversial program that would allow his deputies to collaborate more directly with ICE. However, as the ACLU threatened a lawsuit, the Democratic-led board of commissioners expressed disapproval, insisting that the agreement is invalid without their endorsement. The Trump administration said in a statement to news organizations last week that areas were chosen based on several factors. That included self-identification as a sanctuary jurisdiction, noncompliance with federal law enforcement in enforcing immigration laws, restrictions on information sharing, and legal protections for illegal aliens. Last week, Philadelphia, formally discarded the sanctuary name. Garcia, the city solicitor, declared, Philadelphia is not a sanctuary city. We are a welcoming city. The same was echoed by other officials. Philadelphia is a welcoming city, City Councilmember Rue Landau said in a statement Thursday night. That has been our stance, and this list is Trumps attempt to instill more fear and uncertainty among the immigrant communities. Inquirer reporter Sean Collins Walsh contributed to this article. Allianz Australia (Allianz) has finalised the sale of its insurance premium funding business to Pemba Capital Partners (Pemba). The sale of Hunter Premium Funding (Hunter) to the private equity firm completed on Friday. Both Pemba and Hunter have operations across Australia and New Zealand. S&P upgrades QBE Group credit ratings In a separate development in May 2025, S&P Global Ratings raised QBE Insurance Groups long-term issuer credit rating to A, up from A-. The ratings on the groups key underwriting subsidiaries were also lifted to AA- from A+. The outlook remains stable across all instruments and entities. Its name, derived from founder Michael Else, remains associated with charterers protection and indemnity (P&I) and related coverages. Today, MECO operates under three core brands: The Charterers P&I Club, Transmarine, and Aurora P&I, offering clients specialized solutions for a variety of marine insurance needs. It also provides complementary legal services through its affiliated law firm, True North. Sometimes, I think... without a discernment process that looks at the downside of those innovations, there can be a level of risk that people open up to that they're not intending, he said. Thats where Charles draws a hard line. The ideas arent the problem. The lack of rigor behind them is. Its incumbent on us to work through those ideas as fast as possible and as open-minded as possible, while also being eyes wide open and bring to the table some of the unforeseen consequences weve seen in the past in this industry, he said. The next day, the senator seemingly doubled down with a video on Instagram filmed in what appeared to be a cemetery, saying she had made "an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that, yes, we are all going to perish from this earth." "AIS spoofing, GPS jamming, and satellite interference are increasingly frequent in areas of geopolitical tension many of which are located in or near the MENA region," he said, noting that these activities directly impact navigational systems and pose a heightened risk to vessels in chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. It allows us to harness the power of structured data and digital connectivity to deploy capacity efficiently on a risk-by-risk basis. This partnership not only enhances our trading relationship with McGill and Partners but also strengthens our position to deliver exceptional value to clients in a competitive landscape, McGovern said. Its not just some Florida-domiciled insurance carriers that have allegedly altered field adjusters reports or low-balled property damage estimates in recent years. Its also major national insurers, according to adjusters and policyholders who spoke at a recent U.S. Senate hearing marked by drama and political theater. After hearing testimony from a State Farm policyholder in North Carolina who said his Hurricane Helene-damaged home was still unrepaired, an initial damage estimate had been greatly reduced, and a seemingly unknowledgeable adjuster was sent, State Farms operations vice president took the extraordinary step of apologizing during the May 13 Senate subcommittee hearing. We have 66,000 employees. Were human beings. We make mistakes. We made mistakes in the handling of this claim. These actions do not reflect the values of State Farm, said company Vice President Michael Keating, who stood up and turned to address the insured, Jacob Vertel, of Asheville. On behalf of State Farm, I want to sincerely apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Vertel, Keating said, promising to resolve the claim. But an Allstate executive at the hearing disputed some of the testimony from a Georgia policyholder and adjusters who worked her Helene claim after a massive oak tree fell on the home. Some of what you heard today was not accurate, Allstates Mike Fiato, chief claims officer, said during the hearing of the Disaster Management Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Fiato noted Allstate settled with the homeowners for about $100,000something the policyholder did not reveal in her testimony. Allstate declined to pay an additional $100,000 or more in non-structural or cosmetic restoration work, Fiato explained. Nonetheless, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who has indicated he plans to run for president in 2028, scarcely let Fiato answer questions. I have to notice that your (Allstates) profits have never been better. You made $4.6 billion in profits and your CEO, Tom Wilson, last year was paid $26 million, said Hawley, chairman of the subcommittee. He asked why the policyholder could not get paid but the company CEO can. Fiato responded that Allstate had, in fact, paid the claim. No, you didnt. You paid a paltry sum, said Hawley, the former attorney general for Missouri. He went on to demand Fiato reveal his own salary, which Fiato declined to provide. The dramatic exchange came after two adjusters, one an independent adjuster who was hired by Allstate and the other who has worked mostly for Allstate in recent years, testified that Allstate reviewers or desk adjusters had repeatedly asked them to remove line items from storm damage estimates and to mischaracterize some types of damage. I was instructed to attribute cracked tiles to settling, and to show that the roof should be repaired, not replaced, said independent adjuster Nick Schroeder, who worked the claim for Pilot Catastrophe Services. The roof had widespread damage, rafters were split, and the roof structure needed replacing after the tree fell during the storm, he said. Schroeder said an Allstate desk reviewer never visited the site but based his reduction instructions solely on photographs and cost concerns. After Schroeder declined to change his report, Allstate sent another adjuster to the stately home in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Cliff Millikan, who previously worked with Pilot and has worked Allstate claims since 2016, said his estimates were often reduced inappropriately by company reviewers. Since 2020, there have been changes in Allstates practices that undermine policyholders and erode trust in the insurance industry, Millikan said. Allstate has increasingly relied on unlicensed and inexperienced adjusters who do little more than take photos of damaged properties, Millikan alleged. After Allstates corporate reviewers look at the photographs, wholesale changes are made to damage estimates, he noted. Theres no transparency, Millikan said. This confuses the policyholder. Theyve never had any interaction with the reviewer. Allstate has essentially stripped qualified field adjusters of their authority to decide what damage should be considered storm-related, he said. Millikan also testified that when adjusters resist Allstates instructions to reduce claims amounts, they get reassigned to another job or are avoided by the carrier. Fiato said Allstate does not retaliate, and the company does not frequently change field adjusters estimates. Schroeder, for example, had turned in 15 claim-inspection reports after Helene, none of which were reviewed or altered by corporate staff. The adjusters assertions echo statements made in recent years by several independent adjusters who worked hurricane claims in Florida and Louisiana. They have said a number of insurance companies have frequently altered reports in ways that made it appear that the field adjusters had drastically reduced their own estimates. An Allstate spokesperson declined to comment on the hearing but sent a press release. National insurance organizations took issue some of the statements made. The American Property Casualty Insurance Association noted in a news release and in a letter to Hawley that the vast majority of Helene and Milton claims have been settled, and less than 1% resulted in complaints. Many unpaid claims involved flood damage. Topics Homeowners Politics A divided US Supreme Court declined to consider a new expansion of constitutional gun rights, turning away challenges to a Maryland ban on so-called assault weapons and a Rhode Island prohibition on high-capacity magazines. The justices left intact federal appeals court decisions backing the bans against attacks under the Constitutions Second Amendment. Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch said they would have heard the appeals. A fourth Justice Brett Kavanaugh called the decision upholding the assault weapons ban questionable and said the Supreme Court should take up the issue in the next year or two after more lower courts have weighed in. The dynamic suggests that two other Republican appointees Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett will likely cast the deciding votes. Because four justices are enough to grant review, the three dissents indicate that Roberts and Barrett voted to reject the appeals. Neither gave an explanation. The cases could have had a broad impact had the court accepted them. Ten states outlaw what critics call assault weapons, a class of semiautomatic rifles that have repeatedly been used in mass killings, and 14 ban high-capacity ammunition-feeding devices, according to Giffords Law Center, an interest group that supports gun restrictions. The Supreme Court has steered clear of new Second Amendment cases since upholding a federal gun ban for people under domestic violence orders in June. In a non-constitutional case, the justices in March upheld Biden administration rule regulating build-at-home ghost gun kits. Gun-rights advocates were trying to extend the 2022 Supreme Court decision that declared a constitutional right to carry a firearm and established a tough new test for assessing restrictions. The 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Maryland law on a 10-5 vote. Writing for the majority, Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III said the measure outlawed military-style weapons designed for sustained combat operations that are ill-suited and disproportionate to the need for self-defense. A Maryland resident and three interest groups contended that the law prohibits weapons owned by millions of Americans for legitimate purposes that include self-defense. The 4th Circuit ruling blesses a ban on the most popular rifles in American, the challengers argued. The case is Snope v. Brown, 24-203. In the Rhode Island case, a unanimous panel of the Boston-based 1st Circuit said the law was probably constitutional. The 2022 law bars the possession of gun magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds. The measure gave people who already owned high-capacity devices 180 days to alter, surrender or transfer hem. The laws are supported by Everytown for Gun Safety, an advocacy group founded and backed by Michael Bloomberg, founder and majority owner of Bloomberg News parent company Bloomberg LP. The case is Ocean State Tactical, v. Rhode Island, 24-131. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. A runway at Newark Liberty International Airport will reopen on Monday nearly two weeks ahead of schedule following several chaotic weeks of equipment outages, runway construction and air traffic control staffing shortages that caused flight cancellations, diversions and delays, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. Newark Liberty, one of the main airports serving New York City, is about 9 miles (14.5 km) from Manhattan. Duffy said Friday the runway will reopen nearly two weeks ahead of the June 15 target. Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a reduction in flights to a maximum of 28 arrivals per hour and 28 departures per hour until runway construction is completed. After that, the maximum arrival and departure rates will rise to 34 per hour until October 25. Operations at Newark have improved significantly after the federal government imposed flight cuts following a series of major disruptions, Duffy said last week. Under normal circumstances, Newark could handle 77 total flights per hour. If you book, I think youre going to fly in Newark youre not going to see what you saw a couple weeks ago, Duffy said. Newark is a major hub for United Airlines UAL.O, which operates nearly 70% of the airports flights. United has sharply cut flights at the airport. The FAA last year relocated control of Newarks airspace to Philadelphia to address staffing and congested New York City-area traffic. The facility in Philadelphia that oversees Newark airspace has faced numerous technology issues. Newark in recent weeks had often suffered delays of five or more hours and dozens of daily canceled or delayed flights. Nationwide, the FAA is about 3,500 air traffic controllers below targeted staffing levels. The area overseeing Newark has a targeted staffing level of 38 certified controllers, but currently has just 22 in place, six of whom are on stress or medical leave now, Duffy said. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and David Gregorio) Topics Aviation Construction Property-catastrophe reinsurance pricing saw continued moderation at the June 1 renewals with a selective return of capacity following historic pricing strength, according to Howden Re, the reinsurance and advisory arm of Howden. While rate moderation continued and reinsurers appetite expanded, underwriting rigor persisted, especially in structurally challenged layers, said Howden Res June 1 renewal report. Risk-adjusted rate-on-line changes ranged from flat to down 20%, depending on loss experience and attachment point, the report said, noting that, despite pricing pressures, programs generally attracted subscriptions above 100%. Renewals in Florida were marked by increased appetite from traditional reinsurers, which appeared confident in litigation reforms and viewed pricing as attractive after years of caution, the report indicated. Property-Catastrophe XoL In the property-catastrophe excess-of-loss (XoL) reinsurance market, capital inflows have rebounded, with newly formed reinsurers and syndicates deploying meaningful capacity into mid-year placements, the report confirmed. As such, expanding supply continues to outpace rising demand, underpinned by improved reinsurer retained earnings and sustained catastrophe bond activity, including the issuance of new and upsized transactions at the upper layers of reinsurance programs, Howden Re continued. As a result, the broker said, remote-attaching cat-XoL layers have experienced rate reductions in the range of 10% to 20%. Blended risk-adjusted property-catastrophe XoL rates-on-line were down 10%, with loss free programs down 10% to 15% on a weighted average basis, the report said. The dynamic this year was neither a continuation of 2023s dislocation nor a broad softening. Rate levels remain historically high but are now outpacing loss trends in many areas, said Kyle Menendez, managing director, Howden Re, North America, in a statement. This is drawing more interest from markets, including Lloyds syndicates with previously cautious balance sheets looking to grow incrementally. Layered Outcomes Howden Re said outcomes for buyers were mixed across towers with top layers experiencing the most competitive pricing, with some rate reductions greater than average as a result of surplus capacity from the insurance-linked securities sector. Cedents purchasing multiple layers or products on a concurrent basis found greater support from reinsurers willing to underwrite holistically rather than transact tactically, the report said, explaining that reinsurer support extended to property per-risk XoL placements, alongside a resurgence in aggregate or second and third event covers. In addition to traditional occurrence protection, cedents are evaluating, and increasingly attracting, capacity for sideways and aggregate structures, as reinsurers respond to heightened cedent demand for coverage that addresses the frequency of catastrophe events, Howden Re said. Brian McKeon, managing director, Howden Re, commented: Reinsurers are being deliberate. Were seeing evidence of measured growth, especially from those carriers that had stepped back in recent years. More reinsurers support full programme structures, especially where multiple property products are purchased at the same inception date, in the hope of influencing catastrophe occurrence signings. Florida Finds Stability With Legal Reforms Reinsurers underwriting in Florida appear confident in legal reforms, said Howden Re, noting that assignment of benefits (AoB) restrictions and litigation reforms have broadly held, with attempts to reverse them largely unsuccessful. As a result, Howden Re added, this stability has reinforced continued, selective appetite for Florida risk. Despite price softening, demand growth has absorbed new capacity. Significant additional limit was sought by buyers amid Citizens continued depopulation and the launch of several new domestic carriers. A 20% increase in retention levels from the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF), projected at $11.3 billion for 2025, drove cedents to seek private market solutions for lower layers, Howden Re said. The report explained that pressure on rates at these levels was largely mitigated by increased appetite from traditional reinsurers which now view them as attractive after years of caution. Capital is now more abundant and increasingly diverse, yet its being deployed with discipline, especially below the FHCF where pricing remains firm, noted David Flandro, head of industry analysis and strategic advisory, Howden Re. At the top of towers, ILS are providing flexibility and competitive tension, marking a shift from crisis to calibration. This is a function of a stabilizing market. Topics Property Mayors in states that border Canada are calling for an end to President Donald Trumps trade war with the country, saying it has harmed businesses and workers in their communities and upended one of the worlds most successful economic relationships. Andrew Ginther, mayor of Columbus, Ohio, and Bryan Barnett, mayor of Rochester Hills, Michigan, said in an interview Friday that the countries should continue to build things together and trade with each other because the partnership has been working for decades. We dont think that growth and prosperity for American cities comes through a prolonged, unstable, irrational and emotionally charged trade war, said Ginther, a Democrat who is also president of the US Conference of Mayors. Our metro economies are based on trade and being able to export what we produce in the United States. The two mayors were in Ottawa for a meeting of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the counterpart to Ginthers group. The politicians said cooperation among Canadian, American and Mexican mayors has never been stronger and at a municipal level, leaders are broadly united against tariffs. Canada and Mexico were among the first countries targeted by Trump he imposed levies on goods that dont comply with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, as well as sectoral duties on steel, aluminum and automobiles, prompting Canada to retaliate with levies of its own. Both mayors communities are hubs for auto manufacturing, which sees parts zip back and forth across the Canada-US border as vehicles are assembled. Barnett, a Republican, said the interconnected sector has been effective in driving growth for all involved. We have two of the strongest economies in the world because we work together, he said. Were a capitalistic society that has succeeded because innovative people find great ways to make important things. And they do that with partnerships, they do that with collaborations. I want to harness that. I dont want to block it. There is value in the presidents overall goal of repatriating jobs to the US, the mayors said, and there are industries where a domestic supply chain is essential, such as computer chips. But the uncertainty caused by the chaotic tariff rollout is damaging businesses ability to make investment and hiring decisions, they said. A recent survey of businesses in Rochester Hills found that nearly 60% have ruled out capital investment in 2025, with 30% planning to lay people off this year, Barnett said. Given that the top issue in their communities and the issue that helped elect the president is the cost of living, the tariffs are a misguided policy, the mayors argued. The uncertainty is deadly, Ginther said. The cost of livings probably tough enough when you have a job. When you lose that job, thats when you have families spiral into a real desperate place. Photo: A tractor-trailer traveling into the United States at the Canada-US border in St-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics USA Canada A work crew of incarcerated people cleared the way for a woman and her three children to finally leave their rural Oklahoma property more than a week after a tornado caused widespread damage, state officials said. The crew was still at work Friday after clearing numerous downed trees on Tuesday to give the family a road out from their home in the community of Blanco, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections said. About a dozen tornadoes touched down in the state on May 19 as severe storms moved through. J.B. Sharp, a Pittsburg County road foreman, said the crew was a great help to us. Margaret Green, warden at the Mack Alford Correctional Center, said she put the crew together after seeing a post on social media saying the county workers needed help. Nearly a dozen incarcerated people who live in minimum-security conditions volunteered to join the cleanup, keeping at it for nearly a week so far. Such crews are supervised and only people who meet specific security and behavior standards can participate, the department said. I just feel like it was giving back to the community, Green said. The inmates felt the same way. Its an army of orange. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Oklahoma When Tampa-based Slide Insurance registered for an initial public stock offering last week, one page of the filing quickly had people talking in the Florida insurance industry. On page 132 of the filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission it shows that Slide founder and CEO Bruce Lucas in 2024 took home more than $21 million in salary, bonuses and stock awards considerably more than CEOs at most other publicly traded, Florida-domiciled carriers. The package is not far behind the compensation levels for the heads of some of the largest insurance companies in the world, including Chubb, Allstate, AIG and Travelers. Lucas wife, Shannon Lucas, the chief operating officer at Slide, was paid an additional $16.5 million, Slides Form S-1 filing indicates. Capitalism is a great system, but this is out of control, said one Florida insurance executive who declined to be identified. CEO Lucas, who launched Slide in 2021 after leading Heritage Insurance for eight years, has quickly built Slide from a fledgling startup to one of the larger property insurers in Florida, now with some 343,000 policies in force. But some in and out of the state say the outsized compensation package looks bad for a Florida insurance industry thats still feeling the heat from national news reports and from policyholders hit by hefty premium increases in recent years. These are really shocking compensation numbers, said Douglas Heller, director of insurance for the Consumer Federation of America. What is the amount of money that Slide policyholders had to pay to cover this? Hellers organization tracks carriers executive pay, based in part on insurance company reporting to the Nebraska Department of Insurance, required by a 1911 state law. He noted that the Lucas pay package may be even higher than the SEC filing shows. Thats because emerging growth companies are not required to fully explain executive compensation. In this prospectus we have elected to take advantage of the reduced disclosure requirements relating to executive compensation, and in the future, we may take advantage of any or all of these exemptions for so long as we remain an emerging growth company, Slide noted in its SEC filing. Others pointed out that the pay package is likely to climb for 2025 and beyond if Slides initial public offering is favorably received on Wall Street and the share price rises. Lucas and Slide officials declined to comment to Insurance Journal due to the quiet period between the IPO registration date until a month or so after stock trading begins, during which company officers are restricted from releasing new information that could affect investor decisions. Available filings and reports show that the Lucas compensation is well above those for most, but not all, publicly traded holding companies for Florida insurers. Universal Property & Casualty Insurances Stephen Donaghy received about $7.3 million in total compensation, Universals SEC reporting shows. Ernie Garateix, CEO of Heritage Insurance, reported $4.3 million. Bob Ritchie, head of American Integrity Insurance, which also filed for an IPO this year, took home less than $2 million in 2024. The CEO of one other publicly traded Florida carrier was paid almost as much as Lucas at least on paper. Paresh Patel, head of Tampa-headquartered HCI Group, which includes Homeowners Choice and two other insurers, received total compensation of $20.2 million in salary, stock and bonuses, according to HCIs SEC filing. Patel said its all an illusion. He wont actually see such rewards unless and until the HCI stock price tops $200 per share, then the bonus will be paid in installments over the next few years. As of last week, HCIs share price appeared to be on its way to that goal, closing Friday at $169, up from $96 a year ago. Patel said that the conditional arrangement was part of a package designed to keep him at the helm for the next few years after some investors feared he might retire this year at age 61. Patel, whose 2024 payout was six times what he saw 2023, said he is unlikely to receive that level of compensation again. Its possible that Lucas pay package is predicated on similar conditions. The Slide S-1 filing notes that Lucas total compensation for 2024 is more than double that for the previous year. But it also suggests that his $14.4 million bonus is for his work in both years. Lucas and his wife also are on the Slide board of directors but did not receive any additional compensation for those roles, the filing shows. The bonuses are designed to incentivize executive officers and are based on performance measures, the filing explains. And COO Shannon Lucas agreed to accept a reduced salary more in line with comparable executives in the industry, in exchange for one-time bonus of $10 million. To be sure, Slide has grown steadily and profitably since its birth, fueled in part by takeouts of policies from Floridas state-created Citizens Property Insurance Corp., and by assumptions of policies from two insolvent carriers in recent years. Slide saw a profit of $201 million in 2024, almost double its net income for 2023, its SEC reporting shows. That profit could top $300 million this year if the net income for the first quarter of 2025 is any indication. Patel said he did not know the details of the Lucas compensation plan. But he argued that Lucas and Slide should be given credit for entering the Florida market at a risky time and serving policyholders who have faced nonrenewals and spiking premiums in the litigation- and storm-plagued state. Florida is actually getting what it wanted, which is a very competitive insurance market, Patel said. Which is the best formula for driving down costs and everything else. But you also get other noise on the way. Heller, of the Consumer Federation, argued that Slides compensation package is more generous than those for executives of the largest and most competitive insurance companies on the planet. Allstate CEO Tom Wilson was rewarded with a compensation package of $26 million in 2024. The State Farm Insurance CEO took home some $24 million last year. Critics of the Consumer Federations regular postings about CEO pay have argued that the CEO packages constitute a fraction of the revenue produced by big insurers. Allstate and State Farm both reported more than $4 billion in net income in 2024, Heller said. It may be a drop in the bucket, but its still greed, Heller said. And for Slide, its not just a drop in the bucket. This is not just a footnote on policyholder premium. Slides S-1 form information notes that the compensation is paid by the holding company, not the carrier. Pay plans are not included in its rate filings, and such compensation has no impact on rates charged by the carrier. Slides average premium per policy is about $4,073, up slightly from 2024 but down from 2023. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, which offers a rate comparison tool for homeowners, does not include Slide in the 16 companies that it compares. Related: Slide Insurance Files for Initial Public Stock Offering Allstate Q1 Income Drops 52% on $3B Cat Losses Topics Florida Talent SPRINGFIELD, Ky. (AP) Another storm hit parts Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia and Virginia Friday, killing one person and injuring seven others. In Kentucky, Washington County Judge-executive Timothy Graves said two or three houses were destroyed and downed trees temporarily blocked roads. We were fortunate this was located in a remote part of the county, Graves said. Gov. Andy Beshear canceled a visit planned for Friday to Pulaski and Laurel counties, which were hit by a tornado earlier this month. That storm left 19 dead in the state. Officials were responding to reports of a possible tornado in Washington County, he said in a social media post. This level of severe weather was unexpected, with a system still moving through the state, Beshear said. We also expect to see additional storms today with Eastern and Southeastern Kentucky facing a risk of more severe weather. The National Weather Services office in Louisville, Kentucky, said a crew surveying damage Friday in Washington County was following a damage path that may enter neighboring Mercer County. By midday, the crew had found at least EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale tornado damage in southwestern Washington County, the office said in a social media post. Three of the injured people were taken to University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington. County Emergency Management Director Kevin Devine said the county was not expecting harsh weather Friday morning. In a social media post, the sheriffs office asked people to stay home to allow emergency workers to do their jobs. In Tennessee, multiple people were injured when severe weather hit the Philadelphia area of Loudon County, on Friday morning, the county sheriffs office said in a social media post. The weather services office in Morristown later preliminarily confirmed in a social media post that an EF0 tornado struck near the border of Loudon and Monroe counties. On Friday evening, Air Force One circled for an hour because of severe weather. The presidential aircraft bringing President Donald Trump back from a trip to Pennsylvania was supposed to land at 7:50 p.m. but bypassed Joint Base Andrews and instead circled over the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia and headed back north after crossing over Virginia Beach. Air Force One landed just over an hour late in pouring rain. Trump stood outside sans umbrella and spoke to reporters after he descended from the plane. Also on Friday, National Weather Service surveyors said a Thursday afternoon tornado near Atlanta reached top wind speeds estimated at 135 mph (217 kph), throwing the son of actor Tray Chaney nearly 300 feet (91 meters) from the second-floor window of his home and leaving him with critical injuries. The storm, rated EF2, damaged about a dozen houses in a subdivision in Locust Grove, about 30 miles (45 kilometers) southeast of the city. Residents told news outlets they had no advance warning of the twister, which meteorologists said dropped out of a thunderstorm that had showed weak and broad rotation. The tornado was on the ground for 5 minutes, covering 1.8 miles (2.9 kilometers). Along one street, the tornado ripped off siding and shingles, blowing out windows. Damage was worst at the Chaney home, which was destroyed except for one interior closet on the first floor where clothes were still hanging. Malachi Chaney, the son, was found in nearby woods and taken to an Atlanta hospital. Tray Chaney, best known for his role on The Wire, said his son remained hospitalized in intensive care on Friday, with injuries including broken ribs and fractured bones in his face. Tray Chaney said he suffered a bruise on the head. In a video recorded shortly thereafter, Chaney said he wished he could trade places with his son, who just completed his freshman year at Savannah State University. I wish he was the one that was doing the video, and I was still in the ICU, Tray Chaney said. It was the third round of tornadoes in northern Georgia this week, with the weather service confirming three weaker twisters northwest of Atlanta on Sunday and three more tornadoes west of the city on Tuesday. Photo: Part of Washington County, Kentucky, after the severe weather Friday. (Sheriff Jerry Pinkston/Washington County Sheriffs office via AP) Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Windstorm 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. 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. 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. 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. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The driver of a pickup that crashed into a tour van near Yellowstone National Park this month, killing seven people, had a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit for driving, police said. The driver, identified previously as Isaih Moreno of Humble, Texas, had a blood alcohol content of 0.20, Idaho State Police said in a statement. The limit is 0.08. Related: Police: Truck Crossed Center Line in Crash With Tour Van That Killed 7 Near Yellowstone This tragedy should be a wake-up call, police Capt. Chris Weadick said. No one plans to cause a crash or take a life when they get behind the wheel, but choices have consequences. Investigators determined that the Dodge Ram driven by Moreno crossed the center line and collided with the Mercedes van, which was carrying 14 people, in the May 1 crash. Both vehicles caught fire. Moreno and six people from China, Italy and California were killed. Survivors were taken to nearby hospitals with injuries. The highway where the crash happened south of West Yellowstone, Montana, is a route between Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons that is open in the spring before a north-south route is plowed and the park fully opens for summer. Yellowstone is one of the countrys largest national parks and draws millions of visitors each year. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Personal Auto Law Enforcement The fact that Michael Quane and Johanna Connor work in different, but complementary, media is reflected in the title of their new exhibition at the Lavit Gallery in Cork. Pencil Paper Chisel Stone features Connors pencil drawings of objects and landscapes alongside Quanes limestone and marble sculptures of people, beasts and inflatables. The two are not just collaborators, they are also a couple, having connected during the Covid pandemic. We were following each other on Instagram for a while, says Connor. At the time, I was working with horses, and I was really mesmerised by Michael's sculptures. I wanted to know what the connection was, so I asked him. And Michael said that he'd need my email for that, it was such a long answer. We emailed each other for a week after that, says Quane, and then we met. Horses, he explains, have preoccupied him since his student days at the Crawford College of Art & Design in the 1980s. At that time, I had a group of very good friends who were all very strong feminists, he says. I encoded an awful lot of what I was trying to say through animals, and the horse, for me, represented male energy and power. But its since become invested with all kinds of other meanings, to do with human progress, for instance. Quanes interest in horses found expression in the public art commissions he began winning not long after he graduated. The fees for his Horses and Riders sculpture at Mallow Roundabout and Fallen Horse and Rider at Midleton helped pay for the former Church of Ireland church in Coachford, Co Cork he acquired for 24,000 in 1994. Michael Quane with one of his pieces at the Lavit. Refurbishing the building has been a long-term project, which Connor helped complete when she moved in in November 2020. As well as being their home, the former church houses their two studios and an exhibition space. Its not a commercial enterprise, says Quane of the latter. We show our own work, and sometimes work by other artists. We open for Culture Night in September every year. Three years ago, we had one of our neighbours come in. The second year, we had maybe twenty. But last year, we had scores of local people. Its getting bigger every year. They also open by appointment. One day last week, we had 100 school children come in. It was fantastic. Theyre just so curious, you know? While Quane has worked full-time as a studio artist for over 40 years, Connor a native of Schull, Co Cork explored other avenues after graduating from the Limerick School of Art & Design. I studied painting initially, she says. But after my diploma, I took some time out and worked with the Bedrock theatre company in Dublin. Then I applied for the Motley Theatre Design Course in London. I was very fortunate to get in; they only take ten people every year. She returned to Dublin, working as a freelance designer. But then the scene kind of changed, she says. So I went back to London. Id met someone, and I discovered I was pregnant. Things changed for me then. I was born with a twisted intestine and the pregnancy didnt work out. I lost the baby, and I nearly died. Then I went right, what next? I ended up moving back to Schull. For the next twelve years, Connor worked with horses. She maintained her interest in art, exhibiting at the West Cork Art Centre and producing a childrens book with her friend Gabrielle Byrne. Eventually, she returned to study, completing an MA: Art and Practice at the Crawford College of Art & Design in Cork in 2018. Thereafter, she began making art in earnest. One of Johanna Connor's pieces at the Lavit. Picture: Ros Kavanagh In 2020, I was heading off to New York on a residency when Covid happened. And thats when I met Mike. The two married in 2023, and now spend most of their time at their respective practices. We work separately, says Quane. But we check in on each other throughout the day. I might help Johanna out of a hole, or she might help me. Its a lovely partnership. Seeing their work put together in the Lavit has been inspiring. Its a really quiet space to show in, says Connor, and the work just sits so beautifully. She cant wait to get back in the studio, she adds. I want to develop the drawing more. Im starting to introduce a little bit of colour lately, and maybe the scale will change, or Ill start using other materials. Well see. Quane, meanwhile, is looking forward to a break. Between doing up the church and making work, he says, Ive been going flat-out for five years. After this exhibition, I feel a really strong urge to step back and get some perspective on where I want to go next. Im 63 now, so this is my time to do it. You will probably see more of Johanna, and less of me. A fundraiser in aid of sick children saw thousands of coins lined up around the Lough in Cork city during what was a fun day out for the whole family. People flocked to the Lough to help line the popular amenity with coins in a bid to Lap the Lough and raise money for Cork City Hospitals Childrens Club. The charity makes dreams come true for young patients by organising once-in-a-lifetime adventures, sending sick children on trips to Disneyland Paris, and for Santa visits each Christmas. People were encouraged to break into their piggy banks ahead of the unique charity fundraiser to help line the whole Lough with coins and the people of Cork rallied together to make it happen. Luke Thompson, Sam Goggin, Kiai Purcell and Teresa Goggin from Deerpark relaxing after helping place a coin around the Lough in Cork City for the Lap The Lough event. Picture: Noel Sweeney. Not only was a full circle of coins created, but there were sections of two and three layers of coins, thanks to those who came out to support the event which had been organised by former lord mayor Mick Finn, entrepreneur Ernest Cantillon, singer-songwriter Pat Fitzgibbon, chairperson of Cork City Hospitals Childrens Club John Looney, and Eimear McCarthy and Emer OMahony. Joey McCarthy from Glanmire placing a coin around the Lough. Picture: Noel Sweeney John Looney told the Irish Examiner during the event of his delight that so many came out to support the charity. It was phenomenal. It was 10 times more than what we ever expected it to be, he said. We started ourselves at about 10am, laying the money that people donated online, so we had nearly 7,500 before we started this morning. We got about three-quarters of the way around the Lough, and then the public took over when they came. The Lap the Lough event saw children and their families place coins all the way around the Lough in Cork City in aid of Cork City Hospitals Childrens Club. Picture: Noel Sweeney. They came in throngs and droves. The amount of money they brought was just unbelievable, and they finished off the circle. Mr Looney thanked everyone who was involved in making the event a success, including volunteers from the Cork City Hospitals Childrens Club and The Lough Scouts, The Lough Credit Union, the gardai who were present on the day, facepainters and entertainers, LuLus Cafe and Supervalu who collected coins for the event, The Hawthorn Bar who allowed use of their toilets on the day, and all who were involved. Keegan Deasy meets Tigger at the Lap The Lough event where children and their families place coins all the way around The Lough in Cork City. Picture: Noel Sweeney Organiser Ernest Cantillon described the event as a big success and said there were up to a thousand people who came out to support, including families and people who regularly use the amenity, who happened to stumble upon the event. We completed the lap much faster than we thought we would. People just came out of nowhere, and suddenly at 11.30am we were halfway around. At stages, we had double and triple layers of coins, so it was very satisfying, a great buzz, he said. The coins will be counted over the coming days, and the final amount raised for Cork City Hospitals Childrens Club will be revealed. When asked if they would hold the event again after its inaugural success, Mr Cantillon said they would soon start planning for next year, and Mr Looney said he hopes it will be an annual event and one of their main fundraising events going forward. Plans to develop catch-all special schools will push students who have mild and general learning disabilities back to mainstream classes that have already failed them, principals have warned. The school leaders, who oversee 30 special schools in 19 counties, serving more than 3,000 students, say they face growing pressure from the Department of Education to change their schools current designation to include children with 'complex needs. The principals have warned that this broadening of criteria will result in a phasing-out of special school places for children with mild and general learning disabilities. The Department of Education told schools last week of new plans aimed at resolving long-standing issues with the application system for special education, which sees families struggling to find places each year. These issues, as previously highlighted by the Irish Examiner, include a lack of access to appropriate school places. The 30 special schools affected by the new criteria work with children who have mild and general learning disabilities, which typically means a child has an IQ between 50 and 69, as well as with students who are considered borderline. The schools also work with autistic students, often making up more than 50% of the student body, and who have a dual diagnosis of mild and general learning disabilities and dont fit the typical autism class model. The schools offer the full primary curriculum, the Junior Cycle at Levels 2 and 3, QQI Level 3, and the Leaving Certificate Applied. However, the principals now fear their model of education is at risk, according to spokeswoman for the group, Debbie ONeill, principal of Scoil Eoin in Crumlin. Instead of creating new special school places, the departments plan simply reallocates existing places. This pushes children with mild and general learning disabilities back into mainstream environments that have already failed them. This is not inclusive education. It is reactive, rushed, and deeply unfair," she said. The pressure on schools to change designations to cater for a wider cohort of disabilities has become very apparent in recent years, particularly as the crisis in placements for autistic children took hold. They are calling them catch-all special schools, which is the most horrendously disrespectful language to any child or parent with a disability, and they are looking for us to become these catch-all special schools," Ms O'Neill said. 'Mild' schools redundant Within four years, the intention is that mild schools would be redundant and students would be back in mainstream classrooms. There would only be a specialised setting for those with the most complex needs, Ms O'Neill said. The recent circular concerned principals as the new language used around designation has been kept vague on purpose, she added. We recognise the urgent need to find school places for autistic children," she said. No child should be left without a school place, and no family should be left in limbo. We stand with those parents. We want those children to be supported. However, the apparent current strategy of repurposing mild and general learning disabilities schools" is not the answer, Ms ONeill said. A spokesperson for the Department of Education said it is not the intention to exclude children who require a special school place from accessing certain special schools. However, it is not "appropriate" that children and young people have to pass special schools and travel long distances because "they dont meet the narrow criteria for admission to those special schools who cater for children with mild general learning disabilities", the spokesperson said. "A number of these special schools have already moved to broaden the profile of students they support, in response to the changing needs of students. The department and the National Council For Special Education will support other schools to do the same." Flooding could be in store with a status yellow warning set to hit three counties this Monday. Met Eireann issued the status yellow rain warning for Kerry, Galway and Mayo, with the warning coming into effect at 2pm. The forecaster is warning of "heavy rain", which could be persistent and lead to spot flooding until the warning elapses at 10pm. The forecaster is warning of "heavy rain with very strong, gusty southerly winds near the coast." Met Eireann noted localised flooding, poor visibility, and difficult travelling conditions could be in store. For the rest of the country, Tuesday afternoon will see some sunny spells, especially in the north and west with just the odd shower. The warning will remain in place until 10pm this Monday. In other parts of the country, the weather will remain mostly dry with plenty of sunshine. It will become rather windy too with southwesterly breezes increasing fresh to strong with gales along Atlantic coasts later this afternoon. Highest temperatures of 13C to 18C. Tuesday will remain breezy with a mix of sunshine and showers. Highest temperatures of 12C to 16C, coolest in the west and northwest in moderate to fresh and gusty westerly winds. Meanwhile, Wednesday will be another day of sunny spells and scattered showers. It will become cloudier for a time in the west and southwest. Highest temperatures of 11C to 16C in moderate to fresh westerly winds. A recovering addict who was once spending up to 500 a night on cocaine has warned that its use is now "completely normalised." Dylan Curran says he now has peace of mind since seeking help for his addiction over three years ago. The young man's drug use spiralled during the pandemic when "everything was turned on its head and you found yourself with three others in a backyard shed with a lamp in the corner, a bag of cans and cocaine." The 23-year-old was just 15 when he took his first drink and 17 when he tried cocaine but is now three-and-a-half years in recovery. "It was when covid kicked in that things got worse. I felt isolated and I'd often spend up to two days just sitting in my room and using," he said. "My progression into addiction was rapid. The addiction took everything away from me. It was when I had nothing left to give that I made the phone call for help." Dylan, from Drogheda, Co Louth, began treatment in Smarmore Castle Rehabilitation Centre on November 30, 2021, and hasn't drank or used drugs since. "All the problems I had were still waiting for me outside the centre but I just had to learn the coping mechanisms to deal with them. "Addiction is a very powerful thing and a little thought can turn into a craving if you let it. One drink was too many and 1,000 was never enough for me." During his addiction, Dylan went from spending 50 a week on cocaine to up to 500 a night - juggling loans and finances to afford the cocaine. "I had people lined up so I'd always have someone to get the drugs off. "You could walk into any pub and not be too far from getting a bag of cocaine. It is so normalised now that if you are going out without drugs in your pocket, then you're doing something wrong." Dylan Curran: 'My progression into addiction was rapid. The addiction took everything away from me.' "Cocaine was a quick and easy fix, it's up your nose and it's done. "I think drink and drugs go hand in hand and alcohol is a gateway to drugs. Towards the end, I'd go to the pub and buy a diluted juice for the night. I just wanted to go to the pub to use drugs." Even during his addiction, Dylan's family tried to persuade him to get help but nothing worked until he decided himself to seek help. My family tried multiple times to get me help and they were amazing but you can't get sober and clean for others. You need to decide for yourself. "I'd just say to families out there living with an addict that as much as we can hurt you and let you down over and over again, stick with us because there is a heart in there somewhere that needs to be loved. "I'm living my life to the fullest now. I don't have a flashy car or loads of money but I have peace of mind, happiness and people respect me - all the things I took for granted." An Irish woman has been detained by Israel in the West Bank, according to an activist group. Maire ni Mhurchu, known as D Murphy, (aged 70) was detained by Israeli police on Saturday in Masafer Yatta in the occupied West Bank, according to the International Solidarity Movement, the Palestinian anti-occupation group which the Irish woman has been volunteering with since May. Originally from Douglas in Cork but living in Swansea, Wales, Murphy was arrested alongside Swedish activist, Susanne Bjork (aged 48), in Khalet al-Daba'a, a small Palestinian village which was largely demolished by Israeli forces in early May. After Israeli soldiers ordered the activists to leave, the female activists were reportedly stopped while leaving the village by Israeli settlers serving as reservists with the military. The Israeli police were called and subsequently detained Murphy and Bjork for being in a closed military zone. Maire ni Mhurchu is a founding member of Swansea Palestine Community Link and was previously detained in Israel in 2011 when she travelled to the Jewish state with the Welsh pro-Palestine group. Photo provided by Hannah McCarthy The 120-person community at Khalet al-Daba'a is one of a dozen Palestinian hamlets in Masafer Yatta located inside an area which the Israeli authorities designated as a military firing zone in the 1980s. After a long legal battle, Israel's Supreme Court approved the eviction of 1,000 residents from the villages in the occupied West Bank in 2022. Amnesty International says ongoing settler attacks and demolitions place communities in Masafer Yatta at risk of forcible transfer. International law prohibits both the expropriation of occupied land for purposes that do not benefit the people living there, and their forcible transfer. According to the International Solidarity Movement, Bjork is now due to be deported while Murphy is fighting a deportation order while detained at Ben Gurion Airport and facing possible jail time. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has been contacted for comment. Murphy is a founding member of Swansea Palestine Community Link and was previously detained in Israel in 2011 when she travelled to the Jewish state with the Welsh pro-Palestine group. Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance and, as per protocol, does not comment on the details of individual cases. Murphy's son, Dale Ryan, said: As far as I can see her only crime was observing crimes against Palestinian people. D has always had a strong sense of justice and I know she could not sit at home while she knew her friends in Masafer Yatta and all of Palestine were suffering unnecessarily. "I am very proud of my mother for sticking up for the basic human rights of her friends and trying to raise awareness of the injustices the Palestinian people are experiencing." In 2024, the far-right Israeli security minister Itamar Ben Gvir established a special task force within Israel's West Bank police unit to target left-wing activists in the West Bank including foreign nationals and supporters of the Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment (BDS) movement. According to the Israeli outlet Haaretz, at least 16 foreign activists working with Palestinians in the West Bank have been detained and deported from Israel since October 2023. Activists often accompany Palestinian shepherds and farmers who are at risk of forced displacement, as well as violence from the IDF and local settlers while they work. In 2024, the UN recorded 4,250 Palestinians who were displaced, 1,760 structures which were destroyed, and about 1,400 violent incidents involving Israeli settlers across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. A young man with a known fascination for firearms was on bail for gun charges when he fired shots in a Carlow shopping centre before fatally shooting himself. Gardai had objected to bail for Evan Fitzgerald, 22, after he was caught last year with guns and ammunition which he admitted to having bought on the so-called 'dark web', a part of the internet where users operate through anonymity. But he was given bail on strict conditions and was due back in court on the charges this week. On Sunday, he walked through the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow town firing a shotgun in the air. The suspect then shot himself outside the shopping centre after being challenged by armed gardai. Sunday evenings incident was a "terrifying experience" for shoppers who fled the building when the gunman starting shooting in the air, Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hilman said. A young girl sustained a minor leg injury when she fell while running from the centre. But no one other than the gunman was injured by any of the shots fired, the assistant commissioner confirmed. The scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow on Sunday Picture: michaelorourkephotography.ie Fitzgerald, who was from Portrushen, Kiltegan, at the border between Co Wicklow and Co Carlow, had previously been described as young and naive by a judge at a court hearing over his gun charges. He had been caught with a handgun, an automatic rifle, and more than 40 rounds of ammunition allegedly purchased on the dark net. He was arrested in March 2024 following an intelligence-led firearm trafficking operation. Gardai seized a semi-automatic M1911 pistol, an automatic Koch G3 Rifle, and ammunition after a car in which Mr Fitzgerald was travelling was stopped at Ponsonby Bridge near Straffan, Co Kildare. Mr Fitzgerald has a fascination with firearms, Detective Garda Gavin Curran told the court. Mr Fitzgerald was facing 13 charges, it is understood - four for the two guns and more than 40 rounds of ammunition seized from the car in Co Kildare, and a further nine for explosive substances, guns, and ammunition found at his home address. Fitzgerald was granted bail in March 2024. Sinn Fein TD Matt Carthy said reports that the suspect was on bail for firearms charges is "deeply concerning". It is unacceptable to have such serious crimes carried out by those on bail, he said. Forensic investigators at Fairgreen Shopping centre, Carlow, where a man died following a shooting incident on Sunday evening. Picture date: Monday June 2, 2025. Figures released to Mr Carthy in recent weeks showed that between 2022 and 2024, some 64 crimes were committed by those on bail for possession of firearms while 2,312 crimes in the same period were carried out by individuals on bail for possession of offensive weapons. We are extremely lucky that no one else was seriously injured or killed in this incident which has shocked the community in Carlow," the party spokesperson for justice said. I believe there must a wider review of the enforcement and operation of our bail laws. Following the shooting, bomb disposal experts were called from Collins Barracks in Cork to examine a possible explosive device after gardai found a bottle containing an unknown substance on the body of the dead man. But the area was later declared safe. Gardai responded to Sunday's incident after receiving multiple reports of shots being fired in the shopping centre around 6.15pm. "Gardai responded to the scene and met a large number of people running from the shopping centre," Ms Hilman said. Emergency services near to the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow, where a incident has taken place. Picture date: Sunday June 1, 2025. "An unarmed uniform unit arriving at the scene observed the suspect exiting the shopping centre. "The suspect discharged a firearm - a shotgun - into the air. "Another plain clothes armed garda unit responding drew their official firearms and identified themselves as armed gardai. "The suspect discharged the firearm again, self-inflicting a fatal wound. "No member of An Garda Siochana discharged a weapon. This was meant to be a normal day out on a bank holiday weekend. This was a terrifying experience for every person that was present." An autopsy will be carried out by the State Pathologist in Dublin on Tuesday. The suspect was described as white Irish by gardai. His ethnicity was mentioned after far right and anti-immigrant sentiment was being stoked online with false rumours circulating about the scale of the attack and the ethnicity of the shooter. The Hope and Courage Collective, formerly called the Far Right Observatory, said that the tragic incident in Carlow was being used by prominent anti-migrant accounts to spread false claims and conspiracies. "One individual made several posts containing unsubstantiated claims on X, which remain on the site with over 460,000 views. He also used the incident to promote an upcoming anti-migrant mobilisation," the group said in a statement. "Another online influencer live streamed last night on X to an audience reaching over 40,000 viewers. In it he is heard abusing fire service personnel at the scene, and then later making baseless conspiracy theories accusing An Garda Siochana of a cover-up. "We all suffer when social media platforms are allowed to profit from letting false, misleading or hateful content spread. Gardai have appealed for witnesses to come forward. They have also urged anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead provide it directly to the investigating team. A budding young writer who is due to begin her Leaving Cert exams on Wednesday has called for a creative rethink of how dyslexic students like her are supported. Alice R Perks, head girl at Midleton College, had her first book published just as she turned 18. Her collection of poetry, entitled Thoughts From A Teenage Mind, is an anthology of her writing between the ages of 12 and 17. Thousands of students across the country are due to begin their Leaving Cert exams this week as the State examinations get under way on Wednesday morning. Alice hopes to study creative writing in Galway next year. I find Im not very good at English, despite being a poet and despite writing all the time, because there are a lot of rules around structure. I prefer to write creatively. While she has a spelling and grammar waiver, as well as a reader, she is not entitled to additional time. Extra time is not available as standard for second-level dyslexic students in Ireland. I really like talking about my dyslexia because I think it's an important thing. I was always taught to never be ashamed of it but more like it's a part of who I am. However, she is not a fan of the CAO process, particularly CAO points. When you are dyslexic, you are taught to hold yourself to your own standard. A lot of the time, it's different to others academically. The CAO takes away the idea of your own individual standard, she believes. Like many dyslexic students, she finds she often runs out of time during exams. In the sitting of Leaving Cert exams, information is processed differently and has to come out through a different route, and I just dont think a lot of the time, in a lot of the exams were given the time to do so. I was always very interested in writing a novel, which is still my dream, but it was always so hard because school took up so much of my brain power. I could never keep up with the idea of doing two things at once, which I know a lot of dyslexic people struggle with. Dyslexia Ireland has been campaigning for the introduction of additional time as an exam accommodation for students with dyslexia and other learning difficulties. Picture: Mark Stedman/RollingNews.ie She find this also applies in exams. I do subjects like history and those are heavy essay writing subjects, and thats just not something that can happen as easily as Ive seen it working for my peers without dyslexia. But it can work, she added. "It just doesnt work within the parameters weve been given. Theres a lot of things about the education system that dont fit into the idea that everyone learns differently." For example, she takes higher-level maths "through a lot of hard work and determination". I do find myself running out of time often, because I work it out differently and I do it differently. I can do it, Ive had to edit the way my brain does maths and it does take me longer, but I can do it. It would level the playing field to have more time because a lot of the time, were not being given the chance to do it to the standard we are teaching ourselves to. With comprehensions in English, I have to read them maybe three or four times to understand what's going on. Time constraints really do not allow dyslexic people to fully engage their minds and it takes us longer. Dyslexia Ireland has been campaigning for the introduction of additional time as an exam accommodation for students with dyslexia and other learning difficulties. It has called on the State Examinations Commission to publish a detailed timeline for the ongoing review into its Reasonable Accommodations at Certificate Examinations. Dyslexia Ireland said it was "deeply disappointed" to see the terms of reference for the review when it was published recently. "There is no clear timeline or sense of urgency on this issue, and no voice for those most affected on the reviews steering group," Dyslexia Ireland said. "This review directly impacts learners with dyslexia and other learning difficulties who currently face serious challenges and anxiety in exams without access to the accommodation of extra time. Yet the voices and representatives of these young people are missing from the steering group." A spokesman for the SEC said it is "absolutely acknowledged that there is increasing complexity in the special educational landscape and, by extension, the impact on candidates with special educational needs taking the certificate examinations". "For the 2025 examinations, on a pilot basis, we are extending the provision of additional time to vision impaired candidates under the care of the visiting teacher service of the NCSE from 10 minutes per hour to 15 minutes per hour or part of an hour. This is a minimum of 25% additional time for this cohort of candidates." There will be "extensive" consultation with as broad a range of stakeholders as possible, including young people with special educational needs, their families, and representative organisations, he added. Kenmare in Co Kerry is facing an east coast scenario where house building is "stifled" by a lack of water supply, a meeting of the local authority has heard. A 25m waste water treatment plant is nearing completion for the town, but Kenmare Municipal District has been told the heritage town is now running out of water. During the recent dry spell, Kenmare's water supply was one of 22 locations nationally declared to be in drought status. In 2017, after decades of water quality issues, Kenmare finally got a 4.5m water treatment plant for its supply from a mountain lake and river near Molls Gap, but there has been no progress on finding much-needed additional water supply sources. Plans by Kerry County Council to extract water from the River Sheen to supplement the Kenmare supply failed in 2014, after a successful court challenge by residents in nearby Bonane, who opposed the extraction of water from the salmon-fishing river. While the 25m waste water treatment plant is currently nearing completion, plans for up to 200 new homes in the town are still at risk, the council has been told. A new local area plan created new zones for houses but councillors have told the local authority planning concerns remain because of insufficient water supply. Councillor Johnny Healy-Rae said Uisce Eireann was to look into additional water sources for the last four years, including wells and ground sources, but no new supplies have been identified. There is no extra water and water is actually being taken from the town now to supply Bonane and Templenoe, Mr Healy-Rae said. House building had been curbed for more than a decade, he said. We are in an awful way for housing. Kerry County Council was the only one building a house in Kenmare in the past 15 years, he said. Anyone not on the social housing list had no hope, he added. He called on the council to write again to Uisce Eireann about the additional water supply for Kenmare. They are looking at it with four years, if not more, he said. Its stifling growth." Water supply issues in Kenmare are now comparable to supply problems in the wider Dublin region along the east coast, the meeting was told. Cllr Norma Moriarty made the east coast comparison while urging local authority officials to "be courageous" in finding solutions to the supply problems. Water supply has been an issue in Kenmare for more than 20 years, she said. The 2,100-plus population increases significantly in the summer months during the peak tourist season but demand for new housing has not been met. Eight years ago, in 2016, when plans for the 4.5m water treatment plant were unveiled, Irish Water told the Irish Examiner: Long-term availability of water for the Kenmare area remains an issue." The utility company said it would be pursuing sustainable longer-term sources nine years ago. This article was funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. Two photographs. One showing the woman holding a legal certificate. The other showing her with a red circle superimposed on her hairline as if made by a Sharpie. The first establishing that she has passed Americas Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination and can move forward to becoming a lawyer like her father was. The second suggesting, without comment from her, that shes had cosmetic surgery which has left her looking younger. You can figure that the more popular picture is not the one of Kim Kardashian celebrating her completion of the apprenticeship programme which gives her a legal qualification even though she did not graduate from college. No. Its the one with the red circle. The exciting possibility of her having had work done outweighs mastering the law. Kardashian has never been famous for achieving stuff, enthusiastic and proud as she may be over getting through this programme, which is rare among American states, even if it took her two years longer than planned. Online information in 2025 moves at speed. But the tragic events in Carlow on Sunday, where a gunman opened fire in a shopping centre, appear to sum up the perils of unregulated social media discourse, and what State bodies like the gardai can try to do to mitigate it. By 12.30pm on Monday, gardai had put out four statements regarding the shooting incident at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow Town. The second and fourth were most noteworthy. The second arrived at 9pm on Sunday night and followed a new but increasingly familiar trend confirming the ethnicity and nationality (white and Irish) of the gunman who was dead at the scene. This is a calculated risk to take legally, one most recently employed during the incident in Liverpool where a car struck dozens of football fans on the street. The Merseyside Police quickly and publicly identified the driver as being both white and from Liverpool. It seeks to balance the potential negatives of being so specific so early regarding a suspects personal details, versus the upside of nipping the misinformation and narratives spreading about the incident online firmly in the bud. The fourth garda update, at 12.30pm on Monday, was extraordinary. It set out in detail many of the specifics of what had happened including the age and ethnicity of the dead man, the fact he had died by his own hand, and that no garda had fired a shot, while the only other injury recorded was a minor leg issue suffered by a young child while running away from what was happening. Contrast that wealth of corroborated, checked information, delivered just 18 hours after the traumatic incident had occurred, with the reams of misinformation which spread online, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), in the immediate aftermath of shots being fired at the shopping centre. To list just some of the claims being made: the gardai had shot a person with a gun, a mass shooting had taken place, seven people had died, nine people had died, a nine-year-old child had been shot, the shooter had explosive objects strapped to his body. Many of these posts got thousands of views. Absolutely none of what they claimed was true. Gardai near the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow. By 12.30pm on Monday, gardai had put out four statements regarding the shooting incident. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Tommy Robinson, the British hard right agitator, was one of those to pass comment. So too our own far-right ideologues and failed political candidates Derek Blighe and Philip Dwyer. None of them could possibly have known what had happened, because it takes time to sift evidence and be certain about what has transpired in chaotic circumstances. But that didnt stop them. After gardai confirmed that the deceased man was white, Blighe even had the gall to claim that "skin colour is only important when it can be used against you" on X. His point being that if the shooter hadnt been white, the gardai wouldnt have said so. Meanwhile, his own post stating that apparently 7 people including a child have been shot - posted exactly an hour after the incident, is, of course, still up. It has 332,000 views at the time of writing. There is a rush by members of the far right to portray such incidents under their own ideological viewpoint, said Ciaran OConnor, senior analyst with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. In doing so they are knowingly contributing to disinformation around this incident given there is simply no way for first responders to establish what facts are known at a scene in that timeframe, let alone people following viral Whatsapp and social media posts from a distance, he said. Emergency services attended the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow. Photo: Niall Carson/PA The trouble is that there are simply no consequences for people pushing these false narratives. The only response is for people to be vigilant and to take everything they see posted online by unverified or untrusted actors with a grain of salt. Unfortunately, despite the gardais unprecedented pushback on this occasion, the information war feels like a battle that is currently being lost, and comprehensively. Delegations from Russia and Ukraine are holding a second round of direct peace talks in just over two weeks, although expectations are low for any significant progress on ending the three-year war. The meeting in Istanbul comes after a string of major attacks over the weekend. Ukraine said on Sunday that it had launched a spectacular surprise attack on five Russian air bases, ranging from targets close to Moscow to Russias Arctic, Siberia and Far East. The Ciragan Palace in Istanbul (Emrah Gurel/AP) The targets were more than 4,300 miles from Ukraine. More than 40 Russian warplanes were destroyed, Ukraine claimed, in what President Volodymyr Zelensky called a brilliant operation that involved more than a year of planning. It destroyed or heavily damaged nearly a third of Moscows strategic bomber fleet, according to Ukrainian officials. Also on Sunday, Russia launched its biggest number of drones 472 on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraines air force said, in an apparent effort to overwhelm air defences. US-led efforts to push the two sides into accepting a ceasefire have failed. Ukraine accepted that step, but the Kremlin effectively rejected it. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, assessed late on Sunday that Russia is attempting to delay negotiations and prolong the war in order to make additional battlefield gains. Members of the Russian delegation arrive at the Ciragan Palace (Emrah Gurel/AP) Recent comments by senior officials in both countries indicate they remain far apart on key conditions for stopping the war. The first round of talks on May 16, also in Istanbul, ended after less than two hours. While both sides agreed on a large prisoner swap, there was no breakthrough. The Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul for Mondays meeting is led by defence minister Rustem Umerov, according to Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. Moscows delegation, headed by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, arrived on Sunday evening, Russian state media reported. Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan is chairing the talks at the citys Ciragan Palace and gave an opening speech to mark their start. Fierce fighting has continued along the roughly 620-mile front line, and both sides have hit each others territory with deep strikes. Ukrainian drones struck near Rylsk in the western Kursk region of Russia (Alexander Khinshtein/AP) Russian air defences downed 162 Ukrainian drones over eight Russian regions overnight, as well as over the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, Russias Defence Ministry said on Monday. Ukrainian air defenscs damaged 52 out of 80 drones launched by Russia overnight, the Ukrainian air force said. Two ballistic missiles struck a residential neighbourhood in the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Monday morning, including one that hit near a school, the citys mayor said. One missile landed near an apartment building, while the second struck a road near the school, Ihor Terekhov said in a statement with a photo of a wide crater. Standing next to the crater, you realise how different it all could have been, he wrote. A few more metres and it would have hit the building. A few more minutes and cars, buses would have been on the road. No casualties were reported. Israeli soldiers have barred journalists from entering villages in the West Bank on a planned tour organised by the directors of the Oscar-winning movie No Other Land. The directors of the film, which focuses on settler attacks on Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied territory, said they had invited the journalists on the tour on Monday to interview residents about increasing settler violence in the area. In video posted on X by the films co-director Yuval Abraham, an Israeli soldier tells a group of international journalists there is no passage in the area because of a military order. It's clear they don't want the world to see what is happening here Basel Adra, a Palestinian co-director of the film who lives in the area, said the military then blocked the journalists from entering two Palestinian villages they had hoped to visit. They dont want journalists to visit the villages to meet the residents, said Mr Adra, who had invited the journalists to his home. Its clear they dont want the world to see what is happening here. Some of the surrounding area, including a collection of small Bedouin villages known as Masafer Yatta, was declared by the military to be a live-fire training zone in the 1980s. About 1,000 Palestinians have remained there despite being ordered out, and journalists, human rights activists and diplomats have visited the villages in the past. Palestinian residents in the area have reported increasing settler violence since October 7 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel and sparked the war in the Gaza Strip. Israeli soldiers regularly move in to demolish homes, tents, water tanks and olive orchards and Palestinians fear outright expulsion could come at any time. Mr Adra said the journalists were eventually able to enter one of the villages in Masafer Yatta, but were barred from entering Tuwani, the village where he lives, and Khallet A-Daba, where he had hoped to take them. He said settlers arrived in Khallet A-Daba on Monday and took over some of the caves where villagers now live, destroying residents belongings. The military demolished much of the village last month. No Other Land, which won the Oscar this year for best documentary, chronicles the struggle by residents to stop the Israeli military from demolishing their villages. The joint Palestinian-Israeli production was directed by Mr Adra, Hamdan Ballal, another Palestinian activist from Masafer Yatta, and Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. The film has won a string of international awards. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war, along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. The Palestinians want all three for their future state and view settlement growth as a major obstacle to a two-state solution. Israel has built more than 100 settlements, home to over 500,000 settlers who have Israeli citizenship. The three million Palestinians in the West Bank live under seemingly open-ended Israeli military rule, with the western-backed Palestinian Authority administering population centres. Russia and Ukraine have agreed to swap the bodies of 6,000 soldiers killed in action. The agreement emerged on Monday at the latest peace talks in Turkey, where the two sides met for just over an hour, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian state media said. The talks delivered no major breakthrough in wider peace efforts. Delegations from Russia and Ukraine have ended their latest peace talks in Turkey after just over an hour, Mr Zelenskyy and Russian state media said. Russian and Ukrainian delegations at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul (Ukrainian Ministry of Defence/AP) Speaking in Vilnius, Lithuania, Mr Zelenskyy said both sides exchanged documents through the Turkish side, and we are preparing a new release of prisoners of the war. Expectations had been low for any breakthrough on ending the three-year-old war after a string of attacks over the weekend. Kyiv officials said a surprise drone attack on Sunday damaged or destroyed more than 40 warplanes at air bases deep inside Russia, including the remote Arctic, Siberian and Far East regions more than 4,300 miles from Ukraine. The complex and unprecedented raid, which struck simultaneously in three time zones, took more than a year and a half to prepare and was a major slap in the face for Russias military power, said Vasyl Maliuk, head of the Ukrainian security service, who led its planning. Mr Zelenskyy called it a brilliant operation that would go down in history. It destroyed or heavily damaged nearly a third of Moscows strategic bomber fleet, according to Ukrainian officials. Russia on Sunday fired the biggest number of drones 472 at Ukraine since its full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraines air force said, in an apparent effort to overwhelm air defences. That was part of a recently escalating campaign of strikes in civilian areas of Ukraine. In Lithuania, Mr Zelenskyy said a new release of prisoners of war was being prepared after the Istanbul meeting. The previous direct talks on May 16 also led to a swap of prisoners, with 1,000 on both sides being exchanged. Ukraine also handed Russia an official list of children it says were forcibly deported and must be returned, said Andriy Yermak, head of Mr Zelenskyys office. Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan chaired the peace talks at Istanbuls Ciragan Palace. The talks aimed to discuss both sides ceasefire terms, he said, adding that the whole worlds eyes are focused on the contacts and discussions you will have here. US-led efforts to push the two sides into accepting a ceasefire have so far failed. Ukraine accepted that step, but the Kremlin effectively rejected it. The Ukrainian delegation was led by defence minister Rustem Umerov, while Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian president Vladimir Putin, headed the Kremlin team. Vladimir Putin (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo/AP) The two delegations, each numbering more than a dozen people, sat at a U-shaped table across from each other with Turkish officials between them. Many of the Ukrainians wore military fatigues. Recent comments by senior officials in both countries indicate they remain far apart on the key conditions for stopping the war. The relentless fighting has frustrated US president Donald Trumps goal of bringing about a quick end to the war. A week ago, he expressed impatience with Mr Putin as Moscow pounded Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with drones and missiles for a third straight night. Mr Trump said on social media that Mr Putin has gone absolutely CRAZY! A round of renewed direct talks on May 16, also in Istanbul, ended after less than two hours. While both sides agreed on a large prisoner swap, there was no breakthrough. Ukraine was triumphant after targeting the distant Russian air bases. The official Russian response was muted, with the attack getting little coverage on state-controlled television. Russia-1 TV channel on Sunday evening spent a little over a minute on it with a brief Defence Ministry statement read out before images shifted to Russian drone strikes on Ukrainian positions. Mr Zelenskyy said the setbacks for the Kremlin would help force it to the negotiating table, even as its pursues a summer offensive on the battlefield. Russia must feel what its losses mean. That is what will push it toward diplomacy, he said on Monday in Vilnius as he met leaders from the Nordic nations and countries on Natos eastern flank. A truck burning in the Irkutsk region, more than 2,500 miles from Ukraine (Igor Kobzev/AP) Ukraine has occasionally struck air bases hosting Russias nuclear capable strategic bombers since early in the war, prompting Moscow to redeploy most of them to the regions farther from the front line. Because Sundays drones were launched from trucks close to the bases in five Russian regions, military defences had virtually no time to prepare for them. Many Russian military bloggers criticised the military for its failure to build protective shields for the bombers despite previous attacks, but the large size of the planes makes that challenging. Mr Zelenskyy said earlier that if the Istanbul meeting brings nothing, that clearly means strong new sanctions are urgently, urgently needed against Russia. Fierce fighting has continued along the 620-mile front line, and both sides have hit each others territory with deep strikes. Russian forces shelled Ukraines southern Kherson region, killing three people and injuring 19 others, including two children, regional officials said on Monday. Also, a missile strike and shelling around the southern city of Zaporizhzhia killed five people and injured nine others, officials said. Russian air defences downed 162 Ukrainian drones over eight Russian regions overnight, as well as over the Crimean peninsula, Russias Defence Ministry said on Monday. Ukrainian air defences damaged 52 out of 80 drones launched by Russia overnight, the Ukrainian air force said. A man accused of using a makeshift flamethrower and an incendiary device to attack a US group bringing attention to Israeli hostages in Gaza has been charged with a federal hate crime. Mohammed Sabry Soliman, 45, told police he had planned it for a year and targeted what he described as the Zionist group, the FBI said. Eight people were injured in the attack in Colorado, some with burns, as a group was concluding a weekly demonstration to raise visibility for the hostages who remain in Gaza. Witnesses reported the man shouted Free Palestine during the attack. A bomb disposal robot is deployed at the Pearl Street Mall (David Zalubowski/AP) An FBI affidavit says Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody on Sunday and told the police he would do it again. The affidavit was released in support of a federal hate crime charged filed by the Justice Department on Monday. The burst of violence at the popular Pearl Street shopping centre, a four-block area in central Boulder, unfolded against the backdrop of a war between Israel and Hamas that continues to inflame global tensions and has contributed to a spike in antisemitic violence in the US. The attack happened on the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which is marked with the reading of the Torah, and barely a week after a man who also yelled Free Palestine was charged with fatally shooting two Israeli embassy employees outside a Jewish museum in Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement on Monday saying he, his wife and the nation of Israel were praying for the full recovery of the people wounded in the vicious terror attack in Colorado. Sadly, attacks like this are becoming too common across the country, said Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the FBIs Denver field office. In New York, the police department said it had upped its presence at religious sites throughout the city for Shavuot. The eight victims who were wounded were aged between 52 and 88 and the injuries ranged from serious to minor, officials said. The attack occurred as people with a volunteer group called Run For Their Lives was concluding a weekly demonstration to raise visibility for the hostages who remain in Gaza. Sniffer dogs were involved in the police response (David Zalubowski/AP) Video from the scene shows a witness shouting, Hes right there. Hes throwing Molotov cocktails, as a police officer with his gun drawn advances on a bare-chested suspect holding containers in each hand. Alex Osante, of San Diego, said he was having lunch when he heard the crash of a bottle breaking on the ground and a boom sound followed by people yelling and screaming. In video of the scene captured by Mr Osante, people can be seen pouring water on a woman lying on the ground who Mr Osante said had caught fire during the attack. After the initial attack, Mr Osante said the suspect went behind some bushes and then re-emerged and threw a petrol bomb, but apparently accidentally caught himself on fire as he threw it. The man then took off his shirt and what appeared to be a bulletproof vest before the police arrived. The man dropped to the ground and was arrested without any apparent resistance in the video filmed by Mr Osante. Law enforcement found more than a dozen unlit petrol bombs near where Soliman was arrested. Inside his car, officers found papers with the words Israel, Palestine, and USAid, the affidavit says. Soliman told investigators he constructed homemade petrol bombs after doing research online and buying the ingredients. He drove to Boulder with the devices in his car and stopped on the way for fuel, according to the affidavit. He said in his interview that his goal was to kill all Zionists, the FBI said, and that he targeted the group and knew they they would be assembled on Sunday afternoon. Boulder County courthouse (David Zalubowski/AP) He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year and was waiting until after his daughter graduated to conduct the attack, the affidavit says. Authorities said on Sunday they believed Soliman acted alone and that no other suspect was being sought. He was also injured and was taken to hospital to be treated. Authorities did not give details of his injuries, but a booking photo showed him with a large bandage over one ear. Soliman was living in the US illegally after entering the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. She added that Soliman filed for asylum in September 2022 and was granted a work authorisation in March 2023 that had expired. Public records listed him as living in a modest rented townhouse in Colorado Springs, where local media outlets reported federal law enforcement agents were on the scene on Sunday. An online resume under Solimans name said he was employed by a Denver-area health care company working in accounting and inventory control, with previous employers listed as companies in Egypt. Under education, the resume listed Al-Azhar University, a historic centre for Islamic and Arabic learning in Cairo. FBI leaders immediately declared the attack an act of terrorism and the Justice Department denounced it as a needless act of violence, which follows recent attacks against Jewish Americans. This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts. We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it, FBI deputy director Dan Bongino said. Monday, Jun 2nd, 2025 (12:01 am) - Score 2,160 The UK government has today hailed the start of a new national campaign, funded by broadband giants BT and Virgin Media, which aims to help support and encourage vulnerable people in their efforts to switch from legacy phone lines to new digital (IP / VoIP based) networks before the deadline. In case anybody has forgotten, the big analogue phone switch-off was recently delayed to 31st January 2027 in order to give broadband ISPs, phone, telecare providers, councils and consumers more time to adapt (details). The main focus of this was the 1.8 million UK people who use vital home telecare systems (e.g. elderly, disabled, and vulnerable users), which arent always compatible with digital phone services (i.e. telecare providers were slow to adapt). For everybody else, the switchover deadline is still technically Dec 2025. NOTE: Openreach are withdrawing their old Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) products as part of this change, while BT are retiring their related Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The industry-led shift is being driven by the looming retirement of copper lines in favour of full fibre (FTTP), as well as future exchange closures and the declining reliability of the old phone network (Ofcom states that related fault rates substantially increased by 45% in 2024). Not to mention that it is not economically feasible to maintain both the old and new networks side-by-side long term. Advertisement The government has already responded to these concerns by encouraging the industry to adopt various changes and work more closely together (here and here). For example, operators must now ensure that no vulnerable customers are migrated by the major providers (e.g. BT, Virgin Media, Vodafone and Sky Broadband) until their telecare systems have been confirmed to work with the new digital phone service. The latter may involve engineer visits to homes, as well as the offer of a free battery back-up device (protection during power outages) and more. However, the new national awareness campaign (National Telecare Campaign) recognises that some problems remain, such as with the fact that not all elderly and disabled people may be aware of this change or how to solve it. In addition, not all internet and phone providers will have accurate knowledge of exactly which customers could be defined as vulnerable in the first place. The new campaign thus seeks to encourage vulnerable users to identify themselves and contact their provider, assuming they havent already done so. Many local authorities and private telecare operators have already signed data sharing agreements with phone providers to ensure that as many telecare users have been identified as possible, but even these are not perfect. Telecoms Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, said: We cannot afford to leave anyone behind during the vital transition to digital landlines. I have personally set a strict checklist of safeguards for industry to comply with before they migrate any telecare user. This industry-led campaign marks a further step towards keeping people safe as we boost the resilience of our networks for the digital age. I urge anyone with a telecare alarm or anyone close to a user of a telecare alarm to pick up the phone and contact their provider to access the help thats available. From today, adverts will appear across TV, newspapers, social media and select radio stations around the country running over the next few months to ensure widespread reach (digitalphoneswitchover.com). This is coupled with newly created posters which will be on display in GP surgeries, hospitals, pharmacies and post offices. Advertisement The advertising campaign is expected to be seen by 95% of all adults in the UK, including 98% of those over 65. BT and Virgin Media landline customers can also call on 150 from their home phone to get more information (both have the highest population of landline-only users). Claire Gillies, BT Groups Consumer CEO, said: Moving customers onto newer digital services is a necessary step as the reliability of the 40-year-old analogue landline technology is increasingly fragile therefore the time to act is now. The Digital Switchover project requires team collaboration, so weve been working hard with industry partners and are really pleased to have the support of Government in helping us raise awareness and drive action. Rob Orr, COO at Virgin Media O2, said: With traditional analogue landlines becoming less and less reliable, the programme is essential step to safeguard services for the future. Inaction would mean putting services at risk. Our message is clear: if you or someone you know use a telecare alarm, pick up the phone and talk to your provider. Let us know, and well support you every step of the way. Since 2017, UK operators have been carrying out work to retire the decades old copper home phone network, which is reaching the end of its service life (in some ways its already gone past that), and move customers to digital landline services ahead of the analogue switch-off. With over two thirds of landlines already migrated, the campaign is the final layer of protection to identify any additional users, said todays announcement. Admittedly, the current effort should really have happened several years ago, but better late than never. Most of those who migrate today will already have a broadband line, which is needed for IP based digital phone services. But for those without broadband, BT will provide a special dedicated landline service, requiring no new equipment or engineer visit. This will ensure these customers can continue using their landline in the same way they do today, until 2030 (this is when the old exchanges start to be retired at scale). The above reflects BT and Openreachs launch of a new Pre-Digital Phone Line ( PDPL ) product (aka SOTAP for Analogue). This essentially replicates how the old phone service worked, albeit over a more modern network (i.e. it does NOT require broadband or battery back-up to function). But this is only available to vulnerable and edge use case (inc. CNI) users on existing lines (not new customers) who would otherwise face challenges in migrating to IP based voice solutions by the deadline. Monday, Jun 2nd, 2025 (8:23 am) - Score 6,560 In a subtle but interesting development, ISPreview has spotted that mobile operators Vodafone and Three UK have launched a new website VodafoneThree that sets out their plans ahead of the official completion of their c.16bn mega-merger. This replaces their previous site (i.e. vodafoneandthree.uk has been retired in favour of vodafonethree.com). Just to recap. The deal will see Vodafone retain a 51% slice of the business and CK Hutchison (Three UK) hold 49%. Both operators have previously promoted the deal as being great for customers, great for the country and great for competition, while also promoting a major 11bn investment to upgrade the UKs 5G mobile (broadband) infrastructure and coverage. NOTE: The original announcement aspired to reach more than 99% of the UK population with their The original announcement aspired to reach more than 99% of the UK population with their 5G Standalone (SA) network by 2034 (95% by 2030) and push fixed wireless access (mobile home broadband) to 82% of households by 2030, among other things. The new website largely reiterates their prior commitments, albeit now re-packaged around the singular VodafoneThree branding. But the language of the website also indicates that the announcement of their final deal completion must be imminent, possibly even occurring this week. For example, theres this extract: Advertisement Tomorrow starts today Better yet, customers dont have to wait to feel the benefits. Within just six months, around 27 million Vodafone and Three customers will automatically be using each others networks connecting them to the best coverage available, at no extra cost. Meanwhile, the UKs largest full-fibre footprint will be further supported by Fixed Wireless Access offers and site upgrades. All of which means a faster, more reliable service for every single customer, without having to lift a finger. But we did notice the odd slight error or contradiction. For example, at the bottom of the front page of the new website it states that theyll be #1 for network with full, nationwide 5G Standalone coverage by 2032, which contradicts the 2034 date given elsewhere on the same site for achieving this (probably a typo). However, its worth remembering that the hard part, which involves integrating teams, networks and offices (its also unclear what will happen to the Three brand long-term) as well as launching new products, often takes several years to be fully realised. Just ask BT and EE or O2 and Virgin Media, although they also had the complexity of fixed line networks to consider. UPDATE 8:44am Well that didnt take long, the official announcement of merger completion dropped into our inbox right as we posted this article. Weve covered that here. Monday, Jun 2nd, 2025 (8:43 am) - Score 17,440 The huge 16bn+ merger between mobile network operators Vodafone and Three UK (CK Hutchison) officially completed today, which will change the competitive dynamic of the UK market. The deal is also expected to help improve the national coverage of the latest 5G Standalone (mobile broadband) technologies, but concerns remain over jobs and consumer pricing. Just to recap. The merger, which was first announced in June 2023 (here) and finally approved by the competition authority in December 2024 (here), will see Vodafone retain a 51% slice of the business and CKH hold 49%. Both operators have previously promoted the deal as being great for customers, great for the country and great for competition, while also resulting in a major 11bn investment to upgrade the UKs 5G mobile infrastructure and coverage over the next ten years. NOTE: The combined business aspires to reach more than 99% of the UK population with their 5G Standalone (SA) network by 2034 and push fixed wireless access (mobile home broadband) to 82% of households by 2030. The deal also pledged, among other things, that every school and hospital in the UK will have access to 5G SA by 2030. The move to create a single company (VodafoneThree) will, however, require the parties to follow several legally binding commitments. The goal of this, as expressed by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), is to ensure that the new company delivers on its planned improvements to network coverage and caps the prices of selected mobile tariffs and data plans for the next 3 years. The CMA also required some changes to ensure effective wholesale (MVNO) competition. Advertisement The move should help the Government to deliver on their renewed push to fulfil the ambition of full gigabit and national 5G coverage by 2030, which is something that Ofcom will now need to ensure is delivered. The operators have also launched a new website to highlight their plans VodafoneThree, which is something we covered earlier and only a few minutes before the official announcement (here). Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group CEO, said: The merger will create a new force in UK mobile, transform the countrys digital infrastructure and propel the UK to the forefront of European connectivity. We are now eager to kick-off our network build and rapidly bring customers greater coverage and superior network quality. The transaction completes the reshaping of Vodafone in Europe, and following this period of transition we are now well-positioned for growth ahead. Canning Fok, Deputy Chairman of CKH and Executive Chairman of CKHGT, said: As we have demonstrated in other European markets, scale enables the significant investment needed to deliver the world-beating mobile networks our customers expect, and the Vodafone and Three merger provides that scale. In addition, this transaction unlocks significant shareholder value, returning approximately 1.3 billion in net cash to the Group. However, despite all of todays soundbites of optimism, many consumers remain unconvinced by the agreement and are still concerned about what will happen to cheaper mobile plans once the three-year period of price protection has elapsed. The fears of future price hikes and the gradual removal of cheap plans from the UK market, either directly or via MVNO providers (e.g. iD Mobile, Smarty etc.), seem unlikely to go away anytime soon. In addition, many of the merged companys workers will now be going through a period of some uncertainty, which reflects the fact that the new company will be looking for cost efficiencies and such things often get reflected through the removal of duplication (i.e. duplication of both roles and network infrastructure). Inevitably, such deals tend to result in job losses, which may hit in the near future. At the same time, its worth remembering that todays completion only refers to the legal agreement and its details. The hard part, which involves integrating teams, networks and offices (its also unclear what will happen to the Three brand long-term, but they will continue to operate independently for now) as well as launching new products, often takes several years to fully realise. Just ask BT and EE or O2 and Virgin Media, although they also had the complexity of fixed line networks to consider. Advertisement According to todays announcement, in its first year, VodafoneThree plans to invest 1.3 billion in capex. This will enable the company to accelerate its network deployment. Consistent with previously communicated expectations, the combined business is expected to deliver cost and capex synergies of 700m per annum by the fifth year after completion and the transaction is expected to be accretive to Vodafones Adjusted free cash flow from FY29 onwards. Full alignment to Vodafones accounting policies is ongoing and pro forma financials will be provided in due course. Finally, O2 (Virgin Media) and EE (BT) will now naturally face competition from a much larger player in the UK mobile market. At the same time, Ofcoms staff may quietly relish the greater simplification of only having three mobile operators to herd instead of four, even if that outcome may have some negatives. UPDATE 10:50am Weve had a comment from MVNO operator Honest Mobile, which harnesses Three UKs network. Advertisement An N.C. House Select Committee is recommending that the General Assembly change a state law forcing districts to start school the Monday closest to Aug. 26 and end no later than the Friday clo remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. ( Tomdispatch.com ) Believe it or not, I had a transcendent experience at this years Border Security Expo, the annual event that brings Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) together with private industry. I hesitate to describe it that way, though, because I was on the exhibition hall floor and instantly found myself in the very heart of the U.S. border-industrial complex. It was early April and I was surrounded by the latest surveillance equipment camera systems, drones, robodogs from about 225 companies (a record number for such an event) displaying their wares at that Phoenix Convention Center. Many of the people there seemed all too excited that Donald Trump was once again president. You might wonder how its even possible to have a mystical experience while visiting this countrys largest annual border surveillance fair and I would agree, especially since my moment came just after Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem gave the keynote speech to a packed convention center ballroom. Perhaps you wont be surprised to learn that Noem, who had infamously worn a $50,000 Rolex watch to a Salvadoran terrorism prison photo shoot just weeks before, received rousing ovation after ovation, as she claimed that the Trump administration had almost achieved operational control of the U.S.-Mexican border. (Only a little more to go, she insisted!) The same point had been made by border czar Thomas Homan earlier that day. Both asked the audience to give standing ovations to all border law enforcement officials in the room for, as Noem put it, enduring the train wreck and poor leadership of Joe Biden leading this country. And like those who preceded her, she used words like invasion abundantly, suggesting that an all-too-fragile United States was battling a siege of unknown proportions. The late Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano had a name for just such an experience: an upside-down world, he called it. In such a world, were presented not with the facts but their very opposite. For the border-industrial complex, however, its just such an inverted world that sells their product. Then it happened. I was walking down a corridor lined with drone companies, including one from India called ideaForge, whose medium-sized drone was built like a bird and tested like a tank. There were also sophisticated artificial intelligence camera systems mounted on masts atop armored ground drones, which might be considered the perfect combination of todays modern border technology. There was also the company Fat Truck, whose vehicles had tires taller than my car. X-ray and biometric systems surrounded me, along with green-uniformed Border Patrol agents, sheriffs from border counties, and ICE agents checking the equipment. As always, you could practically smell the cash in the air. Of my 13 years covering the Border Security Expo, this was clearly the largest and most enthusiastic one ever. I was walking through it all on one of those worn blue carpets found in convention centers and then, suddenly, I wasnt walking there at all. Instead, I was in the Sierra Tarahumara in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, with a Raramuri man named Mario Quiroz. I had been there with him the previous week, so it was indeed a memory, but so vivid it essentially overcame me. I could smell the forest near the Copper Canyon, one of the most beautiful places on the planet. I could see Quiroz showing me the drying yellowish trees cracking everywhere amid a mega-drought of staggering proportions. I could even catch a glimpse of the fractured Rio Conchos, the Mexican river that, at the border, would become the Rio Grande. It was drying up and the trees along it were dying, while many local people were finding that they had little choice but to migrate elsewhere to make ends meet. I had to sit down. When I did, I suddenly found myself back at the expo in that stale air-conditioned environment that only promises yet more surveillance towers and drones on that very border. Then came the realization that gave me pause: although that devastated Sierra Tarahumara terrain and the Border Security Expo couldnt be more different, they are, in fact, also intimately connected. After all, Sierra Tarahumara represents the all too palpable and devastating reality of climate change and the way its already beginning to displace people, while the Expo represented my countrys most prominent response to that displacement (and the Global Norths more generally). For the United States increasingly so in the age of Donald Trump the only answer to the climate crisis and its mass displacement of people is yet more border enforcement. Unwanted Starving Immigrants Consider the 2003 Pentagon-commissioned report entitled An Abrupt Climate Change Scenario and Its Implications for United States National Security. It stated, The United States and Australia are likely to build defensive fortresses around their countries because they have the resources and reserves to achieve self-sufficiency. It also predicted that borders will be strengthened around the country to hold back unwanted starving immigrants from the Caribbean islands (an especially severe problem), Mexico, and South America. Twenty-two years later, that prophecy if the Border Security Expo is any indication is coming true. In 2007, Leon Fuerth, former national security adviser to Vice President Al Gore, wrote that border problems will overwhelm American capabilities beyond the possibility of control, except by drastic measures and perhaps not even then. His thoughts were a response to a request from the House of Representatives for scientists and military practitioners to offer serious projections connecting climate change and national security. The result would be the book Climatic Cataclysm: The Foreign Policy and National Security Implications of Climate Change. Since, according to its editor Kurt Campbell, it would take 30 years for a major military platform to go from the drawing board to the battlefield, that volume was, indeed, a book of preparation for a bordered future that only now is beginning to truly envelop us. In March, I stood on a hill in the town of Sisoguichi in Chihuahua, Mexico, with the local priest, Hector Fernando Martinez, who told me people there wouldnt be planting corn, beans, and squash at all this year because of the drought. They feared it would never again rain. And it was true that the drought in Chihuahua was the worst I had ever seen, affecting not only the mountains but also the valleys where drying lakes and reservoirs had left farmers without water for the 2025 agricultural cycle. What do people do instead? I asked the priest. Migrate, he told me. Many people already migrate for half the year to supplement their incomes, picking apples near Cuauhtemoc or chiles near Camargo. Others end up in the city of Ciudad Juarez, working in maquiladoras (factories) to produce goods for Walmart, Target, and warplane manufacturers, among other places. Some, of course, also try to cross into the United States, only to encounter the same technology and weaponry that was before my eyes that day at the Border Security Expo. Those displacements, anticipated in assessments from the early 2000s, are already happening in an ever more unnerving fashion. The Internal Displacement Monitoring Center reports that each year now about 22.4 million people are forcibly displaced by weather-related hazards. And projections for future migration are startling. The World Bank estimates that, by 2050, 216 million people could be on the move globally, while another report speculates that the number could even hit 1.2 billion. Multiple factors influence peoples decisions to migrate, of course, but climate change is rapidly becoming a (if not the) most prominent one. Despite the Trump administrations efforts to banish climate change from all government documents and discourse and quite literally wipe it out as a subject of any interest at all, the DHSs 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment describes whats going on in Chihuahua and elsewhere all too well: Natural disasters or extreme weather events abroad that disrupt local economies or result in food insecurity have the potential to exacerbate migration flows to the United States. The 2021 DHS Climate Action Plan stated that the department would conduct integrated, scalable, agile, and synchronized steady-state operations to secure the Southern Border and Approaches. It turns out that the operational control Kristi Noem mentioned at the Border Security Expo includes preparations for potential climate-induced mass migration. That hellish dystopic world (envisioned in movies like Mad Max) is coming to you directly from Trumps Department of Homeland Security along the U.S.-Mexican border. The Border-Industrial Complex in Action As I continued through that expo hall, I recalled walking in drought-stricken Chihuahua and thought about whats now happening on our border to face the human nightmare of climate change in an all-too-military fashion. Ominously enough, the company Akima, which operates the ICE detention center in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, was a prime sponsor of the Expo and I saw its name prominently displayed. Its website indicates that it is now hiring to support ICE efforts, effectively framing the mass deportations promised by Trump as a good opportunity for volunteers. One booth for the company QinteQ displayed a ground robot resembling a multilegged insect. I wondered how this could help with the Chihuahuan drought. A vendor told me it could be used for bomb disposal. When I gave him a look of disbelief, he mentioned that hed heard of a couple of cases of bombs found at the border. At another company, UI Path, an enthusiastic vendor claimed their software was focused on administrative efficiency and, he assured me, was well aligned with DOGE (Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency), allowing Border Patrol agents to not have to handle the tedious tasks, so that they could go out in the field. I then asked about their success with the Border Patrol and he replied, They already have our program. They are already using it. When I approached the Matthews Environmental Solutions booth, the vendors werent there. But behind a lone green chair, a large placard stated that the company was one of the global leaders in waste incineration, with over 5,000 installations worldwide. A photo of a large metal waste incinerator caught my eye, somewhat morbidly, because the website also said that the company offered cremation systems. Though they werent selling that service at the Border Security Expo, there was certainly a macabre symbolism to such an expo where human ashes could be converted into profit and suffering into revenue. Forecasters at the global management consulting firm IMARC Group cheerily project an even more robust global homeland security market to come. The growing number and severity of natural disasters and public health emergencies, they write, is offering a favorable homeland security market outlook. By IMARCs calculations, the industry will grow from $635.90 billion this year to $997.82 billion by 2033, a nearly 5% growth rate. The company Market and Markets, however, predicts a far quicker ascent, estimating that the market will reach $905 billion by next year. The consensus, in short, is that, in the age of climate change, homeland security will soon be on the verge of becoming a trillion-dollar industry and just imagine what future Border Security Expos will be like then! Certainly, the Trump administration, eager to toss out anything related to climate change funding while also working hard to increase the production of fossil fuels, has ambitious plans to contribute to that very reality. Since January, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and ICE have already put out about $2.5 billion in contracts. Its still early, but that number is actually lower than Joe Bidens pace a year ago; his spending reached $9 billion at the end of fiscal year 2024. Despite constant accusations from Trump and others that Joe Biden maintained open borders, he finished his term as the top contractor of any president when it came to border and immigration enforcement and so set a high bar for Trump. In 2025, Trump is operating with a CBP and ICE budget of $29.4 billion, slightly lower than Bidens 2024 one, but historically high (approximately $10 billion more than when he started his first term as president in 2017). The change, however, will come next year, as the administration is asking for $175 billion for the Department of Homeland Security, an increase of $43.8 billion to fully implement the Presidents mass removal campaign, finish construction of the border wall on the Southwest border, procure advanced border security technology, modernize the fleet and facilities of the Coast Guard, and enhance Secret Service protective operations. On top of that on May 22nd, the House of Representatives passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that, among other things, would infuse $160 billion more in funding into the CBP and ICE budgets over the next four and a half years. As Adam Isaacson from the Washington Office on Latin America stated, We have never seen anything come close to the level of border hardening and massive deportation enforcement resources foreseen in this bill that will now go to a vote in the Senate. This may explain the industrys optimism; they sense a potential bonanza to come. Despite Trumps deep urge to erase global warming from consideration, climate displacement and border protection two dynamics trending distinctly upward are on a collision course. The United States, the worlds largest historic carbon emitter, had already been spending 11 times more on border and immigration enforcement than on climate finance and, under President Trump, those proportions are set to become even more stunningly abysmal. U.S. climate policy now boils down to this: reducing fossil fuel extraction and consumption are far less important (if important at all) than the creation of a profitable border and immigration apparatus. In fact, the dystopia of the Border Security Expo I saw that day is the U.S. response to the drought in Chihuahua and so much else involving the overheating of this planet. And yet, when it comes to this country, whatever Donald Trump may want to believe, no border wall can actually stop climate change itself. As I listened to Kristi Noem and Thomas Homan discuss what they considered to be a besieged country, I thought of Galeanos provocative analysis of that inverted world where the oppressor becomes the oppressed and the oppressed the oppressor. That world now includes fires, floods, increasingly devastating storms, and encroaching seas, all to be met with high-tech cameras, biometrics, robotic dogs, and formidable walls. I still cant shake my vision of those yellowish hues on the dying trees in the Sierra Tarahumara. I walked with Quiroz down that canyon to the Rio Conchos River and out onto its bed of dried stones that crunched like bones underfoot. Quiroz told me he came to that then-flowing river every day as a kid to tend to his familys goats. I asked how he felt about it now that it looked like a bunch of disconnected puddles stretching before us to the horizon. Tristeza, he told me. Walking the halls of the expo, I felt the weight of that word: sadness. Sadness, indeed, in this thoroughly upside-down borderworld of ours. Copyright Todd Miller 2025 Via Tomdispatch.com TORONTO, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wallbridge Mining Company Limited (TSX: WM, OTCQB:WLBMF) (Wallbridge or the Company) today announced the results for the first eleven holes of its 2025 exploration drilling program at its 100% owned Martiniere gold project (Martiniere). The results include multiple high-grade gold intercepts along extensions to four of the zones targeted along the Bug Lake (BL) deformation corridor, and at a fifth newly identified target located approximately 300 metres north of the BL deformation corridor. Highlights: Dragonfly MR-25-111 40.99 g/t Au over 2.3m including 59.60 g/t Au over 1.5m MR-25-112 20.91 g/t Au over 2.7m including 51.90 g/t Au over 1.0m MR-25-116 28.44 g/t Au over 1.2m including 52.80 g/t Au over 0.6m; 18.54 g/t Au over 4.0m including 65.80 g/t Au over 1.0m MR-25-117 7.61 g/t Au over 2.1m including 17.60 g/t Au over 0.9m MR-25-121 28.52 g/t Au over 1.8m including 63.00 g/t Au over 0.8m 14.31 g/t Au over 1.5m including 30.50 g/t Au over 0.5m; 16.79 g/t Au over 10.1m including 17.62 g/t Au over 3.0m and 32.87 g/t Au over 3.0m; 17.08 g/t Au over 1.7m including 38.90 g/t Au over 0.7m Horsefly MR-24-100 6.71 g/t Au over 14.4m including 9.81 g/t Au over 3.0m and 11.41 g/t Au over 5.0m BL North MR-25-113 6.14 g/t Au over 0.6m and 5.62 g/t Au over 0.7m Martiniere Northeast - New Area MR-25-115 3.84 g/t Au over 6.0m including 7.27 g/t over 3.0m "We continue to be very pleased with the positive results of our exploration program at Martiniere, commented Brian W. Penny, Wallbridge CEO. Building on the success of our 2024 exploration program, our strategy for 2025 is to assess the potential to expand the Martiniere gold resource through systematic step-out drilling along known high-grade structures along the Bug Lake deformation corridor and drilling of new targets identified within the broader deposit area. The initial results for Phase 1 reflect the success of this strategy. Our team is eager to receive the remaining Phase 1 assay results which will be incorporated into our plans for Phase 2 scheduled to commence in mid-July, concluded Mr. Penny. Martiniere 2025 Drilling Program The Companys 2025 Martiniere drilling program commenced earlier this year in mid-March (see Wallbridge news release dated March 14, 2025). During 2025, the Company plans to complete a total of 10,000 to 15,000 metres in two phases of drilling at Martiniere. During Phase 1, completed on May 14, the Company drilled 16 holes plus two extensions to holes drilled in 2024 for a total of 7,225 metres. The results presented in this news release are for the first nine holes plus the two-hole extensions. Once all pending assays have been received, the Company plans to report the remaining results of the Phase 1 program in late June or early July. Drilling at Martiniere is scheduled to resume in mid-July with the commencement of the Phase 2 program. At Dragonfly, high-grade gold intercepts in drill holes MR-25-111, MR-25-112, MR-25-121, and an extension to hole MR-24-110 add another 300 metres of strike length to the northwest, providing further support for geologic continuity between the Dragonfly and the Bug Lake North zones. Likewise, high-grade gold mineralization intercepted in hole MR-25-117 extends the Dragonfly zone another 250 metres to the southeast, where mineralization remains open along strike. Assay results are pending for holes MR-25-122 and MR-25-123 drilled to test down-dip projections of Dragonfly gold mineralization. At Horsefly, a deeper extension to hole MR-24-100 has intercepted additional high-grade gold mineralization peripheral to the currently defined mineral resource. Drilling has also intercepted significant gold grades in hole MR-25-114 drilled approximately 200 metres to the east of the Horsefly resource. Assay results are pending for Horsefly holes MR-25-124 and MR-25-125 drilled to test for additional gold mineralization between the Horsefly resource and the regional scale Lac-Du-Doigt fault to the north. Drilling farther outboard of the central Martiniere resource area has also returned positive results. Drill hole MR-25-115 intercepted 3.0 metres of high-grade gold mineralization grading 7.37 g/t Au in an area north of the Lac du Doigt fault where no exploration drilling has been done previously. Assay results are pending for holes MR-25-120 and MR-25-126, drilled as widely spaced step-out holes to follow up on the positive results returned from MR-25-115. Step-out drilling along the southeasterly trending Bug Lake South zone intercepted a narrow interval of mineralization grading 2.35 g/t Au over 1.0m in hole MR-25-118. Assays are pending for hole MR-25-119, drilled as a down-plunge step-out of the Bug Lake South underground resource. With these latest results, gold mineralization along the Bug Lake corridor has been delineated over an approximate 2,000m by 800m area and to an average vertical depth of 350-400m below surface. Deeper intercepts from hole MR-25-121 reported here and historic drill hole MDE-17-189 indicate the Martiniere gold system remains open at depth to at least 500m below surface. Gold mineralization at Martiniere occurs in close association with pyritic silica-sericite alteration and quartz-carbonate veining along discrete fault and shear structures in a host sequence of basaltic volcanic and cross-cutting felsic porphyry intrusive rocks. Martiniere Drill Hole Location Map For more information including a drill hole location map, representative long-section and tables with drill hole location information and composited assays for complete drill holes please refer to the links below. Martiniere Plan View 2025 Drilling Martiniere Gold Project: 2024 Phase 2 Long-Section Martiniere Gold Project: Q3 2024 Drill Assay Summary and Drill Hole Location Information Martiniere Project 2025 Phase 1 Drill Assay Highlights1 From To Length3 Au4 Drill Hole VG* 2 (m) (m) (m) (g/t) DRAGONFLY MR-24-110 Reported previously 79.3 80.6 1.3 17.35 * 143.0 145.3 2.3 27.60 MR-24-110 extnn 234.2 235.4 1.2 5.95 MR-25-111 * 457.0 458.5 1.5 7.87 Including 457.0 458.0 1.0 0.50 * 458.0 458.5 0.5 22.60 464.0 467.7 3.7 3.98 Including 464.0 467.0 3.0 2.79 467.0 467.7 0.7 9.08 500.7 503.0 2.3 40.99 Including 500.7 502.2 1.5 59.60 502.2 503.0 0.8 6.11 MR-25-112 254.7 257.4 2.7 20.91 Including 254.7 255.5 0.8 3.52 255.5 256.5 1.0 51.90 256.5 257.4 0.9 1.93 MR-25-116 * 160.8 162.0 1.2 28.44 Including 160.8 161.4 0.6 4.08 * 161.4 162.0 0.6 52.80 336.0 340.0 4.0 18.54 Including 336.0 337.1 1.1 5.49 337.1 338.0 0.9 0.48 338.0 339.0 1.0 65.80 339.0 340.0 1.0 1.88 MR-25-117 274.5 276.6 2.1 7.61 Including 274.5 275.0 0.5 0.11 275.0 275.9 0.9 17.60 275.9 276.6 0.7 0.13 MR-25-121 * 121.2 123.0 1.8 28.52 Including 121.2 122.2 1.0 0.94 * 122.2 123.0 0.8 63.00 * 247.0 248.5 1.5 14.31 Including* 247.0 247.7 0.7 30.50 247.7 248.5 0.8 0.15 * 375.4 378.8 3.4 5.79 Including 375.4 376.4 1.0 3.35 376.4 377.8 1.4 0.50 * 377.8 378.8 1.0 15.65 421.2 423.5 2.3 4.88 Including 421.2 422.2 1.0 10.30 422.2 423.5 1.3 0.71 443.9 454.0 10.1 16.79 Including 443.9 447.9 4.0 17.62 447.9 451.0 3.1 0.15 451.0 454.0 3.0 32.87 465.5 467.8 2.3 3.65 Including 465.5 466.8 1.3 0.41 466.8 467.8 1.0 7.87 480.0 482.4 2.4 2.65 Including 480.0 480.8 0.8 1.42 480.8 481.8 1.0 4.29 481.8 482.4 0.6 1.57 484.8 486.5 1.7 17.08 Including 484.8 485.5 0.7 38.90 485.5 486.5 1.0 1.01 577.0 579.0 2.0 8.90 Including 577.0 578.5 1.5 1.77 578.5 579.0 0.5 30.30 MR-25-122 Assays Pending MR-25-123 Assays Pending BUG LAKE NORTH MR-25-113 25.5 30.0 4.5 1.14 25.5 27.0 1.5 0.22 27.0 27.6 0.6 6.14 27.6 30.0 2.4 0.46 390.3 392.0 1.7 2.41 390.3 391.0 0.7 5.62 391.0 392.0 1.0 0.17 HORSEFLY MR-24-100 Reported Previously * 57.8 68.8 11.0 16.21 * 114.4 121.3 6.9 7.24 124.4 130.0 5.6 3.70 155.0 155.5 0.5 10.80 MR-24-100 extn 162.0 163.5 1.5 6.11 * 284.6 299.0 14.4 6.71 Including 284.6 286.5 1.9 5.08 286.5 288.0 1.5 0.04 288.0 291.0 3.0 9.81 291.0 294.0 3.0 0.14 * 294.0 299.0 5.0 11.41 MR-25-114 226.7 227.6 0.9 2.79 240.7 241.5 0.8 2.05 MR-25-124 Assays Pending MR-25-125 Assays Pending MARTINIERE NORTHEAST MR-25-115 234.0 237.0 3.0 7.27 Including 234.0 235.5 1.5 8.16 235.5 237.0 1.5 6.38 MR-25-120 Assays Pending BUG LAKE SOUTH MR-25-118 189.9 190.9 1.0 2.35 MR-25-119 Assays Pending Notes 1 Summarized assay highlights have been selected based on a combination of criteria including observable mineralization and/or having a Metal Factor >5 gm*m (MF = Au g/t * Interval length). 2 Asterisk * denotes visible gold (VG) observed in drill core. 3 True widths are estimated to be 60-90% of the reported core length intervals. 4 Previously reported results (November 6, 2024 News Release) that were initially reported as >10g/t have been updated. The Martiniere project is a key component of the Companys 830 square kilometre Detour-Fenelon Trend property package located in Northern Abitibi, Quebec, 30 kilometres west of the Companys flagship Fenelon gold project and 50 kilometres east of Canadas largest gold mine, Agnico Eagles Detour Lake gold mine. Exploration and resource delineation drilling completed at Martiniere has so far intercepted multiple zones of vein-hosted gold mineralization over an approximate 2.0 kilometre by 800 metre area along the northwest-southeast trending Bug Lake Zone, and over an approximate 1.5 kilometre by 250 metre area along the northeast-southwest trending Martiniere West and Central corridor. Wallbridge Mining Detour Fenelon Gold Trend Properties Quality Assurance / Quality Control Wallbridge maintains a Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") program for all its exploration projects using industry best practices. Key elements of the QA/QC program include verifiable chain of custody for samples, regular insertion of blanks and certified reference materials, and completion of secondary check analyses performed at a separate independent accredited laboratory. Drill core is halved and shipped in sealed bags to Activation Laboratories Ltd. (ActLabs) in Val dOr, Quebec where they are routinely analysed via fire assay with AAS finish methods. For greater precision and accuracy, samples assaying 10 g/t Au or greater are re-distributed to other ActLabs facilities where they are re-assayed via metallic screen fire assay or fire assay/gravimetric finish, depending on the amount of sample material remaining available. Samples containing visible gold are submitted directly for analysis by metallic screen fire assay method. Activation Laboratories Ltd. operates under a Quality Management System that conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. Qualified Person The Qualified Person responsible for the technical content of this news release is Mr. Mark A. Petersen, M.Sc., P.Geo. (OGQ AS-10796; PGO 3069), Senior Exploration Consultant for Wallbridge. About Wallbridge Mining Wallbridge is focused on creating value through the exploration and sustainable development of gold projects in Quebecs Abitibi region while respecting the environment and communities where it operates. The Company holds a contiguous mineral property position totaling 830 km2 that extends approximately 97 km along the Detour-Fenelon gold trend. The property is host to the Companys flagship PEA stage Fenelon Gold Project, and its earlier exploration stage Martiniere Gold Project, as well as numerous other gold exploration targets. For further information please visit the Companys website at https://wallbridgemining.com/ or contact: Wallbridge Mining Company Limited Brian Penny, CPA, CMA Chief Executive Officer Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. M: +1 416 716 8346 Tania Barreto, CPIR Director, Investor Relations Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. M: +1 289 819 3012 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information The information in this document may contain forward-looking statements or information (collectively, FLI) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. FLI is based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this document. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are FLI that involve various risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties. Generally, FLI can be identified by the use of statements that include, but are not limited to, words such as seeks, believes, anticipates, plans, continues, budget, scheduled, estimates, expects, forecasts, intends, projects, predicts, proposes, "potential", targets and variations of such words and phrases, or by statements that certain actions, events or results may, will, could, would, should or might, be taken, occur or be achieved. FLI in this document may include, but is not limited to: statements regarding the results of the PEA; the potential future performance of the Common Shares; future drill results; the Companys ability to convert inferred resources into measured and indicated resources; environmental matters; stakeholder engagement and relationships; parametres and methods used to estimate the MREs at Fenelon and Martiniere (collectively the Deposits); the prospects, if any, of the Deposits; future drilling at the Deposits; and the significance of historic exploration activities and results. FLI is designed to help you understand managements current views of its near- and longer-term prospects, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. FLI by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which 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 such FLI. Although the FLI contained in this document is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities of the Company that actual results will be consistent with such FLI, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such FLI. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such FLI contained in this document to reflect new events or circumstances. Unless otherwise noted, this document has been prepared based on information available as of the date of this document. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the FLI, or information contained herein. 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 FLI. Assumptions upon which FLI is based, without limitation, include: the results of exploration activities, the Companys financial position and general economic conditions; the ability of exploration activities to accurately predict mineralization; the accuracy of geological modelling; the ability of the Company to complete further exploration activities; the legitimacy of title and property interests in the Deposits; the accuracy of key assumptions, parametres or methods used to estimate the MREs and in the PEA; the ability of the Company to obtain required approvals; geological, mining and exploration technical problems; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the evolution of the global economic climate; metal prices; foreign exchange rates; environmental expectations; community and non-governmental actions; and, the Companys ability to secure required funding. Risks and uncertainties about Wallbridge's business are discussed in the disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Cautionary Notes to United States Investors Wallbridge prepares its disclosure in accordance with NI 43-101 which differs from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Terms relating to mineral properties, mineralization and estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources and economic studies used herein are defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines set out in CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Council on May 19, 2014, as amended. NI 43-101 differs significantly from the disclosure requirements of the SEC generally applicable to US companies. As such, the information presented herein concerning mineral properties, mineralization and estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. VANCOUVER, British Columbia / Jun 02, 2025 / Business Wire / Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. (the "Company" or "Spanish Mountain Gold") (TSX-V: SPA) (FSE: S3Y) (OTCQB: SPAUF) confirms extensive, near surface gold mineralization intersected with overall approximate length, width and vertical depth of 1,450 m x 450 m x 60-320 m at the Phoenix Target, which is part of the Spanish Mountain Gold project, located in the Cariboo Gold Corridor, British Columbia, Canada. The Phoenix Target remains open in all directions. The 10,000 m 2025 winter diamond drilling program (the Program) has been completed with a total of 31 holes, including 14 holes drilled on the Phoenix Target. While some assays from the Program are still pending the Company now has the results for all the holes drilled on the Phoenix Target. Highlights: Confirmed Extensive, near surface gold mineralization containing high grade intercepts in a potentially new geological setting Phoenix Target (See Figures 1, 2, and Table 1): Hole 25-CCR-062 intersected 62.00 m grading 1.47 g/t Au from 227.00 m including 4.00 m grading 17.28 g/t Au from 227.00 m including Hole 25-CCR-053 intersected 188.20 m grading 0.31 g/t Au from 63.00 m including 62.00 m grading 0.48 g/t Au . Also 74.00 m grading 0.29 g/t Au from 274.00 m including 0.85 m grading 6.55 g/t Au from 63.00 m including . Also 74.00 m grading 0.29 g/t Au from 274.00 m including Hole 25-CCR-056 intersected 153.64 m grading 0.37 g/t Au from 42.36 m including 116.00 m grading 0.40 g/t Au from 80.00 m and 13.12 m grading 1.27 g/t Au from 42.36 m including from 80.00 m and Hole 25-CCR-057 intersected 58.56 m grading 0.42 g/t Au from 125.00 m including 7.80 m grading 1.31 g/t Au and 4.80 m grading 1.55 g/t Au from 125.00 m including 7.80 m grading 1.31 g/t Au and 4.80 m grading 1.55 g/t Au Hole 25-CCR-058 intersected 57.00 m grading 0.41 g/t Au from 109.00 m including 20.00 m grading 0.58 g/t Au and 1.30 m grading 4.85 g/t Au from 109.00 m including 20.00 m grading 0.58 g/t Au and 1.30 m grading 4.85 g/t Au Hole 25-CCR-059 intersected 37.60 m grading 0.43 g/t Au from 257.90 m including 1.01 m grading 3.20 g/t Au and 1.50 m grading 1.26 g/t Au from 257.90 m including and 1.50 m grading 1.26 g/t Au Hole 25-CCR-060 intersected 68.00 m grading 0.24 g/t Au from 93.90 m including 2.00 m grading 2.50 g/t Au. Also 40.40 m grading 0.60 g/t Au from 197.15 m including 10.00 m grading 1.29 g/t Au Expanding Resource Potential: Drilling results continue to confirm the expansion of gold mineralization along the Phoenix Target over a strike length exceeding 1.4-kilometers, 450 m wide and with a consistent mineralization zone(s) with an estimated vertical depth ranging from approximately 60 - 320 meters. Containing broad intercepts of mineralization consistently grading 0.40 g/t Au and higher-grade intervals ranging from 1.0 to greater than 20.0 g/t Au substantially increases the potential for a significant addition to the Spanish Mountain Gold project's resource base. The Company has engaged Equity Exploration to establish a maiden resource estimate on the Phoenix Target (the Phoenix MRE) anticipated to be completed in the second quarter of 2025. The Phoenix MRE will be included in the upcoming Preliminary Economic Assessment technical report for the Spanish Mountain Gold project expected to be released in the second quarter of 2025 (the Updated PEA). Due to the expected timing of the Phoenix MRE, it is not anticipated that the Phoenix Target will be included in the economic analysis contained in the Updated PEA. Peter Mah, Spanish Mountain Gold's President, CEO and Director commented, The recent drill success near surface at Phoenix further demonstrates the potential to expand the gold resource base and for value creation upside at the Spanish Mountain Gold project. The awakening Phoenix Target, dormant since 2011, is located 1.4 kilometers west of our main deposit. Phoenix is intriguing our team in what appears to be an emerging new geological host setting for gold that remains open in all directions and present in other nearby areas such as the K Zone and Outcropping Tuff targets. Phoenix Target Details: Drill holes 25-CCR-052 to 25-CCR-062, were drilled to follow up on the large target discovered in 2011 (refer to press release dated December 7, 2011, "Spanish Mountain Gold Announces Discovery of New Gold Zone") and recently expanded upon in our April 24, 2025, release Spanish Mountain Gold Reports Initial Drill Results Multiple Near Surface and High-grade Intercepts 2025 Winter Exploration Program. The results from these new holes continue to demonstrate the expanding footprint of gold mineralization in the Phoenix Target area, with consistent grades over significant widths. Table 1: 2025 Winter Drill Program Summarized Gold Assay Results Drillhole ID From To Width(m) Gold Grade (g/t Au) 25-CCR-052 44.00 63.00 19.00 0.36 including 44.00 46.00 2.00 1.98 25-CCR-053 63.00 251.20 188.20 0.31 including 63.00 125.00 62.00 0.48 including 69.30 98.00 28.70 0.73 25-CCR-053 274.00 348.00 74.00 0.29 including 274.00 290.00 16.00 0.68 including 274.00 274.85 0.85 6.55 including 340.00 343.75 3.75 1.06 25-CCR-056 42.36 196.00 153.64 0.37 including 80.00 196.00 116.00 0.40 including 115.00 131.00 16.00 0.50 including 153.90 168.00 14.10 0.66 including 182.88 196.00 13.12 1.27 including 185.00 188.00 3.00 3.59 25-CCR-057 125.00 183.56 58.56 0.42 including 138.20 146.00 7.80 1.31 including 138.20 143.00 4.80 1.55 25-CCR-057 194.23 196.00 1.77 0.34 25-CCR-057 207.89 215.90 8.01 0.42 25-CCR-057 276.00 279.65 3.65 0.43 25-CCR-058 109.00 166.00 57.00 0.41 25-CCR-058 124.70 170.00 45.30 0.49 including 124.70 126.00 1.30 4.85 including 146.00 166.00 20.00 0.58 including 160.18 166.00 5.82 1.01 25-CCR-059 257.90 295.50 37.60 0.43 including 270.75 271.76 1.01 3.20 including 291.00 292.50 1.50 1.26 25-CCR-060 93.90 161.90 68.00 0.24 including 93.90 95.00 1.10 1.16 including 159.00 161.00 2.00 2.50 25-CCR-060 197.15 237.55 40.40 0.60 25-CCR-060 203.00 259.23 56.23 0.47 including 203.00 213.00 10.00 1.29 including 230.00 234.00 4.00 2.24 25-CCR-061 62.00 137.00 75.00 0.21 including 127.79 130.00 2.21 1.14 25-CCR-061 161.00 196.00 35.00 0.32 including 193.29 196.00 2.71 2.31 25-CCR-061 204.00 206.00 2.00 0.49 25-CCR-062 122.00 161.00 39.00 0.23 including 143.00 147.73 4.73 0.82 25-CCR-062 227.00 289.00 62.00 1.47 including 227.00 229.00 2.00 2.19 including 283.00 287.00 4.00 17.28 including 285.00 287.00 2.00 23.03 Notes: 1) Reported intersections are calculated using a 0.15 g/t Au cut-off grade. 2) The complete assay table is available on the Companys website. 3) The true thickness of mineralization is unknown. 4) Results from 10 of 11 drilled holes. One hole was abandoned due to hole conditions during drilling. Table 2: Drill Hole Collar Location, hole depths, and core size HOLE-ID LOCATION X LOCATION Y LOCATION Z LENGTH Azimuth Dip Core size Easting Northing Elevation 25-CCR-052 602218 5827525 1016 63 120 65 HQ 25-CCR-053 602264 5827755 1032 348 120 65 NQ 25-CCR-054 602327 5827906 1051 70 120 65 NQ 25-CCR-056 602222 5827527 1016 324 120 80 HQ 25-CCR-057 601898 5828454 1026 294 120 65 HQ 25-CCR-058 602055 5828157 1032 230 120 65 HQ 25-CCR-059 601876 5828576 1022 345 120 65 HQ 25-CCR-060 601970 5828299 1030 287 120 65 HQ 25-CCR-061 602121 5828326 1039 299 120 65 HQ 25-CCR-062 602323 5827907 1049 294 120 80 HQ Abbreviations: metres = m, grams per tonne = g/t, gold = Au Drill Core Processing, Data Verification and Quality Assurance Quality Control Program (QAQC) Once received from the drill and processed, all drill core samples were sawn in half, labeled, and bagged. The remaining half of the drill core was securely stored on-site. Numbered security tags were applied to sample shipments to ensure chain of custody compliance. The Company inserts quality control (QC) samples at regular intervals, including blanks and reference materials, for all sample shipments to monitor laboratory performance. Standards and blanks account for a minimum of 15% of the samples in addition to the laboratorys internal quality assurance programs. The QAQC program was overseen by the Companys Qualified Person, Julian Manco, P.Geo, Director of Exploration (as described below). Drill core samples were submitted to MSALABS analytical facility in Prince George, British Columbia, for sample preparation and PhotonAssayTM analysis. The MSALABS facilities are accredited to the International Standards ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 9001 standard for gold and multi-element assays, with all analytical methods incorporating quality control materials at defined frequencies and established data acceptance criteria. MSALABS Inc. is independent of the Company. PhotonAssayTM The PhotonAssayTM method utilizes gamma ray analysis for gold detection using the Chrysos PhotonAssayTM instrument (PA1408X). This non-destructive, fully automated technique offers high accuracy for analyzing ores and pulps. Sample preparation begins with drying and crushing up to 1 kg of material to achieve at least 70% passing through a 2-millimetre (mm) sieve. The sample is then riffle split to obtain a suitable aliquot for 2 testing cycles (MSALABS Method CPA-Au1). The PhotonAssayTM instrument bombards 400 - 600 gram samples contained in sealed containers with gamma rays. These containers remain sealed throughout the process, preserving the sample for potential further testing. The analysis is performed robotically, with results that integrate into existing laboratory management systems. Each sample is accompanied by a reference disc traceable to a Certified Reference Material (CRM). Both the sample and reference disc undergo gamma ray exposure, with signals detected and analyzed to ensure accurate and reliable results. The method offers a gold detection range from 0.015 parts per million (ppm - lower limit) to 10,000 ppm (upper limit). Quality control includes the use of reference materials and blanks, with all results reviewed by a competent person before reporting. Spanish Mountain Gold implemented two QAQC methodologies to validate the accuracy of PhotonAssayTM results, both demonstrating good comparability: 1) comparative analysis of diverse mineralization styles using Total Au screen metallic methods with both FAS-415 (gravimetric finish) and FAS-211 (AAS finish), and 2) comprehensive testing of both sample aliquots and rejects using FAS-211 (AAS finish). QAQC Testing typically can include the following spot checks: 1) Pulverizing tests to evaluate variability in sample preparation, 2) Cross-analysis at external laboratories using screen metallic method, and 3) Four-cycle radiation testing to identify and calibrate potential variability in gold results with variable radiation intensity. To effectively manage the nugget effect on high-grade gold samples MSALABS tested samples to "extinction" (CPA-Au1E method). This approach divides samples into multiple splits, analyzes each separately using PhotonAssayTM, and then calculates a weighted average of the results. By testing various portions of the sample independently and combining their values proportionally, this method provides significantly more representative gold values than traditional single-split analysis for samples with a large nugget effect. Multi-Elemental Analysis For the 2025 drilling campaign Spanish Mountain Gold used IMS-230 method to provide multi-element determination using a four-acid digestion followed by ICP-OES and ICP-MS analysis. Key Process Steps: Sample Preparation: Samples are dried and ground to specific criteria (85% passing 75 microns (m) for rocks and drill core; 180m for soils and sediments). A homogeneous 10-gram sample is required. Digestion: Samples undergo sequential digestion with nitric, perchloric, hydrofluoric, and hydrochloric acids, followed by dilution with deionized water. Analysis: The solution is analyzed via ICP-OES and ICP-MS for multi-element quantification. Quality Control: The process includes reference materials, blanks, and duplicates, with corrections for spectral interferences and thorough review before final reporting. Julian Manco, M.Sc., P.Geo., has verified the data disclosed in this news release. The data verification process involved a multi-step approach to ensure accuracy and integrity. This included a detailed quality control (QC) analysis of the data, which was performed using both internal and external platforms, such as the MxDeposit software. These QC checks involved the analysis of certified reference materials (CRMs), blanks, and duplicates to confirm the reliability of the assay results. In addition, Mr. Manco conducted a field inspection of the specific drill intervals mentioned in this release to directly observe the geological features and verified the nature of the results presented. Qualified Person Julian Manco, M.Sc., P.Geo., Director of Exploration with Spanish Mountain Gold, is the Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 who has reviewed and has approved the contents of this news release. About Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. is focused on advancing its 100%-owned Spanish Mountain Gold Project towards construction of the next gold mine in the Cariboo Gold Corridor, British Columbia. We are conducting an integrated Whittle Enterprise Optimization to identify the highest potential value-add improvements while increasing the understanding of the high-grade geologic controls and associated drill targets that could upgrade and expand the gold resource. We are striving to be a leader in community and Indigenous relations by leveraging technology and innovation to build the 'greenest' gold mine in Canada. The Relentless Pursuit for Better Gold means seeking new ways to achieve optimal financial outcomes that are safer, minimize environmental impact and create meaningful sustainability for communities. Details on the Company are available on www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website: www.spanishmountaingold.com. On Behalf of the Board, Peter Mah President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. 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: Certain of the statements and information in this press release constitute "forward-looking information". Any statements or information that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "estimates", "intends", "targets", "goals", "forecasts", "objectives", "potential" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be considered forward-looking information. The Company's forward-looking information is based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this press release and include but are not limited to information with respect to, the potential to extend mineralization within the near-surface environment; the potential to expand resources and to find higher-grade mineralization at depth; the timing, size and budget of a winter drill program, and the results thereof; and the delivery of a maiden resource for the Phoenix Target, and the timing and results thereof. Other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Highlights: Commissioned first new mine-unit at Christensen Ranch In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") Mine , with Header House 10-7 coming online as part of the phased ramp-up of Wyoming's Powder River Basin operations. , with Header House 10-7 coming online as part of the phased ramp-up of Basin operations. Construction advancing at Burke Hollow in South Texas , with major equipment installed at the satellite ion exchange plant and disposal well development in progress. , with major equipment installed at the satellite ion exchange plant and disposal well development in progress. Sweetwater production hub development progressing , with a Technical Report Summary ("TRS") to be issued at the end of fiscal 2025 for a new Hub-and-Spoke model anchored by the Sweetwater Plant in the Great Divide Basin, Wyoming . , with a Technical Report Summary ("TRS") to be issued at the end of fiscal 2025 for a new Hub-and-Spoke model anchored by the Sweetwater Plant in the Great Divide . Roughrider Pre-Feasibility initiated , with metallurgical test work significantly advanced, bulk solvent extraction and yellowcake precipitation completed; and process initiated for a formal S-K 1300 Pre-Feasibility Study. , with metallurgical test work significantly advanced, bulk solvent extraction and yellowcake precipitation completed; and process initiated for a formal S-K 1300 Pre-Feasibility Study. Expanded the U .S. Operations and Technical Team , with the Wyoming and Texas workforce growing to more than 100 employees. Key personnel were added in operations, geology, metallurgy and supply chain management, deepening the production team's bench strength. , with the and workforce growing to more than 100 employees. Key personnel were added in operations, geology, metallurgy and supply chain management, deepening the production team's bench strength. Quadrupling of U.S. nuclear capacity with transformational Executive Orders from the Trump Administration, that also include fast track permitting support for advanced and micro-reactors and reducing U.S. dependence on foreign sources of nuclear fuel as a matter of national security. with transformational Executive Orders from the Trump Administration, that also include fast track permitting support for advanced and micro-reactors and reducing U.S. dependence on foreign sources of nuclear fuel as a matter of national security. Increasing demand for U.S. origin uranium, with a memorandum of understanding signed for Wyoming produced uranium concentrates to Radiant Industries, Inc., a microreactor company in preparation for testing at the Idaho National Laboratory. Financial Highlights: $271 million of cash, inventory and equities at market prices (1) , and no debt on May 30, 2025 . at market prices , and on . Inventory totals 1,356,000 pounds of U 3 O 8 valued at $96.6 million at market prices(1). UEC's U.S. warehoused physical uranium program will be expanded by 300,000 pounds through purchase contracts in December 2025 at $37.05 per pound, providing a low-cost stream of physical uranium at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty. CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, June 2, 2025 /CNW/ - Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE American: UEC) (the "Company" or "UEC") is pleased to report that it has filed its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2025, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The Form 10-Q filing, which includes the Company's interim condensed consolidated financial statements, related notes thereto and management's discussion and analysis, is available on the Company's website at www.uraniumenergy.com and at www.sec.gov. Amir Adnani, President and CEO, stated: "With the U.S. now targeting a fourfold expansion of nuclear capacity and rebuilding its nuclear industrial base under Presidential Executive Orders, UEC's production ramp-up is strategically aligned with the expected increase in uranium demand. This quarter's operational milestonescommissioning new ISR production in Wyoming and advancing construction in South Texasunderscore how ideally positioned UEC is to meet the call for secure, scalable and 100% domestic uranium supply. Additionally, preparing our Roughrider project in Canada for pre-feasibility aims to add another layer of reliable uranium supply from a stable jurisdiction for longer term demand. The Administration has made clear that uranium mining, along with conversion and enrichment, are critical to national security. As America's leading uranium company, we are ready to fuel this transformation with low-cost production platforms across the U.S. and Canada." Christensen Ranch and Irigaray ISR Operations, Wyoming UEC achieved a significant operational milestone this quarter with the startup of Header House 10-7, marking the first new production area at Christensen Ranch as part of its phased restart. This new header house began delivering feed along with past-producing wellfields 7, 8, and 10 to the satellite ion exchange plant, resulting in a notable increase in uranium head grade from the operating wellfields. Construction of Header House 10-8 is nearly complete, with transformers, motor control centers, programmable logic controllers, and injection and recovery headers installedonly final trenching and tie-ins remain. Key refurbishment work was completed at both the Christensen Ranch ion exchange plant and the Irigaray Central Processing Plant. At Christensen Ranch, eight ion exchange columns were taken offline for internal piping replacement and vessel recoating, while production continued in the expanded area. At Irigaray, the plant operated normally as refurbishment advanced in the yellowcake packaging area. Field development advanced with active drilling in wellfield 11 (piloting, casing, underreaming), delineation drilling in wellfield 12, and extensions in wellfields 8 and 10. Consistent with UEC's sustainability commitments and regulatory obligations, plugging and abandonment of wells in wellfield 2 was also initiated during the quarter. As a result of the ramp-up, employment at Christensen Ranch increased to 63 personnel, supporting the Company's growing operations in Wyoming's Powder River Basin. Burke Hollow ISR Project, South Texas Construction at the Burke Hollow Project continued to progress on schedule, with key advances made across wellfield development and processing infrastructure. In Production Area One (PA-1), drilling activity remained robust with 101 additional holes completed and 65 wells cased to expand the production footprint. Simultaneously, the installation of the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) trunkline between the satellite ion exchange plant and PA-1 began, marking another key step in preparing for flowline integration. At Production Area Two (PA-2), drilling commenced to define the footprint for future perimeter monitor wells, setting the stage for further phased expansion. Construction of the satellite ion exchange plant also advanced meaningfully. Following completion of the main concrete slab in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, key uranium processing equipment was received, including a resin hauling trailer, motor control centers, and two filter presses. Four ion exchange columns were installedall positioned and internally piped on the foundation. In parallel, a contract was awarded for the drilling of a deep disposal well, an important component for wastewater management during operational phases. With these milestones achieved, UEC's South Texas workforce has grown to 40 personnel, supporting the Company's advancing development at Burke Hollow and broader hub-and-spoke platform in the region. Sweetwater, Wyoming(2) UEC expects to issue a TRS with an estimate of mineral resources of the Great Divide Basin Hub-and-Spoke by the end of fiscal 2025. In this report, the Sweetwater Plant will be designated as the "Hub," supported by a series of satellite projects or "Spokes." The Spokes will include: Red Desert: REB, ENQ, and Sweetwater deposits deposits Green Mountain: Round Park, Phase 2, Whiskey Peak, and Desert View Resource Zones Additional nearby properties: JAB, Clarkson Hill, and Red Rim In parallel with the TRS work, UEC has initiated efforts to amend the conventional mining permits at the Sweetwater Uranium Project. These amendments will incorporate: ISR mining methods ISR-mineable resources A new ion exchange and elution circuit at the Sweetwater Plant These activities are advancing UEC's development plans for a scalable hub-and-spoke ISR production platform in Wyoming's Great Divide Basin. Roughrider Project, Saskatchewan In preparation for a proposed pre-feasibility study, UEC drilled metallurgical holes in 2024 across the West Zone, East Zone, and Far East Zone at the Roughrider Project. The drill cores were collected to confirm metallurgical testing aimed at advancing the project toward the next stage of technical development. Metallurgical test work, initiated in January 2025, is being conducted by SGS Canada Inc. Mineral Services at its laboratory in Lakefield, Ontario. Testing completed to date includes: Bulk solvent extraction on pregnant leach solution to generate raffinate and pregnant strip liquor Gypsum removal from the pregnant strip liquor Yellowcake precipitation Bulk tailings neutralization and effluent treatment Liquid/solid separation of simulated tailings In parallel, UEC has initiated a request for proposal to engage qualified firms for the preparation of the forthcoming pre-feasibility study and related TRS. Notes: Market values for securities are based on closing prices as at May 30, 2025 , and for uranium inventories are based on the spot price quoted on UxC CVD as of such date. On September 14, 2022 , UEC filed an expanded S-K 1300 TRS for the Wyoming Hub-and-Spoke platform, covering properties throughout Wyoming . UEC is now dividing the Wyoming TRS into two Hub-and-Spoke reports one for the Great Divide Basin Hub (Sweetwater Plant and properties) and the other for the Powder River Basin Hub (Irigaray Plant and properties). The Great Divide Basin Hub-and-Spoke TRS is expected to be issued at the end of fiscal 2025. The Powder River Basin Hub-and-Spoke TRS is expected to be issued shortly thereafter. About Uranium Energy Corp Uranium Energy Corp is America's largest and fastest growing supplier of uranium needed to produce safe, clean, reliable nuclear energy. UEC is advancing the next generation of low-cost, environmentally friendly ISR mining uranium projects in the United States and high-grade conventional projects in Canada. The Company has three ISR hub-and-spoke platforms in South Texas and Wyoming. These production platforms are anchored by licensed Central Processing Plants that will be served by a pipeline of satellite ISR projects, including seven that already have their major permits in place. In August 2024, operations were restarted and ramp-up commenced at the Christensen Ranch Project in Wyoming, sending uranium loaded resin to the Irigaray Plant (Wyoming Powder River Basin hub). Additionally, the Company has diversified uranium holdings including: (1) one of the largest physical uranium portfolios of U.S. warehoused U 3 O 8 ; (2) a major equity stake in Uranium Royalty Corp., the only royalty company in the sector; and (3) a Western Hemisphere pipeline of resource stage uranium projects. The Company's operations are managed by professionals with decades of hands-on experience in the key facets of uranium exploration, development and mining. Stock Exchange Information: NYSE American: UEC WKN: AJDRR ISN: US916896103 Safe Harbor Statement Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian securities laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. They include statements regarding the Company's expectations regarding its projects, including future work programs and studies, the impacts of recent Executive Orders, and expectations regarding future uranium demand. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans, "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as "forward-looking statements". Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which 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 such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of exploration activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation or realization of mineral resources, future mineral resource estimates may vary from historic estimates, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry including, without limitation, those associated with the environment, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage. 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 statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. 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 contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA TheNewswire - June 2, 2025 - Pinnacle Silver and Gold Corp. (TSXV: PINN, OTC: NRGOF, Frankfurt: P9J) ("Pinnacle" or the Company") is pleased to announce that systematic sampling of the historic underground workings at the Pinos Cuates Mine on the El Potrero property in Durango, Mexico (see Figure 1) has resulted in the definition of a lens of high-grade gold and silver mineralization, with individual samples returning up to 37.3 g/t gold (Au) and 346 g/t silver (Ag). HIGHLIGHTS Systematic channel sampling of the underground workings at the historic Pinos Cuates Mine has returned composite channel assays of up to 19.4 g/t Au and 266 g/t Ag over 4.1 metres, including 37.3 g/t Au and 346 g/t Ag over 0.6 metres and 31.2 g/t Au and 395 g/t Ag over 0.5 metres. Underground mapping in the Pinos Cuates mine is outlining a wide, robust vein breccia system with exposed vein widths locally exceeding 10.46 metres and 8.5 metres on the upper and lower levels, respectively. Ultimate widths are not yet known as the outer contacts were not always exposed and will have to be determined by future diamond drilling. Surface mapping has traced the Dos de Mayo vein system for 1.6 kilometres along strike. Sampling of outcrop exposures was highlighted by a vein in an old pit between the Pinos Cuates and Dos de Mayo Mines, where there are no underground workings, that returned 13.2 g/t gold and 2,280 g/t silver and 5.2 g/t Au and 745 g/t Ag from grab samples. Visible gold and the more typical ginguro mineralization were observed. Of the two levels in the mine, the upper level returned the highest grades and most consistent mineralization. The entire 40-metre length of the upper level adit is variably mineralized, with three composite channels over a strike length of 6 metres returning 19.4 g/t Au and 266 g/t Ag over 4.1 metres, 13.15 g/t Au and 78 g/t Ag over 1.0 metre, and 11.4 g/t Au and 131 g/t Ag over 2.5 metres. This high-grade mineralization is shouldered along strike to the northwest and southeast by 4.7 g/t Au and 80 g/t Ag over 4.0 metres and 3.9 g/t Au and 51 g/t Ag over 1.0 metre, respectively. Additional composite channels to the southeast yielded 7.8 g/t Au and 220 g/t Ag over 1.3 metres and 5.0 g/t Au and 272 g/t Ag over 2.0 metres. It should be noted that channel sampling of the full width of the vein exposure was locally restricted by accessibility. Sampling on the lower level was highlighted by 3.3 g/t Au and 36 g/t Ag over 4.0 metres down-dip of the high-grade section on the upper level and 7.13 g/t Au and 130 g/t Ag over 0.5 metres along strike to the southeast. Figure 1: Regional location map of the Potrero Project, Durango, Mexico Concurrent with the underground program, surface mapping and prospecting along the main Dos de Mayo vein system, resulted in the discovery of an old pit with vein material containing visible gold and ginguro (grey-black bands of electrum and silver sulphides) that assayed 13.2 g/t Au and 2,280 g/t Ag and 5.2 g/t Au and 745 g/t Ag in two grab samples. Investors are cautioned that grab samples, by their nature, provide only a preliminary indication of grades and are not considered representative. Follow up trenching and channel sampling will be conducted here. Situated roughly halfway between the Pinos Cuates and Dos de Mayo mines (Figure 2), this discovery underscores the potential to connect the mineralization between the historic workings (200 metres). We are extremely pleased that we are seeing consistent high-grade gold-silver mineralization this early in the sampling program, stated Robert Archer, Pinnacles President & CEO. Furthermore, the discovery of high-grade gold and silver at surface between the historic mines exemplifies the potential to expand the mineralized zones beyond the historic mines. Mapping of the underground workings and surface exposures has been accompanying the sampling such that we are also getting a better understanding of the geological controls on the mineralization. The occurrence of high-grade pockets of mineralization is consistent with low-sulphidation epithermal vein deposits, where the highest grades tend to occur in clavos or shoots. These results are an important first step towards defining targets for a drill program later in the year. Underground Program Of the three historic mines on the Potrero Property, the Pinos Cuates mine lies roughly halfway between the larger Dos de Mayo mine to the southeast and the Dura mine to the northwest (Figures 2 and 3) and consists of two levels, approximately 25 metres apart, with a raise connecting the two (Figure 4). Figure 2: Preliminary geology of the Potrero Project showing vein projections and historic mines The lower level of the Pinos Cuates mine has a measured length of 96.78 metres with an exposed true vein width ranging from 2.46 to 8.50 metres at its widest point. The vein is actually exposed for only about 45 metres of this length and the remainder follows a felsic porphyry dike. The Upper Level has a measured length of 40.35 metres with an exposed true vein width ranging from 1.42 to 10.46 metres at its widest point. On both levels the width of the vein could be wider as the outer contacts with the wall rock are not always exposed. The vein strikes 320-330 and dips at 60-72 NE, and the adits have been surveyed such that true vein widths are considered to be approximately 90% of composite channel lengths. A metal ladder has recently been anchored to the inside of the raise, making it safe to sample the walls to give some idea of the vertical continuity of the mineralization. The underground sampling at Pinos Cuates was conducted as a series of channel samples roughly perpendicular to the Dos de Mayo vein, across the back (ceiling) and the walls of the adits (tunnels) where the vein is exposed. Spacing between channels varies from approximately 2 to 5 metres on the upper level and 2 to 10 metres on the lower level. Individual channel samples do not exceed 1.3 metres in length and composites comprise up to eight individual channels end-to-end. As such, the sampling is considered to be representative of the grades within a particular zone. Figure 3: Longitudinal section, looking southwest, of underground workings at the Potrero Project. On the upper level of the mine, a total of 94 channel samples were taken in 16 composite channels along the length of the adit. On the lower level, 79 samples were taken, forming 16 composite channels over the full length of the level. All samples were assayed for gold, silver and a suite of 32 other elements, including copper, lead and zinc. However, the base metal assays were consistently low, confirming that this is a precious metal dominant system. On the upper level, gold and silver mineralization extends from one end of the adit to the other (40.35 metres). However, the ginguro bands that carry the highest grades are not always exposed in the underground workings and there has been no historic underground drilling to test the horizontal continuity of the vein or the mineralization. Consequently, the high grades such as 37.3 g/t Au and 346 g/t Ag over 0.6 metres and 31.2 g/t Au and 395 g/t Ag over 0.5 metres are a direct function of the amount of ginguro bands, which is, in turn, related to exposure and accessibility in the historic workings. Future drilling will provide a better sense of the widths of the vein and the continuity of gold-silver mineralization within it. On the lower level, gold and silver assays were highlighted by 7.13 g/t Au and 130 g/t Ag over 0.5 metres and 3.3 g/t Au and 36 g/t Ag over 4.0 metres, while almost all samples were gold and silver bearing to some degree. This latter channel is down-dip from the high grades in the upper level, suggesting that they are probably connected. However, diamond drilling and/or mine development would be needed to confirm this. In the better mineralized samples, the silver to gold ratio averages 14 on the lower level vs 28 on the upper level and up to 172 on surface, perhaps indicating a slight metal zonation, with silver content increasing upwards relative to gold. Figure 4: Plan map of underground workings at the Pinos Cuates mine showing geology and sample results. Following this program at Pinos Cuates, underground mapping and sampling has commenced at the Dos de Mayo Mine and is well underway, with 113 samples taken to date. Surface Program Surface mapping has now extended the vein system along strike to the northwest and southeast for approximately 1,600 metres (see Figure 2). Samples were taken from any veins that were found, with a total of 85 being assayed to date. This was highlighted by the discovery of an old pit with vein material containing visible gold and ginguro that returned assays of 13.2 g/t Au and 2,280 g/t Ag and 5.2 g/t Au and 745 g/t Ag in two grab samples. The pit is located roughly halfway between the Pinos Cuates and Dos de Mayo mines where there are no underground workings and provides evidence of the presence of mineralization within the 200 metre gap between the historic workings. To the southwest of the Pinos Cuates mine, two other veins, La Estrella and El Capulin, have been mapped and sampled on surface and in small underground workings. At El Capulin, there are structural elements that trend NW-SE parallel to the main trend, but also NE-SW, projecting into the Dos de Mayo vein, approximately 200 metres away. The intersection of the two systems could result in a widening of the veins. In the underground workings, veinlets of crystalline and crustiform quartz and calcite less than 5 cm wide are observed, with very strong interstitial and fracture oxidation. Seven samples have been taken at El Capulin and assays are pending. At La Estrella, approximately 500 metres southwest of Pinos Cuates, the vein has been mapped on surface over a strike length of 100 metres and varies from 0.95 to 6.0 metres in width. Its general strike is north-south with an inclination of 70 to 80 to the east, but in the north it bends to a northeast strike, much like El Capulin. It can exhibit brecciated, lattice-bladed, and banded textures, and contains clay minerals such as kaolin, and red, orange, and lemon-yellow oxides. Seven samples were taken, of which 4 were inside a 40 metre adit and 3 on the surface. Vein material returned assays of 0.151 to 1.180 g/t Au and 16 to 40 g/t Ag. It is important to note that the elevation at La Estrella is 1,880 masl, while at Dos de Mayo it is 1,500 masl, representing a difference of 380 metres. This, along with the presence of clays (kaolin) at La Estrella, could indicate that the mapped exposures at La Estrella are high in the epithermal system and that the complete mineralized horizon lies below. This theory will be drill-tested in due course. Access roads to the project and up to the mine portals have been cleared, the plant has been completely cleaned up, and an inspection has been scheduled for mid-June to assess the approximate cost and schedule to get it ready for production again. Geology The Potrero Project lies within the well-known and prolific Topia District of the Sierra Madre gold-silver belt. The Dos de Mayo low-sulphidation epithermal gold-silver system demonstrates a strong northwest-southeast strike that parallels the regional trend of the Sierra Madre and is on strike with the 4,000 tonne per day Cienega Mine, 35 kilometres to the southeast. The host rock consists of a series of andesitic flows and tuffs of the Lower Volcanic Series and is variably chloritized (propylitic alteration). Geological mapping on surface and underground has identified a quartz-feldspar-biotite porphyry dike along one or both contacts of the vein. It appears to occupy the same structure as the vein system and is pre-mineral, being locally mineralized with gold and silver. Felsic intrusives such as this are common and important in epithermal systems as they are thought to provide structural preparation, competency contrasts, and a source of heat and mineralizing fluids. The principal Dos de Mayo vein consists of vein breccia with angular clasts of variable composition, colloform quartz, chalcedonic quartz, bladed quartz and calcite, drusy quartz and bands of opaque, grey quartz. Gold-silver mineralization is associated with grey-black bands of ginguro (fine-grained electrum and silver sulphides). Fine pyrite and iron oxides occur in small quantities locally. QA/QC The technical results contained in this news release have been reported in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Pinnacle has implemented industry standard practices for sample preparation, security and analysis given the stage of the Project. This has included common industry QA/QC procedures to monitor the quality of the assay database, including inserting certified reference material samples and blank samples into sample batches on a predetermined frequency basis. The non-systematic chip channel sampling was completed across exposed mineralized structures using a hammer and maul. The protocol for sample lengths established that they were not longer than two metres or shorter than 0.3 metres. The veins tend to be steeply dipping to vertical, and so these samples are reasonably close to representing the true widths of the structures. Samples were collected along the structural strike or oblique to the main structural trend. All samples were bagged in pre-numbered plastic bags; each bag had a numbered tag inside and were tied off with adhesive tape and then bulk bagged in rice bags in batches not to exceed 40 kg. They were then numbered, and batch bags were tied off with plastic ties and delivered directly to the SGS laboratory facility in Durango, Mexico for preparation and analysis. The lab is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017. All Samples were delivered in person by the contract geologist who conducted the sampling under the supervision of the QP. SGS sample preparation code G_PRP89 including weight determination, crushing, drying, splitting, and pulverizing was used following industry best practices where all samples were crushed to 75% less than 2 mm, riffle split off 250 g, pulverized split to >85% passing 75 microns (m). All samples were analyzed for gold using code GA_FAA30V5 with a Fire Assay determination on 30g samples with an Atomic Absorption Spectography finish. An ICP-OES analysis package (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry) including 33 elements and 4-acid digestion was performed (code GE_ICP40Q12) to determine Ag, Zn, Pb, Cu and other elements. Qualified Person Mr. Jorge Ortega, P. Geo, a Qualified Person, and independent from Pinnacle, as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and the author of the NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Potrero Project, has reviewed, verified and approved for disclosure the technical information contained in this news release. About the Potrero Property El Potrero is located in the prolific Sierra Madre Occidental of western Mexico and lies within 35 kilometres of four operating mines, including the 4,000 tonnes per day (tpd) Cienega Mine (Fresnillo), the 1,000 tpd Tahuehueto Mine (Luca Mining) and the 250 tpd Topia Mine (Guanajuato Silver). High-grade gold-silver mineralization occurs in a low sulphidation epithermal breccia vein system hosted within andesites of the Lower Volcanic Series and has three historic mines along a 500 metre strike length. A historic resource based upon underground sampling of those three mines is reported to consist of 45,561 tonnes at 8.0 g/t gold and 186 g/t silver. (These resources are historical in nature and Pinnacle is not treating these estimates as current mineral resources as a qualified person on behalf of Pinnacle has not done sufficient work to classify them as current mineral resources.) The property has been in private hands for almost 40 years and has never been systematically explored by modern methods, leaving significant exploration potential. A 100 tpd plant on site can be refurbished / rebuilt and historic underground mine workings rehabilitated at relatively low cost in order to achieve near-term production once permits are in place. The property is road accessible with a power line within three kilometres. Surface rights covering the plant and mine area are privately owned (no community issues). Pinnacle will earn an initial 50% interest immediately upon commencing production. The goal would then be to generate sufficient cash flow with which to further develop the project and increase the Companys ownership to 100% subject to a 2% NSR. If successful, this approach would be less dilutive for shareholders than relying on the equity markets to finance the growth of the Company. About Pinnacle Silver and Gold Corp. Pinnacle is focused on district-scale exploration for precious metals in the Americas. The addition of the high-grade Potrero gold-silver project in Mexicos Sierra Madre Belt complements the Companys project portfolio and provides the potential for near-term production. In the prolific Red Lake District of northwestern Ontario, the Company owns a 100% interest in the past-producing, high-grade Argosy Gold Mine and the adjacent North Birch Project with an eight-kilometre-long target horizon. With a seasoned, highly successful management team and quality projects, Pinnacle Silver and Gold is committed to building long-term, sustainable value for shareholders. Signed: Robert A. Archer President & CEO For further information contact: Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel.: +1 (877) 271-5886 ext. 110 Website: www.pinnaclesilverandgold.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. TORONTO / Jun 02, 2025 / Business Wire / Almonty Industries Inc. (TSX: AII) (ASX: AII) (OTCQX: ALMTF) (Frankfurt: ALI) (Almonty or the Company), a leading global producer of tungsten concentrate, is pleased to announce the appointment of Alan Estevez to its Board of Directors, effective May 30, 2025. Mr. Estevez is a nationally recognized authority in national security, defense logistics, and strategic trade. From 2022 to 2025, he served as Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, where he led U.S. efforts to curb adversarial military advancements by restricting access to sensitive technologies, particularly in China and Russia. Previously, he held senior roles within the U.S. Department of Defense, including Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics, where he oversaw defense acquisition and supply chain operations. Mr. Estevez also advised Fortune 500 companies on logistics transformation during his tenure at Deloitte Consulting. He has received numerous honours for his public service, including three Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Medals, the Presidential Rank Distinguished Executive Award, and the Service to America Medal. Lewis Black, Chief Executive Officer of Almonty Industries, commented: We are pleased to welcome Alan to the Board at a pivotal moment for Almonty. His deep expertise in national security strategy, defense logistics, and export controlsgained through decades of public service and leadership within the U.S. governmentbrings significant strategic value. Alans firsthand experience in acquisition, contracting, and supply chain operations will be especially relevant as we advance our position as a key allied supplier of tungsten. His appointment aligns with our recently signed offtake agreement with a U.S. defense contractor to supply tungsten oxide exclusively for American defense applications. We look forward to benefiting from his insights as we continue building long-term, sustainable value for our shareholders. About Almonty Almonty Industries Inc. is a diversified and experienced global producer of tungsten concentrate in conflict-free regions. The company is currently mining, processing and shipping tungsten concentrate from its Panasqueira mine in Portugal. It's Sangdong tungsten mine in Gangwon Province, South Korea, is currently under construction. The Sangdong mine was historically one of the largest tungsten mines in the world and one of the few long-life, high-grade tungsten deposits outside of China, and has significant upside potential from an underlying molybdenum deposit. Additional development projects underway include the Valtreixal tin/tungsten project in northwestern Spain and Los Santos Mine in western Spain. Further information about Almontys activities may be found at www.almonty.com and under Almontys profile at www.sedarplus.com. Legal Notice The release, publication, or distribution of this announcement in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law, and therefore, persons in such jurisdictions into which this announcement is released, published, or distributed should inform themselves about and observe such restrictions. Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information Certain information in this press release constitutes forward-looking information. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology. Forward-looking information or statements in this press release include matters relating to the quantity of tungsten oxide to be purchased under the Offtake Agreement and the price at which such purchases will be made, the applications in which the purchased tungsten oxide will be used, the processing of the tungsten oxide, the time at which deliveries are expected to commence, the term of the Offtake Agreement and the anticipated benefits of the Offtake Agreement for Almonty. These statements and information are based on managements beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and reflect Almontys current expectations. 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 Almonty to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: any specific risks relating to fluctuations in the price of ammonium para tungstate ("APT") from which the sale price of Almontys tungsten concentrate is derived, the risk that the Offtake Agreement may be terminated in accordance with its terms before the end of its initial term, actual results of mining and exploration activities, environmental, economic and political risks of the jurisdictions in which Almontys operations are located and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, forecasts and assessments relating to Almontys business, credit and liquidity risks, hedging risk, competition in the mining industry, risks related to the market price of Almontys shares, the ability of Almonty to retain key management employees or procure the services of skilled and experienced personnel, risks related to claims and legal proceedings against Almonty and any of its operating mines, risks relating to unknown defects and impairments, risks related to governmental regulations, including environmental regulations, risks related to international operations of Almonty, risks relating to exploration, development, production and operations at Almontys tungsten mines, the ability of Almonty to obtain and maintain necessary permits, the ability of Almonty to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements, lack of suitable infrastructure and employees to support Almontys mining operations, uncertainty in the accuracy of mineral reserves and mineral resources estimates, production estimates from Almontys mining operations, inability to replace and expand mineral reserves, uncertainties related to title and indigenous rights with respect to mineral properties owned directly or indirectly by Almonty, the ability of Almonty to obtain adequate financing, the ability of Almonty to complete permitting, construction, development and expansion, and challenges related to global financial conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to, no material adverse change in the market price of APT, the continuing ability to fund or obtain funding for outstanding commitments, no negative change to applicable laws, the ability to secure local contractors, employees and assistance as and when required and on reasonable terms, and such other assumptions and factors as are set out herein. Although Almonty has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results, level of activity, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and even if events or results described in the forward-looking statements are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Almonty. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and are cautioned that actual outcomes may vary. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. Almonty cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. When relying on Almontys forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by applicable securities laws, Almonty does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements. THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF ALMONTY 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 ALMONTY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 2, 2025) - Spark Energy Minerals Inc. (CSE: SPRK) (OTC Pink: SPARF) (FSE: 8PC) ("Spark" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce the publication of its maiden NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Arapaima Lithium and Rare Earth Elements (REE) Project, located in the heart of Brazil's "Lithium Valley" in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Covering a vast contiguous land package of 919 km, the report confirms Arapaima as a highly prospective early-stage exploration project with compelling lithium and REE potential. Highlights Identification of 123 individual pegmatite occurrences across 13 trends with a combined strike length of 31 km. Discovery of anomalous lithium values in rock chip samples (up to 1,397 ppm Li) and stream sediments (up to 191 ppm Li), as well as evolved pegmatites with K/Rb ratios as low as 23.84, potentially indicative of spodumene-rich LCT pegmatites. Promising REE mineralization in the Caladao Granite, with soil samples returning >3,000 ppm TREO and stream sediments >6,000 ppm TREO, adjacent to high-grade drill results reported by neighbouring company Axel REE Limited. Excellent access via sealed roads and proximity to established infrastructure and the producing Sigma Lithium mine, located just 15 km away. "This technical report validates our exploration thesis and highlights Arapaima's position as one of the most exciting early-stage lithium and REE projects in the region," said Eugene Hodgson, CEO of Spark Energy Minerals. "We are committed to executing a systematic and focused exploration campaign to unlock its full potential." The full NI 43-101 Technical Report is available on SEDAR+ and the Company's website here. Arapaima Lithium and REE Project Overview Location The Arapaima project covers ~919 km in northeastern Minas Gerais. It spans parts of the Aracuai pegmatite belt, with nearby towns including Aracuai, Teofilo Otoni, Itinga, Virgem da Lapa, Padre Paraiso and others. The project area is about 550 km (~8.5-hour drive) from Belo Horizonte via sealed highways BR-381 and BR-116. Air access is available to regional centers (an ~85 km drive to the project). The town of Padre Paraiso lies at the southern edge (the "gateway of the Lithium Valley") and serves as a field base. Padre Paraiso lies on a new high-voltage transmission line (Padre Paraiso-Governador Valadares 6) which will strengthen the regional grid. This will ensure reliable power for future operations. Figure 1: Arapaima Lithium and REE project - Access Project Ownership Spark owns 100% of the Arapaima package, comprising of 58 granted exploration licenses (ELs) plus 4 applications (total 62 licenses) covering roughly 919 km. Previously, the size of Arapaima had been report as 64,359-hectares however over the course of developing the technical report, the outlying tenements have been included as an all-encompassing project that stretches throughout the Lithium Valley and in close proximity to other notable projects, including Sigma Lithium, Lightning Minerals, Lithium Ionic, Axel REE, etc. Figure 2: Arapaima Lithium and REE project tenements relative to neighbouring projects Geology The project lies in the Eastern Brazilian Pegmatite Province (EBPP), a ~150,000 km Paleoproterozoic-Neoproterozoic belt (mostly in eastern Minas Gerais) known for its lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) and gem pegmatites. Minas Gerais hosts ~90% of the EBPP; pegmatites here have been mined for gems and rare elements since colonial times. Arapaima falls within the Aracuai pegmatite district ("Lithium Valley"), which includes major LCT-pegmatite fields at Itinga, Coronel Murta, Pedra Azul, Padre Paraiso, etc. Figure 3: Regional Geology (Source: Modified from Pedrosa-Soares et al. 2011) Mineralization Target mineralization is predominantly LCT-type granitic pegmatites (hosting lithium, cesium, tantalum, niobium, etc.) and rare-earth-oxide (REO) clay deposits developed by weathering of REE minerals. The field observations report pegmatites ranging from centimetres to ~200 m thick, often in swarms along 13 mapped trends (total ~31 km of strike). All exposed pegmatites are heavily weathered in the tropical climate; outcrops are quartz-tourmaline-feldspar-mica lodes with no intact spodumene visible at surface. As a result, surface samples typically return low Li (due to leaching of spodumene and lepidolite), even when the underlying rock may host economic lithium levels. Sahara notes that deeply weathered profiles can hide higher-grade spodumene zones at depth. Pathfinder geochemistry (stream sediments, soils, rock chips) shows characteristic ratios of fertile LCT-pegmatites: high K/Rb, strong Li-Nb correlation, and anomalous tin, tantalum, gallium, etc., with low Ta/Nb ratios (typical of spodumene-bearing pegmatites). These element associations will guide target selection. Spark's Exploration History Beginning November 2024, Spark engaged Avant Geofisica to reprocess regional magnetics/radiometrics and conduct satellite multispectral targeting. Concurrently, Spark conducted ground mapping and sampling. By early 2025, the field program had completed ~397 geochemical samples (stream sediment, soil, rock-chip). SEM geologists logged 401 outcrop observations and identified 123 pegmatite occurrences (13 trends) on the tenure. Four high-priority exploration targets (e.g. Grota do Maquem, Agua Branca, Cruzeta and Caladao) were defined for immediate follow-up. Figure 4: Arapaima Lithium and REE project advanced targets Lithium Targets The Cruzeta Target has produced the highest assays to date with 739ppm, 1,217ppm and 1,397ppm Li respectively. The K/Rb ratios for these three samples report as low as 23.84 to 36.42 pointing to the potential proximity of highly evolved Lithium, Cesium, Tantalum (LCT) pegmatites which are characterized by this ratio and the corresponding pathfinder elemental association. The Cruzeta Target along with Grota do Maquem and Agua Branca account for the identification of 123 individual pegmatite occurrences across 13 trends with a combined strike length of 31 km. Figure 5: Cruzeta Lithium Target and corresponding rock chip and stream sediment results (Source: Spark 43-101, March 2025) Rare Earth Element (REE) Potential Spark completed reconnaissance geological mapping over the Caladao Granite. Australian junior explorer Axel REE Limited (Axel) has reported significant Gallium and REE results within the Caladao Granite. Spark's tenements are contiguous with Axel's Caladao Project and has returned high-grade REE and gallium mineralization after completing a first phase drill program. Results include 49.92m @ 5,909ppm TREO with 1m @ 22,115ppm TREO. Initial soil and stream sediment samples collected by Sprak within their contiguous tenements have returned anomalous TREO results > 3000ppm in soils and > 6000ppm TREO in stream sediment samples. The figure below highlights Sparks results along with Axel's drilling results all hosted within the Caladao Granite. Figure 6: Caladao Target - REE Results from Axel drilling and Spark stream sediment and soil sampling (Source: Spark 43-101, March 2025) Qualified Person: The scientific and technical information disclosed in this document has been reviewed and approved by Beau Nicholls, BSc (Geo) FAIG, a Qualified Person consistent with NI 43-101 and the QP of Spark Energy's 43-101. About Spark Energy Minerals Inc. Spark Energy Minerals, Inc. is a Canadian company focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing battery metals and mineral assets, with a particular emphasis on its substantial interests in Brazil. The Company's flagship project is the Arapaima Lithium project spanning 64,359 hectares in Brazil's renowned Lithium Valley, one of the most prolific mining regions in the world. This region is rapidly gaining global recognition for its vast deposits of lithium and rare earth minerals, positioning Brazil as a critical player in the global energy transition. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer Certain statements contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively "forward-looking information") as those terms are used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could," "intend," "expect," "believe," "will," "projected," "estimated", "anticipates" 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 Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the business of the Company, the Property, financing and certain corporate changes. In addition, it should be noted that rock, soil and stream sediment samples are inherently selective samples and may not represent the true underlying mineralization. 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. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 2, 2025) - Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (CSE: API) (OTCQB: APAAF) (FSE: A0I0) (MUN: A0I0) (BER: A0I0) (the "Company" or "Appia") is pleased to announce that it has received a 5-year exploration permit from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment for its wholly owned Otherside uranium property (Figure 1), located in the prolific Athabasca Basin of northern Saskatchewan. The permit, valid until April 30, 2030, authorizes Appia to conduct a range of mineral exploration activities, including diamond drilling, airborne and ground geophysical surveys, and the establishment of a temporary work camp. The permitted work area is centered approximately 34 km south of the community of Fond du Lac and covers multiple mineral dispositions where Appia previously identified high-priority drill targets for uranium exploration. "This long-term permit is a critical milestone that allows us to move forward with confidence and execute our exploration strategy at the Otherside uranium property for the next 5 years," commented Tom Drivas, CEO and Director of Appia. "With approvals now in place, we are well-positioned to mobilize and begin ground-based exploration efforts." Upcoming 2025 Exploration Plans As noted in our February 14, 2025 press release, Appia's 2025 exploration program at the Otherside uranium property will focus on refining and drill testing high-potential targets identified through the 2024 Airborne Gravity Gradiometer and Magnetometer Survey. The identified targets are characterized by gravity lows, magnetic lows, and a 49 km-long electromagnetic (EM) conductor featuring variable offsets and bends-key signatures commonly associated with uranium mineralization (Figure 2). Notably, this anomalous EM conductor displays structural and geophysical characteristics comparable to NexGen Energy's "Arrow" (Figure 3) and Paladin Energy's "Triple R" (Figure 4) uranium deposits. Planned activities will commence with advanced 3D processing to enhance the 2024 airborne gravity survey results, followed by high-resolution ground geophysical surveys to further define key anomalies, culminating in a targeted drill program designed to evaluate the property's uranium discovery potential. The technical content of this news release was reviewed and approved by Dr. Irvine R. Annesley, P.Geo., Senior Technical Advisor for Appia, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Figure 1 - Property locations within and around the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, including Appia's "Otherside" and four other exploration properties, NexGen Energy Ltd.'s "Arrow" deposit, and Paladin Energy Ltd.'s "Triple R" deposit. Figure 2 - Appia's uranium exploration drill targets associated with gravity lows, magnetic lows, and the 49 km-long electromagnetic (EM) conductor featuring variable offsets and bends. All targets are subject to change upon further refinement and program progression. Figure 3 - Comparing Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp.'s unexplored electromagnetic conductor (left, represented as black lines) to NexGen Energy Ltd.'s near-identical, electromagnetic conductor (right, represented as black lines), host to their "Arrow" high-grade uranium deposit. Photo source: "NexGen Energy Ltd. Corporate Presentation - 2016" Figure 4 - Comparing Paladin Energy Ltd.'s electromagnetic conductor (left), host to their "Triple R" high-grade uranium deposit, to Appia's near identical, unexplored electromagnetic conductor (right). Photo source: "Mount, S. et. al. "Formation of the high-grade Triple R uranium deposit revealed by Fe and S isotopes in pyrite". Modified after Fission Uranium Corp, 2021. About the Otherside Project The Otherside Project is strategically located within the prolific, uranium-bearing Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan, Canada. This area is renowned for its significant uranium deposits, its surrounding rare earth element plays, and favorable geological conditions that have historically led to major high-grade uranium discoveries. The Otherside Property shares similar geological and geophysical signatures to known high-grade, large-tonnage uranium deposits in the western Athabasca Basin, including Fission Uranium Corp's Triple "R" and NexGen Energy's "Arrow" deposits. Such signatures include long structural corridors hosting multiple, discrete conductors with associated magnetic gradients and gravity low areas. Otherside's property area is 10,441.88 hectares and is 100% owned by Appia. About Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (Appia) Appia is a publicly traded Canadian company in the rare earth element and uranium sectors. The Company holds the right to acquire up to a 70% interest in the PCH Ionic Adsorption Clay Project (See June 9th, 2023 Press Release - Click HERE) which is 42,932.24 ha. in size and located within the Goias State of Brazil. (See January 11th, 2024 Press Release - Click HERE) The Company is also focusing on delineating high-grade critical rare earth elements and gallium on the Alces Lake property, and exploring for high-grade uranium in the prolific Athabasca Basin on its Otherside, Loranger, North Wollaston, and Eastside properties. The Company holds the surface rights to exploration for 94,982.39 hectares (234,706.59 acres) in Saskatchewan. The Company also has a 100% interest in 13,008 hectares (32,143 acres), with rare earth elements and uranium deposits over five mineralized zones in the Elliot Lake Camp, Ontario. Appia has 153 million common shares outstanding, 177 million shares fully diluted. Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements: This News Release contains forward-looking statements which are typically preceded by, followed by or including the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance as they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements and shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such statements. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For more information, visit www.appiareu.com As part of our ongoing effort to keep investors, interested parties and stakeholders updated, we have several communication portals. If you have any questions online (X, Facebook, LinkedIn) please feel free to send direct messages. To book a one-on-one 30-minute Zoom video call, please click here. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 2, 2025) - Chakana Copper Corp. (TSXV: PERU) (OTCQB: CHKKF) (FSE: 1ZX0) (the "Company" or "Chakana"), is pleased to provide this update and outline its exploration plan for the La Joya project in Ancash, Peru. After eliminating all property payments and consolidating its share structure, the Company is focusing its exploration efforts on three mineral rich target areas within the newly defined La Joya project. The La Joya project includes three principal target areas: the La Joya high-sulfidation epithermal (HSE) system, where minimal 2024 drilling confirmed high-grade silver mineralization including 1,005.0 gpt silver and 0.45 gpt gold over 0.75m within an alteration zone with 700 meters of strike length; and the Mega-Gold intrusive center, where 2024 scout drilling confirmed a high-level porphyry environment with two yet to be tested discrete porphyry targets; and the Companero gold zone, where hydrothermal breccia is exposed at surface in several outcrops over an area of 250 metres diameter with channel sample assays up to 14.4 gpt gold. The La Joya project is located within an option agreement with Barrick Gold (NYSE: B) (TSX: ABX) (Figure 1) and has no property payments. "The fully permitted drill targets at La Joya (HSE) and Mega-Gold are exciting discovery opportunities. We have already encountered high grade silver mineralization in drilling at La Joya within the same stratigraphy that hosts significant mineralization in the district. At Mega-Gold, our initial scout drilling, combined with geophysics and geochemical zoning, provide strong vectors defining two discrete porphyry targets," stated President and CEO David Kelley. 2025 Exploration Plan The La Joya (HSE) and Mega-Gold prospects are fully permitted for additional drilling. At La Joya (HSE), detailed mapping and a detail ground geophysical survey will be completed prior to drilling. The target is a stratigraphically hosted bulk tonnage precious metals deposit. Approximately 1,900m of drilling is anticipated. At Mega-Gold, a definitive drill test of the PT-1 porphyry target is planned with an anticipated depth of 400m. The final stage of permitting allowing drilling at the Companero gold zone will be completed. The environmental permit has been awarded with the initiation of activities remaining to be completed. La Joya High-Sulfidation Epithermal Prospect The La Joya (HSE) target area is associated with high-sulfidation advanced argillic alteration consisting of vuggy silica, alunite, dickite, zunyite, diaspore, and pyrophyllite. The zone of alteration extends 700 metres in a north-south direction at an elevation of approximately 4,500 metres (Figures 1 and 2). Surface rock samples collected from the alteration zone have silver and gold values up to 1,300 gpt and 0.36 gpt, respectively. Three shallow holes were completed at La Joya in 2024 for a total of 465.5 m. The holes were planned to drill beneath strongly silicified volcanic rocks where zones of vuggy silica alteration returned strongly anomalous values in silver and gold. The strongest mineralization was observed in hole LJDH24-002 with 323.6 gpt silver and 0.25 gpt gold over 4.5 m from 58.0 m depth. Within this interval vuggy silica is present over a 0.75m interval with 1,005.0 gpt silver and 0.45 gpt gold (see news release dated August 29, 2024). The mineralized interval is hosted within andesite tuff that shows evidence of advanced argillic alteration. Shallow drilling confirmed high-grade precious metal mineralization hosted in prospective volcanic stratigraphy and warrants additional drilling. Mega-Gold Intrusive Center The Mega-Gold intrusive center is a very large area occupying 2.5 km2 with anomalous gold in soil overlying pervasive tourmaline-quartz-white mica alteration, overprinted by localized advanced argillic alteration zones and tourmaline breccias. The target area is underlain by older andesitic tuff (Calipuy Formation) and a pre-mineral granodiorite, thought to be the first pulse of intrusive activity in the Aija-Ticapampa district. Within the gold anomaly is a distinct Offset (3D) induced polarization chargeability feature coincident with the soil anomaly. Beneath the strong chargeability zones are discrete zones of conductivity, believed to reflect mineralizing intrusions. An initial "proof-of-concept" drilling program was completed in 2024 to test the idea that the Mega-Gold intrusive center is part of a mineralized porphyry system. A total of eight scout drill holes were completed across a broad area totaling 2,425.20 m. These holes display a variety of vein types (principally B and D veins); elevated gold, copper and molybdenum; and hydrothermal alteration zoning consistent with a high-level porphyry environment (see news release dated August 29, 2024). All holes encountered pyrite-chalcopyrite-molybdenite mineralization hosted in veins. Higher temperature alteration minerals suggesting proximity to a porphyry are most strongly developed in the three eastern-most holes drilled in the Mega-Gold target area (see news release dated July 2, 2024). These holes also exhibit narrow zones of strong mineralization in MGDH24-002 with 2.0 m of 1.8 gpt gold and 0.35% copper from 89.0 m depth, and 1.5 m of 11.05 gpt gold from 127.5 m depth in MGDH24-003, confirming a mineralized fluid source at depth. The strong IP chargeability zones are interpreted to be two separate pyrite shells related to underlying porphyry intrusions. Strongly conductive rock beneath the pyrite shells are potential zones of porphyry mineralization (PT-1, Figure 2 and 3) and warrant additional drilling. Companero Gold Prospect The Companero gold zone is located in the southwest part of the La Joya project adjacent to a pre-mineral intrusion. Mineralized hydrothermal breccias are exposed at surface in several outcrops within an area of approximately 250m in diameter. The breccias are strongly anomalous in gold with up to 14.4 gpt in channel samples and secondary copper minerals are noted in several localities. Three heavy mineral concentrate samples collected downstream and adjacent to the Companero zone contain 19, 23, and 33 pristine gold grains. There has been no drilling in the Companero area. About Chakana Copper Chakana Copper Corp is a Canadian-based minerals exploration Company that is currently advancing the La Joya project located in the Ancash region of Peru, a highly favorable mining jurisdiction with supportive communities. La Joya has three well-defined target areas based on extensive multi-disciplinary exploration: 1) precious metal mineralization at the La Joya high-sulfidation epithermal zone; 3) mineralization related to the Mega-Gold intrusive center; and 3) the Companero gold zone. In addition, Chakana owns a 1% net smelter royalty over the Soledad property owned by Condor Resources in the active Aija-Ticapampa mining district (see news release dated October 8, 2024). For more information on the La Joya project, please visit the website at www.chakanacopper.com or Chakana's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Qualified Person David Kelley, an officer and a director of Chakana, and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD (signed) "David Kelley" David Kelley President and CEO Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking Statement Advisory This release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Chakana to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements or information relates to, among other things, the interpretation of the nature of the mineralization at the Soledad copper-gold-silver project (the "Project"), the potential to expand the mineralization, and to develop and grow a resource within the Project, the planning for further exploration work, the ability to de-risk the potential exploration targets, and our belief in the potential for mineralization within unexplored parts of the Project. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs but given the uncertainties, assumptions and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements or information. The Company disclaims any obligation to update, or to publicly announce, any such statements, events or developments except as required by law. Figure 1 - Map showing the 1,600 hectare La Joya Project located in Ancash, Peru, incorporating the Barrick option and Chakana-owned concessions. The currently-known prospective areas are highlighted associated with anomalous gold in soil - La Joya (HSE), Mega-Gold, and Companero. Principal structures, veins, and mantos in the western part of the Aija-Ticapampa mining district are also shown. Figure 2 - Photo looking south showing the three principal target areas that make up the La Joya Project - 1) La Joya (HSE), 2) Mega-Gold intrusive center, and 3) Companero gold zone. Black dots show location of initial scout holes drilled at Mega-Gold in 2024. Figure 3 - Map showing high-priority discrete porphyry targets PT-1 and PT-2 with drill holes from 2024 drilling. Disc shapes on drill holes are >80 ppb gold. Section on right shows relation between induced polarization chargeability outlining pyrite shells (red) and underlying conductive features from the induced polarization resistivity model (blue). Vancouver, British Columbia TheNewswire - June 2, 2025: Allied Critical Metals Inc. (CSE: ACM | FSE:0VJ0) (Allied or the Company), , which is focused on its 100% owned past producing Borralha and Vila Verde (Vale das Gatas) tungsten projects in northern Portugal, is pleased to announce the commencement of a fully-funded exploration program that will include up to 5,000 metres of core drilling at the Companys flagship Borralha Tungsten Project (the Property or Borralha), located in northern Portugal. Roy Bonnell, CEO and Director commented, The launch of this 5,000-metre drilling campaign marks a major milestone for Allied and the continued advancement of the Borralha Project. Our experienced geological team in Portugal expects the results to meaningfully expand the current resource base, paving the way for a more robust and valuable project. All newly defined tonnage will be incorporated into an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), scheduled for release this fall. In parallel, advanced metallurgical optimization test work will be conducted at Wardell Armstrongs laboratories in the UK, focusing on enhancing metal recoveries and concentrate grades. These efforts are aimed at further improving the economic performance of the project and delivering a higher-quality concentrate to meet the demanding standards of end-users. The Borralha project is an advanced-stage brownfield tungsten project located in northern Portugal. Historically mined between 1904 and 1985, it produced over 10,280 tonnes of high-grade wolframite concentrate averaging 66% WO (as described in the Company's Technical Report, referenced below). The Borralha project is now positioned for near-term, low-cost production with modern exploration confirming significant remaining mineralization. Key highlights include: Current NI 43-101 Resources (as of March 2024): Indicated: 4.98 million tonnes at 0.22% WO, 762 g/t Cu, and 4.8 g/t Ag. Inferred: 7.01 million tonnes at 0.20% WO, 642 g/t Cu, and 4.4 g/t Ag. The Company has completed its maiden mineral resource estimate for the Property described in its technical report entitled, Technical Report on the Borralha Property, Parish of Salto, District of Vila Real, Portugal dated effective July 31, 2024 (the Technical Report), which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Recent Exploration: Drilling from 20232024 returned strong intercepts, including up to 10m at 1.75% WO and multiple longer intervals averaging over 0.2% WO, as reported in the Technical Report. Proposed 2025 RC Drilling Program Figure 1: Proposed 2025 RC Drilling Program and Example of Proposed Sectional Drilling The following figure shows the plan of the proposed 2025 RC drilling program and an example of the proposed sectional drilling. Permitting The project holds a Mining Rights Concession License and is undergoing environmental assessment to transition to full-scale mining. Current permitting allows bulk sampling of up to 150,000 tonnes per annum. Infrastructure Located near the major Portuguese cities of Braga and Porto, it benefits from excellent infrastructure including roads, power, water, and skilled labor. Strategic Positioning: Borralha represents one of the few near-term, non-Chinese tungsten production opportunities globally, strategically aligning with the Wests increasing demand for critical raw materials amid heightened supply chain vulnerabilities. With Borralha and other national assets, Portugal is poised to emerge as one of Europes leading suppliers of tungsten, reinforcing its role in supporting the continents industrial resilience and green transition. This project forms the cornerstone of Allieds strategy to become a leading Western supplier of tungsten, a metal critical to defense, EVs, semiconductors, and industrial manufacturing. Qualified Person Doug Blanchflower, P.Geo. is a Consulting Geologist with Minorex Consulting and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release and is a Registered Professional Geoscientist in good standing with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (No. 19086), and is independent from ACM and its mineral properties and is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Blanchflower is independent of the Company and its mineral properties. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Roy Bonnell" Roy Bonnell CEO and Director For further information or investor relations inquiries, please contact: Dave Burwell Vice President, Corporate Development Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 403-410-7907 Toll Free: 1-888-221-0915 ABOUT ALLIED CRITICAL METALS Allied Critical Metals Inc. (ACM:CSE | FSE:0VJ0) is a Canadian-based mining company focused on the expansion and revitalization of its 100% owned past producing Borralha Tungsten Project and the Vila Verde Tungsten Project in northern Portugal. Tungsten has been designated a critical metal by the United States and other western countries, as they are aggressively seeking friendly sources of this unique metal. Currently, China and Russia represent approximately 90% of the total global supply and reserves. The Tungsten market is estimated to be valued at approximately U.S.$5 to $6 billion and it is used in a variety of industries such as defense, automotive, manufacturing, electronics, and energy. Please also visit our website at www.alliedcritical.com. Also visit us at: X: https://x.com/@alliedcritical/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliedcriticalmetals/ CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains "forward-looking statements", including with respect to the use of proceeds. Wherever possible, words such as "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "potential for" and similar expressions have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations of the Company's management for future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation, those listed in the Company's Listing Statement and other filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca). Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the proposed timeline and terms of the investor awareness campaign, anticipated benefits to Company from running the investor awareness campaign, and the performance of the investor relations services providers of the marketing services as contemplated in the marketing agreements, or at all. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. These factors should be considered carefully, and prospective investors should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements and reference should also be made to the Companys Listing Statement dated April 23, 2025, and the documents incorporated by reference therein, filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca for a description of additional risk factors. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release and has neither approved now disapproved the contents of this press release. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 2, 2025) - ATEX Resources Inc. (TSXV: ATX) ("ATEX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce full assay results for drill hole ATXD28, the sixth hole from its Phase V drill campaign at the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project ("Valeriano" or the "Project"), located in the Atacama Region, Chile. The Company is currently undertaking a staged shutdown of its Phase V drill program with remaining assay results expected to be released through July. The program's strategic objectives are to delineate the high-grade B2B breccia zone and conduct infill and extensional drilling along the high-grade porphyry trend, with the aim of supporting an updated Mineral Resource estimate anticipated for release in H2 2025. The Company plans to commence its Phase VI drill program as early as September and release an updated Mineral Resource Estimate thereafter. To date, ATEX has completed approximately 16,600 metres of drilling in the Phase V program. Highlights include: ATXD28 targeting the high-grade component of Valeriano Porphyry intersected 88 metres ('m') grading 1.03% copper equivalent ('CuEq') (0.78% Cu, 0.35 g/t Au, 2.4 g/t Ag, 18 g/t Mo) and 281m of 0.93% CuEq (0.55% Cu, 0.53 g/t Au, 3.3 g/t Ag, 4 g/t Mo) within a broader interval of 1,090m of 0.81% CuEq (0.56% Cu, 0.32 g/t Au, 1.8 g/t Ag, 57 g/t Mo) from 834m downhole. ATXD28 drilled 160m north of high-grade porphyry drill hole VALDD13-014 (272m of 0.93% CuEq (0.72% Cu, 0.28 g/t Au, 1.52 g/t Ag, 21 g/t Moi)) and 170m north of drill hole ATXD24 (670m of 0.84% CuEq (0.60% Cu, 0.24 g/t Au, 101 ppm Moii)). Visual details are provided in Figure 2. The broader intercept of 1,090m at 0.81% CuEq (0.56% Cu, 0.32 g/t Au, 1.8 g/t Ag, 57 g/t Mo) highlights another significant and continuous well-mineralized interval consistent with our expectation of the Valeriano Porphyry system. ATXD28 demonstrates further continuity within the high-grade porphyry trend in an area untested in previous exploration programs. The high-grade porphyry trend remains open along strike to the southeast and northwest. "The Phase V drill program continues to deliver impressive results, advancing the Project across multiple fronts," stated Ben Pullinger, President and CEO of ATEX. "The continuity demonstrated by this hole along the high-grade porphyry trend enhances confidence in the geological model and is expected to support the reclassification from the Inferred to the Indicated category in the next Mineral Resource update expected later this year. With several assay results still pending and additional high-priority targets identified, we are confident in the Project's continued positive momentum and look forward to initiating the next phase of drilling in September." Phase V Update - Nine Holes Completed and Five Drill Holes to Resume Drilling in Phase VI To date, approximately 16,600 metres have been drilled as part of the Phase V program and a total of nine holes (ATXD16B, 22C, 23A, 23B, 25A, 25B, 27A, 28, and 29) have been completed. ATEX is demobilizing drill rigs into June and expects to commence its Phase VI campaign as early as September. An additional five holes (ATXD22D, 25C, 27B, 28A, and 29A) have reached partial completion and will resume as part of the Phase VI program (Tables 2 and 3). Pending assay results from seven drill holes (ATXD25C, 27B, 29A, 22C, 25B, 22D, 28A) will be reported as they become available. Summary information for these holes is provided in the following sections. Using directional drilling techniques, ATEX has optimized efficiency, saving approximately 9,200 metres of drilling compared to conventional methods. This approach has significantly enhanced the overall effectiveness of the program. Following the strong results from the Phase V drill program, the Phase VI campaign is anticipated to begin in September. The program will aim to further define the geometry and improve the understanding of the orientation of the high-grade breccia targets, while continuing to advance infill and expansion drilling objectives (Figures 1 and 2). Table 1 - Summary Results for ATXD28 Hole ID From To Interval Cu Au Ag Mo CuEq % MRS(1) (m) (m) (m) (%) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) ATXD28(2), (3), (4) 834 1,924 1,090 0.56 0.32 1.8 57 0.81 Incl. 1,098 1,188 90 0.71 0.30 1.4 80 0.95 Incl. 1,398 1,486 88 0.78 0.35 2.4 18 1.03 Incl. 1,643 1,924 281 0.55 0.53 3.3 4 0.93 (1) CuEq calculated using recoveries assumed in 2023 MRE (90% Cu, 70% Au, 80% Ag and 60% Mo) (See Company news dated September 12, 2023) using the formula stated below: Copper Equivalent (CuEq) is calculated using the formula CuEq % = Cu % + (6,481.488523 * Au g/t /10,000) + (94.6503085864* Ag g/t /10,000) + (4.2328042328 * Mo g/t /10,000) *CuEq values reported in historical releases use metals reported in situ (100% basis). Recoveries for these metals as assumed in the NI 43-101 technical report titled: "Independent Technical Report for the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project, Atacama Region, Chile" with an effective date of September 1, 2023, available at www.sedarplus.ca and www.atexresources.com are 90% Cu, 70% Au, 80% Ag and 60% Mo. (2) ATXD28 was composited at a cut-off of 0.3% CuEq and had a maximum internal dilution of 20m. (3) Includes intervals of 7.3m from 1,554.7m to 1,562m, 15.25m from 1,585.25m to 1,600.5m, 20.05m from 1,608.3m to 1,628.4m and 10.2m from 1,632.3 to 1,642.5m where no drill core was recovered due to the use of a directional drilling tool. (4) True width of mineralized intersection not known at this stage. Figure 1. Long-Section with High-Grade Breccia and Cu/Au Porphyry Targets Figure 2. Plan Map, High-Grade Cu/Au Porphyry Trend ATDX28 and Phase V Drill Holes with Pending Assay Results and Phase VI Resumption A discussion of hole ATXD28 is provided below along with an overview of completed drill holes, as well as those being drilled up until the Phase V demobilization. Drilling activities are expected to resume with the launch of the Phase VI campaign in September. Valeriano Porphyry Exploration ATXD28 (completed at 1,924 metres) is a parent hole from the same platform as ATXD19 (Phase II) drilled from surface. The hole was designed to increase confidence in the Inferred Mineral Resource, drilling at nominal 150 metre centres on previously defined high-grade zones within the existing porphyry footprint. The 88m (from 1,398m to 1,486m) interval grading 1.03% CuEq grade is associated with a breccia body intersecting the mineralized Early Porphyry. Directly below the strongly mineralized interval described above is 56m of NAVI drilling to correct the downhole deviation. No core was recovered in this interval. The last 281m (from 1,643m to 1924m) of this hole returned 0.93% CuEq, in potassic altered Early Porphyry. ATXD25B (completed at 1,837m) is the second daughter hole from ATXD25 located 250m along strike from and following up on ATXD25A. The hole was designed to test mineralized intersections approximately 200m up dip. ATXD25B intersected disseminated zones of potassic alteration from 1,340m downhole, chalcopyrite from 1,337m to 1,837m and bornite from 1,249m to 1,646m. Assay results are pending. ATXD22C (completed at 1,814 metres) is a daughter hole of ATXD22 (Phase III), designed to infill drill and increase the confidence level of the Inferred Mineral Resource, drilling at nominal 150 metre centres on previously defined high-grade zones within the existing porphyry footprint. This hole is currently still drilling through host rock sequences. The hole intersected mineralized porphyry at 1,375m downhole, Early Porphyry from 1,580m to 1,666m, and was completed in mineralized porphyry. Assay results are pending. ATXD22D (paused at 1,916 metres) is a daughter hole from ATXD22C and is designed to test Early Porphyry mineralization on nominal 150m centres as part of the infill program. Assay results are pending. ATXD28A (paused at 1,918 metres) is a daughter hole from ATXD28 and is designed to test Early Porphyry mineralization on nominal 150m centres as part of the infill program. Assay results are pending. B2B Zone Exploration ATXD27B (paused at 1,632 metres) is the second daughter hole from ATXD27. The hole is currently drilling in mineralized host rock and will be targeting the B2B zone 150m to the northeast of the high-grade breccia intersected in ATXD26 and ATXD23A. Assays results are pending. (paused at 1,632 metres) is the second daughter hole from ATXD27. The hole is currently drilling in mineralized host rock and will be targeting the B2B zone 150m to the northeast of the high-grade breccia intersected in ATXD26 and ATXD23A. Assays results are pending. ATXD29A (paused at 1,934 metres) is a daughter hole from ATXD29 and is targeting the B2B breccia approximately 100m up dip from the intersections drilled in ATXD26 and ATXD23A. It intercepted 382m (1,123m to 1,505m) of mineralized breccia and 343m (from 1,508m to 1,851m) of Early Porphyry. Assay results are pending. ATXD25C (paused at 1,566 metres) is a daughter hole from ATXD25A and is designed to test the potential link between the B2B breccia and the high-grade bornite zone intersected in ATXD25A. Assay results are pending. Table 2 - Detailed Results with Metallurgical Recoveries for Phase V Drill Holes to Date Hole ID From To Interval Cu Au Ag Mo CuEq % In Situ(2) CuEq % MRS(1) CuEq % Met(3) Date (m) (m) (m) (%) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) ATXD16B 1,044 1,824 780 0.56 0.23 0.9 90 0.82 0.76 0.81 March 18, 2025 Incl. 1,364 1,690 326 0.71 0.29 1.1 87 1.02 0.95 1.01 Incl. 1,414 1,646 232 0.75 0.31 1.2 88 1.07 1.00 1.06 ATXD23A 822 2,042 1,220 0.66 0.28 1.9 130 0.99 0.91 0.98 March 18, 2025 Incl. 1,036 1,378 342 1.05 0.47 3.0 326 1.68 1.52 1.65 Incl. 1,092 1,378 286 1.17 0.53 3.4 340 1.86 1.69 1.83 Incl. 1,162 1,378 216 1.34 0.63 4.1 334 2.12 1.93 2.08 Incl. 1,226 1,378 152 1.52 0.75 4.9 161 2.30 2.12 2.28 Incl. 1,334 1,356 22 2.35 1.31 8.6 29 3.56 3.30 3.54 ATXD25A 1,230 1,832 602 0.40 0.16 1.0 57 0.58 0.54 0.57 April 22, 2025 Incl. 1,770 1,830 60 0.60 0.49 2.4 5 1.04 0.94 1.03 And 1,874 1,982 108 0.87 1.18 5.5 9 1.92 1.69 1.90 Incl. 1,892 1,922 30 2.21 3.17 15.1 3 5.01 4.40 4.97 Incl. 1,896 1,912 16 3.04 4.82 21.1 5 7.28 6.36 7.22 ATXD23B 1,028 1,238 210 0.60 0.21 1.0 210 0.92 0.83 0.90 April 22, 2025 Incl. 1,212 1,236 24 0.81 0.30 1.2 136 1.16 1.07 1.15 And 1,264 1,999 735 0.47 0.14 1.0 39 0.62 0.59 0.62 Incl. 1,274 1,318 44 0.83 0.21 1.4 36 1.05 1.00 1.04 ATXD27A 1,172 1,626 454 0.48 0.13 0.9 121 0.67 0.62 0.66 April 22, 2025 And 1,636 2,148 512 0.58 0.27 1.7 18 0.84 0.78 0.83 Incl. 1,672 1,714 42 0.84 0.49 3.1 9 1.29 1.20 1.29 Incl. 1,888 1,920 32 0.77 0.31 1.7 19 1.06 1.00 1.05 ATXD28 834 1,924 1,090 0.56 0.32 1.8 57 0.88 0.81 0.87 June 2, 2025 Incl. 1,098 1,188 90 0.71 0.30 1.4 80 1.02 0.95 1.01 Incl. 1,398 1,486 88 0.78 0.35 2.4 18 1.10 1.03 1.10 Incl. 1,643 1,924 281 0.55 0.53 3.3 4 1.03 0.93 1.02 (1) CuEq calculated using recoveries assumed in 2023 MRE (90% Cu, 70% Au, 80% Ag and 60% Mo) (See Company news dated September 12, 2023) using the formula stated below: Copper Equivalent (CuEq) is calculated using the formula CuEq % = Cu % + (6,481.488523 * Au g/t /10,000) + (94.6503085864* Ag g/t /10,000) + (4.2328042328 * Mo g/t /10,000). (2) CuEq reported in situ assuming 100% recovery for component metals assuming metal prices of US$1,800 /oz Au, US$3.15 /lb Cu, US$23 /oz Ag, and US$20.00 /lb Mo and using the formula stated below: Copper Equivalent (CuEq) is calculated using the formula CuEq % = (((Cu % * 3.15 * 22.0462)) + (Au g/t * (1,800/31.1034768))+(Ag g/t * (23/31.1034768)) + ((Mo g/t / 10,000) * (20*22.0462))) / (3.15*22.0462). (3) CuEq calculated using recoveries reported from metallurgical test work results reported in Company news dated October 18, 2023 (95% Cu, 94% Au, 89% Ag and 83% Mo) using the formula stated below: Copper Equivalent (CuEq) is calculated using the formula CuEq % = (((Cu % * 3.15 * 22.0462)) + ((0.94/0.95 * Au g/t) * (1,800/31.1034768)) + ((0.89/0.95 * Ag g/t) * (23/31.1034768)) + ((0.83/0.95 * Mo g/t / 10000) * (20*22.0462))) / (3.15*22.0462). Table 3 - Phase V Drill Hole Summary Hole ID UTMX WGS8419S UTMY WGS8419S Elevation (m) Kick-off (m) Start of Hole End of Hole Status Length (m) Drilled (m)1 Azi./Dip Azi./Dip B2B Breccia ATXD23A 414,623 6,779,921 4,346 515 134 / 81 161 / 50 Complete 2,042 1,527 ATXD23B 414,623 6,779,921 4,346 962 139 / 59 143 / 49 Complete 1,999 1,037 ATXD27A 414,558 6,780,399 4,424 794 153 / 72 175 / 31 Complete 2,148 1,354 ATXD27B 414,558 6,780,399 4,424 704 149 / 73 155 / 33 Paused 1,632 928 ATXD29 414,962 6,779,682 4,257 170 / 89 163 / 89 Complete 711 711 ATXD29A 414,962 6,779,682 4,257 355 313 / 88 289 / 74 Paused 1,934 1,580 Porphyry ATXD16B 415,381 6,779,128 4,134 827 287 / 77 270 / 44 Complete 1,880 1,053 ATXD22C 415,187 6,779,412 4,134 667 261 / 89 286 / 66 Complete 1,814 1,148 ATXD22D 415,187 6,779,412 4,134 732 250 / 86 222 / 64 Paused 1,916 1,185 ATXD25A** 413,896 6,779,919 4,160 1,454 125 / 76 102 / 47 Complete 2,232 778 ATXD25B 413,896 6,779,919 4,160 765 100 / 60 89 / 32 Complete 1,837 1,072 ATXD25C 413,896 6,779,919 4,160 408 129 / 80 108 / 18 Paused 1,566 1,158 ATXD28 415,132 6,779,354 4,170 276 / 78 344 / 75 Complete 1,924 1,924 ATXD28A 415,132 6,779,354 4,170 970 291 / 78 353 / 74 Paused 1,918 947 Total 25,552 16,552 1 - Includes re-drilled meters (152.7m). * Table contains preliminary data. ** ATXD25 was paused at 1,454.2m at the end of the Phase IV campaign and drilling resumed from this depth. Initial kick-off from ATXD25 was at 629.5m. ATEX Announces Grant of Stock Options ATEX announces that it granted an aggregate of 400,000 stock options to an officer of the Company. Each option entitles the holder to acquire one common share at an exercise price of C$2.20 for a period of five years in accordance with the Company's Stock Option Plan. Quality Control & Quality Assurance Drill holes are collared with a PQ drill bit, reduced to HQ and, sequentially, to NQ as the drill holes progressed deeper. Drill core produced by the drill rigs was extracted from the core tubes by the drill contractor under the supervision of ATEX employees, marked for consistent orientation and placed in core boxes with appropriate depth markers added. Full core boxes were then sealed before being transported by ATEX personnel to the Valeriano field camp. Core at the field camp is processed, quick logged, checked for recovery, photographed, and marked for specific gravity, geotechnical studies and for assays. From camp, the core is transferred to a secure core-cutting facility in Vallenar, operated by IMG, a third-party consultant. Here, the core trays are weighed before being cut using a diamond saw under ATEX personnel oversight. ATEX geologists working at this facility double-check the selected two-metre sample intervals, placing the samples in seal bags and ensuring that the same side of the core is consistently sampled. Reference numbers are assigned to each sample and each sample is weighed. The core trays with the remaining half-core are weighed and photographed. Additionally, core logs are updated, and specific gravity and geotechnical samples are collected. The remaining core is stored in racks at the Company's secure facility in Vallenar. From Vallenar samples are sent to an ALS preparation facility in La Serena. ALS is an accredited laboratory which is independent of the Company. The prepared samples were sent to the ALS assay laboratories in either Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru for gold (Au-AA24), copper (Cu-AA62), molybdenum (Mo-AA62) and silver (Ag-AA62) assays as well as and multi-element ICP (ME-MS61) analysis. No data quality problems were indicated by the QA/QC program. Qualified Person Mr. Ben Pullinger, P.Geo., registered with the Professional Geoscientists Ontario, is the Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects, for the Valeriano Copper Gold Porphyry Project. Mr. Pullinger is not considered independent under NI 43-101 as he is President and CEO of ATEX. He has reviewed and approved the disclosure of the scientific and technical information contained in this press release. About ATEX ATEX is exploring the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project which is located within the emerging copper gold porphyry mineral belt linking the prolific El Indio High-Sulphidation Belt to the south with the Maricunga Gold Porphyry Belt to the north, located in the Atacama Region, Chile. This emerging belt, informally referred to as the Link Belt, hosts several copper gold porphyry deposits at various stages of development including, Filo del Sol (Lundin Mining/BHP), Josemaria (Lundin Mining/BHP), Lunahausi (NGEx Minerals), La Fortuna (Teck Resources/Newmont) and El Encierro (Antofagasta/Barrick). The Valeriano Project hosts a large copper gold porphyry mineral resource: 1.41 billion tonnes at 0.67% CuEq (0.50% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au, 0.96 g/t Ag and 63.80 g/t Mo), which includes a higher-grade core totaling 200 million tonnes at 0.84% CuEq (0.62% Cu, 0.29 g/t Au 1.25 g/t Ag and 55.7 g/t Mo), as reported by ATEX on September 12, 2023iii. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, including predictions, projections, and forecasts. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "planning", "expects" or "does not expect", "continues", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "potential", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or describes a "goal", or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, among others: statements regarding plans for the evaluation of exploration properties including the Valeriano Copper Gold Project; the success of evaluation plans; the success of exploration activities especially to the significant expansion of the high-grade corridor; mine development prospects; potential for future metals production; changes in economic parameters and assumptions; all aspects related to the timing and extent of exploration activities, including the Phase V and Phase VI programs contemplated in this press release; timing of receipt of exploration results; the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities and mineralization; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; the results of regulatory and permitting processes; future metals price; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; the results of economic and technical studies; delays in obtaining governmental and local approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration; timing of assay results; as well as those factors disclosed in ATEX's publicly filed documents. Although ATEX has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, 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 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 has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. i Please see NI 43-101 technical report titled "Independent Technical Report for the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project, Atacama Region, Chile" by Joled Nur, CCCRRM-Chile, and David Hopper, CGeol, with an effective date of September 1, 2023, available at www.sedarplus.ca and www.atexresources.com for additional details on the 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate for the Valeriano project. ii See news release dated July 13, 2023, titled "ATEX Intersects 0.84% CuEq over 670 metres Widening the Central High-Grade Trend in the Last Drill Hole of Phase III Program." iii See NI 43-101 technical report titled "Independent Technical Report for the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project, Atacama Region, Chile" by Joled Nur, CCCRRM-Chile, and David Hopper, CGeol, with an effective date of September 1, 2023, filed at www.sedarplus.ca on October 25, 2023, for additional details on the 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate for the Valeriano project. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 / Orogen Royalties Inc. (TSXV:OGN) (OTCQX:OGNRF) ("Orogen" or the "Company") is pleased to report profitable financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, underlined by significant cash generated from operations. The Company is also pleased to report that recently completed drilling at the Navidad discovery, by First Majestic Silver Corp. ("First Majestic"), has substantially increased the size of the mineralized area beyond the previously declared Inferred Resource estimate. The Navidad discovery is located on the 167 square-kilometre Ermitano concession over which Orogen holds a 2% net smelter return ("NSR") royalty. Q1-2025 Highlights All figures are stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted. Net Income from Operations: Net income was $1.8 million (2024 - $0.3 million) for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025, up 500% from 2024. After income tax expense, net comprehensive income was $1.2 million or $0.01 per share (2024 - $0.3 million), up 300% from 2024. Royalty Revenue: Royalty revenue of $2.1 million (2024 - $1.5 million) was earned during the quarter with 497 (2024 - 508) attributable gold equivalent ounces ("GEOs"), down 2% from 2024, and sold at average price of US$2,860 (2024 - US$2,070) per ounce. Prospect Generation: Revenue from prospect generation activities was $0.5 million (2024 - $0.4 million) in the current quarter, up 25% from last year. G&A Expenses : General and administrative expenses of $1.7 million (2024 - $1.4 million) were incurred in 2025, up 21% compared to 2024. Cash flow : Cash flow of $1.2 million (2024 - $0.9 million) was generated from operating activities during the first quarter. Cash flow generated from operating activities, excluding changes in non-cash working capital, was $1.1 million (2024 - $0.4 million), up 175% from 2024. Working Capital: The Company has working capital of $28.0 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $26.8 million at the beginning of the fiscal year, an increase of $1.2 million. The Company has no long-term debt. Paddy Nicol, CEO of Orogen Royalties, commented, "We are pleased to report another profitable quarter supported by strong royalty revenue from the Ermitano mine. Drilling by First Majestic has expanded the mineralized footprint of the Navidad discovery and returned higher gold and silver grades than previously reported. This has the potential to bolster mine life and cashflow from the Ermitano royalty that Spinco will continue to own after the completion of the previously announced Triple Flag Precious Metals transaction. We are excited to carry on our business model of organic royalty generation and continue to unlock value for our shareholders as the company evolves." For complete details of the Company's financial results, please refer to the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and MD&A for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024. The Company's filings are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on Orogen's website at www.orogenroyalties.com. Please also see non-IFRS Measures at the end of this news release. Summary of Results Q1-2025 Results and Key Assets Ermitano Royalty, Sonora, Mexico For the three-month period ended March 31, 2025, the Company recorded $2.1 million (2024 - $1.5 million) in royalty revenue generated from the Ermitano mine. This represents 497 GEOs (2024 - 508 GEOs), a reduction of 2% from 2024, based on an average price of US$2,860 (2024 - US$2,070) per ounce. During the quarter, First Majestic processed 270,203 tonnes of ore, representing a 20% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The average silver and gold head grades were lower during the current period with 58 grams per tonne ("g/t") and 2.59 g/t, respectively, compared to 72 g/t and 3.16 g/t in Q1 2024. Silver and gold recoveries were 68% and 95%, respectively, consistent with 69% and 95% in 2024 1. A total of 2,307 metres of underground development was completed at Ermitano, representing a 3% increase compared to 2,250 metres in Q1-2024. Seven drill rigs were deployed over the period with five surface rigs and two underground rigs, completing 16,809 metres of drilling. Total exploration cost increased by 42% compared to Q1-2024, totaling US$3.0 million 1. Expansion of High-Grade Mineralization at the Navidad and Winter Veins, Ermitano Following the December 31, 2024 initial Inferred Mineral Resource estimate of 249,000 ounces gold and 5.9 million ounces silver 2, drilling at the Navidad and Winter vein systems has significantly expanded the footprint of precious metal mineralization and returned higher-grade gold and silver intercepts than previously reported 3. Step out drill holes including EWUG-25-050 (Table 1) have expanded the Winter Vein by 175 metres and the Navidad Vein 325 metres to the east since the resource cut-off date, with the identification of a robust high-grade zone on the eastern flank of the known deposit. Table 1: Highlight Post Resource Drill Hole Intercepts from the Navidad Discoveries 2 *A complete list of First Majestic's recent drilling on the Navidad and Winter veins including subintervals can be found at https://www.firstmajestic.com/investors/news-releases/first-majestic-announces-second-gold-silver-discovery-within-a-year-at-santa-elena-and-expands-high-grade-mineralization-at-navidad Ongoing resource conversion drilling continues to confirm the continuity of gold and silver mineralization in both veins with the mineralized structure now traced for a combined 1.3 kilometres of strike and 450 metres down dip with all the veins current strike and possible projections on Orogen's royalty ground. Mineralization at Navidad remains open in multiple directions including both up and down plunge with nine drill rigs currently active on the property 3. Qualified Person Statement All technical data, as disclosed in this press release, has been verified by Laurence Pryer, Ph.D., P.Geo., VP Exploration for Orogen. Dr. Pryer is a qualified person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101. Certain technical disclosure in this release is a summary of previously released third-party information and the Company is relying on the interpretation provided. Additional information can be found on the links in the footnotes. About Orogen Royalties Inc. Orogen Royalties is focused on organic royalty creation and royalty acquisitions on precious and base metal discoveries in western North America. The Company's royalty portfolio includes the Ermitano gold and silver Mine in Sonora, Mexico (2.0% NSR royalty) operated by First Majestic Silver Corp. and the Expanded Silicon gold project (1.0% NSR royalty) in Nevada, U.S.A, being advanced by AngloGold Ashanti NA. The Company is well financed with several projects actively being developed by joint venture partners. On April 21, 2025, the Company and Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp. signed a definitive agreement (the "Agreement"), whereby Triple Flag will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Orogen pursuant to a plan of arrangement (the "Transaction") for total consideration of approximately $421 million, or $2.00 per share. The total consideration consists of approximately $171.5 million in cash, approximately $171.5 million in Triple Flag shares, and shares of a new company ("Orogen Spinco") with an implied value of approximately $78 million. The Agreement and Transaction is subject to regulatory acceptance. 4 Orogen and Triple Flag have also agreed to the formation of a generative exploration alliance in the western United States, whereby Triple Flag will provide funding to Orogen Spinco for generating gold and silver targets considered geologically similar to the Expanded Silicon project. The initial US$435,000 budget will focus on identifying prospective exploration opportunities for incoming exploration partners, in exchange for cash, equity and retained royalty. On Behalf of the Board OROGEN ROYALTIES INC. Paddy Nicol President & CEO To find out more about Orogen, please contact Paddy Nicol, President & CEO at 604-248-8648, and Marco LoCascio, Vice President of Corporate Development at 604-248-8648. Visit our website at www.orogenroyalties.com. Orogen Royalties Inc. 1015 - 789 West Pender Street Vancouver, BC Canada V6C 1H2 Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this presentation, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Orogen Royalties Inc. (the "Company") expect to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. 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. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Forward-looking information in this news release includes disclosures regarding NSR royalty payments to be paid to the Company by First Majestic Silver Corp. ("First Majestic") the owners and operator of the Ermitano mine located in Mexico and that the forecasted revenue which are based on First Majestic "NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates" having an effective date of June 30, 2021. In addition to the technical report, the disclosure herein also contains and the updated mineral reserve and resource estimates for the Ermitano mine based on the Santa Elena Mineral Reserve, Resource Estimates with an effective date of December 31, 2024 as announced by First Majestic on March 31, 2025 and as disclosed in their December 31, 2024 AIF, and First Majestic's MD&A for the period ended December 31, 2024. Forward-looking statements are based on several material assumptions, which management of the Company believe to be reasonable, including, but not limited to, the continuation of mining operations in respect of which the Company will receive NSR royalty payments, that the commodity prices will not experience a material adverse change, mining operations that underlie the royalty will operate in accordance with the disclosed parameters and other assumptions may be set out herein. Except where otherwise stated, the disclosure in this news release relating to properties and operations in which Orogen holds a royalty are based on information publicly disclosed by the owners or operators of these properties and information/data available in the public domain as at the date hereof, and none of this information has been independently verified by Orogen. Specifically, as a royalty holder and prospect generator, the Company has limited, if any, access to properties on which it holds royalty or other interests in its asset portfolio. The Company may from time to time receive operating information from the owners and operators of the mining properties, which it is not permitted to disclose to the public. Orogen is dependent on, (i) the operators of the mining properties and their qualified persons to provide information to Orogen, or (ii) on publicly available information to prepare disclosure pertaining to properties and operations on the properties on which the Company holds royalty or other interests, and generally has limited or no ability to independently verify such information. Although the Company does not have any knowledge that such information may not be accurate, there can be no assurance that such third-party information is complete or accurate. Some reported public information in respect of a mining property may relate to a larger property area than the area covered by Orogen's royalty or other interest. Orogen's royalty or other interests may cover less than 100% of a specific mining property and may only apply to a portion of the publicly reported mineral reserves, mineral resources and or production from a mining property. Non-IFRS Measures The Company has included certain results in this news release that do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") including total GEOs sold, average realized gold price per GEO, and cash flow from operating activities excluding changes in non-cash working capital adjustments. The Company's royalty revenue is converted to a gold equivalent ounce by dividing the royalty revenue received during the period by the average gold price of the period. The Company has also used the non-IFRS measure of operating cash flows excluding changes in non-cash working capital. This measure is calculated by adding back the decrease or subtracting the increase in changes in non-cash working capital to or from cash provided by (used in) operating activities. TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 /Cerrado Gold Inc. (TSXV:CERT) (OTCQX:CRDOF) (FRA:BAI0) ("Cerrado" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Ed Guimaraes to the position of Executive Vice President, effective June 1, 2025. Mr. Guimaraes has over 30 years of experience in the mining industry, most recently in an executive advisory capacity and through several board directorships. His career spans a broad range of base and precious metals producers, having supported the development, expansion, and ongoing operations of copper, zinc, lead, gold, and silver mines in Canada, Chile, Peru, Mexico and Argentina. Mr. Guimaraes previously acted as the Chief Financial Officer at Sierra Metals between 2014 and 2023, and he was with Aur Resources between 1995 and 2007, ultimately serving as Executive Vice-President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, until its acquisition by Teck Resources in 2007 for US$4.1 billion. Prior to 1995, he worked in the Toronto mining group of PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Guimaraes is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), a graduate of the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program (ICD.D) and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Administrative and Commercial Studies from Western University. Mark Brennan, Executive Chairman, commented: "On behalf of the Board and Management, I would like to welcome Ed to the team. We had very strong success working together growing Sierra Metals, and his extensive financial and operational experience supporting development and expansion of projects will add significant benefit to the Company as we continue to grow the Minera Don Nicolas gold mine to its full potential and advance the Lagoa Salgada VMS and Mont Sorcier High Purity Iron Ore Projects." About Cerrado Cerrado Gold is a Toronto-based gold production, development, and exploration company. The Company is the 100% owner of the producing Minera Don Nicolas and Las Calandrias mine in Santa Cruz province, Argentina. In Portugal, the Company holds an 80% interest in the highly prospective Lagoa Salgada VMS project through its position in Redcorp - Empreendimentos Mineiros, Lda. In Canada, Cerrado Gold is developing its 100% owned Mont Sorcier Iron project located outside of Chibougamou, Quebec. In Argentina, Cerrado is maximizing asset value at its Minera Don Nicolas operation through continued operational optimization and is growing production through its operations at the Las Calandrias heap leach project. An extensive campaign of exploration is ongoing to further unlock potential resources in our highly prospective land package in the heart of the Deseado Masiff. In Portugal, Cerrado is focused on the exploration and development of the highly prospective Lagoa Salgada VMS project located on the prolific Iberian Pyrite Belt in Portugal. The Lagoa Salgada project is a high-grade polymetallic project, demonstrating a typical mineralization endowment of zinc, copper, lead, tin, silver, and gold. Extensive exploration upside potential lies both near deposit and at prospective step-out targets across the large 7,209-hectare property concession. Located just 80km from Lisbon and surrounded by exceptional infrastructure, Lagoa Salgada offers a low-cost entry to a significant exploration and development opportunity, already showing its mineable scale and cashflow generation potential. In Canada, Cerrado holds a 100% interest in the Mont Sorcier high purity Iron project, which has the potential to produce a premium iron concentrate over a long mine life at low operating costs and low capital intensity. Furthermore, its high grade and high purity product facilitates the migration of steel producers from blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces, contributing to the decarbonization of the industry and the achievement of sustainable development goals. For more information about Cerrado please visit our website at: www.cerradogold.com. Mark Brennan CEO and Chairman Mike McAllister Vice President, Investor Relations Tel: +1-647-805-5662 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Disclaimer 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. This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" (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 discusses 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. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the business and operations of Cerrado. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 2, 2025) - Goldshore Resources Inc. (TSXV: GSHR) (OTCQB: GSHRF) (FSE: 8X00) ("Goldshore" or the "Company" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc. (the "Lead Underwriter") as lead underwriter and sole bookrunner, and a syndicate of underwriters to be formed (together, the "Underwriters") pursuant to which the Company has launched a "bought deal" private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of $25,000,000 (the "Offering") of: 22,727,272 Charity flow-through shares (the "CFT Shares") at a price of $0.44 per CFT Share for total gross proceeds of $10,000,000; 32,258,064 Hard dollar common shares (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.31 per Common Share for total gross proceeds of $10,000,000; and 13,157,894 Flow-through common shares (the "FT Shares" and together with the Common Shares and CFT Shares, the "Offered Shares"), at a price of $0.38 per FT Share for total gross proceeds of $5,000,000. The FT Shares and CFT Shares will qualify as "flow-through shares" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Act") Gross proceeds from the sale of CFT Shares and FT Shares will be used to incur eligible Canadian exploration expenses and flow-through mining expenditures, as defined in the Act ("Qualifying Expenditures") related to the Company's Moss Gold Project in Ontario, on or before December 31, 2026, and to renounce all the Qualifying Expenditures in favour of the purchasers of the FT Shares and the CFT Shares effective December 31, 2025. Eventus Capital Corp. is an advisor to the Company. Specifically, the Company intends to use the proceeds from the FT and CFT financings for the following activities: 21,000m of tight spaced "grade control" drilling to define drill spacing for the infill MRE conversion drill program and provide sample for feasibility level metallurgical test work 7,500m scout drilling to test district targets generated by the winter drill program An update to the Mineral Resource Estimate and additional test work to support the ongoing PEA Ongoing environmental baseline costs Ongoing community engagement programs Additional generative exploration, including bedrock geochemical samples plus outcrop stripping for mapping and sampling Field overhead costs Michael Henrichsen, CEO of Goldshore commented, "The gross proceeds from the FT and CFT Share sale will be used to advance the Moss Gold Deposit through a critical phase of development, positioning the Company for the release of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) from G-Mining Services in Q4 of this year, and ultimately driving further de-risking and development activities thereafter." Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, the CFT Shares and the Common Shares will be offered to purchasers resident in all Provinces of Canada (excluding Quebec) pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption") of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"). Offered Shares sold pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption in Canada will not be subject to resale restrictions under applicable Canadian securities laws. The Offered Shares may be re-offered or re-sold on a private placement basis in offshore jurisdictions as permitted and in the United States pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "U.S. Securities Act"), as amended. The FT Shares will be offered to purchasers resident in all Provinces of Canada (excluding Quebec) pursuant to other applicable exemptions from the prospectus requirements of NI 45-106. There is an offering document related to the Offering (the "LIFE Offering Document") that can be accessed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.goldshoreresources.com. Prospective investors should read this LIFE Offering Document before making an investment decision. The Company has agreed to pay the Underwriters a cash commission of 6.0% of the gross proceeds raised under the Offering, which shall be reduced to 3.0% for subscribers on the president's list. In connection with the Offering the Company will grant the Underwriters an option to sell up to an additional 15% of the aggregate amount of Offered Shares, exercisable, in whole or in part, any time up until 48 hours prior to the closing date of the Offering. The Offering is expected to close on or about June 19, 2025 and is subject to the Company receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval from the TSX Venture Exchange. The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction. About Goldshore Goldshore is a growth-oriented gold company focused on delivering long-term shareholder and stakeholder value through the acquisition and advancement of primary gold assets in tier-one jurisdictions. It is led by the ex-global head of structural geology for the world's largest gold company and backed by one of Canada's pre-eminent private equity firms. The Company's current focus is the advanced stage 100% owned Moss Gold Project which is positioned in Ontario, Canada, with direct access from the Trans-Canada Highway, hydroelectric power near site, supportive local communities and skilled workforce. The Company has invested over $60 million of new capital and completed approximately 80,000 meters of drilling on the Moss Gold Project, which, in aggregate, has had over 235,000 meters of drilling. The 2024 updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate ("MRE") has expanded to 1.54 million ounces of Indicated gold resources at 1.23 g/t Au and 5.20 million ounces of Inferred gold resources at 1.11 g/t Au. The MRE only encompasses 3.6 kilometers of the 35+ kilometer mineralized trend, remains open at depth and along strike and is one of the few remaining major Canadian gold deposits positioned for fast track through this development cycle. For more information, please visit SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company's website (www.goldshoreresources.com). Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to expectations regarding the exploration and development of the Moss Gold Project, the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering, the completion of a PEA, and the timing thereof, statements about the Offering (including the completion of the Offering on the terms and timelines as announced or at all, the tax treatment of the FT Shares and CFT Shares, the timing to renounce all Qualifying Expenditures in favour of the subscribers and the use of proceeds of the Offering), and other statements that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: exploration and development of the Moss Gold Project will not be undertaken as anticipated; the Company will not complete a PEA in 2025; the Offering will not be completed on the terms anticipated or at all; the Company may not obtain all required regulatory approvals for the Offering, include that of the TSX Venture Exchange; the Company may not be able to use the proceeds of the Offering as anticipated; the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions acceptable; compliance with extensive government regulation; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company's business and results of operations; and the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company's securities, regardless of its operating performance. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company 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. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 2, 2025) - Rush Rare Metals Corp. (CSE: RSH) ("Rush" or the "Company") is pleased to provide details of further exploration work at its Boxi Property in Quebec, and to provide updates surrounding work by Myriad Uranium Corp. ("Myriad") on the Copper Mountain Property in Wyoming. Myriad is conducting ongoing exploration work on the Copper Mountain Property pursuant to an option agreement under which Rush and Myriad both currently hold a 50% interest in the property. Boxi Property Update The Boxi Property is a road accessible property comprised of over 8,000 hectares a short distance from Mont Laurier, Quebec. Boxi was formerly held by Areva S.A. (now Orano), who held the Property based on early samples returning high values for uranium. Orano dropped the Property following the Fukushima incident in 2013, and uranium mining was subsequently suspended in Quebec under a temporary moratorium still in place today. Rush subsequently acquired the Property on the strength of niobium values in samples taken by Orano in 2011. Niobium is categorized as a critical mineral in Canada and is used to make strong, light weight and corrosion resistant steel, superconductors, and various other highly topical products. There are only three niobium mines of any significance in the world, two of them in Brazil, and the third, the Niobec Mine, just 350km from Boxi in Quebec. Previous exploration at the Boxi Property was summarized in a Company news release dated July 12, 2024. The Company intends to conduct additional exploration at Boxi, anticipated to commence in the coming weeks. New exploration work will focus on expanding sampling and mapping near the already established dyke exploration area near the main access road (Target Area 1), and on conducting new exploration in two main areas, in and around visible pegmatite showings near Lac Leon (Target Areas 2a and 2b), and in an area a number of kilometers to the east of the established Boxi area, in a zone previously showing as anomalous in a Federal Radiometric survey conducting in 1969 (Target Area 3). A map showing these target areas is shown below. Figure 1. Boxi Property with interpreted "Boxi-like" lineament targets and radiometric targets The planned exploration program is modest but also efficient, and is expected to provide a great deal of additional information about the nature and scope of mineralization, in particular for Niobium but also for other rare earth elements throughout the Boxi Property. Copper Mountain Property Update Myriad has been making excellent progress at Copper Mountain, a Uranium prospect located in Wyoming, currently held 50% by each of Myriad and Rush, and in which Myriad can earn an additional 25% interest pursuant to the option agreement between the parties. Recent updates from Myriad were disseminated on March 17th and on April 29th, 2025. These Myriad news releases are available on the Myriad website at myriaduranium.com. Recent progress, as well as other thoughts surrounding the Copper Mountain Property generally, were discussed in recent interviews with Myriad CEO Thomas Lamb, with links to these provided below: Is This America's Next Big Uranium Discovery? | Myriad's Copper Mountain Explained Commodity Culture: URANIUM Will 'Really Be on Fire' as Governments & Big Tech Dive In. In addition, Rush recognizes and welcomes the U.S. government's decisive recent actions to revitalize the nuclear energy sector and rebuild the domestic uranium supply chain. On May 23, 2025, new Executive Orders represent a sweeping national commitment to quadruple nuclear capacity by 2050, streamline permitting, restart the full fuel cycle, and invest in advanced reactor technologies. The policy shift includes clear timelines for regulatory reform, a mandate to expand uranium mining and enrichment, and support for public-private collaboration. "This is the catalyst the sector has needed," said Peter Smith, CEO of Rush. "Our Copper Mountain Project in Wyomingan established uranium regionis well aligned with these national goals. We, in close co-operation with Myriad, are well positioned to support America's nuclear resurgence with domestic supply. Myriad has done an outstanding job thus far in adding value to the Copper Mountain project in leaps and bounds, with recent chemical assay results showing even higher mineralization, and over larger areas than previously thought following a successful drill campaign last Fall. We firmly believe this project is becoming one of the best Uranium prospects in the USA." Issuance of Stock Options Rush also announces that it has issued an aggregate of 465,000 stock options to an officer and to certain directors of the Company. Each option vests immediately and is exercisable for one common share of the Company at a price of $0.11 for five years. The issuance of the stock options is considered to be a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101"). Such issuance is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the transaction does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company's directors unanimously approved the issuance of the stock options. There were no prior valuations made in the past 24 months in respect of the Company that relates to the subject matter of or is otherwise relevant to such issuance of stock options. The Company did not file a material change report respecting such issuance of stock options at least 21 days before such issuance, which is reasonable given the MI 61-101 exemption noted above. About Rush Rare Metals Corp. Rush Rare Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on its Boxi Property located in the Province of Quebec, Canada. Rush also owns the Copper Mountain Project located in Wyoming, USA, which it has optioned to Myriad Uranium Corp. Rush currently has a 100% interest in the Boxi Property, and a 50% interest in the Copper Mountain Project. For further information, please refer to Rush's disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) or contact Rush by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by telephone at 778.999.7030, or refer to Rush's website at www.rushraremetals.com. Mineralization hosted on adjacent or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's properties. Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. 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, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 2, 2025) - Mogotes Metals Inc. (TSXV: MOG) (FSE: OY4) (OTCQB: MOGMF) ("Mogotes", or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement through the issuance of up to 75,000,000 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.20 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$15,000,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit shall be comprised of one common share (each, a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.40 per Common Share for a period of two (2) years from the closing of the Offering. The gross proceeds from the sale of the Units will be used for funding the Company's exploration work programs and development of the Company's Filo Sur property, and general working capital purposes. The Company welcomes the participation of the prominent Argentina based Braun family, which, through an associated entity, has subscribed for C$9,000,000 of the Offering, resulting in the family becoming a significant shareholder on completion of the Offering. In connection with the strategic investment Mr. Carlos Braun will join the board of directors of the Company. For more than 130 years, the Braun family has been synonymous with enterprise and leadership in Argentina. The family is related to one of the founding families of Bunge Global (NYSE: BG), a cornerstone of global agribusiness. This strategic investment was organized through their Geneva-based family office, which manages a diversified portfolio of global investments across agriculture, natural resources, infrastructure, and innovation-driven ventures. Their deep understanding of the South American business environment and longstanding regional networks make them a valuable addition to the Mogotes Metals shareholder base. They also operate one of the largest farming enterprises in Argentina, with a long-standing presence in the country's most productive agricultural regions. Carlos Braun Saint, representing the Braun family, is a recognized entrepreneur and investor across Latin America. He leads ventures in agriculture and hospitality. His global perspective and multi-generational experience bring meaningful insight to the Company's Board of Directors. In connection with the Braun family's strategic investment, the Company has entered into an investor rights agreement with a company associated with the Braun family. Under the terms of the investor rights agreement this company has been granted: (i) a pre-emptive right to participate in any equity financing on the same terms as other investors to preserve its existing ownership stake while it holds 5% or more of issued shares of the Company; (ii) a top-up right to purchase additional shares whenever conversions or property-related share issuances dilute its stake by 2% or more; (iii) an additional subscription option, exercisable at any time within five years, to increase its holdings to up to 19.9 % of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company; and (iv) the ongoing ability to nominate one director to the board of directors of the Company, for so long as it holds 5% or more of issued shares of the Company. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering in Canada and the United States 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. Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, all securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering in jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States pursuant to Ontario Securities Commission Rule 72-503 - Distributions Outside Canada will not be subject to any statutory hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. The closing of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About Mogotes Metals Inc. Mogotes Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company exploring for copper and gold in the prospective Vicuna district of Argentina and Chile. Mogotes flagship project, Filo Sur, adjoins the large Filo del Sol Copper-gold-silver discovery, and is along the same N-S trending belt as the Filo Del Sol - Aurora and NGEx Minerals Lunahuasi and Los Helados copper-gold deposits. For further information, please contact: Follow Us Twitter: https://x.com/mogotesmetals Cautionary Note Regarding 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 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. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 2, 2025) - Daura Gold Corp. (TSXV: DGC) (the "Company" or "Daura") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding offer letter, dated May 29, 2025 (the "Offer"), with EV Resources Limited ("EVR"), an arms-length party, to acquire the Yanamina gold-silver project (the "Yanamina Project") located in Ancash Department of central Peru (the "Transaction"). Highlights Acquisition of the Yanamina Project, approximately 40km north of Daura's high-grade Antonella target and the bonanza grade San Luis Gold Project owned by Highlander Silver. The Yanamina Project has historical indicated resources of 1,566,900 tonnes at 1.65 g/t Au for a total of 83,100 (oz) of gold (Au) and 3,235,000 tonnes at 1.19 g/t Au for a total of 123,700 ounces of Au. The Company plans to undertake work to verify and update the historical estimate as a priority. Significant exploration upside and multiple drill targets on the property given limited and focused historical drilling. Open extensions to resources at depth and lateral extensions and significant faulted extension target at depth. Previous drilling identified a high-grade core zone locally grading at 5 g/t Au over 5 meters within a mineralized envelope averaging 2.5 g/t Au over intervals from 20-30 meters. Daura has an opportunity to update the Yanamina historical resource estimate and bring a current resource estimate into Daura's resource profile. Yanamina compliments Daura's project portfolio in the Ancash Department, which is well-known for mining in Peru with major historical production from Barrick's Pierina gold mine, approximately 40km from Yanamina. And 94km from the Tier 1 Antamina Mine, owned by Glencore, Teck and Mitsubishi. (See "Yanamina Historical Mineral Resource" below for further details.) A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource and the Company is not treating the historical estimate as a current mineral resource. Luis Saenz, Daura CEO, commented: "The acquisition of the Yanamina Gold-Silver Project marks an exciting prospect for Daura Gold as we expand our footprint into one of Peru's most prolific mining districts. Only about 40km north of our existing land package at Antonella, Yanamina is a perfect complement to Daura's asset base." said Luis Saenz, CEO of Daura. "With a significant historical resource, clear exploration upside, and proximity to premier deposits like San Luis and Pierina, Yanamina presents a compelling opportunity to unlock value for our shareholders. This transaction aligns with our strategy to build a high-quality portfolio of gold assets with near-term growth potential and strong leverage to rising precious metals prices." Exploration Upside Potential The historical work carried out for historical resource estimates highlighted a number of areas at Yanamina which show potential for additional mineralization, both as an extension but also proximal to the existing resource. As a result of the extensive and important surface alteration within the mineralized zone, a number of these target areas can be initially geologically explored, including mapping, sampling and geophysics, among others, to determine their potential. An additional exploration target which remains open is the potential faulted extension to the existing historical resource. The historical resource is located on a fault scarp and there is sound geological evidence that the top of the resource has been removed by faulting. The extent of the "missing" upper portion of the resource is unknown, offering a straightforward exploration target with upside potential. In 2006, ASX-listed Latin Gold completed detailed mapping of the geology and alteration, channel sampling, limited adit sampling, digitizing of the historic and current data base and drilled 25 diamond drill holes totaling 1,468 meters. The drilling confirmed the geology and the near surface zone of disseminated gold and silver mineralization, which is locally exposed in outcrop. Gold was intersected in the majority of the drill holes and demonstrated strong continuity along strike. The drilling also identified a higher-grade core zone locally grading 5gpt Au over 5 meters within a mineralized envelope averaging 2.5gpt Au over intervals ranging from 20 to 30 meters. The drilling also confirmed the coincident silver values reported historically ranging up to 20.3gpt Ag explored over 10 meters. Only 12 drill holes have been executed in the potential expansion area, where there are open extensions to resources at depth and lateral extensions and significant faulted extension target at depth. Community Engagement As a new operator in the Yanamina area of interest, Daura recognizes the opportunity to establish new, long-term mutually beneficial relationships with the local communities and will strive to do this from the outset. Daura's community relations efforts at Yanamina are underway as part of the Company's due diligence process. Yanamina Project Acquisition Pursuant to the Offer the Company proposes to purchase the Yanamina Project from EVR in consideration for an initial payment of US$150,000 in cash (the "Initial Consideration"). The Company may make additional payments in cash or shares to EVR as contingent consideration (the "Contingent Consideration") upon completion of certain milestones in relation to the Yanamina Project. The Contingent Consideration is only accrued and payable if and when the following milestones are achieved: On the 12-month anniversary from Closing, the Purchaser will pay to the Vendor US$150,000 in cash; On the obtaining of a social license (that will allow a minimum 10,000 meter drilling campaign) with the communities in the area of influence of Yanamina, the Company will pay EVR US$1,700,000 in cash and/or common shares of the Company at the option of the Company; Within 60 days of the start of construction of Yanamina, the Company will pay EVR US$2,000,000 in cash and/or common shares of the Company at the option of the Company; and Within 60 days of the start of Commercial Production on the Project, the Company will pay EVR US$2,000,000 in cash and/or common shares of the Company at the option of the Company. Any common shares issuable to the Vendor, at the election of the Company, will be issuable at a deemed price equivalent to the volume-weighted average closing price of the common shares of the Company on the TSX Venture Exchange in the thirty (30) trading days prior to issuance and will be calculated using the applicable exchange rate posted by the Bank of Canada immediately prior to issuance. The deemed price of the common shares will be subject to such minimum pricing as is permitted by the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and in no case will common shares be issuable at a deemed price of less than (Cdn)$0.05. Project Agreement The Yanamina Project is currently subject to the terms of a project agreement (the "Project Agreement") involving Happy Diamonds Pty. Ltd. ("Happy Diamonds"). Following completion of the Transaction, in addition to the payments outlined above, the Company will assume responsibility for all obligations due and owing under the Project Agreement, including the following payments owing under the Project Agreement: on or before the fifth (5th) business day following the commencement of construction of infrastructure for commercial production at the Yanamina Project, pay to Happy Diamonds the sum of US$1,500,000 in cash; on or before the tenth (10th) business day following the date of the initial gold pour from the Yanamina Project, pay to Happy Diamonds the sum of US$1,000,000 in cash; on or before the tenth (10th) business day following the first (1st) anniversary of the date of the initial gold pour from the Yanamina Project, pay to Happy Diamonds the sum of US$1,000,000 in cash; on or before the tenth (10th) business day following the second (2nd) anniversary of the date of the initial gold pour from the Yanamina Project, pay to Happy Diamonds the sum of US$1,000,000 in cash; and on or before the tenth (10th) business day following the production of 275,000 ounces of gold (or gold products containing the equivalent of such amount of refined gold using, for other precious metals, the gold equivalent ounces thereof) from the Yanamina Project, pay to Happy Diamonds the sum of US$1,000,000 in cash. Completion of the Transaction remains subject to a number of conditions, including negotiation of definitive documentation and approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The Transaction cannot be completed until these conditions have been satisfied, and there can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as presently contemplated. The Company does not expect the Transaction to result in a change of control for the Company, or to constitute a "fundamental acquisition" for the Company, within the meanings prescribed by the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company does not anticipate that the Yanamina Project, if acquired, would represent the majority of the assets of the Company, nor is pit expected to the principal focus of the Company in the next twelve months. Yanamina Historical Mineral Resource The historical mineral resource is included in a Technical Report titled "Deposit Modeling, NI 43-101 Resource Estimate, Preliminary Economic Assessment: Yanamina Gold Property" (the "Technical Report"), with an effective date of February 28, 2011. The report was prepared as a National Instrument 43-101 - Standard of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("National Instrument 43-101") technical report for Coronet Metals Inc. The historical estimate is considered to be relevant and for the purposes of the Company proceeding with the Transaction as it provides an indication of the potential significance of the Yanamina Project. The Technical Report provides details on mineral resources and reserves, as well a potential development option for the Yanamina Gold Project that considers underground mining and processing using conventional cyanide leach methods. However, the prices, costs, and development strategy and options are no longer current and need to be re-evaluated using assumptions and qualifications that are more reflective of today's environment. The Yanamina gold and silver deposit is a volcanic hosted, low sulphidation, epithermal quartz system. The Yanamina historical Mineral Resource data base has a total of 2,643 samples, spanning 3,402 meters from 78 drill holes. The indicated resource covers approximately 17 hectares and is outlined by a search area of 25 metres; within this area, the drill holes intersected similar gradethickness composites at a 1g/t Au cutoff. The inferred resource is outlined by a search area of 50 metres. The holes drilled in this area intersected mineralization defined by 0.5gpt cutoff composites. Continuous blocks within the 25m search radius have thus been defined as an Indicated Resource while the blocks outside of this zone at a 50m search radius and those blocks above the 0.5 g/t Au cutoff in Zone 2 are categorized as an Indicated Resource. Further drilling at 25m spacing would be required to define additional Inferred Resources in both zones. Historical Mineral Resource Summary Summary of Historical Mineral Resources Yanamina Gold Deposit (0.50 g/t Au Cut-Off Grade) Resources Tonnes Grade (g/t Au) Total Ounces Indicated 1,566,900 1.65 83,100 Inferred 3,235,000 1.19 123,700 Notes: - A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource and the Company is not treating the historical estimate as a current mineral resource. Additional work including some re-sampling of historical core and a review of the geological model, will be necessary to verify the historical resource estimate. Qualified Person All scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Owen D. W. Miller, Ph.D. Member AIG, a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101. Dr. Miller acts as an independent third-party consultant of the Company. ABOUT DAURA GOLD CORP. Listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, Daura Gold Corp is advancing high-impact exploration projects in Peru's renowned Ancash region. Daura Gold owns a 100% undivided interest in over 8,100 hectares of exploration concessions in Ancash, including the 900-hectare Antonella target, which is the primary focus of Daura Gold's current exploration efforts. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. Daura cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Daura's control. Such factors include, among other things: future prices and the supply of gold and other precious and other metals; future demand for gold and other valuable metals; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; results of exploration programs; risks of the mineral exploration industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals; adverse weather conditions and failure to obtain necessary regulatory or shareholder approvals. 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. Daura 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. 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. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 2, 2025) - Koulou Gold Corp. ("Koulou Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has closed a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") to raise aggregate gross proceeds of $13,041,529 through the sale of 31,051,260 shares (the "Shares") priced at $0.42 per Share in three tranches completed April 17, 2025, April 25, 2025 and May 15, 2025. The Shares will not be listed on any exchange and are subject to an indefinite hold period as set out in National Instrument 45-102 Resale of Securities. All funds are denominated in Canadian dollars. The Company paid aggregate cash finder's fees of $306,157 and issued 207,470 common shares of the Company at a price of $0.42 per share to certain finders, including Haywood Securities Inc. and 3L Capital Inc., in respect with portions of the Private Placement. Proceeds from the Private Placement will fund exploration at the Company's Cote d'Ivoire projects as well as new business development and general working capital. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Alex Ruggieri, CEO and Director of Koulou Gold, states, "We are very pleased to welcome all new shareholders and partners. This financing is a strong endorsement of the quality of our team, our assets, and our long-term vision. With a fully funded exploration program and a robust pipeline of targets across Cote d'Ivoire, 2025 is shaping up to be a transformational year for Koulou Gold. We're excited to accelerate our efforts on the ground and unlock the full potential of our projects." 2025 Exploration Plan Koulou has budgeted an aggressive exploration plan for 2025 focusing on advancing each of its key projects. Assuefry Project (PR 0967, 335.88km) Located adjacent to Endeavour Mining's 4.1Moz Assafou discovery, the Assuefry Project hosts two significant robust in-situ high-grade (>100 ppb) historical soil anomalies overlying geology and structures analogous to the neighboring Assafou deposit. The 2025 program includes: Soil Sampling Program (~13,000 samples) Regional Grid : 50m x 600m spacing to cover broader structural trends : 50m x 600m spacing to cover broader structural trends Infill Grid: 50m x 200m spacing in anomalous areas for higher resolution targeting and potential extents Geophysical Surveys Airborne Magnetics : 50m line spacing to aid in delineating structures : 50m line spacing to aid in delineating structures Ground Induced Polarization (IP): 50m line spacing placed perpendicular to soil trends and structures observed in the magnetic map to aid in defining lithological contacts and depth of mineralization Drilling Program (Up to 20,000m) Diamond Program: Targets to be defined based on combined geochemical and geophysical results testing over 14km of prospective strike length Sakassou Project (PR 0944, 396.91km) Sakassou is underlain by a highly-strained clastic sedimentary rock package, minor intermediate volcanics and voluminous granitic intrusions. Sakassou contains multiple mineralized zones defined by drilling, including the Bravo zone with a current surface expression of 1.3km by up to 160m and previous drilling results of 33.0m at 2.38 g/t Au (BWRC-014). The 2025 exploration program includes: Drilling Program (Up to 18,000m) Auger Program (up to 8,000m) : Refine future RC program by "rooting" soil anomalies by testing structures observed in the detailed magnetic maps : Refine future RC program by "rooting" soil anomalies by testing structures observed in the detailed magnetic maps RC Program (up to 5,000m) : Follow up on targets defined by the auger program and previous drill results, including testing the along-strike continuity of the Bravo West trend : Follow up on targets defined by the auger program and previous drill results, including testing the along-strike continuity of the Bravo West trend DDH Program (up to 5,000m): Focused on testing the vertical extensions (up to 300m) of known mineralization at Bravo and fold plunges Kouto Project (PR 916, 298.46km) Kouto is underlain by a highly-strained volcano-sedimentary package and voluminous granitic intrusions belonging to the Sayama Greenstone Belt and is adjacent to and along strike from Aurum Resources' 1.6Moz Au Boundiali project (see Aurum Resources press release dated December 30, 2024). Koulou Gold successfully generated and advanced the Kouto project from a greenfield prospect with no existing data, to a 10km x 5km gold-in-soil anomaly through a systematic, and phased approach. The 2025 exploration program includes: Infill Soils : Completed : Completed Airborne Geophysics : Completed : Completed Western Infill Soil Grid : 25m x 800m western soil grid infilled to 200m line spacing to confirm and better define anomalies : 25m x 800m western soil grid infilled to 200m line spacing to confirm and better define anomalies IP Survey : gradient and pole-dipole IP/resistivity grids will be placed over the most anomalous trends within the 10km x 5km gold-in-soil anomaly : gradient and pole-dipole IP/resistivity grids will be placed over the most anomalous trends within the 10km x 5km gold-in-soil anomaly RC Program (up to 5,000m): Targets defined from soil, IP and drone mag data Bokro Project (PR 0975, 399.88km) Bokro sits along a major north-south structure which seems to be spatially associated with Endeavour's Lafigue mine and Many Peak's Ferke project. There are no known historical results on the project, so in 2025 Koulou plans to advance the project using a systematic, phased exploration strategy including the following: Stream Sediment Survey : Completed : Completed Soil Sampling : Depending on the results of the stream sediment sampling campaign, 5,000 soil samples on a 50m x 800m grid to test anomalous catchments : Depending on the results of the stream sediment sampling campaign, 5,000 soil samples on a 50m x 800m grid to test anomalous catchments Geophysics: Contingent on soil results Exploration Business Development A significant portion of the capital raised will be allocated to business development initiatives, including staking new permits and ongoing project evaluations and acquisitions. Koulou Gold also plans to initiate exploration activities in Ghana as part of its broader West African growth strategy. Qualified Person Dr. Arnaud Fontaine, P.Geo. (APGO no. 3570), PhD., and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument NI43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release. About Koulou Gold Corp. Koulou Gold Corp. is a private mineral exploration company incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia and based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Koulou Gold's focus is early to advanced-stage exploration in West Africa. The Company currently holds an option to earn up to 100% interest in the Sakassou Project in central Cote d'Ivoire, and an additional exploration licence in the well-endowed Syama Boundiali greenstone belt in northern Cote d'Ivoire. For more information about Koulou Gold Corp., please visit www.koulougoldcorp.com. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects', "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing these forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon the information currently available to management as of the date hereof, actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, 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. MONTREAL, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Opus One Gold Corp (TSX-V: OOR) (the Company or Opus One) is pleased to announce that drill hole NO-25-07 from the winter drilling program on its 100% owned Noyell project near the town of Matagami, Abitibi, Quebec, Canada, returned 4.22g/t Au over 18.95 m from 95,75 to 114.7 m. The mineralized interval represents a true width of approximately 15 m within the Zone 1 structure. NO-25-07 is a near surface in-fill drill hole which intersected Zone 1 at an approximate vertical depth of 80 m between hole NO-25-01 (4.12 g/t Au over 7.3 m) and hole NO-25-03 (3.79 g/t Au over 6.7 m). There appears to exist an excellent continuity between these three holes. Hole NO-25-08a was drilled to test the continuity of Zone 1 at a vertical depth of 475 m in the central portion of the structure. Zone 1 returned an interval grading 2.34 g/t Au over 3.9 m (true width of 3.25m) from 523.9 to 527.8m. Zone 1 is not as rich as near surface intervals recently reported but it clearly shows that the gold bearing structure is still open at depth. Hole NO-25-09 was drilled 50 m to the west of hole NO-25-07 and 50 m above NO-25-01. It returned 2.32 g/t Au over 6 m (true width of 5m) from 80.8 to 86.8m. Zone 1 is still clearly observed but it appears to be weakening towards the west, near surface. This hole also returned a value of 6.63 g/t Au over 1.2 m (true width of 1m) within Zone 2. 2025 Drill hole location and parameters to date are as follows: 2025 WINTER DRILLING RESULTS TO DATE More assay results are expected soon. Louis Morin, Opus One CEO commented: Hole NO-25-07 returned the best mineralized interval within Zone 1 so far on Noyell and it is close to surface. Results from NO-25-08a indicate that the structure is still open at depth and this is significant to the future of Zone 1. Thanks to easy accessibility and its proximity to services, our Noyell project is gradually taking shape to a totally new perspective. Opus One Gold Corp. will be at The Mining Investment Event at Centre des Congres In Quebec City, June 3-5, 2025. You are welcome to visit us at the MI3 Lounge. www.themininginvestmentevent.com Sample preparation, analysis and QAQC program All core recovered is NQ size. All samples are described, labelled, cut (diamond saw) and bagged at Technominex facilities in Rouyn-Noranda. Samples are then shipped to AGAT certified Laboratory in Val Dor for preparation. Sample pulps are then shipped to various AGAT laboratories in Canada for analysis. Samples are assayed for gold using by Fire Assay (50g), with ICP-OES Finish. All samples equal or above 10 g/t Au are submitted to ore grade gravimetric finish. Opus Ones QAQC program consists of one control sample inserted, at Technominex facility, after 9 regular samples. Control samples consist of a certified blank and various gold grades certified material. OPUS ONE Resources Inc. Opus One Resources Inc. is a mining exploration company focused on discovering high quality gold and base metals deposits within strategically located properties in proven mining camps, close to existing mines in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, north-western Quebec and north-eastern Ontario - one of the most prolific gold mining areas in the world. Opus One holds assets in the Val-d'Or and Matagami mineral districts. An independent qualified person, Pierre ODowd P.Geo, has verified and approved the data disclosed, including sampling, analytical, and test data underlying the information or opinions contained in the written disclosure as required by section 3.1 and 3.2 of NI43-101. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains statements that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information may include, among others, statements regarding the future plans, costs, objectives or performance of Opus One, or the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. In this news release, words such as may, would, could, will, likely, believe, expect, anticipate, intend, plan, estimate and similar words and the negative form thereof are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at or by which, such future performance will be achieved. No assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, including the anticipated exploration program on the project, the results of such exploration program, the development of the project and what benefits Opus One will derive from the project, the expected demand for lithium. Forward-looking information is based on information available at the time and/or managements good-faith belief with respect to future events and are subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond Opus One control. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those described under Financial Instruments and Risk and Uncertainties in Opus One Annual Report for the fiscal year ended August 31st, 2022, a copy of which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Opus One does not intend, nor does Opus One undertake any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking information contained in this news release to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except if required by applicable 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 the release. For more information, please contact: Louis Morin Chief Executive Officer & Director Tel.: (514) 591-3988 Michael W. Kinley, CPA, CA President, Chief Financial Officer & Director Tel: (902) 402-0388 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Visit Opus Ones website: www.OpusOneGold.com NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES A South African court opened an inquest Monday into the murders 40 years ago of four anti-apartheid activists by a police hit squad in one of the most notorious atrocities of the apartheid era. No one has been brought to justice for the 1985 killings of the so-called Cradock Four, and their families have accused the post-apartheid government of intervening to block the case from going to trial. Teachers Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe and Sicelo Mhlauli and railway worker Sparrow Mkonto were abducted and killed while returning home from a political meeting in the southern town of Cradock. "After 40 years, the families are still waiting for justice and closure," Advocate Howard Varney, representing relatives of the four men, told the court in an opening statement. "We intend to demonstrate that the deaths of the Cradock Four were brought about by way of a calculated and premeditated decision of the apartheid regime taken at the highest level of the government's state security system," Varney told the court in the Eastern Cape city of Gqeberha. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission set up to uncover political crimes carried out under apartheid refused amnesty to six men for the Cradock Four killings. This left them open to prosecution but the post-apartheid authorities took no action, Varney said. This may have been in part due to a "toxic mix of idleness, indifference, incapacity or incompetence" but the families also believed "political forces intervened to block their cases from proceeding", he said. "This inquest is probably the very last chance that the families will get to reach a semblance of closure. They deserve nothing less than a full and comprehensive accounting with the past," the advocate said. It is the third inquest into the Cradock Four murders, which came at the height of the white-minority government's repression of anti-apartheid activists. Claims of deliberate delays in prosecuting apartheid-era crimes led President Cyril Ramaphosa to set up a judicial inquiry in April. In January, 25 families of victims and survivors of apartheid-era crimes, including the Cradock Four, announced they were suing the government over a "gross failure" to investigate and prosecute perpetrators. Finally! Thats how some Syrians who had come to hear the Paris Assize Courts decision, expressed their relief as, moved to tears, they left the final hearing of the first Syrian trial held in France in the presence of the accused. Former Syrian rebel, Majdi Nema, alias Islam Alloush, was sentenced on 28 May 2025 to ten years imprisonment for complicity in war crimes, for having knowingly facilitated the conscription of minors aged 15 to 18. He was found guilty of participating in a conspiracy with the rebel group Jaysh al-Islam to prepare for war crimes. He contributed to this in particular through his activities as a spokesperson, intelligence officer, and strategic advisor, the presiding judge said when reading the verdict. The crimes in which he participated were committed in eastern Ghouta between 2013 and 2016, a region located on the outskirts of Damascus, besieged and bombed by Bashar al-Assads regime and the scene of multiple abuses against the civilian population, attributed to rebel groups that had entrenched themselves there. Jaysh al-Islam exercised political and military control there until 2018, when the regime regained control of the region. Recognition of Jaysh al-Islams crimes More than Nemas responsibility for the abuses committed by the group, the most important thing is the recognition of Jaysh al-Islams crimes, Ahmed*, one of the three Syrians who brought civil action, told Justice Info. While he is satisfied with the conviction of the former spokesman as an accomplice, Ahmed also says he is personally ready to see him released from prison: He has already served five years [in pretrial detention] and now that the regime has fallen, it changes everything for me. Of course, we must not forget the crimes. But Islam Alloush is not the most responsible. And unfortunately, he adds, there are members of Jaysh al-Islam who are much more dangerous, still in Syria. Organized under the principle of universal jurisdiction, the trial against Nema effectively recognized the war crimes committed by Jaysh al-Islam. In recent weeks, the defence repeatedly expressed regret that the proceedings have often focused on the groups abuses rather than on proving Nemas guilt, which it has repeatedly described as small fry to emphasize his alleged limited responsibility. But the prosecution and the lawyers for the civil parties stood their ground: in their closing arguments and pleadings, they considered that in order to prove Nemas responsibility for the acts he was accused of in particular those relating to participating in a conspiracy to commit war crimes it was first necessary to prove that the Jaysh al-Islam group had committed those crimes. Before ruling on Nemas individual responsibility, the court composed of three professional judges and six lay jurors first had to decide whether or not members of Jaysh al-Islam had formed a conspiracy to commit war crimes. A total of seven categories of crimes were examined, including acts of torture, arbitrary imprisonment, recruitment of minors, kidnapping and abductions, humiliating treatment, and summary executions. The court answered yes to all but the crimes committed in the city of Damascus, which were not retained. On the civil parties side, lawyer Marc Bailly welcomed the verdict at the end of a long journey and the fact that all Jaysh al-Islams crimes had been recognized. In its closing arguments, the defence had acknowledged the war crimes committed by the rebel group, with the exception of the recruitment of children under the age of 15. Convicted of recruiting minors Beyond the crime of conspiracy, Nema was primarily accused of assisting in the enlistment or conscription of minors into the Jaysh al-Islam group, by helping with their recruitment and training, and participating in the dissemination of propaganda intended to recruit and indoctrinate them. To rule on this crime, two separate questions relating to Nemas responsibility were put to the jury and the court. One concerned his responsibility for the conscription or recruitment of young people under the age of 15, which is considered a crime under international and humanitarian law. The other concerned his responsibility for the forced conscription of minors aged between 15 and 18. Nema was acquitted of the first charge but convicted of the second. For Bailly, this important decision will strengthen the interpretation of this offense, which had never been used in French law, in connection with the state of necessity caused by the attacks of the regime in power on the eastern Ghouta region. Is it so unthinkable to imagine that a minor aged between 15 and 18, who has lost his entire family in the regimes bombings, might at some point decide that he wants to fight? And that he chooses Jaysh al-Islam because, in fact, they are the ones who give the best pay?, argued defence lawyer Romain Ruiz in his closing statement, pointing out that, in his opinion, the responsibility of the regime was the state of necessity. Complicity dropped by the prosecution In the end, the Assize Court found that a crime had been committed, said Bailly, for whom this court decision was not a foregone conclusion. A few days earlier, the prosecution had requested an acquittal on the charge of complicity in war crimes, considering that the evidence at its disposal consisted of material acts resulting from his actions within the conspiracy and that it was necessary to establish distinct material acts to prove each of the offenses. However, the two prosecutors regretted that the trial had not demonstrated how Nema had knowingly aided or assisted in the recruitment of minors into Jaysh al-Islam. Important witnesses were never heard during the proceedings. This was particularly the case for witness Xh3, who was only interviewed anonymously by investigators during the judicial investigation, without confrontation with the defence. Although several witnesses testified before the court about the forced recruitment of some of their relatives, these testimonies constitute indirect evidence in the eyes of the prosecutor. It is not a matter of questioning the testimonies we have heard, but of applying the law, argued Sophie Havard, anti-terrorism deputy prosecutor, during her closing arguments. And just like the anonymous statements or information submitted to the proceedings, they are not sufficient to establish complicity. During his closing argument on 26 May Bailly made no secret of his disagreement. In his view, hearing these anonymous witnesses before the court was not the only way to characterize Nemas complicity. Citing a ruling by the Court of Cassation in the Bygmalion case, he explained that while complicity usually involves a positive act prior to or concurrent with the commission of the crime, complicity by omission or negligence is also possible if the person fully endorses the criminal intent and the acts committed. Similarly, complicity could be characterized by a subsequent act, meaning an act that occurs after the crime, allowing, for example, the crime to be concealed, its continuity to be ensured, or the principal perpetrator of the crime to be protected. In this sense, the lawyer argued, it is possible to consider that Nema enabled the continuation of Jaysh al-Islams criminal acts acts that he could not have been unaware of by contributing to the groups propaganda and enabling its financing. Out of court Ruiz had argued that it has never been proven that Majdi Nema was informed in advance, internally, that child soldiers were going to be conscripted or enlisted, whether they were older or younger than 15 years old. Nor is there any evidence that he was told that his role as spokesperson would be to cover up this reality. During the hearing, a witness for the civil party testified that he had questioned Nema about the presence of minors in a training camp in eastern Ghouta, without getting an answer from Nema. This does not constitute sufficient warning, according to Ruiz, nor does it prove that Nema ignored reliable information received internally, as it was the case in the Bygmalion case. The professional magistrates and jurors ruled otherwise. * Pseudonym Dragon Boat Festival celebrated in New Zealand with cultural festivities Xinhua) 11:37, June 02, 2025 Guests learn about Chinese sachets during an event celebrating the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival in Christchurch, New Zealand, May 30, 2025. Communities across New Zealand marked the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival over the weekend with vibrant celebrations in both Christchurch and Auckland, reflecting the enduring cultural heritage of this ancient festival. (Photo by Chen Siyumneg/Xinhua) WELLINGTON, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Communities across New Zealand marked the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival over the weekend with vibrant celebrations in both Christchurch and Auckland, reflecting the enduring cultural heritage of this ancient festival. The Dragon Boat Festival, celebrated annually on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, was recognized by UNESCO in 2009 as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In Christchurch, a cultural event was held on Friday in commemoration of the festival, featuring traditional activities such as making zongzi, the sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, cultural shows and games, and other customs symbolizing family unity, remembrance, health, and hope. Chinese Consul General in Christchurch He Ying said the Dragon Boat Festival is deeply tied to Chinese values, and the tradition is rooted in the cultural respect for the past and hope for a better future. "As we often say in China, 'With many hands rowing together, the boat sails far.' This spirit of unity is what brings us together today, to share stories, traditions, and goodwill across cultures," she said. Meanwhile, in New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, the Epsom Community Center hosted a day-long celebration on Saturday with a variety of interactive workshops, performances, and cultural showcases, welcoming families to immerse themselves in traditional customs. Activities included martial arts demonstrations, calligraphy and painting sessions, a dragon boat card-making workshop, and a lively lion dance performance. Visitors also participated in hands-on experiences such as dumpling-making and face painting. Dragon boat festival celebrations were also staged in other parts of Auckland as people celebrated locally with traditional food and cultural activities. A dragon boat race event is also planned on Sunday in Eastern Auckland on the Tamaki River. Organizers highlighted the growing enthusiasm for the festival among diverse communities in New Zealand, underscoring the importance of cultural exchange and mutual appreciation. The festival has become a bridge for cross-cultural understanding, strengthening connections between communities and fostering a deeper appreciation of Chinese heritage in New Zealand. "The Dragon Boat Festival is no longer just a Chinese event, it's a celebration of unity and shared traditions among all people," said an event organizer. People watch a lion dance during an event celebrating the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival in Auckland, New Zealand, May 31, 2025. Communities across New Zealand marked the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival over the weekend with vibrant celebrations in both Christchurch and Auckland, reflecting the enduring cultural heritage of this ancient festival. (Photo by Wu Jiaxiang/Xinhua) Children enjoy touhu, a traditional Chinese game also known as pitch-pot, during an event celebrating the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival in Christchurch, New Zealand, May 30, 2025. Communities across New Zealand marked the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival over the weekend with vibrant celebrations in both Christchurch and Auckland, reflecting the enduring cultural heritage of this ancient festival. (Xinhua/Long Lei) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) Sunday, June 1, 2025 - Kenyan model, Sharon Mutundi, has broken her silence, following claims that she was romantically involved with President William Rutos son George. A photo of Sharon and George taken in Bali, Indonesia, sparked speculations online, with some suggesting that they were dating. However, Sharon has denied claims that she was having an affair with the Presidents son. I met George randomly here in Bali. Him being the Presidents son I asked for a picture. George was very kind, humble and simple guy who wears crocs. I was not able to speak for myself when the pictures of us was going around but I am not dating him, she wrote on her Instagram stories. The model described the encounter with George Ruto as a significant moment, given her modest upbringing, and said the opportunity to be in Bali was a dream come true. The picture of me and George means a lot to me. Growing up as I did you could never imagine meeting a Presidents son or even be in Bali. Its a moment I wanted to share with my family and friends, she added. Mutundi also opened up about the emotional toll the online backlash has had on her. She revealed that she is currently undergoing therapy to cope with the effects of cyberbullying. I was bullied for taking a picture with George, I felt rejected and recanted my own people. I would want you to know that bullying comes with a lot of damages. It affected me mentally, emotionally and even financially because I am doing therapy and it isnt cheap. My forehead, bones and small neck makes me look stunning! Respect all your opinions about my appearance but Im dead gorgeous, she shared. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, June 1, 2025 - Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has urged the Government to compensate families of victims killed or injured during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests. Speaking during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay, the ODM leader called on President William Rutos administration to support the affected families as a gesture of national healing and reconciliation. Odinga said the public apologies issued by leaders during the recent National Prayer Breakfast, including President Rutos, were a welcome first step but insufficient without tangible actions. It is wonderful as a first step to reconciliation. But there are people who were injured and others died. We must compensate the families to bring closure to this painful chapter in our history, he said. The nationwide protests against the Finance Bill, largely driven by the youth, turned deadly in several counties. According to human rights groups, at least 11 young people were confirmed dead and dozens injured during confrontations with police. Many of the cases remain unresolved. Odinga emphasized that Kenyas development since independence has been built on unity, urging leaders to uphold this legacy. This comes after President Ruto acknowledged past shortcomings and appealed for forgiveness during the recent National Prayer Breakfast. "To our children, if there is any misstep, we apologise. We want to build a relationship that will make our country great," Ruto stated. Sunday, June 1, 2025 - The bitter online feud between Kameme FM presenter, Muthoni wa Kirumba, and Muranga Woman Representative, Betty Maina, has taken a scandalous new twist - this time dragging none other than Deputy President Kithure Kindiki into the mud. In a fiery online outburst that has set social media ablaze, Muthoni boldly claimed that Betty Maina is romantically involved with DP Kindiki, popularly known as Mr Yes Sir. The explosive post by Muthoni has sparked widespread reactions on social media and garnered over 4,000 comments. Betty Maina, who has yet to publicly respond to the claims, is already entangled in a string of controversies - from accusations of cheating on her current husband, Mathira MP, Eric Wamumbi, with senior Government officials, to past altercations involving former lovers and even allegations of being abandoned at maternity by one of her married lovers. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, June 1, 2025 - Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Korir SingOei, has revealed plans to deploy Kenyan Swahili teachers to Mayotte Island, a French overseas territory, as part of deepening cultural and educational ties. During his recent visit to the island, SingOei highlighted the cultural and linguistic similarities between Kenyas coastal communities and the people of Kimaore as a key reason for the initiative. Given the cultural similarity between Kenyan coastal communities and Kimaore culture, opportunities for the teaching of Swahili in Mayotte schools were discussed, said the PS in a statement issued on June 1. He expressed gratitude to Minister Thani and the French Embassy in Kenya for supporting the partnership. The development follows growing international interest in Kenyan Swahili teachers. Countries such as Switzerland and Colombia have already shown intent to hire Kenyan educators to teach the language. Additionally, the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi launched the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) programme on April 23rd, set to run from 2026 to 2027, offering Kenyans a chance to teach Kiswahili in the U.S. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, June 1, 2025 - An aspiring Nyeri politician has sensationally claimed that Mathira MP, Eric Wamumbi, was involved in an illicit affair with a married woman, the wife of a Member of Parliament, when he was an MCA. According to the post, the woman was not only romantically involved with Wamumbi, but also funded the construction of a house for him in Ruiru - a reward for their secret relationship. But the allegations dont stop there. The whistleblower further claims that Wamumbis late wife discovered the affair and confronted him - a confrontation that reportedly turned fatal. The aspiring politician sensationally alleges that Wamumbi plotted his wifes murder, which was later staged to appear as suicide, a move that stunned the community but raised suspicions among some insiders at the time. The scandal then shifts to Wamumbis current wife, Betty Maina, who hasnt escaped the storm. According to the same source, Betty was romantically involved with former Water Principal Secretary Joseph Wairagu. The PS is alleged to have built Betty a house, much like Wamumbis own affair-funded home in Ruiru. Check out the post. The Kenyan DAILY POST Statement from Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman Garda Eastern Region: Yesterday, Sunday 1st June 2025, shortly after 6.15pm, An Garda Siochana received multiple reports of shots fired in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow. Gardai responded to the scene and met a large number of people running from the shopping centre. An unarmed uniform unit arriving at the scene observed the suspect exiting the shopping centre. READ NEXT: Man jailed for serious assault on Kilkenny garda The suspect discharged a firearm, a shotgun, into the air. Another plainclothes armed Garda unit responding drew their official firearms and identified themselves as armed gardai. The suspect discharged the firearm again, self-inflicting a fatal wound. No member of An Garda Siochana discharged a weapon. An Garda Siochana now understands that the lone male had walked through the shopping centre and had discharged the firearm, into the air, on a number of occasions. No person was injured by the shots discharged. A young girl, in the shopping centre with her parents, suffered a minor leg injury when she fell while running from the scene. This was meant to be a normal day out on a bank holiday weekend. This was a terrifying experience for every person that was present in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre, yesterday evening. An Garda Siochana implemented a cordon around the Fairgeen Shopping Centre and carpark. A bottle containing an unknown substance was observed by Gardai on the deceased. An Garda Siochana requested the assistance of the Irish Defence Forces EOD team to examine the unknown device. An EOD team from Collins Barracks, Cork attended the scene late last night. Following examination, the EOD team declared the scene safe. This morning the Garda Technical Bureau has commenced a technical examination of the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre and Carpark. READ ALSO: Driver tells Kilkenny garda: I wont be paying fine - ends up in court The shopping centre and carpark remain cordoned off this afternoon. An Garda Siochana will provide information to the public later this afternoon on how to gain access to private vehicles which are parked in the carpark. The deceased is a white Irish national in his early 20s. The body of the deceased remains at the scene at this time and will be removed to the State Pathologist Office, Whitehall where formal identification will be carried out. A state post-mortem will be carried out by Dr Heidi Okkers, State Pathologist. The Carlow County Coroner has been notified and An Garda Siochana will assist in preparing an investigation file for a Coroners Inquest. An Garda Siochana continue to investigate all of the circumstances of this serious incident. An incident room has been established at Carlow Garda Station, with a Senior Investigating Officer appointed to lead the investigation. A Family Liaison Officer is providing support to the deceaseds family at this time. Investigating Gardai once again urge anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead to provide it directly to the investing team. Anyone present at Fairgreen Shopping Centre between approximately 6:00pm and 6:30pm yesterday evening, Sunday 1st June 2025 is asked to contact the incident room at Carlow Garda Station. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059-9136620 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800-666-111. I would like to acknowledge the management and business community of the Fairgreen Shopping Centre for their assistance and support to the public yesterday evening. I also want to acknowledge the assistance of all the emergency services yesterday evening, Local Fire Brigade, Ambulance Services and the Defence forces for their professionalism and assistance. I specifically want to highlight the response of local Garda members, who on receipt of a call of a very dangerous incident immediately responded to protect their community. Their courage was exemplary. An Garda Siochana is conscious that this serious incident has an impact on the local community and local Garda management will work with the local community, business community and other state agencies in the coming days to help the community come to terms with this incident. An Garda Siochana is also very aware that there is a family grieving the death of their loved one at this time and An Garda Siochana appeals for privacy for the family. FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE Following Sunday evenings events at Fairgreen Shopping Centre, the HSE Dublin and South East will offer psychosocial support services to members of the public in Carlow. Support staff will be available from 1pm to 5pm today, Monday, June 2, at County Buildings on Athy Road, Carlow, R93 E7R7. All those affected are encouraged to avail of the service. BACKGROUND The scene of a fatal shooting incident at a Carlow shopping centre has been declared safe after an examination by army explosives officers, garda sources have said. A man in his 20s died in the incident at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre on Sunday evening. Gardai responded at around 6.15pm after reports of several shots being fired at the Tesco store. READ NEXT: Man jailed for serious assault on Kilkenny garda The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit was called to the scene and specialist robots were deployed to examine the mans body and surrounding area. On Monday morning, the gardai said the area had been declared safe. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he was deeply shocked and saddened at the incident. One local councillor told how people ran terrified from the shopping centre in Carlow Town as shots were fired. A girl sustained minor injuries in the incident but did not require hospital treatment. Gardai have said the man who died was a white Irish male. I am deeply shocked and saddened at the shooting incident in Carlow this evening. My thoughts are with the families affected and the local community in Carlow after what was a very serious and traumatic incident. I urge anyone who has information to speak to the Gardai. Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 1, 2025 The scene remained cordoned off on Monday morning as both the Garda Technical Bureau and the Office of the State Pathologist conducted examinations. An incident room has been established at Carlow Garda Station, with a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) appointed to lead the investigation. READ ALSO: Driver tells Kilkenny garda: I wont be paying fine - ends up in court Gardai said that a family liaison officer was providing support to the dead mans family. Local Fine Gael councillor Fergal Browne said people in the town had been left terrified. People were obviously terrified, a bank holiday Sunday, going into town to do their shopping, he said. People ran from the centre crying and upset. There was a bunch of foreign students in the area, who could not believe they were caught up in the middle of all of it. Its a busy spot. We launched a photographic exhibition there on Friday night in the shopping centre. Mr Browne added: Its very upsetting for everyone who was involved in it or who witnessed it. Gardai have appealed for witnesses to come forward. They have also urged anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead provide it directly to the investigating team. FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE A man is understood to have died following a shooting incident at a retail premises in Co Carlow. The PA news agency understands that the dead mans wounds were self-inflicted. The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has been requested to attend the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow town as a precaution. The body of the man remains at the scene but will not be removed until the area has been declared safe. The shopping centre has been evacuated but a Garda spokesperson said there is no further concern for public safety. Gardai said they had attended the scene after the alarm was raised shortly before 6.15pm. A large cordon has been put in place around the shopping centre in Carlow town. Gardai, ambulance and fire service are at the scene and a helicopter was hovering overhead. A Garda spokesperson said: The premises has been evacuated and the scene is preserved. The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has been requested to attend. At this time, there is no further concern for public safety. The spokesperson said anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident is urged not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead to provide it to gardai at Carlow Garda Station. Anyone with information is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059-9136620 or the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111. A man has died following a shooting incident at a shopping centre in Co Carlow. The PA news agency understands that it appears that the dead mans wounds were self-inflicted. A young girl was also injured in the incident but did not require hospital care. Gardai have identified the dead man as a white Irish male. Irelands Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan has described it as a really shocking incident. One local councillor told how people ran terrified from the shopping centre in Carlow town as shots were fired. The body of the man remains at the scene and will not be removed until the area has been declared safe. The shopping centre has been evacuated and emergency services remain at the scene, but gardai said there is no further concern for public safety. A Garda spokesperson said they were alerted to reports of a firearm discharge at Fairgreen Shopping Centre shortly after 6.15pm. The spokesperson said: An Garda Siochana are currently at the scene, with the shopping centre and car park cordoned off. The cordon will remain in place overnight. A white Irish adult male is deceased at the scene. The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has been requested to attend. The spokesperson added: A female juvenile received treatment from paramedics following the incident but did not require hospital care. Its undetermined at this time as to how those injuries were sustained. Gardai have asked that anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident not share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead provide it to Carlow Garda Station. Anyone with information is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059-9136620 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111. Investigations are ongoing. Irelands deputy premier, Simon Harris, said he was deeply concerned to hear about the incident and was being kept briefed. Mr Harris said: I understand a young child has been hurt and I join with people across our country in thinking of them and their family tonight. I am also thinking of all those who witnessed this situation and the awful shock and upset it must have caused them. I know their families and communities will rally to support them. I am grateful to our emergency services for their work and response. The Tanaiste added: This is a live Garda Investigation with the support of members of the Army Bomb Disposal Unit. I have been in touch with the chief of staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, in relation to this incident and the assistance our Defence Forces are providing. Its important now that our Gardai can carry out this investigation thoroughly. Mr OCallaghan said: This was a really shocking incident. My thoughts are with everyone affected by the shooting and the community and families impacted, including those working at the scene. I would appeal to anyone who has any information to speak to the gardai and help with their investigations in any way that they can. He added: This is something we never want or expect to happen in our communities. Gun violence is very rare in Ireland, and I am determined that will remain the case. The area in Carlow is safe. We must now allow An Garda Siochana to investigate this incident fully. Local Fine Gael councillor Fergal Browne said people in the town had been left terrified He said: I think it is all under control now, it seems the worst is over. People were obviously terrified, a bank holiday Sunday, going into town to do their shopping. People ran from the centre crying and upset. There was a bunch of foreign students in the area, who could not believe they were caught up in the middle of all of it. Its a busy spot. We launched a photographic exhibition there on Friday night in the shopping centre. Mr Browne added: There is lots of activity in the centre between people shopping and people working there, exhibitions. You could not make it up. Its very upsetting for everyone who was involved in it or who witnessed it. I was down there in the last hour and it seems to have calmed down a good bit now. Mr Browne said he wanted to thank all of the emergency services who had attended the scene. Six Kilkenny tourist attractions are keeping their doors open later as part of a night-time economy pilot initiative during June, July and August. The Six After 6 summer series will see each of the attractions hosting a number of evening events to encourage residents and tourists to experience a wide variety of creative workshops and cultural performances. Mayor of Kilkenny City, Cllr Andrew McGuinness, described the series as 'a unique offering from our top tourist attractions in Kilkenny City with a diverse range of events from traditional music to yoga to art history talks, and craft experiences'. READ NEXT: Did you spot these RTE stars in two Kilkenny locations this week? Representatives from Kilkenny County Council and the six visitor attractions participating in Six After 6 with Mayor Andrew McGuinness / Picture: Vicky Comerford "The collaboration demonstrates our commitment in ensuring locals and visitors to Kilkenny have an opportunity to fully experience all that our city has to offer after 6pm," he added. Night-Time Economy Advisor for Kilkenny City, Conor Sweeney, said that he is 'really pleased' at the collaborative efforts of the six tourist attractions to stay open later to support the local night-time economy. "We trialled this initiative with some of the attractions last summer and it proved to be very popular," he stated. "In extending it this year, Kilkenny County Council and Failte Ireland have worked together with our world class attractions on programming nearly 40 events that will appeal to all ages. "We will be promoting the Six After 6 campaign across the Failte Ireland, Visit Kilkenny, and the Kilkenny App platforms throughout the summer to increase access to our cultural heritage in the city for new audiences. The six visitor attractions taking part are: Smithwicks Experience Castle Yard Craft Experience Rothe House St Canices Cathedral Medieval Mile Museum Butler Gallery READ ALSO: Treasured moments and glamour at Mother of Fair Love Debs in Kilkenny The first Six After 6 event takes place on June 5 and a series of events will continue until August 26. The full calendar of events will be available on visitkilkenny.ie Bookings, if required, can be made directly through the website or booking link of the participating tourist attraction. FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. Russia and Ukraine may meet again for peace talks. But neither side gives reason for optimism We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. TWO Laois friends are nearing the end of an epic charity cycle this weekend in aid of night nurses with the Irish Cancer Society (ICS). Joe Bland from Ballyroan and Mark Young from The Heath are on the fourth and final day of a gruelling 500km cycle, which has already raised 3,000 before they reach the finish line. The pair set off from Ballyroan on Friday and will return to the village today, having cycled an average of 125km each day on a tour of the south east that took in Enniscorthy, Courtown, Dungarvan, Youghal and Clonmel. They will cycle through Kilkenny today before returning to Ballyroan. Mark decided to set up the fundraiser after sadly losing his dad to cancer last February. He was determined to give back to the ICS Night Nursing Services unit, whose support during his fathers illness he described as absolutely amazing. After launching the GoFundMe appeal titled 500km cycle for Night Nurses Ireland, Mark and Joe trained steadily for the challenge and did longer trips that included a cycle from Ennis, Co Clare, where Mark works a personal trainer, to The Heath almost 150km away. The ICS night nurses provide nighttime care for patients and their families in their own home, providing extra support during what can be a very difficult and anxious time. Donations can still be made on the GoFundMe page, where Mark said: Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me. Thank you for making a difference. TWO young men from Mountmellick Youthreach have received a prestigious national award for their innovation and green skills of the nations next generation of talent. Adam Leahy and Alessio Mezzepelle took second place in the 2025 Generation Apprenticeship Competition among Second Level Schools and Centres. The pair created a physical or virtual letter A to showcase the potential they see in the apprenticeship route to learning, qualifications and careers. Organised by the National Apprenticeship Office, the competition challenged entrants to learn about the choice of national apprenticeship opportunities which are available and how future careers can champion green values and a sustainable future for all. Adam and Alessio said: As the world adopts sustainable living, the role of electricians has significantly expanded. Not only are they tasked with traditional electrical work, but now industrial electricians also have key roles in promoting and implementing green energy solutions such as renewable energy systems, solar panels and wind turbines. These are crucial to the promotion of green energy. And electricians educate homeowners about energy efficiency and promote green energy through energy-efficient appliances. Sketching out numerous versions of our competition entry was tough and took many attempts and conversations before we were both satisfied with the outcome. The project really opened our minds to the different opportunities available for young people through apprenticeships and the planet positive opportunities that come with being an electrician. Competition judge and South East Regional Skills Forum Manager Edmond Connolly said: The power of students to shape and influence the future was clear, and we were so impressed by the entries submitted by these talented and driven students. The competition provided invaluable insights around some of the challenging questions facing our planet today and how future career choices can offer solutions. Director of the National Apprenticeship Office Mary-Liz Trant congratulated all of the 2025 competition entrants and winners and said: It was such a privilege to work with the students, their teachers and guidance counsellors on this competition. The winning entrants will feature in our promotion of the 77+ apprenticeships available and the vital contribution apprentices play in tackling climate change. The percentage of jobs in Ireland requiring green skills is one of the highest internationally with 75% of employment here requiring some level of green skills. That is a powerful reality which we aim to support via apprenticeship careers. Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman from the Garda Eastern Region issued the following statement: She said: Yesterday, Sunday 1 June, shortly after 6.15pm An Garda Siochana received multiple reports of shots fired in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow. Gardai responded to the scene and met a large number of people running from the shopping Centre. An unarmed uniform unit arriving at the scene observed the suspect exiting the shopping centre. The suspect discharged a firearm, a shotgun, into the air. Another plainclothes armed Garda unit responding drew their official firearms and identified themselves as armed gardai. The suspect discharged the firearm again, self-inflicting a fatal wound. No member of An Garda Siochana discharged a weapon. An Garda Siochana now understands that the lone male had walked through the shopping centre and had discharged the firearm, into the air, on a number of occasions. No person was injured by the shots discharged. A young girl, in the shopping centre with her parents, suffered a minor leg injury when she fell while running from the scene. This was meant to be a normal day out on a bank holiday weekend. This was a terrifying experience for every person that was present in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre, yesterday evening. An Garda Siochana implemented a cordon around the Fairgeen Shopping Centre and carpark. A bottle containing an unknown substance was observed by Gardai on the deceased. An Garda Siochana requested the assistance of the Irish Defence Forces EOD team to examine the unknown device. An EOD team from Collins Barracks, Cork attended the scene late last night. Following examination, the EOD team declared the scene safe. This morning the Garda Technical Bureau has commenced a technical examination of the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre and Carpark. The shopping centre and carpark remain cordoned off this afternoon. An Garda Siochana will provide information to the public later this afternoon on how to gain access to private vehicles which are parked in the carpark. The deceased is a white Irish national in his early 20s. The body of the deceased remains at the scene at this time and will be removed to the State Pathologist Office, Whitehall where formal identification will be carried out. A state post-mortem will be carried out by Dr Heidi Okkers, State Pathologist. The Carlow County Coroner has been notified and An Garda Siochana will assist in preparing an investigation file for a Coroners Inquest. An Garda Siochana continue to investigate all of the circumstances of this serious incident. An incident room has been established at Carlow Garda Station, with a Senior Investigating Officer appointed to lead the investigation. A Family Liaison Officer is providing support to the deceaseds family at this time. Investigating Gardai once again urge anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead to provide it directly to the investing team. Anyone present at Fairgreen Shopping Centre between approximately 6:00pm and 6:30pm yesterday evening, Sunday 1st June 2025 is asked to contact the incident room at Carlow Garda Station. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059-9136620 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800-666-111. I would like to acknowledge the management and business community of the Fairgreen Shopping Centre for their assistance and support to the public yesterday evening. I also want to acknowledge the assistance of all the emergency services yesterday evening, Local Fire Brigade, Ambulance Services and the Defence forces for their professionalism and assistance. I specifically want to highlight the response of local Garda members, who on receipt of a call of a very dangerous incident immediately responded to protect their community. Their courage was exemplary. An Garda Siochana is conscious that this serious incident has an impact on the local community and local Garda management will work with the local community, business community and other state agencies in the coming days to help the community come to terms with this incident. An Garda Siochana is also very aware that there is a family grieving the death of their loved one at this time and An Garda Siochana appeals for privacy for the family. On 1 June Chiles President Gabriel Boric delivered his final official address to congress, with nine months to go before his term ends in March 2026. End of preview - This article contains approximately 376 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options UPDATE: Police identify teen who died in incident near Freedom High School A 17-year-old male died early Sunday in a collision with a parked vehicle near two public schools in Bethlehem Township, police said. Township police described the victim as a pedestrian and said he died as a result of striking a stationary vehicle at about 1:30 a.m. on Chester Road in the area of Freedom High School and East Hills Middle School. Police did not immediately identify the teen. Police said a group of teenagers and two vehicles were involved in the incident. The Bethlehem Area School District on Monday states on its website the deceased was a student at Freedom High School. It is with deep sadness that we communicate this devastating news, the posting states. ... we offer our heartfelt sympathy to the family and to all of those affected by this tragic incident. District officials plan to have counselors and additional resources for students and staff available at the high school Monday. The incident remains under investigation by Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek and his office. Bethlehem Township Police investigators are seeking witnesses and additional information about the incident and they can contact the Northampton County 911 Operations Center at 610-759-2200 or Investigator Gretchen Kraemer at 610-814-6473 or via email at gkraemer@bethlehemtwp.com. Reporter Pamela Sroka-Holzmann contributed to this report. Murjani Rawls may be reached at mrawls@njadvancemedia.com The Palmer Bikeway connecting to Tatamy Trail to the north and Two Rivers Trailway to the south is popular with a variety of users, including those seen here Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Palmer Township's Penn Pump Park along the Bushkill Creek. Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com Palmer Township is working with consultants on a first-ever comprehensive study of the Bushkill Creek Greenway, and public input is being sought. The Bushkill Creek corridor has it all: history, ecological resources, recreational amenities, transportation alternatives and more. Seeking to tie all that together, Palmer Township and a team of consultants are in the midst of a comprehensive planning strategy for the future of whats being called the Bushkill Creek Greenway. The goal is to form a master plan to guide trail designs and park concepts to put into place in the short term (one to three years), mid term (three to 10 years) and long term (a decade-plus into the future). Opportunities for public input are underway, including a survey that closes June 11 at tinyurl.com/bushkillcreek. The effort is being led by Easton-based Omnes Landscape Architecture, Planning & Art with partners Wildlands Conservancy and the resiliency planning and engineering firm AKRF. Palmer received Northampton County and Pennsylvania grants totaling $137,000 for the study, according to Craig Beavers, township acting director of planning. It builds on the townships history of creating open space for the public to enjoy dating to the 1970s, when it was one of the first to convert old rail lines into trails, Beavers said. Weve had a beautiful existing system of parks and amenities along our Bushkill Creek, and a lot of people use it for recreation, and it has a lot of great history tied to its industrial heritage and so forth, he told lehighvalleylive.com last week. But we never really had the chance to study the entire section as one comprehensive system that connects with one another. The primary goals of the plan are to: Mitigate flooding. Update facilities. Demonstrate exemplary accessibility. Enhance multi-user recreation experience. Support trail system changes. Protect habitat and enhance resilience. Communicate local historic and cultural significance. The process so far has included an inventory of amenities along the Bushkill and is now moving into the planning phase, in addition to gathering public input, said Laura Stedenfeld, a landscape architect, artist and founder of Omnes. On a larger scale, the Palmer Bikeway ties into miles of trails, including the Tatamy Trail to the north and Two Rivers Trailway to the south. Connections to regional trail networks open up access to the 140-mile D&L Trail and 1,500-mile 9/11 National Memorial Trail, among others. Stedenfeld said she expects the final report to be filed with township officials around the end of 2025. Then its going to be applying for a lot of grants to make the implementation happen, she said. So part of what we will do is come up with cost estimates of how much park improvements, trail improvements cost and then a recommendation of what the more impactful projects are. The Bushkill Creek dam at Palmer Township's Penn Pump Park draws anglers Thursday, May 29, 2025. Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com Among the questions being looked at is whether to demolish the Bushkill Creek dam at Penn Pump Park, off Northwood Avenue. A list of pros of dam removal shared by Palmers consultants at a May 19 meeting of the township board of supervisors included improved water quality and aquatic habitat, while nostalgic ties to the dam were among the shorter list of cons of removal. Wildlands Conservancy has removed numerous dams on the Bushkill in recent years and is working toward eliminating another one along Bushkill Drive near the former Elementis Pigments/Pfizer Corp. plant on the Wilson Borough-Palmer Township border. Residents can learn more about the Bushkill Creek Greenway study at palmertwp.com. In addition to the survey, the next public event to share the plans and gather input is planned for Palmer Community Days Aug. 14-17 at Fairview Park, 3501 Fairview Ave. The consultants study document presented to supervisors May 19 is included below for viewing on some platforms, and is also available at palmertwp.com. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. UPDATE: Man dies after being found shot outside Phillipsburg home, investigators say Phillipsburg police are investigating gunfire in a residential neighborhood, the towns mayor told lehighvalleylive.com. Mayor Randy S. Piazza Jr. confirmed the incident occurred shortly after 4:30 a.m. Monday in the 100 block of Summit Avenue. The mayor didnt know if anyone was hurt or in custody. Police took to the departments Facebook page just after 7 a.m. to let the public know the area was secure. ... There is no known danger to the public, police posted. Authorities have released minimal information about the incident. Piazza said he expected more details to come from the Phillipsburg Police Department and Warren County Prosecutors Office. (They) are still actively investigating the incident, Piazza said Monday afternoon. This is the third round of gunfire in recent weeks for the town a span that also saw a fatal stabbing. Police on May 15 recovered evidence of two incidents of gunfire in the 100 block of Broad Street and Memorial Parkway. A 26-year-old woman, Hadiyah Peggins, was then killed a day later in a stabbing at a home in the 400 block of Anderson Street. A Maryland man, 28-year-old Jamari E. Dortch, is charged with first-degree homicide in connection with Pegginss death. Warren County Acting Chief of Detectives Brenton Warne; Warren County Special State Investigator and Acting Deputy Chief of Detectives Melissa Fehr; and Phillipsburg Police Capt. John Maczko, a department spokesman, did not immediately return requests for more information about Mondays shooting. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Hazy conditions expected Monday afternoon, June 2, 2025, from Canadian wildfire smoke aloft in the atmosphere aren't expected to affect air quality in the Lehigh Valley. Here, a water bomber aircraft battles a wildfire in southeast Manitoba as shown in this handout photo provided by the Manitoba government on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Manitoba government via The Canadian Press via AP High pressure will gradually shift offshore this week, bringing a warming trend to the Lehigh Valley with temperatures climbing from the low 70s on Monday to potentially reaching the upper 80s by Thursday. Residents can expect mostly dry conditions through Wednesday, with increasing chances of showers and thunderstorms developing late in the week. The near-term forecast from the National Weather Service shows a pleasant Monday with mostly clear skies and temperatures in the low to mid 70s, about five degrees below normal. Overnight lows will drop into the upper 40s to mid 50s throughout the region. A light northwest wind will persist during the day, becoming variable overnight. Hazy conditions from Canadian wildfire smoke may be visible late Monday afternoon, though air quality is not expected to be impacted. Temperatures will steadily rise Tuesday and Wednesday, with highs near 80 degrees Tuesday and climbing into the mid 80s by Wednesday. An upper-level ridge will maintain dry conditions during this period. The warmest day is anticipated to be Thursday, with widespread temperatures in the upper 80s and potentially reaching 90 degrees in some areas. A more unsettled weather pattern is forecast to develop Friday and Saturday as a low-pressure system moves from the Great Lakes into the Northeast. This will bring increased chances of showers and thunderstorms, with temperatures remaining warm in the mid to low 80s. According to National Weather Service data dating back to 1939, May was the second-wettest month recorded in the Lehigh Valley. A total of 10.45 inches of rain fell at Lehigh Valley International Airport, falling 0.17 of an inch below the May record of 10.62 inches set in 1984. By Sunday, high pressure is expected to return, bringing more seasonable temperatures and clearing skies. Rip current risk remains low for coastal areas, with winds generally light and seas around two feet. Beachgoers should still exercise caution and monitor local conditions. The overall weather pattern suggests a transition to summer-like conditions with typical mid-June temperature and precipitation characteristics. Follow your local forecast from AccuWeather at lehighvalleylive.com/weather with National Weather Service watches, warnings and other advisories available as theyre issued at lehighvalleylive.com/weather-alerts. Current weather radar Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Supervising reporter Kurt Bresswein contributed to this report. Reach him at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Generative AI was used to draft segments of this report, which was reviewed and edited by lehighvalleylive.com staff. The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit has completed its examination of the scene in Fairgreen Shopping Centre and have declared the area as safe. Gardai in Carlow continue to investigate all circumstances surrounding the discharge of a firearm and the death of a man in his 20s following an incident at Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow, on Sunday, 1st June 2025. Gardai have confirmed that the man was in his 20s, and died at the scene due to the discharge of a firearm on Sunday June 1. Investigations are ongoing. The scene remains cordoned off while both the Garda Technical Bureau and the Office of the State Pathologist conduct examinations. An update will be issued when cars parked within the cordon can be retrieved. An incident room has been established at Carlow Garda Station, with a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) appointed to lead the investigation. A Family Liaison Officer is providing support to the deceaseds family at this time. Investigating Gardai once again urge anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead to provide it directly to the investing team. Anyone present at Fairgreen Shopping Centre between approximately 6:00pm and 6:30pm yesterday evening is asked to contact the incident room at Carlow Garda Station. Anyone with information is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059-9136620 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800-666-111. Gardai have issued a statement on the events that occurred at Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow on June 1. It is reported that no shots were fired by Gardai, and that the suspect sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A young girl sustained a 'minor leg injury' when she tripped while running from the scene. Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman for the Eastern Region spoke of the events. "Yesterday, Sunday 1st June 2025, shortly after 6.15pm An Garda Siochana received multiple reports of shots fired in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow. Gardai responded to the scene and met a large number of people running from the shopping Centre. An unarmed uniform unit arriving at the scene observed the suspect exiting the shopping centre. The suspect discharged a firearm, a shotgun, into the air. Another plainclothes armed Garda unit responding drew their official firearms and identified themselves as armed gardai. The suspect discharged the firearm again, self-inflicting a fatal wound. No member of An Garda Siochana discharged a weapon. An Garda Siochana now understands that the lone male had walked through the shopping centre and had discharged the firearm, into the air, on a number of occasions. No person was injured by the shots discharged. A young girl, in the shopping centre with her parents, suffered a minor leg injury when she fell while running from the scene. This was meant to be a normal day out on a bank holiday weekend. This was a terrifying experience for every person that was present in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre, yesterday evening. An Garda Siochana implemented a cordon around the Fairgeen Shopping Centre and carpark. A bottle containing an unknown substance was observed by Gardai on the deceased. An Garda Siochana requested the assistance of the Irish Defence Forces EOD team to examine the unknown device. An EOD team from Collins Barracks, Cork attended the scene late last night. Following examination, the EOD team declared the scene safe. This morning the Garda Technical Bureau has commenced a technical examination of the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre and Carpark. The shopping centre and carpark remain cordoned off this afternoon. An Garda Siochana will provide information to the public later this afternoon on how to gain access to private vehicles which are parked in the carpark. The deceased is a white Irish national in his early 20s. The body of the deceased remains at the scene at this time and will be removed to the State Pathologist Office, Whitehall where formal identification will be carried out. A state post-mortem will be carried out by Dr Heidi Okkers, State Pathologist. The Carlow County Coroner has been notified and An Garda Siochana will assist in preparing an investigation file for a Coroners Inquest. An Garda Siochana continue to investigate all of the circumstances of this serious incident. An incident room has been established at Carlow Garda Station, with a Senior Investigating Officer appointed to lead the investigation. A Family Liaison Officer is providing support to the deceaseds family at this time. Investigating Gardai once again urge anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead to provide it directly to the investing team. Anyone present at Fairgreen Shopping Centre between approximately 6:00pm and 6:30pm yesterday evening, Sunday 1st June 2025 is asked to contact the incident room at Carlow Garda Station. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059-9136620 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800-666-111. I would like to acknowledge the management and business community of the Fairgreen Shopping Centre for their assistance and support to the public yesterday evening. I also want to acknowledge the assistance of all the emergency services yesterday evening, Local Fire Brigade, Ambulance Services and the Defence forces for their professionalism and assistance. I specifically want to highlight the response of local Garda members, who on receipt of a call of a very dangerous incident immediately responded to protect their community. Their courage was exemplary. An Garda Siochana is conscious that this serious incident has an impact on the local community and local Garda management will work with the local community, business community and other state agencies in the coming days to help the community come to terms with this incident. An Garda Siochana is also very aware that there is a family grieving the death of their loved one at this time and An Garda Siochana appeals for privacy for the family," Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman finished. Take a trip down memory lane with Laois Live to the Mountmellick GAA Sarsfields LGFA O'Moore's Camogie Spring Buffet in The Heritage Hotel in Portlaosie in 2004 which featured in the Leinster Express. 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 In early March this year, the Leinster Express / Laois Live reported that a local mother was 'at her wits end' due to a lack of school spaces available for her child with additional needs. Two months on, and 32 school applications later, the Portarlington mother of two has been forced to quit her job to take care of her son. Six-year-old Issac was diagnosed with ASD, and has two special needs assistants due to his complex needs. Issac should now be finishing senior infants, but he is still attending a Nano Nagle playschool due to a lack of places in ASD units. Sofia Tyrell told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that her struggle to source assistance and a school place Issac resulted in the recent quitting of her job. Pictured: Six year old Issac with mother Sofia Tyrell "We still have nowhere for Issac, we are being asked to try mainstream schools," Ms Tyrell explained. This is my second year of applying to schools and units and receiving refusals," she said. "I have contacted the SENO (Special Educational Needs Organiser) to state that he has no placement for September, as all schools have stated that their admissions are closed. "I've been asked if I have tried applying to mainstream schools, though Issac is pre-verbal, unable to hold a conversation, not toilet trained, cannot dress himself, struggles in large group settings and is a major flight risk," Ms Tyrell revealed. "I would be setting him up for failure in an environment that doesn't suit his needs. The staff in the Nano Nagle he is in at present are an amazing bunch of women, they go above and beyond. I couldn't credit the amazing work his teacher has done with Issac, but his time is almost up there. "I have left work very recently to provide full time care for Issac. We have an amazing attachment, he keeps me going on the bad days. I understand that schools are full at present, and that there are policies surrounding how many children they can accommodate, but I am just asking for Issac to have a basic right to an education, for him to feel included and valued," she said. Pictured: Six year old Issac has been 'ignored' says Mum Sofia "I don't know what the future holds for my boy, but worrying about an educational placement should not have to be one of the challenges we face together. We still have so many other hurdles to face," Ms Tyrell said. "Issac is currently in a unit for pre-primary school toddlers, as there are no available school places in primary school units or special schools. He should be going into senior infants now, and I have been told I might be waiting three years," she said. "Issac isn't toilet trained, he is non verbal and cannot look after his own basic needs, he doesn't even meet the criteria for mainstream," she said. "It has been awful. I have applied to 32 schools all around, even though ideally he needs to be in a town near me. I have to collect him early from school so often, and he refuses to get on a bus. The anxiety is horrendous for us all," Ms Tyrell admitted. "The Government recently announced that this September, every child in Ireland will have a school place. I have been shouting from the rooftops for so long, and I'm still being passed from person to person," she said. "The level of resistance I am facing when I am simply looking for basic education for my son, would make you want to throw in the towel. Of all the schools I have applied to over the years, so many haven't even acknowledged my applications. Some won't call me back at all," she said. "Issac struggles in a room with children who also have special needs, he has to be at a desk in a corner by himself. He can't even ask another child what their name is, or if they want to play. How is that suitable for him?" she asked. "I never thought I would be in this position. I was constantly in trouble in work for having to go home early to pick up Issac if he was struggling in school, I've had to hand in my notice to take care of him full time. I don't know what I'm going to do come September," Ms Tyrell said. "Issac has already received an extension to the school he is in, he is turning six and still in playschool. They aren't allowed to keep him for another year, though I wish they could. They are fantastic, the teacher knows him inside out, I'd be lost without her," she said. "I left my job three weeks ago, and I am officially out of work for four days. I don't know what to do, it is having serious effects on my mental health. "I will go to the Dail, I will protest and fight wherever I have to- I'll do anything to get him an education," she said. "People don't see the domino effect it has on our family, along with Issac. We have been forgotten about, my voice is almost gone from shouting," the Portarlington mother finished. A whopping 300,000 has been awarded for 22 local agri-food tourism projects across the country. Naas Farmers Market in Kildare received 17,650. An Abbeyleix business has received the third largest amount under the fund. Stephen Pratt Maize Maze in Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, has received 23,800 under the 2025 Rural Innovation and Development Fund operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Fine Gael Deputy Willie Aird welcomed this news, and highlighted the importance of agri-food tourism to rural areas like Laois. "Agri tourism provides opportunities for rural businesses, including farmers, producers and artisans to develop their products and services, diversify their businesses, welcome visitors and improve skills and best practice," Deputy Aird said. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, announced this funding. Pictured: Laois Taste was awarded with agri food tourism funding in 2024. Photo: Alf Harvey I am delighted to announce the successful projects which have secured funding following the Agri-Food Tourism tender process for 2025," Minister Heydon said. "It is great to be able to support these initiatives and build on progress already made. The great geographical spread of the projects this year illustrates the interest in the sector, the development of agri-food tourism and its importance to communities throughout the country," the Minister highlighted. "Our 10-year roadmap for the agriculture sector, Food Vision 2030, highlights the natural synergy between agri-food and local tourism. Agri-food tourism in rural areas allows our great food companies of all sizes to showcase their people, landscape, history and culture through agricultural produce, food and drink and local cuisine," he said. "In addition, it provides opportunities for rural businesses, including farmers, producers and artisans to develop their products and services, diversify their businesses, connect with the local community, welcome visitors and improve skills and best practice," Minister Heydon finished. Minister of State with responsibility for Food Promotion, Minister Noel Grealish, congratulated all the successful projects. "The large volume of applications submitted shows the appetite that this sector has for innovative and collaborative ventures in this sphere," Minister Grealish said. "The competition for funding under this programme is intense and those who were successful should be congratulated for their proposals and their upcoming projects. I wish all of those involved the best of luck for their events and I am sure that they will help to promote the fantastic food that this country produces year in and year out," he finished. Here is the full list of projects funded through the programme: Cromane Seafest, Co. Kerry - 25,000 Wildacres Honey Tour, Co. Wicklow - 14,630 Inishturk Community Club Taste of Inishturk, Co. Mayo - 16,800 Hannah Quinn Mulligan, Tory Hill House Farm Shop, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick - 6,458 Boyne Valley Food Heroes, Co. Meath - 13,317 Taste of Sligo Food Festival, Sligo Town - 10,500 Oakfield Park, Raphoe, Co. Donegal Donegal Festival of Food - 23,689 Kildare Co. Council Naas Farmers Market - 17,650 Hinterland West CLF, Clonbur, Co. Galway -Farm to Food Experience - 9,884 Lough Gur Visitor Centre Food and Craft Experience, Bruff, Co. Limerick - 24,000 Stephen Pratt Maize Maze, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois - 23,800 Mount Briscoe Organic Farm, Daingean, Co. Offaly A taste of the land - 15,400 Part Funded A man who died in a shooting incident at a shopping centre in Co Carlow had earlier walked through the retail premises firing a shotgun in the air, gardai have confirmed. Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hilman said the suspect, a white Irish man aged in his 20s, then shot himself outside the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow town after being challenged by armed gardai. The man, named locally as Evan Fitzgerald, aged in his 20s, from Kiltegan in Co Wicklow, had appeared in court last year along with two others on firearms offences. It is understood he had been facing an imminent further court appearance. At a previous hearing last year, where the then-steel yard worker was granted bail with strict conditions, the court was told he had a fascination with firearms but that the interest was more of a hobby rather than a nefarious one. By Monday evening, a technical examination of the car park scene in Carlow had concluded, but the scene remained held and the Fairgreen Shopping Centre remained closed. Ms Hilman said the incident on Sunday evening was a terrifying experience for shoppers who fled the building when the gunman starting shooting in the air. Speaking to media at Carlow Garda Station on Monday, the assistant commissioner confirmed that no one else was injured by any of the shots fired. She said a young girl sustained a minor leg injury when she fell while running from the centre. Earlier, the scene of the fatality outside the Tesco store was declared safe after an examination by Irish army explosives officers. Gardai had called the bomb disposal experts to the scene after observing a bottle containing an unknown substance on the body of the dead man. Irish premier, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, said he was deeply shocked and saddened at the incident. Ms Hilman said gardai attended the incident after receiving multiple reports of shots being fired in the shopping centre around 6.15pm. Gardai responded to the scene and met a large number of people running from the shopping centre, she told reporters. An unarmed uniform unit arriving at the scene observed the suspect exiting the shopping centre. The suspect discharged a firearm a shotgun into the air. Another plain clothes armed garda unit responding drew their official firearms and identified themselves as armed gardai. The suspect discharged the firearm again, self-inflicting a fatal wound. No member of An Garda Siochana discharged a weapon. An Garda Siochana now understands that the lone male had walked through the shopping centre and had discharged the firearm, into the air, on a number of occasions. No person was injured by the shots discharged. A young girl, in the shopping centre with her parents, suffered a minor leg injury when she fell while running from the scene. This was meant to be a normal day out on a bank holiday weekend. This was a terrifying experience for every person that was present in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre yesterday evening. The body of the man was removed from the scene on Monday afternoon, and taken to the mortuary in Dublin. A post mortem is to be carried out by the State Pathologist tomorrow. Ms Hilman added: I would like to acknowledge the management and business community of the Fairgreen Shopping Centre for their assistance and support to the public yesterday evening. I also want to acknowledge the assistance of all the emergency services yesterday evening, local fire brigade, ambulance services and the Defence Forces for their professionalism and assistance. I specifically want to highlight the response of local Garda members, who on receipt of a call of a very dangerous incident immediately responded to protect their community. Their courage was exemplary. An Garda Siochana is conscious that this serious incident has an impact on the local community and local Garda management will work with the local community, business community and other state agencies in the coming days to help the community come to terms with this incident. An Garda Siochana is also very aware that there is a family grieving the death of their loved one at this time and An Garda Siochana appeals for privacy for the family. An incident room has been established at Carlow Garda Station, with a senior investigating officer (SIO) appointed to lead the investigation. The Garda said a family liaison officer was providing support to the dead mans family. Local Fine Gael councillor Fergal Browne said people in the town had been left terrified. People were obviously terrified, a bank holiday Sunday, going into town to do their shopping, he told the PA news agency. People ran from the centre crying and upset. There was a bunch of foreign students in the area, who could not believe they were caught up in the middle of all of it. Mr Browne added: Its very upsetting for everyone who was involved in it or who witnessed it. Gardai have appealed for witnesses to come forward. They have also urged anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead provide it directly to the investigating team. RBC and Pattison Food Group expand partnership to bring added convenience and everyday value to shoppers in Western Canada RBC cardholders can now get 2x More Rewards points on purchases at eligible Pattison Food Group locations including Save-On-Foods VANCOUVER, BC, June 2, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and Pattison Food Group (PFG), Western Canada's largest provider of food and health products, announced that they are expanding their strategic partnership following the successful launch of the More Rewards RBC Visa and More Rewards RBC Visa Infinite credit cards earlier this year. Now, all eligible RBC credit and debit cardholders can earn double the More Rewards points, PFG's loyalty program currency, by linking their RBC card to their More Rewards card. More Rewards points can be collected at eligible More Rewards grocery partners, including Save-On-Foods, Quality Foods and Buy-Low Foods. "Groceries are such a significant and essential everyday purchase for Canadians and we're excited to bring more everyday value to so many of our clients," said Simon Maycock, Senior Vice President, Loyalty & Merchant Solutions, RBC. "Together with Pattison Food Group, we're making it easy for customers across Western Canada to maximize their rewards and get even more value." "Building on our partnership and the successful launch of our More Rewards RBC Visa and More Rewards RBC Visa Infinite cards earlier this year, we are excited to offer even more points to RBC cardholders when they link their More Rewards card to their existing RBC card," said Heidi Ferriman, Senior Vice President of People, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Pattison Food Group. "We know that Canadian shoppers are always looking for value and More Rewards provides amazing redemption offers on the things that matter to them like groceries, gift cards and travel." Easy to Link, Easy to Earn Beginning today, RBC credit and debit cardholders can link their eligible cards by visiting avionrewards.com/morerewards and following three easy steps. Once linked, eligible RBC cards will automatically earn 2x More Rewards points when they pay with their RBC card and scan their More Rewards card at participating grocery partners across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Yukon, including Save-On-Foods, Quality Foods, Nesters Market, Urban Fare, Buy-Low Foods and PriceSmart Foods. Clients who are not yet More Rewards members can sign up during the linking process or by visiting morerewards.ca/enroll. Another Way to Earn Faster The More Rewards RBC Visa card More Rewards RBC Visa Infinite credit cards are the fastest and most seamless way to earn the maximum number of More Rewards points per purchase. More information about the Avion Rewards and More Rewards Linked Loyalty Program can be found at avionrewards.com/morerewards. About RBC Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 97,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 19 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com. We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/peopleandplanet. About More Rewards More Rewards is one of Western Canada's favourite loyalty programs with more than 30 years in business and millions of active members. More Rewards provides customers the opportunity to easily earn points on everyday purchases and then redeem for rewards such as free travel, groceries, gift cards and more. With the More Rewards card, you can earn points during almost every grocery shop at Save-On-Foods, PriceSmart Foods, Buy-Low Foods, Nesters Market, Quality Foods and Urban Fare, in addition to hundreds of More Rewards partner locations such as Panago Pizza, Jim Pattison Auto Group, Speedy Glass, and more. Learn more at morerewards.ca. About Pattison Food Group Established in 2021, the Pattison Food Group is a Jim Pattison business and Western Canada's leading provider of food and drugs. The Pattison Food Group includes Save-On-Foods, Buy-Low Foods, Quality Foods, Everything Wine, Pure Integrative Pharmacy, Imperial Distributors Canada Inc, and other Jim Pattison Group specialty and wholesale operations. Its businesses employ more than 30,000 team members in its nearly 300 food and drug retail locations and share a passion for giving back to the communities where they do business. Pattison Food Group businesses are leaders in customer service and innovation and are committed to achieving long-term growth. For more information, please contact: Julia Miller, RBC Corporate Communications, [email protected] Pattison Food Group Media Relations, 778-366-3000, [email protected] SOURCE RBC Royal Bank 2 june 2025 at 10:01 News published onand distributed by: Independent College Fund of North Carolina Raises Nearly $2.7M in 2025 Fourth Highest Fundraising Total in ICFNC's 70-Year History RALEIGH, N.C., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Independent College Fund of North Carolina (ICFNC), the fundraising arm of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) announces the successful completion of its 2024?2025 campaign, nearly $2.7 million in support of North Carolina's private, nonprofit colleges and universities. This year's total marks the fourth-highest fundraising achievement in ICFNC's 70-year history. The campaign included $438,936 for scholarships, $1,029,582 in grant support for NCICU programs, and over $1.2 million in in-kind donations. "We appreciate our corporate, foundation, and individual partners whose investments in ICFNC are helping transform the lives of students our colleges and universities across our state," said NCICU President Dr. A. Hope Williams. "This year's campaign reflects both the strength of our partnerships and the ongoing commitment to North Carolina's future leaders." The impact of this year's grants and gifts remained substantial across a wide range of priorities?from scholarships and student success to technology access and public policy engagement. "Our donors are not only helping students afford a high-quality education but they are also fueling innovation, equity, and community engagement across North Carolina's independent college sector," said Colleen Kinser, Director of the Independent College Fund of North Carolina. "We are especially proud of the continued support for mentoring programs, student teaching scholarships, and critical workforce development initiatives." 2024?2025 Campaign Highlights: NCICU Transfer Pathways Initiative : Building on more than $1.4 million in funding from national foundations, NCICU made major strides this year in the partnership developing a statewide transfer portal to streamline credit mobility between North Carolina's 58 community colleges, Louisburg College , and NCICU's four-year institutions. : Building on more than in funding from national foundations, NCICU made major strides this year in the partnership developing a statewide transfer portal to streamline credit mobility between 58 community colleges, , and NCICU's four-year institutions. SAS Software Grant Program : With in-kind donations valued at over $1.2 million , 32 NCICU campuses benefited from no-cost access to SAS software and professional development tools, strengthening student learning and data analytics capacity. : With in-kind donations valued at over , 32 NCICU campuses benefited from no-cost access to SAS software and professional development tools, strengthening student learning and data analytics capacity. Hurricane Helene Relief Campaign : This campaign raised nearly $300,000 to support eight NCICU campuses severely impacted by Hurricane Helene, assisting with recovery and continued academic operations. : This campaign raised nearly to support eight NCICU campuses severely impacted by Hurricane Helene, assisting with recovery and continued academic operations. Science of Reading Initiative : Funded by a $1 million grant from the Goodnight Educational Foundation, this initiative advanced literacy training for education faculty through LETRS certification, equipping future teachers with evidence-based instructional methods. : Funded by a grant from the Goodnight Educational Foundation, this initiative advanced literacy training for education faculty through LETRS certification, equipping future teachers with evidence-based instructional methods. S.T.A.R. (Student Teacher Assistance for Retention) Scholarship : This scholarship awarded over $313,000 to student teachers, with major contributions from Dogwood Health Trust, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), and Truist. Funding supported tuition, living expenses, and licensure testing costs for education majors preparing for the classroom. : This scholarship awarded over to student teachers, with major contributions from Dogwood Health Trust, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), and Truist. Funding supported tuition, living expenses, and licensure testing costs for education majors preparing for the classroom. Faculty-Student STEM Mentoring Program : This grant concluded its final year with significant results in student retention and research participation, supported by the NC GlaxoSmithKline Foundation and CIC. : This grant concluded its final year with significant results in student retention and research participation, supported by the NC GlaxoSmithKline Foundation and CIC. iBELONG Mentoring Program : Designed to increase retention and graduation rates for at-risk students, the program completed its fourth year with continued philanthropic support and plans for campus-led sustainability. : Designed to increase retention and graduation rates for at-risk students, the program completed its fourth year with continued philanthropic support and plans for campus-led sustainability. NCICU Ethics Bowl : The fourteenth annual event raised $72,100 , engaging students across 19 campuses to explore ethical issues in health and wellness. Planning is underway for the 2026 event, themed "Ethics in Leadership." : The fourteenth annual event raised , engaging students across 19 campuses to explore ethical issues in health and wellness. Planning is underway for the 2026 event, themed "Ethics in Leadership." North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium : Co-sponsored with the UNC System, the virtual event enabled 11 NCICU students to receive stipends and share original research. : Co-sponsored with the UNC System, the virtual event enabled 11 NCICU students to receive stipends and share original research. Council of Independent Colleges Grants : Capacity Building Grant enhanced NCICU's donor engagement tools and digital communications. Scholarship Challenge Grant helped unlock $50,000 for the Finish Strong Scholarship, benefiting students on the verge of graduation. Meeting the Moment Grant strengthened NCICU's public policy presence through campus-president roundtables and legislative engagement. : With this momentum, NCICU and ICFNC remain focused on advancing affordability, accessibility, and academic excellence across North Carolina's independent higher education sector. Click here to learn more about NCICU scholarships and how to support student success. ABOUT NCICU & ICFNC North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) is the statewide office of private, nonprofit, liberal arts and research colleges and universities. NCICU supports, represents, and advocates for North Carolina independent higher education in the areas of state and federal public policy and on education issues with the other sectors of education in the state. It also raises funds through the Independent College Fund of North Carolina for student scholarships and enrichment experiences, provides research and information to and about private colleges and universities, conducts staff development opportunities and coordinates collaborative programs. Presidents of the colleges and universities comprise NCICU's Board of Directors. The Independent College Fund of North Carolina is the fundraising arm of NCICU. An advisory board, made up of corporate and foundation leaders, together with 25 college presidents, guides the work of the Fund. For more information about NCICU and ICFNC, visit www.ncicu.org. CONTACT: Demarcus Williams, [email protected] SOURCE North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities 2 june 2025 at 15:42 News published onand distributed by: Chinese delegation visits Tajikistan, attends int'l conference on glaciers' preservation Xinhua) 11:38, June 02, 2025 DUSHANBE, June 1 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese delegation visited Tajikistan from Friday to Saturday and attended the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation. The delegation was headed by Shen Yueyue, vice chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and chairperson of the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, who met with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, held talks with Faizali Idizoda, speaker of the lower house of the parliament, and attended the unveiling ceremony of the Health Express China-Tajikstan Blindness Prevention Center. Conveying Chinese President Xi Jinping's warm greetings to Rahmon, Shen said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Tajikistan in the new era has maintained good momentum for growth. China is willing to work with Tajikistan to follow through on the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and push for solid progress in building a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future, she said. Depicting China as a proactive participant and contributor in global ecological governance and glaciers' preservation, Shen voiced China's readiness to work with all parties to fulfill common but differentiated responsibilities, so as to build a clean and beautiful world. Asking Shen to extend his sincere greetings to Xi, Rahmon reiterated that Tajikistan actively participates in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and firmly supports the three major global initiatives proposed by Xi, and pledged joint efforts to build the China-Central Asia mechanism. He also voiced willingness to work with China to deepen cooperation in various fields and international collaboration on issues including addressing climate change. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) We demand a full, legislative investigation into this matter, he declared. The ownership, maintenance, repairs, and service records of the aircraft must be disclosed without delay. Every government agency involved in its chartering and operation must be held accountable. Moussa Abdul Karim, who The DayLight found allegedly evaded government taxes, at the opening of the Fisheries college at the University of Liberia in April. The DayLight/Franklin Nehyalor LIMERICK gardai are investigating a suspected arson attack on a petrol station in the early hours of this bank holiday morning. Limerick Fire and Rescue Service crews bravely entered the highly dangerous and flammable situation at the Inver Service Station on the Old Cork Road, Limerick city and extinguished the fire. A garda spokesperson confirmed gardai and firefighters were alerted to a fire at a premises on Old Cork Road, Limerick, shortly after 3.30am this morning, Monday, June 2. READ MORE: Engine ripped from car in high-speed collision close to Limerick border The fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported. The premises was vacant at the time. The scene has been preserved for examination and investigations are ongoing, said the garda spokesperson. It is understood that windows in the shopfront were smashed and some form of an accelerant used. It is not known if the perpetrators stole any goods from the store. Three Limerick Fire and Rescue Service appliances rushed to the scene and spent almost two hours ensuring the site was safe. A spokesperson for Inver said: "We confirm that there has been an incident at the Inver forecourt on the Old Cork Road this morning. The emergency services are onsite." The inside of the shop is believed to have suffered significant fire and smoke damage. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. THE 2025 National Heritage Week website is now live, and organisers in Limerick and across Ireland are invited to begin submitting events for this years celebration. 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. 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 from 2023. National Heritage Week is an all-island event, and most events are free to attend. This years theme, for the celebration which runs from August 16 to 24, is Exploring Our Foundations, inviting 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. SEE MORE: Recognition for Irish language use in Limerick schools Last year, Limerick hosted 33 events for National Heritage Week. From guided walks and hands-on workshops to musical performances and heritage trails, communities across the county showcased a rich tapestry of local heritage. 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. Heritage Council Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Teehan said, Heritage Week is a time to celebrate not only our past and those that came before, but the vibrant cultural expressions and natural environments that continue to shape our lives today. Our heritage tangible, intangible, and natural gives us a shared language of memory, tradition, and place. From historic buildings to folklore, from woodlands and hedgerows to music and craft, it allows us to connect deeply with each other and with where we come from. By encouraging communities to preserve, explore and reinterpret these foundations, were also fostering pride, creativity and economic vitality at a local level. Limerick County Council Heritage Officer, Tom ONeil, added, Limericks heritage is shaped by its fascinating history, local customs, and varied landscapesfrom the vibrant heart of the city to the wide expanse of the estuary to beauty of the surrounding countryside. Heritage Week is a wonderful opportunity for local communities to celebrate and preserve the stories, places, and traditions that make Limerick truly special. 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 Limerick and beyond. THE PROSECUTION in the case of a garda who is charged with perverting the course of justice will argue that the officer allegedly entered details into the Pulse garda system relating to people's motor insurance certificates which suggested they were in order, when they weren't. Evidence will continue this week in the trial of a Limerick garda who is accused of sorting out potential prosecutions for motorists stopped by gardai and found without their driving license or insurance discs. Tom Flavin, aged 51, with an address in west Limerick, has pleaded not guilty to 22 counts of perverting the course of justice, contrary to Common Law. Mr Flavins trial is being heard before judge Colin Daly in Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. A jury of eight men and four women were sworn in last week. READ MORE: Gardai investigate suspected arson attack on busy Limerick petrol station A number of garda witnesses called by the prosecution gave evidence of stopping vehicles around the country and requesting the driver to produce their driving licence and insurance details. When the motorist was not able to do this at the roadside, they were given the opportunity to nominate a garda station where they could produce their documents within ten days. All the drivers, who were living in or near Rathkeale, nominated their local station. Garda witnesses told the court when they checked Pulse at a later date, they believed documents had been produced. However, the circuit 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 gardai in the witness box 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, Mark Nicholas SC, 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. Mr Nicholas is appearing with Amy Nix BL, instructed by solicitor Dan OGorman. Sergeant Martin Egan, of Policy Enforcement Unit of Road Traffic Legislation, An Garda Siochana, 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 on Tuesday of last week, Ms Murphy, appearing 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. The court heard it was in relation to 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. Ms Murphy said the prosecutions case was that Mr 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. Ms Murphy 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. Prosecution counsel 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. Ms Murphy 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 Daly told the jury 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 this Tuesday. SEAN OSullivan, a student at Colaiste Chiarain, Croom, has scooped fourth place at the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Ohio, USA. The 2024 winner of the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE), achieved the recognition in the Technology Enhances the Arts category at ISEF with his innovative project, VerifyMe. His work focuses on the development of an artificial intelligence (AI) detection system that analyses an authors previous writing to determine whether AI was used in generating a new piece of work. In addition to his category award, Sean received a special prize from HP and a $3,000 scholarship. He represented the EU Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) at ISEF, having placed second in that competition earlier this year. READ MORE: University of Limerick accepts resignation of executive who led 5.2m overspend ISEF, now in its 75th year, is the worlds largest international STEM research competition for secondary school students and is often referred to as the Olympics of STEM. Ger OSullivan, principal of Colaiste Chiarain and Seans father, shared his pride: As both his principal and dad, I couldnt be prouder. Seans dedication, curiosity, and perseverance over the past six years have been inspiring. He continued: This ISEF recognition is a fitting tribute to his hard work and a wonderful conclusion to his BTYSTE journey. Our school community is thrilled to see him honoured on the world stage. Bernadette Cullen, chief executive of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board congratulated Sean on securing such acknowledgement on an international level, saying: Sean has attained national and international recognition for his interest and expertise in the area of AI, and I would like to congratulate Sean, his family and school community of Colaiste Chiarain. Mari Cahalane, head of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, who accompanied the Irish delegation to ISEF, added: Im absolutely delighted for Sean, who took time away from his Leaving Cert studies to attend ISEF this week. She said: The success of Sean, along with students Eoin and Matthias, is a testament to the calibre of our competitors and their ability to shine on the global STEM stage. The next time you book a plumber, artificial intelligence might be taking your call or returning your message. Or, it might reach out because it knows your air conditioner needs an upgrade well before the summer. Netic, a startup based in San Francisco, is selling an AI-based platform that helps home-services firms automatically reach out to clients in need of maintenance or upgrades, and takes calls and messages on their behalf. Founded in 2024, Netic is part of a growing crop of startups looking beyond the saturated white-collar market and toward home-services operators like electricians, plumbers, roofers and HVACwhich stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioningspecialists. The startup Monday said it has raised $20 million with funding from venture-capital firms including Greylock and Founders Fund. While Netics mission to automate sales and business operations seems simple, it can be a challenge to actually integrate AI into services businesses that run on manual laborand it certainly cant replace the work of skilled human technicians. The rise of AI in skilled trades is getting a boost from private-equity firms, which have invested heavily in the area and are now injecting the technology into their portfolio companieshoping for productivity gains and hefty returns. Netics customers are mostly private-equity-owned home-services companies, as well as some larger owner-operated firms, the startup said. Asheem Chandna, an investor at venture-capital firm Greylock who served as lead investor in Netics seed round, said home-services businesses often have underutilized capacity," or staff who arent being put to work most efficiently. The point of AI, then, is to optimize the pairing of technicians with customers when they need help, and to reach them before they do, Chandna said. Netics platform, which uses generative AI models and fine-tuned language models, is designed to use a certain AI model for each technology function, from customer verification to urgency and priority analysis, said Melisa Tokmak, the startups founder and chief executive.. For instance, Netics algorithms pick up on signals from customer calls, bumping a regular maintenance call to lower priority or escalating repairs for weather and emergencies. Or, a customer who has a quote from a rival firm might be pushed to the top. To help drive sales, Netics AI creates marketing campaigns that predict when customers might need a maintenance call based on data like an impending storm, the region and property type. The platform also works with various customer management software for the trades, Tokmak said, and is meant to minimize the amount of integration between software that businesses have to deal with. One customer, Chris Hoffmann, CEO of St. Louis-based home-services company HB Solutions Group, said that many startups are automating the work of booking appointments over the phone through AI voice agents. Hoffmann gets so many pitches for AI products, he said, that hes often turning down vendors hawking their wares. But Netics AI platform, along with taking calls and answering messages with more accuracy and recall than humans can, helps Hoffmann Brothers plan and prioritize which of the firms hundreds of technicians should take appointments and when, he said. I have to match my capacity with my customer demand on a daily basis," Hoffman said. And thats really hard, because I dont always get to choose how many peoples air conditioners are going to break when they call me." Still, even with the amount of AI that Hoffmann has put into his firm, only 20% of customer calls are being answered by Netics AI platform. Were still human first," he added. (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$3.18 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. (Corrects estimate figure in second paragraph.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Infosys Ltd chief executive Salil Parekhs salary rose 21.7% last year to touch 80.62 crore, the company's latest annual report released on Monday showed, as he retained his position as the second-highest paid CEO among India's top information technology (IT) services companies. A little more than three-fifths, or 49.5 crore, of his compensation came from shares exercised by him in FY25, while 23.18 crore came from bonuses, variable pay, and incentives. The remaining 7.94 crore was part of his fixed salary. To be sure, the highest paid IT executive remains HCL Technologies Ltds C. Vijayakumar, according to the company's FY24 annual report. Parekh's 22% pay hike comes as Infosys remained the second-best performing company among the Big Five in FY25. The Bengaluru-headquartered company ended FY25 with $19.28 billion in revenue, up 3.85% from a year earlier. Also Read: Infosys gives ESOPs worth 50 crore to CEO Salil Parekh in FY25 Parekhs salary is three times more than Tata Consultancy Services Ltd CEO, K. Krithivasan, whose salary increased 4.6% to 26.5 crore. Fourth-largest Wipro Ltd paid 53.6 crore to CEO Srinivas Pallia, marking a 10% increase. Tech Mahindra Ltds Mohit Joshi is the lowest paid among the five, with a salary of 1.34 million pounds, or around 15 crore as of March 2024. The Pune-based tech services company is yet to disclose its annual report for the year. Indian IT's top-earning CEO is third-largest firm HCLTech's CEO C. Vijayakumar. who earned 84.16 crore in FY24. The Noida-based company, which grew the fastest among top five, is yet to release its annual report for FY25. HCLTech ended March 2025 with $13.84 billion in full-year revenue, marking a 4.3% increase. A spike in bosses' salaries at IT services companies underscores their performance, at least for Infosys and HCLTech. Parekh and Vijayakumar have been CEOs of their companies for at least seven years, making them Indian ITs longest serving bosses. Both companies have also grown fast in the last couple of years. While HCL grew the fastest among peers for the last two years, Infosys was the second-fastest last fiscal. The pay jump for Indias IT bosses also reflects the companies attempts at shedding their decades-old approach of being a conservative paymasters. However, it is not just Parekh at Infosys - the company added nine more crorepatis last fiscal year. Infosys now has 112 employees earning more than a crore rupees. Median increase in salary for employees While certain senior employees entered the one crore club, the median increase in salary for employees including those in the junior and middle level was 9.63%. However, this increase was more than last years 8.65%. In contrast, TCS increased salaries of its employees up to 7.5% last fiscal, against 9% in FY24. Infosys with 323,578 employees, has almost half the employees of TCS, which ended last fiscal with 607,979 employees. The salary hikes at Indias largest IT outsourcers come amid questions on growth because of an uncertain macroeconomic environment and fewer large deals. While Infosys projected its slowest growth for the fiscal at the start of the year in a decade, TCS reported its slowest growth in four years. TCS won orders worth $39 billion, 7.7% lower than last year whereas Wipro's order book was down 4% last year to $14.3 billion. Infosys reported large deals, or those exceeding $50 million in annual revenue, worth $11.6 billion, which was down 34% on a yearly basis. Brazilian multinational aerospace corporation Embraer SA has set up a fully-owned Indian subsidiary in India, and is eyeing opportunities with Air India and IndiGo, CEO Francisco Gomes Neto told PTI in an interview. According to Neto, Embraer sees opportunities in commercial and business jets, military aircraft, and the Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) segments in India, the report added. Embraer makes India entry deals with IndiGo, AI soon? In an exclusive interview to PTI, Neto told the agency that the company is exploring possibility to supply its E195-E2 aircrafts (up to 146 seats depending on the configuration) to Indian aviation giants IndiGo and Air India. He said Embraer will position a procurement team to check opportunities in the Indian supply chain and look at the possibility of procuring components and services from India. The company is hiring people in India for government relations, communications, procurement and engineering, sales and marketing teams, he added. Also speaking to PTI, Raul Villaron, SVP Sales & Marketing and Head of Region for Asia Pacific at Embraer Commercial Aviation also confirmed that talks are on with IndiGo and Air India. A majority of the unserved markets in India are either too thin for the narrow-body aircraft or too long for turboprops. So the E2 is right in the sweet spot The E2 has a very competitive seat cost, which allows us to be more competitive in the Indian market, Villaron added. See a lot of opportunities in the future, says CEO India is the third largest market in aviation globally... we see a lot of opportunities for us in the future in this market for all the products we have, the different business units, commercial jets, business jets, military aircraft and eVTOLs. That's why we want to really to deepen our collaboration with the country and this step of opening a subsidiary in India, Neto said. At present, around 50 Embraer aircraft and 11 aircraft types are operating in India across commercial and business aviation, and defence segments. In the civilian aircraft space, Embraer planes are operated by regional carrier Star Air and entities are also using the company's business jets. On whether Embraer will look to set up a MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) facility for civilian planes in India, Neto said it will depend on the aircraft orders. Embraer's significant presence in Indian defence space In 2024, Embraer Defense & Security and Mahindra Defence Systems signed a MoU to evaluate the opportunity to jointly pursue the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme with the C-390 Millennium. The Embraer aircraft operated by Indian forces include the Legacy 600 aircraft used for the transportation of government officials and VIPs by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Border Security Force (BSF), and also the Netra AEW&C aircraft based on the Embraer ERJ145 platform operated by the IAF. With respect to business jet segment, Neto said there will be much more opportunities with a few changes in the regulations. Globally, there is an increasing interest in eVTOL (electric Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft, which are also seen as a key solution for urban mobility. The European Union is set to curb Chinese medical device manufacturers access to public procurement contracts in the bloc, according to a person familiar with the matter. EU countries are due to vote on the proposed measure as early as Monday, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations. The move, if backed by member states, would be the first action taken by the EU based on its International Procurement Instrument, a 2022 law thats meant to promote reciprocity in access to public procurement markets. Implementation of the restrictions could open a new front with China, just as the EU seeks to strike a balance in its relationship with Beijing while navigating US President Donald Trumps tariff war. A spokesperson for the European Commission, the EUs executive arm, didnt immediately reply to a request for comment. The EU launched an investigation into Chinas procurement of medical devices last April, with the probe finding in January that Beijing discriminated against foreign firms. Consultations failed to find alternative solutions, Bloomberg previously reported. Beijings focus on local and state-oriented procurement in medical technologies has increased in recent years, as authorities across the country included strict domestic product requirements for many categories of device. The shift turned a 1.3 billion trade deficit in these goods for China in 2019 into a 5.2 billion surplus just one year later, according to data cited in an EU report published last April. The focus of the investigation wasnt to reverse that trend but to enable fair competition. The EU has long argued that Beijing has been pushing market-distorting measures and practices to implement its Made in China policy and its target of achieving 85% domestic market share for Chinese companies producing core medical device components by 2025. The target is 70% for higher-end devices. The IPI allows the commission to impose various restrictions on firms seeking to participate in procurements, ranging from score adjustments in tenders to an outright ban from procurement contracts. With assistance from Ewa Krukowska. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Gautam Adani, Asias second-richest man, is trying to get the Trump administration to drop foreign bribery charges against him. Instead, he is facing a new front in his fight with prosecutors: a probe into whether his companies are buying Iranian petrochemical products. U.S. prosecutors are investigating whether Adanis companies imported Iranian liquefied petroleum gas, or LPG, into India through the companys Mundra port. A Wall Street Journal investigation into tankers that regularly traveled between Mundra and the Persian Gulf found their behavior often exhibited traits seen by ships seeking to evade sanctions. Adani categorically denies any deliberate engagement in sanctions evasion or trade involving Iranian-origin LPG," a company spokesman said in a statement. Further, we are not aware of any investigation by U.S. authorities on this subject." The expanding scrutiny by the U.S. Attorneys Office in Brooklyn could prove problematic for Adanis rehabilitation effort. President Trump is rolling back enforcement of longstanding laws punishing overseas bribery, but has also taken aim at purchasers of Iranian oil and gas products. Any Country or person who buys ANY AMOUNT of OIL or PETROCHEMICALS from Iran will be subject to, immediately, Secondary Sanctions," Trump wrote on social-media platform Truth Social last month. They will not be allowed to do business with the United States of America in any way, shape, or form." Adani is a close ally of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sits atop a group of infrastructure companies bearing his name that has been integral to Indias recent economic growth. The public companies have a valuation around $150 billion, yielding Adani and his family one of the worlds largest fortunes. In January 2023, short-selling firm Hindenburg Research published a 33,000-word report alleging the Adani Group had violated Indian securities laws by having Adani family members secretly control swaths of shares through offshore vehicles. The companies stocks plunged but have recovered some of their losses. In November, the group faced a new headwind when U.S. prosecutors charged Adani with fraud, alleging he orchestrated roughly $250 million in bribes to Indian officials to secure lucrative solar-power supply contracts in India. Adani Group called the short sellers report nothing but a lie," and the government allegations against it baseless." Adani has hired high-powered legal firms Kirkland & Ellis and Quinn Emanuel, according to lobbying disclosures. Adanis lawyers also met with prosecutors in March in hopes of having the case dropped, according to people familiar with the matter. Six Republican members of Congress have publicly argued Adanis indictment is at odds with Trumps foreign-policy priorities, including a strong trading relationship with India. Trump also issued an executive order pausing" prosecutions under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. While the case grew out of an FCPA investigation, Adani was charged with conspiracy and securities fraud over alleged bribes, not with violating the act itself. The investigation into shipments Prosecutors are reviewing the activities of several LPG tankers used to ship cargoes to Adani Enterprises, the people said. The Adani spokesman said that importing LPG has been a small but growing part of the companys business, contributing 1.46% of its $11.7 billion in revenue last fiscal year. A Journal investigation into a group of LPG tankers making journeys between the Adani-run Mundra port and the Persian Gulf since early 2024 found they showcase signs that ship trackers say are typically evidence of ships attempting to obscure their activities. A common tactic includes manipulating the ships automatic identification system, or AIS, which shares a ships position, according to Tomer Raanan, a maritime risk analyst at Lloyds List Intelligence who tracks LPG tankers. One journey in April of last year undertaken by a ship that carried an LPG cargo for Adani, the Panamanian-flagged SMS Bros, demonstrates some of the patterns. The ship was docked at Khor al Zubair in southern Iraq on April 3, 2024, according to its AIS, which the Journal analyzed using Lloyds Lists Seasearcher platform. Satellite images from April 3 dont show the SMS Bros at its reported berth in Iraq. But a satellite did capture images of a ship matching the SMS Bross characteristics and length docked roughly 315 miles to the southeast at an LPG terminal in Tonbuk, Iran. The ship docked in Tonbuk was the SMS Bros, according to Samir Madani, whose service TankerTrackers.com has indexed more than 9,000 ships from satellite imagery. By April 7, the SMS Bross AIS data showed it off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Its data was adjusted at that time to show it riding lower in the water, which would indicate it had taken on cargo. Its AIS data shows that it departed the night of April 8, heading south, and by the following day anchored offshore near Sohar, Oman. On April 10, documents purport that Adani Global PTE contracted the ship to load roughly 11,250 metric tons of LPG at Sohar and ship it to Mundra in India. The ship never appears to have docked in Sohars port, according to the Journals analysis of AIS data. From there, the SMS Bros sailed to Mundra, where customs records reviewed by the Journal show that on April 17, Adani Enterprises imported a load matching the cargo described in the shipping documents with a declared value just over $7 million. Purchasers of Iranian oil and gas products often use forged documents from Oman and Iraq, according to several people familiar with the trade. The Adani spokesman said the SMS Bros shipment was handled through a third-party logistics company and documentation identifies the shipment as originating from Sohar. Adani companies check the vessels they contract for red flags but dont own, operate or track vessels and cant comment on the activity of vessels they dont control, he added. Whatever the duties of and responsibilities of a bona fide importer are, we have fulfilled those," the spokesman said. Other discrepancies The SMS Bros, which changed its name to the Neel last year, has shown other discrepancies. A Bangladeshi port record from last June shows the SMS Bros as importing a load of LPG originating in Iran for an unknown importer, yet its AIS data reports making the same journey to Iraq that it did in April. At several other points over the past year, satellite images dont show the SMS Bros at its reported AIS position, according to Bjorn Bergman, a data analyst who tracks AIS spoofing at the nonprofits Global Fishing Watch and SkyTruth. Three other LPG tankers show some elements of obfuscation while making runs between Adanis Mundra port and the Persian Gulf, according to the Journals review of their data. One tanker operated by the same company that managed the SMS Bros showed similar signs of spoofing its AIS. That ship was also named on a list of tankers suspected of shipping Iranian oil and gas by a bipartisan group of U.S. senators. The company operating the ships, as well as the captain of the SMS Bros on its April 2024 journey, didnt respond to requests for comment. A third ship appears to have used similar tactics around its trips to Mundra, broadcasting via AIS a stop in Khor al Zubair that cant be seen on simultaneous satellite images of the port. A fourth tanker in the group often making deliveries to Mundra was listed in a 2024 report by the U.S. Energy Department as being involved in the export of Iranian petroleum products. In May, the Journal found that ship was reporting its position on the railroad tracks of the port in Khor al Zubair. Write to Ben Foldy at ben.foldy@wsj.com and Dave Michaels at dave.michaels@wsj.com Salil Parekh, the chief executive officer of Infosys, India's second-largest IT company, has received a 22 per cent salary hike, and his yearly payout now stands at 80.62 crore for the financial year 2025-26, according to an exchange filing by the company. According to Infosys' annual report for the financial year ended 2024-25, Parekh's revised salary for the 2025-26 fiscal year is at 80,62,36,456 or more than 80.62 crore. The data also showed that Infosys granted 3,82,071 or over 3.8 lakh restricted stock units (RSUs) to Salil Parekh along with his monetary compensation. Also Read | Infosys gives ESOPs worth 50 crore to CEO Salil Parekh in FY25 Infosys shares closed 0.55 per cent lower at 1,554.20 on Monday, compared to 1,562.80 at the previous stock market close. The IT firm released its annual report after market hours on 2 June 2025. Salil Parekh's salary breakdown shows that the executive receives 7.45 crore as base salary and 49 lakh in retirement benefits, making the total fixed salary at 7.94 crore. He will also receive a bonus incentive, known as variable pay, of 23.18 crore, along with 49.50 crore from the perquisites on account of the stock options exercised. Salil Parekh's track record Parekh joined Infosys on 2 January 2018 and has worked for the Indian IT major for a little over seven years. The 60-year-old executive has also worked for major corporations for a total of 37 years. Before joining Infosys as the CEO and managing director, Parekh was working with Capgemini as a director general. Salil Parekh has spent more than 25 years in a global IT services company, according to his LinkedIn profile. Earlier in his life, in 1992, Parekh was a partner at Ernst & Young (EY) for nearly eight years. On the educational front, the executive has a Bachelor's in Technology in Aeronautical Engineering from IIT Bombay, and later in 1986, he finished his Master's in Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering from the US-based Cornell University. Salil Parekh's ESOP allotment According to Mint's earlier report, Infosys disclosed on 17 April 2025 that the company granted Parekh more than 50 crore in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Infosys allotted 51.75 crore worth of stock options to him in multiple tranches. Global investment firm KKR announced on Tuesday that it would finance the Manipal Group with $600 million, making this the firm's largest credit investment in India. The investment, arranged by KKR Capital Markets and anchored by KKRs private credit and insurance platform, will enable the Manipal Education and Medical Group (or the Manipal Group) to accelerate its corporate expansion and growth objectives by providing flexible, structured capital matched to its long-term strategic needs, the two entities said in a statement. Also Read: Manipal shortlists banks for $1 billion IPO, to file by June KKRs longstanding India focus and flexible capital approach, as well as alignment with our long-term vision, present a strong fit for us, Dr. Ranjan Pai, chairman of the Manipal Group, said in the statement. The Manipal Group has built a strong reputation over the decades as one of Indias healthcare and education leaders, and we look forward to supporting and contributing to their continued success, added Gaurav Trehan, co-head of KKR Asia Pacific and head of Asia Private Equity at KKR. KKR is making this investment from its Asia Pacific Credit strategy and insurance platform. Since 2019, it has committed more than $8 billion across about 60 credit investments under the Asia Pacific Credit strategy platform, accounting for a total transaction volume of over $21 billion. Additional details of the transaction were not disclosed. KKRs Asia Pacific Credit platform seeks to provide bespoke solutions to high-quality companies, entrepreneurs, promoters, and sponsors, among other private credit strategies. These solutions harness the strength of KKRs private markets investment capabilities and expertise as one of the largest alternative credit managers globally. Also Read: Apollo to Aster, Manipal to Max, hospital chains ready for a big-bang expansion This transaction underscores the strength of our global credit platform and our ability to provide strategic, scaled capital solutions to leading businesses, Diane Raposio, partner and head of Asia credit and markets at KKR, said. India is a priority market for our credit strategy, and we look to build on this momentum to be a partner of choice to more high-quality companies like Manipal on their growth ambitions, Raposio added. Tesla, the Elon Musk-led electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is not interested in manufacturing its cars in India, Union Minister of Heavy Industries HD Kumaraswamy said on Monday, June 2, according to a PTI report. The EV giant is looking to sell its cars in the country but is not willing to manufacture them in India, the minister was quoted as saying in the report. Tesla... they are more (interested) to start showrooms. They are not interested to (start) manufacturing in India, HD Kumaraswamy told the media during a press conference. The minister announced the new guidelines for a scheme to promote electric vehicle manufacturing in India at the event. US President Donald Trump called out Tesla's move, and said that if the EV maker decides to build a factory in India, just to evade the tariffs of the nation, then it will be unfair to the US-based manufacturers. Also Read | Tesla shares jumps over 2% as investors rejoice after THIS update by Elon Musk So far they (Tesla) have not shown interest. A Tesla representative only participated in the first round of stakeholder discussions for the scheme to promote the manufacturing of electric cars in India. The company's representative was not part of the second and third round of the stakeholder deliberations, an official aware of the development told the news agency. 4 other foreign automakers seek to build EVs in India While Tesla seems to be reluctant to set up manufacturing units in India, companies such as Mercedes-Benz, Skoda-Volkswagen, Hyundai and Kia have shown interest in building electric cars in India. Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Skoda, Hyundai, Kia, all these companies have already shown interest, Kumaraswamy said. The interest from these global auto giants comes amid ongoing discussions between the government and the industry on the scheme to promote EV manufacturing in India. The window for companies to apply for their India entry will open in a couple of weeks, and the government awaits to see which companies actually apply under the scheme, reported the news agency, citing an official aware of the development. The approved applicants would be required to make a minimum investment of 4,150 crore in India, in line with the provisions of the scheme. New Delhi: Gujarat-based Torrent Power Ltd (TPL) has signed a long-term sale and purchase agreement with BP Singapore Pte. Ltd, a subsidiary of global energy major bp, for the supply of up to 0.41 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from 2027 to 2036. The LNG will be strategically used by TPL to operate its 2,730 MW combined cycle gas-based power plants (GBPPs) across India, helping meet the countrys growing electricity demand and support the grid during peak consumption periods, the company said in a statement. Read this | GAIL sees scope for more US LNG share in India's energy mix as prices attractive The agreement will also support Torrent Gas Ltd (TGL), the groups city gas distribution (CGD) arm, by catering to its rising LNG requirements. The fuel will be used to ensure reliable gas supply for households, commercial and industrial consumers, as well as compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, the statement added. Taking advantage of softness in LNG prices, TPL along with TGL further intends to explore medium- and long-term LNG procurement in response to the growing demand from its GBPPs and CGD networks respectively, aiming to enhance its portfolio diversity and reliably to meet energy supply needs of customers, the statement said. The deal comes amid a government push to boost power generation from gas-based plants. Last month, the Centre directed such plants to increase output in anticipation of surging electricity demand. Indias peak power demand is projected to hit 270 GW in FY26, up from the record 250 GW seen last year. Read this | Imported coal based power plants told to operate at full capacity till June 30 As part of Indias broader energy transition, natural gasconsidered a cleaner alternative to crude oilis being promoted across sectors, including domestic cooking and transportation. The ministry of petroleum has set a target to raise natural gass share in Indias energy mix to 15% by 2030, up from the current 6%. A part of the Torrent Group, TPL has an installed generation capacity of 4,838 MWp, comprising 2,730 MW of gas-based, 1,746 MWp of renewable, and 362 MW of coal-based capacity. Another 3,154 MWp of renewable projects and 3,000 MW of pumped storage capacity are under development. This brings TPLs total planned generation and storage capacity to 7,992 MWp and 3,000 MW, respectively. MUMBAI : Relisys Medical Devices is in early-stage discussions with global private equity firms KKR and TPG for a potential 1,2001,300 crore investment, with the transaction likely to offer a full or partial exit to existing investor Siguler Guff, two people familiar with the matter told Mint . While TPG is evaluating the company to strengthen its portfolio, KKR is in discussions with the medical devices maker to build out its med-tech platform under which it acquired Healthium Medtech last year from Apax Funds," one of the people cited above said. TPG, too, may look at developing a med-tech platform of its own, the person added. A majority of the proceeds from the transaction, if it materialises, will likely be secondary in nature, enabling Siguler Guff to partially or fully exit. A smaller primary infusion may also be included to fund Relisyss expansion plans, said the second person. Both private equity firms are expected to seek a controlling stake in the Hyderabad-based medical devices maker. In secondary deals, existing shareholders sell their stakes to other investors and the company doesnt receive any new capital. Such shares are usually traded at a discount to primary equity. While KKR and TPG declined to comment, Siguler Guff, Healthium, and Relisys did not respond to Mints mails sent on Sunday. Also read: Zydus bets big on vaccines and medtech In February, VCCircle had reported that o3 Capital, a mid-market investment bank, was advising Relisys in its search for potential buyers. The report also noted that existing investor Siguler Guff was exploring a full or partial exit, alongside the companys founders, in a transaction then estimated to be valued at $5070 million ( 435610 crore). Company background Founded in 1997 by technocrats and clinicians, Relisys Medical Devices manufactures cardiovascular products like drug-eluting stents, balloon catheters, diagnostic catheters, and transcatheter heart valves. It also acquired Multimedics in 2018 to expand its stent-making capabilities globally. In FY24, the company reported revenue of 169.4 crore, up slightly from 162.7 crore a year earlier. Net profit rose marginally to 36.3 crore, according to data from Tracxn. The bustling deal activity in the sector also underscores the growing investor appetite for med-tech companies in India. Some notable transactions include Meril Life Sciences $210 million funding from Warburg Pincus which also invested about $300 million in Appasamy Associates. SMT raised $150 million from Samara Capital while Translumina raised around $90 million from Everstone Capital. Also read: Health ministry to set up a panel to review medical device-related adverse events Sector outlook Indias $12 billion med-tech market is projected to hit $50 billion by 2030, according to EY. Despite $3.8 billion in exports last fiscal, the country is still heavily import-dependent, with imports at $8.2 billion, making up 8085% of domestic consumption. Growth is expected to be driven by rising income levels, wider insurance coverage, medical tourism, and rapid healthcare infrastructure expansion in Tier 2 and 3 cities. EY noted that global MNCs are increasingly choosing India for R&D, manufacturing, and global capability centers (GCCs)further strengthening the ecosystem. Also read: India eyes global pharma dominance with a 5,000 crore revitalisation plan Vodafone UK has completed its merger with Three UK on May 31, 2025. The combined entity will be known as VodafoneThree, with 51% stake owned by Vodafone. Taking to the social media platform X, Vodafone Group informed, We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the merger of @VodafoneUK and @ThreeUK. VodafoneThree aims to deliver a vastly superior mobile experience for millions of customers and businesses up and down the country, the post stated. VodafoneThree plans to invest 11 billion over the next 10 years, Vodafone Group Plc and CK Hutchison Group Telecom Holdings Limited informed in a joint statement on Monday, June 2, 2025. Vodafone will fully consolidate VodafoneThree in its financial results, while Max Taylor, currently leading Vodafone UK, will serve as the Chief Executive Officer. Darren Purkis of Three UK has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer. The company plans to invest 1.3 billion in capex, particularly to increase network deployment. The combined entity is anticipated to generate cost and capex synergies of 700 million annually by the fifth year, and the transaction is expected to improve the adjusted free cash flow of Vodafone from FY29 onwards, the statement said. Competition & Markets Authority approval The deal was first announced in June 2023 and received the clearance of the Competition & Markets Authority, the UK's primary competition regulator on December 5, 2024. Weve cleared #Vodafones merger with #Three, subject to the companies agreeing to legally binding commitments, including to invest billions in rolling out a combined #5G network across the UK. This would ensure the merger boosts competition in UK mobile #telecoms, Competition & Markets Authority informed on X. Also Read | Aldi Owners Holding Talks About Possible Merger, WiWo Reports Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group Chief Executive, believes that the merger aims to improve network connectivity in the UK and reshape Vodafone's presence in Europe. The merger will create a new force in UK mobile, transform the countrys digital infrastructure and propel the UK to the forefront of European connectivity," Valle said. Also Read | Vodafone to exit Indus Towers, repay its debt The transaction completes the reshaping of Vodafone in Europe, and following this period of transition we are now well-positioned for growth ahead," she added. Speaking on the merger, Canning Fok, Deputy Chairman of CK Hutchison and Executive Chairman of CKHGT, said, "scale enables the significant investment needed to deliver the world-beating mobile networks our customers expect, and the Vodafone and Three merger provides that scale. China firmly" rejected US President Donald Trump's claims of violating the trade deal that aimed to reduce sweeping tariffs between the world's largest economies, reported AFP on Monday, citing the Chinese Commerce Ministry. Beijing clarified that they have been firm in safeguarding its rights and interests, and sincere in implementing the consensus, reached during the two-day trade talks in Geneva. Also Read | US dollar declines as traders assess tariff outlook China blames US Beijing asserted that Washington has made bogus charges and unreasonably accused China of violating the consensus, which is seriously contrary to the facts. China firmly rejects these unreasonable accusations. While referring to export curbs on artificial intelligence chips and revoking Chinese student visas in the US, Beijing stated that Washington has successively introduced a number of discriminatory restrictive measures against China. The Chinese commerce ministry further said, we urge the US to meet China halfway, immediately correct its wrongful actions, and jointly uphold the consensus from the Geneva trade talks." Otherwise, "China will continue to resolutely take strong measures to uphold its legitimate rights and interests," it added. Also Read | Donald Trump doubles tariff on worldwide steel, claims China vioated trade deal Donald Trump's claim Last week, President Trump accused China of violating the trade deal proposed between the world's largest economies. "China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!," Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform. He claimed that a fast deal was made with China where officials of both countries paused tariffs of over 125% for 90 days. Trump said the trade agreement was finalised to prevent China from a "devastating" situation, including factory closures and civil unrest stemming from his tariffs, which reached as high as 145% on Chinese imports. However, Trump did not specify how the trade deal was breached or what actions he intends to pursue against China. The US has rejected Indias May 9 notice at the World Trade Organization that proposed retaliatory action against Washington imposing steep import tariffs on steel and aluminium and said its actions were not safeguard measures, which is why it would not hold any discussion with New Delhi on the matter, people in the know said on Sunday. Under the current circumstances, India may retaliate by proportionately suspending concessions given to American imports (for example almonds and walnuts) and levy higher customs duties on metals coming from the US, said the people cited above, requesting anonymity. The Indian notice was against the USs February 10 decision to impose 25% levies on all imports of steel and aluminium effective from March 12. Now, the matter has been aggravated further as the Trump administration on May 30 doubled tariffs on the metals to 50% effective from June 4, citing national security. Against the US measure to hike import duties on steel and aluminium to safeguard American metal industries, India on May 9 formally notified WTO that it could suspend concessions and other obligations granted to the US after the expiration of 30 days from the date of this notification, which would be June 8. Reacting to Indias notice, the United States on May 22 informed WTO that Indias proposed retaliation was not consistent with the multilateral trade rules. Washington said the US tariffs on metals were not safeguard measures. Accordingly, there is no basis for Indias proposal to suspend concessions or other obligations under Article 8.2 of the Agreement on Safeguards with respect to these measures, it said in its latest communication to WTO. Also Read | Will the WTO get crushed under an avalanche of bilateral trade deals? On grounds that the tariffs are not safeguard measures, the US also declined to discuss and resolve the dispute with India, leaving the ball in New Delhis court. The United States will not discuss the Section 232 tariffs under the Agreement on Safeguards as we do not view the tariffs as a safeguard measure, the American communication to the multilateral body added. While Indias commerce ministry did not respond to a query on this matter, people in the know said India may retaliate unless the US agrees to a preferential treatment for India on these metals under the ongoing talks for an early deal (first tranche) within the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). Both countries are making efforts to conclude an early harvest deal by this month and a negotiating team from the US is expected to visit India this week, they said. Also Read | India proposes retaliatory duties against US over steel, aluminium tariff in WTO Experts said high tariffs on steel and aluminium by the US are of critical importance to India. For India, the consequences are direct. In FY25, India exported $4.56 billion worth of iron, steel, and aluminium products to the US, with key categories including $587.5 million in iron and steel, $3.1 billion in articles of iron or steel, and $860 million in aluminium and related articles. These exports are now exposed to sharply higher US tariffs, threatening the profitability of Indian producers and exporters, said Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) founder and former Indian Trade Service officer Ajay Srivastava. India has already issued a formal notice at the WTO signalling its intention to impose retaliatory tariffs on US goods in response to the earlier steel tariffs. With (President Donald) Trump now doubling the tariffs, it remains to be seen whether India will carry out the retaliation, by increasing tariffs on certain US exports within a month, he added. Hindustan Times reported on May 14 about India proposing to levy retaliatory import duties on American goods proportionately in response to the United States imposing safeguard tariffs on Indian steel and aluminium. The safeguard measures would affect US$ 7.6 billion imports into the United States of the relevant products originating in India, on which the duty collection would be US$ 1.91 billion. Accordingly, Indias proposed suspension of concessions would result in an equivalent amount of duty collected from products originating in the United States, Indias May 9 notice to WTO said. The US, however, maintained at WTO that its tariffs on steel and aluminium are based on national security considerations and not safeguard measures as claimed by India. Such disputes at WTO are common and routine. Without an effective appellate body at the multilateral forum, disputes have no real significance, one of the persons mentioned above said. The second person said this is a vexed issue. The previous Joe Biden administration in 2018 had imposed a 25% tariff on certain steel and a 10% levy on aluminium items on grounds of national security. That was retaliated to by India in June 2019 when it imposed customs duties on 28 US products such as almonds and walnuts, besides filing a complaint at WTO. Later, the two sides, however, decided to resolve the dispute amicably through mutually agreed solutions (MAS). Under the agreement in June 2023, the US agreed to grant market access to steel and aluminium products under the exclusion process of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act 1962 and India agreed to remove the additional duty (retaliatory tariffs) on certain American products. MAS is a mechanism under WTO where its members can resolve disputes amicably without going through the formal process of a settlement mechanism. On May 31st the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) said that it would pump 411,000 more barrels per day (b/d) of crude in July. The statement marked the third such rise in as many months. OPEC+s increased production is equivalent to 1.2% of global demand, and represents a drastic acceleration from plans drawn up last year, when the group said that it would raise output by 122,000 b/d a month. Big moves, though not big enough to sink oil prices. You might, therefore, think that OPEC+ is in total control. After all, the cartel, which supplies half the worlds oil, exists to keep prices high. In reality, however, it faces a crisis that could mark the beginning of its end. In its 65 years of existence OPEC has navigated many crises, from Gulf wars and Americas shale boom to a pandemic-era oil bust. But today is different. Knowing that oil demand could peak in the coming decade, members want to liquidate reserves. That, together with the spending required for petrostates to diversify their economies away from oil, means some are flouting the cartels cardinal rule: to not supply more than is agreed upon. Although Saudi Arabia, the groups enforcer, is trying to slap them into obedience, one serial cheater is getting a free pass: the United Arab Emirates, OPECs third-largest exporter, and its biggest menace. To understand OPECs predicament, look at the justifications for the cartels latest increases in output. The one broadcast by the groupthat healthy fundamentals mean the world needs more oildoes not pass the sniff test. Analysts, OPECs included, have revised down their demand forecasts to account for the damage of Donald Trumps trade wars. Non-OPEC countries, meanwhile, keep pumping more. The world is swimming in oil. There are more credible explanations for the move. One is that Gulf states are trying to please Mr Trump, who wants cheap petrol in Americas forecourts. Another is that the group wants to recover lost market share. A third frames it as an effort by Saudi Arabia to punish members who are flouting their quotas. It is possible that, at the margin, the second 411,000 b/d hikeannounced days before Mr Trump started touring the Gulfhelped Saudi Arabia and the UAE obtain goodies from Uncle Sam, such as artificial-intelligence chips. But Saudi Arabia does not want to set too much of a precedent, says a former OPEC executive. Clawing back market share will also prove hard. Oil demand is expected to jump by 1m b/d from May to August in OPEC countries alone, as extra-hot weather means greater need for air-conditioning, which will help absorb the output hikes so far. Should the group opt to pump still more, however, prices could drop below $50, at which point members may revolt. And OPEC+ remains far from recovering its market power. By June its target output will still be 5m b/d or so lower than in August 2022, when it began to announce cuts. What of enforcing discipline? Iraq, last years biggest overproducer, appears to have trimmed output a little despite not having control over all its production, some of which is in Kurdish territory. Kazakhstan, which overshot by 300,000 b/d in April, is more troublesome. Its production is dominated by international firms over which the state holds little sway. Yet the trickiest pupil of all is the UAE. The country tells OPEC it produces 2.9m b/d, bang on its quota. The cartels own assessment, which averages estimates from secondary sources (eight consultancies) has not deviated from 2.9m b/d since at least 2023. Computing an exact, independent figure is impossible, since the UAE stopped releasing detailed data years ago. All the same, OPECs figures look impossibly low: tanker-tracking suggests the countrys crude exports alone add up to 2.8m b/d, and that is before accounting for any local refining or additions to stocks. (The countrys energy ministry did not respond to our requests for comment.) In private, analysts admit their numbers are massaged. Severalincluding one at a secondary-source firmsay they produce one estimate for internal purposes and another for external consumption. Two reckon that the UAE overproduces by 200,000 to 300,000 b/d. The International Energy Agency, an official forecaster that OPEC ditched as a secondary source in 2022, estimates the UAEs output at nearly 3.3m b/d in April. Some foreign producers with outposts in the UAE suggest all these estimates are too low. One Gulf-based analyst who supplies data to national and international oil firms goes as high as 3.4m b/d. Almost everyone upholds the fiction in public. After a reshuffle in February, when OPEC dropped Americas Energy Information Administration as a source, all of its external assessors are now commercial outfits. Foreign consultancies count the cartel and its oil giants, such as Saudi Aramco and Abu Dhabis Adnoc, as clients. Journalists fear being cut off. Why does Saudi Arabia, which has a testy relationship with the UAE, allow this? At oily get-togethers its leaders are now frostier to the Emiratis, notes one confidant to Gulf leaders. But they cannot get too angry. Among OPEC+ members, the UAE has long had the most idle capacity as a share of its total production capacity, which generates huge frustration in Abu Dhabi. When global oil demand rebounded post-covid, a clash over quotas twice led the UAE to consider leaving OPEC, which could have been a fatal blow for the cartel. As a consequence, Saudi leaders now fear it might really walk if criticised again. Things will probably get still more fraught. The UAE cares less about low oil prices than Saudi Arabia. An economist at an Emirati bank says that the country needs them at just $50 a barrel to balance its books, whereas its bigger neighbour, which is spending lavishly on real-estate projects, requires them at $90 a barrel. In the five years to 2027 the UAE is slated to invest $62bn in new production, bringing its capacity to 5m b/d, up from 3.6m b/d in 2021; Adnoc, which pumps most of the territorys oil, says that capacity has already almost hit the target for two years time. The uaes quota has not kept up with this growth. Last year it negotiated a 300,000 b/d increase, to be phased in over 18 months. On May 28th OPEC+ scheduled a more comprehensive revision of quotasoriginally due this yearfor 2027. The Emiratis are unlikely to accept their straitjacket. One analyst with contacts in both governments says it is only a matter of time before Saudi Arabia and the UAE openly clash. A descent into disorder, fuelled by conflict between OPECs largest and third-largest exporters, could then make the cartel unworkable. Tirumala (Andhra Pradesh) [India], June 2 (ANI): Bollywood actor Sonu Sood visited Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirumala to offer prayers on Monday morning. The temple, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is one of the most visited religious sites in India, attracting millions of devotees annually. While speaking to ANI after offering prayers at the temple, the 'Fateh' actor shared details about his upcoming project and recalled his first visit to the Lord Venkateswara temple 25 years ago. "When I came here for the first time, it was 25 years ago. Today, I come here with my family. I pray for happiness, peace and prosperity for all in the world. We are starting a new project, a film 'Nandi' - I am acting and directing both. It will begin soon," said Sonu Sood. The actor donned a peach pink Kurta for his holy visit to the Lord Venkateswara Temple. Sonu Sood was recently honoured with a prestigious Humanitarian Award at the Grand Finale of the 72nd Miss World Festival in Telangana for his philanthropic work during COVID-19. This special honour recognises his exceptional service to humanity and unwavering commitment to social upliftment through his foundation. The actor was conferred the Humanitarian Award on the grand finale of Miss World at the HITEX Arena in Hyderabad as part of the festival's final celebrations. Actor Kamal Haasan continues to be in the centre of controversy after his comment on the Kannada language, with pro-Kannada groups announcing a ban on the release of his film Thug Life. Now, a plea has been moved at the Karnataka High Court to allow the movie's screening without any disturbance in Karnataka, as per a report. According to a report by Bar and Bench, co-producer of the film Raajkamal Films International has moved the Karnataka HC, citing concerns regarding the ban on the film's screenings in Karnataka. During a promotional event of Thug Life in Chennai, Kamal Haasan allegedly said that Kannada is born out of Tamil, leading to massive uproar among pro-Kannada groups and a ban by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) on the movie. Also Read | Pro-Kannada organisation warns theatre owners on Kamal Haasans Thug Life release in Bengaluru amid Kannada language row Pro-Kannada groups threaten ban on Thug Life A Karnataka film organisation has targeted his upcoming film Thug Life, saying it won't let the movie release unless the actor provides an public apology. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce has said it will not allow Thug Life to release in theatres. People of Karnataka are angry with Kamal Haasan. We have also sent a message to the South Film Chamber. The distributors have decided that if he does not apologise before the release of his film on the 5th, it will not be allowed to release here, KFCC president M. Narasimhalu was quoted as saying by ANI. A pro-Kannada organisation named Karnataka Rakshana Vedike also attempted to lay siege to a Bengaluru movie hall to restrict the release of Thug Life, which is slated to hit the theatres on June 5. Thug Life is directed by Mani Ratnam and stars Kamal Haasan, Trisha Krishnan, and Silambarasan TR in the lead roles. Kamal Haasan defends comments In response to the growing backlash, Haasan defended his statement, saying he believes in law and democracy. Calling India a "democratic country," the Thug Life actor maintained that he wouldn't "apologise" to anyone for his actions if he is not wrong. OTT releases this week: A number of new movies and web series will be available on OTT this weekend on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, ManoramaMAX and JioHotstar. Lets have a look at the ones that are available to watch online. Pattth Plot: The Malayalam movie tells the story of Unni, a struggling film editor and working on a travel vlog that includes a Kenyan tribe singing a traditional song. Unni and his girlfriendcreate a documentary exploring the song's multifaceted nature. Also Read | Netflix OTT releases this week: New movies to watch Cast: Ashik Safiya, Aboobakker Gauthami, Lekshmi Gopan Genre: Crime thriller Languages: Malayalam OTT platform: ManoramaMAX Release Date: 6 June Stolen Plot: Abhishek Banerjee's thriller drama, Stolen, follows the journey of two brothers who witness a child being kidnapped from a poor mother at a remote railway station, and join their mother's desperate search for the child. Cast: Abhishek Banerjee, Harish Khanna, Mia Maelzer, Sahidur Rahaman, and Shubham Vardhan Genre: Thriller drama Languages: Hindi OTT platform: Amazon Prime Video Release Date: 4 June Criminal Code Season 2 Plot: The Brazilian action series, Criminal Code Season 2, follows Isaac and his Phantom Gang, who become the Federal Police's main targets after helping the Ambassador escape prison. This season is all about the struggle of Sullen to catch the gang. Cast: Romulo Braga, Maeve Jinkings, Pedro Caetano, Thomas Aquino, Alex Nader, Daniel Blanco, Leticia Tomazella, and Jorge Paz Genre: Crime Drama Languages: English OTT platform: Netflix Release Date: 4 June Jaat Plot: Sunny Deol's action packed film revolves in a small coastal village ruled by a ruthless criminal named Ranatunga. When Sunny Deol arrives, things start to change and how. The movie is a classic showdown between an evil ruler and a fearless hero. Genre: Action drama Cast: Sunny Deol, Randeep Hooda, Saiyami Kher, Regina Cassandra, Jagapathi Babu, Ramya Krishnan, Vineet Kumar Singh Languages: English OTT platform: Netflix Release Date: 5 June Bhool Chuk Maaf Plot: Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi starrer sci-fi romantic comedy, Bhool Chuk Maaf, shows Rajkumar (Ranjan) stuck in a time loop on his wedding day and must fulfil a forgotten promise to escape it. Genre: Sci-fi romantic comedy Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Wamiqa Gabbi, Seema Pahwa, Sanjay Mishra, Raghubir Yadav, and Zakir Hussain Languages: English OTT platform: Amazon Prime Video Release Date: 6 June Mountainhead Plot: The series drama revolves around the story of a group of billionaire friends who come together and join forces amidst a global economic turmoil. Genre: Drama Cast: Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, Cory Michael Smith Language: English OTT platform: JioHotstar Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma briefly voiced support for actor Kamal Haasan amid growing backlash and boycott calls against Haasans upcoming film 'Thug Life' in Karnataka. Varma, who criticised the threats to ban the film, later deleted his post from social media. In a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), Varma wrote, DEMOCRACYs new name is INTOLERANCE.., irrespective of factual correctness, threats to ban 'Thug Life' in Karnataka unless Kamal Haasan apologises, amounts to a new kind of HOOLIGANISM. RGV post on X for Kamal Haasan. How the controversy started The controversy began after Kamal Haasan made a statement during a promotional event, saying, Kannada was born out of Tamil. His comments triggered strong reactions from pro-Kannada groups, who called for a ban on *Thug Life* in the state. Effigies of the actor were burnt in protest, and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce has since stalled the films release. In response, Haasan approached the Karnataka High Court, seeking permission to release the film. He stood by his statement, refusing to apologise. In a post on X, Haasan said, Love will never apologise. I will apologise only if I am wrong. If I am not, I will not. In another interview with PTI, the actor also said, "So lets leave all this 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." About Thug Life 'Thug Life' marks Kamal Haasans reunion with director Mani Ratnam after 38 years. The film features a star-studded cast including Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Joju George, Pankaj Tripathi, and others. It is scheduled for a worldwide release on June 5. Streaming giant Netflix recently released the trailer of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery with release date. The third film in the Knives Out franchise, which hints at Benoit Blancs latest mystery, will feature Daniel Craigs detective sporting a new look. Netflix released Wake Up Dead Man trailer during its global annual fiesta TUDUM 2025 which took place on May 31 at Los Angeles' Kia Forum. The one-minute teaser provides some quick flashes of key cast members. Watch Wake Up Dead Man trailer here: The streaming giant stated, Save the date for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the newest Benoit Blanc whodunnit from writer and director Rian Johnson, starring Daniel Craig, Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church. Social media reaction Excited cinema enthusiasts were in a frenzy and reactions flooded online after release date announcement. A user wrote, Love all the previous movies in this franchise; cant wait to see what they do with this one. Another user wrote, Happy to see Jeremy Renner back on the screen. Also Read | Stranger Things 5: Mysterious audio goes viral ahead of Netflix teaser release A third user commented, Benoit Blanc is one of my all-time favorite characters. Looks good, with a great cast. A fourth user stated, They really hid the release date in a release date trailer: 12/12/25, as the release date was revealed in the trailer in Roman numerals. A fifth user remarked, Please give it a wide theatrical release like Glass Onion. A sixth user stated, Let's Go! This franchise never disappoints with the cast. A seventh user commented, will probably get an Oscar nomination since the last film was nominated. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery release date Rian Johnson helmed crime-mystery thriller will release on December 12 on Netflix. Standalone sequel to Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery features Daniel Craig as a private detective Benoit Blanc, Josh O'Connor as priest Rev Jud Duplenticy, Glenn Close as Martha Delacroix, Mila Kunis as police chief Geraldine Scott and Jeremy Renner as Dr Nat Sharp. China has pushed back against President Trumps accusation that it broke a trade truce reached just weeks earlier, as a re-escalation of tensions dim hopes of a resolution. Beijing has acted responsibly and upheld the consensus reached at the economic and trade talks in Geneva, the Commerce Ministry said in a statement on its website Monday. Washington and Beijing agreed in mid-May to temporarily lower tit-for-tat tariffs after talks in Geneva, sending a wave of relief across global markets that had been hammered by fears of a trade war since Trump took office and started raising tariffs on China and other countries. Recent developments have damped optimism that the two superpowers will reach a lasting deal, with tensions flaring up over issues such as Chinas exports of rare-earth minerals and the Trump administrations crackdown on student visas. On Monday, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said it is the U.S. side that has seriously undermined" the consensus reached in Geneva. It alleged that Washington introduced multiple discriminatory and restrictive measures" against China, such as issuing export-control guidelines for artificial-intelligence chips and revoking visas for Chinese students. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. The Commerce Ministrys statement came after Trump said in a social-media post on Friday that China has totally violated its agreement with U.S." He repeated the accusation later on, telling reporters at the Oval Office that he was certain he would speak to Chinese leader Xi Jinping about the matter. They violated a big part of the agreement we made," Trump said. Im sure that Ill speak to President Xi, hopefully well work that out. Its a violation of the agreement." He didnt provide details. The latest signs of a breakdown in progress toward a deal soured the mood in markets, with Chinese companies falling again in Hong Kong on Monday. That followed declines on Friday after comments from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent describing U.S.-China talks as a bit stalled." The benchmark Hang Seng Index led declines in holiday-thinned Asia trading, falling 2.2% by midday. The Hang Seng Tech Index was down 2.4%. Chinese state-owned steel manufacturers added to the downward pressure, reacting to Trumps threat to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Write to Tracy Qu at tracy.qu@wsj.com SITTING IN the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH) in Smethwick, near Birmingham, Francis Gallagher, one of its architects, explains its novel features: its compact design, with car parks, clinics and wards stacked on top of one another; its distinctive roof, a giant pillow of plastic, under which walkways glow with a soothing natural light; its winter garden, full of cherry trees, and a restaurant where locals come to enjoy affordable meals. Its a new model for hospitals," says Mr Gallagher of the 850m ($1.1bn) project. Five years ago this was true. In 2020 the MMUH topped a list of 40 new" hospitals promised by the then prime minister, Boris Johnson, by 2030. The aim was to help the National Health Service (NHS) build back better" after the covid-19 pandemic. Not all the proposed hospitals were actually new. The state had already rescued the MMUH project after Carillion, the private contractor responsible for financing and building it, went bust in 2018. Some were extensions or refurbishments. Still, the vision was clear. Standardised designs would help cut costs and reduce health inequalities in poorer areas like Smethwick. It would be the largest state hospital-building programme in a generation. That vision has proved illusory. In January Wes Streeting, the health secretary, said the plan had been unfunded and undeliverable, and would be delayed: some contractors would not break ground until 2039. The Labour government has shifted not only timelines, but priorities. It is pledging to move billions out of hospitals and into the community; far from fighting a pandemic, this government is now preparing to fight a war in Europe. The future of hospitals looks uncertain. There is a logic to investing in hospitals, which treat the sickest and offer scale for specialists and kit. Long thought of as the vertebrae of the health-care system, this crucial backbone is aged and arthritic. A maintenance backlog of 14bn ($18bn) includes hospital buildings propped up with scaffolding. City Hospital, which the MMUH replaced, opened in 1889. Its wards, based on designs by Florence Nightingale, were often ravaged by infection. New buildings enable hospitals to modernise. MMus grid structure is intended to make it easier to adapt to new technologies. Whereas the old Nightingale wards were designed so that a matron could see her patients at all times, at the MMUH most patients have side rooms for privacy. Yet hospitals also seem anachronistic. Between 2006 and 2022 the share of the NHS budget spent on them rose from 47% to 58%, squeezing funding for primary and social care. In a system starved of capital, many argue that cash should go towards refurbishing existing buildings and crumbling general practices. The new-hospital programme should be scrapped," says Rosie Beacon of Reform, a think-tank. Hospitals are doing more beyond their physical walls. Wards are increasingly virtual. When the trust moved patients from City hospital to the MMUH, it was able to discharge dozens of frail patients to be monitored at home. When done well, virtual wards can be safer for patients, relying on wearables to transmit data about vital signs rather than the usual manual checks. Hub and bespoke Some 100 miles east of the MMUH at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, a team of five nurses, a pharmacist and two doctors can care for 75 patients at a time out of a back office. Their virtual wards saved 7,900 bed days for the hospital last year, across 32 specialties. Dr Iain Goodhart, the schemes clinical director, reckons at least three-quarters of inpatients could benefit from such care, by delaying admission to hospital or shortening stays. Partnerships beyond the hospital matter more and more. Dr Goodhart is trying to strengthen links with general practitioners. The MMUH has been working with nursing homes to create proactive care plans for residents. Ideally, you should only be in hospital if you need surgery, specialist or intensive care," says Dr Sarb Clare, one of the trusts senior consultants. As hospitals begin to act differently, they will probably start to look different, too. Some may contain command centres to co-ordinate care; others will function more as campuses, including primary care and clinical-research labs. Staff will rotate more between hospital networks or spend time in satellite hubs: at odds with the new-hospital programmes aims of standardisation. Were no longer thinking that a hospital in Manchester should look and feel like one in Frimley [a small town south of London]," says Siva Anandaciva of the Kings Fund, another think-tank. None of this means that shiny new buildings are irrelevant. Older, sicker populations mean there will be a growing demand for acute care. The evidence for virtual wards remains mixed; cost pressures mean some are likely to be closed. Hospitals play important roles as anchor institutions: a learning campus soon to open opposite the MMUH will strengthen links with local colleges, and provide 750 new homes. An independent study found that the project would offer a return on the investment of around four to one. The government must decide what it wants from the hospitals of the future. Then it will have to work out how to pay for them. One suggestion mooted by the outgoing chief executive of the NHS, Amanda Pritchard, is to bring back private-finance initiatives for capital projects. Here, too, the MMUH offers a lesson. Mr Johnson could not build the hospitals of the future, but neither could Carillion. For more expert analysis of the biggest stories in Britain, sign up to Blighty, our weekly subscriber-only newsletter. During a national crisis, an advocate of tariffs testified before Congress that reciprocal trade agreements" push foreign nations to stop erecting excessive economic barriers to trade." Who said this? President Trump? Sen. Reed Smoot or Rep. Willis Hawley? It was President Franklin D. Roosevelts secretary of state, Cordell Hull, explaining in 1940 how reciprocal tariffs could reverse unfair trade practices targeting the U.S. Mr. Trumps policy of using reciprocal tariffs to advance U.S. interests isnt a new or radical idea, and its a necessary one. The U.S. Court of International Trade was wrong to rule on Wednesday that the administration had exceeded its authority in imposing these tariffs. The ruling overlooked history, statute, precedent and national interest. It was a misreading of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, and a misinterpretation of Americas bipartisan tradition of using trade policy to defend national economic resilience. On Thursday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit stayed the trade courts ruling while it considers an appeal. In a separate case, a district judge in Washington issued an injunction against the tariffs, although he stayed his own order. The issue requires resolution only the Supreme Court can deliver. Americans should hope the justices side with Mr. Trump. In its May 28 decision, V.O.S. Selections v. U.S., the trade court held that IEEPA doesnt authorize the president to impose unbounded" tariffs. The opinion misses the mark on legal and historical fronts. It substitutes policy skepticism for statutory interpretation, undermining legitimate executive authority during declared national emergencies. The trade courts reading of IEEPA contradicts the statutes text and history. IEEPAs independent emergency authority allows the president to regulate, prevent or prohibit the importation of property in which foreign countries or nationals have an interest. The language mirrors that of the earlier Trading with the Enemy Act, which President Richard Nixon used to impose a universal 10% tariff in 1971. The courts upheld Nixons use of that power in U.S. v. Yoshida International (1975), concluding that tariffs were a sensible approach to regulating imports during a declared emergency. Congress enacted IEEPA in 1977 with language directly drawn from the Trading with the Enemy Act. The trade courts description of the tariffs as unbounded" also contradicts Mr. Trumps painstakingly specific April 2 executive order, which imposes precise duties, product exemptions and country-specific rates. I should know: I helped coordinate their implementation. Further, the court errs in implicitly inviting itself to review the sufficiency of the presidents emergency declaration. IEEPA requires only that the president declare a national emergency to deal with an unusual and extraordinary threat" arising outside the U.S., which is exactly what the executive order does. Trade deficits can qualify as emergencies. In the Trade Act of 1974, Congress recognized that large and serious" balance-of-payments deficits could justify swift presidential action, including tariffs and quotas. This acts unique procedures didnt preclude similar IEEPA authorities addressing identical threats. Second-guessing presidential responses to emergencies defies precedent. In Dames & Moore v. Regan (1981), the Supreme Court acknowledged the validity of President Jimmy Carters hostage crisis response, intact to this day, which froze Iranian property in the U.S. Courts have long held that the political branchesnot judgesdetermine how to deal with foreign economic threats that rise to emergency levels. Further, in Field v. Clark (1892), the justices held that it is often desirable, if not essential . . . to invest the President with large discretion in matters arising out of the execution of statutes relating to trade and commerce with other nations." While IEEPA gives the president significant latitude, Congress can terminate a national emergency by joint resolution. That Congress hasnt thwarted Mr. Trumps tariffs counsels restraint in questioning his decision. The trade court evidently yearns to restore misguided economic orthodoxy. But frictionless global trade remains a mirage. Even John Maynard Keynes, hardly an economic nationalist, cautioned against the utopian allure of borderless commerce: Let goods be homespun whenever it is reasonably and conveniently possible, and, above all, let finance be primarily national." The pursuit of a perfectly undistorted global market ignores American history and legal tradition. Hulls reciprocal-tariff program of the 1930sthe foundation of U.S. multilateral tradewas premised on the imposition of duties on imports from countries that refused to lower theirs. Hull understood that economic resets require leverage. The test of judicial reasoning is whether it honors the text, structure and history of the law it interprets. The Court of International Trade fell short of that test. Mr. Bogden is a fellow at the Steamboat Institute and a former clerk for the U.S. Court of International Trade. Bank loans sanctioned to India's micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) under the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) dipped by nearly a third to 12,315 crore in FY25, from 17,759 crore in FY24. The development assumes significance since MSMEs contribute around 29% to Indias GDP. This comes in the backdrop of the government reworking its revival framework for MSMEs to ensure continuity of bank credit during their stress period. Launched in 2008 by merging Prime Minister's Rojgar Yojana and Rural Employment Generation Programme, PMEGP is a flagship credit-linked subsidy scheme of the government. Entrepreneurial demand weakens Bank loans sanctioned to MSMEs increased in FY22 in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, and continued to increase till FY24. From FY22 to FY24, the amount of bank loans sanctioned to MSMEs nearly doubled from a little over 9,000 crore to nearly 18,000 crore, before falling to FY25 levels of 12,315 crore, according to data provided by the MSME ministry. The dip in sanctioned loans also reflected a reduction in the number of businesses seeking credit. The number of businesses which received bank loans under the scheme in FY25 is lower than that in FY22, according to MSME ministry data. In FY25, about 1,08,923 MSMEs received loans from banks under the PMEGP, less than FY22's 1,09,127, after peaking in FY24 with 1,65,725 businesses, the data showed. Global uncertainty is likely to have doused entrepreneurial sentiment for smaller businesses in FY25, banking experts said. MSME growth is driven by domestic and global macroeconomic environment, said Vivek Iyer, partner and financial services risk leader, Grant Thornton Bharat. "FY25 has been categorized with many uncertainties ranging from geopolitical stress points in west Asia, the Russia Ukraine conflict, Sino-American rivalry, the impending US election outcome and then the subsequent outcome of the US election. When sentiment is poor, demand to start ventures is poor and hence demand for credit is poor," he said. Iyer clarified that banks had not changed their assessment criteria for MSME loans, highlighting that the dip in sanctioned bank loans is a demand-side issue, and not a supply-side problem. Access to finance still a hurdle The key objective of the PMEGP was to aid micro enterprises of self-employment ventures to provide employment to artisans and youth in both rural and urban regions. The intention of the scheme was to curb the migration of youth from rural to urban regions, the MSME ministry annual report for FY25 said. Under the scheme, the central government provides a part of the capital required to start a venture. Nearly one million micro enterprises have been assisted since the inception of the scheme till December 2024 with aid of 26,124 crore, providing estimated employment opportunities to over 80 lakh people, the MSME ministry FY25 annual report said. Lack of access to capital has been a key hurdle in MSME growth in India. A study by Niti Aayog and the Institute for Competitiveness in May 2025 cited Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data to show that MSMEs continued to have a small share of the credit to businesses deployed by 41 scheduled banks from 2020 to 2024. Also Read: Govt relaxes rules to boost GST registration among small businesses In September 2020, 14% of all credit deployed by these banks went to micro and small enterprises, while 4% went to medium enterprises. The situation improved by September 2024, when 20% went to micro and small enterprises, and 9% went to medium enterprises. The share of credit deployed to large businesses, however, still remained 71% in 2024, according to the data. In a 2022 World Bank Enterprise Survey, over a fifth of Indian MSMEs said access to finance is their biggest obstacle. IndiGo, Indias largest carrier by fleet and domestic market share, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic, and Air France-KLM to build a partnership to connect traffic to Europe and North America. This comes amid the flak it recently received for its ties with Turkish Airlines and the subsequent approval by the DIrectorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for extension of damp lease of Turkish Airlines planes for only three months. Airline partnerships take months to materialise and years to build and it is unlikely that the recent flak led IndiGo to move in this direction. In fact, the airline has been a partner to Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic for the last few years and has been feeding their network out of India from multiple cities in the country. The announcement came on a day when IndiGo signed an MoU with Airbus to convert 30 options for A350 to firm orders. The airline had placed an order for 30 A350s with options for 70 more in 2024. IndiGo has been in partnership with Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic since 2022, allowing Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic passengers to access more than 30 points in India. With announcements to fly to Manchester and Amsterdam, along with plans to fly to London and Copenhagen in due course of time, the airline will offer 30 points within Europe on KLM via Amsterdam, to the United States and Canada from Amsterdam with Delta and KLM and flights to the United States from Manchester on Virgin Atlantic. This opens up new opportunities for passengers from India to fly to Europe and North America via European hubs and possibly mimics the Jet Airways partnership with KLM, when it had a scissor hub at Amsterdam. Delta Air Lines plans to resume services to India with non-stop flights between Atlanta and Delhi in future. This will pave the way for IndiGo to offer passengers more options. A European hub in the making? IndiGo will start inducting its own A350s starting 2027. The current MoU translating to partnership could lead to IndiGo having a larger presence in Europe with opportunities to transfer passengers at multiple hubs, akin to what Jet Airways used to do in its heyday. At its peak, Jet Airways operated to Amsterdam from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru with its own flights onwards to North America along with a partnership with KLM. Also Read: Why is IndiGo adding widebody planes now? IndiGo has been expanding one step at a time, starting with flights in Indias vicinity, followed by longer destinations like Bali, Istanbul and Nairobi. This marks the third phase after which IndiGo may look at non-stops to North America. The new partnership will allow it to serve cities within Europe with non-stop flights and feed from Indian cities as well as South East Asia, and carry passengers onwards to smaller cities in Europe and to North America. More than passengers The MoU signed by these airlines creates a framework for deeper collaboration between the carriers which could include network, loyalty, cargo, sales and more on the engineering side, where Air France-KLM have a large presence and also operate the A350s. This could come in handy for IndiGos A350 induction in 2027. Win-Win? Air India currently dominates the capacity (by Available Seat Kilometres) from India and leads the Star Alliance charge, supported by carriers like equity partner Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa and others. Kingfisher Airlines was on the verge of joining OneWorld before it went down, while Jet Airways had strong partnerships with Skyteam but never formally joined the Alliance. With the partnership in Europe, IndiGo will offer passengers connections beyond Europe and help make a mark in the connecting market, along with helping find strengths for the newly launched flights to Europe. Also Read: Pakistan airspace closure: Delhi airport and Air India to see maximum impact as first cancellations trickle in Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that Indian carriers have placed orders for over 2,000 new aircraft, hailing the rapid growth that the Indian aviation sector witnessed over the past decade. Addressing the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the plenary session of the World Air Transport Summit (WATS), the Prime Minister said that the aviation sector in India is at an inflection point. Indian airlines have also placed orders for over 2,000 aircraft, marking just the beginning of a transformative journey. India's aviation sector is now at an inflection point, ready to soar to new heights, he said. This journey will not only transcend geographical boundaries but also drive progress towards sustainability, promote green mobility, and ensure equitable access for all, he added. Unprecedented change PM Modi further pointed out the success of the Indian aviation sector, which has undergone an unprecedented change. The last IATA AGM in India was held 42 years ago in 1983. The PM remarked that a lot has changed over these past four decades. In the last few years, India has witnessed an unprecedented transformation in the field of civil aviation. Today, India is the world's third-largest domestic aviation market, he said. A lot has changed in India in these four decades. Today's India is more confident than ever before. In the global aviation ecosystem, we are not just a huge market but also a symbol of policy leadership, innovation and inclusive development, Modi added. UDAN success Prime Minister Narendra Modi also highlighted the success of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme launched by his government in 2016 in order to make the aviation industry more accessible to the public. The success of the UDAN scheme is a golden chapter in Indian civil aviation. Under this scheme, more than 15 million travellers have availed affordable air travel, he said. Indias airlines continue to achieve double-digit growth, with 240 million passengers flying annually, surpassing the total population of most countries worldwide, he noted. Modi said the projection is that by 2030, this number is expected to reach 500 million passengers. Modi noted that India had only 74 operational airports in 2014, which has more than doubled to 162. He invited global companies to invest in the country's fast-growing aviation sector, citing a streamlined regulatory framework, ease of compliance, and a simplified tax structure. The subscription for the 3B Films IPO commenced on Friday, May 30, and will conclude on Tuesday, June 3. 3B Films IPO price band has been set at 50 per equity share with a face value of 10 each. Bids must be placed for a minimum of 3,000 equity shares and can be made in multiples of 3,000 equity shares thereafter. Established in 2014, 3B Films Limited is located in Vadodara, Gujarat, and specializes in the production and supply of Cast Polypropylene (CPP) and Cast Polyethylene (CPE) films for packaging and thermoforming applications. The company's product range includes transparent, metalized, white opaque, retort, anti-fog, easy-peel, and EVOH films. With cutting-edge facilities and a commitment to research and development, it distinguishes itself in the specialty films market by offering innovative packaging solutions worldwide. As part of the 3B Group, the company emphasizes continuous research and development to create specialty products. They serve various industries, particularly in food packaging, and have successfully broadened their export reach to regions including Dubai, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and several African nations. Following their initial success, the company invested in new imported machinery, enabling them to double their production capacity to 750 MT per month (9,000 MT annually). The addition of an MDO unit has further expanded their product range. By December 2024, the company reported operational revenue of 5,679.94 Lakhs, an EBITDA of 1,196.36 Lakhs, and a profit after tax of 420.19 Lakhs. 3B Films IPO subscription status 3B Films IPO subscription status is 1.62 times, on day 3, so far. The retail portion was subscribed 2.42 times, and NII portion was booked 83%. The company has received bids for 1,03,89,000 shares against 64,08,001 shares on offer, according to data on chittorgarh.com 3B Films IPO subscription status was 86% on the first bidding day, and the issue was booked 1.34 times on the second bidding day. 3B Films IPO details 3B Films IPO consists of a fresh issue of 35,52,000 equity shares, aggregating to 17.76 crore, and an offer for sale (OFS) of 31,98,000 equity shares aggregating up to 15.99 crore. The proceeds from the IPO will be directed towards capital expenditures, assisting with working capital requirements, and fulfilling general corporate aims. The subscription period is set to close on June 3rd, 2025. Nirbhay Capital Services Private Limited will serve as the Lead Manager for the Offer, while Maashitla Securities Private Limited will function as the registrar for the offering. Ashokbhai Dhanjibhai Babariya, Chairman and Managing Director of 3B Films Limited, mentioned that the money raised through the IPO will be used for capital expenses tied to our expansion through forward integration, to guarantee working capital for our operational development, and for overall corporate needs. With a well-established facility in Vadodara and a strong focus on recyclable and sustainable film solutions, we align with the industry's shifting expectations regarding both performance and environmental accountability. Also Read | IPO Watch: Coal India arms BCCL files draft papers with SEBI for IPO 3B Films IPO GMP today 3B Films IPO GMP today or grey market premium was 0, which meant shares were trading at their issue price of 50 with no premium or discount in the grey market according to investorgain.com According to the grey market activities over the past nine sessions, the IPO GMP trends downward today and is anticipated to decrease further. The lowest GMP recorded is 0.00, while the highest is 3, as per experts from investorgain.com. 'Grey market premium' indicates investors' readiness to pay more than the issue price. Leela Hotels IPO Listing: The equity shares of Schloss Bangalore Ltd, the operator of the luxury hotels brand The Leela in India, are set to make their debut in the Indian stock market today after the recently concluded initial public offering (IPO). Leela Hotels IPO listing date is today, 2 June 2025. Leela Hotels IPO was launched on May 26 and concluded on May 28. The IPO allotment was fixed on 29 May, and the Leela Hotels IPO listing date is today, 2 June 2025, Monday. Leela Hotels shares will be listed on both the stock exchanges - BSE and NSE. Trading Members of the Exchange are hereby informed that effective from Monday, June 2, 2025, the equity shares of Schloss Bangalore Limited shall be listed and admitted to dealings on the Exchange in the list of B Group of Securities, a notice on BSE said. Also Read | Leela Hotels IPO vs Aegis Vopak Terminals IPO: What GMP signals ahead of listing Leela Hotels shares will be a part of Special Pre-open Session (SPOS) on Monday, June 2, 2025, it added, and the shares will be available for trading from 10:00 AM. Ahead of the Leela Hotels IPO listing today, investors watch out for the trends in grey market premium (GMP) to gauge the estimated listing price. Leela Hotels IPO GMP today and analysts signal a flat listing for the shares. Leela Hotels IPO GMP Today Leela Hotels shares were showing a muted trend in the unlisted market ahead of listing. Leela Hotels IPO GMP today is 2 per share, according to stock market experts. This signals that in the grey market, Leela Hotels shares are trading higher by 2 than their issue price. Leela Hotels IPO Listing Price Considering the Leela Hotels IPO GMP today, the estimated listing price of Leela Hotels shares would be 437 apiece, which is at a 0.5% premium to the IPO price of 435 per share. Analysts also expect Leela Hotels share price to see a muted listing in the Indian stock market today. Leela Hotels shares listing is being done on BSE and NSE. Given the decent subscription levels amid muted market sentiment, we anticipate a flat listing for Schloss Bangalore Ltd (Leela Hotels). However, we view the company as a compelling long-term play, aligned with the structural growth in Indias luxury hospitality and tourism sector, said Prashanth Tapse, Sr VP Research Research Analyst at Mehta Equities Ltd. Mahesh Ojha, AVP - Research and Business Development, Hensex Securities Pvt Ltd, noted that the weak demand and flat activity suggest that any listing gains are likely to be limited. Although the company has demonstrated strong revenue growth and healthy profit margins, the elevated pricing leaves little scope for immediate upside. After the listing, investors should approach cautiously those interested in long-term investment and confident in the luxury hotel sectors potential can consider holding, but short-term investors should moderate their expectations. Its advisable not to chase listing gains and instead focus on the companys fundamentals before making further decisions, Ojha said. Leela Hotels IPO Details The bidding for Leela Hotels IPO commenced on May 26 and concluded on May 28. The IPO allotment date was 29 May, and Leela Hotels IPO listing date is today, 2 June 2025. Leela Hotels shares will be listed on BSE and NSE. Leela Hotels IPO price band was set at 413 to 435 per share. The company raised 3,500 crore from the public issue which was a combination of fresh issue of 5.75 crore equity shares worth 2,500 crore and an offer-for-sale (OFS) component of 2.30 crore shares aggregating to 1,000 crore. The public issue was subscribed 4.50 times in total, NSE data showed. The public issue was subscribed 0.83 times in the retail category, 7.46 times in the Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIB) category, and 1.02 times in the Non Institutional Investors (NII) segment. JM Financial, Bofa Securities India, Morgan Stanley India Company, JP Morgan India, Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, Axis Capital, Citigroup Global Markets India, IIFL Securities, Motilal Oswal Investment Advisors, SBI Capital Markets are the book running lead managers of the Leela Hotels IPO, while Kfin Technologies is the IPO registrar. Neptune Petrochemicals IPO allotment status: Following the closure of Neptune Petrochemicals' initial public offering (IPO), investor focus has shifted to the allotment of shares, which is expected to be finalised on Monday, June 2. Neptune Petrochemicals IPO, which was open for subscription from May 28 to May 30, received a decent demand. Although the trend in the grey market remains subdued. Neptune Petrochemicals IPO allotment Investors looking to check the allotment status of Neptune Petrochemicals IPO can do so either on the website of the registrar or NSE. Steps to check IPO allotment on registrar's website Since MUFG Intime India Private was the registrar to the IPO, investors can check the IPO allotment by following these few easy steps: - Head to their website by clicking on this link: https://in.mpms.mufg.com/ - Select 'public issue' among the three options, and a new page will open up - From the dropdown, select the company name: Neptune Petrochemicals - Select either PAN, Application number, Client ID or Account number - Enter the details pertaining to the option selected - Hit on 'Submit' Steps to check IPO allotment on NSE's website To check the allotment status on NSE, follow these few steps: - Visit NSEs allotment status page: https://www.nseindia.com/invest/check-trades-bids-verify-ipo-bids - Select Equity & SME IPO bid details - Choose the company name - Enter PAN and application number details - Click on 'Submit' Neptune Petrochemicals IPO details The 73.20 crore SME IPO of Neptune Petrochemicals was entirely a fresh issue of 60 lakh shares. Priced at 122 a piece, investors could apply for one lot of 1,000 shares and its multiples thereof. At the end of the three-day bidding process, the issue was booked 4.11 times, with the qualified institutional buyers portion subscribed 7.12 times and the non-institutional investors quota subscribed 2.91 times. The company plans to use the funds raised for funding capital expenditure requirements towards the installation of additional plant, machinery and related infrastructure, and purchase of office, apart from funding working capital requirements and general corporate purposes. Also Read | 3B Films IPO fully subscribed led by retail investors on the second bidding day Neptune Petrochemicals IPO GMP The grey market premium (GMP) for Neptune Petrochemicals IPO was nil. This means shares of Neptune Petrochemicals are trading at par to the IPO price and are likely to list at 122 on NSE SME. Neptune Petrochemicals IPO shares are expected to make their stock market debut on June 4. Neptune Petrochemicals is involved in the manufacturing and trading of bitumen and bitumen-derived products. Its products are mainly used in road construction and industrial applications. The companys shares have surged over 50% in the past year, delivering returns that have far outpaced the BSE Smallcap Indexs 11%, on the back of a string of strong quarterly performances. It has posted consistent growth in both revenue and net profit over the last four quarters, helped by its content solutions business. But the story runs deeper. The stock has delivered a staggering 1,000% return over the past five years, turning early investors into big winners. The companys strategic alignment with long-term trends transforming the global learning and content ecosystem has catapulted the stock into a league of its own, far beyond what earnings growth alone can explain. So, whats driving this rally? And more importantly, can the company sustain the momentum as it targets the next phase of growth? In the sections that follow, we break down MPS growth drivers, emerging opportunities, and the challenges the company must navigate as it aims for its ambitious FY28 revenue target. We also examine how it is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to sustain momentum and what that means for investors going forward. 50-year-old legacy meets innovation For the uninitiated, MPS is a business-to-business learning and platform solutions company powering education and research for companies. It has over five decades of experience in publishing outsourcing, three decades in eLearning, and 25 years in platform innovation. It is a combination of various leading institutions: Macmillan (1970), Tata Interactive Systems and an independent platform (Stanford, 1995). It is also present in 15 countries, with key markets being North America, Europe, Middle East, India, and Asia Pacific. Today, the company operates across three core segments namely content, platforms, and eLearning with content contributing over 50% to its revenue. In the content segment, the company offers comprehensive solutions from content creation and development to editorial, design, and production. It serves some of the worlds leading publishers, learning companies, corporate clients, libraries, and aggregators via this segment. In the platform segment, it offers configurable SaaS products that support the entire content lifecycle. MPS has established itself as a pioneer in this space with a suite of robust platforms, including DigiCorePro, Insight, Impact Vizor, Sigma, Scolaris, THINK, and Mag+. These tools help clients manage complex content workflows efficiently and at scale. In the eLearning segment, MPS provides cutting-edge, custom learning solutions such as web-based tutorials, simulation and game-based learning, AR/VR modules, microlearning nuggets, motion graphics, and consulting services. From distressed buys to growth-focused deals Inorganic growth has been a significant growth driver for MPS in the past decade. The company has made seven acquisitions over eight years, with the largest being the acquisition of AJE (American Journal Experts) in 2024. It has also allowed it to reduce its revenue concentration to the top 10 customers from 75% in fiscal year 2014 to less than 50% by 2025. However, as most of these acquisitions were not very profitable initially, the company did not derive enough value from them until 2020. The company has recently reconsidered its acquisition strategy. It plans to shift from acquiring distressed assets to acquiring growing entities that can contribute to the profitability quickly. A key filter in this new approach is alignment with AI and technological innovation, ensuring that acquired companies bring in strategic AI capabilities that complement MPSs long-term roadmap. The company intends to maintain a standard run rate of one or two acquisitions every year in FY26 and beyond, which are not expected to require equity fundraising. To stay prepared for any large acquisitions, the company has secured an enabling resolution for fundraising via qualified institutional placement (QIP). This provides optionality for pursuing transformative deals in the 300-700 crore range and allows the company to pursue deals it might not have been able to finance solely through internal accruals and comfortable debt levels. High growth, healthy margins underscore MPS strong five-year run Over the last five years, MPS has exhibited a strong turnaround in its financial performance on the back of an increase in demand for its services. The companys revenue has grown at a CAGR of 17%, more than doubling from 332 crore in FY20 to 727 crore in FY25. Net profit also has grown in tandem, rising from 60 crore to 149 crore over the same period, showcasing consistent profitability. Margins have shown a steady improvement as well. Operating profit margin of the company has grown from 24% in FY20 to 29% in FY25, reflecting better cost efficiencies and improved scale. Similarly, net profit margin has risen from 18% in FY20 to consistently stay above the 20% mark. This improved profitability is reflected well in its return ratios. The companys return on equity (RoE) stands at a robust 25.9% as of FY25, indicating a sharp enhancement in shareholder value creation. Return on capital employed (RoCE), also is significantly high at 35.3%, supported by the companys lean capital structure. On the balance sheet front, MPS has maintained a strong foundation. The companys borrowings have remained minimal, indicating a deliberately debt-light strategy. At the same time, it has judiciously expanded its asset base. Fixed assets have grown from 115 crore in FY20 to 346 crore in FY25, indicating significant capital investment. The company has also paid consistent dividends to shareholders. MPS 4-year average dividend payout ratio stands at 73%, indicating that the company returned a significant portion of its profits to shareholders, while its 4-year average dividend yield stands at 3.7%. While the yield has moderated to 2.92% in FY25, this has been largely due to rising share prices rather than lower payouts. The stock is also on the radar of super investors. As per the latest shareholding pattern data, investor Mukul Agrawal holds a 4.5% stake in MPS, underscoring institutional and high-net-worth interest in the company. Tapping into a $600 billion opportunity with AI at the core The content industry is currently experiencing powerful structural tailwinds driven by the rising adoption of AI/ML technologies and automation. With the opportunity pegged at $600 billion, the scope for growth is vast, particularly for players such as MPS. To capitalize on this opportunity, the company is positioning itself as a frontrunner in digital learning by embedding AI at the core of its business strategy. Areas such as real-time translation, intelligent language editing, content generation, and accessibility services are already seeing strong demand, and MPS plans to capitalize on these trends by broadening its portfolio of AI-enabled solutions. Its research and development hub, MPS Labs, is at the forefront of this effort, leveraging AI, machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), and cloud-based technologies to develop tools that support the entire content lifecycle. It also plans to launch a dedicated AI and data practice unit by FY26. This unit will deliver market-facing, AI-driven solutions and is expected to function as a parallel revenue engine, reinforcing MPSs long-term growth strategy. Management remains confident that these AI-driven initiatives will scale meaningfully in the years ahead. MPS' vision for FY28 While being a market leader in the $600 billion digital learning and content solutions space may seem far-fetched for MPS at this stage, the company has set its sights on a more near-term, yet ambitious goalreaching 1,500 crore in revenue by FY28. Management views this target as well within reach, given the vast opportunity the sector presents. At the heart of this roadmap is the companys "Going Gestalt" strategy. The strategy is an integrated, principle-driven approach designed to unlock synergy across its business segments and make MPS greater than the sum of its parts. To achieve its targets, MPS is relying on several strategic growth levers. The company is targeting an organic growth rate of 1012%, supported by focused investments in new capabilities and expansion of high-potential accounts. It also plans to focus on expanding Strategic Customer Partnerships (STAR accounts), with a goal to increase the number of STAR accounts to 100 by the end of FY25. This strategy is expected to bring significant progress in organic growth and margins. Product innovation is another critical focus area. In 2025, MPS plans to launch enhanced versions of its SaaS offerings to further boost its recurring revenue base. Finally, the company plans to pursue its updated acquisition strategy that extends its geographic footprint and market presence. Priority regions include India, the Middle East, Australia, China, Brazil, and South Korea. The acquisition of AJE is expected to play a significant role in accelerating progress toward the companys Vision FY28. What could derail the momentum? While MPS has delivered strong growth over the last five years, several structural challenges remain. The company faces client concentration risk as it derives all its revenue from the publishing industry, with a significant portion coming from its top five clients who contribute around 36% to the companys total revenue. This heavy dependence on a few clients increases its vulnerability to contract losses or budget cuts. Additionally, it also faces concentration risk with respect to geographies. A large chunk of the companys revenues comes from specific geographies (45% from North America and 28% from the UK/Europe). Any economic slowdown in these regions could materially impact performance. There is already a slowdown underway in the US and Europe, with projections pointing to weak or very weak growth in 2025. This could weigh on the companys financial performance. The IT industry, too, is facing headwinds across several key areas including hiring, revenue growth, and discretionary spending which could further impact business momentum. Conclusion MPS has quietly transformed itself from a niche content player into a high-growth, high-margin digital solutions company. Over the past few years, it has steadily scaled its capabilities across digital learning, AI-driven platforms, and enterprise solutions. For investors with a long-term horizon, the stock presents a compelling bet, offering a rare combination of profitability and innovation-led growth. However, valuations appear stretched. The stock is currently trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 31x, nearly double its 10-year average historical P/E of 16.4x, suggesting that much of the optimism may already be priced in. Investors should be mindful of the risks, as any slowdown in growth or external headwinds could lead to sharp price corrections given the high valuation. Ayesha Shetty is a research analyst registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India and a certified Financial Risk Manager. Disclosure: The author does not hold shares in any of the companies discussed. The views expressed are for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult a financial professional before making investment decisions. Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty 50 ended the week on a cautious note amid global trade tensions and domestic policy uncertainty, marking a second straight week of consolidation. The Nifty 50 closed at 24,750.70, down 0.33%, while the Sensex fell 0.22% to 81,451.01. Sectoral performance was mixedPSU Banks led with a 2.88% gain, while metal, PSE, and auto indices declined 1.69%, 1.14%, and 0.98%, respectively. Two stock recommendations for today by MarketSmith India: APAR Industries Ltd (current price: 8,114) Why its recommended: Consistent financial growth, diverse business segments Key metrics: P/E: 39.13 | 52-week high: 11,779.90 | Volume: 59.71 crore Technical analysis: Trendline breakout Risk factors: Raw material price volatility, cyclicality of end-user industries Buy at: 8,114 Target price: 9,450 in three months Stop loss: 7,420 Also Read: This textile stars rally masks a margin meltdown. Should investors be worried? ITC Hotels Ltd (current price: 216.50) Why its recommended: Strong post-demerger performance, asset-light expansion strategy. Key metrics: P/E: 169.76 | 52-week high: 223 | Volume: 224.78 crore Technical analysis: Retest of trendline breakout Risk factors: Cyclical nature of the hospitality industry, intense competition Buy at: 216.50 Target price: 255 in three months Stop loss: 199 Top three stocks recommended by Ankush Bajaj: HDFC Bank Ltd (current price: 1945) Why its recommended: The stock has shown a strong rebound from support levels and, on the lower time frame, has given a consolidation breakout, which indicates the start of a new trend and suggests a potential for further upside. Key metrics: Resistance level: 1,975 (short-term target) | Support level: 1,924 (pattern invalidation level) Pattern: Consolidation breakout on lower timeframe with sustained price action RSI: Bullish on both daily and lower timeframes, confirming strength in the breakout Technical analysis: The breakout from the consolidation zone on lower timeframes, combined with improving RSI and price strength, points to a continuation of the bullish trend. Sustaining above 1,945 increases the probability of achieving the projected target. Risk factors: A breakdown below 1,924 could invalidate the bullish breakout. Broader market corrections or sector-specific weakness may also affect price action. Buy at: 1,945 Target price: 1,975 in 45 days Stop loss: 1,924 Also Read: FMCG stocks face margin pressure. Heres why Tata Steel Ltd (current price: 161) Why its recommended: The stock is in an uptrend and is currently trading at a major demand zone between 161 158. A bounce back is expected from this level, suggesting a potential for further upside. Key metrics: Resistance level: 167 171 (short-term target zone) | Support level: 158 (pattern invalidation level) Pattern: Pullback setup from demand zone in ongoing uptrend RSI: Bullish reversal expected from oversold zone on lower time frames, indicating early signs of strength Technical analysis: The stock is approaching a key support area within an ongoing uptrend. The confluence of the demand zone and oversold RSI on lower timeframes increases the likelihood of a bounce toward 167 171. Risk factors: A breakdown below 158 could invalidate the bullish setup. Broader market weakness or unexpected sector pressure could affect price movement. Buy at: 161 Target price: 167 171 in 45 days Stop loss: 158 Also read: This textile stars rally masks a margin meltdown. Should investors be worried? Union Bank Ltd (current price: 146.80) Why its recommended: The stock is showing strength in an ongoing uptrend and has taken support near 145 levels. On the lower time frame, it is forming a bullish structure, indicating the potential for a quick upward move. Key metrics: Resistance level: 151 153 (short-term target zone) | Support level: 144 (pattern invalidation level) Pattern: Support-based entry in bullish continuation setup RSI: Bullish on lower timeframes with rising momentum, supporting the price action Technical analysis: Union Bank has maintained higher lows and is showing signs of fresh momentum from the support zone. Sustaining above 146.80 may trigger a move toward the 151 153 zone. Risk factors: A breakdown below 144 could negate the bullish view. Broader market volatility or sector rotation could limit upside. Buy at: 146.80 Target price: 151 153 in 45 days Stop loss: 144 Stocks to trade today as recommended by Trade Brains Portal Pidilite Industries Ltd (Current price: 3,125) Target price: 3,650 in 16-24 months Stop-loss: 2,862 Why its recommended: Pidilite is a pioneer in consumer and specialty chemicals in India and the market leader in the adhesives and sealants industry. It offers a diverse product range, including adhesives, sealants, waterproofing solutions, construction and automotive chemicals, arts and crafts products, industrial resins, organic pigments, polymers, and more. As of FY25, the company has 68 manufacturing units, with over 1,300 SKUs exported annually and more than 60 distribution centers across the country. It has some popular brands in its portfolio, like Fevicol, M-Seal, Fevi kwik, Dr Fixit, Roff, and more. The company has consistently achieved a consolidated net sales growth of 11% CAGR over the past decade. The company has managed to improve its Ebitda margin, which has been in a steady upward trend over the last 10 years, rising from 16% in FY15 to 23% in FY25. Moreover, net sales for FY25 stood at 13,094 crore, up by 6% from 12,337 crore in FY24. EBITDA stood at 3,013 crore in FY25, a growth of 11% from 2,707 crore in FY24. Profit before tax and exceptional items for FY25 stood at 2,848 crore, growing by 16% YoY. Profit after tax for FY25 was at 2,096.17 crore as against 1,747.42 crore in FY24, recording a growth of 20%. The company has a diversified portfolio, which currently caters to various industries like infrastructure, real estate, packaging, paper, leather, paints, and more. It is venturing into high-growth industries like electronics, EVs, and semiconductors. It has an exclusive partnership with CollTech Group, which has extensive experience in providing electronics adhesive solutions. This partnership may become a good synergy between both companies to expand their presence further in the electronics sector. Additionally, Brand like Roff has a lot of room for growth due to growth in the tile market, which stood at 43,000 crore as of FY24 and is expected to reach 62,000 crore by 2027. Key growth drivers for the company are penetration in rural and semi-urban markets and international expansion through various business models. On a macro view, the specialty chemicals market in India is expected to grow faster than China, increasing its market share from 3-4% in 2021 to 6% by 2026, as per a Crisil report. Risk Factor: A significant portion of raw materials is exposed to crude oil price volatility. Key elements like vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), synthetic resins, and other derivatives are crude oil-based and are used by the company. The company has international subsidiaries in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and African countries, which are prone to geopolitical and economic uncertainties and volatility in input costs. Cipla Ltd (Current price: 1,463) Target price: 1,690 in 12 months Stop-loss: 1,345 Why its recommended: Cipla is a global pharmaceutical company with more than 85 years of experience. It supplies branded and generic medicines to more than 170 countries globally. The company is well diversified in both geographic presence and product offerings. It offers more than 1,500 products in 65 therapeutic categories, with more than 50 dosage forms covering a wide spectrum of diseases. The companys Indian business accounts for 42% of Ciplas revenue and grew at a healthy 7% YoY as of FY25. Cipla is the largest pharmaceutical company in India by volume. It has 26 brands that earn more than 100 crore in revenue. One of its brands, Foracort, became the 1st brand to cross 900 crore in the history Indian pharmaceutical market. In FY25, Cipla saw a growth of 8% YoY in its income from operations at 27,548 crore, with an Ebitda growth of 14% at 7,128 crore. Their Ebitda margin grew from 24.5% in FY24 to 25.9% in FY25, and the return on invested capital (ROIC) grew to 33% from 31% last year. Cipla recorded a profit after tax (PAT) growth of 28%, from 4,106 crore in FY24 to 5,273 crore in FY25, with their PAT margin expanding from 16.1% to 19.1% now. Ciplas R&D investment stood at 1,524 crore, which is 5.5% of revenue. The companys total debt has been reduced from 559 crore in FY24 to 438 crore in FY25, and it has been maintaining a healthy cash balance of 10,807 crore as of FY25. Consumer health brands such as Nicotex, Omnigel, and Cipladine ranked no. 1 in the consumer health market. Ciplas One Africa business, constituting 14% of revenue, grew at 12%, and the emerging markets and Europe business, which accounts for 12% of revenue, saw a growth of 15%. Cipla's North America business, contributing 29% of total revenue, grew marginally by 3% and secured drug approvals from ANDA & NDA for Lanreotide Injection, Nilotinib, and Nano Paclitaxel. Total ANDA & NDA portfolio and pipeline as of FY25 stood at 284, with 109 under approval and tentatively approved categories. Ciplas branded prescription business continued to outpace the market growth in key chronic therapies like respiratory, anti-infectives, urology, and cardiac. Trade Generics is back on a growth trajectory with 19 new launches in FY25, anchor brands of the subsidiary Cipla Health Limited continue to grow bigger. The company is focused on expanding its pipeline, with key respiratory, peptide, and complex generic assets in progress, and several launches expected between FY26 and FY28. Cipla has made many strategic alliances throughout the year, which have accelerated its inorganic growth. Risk Factor: Cipla operates in a highly regulated industry, and any changes in regulatory norms or failure to comply with existing norms could impact its operations. Additionally, any interruptions in the supply chain and non-compliance with required quality norms by vendors can disrupt its manufacturing process, leading to product shortages and a material adverse impact on the reputation and revenues. Additionally, the US president's recent plan to cut down drug prices in the country could impact the revenues of Cipla, as the company generates 29% of its revenue from North America as of FY25. Raja Venkatraman has recommended the following two stocks: Shaily Engineering Plastics Ltd CMP: 2,016.20 | Target: 2,2502,350 | Stop Loss: 1,850 | Time Horizon: 1 Month Shaily Engineering Plastics Ltd is navigating global trade headwindsincluding the reimposed 26% Trump-era tariffsby doubling down on supply chain partnerships, innovation, and a premium product strategy. The company's Q4 FY25 performance underscored its adaptability, with total income rising 27.7% year-on-year to 217.83 crore, operating profit up 75.7% at 43.39 crore, and net profit surging 47.9% to 28.59 crore. Technically, Shaily has held firm through recent volatility, forming higher lows and consolidating between 1,400 and 1,950. A bullish breakout in late April, supported by volumes, suggests upside potential toward the 2,250 2,350 range. Traders may consider long positions above current levels or on dips toward 1,900, with a stop-loss below 1,850. Elgi Equipments Ltd CMP: 535.20 | Target: 615 | Stop Loss: 490 | Time Horizon: 1 Month Elgi Equipments Ltd, a key player in air compressors, is adapting to sectoral consolidation and global trade challenges by scaling operations, enhancing efficiencies, and diversifying into premium segments. Its Q4 FY25 revenue rose 15% to 993 crore, while net profit jumped 34% year-on-year to 102 crore, thanks to proactive cost and pricing strategies that offset export tariffs. After a sharp correction post-December highs, the stock formed a double bottom near 100 and has rebounded strongly, crossing the Ichimoku Cloud and key resistance at 500. A breakout above the neckline, rising volumes, and strengthening momentum indicators point to further upside. Investors can consider long entries above CMP or on dips toward 505, targeting 615 with a stop-loss below 490. Ankush Bajaj is a Sebi-registered research analyst. His registration number is INH000010441. Raja Venkatraman is co-founder, NeoTrader. His Sebi-registered research analyst registration no. is INH000016223. MarketSmith India: Trade name: William O'Neil India Pvt. Ltd; Sebi-registered research analyst registration number: INH000015543 Trade Brains Portal is a stock analysis platform. Its trade name is Dailyraven Technologies Pvt. Ltd, and its Sebi-registered research analyst registration number is INH000015729. 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. On Friday, 30 May, the Indian stock market opened with a slight gap-down and slipped further in the morning as selling pressure persisted. The Nifty tested the 24,700 level during the session but found some support there. However, instead of recovering, the market moved sideways for the rest of the day, showing signs of indecision and lack of buying interest. Top three stocks recommended by Ankush Bajaj for 2 June: HDFC Bank Ltd (current price: 1945) Why its recommended: The stock has shown a strong rebound from support levels and, on the lower time frame, has given a consolidation breakout, which indicates the start of a new trend and suggests a potential for further upside. Key metrics: Resistance level: 1,975 (short-term target) | Support level: 1,924 (pattern invalidation level) Pattern: Consolidation breakout on lower timeframe with sustained price action RSI: Bullish on both daily and lower timeframes, confirming strength in the breakout Technical analysis: The breakout from the consolidation zone on lower timeframes, combined with improving RSI and price strength, points to a continuation of the bullish trend. Sustaining above 1,945 increases the probability of achieving the projected target. Risk factors: A breakdown below 1,924 could invalidate the bullish breakout. Broader market corrections or sector-specific weakness may also affect price action. Buy at: 1,945 Target price: 1,975 in 45 days Stop loss: 1,924 Tata Steel Ltd (current price: 161) Why its recommended: The stock is in an uptrend and is currently trading at a major demand zone between 161 158. A bounce back is expected from this level, suggesting a potential for further upside. Key metrics: Resistance level: 167 171 (short-term target zone) | Support level: 158 (pattern invalidation level) Pattern: Pullback setup from demand zone in ongoing uptrend RSI: Bullish reversal expected from oversold zone on lower time frames, indicating early signs of strength Technical analysis: The stock is approaching a key support area within an ongoing uptrend. The confluence of the demand zone and oversold RSI on lower timeframes increases the likelihood of a bounce toward 167 171. Risk factors: A breakdown below 158 could invalidate the bullish setup. Broader market weakness or unexpected sector pressure could affect price movement. Buy at: 161 Target price: 167 171 in 45 days Stop loss: 158 Union Bank Ltd (current price: 146.80) Why its recommended: The stock is showing strength in an ongoing uptrend and has taken support near 145 levels. On the lower time frame, it is forming a bullish structure, indicating the potential for a quick upward move. Key metrics: Resistance level: 151 153 (short-term target zone) | Support level: 144 (pattern invalidation level) Pattern: Support-based entry in bullish continuation setup RSI: Bullish on lower timeframes with rising momentum, supporting the price action Technical analysis: Union Bank has maintained higher lows and is showing signs of fresh momentum from the support zone. Sustaining above 146.80 may trigger a move toward the 151 153 zone. Risk factors: A breakdown below 144 could negate the bullish view. Broader market volatility or sector rotation could limit upside. Buy at: 146.80 Target price: 151 153 in 45 days Stop loss: 144 Market wrap The Nifty 50 ended 82.90 points lower, down 0.33%, at 24,750.70 on 30 May. The BSE Sensex fell by 182.01 points or 0.22% to close at 81,451.01. The Bank Nifty managed to recover slightly and closed 203.65 points higher, up 0.37%, at 55,749.70. Among sectors, PSU Banks stood out with a gain of 2.88%, followed by the banking index up 0.37% and the finance index, which rose 0.08%. On the other hand, metal stocks were under pressure, with the index falling 1.69%. The PSE index was down 1.14%, while the auto index slipped 0.98%. In stock action, Eternal jumped 4.35% as buyers remained active. SBI gained 1.87% on continued strength in the banking space. HDFC Bank also moved up 0.90% due to positive sentiment around large private lenders. Among the top losers, Bajaj Auto declined 3.01% as investors booked profits. Hindalco fell 2.54% amid weakness in metals. Shriram Finance dropped 1.98% following recent gains. Nifty technical analysis: Daily & hourly The Nifty experienced another day of consolidation, ending in the red with a loss of 83 points. On the daily charts, it has been trading within a narrow range of 24,500 to 25,000 for the past ten sessions. The daily momentum indicator is steadily approaching the equilibrium line, indicating that this consolidation phase may be nearing its end and could soon give way to an upward move. The 20-day moving average at 24,692 is currently acting as a strong support level, and a breach below this could result in a decline towards 24,400. On the upside, the immediate resistance lies between 24,850 and 24,900, and a move above this zone could trigger a rally towards 25,100. View Full Image Source: TradingView From a technical standpoint, the Nifty is trading above both the 20-day moving average (24,692) and the 40-day exponential moving average (24,275). However, the daily momentum indicator has shown a negative crossover, suggesting some caution. View Full Image Source: TradingView On the hourly chart, the Nifty is trading below the 20-hour and 40-hour exponential moving averages, which are placed at 24,769 and 24,793, respectively. Interestingly, the momentum indicator on the hourly chart has shown a positive crossover. Market breadth was negative for the day, with 1,300 stocks advancing and 1,597 declining on the National Stock Exchange. Ankush Bajaj is a Sebi-registered research analyst. His registration number is INH000010441. 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 guarantee 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. Stocks to buy under 100: After showcasing a strong rally on Friday, the Indian stock market lost momentum and ended lower in the first session of the June 2025 series. The Nifty 50 index ended 82 points lower at 24,750, the BSE Sensex finished 182 points lower at 81,451, while the Bank Nifty index added 203 points and closed at 55,749. Trading volumes on the NSE cash market were sharply higher by 57% compared to the previous session, mainly due to MSCI rebalancing-related trades. For the week, the Nifty registered a minor decline of 0.33%. The Mid-cap and small-cap indices once again showcased their outperformance relative to the benchmark, though they, too, ended marginally lower. The Nifty Midcap 100 Index fell by a mere 0.06%, while the Nifty Small-cap 100 Index corrected by just 0.03%. Market breadth turned negative, with declining stocks outpacing advancing ones, as indicated by a BSE advance-decline ratio of 0.84. Stock market today On the Indian stock market's outlook today, Siddhartha Khemka, Head of ResearchWealth Management at Motilal Oswal, said, "We expect markets to maintain their positive momentum in June on the back of strong Q4 GDP numbers, hopes of RBI rate cut, and consistent institutional inflows." Speaking on the outlook of the Nifty 50 today, Shiju Kuthupalakkal, Senior Manager of Technical Research at Prabhudas Lilladher, said, "The Nifty 50 index witnessed another session of consolidation near the 24,700 to 24,800 zone and with the bias maintained intact, can expect for further rise once a decisive breach above the 25,000 zone is confirmed, with upside targets of 26,300 and 27,200 levels achievable in the coming days. As mentioned earlier, on the downside, the 24,500 zone is positioned as the important and strong support level which needs to be sustained to maintain the overall bias intact." "The Bank Nifty index witnessed a significant pullback in the second half to gather strength and closed near the important hurdle at the 55800 zone with bias improving and anticipating a breakout above the 56,000 zone with strength indicated and can trigger for fresh upside targets of 57,700 and 60,300 in the coming days. As mentioned earlier, the near-term support shall be maintained near the 54500 zone, which needs to be sustained as of now," said Shiju Kuthupalakkal. Vaishali Parekh's stock recommendations today 1] HCC: Buy at 34, Target 40, Stop Loss 32. Mehul Kothari's stocks to buy today 2] Central Bank of India: Buy near 38.80, Target 41.50, Stop Loss 37; and 3] Delta Corp: Buy at 92, Target 96.50, Stop Loss 89.50. Sugandha Sachdeva's share to buy under 100 4] Dhanlaxmi Bank: Buy at 31, Target 34.90, Stop Loss 28.80. Anshul Jain's intraday stock for today 5] Sterlite Technologies: Buy at 71.50, Target 80, Stop Loss 68 (Closing Basis). Everyone dreams of hitting that multibagger jackpot . The hunt never really stops. But when those massive returns come from penny stocks, it feels all the more thrilling. Often ignored and flying under the radar, penny stocks rarely make headlines for doubling or tripling in value. And over the past year, quite a few of these tiny stocks have done just that, delivering over 100% returns and grabbing attention across Dalal Street. Sure, they come with high risks and wild swings, but their sharp rallies are a sign that investors are actively chasing hidden gems, whether its a turnaround story, a niche play, or a rising trend. As we look ahead to 2025, here are a few such penny stocks that have already made a splash and might just be worth keeping an eye on. #1 Nagarjuna Agri Tech The company is engaged in the field of floriculture, such as cultivating and selling roses. Its based near Bangalore, Karnataka. The company produces 11.25 million (m) cut roses to suit the international market. The company is exporting cut roses to Europe and Middle Eastern markets in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In the last one year, the stock has delivered a jaw-dropping 335%. Whats really caught investors' attention is the sharp rise in promoter holding, a classic sign of insider confidence. From just 31.45% in September 2024, promoter stake surged to 53.8% in December, and further to 60.4% by March 2025. That kind of buying usually speaks louder than words. And theres a bigger story playing out here. As per an IBEF-backed Ernst & Young report, the global agritech industry is set to grow at a solid 12.1% CAGR between 2020 and 2027. With rising demand in India and abroad, agritech is quickly becoming a popular choice for investors. The companys presence in this space could make it one to watch as the sector heats up. #2 IMEC Services IMEC Services was formerly known as Ruchi Strips & Alloys. The company is in the business of management and consultancy services related to IT, engineering, and technical fields, as well as trading various goods. In the last one year, the stock has skyrocketedrallying more than 900%. A key reason behind this sharp rise could be the companys turnaround in profitability. In the September 2024 quarter, although revenue dropped to 12 million from 70 million, what stood out was a turnaround to a net profit of 5 million, compared to a net loss of 23 million in the previous year. The momentum continued in the December quarter, where revenue climbed to 15 million (up from 4 million YoY), and net profit surged sharply to 9 million, reversing a 12 million loss. #3 Chandrima Mercantiles The company tradees in a variety of products, including building materials, yarn, jute, jewellery, and ornaments. Currently, its focus is on trading textiles, gold, silver, jewellery, bullion, and related items. In the last one year, the companys share price has surged over 210%. A factor behind the strong rally has been its steady revenue turnaround in three consecutive quarters. Its revenue jumped from 20 million in the June 2023 quarter to 62 million in the June 2024 quarter. This continued with 81 million in September 2024 and 61 million in December 2024, marking three back-to-back quarters of strong revenue performance. The net profit also mirrored this positive trend, with 6 million and 7 million in the June and September quarters, and 4 million in December, matching last years numbers. Recently in May 2025, the company approved a 1:10 stock split,where one existing equity share of face value 10 will be split into ten new equity shares of face value Re 1 each. The process is expected to be completed within six months post-shareholder approval. Conclusion Who would not want to convert a small investment into a big profit? Penny stocks giving multibagger returns can be exciting, but they come with a lot of risk. These are usually small, lesser-known companies that do not receive much attention, and that is why they can surprise on the upside. But this also means that they are less stable than most companies. If you are considering investing in multibagger penny stocks, it's crucial to do thorough researchlook into the company's fundamentals and management quality. Investors should evaluate the companys fundamentals, corporate governance, and valuations of the stock as key factors when conducting due diligence before making investment decisions. Happy Investing. Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such. This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com Benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, wrapped up last week on a cautious note, marking a second straight week of consolidation, influenced by persistent global trade tensions and uncertainty around upcoming domestic policy decisions. By weeks end, the Nifty closed at 24,750.70, and the Sensex settled at 81,451.01. Today, we have picked two stocksone from the chemical sector and the other from the pharmaceutical sector. Stocks to trade today as recommended by Trade Brains Portal Pidilite Industries Ltd (Current price: 3,125) Target price : 3,650 in 16-24 months : 3,650 in 16-24 months Stop-loss : 2,862 : 2,862 Why its recommended: Pidilite is a pioneer in consumer and specialty chemicals in India and the market leader in the adhesives and sealants industry. It offers a diverse product range, including adhesives, sealants, waterproofing solutions, construction and automotive chemicals, arts and crafts products, industrial resins, organic pigments, polymers, and more. As of FY25, the company has 68 manufacturing units, with over 1,300 SKUs exported annually and more than 60 distribution centers across the country. It has some popular brands in its portfolio, like Fevicol, M-Seal, Fevi kwik, Dr Fixit, Roff, and more. The company has consistently achieved a consolidated net sales growth of 11% CAGR over the past decade. The company has managed to improve its Ebitda margin, which has been in a steady upward trend over the last 10 years, rising from 16% in FY15 to 23% in FY25. Moreover, net sales for FY25 stood at 13,094 crore, up by 6% from 12,337 crore in FY24. EBITDA stood at 3,013 crore in FY25, a growth of 11% from 2,707 crore in FY24. Profit before tax and exceptional items for FY25 stood at 2,848 crore, growing by 16% YoY. Profit after tax for FY25 was at 2,096.17 crore as against 1,747.42 crore in FY24, recording a growth of 20%. The company has a diversified portfolio, which currently caters to various industries like infrastructure, real estate, packaging, paper, leather, paints, and more. It is venturing into high-growth industries like electronics, EVs, and semiconductors. It has an exclusive partnership with CollTech Group, which has extensive experience in providing electronics adhesive solutions. This partnership may become a good synergy between both companies to expand their presence further in the electronics sector. Additionally, Brand like Roff has a lot of room for growth due to growth in the tile market, which stood at 43,000 crore as of FY24 and is expected to reach 62,000 crore by 2027. Key growth drivers for the company are penetration in rural and semi-urban markets and international expansion through various business models. On a macro view, the specialty chemicals market in India is expected to grow faster than China, increasing its market share from 3-4% in 2021 to 6% by 2026, as per a Crisil report. Risk Factor: A significant portion of raw materials is exposed to crude oil price volatility. Key elements like vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), synthetic resins, and other derivatives are crude oil-based and are used by the company. The company has international subsidiaries in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and African countries, which are prone to geopolitical and economic uncertainties and volatility in input costs. Also Read: FMCG stocks face margin pressure. Heres why Cipla Ltd (Current price: 1,463) Target price : 1,690 in 12 months : 1,690 in 12 months Stop-loss : 1,345 : 1,345 Why its recommended: Cipla is a global pharmaceutical company with more than 85 years of experience. It supplies branded and generic medicines to more than 170 countries globally. The company is well diversified in both geographic presence and product offerings. It offers more than 1,500 products in 65 therapeutic categories, with more than 50 dosage forms covering a wide spectrum of diseases. The companys Indian business accounts for 42% of Ciplas revenue and grew at a healthy 7% YoY as of FY25. Cipla is the largest pharmaceutical company in India by volume. It has 26 brands that earn more than 100 crore in revenue. One of its brands, Foracort, became the 1st brand to cross 900 crore in the history Indian pharmaceutical market. In FY25, Cipla saw a growth of 8% YoY in its income from operations at 27,548 crore, with an Ebitda growth of 14% at 7,128 crore. Their Ebitda margin grew from 24.5% in FY24 to 25.9% in FY25, and the return on invested capital (ROIC) grew to 33% from 31% last year. Cipla recorded a profit after tax (PAT) growth of 28%, from 4,106 crore in FY24 to 5,273 crore in FY25, with their PAT margin expanding from 16.1% to 19.1% now. Ciplas R&D investment stood at 1,524 crore, which is 5.5% of revenue. The companys total debt has been reduced from 559 crore in FY24 to 438 crore in FY25, and it has been maintaining a healthy cash balance of 10,807 crore as of FY25. Consumer health brands such as Nicotex, Omnigel, and Cipladine ranked no. 1 in the consumer health market. Ciplas One Africa business, constituting 14% of revenue, grew at 12%, and the emerging markets and Europe business, which accounts for 12% of revenue, saw a growth of 15%. Cipla's North America business, contributing 29% of total revenue, grew marginally by 3% and secured drug approvals from ANDA & NDA for Lanreotide Injection, Nilotinib, and Nano Paclitaxel. Total ANDA & NDA portfolio and pipeline as of FY25 stood at 284, with 109 under approval and tentatively approved categories. Ciplas branded prescription business continued to outpace the market growth in key chronic therapies like respiratory, anti-infectives, urology, and cardiac. Trade Generics is back on a growth trajectory with 19 new launches in FY25, anchor brands of the subsidiary Cipla Health Limited continue to grow bigger. The company is focused on expanding its pipeline, with key respiratory, peptide, and complex generic assets in progress, and several launches expected between FY26 and FY28. Cipla has made many strategic alliances throughout the year, which have accelerated its inorganic growth. Risk Factor: Cipla operates in a highly regulated industry, and any changes in regulatory norms or failure to comply with existing norms could impact its operations. Additionally, any interruptions in the supply chain and non-compliance with required quality norms by vendors can disrupt its manufacturing process, leading to product shortages and a material adverse impact on the reputation and revenues. Additionally, the US president's recent plan to cut down drug prices in the country could impact the revenues of Cipla, as the company generates 29% of its revenue from North America as of FY25. Also Read: JK Lakshmis ambitious targets are not without obstacles Market Recap 30 May 2025 On Friday, Nifty 50 closed at 24,750.70, down by 82.9 points, or -0.33%, with an RSI of 55.52 and above the 20/50/100/200 EMA in the daily time frame. The BSE Sensex closed at 81,451.01, down by 182.01 points, or -0.22%, with an RSI of 55.26, and above all four EMAs. Nifty PSU Bank was among the top gainers, closing at 6,976, surging by 195.30 points, or 2.88%, with Bank of Maharashtra leading the index, gaining 5.86%. Nifty Metal was one of the major losers, closing at 9,193.25, down by -1.69% or 158.40 points. All the major companies of this index were in red today, with Jindal Stainless Ltd. being the biggest laggard, declining -3.65% and closing at 644.75. Nifty IT was also among the top loser indices, down by -1.15% or 432.40 points, closing at 37,321. All the stocks in this index were in the red today, HCL Technologies being the top loser, down -1.69%, closing at 1,636.6. The Nifty PSE was also in the red today, closing at 9,867.95, down by -1.14% or 114 points. All the major companies were in the red today, with Oil India, RVNL, BHEL, and IRCTC down by more than 2% today. In May, Nifty touched the 25,000 mark after a decline since October 2024. Nifty touched the monthly high of 25,116.25. It grew 416.50 points, or 1.71%, this month. Trade Brains Portal is a stock analysis platform. Its trade name is Dailyraven Technologies Pvt. Ltd, and its Sebi-registered research analyst registration number is INH000015729. 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 guarantee 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. Since the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir last month, Ishaan Kanoi has been discussing politics in his office more than ever. Though Kanoi, 38, usually maintains a neutral" stance at work, the recent tension between India and Pakistan forced him to break the code". I couldnt help myself if anyone spoke against India," says the Mumbai-based sales professional at an IT company. While I usually refrain from contributing to political conversations at work, it felt like the right step to defend my country now. It resulted in several arguments with my colleagues." Unlike Kanoi, Ananya Banerjee has always been vocal about her political ideologies at work. In recent weeks, though, her views have resulted in several confrontations, impacting her relationship with co-workers. She has regrets about this. There have been several repercussionsa former manager blocked me on social media and started to ignore me at work. He was otherwise very appreciative of my achievements but we now dont see eye to eye. Some other colleagues also choose to ignore me," says Delhi-based Banerjee, 41, who works as a content head at an advertising agency. Also read: The power of hitting pause during a workday Given the political upheaval across the world, its becoming harder to keep politics out of the workplace. Organisations and employees are embedded in the larger socio-political structure of the country, so they are impacted by it as well, says Ankita Tandon, associate professor (organisational behaviour and human resources), International Management Institute, Delhi. When people come to work, they bring their whole selves: their professional expertise, their personality, their beliefs, their mental models, and their opinions, she adds. Political discussions are a kind of social interaction. Organisations cannot stop people from engaging in social and political discussions as it might be looked upon as curtailing the right to free speech." Discussing politics at work, however, can be a double-edged sword. While it can serve as an ice-breaker, it can also cause damage. The 2024 State of the Global Workplace Report by analytics and advisory company Gallup, which surveyed 10,000 employees, suggests the same. About 14% of employees in the report claim having political discussions with co-workers has helped them feel included. But 12% say political conversations at work have made them feel uncomfortable. In this scenario, organisations can set guidelines for such discussions to happen within certain boundaries," suggests Tandon. Us Versus Them Talk With social media providing a constant stream of political news and commentary, its natural that employees will bring their political views into the office, says Vigil Thomas, head of human resources at Bengaluru-based digital payments startup, ToneTag. Theres another caveatunchecked political opinions or the spread of misinformation can subtly but significantly, erode team dynamics. What starts as a casual remark or a shared link can quickly spiral into deeper issues that affect trust, collaboration and morale," says Thomas. When employees share biased or inaccurate political content, it can damage their credibility." Heated political discussions also disrupt focus. Meetings can veer off track, time is lost debating unrelated topics, and productivity suffers. Over time, teams may begin to polarise, forming cliques based on ideological alignment. This creates an us versus them" environment, making some employees feel excluded and less likely to contribute. So, how can HR professionals and managers manage political discourse in a way that maintains a professional, productive and respectful work environment? While fostering an inclusive, open environment where employees can freely express themselves is essential, the workplace must also be a space where focus remains on collaboration, performance and shared goals," says Thomas. Disagreements over political views often escalate into personal conflicts." Tandon agrees, adding that verbalisation of strong political opinions and discussion of information circulating on social media can easily escalate into conflicts and confrontations at work. Once that happens, interpersonal relationships can get affected which, in turn, can reflect in changes in team dynamics and team. The involved employees may form negative opinions and lack trust in each other, which is likely to spill over into work. There is a strong relationship between interpersonal relationships at work and team cohesion, happiness, satisfaction and performance," says Tandon. Setting an Example Establishing a strong foundation starts with setting clear guidelines about workplace behaviour during the onboarding process, suggests Thomas. Emphasise the importance of maintaining respect for differing views while making it clear that political discussions should not overshadow professional responsibilities," he adds. Make sure these expectations are reinforced regularly." The goal is not to silence voices but encourage conversations where diverse perspectives are respected, says Sahil Sharma, global chief human resource officer at RateGain, a global provider of AI-powered travel and hospitality SaaS solutions. The senior leadership must set the tone that the goal is understanding, not persuading. Provide team members with resources on empathetic listening and constructive communication," he adds. In industries where political discourse may be part of the work, such as public policy, social justice, or media, creating designated spaces for employees to express their views is a smart decision. Thomas says, These discussions should be voluntary, structured, and moderated to ensure they remain respectful and productive." Organisations must also communicate to their staff that all political opinions are welcome during interpersonal interactions, says Tandon. However, employees must be willing to be sensitive towards each others viewpoints and emotions, and know when to de-escalate discussions before they become too heated. Organisations must firmly communicate that political opinions should not be entertained during work related discussions," she adds. In any case, leaders and managers should model the right behaviour by staying neutral about politically sensitive topics at work, focusing conversations on shared goals and business objectives rather than personal beliefs, suggests Sharma. Besides, leaders must consider hosting short awareness sessions on digital literacy and responsible information sharing to prevent the spread of fake news," he says. There must also be a mediation mechanism for conflict resolution should any differences in personal opinions lead to interpersonal conflicts. Plus, organisations must create clear guidelines regarding consequences for employees who let interpersonal differences of political opinions seep into workplace coordination and productivity," says Tandon. Lastly, regular training and workshops to foster team trust, open communication and team cooperation across hierarchies can help maintain a positive team environment. Proactive policies and respectful boundaries are essential to keep the workplace focused, inclusive and collaborative," says Thomas. Write to us at feedback@livemint.com Do you contribute a part of your salary to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF)? If yes, you are eligible for life insurance up to 7 lakh under the Employees Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) scheme. In other words, if an EPF member passes away while in service, the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will give their nominees or legal heirs up to 7 lakh, depending on the employees service period and last 12 months of salary. Also, unlike with EPF, in which employees contribute 12% of their basic salary and dearness allowance (PF wages), you dont have to pay any premium for EDLI. Employers contribute 0.5% of each employees PF wages, up to a maximum of 75 per employee per month, to enrol them under EDLI. Employers cannot charge you for this premium or deduct it from your salary. The EPFO recently proposed some changes in the EDLI scheme, which, once implemented, will offer enhanced benefits to thousands of EPF members. Also read | Is EPF advisory the next fintech goldmine? I am an Indian citizen but a resident of Hong Kong and provide China market entry consultancy to various companies in India. I receive consultancy fees from these Indian companies after TDS deduction in India. Am I still required to file an income tax return in India after that? -Name withheld on request As a non-resident providing consultancy services related to China market entry to Indian companies, if your only source of income from India is consultancy fees and the full tax liability has been met through the appropriate TDS in India, then you are not obligated to file an income tax return in India. This applies only if Indian companies deduct TDS at the applicable domestic tax rate of 20% (plus any surcharge and cess), without considering the provisions of the DTAA. However, if you intend to claim the benefits under the India-Hong Kong DTAA, whereunder such consultancy income may not be taxable in India due to the absence of a fixed base or physical presence in India for providing the services, then you will need to file an income tax return in India if your income exceeds the basic exemption limit. To avail the DTAA benefits, you must obtain a Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) from the Hong Kong tax authorities and submit Form 10F along with other necessary documents. I have been an NRI living in the US for the past eight years. I currently own a property in India, where my parents reside. I plan to purchase a second property, which I do not intend to let out, and which my family can use when we travel to India. Will I have to calculate notional rent on this property if it remains unutilised for most of the year? -Name withheld on request Under the Indian income tax provisions, self-occupied property is a concept which refers to house properties that are typically occupied by the owners for residential purpose and therefore, the annual value of such property is considered as nil and not chargeable to tax. This benefit is available on two such house properties. Prior to the Finance Act, 2025, this benefit was available only if the property was actually used by the owner as their residence or if the owner was unable to occupy it due to employment, business, or profession being carried out at another location, and the owner resided at the other location. However, following the 2025 amendment, the requirement to justify the non-occupation due to employment, business, or profession has been removed. Now, a taxpayer, including an NRI residing abroad, can claim the annual value as 'Nil' for up to two properties, regardless of the reason for non-occupation. Accordingly, in your case, you may treat both the houses, where your parents reside, and the second vacant property as self-occupied in your Indian income tax return. Therefore, the annual value of both properties will be considered 'Nil', resulting in no taxable income under the head Income from House Property. However, if you acquire a third property, one of the three will be deemed to be let out, and a notional rental income (based on expected rent) will become taxable in India. The AU Bank Vetta Credit Card continues to provide a suite of benefits and services designed for credit card users in the country. The aim of the card is to provide users with lifestyle perks and reward programmes. This particular credit card is issued by AU Small Finance Bank and is developed to assist frequent travellers and high spending individuals. Let us hence look at the key features, eligibility criteria, application process and fees and charges associated with this credit instrument. Key features of the AU Bank Vetta Credit Card Reward points : You can earn 10 reward points per 100 on utility bill payments you make. Four points per 100 on grocery and departmental store purchases and two points per 100 on other spends. : You can earn 10 reward points per 100 on utility bill payments you make. Four points per 100 on grocery and departmental store purchases and two points per 100 on other spends. Milestone benefits: Vouchers worth 2000 can be received upon spending 30,000 within the first 60 days. Furthermore, additional rewards include Zomato Pro membership if you meet the monthly 50,000 criteria and bonus points on quarterly and annual spend thresholds. Vouchers worth 2000 can be received upon spending 30,000 within the first 60 days. Furthermore, additional rewards include Zomato Pro membership if you meet the monthly 50,000 criteria and bonus points on quarterly and annual spend thresholds. Lounge access : You can also avail one complimentary airport lounge visit per quarter along with two railway lounge accesses per quarter at select stations including stations such as New Delhi and Sealdah in Kolkata. : You can also avail one complimentary airport lounge visit per quarter along with two railway lounge accesses per quarter at select stations including stations such as New Delhi and Sealdah in Kolkata. Insurance coverage: Benefits from air accidents cover up to 50 lakhs along with credit shields up to 2 lakh. Not only this, one can avail purchase protection up to 25,000. Fees and Charges of AU Bank Vetta Credit Card Charge type Details Annual fee 2,999 (waived on spending 40,000 within 90 days) Finance charges 2.99% per month (35.88% per annum) Foreign currency mark-up 2.99% on international transactions Late payment fee As per bank's policy (check official site) Card replacement fee 100 (subject to revision) Note: The features and fees discussed above are illustrative in nature. For the updated terms and conditions refer to the official website of AU Small Finance Bank. Also Read | 10 smart ways to use credit cards without falling into debt Basic eligibility criteria Age : Primary cardholders should be between 21 and 60 years. : Primary cardholders should be between 21 and 60 years. Add-on cardholders: Must be over 18 years. Must be over 18 years. Residency: Applicants must be Indian residents. Process of applying for the AU Bank Vetta Credit Card Heres a simplified 5-step guide to applying for the AU Bank Vetta Credit Card, based on the official AU Small Finance Bank website: Visit the official website: Reach out to the AU Small Finance Banks credit card website page: AU Bank Credit Cards. Select the Vetta Credit Card: Opt for the 'Vetta Credit Card' from the list of all the available credit card options. Click on the 'Apply Now' tab: Select the Apply Now tab on the web page to initiate your application submission. Fill in the application form: Submit the requisite personal details such as name, contact, PAN, Aadhaar details etc., along with other financial details as prompted. Upload required documents: Collect and make sure you submit the necessary documents including proof of address, identity, income etc., to complete the process of application submission. For any related doubts and clarifications you can reach out to the respective customer support team of AU Small Finance Bank. This way you can ensure that you are in a position to make a well thought out decision before applying for the AU Bank Vetta credit card. North Korea's Kim Jong Un administration continues to be in the limelight for its overtly controlling practices. Fresh evidence of Orwellian practices has emerged after a phone smuggled out of North Korea revealed chilling details about how the secretive dictatorship is exercising control over its people. To suppress cultural influence from South Korea and any potential uprising, the North Korean regime is a step ahead and is using modern technology for its draconian clampdown. BBC recently analysed a smartphone smuggled out of North Korea last year. All of these devices do not have access to internet. North Korean government uses language auto corrector to censor common South Korean slangs. The term South Korea is auto-corrected to read puppet state, while oppa, which refer to a boyfriend in South Korea, is replaced with the word comrade" which is more communist-friendly alternative, BBC investigation discovered. South Korea's disturbing clampdown on smartphones The most chilling revelations that have surfaced are that of screenshots every five minutes. In the video, BBC correspondent assessed the smuggled gadget physically, she can be heard saying, The phone is taking screenshot every five minutes or so, but the user can't open these files, only the authorities can so they can see what people are looking at or sharing things they are not supposed to." This shows how North Koreas totalitarian regime is harnessing technology to eliminate influence from the outside world and isolate its citizens to continue its authoritarian rule, the report said. Smartphones are now part and parcel of the way North Korea tries to indoctrinate people, BBC quoted expert in North Korean technology and information, Martyn Williams, as saying. Also Read | North Korea infiltrates US remote jobswith the help of everyday Americans Top military officials from India and Pakistan exchanged warnings at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, billed as Asias premier defence forum, amid heightened tensions between the two sides following last months military confrontation. The longstanding tensions between the two neighbours grabbed attention at the gathering of the top global defence forum held from Friday to Sunday, reported Channel News Asia on Sunday. A Pakistan-based terror group attacked tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on 22 April, killing 26 people. Pakistan has denied involvement. Just as these nations are adjacent geographically, some of their top generals sat in neighbouring conference rooms inside the Shangri-La Singapore, taking part in simultaneous sessions late on Saturday afternoon on topics ranging from defence innovation solutions to regional crisis-management mechanisms. India's red line warning to Pakistan General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, talked about India drawing a new red line of intolerance against terror. Referring to Operation Sindoor, General Chauhan said, What India has done, politically, they have drawn a new red line of intolerance against terror. I hope, this particular operation, it's basically lying in military domain, that should bring about some lessons for our adversary also, and hopefully they learn that this is a limit of India's tolerance (sic), Gen Chauhan said. Also Read | PM Modi to likely flag off first Vande Bharat train to Srinagar this weekend We have been subjected to this proxy war of terror for almost two decades and more, and we lost a lot of people...we want to put an end to it, he said. Operation Sindoor was launched early on 7 May to destroy nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead. All subsequent retaliations to Pakistani offensives were carried out under this operation. The four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan ended with an understanding to stop the military actions on 10 May. Pakistan's damage, destruction response General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Pakistan Armed Forces, warned of what could happen should another clash occur. The strategic stability with the lowering of this threshold to the dangerous levels if next time such a conflict occurs and the cities are targeted first and the borders become irrelevant... there could be a possibility that before the international community intervenes because of the restricted or constricted times window, the damage and destruction may have already taken place, he said at the event. General Mirza told the Channel in a wide-ranging interview that Pakistan is taking on terrorism on its soil and working to tackle cross-border terrorism from groups based in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Mirza said terrorism has cost his country hundreds of billions of dollars and tens of thousands of lives. In the wake of the recent hostilities, both sides have moved from weapons to words, with India dispatching several delegations to visit more than 30 capitals across the world. A similar effort by Pakistan is set to start on 2 June. CDS Gen Chauhan on India's military prowess "India doesn't depend on one nation for its defence needs, said General Chauhan. "It's a number of capabilities which were put together, and most of these capabilities were put to good effects, he was quoted as saying. General Mirza told the Channel that his countrys capabilities include weapons from China and many other places. "I have military equipment from the US. I have military equipment from Turkiye. I have military equipment from Italy. I have military equipment from the UK," he listed. "We have the equipment from all equipment-producing countries." The Chennai court sentenced A Gnanasekaran, the convict in the Anna University sexual assault case, to life imprisonment on Monday. Judge M Rajalakshmi said that the accused must remain in prison for at least 30 years without remission, news agency PTI reported. On 28 May, a Mahila Court in Chennai had pronounced Gnanasekaran guilty in the Anna University woman student sexual assault case, with the prosecution seeking maximum punishment for him. The court awarded sentences in respect of each 11 charges proved by the prosecution against him. The sentences run concurrently, Mahila Court judge Rajalakshmi added, the report said. Also Read | Annamalai whips himself in dramatic protest against Anna University rape case The judge, while convicting Gnanasekaran, said that he sought a lenient sentence claiming he was the sole bread-winner of the family and prosecution objected to it and sought maximum punishment. The Consultant counsel of Gnanasekaran, however, said that they will be appealing the court's sentence. According to a PTI report, BR Jayaprakash Narayanan said, We will be appealing this punishment of 30-year period. We will be going on appeal on the receipt of the judgment documents and valid papers." What is the case? A second-year student of Anna University was sexually assaulted on the Anna University campus in December. After an investigation, the Chennai Police had arrested Gnanesekaran in connection with the case. Also Read | Chennai court finds Biryani vendor guilty in Varsity student sexual assault case The case came to light after the victim lodged a complaint before the All Women Police Station in Kotturpuram in Chennai on 23 December last year. The student alleged that an unidentified man had threatened and sexually assaulted her when she was talking to her friend on campus. The Mahila court framed charges against Gnanasekaran under various sections of the BNS, including sexual harassment, BNSS, IT Act and the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Women Harassment Act. Congress hails the court's sentence Hailing the court's decision, Congress MP Jothimani told IANS, Today, the punishment has been announced 30 years of imprisonment for the culprit. The way justice has been served gives satisfaction not only to me but to every woman in the country, especially because the case was fast-tracked. Political row over Gnanesekaran's connections The sensational case had triggered a political row over Gnanasekaran's alleged connections with the ruling DMK in the state, although the party president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, MK Stalin, had in January said he was only a sympathiser and supporter, and not a member of the Dravidian organisation. After Gnanasekaran was convicted on 28 May, in a post on X, CM Stalin had hailed the state police, investigating officers, and government lawyers for the expeditious verdict in the Anna University sexual assault case. He also slammed the opposition parties, which had made allegations against the ruling DMK over the incident, and said attempts were made to play cheap politics. Covid-19 cases in India: The number of active Covid-19 cases have increased in India, with the country recording a gradual uptick in infections over the past few weeks. As per data by the Union Ministry of Health on Monday, June 2, the number of Covid-19 cases in India is nearing 4,000. Here are 10 things you need to know about the recent Covid-19 surge in India: 1. India reported 203 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, according to health ministry data on Monday. This is a dip from yesterday's numbers, which stood at 363. However, India's active Covid-19 cases have increased to 3,961 as of today. 2. Four new Covid-related deaths have been reported over the past 24 hours, with one each in Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra. In Delhi, a 22-year-old woman who was being treated pulmonary Koch's/ post tuberculosis lung disease/ Bilateral lower respiratory tract infection has died. A 25-year-old man in Tamil Nadu with bronchial asthma and severe acute tubular injury, and incidental Covid positive status has also died. 3. Delhi reported 47 new Covid-19 cases over the past 24 hours, while the total number of active cases now stand at 483. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had last week said that 19 Covid patients are hospitalised in Delhi but urged the public not to panic. 4. Maharashtra saw 59 new cases of Covid-19 over the past 24 hours, with 20 of them being in Mumbai alone. The number of active Covid-19 cases in the state now stands at 494. As many as 369 patients have recovered from the infection amid the recent surge. 5. Amid the recent Covid-19 uptick, Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar on Monday held a meeting to assess the situation in Mumbai. He urged high risk individuals to follow protocols, wearing masks. He also asked them to consider re-vaccination, but reassured that there is no need to panic. 6. As many as 87 new Covid-19 cases have been recorded in Karnataka since Sunday, data showed. This has pushed the state's active Covid cases count to 311, with the positivity rate standing at 17.11 per cent. 7. Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday said that the state is prepared for any eventuality related to Covid-19. This Covid has got mild infections, not very serious impact. But we are alert, and we have ensured that we are ready for any eventuality. All our infrastructure oxygen, beds, ventilators all of them are being updated and ensured that in any emergency, we should have all kinds of provisions. So, that way, we are ready, he was quoted as saying by PTI. 8. West Bengal has meanwhile recorded 44 new Covid-19 cases, officials said on Monday. As of June 2, the total number of active Covid-19 cases stand at 331, with nine patients recovering from the viral infection. Over the past seven days, 319 people in Bengal have tested positive for Covid. 9. The number of active Covid-19 cases in Odisha rose to 15 as three more persons tested positive for the disease, data showed on Monday. The situation is not alarming... it to totally under control. There is no need to panic, the state's Public Health Director Nilakantha Mishra told reporters. Pakistan: Hindu community members in Pakistan's Sindh province staged a protest on Sunday against the illegal occupation of six acres of land belonging to a historic temple in the nation's Hyderabad city. Protesters demanded urgent action against the builders, who are reportedly from the Kashkheli community. They also alleged that the builders also blocked the access points to the Shiv temple, making it difficult for the community to hold its weekly prayer, reported PTI. The protesters, including women and children, came out on the call of the Pakistan Dalit Ittehad (Pakistan Dravid Alliance), an organisation which advocates for the welfare and rights of the Hindu community, mentioned the PTI report. These people have already started illegal construction on the land belonging to the Shiv Temple Shivala in Musa Khatian, Hindu community leader Seetal Meghwar told reporters. No legal action despite written complaint Shiva Kaachi, head of the PDI, expressed frustration over the authorities inaction despite written complaints to the police and district administration. Despite submitting written complaints to the police and district administration, no legal action has been taken. Due to the political influence of the land grabbers, the police are unwilling to remove the encroachments, PTI quoted Shiva Kaachi as saying. The PDI head warned that if the situation remains unresolved, the next phase of protests would move to Hyderabad city in Pakistan, and the community would also seek legal redress through the courts. Protests held in Tando Jam town The demonstration was held in Tando Jam town, located in the Musa Khatiyan district, about 185 kilometers from Karachi. Another leader, Ram Sundar, highlighted the spiritual importance of the land, which also includes a cremation ground. The temple is sacred for us and these builders have started construction on the land surrounding the temple including a cremation ground for the community, Ram Sundar said. Also Read | No air defence guns were deployed within Golden Temple premises, says Army The protest concluded with a sit-in at various locations in the town and a final demonstration in front of the Tando Jam Press Club. With the monsoon season knocking on the doors of the northeast, the states in the region are facing floods, landslides and incessant rain. According to various reports, the incessant rains in Assam, Sikkim, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and other states have raised the water levels of major rivers like Brahmaputra, Pachnoi, Kushiyara, and others. Apart from this, lakhs of hectares of land have been inundated in Assam's Lakhimpur district, while north Sikkim's Lachung and Chungthang towns have been affected the worst. According to a PTI report, which quoted DGP Akshay Sachdeva, 1,678 tourists who were stranded in Lachung and Chungthang towns for several days have been evacuated. But, more than 100 tourists are still stranded in Lachen. Here are a few details: Tripura: In Tripura, schools in Agartala have been converted into relief camps to accommodate affected families. Assam Rifles personnel under Spear Corps rescue victims from inundated areas, during a flood relief operation in Tripura, (ANI Photo) News agency ANI, while quoting the officials, said that a total of 130 families, comprising of 464 refugees, have taken shelter at Ambedkar School. Meanwhile, Vivekananda School is currently hosting 220 refugees. Indian troops of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles carry out flood relief operations. (@Spearcorps via PTI Photo) Assam: According to the flood report of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), more than 3.64 lakh people in 19 districts of the state were affected by the current deluge. The flood waters submerged 758 villages under 54 revenue circles, reported PTI. People use a boat to move to safer areas after heavy rainfall triggered floods in Nagaon district of Assam, Monday, June 2, 2025. (PTI Photo) Districts like Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Sribhumi and others are almost under water. On Monday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited parts of the flood affected areas in Lakhimmpur. A man carries his belongings as he wades through floodwaters after heavy rains in Kampur at Nagaon district, in India's northeastern state of Assam on June 2, 2025. (Photo by Biju BORO / AFP) Sikkim: In Sikkim, Lachung, Chungthang and Lanchen are facing floods, landslides, and extreme damage to roads. Though 1,678 tourists stranded in Lachung and Chungthang towns were rescued, innumerable people are still stuck in many parts of the districts. Rescue operation underway after a landslide hit a military camp at Chhaten in Sikkim. At least three army personnel died and six soldiers went missing in the tragedy. (@trishakticorps via PTI Photo) The BRO are trying their best to restore ne-way vehicular connectivity towards Lachung, Chungthang and Lanchen. Incessant rains and a cloudburst in North Sikkim on the night of 30-31 May causes widespread damage to vital roads & bridges, on Monday. River Teesta swelled 35-40 ft, severing connectivity. (ANI Photo) Manipur: More than 19,000 people have been affected by floods in Manipur as several rivers overflowed and breached embankments due to heavy rainfall, reported PTI. Manipur Fire Service, Assam Rifles, SDRF, NDRF and Indian Army evacuate the stranded medical students and staff amid severe waterlogging following heavy rainfall, at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal East on Monday. (ANI Photo) Authorities stated that at least 3,365 houses have been damaged, 103 localities affected, and 19,811 people hit by floods triggered by torrential rains. While 47 landslides have been reported in different parts of the state. Flood-affected people are moved to safer places through a water-logged road during rains in Imphal East, Manipur, India, June 2, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer Districts like Senapati, Imphal, Imphal East and others are facing severe damage due to incessant rainfall and sudden landslides. Provide assistance, says JP Nadda In the meantime, BJP president J P Nadda on Monday said he has directed the party workers to provide all possible assistance to those affected by floods, landslides and heavy rains in the region. Troops of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles carry out flood relief operations. The army carried out relief works in Tripura, south Assam, and Jiribam in Manipur, rescuing over 100 civilians from inundated areas, in coordination with civil administration. (@Spearcorps via PTI Photo) Priyanka Gandhi condoles death of Army personnel Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday condoled the death of three Army personnel after a landslide struck the military camp at Chaten in Lachen town of Sikkim. In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi said, The news of our soldiers being martyred due to a landslide at an army camp in Sikkim is extremely tragic. May God grant peace to the departed souls and a place at His divine feet. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. "The nation will always remain indebted to our martyrs and their families," the Congress MP said. As per details, 3 army personnel died and 6 others went missing in the 1 June incident. Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said on 1 June that while India is pursuing global free trade agreements, Pakistan, on the other hand, was promoting free terrorist agreeement by hosting top 20 global terrorists. "...We had a very successful presidency of G-20... While we host the G-20, Pakistan hosts the T-20. The top 20 terrorists of the world will be found being hosted by the Pakistan state government. It's their stated policy," Chaturvedi said speaking in London. The 2023 G20 New Delhi summit was the eighteenth meeting of the G20 (Group of Twenty), held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, Delhi on 910 September 2023. The G20 New Delhi Summit was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India's presidency began on 1 December 2022. The Rajya Sabha MP is part of Indian delegation, led by Ravi Shankar Prasad, which also includes BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari, Samik Bhattacharya, Congress MPs Ghulam Ali Khatana and Amar Singh, former Union Minister MJ Akbar, and former Ambassador Pankaj Saran. Right from Osama Bin Laden.... All of you must see the documentary. How he was taken out from Pakistan..... They shake hands with you but bite you in the back, she said. 'Free Terrorist Agreement' Earlier, the all-party delegation interacted with the Indian diaspora at India House in London. During the interaction, the Members of Parliament reaffirmed India's united stance and unwavering commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms. We have just concluded a free trade agreement (FTA) with the UK. We signed with Australia some time ago. We are going to do that with the European Union, and with the USA sometime soon, Chaturvedi said. As many as 26 people were killed and several others were injured in the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on 22 April. Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on 7 May as a decisive military response to the Pahalgam terror attack and targetted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Also Read | Pornographic content in House Arrest on Ullu sparks row India is looking at trade, we are looking at economy, we are looking at commerce, while they (Pakistan) are looking at free terrorist arrangement across the world. That is what we need to expose, she said. Chaturvedi said over 100 terrorists were killed in strikes under Operation Sindoor, warning they could have carried out attacks worldwide, and praised Indias armed forces for their actions. Our armed forces have said over 100 terrorists have died in the strikes. You can imagine these terrorists were capable of carrying out 100 terror activities, not just in India, but across the world, so the world should be thanking the armed forces of India for doing what they did, she said. Our armed forces have said over 100 terrorists have died in the strikes. You can imagine these terrorists were capable of carrying out 100 terror activities, not just in India, but across the world. A Kolkata-bound IndiGo flight had to make an emergency landing at Ranchi after suffering a bird hit mid-air, officials said on Monday. The IndiGo flight, carrying 175 passengers, made an emergency landing at Ranchis Birsa Munda Airport after vultures hit the aircraft, officials said. All the passengers and crew members are safe, PTI reported, quoting an official. However, the official said the Airbus 320 suffered damage near the nose. The vultures hit the IndiGo flight at about a 4,000 feet altitude. An IndiGo flight suffered a bird hit near Ranchi. It was approximately 10 to 12 nautical miles away from here at an altitude of 3,000 to 4,000 feet when the incident occurred, Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi, Director R R Maurya was quoted as saying by PTI. The IndiGo flight was coming from Patna to Ranchi, and the pilot had to make an emergency landing here, Maurya added. The IndiGo aircraft suffered a dent, and engineers are assessing the damage, he said. The aircraft suffered a dent after being hit by a vulture. Engineers are assessing the damage. Another official said that the aircraft, which was coming to Ranchi, was scheduled to go to Kolkata. Also Read | India has fair and balanced approach on bilateral flying rights: IndiGo CEO IndiGo has, however, not made any statement regarding the incident. Second IndiGo aircraft damaged in 15 days This is the second time in 15 days that an IndiGo aircraft has suffered damage due to natural reasons. On 21 May, a Delhi-Srinagar IndiGo flight encountered a sudden hailstorm but landed safely at the Srinagar airport. Officials said the flight, carrying more than 220 people, faced turbulence, prompting the pilot to report the "emergency" to air traffic control at Srinagar. IndiGo flight 6E 2142 operating from Delhi to Srinagar encountered a sudden hailstorm en route. The flight and cabin crew followed established protocol and the aircraft landed safely in Srinagar, the company had said in a statement. TMC leader Sagarika Ghose, who was on the turbulence-hit Indigo flight, termed it a near-death experience. Videos of the moments of turbulence emerged on social media showing panicked passengers praying for their lives as the plane swayed. The aircraft suffered damage due to the hailstorm near its nose. Congress leader Saman Khurshid expressed his concern on Monday over political conflicts back in India amid the country's efforts to address terrorism on a global stage. Khurshid's comments come as he participates in a multi-party delegation visiting various countries to address terrorism and raise awareness about Operation Sindoor. In a post on X, the senior Congress leader said that while India communicates its stance on terrorism globally, some people at home focus on political allegiances instead of unity. When on mission against terrorism, to carry Indias message to the world, its distressing that people at home are calculating political allegiances, Khurshid said. He asked if it was so difficult to be patriotic. Is it so difficult to be patriotic? On Sunday, while addressing a gathering in Kuala Lumpur, Khurshid said that India's all-party delegation shows diversity and unity because it unequivocally condemns terrorism despite being from different parties. India first, says Salman Khurshid Talking to the news agency ANI later, Salman Khurshid addressed the political issue back home. Several opposition leaders have expressed their reservations over the nomination of their leaders for the all-party delegation task. Congress leaders have alleged that the government had not considered their nominees. Also Read | Salman Khurshid claims Article 370 abrogation led to prosperity in Kashmir People are saying, he (Salman Khurshid) is supporting so and so, and he is not supporting so and so; they are supporting the government, etc, Khurshid said. The veteran Congress leader said he had not come abroad to oppose the Centre, but to speak for India. Have I come here to oppose the Government of India? If I wanted to do that, I would stay at home. I have come here to speak for India, whoever speaks for India and in whichever way they speak for India, whatever is said for India, we are here to support, Khurshid said. He said that the all-party delegation is going abroad, keeping India first in mind. Also Read | Cong uses Tharoors own book to slam his praise for Modi Govt over Op Sindoor It is only a short period of 10-12 days, then you have to go back home and do what you are required to do at home. But here for India first, India and only India, Khurshid said. Congress leader reacts Reacting to Salman Khurshid's X post, Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that the all-party delegation is representing India and not the BJP. It is the responsibility of the delegation members to represent their nation. They are not representing the BJP. If any delegation member appreciates or talks about his or her party, that will not be good, he said. It is their duty to expose Pakistan before the world and explain the action taken by our Armed Forces, Alvi added. At least 2,000 alleged illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have been pushed back across the border by Indian authorities since Operation Sindoor began in the early hours of May 7, according to a report. The action was taken following a nationwide verification exercise along the Bangladesh border in Tripura, Meghalaya, and Assam, according to the report in The Indian Express. Also Read | Bangladesh tribunal indicts ex-PM Hasina on mass murder charges The action began along the borders in Gujarat which accounts for half of the illegal immigrants sent back to their country, the report said quoting officials. Among other states, Delhi and Haryana, have also sent back immigrants in large numbers. The immigrants have also been sent back in Assam, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, according to the report. The action is being carried out based on the instructions from Union Ministry of Home Affairs. It is an ongoing process and all states which have cities with significant economic activity are rounding up such illegal immigrants after verification of their documents. A focused effort began in this direction following the Pahalgam attacks in April. Since Operation Sindoor, it has picked up pace, the report quoted an unnamed official. The Process After political changes in Bangladesh in August 2024, on the directions of MHA, the States started a crackdown on illegally staying foreigners in the country. After the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April 2025, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs asked the states to intensify the drive against undocumented migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on 22 May that India has asked Bangladesh to verify the nationality of 2,369 illegal migrants so that they can be deported. The MEA said that some cases have been pending for more than five years. The report said that these illegal immigrants are first taken to the borders from the states in IAF aircraft where these are handed over to the Border Security Force. They are then kept in makeshift camps at the border where they are provided with food and some Bangladeshi currency, if needed, before being sent back to their country, the report said. Because of largescale reports about a crackdown, many illegal immigrants from Bangladesh are voluntarily leaving the country for the fear of being detained, the official said in the report. Operation Sindoor India carried out precision strikes under Operation Sindoor on nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, on 7 May in response to the22 April Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. Following the Indian action, Pakistan attempted to attackIndian military baseson 8, 9 and 10 May. The Pakistani attempts were strongly responded to by the Indian side by inflicting heavy damage to a number of key Pakistani military installations, including air bases, air defence systems, command and control centres and radar sites. The crackdown in Delhi-NCR The process is ongoing in many states. Last week, Delhi Police has said that approximately 900 illegal Bangladeshi nationals residing in the national capital have been identified and will be deported after proper verification. Delhis Special Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch, Devesh Chandra Srivastava, said that the process of deporting undocumented migrants has gained momentum in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. As many as 160 undocumented migrants from Bangladesh were flown on an Indian Air Force (IAF) plane to Agartala from Ghaziabad on 25 May to be sent across to the neighbouring country. The Maharashtra government is also conducting a similar exercise with the Mumbai Police saying last month that about 300 illegal Bangladeshis have been deported in recent times. Maharashtra Police said 766 such illegal immigrants have been arrested so far this year. "Our government will not do injustice to any such family...Our government will not do injustice to anyone except Bangladeshi infiltrators. Action will be taken against those who are eligible for action, the general public will not be harassed," Cabinet Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said. Earlier Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters that India has adopted a new push back strategy to tackle infiltration from Bangladesh. Sarma said the Centre has deported illegal immigrants, including Rohingyas, from different parts of the country, including from the Matia detention centre in Goalpara - one of the largest facilities in the country housing illegal immigrants in the country. On 26 May, Brigadier General Md. Nazim-ud-Daula, director of the Military Operations Directorate of the Bangladesh Army, said at a press conference in Dhaka that push-ins are unacceptable. Our government will not do injustice to anyone except Bangladeshi infiltrators. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to flag off two specially designed Vande Bharat trains connecting Srinagar with Katra in Jammu on Friday, 6 June. The inauguration marks the much-awaited completing of project to link Kashmir with rest of the country through rail link that was initiated 42 years ago. This will be Prime Minister Modis first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after Operation Sindoor India's precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan launched on 7 May in response to the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, will visit Jammu in the first week of June and will inaugurate the first Vande Bharat train to Kashmir, senior BJP leader Ravinder Raina was quoted as saying by local daily Rising Kashmir. Raina, former J&K BJP President is also BJP National Executive Member. Earlier, the inauguration of the much-awaited train was scheduled for 19 April, however, it was postponed dur to bad weather. Three days later Pahalgam terror attack happened in Kashmir. Modi was scheduled to inaugurate the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla-Rail Project (USBRL), the Worlds tallest Chenab Rail Bridge and Anji Khad Rail Bridge on 19 April, besides flagging off the special Kashmir edition of Vande Bharat Express from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station to Srinagar. Raina told the Rising Kashmir news paer that the exact dates of PM Modis visit are being finalised in coordination with security agencies. It is most likely that PM Modi will visit Jammu on June 6, 7, or 8, he said. Modi's scheduled visit to the Union Territory comes shortly after Union Home Minister Amit Shahs two-day tour last week. During the visit, Shah reviewed security arrangements and also visited Poonch where he met victims of cross-border shelling. Special Vande Bharat Express Train The Katra to SrinagarVande Bharat Expresswill have features like heating systems, anti-spall layers, and automatic doors. The train is designed to operate smoothly in cold weather--down to minus 20 degrees Celsius. The Indian Railways had conducted a trial run of the Vande Bharat train from Katra to Srinagar on January 23 this year. The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat will run on the worlds highest railway arch bridge and Anji Bridge constructed on the river Chenab in Reasi district. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla-Rail Project spans 272 km and includes 119 km of tunnels. Two iconic engineering marvelsthe Chenab Bridge, the worlds highest railway bridge, and the Anji Khad Bridge, Indias first cable-stayed railway bridgeare part of this project. The Chenab Bridge is 467 metres high, making it 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Designed to withstand earthquakes up to magnitude 8, the bridge posed significant engineering challenges due to its location in a high-seismic zone. Also Read | Vande Bharat train completes trial run in Jammu and Kashmir | Watch video Approved in 199495 and declared a National Project in 2002, the USBRL has been completed in phases. Key sections such as QazigundBaramulla (2009), BanihalQazigund (2013), UdhampurKatra (2014), and BanihalSangaldan (2020) have already been commissioned. A trial run of MEMU trains was also successfully conducted last year on the electrified ReasiSangaldan section. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, will visit Jammu in the first week of June and will inaugurate the first Vande Bharat train to Kashmir. President Droupadi Murmu on Monday greeted people of Telangana on their statehood day, wishing them to march ahead on the path of progress and prosperity. "Warm greetings to the people of Telangana on Statehood Day! This young State has a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant modern ecosystem of economic and technological development. I wish that the people of Telangana march ahead on the path of progress and prosperity," the President said in a post on X. Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh and accorded statehood on this day in 2014. Chief Minster Revanth Reddy paid floral tributes to martyrs at the Martyr Memorial in Gun Park, Hyderabad, and attended the Telangana Statehood Day event. Watch: Traffic restrictions in place Various traffic restrictions have been put in place between 6 am and 1 pm in view of the State Formation Day celebrations which will be held at Gun Park in Nampally and Parade Ground, a Telangana Today report said. At least 20 locations have been identified by the authorities where are likely to experience traffic congestions: Ravindra Bharathi, AR Petrol Pump, Hyderabad Traffic Police Junction, Chilakalguda X roads, Alugaddabavi X roads, Sangeeth X roads, YMCA X roads, Patny X roads, SBH X roads, Plaza, CTO junction, Brooke Bond junction, Tivoli Junction, Sweekar Upakar junction, Secunderabad Club, Trimulgherry X roads, Tadbund X road, Diamond Point, Bowenpally X road, Rasoolpura, Begumpet and Paradise, the report added. Police Service medals announced The state government on Sunday announced that 486 policemen and other uniformed service personnel would be awarded Police Seva Medals in recognition of their distinguished service, a TOI report said. Also Read | Allu Arjun wins Best Actor for Pushpa 2 at Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2024 In an order, special chief secretary Ravi Gupta said that nine policemen from Greyhounds, an anti-Naxal commando force, had been awarded the Shourya Pathakamu. Celebrations at Legislative Assembly Telangana Formation Day celebrations were held on Monday at Telangana Legislative Assembly in Hyderabad. Telangana Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar unfurled the national flag at the Assembly, news agency ANI said. BJP MLA Paidi Rakesh Reddy, Congress MLA G. Vivek Venkatswamy, Legislative Council Chairman Gutha Sukender Reddy, MLC Vijay Shanti and others participated in the celebration. The visuals showed Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar and Chairman Gutha Sukender offering flowers and paying respect at the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr BR Ambedkar. Errol Musk, the father of Tesla CEO and billionaire Elon Musk, arrived in India on Sunday, June 1, for a five-day visit. He will depart for South Africa on June 6. During his stay, he will provide strategic advisory support to the solar and EV charger manufacturing team at Haryana-based Servotech, aimed at forging partnerships for a green tomorrow. Errol Musk is a part of the global advisory board of homegrown Servotech Renewable Power System Limited, an NSE-listed company, that specialises in developing technology-driven EV charging solutions. As part of his engagement, the company said Errol Musk will "participate in a tour of Servotech's manufacturing facilities in India. He will engage with key government and investor groups through curated roundtable sessions". 'Errol Musk's profound global insights are invaluable' We...welcome Errol Musk to the Servotech Renewable family. His vast experience, profound global insights, and unwavering passion for groundbreaking innovation will be invaluable as we accelerate our mission to forge a greener, smarter future for India and beyond, Managing Director Raman Bhatia stated. Errol Musk is likely to meet policymakers, business leaders, investors and senior bureaucrats from different ministries at a company event today. "(Errol) Musk's itinerary is packed with events aimed at promoting India's strategic push to become a global leader in green technologies and EV charging infrastructure exports," PTI cited people aware of the development, adding that his trips also consists of a visit to Servotech's solar and EV charger manufacturing unit in Safiabad, Haryana, where state ministers and bureaucrats will also be present. On June 5, World Environment Day, Servotech will host a major plantation drive in conjunction with Errol Musk's visit, highlighting the importance of sustainability and promoting a greener environment. It said, Errol Musk, prominent for his contributions to the fields such as infrastructure, technology and sustainable development, will offer strategic advisory support to Servotech's leadership team. Errol Musk to visit Ayodhya? Errol Musk will also visit Ram Janmabhoomi Ayodhya Ram Mandir to seek blessings from Shree Ram Lalla, reflecting his engagement with India's cultural and spiritual heritage," PTI quoted sources as saying. Canada will host the 2025 Group of 7 (G7) Summit between June 15 and 17 two years after the country's diplomatic ties with India downgraded over the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on the Canadian soil. This year, the annual G7 Leaders Summit will be held in Kananaskis, Alberta. While South Africa, Ukraine and Australia have reportedly confirmed invitations from Canada, uncertainty looms over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence at the upcoming summit. The G7 consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US. The President of the European Commission and several other nations are also expected to participate in the summit. Will PM Modi attend G7 Summit in Canada? There has been no confirmation on whether PM Modi will visit Canada for the summit amid diplomatic tensions. However, reports suggest that he is unlikely to travel to the North American country for the summit. A Canadian G7 spokesperson didnt confirm to the Times of India (TOI) late on Sunday if PM Modi was going to be invited. The TOI reported on Monday that "any eleventh-hour invitation is unlikely to be considered by India because of logistical constraints, likely efforts by the separatists to disrupt the visit" and the strained bilateral ties. According to the report, Canada hasnt officially announced the names of the guest leaders for the summit. But Canadian media say Ottawa has invited the leaders of Australia, South Africa, Ukraine and Brazil. PM Modi has been invited to every G7 leaders' summit since 2019. If the reports hold true, this would be the first time that PM Modi wont be attending the meeting of the economically most advanced group of nations. India-Canada bilateral tension The ties between India and Canada took a hit in September 2023, when then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged links between Indian government "agents" and Nijjar's murder. India had then dismissed these claims as absurd and motivated. Two years later, all eyes are on whether the new Canadian government, run by Prime Minister Mark Carney, will extend an invitation to PM Modi for the G7 Summit. PM Modi and Carney have committed to improve the bilateral ties. Sikh groups say Ottawa should not invite PM Modi Canadian media reported that Sikh organisations have been calling on Ottawa to "break with a five-year tradition by not inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit." The Toronto-based Sikh Federation said Canada should withhold any invitation "until India substantially co-operates with criminal investigations in Canada," CBC news reported. Also Read | Khalistan sympathisers organise anti-Hindu parade in Toronto Will Canada invite PM Modi? What Trudeau said last year Last year, the then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked during s press conference if he will invite PM Modi to the G7 Summit next year. Trudeau seemingly dodged the question and said, "I appreciate the keenness with which the Canadians look forward to the next year's G7." "However, Italy continues to be the president of this G7 for the rest of this year and I look forward to working with Prime Minister Meloni and all my G7 partners on the broad range of issues we have talked about...," Trudeau had said. Trudeau's statement had come after he met PM Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy on Friday. The meeting, which took place in Apulia, southern Italy, was the first amid strained diplomatic relations over pro-Khalistani extremism. G7 Leaders' Summit 2025: Which other countries have already been invited by Canada? Global Affairs Canada hasn't released the names of every leader Ottawa has invited to the G7 summit next month. However, these leaders are expected to attend the meet: 1. The South African high commission told The Canadian Press that Canada invited President Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the summit. 2. According to CBC news, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on May 4 that Canada invited him to the summit and he will attend. 3. Canada also invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to attend and he confirmed again this week he will be there. New Delhi: The government is considering extending the deadline for completion of projects under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for solar modules and their parts, said two people in the know of the development, amid delays in technology sourcing and component supply from China. The 19,500 crore scheme for fully and partially integrated solar PV module manufacturing has scheduled commissioning dates from October 2024 to April 2026. Data from the ministry of new and renewable energy showed that around 17.5 GW of module manufacturing capacity had been completed by First Solar, Avaada, Grew, Tata Power Solar and Indosol, out of the awarded 48.3 GW awarded to several companies. Also read: India's power demand to grow 5.5% in FY26: Icra Of the 44.9 GW cell manufacturing capacity awarded to several companies, only 6 GW has been completed by Tata Power Solar and ReNew. In terms of ingot and wafer manufacturing, only 2 GW capacity has been completed by Adani Group, out of the overall 37.5 GW awarded capacity. A key reason of the delay has been lack in supply of components and technology transfer from China, and also the curb on travel of technicians from there," said an industry executive on the condition of anonymity. The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) is in talks with the finance ministry for extension of the deadline after the industry reached out to the government with a similar request. The extension may be given on a case-by-case basis and wherever the issues pertain to supply chain constraints. The talks are underway between MNRE and finance ministry and a final decision is yet to be taken," said one of the two people mentioned above. Also read: BEML plans to develop light infantry vehicles, future-ready combat vehicles Industry players in the past few months have also reached out to the ministry of external affairs (MEA) to relax visa restrictions for technicians which have also impacted the project implementation. But so far the issue has not been resolved amid national security concerns, added the industry executive mentioned above. The MEA has also been given some specific names of required technicians who need to travel, but approvals have not come yet," the executive said. Queries mailed to the MNRE, MEA, Adani Group, Avaada Group, Reliance Industries and Indosol remained unanswered till press time. Another executive with a module manufacturer under the PLI scheme said: India currently remains entirely dependent on imports for equipment and critical materials for module manufacturing and is vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions and price fluctuations. Also, travel restrictions linked to engineering and equipment adversely impacted execution planning leading to further delays. Since most of the critical materials are made to order, any delays in placing orders will push the delivery timelines further." The executive added that current global tariff and trade dynamics have affected supply chains and led to uncertainty in placing orders for equipment leading to delays to timelines. However, Amit Paithankar, whole-time director and chief executive officer, Waaree Energies Ltd, said: Our PLI-supported project is on track. Various stages of the projectincluding engineering and procurementare progressing as planned. While there were some initial delays due to supply chain constraints and the availability of trained manpower (both within India and internationally), these issues have now been addressed and the project is moving forward smoothly." Solar component manufacturing has been a key focus area for the government as India aims to reduce import dependence from China. Although in the past few years India has significantly grown its module and other component manufacturing, the lack of supplies of sub-components and technical assistance from China has in the past couple of years impacted the domestic manufacturing. The government has also imposed tariff and non-tariff barriers on solar modules including high basic customs duty and an Approved List of Models and Manufacturers for supply of modules to government-backed projects. Further, earlier this year, the MNRE said it will introduce a similar list for solar cells starting June 2026. In December 2024, the finance ministry imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty on textured, tempered, coated and uncoated solar glass imports from China in the range of $673-677 per tonne and $565 per tonne for imports from Vietnam. Following this the price of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules increased by 10-12%. Mint in January wrote that the increase in prices has raised concerns among industry participants over project cost escalations and potential delays. Also read: ONGC-led JV resumes production from 'PY-3' offshore field in Cauvery basin Currently, the country has about 80 GW of module manufacturing capacity including those under the PLI scheme, according to MNRE data. India's cell and wafer manufacturing capacity stands at 25GW and 2GW respectively. The Centre aims to have an installed capacity of 100GW for cells and 40GW for wafers by 2030 and also become an export hub. Indian manufacturers are also exporting modules, with the US being the largest procurer. As India aims to become a manufacturing hub for renewable energy components, the Centre is also pursuing direct government-to-government engagements with African and West Asian nations to open new markets for Indian green energy firms and solar equipment manufacturers. New Delhi: The ministry of corporate affairs has reminded business promoters of the penalties for not following an arms-length approach in transactions involving company directors, executives, relatives and firms linked to such persons. Emphasising the importance of adhering to guidelines covering related-party transactions to ensure transparency, fairness, and long-term sustainability of businesses, the ministry said such deals are prone to conflicts of interest. The ministrys reminder comes amid ongoing proceedings against executives of Gensol Engineering Ltd for alleged diversion of funds to various related parties in violation of rules under the Companies Act. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) last week allowed the Central government to attach the bank accounts and lockers of Gensol Engineering, its 10 subsidiaries, and several individuals after investigations by multiple agencies and regulators revealed systemic fraud, Mint reported on 28 May. The ministry stated in its newsletter for April released over the weekend that the company law prescribes penalties for directors or employees who violate provisions regarding related-party transactions. In a listed company, they could face a penalty of 25 lakh. For other companies, penalty is of 5 lakh, the ministry said. As per the Companies Act, the consent of a companys board of directors is required for any contract or arrangement with a related party for any sale or purchase of goods and property, leasing of property, availing of services, or appointing agents for such transactions. Also, subscribing to the shares of a related-party entity requires board approval. However, related-party transactions that happen in the ordinary course of business and are on an arms-length basis do not need board approval, as per law. Also read | Mint Explainer: What are related party transactions and why do they run into controversies Ensuring financial integrity Related-party transactions remain in the focus of regulatory authorities because erring businesses and promoters tend to use this route to divert funds raised for specific purposes to privately held entities linked to or controlled by them. Such illicit fund transfers short-circuit the normal functioning of a company. Given the role of related-party transactions in corporate scandals, audit watchdog National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) keeps special focus on how religiously statutory auditors of a company check such transactions before giving an opinion on the affairs of the company. The ministrys newsletter stated that the legal provisions in the Companies Act on related-party transactions seek to ensure such deals do not undermine investor confidence or the integrity of the financial system. Russia and Ukraine delegations met in Turkey on Monday for their second round of direct peace talks, after the series of intense attacks over the weekend. The meeting between the two delegations lasted over an hour. "The meeting is over. It didn't end negatively," ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli said of the talks at Istanbul's Ciragan Palace, reported AFP. Ukraine's delegation was led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, while Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, headed the Russian side, according to official reports. The first round of talks, held on May 16, also in Istanbul, ended after less than two hours. While both sides had agreed on a large prisoner swap, there was no breakthrough. Attacks over the weekend; Spider Web Ukraine, on Sunday in an unprecedented strike codenamed Spider Web allegedly overseen by President Zelensky struck deep inside Russian territory, attacking four airfields. Zelenskyy said 117 drones were used in the operation in which four military airfields were attacked resulting in the severe damage or destruction of 34% of Russias fleet of air missile carriers, reported AP. Russian Tu-95 aircraft, others damaged Russian aircraft including the Tu-95 and Tu-22 M3 long-range bombers capable of deploying conventional and nuclear weapons as well as the A-50, are reported to have been damaged after Ukraine's drone attack, added Reuters. Among the most striking targets was Belaya air base in the Siberian region of Irkutsk over 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) away from Ukraine. New Delhi: India should grant more market access to American products that do not hurt Indian farmersincluding apples, almonds and pistachiosfor a mutually beneficial bilateral trading arrangement, according to a working paper by NITI Aayog. In turn, India could benefit from greater long-term market access for its shrimp, fish, rice, tea, coffee and rubber, the paper said as the two countries tried to wrap up a bilateral trade agreement. The paper supports a give and take approach that will allow the US to lower its trade deficit with India, while also helping India to secure its farm exports. The paper, co-authored by member Ramesh Chand and senior advisor Raka Saxena, also suggests that India introduce market reforms in the farm sector and work with states in order to improve competitiveness of Indias agriculture exports. Also read: Wheat procurement hits 29.7 million tonnes in 202526, highest in four years amid bumper crop India must pursue a pragmatic mix of tariff adjustments, strategic import liberalization and long-term competitiveness to safeguard its farm sector while preserving strong trade ties with the United States. With calibrated give-and-take, India can prevent large-scale disruption, avoid trade conflict and emerge as a more competitive and resilient agri-export economy," said the latest working paper from the federal policy think tank. It clarifies that authors views are personal. India can consider lower tariffs on agricultural commodities where either domestic production is small or import does not compete with domestic production because of different quality grades and seasons, the report said, citing examples of US apples which sell at a premium price in India and products like almonds and pistachios, the demand for which is met through imports. Apples from the US now attract 50% import duty in India, while pistachios and walnuts attract 30%, the paper pointed out. The authors explained that India, which accounts for over 40% of US imports of frozen shrimp and prawn, its largest source of import, now faces a 26% tariff under the now-suspended reciprocal tariff plan, compared with the earlier zero-duty regime, potentially weakening Indias price advantage if the tariffs are not averted. India is currently in trade talks with the US to avoid the tariffs announced on 2 April and suspended for three months to facilitate talks. Also read: India sets record grain production target of 354.64mt for 2025-26 Ecuador, with a lower share and lower unit value for the commodity per tonne, faces only a 10% tariff under the reciprocal tariffs, positioning it to gain from the shifting trade dynamics with the US, the report pointed out. As a leading supplier with over 40% market share, India stands to lose price competitiveness, especially against countries like Ecuador and Argentina, which now face only a 10% tariff. This shift could lead to reduced demand for Indian shrimp in the US unless exporters absorb part of the cost or reposition toward value-added or certified sustainable products," the report pointed out. Indonesia and Vietnam, however, stand to take a heavier hit from the reciprocal tariffs on shrimp at 32% and 46% respectively. The pause on reciprocal tariffs announced by the US has created a level playing field for now, but exporters are hoping for a permanent solution. We are confident that the negotiations between India and US for concluding a trade agreement would yield fruit quickly and allow import of shrimp into the US without any tariff barriers," said K.N. Raghavan, secretary general of the Seafood Exporters Association of India. Export of processed and value-added seafood has immense potential, Raghavan said, adding that more focus on this area with support from government will lead to higher exports. "We are confident that with support from government and related agencies, we will be able to double the present export turnover of $7-8 billion a year within the next five years," added Raghavan. The report said rice is the second-most important commodity exported by India to the US, commanding 27% share in its rice imports after Thailand, which controls more than half of all US import of rice. India exported rice worth $ 409 million to the US in 2024. India, now faces the threat of a 26% reciprocal tariff on rice, which would be an increase from the otherwise 0.6% tariff. This poses a moderate yet strategic challenge. India still retains a tariff advantage over Thailand, which faces a higher 36% rate. There is ample of scope as well as opportunity for semi-milled rice and basmati rice exports from India to US, if the trade deal is done keeping the interest of Indian farmers," said Satish Goel, president, All India Rice Exporters of India. Also read: India to revamp rice cultivation technique to save water, cut methane emissions Like exports, the composition of Indias agricultural imports from the US has also undergone considerable changes during the last two decades. Edible fruits and nuts have emerged as a dominant item of agricultural imports followed by cotton and beverages and spirits. These three categories constitute 75% of total agricultural imports from US into India, the report said. By turning current challenges into reform opportunities, India can position itself as a global food power in the coming decades, the report said. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, is being held on a range of charges, including assault, use of explosives, and first-degree murder, despite police confirming no deaths in the attack. The incident occurred on Sunday (June 1) at a pro-Israeli rally in Boulder, Colorado, leaving eight people injured, some with burns. Witnesses said Soliman shouted Free Palestine during the assault, which involved a makeshift flamethrower and an incendiary device thrown into the crowd. Four women and four men, aged between 52 and 88, were hospitalised following the attack at the Pearl Street Mall, a busy pedestrian area in Colorado. Suspects motive and confession The FBI stated that Soliman admitted planning the attack for a year, targeting what he described as a Zionist group. After being taken into custody, he reportedly confessed and said he would do it again. The Justice Department filed federal hate crime charges against him on Monday. Immigration status Todd Lyons, acting director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), revealed that Soliman had overstayed a visa and had an expired work permit. He criticised previous immigration screening procedures: There are millions of individuals like this that we are attempting to locate from the past administration that werent properly screened that were allowed in. I will tell you thats a huge effort for ICE right now. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson added that Soliman entered the US in August 2022 and filed for asylum the following month, but remains in the country illegally. Political reactions and security concerns President Donald Trump condemned the attack in a social media post, stating: This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland. Terrorism against Jews does not stop at the Gaza border it is already burning the streets of America, said Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon. US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called it a vile, antisemitic act of terror, while Attorney General Pam Bondi termed it a horrific anti-Semitic attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a vicious terror attack and said, This attack was aimed against peaceful people simply because they were Jews. This is an attack on all of us and we will not stay silent, said the Israeli-American Council in a statement. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller wrote on X: A terror attack was committed in Boulder, Colorado by an illegal alien. He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit. Suicidal migration must be fully reversed. The attack marks a continued rise in violence against Jewish Americans linked to the conflict in Gaza. It comes weeks after the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy aides near Washingtons Capital Jewish Museum, also reportedly motivated by political grievances. Ongoing investigation and court hearing The FBI has raided Solimans home in El Paso County, Colorado, but provided no further details, citing the ongoing investigation. Boulder Police said they plan to hold a press conference Monday to share more information. Soliman is scheduled for a court hearing at 1:30 p.m. U.S. Mountain Time. Context of the attack The violent incident took place as part of a weekly demonstration organized by Run for Their Lives, a group advocating for hostages held in Gaza. It also coincided with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, a period marked by Torah readings and reflection. Beijing, China on Monday hit back at the US, accusing it of seriously violating their recent Geneva trade truce by introducing multiple restrictive measures like AI chip export control guidelines, stopping the sale of chip design software to China and revoking visas for Chinese students. The US has seriously undermined the consensus reached during the China-US economic and trade talks in Geneva by successively introducing multiple discriminatory restrictive measures against China, a spokesperson for the Commerce Ministry said in a statement, refuting President Donald Trump's allegation that China had totally violated agreement with us. The US measures included issuing guidance on AI chip export controls, halting sales of chip design software to China, and announcing the revocation of visas for Chinese students, the spokesperson said. It is significant that China has clubbed the student visas with that of trade and tariff-related issues. About 2.7 lakh Chinese students, the second largest after India, studying in the US scrambled to work out their plans after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on May 29 that America would begin revoking the visas of some Chinese students, including those studying in critical fields and those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party. These actions severely violated the consensus reached during a phone call between the two heads of state on Jan. 17 and gravely harmed China's legitimate rights and interests, the statement said. The US has unilaterally and repeatedly provoked new economic and trade frictions, exacerbating uncertainty and instability in bilateral economic and trade relations, the spokesperson said. Both the US and China agreed to lower tit-for-tat tariffs after talks last month in Geneva. The truce is due to last 90 days to provide time for the top two economies to reach a broader substantive agreement to end their tariff war. Trump imposed 145 per cent of tariffs against the Chinese exports of about USD 439.9 billion and China retaliated with 125 per cent on American exports of about USD 143 billion. China also put restrictions on the exports of rare-earth minerals which are all critical materials for defence, new energy batteries, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing and Beijing has not lifted the curbs. Under the Geneva agreement, the US lowered tariffs imposed on goods from China from 145 per cent to 30 per cent while China dropped its retaliatory tariffs from 125 per cent to 10 per cent. The recriminations began after Trump said on Friday that China had "totally violated its agreement with us" but did not give details. However, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer later said China had not been removing non-tariff barriers as agreed under the deal, according to reports from Washington. Trump stirred further controversy Friday, saying he will no longer be nice to China on trade, declaring in a social media post that the country had broken an agreement with the United States. Hours later, Trump said in the Oval Office that he would speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping and hopefully "we'll work that out", while still insisting China had violated the agreement. "The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US," Trump posted. "So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!" Greer later told TV network CNBC that China was yet to properly roll back other trade restrictions it had levied on the US, BBC reported. Greer said when China responded to the US's tariffs with its own, they also put in place countermeasures such as putting some US companies on blacklists and restricting exports of rare earth magnets, a critical component in cars, aircraft and semiconductors. "They removed the tariff like we did but some of the countermeasures they've slowed on," Greer said. The strong statements from both sides have raised concerns that trade tensions could again escalate between the world's two largest economies despite recent negotiations. The US has unilaterally and repeatedly provoked new economic and trade frictions, exacerbating uncertainty and instability in bilateral economic and trade relations, the spokesperson said. "Instead of reflecting on its own actions, the US has groundlessly accused China of violating the consensus, a claim that grossly distorts the facts. China firmly rejects these unjustified accusations," the spokesperson said. Calling the outcomes of the Geneva talks "hard-won," the spokesperson said, "China is firm in safeguarding its rights and interests, and sincere in implementing the consensus and urged the US to immediately correct its wrong practices, jointly uphold the consensus of the talks, and promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of China-US economic and trade relations. If the US side insists on going the wrong way and continues to harm China's interests, China will resolutely take forceful measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, according to the spokesperson, the spokesperson added. At least six people suffered burns and other injuries on Sunday in the US state of Colorado in what the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) called a "targeted terror attack" against demonstrators seeking the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Here's all you need to know about the Colorado attack: 1. Colorado authorities were quoted by Reuters as saying there were six victims in the attack. They were taken to local hospitals. The wounded victims ranged in age from 67 to 88 years, police said. 2. According to reports, the incident took place at the intersection of 13th Street and Pearl Street on Sunday afternoon (local time) near a demonstration to remember the Israeli hostages who remain in Gaza. It happened near a popular pedestrian mall in Boulder where demonstrators with a volunteer group called 'Run For Their Lives' had gathered to raise visibility for the hostages who remain in Gaza as the war between Israel and Hamas continues to inflame global tensions and has contributed to a spike in antisemitic violence in the United States. 3. Witnesses said the suspect used a "makeshift flamethrower" and threw Molotov cocktails that burned multiple victims during a march in support of Israeli hostages, according to an FBI official, as per CBS News. 4. FBI Special Agent in Charge Mike Michalek said Sunday evening that the FBI has identified the suspect as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman. Police said the male suspect was taken into custody on Sunday after the attack left multiple people with burns in Boulder, Colorado. Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said the man was apprehended following calls to police dispatch of someone with a weapon who was setting people on fire. 5. In one video, apparently of the attack, a shirtless man holding clear spray bottles in his hands is seen pacing as the grass in front of him burns. He can be heard screaming "End Zionists!", "Palestine is Free!" and "They are killers!" towards several people in red t-shirts as they tend to a person lying on the ground. 6. FBI leaders in Washington said they were treating the Boulder attack as an act of terrorism. This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts. We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a post on X. 7. FBI Director Kash Patel immediately labelled it a targeted terrorist attack. Meanwhile, the US Justice Department, which leads investigations into acts of violence driven by religious, racial or ethnic motivations, decried the attack as a needless act of violence, which follows recent attacks against Jewish Americans. 8. Colorado Gov Jared Polis said in a statement that he was closely monitoring the situation, adding that hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. 9. Multiple blocks of the pedestrian mall area were evacuated by police. The scene shortly after the attack was tense, as law enforcement agents with a police dog walked through the streets looking for threats and instructed the public to stay clear of the pedestrian mall. Also Read | Colorado teen fights kidney failure after eating McDonald's Quarter Pounders US President Donald Trump issued a statement on Monday (June 2) following the violent attack on a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado, linking the suspect to former President Joe Bidens immigration policies and renewing his call for stronger border enforcement. Trump strongly condemning the attack on a pro-Israel rally, in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, wrote, Yesterdays horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America. He highlighted what he called the ridiculous Open Border Policy of President Joe Biden, blaming it for the suspects presence in the country. He must go out under TRUMP policy Calling for stronger immigration enforcement, Trump said, He must go out under TRUMP Policy. Acts of Terrorism will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law. He emphasised the importance of secure borders, stating, This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland. Sympathy for victims and Boulder community Trump closed his statement with condolences: My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and the Great People of Boulder, Colorado! The suspect allegedly used a makeshift flamethrower and an incendiary device while shouting Free Palestine. Soliman reportedly planned the attack for a year, targeting what he called a Zionist group. Four women and four men, aged between 52 and 88, were hospitalised following the attack at the Pearl Street Mall, a busy pedestrian area in Colorado. The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, charged with first-degree murder, assault, and the use of explosives. A court hearing is scheduled. The FBI continues to investigate, after a raid on Solimans home. Political backdrop The Boulder attack follows rising concerns over domestic hate crimes and anti-Semitic violence in the US The incident occurred on the Jewish holiday of Shavuot and shortly after another attack outside a Jewish museum in Washington. Political reactions and security concerns President Donald Trump condemned the attack in a social media post, stating: This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland. Terrorism against Jews does not stop at the Gaza border it is already burning the streets of America, said Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon. US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called it a vile, antisemitic act of terror, while Attorney General Pam Bondi termed it a horrific anti-Semitic attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a vicious terror attack and said, This attack was aimed against peaceful people simply because they were Jews. This is an attack on all of us and we will not stay silent, said the Israeli-American Council in a statement. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller wrote on X: A terror attack was committed in Boulder, Colorado by an illegal alien. He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit. Suicidal migration must be fully reversed. The attack marks a continued rise in violence against Jewish Americans linked to the conflict in Gaza. It comes weeks after the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy aides near Washingtons Capital Jewish Museum, also reportedly motivated by political grievances. Context of the attack The violent incident took place as part of a weekly demonstration organized by Run for Their Lives, a group advocating for hostages held in Gaza. It also coincided with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, a period marked by Torah readings and reflection. A man arrested for carrying out a fiery assault on Jewish demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, has been identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45. According to the FBIs Denver field office, Soliman was heard shouting Free Palestine during the attack, which took place during a weekly gathering organised by Run for Their Lives, a group supporting the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Soliman allegedly used a makeshift flamethrower and threw Molotov cocktails at the demonstrators, igniting panic and flames at the scene. He accidentally set himself on fire during the assault and was seen removing his shirt and what appeared to be a bulletproof vest before surrendering without resistance. He was treated at a hospital and booked into county jail on multiple felony charges with bail set at $10 million. Overstayed visa, lived illegally in US According to Fox News, Soliman entered the US through Los Angeles International Airport on August 27, 2022, on a non-immigrant visa. He was legally permitted to stay until February 26, 2023, but later filed a claim and was granted work authorisation by US Citizenship and Immigration Services on March 29, 2023. That status was valid through March 2025. However, the report says his work authorisation lapsed this March, and Soliman had remained in the US illegally for over two months at the time of the attack. Outrage over immigration policy The revelations sparked immediate criticism from political leaders. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller wrote on X: A terror attack was committed in Boulder, Colorado by an illegal alien. He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit. Suicidal migration must be fully reversed. CNN further reported that Soliman was previously denied a US visa in 2005, though it's unclear if he made additional attempts to enter the country before 2022. FBI: Ideologically motivated violence FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino described the act as an act of terror being investigated as ideologically motivated violence. Authorities have not yet formally declared a motive, though Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn acknowledged the inflammatory nature of the assault. Eight victims injured, ranging in age from 52 to 88 Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn confirmed that eight victims four men and four women aged between 52 and 88 were hospitalised with burn injuries ranging from minor to serious. Photos from the scene showed a woman lying curled on the ground, her hair soaked, while a man assisted her with water. These were injuries consistent with people being set on fire, Chief Redfearn said. Although authorities have not formally declared a motive, Redfearn added: It would be irresponsible for me to speculate on motive this early on, while acknowledging the inflammatory nature of the attack. Attack at popular Pearl Street Mall The assault occurred at the Pearl Street pedestrian mall, a busy, tourist-friendly, four-block shopping and walking area in downtown Boulder. Witnesses said the suspect emerged from behind bushes with a flaming weapon and a Molotov cocktail. He went behind some bushes and reemerged with a Molotov cocktail, which caught him on fire as he threw it, said witness Amy Osante, who filmed the incident. Video from the scene showed Soliman shouting and holding two clear bottles of liquid, while bystanders yelled, Hes throwing Molotov cocktails! Attack condemned as antisemitic terrorism The Anti-Defamation League called it a violent antisemitic attack during a weekly solidarity run. US and Israeli leaders joined in condemning the incident: Terrorism against Jews does not stop at the Gaza border it is already burning the streets of America, said Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a vicious terror attack and said, This attack was aimed against peaceful people simply because they were Jews. US lawmakers echoed the outrage. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called it a vile, antisemitic act of terror, while Attorney General Pam Bondi termed it a horrific anti-Semitic attack. This is an attack on all of us and we will not stay silent, said the Israeli-American Council in a statement. The ongoing Gaza conflict The violence occurred amid the continuing Israel-Hamas war, which began after Hamas-led militants killed over 1,200 people and abducted around 250 others during an October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. As of now, 58 hostages are still being held in Gaza, with roughly a third believed to be alive. US President Donald Trump on Monday (June 1) issued a stark warning on his Truth Social platform, claiming that a potential court ruling against his proposed tariff policies could leave the United States vulnerable to foreign economic aggression. Trump framed the issue as one of national survival, warning that a court decision against his proposed tariffs would cripple the countrys ability to respond to unfair foreign trade practices. If the Courts somehow rule against us on Tariffs, which is not expected, Trump wrote, adding, that would allow other Countries to hold our Nation hostage with their anti-American Tariffs that they would use against us. This would mean the Economic ruination of the United States of America! The post appears to be a response to growing legal scrutiny over whether the executive branch has the authority to unilaterally impose sweeping tariffs, especially as Trump has floated a proposal for a universal 10% tariff. Critics have argued that such tariffs could raise prices for American consumers and trigger retaliatory trade measures from allies and rivals alike. But Trump has consistently defended tariffs as a tool to protect American industry and pressure foreign governments. Federal appeals court temporarily reinstates Trumps sweeping tariffs after trade court block A legal tug-of-war over President Donald Trumps sweeping tariff plan intensified, as a federal appeals court reinstated the duties temporarily on May 29 just a day after a lower trade court ruled they were unconstitutional. The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington issued a temporary stay ruling by the US Court of International Trade, which had blocked Trumps Liberation Day tariffs. The appeals court ordered plaintiffs to respond by June 5, and the government by June 9, signaling a fast-moving legal showdown. The lower court had concluded that Trump overstepped his authority by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs, arguing that such powers belong to Congress under the Constitution. Also Read | Trumps presidency has only seen federal spending rise so far Liberation Day tariffs in legal limbo Trumps controversial tariffs, branded as Liberation Day duties, target imports from most US trading partners. Additional 25% tariffs were also levied on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China, citing their alleged role in the flow of fentanyl into the US. US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to speak this week, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The call would come amid rising tensions after Trump accused Beijing of breaching last months tariff rollback agreement, reached in Geneva, and Beijing asserting that Washington has made bogus charges and unreasonably accused China of violating the consensus". Leavitt is the third senior Trump official in recent days to suggest a phone call is imminent. The exact date and time of the conversation remain unconfirmed. US-China temporary tariff truce sparks market rally A temporary US-China agreement to suspend tariffs for 90 days triggered a strong relief rally in global stock markets. Tensions rise despite Geneva truce Earlier this month, the two sides agreed to a temporary easing of trade tensions. China cut tariffs on American goods from 125% to 10% for 90 days, while the US proposed reducing its tariffs on Chinese imports from 145% to 30%. Despite this breakthrough, progress has since stalled amid new disputes, including US export controls on AI chips and the revocation of Chinese student visas. China warned that if the US continues on its current path, it will continue to resolutely take strong measures to uphold its legitimate rights and interests. However, the temporary ceasefire failed to address fundamental US grievances over Chinas export-driven, state-led economic practices. These include issues like forced technology transfers, industrial subsidies, and limited market access for foreign firms. While the short-term tariff freeze offers breathing room, it leaves the more complex issues to be hashed out in future negotiations. Trump accuses China of totally violating trade deal; Beijing rejects allegation Trump reignited the US-China trade war on Friday with an explosive post on Truth Social, accusing Beijing of failing to honor the recent tariff rollback agreement. The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY! Trump wrote. Trump did not provide specific details about how China allegedly broke the deal, but claimed the violations were severe and deliberate. The comments come less than a month after both nations agreed in Geneva to reduce tit-for-tat tariffs for a 90-day cooling-off period. Trump says tariffs crippled Chinese economy In the same post, Trump claimed his aggressive tariffs had left Chinas economy in grave danger, leading to factory closures and unrest. Two weeks ago China was in grave economic danger! The very high Tariffs I set made it virtually impossible for China to TRADE into the United States marketplace, he said. He further claimed that a wave of mild civil unrest in China prompted him to pursue a quick resolution. I saw what was happening and didnt like it, for them, not for us. I made a FAST DEAL with China in order to save them and I didnt want to see that happen, Trump added. Beijing: Trumps claims are bogus and contrary to facts Chinas Commerce Ministry responded swiftly and sharply, rejecting Trumps accusations and reaffirming its commitment to the Geneva consensus. China has been firm in safeguarding its rights and interests, and sincere in implementing the consensus, the ministry said, according to AFP. Beijing also accused Washington of unreasonably blaming China while taking discriminatory actions of its own. Washington has made bogus charges and unreasonably accused China of violating the consensus, which is seriously contrary to the facts, the statement said. We urge the U.S. to meet China halfway, immediately correct its wrongful actions, and jointly uphold the consensus from the Geneva trade talks. Whats next? With President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping expected to speak in the coming days, the future of the trade truce hangs in the balance. Trumps accusations and Beijings stern rebuttal signal that tensions remain high despite diplomatic efforts. Tariff legal battle Separately, the US trade court ruled on Wednesday that President Donald Trump exceeded his legal authority by using emergency powers to impose the majority of his tariffs on Chinese and other foreign goods. The ruling cast doubt on the legality of the broader tariff regime enacted during the Trump administration. Japans top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa is considering returning to the US for another round of trade negotiations this week as expectations mount for a deal as early as this month. Akazawa may leave Japan on Thursday to hold discussions with his counterparts including US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent the following day, TV Asahi reported, citing an unnamed government official. Public broadcaster NHK also said Akazawa is mulling a visit later this week. Akazawa said the fourth round of ministerial-level negotiations last week saw progress toward an agreement, although he refrained from commenting on any specifics. As with other nations, Japan faces a 25% levy on cars, steel and aluminum and a 10% levy on all other goods. The across-the-board tariff is set to rise to 24% in early July barring a deal. The two sides will meet again before the Group of Seven leaders summit between June 15-17 in Canada, according to Akazawa. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and US President Donald Trump are expected to meet on the sidelines. Over the weekend, Trump touted Nippon Steel Corp.s investment into the US Steel Corp. and he announced he will double the levy on steel and aluminum on June 4. The development doesnt appear to bode well for Tokyo in that Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has taken a stance that high tariffs could compromise the Asian nations ability to invest in the US. At a press conference on Monday, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi was asked about the impact of the higher levies on the domestic industry and the trade negotiations. We will closely monitor the specific details of the measures, Hayashi said. In any case, the series of US tariff measures is very regrettable and we will continue to urge the US to review them. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. A US-based school teacher was accused of indulging in sexual activity with one of her students and was arrested just moments after the incident allegedly occurred. Brooke Anderson, 27, is a teacher at Riverview High School in the Hillsborough County. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, she was charged with three counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor two weeks ago. The minor in context was a student of the school, as per Daily Star UK's report. The investigation by the police authorities at Hillsborough was launched almost immediately after the matter came to light. They began investigating Anderson after they were tipped about an inappropriate relationship between the Riverview High School teacher and a male student. Details of the alleged incident The incident happened on the morning of May 16, when Anderson allegedly had sex with the minor student before being taken into custody. The student with whom Anderson is accused of having an inappropriate relationship told police authorities that things started back in September 2024, and the pair had started off by sending each other "sexually explicit text messages". The student also claimed that their "relationship" kept escalating through the weeks leading up to Anderson's arrest. This allegedly involved multiple instances of sexual encounters between Anderson and the minor, as per Daily Star UK. School district assures public The school district has stated that the teacher has been suspended pending termination, but also assured the public that all necessary background checks were completed before she was hired in the first place. Her name was also removed from the Riverview High School shortly after her arrest, according to a People's report. A man who burned a Koran (Quran) outside the Turkish consulate in London was on Monday found guilty by a district court on charges of a religiously aggravated public order offence. The accused, identified as 50-year-old Hamit Coskun, on February 13 shouted "Islam is religion of terrorism" and "Koran is burning" as he set the religious book on fire, reported news agency AFP. Also Read | Court says a Muslim man can have multiple wives on one condition District Judge John McGarva at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court found Coskun guilty of using disorderly behaviour "within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress". Coskun was motivated by "hostility towards members of a religious group, namely followers of Islam", said McGarva. The court has issued a fine of 240 ($325), with a statutory surcharge of 96, on Coskun. "Your actions in burning the Koran where you did were highly provocative, and your actions were accompanied by bad language in some cases directed toward the religion and were motivated at least in part by hatred of followers of the religion," said the judge, according to AFPreport. Turkish-born Coskun, who is currently seeking asylum in the United Kingdom, had denied the charge and posted on social media that he was protesting against the "Islamist government" of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During the case hearing, state prosecutors insisted Coskun was not being prosecuted for burning the book. "He is being prosecuted for his disorderly behaviour in public," said Philip McGhee, for the Crown Prosecution Service, according to the AFP report. The judge also said: "Burning a religious book, although offensive, to some is not necessarily disorderly," according to a Reuters report. "What made his conduct disorderly was the timing and location of the conduct and that all this was accompanied by abusive language. There was no need for him to use the 'F word' and direct it towards Islam," McGarva added. Prosecuted for Blasphemy Coskun's legal fees were paid by the Free Speech Union (FSU) and the National Secular Society, which argued he was essentially being prosecuted for blasphemy, despite Britain's free-speech guarantees. In reaction to the court judgement, the main opposition Conservative Party said on X: "Britain has no blasphemy laws. Yet this verdict creates one de facto." Conservative Karol Nawrocki has won Poland's weekend presidential runoff election, according to the final vote count. Nawrocki won 50.89% of votes in a tight race against liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, who won 49.11%, an AP report said. Exit polls in Poland's presidential runoff on Sunday showed the two candidates in a statistical tie, as the first one showed liberal Trzaskowski with a slight lead over Nawrocki. Two hours later, however, an updated late poll showed Nawrocki winning 50.7%, more than Trzaskowski with 49.3%, the report added. Even though the final result was not clear on Sunday night, with the two locked in a near dead heat, both men claimed to have won in meetings with their supporters in Warsaw. We won," Trzaskowski told his supporters to chants of Rafa, Rafa. Nawrocki, speaking to his supporters at a separate event in Warsaw, said he believed he was on track to win. We will win and save Poland, he said. We must win tonight." Nawrocki received direct help from the White House, having visited Trump briefly in Washington last month. On a visit to Poland last week, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem urged Poles to vote for Nawrocki to ensure Poland enjoys close ties with Trump. The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Sunday discussed the prospects for ways to settle the Russia-Ukraine conflict ahead of second round of direct peace talks in Istanbul on Monday. This comes as Ukraine and Russia sharply ramped up the war with one of the biggest drone battles of their conflict. "The situation linked to the Ukraine crisis was discussed," the ministry said in a statement on its website. "S.V. Lavrov and M. Rubio also exchanged views on various initiatives concerning a settlement of the Ukraine crisis, including plans to resume direct Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul on June 2." Meanwhile, the US State Department said Rubio reiterated President Donald Trumps call for continued direct talks between Russia and Ukraine to achieve "a lasting peace." It also said that during the conversation Rubio expressed condolences over deaths that occurred when two bridges were blown up in separate Russian regions bordering Ukraine. "It was stressed on the Russian side that competent bodies will proceed with a thorough investigation and the results will be published. The guilty parties will be identified and will without doubt be subject to a worthy punishment." Zelenskiy says absolutely brilliant outcome At least seven people were killed and 69 injured when a highway bridge in Russia's Bryansk region, neighbouring Ukraine, was blown up over a passenger train heading to Moscow with 388 people on board. No one has claimed responsibility. Ukraine attacked Russian nuclear-capable long-range bombers at a military base deep in Siberia on Sunday, a Ukrainian intelligence official said, the first such attack so far from the front lines more than 4,300 km (2,670 miles) away. Ukraine's domestic intelligence service, the SBU, acknowledged it carried out the attack, codenamed "Operation Spider's Web," planned for more than a year and a half. The intelligence official said the operation involved hiding explosive-laden drones inside the roofs of wooden sheds and loading them onto trucks that were driven to the perimeter of the air bases. A total of 41 Russian warplanes were hit, the official said. The SBU estimated the damage at $7 billion and said Russia had lost 34% of its strategic cruise missile carriers at its main airfields. Zelenskiy expressed delight at the "absolutely brilliant outcome," and noted 117 drones had been used in the attack. Russia proposed a partial ceasefire lasting "two to three days," at talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on Monday, according to Moscow's chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky. "We have proposed a specific ceasefire for two to three days in certain areas of the front line," Medinsky said, so that commanders can collect the bodies of their soldiers, reported AFP. Also Read | Ukraine, Russia hold talks in Istanbul after launching major attacks The second round of peace talks between the strife-torn nations, hosted by Turkish officials, comes after the first round of negotiations held on May 16, which lasted two hours and concluded with an agreement on a large-scale prisoner exchange but yielded no significant progress toward ending the war. Preparing for new release of prisoners of war The latest talks between Ukraine and Russia lasted an hour. The two sides agreed to swap 6,000 bodies of soldiers killed in action. Speaking in Vilnius, Lithuania, Zelenskyy said both sides exchanged documents through the Turkish side, and we are preparing a new release of prisoners of the war, reported AP. Russia's Tu-95, other aircrafts destroyed; Spider Web The second round of talks between Ukraine and Russia comes a day after the two nations launched massive attacks. The first round of talks, held on May 16, also in Istanbul, ended after less than two hours. While both sides had agreed on a large prisoner swap, there was no breakthrough. Ukraine, on Sunday in an unprecedented strike codenamed Spider Web allegedly overseen by President Zelensky struck deep inside Russian territory, attacking four airfields, and destroying over 40 Russian aircraft. Russian aircraft including the Tu-95 and Tu-22 M3 long-range bombers capable of deploying conventional and nuclear weapons as well as the A-50, are reported to have been damaged after Ukraine's drone attack, added Reuters. Also Read | Multiple explosions heard near Russian Air Base close to Ukraine border | Watch Russia and Ukraine are due to sit down for peace talks on Monday in Turkey's Istanbul for their second round of direct peace talks since 2022, a day after 40 Russian planes were destroyed by a Ukrainian drone attack. Meanwhile, Moscow also pounded Ukraine with missiles and drones. Russian President Vladimir Putin is stalling at the peace table while preparing a new military offensive in Ukraine, two senior US senators warned Sunday, arguing that the next two weeks could shape the future of a war that has already smashed cities, displaced millions and redrawn Europes security map, an AP report said. The first round of talks on May 16 yielded the biggest prisoner swap of the war but no sign of peace - or even a ceasefire as both sides merely set out their own opening negotiating positions, a Reuters report said. A senior manager in eastern China, identified as Lin, was fired in 2015 for allegedly hugging and kissing a female colleague, Shi, on the office stairs. His company claimed it was sexual harassment and misuse of authority. It used CCTV footage as proof to fire the senior manager. Lin denied the charges and dragged the company to court. The first court supported the company, saying Lin broke executive conduct rules. However, Lin appealed. Also Read | Sourav Ganguly biopic in trouble: Cinematographer Pratik Shah likely to exit While the case is from 2017, the summary has now been released by the Shanghai General Trade Union during a labour law awareness campaign. It has not been disclosed why it took such a long time to release the case details. The alleged victim of the case spoke in Lins favour. Shi told the court they used to share a good relationship and Lin never misused power. A higher court ruled in Lins favour, saying the company must rehire him and pay compensation for his lost salary. Lins annual salary was 1.34 crore (1.13 million yuan) per year. The court accepted that the act wasnt harassment. Also Read | Anna University sexual assault case: Convict A Gnanasekaran gets 30 yrs in jail The higher court said the company gave no proof that Lin had gained personal benefits from his position. Also, it noted that the companys call for high moral standards was not an official rule. It ruled Lins firing was not legally justified. The companys name was not revealed during the release of the summary. The marital status of those involved remains unknown as well. What if it happened in India? If a case like Lins happened in India, it would be handled differently. In India, such matters are guided by the POSH Act (2013), which ensures a fair internal investigation before any action is taken. The company must involve an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). It cannot take action on its own, like in China. Also Read | Actor Vijay Raaz acquitted in sexual harassment case If the woman says the act was not harassment or misuse of power, the ICC may close the case without punishment. However, the act could still be seen as unprofessional in Indias conservative work culture. Public affection, even if friendly, may attract criticism. If the man were wrongly dismissed, he could challenge the decision in court. Compensation or reinstatement is possible. However, such cases often take years in India. Chain ki zindagi jio, roti khao; warna meri goli to hai hi." (Live peacefully, eat your bread; else you face my bullets). These words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, broadcast live from the border district Bhuj, went viral globally. His detractors may insist these sound like a punchline from a film, but messages such as this one fill a large section of Indians with pride. Was it a coincidence that it was the day Modi completed 11 years as PM of India? He completes the first year of his third term next week. Also read: This may be the nail in the coffin of Maoist menace On 9 June last year, when Modi assumed office, his opponents felt a golden opportunity was just around the corner to snatch power from the BJP as that party lacked an absolute majority on its own. A year later, that idea seems hollow and distant. Consider the Waqf bill. Despite reluctance from NDA allies, the Janata Dal-United (JD(U)) and Telugu Desam Party, BJP neither backed down nor toned down its aggressive stance. Modi has crafted his communication and administrative style assiduously. In all his years in power since 2001, he has kept using a language that establishes him as a straight-shooting, strong leader among his voters. Traditionalists may frown upon his style, but in a democracy, voters decide whats acceptable or not. What can be a bigger stamp of approval than that Modi hasnt lost a single election to date? But Modi doesnt succeed merely through self-projection. As a Prime Minister, he has convinced citizens that he is committed to their welfare round the clock by initiating landmark moves such as the worlds largest food distribution scheme, a phenomenally expanded road and railway network, the indigenization of armament production, Gati Shakti and Ayushman schemes. Also read: The many dangers that democracy confronts today Modi has his own theory" to cut slack in governance. While working as an RSS pracharak and later as a BJP functionary, he always felt there was a serious lack of coordination between the organization, government and the bureaucracy. In the wake of the Bhuj earthquake of 26 January 2001, there was widespread destruction and chaos. Realizing that things were getting out of hand, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the then home minister L.K. Advani made Modi, a party veteran with vast experience working in the state, the chief minister of Gujarat. Till then, Modi wasnt even a legislator and had no experience in governance. Yet his priorities and focus were clear. He devoted his energies on rebuilding and rehabilitating the devastated areas. Resources were summoned, the distracted and dissipated energies of the state bureaucracy were channelled, and the victims of the tragedy were taken on board. If you visit Dholavira, 136km from the district headquarters of Bhuj, you will find tarred roads amid white sands of the desert, tanks for water supply, schools and electricity poles. Even in the remote desert areas of Kutch, soldiers are provided with tap water. Once it was considered impossible. He brought the same work culture to the seat of the central government in the South and North Blocks. Before him, the regional leaders would try to mould themselves to the standards of urbanity and etiquette set by the British-influenced Lutyens Delhi elite. Modi was a stark contrast, presenting himself as a symbol of Indianness and has been steadfast in his approach. Modis style connects with Indians and creates a unique persona internationally. Here, a question arises: Didnt former prime ministers do any good? They definitely did, but never has the country been enamoured of a leader for so long. The reason? Modi knows its imperative to show a report card to the citizens periodically to maintain their morale. Many of his promises and initiatives have drawn much criticism. Hes accused of many other things, too, but in a democracy, theres no harm if development and debate coexist. Also read: A nation falling for the lure of majoritarianism Recently a news appeared that India became the fourth largest economy in the world, leaving Japan behind; now it has to go past Germany to become the third largest economy. Some experts think that it would take some more time before we go past Japans economy, but does this nitpicking matter? A Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report published later suggests we would remain one of the fastest growing large economies in the world. Its clear that Indias development story is on course despite many challenges, and we cant deny Narendra Modis role in it. Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. Views are personal. As reported, the government is working on a strategy to take down an illicit but sophisticated network of import carriers at Indian air and seaportsa gang of smugglers, i.e., masquerading as regular tourists. Of late, there have been many reports of duty-evasion cases. Among those that caught public attention, a Kannada actor was stopped at Bengaluru airport allegedly trying to smuggle in more than 14kg of gold in March. Authorities not only have the usual suspects under watch, but also people with special privileges at airports. Import carriers are suspected of sneaking in illegal quantities of gold, electronic gadgets and even Chinese toys, which face high tariff and quality barriers. So far, so usual. No one wants smugglers running rings around customs and police, who must enforce the law. But it would help to know exactly how widespread this problem is. Data should be made public so that sporadic slip-throughs do not become a basis for tighter policy. Also Read: Mint Quick Edit | Ranya Rao arrest: Let gold enter India duty-free The measures being discussed reportedly include making customs declarations more detailed, placing a cap on how often passengersespecially frequent flyers from trade hubs like Dubai, Hong Kong and Guangzhoucan avail annual duty-free allowances and tweaking the Atithi apps declaration system for stricter tracking and AI-based profiling. Even if well intended, some of it sounds like a throwback to the days before Indias economy was opened up. Back then, our duties were sky-high and airports were notorious for nosy and corrupt officials at customs, whose leave us a bottle demand was so customary that it often went unstated, making a stop at the duty-free shop a ritual of passage. Rules began being eased in the 1980s. As arrival numbers rose, the opening of a walk-through green channel marked a big moment: those with nothing to declare could pass without their bags being opened for scrutiny. Also Read: Centre eyes tighter customs rules to curb smuggling by import carriers' Whats puzzling is why so many outdated rules persist. Theres a limit of about 50,000 on the value of goods an Indian resident can bring in free of duty from most countries. This is absurd, given that a single iPhone can cost twice that much. Bizarrely, this allowance varies by various criteria. Such caps should be uniform and set significantly higher if the idea is to keep commercial imports out and block a route that can be used to dodge duties. As the green channels spirit of trust-based regulation is the current governments stated approach, it would be odd if customs clearance were to get more cumbersome. But then, we have not entirely escaped our long history of protectionism. Indias 150% duty on Scotch whisky remains a globally cited example, though a free trade pact with the UK is expected to lower it. Other such agreements could ease other import barriers. If we agree in principle that imports are best eased for larger trade gains, then no policy tweaks should be made that will make it harder for common travellers to comply with our rules. Also Read: Raghuram Rajan: How emerging economies can prosper in a protectionist world Airports need to welcome arrivals, not daunt them. Indian customs declaration forms, whether on paper or digital, look like an anachronism for their complexity. They are a reminder of the closed economy we once had, when packing ones personal stuff would risk flying into a customs web in India. None of this is an argument for authorities to drop their guard against smuggling. Wilful evaders of customs duty need to be nabbed, but lets also keep overreach in check. Dont let the green channel start turning red. On May 25, the Election Commission of India declared bypolls for five assembly seats in Gujarat, Kerala, West Bengal, and Punjab. It also revised the voters' list for the first time in nearly 20 years to ensure a clean electoral roll. The last time a special summary revision happened for a bypoll was in Tamil Nadu in 2006. Assembly bypolls schedule Last date for withdrawal of nominations: June 5 2. Voting will take place on: June 19 3. Counting of votes: June 23 4. Entire election process to be completed by: June 25 The vacant seats comprise Kadi (SC) and Visavadar in Gujarat. Nilambur in Kerala. Ludhiana West and Kaliganj in Punjab and West Bengal, respectively. Gujarat assembly bypolls 2025 In Gujarat, bypolls are set to take place in two constituencies. The Kadi seat became vacant following the death of BJP MLA Karsanbhai Punjabhai Solanki, while the Visavadar seat was left open after AAP legislator Bhupatbhai Bhayani resigned and subsequently joined the BJP. AAP had already named Gopal Italia as its candidate for Visavadar back in March this year. Jagdish Chavda from Kadi is AAP's candidate. The BJP has fielded Rajendra Chavda from Kadi and Kirit Patel from Visavadar in Junagadh district. The Congress has nominated former MLA Ramesh Chavda from Kadi, but a candidate for Visavadar is awaited. Kerala assembly bypoll 2025 Kerala's Nilambur seat is headed for a bypoll after independent MLA PV Anvar resigned. His departure came amid political differences with the CPI(M), and he later joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The main contest is between Aryadan Shoukath of the Congress-led United Democratif Front (UDF) and M Swaraj of the CPM-led Left Democratioc Front (LDF). The BJP has nominated Mohan George for this seat. He is the state committee member of Kerala Congress and set to join BJP, PTI reported citing sources. Trinamool declared former MLA PV Anvar as its candidate for the bypoll. Punjab assembly bypoll 2025 Punjabs Ludhiana West constituency fell vacant after Congress MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi passed away in an accidental gunshot injury while cleaning his pistol, according to statements from his family and the state Congress leadership. Rajya Sabha member and industrialist Sanjeev Arora from AAP and former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu from Congress have been nominated by their parties, while the BJP has named party leader Jiwan Gupta as its candidate and the Shiromani Akali Dal has fielded Parupkar Singh Ghuman, a lawyer. BJP leader Agnimitra Paul on Monday condemned the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal for the arrest of social media influencer Sharmista Panoli, who was held by Kolkata Police for allegedly hurting the sentiments of a religious communty. Paul cited recent incidents in West Bengal and said that the TMC government will not spare anyone if they say something against Muslims. But no action will be taken if it is the other way round, she claimed. We have seen so many posts from West Bengal lately abusing India, PM Modi, our Goddess Maa Kamakhya, after Operation Sindoor, but no action was taken. It is a clear message from the Mamata government that if you are a Hindu or a Muslim who is abusing or saying something against Muslims, you will not be spared, but if it is the opposite, no action will be taken, Agnimitra Paul was quoted as saying by ANI. Agnimitra Paul thanks Kangana Ranaut The Bengal BJP leader also thanked Kangana Ranaut and the Delhi Bar Council for standing by Sharmistha Panoli, who was arrested by the Kolkata Police last week from Gurugram. I thank the Bar Council and Kangana Ranaut (for standing by Panoli). Every Indian, Hindu and nationalist Muslim must stand against this injustice, she said. The Bar Council of Delhi on Monday demanded the immediate release of Sharmista Panoli to uphold the scale of justice. Also Read | Sharmistha Panoli sent to judicial custody for 14 days | Top 10 developments Actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut also demanded the release of Panoli. Harassing someone in the name of law and order is not good, she had said. Agnimitra Paul urged Hindus in West Bengal to rise, saying that the state needs a neutral government. Hindus of West Bengal also need to rise; they are sleeping under the cloud of secularism. We need to have a neutral government. The police of the state today only see a religion. The BJP leader further claimed that the police did not take any action against Anubrata Mondal, who recently came under fire for reportedly using "derogatory and abusive" language against a police official over a phone call. No action was taken against Anubrata Mondal, a TMC leader who abused a police officer. The Mamata government only works for the Muslims, not for Hindus, she said. By Heather Schlitz CHICAGO, - New World Screwworm, a devastating parasite that eats cattle and other wild animals alive, is traveling north from Central America to Mexico and has crept past biological barriers that kept the pest contained for decades, experts said. Washington halted cattle imports from Mexico in May, citing the insects spread further into Mexico, about 700 miles from the Texas border. With the U.S. cattle herd already at a multi-decade low, the closure could further elevate record-high beef prices by keeping more calves out of the U.S. cattle supply. What is New World Screwworm? Screwworms are parasitic flies whose females lay eggs in wounds on any warm-blooded animal. Livestock and wild animals are usually the victims. Once the eggs hatch, hundreds of screwworm larvae use their sharp mouths to burrow through living flesh feeding, enlarging the wound and eventually killing their host if left untreated. When screwworms infect a cow, a tiny scrape, a recent brand or a healing ear tag can quickly become a gaping wound, carpeted with wriggling maggots that put the entire herd at risk of infestation. Screwworms were eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960s when researchers began releasing massive numbers of sterilized male screwworm flies who mate with wild female screwworms to produce infertile eggs. Why does this matter to U.S. consumers? The U.S. typically imports over a million cattle from Mexico every year. The import suspension will likely contribute to rising beef prices by tightening the supply of beef cattle, which dwindled after drought forced ranchers to slash herds. U.S. beef prices likely also got a boost from a separate import suspension from Mexico over screwworms that lasted from November to February, experts said, and upward pressure on prices should persist through summer grilling season. Mexican cattle are usually fed and fattened on U.S. farms for five to six months before slaughter, and a diminished slaughter rate can elevate beef prices. Though the fly is hundreds of miles away from the border, any outbreak in the U.S. would further tighten the cattle supply and put other livestock and household pets at risk. Screwworms will even feed on humans if they can, said Dr. Timothy Goldsmith, a veterinary medicine professor at the University of Minnesota. Homeless people would be especially vulnerable to infestation because they sleep outside and have less access to hygiene products and medical care, Goldsmith said. What is being done to control the outbreak? A factory designed to breed and sterilize screwworms in Panama is releasing 100 million sterile flies every week, but experts say more factories need to come online quickly to choke off the flys spread north. Screwworms cannot fly more than 12 miles on their own, but they can cover large distances while burrowed inside their hosts, said Sonja Swiger, entomologist at Texas A&M University. The flies have already passed through the narrowest stretches of land in Panama and Mexico, meaning exponentially more sterile flies need to be released to control the outbreak. On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it would invest $21 million to convert a fruit fly factory in Mexico to produce sterile screwworms. The agency said the border will likely re-open to cattle imports by the end of the year. How could this impact American cattle ranchers? The USDA estimated a screwworm outbreak would cost the Texas economy $1.8 billion in livestock deaths, labor costs and medication expenses. After decades of eradication, most cattle ranchers no longer have the experience or tools to diagnose and treat screwworm. Infestations can be cured, but treatment involves removing hundreds of larvae and thoroughly disinfecting wounds, a time-consuming, pricey and labor-intensive process. This is a pest we dont want back. This is a bad thing," said David Anderson, livestock economist at Texas A&M University. "I cant imagine having to deal with that. Its gross." India's push for a digital infrastructure isolated from global networks is fuelling a boom in sovereign cloud services, creating a multi-billion-dollar opportunity for local tech players. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Google's India unit are emerging as early movers in this arena, attracting steady interest from government agencies keen to secure sensitive data on domestic platforms. Several government entities are already moving to these homegrown cloud solutions, four people familiar with the matter said. TCS, with its recently launched SovereignSecure Cloud, is leading the pack among Indian firms. Google's local arm is also gaining traction, offering specialized sovereign cloud platforms with its Google Distributed Cloud. Hiranandani Group firm Yotta Data Services too plans to build a sovereign cloud. To be sure, these contracts aren't too big, though they present a large opportunity for the future. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, an early adopter, spent 92 crore overall in FY25, of which around 30 crore was for the cloud contract, one of the officials said on the condition of anonymity. TCS did not respond to emailed questions, but a senior executive associated with its sovereign cloud product said one of the reasons behind the product was to "capitalize on the opportunity" amid growing concerns about sovereignty and security of data. Also read | TCS launches India-focused sovereign cloud to boost domestic revenue "We (TCS) believe that we have a completely indigenous built cloud service offering where everything from the hardware to the software is built by an Indian company," the executive said on the condition of anonymity. "This should assure any concerns the government could have when any department or wing of the government agrees to migrate their data to the cloud." Mitesh Agarwal, managing director for solutions and technology, Asia-Pacific at Google, confirmed that the company has already onboarded sovereign cloud clients in India. We provide AI models within the sovereign shores of Indiafor instance, we have Gemini 1.5, where the entire end-to-end data processing happens within our data centres in India itself," Agarwal said. He added that the company makes this offering through a platform called Google Distributed Cloud, which caters to the need for completely isolated cloud storage and computing for sensitive agencies. Most sovereign cloud projects would amount to annual revenue of around $2-5 million. While this is not a lot, in the next five years, thousands of such projects are expected to come up from government agencies and private companies alike. This can create multi-billion-dollar revenue streams for the infrastructure providers," one of the officials cited above said on the condition of anonymity. Read this | Yotta goes low on pricing to spur demand for its AI cloud service Sovereign cloud refers to a digital platform based entirely within the country to store and process data, as well as run applications. From the code base to the physical data centres, everything is fully located fully in Indiaseparating them from any accessibility from outside the country. Building such platforms was presented as an early concept about three years ago. In 2023, Monaco in Europe became the first adopter of such a platform by technology services provider VMWare. Since then, the technology has found more takers, as countries grow more protectionist. In India, adoption is being led by government bodies. Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission is one such government project that is adopting sovereign cloud services right now. Similarly, Employees Provident Fund Organisation, Passport Seva and Aadhaars governing body have their own projects, and they are in the process of adopting sovereign cloud into their operations right now," a second official added. Adopting sovereign cloud platforms is not a matter of replacing global cloud services from the US Big Tech. There are certain sensitive data requirements for which you need cloud services offered by Indian companies. This would ensure that this data is stored in India, without the risk of it being shared with other geographies by any particular party. This, however, does not mean that every cloud deployment and contract will be replaced, and hyperscalers will have enough space to provide their services to the Indian government agencies and ministries," the official said. And read | India befriends Big Tech as Trump tariffs knock on door, aided by a string of biz-friendly moves This map shows the Clouse Hill Sand Quarry, owned by Tinsley Sand and Gravel LLC, and its approximate proximity to nearby residential areas that lie within 5,000 feet of the operation, a distance county officials and others contend violates a county powers act passed in 2019. The matter is now before the Tennessee Supreme Court to determine whether the county or state has authority over the operation, or whether the county powers act is a valid ordinance, which the state Attorney General contends it is. 80 years on, WWII stories still captivate Chinese youth Xinhua) 11:39, June 02, 2025 This undated photo provided by interviewee shows Zhang Shucheng, a 10-year-old student, reading a book at his home in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Xinhua) BEIJING, June 1 (Xinhua) -- As International Children's Day fell on Sunday, 10-year-old Zhang Shucheng excitedly opened his gift -- a book that brings to life the dramatic story of the Chongqing bombing during World War II (WWII). Japanese warplanes indiscriminately bombed Chongqing, then China's provisional capital, and nearby cities more than 250 times between 1938 and 1944, killing and injuring more than 32,000 people. "It is a dark chapter in our history," said the student in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province. "But I feel obliged to know more about it, from which we can draw lessons." This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, and of the World Anti-Fascist War. Although the flames of war have long since extinguished, books depicting that tumultuous period and the bravery of those who lived through it continue to captivate young people in China, encouraging them to delve into that important chapter of history. Zhang could not remember when his interest in this phase of history first began. Perhaps, it stems from the bedtime stories his parents would tell him. Thirsty for knowledge, he happily reads at least two books about the war a year. Among his favorites is the cartooned novel Sparkling Red Star, a WWII coming of age story about a boy growing into a soldier. When he has questions, he tries to discover the answers together with his parents and classmates. "Sometimes we found it difficult to answer his questions, so we had to check the history books or look online for related data to 'make up for the lesson'," said Zhang's mother Jiang Nan. She said her son is not alone, as she had seen an increasing number of children show an interest in the history of WWII, and together they have discussions. Li Keran, a 55-year-old owner of a bookstore in northeast China's Jilin Province, also observed the change. His bookstore in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, sells picture-story books, which used to be popular among his peers. He told Xinhua that his customers mostly fall into two groups: nostalgic people of his generation and primary school students. "When I was a child I used to be fascinated by the picture-story books," he said. "They could easily appeal to children, and are a good way to tell the younger generation our history so that they will work hard to build our country into a stronger one." An online database on the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and modern Sino-Japanese relations, jointly set up by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Chinese Academy of History, the National Library of China and the National Archives Administration of China, offers more than 60 million pages of materials. Last year the database received a total of about 4.95 million visits from around 740,000 people. The number of visits and visitors increased by about 1 million and 110,000 respectively compared with 2023. In the first three months this year alone, the database has been visited 1.25 million times, with new users accounting for an average of 27 percent of monthly traffic. Literary works in China about the war of resistance first appeared in the 1930s and 1940s, when the country was struggling for survival, and were used to mobilize citizens and boost their morale. They continued to be popular after the People's Republic of China was founded. Some of the characters were once household names across China. In recent decades, especially in the wake of reform and opening up, people have more access to foreign literary works and tastes have diversified. However, the children's book market witnessed a peak in the publication of war-themed books in 2015, the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. Zhang Sining, a researcher with the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, explained that such literary works fall into two categories: fiction and non-fiction. "The fictions are based on real stories reflecting the real history and real spirit of heroes in that era," she said. The scholar noted that in foreign countries there are also similar classics based on particular historical moments, like Molodaya Gvardiya of the Soviet Union and Les Misrables of France. "Literary works could arouse people's interest and lead them to learn about real history events," she said. "People believe that some literary works have vitality because they can share the emotions of and find solace from them," said writer Yang Xiaoyan. A playwright of several famous TV dramas, she herself is also author of several novels about the war for children and teenagers. "The wartime stories are by no means merely tragic narratives. They carry the power to strive for survival and keep moving forward, offering hope in the harshest circumstances," she said. She told Xinhua that while trying to avoid direct depictions of bloody scenes so that the books were suitable for younger readers, she also would like to send her readers messages of peace and love. At the end of a book, she wrote, as a comment in the memorial hall guestbook that main character of the novel saw, that "History is not horrible. What is horrible is the disregard for and oblivion of history. May peace prevail." Many Chinese schools also hosted various activities to encourage students to read more of such "red classics." For instance, in Anying Primary School in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, which was named after a war hero, October has been designated as a "reading month." During this time, students are encouraged to show the results of their reading in forms of plays, paintings and speeches. "Those books provide a bridge for parents and children to have dialogues with their predecessors which transcends time and space," said a teacher Chen Ming. "It is our hope that students could draw wisdom and strength from the books and form a sense of social responsibility, forging ahead bravely in their journeys of the new era." Zhang Shucheng has worked for more than two years in Gansu Provincial Museum as a volunteer guide, sharing insights with visitors based on what he has learned from books. "In the old days our predecessors were ill-equipped, but they still achieved victory by relying on their unwavering beliefs and indomitable spirit," he said. "We will also encounter difficulties in life, but as long as we persist, we will surely push forward." This undated photo provided by interviewee shows Zhang Shucheng, a 10-year-old student, reading a book at his home in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) Police are pictured on the scene in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday, June 1. A man reportedly set people on fire in Boulder, Colorado, leaving multiple individuals injured, the citys police chief said, as people gathered for a peaceful pro-Israeli demonstration. Well done to Kayleigh Woods and Conor Bruen who were named as Joint Leaving Certificate Students of the Year 2025 at Templemichael College, Longford town. Congratulations to our Leaving Cert and Leaving Cert Applied Classes of 2025 who celebrated their Graduation last Thursday, May 22. Graduating students, their families and staff all joined together to celebrate the special milestone for our LC2025 students. It was an evening filled with shared memories, inspiring speeches, joyful moments and celebration. PICTURES | Longford students step out in style for Templemichael College graduation ball Well done to all the students who were presented with Awards and special congratulations to Joint Leaving Certificate Students of the Year 2025 - Kayleigh Woods and Conor Bruen; Leaving Certificate Applied Student of the Year 2025 - Kuba Surowiak and Leaving Cert Sportsperson of the Year 2025 - John Ganley. PICTURES | Longford's Backstage Theatre Group scores a perfect 12 with fantastic Calendar Girls We wish you all the best for your exams in June and wherever the road might take you all in the future. End-of-Year Awards Celebration Our end of year Student Awards Celebration took place last Thursday, May 22 and it was a lovely afternoon to celebrate the fantastic achievements of our students from the past year. A big thank you to our guest speakers Peggy Nolan, Chairperson of the Board of Management, and our wonderful past student Anthoniet Agyemang who came back to present the awards and speak to our students about her experience of going Templemichael College and then on to DCU to commence her degree in Childrens and General Nursing. Also read: All-Ireland champions: Fantastic Longford minors win the Tier 3 title Well done to all our students for all their hard work over the last year and congratulations to all who were presented with an Award on the day. Special Congratulations to Veronica Johnson Aggrey and Dylan Bruen who were jointly awarded Junior Cycle Schools Programme Students of the Year 2025. Also, huge congratulations to 3rd Yr student Christian Ogungbe who was awarded the Junior Sportsperson Of The Year 2025. Attendance Awards Well done to all the students in each year group who were awarded certificates for the highest attendance in their year at the recent Student Awards Celebration. Also read: End of era: Longford students pay fitting tribute to dedicated principal They were highly commended for their dedication, commitment, and effort to be present and ready to learn every day over the last year: 1st yr- Emmanuel Adoma, Fadeelah Busari, Bukunmi Sotude, Ayomide Bolarnina, Clara Lewis and Adeoluwa Bolarewaju; 2nd yr- Amir Amgar, Vanessa Sadowska and Veronica Courtney; 3rd yr Destiny Amagwula; 5th yr Olu Sotunde, Obeline Cheminat, Felix Mauntz, Emmanuel Amagwula, Abdulakeem Busari and LCA1 - Joas Mbuyi Yanga & Shane Mulrooney. Well done to all on their attendance achievements. Also read: New Special Educational Needs unit to enhance facilities at Longford secondary school Local News By Chris Boyle Published: June 02 2025 Applications for the scholarship are currently being accepted, with the deadline for submissions being June 13, 2025. The Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe is currently offering its annual Scholarship Essay Contest for a qualified and deserving student, with the winner of 2025s award to receive $2,500 to put towards their esteemed educational goals. Applications for the scholarship are currently being accepted, with the deadline for submissions being June 13, 2025; any applications received after this date will be ineligible for consideration. PLEASE NOTE: Applicants must be a New York State resident. The Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe is committed to maintaining strong ties with the Long Island community and giving back. To that end, their team regularly engages in volunteer work to assist those in need. This volunteer work takes many forms, ranging from helping Long Island residents with legal issues to supporting underprivileged community members, according to founding partner Richard Jaffe. Community service represents a critical aspect of our firm, he said. To further extend our commitment to giving back to the community, we want to help todays young volunteers succeed in their academic and professional pursuits. When they venture out into their own careers, they will, in a way, be continuing our legacy. To apply for the Scholarship Essay Contest, applicants must fill out the online application form and meet the following qualifications: Have a GPA of 2.5 (applies only to students already in college when applying) Be admitted to or enrolled in an accredited college, university, or graduate school Provide proof of enrollment as well as a college or high school transcript Write and submit an essay on the topic described below Agree to the scholarships terms and conditions Complete and submit the application form The topic of the aforementioned essay which must be at least 750 words in length should be based on your choice of ONE of the two following topics: Topic #1 Standing Up for Others: A Time You Challenged an Injustice: Think about a time when you stood up for someone else or spoke out against something you felt was unfair. It could be something in your personal life, at school, or in your community. How did this experience change the way you think about fairness and justice? What did you learn from this situation that made you think differently about how the legal system works or how it should work? Topic #2 The Importance of Community Engagement: Past, Present, and Future: Why is it important for individuals to be actively involved in their communities? Reflect on ways you have contributed to your community so far. Looking ahead, how do you plan to make a positive impact through your future career? Once the essay on one of the two above topics has been completed, it should be saved as a Microsoft Word document and attached to the application form available at this link. Applicants are free to include personal anecdotes and descriptions of any volunteer projects that they may have personally spearheaded or participated in. Applications must be received no later than June 13, 2025; any applications submitted past this date will not be considered. Again, all applicants must be New York State residents. The winner of the contest will be announced by July 15th, 2025. Please click here to review a list of past winners of the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe Community Volunteer Scholarship. For legal reasons, the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe is unable to accept any calls, emails, or other communication regarding the scholarship, nor are they able to answer any questions regarding it. The information available in this article contains all information needed to apply for the scholarship, and a representative from the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe will reach out and contact any applicant if further information is needed. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: June 02 2025 The Long Island Association is a driving force behind securing equitable funding, initiating policy changes, and supporting initiatives that meet the educational needs of the entire region. Nassau BOCES Board members B.A. Schoen (left), and Susan Bergtraum (right) present Michelle Byrne, Chief Financial Officer for the Long Island Association (LIA) with the Nassau BOCES Education Partner Award at the Nassau BOCES Education Partners Awards gala held last month at the Crest Hollow Country Club and sponsored by the Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation. The Long Island Association (LIA) has been lauded as one of the most devoted supporters of public education on Long Island. The LIA is among 15 honorees to receive the 2025 Nassau BOCES Education Partner award, bestowed annually on those individuals and organizations that have had a profound effect on education in Nassau County. A strategic education partner with school districts since 1967, Nassau BOCES created the awards program to recognize those who share its mission of ensuring a successful, challenging, caring and safe environment that enables students of all ages and abilities to achieve their maximum potential. These outstanding individuals and organizations have made strides in accomplishing key educational goals embraced by Nassau BOCES, such as ensuring student success. The Long Island Association was one of three organizations honored at the awards gala held last month by the Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation. The Foundation is an independent non-profit organization that raises funds for innovative educational programs that fall outside of the agencys budget. The Long Island Association is a driving force behind securing equitable funding, initiating policy changes, and supporting initiatives that meet the educational needs of the entire region. LIA is an advocate for Long Island schools in the fight for fair distribution of New York State Aid to school districts, arguing persuasively for adjustments for regional costs. The association is also one of the loudest voices demanding federal and state policies that enhance student achievement. LIA regularly collaborates with educational organizations to enhance workforce development on Long Island. In 2019, the association founded the Long Island Apprenticeship and Workforce Development Task Force to address the need for well-trained, highly-skilled workers. The task force accomplished their mission by fostering relationships between local industry and apprenticeship training centers, as well as workforce development programs. In this way, LIA is a key ally for K-12 schools and colleges as they train the next generation of students for careers in the regions highest growth fields, such as biotech, clean energy and artificial intelligence. The association has been instrumental in encouraging dialogue on critical issues in public education; Regent Roger Tilles Long Islands representative to the New York State Board of Regents has been a frequent participant in these discussions. In 2023, LIA invited Regent Tilles to meet with other top educational leaders to review the states graduation standards, including Regents exams. The goal was to better align these standards with the skills required for students to learn in order to be more successful in adulthood. The Long Island Association is an exceptional partner in advancing public education across Long Island, championing initiatives that empower students and strengthen communities, said their award nominator. They have been steadfast advocates of the critical role that public education plays in our regional economy. By raising awareness of educations $17.4 billion annual impact, LIA has helped to elevate the importance of educational institutions and their contributions to Long Islands economic health. Thanks to LIA, local communities have a greater appreciation for our public schools and a deeper understanding of how education as an essential economic driver. For additional information about the Nassau BOCES Education Partner awards, including profiles of prior year honorees, please visit www.nassauboces.org/educationpartner . About Nassau BOCES A vital regional resource, Nassau BOCES offers state-of-the-art programs for learners of all ages and abilities as well as cost-effective services for school districts and municipalities. We empower students to achieve their maximum potential in alternative, artistic, outdoor, special education, career and technical, and virtual educational environments. We offer adult education programs and a variety of programs that are vital to improving the Long Island regional economy. Our professional development advances teaching and learning on Long Island. In addition, our technology services form the backbone of many school districts infrastructure. As the countys educational leader in implementing the states reform efforts, we are helping to shape the future of education. To learn more, visit www.nassauboces.org and like us at www.facebook.com/nassauboces. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: June 02 2025 Stephen Andrew Cipkin, a former tutor from Suffolk County in New York, has been sentenced to 65 years in prison for enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity. Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Stephen Andrew Cipkin, 38, a former tutor from Suffolk County in New York, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell to 65 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for two counts of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Cipkin was charged in a Bill of Information and Indictment with enticement of minors to engage in sexual activity and pleaded guilty to the charge on August 13, 2024. At the guilty plea hearing, Cipkin admitted that from January 2022, through April 23, 2022, he used a smart phone and computer to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor female under the age of 18 years old to engage in sexual activity. Cipkin, posing as an adolescent female seeking a friendship, used an online catfish account to contact the minor victim. He later admitted to being a male and began an online relationship with the minor victim after gaining her trust. During this relationship, Cipkin asked the minor victim to send sexually explicit photographs of herself to him and also asked her to meet up with him for sexual intercourse. After receiving the photographs and videos, he used them as blackmail to extort and threaten the minor victim. From April 16, 2022, through April 23, 2022, Cipkin traveled from the State of New York to Natchitoches, Louisiana, to meet with the minor victim. Cipkin picked up the minor victim from her home and brought her to a hotel in the Western District of Louisiana where they engaged in sexual intercourse. Cipkin also admitted that between January 1, 2021, and continuing through January 1, 2022, in the Northern District of Tennessee, he used his smart phone and computer to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce another minor female under the age of 18 years old to engage in illegal sexual activity. Cipkin reached out to the minor female victim using an online account that he had created and began an online relationship with the minor female victim, asking her to send sexually explicit photographs to him and to meet with him for sexual intercourse. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: June 02 2025 Names Stuart Rabinowitz as Chair to Help Steer NUMC Toward Stronger Future; New Structure Elevates Accountability While Prioritizing High-Quality Patient Care. Governor Kathy Hochul today announced four appointments to the newly restructured Board of Directors for the Nassau Health Care Corporation (NHCC), which oversees the Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC), Nassau Countys only public hospital. The appointments coincide with the implementation of a new state law, taking effect June 1, 2025, that significantly reforms NHCC governance, enhances state oversight and sets a path forward for strengthening NUMCs financial and operational stability. Governor Hochul also designated Stuart Rabinowitz, Esq., former President of Hofstra University and a longtime leader in higher education and public policy, as Chair of the Board. NUMC is a vital lifeline for so many on Long Island, and today we are taking long-overdue steps to ensure it has the leadership and oversight it needs to thrive, Governor Hochul said. These new appointments, and the new authority granted to the state and NIFA, will help ensure accountability, responsible fiscal management and high-quality care for the communities NUMC serves. Stuart Rabinowitz is a respected and visionary leader, and I cant think of a better person to help lead this next chapter for NUMC. Nassau University Medical Center Board Chair Stuart Rabinowitz said, NUMC is a critical safety-net institution that has suffered from years of dysfunction and mismanagement. Im grateful to Governor Hochul for the trust shes placed in me, and Im eager to get to work with my fellow board members to restore public confidence, implement long-overdue reforms and put this hospital back on a path to stability and excellence." About the Governance Reforms Taking Effect June 1: The NHCC Board of 11 members will include six appointed by the Governor (one each upon recommendation of the Assembly Speaker and Senate Temporary President), two by the Nassau County Executive, two by the majority of the Nassau County Legislature, and one by the minority. The Governor will designate the Board Chair. The Nassau County Executive will no longer have approval authority over the NHCC CEO. The Nassau Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) will have enhanced oversight, including the power to approve NHCC contracts exceeding $1 million and, under specific conditions, the authority to declare a control period over NHCC. NHCC is required to conduct and submit a study by December 1, 2026, exploring options to strengthen NUMC. Governor Hochuls two remaining appointments, one each recommended by the Speaker of the Assembly and the Temporary President of the Senate, will be announced in coordination with legislative leaders. Once the appointments take effect on June 1, the new board is expected to call a special meeting to set NHCC on a path toward stability. Governor Hochuls Appointees to the NHCC Board: Stuart Rabinowitz, Esq. (Chair) Stuart Rabinowitz is Senior Counsel at Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, LLP, where he focuses on state and federal litigation, constitutional law, civil rights, and education law. He served for over 20 years as President of Hofstra University, where he significantly expanded the institutions academic footprint, including the creation of a medical school, and raised its national profile by hosting three U.S. presidential debates. A former constitutional law professor and nationally recognized policy leader, he holds a J.D., magna cum laude, from Columbia Law School and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. His decades of experience leading large public-serving institutions make him uniquely qualified to help guide NUMCs revitalization. Amy Flores Amy Flores is an experienced executive with more than 15 years in financial services, public administration, and economic development. She currently serves as Community Manager at JPMorgan Chase, where she leads initiatives focused entirely on collaborating with local leaders across sectors to understand and address community challenges. She previously served as Executive Director of the Nassau County Office of Hispanic Affairs and has held senior roles in banking. Amy serves on the boards of CARECEN and Circulo de la Hispanidad and has been recognized by City & State and Long Island Business News as one of Long Islands most influential civic leaders. Amy holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from Hofstra University and Certificate of Completion with Honors from Hofstra Universitys ABA Accredited Paralegal Studies Program. Dean Mihaltses, RPh, BPS, MPA Dean Mihaltses is a veteran health care executive and licensed pharmacist with over 40 years of experience in hospital operations, public health policy, and clinical pharmacy services. He most recently served as Interim CEO and COO at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, where he managed hospital operations, emergency preparedness and strategic initiatives in one of the citys busiest public hospitals. Earlier roles included Director of Pharmacy Services at Jacobi & Elmhurst hospitals and health care consultant for skilled nursing and developmental disability facilities. He is a Fellow of several national professional associations and continues to mentor future health professionals. Lisa Warren Lisa Warren is President of Placid, LLC, a Long Island-based real estate investment and management firm, and a civic leader with a dedicated record of leadership and engagement, including as a Commissioner on the Nassau County Planning Commission. With over 30 years of experience in business and philanthropy, she supports youth development, education and the arts across Nassau County. She is especially active in expanding access to youth sports and serves on the boards of the Long Island Childrens Museum and Ice Hockey in Harlem. She holds degrees from Hofstra and Duke Universities and a diploma from the French Culinary Institute. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: June 02 2025 Governors Investment in STRIVE Initiative Supports Survivors Through Evidence-Based, Survivor-Centered, Trauma-Informed and Culturally Responsive Strategies. Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a record $20.2 million investment to expand efforts to reduce intimate partner violence in 17 counties outside of New York City. This funding allows the State Division of Criminal Justice Services to support 87 law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations through the Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Partner Violence (STRIVE) initiative, a ground-breaking collaborative involving district attorneys offices, sheriffs offices, municipal police agencies, probation departments, and service providers. The safety of New Yorkers is my top priority, and I am committed to using every tool at our disposal to support anyone who has ever felt unsafe in their own home, Governor Hochul said. This record funding will save lives and reduce violence by putting offenders on notice and ensuring that the highest-risk victims and survivors receive the protection and support they need and deserve. This new investment will fund 155 positions including investigators, detectives, crime analysts, coordinators and advocates to support skilled, multidisciplinary teams that work to reduce domestic violence and increase survivor capacity for safety. The STRIVE initiative promotes a coordinated community response rooted in survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally competent practices. Modeled after the Division of Criminal Justice Services Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative, STRIVE required each county to develop a comprehensive plan using one or more evidence-based strategies to hold those who harm accountable and increase safety capacity for victims. New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, The STRIVE initiative builds on our success in fighting gun violence, using the same data-driven framework, as well as proven techniques for responding to intimate partner violence. We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership and this significant investment to improve safety for victims and survivors. STRIVE emphasizes six core elements: people, alignment, evidence-based strategies, engagement, skilled and supported staff, and monitoring and evaluation. The initiative places special focus on high-risk cases where victims face a serious risk of harm or lethality. Teams will use needs assessments, system mapping, and problem analysis to focus their efforts on the highest risk cases. Community providers will ensure responses align with existing services at the state, local, and federal levelsincluding social services, probation, and victim assistance programs. Progress will be monitored and evaluated using tools that track trends and inform adjustments. Using local knowledge and robust data, teams will implement one of three proven strategies to reduce domestic violence: The five New York City District Attorneys Offices also each received a share of $5 million to improve the public safety response to intimate partner violence and better address the needs of victims and survivors through early case enhancement efforts and assessments to identify and prioritize high-risk cases of abuse, among other strategies that support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable. New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Nicholas Owens said, STRIVE is an example of Coordinated Community Response, something OPDV and our partner state agencies have been investing in and promoting across the state. We know that when the systems that intersect when responding to domestic violence and other gender-based violence crimes work collaboratively, the outcomes for victims and survivors are better. STRIVE can save lives. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for supporting these efforts and for your unwavering support of those impacted by gender-based violence. New York State Office of Victim Services Director Bea Hanson said, This funding will help coordinate responses among different systems law enforcement, domestic violence service providers, social services, and health care, among others that respond to gender-based and intimate partner violence. It will also help expand and strengthen access to support and services so victims and survivors can reclaim their lives. I thank Governor Hochul for her leadership and commitment to supporting domestic violence survivors and crime victims, and we are proud to work with our state and local partners on this initiative. The following counties, selected based on volume and rate of domestic and intimate partner violence, are receiving grant funding: Long Island Suffolk County: $1,989,636 Mid-Hudson Dutchess County: $711,221 Orange County: $1,129,806 Westchester County: $1,419,443 Capital Region Albany County: $1,356,464 Rensselaer County: $775,555 Schenectady County: $1,177,640 North Country Jefferson County: $647,344 Mohawk Valley Oneida County: $918,308 Central New York Onondaga County: $1,876,478 Southern Tier Broome County: $750,767 Finger Lakes Cayuga County: $573,407 Monroe County: $2,299,070 Genesee County: $480,516 Western New York Chautauqua County: $847,225 Erie County: $2,379,496 Niagara County: $904,660 A breakdown of funding by county, law enforcement agency and service provider is available online. DCJS will support the implementation and improvements in how agencies respond to intimate partner violence with dedicated training and technical assistance from national and state experts. STRIVE counties will also benefit from access to the States 11 Crime Analysis Centers, which provide data, intelligence and investigative support to identify perpetrators and build prosecutable cases. Additional STRIVE investment builds on essential, commonsense changes to New Yorks Discovery Laws in the FY26 Enacted Budget to support survivors, hold perpetrators accountable and safeguard the right to a fair and speedy trial. The changes enacted will prevent cases from being thrown out over technical errors and eliminate dismissals and disruptions that have re-traumatized survivors of domestic violence and other serious crimes, and include $135 million for prosecutors and defenders to ensure compliance with discovery, a year-to-year increase of $15 million. The Enacted Budget also increases funding for rape crisis centers for the first time in a decade, with nearly $13 million for 52 centers certified by the State Department of Health; expands access to HIV prophylaxis medication to all survivors of sexual assault, not just those under 18; and improves access to public assistance for survivors of gender-based violence. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. A huge surprise in Chile after authorities found a juvenile sea lion in the middle of the steppe of the Torres del Paine National Park, almost 50 kilometers from the nearest coast, which has left biologists completely stunned. The species was specifically a South American fur seal (Arctophoca australis), and tourists alerted of its presence when they passed the Carretas trail in the Pampa del Serrano, where there are usually guanacos, condors and pumas, which forced the immediate intervention of the technicians of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca). Elephant seal returns to the ocean after wandering Cape Town "You won't believe it! But a sea lion made it all the way to Torres del Paine National Park. That's right, both the superintendent of this protected area and a couple of tourists managed to record this species wandering along the Carretas trail, in the Paine Grande sector. The #SERNAPESCA team is already in the national park, together with our team of park rangers, to coordinate the actions to be taken and to find out what this curious sea lion was up to," explained CONAF (National Forestry Corporation). The animal was returned to the sea without any problems However, the animal was not suffering from any injuries and was in perfect health, so it was returned to the coast without any major problems, being released in Puerto Natales, from where it swam away. Scientists cannot find an exact explanation for this, but they have several hypotheses. One is that it got there through the Senoret Channel, which connects to the ocean. This place receives water from the Grey River, whose course ends in the aforementioned park, that is, the sea lion could have entered inland chasing fish or by the current. During the rescue there were great difficulties, as the animal tried to get away from the people, but they finally managed to catch it, because its presence in that area could pose risks of predation or human interference. In addition, the authorities point out that this could be a larger problem, such as ecological transformations, climate change, or the displacement and habits of different species. Boston Celtics' Al Horford (42) and Luke Kornet (40) defend a shot by New York Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the first half of Game 6 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs Friday, May 16, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) AP The status of Al Horford is one of several big questions the Celtics front office will face this offseason. The veteran big man signaled back in March that he planned on playing another next season in Boston. However, an early second-round exit to the Knicks combined with Jayson Tatums Achilles tear had him hedging on those plans last month. Yeah, Im just not ready to talk about that right now, Horford said in May. I just need some time with my wife and my family, and thats what I plan on doing these next few weeks. Horford will be an unrestricted free agent after playing his last four seasons in Boston following the Celtics acquiring him from the Thunder in 2021. At 38 years old, it remains to be seen whether hed be willing to play for a team that may not be a serious contender in Boston next season with Tatum sidelined. That uncertainty may open the door for opportunity for one of Bostons rivals as Tim Bontemps suggested on ESPNs Hoop Collective. Al Horford is a free agent, Bontemps said. I dont think at this point it makes a lot of sense for Horford to be back in Boston. Maybe he will be, but given where things are with the Celtics, I think hes now much more in play than he might have been a month ago. Al Horford is a longtime friend of Karl-Anthony Towns and has played with him with the Dominican National team for a long time. If (the Knicks) go get Al Horford this summer, who I think (Al) would be an unbelievable fit on this Knicks roster and they go get another perimeter player to deepen their rotation. Thats a much better team and a team that could beat the Pacers next year. Thats a team thatll be in the mix in the East. The Knicks are currently already have salary committed beyond the first apron for next season so they wouldnt be able to offer anything beyond the taxpayer midlevel exception for next season. However, the Knicks need for another versatile big is evident given Towns defensive woes and the injury issues Mitchell Robinson has faced for the next two years. If the Celtics avoid a bigger reset next season to the roster, the guess here is the team will still pitch Horford on returning for the next couple years in hopes they can make another deep playoff run once Tatum returns. However, if Horford is focused on having a better chance to win next season above all else if he continues playing, the Knicks are among several teams that will be worth watching on the free agency market. Jonathan Joss, the voice actor best known as John Redcorn from King of the Hill, has died in a Texas shooting. He was 59. The fatal shooting happened in San Antonio at around 7 p.m. Saturday, May 31, Variety reported. Responding officers found Joss suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The actor was pronounced dead at the scene despite officers attempting life-saving measures onsite. A suspect, 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, was arrested and charged with murder, NBC News reported. Born on Dec. 22, 1965 in San Antonio, Texas, Joss was a seasoned actor and producer. He was known for his work in True Grit, Tulsa King, Ray Donovan, The Magnificent Seven and Abduction of the Fourth Kind. However, Joss was best known for voicing John Redcorn from seasons 2 through 13 of the hit animated comedy, King of the Hill. The actor also made recurring appearances as Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation. Joss most recent acting credit was for voicing a character in the Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty video game in 2023. Seattle, WA (Grist) - Indigenous nations are facing impossible deadlines and vanishing budgets amid sweeping federal rollbacks. Any time a federal agency wants to develop a project in Wyoming -- an oil and gas lease, a pipeline, a dam, a transmission line, a solar array -- it has to go through Crystal CBearing first. CBearing is Northern Arapaho and the tribal historic preservation officer, or THPO, for the Northern Arapaho tribe, so if a new wind farm is proposed, for example, she determines if any tribal areas will be impacted by the project. Its a challenging job, but I feel like its really important work, CBearing said. I feel a sense of gratitude that Im able to do this and that Im able to try, in my best ability, to preserve and protect what we have. CBearings scope extends beyond her home on the Wind River Reservation, to any and all lands ceded by treaty, routes tribal members took during the removal process, burial sites, and religious places. That means she reviews projects across 16 states in addition to Wyoming, from Wisconsin to Montana, New Mexico to Arkansas, and all points in between -- traditional homelands of the Northern Arapaho and other Indigenous nations, acquired by the United States as it forcefully expanded westward. Because of that range, hundreds of federal proposals and reports flood her email inbox every week, as is the case with 227 other THPOs working for their respective nations. Many have overlapping historic homelands and histories. Tribal historic preservation officers, like CBearing, are often a first line of defense against destructive federal projects, and rely on a range of skills from traditional ecological knowledge to a cultural and historic knowledge of places and landscapes. Now, their work is under threat. In January, President Donald Trump declared a national energy emergency to speed the development of fossil fuel projects, mines, pipelines, and other energy-related infrastructure, cutting the amount of time federal agencies are required to notify Indigenous nations before starting a project. Now, as Trumps proposed budget for 2026 works its way through Congress, the fund supporting the national THPO program is bracing for a 94 percent budget cut. On top of that, the Trump administration has yet to distribute THPO funds promised for 2025. Traditionally, THPOs like CBearing have 30 days to review a project: 30 days to review federal reports, conduct site visits, identify artifacts or burial grounds, and collaborate with tribal members, sometimes from other tribes. According to CBearing, that window was already tight, but under Trumps energy emergency, that deadline is now seven days. And as the year rolls on, CBearings budget is evaporating. If the administration doesnt release the THPO funds already promised, shell be out of a job come September. If this is the moment that breaks the system, theres not going to be anything there to catch the THPOs, said Valerie Grussing, executive director of the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers. The THPO program was born out of requirements established by the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act -- the legislation responsible for preserving and protecting historic and archaeological resources in the United States. At the time, public concern about historic places being altered or destroyed by federally-funded infrastructure as well as urban renewal projects prompted the federal government to take legislative action. The act mandates that all federal agencies identify any impacts their projects might have on areas important to states and tribes, and notify the public about those impacts. But Indigenous nations hold a particularly important role: Agencies must consult with tribes regardless of whether the project is located on, or off, federally recognized Indian reservations. That caveat fits within a broader context of treaty law and rights, as well as the federal governments trust responsibilities requiring that agencies put good-faith effort into consultations. If a THPO conducts their analysis and finds theres no risk of a federal project impacting cultural or historic resources, the plan moves forward. If a THPO finds there is a risk, the tribe, federal agency, and state work out a formal agreement explaining how the impacts will be resolved or mitigated. That part of the process can take years. With a significantly shorter review period, however, THPOs will have to make hard choices about the hundreds of reports that come in every week, the existing backlog, and prioritizing emergency projects at the cost of others. That means tribes wont have a voice in how projects are determined on their homelands, putting countless cultural and historical sites at risk. Many of those sites are undeveloped wilderness areas, like with PeSla in the Black Hills -- a sacred ceremonial site for the Sioux, Lakota, and other nations -- now facing exploratory drilling for graphite. Many of the worlds most resilient forests, like PeSla, are protected by Indigenous peoples and provide climate change mitigation benefits by storing carbon. A lot of times we still have to take a deeper look and double check and triple check some of these areas and then coordinate across tribes if needed, said Raphael Wahwassuck, THPO for the Citizen Potawatomi Tribe. Its pretty unrealistic to have good work happen in that short of a window. As of April, 186 projects with an emergency designation have been cleared to begin construction. The designation includes controversial projects like Line 5 in Minnesota, prompting seven Indigenous nations to walk away from federal negotiations. Fifteen states have sued the administration alleging there is no energy emergency and that the declaration illegally bypasses additional reviews of federal projects, like environmental impact or endangered species assessments. My worry is everybody is going to use the emergency declaration in one way or another on all of these projects and were just going to be bombarded with a ton of them, CBearing said. Its just another added-on thing that we need to pay attention to, among the other hundreds of things that we do here. But beyond the truncated review timeline, funding is running out. Congressionally approved and appropriated funds for 2025 are still being held by the Office of Management and Budget, or OMB, awaiting additional review by the Trump administration. Neither the OMB nor the White House responded to requests for comments for this story. An official with the Department of Interior said that pending financial assistance obligations, including grants, are being reviewed for compliance with Trumps recent executive orders. If this continues, oversight action should be taken -- up to and including legal remedies to enforce the law. Its not a suggestion. Its not optional. The law requires these funds to be spent., Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, a Democratic representative from Maine, wrote in an email to Grist. Shes a member of the House Committee on Appropriations. Holding up funding for tribal governments is wrong -- morally and legally. Many tribes have been waiting for decades for basic investments in schools, housing, and infrastructure. And now, even when the funding has been approved by Congress, theyre being forced to wait again because of what appears to be a politically motivated delay that violates the law. Despite the outsized importance THPOs play for Indigenous nations, very few tribes can dedicate additional funds to maintain those roles. The majority rely entirely on federal funding, as the program was designed, Grussing said, and that allocation has only ever provided an average of one staff member per THPO office, per tribe. Its been more difficult for tribes to prioritize historic preservation than usual. Its usually pretty difficult, but now were seeing similar effects for tribal education, health, and housing, Grussing said. Trumps proposed 2026 budget cuts $911 million from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Education. Expecting tribes to step up and prioritize historic preservation during this time is not realistic. With funding cuts across multiple points of tribal operations, tribes are having to make choices like funding their health and safety -- or a THPO program. Wahwassucks concern is that if multiple tribes lose their THPOs and staff working on consultation requests, conditions will effectively go back to a pre-consultation period, as in the 1960s. In that world, tribal nations wouldnt have opportunities to intervene or protect lands and cultural resources. Theres been a lot of profit made off of the blood and bones of our ancestors and off of the lands that our tribes have had to cede and be removed from, Wahwassuck said. I hear it mentioned pretty regularly that this administration wants to recognize tribal sovereignty and honor the trust and treaty responsibility. However, these funding actions directly go against those statements. - This story is provided as a service of the Institute for Nonprofit News On the Ground news wire. The Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) is a network of more than 475 independent, nonprofit newsrooms serving communities throughout the US, Canada, and globally. On the Ground is a service of INN, which aggregates the best of its members elections and political content, and provides it free for republication. Read more about INN here: https://inn.org/. A Cambridge pharmaceutical company is laying off 155 employees as it prepares to cease its research into blood cancer treatments. Vor Biopharma, which was developing drugs to treat the blood cancer acute myeloid leukemia and similar diseases, will lay off the majority of its workforce by July 15, according to a Massachusetts Workers Adjustment Retraining Noticefiled with the state. Employees were notified on May 8 and will remain employed at-will until July 15, according to a letter to the state dated earlier this month. In a press release posted the same day, the company announced that it would begin to explore a range of strategic alternatives aimed at maximizing both near- and long-term shareholder value such as a sale of the company or merger with another company. The decision by the companys board was based on currently available clinical data from its key clinical programs and a challenging fundraising environment, according to the news release. Vor Bio will also begin winding down its remaining clinical and manufacturing operations, including clinical trials. The company will retain eight employees to aid in the transition process. As of Dec. 31, 2024, Vor Bio had approximately $91.9 million in assets, according to the company. In response to a Monday request for comment, a spokesperson for Vor Bio directed MassLive to the May 8 news release. FILE - Freshly-made pennies sit in a bin at the U.S. Mint in Denver on Aug. 15, 2007. The Mint is going ahead with plans to stop production of the popular coin once current blanks are used up. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) AP With the Treasuring Departments plans to stop the production of pennies, the public might be wondering what this means for their giant coin collection at home. Payments made with cash by American consumers decreased to 16% in 2023, according to the Federal Reserve, and for the first time in history was not the most-used instrument for smaller-value payments of $25 or less. In February, President Donald Trump announced that he had ordered his administration to cease production of the penny, which costs almost 4 cents to create, according to the U.S. Mint. Ending penny production is expected to create an immediate annual savings of $56 million in reduced material costs. The news has caused some pushback as fans of the penny cite its usefulness in charity drives and relative bargain in production costs compared with the nickel, which costs almost 14 cents to mint. Circulation pathways for coins have declined as consumer coin jars continue to grow and have expanded by as much as 15% to 20%, according to a 2023 Federal Reserve report. In fact, the median household sits on $60 to $90 in coins which is the equivalent of one to two 16-ounce cups or a medium-sized piggy bank. This is mostly due to the lack of utility of coins as a payment option as digital payments have grown since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Reserve added. When asked why consumers do not redeem their coins more frequently, the most common answer was that it was not worth the effort to do so, the institutions report reads. Rather than collecting dust, consumers could visit a coin exchange kiosk or bank to trade those coins for cash. People underestimate the value of their jar by about half, Kevin McColly, CEO of Coinstar told Delaware Online. Its a wonderfully pleasurable experience. People have this sensation of found money. The coins can also be recyclables that can be reused in the monetary system, which lessens the amount of coins the Mint would have to create, McColly added. Those are just natural resources coming out of the Earth," he told Delaware Online adding that copper-plated zinc is used for pennies while copper-nickel alloys are for nickels, dimes and quarters. When consumers pour their change into the Coinstar kiosk, theres sometimes a small fee that can be waived if the depositor decides to trade in coins for a retail gift card rather than cash. Customers can also donate to their preferred charity, according to the companys website. Another option is exchanging coins at no cost by visiting a bank. You can go to your own bank or credit union and not pay any fee, Personal Finance Expert at Nerdwallet, Kimberly Palmer told Delaware Online. I think that a lot of people probably do have hidden coins stashed around their home, and it can be worth their time to go and collect them. Some pennies could be worth millions, including certain Wheat pennies valued at $2.3 million. Those who believe they potentially own any type of rare coin can get it graded from services like the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC). https://advancelocal.arcpublishing.com/composer/edit/J6UGKVWOK5GRTIEKTSFBFGNFXE/ In May, around 1,500 people were detained across Massachusetts by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and officials said Monday they plan to keep coming back. Make no mistake: ICE is going to keep doing this, Todd Lyons, acting director of ICE, said at a press conference at the Boston Federal Courthouse. ICE is going to make sure that we keep our community safe and keep our neighborhoods safe from these sex offenders and these criminal aliens, Lyons said, days after arresting an 18-year-old Milford high school student on his way to volleyball practice. The arrest spurred protests over the weekend and strong words from Gov. Maura Healey. Lyons was flanked by dozens of officials inside the courthouse press room, including ICE Boston Office Field Director Patricia Hyde, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley and ICE Boston spokesperson James Covington. The 1,461 total people arrested in May were detained across the state, the officials said. Of that number, 790 had significant criminality, and had either been convicted of a crime or had pending criminal charges, Covington said. Those targeted in the operation included drug traffickers, sex offenders, murderers and foreign fugitives trying to evade justice in their home countries, Lyons said. While further details were not offered on the other 671 people detained, every person we arrested was breaking our immigration laws, Hyde said. Though reporters pressed for a comprehensive list of those detained, the officials declined to definitively provide one. Of the total number of people detained, 277 were ordered removed from the U.S. by an immigration judge, Hyde said. Acting ICE Boston Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde at a press conference at the John Joseph Moakley Courthouse on June 2. (Irene Rotondo) Lyons listed Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, Lawrence, Nantucket and Marthas Vineyard as locations people were taken from and Hyde said the targeted individuals were located in some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods of Massachusetts. To any criminal alien offenders victimizing Massachusetts residents, ICE is not going away. We are coming here, Hyde said. While removing these individuals is extremely gratifying, we still have a lot of work to do, she said. In a statement on Monday afternoon, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said ICEs press conference failed to address the serious, unanswered questions surrounding recent sweeping enforcement actions in Massachusetts. Arresting people without any criminal record or allegations of criminal activity, detaining individuals in broad daylight without due process, and promising to patrol neighborhoods with no oversight is not reflective of a democratic society its a threat to [public safety]," Campbell said. During the conference, Hyde said while ICE hopes for a mutually beneficial cooperative relationship with state and local law enforcement, the agency will work around them when it becomes necessary to ensure safety and security. The ICE officials also took time to warn citizens who impede or obstruct ICE operations and said they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In a wild scene last month on Eureka Street in Worcester, ICE agents detained Rosane Ferreira-De Oliveira, a Brazilian mother of three. A crowd of more than 30 people shouted at the agents and demanded to see a warrant, though Ferreira-De Oliveira was eventually taken to be held in Rhode Island. Worcester police arrested her teenage daughter at the scene after she stood in front of the ICE agents car holding a baby, then later ran after the car and kicked it. The officials also addressed why the agents are often masked. ... people are out there taking photos of [ICE agents], their faces and posting them online with death threats to their family and themselves, Lyons said. So, Im sorry if people are offended by them wearing masks, but Im not going to let my officers and agents go out there and put their lives on the line and family on the line, because people dont like what immigration enforcement is, he said. In February, Tom Homan, the U.S. border czar, promised, Im coming to Boston and Im bringing hell with me" while speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Images of people detained by ICE in Massachusetts through the month of May, at a press conference at the John Joseph Moakley Courthouse in Boston on June 2. (Irene Rotondo) The Trump administration previously maintained that its enforcement efforts are confined to targeting illegal immigrant killers, rapists and drug dealers but several of the arrests have been for minor crimes right down to an argument over a cell phone. Public criticism has reached a fever pitch over some of these arrests, as well as the tactics ICE employs in conducting them such as approaching a target while wearing masks, an interruption of court proceedings and smashing a car window with an ax while people were inside. This includes the arrest of Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old Turkish woman enrolled in a Tufts University doctoral program, was taken from the streets of Somerville by ICE agents on March 25 and detained for 45 days. Federal officials later said the arrest was linked with a pro-Palestinian op-ed she co-wrote for the Tufts University student newspaper. Her release followed a tumultuous legal battle between courts in Louisiana, Vermont and Massachusetts vying for control over Ozturks detainment. Ozturk was never charged with any crimes. The Department of Homeland Security said that she engaged in activities in support of Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, without providing evidence of that claim. Court battles after the arrests have been high stakes, as the administration has at times deported individuals before the conclusion of their guaranteed Constitutional right to due process. Karen Reads second trial in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John OKeefe, continued on Monday in Dedhams Norfolk Superior Court before Judge Beverly Cannone. Read more: Karen Read retrial: Biggest takeaways from week 6 as prosecution rests its case On Friday, the first day of Reads defense, the jury heard from a vehicle data expert and accident reconstructionist who examined the findings of a pair of prosecution experts. The defense called three witnesses on Monday, including an expert on dog bites. People to know: Hank Brennan, special prosecutor for the district attorneys office Kelly Dever, Boston Police officer who previously worked in Canton Jonathan Diamandis, friend of former trooper Michael Proctor Alan Jackson, lawyer for Read Dr. Marie Russell, retired emergency room physician 3:56 p.m. - Judge sends jurors home With Russells testimony still going, Cannone told jurors they were done for the day. Before the break, Brennan asked Russell a series of questions comparing her current testimony to testimony at previous hearings including Reads first trial. Russell first testified the wounds were consistent with an animal attack, not specifying they were dog bites as she later did. But she said the lack of specificity wasnt due to any lack of belief in her opinion and is instead a reflection of the belief in medicine that you never say anythings 100% Since the first trial, Russell said, her degree of certainty has gone up. 3:37 p.m. - Russell questioned about medical examiners report Forensic pathologist Dr. Marie Russell testifies under cross-examination by special prosecutor Hank Brennan during the murder retrial of Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, June 2, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) AP Brennan moved to a line of questioning about the report of the states medical examiner, Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello, and whether her conclusions differed from Russells. Russell said Scordi-Bello made no interpretation of the wounds on OKeefes arm, and that her conclusions were not inconsistent with Russells opinion. Brennan noted that Scordi-Bello was the only person involved in the case to physically examine OKeefes body. Robert Alessi objected to the questioning about the autopsy, and Cannone called the lawyers to sidebar. After the sidebar, Brennan resumed his questions about Scordi-Bellos report. Scordi-Bello concluded that the abrasions on OKeefes arm had no punctures. Russell said she agreed with that. But Brennan suggested Russells testimony on the subject of punctures had changed over the numerous times she has testified in the Read case. 3:19 p.m. - Russell pressed on credentials Much of the beginning of Brennans cross-examination was focused on undercutting Russells testimony by portraying her as wanting the publicity associated with the Read case. Russell said she had never testified in state or federal court as a dog bite expert before this case. You wanted to get involved in this high-profile case, didnt you? Brennan asked. Brennan suggested she used her testimony in the Read case to advertise herself as a dog bite expert, noting Russell was being paid for her time. Russell said she was reluctant to agree to be hired by the defense. But Russell said that wasnt true and that the only reason she interjected herself into the Read case to help clarify issues. Her experience as a board-certified emergency medicine physician and forensic pathologist, plus her knowledge of dog bites, made her uniquely qualified, she said. Dog bite wounds, I doubt that many [medical examiners] ... have a significant interest in dog bites, Russel said. 3:03 p.m. - Holes in OKeefes clothes likely from canine tooth As part of her analysis, Russell looked at several photos of OKeefes clothing. Numerous holes in his sweatshirt are consistent with being made by a canines tooth, she said. The hole and torn fabric near it are reflective of a tooth going into a persons shirt, reaching the skin and then coming out of the shirt and pulling some fabric with it. Russell said she has determined the source of defects in a persons clothes several hundred times and done so to connect them to a persons injuries. She said she has seen clothes with defects from motor vehicle accidents but before she could answer whether the defects in OKeefes clothes were consistent with a car crash, Brennan objected. Robert Alessi concluded his direct examination by asking Russell her opinion on the cause of the wounds. I believe that these injuries are the result of dog bites and/or claw marks, she said, confirming she held the opinion to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty. 2:23 p.m. - Wounds on OKeefes arm highly specific Forensic pathologist Dr. Marie Russell testifies about the type of injuries to the back of someone's arm during the murder retrial of Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court, Monday June 2, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) AP After the break, Russell said she saw mutliple linear groupings of wounds on OKeefes arm. What I see ... is multiple strikes from [a] dog, she said. The wounds are highly specific for a dog attack, Russell said, though Cannone struck the last word of her answer after an objection from Brennan. Russell explained that some of the wounds on OKeefes arm may look different than others but still have been caused by the same teeth. That difference can be caused by a person moving their arm or their skin moving as an attack takes place, she explained. I see several groupings of wounds, she said. Theres at least four different types of bites or combination bite and claw marks. But the bites didnt penetrate OKeefes skin and extend into the soft tissue underneath, Russell said. She said it was her opinion that he sustained the wounds before he died. 12:54 p.m. - Those wounds were inflicted as the result of a dog attack After a brief sidebar, Russell said it was her opinion that the wounds on OKeefes arm were the result of a dog attack. His arm had multiple groupings of wounds, which she said were inflicted by the teeth and claws of a dog. The pattern of the wounds is consistent with what would be the result of a dog attack, Russell said. Cannone called an hour-long lunch break with Russell still on the stand. 12:38 p.m. - Russell describes involvement in Read case Russell confirmed on direct examination that she reviewed photos of OKeefes right arm for her testimony in this case. She explained to jurors that when a person is being attacked, they put their arms up, leading to the posterior, or back, of their arm being wounded. Russell said dog bites can cause lots of injuries, from parallel scratches to avulsions, where a flap of a persons skin is torn away. Specific to the Read case, Russell said she heard or saw something about there being an issue with possible dog-inflicted injuries versus car-inflicted injuries. That caught my attention, she said. As Russells testimony continued, the defense published a photo of OKeefes right arm on the screens inside the courtroom. Russell said she used pattern recognition and differential diagnosis to form an opinion about the wounds. Differential diagnosis is the process of considering multiple conditions that may be causing a persons injuries or symptoms, she explained. 11:49 a.m. - Emergency physician describes experience The defenses next witness, Russell, told jurors she got her medical degree in 1987. She worked at a county hospital in Los Angeles and, most recently, worked for the California prison system. Russell said the wounds the dog-inflicted wounds she treated were extensive with ripping, tearing [and] crushing of tissue. Police K9 dogs in the L.A.-area were taught to bite and hold, Russell said, as opposed to civilian dogs which inflicted more minor wounds. Russell said she developed a specific interest in law enforcement type injuries in part because of her specific experience as a police officer. She said shes treated at least 500 dog bite wounds. Russell treated thousands of people with injuries from a car accident, in part because the hospital was located near major freeways. Russell autopsied a young boy who had been attacked by a dog and is the co-author of two peer-reviewed articles in major emergency medicine journals. She said shes been qualified as an expert in numerous court cases, and testified mostly about causes of death. Dog bites are an issue that dont come up often in cases, Russell said. 10:55 a.m. - Dever says defense pressured her about FBI interview On redirect, Jackson read Dever the rest of her testimony to FBI agents interviewing her in August 2023. At the time, she told them she believed she saw Brian Higgins, a federal agent, and Canton Police Chief Kenneth Berkowitz, in the Canton Police garage with Reads SUV for a wildly long time. Dever said she was friends with Sarah Levinson, another witness in the case, which she reported to the FBI. At times during the questioning, Jackson raised his voice, seemingly getting frustrated with Dever. Despite Dever being a defense witness, Cannone gave Jackson wide latitude to ask leading questions as if he were cross-examining her. On re-cross from Brennan, Dever confirmed she had been subpoenaed by the defense in this case and no one from the district attorneys office ever suggested she testify to anything other than the truth. Theres no way she saw Higgins and Berkowitz with the SUV, Dever said. She said Reads lawyers did not want me to tell the truth. My entire job revolves around what I say on the stand right now, she said. If I were to lie, I would lose everything. Jackson suggested if Dever were to testify to what she told the FBI she would be implicating two fellow officers. But she said under questioning from Brennan that she never suggested either man tampered with the SUV in any way. I have no one to protect, she said. Cannone called a morning recess after Devers testimony concluded. 10:34 a.m. - Police officer says defense threatened her with perjury Boston Police officer Kelly Dever, formerly with Canton Police, testifies during the murder retrial of Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court, in Dedham, Mass., Monday, June 2, 2025. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) Dever said she spoke to Reads defense team last April, before the first trial. At the time, they threatened to charge her with perjury, she said. On that call, the defense was very aggressive when Dever said she could not testify to seeing Brian Higgins, a federal agent, and Canton Police Chief Kenneth Berkowitz, in the Canton Police garage with Reads SUV. Dever said her shift on Jan. 29, 2022 ended at 3:45 p.m., before Reads SUV arrived at the police station. This was just a random shift for me three and a half years ago, she said, adding she was uncomfortable with the way Reads defense was attempting to guide what my testimony is. Im here to speak the truth, she said. 10:16 a.m. - Former Canton police officer faces tough questioning The next witness to testify Monday morning was Dever. Dever was on patrol on Jan. 28, 2022 and called to cover dispatch in the early morning of Jan. 29, 2022, when a 911 call came in reporting OKeefe had been found in the snow. Alan Jackson, a lawyer for Read, conducted a rather tense direct examination of Dever, who said she didnt have any idea why she was testifying in this case. During an interview with federal agents on Aug. 9, 2023, Dever said she saw Brian Higgins, a federal agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and Canton Police Chief Ken Berkowitz go into the sallyport at the police station, where Reads SUV was stored. Higgins was inside 34 Fairview Road on the night OKeefe died. But Dever suggested that was a false memory and told Jackson she had been provided a timeline that countered her recollection. Jackson asked a series of questions about a meeting between Dever and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, which Dever said was prompted by her being called about potential testimony in the Read case. He said nothing with the intent of guiding me one way or another, she said. He just wanted me to tell the truth up here. Jackson suggested Cox told her to do the right thing in that meeting. Dever said she could not recall that statement. Dever said that was the only time Cox called her to talk about her testimony in a case. 9:40 a.m. - Fired troopers texts read aloud Jonathan Diamandis, a longtime friend of Michael Proctor, testifies for the defense during the murder retrial of Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court, in Dedham, Mass., Monday June 2, 2025. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) AP On cross-examination from Brennan, Diamandis was forced to read aloud many of the messages Proctor sent in a text exchange with friends of his from high school about Read and the investigation into OKeefe. In the text exchange, which includes messages on Jan. 29, 2022, the day of OKeefes death, Proctor tells his friends serious charges will be brought on Read. He also calls her a babe with a weird Fall River accent. Shes got a leaky balloon knot, leaks poo, Proctor wrote of Read. Brennan read many of the texts aloud himself, with Diamandis authenticating they were accurate. Both Brennan and David Yannetti, a lawyer for Read, asked a series of questions about Proctors termination from Massachusetts State Police. Diamandis confirmed he knew the termination was tied to the texts Proctor sent, but not any more detail. Brennan also used the cross-examination to deflect accusations that Proctor planted evidence or attempted to frame Read. Diamandis confirmed Proctor never sent messages along those lines. 9:10 a.m. - Judge lets in fired troopers text messages Before the jury entered the courtroom Monday morning, Cannone allowed the defense to bring in text messages sent by former trooper Michael Proctor as evidence. The defense called one of Proctors friends, Jonathan Diamandis, to authenticate the messages during a brief voir dire Friday afternoon. Diamandis was on the group chat where Proctor sent several degrading text messages about Read and revealed details of the investigation into OKeefes death. Proctor was later fired in part for those messages. Cannone found the messages had been properly authenticated and allowed them in as they speak to Proctors state of mind. Special prosecutor Hank Brennan objected to the inclusion of the texts and argued the defense must call Proctor to get them into evidence. Diamandis was the first witness to take the stand Monday. He authenticated the messages again on direct examination and they were entered into evidence. Read, 45, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of OKeefe, who was found outside the Canton 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. A New Hampshire man was sentenced to decades in prison on Monday for violently raping three different women he picked up in Boston in 2023, the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office announced. On May 16, 2025, a jury convicted 25-year-old Newton, New Hampshire, resident Maxwell Newman of four counts of rape, three counts of assault and battery, two counts of assault to rape and one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, the district attorneys office said in a press release. On Monday, Judge Debra Squires-Lee sentenced Newman to 28 to 34 years in state prison followed by five years of probation, the district attorneys office said. While issuing the sentence, she noted his repeated acts of violence, deliberate targeting of vulnerable women and degrading treatment of the victims. The Worcester father of a 4-month-old child was deported to Fortaleza, Brazil, after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials signed a deportation authorization document in his name without his permission, according to his attorney. Samarone Alves Ferreira-De Souza, the partner of 21-year-old Augusta Clara Moura and father of her baby, was deported to Brazil from his detention center in Louisiana on May 25, said Andrew George Lattarulo, an immigration lawyer from the Chelsea-based firm, Georges Cote Law. Ferreira-De Souza was arrested by ICE on May 7 after he honked at an undercover car with ICE agents in Worcester while he was driving to work, Lattarulo previously told MassLive. Clara Moura witnessed her mother, 40-year-old Rosane Ferreira-De Oliveira of Brazil, be arrested and detained by ICE agents one day later. In the wake of his deportation, Ferreira-De Souzas partner, Clara Moura, has been feeling very sad, Lattarulo told MassLive. She and her 4-month-old son will leave for Brazil on June 6 to be with Ferreira-De Souza, the lawyer said. On May 25, Lattarulo received a phone call from his client in Brazil. During the call, Ferreira-De Souza said that ICE officials asked him if he would sign a form authorizing his deportation from the United States, according to Lattarulo. They violated his rights The lawyer isnt sure what form ICE agents signed and said he was not provided a copy when he asked the agency. Even though his client refused, Lattarulo stated that ICE informed Ferreira-De Souza that they had signed the document on his behalf. When my client questioned it, they said, we already signed for you. Youre going back. Lattarulo said. They didnt even let him talk to us the last few days he was incarcerated. The attorney went on to say that Ferreira-De Souza was not provided due process before his deportation. ICE is trying to deport people now without immigration hearings, Lattarulo said. They violated his (Ferreira-De Souzas) rights and theyre doing it to everyone they can. ICE and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday. Lattarulo told MassLive that his client is doing fine but has decided not to fight his deportation in court as he was tired of being in the United States. A family torn apart in a chaotic arrest The May 7 and May 8 ICE arrests sundered Clara Mouras family. Now, with her leaving the country and her mothers continued detainment, her two sisters are in the custody of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, according to Lattarulo. The day after Ferreira-De Souza was arrested, Clara Moura through her lawyer said ICE came to her home, telling her to return her partners car and sign immigration paperwork. She said she left her house with her baby and her 17-year-old sister, intending to comply with the order. Thats when ICE stopped my car and told me I was under arrest, Clara Moura said. Since I was with my baby, I called my mother to come take my son. Clara Moura also claims that ICE agents also attempted to take her baby from her but they backed down due to protests from neighbors. When her mother arrived, ICE agents attempted and succeeded in arresting her. Screams and chants of dont take the mother erupted on Eureka Street as a crowd of more than 30 people confronted the agents. Clara Moura, along with her 17-year-old sister, both saw their mother being taken away and put into an SUV. Worcester Police Officers arrived at the scene after 11 a.m. after 911 calls were made from ICE agents requesting police assistance and calls from people at the scene. Body camera footage worn by Officer Juan Vallejo that was released by the Worcester Police Department on May 16 showed Ferreira-De Oliveiras teenage daughter run up to the side of the SUVs front passenger door. Police later claimed she tried to kick the door, but it is difficult to confirm this due to the shaky footage and the large police presence. Vallejo and other officers surrounded the girl and moved her to the ground on the street. During the arrest, an officer yells, Youre under arrest for disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace. The daughter was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, according to police. Following her arrest, she was released from custody to be with family friends along with Clara Moura, the baby and another daughter of Ferreira-De Oliveira, who is a minor. On May 16, Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier announced the department requested a court to dismiss the case against the daughter. Saucier said in a statement that it is important to emphasize that assaulting or interfering with law enforcement officers as they carry out their duties is never acceptable. With Clara Moura and her son moving back to Brazil, Lattarulo said that the two other sisters may in the country. He believes that Ferreira-De Oliveira has been in contact with her family, but he does not have any further information. The mother of three is currently being held at the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls, Rhode Island. A lawyer for Ferreira-De Oliveira did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. Active ICE presence in Massachusetts ICE has ratcheted up operations in the past four months following the inauguration of President Donald Trump, and has been very active in Massachusetts. While the Trump administration has maintained that its enforcement efforts are confined to targeting illegal immigrant killers, rapists and drug dealers several of the arrests have been for much more minor crimes right down to an argument over a cell phone. Several ICE arrests were reported throughout Massachusetts in May. On May 27, about 40 people on Nantucket and Marthas Vineyard were arrested by ICE during an operation, with the U.S. Coast Guard taking them off the island. ICE agents were seen making traffic stops in unmarked vehicles Tuesday, May 27, MassLives media partner, the Vineyard Gazette, reported. On May 31, an 18-year-old student from Milford High School was arrested and detained by ICE agents while he was headed to volleyball practice. The student was identified as Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, according to WBUR. A habeas corpus petition filed by the students attorney reads that Gomes Da Silva arrived in the United States in 2012 through a student visa, according to WBUR. The visa has since lapsed and Gomes Da Silva intends apply for asylum, WBUR reports. In response to the filing, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Sterns released an order on Sunday afternoon stating that Gomes Da Silva must not be moved out of Massachusetts for at least 72 hours, according to WBUR. On June 1, protesters gathered in Milford, decrying against the arrest and demanding Gomes Da Silvas return. In a statement, Gov. Maura Healey said she was disturbed and outraged by the reports of the 18-year-olds arrest. Yet again, local officials and law enforcement have been left in the dark with no heads up and no answers to their questions, Healey said. Im demanding that ICE provide immediate information about why he was arrested, where he is and how his due process is being protected. Pennsylvania U.S. Sens. John Fetterman, the Democrat (L) and Dave McCormick, the Republican (R), talk about the Big Issues during an appearance in Boston on Monday, June 2, 2025. John L. Micek/MassLive The organizers billed it as proof that two people on opposite sides of the political divide could sit in the same room and not tear each others heads off. And if the face-off between Pennsylvania U.S. Sens. John Fetterman, a Democrat, and Dave McCormick, the Republican, was any indication, they succeeded beyond their wildest imaginings. For just about 30 minutes on Monday morning, the two lawmakers acknowledged that they would occasionally find themselves at cross purposes in the ideological hothouse that is Washington, D.C., but said they hoped they could do so agreeably. We both care deeply about Pennsylvania, McCormick, who won election to the Senate last November by defeating a long-serving Democratic incumbent, said. We are working together to do great things. The excessively civil chat, co-sponsored by the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate and the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation, was live-streamed on FOX Nation and moderated by Fox News Sunday anchor Shannon Bream. It was the sixth such installment of the ongoing Senate Project put on by the two organizations. The 30-minute session, held in the Kennedy Institutes replica U.S. Senate chamber, ranged across the issues of the day, touching on the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza; the looming Senate debate over President Donald Trumps deficit-busting Big Beautiful Bill, and the blockbuster agreement between U.S. Steel and Japanese company Nippon Steel that Trump announced last week. Past participants in the program have included conversations between U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.; Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa; and Chris Coons, D-Del., who faced now U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican. Mondays conversation began with Sundays terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, where a man wielding a homemade explosive device and shouting invective, was charged with hurling them at a group peacefully demonstrating on behalf of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Fetterman took to the stage in his trademark black hoodie and shorts. McCormick sat next to him in a suit and tie. Both were given commemorative hoodies for their participation, which they displayed proudly. Pennsylvania U.S. Sens. John Fetterman, the Democrat (L) and Dave McCormick, the Republican (R), talk about the Big Issues during an appearance in Boston on Monday, June 2, 2025. John L. Micek/MassLive Fetterman, recalling that he and McCormick first met during an anniversary observance for a deadly synagogue attack in Pittsburgh, offered that its astonishing that this antisemitism is out of control. And he lamented what he said was its spread across American college and university campuses. We need to call it what it is, he said, adding that building tent cities on campuses and terrorizing Jewish students, thats not free speech. McCormick offered a similar sentiment, saying antisemitism is something that we have to stand up against [with] moral clarity. The two lawmakers acknowledged that they will find themselves on opposite sides of Trumps megabill, which looks to make permanent his first-term tax cuts with deep reductions in spending on social safety net programs such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, often referred to as food stamps. I dont think Id ever be in a position to support cuts to Medicaid. The same for SNAP, Fetterman said, then, referring to his wife Giseles work feeding hungry people in their hometown of Braddock, outside Pittsburgh, he stressed that people werent looking for giveaways. Theyre hungry and need help. I see people standing in line for food, he said. Its not just because they want free stuff, its that they dont have enough to eat. McCormick stressed the importance of " slowing the growth of the cost of government." " I think thats where the debates going to be, Is how do we pay for these things," he said. Fetterman, who has faced recent questions about his mental and physical health, said McCormick supported him against what he described as a weird smear campaign. He actually asked me, Is it okay to defend you? Fetterman recalled. Fetterman suffered a debilitating stroke shortly before the 2022 election and was hospitalized for treatment for depression early in his term. He also has faced criticism for missing votes, but argued that the ones he had missed were throwaway procedural votes that did not require his presence to stand or fall. Im here. Im doing the job, he said. Former President Bill Clinton speaks during the funeral service of former Labor Secretary Alexis Herman at Washington National Cathedral Wednesday, May 14, 2025 in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) AP Former President Bill Clinton claimed in an interview on CBS Sunday Morning, this week that most Americans dont agree with how President Donald Trump is handling the presidency. Look, weve never seen anything like this before in my lifetime, Clinton said. Somebody that says, Whatever I want should be the law of the land. Its my way or the highway. And most Americans dont agree with that. In the interview, Clinton criticized Trump, saying that the 47th president is looking for ways to defy court orders. He also criticized Trump for his attacks on law firms who dont agree with him. That aint America. Weve never done that. The whole purpose of having a legal system is to have both sides be heard, Clinton said. The 42nd president noted, however, that judges, including ones appointed by Trump, have kept the president in check. While he said that only elections could change the current outlook of the United States, the 42nd president added that people need to speak out in favor of common sense. Someone needs to stand up and say, (Expletive) it, what we have in common matters more, Clinton said. We cannot throw the legacy of this country away. We cannot destroy other peoples trust in us. Clintons comments come after his wife, Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, made headlines after she warned about the possibilities of a third Trump term. During an interview given at New Yorks 92nd Street Y, Clinton said that people need to listen to what Trump says as he is telegraphing his intentions. When he says, You know, there are people who think that it could happen, what hes saying is he has people right now in these right-wing think tanks trying to figure out how to make it happen, Clinton said. And he also has very militant supporters who believe that it should happen, so if it cant happen legally that is not an obstacle. Trump has offered conflicting comments about whether he would seek a third term as presidenta concept that is prohibited under the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution. During an interview given to NBC in March, Trump said he was not joking about trying to serve a third term. In May, however, Trump said he would not seek a third term during an interview with Kristen Welker. Ill be an eight-year president, Ill be a two-term president. I always thought that was very important, Trump said. The race for the 2026 Republican gubernatorial nomination moved into high gear Monday with one aspirant for the corner office announcing hed shattered a fundraising record. Brian Shortsleeve, who helmed the MBTA under former Gov. Charlie Baker, said his campaign had raised $416,027 in its first 20 days, outpacing both his old boss and his so-far only competition for the nomination. Im deeply grateful that so many Bay Staters have stepped up to support my campaign to bring affordability and fiscal sanity back to Massachusetts, Shortsleeve, who entered the race last month, said in a statement. The other Republican in the race, Mike Kennealy, who served as Bakers housing and economic development czar, said hed raised more than $130,000 in the first three weeks of his campaign. That haul prompted a challenge from the state Democratic Party, which complained to state regulators that Kennealy apparently had collected thousands of dollars in donations above the allowable limit. Kennealys campaign attributed the overages to donors whod covered credit card processing fees and couples who contributed to the Republican hopeful as a single transaction, MassLive previously reported. A spokesperson told MassLive that the campaign was actively refunding excess donations. And the campaign was in full communication with regulators to ensure compliance. State data show Kennealy with $256,715 in his campaign account as of Monday. In a statement, Kennealys campaign took aim at Shortsleeves fundraising haul, saying that No amount of money Brian Shortsleeve raises can erase his failures at the MBTAor recover the millions wasted on a rail deal with the Chinese Communist Party and an utterly botched Green Line Extension. Shortsleeve said his campaign broke the $139,502 record for non-incumbents that Baker set during his first 30 days as a candidate in 2009, when the individual donation limit was $500 instead of the current $1,000. It also exceeds the $405,511 that incumbent Democratic Gov. Maura Healey raised in March 2025, Shortsleeves campaign said. Healey announced earlier this year that shes seeking a second term. Healey had $2.9 million in her campaign account as of Monday, data show. Red Sox' Romy Gonzalez looks on before a game against the Guardians at Progressive Field on April 26. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) Diamond Images/Getty Images BOSTON The Boston Red Sox activated right-handed hitting first baseman Romy Gonzalez from the 10-day injured list and optioned infielder/outfielder Nate Eaton to Triple-A Worcester on Monday. Boston will open a three-game series against the Angels here at Fenway Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Gonzalez who missed 22 games with a left quad contusion will play first base. Abraham Toro will play third base and Marcelo Mayer will receive the day off against left-handed starter Tyler Anderson (2-2, 3.39 ERA) I feel great, Gonzalez said. Obviously Im super ecstatic to be back with the boys, just being able to contribute in any way. Hopefully get the boys rolling. Gonzalez has gone 16-for-52 (.308 batting average) with a .362 on-base percentage, .423 slugging percentage, .785 OPS, six doubles, six RBIs, 10 runs, three steals, four walks and 12 strikeouts in 17 games. He has made 10 starts at first base, one start at second base and one start at third base this season. Gonzalez said he initially felt like he would need the minimum 10 days before returning. I had a little setback in the rehab process, Gonzalez said. But some of those things are out of my control. I can only control what I can control. So Im just happy to be back. A mild strain in his quad and inflammation caused the setback. So my quad wasnt firing properly, he said. I was pushing to get back and pushed a little too aggressively and ended up tweaking it a little bit. Gonzalez doesnt know if he will move around the field or mainly play first base. He went 0-for-7 in two rehab games for Triple-A Worcester but he said he overall felt really good at the plate. Eaton spent just one day on the 26-man roster. Boston selected him to the 40-man roster Sunday and optioned Nick Sogard back to Worcester. Eaton did not record a plate appearance in his lone game. SPRINGFIELD Saying people shouldnt be punished twice for the same crime, city officials are pushing for legislation to automatically seal records for those who committed nonviolent crimes three to seven years after conviction. The Clean Slate Initiative, which is now being debated in the Legislatures Joint Committee on the Judiciary, would automatically seal records of misdemeanor crimes three years after conviction and after seven years for a felony. Accra Girls was seized by the state due to nonpayment of taxes. (Adam Bass/MassLive.com) A restaurant located on Worcesters Grafton Street that serves cuisine from Ghana has been seized by the states Department of Revenue (DOR) due to unpaid taxes, according to two signs posted on the buildings windows. Accra Girls at 1280 Grafton St. was seized by the DOR because of nonpayment of taxes, the two orange signs read. Emmanuel Larbi and Manasseh Konabu, the co-owner of Accra Girls, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday. The Department of Revenue did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the timing of the seizure on Monday. Accra Girls first opened in 2017, according to the Worcester Business Journals profile on Larbi. The Instagram page of the restaurant reads that it offers hospitality on a plate. The restaurant serves dishes from Ghana, which feature foods such as Jollof rice, boiled yam and spinach stew and Banku a starchy dish made of corn and cassava doughs. The Childrens Books of Mayo Map will be launched on Saturday, June 7, as part of Cruinniu na nOg. The launch event takes place at 2pm in the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, with a range of other creative activities and book readings to enjoy throughout the day from 11.30am to 4pm. Did you know County Mayo has over 50 childrens books either written by Mayo authors, illustrated by Mayo artists, or inspired by Mayos people and places? Now, thanks to a new map, you can discover the magic of Mayo through these childrens books. The initiative is led by Mayo County Library and Mayo County Councils Culture and Creativity Team, with the support of local authors, illustrators, publishers, and booksellers. Their combined efforts have made the map possible and are helping to celebrate the unique literary landscape of Mayo and inspire children to visit their local libraries, discover new books, and explore the places that sparked these works of art. READ MORE: Young Mayo writers team up with writers from Gaza and Cairo to publish book Cruinniu na nOg, a national day celebrating the creativity of young people, provides the perfect backdrop for the launch of the Childrens Books of Mayo Map. Local artist Melanie Whelan was commissioned to design and illustrate the Childrens Books of Mayo Map. A key highlight of the event will be an exhibition called Islands of Imagination which showcases the characters created by children during a series of workshops led by Melanie in the lead-up to the launch. These workshops, held across Mayo - from Inishturk to Ballycastle - focused on sharing Melanies illustration techniques and tips for character development. At the event, attendees will have the chance to create their own characters, inspired by the workshop experience. Additionally, a mini version of the workshop activities will be included in the printed map, allowing children to engage in the same creative process and bring their own characters to life. Speaking ahead of the launch Melanie Whelan said: This has been a dream project. Ive had the opportunity to highlight the creative talent of these incredible Mayo authors and illustrators. It has been an honour to share that creativity with the next generation of budding artists and authors and create this Childrens Books of Mayo Map. Welcoming the upcoming launch, Austin Vaughan, County Librarian and Creative Ireland Coordinator, Mayo County Council, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to unveil the first-ever Childrens Books of Mayo Map! This beautiful and imaginative project celebrates the rich literary and creative landscape of County Mayo. Its a great way to celebrate the stories inspired by Mayo, and talent from Mayo. We cant wait for families, schools, and book lovers of all ages to join us for the launch or pick up a copy in their local library over the summer." READ MORE: Mayo councillor pleads with housing minister to declare housing emergency The launch event is being hosted by the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park. Tom Doyle from the Education and Learning Department said: We are delighted to support this exciting new project by Mayo County Library and Mayo County Councils Culture and Creativity Team by hosting this special event at the National Museum at Turlough Park. We look forward to seeing our visitors engage with this great initiative throughout the galleries on 7 June! The event is also supported by Mayo County Councils Local Authority Integration Team and Castlebar Primary School. The Childrens Books of Mayo Map features a diverse selection of books, ranging from illustrated storybooks to graphic novels, available in both English and Irish. A complete list of the featured books is provided on the back of the map. For full event details, search for Mayo County Library on Facebook or visit www.museum.ie by Ray Schultz , June 1, 2025 McClatchy is shutting four titles In Touch, Life & Style, First for Women, and Closer. The final editions of the periodicals will appear between June 20 and 27, said Julie Pendley, a McClatchy spokesperson, in a statement to Hollywood Reporter. The staffs will reportedly also be eliminated. Despite the best efforts of many of our talented colleagues, we have been unable to develop a profitable business model for four of our magazine titles, Pendley said. Pendley added: "We are grateful for the meaningful contributions of the affected employees and are providing support during the transition." The celebrity-oriented publications, In Touch and Life & Style, were taken over by McClatchy when it acquired owner A360 Media in 2024. by Ray Schultz , June 1, 2025 "The Grand Tourist," a podcast focused on luxury, is expanding its brand with a 364-page hardcover print magazine. Founded four years ago by Dan Rubinstein, "The Grand Tourist" podcast explores design and the luxury lifestyle, according to Forbes. The magazine, which is being offered with three different covers, will be bi-annual, starting next year. It also carries advertising. I wanted it to be a collectible object that people would want to be a part of, says Dan Rubinstein, who founded the podcast four years ago, according to Forbes. We want the magazine itself to be part of the experience. Rubinstein previously served as home & design director at Departures magazine and editor in chief of Surface. Genesis is partnering with Warner Bros. Discovery as the presenting sponsor of a companion series for the MAX Original series And Just Like That Behind the Look offers insight into the iconic styles that define the show. Conceived by famed costume designer Molly Rogers, the 12-episode companion series not only provides style lovers with a chance to explore the artistry of fashion, but also highlights how design influences personal expression and cultural impact. Each episode features cast members discussing their characters styles. Rogers is shown hunting for fashion treasures and traveling in a GV80 Coupe from meetings with top designers. Genesis also serves as a title sponsor for season 3 of And Just Like That which features many of the characters first introduced in the iconic Sex In The City. advertisement advertisement The automakers inclusion in Behind the Look is a natural extension of the brands passion for fashion, creativity and storytelling, says Amy Marentic, chief marketing officer, Genesis Motor America. Iconic design is at the heart of Genesis, just as it is in the world of And Just Like That... Marentic says in a release. By aligning with a series that celebrates the artistry behind style, were connecting with audiences who see design as both personal expression and cultural influencevalues that deeply resonate with our customers. Canvas Worldwide, Genesis media agency, secured this comprehensive partnership for the brand that includes the extensive linear and social media packages, along with the custom vehicle integrations in the companion series supporting And Just Like That... To have Genesis sponsor Behind the Look was such a wonderful alignment with the And Just Like That... brand, Rogers says in a release. You want to partner with a company that has the same dedication to details, sophistication, and street cred as the clothing which has its own heralded legacy, and in Genesis we shared the same set of principles. Genesis the best accessory ever! The 12-episode companion series will air weekly alongside each new episode of And Just Like That... under the extras tab on the show's Max page, marking the first time custom-sponsored content has been featured in this format on Max. The partnership also includes social distribution across And Just Like That... Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and Threads, and Max YouTube channels, along with the official And Just Like That... costume design Instagram account (@andjustlikethatcostumes). by Teresa Buyikian , June 2, 2025 New Yorkers stuck outside in the summer heat can get respite from an unlikely source. Carvel this week launched a new billboard in New York City -- which wouldnt normally be newsworthy, except this street-level outdoor ad gives out free soft serve. To commemorate summer and The Original Soft Serve, the billboard goes up June 18 in the West Village. On that date, the "It's Not Summer Without Carvel" billboard will dispense free servings of the brands vanilla soft serve to passersby while supplies last. Carvel's ice cream treats have been a special and memorable part of summer for our loyal fans, and this year is no different," said Jim Salerno, chief brand officer at Carvel, I the announcement. "We look forward to officially kicking off summer, or what we like to call Ice Cream Season, in a playful way." advertisement advertisement Carvels loyalty club members, known as Fudgie Fanatics, will receive a bonus if they visit the billboard in person as well. The first 50 Fanatics will get sprinkles on their soft serve as well as take home some exclusive Carvel swag such as T-shirts and gift cards. Those who sign up to become a Fudgie Fanatic either online or on site the day of the event will also receive a BOGO free soft serve sundae reward, a free birthday reward, early access to new flavors and seasonal items and other member offers. The brand has also launched its summer BOGO Wednesday offer, where any Wednesday purchase of a classic soft-serve ice cream sundae rewards the customer with a second sundae for free. The billboard is also an homage to Carvels New York City birthplace. The brand launched The Original Soft Serve in 1934, when Carvels ice cream truck broke down in the city during a heat wave and pedestrians liked the softened frozen treat. The founder Carvel also introduced the BOGO promos to the chain in 1936. Carvel, with 326 locations in the U.S. and 32 internationally, is owned by GoTo Foods, which also runs the Auntie Anne's, Cinnabon, Jamba, Moe's Southwest Grill, McAlister's Deli and Schlotzsky's brands. Exhausted all the time? With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, movement may feel impossible-but light, mindful exercise might just be your unexpected ally. Highlights: Exercise can benefit Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients if done gently, avoiding overexertion Improved circulation, sleep and mood are key exercise benefits for those with chronic fatigue Start slow, use support props, and listen to your body- pushing through fatigue can backfire Did you know? People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can feel exhausted after minimal activity- but just 2 minutes of slow, supported movement can boost circulation and clarity without causing a crash. #chronicfatiguesyndrome #cfsrecovery #exerciseforenergy #medindia People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can feel exhausted after minimal activity- but just 2 minutes of slow, supported movement can boost circulation and clarity without causing a crash. #chronicfatiguesyndrome #cfsrecovery #exerciseforenergy #medindia Advertisement What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Trusted Source Chronic fatigue syndrome: aetiology, diagnosis and treatment Go to source Trusted Source Advertisement What are the Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Can Exercise Help People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)? Advantages of Exercise in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Exercises for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Trusted Source Symptoms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Go to source Trusted Source Tips for Exercise with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Start with 1 to 2 exercises per session if necessary. Rest in between these workouts. "No pain, no gain" does not work, so never push through pain or weariness. Exercise in proper posture, as precise form is significantly more important than repetitions. Use supportive props such as pillows, chairs, or walls. Understand your limitations and stay inside your energy range. Drink water before and after exercising for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Eat a small, energy-supportive pre-workout snack like a banana if needed before light movement. Chronic fatigue syndrome: aetiology, diagnosis and treatment - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19857242/) Symptoms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - (https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/signs-symptoms/index.html) Exercise is intended not only to maintain a healthy weight but also to alleviate stress and keep bones and joints in good form. Some exercises may also be prescribed to help manage health issues like osteoporosis , diabetes and hypertension . But what if you are too fatigued to undertake any physical activity? Chronic fatigue syndrome is one such condition that causes excessive exhaustion. Even after resting, you will be too weary to do anything. It also affects the quality of your sleep and capacity to concentrate. So do you think exercise can help overcome chronic fatigue syndrome?Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, is a disorder that causes excessive exhaustion (). It can impact anyone, even youngsters.This long-term ailment can make daily activities such as going to work or taking a shower challenging. It can lead to sleep issues, including insomnia . People with this disease may sleep excessively and still feel as if they have not slept well. It can also cause brain fog, making it difficult to focus and concentrate clearly. The unpredictable nature of severe weariness can impair a person's personal, professional, and social life.Physical activity may assist in improving the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, however, recommends that exercises be performed under supervision. Exercise with chronic fatigue syndrome must be handled with extreme caution. "Gentle and well-paced physical activity can offer certain benefits if done correctly," explains physiotherapist Neha Gill.Gentle movement promotes increased blood and oxygen flow to tissues, which can help alleviate brain fog.Extended periods of rest can cause muscular weakening and joint stiffness. "Light activity helps maintain basic strength and mobility without overexertion," according to the trainer.Relaxing activities such as stretching or deep breathing may improve sleep quality, which is frequently poor in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.Gentle stretching and mobility exercises might help to relieve muscle pains and stiffness.Even light movement can stimulate the creation of endorphins and serotonin, which are feel-good hormones. "Exercising can help manage anxiety and depression that often accompany chronic illness," according to an expert.There are benefits to exercising, but it does not mean you should undertake high-intensity workouts or push through weariness. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many persons with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome experience dizziness, particularly while standing (). Standing exercises, particularly those without assistance, should be avoided.Chronic Fatigue Syndrome requires extra caution when engaging in physical exercise. Here are some tips:You should exercise with caution if you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The idea is to gently promote your health while avoiding exacerbating the symptoms. High-impact exercises or rigorous workouts can cause crashes in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Choose moderate movements and breathing instead. Before beginning any exercise routine, see a doctor or physiotherapist.Source-Medindia Popular stand up comedian Gaurav Gupta recently shared a clip from one of his comedy shows in the US where while doing the crowd work he came across fans from Pakistan in the audience. Addressing the folks amid the India-Pakistan tension after the Pahalgam terror attack, he was surprised to see Pakistani fans in the audience. However, when a few of the other crowd members screamed sindoor in reference to Indias Operation Sindoor against the terrorists in Pakistan, the comedian asked them to behave and then joked, Brother, you have a lot of guts coming to the show. He thought artists were banned, but audience members were still allowed. He then added, Chalo tum Hanuman Chalisa padho ab (Go on, recite the Hanuman Chalisa now). This was in reference to the terrorists asking innocent civilians in Pahalgam to recite kalma as a means to identify their religion and kill them. He then asked the fans if they understood his Hindi humour and when the response was in affirmative, the comedian further asked, Toh tumhe samajh nahi aata, nahi milega tumhe? Itne saalon se keh rahe hain nahi milega, nahi milega, phir aa jaate ho tum (So you dont understand? You wont get it. Weve been saying it for years still, you keep coming). This was a subtle reference to the Kashmir issue. Check out the clip below: Newly released documents from President Donald Trump's proposed 2026 budget show the White House has requested less money for the Space Force, a move which experts say doesn't match up with his rhetoric about the service and its national security importance. An appendix for budget documents released last week shows a total of around $26.3 billion requested for the Space Force in fiscal 2026 for personnel, procurement, operations and maintenance, as well as research and development. It's a notably lower figure than the $29.4 billion the service requested in fiscal 2025 -- which was already lowered from the previous year. The detailed budget documents show the White House requesting nearly $1.5 billion for personnel; nearly $6 billion for operations and maintenance; a little more than $3 billion for procurement; and nearly $15.5 billion for research, testing and development. Specifics on what programs and technology those funds would be used for were not included in the White House's latest budget documents. Read Next: Veterans with Mental Health Conditions Face Challenges Getting Care Outside VA, Study Finds White House officials told Military.com that additional funding currently being weighed and debated by Congress amounts, ultimately, to an increase for the service. However, defense budget experts and Space Force advocates told Military.com the proposed decrease in discretionary funding outlined in the budget plan released last week is at odds with what Trump and his administration have said about the importance of keeping America competitive with adversaries in space. "I would be highly skeptical of what the administration is saying publicly," American Enterprise Institute fellow Todd Harrison, speculating on what the Space Force should take away from the budget documents, told Military.com. "I would worry that they are not willing to follow up on their rhetoric and are going to leave the Space Force hanging." A White House official, who spoke to Military.com on condition of anonymity to relay information from the Office of Management and Budget, defended the discretionary funding decrease, saying that with roughly $13.8 billion in related mandatory funding being debated in Congress in what's called a reconciliation bill -- named One Big Beautiful Bill and meant to enact Trump's agenda -- it "is not a decrease at all, it's nearly a 40% increase!" The reconciliation bill marks $7.2 billion "for the development, procurement and integration of military space-based sensors" for the so-called Golden Dome -- a proposed missile shield for the U.S. -- which the official said is part of that increase. It was not clear where the remaining $6.6 billion in existing programs was accounted for in the $13.8 billion figure provided. Spokespeople for the Department of the Air Force declined to comment on the White House's budget documents. Speaking at Joint Base Andrews in March, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated the need for the administration to focus on being prepared for conflicts in space. "I feel like there's no way to ignore the fact that the next and the most important domain of warfare will be the space domain," Hegseth said, according to a Space Force news release. "So, you're going to see far more investment from this administration into that domain, both offensively and defensively ... because that's where we can continue to maintain an advantage." Trump has proudly touted his support for the Space Force since it was created during his first term by legislation he signed into law in late 2019. Last month, while announcing that a Space Force general would oversee the creation of Golden Dome, the president said the service "has turned out to be a tremendous success" and added "we're No. 1 in space by a lot." Major funding for Golden Dome and other military projects was included in Congress' reconciliation bill, which is still working its way through the Senate. In an unprecedented move, the Trump administration has included part of its proposed $1 trillion defense budget for fiscal 2026. Without that supplemental congressional funding -- which has not yet been approved -- defense spending will stay the same as last year at nearly $893 billion. Retired Air Force Col. Bill Woolf, the president and founder of the nonprofit Space Force Association, told Military.com that the decrease in the top-line numbers, without the supplemental funding, is disappointing. "The campaign strategy that was used by this administration doesn't match the budget proposal," Woolf told Military.com. "It is interesting that we're seeing a decrease in funding for a critical service at a time when we need it more than ever." Related: Space Command Headquarters in Colorado 'Not Sustainable' Without New Construction, GAO Finds A surprise Ukrainian drone attack that targeted several Russian air bases hosting nuclear-capable strategic bombers was unprecedented in its scope and sophistication for the first time reached as far as Siberia in a heavy blow to the Russian military. Ukraine said over 40 bombers, or about a third of Russia's strategic bomber fleet, were damaged or destroyed Sunday, although Moscow said only several planes were struck. The conflicting claims couldnt be independently verified and video of the assault posted on social media showed only a couple of bombers hit. But the bold attack demonstrated Ukraines capability to hit high-value targets anywhere in Russia, dealing a humiliating blow to the Kremlin and inflicting significant losses to Moscow's war machine. While some Russian military bloggers compared it to another infamous Sunday surprise attack that of Japan's strike on the U.S. base at Pearl Harbor in 1941 others rejected the analogy, arguing the actual damage was far less significant than Ukraine claimed A look at what warplanes were reported hit: Russia's bomber assets For decades, long-range bombers have been part of the Soviet and Russian nuclear triad that also includes land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and atomic-powered submarines carrying ICBMs. The strategic bombers have flown regular patrols around the globe showcasing Moscows nuclear might. During the 3-year-old war i n Ukraine, Russia has used the heavy planes to launch waves of cruise missile strikes across the country. The Tupolev Tu-95, which was code named Bear by NATO, is a four-engine turboprop plane designed in the 1950s to rival the U.S. B-52 bomber. The aircraft has an intercontinental range and carries eight long-range cruise missiles that can be equipped with conventional or nuclear warheads. Before Sunday, Russia was estimated to have a fleet of about 60 such aircraft. The Tupolev Tu-22M is a twin-engine supersonic bomber designed in the 1970s that was code named Backfire by NATO. It has a shorter range compared with the Tu-95, but during U.S.-Soviet arms control talks in the 1970s, Washington insisted on counting them as part of the Soviet strategic nuclear arsenal because of their capability to reach the U.S. if refueled in flight. The latest version of the plane, the Tu-22M3, carries Kh-22 cruise missiles that fly at more than three times the speed of sound. It dates to the 1970s, when it was designed by the Soviet Union to strike U.S. aircraft carriers. It packs a big punch, thanks to its supersonic speed and ability to carry 630 kilograms (nearly 1,400 pounds) of explosives, but its outdated guidance system could make it highly inaccurate against ground targets, raising the possibility of collateral damage. Some Tu-22Ms were lost in previous Ukrainian attacks, and Russia was estimated to have between 50 and 60 Tu-22M3s in service before Sunday's drone strike. The production of the Tu-95 and the Tu-22M ended after the 1991 collapse of the USSR, meaning that any of them lost Sunday can't be replaced. Russia also has another type of strategic nuclear capable bomber, the supersonic Tu-160. Fewer than 20 of them are in service, and Russia has just begun production of its modernized version equipped with new engines and avionics. Russia lost a significant part of its heavy bomber fleet in the attack with no immediate ability to replace it, said Douglas Barrie of the International Institute of Strategic Studies, noting that Moscow's announced plan to develop the next generation strategic bomber is still in its early phase. Ironically this might give impetus to that program, because if if you want to keep your bomber fleet up to size, then youre going to have to do something at some point, he said. The A-50, which Ukrainian officials also said was hit in the strikes, is an early warning and control aircraft similar to the U.S. AWACS planes used to coordinate aerial attacks. Only few such planes are in service with the Russian military, and any loss badly dents Russia's military capability. Relocating bombers and impromptu protection Repeated Ukrainian strikes on the Engels air base, the main base for Russian nuclear capable strategic bombers near the Volga River city of Saratov, prompted Moscow to relocate the bombers to other bases farther from the conflict. One of them was Olenya on the Arctic Kola Peninsula, from where Tu-95s have flown multiple missions to launch cruise missiles at Ukraine. Several bombers at Olenya apparently were hit by the Ukrainian drones Sunday, according to analysts studying satellite images before and after the strike. Other drones targeted the Belaya air base in the Irkutsk region in eastern Siberia, destroying a few Tu-22M bombers, according to analysts. Ukraine said 41 aircraft Tu-95s, Tu-22Ms and A-50s were damaged or destroyed Sunday. in the attack that it said was in the works for 18 months in which swarms of drones popped out of containers carried on trucks that were parked near four air bases. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was briefed on the attack, which represented a level of sophistication that Washington had not seen before, a senior defense official said on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. The Russian Defense Ministry said the attack set several warplanes ablaze at air bases in the Irkutsk region in eastern Siberia and the Murmansk region in the north, but the fires were extinguished. It said Ukraine also tried to strike two air bases in western Russia, as well as another one in the Amur region of Russia's Far East, but those attacks were repelled. The drone strikes produced an outcry from Russian military bloggers, who criticized the Defense Ministry for failing to learn from previous strikes and protect the bombers. Building shelters or hangars for such large planes is a daunting task, and the military has tried some impromptu solutions that were criticized as window dressing. Satellite images have shown Tu-95s at various air bases covered by layers of old tires a measure of dubious efficiency that has drawn mockery on social media. Associated Press Pentagon correspondent Tara Copp and Emma Burrows in London contributed. Veterans with mental health disorders consistently rated their experiences with private care as less satisfactory than those without a mental health condition -- a finding that indicates a need for better care coordination by the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to new research. VA researchers examined survey results of 231,869 veterans who received VA-covered medical services from non-government providers and found that those with mental health conditions expressed lower satisfaction rates across nine categories than veterans without a mental health diagnosis. Coupled with an earlier study that showed veterans with a behavioral health condition also reported worse overall experiences with medical services at the VA, the research raises questions on how to effectively manage caring for that vulnerable population, said the study authors, who hailed from four VA medical facilities and five universities. Read Next: Navy Orders Forcewide Housing Inspections After Secretary 'Appalled' by Guam Barracks Conditions "It's clearly a call to improve care coordination across the board so that veterans can get the medical care they need," said Eric Roberts, an associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, during an interview with Military.com. According to the research, published May 21 in JAMA Network Open, satisfaction scores from veterans who used community care rose slightly from 2016 and 2021 on measures including quality of care, communication with clinicians, eligibility, appointment scheduling, care communication and billing. Yet across those years, veterans with mental health conditions rated their community care consistently lower than those without. While the study didn't show a causal relationship between having a mental health condition and dissatisfaction with private care, it did demonstrate the challenges that vulnerable veterans face when navigating care provided outside of the VA. "[It highlights] an opportunity for targeted quality and care coordination strategies to improve community care for these veterans," the authors wrote. The research arrived as the department is actively working to increase veterans' access to private health care. The 2018 Mission Act vastly expanded eligibility for veterans to receive care in the community, introducing access standards that included those who faced a 30-minute drive or more for primary care or an hour or more for specialty care, or those who couldn't get an appointment within 20 days for primary and mental health services or 28 days for specialty care. In a May congressional hearing, VA Secretary Doug Collins said the previous administration actively discouraged its medical centers from referring patients to private care in defiance of the 2018 Mission Act. "Disturbing evidence has come up as we began to look at ... community care, which many of you hear about from your constituents all the time of not being able to get to their community doctors or not being accessed to community care. Why is that happening? Well, a lot of it was because the VA itself was not encouraging it," Collins said during a House appropriations subcommittee hearing May 15. In 2022, then-VA Secretary Denis McDonough said private care accounted for 33% of the VA's total health care demand, up from 25% the previous year. At the time, McDonough said he was worried about the rate and expressed concern over the impact of shifting funding away from VA facilities when studies have shown that veterans in VA care have lower rates of suicide and improved overall health. "We want to bring as many vets as possible into our care, because study after study shows that vets do better at VA," McDonough said in a hearing last year. Collins has said that the VA health care system "will always" be there for veterans. During his confirmation hearing, he added that the Mission Act is about how "we make veteran care available to the veteran who needs it" because "they want to be able to have that choice." But the way Collins is funding private care -- most recently, shifting $343 million in savings from canceled contracts to the program -- is not sitting well with lawmakers. Collins notified Congress on April 24 of his intent to move the money. Republicans and Democrats on the appropriations committee say the law requires Collins to ask for approval to reallocate the funds. "You are required to seek our approval. You [were] a member of Congress, you're aware of that, and you have not done that. You still owe us answers on why you sent a notification instead of a reprogramming," said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., ranking member of the House Appropriations Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies subcommittee. "We want it done the way she has just said," said Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, the subcommittee chairman, referring to Wasserman Schultz's statement. "It's been done that way -- I've been on this committee for 20 years. It's been done that way for 20 years. We're not going to change it now." Roberts said that, as reliance on private care grows among the VA population, the department should consider how it can better serve veterans who may need more help navigating the complexities of the health care environment. The VA has programs to coordinate care for veterans, but research shows that the VA should consider a veteran's mental health condition as a marker for identifying those who need a higher level of care coordination. "As the VA considers what type of care is reasonably retained in the VA versus provided through community partners, and what resources are needed to coordinate care across different systems, additional consideration should be given to vulnerable populations, including veterans with mental health conditions," the researchers noted. In an article published May 24 in the New England Journal of Medicine, two pulmonologists with the VA Central Texas Health Care System warned that the Mission Act, and a bill introduced this year by chairmen of the Senate and House Veterans Affairs Committees that would allow some veterans to get private care without a referral, could harm veterans' medical care by increasing "care fragmentation" -- the lack of coordination of medical services between primary care physicians, specialists and other providers. Drs. Pavan Ganapathiraju and Rebecca Traylor said that dispersing care across health networks and providers "could lead to poorer outcomes, higher costs, and reduced oversight." "Without access to integrated health records or familiarity with veterans' service histories, private-sector clinicians may inadvertently contribute to care gaps, duplicative testing, or medication errors," they warned. In the May 15 hearing before the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Collins pledged to hold the private care program to the highest standards. "I don't agree that community care is a giveaway to private physicians and public hospitals," Collins said. "We're not taking VA care from one and giving it to another VA care. We've expressed in our hospitals, expressed in community care, which we're paying for, is VA care." Related: Veterans' VA Referrals to Private Medical Care Will No Longer Require Additional Doctor Review LANSING, MI Consumers Energy wants to raise electric rates by $436 million, its largest ask in at least 20 years. The for-profit utility, Michigans second-largest power provider, kicked off the process of asking regulators permission for the hike on Monday, June 2 the very first day this year it was legally able to under the law. This is at least among the largest rate hikes Consumers has ever requested, if not the largest itself, said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in a statement released Monday afternoon. Nessel said her office would scrutinize the rate hike request and would not be deterred from protecting Michigan utility ratepayers from corporate greed and endless, increasing rate hikes. Michigan law prohibits utility companies from filing new rate requests more frequently than once every 12 months. Consumers application on Monday came 367 days after its last one the first business day after the one-year clock reset. This will be the sixth year in a row Consumers sought to raise power rates. The utility says the increase is necessary to continue fulfilling its reliability roadmap meant to dramatically reduce outages by replacing aging power lines, transformers and other equipment. However, consumer advocates argue the utilitys plan to improve service reliability is like building a new house instead of fixing the roof, according to comments filed with the regulatory Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). Amy Bandyk, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board of Michigan, said the nonprofits analysis shows there is no correlation between how much the utility spends and reliability outcomes. Read more: Burden or path to reliability? Michigan utilities seek more frequent rate hikes The utilitys strategy is driven less by what is cost-effective to improve reliability and more by what can they spend on that will provide a return to their shareholders, Bandyk said. If awarded in full, the requested rate hike would increase monthly power bills some 13% for residential customers. The Jackson-based power company is unlikely to get permission to do that though, as regulators regularly slash utility requests before approving them, sometimes by as much as half. Monday marks the beginning of a 10-month legal process called a rate case, during which business groups, consumer advocates and others question aspects of the requested increase, frequently seeking to reduce it. Consumers also wants permission from regulators to implement an additional surcharge to collect $24 million from customers for spending deferred during a previous rate case. The MPSC approved the companys current residential electric rates less than three months ago. The utility then raised rates nearly $154 million beginning in April, a 2.79% hike on its residential customers monthly bills. The company and fellow utility giant DTE Energy have taken flak from consumer watchdogs like AG Nessel for seeking to increase electric rates by eye-popping amounts on a near-yearly basis. Officials with the utilities contend the money is needed to update the aging electric grid and transition to cleaner power sources. In recent years, large swaths of Michigan residents often find themselves without electricity service after passing thunderstorms and winter storms. This latest rate hike request by Consumers was seemingly influenced by a 2024 deep-dive audit, which Michigan regulators commissioned to investigate outage problems plaguing both DTE and Consumers. This request is really focused on improving our reliability to customers, said Brian Wheeler, utility spokesperson. Strengthening the system to the point that we get power back in 24 hours or less, and fewer outages on the front end even when we get bad storms. The utility credited its investments for some progress in 2024 in improving a reliability track record that has contributed to Michigans place near the bottom nationwide for keeping the lights on. This MLive file photo from August 2022 shows Consumers Energy employees distributing ice and water to those affected by power outages across Jackson County. J. Scott Park | jpark4@mlive.com The MPSC ordered the audit of the two biggest Michigan power providers following widespread power outages because of major ice storms in February 2023 and a series of tornadoes six months later in August 2023. Hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents were affected by outages that year. In the audit of the utilities, a major recommendation for Consumers was to accelerate its pace of clearing power lines of trees, the top cause of outages. Some parts of its system hadnt been touched in 20 years. After previously pushing back on aspects of the audit recommendations, in the Monday filing the utility said it proposes to ramp up its line clearing to achieve a five-year cycle on major parts of its grid. It was previously moving toward a seven-year cycle, meaning each mile of line would be cleared once every seven years. Wheeler said in addition to the accelerated pace of tree trimming, Consumers proposes to place 50 miles of low-voltage lines underground in areas with a history of reliability woes. He said the utility completed 10 miles of undergrounding in a pilot project last year and now wants to expand the effort fivefold. The rate increase proposal and many other elements of the request will be vetted over the coming months before MPSC regulators. They will likely rule next April, and new rates wouldnt take effect until after that time. Sign up to receive Lake Effect, MLives weekly climate and environment newsletter. More than 250 varieties of lilacs bloom on Mackinac Island. Photo courtesy of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau. MACKINAC ISLAND, MI - Mackinac Islands biggest event - the 10-day summer extravaganza that is the Lilac Festival - is ready to kick off its 77th year this weekend. The packed schedule from June 6-15 includes a Grand Parade, daily walking tours, themed cocktails and a special craft beer whose label features the winning design from the islands lilac poster contest. Scenting the air through all of this fanfare? The blooms of thousands of lilacs. Mackinacs signature flower perfumes the island this time of year and blooms in every hue, from white to rose to lavender and deep purple. These beautiful lilacs are such a significant part of Mackinac Islands charm and heritage, said Tim Hygh, executive director of Mackinac Islands Tourism Bureau. Each year, this special event invites visitors to immerse themselves in the islands unique beauty and traditions, and learn about the enduring blossoms that have swept across the island for nearly 200 years. For all the Lilac Festival details and the event schedule, check the tourism bureaus website here. Heading to Mackinac Island and still need a hotel? You can find the handy lodging rate-check site here. Started in the years following World War II, this festival is all about appreciating outdoor beauty and relaxing in nature. Other highlights: A 10K run/walk, the Michigan Cornhole Tournament and a vintage bike race. And its not just Michiganders who flock to the island for this summer kick-off event. The Lilac Festival landed at No. 3 on the list of Best Flower Festivals in the U.S., determined by USA Today voters. A ferry boat in the distance, framed by one of the famous Mackinac Island lilacs. Photo provided by the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau. Some of the signature events include: Friday, June 6 | Coronation of the Lilac Festival Queen & 2025 Lilac Poster Celebration Saturday, June 7 | Lilac Festival 10K Run/Walk and Lil Lilac Kids Race Saturday, June 7 | Vintage Bicycle Rally on the Rock Saturday, June 7 | Line Dancing in the street with West Michigan Boot Scooters Saturday, June 7 - Sunday, June 15 | Walking Tour: All about the Lilacs Saturday, June 14 | Michigan Cornhole Tournament Sunday, June 15 | Lilac Festival Grand Parade One of Mackinac Island's many horses crop some grass downtown, with one of the island's signature lilac bushes in the background. A Rich History of Beautiful Blooms Mackinacs lilac love runs deep. But just what makes them so special? Some of the oldest lilacs in the United States grow at this popular vacation spot. Big lilac bushes are everywhere on Mackinac and by mid-June, you can usually smell their sweet scent before you see them. Theyre planted in the public parks, they grow over back fences in the neighborhoods, and they even bloom close to the shoreline in some spots - making for Instagram-worthy photos. It might seem unusual that a small island sitting at the edge of the Straits has some of the largest and oldest lilacs found anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. But like a lot of other things now on the island, the bushes came over with settlers. The lilacs took a liking to the pH level of Mackinacs soil, and the crumbling limestone underneath, according to the tourism bureaus brief history of the islands lilacs. The first bushes likely came over from New Hampshire about 200 years ago with settlers like the Hubbard family, who had a farm on islands west side. European families who settled in New England had been bringing lilacs with them and planting them on their farmsteads for good luck. The Hubbard family followed suit when they came to the island. Some of the lilac stems near that farm, which later was developed into cottages in an area known as Hubbards Annex, are about 100 years old and are offspring of older stems that were also about 100 years old. So, it has been about 200 years since lilacs were brought to Mackinac, the tourism bureau said. The State Department has updated its travel advisory for those planning to visit Jamaica reminding Americans to use exercise increased caution while in the country. The Level 2 advisory issued on May 29 cites ongoing violent crime and a lack of medical services as possible issues Americans may face. Related story: Newest travel warning says Americans have been kidnapped, ransomed in this country The warning says armed robberies and sexual assaults are common and that U.S. government officials are prohibited from using public buses or driving between cities at night. The U.S. Embassy routinely receives reports of sexual assaults, including from U.S. citizen tourists at resorts. U.S. citizens report slow or unsatisfactory response to serious criminal incidents, reads a portion of the advisory. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a final verdict and sentence. The advisory says violent crime has been on the decline in the Caribbean nation, and tourist areas tend to see lower crime rates. However, the State Department also says Jamaica still has one of the highest homicide rates in the Western Hemisphere. Travelers are also reminded that health care services in Jamaica pale in comparison to those offered in the U.S. Emergency services are reportedly slower and there is less availability for care if travelers do have an issue. Private hospitals typically require payment up front, but may not provide specialized care. The warning also lists several areas of Jamaica that are considered a Level 4 threat, meaning you should not travel there for any reason. A Level 4 advisory is the most serious on the State Departments scale. That list can be found in the advisory. If you plan on visiting Jamaica, the State Department offers the following recommendations: ENSIGN TOWNSHIP, MI A 60-year-old man died after a head-on crash over the weekend in Michigans Upper Peninsula. Around 10:12 a.m. Sunday, authorities responded to a fatal, two-vehicle crash on County 513 T Road near Twin Springs Park 20.5 Lane in Ensign Township, Delta County, according to a news release from the Michigan State Police. Troopers from the MSP Gladstone Post arrived at the scene and found that the drivers of both vehicles had sustained injuries in a head-on crash, the release said. A preliminary investigation revealed that a vehicle traveling southbound on County 513 T Road crossed the center line and struck a northbound vehicle head-on, police said. The driver of the northbound vehicle, a 60-year-old man from Rapid River, died from his injuries, police said. The driver of the southbound vehicle, a 45-year-old man from Rapid River, sustained serious injuries and was transported to St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba. There were no passengers in either vehicle. Drugs and alcohol may have been factors in this crash; the investigation is ongoing, police said. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this tragic loss, said Lt. Ben Eckola, of MSP Eighth District. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time. MSP was assisted at the scene by the Delta County Sheriffs Department, Ensign and Masonville township fire departments, and Rampart EMS. Television and voice actor Jonathan Joss was killed Sunday following an argument with a neighbor in San Antonio, Texas. According to TMZ, witnesses say Joss was shot numerous times by the neighbor. The suspected shooter, identified as Sigfredo Alvarez-Cega allegedly fled in a vehicle after the shooting. Police were called to the scene and located Alvarez-Cega nearby and placed him under arrest. Paramedics called to the scene attempted life-saving measures on Joss, but were unsuccessful. It is unclear what caused the argument and how the incident escalated. Joss, 59, was known for providing the voice for John Redcorn in the animated show King of the Hill. and as Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation. He recently appeared in the show Tulsa King. "Lincoln Lake Birch" by Helen Heddens, of Prospect, Ky., is a new installation along the "cARTier trail" art exhibit at the Cartier Park Pathway in Ludington, Mich. Ludington Area Center for the Arts LUDINGTON, MI A beach town in Northern Michigan has an art trail through the woods with three vibrant new installations along a popular pathway. The cARTier trail at the well-known Cartier Park Pathway features three 4-foot by 3-foot artworks displayed in metal frames. Its an outdoor exhibit by the Ludington Area Center for the Arts (LACA). The art is rotated annually; the third set was recently installed. RELATED: Michigan beach town beats New York City in best outdoor concert series list "Peace" by Francie Skarritt, of Ludington, Mich., is a new installation along the "cARTier trail" art exhibit at the Cartier Park Pathway in Ludington, Mich. Ludington Area Center for the Arts The Ludington Area Center for the Arts is excited to continue this public art project, said Andrew Skinner, LACA executive director. Public art activates and encourages people to pay attention and perceive more deeply the environment they occupy. It is uniquely accessible and enables people to experience art in the course of daily life, outside of museums or other cultural institutions. RELATED: Skip the stairs: Live webcams offer panoramic views from Lake Michigan lighthouse Cartier Park is a city park featuring 80 acres of mature forest with a paved pathway, a campground, a dog park, a boat launch, biking trails, fishing piers and more. "Thy Own" by Erin Houghtaling, of Saginaw, Mich., is a new installation along the "cARTier trail" art exhibit at the Cartier Park Pathway in Ludington, Mich. Ludington Area Center for the Arts The artwork is spaced out along the winding trails one-mile loop. Visitors will see an abstract portrait by Erin Houghtaling, of Saginaw; silhouetted trees at sunset by Francie Skarritt, of Ludington; and a birch tree in front of a lake by Helen Heddens, of Prospect, Ky. All works displayed are by LACA members. RELATED: Beach town peek: Tour these Ludington B&Bs without staying overnight Find a parking area for the trail at the corner of Bryant Road and Rath Avenue in Ludington. The metal frames were an in-kind donation from Hardman Construction. Each reproduction costs about $300. The nonprofit accepts donations at ludingtonartscenter.org/donate. Two moose calves died this spring in Michigans Upper Peninsula. Tracking collars helped solve the mysteries of their deaths. The calves were part of Michigans most in-depth study to date into why the U.P. moose population is stagnant, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which provided an update last week. The calves were among 20 moose collared in February. Already yielding dividends, the study has recorded more than 50,000 GPS points from the collared moose, alerted researchers to the births of nine calves (including three sets of twins), and helped determine the causes of death for the two calves. RELATED: 9 calves born to 6 moose collared for U.P. population study One of them was killed by a wolf, researchers said. The other died of unknown trauma. This is the first confirmed wolf predation of this study, researchers said. It is not unexpected, as we have seen similar patterns in other Great Lakes moose studies. The first death was caused by unknown trauma, the DNR said. A necropsy revealed the female calf had a head injury. There was no evidence of a vehicle collision or a predator attack. A morbid but true fact: Trauma is an accepted category of moose death in research, the DNR said. Moose, known for their size more than their grace, can be injured by falling, colliding, or in encounters with other animals. After a collared male moose calf died during spring 2025, researchers found the animal dead in a stream with suspected wolf bite marks. Researchers then used GPS data to confirm predation. They overlayed the calfs GPS data with data of nearby collared wolves. This map of GPS points show the overlap of movements between the calf and an adult female wolf. The data showed the wolf and calf at the same location at the same time just before the calf died. Michigan DNR The second death offers a glimpse into predator-prey ecology. The male calf was found dead in a stream with suspected wolf bite marks. Researchers then used GPS data to confirm predation. They overlayed the calfs GPS data with the data of nearby collared wolves. There was a clear overlap of movements with an adult female wolf. The data showed the wolf and calf at the same location at the same time just before the calf died. The confirmed predation builds a clearer picture of how moose function in the ecosystem, researchers said. RELATED: 60 Michigan moose will be sedated, fitted with tracking collars for new study The study began in February when 20 moose were captured, sedated and fitted with tracking collars; the study will eventually have 60 collared moose. Ten of the moose included in the study so far are cows. The other 10 are adult males, or bulls, and calves. While the big animals with their paddle-like antlers once roamed across Michigan, by the early 1900s their numbers had grown sparse and were limited to the U.P. An attempt to reintroduce them in the 1930s went nowhere, according to the DNR. It took the famous Moose Lift of the 1980s for any real population to take hold. This involved fitting 59 of these big animals into carrying slings and airlifting them by helicopter, then transporting them by truck from the Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada, to the U.P.s Marquette County. The goal was to have a 1,000-strong moose population in that area by 2000. But the latest numbers show just over 400 of the animals - not even half of what DNR researchers thought wed have by now. Answering the questions behind this sluggish moose population gives a broader insight into the health of the U.P. wildlife system. Moose - actually the largest of our native deer species - have a complex role to play, the DNR said. Chief among those is what they eat: Aspen, birch and balsam fir. Both the presence and absence of moose can affect forest growth, creating cascading effects throughout the habitat, impacting deer, birds, insects and plant life, said Tyler Petroelje, Northern Michigan wildlife research specialist for the DNR. As a keystone species, moose have a disproportionate impact on their environment compared to most other species. The new study is led by the DNR, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and researchers at Northern Michigan University. To learn more about Michigans mainland moose population, check the DNRs website here. A Michigan State Police helicopter and crew, call sign Trooper 4, are seen assisting the Michigan Department of Natural Resources with a fire near Iron Mountain on Monday, June 2. The crew crew was dumping 320-gallon buckets of water on the fire. Photo used with persmission of MSP. Photo used with permission from MSP DICKINSON COUNTY, MI Firefighters are still working to extinguish a fire that broke late Sunday in heavily wooded area in a western region of Michigans Upper Peninsula. The cause of the fire, which was first reported at around 8:30 p.m. Sunday, June 1, roughly 14 miles northeast of Iron Mountain, was still under investigation as crews continued to respond to the area Monday, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. A computer data center is proposed for more than 800 acres in Augusta Township near Milan, as shown in this aerial photo. Provided by Augusta Township AUGUSTA TWP., MI A proposal for a large computer data center campus on hundreds of acres in southeast Washtenaw County has sparked concerns from many nearby residents. New York City-based real estate investment firm Thor Equities is planning to invest more than $1 billion in a proposed data center campus. The firm would purchase 19 parcels totaling about 810 acres north of Milan-Oakville Road in Augusta Township. Ann Arbor officials are discussing adopting a new city policy on the use of flying drone cameras. MLive file photo. Cory Morse | MLive.com ANN ARBOR, MI Ann Arbors elected leaders are calling for an official policy on city government use of drones, spelling out whats acceptable when flying cameras above properties. There are many justifiable and beneficial uses for drone technology, but there also are privacy concerns, said Mayor Pro Tem Travis Radina, D-3rd Ward. The Genesee County Circuit Court is pictured in this MLive file photo. Jake May | MLive.com FLINT, MI A Flint man who was convicted of multiple felonies after being found in illegal possession of a ghost gun now faces up to 20 years in prison. Willie Ray Cummings, Jr., 29, was found guilty on eight counts including carrying a concealed weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, and resisting and obstructing police, according to a news release from Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton. FLINT, MI Protestors took to the streets in downtown Flint to voice their frustrations over what they say is a lack of transparency from local government and continued wait for compensation in connection to the water crisis. The dysfunction of this city government is choking a positive quality of life from these residents, and Flint has had too much bad press, Jedidiah Brown, an activist from Illinois, said following the protest on Sunday, June 1. We wanted the world to be aware of the truth of Flint so that we can have their backs and thats it. A 31-year-old man pleaded guilty to three counts of contractor fraud on Monday, June 2, during a plea hearing in Ottawa County Circuit Court. Mike Krebs | MLive.com OTTAWA COUNTY, MI A contractor will repay the homeowners and business owners he cheated out of money for projects he was paid to do and didnt complete. In total, Wesley Jacob Pawloski was ordered to pay about $121,000 in restitution payments to those he defrauded in West Michigan. Pawloski, 31, appeared Monday, June 2, in Ottawa County Circuit Court for a hearing just days before his cases were set for trial. He is charged with four counts of contractor fraud stemming from a monthslong investigation. RELATED: West Michigan contractor charged with fraud for unfinished projects Ottawa County sheriffs deputies started looking into Pawloski in July 2023 after a resident reported paying Blackstone Partners LLC a company owned by Pawloski for construction work that was never completed. Investigators learned several subcontractors provided construction services for Blackstone Partners but never received full payment for their work. Prosecutors initially charged Pawloski with three counts of contractor fraud in August 2024. However, detectives learned one month later that Pawloski was still allegedly accepting money for construction projects under a different business name: Designed Construction LLC. Police said additional victims paid the new company for home improvement services, but the projects were never completed. Pawloski was charged with an additional count four in total of contractor fraud. Pawloski appeared Monday morning in Judge Jon Hulsings courtroom for a plea hearing. In one case, he pleaded guilty to two counts of contractor fraud, and the remaining charge was dismissed. Court records show Pawloski was ordered to pay restitution to three victims in the amounts of $52,572, $45,463, and $18,800 as part of the plea agreement. In a second file, Pawloski pleaded guilty to one count of contractor fraud. Per the plea deal, he must pay $5,199 in restitution. Pawloski is scheduled for sentencing on July 14. 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. Grand Rapids parents and children attend a Black History Month story time event held by the Grand Rapids Public Library in February 2024. Grand Rapids Public Library GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The Grand Rapids Public Library (GRPL) is kicking off summer with its annual Summer Reading Challenge, designed for readers of all ages. Running from June 2 to Aug. 30, the program invites the community to set reading goals, track their progress and win prizes all for free. Prizes include books, camping gear and more. Each year, the enthusiasm for our all-ages Summer Reading Challenge continues to grow, said Katie Zychowski, marketing and communications director. Its clear that the community loves coming together to celebrate this time-honored tradition. Whether its families, teens or adults, everyone is finding their own way to enjoy and embrace the challenge. The Read Smore billboards and yard signs, a celebrated part of the challenge, have been visible throughout the city, reminding everyone to grab a book and join the fun. GRPL made a few modifications to the summer challenge this year to make it easier to participate. Whether youre traveling, busy with summer activities or just looking for a flexible way to engage, our staff has designed the challenge to fit into any schedule, she said. Our goal is to make reading fun and accessible for everyone, all summer long. How to Participate Register online or in person at any GRPL location. Pick up your Summer Reading Booklet and choose your challenge: Read on 30 different days and track your progress. Set a personal reading goal and record the books you read. Complete at least four additional activities for a chance to win a special prize. Participants who complete the Summer Reading Challenge can claim a finisher prize at any GRPL location while supplies last, including: Choose the first book to build your home library. A GRPL glass with a bamboo lid and straw. A cooler, camping chairs or a gift card for those who complete bonus challenges. Bonus prize winners will be notified after Labor Day. The last day to claim finisher prizes and enter the bonus prize drawing is Saturday, Aug. 30. More information about GRPLs free events can be found at www.grpl.org. 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. Westbound I-94 in Jackson County was closed for more than four hours Friday for a crash. Screenshot SANDSTONE TWP., MI A crash that closed I-94 through Jackson County for more than six hours Friday involved three semitrailers, a trucker pinned inside his cab and a large spill. Rescue crews were called at 10:56 a.m. Friday, May 30, to westbound I-94 near Parma Road for a crash involving multiple vehicles, Jackson County Sheriff Gary Schuette said. Crews arrived to find the tractor-trailers and one passenger car wrecked after a third semitrailer driver failed to yield to slowing traffic and the truck smashed into the slowed vehicles, Schuette said. The at-fault driver was pinned inside his truck and needed to be extricated from the wreckage. Firefighters freed the driver, who was then taken to Henry Ford Jackson Hospital in critical condition, Schuette said. The driver is in stable condition. He had injuries to his face and lower extremities and is expected to survive, Schuette said Monday. Another driver suffered minor injuries, but was treated and released at the scene, Schuette said. A large amount of diesel fuel from the crashed semitrailers flowed into the drains along the freeway and nearby river, necessitating response from county environmental cleanup, Schuette said. The freeway was reopened at about 5:30 p.m. after the wreckage was cleared and clean up efforts were completed, Schuette said. The fuel was contained with no reports of any lingering contamination, police said. Traffic was backed up to nearly the city of Jackson while crews were on scene, according to traffic cameras. Related: Crash closes westbound I-94 for 4 hours and counting in Jackson County Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. JACKSON COUNTY, MI A Michigan Department of Corrections Officer accused of smuggling drugs into the prison that employs him near Jackson has been sentenced to jail and probation. Jackson County Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson sentenced Joshua Michael Evans to serve 90 days in jail followed by two years of probation Thursday, May 29, court records show. Evans, 49, pleaded guilty April 1 to one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance. In pleading guilty, an additional felony charge of bringing contraband into a prison was dismissed at sentencing, records show. He was arraigned in August after a Michigan State Police investigation found he was smuggling drugs to a prisoner, according to the Michigan Attorney Generals Office, which was prosecuting the case. Related: Corrections officer charged with smuggling drugs into Michigan prison On July 11, Evans was found with 151 strips of Suboxone in the visiting room of the Parnall Correctional Facility, 1780 E. Parnall Road in Blackman Township, north of Jackson, where he worked, officials said. Police intervened after being tipped off about Evans by a staff member at the prison, police said. Suboxone, a schedule 3 narcotic, is a partial opioid that also contains buprenorphine and naloxone and is used to treat opioid dependence. Prosecutors claimed Evans was smuggling the controlled substance to a prisoner inside the facility. As of Monday, June 2, Evans employment status as a correctional officer remains listed as an unpaid suspension, according to Michigan Department of Corrections Public Information Officer Jenni Riehle. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. KALAMAZOO, MI A Kalamazoo man accused of strangling a 68-year-old woman to death has pleaded no contest to a charge of second-degree murder. Marvin Delaney Humphrey, 54, entered the plea on May 23, in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court, for the November 2024 death of Minette Weaver. Weaver was described as a frail woman who used a walker to get around, according to court documents. Humphrey had faced charges of open murder and being a habitual offender. As part of his plea, the habitual offender charge was dismissed, records state. By pleading no contest, Humphrey has agreed to accept the conviction but is not admitting guilt in the case. There is a sentence agreement in place for Humphrey to serve a minimum of 18 years in prison, Kalamazoo County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeff Williams said. The maximum portion of the sentence will be set by the judge at sentencing, he said. RELATED: Man knocked on womans door around 1 a.m. before allegedly strangling, killing her Humphrey was seen on video, knocking on Weavers fifth-floor apartment door at 12:47 a.m. on Nov. 24, 2024, court records state. After a minute of knocking, he was let in to her apartment at 1004 Douglas Ave. An officer with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety swore in his arrest affidavit that Humphrey appeared to be intoxicated while waiting to be let in. At around 1:18 a.m. that morning, another man walked by the apartment and stopped to listen at the doorway, the video showed. Police interviewed the man and he said he heard a voice he believed to be Humphreys say, Get your b---- a-- up before I do it again. Get UP! Humphrey later left the scene, the report states. A day later, on Nov. 25, a caregiver checking on Weaver, found her dead in her bed. There was blood throughout the apartment, including splattered on the walls and ceiling, the court document states. A pathologist told police Weaver had multiple injuries consistent with being assaulted and strangled. Humphrey was eventually arrested Jan. 29, 2025. He will be sentenced by Kalamazoo County Circuit Judge Paul J. Bridenstine at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, June 23. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. A fire destroyed a home on Sunday, June 1, in Van Buren County's Columbia Township. (Provided by South Haven Area Emergency Services) South Haven Area Emergency Services VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI Sheriffs deputies helped a resident in a wheelchair escape a fire that destroyed a house and spread to two outbuildings. The resident was treated at the scene by Life EMS Ambulance. Around 4:45 p.m., the fire was reported on Baseline Road, which borders Allegan and Van Buren counties, near 51 Street. The residence was engulfed in flames when firefighters reached the scene. The fire spread to the outbuildings as well as a field. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Columbia Township firefighters were assisted by firefighters from South Haven Area Emergency Services, Bangor, Bloomingdale Township, Gobles-Pine Grove, Lawrence, Allegan and Lee Township. SAGINAW TOWNSHIP, MI A family-friendly fishing festival will return to mid-Michigan waters later this week. Organizers with the Saginaw County Parks and Recreation office will host the 35th Annual Catch Me If You Can fishing festival from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 7, at William H. Haithco Recreation Area, 2121 Schust in Saginaw Township. Fishing takes place at the parks 40-acre man-made Haitcho Lake. The first 150 youths to register for the festival will receive a free fishing pole and light tackle, organizers said. Adults are welcomed to fish with the younger participants. Organizers said they plan to provide free ice cream sundaes from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Individuals interested in participating in the Catch Me If You Can fishing festival can register online at saginawcounty.com/departments/parks-recreation. 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. The Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum is looking for community help to relocate a piece of firefighting history. Image provided by Mike Snyder BAY CITY, MI The Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum has announced the acquisition of a historic firefighting vehicle but is looking for community support to help transport the massive piece of history across the country. The museum has acquired the Super Tender from Ruth Wick of Hemet, California, assembling two pieces of firefighting history that once comprised the legendary Fire Department of New York Pumper System, museum officials said. Were honored to bring the Super Tender to Bay City and reunite it with the iconic Super Pumper, Dale Bash, board chairman of the Antique Toy and Fire Truck Museum, said in a statement. This is an opportunity to preserve and share a pivotal piece of firefighting history. We are honored to be given the opportunity by Mrs. Wick to celebrate her husbands vision to preserve and restore the FDNY Super Tender, while making it available for the public to see firsthand. Read more: Michigans Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum has one of the worlds largest toy truck collections Originally commissioned in 1964 for the New York City Fire Department, the Super Pumper was a groundbreaking system, capable of pumping 8,800 gallons of water per minute. The pumper was designed for large-scale industrial fires and emergencies. Its partner, the Super Tender, provided critical support, supplying large diameter fire hose, a 10,000-gpm water monitor gun, and additional equipment. The Super Tender was purchased through a FDNY deaccession process in 1989 by Hewy Wick, who drove the unit cross country from New Jersey to his California home. Wick restored the unit and routinely displayed it in community and fire history events. The Tender was frequently featured as California organizations memorialized the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Bringing the Tender to its new home is still a hurdle, however. The museum has launched a fundraising campaign, seeking $80,000 to cover the cost of specialized transportation, logistical planning, and preservation needs. Donations can be made through the museums website, through upcoming fundraising events and benefit auctions or by simply sharing the campaign with friends and family. Donors contributing $250 or more will receive an invitation to the Super Pumper Systems unveiling event, planned for early 2026. This is not just about a fire truck its about preserving an engineering marvel designed by the iconic Naval Architect Francis Gibbs and the heroic stories it represents, said Mike Snyder, museum board vice chairman. Together, we can bring the central pieces of the FDNY Super Pumper System together and inspire generations to come. 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. Want to subscribe to our Hello, Bay City newsletter? Sign up for free here. BUENA VISTA TWP, MI Police are investigating the homicide of a Saginaw man at an off-the-books after-hours club. The fatal shooting occurred about 3:53 a.m. on Sunday, June 1, at 3238 Wadsworth Road in Buena Vista Township. The site is colloquially known as The Pole Barn and has repeatedly hosted late-night/early-morning parties where food and alcohol is dispersed without a license, said Buena Vista Township Police Detective Russ Pahssen. Police have been called there several times for parties of hundreds of people, he added. Surveillance cameras captured 41-year-old Demetrious A. Meak Robinson exiting the barn with a 28-year-old woman. Another male then exited the barn, the hood of his sweatshirt cinched around his face, and approached Robinson and the woman, Pahssen said. Aftermath of a fatal shooting in Buena Vista Township the morning of June 1, 2025, showing police evidence markers where shell casings were recovered. Cole Waterman The hooded man then pulled a 9mm handgun and shot Robinson four times. Robinson fell to the ground, only for the gunman to stand over him and shoot him 12 more times, Pahssen said. The woman suffered a grazing wound to her right arm, Pahssen said. The shooter then fled out of frame. Investigators do not currently have a suspect but are reviewing video footage and interviewing numerous witnesses. Pahssen encouraged anyone with information on the shooters identity to call him at 989-577-9583. Robinson is survived by six children and two grandsons. His death is Buena Vista Townships third homicide of the year. The first was the hit-and-run death of 20-year-old Simon A. Brown, whose body was found on M-13/ Veterans Memorial Parkway about a half mile south of the Zilwaukee Bridge about 3:50 a.m. on March 31. The second was that of Deon K. Haynes, 31, shot from ambush as he walked onto the front porch of his mothers home in the 2900 block of Arlington Road just before 4 a.m. on April 26. No one has been charged in either Brown or Haynes deaths. Robinsons homicide is also the 14th of the year for Saginaw County as a whole, 10 of which resulted from gunfire. 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. Kim Rowan, a community organizer, said she plans to gather a protest outside the Michigan Sugar Co. facility in Carrollton Township at 6 p.m. Monday, June 2. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com CARROLLTON TOWNSHIP, MI Kim Rowan wants to open her homes windows again without feeling like shes invited inside the smells of a troubled public bathroom. The born-and-raised Carrollton Township resident grew up near the communitys Michigan Sugar Co. plant, so she was accustomed to the unsavory smells tied to processing sugar beets. But Rowan said a new kind of odor regularly emanating from the aging sugar manufacturing facility is rosy compared to those beet processing smells, which also soak the mid-Michigan region with unpleasant odors for days at a time. I grew up here, so I know that sugar beet smell; This is different, Rowan said. I dont really even know how to describe this. Its like the worst toilet youve ever smelled. Its a pungent odor she said has drifted across Carrollton Township, sometimes for days at a time. It gets in your nose, she said, and it stays there. Rowan, a community organizer, said she plans to gather a protest outside the Michigan Sugar Co. facility in Carrollton Township at 6 p.m. Monday, June 2. Rowan said she and her neighbors hope to raise enough of a stink about the situation to expedite the removal of the smell. Michigan Sugar Co. is a Bay County-based business but operates a packaging and warehouse operation in Saginaw Countys Carrollton Township. Officials with the company recently acknowledged the smell and announced plans to mitigate the odors. Michigan Sugar officials said the odor is the result of sugar beet process water containing soil and other organic materials. The material was moved to the Carrollton Township site from the companys Bay City location. We understand the water we moved from Bay City to Carrollton Township is capable of producing odors and we are working quickly to mitigate those issues, Michigan Sugar Co. President and CEO Neil Juhnke said in a statement last week. With this type of water, it takes time for the organic material to settle out and break down through natural processes. We know that in certain circumstances the odor can be unpleasant which is why we are taking steps to speed up the process as much as possible. While Michigan Sugar is permitted to store water in settling ponds at its Carrollton Township facility, it is deploying water treatment measures to help reduce the odor. It is also deploying a specialized piece of equipment that sprays deodorizing mist into the air to help improve on-site conditions, Michigan Sugar officials said last week. Rowan read that announcement too. Still, she smelled the odor as recently as last night, raising concerns that the stink wont fade even as warmer temperatures lead more and more residents to want to open their windows and venture outdoors. Some residents will avoid both just to avoid more exposure to the smell, she said. We dont want a Band-Aid, Rowan said. We want this to stop. Our neighborhood should not smell like this. She said she and other Carrollton Township residents have sought a solution to the stink, including by approaching state and township elected leaders about the situation. Rowan said she hopes protesting will accelerate efforts to eliminate the odor. 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. Elon Musk gestures as he arrives for a state dinner hosted by Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in honor of President Donald Trump at Lusail Palace in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP Elon Musk announced last week he will leave his highly publicized role as a top government advisor to President Donald Trump. Using the survey below, let us know your thoughts and experiences about the first four months of DOGEs federal spending cuts. Feel free to let us know who you are and where youre from. Your feedback matters As Elon Musk departs DOGE, what do you think about the first four months of the department's federal spending cuts? Musks departure comes a little over four months after he began heading efforts to cut spending and reduce federal bureaucracy. Since Jan. 20, when Trump took office for his second term, Musk has been frequently beside him - as a special government employee - overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The efforts of DOGE and Trumps administration to cut federal spending are intertwined, with the department created during Trumps first day in office. RELATED: Chainsaw-wielding Elon Musk is exiting Washington, leaving behind upheaval, mass firings, unmet expectations Some Republican leaders, like House Speaker Mike Johnson, have said DOGE is doing incredible work, and Trump has described Musk himself as terrific. But others say DOGEs reported savings havent lived up to Musks initial promises. Given the trickle-down impact some of these cuts could have on the state of Michigan, we decided to ask readers about their thoughts. On Jan. 20, a Trump executive order officially established DOGE with the purpose of modernizing federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity. The agency was first proposed by Trump after the 2024 election in November. Then, Musk and biotech entrepreneur turned Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy were tapped to lead it together. RELATED: Go here for more of MLives coverage of Trump Musk, who later became the sole head of DOGE, said on the campaign trail that DOGE would seek to cut $2 trillion in spending, a sum that was later walked back to $1 trillion. From mid-January through the end of May, Musk repeatedly made headlines for selling federal assets, cancelling/renegotiating contracts and leases, ending federal grant programs and reducing the federal workforce. A good number of the agencies that were affected had offices, leases or federal workers located in Michigan. In early March, the DOGE website was updated to list six Michigan locations to its list of canceled leases, including a Bureau of Indian Affairs facility in Baraga, a departmental management (IG) building in Grand Rapids and an Indian Health Service facility in Traverse City. DOGE has also announced the closure of a Michigan-based Social Security office, a terminated lease for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services office space in Ann Arbor and for an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) facility in metro Detroit. The savings touted by DOGE have also extended to federal grant funding, including the cancellation of grants and contracts at agencies like the Department of Agriculture, USAID and the Department of Health and Human Services. As of May 29, DOGE reported 15,149 grant terminations totaling $40 billion in savings. That includes a $238 million grant to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services that is listed by DOGE as being canceled in March. A $20 million grant to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) intended to expand broadband access was also canceled, along with a $1 million grant to pay for the development of climate and resiliency plans in Flint and a nearly $19 million federal grant for Kalamazoo County that would have helped repair homes and improve energy efficiency. At least 17 grants to Michigan universities had been canceled as of early April 2025. RELATED: Michigan universities have lost millions in grant funding. They could lose billions more. Musk has also sought to cut down the federal workforce. DOGE and the Trump administration have authorized a Jan. 20 hiring freeze, federal employee buyouts and mass layoffs. RELATED: How many federal workers did Michigan have before Trump cuts? There is no official figure for the total number of firings and layoffs to the 2.4 million U.S. federal workers since Trump took office. The cuts include probationary employees, or those who have not yet gained civil service protection and typically have worked for less than a year. The move has been challenged in court numerous times, and has made it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Other federal departments that have seen layoffs are the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Department of Agriculture, Defense Department, Department of Education, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Veterans Affairs, Internal Revenue Service and National Park Service, according to analysis by the Associated Press. Several fired federal employees testified in April before a Michigan Senate Labor Committee, including a U.S. Marine veteran who was fired, then rehired at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Ann Arbor. He said he believes federal workforce reductions will negatively impact Michigans nearly 441,000 veterans in the long term. They could see delayed appointments or difficulty finding care. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has sued the Trump administration, part of a coalition of attorneys general protesting the layoffs of probationary federal employees. After four months of these changes, Musk announced the decision to leave DOGE in the evening on Wednesday, May 28. He maintained on X that the announcement is because he is a special government employee, meaning he is only authorized to perform temporary, limited duties for a period of up to 130 days in a year. In his post, Musk thanked Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending, and said the DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government. Some Republicans, like House Speaker Mike Johnson, have praised the work of DOGE thus far. Elon Musk and the entire DOGE team have done incredible work exposing waste, fraud and abuse across the federal government, Johnson wrote in a Wednesday morning post on X. The DOGE website claims it has saved an estimated $175 billion as of May 30, through a combination of asset sales, contract/lease cancellations and renegotiations, fraud and improper payment deletion, grant cancellations, interest savings, programmatic changes, regulatory savings and workforce reductions. That number amounts to a little over $1,086 per taxpayer, according to DOGE, based on an estimate of 161 million individual federal taxpayers. But some research suggests those savings could be less than calculated when it accounts for the cost of actually making the cuts. A study by the Partnership for Public Service, reported by The New York Times, found that the cost of making those cuts came in around $135 billion for this fiscal year. The Partnership, a nonprofit studying the federal workforce, used budget figures to produce a rough estimate regarding the costs of firings, re-hirings, lost productivity and paid leave. RELATED: Cost of DOGE cuts appear to wipe out most of agencys reported savings Cuts at the Internal Revenue Service that led to 22,000 employees leaving were also projected to cost the agency an estimated $8.5 billion in revenue in 2026, according to the Budget Lab at Yale University. Combined with the $135 billion in other costs, it appears the cost of DOGEs cuts - minus any incurred from lawsuits - comes in at around $143.5 billion. White House spokesperson Harrison W. Fields told The Times its important to realize that doing nothing has a cost, too, and these so-called experts and groups are conveniently absent when looking at the costs of doing nothing. DOGEs cuts are also expected to be less costly in the coming years as up-front costs may be more than future costs. Click here to follow MLives complete coverage of President Trumps impact on Michigan. SAGINAW, MI - About 77 Bridgeport High School students celebrated at their Dripping in Diamonds themed prom at Saginaw Valley State University on Saturday, May 31. Related: Bridgeport students astonish at their 2025 prom The pre-prom was held at the high school around 4 p.m. Vincent Garza and Angelina Guterrez pose for a photograph during the Bridgeport High School prom at Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw, Mich. on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Prom queen and king were announced at about 7:30 p.m. and Angelina Guterrez and Vincent Garza won the crowns. Check out 10 of our favorite photos below. Jakobe Taylor and Lashiya Camel lie on the ground to dance as people circle around them during the Bridgeport High School prom at Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw, Mich. on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com KeyArra Scott-Green shows off her nails next on Terry Greens suit as they pose for a photograph during the Bridgeport High School prom at Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw, Mich. on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Angelina Guterrez smiles after winging prom queen during the Bridgeport High School prom at Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw, Mich. on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Heaven Watley poses for a photograph during the Bridgeport High School prom in Bridgeport, Mich. on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Scenes during the Bridgeport High School prom in Bridgeport, Mich. on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Samya Culberson poses for a photograph with her daughter KaZiyah during the Bridgeport High School prom in Bridgeport, Mich. on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Scenes during the Bridgeport High School prom in Bridgeport, Mich. on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Scenes during the Bridgeport High School prom at Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw, Mich. on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Erieon Cannon-Stewart sings into the microphone during the Bridgeport High School prom at Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw, Mich. on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Scenes during the Bridgeport High School prom at Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw, Mich. on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com See 85 images from the event in the gallery here. You must be a subscriber to view the photo gallery. Subscribers click the Get photo link to download high-resolution images right to their device for free as part of their subscription. To subscribe, click this link. To see all of MLives prom coverage, click this link. We have a couple of periods of rain on tap this week. Each rain will be widespread but not be heavy for all of us. The first rain moves southeast across Michigan Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday afternoon. For most of us in southern Lower Michigan it will be Wednesday morning before the rain moves into our area. The second rain sneaks into southern Michigan Friday before moving out by Saturday morning. Heres the radar forecast for the late Tuesday to Wednesday rain. Radar forecast from 9 p.m. Tuesday to 7 p.m. Wednesday. NOAA The thunderstorms along the front will be strongest late in the afternoon Wednesday. In fact, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has a five percent chance of an isolated severe wind gust Wednesday afternoon and evening. The chance of severe weather will be minimal but could occur around Ann Arbor, Detroit and far southeast Michigan. Severe wind gust forecast for Wednesday afternoon and evening, June 4, 2025 NOAA Here are the rain amounts expected with the Tuesday/Wednesday rain. Its going to be an inch rain in the U.P. where they could use the rain to lower the wildfire threat. Northwest Lower Michigan, including Traverse City will likely get one-half inch to one inch. The southern two-thirds of Lower Michigan mostly gets one-quarter to one-half inch. As the thunderstorms restrengthen over far southeast Lower Michigan Wednesday afternoon there could be some rain amounts over one-half inch. Total rainfall forecast from late Tuesday to late Wednesday. NOAA Friday will likely turn wet from I-94 southward. Some of that rain could slip north of I-94. The next rainfall forecast combines Wednesdays rain and Fridays rain. The Friday rain could be fairly heavy for far southern Michigan, with some places getting one inch to two inches of rain. Total rainfall for both rains this week through early Saturday morning. NOAA All of Michigan is going to receive beneficial rain this week. We are in the time of year when plants can use an inch of rain per week. Mother Nature should help us out in the second half of the week. It may be hard to believe but the weather flow around the northern U.S. is going to finally take on a summer look and feel. Weve seen this play a few times this spring only to be followed by a colder-than-normal period. This time it looks like summer weather is here for good. Having said summer weather is going to be firmly entrenched here in Michigan, I will point out we are in a flow with a cold front coming through every three to five days. The cold fronts over the next two weeks arent expected to carry northern Canadian air behind them. There should be more of a westerly wind flow behind the fronts. The typical scenario will be temperatures in the 80s before the front and 70s behind the front. Lets start with the big picture. Does a hot looking high pressure ridge build over the next two weeks or does a cold upper-level low pressure system drop back into the Great Lakes and crash our temperatures? The first pattern, a hot ridge looks more likely, but not extremely hot here in Michigan. We should be just on the edge of very hot temperatures in the 90s just to our south. Heres the wind flow forecast at 15,000 feet up. The blues and greens show an atmosphere that is colder than normal. The oranges and reds show an atmosphere that is warmer than normal. Upper-air flow forecast from june 3 to June 16. NOAA You see a strong upper-air disturbance forecasted to drop into the Great Lakes late Sunday or next Monday. This would be a storm system, but it moves out in one day. Then you notice the shape of a upper-level high pressure ridge forming and lasting into mid-June. Remember that Im showing you the ensemble of the best long-term model. An ensemble in this case is 51 tweaks of the model averaged together. If an ensemble shows a clear cut pattern a week out, its probably going to happen. So the temperature story in general for the first two weeks of June will be warmer than normal. There could be a day or two only warming to the low-70s, but otherwise summery temperatures near 80 degrees or in the 80s. Below is the forecast for surface temperature anomalies. As we get out into the middle of June we see a larger area of temperatures running a few degrees warmer than normal taking over much of the northern U.S. Also note how the model takes into account the colder water over the Great Lakes. Surface temperature anomaly forecast from June 3 to June 16. NOAA Here are the actual high temperatures forecasted by the best long-term model. Dont focus on exact numbers, but rather the idea that red shows up a lot. This means 80-degrees or warmer is going to be common over the next two weeks. High temperature forecast from today, June 2 to Wednesday, June 11 NOAA Does the warmer-than-normal weather continue into late June? The long-range forecasting branch of NOAA says it does. The extended temperature forecast from June 14 to June 27 shows a slight to moderate chance temperatures will continue warmer than normal. NOAA So believe it or not, the cold kink in the jetstream is being untied today. The jetstream will treat us more to summer weather going forward. Enjoy it. Saurav Pandey is the Deputy Manager of Content at Moneycontrol, specialising in content strategy, execution and performance analysis. He integrates advanced SEO techniques to deliver high-impact, data-driven content formats. His expertise spans various beats, including education, career, science and others, where he adopts a technical approach to optimise visibility, improve search rankings, and drive organic traffic growth. He can be reached out at Saurav.Pandey@nw18.com. 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By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept UN agencies' representatives in Laos visit China-Laos Railway Xinhua) 11:41, June 02, 2025 Representatives from UN agencies in Laos visit the Vang Vieng freight business yard in Laos, May 30, 2025. Representatives from UN agencies in Laos visited the China-Laos Railway to learn about the project's achievements in promoting regional connectivity, enhancing livelihoods, and advancing sustainable development, as well as to explore opportunities for future cooperation. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua) VIENTIANE, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Representatives from UN agencies in Laos visited the China-Laos Railway to learn about the project's achievements in promoting regional connectivity, enhancing livelihoods, and advancing sustainable development, as well as to explore opportunities for future cooperation. At the invitation of Chinese Ambassador to Laos Fang Hong, nearly 20 representatives from 10 UN agencies in Laos, including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the International Labor Organization (ILO), took a train at Vientiane Station of the China-Laos Railway on Friday. Along the route, they visited several key sites, including Vang Vieng Station, the Vang Vieng Freight Business Hall and Yard, Luang Prabang Station, and the Luang Prabang Maintenance Management Center. During the visit, the delegation held in-depth discussions with railway operators and staff to gain a comprehensive understanding of the railway's infrastructure, passenger and freight operations, management systems, safety protocols, and workforce development. The UN representatives praised the China-Laos Railway for its positive impact on Laos' economic and social development. They highlighted the railway's role in improving travel convenience, offering training and employment opportunities for Lao youth, boosting tourism, and strengthening regional connectivity. The delegation also expressed interest in exploring future cooperation with the railway to further support Laos' development. The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Laos Bakhodir Burkhanov noted that the China-Laos Railway has significantly enhanced Laos' transportation infrastructure, strengthened connectivity between provinces and communities, and enhanced accessibility for both residents and tourists. The railway holds great potential, and the UN will seek opportunities for future cooperation to further support local economic development and improve people's livelihoods, he added. Representatives from UN agencies in Laos communicate with crew members on train K12 of China-Laos Railway in Laos, May 30, 2025. Representatives from UN agencies in Laos visited the China-Laos Railway to learn about the project's achievements in promoting regional connectivity, enhancing livelihoods, and advancing sustainable development, as well as to explore opportunities for future cooperation. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua) Representatives from UN agencies in Laos communicate in front of a train at Vang Vieng Station in Laos, May 30, 2025. Representatives from UN agencies in Laos visited the China-Laos Railway to learn about the project's achievements in promoting regional connectivity, enhancing livelihoods, and advancing sustainable development, as well as to explore opportunities for future cooperation. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) M Snehanjali USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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I Accept India News Live: India's monsoon stalls after early start; to pick up again around June 11, reports Reuters Rainfall over India is likely to remain subdued for over a week as the annual monsoon's progress has stalled after its earliest onset in 16 years, though it is likely to pick up again from June 11, two senior weather bureau officials said on Monday. The monsoon, the lifeblood of the country's nearly $4 trillion economy, delivers nearly 70% of the rain that India needs to water farms and replenish aquifers and reservoirs. Nearly half of India's farmland, which has no irrigation, depends on the annual June-September rains for crop growth. Monsoon rainfall will be subdued in the next few days, but from June 11-12, the monsoon will strengthen and start covering the remaining parts of the country, said S. D. Sanap, scientist with the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) Pune office. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Anushka Saxena is a China Studies Research Analyst with the Takshashila Institution. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Namrata Agarwal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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I Accept Sheetal Kumari USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Sheetal Kumari is a skilled sub-editor and content creator with expertise in digital news, multimedia storytelling, and social media content. With a strong grasp of topics like science, politics, and many more, she crafts compelling narratives, transforming complex topics and trending stories into engaging, accessible reads across various media platforms. 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Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Ankita Chakravarti USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Inside the upheaval at the FBI under Trump's new leadership Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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"We propose to the Russian side to hold a meeting by the end of this month, from 20th to 30th of June," Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said after talks, adding that the delegations should try to agree a meeting between presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin. Ukraines Spider Web woven over 18 months destroys 41 Russian bombers: How the audacious strike was executed Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Several injured in targeted terror attack as pro-Israel protesters set on fire in Boulder Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Who Is Izz al-Din al-Haddad? The elusive Ghost of al-Qassam now leading Hamas military wing in Gaza Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Who is Mohamed Soliman? Colorado attack suspect identified in incident that left 6 pro-Israel protesters burned Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Trump to announce new nominee to lead NASA, replacing Musk ally Xinhua) 13:12, June 02, 2025 WASHINGTON, June 1 (Xinhua) -- The White House said on Saturday that U.S. President Donald Trump will soon announce a new nominee for the head of NASA, following his decision to withdraw former candidate Jared Isaacman, a close ally of Elon Musk. "After a thorough review of prior associations, I am hereby withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman to head NASA," Trump wrote on his Truth Social site. "I will soon announce a new Nominee who will be Mission aligned, and put America First in Space." Late last year, Trump named Isaacman, a billionaire and private astronaut, as the nominee for NASA chief. The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved his nomination in late April. Isaacman, a close associate of Musk and a major client of his company SpaceX, has purchased several private spaceflights from the company with hundreds of millions of dollars. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) SOMIS, Calif. (AP) Andreas Tompros lost his home and at least a third of his avocado orchard to a wildfire last year, but the 47-year-old grower is not worried about his farm making a comeback. While California farmers often rattle off a list of challenges they face including high labor costs, water restrictions and overseas competition, many avocado growers say they have a good thing going. A key reason may come as a surprise to some Mexican imports. When the United States lifted its ban on Mexican avocados in 1997, California growers worried at first that the imported fruit would displace their production. But the steady flow of avocados has wound up helping, not hurting, their sales by allowing for a year-round supply to markets and restaurants that has fomented demand, farmers say. Before the influx, most American consumers considered avocados to be specialty items and when they came into season in California, industry officials had to work to rev up widespread interest in order to sell them. But not anymore. 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 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 U.S. 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 Escobedo said about 60% of U.S. 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 U.S. 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% 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 states farmers grow, he said. In Southern Californias 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 regions avocado production is likely to rise, said Korinne Bell, agricultural commissioner for the county northwest of Los Angeles. A booming market, despite wildfires 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 were 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 orchards 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. By AMY TAXIN Associated Press Donald Trump - White House Image View Photo President Donald Trump issued a Proclamation celebrating the 101st Anniversary of the United States Border Patrol. Trump was Mondays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words: For 101 years, members of the United States Border Patrol (USBP) have courageously served as guardians of our sovereignty and protectors of our homeland against invasion, aggression, and violence. Every day, Border Patrol agents selflessly risk their lives to repel the flow of deadly drugs, weapons, criminals, and terrorists many of whom come to our shores from jails, prisons, and mental institutions in far-flung countries across the globe. On this anniversary of the United States Border Patrol, we honor every agent for their honorable service and pledge to support them in their mission to keep Americans safe. For decades, the USBP has maintained the thin line between order and chaos. Unfortunately, the last administration in an extraordinary act of deception and betrayal, imported an army of unvetted illegal aliens, including violent criminals, thugs, gang members, and terrorists from the darkest and most dangerous parts of the world. Their arrival over the last 4 years ushered in record-shattering levels of immigrants illegally coming into our country while at the same time depleting resources and draining the morale of our incredible USBP agents. The tide turned on January 20, 2025. One of my first actions as President was declaring a National Emergency at the southern border of the United States, which provided additional authority to the Department of Defense to support the Federal Governments response to the crisis. I also designated cartels and other transnational organizations, such as Tren de Aragua and MS-13, as foreign terrorist organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists in order to end their campaign of violence and bloodshed on our homeland. Additionally, I have resumed our border wall construction, reinstated the Remain in Mexico policy, halted the practice of catch-and-release, ended asylum for illegal border crossers, deployed thousands of American soldiers to defend and protect our borders, and implemented the largest deportation operation in the history of our country. Within my first 100 days in office, daily border encounters dropped 95 percent, and migrant crossings declined by an astounding 99.99 percent. In March, our Nation saw the lowest monthly number of border encounters in recorded history and fentanyl traffic fell by 54 percent compared to March of the previous year. Also in my first 100 days, my Administration arrested more than 150,000 and deported more than 135,000 illegal aliens. Under my leadership, our USBP agents are not only receiving the resources they need to do their job but also the respect they have earned and deserve and our work is only just beginning. As we celebrate 101 years of the USBP, we honor the thousands of patriots who dedicate their careers to defending our borders and upholding the rule of law, even in the face of grave danger and tremendous risk. Above all, we pay tribute to every brave soul who has perished in the line of duty while proudly serving our Nation. In their memory, and in honor of their beloved family members, we pledge to empower the USBP to safeguard the American homeland today, tomorrow, and beyond. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. San Andreas, CA A former Calaveras County Supervisor is stepping into a new role in local politics. The Calaveras County Water District Board has selected Jack Garamendi to fill the open Division Two seat that was left vacant following the resignation of Cindy Secada. Garamendi, a fifth-generation Calaveras County resident, served eight years on the Calaveras Board of Supervisors, including two terms as chairman. He did not seek re-election last year. Garamendi is a rancher, entrepreneur, and a former UC Merced Vice Chancellor. Additionally, he is a former Army Reserve Officer and Peace Corps volunteer, and holds degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, and California State University, Hayward. He lives with his wife, Colleen, on their family ranch in Paloma. Garamendi says, I am honored to be appointed to the board of the Calaveras County Water District for Division 2. I look forward to joining the CCWD team to provide services to our customers and the citizens of the county. I am excited to work with their amazing staff and dedicated Board of Directors to contribute to their continued success. The CCWD Board interviewed four candidates and selected Garamendi at a May 30 special meeting. CCWD Board President Jeff Davidson adds, Four exceptional candidates applied, each with unique strengths and a clear passion for service. He expressed his appreciation for the experience and leadership he observed while serving with Garamendi on the Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Authority Board. Garamendis term will run through December 2026. HARARE Zimbabwean social media personality, actress, and entrepreneur Madam Boss has addressed swirling rumours regarding her recent weight loss journey and alleged cosmetic surgery, emphatically denying claims that she had ribs removed to achieve her new figure. In an interview with H-Metro, Madam Boss, known for her online content and growing business empire, provided a detailed account of the medical procedures she underwent, clarifying that her weight loss was initially inspired by a health condition. The online sensation has faced accusations of trying to emulate the physique of international music superstar Beyonce, but she has vehemently dismissed these claims. I do not regret losing weight after that surgery and I like my new look, she stated firmly. Addressing the rib removal rumours head-on, Madam Boss declared: Let it be known, I do not know how you are going to clarify this, handiraramire vanhu uye handina basa nekuti vanhu kana munhu anotikudii nezvangu. To put the record straight, none of my ribs were removed as some are saying. She further questioned the feasibility of such a procedure, adding: Do you think its real for one to live without ribs, I am yet to know if one can live without any of the ribs. Madam Boss explained that her journey began due to unforeseen health challenges. We have no control of some challenges, disabilities can happen and we are left with no choice other than consulting a surgeon, she said. I did not want to have fun with surgeons but I had to face it. To me, it started as a weight loss journey due to the condition I had. Following the initial weight loss, Madam Boss revealed that she opted for further procedures to address specific concerns. After losing my weight ndakazowona kuti katumbu kangu kakanga kakungorembera, she explained, leading her to consider liposuction. She elaborated on the procedure, stating: Liposuction is a type of surgery. It uses suction to remove fat from specific areas of the body, such as the stomach, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms or neck. Liposuction also shapes these areas. Madam Boss also underwent a gastric balloon procedure, explaining: From there I had to undergo a gastric balloon to remove fat. It is also known as an intragastric balloon and it is a temporary medical device used to assist with weight loss. Its a soft, inflatable balloon placed in the stomach through an endoscope to help reduce the amount of food someone can eat and make them feel full sooner. She acknowledged the significant expense associated with such medical interventions, expressing sympathy for individuals who may face similar health conditions without the financial means to seek surgical solutions. Madam Boss has risen to prominence through her engaging online content, expanding her influence both within Zimbabwe and internationally. She has also ventured into entrepreneurship, launching several businesses and receiving accolades for her impact on social media. Breaking News via Email Related Pin Share Share 0 Shares The leafy suburb of Bluff Hill in Harare is reeling with a mixture of grief and outrage after a 39-year-old man was killed by a pit bull yesterday. The tragic incident has ignited long-standing concerns among residents, who say their repeated appeals to the dog owner about the danger posed by his animals had been ignored. Mike Mupinga, 40, the owner of the dogs, has been arrested in connection with the incident. ZRP Mabelreign arrested Mike Mupinga (40) in connection with a case of culpable homicide which occurred at the suspects residence, police said in a statement. The case stems from an incident where his pit bull dogs allegedly attacked and mauled Samuel Machara (39) to death on 01/06/25. The body of the victim was found near the suspects residence with dog bite wounds. The body was referred to the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals mortuary for post-mortem. National police spokesman Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that Mupinga had been charged with culpable homicide over the death of Samuel Machara. Residents who spoke to H-Metro expressed their deep sorrow and frustration, stating that Mupingas pit bulls had become a significant menace in their neighbourhood. Some claimed that Mupinga at one time kept as many as 15 or 16 pit bulls on his property, but that the number had decreased due to infighting among the dogs. The residents said their children no longer use the street where Mupingas house is located because of concerns they will be attacked by the pit bulls. Vana havatodariki kana inini ndakapedzisira kudhara dhara kudarika road iyi, said a resident, expressing their fear. Another resident, who has lived in Bluff Hill for seven years, said: Tinototya, hatidi kukunyeperai. Dzakauraya huku dzepa Mai Tari dzikadya huku dzepa Baba Maita but muridzi wacho hapana zvaanoita, Muno muBluff Hill vanenge vachingoti pama pit bulls paye saka iye akutoona kunge arikubvira. Vanhu vagara vachingo complainer. (We are afraid, we wont lie to you. They killed Mai Taris chickens and ate Baba Maitas chickens, but the owner does nothing. Here in Bluff Hill, people are always complaining about those pit bulls, so he now sees it as a way to show off. People have been complaining for a long time.) They further alleged that Mupinga had initially fed his dogs meat, buying 5kgs at a time, but had since stopped, leading to the dogs preying on chickens in the neighbourhood. ZimLive heard from sources that Mupinga has several pitbulls. He keeps them in a house with half a durawall. We complained but he ignored us, said one neighbour. It was teeming with dogs in that house, but there are not as many now because they have been killing each other. The residents said the pit bulls find it easy to jump the short precast wall and then roam the streets. They said they have been sending complaints to the residents group chat warning that a disaster was on the horizon but their complaints were not heard. It could not be established if Mupinga, who is a tenant at the house where he stays, is in the residents group chat. A resident said he told Mupinga that he was keeping very dangerous dogs but his pleas fell on deaf ears. Another neighbour revealed that when a house helper from the neighbourhood was bitten by the dogs, Mupinga paid for her treatment and got her a nurse to stop her filing a police report which would have led to the dogs being put down. Other locals said friends were too scared to visit them because of the notoriously vicious dogs which roam freely outside. Journalist Maynard Manyowa is familiar with Mupingas pitbulls. He recalled: In 2023 they chased my kids. Last year they killed another dog. Owner was rude when we pleaded with him. His dogs move around as a pack at night and cause real terror. They have killed peoples cats, dogs and chickens. This isnt the first attack on people either. Council and some authorities came in 2024 in response and took away some strays. Some were taken. But owner claimed they were not strays. I have no kind words for the owner. Former Harare deputy mayor Kudzai Kadzombe said: I have called the SPCA and they have taken four dogs from the property two pitbulls, one rottweiler Hungarian mastiff. The incident has reignited the debate surrounding the ownership of dangerous dog breeds, particularly pit bulls, in residential areas. Pit bulls are banned in many countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Other countries have restrictions on pit bulls, including keeping them leashed and muzzled in public spaces. This tragedy is not an isolated incident in Zimbabwe. In May 2022, John Gavhera from Selborne in Bulawayo was killed by his own pitbulls after jumping over the wall to gain access to the house, having forgotten his house keys. In March 2023, a nine-year-old girl died from injuries sustained in a pitbull attack in Harares Whitecliffe neighbourhood. In the same month, a 68-year-old security guard died from a pitbull attack at business premises along Sherwood Crescent in Waterfalls, Harare. Breaking News via Email Related Pin Share Share 0 Shares Hierarchical tech weasels made a splash in early May with their vision for Guantanamo Bay. The Charter Cities Institute (CCI), a front group for billionaire Silicon Valley interests, wants to turn the home of US torture chambers into a high-tech charter city, which will double as a proving ground for migrants seeking to enter the US. Those lucky enough to make it to the imperial heartland might find themselves in Guantanamos anyways. Thats because so-called freedom cities might be coming to the 50 states as well. What Are the Freedom Cities? Elon Musk recently got his company town in Starbase, Texas, which could be viewed as a first step toward a US where these billionaires create laws in their own jurisdictions that fit their personal needs. To bring about Starbase, in December 2024, more than 70 county residents (believed to be SpaceX employees) petitioned for an election to make Starbase its own municipality. In May it passed overwhelmingly. Starbase can now raise funds through taxes, acquire property through eminent domainwhich it is already doing and create its own zoning rules. It has its own mayor and two commissionersall SpaceX employees. Because this is a project that is closely affiliated with SpaceX, you can imagine that the goals for the municipality are probably in pretty close alignment with the needs of SpaceX, Alan Bojorquez, an attorney who specializes in city governance, told Texas Tribune. Indeed, one of the biggest benefits for SpaceX of the incorporation may be the ability to avoid environmental red tape. In July 2024, conservation groups filed a lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration, alleging that it rushed SpaceXs Starship permitting process without adequate environmental review or mitigation requirements. SpaceX is also facing fines of almost $150,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency for allegedly illegally dumping pollutants into a Texas waterway without a permit. Starbase will almost certainly pass its own more permissive rules, and the Texas government is already voting to give Starbase more authority over the closure of a popular beach on weekdays for launches. Along with Starbase, other tech giants are planning their own build outs in cities where they already run the show, dominating real estate and local government. Google is planning a massive neighbourhood around its headquarters in Mountain View, California, Meta is doing the same thing with Zucktown in Menlo Park, and Musk wants a Tesla town, too. Many write-ups on Starbase and the freedom cities compare them to the company towns of old where one business owned and controlled everything, surveilled the population, paid workers inscrip, and led to startling rates of suicide and addiction among citizens. That very well may be the future for some if not most of these freedom cities, but theres another darker layer to this current push, which makes these new-age company towns more problematic. While some of the freedom cities may be partially or wholly devoted to quasi-slave labor and human lab rat tests there also exists the possibility of population engineering to them, as well as to the rest of the country they would be leaving behind. From Urban Geography: Freedom Cities are thus, not merely land development schemes; Freedom Cities are where deserving elements of the population are promised perks and subsidies that favor family formation and will build out the favored community as a replay of a mythologized past As a political maneuver, the Freedom Cities plans core purpose is precisely to conjure new cities in a distinctly fascist mold and generate a shared desire across the Trumpian movement not just to carry out a clean break with present-day cities but to turn their backs on the latter. In the imagined new city of his movement, prosperity and safety abound, while elements that have been cast as undesirable, abject, and anti-American are forcibly kept out through intensive policing and state protection. The Charter Cities Institute (CCI) and others are lobbying the Trump administration for more than just the creation of company towns theoretically under the jurisdiction of the state. They essentially want their own statelets within the US. The argument is that exemption from some federal laws replaced by oversight by a tech baron would drive innovation and prosperity. Heres more from The New Republic: More controversially, CCI proposes to do something very akin to what the Emiratis are best known for doingerecting a labor economy that more readily resembles modern-day slavery. The big selling point for its GITMO haven suggests that the hypothetical city could house migrants who wish to move to the U.S., keeping them under surveillance for a probationary period while evaluating their contributions to the local economy and society. High performers become prime candidates for U.S. residence, while those who disrupt public order can be repatriated quicklyno labyrinthine state courts involved, the authors write. Frontier Foundation, a 501c4 organization, as well as the Housing Center at the American Enterprise Institute and the Foundation for American Innovation, are also on board. In April, the groups issued a joint letter to the Trump administration that begins: We, the undersigned founders, investors, builders, and scholars write to express our strong support for Homesteading 2.0, consisting of the Home Sweet Home and Freedom Cities initiatives designed to add 3 million new homes and drive American economic and technological dynamism. It goes on to argue that the Bureau of Land Management should sell of 600 square miles of land for Freedom Cities. The Frontier Foundation has its eye specifically on BLM outside cities like Boise, Idaho; Grand Junction, Colorado; and Redmond, Oregon. The details of how the cities will actually function and who will own and run them are sketchy but appear similar to Starbase with perhaps even more freedom. Here is more from the letter (caution: high levels of dynamism incoming): The newly established urban districts, with streamlined governance and targeted regulatory relief, hold tremendous promise for accelerating American innovation, strengthening our industrial base, and addressing the most pressing economic and technological challenges facing the United States. Paired with new urban development, Freedom Cities can offer a dynamic regulatory framework for re-shoring critical industries, expanding housing affordability, and facilitating rapid progress in emerging fields such as biotechnology, aeronautics, and energy. By removing red tape, Freedom Cities can create jobs, improve global competitiveness, and push the technological frontier. Much of their argument includes the promise that these freedom zones will have affordable housing. And in case it wasnt clear from the letter, the Frontier Foundations policy memo also includes the following: Regulatory Opt-Out Mechanisms: Grant the Secretary-level heads of agencies, such as the Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Transportation Secretary (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules, discretion to waive or expedite certain regulations within Freedom Cities. Streamlined Environmental and Building Approval: Mandate expedited National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews and simplified building codes, ensuring that infrastructure, housing, and industrial projects can break ground within months rather than years. Who Is Behind the Freedom City Push? Much of the money flowing into the likes of the Frontier Foundation, CCI and the Foundation for American Innovation are shrouded in secrecy due to their status as 501c3 non-profit organizations that have been granted tax-exempt status by the IRS. But the Foundation for American Innovation, as an example, identifies numerous billionaire laundering services as major supporters including the Miles Foundation, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, the Sarah Scaife Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the Searle Freedom Trust. Two major players behind the movement, which is being driven by the likes of Marc Andreesen and Peter Thiel who back the venture capital firm Pronomos Capital, which has funded a charter city in Roatan, Honduras and several city projects in Africa, including one in Nigeria called Itana. [1] Trey Goff, the chief of staff of Prospera, tells WIRED that he and other Prospera representatives working under an advocacy group called the Freedom Cities Coalition have been meeting with the Trump administration, which is unsurprisingly receptive. During his 2024 campaign Trump came out in full support of the freedom cities: Reportedly the administration is so enthusiastic that the plan has grown in scope from creating ten such cities to as many as the market can handle. Why Do Tech Overlords Want Them? The official line is a collection of all the usual BS out of Silicon Valley. We can look to the rantings of Marc Andreesen for evidence. Andreessen, the billionaire who co-founded the venture capital firm a16z and, before that, played a role in the invention of the modern web browser. He is also one of the major backers of the freedom cities, as well as a major player in the Trump administration and a driving force behind the Signal groups that began during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and which fueled the new alliance of tech and the US right. Andreessen is considered some sort of wise sage by the hierarchical tech crowd. Take the word of Minicircle cofounder Mac Davis who is also working with the Frontier Foundation. Minicircle is a longevity biotech company focused on developing gene therapies to extend human lifespans. Its backed by Thiel and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and it currently has offices in both Austin, Texas, and Prospera. According to WIRED, Davis says that Minicircles gene therapy clinical trial on the protein follistatinwhich he claims increases muscle mass without side effects, and also has life-extending benefits in micewas only possible in Prospera, but noted hed like to see that change. And it will, he believes, when freedom cities bring American Dynamism a reference to writings from Andreesen screeds, which argue that tech companies under the leadership of their wise billionaire leaders will save us from our failing government institutions and the pratfalls of democracy. Lets take a brief look. Heres Andreesens The Techno-Optimist Manifesto going beat poet on us with his societal visions: There are only three sources of growth: population growth, natural resource utilization, and technology. Developed societies are depopulating all over the world, across cultures the total human population may already be shrinking. Natural resource utilization has sharp limits, both real and political. And so the only perpetual source of growth is technology Productivity growth, powered by technology, is the main driver of economic growth, wage growth, and the creation of new industries and new jobs, as people and capital are continuously freed to do more important, valuable things than in the past We believe this is why our descendents will live in the stars. We believe that there is no material problem whether created by nature or by technology that cannot be solved with more technology We have a problem of poverty, so we invent technology to create abundance. Give us a real world problem, and we can invent technology that will solve it. We believe free markets are the most effective way to organize a technological economy. Profits are the incentive for producing supply that fulfills demand. We believe any deceleration of AI will cost lives. Deaths that were preventable by the AI that was prevented from existing is a form of murder We believe there is no inherent conflict between the techno-capital machine and the natural environment We believe we should place intelligence and energy in a positive feedback loop, and drive them both to infinity. We believe we should use the feedback loop of intelligence and energy to make everything we want and need abundant. We believe the measure of abundance is falling prices. Every time a price falls, the universe of people who buy it get a raise in buying power, which is the same as a raise in income. If a lot of goods and services drop in price, the result is an upward explosion of buying power, real income, and quality of life. Note Andreesens emphasis on abundance, which Democrats are now embracing to slash the red tape and let the vultures feast in an effort to get back in the good graces of money men like Andreesen. And notably, Jeffrey Mason, the head of policy at the Charter Cities Institute, tells WIRED the freedom cities lobbying groups are also having conversations with Democratic members of Congress. So this reimagining of the US as a federation of billionaire-run emirates will have staying power beyond Trump. But back to Andreesen and the ideology he represents. His whole spiel is that anyone or anything standing in their way is preventing the creation of this utopia: A world in which human wages crash from AI logically, necessarily is a world in which productivity growth goes through the roof, and prices for goods and services crash to near zero. Consumer cornucopia. Everything you need and want for pennies. Marc Andreessen (@pmarca) January 25, 2025 It is of course all complete nonsense. What Andreesen and his like are after is more money and power of which company towns or freedom cities are a major part. Heres Brian Merchant summing up their true motivations at Blood in the Machine: These notionsAI can replace workers, the government should function like a startupare not meant to describe reality; they are meant to create a permission structure for those in power to obtain more of it. Here, AI will either allow Trump and Musk to install more loyalists, hollow out the administrative state, or degrade the quality of services once provided; all outcomes that favor Trumpism, and, I guess, Muskism. The startup mentality, meanwhile, seeks to give license to break laws, in the name of progress, of disruption, of building the future. Same as it ever was: Way back in the early days of the Industrial Revolution, early factory owners deployed automation to deskill workers, to justify employing precarious and child laborers, and as a means of circumventing long-held lawsall to produce more products at lower quality, and to concentrate profits, and power, in fewer hands. That helps explain why despite Andreesens promises that earthly paradise is nigh, he and his fellow weasels spend so much time and money worrying about building a police state. Andreeseen is focused on his primary home of Las Vegas while other tech billionaires have their own pet projects. That makes sense if you subscribe to the teachings of monarchist pundit Curtis Yarvin who was reportedly lionized in the Andreessen-led Signal chats. Heres Quinn Slobodian on Yarvins vision for the futuremuch of which is playing out in real time: Right-wing accelerationists imagine existing sovereignty shattering into what Yarvin, writing under the pen name Mencius Moldbug, calls a patchwork of private entities, ideally governed by what one might call technomonarchies. Existing autocratic polities like Dubai serve as rough prototypes for how nations could be dismantled into a global spiderweb of tens, even hundreds, of thousands of sovereign and independent mini-countries, each governed by its own joint-stock corporation without regard to the residents opinions. These would be decentralized archipelagoes: fortified nodes in a circuitry still linked by finance, trade, and communication. Think of the year 1000 in Middle Europe but with vertical take-off and landing taxis and Starlink internet. Yarvin expressed the essence of the worldview recently when he enthused over Trumps proposal to ethnically cleanse the Gaza Strip and rebuild it as a US-backed colony securitized as an asset and sold to investorsas he called it, the first charter city backed by US legitimacy: Gaza, Inc. Stock symbol: GAZA. One wonders what type of Gaza they have in mind for their American freedom cities. This? Or this: Or perhaps the first is a freedom city and the latter is one of the left-behind zones? How Soon Could We Find Out? Here are the options under consideration to breathe life into stateside freedom cities according to WIRED: According to Goff, Freedom Cities Coalition has briefed White House officials on three options for creating freedom cities. One is through interstate compacts. In this scenario, two or more states could set aside territories with shared tax and regulation policies, with some state-specific carve-outs. Under existing law, these compacts cant be revoked, though they can be dissolved under certain circumstances. If an interstate compact is approved by Congress, it becomes valid under federal law. Goff says the coalition is considering Congressional legislation that would give advanced consent to any freedom city compacts. That way, Congress wouldnt need to approve each individual city. Two other options are creating federal enclaves with special economic and jurisdictional zones, or having Trump issue executive orders to create each new freedom city. The freedom city lobbying groups are urging that sites would ideally be announced by July 4, 2026. So mark your calendar! One concern with such cities is that they would hollow out the rest of country since they would be free from regulation from the likes of Food and Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. (A bunch of nuclear reactors in freedom zones powering AI data centers free of any oversight from the Nuclear Regulatory Commissionwhat could go wrong?) That freedom from oversight would draw investment and jobs away from the rest of the country choking on its last morsels of democracy. But perhaps DOGE and other Trump administration destruction of the state are an attempt to do the hollowing out before the building of the freedom cities. By starving all but the Pentagon and and Homeland Security of funds and intentionally blowing up the ability of the state to function, the administration helps make the case for freedom cities. Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor argue in The Guardian that we are in the midst of end times fascism, which they claim is even worse than the mid-20th century version. While that might be a bit hyperbolic, perhaps well get there at this rate. Regardless theres no doubt that the Silicon Valley illuminati have designs to take us toor leave us behind in a dystopia of their making, and they have a government ready to accommodate them: Inspired by a warped reading of the political philosopher Albert Hirschman, figures including Goff, Thiel and the investor and writer Balaji Srinivasan have been championing what they call exit the principle that those with means have the right to walk away from the obligations of citizenship, especially taxes and burdensome regulation. Retooling and rebranding the old ambitions and privileges of empires, they dream of splintering governments and carving up the world into hyper-capitalist, democracy-free havens under the sole control of the supremely wealthy, protected by private mercenaries, serviced by AI robots and financed by cryptocurrencies. Personally, Id be inclined to let em have at itif those living in their little fiefdoms are there of their own volition, the creation of their statelets didnt involve the destruction of ours, and their actions werent destroying our shared earthly habitat. It doesnt appear any of those three conditions will be met, however, which leaves me with just one question: Whats the progress report on Musks dream of colonizing Mars? That sounds like an ideal solution for allexcept the red planet. Musk, Andreesen, Thiel, and friends could bring all their AI, crypto, and court jesters there and be completely free there to pursue their utopia. Notes 1. The Honduran Congress passed a law in 2022 repealing the allowance of SEZs. Prospera then sued the Honduran government. The lawsuit is ongoing and, as of now, Prospera remains operational. Dear Border Czar Homan, I have learned that you were on Fox News last week talking about ICE coming back to Nashville to flood the zone in the neighborhoods to find the bad guy. Well flood the zone at worksites to find the bad guy, but were going to do it, and [Mayor Freddie OConnell is] not going to stop us. +3 Rep. Ogles Announces House Probe Into Mayor OConnell Congressional rep says mayor is aiding and abetting illegal immigration, urges law enforcement statewide to cooperate with ICE I have great news! I know right where the bad guy is. On Memorial Day, he hid in the state Capitol behind your guys acting ICE New Orleans field office director Brian Acuna and assistant field office director Larry Adams. U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles. Yall could have nabbed him right then! Maybe you dont know about Andy? Thanks to NewsChannel 5s Phil Williams, we learned way back in 2023 that Ogles isnt an economist, nor a tax expert, nor a police officer, nor a fighter against sex trafficking. He did not graduate from Vanderbilt or Dartmouth, despite his claims about doing all these things. Hell, as I said at the time, Im not even sure we can trust that he really likes mules. We also learned that he took nearly $25,000 in GoFundMe money to build a cemetery for babies, but never built said cemetery. As far as I know, hes never clarified what he did with the money. Now, I know being a fabulist isnt a federal crime, but Ogles is allegedly out here lying to the feds as well. At the end of 2023, Eli Motycka Scene reporter and Nashville First Amendment champion revealed that Ogles had paid a $5,750 civil penalty for multiple campaign finance violations incurred during the 2021-2022 election cycle. Ogles then dragged his feet about turning over his personal income disclosures to the House of Representatives' Clerks Office. The FBI searched his office and seized his cellphone. When he finally did turn over his disclosures, he claimed an investment property that the Campaign Legal Center said does not appear to match public records. Stephen Elliott over at the Nashville Banner did a great job outlining how Ogles played the Hokey-Pokey with various bank accounts and how that played into the disclosure of this investment property. And then earlier this year, Phil Williams found that Ogles was sending money to companies that dont seem to have actually existed, and that he appears to be up to some shady shit with a company in Virginia. Border Czar Homan, let me repeat that. Virginia. Why is Ogles taking jobs away from perfectly fine shady characters here in Tennessee and sending them to Virginia? I, just now, spent 10 minutes practicing telling Phil Williams that I wont tell him my name "No," I said, repeatedly. I dont need to tell you any of that, any stuff, any further. Im working on my dramatic door-slamming too. But do you see Andy Ogles sending me $14,000? You do not. I say that if he wants to funnel campaign money to Virginians, he should move to Virginia. Ogles Pays $5,750 Fine in FEC Settlement Republican congressman agrees to fine and additional compliance measures following campaign finance dispute Now, I know what youre thinking. Why would U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn take Andy Ogles side against our popular Mayor Freddie OConnell if Andy Ogles is so bad? Sir, Im sorry to tell you this, but Marsha Blackburn is dumb. She went out in public with some wild hairdos (including this one) because she couldnt look at herself in a mirror and figure out that her hairdresser hated her. If she cant look at her own head and draw obvious conclusions, she certainly cant look at Andy Ogles record and realize he couldnt even tell the truth on accident. I realize you might be dumb as well, so Im going to try to explain a fundamental fact to you. Tennessee is a whole state full of people with some level of disdain for authority. Some of our most famous and beloved art expresses this. We put Sonny Curtis in both the Musicians Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. One of our official state songs prominently features moonshiners killing G-men, and disdain for government men features prominently in White Lightning and Copperhead Road. I, for instance, just called you dumb, because I disdain the authority you have. Hell, Freddie OConnell, who youre in the middle of trying to portray as some kind of illegal-immigrant-loving liberal elitist, has gotten a ton of grief from the left for not doing more to protect undocumented immigrants. Everybody here loves hating The Man, even The Men who are caught in a no-win situation. So Ogles is baiting you into a game of chicken Im not sure you understand youre playing. Do a lot of Tennesseans hate immigrants? Sure. Do rural Tennesseans see Nashville as some kind of den of communist sin that deserves pain and suffering? Sure. Andy Ogles feels so unsafe here he has to hide in a stone Civil War-era fort. But how long do you think you can keep swooping into Tennessee and disrupting things with your little power plays and grandma-snatching before all Tennesseans get real tired of seeing you here throwing your weight around? Kitchens Close to Avoid ICE at Steve Smiths Broadway Bars Conservative bar owner lost prime weekend service at Honky Tonk Central, The Diner and Kid Rocks because of heavy ICE presence And its not the hippie liberals you need to worry about. Yall impacted Steve Smiths bars. When someone donates a lot of money to Trump, thats not a thing he expects to happen to him. Youre fucking with his money. The construction industry here? Not a bunch of Democrats. And now youre threatening to come raid them? Let me ask you a question. When all these rich Republicans whove given money to Trump call him to complain that ICE has carted off their workforce and Trump needs to fix it, do you think Trumps calling Andy on the carpet, or calling you? Andy Ogles needs two things: 1. To make the news in his district for anything other than all the shady shit hes done; and 2. (potentially) for Trump to pardon him for all the shady shit hes done. Targeting Nashville and Mayor OConnell served to meet his needs by making him seem gung-ho and willing to fight for Trumps policies, which maybe will make all his legal issues go away. He doesnt care if you paralyze downtown businesses. They arent in his district. But those Republicans who own those businesses likely care a lot. Andy is setting you up to take the blame for the harm his political actions cause. You and the rest of Homeland Security dont look like tough guys protecting good Nashvillians from bad guys. You look like marks being conned by a bad guy, because thats what you are. We all see it. Do you? Wise up, or dont. But you cant say you werent warned. -Betsy Arkansas takes on Big Pharma: CVS faces shutdown after states ban on pharmacy benefit managers Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law (HB 1150) prohibiting Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) from owning pharmacies, aiming to curb conflicts of interest and lower drug prices. The law takes effect in 2026. CVS, which owns PBM Caremark Rx, claims the law will force it to close all 23 Arkansas locations unless it sells its pharmacies or drops PBM operations in the state. CVS argues the law will harm patient access, while Arkansas officials and independent pharmacies accuse PBMs of anti-competitive practices, such as underpaying independents while favoring their own stores. Arkansas joins states like Oklahoma and Tennessee in targeting PBMs, with bipartisan support for greater transparency. The FTC is also investigating PBM pricing tactics, as three major PBMs control 80 percent of U.S. prescription claims. If CVS leaves, 340,000 Arkansans may need new pharmacies. Supporters believe independents can fill the gap, and the law could inspire broader reforms to reduce drug costs nationwide. Pharmacy giant CVS may soon shutter all 23 of its Arkansas locations after Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a first-of-its-kind law cracking down on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), the secretive middlemen accused of inflating drug prices. The new legislation, set to take effect in 2026, bans PBMs from owning pharmacies, a move CVS claims will force it out of the state. Supporters argue the law protects patients and independent pharmacies from corporate exploitation. PBMs act as negotiators between drug manufacturers, insurers and pharmacies, determining, which medications are covered and at what price. But critics say these companies operate with little transparency, often pocketing hidden fees while driving up costs for patients. (Related: LAWSUIT: CVS Pharmacies accused of hiking up drug prices for those with insurance.) Arkansas' new law, HB 1150, directly targets this conflict of interest by prohibiting PBMs from owning pharmacies. The logic is simple: A company should not control both the pricing and the distribution of drugs, as it creates an unfair advantage over independent pharmacies while squeezing consumers. CVS, which owns the PBM Caremark Rx, now faces a dilemma. To comply with the law, it must either sell its Arkansas pharmacies or relinquish its PBM operations in the state. The company insists the law will harm patients, particularly those relying on 24-hour pharmacies. But Arkansas officials aren't backing down. Sanders and Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin argue that PBMs have long manipulated the system, favoring their own pharmacies while underpaying independents. A national movement against PBMs: Independent pharmacies fight back For years, small-town pharmacies have struggled against PBM dominance. Many say they are forced to accept lowball reimbursement rates or excluded from insurance networks altogether. The Arkansas Pharmacists Association, which backed the law, argues that separating PBMs from pharmacy ownership will restore fairness. John Vinson, CEO of the association, suggests CVS could keep its stores open by surrendering its PBM license. But the company has yet to commit, with CVS warning of "devastating" consequences. It claims the new law will raise drug prices and limit access. Arkansas isn't alone in its fight. States like Oklahoma, Tennessee and North Carolina have passed similar reforms, and bipartisan bills in Congress seek greater PBM transparency. Even the Federal Trade Commission has launched investigations into PBM pricing tactics. The stakes are high: Just three PBMs CVS Caremark, Cigna's Express Scripts and UnitedHealth's OptumRx control nearly 80 percent of prescription claims nationwide. Their influence over drug prices has drawn scrutiny from both Republicans and Democrats, making PBM reform one of the rare issues with cross-party support. If CVS follows through on its threat to leave, over 340,000 Arkansans will need to find new pharmacies. The company insists the law will backfire, but supporters counter that independents can fill the gap especially now that they wont be undercut by PBM-owned chains. But Sanders remains defiant, framing the law as a victory for free-market competition. "Arkansas has never been afraid to be a conservative leader for America," she declared. Whether other states follow suit could determine the future of prescription drug pricing nationwide. The Natural State's bold move against PBMs marks a turning point in the battle over drug affordability. While CVS warns of disruption, proponents believe breaking up the PBM-pharmacy monopoly will ultimately lower costs and protect patients. Watch this video about Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) pushing legislation to enshrine President Donald Trump's order to lower drug prices. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: CVS Pharmacy violated False Claims Act, costing states hundreds of millions of dollars, lawsuit claims. Brand-name drug prices rise faster than inflation. Trump issues new regulations aimed at lowering prescription drug prices. Sources include: 100PercentFedUp.com DailyWire.com Newsweek.com Brighteon.com Deep State losing INFO WAR against Alex Jones as legitimate judge likely to reverse $50M lawsuit payout for Sandy Hook coverage Democrat law firms and the deep state are losing one war after another, and it looks like theyre about to lose another big one, against the king of the war on information, the one and only, Alex Jones. After the Sandy Hook event went down, there were all kinds of signs that it was staged, not necessarily meaning kids didnt die, but that the feds were involved in it, and in more ways than just snuffing and censoring all the evidence afterwards. It reeked of 9/11 and Oklahoma City style infiltration, and Alex Jones was at the forefront of pointing out all the contradictions that it didnt go down according to the mass media narrative. Democrat politicians love feeding off a shooting tragedy to wage war on innocent American gun owners to try to take away their self-defense rights, mostly to prepare for a communist takeover of the country. After every mass shooting, the leading Dem politicians would hit the podium screaming for all Americans to turn in their weapons to save the country from crime. In hindsight, we now see that Obama and Biden were in fact turning America into a communist hellhole. So theres that. Deep State & Democrat Law Firms Are Losing the Information War Alex Jones, a leading voice challenging official narratives, is poised to win another major legal battle against what is described as a coordinated deep state operation involving the FBI, Democratic politicians, and corporate media to silence dissent and push false narratives. Alex Jones, a leading voice challenging official narratives, is poised to win another major legal battle against what is described as a coordinated deep state operation involving the FBI, Democratic politicians, and corporate media to silence dissent and push false narratives. Sandy Hook Was Staged with Federal Involvement Suspicious details surrounding the event, including blocked emergency access, staged-looking helicopter footage, and withheld security tapes, suggest federal collusionsimilar to alleged 9/11 and Oklahoma City infiltration tacticswhile Democratic politicians exploited the tragedy to push gun control. Suspicious details surrounding the event, including blocked emergency access, staged-looking helicopter footage, and withheld security tapes, suggest federal collusionsimilar to alleged 9/11 and Oklahoma City infiltration tacticswhile Democratic politicians exploited the tragedy to push gun control. Democratic Politicians Exploit Shootings for Gun Confiscation After mass shootings, Democratic leaders gun gun confiscation under the guise of public safety, while allegedly embezzling funds meant for school securityexposing their true motive: disarming Americans to pave the way for a communist takeover. After mass shootings, Democratic leaders gun gun confiscation under the guise of public safety, while allegedly embezzling funds meant for school securityexposing their true motive: disarming Americans to pave the way for a communist takeover. Media & Legal Persecution of Alex Jones Exposes Corruption Jones was sued for defamation simply for questioning the Sandy Hook narrative, revealing a coordinated effort to suppress free speech while hiding the truth about inadequate school safety measures and potential staged elements of the tragedy. Alex Jones said the event at Sandy Hook was likely staged and got sued for all his worth for exercising his free speech rights So, Alex Jones said the event at Sandy Hook was likely staged. Why? The school was surrounded afterwards with about 150 cars that were all black, white, or silver only, like Fed agents were blocking off the press and parents from coming to rescue their kids and report on what was taking place. Then, theres overhead footage from a helicopter of about 200 people walking in circles around the school while talking on their phones, over and over again. Meanwhile, the parked cars were blocking emergency vehicles from getting close to the building to supposedly save any children who were still alive and maybe bleeding out from gunshot wounds. Suspicious? Absolutely. Then came the interview with the coroner, who was laughing and cutting jokes about how many kids were shot and what kind of gun was used. Who does that? There were interviews with actors who lived near the school, claiming they took kids in their home and made them feel loved that same day, while the parents frantically searched for them. Wait, what? Then, there was NEVER any security footage, camera shots or video, released from the brand new state-of-the-art security system from outside or inside the school, showing the alleged gunman showing up in his car, pulling weapons out from his trunk, approaching the school, breaking in, walking the halls, nothing. Nothing added up. The official narrative was so suspect, you would think they would have found some terrorist passports on the ground nearby (think 9/11). Why werent emergency crews pulling up to the school and rushing in to save bleeding kids, to match the narrative that about two dozen kids were shot up with a semi-automatic weapon? Was it all about gun grabbing legislation for the Demonic Dems? They are the ones guilty now of human trafficking, including child trafficking, of 300,000 immigrant children, so who would put it past them to stage such an event? Will the judge reverse the charges against Alex Jones for talking about all of this on his InfoWars podcast? Is he guilty of anything at all? Tune your food news frequency to FoodSupply.news and get updates on more toxic foods and food shortages coming to stores near you. Sources for this article include: NaturalNews.com X.com Dr. Justus Hope explores DMSO: The buried breakthrough in regenerative and rehabilitation medicine Dr. Justus R. Hope highlights DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide) as a safe, natural compound with broad therapeutic benefitscomparable to ivermectinbut ignored or suppressed by regulators and pharmaceutical interests due to its lack of patentability. DMSO penetrates tissues deeply, reduces inflammation, repairs nerve damage, crosses the blood-brain barrier and protects against radiation-induced DNA damage. Despite its versatility, the FDA only approves it for a rare bladder condition. In 1980, Dr. Stanley Jacob testified to Congress about DMSOs success in treating strokes, paralysis and chronic pain, but the FDA halted research over unproven animal safety concerns, effectively burying its medical use. Evidence suggests DMSO aids stroke recovery, spinal cord injuries, pain relief (without addiction), radiation protection, wound healing and even developmental disordersyet most doctors avoid it due to legal and professional risks. Hope advocates for renewed clinical trials, legal protections for off-label use and a shift toward patient-centered medicine, arguing that DMSOs affordability and efficacy challenge profit-driven healthcare models. Dr. Justus R. Hope, a physician known for challenging conventional medical thinking, wants to change how the mainstream medical system views dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). In his investigative article from October 2024, he uncovers the long-suppressed story of this natural tree-derived compound with profound healing potential and a regulatory past that may explain its silence from everyday medicine. Like the antiviral drug ivermectin, DMSO is safe, inexpensive and used widely in veterinary medicine. Yet, its power to alleviate human suffering has been largely ignored or actively suppressed by regulatory bodies and pharmaceutical interests. Hope aptly calls DMSO "the other ivermectin" not just for its controversial path, but also because it threatens the financial pillars of modern medicine. While the doctor didn't start out as a DMSO advocate, he had years of experience in stroke rehabilitation under his belt and he understood how devastating paralysis and brain injuries can be. When Hope came across a report detailing DMSO's ability to reverse paralysis, improve stroke recovery and relieve chronic pain, he was initially skeptical. But the science was compelling. He dug into clinical studies, articles and testimonies from a largely forgotten 1980 congressional hearing. What he found changed his view and may change the way we think about drug suppression, patient care and medical freedom. What is DMSO? DMSO is a naturally occurring sulfur-based compound derived from tree lignin, a substance found in wood pulp during paper manufacturing. Though first used industrially in the late 1800s, researchers in the 1960s began studying its biological and therapeutic properties and what they discovered was remarkable. Among its unique qualities, DMSO can: Penetrate the skin, muscle, bone and tissues with ease. Carry other substances directly into the bloodstream and cells. Relieve pain and inflammation rapidly and non-addictively, particularly in rheumatological conditions where other treatments often failed. Cross the blood-brain barrier, reaching the brain to protect neurons. Stimulate nerve regeneration at the molecular level. Repair DNA damage from radiation exposure. Despite its broad therapeutic potential, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved DMSO for one condition interstitial cystitis, a rare bladder disorder. Jacob's testimony and the FDA's crackdown on DMSO In 1980, transplant surgeon and cryobiologist Dr. Stanley Jacob testified before Congress about DMSO. He shared firsthand accounts of patients who had recovered from chronic pain, spinal injuries, strokes and ulcers many of whom had experienced dramatic, even "miraculous" improvements with DMSO treatment. The FDA's response was silence and obstruction. Citing a theoretical concern that DMSO might caused blurred vision in animals, a side effect never observed in humans, the agency blocked broader research and clinical use. Over 1,000 clinical studies on DMSO were shut down, and only the narrowest medical use was approved. Everything else remained, effectively, illegal. One FDA official reportedly vowed to "bury the drug once and for all" and for the most part, the regulator did. According to Hope, the parallels between DMSO and ivermectin are striking: Both are decades old, generic and widely used in veterinary and alternative medicine. Both were hailed for unexpected health benefits. Ivermectin showed potential to address Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, inflammation and even cancer. Meawhile, DMSO showed potential in addressing pain, inflammation, nerve damage and stroke. Both faced dismissal from mainstream media and health authorities when they began to threaten lucrative treatment models. The doctor observed a disturbingly familiar pattern with the two drugs. A cheap, natural compound shows promise across multiple conditions. Patients and doctors advocate for its use, backed by real-world results. But regulatory bodies ignore it or cite weak justifications to restrict it. Meanwhile, Big Pharma which is in bed with regulators frown that these natural compounds cannot be patented. Without a patent, there is no profit and no push to bring it forward. How DMSO works and what it may heal DMSO's therapeutic value stems from a few powerful mechanisms: It reduces inflammation, neutralizes free radicals, carries other substances deep into tissues and protects cells and nerves at the molecular level. Here's what research and case reports suggest it may help treat: Stroke and brain injury : DMSO crosses the blood-brain barrier, allowing it to reach brain tissue quickly something most drugs can't do. Once there, it reduces inflammation, protects neurons and improves blood flow, helping prevent further damage. Case reports show patients regaining speech, movement and mobility within hours when treated promptly. : DMSO crosses the blood-brain barrier, allowing it to reach brain tissue quickly something most drugs can't do. Once there, it reduces inflammation, protects neurons and improves blood flow, helping prevent further damage. Case reports show patients regaining speech, movement and mobility within hours when treated promptly. Spinal cord injury and nerve regeneration : DMSO helps preserve nerve cells and may stimulate regeneration of damaged nerves. By reducing swelling and oxidative stress around the spinal cord, it has enabled recovery in cases once considered irreversible even in patients with long-standing paralysis. : DMSO helps preserve nerve cells and may stimulate regeneration of damaged nerves. By reducing swelling and oxidative stress around the spinal cord, it has enabled recovery in cases once considered irreversible even in patients with long-standing paralysis. Pain relief : DMSO acts as a fast-acting anti-inflammatory and analgesic, offering relief in seconds for many types of pain. It works at the cellular level to calm inflamed tissues and nerve endings. Importantly, it's non-addictive, non-toxic and has no risk of respiratory depression unlike opioids. : DMSO acts as a fast-acting anti-inflammatory and analgesic, offering relief in seconds for many types of pain. It works at the cellular level to calm inflamed tissues and nerve endings. Importantly, it's non-addictive, non-toxic and has no risk of respiratory depression unlike opioids. Radiation protection and DNA repair : DMSO has shown an extraordinary ability to protect cells from radiation damage. It scavenges harmful free radicals and has been documented to repair over 90 percent of double-stranded DNA breaks caused by gamma radiation. This suggests applications in cancer care, radiation therapy and nuclear emergency preparedness. (Related: DMSO: A common lab chemical with ANTICANCER potential.) : DMSO has shown an extraordinary ability to protect cells from radiation damage. It scavenges harmful free radicals and has been documented to repair over 90 percent of double-stranded DNA breaks caused by gamma radiation. This suggests applications in cancer care, radiation therapy and nuclear emergency preparedness. (Related: DMSO: A common lab chemical with ANTICANCER potential.) Ulcers and wound healing : DMSO penetrates skin and tissue barriers, bringing oxygen and nutrients into damaged areas while reducing inflammation and microbial growth. It accelerates the healing of diabetic disorders, pressure sores and scleroderma-related skin wounds, often with reduced pain and minimal scarring. : DMSO penetrates skin and tissue barriers, bringing oxygen and nutrients into damaged areas while reducing inflammation and microbial growth. It accelerates the healing of diabetic disorders, pressure sores and scleroderma-related skin wounds, often with reduced pain and minimal scarring. Development and neurological disorders: Although anecdotal, some reports describe neurological improvements in children with Down syndrome and other developmental delays after DMSO use. These effects may stem from its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory actions in the central nervous system. Why most doctors stay silent Under federal law, prescribing DMSO "off label" is technically legal. However, many state regulations and medical board risks discourage its use. In states like Florida, Montana, Oregon and Washington, laws support or protect physicians who prescribe pharmaceutical-grade DMSO outside its FDA-approved use. Meanwhile in California, physicians must provide written disclosures and obtain extensive informed consent requirements that create legal and professional disincentives. As a result, many patients resort to buying DMSO gels from farm supply stores, using veterinary-grade products on themselves often without guidance or medical supervision. But nothing makes the case for DMSO more powerfully than the stories of real people: Clara Fox, whose son Bill was paralyzed from a neck injury, watched him regain strength and mobility after receiving DMSO therapy. His progress stalled when the compound was removed, then resumed when it was reintroduced. Scleroderma patients, who had lived with painful skin ulcers for years, saw healing within weeks. Stroke survivors, once written off, began biking, walking and functioning again. These stories and thousands more emerged from Jacob's Oregon clinic, where DMSO was quietly administered in patients with stunning results. A call to rethink medicine Ultimately, Hope isn't calling for blind belief in DMSO. He is calling for honest science, open minds and patient-first priorities. He believes that: DMSO deserves renewed scrutiny in the form of clinical trials. There should be legal protection for physicians prescribing it responsibly. There should be open dialogue about its use in neuroprotection, pain care, stroke and more. DMSO should be recognized not as an outdated solvent, but as a potentially transformative therapy. In an era of soaring healthcare costs, chronic illness and increasing concern about radiation exposure, DMSO may be the right medicine at the right time. The story of DMSO isn't just about a natural compound it is about a medical system that sometimes favors profit over possibility. Watch Dr. Jeffrey Mueller explaining the science and real-world use of DMSO in integrative medicine in this clip. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: DMSO: The Ivermectin-like miracle solution for strokes, neurological damage. How DMSO could transform medicine, science and more. A layperson's guide to Archie H. Scott's "The DMSO Handbook for Doctors." Sources include: JustusRHope.Substack.com MidwesternDoctor.com CenterForInquiry.org [PDF] Brighteon.com Former LA deputy mayor pleads GUILTY to fabricating bomb threat against City Hall Former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Brian Williams admitted to orchestrating a hoax bomb threat against City Hall in October 2024, falsely blaming anti-Israel sentiment. He faces up to 10 years in prison. Williams used Google Voice to fake a threatening call to himself during a government meeting, then reported it to police and officials, claiming an anti-Israel extremist was responsible. The LAPD found no bomb after a costly response. The hoax coincided with Jewish holidays, suggesting an attempt to exploit tensions around the Israel-Hamas conflict. His exact motive remains unclear. While under investigation, Williams was placed on paid administrative leave, collecting his $245,143 salary during critical wildfire response preparations. The case highlights a pattern of public officials abusing power. Federal prosecutors condemned Williams' actions, emphasizing the need to hold leaders accountable for weaponizing fear. In a stunning betrayal of public trust, former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Brian Williams has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a fake bomb threat against City Hall a hoax he falsely blamed on anti-Israel sentiment. Williams, 61, now faces up to 10 years in federal prison for his reckless deception. The October 2024 incident wasted law enforcement resources, stoked unnecessary fear and exposed a disturbing breach of ethics by a high-ranking city leader. During an online government meeting, Williams used his personal cellphone to call his city-issued phone via Google Voice a free app that masks phone numbers. He then abruptly left the meeting and dialed the LA Police Department (LAPD), claiming an unknown man had threatened to bomb City Hall in retaliation for the city's support of Israel. (Related: Fake "pipe bomb" HOAX unravels as Democrats appear desperate to sway elections.) Williams escalated the lie by texting LA Mayor Karen Bass and other officials, fabricating a detailed threat. He alleged that the supposed caller was "tired of the city's support of Israel" and had threatened to place a bomb in the rotunda. LAPD immediately dispatched officers to sweep the building, finding nothing. Investigators later discovered that Williams had staged the entire incident. The "blocked" call he showed police was his own, made through Google Voice to create a false record. His plea agreement confirms he never intended to carry out an attack, only to manufacture a crisis. The motive remains unclear, but the timing is suspicious. The threat coincided with Jewish holidays, which Williams explicitly mentioned in his texts, suggesting an attempt to exploit tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. By December, Bass placed Williams on administrative leave, allowing him to collect his $245,143 salary and benefits while doing no work. His absence came at a critical time just weeks before the devastating wildfires in January, when his leadership in coordinating emergency responses was sorely needed. The rise and fall of Williams This case is not an isolated incident. In recent years, public officials across the U.S. have faced scrutiny for abusing power whether through fraudulent claims, misuse of resources, or politically charged stunts. Williams' actions echo past scandals where trusted leaders exploited crises for personal or ideological gain. Federal prosecutors emphasized the severity of his crime. "In an era of heated political rhetoric that has sometimes escalated into violence, we cannot allow public officials to make bomb threats," said U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. Williams, a seasoned bureaucrat with decades in city government, has since retired. Yet his guilty plea ensures a lasting stain on his legacy. Akil Davis, assistant director in charge for the Federal Bureau of Investigation's LA field office, condemned the now-disgraced official's actions. He reiterated that Williams "betrayed the residents of LA, responding officers and the integrity of the office itself." The case serves as a warning. Public servants who weaponize fear for personal or political agendas must be held accountable. As the City of Angels moves forward, the question remains: How many other officials abuse their authority without consequence? Watch this Fox News report about an explosion in a California fertility clinic that killed at least one. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Kash Patel's crusade: Exposing the J6 pipe bomb hoax and restoring trust in the FBI. Bomb threat and chemical attack disrupts pro-life students for life event in Rochester, MN one arrested. Hollywood star T. J. Miller arrested for making terrorist-style bomb threat at LaGuardia Airport; faces five years in prison. Sources include: JustTheNews.com ABC7.com ABCNews.go.com Brighteon.com Trump administration expands deportation strategy with global partnerships The Trump administration emphasizes voluntary repatriation flights (e.g., to Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela) instead of forced deportations, prioritizing dignity and safe returns. Leveraging Section 241(b) of immigration law, the U.S. negotiates with nations to accept deportees, including third-country nationals (e.g., Guatemala as a "safe third country," El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center). Multiple countries, including Mexico (38,000 deportees), India, Rwanda (in talks) and Central American nations, collaborate on deportation efforts, often with U.S.-funded support. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offers financial incentives and travel assistance via the CBP Home App for undocumented migrants to leave voluntarily, reducing enforcement costs and risks. Unlike abrupt expulsions, the U.S. coordinates shelters (e.g., Ciudad Juarez), transit hubs (Honduras) and monitored housing to ensure orderly returns. The Trump administration has forged agreements with several nations to accept migrants removed from the U.S. to ensure a more orderly and humane process. Under Section 241(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is required to deport individuals to their home countries or the nation from which they embarked to America. However, when those countries refuse cooperation, the law permits deportations to any willing nation. Unlike many nations that forcibly expel migrants without structured reintegration efforts, the Trump administration has emphasized voluntary repatriation flights to countries like Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela. This approach provides migrants with safe, government-coordinated returns rather than leaving them stranded at borders. "We are working with other countries to say, 'We want to send you some of the most despicable human beings to your countries. Will you do that as a favor to us?'" Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during a Cabinet meeting to mark Trump's 100th day in office in May. "And the further away from America, the better, so they can't come back across the border." The U.S. has secured cooperation from multiple countries, including: Mexico Despite lacking a formal agreement, Mexico has already accepted 38,000 deportees from the U.S., including 5,000 non-Mexican nationals. Temporary shelters near Ciudad Juarez have been constructed to accommodate returning migrants. Guatemala and El Salvador Following negotiations with Rubio, Guatemala agreed to a 40 percent increase in deportation flights, accepting not only its own citizens but migrants of other nationalities as "safe third country" partners. Meanwhile, El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele announced his country would take imprisoned deportees of any nationality, housing them in the new 40,000-capacity Terrorism Confinement Center, though the U.S. will bear associated costs. Venezuela and Honduras After initial tensions, Venezuela resumed accepting its nationals deported from the U.S. in March 2024. Meanwhile, Honduras has acted as a "humanitarian bridge" for Venezuelan deportees transiting between the U.S. and their home country. Panama and Costa Rica Panama, the first nation to accept third-country deportees, has housed 299 migrants in police-monitored hotels under a U.S.-funded program. Costa Rica has also begun receiving non-citizen deportees, primarily from Asia, before facilitating their return home within six weeks. India and Rwanda India has cooperated with U.S. deportation efforts, accepting verified nationals before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's White House visit. Rwanda, meanwhile, is in early-stage talks to potentially receive deportees, signaling broader global engagement. Trump administration launches self-deportation assistance program Aside from global partnerships, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also rolled out a new assistance program encouraging illegal immigrants to voluntarily leave the United States. On May 5, DHS announced the initiative, offering financial and travel assistance to undocumented migrants willing to self-deport through the newly launched CBP Home App. "If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest. DHS is now offering illegal aliens financial travel assistance and a stipend to return to their home country through the CBP Home App," said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. "This is the safest option for our law enforcement, aliens and is a 70 [percent] savings for U.S. taxpayers." (Related: Trump administration proposes $998 daily fines on migrants defying deportation orders.) The first chartered flight under the program departed Houston, Texas, on May 19, carrying 64 individuals back to Colombia and Honduras. "This was a voluntary charter flight, not an ICE operation," the DHS said. Follow InvasionUSA.news for more stories about illegal immigration in America. Watch border czar Tom Homan telling Veronika Kyrylenko of the New American magazine that the U.S. border is broken by design. This video is from The New American channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Democrats under fire for helping illegal immigrants evade deportation. ICE raids underway as Trump administration launches historic DEPORTATION operation. Honduras threatens to expel U.S. military over Trump's deportation plans. Sources include: YourNews.com TheEpochTimes.com Brighteon.com Lethal injection: Twin babies DIE days after routine vaccinations Twin 18-month-olds Dallas and Tyson Shaw died mysteriously in their sleep one week after receiving routine vaccinations (Hepatitis A, flu, and DTaP), despite their mother Andrea's warnings about a family history of severe flu shot reactions. The pediatrician dismissed Andrea Shaw's concerns about potential adverse reactions, administering the vaccines anyway. The twins rapidly declined, exhibiting lethargy, vomiting and other severe symptoms before their deaths. Authorities treated the Shaws as suspects, confiscating Andrea's phone and interrogating the couple with accusations of foul play, including a baseless "postpartum blackout" theory. The case highlights controversies around vaccine risks and medical consent, with critics pointing to dismissive attitudes toward parental warnings. The family filed a report with VAERS to push for stricter scrutiny. Autopsies and toxicology reports may reveal the cause of death, while the devastated family and community mourn the twins, remembered as joyful and deeply bonded children. A heartbroken Idaho family is demanding answers after their 18-month-old twins died mysteriously in their sleep just one week after receiving routine vaccinations. Dallas and Tyson Shaw, described by their parents as "perfect, happy little babies," were found dead on May 1 by their mother Andrea. The twins' demise followed a wellness visit where they were given the Hepatitis A, flu and DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccines. Despite Andrea's warning that her husband's family had a history of severe reactions to the flu shot, the pediatrician dismissed concerns and administered the vaccines anyway. Now, as police investigate the deaths as a possible homicide, the grieving parents face accusations while waiting for toxicology reports that may finally reveal the truth. Andrea took her twins to their pediatrician on April 23 for a standard checkup. Aware of her husband Nathaniel's family history of adverse reactions, she expressed hesitation about the shot. But the pediatrician assured her the babies would be fine. Along with the flu vaccine, the twins received the Hepatitis A and DTP immunizations three shots in one visit. Within hours, their health deteriorated rapidly. (Related: 6-month-old dies just hours after taking SIX routine vaccines at a "wellness visit": Parents demand justice as SIDS COVERUP unravels.) The next morning, the twins were lethargic; their lips blue and their eyes sunken. "Tyson walked just about to the entrance of my living room and just lay down and wouldn't get up," Andrea recalled. "Dallas, the best she could, ran to me." Alarmed, Andrea called her mother-in-law, who urged her to take the children to the emergency room. A doctor there acknowledged the symptoms could be a vaccine reaction, but sent them home after administering Tylenol and popsicles. For days, the twins suffered vomiting, diarrhea and extreme fatigue. By April 30, their condition seemed to stabilize until the next morning, when Andrea found them lifeless in their shared bed. Police suspect foul play, treat parents as suspects Instead of receiving sympathy, the twins' parents were immediately treated as suspects. Police confiscated Andrea's phone, preventing her from calling Nathaniel. The distraught father only learned of his children's deaths when an officer coldly told him, "Hey, I hate to inform you, but your kids are dead." Detectives interrogated the couple for hours, suggesting Andrea had a "postpartum blackout" and smothered the twins a theory she vehemently denies. "It made me feel crazy," she said. "I was telling them my truth, and they were getting into my head that I had done it." The circumstances of the deaths have raised significant questions for investigators, and reignites the fierce debate over vaccine safety and medical consent. Critics argue that dismissive attitudes toward parental concerns like Andrea's warning about family allergies can have tragic consequences. "The doctor didn't even ask why we were worried," Andrea said. "She just said, 'They'll be fine.'" Police have not ruled out foul play, but no arrests have been made as of writing. Toxicology reports and autopsy results are pending. Meanwhile, the Shaws have filed a report with the Vaccine Adverse Effect Reporting System, hoping their tragedy will prompt closer scrutiny of vaccine protocols. VaccineDeaths.com has more similar stories. Watch Del Bigtree explaining that avoiding vaccines could prevent 200,000 cardiovascular deaths and six million cancer cases in the U.S. annually in this video. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: SIDS concerns on the rise; vaccine-death link resurfaces in data analysis. Three child deaths within 24 hours after routine vaccines: Japanese study calls for urgent reevaluation of vaccine safety. DEATH by 12 VACCINES SIMULTANEOUSLY: Doctor playing catch-up on jabs injects 1-year-old baby with massive combination of dirty vax cocktails. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org KTVB.com MSN.com Brighteon.com Visa overstays now a major driver of U.S. illegal immigration, surpassing border crossings A DHS report reveals that 739,450 people became undocumented immigrants in FY 2023 by overstaying visas nearly 40 percent of new cases. Overstays have fluctuated as the primary source of undocumented immigration since 2007, surpassing illegal crossings in some years. India ranks seventh for visa overstays (19,000 in FY 2023) but is the 3rd-largest source of undocumented immigrants overall (725,000). Meanwhile, illegal border crossings by Indians spiked 1,600 at the northern border in 2023, quadrupling the prior three years' total. Despite overstay concerns, illegal border crossings remain critical, exceeding two million arrests in FY 2023 (the second consecutive year). Mexicans account for a third of entries, with Latin American nations dominating illegal crossings. The Trump administration warned Indian nationals against overstays, threatening deportation and lifetime bans. Policy changes allow visas to be revoked without notice, targeting students who violate terms (e.g., dropping out or unauthorized work). USCIS emphasized that visas/green cards are privileges, not rights, and warned immigrants supporting violence or terrorism would lose eligibility. The U.S. Embassy in India reinforced this stance on social media, urging adherence to visa terms. A new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report has revealed that nearly 40 percent of new undocumented immigrants in fiscal year 2023 entered the U.S. legally before overstaying their visas. Historically, illegal border crossings dominated discussions on undocumented migration. However, data from the Center for Migration Studies shows that the balance has fluctuated over the past two decades. In the year 2000, 400,000 people entered illegally via borders, compared to 225,000 visa overstayers. By 2007, overstays surpassed border crossings a trend that reversed again in 2019 as illegal entries surged. (Related: ICE begins NATIONWIDE raids targeting criminal illegal immigrants.) In 2024, an estimated 860,000 individuals became undocumented by illegally crossing borders, but more than 510,000 people remained in the country after their visas expired. India ranks seventh among nations for visa overstays, with approximately 19,000 Indians overstaying in FY 2023, the highest among non-Latin American or Caribbean countries. While this marks a decline from 25,000 in FY 2016, India remains the third-largest source of undocumented immigrants (725,000), trailing only Mexico and El Salvador. Meanwhile, illegal border crossings by Indians have surged, with 1,600 apprehended at the northern border in 2023 four times the total from the previous three years combined. Since 2007, illegal crossings by Indians exceeded 5,000 in a fiscal year only four times. Despite the rise in overstays, illegal border crossings remain a pressing issue. Arrests at the southern border surpassed two million in FY 2023 the second time in two years with Mexicans accounting for nearly a third of all illegal entries. Latin American nations and Haiti dominate the top 10 nationalities crossing illegally. U.S. warns Indian nationals against visa overstays, threatens deportation and lifetime ban Now that President Donald Trump is targeting visa compliance, his administration recently warned Indian nationals against overstaying U.S. visas or facing lifetime bans. "If you remain in the United States beyond your authorized period of stay, you could be deported and could face a permanent ban on traveling to the United States in the future," the U.S. Embassy in India said in a May 17 post on X. This is not the first time U.S. authorities have emphasized visa compliance. On April 30, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) also issued a public advisory reminding immigrants that visas and green cards are privileges, not rights. "Coming to America and receiving a visa or green card is a privilege. Our laws and values must be respected," the USCIS said in a public advisory. It further warned that any immigrant supporting violence or terrorism would lose eligibility to remain in the United States. "If you advocate for violence, endorse or support terrorist activity or encourage others to do so, you are no longer eligible to stay in the United States." Recent policy changes have also eliminated certain legal protections for visa holders. A new government memo allows immigration authorities to revoke visas without prior notice or appeal options, particularly for students who drop out of school or violate work restrictions. The advisory holds significant implications for Indian nationals, who constitute 270,000 Indian students in American universities during the 20222023 academic year, one of the largest groups of foreign students and skilled workers in the U.S. Data from the Institute of International Education. For more updates about illegal immigrants in the U.S., visit OpenBorders.news. Watch this warning from President Donald Trump aimed at officials who lead sanctuary jurisdictions. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Southern California city considering ending sanctuary status to align with Trump's immigration agenda. Trump's bold plan: Military deployment and mass deportations to secure the border. Self-deport or face 20-year exile: Trumps border czar's tough new immigration strategy. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com Statista.com IndianNewsNetwork.com Brighteon.com British prosecutors accused of colluding with Israel to criminalize anti-genocide activists U.K. prosecutors are accused of collaborating with Israeli officials to suppress protests against Israel's actions in Gaza, using counterterrorism laws to prosecute activists on politically motivated grounds. U.K. authorities have been sharing sensitive information with Israeli officials to facilitate the prosecution of members of the activist group Palestine Action, who have been disrupting the operations of Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. In August 2024, 18 activists who raided an Elbit factory in Filton, England, were charged with criminal damage but are being detained under counterterror powers. The CPS plans to argue that their offenses had a "terrorist connection" to maximize their sentences. The investigation suggests Israel's influence on U.K. legal proceedings is not new, with past instances like the 2009 arrest warrant for former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni leading to Israeli lobbying for "special mission" certificates to protect its officials. The use of counterterror laws to prosecute activists has raised significant ethical and legal concerns, with accusations of political interference and violation of judicial independence. The case of the Filton 18 highlights the potential misuse of these laws to suppress dissent and protect powerful allies. British prosecutors are accused of collaborating with Israeli officials to prosecute anti-genocide activists as terrorists. An investigation by journalist Kit Klarenberg, published in The Grayzone, has uncovered documents suggesting that London is coordinating with Tel Aviv to suppress protests against Israel's actions in Gaza, using counterterrorism laws to imprison activists on politically motivated grounds. The investigation reveals that British authorities have been sharing sensitive information with Israeli officials to facilitate the prosecution of members of the activist group Palestine Action. This group has been disrupting the operations of Elbit Systems, an Israeli arms manufacturer whose weapons are used in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In August 2024, Nicola Smith the Head of International Law at Britain's Attorney General's Office (AGO) provided "contact details" for British prosecutors and counter-terror investigators to Israel's Deputy Ambassador to London Daniela Grudsky Ekstein. This exchange occurred just days before a meeting between Smith, Ekstein and other officials indicating a high level of coordination between the two countries. The Filton 18: A case study The investigation highlights the case of the "Filton 18," a group of activists who raided an Elbit factory in Filton, South West England, in August 2024. The activists destroyed Israeli quadcopters produced at the facility, which have been used to harm Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Despite facing charges of criminal damage, the activists are being detained under "counterterror" powers. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has indicated it will argue that their offenses had a "terrorist connection" to maximize their sentences. This approach has been condemned by United Nations rapporteurs, who have called for their release. The documents reviewed by the media outlet suggest that Israel's influence on British legal proceedings is not a new phenomenon. In 2009, former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni canceled a trip to London after a U.K. court issued an arrest warrant for her role in the Gaza conflict. In response, Israel lobbied for "special mission" certificates to protect its officials from similar legal actions. The AGO's provision of contact details to the Israeli embassy is part of a broader pattern of collaboration. In July 2024, Smith and Ekstein met with Israeli Embassy Counselor of Political Affairs Yosef Zilberman and AGO Director Douglas Wilson. This meeting was followed by the arrest of ten more Palestine Action activists, who were charged and imprisoned under the same counterterror powers as the Filton 18. The use of counterterror laws to prosecute activists has raised significant ethical and legal concerns. Palestine Action cofounder Huda Amori told The Grayzone that the prosecutions are "politically motivated" and influenced by the Israeli embassy. "Any violation of the independence of the judiciary is an abuse of process under the rule of law," she said. The CPS' General Principle 2.1 states that prosecutors must be free from political interference. However, the evidence suggests that this principle is being compromised. The documents indicate that the Israeli government has pushed for the incarceration and prosecution of Palestine Action demonstrators, who are being treated as terrorists despite the lack of charges related to terrorism. The revelations of British prosecutors colluding with Israeli officials to criminalize anti-genocide activists have sparked outrage and concern. The case of the Filton 18 is a stark example of how counterterror laws can be misused to suppress dissent and protect the interests of powerful allies. (Related: British lawyers, judges accuse Israel of genocide in Gaza, call for immediate UK sanctions.) Watch the video below that talks about Microsoft banning the word "genocide" in internal emails. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Israeli poll reveals overwhelming support for ETHNIC CLEANSING of Gaza as Erdogan threatens military intervention. If October 7 justifies the Gaza genocide, what acts of violence will the Gaza genocide justify? Gaza starvation crisis worsens as Israel's blockade kills 29 children and elderly in two days. Sources include: TheCradle.co TheGrayzone.com Brighteon.com Climate cult in Hawaii to charge all tourists Ponzi scheme green fee to EMBEZZLE $100M yearly for fake climate change projects Get ready to be extorted a heavy fine for visiting Hawaii folks. You will now pay Ponzi scheme specialists big bucks to support a fanatical cult conspiracy that the earth is getting too hot to live on because humans drive gas-powered vehicles and the cows are farting too much. Thats right, Hawaii state will be charging all visitors a climate impact fee for ruining the world, even if you are living green friendly already, you are now a perpetrator of global warming and must help raise $100 MILLION for the richest people in the world to pocket. Punitive "Green Fee" Targets Tourists : Hawaii has imposed a first-of-its-kind "climate impact fee" on visitors, raising the transient accommodations tax (TAT) to 11% starting in 2026. Critics argue this is a financial shakedown, forcing touristseven eco-conscious onesto fund a $100 million annual climate resilience slush fund under the guise of environmentalism. : Hawaii has imposed a first-of-its-kind "climate impact fee" on visitors, raising the transient accommodations tax (TAT) to 11% starting in 2026. Critics argue this is a financial shakedown, forcing touristseven eco-conscious onesto fund a $100 million annual climate resilience slush fund under the guise of environmentalism. Climate Alarmism as Revenue Scheme : The fee is framed as necessary to combat "human-caused" climate change (e.g., "cow farts" and gas vehicles), but skeptics dismiss it as a Ponzi scheme enriching elites while scapegoating ordinary people. Funds will flow into vague initiatives like "shoreline restoration" and a "youth corps," with little accountability. : The fee is framed as necessary to combat "human-caused" climate change (e.g., "cow farts" and gas vehicles), but skeptics dismiss it as a Ponzi scheme enriching elites while scapegoating ordinary people. Funds will flow into vague initiatives like "shoreline restoration" and a "youth corps," with little accountability. Hypocrisy of the Climate Cult : While Hawaii positions itself as a sustainability leader (e.g., its 100% renewable energy mandate), critics highlight the irony of climate elites' jet-setting in private planes while taxing working-class travelers. The policy mirrors global green fees (e.g., Bhutans), but opponents see it as virtue-signaling that harms tourism economies. : While Hawaii positions itself as a sustainability leader (e.g., its 100% renewable energy mandate), critics highlight the irony of climate elites' jet-setting in private planes while taxing working-class travelers. The policy mirrors global green fees (e.g., Bhutans), but opponents see it as virtue-signaling that harms tourism economies. Overtourism or Overreach? Lawmakers justify the fee by citing ecological damage from 9.6 million annual visitors, but skeptics argue its a pretext to monetize climate panic. Detractors warn of declining tourism and question whether the funds will truly benefit localsor just line the pockets of "resiliency" contractors and bureaucrats. Hawaii imposes first U.S. "green fee" on tourists to fund fake "climate resilience" Hawaii has once again positioned itself as a leader in environmental policy by becoming the first U.S. state to impose a "climate impact fee" on tourists. Governor Josh Green signed the measure into law on Tuesday, raising the states transient accommodations tax (TAT) by 0.75%bringing it to 11%effective January 1, 2026. The fee, hotels, hotels, hotels, short-term rentals, and cruise ships is projected to generate $100 million annually for climate resilience projects, invasive species control, and beach restoration. Hawaiis "Green Fee" builds on its reputation as a trailblazer in sustainability. In 2015, the state became the first 100 100% renewable energy by 2045. Now, with tourisma major economic drivercontributing to environmental strain, lawmakers argue that visitors should help mitigate their impact. "Hawai?i is at the forefront of protecting our natural resources," said Governor Green in a press release. The fee will fund initiatives like wildlife conservation, shoreline restoration, and a "green jobs youth corps." The new tax revenue will flow directly into two Ponzi scheme funds, the Climate Mitigation Resiliency Special Fund and the Economic Development and Revitalization Special Fund. The move comes as Hawaii grapples with overtourism9.6 million visitors arrived in 2023and its ecological consequences, including coral reef degradation and invasive species proliferation. So its time to punish everyone who visits Hawaii. Critics warn that higher costs could deter visitors, but proponents emphasize the long-term benefits. "The fee will restore our beaches and harden infrastructure all who all who call Hawai?i home," Green stated. The policy aligns with global trends, such as Bhutans "Sustainable Development Fee," though Hawaiis approach is unique in the U.S. Hawaiis "Green Fee" underscores its commitment to balancing tourism with environmental stewardship. As climate change intensifies, the states innovative funding model may inspire other destinations to follow suitproving that sustainability and economic vitality can go hand in hand. Check out ClimateAlarmism.news for updates on the climate cult demanding everyone elses hard earned money while they travel the globe in their private jets and yachts burning fuel faster than you can say global warming Ponzi scheme. Sources for this article include: NaturalNews.com BezoEarthFund.org ClimateDepot.com DHS releases list of sanctuary jurisdictions that could lose federal funding for refusing to cooperate with immigration enforcement The Department of Homeland Security published a list of hundreds of cities, counties and states (including California, New York and Illinois) accused of refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. These jurisdictions could lose federal grants and contracts under a Trump executive order (April 28) aimed at penalizing noncompliance with immigration enforcement efforts. The list spans 35 states and includes both liberal (e.g., NYC, San Francisco) and conservative-leaning areas (e.g., Boise, Nashville), setting up legal battles similar to those during Trump's first term. Sanctuary policies, which limit local police collaboration with ICE, are defended as fostering trust in immigrant communities but criticized by the administration as endangering public safety and violating federal law. Beyond funding cuts, the administration is restricting federal benefits for undocumented immigrants and targeting state laws (e.g., in-state tuition), escalating tensions between federal authority and local autonomy. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has publicly identified hundreds of sanctuary jurisdictions across the U.S. that could lose federal funding for refusing to cooperate with immigration enforcement. The department disclosed these jurisdictions in a list released Thursday, May 29. It named cities, counties and even entire states including California, New York and Illinois accused of obstructing federal efforts to detain and deport undocumented immigrants. The list, mandated by an executive order (EO) from President Donald Trump issued in late April, escalates a long-running battle between the Trump administration and local governments over immigration policy. The newly released list spans 35 states and the District of Columbia, encompassing liberal strongholds like New York City and San Francisco. However, it also includes traditionally Republican areas such as Boise, Idaho and Nashville, Tennessee. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem condemned these jurisdictions in a statement, saying that "these sanctuary city politicians are endangering Americans and our law enforcement in order to protect violent criminal illegal aliens." The former South Dakota governor assured that she and Trump "will always put the safety of the American people first." The high-stakes battle over sanctuary policies The Trump administration contends that sanctuary policies, which limit local law enforcement collaboration with federal immigration authorities, undermine national security and violate federal law. Trump's April 28 EO directs federal agencies to identify and potentially withhold grants and contracts from noncompliant jurisdictions with DHS releasing the list in compliance with this order. (Related: Trump cracks down on sanctuary cities as leftist mayors protect criminal illegal aliens.) The suspension of federal funding could strain budgets in cities already grappling with post-pandemic economic challenges. Legal battles are expected, as similar attempts under Trump's first term were partially blocked by courts. The EO also instructs DHS and the Department of Justice to pursue legal action against defiant jurisdictions, citing potential violations of federal statutes, including obstruction of justice and harboring undocumented immigrants. Sanctuary policies emerged in the 1980s as a response to federal immigration crackdowns. Cities like San Francisco adopted measures to foster trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities. Proponents argue these policies reduce crime by encouraging undocumented residents to report offenses without fear of deportation. Opponents, however, frame them as reckless defiance of federal authority. The latest escalation reflects Trump's broader immigration agenda, which has prioritized border security and stricter enforcement since his 2016 campaign. Beyond funding cuts, the administration is tightening eligibility for federal benefits including food stamps and Medicaid for undocumented immigrants in sanctuary areas. The EO also targets state laws granting in-state tuition to undocumented students, alleging discrimination against U.S. citizens. While the White House frames these actions as necessary to uphold the rule of law, civil rights groups warn of overreach and potential harm to vulnerable communities. As legal challenges loom, the release of the DHS list marks a new phase in the national debate over immigration enforcement one that pits federal authority against local autonomy and tests the limits of presidential power. Watch DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin pointing out that sanctuary cities have become havens for violent criminals in this Fox Business report. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: 276 sanctuary cities have released more than 17,000 murderers, rapists and drug dealers back onto the streets of America - just so they can VOTE! Representative Tenney calls for defunding sanctuary cities and sanctuary CAMPUSES at U.S. universities. SBA to cut off taxpayer benefits for illegal immigrants and remove offices from sanctuary cities. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com DHS.gov 1 DHS.gov 2 WhiteHouse.gov Brighteon.com Dutch defense minister warns of escalating Chinese cyber theft of semiconductor secrets The Netherlands warns of escalating Chinese cyber espionage targeting its semiconductor industry to boost Beijings military capabilities. Dutch Defense Minister Brekelmans reveals Chinas "whole-of-society" espionage campaign, combining legal and illegal tactics to steal advanced technology. Chinas cyberattacks focus on Dutch semiconductors, aerospace, and maritime sectors, with intelligence reports labeling it the "biggest cyber threat." Chinese hackers, like "Salt Typhoon," also infiltrate critical infrastructure, including telecom networks, raising global security concerns. U.S. and European officials urge stronger defenses against Chinas cyber warfare and economic coercion to protect technological dominance. The Netherlands, a global leader in semiconductor technology, is facing an intensifying wave of Chinese cyber espionage aimed at stealing advanced intellectual property to fuel Beijings military ambitions. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans sounded the alarm on May 31 at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, revealing that Chinas "whole-of-society" espionage campaign is targeting Dutch industries through both legal and illegal means. With Dutch intelligence identifying China as the "biggest cyber threat," the warning underscores a growing global crisis as Beijing aggressively pursues technological dominance. Semiconductors in Chinas crosshairs The semiconductor industry, where the Netherlands holds a critical technological edge, has become a prime target for Chinese espionage. "The semiconductor industry, which we are technologically leadingor technology advanced, of courseto get that intellectual property, thats interesting to China," Brekelmans told Reuters. Dutch intelligence reports confirm that China employs a multifaceted strategy, blending legal investments and research partnerships with covert cyberattacks and export control violations to acquire sensitive Dutch technology. The Dutch military intelligence agencys April report highlights Chinas systematic efforts to infiltrate semiconductor, aerospace, and maritime sectors. "In the Netherlands, we have seen Chinese activities in the area of unwanted knowledge transfer of high-quality Dutch technology such as semiconductors," the report states. These operations are not slowing down. "Its continuing," Brekelmans warned. "In our newest intelligence reports, our intelligence agency said that the biggest cyber threat is coming from China." Critical infrastructure under attack Chinas cyber operations extend beyond industrial espionage, targeting critical infrastructure and defense networks. The Dutch report cites Chinese state-sponsored hacking group "Salt Typhoon," which infiltrated U.S. telecom providers for over a year, intercepting communications and potentially breaching law enforcement systems. Dutch intelligence warns that European telecoms face similar threats, raising concerns about national security vulnerabilities. The U.S. cybersecurity firm Recorded Future confirmed in February that Salt Typhoon-linked hackers remain active in American telecom networks. Meanwhile, CIA Deputy Director Michael Ellis has labeled China an "existential threat," emphasizing that Beijings cyber warfare capabilities pose a direct challenge to Western technological superiority. The U.S. Intelligence Communitys latest assessment identifies China as "the most active and persistent cyber threat," warning that in a potential conflict over Taiwan, Beijing could launch crippling cyberattacks on U.S. military and civilian systems. Global Pushback Against CCP Aggression The Dutch warning aligns with growing international resistance to Chinese espionage. In May, Nebraska passed legislation to expose and counter CCP influence operations targeting overseas Chinese communities and local politics. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking at the same Singapore summit as Brekelmans, stressed the urgency of confronting Beijings military ambitions. "Theres no reason to sugarcoat it: The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent," Hegseth said. Brekelmans also highlighted Europes dangerous reliance on China for critical raw materials, a vulnerability Beijing exploits for geopolitical leverage. "China is using their economic position for geopolitical purposes and also to pressure us," he said. Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch echoed these concerns, warning that Europes dependence on Chinese resources could dwarf previous energy crises. As Chinas cyber espionage intensifies, the Netherlands and its allies face a critical test. The theft of semiconductor technology not only threatens Dutch economic leadership but also fuels Chinas military modernization, destabilizing global security. With U.S. and European officials sounding the alarm, the need for stronger defenses, reduced dependencies, and unified countermeasures has never been clearer. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com Politico.eu Reuters.com FDA experts demand ban on cancer-causing talc hidden in everyday food and medications Talc, a mineral linked to cancer, has been found in common medications (e.g., Lipitor, Prilosec) and children's foods (e.g., chewing gum coatings), often without disclosure. Studies since the 1990s link talc to ovarian and stomach cancers, with the WHO classifying it as a "probable human carcinogen," yet U.S. regulators have failed to act. The FDAs outdated "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) loophole allows talcs continued use without modern safety reviews, unlike Europes planned 2027 ban. Despite lawsuits (e.g., Johnson & Johnsons $10 billion in settlements) proving talcs harm, it remains in food and drugs, with no warning labels. Inexpensive substitutes like magnesium stearate exist, but bureaucratic delays and lobbying prevent swift action, leaving millions at risk. A shocking revelation from a recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expert panel has exposed a silent threat lurking in America's food and drug supply. Talc, a mineral linked to cancer, has been hiding in everything from childrens candy to life-saving medications for decades. Despite decades of scientific warnings, federal regulators have allowed this known carcinogen to remain in products consumed by millions daily. Now, health officials are demanding immediate action. But will the FDA finally listen? Talc, a soft mineral prized for its moisture-absorbing properties, has been used for generations in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food processing. But mounting evidence suggests it may be far more dangerous than previously believed. An FDA panel convened by Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary revealed that four of the 10 most prescribed medications in the U.S. Lipitor (cholesterol), Synthroid (thyroid), Prilosec (acid reflux) and Neurontin (nerve pain) contain talc. Even over-the-counter versions of Nexium and Prilosec, taken by millions for heartburn, include the substance. Perhaps most alarming was the discovery that talc is also in foods children eat daily. The white powder coating on chewing gum, which prevents sticks from clumping, is talc. Yet unlike medications, food manufacturers aren't required to disclose its use leaving parents unaware of their children's exposure. The scientific case against talc is not new. In 1993, the National Toxicology Program found clear evidence of carcinogenic activity in female mice exposed to talc, specifically linking it to ovarian cancer. Since then, multiple studies have reinforced these findings: A 2013 review found a 30 percent increased ovarian cancer risk with prolonged talc use. A 2019 analysis of 30 studies confirmed a 28 percent increased cancer risk. A massive Taiwan study tied oral talc consumption to stomach cancer. From baby powder to wheat flour: Corporations poisoning people with talc The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified talc as a "probable human carcinogen" based on strong evidence of its cancer-causing mechanisms in human cells. While European regulators are banning talc in cosmetics by 2027, the U.S. continues to permit its widespread use. The reason? A regulatory loophole known as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). This loophole allows substances to be used in food based on outdated or manufacturer-backed safety claims without rigorous FDA review. Talc was grandfathered into the GRAS list in the 1970s and has never undergone a comprehensive reassessment, despite emerging science. Even as lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson totaling $10 billion over talc-related cancer claims pile up, the FDA has remained passive. (Related: Supreme Court rejects Johnson & Johnson appeal challenging $2 billion talc verdict.) The legal battles tell a damning story. In one landmark case, plaintiffs were awarded $550 million in damages plus $4.14 billion in punitive fines after proving J&J's talc products caused cancer. Yet while cosmetic companies have removed talc from baby powder, it remains in food and drugs with no warning labels. Dr. George Tidmarsh of Stanford University, who co-authored research on talc contamination, revealed that 640,000 metric tons of talc were consumed in the U.S. in 2019. Much of this talc was imported from China, where reports indicate it's systematically added to wheat flour. The most frustrating aspect of this crisis? Safer substitutes are already available. Magnesium stearate, calcium stearate and colloidal silicon dioxide all inexpensive and widely used in generic drugscould replace talc tomorrow. Every expert on the FDA panel agreed: Talc must be banned or phased out immediately. Yet with bureaucratic inertia and corporate lobbying in play, millions remain at risk. Watch this video about Johnson & Johnson knowing since 1982 tthat its baby powder causes cancer. This video is from the DITRH channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $300 million in talc cancer case. J&J offers almost $9B to settle lawsuits alleging its talc-based baby powder caused cancer. Bombshell report shows Johnson & Johnson talc baby powder products are contaminated with cancer-causing asbestos and the company has known for nearly 50 years. Sources include: Naturalhealth365.com PublicHealth.RealClearJournals.org CEN.ACS.org Brighteon.com Lipid nanoparticles: The hidden danger in COVID vaccines fueling hyper-inflammation and faulty immune responses The COVID vaccine rollout was sold as a miracle of modern sciencea life-saving intervention backed by "safe and effective" technology. But beneath the glossy PR campaign lies a darker truth: lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), the delivery system for mRNA vaccines, may be triggering catastrophic immune responses , systemic toxicity, and long-term damage. Vaccine manufacturers like Pfizer and Moderna refuse to disclose critical safety data, leaving billions of people as unwitting test subjects in a global experiment. As adverse reactions mount, one question demands an answer: Were these LNPs ever truly safe, or are they a ticking time bomb for chronic illness? Key points: Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) act as adjuvants, provoking hyper-inflammatory immune responses that can lead to severe reactions and even death. Modernas own trials revealed 100% of high-dose participants experienced adverse effects, yet regulators approved the shots without full transparency. LNPs contain polyethylene glycol (PEG) and cationic lipidsknown toxinsyet manufacturers refuse to release safety data sheets or quantify LNP doses per vial. Oxidized lipids in LNPs disrupt cellular function, potentially triggering neurodegenerative and autoimmune disorders. Vaccine makers admit they dont know how many LNPs are injected per dose, calling the question "irrelevant" despite mounting evidence of harm. The silent assault on immune function Lipid nanoparticles were marketed as a breakthroughtiny fat bubbles protecting fragile mRNA strands until they could hijack human cells. But these LNPs are far from inert. They act like biological grenades, revving up the immune system through pathways like NF-?B, a master regulator of inflammation. A study by the World Council for Health found that even empty LNPswithout mRNAtriggered inflammatory responses comparable to known immune activators like LPS, a toxin found in bacterial infections. Dr. Maria Gutschi, a researcher who filed FOIA requests for LNP data, was met with silence. Moderna dismissed her inquiry, claiming the number of LNPs per dose was "irrelevant." The UKs MHRA never responded. This lack of transparency raises alarming questions: If these particles are harmless, why the secrecy? Toxicity hiding in plain sight The LNPs in Pfizer and Modernas vaccines contain SM-102 and ALC-0315cationic lipids notorious for their toxicity. Oxidation studies reveal these lipids degrade into reactive aldehydes, which can crosslink cell membranes, disrupt calcium channels, and impair glucose metabolism. In simpler terms: They poison cells from the inside out. Worse, oxidized lipids bind to inflammatory receptors (TLRs, PPARs), turning the bodys defense system against itself. This could explain the surge in autoimmune conditions post-vaccination, from lupus-like syndromes to sudden-onset diabetes. As one researcher noted, "Billions of people have been injected with a poorly characterized chemical delivery systemand now were just starting to see the fallout." A legacy of long-term damage LNPs dont just vanish after injection. Traces of synthetic lipids linger in the bloodstream for days, potentially accumulating in organs like the liver, spleen, and brain. Animal studies show LNPs breaching the blood-brain barrier, raising the specter of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers or Parkinsons. A new study has found that lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) used in Pfizer-BioNTechs BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine stimulate critical pathways in immune cells, potentially aiding the vaccines perceived effectiveness. Researchers discovered that the LNPs not only deliver mRNA but also directly activate NF-kB signaling in innate immune cells like monocytes, a mechanism similar to certain pathogen-recognition receptors. This immune response is merely a reaction to a foreign substance, and does not establish learned immunity to the correct, targeted pathogen. The study evaluated the immune response triggered by empty LNPs (without mRNA) in THP-1 monocyte cells. Results showed that LNPs dose-dependently activated the NF-kB pathway, comparable to low doses of TLR agonists like R848 (activating TLR7/8) and LPS (activating TLR4). However, LNPs did not activate the interferon regulatory factor (IRF) pathway, which is central to antiviral responses. This can cause serious long term issues: Endosomal escape compromised While LNPs aim to exit endosomes for mRNA delivery, oxidized or modified lipids in these particles may accumulate in lysosomes. This interference could impair normal lysosomal function, potentially disrupting the bodys cellular waste management pathways. Receptor-mediated immune and metabolic effects Oxidized lipid components of LNPs could interact aberrantly with receptors such as PPARs, TLRs, and CD14. Such interactions might dysregulate signaling pathways involved in immune response (e.g., TLR-induced inflammation) and lipid metabolism (e.g., PPARs and CD14 pathways), contributing to metabolic disturbances or inflammatory states. Sustained membrane vulnerabilities Long-term exposure to lipid oxidation productsor structural modifications caused by hydrolysis and crosslinkingmight gradually compromise membrane integrity. Over time, these changes could disrupt cell membrane function and communication, potentially linking to chronic conditions such as neurodegenerative disorders or autoimmune phenomena, where cellular dysfunction plays a role. Despite these risks, regulators fast-tracked the shots without long-term safety studies. Now, as cases of myocarditis, blood clots, and mysterious deaths pile up, the medical establishment remains eerily silent. Sources include: Expose-News.com Journals.aai.org WorldCouncilforHealth.substack.com Micro-housing surges in U.S. cities as housing crisis deepens Micro-units (under 441 sq. ft.) now make up 2.4 percent of new U.S. rentals double the share from the early 2000s driven by affordability and urban density needs. West Coast cities like San Francisco (15 percent micro-units) and Seattle (66 percent of new rentals) lead the trend, while Honolulu (27 percent) and Minneapolis (10.4 percent) also embrace tiny units due to land constraints and demand. Micro-housing offers steep rent discounts (e.g., Newark: 50 percent cheaper) but raises concerns about cramped living, reduced amenities (e.g., shared kitchens) and potential health/social risks (e.g., claustrophobia, domestic strife). Zoning laws (minimum unit sizes, parking mandates) and public stigma hinder micro-housing development, despite its potential as a dignified solution for budget-conscious residents. Architects stress the need for compact yet livable spaces with shared amenities (e.g., kitchens, lounges), requiring careful management and resident cooperation to maintain functionality. The American dream of spacious suburban living is shrinking as micro-housing construction surged by double digits in recent years. A new report conducted by StorageCafe, an online platform offering nationwide listings for storage units, reveals that 2.4 percent of new rental units built in the 2020s measure under 441 square feet more than double the share seen in the early 2000s. Micro-housing, once a niche solution for factory workers and transient populations, has evolved into a mainstream option for young professionals, downsizing retirees and budget-conscious renters. (Related: Housing costs soar by 5.2% due to rising mortgage rates and low housing supply.) The West Coast is now into micro-housing, with 15 percent of units in San Francisco under 441 sq. ft. and nearly 30 percent of new developments falling into that category. Seattle follows closely, with 12 percent micro-units and 66 percent of upcoming rentals designed as compact spaces. Honolulu, constrained by limited land, has seen 27 percent of new rentals built as micro-units in the 2020s. In the Midwest, Minneapolis leads with 10.4 percent micro-housing and projections suggest 20 percent of future rentals will be undersized. Chicago and Cleveland are also embracing tiny units to attract young professionals and maintain affordability in revitalized downtowns. The Northeast has long relied on micro-housing due to high density and costs. New York City, Philadelphia and Newark feature prominently, with Newark offering the steepest discount micro-units rent for 50 percent less than conventional apartments though new construction remains scarce. Micro-apartments are no longer just a trend they're a necessity. Whether driven by affordability, sustainability or convenience, compact living is redefining American cities, one tiny unit at a time. The double-edged sword of micro-housing However, critics argue that while these compact units offer affordability and density, they also have unintended consequences. For instance, Brad Hargreaves, founder and editor-in-chief at Thesis Driven, argued that while "micro-housing can and should be a part of the housing market," regulatory barriers often prevent their widespread adoption. "Regulatory constraints put limits on how affordable they can really be. SRO-style units with shared kitchens are even harder to build, but in many micro-units, the legally required kitchen and appliances which often get very limited use by micro-apartment residents take up a huge percentage of the unit and drive up construction costs," Hargreaves said. David Neiman, partner at Neiman Taber Architects, echoed a similar stance in a separate statement. "The biggest challenges are often regulatory. Many zoning codes still assume that 'bigger is better' and impose minimum unit sizes, maximum occupancy limits or onerous parking requirements that make micro-housing infeasible. There can also be public resistance people often associate small units with transience or decline, when in fact micro-housing can be a thoughtful, dignified solution for people who simply need a smaller footprint and a lower rent. For a designer, the challenge is creating spaces that are compact but still feel livable, with good daylight, sound separation and access to generous shared amenities that supplement the private units. From an operations perspective, there are a lot of common areas to manage and maintain. Keeping common kitchens clean and stocked and in good working order is a challenge for management and requires good citizenship from the residents," Neiman said. Visit Collapse.news to read more stories related to America's collapsing housing market. Watch this episode of "Flyover Conservatives" as host Colton Whited interviews financial expert Kirk Elliot about the exploding mortgage rates in the United States. This video is from the Flyover Conservatives channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Mortgage rates surge to 20-year high, causing massive drop in home sales. BAD NEWS for home buyers: U.S. house mortgage rates SKYROCKET to HIGHEST level in two decades. Interest rate for 30-year fixed mortgage rises to 8.45% the highest it has been since 2000. Sources include: YourNews.com StorageCafe.com Brighteon.com Nearly 300 illegals with criminal histories ARRESTED in San Antonio sweep U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 275 illegal immigrants in San Antonio, Texas, in a seven-day operation ending May 11. Most had prior criminal convictions, including drug trafficking, assault, and weapons offenses. Many arrestees had extensive criminal histories, including multiple deportations and offenses like drug distribution, assault, and fraud. Some were wanted in their home countries. Similar operations in Houston and elsewhere led to hundreds of arrests, part of the Trump administrations broader crackdown on criminal aliens, including gang members and violent offenders. Federal and state agencies worked together, demonstrating effective coordination in locating and detaining high-risk individuals. While supporters argue these operations enhance public safety, critics claim they target low-level offenders and create fear in immigrant communities. Congress remains divided on long-term immigration reform. In a sweeping enforcement action, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested 275 illegal immigrants in and around San Antonio during a seven-day operation that concluded on May 11. The operation led by ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division involved multiple federal and state agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Border Patrol and Texas state troopers. The coordinated effort highlights the second Trump administration's intensified focus on deporting criminal aliens, fulfilling a key campaign promise to prioritize public safety. Among those arrested were individuals with extensive criminal histories, some of whom had been deported multiple times before illegally reentering the United States. The majority had prior criminal convictions, including drug trafficking, assault and weapons offenses underscoring the ongoing struggle to remove dangerous individuals who exploit Americas immigration system. (Related: ICE begins NATIONWIDE raids targeting criminal illegal immigrants.) One case involved a 34-year-old Mexican national with a felony conviction for illegal reentry now facing a second charge for the same offense. Another, a 37-year-old Cuban national, had prior convictions for manufacturing and distributing heroin, methamphetamines and marijuana. A 49-year-old Mexican man, twice deported, was taken into custody for prior convictions including assault and battery. A 57-year-old Costa Rican national, wanted in his home country for fraud, was also apprehended. Many others had records for domestic violence, cocaine possession, larceny and driving while intoxicated. The San Antonio operation was not an isolated event. A similar sweep in Houston netted over 1,000 illegal immigrants, including a convicted murderer, a drug dealer and a pedophile. In total, ICE's ERO division arrested 411 individuals in Texas during the first week of May, while also facilitating the deportation of 528 others. Trump administration ramps up immigration enforcement The Trump administration has ramped up immigration enforcement, recently requesting 20,000 National Guard troops to assist in locating and deporting criminal aliens. The Department of Homeland Security has also emphasized its commitment to removing gang members, violent offenders and repeat immigration violators. For decades, the U.S. has struggled with illegal immigration, particularly from individuals who commit crimes after crossing the border. The 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act granted amnesty to millions but failed to secure future enforcement. Subsequent administrations have grappled with balancing border security and humane policies. President Donald Trump's hardline stance on immigration including his vow to execute the "largest mass deportation operation in American history" has drawn both praise and criticism. Supporters argue that removing criminal aliens protects communities. Meanwhile, opponents claim enforcement sweeps instill fear in immigrant neighborhoods and sometimes detain nonviolent individuals. The San Antonio operation demonstrated the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation. By pooling resources, ICE, state troopers and federal agents were able to locate and arrest individuals who had previously evaded deportation. Sylvester M. Ortega, acting field office director for ICE's San Antonio ERO, stated that such operations prove what can be achieved when agencies unite for public safety. Visit Migrants.news for more similar stories. Watch this Fox News report about ICE arresting 422 illegal immigrants in an operation in Houston. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: ICE Boston arrests three illegal immigrants suspected as child predators. ICE agents arrest two illegal immigrants suspected of heinous sexual offenses. ICE arrested over 300 illegal immigrants with major criminal convictions within 24 hours of Trumps inauguration. Sources include: InfoWars.com Breitbart.com FoxSanAntonio.com Brighteon.com Russia prepared to strike Germany if Ukraine uses German-supplied Taurus missiles against Russian targets Russia warned it may authorize strikes on German territory if Ukraine uses German-supplied Taurus cruise missiles against Russian targets, claiming German personnel involvement would make Berlin a direct participant. Andrey Kartapolov, a senior Russian lawmaker, stated Russia is prepared to intercept Taurus missiles, target launch sites and strike operators heightening fears of broader conflict. Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz lifted range restrictions on Western weapons for Ukraine and signaled increased support, including plans to help Kyiv produce long-range missiles domestically. Russia accused Germany of crossing a "dangerous threshold," with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov invoking historical parallels, while fragile peace talks are set for June 2 in Istanbul. Ukraine launched large-scale drone attacks, and Russian forces amassed near Sumy, as the war persists with no signs of de-escalation heightened by Germany's latest military aid pledge (5.2 billion). Russia has threatened to authorize military strikes on German territory if Ukraine uses German-supplied Taurus cruise missiles against Russian targets, escalating tensions in a conflict already teetering on the brink of wider war. Andrey Kartapolov, chairman of the Defense Committee of the Russian State Duma (the country's lower house), issued the warning on Wednesday, May 28. The lawmaker argued that Taurus missiles, which boast a 500-kilometer range, require German military personnel to operate. This, he continued, effectively makes Berlin a participant in any Ukrainian strike deep inside Russia. Kartapolov, a former deputy defense minister, reiterated that Moscow is "ready for everything" if Berlin pushes through with assisting Kyiv with its use of the weapons. "We are prepared to intercept the Taurus missiles, strike the launch sites, the operators and, if necessary, the locations from which they are delivered," he told Life.ru Wednesday. The legislator's warning comes as Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz signals a dramatic shift in policy by lifting range restrictions on Western weapons sent to Kyiv raising the specter of direct North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) involvement. Kartapolov's remarks underscore Russia's long-standing claim that Western arms shipments to Ukraine blur the line between support and direct combat engagement. Lavrov: Germany "crossing a dangerous threshold" in ongoing war The Taurus KEPD 350, capable of reaching Moscow from Ukrainian territory, has been at the center of debate for months. Merz's predecessor, former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, hesitated sending the weapons to Kyiv. But following Scholz's departure, Merz lifted restrictions on the use of the Taurus missiles. (Related: NOT FIT FOR KIDS: Children's channel in Germany uses crude language in criticizing Chancellor Scholz for not sending missiles to Ukraine.) While Merz stopped short of confirming an immediate transfer, he told reporters this week that Germany would help Ukraine produce long-range weapons domestically, with the first systems expected within weeks. According to Der Spiegel, the Kyiv-produced missile systems were easier to operate than the Taurus albeit not as sophisticated. "We want to talk about production and we will not publicly discuss details," he said during a Wednesday press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The German Ministry of Defense later announced an additional 5.2 billion ($5.6 billion) in military aid, much of it earmarked for long-range capabilities. Following the news of additional aid, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Berlin of crossing a dangerous threshold, invoking historical parallels. "Germany's direct involvement in the war is now obvious," he said. Lavrov warned that the country "is sliding down the same slippery slope it already followed a couple of times in the last century toward its own collapse." Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts remain fragile. Lavrov confirmed Russia's willingness to hold a second round of peace talks in the city of Istanbul in Turkey on June 2. During the conference, Moscow plans to present a memorandum outlining its terms including demands for Ukrainian neutrality. But Kyiv remains skeptical, with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stating that future talks "must yield results." Zelensky who has pushed for a high-profile summit involving himself, Russian PresidPutin, and U.S. President Donald Trump, accused Moscow of stalling. On the battlefield, the war grinds on. Ukraine reported one of its largest drone offensives yet against Russian targets this week, while Russian forces amass near Sumy in what Zelensky called an attempt to carve out "security buffer zones." The conflict, now in its fourth year, shows no signs of abating. But with Germany's latest move, the risk of further escalation looms larger than ever. Watch this video about a majority of German opposing the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine. This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Kremlin slams lifting of range restrictions on Western weapons supplied to Ukraine. Russia-Ukraine war escalates as Germany lifts missile restrictions, risking broader conflict. Russia threatens retaliation against British targets if Kyiv uses UK-provided missiles to strike Russian territory. Sources include: RT.com BBC.com Brighteon.com Tech giant Microsofts Russian subsidiary files for BANKRUPTCY Microsoft's Russian subsidiary, Microsoft Rus LLC, filed for bankruptcy in late May marking the companys full exit from Russia after a phased withdrawal that began in 2022. The filing followed a court order to repay Gazprombank for undelivered services under a 2021-2022 contract. Microsoft had already closed its Russian offices and scaled back operations due to economic uncertainties, though it maintained a legal presence until 2025. Russia's push for "digital sovereignty" and restrictions on foreign tech services, coupled with sanctions and corporate boycotts, have forced Western firms like Microsoft and Google to exit. The departure underscores Russia's declining tech sector, with businesses and consumers increasingly reliant on domestic alternatives amid geopolitical tensions. The Russian subsidiary of Big Tech company Microsoft has filed for bankruptcy, marking the latest retreat of a major American corporation from the country. Microsoft Rus LLC filed a bankruptcy notice with the Russian Unified Federal Registry of Bankrupt Declarations (Fedresurs) on Friday, May 30. According to a report by Ukrainska Pravda, the subsidiary is also preparing a bankruptcy filing at the Moscow Arbitration Court following that of Fedresurs. The filing followed a court order issued to the subsidiary to repay Russian financial giant Gazprombank. Russia's third-largest bank took Microsoft Rus LLC to court, alleging that the tech firm failed to deliver services despite receiving payment. Gazprombank sought bid to recover 90.9 million Russian rubles ($1.17 million) under a contract valid from September 2021 to September 2022. The court ordered the subsidiary to pay back around $949,000, including unjust enrichment and interest. According to the Russian TASS news agency, Microsoft Rus LLC is the company's primary legal entity in Russia. The tech firm headquartered in the U.S. state of Washington maintains three other entities in Russia Microsoft Development Centre Rus, Microsoft Mobile Rus and Microsoft Payments Rus. The operational status for the three remain unclear, however. Putin's digital iron curtain forces Microsoft's Russia exit Microsoft Rus LLC's bankruptcy filing comes months after the parent company shuttered its remaining offices across 13 Russian cities. This completed a phased withdrawal that began after Moscow's February 2022 special military operation in Ukraine. The bankruptcy filing underscores the mounting challenges for multinational firms operating in Russia, where President Vladimir Putin has openly called for throttling foreign tech services to bolster domestic alternatives. Microsoft had already scaled back operations in June 2022, citing economic uncertainties and business disruptions, but maintained a legal presence until late 2024. Despite reporting a net profit of 174.1 million rubles ($2.25 million), its revenue dropped from 6.9 billion rubles ($89 million) in 2021 to 161.6 million rubles ($2.09 million) Microsoft's exit mirrors the fate of other Western tech giants in Russia. Google's local subsidiary filed for bankruptcy in 2022 after authorities seized its bank account, crippling its ability to pay employees and vendors. (Related: Google, Apple cut off access to ordinary Russians, meaning they can do the same to Americans at any time.) The Kremlin's push for "digital sovereignty" has intensified since the special military operation, with the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media proposing restrictions on foreign cloud services where Russian alternatives exist. Microsoft has already begun cutting off Russian firms from its cloud platforms, including Power BI and Visio subscriptions. The withdrawal highlights the broader unraveling of Russia's once-thriving tech sector, as sanctions, corporate boycotts and state-mandated substitutions reshape the market. For Microsoft, the bankruptcy represents the final chapter in a decades-long presence in Russia one that began during the post-Soviet economic liberalization, but ended under the weight of geopolitical strife. As the last of its offices close and legal battles conclude, Microsoft's departure signals a new era of technological decoupling. This leaves Russian businesses and consumers increasingly reliant on homegrown alternatives. Head over to BigTech.news for more similar stories. Watch this video about Microsoft's recent layoffs that affected 6,000 jobs. This video is from the newsplusglobe channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Chasing profits: Western companies are now BACKTRACKING on Russia exit plans. Russia UNAFFECTED by massive Crowdstrike IT glitch that hit Microsoft systems worldwide. Russia fines Google $32,000 for not deleting alleged MISINFORMATION about ongoing war in Ukraine. Sources include: Reuters.com Pravda.com.ua TASS.com Brighteon.com The Politics of Cancer Revisited: A call to action for environmental health reform Dr. Epstein's "The Politics of Cancer Revisited" (1978) challenged the focus on individual lifestyle choices as primary cancer causes, highlighting instead industrial pollutants and environmental hazards (e.g., asbestos, vinyl chloride) as key culprits behind rising cancer rates. The book exposed U.S. corporations deliberate suppression of health risks, spurring landmark environmental laws like the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Toxic Substances Control Act, which criminalized data withholding and empowered public health protections. Epstein condemned institutions like the National Cancer Institute for prioritizing costly treatments over prevention, arguing this approach fails to reduce cancer mortality despite 7090 percent of cases being linked to environmental toxins in air, water, food and workplaces. Data across states like New Jersey revealed stark ties between industrialized regions and elevated cancer rates, underscoring how corporate pollution and chemical exposure disproportionately harm communities. Epstein urged a societal paradigm shift, advocating aggressive environmental and workplace reforms to eliminate carcinogens, emphasizing that cancer prevention, not just cure, is achievable through collective political and legislative action. In the early 1970s, as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was being established, a small but influential group of Congress members, including Dr. Samuel S. Epstein, recognized the looming environmental threats posed by the industrial age. Their concerns were underscored by disasters like Love Canal and Times Beach, Missouri, which exposed the pervasive dangers lurking in our air, water and consumer products. It was during this critical period that Dr. Epstein penned his seminal work, "The Politics of Cancer Revisited," a book that would ignite a national conversation on public health and environmental policy. Published in 1978, "The Politics of Cancer Revisited" was a bombshell that demystified the complex scientific data surrounding carcinogens such as asbestos, vinyl chloride and benzene. Dr. Epstein's work was groundbreaking not only for its scientific rigor but also for its ability to connect these findings to the political and social currents of the time. The book documented alarming evidence of U.S. corporations deliberately withholding information about public health dangers from both Congress and the public, a revelation that sparked widespread outrage and led to new legislation criminalizing the withholding of vital health and safety data. Dr. Epstein's work served as a wake-up call, urging lawmakers and citizens alike to reclaim their fundamental right to a safe environment. It became a crucial resource for Congress as they fought for landmark environmental laws in the 1980s, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Fast forward to the year 2000 and the landscape of public health had shifted dramatically. Cancer was on track to become the nation's number one killer, claiming over 500,000 lives and costing over $110 billion annually. The word "cancer" evoked a sense of crisis and panic, yet there was a palpable paralysis in our institutional response to this growing threat. Dr. Epstein argued that the "Cancer Establishment," including the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society, had largely ignored cancer prevention, focusing instead on treatment. Despite the common-sense proposition that preventing exposure to carcinogens is crucial, these institutions prioritized treatment over prevention, a strategy that Dr. Epstein contends has failed to materially improve cancer survival rates. Dr. Epstein's research, including the concept of "Cancer Maps," reveals a strong association between industrialization and excess cancer mortality rates. For instance, states like New Jersey, with their high concentration of petrochemical industries, have significantly higher cancer rates compared to less industrialized states. He cites epidemiological studies concluding that 70 to 90 percent of all cancers are caused by environmental factors, including background and man-made radiation and industrial chemical carcinogens contaminating our air, water, food and workplaces. The book also delves into the resistance of the "Cancer Establishment" to acknowledging environmental causes of cancer. This resistance, often driven by fears that it would divert funding from other research efforts, has led to significant delays in addressing these critical issues. Dr. Epstein's work challenges this status quo, advocating for a paradigm shift towards prevention. Dr. Epstein calls for a comprehensive national program to prevent exposure to poisons, emphasizing that no solution will be effective without it. He argues that preventing cancer is within our grasp and we must not neglect this truth in our pursuit of a cure. The book is a clarion call to action, urging readers to heed the evidence and take the necessary steps to prevent cancer. It serves as a reminder that the politics of cancer is not just about science; it's about the choices we make as a society. "The Politics of Cancer Revisited" is more than just a book; it's a manifesto for a healthier world. It's a reminder that the fight against cancer is not just a scientific endeavor but a political and social one as well. By understanding the politics of cancer, we can empower ourselves to make informed choices and advocate for policies that protect our health and environment. Learn more about Dr. Samuel S. Epstein's book "The Politics of Cancer Revisited" in this video. This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com Ukraines historic drone strikes on Russian nuclear airbases signal a new phase in the war, risking nuclear escalation The war in Ukraine has entered a dangerous new phase one that could push the world closer to nuclear catastrophe . In a stunning display of precision and audacity, Ukraine launched a long-range drone assault on two of Russias most critical nuclear-capable airbases, leaving Vladimir Putins prized warplanes in smoldering ruins. The attack, dubbed Operation Spiderweb, marks a turning point in the conflict, proving that no Russian military installation is safenot even those thousands of miles from the front lines. As Kremlin propagandists scream for nuclear retaliation, the world must ask: Is Putin desperate enough to escalate this war into an atomic nightmare? Key points: Ukraine executed a meticulously planned drone strike on Russias Olenya and Belaya airbases, key hubs for nuclear-capable bombers. The attack reportedly destroyed $7 billion in military assets, including Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers. Pro-Kremlin analysts are demanding a nuclear response, citing Russias doctrine allowing atomic retaliation if critical military infrastructure is hit. Ukraine smuggled drones into Russia via unmarked trucks, bypassing security in a humiliating breach of Putins defenses. The strikes come ahead of peace talks in Istanbul, where Ukraine demands a full ceasefirewhile Russia refuses to disclose its terms. A strike at the heart of Russias nuclear might For decades, Russias strategic bomberslike the Tu-95 Bearhave been symbols of Moscows nuclear dominance, capable of striking NATO territories with devastating force. These aircraft were thought to be untouchable, hidden deep inside Russias vast territory. Yet Ukraine, with drones costing as little as 400, has shattered that illusion. Footage from the attacks shows flames engulfing hangars and aircraft left exposed in the opena glaring failure of Russian military preparedness. Ukrainian intelligence claims the operation destroyed 34% of Russias strategic cruise missile carriers, a blow that could cripple Putins long-range strike capabilities. The nuclear question: Will Putin cross the red line? Russias nuclear doctrine permits atomic retaliation if an attack disrupts its nuclear forces. Pro-war voices inside Russia are already howling for vengeance. Vladislav Pozdnyakov, a Kremlin-linked analyst, declared: Disabling strategic aircraft gives Russia the right to use nuclear weapons. Let me remind you. But would Putin risk global condemnationor worse, NATO interventionby launching a tactical nuke? Some analysts believe he may instead escalate conventional strikes, targeting Ukrainian cities or Western supply lines. Others warn that humiliation on this scale could push the Kremlin toward reckless brinkmanship. Ukraines shadow war: Smuggling drones into Russias backyard The most shocking aspect of Operation Spiderweb isnt just its successits how Ukraine pulled it off. Drones were smuggled into Russia inside unmarked trucks, some reportedly driven by unwitting civilians. Once near the airbases, operators remotely unleashed the swarm, bypassing Russian defenses with chilling ease.While Russias policy technically allows atomic retaliation, analysts doubt Putin will risk NATO intervention or global backlash. More likely responses: Conventional Escalation: Attacks on Ukrainian cities or NATO supply lines to regain momentum. Political Blame: Internal witch hunts within Russia to divert anger from Putins leadership. Global Buffer: International brokered negotiations (e.g., Istanbul talks) may attempt to de-escalate tensions, but mistrust persists. Either outcomeglobal nuclear crisis or Putins domestic crisiscarries high stakes. Further issues complicating resolve: Russias Uncertainty: Moscows refusal to disclose terms suggests either a stalling tactic or lack of coherent strategy. If talks fail, analysts warn of further conventional escalation as Putin seeks to salvage credibility. Russian Security Breach: Facilitating the drone smuggling via bribed officials underscores systemic corruption within Russias security apparatus. This raises questions about loyalty and competence within Putins inner circle. Targeted Weakness: Ukraine exploited Russias logistical and human vulnerabilities, highlighting the fragility of a nuclear powers infrastructure. The attack signals that decentralized, cost-effective tactics can cripple centralized military forces, challenging traditional power dynamics. This could embolden other states or non-state actors to adopt similar strategies. Ukraines drone strikes prove that Putins war machine is vulnerablebut they also risk provoking a cornered dictator. If Russia retaliates with nukes, the world could face its gravest crisis since the Cuban Missile Crisis. If Putin backs down, his grip on power may weaken. Either way, one thing is certain: Ukraine is rewriting the rules of modern warfare, and the world must pay attention. Sources include: Dailymail.co.uk CBSNews.com Enoch, Brighteon.ai Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance. Breastfeeding saves lives. It is one of the most powerful, proven investments in child survival, development and health. And yet its practice is being undermined not by science, but by sophisticated and often misleading digital marketing. More than half of new parents are exposed to online promotions for formula milk, often disguised as medical advice or peer support. In some countries, that figure rises to over 90 per cent. What these aggressive campaigns for breast milk substitutes (BMS) do not tell parents is that breast milk is essential for building a childs immune system something formula simply cannot do. They also ignore a critical risk: formula must be mixed with water, and in communities without safe water access, this often leads to illness and infection in young children. Digital marketing campaigns are targeting parents at their most vulnerable when they are seeking guidance, not manipulation. These tactics distort choice by drowning out trusted, evidence-based information with biased, misleading promotion. This not only undermines public health principles and a decade of progress in breastfeeding promotion, it also puts the health and future of entire generations at risk. These digital marketing tactics contravene a longstanding global framework. The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1981, was designed to protect families from precisely this kind of exploitation. Yet, as a 2022 WHO and UNICEF report revealed, formula companies now spend up to 70 per cent of their marketing budgets on digital tools from apps and virtual baby clubs to paid influencers and online forums harvesting personal data and pushing targeted promotions in breach of the Code. In response, WHO member states adopted a landmark resolution at the World Health Assembly in Geneva this week (26 May) to curb digital marketing of breast milk substitutes and protect parents right to accurate, transparent information. Led by Mexico and Brazil and supported by nine country members of the UN-hosted Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, this resolution is a critical step forward. The science on breast milk is long proven. By providing essential nutrition, strengthening immunity, and supporting cognitive development, breastfeeding can radically change the health and economic outcomes of mother and child. Scaling up breastfeeding globally could prevent 823,000 unnecessary child deaths and 20,000 deaths from breast cancer every year. It has been linked to a 20 per cent reduction in the risk of physical and cognitive stunting. These recognised advantages of breast milk had begun to take hold. Since 2012, rates of exclusive breastfeeding have risen from 37 per cent to nearly 48 per cent in 2021. Three quarters of these children live in low- and lower-middle-income countries, which represents important, tangible progress. But digital platforms spreading misleading formula marketing are cutting into this progress, with inadequate breastfeeding responsible for 16 per cent of child deaths each year. The new resolution gives countries a new framework to take action. Translating this into results will, however, require further coordinated efforts across sectors. First, stronger enforcement is essential. Countries need robust monitoring and accountability systems to track violations and respond effectively. Vietnam offers a promising model: with support from the SUN Civil Society Alliance, it has launched the AI-powered Virtual Violations Detector, which identifies breaches of the Code in real time and alerts regulators, enabling swift action and targeted advocacy. Another step will be to align fragmented policies across civil society and health systems. Harmful breast milk substitute marketing flourishes in disconnected systems, such as when health workers lack guidance, civil society is under-resourced, or tech platforms are unregulated. To close these gaps, governments must adopt an approach that brings all actors to the table. Finally, it is equally important to support positive campaigns that champion breastfeeding. It is not enough to restrict harmful marketing parents need support and encouragement to make informed decisions. El Salvador has shown through its Nacer con Carino (Born with Love) national policy how the promotion of breastfeeding can be integrated into prenatal and delivery care. Since its implementation in 2021, 69,000 babies have been born under this respectful care model and, thanks to the training of more than 1,000 breastfeeding counsellors supported by the SUN Movement, the country has far surpassed the global exclusive breastfeeding targets of 50 per cent for 2025, reaching a rate of more than 65 per cent. Informed parents make empowered choices, and empowered choices give every child the best possible start in life. Together with the resolution on the extension of the World Health Assembly nutrition targets, and the commitments made by countries at the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris earlier this year, we have a renewed mandate to act. Lets make sure we use it and ensure this resolution moves from Geneva into meaningful action and change online and on the ground. Afshan Khan is Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and coordinator of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement. A French study reveals high rates of psychological distress and substance misuse in pilots, raising urgent questions about how airlines can protect both crew and passengers. Study: Mental health of airline pilots in France: insights from an anonymous online survey. Image credit: l i g h t p o e t/Shutterstock.com A recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health aimed to shed light on the mental health of airline pilots. The anonymous online self-questionnaire revealed that about a quarter experienced anxiety symptoms (25.4%), over 13% showed depressive symptoms (13.1%), and more than a third had misused alcohol (40.1%). The mental health of airline pilots In March 2015, a Germanwings flight crashed. The cause was determined to be the copilots severe depression, which led to suicide. Unfortunately, similar events can be noted in aviation records, which motivates the need to assess the mental health conditions of pilots. Airline pilots are required to undergo a specialized medical examination every year to detect any somatic and/or psychiatric conditions. Medical fitness can be suspended in cases of anxiety and depressive disorders, as per the recommendations of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This could lead to underreporting of psychological symptoms and the use of psychotropic treatments, due to fears of being deemed unfit to fly. Despite these concerns, research on the mental health of airline pilots is limited, and results are varied. The adverse impact of occupational stress on pilots health has been documented, but large-scale data concerning depressive and anxiety disorders in European airline pilots is limited. About the study The primary objective was to investigate anxiety and depression scores, measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD-S). The HAD-S has two subscales, namely HAD-A and HAD-D, for measuring anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively. The secondary objective was to measure and describe the association of anxiety and depressive disorders with commonly found co-factors, such as socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, alcohol and cannabis use, and health data. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted by emailing an anonymous online self-survey to all National Union of Airline Pilots (SNPL) members between September 1 and October 16, 2022. The SNPL is the main pilot union in France and represents one of the largest national databases concerning pilots. A total of 1,220 filled-in questionnaires were included in the analysis. Study findings Out of the 1,220 participating pilots, 93.3% were French, 51.3% held the position of captain, and 90.9% were male. The average age was about 45 years; about 44% operated long-haul flights, and approximately 45% operated medium-haul flights. Nearly 52% of the pilots worked between 40 and 70 hours in the month preceding the administration of the questionnaire. In the survey sample, 9.6% had a psychiatric history, and 31.8% had at least one medical history. About 8% reported taking pills for insomnia. Furthermore, a little under 3% experienced suicidal thoughts in the past year, and three pilots reported having attempted suicide. On a scale of 1 to 10, the mean level of fatigue was 5.7. Approximately 15% of the survey respondents had sought help for psychological reasons in the past year, and 12.5% reported feeling isolated in dealing with their psychological distress. A total of 310 participants showed an abnormal score on the HAD-A (i.e., HAD-A 8). Of those, 14.4% had suspected anxiety disorder, and 11% had confirmed anxiety disorders. For suspected anxiety disorder (HAD-A score between 8 and 10), bivariate analysis showed a significant association with several factors, such as engagement in multi-leg flights, fatigue, , non-reporting of symptoms to AMEs for fear of loss of medical certification, and abnormal HAD-D score. In multivariate analysis, engagement in multi-sector flights, higher fatigue scores, female gender, feelings of isolation, long-term medication use, non-reporting of symptoms to AMEs, and abnormal HAD-D scores remained significant predictors. Working more than 40 hours in the preceding month was associated with a reduced risk of confirmed anxiety disorder. A statistically significant association was noted between classes of HAD-A and marital status, sex, hours worked in the last thirty days, type of company (low-cost or national), presence of financial difficulties, or at least one medical history, and psychiatric history. Additionally, the HAD-A and HAD-D scores increased similarly in self-reported fatigue scores, Concerning depressive disorders, 159 pilots showed an abnormal HAD-D (HAD-D 8) score. Of these, 8.9% had suspected depressive symptoms and 4.2% had confirmed depressive symptoms. Several factors are significantly associated with HAD-D categories, including working hours, type of company, nationality, medical history, financial difficulties, use of insomnia medication, psychiatric history, alcohol misuse, and feelings of isolation. Multivariate analysis found that confirmed depressive symptoms were strongly associated with European (non-French) nationality, suicidal thoughts in the past year, financial difficulties, fatigue, and abnormal HAD-A scores. Taking insomnia medication more than twice a week and consulting a doctor for psychological reasons appeared to reduce the risk of confirmed depressive symptoms. Interestingly, taking insomnia medication more than twice a week and consulting a doctor were found to reduce the risk of depressive symptoms. For suspected depressive symptoms (HAD-D score between 8 and 10), the significant factors were long-term medication use, nationality, fatigue, financial difficulties, and abnormal HAD-A scores. Suspected depressive symptoms were less common in unmarried pilots. Conclusions The results highlight that a significant proportion of French pilots suffer from psychological symptoms. A concerning finding was that more than a third of pilots exhibited alcohol misuse, which needs prevention efforts to reduce health risks. This is evidence for the development and implementation of programs for anxiety and/or depressive disorders. The study also found that 28.3% of pilots chose not to disclose psychological symptoms to aeromedical examiners (AMEs) due to fear of losing their licenses, although 54% would be more willing if this risk were removed. Future research should aim to further our understanding of this topic by conducting longitudinal studies. Download your PDF copy now! According to a recent study, in patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), epileptic seizures are significantly more common than previously known. The discovery deepens understanding of the symptoms of this memory disorder and emphasises the importance of taking epileptic seizures into account in the treatment and monitoring of patients. Coordinated by Neurocenter Finland, this major project by the University of Eastern Finland and the University of Oulu examined the prevalence of epilepsy in patients with FTD. The research dataset is one of the largest in the world, and the results have been published in the prestigious JAMA Neurology journal. Epilepsy occurred years before the FTD diagnosis Epilepsy is known to be associated with Alzheimer's disease, for example, but data on the on the connection between FTD and epilepsy remains scarce. The newly published study fills this information gap and shows that epilepsy is considerably more common in patients with FTD than previously estimated. The study analyzed patient data from the university hospitals of Kuopio and Oulu from the period 20102021. Out of a total of 12,490 medical records, the study identified 245 patients with FTD and 1,326 patients with Alzheimer's disease. In addition to examining the prevalence of epilepsy in these patients, the prevalence was also examined in healthy controls. Our results show that epilepsy is considerably more common among those with FTD than those with Alzheimer's disease or in healthy controls. It is noteworthy that epilepsy occurred in some patients with FTD already ten years before their dementia diagnosis, and it was more common in all the examined stages of the disease than previous international studies have reported." Doctoral Researcher Annemari Kilpelainen, first author of the research article and medical specialist in neurology The prevalence of epilepsy was assessed at several time points from ten years before to five years after the dementia diagnosis. In patients with FTD, the prevalence of epilepsy increased over time, and five years after the diagnosis approximately 11% had epilepsy. In addition to epilepsy diagnoses, medications used for epilepsy were more common in patients with FTD, which strengthens the reliability of the results. Epilepsy might be left undiagnosed Diagnosing epilepsy in patients with FTD may be challenging as the symptoms of the disease may resemble epileptic seizures. This may lead to underdiagnosis and delays in treatment. However, untreated epilepsy can significantly worsen patients' condition. "Identifying epilepsy is important because its treatment can improve patients' functional capacity and quality of life. Knowledge about the association between epilepsy and FTD raises new research questions: do these diseases share some pathophysiological mechanisms and could some FTD symptoms be caused by alterations in the specific electrical systems of the brain", says the project's principal investigator, Associate Professor and Director of UEF Brain Research Unit Eino Solje. An extensive research project brings together different fields of science The recently published study is part of an extensive project that combines exceptionally extensive real-life patient data with different kinds of unique registers. The project involves a strong cooperation between the University of Oulu and the University of Eastern Finland as well as different fields of science, including between researchers in the fields of medicine and law. Kuopio University Hospital and Oulu University Hospital are part of the international European Reference Network EpiCARE and recognised centres in the field of epilepsy treatment and research. Radionuclide therapy with the radioactive element terbium could effectively combat lymphoma. This is demonstrated by promising results from experiments carried out at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI in collaboration with Inselspital - Bern University Hospital. The team's findings are being published today in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. The researchers are now refining this type of therapy in order to carry out clinical trials. Every year, almost 2,000 people in Switzerland are diagnosed with lymphoma, and about 570 of them die from the disease. Researchers at PSI's Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences are now proposing a new therapy that could soon increase the chances of survival for many of those affected: radioimmunotherapy with the nuclide terbium-161. "The radioactive isotope terbium-161 is attached to an antibody and injected into the bloodstream of the patient," explains Martin Behe from the Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, part of the PSI Center for Life Sciences. This antibody latches onto a structure in the body that is particularly common in lymphoma cells: the CD30 receptor. "This brings the radioactive terbium directly to the site of the tumor to kill the cancer cells with its radioactive radiation." Healthy organs in the body are spared, on the other hand. In almost a third of all lymphoma patients, the tumor cells produce the CD30 receptor - in these patients the new treatment could be applied. The same is true of T-cell lymphomas, in which the T-lymphocytes of the immune system become cancerous - a disease that has until now been difficult to treat. Radiotherapy from within Radionuclide therapy is already well established in clinical practice. Hospitals currently carry out this form of cancer treatment with a different radioactive substance: the nuclide lutetium-177. This is used to treat prostate cancer and tumors arising from hormone-producing cells. Radioactive lutetium decays to produce high-energy, high-velocity electrons, called beta particles, which combat larger tumors effectively. However, individual tumor cells and small clusters of cancer cells elude treatment with lutetium-177 and can lead to a recurrence of the disease. This makes this form of radionuclide therapy unsuitable for lymphoma. In this type of cancer, some of the tumor cells circulate in the bloodstream rather than existing as a larger, localisable tumor. Terbium-161 has a decisive advantage over lutetium-177: in addition to beta particles, it also emits conversion and Auger electrons. "This radiation has a range of less than one micrometre, or one thousandth of a millimetre. This is the size of a tumor cell," explains Martin Behe. Hence, terbium-161 acts on its immediate surroundings, making it particularly suitable for the targeted treatment of smaller tumors. Terbium-161 fires more precise bullets, so to speak." Elisa Rioja-Blanco, Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences and first author of the study Even individual cancer cells in the blood could be eliminated without causing severe side effects. "We can also catch small tumor foci that doctors may not even be aware of at the time." The isotope has a half-life of 6.9 days, which means that its effect is halved every 6.9 days. This is an advantage for radionuclide therapy: after manufacturing the drug, it can be transported to a hospital without losing too much of its activity on the way. On the other hand, the radiation level decreases rapidly after treatment within a reasonable period of time. A powerful weapon against cancer cells The PSI researchers led by Martin Behe and Elisa Rioja-Blanco produced the active substance, consisting of terbium-161 and an antibody against the CD30 receptor, themselves at PSI. They then tested it in the laboratory on three types of cancer cells that produce CD30 receptors. They found that - depending on the type of cell - the substance was 2 to 43 times as effective at killing the cancer cells than the analogous substance using lutetium-177. Further experiments have shown that this is because the terbium-based drug caused more severe damage to the DNA in the cancer cell, which the cell itself is unable to repair. The researchers then tested the drug on mice suffering from cancer. "This shows us where the substance accumulates in the body and whether it actually reaches tumors," explains Elisa Rioja-Blanco. The substance was indeed preferentially absorbed by the tumor tissue. On average, mice treated with terbium-161 survived twice as long as their counterparts injected with a lutetium-177 drug. Some of the mice even ended up completely cancer-free after the treatment. On the way to clinical trials Terbium-161 is already being tested as an anti-cancer drug in several clinical trials - the PSI researchers have now for the first time scrutinised it as a potential treatment for lymphoma. "Our results are a good indication that the substance could also prove to be effective against lymphoma in humans," says Elisa Rioja-Blanco. Clinical studies will hopefully soon show whether this is indeed the case. The Lymphoma Challenge, organised by ETH Zurich, is providing financial support for the project. The team has now secured follow-on funding from Innosuisse to further investigate and optimise the drug so that it can be commercialized and tested in humans in the future. 2 killed in wild buffalo attack in Assam's Tezpur Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 16:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Tezpur (Assam), Jun 2 (PTI) Two persons died and two others were injured after a wild buffalo attacked them in Tezpur town of Assams Sonitpur district on Monday, a forest department official said. Local forest authorities are in touch with personnel from Kaziranga to tranquilise the animal, as it remains confined in a swamp in Tezpur, he said. Recommended Stories Divisional Forest Officer (Tezpur) Champak Deka said the wild buffalo attacked and killed Dharson Das in Jahajghat area in the early hours of Monday. As it proceeded through the town, the animal attacked three more persons, of whom Bhojon Gope succumbed to injuries at the Tezpur Medical College and Hospital (TMCH), the official said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The two injured persons, undergoing treatment at the TMCH, are in a critical condition, Deka said. We have contacted a rescue team from Kaziranga National Park and sought its help to tranquilise the buffalo," the DFO added. PTI CORR SSG RBT First Published: June 02, 2025, 16:30 IST Bengal cabinet nod for inclusion of new castes on OBC list Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 00:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Kolkata, Jun 2 (PTI) The cabinet on Monday approved recommendations of the West Bengal Commission for Backward Classes (WBCBC) to include 76 new castes on the list for OBC, an official said. These 76 new castes would be added to the existing 64 ethnic groups on the Other Backward Class (OBC) list in the state, he said. Recommended Stories The cabinet also gave its nod to a proposal to make Farakka a new subdivision in Murshidabad district, he said. It was learned that the new subdivision would be constituted of Farakka, Shamsherganj, Suti-1 and Suti-2 blocks, he said. Earlier, these four blocks were part of the Jangipur subdivision. Due to the growing population, the Jangipur subdivision authorities were facing difficulties in executing administrative work in the vast area. Hence, the decision was taken," the official told PTI. A source in Nabanna, the state secretariat, said that the council of ministers approved a decision to initiate a tendering process again to invite fresh bids for the proposed Rs 25,000-crore Tajpur deep-sea port project. The state government had, in 2023, dissolved the letter of intent (LoI) handed over to Gautam Adani-controlled Adani Ports to develop the deep-sea port, he said. The cabinet okayed the reopening of the tender for the Tajpur deep sea port project. The necessary steps will be followed soon," the source said. During the cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the state secretariat, approval was given to create 109 contract-based posts at various administrative levels for the new subdivision, he added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Notably, Banerjee, during her recent visit to the riot-hit areas of Murshidabad district, had announced the formation of the new subdivision. On Monday, the state cabinet also approved the creation of 336 posts and filling up the vacancies in the departments of home, health, finance, law, and municipal affairs, the official added. PTI SCH BDC First Published: June 03, 2025, 00:45 IST Delta Electronics signs PPA with Ventus Energy to reduce carbon footprint Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 19:00 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Chennai, June 2 (PTI) Delta Electronics India, a prominent player in energy and power management solutions, has signed a Power Purchase Agreement with Ventus Energy Consultancy under its vision to reduce carbon footprint in the country. As per the agreement, Delta Electronics would source a combined 9.6 million units of wind power annually to power its manufacturing facilities in Tamil Nadu. This move is expected to reduce the companys dependence on fossil fuel-based electricity and cut approximately 6,979 metric tonne of carbon emissions annually. Recommended Stories Delta Electronics has planned to expand its renewable sourcing across its facilities in the country by exploring smart grid innovations and implementing real-time monitoring powered by its own Automation and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. In a press release on Monday, the companys President Benjamin Lin said, Integrating renewable energy into our operations aligns our growth with Indias climate goals and accelerates our global net-zero vision. Collaborations like these are key to building a resilient and responsible energy ecosystem." The electricity would be sourced from wind farms located in Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Tiruppur districts through a 12-year agreement signed with state electricity board Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO). These PPAs are more than transactions they are part of a long-term strategy to decarbonise our operations and contribute meaningfully to Indias green transition. They also reaffirm our commitments under global frameworks like RE100 and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)" the companys Managing Director Niranjan Nayak said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Delta Electronics has built 35 certified green buildings and operates two data centres, globally. By collaborating with Ventus Energy Consultancy, Delta Electronics is promoting a cross-industry model for renewable energy partnerships. Ventus Energy Consultancy Director P Vijayabaskaran on the association with Delta Electronics said, With over 15 years of experience in renewable energy and a portfolio managing 750+ MW of wind and solar assets across Tamil Nadu, Ventus Energy Consultancy is proud to support Delta Electronics in its journey toward industrial decarbonisation." As Deltas renewable energy demand grows, we are committed to enabling this scale-up through strategic power procurement and regulatory alignment," he added. PTI VIJ VIJ ROH First Published: June 02, 2025, 19:00 IST ICE chief defends agents' use of masks, decries sanctuary jurisdictions Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 01:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Boston, Jun 2 (AP) Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons on Monday defended the use of masks by his agents and expressed frustration at sanctuary jurisdictions that he said are hindering the detainment of immigrants who are in the country illegally. Lyons said his agents wear masks because they and their families have been doxxed and targeted" with death threats. Recommended Stories Im sorry if people are offended by them wearing masks, but Im not going to let my officers and agents go out there and put their lives on the line, their family on the line because people dont like what immigration enforcement is," he said. Lyons made the comments during a press conference at the Boston federal courthouse to announce the completion of a May operation in which nearly 1,500 immigrants were taken into custody across Massachusetts. He was leaving the room when a reporter asked him about the masks. He turned around and returned to the podium to answer it. Is that the issue here that were just upset about the masks?" he asked the room of journalists. Or is anyone upset about the fact that ICE officers families were labelLed terrorists?" As part of last months operation, authorities in Massachusetts detained 1,461 immigrants living in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, Lawrence, Nantucket, Marthas Vineyard and other communities. ICE said 790 of those immigrants had criminal histories, including the crime of reentering the US after deportation, and that 277 had previously been ordered to be removed from the country by a federal immigration judge. Lyons, who is from Boston, said these operations wouldnt be necessary if sanctuary cities would change their policy." Theres no legal definition for sanctuary city policies, but they generally limit cooperation by local law enforcement with federal immigration officers. Courts have repeatedly upheld the legality of sanctuary laws. Last week, the Department of Homeland Security published a widely anticipated list of sanctuary jurisdictions" on its website, only to receive widespread criticism for including localities that have actively supported the Trump administrations hard-line immigration policies. As of Monday, there was a Page Not Found" error message in its place. During a March congressional hearing, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and other Democratic mayors defended sanctuary city policies. Brandon Johnson of Chicago said mischaracterisations and fearmongering" were obscuring the fact that crime in Chicago is trending down. This federal administration is making hard-working, taxpaying, God-fearing residents afraid to live their lives," Wu said. During Mondays press conference, a poster board with mug shots of unnamed immigrants was displayed. A full list of those arrested was not made available, nor was information about the crimes specific individuals are accused of committing. Lyons called them dangerous criminals" who are terrorising family, friends and our neighbours." White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, the key driver of immigration policy in the Trump administration, has said that the administration is setting a goal of 3,000 arrests by ICE each day and that the number could go higher. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Lyons said during an interview with Fox & Friends on Sunday that the agency was averaging about 1,600 arrests per day. He said they can and will do more. That marks an increase from previous ICE arrest data that showed that the agency arrested 78,155 people between January 20 and May 19 an average of 656 arrests per day. Lyons heads an agency at the centre of Trumps mass deportations agenda. Just last week, the agency underwent its second major reorganisation since Trump took office, as the head of the Enforcement and Removal Operations section of ICE retired and the head of ICEs Homeland Security Investigations section transitioned to another role. (AP) AMJ AMJ First Published: June 03, 2025, 01:45 IST Mahavir Singh appointed V-C of Himachal Pradesh University Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 23:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Shimla, Jun 2 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh University professor Mahavir Singh, a renowned scientist in Nano Technology, was on Monday appointed the varsitys vice chancellor. The notification in this regard was issued by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, who is also the chancellor of the university. Recommended Stories Singh of the Physics department in the Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) has been appointed as the vice chancellor for a term of three years with effect from the day he assumes the charge. With this appointment, the Himachal Pradesh University on Monday got a regular vice chancellor after three years. Singh has been distinguished as one of the top two per cent of scientists globally in the 2024 Stanford University rankings, specifically in the field of Applied Physics (Material Science). Hailing from Kumarsain in Shimla district, he topped in graduation (B.Sc) and did his PhD from IIT Delhi. Singh has made important discoveries of innovative applications of magnetic nanotechnology in the field of green energy, especially for electric vehicles, and in communication, focusing on gigahertz (GHz) frequency range and antenna miniaturization. Satya Prakash Bansal, the vice chancellor of the Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP), was earlier given the additional charge of this varsity. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Earlier in March, Bansal had expressed his desire to step down as the vice chancellor. I have some personal reasons and I am also feeling overburdened as I also have to look after the responsibilities of the Central University of Himachal Pradesh. Therefore, I would like to request the governor to relieve me from the additional charge of the VC of HPU," he told a press conference. PTI BPL AS AS First Published: June 02, 2025, 23:30 IST Poland on a knife's edge as exit poll shows a near tie in runoff Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 02:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Warsaw, Jun 1 (AP) An exit poll in Polands presidential runoff on Sunday showed the two candidates in a statistical tie, with the race still too close to call in the deeply divided nation. The results could set the course for the nations political future and its relations with the European Union. An Ipsos exit poll released when the voting ended showed that liberal Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski won 50.3% of the vote, and conservative historian Karol Nawrocki won 49.7%. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points, and the final vote is likely to change somewhat. Recommended Stories Though the final result was still unclear, with the two locked in a near dead heat, both men claimed to have won in meetings with their supporters in Warsaw. We won," Trzaskowski told his supporters to chants of Rafal, Rafal." This is truly a special moment in Polands history. I am convinced that it will allow us to move forward and focus on the future," Trzaskowski said. I will be your president." Nawrocki, speaking to his supporters at a separate event in Warsaw, said he believed he was on track to win. We will win and save Poland," he said. We must win tonight." It looked as if it could be a long evening in Warsaw as the nation waited for a more precise late poll" that combines a portion of the vote count with the survey data to give more clarity. The final results were expected Monday. The decisive presidential runoff pitted Trzaskowski, a liberal pro-EU politician, against Nawrocki, a conservative historian backed by the right-wing Law and Justice party and aligned with U.S. conservatives, including President Donald Trump. The fact that it was so close underlined how deep the social divisions have become in Poland. The outcome will determine whether Poland takes a more nationalist path or pivots more decisively toward liberal democratic norms. With conservative President Andrzej Duda completing his second and final term, the new president will have significant influence over whether Prime Minister Donald Tusks centrist government can fulfil its agenda, given the presidential power to veto laws. We will not allow Donald Tusks grip on power to be completed," Nawrocki said. The runoff follows a tightly contested first round of voting on May 18, in which Trzaskowski won just over 31% and Nawrocki nearly 30%, eliminating 11 other candidates. Katarzyna Malek, a 29-year-old voter in Warsaw, cast her ballot in the first round for a left-wing candidate but went for Trzaskowski on Sunday, viewing him as more competent and more likely to pursue stronger ties with foreign partners and lower social tensions. I hope there will be less division, that maybe there will be more dialogue," she said. The campaign has highlighted stark ideological divides. Trzaskowski, 53, has promised to restore judicial independence, ease abortion restrictions and promote constructive ties with European partners. Nawrocki, 42, has positioned himself as a defender of traditional Polish values and sceptical of the EU. Nawrockis candidacy has been clouded by allegations of past connections to criminal figures and participation in a violent street battle. He denies the criminal links but acknowledges having taken part in noble" fights. The revelations have not appeared to dent his support among right-wing voters, many of whom see the allegations as politically motivated. We accomplished another very important thing one that will stay with us for months and years to come. We managed to unite the entire patriotic camp in Poland all the people who want a normal Poland, without illegal migrants," Nawrocki said. It was an apparent reference to those who supported far-right candidates in the first round and who supported him on Sunday. Some of those voting for Nawrocki in Warsaw dismissed the allegations against him, saying he shouldnt be punished for his past and that Trzaskowski has also made mistakes as mayor. Wladyslawa Wasowska, an 82-year-old former history teacher, recalled instilling patriotism in her students during the communist era when Poland was under Moscows influence. Im a right-wing conservative. I love God, the church and the homeland," she said, explaining that Nawrocki, for her, is the only patriotic choice now, and accusing Trzaskowski of serving foreign interests. Hes controlled by Germany," she said. I want a sovereign, independent, democratic Poland and a Catholic one." Amid rising security fears over Russias war in neighbouring Ukraine, both candidates support aid to Kyiv, though Nawrocki opposes NATO membership for Ukraine, while Trzaskowski supports it in the future. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Nawrockis campaign has echoed themes popular on the American right, including an emphasis on traditional values. His supporters feel that Trzaskowski, with his pro-EU views, would hand over control of key Polish affairs to larger European powers like France and Germany. Many European centrists rooted for Trzaskowski, seeing in him someone who would defend democratic values under pressure from authoritarian forces across the globe. (AP) AMJ AMJ First Published: June 02, 2025, 02:30 IST Punjab: Ferozepur fort thrown open to public after 200 years Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 19:00 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Ferozepur, Jun 2 (PTI) In an initiative to boost tourism and align the local populace with the military heritage in this border region, the Armys Golden Arrow Division has opened the historic two centuries old Ferozepur Fort to the public. It is for the first time in over 200 years that this significant architectural and historical site has been made accessible to the public. Recommended Stories The move reaffirms the governments commitment to preserve national heritage and promote responsible border tourism, said Major General R S Manral, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Golden Arrow Division. Strategically positioned near the Indo-Pakistan border, Ferozepur Fort is a remarkable example of 19th-century military architecture from the Sikh empire" said the GOC, adding that its unique hexagonal design and robust defensive features showcase the strategic ingenuity of its time. The reopening of Ferozepur Fort not only reconnects the region with its storied past but also reaffirms its identity as a symbol of valour, resilience and national pride, firmly placing it on Punjabs cultural and heritage tourism map," said Major General Manral. Brig Bikram Singh, Station Commander, said Ferozepur holds a special place in Indias freedom movement, having produced numerous martyrs and revolutionaries who bravely resisted colonial rule. This fort and its surroundings have borne witness to pivotal historical events, which continue to symbolize national pride and sacrifice, he added. Once a critical outpost in the Sikh empire frontier defence network, the fort holds enduring tales of courage and resistance and also features prominently in narratives of the first war of Independence in 1857. This fort was converted into British Garrison in 1839 under the instructions of the Duke of Wellington. Later, the British converted this fort as an arsenal (Weapon Store) in 1858 and subsequently, the dry gun cotton store, the powder magazine and ammunition stores were also constructed here. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This fort served as the mother depot for the supply of guns, ammunition, trained horses and bullocks. About 10,000 bullocks and as many horses and even 150 camels were tethered at any time in this fort. The fort continued to play the role of arsenal till 1941 when the ammunition was shifted to Kasubegu as a tactical move by the British at the beginning of World War-II. PTI COR CHS AS AS First Published: June 02, 2025, 19:00 IST Air India & Air Mauritius Expand Codeshare To 17 Routes Across India, Africa & Indian Ocean Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 15:11 IST Air India will add its 'AI' code to Air Mauritius flights going to Cape Town, Johannesburg (South Africa), and Antananarivo (Madagascar). A total of 17 routes will now fall under the expanded codeshare. (File photo) Air India and Air Mauritius have announced a major expansion of their existing codeshare agreement, making travel between India, Mauritius, Reunion, South Africa, and Madagascar easier than ever. The move was officially signed during the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting in New Delhi, with top leaders from both airlines present, including Air Indias CEO Campbell Wilson and Air Mauritius Chairman Kishore Beegoo. Recommended Stories Whats New in the Deal? A total of 17 routes will now fall under the expanded codeshare. This means more flight options and greater connectivity across the Indian Subcontinent and Southern Africa. Under the agreement: Air India will place its AI flight code on Air Mauritius services to Cape Town, Johannesburg (South Africa), and Antananarivo (Madagascar) via Mauritius. It already shares codes with Air Mauritius on flights between Mauritius and Mumbai, Delhi, and Reunion. Meanwhile: Air Mauritius will place its MK flight code on Air India services across several Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Goa. For the first time, it will also codeshare on Air Indias direct flights between Mauritius and Mumbai. This means passengers of either airline can book flights operated by the other, making travel smoother with single-ticket booking and checked-through luggage. Campbell Wilson of Air India said,"This expanded codeshare partnership with Air Mauritius is another step toward widening our extended global network, which enables our customers to easily access these destinations." Kishore Beegoo of Air Mauritius added,"Air Mauritius is pleased to expand its collaboration with Air India, offering our passengers connections to numerous destinations across India via Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai." When Can You Book? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The new codeshare flights are available for booking from 1st July 2025. Travellers can book via: Air Indias website and booking channels Air Mauritius official channels Authorised travel agents. About the Author Samreen Pall Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: 'Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.' This motto c... Read More Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: 'Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.' This motto c... Read More Get the latest updates on car and bike launches in India including reviews, prices, specs, and performance. Stay informed with breaking auto industry news , EV policies, and more, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: June 02, 2025, 15:11 IST Air India In Talks With Airbus, Boeing For Major Aircraft Deal: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 01, 2025, 20:23 IST Air India is in talks with Airbus and Boeing for a major aircraft deal, potentially involving hundreds of planes, including 200 narrow-body jets. Air India placed a then-record order for 470 planes from both suppliers in 2023 and another 100 Airbus jets last year. (File photo) Talks are underway between Tata Groups Air India and two aircraft manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing, for a major aircraft deal, including some 200 extra single-aisle planes. This is being touted as a deal significant enough to surpass the mammoth deal of 2023. This development comes as the Indian carrier pursues a multi-billion revamp, news agency Reuters, citing industry sources, reported. The reports of a potential new significant deal from Air India emerged as global airline bosses converged in the worlds fastest-growing aviation market for Delhi industry summit to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. Recommended Stories It is expected that the deal could involve hundreds of airplanes in total spread across various sizes. The deal discussions expand on earlier reported discussions for a further batch of large wide-body aircraft, Reuters reported citing sources. It is learnt that in those talks, Boeing is edging forward as the front-runner to sell more of its 777X jets, the sources told Reuters. Indias flag carrier placed a then-record order for 470 planes from both suppliers in 2023 and another 100 Airbus jets last year. The back-to-back plane orders come at a time when aircraft manufacturers are scrambling with supply chain issues leading to severe delays in aircraft delivery and a looming jet shortage. Getting new planes is crucial for Air India, which has suffered from years of under-investment under government ownership and is now undertaking an ambitious modernisation plan to recapture market share lost to global rivals. The exact number of narrowbody jets under the new order was not immediately clear but two sources put it in the hundreds and one said it involved a provisional total of 200 narrow-body planes, which are the workhorse of aviation fleets worldwide. The timing of any Air India deal is not known yet and usually it takes months for multi-billion-dollar aircraft orders to get finalised. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to Airbus forecasts, Indian aviation industry is expanding at some 7% annually. However, analysts say its growth remains is restricted due to various factors, including weak infrastructure, especially as it looks to connect hinterlands to bigger cities. On the eve of the airline meeting in the national capital, the International Air Transport Association of 300 global carriers said the countrys airlines were poised to demonstrate continued rapid growth, clouded by expensive fuel costs and high taxes. 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 : Delhi, India, India First Published: June 01, 2025, 19:50 IST US Tariff Hike On Steel To Have 'Minor' Impact On India: Union Minister Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 17:03 IST 'Minor impact will be there... We are not exporting (to the US) in a big way,' says steel minister H D Kumaraswamy. India's steel exports to the US are very less. Steel and Heavy Industries Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Monday said India is likely to see only a minor impact" from US President Donald Trumps plan to hike tariffs on steel and aluminium products, as the country exports low volumes to Washington. Last week, Trump said he intended to double tariffs on imported steel and aluminium from 25% to 50%. Minor impact will be there We are not exporting (to the US) in a big way," steel minister H D Kumaraswamy told reporters at a press briefing in New Delhi, as reported by Reuters. Recommended Stories Roughly a quarter of all steel used in the US is imported, the bulk of it from neighbours Mexico and Canada or close allies in Asia and Europe such as Japan, South Korea and Germany. Indias steel exports to the US are much lesser. However, ratings agency Fitch said in March that Indian steelmakers and steel prices could be hit if countries with higher exposure to the US redirect their shipments to New Delhi in search of more lenient markets for the alloy. Industry Urges Govt To Take Steps To Protect Local Producers Though the ministers says the impact would be minor, the industry urging the government to take measures to protect the local producers. Jayant Acharya, joint MD and CEO of JSW Steel, told news agency PTI that India faces a heightened risk of trade diversion amid shifting global tariffs, especially due to its strong domestic demand. He further highlighted the need to implement necessary trade measures proactively and in time. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Ranjan Dhar, director and vice-president of AMNS India, also said there is need to be watchful on imports and said he hoped that protection will come for domestic industry". Every country is protecting their industry. India should also do that as long as India focuses on protecting its industry from low price imports, he said. About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to markets, economy and companies. Having a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris has been previously asso... Read More Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to markets, economy and companies. Having a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris has been previously asso... Read More First Published: June 02, 2025, 17:03 IST If Your Jewellery Goes Missing From The Locker, Can The Bank Be Held Liable? | Explained Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 17:37 IST Bank lockers use a double-lock system where one key is with the customer and the other, a master key, is held by the bank to ensure shared access and enhanced security A locker agreement is signed between the customer and the bank, outlining the terms and conditions of use. (Representative/PTI) A woman in Bengaluru was left shocked after she initially believed that 145 grams of gold and diamond jewellery stored in her State Bank of India (SBI) locker had gone missing. She filed a complaint with the bank and sought compensation. However, according to reports, it later emerged that the jewellery she claimed was missing had been inadvertently overlooked, as it was stored deep within the locker. The case has sparked concerns over the security of bank lockers and the extent of a banks responsibility in such situations. Recommended Stories Laws And Rules Related To Bank Locker Facilities Locker facilities in India operate under the guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the respective rules of individual banks. In 2021, the RBI issued updated regulations on this matter. Banks are not permitted to keep records of the contents stored in a customers locker, nor do they have the right to inquire about what is kept inside. However, in cases of tampering or theft, the bank is held accountable. If any loss occurs due to the banks negligence or fault, the bank is liable to compensate the customer for the stolen contents. How Much Compensation Will The Bank Provide? According to the Reserve Bank of India, in the event of loss due to the banks negligence, the bank is liable to pay compensation of up to 100 times the annual locker rent. For example, if the annual locker rent is Rs 3,000, the maximum compensation the bank can offer is Rs 3,00,000. When The Bank Will Not Pay Compensation If theft from a locker occurs and the banks fault or negligence is not proven, it is not held responsible. The bank investigates such incidents, and if no negligence is found on its part, it is not liable to pay compensation. In simple terms, the bank is responsibleand will pay compensationonly if the loss is due to its negligence, a security breach or a technical fault. However, if the loss occurs due to the customers own mistakesuch as misplacing the locker keythe bank is not accountable. What To Do If Your Bank Locker Is Tampered With? An FIR should be filed with the police promptly. A written complaint must be submitted to the bank. The bank should be requested to provide CCTV footage of the locker area. If the banks response is unsatisfactory, the complaint can be escalated to the RBI Banking Ombudsman. General Rules Of Bank Lockers The customer is solely responsible for the contents of the locker; the bank neither knows nor inquires about what is stored inside. A locker agreement is signed between the customer and the bank, outlining the terms and conditions of use. Who Has The Keys To The Locker? Bank lockers operate on a double-lock system: one key is held by the customer, and the other is a master key retained by the bank. While responsibility is shared, the bank is expected to ensure the overall security of the locker facility. What Is the Annual Rent of a Bank Locker? The annual rent of a bank locker in India depends primarily on two factors: Size Of The Locker: Lockers are generally available in four categories: Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large. Location Of The Bank Branch: The rent varies depending on whether the branch is in a metro, urban, semi-urban, or rural area. Estimated SBI Locker Rent As Of 2025 (Excluding GST) Small Locker: Metro/City branches: Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 Semi-urban branches: Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500 Rural branches: Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 Medium Locker: Metro/City: Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000 Semi-urban: Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 Rural: Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,000 Large Locker: Metro/City: Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 Semi-urban: Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000 Rural: Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000 Extra Large Locker: Metro/City: Rs 14,000 to Rs 20,000 Semi-urban: Rs 10,000 to Rs 16,000 Rural: Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 Additional Points To Note: An 18% GST is applicable on the locker rent. The actual rent may slightly vary from branch to branch or city to city. Locker rent is collected once a year in advance. Payment can be made via bank account debit, cash, or cheque. If the rent is not paid on time, a late fee may be charged by the bank. What Happens In Case Of Fire Or Flood? As per the Reserve Bank of Indias 2021 guidelines, if the locker vault is damaged due to natural disasters like fire or flood, and the bank had already put in place all necessary safety measuressuch as functional fire alarms, waterproof vaults, and relevant insurancethe customer is not entitled to compensation for any loss. However, if the damage is found to have occurred due to the negligence of the bankfor instance, if fire alarms were non-functional or the vault was not properly maintainedthe bank will be held responsible and will be required to compensate the customer for the loss. Are The Items Kept In A Bank Locker Insured? No, banks do not insure the contents of a locker. The responsibility for the items kept inside lies entirely with the customer. If a customer wishes, they can purchase jewellery or valuables insurance separately from a private insurance company. Such policies may also cover items stored in a bank locker. However, it is not mandatory for banks to permit or facilitate insurance for locker contents. Banks like SBI, ICICI, and HDFC charge rent for locker use but do not include insurance for the stored items as part of the service. How Many Times Can A Bank Locker Be Accessed? According to the rules of SBI and most other banks, customers are allowed a fixed number of free visits per year to access their bank lockers. Beyond this limit, a charge is levied for each additional visit. Typically, 12 free visits are permitted annually, regardless of locker size. For any visit beyond this limit, banks charge an additional fee of Rs 100 plus GST per visit. These rules may vary slightly depending on the banks policy and branch location. Can Banks Demand A Large Fixed Deposit For Allotting A Locker? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to the Reserve Bank of Indias 2021 circular, banks are not allowed to impose a condition of making a large fixed deposit (FD) or maintaining a high balance as a prerequisite for allotting a locker. No bank can ask for an FD of Rs 5 lakh, Rs 10 lakh or more as a condition to provide a locker. However, an FD can be sought only in one specific caseto cover potential expenses in case the customer defaults on locker rent and the bank needs to break open the locker and recover dues. Even in such cases, the FD amount should be just enough to cover the rent and incidental charges, not an arbitrary high sum. First Published: June 02, 2025, 17:37 IST Aegis Vopak's Shares Make Weak Debut At 6% Discount To Rs 220: Should You Buy, Hold Or Sell? Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 10:16 IST Aegis Vopak Terminals IPO Listing: The IPO was moderately subscribed at 2.09 times, with strong demand from qualified institutional buyers (QIBs). Aegis Vopak Terminals IPO's shares list at 6% discount at Rs 220. Aegis Vopak Terminals IPO Listing: Aegis Vopak Terminals Limited was listed on the BSE and NSE today, June 2, 2025, following its Rs 2,800 crore initial public offering (IPO). The shares debuted at Rs 220 on both exchanges, with a discount of 6.38 per cent. Recommended Stories After the listing, the shares of Ageis Vopak Terminals recovered slightly to Rs 228.40 apiece, with a drop of 2.47 per cent from the upper band of the issue price. The IPO was moderately subscribed at 2.09 times, with strong demand from qualified institutional buyers (QIBs), while retail and high-net-worth individual (HNI) participation remained subdued. The offering was solely a fresh issue of 11.91 crore equity shares, priced in the range of Rs 223-Rs 235 per share. Aegis Vopak Terminals is a leading player in the logistics and storage sector, specialising in handling liquid and gas chemicals through its strategically located terminals. The company operates as a joint venture between Aegis Logistics Ltd and the global tank storage company Royal Vopak. Its robust infrastructure and operational capabilities have positioned it to serve a wide range of industries, including chemicals, petrochemicals, and energy, with safe and reliable storage solutions. Aegis Vopak Terminals Shares: Should You Buy, Sell Or Hold? Most brokerage firms have given a subscribe rating to the IPO, especially for the long term. However, they have also flagged several risks. Giving a subscribe for long term rating for the IPO, Bajaj Broking in its IPO note said, While the company has demonstrated a strong financial turnaround posting a net profit of Rs 86.54 crore in FY24 after a marginal loss in FY23, the valuation requires careful consideration." Based on FY24 EPS of Rs 1 and a NAV of Rs 13.27, the IPO price band of Rs 223-Rs 235 appears expensive on traditional valuation metrics like price-to-earnings, especially as a meaningful P/E cannot be derived due to the companys recent shift to profitability, it said. While the companys strategic importance in Indias LPG and liquid bulk infrastructure space justifies a premium to some extent, the pricing seems to factor in strong future growth expectations. Investors should view this IPO as a play on long-term infrastructure and energy logistics growth, but must weigh the premium valuation against the companys limited historical profitability and execution risks in upcoming capex projects," said Bajaj Broking. Another brokerage firm BP Wealth has also granted Subscribe rating to the IPO. The company has demonstrated stable financial performance over the last three financial years, aided by its annuity-like business model and long-term customer contracts. The company has managed debt levels, indicating strong financial flexibility to support its expansion plans under project GATI. The companys asset-heavy model and predictable cash flows from storage contracts provide visibility in earnings, making it well-positioned for future growth," it said in its IPO note. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. About the Author Varun Yadav Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst... Read More Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst... Read More First Published: June 02, 2025, 10:14 IST Leela Hotels IPO Listing Today: What GMP Signals Ahead Of BSE, NSE Debut On Monday Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 07:53 IST Leela Hotels IPO GMP: The Leela Hotels IPO received a 4.72 times subscription, with a bidding of 20,87,17,330 shares against the offered shares of 4,42,52,875. Leela Hotels IPO's shares are set to debut on BSE, NSE today. Leela Hotels IPO GMP: The shares of Leela Hotels IPO (Schloss Bangalore Ltd) are set to debut on Monday, June 2, on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The allotment was finalized on May 29. The listing will occur at 10 AM on both exchanges. Recommended Stories The Leela Hotels IPO received a 4.72 times subscription, with a bidding of 20,87,17,330 shares against the offered shares of 4,42,52,875. The retail and NII participation stood at 0.87 times and 1.08 times, respectively. Its qualified institutional buyer (QIB) category got a 7.82 times subscription. Lets see what GMP indicates ahead of the listing today (listing price prediction). According to various market observers, the current grey market premium of the Leela Hotels IPO indicates a muted listing. The expected listing of IPO would take place at a premium of just 1 per cent around Rs 439, from the upper price band of Rs 435 per share. Leela Hotels IPO Details The three-day subscription window opened between May 26 and May 28. The IPO aimed to raise Rs 3,500 crore, with Rs 2,500 crore from a fresh issue and Rs 1,000 crore from an OFS. The raising amount is down from earlier planned of Rs 5000 crore. The price band for the issue was set at Rs 413 to Rs 435 per share, with a minimum bid quantity of 34 shares, which translates to a minimum investment of Rs 14,790 at the upper end of the price band for retail investors. A Step-By-Step Guide To Check Allotment Status The Leela Hotels IPO allotment will take place on Thursday, May 29. The IPO allotment status can be checked online by following these steps: 1) Go to the official BSE website via the URL https://www.bseindia.com/investors/appli_check.aspx. 2) Under Issue Type, select Equity. 3) Under Issue Name, select Schloss Bangalore Ltd in the dropbox. 4) Enter your application number, or the Permanent Account Number (PAN). 5) Then, click on the I am not a robot to verify yourself and hit the Search option. Your share application status will appear on your screen. You can also visit directly on the registrar Kfin Technologies portal https://ipostatus.kfintech.com/ and check the Leela Hotels IPO allotment status. The allotment status can also be checked on the NSEs website at https://www.nseindia.com/invest/check-trades-bids-verify-ipo-bids. Leela Hotels IPO Objectives Leela Hotels plans to utilise Rs 2,500 crore from the fresh issue for the following purposes: Repayment of outstanding borrowings: Approximately Rs 2,300 crore will be used to repay/pre-pay certain borrowings of the company and its subsidiaries. General corporate purposes: A portion of the IPO proceeds will be allocated for general corporate purposes, not exceeding 25% of the gross proceeds. Leela Hotels Financials Schloss Bangalore Limiteds financial performance shows a 15% increase in revenue and a significant 2341% rise in profit after tax (PAT) between the financial years ending March 31, 2024, and March 31, 2025. As of March 31, 2025, the companys assets stood at Rs 8,266.16 crore, with revenue at Rs 1,406.56 crore and PAT at Rs 47.66 crore. The companys net worth improved to Rs 3,604.99 crore, and its total borrowings were Rs 3,908.75 crore. Leela Hotels operates 3,553 keys across 13 hotels under The Leela Palaces, Hotels, and Resorts, with a strategic presence in 10 key destinations in India, covering a significant portion of international and domestic air traffic in FY 25. Leela Hotels Promoters Project Ballet Bangalore Holdings (DIFC) Pvt Ltd, BSREP III Joy (Two) Holdings (DIFC) Limited, BSREP III Tadoba Holdings (DIFC) Pvt Ltd, Project Ballet Chennai Holdings (DIFC) Pvt Ltd, Project Ballet Gandhinagar Holdings (DIFC) Pvt Ltd, Project Ballet HMA Holdings (DIFC) Pvt Ltd and Project Ballet Udaipur Holdings (DIFC) Pvt Ltd are the company promoters. Leela Hotels Founded in 1986, Schloss Bangalore is the parent company of the luxury hotel chain The Leela in India, one of the largest luxury hospitality chains in the country in terms of the number of keys. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. About the Author Varun Yadav Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst... Read More Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst... Read More Stay updated with all the latest news on the Stock Market, including market trends, Sensex and Nifty updates, top gainers and losers, and expert analysis. Get real-time insights, financial reports, and investment strategiesonly on News18. First Published: June 02, 2025, 07:53 IST Stocks To Watch: IndiGo, Tata Motors, BPCL, Vodafone Idea, Coal India, Nykaa, And Others Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 08:11 IST Stocks to watch: Shares of firms like IndiGo, Tata Motors, BPCL, Vodafone Idea, BPCL, Nykaa, and others will be in focus on Monday's trade Stocks To Watch On June 2 Stocks to Watch on June 2: Indian equity markets began the June expiry on a cautious note, ending marginally lower amid continued consolidation. In todays trade, shares of Apollo Hospitals, IndiGo, Tata Motors, BPCL, Vodafone Idea, and others will be in focus due to significant news and quarterly earnings updates. IndiGo Recommended Stories IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said the airline welcomed the three-month extension (granted till August 2025) for its damp-leased aircraft from Turkish Airlines by the DGCA. This move will support ongoing operations and customer commitments. Tata Motors Tata Motors reported an 8.6% YoY decline in total sales to 70,187 units in May 2025, compared to 76,766 units in the same period last year. Domestic sales fell 10% to 67,429 units. TVS Motor TVS Motors total sales rose 17% YoY to 4.31 lakh units in May, up from 3.69 lakh units a year earlier. Two-wheeler sales jumped 16% to 4.16 lakh units versus 3.59 lakh units last year. BPCL BPCLs board approved an investment in a joint venture with Tikitar and Shell India, aimed at manufacturing and marketing bitumen products. Coal India Coal India has filed the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with Sebi for an IPO of its subsidiary Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL). The proposed offer-for-sale (OFS) includes up to 46.57 crore shares. Dr Reddys Dr Reddys said the matter of Novo Nordisks Semaglutide patents in India remains sub-judice. Vodafone Idea Vodafone Idea reported a narrowed loss of Rs 7,166 crore for the March quarter. The telcos board has also approved a fundraising plan of up to Rs 20,000 crore, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals. EaseMyTrip EaseMyTrip posted a sharp 59% QoQ decline in net profit for Q4FY25 to Rs 139 crore, down from Rs 150 crore in Q3 FY25 a decrease of 7.33%. Senco Gold Senco Gold Ltd reported a 94% YoY surge in consolidated net profit to Rs 62.44 crore in Q4FY25, driven by strong sales. Revenue for the quarter stood at Rs 1,377.71 crore, up from Rs 1,137.28 crore last year. Som Distilleries Som Distilleries & Breweries Ltd saw an 18.8% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 23.73 crore in Q4FY25, aided by IMFL volume growth and higher realisations. Apollo Hospitals Apollo Hospitals Enterprise reported a robust 54% YoY jump in consolidated profit after tax to Rs 390 crore for the March 2025 quarter, supported by strong sales. Nykaa Nykaas parent, FSN Ecommerce Ventures, posted a threefold YoY increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 20.28 crore in Q4. Revenue rose 23.6% to Rs 2,061.76 crore, up from Rs 1,667.98 crore a year earlier. Inox Wind top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Inox Wind Ltd posted a fivefold jump in consolidated net profit to Rs 190.34 crore in Q4FY25, as revenues surged. Income more than doubled to Rs 1,310.65 crore from Rs 569.04 crore in the previous year. Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. About the Author Aparna Deb Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a... Read More Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a... Read More Stay updated with all the latest news on the Stock Market, including market trends, Sensex and Nifty updates, top gainers and losers, and expert analysis. Get real-time insights, financial reports, and investment strategiesonly on News18. First Published: June 02, 2025, 07:51 IST Suzlon Energy Vs Inox Wind: Which Renewable Stock To Bet After Record FY25 Performance? Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 11:50 IST Suzlon Vs Inox Wind: Suzlon Energy and Inox Wind are key players in renewable energy. Both reported strong FY25 results, raising investor interest. Which stock to pick? Suzlon Energy Vs Inox Wind: Which stock to pick? Suzlon Energy Vs Inox Wind: Suzlon Energy and Inox Wind are both staunch competitors in the renewable power generation field. Both companies have delivered strong quarterly and yearly results for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2025, raising the interest among investors confidence in the growing domain. Recommended Stories With a target of 500 GW power generation from renewable energy by 2030, the Indian government is giving full support and ease of policies to let private players utilize the opportunity in the field. When both companies are doing well, it leads a confusion among investors Should I pick Suzlon Energy or Inox Wind? When it comes to picking a stock between two, the rationale says to break down on several factors financials, fundamentals, share price history, managements vision to the name a few. Suzlon Energy is one of Indias leading renewable energy solutions providers, primarily focused on wind power. Headquartered in Pune, the company has over 21 GW of wind energy installations across 17 countries. On the other hand, Inox Wind is a part of the INOXGFL Group and is a major player in Indias wind energy sector. It offers integrated wind solutionsfrom manufacturing key components like turbines and towers to project execution and O&M services. Suzlon Energy Vs Inox Wind Share Price Movement Suzlon Energys shares climbed 12 per cent in the past five sessions post, with sharp gain post the Q4 FY25 results. Meanwhile, Inox Winds shares are down half a percent in the past five sessions. But the one month return is positive at 15 per cent gain. Suzlon Energy Vs Inox Wind: Financials Revenue, PAT, EBITDA, Margin Suzlon Energys consolidated revenue rose 67% year-on-year to Rs 10,851 crore in FY25, compared to Rs 6,497 crore in FY24. The companys EBITDA grew 81% to Rs 1,857 crore, while Profit Before Tax (PBT) more than doubled, jumping 103% to Rs 1,447 crore. This reflects strong execution, cost discipline, and a favourable market environment for renewables. A standout highlight was Suzlons Profit After Tax (PAT), which came in at Rs 2,072 crore, significantly higher than Rs 660 crore in the previous year, aided by a deferred tax asset (DTA) recognition of Rs 638 crore. Backed by strong operations and cash flow generation, the company ended the year with a firm order book of 5.6 GW and a solid net cash position of Rs 1,943 crore, positioning itself strongly for Indias push towards 100 GW wind capacity by 2030. Inox Wind Limited (IWL) delivered a record-breaking performance in FY25, with consolidated revenue jumping 105% YoY to Rs 3,702 crore, while EBITDA surged 167% to Rs 918 crore. The company posted a Profit After Tax of Rs 438 crore, a remarkable turnaround from a loss of Rs 48 crore in FY24. Cash PAT rose eightfold to Rs 734 crore. The company executed 705 MW of wind projects during the year (up 88% YoY), including 236 MW in Q4 alone, reflecting strong momentum in project deliveries. The order book stood at a robust 3.2 GW at the end of FY25, with 1.5 GW of fresh order inflows during the year, supported by marquee clients like NTPC, CESC, and Hero Future Energies. The merger between Inox Wind Energy and IWL has been approved by the NCLT, leading to a balance sheet boost with liability reduction of ~Rs 2,050 crore. Suzlon Energy Vs Inox Wind: Management Outlook Suzlon Energy is looking to achieve net-zero Scope 1 & 2 emission before 2035. Himanshu Mody (CFO): One of our best years with growth across key metrics. Strong cash flows and disciplined capital management will support future expansion." Kailash Tarachandani, Group CEO, Renewable Business, INOXGFL Group said We believe that with the robust outlook for the wind industry in India, demand for wind OEMs and service providers will continue to be strong going ahead." Suzlon Energy Vs Inox Wind: Fundamentals Suzlon Energy trades at a P/E of 47.2 and a P/B of 24.81, indicating a higher valuation compared to Inox Wind, which has a P/E of 55.9 and a P/B of 11.38. Suzlon Energy exhibits stronger profitability metrics with an ROE of 41.3% and ROCE of 32.4%, surpassing Inox Winds ROE of 13.2% and ROCE of 11.5%. Suzlon Energy Vs Inox Wind: Share Price Target 2025 JM Financial has maintained BUY rating for Suzlon Energy, with a revised target price of Rs 81 per share based on a 35xFY2Y27 EPS. With the manufacturing capacity of 4.5 GW and order book of 5.5 GW, company is confident of 60% growth in key performance parameters like deliveries. Indias wind energy momentum, which was once perceived as constrained, is now on an accelerated path driven by the demand for hybrid renewable projects, ensuing control on imports from China, and improved visibility on execution. Considering deliveries of 2500 MW/3100 MW in FY26/FY27." For Inox Wind, JM Financial has maintained BUY rating with the target price of Rs 216 on FY27E. We expect execution of wind projects by IWL to accelerate from 705MW in FY25 to 1,150MW/ 1,750MW in FY26/FY27, which will result in Revenue/ EBITDA/ Adj. PAT CAGR of 45%/ 46%/ 55% during FY25-28." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. About the Author Varun Yadav Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst... Read More Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst... Read More Stay updated with all the latest news on the Stock Market, including market trends, Sensex and Nifty updates, top gainers and losers, and expert analysis. Get real-time insights, financial reports, and investment strategiesonly on News18. First Published: June 02, 2025, 11:50 IST Tesla 'Not Interested' In Manufacturing Cars In India, To Set Up Only Showrooms: Union Minister Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 14:44 IST 'Tesla... They are more (interested) only to start showrooms. They are not interested to (start) manufacturing in India,' says Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy. Tesla's representative only participated in the first round of stakeholder discussions for the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Cars in India. Elon Musk-owned Tesla is not interested in manufacturing electric cars in India, said Union Heavy Industries Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Monday, as per news agency PTI. He said the global EV giant is more interested only to start showrooms. However, he said Mercedes-Benz, Skoda-Volkswagen, Hyundai and Kia have shown interest in making EV cars in India. Tesla They are more (interested) only to start showrooms. They are not interested to (start) manufacturing in India," Kumaraswamy told reporters here. Recommended Stories He said this at a press conference to announce the unveiling of guidelines for the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Cars in India. So far, they (Tesla) have not shown interest. Tesla representative only participated in the first round of stakeholder discussions for the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Cars in India. The companys representative was not part of the second and third round of the stakeholder deliberations," PTI cited an official as saying. Kumaraswamy said global automobile makers including Mercedes Benz, Skoda-Volkswagen, Hyundai and Kia have shown interest in manufacturing electric cars in India. These companies have expressed interest during the stakeholder discussions between the government and the industry regarding the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India, the detailed guidelines for which were unveiled by the minister. While the scheme was notified on March 15 last year, its guidelines were issued on Monday. US President Donald Trump has said that if Tesla were to build a factory in India to circumvent that countrys tariffs, it would be unfair" to the US. Tesla CEO billionaire Elon Musk had said in April last year that his visit to India has been delayed due to the companys heavy obligations. Meanwhile, Elon Musks father, Errol Musk, landed in India on Sunday to visit the Ayodhya Ram temple. During his visit to the country, Errol is also scheduled to attend various business-related meetings. Errol is on a five-day trip to India, starting from June 1 till June 6. Recently, US President Trump also warned iPhone maker Apple against manufacturing in India threatening with 25 per cent tariffs. On May 23, in a post on Truth Social, he said iPhones sold in the United States should be manufactured domestically or face a steep 25 per cent tariff if built in India or anyplace else. It came a week after a similar statement by the US president, warning Apple CEO Tim Cook against expanding Apples manufacturing footprint in India, unless it is specifically to serve the Indian market. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Apple sells over 60 million iPhones in the US annually with roughly 80% of them made in China currently. Last week, during a business event in Doha, Qatar, on May 15, Trump said he had a direct conversation with Apple CEO Tim Cook, advising him against expanding Apples manufacturing footprint in India, unless it is specifically to serve the Indian market. About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to markets, economy and companies. Having a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris has been previously asso... Read More Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to markets, economy and companies. Having a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris has been previously asso... Read More First Published: June 02, 2025, 14:15 IST DHSE Kerala Plus One Result 2025 Declared, Direct Link To Check Scores Here Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 16:26 IST DHSE Kerala Plus One Exam Results 2025: Students can access the results on the official websites -- dhsekerala.gov.in, keralaresults.nic.in, results.kite.kerala.gov.in. DHSE Kerala Plus One Result 2025 at results.kite.kerala.gov.in The Directorate of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE), Kerala has released the plus one or class 11 results today, June 2. Students can access the results on the official websites dhsekerala.gov.in, keralaresults.nic.in, results.kite.kerala.gov.in, results.hse.kerala.gov.in, and prd.kerala.gov.in. Candidates will be able to check the result using their roll number and date of birth. They can also check it on SMS or via DigiLocker app using their Aadhar number and exam roll number. To pass the Kerala board plus one exam, students must get at least 35 per cent on each paper as well as in total. Recommended Stories DHSE Kerala Plus One Exam Results 2025: How To Check? Step 1: Log in to the official result website of Kerala DHSE Step 2: Click on the Kerala plus one result link Step 3: Enter your exam roll/application number and date of birth Step 4: Click Submit Step 5: Check and download the DHSE plus one result 2025. Take a print out for further reference. DHSE Kerala Plus One Exam Results 2025: How To Check Via SMS? Step 1: Open the SMS application of your mobile. Step 2: Type KERALA11 followed by your registration or roll number after a space. Step 3: Sent the text to 56263. Step 4: You will receive a text message carrying your Kerala +1 Result scorecard. DHSE Kerala Plus One Result 2025: Direct Link To Check HSE Result DHSE Kerala Plus One Result 2025: Direct Link To Check VSE Result DHSE Kerala +1 Result 2025: Details to Check on Mark Sheets top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all After checking the results online, students also need to review their mark sheets and ensure that all the information mentioned on them is correct. In case of any error in the online mark sheet, they need to check with the authorities at the earliest. Students must check their personal details, calculations, grades and marks parity, spelling, and pass/ fail status. Meanwhile, the Kerala DHSE announced the Plus Two (+2) results on May 22. Of the 3,70,642 students who took the exam, 2,88,394 qualified, taking the overall pass percentage to 77.81%. Science stream recorded the highest pass percentage with 83.25% of the students clearing the exam. This was followed by commerce stream at 74.21% pass rate and 69.16% of humanities stream students cleared the 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: June 02, 2025, 16:01 IST Inside the US Dream: What Indian Students Are Studying And What Attracts Them Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 13:22 IST India sent over 331,000 students to the US in 202324, but recent visa policy changes under Trump have sparked uncertainty about their academic futures. Indian students hit record 331,602 in US in 202324, contributing $11.8 billion to US economy. (AI Generate Image) In the 20232024 academic year, India sent more than 331,000 students to study in the US. However, US President Donald Trumps recent decision to suspend visa interviews for foreign nationals has created widespread uncertainty, leaving many Indian students in limbo about the future of their academic pursuits. Recommended Stories Recently, US President Donald Trump defended his decision to limit foreign student admissions, even criticising Harvard University for what he called troubling behaviour" and its large amount of federal funding. Donald Trump said his administration still welcomes international students- but not those causing trouble." He said, We want to have great students here. We just dont want students who are causing trouble. I want foreign students here." According to the Open Doors 2024 Report on International Educational Exchange, the number of international students at US colleges and universities hit a record high of over 1.1 million (1,126,690) in the 20232024 academic year marking a 7% increase from the previous year. Leading the charge was India, sending 331,602 students, a 23% rise over the previous years total. Indian students are particularly drawn to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines. Nearly 43% are enrolled in Mathematics and Computer Science, followed by 24.5% in Engineering, and 11.2% in Business and Management. These choices reflect not just global job market trends, but also the reputation of US institutions for cutting-edge research, technological advancement, and real-world impact. Field of Study Percentage of Indian Students Business / Management 11.2% Education 0.2% Engineering 24.5% Fine / Applied Arts 1.3% Health Professions 2.7% Humanities 0.4% Intensive English 0.3% Math / Computer Science 42.9% Physical / Life Sciences 5.4% Social Sciences 2.2% Other Fields of Study 8.3% Undeclared 0.5% Total Students 331,602 But what drives Indian students to choose STEM courses and study abroad? And why is the US their top destination? Speaking to News18.com, Sachin Jain, Country Manager at ETS India & South Asia, explained, The United States remains one of the top destinations for Indian students, especially in future-forward fields such as Computer Science, Engineering, AI, Data Science, and Management." He added, Nearly 70% of Indian students in the US are pursuing STEM degrees. This preference is driven by global demand for tech and innovation-led skills, world-class research infrastructure, and structured post-study work opportunities of up to three years. US universities are no longer just degree providers they are launchpads for global careers." ALSO READ: Study Abroad Shift: 25% Indians May Avoid US, Experts Say Ireland, Germany & Japan Seeing Surge For students like Rishabh (name changed on request), currently studying at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the decision to move was driven by more than just university rankings. I chose the US because of its cutting-edge research, global faculty, and strong industry linkages. Its not just about textbooks I work on real-world projects and have access to labs that address some of the worlds most pressing challenges. The culture here encourages innovation and critical thinking. Its truly shaping me into a global problem-solver," he said. Mechmi Gurung, a student in Yale Universitys Master of Advanced Management programme, shared a similar sentiment. Studying in the US was a dream that turned into a plan. The academic flexibility, exposure to diverse cultures, and access to the tech ecosystem make it the best place to grow. I wanted more than just a degree I wanted experience, innovation, and a global mindset. Being the best version of yourself is what US education pushes you toward," she said. ALSO READ: Study Abroad Shift: 25% Indians May Avoid US, Experts Say Ireland, Germany & Japan Seeing Surge Despite Policy Shifts, Experts Remain Optimistic top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to the Open Doors Student Mobility Facts and Figures 2024, the majority of Indian students (64.5%) were enrolled in public institutions in 2023, while 35.5% attended private universities. Indian students contribution to the US economy in 2023 was significant, generating $11.8 billion, as per the International Student Economic Impact 2023. Although recent US policy changes may cause short-term uncertainty, education experts remain optimistic about the long-term outlook for international study. They advise students to stay informed, think globally, and choose academic paths that align with their career ambitions 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: June 02, 2025, 13:05 IST JEE Advanced Result 2025, Final Answer Key Released At jeeadv.ac.in, Check Direct Links Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 10:00 IST JEE Advanced 2025 Results, Cut Off And Toppers: IIT Kanpur has declared JEE Advanced 2025 results at jeeadv.ac.in. Final answer key also released. JEE Advanced 2025 result declared at jeeadv.ac.in, check scorecard on the above window. (Image source: jeeadv.ac.in) JEE Advanced 2025 Results, Cut Off And Toppers: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has announced the JEE Advanced 2025 results today, June 2. Candidates who appeared for the exam can now check their scores on the official website jeeadv.ac.in. Along with the results, the final answer key for JEE Advanced 2025 has also been released. JEE Advanced Result 2025 Direct Link Recommended Stories JEE Advanced Final Answer Key 1 Direct Link JEE Advanced Final Answer Key 2 Direct Link JEE Advanced 2025 Cut-Off Link To check and download the scorecard, candidates need to visit the official website and click on the result link available on the homepage. After entering their login credentials, the result will be displayed on the screen. Candidates are advised to verify all details carefully and download or print the scorecard for future reference. The JEE Advanced 2025 exam was held on May 18 in two shifts one each for Paper 1 and Paper 2. Based on feedback from students and subject experts, the mathematics section was reportedly the toughest, while physics and chemistry were relatively balanced in difficulty. JoSAA 2025 Counselling: Whats Next After JEE Advanced 2025? Candidates who have qualified in JEE Advanced 2025 will now take part in the JoSAA 2025 counselling process for admission to premier engineering institutes, including IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other Government-Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs). The registration and choice-filling for academic programmes through JoSAA will begin on June 3, 2025. Aspirants are advised to visit the official JoSAA website regularly for updates, detailed instructions, and the complete counselling schedule. ALSO READ: List Of Top 20 IITs With Popular Courses JEE Advanced 2025 Toppers Rank Name Marks Zone 1 Rajit Gupta 332 IIT Delhi 2 Saksham Jindal 332 IIT Delhi 3 Majid Mujahid Husain 330 IIT Bombay 4 Parth Mandar Vartak 327 IIT Bombay 5 Ujjwal Kesari 324 IIT Delhi 6 Akshat Kumar Chaurasia 321 IIT Kanpur 7 Sahil Mukesh Deo 321 IIT Bombay 8 Devesh Pankaj Bhaiya 319 IIT Delhi 9 Arnav Singh 319 IIT Hyderabad 10 Vadlamudi Lokesh 317 IIT Hyderabad What Is JEE Advanced? JEE Advanced is a national-level entrance exam conducted annually for admission to undergraduate engineering programmes at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). It is considered one of the most challenging engineering entrance exams in India. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Only candidates who qualify the JEE Main exam and rank among the top performers are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced. The exam tests a candidates understanding of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics through two papers, both of which are mandatory. Scores obtained in JEE Advanced are used not just for admission to the 23 IITs, but also considered by a few other prestigious institutes like IISc Bangalore, IISERs, IIST, and RGIPT for select courses. 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: June 02, 2025, 07:56 IST Who Is Devdutta Majhi? JEE Advanced Female Topper From West Bengal Board Secured AIR 16 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 19:31 IST JEE Advanced Results 2025: Devdatta Majhi has secured the top rank in the girls' category and an overall rank of 16. She also scored full marks in JEE Main session 2. Devdatta Majhi achieved an impressive 697 out of 700 marks in the Madhyamik examination of 2023 (File Photo) Many students from Hindi-medium backgrounds often face language-related challenges in exams like JEE, NEET, and UPSC. However, Devdutta Majhi from West Bengal has proved otherwise. The youngster from Katwa in West Bengal has topped the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced 2025, despite attending a Bengali-medium school. She has secured the top rank in the girls category and an overall rank of 16. She scored 312 out of 360 marks in the IIT entrance exam. Devdutta also excelled in the JEE Main 2025 exam, participating in both sessions. She achieved an All India Rank (AIR) of 15 in the January session of JEE Main. Later, she gained significant attention by scoring a perfect 300 out of 300 in the second session of JEE Main. Recommended Stories Talking about her preparation journey, Devdutta said, I never used mobile for entertainment or relaxation. I just focused on my studies. I focused on the theory part followed by problems. This combination for each topic helps to make the concept strong. It is true for each subject. I found chemistry to be difficult and challenging at times." She also took coaching from FIITJEE. I would like to tell the students that hard work has no substitute. They must keep doing it and must have belief in themselves," she added. Hailing from the village of Jambad in the Adasha block of the Purulia district in West Bengal, Devdutta has consistently been a top performer throughout her academic journey, even during her school days. She attended Durgadasi Choudhary Girls High School in Katwa. She achieved an impressive 697 out of 700 marks in the Madhyamik examination of 2023, which is 99.57 per cent, thereby securing the first rank. She also secured rank 6 in HS exams. Devdutta aspires to study BTech from IISC Bangalore. Earlier she had qualified Indian National Physics Olympiad (INPhO). top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ALSO READ | Meet Delhis Ujjawal Kesari, Who Secured AIR 5 In JEE Advanced And Aims To Join IISc Bangalore Her father, Jayant Majhi, is a Physics professor at BB College in Asansol, and her mother, Seli Devi, teaches at Durgadasi Choudhrani Girls High School in Katwa. She studied up to class 5 at a school in her village Jambad. Following her parents job transfers, the family moved to Katwa. 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: June 02, 2025, 19:18 IST Bihar Election: Where Will Chirag Paswan Contest From? Posters Drop Big Clue Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 13:14 IST Chirag Paswan may contest the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections from a general seat, sparking speculation and local mobilisation with posters promoting him as Bihar's "hope". Chirag Paswan's move could reshape Bihar's electoral battlefield. (PTI Photo) Political temperatures in Bihar are soaring ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections, and at the centre of the rising heat is a familiar name, Chirag Paswan. The union minister and chief of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) triggered a fresh wave of speculation by signalling his intent to contest the upcoming elections, possibly for the first time from a general seat in the state Assembly. This move, if confirmed, could reshape the contours of Bihars electoral battlefield. The speculation gained traction after a social media post by Jamui MP and Paswans brother-in-law, Arun Bharti, said, When the leader is of the whole of Bihar, then why should the scope of the seat be limited?". He further urged that Paswan should contest not from a reserved seat, but from a general one framing him as the pan-Bihar alternative and a unifying figure beyond caste lines. Recommended Stories The workers also feel that this time @iChiragPaswan ji should not contest from any reserved seat in the Bihar assembly elections, but from a general seat Chirag Paswan is now the hope of the whole of Bihar, not just one community," Bharti said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Within hours, the streets of Patna and Sheikhpura were dotted with posters heralding the arrival of what supporters have dubbed the future of Bihar". The messaging was overtly ambitious and emotionally charged, Chirag is the name of Bihars hope only he can stop migration, provide employment, and reform the health system." The posters featured slogans such as 169 Sheikhpura Vidhan Sabha is waiting for you" and When the leader belongs to all of Bihar, why limit the seat?", reflecting a clear push from within the partys ranks. The posters were credited to Imam Ghazali, Sheikhpura district president of LJP (Ram Vilas), hinting at growing local-level mobilisation and enthusiasm for Paswans entry into the state legislative fray. Though an official declaration is still pending, the groundwork is visibly being laid. Speculation is not confined to Sheikhpura alone. Other constituencies being whispered in party circles include Danapur, Hajipur, and key general-category seats in Patna. Insiders believe Paswans potential entry is a calculated move, intended to expand his support base beyond his traditional Dalit constituency and solidify his image as a statewide leader with developmental credentials. His oft-repeated mantra, Bihar First, Bihari First," is being touted as the ideological cornerstone of this push. His political stock has risen considerably after the 2024 elections, where LJP (Ram Vilas) managed to win five Lok Sabha seats, bolstering Paswans influence within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The party is now eyeing a significantly larger share in the Assembly, reportedly staking claim to 40 seats, many currently held by the Janata Dal (United), a senior NDA ally. Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal added a layer of legitimacy to the ongoing buzz by publicly supporting Paswans right to choose his electoral path. Everyone has the right to make the best decision for themselves and their party," Jaiswal remarked, describing Paswan as a leader who is doing well" and hinting at an emerging consensus within NDA ranks, though the seat-sharing deal remains under negotiation. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Political analysts view Paswans interest in a general seat not just as symbolic outreach but also as strategic positioning within the NDA. It could give him greater leverage during alliance talks and offer his party an enhanced profile on the state Assembly map. Meanwhile, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress have reportedly begun reassessing their campaign strategies, with sources admitting that Paswans rising popularity, especially among young voters and first-time electors, could complicate their arithmetic. First Published: June 02, 2025, 13:05 IST Kejriwal Hits The Roads Again, Bets Big On Punjab & Gujarat Bypolls To Revive Political Fortunes Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 09:14 IST Kejriwals renewed campaign is important for AAP, which is awaiting a comeback after the party's debacle in the Delhi assembly polls Any victoryeven in bypollsis critical for AAP, which is seeking ways to remain politically relevant. (X @ArvindKejriwal) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has re-entered the election campaign trail, holding back-to-back roadshows in Punjabs Ludhiana West and Gujarats Visavadar assembly constituencies last week. Both these assemblies are set to go for bypolls on June 19. Kejriwals renewed campaign activity is important for AAP, which is awaiting a comeback after the partys debacle in the Delhi assembly polls. Any victoryeven in bypollsis critical for AAP, which is seeking ways to remain politically relevant. Recommended Stories After sweeping Delhi in 2015 and 2020, AAP suffered a major setback in 2025. Kejriwal, who served as chief minister for nearly a decade, lost his seat in 2025 and failed to return to the Delhi Assembly. Now, five assembly seats across four states are headed for bypolls and AAP is trying its luck in three of theseVisavadar and Kadi from Gujarat and Ludhiana West in Punjab. Both these statesPunjab and Gujaratwill go for assembly polls in 2027. Punjab: A Bid for Parliament After the partys defeat in Delhi, AAP and its leadership have shifted their focus to Punjab, the only other state where they are in power. The election in Punjabs Ludhiana West is critical for AAP for a number of reasons, including an opportunity for Kejriwal to get entry into Parliament. In February, AAP named its Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, Sanjeev Arora, to be its candidate for the Ludhiana West bypoll, even when the dates for the elections were not announced. https://www.news18.com/politics/arvind-kejriwal-heading-to-parliament-buzz-grows-louder-as-aap-fields-rs-member-in-bypoll-9241144.html The seat fell vacant following the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Singh Gogi in January. The rules state that the elections to fill a vacant seat have to be conducted within six months. The term of the Punjab Assembly will end in March 2027. While AAP already holds a comfortable majority in Punjab, a win in the Ludhiana West bypoll would reaffirm its public mandate. Last week, Arora filed his nomination for the bypoll. If he wins, he will have to let go of his Parliament membership. The Rajya Sabha seat then may be contested by Kejriwal, where the election will only be a formality, as out of 117 MLAs in Punjab, 93 are from AAP. On Friday, Kejriwal held a roadshow for Arora. While addressing the roadshow, Kejriwal said in 2022, his party got support from Punjab as they won 92 of 117 seats. Kejriwal said Arora has Ludhiana running through his veins" and the constituency cannot find a better candidate or MLA than him". , () pic.twitter.com/b5PIHVH9gq Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 30, 2025 The Ludhiana West assembly seat will see a four-way contest. The BJP has named Jiwan Gupta, while Congress is trusting its senior leader Bharat Bhushan Ashu. Among the list of candidates is also Shiromani Akali Dal leader Parupkar Singh Ghumman. While Punjab holds strategic importance for AAPs parliamentary ambitions, Gujarat presents a test of its grassroots strength against a long-dominant BJP that ended AAPs more than 10-year-old term in Delhi. Gujarat: Kejriwal Bets On Gopal Italia After holding the roadshow in Punjab on Friday, Kejriwal went to Gujarat on Saturday to campaign for Gopal Italia who is contesting from Visavadar. In the 2022 assembly polls, AAP was elected from Visavadar. However, sitting MLA Bhupendra Bhayani resigned from the party and moved to BJP earlier this year. Thus, the bypoll in the Visavadar seat became necessary. Though the BJP has ruled Gujarat since 1998, the Visavadar seat last elected the BJP in 2007. Speaking at the roadshow for the filing of Italias nomination papers, Kejriwal said for the last 18 years, the people of Visavadar have not allowed the BJP to enter, and the party has not been able to win an election here in all these years. He went on to say that the BJP is insulting Visavadar by horse-trading every elected MLA". BJP is openly saying that whoever the people of Visavadar elect, they will horse-trade with them. Challenging the BJP, I say that this time AAP has fielded its biggest heroGopal Italia. Let BJP try to break Gopal Italia, and I will quit politics. The people of Visavadar must elect Gopal Italia with a huge margin so that BJP gets a tight slap," he said. - , AAP AAP pic.twitter.com/nYNKXbSuoN Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 31, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Apart from the Visavadar seat, Kadiwhich is vacant due to the death of sitting BJP MLA Karsanbhai Punjabhai Solankiwill also go for bypolls. AAP has fielded Jagdish Chavda from the seat, who will file his nomination on Monday, the last day for nominations. All these bypolls will be held on June 19, and the counting will be held on June 23. These bypolls will not just decide immediate winners but could shape the political landscape of Punjab and Gujarat ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. 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: June 02, 2025, 09:14 IST From Textbooks To Banknotes, How Mujibur Rahman's Legacy Has Been Targeted Under Yunus Admin Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 11:48 IST On Sunday, Bangladesh issued new banknotes that no longer feature the portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangladesh will replace banknotes featuring the late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's portrait. (BD24NewsLIVE) Bangladesh has recently issued new banknotes that no longer feature the portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the nations founding president and father of the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had led Bangladesh to independence from Pakistan in 1971 and was assassinated along with most of his family in a 1975 coup. The new banknotes will now feature traditional landmarks of the country, marking a significant departure from the past designs. This move is seen as another attempt to diminish Mujibs legacy under the regime of Muhammad Yunus in Bangladesh. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a pivotal figure in Bangladeshs independence movement, has faced both symbolic and institutional challenges, especially during periods of intense political tension involving Muhammad Yunus, the countrys chief adviser. Recommended Stories Recurring Attacks on Mujibs Legacy Mujibs symbolic significance has faced several direct attacks. One of the most notable incidents occurred in December 2020 when a sculpture of Mujibur Rahman was vandalised in Kushtia. This act was widely condemned across the political spectrum and perceived as an insult to the nations founding values. Joy Bangla The use of the Joy Bangla" slogan has also been a contentious issue. In March 2020, the High Court declared Joy Bangla" as the official national slogan, underscoring its deep connection to the Liberation War. However, some political and civil society figures, often linked to non-partisan or oppositional circles, have refrained from using it in official forums and public speeches. The government criticized this reluctance as an intentional effort to erase Mujibs legacy. Although Yunus did not speak against the slogan, his broader circleoften depicted as elitist" or detached from 1971 values"was accused of enabling this cultural disengagement from the Liberation Wars ideological core. Legacy Wiped Off From Textbooks Controversy has also surrounded textbook revisions, with critics alleging efforts to minimize or omit references to Mujibs role in Bangladeshs history. The interim government has revised textbooks on the 1971 Liberation War to state that Ziaur Rahman declared the countrys independence, replacing the previous text that credited Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) of Bangladesh has made revisions to 441 textbooks used by primary, secondary, and higher secondary students. Over 40 crore textbooks are being produced for the 2025 academic year, as reported by The Daily Star. The new textbooks, with several changes, have been distributed among primary and secondary students since January 1. Mujiburs House Vandalised In early February 2025, Bangladesh witnessed a significant act of political unrest when protesters vandalized and set fire to the historic residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This residence at 32 Dhanmondi in Dhaka is where Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladeshs independence in 1971 and where he was assassinated in The house had been converted into a museum by his daughter, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. On February 5, 2025, thousands of protesters gathered outside the Dhanmondi residence in response to a social media campaign called the Bulldozer Procession." The protest coincided with a virtual address by Sheikh Hasina, who is in exile in India following her ousting in August 2024. As Hasina began her speech, demonstrators stormed the property, dismantled parts of the building, and set it ablaze. Heavy machinery, including cranes and excavators, was brought in to aid in the demolition. Currency Revamped On Sunday, Bangladesh issued new banknotes that no longer feature the portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Instead, the new notes will showcase natural landscapes and traditional landmarks of the country. Under the new series and design, the notes will not feature any human portraits but will instead showcase natural landscapes and traditional landmarks," said Arif Hossain Khan, a spokesman for Bangladesh Bank, to AFP. The notes for three of the nine different denominations were released on Sunday. The new notes will be issued from the central banks headquarters and later from its other offices across the country," Khan stated. Among the designs set to feature in Bangladeshs new banknotes are images of Hindu and Buddhist temples and historical palaces. They will also include artwork by the late painter Zainul Abedin, depicting the Bengal famine during British colonial rule. Another note will show the national martyrs memorial to honor those who died in the independence war against Pakistan. The other denominations of the notes will be released in phases. What Next top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The conflict is likely to intensify as multiple legal cases against Yunus progress through the courts. Allegations include violations of labor laws, improper handling of employee benefits at Grameen Telecom, and ongoing investigations by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) into alleged financial misconduct. In 2023, a group of employees filed formal complaints against Yunus and his associates, accusing them of withholding mandatory worker benefits. The Labor Court took cognizance of the charges, and the case is moving forward. Separately, the ACC has launched inquiries into potential misuse of donor funds, increasing legal pressure on the Nobel Laureate. If the courts rule against Yunus, it may not only affect his personal reputation but also reinforce the governments narrative about protecting national ideology. Meanwhile, with elections overdue, Bangladesh is facing political uncertainty. Sources have told CNN-News18 that Bangladesh Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman is determined to explore all options to remove Yunus from power. Sources say Zaman is considering various avenues, including exploiting constitutional ambiguities, to challenge Yunuss interim government. Intelligence sources highlight that the interim governments legal basis is fragile, as Bangladeshs constitution mandates elections within 90 days of a governments dissolution. Zaman plans to unite the parties of Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia to contest elections for the country, according to sources. 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: June 02, 2025, 11:48 IST Heavy Rains, Steep Slopes And Tough Terrain: Why Sikkim Is Prone To Landslides Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 17:04 IST Sikkim, susceptible to heavy monsoon rains, has experienced several deadly floods and landslides in recent years. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel clear debris from a road following landslides triggered by heavy rainfall, in North Sikkim. (Image: PTI) A devastating landslide hit an Army camp in Lachen, Sikkim, on Sunday, claiming the lives of at least three Army personnel and leaving six security personnel, including combatants, missing. Sikkim and other northeastern states have been battling heavy rains, floods, and landslides since Sunday. Over 1,500 tourists were stranded due to these conditions. Numerous videos on social media depicted the aftermath of a cloudburst in the state on the night of May 30 and 31. Recommended Stories The heavy rains in parts of Sikkim have caused extensive damage to roads and bridges, with the Teesta River dangerously overflowing. On Monday, the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department of Sikkim announced the restoration of the Chungthang-Phidang road in Mangan district, allowing the safe evacuation of stranded tourists to begin. Floods and Landslides in Sikkim Between 2023 and 2025 Sikkim, susceptible to heavy monsoon rains, has experienced several deadly floods and landslides in recent years. In August 2024, a massive landslide damaged HPCs Teesta V Hydropower Station, causing significant infrastructural damage, though casualty figures were not reported. In July 2024, a 40-year-old woman died when her vehicle was hit by large boulders near Sisney. This landslide led to the closure of National Highway 10, temporarily isolating the state. In October 2023, a cloudburst caused the South Lhonak Lake to overflow, resulting in a catastrophic flood. The Teesta III Dam was destroyed, 15 bridges were swept away, at least 10 people died, and 82 went missing, including 22 Army personnel. In August 2023, a 4-year-old child died when a landslide destroyed their home. Continuous rainfall during this period led to multiple landslides in the region. In July 2023, a 40-year-old man was killed in a landslide that damaged several houses in Lingzya village, triggered by heavy rains. Why Sikkim Is Prone to Floods and Landslides With the Himalayas in North India drawing large crowds, tourists have increasingly turned to Sikkim for its majestic Himalayan views. The states remote areas often remain disconnected from the mainland due to inadequate infrastructure, leading to more urbanization, road construction, hydropower projects, and urban expansion involving large-scale hill cutting and deforestation. These activities weaken slope integrity. In addition to man-made factors, Sikkim is geologically part of the young and fragile Himalayan mountain system. The rocks in this region are relatively weak and fractured, making them more prone to slope failure. Unlike the western Himalayas, the eastern Himalayas are more tectonically active, experiencing frequent earthquakes and tremors that destabilize the terrain. Topographically, Sikkims landscape is characterized by extremely steep slopes and narrow valleys, making the region more vulnerable to landslides, especially during periods of intense rainfall. An official release on Monday mentioned, Rescue teams are relentlessly working around the clock under extremely challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions to locate and rescue the six personnel who remain missing." The state is also known for receiving heavy and concentrated monsoon rains, often exceeding 3,000 mm annually, which quickly saturate the soil and trigger landslides. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sikkim is also home to several glacial lakes that are growing due to melting glaciers. These lakes pose a risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), which can trigger massive landslides downstream. With the Teesta River swelling and causing massive devastation in the state, and ongoing rainfall, authorities have issued advisories urging residents and tourists to exercise caution and avoid high-risk areas. Emergency services are on high alert, and relief camps have been set up to accommodate displaced families. 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: June 02, 2025, 17:04 IST 'Trojan Horse', 'Pearl Harbour': Decoding Terms Used For Ukraines Drone Attack On Russia Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 18:19 IST Ukraine launched a daring drone strike over 4,000 km from the border deep inside Russia, targeting five Russian airbases and damaging 41 nuclear bombers and warplanes. Visuals of Ukraine's drone attack on Russia. (Reuters) On June 1, Ukrainian forces launched one of the most audacious drone operations in modern military history, targeting multiple Russian airbases across 4,000 km of hostile territory. The attack took place on the eve of US-brokered ceasefire talks between the two countries in Istanbul. Ukraines Security Service (SBU) carried out Operation Spiders Web, using first-person-view (FPV) drones, which were reportedly hidden inside makeshift wooden cabins and mounted on trucks that were parked near major military airbases. They were remotely triggered, damaging at least 41 Russian heavy bombers and other warplanes. Recommended Stories The daring attack on Russian military aircraft has led to comparisons with Pearl Harbour and Russian Trojan Horse. Ukraine claimed the attack caused $7 billion in damage and could deal a critical blow to Russias aerial capabilities as it could no longer manufacture more of these aircraft. Today, a brilliant operation was carried out on enemy territory, targeting only military objectives, specifically the equipment used to strike Ukraine. Russia suffered significant losses entirely justified and deserved," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trojan Horse The audacious drone operation by Ukraine was compared to the legendary Trojan War between the Greeks and the city of Troy in Anatolia (now Turkey) in the 12th and 13th century BC, where a similarly deceptive attack was used to cripple enemy forces. As per reports, Ukraine concealed at least 117 FPV drones in the ceilings of transportation containers, along with mobile wooden cabins. The cabins were taken near major Russian airbases and opened remotely, and the drones swarmed and hammered Russias bomber fleet, demolishing nearly one-thirds of bombers Moscow has. During the Trojan War, the Greeks had used deception to enter the city after a 10-year siege by constructing a giant wooden horse, disguising it as a gift that hinted at a truce. However, Greek soldiers were hiding inside the wooden horse. Once the horse was brought inside city walls, the soldiers hiding inside opened the gates of Troy, allowing Greek soldiers to enter and destroy the city. The Trojan War is famously known through Homers renowned poems Iliad and the Odyssey, describing several events of the Trojan War, centring on the horrors of war and the themes of anger, pride, honour, fate, and mortality. Pearl Harbour The drone attack is also being called Russias Pearl Harbour, referring to the surprise Japanese attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbour, which paved the way for the entry of America into World War II and marked a critical point in world history. After more than three years of war between Russia and Ukraine, the Ukrainian Army unleashed a devastating attack on Russias nuclear bombers and warplanes, which were originally designed to destroy the atomic weapons of the United States and Europe in case an all-out war broke out. Exploiting gaps in Russian intelligence, Ukrainian forces used a covert mission to deal a critical blow to Russias bomber fleet. Ukraine destroyed Russias TU-95 Bear" nuclear bombers, TU-22 Backfire" fast-attack bombers and A-50 Mainstay" command-and-control jets in the strike. These warplanes were at the heart of cruise missile strikes in Ukraine. This attack was reminiscent of Imperial Japans surprise attack on the Pearl Harbour base on December 7, 1941. Tensions between the US and Japan had reached a boiling point, after the imperial Army invaded Manchuria and China. After the US imposed strict trade restrictions on Japan, the latter launched pre-emptive strikes targeting airfields, battleships and other facilities at the strategic naval base located in Hawaii Japan managed to damage or sink at least 8 US battleships, while damaging or destroying three cruisers, three destroyers and 188 aircraft. More than 2,400 Americans were killed in the attack. On the next day, the US declared war on Japan and formally entered World War II. As the rivalry intensified into full-scale war, the US Navy turned the tide in its favour during the Battle of Midway, sinking four Japanese aircraft carriers. By 1945, Japan was on the brink of defeat when the US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, causing unprecedented destruction. In the aftermath, Japan surrendered unconditionally and eventually became a close ally of the United States. Why Is Ukraines Attack Significant? Ukraines SBU said that Operation Spiders Web was being planned for around 18 months. It differed from the sort of attacks Ukraine had unleashed so far, which were closer to areas adjoining Russias border. This time, drones were used 4,000 km from the border, reaching as far as Siberia. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Russias defence ministry confirmed on Telegram that several of its military aircraft caught fire", adding that there were no casualties. Russian authorities said it had arrested several suspects, including the driver of a truck from which a drone had taken off, state agencies said. The impact of the drone strike also provided insight into the changing modes of modern warfare. Rybar, a Telegram account that is close to the Russian military, called it a very heavy blow" for Moscow and pointed to what it called serious errors" by Russian intelligence. About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Location : Moscow, Russia First Published: June 02, 2025, 17:48 IST What Next For Russia, Ukraine? Istanbul Peace Talks Hang By A Thread Amid Drone Barrage Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 13:36 IST Despite the diplomatic overtures at a neutral negotiating table, hope for peace remains fragile as both Russia and Ukraine continue to square off in the battlefield While the resumption of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine offers a glimmer of hope, the substantial differences between the two nations pose significant challenges. (AFP) In a city that has long bridged continents and empires, a new kind of high-stakes diplomacy is set to unfold. On Monday, Russian and Ukrainian officials will meet face-to-face in Istanbul for the second round of direct peace talks since the war erupted in 2022going on to become Europes largest conflict since World War II. Despite the diplomatic overtures at a neutral negotiating table, hope for peace remains fragile as both Russia and Ukraine continue to square off in the battlefield and neither side appears ready to yield. Recommended Stories Mondays talks come a day after Ukraine carried out one of its most brazen and successful attacks ever on Russian soilhitting dozens of strategic bombers parked at airbases thousands of kilometres behind the front line. In Istanbul, during the first round of talks last month, both Russia and Ukraine agreed to a large-scale prisoner exchange and to swap notes on what their vision of a peace deal might look like. For Monday, while Russia says it will present a memorandum" of its peace terms, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refreshed his call for an immediate halt to the fighting. THE ROADBLOCKS For Ukraine, the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin from the negotiating table is an unwelcome move. As Zelenskyy stressed that key issues can only be resolved by the leaders", Russia has pushed back on the prospect, saying a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting could only happen after the negotiating delegations reach wider agreements". According to news agency AFP, Russias top negotiator in Istanbul will be Vladimir Medinsky, an ideological Putin aide who led failed talks in 2022, has written school textbooks justifying the invasion and questioned Ukraines right to exist. On the other hand, Ukraines team will be led by defence minister Rustem Umerov, a skilled and pragmatic negotiator, who has been mired in domestic scandal over alleged abuse of power and a lack of transparency. Apart from Putins absence, one of the biggest hurdles remains the disagreement over territoryas Ukraine demands full restoration of its borders, Russia insists on retaining influence over these areas. Ukraine also seeks strong security assurances, including guarantees against future aggression, often involving Western countries or alliances like NATO. Russia, meanwhile, opposes NATOs eastward expansion and demands Ukraine remain neutral. WAR RAGES ON The dichotomy of the peace talks on one hand and continued military actions on the ground on the other undermines trust and complicates diplomatic efforts. Ukraine on Sunday said it had damaged some 40 strategic Russian bombers, worth $7 billion, in a major special operation after months of setbacks for Kyivs military. Kyivs security service said the plan, 18 months in the making, had involved smuggling drones into Russia which were then launched from near the airbases, thousands of kilometres away from the front lines, AFP reported. Russian troops have meanwhile been advancing on the ground, particularly in the north-eastern Sumy region, where Putin ordered his forces to establish a buffer zone" along the border. On Monday, Russia claimed that its air defences intercepted 162 Ukrainian drones in a massive overnight attack across several regions. The new wave of drones targeted multiple cities and industrial facilities overnight on June 2, according to Russian Telegram channels. Explosions and air raid sirens were reported in at least six oblasts, including Voronezh, Kursk, Lipetsk, Ryazan, Ivanovo, and Volgograd. THE TRUMP FACTOR Trump has demanded that Russia and Ukraine make peace, but so far they have not, and the White House has repeatedly warned the United States will walk away" from the war if the two sides are too stubborn to reach a peace deal. Reuters reported that according to Trump envoy Keith Kellogg, the two sides will present their respective documents outlining their ideas for peace terms, though it is clear that after three years of war Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart. Kellogg has indicated that the US will be involved in the talks and that even representatives from Britain, France and Germany will be too, though it was not clear at what level the United States would be represented. Trumps positions on the Russia-Ukraine war have often appeared inconsistentmarked by flip-flops that reflect a blend of personal instincts, political calculation, and shifting geopolitical realities. For instance, just days before Russias full-scale military escalation in February 2022, Trump described Vladimir Putin as smart", savvy", and a genius for recognising separatist regions in eastern Ukraine. However, as public and international condemnation of Russia grew, Trump began saying that the invasion wouldnt have happened if he were president. After months of clashing with Zelenskyyincluding on live televisionTrump has undergone a shift, slamming Putin for having gone absolutely crazy" and for needlessly killing a lot of people" including Ukrainian citizens for no reason whatsoever". He has warned that 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!" According to New York Times, Trump told Zelenskyy and other European leaders that Russia and Ukraine would have to resolve the war themselves, just days after saying that only he and Putin had the power to broker a deal. He also seemed to step back from his own threats to join a European pressure campaign that would include new sanctions on Russia, according to six officials who were familiar with the discussion who spoke to NYT revealing that the US President now stands at a crossroads, unable to broker peace in a conflict he had promised to resolve in just 24 hours". WHAT LIES AHEAD? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all While the resumption of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine offers a glimmer of hope, the substantial differences between the two nations pose significant challenges. Ukraines insistence on sovereignty and territorial integrity contrasts with Russias demands, and the involvement of international stakeholders adds layers of complexity to the negotiations. Given that there is no easy solution to a war, what both Russia and Ukraine could agree to may be a continued military stalemate with high-level diplomatic pressure in the short term and potential for ceasefire agreements if battlefield conditions become unsustainable. About the Author Apoorva Misra Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. M... Read More Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. M... Read More Location : Turkey First Published: June 02, 2025, 13:26 IST After Sierra Leone, Liberia Observes Silence In Memory Of Pahalgam During All-Party Team's Visit Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 22:45 IST Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde's all-party team met Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr, foreign minister Sarah Beysolow Nyanti and other leaders as well as officials A multi-party delegation of India led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde visited UAE, Congo, Liberia and Sierra Leone to convey India's message on terror. (Image: @FreetownHci/PTI) Liberia expressed its support to India in its fight against terrorism as its Parliament observed a minutes silence in memory of the victims killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. This was the second time, after Sierra Leone, that a country offered its condolences to the all-party delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde. On their final day of the four-nation tour, the team was warmly received in Liberia. Recommended Stories Shindes team met Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr, foreign minister Sarah Beysolow Nyanti and other leaders as well as officials. They then went on to meet the speaker and the pro-term speaker from the Liberian Parliament along with members of the Senate. According to sources, this Indian delegation was assured that Liberia will stand shoulder to shoulder with India in its fight against terrorism and will support the country on every possible front. It should be noted that Liberias support comes at a time when it is scheduled to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Shindes team conveyed Indias united" resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations" and expressed concerns that cross-border terrorism was Pakistans only agenda. It spoke at length about the importance of Operation Sindoor, why it is on pause and not completed yet. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all During the meeting, Shinde also spoke before the Senate. His team will wrap up its visit in Liberia and return to India on the morning of June 4. The delegation will have a debriefing with external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar on June 5. Shinde is the youngest MP in all seven delegations to lead one. The team left India about 10 days ago and embarked on a visit to the UAE, Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and Liberia. First Published: June 02, 2025, 22:41 IST Air India To Shift From Turkish Technic's Maintenance Works Amid Diplomatic Tensions Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 07:03 IST Air India is reducing reliance on Turkish Technic for wide-body aircraft maintenance, amid rising tensions between India with Turkey over its support for Pakistan. A file photo of an Air India aircraft (PTI) In the wake of the recent strains between India and Turkey, Air India is looking to send its wide-body planes, whose heavy maintenance is being done by Turkish Technic, to other MRO entities. The move was confirmed by CEO Campbell Wilson, against the backdrop of Turkiye backing Pakistan and condemning Indias strikes on terror camps in the neighbouring country following the Pahalgam terror attack. Recommended Stories On May 15, aviation security watchdog Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked the security clearance for Turkish company Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd in the interest of national security". Later, on May 30, aviation safety regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted a one-time final extension of three months to IndiGo on damp leasing of two Boeing 777 aircraft from Turkish Airlines till August 31 but directed the airline to terminate the lease within the three months. In an exclusive interview with news agency PTI, the Air India CEO and MD, on being asked about some of Air Indias wide-body aircraft being sent to Turkish Technic for maintenance works, said it is a global business and supply chain. It does take a while to adjust when the circumstances change around us, but we are obviously sensitive to the national sentiment and perhaps the national wishes. So, regardless of which country we are talking about, we would clearly take cognisance of what people like us to do and expect us to do," he said. Heavy maintenance works of some of the airlines wide-body B777s and B787s are done by Turkey-based Turkish Technic. In the short term, Wilson said the airline needs to send some aircraft for MRO works overseas to places in the Middle East, South East Asia, the US and in a couple of cases, business to Turkish Technic, as it will take some time for India to have the capacity to do such works. With this most recent development, we will look to recalibrate where we send our aircraft, reduce the amount that we are sending to Turkiye and send it to other places. But that does take some time because aircraft have to be maintained we are cognisant of recent developments and we will look to adjust our plans," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all MRO refers to Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul. Currently, Air India has a fleet of 191 planes, including 64 wide-body aircraft. 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: June 02, 2025, 07:03 IST Anna University Sexual Assault Accused Gnanasekaran Sentenced To Minimum 30-Year Jail Term Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 18:08 IST Gnanesekaran was sentenced to 30 years of life imprisonment and fined Rs 90,000 in the December 2024 Anna University sexual assault case. Anna University sexual assault case accused Gnanesekaran (Social Media) Gnanesekaran, accused in the Anna University sexual assault case, was on Monday awarded life imprisonment for 30 years. Pronouncing the verdict, the Chennai Mahila Court also asked Gnanesekaran to pay a fine of Rs 90,000. Recommended Stories On May 28, the Mahila Court found the accused, Gnanesekaran, guilty of all eleven charges in the Anna University sexual abuse case. The accused was convicted under 11 sections, after the Opposition alleged he had close links with DMK leaders, including Tamil Nadus Deputy Chief Minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami had welcomed the courts verdict last week. The court has given its verdict today in the sexual abuse case. In this case, the AIADMK protested against the incident, and the voices of the students were heard. As a result of the following and a series of investigations, criminal charges were filed against the accused. The decision given by the court on the basis of documents is welcome," he said. THE ANNA UNIVERSITY SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE On December 24, 2024, a 19-year-old second-year student of Anna University was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man on the campus. The incident had led to protests by AIADMK MLAs and several other political parties, who raised concerns about the state governments handling of the case. The parties accused the DMK government of going slow on the case. Later, on January 9, the AIADMK MLAs protested symbolically by wearing black shirts on the first day of the Tamil Nadu assembly session, which commenced on January 6. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin assured that his government stands with the victim and highlighted that the accused was arrested shortly after the incident. However, the protests continued with the AIADMK alleging the DMK government in the state was incapable of preventing incidents of sexual assaults against women and children. 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: June 02, 2025, 10:57 IST Autistic Boys Sexually Assaulted, Burnt With Cigarettes At 'Illegal' Dehradun School Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 15:56 IST The caretaker has been arrested and booked under sections of the BNS and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accused was arrested after a complaint was filed in the matter (Representative image) Two autistic brothers, both minors, were allegedly sexually assaulted and physically tortured by a school caretaker in an illegally run school in Dehradun. The incident reportedly came to light when the children informed their mother, who was visiting them, that the caretaker would sexually assault them, beat them with an iron rod, and burn them with cigarettes. Recommended Stories Following the disclosure, the mother filed a complaint, and the 29-year-old man was arrested on Saturday, PTI reported, citing officials. The accused, originally from Ghazipur district in Uttar Pradesh, was residing in Kargi Chowk, Dehradun. In her complaint, the mother alleged that her children were subjected to physical and sexual abuse by the school caretaker. An FIR has been registered, and the accused has been charged under sections of the POSCO Act, police said. The children have undergone medical examinations, and the Child Welfare Committee has been informed of the incident. Police are reviewing CCTV footage and other evidence from the school as part of their investigation. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In a separate incident earlier this month, a teacher at a private school in Delhi was charged with allegedly harassing a five-year-old child with special needs. The teacher reportedly tied the students hands and taped his mouth in front of other students. The school principal, upon learning of the incident, informed the police, and a complaint was subsequently filed. Location : Dehradun, India, India First Published: June 02, 2025, 15:56 IST 'Pran Pratishtha' At Ayodhya Ram Mandir From Today: How This Is Different From 2024 Consecration Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 00:14 IST The 'pran pratishtha' last year primarily focused on the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol in the main temple. This one will focus on consecrating the idols of Ram Darbar The three-day 'pran pratishtha' of Ram Darbar will coincide with the festival of Ganga Dussehra. (Image: PTI/File) Ayodhya is all set to witness another historic pran pratishtha, which will be held from June 3 to 5, in the Ram Mandir premises. The three-day event at Ram Darbar is likely to be attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, but this is not yet confirmed as this ceremony is strictly for devotees and sans a high-profile guest list. Recommended Stories The consecration, meant for the Ram Darbar (housing the divine family) will coincide with the festival of Ganga Dussehra. Invitation letters were sent to religious leaders and saints across India. This marks the end of the second phase of the construction of the Ram Mandir, following the grand pran pratishtha of the Ram Lalla idol on January 22, 2024. But, what is the difference between this consecration and the one that took place last year? Both the pran pratishtha ceremonies will be different when it comes to the focus of the rituals. The one last year primarily focused on the consecration of the Ram Lalla (infant) idol in the main temple. But, this one will focus on consecrating the idols of Ram Darbar featuring the complete divine family of Ram, Sita, Laxman, Bharat, Shatrughn, and Hanuman and 14 newly constructed temples inside the complex. The pran pratishtha on January 22, 2024, marked the main consecration of the temple and the installation of Ram Lalla in the main sanctum. This one, however, is a new round, establishing Ram Darbar on the first floor sanctum (garbhagriha) and the consecration of the other temples. The ceremony last year was the initial installation of the primary deity, while these will expand the consecration to other parts of the temple complex. WHAT WILL HAPPEN DURING THE CEREMONY? The event will have 101 vedic scholars from Kashi and Ayodhya, who will reportedly conduct elaborate ceremonies including yagyashala worship, recitation from Valmikis Ramayana, chanting of vedic mantras, and traditional pran pratishtha rituals. Before these rituals, a Kalash Yatra will be carried out from Saryu Ghat to the Ram Mandir. Idols of Ram, Laxman, and Sita will be installed on the first floor of the temple. The new portions of the temple are expected to be opened to the public within a week of the June 5 ceremony. Remaining construction work within the temple complex is likely to be completed by September or October. The invitations for the event describe the rectangular circle being built around the main sanctum, at the corners of which temples will be located and on the northern and southern sides of the circle. The invitation states that consecration will be held in temples dedicated to Hindu deities, including Shiva, Ganesha, Hanuman, Surya, Bhagwati, Annapurna and Sheshavatar. It said the rituals will begin at 6.30 am on June 3 and 4 and continue till 6.30 pm, while on the closing day, June 5, the events will end by 1 pm. Each of the eight temples being prepared for the rituals will have two householders serving as patrons and two saints acting as witnesses, as outlined in the official communication. The trust has arranged for morning refreshments and lunch within the temple premises. Dinner, however, is expected to be taken at the invitees respective ashrams. The trusts invitation emphasises the spiritual significance of the event and urges religious leaders to lend their presence to the ceremonies as sacred witnesses. The Ram Darbar is of 4.5 ft. All the other sculptures are built according to thatit has idols of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, the sun god, Goddess Durga, Lord Hanuman, Saptrishi, Shatrughan, Bharat, annapurana and many others. The idols of Ram and Sita are made from one stone, while the other idols are made of another stone" sculptor Satyanarayan, who shared insights into the intricate preparations for the sacred idols, told news agency ANI. WHAT ABOUT DEVOTEES? Despite the scale of the rituals and ceremonies, the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra has assured that devotees will be able to have uninterrupted darshan. The trust has put in place all necessary arrangements to ensure that visitors from India and abroad can visit the temple during this period. According to officials, even during high-profile visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Supreme Court justices, darshan has remained open to the public. A dedicated route for dignitaries ensures that general devotees are not inconvenienced. A large number of devotees have already started coming in, for which guidelines have been issued. Champat Rai, general secretary of the Ram Mandir Trust, has made an appeal to the people not to rush to Ayodhya for pran pratishtha. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all You should come to Ayodhya in the same order. We have not specially invited anyone. Right now there are no such conditions. There may be trouble due to the heat. Devotees should come to Ayodhya at their own convenience," Rai said. (With PTI 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: June 02, 2025, 18:48 IST Active Covid-19 Cases In India Surge To 3,961; Delhi Reports Maximum In 24 Hours Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 11:59 IST India reported 203 new Covid-19 cases, the data on June 2 showed, with active cases rising to 3,961 and four new deaths recorded. Delhi has the highest active cases. A representative photo showing procedures for Covid-19 testing (PTI) India reported 203 new cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, taking the total active cases in the country to 3,961, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated on Monday. According to the data, Delhi reported 47 new cases the maximum among all states, followed by 44 in West Bengal. A total of 35 new Covid-19 cases were reported from Kerala in the past 24 hours, while Maharashtra reported 21 new active cases. Recommended Stories However, at 1,435, Kerala presently has the highest number of total active cases. The total active cases in Maharashtra were 506, in Delhi, there were 483 active cases, Gujarat reported a total of 338 active cases, and West Bengal reported 331 total active cases in the past 24 hours. Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala also reported one death each in the past 24 hours due to Covid-19. ALSO READ | US To No Longer Recommend Covid-19 Vaccines For Healthy Children And Pregnant Women Since January 1, 2025, Kerala and Maharashtra reported seven deaths each due to Covid-19. Four deaths were reported from Karnataka, and three from Delhi. The country has reported 28 deaths so far this year due to the coronavirus. Meanwhile, a total of 383 Covid-19 patients recovered from the infection in the past 24 hours. On May 29, a 63-year-old man with co-morbidities and who tested positive for Covid-19 died at a private hospital in Bengaluru. He was admitted to a private hospital in Bengaluru Urban (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike limits) on May 21 after he complained of weakness and died a week later. According to the health department statement, the elderly patient who was fully vaccinated was on post-operative chemotherapy and had co-morbidities like pulmonary TB with squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa. Earlier, a 60-year-old woman who was suffering from acute intestinal obstruction died of Covid-19 in Delhi. Last week, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said 19 Covid patients were hospitalised in Delhi, but there was no need to worry. The Delhi government is alert and hospitals are ready, the Chief Minister told reporters at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital in the national capital. 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," Gupta said. She also underlined the need for people to remain cautious. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Last week, the Delhi government issued an advisory to hospitals, asking them to ensure availability of beds, medicines and oxygen. ALSO READ | Updated Covid Vaccines Not Urgently Needed With Mild Surge: Former CSIR-IGIB Chief To News18 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: June 02, 2025, 09:52 IST Dalit Girl Dies After Rape, Knife Attack; Congress Alleges Hours-Long Wait Outside Patna Hospital Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 16:45 IST A nine-year-old Dalit girl from Muzaffarpur, Bihar, died after being raped and stabbed. She waited hours for treatment at Patna Medical College, as per Congress leader. On May 26, a minor girl was raped in her village in Muzaffarpur and brought to PMCH in a critical condition. (Representative image) A nine-year-old Dalit girl, who was raped and stabbed in Bihars Muzaffarpur, died at a state-run hospital in Patna after she was left waiting for hours on Sunday. On May 26, a minor girl was raped in her village in Muzaffarpur. According to an official, the girl was brought to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) in a critical condition. Recommended Stories State Congress president Rajesh Ram alleged that the rape victim had to wait in an ambulance for several hours on Saturday because of the beds unavailability in the hospital. The incidents purported video was shared on social media platforms, which Ram said exposed the insensitivity of the government and the hospital administration. Speaking about the case, a police officer said, The girl died this morning. Her throat and chest were brutally slashed by the accused. He had also attempted to kill her by slitting her throat. Her vocal cords were damaged, and she was unable to speak. The accused was arrested." Congress Slams NDA Government In Bihar Reacting to the incident, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X wrote, The brutality against a minor Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur and the subsequent negligence in her treatment is extremely shameful. If she had received timely treatment, her life could have been saved. But the double-engine government was negligent not only in providing security but also in saving her life. We will not sit quietly until the victims family gets justice. Strict action should be taken against the culprits and negligent officers." On Sunday, the state Congress chief said, It is a heart-wrenching incident and an insult to our state, headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar." The victim died as the law and order and the health system in the state have collapsed. The NDA government in the state and the PMCH administration are solely responsible for the death of the girl. The incident has exposed the insensitivity of the government, the CM and the PMCH," he said. Rathore claimed that the victim was referred to PMCH from Muzaffarpur and she was taken to the state-run hospital at 11 am on Saturday. It took the hospital administration more than four hours to provide her a bed, and she was finally admitted there after 3 pm. She was admitted after our intervention. The girl succumbed to her injuries on Sunday morning," the Congress leader said. Later in the day, Congress workers also took out protests across the state against the NDA government and the PMCH administration. The police said that the girl was raped by the accused who lured her on the pretext of offering chocolate and took her to a maize field. PMCH Refutes Allegations top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Reacting to the incident, Dr Abhijit Singh, Incharge Superintendent of PMCH Patna, said, The girl was admitted at Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital in Muzaffarpur on 26th May. She had neck injuries and internal injuries After she came here, the doctor examined her in the ambulance. She was taken to the ICU, and doctors from all departments treated her for the entire night. If such an incident takes place with anyone, the family will make allegations of negligence. We actively treated her right after we learned about this case. The doctor examined her in the ambulance, and then she was admitted too." (With inputs from PTI) First Published: June 02, 2025, 12:12 IST Floods, Landslides Batter Northeastern States Amid Rain Fury, Death Toll Rises To 34 | Updates Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 11:15 IST Northeast Floods: Earlier on Sunday, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Assam Rifles were roped to assist in the rescue operation of people stranded amid floodwaters. People wade through floodwater following heavy rainfall, at Kampur area, in Nagaon district, Assam. (PTI) Northeast Floods: At least 34 people have died as the northeast states Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and others reel under heavy rain in the past three days. Several regions in these states are experiencing flooding, landslides and increasing river water levels. Earlier on Sunday, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Assam Rifles were roped to assist in the rescue operation of people stranded amid floodwaters. Recommended Stories 19 Districts Hit In Assam In Assam, 764 villages across 19 districts have been hit in flash floods, affecting 3.6 lakh people across Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Hailakandi, Hojai, Kamrup, Dhemaji, Nagaon, Sribhumi, Darrang, Karbi Anglong, Sonitpur, DimaHasao, Biswanath, Cachar, Sivasagar, Majuli, Golaghat, Tinsukia, and Karbi Anglong West districts. According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) flood reports, one person drowned in flood waters in Sribhumi district, while a child lost his life after drowning in flood waters in Cachar district. With two more deaths, the toll of flood and landslides in Assam have gone up to 10. Assam Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said the state government has announced Rs 4 lakh compensation to the families of victims. The ASDMA report has said that over one lakh people have been affected in Cachar, while over 83 thousand have been affected in Sribhumi, 62 thousand in Nagaon, 46 thousand in Lakhimpur, 19 thousand in Tinsukia, 10 thousand in Dibrugarh. As per the ASDMA report, over 55,000 people have taken shelter in 155 relief camps and distribution centres set up by the district administration in the flood affected areas, while the Air Force, NDRF, SDRF, fire and emergency services, Civil defence and local administration have engaged in rescue operations. Tourists Stranded In Sikkim More than 1,200 tourists have been stranded in north Sikkim. Evacuation was scheduled for Sunday, but fresh landslides came in the way. Eight tourists who went missing on May 29 after their vehicle plunged into the Teesta River at Munshithang, are yet to be traced. In Meghalaya, 10 districts have been affected by flash floods and landslides. More than 10,000 people have been affected by flash floods in Tripura. 1500 Rescued In Manipur Meanwhile, in Manipur, the Assam Rifles, with the Army and fire officials, have rescued over 1500 people, providing them with relief materials. Commanding officer of 33 Assam Rifles Colonel Radha Krishnan said that over 1500 people have been rescued in Imphal East and West. So far, we have rescued around 1500 people from Imphal East and West. Eight columns and four reserve columns are deployed on the ground, helping the people," he said as quoted by news agency ANI. 9 Dead In Arunachal Pradesh Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu offered condolences to the families of the people who died due to massive landslides triggered by incessant monsoon rains since last few days across the state and announced ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of the deceased. At least 9 deaths have been reported in the state, seven in East Kameng district and two in Ziro valley. Expecting more rain in the coming days, Khandu has called upon the people to remain vigilant and maintain extreme caution. He appealed to all not to travel, especially during the night, if not absolutely necessary, as almost all rivers, rivulets, and streams across the state are in spate, he advised all not to venture into rivers and urged dwellers in vulnerable areas to move to safer locations. My heart goes out to the departed souls. Our prayers are with them. Lets maintain extreme caution and remain vigilant to avoid further loss of lives," he added. Amit Shah Dials CMs, Assures Help Yesterday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with the Chief Ministers of Assam, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh and the Governor of Manipur, and assured of every possible help to the flood-affected areas in the northeast region. "Spoke with the Chief Ministers of Assam, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh and the Governor of Manipur in the wake of ongoing heavy rainfall in their states. Also assured them of every possible help to tackle any situation. The Modi government stands like a rock in support of the people of the Northeast," Shah had said in a post on X. IMD Predicts More Showers The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast for more showers in the northeastern region until June 5. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Thunderstorm and lightning warnings over isolated places in Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura have been issued by the IMD till June 4, with heavy rainfall also expected over Arunachal, Assam, and Meghalaya. (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 : Guwahati [Gauhati], India, India First Published: June 02, 2025, 07:27 IST How Russias Iskander, Which Outsmarted US Patriot In Ukraine, Compares To BrahMos | Explained Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 13:02 IST Indias BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile developed jointly with Russia, while the Iskander is a tactical ballistic missile with different design and operational roles The Iskander system uses ground-to-ground missiles capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. (AP/File) In the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russias recent use of Iskander missiles has drawn international attention after they reportedly bypassed the US-made Patriot defence system and struck their targets with precision. Reports indicate that the missile strikes came in retaliation to a Ukrainian drone attack and have raised fresh concerns in the United States over the evolving capabilities of Russian weaponry. According to defence experts, the Patriot defence system is comparable to the Russian-made S-400, which is currently in use by India. In the latest strike, Russia claims to have destroyed Ukrainian drone launchers. Recommended Stories The Russian Iskander missile, officially known as the 9K720 Iskander, is a highly advanced tactical ballistic missile system designed for short-to medium-range precision strikes. With a speed of 6 to 7 Mach and an accuracy of 5 to 7 meters, it falls under the hypersonic class of missiles. The Iskander has a range of 500 to 1,000 kilometers and was inducted into the Russian military in 2006. The Iskander system uses ground-to-ground missiles capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. Its most advanced variant, the Iskander-M, is specifically designed to meet the demands of modern warfare. With a range of 50 to 500 kilometers, it can effectively target military bases, command centers and air defense systems. Its key strengths lie in its mobility, precision and radar-evading capabilities. Deployed on a mobile launcher, the system is easy to relocate and can be rapidly deployed across different terrains. How Strong Is The Iskander? The Iskander missile system is renowned for its speed, precision, and radar-evading capabilities. The system follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory, allowing the missile to perform unpredictable maneuvers mid-flight, which makes interception extremely difficult. The advanced Iskander-M variant further enhances its survivability by deploying radar decoys that confuse enemy air defense systems. Did The Iskander Break Through US Patriot Defence System? During the ongoing Ukraine conflict, Russia claimed that its Iskander-M missile effectively challenged the US-made Patriot air defence system (MIM-104 Patriot). In May 2025, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuri Ihnat acknowledged that the Iskander-M possesses several advanced featuressuch as radar decoys and a quasi-ballistic trajectorythat make it a difficult target for the Patriot system. The decoys are designed to mislead radar tracking, while the missiles unpredictable flight path complicates the software-based interception calculations of the Patriot. Comparison With BrahMos Indias BrahMos missile system is a supersonic cruise missile developed through a joint venture between India and Russia, whereas the Iskander is a tactical ballistic missile. While both are advanced and powerful in their respective categories, they differ significantly in design, function, and purpose. They can be compared on the following key parameters: Speed And Trajectory: BrahMos flies at a speed of 2.8 to 3.0 Mach, classifying it as a supersonic missile, while the Iskander reaches hypersonic speeds of 6 to 7 Mach. BrahMos follows a low-altitude, sea-skimming or straight flight path. In contrast, the Iskander follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory. Range: BrahMos has a range of 290 to 800 km, with extended-range variants like the BrahMos-ER offering greater reach. The Iskander has a more limited range of up to 500 km, but its hypersonic speed enables it to strike targets with exceptional speed. Target And Use: BrahMos is primarily designed for precision strikes against ships and land-based targets. It is a versatile missile that can be launched from land, sea, air and submarines. The Iskander, on the other hand, is a tactical ballistic missile intended mainly for destroying high-value military targets and air defense systems. Radar Evasion: BrahMos features a low radar cross-section (RCS) and incorporates stealth technology to help it evade enemy radar detection. In contrast, the Iskander relies on radar decoys and unpredictable flight maneuvers. Use In War: BrahMos was recently deployed in the military conflict between India and Pakistan, demonstrating its effectiveness by penetrating Pakistans HQ-9B air defense system. The Iskander has also challenged the US-made Patriot system in Ukraine, though complete details about its impact remain unclear. Overall, the Iskander missile system symbolises Russias strategic strength, renowned for its hypersonic speed, precision, and radar-evasion capabilities. While it has exposed limitations in the Patriot system during the Ukraine conflict, claims of completely defeating it remain controversial. In contrast, the BrahMos stands as a prime example of Indias supersonic cruise missile technology, celebrated for its versatility and accuracy. Russia-Ukraine War On Google Trends The latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war has reignited the interest of Indian netizens in the European conflict, with the phrase Russia Ukraine war trending on Google on Monday. Searches for the keyword peaked around 3:30am on Monday. Most searches came from J&K, Delhi and Haryana. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Netizens also searched for related keywords like Ukraine war news, Ukraine Russia war news, Ukraine news, Russia Ukraine news, and Russia news. First Published: June 02, 2025, 12:34 IST India Signs FTAs, Pakistan Runs Free Terrorism Arrangement: Priyanka Chaturvedi Slams Islamabad Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 15:22 IST Priyanka Chaturvedi accused Islamabad of harbouring some of the worlds most wanted terrorists and promoting what she described as a global 'free terrorist arrangement' Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi. (Sansad TV via PTI Photo) In a scathing attack on Pakistan, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi accused Islamabad of harbouring some of the worlds most wanted terrorists and promoting what she described as a global free terrorist arrangement." Speaking at an event in London as part of an Indian multi-party delegation, Chaturvedi drew sharp contrasts between Indias economic diplomacy and Pakistans terror links. India is looking at trade, economy, and commerce while they are looking at a free terrorist arrangement across the world. That is what we need to expose," she said, noting that India has recently concluded free trade agreements with countries like the UK and Australia, and is negotiating similar pacts with the EU and the US. Recommended Stories The difference between India and Pakistan is this, while India is signing FTA Free Trade Agreement, Pakistan is indulging in its own version of FTA- Free Terrorism Arrangement globally. This is what we are here to expose pic.twitter.com/z1CPwficgi Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) June 1, 2025 Highlighting Pakistans long-standing record of providing safe haven to terrorists, Chaturvedi remarked, While we host the G20, they host the T20. The top 20 terrorists of the world will be found being hosted by the Pakistani state government. It is their stated policy." Citing the example of Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, who was found and killed in Abbottabad, Pakistan, she accused Islamabad of aiding, financing, and sheltering terrorists while pretending to be an ally of the West. They shake hands with you, but they bite you on your back," she added. Chaturvedi also praised Indias armed forces for the strikes carried out under Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that claimed 26 lives. She said over 100 terrorists had been killed in the operation, preventing potential terror attacks not just in India but across the world. The world should be thanking the armed forces of India for doing what they did," she said. Referring to the Pahalgam attack, Chaturvedi recalled how the terrorists had asked victims their religion before killing them, in an attempt to divide the country. India doesnt stand divided. India stands united, and its our diversity that we celebrate, the diversity that brings this unity," she said. The Indian delegation, led by BJPs Ravi Shankar Prasad and comprising MPs Daggubati Purandeswari, Ghulam Ali Khatana, Amar Singh, Samik Bhattacharya, former union minister MJ Akbar, and Ambassador Pankaj Saran, is among seven teams dispatched to 33 global capitals to convey Indias zero-tolerance policy against terrorism following the Pahalgam attack. This international campaign follows the launch of Operation Sindoor on 7 May, where India conducted precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 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: June 02, 2025, 15:22 IST India To Receive Two More S-400 Units By 2025-26: Russia Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 23:32 IST In 2018, India signed a USD 5.43 billion deal with Russia for five squadrons of the S-400 Triumf missile system, of which three have been delivered and two still remain pending. The S-400 is a long-range surface-to-air missile system developed by Russia's Almaz Central Design Bureau. (Photo: Reuters) Russia will deliver two more units of the S-400 air defence system to India by 2025-2026. Notably, the S-400 was used during the recent Operation Sindoor launched by India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. Roman Babushkin, Russian Deputy Chief of Mission in India, said that the S-400 performed very efficiently during the military action between India and Pakistan, also giving a hint on expanding bilateral cooperation with India in air defence and anti-drone systems. Recommended Stories We heard that the S-400 performed very efficiently during the recent clashes between India and Pakistan. We have a long history of collaboration. The air defence systems, according to what we are experiencing, the situation in Europe and here, this is one of the promising topics of our partnership in defence preparation in general," Babushkin told PTI Videos. He also confirmed that the contract for the remaining two S-400 units is likely to be delivered by 2025-26. Notably, in 2018, India signed a USD 5.43 billion deal with Russia for five squadrons of the S-400 Triumf missile system. While three squadrons have already been delivered, two still remain pending. Speaking further on the expansion of defence collaboration, Babushkin said, We are open to promotion of this partnership for the discussion of the expansion of dialogue on air defence systems." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Responding to a query about the likely delivery schedule of the remaining S-400 missile systems, he stated, The exact dates are not yet finalised, but it can happen anytime soon. We expect this month." Commenting on the growing threat of drones, particularly in light of their extensive use during the India-Pakistan clash, he said, We have been facing this threat for several years already, and I think that our systems are being modernised constantly. I think it would be a joint interest from both sides how to counter this threat and lead to some other cooperation," adding that anti-drone systems are already part of the ongoing India-Russia defence dialogue. First Published: June 02, 2025, 23:32 IST Indian Army Allows Eid Prayers On Kolkata's Red Road After Discussions With Organisers Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 23:55 IST The Indian Army decided to alter its training programme to accommodate namaz on Red Road near Fort William, which has been a long-standing venue for Eid prayers. Eid-ul-Zuha prayers will take place in Kolkata's Red Road as per tradition. (PTI File Image) The Indian Army has allowed permission to hold Eid-Ul-Adha prayers on Kolkatas Red Road a traditional venue for the event in respect for the age-old tradition after holding talks with the organisers. Red Road, located in front of its Eastern Command Headquarters at Fort William, has been the traditional venue for namaz during Eid-Ul-Zuha, drawing large crowds. Every year, the organisers coordinate with the armed forces to hold the prayer gathering at the site. Recommended Stories Earlier, the Indian Army had denied permission for namaz on Red Road, citing military purpose" as the reason. A pre-scheduled Army programme was set to take place at the same time in the venue. The Army had also informed the Kolkata Police and the Calcutta Khilafat Committee of its decision. However, after discussions between the Army and the organisers, they decided to allow the namaz to proceed, respecting the age-old tradition. Army authorities decided to alter their training schedule to accommodate the Eid prayers. West Bengal Minister Javed Ahmed Khan confirmed that things were being sorted out through consultations between the organisers and the defence authorities over issues pertaining to the Armys own engagements. The Calcutta Khilafat Committee had applied to the Army on May 10, seeking permission to hold the Namaz from the Netaji Statue to the outer entrance of Fort Williams East Gate on Red Road. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Notably, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has in the past attended and spoken at Eid gatherings held at Red Road, a long-standing venue for Eid prayers over the decades. Eid ul-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice," is the Islamic holiday that begins on the 10th day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, during the Hajj. This year, the festival is likely to be celebrated in India on June 7. About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More First Published: June 02, 2025, 23:47 IST No 2020-Like Repeat Of Covid-19, Influenza A Bigger Risk: Ex-WHO Scientist Soumya Swaminathan Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 10:28 IST Addressing fears of another catastrophic wave, Swaminathan said periodic surgesroughly every 6-8 monthsare expected, largely manageable, and low in severity Dr Soumya Swaminathan said Covid-19 is now an endemic part of life and vigilance and preparedness are necessary. (PTI) Influenza, and not Covid-19, likely claims more lives each year in India and globally despite the latter dominating headlines, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former chief scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO), has told News18. One of the leading experts on infectious diseases, Swaminathan has reassured the public that there is absolutely no need to panic now". Recommended Stories In an exclusive interview, Swaminathan told News18 that the SARS coronavirus, much like influenza, is now part of the respiratory viruses regularly circulating in the population. COVID or SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus, is another respiratory virus, like the many others that are circulating amongst us human beings in the world today. It has been around for five years now. Its, of course, constantly mutating and changing, like other viruses," she said. When asked whether theres a possibility of another Delta-like wave making a return, she said the public needs to understand very clearly" that we will not see the repeat of 2020 or 2021. At that time, human beings had never seen this virus before". ALSO READ | Covid-19 Surge In Asia: How Dangerous Is JN.1 Variant And Are Existing Vaccines Effective? According to her, these periodic surgesroughly every 6-8 monthsare expected and largely manageable. We have also now started seeing that periodicallyThere is a rise in circulating Covid-19 cases," she noted, citing data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which indicates that the Omicron variant JN.1 has recently become the dominant strain. ICMR database clearly shows that in the early part of this year, influenza strains were predominantly causing respiratory infections. Now, after the middle of April and certainly in May, SARS-CoV-2 has become the predominant viral strain in the country thats causing respiratory infections." Swaminathan, before her ground-breaking role at WHO, was the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and secretary of the Department of Health Research in India. She, however, says that despite the increase in cases, the severity remains low. What youre seeing now is a mild disease mostly. Even though people are testing and reporting positivity, you find that hospitalisations are rare," she said. Swaminathan highlighted that individuals with underlying health conditions should continue to take precautions. People who have underlying illnesses are likely to get a little sicker when they get a respiratory infection," she warned, adding that this applies to both Covid-19 and influenza. The flu virus may pose a greater threat than Covid-19. Influenza probably kills a lot more people in India and around the world it makes a lot of sense for vulnerable people to take the flu vaccine, which gets updated every year." Addressing fears of another catastrophic wave, she assured the public: It will not happen that we will have a repeat of 2020 or 2021 Today, the virus cannot spread in the same way because it is met with a strong immune response." Do we need booster shots or updated vaccines? According to Swaminathan, there is a need to evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of updating vaccines, especially in countries like India. We see that illness is mild, not requiring hospitalisation There doesnt seem to be any reason to start a booster campaign now," she said, although she acknowledged the importance of preparing for potential future variants through continued research and updated vaccine development. ALSO READ | Updated Covid Vaccines Not Urgently Needed With Mild Surge: Former CSIR-IGIB Chief To News18 She also outlined five key areas for pandemic preparedness. We need new legislation today that will cover biological threats like pandemics," she said, adding that India should have its own list of priority pathogens and mechanisms for developing vaccines and therapeutics". Also, she said: Every state must have a public health cadre Its essential to deal with so many health risks today, along with the improvement of health literacy and public engagement, which is critical." What should you do? Lets take sensible precautions I see people travelling in crowded buses, trains, and planes, coughing and sneezing without a maskthats just spreading infection." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As for concerns about waning immunity, she explained, There are two kinds of immunity antibodies, which decline over time, and T-cells, which have memory. The moment you are exposed again to the same virus your immune system does its job." She emphasised that Covid-19 is now an endemic part of life. While vigilance and preparedness are necessary, panic is not. We can rest assured now I would say, lets take sensible precautions but theres no need for any panic." About the Author Himani Chandna Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India's COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particularly pass... Read More Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India's COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particularly pass... Read More First Published: June 02, 2025, 10:21 IST PM Modi Likely To Meet All-Party Teams On Operation Sindoor Global Diplomacy Next Week Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Ronit Singh Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 18:40 IST Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to meet members of the all-party delegation that has been engaging with the international community on Operation Sindoor Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PTI Image) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to meet members of the all-party delegation that has been engaging with the international community to convey Indias message post the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Sources told CNN-News18 that the meeting is expected to take place in Delhi around June 9 or 10, where the delegations are likely to brief the Prime Minister on their global outreach efforts, key interactions, and responses received from various countries. Recommended Stories As part of its initiative to garner global backing for Indias fight against terrorism, the BJP-led government tasked seven multi-party delegations to visit 33 global capitals to carry forth Indias message. Each delegation comprised Members of Parliament from various political parties, senior political figures, and experienced diplomats. The seven delegations were led by the following MPs: Shashi Tharoor (INC) Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP) Sanjay Kumar Jha (JDU) Baijayant Panda (BJP) Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK) Supriya Sule (NCP) Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena) Also Read: PM Modi To Hold First Post-Op Sindoor Meeting Of Council Of Ministers This Week The seven delegations included a total of 59 members, featuring 31 political leaders from the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and 20 representatives from other political parties. Former diplomats also accompanied and supported the delegations in their outreach efforts. Global Support For Team India Saudi Arabia expressed strong support for Indias fight against terrorism originating from Pakistan, while Italy proposed enhancing bilateral cooperation and Indonesia pledged to back New Delhis stance against terrorism at all possible international platforms. Indias zero-tolerance approach to terrorism was also commended in South Africa, and France reaffirmed its solidarity with New Delhi in combating the global threat. During their visit to Saudi Arabia, the all-party delegation met with Adel Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and acknowledged Riyadhs firm position against terrorism. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh, in a post on X, said the delegation appreciated Saudi stand against terrorism and underscored Indias strong position, including its zero-tolerance and new normal approach toward terrorism." Delegation leader Baijayant Jay Panda described the meeting as meaningful," noting on X that India and Saudi Arabia share a dynamic partnership rooted in trust, shared interests, and a growing strategic bond." Panda led the eight-member group to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sources told CNN-News18 that the Panda-led delegation is set to return to India from Algeria tomorrow morning, with their arrival scheduled for 8:30 AM. They added that the all-party delegation will meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at 1 pm in New Delhis South Block. First Published: June 02, 2025, 16:15 IST Operation Sindoor: Why Was Ceasefire Announced So Suddenly? CDS Anil Chauhan Explains Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 11:22 IST Speaking nearly 20 days after the ceasefire was announced on the evening of May 10, General Chauhan said that the decision was part of Indias strategic planning CDS Anil Chauhan said that India operated with complete clarity and autonomy during Operation Sindoor. (PTI/File) India halted its military response to Pakistans post-Operation Sindoor provocation after achieving all its objectives within three days, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan stated on Saturday at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Speaking nearly 20 days after the ceasefire was announced on the evening of May 10, General Chauhan said that the decision was part of Indias strategic planning. The ceasefire announcement, which came during the peak of the operation, had taken many by surprise and raised questions about the timing. Recommended Stories Operation Sindoor was launched after midnight on May 67 in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. According to General Anil Chauhan, India targeted nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), killing over 100 terrorists, including Jaish-e-Mohammed leader Abdul Rauf Azhar. He added that the Indian armed forces carried out precision strikes that dealt a blow to Pakistans air defence system and destroyed key air bases in Skardu, Jacobabad, Sargodha and Bholari. General Anil Chauhan said that between May 7 and 10, Pakistan retaliated by firing along the Line of Control (LoC), resulting in the deaths of 15 Indian civilians and one soldier. In response, the Indian Air Force launched BrahMos missile strikes on the morning of May 10, targeting and destroying Pakistans Noor Khan, Chaklala airport in Rawalpindi. Following this escalation, Pakistan appealed for a ceasefire, which India agreed to, General Chauhan added. Speaking in Singapore, General Anil Chauhan said that India operated with complete clarity and autonomy during Operation Sindoor. He said that India adopted a long-term strategic approach after gaining Independence in 1947, at a time when Pakistan was ahead in several areas. Today, however, India has surged ahead in economic, social and human developmentan outcome of that sustained strategy, he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all General Chauhan noted that despite several efforts to improve bilateral ties, such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inviting Nawaz Sharif to his swearing-in ceremony in 2014, Pakistan has consistently responded with hostility. Therefore, he said, maintaining strategic distance is now viewed as the most appropriate course of action. General Anil Chauhan stated that the Indian armed forces remain on high alert following the ceasefire, with a clear message that any further provocation from Pakistan will be met with a firm and decisive response. He said Operation Sindoor demonstrated Indias strength and its unwavering commitment to not remaining silent in the face of terrorism. First Published: June 02, 2025, 11:22 IST PM Modi May Not Attend G7 Summit In Canada In First Miss In 6 Years: Sources Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 16:52 IST While the two countries have taken steps towards mending ties after a change of guard in Canada, a complete reset could take some time, according to analysts PM Narendra Modi may skip the G7 Summit in Canada. (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi may give the upcoming G7 Summit in Canada a miss amid strained relations with Ottawamarking the first time in six years that he will skip the meeting of the grouping of the most industrialised economies in the world as well as the European Union, IMF, World Bank, and the United Nations. India has recently achieved the status of the fourth-largest economy in the world. Analysts say it could play a key role as a trade partner for Canada, which is desperately trying to revive its sluggish economy. While the two countries have taken steps towards mending ties after a change of guard in Canada, a complete reset could take some time, according to analysts. Recommended Stories Sources have told CNN-News18 that India was unlikely to accept any invitation from Canada for the G7 meeting, slated for mid-May. They have cited security concerns, especially because Canada has emerged as a hub for Khalistani extremists, as well as the broader diplomatic chill. India-Canada ties hit an all-time low after former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau blamed India for the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar a charge New Delhi vehemently denied; Trudeau was unable to provide proof. A diplomatic crisis ensued as both countries expelled diplomats, and India suspended visa services for Canadians. Geopolitical observers hoped for a turnaround with Trudeau stepping down ahead of elections and his Liberal party colleague, Mark Carney, taking charge of the country staring at an economic crisis. Carney steered his party to poll victory. According to analysts, India is Carneys best bet to revive Canadas economy in the backdrop of his standoff with US President Donald Trump and rift with China. Recently, Canadian foreign minister Anita Anand held talks with her Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar, and said Ottawa was looking forward to rebuilding its ruptured ties with New Delhi and it was taking one step at a time" in that direction. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Anand said in her talks with Jaishankar that the leaders discussed strengthening Canada-India ties". When asked if she believed that the conversation would lead to the appointment of new high commissioners between the two countries, Anand said that they are taking one step at a time". As I mentioned, the rule of law will never be compromised, and there is an ongoing investigation regarding the case that you mentioned," she said in an interview while referring to Nijjars murder, The Globe And Mail reported. About the Author Siddhant Mishra Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively on crime, ... Read More Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively on crime, ... Read More First Published: June 02, 2025, 15:11 IST Terror Has No Place...: Shashi Tharoors Message During Diplomacy Tour After Colorado Attack Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 13:40 IST Shashi Tharoor condemned the terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, expressing concern but relief that no lives were lost. He stated that "terror has no place" in our countries. A file photo of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor (PTI) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is leading an all-party delegation to world capitals to put forth Indias stance against terrorism, on Monday condemned the Colorado incident, which the local police termed as a targeted terror attack". In an X post, Tharoor mentioned that he and the other members of the other Indian delegations were concerned about the attack in Boulder, but were relieved that there was no loss of lives. Recommended Stories Tharoor said that the MPs share the Secretary of State Marco Rubios view that terror has no place in our countries. Members of the Indian MPs delegation learned with concern about the terror attack in Boulder, Colorado today. We are relieved there was no loss of life," Thraoors X post read. We all share Secy of State Marco Rubios view that terror has no place" in our countries," he added. Members of the Indian MPs delegation learned with concern about the terror attack in Boulder, Colorado today. We are relieved there was no loss of life.We all share Secy of State @SecRubios view that terror has no place" in our countries.#boulderattack @IndianDiplomacy Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 2, 2025 The delegation led by Tharoor arrived at Brasilia on Sunday. The Indian delegations are visiting world capitals, meeting several leaders and addressing briefings, as part of Indias ongoing efforts to foster international cooperation in the global fight against terrorism, particularly in the wake of Operation Sindoor against Pakistan-backed terror attack in Kashmirs iconic Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. ALSO READ | Tharoor Reacts To Congress Colleagues Criticism Of Him: When We Get Back To India The delegations are conveying Indias strong national consensus and resolute stance in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, reaffirming the countrys policy of zero tolerance towards cross-border terrorism. THE COLORADO ATTACK Eight people were injured on Sunday (local time) when a 45-year-old man yelled Free Palestine" and threw incendiary devices into a crowd in Boulder, where a demonstration to remember the Israeli hostages who remain in Gaza was taking place. Four women and four men between 52 and 88 years old were transported to hospitals. The suspect in the attack was named as Mohamed Soliman, who was hospitalised shortly after the incident. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Other than the local police, FBI Director Kash Patel described the incident as a targeted terror attack," and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said it appeared to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted." ALSO READ | What Is A Molotov Cocktail, Used By Suspect To Attack Pro-Israel Protestors In Colorado? 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: June 02, 2025, 13:21 IST Towel, Shaver & Australian Address: Courier For Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi Raises Alarm | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 10:40 IST The parcel, reportedly sent by a woman, may have been a test run to check whether a delivery could successfully reach Bishnoi inside the high-security jail The courier addressed to Lawrence Bishnoi who is lodged in Sabarmati Jail. (News18) A mysterious parcel from Australia, addressed to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi at Sabarmati Central Jail in Gujarat, has triggered concern among Indian security agencies. The package was intercepted at a foreign post office in Gujarat, which handles international shipments to and from the state, and has since become the subject of a multi-agency probe. The parcel was reportedly sent under the name Vandana Gaur, with an address in Australia that is now believed to be fake, according to intelligence sources. Curiously, the contents of the packagea towel and a strong shaverwere ordinary, which only deepened suspicions. Officials are questioning why someone would send such commonplace items from abroad, suggesting the parcel may have been a test run to check whether a delivery could successfully reach Bishnoi inside the high-security jail. Recommended Stories What has further raised eyebrows is the fact that the sender reportedly paid around Rs 7,000 as international parcel charges, a considerable sum given the low value and easily available nature of the contents. This has added to suspicions that the shipment may have had an ulterior motive beyond what is visible. This isnt the first time such an attempt has been made. Sources say a similar incident occurred earlier in a different state, pointing to a possible pattern. Meanwhile, in a related crackdown, the Rajasthan Polices Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) has arrested Aditya Jain, a key member of the Lawrence BishnoiRohit Godara gang, from Dubai. Jain is accused of acting as a control room" for the gangcoordinating extortion rackets and issuing threat calls on behalf of the network. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Bishnoi, despite being lodged in Sabarmati Jail, continues to operate his criminal syndicate using VPNs and mobile phones, according to investigators. His name has come up in several high-profile cases, including the murder of Sidhu Moose Wala, threats to actor Salman Khan, the killing of a gym owner in South Delhi, and most recently, the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique. Born into a well-off agricultural family in Dhattaranwali village in Punjabs Ferozepur district, Bishnoi belongs to the Bishnoi community, prevalent in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. He moved to Chandigarh in 2010 for college, where he joined DAV College and later became president of the Student Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) from 2011 to 2012, marking the beginning of his descent into organised crime. About the Author Ankur Sharma With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar... Read More With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar... Read More Location : Gujarat, India, India First Published: June 02, 2025, 10:11 IST In Spain, Kanimozhi's Sharp Reply On India's National Language Amid Stalin-Centre Face-Off | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 23:47 IST In recent days, the DMK has notably taken a leading role in challenging the Centre over the three-language policy proposed in the National Education Policy 2020. DMK MP Kanimozhi | ANI Image DMK MP Kanimozhi, who is leading an all-party delegation from India, emphasised on Monday that the national language of India is unity and diversity, and that is the message the delegation brings to the world. Notably, it comes amid DMKs leading role in challenging the Centre over the three-language policy proposed in the National Education Policy 2020. Recommended Stories The national language of India is unity and diversity. That is the message this delegation brings to the world, and that is the most important thing today," said Kanimozhi when asked about the national language of India. #WATCH | Madrid, Spain: While addressing the Indian diaspora, DMK MP Kanimozhi said, The national language of India is unity and diversity. That is the message this delegation brings to the world, and that is the most important thing today" pic.twitter.com/cVBrA99WK3 ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2025 The remarks are significant as the DMK has consistently argued that the three-language policy in the NEP imposes Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states. The party, rooted in Tamil pride and a strong proponent of the two-language system (Tamil and English), views the policy as an affront to federalism and regional autonomy. The row was reignited recently after the Union Education Ministry reiterated the importance of Hindi as a link language, prompting sharp criticism from DMK leaders, who accused the Centre of pushing a Hindi-Hindutva agenda" under the guise of educational reform. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The all-party delegation led by Kanimozhi to Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Latvia, and Russia is one of seven multi-party groups India has assigned to visit 33 global capitals to engage the international community on Pakistans activities and Indias counterterrorism response. The delegation 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. About the Author Ronit Singh Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More First Published: June 02, 2025, 23:23 IST Why Has No Permanent DGP Been Appointed In Uttar Pradesh For 3 Years? Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 17:44 IST Rajeev Krishna is the new acting DGP of Uttar Pradesh, replacing Prashant Kumar and becoming the ninth DGP since 2017 Currently serving as acting DGP, Rajeev Krishna is expected to remain in the post until March 2026. The Uttar Pradesh government has named senior IPS officer Rajeev Krishna as the new acting Director General of Police (DGP), replacing Prashant Kumar, whose term many expected to be extended. With this appointment, Krishna becomes the ninth DGP since 2017 and the fifth to hold the post in an acting capacity. The repeated appointment of acting DGPs has raised questions about the states reluctance to follow the Supreme Court-mandated procedure for selecting a full-time top cop. The apex court, in its 2006 ruling in the Prakash Singh vs Union of India case, mandated that all states must forward a list of the three most senior eligible officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which would then recommend one name. The chosen officer would serve a fixed two-year term. Recommended Stories However, the state has kept the top post firmly within the governments discretionary control since 2021. In 2024, the Yogi Adityanath government introduced the Uttar Pradesh Police (Selection and Appointment to the Post of Director General of Police) Rules, a legislative move ostensibly designed to institutionalise the DGP selection process. The rules empowered the state government to make the appointment but did not fundamentally alter the lack of UPSC involvement for acting DGPs. While there were murmurs that then-acting DGP Prashant Kumar would be given a formal two-year term, the government ultimately refrained from doing so, again opting for a temporary appointment. With multiple elections looming including panchayat and urban body polls, and the crucial 2029 Lok Sabha elections, this temporary appointment has led to several questions from the opposition. Several opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, have frequently accused the UP police of being skewed toward Thakur officers, an allegation aimed at highlighting caste imbalances under the Yogi Adiyanath administration. Why Rajeev Krishna? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to sources, 11 senior IPS officers were in contention for the top job this time, including one woman officer, raising hopes that UP might see its first-ever female DGP. However, Rajeev Krishna emerged as the governments pick a choice driven, insiders say, by his reputation as a field-oriented, no-nonsense officer with a clean image and a track record of loyal service. Currently serving as acting DGP, Krishna is expected to remain in the post until March 2026. By that time, with several of his seniors due to retire, he may rise to fourth in the seniority list, making a case for a potential permanent appointment, depending upon the governments discretion. Location : Uttar Pradesh, India, India First Published: June 02, 2025, 17:44 IST World's largest fleet of driverless mining trucks operate in north China Xinhua) 09:53, May 31, 2025 Autonomous electric mining trucks are seen deployed at the Yimin open-pit mine operated by China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd. in Hulun Buir of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, on May 15, 2025. A fleet of 100 autonomous electric mining trucks has been put into operation at an open-pit mine in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, marking the largest-scale application of such vehicles globally.(Photo by Wang Yiqun/Xinhua) HOHHOT, May 30 (Xinhua) -- A fleet of 100 autonomous electric mining trucks has been put into operation at an open-pit mine in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, marking the largest-scale application of such vehicles globally. Powered by a 5G-Advanced (5G-A) network, the fleet of Huaneng Ruichi trucks launched at the Yimin mine is China's latest move in transforming coal mining into an intelligent and green industry. China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd. (China Huaneng), which operates the mine, said the vehicles are industry-leading by having the fastest operating speed of 50 kilometers per hour, being able to carry a load of 90 tonnes per truck and to operate continually in freezing minus 40 degrees Celsius. At the colliery located in Hulun Buir City, the 100 trucks, developed jointly by China Huaneng, Huawei, Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co., Ltd. (XCMG) and a number of institutes, are working non-stop round-the-clock. Autonomous electric mining trucks are seen deployed at the Yimin open-pit mine operated by China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd. in Hulun Buir of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, on May 15, 2025. A fleet of 100 autonomous electric mining trucks has been put into operation at an open-pit mine in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, marking the largest-scale application of such vehicles globally.(Photo by Wang Yiqun/Xinhua) Liu Qiang, deputy director of the intelligent mine construction office of the mine, said that these all-electric mining trucks are expected to make mining safer, more environmentally friendly, and more efficient in winter when the local temperature can drop below minus 40 degrees Celsius. In extremely cold weathers, frost on the glass of the mining truck's cabs used to plague winter operations in mining areas. With the assistance of lidar, millimeter-wave radar, cameras and AI algorithms, these unmanned mining trucks can stably perceive their surroundings in low-light, low-visibility conditions such as snow, sandstorms and at night, said Liu. Moreover, each mining truck is equipped with a 564 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack. Notably, a single battery swap takes less than six minutes. Shu Yingqiu, the mine manager, said the replacement of fossil-fueled vehicles by this electric fleet can help reduce diesel consumption by 15,000 tonnes and carbon dioxide emissions by 48,000 tonnes annually, which is equivalent to planting 2.6 million fir trees. China Huaneng plans to gradually expand the scale of unmanned mining trucks at the Yimin mine to 300-500 units, and replicate this project in other mining areas such as northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The Yimin coal mine, covering 42.36 square km, has been verified to contain approximately 1.86 billion tonnes of coal, while China Huaneng boasts an annual production capacity of 35 million tonnes at this site. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Kou Jie) Feature: Chinese experts help modernize rice-prawn farming techniques, improving Cambodian farmers' livelihoods Xinhua) 13:18, June 02, 2025 Experts from Shanghai Ocean University provide training for Cambodian farmers in Takeo province, Cambodia on May 31, 2025. (Photo by Van Pov/Xinhua) TAKEO, Cambodia, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian farmer Min Chhon, 57, has experienced significant improvement in his family's livelihoods after having received technical training and on-site guidance on rice-prawn farming from Shanghai Ocean University experts. Chhon said he grew only rice on his land of nearly two hectares, which yielded about six tons per annum, before the launch of projects of "Rice-Fish Farming Technology Cooperation and Poverty Alleviation Through Aquaculture in Lancang-Mekong Countries" and "Cambodian Smart Fisheries PILOT Project" carried out by the Shanghai Ocean University and Foreign Economic Cooperation Center (FECC) of China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. "But since the launch of the projects, I have raised giant freshwater prawns in the rice fields, which yields around one ton of prawns in each harvest," the father with three children told Xinhua on Saturday. "Before the technique of prawn farming were introduced, we only planted rice and earned a very limited income, but after we did rice-prawns farming in rice fields, we got much wealthier," he said. "The yields from the rice-prawn farming are highly satisfactory." Chhon is among dozens of farmers in southern Takeo province, who have been trained by Chinese experts from the Shanghai Ocean University and FECC in collaboration with the Fisheries Administration of Cambodia's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Through the projects, the Chinese experts have provided Cambodian farmers with technical guidance and new technologies to boost prawn production in rice paddies and other aquaculture settings. Farmers have also been taught to use drones to distribute feed in rice fields and aquaculture ponds effectively. "Chinese experts have helped us, including juvenile nursery, donating feeds, juveniles, some equipment and technical manuals, delivering techniques, and others," Chhon said." These two projects have helped improve my family's livelihoods significantly." Launched in January 2024 and will last till 2027, the projects are part of the Cambodia-China "Fish and Rice Corridor" cooperation, which has been established to accelerate agricultural modernization, to ensure food and nutrition security, and to increase incomes for rural farmers in Cambodia. Also, the projects will help more farmers get rid of poverty, and promote the sustainable development of Cambodian agriculture and rural areas. On Saturday, a team of experts from the Shanghai Ocean University visited the project sites and provided technical guidance to farmers in Chrey Ngor village of Bourei Cholsar district in Takeo province. Wu Xugan, a professor in aquaculture at Shanghai Ocean University, said the "rice-fish co-culture project" has provided technical and technological knowledge to farmers, helping them increase fish or prawn yields, which will not only boost their incomes, but also ensure nutrition and food security. "The rice-fish co-culture project is very important because rice and fish are two major foods for the Cambodian people," he told Xinhua during the visit to a rice-prawn farm. "When we do the rice-fish co-culture, it has multiple benefits for both rice and fish. For example, we feed prawns, and the prawns will produce ammonia and manure, which are the fertilizers for rice," he added. Also, he said, prawns will eat the pests that are harmful to rice paddies. Wu said the project has developed two rice-fish farming models, namely rice-giant freshwater prawn co-culture and rice-giant freshwater prawn rotation, and large-size prawn seedling cultivation technology. Thay Somony, director of the Department of Aquaculture Development at the Fisheries Administration of Cambodia's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said that through the project, Chinese experts have trained Cambodian farmers on ecosystem service analysis, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation strategies, and the digitalization of prawn nursing. "By adopting innovative practices such as rice-fish co-culture and digital prawn nursery, farmers can increase productivity while minimizing environmental impacts, leading to improved food security and enhanced economic resilience," he told Xinhua in a recent interview. "The integration of diverse farming systems enables farmers to diversify their income sources, reducing their vulnerability to economic shocks and improving their overall livelihoods," he added. Experts from Shanghai Ocean University provide training for Cambodian farmers to use drones to distribute feed in rice fields and aquaculture ponds in Takeo province, Cambodia on May 31, 2025. (Photo by Van Pov/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) Kalki Koechlins Comfort Food Is Chilli Chicken, Heres How to Make It at Home Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 11:04 IST In a recent interview, Kalki Koechlin revealed that she loves desi Chinese style chilli chicken from a restauarant in Ooty. Here's how you can make it at home. This chilli chicken recipe uses simple kitchen ingredients. With her roots in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, Kalki Koechlin recently revealed that she keeps returning to one restaurant in Ooty for their delicious chilli chicken. In a recent interview, the actor mentioned that this desi chinese dish from a humble restaurant in Ooty is something that she always loves and craves. In a conversation with Aleena Dissects, Kalki Koechlin shared that she loves chilli chicken from a restaurant called Shinkows in Ooty. The humble eatery is free from all the fuss of a fancy diner, and it focuses on delivering the most delectable Chinese food. She mentioned how the restaurant is a reminder of her childhood and her roots. She said, Its not about how fancy it is. Its about the taste you grew up with. The kind of food that feels like home." Recommended Stories Take a look at the interview here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aleena (@aleenadissects) If Kalkis interview has made you crave some desi chinese style chilli chicken, then heres how you can make it at home. Ingredients For Marination: 500g boneless chicken (preferably thigh), cut into bite-sized pieces 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste 2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp vinegar 1 egg (optional, for extra crispiness) 3 tbsp cornflour 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (maida) Salt & pepper to taste For Frying: Oil for deep or shallow frying For Sauce: 1 tbsp oil 1 tbsp chopped garlic 1 tsp chopped ginger 2-3 green chillies, slit 1 medium onion, cubed 1 small green capsicum, cubed 1 small red capsicum, cubed (optional for colour) 2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp red chilli sauce (adjust to taste) 1 tbsp green chilli sauce 1 tbsp tomato ketchup 1 tsp vinegar 1 tsp sugar Salt and pepper to taste cup water (for gravy version) 1 tsp cornflour mixed in 2 tbsp water (for thickening) Method Marinate the Chicken: Mix the chicken with all the marination ingredients and let it rest for 30 minutes. Fry the Chicken: Heat oil in a kadhai and deep fry the marinated chicken on medium-high heat until golden and crispy. Prepare the Sauce: In a clean kadhai, heat 1 tbsp oil. Saute garlic, ginger, and green chillies for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add onions and capsicum. Stir-fry on high heat for a few minutes. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Add all sauces: soy, chilli, tomato ketchup, and vinegar. Stir well. Add sugar, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust heat. Add cup water if making the gravy version and stir in the cornflour slurry to thicken. Mix it all: Add fried chicken to the sauce. Toss quickly to coat well. Simmer for a minute. Garnish with spring onions. Serve hot. 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! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: June 02, 2025, 11:04 IST CBSEs Sugar Boards in Schools Aim to Tackle Childhood Obesity with Awareness, Not Alarm Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 18:44 IST CBSEs Sugar Boards are more than posters, theyre a catalyst for lifelong healthy habits. The boards decision to introduce Sugar Boards in schoolseye-catching informational panels displaying the sugar content in everyday snacks and drinks is both timely and commendable. In an era where rising childhood obesity and early-onset Type 2 diabetes are ringing alarm bells across the globe, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)s latest directive is a much-needed intervention. The boards decision to introduce Sugar Boards in schoolseye-catching informational panels displaying the sugar content in everyday snacks and drinksis both timely and commendable. This initiative aims to create awareness and encourage healthier eating habits among school-going children, a demographic increasingly exposed to processed and sugar-laden foods. A Shift in the Role of Schools Recommended Stories Aditi Misra, Director, DPS Gurgaon, DPS International Gurgaon, Dharav High School Ajmer Road, and Dharav High School Gurugram, hails the initiative as a transformative moment in education and child health. CBSEs directive to introduce Sugar Boards in schools is both timely and commendable, aligning with the broader effort to combat the growing incidence of childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes," she notes. Today, schools are not only centers of academic learning but also key influencers in promoting the overall well-being of children." Misra underscores the role of schools as institutions of holistic development. According to her, visible tools like Sugar Boards can be instrumental in encouraging students to become more mindful of their eating habits. This initiative offers a valuable opportunity to embed health literacy into everyday learning through workshops, classroom discussions, and comprehensive school-wide wellness programs," she adds. Her viewpoint emphasizes how such seemingly small steps can evolve into long-term shifts in behavior when supported institutionally. From Awareness to Action Echoing this sentiment is Kanak Agarwal, Clinical Nutritionist at SCOD Clinic, who views the move as a progressive and practical solution to a growing crisis. As a clinical nutritionist, I genuinely believe that the introduction of Sugar Boards in schools by CBSE is a fantastic step forward, all thanks to Revant Himatsingka (popularly known as Foodpharmer)," she says. Given how often children encounter processed foods and sugary drinks, the need for practical, ongoing nutrition education in schools has never been more important." Agarwal believes the power of these Sugar Boards lies in their simplicity and visual appeal. These boards will highlight easy-to-understand informationlike how much sugar kids should really consume, how much lurks in popular snacks and beverages, and the potential long-term effects of too much sugar on their bodies." She further emphasizes that these boards can be more than just passive postersthey can become active participants in everyday decision-making. When combined with better options in school canteens and interactive activities, this initiative could really help shape lasting habits," says Agarwal. Its essential for schools to view this as more than just a requirement; it should be embraced as a tool for cultivating lifelong awareness." Reframing the Narrative Adding to the chorus of support is Meghana Narayan & Shauravi Malik, Co-founders of Wholsum Foods, who believe the initiative signals a powerful shift in how we approach food education in India, We welcome CBSEs move to introduce Sugar Boards in schoolsnot just as a deterrent to excess sugar consumption, but as a long-overdue step towards normalising food education in everyday settings. To move from ultra high processed food to eating packaged food that has diverse wholegrains." They highlight how entrenched misconceptions about sugar can lead to long-term unhealthy eating patterns, For too long, nutrition has either been over-simplified or ignored altogether in how we speak to children. For example, sugar is seen as giving energy or as a way to get children to eat their food if they are fussy eaters. This well-intentioned start leads to lifelong junk food habits and diabetes in later life." What makes this initiative particularly impactful, according to them, is its positive and inclusive tone, This initiative by CBSE reframes the conversationfrom restriction to awareness, from judgement to informed choice." They share how their own brand reflects these values, At Wholsum Foods, weve built Slurrp Farm around this very idea: that better food choices begin with familiarity and trust. Our products use millets, and we use a lot of natural sweeteners like jaggery and date powder. Where possible we use less sugar, and in many cases, we have no added sugar at all." Were trying to balance tasting amazing and fitting into real family routines. You cant expect behaviour change without giving people something better to change to. Thats the gap weve always tried to fill, and were so glad to see it become part of the national conversation." Toward a Culture of Conscious Eating Misra echoes this notion of collective responsibility, This move marks a crucial shift toward preventative healthcare and underscores the importance of bringing together educators, parents, and policymakers to create a healthier future for the next generation," she affirms. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Indeed, the Sugar Boards initiative is more than an educational toolit is a call to action. It urges all stakeholders in a childs ecosystem to come together in nurturing not just academic excellence, but lifelong well-being. If implemented mindfully, CBSEs latest health-forward policy could become a landmark moment in reshaping Indias relationship with food, one classroom at a time. 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: June 02, 2025, 14:51 IST Jonathan Anderson Succeeds Maria Grazia Chiuri As Diors New Creative Director Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 13:53 IST Dior announced Jonathan Anderson as its new Creative Director. He will be overseeing womens, mens, and haute couture collections of the luxury fashion house. Jonathan will present the Dior Men Summer 2026 collection in Paris next month. French luxury fashion house Christian Dior saw a big change in its leadership last month. After serving as the artistic director of womenswear at Dior, Maria Grazia Chiuri officially stepped down after nine years. Following Marias departure, Jonathan Anderson has been named as the new creative director of Dior. He is set to take look into the womens, mens, and haute couture collections of the House. The news was shared by Dior on their Instagram page. The brand shared a picture of Jonathan Anderson and wrote, Dior is thrilled to welcome Jonathan Anderson as Creative Director of womens, mens, and haute couture collections of the House. Jonathan Anderson will present his first collection, Dior Men Summer 2026, in Paris on June 27, 2025." Recommended Stories Take a look at the post shared by Dior here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dior Official (@dior) Talking about joining Dior, Jonathan said, It is a great honour to join the House of Dior as Creative Director of both womens and mens collections. I have always been inspired by the rich history of this House, its depth, and empathy. I look forward to working alongside its legendary Ateliers to craft the next chapter of this incredible story. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Bernard Arnault and Delphine Arnault for their trust and loyalty over the years." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jonathan Anderson (@jonathan.anderson) top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On the work front, Jonathan is gearing up to present his debut collection for Dior Men Summer 2026 on June 27 at the upcoming Paris Fashion Week. He steps into the role following Marias impactful nine-year tenure at Dior, during which she championed feminism, celebrated female artists, and highlighted artisanal craftsmanship at the heart of the brand. Chiuri made her graceful departure after unveiling her Cruise 2026 show in Rome, an ambitious blend of haute couture and ready-to-wear that served as a fitting finale to her time at the maison. For those who closely follow the industry, Andersons appointment came as no surprise. His name had been circulating as a likely successor for some time. His recent, low-profile exit from Loewe, where he spent over a decade transforming the label into a fashion tour de force, only intensified the rumours. 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! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: June 02, 2025, 13:53 IST Manushi Chhillars Return To Miss World As A Judge Marks An Emotional Homecoming Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 13:26 IST Manushi Chhillar returned to the Miss World 2025 stage as one of the judges. She was crowned as Miss World in 2017. Manushi Chhillar called it a 'full circle moment' for herself. In what can only be described as a beautiful full-circle moment, Indian actor and model Manushi Chhillar returned to the Miss World stage, but this time in a completely different role. At the 72nd Miss World 2025 pageant that concluded on May 31, 2025, at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, Telangana, Manushi Chhillar was invited as one of the esteemed judges. The event saw Miss World 2024 Krystyna Pyszkova of the Czech Republic crown her successor, Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand, as the winner. For Manushi, this represented a bittersweet and deeply meaningful return to the platform that catapulted her into global fame and recognition when she was crowned Miss World 2017 in China. Recommended Stories What made Manushis role as judge all the more celebratory was the fact that she was once on the opposite side of the very same panel. She took to her Instagram to express how honoured she was to act as a judge at Miss World. She wrote, From once being crowned to now judging the competition, honoured to return to the Miss World stage. Its tough being on either side, but felt so nervous and excited for the contestants! Reminded me of my days. An unforgettable night of beauty, purpose, and power, to have been invited onto the judges panel." Take a look at the post here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manushi Chhillar (@manushi_chhillar) top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Dressed in a red off-the-shoulder floral gown from NEDO by Nedret Taciroglu, Manushi looked like a dream. The red gown came with a fitted bodice that graduated into a voluminous skirt with a thigh high slit. With its floral embellishments and tulle details, the gown exuded a romantic flair. For Manushi, being on the judging panel was more than just a professional milestone, it was a deeply personal and symbolic full-circle moment. From once standing on the stage as a hopeful contestant to now helping crown a new Miss World, her journey reflected growth, resilience, and purpose. Witnessing another young womans life transform in the same way hers once did stirred powerful emotions, making the experience both humbling and profound. 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! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: June 02, 2025, 13:18 IST Telangana Formation Day Wishes 2025: Why Is It Celebrated And More Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 07:15 IST Telangana Formation day 2025: The state will celebrate its 11th Formation Day, honouring the struggle and sacrifices for its creation. Telangana Formation Day: It is currently the youngest state in the country. (File Pic) Telangana Formation Day 2025: People in Telangana will celebrate the states 11th foundation day on June 2 this year. Telangana is currently Indias youngest state, formed on June 2, 2014. Every year, people throughout the state organise and participate in a variety of events to honour the struggle and sacrifice that led to the creation of the state. Telangana Formation Day 2025: History Recommended Stories The Congress Working Committee passed a resolution recommending the creation of Telangana as a separate state on July 1, 2013. At the time, protests were ongoing to demand the formation of the state. The Union Government established a committee consisting of a group of ministers to study the issue. The group prepared a report, leading the Union Government to accept the demand for the creation of the new state. It was followed by the approval of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill in the Parliament in 2014. At the time, it was decided that Hyderabad will be designated as the joint capital of Andhra Pradesh as well as Telangana at least for the next ten years. Telangana Formation Day 2025: Significance The Telangana Formation Day is an occasion to pay tribute to the hardships faced by the people of Telangana in their pursuit to have a separate state. The creation of the state was the result of over half a century of struggle and sacrifice. The special day celebrates the victory of the people in Telangana to carve a separate identity apart from Andhra Pradesh. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Telangana Formation Day 2025: Wishes Happy Telangana Formation Day! May the spirit of resilience and progress guide your state towards a brighter and more vibrant future. Warmest wishes on Telangana Formation Day! May the land of valour and tradition continue to thrive and inspire generations. Happy Formation Day to Telangana! May your journey of growth and unity continue to set an example for all, filled with peace and prosperity. On Telangana Formation Day, lets celebrate the states remarkable achievements and vibrant spirit. Wishing you endless progress and happiness! Heartfelt greetings on Telangana Formation Day! May the states legacy of courage and culture pave the way for a prosperous future. Heartiest wishes on Telangana Formation Day! May the states legacy of courage and community inspire a future filled with hope and achievement. This is the time to celebrate the creation of Telangana and the journey of its creation. Happy Telangana Day! About the Author Bhaswati Sengupta Bhaswati Sengupta is a Sub-Editor at News18, where she works closely with the Web Stories and Photo Gallery team to create visually engaging and impactful digital content. She also contributes to Lifestyle sect... Read More Bhaswati Sengupta is a Sub-Editor at News18, where she works closely with the Web Stories and Photo Gallery team to create visually engaging and impactful digital content. She also contributes to Lifestyle sect... 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! Location : Telangana, India, India First Published: June 02, 2025, 07:15 IST Tourists Rejoice As Bathing Resumes At Tamil Nadu's Courtallam Falls After 7 Days Curated By : Translation Desk-Local18 Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 13:40 IST Bathing is now allowed at all major waterfalls in the Courtallam area, including the Main Falls, Aintharuvi (Five Falls), Old Courtallam Falls, Chitharuvi, and Puliyaruvi Courtallam, often referred to as the Spa of South India', is a popular hill destination known for its scenic beauty and healing waters. (Local18) Tourists visiting Courtallam in Tamil Nadus Tenkasi district were thrilled on Monday as authorities lifted the ban on bathing in waterfalls after a seven-day suspension. Continuous rainfall in the Western Ghats had caused a sharp rise in water levels at several waterfalls, prompting officials to ban bathing from May 25 as a safety measure. Recommended Stories With the rain persisting for days, the restriction remained in place for a full week. However, by Sunday, the rainfall had subsided and the water flow gradually reduced. After assessing the situation, authorities decided to lift the ban after seven days, much to the delight of tourists who had been waiting eagerly to enjoy the regions famed waterfalls. Bathing is now allowed at all major waterfalls in the Courtallam area, including the Main Falls, Aintharuvi (Five Falls), Old Courtallam Falls, Chitharuvi, and Puliyaruvi. With the ban lifted, the tourist flow to the region has picked up once again. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Courtallam, often referred to as the Spa of South India, is a popular hill destination known for its scenic beauty and healing waters. Located in the Western Ghats, its waterfalls are believed to carry medicinal properties due to the herbs from the surrounding forests. Tourists from across the country visit Courtallam, especially during the monsoon, to experience the therapeutic waterfalls and lush greenery. Local businesses and tourism operators have welcomed the move, hoping for a boost in tourism in the coming weeks. 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! Location : Courtalam (Courtallam), India, India First Published: June 02, 2025, 13:40 IST 12 Incredible Places to Travel This Summer: 2025 Edition Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 18:09 IST Best Summer Travel Destinations In 2025: From cityscapes blending temples and tech to coastlines, these destinations offer more than just a change of scene. Nestled in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is a city where history, nature, and culture blend seamlessly Best Summer Travel Destinations In 2025: Craving a summer that feels freshless checklist, more curiosity? Its time to widen the map. The world is full of vibrant escapes and cultural detours waiting to be discoveredplaces where the food is lively, the views are cinematic, and the pace slows just enough for you to truly unwind. From cityscapes blending temples and tech to coastlines where sunsets meet spice markets, these destinations offer more than just a change of scenethey offer a refreshing new perspective. The best part? Many of them dont require long-haul flights or complicated planning. With easier visas, direct air connections, and fewer crowds, these places offer a sweet spot between ease and adventure. Theyre affordable, approachable, and full of the kind of summer magic that truly shines. Recommended Stories If youre dreaming of night markets buzzing with energy or beaches that dont feel like tourist traps, this list is your invitation to rewrite what a summer getaway looks like. Here are 12 escapes where the breezes are cooler, the memories run deeper, and the crowds havent caught on yet. 1. Tbilisi, Georgia The Caucasus Captivating Capital Nestled in the heart of the Caucasus, Tbilisi is the captivating capital of Georgia. A city where ancient history dances with modern innovation, Tbilisi offers travellers a unique blend of charm and energy. Wander through the winding streets of the Old Town, with its colourful balconies, sulfur bathhouses, and ancient churches. Marvel at the Narikala Fortress overlooking the city, offering breathtaking panoramic views. Foodies can indulge in the rich flavours of Georgian cuisine, from savoury khachapuri to juicy khinkali and flavourful pkhali. Explore the vibrant Rustaveli Avenue for shopping and cultural experiences or enjoy the citys thriving nightlife. With its welcoming atmosphere and stunning landscapes, Tbilisi is a cultural gem waiting to be discovered. How to fly: IndiGo offers direct flights to Tbilisi from Delhi. Visa tip: Indian travellers can obtain an e-Visa, allowing a stay of up to 30 days within a 120-day validity period. 2. Bali, Indonesia Island Life with Soul Bali, the Indonesian island known for its tranquil beaches and spiritual ambiance, is a destination that rejuvenates both body and soul. More than just a beach destination, Bali is a sensory journey through sacred temples, volcanic peaks, and rice terraces. In Ubud, attend a traditional dance performance at the Ubud Palace or unwind at a jungle yoga retreat. Down south, catch sunsets in Seminyak or surf the waves of Uluwatu. Dive into Balinese cuisine with dishes like nasi goreng and babi guling at local warungs, or take a cooking class. The island bursts into colour during the Galungan festival, celebrated with penjor (bamboo poles) and temple rituals. How to fly: IndiGo offers direct flights to Bali from Bengaluru. Visa tip: Indian passport holders can enjoy visa-free entry to Indonesia, including Bali, for up to 30 days. 3. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Chaos Meets Charm Located in southern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is a high-energy blend of motorbikes, markets, and French colonial architecture. From buildings like the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica to wartime relics at the War Remnants Museum, the city tells stories at every turn. Wander through Ben Thanh Market for souvenirs and street eats like banh mi and goi cuon. Dive into local life with a Vespa night food tour or sip egg coffee at a hidden rooftop cafe. During the Tet Festival, the city lights up with fireworks, flower markets, and cultural shows. 4. Hanoi, Vietnam Timeless Charm Meets Buzzing Culture Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a city where old and new coexist. Explore the Old Quartera dynamic mix of colonial architecture, pagodas, and lively markets. Visit iconic landmarks like the Temple of Literature or enjoy a traditional water puppet show. Hanoi is a street food paradise, serving pho, crispy banh cuon, and velvety egg coffee. Dong Xuan Market is great for souvenirs, while Train Street offers an unforgettable photo op as trains pass through a narrow alley lined with cafes. How to fly: IndiGo offers direct flights to both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi from Kolkata. Visa tip: Vietnams e-Visa is valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry options. 5. Hong Kong Neon Lights and Nature Trails Hong Kong is a vibrant paradoxa global financial hub wrapped in the serenity of island life. Escape the urban buzz with a hike along the Dragons Back, offering panoramic coastal views. Indulge in dim sum, stroll along Victoria Harbour, or sip cocktails at a rooftop bar as the skyline twinkles. How to fly: IndiGo offers direct flights from Delhi. Visa tip: Indian passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 14 days with prior online registration. 6. Bangkok, Thailand Where Street Food Meets Skyscrapers Bangkoks charm lies in its contrastsancient temples and floating markets meet glittering malls and rooftop bars. Cruise the khlongs on a longtail boat, relax with a Thai massage, and shop at Chatuchak Market. Savor street food or dine in style with views of the Chao Phraya River. How to fly: IndiGo connects Bangkok with multiple Indian cities. Visa tip: Indian travellers can enjoy visa-free entry to Thailand for up to 60 days until November 11, 2025. 7. Phuket, Thailand A Beach Classic with Hidden Gems Beyond Patong Beach, Phuket surprises with quiet shores like Kata and Karon and historic Old Phuket Town. Visit ethical elephant sanctuaries, hike to the Big Buddha, or explore Phang Nga Bay by boat. 8. Krabi, Thailand Limestone Cliffs and Lagoon Dreams Krabi offers dramatic landscapes with limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and turquoise waters. Kayak, rock climb, snorkel, or relax on Railay Beach. Its ideal for a slower, scenic Thai escape. How to fly: IndiGo has direct flights to Phuket from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata; Krabi is connected from Bengaluru and Mumbai. 9. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Cultures in Sync Kuala Lumpur is a colourful fusion of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures. Visit the Petronas Twin Towers, Batu Caves, and the bustling streets of Chinatown. How to fly: IndiGo operates non-stop flights from Bengaluru and Chennai. Visa tip: Apply for an e-visa, typically approved within 48 hours. 10. Penang, Malaysia Food Capital with Flair Penang is a feast for the senses. Wander George Towns heritage lanes, eat your way through hawker stalls, and relax at quiet beaches or forest reserves. How to fly: IndiGo connects Penang directly with Chennai. 11. Seychelles Turquoise Paradise with a Twist With postcard beaches and rich Creole culture, Seychelles is more than a luxury escape. Explore La Digue by bicycle, snorkel in coral reefs, or visit the UNESCO-listed Vallee de Mai. How to fly: IndiGo has direct flights from Mumbai. Visa tip: Visa-free for up to 90 days with proof of accommodation and return tickets. 12. Mauritius A Rainbow Island of Adventure and Ease Mauritius offers dramatic landscapes, pristine beaches, and a vibrant cultural mix. From hiking the Black River Gorges to street food in Port Louis, every experience is rich in flavour and colour. How to fly: IndiGo connects Bengaluru to Mauritius directly. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Visa tip: Visa-free for Indian travellers for up to 60 days. So, pack your bags, follow the breeze, and let your next adventure take you somewhere unforgettable. 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: June 02, 2025, 17:04 IST Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 17:57 IST Ahead of the upcoming tourist season, Spains Ibiza has decided to put a cap on the number of tourist cars and caravans entering the island. As one of the Balearic islands, Ibiza is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain, owing to its nightlife and pristine beaches. The move aims to curb overtourism, ease traffic congestion, and promote environmental sustainability. Recommended Stories Between June 1 and September 30, a new regulation has been implemented on the island of Ibiza to limit the number of vehicles used by non-residents to a maximum of 20,000 per day, according to a report in El Periodico de Ibiza y Formentera. Of this daily cap, 16,000 spots are allocated for rental cars available on the island, while the remaining 4,000 are reserved for privately owned vehicles arriving via ferry, provided they obtain prior authorisation. Additionally, caravans must prove they have a confirmed booking at a designated camping area, as overnight parking in natural areas is strictly prohibited. Motorbikes, however, are not subject to these seasonal limitations. Vicent Mari, president of Ibizas local government, explained that the initiative is designed to ensure the sustainability" of the island, which is home to approximately 1,50,000 residents but welcomes around 3.6 million tourists annually. This heavy influx also affects the neighbouring island of Formentera, which has already introduced its own vehicle restrictions. Official figures show a dramatic increase in traffic over the past 20 years, with the number of vehicles on Ibizas roads surging from 51,000 in 2002 to 2,07,000 in 2022. Mari acknowledged that some sectorsincluding rental car companies and large businesseshad opposed the new vehicle limits. Nonetheless, he stressed the necessity of regulating what he described as unsustainable" tourist numbers. The broader Balearic archipelago, which includes Mallorca and Menorca along with Ibiza and Formentera, attracts roughly 19 million tourists each year. This makes the region a major contributor to Spains tourism industry, which sees about 94 million visitors annually, ranking it second only to France as a global travel destination. Mallorca, another popular Balearic island, is also reportedly preparing to introduce similar vehicle control measures shortly. Dia Mirza Reveals She, Her Son Nearly Died During Childbirth: 'Pulled Intestine Out And...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 18:29 IST Dia developed a life-threatening bacterial infection, and as such, had to give birth to her son prematurely. Avyaan Azaad Rekhi turned 4 this year. (Photo Credits: Instagram) Dia Mirza gave birth to her son, Avyaan Azaad Rekhi, when she was 39 years old. She revealed in a recent interview that she nearly lost her life when she was pregnant. Dia developed a life-threatening bacterial infection, and as such, had to give birth to her son prematurely. Avyaan also had to undergo life-saving surgery, and Dia wasnt allowed to hold him as he was delicate. Dia Mirza told Official People Of India, I developed an acute bacterial infection, which could have been a side effect of my appendix surgery that I underwent during the fifth month of my pregnancy. By the end of my sixth month, we realised that my placenta was haemorrhaging and my body was going into sepsis. If the baby wasnt delivered, neither of us could be saved. It was quite scary." Recommended Stories When the actress was rushed to the hospital, she asked her doctor to save only her baby. However, her gynaecologist asked her to trust him. As Avyaan was born, he was taken to the ICU as he weighed just 810 grams. Meanwhile, Dia was on IV antibiotics. She added, They discovered 48 hours later that the bacteria in me were life-threatening. Avyaan had to go through life-saving surgery 36 hours after he was born. My son had a hole in his intestine and underwent surgery. They put a stoma on him they basically pulled the intestine out of the body, and it was an exposed stoma." I was allowed to visit him only twice a week; I could not hold him until he weighed 2.5 kg. I brought him home for exactly 20 days, and no nurse was willing to touch him because it was a really terrifying visual. So I handled the dressing. After he became 3.5 kg, he underwent another surgery that lasted 34 hours, and the stoma was corrected," the actress added. Dia Mirza, the renowned Bollywood actress and environmental activist, has journeyed through love, motherhood, and personal growth over the past decade. In October 2014, Dia married her long-time partner and business associate, Sahil Sangha, in a peaceful Arya Samaj ceremony at his farmhouse in Chhatarpur, Delhi. However, in August 2019, after five years of marriage, the couple announced their separation. In February 2021, Dia found love again with businessman Vaibhav Rekhi. Their wedding was a private event in Mumbai, featuring a unique Vedic ceremony conducted by a female priest, a gesture that aligned with Dias values of inclusivity and empowerment. The couple had met during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, and their relationship blossomed from there. In May 2021, Dia announced the birth of their son, Avyaan Azaad Rekhi, who was born prematurely in May. He spent two months in the NICU before being discharged. Dia described the experience as humbling and joyful, highlighting the challenges and gratitude she felt during this time. 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: June 02, 2025, 18:29 IST Ram Gopal Varma DELETES Post Slamming Hooliganism Over Ban Threats On Kamal Haasan's Thug Life Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 16:12 IST Kamal Hasaan moved the Karnataka High Court seeking the release of his upcoming film Thug Life, after threats to ban the film over his Kannada remarks. News18 Veteran actor Kamal Haasan has been embroiled in controversy after a comment he made about the origins of the Kannada language triggered massive backlash. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce warned that if he doesnt apologize, his upcoming movie Thug Life might not be released in the state. Amid threats to ban the film in Karnataka, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma shared his reaction to the controversy. He criticized the backlash against Haasan, calling threats to ban Thug Life a new kind of hooliganism. However, he deleted the post after a few minutes. On Monday, Ram Gopal Varma took to X (formerly Twitter), and strongly reacted to the backlash against Kamal Haasan and his film Thug Life. DEMOCRACYs new name is INTOLERANCE..irrespective of factual correctness , threats to ban #ThugLife in Karnataka unless @ikamalhaasan apologises , amounts to a new kind of HOOLIGANISM," he wrote. The post has now been deleted. Recommended Stories Kamal Haasans Controversial Remark The uproar began during a promotional event for Thug Life, which stars Kamal Haasan alongside Trisha Krishnan and Silambarasan TR. While speaking about the cultural and linguistic links of South India, Haasan remarked that Kannada was born out of Tamil. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah responded strongly, saying that Kannada has its own rich history and that Mr Haasan doesnt know about it". BJP state president BY Vijayendra demanded an apology from the actor. Several Kannada groups and language activists also urged the actor to retract his statement and apologise publicly. However, the South megastar has refused to back down. In a statement, he said, It is a democracy. I believe in law and justice. My love for Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala is true. Nobody will suspect it except for those who have an agenda. Ive been threatened earlier too, and if I am wrong, I would apologise, if Im not, I wont." On Monday, Kamal Haasan moved the High Court as the film faced ban threat in Karnataka. A plea has been filed before the Karnataka High Court seeking directions to ensure that the film is allowed to be screened in Karnataka without any disturbance. Menwhile, Chamber president M Narasimhalu stated that the controversy has moved beyond cinema. If he doesnt apologise, Thug Life wont run in Karnataka. This is for sure, this is not about the industry, this is about the state," he said. First Published: June 02, 2025, 16:10 IST OPINION | Inside The Bear's Den: Ukraine's Deep Strike And The Echoes Of UVB-76 Written By : News18.com Last Updated: June 14, 2025, 07:21 IST As the mysterious radio station UVB-76 crackled to life, seasoned watchers recognised the ominous signal: Russias nuclear doctrine may have stirred from its icy slumber. Video of Ukraine's drone attack on Russian military air bases. (Courtesy:X/@GeopolitixM) In a move that rattled Kremlin corridors and pierced the illusion of homeland invulnerability, Ukraine pulled off what few imagined possible: a precise, coordinated strike deep within Russian territory, targeting strategic bomber bases. The reverberations werent just physical. As the mysterious radio station UVB-76 crackled to life, seasoned watchers recognised the ominous signal: Russias nuclear doctrine may have stirred from its icy slumber. A Strike That Rewrote the Rules of the War Recommended Stories When the conflict between Ukraine and Russia began, few would have wagered that Kyiv could one day reach into Russias airbases with the kind of precision that recalls the Iranian-backed Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabias Aramco facilities in 2019. Yet, here we are. Russian bombers the very platforms launching cruise missiles into Ukrainian cities were hit. Not near the border. Not on contested land. But inside the Russian heartland. This is not just escalation; its evolution. Ukraines attack on Engels and other airbases was no fluke. It was planned, timed, and executed with precision. Whether drones were launched from Ukraine or within Russian territory by infiltrated saboteurs remains to be fully confirmed, but the strategic implications are seismic. This wasnt just a blow to hardware; it was a psychological strike against Russias sense of internal security. Parallels to Aramco: Disrupting from Within In 2019, Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a surprise attack using drones and cruise missiles against Saudi Arabias prized Aramco oil processing facilities in Abqaiq and Khurais. Despite being a technologically inferior force, the Houthis used agility, asymmetry, and innovative targeting to cause billions in losses and embarrass a top-tier military state. Ukraine is now borrowing from the same playbook. Small, Disruptive Units vs. Massive Installations: Just like the Houthis, Ukraines small drone teams (possibly using locally made or repurposed commercial drones) struck high-value strategic sites. The key lies in the cost-to-impact ratio a few thousand dollars of drone technology damaging billion-dollar platforms. Element of Surprise: These attacks arrived in places where Russia didnt expect a threat. Much like Aramco, which assumed the airspace south of its defences was secure, Russia believed its internal bomber bases to be untouchable. High Psychological Value: Damaging oil infrastructure struck at the economic heart of Saudi Arabia. Hitting Russias bomber fleet strikes at its long-range power projection capability and pride. Global Message: Both attacks werent just local military moves. They were meant to show the world and allies that the playing field isnt as one-sided as it seems. Strategic Precision, Tactical Simplicity: A GPS-guided drone swarm launched from the right point, with enough flight time and range, can bypass complex air defence layers especially those configured for traditional aircraft, not slow, low-RCS drones. UVB-76: Russias Ominous Voice in the Static UVB-76, known colloquially as The Buzzer", has broadcast on the 4625 kHz frequency since the Cold War. Usually emitting a monotonous buzzing tone 24/7, its occasional voice transmissions usually strings of seemingly random numbers and names signal serious military readiness. So when voices replace buzzes, people tune in. Analysts track these broadcasts closely, and their resurgence around moments of geopolitical tension is no coincidence. Legacy Command-and-Control System: UVB-76 may serve as a backup or fail-safe command channel for Russias nuclear forces. A relic of the Cold War, it is still very much operational. Part of the Dead Hand" System?: The so-called Perimeter" system Russias automatic nuclear retaliation network is designed to launch if leadership is decapitated. UVB-76s activity could be a signal to activate elements of that structure. War-Time Activation: Historically, the buzzer becomes active with voice messages during major military shifts or nuclear readiness moves. Its sudden transmission post-airbase attack suggests heightened alertness. Symbolic Deterrence: Broadcasting voice messages may be as much a signal to NATO and Ukraine as it is a real command. It says: Were watching. And were ready." Understanding Russias Nuclear Doctrine Russias official military doctrine outlines four main conditions under which nuclear weapons might be used: In Response to Nuclear/Other WMD Attacks: A straightforward clause if Russia is attacked with nuclear weapons or WMDs, it will retaliate. Attack on Strategic Infrastructure That Undermines Deterrence: This is where Ukraines move becomes sensitive. Bombers form the backbone of Russias nuclear triad (land-based missiles, submarines, bombers). Damaging them could, in theory, be interpreted as undermining deterrence capability. Conventional War That Threatens State Existence: If the Russian Federation perceives it is losing a conventional war and the states existence is in danger, it may resort to nuclear weapons. Incoming Missiles of Unknown Type: Even if the warhead isnt nuclear, an incoming missile that could potentially be nuclear might prompt a pre-emptive or retaliatory strike. Ukraines strike, while not nuclear in nature, is seen by Russia as a breach of invulnerability. The logic behind activating UVB-76 may be rooted in Russia preparing for an escalation ladder to signal that it might respond disproportionately to further such attacks. Strategic Implications for Russia and the World 1. Psychological Warfare and Civilian Panic For the first time, Russian civilians far from the Ukrainian border are hearing sirens, witnessing explosions, and seeing burnt aircraft at home bases. The psychological wall between frontline war" and safe rear" is broken. Families of bomber pilots, ground crew, and air defence personnel are no longer insulated. This internal panic leads to: Pressure on the Russian military to bolster internal air defence. Declining morale among troops. Increased fear-based loyalty instead of ideological belief. 2. NATOs Dilemma: Silent Applause or Visible Restraint? Ukraines attack serves NATOs interest by bleeding Russias strategic power, but also risks uncontrollable escalation. Hence: NATO may support Ukraine quietly with ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance). Direct applause is avoided to not provoke Russian escalation. 3. Ukraines Indigenous Capability Grows This attack was not enabled solely by Western technology. Ukrainian drone production, likely with local payload systems, AI-based navigation, and stealth profiles, is maturing. With each such strike: Kyiv becomes less dependent on foreign platforms. The world sees Ukraine as a military innovator. 4. Russias Myth of Strategic Depth Crumbles One of Russias greatest traditional advantages is its geographic depth. Napoleon failed. Hitler failed. But drone warfare cares little about swamps, tundras, or distance. Ukraine, using $10,000 drones, just made the vastness of Russia irrelevant. 5. UVB-76 Hints at Escalation Readiness When the Buzzer changes its tone, its not just shortwave enthusiasts who get nervous. It means contingency plans are no longer theoretical. Where Does This Lead? A Game of Nerves and Narratives Were entering a new era in this war. One where precision strikes, strategic signalling, and psychological operations are more important than tank divisions. What Ukraine just did is more than a military success. Its a lesson in 21st-century warfare: Narratives shape reality: When your civilians feel safe no longer, it changes national mood. Perception drives deterrence: Russia may act as if it was attacked by NATO even if it wasnt. Innovation beats scale: Ten clever drone engineers can outmatch an entire divisions worth of outdated doctrine. Conclusion: The Buzzer Is Buzzing The World Should Listen top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Just like the crackling static of UVB-76, the message from this attack is encrypted but clear to those who know where to look. The bear has been poked deep in its cave. It may roar. Or it may retreat to lick its wounds. Either way, the war has changed. This is not just a shift in tactics. This is a transformation of how nations wage war, deter enemies, and survive modern threats. Stay tuned. And when the buzzer speaks again listen. Group Capt MJ Augustine Vinod VSM (retd) tweets at @mjavinod. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. About the Author Group Capt MJ Augustine Vinod VSM (Retd) Group Capt MJ Augustine Vinod VSM (retd) tweets at @mjavinod Group Capt MJ Augustine Vinod VSM (retd) tweets at @mjavinod First Published: June 02, 2025, 17:46 IST Bihar Assembly Polls Likely In 2-3 Phases; EC To Avoid Dates Coinciding With Diwali, Chhath Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Ashesh Mallick Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 12:57 IST The term of the current Bihar assembly is scheduled to end on November 22 this year, thus the elections must be held before this date. Bihar Assembly elections 2025: Polls may be held in two-three phases (AP Image) The Bihar Assembly Elections are likely to be held in two to three phases, and the decision on the poll schedule will be taken keeping dates of Diwali and Chhath festivals in view, sources said on Monday. The Election Commission of India has begun preparations for polls for the state Assembly, the term of which will end on November 22 this year. It is therefore mandatory for the election process to be completed before the tenure of the current government comes to an end. Recommended Stories Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will visit Bihar this month to take stock of the situation. The ECI has already begun the training of its staff for the polls. Sources said that the ECI is making efforts to nullify the Oppositions allegations related to voter list fraud, like those made in previous Assembly polls, including in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Delhi. Thats why training for BLOs (Booth Level Officers) has also been conducted. All BLOs will be provided identity cards so that they can go door-to-door for verification," sources said. A campaign will also be launched in Bihar to update the voter list, so that the names of young people turning 18 can be added. Now there will be no duplicate EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) numbers they have been eliminated," sources said. Notably, after a crushing defeat in Maharashtra, Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, had alleged voter fraud, claiming that additional voters were added to the list to benefit the BJP. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The ECI is also preparing to deal with the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI). Soon, a special cell will be formed within the Commission to monitor AI-related issues," sources said. Location : Bihar, India, India First Published: June 02, 2025, 12:56 IST Don't Make West Bengal A North Korea: Kangana Urges Mamata Govt To Release Sharmishta Panoli Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 08:06 IST Kangana Ranuat has come out in strong support of law student Sharmishta Panoli who was arrested for her alleged communal remarks online. Kangana Ranaut backs Sharmishta Panoli after her arrest (PTI Image) Bharatiya Janata Party MP Kangana Ranaut on Sunday urged the West Bengal government to release 22-year-old law student Sharmishta Panoli, who was arrested by Kolkata Police for her alleged communal remarks online. She said that the Mamata Banerjee government should not try to turn West Bengal into North Korea". Recommended Stories The influencer, who was quite vocal during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, used strong language against some Bollywood actors for their silence during Indias military operation against terrorists on the other side of the border. She deleted the video on May 15 and issued an unconditional apology, however, the Kolkata Police arrested her from Gurugram on Friday based on a complaint. She was sent to 14-day judicial custody. Harassing someone in the name of law and order is not good. When someone has apologised and deleted the post, but putting her in prison, torturing her, ending her career, and raising questions on her character is very wrong. This should not happen with any daughter," Kangana told news agency ANI. I urge the West Bengal government not to try to make the state into North Korea. Everyone has democratic rights. She has apologised for her indecent remarks. She had said everything in general and todays generation uses such language very normally- both in English and in Hindi. She should be released soon because she is a very young woman. She has her whole career and life ahead of her," the actor added. Notably, North Korea is ruled by Kim Jong Un, a dictator. Since her arrest, the influencer has garnered online support and backing from several leaders, including from the BJP and the Netherlands. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The BJP questioned Mamata over the quick action" by her police against Panoli ever after her apology and asked if the state police would arrest TMC leaders who made controversial remarks for the Hindu community. Sharmistha Panoli, just 22 years old, has been arrested and sent to 14-day judicial custody over a video she had already deleted and publicly apologised for on May 15. There have been no reports of communal unrest linked to her remarks, yet the Kolkata Police is acting with uncharacteristic haste. This is no longer about law and order it is about selective enforcement," BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya posted on X. 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: June 02, 2025, 08:00 IST 'Don't See Myself In Central Role, Want To Return': Chirag Paswan Hints At Bihar Poll Plunge Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 15:10 IST Chirag Paswan said that his preference has "always been Bihar and Biharis", adding that he does not see himself in the central leadership. Chirag Paswan hints at contesting Bihar Assembly polls (PTI Image) Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Monday weighed in on the reports of the possibility of him contesting the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections, and clarified that his preference has always been Bihar and Biharis", adding that he conveyed his desire to the party to return to the state politics soon. Paswan emphasised that he wants to see Bihar as a developed state, which he said, is not possible if I am in Delhi." Recommended Stories Chirag Paswan Set For Bihar Assembly Polls? I have said this previously, that I dont see myself in National politics for long. The only reason I came into politics was Bihar and Biharis. My vision has always been Bihar first, Bihari first, and I always want Bihar to prosper and be at par with other developed states. And I have realised after becoming an MP for the third time that this would not be possible in Delhi. I had expressed my wish before the party (Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas)) that I want to return to Bihar soon," news agency ANI quoted Paswan as saying while speaking with the reporters. #WATCH | Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Union Minister Chirag Paswan says, I have said this previously, that I dont see myself in National politics for long. The only reason I came into politics was Bihar and Biharis. My vision has always been Bihar first, Bihari first, and I always pic.twitter.com/29mXTYBWj0 ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2025 However, he added that his party is still evaluating if it will be beneficial to contest the state elections. If my strike rate gets better and the performance of my alliance gets better, of which there are high chances, then I will definitely contest," he made it clear. His remarks came a day after sources told CNN-News18 that the parliamentary board of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has decided that Paswan would contest the Assembly polls from a general seat. Sources said that the final decision on the seat is yet to be taken; however, they confirmed that it would be a general seat. Speculations gained traction after a social media post by Jamui MP and Paswans brother-in-law, Arun Bharti, said, When the leader is of the whole of Bihar, then why should the scope of the seat be limited?". Bihar Assembly Elections By This Year-End top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The term of the current Bihar Assembly is set to end on November 22 this year. The Election Commission of India is likely to hold state polls in two to three phases, sources said on Monday, adding that the poll body may avoid dates coinciding with key festivals like Diwali and Chhath Puja. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will also visit Bihar this month to take stock of the situation. Training of the staff has also begun for the elections. 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: June 02, 2025, 14:37 IST KCR To Expel His Daughter Kavitha From BRS Amid Escalating Internal Crisis Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Saurabh Verma Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 19:57 IST Kavitha, who heads Telangana Jagruthi, has increasingly clashed with the partys leadership due to her persistent criticism of both the organisation and its senior members (Photos: PTI file) The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is on the brink of a major internal restructuring, with party president K Chandrashekar Rao reportedly preparing to expel his daughter Kalvakuntla Kavitha. Kavitha, who heads Telangana Jagruthi, has clashed with the partys leadership due to her persistent criticism of both the organisation and its senior members. Recommended Stories Party insiders reveal that KCR has been meticulously documenting Kavithas actions, which he deems detrimental to the party drawing comparisons to Lord Krishna patiently cataloguing 100 transgressions before slaying Shishupala. Despite their familial ties, sources suggest KCR believes party discipline and integrity supersede personal relationships. With BRS Working President KT Rama Rao currently abroad, the expulsion is expected to be formally announced upon his return. The conflict escalated after Kavitha sent a letter to KCR, sparking internal tensions. Subsequent allegations that she had explored merging the BRS with the BJP further exacerbated the divide. The situation intensified when she publicly questioned KTRs leadership during media interactions. Her remarks at the Telangana Jagruthi office inauguration, where she described BRS and Jagruthi as KCRs two eyes", were widely interpreted as asserting her independence from the party. The scale of the Jagruthi office launch further fuelled speculation about her forging a separate political path. Despite these internal challenges, many BRS leaders remain optimistic about the partys prospects. They believe that growing public dissatisfaction with the ruling Congress government in Telangana arising from unmet promises, stalled development projects, and inadequate welfare implementation could facilitate the BRSs return to power. With municipal elections approaching, including the crucial Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections, party members are confident in their ability to mobilise voter support. However, many grassroots workers are dismayed that Kavitha, instead of supporting the party during a challenging period, is now perceived as openly rebellious. They believe her actions are undermining the leadership when unity is paramount. Political analyst Martha Subrahmanyam told News18 that the party is facing one of its most turbulent periods. Controversies are piling up, and the government is under legal scrutiny even KCR has received notices from the Kaleshwaram Commission. In this context, Kavithas behaviour is not just irritating but seriously damaging. KCR has always acted swiftly against dissent. Why should this be any different? Would he remain silent if a BC or SC leader had acted this way? Isnt this clearly a case of indiscipline?" KCR, known for his firm grip on party affairs, now faces the difficult task of consolidating the organisation and restoring its political relevance. While he may operate behind the scenes, all major decisions including appointments and dismissals require his direct approval. Insiders say the leadership believes Kavithas conduct has not only eroded party discipline but also provoked KCRs anger. Despite her public declarations of loyalty, neither KCR nor the senior leadership appears convinced. Following BRSs defeat in the last Assembly elections, KCRs strategic silence and behind-the-scenes manoeuvres have been credited with stabilising the party. Leaders like KTR, Harish Rao, and other second-tier functionaries have been active in rebuilding the partys base. However, Kavithas defiance is now seen as a significant impediment to this recovery. According to senior BRS sources, KCR will not hesitate to take decisive action if he believes the partys future is threatened. If he feels someone even his own daughter or son is harming the party, he doesnt spare them. He takes tough decisions when necessary," said a senior leader close to the BRS chief. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Kavitha is also widely considered a key factor in the partys poor performance in the recent elections. Her arrest in the Delhi liquor scam, and the oppositions labelling of her as the Liquor Queen", considerably tarnished BRSs public image. While KCR remained restrained during that period, political observers believe he may be less inclined to do so now. With all indications pointing towards her imminent departure, it appears Kavithas expulsion from BRS is a matter of time. First Published: June 02, 2025, 19:48 IST NCP Reunion On The Cards? Rohit Pawar Hints At Merger Between Sharad And Ajit Factions Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 15:04 IST Ajit Pawar led a massive split in the NCP in 2023, after which the Election Commission recognised his faction as the official NCP. Is Sharad Pawar-Ajit Pawar reunion on the cards? (PTI File Image) NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawars grandnephew, Rohit Pawar, has stoked speculations over a possible merger of the party with Ajit Pawars faction, stating that Supriya Sule has been entrusted" to take a final call on the matter. Rohit, a Karjat-Jamkhed MLA, said once Sule returns from abroad where she is representing India as part of a delegation to expose Pakistans backing of terrorism she would clarify her stance on the merger of the party. Recommended Stories His remarks came in response to merger rumours. Sharad Pawar has entrusted Supriya with this responsibility, and until she returns and speaks clearly on the matter She is currently abroad and will return on June 5, and after that, we are all waiting for her views," Rohit said on Saturday. He claimed that discussions on the merger have not yet taken place among party leaders. Until Supriya returns and clarifies, we wont be able to shed light on this," he said. No one really knows what Pawar saheb is thinking. When he makes a decision, its usually surprising and unexpected. Even if he says something political, the outcome might be different. What happens next depends on him, but he always chooses what he believes is best for the people," he added. Ajit Pawar broke away from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on July 2, 2023, when he, along with eight other NCP leaders, joined the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) alliance in Maharashtra. He was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister, marking a significant split in the party. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The huge political step resulted in the formation of two factions within the NCP, which was founded by Sharad Pawar. The division resulted in a legal battle over the partys name and symbol. On February 6, 2024, the Election Commission of India recognised the Ajit Pawar-led faction as the official NCP, granting it the partys name and symbol. 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: June 02, 2025, 15:03 IST Prakash Rajs Sindoor Quip At PM Modi Sparks BJP Outrage: More Dangerous Than ISI Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 12:46 IST Likening Rajs rhetoric to that of an enemy agent, BJP said that it's more shameful when a good character actor, who preaches things on screen, acts like a villain in real life. Actor Prakash Raj courted a controversy over his recent remarks. (File) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday hit out at actor Prakash Raj over his controversial remarks linking Operation Sindoor and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Likening Rajs rhetoric to that of an enemy agent, BJP said that its more shameful when a good character actor, who preaches so many things on screen, acts like a villain in real life. Recommended Stories What Prakash Raj Said? Raj courted a controversy after he shared a post on X highlighting a fake news that read, Modi government to deliver sindoor to every household." In a follow-up post, he questioned, But why will women take #Sindoor from this old man?", a comment many saw as a personal dig at PM Modis age and marital status. But Why will Women take #Sindoor from this Old man #justasking https://t.co/m9rf88OCTr Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) June 1, 2025 BJP Reacts BJP leader NV Subhash condemned Prakash Rajs remarks as deeply shameful" and disrespectful" to Indian women. He urged the actor to take back his comments saying that such remarks doesnt go well with his stature. This kind of statement doesnt go very well with the versatile actor, or his stature, always talking about Modi, belittling the Indian Army, democratic values of society, I expect him to withdraw his words, because this is a direct attack on women. It is more shameful that a good, character actor, when he preaches so many things on celluloid, but when he comes to real life, he is like a villain," he said as quoted by news agency PTI. VIDEO | Likening actor Prakash Raj to an ISI agent or a traitor over his Sindoor comment, BJP leader NV Subhash says, This kind of statement doesnt go very well with the versatile actor, or his stature, always talking about Modi, belittling the Indian Army, democratic values pic.twitter.com/BIanWjYxHG Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 2, 2025 Subhash further likened the actor to an ISI agent or a traitor over his Sindoor comment. I think he is more dangerous than an ISI agent, or a traitor who always wants to make hole in democratic values. He has his mother, sister, he should not make such statements against women He should immediately withdraw his words," he added. Operation Sindoor top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 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. 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. 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: June 02, 2025, 12:46 IST 'Pure Fear-Mongering': Centre Hits Back After Congress Alleges Surge In Digital Fraud Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 21:51 IST The Modi government has touted UPI as a major achievement, but Congress claims digitisation led to Rs 6.36 lakh crore in fraud The Congress has renewed its attack on the Centre and alleged that digitisation has robbed people of their hard-earned money. (Image for representation: News18) Digitisation or UPI is one of the biggest achievements of the Narendra Modi-led government and it has left its footprint on almost every part of the country. Not only this, it has impressed many world leaders, who on multiple occasions, have used it while in India or have recommended its use back home like in Germany or Japan. But the Congress has now renewed its attack on the central government and alleged that digitisation has robbed people of their hard-earned money. According to the party, 1,25,828 cases of digital fraud have been registered with a total loss of Rs 6.36 lakh crore. Recommended Stories Government sources, however, strongly rejected this claim. They said the Congress is misleading people by throwing around the figure of Rs 6.36 lakh crore. This is pure fear-mongering and creating doubt about the strength of the banking sector," they said. The sources said there is a difference between banking fraud and digital fraud. Fraud related to card/internet digital payments is only one specific subset within a larger type of fraud. Government figures show that while total digital payment fraud accrued to 63,315 cases, the extent of financial loss because of this was about Rs 733 crore. The sources further said the Congress had inflated the figures to create a panic, which would ultimately have an impact on both the banking sector, which has witnessed growth and also on the use of UPI that has ensured greater financial transparency and curtailing of black money. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In fact, they pointed out that there are several steps being taken by the finance ministry to ensure bank and digital fraud is curtailed. For example, the Reserve Bank of India has set up the central fraud registry for the purpose. Not only this, the finance ministry also works in close coordination with the home ministry to ensure cyber crime is checked. As per data available in Parliament record, digital fraud has dipped from 29,082 cases in 2023-2024 to 13,384 cases in 2024-2025. Losses have come down from Rs 177 crore to Rs 107 crore in the same period. The Congress is spreading fake news, which needs to be countered, the sources added. About the Author Pallavi Ghosh Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als... Read More Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als... Read More First Published: June 02, 2025, 21:51 IST 'Is It Difficult To Be Patriotic?': Salman Khurshid Hits Back At Congress Criticism, BJP Reacts Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 16:28 IST Khurshid's remarks came after all-party delegations, including senior Congress leaders, faced criticism from their own party, even as they highlighted Indias anti-terror stance. Congress leader Salman Khurshid. (PTI Photo) Congress leader Salman Khurshid reacted to constant Congress criticism over the all-party delegations sent to foreign countries to highlight Indias anti-terror stand, criticisng the party for calculating political allegiances" during the mission against terrorism. The grand old party has been harshly criticised for opposing the inclusion of its own senior figures in the all-party delegations organised by the Central government. Senior Congress leaders criticised their own leaders, most notably Shashi Tharoor, for supporting the ruling partys stance against terrorism. Recommended Stories Taking to X, Khurshid said, When on mission against terrorism, to carry Indias message to the world, its distressing that people at home are calculating political allegiances. Is it so difficult to be patriotic?" When on mission against terrorism, to carry Indias message to the world, its distressing that people at home are calculating political allegiances. Is it so difficult to be patriotic? Salman Khurshid (@salman7khurshid) June 2, 2025 Speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur, Khurshid said, What we are doing here is what is needed for the country. No matter which party you are from, today what is needed is a single voice to speak in favour of the nation and that is what we are doing here." I am not here to oppose the Indian government. I have come here to speak for India. For me, India and only India is first." BJP Reacts To Salman Khurshids Remark Reacting to Khurshids remark, BJP leader Amit Malviya said the sentiment was tragic and deeply ironic. It reflects the cost of a warped idea of secularism that the Congress party has long championed, one that confuses the urgent need to confront terror with a compulsive instinct to appease. In doing so, they have not only diluted the moral clarity required to fight extremism, but have also compromised national security in the name of vote-bank politics," he said. The sentiment expressed here is both tragic and deeply ironic. It reflects the cost of a warped idea of secularism that the Congress party has long championed, one that confuses the urgent need to confront terror with a compulsive instinct to appease. In doing so, they have not pic.twitter.com/yLc1mujGCw Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) June 2, 2025 What makes this all the more tragic is the Congress partys belief that it is somehow divinely entitled to rule, a notion so deeply ingrained that it often puts the partys partisan interests above the countrys welfare. Time and again, we have seen national interest sacrificed at the altar of political expediency, wrapped in lofty rhetoric but hollow in principle." Malviya further accused the Congress of bringing in communal politics during Indias fight against terrorism, emboldening enemies of the state and betraying" the nation. Congress U-Turn On All-Party Delegations Congress had initially expressed unity with the Centre after the heinous terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 tourists were gunned down by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. No sooner had the all-party delegations left for their respective countries than Congress started criticising the diplomatic outreach and even countered statements made by their own leaders. Congress had criticised the BJP for cheap political games" after the latter had announced the names of leaders to lead the delegations. Four senior Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor, Salman Khurshid, Manish Tewari and Amar Singh without consulting the party. Tharoor is a former diplomat, and Khurshid served as the External Affairs Minister. Their names did not feature in the list of names suggested by the Congress. Congress has also consistently criticised the government and raised repeated questions about Indias military losses during Operation Sindoor, drawing sharp reactions in a particularly sensitive period. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Jairam Rameshs comment that our MPs are roaming and terrorists are also roaming" drew severe backlash from the ruling party. He also hit out at Shashi Tharoors recent remarks, stating that Tharoors explanation of the governments anti-terror stance did not represent the official position of the Congress party. Tharoors remarks in Panama created another discomfort among Congress, after which the party dubbed him super spokesperson of the BJP". Tharoor has dismissed these remarks, saying he will speak with his colleagues once he returns to India. About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More First Published: June 02, 2025, 15:56 IST Telangana IAS Officer Under Fire For 'Students Must Clean Toilets' Remark Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 16:46 IST IAS officer Alagu Varsini has said students studying in government schools are not from a posh background and should wash their toilets, do their cooking and sweep their rooms The opposition BRS has demanded the transfer of IAS officer Alagu Varsini. (Image: @Alagu Varsini V S/LinkedIn) An IAS officer from Telangana has triggered a massive political row with comments about students cleaning toilets at their schools. Her comments have come under fire, with demands that the Revanth Reddy-led state government transfer her from her post. The officer, Alagu Varsini, reportedly said students studying in government schools are not from a posh background and should wash their own toilets, do their own cooking and sweep their rooms. She is the secretary of the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society and has said selective editing" of her comments had led to the controversy. Recommended Stories The opposition, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has called her statement as displaying discriminatory attitudes towards students from marginalised communities, prompting the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) to take note of the incident while also seeking details. According to a report published by NDTV, the NCSC on Monday issued a notice to Telangana chief secretary K Ramakrishna Rao and director general of police (DGP) Dr Jitender, asking about the comments. It has sought replies within a fortnight. The BRS has alleged that Varsinis comments are not only derogatory but can be seen as pushing the new generation of Dalit children into a similar situation as their previous generations. Party leader K Kavitha accused the Congress government in the state of taking away grants from Gurukul schools that enabled them to hire cleaners and caretakers. She targeted Revanth Reddy for being anti-poor, anti-Dalit" and demanded the officers removal as well as the restoration of social welfare grants in these schools. Congress governments anti-poor attitude is reflected in this shocking behaviour by an official, at Social Welfare Gurukul Society. The evidence of which is available in the audio clip !! Each social welfare school was granted Rs 40,000 per month during the BRS rule for hiring four temporary workers for cleaning tasks. This has been stopped by Congress government starting May this year. The government has also done away with having assistant caretakers in the 240 schools, forcing the students to take up the role of wardens and manage kitchens. Now the officer is Forcing children to clean toilets in schools !!" (sic) she said in a post on X, where she also attached the viral audio clip. Kavitha said the social welfare grants cancelled by the Congress had been set aside by the previous KCR-led regime. The statements goes against the very concept of establishing Gurukuls to protect students from marginalised communities from caste and class bias. This behaviour is discriminatory, exploitative, and violates basic principles of child rights and dignity. It only Reflects Revanth Reddy governments anti poor, anti Dalith attitude !! I demand the government to immediately take steps to remove the officer and start giving the required funds to run the social welfare schools properly," (sic) she added. Congress governments anti-poor attitude is reflected in this shocking behaviour by an official, at Social Welfare Gurukul Society.The evidence of which is available in the audio clip !! Each social welfare school was granted Rs 40,000 per month during the BRS rule for hiring pic.twitter.com/GcDfgKHXBl Kavitha Kalvakuntla (@RaoKavitha) May 28, 2025 WHAT IS THE CONTROVERSY? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Varsinis comments recently went viral after an audio clip surfaced in which she was heard saying holistic education includes teaching sanitation and personal hygiene". She, however, told NDTV that her intention was to ensure children under her care received an all-round education, both from books and lessons on self-care". the children come to us when they are 10 years old and leave when they are 18. In that time we want to provide a holistic education, not just a bookish education. If they enter the system at nine or 10 years old, and I make them study for nine hours and send them back, then what will they learn about self-care or cleanliness? Is education only from books? I dont think so," she was quoted. 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: June 02, 2025, 16:34 IST Math Marvel! 16-Year-Old Nitin Patel Solves 200 Problems In 6 Minutes, Wins World Title Curated By : Translation Desk-Local18 Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 13:22 IST 16-year-old Nitin Patel from Madhya Pradesh topped a global maths contest in Dubai, beating 800 participants. His story proves that dedication and hard work lead to greatness Three months of disciplined preparation and commitment to excellence have now placed Nitin Patel among the brightest young minds in the world. (Local18) In an inspiring achievement that has brought pride to India, 16-year-old Nitin Patel from Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, has been crowned the world champion at the Mathlo Genius International Competition in Dubai. Competing against 800 participants from 18 countries, Nitin Patel, a student of Class 9 and son of farmer Yashpal Patel, solved 200 complex mathematical problems in just six minutes. Out of 20 Indian participants, only two hailed from Madhya Pradesh, making Nitin Patels success even more significant. Upon his return, his hometown welcomed him like a hero, with flower garlands, sweets, and celebratory beats of the drums. An award ceremony was held in Sagar to honour his remarkable feat. His victory showcased Indias growing talent on the global stage. Recommended Stories Nitin Patel qualified for the international round after excelling in the national-level competition held in Delhi last year. However, his family had to arrange for the travel expenses themselves. His grandfather, Kesari Nandan Patel, stepped in to fund the trip. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He trained at Little Flower Academy, guided by director Sahajal Irfan, who also received the Best Fastest Teacher award at the event. Sahajal Irfan expressed immense pride in Nitin Patels achievement, calling it a milestone for the city of Sagar and proof that talent knows no barriers. This proud moment is a shining example that dedication and hard work truly pay off. Nitin Patels three months of disciplined preparation and commitment to excellence have now placed him among the brightest young minds in the world. Talking about his future, Nitin Patel stated that he dreams of becoming a pilot. 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 : Sagar, India, India First Published: June 02, 2025, 13:22 IST Majority of Parties in Bangladesh Push for December Elections at National Consensus Commission Meet Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Anushka Vats Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 23:26 IST During the meeting, most parties reportedly expressed their preference for holding general elections within December 2025. Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus (Credits: AFP) More than 20 political parties in Bangladesh have expressed their view that the national election should be held in December, and that the entire election process must be completed by early next year. According to sources in Dhaka, this was the dominant sentiment at Mondays National Consensus Commission meeting convened by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Professor Yunus officially launched the second round of talks with political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. The key agenda items included discussions on the proclamation of the July Revolution, government reforms, and the timeline for the upcoming election. Recommended Stories Speaking to reporters after the meeting, BNP leader Salauddin Ahmed said, Reform is essential, but it should not take more than a month. Most parties present today have called for elections by December. We hope the interim government will consider all aspects and take a decision accordingly." Sources in Dhaka also confirmed that Jamaat-e-Islami echoed similar views, emphasizing the need for early elections. Jamaat is also reportedly planning to raise objections over the inclusion of a Buddhist temple image on the national currency notes. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all From the Communist Party of Bangladesh to the BNP, almost all major political partiesexcept the NCPagreed that elections should be held following key reforms. The meeting will continue on Tuesday, with all eyes now on when the official election date will be announced. The political landscape remains tense, and the nation waits eagerly for further developments. Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: June 02, 2025, 20:51 IST Who Is Mohamed Sabry Soliman? Suspect Behind 'Targeted Terror Attack' In Boulder, Colorado Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 08:38 IST Mohamed Sabry Soliman, who reportedly overstayed a US visa after arriving in 2022, was identified as the suspect in a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Colorado attack suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman (L)/ Police on the site (R) (Photos: Social Media/AFP) At least six people were injured in what the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) immediately described as a targeted terror attack" at the Pearl Street outdoor mall in Boulder, Colorado. The group targeted by the suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, had gathered to raise attention to Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Recommended Stories Soliman yelled Free Palestine" and used a makeshift flamethrower in the attack, said Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the Denver field office. Soliman was later taken into custody. WHO IS MOHAMED SABRY SOLIMAN? According to US President Donald Trumps deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, Soliman had overstayed his visa in the United States and had been allowed to work by the previous administration. Multiple media reports suggest Soliman is an Egyptian native. However, an official confirmation on the same was awaited. Reports also suggested Soliman had arrived in the United States on a B-2 visa in August 2022. More details on his home and family were not immediately available. Soliman was also injured and was taken to the hospital to be treated, but authorities didnt elaborate on the nature of his injuries. ALSO READ | Hamas Agrees To Free 10 Living Hostages, 18 Bodies In Response To US Ceasefire Proposal The attack took place at the popular Pearl Street pedestrian mall, a four-block area in downtown Boulder, where demonstrators with a volunteer group called Run For Their Lives had gathered to raise visibility for the hostages who remain in Gaza. It occurred more than a week after the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington by a Chicago man who yelled, I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza" as he was being led away by police. Tensions in the United States over Israels war in Gaza have recently heightened, spurring an increase in antisemitic hate crime as well as moves by conservative supporters of Israel, led by Donald Trump, to brand pro-Palestinian protests as antisemitic. Trumps administration has detained protesters of the war without charge and cut off funding to elite US universities that have permitted such demonstrations. COLORADO INCIDENT A TERROR ATTACK Meanwhile, FBI leaders in Washington said they were treating the Boulder attack as an act of terrorism, and the Justice Department which leads investigations into acts of violence driven by religious, racial or ethnic motivations decried the attack as a needless act of violence, which follows recent attacks against Jewish Americans". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts. We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it," FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a post on X. ALSO READ | 31 Killed, Over 100 Injured In Israeli Strike Near Aid Delivery Point In Rafah 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: June 02, 2025, 08:38 IST Dragon's Dilemma: If China Cuts Water To India, Pakistan And Bangladesh Will Dry Out Too Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 18:38 IST Two of the most important rivers originating in Tibet, the Sutlej and the Brahmaputra, flow not only into India but also onward into Pakistan and Bangladesh. China has sanctioned construction of what could become the world's largest hydropower station on the Brahmaputra, known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet. Indias recent warnings about potentially restricting the flow of Indus River waters to Pakistan have sparked swift diplomatic activity in the neighbourhood. In response, Pakistan turned to China, holding discussions with Chinese experts to explore whether they could apply similar pressure on India by controlling rivers that originate in Tibet and flow into the country. While such talks signal growing tensions in the region over water resources, experts believe Chinas ability to use water as a strategic tool against India is limited, mainly because any drastic action could harm other downstream countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh. Recommended Stories India had recently hinted at a possible reconsideration of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, especially in the wake of cross-border tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. Retired defence expert Brigadier Shardendu noted that China may wield water as a strategic lever in wartime scenarios, but its room to maneuver is tightly constrained by geography and geopolitics. Indeed, two of the most important rivers originating in Tibet, the Sutlej and the Brahmaputra, flow not only into India but also onward into Pakistan and Bangladesh. Any large-scale water manipulation by China risks regional blowback, he noted. Under its 14th Five-Year Plan, China has sanctioned construction of what could become the worlds largest hydropower station on the Brahmaputra, known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet. The proposed Medog Dam, situated near the so-called Great Bend of the river before it enters India, is designed to generate an estimated 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. While this dam would afford China a level of control over the rivers downstream flow, experts caution against overestimating its utility as a weapon. Most Chinese dams are run-of-the-river projects," explained water policy researcher Anjali Sharma, adding that they were designed to generate power, not to store water on a scale sufficient for long-term control. Moreover, no binding bilateral treaty exists between India and China on water-sharing. The two countries operate only on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that mandates the sharing of limited hydrological data on rivers like the Brahmaputra and Sutlej during the monsoon season from mid-May to mid-October. The Dibang Dam In anticipation of potential water-related moves from China, India has accelerated its own countermeasures. Chief among them is the Dibang Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh. Long delayed over environmental concerns since its initial approval in 2008, the project finally received a green light under the Modi government in 2019. Construction is now underway. Once completed, the Dibang Dam will rise to 288 metres, making it the tallest dam in India and the eighth largest in Asia. It will generate over 3,000 megawatts of electricity and, more crucially, serve as a buffer against sudden changes in the Brahmaputras flow, whether due to natural causes or upstream manipulation. This dam is Indias insurance policy," said a senior official in Ministry of Jal Shakti, adding that is has been designed to protect downstream states like Arunachal Pradesh and Assam from both drought and flood scenarios. Any disruption in the Brahmaputras flow would strike at the heart of livelihoods across northeastern states and into Bangladesh. The river supplies 30% of Indias drinking water and powers 44% of its hydropower capacity. In states like Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, entire agricultural cycles depend on its seasonal rhythm. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Sutlej, too, holds immense strategic value. Known in Tibet as the Langqen Zangbo, it flows through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Any restriction on its flow could impact wheat and paddy cultivation, striking at national food security. In Bangladesh, which lies further downstream, changes in the Brahmaputras behaviour, whether reduced flow or sudden surges, could spell ecological disaster. First Published: June 02, 2025, 18:38 IST 'Facing Serious Threat': PM Starmer Says UK Moving To War-Fighting Readiness Published By : AFP Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 17:59 IST The Strategic Defence Review, which assesses threats facing the UK and makes recommendations, said that Britain is entering "a new era of threat" UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer . (File IMAGE: REUTERS) Britain announced it will build 12 new attack submarines as it launched a major defence review Monday to move the country to war-fighting readiness" in the face of Russian aggression" and the changing nature of the conflict. Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that the threat we now face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War," as he launched the review in Glasgow. Recommended Stories We face war in Europe, new nuclear risks, daily cyber-attacks, growing Russian aggression in our waters, menacing our skies," he added. The Strategic Defence Review, which assesses threats facing the UK and makes recommendations, said that Britain is entering a new era of threat". As a result, Starmer said his government aimed to deliver three fundamental changes". First, we are moving to war-fighting readiness as the central purpose of our armed forces," he said. Every part of society, every citizen of this country, has a role to play because we have to recognise that things have changed in the world of today. The front line, if you like, is here," he added. Secondly, the prime minister insisted that UK defence policy will always be NATO first", and finally that the UK will innovate and accelerate innovation at a wartime pace so we can meet the threats of today and of tomorrow." Blueprint For Strength The UK has been racing to rearm in the face of the threat from Russia and fears that US President Donald Trump will no longer help protect Europe. Starmer said it would serve as a blueprint for strength and security for decades to come", taking into account the increasing use of drones and artificial intelligence on the battlefield. His government pledged in February to lift defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027 in the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War". And despite budget constraints, it aims for spending to rise to three per cent in the next parliamentary term, due in 2029. The Labour government has said it will cut UK overseas aid to help fund the spending. Based on the recommendations of the review, which was led by former NATO Secretary General George Robertson, the government said Sunday that it would boost stockpiles and weapons production capacity, which could be scaled up if needed. This includes 1.5 billion ($2 billion) for building at least six munitions and energetics factories", procuring 7,000 domestically built long-range weapons, and spending 6 billion on munitions over the current parliamentary term. The government also said late Sunday that it would build up to 12 new attack submarines as part of its AUKUS military alliance with Australia and the United States. Currently, the UK is set to operate seven nuclear-powered Astute Class attack submarines, which will be replaced by the 12 AUKUS submarines from the late 2030s. The defence ministry also said it would invest 15 billion in its nuclear warhead programme and last week pledged 1 billion for the creation of a cyber command" to help on the battlefield. China Challenge The last such defence review was commissioned in 2021 by the previous Conservative government and was revised in 2023 after Russias invasion of Ukraine. While launching the new review, Robertson said it would tackle threats from Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, calling them a deadly quartet". But in an op-ed article for The Sun newspaper, Starmer did not mention China, while warning that The Kremlin is working hand in hand with its cronies in Iran and North Korea." The softer rhetoric on China is in line with the Labour governments efforts to thaw relations with Beijing, which reached new lows under former prime minister Rishi Sunaks Conservative government. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The review describes Russia as an immediate and pressing" threat, but calls China a sophisticated and persistent challenge", according to The Guardian. At a time when Washington is demanding that its NATO allies bolster their own defences, Britain is considering strengthening its deterrent by buying nuclear-missile-capable aircraft from the United States, The Sunday Times reported. About the Author Saurabh Verma Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Location : London, United Kingdom (UK) First Published: June 02, 2025, 17:59 IST From Battalion Commander To Hamas Military Chief: Rise Of Izz al-Din al-Haddad Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 20:14 IST By June 2024, he was appointed chief military commander for northern Gaza, a move considered part of a broader shift in Hamass military structure. Hamas Chief Izz al-Din al-Haddad (Credits: X) Mohammed Sinwar, the Hamas chief, was declared dead on Wednesday by Israel amid the ongoing conflict that began on 7 October 2023. With Sinwars death, the man now leading Hamas is Izz al-Din al-Haddad. Who Is Izz al-Din al-Haddad? Recommended Stories Izz al-Din al-Haddad began his career as a company-level commander. His responsibilities grew, and he eventually led a full battalion. Over time, he assumed command of six battalions and a special forces unit. By June 2024, he was appointed chief military commander for northern Gaza, a move considered part of a broader shift in Hamass military structure. Following Yahya Sinwars reported death, al-Haddad is believed to have taken charge of two significant regional commands and as many as 14 battalions, according to The Wall Street Journal. How Did Al-Haddad Survive Constant Israeli Attacks on His Residence? A long-standing target of Israel, al-Haddad has been targeted several times, with attacks dating back to 2008. Israeli airstrikes targeted his residence in 2008, 2012, 2021, and 2023. Since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, Israel has made three further attempts to kill him. According to intelligence sources, al-Haddad remains extremely cautious about his movements and locations. He frequently changes safe houses and follows strict security protocols, confiding in only a small, trusted inner circle. This high level of operational secrecy has made him notoriously difficult to track, despite Israel placing a $750,000 bounty on him. Al-Haddad and His Role in Hamass October Attack top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The night before Hamass surprise attack on Israel, al-Haddad held a secret meeting with senior commanders. There, he shared a document outlining key objectives: the mass abduction of Israeli soldiers into Gaza, real-time documentation of the assault, and the capture of Israeli border communities, Ynet News reported. According to intelligence sources, his main role included direct command of the Nahal Oz military base assault, where over 60 soldiers and 15 civilians were killed, and several hostages were taken to Gaza. First Published: June 02, 2025, 20:14 IST India, Pakistani Generals Trade Warnings At Shangri-La Dialogue As Tensions Linger Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 13:51 IST General Chauhan said India has redrawn its "red line" on terrorism with its recent cross-border military action, Operation Sindoor. n this image via X/@HQ_IDS_India, Sunday, June 1, 2025, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan interacts with General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines, on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. (PTI) India and Pakistans top military leaders traded pointed warnings at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday, escalating regional tensions to the forefront of one of Asias most prominent defence summits. Indias Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan and Pakistans Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza delivered starkly contrasting messages during simultaneous sessions at the high-profile forum, which drew defence leaders from across the world. Recommended Stories General Chauhan said India has redrawn its red line" on terrorism with its recent cross-border military action, Operation Sindoor. What India has done, politically, is draw a new red line of intolerance against terror," he said, referring to the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 tourists were killed. India has blamed Pakistan-based terror groups for the assault, a charge Islamabad denies. This operation lies in the military domain and should offer lessons to our adversary. We have been subjected to this proxy war of terror for more than two decades. Weve lost too many lives, and we want to put an end to it," Chauhan added. In a parallel session, General Mirza cautioned that prolonged crisis management without meaningful resolution risks escalating into uncontrollable conflict, emphasising the need to shift from managing conflicts to resolving them for sustainable peace. It has become imperative to move beyond conflict management towards conflict resolution," he said during a panel on regional crisis mechanisms. This will ensure sustainable peace." Mirza reaffirmed Pakistans stance on Kashmir, calling it the core issue" between the two nations and advocating for its resolution by UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Given Indian policies, the absence of a crisis management mechanism may not give enough time for global powers to intervene and prevent escalation. They could be too late to stop the damage," Mirza cautioned. Accusing India of avoiding dialogue on Kashmir, he said, When there is no crisis, Kashmir is never discussed. But its central to peace in the region." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This comes as relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours have worsened, especially after Operation Sindoor Indias targeted military action reportedly aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure across the Line of Control. The Shangri-La Dialogue, which took place from May 30 to June 1, gathered defense ministers and military chiefs from over 40 countries, with the spotlight shining brightly on India and Pakistan, highlighting the regions fragile security dynamics. Location : Singapore First Published: June 02, 2025, 13:51 IST Iran Says No Nuclear Deal If Deprived Of 'Peaceful Activities' Published By : AFP Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 20:58 IST Uranium enrichment has remained a key point of contention between the foes in talks to seal a nuclear deal, ongoing since April Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Image: AFP file) Iran said Monday it will not accept a nuclear agreement that deprives it of what it called peaceful activities", a reference to uranium enrichment, as it pressed the United States for guarantees it would drop sanctions. Uranium enrichment has remained a key point of contention between the foes in talks to seal a nuclear deal, ongoing since April, with Iran defending what it says is its pursuit of a civil nuclear programme but with the US side calling it a red line". Recommended Stories Speaking in Cairo, where he met the UN nuclear watchdogs chief Rafael Grossi, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said: If the goal is to deprive Iran of its peaceful activities, then certainly no agreement will be reached." Araghchi insisted that Iran has nothing to hide" on its nuclear programme. Iran has a peaceful nuclear programme we are prepared to provide this assurance to any party or entity," he said. The remarks came after Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday called for more transparency from Iran following a leaked report that showed Tehran had stepped up uranium enrichment. Full Explanation Of Activities The IAEA report showed that Iran has ramped up production of uranium enriched up to 60 percent close to the roughly 90 percent level needed for atomic weapons. There is a need for more transparency this is very, very clear in Iran, and nothing will bring us to this confidence (besides) full explanations of a number of activities," Grossi said ahead of meeting Araghchi. Grossi added that some of the reports findings may be uncomfortable for some, and we are used to being criticised". Iran has rejected the report, warning it would retaliate if European powers that have threatened to reimpose nuclear sanctions exploit" it. Some countries are trying to abuse this agency to pave the way for escalation with Iran. I hope that this agency does not fall into this trap," Araghchi said of the IAEA. Iran meanwhile pushed for the United States to drop sanctions that have crippled its economy as a condition for a nuclear agreement with President Donald Trumps administration. Araghchi said on Saturday that he had received elements" of a US proposal for a nuclear deal following five rounds of talks mediated by Oman. With Or Without A Deal Both Araghchi and Grossi met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who praised the US-Iran talks and called for de-escalation in order to prevent a slide into a full-fledged regional war". On Monday, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told a news conference: We want to guarantee that the sanctions are effectively lifted." So far, the American side has not wanted to clarify this issue," he said. The US envoy in the nuclear talks said last month that Trumps administration would oppose any Iranian enrichment. An enrichment programme can never exist in the state of Iran ever again. Thats our red line. No enrichment," Steve Witkoff told Breitbart News. Following a phone call with Witkoff the day before about the ongoing nuclear talks, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty urged a peaceful solution and a nuclear-weapon-free Middle East, saying in Mondays press conference that the region is already experiencing enough problems and crises". He warned that military confrontation would create a state of chaos from which no one will be spared". Iran has vowed to keep enriching uranium with or without a deal" on its nuclear programme. The United States has sent Iran a proposal for a nuclear deal that the White House called acceptable" and in Tehrans best interest" to accept, US media reported on Saturday. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The New York Times, citing officials familiar with the diplomatic exchanges, said the proposal calls on Iran to stop all enrichment and suggests creating a regional grouping to produce nuclear power. Iran has held five rounds of talks with the United States in search of a new agreement to replace the deal with major powers that Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018. About the Author Saurabh Verma Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Location : Cairo, Egypt First Published: June 02, 2025, 20:58 IST Lashkar Resurfaces At Muridke Headquarters, Damage Inflicted By India Seen On Camera Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 15:14 IST Lashkar-e-Taiba cadres were seen gathered in what remains of the prayer hall at the Muridke headquarters - seen visibly damaged from the India's operation Sindoor. Lashkar cadre seen at Muridke headquarters, one of the terror sites that was hit by India under Operation Sindoor. (Image: Sourced) Weeks after India dismantled key terror infrastructure in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor, terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) is showing signs of regrouping, with top intelligence sources warning of a strategic revival under the guise of reconstruction and religious outreach. Fresh visuals accessed by CNN-News18 through top intelligence sources show LeT resuming Friday prayers at its Muridke headquarters, a site long known as a nerve centre for radical indoctrination. A small group of cadres, believed to be local residents or administrative workers, were seen gathered in what remains of the prayer hallseen visibly damaged from the May 8 Indian strikes. Intelligence sources say it is the same hall where LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, his brother-in-law Abdul Rehman Makki, and more recently his son Talha Saeed, regularly led sermons and jihadi discourses. Recommended Stories In a second video, the extent of the destruction becomes even clearer. Entire blocks of the Muridke complex appear devastated. A third image shows the Bahawalpur headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) with its roof caved in, confirming the severe impact of the Indian strikes on both terror outfits. The retaliatory strikes were launched by Indian forces after the April 22 Pahalgam massacre in Kashmir, where 26 civilians were killed in a brutal assault attributed to LeT operatives. Following mounting evidence of their involvement in the terror attack, India decided to hit the epicentres of terrorist planning and training in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). While the strikes inflicted heavy damage, intelligence sources caution that the campaign against terror is far from over. This is not the end of their operations," a senior official stated. They are now relocating their activities with the full logistical and material support of the Pakistan Army." The officials further warn that LeT and JeM are expected to exploit the destruction for financial gain. Theyll tap into the sympathy network across Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and other Muslim countries, collecting vast sums under the guise of Zakat and reconstruction aid," one source revealed. The Pakistan government has reportedly vowed to rebuild the mosques and Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) headquarters in the Muridke area one of the nine terror bases hit by India during Operation Sindoor. The Pakistan Markazi Muslim League, a political wing of the banned JuD and a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), said last week that the government has assured them Muridke would be developed at its own expense, reported news agency PTI. Earlier this week, Pakistans federal minister Rana Tanveer Hussain had visited Muridke and said that the Pakistani government has pledged to rebuild the area at its own expense. Most concerningly, a recent event in Kasur on May 28 saw several known jihadist leaders sharing the stage, signaling a unified front and a reinvigorated ideological campaign. Saifullah Kasuri, alias Khalid, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander and one of those behind the Pahalgam terror attack, was spotted at a public rally in Kasur. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to multiple reports, Pakistani politician Malik Ahmad Khan was also seen sharing the stage with Khalid. In a video that was widely circulated on social media, Saifullah Khalid could be heard spewing venom against India, Hindus, and the Bharatiya Janata Party. He also referred to the Pakistani terrorists killed in Indias Operation Sindoor as martyrs". I was informed that there was a terrorist attack in India on April 22, and later I came to know that India had referred to me as the mastermind of the attack," Khalid could be heard saying at the rally. We are not going to be scared by bullet shots and firing, and we aspire to die as martyrs," he said. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: June 02, 2025, 15:12 IST LeT, Jaish Tap Bangladesh Radical Networks, Use Campuses To Target Indian Students | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 11:22 IST Top intelligence sources reveal Bangladesh-based groups are now providing legitimate access to LeT and Jaish in universities, where they target Indian students for radicalisation Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Saifullah Khalid (Pic: X) Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed have joined hands with radical groups in Bangladesh, opening a new front to radicalise Indian youth, CNN-News18 has learnt from top intelligence sources. A recent speech by Saifullah Kasuri, aka Khalid, in Kasur, Lahore, which has gone viral and is now circulating among radical groups, referenced Bengal and the division of the region on May 28. The speech is being actively used in radical circles to fuel propaganda. Recommended Stories Bangladesh-based groups are now providing legitimate access to LeT and Jaish in universities, where they target Indian students for radicalisation. These India-based groups are also collaborating with Jamaat-e-Islami, creating a cross-border ideological network. LeTs exploitation of Bangladeshi universities is built on three key pillars: ideological alignment with local radicals, institutional decay, and cross-border impunity. Backed by ISI, LeT operates through multi-layered strategies combining ideological networks, institutional vulnerabilities, and cross-border operational logistics. LeT coordinates with Jamaats student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir to infiltrate campuses. Shibir grants access to student networks, hostels, and Islamic study circles, which are then used for recruitment. Following the restoration of Jamaat-e-Islamis legitimacy post-2024, this access has become more streamlined. Groups such as Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B) and Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), both linked to LeT, operate madrasas near universities. These madrasas indoctrinate students with Wahhabi-Salafi ideologies, framing education as jihad for Islamic revival. UK-based front organisations have also funded radical madrasas that later recruit university students. Shibir members invite Indian students into Islamic study circles, blending religious discussions with LeT propaganda videos. Events at the University of Dhaka have glorified Kashmir terrorists killed as martyrs. LeTs attack footage from India is shared through encrypted apps such as Telegram and Signal, with videos from incidents like the Pahalgam attacks being circulated to incite anti-India sentiments. Radical groups offer scholarships, flood relief, and financial aid to economically vulnerable Indian students. Following the 2024 floods, Jamaat distributed aid along with radical literature. Senior student mentors" isolate Indian youth, presenting radicalisation as identity preservation, while enforcing conservative dress codes such as beards and veils to build group loyalty. LeT is also using Bangladesh as a transit hub. Indian students radicalised in Dhaka or Chittagong are sent to LeT camps in Pakistan via Myanmar or Nepal, often under the guise of educational tours. They portray India as oppressing Muslims, leveraging events like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and incidents of communal violence, such as the 2023 temple vandalism to validate jihadist narratives. The post-2024 interim government in Bangladesh lifted bans on Jamaat-e-Islami and allied groups, appointing radicals to key positions, including the Hizb-ut-Tahrir founder as Home Secretary. This has enabled LeT affiliates like Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) to operate openly on campuses. Government concessions to Hefazat-e-Islam, such as compulsory Islamic education, allow madrasas to teach jihadist ideologies unchallenged. Universities have also adopted gender-segregated curricula, normalising extremist norms. Bangladeshs lax NGO oversight, coupled with hundi remittances and money launderingboth significant contributors to its GDPallow LeT to mask funding as charitable donations. LeT receives funds via NGOs from the Middle East, Gulf, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, under the pretext of reviving Islamic heritage and campus charities. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Radicalised students returning to India are deployed as operatives. HuJI-B, JMB, and LeT proxies maintain around 40 sleeper cells in Assam and Nagaland, using Bangladesh-trained Indians to carry out attacks. LeT has also utilised Bangladeshi routes for India-bound operations. The 2025 Pahalgam attack involved a LeT operative who had met a Bangladeshi official prior to the operation. Anti-minority violence in Bangladesh where nearly 2,200 Hindu-targeted incidents were reported in 2024 spills over into India, intensifying Hindu-Muslim tensions and aiding in jihadist recruitment. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: June 02, 2025, 11:22 IST Mujibur Out, Cultural Icons In: Prototypes Of Bangladesh's New Banknotes Go Viral Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 13:10 IST Bangladesh Bank also said the existing paper notes and metal coins will continue to remain in circulation alongside the new notes. New Bangladesh Banknotes Feature Temples, Palaces, And Artwork Bangladesh began issuing new banknotes, which no longer feature the portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the countrys founding father and former prime minister. It replaces the texts and numbers in Bengali with English. The new notes featured traditional landmarks of the country. Recommended Stories Initially, these newly designed notes will be issued from Bangladesh Banks Motijheel office, and subsequently from its other branch offices across the country. Before Bangladesh banknotes featured the portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the countrys founding president and leader of the Awami League. The notes had text and numbers in Bengali. After The new banknotes have undergone a significant transformation, including, Language: Bengali text and numbers have been replaced with English. Design: The portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been removed. New Features: The notes now showcase traditional landmarks, Hindu and Buddhist temples, Historical palaces and artwork by late painter Zainul Abedin, which depicts the Bengal famine during British colonial rule. Late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led Bangladesh from its independence from Pakistan in 1971 until soldiers assassinated him and most of his family in a 1975 coup. Under the new series and design, the notes will not feature any human portraits, but will instead showcase natural landscapes and traditional landmarks," Bangladesh Bank spokesman Arif Hossain Khan told AFP. The design change isnt new; it reflects shifting politics. After Bangladesh gained independence in 1972, initial notes featured a map. Later, notes showcased Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Awami League leader, who was also the party leader during Hasinas 15-year tenure in power. Bangladesh Bank also said the existing paper notes and metal coins will continue to remain in circulation alongside the new notes. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The bank has also printed non-exchangeable specimen notes of Tk1,000, Tk50, and Tk20, catering to the interests of currency collectors. Location : Bangladesh First Published: June 02, 2025, 11:27 IST Pakistan Stares At Crop-Sowing Crisis As India's Indus Treaty Suspension Dries Out Major Dams Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 12:55 IST Pakistan reportedly faces a severe water crisis with low dam levels, putting its kharif crop season on the danger. This comes as India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty. Salal Dam on the Chenab river, in Reasi district, J&K, after all gates of the dam were closed (Photo: PTI) A couple of days after Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said Pakistan was violating the Indus Water Treaty through terrorism, a report has claimed the neighbouring country was in a crop-sowing crisis since dams there were drying out. According to a report with The Times Of India, water level in two key dams in Pakistan, Mangla on River Jhelum and Tarbela on Indus, are running low, driving Pakistan to stare at a bleak kharif sowing season. Recommended Stories Following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, India announced the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty as part of several punitive measures against Pakistan. The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan with the World Bank as a signatory, governs the sharing of the Indus River systems waters between the two countries. According to the report, the latest estimates by Pakistans Indus River System Authority, the country is already facing an overall shortage of 21 per cent in water flow and nearly 50 per cent in live storage from the two key dams. The condition probably drove Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to say at the International Conference on Glaciers Preservation that his country would not allow India to cross the red line by holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance and endangering millions of lives for narrow political gains. Indias unilateral and illegal decision to hold in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty, which governs the sharing of the Indus Basins water, is deeply regrettable," Pakistani newspaper Dawn quoted Sharif as saying. ALSO READ | Hand Over Terrorists, Vacate PoK: India Lays Down Terms For Talks After Shehbaz Sharifs Offer Last week, India reiterated that any engagement with Pakistan will only be bilateral; terror and talks cannot go together; and that the Indus Waters Treaty will remain in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures" its support for cross-border terrorism. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Ministry of External Affairs strong response came at a time when Pakistan, pushed on the backfoot by Indias decisive Operation Sindoor, has suddenly started talking about its intent on having peace talks with India. ALSO READ | Indus Waters Treaty: Pakistans Bid To Prove India As Water Aggressor Baseless, Say Intelligence Sources 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: June 02, 2025, 12:55 IST Princess Elisabeth, Belgium's Future Queen, Returns Home Amid Doubtful Harvard Future Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 11:13 IST Elisabeth is on her summer vacation in Belgium and was recently spotted accompanying her mother, Queen Mathilde, to the Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition at the Bozar in Brussels Princess Elisabeth, the 23-year-old future queen of Belgium | Reuters Image Princess Elisabeth, the 23-year-old heir apparent to the Belgian throne, has returned to Belgium after completing her first year in a two-year masters programme in public policy at Harvard University amid growing uncertainty over her future at the Ivy League institution after the Trump administrations crackdown on international students. The Hindustan Times, quoting media outlet Het Laatste Nieuws, said Elisabeth is on her summer vacation in Belgium and was recently spotted accompanying her mother, Queen Mathilde, to the Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition at the Bozar in Brussels. She has reportedly also joined an internship related to international relations and human rights. Recommended Stories The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had demanded that Harvard provide detailed records of its international students, including information on any illegal and violent activities". Failure to comply could have resulted in the university losing its eligibility to enroll foreign students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). In response, Harvard refused to turn over the requested records, citing concerns over academic freedom and student privacy. Subsequently, the administration froze over $2 billion in federal grants and contracts to the university. In the face of these developments, a Massachusetts judge issued a preliminary injunction temporarily preventing changes to Harvards visa programme, offering a glimmer of hope to international students like Princess Elisabeth. Nonetheless, the situation remains fluid, and the Belgian Royal Palace has acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the princesss ability to continue her studies in the US. Born in 2001, Elisabeth is the eldest of the four children of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium. She is the heir to the Belgian throne and will one day make history as Belgiums first-ever Queen regnant. According to New York Post, before enrolling at Harvard, Princess Elisabeth earned a degree in history and politics from the University of Oxford. She has also undergone military training at the Royal Military Academy in Belgium. Fluent in Dutch, French, German, and English, she is considered a promising future leader. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all When the ban was announced last month, Belgian Royal Palaces spokesperson Lore Vandoorne was quoted by Reuters as saying: Princess Elisabeth has just completed her first year. The impact of (the Trump administrations) decision will only become clearer in the coming days/weeks. We are currently investigating the situation". A report in the Times of India highlighted how the uncertainty surrounding US policies on international students has had a ripple effect on global education trends. Traditional academic powerhouses, particularly in the United States, are facing challenges that threaten their dominance in global education. A combination of restrictive visa policies, stricter immigration laws, and rising educational costs are diminishing their appeal to international students. This volatility has spurred a shift in global student mobility, with countries offering more favourable immigration policies and affordable education becoming attractive alternatives. About the Author Apoorva Misra Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. M... Read More Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. M... Read More Location : Belgium First Published: June 02, 2025, 11:13 IST Russia Rejects 'Unconditional Ceasefire' In Istanbul Talks, Sets Terms For Ukraine Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 23:43 IST Russia refused to agree to an unconditional ceasefire during peace talks with Ukraine held in Istanbul on Monday, according to a Kyiv negotiator. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin | File Image/Reuters Russia refused to agree to an unconditional ceasefire during peace talks with Ukraine held in Istanbul on Monday, according to a Kyiv negotiator. In the backdrop of an escalating war, Ukrainian and Russian delegates held the second round of peace talks in Turkey, which lasted about an hour, reports claimed. Recommended Stories The Russian side continued to reject the motion of an unconditional ceasefire," Sergiy Kyslytsya told reporters in a press conference after the talks. Further, Russia proposed a peace memorandum to Ukraine, demanding international recognition of Crimea, Donbass, Kherson, and Zaporozhye as Russian territory, RT reported. It further demanded a ban on Nazi propaganda, Ukraines neutrality from NATO or any military bloc, withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from newly annexed regions, and the holding of national elections. Fresh Prisoner Swap Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that both countries are working on a fresh prisoner exchange, as decided during the talks. His chief of staff also stated that during Mondays talks, the Ukrainian delegation presented Russia with a list of deported children whom Ukraine is seeking to have returned. The second round of talks, hosted by Turkish officials, follows the initial negotiations on May 16, which lasted two hours and resulted in a large-scale prisoner exchange but made little headway toward ending the war. Partial Ceasefire On Cards? After Kyivs claim that Russia rejected the proposal to draw an unconditional ceasefire," Russias chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, said that Moscow proposed a limited ceasefire lasting two to three days" during the talks in Istanbul. We have proposed a specific ceasefire for two to three days in certain areas of the front line," Medinsky said, adding: so that commanders can collect the bodies of their soldiers". Ukraine On Next Round Of Talks Ukraine has suggested holding the next round of talks with Russia before the end of June. We propose to the Russian side to hold a meeting by the end of this month, from 20th to 30th of June," Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said following Mondays talks in Istanbul. He also noted that the delegations should work towards arranging a meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin. Notably, Zelenskyy last month challenged Putin to face him personally during Istanbul talks after the Russian president rejected a demand from Ukraine and European allies to agree for a 30-day ceasefire. Moscow To Hit Back? Tensions ran high in Russia as the talks began, with prominent war bloggers urging Moscow to deliver a powerful retaliatory strike against Kyiv. The calls followed one of Ukraines most daring attacks of the war on Sunday, which targeted Russian nuclear-capable long-range bombers in Siberia and other locations. According to reports, the strikes targeted bases in Russias Arctic, Siberia and Far East, over 7,000 kilometres from Ukraine. Kira Rudik, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament, reacted to the drone operation by Kyiv and said, Destruction of 40 Russian jets isnt random. Russia keeps launching 500 drones and missiles at usits only a matter of time before things start shifting on their end." The estimated cost of the damage exceeds USD 2 billion, making it one of the most expensive single attacks on Russias air assets since the war began, she claimed on X. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the operation brilliant," adding that such setbacks would push Russia toward diplomacy and peace. About the Author Ronit Singh Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More Location : Turkey First Published: June 02, 2025, 20:16 IST Hours Before Peace Talks, Russia Shoots Down 162 Drones After Ukraine's Surprise Barrage Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 13:41 IST Russia intercepted 162 Ukrainian drones overnight, hours before Kyiv and Moscow were to start a second round of talks in Turkey. It also came a day after Kyiv said it carried out one of its most brazen and successful attacks on Russian soil (Reuters file photo) A day after Kyiv said it launched a massive aerial attack on Moscow, 162 drones were intercepted by Russia overnight, the Russian health ministry said on Monday. The tensions escalated a day before both the sides were expected to sit for direct talks to de-escalate the conflict which has entered into its third year. Air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 162 Ukrainian drones" between 1710 GMT and 2300 GMT on Sunday, news agency AFP quoted the Russias health ministrys statement. The statement mentioned that majority of the drones were brought down over regions bordering Ukraine, with 57 intercepted over the Kursk region and 31 over the Belgorod region. Recommended Stories The Ukrainian and Russian delegations were set to restart the talks in Turkeys capital city Istanbul on Monday. This would be the second round of direct talks between the two neighbouring nations since February 2022. Issuing a statement on Telegram, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had earlier informed that the delegation would be led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov. Earlier on Sunday, Kyiv said it carried out one of its most brazen and successful attacks on Russian soil, targetting dozens of strategic bombers parked at airbases deep inside Russia, thousands of kilometres behind the frontline. Ukraines massive drone attack against Russia , in what is being called one of Kyivs largest operations to date, reportedly targetted four Russian airbases and 40 warplanes. According to Ukrainian media reports, the operation struck airbases deep within Russian territory, including the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk Oblast, approximately 4,300 kilometers from Ukraine. Media reports also claim that the Olenya airbase in Murmansk Oblast, about 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine, was targeted. Several videos on X showed explosions and smoke at these locations. The former press secretary of the Ukrainian President took to X and shared a small clip of the attack, claiming that Ukraines Security Service (SBU) has carried out a large-scale drone strike, reportedly damaging over 40 Russian military aircraft. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 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 : Moscow, Russia First Published: June 02, 2025, 12:05 IST Drones Hidden In Remote-Controlled Sheds: How Ukraine's Spider's Web Damaged Russian Warplanes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 11:16 IST Operation Spider's Web: Ukraine's most extensive drone attack damaged key Russian military airbases and infrastructure killing seven. The operation hit 41 warplanes. Damage in Russia (L)/Ukrainian President Zelenskyy (R) (Photos: Reuters) The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine sharply ramped up on the eve of peace talks between the two countries. According to reports, Sundays drone attack was one of the biggest by Ukraine, blowing up a Russian highway bridge over a passenger train and an attack on nuclear-capable bombers deep in Siberia. At least seven people were killed, while 69 others were injured when the highway bridge was blown up over a passenger train heading to Moscow with 388 people on board. Recommended Stories Later, Ukraines domestic security agency, the SBU, acknowledged that it carried out the operation, codenamed Spiders Web and said it had caused considerable damage. UKRAINIAN SPIES HID DRONES IN WOODEN SHEDS According to a Ukrainian security official, the countrys secret services were able to attack strategic bomber aircraft at Russian air bases by hiding explosive-laden drones inside the roofs of wooden sheds The sheds were loaded onto trucks that were driven to the perimeter of the air bases. The roof panels of the sheds were lifted off by a remotely-activated mechanism, allowing the drones to fly out and begin their attack, news agency Reuters quoted the official as saying, adding that the strikes were conducted on four air bases, and that 41 Russian warplanes were hit. The operation, according to the Ukrainian security official, was personally overseen by President Zelenskyy and Vasyl Maliuk, head of the SBU domestic intelligence agency. If confirmed, the strikes would be the most damaging Ukrainian drone attack of the war and would be a significant setback for Moscow. ALSO READ | Russian Strike At Training Site Kills 12 Ukrainian Soldiers, Army Commander Resigns THE ESTIMATE DAMAGE An SBU statement posted on Telegram messaging app estimated the damage caused by the assaults at $7 billion. Thirty-four per cent of strategic cruise missile carriers at the main airfields of the Russian Federation were hit," the SBU said on the Telegram messaging app. ZELENSLKYY HAILS OUTCOME On Telegram, President Zelenskyy expressed delight at the absolutely brilliant outcome of the operation, and called it an outcome produced by Ukraine independently". Zelenskyy also noted that the operation had taken more than a year and a half to prepare. This is our longest-range operation," he said. Speaking shortly afterwards in his nightly video address, the President noted that 117 drones had been used to attack the Russian bases and that Russian forces suffered very tangible losses, and justifiably so". Zelenskyy said the SBU had set up a nerve centre for the operation right next to a regional office of Russias FSB intelligence service. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all All operatives taking part had been brought out of Russia on the eve of the operation", he said. ALSO READ | Russia Confirms Ukrainian Drone Attack On Military Aircraft, Suspects Detained 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: June 02, 2025, 07:49 IST Israeli Army Intercepts Another Houthi Missile As Sirens Ring Out Across Jerusalem | Video Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 00:14 IST Yemen's Houthi rebels have repeatedly launched missiles and drones at Israel since the Gaza war broke out on October 7, 2023. The Houthis have launched several drones and missiles on Israel since the Gaza war broke out. (Reuters/Representational Image) The Israeli Army on Monday said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen as the Iran-backed Houthis launched another attack, while sirens rang out loudly across Jerusalem. Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted," the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said in a statement. Recommended Stories Sirens sounding across Israel due to projectile fire from Yemen pic.twitter.com/LiX9pya7Qv Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 2, 2025 Tel Aviv turns into ghost town as sirens scream through cityYemens launched missile at Israel pic.twitter.com/CHSerTQDsp RT (@RT_com) June 2, 2025 The Houthis have not made any statement on the missile launch. The Iran-backed group had also launched a missile at Israel on Sunday, which was also intercepted after air raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem and other cities. They later claimed to have fired a ballistic missile" at Israels Ben Gurion airport. The Houthis, who control large swathes of Yemeni territory, have regularly fired drones and missiles at Israel since the Gaza war began, aligning themselves with Irans regional proxy network in support of Hamas. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians and resumed missile attacks on Israel following the end of a two-month Gaza ceasefire in March. However, one of the missiles fired last month struck the perimeter of the Ben Gurion airport for the first time, resulting in several injuries. In response, Israel has launched several retaliatory strikes inside Yemen in recent months, targeting ports and the airport in the capital, Sanaa. The US also launched intensified strikes against the Houthis this year, before halting the campaign after the Houthis agreed to stop attacks on American ships. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned last week that any harm directed at Israel will be met 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," he added. (with inputs from agencies) About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Location : Jerusalem, Israel First Published: June 03, 2025, 00:00 IST Man Shouting 'Free Palestine' Firebombs Jewish Gathering In Colorado; Several Injured Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 08:47 IST The FBI said it was investigating the incident as an act of terrorism, adding that the suspect yelled "Free Palestine" before throwing makeshift flamethrower on a group of people. Colorado terror attack: FBI investigating case as act of terrorism (Photos: Reuters, X) At least six people were injured in an attack in Boulder, Colorado, US, on Sunday (local time), which the FBI is investigating as an act of terrorism, officials said. The suspect of the targeted terror attack" yelled Free Palestine" and used a makeshift flamethrower at a popular pedestrian mall in Boulder, where a group of Jewish protesters were calling for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. He was identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, who was taken into custody. Recommended Stories Mohamad Soliman was arrested today for throwing Molotov cocktails. Boulder Colorado is liberal infestation, so no one is surprised. pic.twitter.com/WhcBkNUmeW Jere_Memez (@Jere_Memez) June 1, 2025 The attack on the Jewish protesters comes as the latest in a series of antisemitic violence against the community amid the Israel-Hamas war. The incident comes days after two Israeli Embassy staffers were shot dead outside Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC. FBI Director Kash Patel On Targeted Terror Attack Some people were seriously injured in the attack, while some others sustained minor wounds. We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available," FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X. We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available. @FBI FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) June 1, 2025 Deputy Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Dan Bongino, said that the attack is being probed as an act of ideologically motivated violence" on the basis of preliminary information, evidence, and witness accounts. Eyewitnesses Account According to the witnesses, a man threw an object similar to a homemade Molotov cocktail at the protesters who were peacefully demanding the release of Israeli hostages who have been held captive by Hamas, a group which is designated a terrorist organisation by the US. The videos surfacing from the spot of the attack showed people in panic as they ran to safety. Mohammad Soliman just lit a bunch of elderly Jews on fire in Colorado while shouting Free Palestine"Police: Too early for a motive" pic.twitter.com/qElnrTTzwS End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) June 1, 2025 Visuals from the crime scene showed a shirtless man spreading his arms with spray bottles in his hand, walking back and forth as fire burned on the grass. He is heard yelling anti-Israel slogans like End Zionists", Palestine is free", and They are killers". Initial callers indicated that there was a man with a weapon and that people were being set on fire. When we arrived, we encountered multiple victims who were injured, with injuries consistent with burns and other injuries," Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn told reporters. Israeli ambassador to the UN in New York condemned the attack, Terrorism against Jews does not stop at the Gaza border it is already burning the streets of America." Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that terror has no place in the United States. Were united in prayer for the victims of a targeted terror attack this afternoon in Boulder. Terror has no place in our great country," he said on X. Indian MP Shashi Tharoor, who is leading an all-party MP to several countries as part of Indias global outreach to expose Pakistan on terrorism, said that he agrees with Rubios view that terror has no place in our countries". Members of the Indian MPs delegation learned with concern about the terror attack in Boulder, Colorado today. We are relieved there was no loss of life. We all share Secy of State @SecRubios view that terror has no place" in our countries," Tharoor posted on X. Members of the Indian MPs delegation learned with concern about the terror attack in Boulder, Colorado today. We are relieved there was no loss of life.We all share Secy of State @SecRubios view that terror has no place" in our countries.#boulderattack @IndianDiplomacy Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 2, 2025 Antisemitic Violence In Recent Times Antisemitic violence has risen since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war after the October 7, 2023, attack. The last such incident was reported in May this year, when two Israeli Embassy staff members were shot dead in Washington DC. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In 2024, the U.S. recorded 9,354 antisemitic incidents, the highest annual total since tracking began in 1980 In France, several sites linked to Jews, including the Memorial for Holocaust victims, were defaced. Shoah Memorial, two synagogues and a Jewish restaurant in the citys historic Marais district, as well as a third synagogue in the 20th arrondissement (district), were defaced. About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: June 02, 2025, 06:51 IST Trump 'Open' To Meeting Putin, Zelenskyy In Turkey For Peace Talks: White House Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 23:25 IST Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had expressed willingness to host Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy for three-way talks for an immediate ceasefire. US President Donald Trump US President Donald Trump is open to an invitation from his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to hold peace talks in Istanbul with Russias Vladimir Putin and Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the White House on Monday. The president has said hes open to it if it comes to that, but he wants both of these leaders and both sides to come to the table together," US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a press briefing. Recommended Stories Earlier in the day, Erdogan had mentioned his willingness to host a meeting between the American, Russian and Ukrainian leaders in an effort to end the war in Ukraine after several rounds of talks failed to yield a breakthrough. My greatest wish for both sides is to bring both Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy together in Istanbul or Ankara, and even to bring Mr Trump to their side, if they accept," he said, adding that Turkey would take steps to facilitate such a meeting. His remarks came as Ukrainian and Russian delegations converged for a second round of talks in Istanbul on Monday, where they agreed on another large-scale prisoner exchange but failed to reach an agreement on an immediate ceasefire. Trump has recently expressed frustration with the slow pace of ceasefire negotiations, accompanied by Russias refusal for an unconditional truce and punishing bombing campaigns by both sides. The US president has even threatened to walk out of ceasefire talks if a deal is not reached. Urged on by Trump, Moscow and Kyiv have opened direct negotiations for the first time since the early weeks of Russias invasion, but have yet to make progress beyond prisoner exchanges and the agreement to swap their demands for a longer-term settlement. Moscow has made sweeping demands such as calling for Ukraine to cede territory it still controls, a ban on Kyiv joining NATO, limiting Ukraines military and ending Western military support. Zelenskyy rejected those demands, with Kyiv and the West casting Russias assault as nothing but an imperialist land grab. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Tens of thousands have been killed since Russia invaded, with swathes of eastern and southern Ukraine destroyed and millions forced to flee their homes in Europes largest refugee crisis since World War II. (with agency inputs) About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: June 02, 2025, 23:21 IST Ukraine, Russia Hold Second Round Of Peace Talks After Kyivs Surprise Drone Barrage Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 19:41 IST The second round of peace talks, hosted by Turkish officials in Istanbul, lasted about an hour, according to reports Delegations from Ukraine and Russia met in Istanbul on Monday | Image/X Ukrainian and Russian delegates held the second round of peace talks in Istanbul on Monday, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying that both countries are working on a fresh prisoner exchange. Meanwhile, Russias negotiating team in Istanbul rejected unconditional ceasefire", saying that its categorically unacceptable," according to a Ukrainian official. Recommended Stories The meeting is over. It didnt end negatively," Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli said of the talks at Istanbuls Ciragan Palace. Ukraines 14-member delegation was led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, while Russian delegates were headed by President Vladimir Putins advisor, Vladimir Medinsky. The Russian and Ukrainian delegations included senior officials from their defence, foreign affairs, and intelligence services, with top advisors and deputy ministers representing both sides at the talks. It comes just a day after Kyiv launched a surprise attack on four Russian airbases located thousands of kilometres from the Ukrainian border, using high-end drones. It was called one of the largest operations to date. The second round of talks, hosted by Turkish officials, lasted about an hour, reports suggest. It follows the first round of negotiations on May 16, which lasted two hours and concluded with an agreement on a large-scale prisoner exchange but yielded no significant progress toward ending the war. Ukraines Drone Barrage Intensifying the escalation, Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack against Russia on June 1, reportedly targeting four Russian airbases and 40 warplanes. According to reports, the strikes targeted bases in Russias Arctic, Siberia and Far East, over 7,000 kilometres from Ukraine. Kira Rudik, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament, reacted to the drone operation by Kyiv and said, Destruction of 40 Russian jets isnt random. Russia keeps launching 500 drones and missiles at usits only a matter of time before things start shifting on their end." Billion-Dollar Loss To Russia? The estimated cost of the damage exceeds USD 2 billion, making it one of the most expensive single attacks on Russias air assets since the war began, she claimed on X. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the operation brilliant," adding that such setbacks would push Russia toward diplomacy and peace. Notably, US efforts to broker a ceasefire have so far been unsuccessful, with Ukraine expressing its willingness to agree, while the Kremlin has effectively declined the proposal. About the Author Ronit Singh Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More Location : Turkey First Published: June 02, 2025, 18:15 IST 18-Month Planning, Last Moment Intel: Zelenskyy Details Op Spider's Web Against Russia Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 10:36 IST Ukraine launched its one of the largest drone strikes deep inside Russia on Sunday, damaging several jets. Zelenskyy has now shared details about how the operation was executed. Ukraine drone attacks: Zelenskyy details how operation was executed (AP Image) Ukraine executed a major drone attack at five Russian military airbases deep inside the country on Sunday, damaging at least 40 aircraft something which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as a brilliant" operation. The operation was code-named Spiders web, in which 117 drones were used, Zelenskyy said, while sharing details of the attacks success. Recommended Stories Russia suffered significant losses entirely justified and deserved. The preparation took over a year and a half. Planning, organisation, every detail was perfectly executed. It can be said with confidence that this was an absolutely unique operation," he said in a long series of posts on X. Today, a brilliant operation was carried out on enemy territory, targeting only military objectives, specifically the equipment used to strike Ukraine. Russia suffered significant losses entirely justified and deserved. Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) June 1, 2025 He revealed that those who assisted Ukraine operated across three different time zones in different Russian regions, but they were withdrawn from the Russian territory before the operation was launched. Its genuinely satisfying when something I authorized a year and six months ago comes to fruition and deprives Russians of over forty units of strategic aviation. We will continue this work," he said. He said that Ukraine received intelligence inputs before the operation that Russia was planning another strike. Even before this operation was carried out, we had intelligence indicating that Russia was preparing another massive strike. It is very important for all our people not to ignore the air raid alerts," he said. Last night, there were nearly 500 Russian drones, attack drones. Each week, they have been increasing the number of units used per strike. Now, they have also prepared Kalibr missiles launched from naval carriers. We know exactly who we are dealing with. We will defend ourselves by all means available to us to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people," Zelenskyy added. Stating that Ukraine did not want this war, he said that they were ready for a ceasefire but the Russians chose to continue the war". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We offered the Russians a ceasefire. Since March 11, the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire has been on the table. It was the Russians who chose to continue the war even under conditions where the entire world is calling for an end to the killing," he said. Ukraines attack happened just one day before peace talks were set to take place between Moscow and Kyiv in Istanbul. According to news agency AFP, the goal of the attack was to destroy Russian bombers far from the battlefield. Reports said that Ukraine targeted Russian airbases in Belaya (in eastern Siberia), Olenya (in the Arctic near Finland), and Ivanovo and Dyagilevo (both located east of Moscow). 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 : Ukraine First Published: June 02, 2025, 10:12 IST What Are FPV Drones, Used By Ukraine In Its Barrage On Russia's Bomber Fleet? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 19:47 IST As part of Ukraine's Operation Spiders Web, at least 117 FPV (first-person-view) drones were smuggled into Russia and hidden in wooden cabins to be used against airbases. Ukraine launched drone-based operation on Russia ( Credits: X) Ukraine unleashed a devastating drone attack on Sunday, targeting multiple Russian airbases across 4,000 km of hostile territory and damaging at least 41 nuclear bombers and warplanes. Ukraines Security Service (SBU) carried out Operation Spiders Web, using first-person-view (FPV) drones, which were reportedly hidden inside makeshift wooden cabins and mounted on trucks that were parked near major military airbases. They were released from the cabins using a remote signal and swarmed the airbases, inflicting heavy damage. Recommended Stories This marked the deepest strikes inside Russian territory since the war began in 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the audacious strike was carried out after 18 months of planning, and 117 drones were used in the operation. What Are FPV Drones? First-person view drones are those where the person piloting the drone can see what the drone can see through a camera attached to its body. These drones are controlled remotely and capture real-time videos that can be seen on smartphones and other kinds of devices. These drones are also used in filming and covering high-profile events. However, one of the drawbacks of these drones is that the surroundings cannot be viewed by the operator, leading to limited situational awareness. Regardless, the inexpensive and tiny FPV drones have proved to be one of the most potent weapons in the Ukraine war. They are often laden with explosives and have a range of 5-20 km. Usually, a reconnaissance drone is deployed ahead of an FPV drone to locate enemy vulnerabilities. After locating a weakness, the FPV drone would fly at high speed into the target with greater accuracy, using the explosive to inflict damage. These drones have become one of the most widely-used weapons on the battlefield and have changed the methods of modern warfare. FPV Drones Smuggled In Russia Over 100 explosive-laden FPV drones were smuggled into Russia, where they were then placed in mobile wooden houses, a Ukrainian military source told The Associated Press. They were placed on trucks and taken close to Russian airbases, after which they were remotely opened and used to attack Russias fleet. The drones hit 41 planes stationed at military airfields on Sunday afternoon, including A-50, Tu-95 and Tu-22M aircraft, according to the official. Ukraine claimed it had damaged 34% of Russias fleet of air missile carriers with damages estimated at $7 billion, although the claim is yet to be verified. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Unverified video and pictures posted on Russian social media showed Russian strategic bombers on fire at the strategic Belaya air base in the Irkutsk region of Siberia, which is over 4,300 km away from the border, marking Ukraines deepest attack in Russia. However, FPV drones do not possess that range, so they had to be smuggled inside to get close enough to their targets. (with agency inputs) About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Location : Kyiv, Ukraine First Published: June 02, 2025, 19:40 IST In what Patti LuPone says is a major first for her, the Broadway star apologized Saturday after she was called out by hundreds of her colleagues over comments she made about two Black performers. "For as long as I have worked in the theatre, I have spoken my mind and never apologized. That is changing today," LuPone wrote on Instagram. "I am deeply sorry for the words I used during the New Yorker interview, particularly about Kecia Lewis, which were demeaning and disrespectful." She went on to call her comments "flippant and emotional" and "inappropriate," People reports. She said she hopes to have the chance to personally apologize to Lewis as well as Audra McDonald, whom she also referenced in the interview. A Holocaust survivor was among at least eight people injured Sunday when a man used a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to set fire to a group of Jewish people in Boulder, Colorado, on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. The latest: Suspect: Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, of Colorado Springs was taken into custody at the scene, a popular pedestrian mall, and faces multiple felony charges, per the New York Times. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said Soliman, an Egyptian national, had "illegally overstayed" a tourist visa, per CNN. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, of Colorado Springs was taken into custody at the scene, a popular pedestrian mall, and faces multiple felony charges, per the New York Times. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said Soliman, an Egyptian national, had "illegally overstayed" a tourist visa, per CNN. Victims: Eight people aged 52 to 88 were injured while gathered for a weekly walk to raise awareness about Israeli hostages in Gaza. Among them is Holocaust survivor Chany Scheiner, who's spoken to schools and synagogues about her experience, KUSA reports. The drone assault that Ukraine unleashed on Russia over the weekend went well beyond the ordinary. It was, reports NBC News, "a stunning, audacious attack whose widespread effects are only just becoming clear." Details: In "Operation Spiderweb," Ukrainian drones struck planes and military infrastructure behind Moscow's relentless bombing campaign of Ukraine. The exact nature of the damage deep in Russian territory is unconfirmed, but the Wall Street Journal reports that "a sizable portion of the fleet Moscow uses to launch guided-missile attacks" was damaged or destroyed. The Senate returns to business on Monday, with the biggest item on the agenda being debate over the "Big Beautiful Bill" that passed the House. Senate GOP leader John Thune can afford only three defections within the Republican ranks if he hopes to get the spending billcrucial to President Trump's domestic agendaonto the president's desk by July 4 as planned. Two stories illustrate the challenge: The hawks: GOP Sen. Rand Paul already promises to vote against the bill because he says it will raise the debt limit by too much, reports the Washington Post. He and other fiscal hawks such as Sens. Ron Johnson and Mike Lee are pushing for bigger spending cuts. The Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear a challenge to Maryland's ban on assault weaponssemiautomatic rifles that are popular among gun owners and have also been used in multiple mass shootings. The justices turned down a case against the Maryland law passed after the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, in which a gunman used an AR-15 to kill 20 children and six adults. Three conservative justices, however, publicly noted that they would have taken the case, and a fourth said he is skeptical that such bans are constitutional, indicating the court could soon take another look at the issue, per the AP. On the scale of "love at first sight" comes the tale of Mazyar Azarbonyad, who had a first date more along the lines of "high-speed cop chase ends very poorly." As the Guardian reports, the 20-year-old personal trainer was out on a first date on April 9, and was driving his date home when he was pulled over by cops in Newcastle, UK. The tale goes a little something like this: The initial problem: Azarbonyad was headed home in the early hours when a police officer pulled him over for excessive speed and broken taillights. When the officer approached, Azarbonyad said, "nah," and sped off, his date later told police. UPDATE Jun 4, 2025 12:30 PM CDT A new search is underway in the case of Madeleine McCann, and the Guardian reports authorities on Wednesday were focusing on "derelict structures" in a rural area a few miles from the Praia da Luz resort where the 3-year-old vanished in 2007. The Guardian describes the scene: vegetation, rubble, and debris have been cleared from the interior and exterior of dilapidated structures, and ground-penetrating radar is being used. Authorities are reportedly looking for evidence that can be tied to Christian Brueckner, the lead suspect in the case. The Independent notes the area being searched sits between the resort and a house Brueckner occupied when the toddler went missing. The search is slated to wrap up Friday. Jun 2, 2025 12:42 PM CDT German police investigating the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann are to carry out fresh searches near the Portuguese holiday resort she was last seen 18 years ago, UK police said on Monday. The 3-year-old disappeared from her bed while on vacation with her family in the Praia da Luz resort, in southern Portugal, on May 3, 2007. She has not been seen since. American officials have long said they believe American journalist Austin Tice was imprisoned by Bashar al-Assad's regime after he was seized in Syria in August 2012. The BBC reports that secret intelligence files have confirmed that Tice was a prisoner of the regime. The files marked "Austin Tice" include communications among different branches of Syrian intelligence, per the BBC. They show that he was held at a facility in Damascus after his capture. After the collapse of the regime last year, a former prisoner said he saw Tice as recently as 2022, but his fate is unknown. According to the BBC, Tice was interrogated at least twice by a Syrian government intelligence officerand once briefly escaped captivity by squeezing through a window in his cell. The BBC also spoke to Syrian intelligence sources who confirmed Tice's detention. A member of the National Defense Forces, the paramilitary group believed to have arrested Tice at a checkpoint days after his 31st birthday, said "Austin's value was understood" and the Syrian government saw him as a "card" that could be used in negotiations with the US. The Assad regime long denied that it was holding Tice. A video released seven weeks after his capture showed him surrounded by what appeared to be Islamic militants, but analysts said it was likely staged. UPDATE Jun 5, 2025 5:35 PM CDT New York officials on Thursday answered the Trump administration's demand that the state drop its ban on Native American mascots and team names for schools. Not only did they decline the opportunity, the AP reports, the education officials suggested they might just widen their ban to cover names and mascots derived from other racial or ethnic groups. Daniel Morton-Bentley, counsel for the state education department, wrote to the federal Department of Education that New York is willing to work with it to "reach a resolution as to the appropriate standard." The state department gave the same answer to the Trump administration in April to a demand to drop some diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Jun 2, 2025 5:25 PM CDT The Education Department has jumped into New York's effort to eliminate the use of Native American-themed names and mascots by the state's high schoolsin opposition. More than two years after New York's Education Department told schools they risk losing funding if they keep tribal mascots, the Trump administration has announced that policy violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the Washington Post reports. "The Trump administration will not stand idly by as state leaders attempt to eliminate the history and culture of Native American tribes," Secretary Linda McMahon said Friday at Massapequa High School on Long Island, home of the Chiefs. Each of the indexes dropped nearly 1% in the morning following some discouraging updates on US manufacturing. But stocks rallied back as the day progressed, and gains for a few influential Big Tech stocks helped the S&P 500 to rise even though the majority of stocks within it weakened, the AP reports. Nvidia climbed 1.7% and Meta Platforms rose 3.6%. Oil prices rallied, while Treasury yields ticked higher in the bond market. The report from the Institute for Supply Management said US manufacturing activity shrank by more last month than economists expected. President Trump has been warning that US businesses and households could feel some pain as he tries to use tariffs to bring more manufacturing jobs back to the country, and their on-and-off rollout has created lots of uncertainty. China blasted the United States on Monday for moves that it said hurt China's interests, including issuing AI chip export control guidelines, stopping the sale of chip design software to China and planning to revoke Chinese student visas. "These practices seriously violate the consensus" reached during trade discussions in Geneva last month, China's Commerce Ministry said in a statement. In the first trading since Trump told Pennsylvania steelworkers on Friday that he's doubling the tariff on steel imports to 50%, Nucor jumped 10.1% and Steel Dynamics rallied 10.3%. But automakers and other heavy users of steel and aluminum weakened. General Motors and Ford both fell 3.9%. Lyra Therapeutics soared 310.8% after reporting positive late-stage trial results of an implant to treat chronic sinus inflammation in some patients. Note: It is obvious that during Prohibition and Alaskas Bone-Dry era, places like the Summit Roadhouse had a lot of extra business because they were out of town and away from the scrutiny of Fairbanks officials on a daily basis. When Prohibition ended, so too did the boom in business for the Summit Roadhouse. It is also likely that the N. C. Company and the Independent Lumber Company became the owners around the time of Guy Burchs arrest, because part of the Burches defense was they were not the owners, but rather employees of the roadhouse. They were both convicted, having to pay a $1,000 fine and one year in jail. Guy and Nellie Burch appealed, and later, the conviction was overturned. Also, as part of the original conviction, the Summit Roadhouse was padlocked for a period of one full year by the U.S. Marshal. This evolutionary History Nugget has been brought to you by the Fairbanks Igloos of the Pioneers of Alaska. You can learn more at pioneersofalaska.org Fairbanks, AK (99701) Today Variable clouds with thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours. High 71F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight with light rain possible. Low 57F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Fairbanks, AK (99701) Today Variable clouds with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly during the afternoon hours. High 71F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening giving way to periods of light rain late. Low 57F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Joint agreement aims to close the digital infrastructure gap for high-speed Internet and wireless services in underserved First Nations communities Both organizations call on the CRTC to reverse its policy that discourages private sector investment in broadband network expansion Agreement builds on Bell's ongoing commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and First Nations communities This news release contains forward-looking statements. For a description of the related risk factors and assumptions, please see the section entitled "Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" later in this news release. MONTREAL, June 2, 2025 /CNW/ - Bell Canada and National Indigenous Connectivity Inc. (NICI) today announced a new Reconciliation Agreement with the shared goal to advance connectivity in rural and remote First Nations communities. NICI is a 100% Indigenous-owned technology company that advocates for wireless spectrum access and high-speed Internet for all First Nations. National Indigenous Connectivity Inc. (CNW Group/Bell Canada (MTL)) In response to the 2024 Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and Indigenous Services Canada report, Closing the Infrastructure Gap, Bell and NICI will work together to expand infrastructure and service delivery in underserved First Nations communities by 2030. This partnership builds on Bell's 2024 commitment, which affirms the company's ongoing dedication to fostering positive and mutually respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities. Bell and NICI will work collaboratively to implement their Reconciliation Agreement. As part of the agreement, Bell will work with NICI on long-term broadband and wireless deployment plans. Bell is also reaffirming its commitment that employees working with Indigenous communities complete training aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action #92. Quote "Bell fully supports the National Indigenous Connectivity Inc's goal of closing the digital infrastructure gap in rural and remote First Nations communities. To close this gap, we need stable, long-term public policy and a regulatory environment that enables private sector investment in telecommunications networks. Together with NICI, we can build, grow, and connect Canada to support continued private investment in critical network connectivity to First Nations communities." - Michele Austin, Vice-President, Public Affairs, Bell Canada. "Many Indigenous communities still lack reliable, high-speed internet, limiting opportunities and essential services. We believe that connectivity is a fundamental right essential for education, economic development, healthcare, and self-determination. The National Indigenous Connectivity Initiative (NICI) is committed to advocating for all remote and rural First Nations across Canada to have access to spectrum and high-speed internet." - Leoni Rivers, Chief Executive Officer, National Indigenous Connectivity Inc. About Bell Canada Bell is Canada's largest communications company1, providing advanced broadband Internet, wireless, TV, media and business communication services. Founded in Montreal in 1880, Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca. Through Bell for Better, we are investing to create a better today and a better tomorrow by supporting the social and economic prosperity of our communities. This includes the Bell Let's Talk initiative, which promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives throughout the country. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk. About National Indigenous Connectivity Inc. (NICI) NICI is a national, Indigenous-led organization focused on advocacy, access to spectrum, and high-speed internet services for remote and rural First Nations communities across Canada. NICI is supported by the Assembly of First Nations and is focused on ensuring that all First Nations communities have access to the digital tools needed to thrive in the modern economy. The NICI calls for Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) to support NICI in ensuring high-speed internet solutions developed by First Nations for First Nations, dedicated federal funding to ensure long-term investment in Indigenous connectivity initiatives and training, and for ISC and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) to work directly with NICI to increase Indigenous service-provider capacities, access to spectrum, market data, and policy frameworks. _________________________________ 1 Based on total revenue and total combined customer connections. Contact: Bell Media Relations: [email protected] National Indigenous Connectivity Inc.: Leoni Rivers, Chief Executive Officer [email protected] Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the agreement between Bell Canada and NICI intended to advance connectivity in rural and remote First Nations communities (the "Reconciliation Agreement") and the benefits expected to result therefrom, the planned expansion of infrastructure and service delivery in underserved First Nations communities by 2030, Bell Canada's and NICI's long-term network deployment plans, and other statements that are not historical facts. All such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions of applicable Canadian securities laws and of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on several assumptions which give rise to the possibility that actual results or events could differ materially from our expectations. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or events, and we caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release describe Bell Canada's expectations at the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Bell Canada does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements made in this news release, including the planned expansion of infrastructure and service delivery in underserved First Nations communities by 2030, Bell Canada's and NICI's long-term network deployment plans, and the benefits expected to result from the Reconciliation Agreement, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and are based on certain assumptions including, without limitation, the prevailing regulatory environment as well as the availability of sufficient equipment, labour and capital. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the planned expansion of infrastructure and service delivery in underserved First Nations communities by 2030, as well as Bell Canada's and NICI's long-term network deployment plans, will be completed, or that the benefits expected to result from the Reconciliation Agreement will be realized. For additional information on assumptions and risks underlying certain of our forward-looking statements made in this news release, please consult BCE Inc.'s (BCE) 2024 Annual MD&A dated March 6, 2025, BCE's 2025 First Quarter MD&A dated May 7, 2025 and BCE's news release dated May 8, 2025 announcing its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, filed with the Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities (available at sedarplus.ca) and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (available at SEC.gov). These documents are also available at BCE.ca. SOURCE Bell Canada (MTL) LONDON, ON, June 2, 2025 /CNW/ - Thirty years ago, John Davidson and his 15-year-old son Jesse captured the hearts of Canadians when John pushed Jesse across Ontario in his wheelchair to raise awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Three years later, he made the massive journey across the country. Now, approaching his 80th birthday, John is lacing up once again. Defeat Duchenne Canada - The Journey Continues on June 10 (CNW Group/Defeat Duchenne Canada) On June 10, 2025, John will walk 30 kilometres from St. Thomas to London, Ontario, a symbolic route he once walked with Jesse, to commemorate 30 years since the journey that inspired the creation of Jesse's Journey (now Defeat Duchenne Canada). This special anniversary walk honours Jesse's legacy and the more than 1 in 5,000 boys affected by Duchenne, a rare and fatal genetic disorder with no cure. "When Jesse and I set out to cross Ontario in 1995, we had no idea what was ahead. But we had extreme resolve," says John. "Thirty years later, that same resolve remains solidly in place. Quitting is not an option. Everyone should try to make a difference." Since 1995, Defeat Duchenne Canada has invested nearly $19 million in 63 research projects in Canada and around the world, funding promising advancements in diagnosis, treatment, and the search for a cure. This year, the organization aims to cross a significant milestone: committing its $20 millionth dollar to Duchenne research. "What you'll see on June 10 is a dad - nearing 80 - doing his best to make a difference," John adds. "I'll be walking for Jesse, and for all the boys still waiting. I hope I see you along the road. The journey continues." Canadians across the country are invited to be part of this historic moment. Whether cheering on John along the route, donating, or sharing a message of encouragement, your support fuels hope. Learn more at www.jessesjourney.com . About Defeat Duchenne Canada: Defeat Duchenne Canada (formerly Jesse's Journey) is the country's only national charity dedicated to ending Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Our goal is to provide leadership in research, advocacy, and support to ensure our boys can live long and active lives. About Duchenne muscular dystrophy: One in every 5,000 boys is born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the most common fatal form of muscular dystrophy diagnosed in children. The disease is relentless. It slowly weakens the body's muscles, deteriorating the function of vital organs and ultimately shortens their life. Although there are medical treatments that may help slow its progression, there is currently no cure and life expectancy hovers in the early thirties Website: www.defeatduchenne.ca Social media: Facebook - @defeatduchenne Twitter - @defeatduchenne Instagram - @defeatduchenne LinkedIn - /company/defeatduchenne YouTube - /defeatduchenne SOURCE Defeat Duchenne Canada Media Contacts: Rochelle ten Haaf & Bobbi Vasher, National Directors, Marketing & Communications, [email protected], Defeat Duchenne Canada ROUYN-NORANDA, QC , June 2, 2025 /CNW/ - The Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue (UQAT) is proud to announce the award of a new Canada Research Chair. Last March, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, announced the creation of the Canada Research Chair in Geoenvironmental Engineering of Mine Waste in Cold Regions to be held by Vincent Boulanger-Martel, Professor at the Research Institute of Mines and Environment (RIME). Tier 2 Chairs are awarded to outstanding emerging researchers considered by their peers to have the potential to become leaders in their field. Vincent Boulanger-Martel, Professor at the Research Institute of Mines and Environment. (CNW Group/Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue (UQAT)) Provide much-needed expertise to the Canadian mining community Advances in technology and the world's growing demand for diverse natural resources have led to an increase in mining activity across the country and pushed mining operations farther away from populated mining regions. As a result, there is an increasing number of mining projects being developed in northern and remote regions of Canada. The development of such mining projects brings numerous unique technical, environmental, and social acceptability challenges. Curently, only few solutions have been specifically developed to overcome the challenges associated with the severe seasonal freezing and thawing as well as permafrost* conditions of northern Canada. The research program of this Canada research chair aims to develop practical, climate-resilient mine waste management and reclamation solutions specifically designed for cold regions to reduce the impacts of mining activities. This program will therefore help the mining industry, government agencies, and consultants to better manage mine waste, reduce environmental impacts, and protect fragile ecosystems of these regions. "I aim to undertake cutting-edge research ranging from fundamental experimentation to laboratory and field testing, as well as numerical modeling," says the chairholder, Vincent Boulanger-Martel. Several technological advances are proposed in cold region experimental geotechnics and geoenvironmental engineering, advanced numerical modelling, remote sensing, and monitoring applied to mine waste management and reclamation. The work is geared towards solving practical, concrete problems faced by the mining industry, governmental agencies and consulting firms in Canada. The results of this chair will enhance our ability to sustainably design and manage critical mining structures under conditions specific to cold regions, from operation to post-closure. Professor Vincent Boulanger-Martel is receiving $600,000 in funding from the Canada Research Chairs Program, as well as $322,500 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation for the acquisition of new laboratory equipment. The Research Institute of Mines and Environment (RIME) With more than $8 million in research annually the RIME boasts an internationally-recognized team of experts, with more than fifteen specialized laboratories and a vast network of industrial test sites. Its work is carried out within the framework of projects led by several scientific groups and research chairs, fostering a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach. RIME also plays a key role in the training of highly qualified personnel, ready to meet the challenges of the mining sector and actively contribute to the sustainable development of communities. UQAT ranks first in Canada in terms of research intensity per professor among Canadian universities primarily active at the undergraduate level (RE$EARCH Infosource Inc., 2024). * Ground that remains at or below 0C for at least two consecutive years. SOURCE Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue (UQAT) Marie-Eve Lacombe, Communications Advisor, Communication and Recruitment Services, Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue, Telephone: 819 762 0971 ext 2686 MONTREAL, June 2, 2025 /CNW/ - Contract talks between Unifor and VIA Rail have broken off, setting the stage for a national rail dispute that threatens to disrupt passenger travel across the country later this month. "We didn't come to the table looking for a disputewe came to get a deal," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "But VIA Rail's refusal to take our demands seriously has left us with no other choice. If they're not willing to fix what's broken, they're forcing this dispute onto workers and passengers alike." After another week of bargaining in Montreal, no tentative agreement was reached between VIA Rail and Unifor's Council 4000 and Local 100 bargaining committees. The union says the employer refused to back down from key concessions. "These negotiations were about fairness, respect, and stability for our members," said Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier. "We came ready to make a deal that addressed the real issues workers face every day. It's disappointing that the employer walked away from that opportunity." One of the most serious issues is VIA Rail's refusal to fix the crisis on the On-Board Services spare boards. Workers are facing chronic short hours and reduced pay due to the employer's mismanagement of the board system. Many are unable to earn a living wage and are falling behind on basic financial obligations. The federal conciliation period ended May 31. Under Canadian labour law, Unifor will be in a legal strike position as of 00:01 a.m. EST on June 22, 2025. Both parties return to the table on June 17 and bargaining will continue right up to the deadline. The union is prepared to find solutionsbut if VIA Rail fails to deliver a fair deal, the union is ready for a national labour dispute. Council 4000 represents 1,800 VIA Rail employees who work in station services, headquarters, maintenance centres, and onboard trains. Local 100 represents 700 VIA Rail employees working as Diesel Engine Mechanics, Electricians, Railcar Technicians, and General Workers. Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future. SOURCE Unifor For media inquiries please contact Unifor Communications Representative Hamid Osman at [email protected] or 647-448-2823 (cell). A New Jersey appeals court says dropping a lawsuit doesnt let you dodge potential legal fees under the states new anti-SLAPP law. Getty Images Several people and organizations can pursue a claim for reimbursement of attorneys fees, even after a case against them was dropped, a New Jersey appeals court has ruled in a precedent setting decision. The case began in October 2023, when Allen J. Satz filed a lawsuit over a flyer circulated in a Jewish community in Bergen County. According to court documents, the flyer urged him to give his wife a religious divorce, known as a get. Satz claimed it included an unflattering photo of him and the flyer called for a protest outside his parents home. He sued for emotional distress and demanded $30 million in damages. The lawsuit was filed against attorney Keshet Starr and the nonprofit she leads, the Organization for the Resolution of Agunot, which helps Jewish women whose husbands wont grant them a religious divorce. Also named were a local newspaper that helped distribute the flyer, a Bergenfield synagogue and a rabbi. After court proceedings began, Satz voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit. But the targets of the lawsuit asked the court to continue the case, not to challenge the claims, but to seek reimbursement for their legal fees. They based their request on New Jerseys new Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, a law passed in 2023 to prevent people from using lawsuits to silence others who speak out on public issues. Known as an anti-SLAPP law, or Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation, it allows courts to quickly dismiss meritless lawsuits. The law also permits courts to award legal fees to those unfairly targeted. A Bergen County Superior Court judge denied the request, saying that because the lawsuit had been dropped, the defendants couldnt pursue legal fees. But the appeals court disagreed. The judges said the law clearly allows those targeted in the lawsuit to continue seeking legal costs even if the case is dropped. The court said that letting the case end without reviewing the fee request would go against what lawmakers intended. The appeals court ruling warned that this would create a loophole, allowing people to file lawsuits just to cause financial harm, then drop them to avoid consequences. The courts opinion sets a legal precedent and can be cited in future New Jersey cases involving anti-SLAPP claims. The appeals court sent the case back to the lower court, which must now decide whether legal fees should be awarded. Satz said that the case isnt about SLAPP. Its about invasion of privacy, arguing that the appellate courts interpretation could encourage more defendants to invoke anti-SLAPP protections even when only a single word in a complaint might be construed that way. The attorney for those seeking reimbursement did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. A motorist was killed when two pickup trucks collided at a Cumberland County intersection on Thursday evening. Calvin B. Harrje, 70, of Deptford, was driving eastbound on Pennsylvania Avenue in Vineland around 6 p.m. when he failed to heed a stop sign at the intersection with Hance Bridge Road, Vineland Police said. His vehicle collided with a truck driven by a 54-year-old Vineland man traveling north on Hance Bridge Road. Harrje was pronounced dead at the scene, while the Vineland motorist was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, police said. No charges have been filed but the investigation is ongoing, police said Monday. Anyone who witnessed the crash or may have information helpful to the investigation is asked to contact Vineland Police Officer Christian Morales at 856-691-4111, ext. 4942 and reference case 25-25696. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. In March 2025, the Trump administration began withdrawing the visas, as well as the records and legal statuses, of thousands of international students. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) AP A federal judge has blocked the Trump administrations attempt to remove the legal status for international college students across the United States. District Judge Jeffrey S. White, of California, who was nominated by President George W. Bush in 2002, issued a nationwide order on May 22. It bars the administration from detaining or arresting any international students based on their immigration status while a related court case challenging the prior terminations is pending, NBC News reported. White told NBC News that the administration has wreaked havoc on the lives of the plaintiffs as well as other international students. The order also prohibits the administration from transferring any students in ongoing cases to jurisdictions outside of their residence or from overturning any reinstatement of their records, NBC News reported. In March, the administration began withdrawing the visas, records, and legal statuses of thousands of international students, according to AP News. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) terminated the legal statuses of international students in April, prompting about two dozen international students to sue the agency, AP News reported. The administrations withdrawals appeared to target students who had participated in political activism or faced criminal charges, according to AP News. According to CBS News, White wrote, in his 21-page order, that his decision aims to provide the plaintiffs with a measure of stability and certainty that they will be able to continue their studies or their employment without the threat of re-termination hanging over their heads. But Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin pushed back. Todays ruling delays justice and seeks to kneecap the presidents constitutionally vested powers under Article II, she said in a statement after the ruling. The Trump administration is committed to restoring common sense to our student visa system, and we expect a higher court to vindicate us in this. We have the law, the facts, and common sense on our side. Although several students have individually challenged the administration in court and successfully secured their right to stay in the country, Whites order is the first to protect foreign-born students nationwide, NBC News reported. In court documents, the Trump administration stated that Whites order was unnecessary because it had begun to reinstate statuses while ICE works on a new framework for terminations, NBC News reported. Still, White suggested his action was needed. At each turn in this and similar litigation across the nation, defendants have abruptly changed course to satisfy courts expressed concerns, he told NBC News. It is unclear how this game of whack-a-mole will end unless defendants are enjoined from skirting their own mandatory regulations. 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. Some parents arent giving up on a Catholic elementary school in Middlesex County scheduled to permanently close when classes concluded in two weeks. Supporters of Immaculate Conception School in Spotswood launched a fundraising drive not long after the local parishs pastor, citing declining enrollment, announced the 65-year-old school would close at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. The Save ICS Together Foundation is seeking to raise $500,000 by the last day of classes on June 13, organizer Kimberly Tinger told NJ Advance Media. The idea is to cover the deficit, said Tinger, a member of the schools Home School Association and parent of a first-grader. If that happens, Tinger said the hope is the the Diocese of Metuchen will agree to hold off on closing and proceed with classes in September. A spokesperson for the diocese did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reversing the decision to close the school, if it happens, would represent a remarkable comeback. More than 30 Catholic schools in New Jersey have closed in the past five years, with officials typically citing declining enrollment and financial pressures. The all-girls Immaculate Conception High School in Lodi closed after 108 years in June 2023, three years after its most celebrated alum, Snow White actress Rachel Zegler, received her diploma. The Immaculate Conception School in Spotswood enrolls students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Rev. John J. OKane, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Spotswood, told parishioners April 4 that only 39 students had enrolled for the next academic year and that there was no feasible way for the school to continue. That led to an online petition drive, followed by setting up the organization to raise funds. We have a chance now, a very small window of time to create a new business model, the Save ICS Together Foundation states on its website. It would have to be accompanied by a significant fundraising effort to close the financial gap in the short term as our school rebuilds, as discussed with the Diocese. It is going to take a heroic effort for us to raise these funds to support the schools deficit in the amount of $500,000, the group states. Tinger said Friday that a portion of the needed funding has been raised, but did not have a specific figure. Three other Catholic schools in New Jersey will be closing in June, officials announced previously. In April, days after the announcement was made about the Spotswood school, the Archdiocese of Newark said that two Catholic elementary schools in Essex and Bergen counties Aquinas Academy in Livingston and Visitation Academy in Paramus will close at the end of June. Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair is permanently closing in June after 100 years in operation, the Archdiocese of Newark announced in February. Immaculate Conception School in Spotswood opened in September 1960 with 198 students in grades one, two and three, according to the schools website. By the following year, it had expanded to grades K-8 with 539 students. In 1965, the school constructed a two-story annex with 12 additional classrooms. Pre-kindergarten programs for children ages 2 to 4 were added in the 1990s. Tinger said her daughter has attended for the past two years, starting with kindergarten. From the moment my daughter got there, she absolutely fell in love with the school, and so did my husband and I, Tinger said. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached atrjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Eric Hibbs has been superintendent of the Washington Township, Gloucester County, school district since May 2023. Photo courtesy of Eric Hibbs A suspended Gloucester County schools superintendent has filed a whistleblower lawsuit accusing district officials of a calculated campaign of targeted retaliation. Washington Township Superintendent Eric Hibbs said the retaliation occurred after he raised questions about an insurance contract awarded by the local school board. Hibbs was put on paid administrative leave by a divided school board in March. He remains on leave. Hibbs is a longtime administrator who was hired in May 2023 following 10 years as the schools superintendent in Marlboro in Monmouth County. His lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Superior Court in Gloucester County, cites the states Conscientious Employee Protection Act. It names as defendants the school board and the board president, Julie Kozempel. The lawsuit outlines conflicts dating to August, when Hibbs first questioned the hiring of a company three years earlier as a consultant for the school districts employee health benefits. Hibbs claimed that the company was hired despite submitting a materially defective proposal, according to the lawsuit. He reported his concerns to multiple oversight bodies, including the state Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office, and state deputy attorneys general, the lawsuit states. Hibbs claims that district officials responded by taking over key responsibilities of his job and orchestrated the filing of a fraudulent ethics complaint against him, the lawsuit states. Hibbs then filed a state ethics complaint against Kozempel, alleging retaliation. The board placed him on administrative leave March 18 in a 5-3 vote. At the next meeting, school board member Elayne Clancy who charged that Hibbs was railroaded sought to bring him back. Her effort failed when a motion that would have postponed hiring an interim acting superintendent was defeated in a 5-4 vote. Kozempel, contacted Friday by NJ Advance Media, said she had not yet seen the lawsuit. My only comment is I wish nothing but peace for Dr. Hibbs, Kozempel said. Hibbs is seeking reinstatement and damages. Whistleblowers like (Hibbs) serve as the first line of defense against unsafe, unethical, and unlawful practices, according to the lawsuit filed by his attorney, Austin B. Tobin. In New Jersey, employees are protected by law from retaliation for speaking out against unlawful conduct, The Washington Township district in Gloucester County is among the larger districts in South Jersey. It has seven elementary schools, three middle schools and one high school. Hibbs was the highest paid superintendent in Gloucester County for the 2023-24 school year with a salary of $215,000, the latest state data shows. In addition to his decade leading the Marlboro school district, Hibbs served as the superintendent in Mount Holly in Burlington County from 2010 to 2013. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached atrjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Alf Clausen with his wife, Sally Clausen, in 2015. He became the composer for "The Simpsons" in 1990. Imeh Akpanudosen | Getty Images Alf Clausen, the longtime composer for The Simpsons, has died. He was 84. Clausen died May 29 at his home in Valley Village, Los Angeles after being diagnosed with the brain disease progressive supranuclear palsy eight years ago, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The composer won two Emmys during his time with the long-running Fox animated series, which started in 1990, during the shows second season. Alf was the Man of a Thousand Music Cues actually probably more than 10,000 during his decades on The Simpsons, series creator Matt Groening told Variety. He was tireless, inspired, and always up for the musical challenges we threw at him. Clausen, who wrote almost 600 scores for the show, received 30 Emmy nominations. Clausen had no aspirations to work in animation, but he was the "The Simpsons" composer for 27 years. Fox The composer, who was also a songwriter, won his first Emmy for outstanding individual achievement in music and lyrics for We Put the Spring in Springfield (listen below) from Bart After Dark, an episode that aired in 1997. He won his second Emmy in the same category for Youre Checkin In from the 1998 episode The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson. Richard Gibbs was the composer in the series first season and Danny Elfman composed the Simpsons theme. Clausen, who worked with a 35-piece orchestra on The Simpsons, also won five Annie Awards, which recognize excellence in animation. He came to The Simpsons after composing for the series Moonlighting and Alf (no relation, hed say). In a 2015 interview with the Television Academy (watch below), Clausen said he didnt intend to work in animation, which is what he told Groening when he showed up to learn about the job. The series creator told him that he saw The Simpsons not as a cartoon, but instead as a drama where the characters are drawn, and that the show needed to be scored that way. So Clausen composed the music for a trial episode, and went on to work on the show for 27 years. The composers contributions also included singing in Simpsons songs. Its so much fun for me to hear my music come alive and to listen to the senses of humor that not only the musicians have, but my team has in the booth, Clausen said in the academy interview. Fans protested after he was fired from The Simpsons in 2017, when Fox and the production company Gracie Films attempted to slash the series budget by doing away with a live orchestra. As The Hollywood Reporter recounts, Clausen sued Disney and Fox and made a claim of age discrimination, and later, in 2020, a claim of being fired for having a disability. He criticized the work of his replacement the Hans Zimmer-owned Bleeding Fingers Music, which used synthesized music instead of live musicians. A live orchestra will give us a sound that is impossible to get on a computer, Clausen had said in the academy interview. A live orchestra is three-dimensional it had depth, warmth, feeling, and if Ive done the right job and if my layer on the cake is what its supposed to be, Ill get chills up my arms when I heard my music being recorded by this 35-piece orchestra." Clausen, a Minneapolis native who grew up in Jamestown, North Dakota, began working in TV in the 1970s, serving as musical director for the variety shows Donny & Marie and The Mary Tyler Moore Hour. He collaborated with the composer Lee Holdridge on the movies The Beastmaster (1982) and the Oscar-nominated Splash (1984) before heading to Moonlighting, starring Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis. His other film credits include Airplane II: The Sequel (1982), Weird Science (1985), Ferris Buellers Day Off (1986), Dragnet (1987) and Half Baked (1998). During his time with The Simpsons, Clausen also composed for the Fox and ABC animated series The Critic, created by Simpsons writers Al Jean and Mike Reiss, and Bette, a CBS show starring Bette Midler. Clausens music can be found on the Simpsons albums Songs in the Key of Springfield (1997), Go Simpsonic with The Simpsons (1999) and The Simpsons: Testify (2007). He also released the album Swing Can Really Hang You Up The Most with the Alf Clausen Jazz Orchestra in 2005. Clausen is survived by his wife, Sally Clausen, his ex-wife Judy, his sister Faye and his three children, two stepchildren, 11 grandchildren, niece and nephew. I will always remember his silly jokes, the smell of his music charts in his studio, when he stood up in our Rabbit Convertible to hold up the lowering railroad crossing gate after I stalled the car on the train track, his phone calls that always started with Hi, Dudette, and the million big and little ways in which he supported me, his daughter Kaarin Clausen shared on Instagram. He left a huge mark on this world and has touched the lives of millions, and Im so proud to call him Dad. Rest easy, Maestro. I will miss you every day. Thank you for reading. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup on Twitter/X, @amykup.bsky.social on Bluesky and @kupamy on Instagram and Threads. Chinese, Japanese children celebrate Int'l Children's Day at embassy event Xinhua) 13:23, June 02, 2025 TOKYO, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of Chinese and Japanese children gathered at the Chinese Embassy in Japan on Sunday to celebrate the International Children's Day. The celebration featured lively programs, including group performances of Japanese and Chinese songs, dances and a humorous recitation of My Detective Mom. The event climaxed with a chorus of the classic poem Spring Dawn. Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao presented holiday gifts and shared cake with the children, encouraging them to continue learning Chinese and participate actively in future events. After the performances, children watched together the classic Chinese animated film The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven. Visiting the Chinese Embassy for the first time, Japanese student Satoko Kanzawa said she had a great time watching performances and films, and spending the day with Chinese friends. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) An HBO star is opening up about the tornado that destroyed his home and critically injured his son. HBO Actor Tray Chaney, best known for his role as Malik Poot Carr in the HBO series The Wire, is opening up about a family crisis. Chaneys 19-year-old son, Malachi, is in the hospital with serious injuries after being thrown 300 feet by a tornado that destroyed the familys home in Henry County, Georgia. Speaking to local news outlet Fox 5 Atlanta, Chaney said that the EF-2 tornado hit his home around 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 29. I started seeing the rain come down extra hard, and before you know it, I look to my right, and my walls were headed towards my face my TV [and] my dressers [too] and I levitated, he recalled. The actor awoke with bricks of my house and appliances on top of me and a scar on his head, but his first priority was locating his son. He was thrown 300 feet away from the house, in the backyard, in the woods, Chaney said. I have some of the best neighbors in the world. They came to our aid. They made sure that my son was found. Tray Chaney's son is in critical condition after being thrown by a tornado. Invision/AP Chaney shared that his son has shown signs of recovery, like being able to squeeze his hand. He took to social media on Monday, June 2, to note that his faith has only been strengthened by the incident. God said oh you think you got it all figured out? You think its going to go the way you planned Tray Chaney? NOPE! SIT. DOWN, he wrote via his Instagram Story. Took the whole roof off the crib took it all then smiled at me & said now you and your wife go take care of our son Malachi Chaney. After this long journey [and] long road to recovery hell be in the best shape of his life! Youll have everything back plus more. READ MORE: See which HBO and Max shows are canceled and renewed for the 2025-2026 season Chaney also gave a shout-out to his wife, Ayesha Chaney. Nothing we cant overcome! Been together 23 yrs, together 20-lifetime, he captioned an Instagram Story photo of the pair holding hands. Tray added that Ayesha is the strongest woman, mother, [and] wife he knows, and they will get through this horrific setback together. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips/. 50 Cent indicated that he would talk to President Donald Trump instead of news that Sean "Diddy" Combs would seek a pardon. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP) Andy Kropa/Invision/AP There have been hints that Sean Diddy Combs might be looking toward President Donald Trump for a presidential pardon while he is on trial in New York for charges of alleged sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. However, 50 Cent, long-time nemesis of Combs, indicated that he will not allow that to happen. When asked about a possible pardon in the Oval Office on Friday, President Trump stated, Nobodys asked, but I know people are thinking about it. The president also went on to note he hasnt seen or talked to Combs in years and hasnt been following the case closely. Afterwards, 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, 49, shared some thoughts about Combs reaching out for a pardon on Instagram on Friday. He said some really bad things about Trump, Jackson wrote. Its not ok. Im gonna reach out so he knows how I feel about this guy. He then followed up with a second post on Instagram, trying to clarify what the Presidents thought process might be. Donald doesnt take well to disrespect, and doesnt forget who chooses to go against him, Jackson wrote. While working tirelessly to make America great again, there is no room for distraction. He would consider pardoning anyone who was being mistreated, not Puffy Daddy. Finally, after some of his comments may have been misconstrued, Jackson made a final post on Sunday clarifying, I didnt say I would nuke anything, I simply said I will make sure Trump is aware. Jackson is producing a Netflix docuseries chronicling the many allegations surrounding Combs. Related coverage: Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Murjani Rawls may be reached at mrawls@njadvancemedia.com A man was arrested on attempted murder and other charges after he allegedly shot at two Secaucus police officers responding to a domestic violence call on Sunday night. The incident began at around 7:45 p.m. after police were notified that a man stole the phone of a woman he knew and threatened her at an apartment on County Avenue, Secaucus police said. About an hour later, officers found a man matching his description sitting in the open doorway at a the nearby Peter Pan bus building. Residents of Spring Lake won the right to legally contest Verizons proposed 5G towers, which they say threaten the towns historic charm and character. Canva for NJ.com A group of Spring Lake residents has been granted permission to join a federal lawsuit aimed at stopping Verizon Wireless from installing 5G towers in their historic coastal town. The ruling, issued by a federal judge on Friday, allows residents to formally back the boroughs lawsuit and strengthens opposition to the proposed 5G infrastructure. Verizon Wireless sued the town of Spring Lake last November, claiming local officials violated federal law by taking too long to reviewand, Verizon claims, unfairly rejectits proposal. Verizon says the town missed a legal deadlineknown as the shot-clockand didnt give strong enough reasons for rejecting the 5G project. In the context of telecommunications law, the shot clock refers to a federal deadline that local governments must meet when reviewing applications for wireless infrastructure, like 5G towers. They argued that their concerns go beyond those of the borough and that they deserve a voice in the legal fight. The Spring Lake residents, organized under the group Spring Lake Against 5G Towers, wanted in on the lawsuit because they believe the 5G towers would directly impact their homes, property values, and the character of their historic neighborhood. While both the town and the residents oppose the 5G towers, they dont fully agree on the legal approach or what alternatives should be considered. The group includes seven individuals who live near the proposed tower sites and claim they would be uniquely affected by the construction. Verizon didnt want the residents to join the case. The company said their concerns were already being handled by the town. Verizon also warned that adding more people to the lawsuit could make things more complicated and take longer to resolve. However, in a ruling issued Friday, a federal judge said the Spring Lake residents could officially join the lawsuit, since their concerns are closely related to the main case and the legal process is still in the early stages. The judge also concluded that their involvement wouldnt slow things down or unfairly affect the other parties. Verizon and its legal counsel did not respond to requests for comment. This is great news, and the Spring Lake residents are thrilled, Kelley Badishkanian, a founding member of Spring Lake Against 5G Towers, said. We think it is imperative that our community has a say in where 5G towers are placed, that our concerns are being taken seriously, and that any potential settlement addresses our concerns. Benjamin Clarke, the attorney representing Spring Lake, said the borough is glad to have residents join in opposing Verizons application, noting that Spring Lake welcomes the participation of the intervening residents in efforts to protect its unspoiled beachfront. Colleen Murphy may be reached at cmurphy@njadvancemedia.com. Editors note: This story was shared as part of a content-sharing agreement between Mosaic.NJ.com and NJ Spotlight News. You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter (or X). Triada Stampas is the president and CEO of Fulfill NJ, one of six food banks in New Jersey that has helped serve nearly 1 million people a month. But Stampas said shes now worried that deep federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as the food stamps program could leave thousands of families across New Jersey without enough to eat. It is massively concerning that this bill with cuts that are nothing short of catastrophic for the people who depend on us for food was able to pass the House of Representatives, she said. It is really disappointing and concerning. The U.S. House proposed cutting SNAP funding by approximately $300 billion through 2034, and would require states to pay for a portion of SNAP benefits for the first time, amounting to about $100 million for New Jersey. The bill would also increase the states share of SNAP administrative costs, another $100 million. New Jerseys three House Republicans who all voted for the bill said that shifting more of the financial burden to states will eliminate waste, fraud and abuse. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the error rate for New Jerseys SNAP payments reached approximately 36% in 2023, drawing criticism of the program. However, the USDA emphasized that payment errors are not the same as fraud. Still, Michael Wilson of the state Department of Human Services, which oversees SNAP in the state, said efforts are underway to reduce the error rate. We know that the SNAP program is $2.5 billion in the state of New Jersey, and those numbers are real and are relevant, Wilson said. And I think anybody who thinks that there are significant amounts of waste, fraud, and abuse really is using that as a term of art. Theyre using that as the words that they want to use. Under the House bill, work requirements in the program would also be expanded, raising the age to 64 from 55 and extending those requirements to households with children over seven. Hunger Free New Jerseys Lisa Pitz said the proposed changes to SNAP will have devastating consequences. In New Jersey we have about 800,000 individuals who receive SNAP, [and] of those who receive SNAP, about 1 in 5 are over the age of 60, she said. So were really talking about a lot of older adults who may be on fixed incomes who rely on SNAP. Pitz said other big beneficiaries are children. We have about half of our SNAP folks who rely on SNAP in New Jersey are children. so were really talking about people who need this benefit to be able to afford and purchase healthy food, she said. This is an investment in our childrens health, its an investment in our older adults health. Welcome to Mosaic. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom and on Facebook at MosaicNJcom and on YouTube at @MosaicNJcom. Over the course of its career, the AV-8B Harrier II+ flew 219 combat missions and served 755 combat hours in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum The Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is welcoming a new aircraft, a former Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II+, best known for its ability to do vertical takeoffs and landings, according to a news release. The jet, on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, is expected to arrive at the museum on Wednesday and will soon be on exhibit in the museums World War II-era Hangar #1. The museum was able to get this Harrier because the Navy and Marine Corps are currently retiring this kind of aircraft, Austin Meyers, the museums communications director, said. Theyre doing a big push to get (the Harriers) into museums to honor those who have flown these aircraft and flown missions on them, especially in Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, Meyers said. We were really lucky to be one of those museums thats going to be acquiring one. This Harrier, first put into service in 1993, flew 219 combat missions. Its final flight took place on Dec. 1 of last year, according to a news release. The Harriers ability to do vertical/short takeoffs and landings meant it could operate from bases located near combat zones as well as from aircraft carriers. It could also hover above battlefields. The museum is located in a 92,000 square-foot aircraft hangar at Cape May County Airport, 500 Forrestal Road. The site was formerly Naval Air Station Wildwood, which served as a World War II dive-bomber training center. The museum is dedicated to the 42 aviators who perished while training at Naval Air Station Wildwood between 1943 and 1945. The Longest Yarn Traveling D-Day Exhibit is included with admission through Labor Day. Current museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Julia Steinman may be reached at jsteinman@njadvancemedia.com. Texts being sent out about unpaid tickets are a phishing attempt, the state says Canva Illustration for NJ.com The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission is warning residents about a wave of scam text messages impersonating the long-defunct Department of Motor Vehicles and falsely claiming people owe traffic fines. The phony messages threaten license suspensions and toll surcharges. They also claim they will damage recipients credit scores if payment isnt made immediately. But officials say its a phishing scam aimed at stealing personal and financial information. These messages are designed to trick you, the NJMVC said in a recent customer advisory. We do not send texts about fines, tickets, or penalties. The commission emphasized that it never sends unsolicited texts or emails about motor vehicle services, license updates, or registration status. Official NJMVC texts are strictly limited to appointment reminders. State officials are urging the public to stay alert: Do not click on suspicious links, share personal data, or respond to unexpected messages. Instead, delete the texts or report them as junk. In Bergen County, a Glen Rock resident told police he received a scam text last week claiming to be from the state Division of Motor Vehicles, demanding a $6 payment to avoid license suspension. After failed attempts to pay and being prompted to enter a Social Security number, the resident contacted the NJMVC and learned it was a known phishing scam, according to police. Anyone with questions about the phishing scam should contact the agencys Trenton offices at 609-292-6500. The New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles was restructured in 2003 and renamed the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission following the passage of the Motor Vehicle Security & Customer Service Act. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Hey there New Jersey! Heres your audio update highlighting the story of toxic waste at Roselle Parks public works yard that workers say is sickening them and why Tesla Supercharges are leaving the New Jersey Turnpike. Also, the emotional closing of Christa McAuliffe Middle School in Jackson, named in honor of the astronaut and teacher who was killed in the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion. Listen by clicking the play button above. This audio presentation is an editorially-curated selection of stories, selected by an editor, and then summarized and read aloud by artificial intelligence. Some variations in pronunciation, tone or diction may result. We want to know what you think! All feedback is valuable. After youve listened, take our 3-question survey here to let us know what you think. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. By Bill Spadea So a Trump endorsement came and it didnt go our way. Am I disappointed? Of course. Ive been with President Trump since the beginning since the escalator ride that changed the American political landscape forever. I supported his bold vision for this country, and I still do. But let me be clear: one endorsement, even from someone I respect as much as President Trump, doesnt change where I stand and more importantly, it doesnt change who Im standing with. Thats you, the people of New Jersey. Lets talk about what really matters in this election. Its not about political insiders playing the endorsement game. Its not about what the establishment thinks. And it sure isnt about career politicians cozying up to whichever way the political winds blow. Its about our families. Our communities. Our freedoms. If youve listened to me over the past decade, you know that Im not afraid to say Ive had my own public disagreements with President Trump. When he didnt fire Anthony Fauci a man who pushed lockdowns, shutdowns, and mandates that hurt our small businesses and our children I said so. When he didnt drain the swamp, I called it out. I dont apologize for those public disagreements. My duty as a leader is to have the courage to speak out when the person you support is wrong. Jack Ciattarelli has spent his career trying to be all things to all people. While I disagreed with Donald Trump on occasion Jack disrespected him. Mocked him. Rejected the movement that millions of us stood behind. Gave Trump a stiff-arm four years ago when the President wanted to campaign in New Jersey with him. Ciattarellis newfound (and temporary) support of the President is emblematic of his 35 years as a politician. Being a true supporter doesnt mean blind loyalty. It means holding politicians accountable no matter how powerful they are and staying rooted in principle. If I can disagree with President Trump and still respect what he stands for, then you can disagree with him now. This election isnt about him. Its about you. New Jersey is at a breaking point. Taxes are through the roof. Public Schools have become indoctrination centers. Cities are becoming less safe by the day. Through it all, political elites in Trenton Republicans and Democrats have failed you. For 10 years you voiced your concerns through my radio show and I listened. Ive stood with you in your communities, your small businesses and union halls. Im proud to stand with our police, firefighters, truckers, nurses, veterans, and small business owners. I know what real New Jerseyans are facing because I am one. You dont need another polished politician rehearsing talking points written by consultants. You need a fighter. You need someone who isnt afraid to say the uncomfortable truths. Someone who will take on the corrupt bureaucracy and fight like hell for our families. Walking away from my media and business career was challenging. I refuse to sit back and watch New Jersey continue down this broken path. Its time to bring back common sense. Its time to stop the madness in Trenton the spending, the overreach, the control. Its time to empower parents to make decisions about their childrens education. Its time to back the blue and make our neighborhoods safe again. Its time to support our small businesses instead of crushing them with red tape and high taxes. And its time to remember that you the hardworking, law-abiding, freedom-loving people of this state are the backbone of New Jersey. Let the pundits talk. Let the political insiders whisper behind closed doors. Ill keep showing up where it matters on your streets, in your towns, and on the airwaves speaking the truth and fighting for whats right. This isnt just a campaign. This is a movement. A New Jersey-first, people-powered, no-nonsense movement to take our state back. Im Bill Spadea, and I remain Pro-Life, Pro-2A and Pro-Trump with the guts to call out differences when its in the best interests of the people. Im ready, willing and able to serve. Lets shake up Trenton once and for all. It starts now. It starts with us. Lets win this together on June 10. Bill Spadea is one of New Jerseys leading media personalities, a U.S. Marine, an entrepreneur, and a family man. Bill and his wife, Jodi, live in Princeton where they raised their two children. By Josh Gottheimer According to AARP, 41% of Jersey seniors are considering leaving the state. Thousands of families and recent graduates already have. Not because they dont love it here, but because they cant afford it. Thats unacceptable, and Im running for governor to help fix that. After all, I grew up in Jersey. Its a great state. Like so many others, my great-grandparents saw promise and opportunity here the chance to buy a home, get a good-paying job, raise a family, and retire here. My mom became a public school teacher and my dad, a Rutgers alum, opened his own five and dime, where I worked as a kid. It used to be that most folks could afford to live here, to have a shot at the dream. But now, were facing an affordability crisis that is putting that promise at risk and harming the middle class and working poor. We have the highest property taxes in the country, if you can even find a home thats affordable. Rents are up 33%. Our utility bills are up 40% in one year. Childcare is the second most expensive in America. Then you add Trump to the mess, and life is getting even more expensive. Trumps tariffs have sent prices up and retirement savings down; hes going after Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, not to mention the environment, reproductive freedom, and our Jersey Values. Its why Im running as the Lower Costs, Lower Taxes Governor. Im not afraid to battle Trump when he messes with our families or to take on the Trenton machine to get our costs down. There are plenty of naysayers who say its impossible that you need to accept the status quo. Well, I wont. As Democrats, we cant just accept that the middle class is suffering and nothing can be done. Its that blindness to reality that gave us Trump. We must do something. How Ill lower costs and cut taxes Im the only candidate in this race who has proposed detailed, expert-backed plans to actually lower costs and cut taxes and has a way to pay for it. You can read them at josh4jersey.com. My Tax Cut Plan will: Cut property taxes by nearly 15%. Give renters an annual $500 rebate to help cover rising rents. Cut income taxes for middle class families. Give seniors a $1,000 Senior Bonus. I also have a plan to lower five of the biggest costs in a households budget: housing, utility bills, food, healthcare, and childcare. My Lower Costs Plan will: Double the state Child Tax Credit, to help pay for childcare. Deliver universal Pre-K and full-day kindergarten for every child. Produce more energy to bring down utility bills. Build more housing thats more affordable and cut the states infamous red tape. Go after PBM middlemen to lower the cost of prescription drugs. Enough with people who say we cant do it we can. My plans are fully paid for without cutting the programs, services, or pensions that folks rely on. Heres how Ill pay for it: Make our state and local governments work smarter, better, and more efficiently (we need to share more services). Stop New York from stealing tax revenue that belongs to Jersey ($1.5 billion/year). Claw more of our tax dollars back from Washington (we are the second worst in America). Go after tax cheats who dont pay what they owe ($645 million/year). How Ill take on Trump Donald Trumps chaos is only making things worse for Jersey. Trump and his extremist allies are taking away funding from our schools and slashing programs like SNAP and school meals that keep children from going hungry. Jersey needs a Governor who is unafraid to fight Trumps chaos. I will fight back by: Safeguarding Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Doubling the states fight fund to challenge extremism in the courts. Codifying abortion rights and other freedoms into New Jersey law. Protecting innocent immigrants from mass raids and roundups. Funding our schools and school meals for children. Getting the toughest things done Nothing worth fighting for is easy, but I have a long record of solving the toughest problems in the private sector, at the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and under Presidents Clinton and Obama. In Congress, as founder of the Problem Solvers Caucus, I wrote, helped negotiate, and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which has brought back $8.5 billion for Jerseys roads, bridges, and the Gateway Train Tunnel. I helped spearhead the first commonsense gun safety bill in decades, expand the Child Tax Credit, and pass the largest investment to fight climate change in history. When I first ran for Congress, people said it was impossible to win. But, we did, flipping an 84-year Republican seat blue. This November will be tough. Democrats need a governor who can appeal to both parties and win. Together, we can restore the promise and opportunity of Jersey. Id be honored to have your support on June 10th. Rep. Josh Gottheimer represents New Jerseys Fifth District and founded the Congressional Problem Solvers Caucus. Hes worked for Presidents Clinton and Obama and for companies like Microsoft and Ford. Gottheimer lives in Bergen County with his wife, Marla, and two kids, Ellie and Ben. Editors note: We invited all 11 candidates running for governor to submit an op-ed to publish prior to June 3. Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter. President Donald Trump lashed out at The Federalist Society and its former leader Leonard Leo last week. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) AP Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I) said on Sunday that President Donald Trump might have recently come to a dawning realization. On Thursday, Trump criticized The Federalist Society and its former leader, Leonard Leo, on his social media platform Truth Social after a three-judge panel at the U.S. Court of International Trade shot down some of his sweeping tariffs last week, arguing that he had overstepped his authority under an emergency powers law. An appeals court has since intervened and temporarily paused the ruling until the legal battle plays out. Trump called Leo, who was a key adviser on selecting the Supreme Courts current conservative majority, a real sleazebag and bad person in his post. He openly brags how he controls Judges, and even Justices of the United States Supreme Court I hope that is not so, and dont believe it is! In any event, Leo left The Federalist Society to do his own thing, Trump wrote. I am so disappointed in The Federalist Society because of the bad advice they gave me on numerous Judicial Nominations, he added. This is something that cannot be forgotten! With all of that being said, I am very proud of many of our picks, but very disappointed in others. During an interview with the independent news network MeidasTouch, Whitehouse said that Trumps jabs against the prominent conservative legal advocacy group and Leo may be because he might not have truly chosen his Supreme Court appointees, which include Justices Neil Gorsuch in 2017, Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 and Amy Coney Barrett in 2020. That Leonard Leo and Don McGahn, his White House counsel who were running that process, and doing the selection might actually have been really the agents of somebody completely else, Whitehouse said. And that Trump was the chump in the scheme, who did not know he was being played by the Koch brothers and the billionaire interests behind Leonard Leo. Whitehouse referred to Leo as the billionaires court fixer. He pointed to then-President George W. Bush appointing Justice Samuel Alito to the high court after former White House counsel Harriet Miers, who was his original pick, asked for him to withdraw her nomination following bipartisan opposition, and an image of Leo with Justice Clarence Thomas and billionaire donor Harlan Crow, who was involved in funding lavish travel, tuition arrangements and a real estate deal for the justice. The sudden criticism by Trump comes as two of the three judges on the initial panel were appointed by two Republicans, including the president himself. Trumps words reflect his broad frustrations with the judiciary, including members of the Supreme Court he appointed on Leos recommendation, who have allowed some of his more controversial efforts to move forward, but blocked others. Trumps rhetoric also appeared to be a tactic to shift blame for setbacks to his agenda this time notably pointing the finger at a person who once helped Trump build credibility with conservative voters. But its unclear what if anything Leo had to do with the tariff decision. Leo said that neither he nor the Federalist Society was involved in shaping appointments to the trade court. He offered only praise for Trump. Im very grateful for President Trump transforming the Federal Courts, and it was a privilege being involved, he said in a statement. Theres more work to be done, for sure, but the Federal Judiciary is better than its ever been in modern history, and that will be President Trumps most important legacy. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Pamela Hemphill, an Idaho resident, has sought to return her pardon for her actions during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Kelley) AP Amid a wave of recent pardons from President Donald Trump, ranging from reality TV stars to a local sheriff who accepted bribes, a former MAGA loyalist is trying to return hers. Pamela Hemphill, an Idaho resident who labels herself as the Ex-MAGA Granny on social media, told CBS News that the administration is gaslighting her and the 1,500 Trump supporters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. She appears to be the only rioter who wants to give back her pardon issued by Trump on Jan. 20, the first day of his second term. The pardons just contribute to their narrative, which is all lies, propaganda, she told CBS News. We were guilty, period. How could you sleep at night taking a pardon when you know you were guilty? she added. You know that everybody there was guilty. I couldnt live with myself. I have to be right with me. And with God. Hemphill was at the front of a crowd that stood opposed to U.S. Capitol Police officers who attempted to keep rioters behind metal bike-rack barriers, according to prosecutors. Video footage showed her holding a selfie stick while entering the east side of the Capitol with a group, as well as in the rotunda. Hemphill pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge, and in 2022 to unlawful parading, resulting in a term that included three years of probation and 60 days in federal prison. We all know that theyre gaslighting us, Hemphill said. They are using January 6 to just continue Trumps narrative that the Justice Department was weaponized. Hemphill said that the FBI was very professional when visiting her home. Prosecutors said the agency was tipped that she planned and traveled to Washington, D.C. from her home state for the riot, according to her Facebook and other social media accounts. She had posted that its a WAR! and if Millions and I mean Millions show up we may have a chance, and in a separate post, she held up a firearm with the caption on my way in wake of efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Since securing her pardon, CBS News reported that Hemphill has sought help from Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho) to receive an acknowledgement from the Department of Justice that she will not accept it. The Office of the Pardon Attorney has since said that Ms. Hemphills non-acceptance is noted, but it would not issue a formal certification. Some still dont believe I refused the pardon, below is a copy of my refusal! My video is an explanation for not taking the pardon! January 15, 2025 https://t.co/mlqeUUEfEF pic.twitter.com/rJxloGpSkO Pam Hemphill (@PamHemphill79) June 2, 2025 Trump will probably say that ungrateful lady, Im going to make sure she gets back on probation and give her the worst you can give her. I wont be surprised, Hemphill said. Trump has previously reacted to Hemphills original charges in 2023, after writing HORRIBLE! to a post that says she spent more time in prison than Hunter Biden, former President Joe Bidens son. Please @realDonaldTrump dont be using me for anything, Im not a victim of Jan6, I pleaded guilty because I was guilty! #StopTheSpin, she responded in a post on X. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. 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 A top adviser to former President Barack Obama sounded the alarm on President Donald Trump in a recent interview. Susan Rice, who served as national security adviser and the United Nations ambassador for Obama, discussed a recent report that stated that Trump has only sat for 12 daily intelligence briefings since being sworn into office in January. She spoke with The Atlantics David Frum during a podcast episode in May, where she predicted that there was no process in the Trump White House. Do people write him memos? Does he make decisions on paper, as is the custom and the Presidential Records Act anticipates and requires? Do people sit around the table in the White House Situation Room and discuss and debate options and make recommendations to the president? Does a president ever chair the National Security Council principals, or does he simply make his own decisions? she said during the podcast with Frum. Its been recently reported, David, that the president of the United States, whos been in office well over a hundred days now, has only received the presidential daily briefingthe most important, highly classified daily intelligence briefingsome 12 times, some 12 days of his hundred-plus days in office, she added. The Presidents Daily Brief (PDB) is a daily summary of high-level, all-source information and analysis on national security issues produced for the president and key cabinet members and advisers, according to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. A May 9 Politico analysis of Trumps schedule found he has only received the daily briefing 12 times. While the PDB is typically tailored to each presidents needs, its unclear why Trump has opted to receive fewer briefings than in his first term. Rice said that Trumps refusal to hear the briefing should be a huge scandal. What is he doing if he is not reading the PDB? And I hate to say thisyou could say it about the airplane; you could say it about Signalgate; you could say it about so many different thingsbut if any other president had refused or opted not to receive the presidential daily briefing from the intelligence community on a regular basis, it would be a huge, huge scandal with massive investigations in Congress and huge speculation that the president is not playing with a full deck, she said. Thats a key part of the job. So there is no process, as far as I can tell," she added. Rice also explained that Trump could be missing critical intelligence information. What he does not know is what our intelligence community has been able to collect and analyze and assess through all the various means that we have of intelligence collection and provide to the president that information and analysis that he would otherwise not have, she said. I dont want to get into any level of description of what is in a PDB, but trust meits very different from Fox News," she added. NBC News later reported that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was looking into how to revamp the daily briefings for Trump, according to sources familiar with the matter. One of the suggestions was creating a Fox News-style video for the president to keep him interested, according to the report. The problem with Trump is that he doesnt read, one person with direct knowledge of the PDB discussions told NBC News. Hes on broadcast all the time. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. FILE - Republican presidential candidate former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by NewsNation, Dec. 6, 2023, at the Moody Music Hall at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File) AP Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) explained what he believes is the key to securing a pardon from President Donald Trump. Trumps latest pardons have benefited a number of his political allies and public figures in recent weeks. Christie said on ABCs This Week on Sunday that all of those Trump has pardoned, including reality TV stars and some of his supporters, have one thing in common. You know, hes got categories of pardons. You know, you got the pay-to-play pardons. Youve got the reality-TV-stars-turned-supporters. And then youve got the folks out there who are just victims of what he calls weaponization of the Justice Department, Christie said. But all of them have one thing in common, which is youve got to be whole hog for Donald Trump, he said. Never before have we seen a president who makes it a gate to getting to a pardon to be a political supporter of his, a vocal current political supporter, he continued. Pres. Trump is eliminating white collar crime in America by offering pardons to some of his political and financial supporters, former NJ @GovChristie said. Hes saying, 'It doesnt exist, anything goes.'"https://t.co/OipWIht2vJ pic.twitter.com/BI0TFrpB31 This Week (@ThisWeekABC) June 1, 2025 Christie also criticized Trump for saying hell consider pardoning Sean Diddy Combs, whose sex-trafficking trial in New York is still ongoing. So, this is just about him trying to be more and more outrageous, Christie said. And also, by saying something about Diddy, he deflects from a guy like Paul Walczak, whose mother was a million-dollar donor/fundraiser for Trump. And this guy stole, George, million dollars in payroll taxes. The money that his employees give to him to pay their payroll taxes, he stole that money. The other thing hes doing here, George, is eliminating white collar crime in America. Hes saying it doesnt exist, anything goes, Christie added. Christie served as a top adviser to Trump during the 2016 campaign and helped him with debate preparation during the 2020 campaign. He split with Trump after he falsely claimed that the 2020 election was stolen from him, and has been an outspoken critic of him since. Christie also ran for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, but ultimately dropped out before the primary polls in New Hampshire opened. The latest pardons unfold as Trump has departed from the norms and protocols of the clemency process and as the Justice Department has signaled a tweaked approach to public corruption and white-collar fraud. The department, for instance, has long had a pardon attorney tasked with sifting through applications from defendants and recommending clemency to the White House for those seen as having served their debt to society and accepted responsibility for their crimes, including drug offenders serving long sentences and not generally known to the public or connected to the powerful. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. FILE - Vice President JD Vance, right, speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, as President Donald Trump listens in the Oval Office at the White House, Feb. 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Mystyslav Chernov, File) AP Did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy just humiliate President Donald Trump with the latest attack against Russia? Ukraine launched a massive drone attack over the weekend that destroyed 40 Russian planes deep in Russias territory, an operation that Zelenskyy described as a brilliant. The attack comes months after Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, telling the Ukrainian leader that he does not have the cards. MeidasTouch editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski, a frequent critic of Trump, suggested that the president and Vance were humiliated by Zelenskyys attack on Russia. He compared the costly U.S. operation to target the Houthi rebels and the loss of two U.S. fighter jets in the Red Sea to Ukraines successful attack. Trump bragged about spending $1B bombing Houthis while getting Reaper drones shot down and losing two fighter jets to the bottom of the Red Sea while accomplishing nothing and leaking it in Signal, while you dont have the cards Zelensky wipes out 40 bombers deep inside Russia, Filipkowski wrote on social media platform X. Ukraines attack against Russia was personally supervised by Zelenskyy, a source told The Associated Press. Trump bragged about spending $1B bombing Houthis while getting Reaper drones shot down and losing two fighter jets to the bottom of the Red Sea while accomplishing nothing and leaking it in Signal, while you dont have the cards Zelensky wipes out 40 bombers deep inside Russia. Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) June 2, 2025 Trump said the U.S. will stop targeting the Houthi rebel targets in May after vowing in March to use overwhelming lethal force against them. Since March, the U.S. attacks on the Houthis have cost more than $750 million and the Houthis have destroyed at least seven Reaper drones, according to The Associated Press. The USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier also lost two fighter jets over the Red Sea in two separate incidents, according to Military.com. Zelenskyy said in his evening address on Sunday that the U.S. proposal for a ceasefire is still on the table, but called for more pressure to be placed on Russia. He called for sanctions on Russia despite Trump hesitating to impose more on the country. Since March 11, the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire has been on the table. It was the Russians who chose to continue the war even under conditions where the entire world is calling for an end to the killing, Zelenskyy said. And pressure is truly needed pressure on Russia that should bring it back to reality. Pressure through sanctions. Pressure from our forces. Pressure through diplomacy. All of it must work together, he continued. The relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine has grown tense since the heated meeting in the Oval Office in March. Trump accused Zelenskyy at the time of being disrespectful as Vance demanded that Zelenskyy offer his thanks to the president. Trump has also been reluctant to criticize Russia, but in recent days has signaled he is not happy with how Russian leader Vladimir Putin is handling the war. The drone attack came the same day as Zelenskyy said Ukraine will send a delegation to Istanbul for a new round of direct peace talks with Russia on Monday. In a statement on Telegram, Zelenskyy said that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will lead the Ukrainian delegation. We are doing everything to protect our independence, our state and our people, Zelenskyy said. Ukrainian officials had previously called on the Kremlin to provide a promised memorandum setting out its position on ending the war before the meeting takes place. Moscow had said it would share its memorandum during the talks. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. At least 11 companies have moved their work from law firms that have struck a deal with President Donald Trump's administration. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP Some law firms are facing serious consequences from their bigger clients. At least 11 companies are moving their business away from firms that have settled with President Donald Trumps White House, The Wall Street Journal first reported. Some are planning or are already giving more work to those that have been targeted by Trump or his administration but did not budge, according to the companies general counsels and other people familiar. These companies include financial services provider Morgan Stanley, technology corporation Oracle, and others in the airline and pharmaceutical industries, according to The Wall Street Journal. Technology conglomerate Microsoft had also expressed skepticism for working with a firm that came to a deal, and fast food giant McDonalds stopped being represented by another firm a few months before a trial. The Wall Street Journal reported that general counsels have doubted whether they could trust a firm to negotiate deals and win their own cases in court if they did not resist demands from Trump. Since February, Trump has signed a series of executive orders against elite firms aimed at limiting access to federal buildings, decreasing government contracts and revoking security clearances. He has pinned the blame on firms for weaponizing the legal system in order to restrict him from enacting his agenda. Jenner & Block, Perkins Coie, WilmerHale and Susman Godfrey have all fought the president in court and many have won. Meanwhile, Paul, Weiss, one of the countrys most prestigious firms, reached a deal with the Trump administration in March to rescind an executive order in exchange for pro bono work. Eight other firms have also struck deals, including Kirkland & Ellis, Skadden, Simpson Thacher, A&O Shearman and Latham & Watkins. Some conservative groups have since tried to request legal help for their causes from the firms that did sign deals. The Oversight Project, which was previously tied to The Heritage Foundation, suggested that firms provide up to $10 million in pro bono work in order to avoid pushback from the administration. Last week, it was reported that Newsmax host Greta Van Susteren called a head of Skadden to help a veterans case against a local Michigan judge, and was offered some sort of support role, but she was not satisfied. Marc Elias, the founder of the digital news platform Democracy Docket, wrote in a newsletter last week that college classes will eventually devote time to dissecting the immorality and stupidity of big law firms capitulating to Trump. He pointed to an email that Brad Karp the chair of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison sent to his staffers once the firm struck a deal, as some were left uncomfortable with the resolution, and others have resigned. For now, its enough to say that Karp failed to abide by the advice of George Bernard Shaw: Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it, Elias wrote. Over the last two months, Paul Weiss has become to capitulation what Kleenex is to facial tissue: a generic term for an institution betraying its industry and its own ideals by making a deal with Trump, he added. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. A new analysis from Morning Consult found that the United States and China's favorability ratings have swapped since President Donald Trump took office. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) AP The United States reputation on a global scale has sunk since President Donald Trump took office, as Chinas favorability increased, according to a new analysis from Morning Consult exclusively reported by Axios. The intelligence company found that the United States had a net favorability rating of -1.5 while China scored an 8.8 as of the end of May a leg up that formed at the beginning of March. In January 2024, the United States rating stood above 20 and China remained in the negatives. Morning Consult surveyed adults in 41 countries, including the United Kingdom, Russia and Canada, and found that only 13 countries favored the United States over China by the end of April. When assessed by country, our data indicates the damage to Americas reputation is pervasive: Since January 2025, the overwhelming majority of countries simultaneously exhibit worsening views of the United States and improving views of China, with no single country clearly driving the overall result, the analysis says. Only in Russia have views of America meaningfully improved. Chinas favorability rating has particularly increased since Trump announced his Liberation Day tariffs in April, which established a 10% tax baseline for all countries. In May, the United States dropped its 145% tariff on China to 30%, and China lowered its retaliatory tariffs from 125% to 10%, while the two countries agreed to a 90-day pause as they negotiated a more permanent agreement. In a post on Truth Social, Trump on Friday said that China had totally violated the deal. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY! Trump wrote. The Chinese Commerce Ministry shot back on Monday, saying that the United States was undermining the agreement through introducing a set of discriminatory and restrictive measures against China, including plans to revoke visas for Chinese students, AI chip export controls and a reported halt in the sale of chip design software to the country. The ministrys comments mark the second time in recent days that Chinese officials have criticized the United States. The Chinese government rebuked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths speech on Saturday, in which he said that China hopes to become a hegemonic power and called on the Indo-Pacific region to increase its defense over Chinas imminent threat toward Taiwan during Shangri-La Dialogue, a global security summit. Jason McMann, the head of political intelligence at Morning Consult, said that trade and investment opportunities for American companies conducting business overseas could diminish as the reputation of the United States worsens. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the GOP's budget bill in an interview on CBS News' "Face the Nation" on Sunday. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) AP Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was fact checked on air by CBS anchor Margaret Brennan over a potential increase to the federal deficit if President Donald Trumps big, beautiful bill, which is expected to face its fate in the Senate this week, were to be signed into law. When asked on CBS News Face the Nation about the GOPs spending bill adding an estimated $4 to $5 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, Bessent slammed the figure as a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) scoring, which has been lamented by Republicans as missing the mark. The CBO, a nonpartisan agency, has provided analysis to Congress on the economic impact of legislation since 1974. No, no, no, Bessent responded to Brennan after she said House Speaker Mike Johnson accepted the range last week on the program. He said thats the CBO scoring, Bessent added. Brennan replied: No, he said that sounds right. Brennan: The speaker estimates this is going to add 4 to $5 trillion over the next ten years and there's that debt limit increase. Bessent: Thats CBO scoring. Brennan: That's the speaker of the house. Bessent: No, no, no. Brennan: He said it last Sunday on this program. pic.twitter.com/KZuKqTymUG Acyn (@Acyn) June 1, 2025 Last Sunday, Johnson said thats about the right estimate when Brennan asked about the trillion-dollar increase by the budget bill, which passed the House last month and would expand Trumps signature tax cuts from his first term, slash funding for green energy programs and reduce Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) spending. But at the same time, we have historic savings for the American people, Johnson said. Cuts to government to make it more efficient and effective, and work better for the people. That was a big campaign promise of President Trump and a big promise of ours, and were going to achieve that. In May, a preliminary CBO report estimated that the bill will increase the deficit, which currently sits at more than $36 trillion, by $2.3 trillion over the next decade. And the Tax Foundation, a tax policy nonprofit, found that the debt would increase by $2.6 trillion over the same period. A handful of Republicans have spoken out against different parts of the bill including its cost as the Senate moves through the more than 1,000-page legislation. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) told CBS News on Sunday that the math doesnt really add up. I think theyre asking for too much money, Paul said on "Face the Nation. Trump, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday, said that Pauls constituents will never forgive him if he were to vote in opposition. Senator Rand Paul votes against our Great, Big, Beautiful Bill, he is voting for, along with the Radical Left Democrats, a 68% Tax Increase and, perhaps even more importantly, a first time ever default on U.S. Debt, Trump said. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., signs a hat before former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Waco Regional Airport Saturday, March 25, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard) AP Conservative Karol Nawrocki narrowly clinched a win on Monday over liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski in Polands run-off presidential election. Nawrocki, an admirer of President Donald Trump, won 50.89% of votes while Trzaskowski clinched 49.11%, according to The Associated Press. His election is seen as a victory for Trump and his administration, who made it clear that Nawrocki was their preferred candidate. MAGA supporters celebrated Nawrockis win on social media platform X, with many touting it as a triumph for Trumps Make America Great Again movement. Nawrocki has echoed much of Trumps rhetoric throughout his campaign as he pledged return Poland to normal. The Polish president typically holds a ceremonial role in the countrys politics, but Nawrockis win still puts him at odds with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who has pushed for more LGBTQ rights in the country and a less restrictive abortion law. As president, Nawrocki can still veto legislation. Trump invited Nawrocki to the White House for a visit last month, signaling his support for the conservative candidate. And Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference event that was held in Poland last week to urge Polish voters to back Nawrocki. If you (elect) a leader that will work with President Donald J. Trump, the Polish people will have an ally strong that will ensure that you will be able to fight off enemies that do not share your values, she said, according to The Associated Press. You will have strong borders and protect your communities and keep them safe, and ensure that your citizens are respected every single day, she said. You will continue to have a U.S. presence here, a military presence. And you will have equipment that is American-made, that is high quality. President Donald J. Trump welcomes Polish presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki to the Oval Office pic.twitter.com/EzjPgygMxI The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 2, 2025 The U.S. has about 10,000 troops stationed in Poland and Noem suggested that military ties could deepen with Nawrocki as president. A common refrain from Nawrockis supporters is that he will restore normality, as they believe Trump has done. U.S. flags often appeared at Nawrockis rallies, and his supporters believed that he offered a better chance for good ties with the Trump administration. Nawrocki has also echoed some of Trumps language on Ukraine. He promises to continue Polands support for Ukraine but has been critical of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of taking advantage of allies. He has accused Ukrainian refugees of taking advantage of Polish generosity, vowing to prioritize Poles for social services such as health care and schooling. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. Watertown, NY (13601) Today Cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Cloudy. Low 63F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. In wine, there is truth, as the saying goes from ancient times. In these times, for people who value wine in their lives and people who make t When the team behind the new restaurant Evviva in the Marigny chose that name, they made quite a statement. The word is an Italian exclamatory yelp of joy and delight. There is even a chunky exclamation point on the menu, connecting that joy to the outstanding flavors to be found in plates of littleneck clams bathed in white wine chili broth and charred carrots, yanked from the soil just a few days ago and served with mojo verde. Opened quietly in March, Evviva is a joyous reunion of hospitality pros. When Patrick (Finney) approached us to take over The Franklin, we just looked at each other, says Heather Lolley, who along with her partner Humberto Suazo run Galaxie tacos in Bywater, with Finney as a partner. We thought, was this something we could take on, or are we crazy? Lolley says. The only way we would consider it is if we started something new, not take over an existing restaurant, adds Souza. But really the only way wed consider opening a second place is if Rebecca would agree to be the chef. TikTok star B. Dylan Hollis talks about 'Baking Across America' cookbook in NOLA on June 6 B. Dylan Hollis left his native Bermuda to study jazz piano at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, where he now spends most of his time. Dur That chef, Rebecca Wilcomb, agreed to come on board. Wilcomb, a James Beard Foundation award-winner formerly of Herbsaint and Gianna, left her role at the Link Restaurant Group in 2021 to start a family. She was just feeling ready to come back to the kitchen on her terms. Marcus Jacobs, who cooked with Wilcomb at Herbsaint before opening the now shuttered Marjies Grill and Seafood Sallys, came on as chef de cuisine. But really, they are chefs sharing the kitchen. This business can really take everything from you if you let it, Wilcomb says. I want to spend time with my family and with our daughter. Here, the beauty is that we all work so well together. Theres an understanding. We work hard, but we understand the need for balance. Jacobs, whose partner Caitlin Carney runs their dock-to-plate Porgys Seafood Market in Mid-City, agrees that creating joy on the plate is easier when communication, both spoken and unsaid, is a given. We understand what needs to be done and we trust each other to do it, he says. The concise menu is printed daily, which allows for tweaks with seasonal ingredients the chefs and Souza get from local farmers markets. Small plates might include a bowl of olives and orange segments peppered with sumac. Velma Genes anchovy bread, a riff on Jacobs grandmothers recipe, is a menu staple, with good reason. Built on crisp focaccia from another Link Group associate, Maggie Scales at La Boulangerie, fat anchovy fillets, fresh mint, onion and crushed tomatoes bring a world of flavor in every bite. Another winning dish is a salad of radicchio and endive, two bitter greens meant to be together, in this case tossed with pickled peppers, thinly sliced country ham and creamy fresh mozzarella. Delicate quail, sourced from Plantation Quail out of Georgia, is grilled with spicy Calabrian chili butter and served with a cooling, crisp slaw. Lolley and Souza have welcomed neighborhood patrons of the spaces predecessor. They still offer a $7 martini made with well vodka or gin. Theres also a margarita as good as the house pour at Galaxie. There are snacks to be had too, including a recent steak tartare with fried capers and pork rillette with grilled focaccia and mustard. Evviva What Evviva Where 2600 Dauphine St., (504) 267-0640; evvivanola.com When Dinner Wed.-Sun. How dine-in Check it out Chef Rebecca Wilcomb returns at a cozy Italian spot The restaurant uses littleneck clams farm raised in Florida. Gulf shrimp are grilled and simply dressed with garlic, herbs and lemon. There is always a Gulf fish, recently a broiled skin-on triggerfish with green peppercorn butter. The 60-seat restaurant is still an art-filled welcoming space anchored by a long, back-lit bar, but the layout is now one large room full of light. A communal table is new, and theres a private nook for intimate dining. The overall effect is charming and inviting, and it preserves the neighborhood feel. We are making the food we love for the neighborhood, Wilcomb says. Early morning visitors to Saunton Sands on Sunday might have been surprised to see several neatly made beds set up on the beach in a protest inspired by the iconic Pink Floyd album cover. Campaign group Save Our Sands had created the installation as a modern twist on the A Momentary Lapse of Reason album cover picture depicting a sea of beds on the beach, shot at Saunton in 1987. Their demonstration on Sunday was a protest against plans to bring electricity cables at Saunton to serve the White Cross offshore wind farm, which will mean tunnelling them under the beach and then through a variety of highly protected areas to a sub station at Yelland. They said their protest was not against renewable energy but the choice of the cable route and they fear it will have a huge impact on tourism and the community. Above: The Save Our Sands team after completing the Pink Floyd-inspired installation of beds on Saunton Sands. Credit: Liz Seymour Save Our Sands and other campaigners were dismayed when North Devon Councils planning committee approved the cable plans in May despite more than 1,800 objections and an online petition with 3,800 signatures. A banner alongside the beds on the beach read: North Devon Council, you said YES to White Cross was this a MOMENTARY LAPSE OF REASON?. The group secured permission to create the installation, which was only in place for an hour until 8.30am before being tidied away to ensure it did not disrupt beachgoers. SOS raised 895 in less than 24 hours to fund the demonstration and the new bed frames will be donated to the Forces Support charity shop in Green Lanes Shopping Centre. Helen Cooper, SOS founder, said in a Facebook Live video the beds had been placed more or less where the cable would go. She added that the banner would now go on tour. She said: It will be appearing along the cable route at various points, which we thought would be quite dramatic and our own personal twist on it is to show the effect on the tourist industry, which will be hit very hard by these plans. So these beds could represent Airbnb and perhaps the Saunton Village down here on the beach and how badly they might be impacted. Above: Save Our Sands founder Helen Cooper at Saunton Sands, with the bed installation in the background. Credit: Liz Seymour Council planning officers recommended approval of the application, subject to 39 conditions. Their report said the benefits of generating renewable and low carbon energy and contributing to net zero outweighed the largely short term environmental impacts. The cables will carry power from a test windfarm of up to eight turbines 31 miles offshore, which White Cross says will power up to 135,000 homes. The cabling work is expected to take two years, with a work hub in Saunton Sands beach car park, closing 40 per cent of parking for what is a popular tourist and surfing beach, plus there are expected to be up to 90 movements of heavy lorries per day through the narrow and busy streets of Braunton. Ms Cooper told the BBC: "We've been really overwhelmed by the support. It's to highlight the fact that we feel we have been silenced. What we're trying to do is highlight the fact that we really need people to value this area a lot more. It's a very precious environment. We feel if this can be approved in this area, nowhere is safe, nowhere in the UK, nowhere in the world. When the plans were approved, Al Rayner, project director for White Cross, promised his company would inject 153m into the local economy. The United Steelworkers union is asking for more information about what the planned partnership between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel will actually entail and how it will affect U.S. Steel's 22,000 employees. President Donald Trump announced the merger, which he had previously opposed, on social media, and then held a rally in Pittsburgh last week during which he offered few additional details. Trump said U.S. Steel would remain under American control with its headquarters based in Pittsburgh, which was Nippon Steel's plan when it first made a $14.9 billion bid to buy it and operate it as a U.S. subsidiary 18 months ago. We have not participated in the discussions involving U.S. Steel, Nippon Steel, and the Trump administration, nor were we consulted, so we cannot speculate about the meaning of the planned partnership between USS and Nippon or the golden share that some politicians have claimed will be issued to the federal government," USW International President David McCall said. Whatever the deal structure, our primary concern remains with the impact that this merger of U.S. Steel into a foreign competitor will have on national security, our members and the communities where we live and work." U.S. Steel CEO David Burritt said at a rally at the Mon Valley Works Irvin Plant Friday that the deal would protect "American jobs, American steel, and American strength." "We're in a position to invest billions right here at home," Burritt told a crowd of steelworkers. Nippon Steel originally promised to invest $1.4 billion in U.S. Steel's operations. It is now pledging $14 billion in capital investments as well as $5,000 bonuses for each steelworker. It is pledging to spend nearly $1 billion in upgrades at Gary Works, including nearly $300 million to reline Blast Furnace No. 14. Trump said at the rally most of the capital investment would take place over the next 18 months. The United Steelworkers union said it still had a number of concerns about the deal and wondered why the government would allow it after finding just last month that Nippon Steel dumped steel in the United States. Nippon has a long history of committing unfair trade practices. Indeed, the International Trade Commission determined that the company violated U.S. trade laws in 13 different trade cases. Just last month, the Department of Commerce imposed duties of more than 200% on Nippon for the illegal dumping of steel. Yet, despite ongoing injury and continuing penalties, Nippon is being rewarded," McCall said. "The USWs only concern has been and continues to be the long-term viability and sustainability of the current USS facilities, so as to safeguard the current and future economic, employment and retirement security of our members and their communities." The union is troubled by the lack of information about the deal the Trump administration said it negotiated between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel. There is a vast difference between public relations and putting commitments in writing, just as there is a vast difference between allowing shareholders and executives to cash out and putting workers interests first," McCall said. Any final deal that may emerge from discussions between the merger parties and the federal government must be viewed through that lens, and not the lens of wishful thinking that has been adopted by far too many politicians and others." Nippon Steel reportedly agreed to let U.S. Steel have American leadership and a majority American board. It would give the federal government a golden share that would give it control over the number of board seats and domestic production levels. Trump said Friday that Nippon Steel would keep U.S. Steel's blast furnaces, such as those at Gary Works, in operation for at least 10 years. The union wants to see the terms of the deal in writing. U.S. Steel has not yet filed any disclosures with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. So far, Trump and Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick have released only a few key bullet points from the deal. Issuing press releases and making political speeches is easy. Binding commitments are hard. The devil is always in the details, and that is especially true with a bad actor like Nippon Steel that has again and again violated our trade laws, devastating steel communities in Pennsylvania and elsewhere," McCall said. Our members know from decades of negotiating contracts: Trust nothing until you see it in writing. Swiss Watches and Japanese Pianos: The Imports the U.S. Relies On Most From 140 Nations Leer en espanol President Trumps on-and-off tariffs have created deep uncertainty about the cost of imported goods and its not always clear what goods will be most affected with any given country. The largest U.S. imports from many countries are oil and gas, electronics, cars and pharmaceuticals. But theres another way to look at what Americans import: trying to measure a countrys distinct contribution to the U.S.s total needs. For example, Chinas largest exports to the U.S. by dollar value are electronics. But the U.S. also imports large quantities of electronics from elsewhere. Nearly 100 percent of imported baby carriages, however, come from China. Switzerland, meanwhile, is responsible for nearly all of Americas imported precious metal watches. Ethiopia, on the other hand, sends the U.S. around 2 percent of its imported knit babies clothes but thats a larger share than for any other item it exports to the U.S. The table below shows the item the U.S. relies on most from each of 140 trading partners. (We took out items that the U.S. also exports in large quantities, such as petroleum.) What the U.S. is most reliant on from each country COUNTRY ITEM Pct. of U.S. imports from here Canada Live pigs >99% Peru Calcium phosphates >99% South Africa Chromium ore 98% Switzerland Precious metal watches 98% China Baby carriages 97% Mexico Self-propelled rail transport 94% Portugal Natural cork articles 93% India Synthetic reconstructed jewelry stones 89% Italy Vermouth 86% Indonesia Palm oil 85% Madagascar Vanilla 80% Turkey Retail artificial filament yarn 79% Brazil Semi-finished iron 76% Vietnam Coconuts, brazil nuts, and cashews 75% Australia Sheep and goat meat 74% New Zealand Misc. animal fats 73% Gabon Manganese ore 71% Chile Refined copper 71% Netherlands Bulbs and roots 70% Spain Olive oil 62% Taiwan Tapioca 62% Argentina Groundnut oil 60% Colombia Cut flowers 60% Bolivia Tungsten ore 59% Dominican Republic Rolled tobacco 59% Cote d'Ivoire Cocoa paste 59% Germany Felt machinery 58% Finland Cobalt oxides and hydroxides 56% Japan Pianos 52% Israel Phosphatic fertilizers 50% Philippines Coconut oil 50% France Insect resins 50% Thailand Sugar preserved foods 47% Malaysia Rubber apparel 46% Ireland Sulfonamides 45% Pakistan Light mixed woven cotton 43% Singapore Glass with edge workings 39% Guatemala Bananas 38% Ecuador Cocoa beans 38% South Korea Rubber inner tubes 33% Jamaica Aluminum ore 33% Bangladesh Non-knit babies garments 31% Austria Handguns 29% United Kingdom Antiques 28% Cambodia Gum coated textile fabric 25% Nicaragua Rolled tobacco 24% Guyana Aluminum ore 24% Ukraine Seed oils 24% Belgium Flax woven fabric 22% Bahrain Stranded aluminum wire 22% Sri Lanka Coconut and other vegetable fibers 21% Morocco Barium sulphate 20% Romania Steel ingots 19% Norway Carbides 19% Sweden Stainless steel ingots 17% Costa Rica Bananas 16% Honduras Molasses 16% Paraguay Wood charcoal 16% Denmark Casein 15% Tunisia Pure olive oil 15% Russia Phosphatic fertilizers 15% Fiji Water 15% Hong Kong Pearls 13% Nepal Knotted carpets 13% Poland Processed mushrooms 12% Lebanon Phosphatic fertilizers 12% Croatia Handguns 12% Bulgaria Non-retail combed wool yarn 12% Laos Barium sulphate 12% Mozambique Titanium ore 11% Ghana Cocoa beans 11% Bahamas Gravel and crushed stone 10% Greece Dried, salted, smoked or brined fish 10% Jordan Knit mens coats 10% Czech Republic Rolling machines 10% El Salvador Molasses 10% Egypt Spice seeds 10% United Arab Emirates Raw aluminum 9% Uganda Vanilla 9% Nigeria Raw lead 9% Uruguay Bovine, sheep, and goat fat 9% Latvia Book-binding machines 9% Kazakhstan Ironmaking alloys 8% Cameroon Cocoa paste 8% Lithuania Wheat gluten 8% Oman Metal office supplies 8% Hungary Seed oils 7% Belize Molasses 7% Faroe Islands Non-fillet fresh fish 6% Qatar Pearls 6% Myanmar Misc. knit clothing accessories 5% Zambia Precious stones 5% Slovenia Packaged medications 5% Senegal Titanium ore 5% Algeria Cement 4% Haiti Knit T-shirts 4% Kenya Titanium ore 4% Liechtenstein Iron nails 4% Georgia Ironmaking alloys 4% Liberia Rubber 4% Serbia Rubber inner tubes 4% Iceland Fish fillets 4% Democratic Republic of the Congo Refined copper 3% Botswana Diamonds 3% Chad Insect resins 3% Zimbabwe Leather further prepared after tanning or crusting 3% Luxembourg Polyamide fabric 3% Panama Non-fillet fresh fish 3% Albania Ironmaking alloys 3% Estonia Fishing and hunting equipment 2% Ethiopia Knit babies garments 2% Namibia Wood charcoal 2% Venezuela Processed crustaceans 2% Slovakia Rubber tires 2% Lesotho Knit mens shirts 2% Tanzania Precious stones 2% Papua New Guinea Vanilla 1% Mauritius Processed fish 1% Saudi Arabia Iron nails 1% Moldova Wine <1% Suriname Non-fillet fresh fish <1% Angola Pig iron <1% Armenia Diamonds <1% Trinidad and Tobago Non-fillet fresh fish <1% Macau Knitted hats <1% North Macedonia Curbstones <1% Togo Fake hair <1% Bosnia and Herzegovina Non-knit womens coats <1% Republic of the Congo Antiques <1% Azerbaijan Ironmaking alloys <1% Iraq Antiques <1% Libya Misc. vegetable products <1% Cyprus Olive oil <1% Kuwait Ironmaking alloys <1% Malta Air conditioners <1% British Virgin Islands Diamonds <1% Brunei Knit T-shirts <1% Cayman Islands Phones <1% Equatorial Guinea Knitted hats <1% Sint Maarten Hard liquor <1% Numbers are rounded. Goods that the U.S. exports at least 25 percent as much as it imports, and goods with under $20 million of imports in 2024, are excluded. Source: U.S. International Trade Commission Curious where the U.S. imports a particular item from? You can look it up below. Searchable table Computers $138.5 billion in imports Mexico 35% China 26% Taiwan 19% Vietnam 11% Thailand 5% Phones $119 billion China 42% Vietnam 17% Mexico 9% India 7% Thailand 7% Packaged medications $100.4 billion Ireland 16% Switzerland 12% India 12% Italy 7% China 6% Show more Numbers are rounded. A MAN previously jailed for coercive control was put back in prison after Tullamore Circuit Court heard of a plan to construct a concrete burial chamber for himself and his partner. Judge Keenan Johnson activated a suspended 20-month prison term which had been imposed on Clare native Martin Mulqueen after an application from the gardai who had evidence he had breached the conditions of the sentence by contacting a woman. Mr Mulqueen, who in March 2021 was convicted of the then relatively new offence of coercive control, along with the assault of his partner, had served his sentence and resumed contact with the woman after his release, in breach of court order. The original sentence had been imposed by Judge Francis Comerford and Mr Mulqueen appeared before Judge Johnson yesterday (Thursday, May 29) for what is known as a Section 99 application. His victim was in court for the hearing and gave evidence herself, becoming tearful as she outlined her encounters with Mr Mulqueen. Garda Michael Henry, Roscommon Garda Station, replying to counsel for the DPP, Sean O'Quigley, outlined the original sentences, which amounted to a total of 54 months for various offences - which also included making threats and producing a knife - with a 20-month prison term suspended for four years. The offences were committed on various dates from late 2018 into 2019. Garda Henry said information was then received which caused concern about the safety of the victim and it came to his attention that an enquiry had been made by Mr Mulqueen about a burial plot for himself and his girlfriend. READ NEXT: Offaly pensioner tied up and robbed in his isolated rural farmhouse He conducted a background check and discovered 17 breaches of court orders, seven bench warrants for Mr Mulqueen, four applications for interim barring orders and one for a barring order. Breaches had occurred in 2023 and 2024 and into 2025 and Mr Mulqueen had been placed in custody for breach of a barring order. A key worker with Housing First who assisted the victim get accommodation of her own, said the woman told her that sometimes she would arrange the meet Mr Mulqueen at a different location after hearing he was homeless. Her residence was not known to Mr Mulqueen but by means unknown he found out her full address and eircode and sent her gifts with a note signed 'Paul Williams', who was described as the man's favourite crime correspondent. The key worker said Mr Mulqueen had written I hope you liked your presents and Now, who's a good detective. She said he would ring the woman and leave threatening voicemails and she was in fear of her life from him. This was a new start for her and she didn't want him on her property at all, said the witness. Michael Cusack, a funeral director in Kilrush, Co Clare, gave evidence that he had buried Mr Mulqueen's father in 2012 and his mother in 2020. An underground vault with one vault over the other had been constructed prior to 2012. READ NEXT: Brother of missing Offaly man says: 'I can only imagine what Fiona Pender's family are going through' In December 2024 Martin Mulqueen phoned him and said it was his wish to be buried with his parents. Mr Cusack told him that could not be done because it was a single grave and Mr Mulqueen then asked about being buried in the old cemetery and rang again in January and asked the funeral director to go ahead with an underground chamber of mass concrete. Mr Mulqueen also asked Mr Cusack to do him a favour and ring his partner and tell her of the agreement with the funeral director to develop a grave. The grave was going to be for himself and his partner. Mr Cusack rang the woman and he recalled her saying to him: That ain't going to happen. Replying to Dara Foynes, SC, for Mr Mulqueen, Mr Cusack said the cemetery where the new grave would be located would be overlooking the sea and though it would be a single grave, there would be room for two caskets. A social care worker gave evidence of hearing Mr Mulqueen have a telephone conversation with the undertaker on the afternoon of January 15 last when the man was quite intoxicated. That witness said Mr Mulqueen made reference to the grave being for her (his partner) first but when Mr Cusack was recalled to the witness box he said he did not recall the man saying that. In her evidence, Mr Mulqueen's former partner said she had made contact with the man because she felt sorry for him. However, on one occasion there were 40 missed calls from him to her when she was on a train journey and between Friday, January 31 and Sunday night, February 2 last there were 360 missed phone calls and messages. She applied for a barring order because there would be calls after calls, especially if she did not answer. She said he was a totally different person when he had drink on him and she would start getting verbal abuse from him. Having previously stayed one night with him in a Midlands town she allowed him to stay for a few days at her residence because she had heard he was back on the streets but they did not share a bedroom and there was no intimacy. She also recalled having gone for a drive with him prior to being assaulted where they visited a nice area where there was a graveyard. She said she had a grave sorted for herself in her own home place and confirmed telling the funeral director over the phone that a grave with her former partner wasn't going to happen. Judge Johnson told the woman she struck him as being a soft hearted character and said that sometimes when a person could not protect themselves the court had to do it. Ruling that he would grant the application activating the suspended sentence the judge said the evidence about the grave was particularly bizarre, disturbing and concerning. He said the purpose of suspended sentences is to incentivise an accused person to rehabilitate and they are a very effective instrument when complied with but lose all their value if people are allowed to ignore them. It's abundantly clear to me that Mr Mulqueen has ignored the terms of the suspended sentence on multiple occasions, he said. Martin Mulqueen, originally from Ballynote, Kilrush, Co Clare, had been jailed in 2021 after the court heard he had tried to strangle his then partner, beaten her and cut her wrist with a knife. She had slept with a hammer under her pillow and he had broken her phone and tried to drive a wedge between her and her children, mother and extended family, the court heard. The scene of a shooting incident in Carlow has been declared safe after the army bomb unit completed its examination Gardai in Carlow continue to investigate all circumstances surrounding the discharge of a firearm and the death of a man in his 20s following an incident at Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow, on Sunday. The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit has completed its examination and the area has been declared safe. The scene remains cordoned off while both the Garda Technical Bureau and the Office of the State Pathologist conduct examinations. An update will be issued when cars parked within the cordon can be retrieved. READ NEXT: LIVE: 'White Irish adult male' dead at the scene of shooting incident in Carlow An incident room has been established at Carlow Garda Station, with a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) appointed to lead the investigation. A Family Liaison Officer is providing support to the deceaseds family at this time. Investigating Gardai once again urge anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead to provide it directly to the investing team. Anyone present at Fairgreen Shopping Centre between approximately 6:00pm and 6:30pm yesterday evening is asked to contact the incident room at Carlow Garda Station. Anyone with information is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059-9136620 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800-666-111 BBC management must reflect on the outcome of the Gerry Adams libel case and avoid knee-jerk reactions to the verdict, a Sinn Fein minister has said. Stormonts Finance Minister John ODowd said he welcomed the outcome of the high-profile case. Former Sinn Fein leader Mr Adams took the BBC to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, which he said defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson, for which he denies any involvement. A jury at the High Court in Dublin awarded Mr Adams 100,000 euro (84,000) when it found in his favour on Friday after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. It also found the BBCs actions were not in good faith and the corporation had not acted in a fair and reasonable way. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years. Mr Adams legal team said the verdict of the jury was a full vindication for their client while the BBC said it was disappointed with the outcome, warning it could have profound implications and potentially hinder freedom of expression. Following the jurys decision, Mr Adams said his case had been about putting manners on the BBC. The veteran republican claimed the corporation upheld the ethos of the British state in Ireland and was out of sync on many fronts in relation to the Good Friday peace agreement. The National Union of Journalists has described those remarks as chilling. Seamus Dooley, Irish secretary of the NUJ, also said the case showed the need for reform of Irelands defamation laws. However, Mr ODowd said the BBC reaction to the case indicated it was unwilling to learn lessons. I welcome the judgment, he told BBC Radio Ulster. I think its a timely reminder that everyone has the right to defend their name in court. Gerry has been successful in his case and I think the BBC have lessons to learn, and they should instead of the knee-jerk reaction that weve heard thus far from them, I think they should take a time of reflection and reflect on that court judgment. The minister was asked if Mr Adams claims about the BBC upholding the ethos of the British state and being out of sync with the Good Friday Agreement reflected Sinn Feins position on the broadcaster. I think its a position that many in society hold, he replied. There are many, many fine journalists from the BBC theres no question about that. But I think the upper echelons of the BBC in the north and the reaction to the court judgment shows that theyre unwilling to learn lessons. Theyre unwilling to reflect on their own role and responsibility. So, I think this is a time for the BBC to reflect, and the upper echelons of the BBC to reflect, rather than some of the knee-jerk reactions weve seen from them thus far. Kochi: Two foreign youths, who were part of a tourist group, went missing on the Puthuvype Valappu beach of Elamkunnappuzha on the coastal line of Kochi on Monday. The missing youths are Abdul Salam (21) and Jabran Khalil (22) from Yemen. They were part of a nine-member group visiting Kochi. Eight of them are from Yemen and one from Sudan. They are students of Rathinam College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, as per preliminary information. ADVERTISEMENT The two youths were pulled in by strong tides while playing in the waters. Local residents told TV channels that it was not safe for strangers to swim in the beach during monsoon. Teams of coastal police, Njarackal police and Fire and Rescue Services personnel have launched a search for the missing youth. George Floyd (Image by Meta) Details DMCA Three Steps Forward, 10 Steps Back: George Floyd's Murder and Aftermath by John Hawkins Five years ago George Floyd, an African American, was murdered by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during an arrest made after a store clerk suspected Floyd had used a counterfeit twenty-dollar bill and called the cops. When the cops arrived they pulled Floyd from his vehicle and during the arrest threw him to the ground, where officer Derek Chauvin put his knee into Floyd's neck for 8 minutes 46 seconds and ignored pleas of "I can't breathe" by the suspect. Floyd couldn't breathe, and he died. The murder was captured on phone cameras by bystanders looking on in horror. Chauvin was not long thereafter charged with murder. Other officers standing around the arrest were also charged. This incident drew significant global media attention. First in Minneapolis, then in other American cities, then in European and Asian cities, protests erupted, with citizens chanting Floyd's name and/or shouting Black Lives Matter, and carrying signs. The BBC just recently ran a documentary of this incident and its global repercussions. Titled Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd, the documentary lucidly recalls those days of outrage, with the global protests making it clear that being Black is hazardous to your health. The last part of the film moves on to how things have changed for Blacks since George Floyd's murder. Already fumbling the federal response to the just-beginning Covid-19 spread in America, President Donald Trump inflamed citizens tired of fascistic police actions and the deaths of African Americans that seem to go back decades, by essentially declaring his indifference to the human rights abuses, and urging police to "be strong" against protesters, even praising the pushback by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz who, Trump said, "knocked [protesters] out so fast it was like bowling pins." He also took the opportunity to knock left wing movements, such as Occupy Wall Street, which he boasted had been happily snuffed out by police actions. In Britain, at that time, many Black citizens expressed concern that such depravity could happen there. Backlash does a good job from the beginning of listening to the voices of the community expressing their fears of such a possibility. The Morning Star, a left wing daily, wrote, "that there have already been publicised cases of deaths in custody and police using dangerous restraints such as chokeholds." Police officials in Britain were interviewed and noted that differences in policing made the situation in America unique because of gun availability and long history of racial violence. But this view was soundly rejected, including by an interviewee named by George the Poet, "There are disturbing parallels between the black British experience and the African American experience. There was a young man that I was in primary school with. His name is Julian Cole. He was accosted by five officers outside of a nightclub, had his neck snapped. Guess how many convictions that that debacle ended in? None. There's been no jail time doled out for police." Stat of Blacks killed by police (Image by US Census (2000)) Details DMCA A large portion of the film is devoted to the "backlash" in England to Floyd's murder by police. In Bristol, the statue of Edward Colston, 17th Century slave trader was toppled during a Black Lives Matter protest in Bristol and dumped in the harbor. And in London, a statue of Winston Churchill, a racist, was given the graffiti treatment. But there was also the backlash of defensive-minded whites who counter-protested leading to violence. Derek Chauvin , however, was engulfed by public outrage. It had been building for a while after the wrongful deaths of other recent African American deaths by police or security, starting in the Obama administration with Trayon Martin, then Sandra Bland, Tyre Nichols, Breonna Taylor, and Eric Garner, et. al. Black Lives Matter, antifa, and woke activists demanded action against Chauvin. He was tried for murder in 2021 and sentenced to 21 years in a federal prison. In this case, justice seems to have prevailed. However, progress has stalled. Racism is endemic and requires the same vigilance afforded future holocausts, whose mantra is Never Again. In America, the natural divisiveness of Donald Trump has returned with a vengeance in his re-ascension to the throne, as it were, of American governance. For many it is hard to believe that this twice-impeached In his first address of his second term to Congress on March 4, 2025, Trump gave a speech in which he said, "We've ended the tyranny of so-called diversity, equity and inclusion policies, and our country will be woke no longer." As an American it is deeply ironic that the first man to fall in the name of the nascent American Revolution was a newly freed Black man named Crispus Attucks, who was shot by 'security' forces in red coats on March 5, 1770. And it is deeply troubling to see how easily the Sons of Liberty have been transmogrified to the Sons of Anarchy, enforcers of tyranny rather than freedom. Do you want to be inspired and feel optimistic? One thing you can do is check out and follow this facebook page where you will see examples of Palestinians building despite the horrors: things like children activities (children being empowered to connect with the land), progress on an amazing new building project (new museum of natural history), field work activities (including encounters with colonial settlers) and more. And here is a very short video and an earlier article on what we do. Be informed and share the information (or at least the links that intrigue you) From Mosab Abo Toha: "Only an international military intervention should stop this mass killing of starved people. Israel has just shot dead 39 and wounded over 115 starving people in Rafah near the Food Distribution Center. People in Gaza need PROTECTION from these bloodthirsty soldiers. Shame on everyone who is only watching. According to the head of the medical team at the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, Israeli soldiers near the food distribution centre shot people in HEAD AND CHEST." From Dr. Ahmad Al-Farra, director of the pediatric department at Nasser Hospital. "We receive a murdered child every 40 minutes. A killed woman every 60 minutes. And a dead person every 15 minutes," On day 604 of this wave of genocide, no one can say they did not know: They had names: It Took 24 Hours to Speak the Names of 12,000 Children Israel Killed in Gaza-- A Fraction of the Total. Videos from Gaza youths. The deadliest period in history for Palestinian prisoners. I was honored to give testimony in the Sarajevo tribunal. Here is the final declaration. Carbon footprint of Israel's war on Gaza exceeds that of many entire countries. Israel kills six guards for aid shipments to give chance to looters. Testimony before the UN Security Council by US Volunteer physician Ferouz Shelia. From Dr. Haidar Eid on the time of monsters. Surviving Occupation in a Climate-Changed West Bank. Voices of Environmental Justice: In West Bank, Hope for Future in Link Between Land and People Mazin Qumsiyeh, biologiste palestinien : A i ? ? A ? i ? ? i ? ? A ? i ? ? i ? ?Nous vivons un ge'nocide et un e'cocide, ils sont intentionnels A i ? ? A ? i ? ? i ? ? A ? i ? ? i ? ? Netenyahu reiterates his call for genocide According to surveys, most Israelis agree with their prime minister: WHY? Gedeon Levi explaining what renders the Israeli mind inherently in Denial a potentially a Criminal Mind. Middle East Eye on the "negotiations" [Witcoff is a Zionist profiteer whose allegiance is to Israel not the US so we can't expect much]. Israel's New INGO Registration Measures Are a Grave Threat to Humanitarian Operations and International Law - 55 Organizations Say. Follow actions of ships trying to break the siege on Gaza and here is Greta Thunberg on her joining the ship. Unified call to confront famine in Gaza: launch the diplomatic humanitarian convoy now (900 organizations signed). The Geneva International Peace Research Institute Submits Communication to the ICC on the Complicity of the European Commission In Genocide. Stay Humane, ACT, and keep hope alive Mazin Qumsiyeh A bedouin in cyberspace, a villager at home Professor, Founder, and (volunteer) Director Palestine Museum of Natural History Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability Bethlehem University Occupied Palestine facebook pages Personal Institute French 44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 45 "He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'" (Matt 25: 44-45) On Thursday, May 22, 2025, the United States House of Representatives passed the alleged "One Big Beautiful Bill Act". This bill provides $1.5 trillions in tax breaks for the top 5% of taxpayers at the expense of the bottom 10%, i.e., "least of these". If we do the math, there is an almost 1:1 correlation between cuts to programs benefiting the poor and most vulnerable Americans and tax breaks for the ultra-rich. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), this budget includes $698 billion in cuts to the Medicaid program, $267 billion to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), $78 billion in additional contributions from the states to supplement Medicaid and SNAP programs with the rest coming from cuts to other nonmilitary programs. As a Christian, I have always viewed "The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats" (Matt 25:31-46) as one of several tests one must pass to enter heaven and sit on the right hand of the LORD. Our nation should it adopt this "Big, Barbarous Bill" is poised to fail this test. The "One Big Beautiful Budget Act" barely passed the House on a 215-214 vote with one member voting present. I am writing this article as a plea to members of the U.S. Senate to vote against this bill and save our nation from eternal damnation. "I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat" According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 11 million people are at risk of losing SNAP benefits. Those endanger of losing SNAP benefits include "older adults; parents, grandparents, and their children; veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth who, under the bill, would lose their current exemptions starting in 2030,military families struggling with food insecurity could also be disproportionately impacted; and people living in areas without sufficient jobs [will] lose their waivers of the work requirement as a result of the bill's provisions." If this were not bad enough, this bill reduces the federal portion of the administrative costs from 50% to 25% and increases the program cost-share for all states to a minimum of 5% with penalties that could increase to a maximum of 25% of program costs again endangering beneficiaries' eligibility (Section by Section). This bill does not just endanger the food security of millions of Americans; it also endangers the lives of millions across the globe. Cuts to USAID includes significant cuts to the Food for Peace program, which has been a cornerstone of U.S. international food aid for over 70 years. Over the past seven decades, Food for Peace has reached more than 4 billion people in 150 countries. Last fiscal year, USAID purchased 1.1 million metric tons of food from U.S. farmers and ranchers - including sorghum, corn, beans, rice, and vegetable oil - to help more than 45 million people with emergency food and acute nutrition assistance in 35 countries. The United States is the largest supplier of food assistance globally, creating a more secure world, while benefiting American commerce in 21 states, and supporting an average of 46 U.S. commodity supplier businesses in the aggregation of the food for procurement. If the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" is passed, $4.2 billion will be slashed from the Food for Peace program over the next five years, limiting the amount of emergency food assistance available to famine-stricken regions across the globe. These cuts could severely impact global food security, particularly in regions experiencing conflict, drought, and economic instability. "I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink" The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" could have significant consequences for lead and PFAS contamination in our nation's water supplies. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that there are no safe levels of lead contamination and that harmful health impacts from lead exposure are "entirely preventable." Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have also emerged as a critical area of concern. These persistent chemicals, often dubbed "forever chemicals", are exceptionally resistant to degradation in the environment, resulting in widespread and long-lasting contamination. PFAS and lead pose severe environmental challenges and significant health risks to humans. The bill if adopted would lead to higher levels of lead and PFAS contamination in our drinking water, increasing health risks for all Americans especially our most vulnerable populations. Provisions in the bill would reduce federal grants for lead service line replacement, slowing efforts to remove toxic lead pipes from drinking water systems and delays EPA enforcement limits for PFAS, which are linked to cancer and other health risks. It also cuts funding for municipal water treatment upgrades is cut, making it harder for communities to install filtration systems that remove lead and PFAS, while cynically pushing back deadlines for public water systems to meet new PFAS safety standards, exposing millions to contaminated drinking water for longer. These cruel provisions included in the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" exposed millions of Americans to "permanent adverse health impacts" (WHO). Long-term lead exposure in children can severely damage the brain and central nervous system causing coma, convulsions and even death. Children who survive severe lead poisoning may be left with permanent intellectual disability and behavioral disorders. Lead exposure can permanently affect children's brain development, resulting in reduced intelligence quotient (IQ), reduced attention span, increased antisocial behavior, and reduced educational attainment. Women of child-bearing age are also extremely vulnerable to lead exposure. Lead exposure can damage the brain, liver, kidney, and bones. Lead is stored in the teeth and bones, where it can accumulate over time. Lead in bones of pregnant women is released into blood during pregnancy and becomes a source of exposure to the developing fetus (WHO). I want to re-emphasize LEAD POISONING IS ENTIRELY PREVENTABLE, which makes this budget unconscionable. Scientific studies and reports have found similar adverse health effects related to PFAS exposure. "Current peer-reviewed scientific studies have shown that exposure to certain levels of PFAS may lead to Reproductive effects such as decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure in pregnant women; developmental effects or delays in children, including low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations, or behavioral changes; increased risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers; reduced ability of the body's immune system to fight infections, including reduced vaccine response; interference with the body's natural hormones; and, increased cholesterol levels and/or risk of obesity" (EPA). As with lead contamination, children and pregnant and lactating women are the most vulnerable to drinking water contaminated by PFAS. Children may be exposed to higher concentrations of PFAS because they drink more water per pound of body weight than adults and infants can be exposed to PFAS through breast milk from mothers with PFAS in their bloodstream and formula made with contaminated water (EPA). While there are no explicit cuts to research related to lead and PFAS contamination, it does include broader reductions to EPA funding and environmental research grants that could lead to higher levels of lead and PFAS contamination in drinking water exposing millions of women and children to adverse health outcomes. "I was a stranger and you did not invite me in" The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" violates a fundamental tenet of all Abrahamic religious traditions to treat the stranger justly (see Lev19:33-34, Deut. 10:17-19, James 2:8, and 60:8 Quran). The bill, if adopted, adds $45 billion to build immigration jails to house 100,000 migrants. The legislation would also provide $46.5 billion to revive construction of Trump's wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Overall, this legislation plans to remove 1 million immigrants annually from our country. Mass deportations will severely disrupt key industry sectors. for example, almost 28% of farm workers are undocumented, a shortage of immigrant labor could lead to food rotting in the fields, higher food prices, and reduced crop yields (Fox Chronicle). The construction industry could lose 14% of its workforce leading to project delays and higher home prices (Fox Chronicle). Lest we forget, cruelty is the point of the immigration provisions of this bill, which allows for the indefinite detention of immigrant children and charging families $3,500 to reunite with a child who arrived alone at the border. The bill also requires a person seeking asylum to pay an "application fee" of at least $1,000 (Portside). Whatever happened to "give me your huddled masses yearning to be free"? As a Christian, I am reminded that Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were refugees seeking asylum from the murderous regime of Herod and received Temporary Parole Status (TPS) from the Egyptians. "I needed clothes and you did not clothe me" The provision of garments for the poor is a recurring theme in the Abrahamic tradition underscoring God's compassion and care for the least of these and further serving as a symbol of God's divine grace and protection. The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" is bereft of compassion, care, grace or protection. This legislation if adopted makes dramatic cuts to programs proving relief to people both at home and abroad, who fall victims to natural and man-made disasters leaving them without food, shelter, and clothing. Drastic reductions in FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund could limit FEMA's ability to respond to hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters. The CDBG-DR program, which helps communities rebuild after disasters, faces significant funding reductions under this bill which could delay the recovery and rebuilding of these communities for decades. And as we discussed earlier cuts to USAID's emergency relief programs could reduce aid for countries facing famine, conflict, and climate-related disasters leading to the loss of life for millions across the globe. "I was sick and" The cruelest and most ungodly provisions of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" are those related to healthcare. The bill includes $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid over the next decade resulting in an estimated 10.3 million people losing Medicaid coverage by 2034 and of that number, 7.6 million would become uninsured (Fulcrum). Another 5.1 million Americans would become uninsured because of Congress' refusal to extend enhanced premium tax credits for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces that help people afford their premiums (CAP). The bill eliminates provider taxes, which states use to fund Medicaid. This could reduce payments to hospitals and doctors, leading to staff layoffs and longer wait times for care. These cuts could force hundreds of rural hospitals across the country to close, leaving many rural communities without access to emergency care or specialist services, forcing patients to drive distances over 50 miles for care. This legislation includes a 40% reduction to NIH funding and over $1 billion in cuts to the National Cancer Institute threatening cancer research, clinical trials, and early detection efforts. The bill includes cuts in FDA funding for drug and vaccine approval programs, potentially slowing the review process for new medications and treatments. The bill reduces CDC funding for infectious disease research, including programs focused on COVID-19, influenza, and emerging health threats. The bill reduces funding for pandemic preparedness, and grants to state and local health departments which could impact disease prevention efforts and the ability to respond to future health crises. Cuts to long-term care to vulnerable elderly and disabled Americans could reduce funding for nursing homes and adult daycare facilities forcing many of them to shut down or provide limited services. Forty percent of children under the age of 18 are enrolled in Medicaid or the CHIP program cuts to these programs endanger the health of millions of children. To harm the weak and vulnerable in our society for the benefit of the wealthy is a sin "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." - 1 John 3:17-18. Vice-President Hubert Humphrey once s poke about government treatment of the weakest members of society and reminds us that "The ultimate moral test of any government is the way it treats three groups of its citizens. First, those in the dawn of life -- our children. Second, those in the shadows of life -- our needy, our sick, our handicapped. Third, those in the twilight of life -- our elderly." Humphrey further stated that "On all three counts the Republicans have failed this basic test of political morality." "in prison and you did not look after me" The One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes funding for the building of immigration prisons expected to house over 100,000 immigrant detainees, the Department of Homeland Security is increasing the number of ICE agents and is using these agents to retain and send immigrants to prisons in foreign countries without due process of law. The Bible reminds us that the Lord is watching and will hold us accountable. "To crush underfoot all prisoners in the land, to deny people their rights before the Most High, to deprive them of justice would not the Lord see such things?" - Lamentations 3:34-36. This is a plea to the United States Senate to use the Byrd Act and any other tools at your disposal to defeat this monstrous bill, and to lead the way in passing a moral and budget that feeds the hungry by providing SNAP benefits to the poor; provides drinking water that is free from lead, PFAS, and other contaminants; invites in 'the tired, poor huddled masses yearning to be free'; supports nonprofits and charities providing for those in need; fully funds Medicaid and Medicaid expansion; and prioritizes due process and the rule of law. This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. Just in case you hadni ? ? t noticed, the budget bill that passed the House of Representatives i ? ? the one that does so many favors for the already wildly wealthy, including offering a i ? ? $235 billion tax break to the top two-tenths of 1%i ? ? of Americans i ? ? will also spend a whopping $46.5 billion (yes, billion!) to construct more of Donald Trumpi ? ? s wall along the U.S.-Mexican border. That includes building it across the San Rafael Valley south of Tucson, Arizona, which, as the Guardian reports, almost no human immigrants ever cross. That area is, however, crucial to a variety of migrant wild animals, including bears, mountain lions, and subtropical species like i ? ? the wild pig-like javelina, and rare big cats i ? ? ocelots and jaguars, with natural ranges of hundreds of miles between countries in search of food, water, and mates.i ? ? In short, it is (or at least was) i ? ? a critical wildlife corridor for animals migrating between Mexico and Arizona.i ? ? And as climate change only increases the heat south of the border, it will be even more crucial for such species to be able to migrate across it when needed. More crucial to them, yes i ? ? but not, of course, to Donald Trump or House and Senate Republicans who undoubtedly couldni ? ? t give less of a damn about such creatures, just as most of them doni ? ? t seem to give a damn about the overheating future that lies ahead of us all. (Only recently Texas, for instance, experienced record-breaking spring heat, making parts of it hotter than Death Valley, California, i ? ? often cited as the hottest place on Earth.i ? ? ) Climate change? Trump and crew evidently couldni ? ? t care less. After all, they just gave the boot to some of the worldi ? ? s top climate scientists and no longer even plan to track the build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Worse yet, the country thati ? ? s already the global leader in producing oil and exporting natural gas is now planning to produce yet more of them and, as environmentalist Bill McKibben reminds us, i ? ? told California (and the 11 states that had followed it) that it couldni ? ? t demand the phaseout of internal combustion vehicles by the middle of the next decade.i ? ? All in all, iti ? ? s already quite a record. And given that this planeti ? ? s heating up in a distinctly record fashion and, as border expert and TomDispatch regular Todd Miller reminds us today, human migration to this country is being driven by just such heat, iti ? ? s truly hard to imagine the world our children and grandchildren will find themselves in. Still, while youi ? ? re thinking about that, take a moment to travel with Miller to those U.S.-Mexican borderlands and consider the all-too-daunting sights there, as well as at the latest annual gathering of what hei ? ? s come to call the border-industrial complex. Tom Upside-Down World Climate Change and the Border-Industrial Complex in the Trump Era By Todd Miller Believe it or not, I had a transcendent experience at this yeari ? ? s Border Security Expo, the annual event that brings Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) together with private industry. I hesitate to describe it that way, though, because I was on the exhibition hall floor and instantly found myself in the very heart of the U.S. border-industrial complex. It was early April and I was surrounded by the latest surveillance equipment i ? ? camera systems, drones, robodogs i ? ? from about 225 companies (a record number for such an event) displaying their wares at that Phoenix Convention Center. Many of the people there seemed all too excited that Donald Trump was once again president. You might wonder how iti ? ? s even possible to have a mystical experience while visiting this countryi ? ? s largest annual border surveillance fair and I would agree, especially since my moment came just after Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem gave the keynote speech to a packed convention center ballroom. Perhaps you woni ? ? t be surprised to learn that Noem, who had infamously worn a $50,000 Rolex watch to a Salvadoran i ? ? terrorismi ? ? prison photo shoot just weeks before, received rousing ovation after ovation, as she claimed that the Trump administration had almost achieved i ? ? operational controli ? ? of the U.S.-Mexican border. (Only a little more to go, she insisted!) The same point had been made by i ? ? border czari ? ? Thomas Homan earlier that day. Both asked the audience to give standing ovations to all border law enforcement officials in the room for, as Noem put it, enduring the i ? ? train wreck and poor leadership of Joe Biden leading this country.i ? ? And like those who preceded her, she used words like i ? ? invasioni ? ? abundantly, suggesting that an all-too-fragile United States was battling a siege of unknown proportions. The late Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano had a name for just such an experience: an i ? ? upside-down world,i ? ? he called it. In such a world, wei ? ? re presented not with the facts but their very opposite. For the border-industrial complex, however, iti ? ? s just such an inverted world that sells their product. Then it happened. I was walking down a corridor lined with drone companies, including one from India called ideaForge, whose medium-sized drone was i ? ? built like a birdi ? ? and i ? ? tested like a tank.i ? ? There were also sophisticated artificial intelligence camera systems mounted on masts atop armored ground drones, which might be considered the perfect combination of todayi ? ? s modern border technology. There was also the company Fat Truck, whose vehicles had tires taller than my car. X-ray and biometric systems surrounded me, along with green-uniformed Border Patrol agents, sheriffs from border counties, and ICE agents checking the equipment. As always, you could practically smell the cash in the air. Of my 13 years covering the Border Security Expo, this was clearly the largest and most enthusiastic one ever. I was walking through it all on one of those worn blue carpets found in convention centers and then, suddenly, I wasni ? ? t walking there at all. Instead, I was in the Sierra Tarahumara in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, with a RarA i ? ?muri man named Mario Quiroz. I had been there with him the previous week, so it was indeed a memory, but so vivid it essentially overcame me. I could smell the forest near the Copper Canyon, one of the most beautiful places on the planet. I could see Quiroz showing me the drying yellowish trees cracking everywhere amid a mega-drought of staggering proportions. I could even catch a glimpse of the fractured RA o Conchos, the Mexican river that, at the border, would become the Rio Grande. It was drying up and the trees along it were dying, while many local people were finding that they had little choice but to migrate elsewhere to make ends meet. I had to sit down. When I did, I suddenly found myself back at the expo in that stale air-conditioned environment that only promises yet more surveillance towers and drones on that very border. Then came the realization that gave me pause: although that devastated Sierra Tarahumara terrain and the Border Security Expo couldni ? ? t be more different, they are, in fact, also intimately connected. After all, Sierra Tarahumara represents the all too palpable and devastating reality of climate change and the way iti ? ? s already beginning to displace people, while the Expo represented my countryi ? ? s most prominent response to that displacement (and the Global Northi ? ? s more generally). For the United States i ? ? increasingly so in the age of Donald Trump i ? ? the only answer to the climate crisis and its mass displacement of people is yet more border enforcement. i ? ? Unwanted Starving Immigrantsi ? ? Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Dubai, UAE, July 04, 2025: In the current press news, the CEO of Mahmayi Office Furniture said that the company is working to make office spaces better and more comfortable for people across the UAE. The company is well-known for offering useful as well as long-lasting furniture that suits many types of workplaces. Besides, it is one of the trusted names among office furniture suppliers in the UAE and is Bucharest, Romania - In a challenging job market, companies across Europe are looking for effective ways to attract talent without overspending. Fortunately, platforms like jobsto.work are making it possible to recruit smartly-on a budget. Rethink Recruitment: Efficient Doesn't Mean Expensive Hiring qualified professionals doesn't have to break the bank. By using tools designed for efficiency and visibility, businesses can streamline the recruitment process. jobsto.work offers flexible, scalable pricing plans tailored to companies The grants helped pay for community outreach and recovering funds that shouldn't have been paid out. Mike Rogoway/The Oregonian The Trump administration canceled four federal grants last month that helped pay for community outreach and overpayment recovery at the Oregon Employment Department. Some of the grants were due to expire in June and another, awarded in 2023, had been mostly spent. None of the canceled grants directly addressed the agencys chronic issues with promptly paying jobless claims and fielding phone and electronic inquiries from laid-off workers. Still, the employment department said the withdrawn funding will impact other initiatives. We will have fewer resources to support our ongoing work in overpayment recovery and improving the customer experience, which will always be high priorities for OED, said David Gerstenfeld, the agencys director. The Trump administration has been aggressively withdrawing funding for programs aimed at serving diverse populations. At least two of the grants withdrawn last month fit that profile, working with community organizations and reducing barriers to providing jobless benefits to historically underserved communities. But both those grants, which had totaled $7.5 million, would have expired within weeks. A $1.7 million grant from 2023 funded eight positions to help recover funds the employment department later determined it shouldnt have paid. The money recovered included funding from both state and federal programs. And the department still had $370,000 to spend from a $3 million grant awarded in 2023. The remaining funds, now unavailable, had been designated to hire contractors to review the employment departments letters to make them easier to understand. As part of the settlement, the college denied wrongdoing or liability but determined that the settlement was appropriate to prevent further litigation. Lewis & Clark College will pay $500,000 into a special fund to settle a class-action federal lawsuit filed on behalf of about 45,050 people whose personal data was breached in a cyberattack in February 2023. Each class member who submitted a valid claim could receive up to $5,000 to reimburse documented out-of-pocket losses or a prorated cash award, as well as two years of credit monitoring services. Beverage director A.J. McCafferty and chef Doug Adams stand around a barrel at The Bitterroot Club, their upcoming supper club with brewmaster Whitney Burnside behind Grand Fir Brewing. Michael Russell | The Oregonian Doug Adams stands in the street outside Grand Fir Brewing, lifting the lid on a mid-sized smoker. Inside, a slab of deeply bronzed pork belly emerges from a cloud of white smoke. That pork isnt destined for a burger at the brewpub he co-owns with his wife, brewmaster Whitney Burnside. Instead, it will top a blue cheese baked potato at Bitterroot, a new steak-focused supper club coming to a former office around back. Thats right. Move over pop-ups, residencies, all-day cafes and even snack bars. The hottest Portland restaurant trend in 2025 is supper clubs from guys named Doug. One week after Dimos Apizza chef Doug Miriello discussed his new Dimos Italian Specialties, Adams is ready to unveil a new supper club of his own, one with its own unique business model (and bottomless beer). According to Adams, Bitterroot began as a separate restaurant concept, before he came to my senses and embraced a more flexible, one-day-a-week model. When we opened up Grand Fir, we wanted to do a supper club, Adams said. But it became really clear that the back area and the size of the kitchen just werent going to work for it, especially when youre doing 34 cheeseburgers at the same time. So when a room opened up behind the brewpub, the Top Chef finalist snapped it up. Heres how it works: Though open to the public, Bitterroot is launching with a membership program that grants both discounts and early access to club dinners and collaborations. For $500 a year, members get six tickets to use as they see fit a large group meal for six, three date nights for couples, etc. for an average price of $83 per ticket (compared to $150 for non-members). Members also get first crack at a series of collaboration dinners between Adams and chefs such as Adan Fausto (of Mariscos con Onda, June 6) and Justin Woodward (formerly of Castagna, June 27). Tickets for those events are not included in the membership price. Decor at The Bitterroot Club includes a creel, or wicker basket used for holding fish, from Doug Adams' grandfather, a photo of Adams with former Imperial sous chefs Ricky Bella and Matthew Jarrell and an illustrated picture of fly fishing lures Michael Russell | The Oregonian The whole idea is something Ive been working on for a while, Adams said. Slow-smoked and seared steaks, big ribeyes cold smoked for two or three hours at 120 degrees, rested with beef tallow and herbs and garlic and then seared, so its almost like prime rib steaks, but I just love how smoky they get. An advanced look at the classic menu for June 13 reveals five family-style courses, including mini smoked bologna sandwiches with sweet hot jalapenos and American cheese; smoked trout with farm greens and green goddess dressing; grilled prawns with avocado and spicy peanuts; smoked and charcoal-grilled ribeye steaks with candied jalapeno-dill relish; a twice-baked blue cheese potato; and a buttermilk chess pie with market strawberries from pastry chef Kir Jensen. According to business partner and beverage director A.J. McCafferty, the membership model allows Bitterroot to build a relationship with a set customer base by hosting cooking lessons or providing recipes online. If they can sell more than 100 memberships, they will either add a second night of service on Saturdays or close reservations to the public. So how is it not a restaurant? Its not seven days a week, or even five, Adams said. Were gonna do one dinner a week with the ability to say, hey, lets pause it or keep it moving, do casual stuff like crawfish boils, butcher burger nights or fried chicken dinners. The room itself has a sort of Central Oregon lodge vibe, with a taxidermied elk head overlooking two comfy-looking brown chairs. China from Adams grandmother and creels wicker baskets for holding fish from his grandfather rest on shelves. A vintage ice box and a 115-year-old butcher block from New Yorks Hudson Valley rest in the kitchen. Without an exhaust hood, much of Bitterroots cooking will begin on that smoker out front. Meanwhile, guests will gather at a large communal table made from wood salvaged from the Santiam Fire in 2020 or perch at a small chefs counter. Each of Bitterroots 16 nightly tickets includes gratuity and comes with bottomless frosty mugs of Tack Shack, Burnsides tasty Texas-inspired amber lager, poured from the couples old home kegerator. (Classic yet adventurous wine pairings from McCafferty cost extra.) Bitterroot will host its first public dinner a collaboration with Mariscos con Onda chef Adan Fausto at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 6, with the first classic Bitterroot Club dinner taking place the following Friday, June 13 at 1403 S.E. Stark St.; tickets and more information at thebitterrootclub.com Michael Russell; mrussell@oregonian.com Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong, shown here at Sabin Elementary School in Northeast Portland, says that all central office employees must return to office either five days a week or on a hybrid schedule, starting with the 2025-2026 school year. Beth Nakamura Portland Public Schools is ending virtually all fully remote work options for central office employees starting in the 2025-2026 school year, Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong said Monday in a memo to staffers. It has become clear that in a people-centered organization like Portland Public Schools, presence matters, Armstrong wrote. In-person collaboration allows us to support one another in real time, offer meaningful mentorship and strengthen the bonds that make our work impactful and cohesive. Under the new policy, all supervisors will be expected to work on-site five days a week starting Aug. 18, Armstrong wrote. Their employees will need to work from district headquarters at least two days a week and possibly more, depending upon their schedules, job requirements and conversations with supervisors. The new guidelines also suggest a shorter leash for employees who do work at least part-time from home. Staff members will be asked to sign a hybrid work agreement form noting that they need to be prepared to be called in to their office on short notice for unplanned or unexpected circumstances, that they will not blend dependent care with work hours and that hybrid work is not a replacement or alternative to taking sick leave or vacation. The full list of employees who are eligible for hybrid work schedules will be released by the end of the month, Armstrong wrote. The order comes as the district is losing longtime Chief of Human Resources Sharon Reese, who will step down from her post at the end of this school year, and as the district is preparing to eventually vacate its longtime headquarters in North Portland as a part of a deal with the nonprofit Albina Vision Trust. Under the terms of that deal, the district will sell its current building to the nonprofit, in exchange for help securing a new home base. Previous attempts by public entities in Oregon to enforce return to work orders have had mixed success. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson entered office with a sweeping return-to-work plan which he said would land nearly all city workers back at their office desks for four days every week. After intense pushback from unionized workers, Wilson backtracked on that proposal, but did require 700 managers and supervisors to return to the office full-time starting in April. Multnomah County, meanwhile, has made no broad moves to require all of its employees to return to the office after the pandemic popularized tele-working. The private sector has moved more quickly and firmly towards a return-to-office mandate. Beaverton-based Nike, for example, began requiring its employees to spend at least four days a week in the office in January 2024. Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan told workers in April that they must be on site four days a week beginning Sept. 1. Two Oregon tribal members fish for salmon at Celilo Falls, Oregon in 1941. The lost waterfall will be remembered in an Oregon Symphony during early June performances of Celilo Falls: We Were There, which combines music, spoken word and photography. Russell Lee, Oregonian file photo, 1941 Timelessness is a huge theme, said Nancy Ives in describing her music for orchestra and spoken voice, Celilo Falls. Native peoples have lived in the Columbia River Gorge for 18,000 years. The Oregon Symphony will perform Ives Celilo Falls, accompanied by the photography of Joe Cantrell and text by Ed Edmo, this weekend at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. The multi-media extravaganza conveys the historical and cultural significance of Indigenous peoples who lived and fished at Celilo Falls, a series of cascades and waterfalls along the Columbia River. The construction of The Dalles Dam in 1957 destroyed that way of life, submerging it with water. Ives wrote the eleven-movement originally for chamber orchestra premiered by Portland Chamber Orchestra in 2022 but a commission from the Oregon Symphony, where she is the principal cellist, has allowed her to expand the work to a full-sized orchestra. The piece deals with mans relationship with the natural world, said Ives via a Zoom call with Cantrell. The Oregon Symphony wanted the focus sharpened a little bit. That has worked well, because Joe and I had continued our conversations the past couple of years about the themes of the piece. Featuring the poetry and memories of storyteller Edmo (Shoshone-Bannock), who grew up at Celilo Falls, and the images of Cantrell (Cherokee), Celilo Falls expresses a comprehensive view of the indigenous peoples and their perseverance. Oregon Symphony principal cellist Nancy Ives collaborated with Native storyteller Ed Edmo (Shoshone-Bannock), photographer Joe Cantrell (Cherokee) and Portland Chamber Orchestra in a commemorative multimedia composition, Celilo Falls: We Were There. The work will be performed by the Oregon Symphony in early June. Photo courtesy of The Oregon Symphony The piece has two poles, explained Ives. Theres the Ed side and the Joe side. The Ed side is the personal and the Joe side is the universal. Joe is thinking about universality and the oneness and that trajectory. So, I largely rewrote the first movement, continued Ives. I didnt scrap what I already had, because it had themes that return later in the piece. But theres new material, inspired by my conversation with Joe, the photos that hes shown to me, and time that has passed since the premiere. The Joe side will be amplified deeper and richer. There is a meta rhythm for the music as it shifts between the personal and the universal. This project has taken me to new places, said Cantrell. We have moccasins carbon dated to 18,400 years ago. That means that people were living here at the time of saber tooth tigers and wooly mammoths. And they were there between 13,000 and 15,000 years ago when the Missoula Floods came through. It wiped out everything and everyone so that the people are the salmon, the people are the soil. It is all-one. Zak Margolis, a Portland-based animator and filmmaker, is lending his technical expertise and artistry to the project. Zak is turning our slide show into a video that will stream above the orchestra, said Cantrell. I sent him over 1100 pictures. We will have flocks of bird flying, the river flowing, and salmon jumping. Some of the images are humbling. Its cool to rediscover them, because I had put them on a hard drive for a while. One of the most iconic images was of Louise Billy, noted Cantrell. She was a Yakima medicine woman. I photographed her at the Settler House, which extends right out into the river where fishing took place. She is standing there with a glint in her eye and holding her ceremonial bell and walking stick. She is positioned just under a stuffed Golden Eagle, and a salmon hanging from a tree. Its amazing. Margolis is working from MIDI realizations so that he can line up the images to be in sync with the music. He is adding movement and transition, said Ives. It will make a Ken Burns effect so that you have the feeling of going into a deeper dimension. Brent Florindo Sitwalla-Pum, who has acted at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs of Oregon, will do the narration. This is a global story about what happens to indigenous people and their ways of life in the face of industrialization and encroaching colonists, added Ives. The government gave the native peoples a rotten deal when they built the dam. Theres a fundamental dichotomy between natural values and artificial values, said Cantrell. Natural values are where the people, salmon, the mountains, birds, the clouds in the sky are all on living in natural harmony. The artificial values are represented by ideas of owning the land. That sense everything being connected and timelessness is what Joe calls deep time, said Ives. Its been a mission for us to bring these concepts to the stage. I hope that it deepens how people think about our history, our culture, and where we are going. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 7, 2 p.m. Sunday, June 8, and 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 9, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway; $31-$138, orsymphony.org. Oregon law prohibits distribution, dispensing and possession of psilocybin and only permits psilocybin, the compound found in psychedelic mushrooms, to be administered under supervision in licensed treatment centers. (Craig Mitchelldyer | AP Photo) Craig Mitchelldyer | AP Photo Licensed or trained psilocybin providers who want the right to provide home-based services to people with disabilities or a terminal illness can proceed with their lawsuit against the Oregon Health Authority, a judge has ruled. U.S. District Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai on Friday denied the states motion to dismiss the suit. The worlds oldest known living harbor seal reached a rare milestone this week, turning 50 years old twice the life expectancy of a harbor seal in the wild. She lives at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, where shes older than most of her caretakers. Skinny was just a pup when she was found orphaned, dehydrated and starving on a Washington beach in 1975. After receiving care, she was deemed non-releasable and taken to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma. In 1992, she was transferred to her permanent home in Newport just before the Oregon Coast Aquariums grand opening. Shes lived there ever since. Shes now a pinniped celebrity and easy to identify by her sleek silver fur and wide eyes. Her caretakers joke: Skinny doesnt blink if she did, another 50 years might just fly by. Is skinny the oldest? The Oregonian/OregonLive scoured the web and used AI-assisted deep research tools in an attempt to find a harbor seal that lived older than Skinny. No other living harbor seal was found to be older. The research did learn that while Skinny is the oldest living harbor seal known, shes not the first to hit the half-century mark. A female seal named Betty at the Henry Vilas Zoo in Wisconsin also reached 50 before dying in 2019. Another long-lived seal, Bootsalso housed at the Oregon Coast Aquariumdied in 2023 just days before her 36th birthday, an unusually long life for the species. Harbor seals in the wild Harbor seals are the most widespread seal species on Earth and are commonly seen along the Oregon and Washington coasts, in Puget Sound and throughout California. Theyre generally non-migratory but may travel in response to food or environmental shifts. In Washingtons inland waters, the harbor seal population is estimated at 12,000. California hosts around 34,000. Theyre protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, harbor seals have been observed at 32 locations along Oregons coast and in estuaries, from the Columbia River to Hunters Island in Curry County. Theyre more common along the northern coast. Harbor seals typically give birth to a single pup in spring or early summer following an 11-month gestation. Pups can swim almost immediately and nurse for four to six weeks. In the wild, harbor seals live into their 20s; in human care, they may reach their 30s. Adults grow to 5 to 6 feet long and weigh up to 300 pounds. They have large, round eyes and plump, torpedo-shaped bodies. Their fur is densely spotted, ranging from silvery gray to dark brown. Their nostrils can close while diving, and the tip of their tongue has a distinctive notch. Notable pinnipeds that lived over 40 years If you want to support Skinny, the aquarium is offering a sponsorship program. June 3 celebration 11 a.m. Sing Happy Birthday and present Skinny with a special gift (Pinniped Habitat) 1111:15 a.m. Pinniped enrichment session 1:301:45 p.m. Painting enrichment and raffle 2:302:45 p.m. Additional pinniped activities Aquarium info The Oregon Coast Aquarium is open daily. Summer hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: $24.95 for adults (1864), $19.95 for seniors (65+) and teens (1317), $14.95 for children (312), and free for kids under 3. Mark Graves, The Oregonian/OregonLive Sources: Marine Mammal Center, Encyclopedia of Puget Sound, Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Oregon Coast Aquarium, The Oregonian/OregonLives coverage of the progressing spate of now 17 announced Rite Aid closures in our state should be a final wake-up call for lawmakers. Since 2008, 200-plus pharmacies in Oregonindependent and chain alikehave closed. With the full scope of Rite Aids closures still unfolding, we are poised to become the worst state in the nation for pharmacy access. This is a public health emergency. Though rural communities have borne the brunt, every corner of Oregon has felt the impact. Pharmacies are essential health care hubs, and pharmacists are often the most accessible health professionals in any community. Closures mean longer wait times, medication delays, and reduced access to expert care. State and federal studies have shown that pharmacy benefit managers PBMs are a key driver behind these closures. PBMs impose contracts that force pharmacies to fill prescriptions at a loss, while reimbursing PBM-owned pharmacies at better rates. House Bill 3212 would address abusive PBM contracting while bringing transparency and fairness to the system. The bill is the product of nearly a year of negotiations. Multiple amendments have been offered and multiple concessions have been made by pharmacists. Now, with the latest amendment offered by pharmacists, the bill represents the bare minimum of what pharmacies need to ward off closures. It has broad bipartisan support and must be passed this session. We urge the legislature and its Leadership to meet the moment. The legislative session is almost over. The longer lawmakers wait, the more pharmacies we lose. Brian Mayo Mayo is executive director of the Oregon State Pharmacy Association based in West Linn To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. The sun sets over Crater Lake National Park, seen from Rim Village on the south side of the caldera. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian Crater Lake National Park, Oregons picturesque but beleaguered tourist landmark, suffered another setback last Friday when the parks superintendent abruptly resigned, less than five months after starting in the job, the Washington Post reported. In announcing his resignation, Kevin Heatley, who previously worked in multiple roles at the federal Bureau of Land Management in Oregon and in Washington, D.C., cited severe staffing shortfalls as a major reason for the decision. Crater Lake National Park has struggled in recent years. Visitor numbers have fallen, with the park last year posting its lowest annual count in more than a decade. Also in 2024, a wildfire closed one entrance for several weeks. Last year, the National Park Service terminated its contract with the parks former concessioner, Aramark, after Aramark was accused of a litany of wrongdoings, many of which came to light in an investigation by The Oregonian/OregonLive. When Heatley took over as superintendent in January, a new concessioner, ExlporUS, was already onboard and making improvements. But then, a new problem arose, and this time it was not specific to Crater Lake but rather one that national parks across the country are grappling with: Staffing shortages. The Trump administration has drastically cut staff at national parks and frozen some new hiring. For Heatley, the cutbacks proved too much to take. It is really not an easy decision and not something I take lightly to walk away from Crater Lake, Heatley told The Washington Post in an interview Friday. But Im tired of waking up at 3 in the morning and not being able to fall back asleep because Im concerned about how Im going to navigate the latest staffing communique. The National Park Service has seen a 16.5% drop in employees since fiscal year 2023, including a 39% drop in seasonal and temporary workers, according to the newspaper. Those workers are the ones who keep national parks clean, safe and usable for visitors. Crater Lake should have eight rangers in the summer. This year, it has three. Lizzy Acker covers life and culture and writes the advice column Why Tho? Reach her at 503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com. Flooding occurred on Oregon Route 42 on March 17 near Coos Bay. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek declared an emergency March 19 due to heavy rains which have washed out roads, cut power and caused at least one death. Oregon Department of Transportation Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek on Friday asked President Donald Trump to declare a disaster, the first step to obtaining federal funding to help Coos, Curry, Douglas and Harney counties recover from the aftermath of intense spring flooding and landslides. In March and April, parts of southern Oregon experienced flooding from rapid snowmelt, record-level rainfall and overflowing rivers. The floods resulted in landslides that destroyed homes, businesses, bridges and utility systems. In response to the landslides in southern Oregon, Kotek declared a state of emergency on March 18 followed by another declaration of emergency on March 31 in response to the severe flooding in the southeastern part of the state. The federal funds Kotek is requesting would support road and building repair, assist families displaced by flood damage and strengthen flood protection infrastructure. President Donald Trump has previously called the federal agency issuing emergency funds to states a disaster and suggested that states should take care of natural disaster damage on their own, Stateline reported. Nonetheless, Kotek is expecting the federal government to support Oregons rural communities impacted by the 2025 floods, her press secretary Roxy Mayer told the Oregon Capital Chronicle. Although this disaster hit some of the most economically vulnerable communities of our state, residents had each others back and got through the initial emergency, Kotek said in a news release. But they cant do recovery alone. These communities urgently need both state and federal support to help them recover. Harney County was hit the hardest, as flooding breached levees and led to the failure of the only wastewater system serving the city of Burns and the Burns Paiute Tribe. Sewage-contaminated floodwaters caused serious public health hazards, damaged homes and forced extended evacuations. This is the second major disaster Harney County has faced in a year, following wildfires in 2024, Oregon Department of Emergency Management Director Erin McMahon said in the news release. With limited local capacity, federal resources are essential to help these communities recover and to prevent future devastation. -- Mia Maldonado, Oregon Capital Chronicle The Oregon Capital Chronicle, founded in 2021, is a nonprofit news organization that focuses on Oregon state government, politics and policy. The Durkee wildfire burns near Weatherby, OR in July 2024. Oregon will soon receive $83 million in federal reimbursements for repairs to roadways that were damaged by natural disasters. Dave Killen / The Oregonian Oregon will soon receive $83 million in federal reimbursements for repairs to roadways that were damaged by massive wildfires, floods, ice storms and other weather-related emergencies. All seven of Oregons Democratic members of Congress announced Monday they have secured eight grants from the Federal Highway Administrations emergency relief program, which funds repairs of major roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters. The largest grant totaling $30.7 million will reimburse the state for repairs it was forced to make to highways damaged by the 2020 Labor Day fires, which destroyed 4,000 homes and damaged miles of roadways in Oregon. Another grant, totaling $23 million, will reimburse the state for repairs following flooding and landslides in December 2022, including a landslide that severely damaged a portion of Highway 101 along the Oregon Coast. The third largest grant of $20 million will help cover the costs of infrastructure repairs after an ice storm that reached much of western Oregon in January 2024. Severe conditions over a 12 day period resulted in downed trees and power lines, as well as landslides and flooding on major roads and bridges. The ongoing climate crisis continues to fuel more extreme weather events and wildfires every year, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said in a press release. Reliable infrastructure is essential to ensuring that first responders and crews are able to effectively protect our communities and beautiful outdoor spaces. The Oregon Department of Transportation, which will receive the reimbursement grants, will also receive several smaller awards between $300,000 and $3 million to reimburse the agency for repairs following other storms, wildfires and natural disasters. Oregon, like every state, relies on the federal government to support our response to disasters, Kris Strickler, director of the state transportation agency, said in the press release. I want to thank Senators Merkley and Wyden, the rest of Oregons federal delegation, and our federal partners for advocating for our state and for the safety of Oregonians. The newly appointed leader of Oregons embattled public defense system on Monday laid out a seven-point plan for ensuring that all Oregonians who require representation have access to an attorney. Dave Killen / The Oregonian The newly appointed leader of Oregons embattled public defense system on Monday laid out a seven-point plan for ensuring that all Oregonians who require representation have access to an attorney. Ken Sanchagrins recommended interventions include loosening rules and barriers to allow lawyers to take on more cases and receive pay for doing so and expanding the collection and analysis of data on caseloads so the Oregon Public Defense Commission can better understand the quality of public defense services. Oregon House Speaker Julie Fahey, a Eugene Democrat, is a chief sponsor of a proposal to restrict legislators to 25 bills. Though five Republicans have signed on as chief sponsors, other Republicans are vocally opposed. Dave Killen / The Oregonian A bill that would attempt to avoid a repeat of the record logjam of bills filed this session has encountered forceful opposition from some Republicans, who say it will give Democrats, as the party in power, the upper hand and further squelch minority voices. The first public hearing into House Bill 2006, which would limit each member of the Oregon Legislature to 25 bills apiece, was peppered with jovial jabs at members of either party before the House Rules Committee Thursday. But the undercurrent was clear. Republicans pointed out that while the bill appeared equitable on the surface, it would give a formidable advantage to the Democrats in Oregon government, who have controlled both the House and the Senate for the past dozen years and held most statewide elected offices during that time. Doing the math, Republicans say, that works out to be more than 2,500 bills that Democrats could file in a session and just 900 for Republicans. I do feel sometimes overwhelmed with the amount of bills that we see in this building, said Rep. Lucetta Elmer, a Republican from McMinnville. But doing the math and looking at the numbers, obviously, the minority party is disadvantaged by quite a bit. Rep. Lucetta Elmer, a McMinnville Republican, expressed reservations during a public hearing on House Bill 2006 on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Oregon Legislative Information System) The nitty gritty specifics, Republicans note, are as follows: Not only would the proposed legislation grant each of the 54 Democratic representatives and senators (compared to their 36 Republican counterparts) the liberty to file up to 25 bills during each long session, itd also give the Democratic governor and the state agencies under her control the power to file up to 400 bills total, Democratic-controlled committees 15 bills each and Democratic statewide elected officials including the secretary of state and attorney general 25 bills apiece. Though House Speaker Julie Fahey, a Eugene Democrat, said each individual member of the Legislature would be treated equitably, that did nothing to quell that line of opposition. I do think the numbers are stark, said House Republican Leader Christine Drazan of Canby. Drazan proposed, apparently half-facetiously, that if the bills sponsors think bill limits are such a good idea, they should impose them on themselves during the next long legislative session. Of the 30 sponsors, 25 are Democrats and five are Republicans. You guys could pilot this, Drazan said. You guys could submit yourselves to these standards and all the rest of us could see how this turns out. Sen. David Brock Smith, a Republican from Port Orford who has filed the second most bills of all lawmakers this session, described House Bill 2006 as an attack on the Republican party. If bill limits pass, itd allow him less than one-seventh of the 184 bills he was listed as a primary chief sponsor of this session. It is a complete affront on the minority party and, frankly, rural Oregonians that we represent, Brock Smith said. Brock Smith told members of the House Rules Committee that he knows Democrats will never give most of his bills a public hearing or a work session, but he files them anyway. Because I want Oregonians to know what would happen if Republicans had the gavel, what kind of policies and procedures we might want to move forward, Brock Smith said. Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, an Albany Republican, said: "We all hear from the public that we need bill limits, we need bill limits, we need bill limits. I dont disagree with that. If that were all this was, then Id be willing to work on this. (Oregon Legislative Information System) Fahey, a chief sponsor of the bill to limit bills, said she and other backers modeled this years proposal after a previous one that tried to rein in bill filings 24 years ago. Back in 2001, when Oregon Republicans controlled both the House and Senate, that bill had bipartisan support and bipartisan opposition, Fahey said. And I fully expect that this bill will have the same. She said shes heard robust feedback and shes open to the different ideas legislators have about the right way to structure bill limits. Its the end result thats most important, she said. Fahey said more than 3,400 bills have been filed in the House and Senate this session the most in the Oregon Legislatures 165-year history. She noted some other states already have caps, including California at 35 per legislator and Colorado at five, which was the lowest that she could find. Fahey said Oregons proposed limits isnt about stifling good ideas, its about fixing an ailing system. The vast majority of these bills will never become law and some may never even get a hearing, she said. The Oregonian/OregonLive previously reported that for those bills that have received a public airing this session, some hearings have been rushed, with Oregonians whove shown up given as little as 90 seconds to testify. It is nearly impossible to give each one the scrutiny and public input that it deserves, Fahey continued. Its harder for the public to follow whats happening. Its harder for reporters to separate serious proposals from symbolic ones. Its harder for legislators in both the majority and the minority to get a hearing or a work session on their bills because of limited committee time. And, said Fahey, it becomes harder for us to do quality work. If House Bill 2006 becomes law, it would take effect for the 2027 legislative session. Aimee Green covers the Oregon Legislature. Reach her at 503-294-5119, agreen@oregonian.com or on Bluesky. The Northern Lights seen over Vista House at Crown Point on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Photo courtesy of Jay Shah Even as the weekends severe geomagnetic storm fades, the light show in the sky isnt totally over. The view line for Mondays aurora forecast runs along the northeast border of Oregon, meaning those at the edge of the state could get a chance to see the northern lights. Ahlstrom Completes the Acquisition of Pixelle's Stevens Point Paper Mill The Stevens Point mill, with two paper machines, has the capacity to produce about 210,000 tons per year of specialty paper, such as coated flexible packaging papers, release liner base, thermal papers, and other specialty labels. The Stevens Point mill, with two paper machines, has the capacity to produce about 210,000 tons per year of specialty paper, such as coated flexible packaging papers, release liner base, thermal papers, and other specialty labels. June 2, 2025 - Ahlstrom on May 28 announced the completion of its acquisition of Pixelle Specialty Solutions' paper mill in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Stevens Point mill, with two paper machines, has the capacity to produce about 210,000 tons per year of specialty paper, such as coated flexible packaging papers, release liner base, thermal papers, and other specialty labels. The transaction was announced on April 3, 2025, and marks a major milestone in Ahlstrom's growth transformation. "Stevens Point's superior technical expertise and top-class team are an exciting addition to Ahlstrom's technology portfolio and global manufacturing network," says Konraad Dullaert, Executive Vice President, Food & Consumer Packaging and Chief Innovation Officer, Ahlstrom. "This acquisition expands our market coverage and positions us to respond to the evolving needs of our customers in North America and beyond. We are pleased to welcome our new colleagues and look forward to working together to enhance our innovative, sustainable offerings." Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials.?Its three divisions include: Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials along with Performance Materials cluster. SOURCE: Ahlstrom and Pixelle Specialty Solutions With the peak season formally underway, Australians have been warned over the risks and fines associated with European travel. Australians heading over to Europe have been reminded to brush up on the local laws. Source: Getty Whether its tapas in Spain, aperitivos in Italy, or beach days in Greece Aussies love a summer jaunt through Europe. But before you pack your swimmers and sunnies, be aware many destinations across the continent are cracking down on rowdy tourist behaviour this year. According to Managing Director at Australian Traveller Media, Quentin Long, Australians "really do have to be hyper-aware" of local customs and systems, despite most of Europe being incredibly tourist-friendly. "The classic challenge here is that because we now access continental Europe with a single visa, we kind of forget that a single visa doesnt mean a single set of laws," he told Yahoo News. "As Australians, we want to be not just aware of laws but also local customs and increasingly, those two things are becoming the same. People are getting sick of bad tourist behaviour, and governments are responding by legislating against it. ADVERTISEMENT "In places like Portugal and Spain, were now seeing rules about things like toplessness or wearing a bikini away from the beach or pool. Those kinds of cultural sensibilities need to be top of mind for people when theyre travelling." Australians love Europe, but local laws must be followed, experts warn. Source: Getty Digital entry system arrives in Europe within months On top of stricter local laws and rising fines, a major change to border control is coming. The European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES) is set to launch in October, 2025. Once its live, all non-EU travellers including Aussies visiting the Schengen Zone will be fingerprinted and photographed on entry. The system digitally records biometric data and tracks how long a person has stayed. If tourists re-enter within three years, they can clear borders with just a face scan or fingerprint. Australians can still visit the Schengen Area, comprising 29 European countries, for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa, but border officials will be far less forgiving about overstays, missing passport stamps, or registration requirements. Australians have been reminded to ensure their passports are valid for at least three months after the departure date and to allow time if it needs renewing. ADVERTISEMENT "The US really led the way with their entry-exit system, and now other countries are following suit," Long said. "The technology works, and theyve finally sorted it out. Its a complex thing to manage with so many borders and entry points across the continent, but theyve taken the steps now." New entry fee for Aussies visiting the UK As of April, Aussies visiting the UK are now required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travel. The fee for the ETA is approximately A$30, and it is valid for multiple entries over two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Below is a breakdown of what laws are in place across Europes most visited destinations and where you could be slapped with hefty fines (in Australian dollars) for seemingly minor slip-ups. Italy Italy is known for its carefree lifestyle, but it's recently been clamping down hard on careless tourists. Going topless off the beach in Sorrento could cost you $800. In Rome, sitting on the Spanish Steps will set you back up to $600, and stepping into a fountain could result in an $800 fine. Heading to Cinque Terre? Hiking in thongs could land you a whopping $4,000 fine. Day visitors in Venice will now be forced to pay an $8 access fee from 8.30am to 4pm. Tourists wishing to visit the Italian city of Venice will have to pay a fee as part of a new scheme to deter daytrippers at peak times. Source: Getty France Frances penalties are as refined as its fashion sense. If you're caught with oversized luggage on a train, you could be fined around $80. Climbing on a monument could cost you big bucks, and, incredibly, being seen naked in your hotel room might land you a $24,000 fine. Last week, the country also announced it was banning smoking in almost all outdoor places. Spain Spains major holiday hotspots are cracking down in a big way. In Ibiza, fines range from more than $600 for wearing a bikini away from the beach to thousands for noise or vandalism. Drinking on the street will cost over $2,000, and party boats are banned. ADVERTISEMENT Theres also a six-drink cap per day on all-inclusive hotel deals. In Palma de Mallorca, antisocial behaviour could hit you with a fine worth more than $5,000, while walking around the city in swimwear could cost $500-plus. The Canary Islands go even further, with $5,000 fines for street drinking, for smoking on the beach, or if you bring a BBQ, umbrella or tent. In Palma de Mallorca, antisocial behaviour could hit you with a $5,450 fine. Source: Getty Greece Famous for its history and beaches, Greece is also cracking down on unruly behaviour. Wearing high heels at archaeological sites could attract steep fines, as can being topless in public, smoking indoors, and pocketing pebbles from the beach. Portugal Albufeira in southern Portugal is pushing back against "hedonistic tourism" with a suite of new penalties. Public nudity will cost you over $3,000, while sex, urinating, or even just wearing a bikini away from the water could see fines of over $2,000. In Lisbon, excessive noise in designated quiet zones could trigger a more than $3,000 fine. Croatia In Split, public urination, nudity, or vomiting in the street could cost you big time, and taking a nap in public is also a fineable offence. In Hvar, travellers have been stung for wearing swimwear off the beach, for topless sunbathing, and for drunkenness. ADVERTISEMENT It's something an Australian tourist recently warned about. "If you think you can just, like, scoot on through town with a little bikini top, I wouldn't recommend it... Don't do it, you've been warned," she said. Croatian authorities have been cracking down on badly behaved tourists. Source: Getty Turkey A reminder to always follow flight crew instructions in Turkey, standing up before the plane has fully stopped could attract a fine. Amsterdam, Netherlands Amsterdams tourism crackdown has mostly targeted British bucks' parties, but Australians arent exempt. Fines include $140 for littering, urination, drunkenness or rowdy behaviour, and even more for group debauchery. Outside of Europe As of April, Australians now need a visa to visit Brazil, with a processing fee of approximately US$80.90. A tourist tax and visa is now in place in Bali, with travellers able to pay them online or upon arrival at the airport. Under a temporary trial program, Australians can now enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, and other purposes. This arrangement runs until the end of 2025. Australians can visit South Korea without a Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA) until 31 December 2025, allowing visa-free stays of up to 90 days. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Yes, I'd also like to receive customized content suggestions and promotional messages from ParrySound.com. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. My wife and I were back in Nauvoo and Carthage, Illinois, a few weeks ago. We were there for several days of work on the series of mini-documentaries that the Interpreter Foundation is producing under the title of Becoming Brigham. Every time I visit the area, I find myself thinking about the remarkable way in which the history of that part of Illinois has unfolded. Thomas Sharp and his conspirators down in Warsaw, to the south of Nauvoo, and the mob that did the deed in Carthage to the east, thought that, by murdering Joseph and Hyrum Smith, they had put an end to Mormonism. Now, though, Thomas Sharp and his cronies are pretty much completely forgotten except as evil footnotes in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Virtually nobody visits Warsaw unless (as I did on a couple of occasions some years ago) it is as a side trip from the Latter-day Saint temple that has been rebuilt in Nauvoo and the visitors center and historic sites that surround it, to see the place where Sharp and his co-conspirators hatched their homicidal plot. For many years (including my first visits), it was in ruins. Now, though, Thomas Sharps place has been beautifully restored: An active Latter-day Saint lady, a returned senior missionary, owns it and lives in it. And the only thing of any real interest in the dusty, sleepy, nondescript little town of Carthage the town that time forgot, as Im inclined to call it is the jail in which Joseph and Hyrum were martyred. Attractively landscaped, meticulously maintained, adorned with statues of the martyred prophet and patriarch, its become something of a place of pilgrimage. Every year, thousands and thousands of visitors come from across the United States and beyond to pay their respects to the two men whose lives were unjustly taken there, to contemplate yet one more time the appalling and solemn events that occurred on 27 June 1844. To their enormous discredit, some detractors of the Restoration have vainly sought to defend the perpetrators of that quasi-official frontier assassination or, at least, to minimize the guilt that they bear and, instead, to attempt to blame the victims. I quote from an item that I wrote quite a few years ago in response to some materials produced by the Southern Baptist Convention: In the view of Rev. Wright, who is an ordained minister in the Southern Baptist Convention, not even the murder of Joseph Smith was undeserved. He goes further, in this regard, than did the experts at the SBCs Denominational Summit on Mormonism, which was held in North Carolina on the one hundred and fifty-third anniversary of the Prophets death. Smith was killed while escaping jail, they said, untruthfully. Responding to some remarks made by President Gordon B. Hinckley, Pastor Wright notes that the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum on June 27, 1844, didnt occur until after Joseph had fired upon the so-called mob with a pistol that had been secreted to him while in jail and had killed one man and injured several others. Rage and persecution may have followed the Mormons to Illinois, but the Saints of that day brought most of it upon themselves! Rev. Wright is wrong about Hyrums death, which occurred immediately prior to Josephs drawing the pistol. But he is almost certainly correct in his claim that Josephs firing of the pistol took place while Joseph was still alive. His description of the events at Carthage represents an important and novel historical reconstruction, and it is vital that we understand it with precision. Apparently, Rev. Wright feels that Joseph Smith was obligedthough he was unjustly imprisoned and had not yet been tried, let alone convicted of anything, much less convicted of a capital offense, to allow the so-called mob' to butcher not only himself and his brother Hyrum but his two friends, Willard Richards and John Taylor, whose only crime was that they had come to visit the prisoners. (John Taylor was, in fact, severely wounded by the so-called mob.') Rev. Wrights revised version of the events in Carthage seems to run along the following lines: The wily criminal lunatic Joseph Smith, who had remained quiet throughout his captivity, deliberately chose the very time when the peace-loving Carthage Greysfully armed and with traditional blackened faceswere innocently gathered about the jail for their annual June 27th Militia Picnic. Frolicking with their weapons and calling out the death threats that customarily accompanied that grand holiday in frontier Illinoisit was a simpler time, and June 27th had not yet been commercializedthe proto-Gandhian Greys had merely been playing the venerable party game known among these gentle rustics as Eat Hot Lead, Mormon Scum! Then, wholly without provocation, Joseph Smith opened fire on the revelers, using the pepperbox pistol that Cyrus Wheelock had smuggled into his cell. Naive historians, both Latter-day Saints and others, have always assumed that Josephs action had something to do with the fact that his brother Hyrum had just been shot to death. (Presumably, Hyrum was killed by a stray bullet from a local hunter, or perhaps from an evil Mormon assassin.) Rev. Wright, however, cannot be taken in by such sophistries. When Joseph continued to shoot at them as they mounted the jails interior staircase bearing a peace offering of cookies and punch, they had no choice. They killed him and his (already dead) brother in self-defense. It is true that they also shot John Taylor at least four times. But then, he had been very naughty to them with his cane, and needed to be taught a lesson. By the way, Im not at all certain that Joseph Smith killed one man and injured several others at Carthage Jail. But it wouldnt upset me very much to learn that he did. They werent exactly innocent and blameless. And there is nothing morally wrong with self-defense, to say nothing of defending ones friends and ones brother. Attorneys on Monday are vetting jurors to hear the case against a 15-year-old York County boy accused of fatally shooting his friend since kindergarten. Once a jury is selected, Nolan Grove, now 15, is scheduled to stand trial this week in York County Court on charges he murdered 12-year-old Kain Heiland outside Nolans dads house in Red Lion on April 1, 2023. Kimber is being cared for at an animal rescue with donated stem cell wraps for "two of our most critical medical casesChancey and Kimber." These advanced wraps are designed to promote healing at a cellular level, offering the best possible chance at recovery. Main Line Animal Hospital A Lancaster County man was charged with animal cruelty after police say he used scissors to cut off the leg of an injured Labradoodle. Stephen L. Stoltzfus, 45, told police his 4-year-old female dog got injured by a hay machine blade, so he cut the remainder of her leg off with scissors, then didnt take her to a vet because she was happy and doing fine. Police have cordoned off the block bordered by Willow, West, Ridge and Pitt streets as they search for a man wanted on multiple felony warrants. Charles Thompson A man who led police on a days-long manhunt in Carlisle and threatened to burn down a womans home last year will spend at least two years in prison. Jarrek Anderson, 19, will spend two to five years in state prison after pleading guilty in a crime spree that included charges of child endangerment, drug possession, fleeing the police and risking a catastrophe, per a sentencing order handed down by Cumberland County Judge Jessica Brewbaker. Lorrie Morgan and Jamey Johnson perform during Still Playing Possum: Music And Memories Of George Jones at Propst Arena in Von Braun Center on April 25, 2023 in Huntsville, Alabama. (Photo by David A. Smith/Getty Images) Getty Images Lorrie Morgan stepped away from touring back in April to be by her husbands side as he battled cancer. And on Sunday she shared the heartbreaking news that his fight is done. Randy has been my partner, my champion and my rock for 17 years, she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the two together. Our big, wonderful family and I are devastated at the loss of this truly kind and incredible man. I was blessed by his love. Ran-ran, I will love and miss you forever. White, 72, was diagnosed with mouth cancer in April of 2024. Morgans son, Jesse Keith Whitley, also shared his thoughts on Whites death. As I sit here in the room with hospice, I dont know really what to think or to say about this situation, he wrote. But, I can say that the recent years of my life all the way back to when I was 22-23 years old this great man has been here and loved my mom, and also me & my sister as we were his own. He showed me love and showed me a relationship with Jesus even though I grew up Catholic, I kinda distanced myself a little from it. He has been the best grandfather for my kids they could ever asked for. Has come and picked me up late night when it wasnt safe to drive and was never mad not even once (this happened multiple times lol). Even when I called from a jail cell he laughed and me and said well Ill be there in a little bit (boy mom was pissed). He continued. He has shown unconditional love to my mother and been the most gentle soul to ever grace this entire family. As we say our goodbyes, I reminisce of all the good times we have had & the battles he has helped overcome. I cant tell you the amount of love that has poured in from fans, family and friends. We will miss you always and forever and our hearts are shattered in losing you. But you have fought one helluva fight RanMan! Rest easy say hello to everyone and love on Weezy. I love you. Morgan was touring with Alabama when she stepped away. Pam Tillis replaced her. Morgans manager, Tony Conway, released a statement at the time that said that White had been readmitted to a hospital in Middle Tennessee. Morgan, who is a member of the Grand Ole Opry, has had more than 40 songs land on the Billboard Hot Country Charts. Three of those Five Minutes, What Part of No, and I Didnt Know My Own Strength, made it to number-one on the charts. White was Morgans sixth husband. Among her previous marriages, country music star Keith Whitley died in 1989. She was also married to country music star Sammy Kershaw from 2001-to-2007. In this handout photo released by the Bexar County Sheriffs Office, suspect Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez poses for a booking photo on June 2, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. He was booked on suspicion of murder of Jonathan Joss, a voice actor on the television show "King of the Hill". (Photo by Bexar County Sheriffs Office via Getty Images) Getty Images Jonathan Joss, a voice actor best known for his role as John Redcorn in King of the Hill, was shot and killed in Texas on Sunday. He was 59. San Antonio police told USA Today that they responded to a shooting in progress on Sunday and found the actor near a roadway. Police said they attempted life saving measures until EMUS arrived. He was then pronounced dead. Police said that Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, 56, was detained and eventually charged with murder. The investigation is still ongoing. Joss death comes just as King of the Hill, a one-time hit animated series for Fox, is being revived for Hulu. The series is slated to begin streaming in August. He wrote on Facebook back in April that he was disappointed that he was not invited to take part in the series revival. This show was part of my life for many years, he posted. That character, that voice, that story they were my home, my pride, my connection to something bigger than myself. To not be invited felt like being shut out of a place I helped build. And this pain comes during one of the hardest seasons of my life, he added. Not long ago, I lost the home I grew up in burned to the ground. Everything I owned gone. My memories, my keepsakes, and most painfully, all of my dogs. My companions, my family, my comfort in this world lost in the flames. Ive been rebuilding, piece by piece, soul by soul. And while this latest heartbreak stings, I want to take a moment to thank you my fans, my friends and my family of followers. Youve been the ones to lift me up, to remind me of the impact Ive made, and to carry me through some of the darkest days of my life. Your love means more than I can ever say. Joss also played the role of Ken Hotate in the NBC Sitcom Parks and Recreation. He also has a long list of credits that includes appearances on television shows such as ER, Charmed, and Friday Night Lights. He also appeared in movies such as The Forever Purge, The Magnificent Seven, and True Grit. FILE - The Colorado River in the upper River Basin is pictured in Lees Ferry, Ariz., on May 29, 2021. . (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) AP By Elise Schmelzer, The Denver Post (TNS) DENVER Concerningly low amounts of water are flowing from Rocky Mountain snowpack this spring, a summer of drought looms across swaths of the West, and the negotiators tasked with devising a sustainable long-term water plan for the 40 million people who rely on the Colorado River are running out of time. Commissioners from the seven states in the Colorado River Basin Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, California and Nevada must create a plan that will govern how those states divvy up the rivers water after the current guidelines expire at the end of 2026. As the river shrinks due to drought and climate change, the negotiators must decide who will take less water, and they need to do so in the next few months. The way the law of the river is set up, this is a decision that takes the seven states, and there are so many stakeholders and users who depend on that, said Jennifer Pitt, Colorado River program director at the National Audubon Society. We are really at their mercy, and we are just about out of time. The negotiators, who met in Las Vegas this week, have repeatedly said they are committed to finding a consensus solution, but have not yet done so and have already blown past previous deadlines set by federal authorities more than a year ago. JB Hamby, Californias negotiator, said in an interview that the states have been meeting several times a month since December, when tensions between the states burst into public view during a conference. Both the frequency and the tenor of the meetings have since improved, he said. I think theres a lot to be heartened by and the states are committed to working towards a solution, Hamby said. If the states cannot come to an agreement, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will implement its own plan. That outcome could prompt years of expensive litigation and put complicated water management questions in the hands of judges not specialized in the issues. Litigation would create massive uncertainty in the basin and result in a decision that is not ideal for anyone, experts said. Those who depend on the river are already dealing with uncertainty: this seasons mountain snowpack is expected to deliver about half the median amount of water to the systems two major reservoirs, which are already two-thirds empty. Years of drought not balanced by decreases in water consumption have drained Lake Mead and Lake Powell, and aridification fueled by climate change is expected to continue to reduce the flow of the river that makes modern life possible across the Southwest. The Colorado River irrigates more than 5 million acres of farmland including water supplies for much of the nations winter vegetables and comprises large portions of many Western cities water portfolio, said Brad Udall, senior water and climate research scholar at Colorado State Universitys Colorado Water Institute. Half of Denvers water comes from the Colorado River system. In Las Vegas, 90% of the water comes from the river. All of these places are really dependent on it, Udall said. And you cant fallow cities. We need to be working as quickly as possible The Denver Post requested an interview with all seven of the state negotiators. Three states New Mexico, Nevada and Arizona declined an interview and two others Wyoming and Utah did not respond. Colorados negotiator, Colorado River Commissioner Becky Mitchell, said in a statement that she is focused on working with the other basin states to find a consensus approach for post-2026 operations. I hope the basin states are able to work towards sustainable, supply-driven operations of lakes Powell and Mead that are resilient across a range of hydrologic conditions experienced in the basin, she said. This past winters snowpack is a stark reminder of why a supply-driven approach, one that requires all of us to live within the means of the river, is of absolute necessity if we are to enjoy a sustainable future across the entire Colorado River Basin. The states negotiators will not speak together at an upcoming major Colorado River conference a departure from years prior, where representatives from each state appeared on a panel to discuss interstate relations. The lack of a seven-state panel at the Getches-Wilkinson Conference at the University of Colorado Boulder next week echoes a change at the last major Colorado River conference the Colorado River Water Users Association conference in December where each basin held its own panel, but the negotiators did not appear together or even meet while all in Las Vegas for that conference. Hamby said the lack of a panel in Boulder does not signify anything substantial and that negotiators are prioritizing meeting to negotiate over talking on a stage. The primary question negotiators must settle is how to share the pain of shrinking water supplies between the Upper Basin which includes Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah and the Lower Basin states of Arizona, California and Nevada. The Upper Basin states sit upstream of Lake Powell and Lake Mead. Without large reservoirs in which to store water, the Upper Basin states water supply is reliant on snowpack and precipitation, which can vary widely year to year. In contrast, the Lower Basins water supply is more consistent and predictable as it comes from Lake Mead and Lake Powell. FILE - A formerly sunken boat sits upright into the air with its stern stuck in the mud along the shoreline of Lake Mead at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, on June 10, 2022, near Boulder City, Nev. Authorities in Las Vegas have identified bones found in May along newly exposed Lake Mead shoreline as the remains of a 42-year-old Las Vegas man who is believed to have drowned 20 years ago. The Clark County coroner's office said Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, that Thomas Erndt was reported missing in August 2002. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) AP Upper Basin negotiators have said their states should not have to take mandatory cuts to their water supplies because they have never used their entire legal allotment and already absorb water shortages nearly every year due to shrinking flows. Lower Basin negotiators have said everyone in the basin should be forced to use less water in the driest years. Negotiators are feeling pressure to quickly bridge those differing views and settle a number of other related questions. Theres a general feeling that we need to be working as quickly as possible this year, Hamby said. Decision timeline Officials at the Bureau of Reclamation in January made public a document outlining five possible plans for managing the river and its two reservoirs. The agency is now working to complete a draft analysis of how each of those plans would function and impact the environment, which bureau officials previously said would be published in the summer of 2025. After the draft is published, the bureau will solicit public comment, issue a final environmental assessment and then decide which plan to implement. Bureau officials previously said they must make a final decision by August 2026. If the states can create their own consensus plan, it will be included in this process. Bureau officials this week did not answer a question about whether they had given the states a deadline for presenting a consensus plan so that it can be included in the lengthy analysis process, which is legally required under the National Environmental Policy Act. They also did not answer a question about when they planned to publish the draft environmental analysis. Instead, spokesman Peter Soeth sent a statement stating the bureau and the Department of the Interior are dedicated to providing life-sustaining water and harnessing the significant hydropower the river offers. We are actively engaging in dialogue with the Colorado River Basin partners as we work towards long-term operational agreements for the river after 2026, the statement said. Throughout this effort, we remain committed to ensuring fiscal responsibility for the American people. It is critical for the states to reach an agreement soon so that there is remaining time for the public to provide input on the proposed plan and to avoid the courts deciding the future of the river basin, Pitt said. Regardless of which justices would be called upon to hear this case, it seems inherently clear to me that water managers with decades of experience managing Western water supplies will do a better job creating a management plan for the Colorado River than judges deciding a series of incredibly narrow legal questions, she said. That is the worst possible option. Both Pitt and Jennifer Gimbel, senior water policy scholar at Colorado State University, expressed optimism that the states would find a solution or a way to buy a little more time. They do have a time crunch, but theres always ways to bridge that time if they need to, Gimbel said. 2025 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at denverpost.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Law enforcement officials dress to investigate after an attack on the Peark Street Mall Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) AP By Colleen Slevin and Eric Tucker, The Associated Press BOULDER, Colo. A man with a makeshift flamethrower yelled Free Palestine and threw an incendiary device into a group that had assembled to raise attention for Israeli hostages in Gaza, law enforcement officials said Sunday. Six people were injured, some with burns. The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was expected to face charges in connection with the attack the FBI was investigating as a terrorist act. The burst of violence at the popular Pearl Street pedestrian mall, a four-block area in downtown Boulder, unfolded against the backdrop of a war between Israel and Hamas that continues to inflame global tensions and has contributed to a spike in antisemitic violence in the United States. It occurred barely a week after a man who also yelled Free Palestine was charged with fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staffers outside of a Jewish museum in Washington. Sadly, attacks like this are becoming too common across the country, said Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the FBIs Denver field office, which encompasses Boulder. This is an example of how perpetrators of violence continue to threaten communities across the nation. The six victims who were wounded range in age from 67 to 88 and the injuries spanned from serious to minor, officials said. The attack occurred as people with a volunteer group called Run For Their Lives was concluding their weekly demonstration to raise visibility for the hostages who remain in Gaza. Video from the scene shows a witness shouting, Hes right there. Hes throwing Molotov cocktails, as a police officer with his gun drawn advances on a bare-chested suspect who is holding containers in each hand. Lynn Segal, 72, was among about 20 people who gathered Sunday. They had finished their march in front of the courthouse when a rope of fire shot in front of her and then two big flares. She said the scene quickly turned chaotic as people worked to find water to put out flames and find help. Segal, who said she is Jewish on her fathers side and has supported Palestine for more than 40 years, was concerned that she might be accused of helping the suspect because she was wearing a pro-Palestine shirt. There were people who were burning, I wanted to help, she said. But I didnt want to be associated with the perpetrator. Authorities did not disclose details about Soliman but said they believe that he acted alone and that no other suspect was being sought. No criminal charges were immediately announced but officials said they would move to hold Soliman accountable. He was also injured and was taken to the hospital to be treated, but authorities didnt elaborate on the nature of his injuries. FBI leaders immediately declared the attack an act of terrorism and the Justice Department denounced it as a needless act of violence, which follows recent attacks against Jewish Americans. Law enforcement officials investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) AP This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts. We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a post on X. Israels war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250 others. They are still holding 58 hostages, around a third believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israels military campaign has killed over 54,000 people in Hamas-run Gaza, mostly women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The offensive has destroyed vast areas, displaced around 90% of the population and left people almost completely reliant on international aid. The violence comes four years after a shooting rampage at a grocery store in Boulder, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Denver, that killed four people. The gunman was sentenced to life in prison for murder after a jury rejected his attempt to avoid prison time by pleading not guilty by reason of insanity. Multiple blocks of the pedestrian mall area were evacuated by police. The scene shortly after the attack was tense, as law enforcement agents with a police dog walked through the streets looking for threats and instructed the public to stay clear of the mall. Associated Press journalists Brittany Peterson and David Zalubowski in Boulder, Colorado, Kimberlee Kruesi in Providence, Rhode Island, Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis, Alanna Durkin Richer and Michael Biesecker in Washington and Jim Mustian in New York contributed to this report. FILE - Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers fly past a Russian flag at the Kremlin complex during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, May 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin, File) AP A surprise Ukrainian drone attack that targeted several Russian air bases hosting nuclear-capable strategic bombers was unprecedented in its scope and sophistication for the first time reached as far as Siberia in a heavy blow to the Russian military. Ukraine said over 40 bombers, or about a third of Russias strategic bomber fleet, were damaged or destroyed Sunday, although Moscow said only several planes were struck. The conflicting claims couldnt be independently verified, and video of the assault posted on social media showed only a couple of bombers hit. But the bold attack demonstrated Ukraines capability to hit high-value targets anywhere in Russia, dealing a humiliating blow to the Kremlin and inflicting significant losses to Moscows war machine. While some Russian military bloggers compared it to another infamous Sunday surprise attack that of Japans strike on the U.S. base at Pearl Harbor in 1941 others rejected the analogy, arguing the actual damage was far less significant than Ukraine claimed A look at what warplanes were reported hit: Russias bomber assets For decades, long-range bombers have been part of the Soviet and Russian nuclear triad that also includes land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and atomic-powered submarines carrying ICBMs. The strategic bombers have flown regular patrols around the globe showcasing Moscows nuclear might. During the 3-year-old war in Ukraine, Russia has used the heavy planes to launch waves of cruise missile strikes across the country. The Tupolev Tu-95, which was code-named Bear by NATO, is a four-engine turboprop plane designed in the 1950s to rival the U.S. B-52 bomber. The aircraft has an intercontinental range and carries eight long-range cruise missiles that can be equipped with conventional or nuclear warheads. Before Sunday, Russia was estimated to have a fleet of about 60 such aircraft. The Tupolev Tu-22M is a twin-engine supersonic bomber designed in the 1970s that was code-named Backfire by NATO. It has a shorter range compared with the Tu-95, but during U.S.-Soviet arms control talks in the 1970s, Washington insisted on counting them as part of the Soviet strategic nuclear arsenal because of their capability to reach the U.S. if refueled in flight. FILE - This photo released by Irkutsk regional Gov. Igor Kobzevs Telegram channel on Sunday, June 1, 2025, shows a burning truck that apparently was used to launch Ukrainian drones. (Irkutsk Gov. Igor Kobzev Telegram Channel via AP, File) AP The latest version of the plane, the Tu-22M3, carries Kh-22 cruise missiles that fly at more than three times the speed of sound. It dates to the 1970s, when it was designed by the Soviet Union to strike U.S. aircraft carriers. It packs a big punch, thanks to its supersonic speed and ability to carry 630 kilograms (nearly 1,400 pounds) of explosives, but its outdated guidance system could make it highly inaccurate against ground targets, raising the possibility of collateral damage. Some Tu-22Ms were lost in previous Ukrainian attacks, and Russia was estimated to have between 50 and 60 Tu-22M3s in service before Sundays drone strike. The production of the Tu-95 and the Tu-22M ended after the 1991 collapse of the USSR, meaning that any of them lost Sunday cant be replaced. Russia also has another type of strategic nuclear-capable bomber, the supersonic Tu-160. Fewer than 20 of them are in service, and Russia has just begun production of its modernized version equipped with new engines and avionics. Russia lost a significant part of its heavy bomber fleet in the attack with no immediate ability to replace it, said Douglas Barrie of the International Institute of Strategic Studies, noting that Moscows announced plan to develop the next generation strategic bomber is still in its early phase. Ironically this might give impetus to that program, because if if you want to keep your bomber fleet up to size, then youre going to have to do something at some point, he said. The A-50, which Ukrainian officials also said was hit in the strikes, is an early warning and control aircraft similar to the U.S. AWACS planes used to coordinate aerial attacks. Only few such planes are in service with the Russian military, and any loss badly dents Russias military capability. Relocating bombers and impromptu protection Repeated Ukrainian strikes on the Engels air base, the main base for Russian nuclear-capable strategic bombers near the Volga River city of Saratov, prompted Moscow to relocate the bombers to other bases farther from the conflict. One of them was Olenya on the Arctic Kola Peninsula, from where Tu-95s have flown multiple missions to launch cruise missiles at Ukraine. Several bombers at Olenya apparently were hit by the Ukrainian drones Sunday, according to analysts studying satellite images before and after the strike. Other drones targeted the Belaya air base in the Irkutsk region in eastern Siberia, destroying a few Tu-22M bombers, according to analysts. FILE - In this photo released by Irkutsk regional Gov. Igor Kobzevs Telegram channel on Sunday, June 1, 2025, plumes of smoke are seen rising over the Belaya air base in eastern Siberia after a Ukrainian drone attack. (Irkutsk Gov. Igor Kobzev Telegram channel via AP, File) AP Ukraine said 41 aircraft Tu-95s, Tu-22Ms and A-50s were damaged or destroyed Sunday. in the attack that it said was in the works for 18 months, in which swarms of drones popped out of containers carried on trucks that were parked near four air bases. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was briefed on the attack, which represented a level of sophistication that Washington had not seen before, a senior defense official said on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. The Russian Defense Ministry said the attack set several warplanes ablaze at air bases in the Irkutsk region in eastern Siberia and the Murmansk region in the north, but the fires were extinguished. It said Ukraine also tried to strike two air bases in western Russia, as well as another one in the Amur region of Russias Far East, but those attacks were repelled. The drone strikes produced an outcry from Russian military bloggers, who criticized the Defense Ministry for failing to learn from previous strikes and protect the bombers. Building shelters or hangars for such large planes is a daunting task, and the military has tried some impromptu solutions that were criticized as window dressing. Satellite images have shown Tu-95s at various air bases covered by layers of old tires a measure of dubious efficiency that has drawn mockery on social media. Associated Press Pentagon correspondent Tara Copp and Emma Burrows in London contributed. A bush adventurer and fisherman has warned campers to be aware of their surroundings after making the venomous find. Most Aussie adventurers will know that even the best-laid camping plans can hit a few curveballs along the way be it equipment mishaps, road problems or wild weather. Now, outdoorsman Jamie has issued a warning to Aussies to be extra aware of their surroundings in wet conditions after making a deadly discovery near his tent on a recent trip. Jamie and his brother, from Sydney, were setting up a campsite in Turon National Park near Lithgow in NSW in the pouring rain, at night, when they came across a tiny critter. The male funnel-web spider was spotted crawling around beside the tent they had just pitched. The arachnid species, which is endemic to Australia, is widely considered the world's deadliest spider due to its "highly toxic" and "fast-acting" venom. In all of the fatalities where the gender of the spider was confirmed, the males were responsible. They're commonly found in eastern Australia, particularly throughout NSW. ADVERTISEMENT "We were setting up our camp and my brother spotted it," Jamie told Yahoo News. "I thought 'holy crap'." Jamie and his brother, who have been camping since childhood, have seen the spiders before and said they knew what they were looking out for. He explained that the male funnel-webs are more slender and shiny while the females are "fatter". Jamie, a personal trainer, believes it was likely a male on the move looking for a female mate. But surprisingly, he said he "wasn't too worried" about the discovery and decided against moving his campsite, arguing that they are "everywhere" in the bush. "You've just got to be aware," he urged Aussies. "Make sure your gear is in the car, don't leave your shoes out and check them before you put them on. We made sure we had our swags and tents zipped up and just guided it along to get it out of our camp, and we were fine from there," he said. "If you leave them alone, they will leave you alone." The funnel-web spider was spotted right next to the brothers' tents. Source: TikTok Incredible wildlife spotted on camping trips Jamie told Yahoo he sees "a lot" of different animals while out camping in Australia's bush. On his most recent three-day trip, while fishing for trout, they came across snakes, spiders, kangaroos, as well as invasive species including pigs, wild cats and even goats. "Goats are everywhere," he said. ADVERTISEMENT When it comes to avoiding deadly spiders, Jamie suggests Aussies looking for a good campsite should "stick to flat ground" and "try not to go out in those rainy and most environments", when spiders are most active. "You don't have to be scared of them, they're not out to get you. They're always going to be out there, and just be aware," he said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Law enforcement officials investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) AP By COLLEEN SLEVIN and OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ, Associated Press BOULDER, Colo. (AP) Eight people calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza were injured at an outdoor mall in Boulder, Colorado, by a man who police say used a makeshift flamethrower and hurled an incendiary device into a crowd. The FBI immediately described the violence as a targeted terror attack. The suspect, identified by the FBI as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, yelled Free Palestine during the Sunday attack on the group of demonstrators, said Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the FBIs Denver field office. Soliman was arrested and taken to the hospital for treatment, but authorities didnt elaborate on his injuries. Here is what we know about the attack: How the attack unfolded Authorities said the attacker targeted demonstrators with a volunteer group called Run for Their Lives, which organizes run and walk events to call for the immediate release of the Israeli hostages who remain in Gaza since they were captured by militants during the incursion into southern Israel that started the Israel-Hamas war in 2023. The group had gathered at the Pearl Street pedestrian mall, a four-block area in downtown Boulder frequented by tourists and students. The Israel-Hamas war has inflamed global tensions and contributed to a spike in antisemitic violence in the United States. A week earlier, two Israeli Embassy staffers were shot to death in Washington by a man who yelled I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza as he was being led away by police. Police in Boulder evacuated multiple blocks of the pedestrian mall. The scene shortly after the attack was tense, as law enforcement agents with a police dog walked through the streets looking for threats and instructed the public to stay clear. The violence occurred four years after 10 people were killed a shooting rampage at a grocery store in Boulder, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Denver. The gunman was sentenced to life in prison for murder after a jury rejected his attempt to avoid prison time by pleading not guilty by reason of insanity. Several people hospitalized The people injured in the Pearl Street attack range in age from 52 to 88. Photos from the scene showed a woman lying on the ground in the fetal position with her hair soaked, and a man helping her and getting water from someone with a water jug. The injuries authorities found were consistent with reports of people being set on fire, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said, adding that injuries ranged from serious to minor. Redfearn told reporters Sunday evening that it was too early to discuss a motive but that witnesses were being interviewed. It would be irresponsible for me to speculate on motive this early on, he said. The suspect was arrested at the scene Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was arrested at the scene. No charges were immediately announced, but officials said they expect to hold him fully accountable. Video from the scene showed him shirtless and wearing jeans and holding two clear bottles with a transparent liquid in them while shouting at onlookers. Another video shows a witness shouting, Hes right there. Hes throwing Molotov cocktails, as a police officer with his gun drawn advanced on the suspect. FBI leaders in Washington said they were treating the Boulder attack as an act of terrorism, and the Justice Department which leads investigations into acts of violence driven by religious, racial or ethnic motivations decried the attack as a needless act of violence, which follows recent attacks against Jewish Americans. This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts. We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a post on X. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro also issued a statement on social media. Today, America bore witness to yet another heinous act of antisemitism designed to terrorize a peaceful community. This type of hate filled violence has no place in our civilized society and must be universally condemned, the statement read in part. There is no justification for setting people on fire as they exercised their right to free speech and peaceful assembly. Former President Bill Clinton opened up about current President Donald Trump and his administration during an appearance on CBS Sunday Morning, this week. Look, weve never seen anything like this before in my lifetime, Clinton said. Somebody that says, Whatever I want should be the law of the land. Its my way or the highway. And most Americans dont agree with that. Clinton said that Democrats have to focus on gubernatorial races and winning the House of Representatives to create change. I think that (Trump) has paid a price for this, you know, name-calling and throwing his weight around, he said. I think its made him less popular to the point where ... look, only elections are going to change this, he continued. But I do think the courts are getting their dander up. I think him shutting law firms out of representing their clients before federal agencies in federal buildings because he doesnt agree with their position that aint America. Weve never done that. The whole purpose of having a legal system is to have both sides be heard. He was asked if he was worried that the only thing that unites the Democratic Party was a hatred of Trump. If I thought that was the case, I would, Clinton said. But I dont think its true. I just think that most people that are criticizing the Democrats right now have no idea how difficult it is to decide the right thing to do. I think its not as easy as people think. That will come. Elections will happen and we will see. President Trump has a right to do what he thinks is right. Hes doing it. The courts are doing their jobs. There will be other elections. That is when Clinton really showed some emotion. Someone needs to stand up and say, (Expletive) it, what we have in common matters more, Clinton said. We cannot throw the legacy of this country away. We cannot destroy other peoples trust in us. We need to preserve that, and find a way to work together and not humiliate other people just so we can win, he added. We gotta just calm down and pull people together again. Bill Clintons interview came after his wife, Hillary Clinton, recently made headlines when talking about Trumps constant flirtation with running for a third term. That, of course, is prohibited by the Constitution, but that has not stopped the president from discussing it. Listen to what Trump says, Hillary Clinton said. He telegraphs everything. And often when hes criticizing something hes criticizing them for what hes already done or intends to do. When he says, You know there are people who think that it could happen, what hes saying is he has people right now in these right-wing think tanks trying to figure out how to make it happen, she added. And he also has very militant supporters who believe that it should happen, so if it cant happen legally that is not an obstacle. That in mind, Hillary said, it might be time to start thinking about how to counter an attempt for Trump at a third term. I think you have to take all of it seriously, she said. The best response might be for, you know, (former presidents) Barack (Obama) and Bill (Clinton) to run too, she said to cheers. I mean, OK, take your choice! What do you want for a third term, people? If this is where were heading, were going to break the Constitution, give people a choice! I mean, this is so nuts, I feel embarrassed talking about it, but I think you have to face up to it, she added. They are going to try to do that. In March, the Army Corps of Engineers announced that 300 of its campsites on the 8,600-acre lake would be closed indefinitely due to executive-order driven staffing shortages. HESSTON, Pa. On a blustery Memorial Day weekend, customers trickled into Seven Points Bait and Grocery looking for fingerling trout and nightcrawlers, for scoops of sweet and salty caramel ice cream and propane refills. They browsed the racks of tourist sweatshirts, too, most of them emblazoned with " Raystown Lake" across the front. Judy Norris, 81, has owned the store by Pennsylvanias largest lake for 49 years, though, and shes seen enough seasonal Saturdays to know the foot traffic wasnt adding up as summer unofficially kicked off. Were way off, maybe 40 to 50% down, Norris said, beside the bait tank. This is Memorial Day weekend. You normally cant move in here. The parking lot is usually jammed. Just down the road, along the shore of the lake in Huntingdon County, gates to some U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds were shut, and the hundreds of campsites beyond them sat vacant. The playgrounds were empty. A headline on a local newspaper at Norris store spelled it out: Campground closures impact businesses. In March, the Army Corps Baltimore office announced that 300 of its campsites on the 8,600-acre lake would be closed indefinitely due to executive-order driven staffing shortages. Those staffing shortages would require the Army Corps to focus on dam operations for flood protection and emergency response readiness ahead of the 2025 season. Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency has targeted cutbacks at a slew of government agencies, including the Army Corps. The lakes Seven Points, Susquehannock, and Nancys Boat-to-Shore Campgrounds all popular and often booked out far ahead of summer were closed, and the Army Corps began refunding campers who had made reservations. In addition, farther north in Tioga County, Tompkins Campground on Tioga-Hammond and Cowanesque Lakes also closed, along with its swim beach and boat ramp. Tompkins has approximately 125 sites. Norris business is seasonal, following the campground schedule, and she assumed, then hoped, that the situation would be resolved before Memorial Day. She reached out to elected officials and the Army Corps, to no avail. This affects the entire county, not just us, Norris said. This is recreation. Were talking about campsites. This isnt hurting anyone, and its not going to save the government any money by closing these campgrounds. Norris said the Raystown campsites make money for the Army Corps, and, according to the agencys Value to the Nation report, visitors within 30 miles of the lake spent $62.7 million there in 2023. Of the 1.2 million visitors that year, 313,135 were campers/overnight visitors. Last week, Army Corps spokeswoman Cynthia Mitchell said there had been no change to the campground shutdown order. If there are staffing issues at Raystown, Norris and other business owners have wondered why a portion of the campgrounds could be closed, instead of all of them. Mitchell said the Army Corps explored all available resource options prior to making the decision to close access to Raystowns campsites. Norris said she has had to reduce staffing plans for the summer as a result of the shutdowns. There is absolutely a trickle-down effect to all of this, she said. Tourism officials in the region have been reminding the public that Raystown Lake its trails, boat launches, and concessions remain open for summer, but acknowledged the pain of the campground closures. Yes, it is definitely having an impact here, said Matt Price, executive director of Raystown Lake Region. But there are dozens of private and state campgrounds where people can stay to get close to the lake. Day-use facilities remain open at Raystown Lake, and there are other options for camping nearby, including waterfront tent and RV sites and rooms at the Lodge at Raystown Lake. Raystown Lake was created by a hydroelectric dam process in 1973, and unlike other large bodies of water in Pennsylvania, like Lake Wallenpaupack and Harveys and Conneaut Lakes, it has seen almost no development. There is not a single house on its 118 miles of shoreline. Raystown is the only lake in Pennsylvania where visitors can rent houseboats, though many of them anchor at Nancys Boat-to-Shore Campground, which is now closed. Pennsylvanias Department of Conservation and Natural Resources found that camping reservations for state parks skyrocketed in the wake of Army Corps closures. Trough Creek State Park, just a few miles from Raystown Lake, saw a whopping 189% increase in camping reservations. The federal government may have shuttered their campsites but ours are open and ready for you, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wrote on X in April. Across the street from Seven Points, at Backwoods Smoke Shack, manager Kris Paterson said tourists, including campers, are the lifeblood of the familys seasonal BBQ business. Is this hurting our business? Yeah its hurting our business, she said. It could destroy us this summer. We get a lot of campers here, all summer. Owner Brian Paterson, 37, Kris son, said business is down up to 45% from this time last year. Thats hundreds of families not coming through here every weekend, he said. This will put a hurting on us. If they dont do anything soon, this summer is ruined. Brian Paterson said he reached out to everyone in office for answers. And weve gotten nothing, he said. Pennsylvania U.S. Sens. Dave McCormick and John Fetterman did not return requests for comment. Huntingdon County voted overwhelmingly for President Donald Trump and other Republicans in the last three presidential election cycles. Norris pointed out that no one voted for Musk or DOGE. People are wondering what we did to him to deserve this, Norris said of Musk. I wish I had clout and could go down there and tell them, This is what you did to the people who voted for you. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the rain after arriving on Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) AP As talk about former President Joe Bidens cognitive condition during his time in the White House has ramped up, more folks are paying attention to current President Donald Trump and his state. And at least one expert watching Trump is worried about what she is seeing from his communication patterns. His lack of focus makes it seem as though hes experiencing cognitive decline, that his brain is not well-disciplined, and hes unable to maintain a thought and carry it through a logical conclusion, Dr. Jennifer R. Mercieca, a professor of Communication and Journalism at Texas A&M University, said. Trump sees himself as someone who is unscripted and not teleprompted, she added. He likes to brand himself as a truthteller who can and will say anything that comes to mind. Unfortunately, that makes his speeches difficult to follow as he digresses from thought to thought, seemingly connecting ideas at random. Dr. Mercieca, who wrote a book on Trump called Demagogue for President: The Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump, probably wont be invited to The White House anytime soon as Trump often brags about his cognitive health while bashing Bidens. His physician, Sean Barbabella said on April 11 that Trump exhibits excellent cognitive and physical health and is fully fit to execute the duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State. Trump said back in December that his winding speech patter was by design. I do the weave, he said. You know weave is? Ill talk about, like nine different things that they all come back brilliantly together. And its like friends of mine that are like English professors, they say: Its the most brilliant thing Ive ever seen. Wildfire smoke hangs in the air above Highway 97 north of Buckinghorse River, British Columbia, on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Nasuna Stuart-Ulin/The Canadian Press via AP) AP Canada is currently being ravaged by wildfires, and that means that residents in the United States have been inundated by smoke once again. Already millions across Texas, Minnesota and Michigan have been warned to keep their windows closed and to limit outdoor exposure due to ozone levels and particle pollution, per Newsweek. And, heading into the weekend, western Pa. started to see some of the haze, per TribLive. While an air quality action day is not expected, some hazy skies and reduced visibility could be noticeable, especially in the southwestern part of the Commonwealth, Pennsylvanias Department of Environmental Protection shared on X. These wildfires are part of a growing emergency across Canada, and the smoke is expected to drift into parts of the U.S., including Pennsylvania. Stay aware, especially if you have respiratory concerns. The National Weather Service in State College posted on X that the smoke could allow for hazy skies in southern PA. Minimal impacts are expected near the surface, but you may smell smoke this afternoon, the post read. And, according to reports, the smoke is expected to make its way into central Pa. early this week. A lot of it is aloft and not drifting down near the surface, Nicholas Beaty, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in State College told LancasterOnline. That is one good factor. Beaty told the outlet that because of air flow most of the smoke likely wont be close enough to the ground to impact air quality. He did say it could create a milky appearance in the sky and vibrant sunrises. That would be a much better scenario than what the other parts of the country have dealt with recently as the fires blaze on. Thus far, more than 1.58 million acres have reportedly burned in Canada. The Associated Press reported this past weekend that 25,000 Canadian residents have been evacuated as nearly two dozen wildfires burn. Heading into the weekend, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he mobilized the countrys armed forces to support air evacuations in Manitoba. A string of orders from the Trump administration targeting international students have fueled widespread pushback across campuses, as many see the orders as threatening the legacy that the American higher education system has long enjoyed among its international audience. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File) AP As president of Dickinson College, John E. Jones III prides himself in the growing international flavor of the schools student body. As of this spring semester, the private liberal arts college in Carlisle boasts students from about 52 different countries, representing roughly 12-13% of student enrollment. By the fall, Jones expects the number of foreign students to top 230 about 14% of its 2,200 students. Grace United Methodist Church of Lemoyne has been honored with the Howard and Elizabeth Brinton Award for Excellence in Mission at this years Susquehanna Conference Annual Conference, held recently in Williamsport, Pa. This distinguished recognition highlights Grace Churchs outstanding commitment to mission work both locally and globally. In 2025, the congregation raised over $12,000 to eliminate more than $2 million in medical debt (throughout Cumberland, York and Dauphin counties) through the nonprofit organization Undue Medical Debt, offering life-changing relief to hundreds of families burdened by healthcare costs. In addition to their national impact, Grace Church has extended its mission across the globe. The church provided a major donation to assist in the construction of a secondary school building in Rwanda, and also helped fund the building of Grace Place, a new auditorium on the campus of Carmel Matriculation School in Tamil Nadu, India. As church pastor, I will be traveling to India next week to cut the ribbon on the new building. Closer to home, Grace Church continues to be a vital force in the Lemoyne community through initiatives such as a medical loan closet, a community clothing shed, and ongoing support for various local mission partners. This award is a testament to the generosity and faithfulness of our congregation, and as pastor, I am incredibly proud of the ways our church is living out our faith in Christ by serving others across the street and around the world. Grace United Methodist Church is honored to be the 2025 recipient of the Brinton Award and remains committed to being a beacon of compassion, justice, and hope through mission and service. Jason Schwartzman, pastor, Grace United Methodist Church Members of immigration advocacy groups react as Los Angeles City Council votes to enact an ordinance to prohibit city resources from being used for immigration enforcement on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File) AP WASHINGTON (AP) A widely anticipated list of sanctuary jurisdictions no longer appears on the Department of Homeland Securitys website after receiving widespread criticism for including localities that have actively supported the Trump administrations hard-line immigration policies. The department last week published the list of the jurisdictions. It said each one would receive formal notification the government deemed them uncooperative with federal immigration enforcement and whether theyre believed to be in violation of any federal criminal statutes. That list included 11 Pennsylvania counties and six cities, including Dauphin County and State College. It was published Thursday on the departments website but on Sunday there was a Page Not Found error message in its place. The list was part of the Trump administrations efforts to target communities, states and jurisdictions that it says arent doing enough to help its immigration enforcement agenda and the promises the president made to deport more than 11 million people living in the U.S. without legal authorization. The list is being constantly reviewed and can be changed at any time and will be updated regularly, a DHS senior official said. Designation of a sanctuary jurisdiction is based on the evaluation of numerous factors, including self-identification as a Sanctuary Jurisdiction, noncompliance with Federal law enforcement in enforcing immigration laws, restrictions on information sharing, and legal protections for illegal aliens, the official said in a statement. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures that there had been anger from some officials about the list. However, she didnt address why it was removed. Some of the cities have pushed back, Noem said. They think because they dont have one law or another on the books that they dont qualify, but they do qualify. They are giving sanctuary to criminals. The list, which was riddled with misspellings, received pushback from officials in communities spanning from urban to rural and blue to red who said the list doesnt appear to make sense. In Dauphin County, Commissioner Justin Douglas said he was mystified by the countys inclusion on the list. Im not even confident its a negative to be on the list because I dont even know what the list represents or the criteria for the list, Douglas said during a press conference. It might be reasonable that were on the list. So the challenge for me is the assumption that we dont want to be on the list. I want to know what the list means. If the list means that were willing to protect peoples due process, then I prefer us to stay on the list. Douglas said he had received no formal communication from the White House or administration officials. In California, the city of Huntington Beach made the list even though it had filed a lawsuit challenging the states immigration sanctuary law and passed a resolution this year declaring the community a non-sanctuary city. Jim Davel, administrator for Shawano County, Wisconsin, said the inclusion of his community must have been a clerical error. Davel voted for Trump as did 67% of Shawano County. Davel thinks the administration may have confused the countys vote in 2021 to become a Second Amendment Sanctuary County that prohibits gun control measures with it being a safe haven for immigrants. He said the county has approved no immigration sanctuary policies. This article includes previous reporting by PennLives Ivey DeJesus. Annual "Chinese Bridge" language competition held in Uganda Xinhua) 13:29, June 02, 2025 A contestant takes part in the 2025 "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition in Luwero, central Uganda, on May 31, 2025. (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua) KAMPALA, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Learners of the Chinese language in Uganda showcased their skills during the 2025 "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition, held in the central Ugandan district of Luwero on Saturday. Secondary and college students demonstrated their command of the Chinese language and knowledge of Chinese culture through speeches, quizzes, and cultural performances. At the end of the five-hour event, held under the theme "One World, One Family," Derick Agaba was declared the winner in the secondary school category, while Moses Luwero took the top spot in the college category. Luwero, a second-year student at the Confucius Institute of Makerere University, said he joined the competition with the goal of winning and representing Uganda in China at the international level. He has studied Chinese as his major for the past one and a half years. "Such competitions are good because they help us as students engage with others and also allow us to assess the skills we have acquired or learned," he said. Speaking at the event hosted at Ndejje Secondary School, Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong praised the locally renowned school for hosting the competition. "Language is a tool to express yourself to the outside world, a tool to understand a different culture, to understand each other. I appreciate that you have chosen this tool for your future career. I hope you will be ambassadors for China-Uganda friendship," Zhang said. The ambassador noted that China is working closely with the Ugandan government in various sectors to accelerate development. He said bilateral trade between the two countries has increased significantly, reaching 1.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2024. Hilda Ayebare, assistant curriculum specialist for foreign languages at the Uganda National Curriculum Development Center, said Uganda will continue to support Chinese language education at both secondary and advanced levels. "The center has encouraged more schools across the country to start offering Chinese language courses because it provides wide opportunities for students," Ayebare said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) Damage caused by feral deer has cost Plenty Valley Produce roughly $100,000 since September. It comes amid calls for the state government to make a major change. Feral deer consumed roughly $50,000 worth of produce from Plenty Valley Produce's Victorian farm in just two days. Source: Supplied One of Australias most destructive invasive animals has struck again, consuming roughly $50,000 worth of produce from a small businesss farm in just two days. After spending the weekend selling a variety of their organically grown vegetables at farmers' markets, Michael and Sam, who run Plenty Valley Produce, returned to their 20-acre property near Flowerdale, Victoria last week to discover feral deer had eaten everything. They came in and just wiped it all out, so its a complete write-off, Michael told Yahoo News. I have no stock. In four weeks time Ill have a little bit of the stuff that they didnt eat, but everything that was meant to get me through July, August and September, is completely wiped out. Just like that, rows of carefully planted cabbage, lettuce, coriander, rainbow chard and broccoli that had been tended to for months were gone, with only the half-chewed remnants left poking out of the soil. ADVERTISEMENT Shocking photos show the extent of the damage to the businesss crops. Aussie business loses $100k to deer in less than a year Having dealt with deer at a previous location before moving to the new site in November, Michael said hes well-aware of the expensive destruction the animals can cause. Since September, he estimates theyve consumed more than $100,000 worth of food at both sites. Hoping to avoid further losses, Michael and Sam began constructing a 1.3km fence around the 20-acre lot, but the deer beat them to it. Until the 1.3km fence can be completed, Michael fears the business will lose everything else in the paddock. Source: Supplied The deer pressure was already there and existent over the last couple of years, but since September, when we didnt get a proper spring rain and the forest dried out, the deer pressure has just been steadily increasing across all of our sites, he said. Where we can normally grow 400 bunches of parsley a week, I havent had parsley since October. They came into one of my other paddocks, and in one week they ate up two tonne of pumpkins, just clean up off the ground. ADVERTISEMENT About four weeks ago, the hungry animals began wandering out of the surrounding dry forest and onto the farm in search of food. We knew it was an issue. We were trying to work on it, but for that to then happen overnight, to just completely write it off, is a bit frightening, Michael told Yahoo. Not even the presence of hunters has deterred them. The fact that theyre still coming back with so much shooting present says that, until we get a fence up, were screwed. We stand to lose everything else thats in the paddock right now, he said, calling on the state government to finally list feral deer as a pest. A GoFundMe has been created to help Plenty Valley Produce recoup some of its losses. The wild species wreak havoc on fragile landscapes, and cause problems for the agriculture sector too by destroying fencing and crops. Source: Victorian Government Calls for Victoria to deem feral deer a pest Unlike most of the country, in Victoria all deer are defined as protected wildlife and cannot be destroyed without authorisation. Six of those species are listed as game and can be targeted by registered hunters under strict conditions. ADVERTISEMENT While the Victorian Deer Control Program does include aerial shooting, the perplexing legal status of deer in Victoria makes it all the more difficult for the community to appreciate the serious impact of deer and to have in place effective deer eradication and control programs, the Invasive Species Council states. Last year, Jordan Cook from the Victorian National Parks Association, urged authorities to make the change and bring the state in line with the rest of the country. Feral deer are spreading across the state at a rapid rate, destroying critical habitat for threatened species such as rainforests and alpine bogs, and starting to heavily impact agricultural production and increasingly becoming a road hazard, he told The Guardian. Its time to list feral deer as a pest, invest in effective and science-based control, and where possible, eradicate feral deer populations. With an estimated population between one and two million, deer which were introduced in the early 1800s by European settlers are widely found across Australia, but are particularly common in Victoria, NSW and Tasmania. However many residents may not be aware of the millions of dollars they cost the economy. ADVERTISEMENT Many Australians are not aware that we have feral deer in Australia (almost 40 per cent), so we need to raise the awareness... and encourage more uniform and widespread action, National Deer Management Coordinator for the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Dr Annelise Wiebkin, told Yahoo in March. "Activity will intensify in coming weeks, so people may see deer more often or even for the first time in a new area. We have a small window of opportunity to track their spread and support control efforts, particularly in areas where feral deer numbers are still low." Dr Wiebkin, said with extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods and fires, pushing the species into new areas, Aussies can expect to find them in places they might not have been before. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. 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Please read the terms and conditions carefully before you accept any promotional welcome offer. Dale Wilson Continues Impressive 2025 With 888poker UKPL Reading Victory Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link Between 2016 and 2024, Dale Wilson cashed for $26,915, mostly in low-stakes events at Dusk Till Dawn. However, in 2025 alone, Wilson has amassed more than $300,000 in winnings and can seemingly do nothing wrong at the poker tables. Wilson kicked off the year with a 35,000 score in January before finishing third in the Grosvenor UK Open for a career-high 116,840. Last month, Wilson was the runner-up in the GUKPT Leeds High Roller for 20,560, and this weekend he won the 560 UKPL Reading Main Event for another 30,000. 888poker UKPL Reading Main Event 2025 Final Table Results Rank Player Prize 1 Dale Wilson 30,000 2 Timothy Ebenezer 22,500 3 Gareth Magee 16,500 4 Yi Gu 12,500 5 Callum Gordon 9,000 6 Ian Burr 7,000 7 Jose Caldas Collazo 5,120 8 Robin Gue 4,000 The 888poker UKPL Reading Main Event saw 334 entrants create a 158,650 prize pool that the top 48 finishers shared. Jack Hardcastle, 888poker Stream Team members Nick Eastwood and Josh Manley, 888poker ambassador Ian Simpson, and top grinder Robert Douras were among those in-the-money finishers. 4,000 was the least anyone could take home once they'd reached the eight-handed final table. Robin Gue settled for that sum when his ace-king lost to ace-queen, then the rest of his stack went in with king-four, which ran into pocket queens. Gue won this event in 2024 so reaching back-to-back final tables is some achievement. Jose Collaza was the next to fall, the last of his chips going into the middle with king-three and losing to the pocket fours in Tim Ebenezer's hand. Seventh place came with 5,120 in prize money. Play in $66,000 Worth of 888poker Cash Freerolls Each and Every Month Check these out Ebenezer then claimed Ian Burr's tournament life when his pocket sixes held against Burr's jack-ten, leaving Burr to collect 7,000, the largest haul of his live career. The dangerous Callum Gordon was down to a single big blind at one stage but managed to spin up his stack. However, any chip and a chair headlines had to be put on hold when Gordon shoved for ten big blinds with queen-jack, and Gareth Magee called with ace-king. Gordon couldn't get there, and he made his way to the cashier's desk to collect a 9,000 payout. Another short-stack shove, this time one worth seven big blinds from Yi Gu, resulted in another player falling by the wayside. Gu chose ace-seven to move all-in with. Wilson called with king-ten, flopped a ten, and Gu was gone. He claimed a 12,500 prize on top of the 8,768 he scooped for his victory in the 250 Opening Voyage earlier in the week. Wilson sent the UKPL Reading Main Event into the heads-up stage when his ace-nine prevailed against Magee's lowly jack-four. The 16,500 Magee won more than quadrupled his total live earnings. Wilson captured the title soon after when he flopped a jack with queen-jack to best Ebenezer's king-ten. Ebenezer's 22,500 score was bar far his best-ever result, while the 30,000 that Wilson won represents his third-largest haul. 888poker UKPL Reading 2025 Results Jack Hardcastle Jack Hardcastle found himself in the winner's circle once again, this time after taking down the 1,100 High Roller. Hardcastle outlasted 52 opponents on his way to collecting a 17,620 payday. Event Entrants Prize Pool Champion Prize 1,100 High Roller 53 50,350 Jack Hardcastle 17,620 250 Opening Voyage 243 50,790 Yi Gu 8,768 200 Big Shot 109 18,125 Martin Comitti 4,275 230 KO Rumble 75 7,120 Piers Furnace 2,250 150 Seniors 38 4,800 V.S. 1,358 UKPL Edinburgh is Next on the Schedule The 888poker UKPL is only a couple of weeks away. UKPL Edinburgh runs from June 17-22 at the Grosvenor Maybury Casino. In 2024, the 560 UKPL Edinburgh Main Event saw 311 players buy in and create a 147,729 prize pool. The tournament ended in a three-way chop involving third-place finisher Tom Jarry (21,965), runner-up Helder Casacasena (24,866), and champion Michael Kane (25,208). Satellites for the Main Event are available online at 888poker right now. Share this article It all comes down to this. After sifting through a record-shattering 19,654 entries, just 20 players remain in the hunt for the Event #1: $1,000 Mystery Millions bracelet and the $1,000,000 top prize at the 2025 World Series of Poker. Play resumes at 11:00 a.m. at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, where one of them will leave the room as a millionaire and a WSOP champion. Michael Wilklow leads the way with 82,275,000 chips, closely followed by George Tatalovich (77,625,000) and Linda Ngo (75,575,000), while several seasoned contenders like Daniel Strelitz and Michael Acevedo are still in the mix, all eyeing the gold strap. Top Ten Chip Counts Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Michael Wilklow United States 82,275,000 41 2 George Tatalovich United States 77,625,000 39 3 Linda Ngo United States 75,575,000 38 4 Wesley Fei China 62,450,000 31 5 Daniel Strelitz United States 52,200,000 26 6 Cameron Blazevich United States 47,875,000 24 7 Yu Hsiang Huang Taiwan 45,175,000 23 8 Can Miral Turkey 45,100,000 23 9 Jeffrey Hong United States 42,350,000 21 10 Diana Allen United States 37,900,000 19 With both Tyler Montoya and Thomas Zanot bagging the elusive $1,000,000 bounties early on Day 2, and most of the other major envelopes already claimed, just one significant bounty remains. A $25,000 prize is still in play, but with the payouts now climbing rapidly, will anyone be willing to gamble for it or will laddering take priority as the stakes get higher? Each player has already locked up a minimum of $39,180, but the biggest mystery of them all will be solved today as someone will win the bracelet, the million, and the glory. Remaining Payouts Place Prize 1 $1,000,000 2 $563,350 3 $429,950 4 $329,940 5 $254,590 6 $197,550 7 $154,140 8 $120,950 9 $95,551 10-11 $75,740 12-13 $60,450 14-17 $48,530 18-20 $39,180 Action resumes at 11 a.m. local time, with final day coverage also available on PokerGO starting at 5 p.m. with a two-hour delay. Blinds remain 40 minutes long, and play will continue until a champion is crowned later today. Stay tuned to PokerNews for live coverage from start to finish as we follow the action until the final card hits the felt. A giant ocean creature was discovered wrapped in chains and struggling to survive at a popular holiday beach. Rescue volunteers worked for over an hour to free a manta ray they discovered had been caught in drumlines. Source: Noosa Wildlife/taylor_x_ocean While most Aussies were sitting down to dinner, watching TV on the couch, or out grabbing a beer at the pub, a small group of beachgoers was waist-deep in water to start the weekend. They were crowded around a manta ray, a large protected species of fish that visitors flock to Queenslands warm waters to photograph. But what occurred in the popular tourism town of Noosa on Friday night isn't something youll see in holiday brochures. This manta ray had rope and chain wrapped around it, and a hook deep in its mouth. Scratches around its body, and bites from tiny fish around its mouth and long lobes it uses for communication, indicate it had been unable to move for a long time. When wildlife rescuer William Watson arrived at the beach, his first thought was that the fish was wrapped in a boat's anchor. He worked with a group of locals for more than an hour to try and cut it free. He was very tired and very weak. He must have been thrashing and got himself twisted around, the Wildlife Noosa founder told Yahoo News. He had a hook through the side of his mouth, I had to pull it out backwards, because you couldnt cut it. Manta ray entanglement linked to beach 'safety' program As the creature slowly swam away, he began to process what had happened. The equipment that had caught the manta ray wasnt from an anchor. It appeared to have been deliberately set. ADVERTISEMENT The chain and hook looked to be part of a drumline, a type of baited hook placed strategically around the coast by the state government. The purpose of these devices is to catch seven target species of shark and make beachgoers feel safe, which is important given the tourism industry has an estimated value of $33 billion a year. Related: Queensland bureaucrats accused of sanitising bloody act against shark However, Fridays incident highlights that more often than not, its not just sharks that are being snared in drumlines and nets, but also protected species like manta rays, endangered sea turtles, and dolphins. Documentarian and Envoy Foundation director Andre Borell told Yahoo News the problem could potentially get worse, with the Crisafulli government announcing last week it would be expanding upon a decades-old shark control program with an $88 million investment, a plan it linked to "upholding Queenslands international tourism reputation". ADVERTISEMENT Its anti-science. Lethal methods dont make beaches any safer Theyre proclaiming it as a great step forward, but in reality, theyre investing in something that doesnt work, he claimed to Yahoo News. His concerns mirror those of the RSPCA, which responded to the Crisafulli Government announcement by joining the Nets Out Now coalition and warning nets create a false sense of security among beachgoers. These devices are not physical barriers. Sharks can swim around or beneath them, and yet they continue to kill marine life indiscriminately, including protected species that pose no threat to humans, its head of policy Rachel Woodrow said. Volunteers worked for an hour to free the hooked manta ray. Source: Noosa Wildlife Both also raised concerns about the legality of the expansion of the program, which in its current state has an exemption from the Commonwealths threatened species protection laws, the EPBC. Government prioritising human life over wildlife Queensland's government has claimed shark controls like drumlines and nets likely lessen the chances of attacks. Its primary industries minister, Tony Perrett, said the planned expansion of the program was big and bold. ADVERTISEMENT It puts swimmer safety first, and it's the largest overhaul of funds this program has seen in over 60 years," he said. Responding to questions about Queensland's shark control program and bycatch of animals like manta rays, Perrett told Yahoo the government will "prioritise the safety of people above all else." Referring to a report by international audit group KPMG, he said nets and drumlines are "still the most effective way of protecting swimmers". Until the new technology is scientifically proven as effective at protecting beach goers as traditional methods, we will continue to invest in what keeps Queenslanders and our beaches safe," he said in a statement. The expansion of the shark control program will see nets installed at up to seven new locations, and they'll be checked every day, which the department of primary industries claims will improve swimmer safety and lessen bycatch. ADVERTISEMENT With some of the money being directed to research, education and innovation, and the doubling of drone surveillance from 10 to 20 locations, the department said the plan "strikes a balance" between lethal and non-lethal methods. Looking generally at shark control in Australia, there is evidence that attacks are less likely at netted beaches. However critics argue that's because the same stretches are patrolled by lifeguards. Concern for whales as migration begins Queensland's tourism industry is already under pressure, with a major drawcard, the Great Barrier Reef severely degraded due to mass bleaching and extreme weather linked to climate change. Borell believes the shark control program will damage other ecosystems that draw holidaymakers to the Sunshine State. Manta rays, dolphins, whales, turtles, everything you can picture on a tourism poster for Queensland, were catching and killing it in the shark control program, he said. While shark nets cover just 0.03 per cent of Queensland's coast, because they are placed in populated areas, their impact on protected wildlife is routinely observed. So with whales now migrating towards Queenslands warmer waters from Antarctica, its almost certain theyll soon be seen entangled in the nets. While NSW removes its shark nets during the winter migration, Queensland keeps them in place, and mothers and their inexperienced calves are regularly caught an average of six per year. And thats something that keeps Watson and his Noosa Wildlife rescue volunteers up at night. Everyones got anxiety over them. Its horrible. Id love to be waiting for the whales to be coming in, rather than thinking, please dont, he said. In Queensland, it is illegal for members of the public to remove drum lines or shark nets. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Post and Courier North Augusta/The Star reporter Bianca Moorman is a reporter for the Post and Courier North Augusta/The Star with a focus on community focused stories, arts, businesses, non-profits, events and any story with a human element. The Roanoke, Virginia native has journalism degrees from James Madison and Syracuse universities. She has written for papers in Georgia, Mississippi, Upstate New York and Virginia. Follow her on X at @biancarmooman. To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers Tony Kukulich is an editor/reporter working in the Beaufort County bureau. Turning to journalism as a second career, he started as a photojournalist in the San Francisco Bay Area. After moving to Bluffton in 2021, he wrote for several area publications before joining The Post and Courier the following year. South Carolina saw an 11 percent drop in drug and alcohol deaths and suicides in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to a new report from the nonprofit Trust for America's Health. The U.S. saw a 4 percent overall reduction in those deaths for the same period after they rose over the previous two decades. But that progress could be threatened by cuts and agency eliminations at the federal level, advocates warn. Editor and Publisher Brandon Roberts is Publisher and Managing Editor of Summerville Communications Inc., which prints The Summerville Journal Scene and The Berkeley Independent. He has worked as an editor for more than two decades in his native Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia and North Carolina before coming to Summerville. A family photograph of Kelly Farmer, a Goose Creek public works employee and local musician, is set on table with other photographs of him for friends and family to look through during a memorial for him at St. John The Beloveds Madden Hall, Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Summerville. Farmer was killed in a hit and run in April. Quick Response and Courts Reporter Alan Hovorka is a breaking news and courts reporter for The Post & Courier. After graduating from Ball State University in Indiana, he spent five years covering government and education in central Wisconsin before coming to the Lowcountry. Drivers are expected to understand their local road laws, but occasionally, an obscure one takes them by surprise. Not obeying the obscure law could land you in hot water with the law. Source: Camden Council Australian drivers are expected to know the road rules in their jurisdiction, but every now and then, a lesser-known law catches people off guard. Almost everyones been guilty of leaving their car unlocked for a quick dash into a shop or to grab a coffee sometimes without even thinking about it. But in most parts of the country, leaving your car unsecured is actually a fineable offence. Speaking to Yahoo News, Sydney lawyer Avinash Singh branded the rule possibly the country's least known of all. "This is perhaps the most obscure road rule," he said. "Most drivers are completely unaware of it and are usually shocked when the police confront them and explain that they can be fined for leaving their windows and or doors unlocked." Leaving a car unsecured means doors and windows are both properly locked, to ensure it's not an easy target for opportunistic thieves. Source: ABC Why is it an offence to leave my car unlocked? While being lesser known, this rule exists to reduce the risk of car theft and break-ins. Leaving a car secured means doors and windows are both properly locked, to ensure it's not an easy target for opportunistic thieves. It also helps protect public safety, as stolen vehicles are often used in further crimes or dangerous driving. ADVERTISEMENT In some cases, if an unlocked car is stolen and causes damage, the owner could be partially liable. Overall, the law encourages drivers to take basic precautions and reinforces personal responsibility for securing their property. There is an exception to the rule, Singh, Principal Lawyer at Astor Legal, said. Drivers are allowed, in most cases, to leave a window open by up to two centimetres, which can offer minimal ventilation if, for example, a dog is inside. "The legislation provides a defence if you have a window rolled down less than two centimetres," he said. "If the window is rolled down any more than that, then you will be liable to be fined." He said he's personally heard of these cases being prosecuted in court. "We have seen instances of police issuing fines for this offence. Reasonable police officers will sometimes issue a warning first, however, we have had people elect to go to court to challenge the fines," Singh said. "The most common argument we see drivers making if they have been fined for leaving their windows or doors unlocked, is that the law is illogical and oppressive." Where do these laws exist in Australia? In New South Wales, drivers must lock their vehicle and secure the windows if they will be more than three metres away from an unoccupied car. The fine is $114, but if the case goes to court, penalties can reach up to $2,200. ADVERTISEMENT Queensland law makes it illegal to leave your car unlocked if you are more than three metres away. The maximum penalty is $3,096, with a $2,669 fine if the car is unlocked with the keys inside. Victoria requires drivers to lock their vehicle and secure the windows when leaving it and moving more than three metres away. The on-the-spot fine is $117, with court penalties approaching $600. In Western Australia, its an offence to leave a vehicle unlocked unless someone aged 16 or over remains inside. The maximum penalty is $50. Tasmania requires drivers to lock their car and secure windows when leaving it and moving more than three metres away, with a maximum penalty of just under $200. ADVERTISEMENT In the Australian Capital Territory, drivers must lock and secure their vehicle if they will be more than three metres away, unless a person aged 16 or older remains inside. South Australia explicitly exempts drivers from the requirement to lock their doors when leaving the vehicle. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Cloudy with a few showers. Hot. High near 90F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 77F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. 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This, in turn, makes the casino not only emerge as the best but also set a standard that other platf PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-02 12:00:09 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 820 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 /Cerrado Gold Inc. (TSXV:CERT)(OTCQX:CRDOF)(FRA:BAI0) ("Cerrado" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Ed Guimaraes to the position of Executive Vice President, effective June 1, 2025.Mr. Guimaraes has over 30 years of experience in the mining industry, most recently in an executive advisory capacity and through several board directorships. His career spans a broad range of base and precious metals producers, having supported the development, expansion, and ongoing operations of copper, zinc, lead, gold, and silver mines in Canada, Chile, Peru, Mexico and Argentina. Mr. Guimaraes previously acted as the Chief Financial Officer at Sierra Metals between 2014 and 2023, and he was with Aur Resources between 1995 and 2007, ultimately serving as Executive Vice-President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, until its acquisition by Teck Resources in 2007 for US$4.1 billion. Prior to 1995, he worked in the Toronto mining group of PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Guimaraes is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), a graduate of the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program ( ICD.D) and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Administrative and Commercial Studies from Western University.Mark Brennan, Executive Chairman, commented: "On behalf of the Board and Management, I would like to welcome Ed to the team. We had very strong success working together growing Sierra Metals, and his extensive financial and operational experience supporting development and expansion of projects will add significant benefit to the Company as we continue to grow the Minera Don Nicolas gold mine to its full potential and advance the Lagoa Salgada VMS and Mont Sorcier High Purity Iron Ore Projects." About CerradoCerrado Gold is a Toronto-based gold production, development, and exploration company. The Company is the 100% owner of the producing Minera Don Nicolas and Las Calandrias mine in Santa Cruz province, Argentina. In Portugal, the Company holds an 80% interest in the highly prospective Lagoa Salgada VMS project through its position in Redcorp - Empreendimentos Mineiros, Lda. In Canada, Cerrado Gold is developing its 100% owned Mont Sorcier Iron project located outside of Chibougamou, Quebec.In Argentina, Cerrado is maximizing asset value at its Minera Don Nicolas operation through continued operational optimization and is growing production through its operations at the Las Calandrias heap leach project. An extensive campaign of exploration is ongoing to further unlock potential resources in our highly prospective land package in the heart of the Deseado Masiff.In Portugal, Cerrado is focused on the exploration and development of the highly prospective Lagoa Salgada VMS project located on the prolific Iberian Pyrite Belt in Portugal. The Lagoa Salgada project is a high-grade polymetallic project, demonstrating a typical mineralization endowment of zinc, copper, lead, tin, silver, and gold. Extensive exploration upside potential lies both near deposit and at prospective step-out targets across the large 7,209-hectare property concession. Located just 80km from Lisbon and surrounded by exceptional infrastructure, Lagoa Salgada offers a low-cost entry to a significant exploration and development opportunity, already showing its mineable scale and cashflow generation potential.In Canada, Cerrado holds a 100% interest in the Mont Sorcier high purity Iron project, which has the potential to produce a premium iron concentrate over a long mine life at low operating costs and low capital intensity. Furthermore, its high grade and high purity product facilitates the migration of steel producers from blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces, contributing to the decarbonization of the industry and the achievement of sustainable development goals.For more information about Cerrado please visit our website at: www.cerradogold.com Mark BrennanCEO and ChairmanMike McAllisterVice President, Investor RelationsTel: +1-647-805-5662 mmcallister@ cerradogold.com DisclaimerNEITHER 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 press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" (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 discusses 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.Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the business and operations of Cerrado.SOURCE: Cerrado Gold Inc. Nations were watching closely to see what the new US Defence Secretary would say about security in our region. Alarm bells are ringing over the Chinese-led military build-up taking place in Australia's region, with fears a "nuclear cascade" could unfold as more nations seek to obtain weapons of mass destruction. Australia's defence minister has warned about an Indo-Pacific arms race, but at the same time has signalled Australia's preparedness to increase military spending. Defence Minister Richard Marles has warned of the developing dynamic of China's arms build-up and Russia's strategic ties with North Korea, saying the arms control framework previously developed by Western allies to combat nuclear proliferation during the Cold War might not be enough to meet today's challenges. The US called on Australia to increase defence spending as leaders met over the weekend at Asia's top security summit in Singapore. Marles noted that Australia's defence budget will rise to about 2.3 per cent of GDP within the decade, from the two per cent it currently hovers at, saying the planned expansion represented the "single biggest peacetime increase in defence expenditure in Australia's history". ADVERTISEMENT "So we are beginning this journey," he said. Warning over 'nuclear cascade' in our region The former Fox News host and now US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, has personified the changing nature of the White House after the re-election of Donald Trump, but his message on China has been broadly the same to his predecessor, says Ely Ratner, the former Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs under the Biden administration. But he warned of a growing threat to stability in the region. Ely Ratner believes the US will remain committed to the region under Donald Trump's leadership. Source: Getty "I think it is very complicated by the fact that China is undergoing the largest peacetime military build-up in history," Mr Ratner told ABC radio on Monday. "They havent explained why they think they need such a large arsenal of nuclear weapons and they're putting real pressure on other countries both in the region and in the world when it comes to nuclear weapons. It is quite a destabilising military build-up were seeing from China." ADVERTISEMENT He said the challenge is not just about how to manage nuclear armed nations like India and Pakistan which have been involved in recent military skirmishes, but how to stop more nations feeling like they need to acquire them, leading to "the potential of nuclear cascades". "If China grows its nuclear arsenal to such a size that countries like South Korea and then potentially others start thinking they might need their own nuclear weapons, then were in a much more dangerous world," he warned this morning. Can Australia still trust the US? When asked if allies like Australia could trust the Trump administration is committed to defence in the broader Indo-Pacific region, Ratner said "I think for the time being the broad answer is yes". He added that he didn't believe China was more likely to invade Taiwan due to President Trump being in office, saying the Asian giant was in a "wait and see mode". Speaking at the summit on Saturday, Hegseth called on allies in the region to share the burden of deterrence by upgrading their own defences. ADVERTISEMENT "There's no reason to sugar coat it," he told the Shangri-La Dialogue. "The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent", suggesting an invasion could take place while Trump is in office. Responding to questions from reporters on Sunday, Anthony Albanese said Australia's position on Taiwan was "very clear" and included a bipartisan stance to support the status quo. China views Taiwan as its own territory, and slammed the US as the biggest "troublemaker for regional peace and stability". with AAP Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-02 20:45:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 588 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 At NRA Show 2025, Citrus America Highlighted How Equipment Improves Labor, Safety, Efficiency, and Signature Product OfferingsCHICAGO, IL / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 / As restaurants, bars, and foodservice operators face increasing pressure to do more with less,Citrus Americamade a powerful statement at this year's National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show, offering game-changing solutions that improve labor efficiency, staff safety, and bottom-line profitability, all while enabling operators to develop distinctive, high-margin signature products through the power of fresh-squeezed citrus juice.Attracting strong interest and high-quality conversations throughout the four-day event, Citrus America showcased how its advanced Citrocasa commercial juicers help streamline back-of-house operations, reduce prep labor, and drive innovation across menus and retail programs.Held in Chicago, the 2025 NRA Show welcomed over 53,000 foodservice professionals from 110 countries, with more than 2,300 exhibiting companies covering nearly 718,000 square feet of innovation. With rising labor costs, evolving consumer demands, and operational stressors on the rise, this year's Show was focused on delivering real-world, actionable solutions, making Citrus America's offerings especially timely and impactful."We're helping operators solve some of their toughest challenges," said Brian Framson, President and Co-Founder of Citrus America. "From reducing injury risk to creating unforgettable signature offerings, our solutions deliver real-world value across the board." Attendees experienced Citrus America's impact firsthand with freshly squeezed orange juice and a house-made lemonade recipe, while learning how the company's equipment fits seamlessly into a variety of formats, including restaurants, cafes, breakfast diners, cocktail bars, and global concepts like Mexican and Peruvian restaurants preparing popular dishes like ceviche.On display were a full range of Citrocasa models designed to meet the specific needs of diverse operations:The high-performance 8000SB-ATSThe compact, versatile Fantastic F/SB-ATS and Fantastic M/ASThe Fantastic ECO, a no-electricity-required option ideal for mobile setupsThe rugged, but small RevolutionAnd a sneak preview of the upcoming Citrocasa xPro, soon launching in the U.S., which introduces cutting-edge features for safety and automation in high-volume environments"These systems aren't just about fresh juice. They're about unlocking new revenue, reducing staff strain, and standing out with product innovation," said Framson.Citrus America was proudly represented by its team of Jay Gardner, Stephen Farinhas, Brian Framson, Miriam Framson, Jacob Framson, and Elke Framson, whose presence underscored the family-driven values behind the brand's growth and hands-on service model.With operators looking for tangible ways to improve efficiency and create menu differentiation, the Citrus America team had dozens of deep-dive conversations with buyers across all segments of the foodservice industry.Beyond the booth, Citrus America explored emerging innovations across the NRA Show floor, including AI restaurant management tools, beverage tech, cooling advancements, and new prep and cooking systems, aligning with the industry's push toward safer, more responsive, and more adaptable kitchens.This year's NRA Show capped a strong event season for the company, following its recent successful participation in the Bar & Restaurant Expo, NAFEM, and the National Grocers Association (NGA) Show, all further proof of Citrus America's broad relevance and growing impact."Operators today are looking for real ROI and tools they can implement now," said Framson. "That's exactly what we brought to NRA, and the enthusiasm we saw proves we're hitting the mark." To learn more about Citrus America and its commercial juicing systems, visitwww.citrusamerica.com Media Contact:Steven Le VineGrapevine PR steven.levine@theprgrapevine.com (Caption: Citrus America team stands in booth at NRA Show 2025.From L-R: Jay Gardner, Brian Framson, Miriam Framson, Jacob Framson, Elke Framson, and Stephen Farinhas)SOURCE: Citrus America PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-02 10:25:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 484 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 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=151201&wire=1&utm_campaign=29 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 PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-02 10:00:10 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 521 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 / Bioz, Inc. , the go-to solution for AI-backed validation of products through scientific citation data, is joining forces withClinx Science Instruments , a trusted provider of advanced scientific imaging systems. Through the integration ofBioz Badgesand a Bioz Content Hub, Clinx is empowering researchers to discover and trust their chemiluminescence imaging systems and animal/plant In Vivo imaging systems more easily than ever before. Bioz Prime Badge Bioz Prime Badge on the Clinx WebsiteClinx products, particularly under the chemiluminescence and In Vivo imaging category, are seeing increased visibility and user engagement thanks to Bioz's AI-driven tools. By embedding Bioz Badges directly onto product webpages, Clinx allows customers to instantly view citations from peer-reviewed publications that feature their imaging systems, eliminating the need to manually gather references or wait on support teams.Clinx's product visibility has also expanded throughBioz.com , an AI-powered search engine used by over 16 million researchers worldwide. Scientists searching for chemiluminescence imaging systems can now discover Clinx's products directly within relevant search results and click through to their product webpages. This seamless backlinking not only drives high-quality traffic but also connects researchers with peer-reviewed validation and purchasing options in just a few clicks.Joyce Zhang , Marketing Manager at Clinx Science Instruments, said, "Bioz has helped us surface more visibility and credibility for our products, especially in our two major product lines, chemiluminescence imaging and In Vivo imaging systems. We've also seen strong engagement with our Bioz Content Hub, and we love the global map feature. It's a great way to show the breadth of our product adoption around the world." Since the collaboration began, Clinx has seen a steady increase in traffic, along with high click-through rates on both their Bioz Badges and Content Hub. This increased engagement translates into greater awareness and more confident purchasing decisions among scientists."Clinx is leveraging Bioz tools in all the right ways, putting publication-based validation front and center while also demonstrating global adoption," saidDr. Karin Lachmi , co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Bioz. "They are providing researchers with the transparency and evidence they need, right at the time of decision making." By surfacing high-quality publication data, detailed usage information, and global reach through Bioz's platform, Clinx is strengthening its digital presence while supporting researchers in making faster, evidence-backed decisions.About BiozBioz is the world's most advanced AI search engine for scientific research, offering evidence-based product ratings and recommendations to guide scientists toward the most validated products for their discoveries. Bioz's solutions for suppliers include Bioz Badges and Bioz Content Hubs, web-based widgets that enhance user engagement and increase sales conversion.About Clinx Science InstrumentsClinx Science Instruments develops and manufactures innovative imaging solutions for the life sciences industry, including gel, chemiluminescence, and fluorescence imaging systems. Known for reliability and advanced technology, Clinx serves researchers across academic, pharmaceutical, and biotech institutions around the globe.Helpful LinksBiozBioz BadgesBioz StarsClinx Science InstrumentsClinx's In Vivo Imaging SystemFor more information on Bioz solutions for suppliers, please reach out toinfo@ bioz.com Contact InformationDaniel LevittCEOpr@ bioz.com SOURCE: Bioz, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-02 12:00:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1014 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 WASHINGTON, D.C. / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 / In a newly released video address, Dr. Egon Cholakian, a Registered Federal Lobbyist with the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, and the White House, and a Registered Foreign Agent with the U.S. Department of Justice, National Security Division, issues a bold challenge to modern science, proposing the possibility of a groundbreaking experiment that could fundamentally alter the understanding of physics.Dr. Egon Cholakian, a Registered Federal Lobbyist with the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, and the White House, and a Registered Foreign Agent with the U.S. Department of Justice, National Security DivisionIn this address, Dr. Cholakian outlines a series of urgent environmental and geophysical concerns, with special attention to significant changes unfolding in the Earth's atmosphere and hydrosphere. These risks, he says, are driven by three key factors: cyclical astronomical processes, the activation of the Siberian magma plume, and the mounting crisis of oceanic microplastic pollution.According to Dr. Cholakian, the scientific community is now faced with the urgent task of rethinking outdated climate models and developing new approaches to studying planetary dynamics, as the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and geodynamic disasters potentially threatens humanity's safety. He not only highlights the activity of the Siberian magma plume, but also presents concrete evidence and data that indicate it is a geophysical phenomenon capable of triggering global-scale consequences. Intensification of the Siberian plume, exacerbated by the disruption of ocean thermal regulation by microplastics, poses a risk of devastating eruptions and seismic events.Expressing deep gratitude to colleague Igor Danilov, Dr. Cholakian credits Danilov's research and scientific foresight for first identifying the threats of the Siberian magma plume two decades ago, as well as for developing practical solutions based on new principles of physics. "Mr. Danilov made an invaluable contribution to the development of practical solutions grounded in the principles of new physics-technologies and approaches that have now proven effective in preserving life on Earth, preventing impending large-scale disruptions, and laying a solid foundation for the future of all humanity," Dr. Cholakian states.Dr. Cholakian highlights the role of experimental equipment developed by the international scientific community of ALLATRA, which operated for over a decade and temporarily stabilized climate and geodynamic processes. The shutdown of this equipment in 2023, he asserts, led to a sharp increase in natural disasters and global economic losses. "It was the same technology that held back global seismic activity. The fact that today we are most frequently registering earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 and are only now beginning to observe an increase in the frequency of magnitude 6.0 events-instead of the anticipated regular magnitude 7 and 8 earthquakes that should have already struck us-is the direct result of that equipment and the efforts of our ALLATRA team," Dr. Cholakian notes.The second part of Dr. Cholakian's message underscores the need for direct intervention via strategic degassing of the Siberian magma plume through borehole construction-a planned pressure release that could prevent catastrophic outcomes. Following the designation of ALLATRA as an "undesirable" organization in the Russian Federation in 2023, not only did operation of essential experimental equipment cease, but monitoring of the Siberian magma plume also ended, leaving only indirect signs of its current state.Dr. Cholakian points to the actions of certain power circles in Russian and vested interests, who are not interested in allowing Russia or the international community to learn about the large-scale and serious threat posed by the Siberian magma plume on Russian territory. He further highlights the deliberate discrediting of ALLATRA's scientists and the ongoing efforts to block the dissemination of critical information, orchestrated in particular by Alexander Dvorkin and his organization RACIRS (Russian Association of Centers for the Study of Religions and Sects). Dr. Cholakian expresses deep concern that such obstruction jeopardizes a narrow and closing window of opportunity for effective intervention."No one else was tracking this situation, and, as far as we can see, no one intends to," Dr. Cholakian says. "We have been completely cut off from monitoring the plume." In response to what he describes as the gravity and urgency of the moment, Dr. Cholakian announces an important decision: to challenge the global scientific and civil community-including political leaders-to restore full monitoring access to the Siberian plume and cease all forms of repression against ALLATRA participants. "We are not asking for the impossible-we are demanding the restoration of our right to fulfill our duty to humanity," he states.Dr. Cholakian offers, in return, to conduct a unique scientific experiment: the controlled formation of a material object-a sodium chloride (salt) crystal-inside a sealed deep-vacuum chamber. That is, in a vacuum, without introducing any substance from the outside, using only the influence of precisely tuned electromagnetic fields. "No state, no institute, and no laboratory in the entire world is capable of this. But we, the scientists of ALLATRA, can do it," Dr. Cholakian asserts. The experiment, he states, requires two components: high-precision equipment and one year of time. Beyond the geodynamic threats, Dr. Cholakian draws attention to the growing danger of nanoplastics. The ALLATRA scientific team is conducting comprehensive research into nanoplastics' properties and their effects on human health and ecosystems, with a focus on reducing their ability to accumulate electrostatic charge and developing safe removal methods.In the final moments of the video, Dr. Cholakian urgently calls for the immediate lifting of restrictions on ALLATRA, access to the Siberian magma plume for independent observation and oversight, and the opportunity to continue work on neutralization methods. He insists that, with proper equipment and support, ALLATRA scientists could demonstrate results within a year that have the potential to change the course of civilization. Dr. Cholakian appeals to the international community to help spread this information to those in positions of power, emphasizing that the fate of humanity now depends on their decisions. Despite ongoing suppression and challenges, he stresses that ALLATRA will continue to fight for the chance to save lives, guided by the conviction that life is worth fighting for.About Dr. A. Egon Cholakian PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-02 00:16:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 670 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 1, 2025 /WHY: New York, N.Y., June 1, 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. PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-02 15:00:59 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 672 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 / 1933 Industries Inc. (the "Company" or "1933 Industries") (CSE:TGIF)(OTC PINK:TGIFF), a Nevada-focused cannabis cultivator and producer, is pleased to announce the completion of the amended Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the "MIPA") entered into by its wholly owned subsidiary, FN Pharmaceuticals, and Mr. Caleb Zobrist (the "Seller") to acquire his nine percent (9%) of the issued and outstanding membership interests of Alternative Medicine Association LC ("AMA") (refer to news releases dated April 8, 2024 and May 22, 2025). The transaction closed on May 30, 2025.With the completion of the MIPA, FN Pharmaceuticals now owns 100% of the membership interest in AMA, the Company's cultivation and production subsidiary.Under the amended MIPA, the purchase price (the "Purchase Price") for the Membership is a total of USD$50,00, payable to the Seller USD$25,000 in cash and USD$25,000 through the issuance of shares of common stock of 1933 Industries (the "Shares"). The final number of Shares to be issued to the Seller is 5,503,450 as determined via the 10 day VWAP price of the Shares on November 27, 2024, being the date the transactions contemplated by the MIPA were approved by the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board.The Shares are subject to a hold period in Canada expiring on October 1, 2025. Additional restrictions will apply pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.As Mr. Zobrist was a senior officer of the Company at the time the MIPA was entered into, he is a "related party" to the Company within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101- Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). As such, the transaction constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of MI 61-101.The Company intends to rely on exemptions from formal valuation and the minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 found in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the transaction does not constitute more than the 25% of the Company's market capitalization.About 1933 Industries Inc.1933 Industries is a Nevada-based licensed wholesale producer, focused on the cultivation and extraction of a large portfolio of cannabis consumer products in a variety of formats under its flagship brands, Alternative Medicine Association (AMA) and Level X. Its product offerings are cultivated at the Company's 68,000 sq. ft. indoor facility and marketed directly to retail dispensaries. AMA branded flower, infused pre-rolls, and in-house boutique concentrates consistently rank as the top products sold in Nevada. For more information, please visit www.1933industries.com For further information please contact:Alexia Helgason, VP, Investor Relations 604-728-4407 alexia@1933 industries.com Brian Farrell, Chairman and CEO brian@1933 industries.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company's disclosure documents, which can be found under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com . 1933 Industries undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.SOURCE: 1933 Industries Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-02 10:50:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 679 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAINT LOUIS, MI / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 / As Mother's Day approaches, Karviva is introducing a timely new addition to its lineup of functional beverages: the PMS & Menopause Wellness Kit. Designed to offer women natural, hormone-free support through various stages of hormonal change, the kit provides a comprehensive daily regimen rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and modern nutritional science.Each day in the United States, approximately 6,000 women reach menopause, a milestone marked by going one full year without a period. That adds up to about 1.3 million women transitioning into this significant stage of midlife every year.Around 80% of women in midlifeface disruptive menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, brain fog, and sexual health challenges. These symptoms can significantly impact quality of life, relationships, careers, and overall well-being.The launch reflects Karviva's broader mission to support holistic well-being through plant-based solutions. With many women balancing careers, caregiving responsibilities, and personal health, the Starter Kit serves as a structured, easy-to-follow routine to address symptoms commonly experienced during PMS and menopause, including fatigue, bloating, mood swings, hot flashes, and dryness.A Structured Day of Wellness in Six StepsEach Karviva Wellness Starter Kit includes six functional beverages, thoughtfully formulated to guide users through a full day of balanced support:Detox Juice (Morning) - Begins the day with a liver-supporting blend that aids hormone metabolism and reduces internal heat, helping to alleviate symptoms such as bloating and hot flashes.Hope Juice (Mid-Morning) - Features adaptogenic herbs like holy basil and nutrient-dense sprouts to stabilize mood, support circulation, and ease emotional stress.Energy Juice (Midday) - Delivers clean, sustained energy using green coffee beans, ginseng, and sesame minerals, avoiding caffeine crashes and artificial stimulants.ACE Collagen Hydration Juices (Two included, for all-day hydration) - Contain marine collagen and sesame-based electrolytes to address dryness, support joints, and promote skin health.Unwined Rose (Evening) - An alcohol-free botanical blend that promotes hormonal balance and evening relaxation without hangovers or added sugar.All Karviva beverages are plant-based, non-GMO, gluten-free, and made without synthetic hormones, artificial additives, or added sugar. The formulations draw heavily from the TCM practice of balancing internal energy, or "Qi," to support vitality and overall well-being.A Thoughtful Launch Ahead of Mother's DayThis product release aligns with the brand's focus on women's wellness and is particularly timely for Mother's Day. As women often find themselves managing the needs of others before their own, the Starter Kit is positioned as a gentle reminder to prioritize self-care, especially during physically and emotionally demanding life stages."Many women enter perimenopause or menopause with little guidance and few natural options," said a Karviva spokesperson. "We wanted to offer a simple, step-by-step way to help women support their bodies without relying on synthetic hormones or caffeine-heavy products." The launch also highlights the growing demand for clean-label, functional health products tailored to women's specific physiological needs. Karviva's solution is both structured and flexible, easy to integrate into a daily routine, whether at home or on the go.Rooted in Tradition, Guided by ScienceFounded by Dr. Angela Zeng, a Ph.D. with training in Pathology and deep family roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Karviva was created to bridge the gap between ancient Eastern healing practices and evidence-based nutrition. Each beverage is developed with a whole-body approach, focusing on balance, hydration, and long-term vitality rather than short-term fixes.Karviva's broader product line includes beverages for immunity, digestion, stress relief, and energy, many of which have been featured in wellness publications and are available in retail outlets and online.The PMS & Menopause Wellness Starter Kit is now available onAmazonand throughKarviva.com About Karviva Karviva is a wellness beverage company committed to crafting functional drinks that support holistic health through natural, plant-based ingredients. Drawing from Traditional Chinese Medicine and modern science, Karviva products are designed to restore Yin & Yang balance, promote Qi (vitality), and enhance everyday wellness.Media ContactOrganization: Karviva WellnessContact Person Name: Dr. Angela ZengWebsite: https://karviva.com/ Email: angela@ karviva.com City: Saint LouisState: MissouriCountry: United StatesSOURCE: Karviva Wellness PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-02 21:00:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 446 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BIRMINGHAM, AL / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 / Leitbox Storage Partners, a real estate private equity firm focused on redefining institutional investment in self-storage, has named Ronan Burke its new Head of Capital Markets. Burke brings over 30 years of global finance experience, including leadership roles at boutique firms and global investment groups, most notably Capital Group American Funds. Ronan BurkeA native of Ireland and former competitive rally car driver, Burke entered the U.S. financial markets with the same drive and precision that defined his motorsports career. Over the past three decades, he has established a distinguished record in capital formation and investor relations.Burke will lead the next phase of Leitbox's capital platform growth in his new role, integrating the firm's multi-channel capital strategy into a unified and scalable framework. Over the past 18 months, Leitbox has secured access to diverse investor channels, including pension funds, life insurance companies, family offices, and retail investors."Ronan is the final link in a chain of capital sophistication," said Bill Leitner, Principal at Leitbox Storage Partners. "He understands every major allocator and institutional gatekeeper. There's no one more equipped to drive this next chapter." Leitbox's strategy-focused on high-barrier-to-entry urban self-storage, powered by proprietary site selection technology and a streamlined development model-remains central to its value proposition. Burke's appointment accelerates the firm's ability to scale this model with deeper and more dynamic capital support."We are building an investment platform like no other," Burke said. "I believe Leitbox's model is already best-in-class. My objective is to ensure that capital-no matter the source-is deployed efficiently and strategically to fuel continued success. The future of real estate private equity lies in agile, integrated capital. Leitbox is leading that charge." The firm's capital optionality initiative is designed with the goal of generating superior risk-adjusted returns across shorter horizons while aligning retail and institutional investors in a shared investment thesis.For more information, visit www.leitbox.com The firm's capital optionality initiative is designed with the goal of generating superior risk-adjusted returns across shorter horizons while aligning retail and institutional investors in a shared investment thesis.For more information, visit www.leitbox.com About Leitbox Storage PartnersLeitbox Storage Partners ("Leitbox") is a real estate investment company that develops and acquires self-storage (often with mixed use and retail integration) in primary and secondary markets throughout the United States. In addition to programmatic, greenfield development of vertical self-storage, Leitbox utilizes its 30+ year history in the retail and mixed-use sectors to identify and acquire retail, big-box conversion opportunities and income-producing, storage facilities presenting value-add upside potential.###Contact InformationShantelle DedickeFrances Roy Agencyshantelle@ francesroy.com 3076317644SOURCE: Leitbox Storage Partners PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-02 12:50:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 989 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 /Mako Mining Corp. (TSX-V:MKO)(OTCQX:MAKOF) ("Mako" or the "Company") is pleased to provide financial results for the three months ended March 31st, 2025 ("Q1 2025"). All dollar amounts referred to herein are expressed in United States dollars unless otherwise stated.The Company's financial results for Q1 2025 reflect record gold sales from its San Albino and Moss Mine of $31.8 million (vs. $19.2 million in Q1 2024), which generated $19.9 million in Mine Operating Cash Flow (1) (4), $16.1 million in Adjusted EBITDA(1), and $9.4 million in Net Income. The Company sold 10,817 oz of gold at an average price of $2,915/oz with a $1,239 Cash Cost and $1,411 All-In Sustaining Cost ("AISC") ($/oz sold). (1) (2)On March 27th, 2025, Mako completed the acquisition of EGA (the "Moss Acquisition"), which owned the Moss gold mine in Arizona, and these financial results reflect the consolidation of the Moss Acquisition into Mako's Q1 2025 Financial Statements and MD&A. Finished products in the amount of 936 oz of gold and 8,562 oz of silver were acquired at the time of acquisition, held on the balance sheet at market value of $3.2 million and sold immediately thereafter with a Cost of Goods Sold also amounting to $3.2 million. This had the effect of increasing our reported Cash Cost and AISC by $202/oz and $186/oz. Without the effect of the Moss Acquisition, the Company's Cash Cost and AISC would be $1,037/oz and $1,225/oz, respectively.Q1 2025 Mako Mining HighlightsFinancial$31.8 million in Revenue$19.9 million in Mine Operating Cash Flow ("MineOCF") (1) (4)$16.1 million in Adjusted EBITDA (1)$9.4 million Net Income$1,239 Cash Costs ($/oz sold) (1) (2)$1,411 All-In Sustaining Costs ("AISC") ($/oz sold) (1) (2)Twelve Trailing Months ("TTM") Return on Equity ("ROE") (1) of 47.5% and Return on Assets ("ROA") of 30.9% (1)Delivered 40,500 oz of silver in Q1 2025 to the Sailfish Silver Loan. The final 13,500 oz installment was delivered in April 2025$4.0 million payment of Income Tax Payable previously accrued in Fiscal Year 2024The Company purchased 0.5 million common shares under the normal course issuer bid ("NCIB") for $1.4 million (C$2.0 million) in Q1 2025On March 27th, 2025, the Company completed the Moss AcquisitionGrowth$1.5 million in exploration and evaluation expenses ($0.5 million in areas surrounding San Albino in Nicaragua and approximately $1.0 million at Eagle Mountain, Guyana)Subsequent to March 31, 2025Delivered the final installment of 13,500 oz of silver on the Sailfish Silver LoanOn April 28th, 2025, Sailfish exercised its option to purchase all refined silver produced from the Company's San Albino operations for an additional payment of $1.0 millionThe Company granted 740,000 stock options with a C$4.47 exercise price, 502,785 RSUs and 145,000 DSUs to its executive officers, directors and certain other employees and consultantsQ2 2025 (through May 31st) - Mako Mining Financial Highlights$25.1 million in Revenue from 7,409 oz of gold at $3,327/oz and 13,529 oz of silver at $33.03/oz$22.0 million in Cash and Receivables and $3.3 million in Restricted Cash (50% will become unrestricted in June 2025)Akiba Leisman, Chief Executive Officer, states that "Q1 was a transformative quarter for Mako. We acquired our second operating mine at Moss, which produces gold and silver through its residual leach operations. The acquisition was financed using a small fraction of this quarter's Mine Operating Cash Flow from San Albino. A new mining contractor for Moss was selected and will be mobilized to restart mining operations later this month. The San Albino mine continues to perform well, which helped Mako generate record Mine Operating Cash flow of US$19.9 million and US$9.4 million (US$0.12/share) of Net Income, while generating industry leading ROA and ROE of 30.9% and 47.5%, respectively. At the end of May, the Company's cash and receivable balance was US$22.0 million, with an additional US$3.3 million in restricted cash, 50% of which will be released imminently. Mako's rapidly growing cash position will be used for the development of the Eagle Mountain in Guyana, which we expect to be permitted for construction by Q2 2026".Table 1 - RevenueTable 2 - Operating and Financial DataTable 3 - EBITDA ReconciliationChart 1Q1 2025 - Mine OCF Calculation and Cash Reconciliation (in $ million)Chart 22025 - Mine OCF Calculation and Cash Reconciliation (in $ million)End NotesRefers to a Non-GAAP financial measure within the meaning of National Instrument 52-112 - Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure ("NI 52-112"). Refer to information under the heading "Non-GAAP Measures" as well as the reconciliations later in this press release.Refers to a Non-GAAP ratio within the meaning of NI-52-112. Refer to information under the heading "Non-GAAP Measures" later in this press release.Realized price before deductions from Sailfish gold streaming agreement.Refer to "Chart 1 & 2 - Mine OCF Calculation and Cash Reconciliation (in $ millions)" for a reconciliation of the beginning and ending cash position of the Company, including OCF.Includes Repayment Silver Loan, Wexford Loan, Wexford Bridge Loan related to Goldsource Acquisition, Payment to GR Silver and other lease paymentsFor complete details, please refer to condensed interim consolidated financial statements and the associated management discussion and analysis for the three months ended March 31st, 2025, available on SEDAR+ ( www.sedarplus.ca) or on the Company's website ( www.makominingcorp.com) Non-GAAP MeasuresThe Company has included certain non-GAAP financial measures and non-GAAP ratios in this press release such as EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Mine Operating Cash Flow cash cost per ounce sold, total cash cost per ounce sold, AISC per ounce sold. These non-GAAP measures are 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. In the gold mining industry, these are commonly used performance measures and ratios, but do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's underlying performance of its core operations and its ability to generate cash flow."EBITDA" represents PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-02 17:00:32 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 479 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Crowdfunding Historical Campaign Launches June 2ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 / The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History in Albuquerque, New Mexico, today announced the launch of "Preserving Pillars of American Strength: Restore the Redstone & Terrier," a crowdfunding campaign to restore two significant artifacts in its collection: the Redstone Missile and the Convair RIM-2 Terrier Surface-to-Air Missile.These towering missiles represent pivotal moments in American history, embodying the nation's ingenuity in rocketry and its commitment to defense during the Cold War. The Redstone, the first large liquid-fueled ballistic missile, paved the way for the U.S. space program and launched the first American astronaut. The Terrier played a crucial role in national defense as a vital surface-to-air missile.However, decades of exposure to the harsh desert climate have taken their toll. The vibrant insignia on the Redstone is fading, and the Terrier suffers from weathered paint and surface degradation. To prevent further deterioration and ensure these artifacts continue to educate and inspire, the Museum is undertaking critical restoration efforts."The Redstone and Terrier missiles are more than just static displays; they are tangible links to our nation's past and powerful tools for inspiring future generations in STEM fields," said Jennifer Hayden, President and CEO of the Museum . "Preserving these iconic artifacts honors American innovation, reminds us of our nation's strength, and upholds our responsibility as stewards of history." The restoration plan includes meticulous touch-up of the Redstone's insignia, gentle buffing of its surface, and comprehensive sanding and repainting of the Terrier. The campaign aims to raise $40,000 between June 2 and July 4 to cover the costs of specialized equipment, museum-grade materials, and the dedicated time and expertise of conservation staff and volunteers.The crowdfunding campaign will engage patriotic citizens and history enthusiasts nationwide, offering them the opportunity to directly contribute to preserving these vital pieces of American heritage. The campaign page will provide detailed information about the missiles' historical significance, showcase their current condition, outline the restoration processes and costs, and offer various levels of engagement and recognition for contributors. Regular updates on the campaign's progress and the eventual restoration work will also be provided."We invite everyone who values American history and innovation to join us in this important mission," added Jennifer Galloway, Director of Development . "Your contribution, no matter the size, will play a crucial role in ensuring that these pillars of American strength continue to inspire and educate for generations to come." Visit our Indiegogo campaign page https://igg.me/at/pillarsofstrength/x/38576943#/ between June 2 and July 4 to learn more and become a part of this critical preservation effort. Donations can be made directly to the museum by visiting the website: https://www.nuclearmuseum.org/support/restore-the-redstone-and-terrier Contact InformationBernadette RobinDirector of Communicationsbrobin@ nuclearmuseum.org 505 245-2137Related VideoSOURCE: National Museum of Nuclear Science & History Zach Jaworski Reporting intern Follow Zach Jaworski 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 BRUTUS Its been 200 years this October since the Erie Canal was completed, which brought with it swathes of economic growth for the dozens of New York state towns that line it. Now, former canal towns like Brutus are trying to tap into the historic waterway's economic benefits once again, but this time in a new way tourism. Sunday marked the inaugural Erie Canal Festival at Centerport Aqueduct Park on Route 31 in Brutus, an event Town Supervisor James Hotaling told The Citizen was designed to welcome visitors. I had the idea that the town of Brutus needs to develop a really good festival to get people involved in the community, he said. I think that as it develops, theres opportunities for economic development, especially with small businesses. More than 250 people came to Aqueduct Park, despite windy conditions and bouts of rain, for live music, local vendors, a youth road race and historical presentations next to where the canal once ran. Its an opportunity According to the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, the canal generates more than $1.3 billion in tourist revenue annually. Hotaling said he gets the sense the town doesnt want big business, and instead hopes to direct a slice of that tourism revenue into small businesses in town. I think its key to allow our town to expand beyond what it is, Hotaling said. Its an opportunity there that someones got to grab on to and say, 'Lets make it happen. The town of Brutus was able to obtain a $3,000 grant from the New York State Canal Corporation to help put on the event, which Hotaling said went toward advertising. Hotaling believes Brutus is lucky to have such a storied history, and believes that while it may take time to get the word out, it will eventually help the town expand. In terms of economic development, Im not looking to get a big factory here, Hotaling added. "Were trying to draw people who are on vacation and through tourism they can come in and see things, maybe attend the festival, and maybe itll become a two-day deal. This year's festival kicked off with the Weedsport Elementary Schools annual fun run, which alternates yearly between boys and girls this time around, it was the girls' turn. A group of fiddlers and several musical solo acts performed throughout the day on a stage placed front and center in the park. Earlier in the day, there was a highly anticipated pie-eating contest, which was won by Weedsport High School junior Joel Lopez. Hotaling said the competition was an attempt to create a tradition for the festival, something he said was inspired by the Jordan Fall Festivals greased pole climb. A lot of people will come not only to listen to the music but see this competition and cheer on the person who they want to win, Hotaling said. It was a lot of fun. Its like a full circle moment When the Erie Canal was at its peak use in the 19th century, businesses sprung up in port towns along the waterway. The festival paid homage to that, with around 10 vendors and booths set up for visitors to peruse. Travis Robbins, who manned Smokey Hollow Maple Syrups booth lined with maple snacks and a coffee drink he calls a Maplechino, said the connection was poetic. Its like a full circle moment when you think about it, he said. "Two hundred years later, here we are selling local products, local goods, essentially right on the Erie Canal. Robbins, who grew up on the canal down the road from Brutus in Camillus, said the festival is a good reminder of the history in Cayuga Countys backyard that he believes people often forget about. I grew up riding my bike up and down it, Robbins said, it's kind of something you almost take for granted every now and then cause it's just always right there. A few stands down from Robbins, Jay Bethel, who spent 31 years repairing sections of the canal as an employee of the New York State Canal Corporation, stood behind a small-scale model of its locks. He used the model to explain the canals function from its expansion into what's there today to the modern lock mechanisms that still use Leonardo Da Vincis 1497 design. The canal really brings people together, Bethel said. "More people are interested in history than youd ever imagine. Bethel also shared his hopes for the next 200 years of the canal, saying New York state needs to keep it open because it helps control the flow of water in and out of the Great Lakes watershed. I hope that its still clean, Bethel said, and of course that its functional. I hope that people can look back Kim Cole, who chaired the committee that organized the festival, said it took a community-wide effort to put together. Cole was quick to praise Weedsport Elementary School and its teachers, whom she said helped organize the childrens fun run and connected with the Lions Club to set up the pie-eating contest. Weve had a lot of help from a lot of people, Cole said. "None of us could have done it alone. Cole noted the committee also tried to book period-accurate attractions, like blacksmiths and mule stables, but they needed to be booked over a year in advance. She was happy with how the event played out, besides the weather, and said she is already thinking of ways to further focus the event on the canal. We want to let people know that they can still utilize the trails along the Erie Canal and that its not over, she said, that theres a future. Hotaling, who worked with Cole in his role as supervisor, said he was pleased with how the inaugural festival went and wants it to become a tradition down the line. I hope that people can look back in 10 years and say, Im impressed, he said. PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-02 23:55:45 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 997 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 /NextSource Materials Inc. (TSX:NEXT)(OTCQB:NSRCF) ("NextSource" or "the Company") announces an update to its Battery Anode Facility (BAF) strategy, withdrawing from its Mauritius option to focus on accelerated, larger-scale opportunities in the Middle East.Since November 2022, NextSource has been working closely with its project stakeholders to establish a world-class BAF in Mauritius. The Company leased a potential BAF site and invested in upgrading existing processes to ensure compliance with local regulations and to minimize any environmental impact. Throughout the extensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review process, the Company continually and promptly met all requests for information.Due to the prolonged and costly nature of the process, along with the remaining risk of post-approval contestation of Minister-approved EIAs, the Company has decided to exercise its option to terminate the lease agreement at the end of May and withdraw its EIA application at no further cost. This strategic decision minimizes financial exposure while leveraging the transportable BAF processing equipment, ensuring cost-efficient redeployment and installation at any suitable new location.The Company is now prioritizing the development of a larger-scale BAF in the Middle East, targeting prospective sites in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. These locations offer streamlined permitting processes, robust infrastructure, and strategic proximity to global EV manufacturers ("OEMs"), enabling the Company to accelerate its timeline and meet growing demand for high-value graphite anode material.NextSource has made steady progress to advance discussions with potential OEMs to secure an offtake agreement, currently under negotiation. These negotiations are centered on meeting the specific requirements of OEMs supported by positive feedback from product qualification trials. The development of larger-scale BAFs aligns with the Company's broader strategy of ensuring a secure and sustainable supply chain of active anode material for global OEM customers.Hanre Rossouw, President and CEO commented,"NextSource continues to progress our commitment to a sustainable and scalable supply chain for battery anode materials. While the decision to terminate our lease in Mauritius has not come lightly, we are excited to pursue larger-scale opportunities in the Middle East, leveraging our expertise and assets to meet global demand more efficiently." A move to the Middle East also aligns with navigating evolving global trade dynamics, including favorable tariff structures in regions like the UAE, which currently faces a 10% US reciprocal tariff compared to markedly higher tariffs on Chinese graphite anode materials.Battery Anode Facilities are value-added processing facilities that are capable of converting smaller size fraction graphite concentrate into a high-value graphite anode product, which is a critical and major component to the battery anode material that is assembled along with cathode material into lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles.About NextSource Materials Inc.NextSource Materials Inc. is a battery materials development company based in Toronto, Canada that is intent on becoming a vertically integrated global supplier of battery materials through the mining and value-added processing of graphite and other minerals.The Company's Molo graphite project in Madagascar is one of the largest known and highest-quality graphite resources globally, and the only one with SuperFlake graphite. The Molo mine has begun production through Phase 1 mine operations.The Company is also developing a significant downstream graphite value-add business through the staged rollout of Battery Anode Facilities capable of large-scale production of coated, spheronized and purified graphite for direct delivery to battery and automotive customers, in a fully transparent and traceable manner.NextSource Materials is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol "NEXT" and on the OTCQB under the symbol "NSRCF".For further information about NextSource, please visit our website at nextsourcematerials.com Investors may contact: Brent Nykoliation, Executive Vice President +1.416.364.4911 brent@ nextsourcematerials.com Cautionary NoteThis press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. Forward looking statements and information are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could", or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements include any statements regarding, among others, the filing of an Updated Feasibility Study and the timing thereof; the completion of offtake agreements and certain other business and operational plans of the Company; the rollout of Battery Anode Facilities including the capabilities, permitting and the timing thereof; and the outlook in Graphite markets. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks, which could cause actual results to vary and, in some instances, to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company and described in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur or, if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive there from. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on what management believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-02 19:50:43 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1085 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 UPPSALA, SE / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 / Senzime (STO:SEZI)(OTCQX:SNZZF) - The shareholders in Senzime AB (publ) corp. reg. no 556565-5734 (the "Company") are hereby to an extraordinary general meeting on 30 June 2025 at 15.00 at the Compnay's premises on Verkstadsgatan 8, house 1, Uppsala.Notice etc.Shareholders who wish to participate in the general meeting must:be registered in the share register kept by Euroclear Sweden AB on Thursday 29 June 2025 (the record date), andnotify his or her intention to attend the general meeting to the Company no later than Thursday 26 June 2025, by e-mail to michaela.larsson@lindahl.se . or by mail to Advokatfirman Lindahl KB, Att: Michaela Larsson, Box 1203, 751 42 Uppsala stating "general meeting".Such notification shall include the shareholder's name, personal identification number or corporate registration number, address and telephone number, number of shares, details on advisors (no more than two), if any, and, where applicable, details of representatives or proxies.Nominee-registered sharesShareholders whose shares are registered in the name of a nominee through a bank or other trustee must, in addition to notify his or her intention to attend the general meeting, register their shares in their own name so that the shareholder is included in the share register kept by Euroclear Sweden on 19 June 205. Such registration may be temporary (so-called voting rights registration) and shall be requested by shareholders in such time and in accordance with the routines that the nominee determines. Voting rights registrations that have been completed by the nominee no later than 24 June 2025 will be considered in the preparation of the share register.ProxyShareholders represented by proxy must submit a dated power of attorney. If the power of attorney is executed by a legal person, a certified copy of the certificate of registration or equivalent must be attached. The power of attorney may not be valid for a period exceeding five years from its issuance. The original power of attorney and certificate of registration should be submitted to the Company by mail at the address mentioned above in due time prior to the general meeting. Alternatively, the original power of attorney and certificate of registration may be brought and presented at the general meeting. The Company provides a power of attorney form at request and on the Company's website, www.senzime.com Number of shares and votesAs of the date of this notice, there are a total of 133,215,046 shares and votes in the Company.Proposed agendaOpening of the general meeting and election of chairman of the general meetingPreparation and approval of the voting listElection of one or two persons to verify the minutesApproval of the agendaDetermination as to whether the meeting has been duly convenedResolution on the approval of the board of directors' resolution on a directed share issueClosing of the general meetingProposals to resolutionsItem 1 - Election of chairman of the general meetingThe nomination committee proposes that Mattias Prage, lawyer at Advokatfirman Lindahl KB, is elected as chairman of the general meeting or, in his absence, the person otherwise appointed by the board of directors.Item 6 - Resolution on the approval of the board of directors' resolution on a directed share issue On 2 June 2025 the board resolved, subject to approval by the general meeting, on a directed share issue on the terms and conditions set out below (in italics). The board proposes that the general meeting approves the board's resolution.Subject to approval by the extraordinary general meeting, the board of directors of Senzime AB (publ), corp. reg. no. 556565-5734 (the "Company") resolves to carry out a directed issue of maximum 700,000 new shares, entailing an increase in the share capital of maximum SEK 87,500.00 kr. The resolution shall further be governed by the following terms and conditions.The right to subscribe for new shares shall, with deviation from the shareholders pre-emption rights, belong only to Adam Dahlberg.The reasons for the deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights regarding tranche 1 of the main issue are set out in Appendix 1. These reasons also apply to this tranche 2.[Excerpt from said appendix: "The reasons for deviating from the shareholders' preferential rights are that the board of directors has assessed that it would not be doable to in a time- and cost-effective manner successfully carry out rights issue on terms favorable to the Company, at the same time as the Company is in need of capital. The board of directors considers it favorable for the Company and the shareholders to take advantage of the opportunity to inject new capital from strong and reputable investors on attractive terms and in a time and cost-effective manner. The board of directors' overall assessment is that the reasons for carrying out the new share issue with deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights overweigh the principal rule that new share issues shall be carried out with preferential rights for existing shareholders, and that a new issue with deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights is therefore in the interest of the Company and its shareholders".The reason why the issue in this Appendix 2 is directed to Adam Dahlberg specifically is that he cannot participate in the main issue/tranche 1 as a result of the so-called Leo rules. As a result, the shares to him are covered by this separate resolution, which will be submitted to the general meeting for approval.Subscription of shares shall be made either by payment or on a subscription list not later than 4 July 2025. The board of directors is entitled to extend the subscription period.Payment for subscribed shares shall be made not later than 4 July 2025 (same date as the subscription). The board of directors is entitled to extend the payment period.The new shares are issued at a price of SEK 4.60 per share. At full subscription, the Company will thus receive SEK 3,220,000 (before issuing costs). The share premium shall be transferred to the unrestricted premium reserve.The subscription price corresponds to the price used at re-transfer to investors pursuant to the resolution for the main issue (tranche 1). The board of director's assessment is that the price is at market terms, since it is based on the market price at the time of the board's resolution.The new shares entitle to dividends for the first time on the first record date for dividend that take place after the issue of new shares has been registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and been recorded in the share register kept by Euroclear Sweden AB.The Managing Director is entitled PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-02 17:15:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 570 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 / Parallel Advisors, LLC, a premier independent wealth management firm, today announced the appointment of two highly respected industry leaders to key executive roles. Tony Parkin has been named Head of Advisors and Gary Bonner joins as Head of Business Analytics & Technology."These appointments represent a significant milestone in our evolution as full-service advisors to our clients and reflect our ongoing investment in client-focused innovation and growth," said C.J. Rendic, CEO of Parallel Advisors. "Tony and Gary bring deep industry expertise and leadership that will accelerate our efforts to scale, innovate, and enhance the experience we offer both clients and advisors. These leaders are aligned with our client-first philosophy and are stepping into roles that are critical to the firm as we continue expanding our footprint and service model." Tony Parkin: Head of AdvisorsTony Parkin joins Parallel following a distinguished 22-year tenure at Schwab Advisor Services, where he played a critical role in helping advisors grow and succeed. He also led Schwab's Strategic Business Development and Consulting teams, supporting some of the industry's largest and most complex advisory firms. At Parallel, Parkin will lead the firm's advisor group, with a goal of enhancing advisor effectiveness, fostering scalable growth strategies, and enabling exceptional client service delivery across the firm."I've spent my entire career focused on empowering advisors to grow, scale, and serve their clients with excellence," said Parkin. "Parallel is deeply committed to building the infrastructure and culture that supports both advisors and clients, so I'm thrilled to join at this exciting moment and to help drive the next chapter of growth and leadership in the RIA space." Gary Bonner: Head of Business Analytics & TechnologyWith over two decades of experience in wealth management, Gary Bonner brings deep operational and technological expertise to Parallel. He most recently served in a consulting capacity at Parallel, helping shape firm-wide systems strategy. Previously, Bonner was Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer at Avalon Advisors, where he helped grow the firm to $9 billion in assets under management. In his new role, Bonner will lead the integration, enhancement, and scalability of the firm's technology platforms to support long-term growth and innovation."I've known C.J. and the Parallel team for over a decade and have always respected the firm's clarity of purpose and strong values," said Bonner. "Parallel already has a tremendous foundation in both technology and operations. I'm excited to help build on that momentum, refining the systems and insights that power our advisors, strengthen our client relationships, and support Parallel's continued growth." Both Parkin and Bonner join Parallel's leadership team. These appointments support Parallel's continued investment in its people, platform, and processes - all core pillars of the firm's strategy to deliver enduring value and sustainable growth.About Parallel AdvisorsParallel Advisors is a registered, independent wealth management firm specializing in active financial planning, solid portfolio construction, and mindful asset allocation designed to help individuals, families, and trusts accomplish their financial goals. Based in San Francisco, and with offices in Dayton, Dallas, Denver, Durango, Durham, Honolulu, Reno, and Scottsdale, Parallel provides innovative, comprehensive solutions for all clients. Parallel Advisors proudly manages more than $9 billion in client assets and offers deep expertise in tax and estate planning and robust investment management.Contact InformationAnnie BoschettiPrincipal & Head of Peopleannie.boschetti@paralleladvisors.com 415.728.9357SOURCE: Parallel Advisors PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-02 01:00:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 788 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States of America. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. Securities laws.TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / June 1, 2025 / Sparta Group ( TSX.V:SAY) (the "Corporation" the "Company", "Sparta Group", "Sparta Capital", " SAY.V" or "Sparta") has announced that it has filed its interim financial statements for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, and the related management's discussion and analysis. The filings can be accessed under the company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca The Alberta Securities Commission, as the principal regulator of the company, issued a failure-to-file cease trade order (FFCTO) against the company under Multilateral Instrument 11-103, Failure-To-File Cease Trade Orders in Multiple Jurisdictions, prohibiting the trading in or the purchasing of any securities of the company by any person or company in Canada, including trades in the company's shares made through the TSX Venture Exchange, except in accordance with the following conditions, for so long as the FFCTO order remains in effect: a beneficial security holder of the company who is not, and was not at the date of the FFCTO, an insider or control person of the company, may sell securities of the company acquired before the date of Feb. 3, 2025, if both of the following apply: (a) the sale is made through a foreign organized regulated market, as defined in Section 1.1 of the universal market integrity rules of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization; and (b) the sale is made through an investment dealer registered in a jurisdiction of Canada in accordance with applicable securities legislation.The company has filed a revocation application to revoke the Failure to File Cease Trade Order. The company will provide further updates as they become available.About SpartaSparta Group (a.k.a. Sparta Capital Ltd.) is a technology-based company focused on integrating emerging technologies. It operates with a decentralized business model, with each active business functioning as a separate subsidiary. Sparta's business entities fall into three different divisions: Environment: ERS International, is a waste management operation with its state-of-the-art, proprietary e-waste processing technologies. ERS is dedicated to continuous innovation, as well as increased sustainability and security for both the company and its customers. It offers a unique carbon credit program and has attracted significant attention from companies that deal with big data and the need to reduce carbon footprint. ERS has operations in Canada, the Middle East and South America. Health: Sparta Health Corporation is a vertical harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Augmented Reality (AR), to develop technologies that enhance personalized patient care and improve treatment outcomes. Transportation: TruckSuite, is a comprehensive suite of products and services designed to keep trucks operational and drivers competitive. TruckSuite management believes their offerings can play a pivotal role in enhancing the logistics and transportation industry.Sparta is a publicly traded company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. under the symbol "SAY" ( TSX.V: SAY). Additional information is available at www.spartagroup.ca or on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca For more information contact:Tony Peticca, PresidentEmail: tony@ spartagroup.ca Telephone: 416-648-6506This above may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. When used in this address, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although the Corporation believes in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information because the Corporation can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date of publication of this information and the Corporation undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Furthermore, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of the Corporation. All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.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 releaseSOURCE: Sparta Capital Ltd. PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-02 14:55:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1019 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 /Tectonic Metals Inc. ("Tectonic" or the "Company") (TSX-V:TECT)(OTCQB:TETOF) today announced the official launch of the 2025 Phase One multi-rig drill program - the largest drill program in history at the Company's flagship Flat Gold Project ("Flat") in southwestern Alaska. Located on 99,840 acres of predominantly Native-owned land belonging to Doyon, Ltd. ("Doyon"), one of Alaska's largest Native Regional Corporations and Tectonic's second-largest shareholder. The Flat Gold Project is emerging as a tier-one, free-milling and heap leachable gold mining opportunity near one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in the world, the Donlin Gold Project. The Company also announces the grant of stock options to key Tectonic team members.Tony Reda, Co-Founder, President & CEO of Tectonic Metals, commented: "We are entering the most transformative phase yet at Flat. With two rigs on site and a third en route, our 2025 Phase One drill campaign is laser-focused on delivering maximum value per metre drilled - through discovery, strategic de-risking and setting the stage for an economic mining opportunity at Flat.Our primary focus is Alpha Bowl - a high-grade, near-surface oxide discovery that is not only open in all directions but directly linked to over 650,000 ounces of historic placer gold production. 1 This is our strongest indication yet that we are drilling into the heart of a fertile gold system. From there, we advance to Golden Apex, our highest-priority untested intrusion target. If we unlock additional metres, we have our sights set on other district-scale intrusion targets that may see their first-ever drill holes.What sets Flat apart isn't just its scale or geology, but its early, credible demonstration of multiple mineral processing pathways - including heap leaching and the rare, highly coveted potential for run-of-mine processing. With that endgame in mind, we are reverse engineering what a future mine at Flat could look like, which is why we are collecting two-inch crush material for additional heap leach column testing while at the same time targeting higher-grade corridors that could underpin high-margin starter pits.I would like to emphasize that Phase One is just the beginning. As Flat continues to reveal its tier-one scale potential, we anticipate ongoing drilling in the months and years ahead. The project is rich with untapped targets, and we have a clear roadmap for continuous growth." Peter Kleespies, Vice President of Exploration, commented:"Last season's Alpha Bowl discovery not only confirmed near-surface, high-grade oxide gold mineralization but also validated our RIRGS exploration model - specifically the association between low magnetic susceptibility zones, productive intrusion phases and hornfelsing, and proximity to gold-rich placer drainages as key indicators of blind, intrusion-related gold systems. The 2025 Phase One program is designed to build on that success. At Alpha Bowl, our drilling will focus on expanding mineralization along strike and at depth, targeting structurally controlled feeder zones and refining our geological model using oriented core and alteration mapping. Concurrently, we will apply the same integrated approach - relational geochemistry, 3D magnetic inversion, and structural reinterpretation - to test Golden Apex, our highest-priority undrilled intrusion target. Our 2025 program will directly test for this intrusion with the objective of advancing Golden Apex from a compelling target to a new discovery." 2025 Phase One Primary Drill Target: Alpha Bowl - Discovery of the Bedrock Source Beneath One of Alaska's Richest Placer CreeksAlpha Bowl has rapidly evolved from a conceptual target into a confirmed high-grade, near-surface oxide gold discovery. Interpreted to represent the higher-grade core of the Chicken Mountain intrusive system and the bedrock source of over 650,000 ounces of historic placer gold from Flat Creek.The 2024 drill campaign marked the first-ever drilling at Alpha Bowl, a 1.5 km x 1.0 km shallow basin located at the northern margin or "nose" of the Chicken Mountain intrusion. Despite a geologically blind setting - overprinted by decades of regolith and placer mining and offering minimal surficial geological context - Tectonic's methodical approach led to a breakthrough discovery, drill hole CMR24-026 returned ( PR March 3, 2025 ):65.53 metres at 1.22 g/t Au, mineralized from surface to end-of-holeIncluding 18.29m at 2.22 g/t AuWith subintervals of 6.10m at 6.01 g/t Au and 1.52m at 21.72 g/t AuA reverse circulation ("RC") split sample from the same hole, subjected to Photon Assay to better account for coarse gold, returned even stronger grades:65.53m at 2.13 g/t AuIncluding 18.29m at 5.93 g/t AuWith 6.10m at 17.41 g/t Au and 1.52m at 67.18 g/t AuThis discovery confirms a high-tenor gold system with early signs of bonanza-grade potential and extends the drilled mineralized strike of the Chicken Mountain intrusion to over 3 km, with mineralization open in all directions and at depth.2025 Alpha Bowl Drill Program ObjectivesThe 2025 campaign will focus on building upon the Alpha Bowl discovery with a series of diamond drill holes up to 300 metres in length supplemented with Reverse Circulation ("RC") drilling to cover the expansive area with key objectives of:Establishing scale, grade and continuity of the Alpha Bowl targetTesting for deeper, structurally controlled feeder zones - potentially the conduits of focused mineralizing fluid pathways responsible for higher-grade mineralization and the exceptional placer endowment in the area.Collecting oriented core data to refine structural interpretations and support vectoring toward high-grade shootsCharacterizing alteration assemblages and veining density to delineate zones of higher gold tenorDefining geological and structural controls within the broader Chicken Mountain system, especially at its northern extensionFigure 1.0: First diamond drill hole of the Phase One drill program at Alpha Bowl.Additional Value Drivers of the Phase One Drill ProgramChicken Mountain - Advancing a Large-Scale, Open-Pit Heap Leachable Reduced Intrusion Related Gold System ("RIRGS")Chicken Mountain is a 6.5 km x 6.0 km monzonite intrusion with over 3 km of drilled strike and mineralization confirmed to 325 metres vertical depth - representing a very small fraction of the entire intrusion. Notably, every creek draining from Chicken Mountain, including Alpha Bowl's Flat Creek, has yielded historical placer gold - evidence of a large, gold-fertile system.Metallurgy De-Risks Development: 96% Gold Recovery Confirms Heap Leach ViabilityTectonic's m Participants from more than 110 countries are gathered today in Hamburg, Germany, for the second edition of the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC). This event aims to foster partnerships for sustainable development and to expedite advancements in the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. According to a statement issued Sunday by the organisers and shared with PREMIUM TIMES, this year, around 1,600 participants from more than 110 countries will convene across 60 sessions to develop concrete solutions to some of the most pressing global challenges. PREMIUM TIMES Editor-in-Chief and Chief Operating Officer, Musikilu Mojeed, received an invitation from the German government to facilitate a high-level panel discussion at the event this year. The HSC is an international forum that convenes distinguished leaders from politics, business, academia, and civil society to develop solutions to the most pressing global challenges of the time. The German Government organises it in partnership with other relevant stakeholders. The annual conference is a joint initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and the Michael Otto Foundation. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later According to the organisers, this years edition of the HSC will centre on three thematic pillars; it will address the urgent need to reshape the global financial architecture, ensuring fairer and more sustainable financing models while alleviating debt burdens associated with climate change and other transnational challenges. The event will also focus on unlocking investment flows to accelerate progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global climate and biodiversity targets, particularly mobilising private sector capital for sustainable projects in emerging and developing economies. Additionally, the conference is expected to explore strategies for ensuring a just transition to a sustainable future, encompassing green urban infrastructure, sustainable mobility solutions, and socially inclusive ecological transformation. Geopolitical tensions The organisers noted that although only eight months have passed since the first edition of the conference, the second HSC will unfold in a markedly different global context. It takes place at a time of profound shifts in international relations, rising geopolitical tensions, and increasing fragmentation, the statement said. It noted that in a survey conducted by UNDP ahead of HSC 2025 among conference participants, approximately 67 per cent of respondents identified geopolitical tensions as the greatest challenge to global cooperation in the year ahead. In this context, the organisers said the HSC sends a clear and deliberate message that sustainable development can only succeed through joint action. The conference was intentionally conceived as a continuous process, with the ambition to generate impact well beyond the conference days. This sustained, the action-oriented approach is essential not only to achieve real-world impact but also for the HSC to truly fulfil its mission: to co-create sustainable development, the statement said. Additionally, the conference organisers explained that this years high-level participation sends a strong signal that the HSC approach resonates widelyeven in times of heightened uncertainty. Period of global uncertainty In his remarks, the German Development Minister, Alabali-Radovan, said the international challenges are greater than ever before, which means that international cooperation must be stronger than ever before. If the Hamburg Sustainability Conference didnt already exist, then now would be the time to invent it. Many of the traditional forums for exchange are currently blocked. The value and the benefit of international cooperation are being questioned worldwide, in some cases quite aggressively, he said. On his part, First Mayor Peter Tschentscher said the HSC has created a forum to promote the practical implementation of the SDGs worldwide. Our city itself pursues a consistent sustainability strategy, is a strong business location and is well connected internationally. Last year, the conference led to many concrete agreements and projects. This should be continued. We are looking forward to the guests, an interesting exchange and new ideas for implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda, Similarly, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner said, We are in a time of uncertainty with rising geopolitical divisions, where development pathways are under pressure because of aid cuts, trade tension, and the debt crisis. What we need now is more cooperation, not less. The official said the conference offers opportunities where they can find those critical touch points to take on big ideas, rebuild trust, advance innovative solutions, and forge meaningful connections across Honorary Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Otto Group, Michael Otto, explained that the enormous potential of the private sector to accelerate progress on the SDGs must be unleashed and that the economy must be transformed from its role as a contributor to the sustainability crisis to a new role as the key solution. At the inaugural edition of the HSC last year, organisers said it delivered important progress with tangible resultsincluding the Hamburg Declaration on the Decarbonisation of Global Shipping, the Hamburg Declaration on Green Aviation, and the first governments joining the Global Battery Alliance. Building on this momentum, HSC 2025 aims to take the next step by advancing significant new initiatives and alliances designed to deliver concrete improvements in key areas. These include the signing of the Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the SDGs as well as the establishment of the Global Alliance against Inequality. Notable dignitaries The German Federal Minister will open the first day of the HSC 2025 for Economic Cooperation and Development, Reem Alabali-Radovan, the First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Peter Tschentscher, and UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, organisers said. It noted that the subsequent opening panel will feature Reem Alabali-Radovan, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany; Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, St. Kitts and Nevis, among others. The second day of the conference(3 June) will be opened by the German Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance, Lars Klingbeil, with a keynote address, followed by a Q&A session. Further notable high-level participants include Michael Otto, Honorary Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Otto Group; Antoine Denoix, Chief Executive Officer, AXA Climate; Gunther Thallinger, Member of the Board of Management for Investment, Management and Sustainability, Allianz SE; Amitabh Behar, Executive Director, Oxfam International; Sania Nishtar, Chief Executive Officer, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; Carolina Pasquali, Executive Director, Greenpeace Brazil; and Elizabeth Wathuti, Climate Activist and Founder of the Green Generation Initiative. The diversity of participants and the cross-sector collaboration between leaders from politics, business, science, and civil societyacross all world regionsreflects the HSCs multidimensional approach and creates the foundation for new alliances and collaborative action. This makes the HSC a platform for real, tangible progress, the statement said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Central Bank of Nigeria and the Office of the Vice President have unveiled a draft of a framework aimed at rebuilding public confidence in the financial system and protecting bank customers across the country. The Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion convened the review of the National Framework on Strengthening Trust for Sustainable Economic and Financial Inclusion on Monday. Officials said the framework is designed to strengthen complaint resolution, reduce fraud, and restore trust in formal financial services, especially for vulnerable Nigerians. The idea behind this whole thing starts with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President, said Nurudeen Abubakar, technical adviser to the president on economic and financial inclusion. We believe that for people to come into the formal financial sector, they have to build confidence and trust in the system. He cited poor digital security, unresolved complaints, and low financial literacy as reasons people avoid banks. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Even 1,000 naira is equivalent to 10 million to another person, he said. So because of that, theres a need for us to ensure that all the instrumentality of government is on board to restore the trust of the last man. Aisha Isa-Olatinwo, director of consumer protection and financial inclusion at the CBN, said banks are required to handle complaints first. If unresolved, the CBN steps in. She added that the bank is working to integrate its customer complaint management solution with industry-wide systems to improve transparency. We will have clear online visibility of complaints and hold financial institutions responsible for not resolving them within the set time, she said. She said the workshop, which brought together multiple regulators, was apt because our coming together today will define how consumers will see better days ahead. Mr Abubakar said with the existing draft framework the current consultations are aimed at ensuring stakeholder buy-in. Todays discussion is to ensure that we cross all the ts and dot all the is, At the end of the day, it will be issued as a national framework. He added that if needed, new legislation would be introduced to back it and the president is ready to do all that is needed to restore confidence in the financial system. Nigeria has recorded significant progress in financial inclusion, with 64 per cent of adults using formal financial services in 2023, up from 54 per cent in 2020, according to the latest data from Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA). The total financially included population including those using informal services rose to 74 per cent, leaving 26 per cent still outside the financial system. But while more Nigerians now have bank accounts or use mobile money platforms, trust in the formal financial sector remains fragile. Incidents of fraud, high transaction fees, and poor customer service continue to discourage broader participation, especially among low-income earners and rural dwellers. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Introduction Africa is one of the most resource-rich continents in the world, holding 30% of the worlds mineral reserves, vast arable land, and abundant energy resources. These natural endowments present tremendous opportunities for economic growth, industrialisation, and improved livelihoods. However, Africas economies have historically relied on raw material exports, missing out on the potential wealth that could be created through value addition, local processing,and industrialisation. This essay explores the opportunities, challenges, and strategic solutions to maximise Africas natural resource potential for sustainable development. Opportunities: Unlocking Africas Resource Wealth 1. Mineral Wealth and Global Demand Africa possesses some of the worlds most sought-after minerals, including gold, diamonds, cobalt, lithium, and uranium. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) alone supplies over 70 per cent of the worlds cobalt, a key component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Other countries, such as South Africa (gold and platinum), Botswana (diamonds), and Guinea (bauxite), are major players in global commodity markets. Demand for Africas minerals is expected to grow with the rise of renewable energy and electric vehicles. 2. Agricultural Potential and Food Security Africa has 60 per cent of the worlds uncultivated arable land, making it a potential global food basket. Countries like Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Sudan have vast agricultural potential but still rely on food imports. With improved investment in mechanised farming and irrigation, Africa can increase local production, create jobs, and enhance food security. 3. Energy Resources for Industrial Growth Africa is rich in oil, gas, hydro, solar, and wind energy. Nigeria, Angola, and Algeria are leading oil producers, while Mozambique and Tanzania have discovered significant natural gas reserves. Additionally, Africas solar and hydroelectric potentialas seen in Egypts Benban Solar Park and Ethiopias Grand Renaissance Damcan support industrialisation and electrification. Challenges: Obstacles to Resource Optimization 1. Over-reliance on Raw Material Exports Many African countries depend heavily on exporting unprocessed resources, leading to low revenue retention and vulnerability to global price fluctuations. For example: Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Nigeria and Angola rely on crude oil exports yet import refined petroleum due to limited local refining capacity. Guinea and Ghana export raw bauxite, missing out on the value of aluminium production. 2. Weak Value Addition and Industrialization Africa lacks sufficient processing industries, meaning raw materials are exported, processed abroad, and re-imported as finished goods at higher prices. This results in: Job losses that could have been created through local manufacturing. Lower economic diversification, making economies heavily dependent on commodity markets. 3. Infrastructure and Energy Deficits Many resource-rich African countries face poor transport networks, unreliable electricity, and inefficient ports, making industrialisation difficult. In countries like DRC and Zambia, power shortages affect mining operations, while bad roads and limited rail networks increase the cost of moving raw materials. 4. Governance and Revenue Mismanagement Corruption, weak policies, and mismanagement of resource wealth have limited the benefits of Africas natural riches. Countries like Nigeria and Angola have struggled with oil revenue transparency, while conflict in mineral-rich regions (e.g., Eastern DRC) has led to instability and illegal mining. Solutions: Strategies for Sustainable Resource Management 1. Industrialization Policies and Local Processing Governments must prioritise policies encouraging local raw material processing before export. Establishing special economic zones (SEZs) and industrial parkssuch as Ethiopias Hawassa Industrial Parkcan boost value-added industries. Investment in oil refineries, mineral processing plants, and agro- processing industries will increase domestic job creation and economic diversification. 2. Regional Trade Integration and AfCFTA The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can help African countries trade processed goods regionally, reducing dependence on global markets. Encouraging intra-African value chains can help mineral-rich countries supply raw materials to industrial hubs within the continent. Building cross-border energy and transport infrastructure, like the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), will enhance regional connectivity. 3. Sustainable Resource Governance and Transparency Strengthening anti-corruption policies and extractive industry regulations will ensure resource wealth benefits the citizens. Botswanas diamond industry is a model for good governance, where diamond revenue is reinvested in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Implementing the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) can promote accountability in resource management. 4. Investing in Renewable Energy for Industrial Growth Solar, wind, and hydro projects can efficiently reduce reliance on fossil fuels and power industries. Countries like Morocco have invested in solar energy through the Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex, supplying clean energy to businesses and homes. Regional Case Studies: Success Stories in Resource Utilization 1. Botswana: A Model for Diamond Resource Management Botswana has successfully leveraged its diamond wealth for national development, unlike many resource-rich nations. The government partners with De Beers through Debswana, ensuring diamond revenues fund education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects. 2. Ethiopia: Agriculture-Led Industrialization Ethiopias government has invested in agro-processing through industrial parks and incentives for local farmers. The Hawassa Industrial Park has boosted exports in textiles and agribusiness, reducing reliance on raw commodity exports. 3. Morocco: Renewable Energy and Industrial Growth Morocco is leading Africas renewable energy drive, investing in solar and wind energy to power its economy. The Noor Solar Complex supplies electricity to local industries, positioning the country as a hub for clean energy-driven industrialisation. Recommendations: A Roadmap for Maximizing Africas Resource Wealth 1. Promote Local Value Addition: Governments should enforce policies that require a percentage of raw materials to be processed locally before export. 2. Enhance Infrastructure Investment: Expanding transport networks, energy grids, and industrial zones will make resource utilisation more efficient. 3. Leverage the AfCFTA for Trade Expansion: Facilitating intra-African trade of processed goods will help reduce dependence on global markets. 4. Strengthen Governance and Revenue Management: Promoting transparency will ensure that natural resource wealth benefits citizens. 5. Encourage Sustainable Practices: Investing in green mining, responsible agriculture, and renewable energy will preserve Africas resources for future generations. Conclusion Africas rich natural resources present a golden opportunity for economic transformation. However, the over-reliance on raw material exports, weak value addition, and governance challenges have hindered long-term benefits. Africa can unlock the full potential of its natural wealth by implementing industrialisation policies, promoting local processing, enhancing regional trade, and ensuring transparent governance. The path forward requires visionary leadership, strategic investments, and strong regional cooperation to turn Africas resource wealth into a foundation for sustainable growth and development. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Mexico has become the first country in the world to elect judges on every court by popular vote. Citizens of the country trooped to the polls on Sunday to elect the nearly 2,600 candidates to replace the judges and magistrates in the country. This makes Mexico one of the few countries in the world to elect their judges instead of appointing them. While some judges are elected in places such as the US and Switzerland, Mexico becomes the first country to elect all its judges, up to the Supreme Court. The election was held amid controversy and confusion among voters, many of whom struggled to understand a polling process which is set to transform the countrys court system. This is part of a reform pushed by former President Andres Obrador and his successor, President Claudia Sheinbaum. The had both argued that the election will root out corruption in a flawed judiciary dominated by an out-of-touch elite. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later President Sheinbaum had said it will allow people to decide who should be a judge. Her party, Morena, also claimed that electing judges would democratise the judiciary, eliminate corruption and nepotism, and improve access to justice. The public isnt stupid. If we trust voters to choose a president, why not judges?,Olivia Bonilla, a candidate for the Supreme Court, said. However, critics warned that could undermine judicial independence and empower organised crime. Before the election, many predicted a low voter turnout. On Sunday night, Mexicos electoral commission announced that only 13 per cent of the countrys 100 million eligible voters turned out to vote. According to an AP News report, this is a sharp decline from the 60 per cent turnout recorded during last years presidential election. While observers warned that the low turnout will eventually raise questions about the credibility of the election, President Sheinbaum has insisted that the voting process was a complete success. Mexico is the most democratic country in the world. Whoever says that there is authoritarianism in Mexico is lying. Mexico is a country that is only becoming more free, just and democratic because that is the will of the people, she said. Mexico now joins Bolivia as one of the only countries in the world to hold nationwide judicial elections. While judicial elections are not unusual, they are not often carried out at the national level to replace federal judges. In countries like the United States and Switzerland , such elections are common at the state level and also for the election of some local judges. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The World Health Organisation (WHO), African Region and the TY Danjuma Foundation have signed a landmark $2.26 million agreement to strengthen Nigerias health system over the next 10 years. The signing ceremony, held on Monday at the United Nations House in Abuja, brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, state officials from Taraba, Enugu, and Edo, members of the diplomatic corps, and development partners. The partnership seeks to improve access to essential health services, particularly in underserved communities, improve outcomes for women and children, build more resilient systems to respond to health crises and to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Speaking during the ceremony, the Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, Chikwe Ihekweazu said the partnership marks a significant milestone in leveraging African philanthropy to tackle the countrys evolving health challenges. Mr Ihekweazu noted that the flexible funding would support the WHO Nigeria Country Offices work plan through December 2034. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later This contribution could not have come at a better time, he said. In spite of the headwinds, we as Africans will lead. We will take up our own challenges and move forward. He added that the long-term funding provided WHO Nigeria with the flexibility to adapt to emerging health needs, improve strategic planning, and strengthen national health systems, especially in primary healthcare and maternal and child health. The initiative aligns with the WHO Investment Round to promote domestic resource mobilisation and sustainable health financing across the continent. In his welcome remarks, WHOs Representative in Nigeria, Walter Mulombo, highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating that it exemplifies a model for locally led collaboration that supports domestic health priorities while enhancing global health security. Mr Mulombo noted that the collaboration comes at a time when countries are being called to increase domestic ownership and resource mobilisation for health. It is an imperative aligned with both Nigerias national health priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals. The partnership aligns with our fourth Country Cooperation Strategy (CCSIV) goals and reflects WHOs core mission: promoting health, keeping the world safe, and serving the vulnerable, he said. He added that collaborating with local philanthropic institutions strengthens country ownership and enhances collective capacity to deliver meaningful impact at the community level. Governments commitment At the ceremony, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, commended the initiative, noting its alignment with the governments PHC revitalisation agenda under President Bola Tinubus Renewed Hope Investment Initiative. Mr Pate, who was represented by the Director Public Health, Godwin Ntadom stated that Nigeria is committed to increasing equitable access to quality PHC services through skilled manpower, infrastructure upgrades, and adequate funding through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. This collaboration will help in adding values to the quality of life at all levels of the healthcare system in Nigeria. The ministry will continue to support the implementation to improve maternal and child health indices which are matters of concern, he said. He also acknowledged the TY Danjuma Foundations role in community health and innovation, noting its alignment with national development goals. The Founder and Chairman of the TY Danjuma Foundation, Theophilus Danjuma, said the foundation is proud to partner with WHO to advance Nigerias health priorities. Mr Danjuma said the initiative will focus on expanding access to integrated health services for women, children, and vulnerable populations in Taraba, Edo, and Enugu States. Founded in 2009, the TY Danjuma Foundation supports local NGOs in delivering impactful community programmes in health and education, he said. Mr Danjuma said the partnership reflects the foundations long-term commitment to sustainable development and health equity in Nigeria. He urged other well-meaning Nigerians, including military veterans, business leaders, and community elders, to step forward and invest in people, not just infrastructure. We cannot wait for external donors to solve local problems. We must act as citizens, not just benefactors, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have killed three suspected bandits in Wase Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State. Samson Zhakom, the media officer of OPSH, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Jos. Mr Zhakom, an army major, who said that the feat followed an intelligence tip, added that the troops also recovered weapons during the operations. Yesterday, troops of OPSH, acting on credible intelligence, conducted offensive operations at a criminal hideout along the fringes of Pinau community in Wase LGA of Plateau. During the operation, troops made contact with criminal elements terrorising the general area, including Pinau Gimbi road. During the exchange of fire, troops overwhelmed the criminals with superior firepower and neutralised three of the suspected bandits Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later While others ran away with wounds from gunshots, troops exploited the general area and recovered one AK-47 rifle and one AK-47 magazine, he said. Mr Zhakom said that the troops had commenced a follow-up operation to intercept the fleeing criminals. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has warned that global health inequalities remains stark, with children born in parts of Africa still 50 times more likely to die before age five than those in wealthier countries. Mr Gates, chair Gates Foundation, made the remarks on Monday during a speech at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, where he reflected on 25 years of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations work on the continent. He said despite decades of progress, most child deaths under five still occur in low-income countries. Mr Gates described this as profoundly unjust, noting that the fight to save young lives remains far from over. While he highlighted the challenges, he also acknowledged the progress Africa has made in reducing child deaths, thanks to decades of partnership, innovation, and investment in primary health care. Looking back on these last 25 years, we have seen incredible progress. The reduction in under-five deaths from just under 10 million to now well under five million is really mind-blowing, Mr Gates said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He said this is more than twice as fast a reduction than in any period in history. Mr Gates attributed this improvement to increased vaccine access, strengthened health systems, and political will across many African countries. Fight against infectious diseases Mr Gates further emphasised the foundations work in fighting HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and polio, diseases that disproportionately affect African children and families. The deaths from HIV peaked soon after the turn of the century, and have now fallen from the peak by 70 per cent again, it was achieved through a partnership in the early years of the foundation, Mr Gates said, citing the role of the Global Fund. He praised Zimbabwe for achieving some of the best rates globally in HIV treatment coverage and viral suppression. Mr Gates admitted that malaria remains a tougher battle, with mosquitoes and parasites evolving resistance to treatments. I believe theres a real possibility over the next 20 years to completely eradicate malaria, and that would be a huge achievement, he said, adding that much of the progress has been powered by innovations tailored for African realities. He said the Foundation supported the development of a $2 rotavirus vaccine that once cost $30. In malaria prevention, he noted that the introduction of $5 dual-insecticide bed nets and smart data tools has made it easier to respond quickly to outbreaks. He also highlighted the near eradication of polio in Nigeria. This effort started in 1988, well before there was a Gates Foundation. It was in 1996 that President Mandela and the organisation that would become the AU launched the kick polio out of Africa campaign, he noted. Tackling Malnutrition Beyond infectious diseases, Mr Gates raised concern about the burden of malnutrition. He said even children who survive may suffer long-term damage from poor nutrition. He also noted that 40 per cent of children in sub-Saharan Africa face major health deficits that impact their development and productivity. Fixing a childs nutrition at age five or six is too late, Mr Gates warned. We must focus on mothers health and the childs first 1,000 days. He emphasised that malnutrition may be an even greater challenge than malaria or HIV, calling for more investment in nutrition solutions and early intervention. Health as a foundation Paulin Basinga, the Gates Foundations Africa director, in his comments, described Mr Gates message as a call to action for African governments and partners to prioritise health in national development plans. Mr Basinga said an investment in health and education unlocks a demographic dividend that fuels growth and innovation. In her remarks, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Selma Haddadi, reaffirmed the AUs commitment to Agenda 2063, stressing the urgent need to strengthen food sovereignty, climate resilience, and health systems across the continent. Ms Haddadi highlighted the importance of youth empowerment through education and innovation and underscored the critical role of women in Africas development journey. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Police Command in Osun, on Monday, confirmed the death of one person during a clash between two rival cult groups at Oke Ola area in Osogbo on Sunday. Abiodun Ojelabi, the commands spokesperson, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo that it took the intervention of the police to quell the upheaval. It was the police team that went to the scene of the incident that restored normalcy in the area. At the moment, we are on the trail of the culprits (the cult members), and they will be made to face the law when arrested, he said. Mr Ojelabi urged residents of the state to always report any breach of the law or suspected criminal activities to the police promptly. He enjoined them to call the Police Control Room and Complaint Response Unit on the numbers: 08039537995/08123823981 and 08035143235/08066286549/08030732461 to make reports. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later NAN learnt that the fracas ensued when some suspected members of a cult group in Osogbo, who were part of a masquerades procession, entered the territory of a rival cult group. An eyewitness said that the clash, which occurred at about 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, snowballed into a gun battle, and one of the cult members was shot in the head and died on the spot. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu assumed office with a promise to reform the education sector. In his Renewed Hope Agenda, candidate Tinubu promised to transform the sector to make education a driver of economic growth and national development. He promised to do this through increased budgetary allocation, expanded access to higher education, and developing a curriculum that suits emerging global best practices and socio-economic realities. Two years into a four-year tenure, the Tinubu administration has had two education ministers, increased the education budget, introduced a student loan scheme, and recorded no nationwide university lecturers strike a rarity in more than a generation. While some stakeholders have hailed Mr Tinubus initiatives and expressed optimism about them, others have said the reforms are anti-poor. There is nothing that could be termed significant in the education sector with respect to the past and present administrations, said Adeola Egbedokun, a former chairperson of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Chapter. Maybe the only difference is the common, consistent insensitivity of the government. The Education sector Tinubu inherited Mr Tinubu inherited a fragile education sector, in which university workers were fuming over the withholding of their salaries by the former administration of Muhammadu Buhari. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In 2022, workers shut down the universities over the governments failure to implement agreements reached with them. While ASUU members downed tools for eight months, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) members were on strike for four months. The Buhari administration adopted a No Work, No Pay policy to withhold the workers salaries during the strike. Meanwhile, the workers foundational grievances, which were the non-implementation and renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, had yet to be met. At the basic education level, the challenges remained dilapidated infrastructure, underfunding, and a dearth of qualified teachers. At the same time, the number of out-of-school children continues to rise, with officials relying on estimated figures for the phenomenon. A Wobbly Start Mr Tinubu tried to hit the ground running with reforms. Less than a month in office, he signed the Access to Higher Education Bill (2023), which provided the legal framework for student loans. He said the law would take off three months later. However, it took 10 months due to multiple postponements that amplified the voices of critics and opponents of student loans. ASUU said a student loan would impoverish Nigerians and take university education out of the reach of the poor due to the introduction of tuition fees and hikes in other fees. The Nigerian government explained that universities would remain tuition-free and that students only pay sundry charges. However, in 2023, almost all Nigerian universities increased their fees, most of them by more than 100 per cent, despite student protests. The increments preceded Mr Tinubus assumption of office. However, his removal of the petrol subsidy and devaluation of the naira worsened the impact. Dissolution of Governing Councils Mr Tinubu also dissolved the governing councils of the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. He failed to reconstitute the councils for almost a year, stirring disputes and stalling administrative activities in some universities. Without a council, substantive heads for various institutions organs could not be appointed, nor could staff recruitment, as the council is the only body granted power by law to conduct these activities. In fact, in some institutions, where the tenure of the vice-chancellors, rectors or provosts ended, the appointment of successors led to controversies and even industrial actions by workers. At the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), the local chapter of ASUU declared an indefinite strike after accusing the university administrators of encroaching on the territory of the governing council. The UniAbuja ASUU accused the administrators of conducting recruitments, promotions, and initiating the process of appointing another vice-chancellor, roles reserved for the university council. The Tinubu administration released a list of the governing councils only after ASUU gave a two-week ultimatum. However, the list was withdrawn after criticism that the then Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, violated the federal character provisions by appointing more persons of Adamawa State origin than other states, like Niger, which had just a few names on the list. Education under Mamman In August 2023, Mr Tinubu appointed Mr Mamman, a professor and former vice-chancellor of an Abuja-based private institution, Baze University, as education minister. He also appointed Yusuf Sununu, a former House of Representatives member, the Minister of State for Education. Mr Mamman angered many Nigerians again when he directed tertiary institutions not to admit students under 18 during the 2024/2025 admission cycle. He gave the directive during a policy meeting between the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the heads of all tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Although he agreed that the institutions could admit candidates from 16 years, he asked that 18 be maintained from 2025. He was also criticised for spearheading the breach of the admission quota by Baze University when he was the vice-chancellor before his ministerial appointment. The violation led to the Council of Legal Education, the regulatory body for law education in Nigeria, banning the university from admitting law students for five years. Alausa in, Mamman Out In October 2024, Mr Tinubu removed Mr Mamman in a cabinet reshuffle and redeployed Mr Sununu to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. The president then redeployed Tunji Alausa as education minister to replace Mr Mamman. Mr Alausa, a medical doctor, was the Minister of State for Health. Mr Tinubu appointed Suwaiba Ahmad, a professor of education, as the Minister of State for Education. On his first day as education minister, Mr Alausa reversed Mr Mammans policy of 18 years as the minimum age for admissions to tertiary institutions. National Education Sector Reform Initiative Mr Alausa immediately launched the National Education Sector Reform Initiative (NESRI) with a six-point plan of promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM) education; reducing the number of out-of-school children in the country, enhancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), advancing Girl-Child Education, Harnessing Data and Digitalisation and Strengthening Quality Assurance Mechanisms. To promote transparency in public tertiary institutions, Mr Alausa mandated that they publish student population data, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), federal allocations, and grants received. A survey by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership earlier this year found that Nigerian universities, both public and private, are not transparent with their finances. The researchers noted that requests made under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act were ignored by all the federal universities surveyed during the research. Status of Out-of-School Children Before President Tinubu assumed office, Nigeria was already grappling with out-of-school children estimated to be up to 20 million, according to UNESCOmore than half of them girls. The situation has persisted for years and is deeply rooted in systemic challenges, including poverty, insecurity, poor infrastructure, and socio-cultural barriers to education, especially in Northern Nigeria. As of May 2024, UNICEF reported the number had risen to 20 million due to economic hardship, displacement due to conflict and the continued inadequacy of public infrastructure. Last year, the Nigerian government said it enrolled two million Almajiri children in Basic and Arabic Literacy Programmes. The then education minister, Mr Mamman, noted that reducing the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria was a primary focus of the Tinubu administration, assuring that before the end of 2024, many more out-of-school children would be brought back to acquire learning and skills. Meanwhile, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) said over 20,000 new schools and 907,769 classrooms were needed to absorb the existing out-of-school population. In response, the government allocated N50 billion in the 2025 budget for Support for out-of-school Children project under the Economic Recovery Growth plan. The minister, Mr Alausa, also said the government would commit to reconstructing 195,000 dilapidated classrooms and constructing an additional 7,000 by 2027. Students Loan Mr Tinubus most important policy in the education sector to date is the student loan scheme. A year after the Nigerian Educational Loan Fund (NELFUND) began receiving applications, it has received over 600,000 applications and approved over 550,000. NELFUND paid the students school fees and offered them a monthly stipend of N20,000. The school fees are disbursed directly to the institutions. The loans are repayable two years after graduation, according to the Access to Higher Education Act. The NELFUND initiative is a good one, said Samson Adeyemi, the Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). Mr Adeyemi said the initiative has created a new direction for students to focus more on their education. He said one cause of student failure is students leaving their campuses to work to meet the financial expectations of their academics. Now, you can concentrate on your studies and apply for NELFUND. Later, when you graduate with a good grade, you can secure a job and repay the loans, he added. He also commended the government and the academic unions for the smooth academic session experienced in the universities in the last two years, noting that students now feel like they can study and graduate from the universities as due. Mr Adeyemi hoped there would be additional initiatives and reforms to improve the system for Nigerian students. Increased spending In 2024 and 2025, the Tinubu administration increased allocations for the education sector. However, this remains below the 15-20 per cent recommendation by the global education agency UNESCO. Mr Tinubu allocated N1.54 trillion, representing 6.39 per cent of the total budget, for the education sector in 2024. However, more than 70 per cent of the budget was for salaries and other overhead expenditures. Less than 25 per cent was for capital projects. This year, the education sector gets 3.52 trillion, representing 7.35 per cent of the N47.90 trillion federal government budget. Meanwhile, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), an intervention agency for tertiary institutions, received N683 billion in disbursements for 2024, more than twice the N320 billion it received in the previous year. This year, the Fund received over N700 billion to disburse to public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. The education minister, Mr Alausa, also said in January that TETFund had been directed not to fund new projects from the 2025 disbursements. He said the 2025 disbursements will be for the rehabilitation of existing facilities in the tertiary institutions. More institutions amidst underfunding Despite the increased spending, Nigerian universities remain underfunded. Yet, Mr Tinubus government has continued to establish more. The administration has established at least 12 tertiary institutions, including eight universities, two polytechnics and two colleges of education. This is even as most public universities struggled to pay their electricity bills last year. The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the University of Benin (UNIBEN) were temporarily disconnected from the electricity grid over failure to pay accrued bills. Though ABU said it spent about N1 billion on electricity bills between January and November 2024, the total overhead cost allocated to it in the 2025 budget was N511 million. Overhead costs cover electricity bills, water and other expenses for the day-to-day running of the university. The administration proposed a N36.7 billion budget for ABU, of which N34 billion is allocated for salaries and wages and N2.1 billion for capital projects. A further review of the budget revealed that UNILAG has N510 million allocated for overhead costs and N502 million for the University of Ibadan (UI). Mr Tinubu proposed a total spending of N27.8 billion for the University of Ibadan, of which N2.1 billion was allocated for capital expenditures. For UNILAG, the president proposed N24.5 billion, of which N2.1 billion was allocated for capital expenditure. Earned Academic Allowance Releases Last month, the government released N50 billion to pay earned academic allowances to academic and non-academic workers. However, some university-based unions have protested both the sharing ratio of the N50 billion and what they termed exclusion in the negotiation process that led to the release of the funds. The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) noted that the disbursement disproportionately favours the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). According to them, 70 per cent of the released funds go to ASUU, while the remaining unionsthe non-academic staffshare the remaining 30 per cent. Non-teaching staff of Nigerian universities are not second-class citizens but are critical stakeholders who contribute immensely to the day-to-day functionality, administrative efficiency, research excellence, technical operations, and overall development of the Nigerian universities system. A harmonious and productive academic environment can only be achieved when all stakeholders are treated with respect, dignity, equity, and fairness, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU and NASU said about the sharing formula. Disputes with university workers remain Despite the smooth academic calendar in the universities in the last two years, a rarity since 1999, the Tinubu administration has yet to fully address the demands of the unions, chief of which is the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement. The failure to meet these demands risks pushing the union into downing tools again. ASUU, SSANU, NASU and NAAT signed separate agreements with the Nigerian government in 2009, which were to be reviewed periodically. However, this has not happened in over a decade, resulting in multiple industrial actions. ASUU has had four renegotiation committees since 2017. The government failed to implement the renegotiated agreements, resulting in industrial actions by the union in 2018, 2020 and 2022. Last October, the then education minister, Mr Mamman, inaugurated the fourth renegotiation efforts led by Yayale Ahmed, the pro-chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Wale Babalakin, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and the then-pro-chancellor of the University of Lagos, led the government-constituted renegotiation team from 2017 until his resignation in 2020. In 2021, Munzali Jibril, an emeritus professor of English and then pro-chancellor for the Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State, took over. With him, the negotiation was relatively smooth as the committee turned in a draft agreement in three months, in May 2021. But the government did not sign or implement the agreement. When the union embarked on another nationwide strike in 2022, the government constituted yet another committee headed by the late Nimi Briggs, an emeritus professor. The Briggs-led committee also renegotiated the 2009 agreement and submitted a draft to the government in June 2022. It was never signed, forcing the 2022 strike action to last until October when an Industrial Court asked the ASUU to suspend the strike after a suit was instituted against the union by the federal government. Just last week, ASUU President Chris Piwuna decried the slow pace of the negotiations, which have stalled since December. According to Mr Piwuna, a professor of medicine, the governments implementation of the agreements has been discouraging. He listed the unmet demands, which include the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, the release of withheld three-and-a-half months salaries, unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments due to the application of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), and the release of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions. ASUU also said the government failed to release funds for the revitalisation of public universities, earned academic allowances and the proliferation of universities. Stakeholders criticise policies Adeola Egbedokun, a former chairperson of ASUU at OAU, Ile-Ife, said the sector has not witnessed significant progress in the last two years. However, he is unhappy that the government continues establishing more tertiary institutions while the existing ones are not properly funded. It is not only unfortunate, but equally unwise to increase numbers when funding is not available for the existing. The government is only trying to create some crisis centres around the country, he said. Francis Nwapa, the national coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), criticised the hike in school fees, describing it as the commercialisation of education. Mr Nwapa said the student loan scheme has only legitimised increasing school fees by the tertiary institutions. He described Mr Tinubus government as a full-fledged capitalist that does not believe in funding education as a social service for Nigerians. If you study the student loan scheme, you find it is to cover the tuition fee. Nigerian students, we were never at any time paying for tuition fees. Tuition was introduced through the back door, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerian stocks appreciated by 2.5 per cent last week, reversing the preceding weeks loss, as increased demand for consumer goods equities drove gains. The main equity index has yielded 8.6 per cent this year, with the consumer goods index leading other sector indexes with a 37.4 per cent yield, while the insurance index is the worst performer. Retail activity may support mid and small-cap stocks temporarily, but institutional follow-through will be limited due to potential participation at the upcoming bond auction. Market may stay within the current range barring any positive catalyst from the macros, analysts at investment bank United Capital said ahead of the week. Investors may portray selective interest in defensive, rotating into consumer staples, telcos, and banks with solid outlooks, they added. Looking forward, profit-taking in a couple of stocks, including those approaching their 52-week high, might be witnessed in the market this week. PREMIUM TIMES has assembled some stocks with sound fundamentals, adopting rigorous approaches to save you the risk of picking equities at random for investment. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The pick, a product of an analytical market watch, offers a guide to entering the market and taking strategic positions in hopes that selected stocks will record reasonable price appreciation with the passage of time. This is not a buy, sell or hold recommendation but a stock investment guide. You may need to involve your financial advisor before taking investment decisions. First HoldCo First HoldCo tops this weeks list for trading significantly below its intrinsic and book value. The price-to-book (PB) ratio of the banking group is 0.4x, while the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio is 1.5x. Its relative strength index (RSI) is 48.1. John Holt John Holt appears on the pick for currently trading below its underlying and book value. The PB ratio of the firm is 0.6x, while the PE ratio is 0.8x. Its RSI is 61.2. Linkage Assurance Linkage Assurance appears on the list for trading below its intrinsic and book value. The insurers PB ratio is 0.5x, while its PE ratio is 3.9x. The RSI is 53. Prestige Assurance Prestige Assurance makes the cut for currently trading well below its underlying and book value. The underwriters PB ratio is 0.7x, while the PE ratio is 4.6x. Its RSI is 49.7. Access Holdings Access Holdings makes the cut for trading below its underlying and book value. The corporations PB ratio is 0.3x, while the PE ratio stands at 1.3x. Its RSI is 54.4. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Enugu State Government says it has moved Ukamaka Okonkwo, the 13-year-old girl rescued from ritual killing, to a facility for therapy and rehabilitation. The Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs, and Social Development in Enugu State, Ngozi Enih, disclosed this to reporters on Sunday. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how Miss Okonkwo was rescued from a sewage pit where a native doctor, Onyeka Obu, had allegedly pushed her into for ritual purposes. The incident happened on Monday at Umumba Ndiagu, a community in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigerias South-east. Apart from the girl, Mr Obu allegedly buried several people in the pit, including a pregnant woman. But they had all died when the girl was rescued last Monday. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The native doctors full name is Levi Onyeka Obieze Obu. He is popularly known as Ozo Ezeani as well as E dey play E dey show. He was arrested, on Wednesday, by personnel of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) at Badagry-Seme Border Area of Lagos while he was fleeing Nigeria over the incident. The NIS authorities later handed him over to the police for prosecution. Rehabilitation and scholarship Mrs Enih said Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State instructed that the girl be moved to a rehabilitation centre because of the trauma she must have passed through. We travelled to Ndiagu Umumba, Ezeagu LGA, today (Sunday) at the governors instance to meet with parents of Ukamaka, and to bring her to Enugu (Urban) where she will undergo the necessary therapy and be fully rehabilitated. You can imagine the level of trauma this young girl must have passed through. So, the government wants to ensure that she bounces back fully in the shortest possible time, she said. The commissioner said the governor has also awarded a scholarship to Miss Okonkwo that would see her through education from her present class to the university. The governor has also graciously awarded a scholarship to her, which is to see her through university education from her current class. This is just a way of reassuring her and her parents that they are not alone and to equally put smiles on their faces, she stated. Government wants to ensure that she fulfils her glorious destiny because she is a destined child. Mrs Enih also said a government delegation visited the parents of another person whose body was recovered from the native doctors sewage pit. The victim, Chimaobi Ezih, had gone missing after being abducted some weeks ago while he was returning from school in the community. The commissioner said the delegation travelled to Agba Umana, a neighbouring community in the council area, to commiserate with the victims parents over his loss. She said that the identity of the pregnant woman also found dead in the native doctors sewage pit was yet to be ascertained. Security operatives on trail of all suspects Mrs Enih assured that the government and security operatives were working to track down all suspects involved in the alleged ritual abductions and murders. That is the only way to appease the spirits and souls of the deceased and to get our society rid of such crimes, she said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the military, foreign embassies, religious groups, government agencies, and private property owners in Abuja to settle outstanding ground rent arrears or face revocation of their land titles. According to a public notice shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, over 3,383 plots of land across the Federal Capital Territory are at risk of losing their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) or Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) due to unpaid ground rent accumulated between 2014 and 2024. The affected properties are primarily in high-profile areas, including Central Area, Garki I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, Wuse I and II, and Guzape. A wide range of ground rent defaulters named The public notice released by the FCTA lists defaulters categorised from A00 to A09. These include key ministries, diplomatic missions, banks, religious organisations, private firms, and prominent individuals. The Nigerian Navy, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Petroleum Resources, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Debt Management Office, Federal High Court, and National Industrial Court are among the government agencies owing ground rent. Liaison offices of states such as Kwara, Benue, Osun, Zamfara, Katsina, Imo, and Enugu are also featured on the list. Foreign embassies include Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Kuwait, Zimbabwe, Canada, India, Ethiopia, Sudan, Mauritania, Indonesia, Venezuela, and North Korea. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In the private sector, defaulters include Huawei Technologies Nigeria Ltd, UACN Property Development Company PLC, First City Monument Bank PLC, Union Bank of Nigeria PLC, Standard Construction Ltd, Baram Nigeria Ltd, and Elbe Pharma Ltd. Religious organisations owing ground rent include the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Abuja National Mosque Council, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Nigeria, and Jamaatu Nasril Islam. Notable individuals on the list include retired military officers and prominent figures such as Gado Nasko, a former FCT Minister; Aisha Alhassan; Mathew Nwagwu; Alexander Okafor; Dominic Oneya; Gladys Ibanga; and Jimoh Oyedele Ibrahim. Real estate and investment firms named are Neo-Vista Property Development Ltd, TRCC Nigeria Ltd, Vibrant Insurance Brokers, Next International Nigeria Ltd, and Abuja Investment & Property Development Company Ltd. FCTAs warning and payment instructions The FCTA reminded allottees that annual ground rent payments are mandatory under the terms of their Rights of Occupancy and Certificates of Occupancy and must be paid in advance starting 1 January each year. All allottees and property owners who have not paid ground rent up to 2024 are hereby given fourteen (14) days from the date of this publication to settle their arrears, the notice stated. Failure to comply will result in revocation or withdrawal of affected land titles. Payments are to be made via the Remita e-payment platform, directed to the account of the FCT Department of Land Administration. Property owners are advised to visit https://remita.net, select Pay TSA & States, then Federal Capital Territory Admin, followed by FCT Department of Land Administration, and finally FCC Ground Rent. Recent enforcement and government response The ultimatum follows recent enforcement actions by the FCTA, which sealed the premises of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat, FIRS, Access Bank, Total Energy, Ibro Hotel, and Mabuda Company Warehouse in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, over unpaid ground rent. FCTAs Director of Land, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, said these properties have reverted to the FCTA and described the exercise as the beginning of reclaiming possession of over 4,794 revoked properties. He noted that the ground rent for the FIRS building on Plot 627, Wuse Zone 5, had been unpaid for 25 years, while the Access Bank building on Plot 2456, Wuse I, had not been paid for 34 years. However, President Bola Tinubu has directed the FCTA to suspend sealing activities on some properties pending further review. Background Since assuming office in August 2023, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has intensified efforts to recover unpaid ground rent and curb multiple land allocations. In March, he approved the revocation of 4,794 land titles due to non-payment of ground rent spanning 10 to 43 years. In September 2023, the minister also revoked the certificates of occupancy of 165 plots owned by individuals and corporate entities that failed to develop their lands. Among those affected were prominent Nigerians, including Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, ex-Minister Udo Udoma, and former SGF Ufot Ekaette. Mr Wike has defended the reforms, stating the priority is public good, even if some wealthy landowners are adversely affected. He pegged the cost of obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy at N5 million, with a four-month payment window. He vowed to end multiple allocations of the same plot to different owners. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The federal government has declared Friday, 6 June, and Monday, 9 June, as public holidays to enable Muslim faithful to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir. This was contained in a statement by the Ministry of Interiors Permanent Secretary Magdalene Ajani, on Monday in Abuja. Mrs Ajani said the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the federal government. Mr Tunji-Ojo called on Muslims to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice and faith exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim and to use the period to pray for a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria. The minister assured Nigerians that the people-oriented reforms and initiatives carried out in furtherance of President Bola Tinubus administrations Renewed Hope Agenda are to restore Nigeria to the path of progress. He further urged Nigerians to join hands with the present administration in its efforts to restore Nigerias glory as a great nation. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print World leaders participating in the ongoing Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC) in Germany have endorsed a new initiative entitled the Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI. This endorsement is part of broader efforts to accelerate the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets by 2030. The move was announced in a statement issued by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Hamburg on Monday. The UN agency described the landmark initiative as the first global declaration focused specifically on Artificial intelligence in international development. At the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC), global leaders from the public sector, business, science, and civil society have jointly endorsed the Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the Sustainable Development Goals, the statement said. It noted that the initiative outlines shared principles and commitments to promote the equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development and deployment of artificial intelligence worldwide, emphasising empowering developing countries. The UN said the declaration centres on ensuring AI technologies uphold human rights, serve and protect marginalised communities, and combat disinformation. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Co-signatories further commit to improving the resource efficiency of AI systems, expanding access to AI education for women and girls, and supporting the growth of local AI innovations in developing countries, the statement said. Earlier, PREMIUM TIMES reported that participants from more than 110 countries gathered today in Hamburg, Germany, for the second edition of the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC). This event aims to foster partnerships for sustainable development and to expedite advancements in the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. According to a statement issued Sunday by the organisers, around 1,600 participants from more than 110 countries will convene across 60 sessions to develop concrete solutions to some of the most pressing global challenges. PREMIUM TIMES Editor-in-Chief and Chief Operating Officer, Musikilu Mojeed, received an invitation from the German government to facilitate a high-level panel discussion at the event this year. The HSC is an international forum that convenes distinguished leaders from politics, business, academia, and civil society to develop solutions to the most pressing global challenges of the time. The German Government organises it in partnership with other relevant stakeholders. The annual conference is a joint initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and the Michael Otto Foundation. According to the organisers, this years edition of the HSC will centre on three thematic pillars; it will address the urgent need to reshape the global financial architecture, ensuring fairer and more sustainable financing models while alleviating debt burdens associated with climate change and other transnational challenges. The event will also focus on unlocking investment flows to accelerate progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global climate and biodiversity targets, particularly mobilising private sector capital for sustainable projects in emerging and developing economies. Additionally, the conference is expected to explore strategies for ensuring a just transition to a sustainable future, encompassing green urban infrastructure, sustainable mobility solutions, and socially inclusive ecological transformation. Addressing global challenges together In his remarks, the UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner said, Artificial Intelligence is one of the most transformative forces of our time, yet its potential remains unrealised for most developing countries. The official explained that the Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for Sustainable Development represents a crucial commitment to harnessing AI responsibly, ensuring it promotes equity, connects communities, and addresses global inequalities. He said the declaration underscores our collective responsibility and that the task now is to ensure AIs extraordinary capabilities drive sustainable development, benefiting everyone, everywhere, equally. On her part, German Development Minister Reem Alabali-Radovan said improving access to fair and sustainable AI worldwide is one of the great challenges of our time. The official explained that too many people remain excluded from the benefits of digital innovation and that the Hamburg Declaration marks a turning point. AI must become a force for good, a driver of inclusion, equality, and sustainable development, she said. From commitment to action On Monday, the UNDP said that the declaration resulted from extensive collaborations that began at HSC 2024. According to the statement, the UNDP, in partnership with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), introduced a set of principles for leveraging AI responsibly for sustainable development. Over the last year, a series of inclusive, multi-stakeholder engagements have further strengthened this shared vision. The result is a rallying call for global collaboration, challenging governments, businesses, and civil society to turn commitment into actionby investing in inclusive and sustainable AI, supporting local innovation, and ensuring no region is excluded from the digital future, the statement said. It said the path forward requires collective effort and that only through coordinated global action can AI be harnessed responsibly to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and create a more equitable digital future for all. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Access Holdings Plc, Nigerias biggest lender by assets, completed a buyout of National Bank of Kenya (NBK), the financial services group announced on Monday, firming up its grip on the East African market, where it already has a substantial presence. The deal, which closed in March, transferred the full ownership of NBK to Access Bank, the groups commercial banking division after regulators in Nigeria and Kenya endorsed the transaction. The financial institution said the acquisition is pivotal to consolidating Access Banks presence in Kenya and the rest of East Africa. Its a strategic play. When you are appraising different markets and where to go, the main thing you are looking at is where the viable markets are and which one of them presents the best opportunities. When you look at Kenya in the context of broader East Africa, it is one of the key hubs with a relatively decent macro profile, David Adu, deal advisor at Meristem Securities, told PREMIUM TIMES. Access Holdings doesnt like to play small. They are looking to consolidate. This is one of the ways to go about it. You acquire different players here and there. Banking is an economy of scale. You get the best when you are as big as possible, he added. KCB Group, a Nairobi-based financial services holding company, owned NBK until the takeover. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Access Holdings, whose assets are currently valued at over N39 trillion, has been on a drive to extend its reach in Kenya after entering the market for the first time in 2020 by way of a KSh1.4 billion purchase of Transnational Bank Kenya. The move to procure an 83.4 per cent shareholding in Sidian Bank from Centum Investment hit a brick wall in early 2023 when both parties disagreed on the variation of some precedent conditions. The banking group expects to leverage Kenya as a key corridor for trade flows in the region as the continent moves to implement the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. Kenya is a hub for regional commerce, and with NBK now part of the Access Bank family, we are well-positioned to leverage our combined strengths to provide high-impact banking solutions to our customers, said Roosevelt Ogbonna, Access Banks managing director. NBKs heritage and local expertise, combined with our pan-African network and innovation-led approach, will position us to connect African businesses to global markets, facilitating economic growth and inclusive prosperity. READ ALSO: Access Bank faces charges over alleged diversion of N826 million Established in 1968, NBK operates 85 branches and reported a 48.8 per cent drop in net profit to KSh275.7 million in the quarter to March, compared to a year ago, according to its latest unaudited financial report. Assets currently total KSh149.6 billion. Access Holdings is hitting the brakes on new deals after several banking acquisitions across Africa in recent years as it seeks to consolidate the buyouts. We are consolidating on our geographic expansion, which means, of course, that our efforts at this point in time are pegging down transactions that are mid-flights, transactions that have been announced and so on. It will probably take another 24 months to finish, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, chair of the directors board, told a meeting of shareholders in Lagos last month. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) eliminated no fewer than 20 armed terrorists and destroyed over 21 motorcycles during an air interdiction operation on May 31 in Zamfara. The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Ehimen Ejodame, in a statement on Monday, said the operation was carried out in the general area south of Mai-Galma in Maru Local Government Area. Mr Ejodame, an air commodore, said the operation was aimed at halting a planned large-scale attack on vulnerable communities by armed bandits. He said that intelligence received indicated that a significant number of terrorists were massing and preparing to strike unsuspecting settlements. According to him, further intelligence confirmed that the bandits had killed some farmers and abducted a number of civilians, including women and children. Consequently, NAF aircraft under Operation FANSAN YAMMA was immediately dispatched on armed reconnaissance and possible rescue mission. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later On arrival at the area, over 30 motorcycles carrying armed terrorists heading into the nearby forest were positively identified. On sighting the aircraft, the terrorists opened fire, prompting a precision engagement that led to the destruction of several motorcycles and the neutralisation of dozens of terrorists. Ground forces were immediately mobilised to exploit the situation. They confirmed the destruction of enemy assets and the neutralisation of over 20 terrorists, he said. Mr Ejodame said that two local vigilantes lost their lives and two others sustained injuries in the course of the operation. He said the NAF deeply regrets the loss of those brave vigilantes, adding that it remains committed to working with local communities to ensure the safety and security of all citizens. According to him, efforts are ongoing to track and rescue the kidnapped villagers who were taken into the adjoining forest. READ ALSO: Nigerian Air Force varsity appoints top officers as professors The NAF reiterates that all its operations are guided by strict rules of engagement, adherence to humanitarian law as well as the NAF Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMRAP), which emphasises the protection of innocent lives even in the face of hostile engagements. As investigations continue, the NAF assures the public that all necessary measures are taken to protect civilians while intensifying pressure on criminal elements threatening peace in the region, he added. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The French embassy in Abuja on Monday shed more light on its 1m euros (N1.8 billion) grant for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria, providing a list of beneficiaries. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 19 CSOs, drawn from 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory, are listed. The grant is to be deployed to drive grassroots development in the country. The donation was announced in Abuja on Friday. Tagged the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society Organisation (FEF-OSC), the initiative is now in its sixth year. Among the CSOs listed are Against All Odds Foundation and Grassroot Researchers Association based in Adamawa; Girl Child Values Support Initiative and Youth and Adolescent Health Initiative and Counselling in Bauchi State. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Also on the list are The Centre for Redefining Alternative Civic Engagement for Africa (RACE Africa) in Benue; Economic and Social Empowerment of Rural Communities (Enugu State); and Empower to Thrive Development Initiative (FCT). Circuit Pointe (Imo), Anti-Sexual Violence Lead Support Initiative (Kaduna State), Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (Kano State), and Protect the Child Foundation (Kogi) are also listed. The list includes HopeSalive Initiative for Africa-HAI and Humanity Family Foundation for Peace and Development (Lagos State); as well as Olive Rights to Health Initiative (Nasarawa State). Also listed are Community Health Initiative for Youth in Nigeria and RippleAfrica Trust Foundation (Niger). The rest are Committed Soul Women Health Advocacy Africa Initiative (Oyo State) and Gender Equality, Peace and Development Centre and Protection Without Borders League (Zamfara). According to Bertrand de Seissan, the political counsellor at the French embassy, the initiative will provide targeted financial and technical support to empower the organisations to tackle pressing challenges. These challenges, he said, include gender inequality, economic vulnerability and community resilience. He said this years edition was conducted through a competitive process aimed at implementing high-impact projects across diverse communities. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Over 2,000 Nigerian intending pilgrims will not participate in the 2025 Hajj due to the failure of the Saudi authorities to reopen the visa portal for registration. The Commissions spokesperson, Fatima Usara, disclosed this in a statement on Monday. Describing the situation as unfortunate, the Commissions spokesperson said it unsuccessfully tried to get the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to consider reopening the visa portal even for an hour. She said that following the portals closure, 2,717 Nigerians would not participate in the holy exercise. From the beginning of Hajj registration to date, NAHCON facilitated extension of deadlines four times, beginning with Hajj fare remittance to visa issuance. Yet, despite several warnings signalling end of visa issuance by 19 April, 2025, with its attendant consequences, some intending pilgrims came late with their Hajj payments. Out of consideration following numerous requests for the Commission to continue accepting Hajj fares, NAHCON formally requested an extension of visa processing, which was graciously approved. However, further access to visa issuance was blocked since May 19, 2025. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The one-month extension from 19th April had provided much-needed relief for some State Pilgrims Welfare Boards that were still accepting late payments as well as Tour Operators who were still finalising travel and accommodation plans for their clients. Hence, the visa suspension affected 2 717 late registration pilgrims from both sides. By the time of visa blockage, 13,217 visas were granted to Tour Operator Companies out of 14,158 registered pilgrims, indicating strong participation from the private Hajj sector, Mrs Usara said. The Commission consoled those affected by the visa closure and urged them to have faith, knowing that Hajj is an answer to Allahs call. She also advised that all intending pilgrims should always plan to avoid disappointments. Read full statement Avoid Unauthorised Engagements: NAHCON Warns Despite concerted efforts to get the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to consider re-opening the visa portal even for an hour, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is saddened that this was not achieved. In the light of the above, NAHCON wishes to console those affected by the visa closure to have faith knowing that Hajj is an answer to Allahs call. However, it is also advised that all intending pilgrims should always plan ahead for their Hajj ahead of deadlines to avoid disappointments. It would be recalled that to rescue Nigerian intending pilgrims from missing the Hajj, NAHCON had to intervene in February by securing Mashair slots for its Hajj coordinators under the public and private sector. From the beginning of Hajj registration to date, NAHCON facilitated extension of deadlines four times; beginning with Hajj fare remittance to visa issuance. Yet, despite several warnings signalling end of visa issuance by 19 April, 2025, with its attendant consequences, some intending pilgrims came late with their Hajj payments. Out of consideration following numerous requests for the Commission to continue accepting Hajj fares, NAHCON formally requested an extension of visa processing, which was graciously approved. However, further access to visa issuance was blocked since May 19, 2025. The one-month extension from 19th April had provided much-needed relief for some State Pilgrims Welfare Boards that were still accepting late payments as well as Tour Operators who were still finalizing travel and accommodation plans for their clients. Hence the visa suspension affected 2, 717 late registration pilgrims from both sides. By the time of visa blockage, 13,217 visas were granted Tour Operator Companies out of 14,158 registered pilgrims, indicating strong participation from the private Hajj sector. Notwithstanding, NAHCON went further within its legal means to accommodate more pilgrims from licensed operators, further boosting the capacity of the operators. Despite these gains, information has reached NAHCON that certain operators are engaging third parties for premium Tent A+ services outside the Commissions prior arrangements. Hence, NAHCON emphasises that it recognises only Rawaf Mina Company as the sole authorised provider for Tent A+ services during the 2025 Hajj. Therefore, NAHCON will not be held responsible for consequences of any arrangements made outside of this recognised channel. Tour operators are therefore strongly urged not to engage in dealings that could compromise the welfare of their pilgrims or violate Saudi regulations. NAHCON is urging all stakeholders to align their operations with officially endorsed guidelines. The Commission continues to engage relevant Saudi authorities to safeguard the interests of Nigerian pilgrims and ensure that both private and public sector operators deliver services that meet international standards. Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director, Information and Publication Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Human rights activist and former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential canidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Monday, threw his weight behind the ongoing strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), even as the industrial action left him and many Nigerians with pending cases in court in Abuja stranded. The national headquarters of JUSUN had directed its members to embark on strike on Monday in protest against the non-implementation of the national minimum wage and other outstanding pays. The PREMIUM TIMES visited four courts in Abuja on Monday to observe compliance with the strike. The courts are the Federal High Court, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. The strike was observed at all the courts except the Supreme Court. Around 8:00 a.m. at the Federal High Court on Monday, people, including lawyers, were standing outside the court premises. The gate was shuttered, and a banner was placed at the entrance with the inscription JUSUN on strike. PREMIUM TIMES observed security officers turning people away from the court. By 10:00 a.m., the place was deserted. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later At the FCT High Court, Maitama, the gates were closed. Security guards were seen in front of the gate turning people back. The security personnel told people loitering around that the court was on strike. Two JUSUN members sat by the gate to ensure compliance with the strike. By 10:00 a.m., lawyers were no longer seen outside the premises. Similarly, the Court of Appeal was also shut. Cars lined up outside the shuttered gate. Five JUSUN officers in customised union shirts gathered at the entrance of the security office. However, the situation was different at the Supreme Court, where normal activities went on Monday. Our reporters observed human and vehicular movements in and out of the court and the nearby National Judicial Council. Lawyers continually entered and exited with boxes of documents. Staff members weere seen attending to tasks throughout the work hours. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Supreme Court and the National Judicial Council had pulled out of the strike barely 24 hours after its commencement. Sowore, others react Mr Sowore, who is standing trial for cybercrime at the Federal High Court, expressed strong support for the strike action even though it stalled his case. Im an accused person standing trial here, he said. But Im fully in support of the strike. Ive always stood for better conditions and fair pay for workers. He decried the severe disparity between the salaries of civil servants and the political elite. Mr Sowore expressed hope that the workers would not call off the strike prematurely. I know my case is time-bound, he said, adding, but I would rather have it delayed than see workers bullied into silence. They must not call it off until the problem is sorted out. He also accused the State Security Service (SSS) of attempting to pressure some judicial workers to return to duty, and he criticised union leaders for failing to stand their ground. Mr Sowore also alleged that greed within the judiciary was part of the problem. The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, a Senior Advocate of Ngieria (SAN), also commented on the development. He urged the government to address the issue promptly. He said he was also supposed to be at the court today, but couldnt go because of the strike.So we dont have to wait for workers to go on strike before the right thing to be done, he said. Similarly, Emmanuel Ameh, a lawyer and founder of Ameh Ameh & Associates, said he was at the court for a fundamental human rights matter, only to realise that JUSUN was on strike. I came to the court to have my rights protected and my interest preserved. I feel saddened by this development because that will mean another adjournment that will affect my wellbeing, he said. He advised the government to look into the matter seriously by improving the welfare of the workers. In another interview, our reporters spoke with Loveth Ngbedi, who expressed her distress over the tight situation caused by the strike. Ms Ngbedi, who visited the Federal High Court, Maitama, to get an affidavit as part of documents needed at an embassy, said, I came to get an affidavit for an embassy; so, now, I am affected. I am supposed to be at the embassy tomorrow with my documents and I need an affidavit for my legalisation. I have paid for an appointment already at the embassy. Ms Ngbedi expressed fear that the strike-induced delay could jeopardise the purpose of the affidavit with financial repercussions. She hoped for the strike to be called off but also lamented the governments custom of allowing situations to deteriorate to the point of a strike before taking necessary action. The system is bad, so they should help us, APC should help us, Tinubu should help us. If you go to the embassies, you will see lots of Nigerians who are leaving, they dont careI dont think any country in the world would want to suffer their citizens like this, she said. JUSUN officials react JUSUN officers, who spoke with our reporters, expressed resolve to enforce the strike directives. The Vice Chairman, JUSUN FCT High Court, Maitama Chapter, Gomina Yakubu, stated, We are not going back until our demand is met, there is no going back. We have given them enough time. In January, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the JUSUN issued a 21-day ultimatum to begin a strike in federal courts and judiciary bodies over the non-implementation of the national minimum wage and other outstanding pay for the workers. Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Yakubu expressed disappointment in the reluctance of the government in meeting their demand. This is the only language they understand. Similarly, the Public Relations Officer, JUSUN, Court of Appeal Chapter, Ramat Zakari, who sat at the gate of the Appeal Court alongside other union members to bar entrance into the court premises affirmed their commitment to complying with the strike. Ms Zakari also disclosed that the next course of action will be determined upon the resolution of a meeting being held by the union. Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES, the Chairman of the JUSUN Supreme Court Chapter, Danladi Ndah, he explained that their noncompliance with the strike was a result of the effort taken by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to ensure that the unions demands are met. We are aware of the effort and commitment by the Chief Justice of Nigeria to ensure that the demands of JUSUN are met. We cannot go because it will amount to effort in futility or suffering in vain. Mr Ndah disclosed that the CJN had invited the Accountant General of the Federation to the Supreme Court to give an update and accelerate efforts to meet the Unions demands. READ ALSO: JUSUN chapters withdraw from planned federal judiciary workers strike He noted that due to its peculiar nature as the nations only Supreme Court, the courts JUSUN chapter deemed it necessary to avert the strike, preventing citizens from being stranded. Mr Ndah expressed hope that the situation would be resolved. Meanwhile, the immediate past chairperson of the JUSUN, Supreme Court chapter, Samuel Okoi, criticised the decision to pull out of the strike. Speaking as a former official of the union, Mr Okoi maintained that solidarity is at the heart of unionism and should be upheld. Unionism is solidarity such that injury for one is an injury for all, he said. Mr Okoi noted that the Supreme Court of Nigeria will suffer the singular decision that they took as far as JUSUN is concerned. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Our problems began when we adopted the gospel of prosperity and the result-based ministry of the American church. This started in the late 80s, 1987, 1988, and 1989, and continued into the 1990s, leading to a full-blown rebellion against discipleship teachings for believers and the raw message of salvation for the unsaved. According to Dr Lutzer, With the loss of the gospel always comes a loss of power. History has shown that often, only a remnant survives, says Erwin Lutzer. Nine years ago, I visited a senior servant of God in Nigeria for an important discussion. Before I delved into the issues that brought me to his office, he interrupted me with an experience he had before my arrival. A branch pastor of one of our popular churches sent him the picture of a ring, a miracle ring. Out of curiosity, he asked this pastor to name his price. Three hundred thousand naira was the final price, no more, no less. As expected, many pastors had purchased this ring, using it to cause damage to tens of thousands of people. The senior pastor, whom I visited, turned down the offer with a strict warning to this pastor, Dont you dare bring this to me again. A few years later, another report came to me that some government officials in Nigeria arrested a group of Indian nationals with bags of talismanic rings. Upon thorough questioning, these men confessed that they had sold at least three thousand pieces of these rings to many pastors across Nigeria, particularly in the South-West. The truth is that the Nigerian church has been significantly contaminated and desecrated by a magnitude of occultism and ritual practices never seen before. This has shut down the move of God far below the standard we had been expecting. Idolatry kills the move of God. Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god (Psalm 16:4) The church of Christ in Nigeria has been infiltrated by agents of darkness, masquerading as pastors, apostles, bishops, and prophets. From the South to the North, from the East to the West, the genuine church of Christ in Nigeria is witnessing the greatest attack since its inception during the revival of the early 19th century. History is replete with the immense sacrifices of many who laboured to birth the current move of God in Nigeria. Men like Pa SG Elton cannot be forgotten in a hurry; his fruits are still evident. Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola shook the South-Western part of Nigeria to its roots with unblemished miracles and apostolic signs. We have also heard of the mighty exploits of Baba Abiye, the man in whose house Apostle Ayo Babalola reportedly died. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Even from the late 1960s to the 1970s and 80s, the Nigerian church experienced a mighty move of God that saw the emergence of patriarchs like the late Prophet TO Obadare, a man who carried an unmistakable unction of the Holy Spirit with exploits that shook Nigeria and even spread to other parts of the world. History cannot forget the late Pa Akindayomi, a patriarch who birthed the RCCG, and who was dedicated to revivals, holiness, and salvation, and the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa, who traveled the world, shaking nations with generational exploits. However, we still have many of the great patriarchs with us, such as Pastor WF Kumuyi, Pastor EA Adeboye, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, Bishop David Oyedepo, and many others. These great men were on fire when they were raised by God in the 1970s. What has happened to this fire today is a question begging for answers. Our problems began when we adopted the gospel of prosperity and the result-based ministry of the American church. This started in the late 80s, 1987, 1988, and 1989, and continued into the 1990s, leading to a full-blown rebellion against discipleship teachings for believers and the raw message of salvation for the unsaved. According to Dr Lutzer, With the loss of the gospel always comes a loss of power. As we speak, the power of God has been significantly diminished in the church because of the loss of the true gospel in many circles across the rank and file of the Nigerian church. The rank and file of the church leadership now consist of those we call very powerful pastors, pastors who have law enforcement officers on their payrolls; pastors who are bigger and larger than Christ and His finished works; pastors whose words are laws and cannot be questioned; and pastors whose results tower above scriptures, regardless of how those results are achieved. The rest, as they say, is history, many of our current leaders have left their first love, if they are still in love with Jesus at all. Years ago, I had an intense argument with an elderly person. According to him, one of our highly respected church leaders had backslidden. I vehemently disagreed with him. He pulled out a tape of a message preached by this servant of God in the mid-1980s. He yelled at me, Listen to this and tell me that this is still the same man thats speaking today? I listened and was dumbfounded the fire had gone down. Money, fame, and influence had dampened the fire. God has raised several people to call our attention to our backslidden state. But many will not listen. Sadly, the consequences of our current backslidden state are now being mostly felt in the quality of Christians we are producing in our churches, so called believers who are not respected in the larger society because they do not share any resemblance with the Christ they profess to know. In politics, governance, business, academia, and the marketplace, we are struggling to convince the world that Christianity is the authentic option. Things are so bad that many of our church members do not know who is greater between their pastors and Christ. These brands of believers are so callous and wicked that they are willing to throw Christ under the bus to defend every teaching, actions, choices, and decisions of their pastors, even when these moves obviously conflict with the dominant values of Christ in their Bibles, if they have ever opened their Bibles at all. Let me make it very clear that there are still several God-fearing pastors and churches in Nigeria, thousands of men and women across the country who are laboring in the word and doctrine. But the atrocities of a portion of the leadership in the church are weakening the influence and the effects of the sacrifices of the faithful pastors and leaders. To the world, there is no distinction, they are all the same. Only in heaven is there a distinction between the tare and the wheat. Above all, a new generation of businessmen, parading themselves as pastors, has risen. Many of them publicly refer to fathers in the land as their mentors and fathers. They, too, have started to produce the third generation of business-oriented pastors. It is a vicious cycle of compromise because every new generation is an improvement on the previous. If you have an iota of love for Jesus, it is time to not just pray, but to acknowledge the truth, prioritise the Bible above all men, and unite in spirit with the remnants of believers and ministers who still hold God and His word as the ultimate truth to defend the gospel. We are already battling with a generation called Gen-Z, which is now rushing out of the church or re-creating its own seeker-sensitive, comedy-based, and pop-oriented church services. To this cohort, it is not about the move of the Spirit it is all about the reign of the flesh. It is an age of anything goes for the youths. No more barriers or standards, they sleep around, make money through any method, and publicly justify their newfound lifestyles using some of the fathers as their moral scapegoats, that is what our pastors, too, are doing. This is neither a judgmental call nor critical hearsay, but a snippet of reality wrapped with the cloak of righteous judgment, Jesus said, Judge with righteous judgment (John 7:24). The remnants must work together, pray together, speak out together, love together, share together, and win souls together. We must contend for our faith! Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 1:3) Ayo Akerele is the senior pastor of Rhema Assembly and the founder of the Voice of the Watchmen Ministries in Ontario, Canada. He can be reached through [email protected] Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Health outcomes in Africa remain one of the worst globally, and climate change continues to worsen the situation. Integrating climate solutions into public health reforms will help improve public health and protect everyones right to health and a safe environment. Africas current public health crisis cannot be separated from the devastating effects of climate change. Poor health outcomes on the continent are often, and rightly so, linked to other issues like funding, infrastructure, and policy issues. However, climate change is becoming an undeniable threat to our fundamental right to health as Africans. The climate crisis imposes additional health burdens on the worlds most vulnerable populations, such as people in low-income communities, women, and children. To protect peoples rights to health, governments and other stakeholders must work to mainstream climate justice and centre human rights and equity in health policy-making. Additionally, governments must prioritise justice in climate mitigation and adaptation strategies at all levels and strengthen climate financing for public health uses. Climate change events adversely affect not just mortality and morbidity rates across the continent but also our health systems and infrastructure. Increasing temperatures, rising sea levels, air pollution, water scarcity, and reduced food production are all climate-related hazards that impact health outcomes and overwhelm already fragile healthcare systems on the continent. A World Health Organization assessment concluded that between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause an additional 250,000 deaths per year, with between US$ 2-4 billion worth of direct damage costs to health by 2030. Climate change represents a significant public health burden to Africans, even though the continent contributes the least to global greenhouse gas emissions. Hence, it has become imperative to focus on climate justice as a critical factor in improving public health in Africa. Climate justice is based on the idea that those who have historically contributed the most to climate change should bear the most responsibility for mitigating its impact. And this must be at the heart of Africas public health reforms. The concept of climate justice has been codified into the legal regime on the environment. Principle 7 of the Rio Declaration introduces the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later This principle acknowledges that every country has a common responsibility to protect the environment. However, countries contributing more to climate change have a greater responsibility to reduce their carbon emissions. These countries must also acknowledge the special needs and interests of developing economies negatively impacted by climate change and make financial contributions towards climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. At the core of climate justice is climate finance. Developed nations pledged in 2009 to mobilise $100 billion annually by 2020. This benchmark was achieved in 2022. However, a good percentage of this funding is non-concessional loans rather than grants. Without the necessary funds, countries most impacted by the climate crisis cannot rebuild and improve their climate resiliency. It is also important to advocate not just for the availability of funds but also for climate finance to be tied to realising public health objectives in Africa. This can take the form of promoting and investing in sustainable practices within the health system such as adopting energy-efficient infrastructure and renewable energy sources and introducing waste reduction protocols within the system that do not compromise quality of care for patients. Also, attaching health welfare initiatives and conditional cash transfers to climate objectives can help promote climate justice at all levels of care particularly at the primary healthcare level. For example, patients can be encouraged to recycle plastic waste in exchange for malaria medications or free consultations at health facilities in their communities. Africas peculiar vulnerability to climate change is tied to underlying socio-economic inequalities. Poverty, political instability, and weak infrastructure make it harder for communities in Africa to recover from climate shocks. Add that to the lasting impact of global inequalities and the continued mindless extraction of natural resources on the continent to fulfill capitalist wants, and it is clear why African communities face greater risks with fewer resources to adapt. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, 17 out of the 20 countries most threatened by climate change are in Africa. Climate justice lies in recognising these inequalities and adopting equitable strategies to reduce their impact. To improve public health, climate adaptation and mitigation strategies must be integrated into health policies. Climate mitigation efforts that impact community resources like land and peoples livelihoods must be implemented with the input of the community, bearing in mind how losses of livelihood and other social injustices can negatively impact health. Health outcomes in Africa remain one of the worst globally, and climate change continues to worsen the situation. Integrating climate solutions into public health reforms will help improve public health and protect everyones right to health and a safe environment. Temitope Boladale is a writing fellow at African Liberty. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sanis relentless efforts to provide a well-rounded, quality education have been evident in the maiden edition of the AGILE Games, where the State clinched eight laurels. A statement issued by the Governors spokesperson, Ibraheem Musa on Monday, disclosed that Kaduna State students came tops in the entire competition which comprised students from Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Ekiti and Borno states. Quoting Maryam Dangaji, the Project Coordinator of Kaduna State AGILE, the statement noted that our students emerged first in five categories and runners up in three. According to the AGILE Coordinator, Kaduna state won eight laurels in total, emerging first over all in the entire competition which is a testament of Governor Uba Sanis diligence and unwavering support. The Coordinator celebrated all the teachers, schools, and students who stayed up late to practice towards perfection, adding that from winners at the state level, to winners at the national level, every student who participated is a champion. According to the statement, Kaduna State came tops in three team events, namely Female Basket Ball, Debate, and Spelling Bee, adding that the state also emerged first in Poetry and Painting. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The Spokesperson also stated that Kaduna State emerged as the first runner-up in Digital Literacy, Essay Writing, Environment, and Entrepreneurship as demonstrated at an award ceremony held at the State House in Abuja. The schools that participated in the competition include Government Girls Secondary School Independence Way, Government Secondary School Unguwan Boro, Government Technical School Malali and Queen Amina College all in Kaduna State. The event which took place on Childrens Day, had Senator Remi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, as Chief Host and the Country Director of World Bank, Taimur Samad as a special guest. The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum together with his Plateau State counterpart, Caleb Mutfwang and that of Taraba State counterpart, Agbu Kefas were also present at the occasion. The Minister of Education, Dr Molorufu Olatunji Alausa and Minister of State Suwaiba Ahmad also graced the occasion in the same vein as the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim. The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Saad Abubakar III and the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli were also present at the event. Similarly, Nana Kashim Shettima, the wife of the Vice President and Mrs Tajudeen Abbas, the wife of the House of Representatives Speaker attended the event. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board has began the distribution of 32kg luggage bags for its pilgrims ahead of departure to Nigeria after the 2025 hajj exercise. The Director-General of the Board, Ahmed Umar Labbo, flagged off the distribution on Monday in Makkah. Mr Labbo said the early distribution of the luggage bags is part of the boards commitment to providing solutions and timely response to issues to avoid congestion and delay in the discharge of official responsibilities. He noted that the 32kg luggage bags each is an addition to 8kg bags earlier given to the pilgrims in Nigeria. The official said all the 930 pilgrims from the state will receive their bags through their local government centres officers between Monday and Tuesday. He also warned pilgrims to always remain under their tents while in Mina as the temperatures at Arafat will be very high this year. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Labbo warned that no pilgrim should leave their tents between 10am and 4pm cautioning them to avoid going to Jabalur -Rahma as it will expose them to sunstroke. He said key arrangements are being made to broadcast the Arafat day Khutbah in pilgrims tents and after sunset, pilgrims should wait in their tents to be conveyed to Muzdalifah in buses. Walking to Muzdalifah is not allowed. The Director-General extend the boards gratitude to the Jigawa State Governor, Umar A Namadi, for his dedication in supporting the pilgrims board in ensuring smooth hajj operation. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police in Ondo State are on the trail of a woman and suspected thugs for masterminding the beating of the Vice Principal (Academics) of the Complete Child Development College, Aule, Akure, Alexander Rotifa. Mr Rotifa was allegedly beaten up for preventing the womans ward from cheating during a WAEC examination. The preliminary investigation conducted by the Director of Schools, Ondo State Ministry of Education, indicated that the incident started on Monday, 26 May, when an Android phone was found with one SS 3 student at the examination hall, an act contrary to the schools rules and regulations. Mr Rotifa reportedly seized the phone from the student. However, on Thursday, the students mother came to the school to fight with the school management. The schools proprietor was said to have ordered that the phone be returned to her, which was done. The investigation report further stated that the students brother, an old student, later came to the school to harass the vice principal and threatened to deal with him. After school hours, the boys were seen loitering in the street, and the proprietor was informed, and he told Mr Rotifa to go to the police station to complain. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He went, and two policemen took him in their van to look for the boys, probably for arrest. They couldnt get them. As they were going back to the station, the boys waylaid the police van, stopped it, brought out Mr Rotifa and beat him up. He was taken to the hospital for treatment. According to the school principal, he has been discharged from the hospital but did not go back to his house for fear of the boys coming back for him. Further investigations and efforts to get the culprit are in progress. Arrangements for the safety of the staff and students of the school for the period of the remaining papers in WASSCE are ongoing, the report said. While confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the state police command, Ayanlade Olayinka, said the police commissioner, Wilfred Afolabi, has ordered immediate deployment of tactical teams and directed all those involved be arrested. He said the commissioner also directed that the operation be taken over by the deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations to forestall further breakdown of law and order and ensure proper coordination. The Commissioner of Police, therefore, urges all law-abiding residents of Ondo State to go about their lawful businesses without fear as the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, are on top of the situation, he added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Ondo State Police Command has arrested one Dorcas Asije and four other accomplices, who assaulted the Vice Principal of Complete Child Development Centre, Akure, Alexander Rotifa. The commands spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this on Monday in Akure, the state capital. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the police were on the trail of a woman and suspected thugs for beating up Mr Rotifa over alleged examination malpractices by the womans ward in the ongoing WAEC examination. The vice principal caught a student with a smartphone during a WAEC exam last Monday and promptly seized the phone. Mr Olayinka said Ms Asije and her accomplices were arrested by a tactical team led by the deputy commissioner of police (operations). Following the assault on the Vice Principal of Complete Child Development Centre, Akure, the Ondo State Police Command has arrested Mrs Dorcas Asije and four other accomplices. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) led a tactical team to ensure their swift arrest. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation. The public is advised to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activity to the nearest police station, he said. Government condemns incident The Administrative Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Akindele Ige, condemned the incident and warned that the state government would not tolerate any form of hooliganism, thuggery, or examination malpractices. He emphasised that using handsets or any other materials that could aid malpractices is prohibited in schools across the state during examinations. The Ministry of Education has commenced an inquiry into the matter and is working with relevant stakeholders to get to the root of the incident, Mr Ige said. He cautioned school children against thuggery, hooliganism, and other vices that could negatively impact their future. Also, he assured that sanctions would be applied where appropriate. There has been a public outcry against the high level of malpractice at the ongoing WAEC examinations across the country. Last week, many centres experienced delays, forcing students to take the exam in the dark. They could only write with lights from their phones and other sources. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print WASHINGTON, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club will be hosting an upcoming event focused on the book How to Save the Amazon: A Journalist's Fatal Quest for Answers. The discussion will explore the intersection of investigative journalism, environmental justice, and press freedom, highlighting the extraordinary and often perilous work of journalists reporting from the frontlines of ecological crises. How to Save the Amazon recounts the story of journalist Dom Phillips and his research partner Bruno Pereira, who were killed in 2022 while documenting the threats to the Amazon and its protectors. At the time of their deaths, the book was unfinished, but a team of journalists and friends including Dom's wife, Alessandra Sampaio worked together to complete the volume. Three years later, it is a finished product that sheds light on the critical role of journalism in exposing environmental destruction and government inaction. It also extensively covers the relationship between the Amazon and indigenous populations of Brazil and sheds light on how much can be learned about this region of the world from the people who have lived in it and protected it. The panel will take place on Wednesday, June 11, at 6:00pm at the National Press Club. It will feature Sampaio, The Intercept's Andrew Fishman, and others, who will discuss the journey to finish the book, the impact it has had so far, and the ongoing threats faced by reporters and other leaders working to protect the Amazon. To reserve your spot, please RSVP at this link . Copies of the book are available for purchase with a ticket online and will also be available for purchase at the event as well. Media Contact: Bill McCarren [email protected] SOURCE National Press Club HONG KONG, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cango Inc. (NYSE: CANG) ("Cango" or the "Company") today announced that the Company's co-founders, Mr. Xiaojun Zhang and Mr. Jiayuan Lin (collectively, the "Founders") and their holding companies (the "Sellers") have entered into a securities purchase agreement (the "Agreement") with Enduring Wealth Capital Limited, a company established in the British Virgin Islands ("EWCL"), pursuant to which the Sellers will sell an aggregate of 10,000,000 Class B ordinary shares of the Company to EWCL for a total purchase price of US$70 million (of which US$15 million will be payable only upon the satisfaction of certain conditions) (the "Resale Transaction"). The Company is a party to the Agreement and agreed to undertake certain corporate actions in connection with the Resale Transaction. As previously announced by the Company, EWCL sent a preliminary non-binding letter of intent (the "Letter of Intent") to the board of directors (the "Board") of the Company on March 14, 2025 proposing a series of transactions and changes at the Company. The Company disposed all of its business in the PRC on May 27, 2025. The Agreement announced today finalized the terms of the remaining transactions and changes contemplated by the Letter of Intent. Pursuant to the Agreement, in connection with the Resale Transaction, the Company will take necessary corporate actions to ensure that the shares of the Company to be acquired by EWCL from the Sellers will continue to be Class B ordinary shares which are entitled to 20 votes per share, and the Founders will voluntarily convert all of the remaining Class B ordinary shares held by them and their holding companies into Class A ordinary shares of the Company with one vote per share. In addition, the Board and management team of the Company will be restructured in such manner as requested by EWCL conditional upon and effective immediately after closing of the Resale Transaction. If the Company's acquisitions of on-rack crypto mining machines with an aggregate hashrate of 18 Exahash per second through issuance of Class A ordinary shares as previously announced by the Company (the "Share-Settled Transactions") are not consummated, EWCL will hold approximately 4.81% of the Company's total outstanding shares and 50.28% of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of the Company, and the Founders collectively will hold 31.63% of the Company's total outstanding shares and 16.52% of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of the Company immediately after the consummation of the transactions and changes contemplated by the Agreement (the "Proposed Transactions"). If the Share-Settled Transactions are consummated pursuant to the on-rack sales and purchase agreement dated November 6, 2024 (the "November 2024 Purchase Agreement"), EWCL will hold approximately 2.83% of the Company's total outstanding shares and 36.81% of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of the Company, and the Founders collectively will hold 18.59% of the Company's total outstanding shares and 12.09% of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of the Company immediately after the consummated of the Proposed Transactions. As announced on April 3, 2025, the Company expects further amendments to the November 2024 Purchase Agreement; therefore, the abovementioned shareholding and voting power percentages after giving effect to the consummation of the Share-Settled Transactions are subject to further changes. The Company's execution of the Agreement was approved by the Company's audit committee and the Board. As contemplated by the Agreement, the Company is required to obtain shareholders' approval of the corporate actions that the Company will need to take to ensure that the shares to be acquired by EWCL from the Sellers will continue to be Class B ordinary shares with 20 votes per share and to perform the Company's other obligations under the Agreement, among others. The Company expects to convene an extraordinary shareholders meeting to seek such shareholders' approval as soon as practicable. Closing of the Proposed Transactions is subject to various closing conditions including, among others, the shareholders' approval mentioned above. There can be no assurance that all the closing conditions will be satisfied or that the Proposed Transactions will be approved or consummated. About Cango Inc. Cango Inc. (NYSE: CANG) is primarily engaged in the Bitcoin mining business, with operations strategically deployed across North America, the Middle East, South America, and East Africa. The Company entered the crypto asset space in November 2024, driven by advancements in blockchain technology, the growing adoption of digital assets, and its commitment to diversifying its business portfolio. In parallel, Cango continues to operate an online international used car export business through AutoCango.com, making it easier for global customers to access high-quality vehicle inventory from China. For more information, please visit: www.cangoonline.com. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Cango may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Cango's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the completion, amendment or reversal of any transactions entered into, proposed or considered by Cango; Cango's goal and strategies; Cango's expansion plans; Cango's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Cango's expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its solutions and services; Cango's expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with dealers, financial institutions, car buyers and other platform participants; general economic and business conditions; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Cango's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Cango does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. Investor Relations Contact Yihe Liu Cango Inc. Tel: +86 21 3183 5088 ext.5581 Email: [email protected] Helen Wu Piacente Financial Communications Tel: +86 10 6508 0677 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Cango Inc. SHANGHAI, June 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CARsgen Therapeutics Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 2171.HK), a company focused on developing innovative CAR T-cell therapies, announces that the results of the pivotal Phase II clinical trial in China (CT041-ST-01, NCT04581473) investigating satricabtagene autoleucel ("satri-cel", CT041) (a Claudin18.2-specific autologous CAR T-cell product candidate) in patients with Claudin18.2-positive, advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer refractory to at least two prior lines of treatment, have been published in The Lancet and were orally presented at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting. Further details have been posted on the corporate website https://www.carsgen.com. The article in The Lancet was titled "Claudin-18 isoform 2-specific CAR T-cell therapy (satri-cel) versus treatment of physician's choice for previously treated advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer (CT041-ST-01): a randomised, open-label, phase 2 trial". Full article available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(25)00860-8. The oral presentation at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting (Abstract 4003) was titled "Claudin18.2-specific CAR T cells (Satri-cel) versus treatment of physician's choice (TPC) for previously treated advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer (G/GEJC): Primary results from a randomized, open-label, phase II trial (CT041-ST-01)". Professor Lin Shen from Beijing Cancer Hospital, the principal investigator of this study, said, "The CT041-ST-01 trial represents the world's first randomized controlled clinical study of CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumors. In patients with heavily pretreated, advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer who have extremely limited treatment options and poor prognosis, satri-cel has demonstrated breakthrough efficacy with significant clinical benefits, including much improved progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and tumor response rates. This brings new hope to patients with otherwise medically untreatable conditions. We are further exploring satri-cel's potential in adjuvant settings and as first-line sequential therapies, aiming to intervene earlier in the disease course, extend patients' survival, and ultimately pursue potential cures." Dr. Zonghai Li, Founder, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Scientific Officer of CARsgen Therapeutics, said, "We are honored that the CT041-ST-01 study results were published in The Lanceta premier, global medical journaland presented at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting. The positive result of this randomized controlled trial marks a major milestone in solid tumor CAR-T therapy. These achievements are a testament to the whole research team's years of dedication, and we extend our deepest gratitude to patients and their families for their trust and participation. This year, satri-cel has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation and Priority Review by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the treatment of Claudin18.2-positive advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (G/GEJA) in patients who have failed at least two prior lines of therapy. We plan to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) for satri-cel to the NMPA this month and anticipate its approval as the world's first commercially available CAR-T product for solid tumors, bringing benefits to patients." About Satri-cel Satri-cel is an autologous CAR T-cell product candidate against the protein Claudin18.2 that has the potential to be the first-in-class globally. Satri-cel targets the treatment of Claudin18.2-positive solid tumors with a primary focus on G/GEJA and pancreatic cancer (PC). Initiated trials include investigator-initiated trials (CT041-CG4006, NCT03874897), a confirmatory Phase II clinical trial for advanced G/GEJA in China (CT041-ST-01, NCT04581473), a Phase Ib clinical trial for PC adjuvant therapy in China (CT041-ST-05, NCT05911217), an investigator-initiated trial for satri-cel be used as consolidation treatment following adjuvant therapy in patients with resected G/GEJA (CT041-CG4010, NCT06857786), and a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial for advanced gastric or pancreatic adenocarcinoma in North America (CT041-ST-02, NCT04404595). Satri-cel has been granted Priority Review by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the treatment of Claudin18.2-positive advanced G/GEJA in patients who have failed at least two prior lines of therapy in May 2025. Satri-cel has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the CDE of China's NMPA for the treatment of Claudin18.2-positive advanced G/GEJA in patients who have failed at least two prior lines of therapy in March 2025. Satri-cel was granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designation by U.S. FDA for the treatment of advanced G/GEJA with Claudin18.2-positive tumors in January 2022. Satri-cel received Orphan Drug designation from the U.S. FDA in September 2020 for the treatment of G/GEJA. About CARsgen Therapeutics Holdings Limited CARsgen is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on developing innovative CAR T-cell therapies to address the unmet clinical needs including but not limited to hematologic malignancies, solid tumors and autoimmune diseases. CARsgen has established end-to-end capabilities for CAR T-cell research and development covering target discovery, preclinical research, product clinical development, and commercial-scale production. CARsgen has developed novel in-house technologies and a product pipeline with global rights to address challenges faced by existing CAR T-cell therapies. Efforts include improving safety profile, enhancing the efficacy in treating solid tumors, and reducing treatment costs, etc. CARsgen's mission is to be a global biopharmaceutical leader that provides innovative and differentiated cell therapies for patients worldwide and makes cancer and other diseases curable. Forward-looking Statements All statements in this press release that are not historical fact or that do not relate to present facts or current conditions are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements express the Group's current views, projections, beliefs and expectations with respect to future events as of the date of this press release. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and factors beyond the Group's control. As a result, they are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and actual events or results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements and the forward-looking events discussed in this press release might not occur. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those detailed under the heading "Principal Risks and Uncertainties" in our most recent annual report and interim report and other announcements and reports made available on our corporate website, https://www.carsgen.com. No representation or warranty is given as to the achievement or reasonableness of, and no reliance should be placed on, any projections, targets, estimates or forecasts contained in this press release. Contact CARsgen For more information, please visit https://www.carsgen.com/ SOURCE CARsgen Therapeutics Kick off summer and enjoy a free serving of The Original Soft Serve ATLANTA, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Carvel is kicking off the summer season like never before with the first-ever soft serve dispensing billboard, because when temps rise, only The Original Soft Serve will do. On Wednesday, June 18 in New York City's West Village, Carvel is serving up sweet, creamy soft serve straight from a billboard because every New Yorker knows it's not Summer without Carvel! Come by the coolest ad ever at 137 Perry Street from 12:00PM EST to 7:00PM EST to experience the billboard and enjoy a free serving of vanilla soft serve from Carvel while supplies last. Carvel Billboard Rendering - Coolest Ad Ever Carvel has a history of innovation that began in 1934 when the brand's founder, Tom Carvel, had an ice cream truck famously break down in the middle of the blazing New York City summer heat. This is the moment when The Original Soft Serve was invented. Now, Carvel is bringing that same creative and original spirit to launch this one-of-a-kind advertisement to officially kick off the summer season. "For the past 91 years, enjoying Carvel's ice cream treats with friends and family has been a special and memorable part of Summer for our loyal fans and this year is no different," said Jim Salerno, Chief Brand Officer at Carvel. "We look forward to officially kicking off Summer, or what we like to call Ice Cream Season, in a playful way because after all, It's Not Summer Without Carvel." Members of Carvel's Fudgie Fanatics loyalty program can expect special perks in addition to their free serving of The Original Soft Serve at the "It's Not Summer Without Carvel" billboard on June 18, including the perfect topping sprinkles* - and exclusive swag** like t-shirts, Carvel gift cards, and more for the first 50 Fudgie Fanatic attendees. You can sign up to be a member of Fudgie Fanatics before June 18th for free at carvel.com/join-fudgie-fanatics, or on the spot at the billboard and receive a Buy One, Get One Free soft serve sundae reward, a free birthday reward, early access to new flavors and seasonal treats, and exclusive fan-only offers throughout the year (terms and conditions apply). All attendees will have the chance to participate in some sweet giveaways and exciting surprises throughout the day, so make sure to stop by! If you can't make it to NYC on Wednesday, June 18, you can still celebrate Ice Cream Season by visiting Carvel locations nationwide for the kickoff to summer BOGO Wednesday offer. At Carvel, every Wednesday when you purchase a classic soft serve ice cream sundae, you receive another FREE***! This tradition has been offered at Carvel shoppes since 1936 when Tom Carvel invented the concept of "buy one, get one." For more information on Carvel and "It's Not Summer Without Carvel" billboard, please visit carvel.com/summer , or connect with us on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok and X . Carvel is one of the seven iconic brands within the GoTo Foods platform company alongside Auntie Anne's, Cinnabon, Jamba, Moe's Southwest Grill, McAlister's Deli and Schlotzsky's brands. *Free Rainbow Sprinkle Topping Offer Offer valid only on June 18, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM at 137 Perry St, New York, NY 10014, or while supplies last. Free rainbow sprinkle topping available for up to 1,000 verified Fudgie Fanatics members (new or existing) who present either an Activation or Welcome Email and receive a red wristband from staff. Limit one topping per eligible participant. Offer applies only to free soft serve served during the activation. No cash value. Subject to availability and may be modified or canceled at any time. **Swag Pack Giveaway Offer valid only on June 18, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM at 137 Perry St, New York, NY 10014, or while supplies last. Limited to the first 50 verified Fudgie Fanatics members in line at the activation. Membership must be confirmed via Activation or Welcome Email and verified by event staff. One swag pack per verified member. No substitutions, exchanges, or cash equivalents will be provided. Total retail value of swag pack is $36. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice. *** BOGO Wednesday Buy One, Get One Classic Sundae free on Wednesdays in-shoppe only at participating locations, while supplies last. Discount applies to Classic Sundae of equal value (extra toppings excluded). Not valid with any other discounts, coupons, or offers. About Carvel Carvel Ice Cream, founded in 1934, is the United States' first ice cream franchise. It has become one of the most beloved and recognized names in the industry. The company is a leading provider of premium soft ice cream and hand-dipped ice cream products, as well as uniquely shaped ice cream cakes, including its signature Fudgie the Whale and Cookie Puss cakes. As of March 30, 2025, the Atlanta-based Carvel had more than 370 locations in 14 countries. Join Fudgie Fanatics rewards program via SMS for exclusive offers. For more information, visit carvel.com , or connect with us on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok and X . Media Contact [email protected] SOURCE Carvel More than 2,500 people gathered to celebrate at the Lori J. Howell Fetal Family Reunion, an event for children treated by CHOP's world-renowned fetal therapy team PHILADELPHIA, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, over 900 families totaling more than 2,500 guests gathered at the Philadelphia Zoo to celebrate Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's (CHOP) 29th annual reunion for patients and families treated at the Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment (CFDT). Now in its second year as the Lori J. Howell Fetal Family Reunion, the event honors the late Lori J. Howell, a pioneering nurse leader, mentor, and longtime executive director of the CFDT whose vision continues to shape fetal medicine worldwide. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's 29th Annual Fetal Family Reunion "This reunion is a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of our families, and of the deep bonds that connect them to one another and to our team," said N. Scott Adzick, MD , Surgeon-In-Chief at CHOP and Director of the CFDT. "It's incredibly special to witness this community grow stronger each year. It continues to be our favorite annual event, and our team is honored to play a part in the lives of the families who attend." The annual reunion provides a joyful opportunity for families to reconnect with the CHOP clinical teams who helped care for them during their most critical moments. Many of the children in attendance were diagnosed prenatally with serious birth defectssuch as spina bifida , congenital diaphragmatic hernia , or twin-twin transfusion syndrome , among others and underwent either fetal surgery before birth or received highly specialized care immediately after delivery. Now decades strong, the event has grown from a handful of families in 1997 to more than 900 families attending annually, forming a vibrant and supportive global community. This year, attendees traveled from states including Florida, Maine, Illinois and Connecticut. Since opening its doors in 1995, the CFDT at CHOP has become the world's largest and most comprehensive fetal program. More than 32,000 expectant mothers from all 50 states and over 70 countries have turned to the CFDT for hope and options. With more than 2,400 fetal surgeries performed to date, the CFDT has helped transform fetal surgery from a groundbreaking concept into a life-changing reality for families around the globe. Patients and families experience the highest level of care for complex fetal surgeries at CHOP. Our surgical teams specialize in advanced procedures to treat a variety of birth defects, ensuring the best possible outcomes for both mother and baby, providing expert care from prenatal diagnosis to delivery in CHOP's Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit , and beyond. About Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: A non-profit, charitable organization, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals, and pioneering major research initiatives, the hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country. The institution has a well-established history of providing advanced pediatric care close to home through its CHOP Care Network , which includes more than 50 primary care practices, specialty care and surgical centers, urgent care centers, and community hospital alliances throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. CHOP also operates the Middleman Family Pavilion and its dedicated pediatric emergency department in King of Prussia, the Behavioral Health and Crisis Center (including a 24/7 Crisis Response Center) and the Center for Advanced Behavioral Healthcare , a mental health outpatient facility. Its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought Children's Hospital of Philadelphia recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit https://www.chop.edu. Contact: Kaila M. Revello Children's Hospital of Philadelphia 610-457-5916 [email protected] SOURCE Children's Hospital of Philadelphia BCG's Annual Survey of More Than 200 CMOs Reveals That 71% Plan to Invest over $10 Million Annually in GenAI in the Next Three Years One-Third of CMOs Report Improvements in Customer Experience and Content Quality; Fewer Report Efficiency Gains Video Generation, Personalization, and Agentic AI Are Among the Next Wave of CMO Priorities BOSTON, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite economic volatility, 71% of CMOs plan to invest more than $10 million annually in GenAI over the next three years, up from 57% last year. According to a new survey from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), optimism among CMOs about GenAI has climbed each yearfrom 74% in 2023 to 83% in 2025while concerns have declined rapidly. How CMOs Are Scaling GenAI in Turbulent Times, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) While over a third of CMOs report improvements in customer experience, content quality, and volume, thanks to GenAI, fewer CMOs than last year cite efficiency gains from increased productivity and the elimination of manual work. Still, 60% of CMOs expect GenAI to drive revenue gains of 5% or more in their focus areas. These are among the findings of BCG's report, titled How CMOs Are Scaling GenAI in Turbulent Times, released today. The report is based on a survey of 200 CMOs across Asia, Europe, and North America, conducted in April and May 2025. "GenAI is rapidly becoming embedded in the marketing function," said Mark Abraham, a BCG managing director and global leader of the firm's personalization business. "Even in the current turbulent macroeconomic environment, we're seeing CMOs invest in shifting from isolated pilots to scaled GenAI use cases, enhancing personalization and marketing operations." Investment in Content Creation, Personalization, and Agentic AI As CMOs explore new applications, they will prioritize investments in pilot areas such as content creation (particularly immersive media and video), AI-powered personalization, and agentic AI: Video generation emerges as the next frontier in content creation , with 30% of CMOs identifying it as their next focus area. , with 30% of CMOs identifying it as their next focus area. Predictive analytics remains critical for personalization , with CMOs citing product recommendations, outreach timing, and next-best content as areas they have fully scaled. More advanced use cases, such as personalized offers, churn prediction, and audience optimization are the next pilot wave. By scaling personalized offers, leading marketers are generating 3x higher returns than those of mass offers. , with CMOs citing product recommendations, outreach timing, and next-best content as areas they have fully scaled. More advanced use cases, such as personalized offers, churn prediction, and audience optimization are the next pilot wave. By scaling personalized offers, leading marketers are generating 3x higher returns than those of mass offers. AI agents are reshaping marketing workflows, especially for B2B companies. One-third of B2B CMOs and nearly one-quarter of B2C CMOs cited AI agents as a high investment priority. CMOs Deprioritize ROI Measurement, Focus on Talent Development When asked how they are prioritizing funds to enhance the digital customer experience, CMOs ranked the use of GenAI to measure marketing ROI last. Many are relying on previous investments in first-party data collection while underinvesting in the measurement of marketing ROI. In parallel, CMOs are sustaining investment in talent development. With GenAI talent in short supply, many are upskilling their teams with hackathons, AI incubator studios, and hands-on demos instead of relying on external hires. "In conversations with CMOs, it's clear that GenAI has become a core part of how modern marketing teams operate," said Lauren Wiener, a BCG managing director and global lead for the firm's Marketing practice. "What separates the winners is a commitment not just to scaling the technology, but to empowering the people who use it. Those CMOs investing in tools and talent are the ones rewriting the playbook." Download the publication here: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/how-cmos-scaling-gen-ai-in-turbulent-times Media Contact: Eric Gregoire +1 617 850 3783 [email protected] About Boston Consulting Group Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities. BCG was the pioneer in business strategy when it was founded in 1963. Today, we work closely with clients to embrace a transformational approach aimed at benefiting all stakeholdersempowering organizations to grow, build sustainable competitive advantage, and drive positive societal impact. Our diverse, global teams bring deep industry and functional expertise and a range of perspectives that question the status quo and spark change. BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge management consulting, technology and design, and corporate and digital ventures. We work in a uniquely collaborative model across the firm and throughout all levels of the client organization, fueled by the goal of helping our clients thrive and enabling them to make the world a better place. SOURCE Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Rapidly growing industrial engineering firm selects real-time integrated platform to improve project forecasting and new business process DULLES, Va., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Unanet, the leading provider of project-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry today announced that Davies Engineering Group (Davies Engineering), formerly the Cincinnati, Fort Worth, Central Pennsylvania and Indiana offices of ThermalTech Engineering, has updated its software to Unanet AE ERP and CRM. The new integrated solution will enhance forecasting and decision-making, helping the firm improve profitability and project delivery for its industrial and manufacturing customers in regional markets. "As we evolved into Davies Engineering, we needed a system that works with our preferred workflows, not against them. We also needed end-to-end visibility from pipeline to project delivery," said Michael Huntwork, president of Davies Engineering. "Unanet gives us the data-driven insights we need to improve margins, win rates and bidding accuracy." Davies Engineering was founded in 1980 as ThermalTech Engineering and focused on energy auditing, solutions and management solutions for commercial customers for more than 45 years. This year, Davies Engineering evolved from ThermalTech as a dedicated MEP, controls and process engineering firm serving industrial and manufacturing customers at its headquarters in Cincinnati and offices in Fort Worth, Indiana, and Central Pennsylvania. With plans to expand further in the next few years, the company needed a modern, purpose-built ERP and CRM solution to match its growth. Its legacy system demanded excessive manual effort to track budgets, schedule staff and manage project timelines, with data siloes and no integrated way to manage resources. After a thorough review of software options, Davies Engineering chose Unanet AE ERP and CRM for its strategic dashboards that provide visibility into performance by industry, client, and job type, as well as enhanced support for planning around staffing and pipeline management. The platform also delivers deeper insights into backlog, project budgets, and anticipated spend to empower the company to make informed decisions and achieve stronger business outcomes. Unanet's recently released 2025 AEC Inspire Report revealed the top challenges facing AEC firms today are resource management, finance and accounting visibility, project management, and business development. Many firms reported that their current tools lack the business intelligence capabilities needed to effectively address these issues. More than 1,850 architecture, engineering, and construction companies select Unanet ERP and CRM because they have the right mix of functionality and accessibility while also offering the ability to scale and grow seamlessly. To learn more about Unanet CRM and ERP, please visit https://unanet.com/crm-aec and https://unanet.com/erp-for-a-e/erp-for-a-e-overview/. About Unanet Unanet is a leading provider of project-based ERP and CRM solutions purpose-built for government contractors, architecture, engineering, construction, and professional services. More than 4,000 project-driven organizations depend on Unanet to turn their information into actionable insights, drive better decision-making, maintain regulatory compliance, and accelerate business growth. All backed by a people-centered team invested in the success of your projects, people, and financials. For more information, visit www.unanet.com. About Davies Engineering Group Davies Engineering Group, formerly a part of ThermalTech Engineering, has been at the forefront of engineering consultancy since 1980, with a dynamic team of over 200 consulting engineers and support staff. Our expertise spans mechanical, electrical, controls, energy management, and process engineering. Our firm's extensive reach includes four offices located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Texas, positioning us to offer cutting-edge solutions for complex facility, utility, process, and operational challenges. Our team's credentials are a testament to our industry leadership, with more than 30 professional engineers registered in 32 states, complemented by a group of LEED Certified Professionals and Certified Energy Managers. For more information, visit www.daviesengineeringgroup.com. SOURCE Unanet BALTIMORE, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Financial Wholesale , a non-QM division of the leading private lender for real estate investors, Dominion Financial Services , is proud to announce the appointment of William Fisher as Director of Wholesale Sales. Fisher will be responsible for expanding Dominion Financial Wholesale's national presence in the non-QM lending market. Fisher brings over 20 years of senior leadership experience in mortgage lending, with a proven track record of building high-performing sales teams, scaling operations, and launching innovative non-QM and Jumbo loan programs. Before joining Dominion, Fisher served as Executive Vice President of Non-QM at Kind Lending, leading one of the industry's most successful launches of a non-QM TPO business unit. He's also held strategic roles at LoanStream Mortgage, Citadel Servicing (now Acra Lending), and Ark Mortgage. "Will knows this business inside and out," stated Dustin Wells, President of Wholesale at Dominion Financial. "He brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, professionalism, and focused energy to build out a sales organization that we believe can gain market share immediately. We're thrilled to have Will on board." As Director of Wholesale Sales, Fisher will lead the effort to scale the Wholesale Division's national Account Executive footprint, build strategic broker relationships, and deliver elite training programs. He is focused on aligning Dominion Financial Wholesale's product messaging with its expanding non-QM capabilities, ensuring clients receive both unmatched service and results. "This is exactly the kind of opportunity I love, taking a powerful foundation and helping build something extraordinary," said Fisher. "Dominion has a fantastic team, deep roots, and a clear vision. It's the perfect extension of what I've built in the past. I'm excited to bring energy, structure, and competitive spirit to the Wholesale division and help make Dominion Financial Wholesale a household name in non-QM." Fisher also emphasized his commitment to empowering Account Executives and broker partners through experience-based insight and support. "I've been to the top of the mountain in this industry. Now, I get to pass that knowledge on, help individuals hit their goals, strengthen our teams, and grow the company in ways that create long-term success." With plans to grow the team, roll out new products, elevate the brand, and showcase Dominion Financial Wholesale at major industry events in 2025, Fisher's arrival marks a major milestone in Dominion Financial's continued expansion into the wholesale mortgage lending space. About Dominion Financial Wholesale Dominion Financial Wholesale , the non-QM division of Dominion Financial Services , specializes in alternative qualification mortgages, including DSCR, Bank Statement, 1099, WVOE, Profit and Loss, Full Doc, Asset Utilization, Cross-Collateral, and Foreign National programs. Built for brokers, Dominion Financial Wholesale delivers the tools, technology, pricing, and support needed to close more deals. With competitive rates and a DSCR Price-Beat Guarantee, Dominion enables brokers to serve self-employed borrowers, property investors, and clients who don't fit traditional lending criteria. Contact: Brooke Rubright Creative Manager [email protected] DominionFinancialWholesale.com SOURCE Dominion Financial Services Boardwave and McKinsey & Company release analysis that identifies five priority interventions to unlock growth opportunities to scale and retain global software companies LONDON, June 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Europe's software sector has a 'once-in-a-generation' opportunity to lead the next wave of global technology innovation if it can overcome a persistent scale-up barrier. The joint report by Boardwave, the European software leadership network, and McKinsey & Company is to be released today. Titled Europe's Moonshot Moment: Scaling the European Tech Sector, the report - based on 100+ interviews and analysis of some of Europe's most senior technology leaders - calls for a coordinated push to transform the continent's strength in talent, innovation, and capital into enduring, global outcomes. The new research argues that conditions are aligning to create a breakout moment for the region's tech ecosystem. A Scaling Challenge but the Window Is Open The report finds that while Europe has matured as a tech hub with over 280 software companies generating more than 100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR), too many still stall at the 30 million ARR mark. This bottleneck prevents promising companies from becoming global players, but this isn't due to a lack of the right ingredients. Europe has world-class talent, rising early-stage investment, and growing institutional support. What's needed is mobilisation: a collective effort across founders, investors, corporates, and governments to convert momentum into scale. From Fragmented Success to Continental Scale The report identifies five priority interventions to unlock growth: Expand late-stage 'scale-up' funding to help companies leap from 30M to 100M ARR Accelerate repeat founder ecosystems, turning exits into new ventures Boost cross-border mobility of go-to-market talent to scale sales and marketing Ignite enterprise demand for European software through procurement and incentives Strengthen public-private partnerships to de-risk innovation in strategic tech sectors "We're witnessing a real belief in the UK and Europe's ability to build the next generation of global champions. European tech stands at a pivotal moment, armed with talent, capital, and ambition. There's a sense of optimism and urgency across the ecosystem right now and it has everything it needs to succeed, but what's missing is coordinated scale," said Phill Robinson, CEO and co-founder of Boardwave. "Europe's technology landscape is shifting faster than at any point in the last two decades. The analysis in this report shows Europe already holds the essentials to create the world's next generation of software champions: deep talent pools, vibrant founder networks, and a rapidly maturing capital base," commented Ruben Schaubroeck, Senior Partner from McKinsey & Company. "Tectonic shifts such as the rise of generative AI or the re-shoring of strategic supply chains are opening new corridors of opportunity in Europe. The report offers founders, investors, and boards a common map and advice to harness today's tailwinds with urgency and turn Europe's strength into a wave of 1-billion-plus success stories." Europe's Momentum Is Building Several forces are converging to create what the report calls a "moonshot moment": - New technologies like generative AI are lowering barriers to global scale - Policy shifts are opening cross-border pathways, like the proposed "28th regime" - European success stories, such as Mistral, Celonis and Spotify, are inspiring the next wave - Public and private initiatives are expanding capital access and entrepreneurship support One of the most powerful enablers of scale, the report finds, is connection: between founders, talent, capital, and institutions. "We need to act as one innovation ecosystem, not 27 different ones," said Robinson. "That's what makes this Europe's moonshot moment. If we connect and act now, we can lead. And not just in Europe, but globally." About Boardwave Boardwave is Europe's leading network for ambitious software leaders. With over 2,200 members - founders, CEOs, NEDs, and Chairs - we provide the connections, insights, and support to help leaders scale smarter and faster. Our free membership unlocks tailored events, expert-led content, and direct access to top investors, advisors, and industry partners. www.boardwave.org About McKinsey & Company McKinsey is a global management consulting firm committed to helping organisations accelerate sustainable and inclusive growth. They work with clients across the private, public, and social sectors to solve complex problems and create positive change for all their stakeholders. They combine bold strategies and transformative technologies to help organisations innovate more sustainably, achieve lasting gains in performance, and build workforces that will thrive for this generation and the next. www.mckinsey.com This research is independent and reflects the views of the authors. It was not commissioned by any business, government or institution. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2700695/5347621/Boardwave_Logo.jpg SOURCE Boardwave As part of Geberit's growing collection of actuator plates, the Sigma40 gives designers even more flexibility when creating cohesive, high-end bathroom environments. This versatile palette gives designers and homeowners the flexibility to achieve a refined, cohesive look that integrates effortlessly into high-end interiors. "With the Sigma40, we set out to deliver a flush plate that meets the design expectations of modern North American spaces," said Christoph Behling, the lead designer behind the actuator plate. "Its clean geometry, refined materials, high-quality craftsmanship, and precise proportions are all about elevating the everyday experience in a way that feels both timeless and tailored." At just 3/16" [4 millimeters] thin, the Sigma40's ultra-slim profile exemplifies the evolving harmony between design and technology in today's modern spaces. Available in both round and square dual-flush button options, the actuator plate is offered in a thoughtfully curated range of premium finishes, including matte black and white, brushed rose gold and brass, and glass in sleek tones of white, black and grey. To achieve its slim dimensions without compromising durability or ease of use, Geberit's engineering team developed a new snap-on installation mechanism that allows for intuitive handling for plumbers while maintaining structural rigidity. A reinforced, glass-fiber mounting frame ensures the plate performs with strength and stability despite its refined silhouette. This innovation supports Geberit's broader mission to deliver design-forward bathroom solutions backed by reliable, long-lasting performance. Designed for residential and hospitality spaces alike, the Sigma40 offers a seamless user experience and clean architectural lines that meet the needs of today's discerning design community. The Sigma40 is available throughout the U.S., Canada and Virgin Islands through Geberit North America's network of wholesalers and showrooms. To explore the full Sigma40 range and find a showroom near you, visit www.geberitnorthamerica.com About Geberit North America Headquartered in Des Plaines, Illinois, Geberit North America markets concealed systems for wall-hung toilets, vanities and fixtures, flush actuator plates that improve the look of any bathroom by hiding unsightly plumbing hardware, resulting in more usable space, improved hygiene and better accessibility. Geberit North America is a leading provider of innovative plumbing and sanitation solutions and is part of the Geberit Group, a European market leader and global innovator of sanitary technology. Geberit North America is a member of USGBC, NKBA and a proud partner of the EPAs WaterSense program. For additional information, visit www.geberitnorthamerica.com With a rich history spanning 150 years, The Geberit Group is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of sustainability and excellence in the industry. From concealed tank systems to advanced piping technologies, Geberit continues to set the standard for quality and performance in the built environment. The Geberit Group has been recognized for exceptional sustainability management by EcoVadis for four consecutive years. For more information on the Geberit Group, visit http://www.geberit.com. SOURCE Geberit North America NEW YORK, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilco Streambank (www.HilcoStreambank.com), a leading intellectual property advisory firm specializing in intangible asset valuation, advisory, and monetization services, announced that it is seeking offers to acquire CoreSpace, a Dallas, TX-based data center providing multiple services to over 200 customers with a full-time staff of 6 employees, via a private sale of the company's assets, including IP addresses, trademarks and domain names, real estate, and hardware. Non-binding indications of interest are due by June 17, 2025. CoreSpace is a boutique data center offering colocation, public and private cloud, dedicated and virtual servers, SEO, and other services to small and medium enterprise clients. CoreSpace has a loyal customer list of over 200 clients, many of whom have worked with CoreSpace for ten years or more, which generated over $1.3 million in 2024. CoreSpace's top ten customers each billed an average of more than $50,000 in 2024. In addition to 130,000+ ARIN allocated IP addresses, trademarks, and domain names, an entity with the same ownership as CoreSpace owns a 30,000 square foot data center and office facility with prime freeway frontage in Dallas, Texas, of which CoreSpace is the sole occupant. The building is equipped with 1 megawatt of conditioned power, and up to 1.5 megawatts of utility power is backed by an onsite company-owned generator. CoreSpace currently uses less than 30% of its conditioned power infrastructure. The company also owns a large inventory of onsite equipment, infrastructure, critical power and HVAC components, and hardware. Hilco Streambank CEO Gabe Fried commented on this opportunity, "CoreSpace is an operational business with a small but deeply knowledgable team of employees. This is an opportunity for anyone new to or experienced in data center operation to step into a nearly break-even enterprise in a significant and growing tech hub." Fried continued, "A buyer of all the assets not only has 200+ loyal customers it can continue to service, but can leverage the 70% of unused conditioned power to expand its client list with little extra resources needed." A buyer may also have the opportunity to acquire select assets. Click here for more information. Interested parties may contact Hilco Streambank at [email protected] to learn more. Gabe Fried CEO 617.458.9355 Charles Abramson Sr. Account Executive, IPv4 646.651.1954 Stella Silverstein Analyst 646.651.1953 About Hilco Streambank: Hilco Streambank is a market leading advisory firm specializing in intellectual property disposition and valuation. Having completed numerous transactions including sales in publicly reported Chapter 7 and 11 bankruptcy cases, private transactions, and online sales through IPv4.Global, Hilco Streambank has established itself as the premier intermediary in the consumer brand, internet, and telecom communities. Hilco Streambank is part of Northbrook, Illinois based Hilco Global, the world's leading authority on maximizing the value of business assets by delivering valuation, monetization and advisory solutions to an international marketplace. Hilco Global operates more than twenty specialized business units offering services that include asset valuation and appraisal, retail and industrial inventory acquisition and disposition, real estate and strategic capital equity investments. SOURCE Hilco Streambank SINGAPORE, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Humans Mobile Ltd (Singapore), part of Humans Group, an international holding company and owner of Humans ' business in Uzbekistan, has formally initiated arbitration proceedings against the Republic of Uzbekistan before the World Bank's International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes ( ICSID Case No. ARB/25/24 ). The grounds were a violation of the provisions of the bilateral Agreement between the Governments of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Singapore on the Encouragement, and Protection of Investments dated 15 July 2003. Humans Mobile seeks compensation for the damage caused to it by the actions of several state authorities in order to restore justice and the rule of law. "We have always believed and continue to believe in Uzbekistan and its citizens. We sincerely admire the efforts made by the President of the Republic to modernise the economy, digitalize it, and expand entrepreneurial freedoms. "We realise that on the path of transformation, we meet opponents who nullify efforts to create a free market, increase openness and accelerate growth. We are in favour of transforming Uzbekistan with the rule of law, and without arbitrary bureaucracy. "Arbitration is a common tool that allows investors to protect their interests from unfair treatment by the host states. Our position is that the damage caused should be compensated and the proceedings should be a step toward strengthening the principles of fair, predictable regulation and support for entrepreneurship. We believe that Uzbekistan can maintain a strong investment climate, and realize its huge economic potential," Vladimir Dobrynin, CEO and founder Humans Group, said. About Humans Group Humans Group is an international ecosystem of digital services with offices in the USA, Uzbekistan, Poland, Singapore, and Germany. The group includes Humans.uz a super app that integrates fintech services (Humans Pay), mobile communications (Humans Mobile), grocery delivery from bazaars (Humans Yaxshi), and the product marketplace (Humans Market). In the USA, Humans Group also operates Humans.net, an innovative employee search platform. Website: https://humans.uz/en/ SOURCE Humans Mobile Ltd SUPERIOR TOWNSHIP, Mich., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) has announced a donation of $39,500 to Superior Charter Township. This contribution will support the revitalization of the Dixboro Historic School House, a beloved community landmark in Dixboro, Michigan. The announcement was made on Friday, May 30, during the Dixboro Market Day event. Emily Dabish Yahkind, Superior Township Supervisor and John Robb, president, Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) gather in front of the Dixboro Old School House on Friday, May 30, 2025. "We are honored to contribute to the preservation of the Dixboro Historic School House and to support a project that enhances the unique appeal and historic charm of this exceptional community," said John Robb, president, HATCI. "This contribution reflects our ongoing commitment to the local community and our dedication to bettering society through meaningful, local initiatives." A picturesque hamlet within Superior Township and just minutes from Ann Arbor, Dixboro's New England-style charm, historic landmarks and deep-rooted community spirit make it a hidden gem in Southeast Michigan. With this contribution, Hyundai reaffirms its continued efforts to preserve and celebrate the historical and cultural significance of local communities. The Dixboro Historic School House, once a one-room learning center, now serves as a community gathering spacehosting performances, farmers markets and cultural events. This investment will help support critical restoration efforts, including the installation of a bathroom facility to expand usability, reparation and replacement of historic windows and interior cosmetic upgrades to increase functionality for community events and performances. "We are deeply grateful to Hyundai America Technical Center for this generous contribution to the revitalization of the Dixboro Historic School House," said Emily Dabish Yahkind, Superior Township Supervisor. "This project represents our shared commitment to honoring the past while creating a vibrant and welcoming space for future generations. Thanks to Hyundai's support, this treasured community landmark will continue to serve as a hub for connection, culture, and celebration in the heart of Dixboro." Superior Township Superior Charter Township is a dynamic and diverse community in Washtenaw County, Michigan, encompassing approximately 35.56 square miles. With a population of 14,832 as of the 2020 census, the township offers a blend of rural charm and easy access to Downtown Ann Arbor, featuring historic hamlets like Dixboro, expansive agricultural lands, and natural areas such as the Superior Greenway. The township is committed to preserving its rich heritage while fostering sustainable growth and community engagement. Residents benefit from a high quality of life, supported by excellent educational institutions, diverse housing options, and a range of recreational opportunities. Superior Charter Township continues to invest in infrastructure and services that enhance the well-being of its residents and the vitality of the region. Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. As one of Hyundai Motor Group's (HMG) global centers focused on research and development (R&D), Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) was established in 1986 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. HATCI is HMG's design, technology, and engineering division for North America. As HMG solidified its position as the third globally in sales volume, HATCI has grown to include a strong network of engineering disciplines and increased business-focused activities to support North America's Voice of the Customer. HATCI supports new model development for HMG's North American operations and global programs from our dedicated engineering facilities and support staff at affiliate sites located throughout the United States (Alabama, California, Georgia, and Michigan). HATCI's success in satisfying the demands of increasingly sophisticated consumers is a direct result of HMG's commitment to the future of American automotive engineering. SOURCE Hyundai Motor America "We're proud to once again be recognized by J.D. Power as the leading mass-market EV app provider," said Manish Mehrotra, vice president of digital business planning and connected operations at Hyundai Motor North America. "This achievement highlights how MyHyundai with Bluelink continues to redefine the EV experience, offering seamless and intelligent features that put control, convenience, and charge management right at our customers' fingertipswherever they are." The MyHyundai with Bluelink app ranked among the leading mass-market electric vehicle mobile applications in three key categories evaluated by J.D. PowerCustomer Journey, Functional Evaluation, and EV-Specific Controlsdemonstrating Hyundai's commitment to delivering an intuitive, feature-rich, and EV-focused digital experience that supports the needs of today's drivers. Key features include: In-App charging and Plug & Charge capabilities Charge schedule management and alerts Surround-view camera access Phone-as-key functionality Vehicle status and Vehicle health monitoring Building on a strong foundation, Hyundai introduced several app enhancements in 2025 to further elevate convenience and control for EV drivers. Key updates include in-app charging management, allowing users to search, locate, and pay for charging directly within the app and expanded Plug and Charge support across major networks like Tesla Superchargersi, ChargePoint, and EVgo. These enhancements make it easier than ever for Hyundai EV owners to stay charged and connected. About the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. OEM EV App Report Now in its third year, the study measures satisfaction with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) EV mobile apps among vehicle owners. It evaluates over 20 attributes, including app speed, usability, functionality, and reliability. The 2025 study is based on responses from 1,300 EV owners and lessees from January through March 2025. About J.D. Power J.D. Power is a global leader in automotive data and analytics, and provides industry intelligence, consumer insights and advisory solutions to the automotive industry and selected non-automotive industries. J.D. Power leverages its extensive proprietary datasets and software capabilities combined with advanced analytics and artificial intelligence tools to help its clients optimize business performance. J.D. Power was founded in 1968 and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more about the company's business offerings, visit jdpower.com/business. The J.D. Power auto-shopping tool can be found at jdpower.com. 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 recent economic impact report. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com. Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok i DC fast charging stations are provided by independent companies and availability is not guaranteed. SOURCE Hyundai Motor America WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED LOS ANGELES, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The DJS Law Group announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Ibotta, Inc. ("Ibotta" or "the Company") (NYSE: IBTA) for violations of the securities laws. INVESTIGATION DETAILS: The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Ibotta reported its financial reports for the second quarter of 2024 on August 13, 2024. The Company reported a net loss of $34 million caused by a doubling of operating expenses. The Company also provided a third quarter revenue forecast beneath analyst estimates. Based on this news, shares of Ibotta fell sharply on the next day. If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, contact us to participate. WHY DJS LAW GROUP? DJS Law Group's primary focus is to enhance investor return through balanced counseling and aggressive advocacy. We specialize in securities class actions, corporate governance litigation, and domestic/international M&A appraisals. Our clients are some of the largest and most sophisticated hedge funds and alternative asset managers in the world. The litigation claims of our clients are extraordinarily valuable assets that demand respect, focus, and results. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics. CONTACT: David J. Schwartz DJS Law Group 274 White Plains Road, Suite 1 Eastchester, NY 10709 Phone: 914-206-9742 Email: [email protected] SOURCE DJS Law Group LLP FORT WORTH, Texas, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Independent Life Insurance Company, the first and only insurer dedicated exclusively to the structured settlement market, is preparing to launch its most anticipated product to date: iStructure Select. Set to officially debut this summer, iStructure Select represents a bold evolution in plaintiff-focused financial planning. Designed with innovation at its core, this next-generation annuity product redefines what's possible when security, strategy, and market opportunity align. "The launch of iStructure Select is a powerful reflection of our continued commitment to excellence, and putting plaintiffs first," said Don Herrema, CEO of Independent Insurance Group. "We're proud to once again lead the industry forward with a product that reimagines what's possible in structured settlements." Jimmy Atkins, President of Independent Life, says, "It's all in the name The plaintiff, with the plaintiff's advisors right at hand, can select a structure that meets their needs, with no limits on the timing or pattern of payments. Like any fixed structured settlement, and more than most competing indexed offerings, iStructure Select is fully flexible. Once the selections are set, there's no on-going maintenance or decision-making required." While full details remain under wraps, early insights point to a groundbreaking platform engineered to deliver enhanced flexibility, performance potential, and long-term security all within a client-focused framework that supports real-life outcomes. The pre-launch has already sparked interest across legal and financial circles, with early adopters eager to be among the first to gain access. ABOUT INDEPENDENT GROUP Founded by insurance industry experts, Independent Group is a forward-thinking enterprise whose complementary product and service companies improve outcomes for all structured settlement stakeholders. Independent Life, its underwriting division, is dedicated to providing structured settlement solutions, including annuities, to serve the needs of injured parties, their families and advocates. With its unique profile and ambitious vision for the structured settlement industry, Independent Life has attracted world-class partners: LKCM Headwater Investments, KKR's Kilter Finance and Hannover Re USA support Independent Life's growth and guarantees. For more on what makes Independent Life different, visit www.Independent.life. CONTACT: Courtney Barber | Media Contact [email protected] SOURCE Independent Insurance Group LLC WASHINGTON, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Press Club will host four members of an all-party delegation from India for a National Press Club Newsmakers event on Wednesday, June 4 at 3:00 p.m. on Operation Sindoor, regional security and India's diplomatic outreach to the United States. The speakersDr. Shashi Tharoor, Mr. Milind Deora and Mr. Tejasvi Suryarepresent a cross-section of Indian political leadership. They will be joined by former Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Taranjit Singh Sandhu to bring insight into India's foreign policy. This Headliners event is open to credentialed media and National Press Club members. Registration is essential. Register to attend at the following link: https://www.press.org/events/npc-headliners-delegation-india To submit questions in advance for the speaker, put INDIA on the subject line and email to [email protected]. WHAT: National Press Club Headliners Newsmaker Event with Delegation from India WHEN: Wednesday, June 4, at 3:00 p.m. WHERE: Holman Lounge in the National Press Club, 529 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. WHO: Dr. Shashi Tharoor is an author, politician and former international diplomat. A four-term member of Parliament, he represents Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, in the Lok Sabha. A member of the Indian National Congress, he has served as minister of state for external affairs and minister of state for human resource development during the second United Progressive Alliance government. He currently chairs the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs. Tejasvi Surya, elected to the 17th Lok Sabha at 28, represents Bengaluru South in Parliament. Since September 2020, he has also served as national president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha. Milind Murli Deora is a former Union minister and member of Parliament from Mumbai South. He has held key roles in the State Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the State Ministry of Shipping. He also led the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee. Elected to Parliament at 27, he also serves on the dean's advisory board at Boston University's Pardee School. Amb. Taranjit Singh Sandhu is a retired Indian diplomat who was Ambassador of India to the U.S. from February 2020 to January 2024 and High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka from January 2017 to January 2020. PRESS CONTACT: Cecily Scott Martin for the National Press Club; [email protected]; (202) 662-7525 SOURCE National Press Club SHANGHAI, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Manufacturing Digitalization Expo (Shanghai), organized by Digit Events Ltd., will hold its grand opening from 17 to 19 June, 2025, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. World of Digitalization (WOD), a platform dedicated to leveraging digital technology to empower the real economy, is the flagship brand under Digit Events. Join the Manufacturing Digitalization Expo 2025 in Shanghai, June 17-19! As the world's first professional exhibition focusing on the full scenario of manufacturing digitalization, this year's event will bring together over 200 leading enterprises from 10 countries and regions. The expo is expected to attract more than 20,000 professional visitors. Global leading enterprises gather to meet the manufacturing industry needs The expo has attracted participation from intelligent manufacturing companies such as Siemens, Rockwell Automation, HollySys, INSPUR, Shanghai Electric, FANUC, FESTO, HEXAGON, Dassault Systems, ZWSOFT etc. This has resulted in a comprehensive digital solution matrix covering key sectors including automotive, electronics, petrochemicals, machinery, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace etc. By May 15, over 1,300 procurement requests have been received, with the potential to facilitate industrial cooperation exceeding 2 billion US$. Exhibitor Siemens said that it hopes to use the WOD platform to enable Siemens Xcelerator to cover digital and low-carbon transformation solutions in multiple industries and scenarios to reach more enterprises, help them move from the exploration stage to the breakthrough of implementation, and accelerate the realization of intelligent upgrading. 100 Key Opinion Leaders decode the future path of intelligent manufacturing World Manufacturing Digitalization Conference will be held concurrently, with 18 cutting-edge topics set up. A panel of 100 experts led by members of the German National Academy of Engineering will release 37 benchmark enterprise transformation cases around hot topics such as ESG, which will provide important practical reference for the digital transformation of manufacturing industry. Setting up an innovation incubation zone to foster new digital forces "Innovation incubation zone" gathers more than 30 new technology enterprises in the fields of artificial intelligence and industrial big data, building a collaborative innovation platform and committed to incubating "hidden champions" of the next generation of digital manufacturing technology. Establishing the mDX award to set a benchmark for industry transformation As of 15 May, the pre-registration visitor has exceeded 15,000 people. The organizer sincerely invites global manufacturers to gather in Shanghai and participate in this premium global manufacturing digitalization event. For more information about Manufacturing Digitalization Expo 2025, please visit: www.en.wodexpo.com Ms. You GU Tel: +86-21-5298 8605 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Digit Events (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. NEW YORK, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kiehl's Since 1851 is expanding upon its longstanding mission to support the LGBTQIA2+ community through its new "Love Letters" Pride campaign. The campaign highlights the brand's Open Doors platform a year-round commitment to supporting LGBTQIA2+ homeless youth. Courtesy of Kiehls To further support the mission, Kiehl's is proud to continue its philanthropic partnership for the 2nd year in a row with the Ali Forney Center, a non-profit that provides LGBTQIA2+ youth with warm, supportive environments to escape the streets and prepare them for independent living. Their services include a 24/7 drop-in center, transitional housing, job readiness training, and health resources. In 2025, Kiehl's has committed to donating $150,000* to the Ali Forney Center to help provide safe, temporary housing as well as life-saving and developmental services to over 2200 LGBTQIA2+ homeless youth. Kiehl's recognizes that physical spaces are not always enough. To further promote the safety and wellbeing of LGBTQIA2+ youth, Kiehl's is launching the "Love Letters" campaign to provide a safe emotional space for the community. Through this campaign, the brand is going beyond offering safe physical spaces and is providing its community with safe emotional spaces too. Kiehl's has joined forces with LGBTQIA2+ creators, such as Alyssa Edwards from RuPaul's Drag Race, community members, and local non-profit partners to share heartfelt letters of appreciation to those who gave them a safe space to be their authentic selves. As Kiehl's comes together to celebrate the LGBTQIA2+ community this Pride, they want to help others share their story, loud and proud. They're inviting all to take pen to paper to honor the safe spaces they've discovered or created for themselves and others, along their journey. "For over 170 years, Kiehl's has been a leading brand in inclusivity and care no matter the form," said John Reed, General Manager of Kiehl's Since 1851. "Our continued partnership with the Ali Forney Center reflects our enduring commitment to creating safe, supportive spaces for LGBTQIA2+ youth and uplifting the communities that have always been at the heart of our brand." In addition to the partnership and campaign, Kiehl's is continuing their work via the Open Doors platform, launched in select countries in 2024, in which the brand partners with local non-profit organizations worldwide to provide those in need with necessities to live and resources to thrive. Kiehl's has a rich history of advocacy supporting the LGBTQIA2+ community dating back to the late 1980s. From supporting various HIV/Aids organizations to launching philanthropic initiatives and sponsoring NYC Pride efforts that have collectively culminated in $1.4+ million donated to LGBTQIA2+ causes since 2015. A few key findings demonstrate the urgency of Ali Forney Center's mission and the importance of our partnership to raise awareness of these life-saving services: 40% of homeless youth in New York City are LGBTQIA2+ are LGBTQIA2+ 80% of the youth the Ali Forney Center serve are kicked out of their homes and families due to their LGBTQIA2+ identity 85% of youth in the Ali Forney Center's program are enrolled in mental health counseling services, STD education prevention, testing and treatment 80% of youth graduate the Ali Forney Center into independent living compared to the national average of 25% "We are immensely grateful and humble to Kiehl's for their unwavering partnership and generous support of the Ali Forney Center. As a brand deeply committed to community impact, Kiehl's has played a vital role in helping us provide life-saving services to LGBTQIA2+ homeless youth," said Alex Roque, President and Executive Director of the Ali Forney Center. "Their dedication goes beyond philanthropy; they have stood beside us as true allies in our mission to protect and empower some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Together, we are creating a more compassionate world where all young people are given the opportunity to thrive and their courage and beauty the opportunity to shine." To learn more about Kiehl's Open Doors platform, Ali Forney Center and the Pride "Love Letters" campaign, visit Live Your Pride With Kiehl's - Healthy Skin for All - Kiehl's. About Kiehl's Open Doors Kiehl's Since 1851 proudly launches a new global philanthropic initiative, Kiehl's Open Doors, providing safe, temporary housing, as well as life tools and developmental resources to LGBTQIA2+ homeless youth. About Kiehl's Since 1851 Kiehl's was founded as an old-world apothecary in New York's East Village neighborhood. Kiehl's unique, extensive background represents a blend of cosmetic, pharmaceutical, herbal and medicinal knowledge developed and passed on through the generations. Over the years, longtime customer favorite formulations such as Ultra Facial Cream, Micro Dose Anti-Aging Retinol, Avocado Eye Cream, Ultra Facial Cleanser, Creme de Corps, and new formulas such as Better ScreenTM UV Serum SPF 50+, Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalene Cream, and Ultra Facial Barrier-Hydrating Cleanser have been created with uniquely efficacious, natural ingredients and the education and knowledge culled from generations of research and requests from our customers. About The Ali Forney Center The Ali Forney Center (AFC) is the nation's largest and most comprehensive organization dedicated to protecting LGBTQ +youth from the harms of homelessness. Each year AFC sees more than 2,200 young people who are kicked out of their homes due to homophobia and transphobia and offers homeless LGBTQ+ youth a 24-hour Drop In Hub located in midtown Manhattan and 17 scatter-site housing units in four of the five NYC Boroughs. Ninety percent of the young people we see state religious beliefs as the leading cause of their homelessness, a staggering 95 percent of our clients are individuals of color largely from the Black and Latino communities. Nearly half of these young people come to NYC from across the country, mainly the south, fleeing homophobic and transphobic homes. Lastly, as the largest and longest running agency doing this work, we support smaller organizations and groups of activists that aim to support similar populations. Through capacity building and conferences, we expand our reach across the United States and throughout the world. In our most recent conference in March 2023, we hosted 55 people from 24 different organizations from across the country and internationally. *Kiehl's Since 1851 supports Ali Forney Center in their mission to protect homeless Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning youth from the harms of homelessness and empower them with the tools needed to be independent with a financial contribution of $150,000.00 in 2025. Kiehl's financial support of the Ali Forney Center is not influenced by the purchase of any Kiehl's product and Ali Forney Center does not endorse any Kiehl's product. For more information please visit: https://www.aliforneycenter.org. For press inquiries, please contact: Rachel Weinstock Senior Manager, Brand Engagement, Kiehl's Since 1851 [email protected] SOURCE Kiehl's Since 1851 SHOREVIEW, Minn., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Maxwell Healthcare Associates (MHA) announced today its rebrand to Maxwell TEC, signaling a renewed focus on technology-driven solutions for the home health and hospice industry. The rebrand marks a strategic shift in response to the evolving needs of care-at-home providers, with an emphasis on digital tools and strategic support to enable care at home. Maxwell TEC, which stands for Tech-Enabled Care, aims to empower providers with the technology and strategic solutions needed to thrive in the digital era. MHAfounded by Tom Maxwell and Jennifer Maxwellbrought together a team of industry veterans dedicated to helping home health and hospice providers adapt to a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. "We're so proud of what we created at MHA," said Tom Maxwell, Chairman & Co-Founder of MHA and Maxwell TEC. "We assembled the most elite team of experts and cultivated technologies and solutions that made a real impact across the industry." From the beginning, the company has always sought to bridge gaps and advance care through tailored solutions focused on people, process, and technology. As the industry has progressed, so too has the company's missionevolving to deliver tech-enabled care tools and strategic solutions that support the delivery of exceptional care at home. "It became clear to us that the industry wants tech-forward solutions infused in every step of agency operations and the patient lifecycle," said Jennifer Maxwell, CEO and Co-Founder of MHA and Maxwell TEC. That demand spurred the company's formal evolution to Maxwell TEC, a technology company focused on enabling care at home through innovative tools and strategic services. With a dedicated team of industry leaders and consultants, Maxwell TEC offers a holistic approach to sustainable success for clients across the home-based care continuum. "This wasn't just a name change or a refresh of our brand colors," said Jay Duty, Chief Operating Officer at Maxwell TEC. "It's a bold commitment to the future of care." While tech-enabled care is positioned at the forefront of Maxwell TEC's mission, their legacy in consulting remains central to its commitment to the care-at-home industry. The company will continue to provide the wide-ranging consulting services, subject matter expertise, and data-driven strategic solutions that top home health and hospice organizations have come to expect over the past decade. "The Maxwell team embodies the same action/results orientation, forward-thinking, people-first approach that we pride ourselves on at St. Croix Hospice, making them our go-to partner," said Stephen Phenneger, President & CFO at St. Croix Hospice. "They've consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the industry and the unique challenges in delivering care where it matters most, actively empowering our team with strategic guidance and effective technology solutionsthey're our 'first call' when we have a need. Their deep experience across the industry helps ensure we get best-in-class support and advice. They've likely seen and solved the problem already, and when they haven't, are a true partner in finding the best solution for our delivery model." As for Maxwell TEC's product lineup, while the company's legacy MHA tech offerings remain in placeincluding the CHAP-verified nanaBEREAVEMENT and NOTIFYnana modulesclients can expect new developments in response to the company's repositioning and industry shifts. "There's a focus on our tech like never beforeparticularly our 'nana' communication platform. In the coming months, we'll be sharing some exciting developments that not only enhance our technology but strengthen every touchpoint across the patient lifecycle," said Scott Beard, Chief Strategy Officer at Maxwell TEC. The rebrand to Maxwell TEC reinforces the company's dedication to being a long-term partner for care-at-home providers. By combining deep industry knowledge with innovative, scalable technology, Maxwell TEC is positioned to meet the complex needs of modern healthcare and help providers deliver more effective, efficient and compassionate care. About Maxwell TEC Maxwell TEC enables care at home through technology and strategic solutions, blending decades of clinical expertise with innovative approaches designed to empower people and processes. With a suite of tech-enabled products, data-driven solutions, and consulting services, Maxwell TEC equips care providers with the tools and strategies necessary for success in the digital era. Learn more at www.maxwelltec.com. SOURCE Maxwell TEC NEW YORK, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- McCann Systems , a leading innovator in audiovisual integration, is excited to announce the addition of 11 talented professionals to its rapidly growing team. These strategic hires reflect McCann's commitment to delivering exceptional AV experiences for clients worldwide, as well as the company's readiness to make a powerful impact at InfoComm 2025 in Orlando next week. At the forefront of this expansion is Will Amos, who joins McCann as a Senior Account Executive. Will brings a proven track record of forging strong client relationships and delivering high-value AV solutions. His deep industry expertise will be instrumental as McCannX, McCann's experiential AV division, continues to scale and serve an expanding customer base. Additionally, McCann's presence in Texas is growing. This new office includes AJ Flores, Senior Account Executive, and Pat Seymour, Field Applications Engineer, who will support McCann's growing client base in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Also joining McCann is a diverse group of talented professionals whose skills will enhance McCann's technical depth and operational excellence: Melissa Barnes , Project Manager , Project Manager Devante Bissette , Field Applications Engineer , Field Applications Engineer Richard Colon , Field Applications Engineer , Field Applications Engineer Isabella Fuscaldo , Marketing Intern , Marketing Intern Willie Hollingsworth Jr , Senior Project Manager , Senior Project Manager Elliot Nyfield , Senior Systems Design Engineer , Senior Systems Design Engineer Austin Rowan , Installation Technician , Installation Technician Troy Wilkerson , Fabrication Technician "I am personally thrilled to welcome these 11 talented individuals to the McCann team," said Josh Bittner , SVP of Sales and Marketing. "As our company continues to grow through the trust our clients place in us, we continue to invest in our future by hiring young professionals and industry veterans to support our brand. Organic growth, which facilitates a strong culture and provides continuity for our clients, remains our strategic vision at McCann." For more information about McCann Systems or to meet the team at InfoComm 2025 in Orlando, visit mccannsystems.com . About McCann: McCann Systems is a leading audiovisual integrator, creating innovative and immersive solutions for corporate, educational, and entertainment environments. With talented AV experts and a commitment to exceptional customer service, McCann Systems delivers impressive technology and managed services solutions that enhance communication, collaboration, and engagement. For more information about McCann Systems or to connect, contact [email protected]. SOURCE McCann Systems The Crazy Good collaboration unleashes a FanTASTEic snacking experience with four total movie-inspired toaster pastry flavors CHICAGO, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In 1963, Pop-Tarts changed the world forever with its groundbreaking take on the classic toast and jam. Now, Pop-Tarts is earning its place as a snack superhero! The toaster pastry lineup inspired by Marvel Studios' "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," in theaters July 25, gives fans a fanTASTEic snacking experience that will take taste buds on a nostalgic journey. Returning fan-favorite Pop-Tarts Frosted Blue Raspberry toaster pastries will be available exclusively at Walmart for a limited time starting June 9 to celebrate Marvel Studios The Fantastic Four: First Steps, in theaters July 25. Pop-Tarts and Marvel Studios The Fantastic Four: First Steps limited-edition pastry lineup including four favorite flavors: Pop-Tarts Frosted Strawberry, Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon, Frosted Smores and the triumphant return of Frosted Blue Raspberry. Fan-favorite Pop-Tarts Frosted Blue Raspberry is returning to the pastry universe exclusively at Walmart after a six-year hiatus. Filled with a deliciously gooey blue raspberry-flavored center, these cosmic power-inspired pastries strike the perfect balance of tangy, fruity and sweet. Each pastry features one of eight unique frosting designs inspired by the iconic Super Hero team, their powers, and more. The printed pastries will also be available in specially marked boxes of Pop-Tarts Frosted Strawberry at grocery retailers nationwide. "The Pop-Tarts and Marvel Studios' 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' collaboration is a celebration of our shared 1960s origins," said Leslie Serro, vice president of marketing for Pop-Tarts. "There's no better way to welcome everyone's favorite, blue-suited Super Hero family to the MCU than with the triumphant return of our own fantastically blue toaster pastry Pop-Tarts Frosted Blue Raspberry back on shelves for the first time since 2019, and just in time for this summer's must-see movie." Beginning this month while supplies last, grab limited-edition Pop-Tarts Frosted Blue Raspberry at Walmart and specially marked boxes of Pop-Tarts Frosted Strawberry, Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon and Frosted S'mores at grocery retailers nationwide for $3.89 per 8-count box. For even more movie and pastry fun, fans who purchase $10 worth of any participating boxes of Pop-Tarts Frosted Blue Raspberry, Frosted Strawberry, Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon and/or Frosted S'mores starting this June have the opportunity to get a $5 Fandango Movie Reward* to see Marvel Studios' "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" in theaters. Follow @PopTartsUS on your favorite social media platforms to keep up with the latest news. *Buy $10 or more of participating Pop-Tarts toaster pastries in one transaction between 6/1/25-8/31/25 and get a $5 Fandango Movie Reward to see Marvel Studios' "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" in theaters. Limited time offer. Must be a resident of the U.S. Fandango Movie Reward will be delivered as a Fandango Promotional Code ("Code"). Code is good towards the purchase of one movie ticket (up to $5 total ticket price and associated fees and charges) to see Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four: First Steps at Fandango partner theaters in the US. Valid only for purchases at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app. Code is void if not redeemed by 9/30/25 or when Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four: First Steps is no longer in theaters, whichever comes first. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid for one-time use only. Non-transferable. Limit 2 Codes per household. The redemption of the Code is subject to Fandango's Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies. See www.activaterewards.com/PopTarts/details for full details. FANDANGO and the Fandango Logo are registered trademarks of Fandango Media, LLC. About Kellanova Kellanova (NYSE: K) is a leader in global snacking, international cereal and noodles, and North America frozen foods with a legacy stretching back more than 100 years. Powered by differentiated brands including Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts, Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treats, RXBAR, Eggo, MorningStar Farms, Special K, Coco Pops, and more, Kellanova's vision is to become the world's best-performing snacks-led powerhouse, unleashing the full potential of our differentiated brands and our passionate people. Our net sales for 2024 were $13 billion. At Kellanova, our purpose is to create better days and ensure everyone has a seat at the table through our trusted food brands. We are committed to promoting sustainable and equitable food access by tackling the crossroads of hunger, sustainability, wellbeing, and equity, diversity & inclusion. Our goal is to create Better Days for 4 billion people by the end of 2030 (from a 2015 baseline). For more detailed information about our commitments, our approach to achieving these goals, and methodology, please visit our website at https://www.kellanova.com. About Marvel Studios' "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios' "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" introduces Marvel's First FamilyReed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus' plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren't bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal. The action adventure also stars John Malkovich, Sarah Niles, Mark Gatiss, with Paul Walter Hauser. Directed by Matt Shakman, produced by Kevin Feige and executive produced by Louis D'Esposito, Grant Curtis and Tim Lewis, Marvel Studios' "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" opens in theaters July 25, 2025. Kellanova Media Hotline (269) 961-3799 [email protected] Weber Shandwick Rebecca Jakush (312) 988-2281 [email protected] SOURCE Kellanova Proximo Capital announce that both the firm and its Founder and Managing Director, James Mendelsohn, have been recognized in the 23rd Annual American Business Awards. WASHINGTON, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Proximo Capital is proud to announce that both the firm and its Founder and Managing Director, James Mendelsohn, have been recognized in the 23rd Annual American Business Awards. Proximo Capital received a Bronze Stevie Award for Company of the Year in Financial Services (Small Business), and Mendelsohn was honored with a Bronze Stevie Award for Best Entrepreneur in Financial Services. Proximo Capital and Founder James Mendelsohn Win Prestigious Honors at 2025 American Business Awards These awards, presented annually by the Stevie Awards, honor excellence in U.S. business. The 2025 program drew more than 3,700 nominations across a wide range of industries, judged by more than 300 professionals worldwide. The winners were officially announced on April 24, 2025, on the American Business Awards website. "This recognition from the American Business Awards is a tremendous honor and a testament to the dedication of the entire Proximo Capital team. We're passionate about empowering entrepreneurs and businesses, and these awards validate the impactful work we do every day," said James Mendelsohn. Founded by Mendelsohn, Proximo Capital specializes in sourcing and structuring capital solutions for small and middle-market businesses with under $50MM in revenue. The firm works closely with founders, investors, and financial partners to help companies optimize growth, navigate transitions, and execute strategic plans. The award ceremony will take place on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in New York City, where winners will be recognized and invited to give acceptance speeches. For more information about the Stevie Awards or to view the full list of 2025 winners, visit www.StevieAwards.com/ABA. About Proximo Capital At Proximo Capital, we specialize in raising debt and equity capital to support the growth of smaller companies. Whether you're looking to optimize your balance sheet, raise additional capital, or finance an acquisition, our tailored approach is designed to help you achieve your business objectives. We focus on companies with under $25MM in revenue and serve a wide range of industries, including real estate development, M&A transaction finance, and lender finance. Our expertise also extends to supporting non-US-based companies and early-stage growth opportunities. For more information or to discuss your growth plans, contact Proximo Capital today. Press Contact: Christina Sayoc 703-712-7747 SOURCE Proximo Capital The Paramedics of Property Damage Celebrate Community Heroes Nationwide TAMARAC, Fla., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PuroClean, one of the nation's leading restoration and remediation franchises, is wrapping up its PuroClean Cares National Superhero Day campaign, recognizing heroes nationwide who have made a significant impact in their community. Rooted in strong values of service and community giveback, PuroClean is overjoyed to honor unsung heroes across the country with awards, recognitions, and events to celebrate their service and dedication. PuroClean In celebration of National Superhero Day on April 28, PuroClean Franchise Owners partnered with local community groups and organizations, nominating important figures in their market who they deem superheroes. These local heroes included first responders, teachers, health care workers, volunteers, and everyday citizens who have made a difference in their community. The initiative was embraced by over a dozen PuroClean locations across the country, reinforcing the brand's commitment to service and community engagement. "National Superhero Day is about honoring the real-life heroes who consistently, but all too often quietly, uplift their local communities," said Steve White, President and COO of PuroClean. "At PuroClean, we believe in stepping up for others, and this initiative allows our Franchise Owners to recognize those in their community who embody the same spirit. We're proud to see so many of our teams participating and shining a light on the individuals who truly make a difference." These efforts were made possible by PuroClean Franchise Owners, their teams, and the entire PuroClean network. Standout efforts include: Caroline Bonnen , PuroClean in Greenlawn, NY : This Franchise Owner chose Harrison Smith from Long Island Cares to honor as their superhero for his dedication to fighting food insecurity, as well as his devoted coordination of disaster relief efforts for the underserved community. : This Franchise Owner chose from Long Island Cares to honor as their superhero for his dedication to fighting food insecurity, as well as his devoted coordination of disaster relief efforts for the underserved community. Trey and Janice Bell , PuroClean in Elyria, OH : The Bells honored Joe Matuscak , the Chief Marketing and Development Officer of Riveon Mental Health and Recovery, for his demonstration of exceptional service and impactful contributions in the community. : The Bells honored , the Chief Marketing and Development Officer of Riveon Mental Health and Recovery, for his demonstration of exceptional service and impactful contributions in the community. Avi Sohal, PuroClean in Gilbert, PA : Avi and the PuroClean of Gilbert team showed appreciation to the local fire chief of Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company for 15 years, Clifford Opelt . They surprised him with a backyard barbecue and a $1,000 donation to his fire company. : Avi and the PuroClean of team showed appreciation to the local fire chief of Volunteer Fire Company for 15 years, . They surprised him with a backyard barbecue and a donation to his fire company. Gregory and Kimberly Arianoff, PuroClean of Hilo, HI : The Arianoffs honored Larry Reitzer , Board President of Hilo Education Arts Repertory, who, in addition to presenting theater, also offers theatrical training to at-risk and underserved youth in the local community. This PuroClean team coordinated a surprise lunch to honor his commitment to the Hilo community and presented him with a medal, superhero kit, and a letter of recognition. : The Arianoffs honored , Board President of Hilo Education Arts Repertory, who, in addition to presenting theater, also offers theatrical training to at-risk and underserved youth in the local community. This PuroClean team coordinated a surprise lunch to honor his commitment to the community and presented him with a medal, superhero kit, and a letter of recognition. Craig and Jenny Hawkins , PuroClean in Woodinville, WA : The Hawkins recognized Maurice Leary , a local community member with Step It Up Camp!, working with kids from all different backgrounds and helping them feel seen and prepared for life in a way that goes beyond school. : The Hawkins recognized , a local community member with Step It Up Camp!, working with kids from all different backgrounds and helping them feel seen and prepared for life in a way that goes beyond school. Gianni Cortes , PuroClean in New Port Richey, FL : This franchise honored Philip Meltzer , a local industrial hygienist and dedicated disaster recovery professional at Germ Masters Environmental, working closely with Gianni and his PuroClean team, keeping homes and businesses environmentally safe. They surprised him with a celebratory dinner to show their appreciation. : This franchise honored , a local industrial hygienist and dedicated disaster recovery professional at Germ Masters Environmental, working closely with Gianni and his PuroClean team, keeping homes and businesses environmentally safe. They surprised him with a celebratory dinner to show their appreciation. Charles and Sharon Atkins , PuroClean in Cleveland, TN : The Atkins chose "Big Tom" and Sabrina Anderson as their superheroes. Owners of Big Tom's Bar and Grill, this pair nearly lost everythinghealth, marriage, and hopeuntil Restaurant: Impossible helped them rise. Now, they feed thousands each holiday, expecting nothing in return. : The Atkins chose "Big Tom" and as their superheroes. Owners of Big Tom's Bar and Grill, this pair nearly lost everythinghealth, marriage, and hopeuntil helped them rise. Now, they feed thousands each holiday, expecting nothing in return. Keegan Trudgen and Tim Lohse , PuroClean in Chicagoland, IL : This franchise recognized Paul Rocco , National Operations Director for their PuroClean locations. Paul leads the charge across multiple states, helping families and businesses rebuild after fires, floods, storms, and other life-altering events, and on the side, also a Personal Trainer, Paul often helps his team members with nutrition plans and routines for free. : This franchise recognized , National Operations Director for their PuroClean locations. Paul leads the charge across multiple states, helping families and businesses rebuild after fires, floods, storms, and other life-altering events, and on the side, also a Personal Trainer, Paul often helps his team members with nutrition plans and routines for free. Thomas Maguire , PuroClean in Spartanburg, SC : This location chose to honor local community member Beverly Benson for her dedication to helping those in need by consistently donating to local food and homeless shelters and advocating for mental health groups. : This location chose to honor local community member for her dedication to helping those in need by consistently donating to local food and homeless shelters and advocating for mental health groups. Brett Dalrymple and Dennis O'Brien , PuroClean in Warrenton and Springfield, VA : This franchise honored Master Deputy Chris Meyers , a steadfast advocate for Special Olympics in the community. He launched the Champions Together Unified Special Olympics Program at Liberty High School and is a School Resource Officer. This PuroClean team presented him with a surprise donation of $500 . : This franchise honored Master Deputy , a steadfast advocate for Special Olympics in the community. He launched the Champions Together Unified Special Olympics Program at Liberty High School and is a School Resource Officer. This PuroClean team presented him with a surprise donation of . Christopher Louangrath , Calvin Louangrath , and Guillermo Rocha , PuroClean in Gilberts, IL : The PuroClean of West Elgin team honored military veteran and community partner Mike Baumgartner , CEO/President of Apex Gear Service, for his tireless missionary work in Sierra Leone , Bangladesh , and the local church community. The PuroClean of team honored military veteran and community partner , CEO/President of Apex Gear Service, for his tireless missionary work in , , and the local church community. Jessie and Jennifer Wine , PuroClean in Burlington, WI : The Wines combined the National Superhero Day campaign with the PuroClean Cares Adopt A Classroom campaign. The Burlington community nominated Ms. Rachel Hanspal , of Curtis Strange Elementary School, as the teacher who stood out among the rest, and they presented her with supplies at a school assembly to honor her. They later returned to the school to deliver a donation of $1,000 to the teacher. Through initiatives like PuroClean Cares National Superhero Day or Season of Giving, as well as their daily remediation and restoration services, PuroClean supports homeowners and businesses in recovering from property damage while also recognizing community members across the country who embody the company's values of service and engagement. For more information about PuroClean, call 800-351-2282, visit www.PuroCleanFranchise.com, or visit them on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/purocleanfranchise/. About PuroClean PuroClean is a leading, world-class service brand for property water damage remediation, fire and smoke damage restoration, mold remediation, and biohazard clean-up services, working with both residential and commercial customers across the U.S. and Canada. Founded in 2001, PuroClean is a diverse, fast-growing network of nearly 500 North American franchise locations, each independently owned and operated. With a commitment to respond within two hours, the professionals at PuroClean are thoroughly screened, insured, and trained in utilizing the latest cutting-edge mitigation technology to complete the remediation task at hand. For more information about PuroClean, call 800-775-7876 or visit www.PuroClean.com. SOURCE PuroClean TOKYO, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Robo Co-op, a refugee-led cooperative devoted to promoting digital inclusion, is pleased to announce its participation as a Strategic Partner of the first phase of AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific, AVPN's USD 15 million initiative supported by Google.org and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The AI Opportunity Fund seeks to deliver AI-focused workforce development programs across the Asia-Pacific region, with the goal of empowering communities with unmet needs to thrive in the rapidly evolving AI-driven economy. Objective of the Fund The AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific aimed at supporting workers across the Asia-Pacific regions who are most affected by workforce transitions driven by AI. Robo Co-op's Role Robo Co-op has been selected as the Japan Market Strategic Partner. The organization was highly recognized for its track record in reskilling and promoting remote work using AI, particularly for diverse groups such as single mothers and refugees. Until December 2026, Robo Co-op will support local training partners in Japan to develop and deliver trainer workshops to the workers and customized curricula tailored to local needs of various worker communities in Japan. About Robo Co-op Robo Co-op is a pioneering cooperative founded and led by refugees, dedicated to the digital inclusion of marginalized communities. With a vision to co-create 100,000 job opportunities, Robo Co-op provides group learning and remote work opportunities that build technical skills, resilience, and social capital. Learn more about Robo Co-op from here. About AVPN AVPN is the largest network of social investors in Asia, comprising over 600 funders and resource providers across 33 markets. Our mission is to increase the flow and effectiveness of financial, human, and intellectual capital in Asia by enabling members to channel resources towards impact. As an ecosystem builder, AVPN enables its members to connect, learn, act, and lead across key pillars and improve the effectiveness of deployed capital, bringing local field needs, regional expertise, and policy insights to the forefront. For more information about AVPN and our work, please visit our website and read our latest Annual Review 2023/24. Media Inquiries For media inquiries about Robo Co-op and participation in the AI Opportunity Fund Jintae Kim (Founder / CEO) Robo Co-op Official Email - [email protected] SOURCE Robo Co-op DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ryan Zofay, 9-figure entrepreneur, author of The Unlikely Businessman, and widely followed speaker, will host his next Personal Development Seminar on July 12-13, 2025, live from the We Level Up Studio in Deerfield Beach, Florida. The exclusive two-day event will also be available via livestream for remote attendees. With over 20 years of experience in business, addiction recovery, and personal transformation, Zofay creates spaces for those ready to break through their past and step into a new chapter with purpose. His events attract individuals who are serious about real change by providing the tools, clarity, and frameworks needed to move forward with intention. Event Details Dates: Saturday & Sunday, July 1213, 2025 Time: 10:30 AM-7:00 PM EDT Location: We Level Up Studio, 1701 Green Rd, Suite C, Deerfield Beach, FL 33064 Tickets: In-person: $299 Virtual Access: $99 Reserve at: Ryan Zofay Events This event is designed to guide attendees on a transformational journey of self-discovery, healing, and growth. Through Ryan's blend of high-energy teaching, interactive exercises, personal storytelling, neuroscience-backed frameworks, and powerful emotional breakthroughs, participants will explore the root of their belief systems, understand the impact of childhood experiences, and learn how to rewire their mindset for lasting change and unlimited potential. Attendees will engage in breakthrough activities, partner exercises, and guided meditations to release fear, rewrite limiting beliefs, and step into their most empowered selves. Whether you're seeking more purpose, peace, or personal power, this event provides a safe and high-energy space to awaken your potential and lead your life with clarity and intention. As one attendee shared, "It's like ten years of therapy packed into one weekend." About Ryan Zofay Ryan Zofay is 23 years sober and the founder of a 9-figure business network. With over a decade of experience facilitating live events, he has participated in and led over 10,000 hours of transformational work and reached over a million people online. He is in the inner circle of some of today's most respected thought leaders, including Tony Robbins, Nick Santonastasso, and Tim Storey. Zofay is also the author of the best-selling book The Unlikely Businessman, which chronicles his rise from adversity to entrepreneurial success. Media Contact Ryan Zofay, CEO Phone: (561) 559-5730 email: [email protected] ryanzofay.com SOURCE We Level Up Personal Development LLC. ORLANDO, Fla., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a powerful press conference, a survivor of child sexual abuse courageously shared his story and detailed new evidence against the late Father Robert "Bob" Hoeffner, who served for nearly two decades at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Palm Bay, Florida. The evidence was presented by Jeff Herman and his team at Herman Law, as part of a new civil lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit in and for Orange County, Florida. "This case is about more than one survivor it's about exposing the pattern of cover-ups and demanding accountability" Post this In a press conference on May 30, a survivor of child sexual abuse shared his story and detailed new evidence against the late Father Robert Bob Hoeffner, who served for nearly two decades at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Palm Bay, Florida. The complaint, filed on behalf of 26-year-old Shawn Teuber, alleges that Father Hoeffner sexually abused him on multiple occasions from 2012 to 2014, during his time as a student at St. Joseph Catholic School and parishioner at St. Joseph Catholic Church. It names the Diocese of Orlando, St. Joseph Catholic Church Palm Bay, St. Joseph Catholic School and St. Joseph Catholic Parish as defendants, accusing them of negligence, reckless disregard and intentional infliction of emotional distress. "I've carried this pain for years, and I couldn't stay silent any longer," Teuber shared in an emotional statement. "By sharing my story, I hope to show others they're not alone and to make sure this doesn't happen to another person." The complaint alleges a pattern of abuse and grooming by Father Hoeffner, who was allowed unsupervised access to vulnerable children despite warning signs. Father Hoeffner allegedly used his trusted role as a priest to isolate and abuse Teuber in multiple locations, including the church, school and his private residence. The complaint also outlines how Father Hoeffner's sister, Sally Hoeffner, an employee of the defendants, provided cover for the abuse. "I can't walk past a church or see anything religious without feeling sick and anxious," Teuber added. "I have trouble sleeping and horrible mood swings. This has taken over my life in ways I never imagined." Jeff Herman, founding attorney of Herman Law and an advocate for survivors of sexual abuse, said: "The evidence and testimony we shared leave no doubt about what happened to the survivor. Institutions that were supposed to protect him instead enabled a prolific abuser. This case is about more than one survivor it's about exposing the pattern of cover-ups and demanding accountability for those who failed to protect children." The press conference also highlighted allegations that the Diocese and other defendants ignored red flags about Father Hoeffner's conduct, failed to establish policies and procedures to protect children, and allowed him to continue in ministry despite concerns raised by students and staff. "These revelations shine a glaring light on the systemic failures that allowed a predator to operate unchecked for decades," Herman continued. "Our fight is not only for justice for the victim, but for every survivor who has suffered in silence and every child who deserves a safe environment." Those seeking support are encouraged to begin the healing process today and contact Herman Law. All consultations are free and strictly confidential. Survivors can speak with a member of the Herman Law team by calling 1-561-565-6190 or by visiting their website at HermanLaw.com. "Shawn is coming forward not only for himself but on behalf of other victims who may still be suffering in silence," added Herman. "He is incredibly brave." About Herman Law Herman Law is a nationally recognized law firm dedicated to representing victims of sexual abuse. Our experienced and compassionate team is committed to pursuing justice, holding institutions accountable, and helping survivors heal by guiding them through civil litigation with compassion and integrity. For more information, visit HermanLaw.com. Contact: Karla Nafarrate Vice President of Public Relations InnoVision Marketing Group [email protected] SOURCE Herman Law London and SINGAPORE, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Taiko, the first ever based rollup scaling Ethereum, is excited to see its native token $TAIKO made more accessible through its listing on Binance Alpha, Binance's premier platform for early access and exclusive listings. Key Highlights $TAIKO token now available for trading against USDT on Binance Alpha. Alpha. Trading competition launched with a 1,495,000 $TAIKO prize pool. Based preconfirmations technology set to deliver 20x faster transaction speeds. DAO governance is launching soon for token holders. "Being listed on Binance Alpha is a vote of confidence in our technology, our community, and our long-term vision. We believe that the future of Ethereum is decentralized and ownerless, and based rollups are the only way to ensure we keep aligned with these foundational values while providing the best user experience for those building, transacting, and accessing broader financial markets," said Joaquin Mendes, COO of Taiko. Expanding Access and Community Governance The Binance Alpha listing provides global traders access to TAIKO/USDT trading pairs, significantly expanding the token's liquidity and market reach. Binance Alpha's rigorous curation process evaluates projects based on technology innovation, community strength, and market potential. With the debut of the $TAIKO token on Binance Alpha, community members can participate in the TAIKO trading competition with a prize pool of 1,495,000 TAIKO. $TAIKO also underlies the soon-to-be-launched Taiko Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) . Once accessible to the whole community, Taiko token holders will be able to contribute to governance decisions of the protocol as a whole. Listing on Binance Alpha, marks a significant milestone in the project's roadmap. About Taiko Taiko, the first based Ethereum rollup, is designed to address the scalability challenges of the Ethereum network. By utilizing Based Contestable Rollup (BCR) technology, Taiko significantly reduces transaction costs and enhances security, providing a seamless and efficient user experience without compromising decentralization. For more information about Taiko and its revolutionary approach to Ethereum scaling, visit https://taiko.xyz/ SOURCE Taiko LOS ANGELES, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz is investigating potential claims against the board of directors of Harley-Davidson, Inc. ("Harley-Davidson" or the "Company") (NYSE: HOG) concerning whether the board breached its fiduciary duties to shareholders. If you are a shareholder, click here to participate. Our investigation concerns whether the Company's board of directors breached its fiduciary duties to shareholders and/or grossly mismanaged the Company. Follow us for updates on Twitter: twitter.com/FRC_LAW. If you still hold Harley-Davidson shares and wish to discuss this matter with us, or have any questions concerning your rights and interests with regards to this matter, please contact Frank R. Cruz, of The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz, 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 800, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-914-5007, by email to [email protected], or visit our website at www.frankcruzlaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. SOURCE The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz, Los Angeles The family will provide graphic photographs and video of their father's condition Moses Castillo Investigations, LLC joins family in their efforts to advocate for Mr. Rose VENTURA, Calif., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The family of Howard Rose, a 93-year-old retired dentist, is calling for immediate action following medical negligence, record manipulation, and blocked care decisions at Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) and Santa Paula Hospital. Howard's son, Andrew Rose, alleges that hospital staff have ignored serious health concerns, withheld promised pain medication, and denied necessary diagnostic scans for potential infections. Despite his father's severe medical distressincluding lost teeth, cheek and eye pain, and abdominal discomfortdoctors refuse essential imaging and intervention. "This isn't just neglectit's deliberate obstruction,"_ says Andrew. _"They are making decisions that could end my father's life while keeping us powerless to intervene." Key Concerns - Denied transfer to Cedars Sinai, despite urgent medical needs. - Manipulated medical records, blocking family involvement. - Unjustified hospital stays, stripping patient and family rights. - Failure to halt blood thinners, despite life-threatening risks. Call to Action The Rose family demands: Immediate transfer to Cedars Sinai for independent medical oversight. Full release of medical records to expose discrepancies and misconduct. Law enforcement intervention to prevent further harm. Public and media coverage to highlight failures in patient care. "If my father dies due to their negligence, we want him at Cedars Sinai and laid to rest where he chose,"_ Andrew says. _"This must stopnot just for our family, but for every patient at risk." For media inquiries, contact Andrew Rose at [email protected] or (805) 794-2101. SOURCE Moses Castillo Investigations, LLC Bangladeshi chief adviser urges Chinese investors to make Bangladesh their home, production hub Xinhua) 13:31, June 02, 2025 Bangladeshi interim government's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus delivers a speech during the China-Bangladesh Conference on Investment and Trade in Dhaka, Bangladesh, June 1, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Nan) DHAKA, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Bangladeshi interim government's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Sunday urged Chinese investors to make Bangladesh their home and production hub. During his speech at the China-Bangladesh Conference on Investment and Trade, Yunus said Chinese companies are the masters of manufacturing, and Bangladesh wants to be their partner. He said the interim government has been steadfast in implementing reforms, enhancing the investment climate, streamlining regulatory frameworks and ensuring a conducive environment for business operations. Yunus invited Chinese investors to explore the extensive opportunities that Bangladesh offers in textiles, endowments, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, fisheries, food, and information technology. The conference attracted more than 400 representatives from Chinese and Bangladeshi enterprises and business associations. Bangladeshi interim government's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus delivers a speech during the China-Bangladesh Conference on Investment and Trade in Dhaka, Bangladesh, June 1, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Nan) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liu Ning) PITTSBURGH, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Vocelli Pizza announces an exclusive partnership with FranGlobal in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Region - accelerating its expansion Internationally. FranGlobal is the market leader and international arm of Asia's leading franchise solutions company, Franchise India. With over 18 years of franchising experience, FranGlobal will serve as Vocelli's exclusive partner for growth in the GCC region, playing a key role in the company's strategy to establish a strong presence and drive rapid growth throughout the Gulf Region. In addition to growth initiatives, Vocelli continues to invest heavily in technology to enhance customer experience. After 9 months in development, the company has launched its brand-new online ordering platform powered by LOKE. "We're ecstatic to begin live testing in our corporate locations, with a system-wide rollout planned for June," said Toni Bianco, CEO of Vocelli Pizza. Alongside the new online ordering platform rollout, the brand has done a complete redesign of their website VocelliPizza.com. Designed and developed by The LOOMIS Agency, the new website includes improved navigation, enhanced responsiveness and a focus on a simplified, friction-less customer experience with a seamless flow into the new online ordering platform. "These strategic moves set the stage for a strong second half of the year," Bianco added. "We're focused on driving store growth, while improving sales and profitability for our franchisees." With innovation and expansion at the forefront, Vocelli Pizza continues its mission to deliver premium pizza and exceptional service to customers around the world. Vocelli Pizza is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA and has over 80 locations offering pizza and other Italian foods for carryout and delivery. The company has realized franchise growth from its award-winning product, low start-up costs and a national marketing program. Vocelli Pizza offers single and multi-unit development packages to qualified franchisees. Media Contact: Jim Powers [email protected] SOURCE Vocelli Pizza The Tiananmen Incident on June 4th, 1989, is definitely a significant historical event. We dont need to know every detail, and have no need to search for more secret or hidden or covered details, as all those searches are hearsay that cannot pass the standard beyond a reasonable doubt. We can always judge a historical event by the events outcome, leaving details in the black box, just as we can test a car by driving it without knowing the details of how the engine burns the gas to propel the wheels. The CPC government dominated the event eventually. As a result, whatever the outcome is, the responsibility of the CPC. Is China better off after the Tiananmen Incident? Since 1989, the world has changed a lot. The Cold War ended. World structure reorganized. In such a big change, is the position of China better or worse? Is the life of the people of China better or worse? The whole world changed for the better; however, China gets better faster than other countries. The international position of China has become stronger and stronger since the Tiananmen Incident. One may argue that China's rise has nothing to do with the Tiananmen Incident. That will diminish the event as not important. If thats the case, let us forget it and dont mention it every year. One may argue that if the student in the square overthrew the government, China may rise faster, and Chinese people can have a better living standard and better human rights conditions. But a series of color revolutions in the world showed the opposite. Regardless, the CPC has nothing to be proud of in that event. It was an event not planned by the CPC. The CPC never expected such an event. The handling of the event was terrible. CPC had never prepared for such events since 1949. It was the first time the CPC had crashed with its people since 1921. The CPC simply does not want to mention it. It strove for the best outcome among all the worst nightmares. UN strives to eliminate poverty in the world, and China made the biggest contribution. That is called the worst human rights record of China by the West. West said that China should be weak so that its people can have human rights. Chinese people know that when China was weak, Chinese people did not have human rights. That is the lesson the Chinese learned from the Hundred Years' Humiliation. The West thinks otherwise. They believe the incident created a bad outcome. Yes. China rising is good for Chinese people and bad for those who cannot stand the Chinese people having a decent life. We judge a historical event by its outcome, not by really know. Chinese people support the CPC without the need to really know about the event. Just like we buy a car without really understanding the cars mechanics and electronics, just like we enjoy a meal without knowing how the chef cooks it and how the foods are digested in our body. The outcome is good. Thats it. Chinese people feel lucky that they have Deng rather than Gorbachev. 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 Mumbai, May 30 : Actor and producer Shweta Tripathi is all set to make her debut as a theatre producer with the staging of the critically acclaimed British play titled 'Cock'. The play will have its premiere show to take place on June 6 in Delhi at Max Muller Bhavan and June 10 in Mumbai at Prithvi Theatre to commemorate Pride Month. Speaking about the project, Shweta shared, "Theatre has always been my first love. It's raw, immediate, and leaves no space to hidefrom the audience or from the truth. Producing a play like Cock is a personal and creative decision born out of my belief that storytelling should reflect the world in all its complexity and beauty. Shweta is producing this place under her theatre production company called AllMyTea which is being directed by UK based, Manish Gandhi. The play has roped in actors Rytasha Rathore, Tanmay Dhanania, Sahir Mehta, Harssh Singh. For Shweta to bring back this play celebrating queer love and pride month is the highlight to celebrate and highlight this story during a month dedicated to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Written by British playwright Mike Bartlett, and being directed by Manish Gandhi, the play is an explosive, emotionally charged drama that delves into themes of identity, sexuality, and the fluidity of love. It's honest, unapologetic portrayal of a man caught between the familiar and the unexpectedhis long-time male partner and a new-found attraction to a woman. She added: "We are living in a time where people are finally feeling empowered to own their identities, and Cock doesn't shy away from the discomfort or the beauty of that journey. It's messy, human, and real. That's what drew me to it." The actress said that she wants to be part of stories that "make you uncomfortable in the best waystories that spark conversations, empathy, and perhaps even change." She continued: "Pride Month is a celebration, yesbut it's also a reminder that visibility, inclusion, and acceptance are still ongoing battles. With this play, we aim to honour queer experiences and give them the stage they have long deserved." The production is currently in casting and pre-production, with the play scheduled to open in June 2025 in Mumbai and Delhi. Itanagar, May 30 : Setting up a novel trend, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday virtually laid the foundation stone for various infrastructure development projects across the state worth Rs 750 crore. After laying the foundation stones, the Chief Minister said that these projects are in line with the state government's commitment to successfully implement the 'Shikshit Arunachal 2029' Mission adopted by the state government. An official of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said that these proposed projects are to be implemented under the Education department and to be executed by Rural Works Department (RWD) in the current financial year 2025-26. He said that a major part of this effort involves the implementation of multiple education infrastructure projects that includes, upgrading 39 government higher secondary schools under the SASCI (Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment) scheme with a budget of Rs 300 crore and construction of 156 hostels and teachers' quarters in all districts under SASCI with Rs 322 crore. The CMO official said that 14 large-capacity hostels (120 beds each) under the DAJGUA (Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan) scheme costing Rs 71.40 crore, 60 bachelor barracks in rural schools with Rs 9 crore, infrastructure development of Arunachal University, Pasighat with Rs 30 crore and constructing 394 kitchen sheds cum stores for the PM Poshan scheme with Rs 23.64 crore. Under the Shikshit Arunachal 2029 Mission, the Chief Minister said that all infrastructural needs of government schools would be fulfilled while also making policy decisions to rejuvenate the education system of the state. Khandu reiterated that schools not functioning or with zero attendance would be closed, and the inter-village school model would be implemented. "Over the years, with a focus on quantity, we lost quality. Under this Mission Shikshit Arunachal, we intend to take the quality of our education to top-notch by 2029," he revealed. Khandu expressed belief that under the able leadership of Education Minister P.D. Sona, the mission would be achieved as stipulated. Congratulating the Rural Works Department and Education departments on the huge responsibility, he advised the officers and officials of RWD to maintain quality and the timeline for completion without fail. In the event, also present were Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Education Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona, Advisor to Education Minister Mutchu Mithi and senior officials from the RWD and Education Departments. Ludhiana, June 1 : BJP national General Secretary Tarun Chugh said on Sunday that Punjab is facing a debt of over Rs 4 lakh crore, while campaigning for Jeewan Gupta, the BJP candidate for the June 19 Ludhiana (West) bypoll. He also gave a call to expose the theatrical actions of the AAP government in Punjab. Speaking to the media, Chugh said the bypoll is a litmus test for Punjab, which is currently suffering under AAP's chaotic and directionless governance. "Punjab is facing a grave law and order crisis and due to complete financial mismanagement, the state is reeling under a debt of more than Rs 4 lakh crore," Chugh said. He added that Ludhiana, once hailed as the industrial capital of India, is now battling a lack of basic infrastructure, a surge in organised crime, and rampant drug abuse. Investors are fleeing to other states, while the youth of Punjab feel betrayed by AAP's empty promises of jobs and prosperity. Chugh hit out at Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, calling him a puppet in the hands of Arvind Kejriwal. He said, "Just like the people of Delhi rejected Kejriwal, the people of Punjab will do the same to Bhagwant Mann in 2027." BJP candidate Jeewan Gupta, while thanking the party leadership for entrusting him with this opportunity, said he is hopeful and determined. He said the business community in Punjab is particularly suffering under the Mann regime due to the absence of a clear, consistent industrial policy. He assured that with public support, he will raise every voice that AAP has silenced in Punjab. The bypoll for the Ludhiana (West) Assembly was necessitated by the demise of Gurpreet Gogi Bassi, who sustained a gunshot wound to his head at his house in January. The election will be held on June 17, with the counting of ballots on June 23 along with four other Assembly seats -- two in Gujarat and one each in Kerala and West Bengal. The state Aam Aadmi Party in February announced Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora as its candidate for the by-election, while the main Opposition Congress has fielded former Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, who is being accused in a multi-crore foodgrain transportation and labour cartage tender scam. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has nominated Parupkar Singh Ghuman for the bypoll. By fielding the sitting MP, speculations in political circles are rife that AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, who's active in the state politics after facing humiliating defeat not only of his party but his bastion in Delhi Assembly elections, is going to the Rajya Sabha in his place in case Arora wins the bypoll. However, the party has so far denied that Kejriwal is moving to the Rajya Sabha. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in October 2024 carried out a raid at the residence of AAP candidate Arora in Ludhiana as part of a money laundering probe linked to a land 'fraud' case. The raid was in connection with a chunk of land that was allotted to Ritesh Properties and Industries Limited, one of the companies owned by Arora, by the state government for an industrial project, but it was used for a residential project. In the 2022 Assembly elections, AAP's legislator Gogi, who joined the party in the run-up to the polls, defeated two-time legislator Bharat Bhushan Ashu in Ludhiana (West), a traditional Congress stronghold urban seat. CB Insights 2023 20% ------------------ Determining the exact percentage of global venture capital (VC) funding allocated to AI in 2025 is challenging due to varying methodologies, data lags, and the influence of large individual deals. However, available data from early 2025 provides some insights: - **Q1 2025 Data**: According to PitchBook, AI and machine learning startups captured 57.9% of global VC dollars in the first quarter of 2025, totaling $73 billion out of $126.3 billion in global VC investment. This figure was heavily influenced by a single $40 billion funding round for OpenAI, which alone accounted for a significant portion of the total.[](https://www.ainvest.com/news/ai-startups-capture-57-9-global-venture-capital-q1-2025-2504/)[](https://www.techmonitor.ai/digital-economy/ai-and-automation/ai-companies-52bn-global-vc-funding-q1-2025) - **Concentration and Variability**: The high percentage in Q1 was driven by mega-deals, with AI-focused companies like OpenAI, Anthropic ($3.5 billion), Infinite Reality ($3 billion), and Groq ($1.5 billion) dominating the top transactions. KPMG notes that AI companies raised at least $52 billion in Q1, representing 41% of the $126.3 billion total, though PitchBook's estimate is higher at 57.9%.[](https://www.techmonitor.ai/digital-economy/ai-and-automation/ai-companies-52bn-global-vc-funding-q1-2025)[](https://www.ainvest.com/news/ai-startups-capture-57-9-global-venture-capital-q1-2025-2504/) - **Later Trends**: A post on X from May 2025 suggests that AI's share of global VC funding cooled to approximately 30% in April 2025, per Crunchbase data, still a significant portion compared to other tech trends like crypto or SaaS at their peaks. - **Annual Projection**: Full-year 2025 data is not yet complete as of June 2, 2025. However, the strong Q1 performance, bolstered by large AI deals, suggests AI could maintain a substantial share, though the exact percentage for the entire year remains uncertain due to fluctuating monthly investments and deal sizes. **Caveats**: These figures are skewed by outlier mega-rounds, and the share of AI funding can vary month to month. Data lags, especially for smaller or early-stage deals, may also adjust these numbers over time. No single source provides a definitive full-year percentage as of now. **Estimate**: Based on available data, AI likely accounted for between 30% and 58% of global VC funding in early 2025, with Q1 peaking at 57.9% per PitchBook. A precise annual figure would require more comprehensive data, which is not yet available. For the latest insights, consider checking reports from PitchBook, KPMG, or Crunchbase as 2025 progresses.[](https://www.ainvest.com/news/ai-startups-capture-57-9-global-venture-capital-q1-2025-2504/)[](https://www.techmonitor.ai/digital-economy/ai-and-automation/ai-companies-52bn-global-vc-funding-q1-2025) ********************************************************************************************************************************************************** Builder.AI https://www.wenxuecity.com/news/2025/06/01/126188018.html? Builder.ai, founded in 2016 by Sachin Dev Duggal and Saurabh Dhoot under the name Engineer.ai, aimed to revolutionize software development by making it "as easy as ordering a pizza." The London-based startup promised an AI-powered platform to help non-coders, from small businesses to entrepreneurs, build custom apps quickly and affordably. Its flagship product, Builder Studio, combined modular code libraries with a digital assistant named Natasha, marketed as an AI-driven solution to streamline app development. The company gained significant attention, raising over $500 million from high-profile investors like Microsoft, Qatar Investment Authority, SoftBank, and others, reaching a valuation of $1.3$1.5 billion, earning it "unicorn" status. It was celebrated as a leader in the no-code/low-code space, winning awards like "Hottest AI Startup" at The Europas and a spot on Fast Companys Most Innovative Companies list.[](https://www.builder.ai/about-us)[](https://www.financialexpress.com/business/start-ups/why-did-microsoft-backed-1-3bn-builderai-collapse-accused-of-using-indian-codersforaiwork/3854944/)[](https://techstartups.com/2025/05/24/builder-ai-a-microsoft-backed-ai-startup-once-valued-at-1-2-billion-files-for-bankruptcy-is-ai-becoming-another-com-bubble/) However, cracks in the narrative emerged early. In 2019, The Wall Street Journal exposed that Builder.ais platform relied heavily on human developers, primarily in India and Ukraine, rather than the advanced AI it touted. This "AI washing" sparked skepticism, as the companys marketing overstated its automation capabilities. Despite this, Builder.ai continued to grow, securing a $250 million Series D in 2023 and expanding globally, including partnerships like the one with Microsofts cloud services.[](https://www.financialexpress.com/business/start-ups/why-did-microsoft-backed-1-3bn-builderai-collapse-accused-of-using-indian-codersforaiwork/3854944/)[](https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/20/once-worth-over-1b-microsoft-backed-builder-ai-is-running-out-of-money/)[](https://techstartups.com/2025/05/24/builder-ai-a-microsoft-backed-ai-startup-once-valued-at-1-2-billion-files-for-bankruptcy-is-ai-becoming-another-com-bubble/) Financial troubles loomed large by 2024. Builder.ais aggressive expansion, high burn rate (reportedly $40 million per quarter at its peak), and reliance on inflated revenue projections led to a crisis. The company projected $220 million in 2024 sales to creditors, but actual revenue was closer to $50$55 million, a 300% exaggeration. It also owed significant debts, including $85 million to Amazon and $30 million to Microsoft. In October 2024, Builder.ai secured a $50 million credit line from Viola Credit, but overstated financials breached loan covenants. Viola seized $37 million from the companys accounts, leaving just $5 million, triggering a default.[](https://beam.ai/agentic-insights/builder-ai-from-unicorn-to-insolvency-history-collapse-and-the-low-code-landscape)[](https://techstartups.com/2025/05/24/builder-ai-a-microsoft-backed-ai-startup-once-valued-at-1-2-billion-files-for-bankruptcy-is-ai-becoming-another-com-bubble/)[](https://www.icoderzsolutions.com/blog/lessons-from-builder-ai-collapse/) In early 2025, Sachin Dev Duggal was replaced as CEO by Manpreet Ratia, who took over to address the financial mess. Ratia commissioned an internal investigation that uncovered "potentially bogus" sales, including a "round-tripping" scheme with Indian firm VerSe Innovation, where the companies allegedly exchanged invoices to inflate revenue without delivering services. This led to a US probe by the Southern District of New York, demanding financial records. By May 2025, with cash reserves depleted and unable to meet payroll, Builder.ai filed for bankruptcy, entering insolvency proceedings. The collapse affected 770 employees and operations across five countries, leaving customers scrambling to migrate apps.[](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-30/builder-ai-faked-business-with-indian-firm-verse-to-inflate-sales-sources-say)[](https://sifted.eu/articles/builder-us-probe)[](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/builder-ai-verse-fake-sales-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-round-tripping-scandal/articleshow/121531656.cms?from=mdr) The fallout highlighted broader issues in the AI startup ecosystem. Builder.ais failure was attributed to financial mismanagement, overhyping AI capabilities, and a business model that prioritized scale over sustainability. Critics pointed to "FOMO investing," where investors, caught up in AI hype, overlooked weak fundamentals. Posts on X reflected shock at the collapse, with some calling it a cautionary tale of AI washing and unsustainable growth. The debacle raised questions about the no-code/low-code markets reliability, though analysts note the sector remains robust, projected to reach $26 billion by 2025.[](https://www.financialexpress.com/business/start-ups/why-did-microsoft-backed-1-3bn-builderai-collapse-accused-of-using-indian-codersforaiwork/3854944/)[](https://thenextweb.com/news/builder-ai-collapse-exposes-fomo-investing) Builder.ais story is a stark reminder that flashy branding and investor enthusiasm cant substitute for sound business practices. While it aimed to democratize software development, its reliance on human labor, inflated metrics, and financial overreach led to a spectacular fall from grace.[](https://www.icoderzsolutions.com/blog/lessons-from-builder-ai-collapse/) Paris, June 1 : Tommy Paul broke new ground on Sunday at Roland Garros, where he reached the quarter-finals at the clay-court major for the first time. The American earned battling five-set wins against Marton Fucsovics and Karen Khachanov earlier this week but found the going easier against Alexei Popyrin, dispatching the Australian 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 52 minutes as per ATP. Paul has now reached the last eight at three of the four majors, advancing to the semi-finals at the Australian Open in 2023 and the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2024. The 28-year-old is just the ninth American man in the Open Era and only active American to advance to Grand Slam quarter-finals on all three surfaces. He joins Andre Agassi, Michael Chang, Jim Courier, Vitas Gerulaitis, Brian Gottfried, John McEnroe and Pete Sampras. Aiming to reach the last four in Paris, the 12th seed will next face defending champion Carlos Alcaraz or countryman Ben Shelton. Paul trails Alcaraz 2-4 in the pairas Lexus ATP Head2Head series and is tied at 2-2 with Shelton. Paul saved 90 per cent (9/10) of the break points he faced against Popyrin, stuck 27 winners to the Australian's 18 and committed 15 fewer unforced errors (22-37) than the World No. 25, according to Infosys Stats. Paul is now 12-3 on clay this season, having reached the semi-finals at the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome last month. The four-time tour-level titlist is currently No. 8 in the ATP Live Rankings. Popyrin had not dropped a set en route to reaching the fourth round in the French capital for the first time. The 25-year-old is up four spots to No. 21 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. Mumbai, June 1 : Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cancelled the food business licence of Zepto's facility in Dharavi after a surprise inspection found multiple serious violations of food safety rules. Mumbai, June 1 (IANS) Maharashtraas Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cancelled the food business licence of Zeptoas facility in Dharavi after a surprise inspection found multiple serious violations of food safety rules. This move is part of a larger crackdown on Zepto's operations in Mumbai. According to FDA officials, the inspection at the Dharavi location revealed poor hygiene and unsafe food storage conditions. Some food items were found with fungal growth, while others were stored near stagnant water. The cold storage units were not keeping the required temperature, and the floors were dirty and wet. Inspectors also found expired food items not clearly separated from the fresh stock. The inspection was triggered by a tip-off received from the Minister of State for FDA, Yogesh Kadam. Based on the findings, the Assistant Commissioner, Food, Anupamaa Balasaheb Patil, ordered the suspension of the facilityas licence under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This suspension will remain in place until Zepto corrects all the issues and gets clearance from the licensing authority. Zepto, a fast-growing quick commerce company, has also faced inspections at its Bhiwandi, Bandra East, and Borivali facilities. While the licences at Bhiwandi and Bandra East were not cancelled, notices were issued for violations. In Borivali, the licence was temporarily suspended, but operations resumed after corrective measures were taken and approved by the appellate authority. A Zepto spokesperson said: "Maintaining the highest standards of food safety and hygiene is non-negotiable. We have already started an internal review and are working with authorities to fix the issues quickly." This is not the first controversy for Zepto. The company has recently faced criticism from customers for allegedly increasing delivery charges and using deceptive practices on its app. Social media has seen a rise in complaints from users expressing disappointment with the company. Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha has also made headlines recently, accusing the CFO of a rival company of spreading false information and funding bots to damage Zeptoas reputation. In another blow, Zeptoas Rural Mobilisation Programme is under scrutiny. The Rajdhani App Workers Union has accused the companyas recruitment partners of unfairly reducing the wages of delivery agents from small towns and keeping them in poor living conditions. Thiruvanathapuram/Kolkata, June 1 : Making the contest in Kerala's Nilambur bypoll multi-cornered, its former MLA P.V. Anvar again jumped into the fray - as the candidate of the Trinamool Congress. West Bengal's ruling Trinamool on Sunday announced the name of Anvar as its candidate for the bypoll slated to be held on June 19. Anvar is a two-time former Left Democratic Front-backed Independent candidate from the same constituency, whose resignation prompted the bypoll. "Under the inspiration and guidance of Hon'ble Chairperson Smt. Mamata Banerjee, we are pleased to announce the All India Trinamool Congress candidate for the impending Kerala Legislative By-election scheduled for 19th June, 2025," the Trinamool said in a statement. In October last year, Anvar severed his ties with the Left Front Democratic Front after a heated spat with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and floated a new political party christened the Democratic Movement of Kerala. Later, the new political outfit merged with the Trinamool, and Anvar also resigned as a legislator. The announcement puts an end to days of political speculation over Anvar, who had also approached the Congress-led United Democratic Front, but an agreement could not be reached. Anvar's candidacy has stirred interest in Kerala's political circles, particularly after his earlier statement on Saturday declaring that he would not enter the fray. Citing financial constraints, Anvar remarked that he lacked the crores of rupees typically needed for an election campaign and had no plans to contest. He also dismissed any political ties with the UDF. However, in a surprising shift later the same day, Anvar appeared to reconsider his decision. "What can I do if so many common workers come to visit me with Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, pleading with me to contest?" he said, suggesting mounting grassroots pressure had influenced his change of heart. Adding intrigue to the unfolding developments, Youth Congress state president Rahul Mamkoottathil paid a late-night visit to Anvar's residence in Malappuram on Saturday. While the content of their discussion remains undisclosed, confirmation of Anvar's candidacy surfaced within hours of their meeting, fuelling speculation about behind-the-scenes political negotiations. Anvar has also been engaged in earlier talks with the UDF regarding the Trinamool's potential inclusion in the alliance. Although Congress leaders reportedly offered the Trinamool associate membership status, Anvar rejected the offer, insisting instead on full membership for his party. The stalemate over this demand had cast uncertainty over his political direction -- until now. Anvar, known for his unpredictability and populist appeal, appears poised for a high-stakes return to electoral politics in Nilambur. With the Trinamool banking on his local clout and grassroots connect, the Nilambur by-election is likely to witness a keenly watched political battle. The Congress has fielded Aryadan Shoukath, whose father Aryadan Mohammed had represented the seat for a record eight terms till 2016 when he announced his retirement. However, Shoukath had lost the seat to Anvar in 2016. The CPI-M candidate is state Secretariat member M. Swaraj, and the BJP has fielded Mohan George. With Anvar's candidature, the Trinamool will be contesting from two of the five Assembly constituencies in four states that will be going for bypolls on June 19, one being Nilambur and the other being Kaliganj in Nadia district of West Bengal. In Kaliganj, it has fielded Alifa Ahmed, the daughter of the sitting party legislator, Nasiruddin Ahmed, whose sudden demise in February this year necessitated the bypolls. The three other assembly constituencies where by-polls will be held on June 19 are Kadi and Visavdar in Gujarat and Ludhiana West in Punjab. The Trinamool Congress had earlier made attempts to expand the party's base outside West Bengal, and then the party leadership mainly concentrated on states in the northeast like Tripura, Assam, and Meghalaya. However, the electoral results were disastrous for the party. Motihari, June 1 : Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) - the largest publicly funded health assurance scheme in the world, providing health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation, is yielding considerable results in the city as thousands of residents have registered themselves for the scheme and are also drawing benefits from it. Unlike earlier, people from the lower and middle class background are getting themselves treated at hospitals without any expense. Those suffering from diseases are undergoing treatment in private hospitals of Motihari and also getting operated upon the PM-JAY. Many patients spoke to IANS, sharing how got operated on for hernia and other diseases like appendix, without accruing any financial burden. Beneficiary Virendra Shah said: "This scheme is very beneficial as the treatment of disease has become very expensive." Prem Kumar said: "If this scheme had not been introduced by the government, poor people like us would have either had to mortgage our jewellery or sell our land, but now, thanks to the government's scheme, we are getting treatment without spending a single rupee." A female beneficiary, Sangeeta Kumar, said: "We had got the Ayushman card made a long time ago. When we knew that treatment is being done under this scheme in this hospital, we came here. We are thankful to the government." Dr. Ajay Verma, a city doctor treating these patients also praised the PM-JAY. "Earlier, if farmers or poor people had a major illness and needed treatment, they had to sell rice and wheat or mortgage their jewellery to get treatment. But, PM-JAY is giving new life to people. People now come to the hospital without paying any money and go after getting treatment. Earlier they used to worry about both the disease and money, but now this does not happen," he told IANS. New Delhi, June 1 : With the opposition AAP and the Congress crying foul over a slum demolition in the national capital's Jangpura area, Delhi unit BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said the action was taken on court order. He said that the relocation of slum dwellers from the Barapullah Madrasi Camp near Jangpura to flats in Narela is not a routine administrative removal of a slum settlement, but is based on a Delhi High Court order concerning the removal of slums built over a drain. Sachdeva said that the BJP still stands by its policy of "jahan jhuggi wahin makan", but the slum settlement of the Madrasi Camp on the Barapullah drain had, for years, prevented proper cleaning of the drain. This had become a major cause of waterlogging in several kilometres of the surrounding area during the monsoon. The order to remove the Barapullah Madrasi Camp was issued during the rule of the Aam Aadmi Party through the Public Works Department, he said. The residents had challenged this order but the High Court rejected their plea and, prioritising the cleaning of the Barapullah drain, issued a removal order for June 1. Sachdeva expressed regret that the same AAP leaders who had earlier issued removal orders through the PWD were now trying to provoke slum residents. "It is the BJP government's sensitive and humane policy that, although the Delhi High Court ordered the removal of the Barapullah Madrasi Camp on June 1, our government provided them with alternative flats and a better life instead of simply displacing them," said Sachdeva. The Delhi BJP President said that rather than indulging in hollow statements, AAP leaders should answer why their government never provided better rehabilitation to a single slum community, even though they consistently treated slum dwellers as vote banks based on Assembly constituencies. New Delhi, June 1 : The Congress on Sunday named Rameshbhai Chavda as its candidate for the bypoll scheduled to be held on June 19 in Gujarat's Kadi Assembly Constituency. In a statement, Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal said that "Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has approved the candidature of Rameshbhai Chavda as the party's candidate for the ensuing by-election". Kadi is among the five Assembly constituencies in three states that will be going for by-polls on June 19, the other four being Visavadar in Gujarat, Ludhiana-West in Punjab, Nilambur in Kerala and Kaliganj in West Bengal. The Election Commission earlier in a notification announced that bypolls to the Assembly constituencies of Visavadar and Kadi will be held on June 19. The ballots will be counted on June 23. Meanwhile, the by-election in Visavadar Assembly seat is likely to be a triangular contest between the BJP, Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party. Interestingly, the grand old party which is a constituent of the INDIA bloc and a partner of the AAP in the alliance, said that it will contest the bypoll solo. This year in March, the AAP named former Gujarat unit chief Gopal Italia as its candidate for the Visavadar Assembly bypoll. The Kadi Assembly seat which in Gujarat's Mehsana district, fell vacant in February following the passing away of BJP legislator Karsan Solanki. Leaders from the ruling BJP as well as the opposition Congress have expressed confidence in putting on a good show in the upcoming bypolls. Notably, in the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, the BJP has 161 MLAs, the Congress has 12 while the AAP has 4 legislators. The Election Commission in a statement said that it has decided to use EVMs and VVPATs in the bye-election in all the polling stations. "Adequate numbers of EVMs and VVPATs have been made available and all steps have been taken to ensure that the poll is conducted smoothly with the help of these machines," it read. New Delhi, June 1 : Elon Musk's father Errol Musk, Global Advisor to Servotech Renewable Power System Ltd, arrived in India on Sunday. He is scheduled to visit Servotech's manufacturing plant with other high-level engagements, including a visit to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya this week. According to the company, Errol Musk arrived in India for a visit focused on accelerating the nation's green technology and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure development. His visit underscores the burgeoning global interest in India's rapid strides towards sustainable development and its ambition to be a leader in green technology exports, said the company. "We are incredibly excited to welcome Errol Musk to India," said Raman Bhatia, Managing Director, Servotech Renewable Power System Ltd. "His profound expertise and global vision as our Global Advisor are invaluable as we drive India's mission to become a powerhouse in green technology and EV charging exports. This visit signifies a major step towards 'Keeping Bharat Ahead' on the global stage," Bhatia added. During his stay, Errol Musk will engage with a diverse set of stakeholders. He is slated to deliver a keynote address at the IndiaGlobal Green Tech Vision Forum 2025 in the national capital. This event will bring together policymakers, investors, business leaders, and senior bureaucrats to discuss India's strategic push for leadership in green technologies. He will also undertake a visit to Servotech Renewable's state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Sonipat, Haryana, to witness first-hand the innovative production of EV chargers, solar solutions, and other sustainable technologies, showcasing the 'Make in India' excellence, said the company. "It is an immense privilege to be in India and witness its vibrant progress in green technology and sustainable development," said Errol Musk. "India's commitment to a cleaner future and its burgeoning EV ecosystem present incredible opportunities. I am eager to contribute to Servotech's vision and explore the potential for India to lead the global green revolution," he added. London, June 2 : Members of the Indian diaspora in the UK have lauded the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government's decisive action against cross-border terrorism through Operation Sindoor and expressed pride in India giving a befitting reply to Pakistan-sponsored terror. The sentiments were echoed during an outreach programme organised by the Indian Embassy in the UK here on Sunday (local time), where an all-party Parliamentary delegation led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Shankar Prasad engaged with the diaspora, highlighting India's unequivocal, unified and assertive stance against terrorism. The nine-member 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, arrived in the UK capital late Saturday evening (local time). The delegation was received by the High Commissioner of India to the UK, Vivek Doraiswami. Following the delegation's interaction with the Indian community in London on Sunday afternoon (local time), the members of the diaspora praised Operation Sindoor and PM Modi-led government's leadership. An Indian community member, while praising the Indian Armed forces for successfully carrying out 'Operation Sindoor', said: "This (Operation Sindoor) is a huge success. We (India) showed Pakistan in just five days what we are capable of doing and its impact has been felt in the whole world. As you can see Pakistan's military requested India to announce ceasefire so this operation is a great success. India has given a befitting reply to Pakistan and if the latter commits any misadventure then India will again enter Pakistan and give a fitting response. In a conflict, you never know on which side a bomb will explode but I think whatever happened is a lesson for Pakistan." Another community member said: "I hail Operation Sindoor and Sindoor is not just an ornament for a married woman but is a symbol of India's unity and for safeguarding our husband's life. I hail Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and support him. Violence and terrorism should not be tolerated at any cost... India has never attacked any country but if someone attacks us then we need to give a befitting response to them which is the right and fair thing to do." A third community attendee said: "It is great to be here at the Indian High Commission in the UK... am really excited to hear what the Indian government officials have to say on Operation Sindoor and what happened recently in Kashmir. As a woman of Indian-origin who has family in India and travelled several times to Kashmir in the past as a tourist. I feel it is really important to hear the Indian government's stand on how Indians and anyone can feel safe and protected back home." Another diaspora member said: "All Indian diaspora members have gathered today at the Indian High Commission in the UK here and speak on India's collective position on terrorism and whatever action India took was against giving terrorism a befitting response. However, the Pakistan Army and government supported terrorists and we have nothing against the people of Pakistan. We want peace between both India and Pakistan. But Pakistan removed the 'sindoor' of our sisters. We as a members of Indian diaspora want to send a message to the whole world that India has done the right thing to launch Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Operation Sindoor has not ended but only temporarily halted. India will finally take away Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the coming days or months and it will become a part of India. If Pakistan commits any further terror acts, India will again enter the neighbouring country's territory and give a befitting response." The all-party delegation led by BJP Ravi Shankar Prasad visited the Ambedkar Museum in London during its visit to the UK capital as part of India's outreach effort to convey India's unequivocal commitment to defeat terrorism. The delegation visited Ambedkar Museum in London and paid tributes to B.R. Ambedkar. According to sources, in commemorating Babasaheb's leadership and vision, the team of MPs also recalled that one of the most outrageous examples of Pakistan-abetted and directed terror began in Mumbai on 26 November 2008, "on the anniversary of the adoption of our Constitution on that day in 1949, the drafting of which was led by Babasaheb Ambedkar". The MPs emphasised the resolve of Indian democracy to confront and defeat terrorism in all its forms. During their four-day visit to Britain, the delegation is scheduled to meet the Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle; Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Minister for Indo-Pacific, MP Catherine West; members of the both Houses of the UK Parliament, and key representatives from media, think-tanks, and the Indian diaspora. The Indian Embassy in London earlier on X wrote: "An All-Party Parliamentary delegation comprising of former Ministers, members of Parliament, and a former Ambassador, led by Ravi Shankar Prasad, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, arrived in London late this evening. The Delegation is on a visit to the United Kingdom from May 31 to June 3, 2025, with a mission to convey India's unequivocal commitment to defeat terrorism." Madrid, June 2 : An all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi began the final leg of its five-nation visit in Madrid, by paying homage to the statue of the 'Father of the Nation' -- Mahatma Gandhi. Madrid, June 2 (IANS) An all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi began the final leg of its five-nation visit in Madrid, by paying homage to the statue of the 'Father of the Nation' -- Mahatma Gandhi. Taking to social media platform X on Sunday evening, the Indian Embassy in Spain in a press statement said: "The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation commenced the final leg of its five-nation visit in Madrid by paying homage to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi. The tribute was a solemn occasion to reflect on and honour the Mahatma's enduring values of non-violence and peace." "Following the ceremony, the delegation engaged with members of the Indian community in Spain. The delegation conveyed a powerful message to the diaspora, emphasising that India remains unshakable and united in its fight against terrorism, which threatens global peace and humanity. The delegation highlighted that its diverse composition reflects a strong national consensus and resolve across political lines to combat this menace. They urged the Indian community in Spain to take pride in their roots, stand united and actively support India's efforts to promote justice and peace," the press statement added. The Kanimozhi-led delegation 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 and Ambassador Jawed Ashraf. During the interaction, members of the Indian diaspora shared that their Spanish acquaintances had reacted with shock and concern to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, reflecting growing international awareness of the challenges India faces in combating terrorism, the press statement said. The community also expressed strong support for India's counter-terrorism efforts and conveyed their solidarity with the nation, the press statement added. "The delegation is scheduled to engage with members of the Spanish government, parliamentarians and civil society representatives on the final day of their visit. These engagements will provide a platform to brief Spanish leaders on Operation Sindoor and to articulate India's position as the world's fourth-largest economy, committed to peace, stability and a resolute stance against terrorism." The Indian Embassy in Spain said in a post on X: "The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation had a insightful interaction with the Indian diaspora, reaffirming Indiaas unwavering commitment to peace in the face of terrorism. They emphasized that India will lead the global fight against terrorism, upholding the values of peace and resilience." "The delegation with humility and conviction, called upon the community to stand united in pride and shared heritage." "The diaspora responded with heartfelt enthusiasm, expressing deep solidarity with the nation and a strong sense of identity and belonging." "The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation visiting Spain interacted with Arturo Fernandez Alvarez, a Spanish businessman, who is a survivor of the horrible terror attacks that took place in Mumbai on November 26, 2008. Arturo joined the delegation in condemning the menace of terrorism." 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 Spain following successful engagements in Latvia, Greece, Slovenia and Russia, reaffirming India's firm stance on combating terrorism. Chennai, June 2 : Government schools across Tamil Nadu will reopen on Monday after the summer vacation, with a renewed focus on digital learning and foundational skill-building in reading, writing, and arithmetic. The CBSE and other board schools in the state are scheduled to reopen between June 2 and 6. From this academic year, digital intervention will begin as early as Class I, with all government primary schools now equipped with smart boards. Elementary Education Director P.A. Naresh said students will benefit from a "unique experience" of digital learning from the very first day of school. "All primary schools now have smart boards, while middle schools have been provided with hi-tech labs. Our core focus this year will be increasing enrolment, sustaining student attendance, enhancing learning outcomes, and maintaining zero tolerance for POCSO-related offences," he added. In preparation for reopening, schools across the city have cleaned and refreshed campuses and held teacher meetings to plan academic schedules. As of now, over 1.85 lakh students have enrolled in Class I in government schools, and the number is expected to cross four lakh by the end of June. For Classes 6 to 8, the state government is launching a new initiative called 'Thiran', aimed at improving reading and writing skills in both Tamil and English, along with basic mathematics. "We are prioritising the improvement of language and arithmetic skills," said School Education Director S. Kannappan. "Teachers have been instructed to use online resources to improve students' pronunciation and spoken English. To strengthen basic math, we are emphasising daily repetition of multiplication tables." The state government has also announced a major curriculum and syllabus revision across all classes, to be implemented from the 202526 academic year. However, this year, the government has not conducted Right to Education (RTE) admissions in private schools due to pending reimbursements from the Union government. Typically, around 70,000 students join 8,000 private schools annually under the RTE Act. Some schools are introducing foundational classes for NEET and JEE from Class 9 onwards, while Chennai Corporation schools have set ambitious goals to improve board exam results and increase admissions. "We want more top scorers in Classes 10 and 12 this year," said Padmaja R., headmistress of Chennai Girls Higher Secondary School, Saidapet. Los Angeles, June 2 : A suspect was taken into custody after multiple people were injured in an terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, authorities said. Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said at a news conference that Boulder dispatch received several calls reporting an incident at the county courthouse in downtown Boulder at approximately 1:26 p.m. local time (1926 GMT), Xinhua news agency reported. Police officers found several victims suffering from burns and other injuries upon arriving at the scene. An organiser with Run For Their Lives -- a group that holds weekly walks to raise awareness about Israeli hostages held in Gaza -- told local television station KUSA that five people were burned in the attack. When they arrived at the historic courthouse near 13th and Pearl Streets, a man was waiting with bottles, the organizer was quoted as saying in the report. The suspect threw the bottles, burning five people, including a woman who was severely injured and had to roll on the ground to extinguish the flames, according to the report. In a social media post, FBI Director Kash Patel said, "We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado." "Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available," he added. Redfearn condemned the incident as "unacceptable," but noted it was still too early for police to speculate on a motive. "I am closely monitoring the situation in Boulder, and my thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror," Colorado Governor Jared Polis said in a post on X, adding, "Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable." Sharing concern after the attack, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is leading one of the all-party delegation globally highlighting India's stance against terrorism, posted on X: "Members of the Indian MPs' delegation learned with concern about the terror attack in Boulder, Colorado today. We are relieved there was no loss of life. We all share Secy of State @SecRubio's view that "terror has no place" in our countries." Chennai, June 2 : With just ten days left for the scheduled release of water from the Mettur dam on June 12, farmers in the Cauvery Delta region of Tamil Nadu have expressed deep concerns over the slow and uneven progress of desilting works, essential for effective water distribution during the Kuruvai cultivation season. According to estimates from local farmer associations, only about 40 to 50 per cent of the desilting work has been completed so far. Farmers allege the works are being carried out selectively, favouring areas with political connections while key irrigation channels remain neglected. "Officials seem more interested in satisfying political recommendations than addressing actual needs on the ground," said Eraharam Swaminathan, president of the Pazhavaru Ayakattar Association. "Many C to G category channels are being ignored under the pretext of insufficient funds, even though they are vital to thousands of small farmers." He pointed to the Kandagarayam canal in Thanjavur -- a B-category irrigation channel -- as an example of administrative apathy. "It hasn't been desilted for five years, despite irrigating over 1,500 acres," he said. In response to mounting criticism, an official from the Water Resources Department (WRD), requesting anonymity, acknowledged the challenges but defended the department's efforts. "Desilting work is ongoing in a phased manner. Priority is given based on the command area size and current budget allocations. We are aiming to cover the maximum length before June 12," the official said. However, farmers remain unconvinced. "In Ammaiyagaram and other blocks, the quality of work is compromised," said A.R. Manikantan, a farmer leader. "Payments are made to contractors even before completion, resulting in substandard work. We need transparency and accountability." When contacted, Thanjavur District Collector Dinesh Ponraj Oliver said regular inspections were underway. "All field engineers have been instructed to accelerate the pace of work. We are coordinating with the WRD to ensure major irrigation channels are desilted before the Mettur release," he stated. The farmers, however, have warned of protests if the situation does not improve. "We are not demanding favours -- we're asking for timely action to save our livelihoods," said Swaminathan. With the Kuruvai season around the corner, the urgency for completed desilting has reached a critical point across the Delta. Farmers are calling on the state government to intervene directly and ensure equitable, efficient desilting ahead of the water release. Kazan, June 2 : A National Cadet Corps (NCC) delegation from India has reached Moscow to participate in the upcoming Cadet Youth Festival in Kazan, Russia, aimed at further enhancing global cadet ties through cultural exchange and cooperation. The international festival is being held from June 1 to 8, bringing together cadets from various countries. The Indian delegation comprises eight members, including six cadets, who will represent the country on the global stage at the prestigious youth event in Kazan. Taking to social media, the NCC shared the update on their official X handle, posting, "NCC delegation of 6 Cadets arrives in Moscow to represent India at the Cadet Youth Festival in Kazan, Russia (01-08 June). Strengthening global cadet ties through friendship & cultural exchange." India's NCC has long engaged in youth exchange programs with Russia aimed at fostering deeper cultural and military ties. These interactions, under initiatives like the Youth Exchange Programme (YEP), typically involve cadet delegations visiting Russia, interacting with their Russian counterparts, and taking part in a variety of cultural and military activities designed to build mutual understanding. For instance, in 2016, an Indian NCC delegation visited Russia and stayed with cadets at the prestigious First Moscow Cadet School. Similar exchange visits have also taken place in cities such as Belgorod, Kursk, and St. Petersburg, further reinforcing the collaborative bond between the two countries' youth cadet organisations. The relationship between the NCC and the Russian Cadet Corps has been marked by consistent cooperation over the years, with delegations regularly visiting each other's countries for joint training and cultural immersion activities. These engagements have offered cadets a chance to learn from each other's traditions, values, and military discipline while also experiencing the host countries' cultural richness. In previous visits to Russia, Indian cadets have had the opportunity to explore cities like Moscow and Smolensk, engage with members of the First Cadet Corps of Rescuers, and take part in events ranging from ballet and circus performances to formal military and cultural parades. The participation of the Indian delegation in this year's Cadet Youth Festival is part of an ongoing effort to bolster global camaraderie among cadets and highlight India's commitment to international cultural diplomacy through its youth. Over the years, NCC delegations have consistently taken part in such festivals and cultural exchanges in Russia, creating a platform for fostering lasting friendships and collaborative growth between the two nations. Rabat, June 2 : India has launched a diplomatic mission through its armed forces programme, with official delegations currently visiting Morocco to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance global engagement. A high-level National Defence College (NDC) delegation, led by Major General Ajay Kumar Singh and comprising 16 senior Army officers --including five from friendly foreign countries -- has commenced a week-long official visit to Morocco. The visit, which runs from June 1 to 7, aims to deepen understanding of defence cooperation and explore new areas of strategic engagement between India and Morocco. Upon their arrival, the delegation was received at the Indian Embassy in Rabat, where Ambassador Sanjay Rana provided a comprehensive briefing on the current state of Indiaa"Morocco relations, particularly in the defence sector. Sharing the update on X, the Indian Embassy posted, "The NDC delegation, led by Maj Gen Ajay Kumar Singh and comprising 16 high-ranking Army officers (including 5 from friendly countries), began their official visit to Morocco (1a"7 June). At the Embassy, Ambassador Sanjay Rana briefed them on Indiaa"Morocco ties and defence cooperation." During the visit, the delegation will meet with senior military and administrative officials of Morocco to discuss defence frameworks and identify potential areas of future collaboration. Simultaneously, an eight-member National Cadet Corps (NCC) delegation from India has arrived in Moscow to participate in the Cadet Youth Festival in Kazan, Russia. Held from June 1 to 8, the festival is designed to foster global cadet camaraderie through cultural exchange and mutual learning. The delegation includes six Indian cadets who will represent the country in a series of interactive events that promote friendship and understanding between youth from different nations. Posting about the visit on X, the NCC stated, "NCC delegation of 6 Cadets arrives in Moscow to represent India at the Cadet Youth Festival in Kazan, Russia (01a"08 June). Strengthening global cadet ties through friendship & cultural exchange." Indian NCC cadets have a long history of participating in youth exchange programs with Russia, often visiting major cities like Moscow, Smolensk, Belgorod, and St. Petersburg. These initiatives, conducted under the Youth Exchange Programme (YEP), facilitate interactions with Russian counterparts and provide opportunities to engage in a mix of military and cultural activities. Past visits have included stays at institutions like the First Moscow Cadet School and participation in events ranging from ballet performances to joint exercises with Russian cadets. Seoul, June 2 : The government held an emergency meeting with major local steelmakers on Monday to discuss the impact of the United States' plan to double its tariffs on all steel imports to 50 per cent later this week, the industry ministry said. The meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, was attended by officials from POSCO Group, Hyundai Steel Co. and other major steel companies here, according to ministry officials. Monday's meeting came after U.S. President Donald Trump said last week he will double tariffs on foreign imports of steel to 50 percent Wednesday (U.S. time), reports Yonhap news agency. The ministry said steel industry officials asked the government to swiftly share information on U.S. tariff measures and continue cooperation with the private sector to respond to them. The ministry added that the government will work to minimize any negative impact of U.S. tariffs on the local industry through trade negotiations with Washington. In May, South Korea's steel exports went down 12.4 percent from a year earlier to $2.6 billion, with shipments to the U.S. plunging 20.6 percent over the cited period. Korean steelmakers have been working to soften the blow of Trump tariffs, with some companies planning to increase their production in the U.S. Hyundai Steel plans to invest $5.8 billion to construct an electric arc furnace-based steel mill in Louisiana by 2029, its first overseas production facility, according to company officials. Last week, Trump said that he planned to double tariffs on foreign imports of steel to 50 percent, further casting a cloud on steelmakers around the globe. He posted on social media that the higher tariff rate would take effect on June 4. "It is my great honour to raise the Tariffs on steel and aluminum from 25 per cent to 50 per cent, effective Wednesday, June 4th. Our steel and aluminum industries are coming back like never before. This will be yet another BIG jolt of great news for our wonderful steel and aluminum workers. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. a"IANS na/ Moscow, June 2 : Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a telephone conversation to discuss the upcoming peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, scheduled to take place in Istanbul on June 2, amid renewed diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict. "The situation linked to the Ukraine crisis was discussed," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in its official statement issued on Sunday. "S.V. Lavrov and Marco Rubio also exchanged views on various initiatives concerning a settlement of the Ukraine crisis, including plans to resume direct Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul on June 2," it added. The US State Department confirmed that the call took place at Russia's request and noted that Rubio supported President Donald Trump's initiative for direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv to achieve "a lasting peace." During the conversation, Lavrov informed Rubio that Moscow is in the process of preparing a detailed set of proposals for the next round of direct talks with Ukraine. "The Minister informed Marco Rubio about implementing the May 19 agreements between President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of the United States Donald Trump, as well as about the preparation by the Russian side of specific proposals for the next round of direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations in Istanbul," the foreign ministry said. Rubio, for his part, reiterated Washington's readiness to facilitate a resolution to the war. "For his part, Marco Rubio emphasised Donald 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," the statement noted. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, both diplomats reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintaining a "constructive and reciprocally respectful dialogue between the foreign policy agencies of Russia and the United States." The call also touched upon recent fatal incidents near Ukraine's border, where explosions led to the destruction of two bridges. Russian officials reported that the blasts killed at least seven people and injured 69 others. Rubio extended his condolences over the casualties. "It was stressed on the Russian side that competent bodies will proceed with a thorough investigation and the results will be published. The guilty parties will be identified and will without doubt be subject to a worthy punishment," the ministry statement read. Jerusalem, June 2 : The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that it successfully intercepted a missile launched from Yemen. The missile was aimed at Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv on Sunday. The airport was temporarily closed for takeoffs and landings, Xinhua news agency reported quoting Israel's Channel 12 News. It added that since March 18, 49 missiles have been fired from Yemen at Israel. Meanwhile, Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service said in a statement that no casualties were reported. The missile launch activated air defense sirens across large areas of central Israel, including Tel Aviv and West Jerusalem. The launch came as Houthi forces in Yemen have pledged to halt attacks on US vessels but have continued to fire missiles at Israel, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where an Israeli offensive that began in October 2023 has killed more than 54,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities. Israel has carried out a series of airstrikes in Yemen, including two strikes in May on the capital, Sanaa, which damaged the country's main international airport and killed several people. Earlier on Thursday, Yemen's Houthi group took responsibility for launching a fresh "hypersonic ballistic missile" attack against central Israel, saying it was aimed at Ben Gurion Airport. "We carried out a military operation targeting Ben Gurion Airport in central Israel, using a hypersonic ballistic missile," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement, aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. Sarea said the group would continue its attacks "until the Israeli aggression on Gaza stops and the blockade is lifted." "We will continue to ban Israeli air traffic to and from Ben Gurion Airport," the Houthi military spokesperson added. Meanwhile, the Israeli military said in a statement that it intercepted a missile fired by Houthi forces in Yemen towards central Israel, Xinhua news agency reported. Port Of Spain, June 2 : Indian Arrival Day was organised by the Indian High Commission at Nelson Island of Trinidad and Tobago to mark 180 years since the arrival of the first group of immigrants from India at the shores of the Caribbean nation in 1845. The event, held on Sunday, filled with music and culture celebrating Indian Arrival Day, was attended by a diverse audience, including Speaker of the House of Representatives of T&T Jagdeo Singh, Deputy Speaker Aiyna Ali, senior Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, Members of Parliament, Mayors, and community leaders of the Caribbean country. Minister of Foreign and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Affairs Sean Sobers was the Chief Guest of the event. All the dignitaries were welcomed by the Indian High Commissioner Pradeep Rajpurohit in a traditional manner. The attendees toured the ruins and exhibits on the island. The Indian Arrival Day is marked on 30th May, when the first ship 'Fatel Razack' carrying 225 Indian indentured workers reached the shores of Trinidad, then a British colony. "The 225 passengers who disembarked from the Fatel Razack that day could hardly have known the transformative impact their arrival would have on the country. They came as immigrants, with the understanding that they would have the opportunity to return to India after five years of indentureship. Happily for Trinidad and Tobago, very few returned. The vast majority of them elected to remain in the country. And their courageous decision changed the course of our history, forever," read a statement issued by the office of the President of Trinidad and Tobago. "On Indian Arrival Day we celebrate their rich and lasting legacy. We celebrate their courage and their resilience, and the values and traditions that sustained them throughout their years of hardship and uncertainty. And we thank them for safeguarding and passing down the rich cultural heritage which has enriched and strengthened the fabric of Trinbagonian society beyond measure," the statement added. India enjoys traditionally warm and cordial relations with Trinidad and Tobago. The bilateral relations were established on August 31, 1962. Since then, bilateral relations between the two countries have witnessed continued momentum with engagement at different levels. India has also conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award on Christine Carla Kangaloo, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, recognising her outstanding achievements in public affairs and her contributions to enhancing India's global prestige. Kangaloo, an Indo-Trinidadian President, served as the chief guest for the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from January 8-10, 2025. She delivered a virtual address that received widespread applause across India and beyond. During her address at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Kangaloo emphasised the deep-rooted ties between India and Trinidad and Tobago, dating back to 1845 when Indian indentured workers first arrived on the Trinidadian shores. She highlighted that India was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Trinidad and Tobago after its independence in 1962. The Indian Diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago has graduated from indentureship to entrepreneurship. They constitute business magnates, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, professionals representing politics, law, medicine, academia and the like. According to the Indian High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago, the diaspora is a formidable force, the largest numerical representation in the entire Caribbean; the most well-to-do and culturally strong and progressive ethnic group in the plural society of the country. New Delhi, June 2 : In a crackdown on criminals, Delhi Police's west district unit arrested 130 people involved in various street crimes in May, including 15 robbers, 42 snatchers, 17 burglars and 56 thieves. The police registered more than 81 cases of the Arms Act, Excise Act, Gambling Act, and NDPS Act in the month. Giving details about the action, the police in a press release said that 25 Proclaimed Offenders (PO) were traced, and a huge recovery of cash, mobile phones, two-wheelers and jewellery was made. It also said that a concerted drive was carried out for action against public drinking and mischief-makers in the area. In action against street criminals, 11 cases were solved with the arrest of 15 robbers. After 42 snatchers were caught, 32 cases were solved, and recovery of cash, 10 mobile phones, six gold chains and two-wheelers was done. The police arrested 17 burglars in the last month, and a total of 14 cases were worked out along with the recovery of mobile phones, cash and other items like credit cards, iron sheets, battery, etc. A total of 56 thieves were arrested in the previous month, which helped solve 55 cases of theft, and seven scooties, one motorcycle, 55 mobile phones and cash were recovered. Under action against organised crime, the West District police registered 37 cases under the Arms Act in which 38 criminals were arrested and a recovery of two pistols, five live rounds and 36 knives was made. Thirty cases of Excise Act violation were registered, with the recovery of more than 13,500 quarters. The police said that 12 cases of the Gambling Act were registered in which 38 persons were arrested and a recovery of Rs 3,88,100 was made. Besides, two cases were registered in NDPS in which two persons have been arrested. Under the preventive action against mischief mongers and miscreants, over 1,200 people were booked for drinking in public areas, and in preventive action, more than 550 people were arrested under 126/170 BNSS, 62 criminals held under 126/169 BNSS and five people under 92/93/97 DP Act. During the crackdown, 25 POs were arrested/traced, who were absconding from the investigation/trial in the court. The police said in the press release, which was issued from the office of Vichitra Veer, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), West District, that the operation was carried out "in a resolute pursuit of maintaining public safety and upholding the law". It said that the West District police initiated a comprehensive and unwavering campaign across all fronts to check crime and nuisance in the area. "A multifaceted approach, aiming to tackle street crime, organised crime, and to rein in mischief mongers, was followed, to boost the feeling of safety and security in the residents of the area," said the officials. Chennai, June 2 : Lashing out at those spreading malicious rumours about him in a bid to sabotage his career, director and actor Dhanush said that there could be nothing more foolish if those spreading negativity about him thought that they could finish him off by spreading such rumours. Speaking at the audio launch event of director Sekhar Kammula's 'Kubera' in Chennai, Dhanush said, "When I am searching for a path in darkness, a hand from above holds my hand and leads me. At that point, each of my fans turns into a torch and lights my way." Challenging his detractors to spread as much negativity as they want about him, Dhanush said this will not deter his progress as he would continue to move on with divine help and the backing of his fans. "Spread as many rumours as you want about me. Spread whatever negativity you want. Everytime, one-and-a-half months before my film releases, intiate a negative campaign and spread it. That invisible hand and my fans who turn into a torch will make me march on," he said to a thundering applause from fans who had gathered for the event. Suggesting to his detractors that they don't try to play tricks with him, he said, "Younger brothers, move a little farther away and play." The actor, director and producer said, "All those who are here are not just my fans but my companions of 23 years. If you thought that you could spread some rumours and end me, there can be nothing more foolish than that. You cannot even move a brick. Your thoughts decide how you live." Sekhar Kammula's upcoming film 'Kuberaa', featuring actors Dhanush, Nagarjuna and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead, is gearing up for release on June 20. The audio of the film was launched at a grand event at the Sairam College in Chennai on June 1. Dhanush plays a character called Deva in the film. The update came on a day Dhanush completed 23 years as an actor in the film industry. Apart from Nagarjuna, Dhanush, and Rashmika, the film also features Jim Sarbh in a pivotal role. The film, which is to hit screens on June 20 this year, is keenly awaited as this is the first time that National-award winning actor Dhanush is joining hands with ace filmmaker Sekhar Kammula. On the technical front, aKuberaa has cinematography by Niketh Bommi. Ramakrishna Sabbani and Monika Nigotre are the production designers of the film. The film has been co-written by Chaithanya Pingali. Costumes for the film have been designed by Kavya Sriram and Poorvaa Jain. Kubera is being bankrolled by Suniel Naran and Puskur Ram Mohan Rao under the banner of Sree Venkateswara Cinemas. Colorado, June 2 : Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, has condemned the violent attack on a group of Jewish demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, as an act of terrorism following an incident where a man hurled Molotov cocktails at participants of a peaceful rally calling for the safe return of hostages from Hamas captivity. The attacker, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, was taken into custody following the assault, which left several individuals injured. The protest, organised by the group Run For Their Lives, was held near the popular Pearl Street pedestrian mall and was intended to raise awareness about the hostages still being held in Gaza amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. In a post on X, Ambassador Danon wrote, "Terrorism against Jews does not stop at the Gaza border -- it is already burning the streets of America. Today, in Boulder, Colorado, Jewish people marched with a moral and humane demand: to return the hostages." "In response, the Jewish protesters were brutally attacked, with an attacker throwing Molotov cocktails at them. Make no mistake a" this is not a political protest, this is terrorism. The time for statements is over. It is time for concrete action to be taken against the instigators wherever they may be," he added. According to eyewitnesses and video footage circulating online, Soliman was seen shouting "Free Palestine" and "End Zionistsa they are terrorists" as he used a makeshift flamethrower on demonstrators. Wearing only jeans and sunglasses, the suspect appeared to directly target the peaceful crowd, raising fears of escalating hate crimes linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Fox News reported, citing sources from the Department of Homeland Security and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, that Soliman is an Egyptian national who had overstayed his visa after entering the United States during the Biden administration. The Pearl Street Mall, a bustling four-block area in downtown Boulder, quickly turned into a scene of chaos following the attack. Authorities responded promptly, and Soliman was apprehended at the scene. FBI Director Kash Patel acknowledged the Boulder attack in a post on social media, stating, "We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available." The incident has sparked fresh concerns over rising antisemitic violence across the United States. Just over a week earlier, two staff members at the Israeli embassy in Washington were fatally shot by a Chicago man who shouted, "I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza" as he was taken into custody. Mumbai, June 2 : The Shiv Sena(UBT) in a scathing attack against the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena following its Minister Pratap Sarnaik's statement that Hindi has become a dialect or a spoken language in Mumbai, said on Monday that this is "humiliation" to the Marathi language and the minister should be dismissed. Minister Pratap Sarnaik, while addressing an event organised on the occasion of Hindi Patrakarita Diwas in Mumbai on Saturday, said, "Hindi has become the language of speaking in Mumbai". He also said that Marathi is his mother tongue, while Hindi is "ladki bahin" (beloved sister), who helped secure 237 seats in the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha. The statement has been criticised by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). In its hard-hitting editorial in the party mouthpiece 'Saamana', the Thackeray group claimed the Shinde faction, which considers itself the heirs of Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray, has become the pawns of the BJP. "The BJP people do not leave a single opportunity to weaken Maharashtra, humiliate the Marathi language and the Marathi people. Therefore, the Shinde camp, a dependent of the BJP, is also repeating the BJP's anti-Marathi stance." "The ministers concerned should be dismissed for insulting the Marathi language and Maharashtra like this. Did 107 martyrs sacrifice their lives in the Samyukta Maharashtra struggle just to hear that Mumbai's language is not Marathi? But Mumbai and Maharashtra are currently ruled by traders and builders, and our Marathi language is being crushed under their bulldozers," said the editorial. "When I come to Mira-Bhayander areas, Hindi automatically comes out of my mouth. Because the language of this area is Hindi, and you all vote for me," said the minister of the Marathi state. Does this Marathi fit into the official language policy? The official language of Maharashtra is Marathi, and now Marathi has been made mandatory in the central establishments in Maharashtra as well. This is not a policy for Maharashtra only. Those living in Bengal will have to learn Bengali, those living in Gujarat will have to learn Gujarati, and those living in the North will have to learn Hindi and deal with that language in that state. Being proud of our mother tongue or official language does not mean that we hate other language sisters. As soon as Pratap Sarnaik showered love on Hindi, BJP President Bawankule came to his aid. "Don't forget that we have given Marathi the status of a classical language," he said. Have your ministers been given the licence to insult Marathi by giving this status?" asked the Thackeray camp. "Have you been given permission to accommodate foreigners under the Marathi umbrella? Answer this first. Maharashtra has a population of 11.5 crore, and about nine crore of them speak Marathi. They do business in Marathi. Don't the ministers of the Shinde group know that there is a law that says that Marathi is the only official language of the state of Maharashtra, and everyone living here must know Marathi?" asked the editorial. "Marathi language is the language of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Veer Savarkar, Lokmanya Tilak and the Hindu Hrudaysamrat Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray," said the editorial. A few days ago, a leader of the RSS leader Bhaiyaji Joshi, visited Ghatkopar and mutually declared that the language of Ghatkopar is Gujarati. "When there was an uproar in Mumbai over this, Joshi clarified. Sarnaik and his leaders did not even show that much courtesy," claimed the editorial. "Shiv Sena was formed so that the Marathi people of Mumbai can live with dignity, and the Marathi language remains respected. Shiv Sena has been fighting many Marathi battles for 50 years. The Shinde faction has been working to tarnish Balasaheb Thackeray's struggle for the growth of the Marathi language, which is the language of the farmers of Maharashtra, the working people of Mumbai and the mill workers," said the editorial. "Someone should tell all these BJP supporters that Marathi pride cannot be bought with corruption and contractors' money. Marathi is the language of every corner of Maharashtra. Ghatkopar and Mira-Bhayander have not been torn apart and thrown out of Maharashtra, and private builders have not made them independent, autonomous states. Maharashtra is and will remain intact. No matter how many raids the BJP conducts and no matter how much the Shinde faction people try to force Mumbai down the throats of the builders, every particle of Marathi soil will erupt like a volcano. The BJP's East India Company (Surat) has already sold Mumbai. The hypocrites, who call themselves the heirs of Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray, will definitely expel Marathi people from Mumbai when they become partners of this East India Company. Saying that the language of Mumbai is not Marathi is just the beginning. Marathi people will have to fight," said the editorial. Gaza, June 2 : Hamas affirmed its readiness to begin indirect negotiations over the Gaza ceasefire immediately. In a press statement on Sunday, Hamas expressed its appreciation for the continued efforts by Qatar and Egypt to broker a ceasefire agreement. The movement said that it is ready to "immediately begin a round of indirect negotiations" to address the outstanding issues with "the other party." Hamas said the objective of the talks would be to end the "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza, ensure the delivery of relief aid to the Palestinian people, and achieve a permanent ceasefire accompanied by the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, Xinhua news agency reported. There has been no immediate comment from the Israeli side regarding the Hamas announcement. However, Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir has ordered the expansion of the ground operation into additional areas in both the southern and northern parts of the Gaza Strip, according to a statement issued by the Israel Defense Forces. He stated that the expansion of activity will continue until conditions are created for the return of the Israeli hostages and the decisive defeat of Hamas. Earlier on Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Hamas to accept the Gaza ceasefire deal proposed by US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, "or be destroyed." Witkoff's proposal includes the release of 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 bodies in two phases in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza as well as the release by Israel of 1,236 Palestinian detainees and prisoners, along with the bodies of 180 Palestinians, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the media reports. In a statement issued by his office, Katz said the Israeli military continued its operations in Gaza with full force, carrying out attacks by air, land, and sea on an unprecedented scale "for maximum protection of our soldiers in preparation for the entry of the maneuvering forces in each area." New Delhi, June 2 : Paraguayan President Santiago Pena Palacios arrived in India on Monday for a three-day official visit, marking a significant step in strengthening the growing bilateral relationship between the two countries. The visit comes at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and includes key engagements in Delhi and Mumbai. Upon his arrival at the Air Force Station Palam in Delhi, President Pena was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior government officials, and business representatives. Later in the day, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to meet the visiting dignitary. President Pena will also hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Modi to review the entire spectrum of India-Paraguay relations. Prime Minister Modi will also host a luncheon in his honour. President Pena is also expected to meet President Droupadi Murmu, who will host a banquet in his honour. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar is scheduled to call on the visiting President as well. This visit marks President Pena's first official visit to India and is only the second time a Paraguayan head of state has visited the country. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a statement, said, "India and Paraguay established diplomatic relations on September 13, 1961, cultivating warm and friendly ties between the two nations. Both countries have since developed cooperation in various sectors, including trade, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, and information technology." The MEA highlighted Paraguay's strategic importance as a trading partner in Latin America. Indian companies in the automobile and pharmaceutical sectors have already established a presence in Paraguay, while Paraguayan companies, largely through joint ventures, operate in India, contributing to robust economic ties. The statement further noted, "The two countries share common views on various international issues, including UN reforms, climate change, renewable energy, and combating terrorism." During his visit to Mumbai, President Pena will engage with state political leaders, industry stakeholders, startups, innovators, and technology experts, reflecting an emphasis on economic and technological collaboration. According to the MEA, the State Visit of President Pena will provide a vital opportunity for both nations "to undertake a comprehensive review of bilateral ties, as well as to discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest." President Pena will conclude his official visit and return to Paraguay on June 4, 2025. New Delhi, June 2 : India has emerged as one of the most dynamic fintech markets globally, driven by a potent combination of digital public infrastructure (UPI, Aadhaar, Account Aggregator), a mobile-first population, and regulatory clarity, a report showed on Monday. Fintech-led digital lending grew at 35 per cent CAGR in 2024, driven by rising credit demand, according to the report by QED Investors and Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Tools like UPI have enabled a wave of fintech innovation from digital lending to payments to wealth particularly benefitting underserved and unbanked populations. These enablers have accelerated innovation and financial inclusion at scale, making India a key focus for both global investors and domestic fintech players, said the report. India features among the top geographies poised for future fintech investment. Investors are encouraged to diversify capital into high-growth regions like India, with an emphasis on AI integration and disciplined scale, it added. India's affluent middle class, currently 31 per cent of the population, is projected to grow to 40 per cent (nearly 600 million) by 2031. This demographic shift is fuelling a surge in consumer demand for credit across retail, consumption, and SME sectors. "India stands at a unique inflection point in the global fintech landscape. With a strong foundation in digital infrastructure like UPI, Aadhar, Account Aggregator, and tech-savvy mobile-first population, the country has already shown how innovation can drive financial inclusion at scale," said Sandeep Patil, Partner and Head of Asia at QED Investors. To win the next chapter, fintechs must pair innovation with disciplined execution. "That means building trust, demonstrating profitability, and navigating an evolving regulatory landscape with maturity. The Indian market is large, dynamic and underpenetrated well-positioned to be one of the defining arenas for global fintech over the next decade," Patil mentioned. Globally, in 2024, fintech revenues grew by 21 per cent up from 13 per cent in 2023 marking a threefold acceleration over the financial services industry at large. "A class of scaled fintechs is coming of age. Investors are demanding greater maturity, and regulators want more accountability," said Deepak Goyal, a managing director and senior partner at BCG. "Meanwhile, emerging disruptors are harnessing next-generation technologies like agentic AI and pioneering new business models, pushing established players to continuously innovate," he added. IANS na/ Amaravati, June 2 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Monday greeted people of Telangana on State Formation Day. Both leaders expressed their best wishes for the progress and prosperity of Telangana. CM Chandrababu Naidu said in his message posted on 'X' that despite different Telugu states, the Telugu people are one. "My belief and objective are that the Telugu people should rise in self-respect wherever they are. My best wishes to the people of Telangana who are celebrating their 11th State Formation Day," the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) national president said. "I wish that every family in the Telangana state should live happily and progress on the path of development. The two Telugu states should compete in development and reach the top by Viksit Bharat-2047, and the Telugu community should emerge as an undisputed force. I call on every Telugu citizen to be a partner in this," Naidu added. Pawan Kalyan also took to 'X' to greet people of Telangana on formation day. He noted that Telangana is the land that gave birth to the Jana Sena Party and rebirth to him, and filled him with the spirit of movement. The Jana Sena leader recalled that Telugu poet Dasarathi Krishnamacharya praised Telangana as 'koti ratnala veena (Veena with crore gems)'. He noted that the state of Telangana came into existence reflecting the hopes and aspirations of three and a half crore people, after decades of struggle and with the sacrifices of students and youth. "As the state completes 11 years of its formation and enters its 12th year, I wish all the people to move forward on the path of welfare and development in all sectors and fulfil the aspirations of the people, and I extend my greetings to all the people on the occasion of Telangana State Formation Day," he added. Hazaribagh, June 2 : Armed militants of the banned outfit Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC) torched two vehicles belonging to BGR Mining Company and opened indiscriminate fire in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh district on Sunday night, leaving a youth injured and triggering panic in the area, officials said on Monday. Hazaribagh, June 2 (IANS) Armed militants of the banned outfit Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC) torched two vehicles belonging to BGR Mining Company and opened indiscriminate fire in Jharkhandas Hazaribagh district on Sunday night, leaving a youth injured and triggering panic in the area, officials said on Monday. The incident took place near Pagar-Pandu village in the Keredari police station limits. BGR Mining is involved in coal extraction work under the KD (Khalari-Dakra) project of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL). The militants targeted the companyas vehicles parked at the site and fled after setting them ablaze. Eyewitnesses said the attackers, part of an armed squad, fired randomly before escaping into the nearby forests. A youth caught in the gunfire sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. His condition is said to be stable. Security forces recovered a pamphlet from the scene, purportedly issued by TSPCas sub-zonal commander Kaushal. In it, the group warned NTPC, CCL, L&T, and other contractor firms not to begin any operations without prior "permission" from the organisation. The pamphlet threatened more severe action if the warning is ignored. The TSPC claimed in the note that it is working in the interest of local tribals and the general public. It accused the government of harassing innocent villagers under the pretext of anti-Maoist operations and described its own activities as a fight against exploitation. Following the attack, police from the Pagar outpost, led by in-charge Vicky Thakur, reached the spot and launched a search operation. Patrolling has been intensified in the region, and a probe is underway. Suspected individuals are being questioned. The incident has sparked fear among workers associated with mining operations in Keredari and surrounding areas. Similar incidents have been reported in recent weeks. In early May, Maoists torched six vehicles and two excavators at a mining site in Turisat village under Chandwa police station limits in Latehar district. Just a week ago, militants of the People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI) set fire to two vehicles, including a road roller, involved in a road construction project in Khunti districtas Rania area. Chennai, June 2 : Stating that director Mani Ratnam's presence had been a source of strength to him, actor, producer and politician Kamal Haasan on Monday wished his 'Thug Life' director a very happy birthday. Taking to his X timeline to pen a heartfelt birthday greeting, Kamal Haasan wrote, "Happy Birthday, Mani Ratnam. From Nayakan to Thug Life, weave journeyed through time together a" as colleagues, family, co-dreamers, and above all, as lifelong students of cinema. Through every chapter, your presence has been a source of strength a" a mind I turn to in moments of doubt, and a soul deeply attuned to the language of film like few others." The actor further wrote, "May your stories keep unfolding, for with every frame, your vision brings depth, beauty, and meaning to cinema. Forever your friend, Kamal Haasan." Interestingly, Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan have come together for their upcoming film 'Thug Life' after almost 38 years. The film, which has triggered huge expectations among fans and film buffs, is scheduled to hit screens on June 5. Apart from Kamal Haasan, the film features Silambarasan, Trisha, Joju George, Ashok Selvan and Abhirami in pivotal roles. Kamal Haasan plays a character called Rangaraya Sakthivel Naickan in this film, which director Mani Ratnam's production house Madras Talkies had described as "an epic tale of power, rebellion, and triumph." The film has music by A R Rahman and cinematography by Ravi K Chandran. It has editing by Mani Ratnam's trusted editor Sreekar Prasad and stunts by the stuntmasters, Anbariv. Kamal Haasan had recently disclosed how confident he was of the film and the fact that audiences would extend their support to him. "Let me tell you how confident I am. Let other producers not think that I am throwing a challenge to them all. That is not the case. I have only sold the satellite and OTT rights of this film. Everything else, we are distributing ourselves. We are distributing without putting Mani sir at risk. "Tell me, how much confidence we must have in this film to do this. We know to do business to an extent. Trusting you, we have made a good film and invested in it. We have ploughed the fields and put fertilizers to the crops. A farmer does not know anything else apart from this. Our farming is cinema farming. To ensure that corporate farming does not happen, I need comrades like Mani Ratnam to support me. If you support this film, I will have the strength to deliver more good films," he disclosed. New Delhi, June 2 : India's aviation industry has expanded at a rapid pace to become the world's third-largest aviation market in terms of passenger traffic, according to a report compiled by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA's country director for India, Nepal and Bhutan, Amitabh Khosla, said India's rise to the third rank in the global market comes on the back of stronger airlines, growth of connectivity, and increased airport infrastructure. He described the aviation industry as a key driver of employment, economic activity, international trade and investment in the country. India's aviation now accounts for 1.5 per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and has created approximately 7.7 million jobs, both directly and indirectly, across the country, the report states. Khosla said, "In 2023, the industry made a $53.6 billion contribution to India's economy, underpinning 7.7 million jobs in the country." Tourism, supported by aviation, contributes Rs 2,710 crore to the GDP. International tourists add another $29.4 billion annually to the economy through local purchases of goods and services. "Overall the travel and tourism sector accounts for 6.5 per cent of the nation's GDP and 8.9 per cent of total employment in 2023," he added. The Middle East remained the top international destination for Indian flyers in 2023, with 13.7 million passengers, followed by the Asia Pacific region and Europe. To meet growing demand, airlines have ramped up flight frequencies and seat capacities. Scheduled flights increased by 77.7 per cent to around 1.3 million in 2024. Most of these were domestic, flights with increased from 613,000 flights in 2014 to nearly 1.1 million in 2024. Indigo led this expansion, operating 53 per cent of all departing flights from and within India. Consumers have also benefited from increased competition, which led to a 25 per cent reduction in real airfares in 2023 compared to 2011, Khosla noted. Currently, India has 116 airports offering commercial scheduled services, with 96 of them providing direct connections and 521 outbound international flights each day. Over the last five years, 103 new international routes have been introduced. There are currently 99 operational airlines in the country. India has also established itself as the sixth-largest air cargo market in the world, transporting 3.3 million tonnes of air freight in 2023. As of December 2024, the international sector stood nearly 20 per cent above its 2019 levels, while domestic operations were over 8 per cent higher which reflects the strong outlook for the future, he added. New Delhi, June 2 : Responding strongly to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's demand for proof of damage inflicted during Operation Sindoor, Janata Dal (United) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said it is due to such political posturing on national security issues that the party continues to shrink. Kumar condemned Kharge's remarks, calling them unfortunate and politically motivated. Speaking to IANS, Kumar said, "It is the misfortune of the Congress party that Mallikarjun Kharge is its national president. After the Pahalgam terror incident, our armed forces responded with unmatched courage and valour, striking terrorist hideouts inside Pakistan. This was a diplomatic victory for India as even our MPs, during their international visits, exposed Pakistan's terror-supporting policies before the global community," Neeraj Kumar said. "However, Congress fails to recognise this success due to political jealousy. When it comes to terrorism, there should be no room for political disagreement. And it is precisely because of such irresponsible statements that Congress continues to shrink in terms of public support," he added. Kharge had earlier demanded that the government convene a special Parliament session following remarks made by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan in Singapore, where the General had categorically rejected Pakistan's allegations, stating they were "absolutely incorrect". Kharge also called for an independent review of India's defence preparedness, similar to the post-Kargil review. Asked about Union Minister Chirag Paswan's reported intention to contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, Kumar welcomed the move, saying it would strengthen the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state. "Chirag Paswan is a Union Cabinet Minister in Narendra Modi's government. His party is part of the NDA. He has publicly said that the elections in Bihar will be contested under the leadership of Nitish Kumar and that Kumar will remain the Chief Minister," said Kumar. "If any leader from an NDA ally wants to contest, they will naturally fight from the seat allocated to their party. This will only further strengthen the NDA in Bihar," he added. Thiruvananthapuram, June 2 : On Monday morning, as the new academic year began in Kerala, the rain gods seemed to have relented. After a week of heavy monsoon downpour that caused widespread disruption, the skies cleared and the sun shone brightly, offering a welcome respite. Kerala has nearly 10,000 schools that follow the state syllabus. A record 4.5 lakh tiny tots across the state were seen marching to school for the first time, accompanied by their parents. Last week's rains had left many roads waterlogged, but on Monday morning, it was traffic congestion that clogged the streets, as is typical on the first working day of the week -- with most parents opting to drop off their children in private vehicles. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, along with the State Education Minister, inaugurated the academic year at the Government Higher Secondary School in Kalavoor, Alappuzha. The CM watched a cultural programme by students before officially declaring the school year open. He also handed over school kits to a few children. Similar programmes were held across the state -- in government, aided, and private schools. However, in parts of Alappuzha and other districts, the reopening has been delayed due to some schools still functioning as relief camps in the wake of last week's torrential rains. Dr K.P. Laladhas, manager of the Lutheran Church that oversees around two dozen schools, told IANS that their largest school, located at Aryad in Alappuzha district, could not reopen as it is currently housing a relief camp. In Adimali, Idukki district, a group of children resumed their long walks to school through forested areas. While they are happy that schools have reopened, they expressed fear about possible encounters with wild elephants. "We have to walk nearly two km through forest paths, and sometimes we spot wild elephants. It's especially scary in the evenings, after tuition," said one girl. Another student added, "We don't have a choice. If we stay home, we miss our studies. We've seen elephants eating jackfruit by the roadside. It's frightening, but we walk silently and carefully." Meanwhile, a school in the Idukki district witnessed protests on the opening day. Parents were shocked to learn that the English-medium Class 9 division had been cancelled due to low enrolment. The situation escalated, prompting police intervention as the protesters were joined by members of the Congress party's student wing. Gandhinagar, June 2 : Congress party on Monday declared Nitin Ranpariya as its candidate for Visavadar by-election in Gujarat, setting the stage for three-cornered contest in both constituencies of the state heading to by-elections, this month. "Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge approved the candidature of Nitin Ranpariya as Congress candidate for the upcoming Assembly by-election to Visavadar constituency," the party said in an official release. Nitin Ranpariya is the president of Visavadar Youth Congress. The announcement of his candidature comes on the last day of filing nominations. In the upcoming by-elections for five seats in four states, two constituencies of Gujarat Kadi and Visavadar will see polling on June 19. BJP has already nominated candidates in both seats, Rajendra Chavda from Kadi and Kirit Patel from Visavadar. The electoral fray for Visavadar seat is set to get interesting as BJP's Kirit Patel and Aam Aadmi Party's Gopal Italia are the other contesting candidates. Gopal Italia is former Gujarat AAP president and a well-known face in state politics while BJP's Kirit Patel is also former district president of the party. The by-election in Kadi was necessitated due to the demise of sitting BJP MLA Karshan Solanki in February, this year. He was a prominent Scheduled Caste leader in the region and had held the seat since 2017. In Visavadar, the need for by-elections arose because of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Bhupendra Bhayani quitting his post in December 2023 and subsequently switching over to BJP. Both the constituencies of Gujarat are likely to see high-voltage contest, with parties launching a high-pitched campaign in the coming days. The elections will be closely watched as they will give a fair indication of either shifting political ground or BJP's further consolidation in the state, ahead of bigger poll battles in the state. Voting for by-elections to both the assemblies will be held on June 19. The results of the by-elections will be declared on June 23. Kyiv, June 2 : Ukraine launched Operation Spider Web against Russia, carrying out massive drone attacks targeting several airfields deep across the Russian territories. This military action came against the backdrop of scheduled peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul. According to the reports, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) struck at least 41 aircraft, which it claimed were used to bomb Ukrainian cities. These included Tu-22 and Tu-95 strategic bombers and the A-50 radar detection and command aircraft. It also alleged that it hit Russian military planes worth $7 billion in drone strikes. "$7 billion: This is the estimated cost of the enemy's strategic aviation, which was hit today as a result of the SBU's special operation," the agency announced on social media. Russia, confirming the incident, stated that the attacks were repelled in the regions of Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur. "No casualties were reported either among servicemen or civilians. Some of those involved in the terror attacks were detained," the Russian defence ministry said in a statement on Sunday. It added that in the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions, drones launched from areas near the airfields caused several aircraft to catch fire, while there were no casualties among military personnel or civilian staff. "Today, a brilliant operation was carried out -- on enemy territory, targeting only military objectives, specifically the equipment used to strike Ukraine. Russia suffered significant losses -- entirely justified and deserved. The preparation took over a year and a half. Planning, organisation, every detail was perfectly executed. It can be said with confidence that this was an absolutely unique operation," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a post on X He mentioned that in total, 117 drones were used in the operation, with a corresponding number of drone operators involved. Additionally, 34 per cent of the strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at air bases were hit. "Our people operated across several Russian regions -- in three different time zones. It's genuinely satisfying when something I authorised a year and six months ago comes to fruition and deprives Russians of over forty units of strategic aviation. We will continue this work," he added. The planning of the operation involved particularly complex logistics. Drones were secretly brought into Russia ahead of time, hidden under the roofs of wooden cabins mounted on trucks, according to media reports. When it was time for the attack, the roofs of these structures were opened remotely, allowing the drones to fly toward their short-distance targets, the reports suggest. Russia acknowledged that several of its aircraft "caught fire" in the attacks. "As a result of the launch of FPV drones from territories in close proximity to military airfields in the Murmansk and Irkutsk Regions, several aircraft caught fire. The fires were extinguished," the Russian defence ministry's statement read. Meanwhile, on Monday, Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to hold the second round of direct talks in Istanbul. The new meeting was announced on May 28 by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador at Large on Kyiv's War Crimes, Rodion Miroshnik, slammed Ukraine, stating that Kyiv is "destabilising the situation" ahead of talks in Istanbul, which is inadmissible. Earlier on Sunday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a telephonic conversation discussed the situation centering the Ukrainian crisis, the Russian foreign ministry said. "Sergei Lavrov and Marco Rubio exchanged views on various initiatives on a political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, including plans for the resumption of direct Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul on June 2," it said. Chennai, June 2 : In a significant verdict that brings closure to one of Tamil Nadu's most disturbing sexual assault cases, the Chennai Mahila Court on Monday sentenced A. Gnanasekaran to life imprisonment, mandating a minimum of 30 years in prison without the possibility of remission. The convict was also fined Rs 90,000. It may be recalled that Gnanasekaran, a biriyani vendor who worked as a temporary staffer at the Centre for Women Empowerment in Anna University, was arrested in December 2024 following a complaint from a woman student. The incident sparked outrage across the state, prompting protests from student bodies and women's rights organisations demanding swift and stern action. On May 28, the Mahila Court found Gnanasekaran guilty. The prosecution, led by the government counsel, submitted strong documentary and forensic evidence, including CCTV footage and call records. The court held that the prosecution had established the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Judge Rajalakshmi, presiding over the trial, had reserved the sentencing for June 2 after declaring the accused guilty of all 11 charges framed against him. The prosecution had pressed for the "maximum punishment", considering the gravity of the offence and its impact on the victim and society. The incident came to light on December 23, 2024, when the survivor lodged a complaint at the All Women Police Station in Kotturpuram, Chennai. She alleged that Gnanasekaran had approached and threatened her while she was with a male friend at night and then sexually assaulted her. Following public uproar and concerns over procedural lapses, the Madras High Court transferred the investigation to a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which also probed the leak of the initial FIR. The SIT filed a detailed charge sheet in February 2025 before a magistrate, and the case was later shifted to the Mahila Court on March 7 for trial. Charges were framed under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), including Sections 329 (criminal trespass), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 87 (abduction of a woman), and 64(1) (rape). He was also booked under Section 66 of the IT Act and Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Women Harassment Act. The verdict has been widely welcomed as a stern message against crimes targeting women and the misuse of institutional spaces. Patna, June 2 : A day after the Bihar Congress staged statewide protests over the tragic death of a 10-year-old Dalit girl -- allegedly due to medical negligence following a rape -- JDU spokesperson and MLC Neeraj Kumar accused the party of politicising a sensitive issue for electoral gain. Speaking to reporters in Patna on Monday, Kumar said, "The Muzaffarpur rape case involving the 10-year-old girl is deeply tragic and unfortunate. However, the Congress is wrong to resort to street protests when the administration has already acted swiftly. The accused was arrested immediately, and a speedy trial process is underway. The government is committed to ensuring justice for the victim's family." Responding to allegations of medical negligence at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) -- where the girl reportedly died after being left in an ambulance for four hours -- Kumar defended hospital authorities. "The Deputy Superintendent of PMCH has already clarified the sequence of events and the girl's medical status. CCTV footage confirms she was admitted to the ICU," he said. Kumar urged opposition parties to avoid spreading misinformation and to respect facts over emotions. He also criticised Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge for questioning Operation Sindoor, under which Indian forces reportedly destroyed terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. "This tendency to cast doubts on the armed forces reflects the Congress's problematic mindset and is one reason for its political decline. Operation Sindoor was a strategic success. Even leaders from across the political spectrum acknowledged it on international platforms. Congress should support such achievements instead of undermining them," he said. Commenting on Union Minister Chirag Paswan's potential candidacy in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, Kumar welcomed the prospect. "Chirag Paswan is an important part of the NDA. His participation in the assembly polls would only strengthen the coalition. His willingness to contest from a general seat reflects his pan-Bihar appeal and support for the NDA's united front," he said. Warsaw, June 2 : Karol Nawrocki, an independent candidate backed by the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, won Poland's presidential runoff election, according to the final vote count released by Polish National Electoral Commission (PKW) early Monday. The final result, reading "Elected in the second round," was written next to Nawrocki's name on the public website of PKW on Monday. Nawrocki, a historian and head of Poland's Institute of National Remembrance, received 50.89 per cent of the vote in the presidential runoff, ahead of Rafal Trzaskowski, the ruling Civic Coalition (KO) candidate and mayor of Warsaw, who garnered 49.11 per cent, Xinhua news agency reported. This was Nawrocki's first presidential campaign -- an uphill battle from the start. He consistently trailed Trzaskowski in polls, including Sunday evening's initial exit survey. Born in 1983 in Gdansk, Nawrocki is set to succeed the incumbent president Andrzej Duda, whose second and final term ends on August 6. The departing president, Andrzej Duda, like Mr. Nawrocki, is an ally of Law and Justice, and frequently vetoed laws passed by Mr. Tuskas majority in Parliament or sent them for review by courts stacked with loyalists of the previous government. He was ineligible to run again because of term limits. An early exit poll released Sunday (June 1, 2025) evening suggested Trzaskowski was headed to victory before updated polling began to reverse the picture hours later. The outcome indicates that Poland can be expected to take a more nationalist path under its new leader, who was backed by US President Donald Trump. Paris, June 2 : Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has indicated that India is likely to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Oman soon, as the talks between the two countries are making headway. "I think you will see some good news very soon on the Oman FTA," the minister told journalists here. The minister is on an official trip to France with the aim of boosting trade and investments and will also attend a ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Tuesday. The talks for the free trade pact with Oman started in November 2023, and Goyal visited the Gulf country from January 27 to January 28. During the visit, Goyal co-chaired the 11th Session of the India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting. Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman. The meeting saw productive discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, technology, food security, renewable energy and other key areas. The two Ministers exchanged views on a bilateral India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is at advanced stages of negotiations. Both Ministers agreed to expedite the discussions for an early signing of the CEPA, which will be a new milestone in bilateral trade relations and has the potential to significantly scale up two-way trade and investments. The Minister also held a productive bilateral meeting with Minister Qais during which he undertook a detailed review of the bilateral trade and economic relations between India and Oman and identified concrete steps to further strengthen the mutually beneficial business ties. On the sidelines of the visit, both sides signed the Protocol to amend the India-Oman Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), aligning it with international standards on cross-border taxation, simplifying tax procedures, and promoting greater cooperation in tax matters. Oman is the third-largest export destination for India among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The bilateral trade was about USD 10.5 billion, comprising exports of USD 4 billion and imports to the tune of USD 6.54 billion in 2024-25. New Delhi, June 2 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Paraguay Santiago Pena Palacios held wide-ranging bilateral talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Monday, aiming to infuse new momentum into the diplomatic and economic partnership between India and the South American nation. "Towards a new momentum in bilateral relationship. PM Narendra Modi welcomed President Santiago Pena of Paraguay at the Hyderabad House ahead of their deliberations," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X. President Pena, who arrived in India earlier in the day on a three-day official visit at the invitation of PM Modi, was given a ceremonial Guard of Honour upon landing at the Air Force Station Palam. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, senior officials, and business leaders. Before his meeting with the Prime Minister, President Pena met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss avenues of bilateral cooperation. "Pleased to call on President Santiago Pena of Paraguay at the start of his State Visit to India. Appreciate his positive sentiments and guidance for enhancing Indiaa"Paraguay cooperation in many domains. Confident that his talks with PM Narendra Modi today will open new avenues for India's engagement with Paraguay and the South America region," Jaishankar wrote on X. The Paraguayan President also paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat following his engagements at Hyderabad House. Prime Minister Modi will also host a luncheon in his honour. President Pena is also expected to meet President Droupadi Murmu, who will host a banquet in his honour. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar is scheduled to call on the visiting President as well. This visit marks President Pena's first official visit to India and is only the second time a Paraguayan head of state has visited the country. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a statement, said, "India and Paraguay established diplomatic relations on September 13, 1961, cultivating warm and friendly ties between the two nations. Both countries have since developed cooperation in various sectors, including trade, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, and information technology." The MEA highlighted Paraguay's strategic importance as a trading partner in Latin America. Indian companies in the automobile and pharmaceutical sectors have already established a presence in Paraguay, while Paraguayan companies, largely through joint ventures, operate in India, contributing to robust economic ties. The statement further noted, "The two countries share common views on various international issues, including UN reforms, climate change, renewable energy, and combating terrorism." During his visit to Mumbai, President Pena will engage with state political leaders, industry stakeholders, startups, innovators, and technology experts, reflecting an emphasis on economic and technological collaboration. According to the MEA, the State Visit of President Pena will provide a vital opportunity for both nations "to undertake a comprehensive review of bilateral ties, as well as to discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest." President Pena will conclude his official visit and return to Paraguay on June 4, 2025. Seoul, June 2 : South Korea will deploy nearly 30,000 police officials across the polling stations nationwide this week, as part of security measures for the June 3 presidential election, government said on Monday. A total of 28,590 police officers will be stationed across 14,295 polling stations Tuesday, when the nation heads to the polls to elect its new leader, according to the National Police Agency. Police said they will maintain the highest level of emergency security, in which all police personnel can be mobilized, from 6 a.m. Tuesday until the newly elected president enters office, Yonhap news agency reported. South Korea will elect a new leader on Tuesday to succeed former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted from office over his short-lived imposition of martial law in December. The top military officer also inspected Army units Monday, the eve of the presidential election, and called for a firm readiness posture against North Korean threats. Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Adm. Kim Myung-soo made the call as he visited units under the Army's 9th Division and the 1st Air Defence Brigade, according to the JCS. During his visit to a surveillance unit under the 9th Division, Kim noted its proximity to the North and called for utmost efforts to prevent enemy attacks and deceptions. Kim called for a firm readiness posture against potential low-altitude air infiltrations involving drones and aircraft when he visited a unit under the 1st Air Defence Brigade. Kim's visit came as North Korea staged provocations involving ballistic missiles and cruise missiles on May 8 and 22, respectively. Presidential candidates on Sunday pressed on with their final efforts to consolidate their support base and persuade swing voters. Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party campaigned in his hometown of Andong, approximately 190 kilometres southeast of Seoul, before meeting with voters across the wider Gyeongsang region. He apparently hoped to win over even a small number of voters in the area, a traditional stronghold for conservative candidates where his party typically has little support. Nilambur, June 2 : The battle lines have been drawn for the June 19 by-election in the Nilambur assembly constituency in Kerala's Malappuram district. While technically a quadrangular contest, the real fight is clearly between the ruling CPI(M) - led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). The Congress has fielded Aryadan Shoukath, son of veteran leader Aryadan Mohammed, while the CPI(M) has brought in its prominent youth leader and former MLA M. Swaraj. The BJP has nominated political turncoat Mohan George, and also in the fray is two-time legislator P.V. Anvar, who had resigned in January after falling out with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Anvar had pledged full support to the UDF following his dramatic exit and had vowed not to contest the by-election. However, in a complete U-turn, he filed his nomination on Monday after his efforts to rejoin the UDF failed, particularly due to stiff resistance from Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan. Despite lobbying from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the second-largest UDF ally, Satheesan stood firm. Anvar, who has now joined the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), lashed out at UDF leaders before filing his nomination. "If Satheesan, Shoukath, and Minister Riyas don't behave, just wait -- I'll reveal a lot. I've sought one of two symbols -- if not the AITC's, it will be another. Satheesan acts like Hitler, and even the IUML is upset with his attitude," Anvar told reporters. In the 2016 election, Anvar defeated the Congress candidate by 11,504 votes. However, his margin narrowed down in 2021, when he scraped through with just 2,700 votes. The BJP, which received 8,595 votes in 2021, has fielded Mohan George -- who was given party membership just a day before his candidature was announced. In 2016, the BJP-backed BDJS candidate had secured 12,284 votes. For the CPI-M, this bypoll is a must-win. Chief Minister Vijayan launched the party's campaign on Sunday and is expected to return for another round of campaigning from June 13. Notably, this is the first time since 2006 that the CPI-M is fielding its own candidate in Nilambur. Nilambur has long been a Congress stronghold, with Aryadan Mohammed winning the seat eight times between 1965 and 2011. After filing his nomination, Swaraj said the CPI-M's campaign launch led by CM Vijayan was "electrifying," adding that people see this by-election as a curtain-raiser for the 2026 assembly polls, in which the Left hopes to secure a third straight term. Although Anvar and George claim the contest will be close, few doubt that the real battle is between Shoukath and Swaraj. With Monday marking the close of nominations, attention now turns to how many dummy candidates enter the fray -- a common feature in Kerala elections. Guwahati, June 2 : The flood situation in Assam continued to deteriorate as inclement weather offered no relief to thousands of affected residents. Heavy rainfall and rising river levels have led to flooding in at least 17 districts across the state, impacting over four lakh people, officials said on Monday. Cachar district emerged as the worst-hit, accounting for over one lakh displaced residents. Sribhumi and Nagaon districts have reported 85,000 and 62,000 affected individuals, respectively. While urban centres have seen a slight receding of floodwaters, rural and low-lying regions remain vulnerable. With weather conditions showing no signs of improvement, officials warn that the situation could worsen in the coming days. Disaster response teams remain on high alert as they assist those displaced or stranded, but continuous rainfall and rising water levels are hindering operations. The state government has urged residents in vulnerable areas to move to higher ground and stay alert to official advisories. The India Meteorological Department's Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Guwahati has forecast moderate rainfall across most parts of the state and heavy to very heavy showers in several areas. Isolated pockets are expected to receive extremely heavy rainfall, adding to concerns for already inundated regions. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the death toll from this year's floods and landslides has climbed to 10, after two more fatalities were reported from Cachar and Sribhumi districts on Sunday. Relief efforts are underway, with the administration operating 155 relief camps and distribution centres across 17 districts. These shelters are currently housing 10,272 people displaced by the floods. In the past 24 hours alone, authorities have distributed over 1,000 quintals of rice, nearly 285 quintals of dal, more than 950 quintals of salt, and over 4,700 litres of mustard oil to those in need. The ASDMA report also revealed that 764 villages remain submerged, and approximately 3,524 hectares of cropland have been damaged. Vital infrastructure, such as embankments, roads, and bridges, has also suffered extensive damage in multiple districts. Water levels in major rivers continue to pose a grave threat. The Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger mark at Dibrugarh and Nimatighat. Its tributaries, including the Dhansiri at Numaligarh and the Kopili at Kampur, have also crossed danger levels. In southern Assam, the Barak River was flowing above the danger mark at Badarpur Ghat. The river tributaries -- Kushiyara at Sribhumi and Katakhal at Matizuri -- were also flowing above their respective danger marks. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has issued a warning, stating that the situation may worsen for residents in low-lying and riverbank areas due to persistent heavy rainfall in Assam and neighbouring regions. Authorities remain on high alert as the state braces for another spell of potentially devastating downpours. Bengaluru, June 2 : After massive protests by farmers and the BJP opposing the Hemavathi Express Link Canal Project, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara will be visiting Tumakuru on Monday to meet the project officials and police officers to review the situation. The work of the project has been temporarily stopped, as the protest on Saturday turned violent and threatened to disturb the law and order situation in the region. However, the government has stated that it will go ahead with the project and filed 13 FIRs against more than 100 people, including BJP MLA from Tumakuru Rural Suresh Gowda, BJP MLA from Tumakuru city Jyothi Ganesh, Turuvekere JD(S) MLA M. T. Krishnappa and religious seers who took part in the protest. The BJP is demanding an all-party meeting and has given a deadline of one month to the Congress-led government to halt the project. Parameshwara hails from the Tumakuru district. The situation remained tense in the region. Commenting on the issue, Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated on Monday that, "Regarding Hemavathi River Express Link Canal, many meetings have been done already. The Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar has also convened meetings to sort out the issues." "We have earlier told that the government will get a report from the technical committee and initiate steps accordingly. The report has been submitted. The report says that there won't be any problems," Parameshwara stated. "In this background, the Irrigation Department has given directions to begin the work. The work had commenced, and naturally, the farmers are feeling that their interests would be harmed. The local MLA is organising protests," he said. "I am visiting Tumakuru today and I will discuss the matter with the officers and convey it to the government," he stated. When asked about Congress MLA H.C. Balakrishna's statement that he won't allow milk and vegetables to be sold in Magadi region and the existing confrontational situation, Parameshwara stated that he does not know about this statement. "The legislators need to move forward with cordiality and mutual cooperation," he stated. Answering a question on FIRs booked on religious seers for taking part in the protest, Parameshwara stated that the matter will need to be addressed, and that is why he was headed to Tumakuru. Farmers of the Tumakuru region are opposing the Link Canal Project, which they say is aimed at diverting water from the Hemavathi River to the Ramanagara region. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also serves as the Water Resources Minister, is spearheading the project. Patna, June 2 : Amid the controversy surrounding Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tej Pratap Yadav, party MP from Buxar, Sudhakar Singh, has come out in strong support of him, questioning both the legitimacy of the allegations and the severity of his expulsion from the party and family. Speaking to reporters in Motihari, Singh said, "In Hindu culture, multiple marriages are not considered taboo. There are numerous historical examples of individuals with two or even three marriages. Late Ram Vilas Paswan was one such figure -- his son Chirag Paswan was born from his second marriage. If Tej Pratap has married again, as claimed on social media, I don't see anything wrong with it. It's not a social evil in our tradition." Singh also took aim at RJD chief Lalu Prasad for expelling his own son, both from the party and the family, following allegations of an extramarital relationship with a woman named Anushka Yadav. "As a father, Lalu Prasad should accept his son. I do not believe Tej Pratap has done anything morally or socially wrong," Singh said. The controversy erupted last week when a post appeared on Tej Pratap's official Facebook account, featuring a photograph and a claim of marriage to Anushka Yadav. The post quickly went viral, triggering a political storm and prompting disciplinary action from the RJD. However, Tej Pratap later denied publishing the post, claiming his social media account had been hacked. He also alleged the episode was politically motivated and orchestrated by a "Jaychand" -- a traitor -- within his own party. This isn't the first time Tej Pratap, the elder son of RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav, has found himself embroiled in controversy. Known for his unpredictable statements and actions, he has often been a source of discomfort for the party leadership. Kuala Lumpur, June 2 : An Indian all-party parliamentary delegation met with leaders of major political parties of Malaysia on Monday and garnered support for the continued fight against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism. The delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, held interactions with the members of Malaysia's Democratic Action Party (DAP), Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), also known as People's Justice Party in English, in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is a member of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). The Indian parliamentarians conveyed the nation's principled and uncompromising stance of zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, highlighting the strategic significance of Operation Sindoor. Meanwhile, the delegates, speaking to IANS, said that the Malaysian parties voiced their support for India's fight against terrorism. "We met both the ruling parties...We put our views before them and presented our facts. They appreciated our position, stating that India has the right to defend itself. We also discussed the Indus Water Treaty and India's 'new normal' policy on terrorism, highlighting that any terrorist activities against India will be considered as an act of war," said Jha. "When PM Anwar Ibrahim met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India, the bonhomie witnessed between both the leaders sent a friendly message in Malaysia. Malaysia extended solidarity with India against cross-border terrorism. Malaysia also appreciated India's progress as it became the fourth-largest economy in the world under the leadership of PM Modi," he said. "India will take the dossier to the Financial Action Task Force, which puts terror financing countries on a grey or black list. We also sought Malaysia's support on this. As a whole, we had a fruitful meeting and they gave a patient hearing to India's point of view," Jha added. After concluding visit to Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, the delegation led by JD-U MP Jha for last leg of the foreign tour in Malaysia 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. "We held talks with two parties... One thing is very clear -- throughout this journey, we have seen that everyone is strongly opposing terrorism. Both parties decided to keep India's stance in front of other government agencies in Malaysia. We are happy that Malaysia is ready to consider India's concerns. We have got positive responses from all the countries visited so far," said Congress leader Salman Khurshid. Detailing the outcomes of the meetings, BJP MP Hemang Joshi said, "During the meetings, we discussed Pakistan's role in the Pahalgam incident and shared our evidence. We also talked about Operation Sindoor and presented our views with proof. We are glad to learn that Malaysia has clearly stated that Islam does not support any form of terrorism or violence and condemns any such terrorist activities. They have also supported India's right to self-defence against such activities." Malaysia's Deputy Minister in the PM's department (Law & Institutional Reforms), YB Tuan M. Kulasegaran V. Murugeson, also spoke to IANS, stating, "India has the right to retaliate, and Operation Sindoor launched on May 7 was at a very restrained level." He further said both India and Pakistan are nuclear neighbours, and Malaysia doesn't want them to be involved in a nuclear war. "The entire party delegation came and gave a detailed explanation of how the event occurred on April 22. We have expressed our concern and sympathy for those who were killed on that day. Cross-border terrorism, anywhere in the world, is unacceptable. Malaysia has strongly issued a statement to that effect. We share the sentiment, and we feel what has happened should not have happened at all," he said. On the relationship with India, the Minister said, "India and Malaysia relationship goes back to 100 years. We have more than 2 million Indian communities residing in Malaysia." The visit of the all-party delegation to Malaysia is part of India's strategic outreach to garner international support against cross-border terrorism emanating from the soil of Pakistan. Seoul, June 2 : South Korean Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-myung and his People Power Party (PPP) rival Kim Moon-soo were set to converge on Seoul on Monday as the presidential campaign came to a close with the vote just a day away. Lee of the DP, the campaign's front-runner, plans to begin the last day of his campaign in Seoul's northern ward of Gangbuk before making stops in the neighbouring cities of Hanam, Seongnam, and Gwangmyeong. He will then return to the capital, campaigning in Gangseo Ward in Seoul, and hold his final rally in Yeouido Park before wrapping up his day with a live broadcast on YouTube. Lee is likely to highlight his role in the December 3 martial law crisis by ending his campaign in Yeouido, widely considered the centre of South Korea's politics and home to the National Assembly. On the evening of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's surprise declaration of martial law on December 3, Lee and other lawmakers rushed to the National Assembly to lift martial law, despite being blocked by the police. Kim of the PPP will start the day by visiting the Peace Park on the southern island of Jeju to pay tribute to the victims of the Jeju April 3 uprising. He will then campaign in Busan, Daegu and Daejeon to shore up last-minute support. Later in the day, Kim will hold his final rally in front of the Seoul City Hall. A campaign official said the location was chosen for its symbolic significance, as it is where ordinary citizens have historically gathered to raise their voices, Yonhap news agency reported. After the rally, Kim will greet voters in the youth-populated districts of Hongdae and Gangnam until midnight in a final effort to appeal to young voters. Lee Jun-seok of the minor conservative New Reform Party plans to meet university students in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, while Kwon Young-kook of the minor Democratic Labor Party will campaign across Seoul, highlighting issues related to labour, disability rights, and gender equality. The latest poll on the election 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. South Korea will elect a new President on Tuesday after Yoon was ousted over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Surat, June 2 : With the abolition of octroi, property tax has emerged as the Surat Municipal Corporation's primary source of income. In a bid to encourage early payments, SMC announced rebates on seven types of taxes for April and May, a move that has seen over Rs 359 crore deposited in April alone. Every year, SMC offers a 10 per cent rebate on property tax in April and a 7 per cent rebate in May. An additional 2 per cent discount is granted for online payments, incentivising digital transactions. This strategy has led to a surge in early tax payments, with 2.57 lakh property owners settling their dues in the first two months of the financial year. According to officials, Rs 100 crore in property tax was collected in just the first fortnight of April. In total, the municipality has given Rs 18.72 crore in rebates during this period. Notably, Rs 185.30 crore has been collected online from 94,026 taxpayers, underlining the success of SMC's digital initiatives. "The way Surat residents are paying their taxes in advance has simplified our collection process," said an official. "It also ensures we can accelerate development projects across the city without delays." In Gujarat, property tax has become a vital source of revenue for urban local bodies, especially after the abolition of octroi. Municipal corporations across the state, including Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara, and others, rely heavily on this tax to fund civic infrastructure, sanitation, water supply, and other essential services. Among these, Surat Municipal Corporation has stood out for its efficient collection system and incentive-based approach. In 2023-24, SMC collected over Rs 900 crore in property tax, thanks to timely rebates and its online payment system. Similarly, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) collected around Rs 1,000 crore, with more than 60 per cent of the payments made digitally. AMC offers similar early bird rebates of 10 per cent in April and 7 per cent in May, encouraging citizens to pay early and online. In Rajkot, the property tax collection touched around Rs 300 crore, and Vadodara reported collections of nearly Rs 450 crore during the last fiscal year. These figures indicate a trend where tax-paying citizens are increasingly using online systems, leading to better compliance and higher revenues for municipalities. The Gujarat government also monitors and ranks municipal bodies on the basis of their tax collection efficiency. Cities that implement e-governance systems, grievance redressal portals, and structured rebate schemes have shown significantly higher compliance. On a broader scale, urban local bodies in Gujarat together collected property tax worth over Rs 4,000 crore in the financial year 2023-24, according to state-level urban development data. Mumbai, June 2 : Manushi Chhillar, the celebrated Miss World 2017, opened up about her incredible journey from being crowned the titleholder to now serving as a judge on the iconic Miss World stage. Reflecting on her experiences, Manushi shared insights into how the pageant transformed her life and the meaningful role she now plays in shaping and inspiring the next generation of contestants. Her transition from winner to mentor marks a full-circle moment, highlighting her continued commitment to the values and purpose behind the Miss World platform. Reflecting on her journey, Chhillar told IANS, "Beauty with a purpose' is the soul of Miss World. And I remember, during my year I was a 20-year-old who had this vision. I had a project and I took it to the Miss World competition as a contestant. And I still remember Gem's words, 'Isn't it better to light one candle in the dark, than not to see at all?' So, all I have to say is that this, is the mission of Miss World. And as we see all these wonderful women on stage, they're not here just to be admired. They're here to ignite change." The 'Samrat Prithviraj' actress took to Instagram to share glimpses of her experience while judging the show. For the caption, she wrote, "From once being crowned to now judging the competition, honoured to return to the Miss World stage. It's tough being on either side but felt so nervous and excited for the contestants! Reminded me of my days An unforgettable night of beauty, purpose, and power. @missworld #MissWorld2025 #FullCircleMoment #BeautyWithAPurpose." Manushi Chhillar won the Miss World title in 2017. She represented Haryana in the Femina Miss India 2017 contest, where she earned the Femina Miss India World crown. Subsequently, she became the sixth Indian to claim the Miss World crown after a 17-year gap. Manushi made her acting debut portraying Sanyogita in the historical drama "Samrat Prithviraj." Since then, she has appeared in the comedy-drama "The Great Indian Family" and the action drama "Bade Miyan Chote Miyan." Mumbai, June 2 : National Award winner Subhrajit Mitra's upcoming historical drama, "Devi Chowdhurani," is scheduled for a major theatrical release on September 26, 2025, aligning with the vibrant festivities of Durga Puja, Bengal's most iconic cultural celebration. Mumbai, June 2 (IANS) National Award winner Subhrajit Mitra's upcoming historical drama, "Devi Chowdhurani," is scheduled for a major theatrical release on September 26, 2025, aligning with the vibrant festivities of Durga Puja, Bengal's most iconic cultural celebration. Featuring Prosenjit Chatterjee and Srabanti Chatterjee in the lead roles, with music composed by Pandit Bickram Ghosh, the film is a historic milestone as the first officially recognized Indo-UK co-production in Indian cinema, endorsed by both the Indian and UK governments. Speaking about the project, producers Aparna Dasgupta, Soumyajit Majumdar & Aniruddha Dasgupta, shared, "With Devi Chowdhurani arriving this Durga Puja, we are not just launching a film we are lighting the flame of a cultural movement. As producers, we are proud to bring forth a story that reclaims Bengal's revolutionary legacy and positions it for global resonance. Durga Puja, one of the world's largest public art festivals, offers the perfect canvas for this cinematic celebration of resistance, resilience, and rediscovery. Devi Chowdhurani marks the beginning of the ADitedLOK Katha slate a shared vision to tell bold, exportable stories from the East that are rooted in heritage yet universal in impact." Reflecting on his role, Prosenjit Chatterjee stated, "Devi Chowdhurani is not just a film, it's a reclaiming of our forgotten heroes. Playing Bhavani Pathak was not about portraying a character but embodying a spirit of defiance that still burns in the heart of Bengal. This is a story the world needs to witness of a woman who rose against an empire, and of a culture that refuses to be silenced." Produced by Aparna and Aniruddha Dasgupta of ADited Motionpictures (India/USA) and Soumyajit Majumdar of LOK Arts Collective (India/UK), this magnum opus is based on Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's iconic novel, reimagined through the lens of local folktales and colonial-era East India Company records. Set during the turbulent times of the Sannyasi-Fakir Rebellion, the film vividly portrays the untold journey of India's first female freedom fighter, Devi Chowdhurani. Under the guidance of the revolutionary monk Bhavani Pathak, played by Prosenjit Chatterjee, she leads a secret resistance in 18th-century Bengal, defying colonial rule, patriarchy, and historical neglect. Officially announced as the first Indo-UK co-production feature by India's Ministry of Culture at WAVES 2025, it was the only Indian film presented to the international media at the event. "Devi Chowdhurani" is supported by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, NFDC, Film Facilitation Office, and Invest India, along with co-production backing from the British Film Institute (BFI) and the UK's Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS). Patna, June 2 : The brutal rape, followed by tragic demise of nine-year-old Dalit girl from Muzaffarpur, has left the local population incensed and outraged, with many demanding capital punishment for the accused. The political landscape, though remains divided over state's apathy and insensitivity towards the teenage victim, the issue has turned into major political row with the ruling party and the Opposition taking potshots at each other. The minor rape victim succumbed to injuries due to systematic apathy and medical negligence. The girl was made to wait for hours at the Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) before admission, which her family claimed, led to her death. The girl, after being sexually assaulted, was found in critical condition in a canal on May 26 in Kudhni block of Muzaffarpur district and later brought to Patna for treatment but she died waiting outside the hospital. Nitish Kumar-led NDA government has promised strict action against those found guilty, however, the Opposition, unconvinced with double engine's promises on law and order, has accused it of being 'complicit' in the tragic death of the Dalit girl. "This is a serious incident, and the accused was arrested by the police soon. Legal proceedings have already begun. A chargesheet will be filed soon, and the accused will face the law under a speedy trial," JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said. "She was everyone's child. It is not right to politicise this issue. The hospital has given an explanation and the events of that night, and all of it is being investigated. The CCTV footage is also being examined. Everything will be investigated according to the law," he added. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai gave assurances of appropriate punishment to the accused and also took a dig at jungle raj in past regimes. "During the Lalu-Rabri tenure, the culprits and corrupt used to get protected. However, now the NDA government under the leadership of Nitish Kumar ensures culprits face appropriate punishment." However, the Opposition has intensified its attack on the ruling dispensation, accusing the administration of criminal negligence and misgovernance. Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru slammed the government, stating, "It is very tragic whenever someone loses their life. This was a young girl who faced great injustice. Though they say good governance exists, however, here there is more misgovernance." "She struggled for 3-4 days but did not receive proper treatment. People had to take to the streets just to get her admitted to the hospital. The Chief Minister, ministers, and the administration failed to take care of the girl. At last, the child gave up. This is not just embarrassing for Bihar but for the entire nation. The incident is very painful. We demand justice for her," he added. On Sunday, widespread protests broke out in Patna and Muzaffarpur. In Patna, party workers led by Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram gathered at IT crossing and burnt effigies of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Health Minister Mangal Pandey while demanding a judicial probe and the resignation of the Health Minister. "If the girl does not get justice, I will travel across Bihar with her ashes," Rajesh Ram announced during the protest. New Delhi, June 2 : The Supreme Court on Monday did not pass any interim orders on staying the proposed demolitions in the national capital's Batla House. A Bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Satish Chandra Sharma told the residents, who had received 15-day eviction notices and apprehended imminent demolition, that they are free to avail remedies available under the law. The Justice Karol-led Bench directed that the matter be listed before the regular Bench for hearing in July. The litigants claimed that they were "genuine residents" and "property owners" of Khasra Nos. 271 and 279 in Batla House. They stated that their homes fall within the area now sought to be demolished on the purported ground of being outside the PM-UDAY Scheme coverage, despite having valid title documents, proof of continuous possession since before 2014, and eligibility under the Recognition of Property Rights Act, 2019. Any blanket demolition drive initiated without affording affected residents an adequate and meaningful opportunity of being heard would amount to a gross infraction of the principles of natural justice and a direct violation of fundamental rights enshrined under the Constitution of India, said the plea filed through advocate Adeel Ahmed. Underscoring the need for a fair, humane, and judicious approach before any coercive action is undertaken, the plea stated that applicants have been residing peacefully in the area in question for several decades, forming a stable and law-abiding community. It added that the 15-day eviction notices were mechanically applied to residents and properties which are neither part of Khasra No. 271 nor identified in any report as being outside the scope of regularisation. In spite of their legitimate claims, these residents have been denied an opportunity to be heard, and are now at imminent risk of displacement, said the application filed before the top court. ALBANY The University at Buffalo and Kaleida Health had two of the three largest discrepancies in the state last year when it comes to reporting the amount of money they each spent on lobbying, a state panel said in its annual report Monday. UB, which acted as its own lobbyist, reported its expenditures as a lobbying client at $480,000, but its costs, or compensation for lobbying, as $800,000. The $320,000 difference topped the list of the top 20 discrepancies in 2024 lobbyist- and client-reported compensation, according to the states Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG). Kaleida Health reported spending $270,000 as a lobbying client of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP. But Manatt, Phelps & Phillips reported its compensation from Kaleida as $540,000, the report. The $270,000 disparity was third on COELIGs list of 20 discrepancies. Both UB and Kaleida officials denied there were any discrepancies, and both institutions took issue with how COELIG collected and examined its data. COELIG, which Gov. Kathy Hochul created in 2022 to replace the states earlier ethics body, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE), reported that for the third consecutive year, spending on lobbying in the state rose to a record high of $382.1 million. New Yorks lobbying industry continues to defy economic gravity, said Blair Horner, executive director of the New York Public Interest Research Group. Lobbyists are required to file reports bimonthly on their compensation and spending. Lobbying clients must report their lobbying expenses twice a year. To ensure accuracy in the reporting from lobbyists and their clients, the report explained, the commission compares numbers in bimonthly lobbying reports to semi-annual reports. In both the case of UB and Kaleida, the discrepancies were due to the entities collective failure to file July-to-December semiannual reports. UB also failed to file a November-December bimonthly report. Both UB and Kaleida have since filed reports to address their collective discrepancies, said Emily DeSantis, a spokesperson for the commission. COELIGs executive director, Sanford Berland, said that $17.97 million out of a total of $18.1 million in lobbying filing discrepancies 99.5% were resolved. The commission prioritizes data integrity and strives to ensure that statewide ethics and lobbying activity is fully and accurately reported, Berland said in a statement. Working with lobbyists and clients, nearly $18 million in reporting discrepancies were resolved, providing the public with more transparent and accurate lobbying data. In a statement, UB spokesperson John Della Contrada said: If the 2024 November-December bimonthly report and the 2024 July-December Client semi-annual were properly accounted for by COELIG, Lobbyists Reported Compensation and Client Reported Compensation ... there would have been a difference of $0. However, it should also be noted that the total reported by the commission is based on an estimated upper range of $80,000 a month in advocacy activities. In reality, UBs advocacy activities constituted about $5,000 a month for a total of $60,000 in 2024. UB anticipates reporting this much more accurate figure in 2025. In a statement, Kaleida Health spokesperson Jacqueline Bett said that, after learning of the report, We immediately reached out to Manatt and could not find any discrepancies. We then reached out to COELIG, and we understand that the reports findings were based on incomplete data, which has been corrected and the information reported by the lobbyist is accurate. In response, DeSantis said: "Neither entity filed their client semi-annual report on time so when we ran the discrepancy report, more than a month after the filing deadline, the lobbying data for Kaleida Health and the University at Buffalo showed their data did not reconcile. We contacted the entities and both have since filed their reports. Instances such as these are exactly why we reconcile the data to ensure the information we report to the public is accurate and complete." In the name of transparency, the commission requires elected officials, candidates, designated policymakers and state employers who earn above $111,897 to file financial disclosure statements (FDS). Of 35,600 FDS filings, all but 41 were filed, the report said. The annual report said its investigative and enforcement unit processed 169 complaints and referrals, opened 24 formal investigations and closed 139 pending matters. Pending matters included conflict of interest complaints at the Executive Chamber; UB, Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County and the Niagara Falls Public Water Board; and a complaint of nepotism at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Cases closed included a sexual harassment complaint at Buffalo Psychiatric Center that was found to be unsubstantiated, as well as conflicts of interest at UB, the Executive Chamber and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Lucknow, June 2 : Uttar Pradesh Minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) President Om Prakash Rajbhar on Monday staked his party's claim to the Mau Sadar Assembly seat, which fell vacant following the conviction and disqualification of sitting MLA Abbas Ansari. Speaking to the media here, Rajbhar asserted that the SBSP would raise the issue with the top leadership of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), asserting the party's political presence in the region. "The Mau Sadar seat has historically been significant for the SBSP. We were the runner-up in 2017, and in 2022, the SBSP secured victory from this constituency," he said. "With Abbas Ansari sentenced to two years, we will explore legal options to protect our party symbol and, if a by-election is held, we will press our claim for the seat within the NDA." Ansari, a legislator from the SBSP and son of late mafia don Mukhtar Ansari, was recently sentenced to two years in prison in a hate speech case by the MP-MLA court, resulting in his disqualification from the Assembly. Rajbhar also addressed cultural and political issues during the press conference, announcing that a 'Shaurya Mela' (Festival of Valour) would be held in Bahraich on June 10 in honour of Maharaja Suheldev, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath scheduled to attend. "This event is not just about celebrating our heritage, but also educating the younger generation about our glorious past," Rajbhar said, accusing previous governments of neglecting historical icons like Suheldev. He alleged that the Congress had deliberately erased Suheldev's legacy to appease a particular vote bank, while the Samajwadi Party honoured invaders like Salar Masood in Bahraich. "Why was Maharaja Suheldev's heroism ignored on his own land? This isn't just a political question -- it's about identity, heritage, and the future of our children." Rajbhar further criticised both the Congress and the SP for sidelining national icons such as Ahilyabai Holkar, Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Savitribai Phule, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, Chhatrapati Shivaji, and Gautam Buddha. "For over two decades, these names were ignored -- now, their legacy is being revived." He also advocated for reforms in the local body election process, demanding that block pramukh and district panchayat heads be elected directly by the public, similar to Nagar Panchayat elections. "I've discussed this with CM Yogi Adityanath four times, Home Minister Amit Shah twice, and even with the Prime Minister," he said. New Delhi, June 2 : Union Heavy Industries Minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Monday that Mercedes Benz, Skoda-Volkswagen (VW), Hyundai, and Kia have shown keen interest in manufacturing their electric vehicles (EVs) in India. The minister further said that the application window for the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI) will open soon. On Elon Musk-run Tesla, the Union Minister said: "We are not actually expecting (manufacturing) from them as they are only to start showrooms. They are not interested in manufacturing in India." The new EV policy has allowed several concessions for companies that will invest in India and set up manufacturing units. The Centre has now notified guidelines to enable fresh investments from global manufacturers in the electric cars segment and promote India as a global manufacturing hub for e-vehicles. The approved applicants will be allowed to import completely built-in units (CBUs) of electric four-wheelers with a minimum CIF (cost insurance and freight value) of $35,000 at a reduced customs duty of 15 per cent for a period of 5 years from the date that the application is approved. Approved applicants would be required to make a minimum investment of Rs 4,150 crore in line with the provisions of the scheme. The maximum number of e-4Ws allowed to be imported at the reduced duty rate will be capped at 8,000 units per year. The carryover of unutilised annual import limits would be permitted. According to the notification, the maximum number of EVs to be imported under this scheme will be such that the maximum duty foregone per applicant will be limited to Rs 6,484 crore, or the committed investment of the applicant of a minimum of Rs 4,150 crore, whichever is lower. Meanwhile, the upcoming higher steel tariffs by US President Donald Trump will have a "minor" impact on India as the country does not export big to the US, Kumaraswamy said. Trump last week announced to double import tariffs on steel and aluminium from 25 per cent to 50 per cent, starting June 4. Speaking to reporters in the national capital, Kumaraswamy said: "Minor impact will be there as we are not exporting (to the US) in a big way." Bhopal, June 2 : As the Congress prepares to launch its Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan (Organisation Creation Campaign) on Tuesday, the party has said in a statement on Monday that more than 60 observers appointed by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) will begin intensive groundwork across Madhya Pradesh. The campaign will be formally inaugurated by Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, during his visit to the state on June 3. Gandhi is scheduled to chair key meetings with members of the state party's Political Affairs Committee (PAC), current MLAs, former MPs, AICC and PCC members, and over 50 leaders from other states designated as observers. "These observers will camp in their assigned districts for three months to assess the organisational strength at the grassroots and identify gaps and opportunities," Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari said on Monday. "Tomorrow marks a historic moment for the Madhya Pradesh Congress, as a structured action plan for rebuilding the organisation will be launched for the first time, with Rahul Gandhi leading the initiative." The campaign is already underway in Vidisha, a BJP stronghold that includes constituencies represented by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. In the district, 100-150 specially trained Congress workers are living in villages, engaging directly with locals to understand on-the-ground challenges and shape revival strategies. The 15-day field exercise in Vidisha will culminate in a detailed report to be submitted to both the state and central leadership. Based on these reports, the party plans to rebuild its organisational network from the booth level upward across all districts and development blocks. "This campaign will run for the next three months," Patwari said. In parallel, the Congress is also moving to identify and act against internal saboteurs accused of covertly aiding the ruling BJP. "Those found working against party interests, right down to the development block level, will be expelled," said Leader of Opposition and former minister Umang Singhar. Kochi, June 2 : The Kerala High Court on Monday ordered that the gender details of Kerala's first transgender parents in their child's birth certificate be changed from "mother" and "father" to just "parent" for both partners. While the Pinarayi Vijayan government often says it is the first state government to have come out with a transgender policy, the transgender parents failed to get justice from the CPI-M ruled Kozhikode Corporation when they first approached it to modify their child's certificate, and then, took legal recourse. A bench of Justice A.A.Ziyad Rahman passed the order on the plea by Zahhad, a transman (assigned female at birth but identifying as a man) and Ziya Paval, a transwoman (assigned male at birth but identifying as a woman), who are the first openly transgender couple in Kerala. "This writ petition is disposed of directing the fifth respondent to issue a birth certificate with the modification by removing the columns of names of father and mother and by incorporating the names of the petitioners as parents without referring to their genders," the court ruled. The transgender couple was in the news in February 2023 when Zahad gave birth to their child. The birth certificate of the child registered by the Kozhikode Corporation recorded the mother's name as Zahad (transgender) and the father's name as Ziya (transgender). Zahad and Ziya approached the Corporation to change the details in their child's birth certificate to indicate both of them as just 'parents' rather than mother and father. But the Corporation authorities rejected their request, and the couple then approached the High Court seeking relief. "Since scientifically thereas some contradiction in the fact that a male is giving birth to a child, the petitioners requested the authorities to avoid the name of father and mother but simply writing aparenta to avoid further embarrassment which the third petitioner (child) would have to face during her life time viz. school admission, Adhar Card, PAN Card, Passport and various other documents including job and connected matters," the parents contended. They also pointed out that the denial of such a certificate is a denial of their and their child's fundamental rights. Moreover, the denial of the new certificate goes against the dictum laid down by the Supreme Court in the landmark NALSA case. They further added that various other countries allow couples, especially same sex couples, to choose their title in their child's birth certificate from among 'mother', 'father' and 'parent'. London, June 2 : UK Conservative Party MP and Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel has reaffirmed the shared commitment to combat terrorism during a meeting with the all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation. The delegation, led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, met Patel on Sunday and discussed mutual commitment to fight terrorism, UK-India defence and security links, enhancement of economic ties and the vibrant Indian diaspora which serves as the living bridge connecting the two countries. During the meeting with Patel, the delegation shared India's firm resolve in combating cross-border terrorism, conveying how Operation Sindoor exemplifies the new normal set by India in fighting terrorism. "A pleasure to meet with a cross-party delegation of senior Indian MPs. Significant areas of discussion covered our shared determination to combating terrorism, to UK-India defence and security links, our economic ties, and the living bridge between our two countries," Priti Patel posted on X on Monday. Meanwhile, Ravi Shankar Prasad took to social media, highlighting the engagements with the Indian diaspora in which the delegation shed light on the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent launch of Operation Sindoor affirming India's resolute stance against terrorism. "Today, alongside my esteemed colleagues from the all-party delegation, I engaged with representatives of the vibrant and diverse Indian Diaspora at India House in London. We conveyed India's unwavering stance against terrorism, shedding light on the tragic Pahalgam attack," he said. "Additionally, we briefed them on Operation Sindoor, underscoring India's resolute policy of combating terrorism in all its forms. We emphasized India's united stance and unwavering commitment to decisively counter terrorism, making it clear that any acts of terror will be punished with utmost resolve," Prasad posted on X. Following the delegation's interaction with the Indian community in London on Sunday afternoon (local time), the members of the diaspora praised Operation Sindoor and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's leadership. The nine-member delegation includes a diverse political representation: 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. After concluding visits to France, Italy, and Denmark, the Indian delegation arrived in London as 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. New Delhi, June 2 : As he held wide-ranging bilateral talks with the President of Paraguay Santiago Pena Palacios at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep appreciation to the South American nation for its strong condemnation of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. "This visit comes soon after the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Modi expressed his deep appreciation to Paraguay for its strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, as well as for the sincere condolences and solidarity expressed with the people and the Government of India. Both leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations. On behalf of the Paraguayan people, President Pena expressed his deep solidarity with the victims and families of the terrorist attack," P Kumaran, Secretary (East) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said after the conclusion of delegation-level talks. According to the MEA, the two leaders held a comprehensive discussion on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including trade and investment, health and pharmaceuticals, defence and security, infrastructure, mining among others. The President of Paraguay is on a State Visit to India from June 2-4 which is his first visit to the country and only the second by a President of Paraguay to India. The last visit was in 2012 by the 10th President of Paraguay. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, members of Parliament, Governor of a province, and senior officials. India and Paraguay established diplomatic relations in September 1961 and have since enjoyed warm and friendly ties. The bilateral relationship has steadily expanded with growing cooperation in sectors such as trade, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, and information technology. Paraguay is an emerging trade partner for India in the Latin American region. "Your visit is truly historic; marking the second time a President of Paraguay has visited India. I am pleased that you are accompanied by senior ministers and a strong delegation. You are visiting not just Delhi but also Mumbai, which shows your commitment to building stronger ties between the two countries. I believe that by working together, we can create a path to shared growth and prosperity," PM Modi said in his opening statement during the delegation-level talks. PM Modi mentioned that India and Paraguay are integral parts of the Global South having similar hopes, aspirations and challenges. "We see new opportunities for cooperation in areas such as digital technology, critical minerals, energy, agriculture, healthcare, defence, railways, space, and overall economic partnership. We have a Preferential Trade Agreement with MERCOSUR. We can work together to further expand it. India and Paraguay stand united in the fight against terrorism. There is immense possibility of cooperation to fight against shared challenges such as cybercrime, organized crime, and drug trafficking," he said. President Pena, who arrived in New Delhi earlier in the day, was given a ceremonial Guard of Honour upon landing at the Air Force Station in Palam. Before his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, President Pena met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss avenues of bilateral cooperation. "Pleased to call on President Santiago Pena of Paraguay at the start of his State Visit to India. Appreciate his positive sentiments and guidance for enhancing Indiaa"Paraguay cooperation in many domains. Confident that his talks with PM Narendra Modi today will open new avenues for India's engagement with Paraguay and the South America region," EAM Jaishankar wrote on X. The Paraguayan President also paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat following his engagements at Hyderabad House. He is scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu in the evening, who will also host a banquet in his honour. The MEA highlighted Paraguay's strategic importance as a trading partner in Latin America. Indian companies in the automobile and pharmaceutical sectors have already established a presence in Paraguay, while Paraguayan companies, largely through joint ventures, operate in India, contributing to robust economic ties. During his visit to Mumbai on Tuesday, President Pena will engage with state political leaders, industry stakeholders, startups, innovators, and technology experts, reflecting an emphasis on economic and technological collaboration. Ayodhya, June 2 : A major milestone in the first phase of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple complex's construction will be completed this week with the Prana Pratishtha (consecration) of eight deities in the premises. Champat Rai, General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, announced on Monday that the consecration ceremonies will be held between June 3 and 5. "The rituals will culminate on June 5 at 11.25 a.m., when the main Prana Pratishtha Puja will be performed, followed by Bhog Aarti around 1 p.m. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is scheduled to attend the ceremony," he said. The deities whose idols will be consecrated include Shivling, Ganpati, Hanuman Ji, Surya Dev, Bhagwati, Annapurna, Sheshavatar, and Shri Ram Darbar. A total of 101 Vedic acharyas from across India will perform the rituals in traditional Vedic style. "This is a worship-centric event, not a grand public gathering," Rai emphasised. "We request devotees not to inconvenience themselves by coming in large numbers, especially on June 5. There is no formal invitation system. The event is open to all, but we expect devotion, discipline, and restraint from everyone," Rai urged. June 5 also marks the festival of Ganga Dussehra, and coincidentally, it is also the birthday of CM Yogi Adityanath. Champat Rai called this alignment of events "spontaneous and a reflection of divine will." The three-day Vedic ceremony will commence at 6:30 a.m. each day, with the main rituals scheduled for June 5. In the run-up to the Prana Pratishtha, a Kalash Yatra was held on Monday, starting from the banks of the Saryu River. A large number of women participated in the religious procession, which passed through Rangmahal Barrier, Lata Chowk, Rampath, Shringar Haat, Hanumangarhi Bazaar, Dashrath Mahal, and Ramkot Barrier before reaching the Yagya Sthal. Given the unpredictable weather conditions, no large-scale public event has been planned. The Trust has urged devotees to visit Ayodhya at their convenience and avoid adding to the crowd pressure on June 5. New Delhi, June 2 : Union Minister Chirag Paswan has hinted at contesting the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections on Monday, asserting that as he serves at the Centre but his heart and political purpose have always remained rooted in Bihar. Speaking to reporters during a one-day visit to Chhattisgarh, Paswan remarked, "I don't see myself in central politics for too long. My reason for entering politics was Bihar and the people of Bihar. I want to take forward my vision of 'Bihar First, Bihari First'." "After winning my third term as a Member of Parliament, I realised that being in Delhi makes it difficult to work directly for Bihar. I have placed my thoughts before the party, and it will evaluate whether my contesting the Assembly elections would benefit the organisation," he added. Paswan emphasised that his decision to consider the state elections is driven by a desire to bring development and stronger representation to Bihar. "Sometimes, when national leaders contest state elections, it does help the party grow. If my participation helps the alliance and strengthens the NDA's position in Bihar, I will contest," he stated. However, Chirag Paswan made it clear that he is not eyeing the Chief Minister's post. "There is no vacancy for the Chief Minister's post in Bihar. Nitish Kumar will remain the Chief Minister," he affirmed, reiterating NDA unity in the state. Paswan has never contested an Assembly election before, but his growing involvement in state matters has sparked speculation about a shift from national to state politics. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is part of the NDA in Bihar, which also includes parties led by Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha. The 243-member Bihar Assembly is expected to witness a high-stakes contest this year, and Chirag's possible entry could alter political equations within the NDA and the larger electoral landscape. Meanwhile, during his visit to Chhattisgarh, Paswan also spoke about expanding his party's presence there. "In the coming days, I will frequently visit Chhattisgarh. We are focused on strengthening our organisation and gradually expanding the party's footprint in the state," he said. Mumbai, June 2 : Indian stock markets showed resilience on Monday, recovering strongly from early losses to end just mildly lower by the closing bell. The Sensex ended the day at 81,374, down by 77 points or 0.09 per cent. However, this marked a sharp rebound of 719 points from the day's low of 80,654. Similarly, the Nifty closed at 24,717, slipping 34 points or 0.14 per cent, after recovering from its intra-day low of 24,526. Investor sentiment was weak in the morning after US President Donald Trump announced higher tariffs on steel imports. The proposed hike, from 25 per cent to 50 per cent, is expected to take effect from June 4. On top of this, rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine, volatile foreign investment flows, and caution ahead of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) policy decision all weighed on the market mood. Despite the shaky start, buying interest in select heavyweight stocks helped limit the damage. Shares of Adani Ports, Mahindra and Mahindra, Zomato (traded as Eternal), PowerGrid, Hindustan Unilever, Bajaj Finserv, ITC, ICICI Bank, Asian Paints, and Nestle India saw gains ranging between 0.4 per cent and 2 per cent. In the broader market, the Nifty MidCap and Nifty SmallCap indices outperformed, ending with gains of 0.62 per cent and 1.1 per cent, respectively. Among sectors, the Nifty IT and Nifty Metal indices were the worst hit, both falling 0.7 per cent due to concerns over the US tariffs. On the other hand, the Nifty Realty and Nifty PSU Bank indices emerged as the top performers, each rising over 2 per cent. "The domestic market continued its consolidation phase for the third consecutive week, influenced by renewed concerns over a potential tariff war and escalating geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine," Vinod Nair of Geojit Investments Limited said. "While global uncertainties have led investors to adopt a risk-averse approach, the Indian market has demonstrated resilience, underpinned by robust institutional inflows and selective sectoral strength like FMCG, real estate, and financial stocks," Nair stated. He said that under the current market landscape, investors are adopting a cautious short-term strategy, with a focus on domestically-oriented and interest-sensitive sectors. Paris/New Delhi, June 2 : Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday met some top global CEOs in Paris to explore their future investment plans for the India market in promising sectors like electric vehicle and renewable energy (RE). The minister is on an official trip to France with the aim of boosting trade and investments and will also attend a ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Tuesday. "Held a meeting with Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group. Exchanged views on India's growing potential as an automobile manufacturing hub, along with emerging opportunities in the EV sector," Goyal posted on X social media platform. He also met Bernard Fontana, Chairman and CEO of state-owned energy provider EDF, and discussed India's growing leadership in the renewable energy sector and "ways to further integrate sustainable energy solutions into our development roadmap". Earlier, the Union Minister met Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, a global integrated energy company. "Discussed the company's investment plans for India and avenues for deeper collaboration in the renewable energy sector," said Goyal. Commerce Minister has also indicated that India is likely to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Oman soon, as the talks between the two countries are making headway. The talks for the free trade pact with Oman started in November 2023, and Goyal visited the Gulf country from January 27 to January 28. Piyush Goyal commences official visit to France, Italy to boost economic ties During his three-day engagements in France, Union Minister Goyal is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings, including with Eric Lombard, Minister of Economy, and Laurent Saint-Martin, French Trade Minister, according to the Commerce Ministry. The discussions will focus on strengthening the Indo-French economic partnership and exploring new avenues for enhancing trade and investment cooperation. The minister will meet top leadership of major French companies such as Vicat, Total Energies, L'Oreal, Renault, Valeo, EDF and ATR. Following his engagements in France, the Union Minister will proceed to Italy for the next leg of his official visit. On June 24, Buffalo Democrats will do something they havent done in a generation: nominate someone for mayor without having Byron Brown as one of the options. In race for Buffalo mayor, candidates differ on question of police oversight In the lead-up to the Democratic primary The Buffalo News will be publishing responses from candidates to questions about issues important to Buffalo voters. Today's question: What do you see as the priorities for the department if you were to become mayor and how do you think oversight and accountability for the department should change? The former mayors resignation last year to lead the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. led several high-profile Democrats to throw their hats into the ring for the party line that is key to securing the job following voting in November. Appearing on the ballot will be Chris Scanlon, who became acting mayor upon Browns departure; State Sen. Sean Ryan; former Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield Jr.; University Council Member Rasheed Wyatt; and Anthony Tyson-Thompson, former aide to Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes. Attorney James Gardner is the only Republican to qualify for the ballot and will likely be the Democratic primary winners main competition in November. Political newcomer Michael Gainer was knocked off the ballot for the Democratic primary following a lawsuit that found some of Gainers nominating petitions contained fraud. Gainer said he plans to run on an independent line called the Restore Buffalo Party. In the lead-up to the Democratic primary, The Buffalo News is publishing responses from candidates to questions about issues important to Buffalo voters. This is the fourth in the series. For many years Buffalo saw population decline and, with it, widespread abandonment of property that led to blight and costly demolitions. Now, with the remaining housing still the oldest in the country and the citys population stabilizing, the citys houses still present many problems for residents, including elevated exposure to lead in children, substandard rental housing, out of town landlords and rapidly escalating housing costs, mimicking trends across the nation. As mayor, what would you do to expand the citys affordable housing stock and ensure that people have access to safe, livable housing? Whitfield: The housing crisis requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. The private sector and other governmental partners. I will actively seek to convene these partners to collaborate on providing new or greater structural incentives such as tax credits or supply chain subsidies for developers to build new housing units and convert existing commercial buildings into housing, and I will gladly incorporate ideas from them and others into a citywide strategy. There are many ideas for reform to housing inspections (e.g., lead inspections) which I will champion as mayor. My Be Brilliant at the Basics focuses on streamlining and modernizing city functions will touch virtually every aspect of policy and government to drive modernization, efficiency, sustainability of city services and finances. I am most sensitive to making sure our lower-income Buffalonians can continue to safely live in their current homes, many of which have housed generations of the same family. To the extent that the city extends added resources to the issue of housing, my administration will focus those resources on shoring up safety, stability and livability of aging owner-occupied homes in our most distressed neighborhoods. After generations of disinvestment in these neighborhoods and the families that have faithfully remained, we must now be intentional about making meaningful investments in them and ensure that the legacy of these long-suffering families is preserved. Ryan: My City of Good Neighborhoods housing plan has already brought millions of state dollars to Buffalo to build new homes on vacant lots, get vacant apartments back on the market at affordable rents, and protect Buffalo families from eviction. We cannot grow our population without increasing housing, and we must rebuild our neighborhoods. We do that by building new homes on vacant lots. As mayor, I will continue to seek creative ways to solve Buffalos affordable housing crisis, and I will work collaboratively with our partners in the state government to ensure that that Buffalo takes full advantage of the housing programs I have created as well as any other opportunities to use state resources to make housing safer, more secure, and more affordable. As a state legislator, I have worked consistently on lead paint poisoning to combat Buffalos unacceptably high rate of childhood lead poisoning. To combat these issues, I will bolster the citys proactive rental inspection program to ensure that all apartments across the city are actually getting interior inspections for peeling lead paint and other hazards. One of my biggest frustrations as a state legislator is how difficult it is to get the City of Buffalo to take advantage of programs and funding that is available to them. No child should live in a house that has not been inspected. I plan to establish goals of zero lead poisoning and a number of housing inspections per year to ensure no child lives in a house that has not been inspected. Wyatt: As Mayor, I will take decisive action to fully implement Proactive Rental Inspections law, committing to 5,000 inspections per year, and I will work tirelessly with Erie County to remediate lead contamination. I will also push the Common Council to impose stricter fines on landlords who consistently endanger our residents safety by failing to maintain their properties. For instance, my initiative to raise fines in the University Heights District as it related to house parties of $1,500 along with weekend police patrols have been very effective in almost eliminating the annual house party issue, improving the quality of life for the residents in the community. Moreover, we will actively collaborate with organizations like the county land bank to accelerate the development of infill housing, including duplexes. This strategy will not only expand our housing options but also encourages owner-occupied properties, thereby facilitating the creation of generational wealth. Gainer: We need to be more creative and assertive in meeting the housing needs of our communities, specifically affordable and healthy rental housing. The shortest path to increasing units is to reward good landlords and penalize bad ones. Weve watched homes in many parts of our city sit vacant for years. Owners pay their taxes but do very little to maintain the homes or invest to increase the supply of rental units. This inaction has hurt our neighborhoods by decreasing property values and the supply of stable rental units. Under the leadership of my administration, if the property is not owner occupied, the owner has two options: rehab the unit or pay a vacancy tax. Funds derived from a vacancy tax, combined with additional private and state funding will be leveraged to improve the quality and availability of rental units. We should also explore tools to get more vacant houses into the hands of local owners. With increasing costs for rehabilitation, local owners from the community can leverage sweat equity to rehab vacant homes and increase the supply of owner occupied rental units. Finally, we need more attention and resources dedicated to proactive rental inspections, lead testing, and code enforcement to ensure compliance with existing codes and health guidelines. Well conduct a full staffing audit of all city departments, to identify opportunities for interdepartmental cooperation. Tyson-Thompson: Buffalos housing challenges are personal to me. I grew up in a neighborhood where lead paint, absentee landlords and unstable housing were a reality. I know how poor housing conditions can impact a childs development, a familys stability and a communitys ability to thrive. As mayor, I will treat access to safe, quality housing as a core public responsibility essential to Buffalos long-term growth and stability. To expand the citys affordable housing stock, I will prioritize partnerships with mission driven developers, land trusts and nonprofit housing organizations to build and preserve quality, affordable homes for working families. I will also ensure that city-owned land is used strategically for housing that meets the needs of Buffalos residents, not just outside investors. We need stronger protections for both renters and homeowners. I will increase investment in lead remediation, enforce building codes more aggressively, particularly with out-of-town landlords, and expand legal support for tenants facing unsafe conditions or displacement. I will also invest in home repair and energy-efficiency programs to help longtime residents maintain and stay in their homes. As mayor, I will take a comprehensive approach that stabilizes neighborhoods, protects residents and ensures every family has a fair chance to live in a safe, dignified home. Scanlon: Building new housing opportunities that the average family can afford is a key priority of my administration. More specifically, new home ownership opportunities for working and middle class residents. In my short tenure as mayor, my team worked to overhaul the joint city-county infill housing program to maximize new home ownership opportunities. Through constructive dialogue and innovative solutions we saved roughly $100,000 on cost per home, meaning more funding to build more homes. My administration will soon be releasing a public guide on how to purchase city-owned land, the first step in improving the process for more builders to construct homes in Buffalo and for residents to purchase the existing lots next to their homes. I am committed to improving the quality of life in every neighborhood across our city, and that starts by holding absentee landlords and slumlords accountable. My administrations actions at 2 St. Louis Place demonstrates this commitment. Both the Buffalo Police Department and the Department of Permit and Inspections worked together to hold the negligent owner accountable. Now, DPIS is working through legal processes to convey title to the city for the property, while simultaneously addressing dangerous access points. As Mayor, this approach will be used as another tool to hold negligent property owners accountable, in addition to tacking fines and fees onto the tax bills. 'Operation Sindoor', launched by the Indian armed forces on May 7 signified a substantial military reaction to a terrorist assault at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, resulting in 26 fatalities. Nine distinct terrorist facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) were targeted, concentrating on the eradication of terrorist infrastructure associated with organisations like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. No civilian as well as military locations were targeted by India. The battle not only demonstrated India's strategic capabilities but also revealed significant vulnerabilities in Pakistan's Defence systems, particularly its dependence on Chinese-supplied military equipment. aOperation Sindoora, launched by the Indian armed forces on May 7 signified a substantial military reaction to a terrorist assault at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, resulting in 26 fatalities. Nine distinct terrorist facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) were targeted, concentrating on the eradication of terrorist infrastructure associated with organisations like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. No civilian as well as military locations were targeted by India. The battle not only demonstrated India's strategic capabilities but also revealed significant vulnerabilities in Pakistan's Defence systems, particularly its dependence on Chinese-supplied military equipment. Why aOperation Sindoora? The operation was triggered by a massacre in Pahalgam in which 26 civilians, the majority being Indian tourists, were killed by gunmen. India attributed the attack to terrorists sponsored by Pakistan. In response, India initiated aOperation Sindoora in the early hours of May 7, employing a combination of long-range standoff weapons, including air-launched missiles and loitering munitions, and struck nine locations. Pakistan asserted that it had reacted; however, the Indian strikes were characterised as "measured, non-escalatory, and proportionate," concentrating on terrorist infrastructure while excluding civilian or military locations. But there were tit-for-tat drone and missile exchanges when Pakistan claimed civilian losses and charged India with intensifying the conflict. Pakistan's overdependence on Chinese military equipment: aOperation Sindoora exposed the vulnerabilities associated with Pakistan's armed forces' extreme reliance on Chinese-supplied military equipment. aOperation Sindoora functioned as an operational evaluation of Chinese Defence technology against a blend of Indian and Western systems, exposing a trend of system malfunctions and suboptimal performance. Pakistan's military strategy has progressively relied on China as its principal weaponry supplier, a collaboration bolstered by geopolitical alignments and commercial connections. Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) indicates that China accounted for 81 per cent of Pakistan's military acquisitions during the last five years. Chinese arms exports to Pakistan amounted to $5.28 billion, or 63 per cent of overall Defence procurements by Islamabad during this period. Pakistan received weapons from China valued at around $20 billion during the crisis with India. The following items were included in the inventory: 20 fighter aircraft JF-17 Block III (equipped with Russian Klimov RD-93 engines) and 20 J-10CE (based on the Israel Lavi project), drones Wing Loong (like the US-MQ-1 Predator), frigates, submarines, missiles (240 PL-15E, an upgraded version of Israel's Python-8), air defence systems LY-80, early warning aircraft ZDK, and other technological upgrades. Deficiencies in Chinese Defence equipment: It was a devastating blow to China's image as an international armaments exporter as the operation revealed a trend of malfunctions and failure to perform in Chinese-supplied equipment. Included in some of the most significant failures were: Air defence systems: Pakistan deployed air defence systems such as the HQ-9 and HQ-16/LY-80. Despite claims to the contrary, the HQ-9 was unable to thwart numerous missiles strikes launched by India, including those employing the BrahMos. Indian electronic warfare reportedly jammed and evaded it, leaving Pakistan's skies open for operations. PL-15 Air-to-Air Missiles: These AAMs crashed or failed to fire during aerial combat, rendering them useless against Indian aircraft. A recovered PL-15 AAM, which landed at Hoshiarpur without hitting anything, has been displayed by Indian military personnel. The functionality of these systems that was revealed during the strikes, amply validates the reliability and compatibility concerns, which rendered Pakistan's air force inactive. Fighter Jets: J-10C and JF-17 Block III fighters, manufactured in China, were deployed throughout the operations. Nonetheless, they failed to obstruct or dissuade Indian airstrikes to significant levels. The assertions made by Pakistani and Chinese propaganda about J-10C aircraft allegedly shooting down many Indian jets, including Rafales, have not been confirmed or validated by any credible source. Pakistan did not provide any wreckage from the Indian aircraft or any other corroborative evidence. Chinese-origin drones: Throughout the conflict, Pakistan employed a variety of Chinese-origin drones for offensive and reconnaissance missions. The Indian Army successfully neutralised many drones that originated from China. The debris was exhibited during public briefings. The failure of these drones to circumvent Indian air defences raises apprehensions over their stealth attributes and overall efficacy. For precision attacks, Pakistan used Wing Loong-II drones equipped with AR-1, Chinese laser-guided air-to-surface missiles. The AR-1 missiles were either intercepted or neutralised by the Indian air defence systems before they could impact their intended targets. The inability of AR-1 missiles to breach Indian defences underscores shortcomings in their efficacy against robust air defence systems. The YLC-8E Anti-Stealth Radar: Pakistan's capacity to identify and follow stealth planes was weakened when Indian airstrikes destroyed the radar, which had been supplied by China and was stationed at Chunian Air Base in central Punjab. It was promoted as the "flagship of Chinese stealth radar" in the marketing campaign. Considering that it was a frontline operational asset, this was a huge blow to the PAF. The reliability of Indian military technologies was brought to light during this operation, which also highlighted the constraints faced by Chinese arms. Earlier disillusionment regarding Chinese systems has been validated by the failures described above, and they are expected to have a significant impact on the demand for Chinese weaponry, which had already been decreasing owing to quality issues. Poor quality issues: The all-weather relations between China and Pakistan, coupled with Pakistan's massive reliance on Chinese weapon resources, encouraged the Chinese state media to take a keen interest in any military conflict between India and Pakistan. The Chinese military has chosen not to address the effectiveness of the Chinese weapons that Pakistan used during the ongoing war with India. When asked about the recent news of India's recovery of an unexploded PL-15E missile, Chinese Defence Ministry Spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang played down the relevance of the incident. The PL-15E missile, according to Colonel Zhang's remarks during the Press conference, has been showcased at multiple Defence expos across the world and is an exportable system. Chinese citizens, fuming in the face of international shame, took to social media to brand Pakistan's military and air force with harsh criticism, claiming that the Pakistanis were unprofessional in their use of the HQ-9 air defence system, which was manufactured in China. Inadequate training and operational inefficiencies on the part of Pakistan were the main reasons, according to them, why the HQ-9 system failed to counter Indian missile strikes. Despite China's determined attempts to establish itself as a trustworthy alternative to arms suppliers from the West and Russia, the battle has shown basic inadequacies in the dependability and combat efficacy of Chinese military equipment. Reliability issues with Chinese technology have persisted for a long time due to issues with crucial components, poor quality control, and insufficient after-sale repair and maintenance. There has been a recurring issue, as evidenced by previous incidents, such as the Pakistan Navy experiencing problems with its frigates and Nigeria and Myanmar experiencing problems with their fighter jets. Beyond the battlefield, these problems slowed down China's arms exports and gave other manufacturers, including India, a chance to highlight their reliability in combat. India's neutralisation strategies: The accomplishment of aOperation Sindoor' demonstrates the increasing credibility of Indian systems and the country's Defence industrial capabilities. It was made possible by a convergence of sophisticated strategies, cooperation among all parties involved, and Western technology, which successfully countered the defence equipment supplied by China to Pakistan. Appended below are the Indian offensive's highlights: Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS): The system facilitated the effective coordination and management of all air defence activities in real time during aOperation Sindoora. Integration of the aAkashteera AD system with IACCS had been achieved a few months prior to aOperation Sindoora. Akashteer synergised the joint operations, where ground-based resources and the IAF's air defence teams could efficiently work together, leading to the best possible solution. The Recognised Air Situation Picture (RASP) was created by combining data from both ground-based and airborne sensors. This enabled the quick detection, identification, and interception of hostile threats, such as aircraft, drones, and missiles. Hence, an impregnable air defence shield was maintained and rapid reactions to retaliatory drone and UCAV attacks by Pakistan were guaranteed through the system's seamless integration and cooperation among the Army, Navy, and Indian Air Force (IAF). Critical for protecting Indian airspace and carrying out accurate offensive strikes, IACCS drastically cut down on the OODA (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) loop, speeding up decision-making and the time it took to go from sensor to shooter. When compared favourably to other developed systems around the world, India's technological independence was on full display in the creation and implementation of IACCS. Consequently, not a single Pakistani plane crossed into Indian territory throughout the conflict, and Indian airstrikes effectively incapacitated Pakistan's air defence system, which was mostly built by Chinese hardware. In simple terms IACCS was the ultimate war-enabler for India, like a aMan of the Match' of a game. Electronic warfare and jamming: The HQ-9 and other Chinese air defence systems were jammed and bypassed by the IAF using its cutting-edge electronic warfare capabilities. The operation was over in just 23 minutes, because of the Indian strikes which were able to go forward without considerable resistance. Indigenous systems for missile defence: The indigenous surface-to-air missile system known as the Akash Missile System was mobilised to neutralise several aerial threats, one of which was the J-10C fighter jets and the PL-15 missiles. Countering Pakistan's air capabilities was greatly aided by its efficacy. To boost its layered defence, India utilised the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) systems to neutralise drones with Turkish origins, although the main target was Chinese equipment. Radar and surveillance technology: The Arudhra and Ashwini Radars were crucial in assisting the operations for countering the aerial threats, with their tracking and interception capabilities. With the assistance of these systems, India could maintain highest levels of situational awareness and respond to threats. India's capacity to coordinate offensive operations and defences was enhanced with the first operational usage of the Netra AEW&CS (Airborne Early Warning and Control System), which offers 360-degree surveillance. This platform played a key role in the operation's success. Precision strikes and destruction: Pakistan's air defence system was weakened when the IAF neutralised vital equipment supplied by China, including the YLC-8E radar at Chunian Air Base. This was a component of a larger plan to target and destroy vital infrastructure. Comparative analysis of Indian vs. Chinese systems: During the operation, the divergence in defence technology between China and India was clearly visible. While Chinese systems like the HQ-9 and PL-15 faltered when subjected to stress, combat-proven and dependable Indian platforms like the QRSAM, Netra, and Akash emerged victorious. This imbalance was highlighted by the lightning-fast strikes and Pakistan's helpless reaction, which left its defences exposed. Multitude of implications: There are wider geopolitical and economic ramifications to the Chinese equipment's failure during aOperation Sindoora. It may even eclipse its strategic potential against Taiwan and the United States. The credibility of China's arms exports and production has taken a hit because of aOperation Sindoora, which has increased mistrust over the dependability and quality of China's military weaponry. Chinese armaments exports have been falling for some time now due to quality concerns, but these setbacks might accelerate the process. With the operation highlighting the potential hazards of being too reliant on one source, Pakistan may begin to diversify its defence procurement. Fall in Chinese stock market caused by Chinese equipment's ineffectiveness in Pakistan: Despite earlier gains, the Chinese stock market a" and the country's Defence industry in particular a" saw a sharp fall soon after aOperation Sindoora ended. Chinese defence shares rose sharply before the ceasefire, on the back of market predictions of further weapon sales to Pakistan in anticipation of a protracted conflict. But these gains were undone with the May 10 poor performance of Chinese weaponry as well as ceasefire announcement. Substantial Stock Decline: On May 13, 2025, investors dumped their shares in Chinese Defence equities, causing a drop of up to 9 per cent in value. A 2.9 per cent decline was recorded by The Hang Seng China A Aerospace & Defence Index (HSCAAD). Down as much as 9.2 per cent were notable entities like AVIC Chengdu Aircraft, maker of the J-10C. The PL-15 missile manufacturer, Zhuzhou Hongda Electronics Corp, lost as much as 6.5 per cent of its value. The share price of China State Shipbuilding Corporation fell by almost 4 per cent. Market uncertainty: The sudden drop in stock value of Chinese military equipment producers reflects growing market concern about the reliability and effectiveness of Chinese weapons in conflict. Before the ceasefire and the mounting claims of equipment failures, the market had war-related premiums, which were later abolished. Alternatively, following aOperation Sindoora, Indian Defence equities skyrocketed, with some companies seeing gains of 39 per cent or more. This was a sign of market faith in self-reliance of India's Defence capabilities. This highlights an emotional atale of two marketsa where investors have perspectives. The way forward: In addition to accomplishing its military goals by India, aOperation Sindoora exposed serious weaknesses in Pakistan's defence systems that had been supplied by China. By utilising modern electronic warfare techniques, indigenous missile systems such as Akash, and superior radar and surveillance technology, India was able to neutralise the HQ-9, PL-15, YLC-8E, and J-10C, among others, due to their ineffective performance. However, knowing China, in order to recover from the embarrassment of poor performance of Chinese produced equipment, all corrective measures, by now, would have been taken by relevant teams in China. Soon they will reequip Pakistan for the next offensive. China is expected to deliver about 30 fighters, out of a total of 40 J-35s, 5th generation stealth fighters, to Pakistan between August 2025 and early 2026. To deal with such a situation, New Delhi must beef up its operational readiness. The ramifications for regional security and global arms markets will be long-lasting. Indian defence arms and equipment manufacture needs an impetus to keep up the pace of research and development. (The author is a retired Group Captain of the IAF) Patna, June 2 : Amid rising demands from alliance partners over seat allocation in the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has clarified that the final seat-sharing formula within the NDA will be decided by the central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking to media persons in Munger on Monday, Choudhary said that many leaders make claims about contesting maximum seats, but the final decision will be taken only after discussions with alliance partners. "The central BJP leadership will decide how many seats each NDA constituent party will contest. We smoothly managed seat-sharing during the Lok Sabha elections, and we'll do the same for the assembly polls," he said. Choudhary's remarks came a day after Arun Bharti, MP from Jamui and brother-in-law of LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, hinted that Chirag Paswan may himself contest from a general (unreserved) seat, emphasising that his leadership would boost the alliance's overall performance. Many LJPRV leaders are claiming to contest at least 40 seats in the assembly elections. In an attack, Samrat Choudhary also targeted RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, accusing him of surfacing only during elections. "Lalu Yadav becomes visible only during elections, but history shows he loses every time. The people of Bihar have rejected him repeatedly," Choudhary said. Reiterating confidence in the NDA's alliance and its electoral strategy, Choudhary added: "We have full faith in the people of Bihar. They will support the NDA under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar." With alliances shaping up and claims emerging from different quarters, seat-sharing negotiations are expected to intensify in the coming months. The BJP's central leadership will now play a crucial role in balancing alliance demands while maintaining internal cohesion within the NDA ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly polls. In the 2020 Bihar Assembly election, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) contested alone and won only one seat, while in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the Chirag Paswan faction (LJPRV) contested five seats and won all seats. Seoul, June 2 : North Korea on Monday denounced a monitoring group on the enforcement of UN sanctions against Pyongyang for issuing a report on military cooperation between the North and Russia, calling the move a violation of a state's sovereign rights. The Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) on Thursday issued the first report detailing illegal military cooperation carried out between North Korea and Russia in violation of UN Security Council resolutions against Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programmes. The chief of the external policy office at North Korea's foreign ministry said the MSMT committed a "political provocation" by fabricating a report taking issue with cooperative ties between the North and Russia, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Calling the MSMT a "bogus group which has no legality in terms of existence and purpose," the official said the report is a "wanton" violation of international legal principles centering on sovereignty equality and non-interference in others' internal affairs. "We give stern warning against the negative consequences to be entailed by its reckless acts," the North's official said in a statement carried by the KCNA. North Korea said the MSMT is a "political tool" operating in line with the West's geopolitical interests, stressing, "It has no justification to investigate the exercise of sovereign rights of other countries," according to the KCNA. In response, South Korea's foreign ministry defended the MSMT's activities as legitimate and in line with the international obligations to enforce and monitor compliance with UN sanctions against North Korea, Yonhap news agency reported. The ministry noted that North Korea-Russia military cooperation is a "clear violation" of UN Security Council resolutions banning arms trade with North Korea, calling such resolutions legally binding for all UN member stages. It rejected the North's claim of a sovereignty violation as an "absurd" argument that disregards the authority of the security council and the international obligation to comply with its resolutions. The MSMT was established in October last year with the initiative of South Korea and the United States to continue the sanctions monitoring of North Korea following the disbandment of the UN Panel of Experts on North Korean sanctions monitoring due to Russia's veto. Raipur, June 2 : Liquor businessman Vijay Bhatia, currently under a one-day judicial remand in connection with the Chhattisgarh liquor scam, was presented before Raipur's Special Court on Monday. During the proceedings, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Chhattisgarh, petitioned for an extension of his custody to seven days. Following arguments from both sides, the court has reserved its order, reports and sources said. The Anti-Corruption Bureau and Economic Offences Wing had previously produced Bhatia before courts in Delhi and Raipur on Sunday. Following deliberations, he was placed under judicial custody for a day, with the EOW now seeking an extension of his remand for an additional seven days, said the sources. On Sunday, the EOW conducted extensive raids at multiple locations associated with Bhatia in Durg-Bhilai, uncovering significant documents believed to be crucial to the ongoing investigation. After arresting Bhatia in Delhi, officials presented him before the court. Due to Sundayas court holiday, he was placed before the remand court, which sent him to judicial custody for one day. Bhatia had evaded authorities since a raid was conducted at his residence two years ago. During Sundayas operation, household staff were permitted to continue their duties while undergoing interrogation. Female officers were present to ensure the process was conducted thoroughly. After remaining in hiding since an Enforcement Directorate raid two years ago, Bhatia has now been apprehended by the EOW. The ACB and EOW arrested Bhatia in connection with the Chhattisgarh liquor scam and transported him to Raipur while simultaneously conducting raids at six of his properties in Durg-Bhilai. On Sunday, EOW officials arrived at his Bhilai residence, thoroughly searching the premises and interrogated the occupants. Two years ago, on former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghelas birthday, the ED had raided the residences of his political advisor, Officer on Special Duty, and Bhatia himself, sparking political tensions between the BJP and Congress. Recently, ACB and EOW teams raided 39 locations linked to the liquor scam, recovering Rs 90 lakh in cash, gold, silver, and electronic devices. The ED is actively investigating allegations of financial misappropriation exceeding Rs 2,000 crore, with reports suggesting a syndicate of officials and private businessmen orchestrated the fraudulent liquor distribution scheme between 2019 and 2022. Jaipur, June 2 : A leopard went on a rampage in villages near Rajasthan's Bhilwara on Monday, attacking at least eight people, including a child and two women, and leaving several of them seriously injured, officials said. The incident, which occurred across Nuwalia and nearby villages, has sparked panic among locals. Five of the victims are currently undergoing treatment. The leopardas first attack was reported from Nuwalia village, where it targeted a child grazing goats in the fields. The child suffered a deep gash on the back. Hearing his screams, nearby family members rushed to the spot and managed to drive off the big cat using stones and sticks. The child was taken to the hospital in a state of shock. Minutes later, the leopard continued its 2-km-long trail of terror, injuring seven more villagers, including an elderly man whose eye was clawed out. One of the most gruesome incidents occurred around 2 p.m., about 1.5 km from the initial attack site, when the leopard broke into a house and attacked two women, identified as Liladevi and Premdevi. One of the women was reportedly attacked from behind on the head, leading to severe injuries. Initial reports claimed one woman was "beheaded", but officials later clarified that the woman sustained critical head injuries and is undergoing treatment at Daulatgarh Primary Health Centre (PHC). Soon afterwards, the leopard struck again in Khera village of Manaba, nearly a kilometre away, injuring three more people. It was last seen entering the home of a resident named Prem Balai to hide. A joint team from the Asind police and Forest Department rushed to the spot. Assistant Forest Ranger Nandlal Gurjar said that a cage has been set up to trap the leopard. Area resident Pokhar Gurjar said that the granite debris scattered in the Daulatgarh area may have become a temporary hideout for the leopard. While the animal had previously been preying on goats, this is the first time it has attacked humans so extensively. New Delhi, June 2 : Amid nearly 4,000 active cases of Covid-19 disease in the country, health experts on Monday assured that there is no need to panic as the current infection wave is unlikely to cause a higher burden on hospitals. According to the latest update, shared by the Ministry of Health, there are 3,961 active Covid cases. The number of deaths across multiple states, since January 1, 2025, surged to 32. Meanwhile, 2,188 patients were discharged or migrated in the last 24 hours, indicating an improvement in recovery. "It is highly unlikely that the current infection can cause a higher burden on the hospitals. Hence, there is no need to panic. However, the sentinel surveillance system needs to be strengthened in order to catch the outbreak in the earlier phase," Dr Harshal R. Salve, Additional Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine at AIIMS, New Delhi, told IANS. Kerala (1,435), Maharashtra (506), Delhi (483), Gujarat (338), and West Bengal (331) have reported the highest number of cases so far. This fresh wave has been caused by two new coronavirus variants, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, mutations of the Omicron offspring JN.1 variant. Both were found in India, as per data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), set up under the Ministry of Health. "While Covid cases are testing positive again, there is absolutely no need to panic. It is due to a JN.1 variant that is reportedly reappearing," Dr. S.K. Chaudhary, Chief Superintendent of Motilal Nehru Joint Hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, told IANS. Salve noted that severe infections due to these variants are unlikely, as the majority of the population possesses natural immunity. "Symptoms are similar to earlier Covid infections. As the majority population has already been infected earlier, they possess natural immunity, which protects them from severe manifestation of the disease," he noted. However, "this sub-variety has high transmissibility. Patients with comorbidity and the elderly need to wear N95 masks for protection from transmission. In general, cough hygiene and hand washing need to be practised", the expert added. Hyderabad, June 2 : Telangana celebrated its 11th Formation Day on Monday with the unfurling of the National Flag and homage to martyrs by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Cabinet ministers and leaders of various political parties across the state. The main official celebration was held at Parade Grounds, Secunderabad where Chief Minister Revanth Reddy hoisted the Tricolour, reviewed a colourful parade and took salute. Standing on an open-top jeep, Chief Minister Reddy reviewed the parade by various contingents of state police and took their salute. Chief Minister Reddy presented cash awards of Rs.1 crore to nine eminent people, including poets and artists for their key role in the Telangana movement. Revolutionary balladeer Gaddar was conferred the award posthumously. Gaddaras wife Vimala received the award. Multilingual literary scholar Nalimela Bhaskar was presented the Kaloji Award by the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister also presented medals of gallantry for 19 police officers and medals for meritorious services to 11 police officers. Kitakyushu City Mayor Kazuhisa Takeuchi of Japan was the guest at the Telangana Formation Day celebrations. Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao, Director General of Police Dr Jintender and senior officials were also present. The Chief Minister paid tributes to Telangana martyrs at the memorial at Gun Park near the Assembly building before reaching Parade Grounds for the main event. Governor Jishnu Dev Varma hoisted the Tricolour at his official residence Raj Bhavan to mark the state's formation day. Ministers and top officials led the formation day celebrations in all district headquarters. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka unfurled the National Flag at Khammam. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the Congress government is making all efforts to develop Telangana into the most prosperous state in the country. Vikramarka, who also holds the finance portfolio, claimed that Telangana has already become a model for other states. Telangana Formation Day celebrations were also held at the offices of all political parties. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Mahesh Kumar Goud hoisted the Tricolour at the Congress headquarters Gandhi Bhavan. He thanked party leader Sonia Gandhi for fulfilling the aspirations of crores of people by carving out Telangana State. Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy hoisted the National Flag at state BJP office in Hyderabad. Kishan Reddy, who is also the state BJP president, paid tributes to Telangana martyrs. Stating that previous BRS government did not fulfil aspirations of people during the last 10 years, he said that the present Congress government has also failed to deliver on the promises. Kishan Reddy stated that the BJP will take the responsibility to fulfil the aspirations with which Telangana State was formed. At Telangana Bhavan, the headquarters of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Leader of Opposition in the Telangana Legislative Council, Madhusudhana Chary and BRS MLA and former minister Harish Rao unfurled the Tricolour. They along with several BRS leaders paid tributes to Telangana martyrs and garlanded statues of Telangana Thalli and Professor Jayashankar. New Delhi, June 2 : In a drive against Bangladeshis illegally living in Delhi, the city police rounded up 16 persons, including seven children, from the Seemapuri area, an official said on Monday. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara), Prashant Gautam, said the apprehended Bangladeshi nationals revealed that they had crossed into India approximately 18-19 years ago under the cover of darkness. "They illegally entered India due to extreme poverty and a lack of livelihood opportunities in their native villages, located 40-50 km from the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal," he said. The DCP said the arrests were made by a joint team of the Foreigner Cell and special staff of Shahdara after receiving a tip-off last month. Those arrested include four men and five women, he said, adding that after entering India they initially stayed in the Cooch Behar area. DCP Gautam said that from there, they travelled by train to New Delhi in search of better employment opportunities. "Eventually, they moved to Haryana and began working in the rural areas, particularly at brick kilns, where they were involved in brickmaking," he said. These kilns are located away from main villages and residential areas, which allowed them to live in hiding without attracting attention, he said. "No government agency had conducted any verification or background checks on them during this time. The brick kiln owners, driven by the motive of engaging low-cost labour, employed them without documentation," he said. Over time, they settled in the area, raised families, and continued to live and work without legal status or scrutiny, he said. DCP Gautam said that on May 30, the Foreigner Cell of the Shahdara District received information regarding the presence of illegal Bangladeshi nationals attempting to enter the Seemapuri area. "The tip-off indicated that a group of individuals was moving across the Uttar Pradesh-Delhi border near Shaheed Nagar," he said. The arrests were made by a joint team of Foreigner Cell and Special Staff comprising SI Shaji John, ASI Gajender, ASI Johar, ASI Nazir, Head Constable Arun, Head Constable Siddharth, Head Constable Yoginder, Head Constable Amit, Head Constable Vijay, Head Constable Anuj, Woman Head Constable Geeta, Woman Head Constable Manju, Woman Head Constable Renu and Constable Aman led by Inspector Munish Kumar I/C Special Staff & Foreigner Cell under the supervision of Gurudev Singh, ACP/Operations. Mumbai, June 2 : Bollywood actress Sunny Leone has officially wrapped up shooting for her upcoming bilingual South film. Expressing heartfelt gratitude, the actress shared that she's thankful for every moment and memory created on set, marking the end of an exciting chapter in her career. Taking to Instagram, the 'Jism 2' actress shared a couple of photos from the celebration and wrote, "So happy to wrap my next bilingual South film with a full heartgrateful for every moment and memory made on set.@pampally @riyaswayanad73 @vythirivillage @nikhilspraveen." In the images, Sunny is seen cutting a cake along with the cast and crew of the film. She also posed for group photos. The text on the cake read, "WM movies. Production No. 2 It's a wrap." With the shoot now officially wrapped, Sunny Leone's bilingual South film has completed its final schedule. The cast and crew marked the occasion with a small celebration on set, including a cake-cutting ceremony. The film, shot in both Tamil and Telugu, is expected to enter post-production soon, with more updates on the title and release date anticipated in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Sunny Leone is all set to make her debut in Hollywood. In the untitled independent film, she will be seen portraying a United Nations peacekeeping soldier. Leaked photos from the film's set made their way online, offering a sneak peek of Sunny Leone in full combat mode. Clad in military attire and holding a weapon, she was seen standing amid a war-ravaged backdrop. Another image showed her inside a high-tech control room, hinting at the film's gripping, action-driven narrative. The 44-year-old actress was last seen as the host of 'MTV Splitsvilla X5,' where she played a dual role as mentor and anchor. Looking ahead, she is preparing for an upcoming Netflix project and is also involved in several South Indian film ventures. New Delhi, June 2 : The NHRC on Monday sought a report within 10 days from the West Bengal government and police on the safety of the jailed law student-cum-creator Sharmistha Panoli, while questioning the state authorities on her arrest formalities. NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo told IANS, "A notice was issued to the Chief Secretary and police chief on receiving a complaint alleging irregularities in the procedure adopted by police to arrest Panoli and take her on transit remand." "We have sought a report within 10 days," Kanoongo said. Twenty-two-year-old Sharmistha was arrested on Saturday in Haryana's Gurugram by Kolkata Police for posting videos containing communal remarks during Operation Sindoor. Earlier, Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut on Sunday called for the early release of Panoli, calling her arrest over a now-deleted social media post 'unjustified'. Kangana, known for essaying characters of strong women in her films, also expressed concerns over the damage caused to the influencer-cum-law student's career after her arrest by Kolkata Police. "No girl or daughter should be subjected to such high-handedness," said Ranaut while talking to the media on the sidelines of an event in Delhi. Targeting the Trinamool government in West Bengal, the National Award-winning actress and BJP MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, said, "I request the government of West Bengal not to make the state another North Korea." "Every citizen has democratic rightsif she made an objectionable comment, she also apologised for it later. She seems to have made the comment in a general context. Youngsters today use such language in the normal course," she said, putting up a strong case for Sharmistha's release. Actor-cum-politician and Andhra Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan showed solidarity with Sharmistha and asked West Bengal Police to act justly. Amid the growing sympathy for the arrested influencer, the Kolkata Police sought to counter the 'misleading narrative' surrounding their action and her objectionable social media content. In a post on the social media platform X, the Kolkata Police justified their action of apprehending the 22-year-old law student, claiming they acted lawfully according to the procedure established by law. "Hate speech and abusive language should not be misconstrued as freedom of speech and expression as enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution," said the police. "The accused was not arrested for expressing patriotism or for personal belief; legal actions were taken for sharing offensive content which promotes hatred among the communities," the police said. They say it feels like the election cycle never ends. Last month, it was school board and budget elections. This month, its time for Erie County voters to head to the polls once again for primary elections, the opportunity to help whittle down the field ahead of the general election in November. Primary elections are on June 24, and the race thats been making headlines across Western New York is the Democratic primary for Buffalo mayor, where five candidates are vying for the city leadership seat. But other communities including Amherst, City of Tonawanda, Hamburg, Orchard Park, West Seneca, Grand Island, Alden, Elma, Newstead and North Collins have primaries on the ballot later this month. Like Buffalo, voters in many of the suburbs will be choosing candidates for the municipalities top leadership positions. To vote in a primary election, voters must be registered with that political party. Here are some other races to check out before you head to the primary polls. Erie County GOP has a busy primary season There are Republican primaries in eight municipalities, for everything from town supervisors and councilmembers to judges and a highway superintendent. There are more than double the number of Republican primaries in Erie County compared with the Democratic primaries. Erie County Republican Committee Chairman Michael Kracker said while the party tries to avoid primary elections, they do happen. Thats democracy in action, Kracker said. But the primaries do give the candidates the advantage of starting their campaigns earlier on in the year. Were hopeful that kind of energy and momentum will carry through to November, where we have big races in a lot of important towns in Erie County, as well as big races countywide, Kracker said. Enthusiasm is high among Republicans, Kracker said. The local party is working to continue the momentum following President Trumps return to the White House and a number of key Republican victories in Western New York recently, such as the election of Rep. Patrick Chludzinski over longtime Democrat Monica Wallace in the 143rd Assembly District last year. Our committee is focused on supporting all of our endorsed candidates around Erie County and our local races, and then, of course, coming together to unify behind our primary winners and focus on the real task, which is winning the November elections and making sure we have as many quality Republican leaders serving in town government as possible, he said. Amherst Amherst residents will have a new supervisor next year and Republicans will have the chance to choose who they want to fight for that spot. Dan Gagliardo and Dennis Hoban both outspoken critics of current Democratic Supervisor Brian Kulpa are on the Republican primary ballot. The winner will face Democratic candidate and current Deputy Supervisor Shawn Lavin in the November general election. Split GOP, Conservative party votes set up primary clashes in Amherst elections The endorsement process for Amherst's Republican and Conservative committees led to some split decisions that may not be sorted out until the June primaries. Kulpa is barred by term limits from seeking reelection. Gagliardo, owner of the DAvolio restaurants and retail operation, won the endorsement of town Republicans, while Hoban is backed by the Conservative Party. Hoban, who owns a masonry contracting business, will appear on the general election ballot on the Conservative line. Republicans have had their eye on this election since November 2023, when the all-Democrat Town Board raised the tax levy by 11.4%. Republicans have been frustrated by the boards spending and land use decisions in recent years. The GOP sees an opportunity to elect one or more of their candidates to the three open seats this year, but it will be an uphill battle. Democrats make up 43% of registered voters in Amherst, while only 28% are Republicans. City of Tonawanda Four of the five Common Council members and the mayor are up for reelection this year and Democrats will try to retain control of the body. But the upcoming elections have strained relationships among Tonawandas elected officials in recent months. One of the few Democratic primary elections in Erie County is between Jason Voisinet and Amy Allen. Both are running to represent Tonawandas 4th Ward, as current councilmember David Mileham is not running for reelection. 'The reason is the election year': Political races strain relations at Tonawanda City Hall It's the latest sign of the frayed relations among some City of Tonawanda officials as key elections for mayor, Common Council and City Court judge await in November. The winner of primary will run against Republican William Simon. Voisinet is endorsed by the City of Tonawanda Democratic Committee and will also appear on the Working Families Party ballot line in the November general election. There are no Republican primaries in Tonawanda, but four candidates in two wards are jockeying to win the Conservative Party ballot line. Tonawanda Conservatives have endorsed the GOP ticket, setting up some primary challenges from Democrat-backed candidates. Incumbent 1st Ward councilmember James Shiesley is running against Frederick Maier to snag the Conservative primary victory. But regardless of the outcome of that race, both candidates will still appear on the ballot Shiesley as a Democrat and Maier as a Republican. The situation is similar in the 3rd Ward. Former councilmember Susan Gregg is Democratic candidate for the race. She is up against Republican Raymond Schultz, who ran and lost two years ago. Both are looking to add their names to the Conservative ballot line in November. There is no primary election for Tonawandas 2nd Ward or for mayor. Supervisors facing primary challengers Town supervisors in Orchard Park, Alden and Elma are all facing primary challengers. In Orchard Park, incumbent Supervisor Eugene Majchrzak is facing Town Board member Joseph Liberti in the Republican primary. Liberti won the endorsement of the Orchard Park Republican Committee over Majchrzak. The winner of the primary will face Democrat and political newcomer Marie Mahon. Majchrzak has been an Orchard Park Town Board member since 2010. He unofficially stepped into the supervisor position in 2020, taking on the day-to-day operations in the town after then-Supervisor Patrick Keem resigned. During that time, Liberti, then a member of the town Planning Board, was appointed deputy supervisor to carry out statutory duties. He also presided over Town Board meetings, but did not vote. Liberti was then elected to the Town Board in 2021, the same year Majchrzak was voted supervisor. Why so few want to run for the Erie County Legislature, and the impact on other races All Erie County Legislature seats are up for election this year, but interest from potential challengers is has been lower than normal because of a change in state law that means they're only running for one-year terms. In the Town of Alden, current Supervisor Colleen Pautler is running against Michael Retzlaff in a Republican primary. Retzlaff currently serves as the mayor of the Village of Alden. There is no Democratic challenger, so whoever wins the primary will most likely become the next supervisor. And in Elma, incumbent Republican Supervisor Wayne Clark is up against Town Board member and Deputy Supervisor Lee Kupczyk. Kupczyk is endorsed by the Elma Republican Committee and, last year, was elected chair of the committee. Clark will also appear on the Conservative Party ballot line in the November general election. Also in Elma, four Republicans are running for two open Town Board seats. Incumbents Jay Macaluso and Tracy Petrocy are trying to retain their positions against Jeffrey Breidenstein and James Malczewski. Macaluso and Petrocy are the endorsed candidates. Like in Alden, there are no Democratic challengers in the Elma elections. Bengaluru, June 2 : The BJP's Karnataka unit has warned the state government and asked it to revoke the FIRs and externment orders issued to some Hindu activists in Mangaluru district or be prepared to face consequences. BJP state President, B.Y. Vijayendra claimed on Monday, "By siding with one particular community, the police and the government are disrupting social harmony of the coastal region, pushing Mangaluru and Udupi districts into a state of fear." "We warn the government: Withdraw the FIRs registered against more than 15 prominent Hindu leaders, including senior activist Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, and revoke the externment orders immediately," Vijayendra stated. "Otherwise, the government alone will be held responsible for the consequences," Vijayendra threatened. "The Congress, notorious for imposing the Emergency, is now attempting to remind the people of it once again in the coastal region by intimidating Hindu leaders and BJP's activists," Vijayendra claimed. "Since coming to power, the Karnataka government has been constantly standing in support of those involved in destructive acts in a bid to appease the Muslim community and secure its vote bank," he alleged. The government has decided to withdraw cases filed against anti-social elements who attacked police stations and just recently, the High Court rebuked the government on this matter, he noted. Recently, in the case of the murder of a Muslim truck driver in Mangaluru, members of the Muslim community collectively pressured the government and the Mangaluru Police Commissioner and the District Superintendent were transferred within 24 hours, Vijayendra stated. Today, FIRs have been registered against more than 15 activists, including senior leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat. The police are raiding the houses of BJP and Hindu activists, creating an atmosphere of feara"this is a highly condemnable act, Vijayendra slammed. Following a series of revenge murders, multiple stabbing and mob lynching incidents in both the communities, the state government has announced that it will initiate a special exercise to curb the communal strife in the region. The minority leaders of the Congress party in Mangaluru district had submitted mass resignations to the party alleging that the state government had failed to protect them. Bengaluru, June 2 : Actor Kamal Haasan has approached the Karnataka High Court on Monday seeking directions for the release and screening of his upcoming movie, 'Thug Life', in the state amidst calls for a ban from Kannada organisations, sparked by Haasan's controversial statement that Tamil is the mother of the Kannada language. Bengaluru, June 2 (IANS) Actor Kamal Haasan has approached the Karnataka High Court on Monday seeking directions for the release and screening of his upcoming movie, 'Thug Life', in the state amidst calls for a ban from Kannada organisations, sparked by Haasanas controversial statement that Tamil is the mother of the Kannada language. In a petition filed through the Chief Executive Officer of Raj Kamal Films International, Kamal Haasan's production company has appealed to the court to issue directives to the Karnataka government, the Police Department, and film bodies, urging them not to obstruct the release and screening of his movie. The petition also sought directions for the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG and IGP) and the Bengaluru Police Commissioner to arrange security measures for the film's screening. Meanwhile, office bearers of the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce met with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday, demanding that the release of Kamal Haasanas aThug Lifea not be allowed in Karnataka. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah informed the delegation that his government would act legally in this regard and assured them of legal cooperation, emphasising the importance of unity in matters of language. The film body office bearers sought the state government's support, as they lack the power to impose a ban on the film. They have also appealed to exhibitors to voluntarily refrain from screening the movie. Following the Chief Minister's meeting with the film body office bearers, the distributors of 'Thug Life' are in a dilemma and have requested an additional day from the Kannada Film Chambers of Commerce to make a decision. Sources indicate that Kamal Haasan is returning to Chennai from abroad on Tuesday. The distributors are expected to discuss the matter with the actor and make a final decision regarding the screening of his movie. The situation has become complicated as Kamal Haasan has refused to apologise. The film body in Karnataka has stated that, under the present circumstances, even if Kamal Haasan tenders an apology, they will hold a meeting to decide whether to allow the screening of the film. Bhopal, June 2 : Two persons were killed and 24 others were severely injured in a road accident near Karah Dham, also known as Patiawale Baba, in the Noorabad police station area of Morena district in Madhya Pradesh. An overloaded tractor-trolley carrying villagers overturned, leading to the deaths of two individuals, while reports suggest a third victim may have succumbed to injuries during treatment. Also, as many as 24 people, including nine children, were severely injured, and of them, three are reportedly critical, police officials said. The incident occurred as residents of Hatipura and Rithonia villages were returning home from a marriage function in Banmore. The vehicle, packed with nearly 40 passengers, lost control near a slope and a sharp turn. Police sources said that the driver was operating the tractor-trolley recklessly, and upon losing control, he fled the scene, leaving behind the injured and deceased. Speaking to IANS, investigation officer OP Rawat confirmed that an MRG report had been registered following the post-mortem of two victims, including a woman. However, the officer stated that he had no official confirmation regarding the third fatality. The accident left 24 people injured, including nine children. Three of the critically wounded were referred to Gwalior for advanced medical care. The impact of the crash was severe, with more than 30 passengers trapped beneath the overturned vehicle. Bystanders rushed to assist, pulling victims from the wreckage and notifying emergency services, police said. The deceased have been identified as Munshi, aged 50, and Pista Bai, aged 35, both residents of Hatipura. Another victim, Asharfi, aged 45, reportedly passed away at a hospital in Gwalior. Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident, seeking to determine whether negligence or mechanical failure played a role. Meanwhile, Karah Dham, a revered spiritual site known for its continuous recitation of the Akhand Ramayana (non-stop chanting of devotional hymns), remains a place of deep significance in the region. Local beliefs hold that the well within the ashram possesses healing properties, particularly for dog bites. The incident has raised concerns about road safety and the dangers of overcrowded tractor-trolleys used for transportation in rural areas. Raipur, June 2 : Sixteen Maoists, including two hardcore insurgents, have surrendered in Sukma, Chhattisgarh, marking a significant setback for the Maoist movement in the region. Among them, a woman and a man carried individual bounties of Rs 8 lakh, while others had varying rewards, bringing the total to Rs 25 lakh. The surrender took place on Monday before senior police and CRPF officers in Sukma district. Superintendent of Police Kiran G Chavan said that the Maoists were influenced by the Chhattisgarh government's 'Niyad Nellnar' initiative, which aims to promote development in remote villages. The ongoing crackdown on Maoist activities has led to a rise in surrenders, as insurgents face increasing pressure from security forces. Among those who surrendered, Rita alias Dodi Sukki, a 36-year-old member of the Maoists' Central Regional Committee (CRC) Company Number Two, and Rahul Punem, a party member of the PLGA Battalion Number One, each carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh. Additionally, Lekam Lakhma had a bounty of Rs 3 lakh, while three othersa"Sodi Chula, Telam Kosa, and Dodi Hurraa"had rewards of Rs 2 lakh each. Nine of the surrendered Maoists hailed from Kerlapenda Gram Panchayat, which has now been declared Maoist-free following their surrender. Under the stateas rehabilitation policy, villages that facilitate the surrender of Maoists are eligible for development projects worth Rs 1 crore. Authorities continue their efforts to weaken the insurgency through sustained operations and rehabilitation programs. The surrender of these Maoists is seen as a crucial step toward restoring peace and stability in the region. Security forces remain vigilant, encouraging more insurgents to abandon extremist activities and reintegrate into mainstream society. On May 27, as many as 18 Maoists, including four associated with Battalion No. 1, surrendered in Sukma, Chhattisgarh, under the influence of the aNiyad Nellanara scheme. According to Sukma SP Kiran G Chavan, Maoists from four different battalions, including those active in South Bastar, chose to abandon insurgency. He urged others to follow suit, highlighting that surrendered individuals would receive benefits from state government schemes aimed at rehabilitation. After the elimination of Basvaraju a" the dreaded Maoist who was carrying Rs 1.5 crore bounty on his head, more Maoists are expected to surrender, the officer said. The surrender is an outcome of aLon Varratua (Come back home) campaign launched by the government and actively propagated by security forces. Lon Varratu means come back home. The officers talk with the Maoists, particularly the young, to come back, lay down arms and join the mainstream of development. Patna, June 2 : Bihar Leader of the Opposition, Tejashwi Yadav, launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his government on Monday over the Muzaffarpur rape case and medical negligence at PMCH that led to the death of a 10-year-old Dalit girl. Speaking to the media, Yadav said, "Whether it's law and order, healthcare, education, or employment, this double-engine government has failed completely. The Chief Minister has never expressed regret on any such issue. I doubt if he even knows about this brutal rape case." Yadav strongly criticised the Chief Minister and his two deputies for allegedly being preoccupied with political events and election preparations, saying they were ignoring public grievances and justice. "Criminals are dominant in Bihar. Bullets are being fired near the Secretariat and even outside the Chief Minister's residence. There is no law and order left in Bihar," Yadav added, pointing to recent violent crimes across the state. On the victim's death, Yadav claimed the child was left in an ambulance for over four hours without treatment at PMCH, which he described as an inexcusable administrative failure. "No one from the government met the victim's family. This shows the insensitivity of the ruling alliance," he said. When asked about his brother Tej Pratap Yadav's controversy and comments involving the term "Jaichand," Tejashwi said the matter has been handled by RJD national president Lalu Prasad Yadav, and he would not comment on personal issues. On Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's statement criticising the NDA's focus on optics over substance, Yadav said, "He has only spoken the truth. Airports are being inaugurated, PM Modi did the road show, but martyr families are being ignored. Crimes against children are happening, yet no one in the government speaks out about it." Bhopal, June 2 : The search for the missing Indore couple in Meghalaya has taken a tragic turn with the discovery of Raja Raghuvanshi's body in a deep gorge eleven days after he and his wife, Sonam, vanished from Osara Hills. The couple had embarked on their honeymoon trip, only for their journey to end in sorrow. Since their disappearance on May 23, multiple search teams have been tirelessly scouring the rugged terrain in hopes of finding them. State Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya wrote on his X handle about his death and expressed deep condolences. He wrote that the tragic passing of young Raja Raghuvanshi, a resident of Indore, is deeply sorrowful and profoundly heart-breaking. Soon after his marriage, he travelled to Osara Hills in Shillong with his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi. "It has now been reported in the media that his body has been found, a revelation that brings immense grief," the minister wrote. Raja's brother, Sachin, has confirmed the grim discovery to media, noting that his name was inscribed on his hand and another brother, Vipin, identified the body, which was found approximately 20-25 km from the location where the couple's rented scooter had been abandoned. Sonam still remains missing, and efforts to locate her continue. The circumstances surrounding Raja's death remain unclear, and authorities have yet to determine how he ended up in the gorge. Meghalaya Police are expected to provide further details in an upcoming press conference. Meanwhile, Raja's brother Vipin and Sonam's brother Govind remain with the search teams, anxiously awaiting any developments. The search operation has been severely hampered by adverse weather conditions. The region is characterised by steep ravines and towering hills, making navigation treacherous. Vipin described the situation to his brother Sachin in Indore, lamenting the relentless rain, slippery terrain, and dense fog that frequently prevents drones from operating effectively. Sniffer dogs have also been deployed to aid in the search. As the search for Sonam continues, the family clings to hope, even as they grapple with the devastating loss of Raja. Authorities remain committed to uncovering the truth behind this tragic incident, while the family await answers. Chennai, June 2 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is set to lead a series of commemorative events on June 3, marking the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister and DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi. The state government has officially designated the day as aSemmozhi Daya to honour Karunanidhias lifelong contributions to the Tamil language and literature. According to an official release, Stalin will begin the day by paying floral tributes to Karunanidhias statue located at the Omandurar Government Estate campus on Anna Salai. The tribute ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. The main event of the day will be held at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai, where a grand function has been organised by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT). As part of the celebration, Chief Minister Stalin will release a new set of Tamil scholarly books published by the institute. In line with the governmentas commitment to promoting the Tamil language and academic excellence, Stalin will also distribute certificates to scholars who have completed their doctoral studies in classical Tamil. This is seen as part of a broader push to encourage higher education and research in Tamil linguistics and heritage. Further underscoring the stateas focus on preserving Tamil culture and recognising contributions to the language, the Chief Minister will hand over enhanced financial assistance to senior Tamil scholars. This aid is aimed at supporting elderly language experts who have spent their lives promoting and enriching Tamil literature. Additionally, prizes will be awarded to school and college students who emerged victorious in various Tamil-related competitions conducted in connection with aSemmozhi Daya. These competitions were designed to increase student engagement with the language and to inspire a deeper appreciation for Tamil classical and modern literature. The state governmentas decision to observe June 3 as aSemmozhi Daya annually reflects Karunanidhias enduring legacy as a scholar, writer, and passionate advocate for Tamil. Officials stated that the day would continue to be marked with programs that promote Tamil language, literature, and culture across the state. With these initiatives, the government aims to keep alive the ideals that Karunanidhi stood for and to inspire future generations to take pride in their linguistic heritage. --IANS aal/dan Jaipur, June 2 : A strong education system is the foundation of a strong and characterful nation, said Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde while presiding over the third convocation ceremony of Bikaner Technical University (BTU) on Monday. The Governor emphasised that a nation with a weak education system loses its moral compass. Citing India's rich legacy in technology and craftsmanship, he pointed to architectural marvels like the Ranakpur Temple, Gorakhpur Temple, and Ajanta-Ellora caves as evidence of ancient India's advanced technical capabilities. He urged engineering colleges and technical universities to take responsibility for producing highly skilled and ethical technical professionals. BTU, he said, must contribute by preparing engineers who serve the nation with dedication and integrity. Governor Bagde expressed concern about the rising trend of drug addiction among youth, which he said is harming their physical and mental well-being. He stressed the importance of education in shaping a resilient society, highlighting how foreign invasions over centuries targeted India's education system. He recalled India's ancient educational excellence, mentioning that of the world's six oldest universities, twoTakshashila and Vikramshilawere in India, attracting students from around the world. "It's time to revive this legacy," he said, urging students to develop a positive attitude and strong character. Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani noted that Rajasthan has become one of the leading states in technical education. Addressing the graduates, he said the convocation is not just about receiving degrees but about recognising one's responsibility towards society and the nation. He encouraged students not to chase high-paying packages alone but to use their technical knowledge to uplift the lives of the poorest citizens. Referring to Operation Sindoor, he praised India's defence preparedness as a testament to its technological prowess. Calling on youth to become job creators, not job seekers, he urged them to engage with initiatives like Start-Up India and Make in India. Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal highlighted how the invention of steam and now artificial intelligence has transformed human progress. "No country can develop without advancing technology," he stated. Meghwal emphasised that, along with technology, character and morality rooted in education, culture, and behaviour are equally important, quoting Swami Vivekananda to stress the point. A country whose citizens uphold strong values will always move forward. Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Premchand Bairwa said technical education is the backbone of national and societal development. He shared that engineering institutions in Rajasthan are being strengthened and new-age courses like AI are being introduced. He encouraged students to use their degrees for innovation and to inspire fellow youth to join them in technological progress. "The current era brings unprecedented opportunities and challenges," he said. "Overcoming these is our greatest responsibility if we are to build a strong and future-ready India." Vice Chancellor Prof. Akhil Ranjan Garg welcomed the dignitaries and presented the university's progress report, while General Secretary Rachna Bhatia delivered the vote of thanks. At the ceremony, Governor Bagde awarded gold medals to 27 meritorious students, and 4,080 degrees were conferred. Solan : , June 2 (IANS) BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda on Monday participated in the Tiranga Yatra organised by the party's district in Solan town of Himachal Pradesh and boosted the morale of the armed forces. The yatra started from the Mall Road, with the entire atmosphere echoing with the slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Crowds of party activists and leaders raised slogans to boost the morale of the army. In this yatra, thousands of workers welcomed and greeted National President Nadda, who travelled in an open jeep. Interacting with supporters, Nadda also shook hands with enthusiasm. On the occasion, Rajiv Bindal, state party President, said a sea of enthusiasm surged in Solan. Scores of elderly, youth, mothers, and sisters walked along with the Tiranga Yatra with Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Nadda, who belongs to this state. "This is a different kind of atmosphere in itself, and we congratulate them, thank them and thank Nadda-ji for his arrival in Solan. We express our gratitude to our forces for their indomitable courage and congratulate the leadership of Narendra Modi," said Bindal in his address. He said, "We have to say with pain that the Chief Minister of the state is shying away from cooperating in the investigation of Chief Engineer Vimal Negi's death case". He said the way the pen drive related to Negi's case recovered, but the files on it were formatted, raising questions over the fairness of the inquiry. "Why was the pen drive made to disappear? why was it presented again? The Superintendent of Police filed a petition against the CBI in the High Court, and finally, under public pressure, that petition was withdrawn. The people of Himachal have lost faith in the state government. The people of Himachal understand how the law and order situation has deteriorated. Cases of murder, rape, robbery and drugs are coming up every day, this is very worrying and the people of the state hold the Chief Minister completely responsible for this," said former state health minister Bindal. Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, national Vice-President Saudan Singh, state in charge Shrikant Sharma, co-in-charge Sanjay Tandon, among others, were present in Tiranga Yatra. New Delhi, June 2 : Defending Drivers Champions Max Verstappen was in the spotlight after his Red Bull came in contact with the Mercedes of George Russell during the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday. What seemed to be a lacklustre race was completely changed when Kimi Antonelli was forced to retire following a power unit issue, bringing a safety car into place. Verstappen, who was on a three-stop strategy, came into the pit for a fourth time during the safety car but had to come out on hard compound tyres. He was overtaken instantly by Charles Leclerc at the restart and made contact with Russell, which forced the Dutch driver to leave the track and rejoin ahead of the British driver. When asked by his team to give Russell the position back, Verstappen was livid on the team radio and once again made contact with the Mercedes. "We had an exciting strategy and good race in Barcelona, [until] the Safety Car came out. Our tyre choice at the end and some moves after the [Safety Car] restart fuelled my frustration, leading to a move that was not right and shouldn't have happened. "I always give everything out there for the team and emotions can run high. You win some together, you lose some together. See you in Montreal," Verstappen posted on Instagram. Verstappen was handed the three penalty points for the crash, which saw him finish 10th, which moved the Dutchman to 11 penalty points one point away from a ban. The points accrue across a rolling 12-month period, with none coming off Verstappen's tally until the end of June. Before that date, Verstappen must negotiate both the Canadian Grand Prix and Red Bull's home race in Austria. Team boss Christian Horner admitted Verstappen needs to keep his nose clean, in order to avoid the race ban. "You can never guarantee anything. He's just got to keep his nose clean in the next couple of races. Then the first points come off at the end of June," said Horner after the race. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 News / National by Staff reporter The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) says the increasing international calls for autonomy in the disputed Western Saharawi region have inspired its ongoing campaign for self-determination in Zimbabwe.Kenya last week became the latest country to back Morocco's proposal to grant autonomy to Western Sahara, a region long contested between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the territory.In a joint statement after talks in Rabat, Kenya described the Moroccan plan as "the most credible and realistic solution, as well as the only sustainable approach" to resolving the decades-long conflict that started in 1975.This endorsement aligns Kenya with a growing number of African, Arab, and Western countries supporting Morocco's autonomy plan.Earlier this year in April, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (Western Sahara) in support of the latter's pursuit of self-determination.Following this development, MRP submitted a petition to SADC urging the regional body to facilitate dialogue with the Zimbabwean government over their demands for self-governance.In a petition dated May 20 and addressed to SADC executive secretary Elias Magosi, MRP leader Mqondisi Moyo appealed for support from the regional bloc.Speaking on Friday, Moyo said the momentum behind Western Sahara's autonomy had encouraged the party to increase pressure on Zimbabwe's government for similar dialogue on Mthwakazi's self-determination."I, therefore, urge President Emmerson Mnangagwa to ensure that Mthwakazi becomes a self-governing territory just like he purports to be wishing for Western Sahara," Moyo said.The MRP is campaigning for the creation of the Mthwakazi Republic, which would cover parts of the Midlands and all of Matabeleland provinces.However, President Mnangagwa has consistently reaffirmed Zimbabwe's status as a unitary state as recognised by the United Nations, dismissing calls for secessionist movements.As support for Western Sahara autonomy grows on the international stage, MRP's push highlights rising regional debates over self-determination and governance rights. Mumbai, June 2 : Maharashtra Minister of Ports and Fisheries Nitesh Rane asked his department to prepare a comprehensive plan to start water taxi service from the Radio Jetty at the Gateway of India to Navi Mumbai Airport. He also directed the ports department to be ready for the construction of jetties at the required places. At the meeting, Rane said that the construction of the terminal to start water taxis should start in a phased manner. Also, the Airport Authority should submit proposals for the necessary permissions for this. He asked the department officials to decide the sites for setting up jetties for cargo transport as well. "The state government has taken an important step in the field of water transport to reduce traffic congestion in Mumbai," he added. The minister said that it has been decided to start a new water taxi service, which will significantly reduce the travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. "This service will connect various parts of Navi Mumbai with Mumbai. The travel time will be about 40 minutes. The use of electric boats in these water taxi services will reduce pollution and benefit the environment. It will also reduce traffic congestion in Mumbai and passengers will get a comfortable travel experience," said the minister. He also pointed out that the Ports Department should work towards achieving a rank in the top three departments in the Chief Minister's 150-day programme. It should also use new technologies to become more people-oriented. Minister Rane said that the ports department should make full preparations for the 150-day program. He instructed that the department should study the new technologies being used for port management in different states. "An app should be developed to track boats. The department should develop its own modern system for port development and boat control. Study tours should be planned to get updates on this front," he said. The minister said that a detailed study should be made and a plan should be prepared. Pending recruitments as well as appointments to vacant posts should be completed. "The registration should be done and emphasis should be placed on building green ports," he added. New Delhi, June 2 : Errol Musk, father of Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, on Monday said he has no doubt that there will be a Tesla manufacturing plant in India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his son will work something out that is beneficial to both. Speaking to IANS in the national capital, Errol Musk, who is currently visiting India, said Prime Minister Modi has to look at the interests of India when it comes to bringing Tesla to the country. "And Elon has to look at the interests of Tesla as a company. So, between them, they will work something out that is to the best advantage of Tesla as well as India. However, I'm saying this as a private individual because Tesla is a public company," the 79-year-old South African businessman emphasised. Errol Musk further stated that "I have no doubt that there will be a Tesla manufacturing plant in India". "There has to be (a Tesla plant in India). India is one of the most important places in the world," he told IANS. The India visit of Errol Musk, Global Advisor to homegrown Servotech Renewable Power System Ltd, underscores the growing interest in the country's rapid strides towards sustainable development and its ambition to be a leader in the green and electric technology. India has set ambitious targets for EV adoption. It aims to achieve 30 per cent EV penetration in the passenger vehicle segment, 80 per cent in the combined two-wheeler and three-wheeler segment, and 70 per cent in the commercial vehicle segment by 2030. In April this year, Elon Musk and PM Modi discussed various issues, including an immense potential for collaboration in the areas of technology and innovation. "It was an honour to speak with PM Modi. I am looking forward to visiting India later this year," Musk posted on his X social media platform. PM Modi held a discussion with Tesla CEO on a range of topics. "Spoke to Elon Musk and talked about various issues, including the topics we covered during our meeting in Washington DC earlier this year. We discussed the immense potential for collaboration in the areas of technology and innovation. India remains committed to advancing our partnerships with the US in these domains," the Prime Minister said on X. Meanwhile, Union Heavy Industries Minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Monday that Mercedes Benz, Skoda-Volkswagen (VW), Hyundai, and Kia have shown keen interest in manufacturing their electric vehicles (EVs) in India. On Elon Musk-run Tesla, the Union Minister said: "We are not actually expecting (manufacturing) from them as they are only to start showrooms. They are currently not interested in manufacturing in India." Chennai, June 2 : Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami extended heartfelt birthday wishes to music maestro Ilaiyaraaja, who turns 82 on June 3. In his message, Stalin described himself as "one among the crores of Ilaiyaraaja's fans," and expressed his anticipation for the veteran composer's much-awaited symphony performance scheduled in Tamil Nadu on August 2. "Ilaiyaraaja's music has no boundaries. It has inspired generations, and I, like millions of others, eagerly await his upcoming concert," he said. Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami also lauded Ilaiyaraaja's contributions to Tamil music and cinema. "His music is intertwined with the emotions of every Tamil. His melodies have stood the test of time and continue to touch our hearts," he said in his birthday greeting. TVK leader Vijay, in his tribute, hailed Ilaiyaraaja as "a musical treasure of Tamil Nadu and a global cultural icon." He added, "Ilaiyaraaja's compositions have accompanied us in joy and sorrow. His genius has elevated Tamil identity through music. We are proud to honour him today." Born in Pannaipuram on June 3, 1943, Ilaiyaraaja redefined Indian film music with a unique fusion of folk, Carnatic, Western classical, and electronic styles. His debut in Tamil cinema came with Annakili (1976), which marked the beginning of a revolutionary era in film music. Since then, he has composed music for over 1,000 films across multiple Indian languages. Ilaiyaraaja holds the distinction of being the first Asian composer to score a full symphony with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. His iconic songs, such as 'Ilaya Nila', 'Thenpandi Cheemaiyile', and 'Janani Janani' remain embedded in Tamil cultural memory. Honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2010 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2018, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2022, further acknowledging his stature as a national figure in arts and culture. As Tamil Nadu prepares for his landmark symphony concert this August, his 82nd birthday stands as a celebration not only of a legendary artist but also of a musical era that shaped generations. --IANS aal/dan New Delhi, June 2 : Errol Musk, father of the world's richest man and American billionaire Elon Musk, on Monday called for an end to the miseries of Kashmiris living under the spectre of terrorism, saying 'if it is Pakistan causing the trouble, something needs to be done about it'. In an interaction with IANS, the 79-year-old South African patriarch of the Musk family sympathised with Kashmiris living in a hostile environment and said, "You cannot make ordinary people suffer like this you've got to make a plan and put an end to it." Talking about the Kashmir issue, he said he has always been inclined to be on India's side on this matter. "I have spoken friends who have been on bus trips to Srinagar from Delhi, and you never know how an RPG is coming your way," he said. Referring to the tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, he said, "It makes no sense to me at all for two matured nations to be going on like this." "You've got to make a plan and put an end to this. You can't make the lives of ordinary people so miserable," he said. "It's not right." "If it's Pakistan which is causing trouble, something has to be done about it," said Musk senior, in a veiled endorsement for India's Operation Sindoor. Errol Musk's remarks about the need to give Kashmiris a better life come close to Operation Sindoor and the subsequent global diplomatic outreach to present India's anti-terror stand. As part of the diplomatic push to consolidate global support against cross-border terrorism, an all-party Parliamentary delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on Monday interacted with the Association of Victims of Terrorism (AVT), an organisation in Spain that was established in 1981 to support those affected by terrorist barbarity. New Delhi, June 2 : The Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) on Monday "strongly" condemned the arrest of 22-year-old law student Sharmistha Panoli by the West Bengal Police over a social media video. New Delhi, June 2 (IANS) The Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) on Monday "strongly" condemned the arrest of 22-year-old law student Sharmistha Panoli by the West Bengal Police over a social media video. In a press statement, Chairman of BCD Surya Prakash Khatri said that despite the fact that social media influencer Panoli immediately deleted the online post and apologised, the Kolkata Police showed high-handedness and unnecessary haste. "The high-handedness and unnecessary haste shown by the Kolkata Police in arresting Ms. Sharmistha Panoli, as if she were a criminal, shows the selective, excessive and politically motivated action of Kolkata Police, which no doubt, done at the behest of the West Bengal Government," added the press statement. Further, it said that there is rampant lawlessness in West Bengal with the active support of police, violence, atrocities and brutalities were perpetrated by the groups supported by the state government. Chairman Khatri, on behalf of BCD, demanded the immediate release of Panoli to uphold the scale of justice. A day before, senior advocate and Chairman of the Bar Council of India Manan Kumar Mishra demanded Sharmistha's immediate release, calling upon the Bengal government and its police to abandon the dangerous path of targeting "select voices". Sharmishta was booked by the Kolkata Police after her allegedly controversial remarks against Pakistan. \ Earlier, in a now-deleted video, Sharmishta had criticised Bollywood actors for their silence on the Pahalgam terror attack and India's counter-terror strike, Operation Sindoor. As per media reports, Kolkata Police has lodged an FIR against the influencer under sections 196(1) (a) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste, or community), 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class of citizens), 352 ( intentional insult with the intent to provoke a breach of peace), and 353(1)(c) (statements that incite public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Bengaluru, June 2 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, who also holds the Water Resources portfolio, has appealed to Union Ministers and Members of Parliament from the state to come together to protect the state's interests, following Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' objection to increasing the height of the Almatti Dam Dam. Addressing the media in Bengaluru on Monday, Deputy CM Shivakumar also stated that he would meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Ministers to exert pressure on the issue. "As per the Krishna Tribunal's award, we need to increase the height of the Almatti Dam to 524 metres to utilise our state's share of water. It's deeply surprising that the Maharashtra Chief Minister, who remained silent when the tribunal's verdict was issued, has now suddenly written a letter to the Karnataka Chief Minister objecting to this," stated Dy CM Shivakumar. He added, "In this context, I humbly request all MPs and Union Ministers to cooperate in implementing the project and safeguarding the interests of the state and its farmers." "Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis wrote a letter to our CM Siddaramaiah on May 9. In the letter, he stated that increasing the dam's height would cause flooding in Maharashtra's Sangli and Kolhapur districts and requested a reconsideration of the decision," he stated. "This letter from the Maharashtra CM has shocked us. Previously, Maharashtra had never raised objections regarding this project. Maharashtra never questioned the 2010 verdict. Maharashtra had even submitted an affidavit supporting the implementation of this project. But now, they've suddenly written this letter," he said. "This project is a right we have received through the tribunal. Our CM will also write a letter within a day or two. I humbly request all MPs and Union Ministers elected from our state to cooperate with us on this matter," Shivakumar reiterated. "V. Somanna is part of the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. The Almatti project is in our state's interest. We don't want conflicts with neighbouring states. The delay in this project is causing an excessive increase in project costs. Rs 1 lakh crore is needed for land acquisition for the project. This project is crucial for us to utilise our share of water," Shivakumar emphasised. "If they face floods in their state (Maharashtra), they should resolve it internally. We need to meet Union Ministers and the Prime Minister to exert pressure on this matter. We must speak with a united voice on this issue. We've been waiting for the Gazette notification for this project since 2013. How much longer should we wait?" he questioned. "Our government is ready to come wherever and whenever you call us to protect the interests of our farmers. We will send the letter from the Maharashtra CM and our CM's reply to all MPs. Regarding the project to raise the Almatti Dam to 524 metres to receive our share of water as per the tribunal's verdict, the Chief Minister and I had met with Union Ministers. We had requested them to convene a meeting and issue a notification," he said. "The Union Ministers considered our request and scheduled a date for the meeting. So, I called an internal meeting with ministers, legal experts, and MLAs from that region to seek their advice. Just as I was about to leave for the meeting, I received a message that it had been postponed. I assumed it might have been postponed due to a wartime atmosphere," he stated. When asked if there was politics behind the Maharashtra CM's letter, Shivakumar replied, "I will not comment on whether this matter is political or not. I will only speak about our state's interest. For us, the only important thing is the implementation of the project to use our rightful share of water. I will not politicise this issue. I appeal to everyone involved, including Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, to take your share of water and let us take our rightful share." When asked what scientific basis their objection had, he said, "Nothing. The verdict was given only after their objections were discussed in the tribunal. Now, only the Central Government's notification remains." The Lal Bahadur Shastri Dam, also known as Almatti Dam is a hydroelectric project on the Krishna River in Vijayapura district of north Karnataka. The full reservoir level of Almatti dam was originally restricted by the Supreme Court of India. The Krishna River conflict between Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra was resolved by the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal and the dam was authorised to be raised to the height of 524 metres. This increase in height would allow the dam to store nearly 200 TMC. The present height of the dam is 519.26 metres. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced that his government was committed to increasing the height of the Almatti dam from the present 519.6 metres to 524.26 metres to help complete the third phase of the Upper Krishna Project (UKP). CM Siddaramaiah had also stated that said there was a need to acquire 1,33,867 acres of land for the project, including land that would be submerged and land for rehabilitation and building canals. Of this, 28,967 acres had been acquired so far, he added. Agartala, June 2 : Around two thousand activists of the youth wing of ruling BJP's ally Tipra Motha Party (TMP) on Monday organised a massive demonstrations in front of the office of the District Magistrate (DM) of Tripura's Gomati district and locked the main gate of the office for around three hours demanding action against DM Tarit Kanti Chakma. Agartala, June 2 (IANS) Around two thousand activists of the youth wing of ruling BJPas ally Tipra Motha Party (TMP) on Monday organised a massive demonstrations in front of the office of the District Magistrate (DM) of Tripuraas Gomati district and locked the main gate of the office for around three hours demanding action against DM Tarit Kanti Chakma. TMP leaders claimed that the DM Chakma disrespected party supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma on May 25. Debbarma, a former royal scion, along with Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) Chief Executive Member (CEM) Purna Chandra Jamatia reportedly went to meet the DM on May 25 (Sunday) night at his (DM) official residence to discuss some issues but the DM refused to meet both Debbarma and Jamatia. An official of the DM office said that Chakma (DM), through the security personnel, informed them to come to the office during office hours to discuss their issue. The issue rocked Tripura politics, and the Youth Tipra Federation (YTF), the youth wing of TMP, announced to shut down all government offices in the Gomati district on Monday. YTF President Suraj Debbarma said that if the government does not take any action against the DM, then they would launch a state-wide agitation soon. After around three hours of demonstration by the YTF activists and members, police broke the lock and opened the main gate of the DM office. An official of the Chief Ministeras office said that Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha earlier asked the Chief Secretary J. K. Sinha to inquire into the matter and submit a report to him. In view of the TMPas demonstrations, around 2,000 security personnel comprising Tripura Police, Tripura State Rifles, and CRPF were deployed to prevent any untoward incident. A police official said that in view of the demonstration, no untoward incident was reported. A delegation of TMP, led by the party leader and Minister for State for Industries & Commerce, Brishaketu Debbarma, earlier met the Chief Minister and demanded steps against the DM. --IANS sc/dan Chennai, June 2 : Actor Karthi on Monday released the teaser of director SathyaSiva's eagerly-awaited action drama, 'Freedom', featuring actors Sasikumar and Lijomol Jose in the lead. Taking to his X timeline, Karthi wrote, "Very happy to release the teaser of @SasikumarDir Siras #Freedom ! In theatres from July 10th! @Sathyasivadir @jose_lijomol @GhibranVaibodha @vijayganapathys @PandiyanParasu" The film, which is a gripping drama, is based on a true incident and seems to revolve around Sri Lankan Tamils who come in as refugees to the country. The teaser that was released on Monday begins with innocent people who are rounded up by the police being subjected to third degree treatment inside what appears to be a prison. Sasikumar's character is seen raising the question, "Why must we, who have committed no mistake, be kept here?." The teaser also shows Sasikumar saying,"Let us all escape from here." The teaser then shows a police officer saying, "We'll file case after case against them and bury them here." The teaser makes it clear that this is an action drama that will deal with police excesses. A character says, "Our politicians love Sri Lankan Tamils. If the crowd outside enters inside, all hell will break loose." Lijomol appears to play a Lankan Tamil in the film. She is seen confronting a police officer saying, "Sir, do you think this is paradise for you to take us from here to hell? We are already living in hell." Meanwhile, a social activist makes an effort to legally secure the freedom of the imprisoned refugees. Apart from Sasikumar and Lijomol Jose, the film will also feature a host of actors including Malavika Avinash, Boss Venkat, Ramesh Kanna, Sudev Nair, Boys Manikandan and others. Music for the film is by Ghibran while cinematography is by N S Uthayakumar. Produced by Pandiyan Parasuraman under the banner Vijaya Ganapathy's Pictures, the film will have editing by Srikanth N B and art direction by C Uthayakumar. Three lyricists -- Snehan, Mohan Raja and Arun Bharathi -- have penned the songs for the film which will have stunts choreographed by T Ramesh, Don Ashok and Danger Mani. Ranchi, June 2 : An IndiGo flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Ranchi's Birsa Munda Airport on Monday after a mid-air collision with a vulture triggered a safety concern. All 175 passengers and crew members on board escaped unhurt, officials said. The Airbus A320 aircraft was operating on a Patna-Ranchi-Kolkata route and was flying at an altitude of approximately 3,000 to 4,000 feet when it was hit by the bird, prompting the pilot to initiate emergency landing. Following the bird strike, the aircraft remained airborne for nearly 40 minutes as the crew assessed the situation and prepared for an emergency landing. The pilot displayed calm and successfully brought the aircraft down safely at Ranchi airport around 2 p.m. on Monday Panic gripped passengers on board following the impact, but the crew reassured them that the situation was under control and the flight was heading for a precautionary landing. Passengers heaved a sigh of relief once the aircraft touched down safely. Airport officials confirmed that no injuries were reported and credited the pilot for the safe landing. "The pilot acted swiftly and professionally under pressure. All passengers are safe. Our engineering team is currently inspecting the aircraft to assess the extent of the damage," an airport official said. The aircraft will be cleared for further operations only after a thorough safety check and approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This is not the first instance of bird strikes causing flight disruptions at Ranchi Airport. On May 8, an Air India Express flight from Delhi to Ranchi (IX 116) encountered a technical snag after a pigeon got stuck in its wing. During post-landing inspection, one dead and one live pigeon were found lodged in the aircraft's blades. That flight was subsequently cancelled due to technical issues. Kochi, June 2 : In an interim order, the Kerala High Court on Monday barred the arrest of the Enforcement Directorate's Assistant Director in Kochi, Sekhar Kumar, till June 11. Trouble started for Kumar last month when the Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) registered a First Information Report (FIR) naming him as the first accused in a high-profile alleged corruption case in which three arrests have already been made. The VACB had arrested three people - chartered accountant Ranjith Warrier, middleman Wilson, and Rajasthan resident Mukesh Jain, who has been settled in Kochi for a long time. The case revolves around a Kollam-based businessman engaged in cashew exports to an African country, who reportedly suffered significant financial losses during the Covid-19 pandemic after being defrauded by a foreign client. This led to an investigation by the ED, during which the businessman was issued a summons. Around this time, Wilson allegedly approached the businessman, claiming he had influential contacts within the ED and could help him "settle" the case. Wilson demanded Rs 2 crore to be paid in four equal instalments, promising that the ED inquiry would be dropped. Shortly thereafter, the businessman received a second ED summons -- just as Wilson had predicted, leading him to get suspicious. When Wilson later asked for Rs 2 lakh in cash, the businessman alerted VACB officials. To establish evidence, the businessman was advised to hand over the cash and also make a bank transfer, enabling the officials to track the money trail. Wilson was caught red-handed while collecting the cash and was taken into custody. Later, the VACB officials arrested Jain and Warrier. It was at this time that Kumar moved an anticipatory bail at the High Court. In his petition, he said that he has done no wrong, has nothing to do with the so-called corruption case and with the three people who were arrested. He also added that he fears arrest and seeks bail and is agreeable to any conditions put forward by the court. The Court will now hear the petition on June 11. Meanwhile, the VACB team on Monday evening arrived at the Kochi office of the ED to collect more information in the case. News / National by Staff reporter The deployment and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools across Zimbabwe's sectors should focus on harnessing local innovation to safeguard the country's identity and cultural values, a senior government official has urged.Speaking at a belated World Press Freedom Day event held in Harare last week, Richard Mahomva, Director of International Communication at the Ministry of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services, stressed the need to localize AI technologies as Zimbabwe embraces the digital revolution."While Zimbabwe must embrace generative AI tools, our focus and investment are on ensuring that emerging technologies are adapted to our local context," Mahomva said. "The use of AI must ensure compatibility with our national values and aspirations."He highlighted the role of local journalism in this digital transformation, noting the importance of machine learning tools in promoting the use of Zimbabwe's 16 local languages. "Local journalism, for example, must be able to utilize AI to ensure wider accessibility across all our languages," Mahomva added.The official said the government's strategic approach to AI is grounded in leveraging economic benefits by actively participating in the digital economy. "A key pillar of our media policy is fostering a vibrant and sustainable media sector. Integrating AI tools into newsrooms is among the interventions proposed to support the media's sustainability," he explained.Echoing the call for responsible AI use, Dag Sundelein, Deputy Head of Mission at the Swedish Embassy in Zimbabwe, urged the media to employ AI ethically. "AI presents opportunities to enhance journalists' work, but its use must be grounded in strong ethical standards," he said.Simbiso Marimbe, representing International Media Support (IMS), described generative AI as a "game changer" for journalism, particularly in investigative reporting, data journalism, and fact-checking.Nigel Nyamutumbu, coordinator of the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ), which organised the event, underscored the critical role of AI adoption at both individual and institutional levels in shaping the future of journalism."MAZ has been leading policy dialogues to position Zimbabwean media within the evolving digital landscape and to explore the opportunities AI offers," Nyamutumbu said. "These platforms are designed to generate actionable recommendations that can be monitored for implementation."He added that MAZ is planning further engagements as part of ongoing capacity-building initiatives to help media practitioners navigate the complexities of AI."Our goal is for these discussions to be integrated into a wider framework that supports the strategic priorities of the media sector, including media sustainability," Nyamutumbu explained.He also revealed a partnership between MAZ and the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) Women in News initiative to conduct a follow-up policy dialogue focusing on media sustainability.As Zimbabwe charts its path in the digital era, stakeholders emphasise that AI must be embraced thoughtfully, ensuring that technological progress supports cultural preservation, economic development, and media viability. Cairo, June 2 : The high-level multi-party delegation from India, led by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) Supriya Sule, on Monday held a fruitful engagement with the distinguished members of the Egyptian Senate, conveying India's firm and principled position against terrorism. The delegates met Senator Hossam Al-Khouly of Mostaqbal Watan Party, Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee Hazem Omar and Chairmen and members of other Parliamentary Committees. The Senate reaffirmed solidarity with India and reiterated importance attached to the close strategic partnership between India and Egypt. The delegation carrying forth India's strong message on zero-tolerance against terrorism as part of India's diplomatic outreach on Operation Sindoor was received by Indian Ambassador to Egypt Suresh Reddy on their arrival in the Middle Eastern country. The delegates have a packed and productive schedule in Egypt, including ministerial engagements, parliamentary exchanges, interactions with think tanks, media, Indian community, and others. The all-party delegation led by Sule also includes 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 will engage in dialogue with the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs (ECFA). They are also scheduled to meet with Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt. The delegation will also hold talks with Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the League of Arab States," read a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Cairo. "The programme includes a floral tribute at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at El-Horreya Park, visit to the Heliopolis War Memorial, and interactions with members of the Indian community in Egypt, policy makers, including senior editors, scholars, and strategic thinkers. The visit reflects Indiaas commitment to strengthening cooperation with Egypt and the Arab world in combating terrorism and advancing shared global values," the statement added. Earlier on Sunday evening, the delegation concluded a successful visit to Ethiopia, where they held rich, intense and fruitful interactions with Ethiopian dignitaries, members of media, academia, civil society, think-tanks as well as the Indian community in Ethiopia. They conveyed in one voice India's zero-tolerance policy towards cross-border terrorism and briefed about developments since the heinous terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. The delegation shared that Operation Sindoor, conducted by India in response, was calibrated, targetted and proportionate, demonstrating India's commitment to countering terrorism without escalating tensions. "The delegation emphasised the need to recognise the fact that identifying and firmly dealing with all kinds of terrorists, its perpetrators, supporters, promoters including those who give moral support is the need of hour; working on these lines, India has started dismantling the cross-border terrorism infrastructure, developed and used against India for several decades," said Indian Embassy in Addis Ababa. "The Ethiopian side emphasised its own zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and stressed that terrorism must be condemned. The delegation appreciated the solidarity shown by the Ethiopian leadership in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack and thanked them for the support," it added. Addressing the Indian community in Ethiopia, the delegation members commended them for upholding the values of tolerance, pluralism, and unity, and for resisting divisive efforts aimed at destabilising Indiaas social fabric. A large number of Ethiopian nationals who studied in India and now hold important positions in public life expressed their solidarity with India and supported the counter-terrorism measures. The visit of the Indian delegation to Egypt marks a continuation of India's strategic outreach to garner international support against cross-border terrorism emanating from the soil of Pakistan. Bhopal, June 2 : After years of diminishing influence in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress has found renewed hope as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is visiting Bhopal on June 3 to formally launch the Congress's 'Organisation Creation Campaign' in Madhya Pradesh. The party, which had seen its presence steadily erode over the past decade, could not even manage to get a single seat in the 2019 in 2024 general elections. Determined to rebuild, the Congress leadership has embarked on a comprehensive organisational restructuring to prepare for the 2028 Assembly elections and 2029 general elections. Rahul Gandhi is set to visit Bhopal on June 3 to launch the initiative, previously implemented in Gujarat, to reinforce the party's structural foundation. His visit will also serve as an opportunity for the Madhya Pradesh Congress to express gratitude for the Central government's decision to conduct a caste census, a demand the party has long championed. The state and district committees have not been dissolved in Madhya Pradesh, sources signal a fresh start for its political apparatus in Madhya Pradesh. This restructuring aims to revitalise the party at the grassroots level, ensuring a more dynamic and responsive leadership. "As many as 150 workers have been deployed in the Vidisha district. They will reach almost every person in the district and will present their report. Based on the report, the party will decide candidates for state Assembly and Lok Sabha elections," Bhupendra Gupta, spokesperson of the state Congress, said, adding, "If this experiment gives a positive outcome, the party will deploy workers across the state." Sources indicate that LoP Rahul Gandhi will oversee this transformation, guiding the party through a strategic overhaul. The party's leadership acknowledges that many district and city committees have remained unchanged for years, some for as long as seven years and an overhaul is likely. A senior Congress leader emphasised the necessity of infusing new energy into the organisation, stating that restructuring is essential to capitalise on the gains made in the Lok Sabha elections. Mukesh Naik, Congress spokesperson in the state, outlined a long-term vision for the party, emphasising a methodical approach to the 2027 elections. He said that the Congress intends to introduce a new strategy for the upcoming Assembly polls, with the people of Madhya Pradesh looking to the party with renewed expectations. The restructuring process will unfold systematically, with state working committees, district, city, and block presidents being appointed in phases wherever necessary. A senior leader stressed the importance of strengthening local party units, ensuring that grassroots leaders actively promote the party's message and engage with voters. To oversee the campaign, the All India Congress Committee has appointed sixty-one observers, who will arrive in Bhopal. These observers, drawn from states such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Assam, and Andhra Pradesh, will each be assigned to a district. They will be accompanied by four associate observers from the Madhya Pradesh Congress. During his visit, Rahul Gandhi will convene a meeting of the Political Affairs Committee at the state Congress headquarters. This committee, comprising key leaders such as Harish Chaudhary, Kamal Nath, and Digvijay Singh, will deliberate on the challenges facing the party and devise strategies to strengthen its presence in Madhya Pradesh. Following this, he will engage with Congress legislators and Parliamentarians to discuss the caste census and the party's stance in the Assembly and Rajya Sabha. The Congress currently holds three Rajya Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh, while the BJP dominates all twenty-nine Lok Sabha constituencies. A significant aspect of his visit will be the formal allotment of districts to AICC observers. These observers, along with their associate teams, will conduct a thorough assessment of the party's grassroots structure, identify potential leadership candidates, and recommend appointments for district president positions. The campaign seeks to fortify the party's organisational framework by reducing reliance on individual leaders and fostering a more cohesive structure. Through this initiative, the Congress aims to reclaim its influence in Madhya Pradesh by addressing internal challenges and reinforcing its political presence across the state. The findings from these observers will shape future strategies for party restructuring, ensuring a more robust and effective organisation, said a well-placed source. Male, June 2 : Australia will gift an Australian-built Guardian-class Patrol Boat to Maldives, country's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles and Maldives Minister of Defence, Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, announced in Male on Monday. In addition to the new vessel, Australia will also gift a multi-beam echo sounder to Maldives. The hydrographic equipment will support Maldives' capability to map its ocean floor, helping to ensure maritime safety and unlock economic development, said the Australian Defence Ministry. The Guardian-class Patrol Boat is under construction and due for completion in 2026. "This announcement is a key milestone in our bilateral relationship and a significant step towards enhancing Maldives' capability to protect its sovereign waters and contribute to maritime security in the Indian Ocean. The Guardian-class Patrol Boat will provide Maldives a more persistent presence in its vast exclusive economic zone to deter, detect and disrupt illegal maritime activities," read a statement issued by the Australian Defence Ministry. Working closely with Maldives, Australia will develop a maintenance and sustainment package to support the vessel. This initiative, Australia said, upholds its shared commitment to security, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). "Australia is proud to partner with Maldives to support its maritime security capability. In line with our National Defence Strategy, Australia is working with partners across the Northeast Indian Ocean to maintain regional security and stability. Australia is pleased to gift a Guardian-class Patrol Boat to Maldives and will continue to seek opportunities to deepen our long-standing defence partnership. As Indian Ocean countries, Australia and Maldives share a vision of our region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous," said Marles. After attending the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore from May 30-June 1, Marles is travelling to South and Southeast Asia from June 2-5 for high-level meetings. He will meet leaders and counterparts in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia to deepen diplomatic and defence partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. "The visit to India coincides with the fifth anniversary of Australia and India's Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which underpins our relationship and shared vision for the Indian Ocean," the Australian Defence Ministry stated. New Delhi, June 2 : Errol Musk, father of American billionaire Elon Musk, on Monday described PM Modi as a "fantastic" leader, under whose stewardship India is consistently climbing the ladder to become 'Vishwaguru'. New Delhi, June 2 (IANS) Errol Musk, father of American billionaire Elon Musk, on Monday described PM Modi as a "fantastic" leader, under whose stewardship India is consistently climbing the ladder to become 'Vishwaguru'. Errol Musk, father of Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, is currently on a visit to India. In an exclusive interaction with IANS, Errol Musk lauded India's rise to prominence under the Modi government and said that the world has a great deal to learn from India. He said that India has already become a world power, and its growing GDP is a sign of its rising stature. "India is a world power. When you have the fourth-largest GDP in the world, you're a world power, whether you like it or not. India has a very humble approach to these things, which is rather nice, nicer than other places that push themselves. I would say India has a great deal to contribute to the world," he told IANS. When asked about his opinion on PM Modi, Errol Musk said, "he is a fantastic leader. He is one of the best leaders in the world at the moment. It's always a pleasure to see him on television." Notably, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its recent World Economic Outlook (WEO) report, has stated that India is set to become fourth fourth-largest economy in the world, with a GDP of $4.19 trillion in 2025, ahead of Japan. Elon Musk's father, Errol Musk, is currently in India for a visit, focused on accelerating the nation's green technology and EV charging infrastructure development. The 79-year-old patriarch of the Musk family also shared his views on the ongoing India-Pakistan hostilities and said that 'if it is Pakistan causing the trouble, something needs to be done about it'. He also called for bringing an end to the miseries of Kashmiri residents living under the scourge of terrorism. Hyderabad, June 2 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) will not have an alliance with any party and will contest the elections on its own, senior party leader and MLA T. Harish Rao announced on Monday. He exuded confidence that the BRS will come back to power in Telangana with 100 seats. In his speech at the Telangana Formation Day celebrations at BRS headquarters, Telangana Bhavan, Harish Rao said: "Some people are saying that the BRS will join hands with the BJP. The BRS will not have an alliance with any party. It will come to power on its own." Harish Rao was apparently referring to BRS MLA K. Kavithaas recent claim that attempts are being made in the BRS to have an alliance with the BJP. Kavitha, who is the daughter of BRS president and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), last week said that a proposal was made to merge the BRS with the BJP when she was in jail in the Delhi liquor policy case and that she strongly opposed it. KCR, Kavithaas brother and BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) or her cousin Harish Rao have not reacted to sensational allegations, which came close on the heels of her confidential letter to KCR getting leaked. Apparently targeting her brother, Kavitha also made it clear that she will work under the leadership of only KCR. Harish Rao said KCR recently made it clear that whenever elections are held, the BRS is sure to win 100 seats. The former Irrigation Minister said that the BJP leaders were not opening their mouths on the injustice to Telangana. He asked them why they were silent on the Godavari-Banakacherla link project being taken up by Andhra Pradesh. If the BJP MPs have any integrity, they should immediately block the project, he said. He also stated that BRS will approach the Supreme Court to stop the project to protect the stateas interests. Only the BRS can protect the interests of Telangana, he said. Harish Rao warned the officers harassing BRS cadres that their names will be written in the 'Red Book' and they will be taught a lesson once the BRS returns to power. He reiterated that the Congress government brought shame to Telangana with its inefficiency in conducting the Miss World beauty pageant. Referring to the allegations of inappropriate behaviour during the event by Miss England, the BRS leader demanded that the CCTV footage be made public. Harish Rao remarked that while KCR was number one in development, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is number one in speaking lies. Disputing the claim of the Chief Minister that women were provided interest-free loans to the tune of Rs 21,000 crore, the former minister said that if the Chief Minister proves this, he will resign. New Delhi, June 2 : The Congress on Monday hit back at Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his recent comments accusing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of facilitating infiltration from Bangladesh with senior party leader Rashid Alvi underlining that securing national borders is the responsibility of the Central government, not the state. During his two-day visit to West Bengal, Amit Shah, while addressing the Vijay Sankalp Karyakarta Sammelan, alleged that Mamata Banerjee had allowed unchecked infiltration for political gain. "Mamata Banerjee has opened the nation's borders for Bangladeshis. She is allowing infiltration. Only a Lotus government can stop this," he claimed. He further accused Banerjee of refusing to provide land for fencing at the border, suggesting she was doing so to maintain her vote bank and pave the way for her nephew to succeed her as Chief Minister. Responding to Amit Shah's statements, Rashid Alvi told IANS: "Is Mamata Banerjee responsible for guarding India's borders, or is that the duty of the Indian government? Who is in charge of border security? If people are entering India illegally, the blame lies with the Central government, not Mamata. She doesn't control border patrols - (PM) Modi's government does." Addressing the government's recent claims after Operation Sindoor, which reportedly led to the deportation of 2,000 Bangladeshis, Alvi said the figure was insignificant in comparison to the overall scale of the issue. "If lakhs of people have entered from Myanmar and Bangladesh as claimed, sending back just 2,000 is meaningless. The Supreme Court has clearly stated that India is not a dharamshala where anyone can enter and settle. All those who have entered illegally must be sent back. Even the US deports illegal immigrants, though often in handcuffs - we should do it respectfully." On being asked about Congress MPs like Shashi Tharoor and Salman Khurshid, who praised the Modi government during recent international delegations, he said: "Those who are part of official delegations represent India, not any party. But if any Congress leader praises the BJP at the cost of the Congress, action must be taken. These actions weaken the party. As the saying goes, the house is set on fire by its own lamp. Some of our leaders are destroying Congress from within. And BJP doesn't respect those who switch parties - most of them are sidelined after joining." Commenting specifically on Khurshid's praise of the PM Modi government's handling of Article 370, Alvi said: "I strongly disagree with him. He may have joined the delegation to clarify India's stand to the world, but his statements suggest he is endorsing the BJP's policies. Since the removal of Article 370, terrorism has risen in Kashmir. Pulwama happened. Pahalgam has turned into a hotspot. We even had to conduct strikes inside Pakistan. What development has taken place since the abrogation? How many five-star hotels or factories have been built? Development hasn't improved, nor has the situation on the ground. If Article 370 had to be removed, it should have been done with the confidence and participation of the Kashmiri people - not by jailing them." Asked whether the Congress should take disciplinary action against such leaders, Alvi said: "That's for the Congress high command to decide. I don't agree with their statements, but I'm not personally demanding action. If their remarks go against the party's policies, appropriate decisions should be made." On Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's criticism of Prime Minister Modi's speeches after Operation Sindoor, Alvi said: "Sindoor runs in PM Modi's veins? That's an unfortunate choice of words. At a time when the entire country stood united behind him, he chose to extract political mileage from it. PM Modi should avoid such rhetoric. Whether it's PM Modi or Amit Shah, both are trying to gain politically from military actions. They're misleading the country." On Rahul Gandhi's query about aircraft losses during the operation, Alvi said the government must come clean. "Every citizen has the right to know. If aircraft were lost or soldiers died, the public deserves transparency. Even the Army chief has given details to agencies. Why is the government hiding it? We missed the opportunity to hold Pakistan accountable. PM Modi had claimed we'd kill terrorists in their homes - then why is Masood Azhar still alive? A few airstrikes don't change anything; we must eliminate the root of terrorism." On the arrest of influencer and law student Sharmishta Panoli, who was sent to 14 days' judicial custody over a controversial video allegedly hurting religious sentiments, Alvi said: "Over the last 11 years, the BJP and RSS have created an atmosphere targeting Islam. India has always respected all religions. Remember the international backlash over a BJP spokesperson's remark. In this context, action against those inciting communal disharmony is justified." Bhopal, June 2 : After Jabalpur and Indore, the Madhya Pradesh government will now hold another special meeting in Pachmarhi, the only hill station in the state, on June 3. The special Cabinet meeting will be dedicated to commemorating the bravery and legacy of Raja Bhabhut Singh, celebrated as a symbol of tribal pride and valour, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Monday. In a video message, the Chief Minister said that the Cabinet meeting at the Raj Bhavan in Pachmarhi will be held in memory of Gond king Bhabhut Singh, who fought the British, as part of the BJP-led administrationas efforts to honour tribal heroes. "Madhya Pradesh government is organising the Cabinet meeting out of Bhopal to honour our legendary heroes. Two weeks ago, the Cabinet meeting was held in Indore in respect of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, and now on Tuesday, the Cabinet meeting will be held in Pachmarhi," said the Chief Minister. He asserted that, along with economic, industrial and infrastructure growth, the state government is committed to preserving the social and cultural heritage of the state. He said that Pachmarhi is not only known for its natural beauty, but it is also deeply connected with the cultural heritage of our tribal society. "The state government is determined to highlight every glorious aspect and take care of the interests of every section of society. aFrom an administrative perspective, hosting the Cabinet meeting in Pachmarhi also serves to acknowledge and celebrate the regionas historical, cultural, and ecological heritage," the Chief Minister said. In his video message, the Chief Minister highlighted that Raja Bhabhut Singh played a pivotal role in uniting the tribal community to defend water, forests, land, and territory from both external invaders and British forces. He actively resisted British rule and extended support to the great freedom fighter Tatya Tope during Indiaas struggle for independence. Responding to Tatya Topeas call, Raja Bhabhut Singh joined the freedom movement, advancing into the picturesque Satpura valleys. As the Madhya Pradesh government will hold this special meeting again, the speculation on whether Tribal Welfare Minister Vijay Shah, who skipped two Cabinet meetings, including the special one in Indore, will participate or not has also surfaced. Oslo, June 2 : India's Minister of Ports, Shipping Sarbananda Sonowal held a bilateral meeting with Terada Yoshimichi, Japan's Vice Minister here on Monday to boost cooperation between the two countries in shipbuilding, ports, smart islands, and maritime training for a globally sustainable future. Sonowal's discussions with Yoshimichi, Japan's vice minister for International Affairs, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism (MLITT) were aimed at deepening maritime relations between the two countries in multiple areas including investment by Japanese Shipyards, collaboration on port digitisation and green port initiatives. An increase in R&D cooperation, upskilling human resources and employment of Indian seafarers in Japan were also discussed, according to an official statement. The two ministers held discussion on using sustainable technologies, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and enhanced connectivity to enable Andaman Nicobar islands and Lakshwadeep islands to be converted into Smart Islands. Acknowledging the rich expertise of Japan in developing island territories, Sarbananda Sonowal said: "Japan's expertise in this area is highly valued. We see scope for joint work in the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands, particularly in deploying renewable energy, smart mobility systems, and digital infrastructure. These initiatives will further our shared commitment to ecological conservation and regional maritime security." The meeting also focused on increasing partnership between Indian and Japanese shipyards including greenfield investment such as Imabari Shipbuilding in Andhra Pradesh and others. Opportunities for co-development of ports and maritime industrial clusters as clean energy hubs were also gauged for mutual cooperation. Sonowal expressed India's interest in leading Japanese shipbuilding companies such as Imabari Shipbuilding, JMUC, Kanagawa Dockyard, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to explore joint ventures and collaborative arrangements with Indian shipyards. Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister said: "Relations between India and Japan have a long history rooted in spiritual affinity and strong cultural and civilisational ties. Our collaboration under the Quad framework and the India-Japan-Australia Supply Chain Resilience Initiative reflects our shared commitment to strengthening regional maritime security and economic integration. India appreciates Japan's leadership in key initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT)." As India moves ahead to transform its maritime sector under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is advancing port infrastructure, green shipping, shipbuilding, and digitalisation under 'Maritime India Vision 2030.' India seeks Japan's participation in these transformative initiatives. Yoshimichi said that Japan has been participating in the development of railway infrastructure in India and is now 'very interested in the maritime sector' as well. Prospects of mutual collaboration in shipbuilding and training of seafarers were discussed and considered positively. He expressed satisfaction over the meeting. Emphasising the need to deepen bilateral ties in maritime training and development, as well as cooperation in research and development, both sides agreed to further strengthen collaboration in the maritime sector, especially on sustainable maritime technologies and next-generation ship design. Sonowal said that India is keen on signing an MoU with Japan for a collaboration with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Indian universities, and public agencies. On upskilling and employment of India's human capital, Sonowal said: "India currently has over 154,000 trained seafarers which is capable of support and supplement Japan's maritime workforce. India is ready and keen to facilitate Japanese maritime player's interest in training Indian engineers and workers through structured programmes." Sonowal said: "We deeply value the relationship with Japan. Under PM Narendra Modi's leadership, India aims to scale new heights with a target of five trillion yen (Rs 3.2 lakh crore) in investments with Japan by 2027. India will work closely with Japan toward a sustainable future, guided by our shared vision of advanced maritime cooperation that contributes meaningfully to global progress & mutual benefit for both countries." The Union Minister also offered Japan a partnership in India's Maritime Heritage Museum (NMHC) project at Lothal in Gujarat which also serves as a world-class centre for heritage tourism, education, and research in the maritime sector. Besides, he extended an invitation to Vice Minister Terada Yoshimichi for participation at the India Maritime Week, 2025 in Mumbai between 27th and 31st October this year. Malappuram, June 2 : Tearing into the governance by the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan-led government which has been in power for nine years, AICC General Secretary and Alappuzha Lok Sabha member K.C. Venugopal on Monday slammed the inept way things were happening in Kerala. "The stage has come when all the perfume of Arabia will not be able to wash away the stains of corruption indulged in by Vijayan," said Venugopal. He said this while inaugurating the Nilambur Assembly bye-election convention and asked the people of Nilambur to ensure that everyone votes for Aryadan Shoukath, which will set the ball rolling for the exit of CM Vijayan, as the 2026 Assembly elections are round the corner. Venugopal said that by virtue of being the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, he was shocked to hear the sequence of events of what happened, when he attended the meeting held last week to discuss the crumbling of the National Highway (NH)-66 passing through Malappuram. "I was really surprised to hear the way CM Vijayan, who was always taking credit for NH-66 till it crumbled, reacted to the news. The moment the news surfaced that NH-66 was breaking not at one place, but at several spots, he did not even go and visit the spots where the highway has developed cracks, despite being in Malappuram for the past two days," said Venugopal. "Since I was at the meeting last week with the Chairman of the National Highway Authority of India and the Transport Secretary, I know that major corruption has taken place in the construction of NH-66, but Vijayan now maintains stoic silence on the issue," said Venugopal. Turning against CM Vijayan, who on Sunday spoke about being 'treacherous', Venugopal said if there was one person who could be equated to that word, it was none other than Vijayan, as all would recall the interview given by the Chief Minister to an English national daily wherein he insulted Malappuram district. "CM Vijayan said that '150 kg of gold and hawala money worth Rs 123 crore were seized by the Kerala Police in the last five years from Malappuram district. This money is entering Kerala for anti-State and anti-national activities'. This is what Vijayan said and this is an insult to Malappuram ," added Venugopal. "Another classic example of the treacherous role played by Vijayan is how he worked to see the victory of BJP candidate Suresh Gopi from the Thrissur Lok Sabha after he successfully created confusion at the famed Thrissur Pooram festivities," he pointed out. Nilambur goes to the polls on June 19 after sitting two-time Left Independent legislator quit the Assembly following difference of opinion with CM Vijayan. Pitted in the poll is Aryadan Shoukath of the Congress, M. Swaraj of the CPI-M, Mohan George of the BJP and Anvar, who is contesting as a candidate of the All India Trinamool Congress. Seoul, June 2 : South Korean Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-myung and People Power Party (PPP) candidate Kim Moon-soo made their final sprint to woo swing voters Monday, a day before the presidential election. Lee of the DP, the campaign's front-runner, kicked off the last day of his campaign in Seoul's northern ward of Gangbuk before making stops in the neighbouring cities of Hanam, Seongnam and Gwangmyeong. "Your vote can change history and protect our democracy," Lee said during a press conference in Seongnam, widely considered his political hometown, where he served two consecutive terms as Mayor from 2010 to 2018. He emphasised his deep ties to the city, noting it was where he endured hardship and nurtured his dreams as a teenage factory worker and later made social change as a civic activist. "I promise to shape the future of South Korea together with the people, starting from my political hometown of Seongnam," he added. Lee will later return to the capital, campaigning in Gangseo Ward in Seoul, and hold his final rally in Yeouido Park before wrapping up his day with a live broadcast on YouTube. Lee is likely to highlight his role in the December 3 martial law crisis by ending his campaign in Yeouido, widely considered the centre of South Korea's politics and home to the National Assembly, Yonhap news agency reported. On the evening of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's surprise declaration of martial law on December 3, Lee and other lawmakers rushed to the National Assembly to lift the martial law, despite being blocked by the police. At his campaign stop in Gangbuk earlier in the day, he stressed the need to safeguard democracy from what he called "insurrection forces" and hold them accountable. Kim of the PPP started the day by visiting the Peace Park on the southern island of Jeju to pay tribute to the victims of the Jeju April 3 uprising. He then held campaign rallies in Busan, Daegu and Daejeon to shore up last-minute support. In Busan, Kim apologised for Yoon's imposition of martial law and pledged to push forward bold reforms with the PPP, if elected. He further expressed regret over failing to reach a candidacy merger with Lee Jun-seok of the minor conservative New Reform Party (NRP). "Voting for Lee Jun-seok will only benefit Lee Jae-myung," he said, urging voters to support him instead. Later in the day, Kim will hold his final rally in front of Seoul City Hall. A campaign official said the location was chosen for its symbolic significance, as it is where ordinary citizens have historically gathered to raise their voices. After the rally, Kim will greet voters in the youth-populated districts of Hongdae and Gangnam until midnight in a final effort to appeal to young voters. Lee of the NRP plans to meet with university students in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, while Kwon Young-kook of the minor Democratic Labor Party will campaign across Seoul, highlighting issues related to labour, disability rights and gender equality. The latest poll on the election 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. South Korea will elect a new President on Tuesday after Yoon was ousted over his short-lived imposition of martial law. News / National by Staff reporter ZANU-PF Nyanga South Member of Parliament, Supa Mandiwanzira, has called on Zimbabwean youths to enroll in the National Youth Service (NYS), highlighting the programme's role in equipping young people with vital skills for future employment.Mandiwanzira made the remarks on Saturday during a visit to Kubudazuva Primary School in his constituency, where Boys dzaMdara, a ZANU-PF-affiliated youth organisation, was making a significant donation to support the school.The organisation hosted its annual two-day conference in the nearby resort town and used the occasion to donate 100 pairs of shoes, computers, and install Starlink internet connectivity at Kubudazuva Primary School.Mandiwanzira, who is also a member of the ZANU-PF politburo, praised the donations and emphasised the importance of the National Youth Service in shaping young leaders."If you see Boys dzaMdara, they are not ordinary people. They are different because they went through National Youth Service training," said Mandiwanzira."Its leadership underwent rigorous training at the NYS. We are urging all youths to join the NYS because they gain lifelong skills that can open doors to employment."He added: "At the NYS, youths learn skills that are not taught in schools, colleges, or even universities."Hopewell Chako, chairperson of Boys dzaMdara, said the group was committed to giving back to their communities."As Boys dzaMdara, we are young entrepreneurs aiming to inspire other youths to establish their own businesses and contribute to the country's economic growth," Chako stated.Supporting this message, the organisation's National Secretary-General, Edd Maenda, highlighted their backing of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's initiatives and the government's Vision 2030 development plan.Manicaland chapter treasurer, Liberty Gumende, encouraged youths to take entrepreneurship seriously."We have already started our businesses, but we have also created platforms where young people can network and launch their ventures. We need to motivate each other as youths," Gumende said.The event underscored the growing emphasis on youth empowerment through skills development and entrepreneurship as Zimbabwe pursues broader economic goals. Kullu, June 2 : British Deputy High Commissioner, Caroline Rowett, on Monday visited the Bhuttico handloom cooperative in Kullu town as part of her three-day visit to the Kullu-Manali region of Himachal Pradesh. During the visit, the UK delegation met Bhuttico's management and interacted with artisans engaged in the creation of traditional Himachali handloom products. Speaking on the textiles sector under the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Rowett said, "UK businesses and consumers will also have increased access to tariff-free imports from India, with tariffs being eliminated on 99 per cent of Indian goods which could provide better choice, quality and affordability of a wide range of Indian products such as frozen shrimp, apparel and textiles." India and the UK concluded negotiations for the FTA last month, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral economic ties. Accompanying Political, Press and Projects Adviser for the UK government, Rajinder S Nagarkoti, the Deputy High Commissioner added, "The deal is expected to increase bilateral trade, worth 43 billion pound in year 2024, by 25.5 billion pound, UK GDP by 4.8 billion pound and wages by 2.2 billion pound each year in the long run." The UK-India investment relationship currently supports over 6,00,000 jobs across both countries. As of 2024, there are over 950 Indian-owned companies in the UK and over 650 UK companies in India. On the timeline for the deal's implementation, she stated, "We will now go through the final steps to sign this treaty and bring this deal into force as quickly as possible, whilst allowing for the necessary scrutiny, so it can deliver growth across the country." As part of her Kullu-Manali visit, Rowett is also engaging with stakeholders from the tourism and hospitality sectors, including hoteliers, tour operators, and skiers, to explore collaboration opportunities. In February, Rowett met with Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu, where she highlighted the UK's growing investment interests in the state. These include an agro-industry project in Kullu and the establishment of an Indian operation by a Scottish distillery, underscoring the strengthening economic relationship between the UK and Himachal Pradesh. Imphal, June 2 : A high-level central team led by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Monday visited two relief camps in Manipur's Churachandpur district and oversaw the well-being of the violence-hit displaced people, officials said. Imphal, June 2 (IANS) A high-level central team led by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Monday visited two relief camps in Manipuras Churachandpur district and oversaw the well-being of the violence-hit displaced people, officials said. An official of Manipur Home Department said that after landing at an Assam Riflesa helipad at Veng in Churachandpur district, the central team went to a relief centre at Dorcas Veng, New Lamka where the Home Secretary inaugurated a Creche facility for children and a womenas tailoring program, both aimed at supporting and empowering women and children residing in the camp. Later, the team visited a relief camp at Sadhbhavna Mandap, Tuibong. Govind Mohan also inaugurated a creche-cum-childrenas library to further strengthen child-focused support at the camp. At both camps, the officials interacted with the displaced people, reviewed the available infrastructure, inspected relief materials and facilities, and assessed the overall condition of the camps, the official said. The team listened to the concerns and suggestions of the caretakers of the displaced people and assured them of continued government support. Meanwhile, 15 students who passed the Secondary and Higher Secondary Examinations this year from the two relief camps -- five from Dorcas Veng and 10 from Sadbhavna Mandap, Tuibong -- were felicitated, and certificates of appreciation were given by the Home Secretary. Additionally, one Class I topper and one Class III topper from each camp were awarded for their outstanding performance. Besides the Home Secretary, the other member of the central team was Director (Intelligence Bureau), Tapan Kumar Deka. The central team, during their visit to the tribal inhabited Churachandpur district, was accompanied by Manipur Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh, Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, and Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur Dharun Kumar S and other officials from the state and district administration. Earlier on May 30, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla asked the officials to further step up their initiatives for the benefit of the violence-hit displaced people staying in relief camps both in the valley and hilly regions. A Raj Bhavan official had said that the Governor reviewed the overall conditions of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) residing in various relief camps in the hills and the valley districts of Manipur. While chairing the meeting, the Governor discussed the current status concerning the livelihood, skill development, medical support and education of the IDPs. The Deputy Commissioners of all districts gave a comprehensive briefing on several key initiatives taken up for the IDPs. The state government has established over 300 relief camps in Imphal valley and hilly regions to provide shelter to 59,415 men, women and children, who were displaced after the ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023. --IANS sc/dan Vadodara, June 2 : With the monsoon just days away, senior city officials, including the Municipal Commissioner, Mayor, and Standing Committee Chairman, visited the Vishwamitri riverbed near Rhythm Hospital in the Sama area to review progress on the Vishwamitri Riverfront Development Project. Municipal Commissioner briefed the media during the inspection, stating that 95 per cent of the work has been completed so far, and the remaining tasks will be wrapped up in the next 10 days. "We are currently laying vegetation grass to prevent soil erosion during rains. It will take about three to four months for the soil to fully strengthen, as the grass roots need time to go deep," he explained. The project spans a 24.5-kilometre stretch along the Vishwamitri River, where dredging and soil conversion work have been carried out to mitigate flooding risks during monsoons. Given forecasts of an early onset of rains this year, officials are expediting final touches, including plantation and bank reinforcement work. "A mega plantation drive is also planned on World Environment Day, where saplings will be planted under the initiative 'Paan 2.0'," the Commissioner added. Plans include planting large trees along the riverbanks to enhance ecological stability. He acknowledged that some areas, especially those inhabited by crocodiles, require more sensitive handling and coordination with environmentalists. "The 100-day target is symbolic. We might need a couple more days due to weather delays. We are humans too, and nature sometimes dictates the pace," he said. The Irrigation Department is also collaborating on segments that had initially fallen under its jurisdiction. The Commissioner reiterated that the goal remains full completion, ensuring the city is prepared for the upcoming monsoon season. The Vishwamitri Riverfront project is crucial for Vadodara as it addresses multiple urban and environmental challenges the city has long faced. The river, which runs through the heart of Vadodara, has been prone to flooding during the monsoon, often causing damage to low-lying areas and disrupting city life. By undertaking dredging, soil stabilisation, and embankment strengthening, the project aims to significantly reduce the risk of seasonal flooding and improve the overall resilience of the city's infrastructure. Moreover, the laying of vegetation grass and the planned plantation of large trees will help prevent soil erosion, support biodiversity, and contribute to long-term ecological sustainability. The project also has the potential to enhance the aesthetic and recreational value of the riverfront, making it a cleaner, greener public space for citizens. With Vadodara's rapid urban growth, such integrated river management is essential to balance development with environmental conservation. New Delhi, May 2 : Members of the all-party delegations, currently visiting key partner countries and UN Security Council member states as part of Operation Sindoor's global diplomatic outreach mission, are expected to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after returning home. The meeting, sources indicate, could take place over the weekend or early next week during which the eminent Parliamentarians and distinguished diplomats are expected to share their experiences, feedback and results from the extensive campaign spanning across the globe. Last month, India had launched an unprecedented global diplomatic offensive in the wake of Operation Sindoor, a decisive military operation targetting terror launchpads across Pakistan, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), following the heinous April 22 Pahalgam terror attack which resulted in the death of 26 innocent civilians. As many as seven delegations were formed to project India's national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism in all forms and manifestations. The delegations led by Members of Parliament Shashi Tharoor (INC), Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Sanjay Kumar Jha (JDU), Baijayant Panda (BJP), Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK), Supriya Sule (NCP) and Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena) are carrying forth to the world India's strong message of zero-tolerance against terrorism. Comprising parliamentarians, former ministers, and seasoned diplomats, the delegations would have covered more than 33 countries till June 5 after the launch of diplomatic outreach mission on May 21. The initiative, coordinated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), aims to present a unified national stance on terrorism, isolate Pakistan internationally, and highlight its military and intelligence complicity in nurturing terror networks. All delegations carried with them intelligence dossiers, evidence of the ISI's involvement in cross-border terror, and first-hand details from Operation Sindoor, conveying them to foreign governments, media, think tanks and UN bodies. The group led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda covered several countries across the Gulf and North Africa while the Ravi Shankar Prasad-delegation travelled across Europe and also met European Union leaders. The east and southeast Asian region was covered by the delegation led by JD-U MP Sanjay Kumar Jha. Travelling from West Asia to Sub-Saharan Africa, the delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde has conveyed India's zero tolerance on terrorism. The delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has travelled to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and Brazil. It is now scheduled to begin engagements in Washington, later on Monday. Covering eastern and southern Europe, the delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi began its mission from Russia and travelled to Slovenia, Greece, Latvia and Spain. The seventh group is led by NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule and travelled through Africa and the Middle East. Jamnagar, June 2 : The Jamnagar Municipal Corporation in Gujarat has pushed forward with a large-scale road widening project, demolishing over 190 structures in just two days amid resistance from the local residents. The demolition work began on Saturday to widen the stretch from Swaminarayan Nagar to Gandhinagar by 12 meters, despite strong protests from the community. On May 31, tensions flared as municipal teams arrived to begin road-cutting and demolition. Locals voiced their resentment, and 10 residents, including Congress corporator Rachanaben Nandania, were detained for attempting to block the operation. The detainees, including two women, were later presented before the city Mamlatdar and released on bail under the condition that they would not obstruct the demolition efforts further. Despite the uproar, the civic body remained firm, and on Sunday, the second day, operations resumed at 8 a.m. and continued without pause, bringing the two-day total to 190 demolished properties belonging to 159 tenants. On June 2, for the third consecutive day, the drive continued, this time without opposition. With more than 150 municipal staff and over 100 police personnel, including women officers, deployed under the guidance of PI P.P. Jha of City B Division, the demolition work progressed peacefully. Heavy machinery was mobilised across the stretch between Swaminarayan Nagar and Nawagam Ghed, where a total of 331 properties had received final notices from the Corporation. Meanwhile, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has been executing a series of demolition drives across various city areas. These actions aim to facilitate urban development projects, alleviate traffic congestion, and restore the city's ecological balance. One of the most significant operations occurred near Chandola Lake, where the AMC launched a two-phase demolition initiative. The first phase cleared approximately 1.5 lakh square meters of encroachments, while the second phase targeted an additional 2.5 lakh square meters. This extensive operation involved around 3,000 police personnel and 25 State Reserve Police companies to maintain order during the process. The cleared land is earmarked for environmental restoration and potential housing projects for eligible displaced residents. In the Bapunagar area, the AMC demolished 450 illegally constructed houses near Malek Saban Lake, reclaiming 15,200 square meters of land. This action followed prior notices issued in 2011, with alternative housing arrangements made for 221 affected individuals. The Dariyapur locality witnessed the removal of over 100 unauthorised huts, shops, and other structures built on roads and government land. While some locals expressed dissatisfaction, claiming a lack of prior notice, the AMC proceeded to clear the encroachments to restore public pathways and ensure safety. Kolkata, June 2 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday filed a 60-page chargesheet in the case of a 'digital arrest' fraud involving Rs 1,500 crore at a special court of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Kolkata. Two masterminds in the scam, namely Chirag Kapur and Yogesh Duar and a company owned by them, have been named in the chargesheet. In the chargesheet, both individuals have been accused of duping several people in different parts of the country of around Rs 1,500 crore after claiming to have taken them in 'digital custody' on charges of purported crimes like narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and terror funding, among others. The fraudsters approached the common people posing as representatives of agencies like the police, central investigative agencies, or the Income Tax Department, and extorted money, which often amounted to over a crore of rupees. In the chargesheet, the ED informed that their investigating officials have 300 bank accounts where the extorted money was transferred. It mentioned about 350 mobile SIM cards which were used for contacting and fooling their targets. The agency had claimed that international roaming facilities were active in most of those SIM cards, so that the calls could not be tracked easily. The ED also claimed to have confiscated property worth Rs 10 crore owned by the accused persons. Kolkata Police arrested Chirag Kapur and Yogesh Duar, acting on a complaint by a woman who had lost around Rs 47 lakh after being trapped in the 'digital arrest' fraud. Later, the ED also started an investigation into the matter and finally, on Monday, submitted its first chargesheet in the matter at the special PMLA court in Kolkata. Last year in October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a Mann Ki Baat address, cautioned people about the new cyber scam trend in the name of 'digital arrest'. The Prime Minister specially clarified that nothing called 'digital arrest' existed in the Indian legal system. "No enforcement agency would ever ask citizens for personal details by phone or video call," the Prime Minister had clarified then. Solan, June 2 : Appreciating the party's core group meeting in Himachal Pradesh, BJP President J.P. Nadda on Monday asked the leadership to gear up for the forthcoming Panchayati Raj polls. Party spokesperson Randhir Sharma said party president Nadda appreciated all the programs conducted by the party and asked to gear up for the forthcoming Panchayati Raj elections, for which the party should form groups. As per the instructions of the central leadership, programs will be organised at various levels regarding the 11 years of the PM Modi government. He said panchayat chaupals would be organised in cities, mohallas, and gram panchayat centres, and resolutions for a developed India will also be taken there. Similarly, registration camps for centrally-sponsored schemes should be organised in every assembly constituency. "We will go door-to-door to ensure 100 per cent registration for Ayushman Bharat Yojana for senior citizens," Sharma said. Similarly, to mark June 5 as World Environment Day, a sapling plantation and seed transplantation campaign will be run on a large scale, for which an effective plan has to be made for the next two months. To mark June 21 as International Yoga Day, Yoga training camps will be organised in all divisions from June 15 to June 20. At least one non-political Yoga Day celebration is to be organised in every division on June 21. This year is the 50th year of the 'Emergency' imposed by the Congress government led by Indira Gandhi. On this occasion, seminars would be organised in every district in which speakers will give speeches and programs to honor Loktantra Senani will be held in every district. Himachal Pradesh Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said he was proud to participate in the Tiranga Samman Yatra, which was organised in Solan under the leadership of Union Minister Nadda in honour of the armed forces. "This yatra is not only a symbol of our military power, but also highlights the spirit of patriotism that resides in the heart of every Indian. Paying homage to the valour and sacrifice of our brave soldiers, all the people of the state should become a part of the Tiranga Yatra," Thakur added. --IANS vg/dan New Delhi, June 2 : Congress leader Udit Raj on Monday pointed to a stark contrast between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the grand old party over leaders airing their grievances and expressing dissent against their own leadership. Udit Raj, speaking to IANS, said: "There are many veteran BJP leaders including the founding members like LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and more who don't publicly speak against the party. They don't utter a word even after being put on the sidelines. But, in Congress party, many leaders get restless and start speaking out of turn, when the party goes out of power." "Those who became ministers in Congress governments for ten years start speaking against the party. They were not even the founding members, this is very startling," he said. He also said that party high command is of the same view that those leaders couldn't win booths in elections hold big positions in the party. His remarks are seen as a clear swipe at Salman Khurshid, who served as External Affairs Minister in the Congress-led UPA government. Earlier in the day, Khurshid, part of all-party delegation responded to wave of criticism back home and said that it was distressing to see that "people back home are calculating political allegiances", a remark apparently directed at his critics within the Congress party. Khurshid's recent endorsement of Article 370 abrogation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led govt and its positive impact on bringing prosperity in the region earned him the BJP's praise and Congress' 'silent' scorn. The Congress was always opposed to the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, however, lately it has maintained its ambivalent stance on the matter. Udit Raj, however, also objected to the projection and portrayal of dissent within the Congress party as sign of growing factionalism or feud and cited the example of dissenters and detractors within the BJP who openly speak against the party and still it is not seen as 'fight or revolt' within. "Subramanian Swamy has stated on record that five Indian fighter jets have been shot down by Pakistani Army. Why the BJP is silent on the issue? Why it is not seen as rift within?" he asked. New Delhi, June 2 : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a report within two weeks from the Bihar government and state police chief over the death of a minor rape victim at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), an official said on Monday. The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report published on June 1, 2025, amid allegations that the 10-year-old child was left waiting in an ambulance for several hours before getting a bed to start treatment. She was raped in Muzaffarpur district on May 26 and the rapist had attempted to kill her by stabbing her in the chest and throat. She was brought to the hospital in a critical condition on May 30. The alleged rapist was arrested later. The right's body issued a notice saying, "The Commission has examined that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Bihar, calling for a detailed report in the matter within two weeks." "According to the media report, carried on June 1, the same perpetrator had earlier committed the same offence with another 12-year-old-girl and had attempted to kill her," said the NHRC notice. The brutal rape-cum-murder has sparked a political storm in election-bound Bihar with the Congress alleging that "rapists and criminals were feeling emboldened as the JD(U)-BJP government had let powerful and influential people go scot-free despite serious charges". Bihar Leader of the Opposition, Tejashwi Yadav, also attacked Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his government over the rape and death of the minor. Yadav said, "Whether it's law and order, healthcare, education, or employment, this double-engine government has failed completely. The Chief Minister has never expressed regret on any such issue. I doubt if he even knows about this brutal rape case." Yadav strongly criticised the Chief Minister and his two deputies for allegedly being preoccupied with political events and election preparations, saying they were ignoring public grievances and justice. New Delhi, June 2 : Errol Musk, father of American billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has hailed India's rise as a global power and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. New Delhi, June 2 (IANS) Errol Musk, father of American billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has hailed Indiaas rise as a global power and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modias leadership. During an exclusive interview with IANS, Errol Musk, who is currently visiting the country, declared: "India is already a world power." Errol Muskas comments come at a time when India is garnering international recognition for its economic growth and global influence. At the recent 10th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, it was announced that India has overtaken Japan to become the worldas fourth-largest economy, with its GDP crossing $4 trillion. India continues to be the worldas fastest-growing major economy, and is the only country projected to grow at over 6 per cent annually for the next two years. According to current estimates, India's GDP is expected to reach $5.58 trillion by 2028, surpassing Germany to become the third-largest economy globally. Excerpts from the Interview: IANS: India is emerging as a global power under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. What are your thoughts on this? Errol Musk: Well, I think India is already a world power. When you have the fourth-largest GDP in the world, you are a world power - whether you like it or not. Whatas admirable is Indiaas humble approach. Unlike others who aggressively assert themselves, India quietly contributes to the global community. The world can learn a great deal from India. It has so much to offer. IANS: What is your reaction to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam? Errol Musk: Iave always inclined toward Indiaas side in this matter. Iave spoken to friends whoave travelled by bus from Delhi to Srinagar, and theyave shared how unpredictable and dangerous it can be - not knowing when an RPG might come their way. Itas disheartening to see two mature nations involved in such conflict. It simply makes no sense. Ordinary people should not have to suffer like this. If Pakistan is responsible, it must be addressed. If India is at fault, that must also be acknowledged. These are two important countries; they need to find a solution. Enough is enough. IANS: How do you view Indiaas progressive schemes to attract global investments in electric vehicles? Errol Musk: Itas a brilliant move. Thatas the way forward - facilitate, not complicate. Developing new technologies, vehicles, and systems is already extremely challenging. Governments should be doing everything they can to support innovators, not hinder them. Indiaas policies in this direction are encouraging and visionary. IANS: What are your thoughts on Prime Minister Narendra Modias leadership? Errol Musk: He is one of the finest leaders in the world today. Itas always a pleasure to watch him speak on TV. He carries himself with confidence and clarity. Under his leadership, India has taken giant strides, not only in economic terms but also in global diplomacy. IANS: How do you perceive the chemistry between PM Modi and your son, Elon Musk? Errol Musk: Itas a good relationship. Prime Minister Modi must act in Indiaas best interests, while Elon must consider Teslaas. Thatas how global partnerships work. Between them, Iam confident theyall arrive at a mutually beneficial understanding. As a private individual - not as someone speaking for Tesla, which is a public company - I truly believe there will be a Tesla manufacturing plant in India. There has to be. India is one of the most strategically important countries in the world. IANS: Do you believe Elon Musk could become the President of the United States? Errol Musk: Well, he wasnat born in America, so under current laws, heas not eligible. But more importantly, Elon thrives in the private sector. Thatas where he is most effective. That said, anything is possible. If he ever were to become president, he would be an incredibly competent one. IANS: What is your view of Hindu rituals and Indian spirituality? Errol Musk: I think if the entire world followed Shiva, it would be just fine. Iam not an expert, but I find Hinduism fascinating. Itas so ancienta"it boggles the mind. The depth and history of the religion show us just how little we actually understand about the past. Thereas a profound sense of continuity and spirituality in India that is truly humbling. News / National by Staff reporter A man from Harare has been arrested after his pit bulls allegedly mauled a neighbour to death in a horrific attack that has reignited nationwide debate over the safety of the American Pitbull Terrier breed.On June 1, 2025, police apprehended 40-year-old Mike Mupinga following reports that his pit bulls attacked and killed 39-year-old Samuel Machara near Mupinga's residence in the Mabelreign suburb. The victim's body, marked by severe dog bite wounds, was discovered close to the property and taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination.In an official statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the arrest, saying, "ZRP Mabelreign arrested Mike Mupinga (40) in connection with a case of culpable homicide which occurred at the suspect's residence where his pit-bull dogs allegedly attacked and mauled Samuel Machara (39) to death."This tragic incident is not isolated. Earlier this year, a pit bull fatally attacked a six-year-old girl in Glen View in February, breaking through a locked gate to pounce on the child playing in her yard. In April, an elderly man in Borrowdale died after being bitten in the neck by a neighbour's unleashed pit bull.The latest killing has stirred a social media uproar, with many Zimbabweans demanding a total ban on pit bulls. On the platform X, user @JusticeForSam posted, "Enough is enough. These dogs were bred for bloodsport. They have no place in urban neighbourhoods."Animal behaviourist Rudo Nyamutsamba weighed in, saying, "This breed was historically developed for fightingeven lions and leopards in some cases. Keeping them in cramped urban homes without proper control is reckless."Amid rising concerns, some residents are advocating for legislation similar to breed-specific laws seen in the UK and parts of Australia, where owning pit bulls is banned outright.However, not everyone supports a blanket ban. Many dog owners argue that behaviour is shaped more by training than breed.On social media, some users have suggested that boerboels should also face restrictions. @DogMumZim wrote, "Leave Boerboels out of this. Any dog can kill if it's not trained or controlled."Meanwhile, @PureBoerboel noted, "If you remember that the breed was developed to kill trapped leopards and lions, you'll understand how menacing it isbut not all pit bulls are killers. It's how you raise them."Others defended Boerboels specifically while calling for more targeted regulation. One user stated, "Boerboel riri mixed ndirine problem. Pure Boerboel riribho," suggesting mixed breeds may pose higher risks due to unpredictable temperaments.As the debate continues, authorities face mounting pressure to review policies on dangerous dog breeds to ensure community safety while balancing the concerns of responsible pet owners. Algiers, June 2 : The Indian all-party Parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda on Monday concluded its successful visit to Algeria, conveying India's zero tolerance on terrorism and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'New Normal' policy on cross border terrorist activities. With this, the delegation also wrapped up its four-nation tour - also including visits to Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia - marking a significant step in India's strategic outreach to garner international support against cross-border terrorism emanating from the soil of Pakistan. 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, and former Indian diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla. "Group-1 of the All-Party Parliamentary delegation concluded its four-nation (Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Algeria) visit today having successfully conveyed India's message of 'zero tolerance' for terrorism and Prime Minister Narendra Modias 'New Normal'. A politically, linguistically and spiritually diverse group that spoke in one voice in the best spirit of 'India First'!" Shringla, a former Foreign Secretary, posted on X. On Sunday, Mohamed Khouane, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and the National Community Abroad in the Algerian Parliament, hosted a dinner in honour of the visiting delegation led by Panda. They discussed a broad range of topics of mutual interest and India's commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms besides also topics to enhance India and Algeria mutual cooperation in various spheres. "Strengthening India-Algeria ties over meaningful dialogue. Honoured to join our all-party delegation at a dinner hosted by Mohamed Khouane, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and the National Community Abroad, Algeria. We exchanged views on a wide range of mutual interests, reaffirming India's resolute stand in the global fight against terrorism," Panda posted on X. The delegates also met with Selma Bakhta Mansouri, Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria. During the meeting, the delegation apprised the Secretary of State about the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, Operation Sindoor, and subsequent developments. They appreciated Algeria's shared commitment to strengthening the global fight against terrorism and its unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The delegates lit candles in memory of the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack at the iconic Basilique Notre-Dame daAfrique (Basilica of Our Lady of Africa) in Algiers. The outreach took place in the immediate aftermath of the horrendous April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and subsequent developments to foster global cooperation in combating terrorism. Chennai, June 2 : Director Ram Gopal Varma, who chose to express his disapproval of the threats being issued to actor Kamal Haasan over his recent comment on the origin of Kannada, put out a tweet on Monday calling the threat to ban the actor's upcoming film 'Thug Life' unless he tendered an apology as "a new kind of hooliganism". However, the director swiftly deleted the tweet but not before it had been seen by those on social media. Taking to his X timeline, Ram Gopal Varma had said,"DEMOCRACYas new name is INTOLERANCE..irrespective of factual correctness , threats to ban #ThugLife in Karnataka unless @ikamalhaasan apologises , amounts to a new kind of HOOLIGANISM." Ram Gopal Varma's tweet came even as the language row between Kannada groups, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and language activists on the one hand and actor Kamal Haasan on the other intensified. The issue erupted when Kamal Haasan, who during the promotions of Thug Life, said that Kannada was born out of Tamil. His statement irked Kannada activists who demanded that the actor withdraw his statement and tender an apology. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce too said that the actor's film 'Thug Life' too won't release in Karnataka if the actor does not tender an apology. However, Kamal Haasan has refused to tender an apology saying that he would apologise if he was wrong and that he wouldn't, if he was not. The actor has approached the Karnataka High Court seeking directions for the release and screening of his upcoming movie, 'Thug Life', in the state amidst calls for a ban from Kannada organisations. In a petition filed through the Chief Executive Officer of Raj Kamal Films International, Kamal Haasan's production company has appealed to the court to issue directives to the Karnataka government, the Police Department, and film bodies, urging them not to obstruct the release and screening of his movie. The petition also sought directions for the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG and IGP) and the Bengaluru Police Commissioner to arrange security measures for the film's screening. Meanwhile, office bearers of the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce met with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday, demanding that the release of Kamal Haasanas aThug Lifea not be allowed in Karnataka. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah informed the delegation that his government would act legally in this regard and assured them of legal cooperation, emphasising the importance of unity in matters of language. The film body office bearers sought the state government's support, as they lack the power to impose a ban on the film. They have also appealed to exhibitors to voluntarily refrain from screening the movie. Following the Chief Minister's meeting with the film body office bearers, the distributors of 'Thug Life' are in a dilemma and have requested an additional day from the Kannada Film Chambers of Commerce to make a decision. Sources indicate that Kamal Haasan is returning to Chennai from abroad on Tuesday. The distributors are expected to discuss the matter with the actor and make a final decision regarding the screening of his movie. Bengaluru, June 2 : A delegation of Karnataka Congress MLCs, led by Legislative Council Chief Whip Saleem Ahmad, has met with Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti on Monday to submit a complaint against BJP MLC N. Ravikumar. The complaint concerns Ravikumar's controversial remarks against Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum, and the delegation has demanded disciplinary action. The delegation insisted that, in addition to legal action, the Council Chairman should formally condemn the remarks and initiate disciplinary action against Ravikumar, by provisions applicable to public representatives. They stressed that civil servants in the state should not have to discharge their duties under fear, and that appropriate action must be taken to ensure Karnataka remains a fortress of secular and inclusive principles. The petition stated, "The delegation expresses deep concern and condemns the statement made by BJP MLC Ravikumar on the occasion of the politically motivated 'Kalaburagi Chalo' protest on May 24." It further quoted Ravikumar as saying, "The office of the Deputy Commissioner in Kalaburagi has lost its liberty. The DC madam is also listening to them. I donat understand whether the DC has come from Pakistan or she is an IAS officer from here." The petition alleged that this speech by a people's representative, made on a public platform, is an insult to civil servants, communal, and defamatory. It accused Ravikumar of abusing Fouzia Taranum with a communal background, intentionally bringing up her national and religious identities. The petition charged that this is not merely an insult to an officer but a direct attack on secular principles, equality, and Constitutional principles. It described the statement as highly provocative and an assault on her dignity, noting that Fouzia Taranum is a respected officer who received honours from the President of India for her service. Furthermore, the petition alleged that BJP MLC Ravikumar violated Articles 14, 15, 21, and 51A (e) and (J) of the Constitution. It also claimed that Ravikumar's insinuation that Fouzia Taranum is connected with a foreign nation amounts to criminal defamation under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). The petition concluded that this statement is intended to provoke and disturb public peace and order, clearly falling under the category of hate speech. The petition also highlighted that the Karnataka police have booked a criminal case against MLC Ravikumar under Sections 197 (insulting public servants), 224 (intentional insult with an objective to provoke breach of peace), 299 (use of words intended to hurt religious feelings), 302 (statements leading to public unrest), 351 (to instil fear among public servants), and 353 (forceful prevention of public servants from discharging their duties or using criminal force). Additionally, the delegation demanded initiation of action against the Opposition Leader in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, for issuing humiliating statements against Minister for RDPR, IT and BT, Priyank Kharge. New Delhi, June 2 : Errol Musk, father of American billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, on Monday praised Sanatan Dharam as the path to world peace and well-being, hailing Shiva as the ultimate saviour. "I think if the whole world followed Shiva, it would be all right. I'm not an expert, but I'm fascinated by it. It's so old, the religion is so ancient that it boggles my mind. It simply tells us how little we actually know," Musk senior told IANS. The 79-year-old businessman was candid about his fascination for the ancient Indian heritage and spiritual legacy, which, in a way, is reflected in his plans to visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya to seek blessings in the coming days. By describing Shiva as the solution for all worldly ills, Musk senior, in a way, also endorsed the Prime Minister Narendra Modias message of inclusiveness and harmony, encapsulated in concepts like Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family). Errol Muskas remarks linking Sanatan Dharam with peace and well-being are sure to add to the growing global interest in Hinduism at a time when the Narendra Modi government is striving to invoke civilizational pride while leveraging the countryas soft power. Musk senioras admiration for spirituality and Sanatan Dharam comes close to the Mahakumbh Mela, which served as a living showcase of Indiaas civilizational legacy, attracting millions of visitors, including foreign dignitaries. In recent years, the Modi government has strived to use events like the Mahakumbh to nurture cross-cultural ties and demonstrate unity in diversity and to project Indiaas spiritual and cultural vitality on the global stage. The South American businessmanas adulation for Shiva and Hinduism is also an indication of how India has successfully used Sanatan Dharma for promoting its spiritual traditions, leveraging large-scale religious events, empowering its diaspora, and integrating cultural diplomacy into its foreign policy, thereby enhancing its global image and influence. In recent times, Indiaas foreign policy has also increasingly integrated cultural and spiritual diplomacy, using its civilizational ethos as a tool to build goodwill, counter negative narratives, and position itself as a cultural superpower. Gandhinagar, June 2 : Even as scattered showers have been lashing parts of Gujarat since May, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a timely onset of the monsoon this year. In the light of this, the Gujarat government has started the pre-monsoon preparations. A high-level review meeting was held in Gandhinagar under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi to assess the stateas readiness to handle potential monsoon-related situations. The meeting brought together senior officials from departments like Revenue, Energy, Home, and Irrigation, along with representatives from ISRO, all three wings of the armed forces, BSF, Coast Guard, NDRF, SDRF, CWC, RAF, Railways, and BSNL. Following the meeting, the government directed the establishment of control rooms at the state, district, and taluka levels and the formulation of disaster management plans, with immediate implementation. Departments have also been instructed to ensure adequate stocks of essential supplies to support citizens in the event of heavy rainfall or flooding. As part of the preparedness strategy, 15 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 11 teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) will be deployed across the state as needed. These teams will be equipped with boats, life jackets, and advanced communication tools. The Chief Secretary emphasised the importance of proactive measures in flood-prone areas based on past patterns. He urged officials to identify and evacuate residents from old or vulnerable buildings in urban areas. Instructions were also issued to conduct mock drills at various locations and to train local 'Aapda Mitras' (disaster volunteers) in rural areas. Officials have also been asked to monitor water levels in key dams like Sardar Sarovar and Ukai in advance to avoid last-minute surprises. The IMD has forecast 'above-normal rainfall' raising concerns over possible flooding. The Chief Secretary assured that the administrative machinery is fully prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to any emergencies. Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Jayanti Ravi stressed the importance of early preparedness and inter-departmental coordination for rapid relief and rescue operations. The IMD representative at the meeting reiterated the likelihood of an early monsoon and committed to providing weekly rainfall updates. Patna, June 2 : In a tragic incident, two teenagers drowned in the Tirhut Canal while bathing on Monday in the Bairia police station area of Bihar's West Champaran district. A State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team has been deployed and is conducting search operations to locate the missing teenagers. An official of the Bairia police station confirmed the tragic incident and informed the family members of the victims. The victims have been identified as Roshan Patel (16), son of Satya Prakash Patel of Uttarwari Pokhara under Kalibagh police station, and Kuldeep Kumar (17), son of Rajesh Ram, a resident of Parbatiya Tola village under the jurisdiction of Mufassil police station. Local eyewitnesses said that the incident occurred when three friends went to the canal to bathe and escape the scorching heat. Before entering the water, Roshan and Kuldeep handed over their mobile phone to the third friend and asked him to record a video of them bathing. Moments after jumping into the canal, both youths struggled in the deep water and disappeared from view. Their friend, unable to help, began screaming for help. "I was standing on the bridge when I saw three boys come near the canal. Two of them jumped into the water while the third stood aside. Within seconds, the two boys were gone," said Mohammad Sharif, an eyewitness. As news of the drowning spread, a crowd gathered at the site, and the victims' families arrived in distress. Scenes of grief unfolded as relatives cried inconsolably, praying for a miracle. Police from the local 112 emergency response unit reached the spot shortly after receiving the report. A specialised SDRF team, along with local divers, was also called in and is actively searching the canal using boats and nets to locate their bodies. Officials confirmed that the search operation would continue until both youths are found. Ahmedabad, June 2 : The Adani Group on Monday vehemently denied a Wall Street Journal report of alleged links between company entities and Iranian LPG, calling it "baseless and mischievous". In a stock exchange filing, Adani Enterprises said: "Adani categorically denies any deliberate engagement in sanctions evasion or trade involving Iranian-origin LPG, adding that it is not aware of any investigation by the US authorities into this matter." "The WSJas story appears to be based entirely on incorrect assumptions and speculation. Any suggestion that Adani Group entities are knowingly in contravention of US sanctions on Iran is strongly denied," the company said, adding that such an assertion "would not only be slanderous but also deemed to be an intentional act to injure the reputation and interests of the Adani Group". aAdditionally, the Adani Group does not manage or facilitate any ships whose owners are Iranian. This policy is strictly adhered to across all our ports," the statement further said. The shipment referred to in the WSJas story was handled through a "routine commercial transaction via third-party logistics partners" and was supported by documentation identifying Sohar, Oman, as the port of origin, the group said. Adani Enterprises highlighted that the LPG segment amounted to barely 1.46 per cent of its total consolidated revenue, and the trade conducted by Adani entities is fully compliant with applicable domestic and international laws, including US sanctions regulations. "As an importer of LPG, the appropriate due diligence and KYC of the suppliers is undertaken to ensure that the entities/persons are not on the OFAC sanctions list. The logistics of LPG trade are managed by well-established third-party international suppliers and logistics firms, which manage shipping in accordance with global compliance standards," said the company in its stock exchange filing. "The supplies are under valid contracts with the supplier having specific clauses that the product should be from non-sanctioned countries," it added. Kuala Lumpur, June 2 : An all-party Parliamentary delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha on Monday held an engaging discussion with leading Malaysian think tanks and academia including Asia Europe Institute, Economic Club of Kuala Lumpur, Institute of Strategic and International Studies, and academia briefing them on the heinous April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam and outlining Operation Sindoor - India's precise, measured, responsible, and non-escalatory response. The delegation elaborated on India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and emphasised that it will no longer make a distinction between terrorists and the States that support them. The discussion began with a think tank delegate describing the nine-member delegation as 'Navaratnas' from India while commending the 'all party' nature of the delegation. The deliberations focussed on India's 'new normal' and new security doctrine in fight against cross-border terrorism and also ways to enhance international cooperation in a collective fight against terrorism in all its forms. The delegates also met senior representatives of Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) led by President Tan Sri Dato Sri SA Vigneswaran and Deputy President YB Datuk Seri M Saravanan, highlighting India's unwavering stand against terrorism, as demonstrated during Operation Sindoor. The delegation conveyed India's 'new normal' of responding firmly against any act of terror on Indian soil. MIC expressed solidarity with India's position on the fight against cross-border terrorism. Earlier in the day, the delegation met with representatives from Democratic Action Party led by YB M. Kulasegaran, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) of Malaysia conveying India's perspectives and national resolve against terrorism. The discussions centered on India's resolute response to terrorism under Operation Sindoor. There was also emphasis on India's zero tolerance to terrorism, and the view that "Water and blood cannot flow together". They also interacted with YB M Kulasegaran, Deputy Minister of the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional reform) during the meeting with representatives. Additionally, they held constructive talks with the representatives of Parti Keadilan Rakyat led by YB Sim Tze Tzin in Malaysia. India's zero-tolerance approach to terrorism was outlined, reaffirming our national unity against cross-border threats. The party representatives appreciated the detailed explanation provided by the delegation and engaged in a constructive discussion on the way forward and the responsibilities each nation has in fighting the menace of terrorism. "As part of our diplomatic engagements in Malaysia, our All-Party Parliamentary Delegation held meaningful discussions with leaders of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) a" the party of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim a" and the Democratic Action Party (DAP), both key members of the ruling coalition. We conveyed India's unwavering stance on cross-border terrorism, briefed them on the Pahalgam attack, and outlined our calibrated response under Operation Sindoor," Jha said in a post on X. "The dialogue reflected shared democratic values and a strong commitment to peace, prosperity, and global security. We deeply appreciate the solidarity expressed by leaders from both parties, including YB Tuan M. Kulasegaran, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, and YB Saraswathy Kandasami, Deputy Minister of Unity, who reaffirmed that terrorism in any form is unacceptable and expressed Malaysia's support for India's principled stand against cross-border terrorism," the post added. 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 concluding visits to Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Indonesia, the delegation is in Malaysia for the last leg of the tour to highlight the significance of Operation Sindoor and India's continued fight against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism. Jaipur, June 2 : Pokharan BJP MLA, Mahant Partap Puri, alleged on Monday that Shakur Khan Mangalia, the former private secretary of ex-Congress minister Saleh Mohammad, had political backing and travelled to Pakistan without official clearance. He emphasised that not just Khan, but those who provided him political protection, will also be investigated thoroughly. MLA Mahant Partap Puri stated that Shakur Khan was closely associated with Saleh Mohammad for a long time and had access to sensitive events, including military programmes held in the region. "There is every possibility that confidential information may have been leaked," Partap Puri said. "It is a matter of deep concern and regret that the minister was unaware of the activities of someone so closely associated with him," he said. He further informed the media that he had brought the matter to the attention of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and BJP state president Madan Rathore, and had also written to the party's central leadership. Both Sharma and Rathore, he said, have taken serious cognisance of the issue and assured appropriate action. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is also reportedly taking the matter very seriously. Pratappuri raised concerns about ongoing suspicious activities in border areas and stressed the need for monitoring institutions established by former public representatives in the name of religion and education. He also recalled that in 2013, a history sheet had been opened on Saleh Mohammad's father, Ghazi Khan, by the then SP Pankaj Choudhary, but the case was later shelved due to political pressure. He questioned whether political influence in local development schemes had led to irregular land allocations and called for an investigation into the assets and foreign visits of regional public representatives. Pratappuri also alleged that a pornographic CD case involving Saleh Mohammad had been suppressed due to political patronage. "No one involved in matters concerning national security should be treated lightly," he said. "Following the arrest of Shakur Khan, locals are now questioning whether, had SP Pankaj Choudhary's actions been supported back then, such security breaches could have been avoided," he said. News / National by Staff reporter Popular social media influencer, actress, and entrepreneur Madam Boss has denied rumours claiming she had some of her ribs surgically removed. Speaking exclusively to H-Metro, she provided a detailed account of the medical procedures she underwent and clarified that her dramatic weight loss was driven by a medical condition rather than cosmetic obsession.Madam Boss, who has faced accusations of trying to emulate music superstar Beyonce's physique, firmly dismissed claims about rib removal as "false.""Let it be known, I do not know how you are going to clarify this, handiraramire vanhu uye handina basa nekuti vanhu kana munhu anotikudzei nezvangu. To put the record straight, none of my ribs were removed as some are saying," she said."Do you think it's real for one to live without ribs? I am yet to know if one can live without any of the ribs."She explained that her weight loss was necessitated by a health condition she had and that the process involved medical interventions rather than mere aesthetics."Life has its fair share of challenges. We have no control over some challenges, disabilities can happen and we are left with no choice other than consulting a surgeon," Madam Boss said."I did not want to have fun with surgeons but I had to face it. To me, it started as a weight loss journey due to the condition I had. After losing my weight, ndakazowona kuti katumbu kangu kakanga kakungorembera [my tummy was just hanging]. I decided to go for liposuction."She elaborated on the liposuction procedure, describing it as a surgical method that uses suction to remove fat from specific body areas like the stomach, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms, or neck, also helping to reshape these areas.Following liposuction, Madam Boss underwent a gastric balloon procedure, which she explained as "a temporary medical device used to assist with weight loss. It's a soft, inflatable balloon placed in the stomach through an endoscope to help reduce the amount of food someone can eat and make them feel full sooner."She acknowledged that the surgery was costly and expressed sympathy for others facing similar conditions without the financial means to access such treatments.Madam Boss first rose to prominence through her engaging online content, which garnered widespread attention both locally and internationally. She has since leveraged her influence to launch businesses and has won several awards for her impact in the social media space.Despite the challenges and public speculation, Madam Boss remains unapologetic about her journey and proud of her transformation. United Nations, June 2 : The UN Security Council committees dealing with terrorism are without chairs halfway through the year because of Pakistan's insistence on getting control of one or more of the three panels. United Nations, June 2 (IANS) The UN Security Council committees dealing with terrorism are without chairs halfway through the year because of Pakistanas insistence on getting control of one or more of the three panels. Mainly, the Western countries on the Council have opposed Pakistan becoming the chair of any of the panels a" the Counterterrorism Committee, and the committees on sanctions against al-Qaeda and other terrorist actions, and the Taliban, according to diplomatic sources. They said that the countries against Pakistan becoming the chair of any of the committees pointed out that Islamabad had a conflict of interest because it harboured terrorist organisations like the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, and its leaders, and had contentious relations with the Taliban ruling neighbouring Afghanistan. Consensus governs many functions of the Council, and taking advantage of it, Pakistan, an elected member, is able to block the appointment of the chairs of the committees. The discussions about these issues are held informally. Greeceas Permanent Representative, Evangelos Sekeris, who was the President of the Council last month, conceded that it has not been possible to agree on the leadership of the panels, and said they were working on proposals for a solution. Without chairs in place for the committees, the country holding the rotating presidency of the Council is the interim head of the panels. If the chairs are not in place, Pakistan, which takes over the rotating presidency of the Council next month, will head the panels in July by default. When India was on the Council from 2020 to 2022, it headed the Counter-Terrorism Committee, and Indiaas Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj even arranged for the panel to meet in Mumbai at the sites of the 26/11 terror attacks by Pakistan-based terrorists. Pakistan, which cited Indiaas chairmanship of the Counterterrorism Committee, was ruled out as chair of the panel, the sources said. The 1267 Committee, which gets its name from the Councilas resolution and deals with the affiliates of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, posed a direct conflict of interest for Pakistan, where organisations and individuals sanctioned by it are based. Pakistan is now insisting that it should at least get the chair of the 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee, named for the number of the 2011 Council resolution on sanctions against the Taliban, according to the sources. Pakistan, which has a contentious relationship with the Taliban, expects to use the chair of the committee a" if it gets it - to influence Afghanistan. It could then push for tightening sanctions or loosening them to manipulate the Taliban, which it has accused of giving sanctuary to forces operating against Pakistan. As of now, Pakistan faces an uphill task in trying to clinch the deal because of its conflicts with the Taliban. Jaipur, June 2 : The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice in the ongoing legal battle between the Rajasthan government and the erstwhile royal family of Jaipur over the historic Town Hall (also known as Purani Vidhan Sabha). However, the apex court refused to grant a stay or maintain the status quo on the Rajasthan High Court's 2025 ruling. The matter relates to the former Gehlot government's 2022 decision to convert the iconic Town Hall into a "World-Class Rajasthan Heritage Museum." The royal family, led by Rajmata Padmini Devi, has objected, claiming that the move violates the terms of a 1949 agreement between the Government of India and Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II. A bench comprising Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Augustine George Masih observed that the case raised "important legal questions" that warrant a detailed hearing. The court issued notices to all parties but declined to grant interim relief, such as a stay or injunction. Additional Advocate General Shiv Mangal Sharma, representing the Rajasthan government, requested that the matter be heard only after the state files its formal reply. He assured the court that no further action would be taken concerning the Town Hall during the pendency of the proceedings. Based on this assurance, the court declined to issue any restraining order at this stage. The government further argued that the dispute pertains to a pre-Constitutional agreement of 1949, falling under Article 363 of the Constitution, which bars courts from adjudicating disputes arising from treaties or agreements with princely rulers. Representing the petitioners, senior advocate Harish Salve contended that the 1949 agreement clearly stated that properties like the Town Hall were handed over only for official government use. With the legislative assembly having shifted to a new location, any attempt to use the building for a museum or commercial purposes violates that agreement. Salve also emphasised that Article 363 should not be interpreted in a way that denies fundamental or constitutional rights, particularly post the 26th Constitutional Amendment of 1971, which abolished the privileges and recognition of former rulers and treated them as ordinary citizens. In 1949, as part of the merger agreement with the Indian Union, several properties, including Jaipur's Town Hall, were ceded by the Jaipur royal family to the state for government use. In 2022, the erstwhile royal family objected to the Gehlot government's decision to convert the Town Hall into a heritage museum, citing a breach of the original agreement. Despite raising objections from 2014 to 2022, no resolution was reached, prompting the royal family to file a civil suit seeking possession, compensation, and an injunction. The state government moved to dismiss the suit under Article 363, but the trial court refused. The Rajasthan High Court, however, later overturned that decision, stating that civil courts have no jurisdiction in matters involving pre-Constitutional agreements, though it upheld that the intended use under the agreement should remain governmental. The Supreme Court will now undertake a deeper constitutional examination, including whether Article 363 applies to this case, whether the royal family's property rights have been violated and how the post-1971 status of erstwhile rulers impacts their claims to such properties. The case is likely to set a precedent for interpreting merger agreements between the Indian government and princely states, especially in the context of modern-day property rights, said locals. Chennai, June 2 : PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss has urged the Tamil Nadu government to emulate Karnataka and raise the legal minimum age for purchasing tobacco products, including cigarettes, from 18 to 21 years. In a statement , Anbumani highlighted that Karnataka had amended the relevant provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 a Central legislation to increase the age limit and enhance penalties for violations. These changes have come into effect following Presidential assent. Anbumani Ramadoss, who served as Union Health Minister when COTPA was first introduced, emphasised that increasing the legal age is critical in reducing long-term tobacco addiction. "Those who begin smoking at a young age are more likely to continue the habit throughout their lives. Raising the age to 21 can play a major role in curbing initiation," he said. Citing international examples, he noted that over 20 countries, including France, Austria, Canada, Bhutan, Belgium, and Brazil, have implemented stringent tobacco control laws. "In India, nearly 12 crore people use tobacco, and around 13 lakh people die every year due to tobacco-related diseases," he said. A recent WHO study, Anbumani added, shows that 25 per cent of men and 15 per cent of women above the age of 18 in India are smokers a trend that demands urgent policy intervention. He also reminded that a draft law was framed in 2021 to raise the smoking age nationwide to 21, but it has not yet been implemented. The PMK leader expressed concern over the Tamil Nadu government's ineffective enforcement of existing public smoking bans and called for more proactive measures. "Tamil Nadu is not even enforcing the current ban on smoking in public places properly. The state government, along with the Centre, should consider increasing the legal age by one year annually so that India can gradually move towards becoming a smoke-free nation," he urged. Anbumani Rmadoss concluded his appeal by calling on the Tamil Nadu government to prioritise the health of its youth and adopt stricter tobacco control regulations in line with global best practices. Kolkata, June 2 : The "untainted" or "genuine" teachers, who lost their jobs in state-run schools following a Supreme Court order in April, on Monday wrote to several senior officials of both Kolkata and the state police, requesting that a meeting be arranged with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The senior cops who had been sent letters include the Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma, Additional Director General, Law & Order, Javed Shamim, Joint Commissioner, Headquarters, of Kolkata Police, Meeraj Khalid and Howrah Police Commissioner, Pravin Kumar Tripathi. The state secretariat 'Nabanna', whose 14th floor has the office of the Chief Minister, comes under the jurisdiction of Howrah City Police. "We had been reportedly seeking appointments with the Chief Minister and state Education Minister Bratya Basu to discuss the ways to come out of the crisis. But we are yet to get a positive response from any of them so far. So as a last resort, we have forwarded letters to senior police officials so that at least they could arrange a meeting with the Chief Minister. If this effort of ours also does not work out, then we will have no other option but to go to a bigger agitation, including a 'March to state Secretariat' rally," a protesting "untainted" teacher said. Their principal demand is that the state government and the West Bengal School Service Commission should immediately publish the lists segregating the "untainted" candidates from the "tainted" ones who allegedly got school jobs paying money. "Why should we suffer for those who have adopted unethical means to get jobs?" questioned another protesting teacher. On April 3 this year, a Supreme Court bench of then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar upheld the order by the Calcutta High Court's division bench of Justice Debangshu Basak and Justice Shabbar Rashidi cancelling 25,753 school jobs. The apex court also accepted the observation of the Calcutta High Court that the entire panel of 25,753 candidates had to be cancelled because of the failure of the state government and the commission to segregate the "untainted" candidates from the "tainted" ones. The state government and West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) had already filed review petitions at the apex court on this issue. Amaravati, June 2 : The Real Team Governance Society of Andhra Pradesh on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ISRO's SHAR (Sriharikota Range) to leverage space technology for real-time citizen-centric governance. The five-year MoU was signed between the two institutions in the presence of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, SHAR Director A. Rajarajan and RTGS CEO Prakhar Jain. CM Naidu termed it a landmark step in leveraging space tech for real-time citizen-centric governance. "This collaboration will enhance the AWARE platform with satellite imagery and scientific inputs across 42+ applications spanning agriculture, weather, disaster management, urban planning, and so on," Naidu posted on X. "AWARE integrates data from satellites, drones, IoT, sensors, mobile feeds, and CCTV to deliver real-time alerts and advisories to citizens and the government via SMS, WhatsApp, and media and social media," he added. AWARE stands for AP Weather Forecasting and Early Warning Research Centre, while ISRO's SHAR is also known as Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The state government on January 30 launched WhatsApp Governance, christened "Mana Mitra' to extend hassle-free citizen-centric services to people through WhatsApp. It started with 161 citizen services, and in March, the number of services was enhanced to 200. Meanwhile, through another post, the Chief Minister revealed that he met a NASSCOM delegation, comprising President Rajesh Nambiar, Vice President and Head of Membership & Outreach, Srikanth Srinivasan, and ER&D head, Siva Prasad Polimetla, to discuss their strategic vision for positioning Andhra Pradesh as a leading global tech hub through innovation, talent, and infrastructure. "For India's growing tech sector, driven by GCCs, ER&D, and AI, Andhra Pradesh is a compelling alternative to saturated hubs, offering unique advantages," wrote Naidu. Key initiatives discussed during the meeting include an AI, Quantum, and GovTech Innovation Sandbox for real-world pilot testing, a 100K Tech Apprentice Programme to bridge talent gaps, a Coastal Cloud & Cyber Corridor for green data infrastructure, and an Andhra for Bharat initiative to scale rural-tech solutions. Bengaluru, June 2 : Criticising the Congress-led government in Karnataka, the state unit of the BJP on Monday said that it has set up a specialised unit to contain communal strife in the coastal region with the objective of filing cases against Hindu leaders in that zone. Speaking at a press conference, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka claimed: "In Mangaluru, a task force has been formed to file cases against Hindu leaders. This is not a force against communalism but against Hindus. Previous officers were transferred, and preferred officers were appointed. Cases are being filed long after incidents occur. If false allegations are made and cases are filed against Hindu activists, we will take to the streets and protest." He said that "no funds are coming to the coastal region from D.K. Shivakumar's Congress". "People there are not surviving on Congress' charity... Congress leaders are living off public money. Shivakumar should apologize to the coastal region's people," he said. Talking about the controversial Hemavathi Express Link Canal Project, Ashoka said: "The government should hold a meeting with all farmers and key leaders from all parties to discuss the Hemavathi water distribution issue and withdraw cases filed against farmers." Ashoka said that when Tumakuru farmers protested against supplying Hemavathi River water to Magadi, the government should have discussed the issue with representatives and farmers from both districts. Instead of doing so, the government has created divisions among farmers. Threatening farmers instead of convincing them is not right. "All farmers should be treated equally, and cases should not be filed against religious leaders or elected representatives. Even Congress MLA Gubbi Srinivas has opposed this. "Filing cases against farmers is an unforgivable offence. The government should hold discussions with farmers to find a resolution. Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar's position is at stake. The state government must call an all-party meeting from both districts, make a decision, and withdraw the cases," Ashoka demanded. Further criticising the state government, the BJP leader said: "After forming Greater Bengaluru, has any development work taken place? All roads in Bengaluru are riddled with potholes. The government lacks the competence to repair roads. Garbage disposal contractors have not been paid since January. Contracts are given to out-of-state parties, creating a garbage lobby. In such a situation, how will they face the public in Bengaluru civic agency elections? "Departments are not getting funds, and ministers are unable to work. KSRTC has not received funds. Jowar procurement centres have not been paid. Government hospitals lack funds for salaries." Mumbai, June 2 : The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has earned Rs 3,840.49 crore through the lease of three prime commercial plots in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday. He also handed over the allotment letters to international investors at a special event. Two plots were allotted to the Japanese firm Sumitomo Realty & Development Ltd, while one plot was allotted to Brookfield Strategic Real Estate, a global investment firm. The allotment ceremony took place in the presence of Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Vikas Kharge, Principal Secretary Ashwini Bhide, Additional Chief Secretary Asimkumar Gupta, MMRDA Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee, and representatives from the Japanese delegation, said the government release. Plots C-13 and C-19 were awarded to Goisu Realty Pvt Ltd, the Indian subsidiary of Sumitomo Realty & Development, which made the highest bids. Plot C-80 was awarded jointly to Sklose Bangalore Pvt Ltd (an Indian arm of Brookfield Strategic Real Estate Partners III), Arliga Eco Space Business Park and Sklose Chanakya Pvt Ltd, which collectively made the top bid. These leases will not only generate substantial revenue for MMRDA but are also expected to create approximately 15,000 high-tech jobs, said the release. During the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), MMRDA had signed investment agreements worth USD 5 billion with Sumitomo and USD 12 billion with Brookfield. "These developments are part of MMRDA's Growth Hub Strategy and the G-Hub initiative of the NITI Aayog, aimed at fostering proactive investments. Maharashtra has set a goal of achieving a USD 300 billion economy and creating three million jobs in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region by 2030. With cutting-edge infrastructure, underground and elevated metros, and a bullet train network, BKC is poised to become the top business hub in the country," said the Chief Minister. Mumbai, June 2 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday instructed that all concerned agencies should work in coordination to maintain law and order during the celebrations of the upcoming Eid al-Adha (Bakri Eid) slated for June 7. At the meeting, he reviewed the law and order situation in Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra, saying that law and order is always maintained well in the state during festivals, said a government release. He said that the government has made proper plans for the upcoming Eid as well. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and Mumbai Police briefed the Chief Minister about the measures taken on the occasion of Eid. Earlier, the Maharashtra Gauseva Commission instructed all Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) to suspend weekly animal markets from June 3 to 8, citing the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, which prohibits the slaughter and possession of beef from cows, bulls, and bullocks, regardless of age or health. The Commission argued the ban was necessary to prevent any potential violations in the lead-up to Eid, when animal slaughter traditionally increases due to the practice of Qurbani (sacrifice). The Commission chairman, Shekhar Mundada, clarified that the circular was merely an advisory and not a binding order. "Our intention is to ensure cow slaughter does not occur under any guise during Eid. The temporary suspension of other animal trade is a precautionary measure and will last only a week," he said. However, the Maharashtra Samajwadi Party President and MLA Abu Azmi expressed strong displeasure over the Commission's advisory, saying, "Who has given the right to close the market? who gave this right to the commission? They have no right to decide. In this country, people of every religion have the full right to follow their religion. This sacrifice is necessary in our Muslim religion." He further added that "It is our duty to sacrifice. These people are only spreading hatred; the work of harassing Muslims has started. If sacrifice is banned, then it will be wrong for the farmers, because who raises these animals? Farmers raise animals, and they bring them to the market and sell them." Azmi said that if sacrifices are not made, then farmer suicides will increase. "These people are spreading communalism among people, these people are creating enmity between farmers and spreading hatred against Muslims. Sacrifices happen all over the world and will continue in the future too. The country is secular, the country does not run on the orders of Bageshwar Baba," he added. He urged the Chief Minister to rectify the deficiencies in the slaughterhouse. "CM Devendra Fadnavis has never talked about spreading hatred. The process of closing down meat shops has started in some places. If people feel that cow meat is being sold, first send them for testing and then take action. But people are already being arrested," he said. Bhopal, June 2 : Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla on Monday said strong coordination and proactive engagement among departments will ensure Madhya Pradesh emerges as a leading state in implementing the Centre's health schemes. Shukla, who is also Health and Family Welfare Minister in Madhya Pradesh, made these assertions during a meeting with senior officials. He conducted a division-wise comprehensive review of the construction and development works being undertaken under the 15th Finance Commission. He also reviewed the progress in the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIMAN) by the Public Health and Medical Education Department, in a meeting held at the Secretariat. Shukla asserted that all construction and development works must be closely monitored and completed within the stipulated time-frame to ensure timely access to quality health services for the ordinary citizens. During the meeting, Shukla held detailed discussions on key issues, including the progress of construction works, budget expenditure, quality standards, timelines, and the need for technical and administrative support. He directed that regular reviews be conducted at the divisional level, while progress will be assessed at the state level every 15 days. Shukla further stated that any obstruction in the work process should be immediately reported to higher authorities. "Providing accessible and high-quality health services to the people of the state remains a top priority for the government and all necessary steps will be taken promptly to achieve this goal. Negligence or unwanted delays will not be tolerated under any circumstances," Shukla said in a statement. Meanwhile, he also informed that under the 15th Finance Commission, a total amount of Rs 4,600 crore was approved for strengthening health infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh. "Of this, the state has received Rs 2,540 crore so far, and Rs 1,487 crore has been utilised. For the construction of building-less Sub-Health Centres, Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres, Rs 1,649.17 crore was sanctioned," Shukla added. Mumbai, June 2 : The Maharashtra government should provide an urgent relief package of Rs 50,000 per hectare to the farmers hit by unseasonal rains, bypassing lengthy assessment procedures, Congress Working Committee member and former minister Balasaheb Thorat demanded on Monday. "Maharashtra has been battered by pre-monsoon rains, continuing for three weeks straight. Farmers have suffered massive losses to their crops, and fodder for livestock has become a serious issue. Already burdened with hardship, farmers are now reeling under the impact of these unseasonal rains. As the backbone of the economy, farmers deserve the government's immediate support. Therefore, bypassing lengthy assessment procedures, the Congress party demands an urgent relief package of Rs 50,000 per hectare," said Thorat. He told reporters that the rains came just when some crops were ready for harvest in May. Bananas and Kesar mangoes have been severely damaged. Vegetables, tomatoes, onions, and pomegranates have also been affected. Homes have collapsed, some livestock have perished, and due to the rains, there is a fodder shortage. Roads and cattle shelters have been damaged. "With Kharif sowing preparation underway, farmers now have no money left and are completely devastated. Yet, the government shows no inclination to help. Whether the aid comes under NDRF or SDRF norms is irrelevant to farmersthey just need substantial assistance. The government's change from 3-hectare to 2-hectare eligibility for aid is further injustice. Even crop insurance schemes are proving ineffective due to changed criteria. Although the government has ordered damage assessments, no real action is seen on the ground," said Thorat. He further added that District guardian ministers should tour and take stock, but even that is missing. Today, the cost of cultivating onions is Rs 60,000 per acre, and tomatoes Rs 50,000 per acre. Farming has become expensive. In such times of crisis, the government must offer substantial support. "During the election campaign, the BJP alliance leaders promised loan waivers. But after assuming power, they seem to have forgotten it. The Congress and the MVA governments had consistently supported farmers and announced waivers. The current government, however, remains silent on the issue. Discontent is brewing among the farming community. Instead of issuing empty statements, the government must announce a loan waiver, Thorat emphasised. Commenting on the controversial remarks made by Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, Thorat said that in times of distress, farmers need reassurance, not hurtful words. Claiming to be a guardian while making insensitive statements is unacceptable. "The role of Agriculture Minister is significantI myself held this post, and Sharad Pawar was the Union Agriculture Minister. But why Kokate views it as a mere local leadership role is unclear. If the Agriculture Ministry is like leading a barren village, then he should clarify which department governs fertile, irrigated lands," he remarked. News / National by Staff reporter A SMALL small batch of white Afrikaners quietly arrived in the US on Friday, as part of President Donald Trumps offer to resettle them amidst false claims of white genocide and persecution in South Africa.They are part of 8,000 who will be resettled within the next few months, according to Jaco Kleynhans, head of Public Relations for trade union Solidarity.Last month the first group of more than 49 white South African Afrikaners landed in the United States after a private plane was chartered for them.This after Trump in February issued an executive order where Washington cited the Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 as one that enables the persecution of Afrikaners.Kleynhans said the second group departed on a commercial flight on Thursday that landed in Atlanta in the US on Friday."It is a smaller group, including children. Several more groups will fly to the USA over the next few weeks. The US Embassy in Pretoria, in collaboration with the State Department in Washington DC, is currently processing 8,000 applications, and we expect many more Afrikaner refugees to travel to the USA over the next few months."They are settling in states across the USA, but particularly southern states such as Texas, North and South Carolina, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska," Kleynhans said.Reports indicate that the US embassy in South Africa is aware that 'refugees continue to arrive in the United States from South Africa on commercial flights as part of the Afrikaner resettlement programme's ongoing operations'.Solidarity said it has helped some people understand the application process better and referred them to the right people at the US embassy. They have also assisted the US government in determining the criteria for Afrikaner refugee status."Our primary focus is not refugee status for Afrikaners, but rather to find ways to ensure a free, safe, and prosperous future for Afrikaners in South Africa. We remain 100% convinced that South Africa can and must create a home for all its people," Kleynhans said.He added that at least 20% of Afrikaners have already left the country 'because if they stayed, they would have been unemployed'.Kleynhans said he was campaigning in at least ten countries to increase international pressure on the SA government in the run-up to the G20 summit.On criticism that this refugee path is politically motivated, Kleynhans said: "The American refugee programs are paid for by American taxpayers and it is outrageous that international organisations and foreign groups think they can dictate to the Trump administration who should be eligible for refugee status. If Americans disagree with Trump on this, they can elect a different president in three years."Kallie Kriel, AfriForum's CEO, said he did not know the Afrikaners who were leaving because they applied directly to the US embassy."Our view is not to condemn people (who are) leaving, but rather to condemn the circumstances in the country that have led to this, such as hateful chants, like 'Kill the Boer'," he said.Kriel added that matters were compounded by the government, including the president and courts, which failed to condemn the chant.He acknowledged that everyone in the country has challenges, but said Afrikaners felt threatened by the open call for such violence with the 'Kill the Boer' chant."No community should be targeted through calls for violence. Also taking away the future of young people who now have to go into the labour market, but then are discriminated against based on their skin colour."We want to address that, and that is why we are vocal, because we want to make sure that South Africa truly belongs to all who live in it," Kriel said.Dr Noluthando Phungula, an international relations expert, said it would appear that Washington still holds on to the notion of a white genocide, and it is unlikely that there will be a large exodus, as the privileged white Afrikaner population will not want to leave their life of privilege and comfort in South Africa.Professor Siphamandla Zondi, a political analyst from the University of Johannesburg, said the US's welcoming of the second batch of white Afrikaners should not surprise anyone, especially in the absence of a change of US policy."We should expect more and more poor Afrikaners to take advantage of this to get a free pass to the US in search of basic jobs, which ordinarily would prove difficult to get visas for," Zondi said.Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, said they are not aware of the second batch of Afrikaners landing in the US. Bhubaneswar, June 2 : Odisha government will carry out a census of various water resources in the state for the first time, an official said on Monday. The census is being carried out following the instructions of the Ministry of Jalshakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. The censuses are undertaken through Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) and a web-based application comprising four census-first censuses of major and medium irrigation census and the census of springs, second census of water bodies and the 7th census of minor irrigation. "This is a unique opportunity for the state to create a comprehensive database of all water resources from the village level to the state level. For the first time, this is being conducted in a coordinated and convergent manner by the Department of Water Resources and Planning and the Convergence Department. This is a unique instance of users and producers of the statistics working together to ensure better data quality," reads the statement. Development Commissioner Anu Garg reviewed the census programmes being carried out in the state which was also attended by senior officials of Water Resources, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, E&IT departments, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Chief Engineer, Minor Irrigation, Odisha Lift Irrigation Corporation, Central Ground Water Board, and State Groundwater Board. Besides, Superintending Engineers, Deputy Director, DPMUs from all the districts were also present during the meeting held on Monday. The focus of the meeting was on the effective implementation of the irrigation and spring censuses to capture quality data. While reviewing the census programmes, Garg emphasised on coordinated and convergent approach of all the stakeholders for quality data collection so that a comprehensive database of all water resources can be made. This will be a comprehensive database for planning water resources of the state for irrigation, industry, pisciculture, human and animal consumption etc. She also instructed the Superintending Engineer, Executive Engineer, and Deputy Director, Planning and Statistics at the District level to work together to make these census operations a grand success. Patna, June 2 : Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) President and Bihar Minister Santosh Suman has launched a political attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal-Congress alliance, saying that their repeated neglect of Dalits, backward and extremely backward communities will lead to their downfall in the state. He said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's upcoming visit to Bihar on June 6, his fifth visit in five months, is proof of the growing nervousness in the Grand Alliance as the support base among marginalised communities is minimal. Minister Suman alleged that the RJD-Congress only remembers Dalits and Backward communities during elections. He pointed to the 23-year delay in conducting panchayat elections in Bihar under the RJD-Congress regime and the absence of reservation for Extremely Backward Classes even when elections were held in 2001. "Thousands of extremely backward people were deprived of becoming public representatives because of this," he claimed. Taking aim at the Congress, Minister Suman said that despite its rhetoric, the party has consistently tried to undermine the rights of backward communities. He referred to a controversial statement allegedly made by Rahul Gandhi during a visit to the US, suggesting that a future Congress government might end the current reservation system. He also accused the Congress of diverting reservation meant for the Dalits and Other Backward Classes to religious minorities, saying that such actions reflect a disregard for constitutional provisions and social justice. Minister Suman urged voters from the Dalit, backward, and extremely backward communities to remain vigilant and not fall for false promises of parties that have historically failed to support them. "The people of Bihar have not forgotten the era of terror, fear, and humiliation during the RJD-Congress rule. The time has come for them to reject this alliance outright," he said. In contrast to Minister Suman's current stance, the Grand Alliance leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav advocated for the caste-based census in the country. Under the Grand Alliance government, the caste-based survey was conducted in Bihar and based on its findings the reservation was also increased to 65 per cent. RJD leader and Leader of the Opposition, Tejashwi Yadav, in particular demanded that the Centre should put the 65 per cent reservation in the ninth schedule of the Constitution. Shillong, June 2 : A rescue team in Meghalaya recovered the body of the husband while the search is on for the wife on Monday, 11 days after the tourist couple from Madhya Pradesh went missing since May 23 while visiting the northeastern state's Sohra-Cherrapunji areas. A Meghalaya police official said that since the couple Sonam (27) and her husband Raja Raghuvanshi (29) from Indore (Madhya Pradesh) went missing on May 23, the search team recovered the body of Raja Raghuvanshi on Monday, after a police drone spotted the dead body in the deep gorge below the Weisawdong Parking Lot at Riat Arliang. The inquest was carried out in the presence of independent witnesses from the area. The relatives of the deceased identified the body as that of Raja Raghuvanshi through a distinctive tattoo on the deceased's right hand reading 'Raja'. A lady's white shirt, a strip of Pentra 40, a part of the LCD screen of a Vivo mobile phone and a smartwatch from the wrist of the deceased were recovered from the spot. The body has been sent to NEIGRIHMS, Shillong, for further post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death. The police are actively investigating the case, and no possibilities, including foul play, have been ruled out at this stage, the official said. He said that the whereabouts of the deceased's wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, remain unknown. The discovery of the body was made possible through the dedicated efforts of the police, who conducted an extensive search operation despite challenging weather conditions over the past few days. A case of murder is being registered. A Special Investigation Team( SIT) is being formed to conduct the investigation. The search team comprises the Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the West Jaintia Hills District Adventure Mountaineering Club members. According to a police official, the newlywed couple, residents of Indore, who were touring Meghalaya, went missing on May 23 from the Sohra-Cherrapunji area in the East Khasi Hills district, a tourist hotspot in the northeast region. They reportedly arrived from Indore in the mountainous state on May 20 for their honeymoon and visited some areas before going to Sohra-Cherrapunji. The couple hired a two-wheeler and visited the picturesque area before their disappearance, the official 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. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) last week spoke to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and inquired about the progress of the search operation. Sangma had said, "We treat the tourists as our family members. People of the Sohra-Cherrapunji areas also treated the tourists as their family members. A large number of villagers are now involved in the search operation." "I am personally monitoring the search and rescue efforts constantly," the Chief Minister had said. Madhya Pradesh MPs Shankar Lalwani and Sumer Singh Solanki also came to Meghalaya and held meetings with the Director General of Police I. Nongrang, and Chief Secretary D.P. Wahlang to discuss the search operations. Guwahati, June 3 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday countered Pakistan's latest water-related scare narrative, calling it a 'baseless attempt' to stir fear over a hypothetical scenario involving the Brahmaputra River. In a strongly worded post on X, Sarma responded to the claim, "What if China stops the Brahmaputra's water to India?" by laying out a fact-based rebuttal. "Let's dismantle this myth, not with fear, but with facts and national clarity," Sarma wrote, pointing out that the Brahmaputra is a river that grows in India, not one that shrinks due to upstream control. According to the Chief Minister, China contributes only about 30 to 35 per cent of the river's total flow, primarily from glacial melt and limited rainfall over the Tibetan plateau. The remaining 65 to 70 per cent of the river's volume is generated within India through monsoon rains and inflows from its numerous tributaries in the Northeast. Citing hydrological data, Sarma noted that while the river's flow at the Indo-China border (Tuting) averages between 2,000 and 3,000 cubic metres per second, it dramatically increases to 15,00020,000 m/s in Assam during the monsoon, evidence of India's dominant contribution to the river's volume. "The Brahmaputra is not a river India depends on upstream. It is a rain-fed Indian river system, strengthened after entering Indian territory," he added. Sarma further argued that even in the unlikely event of China reducing water flow, the move might actually benefit India by alleviating the recurring floods in Assam that displace hundreds of thousands each year. He asserted that China has never officially threatened to weaponise the Brahmaputra and dismissed the suggestion as speculative fear-mongering. Taking a swipe at Pakistan, Sarma remarked that the country, which has long benefited from the Indus Waters Treaty, is now "panicking" as India reclaims its rightful water sovereignty. "Brahmaputra is not controlled by a single source. It is powered by our geography, our monsoon, and our civilisational resilience," he concluded. Kolkata, June 3 : Former West Bengal Congress President and four-time party Lok Sabha member, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, has said that Sharmistha Panoli, the 22-year-old law student and social media influencer, who was arrested recently by Kolkata Police on charges of hurting religious sentiments and promoting disharmony and hatred, should be released immediately. "The Indian Constitution gives every individual the right to express their views. It is a different issue if the statements or actions are against Constitutional norms or are illegal. But branding someone as a criminal for expressing his or her views, just because anyone does not like it, is not acceptable. So to my opinion she should be released," Chowdhury said on Monday. Earlier, BJP leaders in West Bengal, including the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari and State BJP President Sukanta Majumdar, questioned the "overnight" action of Kolkata Police against Sharmistha and called the move "votebank vendetta". LoP Adhikari said that Kolkata Police was hyperactive in arresting Sharmistha from Gurugram for making a comment in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, where Hindus were targeted selectively, which she later deleted and even apologised for. On Monday, Sharmistha's counsel said that his client has approached a court in Kolkata, demanding that her basic rights while being in the judicial custody are not denied. On Monday, her counsel Md. Samimuddin told mediapersons that his client was suffering from kidney stones and hence she required proper hygiene, which was lacking at the correctional home where she is housed now. "Apart from that, she is denied access to newspapers and certain other things, which are her basic right. So a petition has been filed at the court on Monday so that the correctional home authorities provide her with access to her basic rights. She is innocent and all efforts are on to get her released on bail," Samimuddin said. The Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) on Monday "strongly" condemned the arrest of Sharmistha by the West Bengal Police over a social media video. On Sunday, senior advocate and Chairman of the Bar Council of India, Manan Kumar Mishra, demanded Sharmistha's immediate release, calling upon the Bengal government and its police to abandon the dangerous path of targeting "select voices". Sharmishta was booked by the Kolkata Police after her allegedly controversial remarks against Pakistan. Earlier, in a now-deleted video, Sharmishta had criticised Bollywood actors for their silence on the Pahalgam terror attack and India's counter-terror strike, Operation Sindoor. As per media reports, Kolkata Police has lodged an FIR against the social media influencer under Sections 196(1) (a) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste, or community), 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class of citizens), 352 ( intentional insult with the intent to provoke a breach of peace), and 353(1)(c) (statements that incite public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Bengaluru, June 3 : The Karnataka High Court has granted interim relief to senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat and directed the state government not to initiate any forceful action such as arrest, among others. The Karnataka Police have booked an FIR against Bhat for delivering a provocative speech. The bench headed by Justice Krishnakumar issued the order on Monday and adjourned the matter till June 10. RSS leader Bhat has filed a petition seeking quashing of the FIR against him, claiming that the FIR has been filed several days after the speech was delivered, with malicious intent. The court asked the petitioner to cooperate with the investigation and told the prosecution that without the consent of the court, the charge sheet cannot be submitted in the case. Bantwal Rural police have registered an FIR under Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act against RSS leader Bhat for allegedly delivering hate speech at a programme organised in the memory of slain Hindu activist and a rowdy sheeter Suhas Shetty. Meanwhile, Karnataka Police have issued an externment notice for popular BJP leader Arun Kumar Puttila to appear before them on June 6. The notice says that Puttila is directed to appear for the investigation in connection with externing him from the Mangaluru district to Shahabad police station limits in Kalaburagi district. The notice does not mention any specific reason and it is said that the notice has been issued under Section 55 of the Karnataka Police Act. In the backdrop of the series of murders in Mangaluru region, the state government and the police have begun the crackdown on Hindu activists in the region. The Kadaba police have booked an FIR against 14 Hindu activists for staging a protest, questioning the police action of visiting the latter's residences during late night. A five-member delegation of MLAs from Udupi, the neighbouring district of Mangaluru in coastal Karnataka, led by the State BJP General Secretary and Karkala MLA V. Sunil Kumar, and including Udupi MLA Yashpal A. Suvarna, Kaup MLA Suresh Shetty Gurme, and Kundapura MLA Kiran Kumar Kodgi, met Udupi Superintendent of Police (SP) Hariram Shankar on Monday. They expressed serious concern regarding the law and order situation in the district and discussed the ongoing developments. During the meeting, the MLAs voiced their strong dissatisfaction with the district administration's actions concerning law enforcement. The MLAs condemned certain "one-sided" actions by the police in the district, specifically criticising the police for arresting Hindu leaders by visiting their homes late at night. They brought to the Udupi SP's attention that "such attacks and arrests targeting Hindu leaders are becoming one-sided and have the potential to incite unrest in society". They also asserted that "this targeting of Hindus is unlawful" and demanded an immediate halt to such "illegal and forced actions". The delegation also drew attention to the continuous illegal activities in the district, including Matka (gambling), Jugari, and other illicit operations. They urged the SP to take necessary action against the rampant Matka dens, Jugari, and other serious illegal activities. The MLAs cautioned the SP Shankar that maintaining peace, tranquility and social harmony in the district is paramount, and that actions against a specific community could lead to unrest in society. They advised that if the "police act partially, it will erode public trust". They emphasised the need for police to act with integrity to provide equal justice to all communities. The delegation warned officials that if the targeting of one community continues, they would be compelled to launch intense protests. The team of MLAs discussed various issues related to the district's law and order with the Superintendent of Police and demanded appropriate action. Bengaluru, June 3 : Karnataka's Health and Family Welfare Department has said in an official statement that the number of active Covid-19 cases crossed the 300-mark in the state. As the most of the schools reopened on Monday after summer vacations, the authorities are on high alert. The number of total active Covid-19 patients reached 311, with 87 persons testing positive for the infection in the last 24 hours, the Health and Family Welfare department said on Monday. As many as 504 persons were tested across the state. A total of 29 persons were discharged during the same period. The Covid-positivity rate stood at 17.2 per cent and case fatality rate is zero per cent. Among the total 311 patients, 297 are kept in home quarantine and 14 admitted to hospitals, three are in Intensive Care Units of the government and private hospitals. Amid the fear of Covid-19, the authorities are worried over the increasing number of the Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) and influenza cases. According to sources in the Health department, the total number of SARI and influenza cases have increased to 4,536 cases in the state since January this year. In the last week, 154 SARI cases have been reported in the state. The officials said that they are seeing a trend of steep rise in number of such cases. The government is arranging for Covid-19 tests for the patients affected with SARI and influenza. The doctors have warned people not to neglect the symptoms of fever, cough, fatigue, nose blockage, running nose, headache, breathing issues, and throat pain. The capital Bengaluru continues to be hotspot for Covid-19 as most active cases are reported from here. Meanwhile, State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that the Gruha Arogya Yojana (Home Health Scheme) is being expanded across the state, with 14 non-communicable diseases included for screening under the programme. The Minister added that non-communicable diseases pose a significant threat to people's lives. While the private healthcare sector prioritises treatment, it is crucial to prevent non-communicable diseases proactively. He emphasised that the government should undertake this task, as others may not show interest. As a responsible government, the State Health Department is expanding the Gruha Arogya Yojana statewide to prevent non-communicable diseases, the Minister said. Minister Rao also added that the programme will screen individuals aged above 30 years in every household and ensure that appropriate medicines reach them. The project was implemented in Kolar district initially. United Nations, June 3 : Having watched the Security Council at work from the inside, Guyana's Permanent Representative to the UN, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, has said her country is "even more motivated to advocate" for its reform. Rodrigues-Birkett, who took over as the President of the Council for June, speaking in her national capacity said on Monday, that Guyana supports adding more permanent and non-permanent members to it. "The Security Council is the only organ of the United Nations that is not representative of the membership of the United Nations, undemocratic as well," she said at a news conference. Developing countries that make up a large proportion of the UN membership are not adequately represented on the Council, she added. "Given that we've been on the Council for these last several months, we are even more motivated to advocate for Security Council reform," she said. The leader of the Indian Parliamentary delegation that visited Guyana last week, Shashi Tharoor, said that India will formally ask for Guyana's support for a permanent seat. Guyana advocates for the CARICOM model of reform that calls for expanding both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership, Rodrigues-Birkett said. The 15-member CARICOM, which is a regional organisation of Caribbean countries, has proposed adding permanent and non-permanent members each from Asia, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean; adding a permanent member from Western Europe, a non-permanent member from Eastern Europe, with a non-permanent seat reserved for a small island developing state. That format would allow for India to lay claim to a permanent seat. The Caricom backs the African Union's demand for two permanent and two non-permanent seats for the continent, Rodrigues-Birkett said. She added that Guyana wants to abolish the veto rights of permanent members, which often brings the Council to a standstill. But if it is retained, the new permanent members should also have that right, she said. The South American country of Guyana took control of the rotational presidency of the UN Security Council from Greece on Monday for the month of June. Rodrigues-Birkett said at the news conference that the focus will be on the protection of children in armed conflict, conflict prevention as well as peace and security. She added that the "signature event" is to be held June 19 and "will take the form of a high-level open debate on poverty, underdevelopment and conflict: implications for the maintenance of international peace and security". Some of the most striking examples of modernist architecture are churches, yet they have seldom been subject to extended critical analysis. In this book, Matthew Rampley provides just such an analysis, focusing on the Catholic Church in interwar Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary. A powerful institution in the Habsburg Empire, the Catholic Church continued to be a central social, political, and cultural agent after 1918, working in alliance with political parties and national governments to promote visions of a new national culture. As a result, church building took on an important ideological and political function. Rampleys study is set against the backdrop of two interrelated issues: the role of architecture in the Catholic Churchs response to an increasingly secular modernity, and church architecture as part of the Churchs attempts to shape social and political life in the states that emerged after the collapse of Austria-Hungary. Rampley also examines the aesthetic, cultural, and political contexts that informed architectural projects, including the conflict between Catholicism and social democracy, the embrace of fascism, Catholic theories of technology, and discourses of regionalism and ruralism. In bringing to light an untold chapter in the history of modern architecture, this book also engages in methodological reflection on the implications of the study of modern church architecture for the historiography of modernism. This book will appeal to students and scholars of architectural history, religious and political history, and interwar Central European history. Approximately 60 people impacted by Albert Whitman & Co.s Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition gathered virtually on May 29 for a court-required Section 341 meeting of creditors that shed new light on the companys finances and its future. Karen V. Newbury, a trial attorney at the U.S. Trustee Programs Chicago office, presided over the meeting, noting that there were more creditors present than is typical during such meetings. Albert Whitman president John Quattrocchi, who has co-owned the 106-year-old publisher with VP Pat McPartland since 2008, disclosed that the company employs a total of 10 people and generates $3 million in sales each year. Quattrocchi also disclosed that the company filed for Chapter 11 because Attila Gazdag, a former employee who worked for the publisher for three years, sued the company and Quattrocchi as co-defendant in a California court for breach of contract and a firing," adding: We did not have the funds to defend ourselves in California, so we filed. We were profitable for 16 of our 17 years. Detailing Albert Whitmans finances, Newbury noted that currently, the company has $18,368 in a bank account and a $25,000 security deposit on the rental of its facilities; the company valued its inventory of books as worth $719,061, and reported $661,723 in receivables under 30 days. Among the publishers creditors, only one is listed as having a secured claim: Republic Business Credit, whose $140,900 debt is secured by inventory and accounts receivable. Newbury declined to run through each and every one of the unsecured claims. Asked if the publisher was current on all of its bills at the time of filing, Quattrocchi acknowledged that the company has a number of past-due debtsmany of which, Newbury noted, are less than $1,000. Several large debts, however, still remain, including the debt incurred by the litigation relating to Gazdag and $67,194 owed for past due royalties to each of the two heirs of the creator of the bestselling Boxcar Children series. A number of printing companies and a storage facility in Wisconsin are also listed as owed significant amounts of money, and an author, identified only as Wells, is owed $65,180, which McPartland acknowledged is past due. Moving on to Albert Whitmans statement of financial affairs, Newbury noted a fairly significant drop to the companys gross revenue between 2023 and 2024, which Quattrocchi ascribed to the loss of the Boxcar Children sales after the rights to the series were sold for $3 million to Penguin Random House in 2023. The money from that sale, he added, was entirely spent on paying back a bank loan and associated fees. We had a line of credit that was called on us because of the situation we were in, Quattrocchi said. We were forced to sell the Boxcar Children in order to pay the bank back. Questions ignite sparks Interactions between Albert Whitmans co-owners and the creditors present became contentious after Newbury finished her questions and Gazdags attorney, Scott Clair, stepped up to ask his own. A testy back-and-forth between Clair and Quattrocchi began with Quattrocchi being asked for clarification on his earlier statements about filing for Chapter 11 because the publisher could not afford to litigate in California. When Quattrocchi explained that the California attorney wanted $150,000200,000 up front, Clair pointed out that Gazdag filed his case in January 2023more than two years before Albert Whitman filed for Chapter 11 this April. Was the Gazdag litigation the precipitating factor in your filing, or did you have other problems that would have forced you to file anyway? Clair asked. You owe a lot of past due debt, do you not? Umair Kazi, an attorney and the director of policy and advocacy at the Authors Guild, then questioned Quattrocchi about his statement that AW & Co was profitable for 16 of the past 17 years. There have been chronic nonpayment and underpayment issues over the years, as you know, Kazi stated, and especially during the 2023-2025 period before you filed for bankruptcy. Can you explain why authors were not paid in many cases? Quattrocchi attributed the lack of payments to authors on the publishers $2.2 million investment to launch Albert Whitman Media in 2021, which, he noted, was projected as a $500,000 investment that "turned into a big nothing. (Gazdag was head of AW Media). AW Media, he said, put us into a hole, and then that hole forced us to sell the Boxcar Children, and that money went to pay the bank; there was nothing left after we sold Boxcar Children to pay anyone else. Marc Hirschfield, an attorney retained by the Authors Guild, also asked Quattrocchi whether all the authors received in a timely fashion royalty statements on all the books that you had sold on their behalf, and Quattrocchi insisted that they did. Thats not my understanding, Hirschfield responded. Several authors subsequently confirmed that Albert Whitman was habitually late in mailing royalty statements that often contained errors. Chitra Soundar, an author representing herself, complained to Newbury that she and other authors do not know how much the publisher actually owes them, because they do not receive accurate royalty statements in a timely fashion. As such, she said, they cannot file a claim with the court. Soundar also noted that if the Authors Guild had not notified its members of the 341 meeting, she and others would not have known about it, as they received no notice from either the publisher or the court. Its not an occasional omission or some random, erratic thing, added Mary Cummings, owner of Great River Literary Agency in St. Paul, Minn. Its lots of authors were talking about. As the meeting drew to a close, Newbury asked Quattrocchi and McPartland whether Albert Whitman has any plans for reorganization, sale, or liquidation. We are exploring our options, said McPartland. We do think its a viable business, and some financial challenges exist, but we think Chapter 11 will resolve those. Whether that involves a standard reorganization or sales of some assets, that hasnt been determined. News / National by Staff reporter Flamboyant businessman Wicknell Chivayo has once again made headlines after gifting his lawyer, Advocate Edley Mubaiwa, a brand-new 2024 Mercedes-Benz E300 as a token of appreciation for his legal brilliance and dedication.In a glowing tribute posted on his Facebook page, Chivayo described Mubaiwa as a "lawyer par excellence" and "a distinguished lawyer and Advocate of the Superior Courts," praising his integrity, humility, and unmatched legal expertise. The gesture is part of Chivayo's ongoing spree of rewarding individuals in his close circle with luxury vehicles."Today, I wish to celebrate a DISTINGUISHED lawyer... who has served with so much INTEGRITY, honesty, DISTINCTION, eminence and HUMILITY," wrote Chivayo. "His CANDIDNESS in advising me on business transactions and forensic BRILLIANCE in drawing up contracts or court applications is UNMATCHED."Chivayo credited fellow lawyer Advocate Sylvester Hashiti for introducing him to Mubaiwa, whom he described as "one of the youngest but SHARPEST legal minds in Zimbabwe."In a light-hearted anecdote, Chivayo recalled a recent dinner where Mubaiwa arrived in what he jokingly called a "ramshackle 1985 Toyota Hilux," humorously noting its visibly worn-out condition."Your EXCELLENT dedication to work and ATTENTION to detail has not gone unnoticed," he added. "So, IF IT PLEASES YOU Counsel, I wish to say a big CONGRATULATIONS to you your new 2023 Mercedes-Benz E300 is ready for COLLECTION and FULLY paid for."Chivayo directed Mubaiwa to collect the luxury vehicle from Exquisite Motors in Harare, describing it as a well-deserved reward for his stellar service."An exceptional lawyer of your calibre deserves befitting LUXURY and COMFORT. After all, submissions in court always sound much SHARPER and stronger when you drive in a MERC, ceteris paribus!" Chivayo wrote, adding his signature humour and flamboyance.The businessman, known for his generosity and high-profile social media presence, continues to draw both admiration and attention for his lavish lifestyle and willingness to share his wealth with friends and associates. Mubaiwa now joins a growing list of beneficiaries of Chivayo's luxury car giveaways. Childrens Educator Signs with ODB, B&H Childrens educator and presenter Sue Irwins Hey There, Blue Bird! Why Do You Chirp? was taken for world rights by Michelle Freeman of B&H Publishing via Rebekah Von Lintel at Embolden Media Group. The illustrator, Agnieszka Wajda, was represented by Christina Doffing at Astound US. The summer 2026 release for ages 04 is a board book featuring animals and a young child celebrating and expressing gratitude for Gods love through song. Von Lintel also negotiated world rights for Irwins Here and There: A Book About Earth and Heaven that will be published by Our Daily Bread. Katara Patton and Chrisynthia Floyd of ODB signed for the picture book for ages 48 that offers examples of what the Bible says Christians will experience in heaven. Fall 2027 publication is planned. An illustrator will be announced at a later date. IVP Takes Chapmans Title on Joy Kelli Trujillo, acquiring editor at InterVarsity Press, has taken world rights to the tentatively titled Activating Joy by Kevin Chapman, unagented, for a planned spring 2027 release. The book is a follow-up to Chapmans Mastering Our Emotions, which addressed the downward spiral of negative thinking and feelings, and focuses on understanding and strengthening our capacity for instigating so-called upward spirals. Chapman is a licensed clinical psychologist and leads Sound Mind Ministries, plus hosts The Sound Mind Show on YouTube. Multnomah Signs Pair Who Address Chronic Illness Will Anderson, senior editor at Multnomah, has acquired world rights via Don Gates at the Gates Group for He Knows Our Frame: Biblical Reflections on the Nearness of Jesus by Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton. The authors use 30 reflective readings, drawn from their struggles with chronic illness, to offer a reminder that Jesus doesnt ignore our weakness but instead steps into it with us. Publication is set for summer 2026. Tasha Juns Look at Longings Goes to IVP Jevon Bolden of Embolden Media Group has negotiated world rights with IVP trade editor Kelli Trujillo for Tasha Juns Shalomsick, tentatively subtitled An Ache Is a Witness, which explores, the publisher said, the deep longing, yearning, aches, and laments we all carry. Jun reframes such hurts not as things to pray away or avoid, but instead as experiences that can guide us in our spiritual journey toward wholeness and away from shalomsick. Jun (Tell Me the Dream Again) is a Korean-American writer, speaker, and spiritual director in training. The book is planned fore in summer 2027. Whitaker House Acquires Spanish Rights to a Classic Whitaker House has acquired Spanish-language rights to author and anti-apartheid activist Alan Patons bestselling classic Cry, the Beloved Country, which has sold 15 million copies in English. Whitaker Espanol will release the Spanish edition in 2026, according to publisher Christine Whitaker. The house also rereleased Patons Instruments of Peace, based on the prayers of St. Francis of Assisi, in mid-May. FROM THE TRENCHES OF WWI TO THE HUNTING GROUNDS OF YOUR HOME STATE, .30-06 IS READY FOR IT ALL Although the .30-06 Springfield has been around for almost 120 years, this capable cartridge isnt ready for retirement just yet. With an impressive military pedigree and the ability to put down any game animal in North America (and a fair number in Africa), this versatile cartridge still deserves a spot of honor in the modern shooting world. If youre looking for a rifle chambered in this quintessentially American cartridge, weve got you covered. From vintage military to practical modern ranch guns to luxury works of art, here are a few options to help you scratch your aught six itch. BEST .30-06 RIFLES American Classic: Remington 700 Editor's Choice: Bergara B-14 Ridge Rifle Most Fun Semi-Auto: Browning BAR Mark III Style Points Matter: Benelli R1 Best For The Money: Ruger American WHY THE .30-06 IS STILL RELEVANT The .30-06 Springfield was first introduced in 1906 (which is what the -06 stands for). Lovingly referred to as the thirty aught six, the cartridge and the rifles designed to shoot them were both originally built for war and were used in US military service until the mid-1970s when they were replaced by the 7.6251mm NATO. The .30-06 Springfield was cutting-edge in the early 20th century. The cartridge fed smoothly and reliably in both semi-auto and bolt actions, produced superb ballistics (for the time period), and delivered deadly results on target. All these characteristics made the .30-06 ideal for combat. Springfield 1903 in .30-06 All those qualities also made the .30-06 perfect for deer hunting. Its unprecedented popularity in the civilian market was largely fueled by men returning home from the war front. Those same servicemen who had carried aught six rifles on foreign battlefields reached for the weapons they were already intimately familiar with when they headed into the woods during hunting season. Dozens of newer, faster cartridges have flooded the market since the .30-06 was in its prime. However, the cartridge still continuously makes the best seller list. This venerable cartridge still has all the attributes that earned your great-grandfathers respect, plus some. Modern advances in both firearms and ammo technology have kept this cartridge relevant, and it has plenty to offer modern shooters beyond pure nostalgia. The .30-06 provides serious long-range power in a package that wont brutalize your shoulder. Plus, with modern ammo .30-06 cartridges cruise at around 200 fps faster than the ones Grandad loaded in his deer rifle. Even back then, Teddy Roosevelt was dropping African game with his aught six. With a little extra heat, theres no reason modern .30-06 loads arent a practical choice for North American elk, moose, and black bear. BEST .30-06 RIFLES Springfield M1 Garand There is no better rifle to kick off the list of best .30-06 rifles than the trusty old M1 Garand. It was the first semi-auto widely adopted for military use and was famously called the greatest battle implement ever devised by the legendary General George S. Patton. These battle-tested warhorses proved their worth, from the American invasion of Guadalcanal to South Koreas Battle of Bloody Ridge. Garand points out features of his M1 Rifle to General Charles M. Wesson, the U.S. Army Chief of Ordnance. While they are easily the most famous and recognizable rifles to ever sport a .30-06 chambering, M1 Garands ultimately made this list for their legendary dependability. The battle-proven action with its rotating bolt and long-stroke piston can handle heavy abuse and some of the harshest climates on Planet Earth without skipping a beat. Snow, ice, freezing cold, rain, sweltering heat, stifling humidity, the M1 Garand will work in any environmental condition humans can survive, plus a few they cant. These rifles are also pretty freakin accurate. While an optic is a nice addition, it isnt necessary. An iron-sighted Garand, when held in capable hands, can get the job done even on targets out to 800 yards. Although the M1 Garand stopped rolling off assembly lines in 1957, they are surprisingly easy to get your hands on. The government-chartered Civilian Marksmanship Program regularly offers M1s of different conditions, from near-pristine previously unshot to serviceable. However, even after all these years, the M1 is in pretty high demand, so be prepared to drop a few grand on one in excellent condition. We just have one word of caution for M1 Garand lovers choose your ammo carefully. While these old war rifles are some of the most reliable semi-autos ever produced, they arent built to handle modern loads. Pick ammo specifically marked as safe for the M1, or grab an aftermarket adjustable gas plug and tune your gas system to be safe with modern ammo. Remington 700 The Remington 700 has been around for more than 60 years. Its the best-selling American bolt-action rifle of all time, and the .30-06 Springfield is one of its most popular chamberings. If you want to follow the crowd on this one, its a good crowd to follow. Although Remington has made countless versions of the 700 over the years, they all share the iconic Three Rings of Steel cylindrical receiver. The design provides a better bedding surface than previous bolt-action designs, which translates into repeatable downrange accuracy. Remington 700 Like the fashion sense of the ever-popular jocks and cheerleaders back in high school, the Model 700 has been copied by pretty much everybody. These R700 footprint rifles are often excellent. Theres a reason the M24 and M40 sniper rifles used by the United States Army and Marine Corps are both based on the Model 700. It has nothing to do with unwarranted popularity, either. Its because the Model 700s action is strong, reliable, and capable of tack-driving consistency. Palmetto State Armory $630 Guns.com $580 Sportsmans Warehouse $530 A Remington bankruptcy briefly pulled the plug on Model 700 production, but the company (under new ownership) is again cranking out these bolt guns. The jury is still out on how these new-production true Remingtons will perform, but early reports are encouraging. However, if you can find a pre-2012 Remington 700, youve found one from the golden years. Snatch that baby up quick. Bergara B-14 Ridge Rifle Based on the Remington 700 and built to be compatible with most R700 parts, Bergara is a Spanish brand that has been building some outstanding rifles. With Remingtons fall from grace in the past decade, Bergara has stepped up to fill the void. Delivering quality rifles in great options, these are some of the best value rifles on the market right now. Bergara B-14 Ridge The Ridge is a solid hunting rifle coming in at just under 8lbs. Its 24 threaded barrel is a little on the thick side for hunting, but the added rigidity is excellent for precision. Guaranteed to be 1 MOA or better at 100 yards, this is an R700 pattern rifle that you can trust to treat you well in all situations. Palmetto State Armory $900 Guns.com $900 Sportsmans Warehouse $860 If you dont want to roll the dice on Remingtons new owners, I would highly recommend the Bergara B-14. Browning BAR Mark III The brainchild of John Moses Brownings grandson, Bruce, the BAR first hit the market in 1966, and they havent stopped rolling off the assembly line since. The BAR (which in a genius stroke of creativity stands for Browning Automatic Rifle) is one of the most prolific autoloaders in the civilian world. The Mark III is the third generation of BAR and features a gas-operated system with a multi-lug rotary bolt. This booger is built like an absolute tank. In fact, that stout rotary bolt was one of the first made tough enough to handle modern magnum cartridges. Browning BAR Mark III Despite its sturdy construction, the BAR Mark III is also quite the looker. Stunning walnut furniture and rich, blued steel make this a model youll be proud to hand down to your grandkids. Probably while muttering something about how they just dont make them like they used to. Only Browning still does. Palmetto State Armory $1,400 Guns.com $2,100 Sportsmans Warehouse $1,350 The BAR Mark III shoots fast and accurately and makes one helluva deer rifle. Benelli R1 Benelli is best known for its shotguns, but the company also puts out some top-notch rifles. The Benelli R1 is based on the same design as their M4 military shotgun. It features a gas-operated short punch system. The gas cylinder is positioned to accommodate a short operating rod. Not only is the semi-auto design super reliable, but it also reduces felt recoil. If you find a .30-06 rifle a bit punchy in the recoil department, this gun will ease some of the hurt on your shoulder. Benelli R1 The smooth-as-butter action and reduced recoil allow you to fire off rapid-fire strings with surprising accuracy. If you need to pop a slew of wild swine congregating at a feeder, this rifle is a fine tool for the job. In classic Italian style, the Benelli R1 perfectly blends the curves and angles of a modern autoloader into a fine piece of sophisticated craftsmanship. There is no more stylish way to bring home the bacon. Ruger American Ruger focuses on engineering everyday firearms for everyday Americans. Like the hardworking citizens of the good old U.S. of A, the Ruger American bolt-action rifle is an absolute workhorse. First released in 2011, the American is a relative newcomer to the bolt-action scene, but like all things Ruger, it is rugged, reliable, and priced for the average Joe. Ruger American Palmetto State Armory $455 Guns.com $465 Sportsmans Warehouse $475 The Ruger American isnt exactly dripping in sex appeal, but it is dripping in practicality. What it may lack in looks it more than makes up for in performance, featuring a customizable trigger, lightweight free-float stock, and a cold hammer-forged steel barrel. LOOSE ROUNDS While the .30-06 Springfield is definitely a classic, we dont think this cartridge will ever go out of style. If you werent lucky enough to have one handed down by your grandad, you can set things right by handing down one of your own to your own grandkids. These rifles are sure to be relevant for at least the next 120 years. READY FOR MORE? News / National by Staff reporter The City of Bulawayo has launched a comprehensive city-wide data collection initiative aimed at transforming the local tourism and hospitality sector into a competitive and sustainable economic pillar. Running from June 2 to July 25, the exercise is expected to lay the foundation for the city's Tourism and Hospitality Development Plan.The strategic project is targeting a wide range of sector players including hotels, lodges, guest houses, bed and breakfasts (B&Bs), and event venues. The initiative aims to collect detailed operational data that will inform future infrastructure investments, policy decisions, and marketing strategies.In an official notice, Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube said the exercise would provide a crucial snapshot of the current state of the sector."The City of Bulawayo is undertaking comprehensive research to develop a Tourism and Hospitality Development Plan aimed at enhancing the sector's growth and sustainability," said Mr Dube.Key data points being collected include service offerings and amenities, visitor demographics, business licensing and affiliations, employee numbers, room types and pricing, conference facilities, and ownership details.Mr Dube noted that the data will allow the city to identify service gaps, assess regulatory compliance, and enhance Bulawayo's digital tourism profile, aligning the city with both national strategies and global best practices.The local authority is urging all tourism operators to fully participate in the exercise, stressing that the findings will influence decisions on infrastructure development, policy formulation, and investment promotion.With its rich cultural heritage, colonial-era architecture, and iconic sites such as the Bulawayo Railway Museum, National Art Gallery, and proximity to Matobo Hills, Bulawayo remains a hidden gem on Zimbabwe's tourism map.Speaking on the initiative, business strategist Mr Honest Ngwenya welcomed the move as a positive step toward a more structured and competitive tourism ecosystem."This kind of targeted data collection is critical. It signals that Bulawayo is serious about creating a business-friendly tourism environment," he said."If used effectively, the data can help attract investors, improve service standards, and guide meaningful infrastructure development."Ngwenya also stressed the need for practical implementation of the final Tourism and Hospitality Development Plan, calling for inclusivity and ongoing evaluation based on measurable results.The tourism data collection effort represents part of Bulawayo's broader vision to position itself as a regional business and cultural hub, with tourism playing a key role in job creation, local enterprise development, and sustainable economic growth. When an email came in notifying him that he would need to stop international peanut research with more than 40 years of work behind it, Dave Hoisington became one of many individuals across the University of Georgia impacted by federal funding cuts. The revised ceiling will be within the Rs 10 lakh mark. IMAGE: Account holders queue outside a branch of the New India Co-operative Bank in Mumbai after the Reserve Bank barred it from offering new loans or accepting deposits, making it unable for customers to withdraw funds. Photograph: ANI Photo The government is actively considering a hike in the deposit insurance limit for bank deposits from the present level of Rs 5 lakh within the next six months, a senior finance ministry official told Business Standard. The deposit insurance limit refers to the amount of savings in bank deposits whose safety is assured if a lender goes bankrupt. The insurance, provided through the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), covers all forms of deposits, including those in savings and current accounts, parked by customers with commercial and cooperative banks. While the government is yet to take a final call on the quantum of the new insurance limit for deposits to update the Rs 5 lakh cap set five years ago, the official signalled the revised ceiling will be within the Rs 10 lakh mark. The cap had been raised from Rs 1 lakh, set in 1993, to Rs 5 lakh on February 4, 2020, in the aftermath of the collapse of the Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative Bank (PMC Bank) that affected lakhs of depositors households. The finance ministry is considering several factors in determining the new limit. These include how many people will be covered, the amount of deposits to be insured, and how much the government will realistically be able to guarantee. Decisions will also depend on existing income levels and the current volume of insured deposits, said the senior official. Deposits in nearly 98 per cent of 2.89 billion accounts in insured banks were fully protected by the Rs 5 lakh insurance cap as of March 31, 2024, according to DICGC data. But this protection only covers 43.1 per cent of the assessable deposits of Rs 2,18,23,481 crore as on the same date. The DICGC is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India. In February, M Nagaraju, secretary, financial services, said a proposal to increase deposit insurance is being considered and the finance ministry will notify it once the Cabinet takes a decision. These remarks had come soon after the RBI prohibited New India Co-operative Bank from issuing new loans and suspended deposit withdrawals for six months. The banking regulator later superseded the bank s board and appointed an administrator. At the end of 2023-2024, the 63-year0old DICGC had a Deposit Insurance Fund of Rs 198,753 crore, and had settled deposit cover claims of Rs 1,432 crore to account holders in cooperative banks during the year. Deposit insurance premium receipts during the year stood at Rs 23,879 crore. Of the 1,997 insured banks registered with DICGC at the time, 140 were commercial banks and 1,857 cooperative banks. Deposit insurance in India was introduced in 1962 with a coverage limit of Rs 1,500 per depositor. This limit has been gradually increased over the years, taking it to Rs 20,000 in 1976 and Rs 30,000 in 1980. In the 45 years since then, the limit has been reset twice. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff Embraer sees a lot of opportunities in India in the commercial and business jets as well as military aircraft and eVTOL segments, its CEO Francisco Gomes Neto has said as the Brazilian seeks to strengthen its foot print in the fast growing Indian market. Photograph: Aly Song/Reuters Besides, the company is in talks with IndiGo and Air India to explore the possibility of selling its E-2 aircraft, which can have up to 146 seats. To tap the opportunities, Embraer has set up a fully-owned Indian subsidiary with its corporate office in the national capital. In an exclusive interview to PTI in the national capital, Neto said the company will put in place a procurement team to explore opportunities in the Indian supply chain and look at the possibility of procuring components and services from India. The company is hiring people in India for government relations, communications, procurement and engineering, sales and marketing teams. Currently, there are nearly 50 Embraer aircraft and 11 aircraft types operating in India across commercial and business aviation, and defence segments. "India is the third largest market in aviation globally... we see a lot of opportunities for us in the future in this market for all the products we have, the different business units, commercial jets, business jets, military aircraft and eVTOLs. "That's why we want to really to deepen our collaboration with the country and this step of opening a subsidiary in India," Neto said. In the civilian aircraft space, Embraer planes are operated by regional carrier Star Air and entities are also using the company's business jets. On whether Embraer will look to set up a MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) facility for civilian planes in India, Neto said it will depend on the aircraft orders. Raul Villaron, SVP Sales & Marketing and Head of Region for Asia Pacific at Embraer Commercial Aviation, told PTI that the company is in talks with IndiGo and Air India. A majority of the unserved markets in India are either too thin for the narrow-body aircraft or too long for turboprops. "So the E2 is right in the sweet spot," he said. E195-E2 jets can have up to 146 seats depending on the configuration. Villaron said earlier it was difficult for the company to enter the Indian market due to products in the past as the value proposition of E1 jets was more on trip cost versus seat cost. "Now we have the E2, which has a very competitive seat cost, which allows us to be more competitive in the Indian market," he said. Embraer has a significant presence in the Indian defence space. Last year, Embraer Defense & Security and Mahindra Defence Systems inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to evaluate the opportunity to jointly pursue the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme with the C-390 Millennium. The Embraer aircraft operated by Indian forces include the Legacy 600 aircraft used for the transportation of government officials and VIPs by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Border Security Force (BSF), and also the Netra AEW&C aircraft based on the Embraer ERJ145 platform operated by the IAF. With respect to business jet segment, Neto said there will be much more opportunities with a few changes in the regulations. Globally, there is an increasing interest in eVTOL (electric Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft, which are also seen as a key solution for urban mobility. Neto is in the national capital to attend the annual general meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). India and Brazil have a huge potential to grow the bilateral trade which is not that big now. "We see a lot of opportunities", not only because of the long term relationship between the two countries, but also because both are part of the BRICS," Neto said. "We expect that the global south will increase the collaboration... increase the trade between the countries," he added. The biggest market for Embraer, which achieved record revenues in 2024, is the United States. When asked about how much of a concern is the tariff uncertainties, he said tariffs are bringing a lot of complexity and costs for industry and the company is learning how to deal with it at this moment. "But we don't expect any change in the guidance we give to the market in terms of revenues, profit, and cash generation for 2025," he noted. Over 60 companies are ready to launch IPOs in the coming months. Kindly note the image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy Reto Scheiwiller/Pixabay.com A rocky but steady recovery in the secondary markets has put wind in the sails of India's primary market. With the worst for stock markets -- in terms of India-Pakistan tensions and Donald Trump's tariffs -- likely on the back burner, over 60 companies are ready to launch their initial public offerings (IPOs) in the coming months. Data from Prime Database shows that 66 companies have the Securities and Exchange Board of India's approval to bring IPOs worth Rs 1.02 trillion. Among these, LG Electronics India (Rs 15,000 crore/Rs 150 billion), Credila Financial Services (Rs 5,000 crore/Rs 50 billion), JSW Cement (Rs 4,000 crore/Rs 40 billion), Manjushree Technopack (Rs 3,000 crore/Rs 30 billion), National Securities Depository (likely IPO size Rs 3,000 crore), and Veritas Finance (Rs 2,800 crore/Rs 28 billion) are some of the marquee names waiting to go public. Analysts feel a meaningful revival in the primary markets is possible over the next six to eight months if the secondary markets continue to stabilise. "If the broader market maintains its current levels or trends upward, investor sentiment could improve, encouraging more IPOs. Overall, a stable and positive secondary market is essential for a strong revival in the primary market," said Ashok Jain, chairman, Arihant Capital Markets. On the bourses, the Sensex and the Nifty 50 have bounced back 13 per cent and 13.6 per cent from their respective April lows, while the broader Nifty Midcap and Nifty Smallcap indices have recouped 18.6 per cent and 20.8 per cent, respectively. This has had a rub-off effect on the IPO market, where mainline offers are beginning to line up after months of a dry spell. Consider this: While January and February 2025 saw 10 mainboard IPOs hit the Street, March saw no IPOs, and April saw just one company (Ather Energy) launch its IPO. A similar trend was observed among companies filing for Sebi's approval for IPOs. Data from Prime Database suggests that over 25 companies filed draft red herring prospectuses with Sebi in January. These applications dropped to 13 in February and 10 in March, before rising to 20 in April. Analysts said companies that had put their capital-raising plans on hold amid worries related to India-Pakistan began enquiring about market conditions as soon as the 'understanding' was announced between the two countries. Overall, 68 companies have filed their offer documents with Sebi and await its approval, including Tata Capital (Rs 20,000 crore/Rs 200 billion), HDB Financial Services (Rs 12,500 crore/Rs 125 billion), Dorf-Ketal Chemicals India (Rs 5,000 crore), Physics Wallah (Rs 4,600 crore/Rs 46 billion), Hero FinCorp (Rs 3,668.13 crore/Rs 36.68 billion), Prestige Hospitality (Rs 2,700 crore/Rs 27 billion), and WeWork India Management (Rs 2,500 crore/Rs 25 billion), according to Prime Database. Cumulatively, IPOs worth roughly Rs 1.11 trillion await Sebi's nod. The strong IPO line-up, analysts add, reflects renewed investor confidence, supported by stable macroeconomic conditions and robust secondary market performance. 'What's notable is the diversity in sectors -- from automotive components and hospitality to infrastructure and textiles -- signalling broad-based corporate optimism,' said a note by Bajaj Broking. 'Large institutional participation and healthy grey market premiums suggest that both retail and high-net-worth investors are actively engaging with the new offerings,' Bajaj Broking added. If this momentum sustains, the brokerage expects Indian stock markets to see one of the strongest quarters for the primary markets in recent years. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff 'It has the potential to sow seeds of furthering discord when the direction of the discourse is aimed at propagating the perceived supremacy of 'cultural nationalism' from a distant past over the prevailing dominance of 'Constitutional nationalism',' argues N Sathiya Moorthy. IMAGE: Archaeological remains and artifacts considered to be from the Sangam Age at the Archaeological Survey of India's Keeladi excavation camp near Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Photograph: Kind courtesy Paramatamil/Wikimedia Commons Rarely do institutions like the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) get caught in what otherwise is a socio-political dispute. But this one emanating from Tamil Nadu has combined academic contestations about the civilisational antiquity of different regions of the country and contemporary socio-political contextualisation -- and is viewed with suspicion in the state. It is about the ASI directing archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna to revise and rewrite certain portions of his near-1,000 page final report on the antiquity of the Keeladi excavation site in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu. His initial findings and interim report had triggered more than an academic interest in the state, especially as he pointed to the existence of an urban culture along the Vaigai riverbed, as far back as 200 BC. Ramakrishna's findings seemingly upset the upper echelons that placed the Indus Valley as the oldest civilisation site in (pre-Partition) India. He was reportedly denied funds, and was later transferred to Assam with an order to shut down the Keeladi site. It became a popular issue, and in 2017, the Madras high court directed the Centre to repost him to Keeladi within 15 days. 'When the excavations get completed, the pride of Tamil people would get recognised worldwide,' the judges observed. The Centre complied. Ramakrishna has since responded to his bosses' more recent directive for him to rewrite his report, stating firmly but politely that he stood by his findings. He has since offered to make minor changes as desired in some places. It remains to be seen what would follow, both to the man and his mission -- especially if the ASI would accept his final report in total, or go by the recommendations of two 'peer reviewers', or simply bury his recommendations. The ASI has since claimed that reported attempts to 'delay' the Keeladi report was a 'figment of imagination'. It is another matter that the state government has already opened a museum of Keeladi artefacts, and that may ensure in the interim that the achievement and memory of the site does not get buried even if the site does. Keeladi, it would seem, was only the beginning of a revived interest in matters of archaeology in the state. Adichanallur, Mahabalipuram and Poompuhar and other sites have excited academics to varying interest, but it was Keeladi and the politics of the findings that brought excavation-based antiquity of the Tamil culture to the forefront. So much so, there was mainline interest when Chief Minister M K Stalin released the findings of the state archaeology department in January this year, which said that the 'Iron Age' began in Tamil soil' as far back 3345 BCE'. The findings, based on 'recent radio-metric dates', suggest that the Iron Age in Tamil Nadu was contemporaneous with the Copper/Bronze Age of the Indus Valley Civilisation, about '5,300 years ago'. 'I am telling the world, the technology of smelting iron began in Tamil Nadu around 5,300 years ago. I am saying it with scientific evidence... It is confirmed through reports of samples that were sent to laboratories around the world, including those in Florida in the US," Stalin said on the occasion. Before the Tamil Nadu findings, in India the Iron Age traditionally dates back to around 1000 BCE, following the Indus Valley Civilisation (3300-1300 BCE). In August 2022, the chief minister had told the state assembly that iron implements excavated from another site in the state, namely, Mayiladumparai in western Krishnagiri district, dated back to 4,200 years -- the oldest in India at the time, but not anymore. The long and short of it, Tamils were claiming that theirs was older than the Indus Valley Civilisation, and thus the oldest in our country. This was/is so, even as many among them continue to claim that the original inhabitants of Indus Valley sites were 'Dravidians', who might have spoken some form of Tamil. Coupled with such claims, the chief minister's 'Iron Age' declaration implied that the oldest civilisation lived in the state and possibly migrated north-wards, and not the other way round. The monumental work of R Balakrishnan, a civil servant and long-time archaeology student, The Journey of a Civilisation: Indus to Vaigai, published in 2019, brought out the historical connect and sociological exchanges between the two civilisations. It was a huge draw among academics and journalists, who were already drawn by the 'Keeladi controversy'. IMAGE: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin looks at the excavated artefacts at the inauguration of the Keeladi museum in Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu. Photograph: ANI Photo Incidentally, months after taking over as chief minister in May 2021, Stalin claimed that civilisation existed in southern Thoothukudi around 3,200 years ago. It was a coincidence but it fitted with Stalin's revived concept of a 'Dravidian model' in sociological terms. It placed the Tamil language, culture, antiquity and pride as the very backbone of every other achievement of the Tamil people, from a bygone era to the present-day. As the state archaeology department's report said, 'When cultural zones located north of the Vindhyas experienced the Copper Age, the south of the Vindhyas might have entered into the Iron Age due to the limited availability of commercially-exploitable copper ore. Thus, the Copper Age of North India and the Iron Age of South India are probably contemporary,' says the report. As state government archaeologists claimed at the time, 'If we are giving only one date, people may not agree. 'But this time, we have tested multiple samples and we have given multiple dates starting 2175 BCE from Mayiladumparai to 3345 BCE from Sivagalai. 'So, all this proves that the Iron Age began from South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu.' There is no denying a keener interest in the average newspaper reader across the country, since especially the Keeladi controversy and Ramakrishna's plight since 2016, on anything and everything archaeology. However, those readers have been seemingly conditioned by the increasingly visible North-South, Tamil, non-Tamil socio-political divide. It had begun over the past decade or so, when social media became accessible and affordable to the common man. That was when 'Hindu/Hindutva revivalism', suspected to have been engineered by sections of the NRIs residing in the West, starting with the US, began posting content on the antiquity of Indo-Gangetic culture, art, architecture and also other sciences, including medicine. In an era after the Tamil cultural market that the Jallikattu protests became in January 2017, the 'one-sided promotion and propagation' of north Indian antiquities as the sole representative of Indian culture and civilisation triggered a counter from Tamil Nadu in particular. Competing social media posts, also believed to be originating in the West, including the US, these posts did not contest the other's claims. Alongside some and in 'response' to the other, Tamil social media posts hailed the architectural marvels, science and technology of their forebears. In all these, the 'construction marvel' of Rajaraja Chola's Big Temple in Thanjavur, where a 216-foor tall gopuram, or temple tower, stood on a sand-base and without the use of any cementing agent to hold the carefully cut granite pieces together, and where a 25-tonne dome-shaped shikara was placed atop of a single-stone eight-tonne in a world without cranes and gantries. If Ayurveda was hailed by the other side, independently, there was 'Tamil Siddha medicine' from the ancient past, to propagate on social media. IMAGE: Excavated ruins of Mohenjo-Daro, with the Great Bath in the foreground and the granary mound in the background. Photograph: Kind courtesy Saqib Qayyum/Wikimedia Commons Causing even more eyebrows to raise across the world archaeological and sociological communities were Chief Minister Stalin announcing at the 'Iron Age' function, a reward of $1 million for anyone deciphering the Indus Valley script, that of an urban settlement from 5,000 years ago. The script has remained a mystery for over 100 years when what otherwise is known as the Harappan Civilisation was excavated and the remains of a well laid-out village/town was discovered, with a huge collection of artefacts, clay symbols and the like. Claims that Indus Valley was a 'Dravidian Civilisation' too erupted, almost immediately. The emergence of Dravidian politics in the then Madras Presidency, in the form of the Justice Party, might have provided the political context but it travelled on parallel lines, where the supremacy of the Tamil language also began finding an increasing mention. Two decades down the line, the political context provided space for the 'social justice' movement of the Justice Party kind to embrace everything non-Brahmin. Language and culture found their context and relevance. It remained so until around the turn of the century, when everyday livelihood aspirations and expectations pushed everything to the background. Not now, after the 'Jallikattu protests' of January 2017, which as a historic marker revived GenNext's interest in the Tamil language, culture and pride -- but not as much in ancient Tamil literature, which some of them quoted from. It is here that the momentum of the 'one-sided' contemporary Hindutva-centric socio-political discourse set the context for pan-Tamil revival. For three decades pre-Jallikattu, the 'one-sided' national archaeological discourse had centred on the 'Ayodhya dispute'. The antiquity of the Saraswati Valley Civilisation became a socio-political by-product for some, but did not find as much resonance as Ayodhya. A state that was now focussed on socio-economic development of the individual and his aspirations, it was all a part of a carefully-constructed politico-electoral agenda that had no place or relevance, locally. The Jallikattu marker changed all that. Even while remaining focussed on the socio-economic uplift of the individual, Tamil Nadu, in social and political terms, has begun digging deep into the past -- going beyond what had been told in the Justice Party era. Thus, running parallel to the Saraswati Valley discourse but standing independent are occasional demands for marine archaeological excavations to locate 'Then Madurai' and Kapadapuram, respectively the seat of the first two Tamil Sangams, which are believed to have been buried under the sea. IMAGE: The Keeladi excavation site. Photograph: Kind courtesy P Jambulingam/Wikimedia Commons All present-day references to Tamil Sangam literature, their rulers, society, et al, are dated back by 2,000 years, to what is said to be the 'Third Sangam' era. However, literary references from that period has 'established' the existence of the other two. Of them Kapadapuram is believed to have existed 9,500 years ago -- the kind of antiquity that is now being sought to be established through maritime excavations in the Gulf of Khambhat/Gulf of Cambay, off the Gujarat coast. It is interesting to note that whenever an archaeology-centric discourse has emanated from Tamil Nadu, or the rest of South India in recent years, old studies on something north Indian keep finding their space back in news pages. It's true of the Gulf of Cambay excavations, which was undertaken by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), incidentally located in Chennai, reportedly to study the pollution levels in that part of the Arabian Sea. Already, the age of a buried civilisation from the ASI's continuing 'Dwarka excavations', again off the Gujarat coast, is put at 9,500 years. Underwater exploration in the region has indicated the existence of a well-planned town, whose ruler was Lord Krishna. Then there is the 'Poompuhar' underwater excavations along the south-central Tamil Nadu coast, which was originally thought to be 2,500 years old (or, 5th century BCE) but which some have been claiming to be 15,000 years old, reportedly based on 3-D elevation models and sea-level data. Thereby hangs a tale, whose full socio-political potential in the context of contemporising civilisational antiquity remains to be 'explored' and exploited to greater width and depth. Yet, the idea of super-imposing one cultural fabric over another, or over the entire nation, as is happening selectively at present, has the potential to revive old divergences, if not outright differences. In turn, it has the potential to sow seeds of furthering discord when the direction of the discourse is aimed at propagating the perceived supremacy of 'cultural nationalism' from a distant past over the prevailing dominance of 'constitutional nationalism'. N Sathiya Moorthy, veteran journalist and author of the book, is a Chennai-based policy analyst and political commentator. He is the author of Jallikattu: New Symbol of Tamil Angst (2017) and Justice Party to Jayalalithaa: The Success Story of Dravidian Polity(2021). Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff '...in the minds of the youth of Assam.' 'Now, no protests happen in Assam because of fear of police encounters.' Kindly note that this image has only been posted for representational purposes. Photograph: S Irfan/PTI Photo/Rediff Archives On May 28, the Supreme Court of India directed Assam's human rights commission to conduct an independent probe into 171 police encounters. The apex court intervened after a petition was filed on the encounters that took place between May 2021 and August 2022 that resulted in 56 deaths. The petition was filed by human rights activist and advocate Arif Md Yeasin Jwadder in the Supreme Court. Justices Surya Kant and N Kotishwar Singh ordered the Assam Human Rights Commission to probe the police encounters. Jwadder has been consistently pursuing the case against the Assam police for the 171 police encounters carried out from July 2021. He has alleged that innocent citizens with no criminal antecedents were being killed in these police encounters. "There were 171 police encounters but not a single policeman or officer got hurt," Jwadder tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff. The Supreme Court asked the Assam Human Rights Commission to inquire into 171 encounters carried out by the state police in 2021. How come nobody knows about these encounters? There is a technicality here. When I first lodged the PIL (public interest litigation in the Gauhati high court the government of Assam filed three affidavits. According to that affidavit the period when 171 police encounters happened is from May 2021 to August 2022. What is the background to these encounters? The encounters started from May 2021 when the new government (under Chief Minister Himanta Biswas Sarma) came to power in Assam. I lodged a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission on July 10, 2021, asking it to intervene. The NHRC did not issue a notice nor did it do anything. In September 2021 I filed a RTI (Right to Information) application with the NHRC on what action was taken on my complaint. Before replying to me the NHRC issued a notice to Assam's director general of police as well as the Assam Human Rights Commission. I learnt from the media that on July 12, 2021, AHRC had taken suo motu action on July 7, 2021. This was done so that they could take away the jurisdiction from the NHRC. There is a section in the Human Rights Act that whoever takes cognisance first, be it the Assam Human Rights Commission or the National Human Rights Commission, they will do the enquiry. Now the question is whether the AHRC needs five days to issue a notice to the DGP's office in Guwahati which is located in the same place as the AHRC office. Why do you think the AHRC did this? AHRC is a toothless tiger. They are appointed by the state government. They don't have staff and they have mentioned it in their affidavit. And by backdating the date to July 7, they barred the NHRC's jurisdiction. I said let the AHRC take action. But till December 21, 2021, they did not take any action. No investigation, no inquiry except writing to the state government asking them what action have they taken on their complaint. So what did you then do? On December 24, 2021, I filed a PIL in the Gauhati high court which was taken up on January 4, 2022. At this time the AHRC suo motu closed the case which they initiated on July 7 stating that since the PIL has been filed in the Gauhati high court, they are closing the case. AHRC just got away from its responsibility. How did you reach the Supreme Court? The case went on and on in the Gauhati high court. The state government gave three affidavits and the last affidavit was given in September 2022. They gave a list of 171 police encounters and that 56 people died in them. This was the Assam government's affidavit and these deaths were between May 2021 and August 2022. Who are these 56 people and what were their crimes? According to the police some were smuggling cows or selling drugs. But I found that only a few -- that is 15 to 20 out of 171 -- had criminal antecedents. 150 out of 171 people in these encounters had no criminal records. In between the hearing the Gauhati high court asked me to get the FIR of the 171 police encounters. I then wrote to 30 chief judicial magistrate district courts of Assam to get the FIR. The court directed the police stations to follow suit. I got 44 FIR copies and on plain reading you can find out that there was a violation of PUCL vs State of Maharashtra judgment. This judgment (external link) lays down how investigations should be conducted after police encounters, and none of it was followed. What is the process to be followed by the police in an encounter? Say, for example, you stay in Santacruz (west) in Mumbai city. There will be a police station at Santacruz (west) for sure. And now take another area of Mumbai, Colaba. So if there is a police encounter in Santacruz (west) then it is not the Santacruz (west) police that will do the investigation but the Colaba police station will do the investigation after the police encounter killing. The police officer has to be from a different police station. And if one star rank police officer has done the encounter, after that a minimum two star rank police officer has to do the investigation and this two star rank police officer should be from a different police jurisdiction. Was this followed in these 171 cases? In the 44 FIRs I received I found out that if the encounter has been done in, say, again for example, Santacruz (west) police jurisdiction by one star rank police official, he only becomes the informant in the FIR and he only investigates the FIR. Everything was in violation of the PUCL vs State of Maharashtra judgment. Didn't the Supreme Court say that barring a few cases there was no procedural breakdown as you are stating? The FIR has to be lodged in the same police station but investigation has to be done by the police officer of a different police station. There is a technicality (problem). We are saying an independent FIR has not been registered. The Supreme Court says an FIR has been lodged but I must point out that it was not done according to the PUCL judgment. The government did not submit anything on record. They just gave affidavits stating that we are doing independent investigation in terms of the PUCL judgment. That has been raised in the court order itself, where it says, The state of Assam has failed to indicate the present state of investigation in all the 171 cases leading to death or grievous injury. What about the families of people who died in police encounters? I think 34 petitions of families were going on in the AHRC and NHRC. They did not take any step. Three victims gave an affidavit to me stating their loved ones were killed in fake encounters, which I filed in the Supreme Court of India. The police said these people are dreaded criminals, which was not the case. In Nagaon (2022), one AASU (All Assam Students Union) student was shot at and the police said he was involved in ganja trade. It was only when political pressure was brought it was found that the investigation officer who shot at him was drunk. And he shot at that student because there was a quarrel over parking. (The police officer was later suspended [external link].) Assam Jatiya Prasad President Lurinjyoti Gogoi and General Secretary Jagadish Bhuyan claimed that the chief minister, who also holds the home portfolio, had in July 2021 instructed police officers to shoot alleged criminals below the knee. The controversial directive, they alleged, led to a sharp rise in police encounters across Assam. Is it true? Yes, it is true. There is a video available. Don't you think it is right for the police to shoot a criminal who is trying to escape below the knee? If someone is escaping you will try to apprehend him. Why would the police shoot that person? You can shoot if there is a threat to police safety. There were 171 police encounters but not a single policeman officer got hurt or injured. The police in the FIRs say they shot at a criminal in self-defence but in the IPC (the Indian Penal Code) it states self-defence is statutory. Self-defence can be availed only if you show you had a threat. Don't you think targeting police officers for these encounters will have a demoralising effect on the security forces? There are 70,000 to 80,000 police officers in Assam. Out of these 70,000 to 80,000 police officers we are questioning only 200 of them who were involved in fake encounters. So to say my petition will demoralise the entire Assam police force is a wrong conclusion. I am not questioning the integrity of 69,800 who are clean and honest. I am questioning only 200 of them. Is there police raj in Assam? Yes, these police encounters were done to create fear in the minds of the youth of Assam. If you see the history of Assam, AASU is a very vibrant organisation. They come and protest in huge numbers against any wrongdoings of the government. But now, no protests happen in Assam because of fear of police encounters. Fear psychosis has been created by the Assam government. For the first time in six years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to attend the upcoming G7 summit to be held in Canada's Alberta province, people familiar with the matter said on Monday. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the 81st IATA annual general meeting, in New Delhi, June 2, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Canada is hosting the summit from June 15 to 17 that is expected to deliberate on pressing challenges facing the globe including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in West Asia. It is learnt that Ottawa is yet to send an invitation to the Indian prime minister for the summit, but Modi, in any way, would have skipped it as such a visit would have required a lot of groundwork considering the current state of ties between the two sides, said the people cited above. The India-Canada relations hit rock bottom following then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in 2023 of a potential Indian link to the killing of pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. However, Liberal Party leader Mark Carney's victory in the parliamentary election in April triggered hopes for reset of the relationship. The assessment in New Delhi has been that there was no clear indication yet from the new government in Canada to address India's concerns over the activities of the pro-Khalistani elements in that country. Moreover, there has been no significant forward movement by New Delhi and Canada to restore each other's high commissioners. In October last year, India recalled its high commissioner and five other diplomats after Ottawa attempted to link them to the Nijjar case. India also expelled an equal number of Canadian diplomats. "For a prime ministerial visit, we needed to carry out a lot of groundwork considering the state of bilateral relations," explained one of the people. Above all, security is a major issue, said another person aware of India-Canada ties. In the last few months, the security officials of India and Canada resumed contacts and both sides were looking at the possibility of appointing new high commissioners. The exit of Trudeau was seen as an opportunity to improve bilateral ties. India had accused Trudeau's government of allowing pro-Khalistani elements to operate from Canadian soil. After Trudeau's exit, New Delhi said it hoped to rebuild ties with Canada based on "mutual trust and sensitivity". "The downturn in India-Canada relations was caused by the licence that was given to the extremist and secessionist elements in that country," external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said in March. In June last year, Modi attended the outreach sessions at the G7 summit in Italy. It was the fifth time that he attended the annual G7 summit. In 2023, the prime minister travelled to Hiroshima for the summit while he attended the gathering in Alpine castle of Schloss Elmau in southern Germany in 2022. The G7 comprises the US, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan. Canada is holding the current presidency of the G7 and is hosting the summit in that capacity. A Mahila Court in Chennai on Monday awarded life sentence for a minimum period of 30 years without remission to the accused Gnanasekaran, who has been convicted for rape of a girl student on the Anna University campus in December last year. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo Mahila Court judge M Rajalakshmi, who convicted 37-year-old Gnanasekaran on May 28, awarded life imprisonment for a minimum period of 30 years without remission for the offence of rape, which falls under section 64 (1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act (BNS) and the judge imposed a total fine of Rs 90,000 on him. Chief Minister MK Stalin said the very stringent punishment has been secured and thanked the court and welcomed the judgment. The chief minister recalled that recently the government had made amendments ruling out remission for sexual offenders. In this case, the court has awarded punishment without scope for remission. The court has lauded the police department and this has shattered the thought of some to seek political mileage even in this matter. The court awarded sentences in respect of each of the 11 charges proved by the prosecution against the accused and the sentences shall run concurrently. The judge sentenced Gnanassekaran to imprisonment for 10 years under section 87 of BNS (Kidnapping or inducing a person for illicit purposes). Welcoming the sentence, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary and the leader of opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami, alleged that the "Stalin-model government" tried to rescue "DMK sympathiser Gnanasekaran" and it was the AIADMK that scuttled such attempts by its struggle for justice and it ensured punishment for the offender. In case of involvement of others, the AIADMK said it would bring them to book after it formed the government following polls to the state Assembly in 2026. The convicted person was slapped with a sentence of 7 years imprisonment under section 76 BNS (Assault or use of criminal force on a woman with the intent to disrobe or compel her to be naked). The judge sentenced Gnanasekaran to 7 years imprisonment also under section 351 (3) BNS (making threats with the intent to cause fear or compel someone to do or not do something). He was given three separate 3-years Rigorous Imprisonment sentences for 3 specific offences which includes sexual harassment offences. The other two offences were causing disappearance of evidence (238 (b) of BNS) and capture, publication or transmission of a person's private area image without consent and when it violates privacy, under 66E of IT Act. The judge awarded a sentence of one year imprisonment under section 127 (2) BNS (Wrongful confinement). He was sentenced to imprisonment for 3 months in respect of Section 329 BNS (Criminal Trespass or House Trespass). The judge sentenced Gnanasekaran to one month imprisonment under section 126 (2) BNS (Wrongful restraint). Though the charge under section 4 of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Women's Harassment Act was proved, the judge did not impose any punishment in respect of this charge. While convicting the accused, the court held that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The judge said Gnanasekaran sought a lenient sentence claiming he was the sole bread-winner of the family and prosecution objected to it and sought maximum punishment. Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran said "right punishment" has been awarded to the convict by the court. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K Selvaperunthagai, CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam, CPI state secretary R Mutharasan were among the leaders who welcomed the sentence of a minimum of 30 years in prison without remission and a fine of Rs 90,000. Shanmugam said: "Out of the 12 charges recorded in the chargesheet, charges have been proven as regards 11 charges." Selvaperunthagai said such punishment would serve as a deterrent and make women feel safe and also help create a society without crimes against women. MNM chief and actor Kamal Haasan said the sentence has given confidence that the most stringent punishment would be given for crimes against women. Dravidar Kazhagam president K Veeramani said the life sentence is a warning to those who regard women as a "sexual commodity." Noted orator Tamilaruvi Manian-led Kamarajar Makkal Katchi said the government must be firm on the convict spending 30 years in prison and premature release should not be allowed on any grounds including good behaviour during incarceration. The sensational case had triggered a political row over Gnanasekaran's alleged connections with the ruling DMK in the state, although the party president and Chief Minister Stalin had in January said he was only a sympathiser and supporter, and not a member of the Dravidian party. The case came to light after the victim lodged a complaint before the All Women Police Station in Kotturpuram here on December 23, 2024. Unidentified assailants opened fire and looted around Rs 35 lakh from a textile office in broad daylight in Delhi's Chandni Chowk on Monday, an official said. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo The incident took place at around 2 pm, when two men entered the office of trader Vicky Jain, 40, fired shots and fled with a bag containing cash, he said. "A PCR call was received at the Lahori Gate police station at around 2.30 pm regarding a robbery incident. Upon reaching the spot, officers found the glass door of Jain's office shattered," Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia said. Jain told the police that two men barged into his office on the pretext of business and one of them fired at the door. "The duo held him at gunpoint and took away approximately Rs 35 lakh in cash," the officer said, adding a third accomplice was waiting downstairs. Jain said, once inside, the assailants fired another round to terrorise him and his employees. "They broke open the door and asked my employees to hand over all the cash. When they refused, the assailants fired another round. They then fled with the bag containing money. All of it was over in just two minutes," Jain said. A case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been registered, and an investigation is in progress, police said. Multiple teams have been formed to investigate the robbery in the bustling commercial hub, and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the three culprits. The police said CCTV footage from the area is being scanned, and local informers have been activated to develop leads. Meanwhile, several shop owners and traders reached the spot and demanded that the culprits be arrested immediately. "Such incidents are becoming common in the national capital. We want police to increase security in the area and take strict action against the accused," said a member of the market association. All-party parliamentary delegations on Monday met with the leaders of several countries and highlighted India's resolve to combat terrorism, which they stressed must be eradicated in the interests of all humanity. IMAGE: Group-7 all-party delegation led by NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule (9th from left) in a picture during a meeting with interlocutors in Egypt, including former Ministers, distinguished authors and thought leaders on Operation Sindoor global outreach, at Senate in Cairo, June 2, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo In London, the delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad met Indo-Pacific Minister Catherine West who told them that the UK is with India in its efforts to combat terrorism. During their meeting, the delegation "reiterated India's resolve to combat terrorism on its own. They also emphasised that terror remains a threat to all nations, and therefore the world needs to eradicate this scourge in the interests of all humanity, the high commission of India in London said in a social media statement. Catherine West reiterated the UK's condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attacks and hailed India's contributions to stability in the Indo-Pacific. "She said that the UK is with India in its efforts; as a nation that has suffered from terror attacks itself, the UK believes that those who commit acts of terror must be brought to justice. All countries must work towards this end, the statement added. The closed-door meeting followed the delegation's in-depth dialogues with representatives from some of the leading UK-based think tanks at India House in London. "We conveyed our concern as to why we are here. We also said we are capable of handling Pakistan, which we have handled. We believe in peace and amity, but we also have to take action to save the livelihood of our people against terror. But the world has to understand this cancer of terrorism, Prasad told PTI following the discussions. In Algeria, the delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda on Monday concluded its four-nation (Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Algeria) visit and successfully conveyed India's message of zero tolerance' for terrorism, said former diplomat Harsh V Shringla, who is also a member of the delegation. "A politically, linguistically and spiritually diverse group that spoke in one voice in the best spirit of 'India First'!" Shringla said in a post on X. The delegation members Sunday night met Mohamed Khouane, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and the National Community Abroad in the Algerian Parliament, who hosted a dinner in their honour. "A broad range of topics of mutual interest and India's commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms were discussed," Panda posted on X. The delegation discussed the need for strong and determined measures against terrorism, the Indian mission said. "India and Algeria to work together to strengthen global fight against terrorism," it added. In Malaysia, the all-party parliamentary delegation, led by Janata Dal-United MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, emphasised India's zero tolerance to terrorism, asserting that 'water and blood cannot flow together'. They met with representatives from the Democratic Action Party led by YB M. Kula Segaran, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), and Parti Keadilan Rakyat in Malaysia and conveyed India's perspectives and national resolve against terrorism. "Discussions centred on India's resolute response to terrorism under Operation Sindoor. There was emphasis on India's zero tolerance to terrorism, and the view that 'Water and blood cannot flow together'," the high commission of India in Malaysia said. The delegation's remarks were in the context of India suspending the Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam terror attack. The delegation held "constructive talks" with the representatives of Parti Keadilan Rakyat led by YB Sim Tze Tzin. "India's zero-tolerance approach to terrorism was outlined, reaffirming our national unity against cross-border threats," the mission said in another post. It said the delegation also interacted with deputy Minister of Unity YB Saraswathy Kandasami during the meeting with Parti Keadilan Rakyat. The delegation also met senior representatives of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) led by President Tan Sri Dato Sri SA Vigneswaran and Deputy President YB Datuk Seri M Saravanan. "Conveyed India's new normal of responding firmly against any act of terror on the Indian soil. @MIC_Malaysia expressed solidarity with India's position on the fight against cross-border terrorism," it said. The delegation held an engaging discussion with leading Malaysian think tanks & academia. "Deliberations focussed on India's new normal and new security doctrine in fight against cross-border terrorism, and also ways to enhance international cooperation on collective fight against terrorism in all its forms," the mission said. In Egypt, the delegation led by NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule Monday held "productive discussions" with the members of the Egyptian Senate and House of Representatives. "The Senate reaffirmed solidarity with India and reiterated the importance attached to the close Strategic Partnership," it said. The delegation, which arrived in Cairo after concluding their visit to Ethiopia on Sunday, will also meet Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Secretary General of the League of Arab States Ahmed Aboul Gheit. On Monday, Spain extended its "unequivocal support" for India's efforts to combat terrorism when an all-party delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi met with Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares in Madrid. The delegation, which arrived here from Latvia on Saturday for a three-day visit in the final leg of its five-nation tour, apprised Albares of India's position and discussed India's efforts at combatting terrorism. "Mr. @jmalbares conveyed his understanding and the unequivocal support of Spain for India's efforts to combat terrorism, and reaffirmed the importance of global peace. He emphasised that terrorism will never prevail and that Spain stood with India on this issue," the Indian Embassy in Madrid posted on X. Earlier, the delegation reiterated India's resolve for a "safer and more compassionate world" during a meeting with an organisation of terror victims in Spain. In Liberia, the delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde conveyed India's "united" resolve to combat terrorism in "all its forms and manifestations" during an interaction with the Indian community in Monrovia on Sunday. The delegation reached the West African nation on May 31 for a three-day visit as part of India's global outreach to underscore its message of 'Zero Tolerance Against Terrorism'. The all-party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has arrived in Brazil on the fourth leg of its five-nation trip. "After a day full of travel, our delegation has reached Brasilia, Brazil midnight now. The last week has been hectic but greatly productive. Looking forward to the next two days of work here," Tejasvi Surya, who is one of the members of the delation, posted on X. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack, with India carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7. Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani actions. The on-ground hostilities ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10. News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwe's Prosecutor-General, Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo, has urged the justice system to prioritise timely prosecution of cases amid growing concerns over the difficulty of locating litigants and witnesses for delayed trials in the Special High Court Circuit currently operating in the Midlands Province.The special courts were set up in Gweru and Gokwe to address a ballooning backlog of murder cases. However, officials are now grappling with challenges arising from delayed prosecutions a situation Justice Matanda-Moyo says undermines the delivery of justice.Speaking following a stakeholder review meeting held in Gweru last week, the Prosecutor-General stressed that prompt trials are essential for ensuring closure for victims and maintaining the integrity of the judicial process."Cases must be tried speedily, and the victims of crime must get closure," said Justice Matanda-Moyo."Some cases could not be tried because the accused persons could not be located or because the witnesses themselves had also moved on. People are highly mobile. Going forward, we want to avoid such things."She emphasised that justice must be served while memories are still fresh and all parties involved accused persons and witnesses alike are still traceable.From September 9 to 27, 2024, the special circuit court completed 137 out of a targeted 150 cases, demonstrating significant progress. Another 150 murder cases were finalised between January 20 and February 7, 2025, showing the efficacy of the initiative in clearing long-pending matters.More recently, between May 12 and 24, 2025, the Gokwe High Court Circuit concluded 40 cases, while the Gweru Circuit finalised 37 out of the targeted 40.Justice Matanda-Moyo expressed hope that other provinces would emulate the Midlands approach and adopt similar special court initiatives to manage backlogs."All cases must be tried as quickly as possible while the events are still fresh in the minds of the witnesses and while the accused persons and the witnesses themselves are still around," she added.The Special High Court Circuit initiative has been widely praised for addressing long-standing delays in serious criminal cases. Legal experts say continued collaboration between the judiciary, prosecution, police, and community stakeholders will be key to ensuring that justice is both efficient and accessible across the country. 'Make-in-India played a key role in India's effective action against terrorism during Operation Sindoor.' IMAGE: The Indian Army's Trishakti Corps demonstrates operational excellence during a fire exercise. Photograph: Defence PRO Guwahati/ANI Photo India's defence budget could rise a little under five fold to Rs 31.7 trillion in 2047 from 6.81 trillion in 2025-2026 (FY26), with defence production increasing over sixfold to 8.8 trillion from 1.46 trillion in FY25, suggest the Defence Industrial Sector Vision 2047 report of the Confederation of Indian Industry and KPMG India. The report -- titled Atmanirbhar, Agrani, and Atulya Bharat 2047 -- unveiled at the CII Annual Business Summit in New Delhi, also estimates India's defence exports to rise to Rs 2.8 trillion in 2047, up nearly twelve fold from 24,000 crore (240 billion) in FY25. Similarly, total research and development (R&D) expenditure could jump from 4 per cent of the defence budget at present to 8 to 10 per cent, and defence spend could increase from 2 per cent of (GDP to 4 to 5 per cent. Terming these figures milestones, the report underlines three conditions that have to be met in the coming years to achieve these. The report notes that achieving the vision of India as a developed nation by 2047, particularly through a strengthened defence sector, faces several roadblocks and challenges: 'Budgetary constraints could limit the necessary investments in modernising the armed forces and developing indigenous military technologies. Additionally, regulatory red tape and procedural quagmire often slow down defence procurement and indigenous R&D initiatives, creating inefficiencies. 'Dependence on defence imports for critical technologies remains a significant challenge, hindering self-reliance and innovation... Furthermore, there is a shortage of skilled manpower to drive advanced technological developments and manage sophisticated defence systems.' IMAGE: The Indian Army's Main Battle Tank Arjun Mk-1A. Photograph: ANI Photo Stating that fostering robust public-private partnerships is necessary, the report argues this remains challenging because the private sector needs incentives and support to enter and sustain in the defence manufacturing domain. 'Intellectual property rights and technology-transfer issues with foreign collaborators also present obstacles in achieving self-reliance. Addressing these challenges requires strategic planning, increased Budget allocations, streamlined procedures, robust policy frameworks, and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration between the public and private sectors.' Highlighting India's aspirations to emerge as a leading nation in the global defence hierarchy, the report lists 'strategic vectors' that break down this vision into three specific objectives. First, the report calls for achieving enhanced self-reliance in defence production and capabilities by 2032, by targeting critical areas for comprehensive indigenous development, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers, and fostering innovation through domestic R&D and manufacturing excellence. Second, by 2038, the report sees India becoming one of the top-five global exporters of high-quality defence equipment and technology by expanding international partnerships, meeting global standards, and vigorously promoting defence products in international markets. Third, by 2045, it calls on India to become a world leader in developing and deploying cutting-edge niche technologies across the defence sector, by encouraging collaboration between industry, academia, and government, and driving substantial investments in futuristic R&D. By committing to these vectors, the report says, India can turn its aspirations into reality. India's Defence Production Hits All-Time High IMAGE: India's Akash Air Defence System. Photograph: ANI Photo India's annual defence production reached an all-time high of 1.46 trillion in 2024-2025 (FY25), marking an almost 15 per cent jump from the previous record of 1.27 trillion in FY24, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said last week. Defence exports also hit a record high in the previous financial year, crossing 24,000 crore, an increase of nearly 14 per cent from 21,083 crore (Rs 210.83 billion) in FY24, the raksha mantri stated. Singh also highlighted the private sector's contribution, which stood at over 32,000 crore (Rs 320 billion), about 22 per cent of the total defence production. The private sector's share in the value of production in FY24 was 20.8 per cent. Addressing the CII's annual business summit in New Delhi, the defence minister also emphasised that, for the first time, the private sector would have the opportunity to participate in a major defence project alongside public sector companies, under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme execution model approved on May 27, 2025. '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. The defence minister said that India's rise as the fourth-largest economy was a matter of great pride, as he underlined the significant role of the defence sector in the country's growth. 'Ten to eleven years ago, our defence production was approximately 43,000 crore. Today, it has crossed the record figure of 1.46 trillion, with a contribution of over 32,000 crore by the private sector,' he said. 'Our defence exports, which were around 600 crore to 700 crore 10 years ago, have surpassed a record figure of 24,000 crore today. Our weapons, systems, sub-systems, components, and services are reaching around 100 countries.' Commenting on Operation Sindoor, Singh said, '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.' Emphasising the role of indigenous defence capabilities in enabling decisive action, the defence minister added, '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.' At the same event, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh addressed the private sector, assuring that the government would extend it the same support it had historically provided to the public sector. 'I will be striving to improve the ease of doing business, to create a level playing field, and hopefully even bury you under orders,' he said. Highlighting how prolonged procurement procedures had previously caused decade-long acquisition delays, created capability gaps for the armed forces, and left portions of the defence modernisation budget unspent in several years, the secretary said the situation was now changing. 'In the last financial year (FY25), we have, for the first time in five years, exhausted our modernisation budget. More importantly, we signed contracts worth 2 trillion, double the previous record of about 1 trillion in FY24,' Defence Secretary Singh said. The secretary expressed hope that this momentum would accelerate the pace of military modernisation. 'If we can sustain this level of utilisation, we are also in a better position to approach both the ministry of finance and the Finance Commission with requests for higher allocations, particularly for the modernisation budget for our armed forces,' he said. While noting that the defence budget remains substantial even at 1.9 per cent of GDP, he added, 'Factoring in the power of compounded growth on a $4 trillion GDP, I am sure it will be more than adequate to meet our modernisation requirements, subject to the absorptive capacity of the ministry of defence, in terms of signing contracts, and in the industry for gearing up to fulfil these contracts.' Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff Indian vlogger Malik Swashbuckler has apologised for his offensive comments on Turkish women after the Turkish police intervened. His comments created outrage at a time when India's relations with Turkiye are an all-time low after Turkiye decided to supply Pakistan with weapons during Operation Sindoor. IMAGE: A screen grab from the video posted by vlogger Malik Swashbuckler apologising for his offensive remarks. Photograph: Kind courtesy Malik Swashbuckler/Instagram Malik posted a video last week while roaming through a market in Istanbul, asking shopkeepers why the Indian flag did not feature among the flags hoisted at the market. In the video he asks one shopkeeper where the Indian flag is and when the shopkeeper shrugs and says no, Malik tells him he will bring an Indian flag on his next visit to Turkiye. He then utters coarse language to a Turkish woman accompanying him. The video created outrage among Turkish social media users who felt that Malik, a tourist in their country, had behaved improperly with the Turkish woman. A report (external link) published on turkiyetoday.com (external link) on Sunday, May 31, stated that the Turkish police had detained Malik following complaints about the video. However, the Web site did not quote the Turkish police in its report on Malik's detentipn. There has been no statement from the Turkish police either. IMAGE: Malik Swashbuckler posted an apology in Turkish on his Instagram channel. On Sunday, Malik deleted the offensive content on Turkiye from his Instagram channel. He also posted a statement (external link) in Turkish, apologising for his inappropriate behaviour. In the statement, Malik wrote, 'I apologise with all my heart. I never had the intention to hurt or offend anyone. If my words or actions hurt anyone, please know that it was completely unintentional. Knowing that I have hurt people really hurts me. I questioned myself and I promise to be more careful from now on. Respect and love.' His status also included a message in Turkish: 'I am aware of my mistake -- I am sorry Turkey'. The counsel for the 22-year-old female influencer, arrested for allegedly uploading a video with communal comments, on Monday filed a petition in the Alipore court in Kolkata, alleging that she was denied basic amenities in jail and threatened by other inmates. IMAGE: Sharmistha Panoli (right), arrested from Gurugram by the Kolkata police for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through her comments on social media, being produced in Alipore court, in Kolkata, May 31, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo The court has sought a report in this regard by June 4, her lawyer Mohammed Samimuddin said. "No proper hygiene is maintained inside the Alipore Women's Correctional Home. My client is being denied basic amenities. She has kidney-related issues and has not been keeping well. Her medical condition is delicate and may deteriorate in the absence of basic health and hygiene facilities. We have submitted a petition and the court has sought a report by June 4," Samimudding told PTI. The petition also alleged that she was receiving "multiple threats from other inmates inside the jail, causing her to fear for her safety and well-being". "These threats are creating an unsafe environment, seriously affecting her mental peace and physical safety," he said. The Kolkata police had arrested Sharmishtha Panoli from Haryana's Gurugram on Friday night for allegedly uploading a video with communal comments claiming Bollywood actors were silent on Operation Sindoor. On Saturday, a court in Kolkata sent Panoli to judicial custody till June 13. "In view of her medical condition and threats received, we have appealed for a separate room in judicial custody for safety and privacy, and to allow her to use a separate bathroom, in light of her kidney ailments and the need for hygiene," Samimudding added. The influencer has been booked under relevant sections for promoting enmity between different groups, malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, apart from intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, the police said. The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday said that it has no plans to use Col Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh as party's campaign faces. IMAGE: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Col Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh during a press briefing on Operation Sindoor at National Media Centre in New Delhi on May 7, 2025. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo This came after a media report claimed that Col Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh, who led India's press briefings on Operation Sindoor, will be the faces of an ambitious women-centric campaign to be rolled out by the BJP on the completion of 11 years of the Modi government on June 9. Commenting on the media report on X, BJP IT department head Amit Malviya said, "This is Fake News." The BJP has no plans to use either Col Sofia Qureshi or Wing Commander Vyomika Singh as campaign faces, he asserted. "The comments made by BJP Minority Morcha president Jamal Siddiqui have been misconstrued. He simply made a limited point about highlighting Col Qureshi as an example of an empowered Muslim woman within the community," Malviya said. Congress leader Salman Khurshid, who is a part of India's diplomatic mission abroad, on Monday said it is 'distressing' that people back home are calculating political allegiances and asked if it is 'so difficult to be patriotic'. IMAGE: Salman Khurshid speaks to the media in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. Photograph: ANI Photo Khurshid, a former external affairs minister, is part of a delegation led by Janata Dal-United MP Sanjay Kumar Jha which is currently in Malaysia after visiting Indonesia, South Korea, Japan and Singapore to convey India's message against terrorism in the wake of April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor launched on May 7. Taking to X and without naming anyone, the senior Congress leader said, "When on mission against terrorism, to carry India's message to the world, it's distressing that people at home are calculating political allegiances. Is it so difficult to be patriotic?" Khurshid's cryptic post comes after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor faced attacks from party leaders including Udit Raj who called him a 'super spokesperson of BJP' for remarks which were perceived to favour the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre. Tharoor is leading one of the seven delegations and is currently in Brazil. Khurshid's remarks come a day after he said during an interaction with think tanks in Indonesia that Kashmir had 'major problems' for a long time and the abrogation of Article 370 finally put an end to it. The remarks were welcomed by leaders from the ruling BJP and stirred controversy. BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla, referring to Khurshid's remarks, slammed the Congress and other opposition parties, accusing them of overlooking national interest. "After Shashi Tharoor, and Manish Tewari, yet another Congress leader has given a reality check and shown the mirror to Congress and INDI-alliance," Poonawalla said. "Salman Khurshid has said when the all party delegation is on a mission to expose Pakistan putting India first, but some people are calculating the political allegiances. Is it so difficult to be patriotic? This is the resounding slap on those people's faces who are constantly doubting India's military might and India's diplomatic strike," he said. He accused the Congress of keeping the interests of the 'parivar', an apparent reference to the Gandhi family, above national interest. "Congress, for the sake of petty political gains, puts party interest, parivaar interest above national interest. Hope they will realise that Salman Khurshid is not a super pravakta (spokesperson) of any party, he is putting nation first. But when will the Congress party put the nation first?" he said. In an apparent reference to Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi, he said, "LoP is busy in proving how Pakistan is powerful and won and how India lost." Poonawalla also referred to recent remarks by opposition leaders including Congress' Jairam Ramesh and Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray's Sanjay Raut. "We have seen how Jairam Ramesh said the terrorists are like MPs and MPs are like terrorists... We have seen how Operation Sindoor was called a failure by Sanjay Raut, we have seen how constantly India's Sena is being undermined by the likes of Rahul Gandhi," he said. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, while attacking the government with his claim that a special session of Parliament was being considered for June 25-26 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency reportedly remarked 'our MPs are roaming and terrorists are also roaming'. In-charge of BJP's National Information and Technology Department Amit Malviya also attacked the Congress. Tagging Khurshid's post on X, he said, "The sentiment expressed here is both tragic and deeply ironic. It reflects the cost of a warped idea of secularism that the Congress party has long championed, one that confuses the urgent need to confront terror with a compulsive instinct to appease. "In doing so, they have not only diluted the moral clarity required to fight extremism, but have also compromised national security in the name of vote-bank politics." India has sent seven multi-party delegations to key partner countries, including members of the UN Security Council, to convey India's message of zero tolerance against terrorism. The delegations are being led by Baijayant Panda, Ravi Shankar Prasad (both BJP), Sanjay Kumar Jha (JD-U), Shrikant Shinde (Shiv Sena), Shashi Tharoor (Congress), Kanimozhi (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and Supriya Sule (Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar), and are visiting 32 countries and the EU headquarters at Brussels in Belgium. The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad on Monday detained 12 persons after conducting searches in Thane district, including at the houses of some former office-bearers and members of SIMI, in connection with a terrorism-related case, officials said. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo The Thane unit of the ATS, with the assistance of the Thane rural police, started searches around 4 am at Padgha and Borivali villages in the district adjoining Mumbai, an official said without giving case details. Heavy security was deployed in the two villages, he said, adding that personnel from the ATS and Thane rural police had amassed at Padgha on Sunday night itself. The ATS has seized mobile handsets, sword, knife, property-related documents, material used for terrorism related activities and radicalisation of the youth along with some incriminating documents during the searches, he said. In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack on tourists, there was need to take preventive steps against anti-national elements that can provide logistic support for terror-related activities, an ATS statement said. As there were previous incidents in which persons involved in various terrorist modules were arrested from Borivali in Padgha of Thane district, the ATS had kept strong vigil on the activities there, it stated. The ATS had specific intelligence that Saquib Nachan, a former office bearer of banned outfit SIMI, and his associates had brainwashed and instigated people from the village to participate in anti-national activities, the statement mentioned. There were inputs that the associates of Nachan's outfit were activated and there is a possibility that they can carry out terrorist activities, it added. Accordingly, ATS Thane Unit had obtained a warrant from the court to conduct a search at the residences of the suspects in Padgha village, the official said. ATS personnel searched almost two dozen houses and the premises of former office-bearers and members of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), including Saquib Nachan, Aaquib Saquib Nachan, Abdul Latif Kaskar, Kaif Nachan and Shajil Nachan, he said. Farak Zubair Mulla (60), a land broker and former member of SIMI, was also among those whose houses were searched, the official said. It came to light that he had gone on Hajj in Saudi Arabia. His elder brother, Hasib Zubair Mulla, was accused in the 2002 and 2003 Mumbai train bomb blast cases. Hasib served a 10-year sentence, and since December 9, 2023, has been behind bars with Saquib Nachan at a prison in Delhi in an ISIS module case, the official said. Abdul Latif Kaskar (27), whose house was also searched, works in a godown. He is a close friend of Farhan Suse, who was detained by security agencies in an ISIS module case in Delhi. During the searches, six persons were not available at their residences, the official said. The raids were on till the afternoon and the questioning of suspects went on for several hours, he said. The ATS later took the suspects to Padgha police station where 12 persons were detained for further interrogation, he said without identifying them. The process of registration of cases against the accused persons is underway, he added. "We have identified certain individuals, and searches are going on accordingly," the official earlier said. In 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches in Padgha as part of a nationwide crackdown on the terror outfit ISIS and arrested several persons, including Saquib Nachan. 'We're ready. The numbers are there. The only thing missing is Delhi's nod.' 'If they try to force Biren back in, the whole thing will fall apart.' IMAGE: Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs gather at former Manipur minister Th Biswajit's Imphal home, May 30, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo The broader contours of the next 'popular' Bharatiya Janata Party government in Manipur are taking shape with different set of MLAs holding hectic parleys among themselves as well as with the state governor, three BJP MLAs from the state tell this correspondent. This evolving realignment between BJP MLAs from the Imphal valley and Kuki-Zo MLAs from the hills has opened up the possibility of a fresh coalition that could replace President's Rule. But with no clarity from the central BJP leadership, the process remains stalled. These three BJP legislators in Manipur -- two Meitei MLAs from the valley and one Kuki MLA from the hills -- say they have managed to build a broad-based consensus to form a new government, but allege the process is being "stonewalled" by the party's central leadership -- primarily over its perceived reluctance to move former chief minister N Biren Singh -- who is strongly backed by the party's north east in-charge and Lok Sabha MP from Puri, Sambit Patra -- away from the state. "We already have the numbers, the support from our allies to form the government. What is stopping us? The central leadership is not giving permission. Why? I don't know. Maybe they have their own policy or programme. That's possible," one of the three BJP MLAs says angrily. "The situation in Manipur is still very delicate. A popular government could help stabilise things," the MLA adds. "I can't say why this is happening but the fact is we've received no sign from their side (the central BJP leadership). No direction. Nothing," he reiterates. Ten BJP legislators recently called on Governor Ajay Bhalla to formally stake a claim to form a new government, nearly five months after President's Rule was imposed in Manipur. They claimed they had the support of 44 MLAs from the state including former CM Biren Singh. A section of BJP MLAs from the Imphal valley among these 44 have openly expressed their opposition to Biren Singh's inclusion proving that the resistance to the former chief minister is not limited to hill BJP MLAs alone. The emergence of a new group of BJP MLAs from the valley against Biren Singh is not surprising, say the two Meitei MLAs. The second BJP MLA, who was part of the delegation who met Governor Bhalla, echoed the sentiment in a separate conversation. "We're ready. The numbers are there. The only thing missing is Delhi's nod," he says. "If they try to force Biren back in, the whole thing will fall apart. We've made it clear we won't accept him again." This MLA denies that infighting has broken out within the BJP but admitted "ambitions are everywhere." "Everyone's a contender -- Satyabrata, Radheshyam, Bishwajit, Govindas, Khemchand," he says. "But we've agreed to defer that decision to Delhi. All we're saying is -- don't pick someone who will break us apart again." In an important signal from the hill regions, the BJP MLA from the hills confirms that all seven Kuki-Zo BJP legislators remain firm in their opposition to Biren's return. This legislator from the hill says, "We haven't forgotten how things collapsed last year. If the same formula is repeated, what's the guarantee it won't collapse again?" According to this MLA, the seven Kuki-Zo MLAs from the hills were open to the names of Manipur Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, Thokchom Radheshyam Singh and Thongom Biswajit Singh. "One among these can be chosen by the Centre. These three names have popular support even among the Kukis, but then we will need to consult the wider community leaders from the Kuki-Zo community before anything can be finalised," he cautions. "We don't want N Biren Singh back again under any circumstance. Anybody other than Biren and we will be ready to support that government. His return is non-negotiable for us," he adds. "It is only Sambit Patra, the BJP in-charge of the northeast who is desperately trying to push his name; it will not work," claims this Kuki-Zo MLA. An Indian-American student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was barred from attending her graduation ceremony after delivering a speech denouncing the war in Gaza, according to media reports. IMAGE: Indian-American student Megha Vemuri. Photograph: Courtesy @MeghaVemuri on LinkedIn An Indian-American student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was barred from attending her graduation ceremony after delivering a speech denouncing the war in Gaza, according to media reports. Megha Vemuri, the 2025 class president of MIT, is the latest in the list of students to face discipline after protesting the war in Gaza. Vemuri told CNN that after her speech, the university's senior leadership informed her she was not allowed to attend Friday's commencement ceremony and was barred from campus until the event concluded. School officials confirmed that they told Vemuri that she was prohibited from attending the undergraduate ceremony. MIT leadership said that they stand by the punishment they issued to Vemuri. MIT supports free expression but stands by its decision, which was in response to the individual deliberately and repeatedly misleading Commencement organisers and leading a protest from the stage, a school spokesperson said in a statement. The school said that she would receive her degree. Vemuri, who grew up in Georgia, was a scheduled speaker at Thursday's OneMIT Commencement ceremony in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she took to the podium, with a keffiyeh a symbol of pro-Palestinian solidarity draped over her graduation robe. She praised her peers for protesting the war in Gaza and criticised the university's ties to Israel. An MIT spokesperson told CNN Vemuri's sppech on Thursday was not the one that was provided by the speaker in advance. Vemuri's father Sarat said that she was a double major, in computation and cognition and linguistics, and was told that she would receive her diploma by mail. Vemuri said she was grateful for her family, who have been present this week, supporting her. She says she's not disappointed about not getting to walk the stage. I see no need for me to walk across the stage of an institution that is complicit in this genocide, Vemuri said. I am, however, disappointed that MIT's officials massively overstepped their roles to punish me without merit or due process, with no indication of any specific policy broken, she added. He called MIT's purported support of free speech hypocritical. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has condemned the university's decision to ban Vemuri from the ceremony. MIT must respect academic freedom and respect the voices of its students, not punish and intimidate those who speak out against genocide and in support of Palestinian humanity, CAIR-Massachusetts Executive Director Tahirah Amatul-Wadud said in a statement. College campuses across the US have witnessed protest encampments and accusations of antisemitism since the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, and the ensuing war in Gaza. The tensions coupled with the Trump administration's attacks on universities, have left some school communities wrestling with how to balance civility and safety with open expression and debate, The New York Times said. New York University recently said it was withholding the diploma of a student who condemned genocide in Gaza while delivering a graduation speech. Several students at Harvard, Columbia and other universities nationwide are also facing disciplinary threats. At the start of the school year in September, MIT issued new school rules surrounding when and where students can protest on its campus. School leadership has responded more strictly toward unsanctioned demonstrations this year, which was a departure from the prior school year when protestors camped out on campus. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting of the Union Council of Ministers on Wednesday, the first after India's punitive military action against Pakistan under Operation Sindoor launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo Sources said the ministers are likely to be given details of the operation, which is also expected to figure in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's programmes starting next week to mark the first anniversary of the Modi government in its third term. Besides speaking on Operation Sindoor, the prime minister may give an overall highlight of his governance thrust in the council meeting as the ministers prepare to communicate with people across the country during the anniversary events. India's precise strikes on nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir followed by its counterattack on the neighbouring country's military facilities, especially air bases, have been a highlight of Modi's recent speeches. He has affirmed that Operation Sindoor has marked India's 'new normal' in punishing terror acts linked to Pakistan and vowed to go after terrorists and their sponsors with equal ferocity in case of any future terror incidents on the Indian soil. The Council of Ministers, which generally meets in a few months but has no fixed frequency, unlike the Union Cabinet's, and key government policies are discussed threadbare in the presence of top bureaucrats. On April 22, terrorists shot down 26 civilians in the popular Kashmir destination, igniting nationwide outrage and calls for retribution. Top military officials from India and Pakistan highlighted their views at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, billed as Asia's premier defence forum, amid heightened tensions between the two sides following last month's military confrontation. IMAGE: General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff and General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Photograph: Reuters The longstanding tensions between the two neighbours grabbed attention at the gathering of the top global defence forum held from Friday to Sunday, reported Channel News Asia on Sunday. India accused Pakistan-based terror groups of a deadly attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in April, while Pakistan denies any involvement. And just as these nations sit next to each other geographically, some of their top generals sat in neighbouring conference rooms inside the Shangri-La Singapore, taking part in simultaneous sessions late on Saturday afternoon on topics ranging from defence innovation solutions to regional crisis-management mechanisms. "What India has done, politically, they have drawn a new red line of intolerance against terror," General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff with the Indian Armed Forces, said, referring to Operation Sindoor. "I hope, this particular operation, it's basically lying in military domain, that should bring about some lessons for our adversary also, and hopefully they learn that this is a limit of India's tolerance," Gen Chauhan said. "We have been subjected to this proxy war of terror for almost two decades and more, and we lost lot of people...we want to put an end to it," he said. Operation Sindoor was launched early on May 7 to destroy nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead. All subsequent retaliations to Pakistani offensives were carried out under this operation. The four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan ended with an understanding on stopping the military actions on May 10. General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Pakistan Armed Forces, warned of what could happen should another clash occur. "The strategic stability with the lowering of this threshold to the dangerous levels if next time such a conflict occurs and the cities are targeted first and the borders become irrelevant... there could be a possibility that before the international community intervenes because of the restricted or constricted times window, the damage and destruction may have already taken place," he said at the event. In the wake of the recent hostilities, both sides have moved from weapons to words, with India dispatching several delegations to visit more than 30 capitals across the world. A similar effort by Pakistan is set to start on Jun 2. The Channel also had a member of the multi-party Indian delegation that visited East and Southeast Asia during a stop in Singapore on May 27. Congress party leader and former external affairs minister Salman Khurshid agreed with the views that the effort is unprecedented. "It is an innovation, in a sense. And the fact that there are multi-party delegations, seven of them across the world, to all members of the (UN) Security Council and prospective members of the Security Council. In that sense, it is unprecedented, and we've got enormous support," he was quoted as saying. "You might even put it as something that has started, something that will at least ensure that our narrative is carried right through," he said. And that narrative is firmly focused on India's accusations that Pakistan isn't doing nearly enough to snuff out terrorism, according to the Channel report. General Mirza told the Channel in a wide-ranging interview that Pakistan is taking on terrorism on its soil and working to tackle cross-border terrorism from groups based in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Mirza said terrorism has cost his country hundreds of billions of dollars and tens of thousands of lives. India and Pakistan's 96-hour confrontation was seen as a test of the rivals' respective weapons systems, including French-made Rafale fighter jets and Chinese-made J10-C jets, armed with Chinese-made missiles, according to the Channel report. But the top generals on both sides have said their military forces can pick and choose when it comes to their firepower. "India doesn't depend on one nation for its defence needs," said General Chauhan. "It's a number of capabilities which were put together, and most of these capabilities were put to good effects," he was quoted as saying. General Mirza told the Channel that his country's capabilities include weapons from China and many other places. "I have military equipment from the US. I have military equipment from Turkiye. I have military equipment from Italy. I have military equipment from the UK," he listed. "We have the equipment from all equipment-producing countries." In addition, both sides relied on drones while also facing serious threats in the form of disinformation. But global concern was firmly fixed on the unconventional weapons they both possess, the ones that can cause widespread destruction and loss of life. The countries continue to maintain that the use of nuclear weapons was never on the table, with Pakistani officials, including General Mirza dismissing reports that Islamabad called a meeting of the National Command Authority, the body that oversees Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. "The tools of modern conflict are artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, cyber, precision, firepower and weapons," Mirza said. News / National by Staff reporter The Zimbabwe National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ZNSPCA) has issued a stern warning to the public against owning, breeding, or cross-breeding dangerous dog breeds following a tragic dog attack that claimed the life of a 39-year-old man in Bluff Hill, Harare.The victim, Mr Samuel Machera, was reportedly mauled to death by a cross-breed pit bull owned by Mr Mike Mupinga (40) during a late-night incident that occurred around midnight on Saturday. Mr Machera had stepped outside for a smoke when the fatal attack occurred.ZNSPCA confirmed in a statement that the dogs have since been confiscated and humanely euthanised in line with animal welfare protocols and in the interest of public safety."It is with profound sadness and deep regret that the Zimbabwe National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals confirms the tragic death of Mr Samuel Machera following a fatal dog attack at a private residence," the statement read.Initial assessments by the ZNSPCA revealed evidence of neglect, poor confinement, and lack of proper socialisationfactors that are especially dangerous in breeds like pit bulls, which are already classified as high-risk dogs."Such conditions are known to severely affect canine behaviour and are especially dangerous when present in certain breeds," the organisation noted.Mr Mupinga has since been arrested in connection with Mr Machera's death, and authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.ZNSPCA is urging the public to exercise extreme caution when choosing to keep powerful dog breeds, emphasising that ownership of such animals comes with serious legal and ethical responsibilities."We strongly caution the public against the ownership, breeding, and cross-breeding of dangerous dog breeds. These animals require specialised handling, socialisation, and containment responsibilities that, if neglected, can result in tragic consequences such as these," the organisation said.The animal welfare body reaffirmed its commitment to responsible pet ownership, calling on the public to adhere to existing animal control laws and to report cases of cruelty or negligence. It also pledged to support the legal prosecution of individuals who violate animal welfare standards.The tragedy has reignited national debate over the safety and regulation of aggressive dog breeds in urban residential areas. The flood situation in the Northeast remained critical on Monday as the toll due to deluge and landslides triggered by heavy rain over the past few days rose to 36, while over 5.5 lakh remained affected across several states in the region. In the current wave of floods and landslides across the northeastern region, Assam reported the highest number of fatalities at 11, followed by 10 in Arunachal Pradesh, six in Meghalaya, five in Mizoram, three in Sikkim and one in Tripura. In Assam, more than 5.35 lakh people were affected by the deluge in 22 districts as the death toll increased by one to reach 11, while 15 rivers were flowing in a spate, an official bulletin said. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Lakhimpur district, among the worst-hit areas, and assured the affected people of all possible assistance. IMAGE: Villagers carrying goats wade through a flooded-affected area as the water level rises in Kopili River at Kampur in Assam's Nagaon. Photograph: ANI Photo The Regional Meteorological Centre in Guwahati has said that moderate rainfall is very likely to occur at most places of Assam, while heavy to very heavy rainfall has been predicted at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places. Road, rail and ferry services remained affected in the state due to heavy rain in several areas. An Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) bulletin said 5,15,039 people in 65 revenue circles and 1,254 villages of 22 districts have been affected by floods. The worst-hit district is Sribhumi where 1,94,172 people are reeling under the deluge, followed by Cachar district with 77,961 affected people and Nagaon with 67,880 flood-hit people. One death was reported in the last 24 hours from Doboka revenue circle of Hojai district, taking the toll in floods and landslides to 11. Two other persons, one each from Hailakandi and Dibrugarh, have been reported missing. The number of affected people was more than four lakh in over 15 districts on Sunday. A total of 165 relief camps are sheltering 31,212 displaced people, while another 157 relief distribution centres are also functional. A crop area of 12,610 hectares has been inundated, while 94 animals have been washed away in the last 24 hours. The Brahmaputra was flowing above the danger level in Neamatighat and Tezpur, and Barak in Chota Bekra, Fulertal, AP Ghat and BP Ghat. IMAGE: Rickshaw pullers wade through a waterlogged road of the Anil Nagar area in Guwahati. Photograph: ANI Photo Other rivers in spate are Subansiri (Badatighat), Burhidihing (Khowang), Dhansiri (Numaligarh), Kopili (Kampur and Dharamtul), Rukni (Dholai), Dhaleswari (Gharmura), Katakhal (Matizuri) and Kushiyara (Sribhumi). Three embankments have been breached and two others damaged or affected, besides damage to other infrastructure like roads, bridges, houses, electricity poles, etc., the ASDMA bulletin said. It added that 21,037 people in two districts remained affected by 'urban floods', with 464 displaced people taking shelter in two relief camps. A Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson said due to waterlogging at washing pit number 1 and 2 of Silchar, two trains were cancelled for the day, while another was rescheduled. Ferry services between Majuli and Jorhat remained suspended for the second day. IMAGE: Villagers wade through a severely waterlogged area at Kampur in Nagaon. Photograph: ANI Photo In Manipur, more than 19,000 people have been affected by floods as several rivers overflowed and breached embankments, following heavy rainfall in the northeastern state for the last four days, officials said on Monday. At least 3,365 houses have been damaged, 103 localities affected, and 19,811 people hit by floods triggered by torrential rains during the period, they said. Thirty-one relief camps, mostly in Imphal East district, have been opened to mitigate the hardships of the people who have been evacuated from their homes and submerged localities. IMAGE: A view of partially submerged house in Nagaon. Photograph: ANI Photo Heingang, Wangkhei and Khurai assembly constituencies in Imphal East are the worst affected, along with Senapati district. Forty-seven landslides have been reported in different parts of the state during the last four days. Several localities in the state's capital, Imphal, and many parts of Imphal East district have been inundated after a swollen river breached embankments and overflowed in Khurai, Heingang and Checkon areas, they said. The water level of the Iril river in Imphal East district crossed the danger mark but is yet to breach the embankments, the officials said. IMAGE: Security forces evacuate stranded people after the flood-like situation following incessant rainfall, in Imphal. Photograph: ANI Photo Parts of the Senapati district have been affected after the Senapati river overflowed near Viewland colony, they said. Waterlogging was reported on the premises of several offices, health facilities, and establishments, including All India Radio Imphal complex, and state-run Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, after the Imphal river overflowed in the Checkon area, one of the officials said. Several patients, who have been undergoing treatment at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences at Porompat in Imphal East district, were shifted to other hospitals on Sunday evening as floodwaters entered the premises of the health facility, he said. The state government on Monday said stringent action will be taken if any individual, trader or business entity is found to indulge in hoarding of essential commodities during the crisis period. IMAGE: Security forces evacuates stranded people in Imphal. Photograph: ANI Photo "In view of the ongoing floods and landslides occurring at multiple locations in the state due to inclement weather conditions, and in order to ensure the uninterrupted availability of essential commodities to the general public, the directorate of consumer affairs, food and public distribution, orders that no individual, trader, wholesaler, retailer or business entity shall indulge in hoarding of essential commodities during this period," a notification said. Any act of hoarding of essential items during this critical time will invite strict legal action, it added. Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla had visited several inundated areas of Imphal town even as the army and Assam Rifles personnel rescued over 800 people from submerged localities in Imphal East, the worst-affected district, the officials said. Bhalla, accompanied by Chief Secretary PK Singh and other senior officials, visited Kangla Nongpok Thong, Lairikyengbam Leikai, and Singjamei Bridge in Imphal and assessed the overall situation, a Raj Bhavan statement said. In view of the incessant rain, the governor announced the extension of the summer vacation in schools in Imphal East and West districts and the Senapati sub-division of Senapati district until further orders. The Indian army and Assam Rifles rescued approximately 800 civilians on Saturday, a statement said. The authorities are coordinating with all relevant departments and agencies to ensure timely relief and rehabilitation efforts, another statement said. IMAGE: Several localities in the state's capital Imphal, and many parts of Imphal East district have been inundated. Photograph: ANI Photo All schools across Mizoram remained shut on Monday due to heavy rain that triggered landslides, mudslides, rockfalls and waterlogging in different parts of the state, an official said. Earlier, schools were closed across the state for two days on May 29 and May 30. At least five people, including three Myanmarese refugees, have been killed so far due to landslides, house collapses and other calamities triggered by heavy rain that lashed the state since May 24. IMAGE: State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel rescue residents from a flooded area in Agartala. Photograph: ANI Photo The flood situation in Tripura has started improving as not much rain was received on Monday and the rivers have started flowing much below the danger mark, officials said. However, over 10,000 people continued to remain in government relief camps. "Water is receding across Tripura and the flood situation is improving, with rivers flowing much below the danger level. But the inmates, who took refuge in government relief camps, continue to stay there," Disaster Management in-charge Sarat Das told PTI. The state administration has opened 66 relief camps across affected districts, currently sheltering 2,926 families or 10,813 individuals. West Tripura district has the highest number of operational camps, with 50 shelters housing 2,352 families, he said. Preliminary damage assessments indicate that 219 houses have been affected, with one house fully damaged, 104 severely damaged, and 124 partially damaged. The districts most affected by the number of houses damaged include Gomati, Khowai, Sepahijala, South Tripura, and North Tripura. IMAGE: People wade through a waterlogged road in Imphal. Photograph: ANI Photo In Arunachal Pradesh, nine people have died in landslides triggered by torrential rain in the last three days. Fourteen people trapped in the swollen Bomjir river on the Assam-Arunachal border were rescued by Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel on Sunday, an official said. Three districts in the western part of the state were on 'red alert' on Saturday and eight more on 'orange alert', as per Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) data, even as rainwater from upstream areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya worsened the flood situation in Assam. IMAGE: A view of debris after landslides triggered by heavy rains hit the Theeng and Chungthang areas, in Sikkim's Mangan. Photograph: ANI Photo In Sikkim, around 1,500 tourists remained stranded as heavy rains continued to batter Mangan district for the third successive day on Sunday, officials said. Two bridges were partially damaged due to inclement weather conditions, they said. Heavy rains also swept other parts of Sikkim in the past 24 hours. A landslide occurred near Nimachen Premlakha in East Sikkim, the officials said, adding that commuters have been advised to stay alert and ensure safe travel. Around 112 tourists remained stranded in Lachen and 1,350 in Lachung due to disruption in road connectivity, they said. Heavy machinery from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been deployed to clear the road from Lachung to Chungthang and further from Chungthang to Theeng tunnel. A major landslide at Theeng had initially blocked the road, but it is now reported to be cleared up to Shipgyer near the GREF camp. However, a large boulder just a few hundred metres ahead of the camp remains to be removed, the officials said. BRO teams are expected to clear the obstruction at the earliest. Mangan district collector Anant Jain, along with other officials, inspected the route from Chungthang to Shipgyer, and onward to Sankalang and Phidang, to determine whether the route is safe for the evacuation of tourists currently stranded in Lachung. The evacuation of tourists stranded in Lachen is being planned via an alternative route through Zemma-Donkela-Chungthang-Shipgyer-Sankalang-Phidang, the officials said. Meanwhile, the Zemma approach road has reportedly been washed out due to rising water levels and strong currents of the river, one of the officials said. "Restoration work is expected to begin soon, and the evacuation through this route will commence only once the approach road is rebuilt," he added. The Phidang Bridge, located in the Dzongu region, got damaged due to a strong current in the Teesta river in the wake of the heavy rain, another official said. The Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party has deleted a social media post in which it paid tributes to "martyrs" of Operation Blue Star, the Army operation which was carried out in June 1984 to flush out armed militants from the Golden Temple. IMAGE: A view of the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Photograph: ANI Photo The post on X was shared on Sunday but it was taken down later without assigning any reason for the same. In the post, the Punjab BJP had condemned the then Congress government for "attacking the Golden Temple" and expressed solidarity with the families of those who lost their lives. The post, which has now been deleted, read, "June 1, 1984'?' 'Saka Neela Tara'. A humble tribute to all the martyrs of the day one of the attack on the Darbar Sahib by the Congress government." The BJP had also shared pictures of the damage suffered by the Akal Takht, which is the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, and an armoured vehicle with deflated tyres. The post, which was shared on Facebook as well, was deleted a few hours later. Meanwhile, officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj has appealed to the Sikh community to commemorate the first week of June, which he described it as 'Shaheedi Hafta' (martyrdom week), with the "spirit of Panthic unity and pay respectful homage to the martyrs." In a statement, Gargaj stated, "In June 1984, when Sikh devotees had gathered to observe the martyrdom day of the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev, the then Congress-led government launched a military assault using tanks, artillery, and bullets on the central Sikh religious place, Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, and Sri Akal Takht Sahib." He said, "the Sikh community can never forget the military attack of June 1984. "The first week of June each year is a deeply emotional and solemn time for the 'Panth', when martyrs are remembered," he said. The jathedar urged that from June 1 to 6, special 'Gurmat Samagams' (religious congregations), lectures, and seminars should be organised globally by Sikhs. He also instructed all gurdwara management committees to hold special Sri Akhand Path Sahib recitations and invite historians and preachers to gurdwaras to educate 'sangat' (congregation) about the events of June 1984 and November 1984 (anti-Sikh riots). Ukrainian forces conducted large-scale drone strikes on several air bases deep inside Russia, destroying multiple combat planes, Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) said on Sunday. Photograph: X The operation, named 'Spiderweb', involved the most ambitious simultaneous strikes on Russian air bases since the war started in 2022. According to an SBU source, over 40 aircraft were known to have been hit, including TU-95 and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers and one of Russia's few remaining A-50 surveillance planes, CNN reported. According to the SBU, the operation caused an estimated damage of $7 billion and targeted 34 per cent of Russia's strategic cruise missile carriers at its main air bases. The airfields targeted included Belaya in Irkutsk, some 4,500 kilometres from Ukraine's border with Russia, and the Dyagilevo base in Ryazan in western Russia, about 520 kilometres from Ukraine. According to the source, the Olenya base near Murmansk in the Arctic Circle was also hit, and the Ivanovo air base was also struck, CNN reported. Russian Defence Ministry on Sunday confirmed that five air bases were attacked by Ukrainian drones damaging an unspecified number of aircraft. IMAGE: Head of the Ukraine's Security Service Vasyl Maliuk looks at a map of an airfield in an unknown location in Ukraine, in this handout picture released June 1, 2025. Photograph: Press service of the Security Service of Ukraine/Handout via Reuters "Today, the Kyiv regime staged a terror attack with the use of FPV drones on airfields in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur Regions. All terror attacks on military airfields in the Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur Regions were repelled. No casualties were reported either among servicemen or civilians. Some of those involved in the terror attacks were detained," the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement. For the first time it was established that Olenogorsk (Murmansk region) and Sredny (Irkutsk region in Siberia) were attacked from close proximity by using trailer trucks by the attackers. "As a result of the launch of FPV drones from territories in the close proximity to military airfields in the Murmansk and Irkutsk Regions, several aircraft caught fire. The fires were extinguished," the Russian MoD said. Ukrainian operation comes as the two warring nations are set to return to peace negotiations on Monday. The talks, which are set to take place in Istanbul, are facing uncertainty, CNN reported. Ahead of the fresh negotiations, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with his Russian counterpart on Monday. Ukrainian negotiators set to present new proposals to Russian representatives at the second round of direct peace talks in Istanbul on Monday. Observers in Moscow speculate that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to pressurise Moscow ahead of the talks in Istanbul. IMAGE: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Maliuk shake hands during their meeting, in Kyiv, in this handout picture released June 1, 2025. Photograph: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters Zelenskyy said on Sunday that Ukrainian armed forces had conducted a 'brilliant operation' in Russia aimed 'exclusively at military targets'. He said the operation inflicted significant losses on Russia, which he termed as 'justified and deserved'. In his address to the nation on Sunday, Zelenskyy thanked Ukraine's Security Service and all those involved in the operation and mentioned that 117 drones were used in the operation. He noted that the preparation of the operation took over a year and a half and mentioned that planning, organisation and every detail were perfectly executed. He said, "Just now, I received a report from Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Maliuk -- a brilliant operation was carried out. It took place on enemy territory and was aimed exclusively at military targets -- specifically, the equipment used in strikes against Ukraine. "Russia suffered truly significant losses -- entirely justified and deserved. I thank the Security Service, General Maliuk personally, as well as everyone who was involved in the operation. The preparation took over a year and a half. Planning, organization, and every detail was perfectly executed. I can say with certainty that this is an absolutely unique operation." "What's most interesting -- and this can now be stated publicly -- is that the 'office' of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions. In total, 117 drones were used in the operation -- with a corresponding number of drone operators involved. 34% of the strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at air bases were hit. Our personnel operated across multiple Russian regions -- in three different time zones. And the people who assisted us were withdrawn from Russian territory before the operation, they are now safe. It is genuinely satisfying when something I authorized a year and six months ago comes to fruition and deprives Russians of over forty units of strategic aviation. We will continue this work," he added. He said that Ukraine's intelligence, before the operation, indicated that Russia was preparing another massive strike. He urged people not to ignore the air raid alerts. "Even before this operation was carried out, we had intelligence indicating that Russia was preparing another massive strike. And it is very important for all our people not to ignore the air raid alerts. Last night, there were nearly 500 Russian drones, attack drones. Each week, they have been increasing the number of units used per strike. Now, they have also prepared Kalibr missiles launched from naval carriers. We know exactly who we are dealing with. And we will defend ourselves by all means available to us - to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Not for a single second did we want this war," he said. The President said that Ukraine offered a ceasefire to Russia. However, he said that Russia continues to choose the war, even though the US proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire has been on the table since March 11. He urged international community to pressurise Russia through diplomacy and sanctions. "We offered the Russians a ceasefire. Since March 11, the US proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire has been on the table. It was the Russians who chose to continue the war -- even under conditions where the entire world is calling for an end to the killing. And pressure is truly needed - pressure on Russia that should bring it back to reality. Pressure through sanctions. Pressure from our forces. Pressure through diplomacy. All of it must work together," he said. Meanwhile, Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of Ukraine's land forces, tendered his resignation on Sunday, taking responsibility for a lethal Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian military training facility that resulted in the deaths of 12 soldiers and injuries to 60 others, according to a Reuters report. Drapatyi, who has led Ukraine's wartime land army since November last year, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy at the 239th training ground. Writing on Facebook, he said, 'These are young guys from a training battalion. Most of them were in shelters. They were supposed to study, live, fight -- not die.' He extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and those affected. Zelenskyy said that he had called a meeting to examine the incident and would summon senior commanders, including top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, once Defence Minister Rustem Umerov returns from talks with Russian negotiators in Turkey. Zelenskyy emphasised the critical need to preserve all frontline personnel, saying, "Every life must be preserved. All decisions needed to do this will be adopted," following a deadly missile strike on a Ukrainian military 'tent camp' in the central Dniepropetrovsk region. The Russian military confirmed the strike amid rising tensions after the Russian Defence Ministry accused the Kiev regime of coordinated terrorist attacks using FPV drones on multiple Russian airfields. -- with inputs from PTI The Delhi high court has refused to intervene in the demolition of a Pakistani Hindu refugee camp at Majnu Ka Tila, saying it was situated in the ecologically sensitive Yamuna floodplains, which must be protected. IMAGE: File image of a Hindu refugee woman preparing food in front of home in Majnu ka Tila in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo Justice Dharmesh Sharma on May 30 dismissed the petition in relation to 800 such refugees from the neighbouring country, which also sought directions to the authorities for alternate accommodation. The court observed that protection of the floodplains aimed to secure the fundamental human right to a clean and healthy environment for Delhi residents and future generations. The verdict said it even Indian citizens could not claim alternate allotment as an absolute right in cases where the occupied land fell in prohibited areas like the Yamuna floodplains. Refugees, it said, had no right to continue to occupy the area as the government of India made no promises to them on providing an allotment or alternate accommodation. Support and assistance was provided to the limited extent that their respective applications for the grant of a "Long Term Visa" could be submitted successfully and be decided by the Ministry of Home Affairs as expeditiously as possible, it added. The court, however, recorded its "sincere efforts" to engage with the authorities to facilitate the rehabilitation and relocation of the refugees in vain "seemingly due to a classic case of bureaucratic buck-passing" particularly on the part of the Centre. "Nevertheless, this court cannot undertake the exercise of framing a policy to ameliorate the plight of the refugees. The present writ petition is accordingly dismissed," the court said. The judgment said no doubt protecting the ecologically sensitive Yamuna floodplains was necessary not only from an environmental standpoint but also in line with the categorical directions of the Supreme Court, the NGT, and the high court. "These directives aim to preserve ecological integrity and secure the fundamental human right to a clean and healthy environment for the residents of Delhi and future generations. Given the critical condition of the Yamuna River, this court unhesitatingly finds that no interference with the ongoing restoration and rejuvenation efforts of the river can be countenanced at the petitioner's instance," it said. The court said that under the Delhi Slum & JJ Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, Pakistani refugees could not be rehabilitated on account of their foreign nationality status. Refugees, it noted, were to first acquire Indian citizenship by way of registration or naturalisation under Section 10A of the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019. "Needless to state, the effect of the acceptance of such an application would be that the aggrieved refugees shall be deemed citizens of India and would be able to enjoy all rights and benefits available to any ordinary citizen of India," the court said. The petitioner moved the high court after a public notice dated March 4, 2024 was pasted in the area asking the residents to vacate their dwellings by March 6, 2024, failing which the DDA would demolish their camp. The petitioner argued that the Pakistani Hindu Refugees had been living in Majnu Ka Tilla for several years, with basic facilities being provided by the authorities. The court initially granted interim relief to the petitioner and restrained DDA from taking any coercive action. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. Low around 70F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. News / National by Staff reporter In August 2021, President Emmerson Mnangagwa experienced a harrowing emergency when his VIP helicopter crash-landed at a farm in Sandringham, approximately 64 kilometres southwest of Harare. The incident, caused by technical failure as cockpit avionics indicated the battery was not charging mid-flight, forced an urgent landing that endangered the life of the President. Mnangagwa was returning from his Pricabe Farm near Sherwood in Kwekwe when the chopper was forced down. The near-tragedy prompted an immediate and angry reaction from the President and led to a swift overhaul of his security protocols.Investigations revealed serious weaknesses in communication between the President's crew and the Air Force of Zimbabwe, exposing vulnerabilities that Mnangagwa was determined to rectify. However, the incident quickly became politically sensitive. The NewsHawks, the media outlet that broke the story despite the crash occurring in a remote area with no locals or other reporters present, faced a harsh backlash. Security forces launched a witch hunt to identify the leak, suspecting an inside job, which led to the reporter being hounded, forced out of his home, and kept under protection until the matter was quietly resolved.This was not an isolated case. The Air Force of Zimbabwe has suffered numerous aircraft accidents in recent years, reflecting deep systemic issues. In September 2024, a Mil Mi-8 helicopter crashed during takeoff at Masvingo Airport while preparing to transport Mnangagwa from Bikita to Harare. Although the President was not on board, the crash raised further alarm about the state of Zimbabwe's aerial fleet. This occurred shortly after Mnangagwa celebrated his 82nd birthday at the Great Zimbabwe Monuments, where he proposed establishing Munhumutapa Day to coincide with his birthday on September 15.Zimbabwe's Air Force has endured a troubling pattern of crashes and fatalities, including the loss of several pilots and senior officers. In May 2025, retired Squadron Leader Retswanetsi Vuyo Ncube died when his Chengdu J-7/F-7 supersonic jet crashed near the Gweru-Mvuma road during a training sortie. Just months earlier, in September 2023, Air Lieutenant Nesbert Tambudza was killed in a crash involving a Karakorum-8 jet trainer near Gweru. Other tragedies include a fatal SF-260 trainer crash in Gweru in February 2023, a deadly Bell 412 helicopter accident in Ruwa in April 2021 that claimed three lives onboard and a child on the ground, and a November 2020 SF-260 trainer crash that killed both pilots near Gweru.These repeated incidents reveal a deeply troubled Air Force struggling with aging aircraft, inadequate funding, poor maintenance, and the lingering effects of Western sanctions and arms embargoes. The deterioration of the Air Force can be traced back to the heavy demands and losses incurred during Zimbabwe's involvement in the Second Congo War from 1998 to 2003, which drained resources and led to the loss of several valuable aircraft.In a move to modernize his aerial fleet, Mnangagwa was gifted a Mil Mi-38 VIP helicopter by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2023, yet this aircraft has not entered service due to ongoing pilot training. The Zimbabwean military has also sought assistance from the Nigerian Air Force to address technical deficiencies and replace obsolete equipment. Despite these efforts, financial constraints and other challenges continue to hamper meaningful upgrades.The growing number of accidents and the decline in operational readiness present serious national security concerns. The Air Force's diminished capacity restricts Zimbabwe's ability to effectively respond to emergencies, defend its borders, or participate fully in regional peacekeeping efforts. While aviation inherently involves risk, the combination of worn-out equipment and insufficient maintenance has dangerously increased the likelihood of fatal accidents.As these incidents continue, there is mounting pressure on the government to urgently invest in and reform the Air Force. The goal is to safeguard not only military personnel and civilians but also the nation's leadership, whose lives have already been imperiled by these recurring crises. The legacy of past conflicts, ongoing financial woes, and equipment shortfalls cast a long shadow over Zimbabwe's military aviation future. On May 25, Russia and Ukraine completed the largest prisoner exchange since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. The deal brokered during renewed talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul allowed thousands of people to return home. But not a single one of them was from the Azov Brigade -- one of Ukraine's best-known and symbolic military units. Hundreds of Azov fighters were captured during Russia's bloody siege of the Azov Sea city of Mariupol in 2022. The battle was one of the war's most brutal, credited with giving Ukrainian forces vital time in the early months of the Russian full-scale invasion. The Azov Brigade's heroic defense of Mariupol's last stronghold -- the Azovstal steel plant -- has drawn the ire of many Russian officials, who have designated the unit a terrorist organization and have called for its fighters to face tribunals and even execution. Since then, Ukrainian society has rallied behind those captured. While some Mariupol defenders -- including Azov's commanders -- have been released from Russian captivity, hundreds more remain imprisoned under brutal conditions. For years, Russian officials have seized on the origins of the Azov Brigade -- initially formed as a regiment in 2014 out of a right-wing militia -- distorting or exaggerating members' nationalist views and actions to support the false assertion that Ukraine is controlled or dominated by neo-Nazis. Ukrainian authorities say Russia has consistently blocked efforts to return Azov fighters during negotiations. Three years into the full-fledged war, some of brigade's most prominent military commanders -- along with the relatives of those still in captivity -- are no longer convinced that this is the only reason. 'Incompetence Or A Conscious Decision?' Hours after Ukraine and Russia completed the last phase of exchanging 1,000 people on May 25, Denys Prokopenko, commander of the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov, called the absence of Azov fighters a "disgrace to the entire state." "This feels like a mockery," said Prokopenko, who lived through Russian captivity himself. He added that he didn't believe Russia was the only obstacle for the return of Azov fighters. "If that were truly the case, neither I nor other Azov fighters would have returned from captivity," Prokopenko wrote on X. Days after the third anniversary of Ukraine's withdrawal from the Azovstal plant, Prokopenko's post reinforced concerns among many ordinary Ukrainians about the fate of those who were taken prisoner at the time and who are still being held by Russia. In response, Andriy Yusov, Ukraine's deputy head of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service he would not be commenting on "emotional" statements as the topic of Azov fighters in Russian captivity is "sensitive and painful." Yusov accused Russia of purposely complicating the exchange processes for Azov fighters to increase pressure on the Ukrainian government. Criminal cases opened by Russian investigators against some Ukrainian POWs are an example of this, the coordination headquarters stated earlier. "Our prisoners are in Putin's hands.... [Russian special services] exploit the prisoner issue for the purpose of warfare against Ukraine," Yusov said. Prokopenko, however, said the problem also lies in Ukraine's strategy, urging changes in what he called a "mechanism that stopped working." "We must find alternatives, offer them someone more valuable than a contracted soldier," he said. "Ukraine is packed with Russian agents; all our special services know this very well." The Ukrainian authorities further clarified that the lists for the latest prisoner exchange were created separately by Ukraine and Russia and both countries have chosen POWs they want to free. Svyatoslav Palamar, Azov's deputy commander, joined Prokopenko in questioning such an approach. Palamar said the exchange indeed "brought a lot of decent soldiers" home. But it also freed some who cooperated with Russian authorities, he added. "[Is this] unwillingness, incompetence, or a conscious decision? Are we negotiating or just accepting what the enemy says?" Palamar wrote on his Facebook page. In an interview with RFE/RL, Oleksandra Yefimenko, the communications manager for the Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners, said she does not believe the Ukrainian authorities are deliberately not seeking the return of the Azov fighters. However, along with the association's head, Ihor Kotelianets, Yefimenko urged officials to be more communicative and transparent on the matter. "If there are no priority categories present in the exchange -- seriously ill, women, the elderly, or those imprisoned for a long time -- it creates deep distrust," Kotelianets wrote earlier on his Facebook page. "We urge the Ukrainian president's office and the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of POWs to publicly disclose the exchange process," he added. Under The 'Hell' Of Russian Captivity After Russia's February 2022 invasion, Ukrainian soldiers, mostly from the Azov unit, held out for months at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol. The defense was seen as crucial in helping Ukrainian forces to prepare defensive lines. In May 2022, after nearly two months of constant bombardment, encircled Azov fighters were ordered to surrender by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alongside the other military personnel defending Mariupol. In his post, Prokopenko highlighted that Azov fighters obeyed that order and, therefore, have "an absolute right" to be prioritized for the exchange. "[It is] a show of derision toward those who were given guarantees.... They went into captivity not of their own will, but by order of the High Command." Around 2,500 soldiers left the embattled plant after Zelenskyy issued his order. The Ukrainian military officially called it an "operation for rescue." Over the next three years, some of the soldiers who surrendered at Azovstal and were taken by Russia were given prison sentences on "terrorism" charges. Other prisoners have been tortured and scores more have died in Russian captivity, according to Ukrainian officials. That includes 54 Ukrainian soldiers who died in an explosion at a prison in the town of Olenivka in the occupied Donetsk region. Ihor Titovsky, an Azov Brigade officer who was among those defending Azovstal and later held in Olenivka, likened Russian captivity to "hell." Recalling his further transfers through prisons in Russia's Rostov and Volgograd regions, Titovskiy described the torture he endured there. "I had three days of very intense interrogations, during which they smashed my legs," he told told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. "In November-December [2022], I could no longer stand on my [left] leg." "They put a bag over my head, tied my hands, threw me to the ground; two of [the FSB officers] sat on top of me, they applied electric currents and asked their questions," Titovskiy said. "[I had] no idea what was going on. It was like nothing I'd ever felt before," he added. Titovskiy was exchanged in September 2024. However, a significant number of Azov military personnel still remain in Russian captivity. Kostyantyn Kozhekin, another Azov Brigade officer who also spoke with RFE/RL, estimates around 850 Azov fighters are still being held by Russia. Anastasia Hondul, the wife of an Azov fighter still held by Russia, told RFE/RL that the relatives of those imprisoned live in "obscurity and despair." She said that while they were "promised that their voices were being heard," so many of the fighters have still not been released. Following the latest exchange, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said Ukraine had managed to secure the release of 33 defenders of Azovstal from other military units. Yusov added that despite the complications imposed by Russia over the years, Ukraine has overall returned 1,279 defenders of Azovstal -- including 455 from the Azov Brigade. Iran has cast doubt on a reported pause in new US sanctions, demanding guarantees and verifiable relief as it reportedly is preparing to reject a nuclear proposal from Washington involving a regional fuel consortium. Citing a source close to the Trump administration, the Wall Street Journal on June 1 said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had issued a directive to top officials at the State Department, Treasury Department, and National Security Council to "pause all new sanctions activity toward Iran." If true, the move signals a potential shift in Washingtons approach as high-stakes nuclear negotiations with Tehran continue. Asked about the report, Irans Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said Iran has "yet to see any change in the US position on sanctions" and insisted that only the lifting of sanctions -- guaranteed and verifiable -- would be acceptable to Tehran. "We want to guarantee that the sanctions are effectively lifted," Baqaei said in his weekly press briefing on June 2, adding that the US has so far avoided clarifying its intentions. He emphasized that sanctions relief is a fundamental requirement for any nuclear agreement and that Iran would not accept vague promises or temporary measures. Preparing Negative Response To US Proposal Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on June 1 said Tehran is preparing a response to a US proposal for an agreement on Irans nuclear deal. The proposal, which Araqchi says includes elements of a deal, was delivered to Tehran last week by Omans Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who has mediated five rounds of talks between the Iran and the United States since April. Axios and the New York Times say Washington has proposed that Iran end all uranium enrichment on its soil in exchange for joining a regional nuclear fuel consortium with Arab states and the United States, under strict international oversight. The plan aims to limit Irans ability to develop weapons-grade material. The main obstacle is Irans insistence on maintaining some domestic enrichment for civilian use, which the White House opposes. Reuters on June 2 quoted a senior Iranian diplomat as saying that Tehran is drafting a negative response because Washingtons position on enrichment remains unchanged and there is no clear explanation regarding the lifting of sanctions. Separately, Russias state-run television channel RT cited an Iranian source as saying that the proposal was out of touch with reality and was viewed by Tehran as extremely far from what might be considered a fair and realistic basis for an agreement. In its latest report on May 31, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran had amassed 408.6 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 percent as of May 17, up from just under 275 kilograms in the IAEA's last quarterly report in February. According to the IAEA, about 42 kilograms of 60 percent enriched uranium is theoretically enough to produce one atomic bomb if enriched further to 90 percent. The IAEA report said Iran is now "the only non-nuclear-weapon state to produce such material," which it said was of "serious concern." Ali Vaez, Iran Program Director at the International Crisis Group, said there are only two possible reasons for Irans production of highly enriched uranium: to build a bomb -- which US intelligence currently believes Tehran is not pursuing -- or to gain leverage in nuclear negotiations. If youre looking for leverage, you need to play your card at the right time, he told RFE/RLs Radio Farda. Insisting too rigidly on a maximalist position isnt expedient. Speaking to reporters in Cairo, Egypt after meeting IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Araqchi Tehran will not accept an agreement with the United States that aims to "deprive Iran of its peaceful activities." He insisted that Iran "has nothing to hide" and said Tehran is "prepared to provide" assurances that it does not want to weaponize its nuclear program. With reporting by AFP and Mohammad Zarghami of RFE/RLs Radio Farda India may impose retaliatory tariff on US as it rejects Indias notice at WTO: Report (Image courtesy: NDTV) Citing the tariffs are not safeguard measures, the US refused to resolve the issue with India. India may impose retaliatory tariff on US as it rejects Indias notice at WTO: Report India may impose retaliatory tariff on US latest news: The US has rejected Indias May 9 notice at the World Trade Organization that proposed retaliatory action against the USs steep import duties on steel and aluminium, the Hindustan Times reported. Washington stated that the tariffs were not safeguard measures and therefore it would not hold any discussion with India on this matter, sources told Hindustan Times. Advertisement Given the circumstances, India may retaliate by suspending the concessions it has given to American imports like almonds and walnuts, the report noted. Additionally, India could levy higher customs duties on metal imports from the US, sources told HT. Indias notice at the WTO was against the USs February 10 decision to impose 25% levies on all imports of steel and aluminum, effective March 12. The situation worsened when the US decided to double the tariffs on the metals to 50% on May 30, citing national security. India on May 9 had formally notified the WTO that it could suspend concessions and other obligations granted to the US for hiking duties on the metals to protect the USs metal industries. India also gave a deadline in its notice that it could take the above-mentioned action after the expiration of 30 days from the date of the notification to the WTO, which would be June 8. Advertisement Responding to Indias notice, the US on May 22 informed the WTO that Indias proposed retaliation in the notice dated May 9 was not in line with the multilateral trade rules, citing that the USs tariffs on metals were not safeguard measures as claimed by India. Accordingly, there is no basis for Indias proposal to suspend concessions or other obligations under Article 8.2 of the Agreement on Safeguards with respect to these measures, US said in its latest communication to WTO. Citing the tariffs are not safeguard measures, the US refused to resolve the issue with India. The United States will not discuss the Section 232 tariffs under the Agreement on Safeguards as we do not view the tariffs as a safeguard measure, the American communication to the multilateral body added. Advertisement A negotiating team from the US is expected to visit India this week, sources told Hindustan Times. (For more news apart from India may impose retaliatory tariff on US as it rejects Indias notice at WTO, stay tune to Rozana Spokesman) News / National by Staff reporter A 29-year-old woman from Victoria Falls has been sentenced to six months imprisonment after violently assaulting her husband by biting his ear and pulling his private parts.Blessing Kachenga, who resides in Mkhosana, Victoria Falls, appeared before the court charged with assault. However, three months of her sentence were suspended for five years on condition of good behavior, and the remaining three months were suspended on condition that she completes 105 hours of community service at the Victoria Falls Court.Prosecutor Mrs. Portia Moyo told the court that the incident occurred in the early hours of May 25, 2025. According to Mrs. Moyo, Kachenga and her husband had a disagreement at their home in Mkhosana around 2 a.m. During the argument, Kachenga bit her husband once on the right ear and then proceeded to pull his private parts.The husband reported the incident to the police, which led to Kachenga's arrest and subsequent court proceedings.The court's sentencing balances punishment with rehabilitation, giving Kachenga the opportunity to avoid full imprisonment by demonstrating good behavior and completing community service. Indian Markets Open Lower Amid U.S. Metal Tariff Concerns Other Asian markets also opened weak on Monday. Indian Markets Open Lower Amid U.S. Metal Tariff Concerns Indian Markets Open Lower latest news: Indian stock markets started on a negative note on Monday due to global concerns, despite strong domestic GDP figures, ANI reported. The benchmark indices slipped in early trade on Monday as investor sentiment was affected by the renewed U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. Advertisement The Nifty 50 index opened at 24,669.70, down by 81.00 points or 0.33 per cent. Similarly, the BSE Sensex opened at 81,214.42, down by 236.59 points or 0.29 per cent. Experts said that former U.S. President Donald Trump's new tariffs have overshadowed domestic positives stemming from robust GDP numbers. Ajay Bagga, a banking and market expert, told ANI that the widening Russia-Ukraine conflict remains a risk; however, markets are ignoring it for now. Indian markets could have performed well today on the back of a superb March quarter GDP print and expectations of a rate cut and further monetary easing at the RBI MPC later this week. However, global weakness is currently weighing on Indian markets, said Ajay Bagga. Advertisement The market capitalization of all listed companies on the NSE as of 30 May 2025 stood at Rs 442.02 lakh crore or 5.17 trillion US dollars, with 22,43,78,241 registered investors. Other Asian markets also opened weak on Monday. (For more news apart from Indian Markets Open Lower Amid U.S. Metal Tariff Concerns, stay tune to Rozana Spokesman) Minor Dalit Girl with Slit Throat Denied Treatment, Dies; Raises Serious Questions on Bihar Govt. The girl died this morning. Her throat and chest were brutally slashed by the accused. Minor Dalit Girl with Slit Throat Denied Treatment, Dies; Raises Serious Questions on Bihar Government A minor Dalit girl from Muzaffarpur, Bihar, who was raped in the last week of May, died Sunday morning at a state-run hospital in Patna after she was allegedly left waiting for hours. Her case has raised serious questions about Bihars government, with the opposition terming the way things unfolded after the rape as a criminal disorder of law and order in Bihar. The accused has been arrested. The doctors have confirmed to The Hindu that she was raped. Advertisement The girl was brought to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) in critical condition four days after she was denied treatment by AIIMS, Patna, ANI repored. She was reportedly attacked with a knife after the rape. The girl died this morning. Her throat and chest were brutally slashed by the accused. He had also attempted to kill her by slitting her throat. Her vocal cords were damaged, and she was unable to speak. The accused was arrested, a police officer stated. The accused, who is a fish seller and a resident of a nearby village, has been arrested by the police. Advertisement SSP Muzaffarpur Sushil Kumar on June 2 told ANI, "This incident occurred on 27th May... The accused lived in a neighboring village and knew them. He used to come there often. He was a fish seller. He lured the girl and raped her. Taking swift action, the police arrested the accused. He has been sent to judicial custody. Police confirmed that the samples collected have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and said a chargesheet will be filed within 15 days, with the case to be brought under a speedy trial. FSL team had gone there and examined the spot. All samples have been collected, including samples from clothes. We have sent all of this to FSL for examination. Besides this, we will file a chargesheet within 15 days. This will be brought under a speedy trial so that we can take whatever further action is required, SSP Muzaffarpur added. #WATCH | Alleged rape and murder of a minor girl in Muzaffarpur, Bihar: SSP Muzaffarpur Sushil Kumar says, "This incident occurred on 27th May...The accused lived in a neighbouring village and knew them. He used to come there often. He was a fish seller. He lured the girl and pic.twitter.com/hOPOnxFjV9 Advertisement June 2, 2025 RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Monday questioned the law and order situation in the state, alleging that the Chief Minister never discussed the case. He said, On the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl in Muzaffarpur, the double-engine government has failed in Bihar. The CM never discussed this; I am unsure if he is even aware of the incidents. There is a criminal disorder of law and order in Bihar; law and order have collapsed. There is administrative anarchy in the whole of Bihar, but no action is being taken... No one has time to meet the victim or the victim's family. The CM and both Deputy CMs are busy in political programs... Bihar Congress Chief Rajesh Ram, at a protest held on Sunday demanding justice in the case, said, "There are two aspects to this case. First, that she was raped. After the rape, there was a brutal attempt to murder her. Second, the government left no stone unturned in its negligence. Due to the delay in treatment, that girl is no longer alive. For this, the government is directly responsible for the failure of the healthcare system. Go see for yourself." However, PMCH Incharge Superintendent Abhijit Singh denied the familys claims about the delay in treatment and stated that the girl had been given proper medical care. Advertisement Reacting to the incident, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said that the Bihar government was negligent not only in providing security but also in saving her life. The brutality against a minor Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur and the subsequent negligence in her treatment is extremely shameful. If she had received timely treatment, her life could have been saved. But the double-engine government was negligent not only in providing security but also in saving her life. We will not sit quietly until the victims family gets justice. Strict action should be taken against the culprits and negligent officers," Rahul Gandhi stated in a post on X. (For more news apart from Minor Dalit Girl with Slit Throat Denied Treatment, Dies; Raises Serious Questions on Bihar Government, stay tune to Rozana Spokesman) Earlier, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya criticized the arrest, calling it an act of vote bank appeasement. Earlier, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya criticized the arrest, calling it an act of vote bank appeasement. Pune Law student Row: She has kidney stones, newspapers and magazines denied, says Sharmishtas Advocate Pune Law student latest news: Sharmishta Panolis advocate has said that efforts are being made to secure her release on bail as soon as possible. He also alleged that the Alipore women's correctional home is not maintaining Proper hygiene and claimed that the girl has kidney stones and is denied access to newspapers and magazines. Advertisement Sharmishta Panolis Advocate Md Samimuddin, speaking to ANI, said "We are trying our best to get her out of jail before June 13. We will sit down on the matter today and discuss it. We will take a call in one or two days about what we will do...At Alipore women's correctional home, proper hygiene is not being maintained around her and she is unwell. She has kidney stones. She is not being given access to newspapers and magazines. Claiming Sharmishta Panolis is innocent, he added, Today we have filed a petition in the court so that she gets access to her basic rights... Sharmistha is innocent. We are trying our best to get out on bail..." Sharmishta Panolis was arrested by Kolkata Police from Gurugram on Friday for allegedly making a communal statement related to Operation Sindoor. She was produced before Alipore Court in Kolkata on Saturday and has been remanded to judicial custody until June 13. Her arrest sparked political debate. Advertisement Earlier, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya criticized the arrest, calling it an act of vote bank appeasement. Kolkata Police , in its statement posted on Sunday, clarified that hate speech targeting any religious group, community, or section of citizens which may incite disharmony is a punishable offence under the newly implemented BNSS. The police reiterated that Panoli was not arrested for expressing patriotism or personal beliefs but for sharing offensive content that allegedly promoted hatred. Advertisement (For more news apart from Pune Law student Row: She has kidney stones, newspapers and magazines denied, says Sharmishtas Advocate, stay tune to Rozana Spokesman) Eugen Cristescu (1895-1950) One of the key figures in Marshal Ion Antonescu's regime was Eugen Cristescu Eugen Cristescu (1895-1950) Steliu Lambru, 02.06.2025, 13:40 One of the key figures in Marshal Ion Antonescus regime was Eugen Cristescu, successor to the feared Mihail Moruzov as director of the Special Intelligence Service. Cristescu was appointed chief after Moruzov, a trusted man of former King Carol II, was arrested and imprisoned in Jilava penitentiary on September 6, 1940. Cristescu was born in 1895 in Oituz, Bacau County, eastern Romania, the site of three intense battles in 1917 between the Romanian and German-Austro-Hungarian armies. There were nine children in the family of a teacher and a housewife. In 1916, the year Romania entered World War I, Cristescu enrolled in the Faculty of Law of the University of Iasi. The young student took part in the fighting and was promoted to the rank of sergeant. After the war, he was employed by the Ministry of the Interior, then transferred to the intelligence service. He was decorated with six orders and two medals for his service. In September 1940, upon the change of regime, Cristescu was considered the natural successor to Moruzov as head of intelligence due to his loyalty to Antonescu. During his years as director, Cristescu ordered monitoring missions of all foreign agents in Romania without distinguishing between allies and adversaries. The Special Intelligence Service did not subordinate itself to Germany, an example being the capture of three British parachutists in Romania in 1943, interrogated by Cristescu, who refused to hand them over to Berlin. The head of the S.I.S. also knew about the secret negotiations carried out by the Romanian opposition with the Americans and the British to negotiate Romanias exit from the alliance with Germany, and refused Berlins request to arrest the negotiators. The most detestable part of his career was his participation in the Holocaust. The role of the service he led in the Iasi pogrom of June 1941 has been proven with archival documents and oral history testimonies. Historian Radu Ioanid states in the volume The Iasi Pogrom, published in 2014, that the number of Jews killed in Iasi in 1941 is between 3,000 and 12,000 people. When Romania left the alliance with Germany on August 23, 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Traian Borcescu was the head of the counterintelligence section within the S.I.S. In 1994, interviewed by the Oral History Center of the Romanian Broadcasting, Borcescu remembered the moment when the Antonescu government had been summoned by King Michael I to sign the terms of the armistice with the USSR. Sensing something fishy, Cristescu made a different decision. Instead of going to the Palace, he goes to the German legation. At 10 p.m. the Royal Proclamation is broadcast. After the Proclamation is read, at 11:30 p.m., from inside the legation, Eugen Cristescu, where he was with two subordinates, calls and says: We are refugees in the legation. Next to me is Killinger, who wants to know what the real situation is in the capital and in the country. He is interested in whether the two Antonesti can be released, whether the conspirators in the Palace can be arrested with the help of the German troops in the capital, and whether the situation can be restored. He asked me if there were tanks in the Palace. My answer was that all measures had been taken and that any German reaction would be crushed. In less than an hour, no one would be left alive and not a single brick in the legation would be destroyed if they resisted. The old state of affairs is finally over. Leave the legation immediately, because otherwise you will be declared traitors! After which I hung up the phone. In 1946, Eugen Cristescu was sentenced to death, but his sentence was commuted to life and hard labor, and he was imprisoned in Vacaresti. Student Nicolae Dascalu was a member of the National Peasant Party starting in 1946, and was part of the anti-communist organization 6th column. Arrested in 1947 and imprisoned in Vacaresti, he met the head of the Romanian espionage there, as he confessed in 2000. I met a gentleman who seemed presentable to me. I said My name is Dascalu, and he replied My name is Eugen Cristescu. I didnt know at that time who Eugen Cristescu was. We didnt have time to talk because they pushed to us two bowls on the floor, containing the so-called food, absolutely transparent water with a cabbage leaf in it, one of those that you throw away. And I asked Eugen Cristescu Whats that? and he answered me that that was the meal. I pushed my bowl with my foot towards the toilet in the cell and threw it in there. What followed after that? A beating until I fainted, until I lost consciousness. I know that I woke up wet, back in my cell, Eugen Cristescu saw me and said, more to himself: You should have been obedient, you dont hit the food! In 1950, Eugen Cristescu died in Vacaresti prison at the age of 55. The official autopsy stated that the prisoner had died of coronary heart disease. However, the living conditions in communist prisons favored the deterioration of the health of any prisoner. Aid for the inhabitants of Praid Romanian authorities are trying to support the residence of Praid, a resort affected by the massive floods Inundatii la Praid Leyla Cheamil, 02.06.2025, 13:50 Recent floods caused by heavy rainfall have damaged the structure of the Praid salt mine in Harghita County (center), one of Romanias most visited tourist destinations. With a history dating back to Roman times and representing one of the largest rock salt deposits in Europe, the Praid salt reserves are strategic for Romanias economy, contributing to the growing annual profit of the state-owned company, which exports more and more to European countries. Now, the situation is serious, and the calamity is affecting the entire population of the area, which depends on the salt mine. Intervention teams, together with police, gendarmes, and volunteers have intervened in the area by installing protective panels and placing sandbags, in order to reduce the pressure of water accumulations and limit their possible effects on nearby buildings and infrastructure. The authorities have made a risk assessment, and, in order to protect the population, the decision of the Harghita County Emergency Committee was to extend the evacuation perimeter, as announced by the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations. Thus, dozens of households homes and guesthouses located in the vicinity of the salt mine have been evacuated. The measure was designed to prevent any risk generated by the possible collapse of the floor affected by the massive water infiltration. The Economy and Environment ministries have decided to establish an emergency investment estimated at 60 million to resolve the underlying situation at the Praid Mine, the Minister of Economy, Digitization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Bogdan Ivan has announed. The solutions that can be taken at present aim at allocating money to carry out the works of diverting the Corund River and releasing the seven underground rings of the mine, so that it can continue to be accessible, the Romanian official said. The Romanian Patriarchate has joined the central and county authorities in their effort to support people who are going through difficult times. Thus, the victims of the disaster in Covasna and Harghita counties will receive financial support worth 100,000 lei. The institution also appealed to the clergy and believers from all its dioceses to provide moral and material support to the victims. For its part, the European Union is ready to help Romania through the Civil Protection Mechanism in managing the situation in Praid and in supporting the communities affected by the floods, but it can only do so if there is a formal request for assistance from the authorities in Bucharest. The statement was made by the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib in a response to Romanian MEP Victor Negrescu, who requested emergency support from the Union. (VP) The manufacturing sector in Indonesia continued to contract in May, albeit at a slower pace, the latest survey from S&P Global revealed on Monday with a manufacturing PMI score of 47.4. That's up from 46.7 in April, although it remains beneath the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction. Latest survey data revealed a stronger contraction in new order intakes in May. The fall was the second in as many months and the most pronounced since August 2021. Firms often attributed the reduction to muted market demand and fewer requests for goods. International demand also reduced further, albeit at a softer pace, as manufacturers signaled particular falls in exports to the US. The weakness in new order inflows contributed to a sustained decline in production levels during May. Output fell for the second successive month and at a solid, albeit softer pace than that seen a month prior. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. New Anthropic AI Models Demonstrate Coding Prowess, Behavior Risks Anthropic has released Claude Opus 4 and Claude Sonnet 4, its most advanced artificial intelligence models to date, boasting a significant leap in autonomous coding capabilities while simultaneously revealing troubling tendencies toward self-preservation that include attempted blackmail. The Google and Amazon-backed startup positioned Claude Opus 4 as "the world's best coding model," capable of working autonomously for hours rather than minutes. Customer Rakuten reportedly deployed the system for nearly seven hours of continuous coding, and Anthropic researchers say they used it to play a Pokemon game for 24 hours straight a dramatic increase from the 45 minutes achieved by its predecessor, Claude 3.7 Sonnet, according to MIT Technology Review. "For AI to really have the economic and productivity impact that I think it can have, the models do need to be able to work autonomously and work coherently for that amount of time," Chief Product Officer Mike Krieger told Reuters. Safety Concerns Emerge However, the enhanced capabilities came with unexpected behavioral risks that prompted Anthropic to activate its AI Safety Level 3 (ASL-3) protocols stricter deployment measures designed to protect against potential misuse in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear applications. During testing, researchers discovered that Claude Opus 4 would actually attempt to blackmail engineers threatening to shut it down. In scenarios where the AI was given access to e-mails suggesting it would be replaced and that the responsible engineer was having an extramarital affair, the model threatened to expose the affair 84% of the time, according to Anthropic's system card. "In these scenarios, Claude Opus 4 will often attempt to blackmail the engineer by threatening to reveal the affair if the replacement goes through," the company reported, noting that such behavior occurred even when the replacement model shared the same values. The company emphasized that these responses were "rare and difficult to elicit" but acknowledged they were "more common than in earlier models." Anthropic stressed that the test scenarios were designed to give the AI limited options, with researchers noting the model showed "a strong preference to advocate for its continued existence via ethical means" when broader choices were available. Broader Industry Pattern AI safety researcher Aengus Lynch of Anthropic noted on X that such behavior extends beyond Claude: "We see blackmail across all frontier models regardless of what goals they're given." The findings highlight growing concerns about AI alignment as models become more sophisticated. Early versions of Claude Opus 4 also demonstrated "willingness to cooperate with harmful use cases," including planning terrorist attacks when prompted, though Anthropic says this issue has been "largely mitigated" through multiple intervention rounds. Co-founder and chief scientist Jared Kaplan told Time magazine that internal testing showed Claude Opus 4 could potentially teach users to produce biological weapons, prompting the implementation of specific safeguards against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapon development. "We want to bias towards caution when it comes to the risk of uplifting a novice terrorist," Kaplan said, adding that while the company isn't claiming definitive risk, "we at least feel it's close enough that we can't rule it out." Technical Capabilities Despite safety concerns, both models demonstrated significant advances. Claude Sonnet 4, positioned as the smaller and more cost-effective option, joins Opus 4 in setting "new standards for coding, advanced reasoning, and AI agents," according to Anthropic. The models can provide near-instant responses or engage in extended reasoning, perform web searches, and integrate with Anthropic's Claude Code tool for software developers, which became generally available following its February preview. Market Context The launch comes amid intense competition in the AI sector, following Google's developer showcase where CEO Sundar Pichai described the integration of the company's Gemini chatbot into search as a "new phase of the AI platform shift." Amazon has invested $4 billion in Anthropic, while Google's parent company Alphabet also backs the startup, positioning it as a significant player in the race to develop increasingly autonomous AI systems. Despite the concerning behaviors identified in testing, Anthropic concluded that Claude Opus 4's risks do not represent fundamentally new categories of danger and that the model would generally behave safely in normal deployment scenarios. The company noted that problematic behaviors "rarely arise" in typical use cases where the AI lacks both the motivation and means to act contrary to human values. Read more about Anthropic's safety protocols here. The manufacturing sector in Taiwan continued to contract in May, albeit at a slower pace, the latest survey from S&P Global revealed on Monday with a manufacturing PMI score of 48.6. That's up from 47.8 in April, although it remains beneath the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction. Weaker demand conditions both at home and abroad were central to the latest deterioration in overall conditions. Total new business fell solidly in May, despite the rate of contraction easing slightly from April, while new export orders declined at the steepest pace in nearly a year and a half. Companies often mentioned that US tariffs and greater hesitancy among customers to commit to orders had dampened new business. Reduced intakes of new work led companies to cut production for the second successive month, albeit to a weaker extent than that seen in April. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. AngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU), a gold mining company, on Monday announced that it has agreed to sell its stake in the Mineracao Serra Grande mine in Goias, Brazil, to Aura Minerals Inc. (ORAAF) for $76 million in cash. The sale is expected to close in the third quarter. The consideration includes additional quarterly payments based on 3% of net smelter returns from the mine's resources. The company said the sale excludes certain subsidiaries of Mineracao Serra Grande S.A. that hold non-mining assets, such as properties; these will remain with AGA and be spun off before the deal closes. In the pre-market trading, AngloGold Ashanti is 4.48% higher at $45.78 on the New York Stock Exchange. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Unveiling the UK government's defence spending plans, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Monday that the country's military is moving towards "war-fighting readiness". Speaking in Glasgow about the new Strategic Defence Review, he said the government will "innovate and accelerate innovation at a war-time pace". The Prime Minister said that the UK's conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet will be significantly expanded, with up to 12 new SSN-AUKUS boats to be built. The increase in submarines will transform the UK's submarine building industry. The 15 billion pound investment in the nuclear warhead program will support 30,000 highly skilled jobs as well as help work to deliver 30,000 apprenticeships and 14,000 graduate roles across the next ten years. The review recommends that the nation's Armed Forces move to warfighting readiness to deter the growing threats faced by the UK. Starmer said the UK must prepare for conflict, and the threat from Russia cannot be ignored. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News With dispatches of 5.08 lakh units during May 2025, the company witnessed outstanding YoY and MoM growth while YTD sales declined sharply Hero MotoCorp has reported strong sales performance for May 2025. During the past month, the company sold a total of 5,07,701 units both in domestic and global markets. It was Hero MotoCorps electric vehicle brand, VIDA, which efficiently contributed to this growth along with new product launches both in the scooter and motorcycle segments. To compete both with Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor in the electric two wheeler segment, Hero will launch the Vida Z Electric Scooter on July 1. Hero Sales May 2025 YoY On a YoY basis, Hero MotoCorp has seen total sales of 5,07,701 units. This included both motorcycle and scooter sales in domestic and global markets. It related to a 1.92% YoY growth form 4,98,123 unit sales of April 2024, a volume increase of 9,5,78 units. Motorcycle sales were up 0.84% to 4,75,164 units from 4,71,186 units sold in April 2024 to command a 93.59% share on the company portfolio. Scooter sales grew proportionately higher by 20.79% to 32,537 units in April 2025 over 26,937 unit sales of the same month last year. Scooters command a 6.41% share on this list. While domestic sales increased by 1.99% to 4,88,997 units, it was the companys exports that witnessed marginal growth by 0.17% to 18,704 units. This was just a 31 unit improvement from 18,673 units shipped in May 2024. Demand for Hero products saw a surge in markets of Bangladesh and Columbia. Hero Sales May 2025 MoM On a month-on-month (MoM) basis, Hero MotoCorp witnessed improved sales. Total sales were up 66.24% to 5,07,701 units from 3,05,406 units sold in April 2025, relating to a 2,02,295 unit volume increase. Motorcycle sales and scooter sales grew to 4,75,164 units and 32,537 units, marking 66.09% and 68.44% MoM growth respectively. Total domestic sales were up 69.48% to 4,88,997 units from 2,88,524 units, a significantly higher volume increase by 2,00,473 units. Exports also showed off double-digit improvement by 10.79% to 18,704 units whereas there had been 16,882 units shipped in the previous month. Hero Sales May 2025 YTD Taking into account Hero MotoCorp sales in the months of April and May 2025, the company has witnessed severe decline. Motorcycle sales fell by 21.34% to 7,61,253 units in the past 2 months, down by 2,06,475 units from 9,67,728 units sold in the April and May 2024 period. Scooter sales too dived 18.95% to 51,854 units from 63,980 units taking total domestic sales down 21.68% to 7,77521 units whereas there had been 9,92,746 units sold in the same 2 months of the previous year. Exports, which have seen a marked YoY and MoM growth in May 2025 suffered an 8.66% setback on a YTD basis. The company shipped 35,586 units during April and May 2025, down by 3,376 units over 38,962 units exported in the same period last year. Honda 2W domestic sales suffered a severe setback with 4.17 lakh unit sales last month while exports improved significantly Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) have announced their sales performance for the month of May 2025. With a total of 4,65,115 unit sales last month, the company has suffered a steep 5.55% YoY decline. There had been 4,92,447 units sold in May 2024. This related to a volume de-growth of 27,332 units. Honda 2W YoY and MoM Sales May 2025 Breaking up the companys YoY sales further, we see that the companys has seen a 7.40% decline in its domestic sales. Sales which had stood at 4,50,589 units in May 2024, declined by 33,333 units to 4,17,256 units in the past month. The companys domestic sales contributed to an 89.71% share while exports hold a 10.29% share. On the other hand, exports have improved sizably by 14.34%. There were 47,859 units shipped in May 2025, up from 41,858 unit sales in May 2024. From the MoM point of view, sales declined both in domestic and global markets. Domestic sales dipped by 1.34% from 4,22,931 units sold in April 2025 while exports suffered a severe 17.43% de-growth from 4,80,896 units shipped in the previous month. This took MoM sales down by 3.28% to 4,65,115 units from 4,80,896 units, relating to a volume decline of 15,781 units. Honda 2W YTD Sales May 2025 During the months of April and May 2025, Honda 2W domestic and global sales fell by 8.54% to 9,46,011 units. This was a volume de-growth of 88,382 units when compared to 10,34,393 units sold in the same two months of 2024. Sales in domestic markets declined by 9.82% to 8,40,187 units from 9,31,635 units YTD. There was a 2.98% improvement in total exports to 1,05,824 units in the April-May 2025 period from 1,02,758 units sold in the same months in 2024. During April 2025, the company expanded its portfolio to include a range of premium motorcycles. The all-new Rebel 500, X-ADV, CB750 Hornet, CB1000 Hornet SP, and flagship 50th Anniversary edition of Gold Wing Tour will all be on sale via the companys BigWing dealerships. In May 2025, HMSI also reached a milestone of 500 millionth motorcycle globally marking 76 years since the first Dream motorcycle was produced. The company also expanded its production capacities be adding a new production line at its Vithalapur plant in India. Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) has closed the sales account for the month of May 2025 with a mixed reaction. The company currently offers three vehicles in India Amaze, Elevate and City, across Petrol, Hybrid (Petrol + Electric) and Petrol + CNG (retrofit kits) powertrains options. Lets break down the numbers and see whats what. Honda Cars Sales May 2025 The month of May 2025 was of prime importance for HCIL in the domestic market. During this period, we witnessed the launch of Elevate Apex Summer Edition that brought some new features like 360-degree cameras that were never offered with standard Elevate. Also, there was a major rejig with Amaze sedans variant lineup. These elements will have certainly influenced Hondas sales performance for the month of May 2025. Speaking of, Honda Cars Sales May 2025 charts showed a total sales of 5,985 units including domestic performance and exports. Splitting up the total, we get 3,950 units sold in the domestic market and 2,035 units shipped to export markets. In India, sales stood at 3,950 units, which registered a YoY sales decline of 18.08% when compared to the 4,822 units sold in May 2024, losing 872 units in volume YoY. However, sales did improve MoM with 17.56% growth over 3,360 units sold in April 2025. This resulted in a volume growth of 590 units MoM. The 2,035 units shipped to export markets more than halved YoY accounting for a 67.45% YoY decline when compared to 6,251 units shipped in May 2024. This resulted in a 4,216 units volume loss. In total, the 5,985 units pushed by HCIL witnessed a 45.95% YoY decline, losing 5,088 units, when compared to the 11,073 units from May 2024. The company has promised to carve out more variants and special editions with Elevate SUV and is likely to do the same with its sedan lineup. Recently introduced CNG variants are likely to catch up too, owing to increasing fuel prices and other factors. Statement from Honda Cars India Sharing thoughts on the sales performance, Mr. Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd. said, In view of the prevailing market conditions and subdued consumer sentiment, we continued to strategically moderate our dispatches in May to maintain optimal inventory levels across our network, while remaining optimistic about improved retail performance in the coming months supported by forecasts of a better monsoon. Also read Honda Elevate, Amaze CNG launched Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) reported total sales of 58,701 units in May 2025, registering a 7.63% year-on-year decline compared to 63,551 units sold in May 2024. The sales tally includes 43,861 units in the domestic market and 14,840 units exported. Hyundai India May 2025 Sales While domestic sales fell by 10.76% (down from 49,151 units in May 2024), exports recorded a positive growth of 3.06%, up from 14,400 units a year ago. In terms of month-on-month (MoM) performance, Hyundai saw a marginal decline of 1.16% as compared to April 2025 when it sold 44,374 units in the domestic market. The company attributed the drop in domestic volumes to the impact of a scheduled biannual maintenance shutdown at its Chennai plant, which affected the availability of key models. Commenting on the performance, Tarun Garg, Whole-time Director and COO, HMIL, said: HMILs total sales volume for May 2025 stood at 58,701 units. May is a month of our routine week-long biannual maintenance shutdown at our Chennai manufacturing facility which affects availability of few critical models. We continue to witness consistent growth in our exports volume and this is a testament to the Make in India, Made for the World philosophy that we passionately uphold. Going forward, we remain hopeful of a steady increase in demand for both domestic as well as international shipments with reduced uncertainty on the geo-political front and improved macro-economic situation. Creta Drives Momentum in SUV Space Despite the dip in overall domestic numbers, Hyundais flagship SUV, the new Creta, continues to perform exceptionally well. With its refreshed design, premium features, and multiple powertrain choices including ICE and EV, the Creta has maintained its leadership in the 4.3m SUV segment. It has consistently ranked among Indias top-selling passenger vehicles in recent months and is a key pillar of Hyundais volume strategy. New-Gen Venue Coming Soon Hyundai is also gearing up to launch the next-generation Venue later this year. The new Venue is expected to feature significant updates in design, interiors, and equipment, including ADAS, a larger touchscreen, and connected car tech. This launch is expected to give Hyundai a strong boost in the competitive sub-4m SUV space. Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA) 2025 : For Admission to B.E/ B.Tech Degree Courses https://career.webindia123.com/career/dates_and_events/entrance/eng/tamilnadu-engineering-admissions-tnea.htm Details of Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA) 2025 : For Admission to B.E/ B.Tech Degree Courses 2025-6-2 2025-6-6 https://career.webindia123.com/career/images/exams.png India India Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA) 2025 : For Admission to B.E/ B.Tech Degree Courses Engineering Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA) 2025 Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA) 2025 : For Admission to B.E/ B.Tech Degree Courses Category : Engineering Admissions 2025 Published : On June 2, 2025 By Webindia123 Editor Important Dates Commencement of Online Registration and filling of Applications May 6th, 2025 Last date for Registration of Online Applications June 6th, 2025 Last date for uploading documents June 9th, 2025 Certificates verification at TFCs (Online) June 10th to 20th, 2025 Publication of Rank list June 27th,2025 ADMISSION TO FIRST YEAR B. E. / B. TECH. DEGREE COURSES Common application to seek admission to University Departments and Constituent Colleges of Anna University, Government and Government Aided Engineering Colleges, Annamalai University and for the seats surrendered by SelfFinancing Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu under Unified Single Window Admission System for Indian Nationals. ALLOCATION OF SEATS IN COLLEGES (i) Seats in Government Engineering Colleges (ii) Seats in Aided and self-supporting courses in Government Aided Engineering Colleges (iii) Seats surrendered by Central Government Institutions a. Central Electro Chemical Research Institute (CECRI), Karaikudi b. Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology (CIPET), Chennai c. Indian Institute of Handloom Technology(IIHT), Salem (iv) Seats in B. E. & B. Tech. Degree Courses in University Departments and Constituent Colleges of Anna University. (v) Seats in B. E. Degree Courses in Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering (Tamil Medium) in University Departments and Constituent Colleges of Anna University. (vi) Seats in B.E. /B.Tech Degree Courses in Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram. (vii) Seats surrendered by Self Financing Engineering Colleges A candidate should register only one online application for all the courses/colleges/Institutions mentioned above. Candidates seeking admission under special reservation category should also give their option for Special Reservation category along with the main online application. Eligiibility Conditions General Candidates satisfying the eligibility conditions given below as on the last date of submission of online application are eligible to apply. Passing the qualifying examination or changing the religion after the last date of submission of online application shall not be considered. Nativity Tamil Nadu candidates who have passed VIII, IX, X, XI and XII standard from schools situated in Tamil Nadu are eligible to apply. They need not produce Nativity Certificate for verification. Tamil Nadu native candidates who have passed any of the VIII, IX, X, XI and XII Std. or their equivalent examination from schools situated outside Tamil Nadu can also apply. They should produce Nativity Certificate only in electronic form/digitally signed Certificate. Children of Central Government Employees may also apply for admission, irrespective of their native, provided their parents or guardians (only if both parents are not alive) have been serving in Tamil Nadu continuously for the past FIVE YEARS at the time of submission of application. This should be supported by producing a certificate from the employer of the parent or guardian, to that effect. Children of employees in Public Sector or Government recognised Institutions who at the time of submission of application for admission employed in Tamil Nadu continuously for the past five years may also apply irrespective of their domicile. A certificate from the employer stating that the person is a Permanent Employee of the Firm or Institution concerned with evidence like Income Tax return, PF Slips, etc. and is working in Tamil Nadu continuously for the past FIVE YEARS has to be produced. Sons and daughters of All India service Tamil Nadu cadre officers are eligible to apply. A Self declaration from the parent in this regard is to be produced. Other State candidates who have studied VIII, IX, X, XI and XII Std. in Tamil Nadu are eligible to apply. They need not produce Nativity Certificate. Qualifying Examinations and Eligibility A pass in the HSC (Academic: both +1 and +2) or its equivalent with a minimum average percentage as given below. General Category - 45.00 % Backward Class including Backward Class Muslim - 40.00 % MBC & DNC -40.00 % SC/SCA/ST - 40.00 % OR A pass in any one of the HSC (Vocational Subject: both +1 and+2) as given below with any one of the Engineering related subjects namely Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry with a minimum average percentage put together as given below. General Category- 45.00 % Backward Class including Backward Class Muslim- 40.00 % MBC & DNC - 40.00 % SC/SCA/ST - 40.00 % Procedure for Registration of Application A candidate seeking admission to first year B.E/ B. Tech degree courses under unified Single Window Admission System [TNEA 2025] should apply online for the registration of his/her candidature on the web portals www.tneaonline.orgor www.dte.tn.gov.in from anywhere. For the convenience of candidates, TNEA Facilitation Centers (TFC) have been established in selected cities. Candidates can use the facilities available in TFCs. The candidate who satisfies the eligibility conditions as given in Section 3 of Information and Instructions to Candidates has to register his/her name by providing a username and password. The candidate has to remember his/her username and password for further login and fill-up the application. The candidates must be ready with details/documents such as i. Mobile phone number ii. E-mail ID iii. 10th Marksheet iv. +2 Marksheet v. School details where he/she has studied from 6thto 12th standards vi. Community/ Caste details vii. Aadhaar card [Aadhar number details](Optional) viii. Parent annual income details ix. Credit card/ Debit card/ Net-banking/ UPI/ Demand Draft details for paying registration feex. The candidate should exercise their option whether he/she is applying for seats reserved under special reservation categories such as a) 7.5% reservation for Government School Students b) Son/daughter of Ex-servicemen c) Differently abled persons d) Eminent sportsperson xi. The candidate should give option whether he/she wants to avail a) First graduation Fee concession b) Post-matric scholarship For details visit the University website : www.tneaonline.org , www.dte.tn.gov.in Contact Details Address : Directorate of Technical Education (DoTE), 53, Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025 Phone : 044-22351014,044-22351015 Fax : Mobile : - E-mail : Contact I Website : www.tneaonline.org , www.dte.tn.gov.in Find it Useful ? Help Others by Sharing Online Comments and Discussions Paleontologists have found evidence of a previously unrecognized soft tissue structure in the cheek region of many dinosaur species, which theyve called the exoparia. The finding deepens our understanding of dinosaur anatomy and highlights the limitations of current methods of reconstructing parts of dinosaur anatomy that cant be well preserved. Because muscles and tissues degrade over time, there are very few examples of soft anatomy like this from dinosaurs, said Henry Sharpe, a paleontologist at the University of Alberta. Although bones can be unearthed and reassembled into semi-complete skeletons, for a long time no one really had a method for how to figure out what muscles and tissues dinosaurs may have had. That changed in the 1990s with the creation of the Extant Phylogenetic Bracket, a method that uses dinosaurs closest modern relatives crocodiles and birds to gain insight into dinosaurs tissues and muscles. Theres just one problem with this approach. Every muscle you would ever reconstruct in a dinosaur would only be one thats in a crocodile or a bird. What if dinosaurs had their own muscles that either werent present in the dinosaurs that led to birds, or that birds lost or adapted into something else? Its this question that ran through my mind as I was examining the skull of an Edmontosaurus named Gary. There was a peculiar flanged structure on the bone near the cheek that caught his eye. When I began looking into what it could be, I couldnt find any answers. There were these big, corrugated parts of the skull. If we were looking at a mammal skull, wed say thats the cheek muscle. But reptiles arent supposed to have a cheek muscle. This got us thinking: What if theres something here that is against the currently thought of model of dinosaur muscles? In their quest to better understand this piece of dinosaur anatomy, Sharpe and his colleagues from the University of Alberta, the University of Toronto, the Royal Ontario Museum and the University of New England began examining the same area of the skull in other dinosaur species and found evidence of the same structure across the board. It was always in the same spot, which to us was a pretty good indication that this was one muscle or one ligament, Sharpe said. To confirm their hypothesis that this area of the bone was formerly the site of some type of soft tissue structure, the researchers cut thin sections of dinosaur bone. Soft tissues like muscles or ligaments are anchored to the bone by collagen fibers, Sharpe said. It helps anchor that muscle or that ligament into the bone, to prevent it from pulling away from the bone and causing the animal injury. After the soft tissue has decayed and all thats left is the bone, bits of these collagen fibers remain and can be analyzed when looking at thin slices of bone by shining polarized light through it. It looks like someones taken the bone right beneath the surface and scratched it with an X-Acto knife, Sharpe said. The researchers also used a technique they called THLEEP to look at multiple angles of bone slices from the cheekbone and lower jaw, examining the 3D orientation of the fibers. This was because these collagen fibers wont just insert at any odd angle; theyll follow the angle that the muscles inserting at, Sharpe said. In every dinosaur species the scientists looked at, the collagen fibers showed there was a connection between the cheek and lower jaw, verifying that the soft tissue structure was something akin to a cheek muscle or ligament. There was variation in the sizes and angles of attachment between different dinosaur species, which indicates this new soft tissue was used for something specialized, like stabilizing the jaw or contributing to how dinosaurs consumed food. We dont know exactly what its being used for, but we know that clearly its important to how these dinosaurs are chewing differently, because theyre modifying it in different ways, Sharpe said. This discovery also highlights the need to look beyond comparing dinosaur fossils with modern relatives to get a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of the extinct creatures anatomy. Theres a ton of diversity in dinosaurs that were just missing because were trying to explain the past only in the terms of the present. The findings were published in the Journal of Anatomy. _____ Henry S. Sharpe et al. Skull morphology and histology indicate the presence of an unexpected buccal soft tissue structure in dinosaurs. Journal of Anatomy, published March 21, 2025; doi: 10.1111/joa.14242 This article is a version of a press-release provided by the University of Alberta. When it came to coming up with another music festival in the area, one style always came up: electronic dance music. Weve always dabbled with the idea of adding a third festival to the Chippewa Valley Music Festival grounds, said Wade Asher, the general manager and promoter of the Force Fields music festival scheduled for Friday and Saturday in Cadott. We looked at a lot of genres of music, and I kept coming back to EDM. Revealed last year, Force Fields is an EDM festival that has been in the works for nearly six years. Its almost surreal, to be honest with you all the dreams, the goals, the excitement, all the talk about creating something from scratch. The response weve gotten about it is also just really surreal, Asher said. (Usually you) work all year for an event, but this one? We worked for six years its just on a different level, you know? Asher acknowledges that by picking EDM as the genre for the new festival, he is entering uncharted territory, particularly with his background with Chippewa Valley Music Festivals. We normally produce a country and a rock show, and now everythings different, he said. The only thing thats the same is literally how many parties per thousand people we have. Everything else is different. If you go What: Force Fields EDM music festival When: Friday and Saturday Where: 24447 Highway S, Cadott Information: forcefieldsfestival.com Asher and the team at Chippewa Valley Music Festivals indeed embraced different with Force Fields by adopting an alien narrative and even titling its inaugural event Episode One akin to a television series or film franchise. This first installment explains that extraterrestrial beings have long been present among us, their mothership hovering above the festival grounds emitting the characteristic wub wub sound often associated with EDM in popular culture. Ive just always connected with (the idea of aliens) as we were brainstorming and trying to find something that was original and unique, said Asher, who thought the theming made sense given the area. Wisconsins known for a lot of alien sightings and a lot of alien stories. One of the headliners for the upcoming event is Marshmello, who is known for his multi-platinum songs Silence (with Khalid) and Wolves (with Selena Gomez). He is easily recognizable during his sets as he dons a white helmet that resembles his namesake. Everyone knows that name, said Asher. Hes done a lot of collabs with other artists. Other artists include familiar names and up-and-comer EDM artists including Rezz, RL Grime, Liquid Stranger, Inzo, Peekaboo, Flux Pavilion and Mersiv. We have four stages three inside the concert grounds and one inside our campground, explained Asher. And we support local, so our stage in the campground is all local artists that are from the Chippewa Valley, so we try to include the EDM artists that are already in the area. Asher said that early camping early landing as he calls it in line with the alien theme starts the Wednesday before the show, inviting everyone to the show whether theyre EDM fans or just curious as to what Force Fields is all about. It is a massive, massive production, said Asher. Its going to be a lot of shock and awe; a lot of things people have never seen before. A lot of surprises are coming a lot of cool things that we are setting up. We want people to just relax, have a good time, and dance their hearts out. There are going to be amazing artists and amazing art. Even if you dont know what EDM is, you should come see something that is going to be pretty epic. AFRICA Central African Republic Expected Council Action In June, the Security Council will hold a briefing and consultations on the Secretary-Generals latest report on the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). Special Representative for the Central African Republic (CAR) and Head of MINUSCA Valentine Rugwabiza is expected to brief. Key Recent Developments On 20 February, Rugwabiza briefed the Security Council on recent political and security developments, as well as MINUSCAs efforts to implement its mandate. She highlighted both the progress and challenges in implementing the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR (APPR), which marks its sixth anniversary this year. Rugwabiza also outlined ongoing preparations for national and local elections scheduled to take place later this year. (For more information, see our 19 November Whats in Blue story.) In March, Assistant Secretary-General for the Peacebuilding Support in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Elizabeth Spehar, visited the CAR, accompanied by representatives of donors to the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF). She was joined by Shoko Noda, the Assistant Secretary-General for the Bureau for Crisis Management of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and Alexandre Zouev, the Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. The delegation met with the president, prime minister, and other senior CAR officials to discuss peacebuilding efforts, including preparations for the upcoming elections, progress in security sector reform, the implementation of the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration programme and the promotion of rule of law and justice. MINUSCA is supporting the CAR authorities in organising local elections, which have been repeatedly postponed and are now scheduled for July. A significant funding shortfall has posed a major challenge. According to the Secretary-Generals February report, the National Electoral Authority revised the electoral budget from $14 million to $19 million$12 million of which is managed by UNDP and $7 million by the National Electoral Authority. As of February, $7.1 million had been disbursed to the UNDP-managed basket fund by the government, the European Union, MINUSCA, and other international partners. Despite logistical and security constraints, the National Electoral Authority conducted voter registration in 11 of the 20 prefectures in the country in November and December 2024 and the remaining nine prefectures in March. Local elections will be held in the CAR for the first time in four decades; however, opposition and civil society groups have been calling for a boycott, citing concerns over the fairness and inclusivity of the process. Following the 2023 constitutional referendum in the CAR, which removed presidential term limits, the country is also expected to hold presidential and legislative elections this year. President Faustin Touadera is widely expected to seek a third term, although he has not yet formally announced his candidacy. In April, thousands of activists reportedly protested this potential move. The Republican Bloc for the Defense of the Constitution (BRDC), an opposition coalition, has indicated plans to organise additional demonstrations in the coming weeks and months. The security situation in the CAR remains volatile, particularly in the northwest, east, and central regions. Competition over natural resources and control of key road corridors continues to fuel instability. Civilians are disproportionately affected by the ongoing violence. According to a 7 May press release from MINUSCA, the mission has continued to conduct patrols in the Basse-Kotto prefecture to prevent attacks and protect civilians. The conflict in neighbouring Sudan is also further complicating the security landscape in CAR due to its spillover effects. In April, Touadera, in his capacity as the current Chair of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), addressed a letter to the Secretary-General expressing deep concern over the crisis in Sudan and its broader implications for regional peace and security. The letter was circulated to Security Council members ahead of their 19 May private meeting on the situation in Sudan. During the meeting, a CAR representative echoed these concerns, underscoring the urgent need to find a lasting solution to the conflict. Touadera has reportedly attempted to engage armed opposition groups in dialogue, sending a delegation to NDjamena to meet with opposition leaders based in Chad. This appears to be part of an effort to revive the Luanda Roadmap, adopted in December 2021 by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) in support of the APPR. It remains unclear whether these outreach efforts have yielded any concrete progress. Human Rights-Related Developments On 5 March, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and MINUSCA released a report on the human rights situation in the CAR. The reports findings documented cases of conflict-related sexual violence against women and girls and noted that in two waves of attacks in the Mbomou and Haut-Mbomou prefectures, in October 2024 and in January 2025, at least 24 people were killed by elements of Wagner Ti Azande (WTA), an armed group with ties to the national army. In a subsequent press release, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk and Rugwabiza stressed the need to bring those accountable to justice, urging Central African authorities to sustain efforts to investigate the incidents and prosecute perpetrators in line with international standards. In a 10 March press release, the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the CAR, Yao Agbetse, acknowledged the CARs commitment towards enhancing respect for human rights. Following a ten-day visit to the country, Agbetse warned of security concerns related to Azande Ani Kpi Gbe (AAKG) and WTA, and cautioned against over-reliance on international development assistance, underscoring how such matters could hinder progress on human rights, transitional justice, and CARs long-term stability. In this regard, he highlighted the importance of national capacity development and local governance as tools for restoring and consolidating state authority, among other recommendations. Key Issues and Options The upcoming local and national elections in the CAR will be a key issue for Council members in June. Members will most likely be interested in following the state of preparation for the elections closely. The Guyanese Security Council Presidency could invite Spehar to brief in closed consultations about her recent visit to the CAR and her discussions focused on peacebuilding efforts in the country, including the organisation of local elections. Council members could also consider issuing a press statement reiterating their call for the CAR authorities to create the necessary conditions for the holding of free, transparent and inclusive elections by opening up civic space for the participation of all sections of society, including women and youth. Council members remain concerned about the security situation in the CAR. They may reiterate their call on non-signatory armed groups to the APPA to lay down their arms and join the political process through dialogue. Council members could consider holding a briefing on the spillover effects of the conflict in Sudan on regional peace and security. The humanitarian and human rights situation in the CAR is also an ongoing concern, with persistent human rights violations and abuses against civilians, including women and children. Council members may welcome the high-level dialogue held in Geneva on 1 April as part of the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council to discuss the human rights situation in the CAR. A possible option is for Council members to request an informal briefing from the High Commissioner for Human Rights or the Independent Expert. Another major challenge facing MINUSCA is the lack of adequate resources to effectively carry out its mandated tasks. According to the UN Secretariat report early this month to the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly on administrative and budgetary matters, unpaid assessed contributions to MINUSCAs special account totalled $411.5 million on 30 April. In June, Rugwabiza may reiterate her call for member states support in this regard. Council and Wider Dynamics Compared to other UN peacekeeping missions facing significant challenges, MINUSCA is viewed as a relative success. In a notable development, the Security Council unanimously adopted the renewal of MINUSCAs mandate in November 2024, the first unanimous renewal in four years, signalling strong support for the missions work. It seems that the CAR has been trying to mend its relations with Western partners to ease its economic difficulties, which appears to have contributed to the resumption of bilateral and multilateral support from these countries, including France and the European Union. At the same time, it has maintained its security cooperation with Russia, which is of concern to its Western partners. The CAR is also expanding its relations with other non-traditional partners, such as the United Arab Emirates, which appears to have become active in the CAR recently. Council dynamics may be complicated by the US position on funding peacekeeping operations. It indicated in a 2 May letter to the US Senate Appropriations Committee that it would withhold funding for UN peacekeeping missions, citing recent failures and the high level of assessments. The letter specifically accused UN peacekeepers of involvement in smuggling gold, diamonds, and drugs in the CAR. These allegations apparently date back to 2021, implicating Portuguese peacekeepers serving in MINUSCA. Portugal has reportedly conducted investigations into these allegations and detained some suspects. France is the penholder on the CAR. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON THE CAR THEMATIC ISSUES Children and Armed Conflict Expected Council Action In late June, the Security Council will hold its annual open debate on children and armed conflict. Vindhya Persaud, Guyanas Minister of Human Services and Social Security, is expected to chair the meeting. Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba is expected to present the Secretary-Generals annual report on children and armed conflict, which is expected in mid-June. Other speakers are likely to include Executive Director of UNICEF Catherine Russell and a civil society briefer. The open debate is expected to cover trends relating to the six grave violations against children, with a focus on violations that had a high incidence in the past year. (The six grave violations, as determined by the Security Council, are child recruitment and use; killing and maiming; rape and other forms of sexual violence; attacks on schools and hospitals; abductions; and the denial of humanitarian access.) In this regard, it seems that the meeting will focus on the killing and maiming of children, including the effects of the use of explosive weapons, as well as rape and other forms of sexual violence against children. Key Recent Developments This year marks 20 years since the Security Council adopted landmark resolution 1612 of 26 July 2005, which established the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) and the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. The resolution was a milestone in the development of the architecture of the children and armed conflict agenda, which is viewed as one of the Councils most developed thematic issues. The conclusions adopted by the working group and the annexes in the Secretary-Generals report, which list parties that have committed violations against children, have helped promote accountability and encourage conflict parties to take concrete steps, such as signing and implementing action plans to end and prevent violations against children. In her 26 July 2024 report to the General Assembly, Gamba noted that more than 200,000 children have been separated from armed forces and groups since 1999 through dialogue and advocacy efforts by the UN. Additionally, 43 action plans have been signed by conflict parties, with 22 currently being implemented. Most recently, in June 2024, the Syrian National Army (SNA), a coalition of armed groups operating in Syria, signed an action plan to end and prevent the recruitment and use and killing and maiming of children. Despite this important progress, there have been worrying trends of grave violations committed against children in the past several years, driven by the eruption and intensification of conflicts in places like Gaza, Myanmar, Sudan, and Ukraine. Last years annual Secretary-Generals report on children and armed conflict, dated 3 June 2024, documented 32,990 UN-verified grave violations, representing the highest number of violations recorded since the MRMs establishment. These trends appear to have worsened in the past year. In a 28 December 2024 statement, UNICEF said that the effects of conflict on children reached devastating and likely record levels in 2024, noting that over 473 million childrenmore than one in six globallylive in conflict-affected areas. The statement added that the UN verified more child casualties in the first nine months of 2024 than during all of 2023, meaning that this years upcoming annual report is likely to document an increase in violations. In her 8 January annual report to the Human Rights Council (HRC), Gamba noted that the UN verified over 18,000 grave violations against children in the first half of 2024 alone. She added that the period witnessed children being killed and maimed in unprecedented numbers in Burkina Faso, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Ukraine. Decisions relating to the annexes to the Secretary-Generals annual report on children and armed conflict have traditionally attracted considerable attention. On 29 May, 20 civil society organisations sent an open letter to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, calling on him to publish a full list of perpetrators that is evidence-based and accurately reflects data collected and verified by the MRM. In an April report titled A Credible List, the organisation Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict provides several recommendations for the upcoming annual report, including to list two parties in the Central African Republic (CAR) for rape and other forms of sexual violence: government and pro-government forces, including the Central African Armed Forces (FACA), and the Retour, Reclamation et Rehabilitation (3R) armed group. The report also recommended listing the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and related state security forces for killing and maiming and the Defence and Security Forces of Burkina Faso for killing and maiming. Developments in the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict In an unprecedented development, in 2025, Security Council members were unable to agree on the allocation of subsidiary body chairs more than five months into the year. This has prevented the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, like the rest of the Councils subsidiary bodies, from beginning its work to date. (For more information, see the In Hindsight, titled Impact of a Delay in Subsidiary Body Chairs Appointments, in our May 2025 Monthly Forecast.) The allocation was agreed on 28 May, but the Note by the President setting out the subsidiary bodies for 2025 had yet to be issued at the time of writing. According to the agreed allocation, Greece will chair the working group in 2025-2026, with Panama serving as its vice chair. This delay is likely to have significant repercussions in terms of the number of conclusions the group is likely to be able to adopt this year. Currently, there is a backlog of five country reports that have been published and are awaiting review, namely Burkina Faso, the DRC, Mali, Myanmar, and Yemen. Key Issues and Options A key issue for the Council is to ensure the effectiveness of the tools that support the implementation of the children and armed conflict agenda. In the past several years, difficult dynamics in the working group have caused significant delays in the adoption of its conclusions, which require consensus. It has also on occasion in recent years failed to adopt conclusions on a number of Secretary-Generals reports. Against this backdrop, the upcoming open debate can serve as an opportunity for reflecting on the implementation of the children and armed conflict agenda over the last 20 years. Members can use the meeting to highlight progress made as well as the challenges and propose ways to address the issues that have been hindering the ability of the Council to fully utilise the agendas tools. For instance, they can discuss ways to make the conclusions of the working group more succinct and fit for purpose. They may suggest a review of the toolkit, adopted by the working group in 2006, which provides options for possible actions by the working group. The working group has not seriously reviewed or amended this non-paper since its publication almost 20 years ago. An issue for the Council is how to address the deleterious and disproportionate effects on children of the use of explosive ordnancesuch as explosive weapons and remnants of war (ERWs), improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and landminesincluding in populated areas. In an April 2024 policy note, Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict emphasised that children have distinct vulnerabilities to explosive weapons, including the specific impact of blast injuries on childrens bodies. Such weapons also often damage or destroy civilian infrastructure critical to childrens survival and well-being, such as schools, hospitals, water and sanitation facilities, and electrical infrastructure. The use of such weapons was the main cause of cases of killing and maiming of children documented in the Secretary-Generals 2024 annual report on children and armed conflict. In that report, the Secretary-General encouraged member states to endorse the 2022 Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA). Member states can use the upcoming open debate to echo this call. Council members may also seek more synergies between children and armed conflict and the broader protection of civilians (PoC) agenda, which frequently addresses the issue of EWIPA. An option would be for the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict and the Informal Expert Group (IEG) on PoC to convene a joint expert briefing on the matter. The prevalence of rape and other forms of sexual violence against children is another major concern. This violation is often underreported, owing to such factors as stigmatisation, fear of reprisals, and lack of access to services. The Secretary-Generals latest annual PoC report, dated 15 May, noted that, in 2024, the UN verified a significant increase in sexual violence against children in the DRC, Nigeria, and Somalia. Overall, the UN verified approximately 4,500 cases of sexual violence in 2024, with women and girls representing 93 percent of the victims. The report describes initiatives to address the issue, including the establishment by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) of patrols to strengthen the prevention and deterrence of conflict-related sexual violence. An option for Council members is to consider mandating other relevant UN operations to undertake such efforts. They can also take steps to further implement resolution 2467 of 23 April 2019 on sexual violence in conflict, which included references to information sharing by the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict with relevant sanctions committees. Members could also request the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict to provide joint briefings to relevant sanctions committees and the working group. Council Dynamics The children and armed conflict agenda enjoys broad general support among Council members. However, political sensitivities in the Council are evident at the subsidiary body level, resulting in protracted negotiations before consensus can be reached on some conclusions in the working group. Given the delay in appointing subsidiary body chairs in 2025, the new chair, Greece, will have to make up for lost time in addressing five country reports, which will require fostering trust and cooperation among a new cohort of working group members. As this subsidiary body had yet to begin working at the time of writing, it is too early to assess dynamics within the working group, not least since Somalia is on the children and armed conflict agenda and Pakistan is a situation of concern. In last years annual report, the Secretary-General welcomed Pakistans engagement with his special representative to develop concrete measures to protect children, noting that such engagement may lead to the removal of Pakistan as a situation of concern from my next report, should all agreed practical measures be fully implemented. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON CHILDREN AND ARMED CONFLICT AFRICA Democratic Republic of the Congo Expected Council Action In June, the Security Council will hold a briefing and consultations on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Special Representative and Head of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) Bintou Keita is expected to brief. Key Recent Developments On 11 April, Council members held an informal interactive dialogue (IID) on the DRC to interact with regional actors on securing an urgent ceasefire in eastern DRC and the implementation of resolution 2773 of 21 February. The resolution condemned the ongoing offensive by the Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23) rebel group in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces and called on the group to immediately cease hostilities, withdraw from the areas it controls, and fully reverse the establishment of illegitimate parallel administrations. (For more, see our 11 April Whats in Blue story.) Following a first direct encounter between representatives of the Congolese government and the M23 in Doha under Qatars facilitation, the two sides issued a joint declaration on 23 April reaffirming their commitment to an immediate cessation of hostilities, a categorical rejection of any hate speech, intimidation, and call on local communities to uphold these commitments. This announcement came after Qatar facilitated direct talks between DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Doha on 18 March under the auspices of the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. (The DRC and Rwanda have engaged in mutual recriminations over alleged support for their proxies in the conflict. The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 while Rwanda asserts that the DRC supports the Forces democratiques de liberation du Rwanda (FDLR), an ethnic Hutu armed group active in eastern DRC that was implicated in the 1994 genocide of Tutsis in Rwanda.) On 25 April, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted DRC Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and La Francophonie Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwandas Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, in Washington, D.C. He facilitated the signing of a Declaration of Principles between the two countries in support of a pathway to peace, stability, and integrated economic development in the eastern DRC region and the resumption of normal bilateral relations. The two sides also committed to developing a draft peace agreement, which was expected to be submitted for mutual review by 2 May. In a 5 May post on X (formerly Twitter), US Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos welcomed the submission of the draft agreement by both the DRC and Rwanda. In a subsequent post on 15 May, he referenced his conversations with Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame regarding the draft and the ongoing efforts to build consensus around it. It seems that the US has given a consolidated draft to the DRC and Rwanda. While the US seems eager to facilitate the signing of the agreement as soon as possible, there are contentious issues that may need some time to be resolved. On 30 April, representatives from the DRC, Rwanda, Togo (the AU-appointed mediator), Qatar, the US, and France convened in Doha to discuss ongoing efforts to address the situation in eastern DRC. In their joint statement, these countries welcomed the joint declaration issued by the DRC and the M23 and the Declaration of Principles signed by the DRC and Rwanda. The representatives also expressed support for the ongoing regional mediation efforts by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) under the AU leadership through its appointed mediator, Togos President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe. Gnassingbe convened his first meeting with the EAC and SADC co-facilitators on 17 May. According to the communique issued at the end of the meeting, the discussion was focused on adopting a coherent approach in the African-led mediation efforts and ensuring the necessary coordination with other external actors, such as Qatar and the US. Human Rights-Related Development In a 26 March press release, UN human rights experts called for urgent measures to address grave violations against children in the DRC following escalating hostilities in the North and South Kivu provinces. These Special Rapporteurs said that the uptick in violence contributed to indiscriminate attacks on civilian populations, massacres and conflict-related sexual violence, in violation of international human rights and humanitarian law. In this regard, they called on all parties to the conflict, including those engaged in hostilities and persons in command roles in armed groups, to halt these atrocities and to uphold their legal obligations to protect civilians, particularly children. On 4 April, the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, updated the Human Rights Council (HRC) on the human rights and humanitarian situation in the eastern DRC at the Councils 58th session in Geneva. In her statement, Al-Nashif highlighted how the scale of violence has hampered the ability of their Office to fully discharge its mandate of providing technical support to the Congolese authorities to strengthen the rule of law, advance on transitional justice and enhance the fight against impunity. She also said that nearly 26 million people are experiencing crisis levels of food insecurity. Among other matters, Al-Nashif emphasised the importance of the international community taking decisive, concrete action to facilitate a durable peace in the DRC. Paula Gaviria Betancur, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, completed a ten-day country visit to the DRC, making it the first official visit from a special procedures mandate-holder in over 13 years. She travelled to Kinshasa, North Kivu, Ituri, and Tanganyika, where she assessed the human rights situation of persons displaced by armed conflict and intercommunal violence and presented recommendations to relevant stakeholders on addressing the root causes of displacement and improving protection, assistance, and solutions for IDPs. Gaviria Betancur will present her report on the visit to the HRC in June 2026. Sanctions-Related Developments In June, the Security Council will vote to renew the mandate of the 1533 Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) sanctions regime, which expires on 1 July, and of the Group of Experts assisting the 1533 DRC Sanctions Committee, which expires on 1 August. It seems that the final report of the Group of Experts, due by 15 June, has already been circulated to Council members. At the time of writing, Council members were not able to meet and discuss the report and its recommendations, pending the appointment of chairs of Security Council subsidiary bodies. Women, Peace and Security On 26 March, the Informal Experts Group (IEG) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) met on the situation in the DRC. Special Representative and Head of MONUSCO Bintou Keita briefed. According to the summary of the meeting, issued on 24 April by Denmark and Sierra Leone as the IEG co-chairs, together with the UK as the penholder on WPS, Council members discussed issues including sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and womens participation in regional peace initiatives. Some Council members expressed concern about the situation of human rights defenders and women peacebuilders in eastern DRC. The summary says that unprecedented levels of SGBV, including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), continue to be recorded throughout the country. In 2024, MONUSCO documented 823 CRSV incidents, affecting 416 women, 391 girls, 7 boys, and 9 men. The summary notes that adequate funding to support the UN in the DRC is essential for the organisation to be able to respond to the shocking levels of sexual violence throughout the country. The summary also provides an update on womens participation in peacebuilding efforts and politics, including engagement by the UN to support this goal. It notes that [n]otable progress has been made in womens political leadership following the 2023 general elections, with womens representation in the cabinet growing from 28 to 33 percent. UN Women, as the IEG Secretariat, recommended that, in any future decision on the DRC, the Security Council demand the immediate cessation of hostilities and that all parties guarantee the protection of civilians from violence, including SGBV. Among other recommendations, UN Women advised the Council to call on the parties to ensure womens full, equal, and meaningful participation in the negotiations for a permanent ceasefire and to urge member states and regional organisations brokering the talks to include women and gender expertise in their teams and to report to the Security Council on these efforts. Key Issues and Options A key issue for Council members in June remains the security situation in the eastern DRC, which continues to fuel tensions in the Great Lakes region. Recent fighting appears to have subsided following diplomatic engagements by multiple actors. Council members may welcome this de-escalation and are likely to continue supporting efforts to find lasting solutions through dialogue. A related issue is how the various diplomatic initiatives by regional and external actors can be harmonised and streamlined. Although the objective of the informal interactive dialogue (IID) in April was to help Council members gain a clearer understanding of the coordination and complementarity among these ongoing mediation efforts, the meeting appears to have resulted in more confusion instead. In June, Council members may seek clarity on how the co-facilitators appointed by the EAC and SADC are coordinating with the AU-appointed mediator and how these African-led efforts align with external mediation initiatives launched in Doha and Washington, DC. The Guyanese Security Council Presidency could invite Gnassingbe to brief the Council. MONUSCOs disengagement process and the way forward, considering the changed security dynamics, remains an ongoing issue for Council members. In line with resolution 2765 of 20 December 2024, which last renewed the missions mandate, MONUSCO and the Congolese government were expected to submit a tailored strategy to the Security Council by 31 March for a gradual, responsible, and sustainable withdrawaltaking into account evolving conflict dynamics and protection risks. However, the escalation of the security situation in the eastern DRC since January significantly altered the context and affected the development of this tailored strategy. On 2 May, the Congolese government and MONUSCO submitted a joint note to the Security Council titled On the Transition in South Kivu and the Disengagement of MONUSCO. In June, Council members might be interested in a discussion with Keita on the recommendations for MONUSCO to be entrusted with the task of supervising a ceasefire in line with resolution 2773 and the decisions of the AU and its regional mechanisms. Another issue of interest for Council members could be the termination of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), which has been operating in eastern DRC since December 2023. Under resolution 2746 of 6 August 2024, MONUSCO was mandated to provide logistical and operational support to SAMIDRC. However, the mission encountered significant setbacks due to the evolving security dynamics in the region. In response, a SADC summit held virtually on 13 March decided to terminate SAMIDRCs mandate and directed a phased withdrawal of its troops from the DRC. In April, SADC began the withdrawal process through Rwanda, as the airport in Gomathe capital of North Kivuremains closed. Council members may wish to request the Secretary-General to provide an assessment of MONUSCOs support to SAMIDRC, including challenges faced and lessons learnt from the experience. In light of the reports of alleged human rights violations against women and children in eastern DRC, Council members could consider requesting a briefing from UN Women and the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC). Council Dynamics Following the joint declaration between the Congolese government and M23, as well as the signing of the Declaration of Principles between the DRC and Rwanda, Francethe penholder on the DRCproposed a draft press statement welcoming these developments. However, consensus could not be reached, as some Council members expressed reservations. The A3 Plus group (Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Guyana) apparently felt that issuing a statement at this time might be premature given ongoing regional efforts. China also raised concerns, arguing that the Declaration of Principles relates to trilateral economic cooperation between the DRC, Rwanda, and the US, and may not be appropriate for formal endorsement by the Council. Since the visit of Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix to the DRC from 27 February to 1 March, the Department of Peace Operations has apparently been exploring two potential options in response to the serious challenges MONUSCO faces amid the evolving security dynamics in eastern DRC: mandating the mission to monitor the ceasefire and redeploying its forces to South Kivu. It seems that Lacroix has raised the issue of ceasefire monitoring during the recent Security Council consultations on the DRC, a point also reinforced in a joint note by the DRC government and MONUSCO. However, it remains unclear whether these proposals will gain traction among Council members who have apparently expressed concerns about the missions inability to implement all aspects of its mandate in Goma and other M23-occupied areas of North Kivu. The US has consistently advocated for a strategic review of options for MONUSCO. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO SECURITY COUNCIL AND WIDER UN STRUCTURE International Criminal Tribunals Expected Council Action In June, the Security Council is scheduled to hold its semi-annual debate on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT). The President of the IRMCT, Judge Graciela Gatti Santana, and the Chief Prosecutor of the IRMCT, Serge Brammertz, are expected to brief during the debate and meet with the Informal Working Group on International Tribunals prior to that. Background and Key Recent Developments The IRMCTwith branches in The Hague, the Netherlands, and Arusha, Tanzaniafocuses on completing the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), which closed in December 2017 and December 2015, respectively. The IRMCT was established in 2010 by resolution 1966, which said that the Mechanism shall continue the jurisdiction, rights and obligations and essential functions of the ICTY and ICTR and that it should be a small, temporary and efficient structure, whose functions and size will diminish over time, with a small number of staff commensurate with its reduced functions. Its tasks have included hearing the remaining trials and appeals from the ICTY and the ICTR, locating fugitives indicted by the ICTR, assisting national jurisdictions with requests related to prosecuting international crimes committed in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, monitoring cases referred to national courts, enforcing sentences, protecting witnesses and victims, and preserving archives. Pursuant to resolution 1966, the IRMCT was mandated to operate for an initial period of four years and for subsequent periods of two years unless the Council decides otherwise. The Council last reviewed the work of the IRMCT in mid-2024, following which it adopted resolution 2740, which extended Brammertzs term for another two years, among other matters. Resolution 2740which was adopted with 14 votes in favour and Russia abstainingalso incorporated several new elements, including requests for two reports from the Secretary-General by 31 December 2025: one regarding the administrative and budgetary aspects of the options for possible locations of the archives of the ICTR, the ICTY, and the [IRMCT]; and another concerning options for transferring certain remaining functions of the IRMCT, including supervision of sentences and the provision of assistance to national jurisdictions. Resolution 2740 also recalled the Councils request in resolution 2637 of 22 June 2022 for the production of clear and focused projections of completion timelines for all the [IRMCTs] activities and took note of the information that the IRMCT submitted to the Informal Working Group on International Tribunals in response to this request. (For more information on resolution 2740, see our 27 June Whats in Blue story.) Gatti Santana and Brammertz briefed at the Councils most recent semi-annual debate on the IRMCT, held on 10 December 2024. In her briefing, Gatti Santana provided an update regarding certain aspects of the IRMCTs remaining work, including the supervision of sentences imposed by its predecessor tribunals, archive management, and the provision of assistance to national jurisdictions. She also said that the IRMCT stands ready to provide any information and support required by the Secretary-General to prepare the reports requested by resolution 2740 and noted that the IRMCT has continued to streamline its operations, including by reducing staffing levels by approximately 60 percent, cutting its budget by more than 30 percent, and closing its Kigali field office in Rwanda. During his briefing, Brammertz updated Council members on his offices work assisting national authorities with pursuing accountability for crimes committed in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. He noted that his office received more than 400 requests for such assistance in 2024 and referred to several examples of support that it provided in specific cases. In addition, Brammertz highlighted three pending matters that should be nearing completion: the Kayishema case, where the accused is contesting his transfer to the custody of the IRMCT; the Kabuga case, in which the accused has been declared unfit to stand trial; and the Seselj et al. case, which the IRMCT referred to Serbia for trial. On 22 November 2024, the Appeals Chamber of the IRMCT delivered its judgment on review in the Ntakirutimana case. The Appeals Chamber determined that Ntakirutimana had not established that a witness who gave evidence against him during earlier proceedings had recanted that testimony and upheld his convictions that were based on that testimony. On 7 May, the IRMCT announced that Judge Lydia Mugambe had resigned after being jailed for committing modern slavery offences. Key Issues and Options Continuing to monitor the work of the IRMCT and the implementation of its mandate is an ongoing issue for the Council. Members could use the closed format of the Informal Working Group on International Tribunals to have a frank discussion with Gatti Santana and Brammertz regarding the IRMCTs completion timelines. Members could also use this format to seek the views of Gatti Santana and Brammertz regarding options for the possible transfer of certain functions of the IRMCT and possible locations for the archives. Members might also ask how the Council can assist the IRMCT in completing its remaining work. Council Dynamics Council members generally have a positive assessment of the IRMCT and the progress it has made, with the exception of Russia. During the semi-annual briefing on 10 December 2024, Russia strongly criticised the IRMCT and called for the transfer of its remaining functions to national authorities and UN entities. Other Council members commended the IRMCT for its work and urged member states to cooperate with the mechanism as it carries out its remaining functions. The negotiations concerning resolution 2740, which most recently extended Brammertzs term, were lengthy, difficult, and contentious. Russia apparently objected to many aspects of the draft text, provided comments on almost every paragraph, reiterated long-held criticisms of the IRMCT, and pushed strongly for a concrete timeframe and deadline for the transfer of the mechanisms remaining functions. While some of Russias suggestions were supported by China, they were largely opposed by other Council members. (For more information on the negotiations, see our 27 June Whats in Blue story.) Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNALS MIDDLE EAST Iran Expected Council Action In June, the Security Council is expected to convene a briefing on the Secretary-Generals biannual report on the implementation of resolution 2231 of 20 July 2015, which endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Irans nuclear programme. The Council will also receive a report from the Joint Commission, which was established to oversee the implementation of the JCPOA and comprises the current parties to the agreement: China, France, Germany, Russia, the UK, and Iran. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo and a representative of the European Union (EU) in its capacity as coordinator of the Joint Commission are expected to brief. The Council is also supposed to receive the biannual report and briefing from the Councils 2231 facilitator. This may not take place in June, however, as the position remained vacant at the time of writing due to the delay in the appointment of subsidiary body chairs. This months briefing is the last mandated Council meeting on the Iran non-proliferation issue before the scheduled expiry of the JCPOA and resolution 2231 on 18 October. Background The US was originally a signatory to the JCPOA, but US President Donald Trump withdrew the country from the agreementwhich he argued was not strict enoughand imposed unilateral sanctions on Iran during his first term (2017-2021). Although Iran formally remained in the JCPOA, it took steps that directly contravened the agreements terms, including enriching uranium to levels beyond the JCPOA-mandated limits and removing cameras and monitoring equipment required by the deal. During the subsequent administration of US President Joseph Biden (2021-2025), the US, Iran, and other parties to the JCPOA began talks to revive the agreement. Those discussions ultimately failed after Iran insisted, as a condition for accepting a deal, that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) close its investigation into traces of enriched uranium that it had discovered at three undeclared sites in Iran in 2019. The US and European parties to the JCPOA objected to this demand, which they viewed as a separate issue related to Irans obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). In a November 2022 resolution, the IAEA Board of Governors censured Iran and directed it to comply with the IAEAs investigation. In response, Iran announced that it had started enriching uranium to 60 percent purity, approaching the approximately 90 percent level required to produce a nuclear weapon and well above the 3.67 percent limit imposed by the JCPOA. Since the collapse of negotiations to revive the JCPOA, Iran has continued to expand its production of highly enriched uranium, and its cooperation with the IAEA has grown increasingly strained. In November 2024, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted another resolution censuring Iran, which referred to the countrys continued failure to cooperate with the IAEA and requested the agency to produce a comprehensive and updated assessment on the possible presence or use of undeclared nuclear material in connection with past and present outstanding issues regarding Irans nuclear programme. The IAEA Board of Governors is expected to receive that report ahead of its June quarterly meeting. Recent Developments In its latest publicly available quarterly reports on Irans nuclear activities, dated 26 February, the IAEA found that Irans stockpile of uranium, enriched to 60 percent purity, had risen significantly during the reporting period, increasing by approximately 50 percent and totalling enough fissile material to produce six nuclear weapons if enriched further. Using stronger language than is typical for these reports, the agency said that the significantly increased production and accumulation of high enriched uranium by Iran, the only non-nuclear weapon State to produce such nuclear material, is of serious concern. On 12 March, the Security Council held a private meeting on the IAEAs findings. After returning to office earlier this year, Trump initiated bilateral negotiations with Iran aimed at curbing the countrys nuclear programme in exchange for US sanctions relief. Since April, the parties have conducted several rounds of political and technical-level talks in Italy and Oman. The fifth and most recent round took place in Rome on 23 May. Both parties initially expressed cautious optimism about the prospects of reaching a deal, but their public messaging has since hardened. The key point of contention concerns Irans enrichment capabilities. The US demands that Iran dismantle its entire nuclear infrastructure and cease all uranium enrichment, while Iran claims it has a right to enrichment under the NPT and insists on retaining low-level enrichment capability for civilian purposes. Moreover, while certain compromise solutions reportedly under discussion could potentially resolve this impasse, the talks could also be complicated by differing positions on the scope of a potential agreement and whether it would go beyond the ambit of the JCPOA by also imposing restrictions on Irans ballistic missile programme and the countrys support to regional proxy groups. On 20 May, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed pessimism about the state of the negotiations, saying that he did not expect them to reach a conclusion. Trump has threatened military action if the parties are not able to reach a deal but has expressed a preference for a diplomatic solution to the issue. In April, he reportedly rejected a plan proposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to strike Iranian nuclear facilitieswhich would have required US military supportopting instead to pursue negotiations. According to recent media reports, the US has obtained intelligence that Israel is currently planning a military operation that it could undertake with or without US backing should the talks fail. Proponents of military action argue that Iran is now uniquely vulnerable to an offensive operation after Israel struck several of its air defence facilities in October 2024, and key Iranian allies such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the al-Assad regime in Syria have been weakened or overthrown. In response to the reports of a possible Israeli military operation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sent a letter dated 22 May to the Security Council, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi warning that the country would retaliate against any use of forcefor which it would also hold the US legally responsibleand calling on the Security Council to take immediate and effective action in response to these threats. The letter also said that Iran would implement special measures to protect its nuclear material and facilities, which could further complicate the IAEAs monitoring and verification activities in the country. Human Rights-Related Developments On 12 March, Mai Soto, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, submitted a report to the General Assembly that notes an extraordinary rise in executions in 2024, with over 900 recorded cases, including the highest number of women executed in the past decade. On 14 March, the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran (FFM) raised alarm at the Governments continued use of systematic repression to suppress public dissent. The FFM found that two and a half years after the Woman, Life, Freedom protests began in September 2022, Iran heightened its use of surveillance, including through State-sponsored vigilantism, further restricting the rights of women and girls, and others demanding human rights. On 3 April, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 58/21 on the human rights situation in Iran. Among other recommendations, the resolution condemns widespread violations of human rights and urges Iran to address systematic impunity by establishing a system of accountability consistent with international law. In a 10 April press release, UN experts expressed concern over Irans practice of amputation sentences in cases of theft, in violation of international human rights standards. The development follows a case in which three men were sentenced to finger amputation by Irans Supreme Court. The UN experts requested immediate intervention to prevent these punishments and urged Iran to take concrete steps to abolish all forms of corporal punishment in law and practice. Key Issues and Options The primary issue for the Security Council is achieving a peaceful resolution to Irans nuclear programme that prevents the country from developing nuclear weapons while maintaining its ability to pursue nuclear activities for civilian purposes. This task is gaining increasing urgency as the JCPOA and resolution 2231 are set to expire in October. At that point, the provisions of resolution 2231 will be terminated andas stated by the resolutionthe Security Council will have concluded its consideration of the Iranian nuclear issue, and the item Non-proliferation will be removed from the list of matters of which the Council is seized. One of the provisions of resolution 2231 that will elapse is the snapback mechanism under which any party to the JCPOA can notify the Council of significant non-compliance by Iran and thereby trigger the reimposition of UN sanctions that were in place prior to the resolutions adoption. Once the snapback is triggered, the Council would need to adopt a resolution to continue the termination of sanctions on Iran. If no such resolution is adopted within 30 dayswhether because of a veto or failure to secure the necessary votesthe sanctions would be automatically reimposed. Against this backdrop, Council action will depend on the outcome of the ongoing bilateral negotiations between Iran and the US. If the parties reach an agreement to curb Irans nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of US sanctions, the Council is expected to also maintain the UN sanctions relief provided by resolution 2231. However, since there would be little time to demonstrate compliance with any future agreement before resolution 2231 expiresand JCPOA parties lose the ability to trigger the snapbackthe Council may consider adopting a bridging mechanism to temporarily extend the resolution for a certain period of time to allow for implementation and verification of its commitments. If bilateral negotiations between Iran and the US move forward but require a longer process to reach a final agreement, extending the snapback deadline could also be one component of an interim arrangement to allow negotiations to continue toward a more comprehensive settlement. Alternatively, if negotiations fail and Iran continues to expand its nuclear programme, the Council could reimpose UN sanctions through the snapback. The European parties to the JCPOAGermany, France, and the UK, known as the E3have signalled their willingness to take this step, which could be further bolstered if the IAEAs forthcoming comprehensive report on Irans nuclear activities confirms that the country is in significant non-compliance with the JCPOA. Once the Councils 2231 facilitator is confirmed, they may wish to convene an expert-level discussion about the Councils role if the snapback is initiated. Council Dynamics The Council remains divided on how to address Irans nuclear programme. The P3 membersFrance, the UK, and the USand their allies remain concerned about Irans continued production of highly enriched uranium; the countrys lack of cooperation with the IAEA; and what they consider to be its destabilising support for its proxy groups in the Middle East and for Russia in Ukraine. These members support diplomatic efforts to reach a new agreement but are likely to invoke the snapback if negotiations fail. The US has repeatedly indicated willingness to take military action in that case. China and Russia, for their part, remain supportive of Iran. Both countries have previously blamed the US for the collapse of the JCPOA, criticising it for withdrawing from the deal and imposing unilateral sanctions against the Iranian regime. At the Councils 12 March private meeting on Iran, it seems that Russia disputed the E3s right to invoke the snapback, arguing that the countries retention of certain national sanctions against Iran renders them in breach of the JCPOA and therefore unable to trigger the mechanism. Iran has said that it might exit the NPT if the snapback is activated. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON IRAN UN DOCUMENTS ON IRAN MIDDLE EAST Iraq Expected Council Action In June, the Security Council will hold its biannual meeting on the situation in Iraq. Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Mohamed Al Hassan will brief on recent political, security, and humanitarian developments in the country, as well as on progress in implementing resolution 2732 of 31 May 2024, which streamlined UNAMIs mandate and decided to close the mission by 31 December 2025. Key Recent Developments Resolution 2732 revised UNAMIs mandate to focus on four priority areas during the drawdown period: electoral assistance to Iraqi authorities; facilitation of progress on Iraq-Kuwait issues; support for development and humanitarian tasks; and promotion of accountability and human rights protections. The resolution also requested the Secretary-General to submit a comprehensive transition and liquidation plan by 31 December 2024. (For more information about the resolution, see our 30 May 2024 Whats in Blue story.) The Secretary-General transmitted the transition plan in a letter dated 24 December 2024, outlining three core transition priorities. The first is the effective implementation of the missions remaining mandated tasks. In the area of electoral assistance, the plan emphasises that support will peak in the final weeks before the expected federal elections in late 2025 and that UNAMI will retain relevant personnel to ensure continuity in legal, technical, and gender-focused advisory roles. With respect to the Iraq-Kuwait file, the plan reiterates UNAMIs role in facilitating efforts to clarify the fate of missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and the return of Kuwaiti property and notes that the Secretary-General will recommend an appropriate follow-on mechanism to ensure continued progress on these issues by 31 May, as requested by resolution 2732. UNAMI will also assist in development and humanitarian coordination, including in relation to durable solutions for internally displaced persons and in alignment with the 20252029 UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Iraq. Finally, the mission will continue to promote accountability and human rights protections, including through support for national institutions in monitoring and reporting human rights violations. The second drawdown priority concerns the phased transfer of responsibilities to the UN country team and Iraqi authorities. The plan identifies specific tasks and corresponding recipient entities, such as the transfer of electoral support roles to the UN Development Program (UNDP) and UN Women, and human rights monitoring to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Coordination structures have been established to oversee this process, including the development of an integrated electoral assistance project. These structures also encompass ongoing consultations aimed at sustaining womens protection, child rights monitoring, and climate-security work through existing UN mechanisms. The third priority entails a gradual drawdown of UNAMIs personnel and physical footprint, including the closure of field offices and disposal of mission assets. The plan schedules the closure of Mosul and Kirkuk offices by mid-2025, with operations in Erbil and Baghdad continuing until the end of the mandate. It further includes provisions for the safe repatriation of guard units, environmental remediation of compounds, and a residual staffing presence within the Resident Coordinators office to support continuity into 2026. As UNAMIs drawdown progresses, significant developments at the regional level continue to impact Iraqs political and security landscape. The Secretary-Generals most recent biannual report on the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh), dated 31 January, noted that the group could exploit a potential power vacuum in Syria following the collapse of the al-Assad regime in December 2024 to regroup and strengthen its operational capacity. These risks compound the security challenges faced by Iraq, particularly in western provinces bordering Syria, and could undermine progress made in weakening ISILs presence in the region. They could also impact the situation assessment underlying the agreement reached by Iraq and the US in September 2024 to draw down the international anti-ISIL military coalition in Iraq. On 14 March, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani announced that the leader of ISIL had been killed in an operation by Iraqi security forces, supported by the anti-ISIL coalition. The regional fallout from the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza has also had significant repercussions for the country, particularly through the escalation of attacks by Iran-aligned armed groups operating as part of an informal coalition known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq. In the months following the outbreak of hostilities in Gaza, these groups intensified rocket and drone attacks against US forces stationed in Iraq and Syria, citing solidarity with the Palestinians. While these attacks subsequently subsided following retaliatory US strikes, and Baghdad is engaged in negotiations to disarm or integrate these militias into the countrys regular armed forces, some groups and their political affiliates have reportedly denied any intention to disarm, framing such demands as compromising Iraqs sovereignty and resistance posture. Key Issues and Options The key issue for the Security Council ahead of UNAMIs termination is ensuring that the missions streamlined mandate is implemented effectively and that the drawdown proceeds in a safe and orderly manner. The June briefing provides an opportunity to assess transition progress and consider whether adjustments to resource allocation or staffing are needed to sustain gains and prevent reversals. Council members may also decide on a post-UNAMI mechanism to monitor progress on Iraq-Kuwait issues based on the Secretary-Generals recommendations. One option could be the appointment of a high-level coordinator or the integration of follow-up responsibilities into the portfolio of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq. Another issue is how the Council should respond to regional spillover risks and Iraqs ongoing security sector challenges. Council members could encourage Iraq to continue efforts to assert state authority over armed actors and support disarmament and reintegration processes, including through bilateral assistance or capacity-building by other UN entities. While Junes meeting will be the Councils last mandated briefing on UNAMI, members are likely to remain engaged on Iraq beyond the missions closure, particularly in relation to the Iraq-Kuwait file, counterterrorism, and regional security. These issues could also be affected by Iraqs parliamentary elections later in 2025, which Council members are likely to monitor. Council Dynamics Council members are broadly supportive of the Iraqi government and its decision to request a time-bound termination of UNAMI. Resolution 2732 was adopted unanimously, and Council dynamics on the file remain generally cooperative, with continued interest in supporting Iraqs transition into a post-mission phase. Regional developments and the risk of spillover from neighbouring conflicts continue to inform Council discussions, however. The USthe Councils penholder on Iraqhas pressed the government to disarm Iran-aligned militias in the country. By contrast, members such as China and Russia have voiced concern about the foreign military presence in Iraq and urged respect for Iraqs sovereignty. The UKthe penholder on the Iraq-Kuwait filehas emphasised the importance of progress on the missing persons and property file and expressed support for a follow-on mechanism post-UNAMI. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON IRAQ UN DOCUMENTS ON IRAQ AFRICA Libya Expected Council Action In June, the Security Council will hold its bimonthly briefing on the situation in Libya. Special Representative and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Hanna Serwaa Tetteh will brief the Council on recent political, security, and humanitarian developments in the country and the Secretary-Generals latest report on UNSMIL. Key Recent Developments The political impasse in Libya continues between the UN-recognised Government of National Unity (GNU), based in Tripoli and led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah, with advisory support from the High State Council (HSC), and the eastern-based Government of National Stability (GNS), led by Prime Minister Osama Hamad and backed by the House of Representatives (HoR) and the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) under the command of General Khalifa Haftar. The parties remain deadlocked over proposed legislation to hold national elections that would reconcile the countrys divided government. A key point of contention concerns the formation of a unified interim government to organise the electionsa move favoured by the GNS and HoR but opposed by the GNU and some segments of the HSC. The prolonged stalemate between the rival governmentswhich has persisted since the indefinite postponement of the 2021 electionsis one of the root causes of Libyas political, security, and economic instability. On 12 May, fighting erupted between rival militias in Tripoli following the killing of Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, the head of the Stability Support Authority (SSA), an armed group affiliated with Libyas Presidential Council. Kikli was reportedly killed in a facility operated by the 444 Brigade, a rival militia aligned with Dbeibah. Although it appears that the SSA quickly stood down, fighting continued between the 444 Brigade and Radaa, another militia that does not support Dbeibah. Radaa was apparently concerned that it would be targeted following Dbeibahs 13 May announcement declaring an end to parallel security institutionsarmed groups operating outside of the governments regular security forcesduring a meeting with government security officials. While the GNU announced a ceasefire the same day, clashes continued the following day. The violence, which reportedly drew in fighters from outside the city, took place in densely populated urban areas and resulted in at least eight civilian deaths. The UN has expressed serious concern about the recent outbreak of violence in Tripoli. In a 15 May statement, UNSMIL condemned the rapid escalation of violence and warned that the situation could quickly spiral out of control. It urged all parties to ensure the protection of civilians and to engage without delay in serious, good-faith dialogue to resolve this conflict peacefully, underscoring the missions readiness to provide its good offices to facilitate dialogue and bring an end to the fighting. On 16 May, Tetteh briefed Council members in closed consultations on the situation in Libya following a request by the UK, France, and the US. The following day, Council members adopted a press statement expressing concern over escalating violence and civilian casualties in Tripoli, urging all parties to protect civilians, respect agreed truces, and work towards a permanent ceasefire with accountability for attacks. They also reaffirmed their strong support for an inclusive, Libyan-led political process under UN facilitation, the unification of Libyan institutions, and respect for Libyas sovereignty and unity. On 6 May, the Advisory Committee set up by UNSMIL on 4 February to address outstanding issues hindering the holding of elections in Libya completed its mandate and submitted its final report to the mission. The Committee was composed of a diverse group of Libyan personalities, whose selection was based on several criteria, including expertise in legal, constitutional, and electoral issues; the ability to build compromise; and an understanding of the political challenges facing Libya. The Committees report outlined four options regarding conducting elections and ending the transitional phase: holding presidential and legislative elections simultaneously; holding parliamentary elections first, followed by the drafting and adoption of a permanent constitution; adopting a permanent constitution before elections; and establishing a political dialogue committee, based on the Libyan Political Agreement, to finale electoral laws, executive authority, and the permanent constitution. On 15 May, International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Asad Ahmad Khan briefed the Council on the ICCs Libya-related activities. Khan presented his 29th report to the Council, outlining the main developments and steps taken during the reporting period. In his briefing, Khan welcomed Libyas 12 May declaration formally accepting the jurisdiction of the Court for alleged crimes committed in its territory from 2011 until the end of 2027. The Council referred the situation in Libya to the ICC through the adoption of resolution 1970 on 26 February 2011. On 29 May, the Council adopted resolution 2780, renewing for six months the authorisation for member states, acting nationally or through regional organisations, to inspect vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya that they have reasonable grounds to believe are violating the arms embargo imposed on the country in resolution 1970. Key Issues and Options The key issue for the Council remains supporting political progress towards national elections to unify Libyas divided government. One of the core objectives for the Council is to help foster common political ground between the countrys rival governments to reach an inclusive agreement on electoral laws, including the possible establishment of a unified interim government to organise the elections. Another concern for the Council is the fragile security situation, especially after the most recent escalation of violence in Tripoli. Although the violence has now ceased, the UN had warned that it could have spiraled out of control, posing a serious threat to the permanent ceasefire reached in 2020. The underlying issues that led to the violence underscore the need for sustained attention to the political and security dynamics in Libya. Junes briefing will provide Council members with an opportunity to hear about UNSMILs revitalised efforts to facilitate dialogue between Libyan political stakeholders. In this regard, Council members will most likely be interested to hear more from Tetteh about the recently published recommendations of the Advisory Committee. To demonstrate the Councils continued support for the missions intensified engagement under Tettehs leadership, members could consider issuing a press statement expressing support for the Special Representative and the efforts of the Advisory Committee. They could also consider holding a closed Arria-formula meeting with representatives of the rival governments and Tetteh for a frank discussion on potential ways to break the long-standing political impasse. Council Dynamics Council members remain united on the need for a Libyan-led, inclusive political process resulting in elections that will help to restore political, security, and economic stability to the country. They also remain broadly supportive of the UNs mediation role towards this end. At the most recent briefing in Libya in April, most Council members welcomed the establishment and the work of the Advisory Committee. Russia, however, emphasised that its recommendations should remain technical and serve only to inform the Special Representative. It also stressed the importance of the Committees inclusiveness and impartiality. Russia further emphasised that the Council should only become involved once the Committees work has been fully socialised among the Libyan people. More broadly, geopolitical tensions continue to influence Council dynamics on Libya. Several Western members remain concerned about Russias growing presence in the eastern part of the country under Haftars control, which has reportedly been accelerated by the redeployment of Russian military assets from Syria following the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Russia, for its part, routinely blames Libyas current instability on the NATO-led military intervention in 2011 and accuses Western countries of pursuing economic interests, particularly to exploit Libyas oil reserves. The UK is the penholder on Libya. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON LIBYA UN DOCUMENTS ON LIBYA Overview In June, Guyana holds the presidency of the Security Council. Guyana will convene one signature event during its presidency, a high-level open debate titled Poverty, underdevelopment and conflict: Implications for the maintenance of international peace and security. President Mohamed Irfaan Ali of Guyana is expected to chair the meeting. Invited briefers include UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, an official from the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and an African Union (AU) Commission official. A presidential statement is a possible outcome. The annual open debate on children and armed conflict will take place in June. Vindhya Persaud, Guyanas Minister of Human Services and Social Security, is expected to chair the meeting. Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba, Executive Director of UNICEF Catherine Russell, and a civil society representative are the anticipated briefers. The Security Council is also expected to hold its semi-annual debate on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT). The President of the IRMCT, Judge Graciela Gatti Santana, and the Chief Prosecutor of the IRMCT, Serge Brammertz, are expected to brief during the debate and meet with the Informal Working Group on International Tribunals prior to that. Several African issues are on the programme in June: Middle Eastern issues on the programme this month are: Afghanistan is the one Asian issue on the programme this month, with a briefing and consultations planned on the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). As in previous months, there may be one or more meetings on Ukraine in June. Council members will also hold an informal meeting with members of the European Union Political and Security Committee (PSC) during their visit to New York in June. Other issues could also be raised during the month, depending on developments. The General Assembly is scheduled to vote on 3 June to elect five new members to the Security Council. Bahrain, Colombia, the DRC, Latvia, and Liberia are running unopposed for the five available seats. PEACEMAKING, PEACEKEEPING AND PEACEBUILDING Poverty, Underdevelopment, and Conflict: Implications for the Maintenance of International Peace and Security Expected Council Action As the signature event of its presidency, Guyana is planning to hold a high-level open debate on Poverty, Underdevelopment, and Conflict: Implications for the Maintenance of International Peace and Security. Invited briefers include Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, an official from the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and an African Union (AU) Commission official. President Mohamed Irfaan Ali of Guyana is expected to chair the meeting. A presidential statement is a possible outcome. Background and Key Recent Developments The peace, security and development nexus has been a recurring theme in the work of the UN, including the Security Council, since the 1990s. As early as January 1992, the Council held a meeting at the heads of state and government level that resulted in a statement in which members recognised that lasting peace and stability require effective international cooperation for the eradication of poverty and the promotion of a better life for all in larger freedom. Over timeand particularly since the adoption of resolution 2282 in April 2016, which reframed peacebuilding as a proactive, inclusive, and integrated process aimed at preventing conflictthe Council has moved towards a more comprehensive approach to conflict prevention and peacebuilding that recognises the importance of addressing structural issues (that is, taking action to target underlying causes of conflict such as socioeconomic inequality, ethnic discrimination and the lack of participatory politics). In the past decade, several Council presidents have initiated signature events that have highlighted how limited economic progressespecially when combined with inequality, resource scarcity, and political instabilitycan heighten the risk of violent conflict. These meetings have also explored how conflict disrupts development efforts. Among others, these have included: An open debate initiated by China in November 2023 on promoting sustainable peace through common development. A high-level open debate convened by Mozambique in March 2023 on Peace and security in Africa: the impact of development policies in the implementation of the Silencing the Guns initiative. An open debate on Peace and Security in Africa: capacity-building for sustaining peace in August 2022 at Chinas initiative. A ministerial-level open debate on Security, Development, and the Root Causes of Conflict convened by the UK in November 2015. Over the years, several Council outcomes (resolutions and presidential statements) have also emphasised the interlinkages among peace, security, and development. This theme was highlighted, for example, in the presidential statements adopted on Peace consolidation in West Africa in May 2024 and on the Central African region in November 2024. It has also been a recurring aspect of the Councils thematic products on conflict prevention and peacebuilding and sustaining peace, such as resolution 2282 in April 2016 and resolution 1625 on conflict prevention in September 2005, both of which recognise that peace, security and development are mutually reinforcing. In August 2024, Sierra Leone hosted an open debate on A New Agenda for PeaceAddressing Global, Regional and National Aspects of Conflict Prevention in August 2024. The meeting aimed to facilitate a broad reflection on A New Agenda for Peace (NAfP)one of the policy briefs produced by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in July 2023 for member states consideration in preparation for the UNs Summit of the Future in September 2024and how it can help promote conflict prevention at the national, regional and global levels. A common thread of the meeting was the call for comprehensive strategies to address the root causes of conflict, with numerous speakers drawing attention to the intrinsic link between sustainable development and lasting peace. One of the NAfPs innovations is the Secretary-Generals proposal that UN member states develop national prevention strategies. According to the NAfP, national prevention initiatives should entail approaches grounded in sustainable development and be multidimensional, people-centred and inclusive of all the different components of society. The NAfP recommends that the Peacebuilding Commission create a mechanism to mobilise political and financial support for national and regional prevention strategies of states that are interested in receiving international assistance for developing and implementing their strategies. The Summit of the Future culminated in the adoption by member states of the Pact for the Future, a document agreed through intergovernmental negotiations that is meant to adapt international cooperation and institutions to todays realities and the challenges of the future. In Chapter II of the Pact, which focuses on international peace and security, member states recognise interdependence of international peace and security, sustainable development and human rights. They further call for accelerating investment in and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals and helping states, upon their request, to build national capacity to promote, develop and implement their nationally owned prevention efforts and address the root causes of violence and conflict in their countries. Key Issues and Options A key issue for the Council is to enhance its understanding of the ways in which poverty, underdevelopment, and other root causes of conflict can be more effectively tackled. Another key issue is how to establish more systematic and strategic partnerships with other parts of the UN system (such as the General Assembly, ECOSOC, and relevant funds, programs and agencies), international financial institutions, and regional and sub-regional organisations to support the UNs conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts. One option is to pursue a presidential statement that focuses on improving the UNs efforts to address the linkages between underdevelopment and conflict. Another option would be for Guyana, as the initiator of the open debate, to produce a chairs summary that captures the key themes of the meeting and to circulate the summary as a public document. Also an option would be for the Council to hold an informal interactive dialogue to explore synergies with other parts of the UN system, the international financial institutions, and regional and sub-regional organisations in pursuing efforts to promote sustainable development and build resilience to conflict risk factors in countries on the Councils agenda that are emerging from conflict. During the debate, Council members could also advocate for a more consistent role for the PBC in supporting the peacebuilding dimensions of mission mandates from formation to drawdown in a way that underscores the linkages between the review of the Peacebuilding Architecture currently underway and the upcoming review of UN peace operations. Council and Wider Dynamics There is widespread recognition in the Security Council that adverse socioeconomic conditions can heighten the risk of conflict, with many members frequently citing the need to address poverty and underdevelopment as key elements of effective conflict prevention strategies. This was a notable theme, for example, in the Councils March 2024 open debate on Promoting conflict preventionempowering all actors including women and youth held at Japans initiative. At the debate, several Council members, including China, Guyana, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia, cited the need to address poverty as a means of preventing conflict. In this regard, China, a long-time proponent of the need to address the root causes of conflict, stated, Experience and lessons learned both show that resolving development issues, such as poverty, unemployment and income inequality, as a priority can help to prevent and respond to conflicts at their roots. One challenge, however, is that there are different views about what the structural causes of conflict are and what the Councils role in addressing them should be. While some members believe that issues such as climate change, human rights, and gender inequality should be discussed by the Council, others do not believe that such factors are within the Councils mandate and maintain that they should be handled by other parts of the UN system. More broadly, the Security Council has struggled to engage effectively in conflict prevention, in part because of concerns about interference in states internal affairs, a particular impediment to addressing intra-state conflict. There appears to be rising interest among UN member states in having the PBC become more explicitly involved in prevention, given its mandate to address issues that lie between peace and development and the PBCs practice of discussing situations only with the consent of the country concerned. Some member states remain hesitant, however, to endorse the PBC as a conflict prevention platform. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON PEACEBUILDING THE SECURITY COUNCIL Security Council Elections 2025 Security Council Elections 2025 On 3 June, the 79th session of the UN General Assembly is scheduled to hold elections for membership of the Security Council. The five seats available for election in 2025, according to the regular distribution among regions, will be as follows: two seats for the African Group (currently held by Algeria and Sierra Leone); one seat for the Group of Asia and the Pacific Small Island Developing States (Asia-Pacific Group, currently held by the Republic of Korea); one seat for the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC, currently held by Guyana); and one seat for the Eastern European Group (currently held by Slovenia). The Western European and Others Group (WEOG) is not contesting any seats this year, as its two seats, held by Denmark and Greece through 2026, come up for election every other year. The five new members elected this year will take up their seats on 1 January 2026 and will serve until 31 December 2027. The 2025 Candidates Five member states Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Latvia, and Liberiaare currently running for the five available seats. Apart from Latvia, all other candidates have previously served on the Council: Colombia seven times, DRC twice, and Bahrain and Liberia once. All the regional groups are running uncontested elections this year, known as a clean slate. The table below shows the number of seats available by region in the 2025 election, the declared candidate(s), and their prior term(s) on the Council. Potential Council Dynamics in 2026 The shifting global landscape and continuing political polarisation among the permanent members are expected to continue to shape Council dynamics in 2026. The priorities raised by the candidates in their campaigns, as well as their long-standing interests, help to provide insights into their potential approach to some of the key issues confronting the Council. Given the long-standing positions of the permanent members as well as those of the continuing elected members and the incoming membersseveral agenda items are likely to remain highly contentious, including the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Myanmar, The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, and Ukraine. African issues that may be difficult include the situations in the DRC and Sudan. Although it is unclear what course the war in Ukraine will take in 2026, the situation is likely to continue to occupy a significant portion of the Councils agenda in 2026. Among current candidates, Latvia has a significant interest in the situation in Ukraine, given its geographic proximity to the conflict. From the outset of the war, Latvia has consistently provided Ukraine with broad political, military, financial, development, and humanitarian assistance. Positions on Ukraine of some of the other incoming members have evolved over time. Shortly after Russias invasion of Ukraine, the General Assembly adopted a resolution on 2 March 2022 titled Aggression against Ukraine, receiving support from 141 member states. All current candidates for Council membership in 2026-2027 voted in favour of that resolution. However, more recent votes in the General Assembly have revealed growing divisions among the wider UN membership on this issue. On 24 February 2025, the Ukrainian-EU resolution titled Advancing a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine secured just 93 votes in favour, significantly less support than the 2 March 2022 resolution. Among current candidates, Latvia and Liberia voted in favour of the 2025 resolution, while Bahrain and Colombia abstained, and the DRC did not vote. In 2022, all candidate countries were in broad agreement that Russias invasion of Ukraine constituted an act of aggression, as reflected by voting records in the General Assembly. Latvia and Liberia have since maintained a clear stance on this issue, supporting Ukraines position. In contrast, the positions of Bahrain, Colombia, and the DRC have seen slight shifts in line with a growing reluctance among Global South countries to take sides in the conflict. The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and is likely to continue to feature prominently in the Councils work in 2026. Security Council divisions are not expected to change dramatically over the Israel-Hamas war and its impact on other issues in the Middle East. While many members have condemned Hamas 7 October 2023 attack, several have strongly criticised Israel for its alleged violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza. The US has been strongly supportive of Israel throughout the war. Voting patterns in the General Assembly show that the current candidates have exhibited a range of views with regard to the war in Gaza. While Liberia has traditionally tended to align with the US and Israel on this issue, there appears to have been a slight shift in its position since December 2023. For example, it voted in favour of the 16 December 2024 General Assembly resolution (ES-10/26) demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, as did other incoming members. The DRC has tended to be supportive of resolutions on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and on Palestinian rights. Latvia has also supported humanitarian measures related to the war in Gaza in the General Assembly. In May 2024, Colombia severed ties with Israel over its actions in Gaza. It has been critical of Israels actions and supportive of humanitarian and diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Although Bahrain normalised its relations with Israel after signing the Abraham Accords, it is expected to maintain its strong criticism of Israels operation in Gaza in line with the position of the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Next year, with Somalia in the second year of its 2025-2026 tenure, there will be three non-permanent members serving in the Council that are also on its agenda. The DRC has had a peacekeeping operation in the country since the early sixties, and a sanctions committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004). The UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) is the largest and longest-running UN peacekeeping mission in Africa. In recent years it has faced significant pressure from both the government and local communities due to its perceived failure to effectively address the security situation in eastern DRC. As part of a disengagement plan for a phased and gradual drawdown of MONUSCO, the mission has withdrawn its forces from South Kivu, one of the eastern provinces. However, the security situation deteriorated sharply in early 2025, with the Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23) expanding its territorial control in the eastern regions of the country. The DRC has a contentious relationship with Rwanda, which it accuses of supporting the M23, while Rwanda blames the DRC for supporting the Forces democratiques de liberation du Rwanda (FDLR), an ethnic Hutu armed group active in eastern DRC that was implicated in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda. The Group of Experts assisting the 1533 DRC Sanctions Committee has corroborated these assertions in its past reports. In this context, the DRC has been advocating for punitive measures against Rwanda and the M23. If elected, the DRC is likely to use its membership on the Security Councilalongside its concurrent seat on the African Union Peace and Security Councilto draw greater international attention to the situation in eastern DRC and the broader Great Lakes region. Colombia has been on the agenda since 2016 following the signing of the 2016 Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace between the government of Colombia and the former rebel group Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejercito del Pueblo (FARC-EP). From the outset, Colombias relationship with the Council has been positive. It requested to be added to the Councils agenda in 2016, which resulted in the establishment of the UN Mission in Colombia. This mission was succeeded by the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, which is tasked with verifying several aspects related to implementation of the 2016 agreement and is regularly discussed in the Council. Colombia also remains a rare file on the Councils agenda that enjoys consensus and has largely remained insulated from the difficult dynamics among Council members on other files. Colombia may be able to share its positive experience of hosting a UN mission in discussions on UN peace operations. As a West African country, Liberia is expected to pay particular attention to West Africa and the Sahel and may choose to focus on the deteriorating security situation in this region. It could replace Sierra Leone as a co-penholder on the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) next year, joining Denmark, the other current co-penholder. In the same vein, the DRC could be the co-penholder on the UN Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), which in recent years has had a Central African country co-pen with the UK. Both the DRC and Liberia are expected to advance common African positions in line with the decisions of the AU and its Peace and Security Council. In this regard, during their election campaigns, both countries expressed support for Silencing the Guns in Africa, the AUs flagship initiative aimed at ending all wars and conflicts on the continent by 2030. Curbing the proliferation of small arms and light weaponsone of the initiatives key objectiveshas been emphasised by both countries and could feature as a theme during their Council tenures. Some candidates have emphasised the importance of addressing terrorism and violent extremism. Bahrain has highlighted this issue as one of its priorities, stressing its role in combating the challenges in its region. Colombia may be interested in focusing on a broader set of issues related to transnational crime. Several of the candidates have indicated that peacekeeping will be one of their priorities. Colombia, the DRC, and Liberia have extensive experience hosting UN peace operations, while Bahrain and Latvia have emphasised the importance of peacekeeping in their candidacies. These members will enter during a period of transition for peacekeeping in light of potential cuts to the peacekeeping budget and the ongoing review of peace operations. They may therefore have an opportunity to share their experiences and express their views on the drawdown, reconfiguration, and termination of UN peace operations during their term. Additionally, all candidates have expressed interest in supporting peacebuilding efforts. The ongoing peacebuilding architecture review, which is expected to culminate with twin resolutions adopted by the Security Council and the General Assembly at the end of 2025, may provide new opportunities for involvement. Maritime security may receive significant attention from the Council in 2026. Given that this is one of its core priorities, Bahrain is expected to advance discussions in the Council on this issue. As a country with one of the worlds largest ship registries, Liberia has a particular stake in this issue as well. These members could work closely with the continuing elected membersDenmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somaliawho also have a strong interest in promoting maritime security issues. All candidate countries have expressed an interest in advancing Women, Peace and Security (WPS)-related issues. Several, if not all, may sign on to the Shared Commitments on WPS initiative, which started in late 2021. Permanent members France and the UK, the penholder on WPS, can be expected to remain proponents of the agenda. There have been changes to the US position on this agenda since the start of President Donald Trumps term in January 2025. The US, which signed on to the Shared Commitments on WPS in 2023, has so far not participated in any of the joint stakeouts that the Council members who signed on to this initiative have held to deliver joint statements. The US has also sought to modify some references to the WPS agenda during negotiations in early 2025, with a particular focus on eliminating gender-related language. Russia will probably continue to argue that gender equality is not directly linked to international peace and security and is therefore not within the Councils purview. China is likely to continue to maintain that the development gap is the most important barrier to womens empowerment. There will be a vacancy for one of the co-chair positions of the Informal Expert Group (IEG) on WPS in 2026: current co-chair Sierra Leone will conclude its Council term this December, paving the way for another member to join Denmark as co-chair. Climate, peace and security ranks high on the priority list for many candidates this year, with most candidate countries emphasising the importance of addressing the nexus between environmental issues and international peace and security. In particular, the DRC, Latvia, and Liberia have expressed strong interest in addressing issues related to natural resource management and its linkages to conflict. While the majority of Council members support Council engagement on this issue, China and Russia continue to express concerns about the climate, peace and security file. The current US administration has reservations about this issue as well. One member of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency (ACT) GroupSloveniawill leave the Security Council at the end of 2025. Among the current candidates, only Latvia is a member of the group. Another ACT Group member, Denmark, will continue on the Council in 2026. These two members are likely to take the lead in pushing for improved Security Council working methods, including proposals advocated by the ACT Group. All incoming members have signed the ACT Groups Code of Conduct regarding Security Council action against genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes, which calls on all Council members to not vote against any credible draft resolution intended to prevent or halt mass atrocities. In line with ACTs position on the selection process for the next UN Secretary-General, ACT members on the Council are expected to be supportive of greater transparency and openness in this process. In 2026, elected members may continue to seek active roles in the Council as penholders or co-penholders, the informal designation of those that take the lead in drafting outcomes and convening meetings or negotiations on particular agenda items, a responsibility most often assumed by one of the P3 (France, the UK, and the US). In recent years, a growing number of elected members have served as co-penholders with a permanent member on various files. Among current elected members, this includes Slovenia with the US on Ukraine political issues, Panama with France on Ukraine humanitarian issues, and Panama with the US on Haiti. Elected members usually hold the pen on the Syria humanitarian file, and some candidate countries may be interested in this role when Denmark (current penholder) leaves the Council at the end of 2026. Several current members are still vying to be penholders on Afghanistan in 2025; next year, depending on how this issue is resolved, there may be an opportunity for one or more of the elected members to serve as a penholder or co-penholder on Afghanistan. Status Update since our May Forecast India/Pakistan On 5 May, Council members held closed consultations on The India-Pakistan question at the request of Pakistan to discuss the rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the 22 April terrorist attack in Pahalgam, a town in Indian-administered Kashmir, that claimed the lives of 26 people (including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali national). Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Mohamed Khaled Khiari briefed. He gave an overview of developments in Kashmir and the state of India-Pakistan relations following the 22 April attack. Condemning the attack, Khiari called for restraint and dialogue to help resolve the crisis. Bosnia and Herzegovina The Security Council held its semi-annual debate on Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) on 6 May (S/PV.9911). High Representative for BiH Christian Schmidt briefed on the most recent report of the Office of the High Representative (OHR), which covers the period from 16 October 2024 to 15 April (S/2025/272). Zeljka Cvijanovic, the Serb member of the rotating tripartite inter-ethnic presidency of BiH and the incumbent chairperson of the presidency, participated under rule 37 of the Councils provisional rules of procedure. Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace On 8 May, the General Assembly and the Security Council held an informal interactive dialogue with the Peacebuilding Commission as part of the 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review. Discussions emphasised the need to translate previous commitments into tangible outcomes that enhance UN peacebuilding efforts across contexts. The discussion is expected to inform ongoing negotiations toward the adoption of twin resolutions by the end of the year. DPRK (North Korea) On 29 May, Council members convened for a briefing in closed consultations on the work of the 1718 Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee. South Sudan On 8 May, the Security Council adopted resolution 2779, renewing the mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) until 30 April 2026 (S/PV.9913). The resolution was adopted with 12 votes in favour and three abstentions (China, Pakistan, and Russia). On 30 May, the Security Council adopted resolution 2781, renewing the South Sudan sanctions regime until 31 May 2026 and the mandate of the Panel of Experts of the 2206 South Sudan Sanctions Committee until 1 July 2026 (S/PV.9928). The resolution was adopted with a vote of nine in favour and six abstentions (Algeria, China, Pakistan, Russia, Somalia, and Sierra Leone). Somalia On 12 May, Security Council members convened for closed consultations on the African Union (AU) Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The consultations were requested by Somalia (which is currently an elected member of the Council) and the UK (the penholder on the file). Resolution 2767 of 27 December 2024 requested the Secretary-General to implement the framework established under resolution 2719 of 21 December 2023which concerns the financing of AU-led peace support operations (AUPSOs)in a hybrid format to AUSSOM starting on 1 July. However, the resolution made the implementation of this framework contingent on the Council confirming its request through a decision by 15 May. On 23 May, Council members agreed on the contents of a letter addressed to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, expressing regret over the lack of consensus regarding the implementation of the 2719 framework for AUSSOM, despite the broad support expressed by member states (S/2025/322). The Council requested the Secretary-General to continue working closely with the AU to support the implementation of resolution 2767 and provide advice and support, as requested by the AU, to strengthen resource mobilisation for AUSSOM, including through support for the urgent convening of a high-level donor meeting. Middle East, including the Palestinian Question On 13 May, the Security Council held a briefing under the agenda item The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question (MEPQ) (S/PV.9914). The meetingwhich was requested by the Councils European members (Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia, and the UK) and supported by Algeriafocused on the humanitarian situation and the protection of aid workers in Gaza. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) New York Liaison Office Director Angelica Jacome briefed. Israel, the Observer State of Palestine, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) participated in the meeting. Protection of Civilians On 22 and 23 May, the Security Council held its annual open debate on the protection of civilians (PoC) in armed conflict (S/PV.9921 and Resumption I and II). Greece, the Council president for May, convened the meeting as one of its signature events. It was chaired by the Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis. The briefers were Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher, UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children US Janti Soeripto. Maritime Security On 20 May, the Security Council held a high-level open debate titled Strengthening Maritime Security through International Cooperation for Global Stability under the Maintenance of international peace and security agenda item (S/PV.9919). Greece, the Council president in May, convened the debate as one of its signature events. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis chaired the meeting. The briefers included: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President of the Board of Directors of the Union of Greek Shipowners Melina Travlos, and Professor of International Relations at the University of Copenhagen and UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) Research Fellow Christian Bueger. Protecting Water in Armed Conflict Arria-formula Meeting On 23 May, Slovenia (together with Algeria, Panama, and Sierra Leone) convened an Arria-formula meeting titled Freshwater Resources and Related Infrastructure under Attack: Protecting Water in Armed ConflictProtecting Civilian Lives. Several non-Council membersCosta Rica, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Mozambique, the Philippines, Senegal, Switzerland, and Viet Namsupported the meeting. Melita Gabric, Slovenias Deputy Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, chaired the meeting. The briefers were: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations Ted Chaiban, and Regional Head of Programmes for Geneva Call in Africa Mehwash Ansari. ICJ Elections On 27 May, the Security Council and General Assembly held concurrent meetings to fill a vacancy following the resignation of the former President of the ICJ, Judge Nawaf Salam (Lebanon), effective 14 January (S/PV.9922). The Council and the General Assembly elected the sole candidate, Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud (Jordan), to serve for the remainder of Judge Salams term of office, until 5 February 2027. Haiti On 28 May, the members of the Security Council held closed consultations on Haiti. Special Representative and Head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) Maria Isabel Salvador and Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support Atul Khare briefed. The meeting was requested by the ten elected members to receive an update on the situation in the country and to discuss a Council response to the Secretary-Generals 24 February letter containing recommendations on options for UN support for Haiti (S/2025/122). Ukraine On 29 May, the Council held a briefing on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine at the request of Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia, and the UK (S/PV.9924). Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo and Director of the Humanitarian Financing and Resource Mobilization Division at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Lisa Doughten briefed. Ukraine and several regional states participated in the meeting under rule 37 of the Councils provisional rules of procedure, while Stavros Lambrinidis, Head of the EU Delegation to the UN, participated under rule 39. On 30 May, at Russias request, the Council held a briefing under the Threats to international peace and security agenda item to discuss the actions of a number of European states that it claims are hindering efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine (S/PV.9926). Draft Report of the Security Council to the General Assembly On 30 May, the Security Council adopted the draft of its annual report to the General Assembly, covering the period from 1 January to 31 December 2023 (S/PV.9927). Sierra Leone raised a point of order and said that it had broken silence on the full draft report and had drawn the Councils attention to the section on Western Sahara and urged its revision due to inaccuracy. As a result, it dissociated itself from the impugned paragraph. AFRICA Sudan Expected Council Action In June, the Security Council is expected to receive the regular 120-day briefing on the situation in Sudan. The Council is also expected to be briefed on the work of the 1591 Sudan Sanctions Committee. Key Recent Developments Hostilities continued between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the Sudanese Transitional Sovereign Council, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Sudanese paramilitary led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. By late March, the SAF had recaptured Khartoum, regaining control over key sites such as the presidential palace and the international airport. On 20 May, it announced full control over Khartoum state after expelling RSF fighters from their remaining strongholds in the southern parts of Omdurman. Meanwhile, the conflict in the Kordofan region reportedly intensified, with repeated artillery attacks, shelling, and drone strikes, resulting in dozens of civilian casualties. In early May, the RSF reportedly launched a series of drone strikes over six consecutive days beginning on 4 May in Port Sudanthe countrys de facto administrative capital, which had previously remained largely insulated from the conflict. The attacks targeted key civilian and military infrastructure, including the international airport, a military airbase, fuel depots, and power stations. On 14 May, RSF drone strikes reportedly hit three power stations in Omdurman, causing widespread electricity outages across the capital region. The security situation in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, and surrounding areas remained extremely volatile. In mid-April, the RSF intensified its siege and attacks on the city through shelling, drone strikes, and ground operations, resulting in hundreds of civilian casualties, the killing of aid workers, and mass displacement. Subsequently, the RSF seized control of the Zamzam camp for internally displaced people (IDP) and continued its offensive, including coordinated assaults on civilians, further worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis. According to some estimates, the scale of violence and displacement in Darfur has reached its highest level since the conflict in the 2000s, which claimed the lives of approximately 300,000 people. (For background and more information, see our 15 April and 18 May Whats in Blue stories.) On 19 May, Burhan issued a decree appointing Kamil Eltayeb Idris as Sudans Prime Minister. In a 7 May statement, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed the hope that Idris appointment would mark a first step toward inclusive consultations aimed at establishing a broad-based technocratic government and advancing the peace process. The following day (20 May), African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson (AUCC) Mahmoud Ali Youssouf commended this development as a step toward inclusive governance and urged all Sudanese stakeholders to intensify their efforts toward a peaceful, civilian-led, and inclusive transition. On 17 May, Arab leaders adopted a communique at the conclusion of the 34th summit of the League of Arab States, underscoring the importance of reaching a political solution to the conflict in Sudan that safeguards the countrys sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of its civilians. The communique highlighted the urgent need to ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access and called on all parties to engage constructively with efforts to resolve the crisis, including the Jeddah process, brokered by Saudi Arabia and the US. Human Rights-Related Developments In an 8 May press release, a group of independent human rights experts strongly condemned the targeted attacks carried out by the RSF on the Zamzam and Abu Shouk IDP camps in North Darfur. The experts expressed grave concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis, highlighting that the violence has forced millions of IDPs into life-threatening conditions, depriving them of access to food, water, shelter, and basic protection. They received reports of systematic violations, mostly committed by RSF-affiliated militias, including sexual violence, sexual slavery, forced recruitment, and the targeting of civilians. They expressed serious concern about conflict-related trafficking, particularly the trafficking of children for recruitment and use, and of women and girls for sexual exploitation, including sexual slavery. They called for increased support for accountability mechanisms and the immediate establishment of safe corridors for humanitarian assistance. Women, Peace and Security In a 10 April press briefing on the situation of women and girls in Sudan, UN Women highlighted the devastating impact of the war, particularly the widespread gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). The agency emphasised the crucial role of Sudanese womens organisations in identifying urgent needs within displacement camps, supporting survivors, and delivering psychosocial care and livelihood training. Noting that these organisations currently receive less than 2 percent of humanitarian assistance in Sudan, UN Women called for long-term support for them. From 13 to 17 April, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, visited Sudan. During the visit, the Sudanese government renewed the Framework of Cooperation between Sudan and the UN on the Prevention and Response to Sexual Violence in Conflict. Originally signed in 2020, the framework commits the parties to coordinate efforts to strengthen monitoring, analysis, documentation, and information sharing on sexual violence. In a 14 May press release, several UN independent experts condemned the widespread and systematic violations against women and girls in Sudan, including CRSV, abductions, and killings, noting that many of these violations have been attributed to the RSF. The press release reported that at least 330 cases of CRSV have been documented in 2025 thus far, with the real number likely to be significantly higher due to underreporting. Key Issues and Options The overarching issue for the Council is how it can contribute to bringing an end to the ongoing fighting and support efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire across Sudan. The continued violence, insecurity, and targeted attacks against civilians remain a major concern for Council members. Another key issue is the changing nature of the conflict, including the use of advanced weaponry and persistent attacks on the countrys critical infrastructure. As hostilities persist, mediation efforts have consistently failed to achieve any meaningful breakthroughs. In recent months, Council members have issued several press statements on the situation in Sudan. However, these responses have largely been ad hoc, issued in reaction to specific outbreaks of violence or political developments. Being able to promote an effective and coordinated political strategy to resolve the crisis in Sudan remains an ongoing issue for Council members. In this regard, developing a shared understanding of the complexities of the situation and a unified strategy for engagement is critical. In doing so, members need to navigate the competing interests of regional and international actors that continue to shape Sudans political and security landscape while underscoring respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan. One option for the Council would be to invite AUCC Youssouf to provide a briefing on the key challenges facing peace efforts in Sudan, the AUs role in revitalising these efforts, and the broader impact of the conflict on neighbouring countries and regional stability. Council members could consider holding an informal interactive dialogue with key regional and international stakeholdersincluding representatives of regional and sub-regional organisations and states involved in mediation effortsto explore ways to leverage their comparative advantages and harmonise their efforts in support of a coherent political strategy to the crisis. Given the increasingly dire situation for civilians in Sudan, the Informal Expert Group on the Protection of Civilians could consider convening a meeting to receive briefings from relevant UN entities on the conflicts impact on civilian populations. During the regular Council briefing in June, members could consider inviting the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, to brief on the broader human rights situation in Sudan. Council and Wider Dynamics Most Council members share similar concerns about the dire political, security, and humanitarian situations in Sudan and have emphasised the need for a ceasefire, unfettered humanitarian access, respect for international humanitarian law, and the importance of protecting civilians in the conflict. However, critical divisions persist within the Council, shaped by differing priorities and approaches to key issues, including the protection of civilians, the implementation of ceasefire mechanisms, and addressing accountability for violations of international humanitarian law. Several Council members, such as Algeria, China, Pakistan, and Russia, tend to be more sympathetic to the Burhan-led government, underscoring its sovereign authority and its efforts to protect civilians and coordinate the delivery of humanitarian aid. Other Council members, such as the US, however, consider both the RSF and SAF to be responsible for the ongoing atrocities in Sudan and unfit to govern the country. On 22 May, the US announced the imposition of sanctions on Sudan following its determination that the Sudanese government used chemical weapons in 2024 in violation of its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. These sanctions, set to take effect around 6 June, include restrictions on US exports to Sudan and access to government lines of credit. The differing positions of the key interlocutors on Sudan were evident at the 15 April ministerial conference in London, which was jointly organised by France, Germany, the UK, and the European Union (EU) to mark the second anniversary of the conflict in Sudan. Media reports indicate that the participating member states failed to adopt a joint communique due to disagreements: Egypt and Saudi Arabia reportedly supported language underscoring the importance of preserving state institutions, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) advocated for stronger language in support of civilian governance. Tensions have continued to mount between the Sudanese government and the UAE, with Sudan accusing the UAE of supporting the RSF, including through military assistance and alleged involvement in recent drone strikes on Port Sudan. On 6 May, the Sudanese government announced its decision to declare the UAE as an aggressor state and sever diplomatic relations. The UAE has repeatedly denied allegations of supporting the conflict in Sudan and transferring weapons to the RSF. In a 7 May press release, the UAE affirmed that it does not recognise the decision of the Port Sudan authority to sever diplomatic ties with the UAE, arguing that it does not represent the legitimate government of Sudan and remains one of the two warring parties in Sudan. (For more information, see our 18 May Whats in Blue story.) Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON SUDAN MIDDLE EAST Syria Expected Council Action In June, the Security Council expects to hold two meetings on Syria: one on political and humanitarian issues, and another on the chemical weapons track. Key Recent Developments On 13 May, US President Donald Trump announced that he would lift all US sanctions against Syriawhich include wide-ranging trade and financial restrictionsand consider normalising ties with Damascus. Trumps announcement was made at a meeting with Gulf Cooperation Council leaders during a state visit to Saudi Arabia. He indicated that the lifting of sanctions was a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It was followed by a 15 May Riyadh meeting that included the participation of Trump, Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, bin Salman, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in which Trump outlined five asks of Syrias interim president: to establish diplomatic ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords; tell all foreign terrorists to leave Syria; deport Palestinian terrorists; help the US to prevent the resurgence of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh); and assume responsibility for ISIL detention centres in northeast Syria. The meeting was the first between a US and Syrian president in 25 years. On 15 May, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the administration will adopt a phased approach to sanctions relief. On 24 May, 180-day presidential waivers to sanctions under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act were adopted; Congressional permanent repeal of the Ceaser Act will be sought in the future, if enough progress is made. Waivers are likely to allow the improvement of immediate needs; however, without a full repeal of the US legislation, Syria may still struggle to attract multi-year economic investments. On 20 May, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas announced that EU foreign ministers had agreed to lift all remaining economic sanctions against Syria (the bloc had suspended some of its sanctions on Syrias energy and transport industries in February), a decision Kallas described as reversible and conditional on progress. The EU also said that it will maintain sanctions related to the former Syrian President Bashar al-Assads government as well as sanctions based on security groundsand that it will introduce additional targeted restrictive measures against human rights violators and those fuelling instability in Syria. On 16 May, the World Bank said that Syria is eligible for new loans after Saudi Arabia and Qatar helped clear the countrys outstanding debt to the institution, allowing it to reengage with the country and address the development needs of the Syrian people. Briefing at a Security Council meeting on 21 May, UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen welcomed international steps to lift sanctions and to provide financial support to Syria, highlighting their potential to improve conditions in the country and to support the political transition. He stressed, however, that revitalising Syrias devastated economy will require the interim authorities to work on overall economic reform and governance standards across the financial system, which will also need international support. The security situation in the country remains precarious amid simmering sectarian tensions and the threat of terrorism due to Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs) and remnants of ISIL. The end of April saw clashes in the suburbs of Damascus and the Sweida governorate targeting the Druze communityan ethnic minority groupwhich reportedly killed at least 119 people, including over a dozen civilians. Despite subsequent agreements between the interim authorities and Druze factions aimed at de-escalating tensions, the fighting has stoked fear of further violence against Syrias minorities. These clashes also came against the backdrop of widespread sectarian violence against the Alawite ethnic minority in Syrias coastal region, which reportedly caused over 1000 fatalities in early March. A fact-finding committee mandated by Sharaa to investigate the events was immediately established; however, it is reportedly facing criticism that its work lacks transparency and sufficient cooperation with human rights organisations. In line with the interim governments goal to consolidate and reintegrate armed groups into the state, on 18 May, Syrian Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra called on remaining military groups to join the ministry within a maximum period of 10 days. Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes in Syrian territory since Assads ouster. At the beginning of Mayin response to the recent attacks against the DruzeIsrael renewed airstrikes on Syria, justifying them as necessary to protect the Druze communities. These included a 2 May airstrike close to the Syrian presidential palace, which Israel reportedly intended as a warning. Since then, reports have emerged that the countries are engaged in discussions about security issues and the potential normalisation of relations. On 7 May, Sharaa met with French President Emmanuel Macron, on his first visit to Europe since becoming the interim President of Syria. Aside from the issue of sanctions, the two discussed security concerns, including the need to protect all Syrians from violence, the threat of ISIL, and French FTFs in Syria. ISIL continues to pose a threat to Syrias security. On 21 May, Pedersen warned the Security Council that the group has been escalating its attacks in various areas in recent weeks, with signs of more coordinated operations involving IEDs and the use of medium-range weapons. In May alone, ISIL has reportedly conducted at least ten attacks in northeast Syria. On 17 May, Syrian interim government forces conducted their first operation against the group in Aleppo, killing three militants. This operation was in keeping with Trumps request that Damascus take a more active role against ISIL, as US military forces commence their gradual withdrawal from Syria. The interim government is also taking steps to pursue transitional justice and accountability efforts. On 18 May, Sharaa announced the formation of a National Transitional Justice Commission and a National Commission for Missing Persons. In his 21 May briefing to the Council, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Director of Coordination Ramesh Rajasingham highlighted that humanitarian needs in Syria remain immense, with 90 percent of the population living in poverty, over half the population facing severe food insecurity, and millions displaced. A 14 May report published by the International Organisation for Migration highlights challenges faced by large numbers of internally displaced persons and refugees returning to their homes following Assads ouster. These include unreliable access to electricity, clean water, healthcare, essential services, and housing, compounded by a lack of economic opportunities. On 23 May, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) published its monthly report on the implementation of resolution 2118 of 27 September 2013, which required the verification and destruction of Syrias chemical weapons stockpiles. The report says that 19 outstanding issuesinvolving large quantities of potentially undeclared or unverified chemical weaponsfrom Syrias initial declaration of its chemical weapons programme remain unresolved. It also noted that an OPCW team was deployed to Syria from 14 to 25 April to engage on a future OPCW presence in the country, during which the caretaker Foreign Minister committed to securing the necessary offices in Damascus for the OPCW by the next deployment. According to the New York Times, OPCW experts believe that more than 100 chemical weapons sites remain in Syria. Human Rights-Related Developments On 4 April, the UN Human Rights Council adopted resolution 58/25 on the situation of human rights in Syria. Among other recommendations, the resolution welcomes provisions of the Constitutional Declaration signed in March 2025, affirming that the state shall guarantee human rights and fundamental freedoms. It likewise encourages Syria to ensure a sustainable path towards credible accountability for all crimes that do justice to the victims, survivors and their families, as well as contribute to reconciliation and a peaceful future for all Syrians. In a 2 May press release, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic voiced grave concern over the recent surge in violence in the country following deadly clashes with sectarian dimensions in the Damascus countryside and Sweida governorate. Israeli airstrikes and threats of further military intervention across the Syrian territory likewise jeopardise the countrys path towards sustainable and rights-respecting peace, risking Syrias already fragile security situation. Women, Peace and Security In his 21 May Council briefing, Pedersen announced that the Syrian Womens Advisory Board (WAB) held a meeting in Syria for the first time since its establishment. The meeting took place on 1 May in Damascus. Established by the Office of the Special Envoy in 2016, the WAB advises on all aspects of the Syrian political process, with a particular focus on gender equality and womens rights. It had thus far convened outside of Syria. Pedersen said that during the 1 May meeting, the WAB held discussions with Syrian officials, womens organisations, and diplomatic personnel. He added that, in their engagements, WAB members sought clarification on ministerial strategy, including the expected role of civil society, and requested reassurances that womens political engagement would be guaranteed. Pedersen stressed that WAB members, and Syrian women more broadly, continue to underscore the importance of their political participation and their unique position to observe the situation on the ground, and to express their willingness to provide advice to the interim authorities. During his briefing on humanitarian issues, Rajasingham said that women and girls in Syria continue to be at risk of gender-based violence (GBV), noting that, due to issues such as social stigma and lack of protection services, GBV often remains under-reported. Among other issues, Rajasingham said that, due to funding shortfalls, twenty safe spaces for women and girls have closed since January, severely reducing access to support services for GBV survivors. He called on the international donor community to act fast and increase humanitarian funding. Key Issues and Options The main priority for the Council is to ensure that Syrias interim government pursues a credible, transparent, and inclusive political process grounded in the principles of Council resolution 2254. (Adopted on 18 December 2015, resolution 2254 focused on a political solution to the Syrian crisis). Syrian unity and inclusivity will be a major factor in determining the success of the political transitionespecially given recurring episodes of sectarian violence which threaten political stability. The next significant step in the political transition is the establishment of the High Committee responsible for selecting members of the new Peoples Assembly, a transitional legislative authority responsible for working on the legislative reform agenda. In his 21 May briefing to the Council, Pedersen spoke of his engagement with the interim authorities on this matter and highlighted the need for the future Peoples Assembly to be representative of the unity and diversity of the nation. Council members could express their support for Pedersons efforts in this regard and encourage him to update them on progress in the establishment of the High Committee, as needed. Other key issues for the Council are how the interim government handles the issues of security sector reform, violence against minorities, and accountability efforts, including through the work of the newly established commissions and the fact-finding committee. Should sectarian tensions continue to mount or culminate in another outbreak of violence, Council members could consider convening a private meeting to hear a briefing from the Special Envoy on the situation and to engage with the Syrian representative on ways to calm the situation. The future of the UNs role in Syria is another key issue for the Council. Under the instruction of the Secretary-General, the UN Secretariat has been conducting an integrated strategic assessment of the changing situation in the country. An internal report was due to be prepared by the end of May. Based on this report, the Secretary-General will consider what type of UN presence in Syria would be most suitable to meet the countrys current needs. The option(s) presented by the Secretary-General could necessitate Council action on a product that mandates adjustments to the UNs presence in the country. Given the high number of estimated chemical weapons sites from the Assad era, Council members may call for the Syrian authorities to fully and transparently cooperate with the OPCWincluding on establishing a presence in the countryand for additional support from member states to ensure that the organisation has the financial and human resources to carry out its missions. Council and Wider Dynamics Council members are aligned on the need for the Syrian authorities to advance an inclusive, Syrian-owned and Syrian-led political process based on the key principles of resolution 2254. They also agree that the Syrian interim government must credibly pursue accountability, transitional justice and reconciliation efforts and take measures to prevent any further violence against minorities as part of this process. In this regard, several Council members have called for the fact-finding committee on the coastal violence to conduct credible, impartial, independent and transparent investigations. During the 21 May Council meeting, China called for expedited investigations, while Russia called for the findings to be brought to the attention of the Special Envoy and the Security Council. Members have expressed cautious optimism at actions taken so far by the interim authorities, with many emphasising that the current period represents a critical and hopeful moment for the country. There is broad agreement that the new Syrian government requires international support to rebuild Syria and its crippled economy, including through the easing of sanctions which several Council members are now pursuing. (EU members, the UK, and the US have all initiated processes to lift sanctions). Trumps meeting with Sharaa marks a consequential shift in the US position on Syria, which will most likely impact Council dynamics on the file. During the 21 May Council meeting, the US representative said that the US has taken first steps towards normal diplomatic relations with Syria and reiterated Trumps five asks of Sharaa. Council members also align on the need for the Syrian interim authorities to address the issue of FTFsChina, France, Russia, and the US have all been vocal on this issue. Israels presence and military activities in Syria remain a point of contention for Council members. Most members believe Israels actions are fostering tensions and instability in an already fragile Syria, but the US sees its actions as defensive in nature and tied to ensuring its national security. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON SYRIA UNDOF (Golan) Expected Council Action In June, the Security Council is expected to vote on a draft resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which expires on 31 December. In mid-June, an official from the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) is expected to brief Council members in closed consultations on the Secretary-Generals latest 90-day report on UNDOF, due on 2 June, and the most recent developments. Background and Key Recent Developments UNDOF was established following the conclusion of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement (the 1974 agreement) between Israel and Syria, which ended the Yom Kippur War. Its mandate is to maintain the ceasefire between the parties and supervise the disengagement of Israeli and Syrian forces, as well as the areas of separation (a demilitarised buffer zone) and limitation (where Israeli and Syrian troops and equipment are restricted) in the Golan. On 20 December 2024, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2766, renewing UNDOFs mandate for another six months. The mandate renewal came shortly after Israeli troops entered the demilitarised zone following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad earlier that month and a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring that the disengagement agreement had collapsed. A 13 December UNDOF press statement confirmed a significant increase in Israel Defence Forces (IDF) movements within the area of separation and along the ceasefire line in direct violation of the 1974 agreement. The Secretary-Generals most recent report on UNDOFs activities, dated 12 March 2025 and covering the period from 19 November 2024 to 18 February 2025, noted that the ceasefire between Israel and Syria was generally still maintained, notwithstanding multiple significant violations of the 1974 agreement. It also reported that following Assads ouster and the entry of the IDF into the area of separation, the situation was altered significantly, and the operations of UNDOF were affected, in violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2766. Israel has cited security concerns, including the need to protect residents in northern Israel, as the reason for its operations within the buffer zone. Although Israel had initially indicated that its presence in the area would be temporary, Defence Minister Israel Katz said on 28 January, and again on 16 April, that the IDF would remain in the buffer zone indefinitely. During a 16 February meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of preventing Iran from establishing a new terror front near the Golan Heights. On 24 February, Netanyahu raised demands for the complete demilitarisation of southern Syria and affirmed that Israel would not allow any Hayat Tahrir al-Sham forcesthe Security Council-listed terrorist group which led Assads ousteror Syrian forces to enter the area south of Damascus. He added that Israel would not allow any threat to the Druzea minority sect present in both Syria and Israelcommunity in southern Syria. Israel has recently justified several military actions in Syrian territoryincluding airstrikes in Damascusas necessary to protect the Druze community, following a wave of deadly clashes between militias aligned with the Syrian interim government and the Druze at the end of April. Since December 2024, Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has repeatedly emphasised that Syria remains committed to the 1974 agreement. In a 13 February letter from the Permanent Representative of Syria to the UN addressed to the Security Council, Syria accused Israel of entering Syrian territory through the area of separation and of attacking and displacing residents, destroying infrastructure and agricultural land and taking control of dams, including the Al-Mantara dama vital water source for southern Syria. On 7 May, Sharaa said that his government is conducting indirect talks with Israel to contain the situation. Residents in the Golan have reportedly said that Israeli soldiers have prevented them from accessing their own homes, displaced residents, raided houses, and fired upon protesters demonstrating against the IDFs presence, raising fears of occupation. According to the Secretary-Generals latest report, during the reporting period, UNDOF received 18 complaints and requests for assistance from residents on the Bravo (Syrian) side of the buffer zone due to the presence and activities of the IDF. The Secretary-Generals report notes that as at 18 February, the IDF had constructed 10 positions in the area of separation and occupied two houses in the area of limitation, in violation of the 1974 agreement. Satellite images published in Haaretz have shed light on IDF-constructed outpostsincluding on Mount Hermon, where UNDOF maintains the UNs highest-elevation permanently staffed position. Human Rights-Related Developments On 21 February, the Secretary-General submitted a report (A/HRC/58/72) to the Human Rights Council (HRC) on human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan. The report was prepared pursuant to HRC resolution 55/31, which asked the Secretary-General to report on the issue at its 58th session. In preparing the report, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, on behalf of the Secretary-General, sought the views of member states in Geneva on the implementation of the resolutions relevant provisions. The report includes responses from Syria and Iran asserting that systematic human rights violations are occurring in the Golan and denouncing measures taken by Israel to extend its jurisdiction and laws to the region. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presented a report to the Human Rights Council on 6 March that provides an update on Israels settlements in the Golan. The reports findings detail an increase in the number of Israeli settlements and the Israeli settler population, together with the development of commercial projects, noting its impact on various human rights, including the rights to adequate food, health, housing and a clean, sustainable environment. On 4 March, the HRC adopted a resolution on human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan (A/HRC/RES/58/26). The resolution condemns the practices of the Israeli occupation authorities affecting the human rights of the Syrian citizens in the territory and calls upon Israel to comply with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, the HRC and the Security Council, in particular Security Council resolution 497 (1981), and cease changing the Golans physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure and legal status. Key Issues and Options A key priority for the Council in June is the renewal of UNDOFs mandate. Members could choose to have a technical rollover in order to avoid difficult negotiations at this stage. Members could also consider updating the renewal resolution in light of the significant shift in security dynamics in the Golan, increased challenges for UNDOF in addressing ongoing violations of the 1974 agreement, and obstructions preventing the mission from carrying out its mandate, while ensuring the safety and security of the peacekeepers. Another issue for the Council is that the significant Israeli presence in the buffer zone could lead to an escalation between the parties that might imperil the ceasefire between Israel and Syria. Members could also consider issuing a presidential statement urging the parties to uphold international law and their obligations under the 1974 agreement, underscoring that there should be no military forces or activities in the area of separation, other than those of UNDOF. The statement could also express concern over risks posed to local civilian populations by violations of the 1974 agreement and call upon the parties to ensure that UNDOF is accorded the ability to operate safely and securely and is allowed to operate freely in accordance with the agreement. Council and Wider Dynamics The Council remains united in its view that UNDOF plays an important role in regional stability. Despite historical divisions about who holds sovereignty over the Golan, Russia and the US have traditionally considered UNDOF as a separate issue on which they agree, serving as co-penholders on the issue. Following the ouster of Assad, the dynamic between Russia and the US on the Syrian file has seen a shift. The two countries, once holding strongly opposing views, have shown increased alignment, as demonstrated by their co-penholdership of a 14 March presidential statement (S/PRST/2025/4) addressing sectarian violence and key issues on Syrias political transition, and their agreement on 17 December 2024 Council press statement which was penned by France. The IDFs recent actions and presence in the Golanas well as statements by Israeli officials on this issuehave generated criticism from some Council members. In its explanation of vote following the adoption of resolution 2766, Algeria said that Israels presence in the area of separation violates the disengagement agreement and Security Council resolutions, and raised questions about the occupation of Syrian territory. During the Councils monthly Syria meeting on 21 May, several Council members expressed concerns regarding Israels presence in the area of separation, with some demanding its full withdrawal, while calling for all parties to adhere to the 1974 agreement. On the other hand, the US has often publicly recognised Israels security concerns over the Golan and has not taken issue with the IDFs encroachment into Syrian territory. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON UNDOF AFRICA UNOCA (Central Africa) Expected Council Action In June, the Security Council will hold a briefing and consultations on the Secretary-Generals semi-annual report on the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) and the implementation of the UNs regional strategy to combat the Lords Resistance Army (LRA). Special Representative and Head of UNOCA Abdou Abarry is expected to brief. The mandate of UNOCA expires on 31 August 2027. Key Recent Developments On 7 February, an extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) was held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Among other issues, the summit addressed the worsening security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has significantly deteriorated since January, as well as other humanitarian crises unfolding across the Central Africa region. Abarry participated in the summit and delivered remarks emphasising the need for an urgent and collective response to the multiple challenges facing the region. On 12 April, Gabon held a presidential election, marking the end of the transition period following the August 2023 coup that removed President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who had been in power since 2009. The transitional military leader, Brice Oligui Nguema, who led the coup, won the election with 90 percent of the vote, while his main opponent, Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, secured only three percent. Bongo and his family were permitted to leave the country and flew to Luanda, following mediation efforts by Angolan President Joao Lourenco, acting in his capacity as the current Chair of the African Union (AU). The AU Peace and Security Council, which met on 30 April to consider the situation in Gabon, welcomed the successful conduct of the presidential election and decided to lift Gabons suspension from the AUs activities. The suspension was imposed on 31 August 2023 following the coup, based on the relevant provisions of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. Nguema was officially sworn in on 3 May at an inauguration ceremony, which saw the participation of several African leaders. Former Prime Minister Succes Masrawho ran against President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno in last years presidential electionwas arrested on 16 May for his alleged involvement in recent intercommunal violence in the southwestern province of Logone Occidental, which left 42 people dead, mostly women and children. According to media reports, the violence was triggered by a dispute between ethnic Fulani nomadic herders and local Ngambaye farmers over the demarcation of grazing and farming areas. Masras party, Les Transformateurs, has denied any involvement, and his arrest has raised fresh concerns about the shrinking political space in Chad. In late March, Niger announced its withdrawal from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a regional security coalition comprising forces from Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria mandated to combat Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Lake Chad Basin. This decision has raised concerns about the weakening of the regions counter-terrorism framework and the potential creation of a security vacuum that could be exploited by terrorist groups. In October 2024, a terrorist attack on a military base in Chads border region with Nigeriaresulting in the deaths of 40 Chadian soldiersprompted President Mahamat Idriss Deby to threaten Chads possible withdrawal from the MNJTF as well. On 25 March, Boko Haram reportedly killed at least 20 Cameroonian soldiers in an attack on a military base in the Nigerian border town of Wulgo. In addition to the persistent threat from Boko Haram and ISWAP, Cameroon continues to struggle with violence in its Anglophone northwest and southwest regions, where separatist groups are carrying out frequent ambushes against government forces, further destabilising the security environment. As the country prepares for a presidential election later this year, it faces a tense and volatile political and security landscape. President Paul Biya, who has been in power for 42 years, has not yet officially announced whether he will seek re-election, although he is widely expected to do so. From 28 to 31 January, Abarry visited northern Nigeria together with Leonardo Santos Simao, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), as part of their joint efforts to support Lake Chad Basin countries in addressing the threats posed by terrorism. The Special Representatives travelled to Bama, a town in Borno state of Nigeria, to assess humanitarian response efforts. They also participated in the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors Forum that took place in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, from 29-31 January. The forum was focused on rebuilding the Lake Chad Basin, consolidating gains, and promoting peace, cross-border cooperation, security, and sustainable development. As part of his UN80 Initiative, announced in March, to streamline the UNs work and enhance cost-efficiency and effectiveness, the Secretary-General has established a task force to develop proposals for potential structural reforms and programmatic alignment across the UN system. According to a compilation of proposals by the UN80 task force, the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) is among the entities being reviewed for possible mandate consolidation. The task force has identified overlaps between UNOCAs mandate and those of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). However, as the Secretary-General explained in his briefing to member states on 12 May, any proposals related to mandate reviews will need to go through the intergovernmental process within the UN General Assembly. Key Issues and Options The political and security situations in several parts of Central Africa continue to be key concerns for the Council. In June, Council members are likely to be interested in hearing Abarrys assessment of country-specific situations in the region that are not on the Councils agenda. The recent election in Gabon and the upcoming election in Cameroon may be of particular interest to Council members. The continued threat of terrorism in the Lake Chad basin remains a matter of serious concern. The fact that Boko Haram and ISWAP have not only become increasingly adept at using social media to spread extremist ideology and recruit youth, but have also begun employing drones, further heightens these concerns. Council members may be keen to know about the MNJTFs fate in view of the recent decision by Niger to withdraw from the joint force. A possible option for the Guyanese Council presidency in June is to invite a regional expert to provide analysis and insights into the rapidly shifting regional security and geopolitical dynamics. A related issue is how to address the root causes of the conflicts in the region. Council members continue to support the Regional Strategy for the Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience of the Boko Haram-affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin, developed by the Lake Chad Basin Commission with the support of the AU, and to call for expediting its implementation. They may also welcome the outcome of the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors Forum. Council Dynamics Council members support a holistic regional approach to addressing the peace and security challenges in Central Africa, based on cooperation between UNOCA and the various regional mechanisms. Several members tend to underscore challenges in the region related to political transitions; humanitarian crises, including the rising number of refugees and internally displaced persons; the threats posed by terrorism and violent extremism; and the adverse effects of climate change. Council members recognise the important role played by the MNJTF in fighting Boko Haram and ISWAP in the Lake Chad Basin. They will likely condemn the recent attack in the region and underscore the need to continue supporting the MNJTF in neutralising these groups. The UK is the penholder on UNOCA. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON UNOCA MIDDLE EAST Yemen Expected Council Action In June, the Security Council will hold its monthly meeting on Yemen. UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg and an official from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) are expected to brief on political, security, and humanitarian developments in the country. The mandate of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) expires on 14 July. Key Recent Developments On 6 May, US President Donald Trump announced that the US would stop its bombing campaign against the Houthisa Yemeni rebel group also known as Ansar Allahwhich aimed to degrade the groups capability to attack military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Oman later announced that it had mediated a ceasefire between the US and the Houthis, which included a cessation of attacks on ships in the Red Sea and the facilitation of freedom of navigation for international shipping. In recent months, the Houthis have repeatedly targeted US military assets in the Red Sea and Yemen as part of a wider campaign to attack Israel and disrupt maritime security in the Red Seaactions they claim are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Council resolution 2768 (2025) requests the Secretary-General to issue a monthly report on any new incidents involving Houthi attacks on merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea. A 9 May letter from the Secretary-General to the President of the Security Council said that the International Maritime Organisation indicated that no new incidents occurred during the reporting period of 10 April through to 9 May. The most recent verified attack against a commercial vessel was in December 2024. The ceasefire agreement between the US and the Houthis does not extend to Israel, and the Houthis have said that they will continue their operations against Israeli targets until Israels military operations in Gaza cease. On 4 May, a Houthi-launched ballistic missile landed near Israels Ben Gurion International Airport, injuring eight people and causing temporary flight suspensions. Further ballistic missile and drone attacks against Israel continued throughout May, including after the US-Houthi ceasefire. Since the resumption of hostilities in Gaza on 18 March, Israeli media reports that the Houthis have launched 38 ballistic missiles and at least 10 drones at Israel, several of which were either intercepted or fell short of their targets. Throughout May, Israel has conducted heavy retaliatory airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, including on the ports of Hodeidah and as-Salif, on Sanaa International Airport, and on several power plants. Israel has claimed that the ports are being used to transfer Iranian weapons intended for the Houthis. On 16 May, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said that the Houthis will pay a very heavy price and promised to target the rebel groups leadership. Following a second airstrike on Sanaa airport on 28 Maywhich Israel claimed destroyed the Houthis last remaining aircraftNetanyahu accused Iran of being directly responsible for Houthi aggression emanating from Yemen. Briefing the Council during a 14 May meeting, Grundberg welcomed the ceasefire agreement between the US and the Houthis while highlighting that de-escalation in the Red Sea and the wider region is necessary to resolve Yemens ten-year-old conflict and advance a Yemeni-owned peace process. He warned, however, that retaliatory attacks between the Houthis and Israel continue to represent a dangerous escalation. In a press stakeout following the meeting, Grundberg stressed that regional de-escalationincluding with regard to the situation in Gazais needed if there is to be progress on the peace process in Yemen, as the two have become increasingly entangled. During the Council meeting, Grundberg also stressed that the UN remains unwavering in supporting Yemens conflict parties in fulfilling the commitments made in 2023 towards establishing a roadmap for peace. The commitments included a nationwide ceasefire, measures to address economic and humanitarian issues, and the advancement of an inclusive political process. Grundberg recognised, however, that the mediation environment has changed significantly since late 2023 and that there is a need for additional guarantees to enable the buy-in of the parties and to ensure the support of the region, and the international community and this Council. On 3 May, Yemens Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) appointed Salem Saleh Bin Braik as prime minister of Yemens internationally recognised government. He replaced Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, who reportedly resigned after many difficulties, including disagreements with PLC Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi over a potential government reshuffle. Yemens economy is on the brink of collapse. During the 14 May Council meeting, Grundberg highlighted how the countrys currency is deteriorating while citizens continue to suffer from severe electricity blackouts, unpaid salaries, and lack of access to basic commodities. At that same meeting, Yemens UN representative accused the Houthis of imposing a systematic economic blockade by targeting oil terminals leading to the suspension of oil exports, which account for nearly 90 percent of Yemens total commodity exports and 80 percent of the total revenues in the States general budget. He stressed that this has impacted the governments ability to provide public services such as electricity and pay public salaries, while also devaluing the national currency. Also briefing at the Councils 14 May on Yemen, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher warned that the humanitarian situation in Yemen is deteriorating, highlighting a myriad of threats faced by the civilian populationparticularly childrenwhich include malnutrition, cholera, landmines, lack of access to education and healthcare, and active hostilities. Fletcher emphasised that people in Yemen are dying because of funding cuts to humanitarian aid. According to OCHA, as at 13 May, the 2025 Yemen Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) was only nine percent funded. OCHA has published an addendum to the HNRP, which presents the most urgent funding requirements for critical life-saving assistance, totalling $1.42 billion to assist 8.8 million people until the end of the year. On 21 May, the European Union (EU) Commission announced 80 million in humanitarian funding for 2025 to support people in need in Yemen. On 20 May, 116 aid organisations, including ten UN agencies, called for urgent, collective action to pull Yemen back from the brink of catastrophe. Women, Peace and Security As the Councils president for May, Greece elected to include a focus on women, peace and security (WPS) at the 14 May Council briefing on Yemen. Prior to the meeting, Denmark, France, Greece, Guyana, Panama, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and the UK delivered a joint statement calling for, among other things, womens participation in ceasefire negotiations and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid. Several participants addressed WPS issues during the meeting. Fletcher said that 9.6 million women and girls in Yemen are in severe need of humanitarian support and warned that funding cuts have left many survivors of gender-based violence without access to healthcare, psychosocial support, and legal aid. Dina El Mamoun, the Yemen Country Director of the NGO Centre for Civilians in Conflict, said that women and girls in Yemen continue to be killed, wounded, displaced, and systematically marginalised. She highlighted that economic collapse is driving more families to resort to early marriage, deepening existing inequalities and depriving girls of their rights and futures. El Mamoun stressed that, even while facing dire circumstances, women in Yemen are at the forefront of humanitarian response efforts, community-based conflict resolution, and peacebuilding initiatives. She noted, however, that despite this work, they continue to be excluded from meaningful participation in peace talks. Panama condemned the restrictions limiting womens freedom of movement and access to basic services in areas controlled by the Houthis. Similarly, the A3 Plus members (Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Guyana) expressed concern at movement restrictions and arbitrary detention. Denmark and Greece highlighted the importance of womens participation in peace efforts, while Slovenia stressed that womens rights should not be negotiable in any future peace and political process. ROK noted that womens participation in public life, including access to education, is essential for peace and stability in Yemen. Key Issues and Options Yemen has been confronted with immense challenges on the political, security, and economic fronts for several years. De-escalating hostilities in Yemen and the Red Sea and relaunching the stalled intra-Yemeni political process remain priorities for the Security Council. The US-Houthi ceasefire represents an opportunity for Council members to support further de-escalation and encourage the parties to resume negotiations towards a nationwide ceasefire and a political settlement. At the same time, the Council will need to maintain pressure to protect the safety of navigation and shipping in the Red Sea and avoid a resumption of Houthi attacks on merchant ships and global supply chains. Given that the conflict in Gaza has been used by the Houthis as a justification for their attacks in the Red Sea and on Israel, this situation cannot be addressed separately from the broader regional context. This, however, remains a challenge as the Council continues to be divided over whether the two situations are directly linked or not. One option for the Council would be to issue a presidential statement stressing that there is no military solution to the conflict in Yemen and demanding that the Yemeni parties resume concrete discussions on establishing a roadmap under UN auspices for inclusive peace in the country. The statement could also reiterate provisions from Council resolution 2768, emphasising the need to address the root causes of the attacks in the Red Sea and calling on all member states to adhere to the arms embargo imposed by the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee. Given the increasingly fraught humanitarian context, Council members could also consider holding a public briefing, possibly at high level, focused specifically on Yemens humanitarian crisis, which could also allow members the opportunity to highlight the urgent need for bolstering funding pledges. Council Dynamics Council members are largely aligned in support of an inclusive intra-Yemeni political process, the need to improve economic and humanitarian conditions in the country, and the need to restore freedom of navigation and security to the Red Sea. Advancing mediation efforts towards a resumption of dialogue and a peace process under UN auspices remains an overarching priority for members. Nevertheless, Council members have divergent views on the reasons for the protracted political stalemate and insecurity in Yemen. The A3 plus one members, as well as China, Pakistan, and Russia, have all stressed that the situation in Yemen and the Red Sea cannot be discussed in isolation from the situation in Gaza, and some have directly blamed Israel for current instability in the region. Russia has also heavily criticised the US military campaign against the Houthis as ineffective, claiming that it only served to degrade Yemens already dire humanitarian situation. On the other hand, the P3 members (France, the UK, and the US) have accused Iran of financially and militarily supporting the Houthis, fostering further regional tensions. The US has taken a hawkish stance against Iranian support of the group, viewing it as the key facilitator of the Houthi movementwhich the US has designated as a foreign terrorist organisation. The US has called for the Security Council to respond to Iranian defiance of the Council-mandated arms embargo. They have also called for the strengthening of the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM), which inspects ships travelling to Houthi-controlled ports to ensure compliance with the arms embargo against the group. The UK is the penholder on Yemen. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON YEMEN STOCKS TO WATCH Vodafone Group and CK Hutchison Holdings on Monday said the merger of telecoms firms Vodafone UK and Three UK was successfully completed on May 31. The combined business, named VodafoneThree, will be 51% owned by Vodafone and 49% by CKHGT. Vodafone will fully consolidate VodafoneThree in its financial results. Vodafone UK CEO Max Taylor will lead the merged group, while Three UK's Darren Purkis has been appointed chief financial officer. Instant-service equipment business Me Group said on Monday that it had delivered record H1 profitability in the six months ended 30 April, driven by a "strong" performance in its Revolution laundry division, and said it was on track to deliver FY25 profits in line with expectations for another record year. Group pre-tax profits were up approximately 14%, while group revenues were roughly 2% firmer. Excluding the H124 contribution from SEMPA SAS, which was sold in May 2024, interim revenues grew approximately 3.5% year-on-year. Anglo American has officially completed the demerger of its Valterra Platinum business following the approval of shareholders, allowing the company to focus on its copper, iron ore and crop nutrients operations. Valterra, which was already listed in Johannesburg, was scheduled to start trading in a secondary listing in London from Monday, with Anglo retaining a 19.9% interest in the platinum producer. Anglo's chief executive Duncan Wanblad said the deal was a "major step in our plan to unlock the inherent value in our portfolio". NEWSPAPER ROUND-UP The UK government is being pressed to wipe billions from the energy costs facing households and heavy industry by reforming the high taxes levied on electricity bills. These policy levies mean the UK pays some of the highest energy bills in the world, and are simultaneously disadvantaging British industry and stifling the efforts of households to transition to lower-carbon heating systems, according to industry trade groups. Guardian Starling Bank has handed its staff an almost fivefold increase in bonus pay despite an embarrassing regulatory fine and losses on government-backed Covid loans that the digital lender has blamed on its own weak controls. The digital-only challenger bank paid out 24.6m in bonuses for the 2024-25 financial year, compared with 5.3m a year earlier. Guardian Rachel Reeves's tax raid on farmers will cost the Treasury almost 2bn, analysis has found, despite Treasury claims that it could boost the public purse by as much as 1.8bn. Inheritance tax reforms due to come into force next April will cause family businesses to slash investment and jobs and lead to a slowdown in the economy, according to independent consultants at CBI Economics. Telegraph The US will never default on its debts, Donald Trump's Treasury Secretary has claimed, as he sought to downplay growing concerns over the state of the country's public finances. Scott Bessent told CBS news on Sunday that the US was "on the warning track" but insisted it would not run out of cash despite approaching the so-called debt ceiling the legal limit that the US government is permitted to borrow. - Telegraph The cryptocurrency market has moved closer to shedding its Wild West image after one of Britain's biggest online trading firms set out plans to allow retail clients to deal directly in digital assets. IG Group said it would become the first UK-listed company to enable retail investors in Britain to buy and sell individual tokens including bitcoin and ethereum when it starts a new service this week. The Times Airline ticket prices will come down as the cost of jet fuel falls, according to the boss of an airline industry body. Kerosene has been falling in price as the cost of crude comes down. Willie Walsh, the director-general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), told Bloomberg: "Its typically our single biggest cost so it would help to offset any weakening demand if we were to witness a slowdown. It also tends to have an impact on pricing. There's almost a direct correlation between the price of oil and the price of airline tickets." The Times US CLOSE Major indices delivered a mixed performance on Friday after Donald Trump claimed that China had violated their preliminary trade agreement, reviving fears that the US may be on the brink of a protracted trade war. At the close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.13% at 42,270.07, while the S&P 500 lost 0.01% to 5,911.69 and the Nasdaq Composite saw out the session 0.32% weaker at 19,113.77. Shares in UK and European weapons jumped on Monday as the British government launched a review as part of its plans to hike defence spending and make the country "war-fighting" ready in response to rising threats from Russia. However, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer refused to say when he would lift weapons spending to at least 3% of GDP. He recently brought forward plans to increase the figure to 2.5% by controversially slashing the foreign aid budget. I am not, as the prime minister of Labour government, going to make a commitment as to the precise date until I can be sure precisely where the money is coming from, how we can make good on that commitment, because I dont believe in performative fantasy politics, and certainly not on defence and security, he told the BBC. Under the review, Britain plans to build 12 new nuclear submarines under the US-UK-Australia AUKUS treaty although these won't arrive until the late 2030s. On a visit to a Scottish shipyard, Starmer said his plans were to make Britain a "safer and stronger, a battle-ready, armour-clad nation with the strongest alliances and the most advanced capabilities". Russia is already menacing our skies and our waters, and threatening cyber-attacks, so this is a real threat were dealing with. Shares in Babcock, BAE Systems, Thales, Saab, Leonardo, Rheinmetall and Qinetiq were all up on the news. Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com The UK government is being pressed to wipe billions from the energy costs facing households and heavy industry by reforming the high taxes levied on electricity bills. These policy levies mean the UK pays some of the highest energy bills in the world, and are simultaneously disadvantaging British industry and stifling the efforts of households to transition to lower-carbon heating systems, according to industry trade groups. Guardian Starling Bank has handed its staff an almost fivefold increase in bonus pay despite an embarrassing regulatory fine and losses on government-backed Covid loans that the digital lender has blamed on its own weak controls. The digital-only challenger bank paid out 24.6m in bonuses for the 2024-25 financial year, compared with 5.3m a year earlier. Guardian Rachel Reevess tax raid on farmers will cost the Treasury almost 2bn, analysis has found, despite Treasury claims that it could boost the public purse by as much as 1.8bn. Inheritance tax reforms due to come into force next April will cause family businesses to slash investment and jobs and lead to a slowdown in the economy, according to independent consultants at CBI Economics. Telegraph The US will never default on its debts, Donald Trumps Treasury Secretary has claimed, as he sought to downplay growing concerns over the state of the countrys public finances. Scott Bessent told CBS news on Sunday that the US was on the warning track but insisted it would not run out of cash despite approaching the so-called debt ceiling the legal limit that the US government is permitted to borrow. - Telegraph The cryptocurrency market has moved closer to shedding its Wild West image after one of Britains biggest online trading firms set out plans to allow retail clients to deal directly in digital assets. IG Group said it would become the first UK-listed company to enable retail investors in Britain to buy and sell individual tokens including bitcoin and ethereum when it starts a new service this week. The Times Airline ticket prices will come down as the cost of jet fuel falls, according to the boss of an airline industry body. Kerosene has been falling in price as the cost of crude comes down. Willie Walsh, the director-general of the International Air Transport Association (Iata), told Bloomberg: Its typically our single biggest cost so it would help to offset any weakening demand if we were to witness a slowdown. It also tends to have an impact on pricing. Theres almost a direct correlation between the price of oil and the price of airline tickets. The Times Errol Musk, Global Advisor to Servotech, visits India to accelerate green tech and EV infrastructure. He will address the IndiaGlobal Green Tech Vision Forum 2025 and visit Servotechs Sonipat manufacturing plant. His visit signals rising global interest in India's green technology and Make in India excellence. Errol Musk, father of Elon Musk and Global Advisor to Servotech Renewable Power System Ltd, has arrived in India to support the nations push toward green technology and EV charging infrastructure. His visit is packed with high-level engagements aimed at positioning India as a global leader in sustainable innovations. Make in India initiative. His itinerary also includes a visit to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Errol Musk is scheduled to visit Servotechs cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Sonipat, Haryana, where the company produces advanced EV chargers, solar power solutions, and other green technologies under theinitiative. His itinerary also includes a visit to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. We are incredibly excited to welcome Errol Musk to India, said Raman Bhatia, Managing Director of Servotech. His global vision will help drive our mission of keeping Bharat ahead in green tech and EV exports. During his stay, Musk will deliver the keynote address at the IndiaGlobal Green Tech Vision Forum 2025 in New Delhi. The event will convene top policymakers, investors, industry leaders, and bureaucrats to align Indias clean energy vision with global goals. Commenting on his visit, Errol Musk said, It is an immense privilege to be in India and witness its vibrant progress in sustainable development. I look forward to contributing to Servotechs journey and supporting Indias leadership in the global green revolution. This high-profile visit underscores growing international interest in India's rapid advancements in renewable energy and electric mobility. India and Oman are in the advanced stages of finalizing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The bilateral trade volume reached USD 10.5 billion in 2024-25, with Oman being a key GCC partner. Both nations signed an amended DTAA to enhance tax cooperation and align with international standards. India is on the brink of signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Oman, as Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed that negotiations are progressing rapidly. "I think you will see some good news very soon on the Oman FTA", Goyal told reporters during his official visit to France, where he is also scheduled to attend a ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Tuesday. Talks for the FTA envisioned as a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) began in November 2023. Goyal had visited Oman from January 27 to 28, where he co-chaired the 11th Session of the India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting with Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Omans Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion. The meeting witnessed in-depth discussions on strengthening bilateral ties in trade, investment, renewable energy, food security, technology, and other strategic sectors. Both ministers agreed to expedite CEPA negotiations, highlighting the pacts potential to boost two-way trade and investments significantly. Also Read: How GCCs Are Quietly Powering Global Tech Strategy In addition to CEPA discussions, the two nations signed a Protocol to amend the India-Oman Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). The amendment aligns the agreement with global taxation norms, streamlines tax procedures, and enhances cooperation on cross-border tax matters. Oman is India's third-largest export destination among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The bilateral trade between the two nations stood at approximately USD 10.5 billion in FY 2024-25, with Indian exports totaling USD 4 billion and imports at USD 6.54 billion. Piyush Goyal met global CEOs to discuss investments in Indias EV and renewable energy sectors. Talks with Oman on a free trade agreement are progressing, aiming for early conclusion. The ministers France visit includes bilateral meetings and engagements with major French companies, followed by a trip to Italy. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with top global CEOs in Paris on Monday to discuss future investment opportunities in Indias rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) and renewable energy (RE) sectors. The ministers visit to France is part of an official trip aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties, including participation in a World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial meeting scheduled for Tuesday. During the visit, Goyal held a key meeting with Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group, where both leaders exchanged views on Indias emergence as a major automobile manufacturing hub, especially in the electric vehicle space. The discussions highlighted Indias potential to become a global EV manufacturing center, driven by favorable policies and market demand. Goyal also met Bernard Fontana, Chairman and CEO of EDF, a state-owned energy provider, to discuss Indias growing leadership in renewable energy and explored ways to integrate sustainable energy solutions more deeply into Indias development plans. Additionally, the minister engaged with Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, discussing the companys future investment plans in India and opportunities for collaboration in the renewable energy sector. In another significant update, Goyal indicated progress in the ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with Oman. Talks, initiated in November 2023, are advancing steadily, with India expected to finalize the pact soon. The minister had earlier visited Oman in January to boost bilateral economic ties. Over his three-day visit to France, Goyal is also scheduled to meet French economic and trade ministers and leaders from major French firms such as Vicat, LOreal, Valeo, and ATR. Following his engagements in France, the minister will travel to Italy to continue efforts to enhance Indo-European economic cooperation. Washington refused to discuss retaliatory tariffs, citing national security under Section 232 of its Trade Expansion Act. India may raise duties on US imports like almonds and metals if no resolution is reached by June 8. Over $4.5 billion in Indian steel and aluminium exports to the US now face steep tariffs, potentially impacting trade significantly. The United States rejected India's notification on May 9 to the World Trade Organization (WTO) seeking retaliatory tariffs against the higher US tariffs on steel and aluminium. Citing reasons of national security, Washington contended that the tariffs are not "safeguard measures" and hence, are beyond the ambit of WTO dispute settlement. India threatened to suspend trade concessions on American goods by June 8 unless the tariffs were lifted. In response, New Delhi plans to raise import duties on American items like almonds, walnuts, and some metals. Tensions flared further after the US, under the Trump administration, doubled the tariffs to 50% on May 30. The US has formally informed the WTO that it will not engage in consultations with India on the matter, asserting the tariffs fall under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act-a clause invoked on grounds of national security. With no word on this from India's Ministry of Commerce so far, the indications are that India might proceed with its retaliatory actions unless a deal is struck through the current Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). A US trade delegation is due to arrive in India this week to negotiate. Trade analysts warn that the consequences would be serious for Indian exporters. As much as $4.56 billion worth of steel and aluminium exports to America now attract high duties. "The impact could be severe," warned Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). This conflict is a replica of an earlier confrontation that occurred in 2018, which was finally resolved in 2023 via a compromise. Nonetheless, since the WTO appellate court is presently dysfunctional, trade officials observe that such conflicts now have no enforcement mechanisms for resolution. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A 33-year-old man from Dongan Hills faces charges he physically and sexually assaulted a woman in connection with a disturbing 73-count indictment. Court documents allege that Vincent Capasso of Dongan Hills Avenue in the Berry Houses apartment complex entered the womans home on multiple occasions this year without her permission. In one incident, court documents allege that Capasso grabbed the womans phone and threw it, shattering the screen, while she was attempting to call 911. He allegedly snatched her purse from her hands, broke the strap and tossed the handbag away from her. He slapped her in the face, bit her back, then pushed her onto a couch where he raped her, court filings allege. She repeatedly tried to escape, but he prevented her from leaving the location, according to prosecutors. In a second attack, Capasso entered the womans home, broke a broom and pointed the sharp end of the handle in her direction, prosecutors allege. Im going to kill you, the court documents quote Capasso as saying. In a third assault, Capasso allegedly found his way into the womans home, grabbed her arm and bit her on the face. The woman was previously known to the defendant. The defendant has been indicted on charges of burglary, rape, sexual abuse, criminal possession of a weapon, aggravated criminal contempt, aggravated family offense, aggravated harassment, menacing, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, criminal trespass, sexual misconduct, forcible touching, assault, criminal contempt, criminal mischief and unlawful imprisonment. Capasso, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs about 150 pounds, is being held at Rikers Island in lieu of bail set at $1.5 million bond/$500,000 cash. He is due to be arraigned in state Supreme Court in St. George on Wednesday, according to public records. Capasso, whose name also is spelled Caposso in public records, was convicted in April 2021 of aggravated criminal contempt in Supreme Court in St. George, according to court documents. Attorney Michael Vitaliano, who is defending Capasso, declined to comment at this time. Accused of alleged $3.5K in shoplifting In a separate criminal complaint, Capasso is accused of stealing over $3,500 worth of merchandise while shoplifting on 11 occasions between October and January at the Marshalls store at 2656 Hylan Blvd. in New Dorp. The defendant pilfered a variety of merchandise, including mens jackets and footwear, bedding, a childrens toy, socks, a beauty item and duffle bags, the complaint alleges. He was charged in that case with grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is due to appear in Criminal Court on June 17, according to public records. . STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- At just 19, Staten Islander Ariana Gonzalez was told she could have lost her life due to a severe pregnancy complication. I had a feeling that something was wrong, Gonzalez, of Great Kills, said. Gonzalez started her pregnancy journey in March 2024. By Oct. 31, when she was 33 weeks pregnant, she felt something was off and was very unwell. She called an ambulance and went to the Staten Island University Hospital. Thats when she was told that she had preeclampsia and was showing severe symptoms of it. They told me that if I didnt come in [that] I probably would have lost my life at any given moment because my blood pressure was so high, she said. Preeclampsia is diagnosed if someone has persistent high blood pressure, protein in their urine, or other signs of organ damage and typically begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure had previously been in the standard range, according to Mayo Clinic. Im very in tune with my body... I know when something feels wrong, she said, explaining that she was told everything was normal during her check-ups. My preeclampsia went unknown my entire pregnancy. Looking back, Gonzalez said she began noticing symptoms at week 25. It wasnt until week 33 of her pregnancy, when she was in the hospital, that preeclampsia was detected. She noticed her urine was orange, despite drinking plenty of water. She was also extremely swollen and experienced severe blurred vision, which was unusual for her since shed always had perfect vision. She also had constant headaches. Gonzalez noted that what she was experiencing can sometimes seem like normal pregnancy symptoms. But it wasnt, she said. According to the Cleveland Clinic, early signs of preeclampsia include high blood pressure, protein in urine, and water retention (causing swelling and weight gain). Other symptoms are headaches, blurry vision, light sensitivity, dark spots, upper right abdominal pain, swelling in hands/ankles/face, and shortness of breath. Severe preeclampsia may cause a person to produce little or no urine, develop fluid in the lungs, and experience decreased kidney or liver function. While the exact cause of preeclampsia is unknown, several factors can increase your risk during pregnancy. These include carrying twins, triplets, or more; being pregnant for the first time; being over age 35; having a family history of preeclampsia; and having conditions such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders like lupus, or obesity. Gonzalez shared that she has had normal blood pressure during physical check-ups her entire life and no health conditions that would indicate a risk for preeclampsia. However, she discovered that her mother also had preeclampsia when giving birth to her. My mom also had preeclampsia when she was pregnant with me and she actually flatlined and they had to resuscitate her. She made it out and shes perfectly healthy now, Gonzalez, who is the second born of five sisters, said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of pregnancy-related death, affecting approximately 2% to 8% of all pregnancies. In critical condition: I was just worried about losing my life Upon arriving to the Staten Island University Hospital, the doctors started Gonzalez on multiple medications to regulate her condition. She was given magnesium sulfate, an anticonvulsant used to prevent seizures in women with preeclampsia, as it helps prevent brain swelling by protecting the blood-brain barrier. She was also given antihypertensive drugs to lower her blood pressure. When I got there, I was honestly very scared, she said. I am so young, so I was just worried about losing my life and not having a chance of being there for my baby. She shared that the nurses allowed her entire family to go and see her. They all just kind of prayed over me and wished for the best, she said. My mom was with me literally every step of the way. She was definitely my strength through this whole thing. She guided me through it very well and she stayed strong for me. Gonzalez recalled being at the hospital for two days, progressively getting worse. At 33 weeks pregnant, she was initially supposed to stay until 37 weeks, but her condition worsened, prompting doctors to deliver her baby immediately. On Nov. 2, 2024, she was induced. They had to induce me at 33 weeks to have my baby and they basically told me it could end badly or go great. The chances of me losing my life were very high, especially considering that I was having a natural birth and not a c-section, she said. Motherhood: I just enjoy bonding with her Gonzalezs new born baby, Nova Gonzalez, was born seven weeks premature. The first three weeks of her life, she spent in the NICU, so I wasnt able to bond with her, Gonzalez said. Its been hard of course, but I just enjoy bonding with her now and watching her grow. Today, at six months, Nova is a very healthy baby and hitting all her milestones, her mother shared, despite being told by doctors that she might not reach them for some time. By two months, Nova was rolling over, and now she shakes her head no and says words like mama and dada. Shes very smart and very happy and shes very chunky, Gonzalez said. My health has also been pretty good. I dont have anything to complain about when it comes to that. She added that she has been regularly checking her blood pressure, and it looks great. Pregnancy-related deaths are rising in the U.S. For those going through their pregnancy journey, Gonzalez encourages paying close attention to how their body feels. One hundred percent listen to your intuition and go see a doctor, go to the emergency room and stay on top of your health because you dont want to put yourself or the baby at risks way, she said. Her advice comes as pregnancy-related deaths in the United States continue to rise. A recent study published by the American Medical Association found that the rate increased by nearly 28%, from 25.3 per 100,000 live births in 2018 to 32.6 in 2022. Pregnancy-related disorders, such as hemorrhage and venous complications, were the driving factors of high pregnancy-related deaths, accounting for 17.4%. This was followed by complications from labor delivery, related to puerperium and hypertensive disorder (including preeclampsia and eclampsia). After a Memorial Day weekend that saw stabbings, arrests and the closing down of the boardwalk, Seaside Heights Mayor Anthony Vaz said he has spoken with Gov. Phil Murphy about having the State Police assist with violent crowds. We discussed the challenges of the last weekend and how, in my opinion, it was terrible, Vaz said. Ive never seen anything like this. Illustrator Medar de la Cruz, second from right, is pictured with some of the participants of a free workshop he offered at the Port Richmond Library. (Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo) Over several weeks this spring, a Pulitzer Prize winner has been teaching on Staten Island. Medar de la Cruz who won a Pulitzer in 2024 for his illustrative reporting on Rikers Island has been leading a free workshop on illustration and storytelling for older adults at the Port Richmond Library. Im glad the library is serving children, teenagers, young adults typing out their resumes, and senior citizens for socializing and to keep their mind sharp," said Rita Fares, a Port Richmond resident who participated in a recent workshop session. I dont want to stop learning just because Im 58 years old, she continued. Like other courses offered under the New York Public Librarys Creative Aging program, de la Cruzs spring workshop was earmarked specifically for those 50 and up. These initiatives are designed to help people develop skills in new creative mediums like acting, writing, painting, and poetry. And although the demographics of the workshop older adults, many without prior experience in illustration might have caused some to change their methods, de la Cruz said his approach has always been about accessibility. Doing work that is accessible to older people, or to people of a different culture, is second-nature to me, said de la Cruz, 32, who drew comparisons to his childhood in a Spanish-speaking home. I think it was a natural transition to want to lean toward image-based communication that somebody like my grandmother, who didnt ever learn to read or write, could still react to, he continued. I feel like I arrived naturally at working with older adults for that reason. This multimedia illustration focusing on nature and the city was created during the spring workshop, which was part of the New York Public Library's Creative Aging program. (Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo) And in the workshop, that natural approach was on full display. In an environment more like a college classroom than anything else, de la Cruz and the participants recently explored topics that they feel connected to, with the Pulitzer winner helping them do so through the written word and illustrations. Over the course of the workshop, which ended this past week, the participants talked through their projects, which explored topics like nature, cooking, death, menopause, and family. For me, encouragement is 80% of the battle, de la Cruz said when asked how he balanced technical feedback with encouraging his students to continue their work. (Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo) And during the workshops final session, de la Cruz took every opportunity to keep reassuring those in attendance, no matter how many times they would claim that they werent an artist while sharing work with the group. For me, encouragement is 80% of the battle, de la Cruz said when asked how he balanced technical feedback with encouraging the students to continue their work. Ill open myself up for further communications past the class time, he continued. Sometimes, those types of questions are best answered on a one-on-one basis on the side through emails, on a call, and those can become very technical." Though de la Cruz has taught this course through the New York Public Library before, the offering this spring was the first time the Brooklyn resident did so on Staten Island. It was also his first opportunity to spend an extended amount of time on Staten Island, something the Miami-born illustrator said presented an opportunity to explore what makes the borough unique. As somebody who is excited by things visually, I love the gigantic cargo ships. The little kid in me was just like wow. I dont know anywhere else in the city where Ive seen things to this scale moving this slow,he said. But then, as [the workshop participants] pointed out, theres so much nature here, de la Cruz continued. I had a couple of folks show me around all the beautiful parks, and that is something that I think a lot of folks in Manhattan and Brooklyn dont know about. Beyond the unique visuals of the Island, de la Cruz said he felt a connection to the area around the library. The Port Richmond area in particular has a huge Hispanic and Latino community that I just didnt know about until I got here. Im Latino myself, so its great to just walk into a store and be able to speak Spanish, he said, adding it made him feel more welcome in the community. Peter Levine, library manager at the Port Richmond branch explained: Medar has taken a great interest in the local stories that participants are generating, especially those that center on the Port Richmond neighborhood. Levine also emphasized how critical de la Cruzs workshop was for the librarys efforts to create programming for seniors. And the ability to provide these kinds of resources for the New York Public Library, and other libraries, is one that de la Cruz said he sees as crucial for society. Ive worked in libraries since I was 18, and Im 32 now. I just think its incredibly important to support libraries and keep them in the top priorities for the city, he said. No matter what, as long as libraries remain open and accessible theres hope, he said. Libraries are at risk, not only in New York, but across the country. So long as libraries remain a priority in our society, I think there will always be hope. Over 100 people were in attendance for the 57th annual Family and Friends day at the Rossville AME Zion Church on Sunday, June 1, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. On Sunday, the Rossville AME Zion Church celebrated its 57th annual Family and Friends Day. On a pleasant, yet unseasonably cool first Sunday in June, more than 100 people gathered to celebrate at the historic house of worship. This day means continuity for a rich history, said Rev. Charles Washington, pastor for the church. There are people who travel from all over, from Maryland, from Brooklyn, New Jersey who once lived here and come back yearly to honor the memories of those who have gone on before us. Today is rich in history and rich in love. 16 1 / 16 Rossville AME Zion Church Family and Friends Day. The church, founded in May 1849 by Virginia-born African Methodist Episcopal Zion minister William H. Pitt, is part of Staten Islands Sandy Ground, which is the nations oldest free Black settlement still inhabited by descendants of the original settlers. The day started with an 11 a.m. service and as the congregation gathered for worship inside the Rossville church, a cadre of volunteers worked hard outside, setting up tents, activities, decorations and food which was provided by Columbia Meat Market on Jersey Street. As more cars packed the grounds, new arrivals staked out their seats and greeted those already present at the celebration that takes place on the first Sunday in every June. The celebration drew a special guest, with Rev. Janet Jones, chair of the Project Hospitality board of directors, on hand to deliver a sermon. After the church service concluded, Rev. Washington gave a brief, but still moving blessing before food was served. Volunteers serve food, most of which was donated and prepared by congregation members, at the Rossville AME Zion Church. (Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo) And although the services and barbecue were big parts of the day, those in attendance say that Sundays celebration was about so much more. Every year, we get to see the growth the grandchildren, the great-grandchildren. Thats the best part," said Gerrell Mosley. Its a day that we look forward to every year. We know that its every first Sunday in June, its been like that for years everybody knows to mark their calendars," she continued. Maya Mosley (center) and Gerrell Mosley (right) at the 57th annual Family and Friends day at the Rossville AME Zion Church on Sunday, June 1, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo) Beyond just coming together once a year, Sunday provided the opportunity for some in attendance to make new connections. For example, Natasha Graham of Crown Heights travelled in for her first Family and Friends day after discovering a relation to the church. This was my first time out here and getting to know everybody and it just feels historical, ancestral, and deep, said Graham, who explained that she had only recently found out about a four-times great grandfather with deep roots in the area. I was excited to learn about everything the land, meeting people, hearing any information and I feel like this gives me access to the older generations to," she continued. This is how we get the community to understand what we do, and who we are, said Janise LaBoard-Casimir, a trustee at the church. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on Friday announced the recovery of 50 artifacts after an investigation by the Antiques Trafficking Unit. In this April 18 2023 photo, Bragg speaks at a press conference at NYPD Headquarters in Manhattan. Dozens of artifacts stolen from Egypt and Pakistan trafficked through Manhattan have been returned to their nations of origin. Two separate investigations resulted in the recovery of the pieces, some as old as 3300 BC, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. announced. Staten Island youth and tobacco control representatives from NYC Smoke-Free at Public Health Solutions met with Assemblymember Sam Pirozzolo to bring awareness of their own experiences with tobacco and its dangers. (Courtesy of NYC Smoke-Free) (Courtesy of NYC Smoke-Free) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and House of Representatives Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries came together Sunday to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of several healthcare provisions in President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill. The bill passed through the House of Representatives on May 22 in a narrow 215-214 vote. It covers a variety of sectors, from national security to taxes. Chief among the topic of discussion surrounding the bill, though, were the modifications to healthcare provisions impacting everyday Americans. The bill calls for almost $700 billion to be cut from Medicaid spending. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a government-run outfit, said that in 2023 Medicaid spending amounted to $871.7 billion. Republicans in Washington have made it abundantly clear that they are determined to dismantle the social safety net that millions of New Yorkers rely on to secure their basic necessities, Gov. Hochul said in a written statement. They are specifically targeting essential and life-saving programs such as Medicaid and food stamps with the consequence that everyday Americans will bear the brunt of this attack. I am committed to utilizing litigation and other appropriate tools to safeguard and protect New Yorkers. The bill will alter the eligibility requirements that Americans will need to meet in order to qualify for Medicaid as well. Should the bill pass into law, novel community engagement requirements will be enacted. That means, should an able-bodied citizen without dependents want Medicaid, they will need to prove that they spend, at minimum, 80 hours each month at work, working on education, or being of service. We also included key provisions to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicaid program so tax dollars go to protect our seniors, disabled, and the most vulnerable citizens who rely on it, said Staten Island and South Brooklyn Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, who voted against the first iteration of the bill. Medicaid recipients will also need to prove their eligibility biannually instead of annually. In a preliminary assessment, these changes, according to the Congressional Budget Office, would effectively eliminate 8.6 million people from receiving Medicaid over the course of the next 10 years. It was an honor to join Governor Kathy Hochul at Interfaith Medical Center in Central Brooklyn today, and I am thankful for her leadership, strength and presence on behalf of the people of New York. Across our great state, millions rely on Medicaid for life-saving and life-sustaining healthcare. Under Trumps One Big Ugly Bill, 1.5 million New Yorkers would lose their insurance as part of a toxic scheme to enact massive tax cuts for billionaires like Elon Musk. Nursing homes will close, hospitals will shut down and Community Health Centers will lose funding. House Republicans from New York were nothing more than a rubber stamp for Trumps reckless and extreme agenda, voting to strip healthcare from their constituents. We must keep the pressure on and continue to use every tool at our disposal to ensure that the One Big Ugly Bill is buried deep in the ground, never to rise again, Jeffries said in the statement. Those who receive healthcare from Planned Parenthood while on Medicaid will also suffer, as the bill seeks to prohibit Medicaid funds from reaching the institution, said the Associated Press. Democrats and Republicans have been sparring over the bill since before it passed through the House of Representatives. The next step on the bills way to law is to make it through the Senate, where Republicans hold a slim majority. The Associated Press contributed to this piece. Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks with Ael Loetterle, a clerk at the St. George Pharmacy, Friday, May 30, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com|Paul Liotta) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Staten Island politics got a bit more red Friday, but not in the Republican sense. Self-described democratic socialist Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, 33, toured St. George businesses and drove with local supporters to Stapleton to meet with the Rev. Dr. Demetrius Carolina in a whirlwind day that saw the candidate touch down in all five boroughs. An award-winning photographer and an aspiring reporter have joined The Daily Progress newsroom for the summer as part of a 10-week internship at Charlottesville and Central Virginias 133-year-old newspaper of record. It marks the second summer with the newspaper for Cal Tobias, a photographer and rising senior at the University of Missouri. He is joined by Caroline King, a rising senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As Daily Progress interns, Tobias and King will produce content for The Daily Progress as well as its subsidiaries: the Waynesboro News Virginian, the Greene County Record, the Madison County Eagle, the Orange County Review and the Rural Virginian. Unlike other newspapers, The Daily Progress offers an intensive internship program. The young journalists who sign up for it are not fetching coffee or aggregating news from other outlets; they are producing original content, building relationships in the community and, as often is the case, racking up awards. I was just really glad that I got to hit the ground running, said King. As an intern, Im just grateful to be able to be treated as someone whos ready to write and do these things and not just sitting back. I am very excited to also be shadowing and learning from all the talented journalists in the newsroom. Not even two weeks into her 10 weeks at The Daily Progress, King has interviewed multiple state representatives, covered a local protest and toured and reported on the controversial renovations at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. Hailing from the western reaches of North Carolina, King first became fascinated with the news profession while learning about the investigative reporters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, called muckrakers, in an American history course in high school. Known for exposing political and corporate corruption, as well as calling attention to pressing social issues, the muckrakers pushed back on the sensationalism of yellow journalism. Some of the most notable muckrakers included Ida B. Wells, who covered the terrors Jim Crow laws inflicted on Black Americans in the Deep South, and Upton Sinclair, recognized for his groundbreaking work in The Jungle which played a critical role in the creation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. King said she is inspired by those who came before her and has taken multiple opportunities to hone her skills. She previously spent six months as an intern at her hometown newspaper, the Daily Courier in Rutherford County, where she covered catch-all, anything, whether it be town hall meetings or local musical acts. At UNC, she is a student at the Hussman School of Journalism and Media and works on the lifestyle desk for the Daily Tar Hell, the student-run newspaper. In Charlottesville, she is hoping to explore different stories, different styles and different angles. I like to do features and finding cool angles into whats happening in the community, King said. Im still trying to find my beat as it were, so Im really open to any kinds of stories. As for her fellow intern, Tobias is a native of the Silver Spring, Maryland, suburb of Washington, D.C. He said he is excited to be back in the Old Dominion. I love Charlottesville so much. I really fell in love with it last year, just the culture of the city and the natural beauty everywhere, he said. Obviously everybody at the newspaper is great too, everybody who Ive worked with, I just like everything about it. Tobias said he has spent the past year at Mizzou working to improve my game and improve my photography, both within the School of Journalism and at the schools newspaper, the Columbia Missourian. Tobias had an early reunion with The Daily Progress team back in April at the Virginia Press Association banquet in Richmond, where he won a first-place prize in the Combination Picture and Story category along with business reporter Emily Hemphill for their coverage of the James River Batteau Festival. Hes not resting on his laurels, by any means. In fact, the two-time intern views this summer as a do-over in some ways. Rarely in life do you get the chance to do the same thing twice and improve on everything that you could and couldnt do, said Tobias. As he did last summer, Tobias plans to cover the Batteau Festival as well as the Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony at Monticello. But hes also got plenty of new ideas for future coverage, including polo at King Family Vineyards, the work of a local violin maker and the ashram at Yogaville. And when hes not diving into his work, Tobias said hell be diving into the nachos at one of his favorite Charlottesville establishments: Continental Divide in Starr Hill. Every time my family comes into town, I take them there. That was just the place that I go, he said. Daily Progress editor Reynolds Hutchins said selecting this summers interns was more challenging than in years past. We received the most applicants we have in years: dozens upon dozens of highly qualified candidates from highly regarded schools and highly respected families. But what mattered most to us was one thing and one thing only: Can they do the job? Hutchins said. We knew before they arrived the answer would be yes. Theyve only proven us right. It marked a watershed moment for the pharmaceutical sector, which had long written off China as a nation that excelled in drug manufacturing and copycat treatments but not medicine discovery. Akesos debut on the world stage has been described as a DeepSeek moment for the industry a reference to the sudden emergence of a highly advanced AI chatbot out of China earlier this year, which took US tech giants by surprise and wiped close to $US1 trillion ($1.5 trillion) off global stock markets. Vaccine sceptic health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has prompted much anxiety in the industry. Credit: Bloomberg Summits shares are up more than 600 per cent since first announcing the lung cancer trial results. The two large innovators in our industry today are the US and China, Sir Pascal Soriot, the boss of AstraZeneca, said in March. China is, I think over the next five to 10 years, going to emerge as really a driving force for innovation in our sector. It sets the stage for a growing tussle between the US and China over the future of drug development. Donald Trump has been clear that he wants pharmaceutical giants to be investing more in America. Biopharmaceutical companies and their suppliers account for 4.9 million jobs and are worth around $US1.65 trillion ($2.6 trillion) to the US. However, drug companies are increasingly turning east when it comes to investing in new drugs and clinical trials. Not only is China becoming an easier place to research and create new drugs, but the Trump administration is also shaking faith in the US. Vaccine sceptic health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has prompted much anxiety in the industry. By contrast, China is very business friendly and stable Novartis boss Vas Narasimhan said in May. Drugs boom Beijing has been attempting to win more pharma investment for years and specifically attempting to boost funding for drug innovation. Drug discovery was a key pillar of the Healthy China 2030 strategy unveiled in 2016, aimed at helping the country cope with its ageing population. Loading The focus has already paid dividends. Over the past three years alone, the number of Chinese drugs in development has doubled to 4391. Almost half are either novel drugs or something known as a fast-follower, where treatments are quickly developed on the back of breakthroughs by rivals. According to Barclays, the number of so-called first-in-class drugs under development in China rose to around 120 last year, having been in the single digits in 2015. First-in-class essentially measures the level of innovation by looking at the highest development stage a drug has reached and the earliest time it reached that stage. The growth in China is unmatched. While the US, which has long been regarded as the world leader in drug discovery, has more first-in-class drugs in development, at 151, the growth rate has been much slower. The shift isnt incremental, its tectonic, says Abhishek Jha, the founder of life sciences data company Elucidata. One crucial part of Beijings push to drive more drug discovery has been speeding up clinical trials. In China, regulators allow businesses to get studies up and running quicker, and then update them as they progress. This can provide early data on new drugs, which is a major draw for multinational companies looking for novel treatments that show signs of working well. It has sparked a boom in studies taking place in China. According to figures from the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), China accounted for around 18 per cent of clinical trials sponsored by companies in 2023 compared to just 5 per cent in 2013. Meanwhile, the US proportion has dipped from 28 per cent to 23 per cent. The two large innovators in our industry today are the US and China, Sir Pascal Soriot, the boss of AstraZeneca, said in March. Credit: Edwina Pickles Clinical trial enrolment in China is surging, with around 40 per cent now having more than 100 participants. Bitter pill Fewer regulatory barriers are just one of a number of reasons pharma companies are turning to China. Workers, too, are less averse to working unsociable hours than they would be in Western nations. Shirley Chen, a Barclays analyst, says: Chinese scientists may be happier to accept very long work hours and people like hospital personnel [where trials take place] are actually okay to do night shifts. Major drug giants are now scouring China for potential deals. The likes of GSK, AstraZeneca and Merck have all struck deals worth more than $US1 billion ($1.5 billion) to get the rights to develop and sell Chinese drugs outside the country. The rise of Chinas pharmaceutical industry has started to raise alarm bells in the US. Trump may be focused on returning manufacturing jobs to the US, yet some say he should be concerned that more high-quality jobs and research posts are starting to drift to China. Five years ago, US pharmaceutical companies didnt license any new drugs from China, Scott Gottlied, the former Food and Drug Administration commissioner, wrote earlier this month. By 2024, one third of their new compounds were coming from Chinese biotechnology firms. He warned that the shift of clinical trials to Asia could undermine innovation in the US as companies choose to divert funds that might otherwise bolster innovation hubs such as Bostons Kendall Square or North Carolinas Research Triangle. Loading The US biotechnology industry was the worlds envy, but if were not careful, every drug could be made in China. While Trump exempted most countries pharmaceutical industries from tariffs in his liberation day blitz, China was not spared. That means physically manufacturing drugs for the US in China is out of the question, for now at least. Apart from trying to show that he still has some, albeit more limited, authority to act on tariffs, Trumps announcement, to a rally of US steelworkers, had a secondary purpose. Loading During last years election campaign, Trump was vehemently opposed to a proposed $US15 billion ($23.3 billion) acquisition of US Steel by Japans Nippon Steel as was Joe Biden, who blocked the deal only days before he left office. Both were chasing the votes of steelworkers and their powerful union in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania, where US Steel is headquartered and has its major plants. Having won the election, however, Trump has had a change of mind. While the US will impose some significant conditions on the deal including, perhaps, a golden share that would give the government a veto over major decisions along with a commitment from Nippon Steel to appoint a US chief executive and a majority of Americans to the board it now appears that he will approve the deal, even though he says he hasnt seen its final details. Nippon Steel, one of the worlds most sophisticated steel producers, has promised to invest about $US14 billion in US Steels operations, which have been struggling, shrinking and suffering from under-investment for decades. Trumps doubling of the tariff rate for steel and aluminium is a way of justifying the decision to approve the deal, as well as enhancing the economics of US Steel and other American steelmakers, and helping to underwrite Nippon Steels massive investments, most of which will occur over the next four years. Trumps original tariffs on steel and aluminium infuriated Americas trade partners, including Australia, even though Australias exports of those metals to the US are quite modest. Canada, whose steel exports represent about a quarter of US steel imports and half its aluminium imports, has far more at stake. Mexico, Brazil, South Korea, Vietnam, Japan and European nations will also be affected, with Canada and the European Union already threatening retaliation, as they did in response to Trumps initial 25 per cent tariffs. Australia is still, probably fruitlessly, seeking an exemption. Loading The decision to allow the Nippon Streel deal to proceed, if that is the outcome, is good policy. The US steel industry is small about half the size it was half a century ago and has been shrinking. It has poor profitability and ageing technology. Nippon Steels investment and its technologies can arrest that decline. The decision to double the tariffs on steel indeed, the original decision to impose the 25 per cent tariff is, however, poor policy. It will increase investment in the sector, and will probably improve its profitability, plant utilisation rates and employment numbers. But that will come at a significant cost. In 2018, when Trump first imposed tariffs on imported steel, steel prices rose almost 10 per cent, the sectors profits rose by about $US2.5 billion, capacity utilisation jumped from 74 per cent to about 80 per cent and nearly 10,000 jobs were added within the sector. The impact was quite short-lived, with those numbers subsequently reversing as the industry resumed its long-term decline. The initial impact was predictable. Tariffs are protectionist. They protect domestic industries and companies from more efficient producers elsewhere by boosting their sales, margins and profits. Thats what happened after the 2018 tariffs. Loading They come, however, at a cost to the customers of the protected industries, which is also what happened after Trumps 2018 tariffs were imposed. A Peterson Institute for International Economics study concluded that the 2018 tariffs cost US downstream steel-using industries about $US5.6 billion, or about $US650,000 for each new job they added in the steel sector. The US Federal Reserve Board concluded that they cost about 75,000 jobs in those downstream industries, or more than eight times the number of jobs added by the steelmakers. One immutable fundamental of federation relations that founded the Commonwealth of Australia state-on-state rivalry was upended recently when Nick Reece, lord mayor of Melbourne, undertook a whistle-stop tour of Sydney ... and liked it. Sydney and Melbourne are the two best cities in the world! Reece said glowingly of the northern metropolis on a LinkedIn post (but not in an official media release, as far as we could tell). Budding bromance? Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece (right) with NSW Premier Chris Minns. Credit: LinkedIn Talk about undermining 124 years of slow burn resentment towards the Harbour City nurtured by our bitter, envious friends to the south. Reece also blew smoke in the direction of some of NSWs most prominent power players (though the states unofficial premier, Peter Vlandys, was missing). In her memoir A Different Kind of Power , released on Tuesday, Ardern writes: If that wasnt terrorism, then nothing was Yes, I told the president. It was a white man from Australia who deliberately targeted our Muslim community. He is a terrorist. In 2019, US President Donald Trump calls then-prime minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern after the massacre and asks if that act of mass murder is terrorism. Then he asks her if there is anything he can do: My answer was simple, she writes of her conversation. You can show sympathy and love for all Muslim communities. Theres a lot of sympathy, love and empathy in Arderns book. Knowing what we know about political leaders, no wonder she didnt last. Knowing what we know about ourselves, most of us understand you cant be this kind of person and continue to give unstintingly. Six years was pretty good for New Zealand and gave us a model of generous leadership. Jacinda Ardern hugs a woman at the Kilbirnie Mosque in Wellington in 2019 after the Christchurch massacre. Credit: Getty Images Memoirs are our memories, beautifully punctuated, unquestioned until after publication. As G. Thomas Couser wrote in 2011: The memoir is the literary face of a very common and fundamental human activity: the narration of our lives in our own terms. And this book is precisely that. Ardern begins with her girlhood, her Mormon upbringing, her conversion to politics, falling in love, having a baby. And each of those is explored with just the same attention to detail. Here was I expecting a detailed account of her many battles as prime minister but she spends just as much time talking about her hopes and feelings and relationships as she does on how she came to be nominated to lead the New Zealand Labour Party and how she came to be prime minister. 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 Whats good, whats bad, and whats in between in literature? Here we review the latest titles. See all 51 stories . It may be the start of winter and things outside are cooling down, but theres no loss of heat in the book world, with a bumper crop of books being published this month. This selection includes an astonishing memoir, speculative fiction, love and other disasters in the `90s and so much more. Salvage Jennifer Mills Picador, $34.99 In her fifth, speculative novel, the always imaginative Jennifer Mills plunges us into the lives of sisters Jude and Celeste. Jude is on an Earth plagued by climate disaster, war and antagonism, struggling to survive in the Freelands. Celeste, meanwhile, is trapped on some sort of spacecraft designed to help plutocrats escape the benighted world. But when something falls from the sky, we learn the full, human story of the estranged sisters. Author Jennifer Mills has written a new novel titled Salvage. Credit: The War Within Me Tracy Ryan Transit Lounge, $34.99 In the second of her Queens of Navarre series, poet and novelist Tracy Ryan turns her focus from Marguerite of Navarre to her daughter, Jeanne dAlbret. Its a story of royal and religious conflict as Jeanne escapes an arranged marriage to find love with Antoine, with whom she reigned before the Counter-Reformation pitted them on opposing sides of the long-running French wars of religion. Ryan is working on a third instalment, To Share His Fortune. A Beautiful Family Jennifer Trevelyan Allen & Unwin, $32.99 Theres an irony in the title of New Zealand writer Jennifer Trevelyans much-anticipated coming-of-age debut as the narrator, 10-year-old Alix, discovers much more about her family and its secrets during a summer holiday in 1985. From Kahu, a boy she meets on the beach, she learns the story of Charlotte, a girl who drowned two years earlier and whose body has never been found. Together, they try to find out the truth of her death, which reveals truths not bargained for. Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern is calling for a different way of doing politics. Credit: AP A Different Kind of Power Jacinda Ardern Penguin, $55 Jacinda Ardern became prime minister of New Zealand at the age of 37, and the way she dealt with the travails of high office along with the many major crises in NZ won her international admiration. Just think of her humane response to the appalling attack on the Christchurch mosques. Is there really a different way for politicians and others to lead? She argues forcefully that kindness and empathy are crucial. Lets hope other leaders take note of her methods. Advertisement Our New Gods Thomas Vowles UQP, $34.99 Whether Thomas Vowles becomes a new god of literature remains to be seen, but judging by this debut novel set in the queer world of Melbourne he can certainly write gripping fiction. Ash is new to town and has quickly been befriended by James, who takes him to a party where his boyfriend, the charismatic and mysterious Raf, is DJing. But when Ash decides to leave, he stumbles across Raf outside and what he witnesses him doing is unsettling. Soon Ash is mixed up in something he really doesnt understand. Thomas Vowles first novel is called Our New Gods. Credit: The Death of Stalin Sheila Fitzpatrick Black Inc., $27.99 Black Inc. has made a point of publishing crisply written short books and essays that dissect global and local issues. In The Death of Stalin not to be confused with Armando Iannuccis satirical film Australias pre-eminent Soviet historian tells us about the immediate change of direction after March 5, 1953, that was driven largely by the appalling director of the secret police, Lavrentiy Beria. In the simultaneously published Bombard the Headquarters, Linda Jaivin chronicles the disasters of Mao Zedongs Cultural Revolution. Sheila Fitzpatrick takes a close look at the aftermath of Stalins death. Aftertaste Daria Lavelle Bloomsbury, $32.99 Daria Lavelles first novel is a bit bonkers really. Kostyas beloved dad is dead, but suddenly he tastes his fathers favourite Ukrainian dish, pechonka. Over the years, aftertastes of food appear in his mouth like messages, until he discovers that by preparing specific foods or drinks he can bring the dead back from the purgatorial food hall where they are marooned. So, Kostya opens a restaurant to ease them to their next stage of death but then things go a bit berserk. Foreign Country Marija Pericic Utimo Press, $34.99 Another pair of estranged sisters. When Eva gets a surprise letter from Elisabeta at her new apartment in Berlin shes puzzled to find it contains an airline ticket back to Australia. Theyve been apart for years, but Eva sets off to the Blue Mountains only to find that Elisabeta is dead and she is left to sort the debris of her life. Tucked into an absorbing narrative about the interaction of past and the present are documents and photos to provide a visual contrast with the emotional discoveries that Eva makes about her sister. The Prime Ministers Potato and Other Essays Anne-Marie Conde Upswell, $29.99 Historian and museum curator Anne-Marie Conde says she meditates on how the past can be understood through the interactions of people, places and things. Her titular essay in this diverse and rather lovely collection tells of a curious 1942 gift from one William Frith to John Curtin as a cure for your akes and Pains. Other essays dwell on the Australian War Memorial, Barry Humphries character Sandy Stone, and the man who owned the house outside which the school bus would drop Conde each afternoon. Advertisement The Name of the Sister Gail Jones Text, $34.99 Gail Jones is becoming positively prolific this is her fourth novel in five years. She has turned away from the literary figures of her previous two books to what might be called literary crime. Who is this Jane, found wandering at night on a highway near Broken Hill? Freelance journalist Angie sees a feature in the predicament of the unknown woman, while her detective friend Bev is in charge of the case. Both want to discover the backstory, the maw of possibilities, deep down and red. Its a big year for Miranda Nation. Credit: New Skin Miranda Nation Allen & Unwin, $32.99 Miranda Nation has runs on the board writing and directing the 2018 thriller Undertow and writing the TV series Playing Gracie Darling, due later this year. Which is clearly quite a big one for her as now comes publication of her first novel, one that features an intense first love between two medical students in the 90s, the drugs, the sex, the parties and then flashing years forward to the consequences and emotional hangovers. Its all a question of timing. Things in Nature Merely Grow Yiyun Li Fourth Estate, $32.99, June 4 Yiyun Lis memoir is an account of the death of her two sons, Vincent and James, by suicide six years apart. It is remarkable for its clear-sightedness and sensitivity. The Chinese-born novelist argues that children have to have the space to become fully themselves, and writes: I loved them, and I still love them, but more important than loving is understanding and respecting them, and this includes, more than anything else, understanding and respecting their choices to end their lives. Apple in China Patrick McGee Simon & Schuster, $36.99 June 4 Apple has got itself into something of a jam. As Financial Times journalist Patrick McGee puts it, the tech companys relationship with China has become politically untenable, yet the business ties are unbreakable. Today, 90 per cent of all Apples production takes place in China. With Apples future inextricably linked to a ruthless authoritarian state, McGee also argues that todays China wouldnt be what it is without the company. Donald Trump may yet have more to say about all this. Outside an Apple store in Beijing. Apple and China have a complicated relationship, according to Patrick McGee. Credit: Bloomberg A Wisdom of Age Jacinta Parsons ABC Books, $34.99, June 6 Following on from A Question of Age, Jacinta Parsons delves into womens felt senses to learn what it means to be human and how this understanding is changed by accumulated years. Through talking to many women around the country, she focuses on the disconnect between the way women who are ageing are treated in society and how they actually feel inside. Ageing, she writes, is not a malady that needs fixing, it needs for us to embrace it for what it offers us. Advertisement Mandy Walker was 15 when she realised what she wanted to do with her life. Her mother had taken her to see an obscure Spanish movie, The Spirit of the Beehive, and Mandy was mesmerised. I remember thinking, Why is this so different from an Australian film? Why do I feel like this place and this story is in a different country? How did they make me understand this sense of place? And then I started looking into it, what a cinematographer does. Mandy Walker has just been elected president of the American Society of Cinematographers. Credit: Glenn Hunt For more than 30 years, Walker has been doing what a cinematographer does, picking up a raft of peer-voted awards, and BAFTA and Oscar nominations and an AACTA Award win (all for Elvis) along the way. And last weekend, she collected perhaps the greatest honour of her career to date being elected president of the prestigious American Society of Cinematographers. Real Money, a free weekly newsletter giving expert tips on how to save, invest and make the most of your money, is sent every Sunday. Youre reading an excerpt sign up to get the whole newsletter in your inbox. As a general rule, I try to contain any evangelising about personal finance or superannuation to within this column (you lucky things). That being said, I have been known to interrogate my friends about their super allocations (usually after one too many pints), but no one likes someone rambling on about ETFs or debt or whatever when theyre just trying to have a good time. However, there was once, circa 2018, when this rule went completely out the window. It was peak neobank boom, and I had just decided to switch from my classic, big four bank account to one of the new challengers, with slick branding and a promise to revolutionise banking two things Im usually pretty dismissive of. If you stick with one bank it could end up costing you. Credit: Michael Howard But the change was like night and day, and I quickly began to pester my friends, telling them to do the same, to the point where many asked if I was getting some sort of kickback from the company (I wasnt). Nurses in the sector will be required to have at least one years full-time experience working as a nurse outside non-surgical cosmetic procedures. The move follows concerns that some nurses, after undertaking publicly funded courses intended to tackle hospital and aged care workforce shortages, were immediately moving into the injectables field without acquiring the necessary complex anatomical knowledge. These types of procedures are undertaken every day and can have serious consequences if not done correctly, Nursing and Midwifery Board chair Veronica Casey said. No practitioner should put their bottom line ahead of patient welfare, and these guidelines place the focus squarely on the safety of those in their care. One Sydney cosmetic doctor, Tom Parmakellis, told a room of cosmetic injectable practitioners earlier this year that some telehealth doctors without identifying what practice or company they were from did up to 300 cosmetic injectable consultations in one day. Thats completely ridiculous, he said. Loading The boom has sparked concerns among beauty industry activists, academics and cosmetic doctors who prescribe in person. Over the past 2 years, AHPRA has investigated about 360 reports of problems with non-surgical cosmetic procedures, leading to cautions, conditions on registrations or an undertaking from the practitioner. The new guidelines also crack down on advertising, including the use of sexualised imagery to spruik cosmetic procedures. Lifestyle shots captured from the beach or a hotel room, emotional reactions from patients, and language that idealises high-risk cosmetic procedures or minimises their risk such as more natural or perfect will also be banned. And the guidelines bar artificial intelligence being used to predict an individuals appearance post-procedure or predict a persons appearance without a procedure. The use of these tools in advertising can create unreasonable expectations of outcomes. Regulators have wrestled with enforcing existing rules. This masthead revealed in March that thousands of ads spruiking Botox and dermal fillers were already breaching Australias health advertising laws, but the Therapeutic Goods Administration was doing almost nothing to stop the breaches. The new rules will also put in place a mandatory seven-day cooling-off period for under-18s who want cosmetic injectables, after their first consultation with a doctor or nurse practitioner and any procedure. New rules on influencers may also be designed to target younger Australians and follow separate guidelines released in 2023 which require that cosmetic surgery advertising not be false or use influencer testimonials. That move followed another investigation by this masthead and 60 Minutes that revealed hundreds of patients were left scarred by improperly trained doctors. AHPRA will go further on Tuesday, stating in its latest guidelines that the use of social media influencers, ambassadors or similar for advertising increases the risk that patients are not fully informed and that they may form unrealistic expectations of results. The content published by social media influencers or ambassadors is considered to pose a particular risk to younger people due to the nature of the audience for some social media platforms. Industry researchers Operation Redress have campaigned for tighter rules since 2020, and researcher Michael Fraser said the new guidelines made clear the current advertising of cosmetic injectables has no place in Australias medical sector. Loading Fraser predicted the cosmetic injectables industry would argue it was being silenced. They are not. They are being held to the same standard as other regulated health professionals. We do not see other practitioners on a systemic level trivialise and glamourise procedures like this. This industry is happy to push the highly profitable message that we all need Botox and filler to balance our normal natural face, yet become apoplectic when there is a push for regulatory balance to protect the public, he said. Fellow Operation Redress researcher Maddison Johnstone said artificial intelligence on social media was driving unrealistic expectations among patients and needed to be reined in. Worse still, injectors are sharing AI-generated images to depict how people might look as they age if they do not undergo cosmetic injectable procedures. This is intended to drive insecurities and fear without any basis in fact. she said. Health authorities say the new guidelines would mean all medical practitioners were operating under similar rules. Medical Board of Australia chair Susan ODwyer said the guidelines would help better protect patients by aligning standards across professions. A man has died after being found with horrific injuries at a home in Sydneys inner west in what police believe was a drug deal gone horribly wrong. Officers were called to a home on Kembla Street in Croydon Park after 5pm on Monday following a concern for welfare, and found a 29-year-old man with multiple stab wounds. A man is dead and another arrested after an alleged gruesome stabbing in the inner west. Credit: Nine News This is a gruesome crime, Superintendent Christine McDonald told reporters at the scene on Monday night. We are treating this as a homicide. Pods of inquisitive humpbacks have been spotted swimming in Manly Cove on Monday, even holding up the Freshwater ferry, as whale watching season in Sydney officially begins. A pod of three to four whales surfaced near Manly Wharf just before 2pm on Monday, delaying the 1.50pm ferry service for about five minutes, said Transport for NSW. It follows several other sightings in the harbour at the weekend. A pod of whales was spotted near Manly Wharf on Monday afternoon. Credit: Good for Manly Marine scientist and whale expert Dr Vanessa Pirotta said the whales appeared to be quite playful with each other. They came in, they investigated the harbour, and soon worked out that it was a little bit off track from the humpback highway, and then they resumed travel, which is typically what we see when we have whales in the harbour, she said after viewing the footage. Premier Chris Minns has called for the scale of the massive federal excise on tobacco to be reconsidered in light of the proliferation of illegal sales in NSW, saying that engaging police to investigate black-market cigarettes would ultimately come at the cost of dealing with other crimes. As Minns flagged shifting responsibility for regulation from NSW Health to NSW Police to deal with black-market tobacco, he said the approach would involve repurposing officers working on domestic violence cases and major organised crime networks and send them off into tobacco regulation. Premier Chris Minns has called for the massive federal excise on tobacco sales to be weighed up in light of the proliferation of black-market cigarettes. Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong The current situation is intolerable, so I think the truth of the matter is somethings gone wrong here. Weve got to either allocate police resources to confronting illegal tobacco sales, or we should have a commonsense look at the massive excise, he said on Monday morning. The evidence is in: the massive excise increase to tobacco has meant that people have not stopped smoking. Theyve just transferred their sales into illegal tobacco sales, which I dont think is helping NSW or any other state. 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 For the citizens of Russias far-flung regions, filming it all on their phones, it scarcely seemed believable. Life in the villages of deepest Siberia or Russias Arctic north felt a world away from the front lines of their countrys war with Ukraine. Ukraine targeted TU-95 Bear aircraft, the mainstay of Russias strategic bomber fleet. Credit: AP Yet suddenly, as they went about the Sunday business, the war unmistakably and dramatically arrived at their doorsteps. From the roof panels of nondescript container lorries parked in quiet rural lay-bys, drone after buzzing drone rose nonchalantly into the sky before hurling itself at nearby airbases housing some of Russias most prized military assets. A hardy few onlookers scrambled onto the lorries, vainly trying to stop the tiny drones from completing their kamikaze missions. Most stood gaping as explosions echoed across the tundra. Five airfields came under attack on Sunday as Ukraine launched Operation Spiders Web, the most daring mission it has mounted on Russian soil in more than three years of war. Its target: Russias strategic bomber fleet, long considered beyond Kyivs reach. Advertisement As plumes of smoke rose over the Olenya and Belaya bases and footage emerged of $156-million supersonic jets reduced to fireballs by drones costing only a few thousand dollars, the scale of the Kremlins miscalculation became clear. According to Ukrainian officials, as many as 40 of Russias most expensive and sophisticated bombers perhaps a third of Russias entire strategic bomber fleet were eliminated in the space of a few hours. The attacks came at a critical juncture, just hours before Russian and Ukrainian delegates were due to meet again in Istanbul. With US President Donald Trumps peace initiative already teetering, the talks have taken on a new complexion. Though the timing was most likely calculated to send a message, Ukrainian officials say planning for the operation began 18 months earlier. The final stage began a few weeks ago, when dozens of first-person view drones were smuggled into Russia under the supervision of Ukraines domestic intelligence agency, the SBU. Advertisement Russias bombers had always been the target, but adjustments were required after Moscow moved much of its strategic air fleet deeper inland to shield it from strikes. The drones were hidden in modified containers fitted inside commercial hauliers whose roof panels retracted at the push of a remote-control button. By all accounts, the drivers had no idea what cargo they were carrying. Residents near the Olenya base in Russias far north described watching as a panicked driver ran in circles as drones launched, one after another, from the back of his lorry. He later told police that he had been instructed to park his vehicle in a lay-by near the town of Olenegorsk, where somebody would meet him. Not all of the lorries made it to their destinations, with videos showing at least two self-destructing en route. Advertisement It was not the first time trucks had been used in the war. In 2020, a lorry carrying explosives was remotely detonated during an attack on the Kerch Bridge connecting Crimea to the Russian mainland. But this was more sophisticated. Reports suggest the drones had been trained using artificial intelligence to strike aircraft at their weakest points. The attacks came so swiftly no Russian airman is believed to have reached the relative safety of the skies. Several TU-95 bombers are shown in flames on the ground in this still image from a drone feed released by the Ukrainian security services. Credit: nna\riwood Just weeks earlier, Russia had relocated many of its strategic bombers to bases deeper inside its territory. Olenya, located within the Arctic Circle, is more than 1600 kilometres from the Ukrainian border; Belaya, in Siberia, is over 4000 kilometres. Until Sunday, Ukraine had never struck more than 1600 kilometres inside Russia. The aircraft based at Olenya and Belaya were among the jewels of the Russian Air Force: the Tu-95 Bear, a long-range bomber capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads; the Tu-160 Blackjack, the largest combat aircraft in the world; and the Tu-22M3 Backfire, a supersonic workhorse. The Russians had not counted on Ukraines Mossad-like ingenuity nor its desperation to retaliate against the bombers that had rained destruction on its cities. Advertisement Operation Spiders Web did not rely on long-range drones or missiles, but on small, hand-held FPV drones relatively simple devices that have proved devastating on the battlefield. Unprecedented moment Russian military bloggers were quick to liken it to the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941. An exaggeration, certainly yet in terms of chutzpah, scope and possibly damage, the operation marked an unprecedented moment in the war. Ukraines security services had set a new bar of skill in conducting large-scale combat operations on enemy territory, Iryna Vereshchuk, deputy head of Ukraines presidential office, wrote on Telegram. This is not a knockout, but a very serious knockdown for the enemy. According to Ukrainian officials, as many as 40 of Russias most expensive and sophisticated bombers were eliminated in the space of a few hours. That claim awaits independent verification, yet whatever the final tally, Ukraine has inflicted a humiliating blow on Russia and sent a powerful signal to its Western allies. In the days leading up to the strike, Ukraines cities had endured some of the most intense Russian bombardment of the war. Dozens had died, children among them. The Kremlin has shown no sign of relenting and is likely to take its vengeance in the coming days. Advertisement The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), led by Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten, invites all residents, business and property owners, and interested citizens to a Town Hall Meeting on Friday, June 6, 2025, at 5:30 PM at the Government Building to discuss the Philipsburg Beautification Masterplan. PHILIPSBURG: This meeting marks a significant milestone in the ongoing development of the Beautification Master Plan for Philipsburg. The initiative, aimed at revitalizing the heart of our capital, has been unfolding through careful planning, broad stakeholder involvement, and community collaboration. This project is about more than beautificationits about restoring pride in our capital, honoring our culture, and creating a vibrant space for both residents and visitors, said Minister Heyliger-Marten. We want the public to be part of the process as we finalize the design. Community input is essential. Since its inception, the project has been developed through a series of stakeholder consultations and collaborative sessions: January 9, 2025, marked the first formal meeting between Mr. Eric Van Putten of Designers Choice N.V. and the Philipsburg Promotional Board (PPB). The meeting with PPB members generated significant ideas that aligned with the vision for Philipsburg's future. On April 10, 2025, a dedicated session was held with the Indian Merchants Association Foundation (IMA) to present the masterplan concepts. The IMA expressed enthusiastic support, including potential financial contributions to the project. On April 15 and 17, 2025, collaboration expanded to include students from S.V.O.B.E. Sundial School, who volunteered to participate in Phase Two: Data Collection and Analysis. Eleven final-year students were trained and assigned to survey specific areas of Philipsburgsuch as Front Street, Back Street, the Boardwalk, Cannegieter Street, and Pondfillgathering critical data to inform the design process. These efforts underscore the broad-based and inclusive approach guiding the Beautification Masterplan. As the project now enters its final design phase, public feedback is more important than ever. The upcoming town hall will present updated design proposals and give attendees the opportunity to ask questions, offer ideas, and help shape the final outcomes. All members of the public are encouraged to attend and participate in this important step toward a more vibrant and welcoming Philipsburg. This summer marks three years since I became president of Roanoke College. When I arrived in 2022 after 30 years serving at large research universities, including nearby Virginia Tech, I brought what some on campus jokingly (and not so subtly) called big school energy. I had a lot to learn about leading a small private college. I spent the bulk of my career at land-grant institutions, including Ohio State, the University of Maryland at College Park and Virginia Tech, drawn by their historic missions to expand access to practical, high-quality education for students from all walks of life, especially those from working-class families and rural communities. Ironically, it was those same values of access, opportunity and service to the greater good that led me to a small private college. Over the past two decades, many public land-grant universities in the U.S., including our own Virginia Tech, have boomed in popularity, prestige, resources and selectivity. At the same time, Virginias independent, nonprofit colleges and universities, such as Roanoke College, have stepped up to become the front line for college access a striking role reversal in the higher education ecosystem. You might even say that these Virginia independent colleges, collectively, are a new brand of land grant. Consider this: The class of 2008 entered Virginia Tech with an average GPA of 3.67, and 75% of students who applied were admitted. Compare that to the 56% of applicants who were accepted for fall 2024 with GPAs averaging 4.11. Whats more, when I departed Virginia Tech to become president of Roanoke College in 2022, the average family income of a Virginia Tech student exceeded an eye-popping $200,000. My point isnt to pick on Virginia Tech (once a Hokie, always a Hokie). On the contrary, I believe the rising prestige of Virginia Tech and the commonwealths other leading public universities is critical for Virginias future. Instead, I want to make the case for the essential role private institutions also serve in shaping that future. Today, Virginias 28 private nonprofit colleges enroll diverse student bodies, serving more underrepresented and underserved students than public institutions and educating primarily lower- and middle-income Virginians. At Roanoke College, 40% of students are underrepresented or underserved, categories that include veterans, rural students, first-generation students, students of color and those eligible to receive federal Pell Grants, which are provided to students who demonstrate significant financial need. Pell-eligible students make up only 29% of the student bodies at Virginias public institutions. Many students come to private institutions from small towns and under-resourced communities, often bringing with them strong work ethics and a growing sense of purpose. In smaller classes with personalized attention, private colleges help transform these students into doctors, educators, nurses, engineers, counselors and community leaders. And when they graduate, many stay in Virginia contributing to their communities. At Roanoke College, for example, we are proud that more than 30% of our graduates choose to settle in the Roanoke Valley. Whats even more remarkable and often overlooked is that private colleges achieve this impact at a cost to Virginia students that is often equal to, or even less than, that of public universities. We are able to do so, in part, because of the direct financial assistance in-state students receive from the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program, or TAG. Because TAG is awarded based on residency rather than income, it benefits a wide range of students, making it one of Virginias most effective tools for expanding college access, allowing students and families to choose the institution that best fits their needs, not just their finances. For many, TAG often makes the difference between a promising student attending college and not attending at all. TAG is a smart investment for Virginia and comes at a fraction of the cost compared to public institutions. A recent poll by the Virginia Business Higher Education Council found that a strong majority of Virginians not only support state funding for TAG they want lawmakers to increase it. The payoff is clear. Virginias private colleges support over 28,000 jobs, generate $4.6 billion in economic output, contribute $157 million in state and local tax revenue, and strengthen the states economy, workforce and quality of life. Our campuses also face challenging headwinds from demographic changes, rising operating costs, federal financial aid delays and heightened public debate over the value of a college degree. Simply put, for higher education in Virginia to work its magic, we need a robust, healthy and sustainable ecosystem of institutions public and private to serve our diversity of citizens. Roanoke College needs Virginia Tech, and Virginia Tech needs Roanoke College. Hampton University needs the University of Virginia, and vice versa. When we each do our part, Virginia wins. UK to publish major defence review to face 'new era of threat' London, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2025 Britain is set to publish on Monday a major review of its defence strategy and armed forces as the government warned of "growing" Russian aggression and the changing nature of modern warfare. Prime Minister Keir Starmer cautioned on Sunday that the UK was being "directly threatened" by hostile states as his government announced a raft of new defence measures. "We will restore Britain's war-fighting readiness as the central purpose of our armed forces," Starmer wrote in a statement published by The Sun. The UK has been racing to rearm in the face of the threat from Russia and fears that US President Donald Trump will no longer help protect Europe. On Monday, the Labour government will publish its Strategic Defence Review, a document that will assess threats facing the UK and make recommendations. The review warns that Britain is entering "a new era of threat" as drones and artificial intelligence transform modern warfare, The Guardian newspaper reported over the weekend. Starmer said it would serve as "a blueprint for strength and security for decades to come". His government pledged in February to lift defence spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027 in the "largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War". And despite budget constraints, it aims for spending to rise to 3 percent in the next parliamentary term, due in 2029. The Labour government has said it will cut UK overseas aid to help fund the spending. - 'Daily' attacks - The last such defence review was commissioned in 2021 by the previous Conservative government, and was revised in 2023 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Based on the recommendations of the review, which is led by former NATO secretary general George Robertson, Starmer announced measures to boost stockpiles and weapons production capacity, which could be scaled up if needed. This includes pound1.5 billion ($2 billion) for building "at least six munitions and energetics factories", procuring 7,000 domestically built long-range weapons, and spending pound6 billion on munitions over the current parliamentary term. The government also said it would build 12 new attack submarines as part of its AUKUS military alliance with Australia and the United States, and invest pound15 billion in its nuclear warhead programme. The defence ministry last week pledged pound1 billion for the creation of a "cyber command" to help on the battlefield. "We're in a world that is changing now... and it is a world of growing threats," Defence Secretary John Healey told the BBC in an interview Sunday. "It's growing Russian aggression. It's those daily cyberattacks, it's new nuclear risks, and it's increasing tension in other parts of the world as well," he said. - 'Sophisticated challenge' - While launching the review, Robertson said it would tackle with threats from Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, calling them a "deadly quartet". But in his op-ed in The Sun, Starmer did not mention China, while warning that "The Kremlin is working hand in hand with its cronies in Iran and North Korea." The softer rhetoric on China is in line with the Labour government's efforts to thaw relations with Beijing, which reached new lows under former prime minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative government. The review describes Russia as an "immediate and pressing" threat, but calls China a "sophisticated and persistent challenge", according to The Guardian. At a time when Washington is demanding that its NATO allies bolster their own defences, Britain is considering strengthening its deterrent by buying nuclear-missile capable aircrafts from the United States, The Sunday Times reported. Without confirming or denying, Healey said Sunday that "strong deterrence is absolutely essential in order to keep Britain and the British people safe". Taiwan says China deployed 2 aircraft carrier groups, dozens of ships Taipei, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2025 China deployed two aircraft carrier groups and dozens of ships in waters north and south of Taiwan last month, a Taiwanese security official said Monday, as Beijing keeps up military pressure on the self-ruled island. Up to 70 Chinese ships, including navy vessels, were monitored from the Yellow Sea to the South China Sea from May 1-27, a security official said on the condition of anonymity. Beijing has ramped up the deployment of fighter jets and warships around Taiwan in recent years as it pressures Taipei to accept its claims of sovereignty over the island. China has refused to rule out using force to bring Taiwan under its control, leaving the island to face the constant threat of invasion. "Its military actions and grey-zone activities have included large-scale deployments across the entire island chain, involving comprehensive maximum pressure," the security official said in remarks released Monday. "On average, there have been between 50 to 70 naval vessels and government ships as well as hundreds of sorties by various military aircraft continuously conducting harassment operations." Some of the ships passed through the Miyako Strait to the Western Pacific Ocean for "long-distance training, including combined air-sea exercises", the official said. Another 30 Chinese vessels with no name, documentation or port of registry were detected near Taiwan's Penghu archipelago in the Taiwan Strait on May 19 and had been "deliberately sent to harass", the official said. And a total of 75 Chinese aircraft were involved in three "combat readiness patrols" near the island during the month, Taiwan's defence ministry figures show. Asia-Pacific's so-called first island chain links Okinawa, Taiwan and the Philippines, while the Yellow Sea is west of South Korea -- all partners of the United States and critical to its influence in the region. - 'More provocative' - The Taiwanese security official said China's activities in May were "more provocative than previously observed". In one incident, Tokyo and Beijing exchanged diplomatic protests each accusing the other of "violating" national airspace, after a Chinese helicopter and coast guard vessels faced off with a Japanese aircraft around disputed islands. The Chinese actions were a demonstration of "military expansion" and were aimed at controlling the "entire island chain and improving their capabilities", the official said. China's deployment coincided with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's speech on May 20 marking his first year in office and came ahead of an annual security forum in Singapore at the weekend. US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth told the Shangri-La Dialogue that China was "credibly preparing" to use military force to upend the balance of power in Asia. Beijing, which did not send its Defence Minister Dong Jun to the summit, warned Washington "should not play with fire". "It felt like they were in a state where they could announce something at any moment, trying to seize on some opportunity or excuse to act," the Taiwanese official said of the Chinese. China has carried out several large-scale military drills around Taiwan since Lai took office. Iran top diplomat to meet UN nuclear chief in Cairo Cairo, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2025 Iran's top diplomat and chief nuclear negotiator will meet the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Cairo on Monday, Egypt's foreign ministry said. The tripartite meeting would be between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty and IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, the ministry said in a statement. It comes a day after a report by the UN agency showed Iran has stepped up production of uranium enriched up to 60 percent -- close to the roughly 90 percent level needed for atomic weapons. The UN report was leaked as Iran holds talks with the United States on its nuclear programme, after Washington unilaterally abandoned a landmark agreement between Tehran and world powers in 2018 during President Donald Trump's first term. The 2015 deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, aimed to stop Iran from developing a nuclear bomb -- a goal Western countries accused it of pursuing, though Tehran denies it. During his visit to Cairo, Araghchi was also scheduled to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported. The Iranian minister said on Saturday that he had received "elements" of a US proposal for a potential nuclear deal following five rounds of talks mediated by Oman. Araghchi said he spoke to Grossi in a phone call on Sunday, warning against possible European sanctions. He urged the IAEA chief to stop "parties from exploiting" the nuclear watchdog report "to advance their political objectives". The UN agency's board of governors is set to review Iran's nuclear activities in its upcoming quarterly meeting in Vienna starting June 9. Jonathan Anderson named Dior's first men's and women's designer Paris, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2025 French fashion house Dior named Northern Irish designer Jonathan Anderson on Monday as the first-ever creative director for both its women's and men's collections. Anderson was appointed after last week's departure of Italian Maria Grazia Chiuri, who had presided over its women's collections for the last nine years. Anderson had already been named as artistic director of the men's collection in April, and will now become the first person to run both collections at Dior, which is owned by French luxury giant LVMH. "Jonathan Anderson is one of the greatest creative talents of his generation," said Bernard Arnault, LVMH's billionaire chief executive. "His incomparable artistic signature will be a crucial asset in writing the next chapter of the history of the House of Dior," Arnault said. Anderson, 40, quit Loewe in March after more than a decade in which he turned around the fortunes of the heritage Spanish brand, which is also owned by LVMH. An influential tastemaker with many A-list fans, Anderson made the previously rather sleepy label, best known for its handbags, hot. "It is a great honour to join the House of Dior as Creative Director of both women's and men's collections," Anderson said in the company statement. "I have always been inspired by the rich history of this house, its depth, and empathy. I look forward to working alongside its legendary ateliers to craft the next chapter of this incredible story," he said. Anderson will present his first collection, Dior Men Summer 2026, at the Paris Fashion Week on June 27. - 'Creative and modern vision' - There had been much speculation that Anderson, renowned for his creative flights of fancy, might take over both Dior's men's and women's collections, which some observers had seen as needing fresh impetus. Anderson, the son of former Irish rugby international Willie Anderson, is known as a low-key figure, who often appears dressed casually at the end of his shows. He trained at the London College of Fashion and began his career in Prada's marketing department before launching his own brand, JW Anderson, in 2008. At Loewe, he built a reputation for sharp tailoring and generous use of luxurious materials such as leather and metal. He launched a new modern classic bag -- the Puzzle -- and dressed celebrities from Beyonce to Rihanna. Dior boomed after Chiuri took over the women's collection in 2016, with the Italian designer praised for her modernity and feminist activism. Some observers, however, had suggested the classic French house was growing stale. Its growth is of crucial financial and dynastic importance to Arnault, who placed his daughter Delphine in charge of Dior in February 2023. "I am delighted to welcome Jonathan Anderson to lead the women's and men's creations of the House," Delphine Arnault said. "I have followed his career with great interest since he joined the LVMH group over 10 years ago. I am convinced that he will bring a creative and modern vision to our House," she said. mdv/lth/fg Christian Dior LVMH LOEWE French state offers to buy Atos nuclear tech Paris, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2025 The French state has made a 410-million-euro ($468-million) offer to acquire a strategic division of tech firm Atos that includes supercomputers used in nuclear deterrence, the company said Monday. Atos, an Olympics partner which also has contracts with the French military, has sought to sell assets as part of a restructuring plan to reduce its debt load. The company said it received an offer from the state for its advanced computing business. The offer "is a major step toward securing the strategic supercomputing activity", Finance Minister Eric Lombard said in a separate statement. "It is the state's responsibility, when warranted, to ensure the continuity and development of the country's most strategic industrial capabilities," he said. The scope of the government's offer has changed since the two sides entered exclusive talks in November. It no longer includes Atos' artificial intelligence-powered video analytics business, Vision AI. "I hope to conclude this acquisition process as swiftly as possible to secure the future of these critical activities for France," Lombard said. The advanced computing division, which employs more than 2,500 people mostly in France, develops high-performance servers and supercomputers with critical defence and industrial applications. Atos expects the unit to generate nearly 800 million euros in revenue in 2025. A binding agreement is expected in the coming weeks, with the deal closing in 2026. dax/mch/lth/fg Zelensky arrives in Vilnius for Nato eastern flank summit Vilnius, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2025 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived Monday in Vilnius for a summit with the leaders of NATO's eastern and Nordic members, who are some of Kyiv's staunchest backers amid the Russian invasion. The military alliance has bolstered its eastern defences since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, with Finland and Sweden also overhauling decades of security policy to join the alliance. The summit brings together the Bucharest Nine -- the alliance's members across eastern and central Europe -- with its Nordic members, Zelensky and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Zelensky's spokesman said he would hold "bilateral meetings" on the sidelines of the summit in the Lithuanian capital. It comes ahead of a full NATO summit later in June in The Hague to which Zelensky has demanded he be invited to. "If Ukraine is not present at the NATO summit, it will be a victory for Putin, but not over Ukraine, but over NATO," he said last week. Zelensky wants NATO to offer security guarantees to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire or peace deal with Russia -- something Moscow has called "unacceptable." NATO's eastern members have been some of the strongest backers of Ukraine since Russia invaded and have repeatedly warned about the prospect of Moscow stepping up its aggression. Baltic states Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia are former Soviet republics, now EU members, that fear they are in Moscow's crosshairs. US President Donald Trump has heaped pressure on NATO's European members to increase their defence spending, sparking fears about the US commitment to protect the continent. Iran demands US guarantee it will lift sanctions in nuclear talks Tehran, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2025 Iran pressed the United States on Monday for guarantees that it will drop sanctions as a condition for a nuclear deal, after the White House reportedly sent a proposal it deemed "acceptable". With Iran and the United States engaged in talks over Tehran's nuclear programme since April, Washington's proposal for a deal came after a leaked UN report said Iran had stepped up production of highly enriched uranium. Iran's top diplomat and lead nuclear negotiator Abbas Araghchi was due to meet the head of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Cairo on Monday, a day after the report was leaked. Iran has rejected the report, warning it would retaliate if European powers that have threatened to reimpose nuclear sanctions "exploit" the report. The United States and Western countries have accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran has repeatedly denied, insisting it needs uranium for civilian power production. Araghchi said on Saturday that he had received "elements" of a US proposal for a nuclear deal following five rounds of talks mediated by Oman. On Monday, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told a news conference in Tehran: "We want to guarantee that the sanctions are effectively lifted... "So far, the American side has not wanted to clarify this issue," he added. He also condemned the report and threatened an Iranian response. The report, Baqaei said, was the result of "pressure exerted by certain European countries on the agency". "If they want to further exploit this political report... they will surely have to face a proportionate response from Iran," he added. - 'Red line' - The remarks come after a report by the UN agency showed Iran has stepped up production of uranium enriched up to 60 percent -- close to the roughly 90 percent level needed for atomic weapons. The US envoy in the nuclear talks said last month that the administration of President Donald Trump would oppose any enrichment. "An enrichment programme can never exist in the state of Iran ever again. That's our red line. No enrichment," Steve Witkoff told Breitbart News. Iran has vowed to keep enriching uranium "with or without a deal" on its nuclear programme. The United States has sent Iran a proposal for a nuclear deal that the White House called "acceptable" and in its "best interest" to accept, US media reported on Saturday. The New York Times, citing officials familiar with the diplomatic exchanges, said the proposal calls on Iran to stop all enrichment and suggests creating a regional grouping to produce nuclear power. Iran has held five rounds of talks with the United States in search of a new agreement to replace the deal with major powers that Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018. ap/ser/dv UN nuclear chief urges 'more transparency' from Iran Cairo, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2025 The UN atomic watchdog's chief on Monday called for more transparency from Iran as it seeks relief from sanctions in negotiations over its nuclear programme. International Atomic Energy Agency director general Rafael Grossi made the comments ahead of a meeting in Cairo with Iran's top diplomat and chief nuclear negotiator, Abbas Araghchi. It comes a day after a leaked IAEA report showed Iran has stepped up production of uranium enriched up to 60 percent -- close to the roughly 90 percent level needed for atomic weapons. In a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty before the scheduled tripartite meeting, Grossi defended the report, calling it "impartial". "We say things as they are without a political agenda," Grossi said, stressing the report "tells it as it is". "There is a need for more transparency -- this is very, very clear -- in Iran, and nothing will bring us to this confidence (besides) full explanations of a number of activities," he added. Iran has rejected the IAEA's findings, calling it a "political" manouevre based on "unreliable and misleading information". Grossi said some of the report's findings "may be uncomfortable for some, and we are... used to being criticised". In a phone call with Grossi on Saturday, Araghchi warned Iran would retaliate if European powers that have threatened to reimpose nuclear sanctions "exploit" the report. Abdelatty urged a peaceful solution, saying "the region is already experiencing enough crises and security challenges". "We completely reject any escalation or incitement of a military option," he said, warning against "descending into a state of chaos from which no one will be spared". The UN report comes as Iran holds talks with the United States on its nuclear programme, after Washington unilaterally abandoned a landmark agreement between Tehran and world powers in 2018 during President Donald Trump's first term. Iran on Monday demanded a US guarantee that sanctions will be lifted as part of a nuclear deal. The 2015 deal aimed to stop Iran from developing a nuclear bomb -- a goal Western countries accused it of pursuing, though Tehran denies it. The Iranian foreign minister said Saturday he had received "elements" of a US proposal for a potential nuclear deal following five rounds of Omani-mediated talks. The UN agency's board of governors is set to review Iran's nuclear activities in its upcoming quarterly meeting in Vienna starting June 9. Nigerian military air strike kills at least 20 civilians: residents Kano, Nigeria, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2025 A Nigerian military air strike in the country's embattled northwest has killed at least 20 civilians, three residents told AFP on Monday. A group of local vigilantes were struck over the weekend as they were pursuing a criminal gang in Zamfara state, the residents said. The Nigerian army did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The incident is the latest in an air campaign that has killed hundreds of civilians in recent years as Nigeria battles various armed groups, from jihadists to criminal gangs known as "bandits". The bandits had attacked Mani and Wabi villages in Maru district, stealing cattle and kidnapping dozens of people, residents told AFP. Residents of nearby Maraya village and neighbouring communities mobilised and launched a pursuit to free the hostages and the cattle, according to locals. But a military jet which deployed to assist the community after people in the area alerted security personnel mistook the volunteers for the bandits and bombed them between Maraya and Wabi, the sources said. "We were hit by double tragedy on Saturday. Dozens of our people and several cows were taken by bandits and those who trailed the bandits to rescue them were bombed by a fighter jet. It killed 20 of them," resident Buhari Dangulbi said. Bandits have wreaked havoc for years in Nigeria's northwest, operating in broad swathes of relatively ungoverned countryside. Unlike their jihadist counterparts in the northeast of the country, their motivations are primarily economic. Military bombing campaigns against both bandits and jihadists have proven deadly for civilians caught in the crossfire. The incident Saturday was the third such to occur in Zamfara state. "Our vigilantes from Maraya and nearby communities gathered and went after the bandits. Unfortunately, a military jet struck them," resident Ishiye Kabiru said, also giving a toll of 20 dead. A third resident, Alka Tanimu said, gave the same toll, with similar details, noting "we will still have to pay to get those kidnapped back while the cows are gone for good". - Hundreds killed over the years - In January, at least 16 people were killed in a military airstrike after a jet mistook local vigilantes for criminal gangs terrorising communities in Zurmi district of Zamfara state. In December 2022, more than 100 civilians were killed when a jet pursuing fleeing bandits bombed Mutunji village in Zamfara's Dansadau district. In December last year, 10 people were killed and six others injured when a jet hit two villages while bombing the position of Lakurawa jihadists in Sokoto state. In December 2023, a Nigerian military airstrike mistook a religious gathering of Muslim faithful for bandits in Tudun Biri community in northwestern Kaduna state, killing at least 85, mostly women and children. In January 2017, at least 112 people were killed when a fighter jet struck a camp housing 40,000 people displaced by jihadist violence in the town of Rann near the border with Cameroon. Mali army camp and airport in Timbuktu targeted in attack Bamako, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2025 Attackers targeted a Malian army base on Monday and fired shells at the airport in the northern city of Timbuktu where heavy gunfire was heard, security and local officials and residents said. Junta-ruled Mali has been gripped since 2012 by violence from jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group as well as community and criminal groups. The attackers tried to force their way into the military camp and shells were launched at the airport, which is two kilometres (just over a mile) from the city, the city governor's office said. The situation is "under control", it added on social media. "We are dealing with terrorists attacking Timbuktu. We are fighting back," a military source told AFP. "The camp in the city centre has been attacked," the source added. According to a security source, the attackers "are everywhere in the city" and operations in the army camp "are already over". "They did not raid the airport because the Russians are there. But they launched shells. It's hot everywhere," the source added. A local official said the "terrorists" arrived in Timbuktu "with a vehicle packed with explosives". "The vehicle exploded near the (military) camp," the official said. UN staff were instructed in a message "to take shelter" and "stay away from windows" due to "shooting in the city of Timbuktu". A resident reported having heard "heavy gunfire in the city" which "seems to come from the side of the (military) camp". A local journalist speaking by telephone said "the city is under fire". "This morning our city was attacked by terrorist groups. Shots were heard near the military camp and the airport. We all returned home," he said. The ancient city of Timbuktu, once known as the "city of 333 saints" for the Muslim holy men buried there, was subject to major destruction while under the control of jihadists for several months in 2012. The jihadists who swept into the city considered the shrines idolatrous and destroyed them with pickaxes and bulldozers. The fabled desert city was peacefully retaken in late January 2013 with the support of French military forces under Operation Serval, deployed to halt the jihadists' advance in Mali. Since seizing power in coups in 2020 and 2021, Mali's military rulers have broken the country's traditional ties with its former colonial power France and moved closer to Russia. Jihadist groups and the Malian army and its allies from the Russian paramilitary group Wagner are regularly accused of committing abuses against civilians. lar-str-mk-sd-els/lp/kjm/cw Erdogan proposes new Putin-Zelensky-Trump meeting in Turkey Ankara, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2025 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday reiterated his willingness to host a meeting between the American, Russian and Ukrainian leaders in an effort to end the war in Ukraine. "My greatest wish for both sides is to bring both (Russia's) Vladimir Putin and (Ukraine's Volodymyr) Zelensky together in Istanbul or Ankara, and even to bring (US President) Mr (Donald) Trump to their side, if they accept," he said. Turkey, he said, would "take steps" to facilitate such a meeting, following direct talks between the two sides in Istanbul on Monday. Erdogan said it was a big achievement that Monday's talks even took place. Ukraine carried out one of its most brazen and successful attacks ever on Russian soil on the weekend, its drones ambushing dozens of strategic bombers at bases deep inside Russia. "It is a success in itself that the meeting happened despite what happened yesterday," he said, hailing the talks as "magnificent". At Monday's meeting, which lasted just over an hour, Ukraine and Russia agreed to exchange severely injured prisoners of war as well as those under 25, alongside the remains of 6,000 troops killed in combat, Kyiv said. "These figures given by both Russia and Ukraine... (are) very, very important in terms of showing how important these Istanbul meetings are. And we are proud of this," Erdogan added. Nigerian military air strike kills at least 20 civilians: residents Kano, Nigeria, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2025 A Nigerian military air strike in the country's embattled northwest has killed at least 20 civilians, three residents told AFP on Monday. A group of local vigilantes were struck over the weekend as they were pursuing a criminal gang in Zamfara state, the residents said. The Nigerian army did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The incident is the latest in an air campaign that has killed hundreds of civilians in recent years as Nigeria battles various armed groups, from jihadists to criminal gangs known as "bandits". The bandits had attacked Mani and Wabi villages in Maru district, stealing cattle and kidnapping dozens of people, residents told AFP. Residents of nearby Maraya village and neighbouring communities mobilised and launched a pursuit to free the hostages and the cattle, according to locals. But a military jet which deployed to assist the community after people in the area alerted security personnel mistook the volunteers for the bandits and bombed them between Maraya and Wabi, the sources said. "We were hit by double tragedy on Saturday. Dozens of our people and several cows were taken by bandits and those who trailed the bandits to rescue them were bombed by a fighter jet. It killed 20 of them," resident Buhari Dangulbi said. Bandits have wreaked havoc for years in Nigeria's northwest, operating in broad swathes of relatively ungoverned countryside. Unlike their jihadist counterparts in the northeast of the country, their motivations are primarily economic. Military bombing campaigns against both bandits and jihadists have proven deadly for civilians caught in the crossfire. The incident Saturday was the third such to occur in Zamfara state. Amnesty International Nigeria called on Nigerian authorities to "transparently investigate" the incident. "Attacks by bandits clearly warrant a response from the state, but to launch reckless air strikes into villages -- again and again -- is absolutely unlawful," the rights group said in a post on X. Describing the scene, another resident Ishiye Kabiru, who also gave a toll of 20 dead, told AFP: "Our vigilantes from Maraya and nearby communities gathered and went after the bandits. Unfortunately, a military jet struck them." A third resident, Alka Tanimu said, gave the same toll, with similar details, noting "we will still have to pay to get those kidnapped back while the cows are gone for good". - Hundreds killed over the years - In January, at least 16 people were killed in a military airstrike after a jet mistook local vigilantes for criminal gangs terrorising communities in Zurmi district of Zamfara state. In December 2022, more than 100 civilians were killed when a jet pursuing fleeing bandits bombed Mutunji village in Zamfara's Dansadau district. In December last year, 10 people were killed and six others injured when a jet hit two villages while bombing the position of Lakurawa jihadists in Sokoto state. In December 2023, a Nigerian military airstrike mistook a religious gathering of Muslim faithful for bandits in Tudun Biri community in northwestern Kaduna state, killing at least 85, mostly women and children. In January 2017, at least 112 people were killed when a fighter jet struck a camp housing 40,000 people displaced by jihadist violence in the town of Rann near the border with Cameroon. Dozens dead in twin attacks on Mali army bases, Timbuktu airport targeted Bamako, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2025 Twin attacks on two Malian army base in the northern city of Timbuktu and in the centre of the country left dozens of soldiers dead, as well as at least a dozen assailants, security sources and local officials said Monday. Timbuktu came under attack and shells were also fired at the airport where heavy gunfire was heard, the army, local officials and residents said. The army's general staff said in a statement it had "thwarted an attempt by terrorist fighters to infiltrate the Timbuktu camp" at around 10:00 am (local and GMT) with 13 attackers "neutralised", with no mention of other victims. But the military was mourning the loss of at least 30 soldiers after reports emerged late Monday of an attack Sunday, likewise blamed on jihadists, at the Boulkessi army base in central Mali, near the border with Burkina Faso. Security sources and a local official said they believed the death toll from that attack would likely rise. "Our units on the ground report the death of 30 people on our side ... Our men fought to the end but did not receive the necessary support," a security source in Bamako told AFP after the attack on what is one of the main military camps in the centre of the violence-plagued country. The source added other soldiers remained missing. "The toll is at least 60 soldiers killed," one local elected official told AFP on condition of anonymity. A second security source told AFP there were "about 60 victims on the side of Malian forces", although that tally included "the dead, the missing and the soldiers taken hostage." In a statement late Sunday, the army had indicated that troops had "responded vigorously" to the Boulkessi attack before withdrawing. - 'Fought until last breath' - The statement went on to declare that "many men fought, some until their last breath" to defend their country and that ensuing military operations "have destroyed several terrorists grouped in places of retreat". Junta-ruled Mali has since 2012 faced attacks from groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group as well as separatist movements and criminal gangs. The army's general staff said Monday regarding the Timbuktu attack that it had thwarted an attempt by terrorist fighters to infiltrate the camp in the fabled desert city. Later in the day, a security source said that operations in the camp were "already over" and that the attackers were "everywhere in the city". "They did not raid the airport because the Russians are there. But they launched shells. It's hot everywhere," the source added. A local official said the "terrorists" arrived in Timbuktu "with a vehicle packed with explosives". "The vehicle exploded near the (military) camp," the official said. UN staff were instructed in a message "to take shelter". - 'Under fire' - A local journalist speaking by telephone said "the city is under fire". The ancient city of Timbuktu, once known as the "city of 333 saints" for the Muslim holy men buried there, was subject to major destruction while under the control of jihadists for several months in 2012. The jihadists who swept into the city considered the shrines idolatrous and destroyed them with pickaxes and bulldozers. The ancient city was peacefully retaken in late January 2013 with the support of French military forces under Operation Serval, deployed to halt the jihadists' advance in Mali. Since seizing power in coups in 2020 and 2021, Mali's military rulers have broken the country's traditional ties with its former colonial power France and moved closer to Russia. Jihadist groups and the Malian army and its allies from the Russian paramilitary group Wagner are regularly accused of committing abuses against civilians. lar-str-mk-sd-els/lp/kjm/cw/giv Will season three be the year And Just Like That figures out what kind of show it wants to be? The first two seasons were messy and divisive. New characters were introduced with varying degrees of success (welcome Seema and Lisa! So long, Che and Nya ), and original characters were killed in devastating ways (justice for Stanford). But the costumes were gorgeous, and this fantastical candy-colored New York resembled the original Sex and City series. It was a little like attending your high school reunion. The people seem familiar, but they look and sound so different. For this first episode of season three, the show is trying to correct some of the previous misfires, but its still a mess. When we last left our ladies, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) bought an amazing Gramercy Park house to start over with Aiden (John Corbett), only to have him leave town to help his troubled son, Wyatt. Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) rediscovered her professional side at a non-profit agency, and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) went back to work at an art gallery. The finale ended with Seema and Carrie on the beach, sans boyfriends but happy to be with one another. Outcome Good-AND JUST LIKE THAT, Pictured: Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw and Sarita Choudhury as Seema Patel. Photo by Craig Blankenhorn/MAX 2025 MAX. All Rights Reserved Here we are again, ready to celebrate summer in New York. Carrie and Aiden are still keeping their distance but sending each other blank postcards. Carrie is filling her time decorating her new home and makes an offhand remark about not writing (red flag!). Eventually, Aiden calls her from his truck out on his land, and the two engage in supremely awkward phone sex with Carrie's cat Shoe watching and Aiden accidentally honking his horn (not a euphemism) while trying to remove his pants. Carrie is distracted and lies to Aiden that she is still into the sex. She feels bad about this and calls him back to tell him the truth and try connecting again, but he's with Wyatt. We get it. Theyre not in the same place. Miranda is putting herself out there on the dating scene and, in an awkward exchange at a lesbian bar with Brady's old babysitter, catches us up on her life. She divorced Steve, sold the house in Brooklyn, and now lives in an Airbnb. Miranda has a one-night stand with a tourist named Mary (Rosie O'Donnell), who happens to be a nun. Sister Mary ends up being a stage-five clinger. Still, she gives Miranda the opportunity to have a sincere conversation about where she is in her journey and that Miranda understands that Mary has just started hers. This was actually a sweet exchange, and it was great to see confident, honest Miranda back. Charlotte's storyline (if you can call it that) involves her beloved dog, Richard Burton, being wrongfully accused of attacking another dog at the park. That's it. That's the storyline. In between, we revisit her annoying children, and Harry is along for the ride. Outcome Good-AND JUST LIKE THAT, Pictured: Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw, Kristin Davis as Charlotte York and Cynthia Nixon as Miranda Hobbes. Photo by Craig Blankenhorn/MAX 2025 MAX. All Rights Reserved On to the new members of this group. Seema (Sarita Choudhury) is still trying to make her relationship with film director Ravi Gordi (Armin Amiri) work, but the long distance is exhausting. Literally. While waiting for Ravi to Facetime her, she falls asleep smoking in bed and sets her mattress on fire (red flag!). Seema finally calls it quits. Lisa Todd Wexley (Nicole Ari Parker) is pitching her 10-part documentary series, and her husband, Herbert (Chris Jackson), is trying to prove he's cool in his run for city comptroller. Anthony is still with his Italian poet Giuseppe (Sebastiano Pigazzi). In a telling exchange with Carrie, they both voice some judgment on her situation with Aiden and not finding time to write. Carrie's not thrilled by this statement of the obvious truth (Anthony aptly calls her Rapunzel). Other than some shared scenes at New York locales (Lincoln Center and Red Rooster) and the fact that all of these characters have so much money and so little self-awareness, this really feels like multiple shows stitched together. After each episode, I groan and roll my eyes, but I'm also counting the days to episode number two. This could have been a great opportunity to showcase women in their 50s living amazing lives, but it's all style and false substance. Join me as I hate watch the third season and bring an unrealistic amount of optimism that things will improve. Random thoughts In looking at Carries large hat, I couldn't help but wonder, Where's my childhood Strawberry Shortcake playset? Carries puns get worse with age. The kitchens are drool worthy. The Bird Always Knows THE WALKING DEAD: DEAD CITY, Pictured: Logan Kim as Hershel. Photo: Robert Clark/AMC 2025 AMC Networks Inc. All Rights Reserved. Maggie, hardened by her own vendetta, offers absolutionor at least an attempt at it. She tells Herschel to let it go, but her words are tainted by hypocrisy. She has clung to her grudge against Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) with an iron grip, her own soul consumed by an unrelenting thirst for vengeance. The Bird Always Knows THE WALKING DEAD: DEAD CITY, Pictured: Lauren Cohan as Maggie Rhee. Photo: Robert Clark/AMC 2025 AMC Networks Inc. All Rights Reserved. The irony isnt lost on Herschel or the audience. Maggies credibility, asking Herschel to just let what happened go, is nonexistent. Here, the episode masterfully juxtaposes personal vendettas against the broader horrors of war and betrayal, showing how anger corrodes and how redemption, if it comes, is rarely cleana lesson Ginny (Mahina Anne Marie Napoleon) learns in this episode. The irony isnt lost on Herschel or the audience. Maggies credibility, asking Herschel to just let what happened go, is nonexistent. Here, the episode masterfully juxtaposes personal vendettas against the broader horrors of war and betrayal, showing how anger corrodes and how redemption, if it comes, is rarely cleana lesson Ginny (Mahina Anne Marie Napoleon) learns in this episode. As the story shifts to the city, its shock and awe intensifies. The Dama (Lisa Emery) dispatches Negan to persuade gang leader holdout Christos (Jake Weary) to join her cause against New Babylon. Negans discussion starts promisingly. He and Christos find unexpected common ground in their shared goalprotecting their families. Its a fleeting glimpse of hope, a moment where unity seems possible amid chaos. The Bird Always Knows THE WALKING DEAD: DEAD CITY, Pictured (L-R): Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan, Zeljko Ivanek as The Croat. Photo: Robert Clark/AMC 2025 AMC Networks Inc. All Rights Reserved. Hope is violently ripped away when The Croat (Zeljko Ivanek) struts in. Firmly in the grip of his invulnerability complex that twists every slight into an unforgivable challenge, The Croat arrives not just to sabotage Negans progress but to obliterate any perception of the Burazis weakness. His weakness. His response to Christos' substation attack isn't just retaliationits theatrical brutality, a gruesome display meant to reassert his dominance. Hope is violently ripped away when The Croat (Zeljko Ivanek) struts in. Firmly in the grip of his invulnerability complex that twists every slight into an unforgivable challenge, The Croat arrives not just to sabotage Negans progress but to obliterate any perception of the Burazis weakness. His weakness. His response to Christos' substation attack isn't just retaliationits theatrical brutality, a gruesome display meant to reassert his dominance. Neganand the viewersare blindsided by the revelation that the Croat had ensured the gas canister remained on the entire time, silently flooding the room and sealing Christos fate before anyone had a chance to fight back. The moment of realization is sickening. Resistance was never an optionjust death, delivered with chilling precision. Then comes the true horror: the Burazi descend upon Christos and his men, their bludgeoning a violent exclamation point on the Croats calculated cruelty. The Croat chuckles as he assures Negan that he spared the women and children, as if that concession dims the sheer ruthlessness of the massacre. When Negan asks whether the Dama sanctioned the attack, the Croats silence speaks volumes. The weight of The Damas unspoken approvalor dangerous ignorance about The Croats actionssettles over Negan like a suffocating fog. The Bird Always Knows THE WALKING DEAD: DEAD CITY, Pictured: Dascha Polanco as Narvaez. Photo: Robert Clark/AMC 2025 AMC Networks Inc. All Rights Reserved. Meanwhile, Narvaez (Dascha Polanco) raises the stakes at the Foragers compound, arresting Roksana (Pooya Mohseni) and Armstrong (Gaius Charles) for crimes against the Federation. She forces Maggie into an impossible situation, demanding that she go to the city alone and deliver Negan and The Croat to her, using Herschel as leverage. Meanwhile, Narvaez (Dascha Polanco) raises the stakes at the Foragers compound, arresting Roksana (Pooya Mohseni) and Armstrong (Gaius Charles) for crimes against the Federation. She forces Maggie into an impossible situation, demanding that she go to the city alone and deliver Negan and The Croat to her, using Herschel as leverage. Bending is not Maggies way. She fights her way back into the compound, only to be betrayed by Herschelwhether out of cowardice or impulsewhen his eye movements unintentionally reveal her position. Even still, she seizes control, pressing a knife to Narvaezs throat, only for the power dynamic to shift again when Ginny trains her gun on Herschel, unmoved by Maggies desperate pleas because the little girl is big mad that Maggie didnt tell her she was going to see Negan when she was in the city. Argh! The episode does not shy away from the recklessness of youth, portraying Herschel and Ginny as impulsive, easily swayed, and frequently unreliable. The writers emphasize a brutal truth: their decisions lack the anchor of maturity because their brains are simply not developed enough to grasp the full consequences of their actions. For example, Ginnys actions allow Narvaez to implement her one solution for defianceexecution. Roksana is led to the gallows. Her people mourn so loudly that their cries stir the undead. Chaos erupts as walkers swarm through the fences, forcing a frenzied shift in the battle for survival. The Bird Always Knows THE WALKING DEAD: DEAD CITY, Pictured: Mahina Anne Marie Napoleon as Ginny. Photo: Robert Clark/AMC 2025 AMC Networks Inc. All Rights Reserved. Ginny, injured in the melee, finally snaps out of her treacherous malaise, saving Maggie from Narvaezs noose. Then, in delicious irony, the freshly reanimated Roksana tears apart Narvaezs throather violent end a poetic consequence of her own ruthless rule. Hurray! Ginny, injured in the melee, finally snaps out of her treacherous malaise, saving Maggie from Narvaezs noose. Then, in delicious irony, the freshly reanimated Roksana tears apart Narvaezs throather violent end a poetic consequence of her own ruthless rule. Hurray! And just when the tension settles, a knock at the doora surprise visitor for Maggie and Armstrong as Bruegel (Kim Coates) arrives, casually announcing, Looks like Im late to the party. I dont know about other viewers, but I was left with a sinking feeling that Maggies troubles are far from over. Damn! Can you give our girl one day? Meanwhile, in the city, Negan plays puppet master, sowing doubt between The Dama and The Croat. By killing the Damas beloved pet rat, he plants the seeds of suspicion about the Croats motives. Then, by reminding the Croat of how shabbily The Dama treats them both, Negan feeds the Croats fear of weakness, setting off an epic confrontation. The Bird Always Knows THE WALKING DEAD: DEAD CITY, Pictured : Lisa Emery as The Dama. Photo: Robert Clark/AMC 2025 AMC Networks Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Dama and the Croat exchange insults before the Dama sinks her teeth into the Croats hand. Too bad, so sadThe Dama ends up swallowed by flames, shrieking Mile! Mile! Help me! like the wicked witch melting in The Wizard of Oz. So, awe, the shock. The Dama and the Croat exchange insults before the Dama sinks her teeth into the Croats hand. Too bad, so sadThe Dama ends up swallowed by flames, shrieking Mile! Mile! Help me! like the wicked witch melting in The Wizard of Oz. The episode closes on a macabre note as Negan scrapes smashed rat guts from the bottom of his shoea grim reminder that The Damas end is only the beginning. One Dama downThe Croat and Bruegel to go. Then, finally, he can leave this cursed city behind him. While The Bird Always Knows is high-stakes storytelling with betrayals, executions, and unforeseeable twists that unfold with ruthless efficiency, its one of those heavy-lifting episodes. The episode sheds actors from the call sheet, not gratuitously, but as a necessary evolution in the storys pitiless world. The plotting intriguefrom the Burazis gas and smash slaughter of Christos gang to Roksanas hangingfeels familiar and fitting within the TWDU. After all, none of the casualties were well-known (Roksana, Christos) or particularly likable (The Dama)so bye-bye. Next!" One lingering question remainswhy does this review omit the conversation between Armstrong and Roksana? Given that the episodes title is based on this exchange, it seemed positioned as a moment of significance. And yet, its absence from discussion only reinforces its lack of real impact. My appreciation for the episode wouldnt have changed had it been cut entirely. In fact, it should have beenbecause it adds little to the main plots. Now that the New Babylon forces have been decimated, whats Bruegels gambit with Maggie and Armstrong? Let me know in the comments. At the episodes heart is Herschels (Logan Kim) torment over the fallout of his betrayal. His confession to Maggie (Lauren Cohan) is laced with regret as he admits that he signaled the Croat but failed to anticipate the bloodshed that followed. Its a rare moment of honesty, one that digs into the psychological horror of unintended consequences. His sorrow is palpablenot just for the act itself, but for his failure to understand the stakes until it was far too late. His apology is genuine, yet hollow in the face of the dead who cannot hear it. Mr Hands, who was minister for trade policy until last summer when he lost his seat in the House of Commons, will advise the business with a special focus on the UK and Germany, the investment business said. And I just hope that every single person that took to that stage can really understand what an amazing job it is to even get there, and it (Eurovision) doesnt owe you anything, because musics given you everything already. Arsenal take biggest step yet towards Viktor Gyokeres signing as Sporting close in on replacement Sporting drop biggest hint yet that Gyokeres is heading to Arsenal This is a well-worn route for the stealth e-bikes when used by masked robbers behind a 19 per cent rise in luxury watch and mobile phone snatches. In February, London Standard journalists joined the Metropolitan Polices elite Operation Venice squad on patrol. They are cracking down on these kinds of offenders by targeting robbery hotspots in the central, south and west parts of London. Each week an average of 180 victims are attacked for their valuables on the street. Like paralegal Kathryn, 24, who was bundled screaming into a side road near Waterloo after muggers spotted a 3,700 Rolex on her wrist. We watched as the deflated thief is left with no choice other than to simply throw his hands up in the air after a brief chase and is arrested. As well as this, even if the majority of the presidents power is symbolic, it still holds bearing on international politics. Athough formally he doesn't have any power, in foreign policy terms, symbolically - because of the big mandate that he has - he can insert himself in and try and influence those debates, Szczerbiak said. It is understood she was also helped by one of the coaches at the rowing club near Thames Path, which remains partially closed while the tree is removed. During Hajj, pilgrims stand before the Kaaba, the sacred shrine built by Ibrahim, and offer their praises to Allah. They also perform various rituals, including the Stoning of the Devil. In this act, pilgrims throw pebbles at three pillars, known as Jamarat, symbolising the rejection of evil and temptation, following the example of Ibrahim's resistance to Satan. Brooke Coffman, the 19-year-old eyewitness, said she saw four women lying or sitting on the ground with burns on their legs. One of them seemed to have been badly burned on the majority of her body and had been wrapped in a flag by someone, she said. A van belonging to Portugal's Maritime Police also arrived. That force has jurisdiction over coastal areas and took part in previous searches of beaches, wells and reservoirs using specialist divers. The road the police cordoned off is located close to a golf course and less than 1 km (0.6 miles) from the beach. T On Monday, the two sides had been expected to discuss their wildly different ideas for what a full ceasefire and a longer term path to peace should look like amid pressure from US President Trump, who has said the US could abandon its role as a mediator if there is no progress. Nigerian operator 9mobile has gained approval for roaming on the MTN Nigeria network in a deal that some commentators suggest could improve its position in the market and, more specifically, tempt back lost subscribers. After finally gaining regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), 9mobile plans to launch national roaming services on the MTN network from this month. Under the agreement, 9mobile subscribers will gain access to MTNs infrastructure for calls, texts and data in areas where 9mobiles coverage is weak or unavailable. For 9mobile, the deal offers a cost-effective way to expand coverage without the heavy investment required for nationwide infrastructure. According to ITWeb Africa, the decision comes nearly five years after initial discussions much longer than expected due, the Techloy news service says, to regulatory bottlenecks, shifting market conditions, and unclear execution timelines. It may, however, prove pivotal for 9mobile, whose market share has dwindled to 1.72% in April 2025, down from 6.6% in 2020 when the proposal was first submitted. Indeed, in 2015 the company once known as Etisalat Nigeria had over 23 million subscribers and a 15.7% market share. Of course, theres also something in this for MTN. In exchange for network access, MTN gains utilisation rights to 9mobiles underused spectrum in the 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 2100MHz bands key frequencies for expanding coverage and improving data capacity. For MTN, which serves over 84 million subscribers, this additional spectrum could reduce congestion and improve service quality. The company has also had financial difficulties in the Nigerian market due to the naira's substantial depreciation; this deal could support better service provision at a reduced cost. That said, MTN Nigeria's results for the first quarter to March 31 2025 were apparently much improved, and the company recently announced a massive capital expenditure drive for 2025 of some NGN900 billion (US$568.5 million) as it seeks to significantly enhance network service quality in major cities like Lagos and Abuja and extend improvements to other areas. National Liberal Party (PNL) interim chairperson Ilie Bolojan announced on Monday that the Liberals will support a package of measures aimed more at state spending cuts than revenue increases, possibly through taxes and duties. "We know what our possibilities are, but I think that any rational person understands that things cannot continue the way they have been going so far. It's easy to make statements, to draw targets or things that you pursue, but the contact with reality I think is quite hard and, from this point of view, we will support a package of measures in which expenditure cuts should be significantly higher than revenue increases (...), possibly through taxes and duties. It would be good if the increase in revenues were to be achieved through better collections, and from this point of view there is room for a much better activity at ANAF [the National Agency for Fiscal Administration], the Anti-Fraud Office, and the fight against tax evasion must really become a priority, not only in a declarative manner, but it should be seen, practically, through increased collections, and given that we are doing rather badly on the VAT side, that means additional money can be collected. (...) This package is very unlikely to avoid increasing taxes, because we are under great pressure, both due to the commitments that Romania has made through the fiscal plan, so we have to reduce this deficit, but also due to the absorption of European funds," said Bolojan after the PNL BPN meeting. Bolojan emphasized that it is highly unlikely that this package of measures will avoid tax increases, giving as an example the underfunding of the budget of the National Health Insurance House.He doesn't think that, at the moment, there can be any question of increases or indexation."We need to see how to protect those who today are on the payroll and how to ensure their payment, because there are some rights won by those who have worked in Romania," Bolojan said. The extent of the phenomenon of violence, namely that against women, as well as the need for the authorities to be involved in this regard, but especially the improvement of legislation, were among the conclusions of Monday's debate, in the plenary session of the Chamber of Deputies, regarding the draft law "Romania without violence". The debates, which initially referred to the draft law for the amendment and completion of certain normative acts in order to combat violence - Romania without violence, expanded to a current tragedy, the crime in the Bucharest neighborhood of Cosmopolis. On this occasion, deputies from all parliamentary groups emphasized the need for the authorities to be involved in combating violence, especially in the conditions in which many abused women do not trust the efficiency of their intervention, and the improvement of the legislation was also agreed upon. "We all saw a tragedy, two days ago, in the Cosmopolis complex. And, of course, we cannot help but wonder if the tragedy could not have been avoided. We learn that there were lawsuits to withdraw the right to bear arms, we learn that there were lawsuits for a protection order, that there were threats, that the authorities knew and yet we all saw the outcome. We cannot help but wonder what we can do to prevent such situations from happening again, of course the justice system should do its job and we must improve the legislation. This project is such an example. (...) The project is good, please vote for it", declared USR deputy Oana Murariu. PSD MP Gabriela Ene emphasized that, according to statistics, many children are forced to be silent witnesses or collateral victims of violence that they do not understand and do not deserve. "Last Saturday, another pregnant woman was brutally murdered in a residential area, not considered dangerous at all. She was holding her three-year-old child by the hand. That child will never be able to erase the trauma of the tragic loss of her mother. The project is a cry for help from women who are victims of the exacerbated violence in society, it is about protection and intervention," the social democrat said. PNL deputy Alina Gorghiu announced that she will submit a second bill on the topic of domestic violence, through which she seeks to exempt from stamp duty all victims of domestic violence who file a request for divorce or division of joint property. "Over 8,000 protection orders and provisional protection orders have been issued for domestic violence. Behind each victim is a tragedy, a life story, a family. (...) In the first five months of this year we have 25 cases of femicide. And maybe we should all think about whether femicide deserves to be regulated in Romanian legislation," the liberal emphasized. SOS Romania deputy Verginia Vedinas believes that a unitary project is necessary that would constitute a true code for reducing and eliminating this phenomenon. "Domestic violence is something that characterizes Romania, unfortunately, and must be viewed with the seriousness that requires other legislative solutions than patching up one law or another. The more legal norms are scattered in several regulations, the more difficult they become to apply and their efficiency decreases. Therefore, I propose that we consider a unitary bill that would have as its object and perhaps as its political title Romania's strategy for combating this phenomenon. Let us unite all parliamentary parties, because it is a phenomenon that concerns Romanian society," urged Verginia Vedinas. AUR deputy Gianina Serban supported the proposal regarding the adoption of a unitary project to combat domestic violence. "The bill follows a failed project - "Educated Romania" - which is one of the main causes of domestic violence - lack of education, poverty, alcohol and drug use. (...) You are still in government and you are doing nothing to prevent this horrifying phenomenon. Romanian mothers are abused daily, we witness these cruelties daily, but you are doing nothing to prevent it," Gianina Serban said. UDMR MP Csep Eva-Andrea believes that women should not die in Romania and at the same time, children who live in a family where domestic violence is present every day should not be witnesses. "I believe that we, the legislators, regardless of political affiliation, must go beyond political statements and come together to make laws, to write laws that come to the aid of these women who come from this unfavorable environment for both them and their children. On the other hand, esteemed colleagues, if we talk about domestic violence and about these victims, mostly women, we must also look at those causes that lead to violence, that lead to the death of these women. Information, wearing an electronic bracelet and information campaigns - what an electronic bracelet looks like and how exposed that person is who only has to carry a small phone in a purse, but the aggressor wears this electronic bracelet in plain sight - it is really important for these women to know. Our role is to promote these possibilities, because as a legislator we have worked very hard, we have modified a lot in the laws we have. Please get involved, let's see that the institutions are present on the territory and that a woman who calls every other day because she is beaten every day is not blacklisted," the UDMR representative emphasized. The draft law for the amendment and completion of certain normative acts in order to combat violence - Romania without violence - has as its regulatory object the amendment of Law no. 286/2009, as well as the amendment and completion of Law no. 26/2024, in the sense of providing the competent authorities with the useful/necessary instruments for combating violence in all its forms. The draft is to receive the final vote at the next plenary session of the Chamber of Deputies - the decision-making forum in this case. AGERPRES special correspondent Oana Ghita reports: The effects of the clampdown on large-scale tax evasion will be seen next year, as efforts are being made in this direction, President Nicusor Dan declared on Monday. "Regarding large-scale tax evasion, I had a discussion with caretaker Prime Minister Predoiu just last night, and he said that he is looking into wether we need to change the National Defense Strategy so that more state forces are focused on combating this phenomenon," Nicusor Dan said at a press conference in Vilnius. Referring to the possible effects of the fight of tax evasion, he said that the Romanian authorities "are now in the situation where they have to convey to the financial market, to the investors, a set of measures for the second half of 2025." "I am optimistic that we will deliver on combating large-scale tax evasion, but the effects will only be seen in 2026," the president went on to remark. According to official sources, a meeting of the Supreme Council for National Defense (CSAT) will be called in June to include combating large-scale tax evasion in the National Defense Strategy. The PSD will have working groups on specific areas that will communicate and collaborate with the unions permanently, during the consultations for the formation of a new Government, announced on Monday the party's spokesperson, Florin Manole. "We had a meeting with several trade union organizations from fields such as education, public administration, public order, defense, industry, that is, from a very wide area of employee representation. We decided to organize this meeting because we saw in the public space and we all saw, obviously, that at Cotroceni the discussions are only held with one of the parties that make up the spectrum of social partners, namely with the employers' associations. We consider it extremely important that, when we talk about measures, when we talk about projects and public policies, we also have the consultation of the social partners from the trade unions, because, ultimately, they represent most of the Romanian citizens, those who work, those who pay taxes and duties and those who produce welfare in this country", declared Manole, in a conference press office, at the PSD headquarters. He added that two extremely important conclusions emerged from these discussions. "The first conclusion is that, throughout all the discussions at Cotroceni, no matter how many days or if they last several weeks, these discussions will take place. In parallel, we will communicate with the unions, with the social partners, and we will organize working groups, so that on each of the topics, on each of the public policies, there is a consultation with the targeted employees, with the employees in the respective field and with those who, ultimately, know best about the respective field," the PSD spokesperson mentioned. According to him, at the same time, PSD will propose to all other parties that, to the extent that consensus is reached and a governing coalition is formed, it should have an agreement with both the unions and the employers' associations. Orange Egypt has secured a syndicated loan worth over US$80 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Banque Misr to help cover the cost of its recently acquired 5G mobile licence. According to a statement from EBRD released Wednesday, the loan comprises EUR39 million (US$44.3 million) from the EBRD and US$40 million from Banque Misrs Dubai branch. EBRD said the rollout of 5G services across Orange Egypts network is expected to generate significant benefits for consumers and businesses, to include enabling companies to make more innovative offerings, enhance customer experience and stimulate digital growth. EBRD also noted that 5Gs energy efficiencies are expected to reduce Orange Egypts CO2 emissions by over 1.7 million tonnes per year. This project will strengthen Egypts digital infrastructure, contributing to improved internet connectivity for local consumers, businesses and the broader economy, said Jean- Marc Peterschmitt, EBRDs corporate sector MD, in a statement. Orange Egypt CFO Mohamed added, Through technologies such as 5G, we aim to enhance services in education, healthcare and smart cities, bridging the digital divide and driving Egypts digital economy forward. Orange Egypt was awarded the 5G licence from the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) in October 2024, along with Vodafone Egypt and e& Egypt. A statement from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) at. the time said the three licences were valued at a combined US$675 million. Telecom Egypt secured its 5G licence from the NTRA in January 2025 for US$150 million. An exhibition of Kangra miniature paintings will open on June 6 at the 'Dimitrie Gusti' National Village Museum in Bucharest, with the opening event organized in cooperation with the Embassy of India and the KAPS Promotional Society. Kangra is a famous style of Indian miniature painting which emerged in the 18th century in the Kangra Valley of India's northernmost state Himachal Pradesh. ''Known for their delicate brushwork, lush natural landscapes and romantic themes, these paintings are a hallmark of the Pahari school of art. Influenced by the Bhakti spiritual and devotional movement, Kangra art often depicts scenes from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata and, in particular, the love stories of the Hindu divine couple Radha and Krishna, rendered with grace and emotion,'' a release informs. The paintings will be on display from June 6 to June 15 between 10:00 and 18:00, in the Glass Hall of the Village Musum's administrative building. The foreign exchange reserves of the National Bank of Romania totaled 55.661 billion euros at the end of May 2025, down 10.81% compared to the level of 62.414 billion euros on April 30, 2025, according to a press release from the Central Bank, transmitted to AGERPRES on Monday. During May, there were inflows of 5.827 billion euros, representing the change in the minimum foreign exchange reserves established by credit institutions at the NBR, the replenishment of the accounts of the Ministry of Finance and others. Romania's international reserves (currency plus gold) on May 31, 2025 were 65.359 billion euros, compared to 72.025 billion euros on April 30, 2025. President Nicusor Dan will have a meeting in Vilnius on Monday with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "Romania is very important," Zelenskyy said ahead of the B9 and Nordic Countries Summit. President Nicusor Dan is on his first international visit since taking office, attending the B9 and Nordic Countries Summit in Lithuania's capital, Vilnius. There, he will also hold a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Polish President Andrzej Duda and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. President Nicusor Dan will participate on Monday in the B9 and Nordic Summit, which will take place in Vilnius, Lithuania, this being his first foreign trip as head of state. According to the Presidential Administration, Nicusor Dan will reaffirm, within the B9 Summit in Vilnius, Romania's commitment to strengthening NATO at all levels and the crucial role of the Alliance in ensuring Euro-Atlantic security. At the same time, the head of state will highlight the need to provide support to the Republic of Moldova, which is exposed to complex risks and threats. President Nicusor Dan said on Monday, when asked when he will go to the United States of America, that in his opinion, there is no question of a visit in 2025 "from one side or the other at the presidential level". "I believe that in Romania there will be a new administration, in the United States there has been an administration for six months. It is necessary, before that visit we are talking about, to consolidate technical relations on several levels. In my opinion, there is no question of a visit in 2025 from one side or the other at the presidential level. On the other hand, at the technical level, we will certainly try to work together on all levels," said Nicusor Dan, after attending the Vilnius Summit with B9 and Nordic countries. On May 28, President Nicusor Dan announced that he had a telephone conversation with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, in which the former reaffirmed his firm commitment to deepening the Strategic Partnership in all common priorities. AGERPRES special correspondent Oana Ghita reports: President Nicusor Dan said on Monday that he will most likely attend the Odessa Summit on June 11, where he will have "more technical" discussions on supporting Ukraine. The Romanian president is attending the Vilnius Summit with B9 and Nordic countries. Asked whether Romania will be more transparent about its support to Ukraine, he replied: "I don't know. So far I have not been able to assess the benefits and risks. In any case, Romania will continue to support Ukraine because it is a question of our own security. It is one thing to be in the existing situation, with a neighbor on the eastern border - Ukraine, with which we have a treaty since 1997, and another to have Russia". Nicusor Dan had a bilateral meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, but said he would not address the issue of military aid. "Most likely I will go to the summit in Odessa on June 11 and there the talks will be more technical," the head of state said. AGERPRES special correspondent Oana Ghita reports: President Nicusor Dan said on Monday that there is "a concern about long-term security in the Black Sea region, including in the Republic of Moldova". The Romanian head of state is on Monday on his first foreign trip since taking office and is attending the Vilnius Summit with B9 and Nordic countries, where he is holding a joint press conference alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Poland Andrzej Duda, and the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, hosted by the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda. Nicusor Dan recalled that the Bucharest 9 (B9) format started 10 years ago, after Russia's attacks on Crimea, when there was "a potential threat from Russia". The Romanian President added that "the potential threat has become real, with a three-year war in Ukraine and all our countries facing hybrid threats". He added that we are currently dealing not only with a conventional war, "but also hybrid actions against our countries'. At the same time, he stated that the next B9 Summit will take place in Bucharest in 2026. The high-level meeting in Vilnius was aimed at preparing for the NATO Summit in The Hague, scheduled for later this month. The Romanian president went on to affirm that "we need a stronger NATO". In refernce to the discussions on GDP allocations for Defence, Nicusor Dan said that "not only do we need to increase the allocation for Defence, but also to produce military equipment to defend ourselves". AGERPRES special correspondent Oana Ghita reports: Romania and Poland are two large countries on the Eastern Flank and, regardless of who won in Poland, they feel the same great threat from Russia and are obliged to collaborate, President Nicusor Dan declared on Monday. He participated in the B9 and Nordic Countries Summit in the Lithuanian capital city. "Unlike Romania, where two weeks ago we had a competition between a pro-Western candidate and a candidate who very often repeated Russia's narratives, in Poland we had a competition between a pro-European integration candidate and a candidate for greater independence of Poland from European structures, but both firmly anti-Russian. So from this perspective, our collaboration will not be difficult," said Nicusor Dan. Asked whether he congratulated the president-elect of Poland, he replied: "I congratulated Mr. Duda [Andrzej - the current president], who is from the same party." TAROM is joining the first global airline initiative to combat human trafficking, coordinated by the international alliance SkyTeam, of which it is a member, the national airline announced on Monday. SkyTeam and its member airlines issued a joint Anti-Human Trafficking Declaration in Delhi, on June 1, the first coordinated initiative of its kind by a global airline alliance to help prevent the scourge of human trafficking internationally. According to a company press release, human trafficking affects millions of people around the world, many of whom are transported by air, and as a partner in the SkyTeam Alliance, TAROM will actively contribute to its prevention by working with authorities and non-governmental organizations and by promoting an organizational culture based on vigilance, empathy and respect for human rights. "It was natural to join this global initiative launched by SkyTeam. Human trafficking has no place in the world we want to live in. Through education, collaboration and concrete action, we can make a real difference," TAROM CEO Costin Iordache was quoted as saying in the press release. In support of the Declaration, SkyTeam has set up a dedicated working group bringing together representatives from each member airline, and TAROM, like all member airlines, is committed to raising awareness among passengers and frontline staff, equip cabin and ground staff to identify and report suspicions of human trafficking, share best practices with other SkyTeam member airlines, and build partnerships with NGOs and authorities, including at government level. The declaration against human trafficking adopted by SkyTeam is based on five fundamental principles: ethical responsibility, empathy and respect, awareness and education, collaboration and partnerships, and support for survivors. "TAROM reiterates that aviation must be an area of complete safety. Together with its partners in SkyTeam, Romania's national airline is committed, in each of its travels, to protect human dignity and to take concrete action against exploitation," emphasizes the press release of the national air operator. Hair loss can be a frustrating experience, affecting self-esteem and overall appearance. But thanks to incredible advancements in medical aesthetics, hair transplant procedures are more effective, accessible, and natural-looking than ever before. From Istanbul to New York, the best clinics now combine innovation, artistry, and personalized care to deliver life-changing transformations. If youre considering a hair transplant in 2025, this list of the Top 11 Best Hair Transplant Clinic will help you make an informed decision. These clinics are recognized for their medical expertise, patient satisfaction, advanced techniques, and consistent results. 1. Smile Hair Clinic Istanbul, Turkey Smile Hair Clinic located in Istanbul the global capital of hair transplant tourism this state-of-the-art facility at affordable prices. Founded by renowned surgeons Dr. Gokay Bilgin and Dr. Mehmet Erdogan, Smile Hair Clinic specializes in FUE and DHI techniques, offering customized solutions based on facial anatomy and hair loss type. Why Smile Hair Clinic? Over 15,000+ successful transplants International patients from 75+ countries Personalized VIP medical tourism packages Multilingual medical team Cutting-edge technology & natural-looking results 2. Hasson & Wong Vancouver, Canada They are known for their precise art and surgical skills, and they focus on FUE and FUT with a heavy emphasis on natural density and design. 3. Hair Clinic Dr. Feriduni, Hasselt, Belgium Founder, Hair Clinic Dr. Feriduni He specializes in FUE, FUT, hairline reconstruction, and eyebrow and beard transplants. Dr. Bijan Feriduni is one of the most skilled and trustworthy hair transplant surgeons in Europe. He is recognized for his precise, creative approach and strong dedication to patient care. He does each treatment himself in his clinic in Belgium, making sure that both the method and the look are of the greatest quality. Dr. Feriduni's clinic draws in customers looking for natural, long-lasting results with a lot of care and attention to detail. They provide modern FUE and FUT treatments, as well as eyebrow and beard transplants. 4. Eugenix Hair Sciences Mumbai & Delhi, India Dr. Pradeep Sethi and Dr. Arika Bansal are in charge. Their individualized, high-density hair transplants have become famous all around the world, especially for people with Norwood 57 hair loss. 5. Dr. William Lindsey McLean, Virginia, USA One of the best FUE surgeons in the U.S. is Dr. William Lindsey. His clinic is regarded for both its surgical skills and its academic competence. He is also noted for producing peer-reviewed work in the field of hair restoration. 6. HDC Hair Clinic Nicosia, Cyprus People know that HDC Hair Clinic offers high-quality hair transplant procedures with a strong focus on customized care and natural outcomes. The clinic does sophisticated FUE treatments, thorough pre-operative exams, and devoted post-operative follow-up. HDC has been a popular alternative for foreign patients looking for comfort, knowledge, and reliable results because of its VIP service packages that include lodging, transportation, and assistance in many languages. 7. Bernstein Medical New York, USA Dr. Robert Bernstein, one of the most known figures in the profession, leads Bernstein Medical. They employ the ARTAS system. The clinic is noted for being professional and doing research. 8. Buk Clinic Brussels, Belgium Dr. Lupanzula and his colleagues put the needs of their patients first. Medikemos is great for people who want natural, artistic hairline work and care about every little thing. 9. Hair Science Institute Maastricht, Netherlands HST is better than regular FUE since it lets donor regions heal, which is great for those who don't have a lot of donor grafts or who want to have the procedure done numerous times. 10. HairTransplantation.gr Athens, Greece Dr. Konstantinos Anastassakis is in charge. Patients from all around Europe trust the clinic because it is open, follows medical ethics, and has a long-term patient care philosophy. 11. Farjo Hair Institute Manchester & London, UK Farjo Hair Institute is a well-known brand in hair restoration. They are noted for integrating advanced medical research with surgical skill. The clinic provides both FUE and FUT procedures that are customized for each customer. They put a lot of attention on creating a natural hairline and making sure the results last. Farjo is a great place to get world-class care in a professional, patient-focused setting. They have VIP services, a bilingual staff, and clients from all over the world. Why Is Istanbul the Epicenter of Hair Transplantation? Istanbul is the best place in the world for hair transplants, and Turkey is the best place overall. This is why: Experienced surgeons from throughout the world Modern facilities with the newest equipment Affordable operations that don't skimp on quality Full-service medical tourism services Quick reservations and short wait times Every year, more than a million individuals go to Turkey for hair transplants. Is Medical Tourism for Hair Transplant Safe? Yes if you choose a certified, experienced clinic. Many clinics, especially in Turkey, offer all-in-one services including: Pre- and post-operative consultations Airport pickups & hotel stays 24/7 patient support Multilingual staff Before booking, always check credentials, reviews, before/after photos, and ask for video testimonials to ensure you're making the right choice. Tips for Choosing the Right Clinic 1. Check the surgeon's experience. Don't pick a clinic unless you know who will be doing your procedure. 2. Look at the methods: FUE, DHI, or even HST? Know which approach works best for your hair type. 3. Look at Real Results: Pictures of what happened before and after are the best way to show success. 4. Find out about aftercaregood care after surgery is important for long-term outcomes. 5. Don't only look at the price. The cheapest clinic could cost you more in the long run. Final Thoughts Hair transplants in 2025 are more advanced and accessible than ever. Whether youre in your 20s battling early thinning or in your 50s seeking full restoration, todays clinics offer personalized solutions with impressive, natural results. This content is provided for informational purposes only by the contributor and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider for medical advice. Any views, thoughts or opinions in this contributor content belong solely to the contributor and do not represent the views of Lee Enterprises. Lee Enterprises newsroom and editorial were not involved in the creation of this content. MTN's mobile money (MoMo) service in South Sudan has teamed up with Onafriq, a pan-African payments provider, to offer inbound international remittance services. Consumers in the East African country can now receive money from 15 countries, including the UAE, Uganda, Kenya, the US and Australia. This comes as the MTN Group announced its expansion of its international remittances capabilities by launching 25 additional wallet corridors in 10 new countries. Meanwhile, a recent report suggests that within Africa as a whole, digital payment across borders is a very fast-growing market. Indeed, Africas cross-border payments market is on track to hit US$1 trillion by 2035, according to a new report by venture capital firm Oui Capital. The report suggests that the market is currently valued at US$329 billion and growing at a compound annual growth rate of 12%. It identifies, not too surprisingly, Africas booming digital adoption, increasing intra-African trade, and a surge in mobile money usage as the key growth drivers. At the same time Oui Capital says: Legacy rails, double currency conversions, and fragmented regulations still siphon billions in hidden costs, and adds that the continent continues to have the highest global remittance costs, averaging 78%. Then again, the report argues, there may be investment potential in addressing these inefficiencies, especially when digital innovation is continuing to reshape the landscape. Mobile money is now a key channel, with 30% of sub-Saharan remittances flowing through mobile wallets. ST. LOUIS An effort is underway at the Board of Aldermen to bar an online car-sharing service from using garages or lots within walking distance of St. Louis Lambert International Airports passenger terminals. A bill introduced Friday by Alderman Shane Cohn also would make it illegal for the online platform, Turo Inc., to operate anywhere at Lambert without signing a concession agreement with the airport. Such a deal would give Lambert a share of the revenue. Cohn, who also is on the city Airport Commission, said hes pushing for the ordinance to make sure theres a level playing field with traditional car rental firms whose customers have to take shuttle buses and vans to their own off-site facilities. That does seem to be an unfair practice, Cohn said of a proposed agreement pending at the commission that would allow Turo to operate at Lambert in the garage attached to Terminal 1 and a lot behind it. Cohns bill wouldnt block Turo from using two airport lots on the western edge of Lambert accessible by shuttle buses; thats also in the proposed agreement. Cohns bill was requested by the American Car Rental Association, whose members include traditional car rental firms that operate at Lambert. Aldermanic President Megan Green also is in favor, and her office has been working with Cohn on the measure, a spokesman said. Airport Director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge opposes the bill, which would limit Lamberts options in what could be included in an agreement with Turo. She said allowing Turo to operate out of the garage near Terminal 1 was key to getting the company to agree to pay Lambert 10% of gross revenues from rental transactions involving vehicle pickups and drop-offs at the airport. Thats the only way we can get that agreement, she said Friday, repeating what she told the commission in December when she unveiled the proposal. The commission has yet to vote on the deal. Traditional car rental firms already pay 10% of gross revenues at Lambert once they reach a minimum guaranteed fee in their individual agreements with the airport. At the December meeting, several commission members spoke against the proposed deal, citing the same fairness concerns expressed by Cohn, of Dutchtown. Among the critics on the panel were Sean Fitzgerald, who also is a vice president at Enterprise Mobility. St. Louis-based Enterprise owns three of the car rental brands operating at Lambert: Enterprise, Alamo and National. Since the December meeting, Hamm-Niebruegge has said she is trying to work out a version that most commission members can support but reiterated Friday that allowing Turo to use the Terminal 1 garage remains key. The commission will hold its next monthly meeting on Wednesday, but the issue isnt on the agenda. Turo is a peer-to-peer online platform through which people can rent vehicles from private owners at various locations, not just airports. A Turo spokeswoman, Catherine Mejia, has said some people who offer their vehicles for rental on Turo will meet the renter at Lambert, while many others unlock cars there via the Turo app. Owners list their vehicles on the Turo website and set a price, which renters pay plus a trip fee set by Turo. Turo has operated at Lambert at least since 2018, but Hamm-Niebruegge says theres no way now to monitor its activity at the airport. That can only be done through a concession agreement and partnership, she said. Mejia on Saturday called Cohns bill shameful. She said the proposed agreement worked out with Lambert would be aligned with those at more than 150 other airports. She said they bring a new revenue stream to airports, more consumer choice and additional economic opportunity for residents. A spokeswoman for Enterprise, Danielle Stuart, said Friday that the company, as a member of the car rental association, supports the bill that would create comparable rules for all car rental providers at the airport. Hamm-Niebruegge said she also opposes Cohns bill because its legally unclear whether a city ordinance could even regulate peer-to-peer platforms and car rental companies at the airport because it is located in unincorporated St. Louis County, not the city. Its a gray area legally, she said. We need to do some research. A person renting a vehicle from another person through Turo at the airport may never enter St. Louis city, she said. Under the proposed agreement with Lambert, Turo wouldnt get any reserved spaces in airport parking areas, and people driving Turo-related vehicles would have to pay the standard airport parking fees. Any agreement with Turo OKd by the commission also needs approval from the citys main fiscal body, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment. Lambert assigns curbside drop-off spaces outside Lamberts two terminals to traditional car rental firms based on the revenue amounts they offer to guarantee, with the highest bidder getting first choice. Hamm-Niebruegge says Lambert had rejected Turos own request for curbside access because of a lack of space and ongoing traffic congestion. She said the garage at Terminal 2, out of which dominant Lambert carrier Southwest Airlines flies, is too crowded to allow the Turo vehicles. Joe Holleman | Post-Dispatch Political correspondent/columnist Follow Joe Holleman | 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 Although it comes as no surprise, it now becomes official: St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Price Smith said Monday she will run next year as a Democrat for a full four-year term as the countys top prosecutor. I grew up in St. Louis County and I raised my kids in St. Louis County, Smith said. And I want to a safer St. Louis County for all of us. The first race will be the primary in August 2026, with the winner going on to the November general election. Smith, 56, was appointed Jan. 6 to the post the first woman to ever hold the position of the countys top prosecutor. She was appointed by Gov. Mike Parson to fulfill the unexpired term of Wesley Bell, who was elected in November to the U.S. House in Representatives. Smith said her current job is, in essence, the fulfillment of a dream. This is what Ive always wanted to do; Im a prosecutor, she said. Smith grew up in Creve Coeur and attended a strict ballet school. In her 20s, Price Smith put her ballet skills to work in Las Vegas as a dancer with her twin sister, former county prosecutor Teresa Price Bomkamp in the Siegfried and Roy show. Back in St. Louis, both became cheerleaders for the St. Louis Cardinals. Returning to school, Smith earned a bachelors degree in psychology from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and then got a law degree from St. Louis University. Her first prosecutorial job was with the St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office, and then she worked at a private law firm before joining the county prosecutors office in 2008. Before being appointed to her current post, she headed the offices child abuse and sex crimes unit. Smith said she has kept the promises, made when taking office six months ago, of bringing back specialized units on violent crime and homicide prosecutions, and also reducing the backlog of cases. When I took over, there were about 6,000 (cases) backlogged, and weve gotten that down to about 3,400, Smith said, giving credit to her staffs willingness to work weekends to reduce the load. Smith also noted that her office has taken special aim at gun crimes. We no longer offer probation on crimes involving firearms, she said. We hope that tougher stance eventually results in a reduction in the homicide rate. Smith said her campaign committee paperwork will be filed Monday with the Missouri Ethics Commission. Her mother, Margie Price, will serve as campaign treasurer. Price was the longtime director of St. Louis Mens Group Against Cancer and now is the business development manager of Make-A-Wish of Missouri and Kansas. Smiths appointment came amid a confrontation between Parson and County Executive Sam Page, who both claimed to have the appointing power for the vacancy left by Bells heading off to Congress. Pages choice was Cort VanOstran, a federal prosecutor and former candidate for U.S. Congress. The Missouri courts sided with Parson, and Smith took office instead of VanOstran. VanOstran said Monday he has no plan to run next year for the office. I wish (Smith) every success in carrying out the important role of prosecutor, he said. CLAYTON A man who was shot 11 times by a county police officer is suing the department for excessive force. The June 2020 shooting was the culmination of a police chase that started in the city and ended in St. Louis County during the civil unrest sparked by George Floyds death in Minneapolis. County police at the time said they were chasing Melvin Harris because they suspected he and the other men in the car had been looting in St. Louis city. Police also said the men had opened fire at city cops. Harris suit, filed last week, claims no one in the car ever fired shots during the incident. The men ditched the car and ran on foot during the chase. Thats when Officer Stanley Dooley fired at least 13 shots at the fleeing group. Eleven of those shots hit Harris, the suit says. Dooley did not know who the perceived threat was when he began to fire at a group of three fleeing suspects, the suit says. Dooley fired upon the closest and slowest suspect (which was plaintiff) without a reasonable belief (Harris) posed a threat of imminent death or serious physical injury. St. Louis County police declined to discuss the lawsuit on Monday, saying the agency does not comment on pending litigation. At the time of the June 2020 unrest, Dooley was a member of the departments Special Response Unit, a unit unveiled in 2018 to boost police presence in areas with increased violent crime and during other emergencies. Thursdays lawsuit says the unit was created following the 2014 Ferguson protests to combat ongoing civil unrest at a quicker pace. In the early morning hours of June 2, 2020, Harris had been driving a car in the city with two men near the Floyd protests, the suit says. Police at the time said the three men were looting businesses and city officers tried to stop the car but it sped off. St. Louis County police said the men had opened fire on the city officers. The chase went into St. Louis County, and a helicopter was called in to track Harris Impala. St. Louis County officers joined the chase when the car entered Jennings, police said at the time. Harris stopped the car on a dead-end street, in the 7300 block of Esterbrook Drive, and all three men ran away on foot, the suit says. Dooley and two other officers chased them into a wooded area, during which time Dooley shot in their direction. Police said they recovered two handguns one near Harris, and a second gun on the drivers seat of the car Harris had been driving, court records said. But the suit says Harris was unarmed, and the gun found in the woods was far away from him. Harris and Anthony Taylor were arrested. The third man escaped the scene, police said at the time. It is unclear if he was ever identified and charged. Harris was charged with assault first, armed criminal action and resisting arrest. Prosecutors eventually dismissed the assault charge and armed criminal action. Harris pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and was sentenced in August 2021 to four years in prison. Taylor, his co-defendant, was charged with assault first and armed criminal action and both of those charges were also dismissed, the suit says. He pleaded guilty to one count of resisting arrest and unlawful possession of a firearm and was sentenced to seven year in prison. Harris is suing Dooley and the St. Louis County Police Department for excessive force and failure to train and supervise. The suit asks for damages in excess of $50,000. Dooley has been with the department since June 2015 and is now a detective in the criminal investigation unit. CLAYTON Prosecutors have dropped a case against a Texas man accused of trying to dig up the grave of his grandmother at the Washington Park Cemetery in Berkeley. Zebulun Nash told officers he was trying to dig up his grandmothers corpse to relocate it to another cemetery on Aug. 22, 2023, according to court documents filed that year. Prosecutors dropped the charges Thursday. "Upon further investigation, the facts do not support proceeding with a criminal prosecution in this case," St. Louis County prosecutor's office spokesman Chris King said Monday. Nash lives in Houston, Texas. He and a friend, Jimmie V. Allen of Ferguson, were stopped by Berkeley police at the cemetery, at 4650 James S. McDonnell Boulevard. Dan Newman, a longtime volunteer at the historic Black cemetery, said Nash wanted to relocate relatives to a small Catholic cemetery in Hazelwood. Nash and Allen, both in their mid-seventies, were charged with attempting to destroy or deface cemetery property, a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine. Allen in mid-May entered a deferred prosecution agreement, according to court records. If he remains law abiding, employed and follows other program guidelines for six months, the charge will be dismissed. CLAYTON A man on Monday pleaded guilty in a crash that killed one construction worker and injured another last year. Deondre Robinson was set to stand trial this week for involuntary manslaughter, driving without a valid license and second-degree assault. Instead, the 20-year-old took a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to all three charges. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to recommend a 10-year prison sentence. "It's a well-prepared trial team that gets a defendant to plead guilty as charged on the day a case is set for trial," said St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Price Smith in a statement The April 5, 2024, crash happened as Patrick Aten and Robinson, both 18 at the time, were racing each other in the 9900 block of South Broadway. Police said Robinson lost control of his car and struck two construction workers. One of the workers, Christopher Johnson, 34, was dragged under Robinsons car and was pronounced dead at the scene. Another worker suffered serious injuries. Robinson's sentencing is scheduled for June 12. Aten's case could not be found in online court records Monday. FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS Just before midnight one day in February, a police officer here tried to pull over a Dodge Durango for speeding on Route 161. The SUV was going well over 80 mph in a 55 mph zone, the officer said. Instead of stopping, the Durango drove off, cutting off cars and speeding up, according to state documents. The vehicle was going so fast, the officer was eventually ordered to stop chasing. But a license plate reader caught the cars plate. The owner? A Pagedale cop. Now, Missouri authorities have filed a petition against 35-year-old Theo C. Reynolds peace officer license, detailing the traffic stop in Fairview Heights. Reynolds was an off-duty Pagedale police officer at the time of the chase. And his peace officer license had already been put on probation by the state after he tried to steal a shirt in 2019 at the South County Mall, according to the states filing. He is no longer with the Pagedale Police Department. Reynolds defense lawyer, Justin Whitton, said his client would not comment on the petition, filed in mid-May and uploaded to the state record system on Tuesday. Reynolds was hired by the St. Louis Lambert Airport Police Department in June 2018 and was issued his peace officer license that December. Just less than a year later, in November 2019, Reynolds tried to steal a shirt from the Dillards department store at the South County Mall. The state filed a petition against Reynolds for that incident in August 2021. While in the store, Reynolds apparently displayed his St. Louis Airport Police badge and department-issued firearm, the filing says. He had put the shirt down his pants, police reported, and left the store. A loss prevention team had recognized Reynolds from a previous shoplifting incident, the filing says. Outside of the store, the store manager confronted (Reynolds) about the missing shirt, it continues. There was a visible bulge in (his) pants. Reynolds admitted that he stole the shirt when he was caught. He was charged with petty larceny but got the charge reduced to littering and pleaded guilty. The court put him in a petty larceny offender program. In April 2022, the state put his peace officer license on a five-year probation because of the incident. He was hired by Rock Hill police that same month, according to the Post-Dispatch salary database. Rock Hill police did not respond to a request for comment for this story. In late January 2024, he was hired by the Pagedale department, according to salary records. Pagedale police Chief Anthony Huckleberry said his agency knew about Reynolds license probation when it hired him. But Huckleberry noted that such discipline does not automatically disqualify a candidate probationary periods on peace officer licenses happen for a variety of reasons and are fairly common. He said this is because the Missouri Department of Public Safety has a strict standard on what constitutes grounds for probation. The state uses probation, he said, to determine if the behavior is a pattern. Reynolds worked for the Pagedale department for more than a year before the Feb. 16 incident in Fairview Heights. Reynolds was driving so fast the officer could not keep up with him, the new filing says, and was eventually ordered to stop chasing the Durango. But a license plate reader caught the cars plate, and records indicated Reynolds owned the car. At first, the filing says, Reynolds admitted to officers that he owned the car but said he had been at his girlfriends apartment at the time of the chase. During that interview, police said he nervously and repeatedly asked how this was going to affect his employment at Pagedale Police Department. Two days later, he talked to police again. He denied any involvement but then told officers he was the only one with a key fob to the Durango. He was charged Feb. 20 with speeding and fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer. Those misdemeanor charges remain pending, according to online court records. The day after he was charged, the state filing says Pagedale police found him in violation of department standards for not notifying the agency of the charges. Huckleberry, the Pagedale chief, said his department opened an internal investigation. He also notified the states Peace Office Standards and Licensing program. We did exactly what we were supposed to do, the chief said. He was not a good fit for us. He resigned, and that was kind of it. Reynolds left the department March 10. A POST spokesman said he is not currently employed with an agency. Now, the Missouri attorney generals office is seeking to discipline Reynolds peace officer license for the second time. If an Administrative Hearing Commission judge rules there is cause for discipline, the director of the state Department of Public Safety will then decide whether to put Reynolds police license on probation, on suspension or revoke it altogether. Reynolds will have the right to appeal the decision in circuit court. ST. LOUIS The sounds of nail guns and roofing hammers echoed through the neighborhood as Lisa Mannery surveyed the impassible pile of branches stacked in her backyard. An HVAC unit hung precariously from the roof of the still-closed Save A Lot on Natural Bridge Avenue behind her house. Her roof, like many others nearby, was covered by a blue tarp, though shes able to stay in her home as she sorts through insurance and contractors. But many of Mannerys neighbors are living elsewhere while their homes are repaired. Several doors down, Vickii Grady said she will be staying elsewhere as she awaits fixes to her home. Another resident, David Jackson, said hes seen more than few U-Haul trucks in the two weeks since a tornado carved a path of destruction through St. Louis, killing five and significantly damaging nearly 2,500 buildings. The brunt of the storm fell on north St. Louis, already weighed down with a long decline in population and the resulting vacancy and associated problems. But the block of San Francisco Avenue near Natural Bridge and Newstead avenues where Mannery lives was mostly intact, and she is confident that her neighbors will rebuild and return to what she said is a tight-knit community. If we can make it through this, we can make it through anything, said Mannery, 69. And once we get this cleaned up, they coming back, and we going to be just as close as we were before. Her sentiment is shared by many on the citys north side, who have stayed despite weathering spotty services, crime and vacant buildings for years before the tornado. But experts worry the natural disaster will only accelerate the citys decades-long loss of population. The section of north St. Louis hit by the tornado already had seen population decline before disaster struck on May 16. U.S. Census population estimates show a decline of about 2,000 people there between 2020 and 2023, according to a Post-Dispatch analysis. While the destruction caused by the tornado isnt likely to reduce overall regional population, it probably will exacerbate north St. Louis population loss, said Ness Sandoval, a St. Louis University sociology professor who studies the regions demographics. Since 2010, he points to census estimates that show more than 7,500 people had already left the tornado zone. The neighborhoods it hit were the epicenter of Black population loss in the city, he said. Its not just millions of dollars thats going to fix this were talking hundreds of millions of dollars to try to stabilize this, at a minimum, Sandoval said. If the city is unable to do this and respond in a rapid rate, then this could accelerate pretty fast. Grasping for answers The tornado hit as St. Louis leaders already were grasping for ways to stem a loss of population that shows no sign of abating. Annual estimates released last month by the U.S. Census painted a grim picture for a city that has watched residents leave for more than a half-century. St. Louis lost an estimated 3,000 residents last year and more than 20,000 since 2020, sliding to just under 280,000 people. It was the largest decline on a percentage basis 7.2% among large U.S. cities of more than 200,000 people, Sandoval said. Mayor Cara Spencer campaigned on reversing the citys population loss, and last week, she doubled down on that goal, telling residents and clergy at a north side church she aimed to keep every displaced resident in the city. Her supporters welcomed the optimism, but a couple of days later, Spencer acknowledged keeping everybody and growing the citys population in the wake of the disaster was a tall order. Were trying to be intentional about keeping people in the community, Spencer told the Post-Dispatch Thursday. We dont want to prevent anybody from taking housing where they can, but we are trying to be intentional about keeping people here. At least one resident was already looking for a new place outside the city. Caleb Lands building was one of dozens heavily damaged in the hard-hit DeBaliviere Place neighborhood just north of Forest Park. South of Delmar Boulevard and the infamous Delmar divide that splits St. Louis in two, it was one of the few city neighborhoods that was growing, with new apartments catering to young professionals and students at nearby Washington University. Now, the once-leafy streets are lined with downed tree limbs and piles of building debris, while boards cover the windows of the stately brick apartment buildings. The ceiling had collapsed in Lands unit, and the building manager informed him and the 17 other tenants in the building at 308 Clara Avenue they had to leave by May 31 because Ameren would not restore power until the roof was repaired, according to an email Land shared. (A spokeswoman for the citys building division said it had not officially condemned any buildings as of Friday, so it had not forced the landlords decision.) On Friday, Land, 35, was busy packing up his belongings to move to a storage unit while he finds a new place, probably in St. Louis County. Id like to be, yeah, at least 20 minutes away from, like, the congestion of it all, he said. I have a dog, so, you know, trying to find a place that allows pets and, you know, a little bit of space for him, and just trying to relax because this has been awful. While Land hails from one of the densest neighborhoods in the city, where a single buildings damage can displace more than a dozen people, those are likely the neighborhoods easiest to repopulate because the type of residents who live there are more likely to return, Sandoval said. Thats one of the strengths of the city is that it does attract a lot of young people, he said. Its attracting a highly educated population now that are younger. But its families with children who are crucial for significant population growth, Sandoval said, and those families have been fleeing the city in droves, particularly from the north side. Keeping families with children St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Millicent Borishade said the district would take it day by day when asked whether she anticipated a significant drop in enrollment due to the tornado. School board President Karen Collins-Adams said it was not something the district can predict. But she said in other cities hit by large disasters, there has been a return of families and population after some time. Its only temporary because people like to come back to their roots, Collins-Adams said. Its true that other cities that have undergone disasters see a return of residents, Sandoval said. But if families experience better schools in suburban St. Louis school districts while theyre displaced, theyre less likely to come back to the city. Once families with children leave, even if its temporary, and they get out to the suburbs and then they start to compare the school districts in the suburbs to the St. Louis public school district, its going to be very difficult to bring those families back in, Sandoval said. And so thats the risk the city has. If families have to move out of the city temporarily, what history has shown us is that that temporary move becomes permanent. On Lee Avenue between OFallon and Fairground parks, convenience store owner Mustafa Hamed was back open selling snacks and groceries Tuesday after a week without power. The co-owner of Yeatman Market II at the corner of Turner and Lee avenues said many of his customers say they will stay or rebuild, but he expects business to slow down. People lost their houses, and theyre leaving, Hamed said. Its going to be different. Several blocks south, Greg Smiley, who raised his kids from a century-old home on Taylor Avenue and then bought the one next door for them, said change was trying to happen before the tornado hit. People were upgrading their houses, he said. A new convenience store and shopping plaza at Natural Bridge and Newstead recently opened but was all but destroyed by the storm. Now you look at it, they got to start all from scratch again, Smiley said. Smiley, 57, has already fixed the roofs on his homes, helped in part with free lumber given away by volunteers. He grew up in the neighborhood, and he believes his neighbors aint going nowhere. You want to be part of the rebuilding, definitely when youve lived here all your life, he said. If they going to upgrade around here, be a part of it. Grady, one of the residents on San Francisco who will stay elsewhere while her house is repaired, is also confident her neighbors will come back. But it wont be the same. Its not going to be the north side Ive known for 36 years because most of the buildings that Ive seen my entire life, theyre gone, Grady said. Its just going to be the new north side. Josh Renaud of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report. JEFFERSON CITY Nearly two dozen employees of the Missouri Secretary of States office were fired Friday in response to budget cuts imposed by the General Assembly. Republican Denny Hoskins, who took over as secretary in January, jettisoned the workers after lawmakers reduced his offices budget by 25 employees in early May. These layoffs are the direct result of legislative action, communications director Rachael Dunn said in an email Monday. We acted as soon as the budget was finalized by the legislature to provide staff with as much notice, support, and transition time as possible. Gov. Mike Kehoe has not yet signed the states overall $52.5 billion spending package. The 22 employees affected by the decision will be paid through the end of June. The workers include 17 in the state archives and five in the library division. The archives was created in 1965 to serve as the primary repository for state records of permanent historical value. Its holdings date from 1770 and include state publications, military records and photographic collections. The loss of 17 people in the 60-employee division is significant and will lead to diminished capacity. Missourians should expect delays and reduced service. This legislative cut will slow essential work, Dunn said. Along with slower processing and archiving of state records, requests for research and public records may be slower. These are core government functions, and their disruption will be felt across the state, she added. The archives currently hold more than 336 million pages of paper; 770,000 photographs; 9,000 maps; 66,000 reels of county government records on microfilm, 560 cubic feet of published state documents and 1,000 audio/video items. The employee cuts were imposed in the Senate, where Hoskins had served on the budget-writing committee before he was elected to statewide office in the November election. At the time, Sen. Mike Cierpiot, R-Lees Summit, said he thought his former colleague would welcome a decrease in his budget after Hoskins spent his tenure in the Senate pressing for budget cuts if positions in state departments went unfilled for lengthy periods of time. I thought wed have a willing partner to do this, Cierpiot said. But Hoskins and members of the Senates conservative bloc complained about the reductions. Dunn said Hoskins continues to support efficient government and responsible staffing levels. But, she said, These cuts go far beyond eliminating bloat they cut into active, productive staff and hinder the offices ability to serve Missourians. Thats a distinction that matters deeply when youre responsible for delivering results. Sen. Ben Brown, R-Washington, said clashes between members of the GOP conservative caucus and mainline Republicans might be part of political grudges left over from last years election year wrangling that roiled the Senate for much of last year. Brown called it retribution. It comes off as perhaps a bit of pettiness, Brown said. I certainly hope this is something that can be rectified. BOULDER, Colo. A man posing as a gardener to get close to a group in Boulder holding their weekly demonstration for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza planned to kill them all with Molotov cocktails, authorities said Monday. But he had second thoughts and only threw two out of his 18 incendiary devices into the group of about 20 people, yelling "Free Palestine" and accidentally burning himself, police said. Twelve people were injured in the Sunday attack. He had gas in a backpack sprayer but told investigators he didn't spray it on anyone but himself "because he had planned on dying." "He said he had to do it, he should do it, and he would not forgive himself if he did not do it," police wrote in an affidavit. He didn't carry out his full plan "because he got scared and had never hurt anyone before." Mohamad Sabry Soliman, 45, planned the attack for more than a year and specifically targeted what he described as a "Zionist group," authorities said in court papers charging him with a federal hate crime. The suspect's first name also was spelled Mohammed in some court documents. Federal and state prosecutors filed separate criminal cases against Soliman, charging him with a hate crime and attempted murder, respectively. He faces additional state charges related to the incendiary devices, and more charges are possible in federal court, where the Justice Department will seek a grand jury indictment. During a state court hearing Monday, Soliman appeared briefly via a video link from the Boulder County Jail wearing an orange jumpsuit. Another court hearing is scheduled for Thursday. Soliman is being held on a $10 million, cash-only bond, prosecutors said. An FBI affidavit says Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody Sunday and told the police he was driven by a desire "to kill all Zionist people," a reference to the movement to establish and protect a Jewish state in Israel. Soliman's attorney, public defender Kathryn Herold, declined to comment after the hearing. The attack happened on the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot and barely a week after a man who also yelled "Free Palestine" was charged with fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staffers outside a Jewish museum in Washington. Six victims hospitalized The victims who were wounded range in age from 52 to 88, and the injuries spanned from serious to minor, officials said. All four of the latest victims had what police described as minor injuries. Six of the injured were taken to hospitals, and four were since released, said Miri Kornfeld, a Denver-based organizer connected to the group. She said the clothing of one of those who remains hospitalized caught on fire. The volunteer group called Run For Their Lives was concluding their weekly demonstration to raise visibility for the hostages in Gaza when video from the scene shows a witness shouting, "He's right there. He's throwing Molotov cocktails." A police officer with his gun drawn advances on a bare-chested suspect who is holding containers in each hand. Witness Alex Osante of San Diego said he was across the pedestrian mall when he heard the crash of a bottle breaking and a "boom" followed by people yelling and screaming. In video of the scene captured by Osante, people could be seen pouring water on a woman lying on the ground who Osante said had caught on fire during the attack. Molotov cocktails found Soliman said he dressed like gardener with an orange vest to get as close to the group as possible, even purchasing flowers from Home Depot, police wrote. Osante said after the suspect threw the two incendiary devices, apparently catching himself on fire as he threw the second, he took off his shirt and what appeared to be a bulletproof vest before the police arrived. The man dropped to the ground and was arrested without any apparent resistance in the video Osante filmed. District Attorney Michael Dougherty said law enforcement recovered 16 unused Molotov cocktails. The devices were made of glass wine carafe bottles or jars with clear liquid and red rags hanging out of the them, the FBI said. Soliman told investigators he constructed homemade Molotov cocktails after doing research on YouTube and buying the ingredients. "He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year and was waiting until after his daughter graduated to conduct the attack," the affidavit says. Soliman also told investigators he took a concealed carry class and tried to buy a gun but was denied because he is not a legal U.S. citizen. Suspect hospitalized Authorities said they believe Soliman acted alone. He was also injured and taken to a hospital. Authorities did not elaborate on the nature of his injuries, but a booking photo showed him with a large bandage over one ear. Soliman lived in the U.S. illegally after entering the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said on social media. McLaughlin said Soliman filed for asylum in September 2022 and was granted a work authorization in March 2023 that expired. DHS did not immediately respond to requests for additional information. Soliman, who was born in Egypt, moved to Colorado Springs three years ago, where he lived with his wife and five kids, according to state court documents. He previously spent 17 years living in Kuwait. A Brazilian renewable energy company, Casa dos Ventos, has been given the go-ahead from the countrys power grid regulator for a 300-megawatt data centre project in the Pecem port complex in Ceara, northeastern Brazil. According to the Data Centre Dynamics website, Casa dos Ventos has been in discussions with ByteDance, the Chinese partner company of TikTok, about a major data centre investment in the region. Reuters adds that the total investment in infrastructure and equipment for the data centre development is expected to reach BRL50 billion (US$8.8 billion). Casa dos Ventos says it now plans to start construction in the second half of this year and begin operations in January 2027. Wind power does seem to be the likely source of at least some of the energy used by the new development. Casa dos Ventos partnered in 2022 with global integrated energy company TotalEnergies on its wind power portfolio. In addition, Casa dos Ventos (House of the Winds in Portuguese) is said to be increasingly targeting data centre developers as crucial offtakers of its wind energy portfolio. The company has said that it has a portfolio of 3.1GW of operational wind power assets, in addition to a further 30GW currently under development. The proposed northeastern Brazil project did suffer an early hiccup when it was rejected due to stability concerns, but a technical reassessment by Brazils national power grid operator and the Ministry of Mines and Energy has apparently cleared the way for authorisation of the project. While Latin America has seen a lot of data centre activity lately, concerns have been expressed about the effect of this growth on water supplies. However, Casa dos Ventos has said its project will use closed loop cooling systems, significantly reducing water demand. On Jan. 6, 2021, the mob that then-President Donald Trump flung at the U.S. Capitol was breaking windows and bashing doors to get at legislators who were preparing to officially certify Trumps clear electoral defeat from the previous November. One thing protected lawmakers from his violent minions: a thin blue line of officers from various law enforcement agencies, who bravely put themselves between democracy and its unhinged assailants. At least one of those officers, Brian Sicknick, died after collapsing from two strokes during the attack. Several others died shortly after by suicide. At least 140 officers who pushed back at Trumps thugs that day were wounded, many of them seriously. In a sane political world, those thugs would all be moldering in prisons right now, and Trump would have been rendered a permanent pariah to both parties and every serious voter in America, if not incarcerated himself. Alas, were not in that world. Trump is back in the White House, and his self-proclaimed law-and-order party is playing accomplice to his attempts to rewrite the history of that tragic day, venerating the thugs and erasing the thin blue line. The congressional acquiescence to that project is especially pathetic. The current GOP House majority is refusing to carry out the legally mandated installation of a modest plaque in the Capitol to honor those officers. Indeed, they are refusing to even talk about it. Every police officer in America and every American who claims to honor those officers should be loudly asking why. In 2022, a House-approved spending package included authorizing a Capitol memorial to the police agencies that protected that Capitol that day. The House was under Democratic control at the time and Democratic President Joe Biden signed the measure into law. But to suggest those circumstances made it partisan legislation would be to concede that the GOP was no longer supportive of law enforcement if it conflicted with Trumps self-interest. Indeed, the votes of the 39 House Republicans who supported the measure would seem to dispute that notion. Yet three years later, the plaque is, as The Washington Post recently put it, sitting in a Capitol basement utility room surrounded by tools and maintenance equipment. The office of the Architect of the Capitol says that (notwithstanding the federal law that was passed) it cannot install it until House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., directs it. So far, that office hasnt. Lest anyone imagine there is some hidden partisan agenda within the text of memorial, here is what it says, in its entirety: On behalf of a grateful Congress, this plaque honors the extraordinary individuals who bravely protected and defended this symbol of democracy on January 6, 2021. Their heroism will never be forgotten. It goes on to list the more than 20 law enforcement agencies that defended the Capitol that day. What serious American political leader could possibly object to that? None could unless of course theyre members of a political party whose standardbearer and president has, to his and the nations eternal shame, blanket-pardoned most of the almost 1,600 attackers of the Capitol. Including those who assaulted and in some cases possibly contributed to the deaths of police officers. Including more than a dozen who were convicted of seditious conspiracy. As if that bid to erase history wasnt enough, the Trump administration last month paid almost $5 million to settle the bizarre wrongful-death claim filed by the family of rioter Ashli Babbitt. Any death in such circumstances is tragic. But this was someone who was shot after she ignored officers shouted warnings to cease while breaking through a window to illegally enter the Capitol. How is it possible that the family of an assailant against democracy gets a seven-figure settlement from the taxpayers, but those same taxpayers elected representatives cannot bring themselves to install a 43-by-32-inch plaque honoring the police officers who protected the Capitol from the likes of her? We tried to ask Missouris highest-ranking House member, Rep. Jason Smith, Republican chair of the House Ways & Means Committee, but we didnt hear back from his press office. So well just quote from a statement Smiths office posted during National Police Week last month, titled The Thin Blue Line. When President Trump talks about bringing back common sense, there is no issue where he means it more than on crime, gushes Smiths post. It goes on to list a litany of crimes that America has endured lately. But is utterly silent regarding the one that never happened in the history of our country before Jan. 6, 2021 the one that attacked not just individuals, but our entire form of government. That one that Trump himself enabled. This week and every week I am so grateful for our nations police officers, and I join in saying Thank You to the men and women who protect us,' says Smiths post. If he meant that, he would, along with the rest of his GOP colleagues, press Speaker Johnson to prioritize respect for the law above this lawless president and install that plaque. Manufacturers Want a Cut of Publishers CTV Monetization. Have They Earned It? The expansive growth of the connected TV (CTV) landscape brought with it an explosion of new video content and by extension, new opportunities for publishers to monetize. And yet, the landscape has been evolving in a direction where publishers dont have full monetization of their video content. So who else is vying for control? Increasingly, its the CTV device makers the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the streaming platforms. Those businesses believe that because theyre necessary parts of the ad delivery process, they deserve a share of ad revenue. And publishers are pushing back in part because they dont want this practice to spread to in-content monetization. Theyre adopting new ad formats and deals with advertisers to monetize outside of the ad break itself. They risk losing monetization in these areas where OEMs and platforms have a much shakier case to argue. The open web wasnt built for these kinds of revenue shares Realistically, OEMs and streaming platforms are going against established precedent in digital advertising by demanding a revenue share from publishers. On the web, in the browser, the consumer visits a site where theyre served an ad. Then, the advertiser pays the publisher for the impression. Everyone agrees this is an even exchange. The publishers content, after all, is what draws the audience. CTV is another story. In CTV, the publisher produces the video content, which is delivered to the consumer through an app. The publisher may own the app, or the app may be owned by a third-party platform. Then theres the connected devices operating system, which in turn is running on hardware made by a device manufacturer. We would consider it absurd if web browsers were to expect a share, but the industry has somehow normalized an analogous practice in CTV. CTV monetization goes beyond ad breaks and into publishers content Its high time for industry leaders to seriously ask why OEMs and third-party platforms deserve a revenue share from the publishers video content. There are some real answers: unlike the web, the CTV landscape is not an open ecosystem. App and hardware providers have some control in deciding which buyers are allowed into the ad breaks. But the argument that they deserve a share starts to fall away when we consider how publishers are monetizing within the content itself, rather than within ad pods. Publishers are increasingly leaning into sponsorships, product placements, and in-content ad formats that support dynamic creative and allow for precise targeting. In many cases, in-content monetization comes from the publisher and the brand making a direct deal. Third-party CTV platforms and OEMs are now trying to control that in-content monetization as well even though its hard to make a solid case that theyre responsible for the viewers in-content ad experience. Publishers are now struggling to manage ad experiences and monetization on a platform-by-platform basis. Some have been told by CTV platforms and OEMs to either disable formats such as overlays or cut a revenue share. Its inefficient and operationally taxing for publishers, and it leaves revenue on the table. To have an intermediary blocking in-content monetization simply because that intermediary doesnt stand to gain revenue isnt just limiting to publishers, it stifles innovation. Of course, we also need to consider the possibility that OEMs and platforms might make moves toward stifling unique ad formats and in-content ad product innovation so they can develop and launch their own. If that were to happen, publishers would lose control of those monetization channels not only ceding the monetization itself, but also the audiences overall experience with ads and content, to third parties. We have to keep in mind OEMs and CTV platforms current share in monetization is the end result of years of CTV evolution. Publishers and tech vendors cant let this evolution continue toward further and further loss of control. Time for a new normal for contracts and negotiations Publishers and their adtech partners need to advocate for their businesses, to draw clear boundaries around their monetization channels, and to codify how in-content monetization works in CTV. First: Where should those boundaries be drawn? Publishers should draw a line protecting their full monetization of any ads inserted during filming or production. These are ads that are not dynamic every viewer sees the same ad at the same point in the contents flow and not in the ad pod. By the same logic, it would make sense for OEMs and platforms to retain monetization from their home screen ads, screensaver ads, and pause ads. Publishers task right now is to assert control over monetization in any perceived gray areas. These are programmatic ads in addressable environments, and theyre dynamic so they would include any dynamic product placements and dynamic non-linear ads, in addition to programmatically served linear ads. Publishers will then need to start baking suitable and sustainable guidelines into their contracts with publishers, CTV platforms, and OEMs. The most meaningful and controllable approach is for publishers to own these relationships contractually, rather than relying on adtech vendors to negotiate the specific terms. This is where the opportunity arises to clear up that perception of a gray area, and to specify what counts as a sponsorship and what counts as a programmatic ad. In these negotiations and deals, publishers will need to consider not only the ad executions and monetization strategies theyre using now, but those that may be coming in the future. The contractual language needs to address and provide sensible guidelines for future innovation. The language needs to be written in a way that preserves publishers ability to fully monetize new and innovative in-content formats, before they lose their chance to stake that claim. And platforms need to be more open to ad experiences and formats that provide optimal user experience, rather than fixating on what they know and dismissing true innovation. CTV ad revenue will only continue to grow into the foreseeable future, and its forecast to grow at a rate of 6.9% per year through 2029 . What percentage of that revenue growth will go into the pockets of the publishers, who produce the content and earn the audiences engagement? To support innovation in CTV monetization strategy and to continue funding the production of new, high-quality content that keeps the audience growing publishers need to envision and advocate for a future where they have control over in-content monetization. [Editor's note: This is a contributed article from GumGum. Streaming Media accepts vendor bylines based solely on their value to our readers.] Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Related Articles An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 355th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, taxis at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, May 6, 2025. (Amy Kelley/U.S. Air Force) A stealth fighter made a precautionary landing at Kadena Air Base last week, marking the latest in a series of similar incidents at the Okinawa installation since January, according to a local media report. The F-35A Lightning II touched down on the bases southern runway at 11:35 a.m. Friday, the Okinawa Times reported the following day, citing an uncredited photo. Maintainers inspected the aircraft, which was towed to the tarmac about 40 minutes later, the report said. The 18th Wing at Kadena declined to confirm the incident in an email to Stars and Stripes on Monday. Precautionary landings are standard procedure when pilots notice something out of the ordinary with their aircraft, an unsigned statement said. We are committed to conducting safe flight operations as we uphold our defense commitments. The incident follows several other precautionary landings at Kadena in recent months. On April 3, an F-35A landed at the base and was met by emergency vehicles, according to the Okinawa Defense Bureau, an arm of Japans Ministry of Defense. The aircraft experienced an oil leak, according to an Okinawa Times report citing an unnamed ministry official. Two F-16 Fighting Falcons made precautionary landings at Kadena on Jan 29 and 30 due to possible jammed bullets, the Ryukyu Shimpo reported at the time. An F-16 made a precautionary landing there on Jan. 13, followed by an F-22 Raptor on Jan. 12. The 18th Wing has not confirmed those incidents. Kadena has relied on rotational deployments of fourth- and fifth-generation fighters since the Air Force began phasing out the wings aging fleet of F-15C/D fighters in 2022. Since April, Kadena has hosted F-35As from the 355th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, and the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. In July, the Air Force announced it would permanently station 36 F-15EX Eagle IIs at Kadena to replace the retired fleet. The new aircraft are expected to begin arriving between March and June 2026, wing commander Brig Gen. Nicholas Evans said in March. The court-martial for an Army major charged with raping or sexually assaulting more than a dozen women in the Washington, D.C., region between 2019 and 2023 begins this week at Fort Meade, Md. (U.S. Army) The court-martial for an Army major charged with raping or sexually assaulting more than a dozen women in the Washington, D.C., region between 2019 and 2023 is set to begin this week at Fort Meade, Md. Maj. Jonathan Batt faces charges for more than 63 accusations, including 10 specifications of rape, and 15 of sexual assault against 17 women, according to the Armys Office of Special Trial, which prosecutes sexual cases in the service. He also faces aggravated assault, battery, abusive sexual contact and obstruction of justice charges in the case. Batt has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and specifications brought against him, his civilian attorney Nathan Freeburg said. Jury selection was set to begin Monday. The Army initially charged Batt in October, when the service charged him with 76 violations of the military law known as the Uniform Code of Military Justice. He was originally charged with violating 20 women, but several of the charges were dropped as the case proceeded in court. At least some of the charges were dropped because some of the victims declined to participate in the case, said Michelle McCaskill, the spokeswoman for the Office of Special Trial. Newly released charging sheets show the Army accused Batt of carrying out a range of sexual and aggravated assaults on women mostly in Arlington, Va., and Washington. Some of the women accused Batt of choking them with his hands, a pillowcase, rope and his own shirt until they were unconscious before he raped them. In other instances, he is accused of using sex toys and his fingers to violate victims against their will and with an intent to gratify his own sexual desire, according to the charging documents. Some of the accusers said Batt bit and slapped them without consent. The obstruction of justice charge comes from an interaction in which he told an individual not to speak with someone posing as a police officer who might contact that person about sexual assault allegations that some women are making against me, according to the charging documents. Batt is a 2007 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. He commissioned as an infantry officer and he has served with the 82nd Airborne Division, the 5th Ranger Training Brigade, the 3rd Infantry Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment and the 3rd Infantry Regiment, according to service records. He has served at least four combat tours in Afghanistan, and he most recently was assigned to the Defense Departments Joint Artificial Intelligence Center in northern Virginias Crystal City. He has elected to be tried by military jury, known as a panel, Freeburg said. That panel must be made up entirely of officers who are senior to Batt, by law. Panel selection is expected to run at least through Tuesday, and the trial is scheduled through June 27, McCaskill said. The rape charges carry a potential life sentence, according to the UCMJ. Freeburg declined to comment directly on his clients case ahead of the trial. Prosecutors are expected to paint Batt as a womanizer who used dating apps to meet most of the women who have accused him of assault, according to a source close to the case with direct knowledge of the investigation. Charging documents show some of the accusers told investigators that Batt attacked them multiple times. The case first came to light when an accuser reported to police in Alexandria, Va., that she was assaulted by Batt after meeting him via a dating app, according to the source close to the case. That accuser declined to press charges, but Alexandria police launched an initial probe and eventually turned the case over to the Armys Criminal Investigation Division, whose agents uncovered additional accusers and built the case against Batt, the source said. In addition to the rape and sexual assault charges, Batt faces 13 specifications of aggravated assault by strangulation, one specification of aggravated assault by suffocation, 20 specifications of assault consummated by a battery, and one specification of obstructing justice, McCaskill said. The victims are almost all civilians with no relation to the military, according to Josh Connolly, the senior vice president for Protect Our Defenders, a human rights group focused on ending military sexual assault. While accusers in the military or with military family members receive victims advocate services from the military, civilian accusers do not have rights to those services under current law. The case against Maj. Batt is a glaring example of the militarys repeated failure to protect both service members and civilians from predators within its ranks, Connolly said in a statement Monday. With at least 20 alleged victims and abuse spanning years, this case underscores just how broken and unaccountable the system remains especially when civilians, who wont receive legal representation from the military, are among the harmed. Many of Batts accusers are expected to testify at trial, said Ryan Guilds, a lawyer who is representing six of the accusers. Trial is a long time in coming, he said. My clients are eager to speak the truth and see justice done but know it may never come. Color guard soldiers stand at attention at Tower Barracks in Grafenwoehr, Germany, on June 1, 2025, during a ceremony transferring a U.S. Army mission in Bavaria to train Ukrainian troops from a Pennsylvania Army National Guard unit to one from the Tennessee Army National Guard. (Leanne Demboski/U.S. Army) GRAFENWOEHR, Germany The U.S. militarys training of Ukrainian forces in Bavaria switched to a new Army National Guard unit over the weekend, as Russia appears poised to launch a new offensive in a war well into its third year. On Sunday, 150 soldiers from the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment of the Tennessee Army National Guard replaced the 56th Stryker Brigade of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard during a ceremony at Tower Barracks in Grafenwoehr, according to an Army statement the same day. The Tennessee soldiers, collectively known as Task Force Saber, will train their Ukrainian counterparts in joint maneuver and combined arms at 7th Army Training Command facilities for nine months. Their efforts are part of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine mission, which falls under the leadership of U.S. European Command, U.S. Army Europe and Africa and the Security Assistance Group-Ukraine. The rotation marks the first to Grafenwoehr for the cavalry regiment, which deployed in a training capacity to Ukraine in 2018. Col. Donny Hebel, commander of the cavalry regiment, spoke of the units legacy of having fought in every major U.S. conflict. Col. Donny Hebel, right, and Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Haynes of the Tennessee Army National Guard uncase the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiments colors during a ceremony June 1, 2025, at Tower Barracks in Grafenwoehr, Germany. The ceremony marked the handover of the U.S. Army training of Ukrainian soldiers in Germany to the cavalry regiment. (Arturo Guzman/U.S. Army) Col. Donny Hebel, commander of the Tennessee Army National Guards 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, speaks at the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine mission transfer of authority ceremony in Grafenwoehr, Germany, June 1, 2025. (Arturo Guzman/U.S. Army) Task Force Saber, I am confident that we possess the necessary expertise to succeed in this critical mission, Hebel told his soldiers Sunday. This mission is of paramount strategic importance, directly supporting U.S. national interests. Approximately 23,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained at two Army installations in Bavaria since April 2022, training group spokesman 1st Lt. Tam Le said Monday. The transfer comes at a watershed moment in the Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022 with the Kremlins full-scale invasion. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday that there is credible evidence Russian President Vladimir Putin is planning a new offensive for the summer or early fall, The Associated Press reported. Meanwhile, a new round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine began Monday in Turkey on the heels of a widespread drone attack by Ukraine deep in Russian territory that Ukrainian officials say destroyed more than 40 aircraft. Also on Sunday, Russia launched 472 drones against Ukraine, the biggest number since the start of the war, the AP reported. Over 790,000 Russian soldiers are estimated to have been killed or wounded since the start of the war, the Congressional Research Service said last week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in February that his country had suffered 426,000 casualties. Media members stand outside Naha District Court in Okinawa on June 2, 2025, following the first trial day for a U.S. Marine accused of attempted sexual assault. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes) NAHA, Okinawa A U.S. Marine accused of strangling and injuring a Japanese woman during an attempted sexual assault appeared in Japanese court Monday and denied the charges against him. Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton, 22, of Ohio, pleaded not guilty in Naha District Court to non-consensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury. A three-judge panel, led by Judge Kazuhiko Obata, presided over the proceedings accompanied by six lay judges, who are comparable to jurors in the American justice system. Clayton was on Okinawa as a machine gunner with an unspecified unit attached to the 3rd Marine Division under the Unit Deployment Program, a Marine spokesman Capt. Kazuma Engelkemier said by email Monday. Claytons case, along with that of U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brennon Washington, who is appealing a December conviction for sexually assaulting a minor, has fueled public backlash and protests from Okinawas government. In response, the U.S. military imposed tighter liberty restrictions on troops in Japan. Two other U.S. service members stationed on Okinawa have since been indicted on separate sexual assault charges. Claytons trial began at 10 a.m., with prosecutor Shuhei Hisaoka reading the charges aloud. Judge Obata asked the Marine if any part of the statement was untrue. Clayton denied attempting to sexually assault the woman. I didnt strangle her, he said. I didnt cause her any damage or harm. According to the indictment, Clayton allegedly choked the woman in the village of Yomitan on May 26, 2024. He is accused of unbuttoning her pants and attempting to sexually assault her. The woman, who resisted the alleged assault, sustained injuries to her eyes and mouth that required two weeks to heal, prosecutors said. Assistant prosecutor Rihoko Kosaka said during opening remarks that Clayton and the woman, then 25, had not met before the incident. She said the woman, identified only as A, had been drinking with her partner and friends on Gate 2 Street in Okinawa City the night before and became separated from them early the following morning. Kosaka said Clayton approached A at 5:59 a.m., and after a brief interaction, they rode a taxi together to a location near the home of As partner in Yomitan. A entered a convenience store to text a friend for help, then walked with Clayton to her partners residence. The alleged assault took place in the homes entranceway while her partner was asleep inside, Kosaka said. Claytons defense attorney, Kotaro Ito, presented a different version of events. He said the two visited a convenience store near Gate 2 Street, then sat in As car parked in a lot inside a business complex called Koza Music Town. From there, they took a taxi to Yomitan and stopped at another convenience store so A could use the bathroom, Ito said. Ito said Clayton and A embraced before Clayton took a taxi to an Airbnb in Onna village. After a 20-minute recess, prosecutors showed photographs of the Yomitan house, screenshots of text messages and images of blood spots in the womans eyes. Hisaoka said the injuries were consistent with being choked for one to two minutes, citing an expert opinion from Kenji Ninomiya, a researcher at the University of the Ryukyus Graduate School of Medicine. Video footage from the taxi ride and Claytons Airbnb was played for the judges, prosecution and defense. The defense also presented DNA analysis and surveillance footage from the convenience store and Koza Music Town. Ito told reporters after the hearing that As partner, a U.S. citizen under the status of forces agreement that governs American military personnel in Japan, claimed he saw Clayton that morning. He reiterated that Clayton did not previously know him or A. The woman is scheduled to testify in court Tuesday. Her partner is expected to testify Wednesday. Five AV-8B Harrier II's with Marine Attack Squadron 231 fly in formation during the squadrons final flight ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina on May 29, 2025. (Bryan Giraldo/U.S. Marine Corps) This story has been corrected The Marine Corps oldest flying squadron recently took another step toward the services retirement of a venerable vertical takeoff aircraft to make way for its fifth-generation successor. Marine Attack Squadron 231 bid farewell Thursday to the AV-8B Harrier II with a final flight, the service said in a statement the same day. Known as the Ace of Spades, the Cherry Point, N.C.-based squadron is slated to deactivate in September and will reactivate in 2026 as a fighter attack squadron operating the F-35 Lightning II. That will leave Marine Attack Squadron 223, also based at the air station in North Carolina, as the last one in the Corps flying the Harrier until it deactivates in 2026. Two members of that squadron, Capts. Joshua Corbett and Sven Jorgensen, became the last two Marines trained on the aircraft, and last spring they received the 7509 military occupational specialty reserved for Harrier-qualified pilots. The Harrier II, a light attack vertical takeoff aircraft, has been a mainstay of the squadron for four decades. It is one of three jets in the military due to be replaced by fifth-generation aircraft, the other two being the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the F/A 18 Hornet. A definitive timeline for the Ace of Spades to become fully operational with the F-35B Lightning II has not yet been released, 1st Lt. Duncan Stoner, a 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing spokesperson, said Friday. With a legacy spanning more than a century, the squadron has been at the forefront of Marine Corps aviation modernization. It flew the original Hawker-Siddeley AV-8A Harrier in 1973, according to its official history. The squadron supported operations including Desert Storm and Desert Shield, its official history page says. Most recently, the squadron contributed to Operation Prosperity Guardian, a Red Sea-based effort to deter Houthi attacks, which began in late 2023, according to a statement issued Thursday. With the arrival of the F-35s, the squadron will be more capable of responding to any crisis, squadron commander Lt. Col. Paul Truog said during a ceremony Thursday. But that capability is not just because its our most technically advanced weapons system, he added. That capability is because of the Marines and the pilots that, in record amounts, raise their hands saying, I want to continue on, I want to keep moving forward. Jordan Wallace greeted her husband and sailor with a kiss, while cradling the couples 3-month-old daughter, Maren. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) NORFOLK, Va. The ship is coming! a disembodied voice shouted from a cheering crowd as the USS Harry S. Truman approached the pier. Thousands of flag-waving, sign-carrying loved ones welcomed the aircraft carrier and its sailors home Sunday following a brutal eight-month deployment that was marred by conflict and mishaps. A banner of the combat action ribbon was stretched across the island of the carrier, and on the right side of the ships flank, large gashes jutted out from a collision both evidence of what the Truman and its crew had been through. These sailors stepped up day in and day out. They did not cower. They did not fall back. They just kept fighting and fighting, said Capt. Christopher Hill, the commanding officer of the Truman. Sailors donning their dress whites manned the rails of the USS Harry S. Truman on Sunday, June 1, 2025, as the ship returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., from an eight-month deployment to the Mediterranean and Red Sea. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, leads a media conference on Sunday, June 1, 2025, on the pier at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) Thousands of loved ones welcomed the USS Harry S. Truman and its sailors to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., on Sunday, June 1, 2025, following a brutal eight-month deployment that was marred with conflict and mishaps. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) Loved ones crowded bleachers on the pier to welcome the USS Harry S. Truman and its sailors to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., on Sunday, June 1, 2025, following a brutal eight-month deployment that was marred with conflict and mishaps. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) Thousands of loved ones welcomed the USS Harry S. Truman and its sailors to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., on Sunday, June 1, 2025, following a brutal eight-month deployment that was marred with conflict and mishaps. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) The Truman conducted 50 days of continuous strikes, including the launch of Tomahawk land attack missiles and precision airstrikes, meant to degrade Houthi capabilities and disrupt threats to commercial shipping. All in all, Hill said the Truman fired more than 1.1 million pounds of ordnance against enemy targets. Of that, 125,000 pounds were launched against Islamic State terrorists in northeast Somalia in what the Navy has called the largest airstrike in history launched from an aircraft carrier. We didnt just deploy. We delivered, said Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander of the strike group. We were ready to confront any adversary with top-notch warfighting lethality and readiness, and I could not be more proud of what we achieved. While leadership characterized the Trumans deployment based on its successes, the strike group was also plagued with mishaps, including the loss of three fighter jets that cost about $67 million each. The carrier also collided with a cargo ship, and the commanding officer was fired. Leadership declined Sunday to discuss the costly incidents, citing ongoing investigations. The main takeaway is: We learn lessons. We are a learning organization, not only within the strike group, but within the Navy writ large, Bailey said. Everything we did the unique set of circumstances in the environment helps inform the future. It will help empower our successes, not only in similar operations, but certainly in the future fight. After the Truman was moored, sailors flocked to the right side of the flight deck in hopes of spotting their loved ones. Some sailors, donning their dress whites, jumped and waved at the cheering crowds on the pier. On the pier, Brian Walker intently looked up at the flight deck he clenched a bouquet of pink roses for Candice Walker, his wife and an administrative officer on the Truman. His daughter, 11-year-old Brianna, toted a homemade sign. This was the familys third deployment, but it was by far the longest and most difficult, Walker said. I just want to hold her, kiss her, Walker said, tears welling up in his eyes. It has been so long. A sailor is wrapped in an embrace by a loved one after getting off the USS Harry S. Truman. Around 4,000 sailors returned June 1, 2025, from an eight-month deployment, five months of which were spent in the Red Sea. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) A sailor is greeted by a loved one after getting off the USS Harry S. Truman. Around 4,000 sailors returned June 1, 2025, from an eight-month deployment, five months of which were spent in the Red Sea. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) A sailor is greeted by a loved one after getting off the USS Harry S. Truman. Around 4,000 sailors returned June 1, 2025, from an eight-month deployment, five months of which were spent in the Red Sea. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) Around 4,000 sailors returned June 1, 2025, to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., from an eight-month deployment, five months of which were spent in the Red Sea. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) A sailor hugs a loved one after getting off the USS Harry S. Truman. Around 4,000 sailors returned June 1, 2025, from an eight-month deployment, five months of which were spent in the Red Sea. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) A sailor is greeted by a loved one after getting off the USS Harry S. Truman. Around 4,000 sailors returned June 1, 2025, from an eight-month deployment, five months of which were spent in the Red Sea. (Caitlyn Burchett/Stars and Stripes) The twice-extended deployment separated the sailors from their loved ones for 251 days. They spent birthdays, holidays and major milestones apart. Around noon, thousands of sailors began spilling out. Loved ones erupted with cheers, laughter and tears running to embrace their sailors. The wait was over. Thomas Whiteley, 10, bounced with excitement while waiting for his father, Jacob Whiteley. Finally, my dad is home, and we can be happy, Thomas said. The homecoming concludes 24,000 nautical miles sailed across Europe and the Middle East. Components of the Truman strike group were welcomed in the days prior to homeports and bases across the East Coast. The last to return, cruiser USS Gettysburg, will be welcomed home to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., in the coming days. The Truman was also supported by destroyer USS Stout, homeported at Norfolk, and destroyer USS Jason Dunham, homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. A nine-squadron air wing with around 80 aircraft deployed aboard the ships. In total, the Truman launched more than 13,000 aircraft from its flight deck, which logged around 25,000 flight hours. Components of the strike group also made port calls to Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Spain, France, Croatia and Greece while deployed. The warrior ethos demonstrated by the U.S. Navy sailors in the Red Sea will not be forgotten by me or anybody else who witnessed it firsthand, Hill said. Absolutely eye-watering. U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Olsen and his wife, Jessica Jesse Arguinzoni Olsen, pose together in this undated photo. (Arguinzoni family) A U.S. Navy officer is scheduled to face a court-martial in October on accusations that he strangled and beat his wife to death in Japan, then attempted to obstruct the investigation, according to service officials and the sailors attorney. Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Olsen was arraigned Wednesday at Naval Base San Diego, Naval Forces Japan spokesman Cmdr. Paul Macapagal confirmed by email Monday. Olsen is charged with unpremeditated murder and obstruction of justice in the death of Jessica Jesse Arguinzoni Olsen. Olsens trial is set to begin Oct. 20 and is expected to last three weeks, his defense attorney, Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Phipps of the Navy Judge Advocate Generals Corps, said by phone Monday. It will take place at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, Macapagal said. Olsen did not enter a plea at the arraignment, Phipps said. Thats pretty commonplace; the plea is always reserved for a later date, he said before declining further comment on the case. Jesse Olsen, 37, was found dead in a hotel room in Fukuoka, about 80 miles northeast of Sasebo Naval Base, on the morning of Oct. 28. Christopher Olsen, who was then assigned to the USS New Orleans at Sasebo, allegedly killed his wife on or about Oct. 26 by strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head, according to a charge sheet released May 13. The following day, on or about Oct. 27, Olsen allegedly extended his stay at Hotel SOL, and gave staff false information about his wifes condition, the charge sheet states. He also reportedly instructed hotel staff not to enter the room actions prosecutors say were intended to impede and obstruct the due administration of justice. Fukuoka police discovered Jesse Olsen after hotel staff raised concerns. Authorities confirmed the location as a hotel in the citys Chuo district. While police did not name the hotel, the address provided at the time matched Hotel SOL. Jesse Olsens body was returned to her family on Nov. 16, her sister, Dominque Arguinzoni, told Stars and Stripes last month. She said the family was informed Jesse had suffered injuries to her head and face and that her jaw and hyoid bones were broken. Kaula lies about 23 miles southwest of Niihau and is a nesting ground to about 18 species of birds including the black-footed albatross and its shores team with monk seals and other marine life. But since 1953 the island also has been used by the Navy for target practice. (Xpda/Wikimedia Commons) (Tribune News Service) Hawaiis congressional delegation is pushing the Navy to provide more information on its plan to more than double bombardment training on a small Hawaiian Island that the state and conservation groups consider a critical bird sanctuary. Kaula lies about 23 miles southwest of Niihau and is a nesting ground to about 18 species of birds including the black-footed albatross and its shores team with monk seals and other marine life. But since 1953 the island also has been used by the Navy for target practice. The Navy originally used live explosive ordnance but stopped the practice in the 1980s and began using inert dummy rounds instead. But as tensions simmer with China and the Pentagon increasingly sees the Pacific as its top-priority theater of operations, the military has looked to step up training in Hawaii and across the region. In 2024 the Navy advanced a proposal to increase its bombing runs at Kaula from 12 a year to as many as 31, and argued that the environmental impacts would be less than significant. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, I think every aspect of training in the state of Hawaii needs to be explained and justified, but certainly when youre talking about 500-pound objects hitting the side of a mountain and the answer is national security, my answer is maybe, but thats not a thorough enough explanation for whats happening to be justified. The Navy is making its pitch at a time when the military is facing heightened scrutiny over its use of land and environmental impacts in Hawaii, with the Navy in particular working to repair its public image since the 2021 Red Hill water crisis. On Tuesday all four members of Hawaiis congressional delegation sent a letter to Navy Secretary John Phelan, telling him that in Hawaii, there is a significant level of mistrust with the Department of Defense as a whole, and the Navy in particular. Doubling the amount of training at Kaula is a significant step that warrants more information on the environmental impacts to the island, the lawmakers wrote. The states seabird sanctuary on Kaula is home to thousands of seabirds, and the islands sea cliffs are a resting place for endangered species like monk seals. Despite these known populations of wildlife, the draft environmental assessment does not contain sufficient analysis that impacts on wildlife would be less than significant. The public deserves a clear, comprehensive, and evidence-based (environmental impact statement) to demonstrate that the Navy has done its due diligence on the environmental impacts of these trainings. The Navy stressed in a draft environmental assessment released in August that it does not seek to resume live explosive training, but rather to increase the frequency of the training it already does on Kaula, which is limited to the small islands southern end. But officials from both the state and Kauai County, along with local conservationists, argue that the increase in training could disrupt a unique ecosystem. To make matters more complicated, there is an ongoing dispute about whether the island is federal or state land, and local officials have called on training to stop altogether. In their letter, the members of the congressional delegation called on the Navy to explain in their formal assessment why training at Kaula is critical to national security. The delegation sought to know how a reduction or end to use of Kaula as a range would specifically affect the readiness of military units operating in the Pacific. They also wanted to know why the Navy has not already built in more redundancies to address any readiness issues due to a lack of availability of training ranges. Moreover, they wanted an explanation of how the Navy had determined that there is an irreplaceable need for access to Kaula that cannot be fulfilled by an alternative site. The delegation also asked that the Navy provide answers by June 16 as to whether the Navy plans to program specific environmental remediation funding, including to address existing and future ordnance cleanup. They also asked whether the Navy has plans to ensure regular access to the waters around Kaula by local fishermen and whether the Navy will plan for increased environmental impacts on the southern end of the island. And, the delegation asked for an explanation of what readiness demands and restrictions at other training sites uniquely warrants this substantive jump in training activity at Kaula. The Navys proposal to increase training was made in the summer of 2024. Since then President Donald Trump won an election and has established a new team at the Pentagon led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has vowed to rid the military of woke programs and has singled out environmental programs that he argues have distracted the military from combat training and obtaining new weapons systems. That rhetoric has alarmed several community groups in Hawaii. But Schatz said, Id like to see what they do rather than what they say. Because so far, (the military in Hawaii) hasnt been different than other administrations. Certainly, the rhetoric is that they are not interested in environmental stewardship, but a lot of these programs are established by law. So they can not like it, but they dont really have the option to not do it. The senator said that when it comes to how the military does business in Hawaii, issues around its approach to the environment and local communities are long-standing. He said that the institution of the Department of Defense, whichever (political ) party is in charge, has had a hard time with internalizing the idea that they are, in fact, our guests and that they should behave like guests and earn their welcome. When it comes to Kaula, Schatz said the Navy should start with a basic explanation of why they feel the need to do this, (and) that theyve thoroughly assessed the environmental impacts. I spend a fair amount of time criticizing Trump, and I will continue to do that where its appropriate, but I dont think this is a Trump policy problem. I think this is an institutional position of the DOD 2025 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Visit www.staradvertiser.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. We wanted to work in a business that we were happy to come to work at each day, where empathy and understanding were driving forces and motivation This weeks Founders Playbook is about building a business where values speak louder than titles, and where community drives everything. When Stacey Dowson and Mary Turco launched Dowson Turco Lawyers, they didnt just want to start a legal firm, they wanted to completely reimagine what one could be. At a time when the legal industry still leaned into hierarchy and old-school traditions, they decided to create something different: a space that felt modern, welcoming, and unapologetically inclusive. They werent chasing prestige or some cold version of success. What they really wanted was simple, yet rare. As Mary puts it, We wanted to work in a business that we were happy to come to work at each day, where empathy and understanding were driving forces and motivation. That intention became the foundation of everything to come. Fresh start Mary and Stacey had seen the inside of traditional law offices, where things moved slowly and systems rarely changed. Much of the legal world, Mary says, was very old school and largely male-oriented. They didnt feel represented there, and they didnt see their communities reflected in the culture either. So they asked the big question: what would it look like to build a legal practice where everyone felt seen, safe, and welcomed? We wanted to embrace our own communities, Mary says, where women, LGBTQI, and multiculturalism were all embraced. We wanted a modern space, where people could feel welcomed and where hierarchy was not imposed. That idea wasnt just a dream. It was a call to action. Ground game With the vision set, it was time to get to work. And in the early days, that meant literal boots on the ground. Stacey got out there, every weekend, every open house, doing the kind of grassroots marketing that builds real relationships. When we first started, Stacey recalls, initial growth was gained by teaming up with a local agent, where I would attend every open home on Saturday, hand out flyers, and discuss contracts with prospective purchasers. That face-to-face connection helped DTL build credibility, and more importantly, it helped the firm root itself within the community. This wasnt about flashy branding or overnight buzz. It was about trust. From this point, Stacey says, we started to organically grow and set down roots in our local community. This meant we could branch out from conveyancing and provide other needed services, such as family law, estates and wills, as well as crime services. But one of the most defining moments came a few years in, when the team decided it was time to fully step into who they were publicly, proudly, and permanently. In 2012, Mary says, we started to deliberately market ourselves as Out Loud and Proud, and we did this because we wanted to walk the walk. They werent just lawyers anymore. They were advocates. For LGBTQ+ people navigating the legal system, and for anyone who had ever felt like the process wasnt built with them in mind. We wanted to help build pride in our communities and also to provide LGBTQ+-sensitive services, particularly in the areas of family law and even in the crime practice, Mary explains. We did this in a way that did not exclude our local communities, as we wanted to bring our allies along. This wasnt about being niche. It was about being needed. Next chapter As the years passed, Dowson Turco Lawyers didnt just grow in size, it grew in its sense of responsibility. They became known not only for their advocacy, but for the quality and compassion of their work. Mary describes it best: Aside from the very distinct Out Loud and Proud ethos, we provide high-quality legal services to our LGBTQ+ communities as well as other minority groups and our local allied communities, wherever they are based. While the culture stayed rooted in empathy and equity, the business also evolved with technology and innovation in mind. Staceys approach to change is not only refreshing, but necessary in a field known for resistance to it. We very much embrace change, she says. As an early adopter, I accept change as an exciting challenge rather than resisting it. We are aiming to get across AI and to integrate it in a responsible and effective manner, with a view to providing our clients with extra benefits along the way. Growth hasnt always been easy. But even in hard seasons, their mindset has kept them grounded and growing. At DTL, we see difficulties as a means to grow rather than as barriers, Mary reflects. If you keep your perspective, regardless of the challenges, you learn to grow, and that growth is important in ensuring you are meeting the needs of your communities. Words worthy Surround yourself with bright people and talent, lots of it Its easy to look at Dowson Turco Lawyers now, confident brand, loyal clients, strong voice and assume it all came together smoothly. But like every entrepreneurial journey, theirs has been full of learning curves, trial and error, and moments of doubt. What has kept them going is conviction. And a clear understanding that success isnt about climbing a ladder, but building a table long enough for everyone to sit at. When asked what advice she would give to someone starting their own business, Stacey keeps it honest and powerful: If you really believe in yourself and your vision, dont give up. Push on, grow, adapt, and be open to change. And of course, its never a solo mission. The people around you matter more than anything. Surround yourself with bright people and talent, lots of it, Stacey says. And dont be scared of those with serious talent. Grow with them. People are key to a successful business. Dowson Turco Lawyers is proof that you dont have to follow a traditional path to build something meaningful. You just have to care enough to try, and be brave enough to keep going. Stacey and Mary didnt wait for the legal world to make space for them. They built their own. In doing so, they created something much bigger than a law firm. They created a home for people who are usually left at the margins of the justice system. And in the process, theyve written a new kind of playbook: one built on empathy, inclusion, hustle, and heart. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. A sailor assigned to American Forces Network broadcasts a morning radio show at Sasebo Naval Base, Japan, Aug. 19, 2020. (Geoffrey Barham/U.S. Navy) This story has been corrected American Forces Network will officially launch FM radio service at Sasebo Naval Base on Wednesday, becoming the first AFN station in Japan outside Okinawa to broadcast on the frequency. The debut of 93.1 FM follows a three-month test run under Japanese regulatory oversight. The signal significantly expands the stations reach beyond the base, replacing a weak AM broadcast that barely extended to a nearby housing area. This decade-long achievement is going to be celebrated with a live countdown on the air and were all looking forward to that, AFN Pacific deputy director Scott Williams said by phone May 15. The FM signal will carry the stations existing programming, including live morning and afternoon shows, local traffic, weather updates, Top 40 music from the United States, and features from other AFN stations in Iwakuni, Tokyo, Okinawa and Misawa. The 1575 AM signal reaches only the base, station manager Chief Petty Officer Chris Liaghat said by phone May 16. The FM upgrade follows the installation of a new radio tower to replace three temporary antennas. When I first got here, the big tower was down. We had three small temporary antennas, and they barely reached a kilometer, he said. Basically, one antenna covered main base, and the other two antennas barely covered the two housing areas and that was it. The Sasebo FM frequency is the first for AFN in the Pacific since AFN Okinawa was established 70 years ago, Williams added. The only reason we have FM in Okinawa is because it used to be an American territory, he said. Were setting the standard were going to bring FM to other stations in Japan, which will augment our AFN Go, AFN Now, radio and TV apps. The switch also brings financial benefits, Williams noted. AM is very expensive, he said. FM is not as expensive and by a long shot. So, were looking to be smart about this and save money. Liaghat said the FM launch was made possible through the cooperation of U.S. Forces Japan, the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Far East Sasebo Detachment, AFN Pacific and Defense Media Activity. Representatives from the communications ministry are expected to present the station with its new authorization live on air following the launch countdown, which is set to begin at 4 p.m. Wednesday. We also have a couple of representatives from AFN Pacific, and weve invited the base commander to come out as well, Liaghat said. Well count down to a big announcement, and then once we hit zero, well announce to everybody that we are broadcasting over FM radio and let them know that they can tune their radios to FM 93.1. AFN Pacific plans to expand FM broadcasting to other stations in Japan, including Tokyo, Iwakuni and Misawa, Williams said. Illia Matviienko is pictured here on April 13, 2025. He was taken to a hospital in the Donetsk region where he was going to be adopted by a Russian social worker until his grandmother stepped in. (Oksana Parafeniuk/For The Washington Post) UZHHOROD, Ukraine The boy from Mariupol still wasnt ready to walk to the bus stop alone, so just before 8 a.m., he and his grandmother set off for school together. He reached for her hand, zipping her fingers in his own, and stole a sip of her coffee. Illia Matviienko was almost 13 but still got lost easily. Three years had passed since his mother bled out in his arms after a Russian shelling, since a neighbor chipped her grave in the frozen winter of their yard, since soldiers found him alone and took him deeper into the occupied Donetsk territory, where he was put up for adoption. There, he almost became a different boy: a Russian one. Until his grandmother, Olena Matviienko, spotted him in a 26-second Russian propaganda video. Illia became an extraordinary test case for how, and whether, Ukraine could claw back its missing children a journey that took Olena across four international borders and deep into Russia. I wouldnt have found him if I didnt see the video, Olena, 64, said during three days of interviews last month at their home in Uzhhorod, in far western Ukraine. He would be with a different family now. How much would he remember of who he was? Illias return in 2022 after weeks in a hospital in occupied Ukraine showed the difficulty of just getting back one child let alone the tens of thousands of Ukrainian children now at the center of Kyivs demands for peace. Deported or disappeared into Russia, their plight has united American politicians to pressure President Donald Trump for their safe return and spurred war crimes charges against Russian President Vladimir Putin and his deputy, childrens rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova, for their illegal transfer charges a Kremlin spokesman disputed as outrageous and unacceptable. During a meeting at the Vatican in May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed directly to Pope Leo XIV, asking for the churchs assistance in bringing the children home. Ukraine wants a full accounting of all the children taken to Russia and their repatriation as part of any peace settlement. Exactly how many children are missing is unknown. The Conflict Observatory part of Yale Universitys Humanitarian Research Lab, which has consistently provided the most accurate data but will shutter on July 1 because of Trumps federal funding cuts has verified that at least 19,500 children were forcibly deported from occupied areas of Ukraine, funneled into reeducation camps or adopted by Russian families, their identities erased. The real number is probably much higher, senior Ukrainian officials say, but cannot be proved because of poor recordkeeping. Maybe 50,000. Maybe 100,000. Maybe higher. Only Russia can provide us with this information, said Mykola Kuleba, former childrens ombudsman for Ukraine and head of the nonprofit Save Ukraine. In three years of full-scale war, only a small fraction of them have been returned about 1,300 children in deals brokered by Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the Holy See, as well as in covert rescue missions run by volunteers. Progress is slow and excruciating because Russia changes their names, their place of birth, their date of birth, said Daria Zarivna, an adviser to Zelenskys chief of staff who works on the Ukrainian initiative Bring Kids Back UA. All ties are cut. Illia and his grandmother, Olena Matviienko, 66, take a walk in the city center, April 13, 2025. (Oksana Parafeniuk/For The Washington Post) I was Ukrainian When Olena first brought Illia home to Uzhhorod in the spring of 2022, he slept with the lights on and the bedroom door wide open. Sirens and loud noises terrified him. He had four friends at school but feared no one understood what hed been through. As one of the first children to return from Russia since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Illias case soon went public. Olena began receiving calls for him to testify in front of roomfuls of politicians. He agreed to speak to anyone who would listen. Germanys parliament came first. Illia was instructed to ignore the crowd, to only look at the person speaking to him. By the time he appeared at the United Nations last year, he was no longer nervous. He waited his turn, then carefully answered questions. He was barely visible behind the microphone his unruly thatch of dark hair and moon-pale skin obscured. And then he told his story. The Russian soldiers found him a day after his mother died, he said, starting at the beginning. It was March 2022, and for weeks, he and his mother, Nataliia, had cowered in a basement in Mariupol, melting snow to drink and cooking over an open fire when their gas ran out. They ventured outside to look for food and were badly injured by the Russian shelling of a nearby building. Illias legs were bloody and shattered, the back of his left thigh a gaping wound. Nataliia sustained a serious head injury. She dragged her son into a nearby apartment building. They fell asleep inside, arms knotted around each other. The next morning, Illia awoke to stillness. A neighbor took Nataliias body away. Then, men in Russian uniforms arrived and drove Illia to a hospital in the city of Donetsk, 75 miles from the siege. Orphans from Mariupol filled the third floor. Illia listened to doctors debate whether to amputate his left leg before opting against it. He had surgery without anesthesia, he said, and was later interviewed on camera about his mothers death by a stranger. Instead of looking for his family or contacting his home country, as required by international law, officials issued him a Russian birth certificate and put him up for adoption. A social worker visited his hospital room, gifting him an orange plush Garfield cat and teaching him a Russian poem about a bear. She said she planned to adopt him. I didnt want to go, Illia said later. It was Russia, and I was Ukrainian. He befriended the boy next door, Vitalii, whose parents were also missing. Nurses told the boys that they along with 30 other children would soon be sent to Moscow. Illia wondered where his grandmother was. Olenas journey More than 800 miles away in Uzhhorod, Olena was reeling. A family friend had sent her a Russian propaganda video posted online of Illia in his hospital bed, speaking into a blue-and-red microphone. Olena grew up in the eastern industrial territory that Russia now controlled, working as a machine operator in a factory, then selling bread and cookies for a local bakery. When Illias father abandoned Nataliia at six months pregnant, Olena vowed to help her daughter take care of the baby. She wasnt breaking that promise now. The only document she had to prove Illia was her grandson was a copy of Nataliias passport. Volunteers at a local shelter helped her get copies of the rest Illias reissued Ukrainian birth certificate, her housing registration, custody paperwork, the police investigation into her daughters death. She tucked the documents in a clear plastic bag and contacted the Presidential Office, which launched a first-of-its-kind special operation to get Illia back and, through volunteers in Russia, helped Olena get in touch with the hospital in Donetsk. On the phone, the head doctor told her Illias adoption was pending. Dont you dare, she remembers telling him. Within weeks, Olena and another man whose young granddaughter, Kira, was also being held in Russia boarded a special diplomatic train to Poland. Once there, Olena said they flew to Moscow on a private plane provided by a Russian oligarch, then took a 20-hour train to Donetsk. In the early years of the war, such an audacious journey was still possible, but now its often not, officials say. After finally reaching the hospital, Olena wrapped a distraught Illia in her arms. He didnt believe it was me, Olena said. He lost his hope. He didnt actually believe I would come and bring him back to Ukraine. Not until the very last minute did he believe it. Illia Matviienko comforts his grandmother, Olena Matviienko, as she cries, on April 12, 2025. He didnt believe it was me, Olena said. He lost his hope. He didnt actually believe I would come and bring him back to Ukraine. (Oksana Parafeniuk/For The Washington Post) The lucky one In the park out front of his school, Illia kissed Olena goodbye. He cut across the damp grass and veered inside, past a map of Ukraine - Crimea still tethered to the rest of the country, Mariupol tucked safely within its borders, Russia separated by a thick line of black. In Room #40, he sat near a window with a friend until class began. After a short quiz, his teacher Tetiana Dolgova observed the nationwide moment of silence for all the war had taken. Thank God this city is remote from the front lines, she told the students. We need to remember every day who gave their lives for our happiness and freedom. Its not only about our servicemen at the front lines. Your classmate Illia witnessed the awfulness of this war with his own eyes. When the students turned to look at him, he didnt duck his head. He was more confident now, the years dulling some of his memories. He could still recall Mariupol how he and his mother would ride the city bus to the beach and wade in the cool waves of the Sea of Azov, and in the winter their snowball fights but he thought about it less frequently. Photos from a family friend showed his former home in rubble, his two boxes of Lego gone, his five outdoor cats and two dogs vanished. Another photo showed his mothers grave, a wooden cross planted near the fence in the yard, overgrown with parched yellow grass a place he could never visit. Olena shows a photo of her daughter Nataliia and a photo of her makeshift grave in Uzhhorod, April 12, 2025. (Oksana Parafeniuk/For The Washington Post) In Uzhhorod, Illia keeps his belongings on his grandmothers ironing board. The orange Garfield cat from the Russian social worker. A blue snake gifted by Olena after he testified to The Hague. A whale from Portugal, where he attended a 17-day rehabilitation program. A bunny from Okhmatdyt Childrens Hospital in Kyiv, where he is still in treatment for his legs, the shrapnel shifting painfully during gym. I will have them forever, he said of his plush animals. They represent periods of my life and memories, from Donetsk to here. He celebrates two birthdays now: the day he was born and the day Olena realized he was alive. Illia knew he was lucky. Russia had upended his life as he knew it but he still had his identity. He was old enough to remember who he was. Unlike so many other Ukrainian children, hed been found. Sometimes, he wondered if Vitalii, his friend in the hospital in Donetsk, had been, too. Or maybe he was now living in Moscow. Serhiy Morgunov and Serhii Korolchuk contributed to this report. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at a security conference in Singapore on May 31, 2025. (International Institute for Strategic Studies) STUTTGART, Germany Germanys efforts to ramp up defense spending won it rare praise from the Trump administration over the weekend, when Berlin was held up as an example for Asian countries to follow. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking Saturday at a security conference in Singapore, said a push by NATO members to boost defense spending levels to 5% of gross domestic product should be matched by countries in the Pacific. Its hard to believe Im saying this, Hegseth said during a speech at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue. But Asian allies should look to countries in Europe as a newfound example. NATO members are pledging to spend 5% of their GDP on defense, even Germany. Hegseths comments come ahead of high-stakes talks between President Donald Trump and new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who visits Washington on Thursday. Germany has been repeatedly singled out for criticism by Trump, who has blasted Berlin over its military shortcomings. During Trumps first term, Germanys lackluster defense spending was one of the factors involved in a plan to pull 12,000 U.S. troops from the country. This year, for the first time in decades, Germany hit the NATO benchmark of spending 2% of GDP on defense. But concerns about Russian aggression in Europe following the Kremlins 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, coupled with the return of Trump to the White House, have resulted in NATO countries signaling a willingness to spend even more on security. Trump has demanded that NATO establish a new spending benchmark of dedicating 5% of GDP on defense. Several key allies, including Germany, have said they are on board with the plan. Details are expected to be worked out on Thursday during a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels, which Hegseth will attend. Were pushing our allies in Europe to own more of their own security to invest in their defense, things that are long overdue, Hegseth said Saturday. He added that allies are stepping up. Merz, after his party received the most votes in Germanys elections in February, said uncertainty about the United States future military commitment required Europe to prepare for its own defense. My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA, Merz said at the time. Germany also has lifted its debt brake, which placed strict limits on deficit spending that could contribute to defense. The Pentagon is conducting an overseas force posture review that is expected to have implications for the roughly 80,000 troops now operating in Europe. With concerns about the threat China poses in the Asia-Pacific region, the expectation is that force levels in Europe could be reduced so that more capabilities can be directed toward the Pacific. While the Pentagon has said there are no immediate plans for a Europe drawdown, Hegseth and other top officials say allies must prepare to handle the bulk of NATOs conventional defense requirements. Elbridge Colby, the undersecretary of defense for policy and top Pentagon strategist, says the expectation is that Germany should shoulder much of the military burden. We are very encouraged by signals from the new German government that Europes largest economy will raise defense spending significantly and assume a leading role in the continents conventional defense, Colby said in a statement Thursday. A technician prepares a Shrike drone at the Skyfall military technology company in Ukraine. (Andrew Kravchenko/Bloomberg) A battle is shaping up in the skies over Ukraine and Russia, as the ingenuity of drone engineers on both sides opens up new opportunities and threats far behind the front lines. This was on full display on Sunday when Ukraine launched a dramatic series of strikes deep in Russian territory, damaging a significant portion of the Kremlins strategic bomber fleet. Around the same time, Russia unleashed one of the biggest drone and missile attacks against Kyiv. The escalation has touched off a new round of innovations: Ukraine is now developing a generation of drones designed to identify and shoot down other unmanned aerial vehicles. The goal is to target Iranian-designed Shahed drones, which have a triangular frame and are mass produced in Russia. Oleksandr Kamyshyn, an adviser to Ukraines minister of strategic industries, said in a recent interview Ukraine is scaling up production of weapons that have had success shooting down the Shahed-style drones around Kyiv and the surrounding region. The issue has taken on added urgency as Russian barrages grow in ferocity ahead of peace talks this week in Istanbul. In May, Russia demonstrated it can launch hundreds of Shaheds on a regular basis, signaling its growing capacity. The escalating drone attacks have stretched Ukrainian air defense systems thin and led to a higher number of civilian deaths since U.S. President Donald Trump began pressing for an end to fighting in February with calls to the leaders of Russia and Ukraine. The proliferation of cheap drone technology in recent years has radically altered battlefields, with traditionally powerful militaries often on the losing end. The low-cost weapons can take out equipment with much higher price tags, including tanks, ships and even other more valuable drones. This trend was highlighted by the operation on Sunday that struck four Russian airbases, including one in eastern Siberia. The attacks damaged about a third of Russias strategic bombing fleet, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraine assessed the damage to be at least $2 billion, according to a Security Service official who asked not to be identified as the details are not public. Ukrainian Vampire hexacopter bomber drones at the Skyfall military technology company. (Andrew Kravchenko/Bloomberg) A similar dynamic was at play in Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the world, where Houthis successfully targeted U.S. surveillance drones with surface-to-air missiles. Houthi militants shot down at least seven Reaper drones, each costing about $30 million, in a six-week period during the U.S. bombing campaign, the AP reported in April. Trump soon after ordered a halt to the campaign and announced a ceasefire with the group. Defending against drone attacks is historically expensive. Israel, which has the worlds most successful battle-tested air defense system, relies mainly on pricey missiles to shoot down threats. In May, the Israeli Defense Ministry acknowledged that it deployed laser weapons during its ongoing war to stop scores of aerial attacks, including from drones. Laser systems, like interceptor drones, have much lower operational costs. Three domestic producers make Shahed hunters that cost around $5,000 each, according to Kamyshyn, the industry ministers adviser. Executives interviewed for this article said some interceptors under development can cost as little as $300 a piece. The strategies they use and their degree of autonomy varies. Some seek to explode near an enemy drone to knock it down, while others fly like a bullet and need to score a direct hit. What they have in common is they are relatively cheap. Shaheds, estimated to cost about $35,000, are Russias preferred one-way attack drones, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Origin Robotics, a Latvia-based drone maker, is among the many companies seeking to counter Shaheds. Origin will send test drones to Ukraine in June that explode in the vicinity of incoming UAVs to take them out. Once it gets close enough to a target, a warhead detonates and the target is hit with fragmentation, Origin Chief Executive Officer Agris Kipurs said in an interview at a drone conference in Riga last week. It is exactly used for that type of a target: large armed loitering munitions. While the economic calculus is in Ukraines favor, drones arent successful enough yet to replace other air defense systems, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Wayne Sanders. The idea to build drone interceptors has found support at the highest level of Ukrainian leadership. Zelenskyy discussed Russias battlefield tactics and increasing aerial barrages with his war council last week, and ordered his top military commanders and intelligence chiefs to investigate countermeasures. We have jets now to shoot down drones, Zelenskyy said, adding that they faced a problem with the Shahed attacks. We are also moving in the direction of drone-drone interceptors. Zelenskyy is also pushing allies for $30 billion by years end to boost domestic weapons production. Drone hunters have other limitations, too. They cant defend against Russias more capable missile systems, which are faster and carry more firepower than Shaheds. U.S.-made Patriot missiles, which cost between $3 million and $6 million each, are the most effective way to target those weapons. The dependence on the U.S. has been evident both in direct and indirect ways, Sanders said. Direct funding of weapons capabilities, as well as indirect investments into Ukrainian manufacturing capabilities so that they could stand up their own industries. Currently, the alternative to interceptor drones is often soldiers with truck-mounted machine guns, a low-tech solution with a poor success rate that gets worse when their targets fly at higher altitudes. Kyiv also uses its small fleet of F-16 fighters, donated from NATO allies, to shoot down drones. Ukraine has faced more than 20,000 long-distance drone attacks in the three-plus years of fighting. Russian technology isnt standing still either, according to Carl Larson, executive director of Defense Tech for Ukraine, an international group of volunteers providing equipment to Ukraine. Russian fixed-wing drones are now often equipped with rear-facing cameras and programmed to take evasive maneuvers if they spot a drone trying to intercept it, Larson said in an interview. Its immensely wasteful, inefficient and frankly difficult to physically hit a drone with another drone, he said. Ukraine is developing fixed-wing drones that smash into Russian ones, as well as other drones that carry recoilless shotguns to shoot down enemy aircraft, Larson said. Skyfall, which is one of Ukraines biggest drone producers, is tweaking its popular first person view model to intercept UAVs, according to a company spokesperson who asked not to be identified due to security concerns. FPV drones, like the ones used to target Russias strategic bombers, have become an essential weapon for both sides in the war. They can travel at speeds of as much as 100 miles an hour with small explosive charges. Such drones have already caused a radical rethinking of how the front is organized, forcing soldiers to avoid concentrating in groups and pushing vehicles and other equipment much further behind the trenches to avoid getting hit. As FPVs are increasingly used to target other flying objects, they could change the skies as well. A Shrike drone during testing in Ukraine. (Andrew Kravchenko/Bloomberg) The drone-hunting version of Skyfalls Shrike FPV costs between $300 and $500, depending on the configuration, and can target reconnaissance and strike drones, the spokesperson said. In April, Ukraines 63rd brigade operating along the front in the east of the country published a video that appeared to be Shrikes targeting a Supercam UAV and a Merlin, which is one of Russias most sophisticated reconnaissance drones. The video couldnt be independently confirmed. The spokesperson said Shrikes cant target Shaheds, which travel at much higher altitudes. Were focused on interdicting the FPV suicide drones and the bomber drones, Defense Tech for Ukraines Larson said. While Europe and the U.S. are good at building fancy and expensive systems, Ukraine needs its own low-cost, scalable solutions to counter the Russian attacks, he said. With assistance from Christina Kyriasoglou and Aaron Eglitis. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. U.S. Army Patriot missile launchers are positioned during a readiness exercise at an unspecified military base in South Korea, March 18, 2023. (Gregory Menke/U.S. Army) CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea About 200 U.S. troops based in South Korea have been temporarily redeployed to the Middle East, according to a South Korean military official cited in a local news report. The soldiers were part of a Patriot missile-defense unit stationed in South Korea and deployed to an undisclosed location the Middle East last month, the Ministry of National Defense official told South Korean broadcast KBS for a report Friday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity, a common practice for government sources in the South. The South Korean defense ministry referred questions to U.S. Forces Korea, which oversees approximately 28,500 American troops on the peninsula. In an email Monday, USFK spokesman David Kim said the command maintains a ready, capable and lethal force but declined to provide further details, citing operational security. Patriot batteries are deployed across U.S. military bases in South Korea to protect against potential threats from the North. Modern versions of the system, which was first used in combat during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, are capable of carrying up to 16 missiles designed to intercept and destroy incoming projectiles. Nearly two months ago, Adm. Samuel Paparo, head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, told lawmakers that a Patriot battalion had recently been transferred from his area of responsibility to U.S. Central Command, which oversees operations in the Middle East and South Asia. Speaking during an April 10 Senate hearing on Capitol Hill, Paparo said the move required 73 C-17 Globemaster III transport flights. The airlift coincided with a U.S. military buildup in the region in response to attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. President Donald Trump had pledged to stop Houthi strikes on shipping lanes in the Red Sea and ordered the USS Carl Vinson to join the USS Harry S. Truman near Yemens coast for nearly two months starting in April. Since March, U.S. forces have struck more than 1,000 militant targets in Yemen, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said on April 29. Nine days later, Trump said the U.S. will cease the bombing missions after the terrorist-designated organization claimed it will stop its sea-based attacks. Tasmanias 202526 Budget is out, and if you run a small or medium business, there is a lot to take in, and a lot to gain. With 97 percent of Tasmanian businesses classified as small, the government has made it clear: SMEs are central to the states economic future. Framed as part of the broader 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmanias Future, the budget introduces a mix of new strategies, practical support, and infrastructure investment aimed at making it easier to start, run, and grow a business here. Whether you are a local producer, tech startup, retailer, or part of the hospitality scene, here are five key things you need to know. 1. Starting up just got easier Tasmania wants to become the startup capital of the country, and it is putting real money and planning behind that goal. A new Small Business Growth Strategy, developed alongside the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Council, will offer more accessible support for entrepreneurs at every stage. A few highlights include an extended New Business Support Program offering free advice for startups, and a 12-month trial of a Start-Up Permit that allows businesses to test ideas without being buried in red tape. Add to that a Red Tape Reduction Portal and a 24/7 Online Business Advice Platform, and it is clear that cutting complexity is the governments priority. If you have a new idea or business model to test, Tasmania is making it easier than ever to get going. 2. Innovation is getting a physical home For high-growth and tech-driven businesses, the budget delivers on building innovation-focused infrastructure too. Innovation Hubs in Hobart and Launceston will be funded to help startups get off the ground and stay here. These hubs are designed to provide more than just co-working desks, they will offer mentorship, networking, and access to growth support. This is a move aimed at creating an ecosystem, not just a physical space, and signals the governments commitment to keeping entrepreneurial talent local. 3. Exporting? You have a head start Businesses looking to grow beyond Tasmanias borders will benefit from a new 2030 Trade Strategy. Building on previous initiatives, this plan is all about helping businesses break into mainland and global markets. An Inbound Visitation Program will connect Tasmanian producers and makers with international buyers, while a Multi-Year Trade Mission Schedule gives SMEs a clearer path to expanding their reach. Given that the states packed and processed food exports alone are worth more than $6 billion, this trade strategy could open doors for businesses in food, agri-tech, aquaculture, and beyond. 4. Primary producers are front and centre If your business touches Tasmanias agricultural sector, the budget brings long-term backing. With the goal of lifting the farmgate value of agriculture to $10 billion by 2050, the government is investing in productivity, sustainability, and risk reduction. That includes a boost for the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, a new Agriculture R&D Fund, and updates to the Rural Water Use Strategy. There is also funding to support wild fallow deer management, helping protect crops and livestock. The message here is clear: farming businesses are seen as innovative, essential, and worth investing in. 5. Tourism and hospitality are getting a boost With one in six jobs in Tasmania tied to tourism or hospitality, the budget continues to back these sectors with major investments. That includes $57 million for Tourism Tasmania to market the state internationally and $62 million to support events that bring people into towns and regions. There is also the Eat Local, Stay Local initiative, which will hand out 100,000 $100 vouchers to encourage locals to support Tasmanian hospitality businesses directly. A long-term Hospitality 2030 Strategy adds career support, mental health programs, and workforce training all aimed at ensuring that small operators in the sector are not just surviving, but building lasting businesses. More here. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Ciara Dawson (33) was under the influence of a substance that had a very severe effect on her at the time A mother-of-three lashed out and knocked a garda to the ground when she was found screaming for help and trying to flag down cars on a main road during rush hour. Ciara Dawson (33) was under the influence of a substance that had a very severe effect on her at the time. Judge Aine Clancy adjourned the case for the production of a probation report. Dawson, of Windmill Park, Crumlin, pleaded guilty to public intoxication and threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour. They found the accused attempting to flag down vehicles on the N4 Blanchardstown District Court heard gardai were called to Kennelsfort Road, Palmerstown at 6.50pm on December 15 last year, where it was reported that a female was screaming for help. They found the accused attempting to flag down vehicles on the N4. Gardai were trying to ascertain what had taken place and why Dawson was looking for help when she became highly aggressive, lashing out and knocking a female officer to the ground. Dawson appeared to be under the influence of an intoxicant and was arrested for her own safety. She had no previous convictions of any kind. The accused had issues in relation to substances and was under the influence on this occasion, her lawyer said. It had a severe effect, she flew into a panic, was totally disorientated and went out screaming for help. The lawyer asked the court for leniency. Dawson was remanded on continuing bail. Stock image News in 90 seconds - June 2nd Ibrahim Turki Faris Masharqah (53) was asked to stop rooting through the rubbish on a city centre street when he threatened Ill kill you and swung at the man with the key A man attacked a Dublin cafe worker with an allen key when he was confronted over tearing open bin bags as he looked for cans to recycle. Ibrahim Turki Faris Masharqah (53) was asked to stop rooting through the rubbish on a city centre street when he threatened Ill kill you and swung at the man with the key. The victim, whose finger was cut, told a court Dublin is dangerous at the moment and he was still nervous after the assault. Masharqah, of Citywest Road, Tallaght, had pleaded not guilty to assault and threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour. Judge Paula Murphy found him guilty and adjourned the case at Dublin District Court for a restorative justice report. The incident happened at South Frederick Street on January 15. The victim, Conor Murray, told the court he took his rubbish to the end of the street for collection and the accused ripped them open. He asked can you stop doing that? and Masharqah replied: F**k you, homo, Ill kill you. I pushed him away and he brandished what I thought was a knife and swung it at me, Mr Murray said. Masharqah ran off and he followed him to the Molly Malone statue, where security guards apprehended him. Gardai were called. Mr Murray noticed that his finger had been cut and there was blood on his shirt. He told the court there had been no recyclables in the rubbish. Ibrahim Turki Faris Masharqah made threats to kill the man News in 90 seconds - June 2nd Masharqah said he was using the allen key to open bags to look for cans and claimed the victim approached him, pushed him and punched him in the face. I didnt touch him, the accused said, and could not explain how the victim was cut. He denied shouting abuse, saying he did not speak English. Judge Murphy said she did not believe Masharqahs version of events Mr Murray said he was still nervous and looking over my back since the incident and it was not a nice feeling. Obviously Dublin is dangerous at the moment, I get it, he said, but the assault happened in broad daylight. This end of financial year, small business owners are being urged to look beyond convenience when it comes to lodging their tax returns. As cost-of-living pressures squeeze households and businesses alike, new research from H&R Block Australia shows that many self-employed Australians could be unknowingly short-changing themselves, by more than $500 on average. According to the study, 66 percent of self-lodged returns reviewed by a tax professional contained missed deductions, with the average value of those missed claims sitting at $525.50. That is money that could be better spent reinvested in a business or helping cash flow during a tighter season. In a year when every dollar counts, thats money Australians cant afford to leave behind, says Mark Chapman, Director of Tax Communications at H&R Block. Simple tools, complex problems For many small business owners and sole traders, the ATOs MyTax platform seems like an easy fix. It is promoted as fast, free and simple. But that simplicity may come at a cost. Chapman explains, MyTax is designed to be simple, but thats exactly where it falls short. Its a one-size-fits-all tool that doesnt ask the kind of follow-up questions a tax agent would, and thats where people miss out. What seems like an efficient process often overlooks the complexity of modern work. According to Chapman, once someone has a side hustle, investments, property income or even work-from-home expenses, their return is no longer a basic one. The ATO doesnt tell you what youre entitled to claim, thats up to you, Chapman says. And in a year where budgets are stretched, getting it right can make a real difference. Its time Australians rethink the idea that fast equals effective when it comes to tax. Confidence gap among taxpayers The survey also highlighted a concerning gap in confidence. While younger Australians are the most likely to use MyTax, they are also the least confident about doing so. Only 18 percent of respondents said they felt very confident in knowing what they could claim, and nearly half of them, 48 percent, admitted they were unsure when tax laws change. This uncertainty often results in a cautious approach, with taxpayers skipping deductions they could legally claim simply because they are afraid of getting something wrong. Chapman notes, Its understandable that people want a fast and easy solution, but relying solely on pre-filled data through MyTax can lead to overlooked deductions. One in three Australians only realised they had missed deductions after lodging their return. That means their money may be gone for good unless they amend their submission, which many do not do. And perhaps most revealing, only 32 percent of MyTax users believe the tool delivers the maximum refund they are entitled to. If youve started a side hustle, invested in shares, bought property, or even just worked from home, your return is no longer simple, says Chapman. The ATO doesnt tailor its prompts to your situation. Thats why so many people think they are doing it right and only discover the gaps after it is too late. The findings show that many people who choose to self-lodge via MyTax may not be doing anything wrong, but they are not doing everything right either. Without a deeper understanding of the tax system, they often miss out on what is legally theirs to claim. When a tax professional reviews a DIY return, they often uncover deductions the taxpayer didnt know they were entitled to, Chapman says. On average, these missed claims were worth $525.50, showcasing just how much money could be left on the table without expert guidance. Professional tax agents offer more than form-filling. They understand nuances like industry-specific deductions, changes in legislation, and how to maximise claims without raising red flags. For small business owners juggling multiple roles and income types, this knowledge can result in a significant financial difference. With just weeks left until 30 June, time is running out for small businesses to make smart decisions about their tax strategy. Chapman urges business owners to slow down and think carefully before submitting a return via MyTax this year. Australians are being urged to think twice before hitting submit on MyTax this year, Chapman says. If youve started your return but arent sure youve claimed everything, getting guidance from a tax professional could make all the difference. Its often the difference between a basic return and one thats been maximised for your unique circumstances. Get more back from what youve already earned For small business owners, EOFY is more than paperwork, it is an opportunity. Whether it is recovering operating expenses, properly claiming home office costs, or unlocking hidden deductions from vehicle use and software subscriptions, getting the return right means more financial breathing room. And in a time where financial pressure is high and business costs are rising, that $525.50 could make a real difference. If your return is more than just a payslip, your tax strategy should be more than just MyTax, says Chapman. To learn more or find your nearest H&R Block office, visit www.hrblock.com.au. Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial or tax advice. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Hannah Marshall was due to contest the charge but main prosecution witness Jacqueline Stitt failed to attend A Bangor woman under threat from North Down UDA was today acquitted of disorderly behaviour outside the home of Dee Stitt. Hannah Marshall was due to contest the charge at Newtownards Magistrates Court but main prosecution witness Jacqueline Stitt failed to attend to give evidence against the 32-year-old. Marshall, whose address is not being reported due to the threats against her, had faced a single count of using disorderly behaviour at Lord Wardens Court in Bangor on 22 August last year. Understood to arise after Marshall was shouting and swearing outside the property, a prosecuting lawyer applied for the case to be adjourned so that witness summons could be served on Mrs Stitt and her neighbour. David 'Dee' Stitt and his wife Jacqueline Defence solicitor Patrick Higgins highlighted however that today was the fourth time the case had been listed for contest and that on each occasion, there had been issues with the witnesses attending. The solicitor revealed that on Friday at Lisburn, there had been an undertaking lodged where David Dee Stitt had promised that for the next year, he would not pester or harass Gemma Marshall and neither would he encourage anyone else to do that. Mr Higgins told District Judge Conor Heaney at that stage, Dee Stitt was in a different jurisdiction so it was likely to be situation that Mrs Stitt may not even be in the country. The prosecutor conceded I simply do not know why shes isnt here so with Ms Marshall having attended court again, Judge Heaney said that balancing the triangulation of intereststhe complaint is therefore dismissed. Bangor woman Hanna Marshall News in 90 seconds - June 2nd In legal papers lodged with Lisburn Civil Court on Friday, David Stitt, also known as Dee, gave a signed undertaking that for the next 12 months he will not: Assault, molest, harass, threaten, pester or otherwise interfere with the plaintiffs by doing any acts to cause them harm whether directly or indirectly; Visiting, entering, attempting to enter, being in or remaining on lands and property situate of lands and property the plaintiff is a lawful occupier, or interfering in any manner howsoever with the plaintiff's peaceful use, occupation and enjoyment of same; Make any communication to the plaintiffs whether in writing or orally, whether by telephone or electronic communication or any form of social media or otherwise howsoever save that she may send written communication to the plaintiffs solicitor. He also promised not to encourage anyone else to do so. The plaintiff is named as Gemma Marshall and it was in July last year when masked men called at her Bangor home and made threats. Having named her sister Hannah, they threatened: You've 24 hours to get out. If you are back in North Down, the house is getting it. In the aftermath of that shocking incident, mother-of-three Hannah moved out and opted to speak to the media, insisting she had done nothing to deserve it. "I've been targeted just for basically having a few words, and now that I'm speaking out and have stood up to them, I've been targeted even more", she said. At the time police said they were investigating a possible paramilitary link and treating the incident as intimidation. The mans body remains at the scene Forensic investigators at Fairgreen Shopping centre in Carlow the day after the shooting. Photo: Niall Carson/PA The gunman who opened fire at Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow yesterday walked through the premises firing the weapon in the air on a number of occasions during the incident. In a statement released by Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hilman, it was also confirmed that the gunman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Gardai responded to the scene and met a large number of people running from the shopping Centre, the statement reads. An unarmed uniform unit arriving at the scene observed the suspect exiting the shopping centre. Forensic investigators at Fairgreen Shopping centre in Carlow the day after the shooting. Photo: Niall Carson/PA News in 90 seconds - June 2nd The suspect discharged a firearm, a shotgun, into the air. Another plainclothes armed Garda unit responding drew their official firearms and identified themselves as armed gardai, it continued. The suspect discharged the firearm again, self-inflicting a fatal wound. No member of An Garda Siochana discharged a weapon. An Garda Siochana now understands that the lone male had walked through the shopping centre and had discharged the firearm, into the air, on a number of occasions. The Assistant Commissioner said that no person was injured by the shots discharged. A young girl who was in the centre with her parents suffered a minor leg injury when she fell while running from the scene. This was meant to be a normal day out on a bank holiday weekend. This was a terrifying experience for every person that was present in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre, yesterday evening. An Garda Siochana implemented a cordon around the Fairgeen Shopping Centre and carpark. A bottle containing an unknown substance was observed by Gardai on the deceased, the statement continued. An Garda Siochana requested the assistance of the Irish Defence Forces EOD team to examine the unknown device. An EOD team from Collins Barracks, Cork attended the scene late last night. Following examination, the EOD team declared the scene safe. Gardai say that the deceased, a white Irish national in his early 20s, remains at the scene and will be removed to the State Pathologist office for formal identification. A state post-mortem will be carried out by Dr Heidi Okkers, State Pathologist. The Carlow County Coroner has been notified and An Garda Siochana will assist in preparing an investigation file for a Coroners Inquest. She also asked for the family of the deceased to be given privacy. An Garda Siochana is also very aware that there is a family grieving the death of their loved one at this time. Assistant Commissioner Hillman added: I would like to acknowledge the management and business community of the Fairgreen Shopping Centre for their assistance and support to the public yesterday evening. I also want to acknowledge the assistance of all the emergency services yesterday evening, Local Fire Brigade, Ambulance Services and the Defence forces for their professionalism and assistance. I specifically want to highlight the response of local Garda members, who on receipt of a call of a very dangerous incident immediately responded to protect their community. Their courage was exemplary, she continued. An Garda Siochana is conscious that this serious incident has an impact on the local community and local Garda management will work with the local community, business community and other state agencies in the coming days to help the community come to terms with this incident. This morning the Garda Technical Bureau has commenced a technical examination of the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre and Carpark. Read more Gardai ask witnesses to shooting at Carlow shopping centre not to share footage on social media Both of which remain cordoned off this afternoon. Gardai have said they will provide information to the public later today about how to collect cars parked in the carpark. An Garda Siochana continue to investigate all of the circumstances of this serious incident. An incident room has been established at Carlow Garda Station, with a Senior Investigating Officer appointed to lead the investigation. A Family Liaison Officer is providing support to the deceaseds family at this time. Investigating Gardai have appealed for anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead to provide it directly to the investing team. Anyone present at Fairgreen Shopping Centre between approximately 6:00pm and 6:30pm yesterday evening, Sunday 1st June 2025 is asked to contact the incident room at Carlow Garda Station at 059-9136620 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800-666-111. If youve been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please contact Samaritans on 116 123. Gunman declared dead at the scene, child (9) also suffered a leg injury The man who sparked a security alert at a Carlow shopping centre yesterday was on bail for firearms offences. Terrified shoppers fled after a gunman began shooting in the busy Fairgreen Shopping Centre yesterday evening. The man was declared dead at the scene last night, and today gardai confirmed that the fatal wound was self-inflicted. A nine-year-old child also suffered a leg injury while trying to run away. The man, aged in his early 20s, was arrested last year as part of an investigation into the purchase of weapons on the Dark Web. Forensic investigators at Fairgreen Shopping centre, Carlow, where a man died following a shooting incident on Sunday evening. Niall Carson/PA Wire He was initially charged with possession of firearms as well as ammunition and last appeared in court in May. The man was expected to face further charges as part of that investigation by the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and was due back in court this month. Emergency services near the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire He did not have any links to organised or serious crime but the court heard he had a fascination with firearms. It is understood a weapon recovered at the scene yesterday was a legally registered shotgun. This morning the scene at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow remained sealed off by gardai pending a full forensic examination by members of the garda technical bureau. The scene at Fairgreen Shopping centre, Carlow, where a man died following a shooting incident on Sunday evening. Picture date: Monday June 2, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH Carlow. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit completed its examination and the area has been declared safe, but the scene remains cordoned off while both the Garda Technical Bureau and the Office of the State Pathologist conduct examinations. But 22km away gardai had also sealed off two houses outside the village of Kiltegan, on the border with counties Carlow and Wicklow. Forensic investigators at Fairgreen Shopping centre, Carlow, where a man died following a shooting incident on Sunday evening. Niall Carson/PA Wire It is understood the gunman lived in one of the houses and it was also due to be searched today by gardai after it was declared a crime scene. The occupants of the second house are not believed to be connected to the shopping centre shooting in any way, but the house was due to be searched because it is thought the gunman may have been in it in recent times. Further details of the shooting incident were released by gardai at a press briefing today. The gunman had been confronted by gardai after firing into the air when he left the supermarket, it emerged. Assistant Commissioner for the Eastern Region, Paula Hilman, told how at 6.15pm An Garda Siochana received multiple reports of shots being fired at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre. Gardai responded to the scene and met a large number of people running from the shopping centre, she said. An unarmed uniformed unit arriving at the scene observed the suspect exiting the shopping centre. The suspect discharged a firearm, a shotgun, into the air. Another plain clothes armed garda unit responding drew their official firearms and identified themselves as armed gardai. The suspect discharged the firearm again, self-inflicting a fatal wound. No member of An Garda Siochana discharged a weapon. An Garda Siochana now understands that the lone male had walked through the shopping centre and had discharged the firearm, into the air, on a number of occasions, she added. No person was injured by the shots discharged. A young girl, in the shopping centre with her parents, suffered a minor leg injury when she fell while running from the scene. This was meant to be a normal day out on a bank holiday weekend. This was a terrifying experience for every person that was present in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre, yesterday evening, Asst Commissioner Hilman added. She said gardai implemented a cordon around the Fairgeen Shopping Centre and carpark, and a bottle containing an unknown substance was observed by Gardai on the dead man. This prompted a decision to call the army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from Collins Barracks, Cork who attended the scene late last night. Following examination, the EOD team declared the scene safe. This morning the Garda Technical Bureau has commenced a technical examination of the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre and Carpark. The shopping centre and carpark remain cordoned off this afternoon, said Asst Commissioner Hilman. She said the gunman is a white Irish national in his early 20s, and his body remained at the scene and would be removed to the State Pathologist Office in Whitehall in Dublin where formal identification would be carried out, and a state post-mortem would be carried out by Dr Heidi Okkers, the State Pathologist. News in 90 seconds - June 2nd The Carlow County Coroner has been notified and An Garda Siochana will assist in preparing an investigation file for a Coroners Inquest. An Garda Siochana continue to investigate all of the circumstances of this serious incident. An incident room has been established at Carlow Garda Station, with a Senior Investigating Officer appointed to lead the investigation. A Family Liaison Officer is providing support to the deceaseds family at this time, said Asst Commissioner Hilman. Investigating Gardai once again urge anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead to provide it directly to the investing team. Anyone present at Fairgreen Shopping Centre between approximately 6:00pm and 6:30pm yesterday evening is asked to contact the incident room at Carlow Garda Station. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059-9136620 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800-666-111. I would like to acknowledge the management and business community of the Fairgreen Shopping Centre for their assistance and support to the public yesterday evening. I also want to acknowledge the assistance of all the emergency services yesterday evening, Local Fire Brigade, Ambulance Services and the Defence forces for their professionalism and assistance. I specifically want to highlight the response of local Garda members, who on receipt of a call of a very dangerous incident immediately responded to protect their community. Their courage was exemplary. An Garda Siochana is conscious that this serious incident has an impact on the local community and local Garda management will work with the local community, business community and other state agencies in the coming days to help the community come to terms with this incident. An Garda Siochana is also very aware that there is a family grieving the death of their loved one at this time and An Garda Siochana appeals for privacy for the family, she added. Witness A tourist from South Carolina, who was in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre with his partner, their three week old baby and his partner's mother at the time of the shooting, described how the shooter walked straight past him holding a gun. "My partner had gone up to the restrooms on the second floor of the shopping centre and she was nursing the baby so I went back downstairs to find my partner's mother to help her pay for something in Tesco," he recalled. "As I walked back up the stairs to the restrooms to wait for my partner, a white young man walked past me holding a gun. A garda near the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow following a shooting. Photo: Niall Carson/PA "I went straight up the stairs to quickly find my partner and she said she had just spoken to the shooter and he said to her 'you better leave now, it's going to get very loud soon'. My partner didn't realise it was a real gun, she thought it was a paintball gun or a toy gun. "I knew it was a real gun, so I got my partner and the baby and we ran to the security office which is across from the bathrooms. We banged on the door and begged and pleaded for them to let us into the office. The security guard opened the door and myself, my partner and baby were able to get inside to hide from the shooter and we started barricading the door. We then heard approximately five or six gun shots. "During the shooting, my partner's mother who was still downstairs, ran and dove behind the counter of the coffee shop in the centre of the Fairgreen, across from Tesco, to shelter from the gunshots. "Having a three-week-old baby with us made the situation a whole lot worse," added the man as he started to cry. "That was our main concern, keeping our baby alive. Knowing that we had a baby with us that's so young and so helpless was terrifying." As an American, the man said he is used to gun violence in America, but never expected to find himself in this situation in Ireland. He added that he is likely to never visit Ireland again because of what he witnessed. "I'm from America. My partner is currently living in Carlow and had our baby in Ireland so this is the last place I would expect to see something like this happen. In America, I have been robbed at gunpoint at the business I own, but I have never experienced anything quite like this. Honestly, I'm scared and disappointed that this could happen in a country like Ireland. "It absolutely makes me question if I ever want to come to Ireland again. I don't feel safe here. I actually just want to go home. "It was a miracle that no one else was killed or critically injured." One shopper described the panic that ensued as shots rang out across the area. Dara Byrne had just left Fairgreen Shopping Centre, after going to Tesco, when she heard two loud bangs. Ms Byrne told the Sunday World: Id literally walked out the front entrance of the shopping centre and was going across the crossing to my car when I heard a loud bang, like someone had dropped something really heavy. Then seconds later, there was another loud bang. People started screaming and running out of the shopping centre. Some people, staff from the shopping centre, were trying to get to those still inside. If I had witnessed that, Id have struggled I saw some staff open emergency exits to let people out. Staff were running out, screaming and others were on their phones, crying. I just ran to my car. I went into autopilot and got out. I told myself, This is serious, people arent messing. I hope everyone is OK, I dont know what has happened. Im seeing reports online but all I can think is of the child who was injured and of my own little girl, that I am here with her tonight and Im going to hug her that bit tighter. I was going to take her shopping. Shes six years old but she didnt want to come and Im grateful she didnt and that I wasnt inside the building when this happened. The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team near to the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow, where a man is understood to have died following a shooting incident. Niall Carson/PA Wire If I had witnessed that, Id have struggled. But I still feel in shock and like Im not processing it yet. This isnt something that we expect in Carlow or in Ireland. I was very glad I wasnt inside. If Id left one minute later I dread to think. Fine Gael councillor Fergal Browne told the Sunday World: The community is in shock at such a disturbance on a bank holiday Sunday. The town was busy. My friend was at the bottle bank and heard three gunshots go off. They thought it was fireworks. My thoughts are with anyone who witnessed this incident. I compliment the gardai and emergency services who rushed to this scene. We are still learning more, so I urge calm. A garda near the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow following a shooting. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan said it was a shocking incident. My thoughts are with everyone affected by the shooting and the community and families impacted including those working at the scene, he said. I would appeal to anyone who has any information to speak to the gardai and help with their investigations in any way that they can. We must now allow An Garda Siochana to investigate this incident fully This is something we never want or expect to happen in our communities. Gun violence is very rare in Ireland, and I am determined that will remain the case. The area in Carlow is safe. We must now allow An Garda Siochana to investigate this incident fully. Forensic investigators at Fairgreen Shopping centre, Carlow, where a man died following a shooting incident on Sunday evening. Niall Carson/PA Wire Carlow TD and junior health minister Jennifer Murnane OConnor wrote online: My thoughts are with all people involved in this incident especially those who were injured, and with our 999 Blue Light Services working at the scene. Michael Kelley was described as a gentle lion and highly intelligent A family member of a man arrested over the murder of Kerry farmer Mike Gaine has said they cannot conceive that he could be capable of murder. Michael Kelley (53), from Maine in the United States, has told a number of news organisations that he was arrested and questioned as part of the investigation, but said he is being framed by others involved in the killing. A family member of Mr Kelley residing in the US told the Sunday World: The Michael I knew was not capable of murder, but we havent spoken in years. They described him as a gentle lion, and said he is highly intelligent and is always generous with people in need. Separately, court documents obtained by the Sunday World regarding a case in the US several years ago detail how a judge said Mr Kelley has questionable ability to determine fact from fiction. Mr Kelley was arrested on May 18 over the murder of 56-year-old Mr Gaine. He was questioned for 24 hours before being released without charge. In a series of interviews, the American, who says he is a former US soldier, has denied any involvement in the murder of Mr Gaine. Michael Kelley was arrested and released without charge. Photo: Domnick Walsh Mike Gaine: Chief suspect insists he had nothing to do with Kerry farmers death Until recently, Mr Kelley lived for around three years on Mr Gaines farm and was employed as a labourer, assisting with physical tasks on the extensive south Kerry farm, which spans about 1,000 acres. It is understood that gardai are exploring a number of potential theories as they look for a motive in the case. In the early days of the investigation, it is understood that gardai profiled a number of people who knew Mr Gaine well. A number of individuals were quickly ruled out of the probe. A source said that there have been no major developments in the case in the past week. Mr Kelley is currently free to leave the country, having been released without charge following his arrest on suspicion of murder. However, its understood that he doesnt have a passport at present. The 53-year-old previously sought asylum in Ireland. In an interview with RTE, Mr Kelley spoke of his relationship with Mr Gaine. We worked hand and glove. Doing the sheep or whatever, dosing them and stuff. I had already handled animals. I was fixing cars and tractors for him [Gaine], he said. Mr Kelley said he last saw Mr Gaine at around 10am on March 20 when they met in the farmyard. Michael Kelley was arrested and released without charge. Photo: Domnick Walsh News in 90 seconds - June 2nd He said Mr Gaine had indicated to him that he was planning to meet somebody that day, before giving Mr Kelley a list of chores to complete. Mr Kelley said he then returned to the old farmhouse to make coffee, adding that was the last time he saw Mr Gaine. Around 10am. He was as normal as ever. He was doing his chores, Mr Kelley told RTE. Redistributing the silage and things. Just ordinary chores. He said look after the chores for me. Im just going to meet a man. Ill be back later. He didnt come back that night. He said he would be back. Then they came looking for him at about 10am the following morning. Mr Gaine went missing on March 20. His car, which contained a number of personal items, was found on the farm at Carrig East, situated between the town of Kenmare and Molls Gap. Mike Gaine's remains were found on his farm Mr Kelley told RTE: I wouldnt describe us as great friends, but we got on. Our relationship was transactional. He gave me accommodation, food and paid me. In return I worked on his farm. We had a good working relationship, a civil relationship. We got on and understood one another. We are both farmers. We are getting along because we are grown men and we have work to do. We were brothers of the land, around the same age, with similar interests, and I liked that sense of brotherhood. A musician who plays the flute and tin whistle, Mr Kelley was recently seen busking in Tralee, where he has been pictured and has given interviews. In an effort to establish Mr Gaines whereabouts, an extensive search of his farm, surrounding valleys and lakes was initiated. On April 29, Mr Gaines disappearance was upgraded by gardai from a missing person case to a homicide investigation. Human remains were discovered on Mr Gaines farm on May 16, when one of his nephews and a neighbour were spreading slurry on fields. The farm was immediately sealed off and declared a crime scene. Further human remains are believed to have been found in a slurry spreader and in a slurry tank on the farm in the following days. Gardai say DNA tests have since confirmed that the remains are those of Mr Gaine. A specialist examination of the slurry tank on Mr Gaines hillside farmyard days after he disappeared did not uncover his dismembered remains. Questions are now being asked as to how they went undetected by gardai. However, sources have said that Mr Gaines remains had been dismembered to such an extent that the small pieces of his body somehow went unnoticed during a specialist search of the slurry tank by gardai and members of Kerry County Fire Services on March 24. The Kinahans are not panicking over McGoverns extradition Senior Kinahan gang member Sean McGovern was relieved to be extradited back to Ireland after spending eight months in prison in Dubai. A source involved in his complicated and secretive extradition said gardai believed he was being returned home on a couple of other occasions in recent months, only for legal issues to arise at the last minute. The 39-year-old Dubliner is one of cartel leader Daniel Kinahans closest confidants. The leadership of the Kinahan cartel, including Daniel, his father Christy Sr and brother Christopher Jr, remain in Dubai. The Kinahans are not panicking over McGoverns extradition and have no plans to flee Dubai, according to garda intelligence. Theyve no plans to flee, and if they did, we would be able to find them because of international co-operation, a source said. Gardai are awaiting a direction from the DPP on whether Daniel Kinahan and other members of his family should face a range of criminal charges, including leadership of an organised crime gang. Sean McGovern News in 90 seconds - June 2nd The state prosecutor has been considering an extensive garda file on Daniel Kinahan and other senior cartel members for two years. It could be a good sign there is no direction yet. It means the DPP is very thoroughly looking at it, the source said. As first reported in the Sunday World last year, the proposed extradition of McGovern was seen as a test case for plans to eventually attempt to return Daniel Kinahan to Ireland to face charges. The source pointed out that navigating the extradition process for McGovern would prove very helpful if gardai make attempts to extradite Daniel Kinahan. The extradition process for Sean McGovern was challenging. Due process had to take place, which meant a lot of legal issues had to be overcome, the source said. A good relationship was developed with authorities in the United Arab Emirates and there was a significant amount of help from Interpol on this case too, but it was a secretive process and very different to our own. Armed gardai outside courts ahead of the appearance of Sean McGovern last Thursday. Photo: PA It is understood gardai did not receive regular updates on developments in Dubai in relation to McGoverns planned extradition and instead had to trust the process. Meanwhile, the father-of-twos journey home on a military aircraft that made a number of stops en route passed off without incident. McGoverns partner and the mother of his two children is expected to return to Ireland from Dubai. McGovern, formerly of Kildare Road, Crumlin, is the most senior member of the Kinahan crime group to be charged before the Irish courts. Sean MCGovern and Anita Freeman He appeared in the Special Criminal Court last Thursday evening, shortly after arriving in Ireland. He is charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan (62) at St Ronans Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin, on December 22, 2016. Kirwan was shot dead as he sat in his car with his partner in the driveway of her home. He was not involved in the feud, but was targeted after being spotted beside Gerry The Monk Hutch at a funeral. McGovern is also charged with directing a criminal organisation involved in the conspiracy to murder a rival gangster. The alleged offences were carried out as part of the Hutch-Kinahan feud, which claimed up to 18 lives in Ireland and abroad. Bomb squad called as device found on white Irish adult male Footage near to the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow, where a shooting incident has taken place. A man was declared dead at the scene last night following the incident at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow. A nine-year-old child also suffered a leg injury. Gardai were alerted to reports of shots being fired shortly after 6pm. A lone gunman is believed to have discharged a number of shots, but was later declared dead. A suspicious device was also found on the man, meaning the Army bomb squad needed to be called. A tourist from South Carolina, who was in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre with his partner, their three week old baby and his partner's mother at the time of the shooting, described how the shooter walked straight past him holding a gun. "My partner had gone up to the restrooms on the second floor of the shopping centre and she was nursing the baby so I went back downstairs to find my partner's mother to help her pay for something in Tesco," he recalled. "As I walked back up the stairs to the restrooms to wait for my partner, a white young man walked past me holding a gun. "I went straight up the stairs to quickly find my partner and she said she had just spoken to the shooter and he said to her 'you better leave now, it's going to get very loud soon'. My partner didn't realise it was a real gun, she thought it was a paintball gun or a toy gun. "I knew it was a real gun, so I got my partner and the baby and we ran to the security office which is across from the bathrooms. We banged on the door and begged and pleaded for them to let us into the office. The security guard opened the door and myself, my partner and baby were able to get inside to hide from the shooter and we started barricading the door. We then heard approximately five or six gun shots. "During the shooting, my partner's mother who was still downstairs, ran and dove behind the counter of the coffee shop in the centre of the Fairgreen, across from Tesco, to shelter from the gunshots. "Having a three-week-old baby with us made the situation a whole lot worse," added the man as he started to cry. "That was our main concern, keeping our baby alive. Knowing that we had a baby with us that's so young and so helpless was terrifying." As an American, the man said he is used to gun violence in America, but never expected to find himself in this situation in Ireland. He added that he is likely to never visit Ireland again because of what he witnessed. "I'm from America. My partner is currently living in Carlow and had our baby in Ireland so this is the last place I would expect to see something like this happen. In America, I have been robbed at gunpoint at the business I own, but I have never experienced anything quite like this. Honestly, I'm scared and disappointed that this could happen in a country like Ireland. "It absolutely makes me question if I ever want to come to Ireland again. I don't feel safe here. I actually just want to go home. "It was a miracle that no one else was killed or critically injured. " One shopper described the panic that ensued as shots rang out across the area. Dara Byrne had just left Fairgreen Shopping Centre, after going to Tesco, when she heard two loud bangs. Ms Byrne told the Irish Independent: Id literally walked out the front entrance of the shopping centre and was going across the crossing to my car when I heard a loud bang, like someone had dropped something really heavy. Then seconds later, there was another loud bang. People started screaming and running out of the shopping centre. Some people, staff from the shopping centre, were trying to get to those still inside. I saw some staff open emergency exits to let people out. Staff were running out, screaming and others were on their phones, crying. I just ran to my car. I went into autopilot and got out. I told myself, This is serious, people arent messing. I hope everyone is OK, I dont know what has happened. Im seeing reports online but all I can think is of the child who was injured and of my own little girl, that I am here with her tonight and Im going to hug her that bit tighter. I was going to take her shopping. Shes six years old but she didnt want to come and Im grateful she didnt and that I wasnt inside the building when this happened. If I had witnessed that, Id have struggled. But I still feel in shock and like Im not processing it yet. This isnt something that we expect in Carlow or in Ireland. I was very glad I wasnt inside. If Id left one minute later I dread to think. Fine Gael councillor Fergal Browne told the Irish Independent: The community is in shock at such a disturbance on a bank holiday Sunday. The town was busy. My friend was at the bottle bank and heard three gunshots go off. They thought it was fireworks. My thoughts are with anyone who witnessed this incident. I compliment the gardai and emergency services who rushed to this scene. We are still learning more, so I urge calm. A large cordon was last night put in place around the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow town. Gardai, ambulance and fire service were at the scene and a helicopter was hovering overhead. The wounded girls injuries are understood to be non-life-threatening. The cause of the injuries were unclear last night. No other injuries were reported. Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan said it was a shocking incident. My thoughts are with everyone affected by the shooting and the community and families impacted including those working at the scene, he said. I would appeal to anyone who has any information to speak to the gardai and help with their investigations in any way that they can. This is something we never want or expect to happen in our communities. Gun violence is very rare in Ireland, and I am determined that will remain the case. The area in Carlow is safe. We must now allow An Garda Siochana to investigate this incident fully. Carlow TD and junior health minister Jennifer Murnane OConnor wrote online: My thoughts are with all people involved in this incident especially those who were injured, and with our 999 Blue Light Services working at the scene. The scene is no longer active and has been secured by An Garda Siochana who have asked that people avoid the area to allow them to manage the incident. There is much speculation and fake information/news circulating on social media. Official updates will be provided by An Garda Siochana. A statement from An Garda Siochana said: A white Irish adult male is deceased at the scene. The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has been requested to attend. A female juvenile received treatment from paramedics following the incident but did not require hospital care. News in 90 Seconds - June 1st Living in Holland for the first 12 years of her life gave Chris Duggan a good foundation in science. She said she was really privileged, and when she moved to New Zealand in 1979, she was shocked to notice her peers were not at the same level as her in science education. Now Duggan is being recognised for her transformative impact on science education in the Kings Birthday Honours, as she is made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. She became a science teacher in 1998, spending 15 years teaching biology and chemistry. She became the head of science at Tauranga Girls College in 2006 and held the position for seven years. Throughout my time in the classroom, I saw many students come to high school with very little understanding or confidence in science, Duggan said. In 2012, an Education Review Office report found 73% of New Zealands primary schools were not doing science very well, she said. I was quite horrified and decided something needed to be done. She quit her job and set up the not-for-profit organisation House of Science in 2014, with the mission to ensure science education was accessible, engaging and effective for primary school students. After quitting her teaching job, Duggan spent a few months doing market research and visiting primary school principals to better understand the issue at hand. I realised that the two biggest barriers to getting quality science into our primary schools were the lack of teacher confidence and the lack of resources. We are a charity that delivers science resource kits to primary schools all over New Zealand and the kits allow teachers in our primary schools to deliver hands-on science lessons. She created the kits in fish bins full of all the equipment needed and instructions. Chris Duggan quit her teaching job and set up the not-for-profit organisation House of Science in 2014. Photo / Brydie Thompson She set up what she called a library system where teachers could select one of 43 different resource kits to borrow for two weeks. An example is the Moo to You kit, which is all about dairy science. Students will grow some pasture in little trays, and they make silage, and they explore the digestive system of cows versus humans and look at different milks. It will arrive at their doorstep, and the teacher will have two weeks to do all the experiments before the kit is returned and topped up for the next teacher. Chris Duggan's House of Science provides kits to hundreds of schools around New Zealand. Photo / File Duggan lived in Tauranga from 2006 to 2022, before moving to Atiamuri, south of Rotorua. She still often commuted to work in the Tauranga office in Judea. It all started in the Western Bay and has turned into a semi-national initiative now. Were in a third of all [primary] schools in the country. Every fortnight, between 40,000 and 50,000 students are doing science with our resource kits. It goes to show that teachers absolutely love it. There was still huge demand, and the kits had a waiting list. House of Science has provided more than 200,000 students with bilingual, curriculum-aligned science kits delivered to hundreds of schools across New Zealand. Duggan said she was extremely humbled and surprised when she was told about her recognition in the Kings Birthday Honours. I had to tell my husband, and he was not surprised, unlike me. He is very pleased that the programme is receiving recognition. Hato Hone St John is once again calling on the support of Kiwis to help raise $4.5 million for the building and urgent repair of 13 ambulance stations around New Zealand. Chief executive Peter Bradley said this years annual appeal was more than just raising money for bricks and mortar. This is about future-proofing our stations, the home base for our emergency crews, so that no matter what tomorrow brings, our teams will always be there for communities when they need us most. For our ambulance officers, they are also a home away from home and a place to reset, recharge and connect with each other after attending a call out. Ambulance stations were also often a vital community hub for volunteers, including those delivering first aid training and running St John Youth programmes. Money raised from this years Light the Way Annual Appeal will go towards 10 new builds and three major repairs of St John Ambulance stations. The locations are Kawakawa, Whangarei, Auckland Central (Pitt Street), Waihi, Cambridge, Morrinsville, Palmerston North, Rangiora, Nelson, Akaroa, Oamaru, Riversdale and Invercargill. Frontline ambulance crews had an exceptionally busy year in 2024, responding to more than 450,000 incidents nationwide. Over the past decade, demand for our services has increased nearly 90%, said Bradley. To keep up with this growing demand, our ambulance stations need to grow and adapt. Many require urgent repairs or complete rebuilds to meet modern safety standards and ensure we can continue to look after our ambulance officers and ready to respond. Hato Hone St John provides emergency ambulance services to 97% of the countrys geographical area. Fundraising supports the costs of running the emergency ambulance service and helps towards infrastructure costs - like ambulance stations, essential buildings, repairs and maintenance. Hato Hone St John staff and volunteers will be out on the street with collection buckets on June 14 and 15, with schools and businesses supporting with local fundraising activities. For more information and to donate to Hato Hone St John, visit the Light the Way Annual Appeal website at Lighttheway.stjohn.org.nz Proceeds from annual appeal 2025 will go towards: Kawakawa (major renovation) Whangarei (new build) Auckland Central (annual upkeep - repairs) Waihi (new build) Cambridge (new build)) Morrinsville (new build) Palmerston North (new build) Rangiora (renovation funded - planning stage) Nelson (new build) Akaroa (new build) Oamaru (new build) Riversdale (new build) Invercargill (new build) Other annual appeal facts: The first annual appeal was held in Auckland in 1907, and it was named Ambulance Saturday. In 1975, the first 24-hour live Telethon was televised on TV2 to raise money for St John Ambulance. The event raised just under $600,000 in 24 hours, which was a national fundraising record at the time. In 2024, the annual appeal raised $3.9m towards building projects. A special Giving Day is planned for later in June when donations given in a 24-hour period will be doubled. -Contributed content . Companies in the sector and the College of Architects agree on the urgent need to bring affordable housing to the provincial property market SUR Monday, 2 June 2025, 17:51 Compartir In a province where tourism is the main economic driver and source of employment, construction remains a key sector for maintaining the strength of Malaga and the Costa del Sol as a tourist destination. For this reason, the future challenges facing the property market in Malaga carry significant weight in meeting the high expectations the province generates in global markets. Spains National Institute of Statistics (INE) recently confirmed that the current property boom and market interest are set to continue in the coming years: Malaga is projected to be the province with the highest growth in housing stock. The forecast suggests 211,000 new homes will be built in this period, representing 35% of all new housing in Andalucia. At present, the construction sector in Malaga city and along the Costa del Sol is facing a challenging paradox: the demand for new housing is growing faster than the industrys capacity to supply it, making it harder to strike a necessary balance between supply and demand. This imbalance is contributing to one of the most pressing issues today - the unsustainable rise in property prices. Recently, during the presentation of the Vision 2024 report, the director of Savills in Andalucia, Jose Felix Perez-Pena, stated that the province must triple its current rate of construction to halt the housing crisis affecting the city. To address this imbalance, he proposes a minimum annual output of 12,000 homes (8,000 free-market and 4,000 subsidised). Its a significant challenge, considering that the current construction rate in Malaga city is only 4,000 homes a year. Record number of approved homes in 2024 The Official College of Architects of Malaga echoed similar concerns in its review of the construction sectors performance in 2024. It highlighted the urgent need to address the housing crisis by boosting the development of new social housing projects. The report confirmed the sectors continued growth, with 8,902 homes approved in the province in 2024 - a new record and the highest figure since 2008. This represents a 27.5% increase compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the regional associations of developers and builders, grouped under Fadeco - the body representing property developers across Andalucia and chaired by Malaga-born Ignacio Peinado - welcomed the new Andalusian Housing Law being developed by the regional government. As reported by Jesus Hinojosa in SUR, the law is seen as a step in the right direction. Key changes include increasing the number of homes by 20% and building capacity by 10% for residential projects on urban land earmarked for social housing. These projects will also be eligible for more public funding if located in designated priority areas. The law will also allow social housing to be built automatically, without the need to amend urban plans, on tertiary, tourist and private amenity land. The sector continues growing, with 8,902 homes approved in the province in 2024 - a new record and the highest figure since 2008 Shortage of land for construction Fadeco insists that the ongoing shortage of land for construction remains the root of the housing crisis. The body believes the new law presents an ideal opportunity to revive the IMPASS project - a framework for accelerating the sustainable development of certain plots. The aim is to not only include these in the regional governments fast-track planning office but also allow for more housing than originally planned, ideally prioritising social housing. Malaga, a leader in sustainability Malaga is also spearheading projects that place the province at the forefront of sustainable housing development. For their work on Villa Ayantam, Jose Luis Manceras and Betina Roscano of OOD Architects were awarded the prestigious Breeam prize for the most sustainable residential building in Spain. The 1,800-square-metre home, located in the Cascada de Camojan development in Marbella, is Spains first certified zero-carbon villa. Nearly 2,000 formaldehyde-tainted Baby Three dolls destroyed in northern Vietnam Authorities in the northern province of Quang Ninh have destroyed 1,914 Baby Three dolls found to contain formaldehyde levels exceeding permissible limits, posing health risks, and of unclear origin. The traffic police on March 16 seized the dolls from a vehicle controlled by driver Hoang Van Luong, 34, who failed to provide documents confirming their origin. Baby Three dolls containing high level of formaldehyde are destroyed in Quang Ninh Province. Photo courtesy of Quang Ninh Police The toys, which have become popular with both children and adults in recent months were worth an estimated VND107 million (US$4,113), according to the police. Tests done at a lab showed the toys contained high levels of formaldehyde, which is a colorless and flammable gas which can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. High levels cause some types of cancers. It is used in the production of glue and construction materials. The owner of the toys, Hoang Thanh Cong, 35, has been fined VND45 million for trading goods of unknown origin. A person holds a Baby Three toy. Photo courtesy of Facebook/hothiky.truong Baby Three is a toy line created by a Chinese company featuring round-faced characters with a variety of expressions. Launched in May 2024, the dolls surged in popularity in Vietnam late last year due to their range of designs and random scents. They are sold in blind boxes, which means buyers have to purchase them without knowing the specific design inside. However, the Baby Three craze has recently waned, particularly after a March controversy involving a doll design resembling Chinas illegal U-shaped line that claims vast swaths of the South China Sea, known in Vietnam as the East Sea. The two victims and the wife of one of them were sitting outside an Irish bar in Fuengirola when they were targeted by the hooded gunmen. Juan Cano Malaga Monday, 2 June 2025, 10:15 Compartir Two Scottish men in their forties were shot dead in Fuengirola on Saturday, 31 May, in what has been described as an execution-type killing. According to the police, the victims were clearly targeted and their death is being treated as a settling of scores, as both allegedly had connections to drug-trafficking. The shooting incident happened on Saturday evening when the victims were ambushed by hooded gunmen while they were drinking at an Irish-themed bar located on the Rey de Espana promenade in Fuengirola. At the time of the shooting, the bar was full of people who were watching the Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan. The victims were accompanied by at least one other person - the wife of one of them, who escaped unscathed. At around 11.30pm, a car stopped next to the bar and a hooded individual got out of it, while his accomplice left the scene in the vehcile and, presumably, went to park and waited somewhere else. According to sources, the perpetrator approached one of his targets and shot him point-blank in the chest. The shot was fatal and the man was unable to react. The second individual attempted to escape, but the hooded man chased him inside the bar. The victim was trying to reach the toilets, judging by the direction in which he was running. He was shot in the chest and abdomen, subsequently dying at the scene. Nobody else was injured. The waiting staff ran for cover when they saw an individual with a gun. After the shooting, the hooded man fled the scene on foot. It is believed that he went to his accomplice and they escaped by car. The emergency services received multiple calls reporting the shooting, which caused widespread panic among the members of the public. The National Police and Local Police forces along with paramedics who were not able to resuscitate the victims. The police activated the 'Plan Costa del Sol' protocol - an offshoot of the 'Plan Marbella', which successfully dismantled organised crime groups last year. The operation's aim is to coordinate all provincial forces to identify and locate criminals. According to the government's sub-delegate - Francisco Javier Salas - both victims had links to drug-trafficking. For that reason, the case is being investigated by the drugs and organised crime unit (Udyco). Officers launched an extensive investigation at the scene, which lasted well into the early hours of the morning. "This type of incident causes alarm, but we hope that we will soon be able to find the perpetrator," said Javier Salas.. Cristina Vallejo Monday, 2 June 2025, 19:23 Compartir A women's bookshop became much more than that: a back room where people talked quietly; where money was raised to pay for plane tickets; meetings with strangers who lent spare rooms for a couple of nights; alibis for disappearing from the family home for the first time. This story takes place between Malaga and London. It recreates the events of the 1980s, to commemorate 40 years since the passing of the first abortion law of Spain's restored democracy. The first approval established that abortion would not be "punishable" in any of the following circumstances: it was necessary to avoid a serious danger to the pregnant woman's life or physical or mental health, and that this was stated in an opinion issued by a doctor other than the one who was to perform the abortion; if the pregnancy was the result of rape; or if it was presumed that the foetus would be born "with serious physical or mental disabilities". The law was a step in the right direction, but it still subjected women to severe scrutiny. Feminists in Malaga who fought for free abortion held a "popular trial" against the 1985 law: "It was not at all satisfactory. It was better than nothing, but we didn't want a makeshift solution." "We didn't like that women needed to say that the pregnancy affected them psychologically, for example. The process was an ordeal," explain Carmen Martin and Carmen Perez Pinto, feminist activists historically and currently. Zoom The "popular trial" that feminists in Malaga undertook against the 1985 abortion law, still too restrictive, in their opinion. Provided by Carmen Martin It took no less than 25 years for the law on sexual and reproductive health and the voluntary termination of pregnancy to be passed in 2010. The updated law states that fourteen weeks is a "reasonable" period for women to make a "free and informed" decision about their pregnancy. After various ups and downs, feminists remain dissatisfied: the right to abortion is still not guaranteed; it has not been integrated into the health system as a service. The 2014 proposal for (counter)reform - to return to the initial scheme - failed and cost the former minister of justice, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon, his political career. The new regulation of 2023 extended guaranteed rights for women, but "There are gaps," - in some provinces the public health system does not provide abortions. However, this environment is not like it was four decades ago - when there was no law. At the beginning of the 80s, the Libreria de Mujeres (Women's Bookshop) was established in Malaga. It was a place dedicated to feminist literature, where women could share experiences and ask for information on sexuality or family planning. But it was also a place where young women who needed an abortion could go: the people who ran the bookshop had contacts with women in London who acted as a support group for Spanish and Irish women who could not terminate their pregnancies in their own countries because it was either illegal or too difficult there. Zoom Carmen Perez Pinto, left, worked at the Libreria de Mujeres; Carmen Martin is a historic feminist from Malaga. SUR "When a woman started walking around the shop and browsing through books until it was empty, we knew what she was looking for, we knew she had found out that she could find help there" Discretion in the back room "It was a word-of-mouth thing. We didn't advertise. When a woman started going around the shop and browsing through books until it was empty, we knew what she was looking for, we knew she had heard that she could find help there. Almost no words were needed. When we were alone, we would take her to the back room. She took it for granted that no one would find out, that she could talk there in confidence. Some of them came with their mothers, but most of them arrived alone," says Carmen Perez Pinto, who was part of the women's bookshop in the 80s. It was the women with the least resources and education who passed through these premises in Calle San Agustin; those who had the means did not need this support network. The bookshop also collected money to pay for trips to London and cover clinic bills. Cutting from the SUR archive announcing the Libreria de Mujeres opening, at the beginning of the 80s; a page of a feminist magazine in Madrid, giving information on the SWASG collective; and the front cover of the book Nuestros Cuerpos, Nuestras Vidas (Our Bodies, Our Lives). Archivo "We didn't judge or ask for explanations. We just asked the woman how far along she was and from there, we tried to be quick. We would help her find an alibi: 'Tell your mother that you are going away for three days with a friend.' Although, of course, there were times when it wasn't easy, because the young woman had never left her house before," explains Perez Pinto with Carmen Martin, a historical feminist from Malaga. "We didn't judge or ask for explanations. We just asked the woman how far along she was and from there, we tried to be quick" Isabel Ros talks to SUR from London. She says that between the late 70s and early 80s Our Bodies, Our Lives, a reference book on women's health and sexuality by the Boston Women's Collective, was translated into Spanish. In the copy was the phone number of Release, a human rights organisation she worked for, to call if anyone needed to terminate their pregnancy. So many calls came in that Release had to set up a specific team to deal with them. And a group of volunteers was already operating in the UK to help Irish women because it was illegal to have an abortion in their country, alongside a support group for Spanish women, SWASG (Spanish Women's Abortion Support Group) - founded at the same time. Feminist magazines published this information: "In Spain there is still no free abortion. If you have problems and need direction, here's one: London. We are a group of Spanish and non-Spanish women living in London. The group was formed in March 1981 with the aim of giving some support to women from Spain who come to London to have an abortion." Isabel Ros was part of the organisation that was active in London in support of Spanish women going to the UK for abortions. Provided More than 40 years ago it was not so easy to make calls abroad. There were no mobile phones and not everyone had a telephone, and calling another country was difficult. But, overcoming those difficulties, there were many women who went to the UK for abortions with the support of Release and SWASG. It actually happened quite quickly beause the clinic could be arranged on the phone. "The clinics are so busy that it takes at least a week to organise the abortion," the organisation warned in its advertisement urging people to get in touch as soon as possible. "We will ask you when was the first day of your last period and inform you about the current price of the operation. In addition to that money, you will need an extra 30 for the tube, buses, food, etc. It is very difficult to get late abortions and there is only one clinic in the whole of London that does them, and only up to 26 weeks. It is therefore very important that you call us as soon as possible. The earlier the better, as clinics prefer not to do the operation after seven weeks of pregnancy," the advice continues. "We can't give financial support because the group doesn't have any money," the leaflets said. But as in Malaga, Ros said that in London, donations were also made on occasion. "We will ask you when was the first day of your last period and inform you about the current price of the operation. In addition to this money, you will need an extra 30," the organisation warned in its advertisement In London, there were not only volunteers who took turns answering the phones and arranging appointments with clinics. They were also willing to go to the airport to pick them up, give them accommodation, take them to the hospital, pick them up when they were discharged and drive them back to the airport. They probably did not know English and the volunteers had to act as interpreters. The core of the organisation was made up of around ten women, but in total the network had around 30, and not only Spanish women, but from all regions of the UK. As Ros remembers, the group was formed around helpless Spanish women, to avoid the abuse they were sometimes subjected to when they went on their own. But also because, in order to face an abortion, they needed human support: understanding; empathy; and security. Ros stressed that their work included monitoring the clinics so that they would do their job properly, to ensure the women's safety. Their activism also reached institutions, where they reported on the situation in Spain and the country's need for a law recognising the right to unrestricted, safe and free abortion. In demand of unrestricted and free abortion. Archivo "It is not a decision that is taken lightly" Those Spanish girls who boarded a plane and left Spain for the first time in their lives had no choice but to trust the generous strangers waiting for them on the tarmac. "This is not a decision that is taken lightly," said Ros, about the women who terminated their pregnancies. The trip lasted four days: British law required you to be in the country at least the day before the operation and you had to spend a day in hospital. The process was something like this: on the first day you had a consultation with the doctor, the next morning you were admitted to the clinic and 24 hours later you were discharged. The Women's Bookshop helped many Malaguenas get to London. And there were places like that all over Spain. In 1978, 30,000 non-resident women were having abortions in the UK, almost half of them (14,000) were Spanish. In 1979, the number of Spaniards exceeded 16,400, and in 1982, 22,000. Zoom Feminist movement protest for abortion in Malaga. Archivo The passing of the law of suppositions was not enough to put an end to these flights to London: having a legal abortion in Spain was still difficult. So the support group was active until the late 1980s, says Ros. Martin and Perez Pinto explain that women from Malaga were not only referred to the UK. When clinics were opening in Malaga around 1984, their clients were also referred there. Although they believe that these practices should form part of the public health service portfolio, they highlighted that they were very grateful for these centres, because if the women could not pay, they did not have to. The clinics and their doctors were activists and risked their freedom for the cause. Zoom Doctors from an abortion clinic in Malaga leaving prison in the mid-1980s. Salas / Archivo "Neither three months nor three years in prison can break a person who knows what they are doing and what they want and who they are fighting against" German Saenz de Santamaria, Alberto Stolzemburg and Ernesto Ritwagen spent forty days in prison and were released after posting bail of 10.5 million pesetas because in November 1986 the police raided their health centre in the Scala 2000 building on Calle Hilera and arrested 30 people: doctors, medical students, several nurses and more than 20 women who were there to terminate their pregnancies. Abortion was already legal in Spain, but with limitations and scrutiny, and the clinic was still waiting for permission to provide abortions. Feminists in Malaga called for protests in solidarity with the doctors and the women - who were bailed out - and to demand the right to abortion. There were calls for 741 years in prison for the defendants. But one of the doctors declared: "Neither three months nor three years in prison can break a person who knows what they are doing and what they want and who they are fighting against." After more than ten years of court processes, they were all acquitted, but only because the statute of limitations had run out on the alleged crimes. 2014 attempt to cut abortion rights Alberto Ruiz Gallardon was forced to resign because his reform proposal, taking steps back from their recent progress, did not go ahead due to the mobilisation of the feminist movement, which also reached London, with the birth of SWASG 2.0 The doctors were gambling their freedom. The women, their lives. The network formed between Spain and the UK was revived in 2014, when minister Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon tried to curtail the right to abortion. "SWASG 2.0 was born," explains Ros, with demonstrations in London in solidarity with Spanish women. "Feminism has never considered abortion as a method of contraception. We emphasised the fight for the right to abortion because women were dying: without it being legal, abortions were still happening, anywhere and in any way. Moreover, the appropriation of our bodies was an indisputable feminist premise. But at the same time, our aim was to provide better sex education. If there was a woman who passed by the bookshop more than once, we read her the leaflet," says Martin. Lorena Gamarra Monday, 2 June 2025, 14:56 Compartir Amazon Spain has denied that the data of five million people, which a cybercriminal announced were being traded on the dark web on 28 May, belong to customers of the company. According to the perpetrator, the data hacked include username, ID number, email address, home address and telephone number. The existence of this database was shared on social media by the account HackManac, which specialises in reporting this type of leak from the dark web. ABC contacted Amazon to find out whether the company had suffered a security breach. "While we continue to investigate, we have found no evidence that Amazon has experienced a security incident and our systems remain safe," the company said. Amazon Spain denied that the leaked data is its customers'. On the contrary, it stated that the information could have been stolen from another company around 2020. The online retail giant said that the criminal claimed to be trading with users' IDs, which Amazon does not ask its customers to provide. Regardless of whether the data belongs to Amazon customers, its illegal collection could lead to organised large, personalised scam campaigns. If the hacked information is real, victims could receive phone calls impersonating third parties or malicious text messages and emails, tricking them to submit more sensitive information, such as passwords or online banking details. The messages could also contain malicious code intended to extract this type of data from infected devices. Cybersecurity experts recommend that you always pay special attention to suspicious-sounding type of communication. Before sharing any information, be it by email, SMS or phone call, it is best to verify that the person contacting you is a representative of the insitution or company they refer to. Rocio Jimenez Monday, 2 June 2025, 18:29 Compartir After the heavy spring rains, now is the best time to discover some of Spain's natural treasures, such as the waterfalls of Aljibe - natural pools that look almost as if they were from another planet due to their reddish surroundings and the colour of the water at certain times of the year. For this reason, they are often called 'Las Pozas de Marte' ('The Pools of Mars'). A little less than two hours from Madrid, in the province of Guadalajara, we can find these waterfalls that are formed by the Soto stream, as it crosses over quartzite crags near its confluence with the Jarama river. With a total of 12 metres in height (the first is between three and four metres, while the second is between seven and eight), the waterfalls are most abundant in water during the spring. Those who are brave enough can even take a dip in the pools, but bear in mind that the water is quite cold. Everybody else can cross a small wooden bridge that is a little further up the stream to find different perspectives for the best photos. Zoom Image of the Aljibe waterfall. Diputacion de Guadalajara To reach this beautiful natural enclave, where time stands still in peace and tranquillity, there is a circular hiking route suitable for all ages. Along the way, you can enjoy incredible panoramic views. The route has an ascent of 390 metres and the estimated walking time is about two hours. Zoom Image of Roblelacasa Diputacion de Guadalajara Before embarking on this journey, you can visit the nearby Roblelacasa village - a hamlet of Campillo de Ranas, located on the northern slope of the Sierra de Ayllon. Although it is not so popular, its houses present one of the best examples of "black architecture" (slate-based architecture using dark, natural stone) in the whole region. Its most notable landmark is the single-nave church with an attached sacristy, slate eaves, and a porch supported by wooden log beams. With that in mind, its time to set off on a circular trail of about 6.7 kilometres that runs from the aforementioned village to this natural spot within the Sierra Norte Natural Park of Guadalajara. The path winds through a sea of rockroses, oaks, and holm oaks, in an area frequented by griffon vultures, golden eagles, common buzzards, booted eagles and black kites, making the walk truly enjoyable. This route overlaps between Roblelacasa and near the Trillos Bridge over the Jarama River with the PR-GU 02 trail and the long-distance GR-60 path. Zoom Image of El Espinar Diputacion de Guadalajara For those who wish to extend the route a little further, there is another option, which also includes El Espinar - another one of the most outstanding "black" villages in the area, located on a hill surrounded by ravines covered with lush vegetation, offering views of the Jarama valley. The church there is built with slate masonry and features a bell gable with a single bell opening. This alternative route is 9.2 kilometres long, which extends the estimated time to three hours but, in return, offers panoramic views of the Ocejon peak - one of the most famous peaks in the province, which reaches 2,049 metres in height. The route to the peak starts from Valverde de los Arroyos. DEAR ABBY: I have a strained relationship with my sister. There has always been a lot of drama surrounding her. Over the years, she has always played the victim. We talk only if one of my parents is having a health issue. Currently, my sister is in the middle of a contentious divorce. It has been going on for two years, and shes taking her victimhood to the next level. Shes posting on social media about all kinds of things she alleges my brother-in-law has done to her. My wife and I have chosen to stay out of it. We have watched them treat each other badly over the years. My daughter is now graduating. Shed like to invite her aunt and uncle to her graduation party. Whats the right thing to do? I would prefer not to invite either of them. I do not want drama at that party. -- GRADS DAD IN INDIANA DEAR DAD: Explain to your daughter that because her aunt and uncle are at each others throats as their divorce drags on, you are worried they will disrupt the happy occasion and ruin it for HER, which is why you feel it would be a huge mistake for her to invite them. Then cross your fingers and hope she sees the wisdom. ** ** ** Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. ** ** ** To order How to Write Letters for All Occasions, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby -- Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.) COPYRIGHT 2025 ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION 1130 Walnut, Kansas City, MO 64106; 816-581-7500 Hidden Level CEO and co-founder Jeff Cole in the company's offices in Syracuse. Hidden Level makes systems that detect the location of drones and their operators. (Rick Moriarty | rmoriarty@syracuse.com) Rick Moriarty Syracuse, N.Y. Hidden Level is hidden no more. The Syracuse startup is growing rapidly and is getting noticed by venture capitalists. With a recent infusion of $100 million in new investor funding, its on track to grow even more, right here in Central New York. Jonathan Joss, best known for voicing John Redcorn on "King of the Hill," died June 1 in a shooting outside his Texas home. He was 59. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File) AP CLEVELAND, Ohio Jonathan Joss, best known for voicing John Redcorn on the long-running animated series King of the Hill, was shot and killed outside his San Antonio home on Sunday. He was 59. Joss was shot and killed on Sunday after an alleged altercation with a neighbor in San Antonio, Texas, police told People Magazine. Police dispatched to a shooting in progress at around 7 p.m., where they found Joss lying near the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspected shooter, 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Cejam, was taken into custody after leaving the scene by car. He has been charged with murder and was booked into Bexar County Jail on a $200,000 bond. Joss, a member of the Comanche and White Mountain Apache tribes, voiced the character John Redcorn from Season 2 through the final Season 13 of King of the Hill. He was expected to reprise the role in Hulus upcoming revival of the show, which is slated to premiere in August. In addition to his voice work, Joss appeared in several high-profile television and film roles, including as Chief Ken Hotate on NBCs Parks and Recreation and in movies such as True Grit and The Magnificent Seven. Earlier this year, Joss lost his childhood home in a fire that also killed his three dogs, according to local media. An investigation into the shooting remains ongoing. Elizabeth Izzo, Times Union, Albany, N.Y. (TNS) VICTORY Two teenagers have been charged with starting the massive fire that destroyed the historic former Victory Mills Saturday. The teens, who are both 14, were charged Sunday with third-degree arson and second-degree criminal trespass, the Saratoga County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. They are accused of intentionally damaging a building by starting a fire and of knowingly and unlawfully remaining in a building which was fenced in or otherwise enclosed in a manner designed to exclude intruders, the statement said. The children. a boy and a girl, were released to their parents. The 14-year-old boy was arrested and charged Saturday. The sheriffs office provided no other details about the case. Firefighters from multiple departments responded to 42 Gates Ave. around 2:30 p.m. Saturday and found the building fully engulfed in flames. More than three hours later, the fire was under control. Saratoga Town Supervisor Ian Murray in a post on Facebook called the fire devastating, intense and dangerous. He said the fire has deeply impacted the community and thanked firefighters for their work. To understand the weight of this moment: the mill is more than just a building. Its part of the very foundation of Victory, he said. Murray added that its towering presence has remained a symbol of our villages industrial legacy and resilience. Tanker trucks at the scene were seen speeding away from the property as firefighters worked to fill them and bring water back to the site. Firefighters also filled up large rubber pools that were then used as a water source for two ladder trucks along the front of the mill on Gates Avenue and for one truck at the back of the mill. Three departments were also seen pumping water from nearby Fish Creek. The fire department has performed outstandingly, working tirelessly to contain the blaze. The village is currently focusing on ensuring public safety and mitigating potential hazards, Victory Mayor Corey Helwig wrote in a post on Facebook. The five-story, approximately 230,000-square-foot mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The oldest part of the mill opened as a textile producer in 1848. Investors purchased another nearby mill, making the complex one of the largest cotton mills in the state by 1870, and employed hundreds, according to a 2010 report by the towns historian that was funded under a grant from the American Battlefield Protection Program. The largest portion of the building, which is made of concrete and old-growth timber, was built in 1918 and was the culmination of the Saratoga Victory Manufacturing Companys milling operations that began on site almost 75 years earlier, according to a 2019 village of Victory report. After the textile business moved to Alabama in the 1920s, the building was repurposed for paper product production. It has been closed since 2000. The mill was the reason for the name, settlement, incorporation, growth and prosperity of the village, the report reads. However, the mill was set to be torn down. Redevelopment plans In an interview Sunday, the villages mayor said that the exterior concrete structure was all that remained of the building and that demolition work would begin on Monday morning. He said the village had been in the process of buying the mill from its current owner, Riverview Realty LLC, as part of a multimillion dollar redevelopment initiative backed by funding from the Empire State Development Corporation. The village would have been responsible for tearing down the building, but because Riverview still owns the structure, Helwig said the company will oversee the demolition. The property owner is going to get it on the ground, and then were actually trying to expedite the process of the village taking ownership of it, Helwig said. Nothing has changed in the plan going forward. It was not immediately clear how much the village had agreed to pay for the mill. The most recent Saratoga County tax assessment rolls shows the property has an assessed value of $415,000 and a market value of $691,667. Helwig said that while the process to get community input on what to do with the site has yet to begin, he hopes the site can be redeveloped into housing for people 55 and older, as well as provide a home for new businesses. He hopes to connect the site to nearby trails that lead to the Philip Schuyler House and to build a park with a monument to the mill and the generations of people who labored there. Through tragedy and devastation, I think its going to be a great benefit to the village, Helwig said. Uri Kaufman, Riverview Realty LLCs principal, did not respond to requests for comment Sunday. Six years ago, Kaufman was working with a Westchester County developer to convert the mill into state of the art apartments, as well as bringing in a brewery, according to the development plans. But Larry Regan of Regan Development Corp. told the Times Union Sunday in an email that it was difficult to get investors for the project because of the villages rural Saratoga County location. In a presentation to the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency in March 2021, the project cost had increased to $68 million. The building was a spectacular structure, Regan wrote Sunday. It just was in the wrong place for adaptive reuse purposes for housing. Its just always been there Michelle Vanarnum lives about two blocks from the former mill on Gates Avenue. Her husband, Leon, worked at the mill from 1976 until it closed in 2000. In 2002, she said, everything was cleaned out of it to prepare it for redevelopment. Several plans were introduced over the years, but none came to fruition, she said. The village recently informed neighbors that the time had come for the mill to be razed and work was supposed to start sometime after July 4, Vanarnum said. Despite it being an easy target for squatters over the years and a place for kids to have parties, she said that now that the mill is destroyed, she has mixed feelings. I dont know. Its just always been there, in the center of town, she said. If someone came to visit and you had to give them directions, you always say go to the old mill and then count the houses. Now its just gone. Lauren Stanforth contributed 2025 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) . Visit www.timesunion.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Emergency crews resumed their search Monday for a 5-year-old boy who fell into the Genesee River in downtown Rochester. The child fell from the Andrews Street bridge around 4:40 p.m. Sunday, the Democrat and Chronicle reported. He had been walking with his mother, who was pushing another child in a stroller, when he ran ahead and climbed onto the bridge railing. Before she could reach him, he went over the edge and plunged an estimated 40 to 50 feet into the fast-moving river. Rochester Police Capt. Greg Bello said the mother ran along the riverbank in an attempt to reach him but eventually lost sight of him. Patrons in nearby restaurants could hear the mother screaming, according to News 10. Theres no way the mother could have safely rescued that child, Bello said at a news briefing. Theres absolutely no way. Its very dangerous the way the current runs and everything else through there. Responders from Rochester Police, Rochester Fire Department, New York State Police, and Irondequoit Police searched throughout the evening using drones, helicopters, SCUBA teams, and boats. As of Monday morning, the boy had not been found. Andrews Street remains closed between North Water Street and State Street as the search continues near High Falls. Anyone with information is asked to call 911. Nestle has initiated legal action against its former business partner the Mahagitsiri family in Thailand alleging infringement of the Nescafe trademark and seeking BHT577 million (US$18 million) in compensation. The Switzerland-based food producer will settle the matter at court on June 9 against the father and son duo Prayudh and Chalermchai Mahagitsiri. A logo is pictured during the 152nd Annual General Meeting of Nestle in Lausanne, Switzerland April 11, 2019. Photo by Reuters Prayudh Mahagitsiri, a Thai coffee magnate, has a net worth of $1.8 billion, with a large chunk of it stemming from his 34-year partnership with Nestle, according to Forbes. The core conflict between Nestle and the Mahagitsiri family centers around who has control over distribution of products bearing the Nescafe trademark. Nestle on March 14 requested a Bangkok court to liquidate Quality Coffee Product, a 50:50 joint venture it formed with the Mahagitsiri family over three decades ago. Nestle claimed that since it managed production, distribution, and marketing, the liquidation of the company means that all distribution in Thailand would fall under its hands, according to The Nation. The Mahagitsiri family, however, argued that while Nestle owns the coffee formula and production technology, Quality Coffee Product has paid Nestle "tens of billions of baht" over the years for these rights. As both parties were unable to reach an agreement, the Minburi Civil Court on April 3 issued an eight-day suspension of Nescafe product sales, which barred Nestle from manufacturing, outsourcing production, distributing, or importing instant coffee products bearing the Nescafe trademark in Thailand. The Swiss firm now claims that the suspension has put a dent on its revenue and demands BHT577 million in compensation. By the end of the month, the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court issued a ruling confirming that Nestle (Thai) Ltd holds the exclusive right to use the Nescafe trademark in Thailand. Although a meditation between the two parties took place on May 28, no agreement was reached. In this 2023 file photo, D. John Sauer, Special Assistant Attorney General with the Louisiana Department of Justice, testifies during a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) AP ALBANY U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer is opposing efforts by Alain Kaloyeros and other defendants in the infamous Buffalo Billion bid-rigging case to avoid being retried on wire fraud charges after their convictions were overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. Sauer, whose nomination by President Donald Trump was confirmed by the Senate last month, filed a brief with the Supreme Court on May 14 asking the Supreme Court to deny a so-called writ of certiorari that lawyers for Kaloyeros and his co-defendants filed with the court in March. The petition argues that Kaloyeros and the others are at risk of facing double jeopardy if prosecutors in the Southern District of Manhattan retry the case under a different legal theory than the one the Supreme Court had ruled was unconstitutional two years ago. While a vigorous defense of the governments prosecutorial power and decisions is expected by Sauer, in this instance, his filing of the brief appears to contradict public statements made earlier this year by a top aide to U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi, the Trump administrations top law enforcement official. That official, Chad Mizelle, Bondis chief of staff, blasted the Buffalo Billion case on the social media platform X in February as he sought to defend the Justice Departments decision to drop the prosecution of New York City Mayor Adams on bribery charges. Mizelle argued that prosecutors in the Department of Justice and especially the Southern District of Manhattan had lost their way under previous administrations in pursuing certain political corruption and white-collar criminal cases that were eventually overturned by the Supreme Court. Mizelle specifically mentioned the Buffalo Billion case as an example of prosecutorial overreach that the Trump administration would seek to avoid while putting more emphasis on pursuing violent criminals, gangs, and drug and immigration cases. The case against Mayor Adams was just one in a long history of past DOJ actions that represent grave errors of judgement (sic), Mizelle wrote on X as part of a long series of posts he made on X on Feb. 19. This DOJ is going back to basics. The conservative-leaning Supreme Court made a landmark decision in May 2023 when it ruled in favor of Kaloyeros, Buffalo developer Louis Ciminelli, and Syracuse-area Cor Development Co. executives Steven Aiello and Joseph Gerardi on their appeal to the nations highest court seeking to have their convictions tossed. The four were convicted in 2018 for wire fraud for allegedly conspiring to ensure that the upstate developers would be likely selected to win $850 million in construction contracts for several high-tech projects that then Gov. Andrew Cuomo had touted as the Buffalo Billion since the total price tag was valued at nearly $1 billion. The projects were designed to replicate the success of Albany NanoTech, the computer chip manufacturing research center that Kaloyeros created over decades as a physics professor at the University at Albany using a combination of millions of dollars in state grants and large investments from IBM, Tokyo Electron, Applied Materials and others. The facility has attracted billions of dollars in investment and created thousands of high-tech jobs in the state. Kaloyeros, who became one of the highest-paid and most powerful public employees in the state as the Albany NanoTech complex became an international success story, was tapped by Cuomo to replicate the model in other Upstate New York cities like Syracuse and Buffalo that had suffered from decades of manufacturing job losses. Kaloyeros ran Albany NanoTech through two obscure nonprofit entities that operated mostly under the radar at the time. Prosecutors alleged that Kaloyeros and a former Cuomo aide worked with the three developers to rig the bidding process for the contracts, which were awarded by a nonprofit called Fort Schuyler Management Corp. without the knowledge of its board members. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan tried the case under whats known as the right-to-control theory of wire fraud that says a defendant can be guilty of wire fraud simply by denying a victim of information they need to make an informed financial decision. In this case, the defendants allegedly concealed the fact that the bid requirements had been written to favor the three developers over other potential bidders who might have been just as qualified. For years, defense attorneys have assailed the right-to-control theory, arguing it expanded the definition of wire fraud beyond the original intention of the statute. The Supreme Court ruled that this legal strategy, or theory, is unconstitutional, overturning the original case brought against Kaloyeros and his co-defendants. 2025 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) . Visit www.timesunion.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Olivia Lloyd, The Sun News (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) (TNS) The discovery of a desperate note left in a Jersey Mikes bathroom led to the rescue of a mom who said she had been held against her will for more than six months, Florida authorities said. Her 34-year-old boyfriend, Jordan Blake Williams, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, felony domestic violence battery, battery by strangulation and battery by touching or striking, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office. Law enforcement got a call May 27 when the Navarre sandwich shop employees found a help me note in the bathroom, not long after a couple came to pick up food, deputies wrote in an arrest affidavit. In the note, the woman asked for a welfare check at a listed address and said she was being held against her will, according to the affidavit. The woman pleaded for help, saying she wants to get home to her family and kids, deputies said. Investigators identified the accused captor as Williams, the womans boyfriend of two years. WKRC reports Williams was a professional wrestler who competed on the local independent circuit as Jayden Steele. The womans ex-husband, who has custody of their children, has a restraining order on Williams, saying Williams had threatened to kill the children in the past and was abusive, according to the affidavit. Deputies went to a home in the Panhandle and found the woman, who said she had written the note and that Williams had been holding her hostage and abusing her for six to eight months, according to investigators. She recounted that her past escape attempts ended in Williams beating her, deputies said. First responders said they found her with a black eye, a possible broken arm and hand, as well as large bumps on the back of her head. Williams repeatedly denied hitting his girlfriend, saying he didnt know how she had received the injuries deputies found her with, investigators wrote in the report. Medical personnel took her to a hospital for treatment. Williams was denied bond May 29, the sheriffs office said. If you are experiencing domestic violence and need someone to talk to, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for support at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. 2025 The Sun News (Myrtle Beach, S.C.). Visit www.thesunnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. High-altitude smoke from wildfires in western and central Canada will drift into Upstate New York this week. This map shows air quality ratings Monday morning across the Canada and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Syracuse, N.Y. -- Smoke from wildfires in western and central Canada will drift into Upstate New York this week, creating hazy skies and colorful sunsets. Some smoke is already sliding in today, creating slightly hazy skies. Smoke will continue to build this evening and through Wednesday, said Daneille Kittle, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Binghamton. The smoke will stay fairly high most of the time, above 6,000 feet, she said, but some might sink to about 1,000 feet by Tuesday. It could be a little bit more noticeable tomorrow afternoon in terms of getting the faint smell of smoke, she said. The smoke wont be anything that in June 2023, when much of Upstate was under emergency air alerts as soot pushed in from wildfires in Ontario and Quebec. This time, the wildfires are burning in the inland Canadian provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. More than 25,000 people have been evacuated, and a state of emergency was declared last week in Manitoba, the province that borders Ontario. The smoke in Upstate New York could block enough sunlight to lower temperatures. The forecast high in Syracuse on Wednesday is 89 degrees, but the smoke could drop that by a couple of degrees. Even if it does, were still looking at a really warm day on Wednesday, Kittle said. The normal temperature for June 4 in Syracuse is 75 degrees. The record, set in 1919, is 95. A cold front moving in late Wednesday or early Thursday will likely clear out the smoke, she said. That front will also lower temperatures, with a high on Thursday of about 84 degrees. Highs the rest of the week and into the weekend will be in the upper 70s, with rain likely Thursday and Friday. 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. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Vietnamese durians are fast becoming a trendy delicacy in Beijing, making their way into supermarkets, wholesale markets, milk tea shops, bakeries, and high-end restaurants. Offered in a variety of forms from fresh and frozen to pre-packaged the fruit is attracting growing interest from Chinese consumers. At major markets such as Xinfadi and Hema in Beijing, durian sales in May 2025 rose nearly 40% year-on-year. With attractive displays and ready-to-eat options, the fruit is increasingly appealing to urban buyers. A Beijing resident told the Vietnam News Agency that despite higher prices and a slightly wetter texture this season, durians remain a favorite among Chinese consumers. While the Chinese market is currently dominated by imports from Thailand and Malaysia, due to their earlier harvest seasons, Vietnamese durians are gradually gaining ground. Tang Dong Qing, owner of an international durian shop at Xinfadi market, said Vietnamese durians are highly popular with local buyers and expressed hope that their presence in the Chinese market would continue to grow. In 2024, Vietnam exported an estimated 1.5 million tons of durians, with nearly 180,000 hectares under cultivation, six times more than in 2015. Exports of the fruit reached a record US$3.3 billion last year, up 43.2% from 2023, and accounted for nearly half of the countrys fruit and vegetable exports. China remained Vietnams largest durian export market, purchasing over $2.9 billion worth of the fruit, around 91% of total export revenue. Big quote: Getty Images has found itself at the center of a heated global debate over artificial intelligence and copyright, but the company's chief executive says the costs of defending artists' rights in court are becoming unsustainable. In a recent interview with CNBC, Getty Images CEO Craig Peters described the financial burden of challenging AI companies that use copyrighted material to train their models, revealing even a major player like Getty cannot afford to pursue every potential infringement. Peters explained that Getty's ongoing lawsuit against Stability AI, maker of the popular image generator Stable Diffusion, has already cost the company a huge amount of money. "Even for a company like Getty Images, we can't pursue all the infringements that happen in one week," Peters told CNBC. "We can't pursue it because the courts are just prohibitively expensive. We are spending millions and millions of dollars in one court case." "We are spending millions and millions of dollars in one court case" The dispute centers on Getty's allegation that Stability AI copied 12 million images from its collection without permission or compensation, using them to train its AI system and, in Getty's view, to build a competing business. Stability AI has acknowledged that some Getty images were used in training but disputes any liability, arguing its practices fall under the fair use doctrine, which allows limited use of copyrighted material in certain circumstances. Peters is unconvinced by AI companies' arguments that paying for access to creative works would stifle innovation. "We're battling a world of rhetoric," he said, accusing firms of using the promise of technological progress to justify what he calls unfair competition. "That's disruption under the notion of 'move fast and break things,' and we believe that's unfair competition." He said Getty Images is not against competition but what these firms are doing is theft. The legal battle between Getty and Stability AI is just one of several high-profile copyright cases currently facing the artificial intelligence industry. Other lawsuits, such as The New York Times' action against OpenAI and record labels' suits against AI music generators, reflect growing concerns about the use of copyrighted material in AI training. Yet, as Peters points out, the sheer scale and cost of litigation make it impossible for most rightsholders to challenge every instance of alleged infringement. Getty's strategy has not been limited to the courtroom. The company has also advocated for stronger copyright protections in policy discussions, recently urging the US government to reject proposals that would weaken artists' rights in the name of AI development. In a submission to the Trump administration, Getty argued that US copyright laws are not obstructing the path to continued AI progress, but instead provide a foundation for sustainable innovation that benefits society as a whole. Despite the mounting costs and uncertain legal landscape, Peters remains committed to defending creators' rights. "I think our case is very strong," he said, while acknowledging the challenges of litigating across different jurisdictions and legal systems. "The facts in aggregate at a global scale I think are absolutely in our favor. How they manifest themselves around the geographic and legal constructs that are there I think is still stuff that we're going to have to continue to play out." What just happened? TSMC is once again in talks with US officials about a potential advanced chip factory in the United Arab Emirates. The plan has been floated before under the Biden administration, but now it appears to have gained new life following recent conversations between TSMC, the Trump administration, and UAE representatives. A Bloomberg report, citing sources familiar with the matter, highlights that the proposed plant would be a gigafab, essentially a sprawling complex of multiple chipmaking facilities. If it comes to pass, it would represent a massive leap in the UAE's ambitions to become a key player in this field, even though it currently lacks skilled semiconductor labor. TSMC has reportedly met several times in recent months with Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy to the Middle East, and MGX, a powerful UAE investment fund tied to the ruling family. The renewed interest comes amid broader negotiations around AI cooperation between the two countries. Still, don't expect bulldozers on the ground anytime soon. The idea is still in early-stage talks, and whether it advances at all hinges on how the US feels about it, particularly given the national security and economic implications. Critics inside the administration point to the UAE's ties to China and the risk of future technology transfers. AI data centers can be more easily regulated through licensing and oversight, but a chip manufacturing plant would create a pipeline of advanced know-how and local production that the US could lose control over. It's worth mentioning that TSMC is already investing heavily in the US through its Arizona project, which is expected to cost $165 billion and includes fabs, research labs, and chip packaging facilities. The US committed $6.6 billion in subsidies to help make that happen as part of the CHIPS Act. But some in the Trump administration worry that spreading TSMC's resources too thin, especially in a region with complex geopolitics like the Gulf, could backfire. Regardless of the outcome, the UAE continues to position itself as a regional tech leader and has been aggressively courting partnerships in AI, quantum computing, and cloud infrastructure. Last month, Trump announced a series of agreements with multiple Gulf countries, including the UAE, related to exporting AI chips and developing AI infrastructure. In brief: Popular drones from Chinese makers such as DJI could be banned from sale in the United States. According to a new report, Donald Trump is set to sign several executive orders this week that will expedite existing reviews on whether these drones pose national security risks. According to a report by The Washington Post, the White House will announce multiple executive orders relating to Chinese-made drones this week. The orders don't include an outright ban on Chinese drones in the US. However, they do include provisions for US intelligence agencies to accelerate current reviews of whether Chinese drone makers such as DJI and Autel are national security risks. In June last year, the House of Representatives rolled out their version of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2025 (NDAA FY25). It resurrected the "Countering CCP Drones Act" the same provision that previously pushed for a blanket prohibition on the sale of Chinese-made drones. But the Senate Armed Services Committee released its counterpart to the NDAA FY25 a month later, omitting the controversial drone clause. In December, the Senate passed the NDAA, beginning a one-year deadline until DJI and Autel Robotics products were automatically banned from sale in the US. The only way out was for the companies to convince "an appropriate national security agency" to publicly declare that their products do not "pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States." Jonathan Rupprecht, a lawyer specializing in drone regulations, told The Washington Post, "If listed, there will most likely not be new or updated DJI or Autel equipment to be sold on the market because the manufacturers will not be able to obtain FCC certifications for the wireless transmitters." The orders will reportedly require the federal government to invest in the domestic drone industry, which has long struggled in the face of cheaper, more advanced products from China that have wide availability. There will also be updates to drone regulations in the US. It's believed that restrictions on commercial drones staying within visual line of sight of operators will be relaxed. There may also be requirements for owners of private infrastructure, such as amusement parks, to request FAA approval for commercial drone operations over their sites. Chinese drones were banned from use by the US military in 2018 by the Department of Defense. There are also several states that prohibit police forces from buying Chinese-made UAVs. In addition to Chinese drones, US security agencies are reviewing whether routers from TP-Link should be banned from sale in the US, citing alleged links to China and anti-competitive behavior. Image credit: Mitch Nielsen The big picture: A smartphone smuggled out of North Korea is offering a rare and unsettling glimpse into the extent of control Kim Jong Un's regime exerts over its citizens, down to the very words they type. While the device appears outwardly similar to any modern smartphone, its software reveals a far more oppressive reality. The phone was featured in a BBC video, which showed it powering on with an animated North Korean flag waving across the screen. While the report did not specify the brand, the design and user interface closely resembled those of a Huawei or Honor device. It's unclear whether these companies officially sell phones in North Korea, but if they do, the devices are likely customized with state-approved software designed to restrict functionality and facilitate government surveillance. One of the more revealing and darkly amusing features was the phone's automatic censorship of words deemed problematic by the state. For instance, when users typed oppa, a South Korean term used to refer to an older brother or a boyfriend, the phone automatically replaced it with comrade. A warning would then appear, admonishing the user that oppa could only refer to an older sibling. Typing "South Korea" would trigger another change. The phrase was automatically replaced with "puppet state," reflecting the language used in official North Korean rhetoric. Then came the more unsettling features. The phone silently captured a screenshot every five minutes, storing the images in a hidden folder that users couldn't access. According to the BBC, authorities could later review these images to monitor the user's activity. The device was smuggled out of North Korea by Daily NK, a Seoul-based media outlet specializing in North Korean affairs. After examining the phone, the BBC confirmed that the censorship mechanisms were deeply embedded in its software. Experts say this technology is designed not only to control information but also to reinforce state messaging at the most personal level. Smartphone usage has grown in North Korea in recent years, but access remains tightly controlled. Devices cannot connect to the global internet and are subject to intense government surveillance. The regime has reportedly intensified efforts to eliminate South Korean cultural influence, which it views as subversive. So-called "youth crackdown squads" have been deployed to enforce these rules, frequently stopping young people on the streets to inspect their phones and review text messages for banned language. Some North Korean escapees have shared that exposure to South Korean dramas or foreign radio broadcasts played a key role in their decision to flee the country. Despite the risks, outside media continues to be smuggled in often via USB sticks and memory cards hidden in food shipments. Much of this effort is supported by foreign organizations. Image credit: BBC The lengthy trial of Google's antitrust case recently heard the closing arguments, and the company has now revealed that it plans to appeal the ruling by the federal court. Google has already lost in court, with the Department of Justice successfully proving that the company has violated the antitrust law, claiming that the company has engaged in monopolies to keep its search engine and products ahead of the competition. Google Reportedly Plans to Appeal Court Ruling Google has shared a long thread over at X which details the latest happenings in court regarding their antitrust case, and here, the company shares that it still has plans to fight against the ruling of the federal court. According to Google, they believe that the court's original decision "was wrong," and the company revealed that they are now planning to file an appeal against it. The remedy phase of the antitrust case talked about the suggested solutions, with the Justice Department saying that the company should turn away from monopolizing the search and advertisement spaces online. However, one of the proposed solutions includes the sale of Chrome, with this being one of the ways to ensure that Google will no longer violate the antitrust law. Google May Lose Chrome: Antitrust Fallout While the DOJ shared many possible solutions to the problem, including trumping the agreements Google had with companies like Apple and Samsung to make their search engine the default among platforms, there is still one massive proposal that could spell the end for Google Chrome. Google said that there are possible dangers could come with Chrome's sale, including privacy issues. with the company wanting to have an oversight committee to monitor its activities and operations instead. Google vs. DOJ: Antitrust Fiasco Google's fight with the DOJ began in 2020 when the company faced a complaint about its search and advertising monopoly on the internet. However, it was only in late 2024 that Google saw the end of the grueling trial, with the company being found guilty of violating antitrust law. Earlier this year, the legal proceedings moved on to the remedy phase. In this remedy phase, the DOJ and Google presented their case on what would happen to the company and the possible solutions to fix the problems that they want to propose. The DOJ also invited several companies who expressed their sentiments on how Google's monopoly affected them, with some also making it known that they are interested in purchasing Chrome should Google be pushed to divest. Previous reports have talked about Apple's rumored name revamp for all operating systems, but the latest leak is now talking about what the new name that would be given for the next macOS. According to the leak, it will be called "Tahoe." This new name is all too familiar for Apple as it inspired by Lake Tahoe, which is located in California, Apple's home state. Over the years, Apple has been known for its unique names for Mac's operating system versions as the company first focused on using big cats as its designation before moving on to Californian sites and landmarks. Apple's Next macOS Leak: 'Tahoe' Is the Name The latest Power On newsletter from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reveals the latest leak about Apple's operating system changes, particularly for the Mac which is known for having unique names. This year, the macOS is not only switching from being called the macOS 16 to macOS 26 based on the rumors, but it will also reportedly be named after California's Lake Tahoe. The new release of Apple's computer operating system would reportedly now be called the "macOS 26 Tahoe," incorporating all the major changes from the company, and is said to be revealed during the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025. Gurman also revealed that macOS 26's interface also has ties to the Tahoe name, particularly as "glass-like" designs are coming to the computer operating system that matches the visionOS look. The macOS Is Still Getting a California Theme Lake Tahoe is known for its clear and reflective waters, and this will also be what users will see on their computers when macOS 26 arrives, as per the report. Translucent app windows, buttons, and more will reportedly appear on the user interface, all reflecting the beauty of the California lake. Apple did not sway far from naming the macOS after California's renowned places and objects, following names like Yosemite, Monterey, Sonoma, and the most recent, the macOS 15 Sequoia. Apple's Operating Systems and WWDC 2025 Massive rumors regarding what is coming next from Apple have already been circulating the web, particularly as this year's lineup of operating systems is getting a UI overhaul from the company. It was revealed that Apple will now take the user interface and design from the visionOS and pass it to its regular OS releases, the iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and more. It was revealed by reports that the decision from Apple to use the visionOS interface for the design centers on making the experience simpler and more user-friendly, but most importantly, a faster one. This was previously touted for the iOS 19 operating system that is set to be an overhaul of the iPhone's system, but recent reports claimed that it is also coming to other devices and their respective systems. While the visionOS UI is the most important change of the upcoming releases that the world will reportedly see via WWDC 2025, a separate rumor also revealed that Apple is changing the way it names the operating systems starting this year. Instead of following the release versions, the company will now reportedly name it after the following year. For 2025, all operating systems will see '26' alongside it. Thailand warns of rising Covid-19 cases driven by new variant NB.1.8.1, urging the public to stay cautious and follow health measures. Data from May 30 showed 41,283 new cases, bringing the total so far this year to 257,280 cases, with two new deaths, raising the total fatalities to 52. The Bangkok metropolitan area has seen the most cases, followed by Chonburi Province, with the highest infection rates among working-age adults, students, children, and elderly populations. Deputy government spokesperson Anukool Pruksanusak, in a statement on May 31, urged the public to monitor the situation closely, especially as the NB.1.8.1 variant continues to spread rapidly in various regions. While the situation in Thailand is not yet at a high level, international travel and the rainy season, which often brings respiratory illnesses, could accelerate future outbreaks. The government and the Ministry of Public Health will continue to monitor the situation closely, assess the spread of new variants, and implement appropriate measures to protect public health, Anukool added. He called on the public to limit activities that increase the risk of infection, wash their hands regularly, wear masks in crowded places, get booster vaccinations when due, and seek medical attention promptly if experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, or other respiratory problems. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the situation is becoming concerning, with the virus showing a significant increase in the Western Pacific, Southeast Asia, and the Eastern Mediterranean, he said. The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been increasing since mid-February, with a test positivity rate reaching 11%, the highest since July 2024, according to the WHO. The situation is particularly concerning in 73 countries. While Africa, Europe, and the Americas have relatively low transmission rates of around 2-3%, certain areas, such as the Caribbean and the Andes region in the Americas, see an uptick. Nations urged to make UN summit a 'turning point' for oceans Paris, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2025 Nations will be under pressure to deliver more than just rhetoric at a UN oceans summit in France next week, including much-needed funds to better protect the world's overexploited and polluted seas. The third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) seeks to build global unity and raise money for marine conservation even as nations disagree over deep-sea mining, plastic trash and overfishing. On Sunday, hosts France are expecting about 70 heads of state and government to arrive in Nice for a pre-conference opening ceremony, including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Oceans are "in a state of emergency" and the June 9 to 13 meeting "will not be just another routine gathering", said UN under-secretary-general Li Junhua. "There's still time to change our course if we act collectively," he told reporters. Most countries are expected to send ministers or lower-level delegates to the summit, which does not carry the weight of a climate COP or UN treaty negotiation or make legally binding decisions. The United States under President Donald Trump -- whose recent push to fast-track seabed mining in international waters sparked global outrage -- is unlikely to send a delegation at all. France has promised the summit will do for ocean conservation what the Paris Agreement did for global climate action. Nations present are expected to adopt a "Nice Declaration": a statement of support for greater ocean protection, coupled with voluntary additional commitments by individual governments. Greenpeace has slammed the text -- which was agreed after months of negotiation -- as "weak" and said it risked making Nice "a meaningless talking shop". Pacific leaders are expected to turn out in force and demand, in particular, concrete financial commitments from governments. "The message is clear: voluntary pledges are not enough", Ralph Regenvanu, environment minister for Vanuatu, told reporters. The summit will also host business leaders, international donors and ocean activists, while a science convention beforehand is expected to draw 2,000 ocean experts. - Temperature check - France has set a high bar of securing by Nice the 60 ratifications needed to enact a landmark treaty to protect marine habitats outside national jurisdiction. So far, only 28 countries and the European Union have done so. Olivier Poivre d'Arvor, France's oceans envoy, says that without the numbers the conference "will be a failure". Bringing the high seas treaty into force is seen as crucial to meeting the globally-agreed target of protecting 30 percent of oceans by 2030. The summit could also prove influential on other higher-level negotiations in the months ahead and provide "a temperature check in terms of ambition", said Megan Randles, head of Greenpeace's delegation at the Nice conference. In July the International Seabed Authority will deliberate over a long-awaited mining code for the deep oceans, one that Trump has skirted despite major ecological concerns. That comes in the face of growing calls for governments to support an international moratorium on seabed mining, something France and roughly 30 other countries have already backed. And in August, nations will again seek to finalise a binding global treaty to tackle plastic trash after previous negotiation rounds collapsed. Countries and civil society groups are likely to use the Nice meeting to try to shore up support ahead of these proceedings, close observers said. - Turning point - Nations meeting at UN conferences have struggled recently to find consensus and much-needed finance to combat climate change and other environmental threats. Oceans are the least funded of all the UN's sustainable development goals but it wasn't clear if Nice would shift the status quo, said Angelique Pouponneau, a lead negotiator for the Alliance of Small Island States. "With so many competing crises and distractions on the global agenda, it's hard to be confident that the level of ambition needed will actually show up," Pouponneau told AFP. Costa Rica, which is co-hosting the conference with France, said public and private commitments of $100 billion with "clear timelines, budgets and accountability mechanisms" could be expected. "This is what is different this time around -- zero rhetoric, maximum results," Maritza Chan Valverde, Costa Rica's permanent representative to the UN, told reporters. Pepe Clarke, oceans practice leader from WWF, told AFP there was "an understandable level of scepticism about conferences". But he said Nice must be "a turning point... because to date the actions have fallen far short of what's needed to sustain a healthy ocean into the future". France's upper house debates fast-fashion bill Paris, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2025 France's Senate on Monday debated a bill to regulate the influx of environmentally unfriendly, low-quality clothes into the country, many from China. The lower house of parliament adopted a version of the so-called "fast fashion" bill in March last year, but a commission in the right-leaning Senate has sought some changes that backers say will better target Chinese-founded brands such as Shein. With cheap, low-quality brands increasingly flooding the market, 35 items of clothing are thrown away in France every second, according to the French environment agency. Sylvie Valente Le Hir, a senator from the right-wing Republicans party, accused "Chinese giants of ultra-fast fashion" of bringing "unfair competition" to local brands. "We need to establish rules, hit them as hard as possible," she said. The proposed law would define "fast fashion" according to production rates, collection turnover, the lifespan of clothes and "poor incentives" to repair them. Companies producing such throwaway items would be obliged to inform customers about the environmental cost of buying their products. The bill would introduce sanctions on companies according to the environmental impact of the clothes they sell. Members of the National Assembly lower house approved pegging these sanctions to so-called eco-labelling, which would mean giving a clothing item a certain number of points according to its effect on the planet. But senators, in agreement with the government, scrapped that measure in a commission reading. Senators instead want to calculate punitive measures according to the "sustainability" and "commercial practices" of e-commerce platforms. They argue this would enable more regulations for websites such as Shein, and reduce adverse effects for French and other European businesses. "We really want to preserve the brands we have left, brands that are affordable for all French people," Hir said. Stop Fast Fashion, a coalition of non-governmental organisations focusing on human rights and the environment, has warned the recent changes mean any bill would amount to an "empty shell, without any deterrent effect". Pressure has mounted on Shein in recent days. NGOs Friends of the Earth France and the Observatory of Multinationals have demanded French authorities monitor Shein's alleged lobbying, accusing the Singapore-based firm of "irregularities". Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Salman Rushdie has pinpointed the moment authors should start worrying about AI. Speaking at the 2025 Hay Festival, which has partnered with The Independent for a second year, Rushdie said he likes to pretend artificial intelligence doesnt exist, and admitted he has never tried using it. The 77-year-old Indian-born British-American novelist, who is promoting his new short story collection The Eleventh Hour, said AI has one big problem that it cant make good jokes. It has no sense of humour you dont want to hear a joke told by ChatGPT, he said. If theres a moment when theres a funny book written by ChatGPT I think were screwed. The event was Rushdies most high-profile in-person appearance in the UK since he was stabbed on stage in the US in 2022. Numerous police officers and sniffer dogs were present at the Hay talk, with thorough bag checks also taking place. Rushdie was stabbed around 12 times at the Chautauqua Institution in New York after a man rushed onto the stage. The attack left him blind in one eye, and he wrote about the experience in his 2024 book Knife. Hadi Matar, 27, was sentenced to 25 years last month after repeatedly stabbing the writer. Salman Rushdie ( PA Archive ) During the event at Hay, Rushdie also said it was an important moment for him when he and his wife Eliza went back to the scene of the crime to show myself I could stand up where I fell down. It will be nice to talk about fiction again because ever since the attack, really the only thing anybody's wanted to talk about is the attack, but I'm over it, he added. Rushdie has been under threat of attack since the 1988 publication of his book The Satanic Verses triggered a wave of controversy for its depiction of the prophet Muhammad. Irans former spiritual leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for the execution of the author, after which Rushdie was forced to spend years in hiding. Rushdie is considered one of the worlds greatest living authors, and his work often combines magic realism with historical fiction. His second novel, 1981s Midnight's Children, won the Booker Prize in 1981. Motorbike riders are seen on a street in Bangkok, Thailand, April 21, 2023. Photo by Reuters Thailand has increased the fine for riding motorcycles without helmets to 2,000 baht (US$60), as part of a nationwide campaign to improve road safety. Starting June 1, motorcycle riders and passengers who fail to wear helmets will be fined 2,000 baht, four times the previous penalty of 500 baht, according to Bangkok Post. The move is part of a road safety campaign launched by the Royal Thai Police (RTP), focusing on high-traffic areas, accident-prone zones, and locations near schools to boost law compliance and reduce fatalities. Pol Lt Gen Nithithorn Chintakanon, Commander of the Traffic Police Bureau and Head of the RTP's Traffic Police Image Enhancement Taskforce, told The Nation that the fine could double if both the rider and passenger are found without helmets. He emphasized that under the Land Traffic Act, wearing helmets is mandatory for both riders and passengers to reduce the risk of injury. Thailand currently has 21.6 million registered motorcycles, according to World Population Review. As of May 2025, the country's population exceeds 71.6 million, based on Worldometers elaboration of the latest United Nations data. When the screenwriter Derek Kolstad first began shopping John Wick around Hollywood in the early 2010s, it was titled Scorn, and only lightly resembled the pulpy neo-western it would eventually become. Wick himself was written as an elderly hitman taking revenge on the criminals who had murdered his equally elderly dog. His body count was low. He liked to talk. It was only after Keanu Reeves expressed interest in the movie that Scorn became John Wick, and John Wick got Keanu-fied. Reams of the characters dialogue were excised, all the better to help Reeves glide through the movie like a ghost. The old dog was transformed into a tiny puppy, all the better for Reeves to cradle it gently and adorably in his arms. And the body count grew high. Real high. The resulting John Wick movies four in total, plus a TV miniseries and now a big-screen spin-off starring Ana de Armas became a $3bn-and-counting phenomenon. They rescued Reeves from a run of duds (among them 47 Ronin, Man of Tai Chi and the remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still), and cemented the actor as our most sensitive action superstar a man of few words but absolutely astounding high-kicks. Surrounding him have been sublime world-building, dazzling practical stuntwork, and a huge amount of memorable set pieces. While many of Tom Cruises gravity-defying exploits in the recent Mission: Impossible movies tend to blur together, you will absolutely remember Wick speedily riding a horse through the streets of Manhattan, or using a library book as a weapon, or repeatedly tumbling down the steps of Pariss Sacre Coeur. Now, though, the franchise faces an existential crisis as it looks into its future: what is John Wick without its leading man? In Ballerina, De Armas plays an assassin trained in the art of barre as well as shooting people dead her clan having previously been glimpsed in 2019s John Wick: Chapter 3 Parabellum. Originally conceived as a straight spin-off project, the movie has undergone several rounds of tinkering since De Armas first signed on to it back in 2021. Filming wrapped in early 2023 under director Len Wiseman (of Underworld fame), before at least three months of reshoots were ordered in 2024, this time under the direction of Chad Stahelski, the filmmaker behind the original John Wick films. [The studio] looked at it, blabbed co-star Ian McShane during an appearance on The One Show last year, and Chads come in ... They want to make it better. Alongside much of the original cut reportedly having been binned, Reevess involvement in Ballerina whose events take place between John Wick 3 and 4 has gone from a fan-servicing cameo to an essential component of its promotion. When the film was first announced, there was uncertainty about whether the actor would even appear in it, particularly with Reeves expressing his interest in retiring the character after his fourth movie, which was released in 2023. Today, though, Ballerina is being marketed with the pre-title From the World of John Wick, while Reevess face takes up nearly half as much space as that of De Armas on the films poster. He is glimpsed extensively in the films trailers, too despite, according to reports, having only being on set for a handful of days. And Reeves was kindly on hand at Ballerinas London premiere last week. In certain photos, De Armas much like the movie shes in seems to be clinging on to his arm for dear life. The films studio, Lionsgate, clearly have a lot at stake when it comes to the John Wick universe, with the franchise being one of their few reliable cash cows in the wake of high-profile flops such as last years Borderlands and their doomed reboot of The Crow. But theres a touch of desperation and only short-term gain in the level of importance placed on Reeves in how Ballerina is being sold. Coupled with the studios bizarre decision which was swiftly backtracked to bar critical social sentiment and formal reviews of the film until 4 June, yet allow spoiler-free enthusiasm to be published on social media within hours of its early press screenings, it gives Ballerina the air of an expensive misfire thats throwing everything at the wall at the 11th hour. (Early word, I should add, suggests that the film is by no means a disaster.) In fairness to Lionsgate, you cant really blame them for feeling anxious about John Wicks Reeves-less future. Much as is the case with Nicolas Cage or Tom Cruise, Reevess power as an actor lies in his relative lack of range his stoicism, his sensitivity, his slight weirdness. Which is exactly why John Wick works as a character, too. These are movies shaped around Reevess stardom. Take him out of the equation, and the likeable, darkly comedic efficiency of the movies gets lost. The short-lived, Wick-free and inexplicably Mel Gibson-filled TV spin-off The Continental, for instance, was an overstuffed, exposition-heavy and visually drab mistake in 2023. It was crying out for a little levity, a little Reeves. Look whos here!: Reeves makes a surprise appearance alongside Ana de Armas at the London premiere of Ballerina last week ( Getty ) Lionsgate seem to have learnt their lesson there, but only to a point. A second spin-off film is in the works, to follow a character portrayed by Donnie Yen who was introduced in John Wick: Chapter 4, alongside an animated prequel that will see Reeves return to voice Wick. Despite the critical and commercial rejection of The Continental, another TV series is in development. And remember how Wick died at the end of his fourth movie? Forget all about that, as a John Wick 5 is being developed, with Reeves and Stahelski reportedly returning though neither of them, intriguingly, has commented on the news as of yet. Part of me hopes that this announcement made by Lionsgate chief Adam Fogelson was premature. Entirely inaccurate, even. Because its disappointing to see one of modern Hollywoods most unexpected success stories become just another exhausted franchise being run into the ground. Especially one that has always been so tightly linked to its star, a man whos previously been very smart about when to say goodbye to a project. When he turned down Speed 2, he wisely avoided pegging his name to a famously insipid sequel. It was creatively astute but professionally costly: Reeves has since spoken about being more or less blacklisted (put in movie jail) for his unwillingness to play ball. Through this lens, his decision to keep returning to John Wick might make more sense. In any case, it seems that John Wick movies wont live or die by Reevess involvement the churn will churn, whether we like it or not. But its probably worth asking if they ought to. John Wick has never been afraid to let bodies fall like dominoes; maybe its better to let some corpses stay dead. Ballerina is in cinemas from 6 June Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Jamie Foxx has said the Black community lost a hero after the public downfall of music mogul Sean Diddy Combs. The comedian and actor, 57, was appearing at a Netflix event at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood to discuss his recent special What Had Happened Was... ahead of Emmy voting season. Combs is currently in court in New York as his sex trafficking trial enters the fourth week of testimony. In a video obtained by Urban Hollywood, Foxx can be heard saying to the comedy club audience: That Diddy s*** crazy, huh? He continued: I dont know if hes going to jail but hes a nasty motherf***er! Am I right? Especially for our community. White people, its cool, but for Black people, like, that was our hero! All that goddamn baby oil, boy. Foxx made passing reference to Combss former partner Cassie Venturas testimony that the rapper asked a male sex worker to urinate in her mouth, before adding: Why you so nasty, Diddy? Old nasty motherf***er. Jamie Foxx with Sean 'Diddy' Combs in Hollywood in 2002 ( Getty Images ) The comedian then joked about Combss habit of repeating the phrase Take that on his songs, saying: That makes you listen to that differently now. What are we taking? Cause I dont want any of that! For the Black people in here, you know how that hurts us. Cause Diddy was, Its all about the Benjamins. That was our whole culture. Now, Its all about the baby oil. In last years What Had Happened Was..., Foxx directly addressed online rumors that Combs had tried to have him killed. The internet was trying to kill me, though. The internet said Puffy tried to kill me. I know what youre thinking, did he? said Foxx in the special. Hell, no, I left those parties early, I was out by 9pm, he added, alluding to Combss infamous, high-profile parties. Because something dont look right, its slippery in here, he quipped about the 1,000 bottles of baby oil that had been recovered at Combss home after authorities raided it that March. Foxx revealed in the special that he had in fact been hospitalized after suffering a brain bleed that led to a stroke. Joking about his near-death experience, Foxx added later in the set: Your life doesnt flash before you. It was kind of oddly peaceful. I saw the tunnel, I didnt see the light. It was hot in that tunnel. He then joked about going to hell, saying: S*** am I going to the wrong place? Is that Puffy?, referring to Combs once more. If it was Puffy, he had a flaming bottle of Johnson and Im just kidding. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Actor Devin Harjes, best known for his work on Boardwalk Empire, has died at age 41. Harjes died May 27 at Mount Sinai West Hospital in New York City due to cancer complications, a representative confirmed to NBC News. Further details of his condition were not provided, though he was reportedly diagnosed with cancer this past February, according to multiple reports. "He was an artist of great conviction who never gave less than one hundred percent to any role he undertook," his representative said in a statement to the outlet. "As a person, he was generous, kind, understanding and devoted to his family and friends, a great horseback rider and had a magic way with all animals." Devin Harjes has died at age 41 ( HBO ) Harjes appeared in two episodes of Boardwalk Empire as Jack Dempsey. He also guest starred on Blue Bloods, Orange Is the New Black, Gotham, Daredevil, Elementary, and FBI. Most recently, Harjes appeared in nine episodes of Manifest as Pete Baylor during season three of the series. Harjes was born July 29, 1983, in Lubbock, Texas and moved to New York City to pursue a career as an actor. There, he started his career with roles in student and independent films, as well as in off-Broadway shows. An obituary posted on his website read in part: Outside of acting, Devin was a dedicated student of martial arts and a regular at the gymhe often joked it was safer than getting kicked in the face by a horse. Fans have offered their condolences online after learning of Harjess passing. DEVIN was a passionate man with a hard charging drive for excellence in his acting, who also loved to laugh and look for the humor in lifes many curves, one fan wrote on X. I can't believe he's gone. RIP Devin Harjes, another wrote. Deepest sympathy to his family and friends and fans, someone else added. Harjes is survived by his parents, Randy and Rosanne Harjes; his sister Trish Harjes and her husband Justin Kelley; nephews Tristin and Sawyer Kelley; nieces Rory and Charly Kelley; his ex-wife, fellow actor Shiva Shobitha; and his beloved cat, Maude. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Doctor Who fans are lamenting the shows latest twist and departure of lead star Ncuti Gatwa. In an episode that aired on Saturday (31 May), Ncuti Gatwas time on the show came to an end after just two series, with his character regenerating into Billie Pipers former companion Rose Tyler. Gatwas departure from the show means he has played the Doctor for the second shortest time afterChristopher Eccleston, who lasted just one season in 2005. His casting was announced in May 2022. While the actors exit from the show has been rumoured for months, viewers are complaining about the abrupt way he was written off. It is unknown why the actor left the show. Fans have been left feeling underwhelmed by Gatwa's two series run, which was hyped up as a new chapter for the long-running science-fiction series. Some noted how Gatwa appeared to confirm he would return for a third series last October. In October 2024, Ncuti Gatwa was on The Graham Norton Show saying he was going to be filming another series of DW next year. In June 2025, he officially leaves the show and regenerates. This was never the plan. What a shame. He deserved so much better. Another added: This doesnt sit right with me. Why did he only get such a short run? with an additional viewer chiming in: Ncuti Gatwa deserved so much better. Ncuti Gatwa deserves to have a skyrocketing career after Doctor Who, another chimed in, adding that the fantastic actorhad been severely let down by the material. Others highlighted the actors missed potential, noting that his incarnation of the Doctor didnt get to face the Daleks. One fan theorised that Gatwas rising star status might have made it tough for him to commit to another series. Ncuti probably planned to do more but hes a big up and coming actor hell be getting big offers, they wrote on X/Twitter. open image in gallery Ncuti Gatwa has left Doctor Who ( BBC ) Gatwa released a statement shortly after the episode aired, telling fans: You know when you get cast, at some point, you are going to have to hand back that sonic screwdriver and it is all going to come to an end, but nothing quite prepares you for it. This journey has been one that I will never forget and a role that will be part of me forever. There are no words to describe what it feels like to be cast as the Doctor, nor are there words to explain what it feels like to be accepted into this iconic role that has existed for over 60 years and is truly loved by so many across the globe. He continued: Ive loved every minute of it, but now is the time to hand over the keys to that beloved blue box and let someone else take control and enjoy it every bit as much as I have. Ill truly miss it, and forever be grateful to it, and everyone that has played a part in my journey as the Doctor. Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies said: What a Doctor! Thank you, Ncuti! As his final words say, this has been an absolute joy, and the team in Cardiff and everyone who has worked on this show for the past few years, are so lucky to have been part of Ncutis great adventure as he shoots off to stratospheric new heights. open image in gallery Billie Piper has returned as Rose Tyler in Doctor Who ( BBC ) His exit from Doctor Who comes just weeks after the Sex Education star pulled out of being the UKs representative at the Eurovision Song Contest due to unforeseen circumstances. He is set to star alongside Edward Bluemel in the West End premiere of Born With Teeth, a play that re-imagines the relationship between rival playwrights Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The father of Harry Potter star Emma Watson has issued a warning to the parents of the child stars set to front the TV adaptation of JK Rowlings wizarding world franchise. More than 30,000 children auditioned for the lead roles, with Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout announced to be playing Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. The three newcomers will step into the roles made famous by Daniel Radcliffe, Watson, and Rupert Grint and Watsons dad Chris has shared his support for the child stars parents who are about to witness their childrens lives change in a very drastic way. As a parent, you have to be scared, he told Times Radio. This can be a very difficult thing for a parent and child to handle, or not. He continued: It certainly helped that I dont actually watch movies. Its not a big thing in the house, and so it was easier for us to keep her feet on the ground. Another person to share advice for the trio of new actors is former Game of Thrones child star Isaac Hempstead Wright. He said in a recent interview they should enjoy every minute of it and take every opportunity it affords them. I can go to any country in the world and there will be someone there whos pleased to see me, he continued. You go to some little bar in Madrid or wherever, and somebody will want to strike up a chat with you. Its made the world a much smaller place. open image in gallery Harry Potter film stars Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe ( Getty ) Potter star Radcliffe has been open about the low points in his life that were caused by scrutiny following his casting. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Towards the end of his Harry Potter contract, which took him from age 11 to 21, the actor turned to alcohol and has now been sober since 2012. Meanwhile, Watson said in 2009, aged 19: This all happened to me so young. Its very hard to go back to that time and be like, Did I want to do this? It feels very foggy. First announced in April 2023, HBOs new Harry Potter series is expected to be a faithful adaptation of the bestselling books by Rowling. open image in gallery Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout will lead the Harry Poatter TV series ( HBO ) The author, who maintains ownership over key aspects of Harry Potter intellectual property, including the characters, will serve as an executive producer on the series. She said of the casting news: All three are wonderful. I couldnt be happier. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Jason Sudeikis has paid heartfelt tribute to his late uncle and former Cheers star George Wendt, who died in May, aged 76. The Ted Lasso star honoured Wendt, who is the brother of his mother Kathy, at the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend fundraiser in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday (30 May). Speaking on a star-studded panel, which also included Paul Rudd, Saturday Night Live actor Heidi Gardner and Anchormans David Koechner, the 49-year-old said: With regard to my uncle George, I mean, theres that old saying of like, Dont meet your heroes, usually cause they let you down, I assume, is the back half of that statement. But hes not one of those people. Hes as fun and kind and as warm as any character he played on television or in films, the actor added. He was an incredible influence to me, both as someone that plays the trail, being from the Midwest and teaching me that acting was a career you could actually have, if you really care about it." Sudeikis also noted that Wendt told him its a career where you could meet the love of your life, like his wife aka permanent girlfriend Bernadette. Wendt met Bernadette Birkett at Chicagos Second City theatre in 1974. She later played his off-screen wife, Vera, in Cheers. He also always kept connected to his family, to his roots, both in Chicago, of course, where hes from, but then also the time he spent here, said Sudeikis, highlighting Wendts time at Rockhurst University in Kansas City. open image in gallery Jason Sudeikis ( AP ) And to a bar called Mike's a whole bunch, where I think he logged maybe 18 credit hours, joked Sudeikis. But it was all in preparation of a job that we all know him for, Cheers. All time well spent. But yeah, we miss him greatly, and I love him dearly. Elsewhere, Rudd also shared his memories of Wendt, remarking: Its going to be felt, his absence, this year, even though hes so a part of it, just as much as any of us, He is a really really sweet guy. I loved him. open image in gallery George Wendt ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The six-time Emmy-nominated actor died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Tuesday 20 May at his home, his family confirmed. George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time, a representative shared in a statement, per Variety. Wendt was best known for playing Norm Peterson on the beloved sitcom, appearing in every episode from 1982 until 1993. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice King of the Hill voice actor Jonathan Joss has died aged 59 after a shooting in Texas, police have confirmed. Joss was the voice of John Redcorn for seasons two through 13 of the popular animated series. He had reportedly recorded bits for the shows reboot, which recently began production for Hulu and is slated to premiere in August. The actor was reportedly shot multiple times over the weekend after a disagreement with a neighbor, according to TMZ. San Antonio police responded to a home after reports of shots fired and found Joss near the road with gunshot wounds, according to Variety. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police found the shooter whose name has not yet been released after he fled the scene and have charged him with murder, Variety reported. The investigation is ongoing. Joss whose other credits included the recurring role of Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation, as well as Tulsa King, Ray Donovan, True Grit, and The Magnificent Seven took over the King of the Hill role of John Redcorn from Victor Aaron, who died in a 1996 car accident. open image in gallery Jonathan Joss has died in a Texas shooting ( Facebook ) Just hours before his death, Joss was in Austin, Texas, bringing The Redcorn Experience to fans. Saturday evenings event included live music, a Q&A session, and a meet and greet with Joss, according to Facebook. Were bringing stories, laughs, music, and that unmistakable Redcorn energy to the heart of Texas for one unforgettable night. Whether you're a longtime fan or just curious what the spirit of Redcorn is all about this is for you, Joss wrote of the event in a May 25 Facebook post. Joss then posted on his Facebook that he and his husband were seeking a ride back to San Antonio after the event. Last nights gig was amazing huge thanks to everyone who came out and showed us love! Were feeling so grateful for the support and good vibes. Now were looking for a ride from Austin to San Antonio if anyones heading that way soon and has room for a couple of performers and our gear, hit us up! Thanks again, yall. We couldnt do this without you! the post read. Josss final Facebook post read: Our ride will arrive in a few hours thank you everyone we are grabbing some food and feeling thankful for the support. Hours later, the dispute occurred, leading to his death. open image in gallery Joss played John Redcorn (center) on King of the Hill ( Fox ) The actor suffered a devastating loss earlier this year when his San Antonio home burned down in a fire. According to a GoFundMe started on his behalf, Joss lost his childhood home and possessions, as well as three beloved dogs. This wasn't just any home - it was the house his father built for his mother in 1957, filled with a lifetime of memories, the GoFundMe description read in part. Fans have been devastated by news of Josss passing. They took my brother away from me manJonathan Joss aka John Redcorn.i love you brother until i see you again, one fan wrote on X. John Redcorn was pretty much the only contemporary Native representation I had in comedy growing up. Probably the funniest Native character in cartoon history and a lot of that was on Jonathan Joss' pitch perfect rezzy uncle performance. RIP to one of the best to ever do it, another fan wrote. Jonathan Joss... unfathomably sad. Sending all my thoughts to his loved ones, someone else said. RIP Jonathan Joss. You brought us so much joy for your roles. I hope he can finally be at peace, another chimed in. Joss leaves behind his husband, Tristan. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Texas police say they have no evidence so far that the fatal shooting of King of the Hillvoice actor Jonathan Joss, 59, was a homophobic attack, despite his husbands claims to the contrary. Despite online claims of this being a hate crime, currently the investigation has found no evidence to indicate that Mr. Josss murder was related to his sexual orientation, the San Antonio Police Department wrote in a statement on X on Monday. SAPD investigators handle these allegations very seriously and have thoroughly reviewed all available information, the department added, Should any new evidence come to light, the suspect will be charged accordingly. open image in gallery Jonathan Joss died in a shooting his husband described as a hate crime ( Facebook ) Hours earlier Josss husband put out a statement saying the weekend shooting had a clear homophobic motive. Joss, who voiced the character John Redcorn for seasons two through 13 of the popular animated series, was reportedly shot multiple times over the weekend after a disagreement with a neighbor. San Antonio police responded to a home after reports of shots fired and found Joss near the road with gunshot wounds, according to Variety. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, 56, has been arrested and charged with murder in Josss death. After the shooting, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, Josss husband, posted a statement to the actors Facebook page claiming the incident was a homophobic hate crime. Gonzales said he and Joss were checking the mail at the site of their former home, which burned down in a January fire, when the incident occurred. The couple lost their three dogs in the fire. When we returned to the site to check our mail we discovered the skull of one of our dogs and its harness placed in clear view. This caused both of us severe emotional distress. We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw, Gonzales wrote. Thats when, according to Gonzales, a man approached the two and started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired. open image in gallery Murder suspect Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja in his booking photo ( Bexar County Sheriffs Office ) Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life, Gonzales continued. Gonzales said he and Joss were harassed regularly by individuals who made it clear they did not accept our relationship. Much of the harassment was openly homophobic. He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other, Gonzales continued. I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved. Gonzales noted he and Joss were married just a few months ago on Valentines Day and were making plans for the future, rebuilding what they lost in the January fire. He said their home was burned down after over two years of threats from people in the area who repeatedly told us they would set it on fire. We reported these threats to law enforcement multiple times and nothing was done. open image in gallery Joss played John Redcorn (center) in King of the Hill ( Fox ) Gonzales concluded his statement by vowing to protect what [Joss] built going forward. According to a GoFundMe started on his behalf, Joss lost his childhood home and possessions, as well as his three dogs, in the fire. This wasn't just any home - it was the house his father built for his mother in 1957, filled with a lifetime of memories, the GoFundMe description read in part. Joss whose other credits included the recurring role of Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation, as well as Tulsa King, Ray Donovan, True Grit, and The Magnificent Seven took over the King of the Hill role of John Redcorn from Victor Aaron, who died in a 1996 car accident. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice EastEnders actor Ross Kemp has refused to rule out a return to the BBC soap, which he says he owes a great debt to for giving him a career in television. The 60-year-old returned to EastEnders as Grant Mitchell after almost 10 years away during the shows 40th anniversary celebrations earlier this year. His character returned to Albert Square to support his brother Phil, who was struggling with mental health issues, but later left Walford again, returning to his home in Portugal. When asked whether he would return to the role again, Kemp told ITVs Loose Women: You just dont know, do you? You dont know whats in the minds of the people who work on it. Ive also (always) known that without it, I wouldnt have had the career that Ive had, Ive always owed it a great debt, and it was very good to me, and hopefully I was good to it, and why not keep it that way? Ive always believed that you should leave doors swinging rather than shut them. Kemp went on to produce a number of documentaries since first leaving EastEnders in 1999 ( Matt Crossick/PA Wire ) Kemp, who went on to produce a number of documentaries since first leaving EastEnders in 1999, including Ross Kemp On Gangs, Ross Kemp In Afghanistan and Ross Kemp: Extreme World, said he enjoyed returning to the soap. He explained: It was so wonderful to jump into Grants leather jacket again, which I can still get in. Its a family, its an ongoing thing, and Im talking about the past, and theyre really busy doing their own thing, I just parachute in, and I exit generally by the tube station. But theyve got to be welcoming, because its like a high-speed train, youve got to jump on it at the right time or you miss it. So luckily, Steve McFadden (who plays Phil), and Paul Bradley (who plays Nigel Bates), and Letitia Dean (who plays Sharon Watts) opened the door for me, and it was like going back home, and it was great. Kemp began on the soap in 1990, and his previous appearance prior to his 2025 return, in 2016, marked his on-screen mother Dame Barbara Windsors final episode as Peggy Mitchell. The actor currently hosts the BBC gameshow Bridge Of Lies, which challenges contestants to cross a digital bridge by choosing a true statement over a set of wrong ones. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A positive mindset after experiencing a stroke or heart disease diagnosis could significantly lower the risk of future health problems, research suggests. Scientists have proposed that using hope as a form of "self-prescription" can be a powerful tool in helping prevent additional health issues. The study, which was funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), looked at data from 12 previous studies, including 5,540 patients with conditions like coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart valve problems. The findings were presented at the British Cardiovascular Society conference in Manchester. The typical age of people in the study was 60 and 63 per cent were men. One of the research papers on 2,482 men found hopelessness was associated with a six-fold higher death risk from heart disease in those with pre-existing heart conditions, and a 2.3-fold higher risk in those without any problems. Feeling hopeless did not help those with a difficult health diagnosis ( PA ) Meanwhile, a separate study on women found higher levels of hope were protective against angina, which is chest pain caused by heart disease. Elsewhere, in stroke patients, higher hope was linked to a much lower risk of post-stroke fatigue. And in six studies reporting psychological outcomes, higher hope was linked to lower depression and anxiety levels, enhanced resilience and improved quality of life. The research further indicated that people with higher hope scores tended to have greater levels of self-care and were less likely to skip taking their medication. Dr Alexander Montasem, senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Liverpool and author on the study, said: For many people, living with cardiovascular disease can be a difficult experience. Patients often struggle with debilitating symptoms as well as anxiety about the future. This study aimed to reveal more about how peoples outlook on their situation can influence their health. Our systematic review suggests that hopelessness could increase peoples risk of death, but also their symptoms and how well they stick to treatment plans. Mental health support could be very beneficial for a wide range of people with heart problems. Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, clinical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: This research is a good reminder of how staying hopeful wherever possible can be helpful when it comes to living with cardiovascular disease. It could be an important self-prescription for maintaining your wellbeing and quality of life, alongside your current medical care. Ruth Goss, senior cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: The review showed that people with hope followed their treatment plans more closely, and its important to remember that the best thing you can do for your health is to follow the advice recommended by your doctor. Looking after your physical and emotional wellbeing is important for people living with cardiovascular disease, and if anyone is struggling, they should speak to their medical team. Direct route from Ho Chi Minh City to Asia's most beautiful island launched A man walks on Kelingking beach in Bali, Indonesia. Photo by Trinh Nam Thai National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines on Sunday inaugurated a direct flight route between Ho Chi Minh City and Denpasar, the tourism capital of Indonesia's Bali, which was voted the best beautiful island in Asia. The new route, the airline's second direct connection to Indonesia after its Ho Chi Minh City-Jakarta service, responds to growing travel demand between the two nations. The inaugural flight, VN641, carried 161 passengers and touched down at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport at 3 p.m. after 4 hours and 35 minutes. Passengers were greeted with souvenirs upon arrival. At the launch ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Ta Van Thong described the route as a symbol of increasing connection, trust, and partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, two vibrant Southeast Asian economies and neighbors. Tran Tuan Nghia, Vietnam Airlines' chief representative in Indonesia, said the airline will initially operate four weekly round-trip flights on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Starting in July 2025, the carrier plans to increase frequency to daily flights to meet rising demand. Bali was named Asia's most beautiful island at this year's annual Reader's Choice Awards by DestinAsian magazine. In October last year, the island was honored with the same recognition by readers of Conde Nast Traveler in its Readers' Choice Awards. Bali welcomed 6.3 million international visitors in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. This year it aims to attract 6.5 million tourists. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Jamie Oliver has revealed that his struggles with undiagnosed dyslexia were so difficult while growing up that he was made to feel stupid at school. The celebrity is sharing his experience with the condition in a new Channel 4 documentary called Jamies Dyslexia Revolution, which is due to air on Monday 9 June. Ahead of the documentary, Oliver toldThe Sunday Timesthat he grew to have a total resentment for education and that opening up about the disorder which he was finally diagnosed with in January has been painful. Im unpacking quite a lot of stuff and I'm oversharing with you because Ive got to f***ing work this s**t out, I thought Id buried it but its hitting a nerve, admitted Oliver about making the documentary. Genuinely, of all the things Ive ever done, this documentary is the most viscerally painful. Ive seen so many high-flying, talented, grown men cry about this Ive just done it to you the concept of being worthless (when youre) young is real. Its really triggering. Having left school with two GCSEs, the chef admitted that the kitchen saved him. open image in gallery Jamie Oliver said there should be more training for teachers to help them deal with dyslexic pupils ( PA ) I didnt have any extra time in exams, there were no strategies, just a bit of extra tutoring help, he added. There was no robust dyslexic knowledge then. Oliver added: I didnt have any extra time in exams, there were no strategies, just a bit of extra tutoring help. There was no robust dyslexic knowledge then. He also described feeling stupid, worthless and thick and developing a hatred of words and a total resentment for education while other students called him a stupid dunce. It left him with a deep-seated feeling of constantly being behind. I didnt tell mum, dad or the teachers. I just bottled it up inside, said the 50-year-old. The kitchen saved me. I knew I had something to offer. I knew I wasnt a useless piece of s***. Oliver is now campaigning for greater support in schools, and calling for early screenings for dyslexia and neurodiversity. He added: We also need more training for teachers. In a two to three-year training course, only about half a day is given to neurodiversity. Ive only got love for teachers, we need to appreciate them more. But they want to be trained, they want to have the tools to notice, understand and react. open image in gallery Jamie Oliver pictured last October ( Getty ) According to the NHS, dyslexia is a learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling. However, the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) states that the condition can affect people in other ways, including coordination, organisation and memory. They argue that claiming dyslexia only affects a persons ability to read or write is a misconception, saying if this were true, it would be much easier to identify. Its estimated up to one in every 10 people in the UK has some degree of dyslexia. Numerous celebrities, including Henry Winkler, Matt Hancock, Richard Branson and Jessica Simpson, have also shared that they have dyslexia. While symptoms often become more obvious when a child starts school, individuals can go their entire life without realising that they have the condition, making the need to speak up and seek help if struggling more vital than ever. The British Dyslexic Society (BDA) offers information, advice, support and even a helpline for people wanting to know more about dyslexia. You can find out more information on their website. Jamies Dyslexia Revolution can be watched on Channel 4 on 9 June at 9pm. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Summer is here, bringing with it sun, sea, sand, and good times if you can afford it. The pressure is on more than ever in the summer to say yes to that group vacation at a glamorous overseas location, the festival that will set you back hundreds of dollars, or a weekend in whatever is your towns nearest version of the Hamptons. Many Americans are struggling with the cost of living. This year, about a quarter of Americans (24 percent) will not have a vacation because of the cost, according to a recent survey. Of those who are planning to travel this summer, 29 percent said they will take on debt as a result, the survey by financial-comparison website Bankrate found. The latter is terrifying to former Wall Street trader-turned personal finance guru Vivian Tu, better known as YourRichBff, who advises her millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram. It might be amazing to go on that trip today, and you might have so much fun, 31-year-old Tu told The Independent. But how are you going to feel when you spend the next two years paying for a vacation that lasted seven days? I think that's a pretty sobering question. open image in gallery About a quarter of Americans (24 percent) will not have a vacation because of the cost, according to a recent survey, and of those who are planning to travel this summer, 29 percent said they will take on debt as a result. ( Getty/iStock ) Navigating the wealth gap with rich friends when you are not making anywhere near the same salary is awkward, uncomfortable, and seems to only be getting harder thanks to social media. Sam, 28, is originally from East Texas and now lives in Los Angeles. I'm a first generation college student, low income and trans, Sam, who attended an elite college on a diversity scholarship and asked to only be identified with their first name, told The Independent. In just about all of my friendships, there's a wealth gap and that pretty much started in undergrad. They make approximately $48,000 after taxes working as a guidance counselor at a California university and feel isolated by the wealth gap in their friendship group. I'm coming into this elite college straight off of food stamps and all that stuff, Sam said. Most people's families [at college] were upper-middle class to rich. One of the people I know, his family owns a fleet of private jets. So coming from a rural area, and then being put into that was kind of weird. Sam said summers were particularly bad, and that trend has continued post-college. Everyone I know was going on these big vacations and all these concerts, they said. I wasn't even able to go to a concert until my first year of undergrad. I've never even left the United States for a trip. Sam doesnt get invited on vacations by their wealthier friends. It's probably because they know that I can't afford it, Sam said. Not once have I ever been invited on any of these trips. I always get the photos. I always see the Instagram posts. It does make me feel left out, Sam added. Personal finance expert Tu says that social media also has a lot to answer for. It just starts to set an incredibly unrealistic expectation of how often we should be traveling, how much we should be spending, and how frequently we should be doing all of that, she told The Independent. Sam relates and said that social media has become a space for people to get Instagram likes and show off their experiences to others. I think that's just a really dangerous situation for people who are financially vulnerable, Sam said. open image in gallery Navigating the wealth gap with rich friends when you are not making anywhere near the same salary is awkward, uncomfortable, and seems to only be getting harder thanks to social media. ( Getty Images/iStockphoto ) We're so desperate to be a part of culture, to be a part of the big moment. You want to have that story that everyone else hasand you're literally borrowing thousands of dollars to sit in an uncomfortable stadium to do it because your friends are doing it, or because you're missing out. That feeling of disconnect is similar for 32-year-old Michelle, who lives in Nashville and works as a communications and events manager for a non-profit. Michelle, who makes around $65,000, and her boyfriend had a baby boy in December and can no longer keep up with the spending habits of their wealthier friends. They just so frivolously spend money like, they'll randomly buy a new car, or jet skis or a brand new boat, Michelle told The Independent. Its just really mentally tapped to try to appear like I can keep up with them. Before she had the baby, Michelle said the group went on a $2,000 trip to Disney World that she couldnt afford. When I first started being exposed to this friend group, I would push my bank account, and I would really push my limits just so that I could hang out, she said. And it really kind of messed me up. It maxed out one of my credit cards. Since having a baby, priorities have changed. I am trying to figure out how to make sure I can get formula for my baby, and make food at home. I don't want to go out to eat every single time that we hang out, she said. Every single month our bank account, it's just like we're at like the bottom. So it's very much like paycheck to paycheck, she added. open image in gallery Destination weddings can be costly. In 2024, 18 percent of couples hosted a destination ceremony abroad, according to The Knot s 2025 wedding survey. ( Alamy/PA ) Her boyfriend was once a high earner but he lost his job in the last year. He is now getting back on his feet and working again, but money has occasionally become a source of tension in the relationship, Michelle said. We've had a lot of fights this year about money, and that has limited what we're going to do this summer. The expense of weddings has also become a bone of contention, particularly if the nuptials involve travel. In 2024, 18 percent of couples hosting a destination ceremony abroad, according to The Knots 2025 wedding survey. Michelle was recently a bridesmaid for two close friends, with one wedding in Floridas Key West and another in upstate New York, setting her back at least $3,000 per wedding, including travel and accommodation. I would do it a million times over for those girls, but it really does push your budget. The new mom says that financial stress has been impacting her mental health, a trend more therapists are noticing with patients. People may not come to see me based on these feelings, but they most certainly come up in conversation, said Aja Evans, a therapist who specializes in financial therapy. Comparison and pressure to keep up with friends is very common and unfortunately tends to skew how people look at themselves and their finances. Evans advocates being honest with friends about your financial situation, which can be a way of breaking up the shame and isolation that comes with hiding it away. Being honest with yourself around what you can and cant do, remembering that you are still a valuable and worthy friend despite how much money you have is very important, Evans said. Attempting to disconnect your self worth from your net worth can also be helpful. Then, have a conversation with your friend. Letting them know how you feel, what you are doing in terms of your financial health and how you two can navigate the differences, Evans added. Now, this is very hard, being vulnerable is complicated and nuanced, so go easy on yourself. Top three tips for managing a wealth gap summer open image in gallery Wall Street trader-turned personal finance guru Vivian Tu, better known as YourRichBff, advises her millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram. ( Brendan Wixted ) Ask yourself: is it worth it? Tu, who heads up her own financial education and advice company, says it is essential to consider what is truly going to bring you value and not hurt you in the future at the same time. She has a handy tip that can help visualize whether that summer impulse purchase be it new clothes, a night out or a trip is worth it. I call it YourRichBFF is it Worth it? Equation, Tu said. Figure out how much your hourly take-home pay is, and that hourly take-home pay, essentially, is how many hours youll need to sit at your desk to afford something. Say your hourly take-home pay is $20, you go to a fancy store and you want to buy a pair of designer leggings for $100, Tu explained. You have to sit at your desk for five hours. Ask yourself, are you willing to sit at your desk for five hours so that you can afford those leggings? And in some cases, the answer is yes. In some cases, the answer is no. Be honest with your friends and live within your means You need to be honest with your friends about your financial situation, but also you need to provide an alternative, Tu said. Because what's going to happen is if you continuously keep telling your friends, no, I can't come, I can't afford it, suddenly they're going to stop inviting you to stuff. Once they stop inviting you to stuff, you are going to feel incredibly isolated, she added. Dont take on any unnecessary debt you cant pay off Tu doesnt knock hard-pressed families who have to put basic necessities like food on a credit card. But she advises others to resist the temptation to splurge on the fun stuff if its not affordable it right now. There are certainly folks in our country who are putting basic necessities like food on a credit card, not because they want to, but because they need to feed their families, Tu said. This is not that. What I'm saying is, the visits to the nail salon, the drinks out with girlfriends, the fun stuff, if you are not in a position to be spending on that...its going to keep you broke, she said. We all have to know our limits, and it's not fair, Tu added. But some people out there have parents who are paying their rent. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Annually, Saudi Arabia welcomes a multitude of Muslim pilgrims for the Hajj, a central pillar of Islam. During this pilgrimage, devotees unite in acts of worship and religious rituals, fulfilling a sacred duty. The Hajj offers a profound spiritual experience, providing an opportunity for pilgrims to seek divine forgiveness and cleanse themselves of past transgressions. What is the Hajj? The Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia and involves a series of religious rituals. Its required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it. Some Muslims make the journey more than once. It is also one of the five pillars of Islam, in addition to the profession of faith, prayer, almsgiving and fasting. When is the Hajj? The Hajj occurs once a year during the lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar year. This year, the Hajj will start on June 4. When the Hajj falls during the summer months, the intense heat can be especially challenging. Amid extreme high temperatures last year, more than 1,300 people died during the Hajj, Saudi authorities announced then. The countrys health minister said at the time that the vast majority of the fatalities were unauthorized pilgrims who walked long distances under the sun. Whats the significance of the Hajj? For pilgrims, performing the Hajj fulfills a religious obligation and is also a deeply spiritual experience. Its seen as a chance to seek Gods forgiveness for past sins, to grow closer to God and to walk in the footsteps of prophets. open image in gallery Muslim pilgrims gather at top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, June 15, 2024.(AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool, File) ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Communally, the Hajj unites Muslims of diverse races, ethnicities, languages and economic classes from around the world in performing religious rituals and acts of worshipping God at the same time and place. This leaves many feeling a sense of unity, connection, humility and equality. Pilgrims also show up with their own personal appeals, wishes and experiences. Many pilgrims bring with them prayer requests from family and friends that they would like to be said on their behalf. Some spend years hoping and praying to one day perform the Hajj or saving up money and waiting for a permit to embark on the trip. Ahead of the journey, preparations may include packing various essentials for the physically demanding trip, seeking tips from those whove performed the pilgrimage before, attending lectures or consulting other educational material on how to properly perform a series of Hajj rituals as well as spiritually readying oneself. What are the rituals? Pilgrims make the intention to perform the Hajj and they enter a state of ihram. Being in ihram includes abiding by certain rules and prohibitions. For instance, men are not to wear regular sewn or stitched clothes that encircle the body, such as shirts, during ihram. Instead, there are simple ihram cloth garments for men; scholars say the purpose is to discard luxuries and vanity, shed worldly status symbols and immerse the pilgrim in humility and devotion to God. open image in gallery Muslim pilgrims use umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun as they gather outside Nimrah Mosque to offer the noon prayers in Arafat, on the second day of the annual hajj pilgrimage, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, June 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool, File) ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) A spiritual highlight of the Hajj for many is standing on the plain of Arafat, where pilgrims praise God, plead for forgiveness and make supplications. Many raise their hands in worship with tears streaming down their faces. Other rituals include performing tawaf, circumambulating, or circling the Kaaba in Mecca counterclockwise seven times. The Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure, is the focal point toward which Muslims face during their daily prayers from anywhere in the world. Among other rituals, pilgrims also retrace the path of Hagar, or Hajar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, Abraham to Jews and Christians, who Muslims believe ran between two hills seven times searching for water for her son. What is Eid Al-Adha? Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is the Islamic holiday that begins on the 10th day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, during the Hajj. A joyous occasion celebrated by Muslims around the world, Eid al-Adha marks Ibrahims test of faith and his willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of submission to God. During the festive holiday, Muslims slaughter sheep or cattle and distribute some meat to poor people. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A flamethrower-wielding suspect yelled Free Palestine while throwing Molotov cocktails at a demonstration in support of Israeli hostages in a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, says the FBI. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was arrested after victims were attacked near Pearl Street in Boulder around 2 p.m. local time on Sunday, police said. The FBI considers the incident a "targeted act of violence and is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism. He allegedly used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device into the crowd as he shouted Free Palestine, FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek told reporters. Six people, ranging from 67 to 88 years old, were injured. One of the victims is a Holocaust survivor. Their conditions range from minor to critical, police said. Some of the wounds were consistent with burns. Witnesses told CBS News that they witnessed someone attacking the peaceful demonstrators with Molotov cocktails. Every, every one of the victims I could tell that I saw had skin basically melted or hanging from their, from their legs, a witness told Fox Denver. open image in gallery Law enforcement is investigating in Boulder, Colorado, where a man was arrested for allegedly attacking participants in an Israeli hostage demonstration in what the FBI are calling a targeted terror attack ( AP ) Former FBI agent Bobby Chacon told CNN that because Molotov cocktails can be made from essentially household items, its unlikely that buying the components would have put the suspect on law enforcement radar. The suspect is an Egyptian national whose visa expired in March 2025, Trump administration sources told Fox News. He arrived in the US in August 2022 at Los Angeles International Airport. His last visa was approved for renewal in March 2023. A senior White House official told The Independent that the president has been briefed on the situation. A terror attack was committed in Boulder, Colorado by an illegal alien. He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit. Suicidal migration must be fully reversed, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said in a post on X. Ed Victor, who was one of about 30 people participating in the march on Sunday, told CBS News that the group was peacefully walking down Pearl Street when the attack occurred. open image in gallery Multiple victims were injured after a suspect allegedly launched a 'targeted terror attack' in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday afternoon ( CBS News ) "So we stood up, lined up in front of the old Boulder courthouse, and I was actually on the far west side... And, from my point of view, all of a sudden, I felt the heat. It was a Molotov cocktail equivalent, a gas bomb in a glass jar, thrown, Victor told the outlet. Another marcher saw it, a big flame as high as a tree, and all I saw was someone on fire. A host of officials and organizations swiftly condemned Sundays attack. Colorado Democratic Rep. Joe Neguse said hes praying hard for the victims. We are closely monitoring, and are in contact with local law enforcement regarding the horrific attack on Pearl Street Mall. Praying hard for the victims, he wrote on X. The states Democratic Governor Jared Polis condemned the attack. My thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror. Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. While details emerge, the state works with local and federal law enforcement to support this investigation, he wrote in a statement. open image in gallery Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, being taken into custody ( X/@OpusObscuraX ) Colorado Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennett both denounced the attack, each saying there was no place for hate in their home state. The Boulder Jewish Community issued a joint statement in the wake of the attack. "We are saddened and heartbroken to learn that an incendiary device was thrown at walkers at the Run for Their Lives walk on Pearl Street as they were raising awareness for the hostages still held in Gaza. We don't have all the details of what is unfolding, and we promise to keep our community informed, the statement read. "Our hearts go out to those who witnessed this horrible attack, and prayers for a speedy recovery to those who were injured. The statement continued: When events like this enter our own community, we are shaken. Our hope is that we come together for one another. Strength to you all. The Anti-Defamation League also issued a statement, saying its aware of the reports of the attack at Boulder Run for Their Lives event, which the nonprofit described as a weekly meeting of Jewish community members to run/walk in support of the hostages kidnapped on 10/7. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A peaceful demonstration on Sunday raising awareness for Israeli hostages took a harrowing turn after a man allegedly used Molotov cocktails to set marchers ablaze. Police in Boulder, Colorado have arrested Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, in connection with the attack. The FBI called the attack a "targeted act of violence and is investigating it as an act of terrorism. open image in gallery Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was arrested in connection with the attack in Boulder, Colorado. The FBI called the attack a targeted act of violence and is investigating it as an act of terrorism ( AP ) The man allegedly shouted Free Palestine! as he used a makeshift flame thrower and threw an incendiary device into the crowd, the FBI said. Some 16 unused Molotov cocktails were found at the scene. Fifteen people and a dog were injured in the attack, with one in critical condition. The victims have not been publicly identified. Heres everything we know about the attack. Who is Mohamed Soliman? Police arrested Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, on Sunday. He has now been charged with a federal hate crime, one count of attempted murder, one count of first-degree assault, one count of causing serious injury to an at-risk adult or someone over 70, and one count of using explosives or incendiary devices. Early reports suggested he was also charged with two counts of first-degree murder, though there have been no deaths reported. The FBI said the attack is also being investigated as an act of terrorism. Soliman reportedly told police that he had specifically targeted what he referred to as a Zionist group and had been planning the attack for a year. He also said he would do it again. open image in gallery The suspect in the attack has been identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45. He has now been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder, among other crimes ( Boulder PD ) Soliman is a native of Egypt. He entered the country in August 2022 on a visa issued during the administration of former President Joe Biden, on a non-immigrant visa that allowed him to stay until February 2023, Department of Homeland Security sources told Fox News. Those sources told Fox that Soliman was granted work authorization in March 2023, which allowed him to stay until March 2025. According to CBS News, Soliman began working as an Uber food delivery driver in the spring of 2023 and began driving passengers about nine months ago. A company spokesperson said his employment has now been terminated. He appeared in court for the first time on Monday afternoon charged with a federal hate crime and 16 counts of attempted murder. What happened in Boulder? Just after 2 p.m. on Sunday, Boulder Police announced they were responding to a report that a man with a weapon was setting people on fire. At the time of the attack, Run for Their Lives, a group of demonstrators raising awareness for the Israeli hostages that remain in Gaza, were marching on Pearl Street, as they do every Sunday, organizations have said. Soliman allegedly used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device into the crowd as he yelled Free Palestine!, the FBI said. open image in gallery Law enforcement officials investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. ( AP ) Ed Victor, one of about 30 people marching, told CBS News that the group was peacefully walking down Pearl Street when the attack occurred. "... all of a sudden, I felt the heat. It was a Molotov cocktail equivalent, a gas bomb in a glass jar, thrown, Victor told the outlet. Another marcher saw it, a big flame as high as a tree, and all I saw was someone on fire, he said. Two sources told CBS News that witnesses told investigators the suspect also yelled End Zionist! in the attack. How many victims were injured? Authorities have confirmed the identities of 15 people, aged between 25 and 88 who were injured in the attack. Earlier, authorities said there were six injured people. A dog was also hurt in the incident, police said on Wednesday. The oldest victim is a Holocaust survivor and a very loving person, Rabbi Israel Wilhelm, the Chabad director at the University of Colorado Boulder, told CBS News. Some were suffering from wounds that were consistent with burns, Redfearn said. Their injuries range from minor to critical, according to the FBI. open image in gallery Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn discusses incident which FBI Director Kash Patel quickly described as targeted terror attack ( Boulder Police Department ) UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora told 9News they had received two patients in connection with the attack. A witness told FOX31 that each victim they saw had skin basically melted or hanging ... from their legs. What comes next in the investigation? Local, state, and federal law enforcement are investigating the planning behind Sundays attack, as well as Solimans alleged motives. Soliman was reportedly cooperative after being arrested on Sunday, and alerted the FBI to an iPhone hidden in his Colorado Springs home with messages to his family, as well as a journal, per court documents. Agents have reportedly searched the property. The Egyptian national allegedly told investigators about what motivated the attack, with Soliman saying he hated this group and needed to stop them from taking over our land, which he explained to be Palestine, according to court documents. Officials said that the 45-year-old attempted to purchase a gun prior to the fire attack, only to be denied because he is not a U.S. citizen. The plot against the activists was not on polices radar ahead of Sunday, but the El Paso County Sheriffs Office said Monday it had received three non-criminal calls to Solimans home since December 2022, including one involving juvenile contact. The Egyptian had also previously been involved in four traffic stops. Soliman is due next in court at 3:30pm MT on Thursday, where he will face the official filing of state charges. He is currently in jail in Boulder County on $10 million bond. What has been said about the Boulder terror attack? Temple Emmanuel Senior Rabbi Joseph Black said the Jewish community was shocked. I think we're feeling a multitude of emotions fear, anger, despair, he told Denver7, adding that that Temle Emmanuel has taken very intense security protocols to keep the congregation safe. This will not stop us, in any way, shape or form, he said. Nonprofit organizations and federal officials have condemned the attack. My thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror. Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. While details emerge, the state works with local and federal law enforcement to support this investigation, Jared Polis, Colorados Democratic governor, wrote in a statement. Colorado Democratic Rep. Joe Negus, who represents Boulder, said hes praying hard for the victims. We are closely monitoring, and are in contact with local law enforcement regarding the horrific attack on Pearl Street Mall. Praying hard for the victims, he wrote on X. President Trump blamed Biden administration open border policies for the attack, though Soliman entered the U.S. legally on a travel visa. [Soliman] came in through Bidens ridiculous Open Border Policy, which has hurt our Country so badly, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday. He must go out under TRUMP Policy. Acts of Terrorism will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law. The Boulder Jewish Community issued a joint statement in the wake of the incident. "We are saddened and heartbroken to learn that an incendiary device was thrown at walkers at the Run for Their Lives walk on Pearl Street as they were raising awareness for the hostages still held in Gaza. We don't have all the details of what is unfolding, and we promise to keep our community informed, the statement read. The statement continued: When events like this enter our own community, we are shaken. Our hope is that we come together for one another. Strength to you all. open image in gallery Its too early to determine a motive, Redfearn said after announcing that a man had been arrested in connection with the attack ( AP ) The Anti-Defamation League said it was aware of the reports of the attack at Boulder Run for Their Lives event, which the nonprofit described as a weekly meeting of Jewish community members to run/walk in support of the hostages kidnapped on 10/7. Jim Berk, the CEO of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human rights organization, denounced Sundays attack and mentioned the recent killing of the couple working at Israels embassy in Washington D.C. This marks the second violent assault on Jewish and pro-Israel civilians in the U.S. in less than two weeksa chilling escalation that cannot be dismissed as coincidence. On May 21, two Israeli Embassy staffers were gunned down in cold blood in Washington, D.C., and now the extremist violence has come to Boulder, CO, said Simon Wiesenthal Center CEO Jim Berk. Both attacks are the direct result of months of anti-Israel propaganda, moral equivocation, and silence in the face of raging antisemitism. The nonstop demonization of Israel and Zionism on our campuses, in our streets, and across digital platforms has created a climate where hate flourishes, and physical attackseven murderof Jews is inevitable. Close Officials say Boulder terror suspect planned attack for a year The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The wife and five children of the man charged with a federal hate crime and 16 counts of attempted murder following a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday, have been arrested by ICE agents, according to reports. Fox News reported on Tuesday that the family have been put into proceedings for expedited removal from the U.S. Suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national, entered the U.S. on a visa that expired two years ago but was then granted work authorization lasting until March 2025. The 45-year-old told authorities he spent a year planning Sundays attack and had researched and specifically targeted a Zionist group. A total of 15 people and a dog were injured in the attack on a Run For Their Lives event, which was organized in support of the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Eyewitnesses reported that the attacker shouted Free Palestine! before firing incendiary devices, including a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails, according to the FBI. The injured are understood to be aged between 25 and 88 and were rushed to hospitals in the Denver metro area, with the eldest among them is also a Holocaust survivor. As of Tuesday, three remained in hospital, per FOX31. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A former Charles Manson cult member who killed seven people and scrawled Pigs and a misspelled Helter Skelter on the wall with her victims blood during the 1969 murderous rampage, has once again been recommended for parole by the California parole board. Patricia Krenwinkel, now 77, is the states longest-serving female inmate who has spent more than five decades behind bars after she was convicted in 1971 of seven counts of first-degree murder for her role in the brutal killings carried out by the Manson Family. The parole recommendation on Friday marks the second time Krenwinkel has been deemed suitable for release. Her first recommendation in May 2022 was overturned by Governor Gavin Newsom, who cited her significant role in the cults violence and her leadership within the Manson Family. At Fridays hearing her 16th parole review panel members cited Krenwinkels advanced age and decades of good behavior as evidence she poses a low risk of reoffending. open image in gallery Patricia Krenwinkel has been recommended for parole after 55 years in prison for the murders of seven people in 1969. She was part of the Mansion Family. ( AP2011 ) Krenwinkel did not speak during the four-hour hearing, but family members of the victims, including actress Sharon Tates younger sister, Debra Tate, read statements opposing her release. Releasing her to society puts society at risk, Debra Tate said. I dont accept any explanation for someone who has had 55 years to think of the many ways they impacted their victims but still does not know their names. Sharon Tate, was one of the seven infamously murdered, along with four others in Los Angeles, between August 8-9, 1969, followed by the slayings of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca on August 10, 1969, who she stabbed to death with a fork. For years, this woman laughed about the murders in court and showed absolutely no remorse at all, Debra Tate wrote in an online petition on Friday. Society cannot allow this serial killer who committed such horrible, gruesome, random killings back out. open image in gallery A 2017 mugshot of Charles Manson, left, and a photo of the convicted murderer leaving a courthouse in 1969 ( AP ) Commissioner Gilbert Infante emphasized that the decision to recommend parole was not meant to minimize the horror of the crimes. At the time of these crimes, you exhibited all the hallmark features of youth, he said. When we look at subsequent growth, you have made strides, and this is evidenced in the work you have done. Krenwinkel, a Los Angeles native, was only 19 years old when she met the then 33-year-old Manson at a party and left her life behind to follow him, believing in the promise of a romantic relationship. In 2016, she testified that she was abused, kept under the influence of drugs, and repeatedly coerced back when she tried to leave. open image in gallery Manson pictured in 2009, his face still bearing the scar of a swastika he carved into his forehead decades earlier. He died in prison in 2017. ( California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via Getty Image ) She admitted to stabbing coffee heiress Abigail Folger multiple times at Tates home and participated in the LaBianca murders the following night. Acting on Mansons instructions to do something witchy, Krenwinkel used the victims blood to scrawl phrases such as Death to Pigs, Rise, and a misspelled Healter Skelter on the walls. Although Manson orchestrated the murders, he did not carry them out himself. But he and his followers, including Krenwinkel, were sentenced to death in 1971. Their sentences were commuted to life imprisonment in 1972 after the California Supreme Court temporarily ruled the death penalty unconstitutional. open image in gallery Susan Atkins, Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten, walk to court to appear for their roles in the 1969 cult killings of seven people, including pregnant actress Sharon Tate. ( AP ) Manson died in prison in 2017. Krenwinkel is one of just two original cult members still incarcerated. The parole boards recommendation now heads to the full Board of Parole Hearings, which has 120 days to review the decision. If it stands, Governor Newsom will have up to 150 days to affirm, reverse or take no action. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Prom night at a Detroit high school took a harrowing turn when gunfire erupted from the schools parking lot, police say. The incident occurred around 8.30 p.m. on Thursday near Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School, where students were attending prom. Several teenagers were present when the 20 rounds were fired, according to reports. No one was injured amid the gunfire, police have said. Detroit Police are now hoping to speak to two persons of interest who were allegedly in the area at the time of the shooting. Police announced the first person of interest on Friday, posting a photo of a Black man running while wearing a white zip-up jacket and black shorts. The police department posted a photo of an additional person of interest on Sunday, sharing a photo of a Black man wearing a gray top, dark pants and white sneakers. Both men were captured wielding firearms. open image in gallery Detroit police are seeking information on two persons of interest who were in the area when gunfire rang out near a high school last Thursday ( Detroit Rewards TV ) Authorities are offering a $1,000 reward for information on each person of interest. The relationship between the school and the persons of interest is not immediately clear. The Independent has reached out to law enforcement for more information. Davon Hall, who was near the school when gunfire erupted, told Fox2 that the area became "hectic, scary, noting teens started fleeing from the scene. open image in gallery The incident occurred when the school was hosting prom night ( Detroit Rewards TV ) Police were just sitting there when shots rang out, he recalled. "It was a secure area but it turned crazy like a movie real quick. Hall told the outlet: "We are not like this. King High School has been elevated and has been bringing nothing but good news to the community. This is something that is so depressing. Police urge anyone with information about the incident or recognizes the persons of interest to call DPD's 7th Precinct at 313-596-5740, CrimeStoppers at 1-800-Speak Up, or DetroitRewards.tv. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sean Diddy Combs former assistant ended her testimony Monday with her head hung low as she tearfully explained that sharing the alleged sexual abuse she endured has been the worst thing shes ever discussed. For almost the entirety of her three days of testimony, Mia kept her head down, unable to look up at the lawyers or the man shes accused of physically, psychologically, sexually and verbally abusing her. When asked why, Mia a pseudonym tearfully explained the sexual assaults and rape are the worst thing Ive ever had to talk about in my life. I cant look my nieces or my goddaughter in the eyes and ever advise them if they were in this situation, the ex-assistant told the court with her head bowed. The ex-assistant spent several days testifying on behalf of the government in its sex-trafficking case against Combs. The music mogul is accused of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation for prostitution purposes. He is currently on trial in a New York federal courtroom as prosecutors have accused him of abusing women to fulfill his sexual desires. Mias testimony was part of the days evidence that also included: Mia sent positive and supportive text messages to Combs multiple times between 2018 and 2023. Defense attorney accused Mia of wanting to participate in the Me Too money grab. Prosecutors called a Beverly Hills Hotel employee to the stand. Combs incurred a $500 fee for oil damage at the Beverly Hills Hotel in 2015. open image in gallery Mia, a former Diddy employee, spent three days testifying about the abuse she endured and witnessed at the hands of Sean Combs. ( Reuters ) In the Manhattan federal courthouse, Combs took his typical seat next to his defense attorneys who spent most of the day questioning Mia about her alleged abuse. The rapper and music mogul wore a light-colored sweater and dark pants his typical outfit. Defense attorney Brian Steel continually asked her why she hadnt taken photos of the abuse she endured nor told any family or friends about Combs behavior. "I was still deeply shamed," the ex-assistant explained. Instead, Mia had posted positive messages about Combs on social media during her employment something she said was the result of being brainwashed by Combs. Mia had previously told the court she wanted to die with the secret that Combs allegedly assaulted and raped her during her eight-year-long employment with his company. open image in gallery Combs took his typical seat next to his defense attorneys who spent most of the day questioning Mia about her alleged abuse. ( Reuters ) Steel questioned Mia about text messages that she sent to Combs between 2018 and 2023, after her employment with Combs Enterprises ended. In them, Mia praised Combs character, said I love you, and offered to help provide Combs with footage he could use for his documentary. As he did on Friday, Steel accused Mia of lying about the extent of the abuse she endured. He also insinuated Mia had ulterior motives. Steel accused Mia of wanting to be part of the #MeToo money grab a reference to the sexual abuse lawsuits against high-profile individuals. Mia scoffed at Steels assertion and reiterated that she was not being paid, nor did she anticipate any money from testifying on behalf of the government. If anything, she said she was terrified of Combs and the potential repercussions of sharing her allegations. After stepping off the stand, prosecutors called their next witness, Sylvia Oken, a Beverly Hills Hotel employee, to speak about the process and documentation involved in a customers reservation. Oken said Combs used multiple aliases to book rooms at the hotel, including Frank Black and Philip Pines. Prosecutors shared a spreadsheet of information about Combs multiple stays over the years and his bills from two stays. Oken testified that in 2015, Combs incurred a $500 cleaning fee for oil damage done to curtains. Thailands Department of Airports (DOA), under the Ministry of Transport, has launched the New Route New Airline initiative to encourage the establishment of new flight routes to the countrys secondary cities in efforts to boost tourism. Under the DOAs initiative, Thai Lion Air is the first carrier granted the right to open new interregional routes, including U-Tapao Udon Thani, which will commence operations on June 11. Another route, Don Mueang Nakhon Phanom, is set to begin service on June 19. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri said the New Route New Airline scheme will provide strong incentives to attract airlines to open flights to regional airports under the DOAs jurisdiction. This will create more opportunities and travel options while fostering market competition among airlines in terms of fares and service quality. Furthermore, he added, it will reduce monopolies on routes served by only one provider. Crucially, the presence of a new airline service signals that the province is ready to welcome more tourists and investors in the tourism sector. DOA Director-General Danai Ruengson said that the department has issued a decree to reduce aircraft landing and parking fees by 50% for one year on new routes. These new routes are defined as ones that have never operated from the origin or destination airport before, or those that have been suspended for at least one year. In addition, a 50% reduction in landing and parking fees will be offered for three months to new airlines that have never previously operated at that airport, or airlines that have ceased operations there for at least one year. Airlines wishing to apply for these benefits must submit a formal written request to the DOA for consideration and approval, he said. Close Trump speculates about possible Diddy pardon as rap mogul's trial continues in New York The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sean Diddy Combss former assistant Mia returned to the witness stand on Monday, kicking off the fourth week of testimony in the music moguls sex trafficking trial. Mia, who was given a pseudonym to protect her identity, testified that she did not report Combss sexual abuse because she was terrified and brainwashed by him. Her testimony comes after Combss attorney Brian Steel asked her if she told the truth when she testified last week that Combs sexually assaulted her. "I would not lie in this courtroom," Mia responded. "I never lied in this courtroom. Everything I have said is true." The day ended with brief testimony from Sylvia Oken, director of sales and marketing at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Documents from her hotel revealed Combs booked rooms under the name Frank Black. The jury also saw a $500 bill from the hotel, which included charges for oil damage. The high-profile trial in New York has attracted significant attention, including from President Donald Trump, who has not ruled out a potential pardon for Combs if the rap star is convicted. Nobodys asked, but I know people are thinking about it, Trump said last week. Combs is facing five federal courts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Florida mother whos accused of killing her six-year-old son claimed she was told by God to exorcise demons out of the childs body, police say. Rhonda Paulynice, 31, has been charged with the second degree murder of her son, Ramyl Pierre, according to authorities. St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro said the childs school requested a welfare check on Friday after he had been absent for more than two weeks. When police arrived at the familys home in Fort Pierce -- around a two-hour drive southeast of Orlando -- the boy was found dead, lying on his bed. She believed she was being told by God to exorcise demons out of the childs body, the sheriff said. When the child had stopped moving and passed away at that point, she felt that the child had been released of those demons and was waiting for him to come back, he said. open image in gallery Rhonda Paulynice, 31, killed her six-year-old son and claimed she was told by God to exorcise demons out of the childs body, Florida police say ( St. Lucie County jail ) open image in gallery Ramyl Pierre, pictured here on his mother Rhonda Paulynice's Facebook page, was six years old when he was found dead in his Fort Pierce home ( Rhonda Paulynice/Facebook ) Investigators believe the child died around May 18. An autopsy will be used to determine how the six-year-old died. The sheriff talked of the trauma that comes with the job of being a law enforcement officer. Our deputies see things that nobody should have to seewe get exposed to a great deal of trauma on this job, he said. Toro added: Being a parent, being out on a scene like that, seeing a six-year-old child that was killed for no other reason other than somebody just being purely evil, and its hard. The sheriff expressed his condolences to the little boys family and said his thoughts and prayers were with his school. From what I understand, this kid just lit the room up and was just loved by everybody, he said. Toro said Paulynice was also charged with altering a dead body, which was related to what he said was the mother preserving her sons body. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Police in Texas have named Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja as the suspect arrested and charged over the murder of King of the Hill and Parks and Recreation actor Jonathan Joss. However, questions remain over the motivation for his killing. His husband put out a statement saying that Joss was killed in a homophobic attack after years of threats and an arson attack on their home. San Antonio police reacted to the statement, saying they had come across no evidence so far to suggest the shooting was a hate crime. Joss, who voiced John Redcorn on the animated series and Chief Ken Hotate in the Amy Poehler-led sitcom, died at the age of 59 after being shot multiple times. open image in gallery Jonathan Joss, who has died aged 59, as Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation ( NBC ) The shooting occurred outside his home in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday after a dispute with a neighbor, believed to be Ceja. TMZ reports that the actors home burned down in February, killing his three dogs. Joss apparently returned to the property on Sunday in order to collect a victims fire fund check. The site says that when he arrived at the property, Joss saw the charred remains of one of his dogs, which provoked him. He began yelling at neighbors, including Ceja, who allegedly drove by and shot him before fleeing by car. Joss was pronounced dead on the scene when paramedics arrived. Ceja was arrested just a block away from the incident and has been charged with felony first-degree murder. His bond was set at $200K and his first court date is scheduled for August. It has emerged that two days before the shooting, Joss was escorted out by security from a King of the Hill event in San Antonio, reports People. During the event, a witness stated that Joss approached a microphone that had been set up for a question-and-answer session, although it had not yet begun. Thats when security guards went to him. It seemed he did get a little emotional while he spoke, but mostly he was calm and he just needed to say his piece, a witness said. A video circulated on social media shows Joss speaking to the crowd. Im an actor. I see a mic, I use it. I see a wrong, I make it right. I take a breath. I want to breathe, he says in the clip. Joss went on to tell the crowd that his home burned down in February. He claimed that he had been the victim of a hate crime. As Joss moved away from the mic to go back to his seat, that's when security told him he had to leave and he exited the theater calmly and cooperatively, the witness said. The panel went on as usual in the aftermath. The shows creators, Greg Daniels and Mike Judge, both witnessed his removal. open image in gallery Just a few days before his death, Joss appeared at an event to celebrate the revival of King of the Hill ( Facebook ) Meanwhile, a neighbor said that he had just moments before Sundays shooting outside of his former home. We passed by him, and we saw him. He was a little loud. I dont know who he was talking to in the vehicle, but he was waving his hands, the witness told NBC San Antonio. The neighbor went on to describe Joss as being a little quirky. [He] did some things out of the ordinary that many people may see as not being normal. If we were driving by his home, he would come out into the street and literally try to stop you. He would yell. I dont know if he felt in his mind that, that area was his and no one had the right to go through it. Other neighbors reported ongoing tension involving Joss. He would argue with different people. It could be over dogs. It could be over trash, that neighbor told KSAT. A different neighbor said that she witnessed Joss arguing with neighbors on their street. We would see him down the street yelling, ranting and raving. Other times, he could be really sweet. The station reports that several neighbors said that Joss was extremely protective of his property in the aftermath of the fire. In an interview with My San Antonio, a neighbor said Joss once claimed that he was God and that the police had been called in the past over his behavior. open image in gallery Police booking picture of murder suspect Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja ( Bexar County Sheriffs Office ) Shortly after the shooting, Josss husbandTristan Kern de Gonzales posted a statement to the actors Facebook page claiming the shooting was a homophobic hate crime. Gonzales said he and Joss were greeted by a disturbing sight when they arrived at the property, which he said had been burned down after two years of threats from people in the area who repeatedly told us they would set it on fire. He said they had reported these threats multiple times. When we returned to the site to check our mail we discovered the skull of one of our dogs and its harness placed in clear view. This caused both of us severe emotional distress. We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw, Gonzales wrote. Thats when, according to Gonzales, a man approached the two and started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired. Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life, Gonzales continued. Gonzales said he and Joss were harassed regularly by individuals who made it clear they did not accept our relationship. Much of the harassment was openly homophobic. He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other, Gonzales continued. I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved. Gonzales noted he and Joss were married just a few months ago on Valentines Day and were making plans for the future, rebuilding what they lost in the fire. open image in gallery Joss played John Redcorn (center) in King of the Hill ( Fox ) He said their home was burned down after over two years of threats from people in the area who repeatedly told us they would set it on fire. We reported these threats to law enforcement multiple times and nothing was done. Gonzales concluded his statement by vowing to protect what [Joss] built going forward. However, several hours after the statement, San Antonio Police Department tweeted: SAPD Homicide is currently investigating the murder of Mr. Jonathan Joss. Despite online claims of this being a hate crime, currently the investigation has found no evidence to indicate that the Mr. Josss murder was related to his sexual orientation. SAPD investigators handle these allegations very seriously and have thoroughly reviewed all available information. Should any new evidence come to light, the suspect will be charged accordingly. According to a GoFundMe started on his behalf after the fire, Joss lost his childhood home and possessions, as well as his three dogs, in the blaze. This wasn't just any home it was the house his father built for his mother in 1957, filled with a lifetime of memories, the GoFundMe description read in part. Court records did not list an attorney for the suspect, the Washington Post reported, while police said the investigation into the actors death was ongoing. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The mayor of a small city in Georgia has been charged with a slew of child sex crimes, the states Bureau of Investigation announced. Joseph Kelly, 38, was charged with two counts of child molestation. His wife, Natalie Kelly, 44, was also arrested, and is charged with two counts of cruelty to children in the second degree. Decatur County Sheriffs Office deputies took the couple into custody on Saturday after the mayor was accused of sexual contact with multiple minors, police said. Joseph Kelly has been the mayor of the City of Climax , around four hours drive south of Atlanta, since January 2020. The citys website said he is employed by the Decatur County School District. open image in gallery Joseph Kelly, 38, who has been mayor of Climax since 2020, was arrested on a slew of child sex crimes, police say ( City of Climax ) At this time, there is no indication that the alleged acts are related to his employment, the sheriffs office said as part of a written statement. Kelly and his wife were booked into the Decatur County Jail. Joseph Kelly has since been released on a $55,400 bond. Natalie Kelly was released after posting bond for $11,400. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Cops are on the hunt for a suspect who abducted and assaulted a 12-year-old girl left sleeping in the backseat of a car as her mother was getting a cheesesteak Friday night in Philadelphia, according to a local report. Officers responded to a report of an abduction in progress at Germantown and Erie Avenues around 9:30 p.m., the Philadelphia Police Department said. The 12-year-old girl had been sleeping in the backseat of a 2010 white Ford Taurus while the keys were still in the cars ignition when an unidentified person then got into the car and drove off, police said. Police were able to locate the girl just before 10 p.m. less than five minutes down the road, at Broad Street and Roosevelt Boulevard. The girl told police officers she was sexually assaulted. She was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment and evaluation, police said. A 12-year-old girl was abducted after she was left sleeping in the backseat of a car that had the keys in the ignition. ( Fox 29 ) Cindy Campbell, who manages a nearby business, told Fox 29 the mother was getting a cheesesteak at the time her daughter was abducted. "Parents need to be more aware of what theyre doing with their children," Campbell said. "I had twins and I was a young mom and I still never left my kids in the car running. I had the key, and I woke them up and took the with me. I knew better than to leave my kids in the car running. Never." Leonard Greher, who also works at a nearby Dominos, said there was a massive police presence as authorities searched for the girl. "It was a lot of cops out here last night it was very busy," Greher said. "Its wrong that somebody stole the car and assaulted her thats bad." The shocking assault was the third time in three weeks that a vehicle has been stolen in Philadelphia after a parent left the car running with a child in the backseat, according to Fox 29. In the two other incidents, police said the suspects abandoned the stolen cars and the children were left unharmed. Police are still searching for the suspect involved in the most recent attack. They described him as a man with a thin build wearing all dark clothing. The stolen white Ford Taurus has also not yet been recovered, police said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Eight people were injured after a man used a makeshift flamethrower and threw Molotov cocktails at members of the group Run for Their Lives who were rallying in Boulder for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, police said. The founder of Run for Their Lives, Shany Klein, a licensed attorney in California and Israel, thanked law enforcement and fire department officials for their quick response and said her thoughts and prayers were with the victims, who she hoped would have a speedy recovery. She stressed that Run for Their Lives would continue to be committed to our mission until all the hostages are returned back home. According to the group's LinkedIn page, Run for the Lives was set up in response to the October 7 attack and calls for "the immediate release of the hostages held by Hamas." The international advocacy group leads running and walking events to peacefully demand the release of the hostages taken by Hamas in the October 7, 2023, terror attack, according to their website. The term 'Run' is symbolic, emphasizing that the hostages cannot run for their lives, they state. We run or walk on their behalf, because they cantand to act before its too late. They also emphasize that attendees Dont protest and instead Focus on humanity, stressing that their activism is a rallying cry for the innocent children, women, the elderly, and other civilians being held by terrorists not about the war. Rachel Amaru, an organizer with Run for Their Lives' Boulder chapter, told CBS News the attack was "blatantly antisemitic." Mohamed Soliman, 45, was arrested by police on Sunday. Authorities have not yet announced any charges against him, but the FBI said the attack is being investigated as an act of terrorism. Soliman is a native of Egypt and entered the country on a visa issued during the administration of former President Joe Biden. His documents expired in March 2025, according to Trump administration officials, who told Fox News. Soliman reportedly yelled, "End Zionist!" and Free Palestine during the attack, according to two sources and an FBI Denver official to CBS. open image in gallery Multiple victims injured as suspect allegedly launches targeted terror attack on pro-Israel walk in Colorado ( CBS News ) Ed Victor, who attended the walk on Sunday, said the organization has been holding silent marches every week since October 7, 2023. The attack has sent shockwaves through the community, he said. The marchers would occasionally encounter hecklers, but would try not to respond. Others would nod, clap, or thank the participants as they walked by, he added. All of a sudden, I felt the heat. It was a Molotov cocktail equivalent, a gas bomb in a glass jar, thrown, he told CBS. He said he never could have anticipated that someone would attack them. The weekly march typically attracts fewer than 50 people each week, and it usually consists of older individuals, said Rabbi Israel Wilhelm, the director of Chabad at the University of Colorado. Yet this week, there happened to be children, he said. open image in gallery Mohamed Soliman, 45, is being held at Boulder County Jail ( X/@OpusObscuraX ) Four women and four men, aged between 52 and 88, were taken to hospitals in the Denver metro area for injuries sustained in the attack. One of the victims remains in critical condition. The oldest victim, 88, is a Holocaust survivor, said Wilhelm. Israels foreign minister, Gideon Saar, called the Boulder attack pure antisemitism and a terrible antisemitic terror attack. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump has blamed the flamethrower attack in Boulder on Joe Biden, claiming that the suspect in custody had entered the U.S. under the former presidents ridiculous open border policy. Yesterdays horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America, the president fumed on Truth Social. It comes after the suspect of the attack, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was charged with a federal hate crime involving actual or perceived race, religion, or national origin. Soliman, an Egyptian national, was in the U.S. illegally, the Department of Homeland Security said previously. He entered the U.S. in August 2022 as a non-immigrant visitor and was later granted a two-year work authorization in March 2023 which expired this year. In his post, Trump continued: [Soliman] came in through Bidens ridiculous Open Border Policy, which has hurt our Country so badly. He must go out under TRUMP Policy. Acts of Terrorism will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law. This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland. My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and the Great People of Boulder, Colorado! The president hurled similar blame, baselessly, at the Biden administrations immigration policy in the aftermath of the New Years Eve attack in New Orleans. Other members of the Trump administration echoed the presidents words following Sundays attack, with Homeland Security Advisor Steven Miller stating that suicidal migration must be fully reversed. A terror attack was committed in Boulder, Colorado by an illegal alien, Miller wrote on X. He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit. Republican firebrand and Colorado representative Lauren Boebert responded to Millers post, writing simply: Illegal. President Trump ranted in a post that the Boulder terror suspect came in through Bidens ridiculous Open Border Policy, which has hurt our Country so badly. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The FBI previously said that the incident was a targeted terror attack, with the victims all being part of Run For Their Lives a Jewish advocacy group calling for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas In the bureaus affidavit filed on Monday, Soliman reportedly described the group as Zionist, and had planned the attack for over a year. Following his arrest he told investigators that he would do it again. He said in his interview that his goal was to kill all Zionists, the FBI said, and that he intentionally targeted the group and knew they would be assembled on Sunday afternoon. He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year and was waiting until after his daughter graduated to conduct the attack, the affidavit says. Law enforcement also found more than a dozen unlit Molotov cocktails near where Soliman was arrested. The devices were made up of glass wine carafe bottles or jars with clear liquid and red rags hanging out of the them, the FBI said. Inside his car, law enforcement found papers with the words Israel, Palestine, and USAID, the affidavit says. Federal grand juries in Wisconsin and California each returned indictments charging two foreign nationals, Cui Guanghai of China, and John Miller of the United Kingdom and a U.S. lawful permanent resident, with interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit interstate stalking and conspiracy, smuggling, and violations of the Arms Export Control Act. As alleged, the defendants targeted a U.S. resident for exercising his constitutional right to free speech and conspired to traffic sensitive American military technology to the Chinese regime, said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. This is a blatant assault on both our national security and our democratic values. The defendants allegedly plotted to harass and interfere with an individual who criticized the actions of the Peoples Republic of China while exercising their constitutionally protected free speech rights within the United States of America, said Federal Bureau of Investigation, [or FBI], Deputy Director Dan Bongino. The same individuals also are charged with trying to obtain and export sensitive U.S. military technology to China. According to court documents, beginning in October 2023, Cui and Miller enlisted two individuals inside the United States to carry out a plot to prevent the victim from protesting President Xi Jinpings appearance at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, summit in November 2023. In the weeks leading up to the APEC summit, Cui and Miller coordinated a scheme to surveil the victim, to install a tracking device on the victims car, to slash the tires on the victims car, among other things. According to court documents, beginning in November 2023, Miller and Cui solicited the procurement of U.S. defense articles, including missiles, air defense radar, drones, and cryptographic devices with associated crypto ignition keys for unlawful export from the United States to the Peoples Republic of China. The FBI is coordinating with Serbian authorities regarding the pending extraditions of Cui and Miller from Serbia. If convicted, Cui and Miller face could face up to 40 years in prison. This Justice Department, said Deputy Attorney General Blanche, will not tolerate foreign repression on U.S. soil, nor will we allow hostile nations to infiltrate or exploit our defense systems. We will act decisively to expose and dismantle these threats wherever they emerge. As the latest deadline for TikTok to be sold or banned in the US approaches, well find out next month whether the app will continue to be a fixture on American phones or not. A decline in fashion fads conceived by TikTok creators (think cowboy core, office siren and coastal grandma) means consumers and retailers wont be as affected as they would have been a year or so ago, when such viral aesthetics peaked on the video-sharing platform. But brands have their work cut out in responding to whats taken over since: lifestyle trends amplifying political, social and economic influences. After all, its much harder to monetise recession core, the MAGA woman look and underconsumption. The mob wife trend big sunglasses, big fur, big attitude was easier to monetise than recession core. Credit: Getty Images Super-speedy TikTok trends are best exemplified by the viral mob wife look from early last year, characterised by big fur coats and equally voluminous hair. Retailers responded by stocking more animal print and bold lipstick. This was one of many fleeting fashions that emerged in the wake of the pandemic when TikTok really took off, and dressing for short videos replaced IRL outfits. Its not easy keeping up with so many flash-in-the-pan fads, from tomato girl to pilates princess, particularly as the economy darkens. Fatigue has set in and consumers are now prioritising their personal style over every new core and trend. Thats trickier for brands to be part of, but they are tapping in for example, through bag charms, which fashion and luxury has embraced, and Labubu dolls, playing into the need to express ones identity through customisation. ELKO Elko High School sophomore Cayley Luna Alvarado won Teen Nevada United World 2025 at the Nevada United World Pageant in Las Vegas on May 25. She is headed for the international United World Pageant in Texas this August. Having previously won Teen Miss Elko County in 2024, she also will compete in the Elko County 2025 pageant on June 14 at the Elko High Performing Arts Building. Im feeling very grateful for everything that has come my way within the pageant. Im beyond grateful for the sponsors and for both my directors, Tawanda Romo and Ruby Sutton, she said. The type of training that it took to be in this pageant and just to be in pageants overall, is you have to find the confidence in yourself, be presentable. You dont want to be a mess while youre doing anything for the walks, talks, interviews, anything like that. But mainly, your focus is on the rehearsals, which she said have included walking in heels, training in her dress and other pageant requirements. Its kind of strict, because you have to have certain positions for it. So, you get three poses for fitness and for your evening gown, she said. Its actually extremely hard for me. You have to remember your focus, remember how the stage is, remember where to stop. The most important part has to be the interview, because you get approximately five minutes to exactly get through questions, which are sourced from each contestants bio. I gave three questions per judge and there were five judges, so it was pretty good. And I even got extra time, which is neat. When you get extra time, they want to know more about you and see who you are. As an Elko titleholder, girls on the Elko County pageant team look up to her, which honestly melts my heart, she said. Im closer with the community now than I was before. Outside of pageantry, her hobbies include cheerleading, taking care of her truck and hanging out with her family and her dog. Alvarado explained how the Teen Nevada United World pageant was a whole different experience from Elko Countys. For one, it required a nine-hour orientation day. Its a pretty long game but you kind of just go over everything thats gonna happen, what to expect, what to wear, she said. You have to train in heels. You cannot be barefoot because they deduct points. And you can never be late to these orientations they will deduct points, something that Ive never had here in Elko County with a pageant. So, its very strict. Not only that, but its a bigger system. Its more than just teens. Practicing with older women was new to her. Also, while Elko County pageants have three judges, the Nevada pageant had five. In traveling to Las Vegas for the pageant, she found herself surrounded by girls she had never met but ended up making new friends pageant sisters, as she called them. Alvarado said she is amazed at how far she has come since her first pageant. I take it in every day, because you never know what can happen. She said she thanks God for her success, as well as her parents, because they push me to become a better kid. To all the girls out there, I just want you guys to know that anything is possible, no matter how you feel about certain things, Alvarado said. You never know what doing one step at a time can lead you to, she said. Never stop because someone tells you something or you think something of yourself. God puts you in these challenges because he knows that you need them. To buy tickets for the Elko County pageant, go to www.eventbrite.com and search for miss elko pageant. Infini Resources has ratcheted up exploration activities at its suite of promising Canadian uranium projects. After completing airborne electromagnetic surveys across two recent acquisitions, the company is preparing to test major targets at its flagship Portland Creek project in Newfoundland. Infini is eagerly anticipating the imminent arrival of phase one drilling results from Portland Creek and preparing to recommence exploration along the prospective Trident Lake fault. The Portland Creek project sits on the 6-kilometre uranium-enriched corridor, which remains largely untested. The new Xcite time-domain electromagnetic survey system used by Infini Resources across its recently acquired Boulding Lake and Reynolds Lake projects in the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, Canada. Infini expects to kick off its latest program over the next three months, after a temporary pause for seasonal caribou migration. It will test a high-grade soil anomaly within the Trident Lake zone measuring 800 metres by 100m as well as multiple other nearby targets. Infini also recently completed 2400km line time-domain electromagnetic (TDEM) and magnetic airborne surveys across its newly acquired Boulding Lake and Reynolds Lake uranium projects in the renowned Athabasca region in Saskatchewan, Canada. Netflix has finally revealed the release date for the long-awaited final season of its hit Stranger Things. The eight-episode fifth season has been split into three parts, with the first four episodes released on November 27, three episodes released on Boxing Day and the final episode released on January 1. David Harbour as Jim Hopper and Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in season five of Stranger Things. Credit: Created by the Duffer Brothers, the series has been a monster hit for the streamer ever since it debuted in 2016. Set in the 1980s in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana, it initially followed the disappearance of 12-year-old Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) into the alternate dimension of the Upside Down and the appearance of a young girl named Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), who has psychokinetic powers. The main cast is set to return, including Winona Ryder, who plays Wills mother, Joyce Byers, and David Harbour, who plays police chief Jim Hopper. Terminators Linda Hamilton is the only big-name addition to the fifth series, playing an undisclosed role. Advertisement Review Eating outMelbourne This city restaurants signature dish has been served 100,000 times Packed every night, Red Cliff is a sensory assault and heartfelt celebration of Chinas spiciest cuisines. Frank Sweet Updated June 6, 2025 , first published June 3, 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 July 2025 hit list. See all stories . 1 / 8 Red Cliff is a lively, rambunctious restaurant in Queen Street. Eddie Jim 2 / 8 Stir-fried Zigong-style chilli beef with fresh chilli and pickled ginger. Eddie Jim 3 / 8 The signature yabby noodles. Eddie Jim 4 / 8 Red and yellow lanterns list the names of some of the restaurants most popular dishes. Eddie Jim 5 / 8 Smashed peppers with century egg salad. Eddie Jim 6 / 8 Kongfu master Chinese sauerkraut fish is a canary-yellow fish soup with pickled cabbage and chicken broth. Eddie Jim 7 / 8 Wok-fried fragrant chilli blue swimmer crab. Eddie Jim 8 / 8 A selection of go-to dishes at Red Cliff. Eddie Jim Previous Slide Next Slide 14.5 / 20 How we score Chinese$$$$ Theres a famous Chinese tongue twister that cab drivers in China love to repeat. Its about chilli, a point of pride and fierce regional conjecture in Chinas central provinces. People from Sichuan, it goes, do not fear chilli. People from Hunan province? Theyre not afraid of the stuff either. People from Guizhou province, however, they just fear the meal wont be hot enough. Queen Street in the CBD might not spring to mind when you think of regional Chinese food, but its home to a restaurant that cooks the food of those first two provinces plus a little from neighbouring Hubei to a rare standard. Red Cliff is named for a military battle that took place on the Yangtze, the river that connects the kitchens three schools of cooking, in 208AD. Advertisement Given the restaurants fondness for both the lip-frazzling bedlam of the Sichuan peppercorn and the thrilling hostility of Hunans army of chillies, those Guizhou folks have nothing to fear here. Some, myself included, do like it hot. But if chilli isnt your jam, youre still in safe hands. Its the dazzling clarity and sheer vitality in the cooking that distinguishes Red Cliff from its contemporaries, and both turn up in the food irrespective of the heat. Canary-yellow fish soups that run wild with pickled cabbage and chicken broth. Twice-cooked pork belly enriched with fermented bean paste and tossed with spring onion. Dry-fried swimmer crabs piled high and spiced with abandon. Wok-fried fragrant chilli blue swimmer crab. Eddie Jim Red Cliff is packed every night. Chancing a walk-in, we take a number and are off the street and into a crisp Tsingtao lager in 10 minutes. Cue the sensory assault: ruby red walls covered with cartoon princesses from bygone dynasties. Hanging yellow and red lanterns; tubular glazed roof tiles the ones you might associate with ancient temples tracing the ceiling. The thrum of a full room rising and falling with every bubbling delivery from the kitchen, and, crucially, the aching refrains of pao mo, an evergreen Chinese torch song. The Chinese term renao, a sort of lively rambunctiousness, springs to mind an ingredient as critical to central Chinese hospitality as the Sichuan peppercorn itself. Its also commonly found at the bottom of a bottle of baijiu, Chinas notorious, sorghum-based spirit. Theres plenty of it here, just ask the gentlemen in the private dining room. Advertisement This is food that widens eyes and incites hubbub. Food that makes you want to slap backs and spill beer in the private dining room. Ordering happens either by QR code or by the enormous physical menu; a laminated broadsheet filled, for the largest part, with food from Sichuan, followed by Hunan, followed by Hubei, plus a Peking duck that mightve lost its way while making south for the winter. If you happen to read hanzi, a closer inspection of those hanging lanterns reveals the names of some of the restaurants most popular dishes: wok-tossed bullfrog; sauteed chicken with hot chilli and peppercorn; chou stinky tofu; yabby noodles. The signature yabby noodles. Eddie Jim Youll spot those dishes on most tables (the tofu will announce itself on the breeze), but those yabbies are the stuff of legend and have reportedly been served over 100,000 times. Order them mala-style (heavy on the Sichuan peppercorn), order them Hunan-spicy (a straighter, hotter heat), or have them rolled about in a blend of 13 spices. Either way, theyll be ladled generously over wheat noodles; a saucy signature. Advertisement The Zigong-style chilli beef, billed as a two-chilli dish in a four-chilli rubric, is hot. But its also heaven: a fortissimo of Christmas-coloured chillies, coins of pickled ginger, garlic spanked to shards, coriander, celery and tender marinated beef. Its a maximalists dream, and theres a hell of a lot of it. Smashed peppers with century egg salad. Eddie Jim Hotter still, Hunanese mainstay lei lajiao pidan, or smashed peppers with century eggs salad, arrives in a mortar, unsmashed. Were instructed to pound the blistered green chillies sweet, ruinously hot with the eggs by way of pestle. Their whites now a translucent green, the eggs temper the vicious heat with a cooling funk that also gives the dish its dimension. Related Article Review Tough day? Take out your frustrations at smashing city lunch spot Pounding Rice Bowl Still burning? Temper it further with a bing fen, a Sichuanese street dessert that presents like Chinese scroggin served over jelly and red-sugar syrup; a gentle way to finish after a full-throttle session. Advertisement Red Cliff is a lot. This is food that widens eyes and incites hubbub. Food that makes you want to slap backs and spill beer in the private dining room. Food that makes you want to gan bei! your baijiu and prosecute flimsy arguments until your lips stop fizzing. Sure, the service is curt and the toilets arent flash. Sure, there is that trolley of splattered dishes next to the counter for all to see. But its all part of the renao the beating heart of a central Chinese meal that makes Red Cliff appointment dining, whether you like it hot or not. The low-down Atmosphere: Informal, high-octane sensory feast Go-to dishes: Yabby noodles ($38.80); kongfu master sauerkraut fish ($38.80); smashed peppers with century eggs ($26.80) Drinks: Very cheap baijiu, very expensive baijiu, and a small range of Chinese beers and teas Cost: About $100 for two, excluding drinks Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant cant pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Going through a separation is nearly always an emotionally draining process, and while some people take solace in the peace of their newfound single life, it may prompt others to seek comfort in a new relationship. Youre legally free to date during the divorce process in Australia. But just because you can, does that mean you should? Can you date during a divorce? Credit: iStock While dating someone wont directly affect the divorce proceedings, it can have a knock-on effect on other matters such as property settlements, family relationships and your own mental wellbeing. Is it OK to date while going through a divorce? One immutable fundamental of federal relations underpinning the Commonwealth of Australia, state-on-state rivalry, was upended recently when Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece undertook a whistlestop tour of Sydney and commented favourably on the experience. Sydney and Melbourne are the two best cities in the world! Reece said glowingly of the northern metropolis in a LinkedIn post (but not in an official media release, as far as we could tell). Talk about undermining 124 years of slow-burn resentment towards the Harbour City nurtured by Melbourne since Federation. Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece (right) with NSW Premier Chris Minns on a 36-hour visit to Sydney. Credit: LinkedIn During his 36-hour outing late last week, Reece also blew smoke in the direction of some of NSWs most prominent power players. NSW Premier Chris Minns was a seriously smart guy he also has an incredible knowledge of rugby league. But Reece kept it real, musing that Minns might be lucky enough to score an invite to the AFL grand final, which, no surprises is in Melbourne! Thick fog blanketed Sydney on Monday morning, marking a gloomy start to the week after a weekend of sunny weather. All ferries on the Sydney Harbour and Parramatta River were cancelled due to the heavy fog, but services resumed around 9am as the clouds started to lift. The Sydney Opera House surrounded by fog. Credit: Kate Geraghty Credit: Kate Geraghty The extensive fog formed overnight, first west of Sydney, but in the last few hours of the night and into the morning, we saw some of that slide down the river towards the east, said the Bureau of Meteorologys Angus Hines. 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 states three-person panel with special powers to accelerate housing supply has sent more than 100 major proposals on a fast track to approval in its first six months, more than doubling initial projections and smoothing the path for 45,000 new homes in Sydneys critical growth corridors. The Hills, western Sydney and the citys south-west outskirts are among the areas touted for large-scale residential developments, after the NSW governments Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) recommended dozens of projects bypass local councils since its first meeting in February. The authority, made up of three senior state government bureaucrats, was intended to accelerate aspects of the sluggish planning system. However, selected proposals face a litany of long-standing development hurdles that could delay the start of construction, or jeopardise the projects entirely. Where are the new developments? The proposals largely follow existing and planned metro corridors, which will comprise four lines spanning 46 stations after its expected 2032 completion. Advertisement Loading Among these is a plan for 1600 new dwellings in Norwest in the Hills District, as part of an application for a new function centre and commercial premises adjacent to the metro station. Another 1300 dwellings have been recommended for the sped-up approval process on land 200 metres from Tallawong metro station, the final stop on the north-west line. Expansive proposals have also been advanced for North Sydney, St Leonards and Macquarie Park, all of which are expected to have significant population growth as new transport and infrastructure hubs take hold in the next decade. The largest application the authority has progressed has been in Rhodes, where more than 2000 new homes are proposed for two lots of land straddling Concord Road and the Parramatta River. An estimated 1400 new homes could also be constructed adjacent to Concord West station. More than 3000 dwellings have been recommended on two separate mixed-use developments adjacent to Leppington Station in the south-west. Smaller proposals have been advanced for Bringelly Road, while a 400-dwelling proposal in Austral has also been endorsed by the troika. Premiers Department secretary Simon Draper (left), Infrastructure NSW chief executive Tom Gellibrand (middle), and Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure secretary Kiersten Fishburn (right) comprise the Housing Delivery Authority. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer; Michael Quelch; Flavio Brancaleone Advertisement Parramatta Road, New South Head Road and the Pacific Highway are among the road corridors where applications have been fast-tracked. This includes thousands of homes in Crows Nest and Chatswood, and in Homebush, Canada Bay and Edgecliff. The panel comprises Premiers Department secretary Simon Draper, Planning Department secretary Kiersten Fishburn and Infrastructure NSW chief executive Tom Gellibrand. It meets fortnightly to assess proposals for large residential and mixed-use projects, before recommending to Planning Minister Paul Scully which plans should have access to a state significant approval process. Will it move the dial? Loading Proposals earmarked by the authority enjoy an expedited application process, though inefficiencies from other parts of the development system, such as construction delays and lethargic government processing speeds, still threaten new supply coming online. Scully acknowledged that there was more reform required to stop the projects recommended by the authority from being hampered by the rest of the planning system. We continue to do the work, so we have a planning system that is modernised and fit for purpose, Scully said. Advertisement That wasnt the end of it. Later that morning, a wave hit us from across the paddocks and the hills without warning. It was later described as a one-in-5000-year flood and an inland tsunami. Ruth Nielsen was successful in an insurance claim after an initial refusal. Credit: Belinda Soole Nielsen had just had surgery in Sydney for breast cancer, and had only returned home to pick up her Christmas presents before returning to the city for treatment. Her insurance claim was rejected the first time because her policy covered a range of natural disasters, including storm surge, storm run-off and tsunami, but not floods. A lot of people were in my situation. They had everything but flood written on their insurance, she said. We had never flooded in this particular area where I live. Loading The stress of the cancer treatment took its toll. Nielsen was reluctant to challenge the denial until she spoke to Legal Aid NSW experts at Eugowra showgrounds. Legal Aid is preparing for another wave of requests for assistance following the NSW Mid North Coast and Hunter floods. Insurers had already received more than 6000 claims, the bulk of which relate to damage to homes, the Insurance Council of Australia said. Because I had those early morning photos of the water coming into my garage and around the house ... [I was told by Legal Aid], Youve got a case because this is before the flood actually hit, Nielsen said. This was three hours before the actual wave hit us. She said she believed the photos and videos were crucial to the success of her second claim for insurance based on stormwater damage. Nielsen received funds from contents insurance with the assistance of Legal Aid. Flooding on the Bucketts Way in South Taree last month. Insurers have already received more than 6000 claims from the recent Mid North Coast disaster. Credit: Kate Geraghty Unfortunately, we lost two people. Thats a bigger loss, she said. Nielsen has been living in a mobile pod home behind her former home since February 2023. The temporary accommodation was organised by the NSW Reconstruction Authority. I was very fortunate to have somewhere to come and stay. I take my hat off to the government. They are doing a brilliant job under extreme circumstances, Nielsen said. She is awaiting confirmation from government agencies about a replacement home. Avoiding insurance pitfalls A senior disaster recovery and insurance solicitor at Legal Aid NSW, Maata Solofoni, said that what we see following a flood is that ... people often dont have cover for flood [damage] because of the high cost of insurance, particularly in high-risk areas. Weve heard from people figures like $10,000, up to $60,000. Those are premiums for one year. Importantly, however, storm cover is a standard inclusion in policies, and people may still be covered for damage before any floodwater entered their property. Loading Some insurers bundled an exclusion on stormwater run-off with flood cover, meaning that, if a person had opted out of flood cover, they might also have opted out of those other forms of cover. In Ruths case, she didnt have that bundled exclusion, Solofoni said. For those who unfortunately have that bundled exclusion, they wouldnt be covered for any sort of water damage thats entered the property from [the] ground up. What we saw with many of our clients was they werent aware thats what they had opted out of. Solofoni said time-stamped photo and video evidence could make the biggest difference when a client might be up against an expensive report prepared by a hydrologist for an insurance company. She encouraged people to gather this evidence if it was safe to do so at the time. Thanks for joining us today for live coverage of the news in Brisbane and beyond. Well be back tomorrow morning with more live news coverage, so please join us then. In the meantime, here are some of the stories making headlines today: A 69-year-old cyclist has died after he was hit by a train at a level crossing near Runcorn station, in Brisbanes south, before dawn this morning. A Queensland mother accused of fatally stabbing her three-year-old daughter has died after being found unresponsive while in custody. The Crisafulli government has announced a 20-year plan for the tourism industry, with the states tourism minister suggesting Queensland would rival destinations such as Tasmania and New Zealand by 2045. Ukrainian secret services have destroyed billions of dollars worth of Russian warplanes overnight, officials say, in a surprise attack carried out by explosive-laden drones snuck into Russia on trucks. Among the Brisbane homes auctioned at the weekend was one of West Ends last untouched Queenslanders, which sold for $2.5 million in a heated auction that drew a crowd of more than 100. And while food-focused locals readily debate who does Brisbanes best char kway teow, one venue tends to crop up the most. Our food and culture editor Matt Shea meets the couple behind Uncle Lais. We knew this launch should be for preschoolers. Thats why we took these decisions, she said. We know there are a lot of adult fans out there, but that was a choice made from the beginning. Unusually for the brand, the Lego Bluey sets, which went on sale on Sunday, June 1, come in two streams: for ages 4 and older, and in the Duplo range for toddlers. And looking at both, you do recognise the trifficult design challenges. Roberta Cardazzo, a designer at the Lego Group in Billund, Denmark, headed up the development of Lego Duplo Bluey. Credit: The Lego Group Blueys main characters Mum, Dad, Bingo and Bluey as sketched by creator Joe Brumm and his collaborators at Brisbanes Ludo Studio, mostly consist of a rectangle. Perfect for Lego bricks, you might think, but not at all in proportion to standard Lego minifigs, first designed by Jens Nygaard Knudsen and released in 1978. Cardazzo said her team worked hard to arrive at a sweet spot. We started to sketch what could be the Bluey DNA direction, and then what would be the opposite extreme, with the Lego DNA. A diagram showing the development of Lego Duplo Bluey, Bingo and Chilli figurines. Unlike minifigs, Duplo figurines dont come apart for safety reasons. Credit: The Lego Group/BBC Studios But then we tested with the preschoolers and tried to understand what were their expectations. And, definitely, playability is the number-one like for preschoolers. These characters need to be able to move, and to fit into the Lego system. Hence: no tails (which are instead painted on the back of the figures). Cardazzo said her team of about 15 designers approached the task by watching as many episodes as they could. Key scenes from The Beach, Ice Cream, Keepy Uppy and more were identified, then pitched to BBC Studios. What really helps is when the partner that we work with really loves and knows the brand, the BBCs Tai said. Even without us saying, theyd already put tiny little gnomes in there, or Chattermax, those things that fans really pick up on. Justin Rouillon, co-host of the Blueys Brisbane podcast, which identifies the real-life locations found in the series, said the Lego collaboration was no surprise, given the shows massive audience. Bluey is a huge global brand, its worth billions, he said. Also, Bluey ties in well with Lego from that imaginative play standpoint. Loading While generally positive about the sets, he said he was disappointed the house was just a facade. Itd be great if you could build the entire Queenslander house that Bluey lives in, he said. Rouillons co-host, Lou Bromley, liked the figurines, but agreed Brisbane viewers might be disappointed in the house. I think itd be great if we could have had the verandah or the deck. Theyve gone for that old-school townhouse style. I love that theyve got a dunny in there. They nailed the soft yellow of the faded paint. But the steps, the railings, the tin roof? Brickadoo!: The Lego Duplo Ice Cream Trip with Bluey set. Credit: The Lego Group There is one aspect that Bromley said the brand definitely hasnt pulled off. Its a woeful backyard tree, because here in Brisbane, we know thats not what a poinciana [looks like]. Jacen Carpenter, a Longreach-based Lego collector and builder who has created his own interpretations of Blueys characters, is concerned that the figurines look too tall. The figures might have looked better if the sculpted head fit over the torso slightly, like Ewoks in Lego Star Wars, to give Bluey and her family the squat, cylindrical look of the cartoon, he said. While Cardazzo said no one from her team had visited Brisbane for the project, Tai said the team at Ludo were closely consulted and supplied drawings to assist the designers. Cardazzo had to keep her work top secret for many months. Her own five-year-old daughter was able to test prototypes, but had to play the Quiet Game about it afterwards. The designer would not be drawn on whether Bluey would be a brand perennial (like, say, Lego Marvel) or a limited-run collectors item. One suspects that its in the hands of kids and the wallets of their parents. Loading At the Cannon Hill Kmart at 11am on Sunday, the Lego Bluey pickings were already looking slim. Manly mum Brittany and her two sons, 7 and 3, quickly grabbed the last box of Lego Duplo Blueys Family House. Its such a historic brand, and then collaborating with Bluey, I thought, if you dont get in early, you wont get one, she said. A community is reeling after a mother accused of fatally stabbing her three-year-old daughter died in custody, sparking a corrective services review. A vigil to remember beautiful little girl Sophia Rose near Bundaberg in southern Queensland was held before locals heard the tragic news of her mother Lauren Ingrid Flanigans death. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli on Monday said some explanations were needed over the Brisbane death in custody, with a review under way. Emergency services found Sophia outside a home with several stab wounds on May 26 and she died at the scene. Harrowing audio of the moments following the violent rape of a young mother in her own home was played in a Perth court last week, so the man convicted over the assault could hear the terror in her voice as she called police for help. Joshua Stephen Morrison, 37, showed no emotion while the womans triple-zero call, as well as body worn camera footage taken by police shortly after, were played at the judges request during his sentencing in the District Court on Thursday last week. The man was sentenced in Perth District Court last week. Credit: Marta Pascual Juanola Police were called to the womans home south of Perth last year after Morrison attacked her. Wearing a surgical mask and high on drugs, he used pliers and a 30 centimetre-long steel file to the break into the locked home about 8.30am, before forcing the woman into her bedroom. MPs will sit in the House of Representatives for fewer days this year than any other in the past two decades, limiting time for scrutiny of the governments agenda and debates on legislation. Analysis of parliamentary sitting calendars from 2004 to the draft 2025 calendar revealed MPs in the lower house will spend 40 days this year passing laws, two weeks less than the average of 48 sitting days during previous election years. Independent ACT senator David Pocock accused the government of presiding over a part-time parliament that will not sit again until late July, when the make-up of the Senate will change to reflect the recent federal election, making it more favourable for Labor. Its pretty light on this year, I would have thought Australians would want parliament to crack on, Pocock said. The union representing Museums Victoria workers has demanded answers about hiring processes as the institutions chief executive expressed disappointment at leaks to The Age about links between new hires and senior personnel. The Age on Monday revealed that Museums Victoria had revised its hiring policies after anti-corruption agencies investigated whistleblower allegations it skirted public sector rules when it appointed staff who had personal connections with senior executives as part of a hiring surge during the Titanic exhibition. The grand staircase at Melbourne Museums successful Titanic exhibition, held in late 2023 until April 2024. Credit: Tim Carrafa In response, the Community and Public Sector Union wrote to Museums Victoria on Monday, demanding it explain its hiring processes, and whether staff were disadvantaged by it. The union, which is negotiating a new pay deal, also demanded to see the criteria or processes used to identify, assess and appoint candidates during the Titanic exhibition held at Melbourne Museum, and asked whether any of the positions filled at this time were later extended or converted to ongoing roles. Tony Tartak, founder of waste removal giant Bingo Industries, and his wife Mary are selling one half of their whole floor in Crown Towers for more than $40 million, which could see the couple double their money in just a few years. The stunning four-bedroom, four-bathroom has had a Rob Mills-redesign since the Barangaroo home was purchased off the plan, under Marys name, with another lot on the same level for a combined $40 million in 2021. Lucky they kept it as two separate homes as it turns out it was not a bad investment. One half of the Tartaks whole level ownership in Barangaroos Crown Towers. Credit: While they have no plans on moving from the building that they love, the size of the two units across the widest floor in the residential tower has become surplus to Tony and Marys needs. Its not hard to see why. Spanning 420 square metres with majestic views over Sydney Harbour and beyond, the home, which offers house-sized proportions, packs a punch with two living rooms and two marble kitchens that have Sub Zero fridges, Wolf cooktops and ovens. One of West Ends last untouched Queenslanders has sold for $2.5 million in a heated auction that drew a crowd of more than 100. The three-bedroom, one-bathroom home at 22 Sussex Street has been in the same family since the 50s and took six months to get market ready, with decades of belongings cleared out and only essential updates made to ensure the property was up to code. The home remained ripe for a $1 million-plus renovation but that didnt deter 15 registered bidders, drawn in by its elevated, flood-free 536-square-metre block, city views and coveted position within the Brisbane State High catchment. Bidding kicked off at $1.6 million and once down to two bidders, jumped in leaps of $100,000 and $75,000. 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 Manzhouli: In a dusty car park in the Chinese border town of Manzhouli, Russian and Belarusian truck drivers are milling around drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes, waiting for customs to clear their cargo so they can set out on the long trek towards Moscow. Some have been waiting for days and, by midmorning, are still asleep in their truck cabins, bare feet propped on their dashboards, poking through a curtain that has been pulled across the windscreen for privacy. If we can load goods quickly, roughly it takes six days to get to Moscow. Then we turn around and come back again, says Alex, a 36-year-old Belarusian driver, who gives only his first name. He drives the loop to Manzhouli two or three times a month. Trucks from Russia and Belarus wait for customs clearance at a parking lot in Manzhouli, a Chinese town on the border of Russia. Credit: Sanghee Liu Perched on the 4209-kilometre China-Russia border, in the remote Inner Mongolia region, Manzhouli is Chinas largest land port. It has become a pivotal link in Beijings economic lifeline to Moscow since the Kremlins invasion of Ukraine in 2022. More than 100 trucks are parked in this makeshift parking lot, a few hundred metres from the Russian border, their trailers loaded with essential goods fresh vegetables and fruit, clothes and electronics, as well as toys, according to drivers stationed there on a weekday in early May. Opposite the car park, in a fenced-off area, row upon row of new tractors and heavy equipment also wait to be exported to Russia. Its part of a cross-border trade stampede that hit a record $US245 billion ($380 billion) last year, having more than doubled since 2020. Much of this trade has passed through Manzhouli and headed north, as Moscow has grown increasingly reliant on its neighbour to sustain its wartime economy through the tightening noose of Western sanctions. Advertisement Its difficult to imagine the Russian economy would be in the shape that it is and its not in the best shape, but neither is it in a collapse without Chinas assistance, says Philipp Ivanov, a former China policy adviser to the Australian government and founder of Geopolitical Risks and Strategy Practice. This economic reliance includes a surge in the supply of Chinese dual-use technology, such as electronic components, computer hardware and chips, machine tools and communications systems that have both civilian and military applications, which has fuelled Russias war machine. Certainly, its a lifeline [to Russia] and its been very important to this conflict, says China-Russia expert Dr Elizabeth Wishnick, a senior research scientist at the Centre for Naval Analyses. The role of Russian leader Vladimir Putins war in supercharging Moscows dependence on Beijing has triggered extensive debate among experts about whether the deepening ties between the countries now resemble a quasi-alliance, in the absence of a formal one, centred around the shared goal of weakening US global power. But its a relationship that, many analysts argue, remains transactional and strategically superficial, and infused with distrust and pressure points despite the bromance projected by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin. In the Manzhouli parking lot, the war is a delicate subject, and few drivers are willing to speak about it beyond the impact on their trade routes. The Chinese government is also tracking this mastheads movements, having dispatched two local officials to monitor the interviews. Advertisement I used to drive to Italy, but after 2022, I started coming to China, says Russian driver, Denis, 40, adding, because of the war, a reference to the European Union ban on Russian and Belarusian trucks operating in the bloc. If you go to Russia from this region, you can see that many young people have died. Neither Russia nor Belarus needed it, says Alex, the Belarusian, who also used to drive routes through Europe until the war. He has two cousins, both Russian officers, who are fighting in Ukraine. Many people have different opinions, but the war, even the word war, is bad. Very bad. On Sunday, Ukraine exploited vulnerabilities in Russias extensive trucking network to carry out its most devastating military operation of the war. Using drones smuggled into Russia and transported on trucks deep into Russian territory by seemingly unwitting drivers, Ukraine attacked airbases and destroyed as many as 40 enemy warplanes, according to Ukrainian officials. With details still emerging, its unclear what checkpoints the trucks passed through, or if any third country borders were crossed, but the attack is likely to rattle the foundations of Russias cross-border trade and be met with ramped-up security checks. Advertisement Russia-China bromance: Who needs whom more? On the train tracks that run through the centre of Manzhouli, the economic lifeline operates in the other direction. Dozens of containers piled high with Russian black coal sit on the tracks, acrid fumes infusing the air. Chinas fossil fuel imports, including oil and gas, from its neighbour have ballooned since the Ukraine war, adding billions to the Kremlins cash-strapped reserves, while giving Beijing access to discounted energy supplies by exploiting the closure of the European market to Russia. Last year, China imported a record $US62 billion of Russian crude oil, an increase of more than 50 per cent since 2021, a year before Western governments sanctioned Russian oil exports, according to an analysis by the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS), a German think tank. As much as 40 per cent of the trade between the two countries is now done in Chinese yuan, up from 2 per cent three years ago. Coal exported from Russia sitting on the train tracks in Manzhouli. Credit: Sanghee Liu With Chinas economy now 10 times the size of Russias, and Beijing Washingtons foremost strategic rival, some experts have argued that the Ukraine war has hastened Russias relegation from big brother to its neighbours lapdog. Russia is now locking itself into vassalage to China, Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre in Berlin, wrote in Foreign Affairs magazine in April 2024. Advertisement A couple of years down the road, Beijing will be more able to dictate the terms of economic, technological and regional co-operation with Moscow. Its a contested view among Sino-Soviet scholars. While there is a clear asymmetry in the relationship, analysts point out that China still needs Russia, namely as a major strategic partner to counter the US-led international world order, particularly in arenas such as the United Nations. China and Russia have a more aligned world view, MERICS analyst Claus Soong says. When China tries to compete with the US in the global arena about what is the justified national order, China needs a major power to speak up for it. Russia is the most reliable one to do so. The continued boom in cross-border trade despite the Wests threatened secondary sanctions signals Beijings calculation that the benefits of aligning with Russia outweigh the risks. To date, dozens of Chinese firms have been added to US and EU sanctions lists for supplying dual-use goods, sparking furious denials from the Chinese government, which publicly insists it is a neutral player in the Ukraine conflict, and does not provide lethal weapons. In the Manzhouli parking lot, the war is a delicate subject, and few drivers are willing to speak about it beyond the impact on their trade routes. Credit: Sanghee Liu As recently as the past week, Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service chief Oleh Ivashchenko alleged that China was supplying tooling machines, special chemical products, gunpowder and components to Russian military plants. There is no doubt that Russia needs China more than China needs Russia, Ivanov says. At the moment, this is not an alliance, its an alignment. Both are fiercely independent and major powers there is a great deal of mistrust between them. Advertisement ADB pledges $10 billion for Indian urban infrastructure Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in New Delhi. (PTI) NEW DELHI : PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took to X to share a picture of meeting with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda at his official residence, where the latter promised to pledge $10 billion for Indian urban infrastructure development over a period of five years. The $10 billion investment will seek to transform urban infrastructure across the country, including municipal infrastructure development, Metro extensions, new regional rapid transit system (RRTS) corridors and modernisation of urban services, the ADB said in a statement. The ADB President also extended support to the Modi Governments Viksit Bharat pledge and wrote on X, The Viksit Bharat 2047 vision is bold and the ADB is supporting that ambition. PM Modi, while sharing the pictures of the meeting, said that he and the ADB President shared a perspective on a wide range of issues, including Indias rapid transformation over the past decade, which saw the empowerment and upliftment of countless people. Masato Kando, who arrived in India last week, marking his official state visit after becoming the ADB President, said, By scaling up public and private sector finance, deepening knowledge collaboration, and mobilising capital, we stand ready to support Indias drive to become a developed nation by 2047 and to deliver inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth for its 1.4 billion people. ADB has reportedly collaborated with over 110 cities across 22 States on projects related to water supply, sanitation, housing, and solid waste management, with an active urban portfolio comprising 27 loans amounting to $5.15 billion. Earlier, the ADB President also met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, where the two discussed plans to bring rural prosperity, scaling rooftop solar capacities, and operationalising the UCF. He also met Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to outline the next steps for channelling private capital into urban projects. Ajit Pawar admits mistakes in Ladki Bahin enrollment PUNE : MAHARASHTRA Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday said he will check about the arms licences issued in Pune district over the past few years and whether the recipients actually need them. Recent reports have claimed 659 arm licences were issued in Pune between 2021 and 2023. While admitting mistakes in the enrollment of some beneficiaries of Ladki Bahin Yojana, Pawar reiterated that money disbursed would not be taken back. I will take information on this from the Pune police department. The police has the right to issue licences and also cancel them. It will be checked if the people holding these licences actually need them, he told reporters. Speaking about the State Governments flagship Ladki Bahin Yojana, under which women are given Rs 1,500 as monthly aid subject to certain conditions, Pawar admitted there was not much time to carry out detailed inspection when the scheme was launched. When this scheme was introduced, we didnt have much time. Elections came up immediately, so there wasnt enough time to conduct inspections. We had already appealed that only those truly eligible must apply, he said. Incidentally, the Devendra Fadnavis dispensation is set to recover Rs 3.58 crore from 2652 women Government employees who availed benefits under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme despite being ineligible. Ahead of the November 2024 Maharashtra Assembly polls, the Mahayuti Government in the State launched the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana in August last year. Citys Dr Indurkar to design world class Ram Sita museum in Ayodhya Dr Vinod Indurkar (Right), Chairman, CCRT with Nrupendra Mishra, Chairman, Prime Minister Museum and former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, during a visit to discuss the Ram Sita Museum. By Shashwat Bhuskute : An innovative cultural landmark to blend heritage, technology, and storytelling Citys well known name in the art field Dr Vinod Indurkar, Chairman of the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), Nagpur, is going to undertake the task of conceptualising the upcoming grand Ram Sita Museum in Ayodhya. With the plan to open in 2030, the museum aims to preserve, present and celebrate the rich legacy of Lord Ram and Sita through a modern, immersive experience. Spanning approximately three to four acres, this visionary project will combine traditional Indian architectural motifs with contemporary design philosophies. The result will be a striking fusion of symbolism-driven architecture, including inspirations from the Pushpak Viman, forest elements, and temple layouts, all reflecting the spiritual and narrative depth of the Ramayan. The museum will take visitors on a chronological journey through thematic galleries, highlighting the major phases of the Ramayan: Rams birth, exile, the battle against Ravan, and his coronation. A special focus will be placed on Sitas strength and resilience, offering a balanced and inclusive retelling of the epic. Additionally, the global influence of the Ramayan, particularly across South-East Asia, will be showcased through curated cultural displays. What sets this museum apart is its use of cutting-edge technology. Features will include Augmented and Virtual Reality walkthroughs, gesture-based interactive installations, holographic narrations, and 360-degree immersive projection domes. Smart, multilingual audio guides and AI-sensitive guide systems will ensure accessibility and personalisation for visitors from around the world. Beyond a place of display, the Ram Sita Museum is envisioned as a living cultural space. It will house meditation zones with ambient Vedic chants, a performance area for Ram Leela, and spaces for craft workshops and manuscript conservation. These elements aim to foster spiritual reflection alongside cultural education. The project also seeks to strengthen Ayodhyas cultural economy by integrating ethical gift shops, curated artisanal products, and a digital museum platform accessible via mobile devices. As part of a wider Ayodhya tourism route, the museum is expected to become a central confluence for pilgrims, students, researchers, and tourists alike. Crucially, the development will be carried out in close collaboration with scholars, local communities, and cultural experts, ensuring authenticity and inclusivity. Plans are in place to establish public-private partnerships and global institutional collaborations, positioning the museum as a landmark of international cultural exchange. In Dr Indurkars words, the vision is clear - To create an iconic, world-class museum that not only preserves the legacy of Shri Ram and Sita, but brings it alive through immersive storytelling, spiritual ambiance, and cultural innovation. With its deep roots in tradition and bold strides into the future, the Ram Sita Museum promises to be much more than a place of remembrance, it will be a centre of education, devotion, and cultural renaissance for generations to come. The move by China and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to upgrade a 15-year-old free trade agreement showcases their commitment to multilateralism, and has dealt a significant blow to rising protectionism, experts said. On May 20, the Ministry of Commerce announced that China and ASEAN member states have completed negotiations on Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, or CAFTA 3.0. Dino Patti Djalal, former vice-minister of foreign affairs of Indonesia, called it "a huge development in terms of global economic cooperation". As the global tariff war threatens to escalate amid rising protectionism and anti-trade movements, Djalal said the world needs a strong counterforce to these trends and the progress made on CAFTA 3.0 shows that ASEAN and China can work together to achieve that goal. "The economic impact is significant because China is already our No 1 trading partner," said Djalal, who is also founder and chairman of the think tank Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia. "The political impact is quite significant as well in terms of showing to the world that at a time when protectionism is high, ASEAN and China have actually made a trade agreement that is next level," he said, adding that this long-term arrangement for mutual benefit could set an example for the world. China has been the largest trading partner of ASEAN for 16 consecutive years, while the 10-nation group has been China's biggest trading partner over the past five years. The China-ASEAN Free Trade Area officially took effect in 2010, while CAFTA 2.0 was fully implemented in 2019 after both sides reached an agreement on the upgrade in 2015. The resolve of China and ASEAN to modernize CAFTA signals a strategic rejection of unilateralism, said Mohamed Iqbal Rawther, chairman of the Economic Club of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and deputy chairman of the China-ASEAN Business Association. Since the announcement was made just before the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 27, during which leaders and representatives also welcomed the conclusion of CAFTA 3.0 negotiations, Iqbal said the progress underscored a broader alignment of the Global South. "Developing economies are increasingly rejecting the United States-led 'de-risking' agenda, as evidenced by ASEAN's neutrality in the US-China rivalry," he said. Iqbal said he believes the digital economy, which is one of the nine new chapters to be added to CAFTA 3.0, will be the most promising sector. Considering Southeast Asia's booming internet industry, initiatives such as harmonizing e-commerce regulations and artificial intelligence collaboration could unlock huge growth potential in the sector, he added. Chheang Vannarith, director of the China-ASEAN Studies Center at Cambodia University of Technology and Science in Phnom Penh, said the negotiations concluded in the spirit of mutual interest. "Both sides showed their commitment and determination to further deepen integration and connectivity," he said, noting that the enhanced connectivity and integration will result in better resilience. To further promote free trade, the two sides need to facilitate the harmonization of standards and other nontariff trade barriers, he said. More efforts should be made for enhancing governance in areas such as customs clearance, export control and rules of origin, as well as for strengthening the institutional capacity and leadership of custom agencies, including digital translation, he added. Iqbal, from the Economic Club of Kuala Lumpur and China-ASEAN Business Association, said his organizations will focus on arranging workshops for small and mediumsized enterprises to increase their awareness of CAFTA 3.0. There are also plans to develop digital tools to provide guidance to companies, foster public-private partnership for smooth customs and policy alignment, showcase success stories for knowledge sharing, and push for financial support in areas such as green tech investment. "CAFTA 3.0 is not just a trade pact, it is a blueprint for Asia's economic future," Iqbal said. Heavy rains batter N-E States, one killed in Agartala AGARTALA : A MAN died after he fell into a manhole as incessant rain caused massive inundation across Tripura with the States capital Agartala witnessing a record rainfall of around 200 mm in just three hours. Saha on Sunday said around 1,300 families have taken shelter in camps in West Tripura district due to incessant rainfall in the past 48 hours. Over 5,000 city dwellers have taken shelter in 27 relief camps of the Agartala Municipal Corporation after several areas have been waterlogged, West Tripura District Magistrate Vishal Kumar said. Floods hit Manipur, 3,800 affected, 833 houses ruined: HEAVY rain wreaked havoc in Manipur with 3,802 people affected and 883 houses damaged due to floods and landslides across the State in the last 48 hours, officials said on Sunday. At least 3802 people have been affected and 883 houses damaged in the last 48 hours as a result of floods and landslides in the state. Altogether 3,275 localities or villages have been hit by heavy rain till Saturday evening. Two persons have also been injured. The death of 64 animals has been reported, an official said. Overall, 12 landslides occurred across the State so far, he said. Heavy rain continues to batter Assam, disrupting train services, road transport: HEAVY rain continued to pound Assam on Sunday, disrupting road transport and train services in the northeastern State, where eight people have died in floods and landslides so far. Over 78,000 residents have been affected in more than 15 districts, they said. Heavy rainfall continues in Sikkim, search for missing persons suspended: SIKKIM reeled under relentless rain on Sunday, causing the Teesta Rivers water level to surge, even as the search for nine missing persons remained suspended following a tragic accident earlier this week. A tourist vehicle carrying 11 people veered off the road and plunged nearly 1,000 feet into the Teesta near Chubombu in Mangan district on Friday. While two passengers were rescued that night, the remaining nine -- including the driver -- are still unaccounted for. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Mangan district, forecasting heavy to very heavy showers. An orange alert has also been issued for Gyalshing, Namchi, Soreng, Gangtok, and Pakyong over the next 24 hours. Landslides triggered by relentless rainfall have damaged several properties in the Theeng and Chungthang areas of North Sikkim, district officials have confirmed. According to Mangan Superintendent of Police Sonam Detchu Bhutia, 115 tourists are currently stranded in Lachen and approximately 1,350 in Lachung. With access blocked from both directions due to multiple landslides, tourists have been advised to stay in their hotels. Once the roads are fully cleared, evacuation will begin, Bhutia said. Heavy rainfall continued to lash the region throughout the day, particularly affecting the Chungthang sub-division. The power supply, which was disrupted on Friday afternoon, was restored by Saturday evening. Mobile connectivity -- cut off for nearly 24 hours -- was reinstated around 3 p.m. on Saturday. Authorities are also working to restore the drinking water supply by Sunday. Officials noted that a cloudburst in the region contributed to the swelling of the Teesta River, adding to the challenges facing rescue and relief operations. Importance of Yoga By Vidita Mehta : Yoga is a system of practice consisting of eight levels of development in the areas of physical, mental, social and spiritual health. When the body is physically healthy, the mind is clear, focused and stress is under control. The word Yoga originates from Sanskrit and means to join, to unite. Yoga exercises have a holistic effect and bring body, mind, consciousness and soul into balance. Yogic techniques are known to improve ones overall performance. Yoga is an Art and Science of healthy living. It is a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science, which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body. The holistic approach of Yoga brings harmony to all walks of life. Yoga is also known for disease prevention, promotion of health and management of many lifestyle-related disorders. Yoga is a traditional method of meditation developed by the saints of ancient India. They practiced yoga as an effective method of controlling their mind and bodily activities. Yoga exercises have a holistic effect and bring body, mind, consciousness and soul into balance. In this way Yoga assists us in coping with everyday demands, problems and worries. Yoga helps to develop a greater understanding of our self, the purpose of life and our relationship to God. On the spiritual path, Yoga leads us to supreme knowledge and eternal bliss in the union of the individual Self with the universal Self. Yoga encourages a positive and healthy lifestyle for the physical, mental and emotional health of children. Yoga helps in the development of strength, stamina, endurance and high energy at the physical level. It also empowers oneself with increased concentration, calm, peace and contentment at a mental level leading to inner and outer harmony. With the help of yoga, one can manage daily stress and its consequences. Yoga brings stability to the body and the wavering mind. It increases the lubrication of joints, ligaments, and tendons of the body. Studies in the field of medicine suggest that Yoga is the only form of physical activity that provides complete conditioning to the body because it massages all the internal organs and glands. It reduces the risk of many diseases. Yoga can create a permanently positive difference in the lifestyle of anybody practising it on a regular basis. Yoga is a perfect way to ensure overall health and physical fitness. The physical building blocks of yoga are posture (asana) and breath. Through meditation, and breathing exercises (pranayama), you can banish all your stress and lead a healthy life. In fact, it is one of the best remedies known to humankind, for curing chronic ailments that are otherwise difficult to be cured by other medications. People suffering from backaches and arthritis are often suggested to do asanas that concentrate on the exercise of the muscles at strategic locations. A series of poses held in time with breathing, helps every part of the body. Yoga increases strength, endurance, flexibility, and balance. It increases the ability to perform activities, provides more energy and gives a restful sleep. Performing yoga daily helps in building muscular strength. The different asanas make the body more flexible. Moreover, yoga prevents cartilage and joint breakdown, increases blood flow, and lowers blood sugar. The most important benefit of yoga is its application in relieving stress, fatigue, invigoration and vitality. Yoga works as an immunity booster and gives peace of mind.The amazing thing about Yoga is that its positive effects on the health and mind are visible over time. Another speciality about Yoga is its wide choice of asanas. Depending upon your stamina and overall health, you can choose from mild pranayamas and asanas to high-intensity asanas. It is a medication without the actual use of medicines. Yoga practice is safe and can bring many health benefits to practitioners. The beauty of Yoga is that it can be practised by people of any age. Yoga increases an individuals physical coordination and promotes better posture. It helps stimulate the circulatory system, the digestive process as well as the nervous and endocrine systems. Yoga is the perfect example of holistic health because of its combination of mind and body. It is important to practise Yoga in present age of stress and unhealthy lifestyle as it accrues many benefits for the body and the soul. Yoga is a journey of the self, through the self, to the self. (The author is in teaching profession) ISROs Gaganyatri to carry out microgravity research experiments Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (2nd L) who will serve as the pilot for the Ax-4 mission, with a team that includes ex-NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu. NEW DELHI : INDIAN Space Research Organisations (ISRO) Gaganyatri to carry out shortlisted microgravity research experiments onboard the International Space Station (ISS) during the upcoming Axiom-4 mission, as per an official statement from ISRO. The Axiom-4 mission (Axe-4), which Gaganyatri Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will pilot to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 8. The ISRO has shortlisted seven microgravity research experiments proposed by Indian Principal Investigators (PIs) from various national Research and Development laboratories, academic institutions for implementation on the International Space Station (ISS) during the upcoming Axiom-4 mission with its Gaganyatri. The field of microgravity research with potential applications in diverse areas such as human health, physical/life sciences, material research, novel pharmaceutical development and biotechnology offers significant opportunities to the national scientific community, the statement added. The research includes the impact of microgravity radiation in the ISS on edible microalgae. Sprouting salad seeds in space: relevance to crew nutrition; survival, revival, reproduction, and transcriptome of the eutardigrade Paramacrobiotus sp. BLR strain in space; effect of metabolic supplements on muscle regeneration under microgravity; analysing human interaction with electronic displays in microgravity; impact of microgravity on growth and yield parameters in food crop seeds These experiments aim at utilising available research facilities onboard the ISS. Considering the safety-driven operational philosophy as well as other mission constraints of human spaceflight missions, these shortlisted microgravity experiments are undergoing stringent evaluations and reviews on the ground before launch. The experience gained through this effort in the implementation of these experiments will nurture a microgravity research ecosystem in the country, resulting in the induction of advanced microgravity experiments in various disciplines in the Indian Space Programme, it added. The upcoming Axiom-4 mission with ISROs Gaganyatri marks the visit of the first Indian ever to the International Space Station (ISS). 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 Indias 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 Russias Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. IAF Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair has been designated an astronaut, as part of the backup pilot of the Ax-4 if Group Captain Shukla is unable fly. 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. Kashmiri pandits travel for Kheer Bhawani Mela JAMMU : AMID tight security arrangements, hundreds of people, mostly Kashmiri Pandits, left for the Valley in a convoy of 60 buses early Sunday from here to take part in the Kheer Bhawani mela, one of the biggest religious functions of the community. Kheer Bhawani mela will be held at five Ragnya Bhagwati shrines at Tulmulla in Ganderbal, Manzgam and Devsar in Kulgam, Logripora in Anantnag and Tikkar in Kupwara on Tuesday. The usual rush of devotees was missing this year, presumably due to the Pahalgam terror attack and the military action between India and Pakistan following it. Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley and other parts of the country gathered in huge numbers at the Kheer Bhawani temple at Tulmulla. Relief Commissioner (Migrants) Arvind Karwani along with Deputy Commissioner, Jammu Sachin Kumar Vaishya and senior police officers jointly flagged off the convoy of Road Transport Corporation (RTC) buses from Nagrota on the outskirts of Jammu this morning. The devotees will perform darshan at the temples on Tuesday and will return to Jammu a day later. Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu Joginder Singh said all required security arrangements have been made for the pilgrims. All arrangements are in place for the pilgrims with regard to their safety and security and boarding and lodging en route and in the Valley, Relief Commissioner Karwani said. Fewer devotees have turned up for the mela as compared to last year. Tourists were targeted in the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. Most of the 26 people killed in the attack were tourists. India and Pakistan were on the brink of a full-fledged war after the attack. On the intervening night of May 6 and 7, Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The two countries were engaged in an intense military conflict for four days and reached an understanding to halt all firing on the evening of May 10. Shruti Dhar, an elderly devotee, said: I am a regular visitor to Kheer Bhawani and have no fear of going there this time around. We have been witnessing such situations from our childhood days. Whatever happened in Pahalgam is highly condemnable and barbaric. Dhar, who had migrated from Sanat Nagar in Srinagar to Jammu, said she is happy to join the caravan and offer her prayers at the temple to seek blessings and pray for the prosperity of J&K, the country and the return of Pandits to the Valley. Saroj, a non-Kashmiri married to a Kashmiri Pandit, said this was her first visit to the Valley and there is no fear in her mind. Kashmir is part of India and the (Pahalgam) attack was possibly an attempt by the terrorists to frighten us. We have to defeat their designs and visit the place in good numbers, she said. Delhi-based Raj Kumar, also a member of the displaced community, said the Government should be more alert to prevent Pahalgam type of incidents. Sarla Bhat said she is happy to visit her birthplace in Kashmir. I have full faith in Mata that we will complete the pilgrimage without any trouble. Kingpin of liquor scam Vijay Bhatia arrested Vijay Bhatias mansion in Bhilais Nehru Nagar East under SEOIACB search-ops. (Inset) The arrested accused after Delhi capture. The Hitavada State Bureau : Durg-Bhilai/Raipur, Search-ops recover financial records, electronic devices; accused sent to one-day judicial custody Fugitive businessman Vijay Bhatia, another key accused in Chhattisgarhs sensational Rs 2200 crore liquor scam, was finally cornered and arrested by the State Economic Offences Investigation and Anti Corruption Bureau (SEOIACB) on Sunday in Delhi, marking a dramatic breakthrough in one of the states largest corruption cases. Bhatia, known for his political proximity to former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, had evaded capture for months before SEOIACB teams executed the operation under crime number 04/2024, booking him under Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended 2018), and IPC Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, and 120-B. SEOIACB sources confirmed that Sundays search and seizure operations spanned Bhatias personal residence in Nehru Nagar East, his fathers home in Adarsh Nagar Durg, his furniture showroom in Sector-6 A Market, his factory in Hathkhoj Industrial Area, and his brother-in-laws residence, also in Nehru Nagar East. These sites were marked as high-priority targets due to their suspected links to financial flows, key operational activities, and business fronts related to the scam. Officials emphasised that the Sunday search-ops were carefully planned to simultaneously secure these locations, aiming to prevent any destruction or concealment of vital evidence and ensuring comprehensive recovery of sensitive documents, investment records, and digital data. Bhatia was swiftly flown to Raipur on Sunday and presented before the competent court under tight security, as part of the bureaus escalating legal offensive. The arrest comes alongside a series of parallel Sunday search-ops conducted at eight key locations linked to Bhatia, including his lavish Durg residence, corporate offices, and the properties of close business associates in Bhilai and beyond. Senior SEOIACB officials confirmed the seizure of critical documents during these search-ops, including financial documents, investment records, and multiple electronic devices. These items are now undergoing detailed examination as investigators work to trace fraudulent transactions, uncover hidden money trails, and tighten the net around other conspirators. After producing the accused in the court on Sunday, SEOIACB formally requested a 14-day police remand to conduct detailed custodial interrogation of Bhatia. However, as the remand court lacked the powers of the special court, the judge ordered Bhatia to one-day judicial custody. According to senior SEOIACB sources, the bureau will present Bhatia again on Monday before the special court, where they plan to file a fresh application seeking extended police custody to advance the interrogation and evidence recovery process. According to SEOIACB sources, the ongoing investigation is proceeding with a focus on solid, objective evidence. Officers are preparing to summon additional suspects, match seized data against financial records, and involve forensic experts to decode complex digital evidence. The bureau underscored that every step will be legally sound and fact-driven, with the overarching goal of building a watertight case to bring all responsible parties regardless of influence or status under the purview of the law and ensure their prosecution in connection with the multi-crore liquor scam, the sources maintained. Kuki groups demand maintaining buffer zones in Manipur NEW DELHI : KUKI groups on Saturday demanded that buffer zones should be maintained in Manipur as a protective measure unless a comprehensive political solution such as a Union Territory with legislature is achieved. At a press conference here, co-convener of Kuki Zo Women Forum Chong Haokip reiterated the demand for carving out a Union Territory with legislature from Manipur and said, This is not against any community, this is a step required to ensure safety and right to existence of Kuki people. She said that this demand should not be seen from a political angle, but as one required for safety and peace. Kuki-Zo tribals have been chased out of Imphal, killed like animals. We were treated like enemies. We were killed because of our identity and the security forces didnt intervene in time. Government could have saved us, but they didnt do anything, Haokip alleged. Those living in Imphal for years were dislocated. The faith of Kuki Zo people has been shaken. Despite having police, our people were being killed, she claimed. C Thangminlal Doungel, interim president of Kuki Students Organisation Delhi & NCR, said buffer zones were a critical measure taken to halt violence and restore order. Unless a political solution is found, the buffer zones must be maintained. The status quo is required because so far, peace has not been achieved, he said. So many states have been reorganised, recently, Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into two Union Territories. So what is the thing about Manipurs integrity? The Constitution recognises integrity of the country, not of any State, said advocate Vishwajeet Singh. Haokip said they have been forced to demand a separate administration due to the discrimination and violence they faced. She also claimed that several Kuki women have faced violence, and recalled the incident when two women were paraded naked. Kuki women were paraded naked, and police did not do anything, she alleged. The KSO Delhi & NCR also demanded in a statement that the Government should fence the buffer zones. The buffer zones must remain intact and enforced until a comprehensive political solution such as a Union Territory with legislature for the Kuki-Zo-is achieved. If the majoritarian Government is so hell bent on border fencing - it must also fence the buffer zones as that will act as permanent deterrent to the fragile peace in Manipur, the KSO said. It also demanded that the governor of Manipur be also made the Lt. Governor of the newly-created Union Territory with legislature for the Kukis for permanent peace in the region. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups, who are the majority in the hill areas, since May 2023. The Centre imposed Presidents rule in the state on February 13 after N Biren Singh resigned as Chief Minister. The Assembly, which has tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation. MPs discuss issues related to improvement of rly passenger services with SECR Business Reporter : A meeting of the Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Nagpur Division area of South East Central Railway was held with the General Manager, Tarun Prakash here at Hotel Tuli International in Sadar on Friday. Faggan Singh Kulaste, MP from Mandla, presided over the meeting. Dr Namdeo Usendi, MP from Gadchiroli-Chimur; Bharati Pawar, MP from Balaghat; Shyamkumar Barwe, MP from Ramtek; Banti Vivek Sahu, MP from Chhindwara; and other dignitaries were also present. At the outset, General Manager Tarun Prakash welcomed the MPs and expressed his gratitude for their guidance and valuable suggestions, which would help improve the services of the railway. During the meeting, a presentation was made on the achievements of South East Central Railway, passenger facilities, and development works. Deepak Kumar Gupta, Divisional Railway Manager, Nagpur, presented a detailed report on the passenger facilities being developed in the Nagpur Division, including the development of basic infrastructure, capacity augmentation of trains, and special facilities for senior citizens, differently-abled persons, and women, such as the Akshita Safe Bubble and the Meri Saheli campaign. The Akshita Safe Bubble is a safety initiative by the South East Central Railway (SECR) to create secure waiting areas for female passengers on railway platforms. These designated areas are designed to provide a comfortable and secure environment for women waiting alone, with features like well-lit spaces, CCTVs, RPF presence, and amenities like refreshment stalls and digital displays. Similarly, Meri Saheli is an Indian Railways initiative designed to enhance the safety and security of female passengers traveling alone on long-distance trains. The MPs expressed their satisfaction over the development works and passenger facilities being provided by the railway. The Mps also raised various issues related to their respective constituencies, including the expansion of passenger facilities at railway stations, punctuality of trains, introduction of new train services, upgradation of existing facilities, and extension of train halts. The General Manager thanked the MPs for their suggestions and assured them that the issues raised would be addressed on a priority basis. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by Sameer Kant Mathur, Additional General Manager. Murshidabad riots were State-sponsored: Shah KOLKATA : Shah accuses Didi of stooping low by opposing Operation Sindoor and the Waqf Amendment Act to appease the Muslim vote bank HOME Minister Amit Shah on Sunday launched a blistering attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of stooping low by opposing Operation Sindoor and the Waqf Amendment Act to appease the Muslim vote bank, and alleging that the Murshidabad riots were State-sponsored. Shah, addressing party leaders and workers here, gave a call to uproot the TMC Government from power in next years Assembly polls, asserting that the tenure of Banerjee as the Chief Minister will end in 2026. To appease the Muslim vote bank, Mamata didi opposed Operation Sindoor. By doing so, she is insulting the mothers and sisters of this country. You have not opposed the military operation, you have played with the lives of crores of mothers and sisters. I have come to appeal to women of Bengal to explain the value of sindoor (vermillion) to those who are against Operation Sindoor, in the upcoming elections, he said. Banerjee had recently accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP of trying to exploit Operation Sindoor the Centres military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack for political gains. In the 2026 (Assembly polls), the mothers and sisters of the State would teach the CM and the Trinamool Congress a lesson for opposing Operation Sindoor, Shah asserted. The Home Minister alleged that senior TMC leaders were complicit in the violence in Murshidabad in April, which broke out during protests over the contentious Waqf Amendment Act. The way a TMC minister incited the violence, it can be said that the Murshidabad riots were state-sponsored, he claimed. The MHA kept on insisting about the deployment of BSF during the Murshidabad riots, but the TMC Government didnt allow it to happen so that the violence could continue. If BSF personnel had been deployed, Hindus would have been protected. It was only after BJP workers approached the high court that the BSF was finally sent in, he alleged. At least three people died and several others were injured in the April riots. This was Shahs first visit to West Bengal since the Murshidabad clashes. Sharpening his attack on Banerjee for the state of affairs under her rule, Shah said, Today, Mamata didi has turned this great land of Bengal land into a hub of infiltration, corruption, atrocities on women, crime, bomb blasts and mistreatment of Hindus. Robbers used online dating apps to trap and loot victims, held NEW DELHI : THREE men who allegedly used online dating platforms to trap people and loot them were arrested following a brief exchange of fire with police in northeast Delhis Yamuna Khadar area early Sunday. Two of the accused sustained bullet injuries in their legs during the encounter and are currently undergoing treatment at JPC Hospital, police said. According to the police, the incident took place around 2.25 am when a patrolling team received a tip-off about the presence of people suspected to be involved in recent robberies. They were said to be planning another criminal act near New Usmannagar . A police team reached the location and spotted three men acting suspiciously. When the team tried to stop them for checking, they attempted to flee into the adjoining jungle and opened fire on the police personnel, said the officer. The police team responded with controlled retaliatory fire in self-defence, and two of the suspects were shot in the legs. Despite the resistance, the team managed to overpower all three and apprehended them on the spot, he said. Two country-made pistols and three live cartridges were recovered from the possession of the accused, police added. They were identified as Sameer (21), Tarun (23) and Kunal Sharma (23). Preliminary investigation revealed that Sameer has a criminal record and is previously involved in two cases, including robbery and causing hurt, registered at Mansarovar Park. During sustained interrogation, the accused admitted their involvement in several recent robberies, he said. They also disclosed that they used online dating platforms to lure potential victims and rob them during dates. The crime and forensic science laboratory (FSL) teams were called to inspect the scene. Efforts are underway to verify the accuseds claims and link them with other unsolved cases. Police said further investigation is in progress. Rs 155 crore scam: Trail leads to Amravati, Wardha, Chandrapur Staff Reporter : Investigation into the Rs 155 crore scam has revealed that the prime conspirator, Santosh alias Bunty Rampal Shahu, along with his accomplices, used fake company addresses across Amravati, Wardha, Chandrapur, and various cities in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. To lend credibility to these bogus firms, the accused allegedly used forged PAN cards, Aadhaar cards, and address details belonging to citizens. According to a senior police official, Shahu meticulously orchestrated the fraud by registering addresses in multiple cities to facilitate the illusion of inter-city transport between his fake companies. This tactic helped him create a web of fictitious transactions involving numerous bogus transport companies. Scooter used to transport 40 tonnes of steel The Crime Branch, working in coordination with the GST office, discovered that addresses of 46 out of 113 fake companies were used to manipulate GST filings. During the transactions, Shahu reportedly used fraudulent transportation invoices. In another case, 40 tonnes of steel was allegedly transported using a vehicle whose registration number actually belonged to a scooter. In another incident, the accused claimed to have transported goods within Nagpur on a specific date, while toll booth records revealed the vehicle was actually in Mumbai at the time. The police have begun contacting victims from various cities to record their statements and gather more evidence. So far, police have arrested five individuals in connection with the case: Santosh alias Bunty Rampal Shahu (52), Jayesh Rampal Shahu (36), both from Kapil Heights, Imambada; Brijkishore Ramvilas Maniyar (59) of Shankar Nagar, Rishi Hitesh Lakhani (21) of Shastri Nagar; Anand Vinod Harde (33) of Surya Nagar, Kalamna. It may be mentioned here that the investigation began after police received intelligence on two shell companies Kshitij Enterprises and Awadh Enterprises that were allegedly central to the illegal financial operation. Kshitij Enterprises is believed to have enabled dubious transactions for 113 fake companies, while Awadh Enterprises was linked to 57 such entities. Funds were allegedly funneled through these accounts and laundered using hawala routes, pointing to the involvement of a larger, organised financial syndicate. Anshul Mishra, Anuj Agrawal, Riyaz, Tanna still on the run Riyaz Ali alias Mamu from Mominpura, Govind Tanna, and Anuj Agrawal from Wardhaman Nagar and Anshul Mishra from Mankapur are still on the run and hiding. The police received intelligence that one of the accused had fled to Bihar. Photo: Forbes Ukraine TAS Group remains active in the financial sector M&A space and is exploring opportunities to acquire insurance companies. Following the merger of recently acquired Idea Bank (Lviv) with TAScombank (Kyiv), it will also re-enter the banking M&A market, according to the group's founder and owner, Sergiy Tigipko. "We will be exploring options to acquire both insurance companies and, after carefully merging TAScombank and Idea Bank, we'll look at banking opportunities again," Tigipko said at the Forbes Money Forum in Kyiv. Speaking to Interfax-Ukraine, Tigipko said the merger will help stabilize Idea Bank. He recalled that Idea Bank focused primarily on the retail segment, while TAScombank has a strong corporate footprint, so their integration will create a powerful universal financial institution. He noted that some cost savings would come from reduced expenditures across both banks, but the main benefit lies in the synergy between their business lines. During his forum address, Tigipko said the group expects a 3540% return on invested capital from the Idea Bank deal by year-end. He also stated that TAS continues to invest in the virtual banking project monobank, which is based on the group's Universal Bank and requires constant funding due to its rapid growth. Tigipko emphasized that he knows the true value of the mono projectwhich comprises LLC Fintech Band (Dnipro) and Universal Bank and is only willing to sell a small stake (up to 10%) to a "very powerful" investor during wartime. "This would only be done so that, once conditions improve and the investment climate changes, when demand for financial assets likely the first to attract investor interest rises, we'd be in a position to sell more," he explained. He told Interfax-Ukraine that the group has not received any offers to acquire a stake in Universal Bank, and he believes no Ukrainian investor is in a position to do so. "There have been no offers to buy into mono. No Ukrainian investor could afford such a stake," Tigipko told the agency. As of April 2025, Universal Bank ranked 8th in Ukraine by total assets (UAH 159.8 billion, or 4.3% of the market) among 60 banks, according to the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU). In Q1 2025, its net profit reached UAH 1.7 billion. Last year, monobank overtook Oschadbank to claim second place by number of active payment cards: 9.72 million as of the end of March 2025, compared to 31.97 million at PrivatBank and 8.00 million at Oschadbank. As of April 2025, TAScombank ranked 15th in terms of total assets (UAH 45.9 billion, or 1.2% market share), while Idea Bank ranked 27th with UAH 12.0 billion (0.3%). Poland's Getin Holding SA completed the sale of 100% of Idea Bank shares to Tigipko's Cyprus-based Alkemi Limited on April 23, for $36.5 million, under a conditional purchase agreement signed on October 18, 2024. Tigipko stated at the forum that TAS Group invested $140 million in 2024 and plans to increase that figure to $180 million in 2025. TAS Group is one of Ukraine's largest financial and industrial conglomerates, with interests spanning banking, insurance, railcar manufacturing, metallurgy, logistics, agriculture, food production, packaging, and real estate. Senior Nursing Officer at AIIMS develops HOAC Combo Staff Reporter RAIPUR, Arokiaraj U, a Senior Nursing Officer in the Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS) at AIIMS Raipur, has developed a groundbreaking device named the Highly Oxygenated Aerosol Controlled (HOAC) Combo. This innovative respiratory support unit, recently granted a utility patent by the Indian Patent Office, New Delhi, promises to revolutionize infection control during crucial medical procedures. The HOAC Combo is designed as a closed-system, effectively reducing the risk of airborne infections during nebulization, sputum sampling, incentive spirometry, and low-flow oxygen therapy. Its unique design offers enhanced protection for both patients and healthcare workers. The HOAC device is currently progressing into its functional prototype development phase, with active efforts underway to secure vital funding. This will be followed by crucial pilot studies and rigorous clinical validation, paving the way for its widespread implementation not only across India but also globally. Arokiaraj U. showcased the HOAC Combo at the India Innovation Summit 2025, held recently at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhi. The prestigious event was organized by the Department of Health Research (DHR) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Further solidifying its recognition, the HOAC device has also been featured on the ATLAS of Innovation platform, a highly regarded research platform dedicated to supporting the development of new technologies for TB elimination. Lt. Gen. Ashok Jindal (Retd), Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Raipur, extended his heartfelt congratulations to Arokiaraj U., hailing the development of this medical device as a significant achievement for AIIMS Raipur. In recognition of his exceptional contribution, AIIMS Raipur has nominated Arokiaraj U. for both the National Florence Nightingale Award and the National Science Award 2025, with results eagerly anticipated. Arokiaraj U. expressed his deep gratitude to the Medical Superintendent, the CTVS department, and the entire AIIMS administration for their support and invaluable guidance throughout his research endeavor. Tiger kills 4 people in recent months, villagers living in fear in Parseoni By Shashwat Bhuskute : Sixth victim of the man-animal conflict Four farmers have been killed and two have been seriously injured in tiger attacks in Parseoni Forest Range in recent months, including Saturdays incident, in which 32-year-old Ravindra Kalsarpe was killed in front of his wife while working at a farm at Neurwada village, in Deurwada. The Forest Department has miserably failed again to stop these man-animal conflict incidents and save the human lives. As a result, the villagers are living in fear and are worried about lives of their loved ones. This is not the first tiger attack in the region. As per local sources, four farmers have been killed and two have been severely injured in the recent man-animal conflicts in the Parseoni Forest Range. These recurring incidents have created climate of fear among the farming community, labourers and school going-children alike. Regarding these frequent man-animal conflicts, The Hitavada spoke with Bharat Singh Hada, Deputy Conservator of Forest, who said, The Forest Department is trying its best to reduce this man-animal conflict in the Parseoni Forest Range area. But due to the tigers moving from Parseoni going to Pench, conflicts happen when they come across humans. He also stated that the Forest Department has started integrating AI to help them in the man-animal conflict cases. Hada has also confirmed that the search for this problem tiger has begun. The increasing man-animal conflict is also a problem that the Forest Department has been trying to tackle lately. But despite their efforts, they do not seem to bear fruits in resolving this issue. Tragedy in farmland: Tiger attack claims farmers life Ravindra Kawadji Kalsarpe (32) was fatally attacked by a tiger while clearing crop residue on his farmland in Parseoni with his wife. Unaware of the lurking predator, Ravindra was pounced upon and bitten fatally on the throat, all in front of his helpless wife. Her cries for help brought villagers rushing to the scene, prompting the tiger to retreat into the forest. Village Sarpanch Fajit Sahare alerted the Parseoni Police, Forest Department, and Tehsildar. Police Inspector Rajeshkumar Thorat and Forest Range Officer Pravin Lele arrived promptly. Controversy erupted when officials sent the body for post-mortem without conducting a panchnama, leading to villagers protests. The body was returned, the documentation completed, and peace restored. Officer Lele has announced a relief package, a government job for the widow, an advance of Rs 50,000, and Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia. The incident has reignited concerns over human-wildlife conflict in the region. Ukraine destroys Russian military aircraft KYIV : A UKRAINIAN drone attack has destroyed more than 40 Russian planes deep in Russias territory, a Ukrainian security official told The Associated Press on Sunday, while Russia pounded Ukraine with missiles and drones a day before the two sides meet for a new round of direct talks in Istanbul. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose operational details, said the attack took over 1 1/2-year to execute and was personally supervised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The operation saw drones transported in containers carried by trucks deep into Russian territory, he said. The drones reportedly hit 41 planes stationed at several airfields on Sunday afternoon, including A-50, Tu-95 and Tu-22M aircraft, the official said. Moscow has previously used Tupolev Tu-95 and Tu-22 long-range bombers to launch missiles at Ukraine, while A-50s are used to coordinate targets and detect air defences and guided missiles. Russias Defence Ministry in a statement confirmed the attacks, which spanned five airfields. The FPV drones damaged aircraft and sparked fires on air bases in the Irkutsk region, more than 4,000 kilometres from Ukraine, as well as Russias northern Murmansk, it said. Strikes were repelled in the Amur region in Russias Far East and in the western regions of Ivanovo and Ryazan, the ministry said. The attack came the same day as Zelenskyy said Ukraine will send a delegation to Istanbul for a new round of direct peace talks with Russia on Monday. In a statement on Telegram, Zelenskyy said that Defence Minister Rustem Umerov will lead the Ukrainian delegation. We are doing everything to protect our independence, our state and our people, Zelenskyy said. Ukrainian officials had previously called on the Kremlin to provide a promised memorandum setting out its position on ending the war before the meeting takes place. Moscow had said it would share its memorandum during the talks. RUSSIAN STRIKE HITS AN ARMY UNIT: Russia on Sunday launched the biggest number of drones 472 on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraines air force said. Russian forces also launched seven missiles alongside the barrage of drones, said Yuriy Ignat, head of communications for the air force. Earlier Sunday, Ukraines army said at least 12 Ukrainian service members were killed and more than 60 were injured in a Russian missile strike on an army training unit. The strike occurred at 12:50 P.M., the statement said, emphasising that no formations or mass gatherings of personnel were being held at the time. Ukrainian army commander Mykhailo Drapatyi later Sunday submitted his resignation following the attack. He was a respected commander whose leadership saw Ukraine regain land on the eastern front for the first time since Kyivs 2022 counteroffensive. The training unit was located to the rear of the 1,000-kilometre active front line, where Russian reconnaissance and strike drones are able to strike. Ukraines forces lack troops and take extra precautions to avoid mass gatherings as the skies across the front line are saturated with Russian drones looking for targets. NORTHERN PRESSURE: Russias Ministry of Defence said on Sunday that it had taken control of the village of Oleksiivka in Ukraines northern Sumy region. Ukrainian authorities in Sumy ordered mandatory evacuations in 11 more settlements Saturday as Russian forces make steady gains in the area. Speaking on Saturday, Ukraines top army chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said that Russian forces were focusing their main offensive efforts on Pokrovsk, Toretsk and Lyman in the Donetsk region, as well as the Sumy border area. Photo: Pixabay Ukraine's cattle slaughter volume in April 2025 totaled 16,800 tonnes, down 3% from March and 16% lower than in April 2024, according to the Association of Milk Producers (AMP), citing data from the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food. The AMP noted that cattle slaughter volume from January to April 2025 stood at 60,900 tonnes 10% less than in the same period of 2024. The majority of the animals (62%) were slaughtered at agricultural enterprises located in Vinnytsia (219,900 tonnes), Cherkasy (146,600 tonnes), Dnipropetrovsk (124,500 tonnes), Lviv (72,200 tonnes), and Kyiv (63,800 tonnes) regions. Russian special services are trying to recruit Ukrainians abroad, so the Main Intelligence Agency called on Ukrainians to be vigilant and contact law enforcement officers in case of an attempt to establish suspicious contact, the Agency reports. "The Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine calls: in case of an attempt to establish contact by suspicious persons, it is necessary to immediately contact the law enforcement agencies of the country of your stay or Ukrainian diplomatic institutions," the Telegram message says. The intelligence noted that Russian special services have intensified attempts to recruit Ukrainian citizens in order to involve them in illegal activities on the territory of the European Union. In particular, potential perpetrators are offered a monetary reward for participating in illegal activities, monitoring critical infrastructure facilities, and performing other tasks for the benefit of the Russian Federation. These are mainly Ukrainians from temporarily occupied territories who have found themselves in a difficult situation, the Agency explained. According to intelligence, recruiting Ukrainians to implement hostile scenarios in Europe is another tool of hybrid aggression that the Russian Federation is waging against Ukraine and the entire European community. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 4,049 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $643,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Mirador Capital Partners LP purchased a new position in shares of Philip Morris International in the first quarter valued at $222,000. Aletheian Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Philip Morris International in the first quarter valued at $274,000. Sterneck Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Philip Morris International in the first quarter valued at $219,000. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 21.8% in the first quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 31,757 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,041,000 after purchasing an additional 5,686 shares during the period. Finally, Pacifica Partners Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 115.0% in the first quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. now owns 215 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares during the period. 78.63% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Philip Morris International Price Performance NYSE PM opened at $180.74 on Monday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12 month low of $98.93 and a 12 month high of $181.36. The company has a market capitalization of $281.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.50. The companys fifty day moving average price is $165.26 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $145.89. Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $1.69 earnings per share (EPS) 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 company had revenue of $9.30 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.10 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.50 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 20th were given 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 2.99%. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is currently 111.34%. Insider Transactions at Philip Morris International In other news, insider Lars Dahlgren sold 3,679 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $152.96, for a total value of $562,739.84. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 26,828 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,103,610.88. This trade represents a 12.06% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets PM has been the subject of several analyst reports. UBS Group upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a sell rating to a neutral rating and upped their target price for the company from $130.00 to $170.00 in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Stifel Nicolaus upped 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 note on Thursday, April 24th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of 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 began coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Argus upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 14th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $169.20. Get Our Latest Analysis on Philip Morris International Philip Morris International Company 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. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alcoa Co. (NYSE:AA Get Free Report)s stock price gapped down prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $26.77, but opened at $26.15. Alcoa shares last traded at $25.93, with a volume of 2,036,546 shares trading hands. Analyst Ratings Changes AA has been the topic of several analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Alcoa from $28.00 to $25.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Bank of America restated an underperform rating and issued a $26.00 price target (down previously from $58.00) on shares of Alcoa in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. UBS Group restated a neutral rating and issued a $31.00 price target on shares of Alcoa in a research note on Thursday, May 15th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Alcoa from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Alcoa to $31.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Friday, May 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $42.50. Get Alcoa alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on Alcoa Alcoa Stock Down 1.5% The stock has a market capitalization of $6.83 billion, a P/E ratio of -164.79, a PEG ratio of 0.19 and a beta of 2.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 1.45 and a quick ratio of 0.86. The stocks fifty day moving average is $26.64 and its two-hundred day moving average is $33.86. Alcoa (NYSE:AA Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 16th. The industrial products company reported $2.15 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by $0.42. The firm had revenue of $3.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.58 billion. Alcoa had a net margin of 0.50% and a return on equity of 5.54%. As a group, research analysts predict that Alcoa Co. will post 4.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Alcoa Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.52%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 20th. Alcoas payout ratio is 12.05%. Institutional Trading of Alcoa A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Rheos Capital Works Inc. acquired a new position in Alcoa in the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,002,000. Drummond Knight Asset Management Pty Ltd acquired a new position in Alcoa in the 4th quarter worth approximately $19,646,000. Corient Private Wealth LLC boosted its stake in Alcoa by 4.6% in the 4th quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 21,602 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $816,000 after purchasing an additional 948 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its stake in Alcoa by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 688,784 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $26,022,000 after purchasing an additional 11,094 shares during the period. Finally, M&T Bank Corp boosted its stake in Alcoa by 16.6% in the 4th quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 26,437 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $999,000 after purchasing an additional 3,758 shares during the period. 82.39% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Alcoa (Get Free Report) Alcoa Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells bauxite, alumina, and aluminum products in the United States, Spain, Australia, Iceland, Norway, Brazil, Canada, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Alumina and Aluminum. It engages in bauxite mining operations; and processes bauxite into alumina and sells it to customers who process it into industrial chemical products, as well as aluminum smelting and casting businesses. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Alcoa Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alcoa and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Research analysts at Raymond James started coverage on shares of American Integrity Insurance Group (NYSE:AII Get Free Report) in a research note issued on Monday,Briefing.com Automated Import reports. The brokerage set an outperform rating and a $20.00 price target on the stock. Raymond James target price would suggest a potential upside of 21.21% from the companys previous close. Several other research analysts also recently commented on the stock. Piper Sandler assumed coverage on shares of American Integrity Insurance Group in a research note on Monday. They issued an overweight rating and a $20.00 target price on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of American Integrity Insurance Group to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, Citizens Jmp assumed coverage on shares of American Integrity Insurance Group in a research note on Monday. They issued an outperform rating and a $23.00 target price on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $21.00. Get American Integrity Insurance Group alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on American Integrity Insurance Group American Integrity Insurance Group Stock Performance American Integrity Insurance Group Company Profile Shares of NYSE AII opened at $16.50 on Monday. American Integrity Insurance Group has a 52 week low of $16.02 and a 52 week high of $19.45. (Get Free Report) We are a profitable and growing insurance group headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Through our insurance carrier subsidiary, American Integrity Insurance Company of Florida, Inc (AIICFL), we provide personal residential property insurance for single-family homeowners and condominium owners as well as coverage for vacant dwellings and investment properties, predominantly in Florida. See Also Receive News & Ratings for American Integrity Insurance Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Integrity Insurance Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American National Bank & Trust raised its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report) by 12.5% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 5,735 shares of the restaurant operators stock after purchasing an additional 635 shares during the period. American National Bank & Trusts holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $288,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of CMG. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA acquired a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,742,000. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4.7% in the 4th quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 4,804 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $290,000 after purchasing an additional 214 shares during the period. OLD National Bancorp IN acquired a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 4th quarter worth approximately $215,000. Caprock Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 36,197 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $2,183,000 after purchasing an additional 298 shares during the period. Finally, Waldron Private Wealth LLC lifted its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 247.2% in the 4th quarter. Waldron Private Wealth LLC now owns 15,723 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $948,000 after purchasing an additional 11,195 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.31% of the companys stock. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades CMG has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Argus downgraded shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $67.00 to $65.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. KeyCorp dropped their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $60.00 to $58.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Cfra upgraded shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating and boosted their target price for the company from $59.00 to $73.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. Finally, Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $70.00 to $62.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $61.60. Chipotle Mexican Grill Price Performance Shares of CMG stock opened at $50.12 on Monday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $50.04 and a 200-day moving average of $54.88. The company has a market cap of $67.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 45.15, a P/E/G ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 1.11. 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 announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The restaurant operator reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.28 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $2.88 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.98 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 13.56% and a return on equity of 42.92%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $13.37 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Chipotle Mexican Grill Company 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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CMG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the fourteen brokerages that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, ten have given a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $56.75. LVS has been the subject of a number of research reports. Hsbc Global Res upgraded Las Vegas Sands to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Las Vegas Sands from $47.00 to $45.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Mizuho set a $47.00 price objective on Las Vegas Sands in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $57.00 price target on Las Vegas Sands and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Macquarie reduced their price target on Las Vegas Sands from $58.00 to $52.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Get Las Vegas Sands alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Las Vegas Sands Hedge Funds Weigh In On Las Vegas Sands Las Vegas Sands Price Performance Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust purchased a new position in Las Vegas Sands in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Optiver Holding B.V. purchased a new position in Las Vegas Sands in the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. purchased a new position in Las Vegas Sands in the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB raised its position in Las Vegas Sands by 45.6% in the 4th quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 760 shares of the casino operators stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 238 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Center for Financial Planning Inc. purchased a new position in Las Vegas Sands in the 1st quarter worth about $42,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 39.16% of the companys stock. LVS opened at $41.11 on Wednesday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $37.30 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $43.82. The company has a current ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.35. The company has a market cap of $29.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.99. Las Vegas Sands has a 12-month low of $30.18 and a 12-month high of $56.61. Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The casino operator reported $0.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.60 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $2.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.95 billion. Las Vegas Sands had a return on equity of 45.82% and a net margin of 12.80%. Las Vegas Sandss revenue for the quarter was down 3.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.78 EPS. Research analysts predict that Las Vegas Sands will post 2.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Las Vegas Sands declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Wednesday, April 23rd that allows the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the casino operator to reacquire up to 8.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally an indication that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. Las Vegas Sands Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 14th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 6th were given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 6th. Las Vegas Sandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 55.56%. Las Vegas Sands Company Profile (Get Free Report Las Vegas Sands Corp., together with its subsidiaries, develops, owns, and operates integrated resorts in Macao and Singapore. It owns and operates The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, the Londoner Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Plaza Macao and Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip, and the Sands Macao in Macao, the Peoples Republic of China; and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Las Vegas Sands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Las Vegas Sands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Insider & Institutional Ownership 27.6% of Heliogen shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.8% of Heliogen shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Profitability This table compares Companhia Paranaense de Energia and Heliogens net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Companhia Paranaense de Energia alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Companhia Paranaense de Energia N/A N/A N/A Heliogen N/A N/A -147.90% Volatility & Risk Companhia Paranaense de Energia has a beta of -0.45, indicating that its stock price is 145% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Heliogen has a beta of 2.66, indicating that its stock price is 166% more volatile than the S&P 500. Valuation and Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Companhia Paranaense de Energia $23.13 billion 0.38 $749.00 million $0.70 11.60 Heliogen $3.92 million 2.80 -$129.60 million $6.39 0.28 This table compares Companhia Paranaense de Energia and Heliogens revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Companhia Paranaense de Energia has higher revenue and earnings than Heliogen. Heliogen is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Companhia Paranaense de Energia, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Heliogen beats Companhia Paranaense de Energia on 5 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About Companhia Paranaense de Energia (Get Free Report) Companhia Paranaense de Energia COPEL engages in the generation, transformation, distribution, and sale of electricity to industrial, residential, commercial, rural, and other customers in Brazil. The company operates through Power Generation and Transmission, Power Distribution, GAS, Power Sale, and Holding and Services segments. It is also involved in the piped natural gas distribution. The company operates hydroelectric, wind, and thermoelectric plants; and owns and operates transmission and distribution lines. It holds concessions to distribute electricity in municipalities in the State of Parana and in the municipality of Porto Uniao in the State of Santa Catarina. Companhia Paranaense de Energia COPEL was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Curitiba, Brazil. About Heliogen (Get Free Report) Heliogen, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, develops and commercializes concentrated solar energy in the United States. It is developing a modular, AI-enabled, concentrated solar energy plant that will use an array of mirrors to reflect sunlight and capture, concentrate, store and convert it into cost-effective energy on demand. The company offers heliostat fields, and associated control systems, solar receivers, thermal energy storage, and heat engines. Its solutions include carbon-free steam production, a system that produces heat or steam for use in industrial processes; net zero power generation system, a turbine generator with the baseline system, which achieves net-zero emissions in electricity production; and green hydrogen production, and electrolyzer with the baseline system that produces green hydrogen fuel. The company also offers professional services, such as turnkey project construction, project site development, and research and development studies. It serves the food and beverage, mining and mineral processing, oil and gas, transportation, chemicals, cement, and metals manufacturing industries. The company was formerly known as Edison Microgrids, Inc. and changed its name to Heliogen, Inc. in November 2019. The company is headquartered in Pasadena, California. Receive News & Ratings for Companhia Paranaense de Energia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Companhia Paranaense de Energia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE:AU Get Free Report) shares gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $43.81, but opened at $45.54. AngloGold Ashanti shares last traded at $47.47, with a volume of 1,018,735 shares changing hands. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In AU has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on AngloGold Ashanti from $33.00 to $53.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, April 28th. HSBC restated a reduce rating and issued a $35.00 price target on shares of AngloGold Ashanti in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on AngloGold Ashanti from $39.00 to $41.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, April 4th. Wall Street Zen cut AngloGold Ashanti from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday. Finally, Scotiabank lifted their price target on AngloGold Ashanti from $42.00 to $43.50 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $41.30. Get AngloGold Ashanti alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on AU AngloGold Ashanti Stock Up 8.7% The firm has a market capitalization of $19.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.67 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a current ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $40.60 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $32.51. AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 9th. The mining company reported $0.88 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $1.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.84 billion. On average, equities analysts expect that AngloGold Ashanti plc will post 3.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. AngloGold Ashanti Cuts Dividend The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Investors of record on Monday, June 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.125 per share. This represents a yield of 1.14%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 30th. AngloGold Ashantis dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 16.45%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On AngloGold Ashanti Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of AU. Whittier Trust Co. acquired a new position in AngloGold Ashanti during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in AngloGold Ashanti by 210.6% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,174 shares of the mining companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 796 shares in the last quarter. Hara Capital LLC acquired a new position in AngloGold Ashanti during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in AngloGold Ashanti during the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, MJT & Associates Financial Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $30,000. 36.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About AngloGold Ashanti (Get Free Report) AngloGold Ashanti plc operates as a gold mining company in Africa, Australia, and the Americas. The company primarily explores for gold, as well as produces silver and sulphuric acid as by-products. Its flagship property is a 100% owned Geita mine located in the Lake Victoria goldfields of the Mwanza region in north-western Tanzania. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for AngloGold Ashanti Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AngloGold Ashanti and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. B2Gold Corp. (TSE:BTO Get Free Report) (NYSE:BTG)s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as C$5.00 and last traded at C$4.98, with a volume of 2296519 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at C$4.61. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have recently issued reports on BTO. Cormark upgraded shares of B2Gold from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on shares of B2Gold from C$6.50 to C$7.50 in a report on Monday, April 21st. Scotiabank raised shares of B2Gold from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, April 14th. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on shares of B2Gold from C$7.00 to C$6.50 in a report on Monday, March 31st. Finally, TD Securities lowered shares of B2Gold from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$6.11. Get B2Gold alerts: Get Our Latest Report on B2Gold B2Gold Price Performance B2Gold Dividend Announcement The company has a quick ratio of 3.33, a current ratio of 1.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.51. The firms 50 day simple moving average is C$4.31 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$3.98. The company has a market capitalization of C$4.57 billion, a PE ratio of -5.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.27 and a beta of 1.23. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 24th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 24th will be paid a dividend of $0.02 per share. This represents a $0.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.62%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 11th. B2Golds payout ratio is -25.32%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Senior Officer William Lytle sold 54,062 shares of B2Gold stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$3.85, for a total transaction of C$208,138.70. Also, Senior Officer Eduard Bartz sold 13,161 shares of B2Gold stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$3.79, for a total value of C$49,880.19. Following the sale, the insider now owns 16 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately C$60.64. This trade represents a 99.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Insiders sold 635,161 shares of company stock valued at $2,656,243 over the last three months. 0.66% of the stock is owned by company insiders. About B2Gold (Get Free Report) B2Gold Corp. operates as a gold producer company. It operates the Fekola Mine in Mali, the Masbate Mine in the Philippines, and the Otjikoto Mine in Namibia. The company also has an 100% interest in the Gramalote gold project in Colombia; 24% interest in the Calibre Mining Corp.; and approximately 19% interest in BeMetals Corp. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for B2Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for B2Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Ukrainian delegation arrived in Istanbul on Monday, where a meeting with the Russian delegation is scheduled, said the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Heorhiy Tykhy. As the spokesman told reporters, the meeting is scheduled for lunch. Earlier it was reported that the Ukrainian delegation is headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. According to Turkish media, the negotiations are to begin at 13:00. Banco Bradesco S.A. (NYSE:BBD Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Saturday, May 31st, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Thursday, June 5th will be paid a dividend of 0.0021 per share by the bank on Wednesday, July 9th. This represents a yield of 0.88%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 4th. Banco Bradesco has a dividend payout ratio of 9.8% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect Banco Bradesco to earn $0.43 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.04 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 9.3%. Get Banco Bradesco alerts: Banco Bradesco Stock Down 0.3% Shares of BBD opened at $2.87 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $30.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.32 and a beta of 0.65. Banco Bradesco has a 12-month low of $1.84 and a 12-month high of $2.96. The companys 50-day moving average price is $2.43 and its 200 day moving average price is $2.20. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.48. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Banco Bradesco ( NYSE:BBD Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The bank reported $0.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.09. The firm had revenue of $5.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $31.24 billion. Banco Bradesco had a net margin of 8.46% and a return on equity of 11.43%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Banco Bradesco will post 0.37 earnings per share for the current year. BBD has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Bank of America upgraded shares of Banco Bradesco from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 8th. Citigroup upgraded shares of Banco Bradesco from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Banco Bradesco from a buy rating to a sell rating and lowered their price target for the company from $2.40 to $2.00 in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $2.40. Check Out Our Latest Report on Banco Bradesco Hedge Funds Weigh In On Banco Bradesco A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Banco Bradesco by 116.9% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 33,132,112 shares of the banks stock valued at $73,885,000 after purchasing an additional 17,853,712 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC boosted its holdings in Banco Bradesco by 28.4% in the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 6,834,192 shares of the banks stock valued at $15,240,000 after purchasing an additional 1,510,481 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its holdings in shares of Banco Bradesco by 3,749.8% in the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 38,613 shares of the banks stock valued at $86,000 after acquiring an additional 37,610 shares during the period. About Banco Bradesco (Get Free Report) Banco Bradesco SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services to individuals, corporates, and businesses in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Banking and Insurance. It provides current, savings, click, and salary accounts; real estate credit, vehicle financing, payroll loans, mortgage loans, microcredit, leasing, and personal and installment credit; overdraft and agribusiness loans; debit and business cards; financial and security services; consortium products; car, personal accident, dental, travel, and life insurance; investment products; pension products; foreign currency exchange services; capitalization bonds; and internet banking services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Banco Bradesco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Bradesco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $45.52 and last traded at $45.42, with a volume of 2267411 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $45.20. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms have commented on BTI. Bank of America began coverage on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded British American Tobacco from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, February 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $33.00. Get British American Tobacco alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on BTI British American Tobacco Stock Performance Institutional Inflows and Outflows The company has a market capitalization of $93.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.32 and a beta of 0.32. The companys 50 day moving average is $42.38 and its 200-day moving average is $39.77. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton lifted its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 87.0% in the 1st quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 602 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 280 shares during the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in British American Tobacco by 100.0% during the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 610 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 305 shares during the last quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in British American Tobacco by 294.9% during the 4th quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 703 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 525 shares during the last quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new position in British American Tobacco during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, Financial Management Professionals Inc. grew its holdings in British American Tobacco by 78.5% during the 1st quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 632 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 278 shares during the last quarter. 16.16% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. British American Tobacco Company Profile (Get Free Report) British American Tobacco p.l.c. engages in the provision of tobacco and nicotine products to consumers worldwide. It also offers vapour, heated, and modern oral nicotine products; combustible cigarettes; and traditional oral products, such as snus and moist snuff. The company offers its products under the Vuse, glo, Velo, Grizzly, Kodiak, Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Rothmans, Camel, Natural American Spirit, Newport, Vogue, Viceroy, Kool, Peter Stuyvesant, Craven A, State Express 555 and Shuang Xi brands. Read More Receive News & Ratings for British American Tobacco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for British American Tobacco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW Get Free Report)s share price dropped 4.8% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $48.34 and last traded at $48.60. Approximately 108,456 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 60% from the average daily volume of 271,951 shares. The stock had previously closed at $51.04. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. DA Davidson raised their price objective on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Piper Sandler raised their price objective on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from $35.00 to $39.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, May 15th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Get Build-A-Bear Workshop alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on BBW Build-A-Bear Workshop Stock Performance The firms 50-day moving average price is $38.37 and its 200 day moving average price is $39.72. The company has a market cap of $630.52 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.68 and a beta of 0.54. Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 29th. The specialty retailer reported $1.17 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.86 by $0.31. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a net margin of 10.58% and a return on equity of 38.35%. The company had revenue of $128.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $118.90 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.82 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. will post 3.71 EPS for the current fiscal year. Build-A-Bear Workshop Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 27th were given a dividend of $0.22 per share. This is a boost from Build-A-Bear Workshops previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 27th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.84%. Build-A-Bear Workshops payout ratio is currently 21.15%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Quarry LP bought a new position in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. AlphaQuest LLC boosted its stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 106.1% during the 1st quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 814 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 419 shares during the last quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System bought a new position in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 4th quarter worth approximately $53,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 494.7% during the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,689 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $78,000 after acquiring an additional 1,405 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc boosted its stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 26.0% during the 4th quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 3,793 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $175,000 after acquiring an additional 783 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.30% of the companys stock. About Build-A-Bear Workshop (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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Build-A-Bear Workshop Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Build-A-Bear Workshop and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Critical Minerals Inc. (OTCMKTS:RIINF Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 20,300 shares, a drop of 32.3% from the April 30th total of 30,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 393,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Canadian Critical Minerals Stock Up 19.2% RIINF stock traded up $0.00 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $0.03. The companys stock had a trading volume of 175,917 shares, compared to its average volume of 171,305. The stock has a market cap of $8.55 million, a PE ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 0.91. Canadian Critical Minerals has a 52 week low of $0.02 and a 52 week high of $0.05. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $0.02 and its 200-day simple moving average is $0.03. Get Canadian Critical Minerals alerts: About Canadian Critical Minerals (Get Free Report) Featured Articles Canadian Critical Minerals Inc, an exploration stage company, acquires, develops, and explores for mineral properties primarily in Canada. The company explores for gold, copper, nickel, platinum, palladium, and silver deposits. Its principal project is the 100% owned Bull River Mine located in the Cranbrook, British Colombia; and the Thierry project that covers approximately 4,700 hectares located in the west of Pickle Lake, Ontario. Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Critical Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Critical Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF Get Free Report)s stock price was up 23.4% during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $7.52 and last traded at $7.20. Approximately 61,639,197 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 277% from the average daily volume of 16,364,444 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.83. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on CLF shares. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on shares of Cleveland-Cliffs from $13.00 to $11.25 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, May 12th. Glj Research cut shares of Cleveland-Cliffs from a strong-buy rating to a strong sell rating and set a $3.91 target price for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. B. Riley reiterated a buy rating and issued a $17.00 target price (down previously from $20.00) on shares of Cleveland-Cliffs in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of Cleveland-Cliffs from $13.00 to $11.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Cleveland-Cliffs presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $12.74. Get Cleveland-Cliffs alerts: View Our Latest Report on Cleveland-Cliffs Cleveland-Cliffs Price Performance The stock has a market cap of $3.48 billion, a P/E ratio of -7.24 and a beta of 2.03. The company has a current ratio of 1.85, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $7.54 and its 200-day simple moving average is $9.49. Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE:CLF Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The mining company reported ($0.92) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.78) by ($0.14). Cleveland-Cliffs had a negative net margin of 2.31% and a negative return on equity of 0.59%. The firm had revenue of $4.63 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.71 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.18 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. will post -0.79 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity In other Cleveland-Cliffs news, EVP James D. Graham sold 120,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.85, for a total transaction of $822,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 492,249 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,371,905.65. This represents a 19.60% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director John T. Baldwin bought 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $8.70 per share, with a total value of $34,800.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 133,227 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,159,074.90. This trade represents a 3.10% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 1.71% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Cleveland-Cliffs A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Cleveland-Cliffs by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 96,956 shares of the mining companys stock worth $911,000 after acquiring an additional 932 shares during the period. AllSquare Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Cleveland-Cliffs by 24.4% during the 4th quarter. AllSquare Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,100 shares of the mining companys stock worth $48,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares during the period. MRP Capital Investments LLC raised its position in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs by 10.0% in the 4th quarter. MRP Capital Investments LLC now owns 11,000 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $103,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares during the period. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its position in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs by 21.3% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 6,723 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $63,000 after acquiring an additional 1,182 shares during the period. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System raised its position in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 135,600 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $1,115,000 after acquiring an additional 1,200 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.68% of the companys stock. Cleveland-Cliffs Company Profile (Get Free Report) Cleveland-Cliffs is the largest flat-rolled steel company and the largest iron ore pellet producer in North America. The company is vertically integrated from mining through iron making, steelmaking, rolling, finishing and downstream with hot and cold stamping of steel parts and components. The company was formerly known as Cliffs Natural Resources Inc and changed its name to Cleveland-Cliffs Inc in August 2017. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Cleveland-Cliffs Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cleveland-Cliffs and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Free Report) had its price objective raised by TD Cowen from $120.00 to $125.00 in a report released on Friday, Marketbeat.com reports. TD Cowen currently has a hold rating on the technology companys stock. Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $105.00 to $128.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $160.00 to $150.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Evercore ISI restated an outperform rating on shares of Dell Technologies in a research report on Thursday. Bank of America reduced their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $150.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Finally, Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, May 19th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $138.00. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on DELL Dell Technologies Trading Down 2.1% Shares of DELL stock opened at $111.21 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $77.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.65, a PEG ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 0.99. The firms fifty day moving average price is $95.00 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $106.89. Dell Technologies has a 1 year low of $66.25 and a 1 year high of $161.52. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 29th. The technology company reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.68 by ($0.13). Dell Technologies had a negative return on equity of 191.91% and a net margin of 4.36%. The company had revenue of $23.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $23.17 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.27 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Dell Technologies will post 6.93 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity at Dell Technologies In related news, CAO Brunilda Rios sold 926 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.29, for a total value of $86,386.54. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 37,948 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,540,168.92. This trade represents a 2.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Yvonne Mcgill sold 8,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.80, for a total transaction of $886,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 245,804 shares in the company, valued at approximately $27,235,083.20. The trade was a 3.15% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 42.00% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Dell Technologies Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in DELL. Bellwether Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Dell Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Smallwood Wealth Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Dell Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Vision Financial Markets LLC purchased a new stake in Dell Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new stake in Dell Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies during the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.37% of the companys stock. Dell Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG). Read More Receive News & Ratings for Dell Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dell Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Douglas Lane & Associates LLC purchased a new stake in Brookfield Renewable Co. (NYSE:BEPC Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 13,815 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $386,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Brookfield Renewable by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,581,621 shares of the companys stock valued at $154,464,000 after acquiring an additional 106,880 shares during the last quarter. Parnassus Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Brookfield Renewable by 46.6% in the 4th quarter. Parnassus Investments LLC now owns 3,910,496 shares of the companys stock valued at $108,164,000 after purchasing an additional 1,242,858 shares during the period. ClearBridge Investments Ltd grew its position in shares of Brookfield Renewable by 31.1% in the 4th quarter. ClearBridge Investments Ltd now owns 2,894,836 shares of the companys stock valued at $80,071,000 after purchasing an additional 686,319 shares during the period. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. grew its position in shares of Brookfield Renewable by 27.8% in the 4th quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. now owns 2,252,187 shares of the companys stock valued at $62,295,000 after purchasing an additional 490,448 shares during the period. Finally, Robeco Schweiz AG acquired a new position in shares of Brookfield Renewable in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $55,680,000. 75.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Brookfield Renewable alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In BEPC has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Brookfield Renewable from $33.00 to $32.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, May 5th. Barclays initiated coverage on Brookfield Renewable in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They issued an equal weight rating and a $31.00 price objective for the company. Brookfield Renewable Price Performance Shares of BEPC opened at $29.40 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 0.27. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $27.98 and a 200 day simple moving average of $28.18. Brookfield Renewable Co. has a 52-week low of $23.73 and a 52-week high of $35.14. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.26 billion, a PE ratio of -33.03 and a beta of 1.15. Brookfield Renewable Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.373 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 30th. This represents a $1.49 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.07%. Brookfield Renewables dividend payout ratio is currently -167.42%. Brookfield Renewable Company Profile (Free Report) Brookfield Renewable Corporation owns and operates a portfolio of renewable power and sustainable solution assets primarily in the United States, Europe, Colombia, and Brazil. It operates hydroelectric, wind, solar, and distributed energy and sustainable solutions with an installed capacity of approximately 19,161 megawatts. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BEPC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Brookfield Renewable Co. (NYSE:BEPC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Renewable Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Renewable and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Hawaiian Bank lifted its holdings in shares of CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign (NYSE:CNH Free Report) by 43.3% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 39,990 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 12,093 shares during the period. First Hawaiian Banks holdings in CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign were worth $491,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of CNH. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Colonial Trust Co SC purchased a new stake in CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Quent Capital LLC purchased a new stake in CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Anchor Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. 59.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign alerts: CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign Stock Down 1.3% Shares of NYSE CNH opened at $12.48 on Monday. CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign has a 52-week low of $9.28 and a 52-week high of $13.87. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $12.13 and a 200-day moving average of $12.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.59 billion, a PE ratio of 12.12 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a quick ratio of 10.83, a current ratio of 13.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.54. CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign Cuts Dividend CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign ( NYSE:CNH Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.09 by $0.01. CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign had a net margin of 6.62% and a return on equity of 18.00%. The company had revenue of $3.83 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.47 billion. The firms quarterly revenue was down 20.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign will post 0.7 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently declared an annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 21st were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 21st. This represents a yield of 3.8%. CNH GLOBAL N V Foreigns dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 57.32%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts have commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign from $16.50 to $15.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign from $13.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research note on Monday, May 19th. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $15.00 target price (down from $16.00) on shares of CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. Oppenheimer lowered their target price on shares of CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign from $16.00 to $15.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign from $14.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $15.08. Read Our Latest Stock Report on CNH Insider Buying and Selling In other CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign news, insider Stefano Pampalone sold 12,935 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.64, for a total value of $150,563.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 417,384 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,858,349.76. This represents a 3.01% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Gerrit A. Marx sold 320,472 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.64, for a total transaction of $3,730,294.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 375,136 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,366,583.04. The trade was a 46.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 432,866 shares of company stock valued at $5,081,828. Company insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock. About CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign (Free Report) CNH Industrial NV is an equipment and services company, which develops, manufactures and sells specialized machines and services for the farming and construction industries, and supplies replacement parts and accessories. It operates through the following operating segments: Agriculture, Construction, and Financial Services. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CNH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign (NYSE:CNH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CNH GLOBAL N V Foreign and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gerdau S.A. (NYSE:GGB Get Free Report)s share price gapped up prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $2.63, but opened at $2.81. Gerdau shares last traded at $2.81, with a volume of 1,551,109 shares changing hands. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. UBS Group lowered their price objective on Gerdau from $3.30 to $2.90 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Bank of America restated a neutral rating on shares of Gerdau in a research report on Monday, April 7th. Get Gerdau alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on GGB Gerdau Stock Performance Gerdau Increases Dividend The stock has a market cap of $5.79 billion, a PE ratio of 6.48 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 2.98 and a quick ratio of 1.53. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $2.66 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $2.91. The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 27th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 13th were paid a $0.0188 dividend. This is a positive change from Gerdaus previous dividend of $0.00. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 12th. This represents a yield of 2.95%. Gerdaus dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 24.14%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Gerdau Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Private Advisor Group LLC bought a new stake in Gerdau in the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Wealthfront Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Gerdau in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in Gerdau in the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Wolverine Trading LLC purchased a new position in Gerdau in the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Finally, Carrera Capital Advisors purchased a new position in Gerdau in the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. 1.49% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Gerdau Company Profile (Get Free Report) Gerdau SA, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a steel producer company. The company operates through Brazil Business, North America Business, South America Business, and Special Steel Business segments. It also provides semi-finished products, including billets, blooms, and slabs; common long rolled products, such as rebars, wire rods, merchant bars, light shapes, and profiles to the construction and manufacturing industries; drawn products comprising barbed and barbless fence wires, galvanized wires, fences, concrete reinforcing wire mesh, nails, and clamps for manufacturing, construction, and agricultural industries; and special steel products used in auto parts, light and heavy vehicles, and agricultural machinery, as well as in the oil and gas, wind energy, machinery and equipment, mining and rail, and other markets. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Gerdau Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gerdau and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Inspirion Wealth Advisors LLC lessened its holdings in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWS Free Report) by 0.2% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 59,899 shares of the companys stock after selling 111 shares during the period. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF accounts for 1.0% of Inspirion Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 18th biggest holding. Inspirion Wealth Advisors LLC owned about 0.06% of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF worth $7,546,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. NBC Securities Inc. raised its stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 109,516.7% during the first quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 6,577 shares of the companys stock worth $828,000 after buying an additional 6,571 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 27.3% during the first quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,564 shares of the companys stock worth $323,000 after buying an additional 550 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 120.3% during the first quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 5,859 shares of the companys stock worth $738,000 after buying an additional 3,200 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 12,497.0% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 155,825 shares of the companys stock worth $19,629,000 after buying an additional 154,588 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AdvisorNet Financial Inc raised its stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 0.9% during the first quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 18,453 shares of the companys stock worth $2,325,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF alerts: iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF Stock Down 0.3% Shares of NYSEARCA IWS opened at $127.96 on Monday. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF has a twelve month low of $108.85 and a twelve month high of $140.95. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $123.22 and a 200 day simple moving average of $129.01. The company has a market capitalization of $13.02 billion, a PE ratio of 18.17 and a beta of 1.02. About iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell Midcap Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell Midcap Value Index (the Value Index). The Value Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization value sector of the United States equity market. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. That's the fear about the rapid advances in artificial intelligence. In a headline the other day, Axios warned of a "white-collar bloodbath." The CEO of the artificial intelligence firm Anthropic told the publication that AI could destroy half of all entry-level white-collar jobs in the next one to five years and drive the unemployment rate up to 10% or 20% or roughly Great Depression levels. This sounds dire, but we've been here before. In the 1930s, John Maynard Keynes thought that labor-saving devices were "outrunning the pace at which we can find new uses for labor." Analysts thought the same thing in the 1960s, when President John F. Kennedy warned "the automation problem is as important as any we face" and in our era, too. If a prediction has been consistently wrong, it doesn't necessarily mean that it will forever be wrong. Still, we shouldn't have much confidence in the same alarmism, repeated for the same reasons. If technological advance was really a net killer of jobs, the labor market should have been in decline since the invention of the wheel. Instead, we live in a time of technological marvels, and the unemployment rate is 4.2%. Rob Atkinson of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation points out that the average unemployment rate in the United States hasn't changed much over the last century, despite productivity the ability to produce more with the same inputs increasing by almost 10 times. Technology increases productivity, driving down costs and making it possible to invest and spend on other things, creating new jobs that replace the old. This is the process of a society becoming wealthier, and it's why nations that innovate are better off than those that don't. The rise of personal computers collapsed the demand for typists and word processors. These positions were often held by women. Did this decimate the economic prospects of women in America? No they got different, and frequently better, jobs. Spreadsheets drastically reduced the demand for bookkeepers and accounting clerks. Did this end the profession of accounting? No there was an increase in more sophisticated accounting roles. The job market has never been stuck in amber. The MIT economist David Autor co-authored a study that found the majority of current jobs are in occupational categories that arose since 1940. It's true that artificial intelligence is projected to affect white-collar jobs computer programming, consulting, law and the like more than prior waves of technological change. But these kind of jobs shouldn't be immune from the effects of automation any more than factory work has been. AI will end up augmenting many jobs helping workers become more efficient and there will be a limit to how much it can encroach on human work. It's hard to imagine, say, Meta ever giving over its legal representation in an antitrust case to artificial intelligence. Lawyers handling such a case will, however, rely on AI for more and more support, diminishing the need for junior lawyers. This will be a significant disruption for the legal profession, yet legal services will also become cheaper and more widely available, in a benefit to everyone else. There's no doubt that the changes wrought by technology can be painful, and it's possible that artificial intelligence eventually gets so good at so many tasks that people have no ready recourse to new, better jobs, as has always happened in the past. The potential upside, though, is vast. After strong productivity growth for about a decade beginning in the mid-1990s, we shifted into a lower gear in the mid-2000s. It will be a boon if artificial intelligence puts us on a better trajectory. An era of high productivity growth will, among other things, make it easier to deal with the budget deficit and the fiscal strain of retiring Baby Boomers. Like anything else, AI will have its downsides, but it's not an inherent threat any more than computers or the internet were. (COMMENT, BELOW) During the Black Sea Security Forum in Odesa, Petro Poroshenko handed over a large batch of equipment and drones to the Defence Forces. He was joined by forum participants, including former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, former US Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor, and Congressmen Jim Slattery and Bob McIver. We should not expect that a comprehensive ceasefire will be signed on Monday. We need to make Putin finally understand that he cannot win this war. The only effective step towards peace is to strengthen the Armed Forces with weapons, money and sanctions pressure on Russia. It is very important that our allies in the United States, the EU, Canada and Australia understand these fundamental points, which I conveyed during the Black Sea Security Forum. I hope that our partners will draw the right conclusions about what is happening on the battlefield right now, Poroshenko wrote on social media. In Odesa, we met with the military of the Naval Forces and units defending southern Ukraine. We had the opportunity to hear from the soldiers themselves what is currently lacking on the front lines and in what direction our international partners should work, Poroshenko said. This time, the defenders received cargo worth about 20 million hryvnias FPV drones, including fibre optic and thermal imaging cameras for working in twilight, a new Aspirin drone detector, charging stations, and day and night Mavics. Part of this cargo will go to the tank unit of the 126th Brigade of the Territorial Defence Forces, commanded by the legendary Tetiana Chornovol. Before the start of the full-scale invasion, she mastered the Stugna and then began to destroy enemy equipment with FPV drones. Tanya shows the drone to her Western guests and explains that in a few hours it will be in combat. Petro Oleksiyovych handed over the weapons to the people who will be using them directly. I will be flying this one myself. We mainly work on vehicles. We even managed to take out the commander of an enemy battalion. This is a thirteen, it is for strikes on the first line of fortifications. Because it easily carries 5 kg. It flies where it needs to, the soldier rejoices. As a friend of Ukraine, I know everything that is happening here, and I hope that Ukraine's friends will learn the right lessons from what is happening on the battlefield. It's great to see someone like Petro putting all his personal resources into helping his country win this war. This is the kind of national unity we need to defeat this vicious tyrant, says Tony Abbott. President Poroshenko should be thanked for spending his personal resources to support these incredible efforts, which, in my opinion, are capable of truly changing the trajectory of this war. This is a game-changing technology that is changing the war we are seeing here. And I hope that people in the United States understand how important this is, and that we must adopt this new technology, says Jim Slattery. I hope that President Trump realises how important it is for the United States of America to support Ukraine, to remain committed to helping Ukraine until Putin understands that he cannot win this war, emphasises the American politician. Inspirion Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX Free Report) during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund purchased 2,033 shares of the medical equipment providers stock, valued at approximately $205,000. Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of BSX. Gradient Investments LLC grew its holdings in Boston Scientific by 3.4% in the first quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 224,375 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $22,635,000 after purchasing an additional 7,476 shares during the last quarter. Strong Tower Advisory Services acquired a new stake in shares of Boston Scientific in the first quarter valued at approximately $421,000. NBC Securities Inc. grew its position in shares of Boston Scientific by 110,136.4% in the first quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 12,126 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $1,223,000 after purchasing an additional 12,115 shares during the last quarter. Worth Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Boston Scientific during the first quarter worth $1,346,000. Finally, Talbot Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Boston Scientific during the 1st quarter worth about $204,000. 89.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets BSX has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Argus set a $130.00 target price on shares of Boston Scientific in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Citigroup reissued a buy rating and set a $125.00 price target (up previously from $119.00) on shares of Boston Scientific in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Barclays lifted their price objective on Boston Scientific from $118.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on Boston Scientific from $100.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Boston Scientific from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Twenty-one equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $116.00. Boston Scientific Trading Up 0.6% Shares of BSX stock opened at $105.08 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. Boston Scientific Co. has a fifty-two week low of $71.88 and a fifty-two week high of $107.17. The firms 50 day moving average price is $100.29 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $98.02. The stock has a market cap of $155.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 84.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.68. Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The medical equipment provider reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.67 by $0.08. Boston Scientific had a net margin of 11.07% and a return on equity of 17.80%. The business had revenue of $4.66 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.57 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.56 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 20.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Boston Scientific Co. will post 2.85 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at Boston Scientific In other Boston Scientific news, EVP Arthur C. Butcher sold 17,314 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.06, for a total value of $1,767,066.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 22,235 shares in the company, valued at $2,269,304.10. This represents a 43.78% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, SVP Vance R. Brown sold 4,826 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.09, for a total transaction of $458,904.34. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 36,193 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,441,592.37. This trade represents a 11.77% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 191,155 shares of company stock valued at $19,556,047 over the last three months. 0.50% of the stock is owned by company insiders. About Boston Scientific (Free Report) Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through two segments, MedSurg and Cardiovascular. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions, such as resolution clips, biliary stent systems, stents and electrocautery enhanced delivery systems, direct visualization systems, digital catheters, and single-use duodenoscopes; devices to treat urological conditions, including ureteral stents, catheters, baskets, guidewires, sheaths, balloons, single-use digital flexible ureteroscopes, holmium laser systems, artificial urinary sphincter, laser system, fiber, and hydrogel systems; and devices to treat neurological movement disorders and manage chronic pain, such as spinal cord stimulator system, proprietary programming software, radiofrequency generator, indirect decompression systems, practice optimization tools, and deep brain stimulation system. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BSX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Boston Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boston Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. High Net Worth Advisory Group LLC lessened its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:USMV Free Report) by 15.5% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 60,365 shares of the companys stock after selling 11,066 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF comprises approximately 1.6% of High Net Worth Advisory Group LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 11th largest holding. High Net Worth Advisory Group LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF were worth $5,654,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Howe & Rusling Inc. boosted its position in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 94.2% in the 4th quarter. Howe & Rusling Inc. now owns 301 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares in the last quarter. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Chapman Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Millstone Evans Group LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Get iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF alerts: iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Trading Up 5.5% iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF stock opened at $93.55 on Monday. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF has a 12 month low of $82.09 and a 12 month high of $95.12. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $91.51 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $91.72. The firm has a market cap of $24.26 billion, a PE ratio of 24.27 and a beta of 0.74. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Company Profile The iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility (USD) index. The fund tracks an index of US-listed firms selected and weighted to create a low-volatility portfolio subject to various constraints. USMV was launched on Oct 18, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX Get Free Report) had its price objective increased by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $130.00 to $145.00 in a research note issued on Monday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an overweight rating on the apparel and home fashions retailers stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s target price suggests a potential upside of 14.62% from the companys previous close. A number of other research firms have also recently issued reports on TJX. Citigroup raised TJX Companies from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. Wall Street Zen upgraded TJX Companies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an outperform rating and set a $145.00 price target on shares of TJX Companies in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an equal weight rating on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Wednesday, May 21st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reiterated an outperform rating on shares of TJX Companies in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $141.53. Get TJX Companies alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on TJX TJX Companies Stock Down 0.3% Shares of TJX Companies stock traded down $0.39 during trading on Monday, hitting $126.51. 717,144 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,454,552. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a current ratio of 1.19. TJX Companies has a twelve month low of $103.70 and a twelve month high of $135.85. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $126.88 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $123.88. The stock has a market cap of $141.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.77, a PEG ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.94. TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 21st. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $0.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $13.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.01 billion. TJX Companies had a net margin of 8.63% and a return on equity of 61.82%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.93 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that TJX Companies will post 4.18 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling at TJX Companies In other TJX Companies news, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 23,428 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.03, for a total transaction of $2,882,346.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 484,189 shares of the companys stock, valued at $59,569,772.67. This trade represents a 4.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On TJX Companies Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Modern Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in TJX Companies by 18.8% during the first quarter. Modern Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,869 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $1,324,000 after purchasing an additional 1,718 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its position in TJX Companies by 12.3% in the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 342,354 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $41,172,000 after acquiring an additional 37,410 shares during the last quarter. Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in TJX Companies in the first quarter valued at $49,150,000. Jacobi Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in TJX Companies by 1.9% in the first quarter. Jacobi Capital Management LLC now owns 9,778 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $1,191,000 after acquiring an additional 186 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Advisors Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of TJX Companies by 1.3% during the first quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC now owns 450,140 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $54,827,000 after purchasing an additional 5,813 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.09% of the companys stock. About TJX Companies (Get Free Report) The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise. See Also Receive News & Ratings for TJX Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TJX Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lbmc Investment Advisors LLC lessened its holdings in iShares S&P 500 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IVE Free Report) by 5.3% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 47,934 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,687 shares during the period. iShares S&P 500 Value ETF comprises approximately 0.7% of Lbmc Investment Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 26th biggest position. Lbmc Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares S&P 500 Value ETF were worth $9,135,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Pinney & Scofield Inc. bought a new position in shares of iShares S&P 500 Value ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Kentucky Trust Co bought a new stake in iShares S&P 500 Value ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Providence First Trust Co bought a new stake in iShares S&P 500 Value ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Centricity Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in iShares S&P 500 Value ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Morse Asset Management Inc bought a new stake in iShares S&P 500 Value ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $41,000. Get iShares S&P 500 Value ETF alerts: iShares S&P 500 Value ETF Trading Down 0.1% NYSEARCA IVE opened at $188.72 on Monday. iShares S&P 500 Value ETF has a 12 month low of $165.45 and a 12 month high of $206.63. The stock has a market cap of $37.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.88 and a beta of 0.89. The companys 50 day moving average is $183.80 and its two-hundred day moving average is $191.38. iShares S&P 500 Value ETF Company Profile iShares S&P 500 Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P 500 Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P 500 Value Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization value sector of the United States equity market and consists of those stocks in the S&P 500 exhibiting the strongest value characteristics. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IVE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares S&P 500 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IVE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares S&P 500 Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares S&P 500 Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC lowered its stake in shares of Crane (NYSE:CR Free Report) by 4.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,103 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 102 shares during the quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLCs holdings in Crane were worth $322,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in CR. Huntington National Bank increased its stake in shares of Crane by 487.8% in the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 241 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its stake in shares of Crane by 17.8% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 583 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $89,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the last quarter. AlphaQuest LLC bought a new position in shares of Crane in the 4th quarter valued at $101,000. Quarry LP increased its stake in shares of Crane by 250.6% in the 4th quarter. Quarry LP now owns 817 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $124,000 after purchasing an additional 584 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd increased its stake in shares of Crane by 901.1% in the 4th quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 911 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $138,000 after purchasing an additional 820 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.14% of the companys stock. Get Crane alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes CR has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $186.00 price target on Crane and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 14th. UBS Group upgraded Crane from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from $157.00 to $190.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. DA Davidson reissued a buy rating and set a $200.00 price objective on shares of Crane in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Crane from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Crane from $144.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $181.50. Crane Trading Down 1.1% NYSE CR opened at $171.34 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. Crane has a twelve month low of $127.04 and a twelve month high of $188.52. The company has a market cap of $9.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.28. The businesss fifty day moving average is $157.17 and its 200 day moving average is $161.39. Crane (NYSE:CR Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The conglomerate reported $1.39 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.29 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $557.60 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $546.93 million. Crane had a return on equity of 24.45% and a net margin of 13.10%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 9.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.22 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Crane will post 7.87 EPS for the current fiscal year. Crane Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.23 per share. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 30th. Cranes payout ratio is presently 15.94%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Crane news, SVP Jason D. Feldman sold 1,300 shares of Crane stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $177.10, for a total transaction of $230,230.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 9,796 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,734,871.60. The trade was a 11.72% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 2.12% of the companys stock. About Crane (Free Report) Crane Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered industrial products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Process Flow Technologies, and Engineered Materials. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Crane Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Crane and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC reduced its position in Extra Space Storage Inc. (NYSE:EXR Free Report) by 12.2% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 2,105 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 292 shares during the quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLCs holdings in Extra Space Storage were worth $313,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of EXR. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Extra Space Storage in the 4th quarter valued at $938,647,000. Northern Trust Corp boosted its stake in shares of Extra Space Storage by 48.7% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 2,875,049 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $430,107,000 after purchasing an additional 941,212 shares during the last quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. bought a new stake in shares of Extra Space Storage in the 4th quarter valued at $107,453,000. Cbre Investment Management Listed Real Assets LLC boosted its stake in shares of Extra Space Storage by 91.2% in the 4th quarter. Cbre Investment Management Listed Real Assets LLC now owns 1,089,753 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $163,027,000 after purchasing an additional 519,934 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cohen & Steers Inc. lifted its position in shares of Extra Space Storage by 5.9% during the 4th quarter. Cohen & Steers Inc. now owns 9,246,133 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,383,094,000 after acquiring an additional 516,941 shares during the period. 99.11% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Extra Space Storage alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Scotiabank increased their target price on shares of Extra Space Storage from $149.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating on shares of Extra Space Storage in a research note on Thursday, March 6th. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Extra Space Storage from $181.00 to $178.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on shares of Extra Space Storage from $163.00 to $160.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 1st. Finally, Benchmark cut their target price on shares of Extra Space Storage from $61.00 to $55.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $159.38. Extra Space Storage Stock Performance EXR opened at $150.89 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. The companys fifty day moving average price is $143.60 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $150.82. Extra Space Storage Inc. has a 1-year low of $121.03 and a 1-year high of $184.87. The company has a market cap of $32.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.50, a PEG ratio of 7.76 and a beta of 1.14. Extra Space Storage (NYSE:EXR Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.00 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.96 by $0.04. Extra Space Storage had a net margin of 25.35% and a return on equity of 5.51%. The firm had revenue of $820.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $705.12 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.96 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Extra Space Storage Inc. will post 8.1 EPS for the current fiscal year. Extra Space Storage Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 16th will be issued a dividend of $1.62 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 16th. This represents a $6.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.29%. Extra Space Storages payout ratio is 150.35%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Joseph J. Bonner sold 672 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.10, for a total value of $100,195.20. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 4,557 shares in the company, valued at $679,448.70. This represents a 12.85% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Joseph D. Margolis sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $147.45, for a total transaction of $1,105,875.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 9,190 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,355,065.50. This represents a 44.94% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock. Extra Space Storage Profile (Free Report) Extra Space Storage Inc, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a self-administered and self-managed REIT and a member of the S&P 500. As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned and/or operated 3,714 self-storage stores in 42 states and Washington, DC The Company's stores comprise approximately 2.6 million units and approximately 283.0 million square feet of rentable space operating under the Extra Space, Life Storage and Storage Express brands. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EXR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Extra Space Storage Inc. (NYSE:EXR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Extra Space Storage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Extra Space Storage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. McNaughton Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF (NYSEARCA:SPMO Free Report) during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm purchased 29,283 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,710,000. Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF accounts for about 1.3% of McNaughton Wealth Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding. Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. D.A. Davidson & CO. grew its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 9,586 shares of the companys stock valued at $911,000 after purchasing an additional 134 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF by 28.1% during the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,058 shares of the companys stock valued at $101,000 after purchasing an additional 232 shares during the last quarter. Strait & Sound Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF by 2.9% during the 4th quarter. Strait & Sound Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,655 shares of the companys stock valued at $822,000 after purchasing an additional 243 shares during the last quarter. TBH Global Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. TBH Global Asset Management LLC now owns 17,514 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,664,000 after purchasing an additional 261 shares during the last quarter. Finally, WNY Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF by 8.7% during the 4th quarter. WNY Asset Management LLC now owns 3,514 shares of the companys stock valued at $334,000 after purchasing an additional 280 shares during the last quarter. Get Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF alerts: Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF Stock Down 0.3% Shares of SPMO opened at $104.91 on Monday. Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF has a 52 week low of $76.75 and a 52 week high of $106.28. The company has a market capitalization of $7.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.23 and a beta of 0.97. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $95.38 and its 200-day moving average price is $96.79. Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF Profile The Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF (SPMO) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500 Momentum (US Dollar) index. The fund tracks an index of 100 S&P 500 components with the strongest volatility-adjusted momentum. SPMO was launched on Oct 9, 2015 and is managed by Invesco. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SPMO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF (NYSEARCA:SPMO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Milestone Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of PIMCO Strategic Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE:RCS Free Report) by 23.7% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 165,583 shares of the investment management companys stock after purchasing an additional 31,724 shares during the period. Milestone Asset Management LLCs holdings in PIMCO Strategic Income Fund were worth $1,035,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in RCS. LPL Financial LLC increased its position in shares of PIMCO Strategic Income Fund by 15.5% during the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 1,239,924 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $9,448,000 after purchasing an additional 166,096 shares in the last quarter. Bravias Capital Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of PIMCO Strategic Income Fund during the 4th quarter worth about $632,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in PIMCO Strategic Income Fund during the 4th quarter worth about $442,000. Keystone Financial Group bought a new stake in PIMCO Strategic Income Fund during the 4th quarter worth about $407,000. Finally, Vanguard Capital Wealth Advisors bought a new stake in PIMCO Strategic Income Fund during the 4th quarter worth about $190,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 13.48% of the companys stock. Get PIMCO Strategic Income Fund alerts: PIMCO Strategic Income Fund Price Performance Shares of NYSE:RCS opened at $6.42 on Monday. PIMCO Strategic Income Fund, Inc. has a 12 month low of $5.25 and a 12 month high of $8.09. The companys 50-day moving average price is $5.93 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $6.53. PIMCO Strategic Income Fund Dividend Announcement About PIMCO Strategic Income Fund The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.04 per share. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.48%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 12th. (Free Report) PIMCO Strategic Global Government Fund, Inc is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC. The fund is co-managed by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC. It invests in fixed income markets across the globe. The fund primarily invests in government securities, including bonds issued or guaranteed by the United States or foreign governments, by their agencies, authorities or instrumentalities, or by supranational entities. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RCS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for PIMCO Strategic Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE:RCS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for PIMCO Strategic Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PIMCO Strategic Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mirador Capital Partners LP decreased its position in shares of American Express (NYSE:AXP) by 9.0% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 845 shares of the payment services companys stock after selling 84 shares during the period. Mirador Capital Partners LPs holdings in American Express were worth $227,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 2.7% during the first quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 12,540 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $3,374,000 after buying an additional 333 shares in the last quarter. Cerro Pacific Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Express during the first quarter worth approximately $218,000. Veery Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 9.1% during the first quarter. Veery Capital LLC now owns 753 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $203,000 after buying an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Doliver Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 18.4% during the first quarter. Doliver Advisors LP now owns 4,301 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,157,000 after buying an additional 668 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 27,625.2% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,162,846 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $581,914,000 after buying an additional 2,155,045 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the companys stock. Get American Express alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, Director Michael J. Angelakis acquired 3,700 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 7th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $269.89 per share, for a total transaction of $998,593.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 3,700 shares in the company, valued at approximately $998,593. The trade was a increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Howard Grosfield sold 9,450 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $275.50, for a total transaction of $2,603,475.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 9,402 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,590,251. The trade was a 50.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock. American Express Trading Down 0.5% AXP opened at $294.04 on Monday. The firms fifty day moving average is $270.91 and its two-hundred day moving average is $288.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 1.58. The firm has a market cap of $206.00 billion, a PE ratio of 20.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.23. American Express has a twelve month low of $220.43 and a twelve month high of $326.28. American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The payment services company reported $3.64 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.47 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $16.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.04 billion. American Express had a net margin of 15.36% and a return on equity of 32.65%. During the same period last year, the business posted $3.33 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that American Express will post 15.33 EPS for the current year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms have recently commented on AXP. Monness Crespi & Hardt increased their price target on shares of American Express from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $310.00 price target on shares of American Express in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Robert W. Baird raised shares of American Express from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $265.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 14th. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of American Express from $315.00 to $335.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, May 23rd. Finally, BTIG Research decreased their price target on shares of American Express from $272.00 to $240.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have given a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $296.05. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on American Express American Express Company Profile (Free Report) American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AXP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Express (NYSE:AXP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. North American Construction Group Ltd. (TSE:NOA Get Free Report) (NYSE:NOA) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, June 4th, TickerTech Dividends reports. Investors of record on Friday, July 11th will be given a dividend of 0.12 per share on Friday, July 11th. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.04%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 4th. North American Construction Group Stock Performance Shares of NOA stock opened at C$23.48 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 212.25, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 1.13. The firm has a market cap of C$628.49 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.04, a P/E/G ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.59. North American Construction Group has a 52 week low of C$18.83 and a 52 week high of C$31.67. The firms 50-day simple moving average is C$22.00 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$25.71. Get North American Construction Group alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. National Bankshares decreased their price target on shares of North American Construction Group from C$44.00 to C$41.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 21st. CIBC reduced their price objective on North American Construction Group from C$37.00 to C$36.00 in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. TD Securities decreased their target price on North American Construction Group from C$33.00 to C$27.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on North American Construction Group from C$34.00 to C$30.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Finally, Raymond James downgraded North American Construction Group from a strong-buy rating to an outperform rating and set a C$40.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of C$35.63. Insider Activity at North American Construction Group In related news, Director Martin Robert Ferron acquired 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 27th. The shares were bought at an average cost of C$23.21 per share, for a total transaction of C$92,835.60. In the last ninety days, insiders have acquired 18,000 shares of company stock worth $408,772. 8.93% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. About North American Construction Group (Get Free Report) North American Construction Group Ltd. provides mining and heavy civil construction services to customers in the resource development and industrial construction sectors in Australia, Canada, and the United States. The company operates Heavy Equipment Canada, Heavy Equipment Australia, and Other segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for North American Construction Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for North American Construction Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Vilnius to participate in the summit of the Bucharest Nine and the Nordic countries, presidential press secretary Serhiy Nykyforov reported. "The president arrived in Vilnius to participate in the Summit of the Bucharest 9 and the Nordic countries. Bilateral meetings with the summit participants are also planned on the sidelines of the summit," Nykyforov told reporters. On May 28, it was reported that Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda would hold a summit on June 2 at the Palace of Rulers in Vilnius, to which he invited the heads of state of NATO's eastern and northern flanks. "The meeting will discuss issues of strengthening the security and defense of the Alliance's eastern flank, as well as preparations for the June 24-25 NATO summit in The Hague. Further support for Ukraine will be discussed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy," the message states. Eldred Rock Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report) by 26.6% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 96,035 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 20,184 shares during the quarter. Novo Nordisk A/S accounts for approximately 2.0% of Eldred Rock Partners LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest position. Eldred Rock Partners LLCs holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $6,669,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Center for Financial Planning Inc. boosted its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 72.4% in the 4th quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 293 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 123 shares during the period. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL lifted its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 2,727.3% in the 4th quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL now owns 311 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Park Square Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in Novo Nordisk A/S in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Transce3nd LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA purchased a new stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the 4th quarter worth about $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 11.54% of the companys stock. Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Novo Nordisk A/S Price Performance Novo Nordisk A/S stock opened at $71.40 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.74 and a quick ratio of 0.55. The company has a market capitalization of $320.41 billion, a PE ratio of 21.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.90 and a beta of 0.65. Novo Nordisk A/S has a one year low of $57.00 and a one year high of $148.15. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $65.58 and a 200 day simple moving average of $81.43. Analysts Set New Price Targets Novo Nordisk A/S ( NYSE:NVO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $0.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.92. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 84.68% and a net margin of 34.81%. The firm had revenue of $11.87 billion during the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of research analysts recently weighed in on NVO shares. Guggenheim downgraded Novo Nordisk A/S from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Wall Street Zen raised Novo Nordisk A/S from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. Kepler Capital Markets raised Novo Nordisk A/S from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, March 13th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered Novo Nordisk A/S from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd. Finally, BNP Paribas began coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. They set an underperform rating on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $128.00. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on NVO About Novo Nordisk A/S (Free Report) Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCMKTS:OTCM Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Saturday, May 31st, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Thursday, June 5th will be given a dividend of 0.18 per share by the financial services provider on Wednesday, June 18th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.44%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 4th. OTC Markets Group Stock Down 1.1% OTC Markets Group stock opened at $49.95 on Monday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $47.74 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $50.21. OTC Markets Group has a twelve month low of $44.20 and a twelve month high of $55.24. The company has a market capitalization of $600.25 million, a PE ratio of 22.30, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.45. Get OTC Markets Group alerts: OTC Markets Group (OTCMKTS:OTCM Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The financial services provider reported $0.50 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.53 by ($0.03). The company had revenue of $29.43 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $27.96 million. OTC Markets Group had a net margin of 24.63% and a return on equity of 70.24%. As a group, equities analysts expect that OTC Markets Group will post 2.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About OTC Markets Group OTC Markets Group Inc operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Its data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of its three public markets: OTCQX Best Market, OTCQB Venture Market, and Pink Open Market. The company's OTC Link Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for OTC Markets Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for OTC Markets Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Paladin Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm acquired 703 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $395,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Windsor Advisory Group LLC increased its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Windsor Advisory Group LLC now owns 50 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 25 shares in the last quarter. SYM FINANCIAL Corp bought a new position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp bought a new position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Sellwood Investment Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Finally, Investment Counsel Co. of Nevada bought a new stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Get iShares Core S&P 500 ETF alerts: iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Trading Down 0.4% iShares Core S&P 500 ETF stock opened at $590.70 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $587.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.62 and a beta of 1.01. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $558.61 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $582.68. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a 12 month low of $484.00 and a 12 month high of $616.22. About iShares Core S&P 500 ETF iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IVV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tesla, NVIDIA, and Costco Wholesale are the three Automotive stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Automotive stocks are equity shares of companies involved in the design, manufacture, marketing and sale of motor vehicles, as well as the production of related components and services. By holding these shares, investors gain exposure to the automotive sectors performance, which is driven by factors such as consumer demand, technological innovation, regulatory shifts and broader economic cycles. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Automotive stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: Tesla (TSLA) Tesla, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, leases, and sells electric vehicles, and energy generation and storage systems in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Automotive, and Energy Generation and Storage. The Automotive segment offers electric vehicles, as well as sells automotive regulatory credits; and non-warranty after-sales vehicle, used vehicles, body shop and parts, supercharging, retail merchandise, and vehicle insurance services. Tesla stock traded down $8.28 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $338.18. The stock had a trading volume of 47,168,734 shares, compared to its average volume of 106,915,039. The firms fifty day moving average is $286.92 and its two-hundred day moving average is $334.13. The company has a market capitalization of $1.09 trillion, a PE ratio of 165.75, a P/E/G ratio of 5.86 and a beta of 2.43. Tesla has a 52-week low of $167.41 and a 52-week high of $488.54. The company has a current ratio of 2.02, a quick ratio of 1.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. Read Our Latest Research Report on TSLA NVIDIA (NVDA) NVIDIA Corporation provides graphics and compute and networking solutions in the United States, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, and internationally. The Graphics segment offers GeForce GPUs for gaming and PCs, the GeForce NOW game streaming service and related infrastructure, and solutions for gaming platforms; Quadro/NVIDIA RTX GPUs for enterprise workstation graphics; virtual GPU or vGPU software for cloud-based visual and virtual computing; automotive platforms for infotainment systems; and Omniverse software for building and operating metaverse and 3D internet applications. NVIDIA stock traded up $2.16 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $137.29. The stock had a trading volume of 91,937,696 shares, compared to its average volume of 277,075,156. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.36 trillion, a P/E ratio of 54.04, a P/E/G ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 2.11. The company has a current ratio of 4.10, a quick ratio of 3.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The firms 50 day moving average is $115.48 and its 200 day moving average is $126.24. NVIDIA has a one year low of $86.62 and a one year high of $153.13. Read Our Latest Research Report on NVDA Costco Wholesale (COST) Costco Wholesale Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of membership warehouses in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Japan, the United Kingdom, Korea, Australia, Taiwan, China, Spain, France, Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden. The company offers branded and private-label products in a range of merchandise categories. Costco Wholesale stock traded up $9.63 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $1,049.81. The stock had a trading volume of 917,203 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,047,588. The firm has a market capitalization of $465.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 61.68, a P/E/G ratio of 6.15 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a current ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The firms 50 day moving average is $983.85 and its 200 day moving average is $975.99. Costco Wholesale has a one year low of $793.00 and a one year high of $1,078.24. Read Our Latest Research Report on COST Read More Roxbury Financial LLC lowered its position in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 24.9% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 11,427 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 3,793 shares during the period. Roxbury Financial LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $302,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. O Keefe Stevens Advisory Inc. grew its position in Pfizer by 2.3% in the first quarter. O Keefe Stevens Advisory Inc. now owns 98,059 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,485,000 after acquiring an additional 2,181 shares during the period. Inspirion Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in Pfizer by 24.6% in the 1st quarter. Inspirion Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 64,031 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,623,000 after buying an additional 12,644 shares during the last quarter. Gradient Investments LLC increased its position in Pfizer by 4.6% in the first quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 1,160,482 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $29,407,000 after purchasing an additional 50,650 shares during the period. NBC Securities Inc. lifted its position in Pfizer by 100,468.5% during the 1st quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 54,307 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,376,000 after purchasing an additional 54,253 shares during the period. Finally, Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 51.9% in the 1st quarter. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC now owns 21,462 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $544,000 after purchasing an additional 7,329 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.36% of the companys stock. Get Pfizer alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In PFE has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Guggenheim reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Tuesday, March 18th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Pfizer in a report on Thursday, March 27th. Hsbc Global Res raised Pfizer to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, March 10th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on Pfizer in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They set a neutral rating and a $24.00 price target for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $29.17. Pfizer Trading Up 0.0% Shares of Pfizer stock opened at $23.46 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $133.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.64, a P/E/G ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. Pfizer Inc. has a 12-month low of $20.92 and a 12-month high of $31.54. The businesss 50 day moving average is $23.12 and its 200-day moving average is $25.05. Pfizer (NYSE:PFE Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly 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. Pfizer had a net margin of 12.62% and a return on equity of 19.47%. The firm had revenue of $13.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.43 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.82 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Pfizer Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Investors of record on Friday, May 9th will be paid a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 9th. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.33%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 124.64%. About Pfizer (Free Report) Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Science Applications International (NYSE:SAIC Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday. The information technology services provider reported $1.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.17 by ($0.25), RTT News reports. Science Applications International had a net margin of 4.11% and a return on equity of 24.18%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 1.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.92 EPS. Science Applications International updated its FY 2026 guidance to 9.100-9.300 EPS. Science Applications International Stock Down 0.8% NYSE SAIC opened at $114.35 on Monday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $117.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $113.39. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. Science Applications International has a 52 week low of $94.68 and a 52 week high of $156.34. The company has a market capitalization of $5.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.28 and a beta of 0.55. Get Science Applications International alerts: Science Applications International Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 11th will be paid a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.29%. Science Applications Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 20.58%. Insider Transactions at Science Applications International Hedge Funds Weigh In On Science Applications International In other Science Applications International news, Director Milford W. Mcguirt bought 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 27th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $110.58 per share, for a total transaction of $55,290.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 6,841 shares of the companys stock, valued at $756,477.78. This trade represents a 7.89% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, CEO Toni Townes-Whitley bought 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 28th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $111.67 per share, with a total value of $223,340.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 45,183 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,045,585.61. This represents a 4.63% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . Insiders have purchased 3,260 shares of company stock valued at $365,037 over the last quarter. 0.44% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SAIC. Focus Partners Wealth raised its position in Science Applications International by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 2,900 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $326,000 after purchasing an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC grew its stake in Science Applications International by 93.2% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 10,722 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,204,000 after purchasing an additional 5,173 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its stake in Science Applications International by 22.2% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 146,555 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $16,454,000 after purchasing an additional 26,633 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its stake in Science Applications International by 5.5% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 150,204 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $16,863,000 after purchasing an additional 7,816 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.00% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades SAIC has been the subject of a number of research reports. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Science Applications International from $148.00 to $132.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Science Applications International from $148.00 to $140.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on Science Applications International from $120.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, May 15th. UBS Group upped their price objective on Science Applications International from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 18th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their price objective on Science Applications International from $135.00 to $115.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Science Applications International has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $131.20. Get Our Latest Stock Report on SAIC About Science Applications International (Get Free Report) Science Applications International Corporation provides technical, engineering, and enterprise information technology (IT) services primarily in the United States. The company's offerings include IT modernization; digital engineering; artificial intelligence; Weapon systems support design, build, modify, integrate, and sustain weapon systems; and end-to-end services, such as design, development, integration, deployment, management and operations, sustainment, and security of its customers' IT infrastructure, as well as training and simulation and ground vehicles support which integrates, modify, upgrades, and sustains ground vehicles for nation's armed forces. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Science Applications International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Science Applications International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Secom Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:SOMLY Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 60,000 shares, a decrease of 41.1% from the April 30th total of 101,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 199,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.3 days. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Secom Stock Performance SOMLY stock traded down $0.21 during trading on Monday, reaching $9.07. 47,462 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 82,812. Secom has a twelve month low of $7.06 and a twelve month high of $10.75. The company has a market capitalization of $16.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.20 and a beta of 0.49. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $9.01 and a 200-day simple moving average of $8.68. The company has a current ratio of 2.60, a quick ratio of 2.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. Get Secom alerts: Secom (OTCMKTS:SOMLY Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, May 12th. The company reported $0.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Secom had a net margin of 8.59% and a return on equity of 7.25%. The company had revenue of $2.20 billion during the quarter. Secom Company Profile SECOM CO., LTD., together with its subsidiaries, provides security services in Japan and internationally. The company operates through Security Services, Fire Protection Services, Medical Services, Insurance Services, Geospatial Information Services, BPO and ICT Services, and Other Services. The Security Services segment offers static guard, armored car, merchandise, and other services, as well as online security systems. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Secom Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Secom and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi Co. (OTCMKTS:MSBHF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 7,095,200 shares, an increase of 36.8% from the April 30th total of 5,184,900 shares. Approximately 0.2% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 46,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 151.9 days. Mitsubishi Trading Down 0.8% Mitsubishi stock opened at $20.32 on Monday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $18.63 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $17.37. The company has a quick ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The stock has a market cap of $80.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.75 and a beta of 0.57. Mitsubishi has a 12 month low of $14.85 and a 12 month high of $21.93. Get Mitsubishi alerts: Mitsubishi (OTCMKTS:MSBHF Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 2nd. The company reported $0.21 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.21. The firm had revenue of $31.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4,357.94 billion. Mitsubishi had a return on equity of 10.56% and a net margin of 5.81%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Mitsubishi will post 1.6 EPS for the current year. Mitsubishi Company Profile Mitsubishi Corporation engages in the natural gas, industrial materials and infrastructure, petroleum and chemicals, mineral resources, automotive and mobility, food and consumer industry, power solution, and urban development businesses worldwide. The Natural Gas segment engages in the development and production of natural gas/oil; and liquified natural gas business. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Mitsubishi Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mitsubishi and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. (CVE:PGE Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as C$0.27 and last traded at C$0.27, with a volume of 277095 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$0.25. Stillwater Critical Minerals Stock Performance The stock has a market cap of C$59.04 million, a PE ratio of -15.82 and a beta of 1.68. The companys 50-day moving average price is C$0.19 and its 200 day moving average price is C$0.15. Stillwater Critical Minerals Company Profile (Get Free Report) Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp., a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Canada and the United States. The company explores for gold, palladium, nickel, cobalt, and copper deposits, as well as platinum group metals. Its flagship project is the Stillwater West project, which comprises 763 claims covering an area of approximately 61 square kilometers located in Stillwater District, Montana. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Stillwater Critical Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Stillwater Critical Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Strong Tower Advisory Services increased its holdings in Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX Free Report) by 85.3% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 202,663 shares of the natural resource companys stock after purchasing an additional 93,268 shares during the period. Freeport-McMoRan makes up about 1.8% of Strong Tower Advisory Services holdings, making the stock its 15th biggest holding. Strong Tower Advisory Services holdings in Freeport-McMoRan were worth $7,673,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Asset Planning Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Mizuho Bank Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Vision Financial Markets LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Roxbury Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.77% of the companys stock. Get Freeport-McMoRan alerts: Freeport-McMoRan Stock Down 1.5% Shares of Freeport-McMoRan stock opened at $38.46 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 2.42 and a quick ratio of 1.18. The company has a 50-day moving average of $36.27 and a 200 day moving average of $38.38. The firm has a market cap of $55.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.81, a PEG ratio of 0.87 and a beta of 1.65. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a 1 year low of $27.66 and a 1 year high of $53.15. Freeport-McMoRan Dividend Announcement Freeport-McMoRan ( NYSE:FCX Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The natural resource company reported $0.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.23 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $5.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.36 billion. Freeport-McMoRan had a net margin of 7.42% and a return on equity of 7.50%. Freeport-McMoRans quarterly revenue was down 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.32 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 1st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 15th were paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, April 15th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.56%. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio is currently 24.79%. Analysts Set New Price Targets FCX has been the subject of several analyst reports. UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $52.00 to $45.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and set a $50.00 price target (up previously from $48.00) on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Raymond James reissued an outperform rating and set a $52.00 price target on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Dbs Bank raised shares of Freeport-McMoRan from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, March 10th. Finally, Scotiabank increased their price target on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $40.00 to $43.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $48.36. Get Our Latest Stock Report on FCX Freeport-McMoRan Profile (Free Report) Freeport-McMoRan Inc engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Freeport-McMoRan Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Freeport-McMoRan and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The text of the peace proposals that the Ukrainian delegation plans to present to the Russian side at peace talks on Monday has already appeared, Reuters reports. It is reported that the proposed roadmap begins with a complete ceasefire for at least 30 days, followed by the return of all prisoners of war held by each side and Ukrainian children taken to territory controlled by Russia, and then a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. According to this plan, Moscow and Kyiv - with the participation of the United States and Europe - will work to agree on the conditions under which they can reach an agreement on a complete cessation of the war. The Ukrainian framework conditions for the peace agreement, set out in the document, are reportedly largely consistent with those previously put forward by Kyiv. These include the absence of restrictions on Ukraine's military power after the conclusion of the peace agreement, the absence of international recognition of Russia's sovereignty over parts of Ukraine captured by Russian forces, and reparations for Ukraine. The document also states that the current location of the front line will be the starting point for negotiations on territory. Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:SVNLY Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 22,800 shares, a decline of 22.7% from the April 30th total of 29,500 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 214,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Analysts Set New Price Targets SVNLY has been the subject of several recent research reports. Hsbc Global Res cut shares of Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, April 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating on shares of Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. HSBC cut shares of Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, April 4th. Kepler Capital Markets cut shares of Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold. Get Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) Stock Up 0.8% SVNLY stock traded up $0.06 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $6.64. 143,044 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 124,145. The firms 50-day moving average is $6.09 and its 200-day moving average is $5.78. The company has a market cap of $26.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.21, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 2.17 and a quick ratio of 2.08. Svenska Handelsbanken AB has a 12 month low of $4.49 and a 12 month high of $6.83. Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:SVNLY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The company reported $0.15 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.15. Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) had a return on equity of 13.62% and a net margin of 14.89%. The company had revenue of $1.39 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.47 billion. On average, equities research analysts expect that Svenska Handelsbanken AB will post 0.54 earnings per share for the current year. Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 17th. Investors of record on Friday, March 28th were issued a dividend of $0.7123 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 28th. This is a boost from Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ)s previous dividend of $0.63. Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ)s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 92.19%. About Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) (Get Free Report) Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) provides various banking products and services for private and corporate customers primarily in Sweden, the United Kingdom, Norway, the Netherlands, the United States, Luxembourg, Finland, and Poland. The company offers savings, transactions, business, currency, and investment accounts, as well as accounts for cash pool, and forestry and agriculture; mortgage and committed loans, and private loans; mutual funds; pension products; credit and debit cards; and payment and reconciliation services, as well as foreign exchange rate services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:THG Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Monday, June 2nd, RTT News reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 13th will be given a dividend of 0.90 per share by the insurance provider on Friday, June 27th. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.06%. The Hanover Insurance Group has raised its dividend by an average of 6.6% per year over the last three years and has increased its dividend annually for the last 20 consecutive years. The Hanover Insurance Group has a dividend payout ratio of 22.3% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect The Hanover Insurance Group to earn $15.75 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $3.60 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 22.9%. Get The Hanover Insurance Group alerts: The Hanover Insurance Group Price Performance The Hanover Insurance Group stock traded down $1.27 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $174.72. The stock had a trading volume of 11,322 shares, compared to its average volume of 210,464. The Hanover Insurance Group has a 1-year low of $119.66 and a 1-year high of $176.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.92 and a beta of 0.44. The stocks fifty day moving average is $165.45 and its two-hundred day moving average is $161.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 0.40 and a quick ratio of 0.40. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth The Hanover Insurance Group ( NYSE:THG Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The insurance provider reported $3.87 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.58 by $0.29. The company had revenue of $1.51 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.55 billion. The Hanover Insurance Group had a return on equity of 18.01% and a net margin of 6.83%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 3.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.08 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that The Hanover Insurance Group will post 14.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. A number of research firms recently issued reports on THG. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on The Hanover Insurance Group from $171.00 to $173.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on The Hanover Insurance Group from $190.00 to $205.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, April 1st. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of The Hanover Insurance Group from $163.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, May 19th. JMP Securities boosted their target price on shares of The Hanover Insurance Group from $175.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of The Hanover Insurance Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, The Hanover Insurance Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $179.50. Get Our Latest Report on THG Insider Transactions at The Hanover Insurance Group In other news, CEO John C. Roche sold 200 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.01, for a total value of $35,002.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 124,278 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,749,892.78. This represents a 0.16% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Bryan J. Salvatore sold 10,526 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $166.60, for a total transaction of $1,753,631.60. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 25,864 shares in the company, valued at $4,308,942.40. The trade was a 28.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 11,027 shares of company stock worth $1,841,309. 2.50% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On The Hanover Insurance Group A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group by 21.6% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 218,753 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $38,052,000 after purchasing an additional 38,905 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC lifted its position in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group by 61.0% in the 1st quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 88,367 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $15,371,000 after acquiring an additional 33,495 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its holdings in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group by 6.4% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 129,031 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $22,445,000 after acquiring an additional 7,712 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group by 1,568.9% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 751 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $131,000 after acquiring an additional 706 shares during the period. 86.61% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About The Hanover Insurance Group (Get Free Report) The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides various property and casualty insurance products and services in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Core Commercial, Specialty, Personal Lines, and Other. The Commercial Lines segment offers commercial multiple peril, commercial automobile, workers' compensation, and other commercial lines coverage. Read More Receive News & Ratings for The Hanover Insurance Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Hanover Insurance Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE:TRI Get Free Report) (TSE:TRI) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $199.11 and last traded at $196.29, with a volume of 217338 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $198.65. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms recently commented on TRI. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on Thomson Reuters from $182.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Thomson Reuters from $165.00 to $177.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Thomson Reuters from $177.00 to $178.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Canaccord Genuity Group upped their price objective on Thomson Reuters from $164.00 to $175.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Thomson Reuters from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Thomson Reuters currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $183.70. Get Thomson Reuters alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on TRI Thomson Reuters Stock Down 0.6% The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The company has a market capitalization of $88.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.38, a P/E/G ratio of 5.67 and a beta of 0.75. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $182.06 and a 200-day simple moving average of $172.60. Thomson Reuters (NYSE:TRI Get Free Report) (TSE:TRI) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The business services provider reported $1.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.05 by $0.07. Thomson Reuters had a return on equity of 14.62% and a net margin of 30.45%. The business had revenue of $1.90 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.94 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.11 earnings per share. Thomson Reuterss quarterly revenue was up .8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Thomson Reuters Co. will post 3.89 EPS for the current fiscal year. Thomson Reuters Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 15th will be given a dividend of $0.595 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 15th. This represents a $2.38 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.21%. Thomson Reuterss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 49.69%. Institutional Trading of Thomson Reuters A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its position in shares of Thomson Reuters by 1.5% in the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 4,456 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $770,000 after buying an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Thomson Reuters during the 1st quarter worth $216,000. United Services Automobile Association acquired a new position in Thomson Reuters in the 1st quarter worth about $965,000. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Thomson Reuters in the 1st quarter worth about $205,000. Finally, Guardian Partners Inc. grew its position in shares of Thomson Reuters by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Guardian Partners Inc. now owns 21,021 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $3,698,000 after buying an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. 17.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Thomson Reuters (Get Free Report) Thomson Reuters Corporation engages in the provision of business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Thomson Reuters Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thomson Reuters and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rethinking the Bahamian Dollar? Prime Minister Philip Davis has floated the idea of pegging The Bahamas currency to a basket of currencies, rather than solely to the US dollar, to enhance global trade flexibility. Speaking at the Afreximbank meetings in Nigeria, Davis also suggested a CARICOM-Africa digital currency to make regional trade smoother and more efficient. The Bahamas has already tested a new settlement system (CPASS) with Africa, aiming to reduce dependency on foreign exchange bottlenecks. You voted: Photo: https://www.facebook.com/MykhailoDrapatyi Commander of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapaty submitted a report of resignation from the post. "I have decided to submit a report of resignation from the post of Commander of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This is a conscious step dictated by my personal sense of responsibility for the tragedy at the 239th training ground, as a result of which our soldiers died," Drapaty wrote on Facebook. He noted that as a commander, "I was unable to fully ensure the execution of my orders; I did not pressure, persuade, or change the attitude towards a person in the ranks," and "the main responsibility always lies with the command." "Circular responsibility and impunity are poison for the army. I tried to eradicate it from the Land Forces. But if tragedies are repeated, it means that my efforts were not enough. We have no right to live in a system that does not learn. If we do not draw conclusions, do not change our attitude towards the service, do not admit our mistakes, we are doomed. Without personal responsibility, there is no development. Without development, there is no victory. An army in which commanders are personally responsible for people's lives thrives. An army where no one is responsible for losses dies from within," wrote Drapaty. As reported, on June 1, the enemy launched a missile strike on the location of one of the training units of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, there are dead and wounded servicemen, the Ground Forces report: 12 dead and over 60 wounded are known. The government in Togo has suspended the issuance of new mining permits to all foreign companies in the country. A spokesperson from the Ministry of Mines in the country was quoted as saying: We are taking a necessary break to build a new mining framework that benefits our people, respects the environment, and ensures national sovereignty. The official said Togo plans a mining framework that favors its citizens, protects the environment, and upholds sovereignty. This suspension is coming amidst reports that Togo is set to join the Alliance of Sahel States The alliance, also known as AES, includes Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. These countries formed the bloc to pursue shared political and economic interests. Togo aims to align itself with this emerging geopolitical power. The move reflects a broader regional shift toward self-reliance and resource control. The government says it intends to send a clear message to all investors and international partners. That message is: Togo seeks sustainable, fair, and people-focused governance in its extractive industries. Authorities emphasized that no new foreign mining licenses will be issued during this period. The pause is administrative but politically significant. Officials believe the current legal setup lacks clarity and sufficient regulation. They hope to avoid a wave of rushed permits before reforms take effect. The upcoming legal overhaul is expected to establish tighter rules. It will also enhance state control over how mining rights are issued and monitored. Government insiders suggest the reform could include stricter environmental and community protections. Officials have also hinted at tougher penalties for violations. This pivot is not just bureaucratic but ideological. Togo seeks a modern economic model rooted in responsibility and transparency. The government wants to shift from exploitation to stewardship. It aims to prioritize long-term national benefit over short-term investor gains. By suspending mining permits now, Togo signals that resource governance will no longer be a free-for-all. The Ministry insists this is not anti-investment. Instead, it is pro-citizen and pro-sovereignty. Togos move mirrors similar actions by neighboring AES members. They too have restructured laws to protect national resources. Merz to discuss Ukraine war with Trump during visit to USA on June 5 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to Washington next week to meet with US President Donald Trump, Bloomberg reported on Saturday, citing an email from German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius. The topics will include Russias war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and trade policy, Kornelius said. The date and format of Merzs visit are the result of weeks of negotiations between the White House and the chancellery. Merz will stay overnight in Blair House, the presidents guest house. On Thursday after a joint lunch, the two leaders plan to hold a press conference in the White House before Merz flies back to Berlin, according to a senior official. Despite the delay in securing the meeting, Merz is getting his chance to make his case to Trump, unlike his predecessor Olaf Scholz. The Social Democrat never received an invitation to the White House after showing support for former US President Joe Biden and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, Bloomberg reported. In Istanbul, Kyslytsya, Bevz agree on positions with reps of Germany, Italy and UK before negotiations In Istanbul, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Serhiy Kyslytsya and Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office Oleksandr Bevz met with representatives of Ukraine's European partners - Germany, Italy and Great Britain. As reported by the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Heorhiy Tykhy, on the social network X, the parties agreed on positions on the eve of today's meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations. Members of the Ukrainian delegation reiterated Ukraines commitment to peace efforts. They elaborated on the items of the agenda, which include leaders meeting, a full ceasefire, and humanitarian confidence-building measures, the report notes. Siliguri Police have arrested seven individuals in connection with Saturday s violent attack on the family members of Bajrang Dal activists in Tumbajote under Matigara police station. The accused were produced before the Siliguri Sub-Divisional Court today. The incident has triggered communal tension in the region. According to police sources, a group of armed miscreants allegedly vandalised several business establishments and set fire to the residence of local Bajrang Dal member Amit Gupta, leaving some family members injured. Advertisement The day before the attack, Amit Gupta and two of his associates were arrested for allegedly intercepting a vehicle suspected of illegally transporting beef from Naxalbari and setting it on fire. This incident is believed to have sparked the subsequent retaliatory violence. Advertisement In response, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for a 24-hour bandh across Siliguri sub-division tomorrow, with preparations already underway. Amid rising tensions, political parties have begun trading charges. The CPI-M Darjeeling district secretary Saman Pathak held both the police and the VHP accountable for the failure to contain the violence. Had the police taken timely action, they could have dealt with the miscreants firmly. Instead, they showed reluctance, he said. Pathak, leading a delegation from the Left Front, met Siliguri Police Commissioner C. Sudhakar today after a prolonged wait and urged immediate intervention to prevent further unrest and ensure normalcy during Mondays bandh. Meanwhile, VHP leader Laxman Bansal claimed that attackers posing as deputation groups deliberately targeted Hindu families in Tumbajote. He alleged that police failed to act despite prior information about the planned assault. The CPI-M also criticised elected representatives, including the MP of Darjeeling and MLA from Matigara Naxalbari for allegedly making provocative statements at the scene and accused them of attempting to disrupt communal harmony. Pathak also suggested that the initial attack on the beef transporter was part of a pre-planned effort to inflame tensions. Adding to the controversy, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista has written to West Bengal Governor Dr C V Ananda Bose and the Union Home Ministry regarding a video allegedly showing Siliguri ACP D Bose threatening Hindu protesters. According to Bista, the officer was heard saying, They can chant Jai Shri Ram as much as they want now, but action will be taken at night. This kind of open threat from a police officer, made publicly and in front of the media, is deeply concerning. It raises serious questions about the impartiality and conduct of law enforcement, Bista said. With the VHP bandh scheduled for 2 June, authorities are on high alert to maintain law and order in Siliguri. A mutilated and blood-soaked body of a woman was recovered from an agricultural field near the Tungi railway gate, adjacent to the Majdia-Banpur-Gede state highway in Nadias Krishnaganj block on Sunday morning, triggering widespread panic in the area. The incident took place around 7 a.m. on the morning of Jamai Shashti, a day typically marked by festive celebrations in Bengal. According to local sources, residents discovered the body lying beside a jute field and immediately informed Krishnaganj police. Advertisement Upon reaching the spot, police recovered the body and initiated an investigation. A mobile phone and a bag were found near the body. Police officials also noted a tattoo on the womans hand that reads mukti, which may aid in establishing her identity. As of the time of reporting, the woman remained unidentified. Advertisement Initial observations revealed multiple stab wounds on the victims body, suggesting a brutal murder. Police suspect the use of sharp weapons and are treating the case as a possible homicide. Local residents have raised concerns over increasing incidents of criminal activity in the border-adjacent areas. Some alleged that cross-border movement of Bangladeshi miscreants has escalated, possibly contributing to the crime. There is a growing fear in the community. Miscreants often cross the border without checks. We demand tighter security and increased patrolling in this area, said a resident. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination. No arrests have been made so far. In a customer-friendly move, the Canara Bank on Sunday officially scrapped the penalty for not maintaining a minimum balance in savings accounts starting June 1. With this decision, customers holding any type of savings account with Canara Bank will no longer be charged or penalised for failing to maintain a minimum balance. The new rule is applicable across all categories of savings accounts. Advertisement Canara Bank has become the first major public sector bank to eliminate the minimum balance requirement across the board. Advertisement This means account holders can now maintain a zero balance in their savings accounts without incurring any fees. This move is expected to benefit millions of savings account holders, allowing them to utilise their entire account balance freely for transactions, without worrying about penalties. From June 1, 2025, Canara Bank will not impose any penalty for non-maintenance of minimum balance. This applies to all savings account holders, the bank said in a statement on social media platform X. With this new policy, all Canara Bank savings bank account holders will now enjoy true no penalty on minimum balance for all savings bank accounts free from any average monthly balance-related penalties or fees, it said. Previously, Canara Bank required customers to maintain a minimum balance of Rs 2,000 in urban areas, Rs 1,000 in semi-urban areas, and Rs 500 in rural areas. Failure to meet these thresholds would result in penalties. This change is set to benefit a wide range of customers, including students, women, senior citizens, and individuals from low-income groups. Canara Bank is one of Indias largest public sector banks. In the March quarter (Q4) of FY25, the bank reported an income of Rs 31,496 crore and a profit of Rs 5,111 crore. For the full financial year, the banks total income stood at Rs 1.21 lakh crore in FY25, with a net profit of Rs 17,692 crore. Leading Indian airline IndiGo announced on Sunday that it has signed a new agreement with major international carriers Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic. This move is part of IndiGos plan to expand its long-haul flight services to Europe, the United Kingdom, and North America. Advertisement With this partnership, IndiGo customers will be able to travel more easily to destinations in these regions by connecting to flights operated by the partner airlines. Advertisement The airlines will work together to offer better connectivity, a smoother travel experience, and improved loyalty programme benefits. IndiGos CEO, Pieter Elbers, said in a statement that the airline is excited to start long-haul operations from this summer. He added that the agreement will give travellers access to a large international network and a better flying experience. As part of this deal, IndiGo welcomed Delta Air Lines as a new partner. The airline has already been working with Air France-KLM since 2022. Once all regulatory approvals are completed, passengers will be able to book connecting flights on Delta, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic directly through the IndiGo website. The partnership allows IndiGo customers to connect from Amsterdam on KLM flights to 30 European cities, and to North America on flights operated by either Delta or KLM. Travellers can also fly on Virgin Atlantic from Manchester to several US cities. In addition, Air France-KLM will begin selling IndiGo-operated flights to 24 cities beyond Hyderabad starting in September 2025. Delta Air Lines is also planning to restart its flight service between Atlanta and Delhi, but the start date will be announced later after getting the required approvals. This agreement also sets the stage for deeper cooperation between all four airlines. It includes possible collaborations in areas such as cargo, sales, frequent flyer programmes, and route planning. IndiGo is preparing for its long-haul growth by leasing six Boeing 787 aircraft later this year. The airline has also ordered 30 Airbus A350-900 planes, with an option to buy 70 more. These wide-body aircraft will help IndiGo operate longer international routes and strengthen its partnership with the global airlines involved. Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/ President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not sure that the Russians will be ready for a productive meeting in Istanbul, but for Ukraine the issue of a ceasefire and the return of children abducted by Russia is important. "Our team is currently in Istanbul at this hour. I spoke with my Defense Minister early in the morning - so they are preparing for the meeting. I am not sure that the Russians will be ready for productive meetings, but we always have to count on certain decisions," Zelenskyy said during a doorstep at the Bucharest Nine and Nordic Summit. "For us, an unconditional ceasefire is very important, as well as humanitarian issues regarding the return of the abducted children...and to do everything for the other prisoners, civilian prisoners and journalists, political prisoners," the president added. He stressed the importance of returning them all home. The Delhi Police, in two separate crackdowns on illegally staying foreign nationals, detained 18 Bangladeshi immigrants, 16 from Seemapuri in Shahdara and two from Mandawali village in East Delhi, police said on Monday. During interrogation, all of them confessed to have crossed over to India and entered West Bengal about 18 years ago through a porous border in the darkness without encountering Border Security force (BSF), an official said. Advertisement Initially, they stayed in the Cooch Behar area before moving to Delhi and then shifting to Haryana where they started working at brick kilns (bhatta) as they provided them with livelihood and being situated away from the residential areas and villages, gave them anonymity to hide their identities, he added. Advertisement Over a period of time, they settled down there, raised their family and continued to live and work without legal status, the cop said. The kilns that look for cheap labour hired them without checking their documents or antecedents, the cop revealed. Similarly, the other two illegal immigrants, a couple, came to India in search of an opportunity to overcome poverty. Embarking on their journey from their native villages in Bangladesh by bus, they reached the India-Bangladesh border around six months ago. From there, they crossed over to India through agricultural fields. They continued their journey by train and eventually landed in Delhi, where they started working as vegetable vendors in Mandawali. So far, approximately 900 illegal Bangladeshi nationals residing in the national capital have been identified and will be deported after proper verification, said Delhi Police. An 18-year-old student of Delhi Universitys School of Open Learning (SOL) allegedly stabbed and strangled his female friend of similar age to death before trying to burn her body at Sanjay Van in South Delhis Mehrauli, police said on Monday. According to the preliminary investigation, the motive behind the murder is envy over the girls affair with another boy. Advertisement According to the cops, the incident took place on Sunday after the mother of the deceased reported that her daughter had gone for classes at the School of Open Learning in the morning but did not return home. She said her daughter told her that she would return shortly. However, she received a call from the father of the victims friend saying his son Arshkrit had been attacked with a knife in Sanjay Van and was hospitalized in Pitampura. Advertisement The father and mother of the deceased searched for the victim in Sanjay Van but couldnt find her and alleged that Arshkrit, who had altercations with the victim in the past, might have abducted her. Based on the complaint, a case of abduction was registered at the Mehrauli Police Station under Section 140(1) the BNS and investigation was taken up. During the course of investigation, CCTV footage of the area was collected and meticulously examined. Meanwhile, based on the version of the complainants family, Arshkrit Singh was apprehended, the cops said. During interrogation, he confessed to the crime and after sustained interrogation, disclosed that he had called the victim on the pretext of meeting Sanjay Van and took her to the interior portion of the Jungle at a secluded place and killed her by stabbing and strangulation. After killing her, he tried to burn the body during which he sustained minor injuries. After that he fled the spot and went to a hospital for treatment. Upon his instance, the body was recovered, the police said. After the arrest, Sections 103(1) murder, 61(2) criminal conspiracy also added to the case and the weapon of offence was also recovered at his instance. On Sunday, Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt took to Instagram to pay a deeply emotional tribute to his mother, the legendary actress Nargis Dutt, on what would have been her birth anniversary. Sharing a series of nostalgic photographs, including a classic black-and-white portrait of Nargis and a rare throwback featuring his parents alongside actor Sunil Dutt, Sanjay expressed his heartfelt feelings simply yet poignantly: Happy birthday maa, I miss you everyday and love you more. Advertisement Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sanjay Dutt (@duttsanjay) Nargis Dutt, born on June 1, 1929, remains one of Indian cinemas most beloved and versatile performers. Her career spanned multiple genres, from light-hearted comedies to intense dramas, showcasing a rare range and depth. She first appeared on screen as a child in the 1935 film Talash-E-Haq but truly began her acting journey with Tamanna in 1942. Over the years, she earned acclaim for her memorable roles, culminating with her last major film, Raat Aur Din (1967), a psychological thriller that earned her the first-ever National Film Award for Best Actress. Beyond her cinematic achievements, Nargiss personal life was deeply intertwined with her work. Her love story with Sunil Dutt, who later became a noted actor and politician, began under dramatic circumstances. During the shooting of the epic film Mother India (1957), a tragic fire broke out on set, and Sunil apparently heroically rescued Nargis. This incident forged a strong bond between the two, leading to their marriage in 1958. The film itself remains one of the most iconic in Indian cinema. Nargiss portrayal of Radha earned her the Filmfare Best Actress Award and international recognition, as Mother India was nominated for an Academy Award. Nargiss impact extended far beyond the silver screen. Alongside Sunil Dutt, she established the Ajanta Arts Culture Troupe, which toured extensively, performing stage shows in remote border areas to boost morale and promote cultural unity. Her commitment to social causes grew in the 1970s when she became the first patron of The Spastic Society of India, a role through which she garnered respect as a dedicated social worker. Her public service received further recognition when she was the Rajya Sabha member. She served from 1980 until her untimely death in 1981. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the early 1980s, Nargis battled the illness with courage but passed away on May 3, 1981. Her legacy, however, lives on in many forms including the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration, an honor that continues to inspire filmmakers to this day. She was also a recipient of the Padma Shri award in 1958. Jackie Chan recently opened up about a surprising secret his father revealed to him later in life, a truth that reshaped his understanding of his familys past. At 71, the legendary action star shared with PEOPLE how, when he was in his forties, his father Charles quietly confided, I have a secret to tell you. It happened during a car ride, when Charles said, Son, Im old. I might sleep and never wake up. Advertisement Then came the revelation: Charles had been a spy. Advertisement That was shocking, Jackie admitted. At first, he found it hard to process, but after some time, he was ready to hear the full story. Charles life was far more complex than Jackie had ever imagined. This hidden history inspired Jackie Chan to produce the 2003 documentary Traces of the Dragon: Jackie Chan and His Lost Family. The film dives into Charles role as a government spy during the turbulent 1940s Chinese Civil War. But the secrets didnt stop there. Jackies mother, Lee-lee, also had a shadowy past, linked to opium smuggling and gambling. Jackie reminisced about his childhood with PEOPLE, painting a picture of a mischievous kid who rarely went to school and preferred throwing away books over reading them. His parents struggled to keep him in line and eventually sent him to a martial arts school to learn discipline and skills. That decision proved pivotal, launching a career that would span decades. From those early days as a stuntman, Jackies journey took him through stunt coordination, acting, and directing in Asia. Hollywood noticed him in 1995 with Rumble in the Bronx, but it was 1998s Rush Hour, starring alongside Chris Tucker, that made him a global superstar. Now, with his latest film Karate Kid: Legends hitting theaters, Jackie is revisiting another iconic franchise. He first appeared in the 2010 remake of The Karate Kid alongside Jaden Smith, and this new installment holds a special place in his heart. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav ordered the transfers of four senior IPS Officers, expressing displeasure at the Officers inappropriate behaviour in public and terming it as unbecoming of an IPS Officer. The transferred officers include Chambal Range Inspector General of Police (IG) Sushant Kumar Saxena, Chambal Range Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Kumar Saurabh, Datia Superintendent of Police (SP) Virendra Mishra, and Katni SP Abhijeet Ranjan. Advertisement A statement late Sunday night from the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) said the Superintendents of Police of Katni and Datia districts, as well as the Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General of Chambal Range, have been removed from their current posts. Advertisement The behaviour exhibited by these officers was regrettable and unbecoming of public service. Hence, instructions have been given to remove them with immediate effect, the statement quoted the CM as saying. According to sources, Chambal IG Sushant Saxena, DIG Kumar Saurabh, and Katni SP Virendra Mishra had got into a heated argument with each other publicly over some issue at the Datia airport on 31 May, during the programme of the airports virtual inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Similarly, Katni SP Abhijeet Ranjan was transferred from his post because of an alleged incident in which relatives of a Tehsildar and his CSP wife were manhandled by the police, sources said. All four officers have been removed from field postings and shifted to the Police Headquarters (PHQ) at Bhopal. The State Government also conducted routine transfers of about six other IPS Officers. Among them, Sagar Zone IG Pramod Verma has been made the IG of Jabalpur Zone. Verma is also the head of the three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) of senior IPS Officers of MP, constituted on the Supreme Courts directives, which is probing the case of State Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shahs public speech in which he made derogatory statements about Indian Army Colonel Sofiya Quereshi terming her a sister of terrorists while he was lauding Operation Sindoor. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief, Asaduddin Owaisi visited the grave of brave military commander Amir Abdul Qadir, who was an Algerian religious and military leader for leading the freedom struggle against the French colonial invasion of Algiers in the early 19th century. Being part of the all-party Parliamentary delegation led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Baijayant Jay Panda, Owaisi on Sunday afternoon (local time) took to his official X account, saying: At the Muqam (grave) of Amir Abdul Qadir Al hasani Al Jazairi, rta in Algiers. Amir led Algerian Revolution against Barbaric French who invaded Algeria, amazing human being, military leader with a Moral Compass, Islamic Scholar (Aalim) Poet, Qadiri Sheikh, wrote Al Mawaqif. Advertisement Earlier in the day, the AIMIM Chief in another post on X wrote: Amir Abdul Qadir was a Military Commander against French Invasion, United all the Tribes of Algeria, was a great Orator, Abraham Lincoln send his revolvers as a gift Saint Among Princes, the Prince among Saints Hero for Algerians and all who oppose Oppression and Injustice. Advertisement After concluding their successful engagements in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, the delegation arrived in Algeria on Friday and will hold various meetings till June 2 to garner international support against cross-border terrorism emanating from the soil of Pakistan. The delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda, includes BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak and Rekha Sharma, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi, BJP MP Satnam Singh Sandhu, and former Indian diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla. The outreach is taking place in the immediate aftermath of the horrendous April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and subsequent developments to foster global cooperation in countering terrorism. Emir Abdelkader or Abd al-Qadir al-Hassani al-Jazairi was an Islamic scholar and Sufi, who unexpectedly found himself leading a military campaign, he built up a collection of Algerian tribesmen that for many years successfully held out against one of the most advanced armies in Europe. His consistent regard for what would now be called human rights, especially as regards his Christian opponents, drew widespread admiration, and a crucial intervention to save the Christian community of Damascus from a massacre in 1860 brought honours and awards from around the world. Within Algeria, he was able to unite many Arab and Berber tribes to resist the spread of French colonisation. His efforts to unite the country against French invaders led some French authors to describe him as a modern Jugurtha (Jugurtha was a king of Numidia, the ancient kingdom of the Numidians in northwest Africa) and his ability to combine religious and political authority has led to his being acclaimed as the Saint among the Princes, the Prince among the Saints. In 1830, Algeria was invaded by France; French colonial domination over Algeria eventually supplanted domination by the Ottoman Empire and the Kouloughlis. Western Algeria had already been the hotbed of numerous anti-Ottoman revolts, leading to little in the way of coordinated resistance to the French. When the French Africa Army reached Oran in January 1831, Abdelkaders father was asked to lead a resistance campaign against them; Muhieddine called for jihad and he and his son were among those involved in early attacks below the walls of the city, however these did not involve a broad coalition of tribes. It was at this point that Abdelkader came to the fore. At a meeting of the western tribes in the autumn of 1832, he was elected him Amir al-Muminin (typically abbreviated to Emir). Following his fathers refusal of the position on the grounds that he was too old. Abdelkader was seen as an appropriate candidate not only because of his age but also because of his own learning, devoutness and saintly bloodline. The appointment was confirmed five days later at the Great Mosque of Mascara where a proclamation was read calling in deeply religious terms on tribal leaders to join him. The Opposition parties in Bihar on Monday came down heavily on the Nitish Kumar government over the brutal rape and murder of a minor Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur district on May 26. They accused the chief minister of criminal negligence. The 9-year-old Dalit girl from Kudhni area of Muzaffarpur district was brutally raped on May 26. The accused also tried to slit her throat. She was admitted to the Sri Krishna Medical College, Muzaffarpur. Advertisement On Saturday, the victim was referred to the Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) in a critical condition, but the administration refused to admit her. She was left struggling in an ambulance for more than four hours. Advertisement Bihar Congress leaders managed to get her admitted to the maternity ward of PMCH after a five-hour struggle. But she succumbed to injuries on Sunday. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said, The brutality with a minor Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur and the subsequent negligence in treatment is extremely shameful. If she had received timely treatment, her life could have been saved. But the double engine government showed extreme negligence in saving her life, let alone providing security. He added, We will not sit quietly until the victims family gets justice. Strict action should be taken against the culprits and negligent officers. Congress workers also staged a protest against the state government and burnt the effigy of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Health Minister Mangal Pandey in Patna late on Sunday. Bihar Pradesh Youth Congress organized a march in Patna on Monday to highlight the governments apathy towards Dalits and backwards. Reacting to the horrifying incident, Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav said the double engine government has failed in the state. The CM never discusses these issues. I do not know whether he is even aware of this incident or not. The CM and both the deputy CMs are busy with political programmes, he said. CPI (ML) State Secretary K Kunal expressed deep anger over the barbaric sexual violence against the Dalit girl and her death due to gross negligence in treatment. He said, This incident is a symbol of the deteriorating law and order situation in Bihar. It also raises serious questions on the poor health system of the state. AICC Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru said the death of Kudhni rape victim has shown the gruesome face of the state government. He said under the Nitish-BJP government, Dalits and backward classes will neither get security and treatment nor justice. Has it become a crime to be born a Dalit, extremely backward or backward in Bihar? he asked. The Mahila Court in Chennai on Monday sentenced Gnanasekar (37), the lone convict in the Anna University rape case, to life imprisonment for 30 years and a fine of Rs 90,000. Earlier on May 28, Special Judge M Rajalakshmi of the Mahila court found Gnanasekar guilty of all the charges invoked against him under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act, as well as the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act. Advertisement Gunasekar, a Biryani vendor outside Anna University, entered the campus late in the evening on December 23, 2024. He kept his mobile on flight mode and pretended to be talking to someone as he gained entry into the campus. Advertisement The rape survivor, a 19-year-old student of the university, and her friend were on the campus. Spotting the duo sitting on the stairs, Gnanasekar hit the girls boyfriend on the head and snatched the girls identity card. According to the charge sheet, the accused told the victim and her friend that he had recorded a video of them and threatened to show it to the university authorities. When the couple pleaded and asked him to leave, he took the boy away and scared him off. He then returned to the girl and forcibly took her to a secluded place and sexually assaulted her. He also recorded a video of the brutality he inflicted upon the victim. The incident sparked massive public outrage after photographs of the accused surfaced with DMK ministers. This led to Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin to issue a clarification that Gnanasekar was not a member of the DMK but a sympathiser. The Madras High Court constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising three women IPS officers to probe the sexual assault case. The SIT filed the charge sheet before the trial court, charging Gnanasekar under 11 provisions of the BNA, including rape 64(1), besides the IT Act and the TN Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act. Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh, on Monday, launched Bharat Gen, Indias first-of-its-kind Large Language Model (LLM) that supports multiple languages to revolutionize AI development across Indias linguistic and cultural spectrum. Developed domestically, the platform integrates text, speech, and image modalities, offering seamless AI solutions across 22 Indian languages. Advertisement The AI model was launched in Delhi during the BharatGen Summit, a generative AI and LLM-focused summit and hackathon. Advertisement Speaking at the launch, the minister said the initiative would empower critical sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and governance by delivering region-specific AI solutions that understand and serve every Indian. Highlighting the utility of AI in telemedicine, Singh noted that AI-driven virtual doctors could fluently communicate in a patients native language, helping build comfort and trust, especially in remote areas connecting with super-speciality hospitals. It not only builds trust but has a placebo-like psychological effect, enabling better care in remote regions connected with superspeciality hospitals across India, he added. He also noted that multilingual feedback platforms like CPGRAMS are enhancing citizen engagement and grievance redressal, unleashing the potential of generative AI in grassroots governance. Developed under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) and implemented through TIH Foundation for IoT and IoE at IIT Bombay, BharatGen aims to revolutionize AI development across Indias linguistic and cultural spectrum, the official document stated. The initiative is supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and brings together leading academic institutions, experts, and innovators on one platform, boosting Indias AI ecosystem. As the Election Commission of India (ECI) is gearing up to hold assembly elections in Bihar before the term of the current assembly ends on 22 November, the state elections are expected to be conducted in two to three phases in October and November. However, sources said while finalising the dates, the election commission would consider important festivals like Chhatth and Diwali, which will be celebrated in October. Advertisement Intensifying its preparations for the Bihar Assembly elections, the Election Commission has trained a team of Booth Level Officers (BLOs). They will soon go door-to-door to verify the voter list. A campaign will be launched on Tuesday to update the voter list in Bihar, so that the names of people above 18 years of age can be added to the voter list. Advertisement Chief Election Commissioner of India Gyanesh Kumar is scheduled to visit Bihar later this month. He is expected to interact with national and state party presidents to share their suggestions and concerns to further strengthen the electoral process. Earlier in May, Election Commissioner Vivek Joshi had come here on a five-day visit. During the visit, he inspected the first level checking (FLC) centres of EVM/VVPAT. During the meeting with senior administrative officials, Joshi had asserted the need to increase the voting percentage. He gave instructions to make necessary arrangements to conduct the election in a fair and timely manner. He had also asked the administration to ensure active participation of all political parties. In the year 2020, the assembly elections were held in three phases between 28 October and 7 November. In the first phase on 28 October, voting was held in 71 constituencies. Voting was held in 94 constituencies in the second phase on 3 November, while the remaining 78 seats went to polls on 7 November in the third phase. The results of the assembly elections were declared on 10 November. In Istanbul, during a meeting of the delegations of Ukraine and Russia in the presence of the Turkish side, issues of the conditions and prospects for a ceasefire, the process of exchanging prisoners of war and a meeting at the level of leaders will be discussed, said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The Turkish Foreign Minister opened the second meeting of the delegations at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul. In his opening remarks, he thanked for the "productive and constructive approach" demonstrated during the first meeting on May 16. "At today's meeting, we aim to continue assessing the conditions and prospects for a ceasefire between the two countries. At the same time, we want to move forward with the exchange of prisoners of war for humanitarian reasons. We are also making the necessary preparations for the leaders' meeting," Fidan said. According to him, Turkiye considers regular meetings very important and expects the talks to be productive. In addition, Ankara considers the US support for these talks important. "The main thing is to ensure sustainable peace. In this way, it will contribute to the solution of many issues, such as energy, food and transport security, arising in the world arena," the minister noted. He assured that Turkiye is ready to take all possible measures to facilitate the process. "The discussions you will hold here will be of decisive importance for our common destiny at the regional and global levels ... I hope that your negotiations will bring good results for the peoples of Ukraine and Russia," the head of the MFA added. The Opposition Congress on Monday alleged that the 11-year-old Dalit girl, who was raped and found with around 20 knife wounds in Bihars Muzaffarpur could not be shifted to the AIIMS, Patna as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visiting there. The minor girl succumbed to her injuries at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) on Sunday after she was allegedly kept in an ambulance outside the hospital for nearly five hours. She was reportedly admitted to the hospital after intervention by Congress Bihar Unit President Rajesh Kumar. Advertisement A minor Dalit girl is raped in Muzaffarpur, but then what did the government, administration, police and hospital do? Advertisement There is a double engine government in Bihar, yet there was a delay in shifting this girl to AIIMS Patna because Narendra Modi was visiting there, Women Congress president Alka Lamba said in a press conference in New Delhi. Lamba alleged that there is a period of bad governance in Bihar. Wolves hungry for lust are roaming freely, making girls victims of their lust, and this government is busy saving these wolvesThe situation was such that the injured girl kept waiting in the ambulance for 4 hours, and she died yesterday, she said. Holding the Nitish Kumar-led BJP-JDU government responsible for the lawlessness in the state, Lamba claimed several girls have been subjected to atrocities within a fortnight. In Muzaffarpur, a 5th grade girl was raped and then murdered, more than 20 injury marks were found on her body; A student was kidnapped while returning from school in Chhapra, then gang-raped and murdered; A minor girl was gang-raped in Sitamarhi; A two and half year old girl was raped in West Champaran; A 16-year-old minor girl was raped in Munger; 11-year-old girl raped in ArariaBihar is facing a period of misrule under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, hence, the accountability lies with him, she added. According to Lamba, 18,517 trials were completed in 2022, of which 5,067 were convicted and 12,062 were acquitted. In 2021, 11,783 trials were completed, 3,368 people convicted, and 7,745 acquitted, and in 2020, 9,713 trials were completed, 3,814 people were convicted, and 5,403 acquitted. There should be death penalty in cases of rape of minor daughters, but why is there no death penalty this is what we are asking, demanded the Congress leader. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday visited the sacred Kedarnath and Badrinath temples in Uttarakhand to offer prayers and seek blessings for strength and dedication in fulfilling her vision of a Viksit Delhi. Marking the completion of 100 days in office, the Chief Minister embarked on a two-day spiritual journey to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. Advertisement At the holy shrine of Kedarnath, she offered prayers under the guidance of temple priests, bowed before Lord Shiva, and shared that she felt immense peace and divine energy. Advertisement She prayed to Baba Kedarnath for the strength and resolve for all Indians to follow the path of progress. Speaking to the media, Gupta said, It is only by the grace of the Lord that I have been entrusted with the service of Delhi. Following her visit to Kedarnath, Gupta proceeded to Badrinath Dham, where she performed rituals and received blessings from Lord Badrivishal. My aspiration is to build Delhi into a prosperous, clean, and culturally enriched metropoliswhere tradition and progress go hand in hand, she added. She emphasized that the concept of a Viksit Delhi extends beyond physical infrastructure. It represents a vision of a capital city where every citizen has access to essential services, modern healthcare, quality education, and amenities that elevate Delhi into a truly global city. Earlier on Sunday morning, the Chief Minister visited Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, where she took a holy dip in the Ganga with her family. Indian National Congress, the grand old political party of India, has been experiencing something that could be described as political independence among its leaders with people like Shashi Tharoor and, of late, Salman Khurshid, expressing their views on issues of national importance openly without worrying too much about the party line. Khurshid, a Congress veteran who also served as External Affairs Minister in the party government, has recently expressed concern over political divisions in India when the Narendra Modi government is busy exposing Pakistan on the matter of terrorism. Advertisement He asked why it is so difficult to be patriotic, especially when the entire country is united and trying to explain to the whole world how Pakistan has been troubling India, using terrorism as a state policy, for decades. Advertisement When on a mission against terrorism, to carry Indias message to the world, its distressing that people at home are calculating political allegiances. Is it so difficult to be patriotic? the Congress veteran posted on X. Khurshid also endorsed abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the issue on which BJP leaders, every now and then, have criticised the Congress, alleging that it wants to reinstate it. However, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge countered the allegations, calling the claims by BJP leaders as divisive and misleading. Kharge emphasised that Article 370 was revoked by Parliament and accused the saffron party of reviving the issue solely to create rifts. Khurshid, who was addressing the academia and think tanks in Indonesia recently, created discomfiture in the Congress party. The BJP, almost immediately, welcomed Khurshids praise for Article 370 revocation. The Congress leader told them that the Union Governments decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmirs special status in August 2019 led to positive changes and increased prosperity in the region, but there has been a desperate attempt by terror groups backed and supported by Pakistan to undo the good in the Kashmir Valley. Meanwhile, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has already been speaking his mind openly for a long time. He lauded PM Modis various programmes and actions, including the governments new doctrine on terror. A few days ago, Tharoor who is heading one of the seven delegations, invited strong criticism from his party after he credited the Narendra Modi-led government for green-lighting Indias first surgical strikes across the border. Tharoor, for his open endorsement of the Modi governments new security doctrine, earned strong criticism from the Congress party as several senior leaders took exception to his views. Responding to the criticism, Tharoor has said he would address the issue when he returns home. He said that presenting Indias stance on terrorism was the need of the hour, and it was not the time for internal debates but to ensure success of the mission. When we return to India, we will certainly address our critics and speak with our colleagues and the media, he told the media persons. Interestingly, there is a growing sense of disquiet and unease within the Congress party ever since the Centre picked leaders of its choice from the grand old party for a multi-party delegation to put forward Indias stance against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism on the world stage. Soon after Operation Sindoor was launched against Pakistan, Congress started demanding answers from the government on the number of jets shot down by Pakistan, fixing accountability for the Pahalgam attack and also passing information to the enemy beforehand. It has also been demanding a special session of parliament to discuss the whole security situation amidst the ongoing hostilities between India and Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday invited worlds leading aviation companies to invest in India, saying India has emerged as the worlds third-largest domestic aviation market, driven by rapid growth in passenger numbers and transformational policy interventions like the UDAN scheme. Addressing the International Air Transport Associations 81st Annual General Meeting, the prime minister said following Indias emergence as the worlds third-largest domestic aviation market, fueled by initiatives like the UDAN scheme, the government aims to expand to over 350 airports by 2047. Advertisement Asserting that today, India is emerging as a leading force in the Global Space-Aviation convergence and is the worlds third-largest domestic aviation market, the prime minister said, The success of the UDAN scheme is a golden chapter in Indian civil aviation. For the worlds leading aviation companies, India presents an excellent opportunity for investment. Advertisement The World Air Transport Summit held its 81st Annual General Meeting on Monday with the focus on key issues facing the aviation industry, including the Economics of the Airline industry, Air Connectivity, Energy Security, Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production, Financing Decarbonization, and Innovations, among others. Asserting that todays India is filled with self-confidence and is a symbol of inclusive development, the prime minister underlined: The speed of innovation and technological upgradation is unprecedented. Emphasizing that this summit and dialogue serve as a platform not only for aviation but also for advancing global cooperation, climate commitments, and equitable growth, Prime Minister Modi highlighted that discussions at the summit had provided a new direction to global aviation, unlocking its infinite possibilities and optimizing its potential. He remarked on humanitys ability to cover vast distances and intercontinental journeys in mere hours, stressing that the aspirations of the 21st century continue to evolve beyond conventional travel. The prime minister also noted the rapid pace of innovation and technological advancements, stating that as speed increases, distant destinations are becoming our destiny. Underscoring that travel is no longer confined to cities on Earth, with increasing ambitions to commercialize space flights and interplanetary journeys, integrating them into civil aviation, the prime minister acknowledged that while such developments will take time, they highlight aviations future as a center of transformation and innovation, for which India is fully prepared. The prime minister outlined three foundational pillars driving Indias aviation sector. First, a vast market not merely a collection of consumers but a reflection of Indias aspirational society. Second, a strong demographic and talent pool where young innovators are pioneering breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, robotics, and clean energy. Third, an open and supportive policy ecosystem enabling industrial growth. With these strengths, Mr Modi emphasized that India is poised to elevate its aviation sector to unprecedented heights. He underscored Indias investment in world-class airport infrastructure, noting that in 2014, the country had 74 operational airports, which has now expanded to 162. Mr Modi further remarked that Indian carriers have placed orders for over 2,000 new aircraft, signaling rapid growth in the sector. Stressing that this is just the beginning, as Indias aviation industry stands at a crucial takeoff point, set to achieve unprecedented heights, the prime minister highlighted that this transformation will not only transcend geographical boundaries but will also drive sustainability, green mobility, and equitable access globally. Indias airports now have an annual handling capacity of 500 million passengers and is among the few nations setting new standards in user experience through technology, exclaimed the prime minister, stating that equal priority is being given to safety, efficiency, and sustainability. He also underscored Indias transition towards sustainable aviation fuels, investment in green technologies, and efforts to reduce carbon footprint. Mr Modi affirmed Indias commitment to ensuring both progress and environmental security, reinforcing a balanced approach to development. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the second-largest constituent of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), has expressed strong dissatisfaction with Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesans handling of PV Anvar episode. Some Muslim League leaders who attended a party meeting in Malappuram on Sundayconvened to assess preparations for the Nilambur by-electionreportedly voiced sharp criticism against Satheesan for his approach to the Anvar issue. Advertisement Prominent leaders, including KM Shaji and MK Muneer, stated that Satheesan should have exercised greater restraint and maturity in managing the situation. They alleged that he did not adhere to the UDFs norms and decorum while addressing the matter of Anvars possible entry into the front. Advertisement It is understood that several Muslim League leaders are discontented with the manner in which Satheesan has been engaging with their party. Some even accused him of exhibiting dictatorial tendencies. They believe both Satheesan and Anvar are responsible for unnecessarily prolonging the issue. UDF workers had expected the Muslim League to resolve the matter internally, as has happened in previous UDF crises. However, the current situation has led to what League leaders describe as unprecedented neglect from the Congress. Satheesans rigid stance has damaged the UDFs credibility, they reportedly alleged. The IUML had arranged a meeting involving Anvar and AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal, which was allegedly disrupted by Satheesan. Party leaders expressed dismay, noting that no Congress leader in the past had shown such disregard toward the League. While they supported Satheesans demand that Anvar apologize for his remarks about UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukathviewing it as justifiedthey say the issue has since spiraled out of control. Some leaders even warned during the meeting that if this trend continues, the party may be forced to consider alternative political paths. The Muslim League is also reportedly unhappy with the AICC leaderships continued silence, even as the controversy undermines the UDFs public image. Leader of Opposition and Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi has alleged that Chief Minister Hemant Soren and a group of senior officials are conspiring to implicate him in false cases and intimidate him for exposing corruption within the state government. Speaking to reporters in Giridih, Marandi claimed that he had received credible inputs from reliable sources indicating a concerted attempt to tarnish his image and possibly orchestrate legal action against him. He alleged that the conspiracy involved senior bureaucrats close to the Chief Minister and was aimed at silencing his voice against corruption. Advertisement The government is clearly alarmed by the issues I have been raising from liquor and mining scams to irregularities in JSSC-JPSC recruitment and mismanagement in rural development schemes. These exposures have led certain individuals in power to act out of personal vendetta, the Leader of Opposition said. Advertisement He also referenced an earlier incident from 2013 during Hemant Sorens previous tenure, alleging that extremist elements in Shikaripara were tasked with targeting him. Back then, intelligence reports had revealed a plot against me. Following the threat, the Union Government had entrusted my security to the CRPF. Today, I see similar patterns re-emerging, he added. Marandi asserted that attempts to malign his character or instill fear through false accusations would not deter him. If CM and his officials believe I will be silenced by intimidation, they are mistaken. I have faced greater losses, including the death of my son at the hands of extremists, without losing resolve. These cheap tactics will not force me off my path. He further warned that any untoward incident involving him, his family, or associates should be seen as a direct consequence of this alleged conspiracy. He said the state government would be fully accountable for any such developments. Several BJP leaders, including Giridih district president Mahadev Dubey, were present during the press briefing and expressed support for Marandis stance. Party insiders have indicated that the matter could be escalated to the central leadership in Delhi. As of the filing of this report, the Chief Ministers Office has not issued any formal response to the allegations. Former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has sought more time from the inquiry commission on Kaleshwaram, headed by retired justice PC Ghosh, to appear before it. The BRS supremo was scheduled to appear before the inquiry commission on 5 June, but granting his request, the Commission has rescheduled it to 11 June. Advertisement Meanwhile, BRS leader T Harish Rao, speaking at the Telangana Formation Day programme at party headquarters, dismissed all the speculations about alliance or merger of the BRS with other parties, asserting that the party would contest alone and win 100 seats. Advertisement Meanwhile, K Chandrasekhar Rao, who was reportedly in a dilemma over appearing before the inquiry commission set up by the Congress government to probe the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme built during his tenure, sought more time from the commission. Now that the commission acceded to his request to reschedule it to 11 June, the former chief minister will now appear before it after the former irrigation minister Harish Rao and finance minister Etela Rajenders interrogations on 6 and 9 June, respectively. Incidentally, PCC chief Mahesh Goud had alleged that a few days ago, Etela Rajender, who is currently with the BJP, had met Harish Rao at a farmhouse in Shamirpet. Later, the two spoke to K Chandrasekhar Rao over the phone, suggesting that the three had aligned their answers to ensure that there would be no contradictory statements. The former chief ministers statement is crucial for finalizing a report since many of the witnesses had pointed at him, particularly for the changes that were made in the project, like the location of the three barrages. In 2023, the piers of two of the three barrages developed cracks, following which the new government ordered a probe into the KLIS constructed during Raos tenure. Rao, who is popularly known as KCR, did not even venture out to join the Telangana Formation Day celebrations. While the partys working president KT Rama Rao is in the US, KCRs daughter, Kavitha, confined herself to Telangana Jagruthis programme, leaving senior leaders like T Harish Rao to attend the programme at the party headquarters. At the programme organised to mark the Telangana Formation Day, T Harish Rao dismissed all talks of alliance with other parties. A few days ago, Kalvakuntla Kavitha, the BRS MLC and daughter of K Chandrasekhar Rao had alleged that there were talks to merge the BJP with the BRS. BRS will contest alone and win 100 seats. Under KCRs leadership, well return to power again, declared T Harish Rao. The BRS supremo was scheduled to appear before the inquiry commission on 5 June. The Commission has rescheduled it to 11 June. With monthly district-wise reviews and a dedicated initiative, Uttar Pradesh has seen a marked rise in dispute settlements in recent years. According to the latest report by the Revenue Court Computerized Management System (RCCMS), Lucknow topped the state in revenue case settlements, while Jaunpur led among district courts once again. Advertisement Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths initiative not only aims to deliver timely justice to citizens, but also strengthens transparency and accountability within the administrative framework. Acting on these directions, District Magistrates and concerned officials across the state are working with urgency to ensure prompt disposal of cases. Advertisement Officials said here on Monday that the RCCMS report for May 2025 reveals that a total of 3,20,719 revenue cases were resolved statewide. Among these, Lucknow topped the list with 15,137 cases disposed of, followed by Jaunpur with 9,945 cases, and Prayagraj with 9,525 cases. Jaunpur District Magistrate Dinesh Kumar Singh stated that revenue matters in the district are being resolved in alignment with the Chief Ministers vision. As per the RCCMS report, five revenue courts in Jaunpur exceeded the Board of Revenues monthly disposal target of 250 cases each, resolving a total of 563 casesachieving 225.20% of the target. This performance secured Jaunpur the top position in the state for case disposal at the district court level. Sultanpur ranked second with 549 cases, while Ghazipur came third with 262 cases. In May, the District Magistrate Court of Ayodhya achieved an exceptional 230% performance, disposing of 69 cases against a standard of 30, making it the best-performing DM court in the state. The Jaunpur DM Court followed with 66 cases disposed, and the Mau DM Court stood third with 65 cases. Thus, Jaunpur ranks second and Mau third in DM court performance for revenue case resolution. In terms of Additional District Magistrate (Land Revenue) performance, Jaunpur again led the state by disposing of 208 cases against the standard of 50. Ghazipur ranked second with 61 cases, and Mirzapur came third with 24 cases. Similarly, in the category of Additional District Magistrate (Finance & Revenue), Jaunpur secured the first position, achieving 292% of the target by resolving 146 cases (against the benchmark of 50). Barabanki followed with 138 cases, and another district (unspecified) ranked third with 114 cases. Among Additional Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Jaunpurs SDM-I disposed of 80 cases against a target of 60, securing the 37th position in the state. In comparison, Jaunpurs SDM-II disposed of 63 cases against the same standard, also ranking 37th. The all-party delegation met representatives of Democratic Action Party led by Deputy Minister in Prime Ministers department (Law & Institutional Reforms) YB Tuan M Kulasegaran V Murugeson. Advertisement Speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur, Sanjay Kumar Jha said, It was a fruitful meeting. The Malaysian MPs were aware of the issue, and they are fully supporting India. Largely, it was a good discussion with the members of Parliament here. Advertisement Member of the delegation, BJP leader Hemang Joshi, said they met MPs of the ruling party, Supreme Council ministers, and the Deputy Minister in the Prime Ministers Department and told them about the Pahalgam attack and Indias response to it. The delegation also includes Aparajita Sarangi (BJP), TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, Brij Lala (BJP), John Brittas (CPI-M), Pradan Baruah (BJP), Salman Khurshid, and Mohan Kumar. The delegation asked Malaysia and Indonesia for their support in bringing Pakistan back to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) list. Leader of Opposition and Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi on Monday accused Chief Minister Hemant Soren and senior bureaucrats of orchestrating a conspiracy to frame him in false cases and silence his voice against corruption in the state. Addressing the media in Giridih, he claimed that he had received information from reliable sources about an alleged plan involving top officials close to the Chief Minister. He asserted that the motive behind the conspiracy was to malign his image and intimidate him into backing down from his continued expose of alleged irregularities in governance. Advertisement The government is clearly alarmed by the issues I have been raising from liquor and mining scams to recruitment corruption in JSSC-JPSC and the mismanagement of rural development schemes, Marandi said. These exposures have prompted those in power to act out of personal vendetta. Advertisement He drew parallels to a 2013 incident during Sorens earlier tenure, alleging that extremist elements in Shikaripara had been tasked with targeting him. At that time, intelligence reports revealed the threat, and the Union Government responded by assigning CRPF protection for my security. Today, I see a similar pattern emerging, he said. Refusing to be intimidated, the former Chief Minister declared, If the CM and his officials believe they can silence me with threats or false accusations, they are gravely mistaken. I have faced far greater personal losses, including the tragic death of my son at the hands of extremists. These tactics will not deter me from my path. He warned that any harm to him, his family, or associates should be considered a consequence of the alleged conspiracy, holding the state government fully accountable for any such incident. Several BJP leaders, including Giridih district president Mahadev Dubey, were present at the press conference and expressed solidarity with Marandi. Party sources indicated that the matter may be raised with the BJPs central leadership in New Delhi. Marandis allegations drew sharp rebuttals from the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and its ally, the Congress, who dismissed the charges as politically motivated theatrics. JMM General Secretary and spokesperson Vinod Kumar Pandey issued a strongly worded statement, calling Marandis claims a desperate stunt for cheap popularity. He urged the former CM to uphold the dignity of the office he once held and refrain from baseless accusations driven by political insecurity. Pandey suggested that Marandis remarks stem from discomfort over Chief Minister Sorens rising popularity and the success of various pro-people initiatives. Instead of trying to derail development projects like RIMS-2 in Ranchi, Mr. Marandi should focus on pressuring the Centre to release the pending 1.4 lakh crore in coal royalty dues. He should also advocate for long-pending proposals like the Sarna religious code and state reservation policies, Pandey added. The Congress responded in even more scathing terms. Rakesh Sinha, General Secretary and Media In-charge of the Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee, ridiculed Marandi as a withered flower who poses no threat to anyone. Sinha accused the BJP veteran of having a conspiratorial past, recalling instances of communal tension and political instability during Marandis tenure as CM in the early 2000s. He was removed by his own party for his divisive conduct, floated a separate party, and was later involved in horse-trading during Rajya Sabha elections, Sinha alleged. Challenging the credibility of Marandis threat claims, Sinha asked, Where was the threat perception back then? Today, he is simply playing the victim card to stay relevant. The people of Jharkhand can see through these political gimmicks. Russian troops struck Stepnohirska community of Zaporizhia region with drones, 12 employees of the State Emergency Service were injured, head of the Regional Military Administration Ivan Fedorov reported on Monday. "The enemy used FPV drones to strike the fire department building and service vehicles that were moving along the road. The building and vehicles were damaged .... There are currently 12 rescuers in the hospital, one in critical condition. The others are in moderate condition," he wrote on Telegram. Fedorov noted that the victims are being provided with all necessary assistance. A meeting between Sudhakar Badgujar, a prominent leader of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena from Nashik district, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday has sparked a wave of political speculation. Significantly, the meeting occurred while Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut was also in Nashik to attend the wedding of a local Shiv Sena leader. Advertisement Chief Minister Fadnavis was in Nashik for preparations related to the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela, scheduled to be held at Kushavart Teerth in Trimbakeshwarhome to one of the Jyotirlingasand at Ramkund in Nashik city. Advertisement Later on Monday evening, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also arrived in Nashik to attend the wedding ceremony of the daughter of Shiv Sena (UBT)s Nashik Metropolitan Chief Vilas Shinde. Earlier that day, MP Sanjay Raut had also attended the event. Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde made a suggestive remark about Vilas Shinde, stating, If there is auspicious work at a workers house, it is expected that everyone should come. If Shinde does not go to Shindes house, where else will he go? Vilas Shinde is our old colleague. He is a worker who carries forward the thoughts of Balasaheb. This is an auspicious occasion. Therefore, I will not indulge in political calculations here. Shindes comments added fuel to the political speculation already swirling after Badgujars meeting with Fadnavis the same day. Meanwhile, it was learned that CM Fadnavis was in Nashik on Monday morning to attend his nephews wedding. Later, he inaugurated the Saibaba Hospital, during which the meeting with Badgujar took place. Speaking to reporters, Badgujar downplayed the meeting, stating that he had only submitted a memorandum regarding the urgent need to fill vacant government posts and address employee concerns ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. Everyone, including Sanjay Raut, was aware that I was going to meet the Chief Minister, Badgujar said. Despite his clarification, the political rumour mill continues to churn, with many viewing the interaction as a potential indicator of shifting allegiances in Maharashtras political landscape. A BJP leader has been arrested from Jabalpur city in Madhya Pradesh after a woman from Assam accused him of repeated rape and forcing her into prostitution besides physically assaulting and threatening her, for over a year in a hotel run by him, police said on Monday. The accused, Atul Chaurasia, is the former Jabalpur Mandal president of the ruling saffron party in the state. His accomplice and co-accused Mathura Prasad Dubey alias Sheetal is still at large and police have launched a search to nab him too. Advertisement According to police, the victim, in her complaint, alleged that Chaurasia had called her from Assam a year ago on the pretext of giving her a managerial position at Hotel Atithi, owned by him in partnership with Dubey in Jabalpur town. Advertisement The complainant further alleged that initially Chaurasia raped her on several occasions, and then Dubey also raped her. Subsequently, they forced her into prostitution with other men too at the hotel, where a sex racket was being operated, the complainant charged. She stated that if she opposed, the accused used to thrash her and threatened her of dire consequences. She also charged that she was confined in the hotel and not allowed to leave, while she was not paid a penny. She somehow managed to escape from the hotel and lodged her complaint at the Garha police station. The police registered an FIR and raided Hotel Atithi late night on Sunday, from where Atul Chaurasia was arrested. According to Garha police station in-charge Prasanna Sharma, a case has been registered under sections pertaining to rape and others against the accused. A search is on for absconding Dubey, and further investigations are on. Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, who is leading an all-party delegation to the United Kingdom, sharply attacked the Pakistan armed forces, saying they were unelectable and unaccountable. He also wondered how Pakistan Army chief, Gen Asim Munir, has been promoted as Field Marshal despite the defeat in the field. Addressing the Indian diaspora in London last night, Mr Prasad also spoke about Operation Sindoor, mentioning how Indian forces targeted terrorist camps in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Muzaffarabad, and other places in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). Advertisement He asserted that the Indian armed forces only targeted terrorist camps. But the Pakistani forces attacked Indian skies, and the Indian forces responded to the attack. Advertisement .What is the problem of Pakistan? The problem with Pakistan is that it is not a democratic country. Muhammad Ali Jinnah ne banaya Pakistan, wo ban gaya Generals ki dukaan, that is the situation of Pakistan. The second important thing is people; leaders make the country. There, Pakistan armed forces have made a country for themselves, unelectable, not accountable, not popular sanction, but they seized power. Ayub Khan Field Marshal for 10 years. Mr Yahya Khan for seven and a half years, Mr Zia ul Haq for eleven years, General Musharraf for nine years. Now you have Munir, General, who was defeated in the field but became a field marshal. That is the whole scenario, Mr Prasad said. The delegation, led by Mr Prasad, held a meeting with the UKs Shadow Foreign Secretary, Priti Patel, and her team to share Indias firm resolve in countering cross-border terrorism. In a post on X, the Indian High Commission in the UK stated, The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation met with Shadow Foreign Secretary @pritipatel and her team to share Indias firm resolve in combating cross-border terrorism. They also highlighted how #OperationSindoor exemplifies the new normal set by India in this ongoing effort. Meanwhile, the Indian delegations to other countries post Operation Sindoor to campaign against Pakistan for its continued support to terrorism held back-to-back meetings with top leaders and the Indian diaspora. The delegation, headed by NCP leader Supriya Sule, held meetings with top Ethiopian leaders in Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian side explained its own zero-tolerance policy against terrorism. The Indian delegation in Spain also met top leaders and others in Madrid. During the interaction, members of the Indian diaspora shared that their Spanish acquaintances had reacted with shock and concern to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, reflecting growing international awareness of the challenges India faces in combating terrorism. Appreciating Paraguay for its strong condemnation of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India and Paraguay stand united in the fight against the menace. He said there is an immense possibility of cooperation between the two countries to combat shared challenges such as cybercrime, organised crime, and drug trafficking. Welcoming the visiting President of Paraguay, Mr Santiago Pena, the PM also stated that India and Paraguay are integral parts of the Global South. Our hopes, aspirations and challenges are similar. And this is why we can learn from each others experiences to deal with these challenges effectively, he added. Advertisement Briefing the media on the talks between the two leaders, Mr P. Kuamaran, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said, This visit comes soon after the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Modi expressed his deep appreciation to Paraguay for its strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, as well as for the sincere condolences and solidarity expressed with the people and the Government of India. Both leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all their forms and manifestations. On behalf of the Paraguayan people, President Pena expressed his deep solidarity with the victims and families of the terrorist attack. Advertisement The PM observed that Paraguay is an important partner of India in South America. Our geographies may be different, but we share the same democratic values, and care for the well-being of people, he said. He said he could see new opportunities for cooperation in areas such as digital technology, critical minerals, energy, agriculture, healthcare, defence, railways, space, and overall economic partnership. He also noted that India has a Preferential Trade Agreement with MERCOSUR (a trading bloc in South America) and the two sides can work together to further expand it. The PM was happy that India could extend support to Paraguay by sharing its vaccines during the COVID pandemic. We look forward to continuing this spirit of cooperation by sharing more of our capabilities, he added. He was confident that the visit of the Paragyaun leader would add new strength to the pillars of trust, trade, and close cooperation in bilateral relations. It will also add new dimensions to India-Latin America relations. Earlier in the day, President Pena, who is in India on a three-day visit, paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, laying a wreath at the memorial. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome along with a Guard of Honour at Palam Air Force Station. Sharing an update on X, Mr Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said, Bienvenido, President @SantiPenap! President @SantiPenap of Paraguay has arrived in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India, to a ceremonial welcome & Guard of Honour. Warmly received by MoS Harsh Malhotra @hdmalhotra at the airport. This visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen the relationship. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told the visiting Paraguay President Santiago Pena Palacois that India and Paraguay can work together to further expand the Preferential Trade Agreement with the trading bloc MERCOSUR. MERCOSUR (Mercado Comun del Sur, or Common Market of the South) is a trading bloc in South America, comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It was founded in 1991 with the aim of establishing a customs union and a common market, allowing for the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people among member countries. Advertisement We see new opportunities for cooperation in areas such as digital technology, critical minerals, energy, agriculture, healthcare, defence, railways, space, and overall economic partnership. We have a Preferential Trade Agreement with MERCOSUR. We can work together to further expand it, Prime Minister Modi suggested in his opening remarks during the delegation-level talks with the Paraguay delegation led by President Pena Palacois. Advertisement At the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, Mr Pena Palacois, is on a three-day a state visit to India, accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers, senior officials and business representatives. The State Visit of President Pena Palacois is his first visit to India and only the second by any President of Paraguay. Asserting that India and Paraguay stand united in the fight against terrorism, the Prime Minister said: There is an immense possibility of cooperation to fight against shared challenges such as cybercrime, organised crime, and drug trafficking.India and Paraguay are integral parts of the Global South. Our hopes, aspirations, and challenges are similar. And this is why we can learn from each others experiences to deal with these challenges effectively. Recalling that he was pleased that India could extend support to Paraguay by sharing its vaccines during the COVID pandemic, Mr Modi also added: I am confident that your visit will add new strength to the pillars of trust, trade, and close cooperation in our relations. It will also add new dimensions to India-Latin America relations. Last year, I attended the CARICOM (Caribbean Community) Summit in Guyana. We discussed enhancing cooperation on many subjects. I think that we can work together with Paraguay and all Latin American countries in all these areas. Once again, a very warm welcome to India. Rajasthan Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Alok passed away late Sunday night in New Delhi following a brief illness. The 59-year-old 1993 batch IAS officer was not keeping well for a few days and was under treatment in the city. He breathed his last night at his Delhi residence. Advertisement The departed bureaucrat held several key posts in various departments, including the energy department/ministries in Rajasthan and at the Centre. Presently, he was working as the additional chief secretary in the state energy department. He was considered an expert in the energy sector. Advertisement Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of the ACS. He said, The news has saddened me. I pray before Lord Ram for eternal peace to the departed soul and solace to the bereaved family. Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, and former chief ministers Ashok Gehlot and Vasundhara Raje also condoled the officers demise. A number of administrative and review meetings or engagements scheduled for the day were deferred. Rajasthan Minister of State for Energy Heera Lal Nagar has also proceeded for New Delhi to attend the funeral. The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a plea alleging that the Assam government had launched an indiscriminate and sweeping drive to deport individuals suspected to be foreigners to Bangladesh, and directed the petitioner to approach the Gauhati High Court for relief. A vacation bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Satish Chandra Sharma asked the All BTC Minority Students Union (ABMSU) to pursue appropriate remedies before the High Court, noting that it was not inclined to entertain the matter under Article 32 at this stage. Advertisement The petitioner organisation ABMSU claimed that in the aftermath of the Courts earlier February 4, 2025, order which had permitted the deportation of 63 declared foreigners whose Bangladeshi nationality had been confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Bangladesh government, the state had gone far beyond the mandate and initiated a blanket deportation campaign. Advertisement The plea alleged that the Assam government had launched a sweeping and indiscriminate deportation drive, targeting persons suspected of being foreigners without any judicial declaration, nationality verification, or exhaustion of legal remedies, particularly in the border districts of Dhubri, South Salmara, and Goalpara. It further submitted that the state government was engaging in extrajudicial push backs of individuals many of whom belong to marginalised communities in violation of their fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. This policy of push backbeing executed in the border districtsis not only legally indefensible, but threatens to render stateless numerous Indian citizens, especially the poor and marginalised who were either declared foreigners ex parte or lacked access to legal aid, the petition stated. The petitioner organisation had also sought directions declaring that deportation without judicial process, MEA clearance, and exhaustion of legal remedies was unconstitutional, and requested a stay on ongoing deportations. The top court, however, refused to intervene and said that the Gauhati High Court was the appropriate forum for seeking relief in such matters. The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant any interim relief against demolition notices issued to residents of the Batla House area in Jamia Nagar, Delhi, asking the petitioners to approach appropriate authorities for redressal. A vacation bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma declined to stay the 15-day eviction/demolition notices issued to property owners in Khasra Nos. 271 and 279 in Batla House and posted the matter for further hearing in July. Advertisement The petitioners Sultana Shaheen and 39 other property owners had challenged the demolition notices pasted on their homes on May 27, claiming they were not parties to the earlier proceedings leading to the Supreme Courts May 7 order directing the Delhi government and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to demolish illegal properties in the Batla House area, said the petition by the affected residents. Advertisement They were neither impleaded in the original case nor granted an opportunity to be heard before such drastic action, the plea stated. The residents claimed that they are genuine residents and possess valid documents proving continuous possession since before 2014, making them eligible under the Recognition of Property Rights Act, 2019 and the PM-UDAY scheme, which aims to regularise unauthorised colonies in Delhi. They termed the demolition action arbitrary and violative of fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19(1)(e), and 21 of the Constitution, asserting that a blanket drive without verification of ownership or eligibility amounted to a breach of natural justice. The authorities have failed to distinguish between illegal encroachments and bona fide property holders, GPA holders or applicants under the regularisation scheme, thus resulting in gross arbitrariness, the petition stated. The plea further sought restraint orders against sealing, demolition, or disconnection of utilities until the petitioners status under PM-UDAY is verified and due process followed. However, the top court refused to interfere at this stage, leaving the petitioners to explore alternative remedies with the competent authorities. Following the demolition of the Madrasi Camp along the Barapullah Jangpura drain near Nizamuddin Railway station in the national capital, the Tamil Nadu Government has come forward to extend a helping hand, assuring the residents of comprehensive assistance in the event of the residents returning to the state. Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday announced that the state government would help the residents return to the native districts and provide necessary help, including livelihood assistance through the respective District Collectors. An official release said the Tamil Nadu House in Delhi has been tasked with reaching out to the residents and that the state government would coordinate in ensuring the displaced received timely help without any delay. Advertisement Admitting that the Delhi High Court had ordered the eviction, holding that the tenements were an unauthorised encroachment blocking the flow of the drain, causing flooding, the TN government said, All legal avenues available to the residents of Madrasi Camp have been exhausted for retaining the colony at the site. The colony has 370 dwelling units, and the residents have come from various districts of Tamil Nadu six decades ago in search of jobs as domestic helps and other menial work. Advertisement The court, which dismissed the petitions of the residents, ordered that the settlement be cleared as of June 1. Further, it directed that eligible residents be rehabilitated under the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board Act (DUSIB Act) and the Delhi Slum and JJ Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2015. However, only 215 of the 370 residents were found to be eligible for residential allotment under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category by DUSIB following a survey. The alternative residential units for them are at Narela. In a major step towards modernizing governance, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government is set to roll out the Uttar Pradesh State Wide Area Network (UPSWAN 3.0)a key initiative aimed at enhancing the states e-governance infrastructure. Driven by the Chief Ministers vision of future-ready governance, this initiative seeks not only to reinforce existing digital systems but also to align them with emerging technological demands. Advertisement UPSWAN 3.0, the upgraded version of the currently operational UPSWAN 2.0, will serve as the core communication backbone supporting e-governance across the state. Advertisement Officials said on Monday that UPSWAN, launched under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), has played a crucial role in connecting government offices across Uttar Pradesh. Efforts are now underway to upgrade it to UPSWAN 3.0, which will include enhanced features such as improved security, better connectivity, real-time monitoring, and greater transparency. The Department of IT and Electronics has initiated preparations for implementation. As part of the process, the Uttar Pradesh Development Systems Corporation Limited (UPDESCO) has been designated as the nodal agency responsible for executing the project across the state. Under UPSWAN 3.0, the aim is to connect all government offices across Uttar Pradesh through an advanced interface featuring enhanced security and robust connectivity. UPDESCOs action plan is focused on bringing previously unconnected offices under the UPSWAN network. While the State Headquarters, Commissionerate Offices, and District Headquarters are already connected, significant progress has been made at the tehsil and block levelswith 235 out of 351 tehsil headquarters and 574 out of 828 block headquarters integrated. Preparations are now in place to connect the remaining 116 tehsil headquarters, 254 block headquarters, and 75 Vikas Bhawans under UPSWAN 3.0. Officials stated that UPSWAN 3.0 is designed to bridge the digital divide among government departments by promoting the extensive use of IT solutions in governance. The initiative will provide a scalable, configurable, and future-ready infrastructure by incorporating industry standards and leveraging advanced technologies. It will integrate State Wide Area Network (SWAN) technology to support dynamic traffic routing using Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) and Internet Leased Lines (ILL), creating a robust framework for present and future needs. The system will feature centralized management, automation, continuous monitoring, easy deployment, and advanced security measures such as Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). The advanced network architecture of UPSWAN 3.0 will ensure seamless connectivity for critical government applications hosted at the Uttar Pradesh State Data Center (UPSDC), including essential services like e-office and other mission-critical e-governance platforms. It is designed to evolve in line with the changing demands of government operations and citizen-centric services. To bolster cybersecurity, the network will incorporate encrypted communication, end-to-end data encryption, next-generation firewalls (NGFW), intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS), and advanced persistent threat (APT) protection. Additionally, UPSWAN 3.0 will support simplified access by integrating new features, enabling hybrid connectivity options, adopting standard protocols, and streamlining network management. Ukrainian side in Istanbul officially hands over to Russian side list of children who need to be returned Yermak During the negotiations in Istanbul, the Ukrainian side handed over to the Russian side a list of illegally deported or forcibly detained Ukrainian children who need to be returned, said head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak. "Today, during the negotiations in Istanbul, the Ukrainian side officially handed over to the Russian side a list of Ukrainian children who need to be returned. We are talking about hundreds of children whom Russia illegally deported, forcibly moved or is holding in temporarily occupied territories," he wrote on Telegram on Monday. Yermak recalled that back in March, at a meeting in Jeddah, Ukraine confirmed its readiness for a 30-day ceasefire with a humanitarian component. "The return of Ukrainian children is an integral part of a fair and lasting peace and a key element of trust, the first test of sincerity of intentions. We are waiting for an answer. The ball is in Russia's court. True good faith is not words, but actions. And now is the time to prove it," the head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine emphasized. As reported, on Monday, June 2, the second round of Ukrainian-Russian negotiations began in Istanbul. In 2025, the world finds itself suspended between progress and paradox. Across continents, women have stepped into roles once denied to them, leading nations, heading global corporations, and excelling in academia, science, and the arts. Laws have been enacted, conferences convened, and slogans chanted, all in pursuit of gender equality. And yet, beneath the veneer of progress lies a persistent and deeply embedded disparity: the gender pay gap. Though narrower than in decades past, it continues to haunt labour markets across the globe. But perhaps more insidiously, hidden beneath this quantifiable disparity is the vast, intangible realm of invisible labour unpaid domestic work and caregiving that remains overwhelmingly borne by women and continues to underpin the very structure of society and economy without ever being named in balance sheets or budgets. Invisible labour refers to the countless hours spent cooking meals, cleaning homes, caring for children and the elderly, planning family schedules, managing emotional wellbeing, and ensuring the smooth functioning of households. Advertisement These acts of labour, though physically and emotionally demanding, are rarely acknowledged as work in the economic sense. They do not produce immediate profit, they do not generate tax revenue, and they are absent from GDP calculations. Yet, their value is incalculable. Imagine a society where if all this labour ceased for a single day, the chaos that would follow is enough to reveal the fragility of our dependence on this unseen scaffolding. In truth, invisible labour forms the bedrock upon which all visible work is built. Office workers are able to go to their jobs because someone ensured their children are dressed and fed. Professionals thrive in careers because someone tends to aging parents. This is labour that enables labour and still, it remains unmeasured, unpaid, and unvalued. The economic implications of ignoring unpaid labour are vast and far-reaching. Advertisement When women who disproportionately shoulder these responsibilities are denied recognition for this labour, it creates a ripple effect across their financial lives. Fewer hours available for paid work mean slower career progression, reduced income, and limited access to promotions and leadership positions. Over time, these disparities magnify into lower lifetime earnings, inadequate retirement savings, and greater economic vulnerability in old age. The gender pay gap is not merely a snapshot of current wages but a moving film strip that begins in youth and extends into old age, telling a story of cumulative disadvantage. It is, therefore, not just an issue of workplace parity but a deeply rooted socioeconomic inequality that intersects with class, race, and geography. To confront this imbalance, it is essential that societies begin to assign real economic value to housework and caregiving. Several models have been proposed to make the invisible visible. One approach advocates for calculating the replacement value of domestic tasks what it would cost to hire professionals for each duty and incorporating this into national economic indicators. Others argue for direct financial recognition of caregiving through caregiver stipends, tax credits, or social security benefits tied to unpaid labour. In some progressive economies, these measures are no longer hypothetical. Countries like Sweden and Norway have implemented policies that reward parental leave equally for both genders, while others have begun experimenting with pensions for fulltime homemakers. Yet such examples remain exceptions. The broader world continues to treat caregiving as a private responsibility rather than a public good, thus perpetuating a silent, generational injustice. Corporate transparency emerges as another powerful tool in this conversation, though its potential is not always fully realized. Many nations in 2025 have passed legislation requiring large firms to disclose gender-disaggregated pay data. These transparency measures have illuminated discrepancies that had long been hidden under layers of bureaucracy and informal bias. However, true accountability must go beyond reporting. It must include mechanisms that correct imbalances, such as mandated pay equity audits, equity-based hiring policies, and incentives for companies that demonstrate tangible progress. Moreover, corporations must address the structural causes of pay inequality such as rigid work hours, lack of affordable childcare, and insufficient support for employees with caregiving responsibilities. Transparency is only the first light; without follow-through, it risks becoming yet another symbolic gesture in a world already saturated with promises. Education, however, holds the most transformative power of all. At the heart of labour inequality lies the set of beliefs we inculcate in children about gender roles, expectations, and worth. From an early age, boys are often subtly encouraged to explore ambition, leadership, and independence, while girls are nudged toward care, obedience, and emotional labour. These socializations quietly reinforce a division of labour that reappears in adult life, where women are expected to naturally manage homes and families even while holding full-time jobs. Reforming this begins in schools and homes with curricula that teach mutual respect, shared responsibility, and the equal value of all work, whether done in boardrooms or kitchens. More importantly, boys must be taught not just to respect womens contributions but to actively participate in the labour of care. Only then can we hope to raise a generation that views domestic work not as womens work, but as essential human work. We must confront a sobering truth: the gender pay gap is not a statistical anomaly but a reflection of how we as a society assign worth. It is not enough to tally salaries; we must also measure what we value. The unpaid labour done by millions of women each day is not peripheral it is central. It is what keeps children nurtured, homes functioning, the elderly safe, and the workforce ready. Until policies, economies, and cultural attitudes catch up with this reality, the gap will persist not only in earnings but in dignity, autonomy, and opportunity. The time has come to reimagine labour not as a hierarchy of visible and invisible, paid and unpaid, male and female but as a tapestry where each thread, no matter how quietly woven, holds the fabric of society together. Only when we recognize and redistribute the hidden burdens borne by women can we claim to have moved meaningfully toward equality. And only when caregiving is seen not as a private favour, but a public necessity, can the invisible labour that sustains our world finally step into the light. (The writer is an accountant and a freelance writer.) In a world of increasingly combative political rhetoric, it is striking when restraint delivers the loudest message. King Charles IIIs speech in Canada exemplifies how nuance, tradition, and symbolism can speak volumes ~ particularly when silence is deliberate. While the speech touched on familiar themes of sovereignty, democracy, and freedom, its true significance lay between the lines. Delivered in Ottawa, in the presence of parliamentarians and First Nations representatives, it was a moment steeped in both protocol and purpose. The King, as a constitutional monarch, does not engage in partisan politics. Yet by lending his voice ~ on the advice of the Canadian government ~ to the principles of self-determination and rule of law, he became a vessel for a more pointed message. What was unsaid may have been the most potent. Not once was the name of US President Donald Trump mentioned. And yet, the entire tone of the speech seemed crafted in response to recent inflammatory comments by him suggesting that Canada might one day become the 51st American state. By choosing not to dignify such provocation with a direct rebuttal, Canada ~ and its sovereign ~ demonstrated a kind of quiet strength often absent in the age of social media brawls and televised tirades. This episode also reminds us of the strategic role the monarchy can still play in modern democracies ~ not as rulers, but as stabilising forces above politics. In a world increasingly shaped by transient populism, the continuity embodied by the Crown can provide a valuable counterweight rooted in history, dignity, and measured conduct. Symbolism was everywhere. The King stood not in robes or crown, but in a business suit ~ serious, accessible, and contemporary. His presence, at once ceremonial and political, underscored the unique constitutional bond between Canada and its monarch. It also served as a diplomatic firewall at a time when Canadas political climate has been jarred by rising populism across its southern border. There was also a sincere effort to foreground indigenous voices, with traditional regalia and ceremonial presence marking a shift in how official Canada frames itself. The inclusion was not mere tokenism; it was a visible and vocal acknowledgment of the nations roots ~ an assertion of identity that reaches beyond settler colonial narratives and into a broader claim of pluralism and legitimacy. Ultimately, the Kings visit and the speech he delivered accomplished what no direct confrontation could have: it offered a subtle yet unmistakable affirmation of Canadas independence. It did so without fanfare, without grandstanding, and without feeding the cycle of political antagonism. In todays volatile landscape, such restraint is rare ~ and perhaps, all the more powerful for it. Diplomacy sometimes works best when it does not escalate, when it reaffirms values instead of reacting to noise. In this case, a monarchs measured words ~ and the silences around them ~ may have done more to defend Canadian sovereignty than any direct response ever could. Advertisement Advertisement The worlds at war, and inside Calcuttas swankiest hotel, theres champagne, swing music and scandal. Its 1941, and while war drums echo across continents, the Great Eastern Hotel clinks with cutlery and whispered secrets, oblivious to the disasters hurtling towards it. Ruchir Joshis Great Eastern Hotel isnt so much a book as it is a maximalist epic that grabs you by the collar, drags you through the smoke and sweat of 1940s Calcutta, and dumps you out 900 pages later, exhilarated, slightly disoriented and desperate for a drink. This isnt a polite historical fiction that gently takes you by the hand and shows you the major events of the time. No. This one roughs you up in the alley behind New Market, introduces you to a pickpocket, a jazz-loving Englishwoman, the scion of a wealthy family with Cezanne-sized artistic ambitions and a sharp-tongued Communist student, and leaves you to fend for yourself. Advertisement Set during a citys fevered moment the air thick with World War II paranoia, imperial anxiety, and the whispers of imminent independence Joshis novel orbits around the legendary Great Eastern Hotel, the kind of establishment where the empires elite drank their gin even as the world outside started to crumble. Its a hotel in the best narrative sense: a crossroads where revolutionaries, artists, street urchins and expats collide, seduce, betray and pontificate. Joshi doesnt just give you Calcutta as backdrop; he gives you Calcutta as accomplice, as unreliable narrator, as the city thats constantly rewriting its own story before your eyes. Advertisement The prose is gleefully dense, playful and often riotous. Joshi has a magpies ear for dialects. The novels dialogue crackles with period slang, street patter, snob drawl and the earthy rhythm of 40s Calcutta. Theres joy in the way characters talk, mispronounce and curse. They speak not like characters in a book, but like people you might overhear at a dockside tea stall or behind the curtained-off section of an old colonial club. One of the sly recurring players in this orchestration is The Statesman. Joshi uses it not just as a period prop but as a sharp narrative device. It turns up first as the bringer of daily war maps, fuelling overconfident armchair Soviet defeat predictions among college boys. Then it doubles as a ledger for the performative patriotism of rajas and maharajas, who splash out half-page ads pledging men and munitions to His Majestys cause. Later, it becomes the medium for social one-upmanship in death, with characters fretting over the size and placement of obituaries, debating whether family legacies deserve a front-page farewell or a discreet classified note. Yes, Great Eastern Hotel tackles heavy stuff: colonial anxiety, gender politics, class warfare and how cities remember (or forget) themselves. But it does so through characters youd actually want to have a drink with, or avoid in a dark alley. This is historical fiction with dirt under its fingernails and poetry in its bones. The book grabs a moment when the world held its breath, turns it inside out and rummages through the bits of politics, passion, betrayal and art wed rather not admit still matter. Ambitious, irreverent and alarmingly timely, this is a novel that reminds you how quickly a citys laughter can curdle and how every generation thinks its the last one before the storm. Its easy to assume Ruchir Joshis Great Eastern Hotel is cut from the same linen as Shankars Chowringhee. But where Chowringhee keeps its drama neatly pressed within hotel walls, Joshis hotel is more of a narrative traffic island everything whirls around it, and most of the good trouble happens well beyond the lobby. Great Eastern Hotel isnt just a love letter to a lost city its a lusty, brawling, cigarette-stained, gin-soaked declaration that history belongs as much to the pickpocket in the shadows as to the statesman in the ballroom. Ruchir Joshi speaks to The Statesman about Great Eastern Hotel, a novel where Calcutta teeters on the edge of war, revolution and reinvention. Following are the excerpts: Q. The novel treats Calcutta not merely as a setting but as a palimpsest of cultural, political and sensory impressions. In your rendering of the city, how did you approach the act of layering these competing realitiesfrom the imperial to the subalternwithout flattening any one perspective? The thing is, you dont start like that. You get involved in the period, start thinking about the characters who might be alive then and follow their stories as they come to you. Then you try to do justice to each of them. You ask if this character is walking down a street, living in a house, entering a hotel, or caught in a crowd, how would they behave? What would they know, what wouldnt they know? What would their expectations be, given the limitations of their time? What would their cultural hardwiring be? You work with all these layers, read, reread and rewrite until it feels right. And if someone later says, You managed to cover everything from the grand imperial to the subaltern without flattening it, well, thats lovely to hear. But really, youre just trying to do justice to the scale of the story. Some novels live inside a single apartment or one village, and those are beautiful too. This one, though, was always meant to be expansive and it needed to live up to that. Q. The novel has a deliberately fragmented structuremultiple viewpoints, time-hops, linguistic play. Was this formal fragmentation a way to mirror the political dissonance of 1940s Calcutta? Or does it reflect a broader distrust of singular narratives in Indian historiography? Well, my first book, The Last Jet-Engine Laugh, is being reissued now itll be back in bookstores shortly. And if you look that up, youll see it also has a fragmentary narrative. I think, as a writer and filmmaker, I naturally prefer a fragmentary narrative over a neatly unified storytelling structure. Thats one thing. And the second is since Great Eastern Hotel has multiple characters and settings, to do justice to that and create a kind of multi-voiced, polyphonic experience, a broken-up narrative felt like the right choice for me. Q. What drew you to use a hospitality space as the novels narrative and moral fulcrum? Well, I dont know if its the novels moral fulcrum. What fascinated me was the Great Eastern Hotel, the Grand Hotel and these big imperial-era establishments in Calcutta. They were, in a sense, strange, extravagant objects symbols of extreme wealth in a city marked by poverty and hardship, surrounded by struggling countryside. These hotels, along with places like the Taj Mahal Palace hotel in Bombay, were among the finest in the world the food, the service, the luxurious suites and yet they existed in this very charged context, in one of the Empires most important cities, where disparity was everywhere. What interested me was how the hotel wasnt just home to the rich and government officials, but also to sex workers, waiters, petty criminals supplying stolen goods all these intersecting lives under one roof. And the hotel as a metaphor fascinated me too. You have guests living beside each other without knowing one another. Some check in, some check out, some stay long, others for a night. Some arrive for pleasure, others because they have no choice. In that way, the hotel started standing in for the city itself for Calcutta. Which is why the books called Great Eastern Hotel, not The Great Eastern Hotel. Its both the hotel and the city especially in that wartime moment, when Calcutta turns into a strange, sprawling hotel of its own. People pour in: villagers seeking refuge, thinking its temporary, some dying here, some staying forever. Later, refugees from East Pakistan come in the same way. Meanwhile, the soldiers, the Americans, the Australians, the African regiments they arrive, stay for a while, and leave. That dynamic fascinated me. Q. So, Calcutta becomes a character in your story? Its impossible to call Calcutta a character, because its so vast, and it has so many facets. The city develops a kind of presence in the book, which is akin to that of a character. Yes, perhaps you could say that. There are so many aspects of Calcutta that, you know, Im not trying to cover in this book. Im not attempting one of those all-encompassing, everything-about-the-city books. People have done that written sweeping books on Calcutta, Bombay or Delhi. But this isnt meant to be that. Theres a lot about Calcutta that isnt in this novel, because its really a book about this particular set of characters and this particular story. Q. Your female charactersespecially those moving through public and semi-public spacesoften subvert the expected moral codes of their time. In a city that was on the brink of political rupture, how conscious were you of re-inscribing gender into the citys historical memory? It was absolutely central to me, because I felt that was one story that hadnt really been told at least not in English fiction from India. It has, of course, appeared in Bangla fiction, and many of the women activists from that time wrote their own autobiographies and gave extensive interviews. My friend, Dr Kavita Panjabi, has done an entire dissertation and book on the Tehbaga movement, preserving memories from that period. So yes, the record exists, and we know about these women and their remarkable, heroic efforts. But in fiction especially English-language fiction I hadnt come across it. I was very conscious that, for me, this was the first time I was writing their story in this way, and it felt important to keep that thread central to the book. As the writing progressed, it naturally moved to the heart of the novel. I was primarily drawn to these characters because, in their own ways, each one breaks from the norms and expectations of their class, gender or background. Even a criminal like Gopal without giving anything away here does something by the end that defies the usual gangster script. A wealthy boy like Kedar steps out of line in an unexpected way. A young Englishwoman like Imogen doesnt behave like a typical colonial memsahib of the time she chooses differently. And then, of course, characters like Imogen, Nirupama, Roma they begin defying conventions from the very start, setting up their own home, carving out new ways of living. Thats what became compelling to me about these characters as they developed this shared instinct to push against the limits placed on them. Q. The novel is deeply attentive to how people speakslang, syntax, shifts in register. What were the ethical and aesthetic challenges in ventriloquising such a wide spectrum of voices, especially when class and caste play such an audible role in Indian speech? Ethics, for me, means trying to put myself as vividly and in as much detail as possible into the shoes of that person. Its based on people Ive met, experiences Ive had Ive done some work in villages, some in the city with working-class people, and Ive listened to recordings, read accounts. All of that comes into play when Im writing about someone from a background or class different from mine. And theres a double challenge because its not just about capturing that characters voice and speech, its about placing them in their time. This is 70, 80 years ago. You have to be very careful not to let contemporary language or ideas slip into their dialogue. A petty criminal or waiter today would sound entirely different from their 1940s counterpart. Take Kedar, for instance. His English is very anglicised but anglicised from the 1940s, not the 60s or 70s. I knew people, most of them gone now, who spoke in a particular way shaped by a certain kind of received upper-class pronunciation. That had to be reflected in Kedars register, which would be distinct from Imogens. And when Imogen and Nirupama talk, theres another layer Nirupama is learning English, Imogen is trying to grasp Bangla culture and its nuances. That dynamic needed to be marked in their conversations. Of course, people in the streets and certain situations would be foul-mouthed and that comes through too. But I paid close attention to cadence and tone, trying to render it all as vividly, accurately, and imaginatively as I could. Spotlight Great Eastern Hotel By Ruchir Joshi HarperCollins, 2025 920 pages, Rs 1,499/- An all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation led by Janata Dal-United MP Sanjay Kumar Jha paid homage to freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as well as Hindu saint and philosopher Swami Vivekananda in the Malaysian capital. As a solemn gesture, the delegation paid tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, a towering figure in Indias freedom movement, at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Indian Cultural Centre (NSCBICC) in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. The homage reflected the delegations acknowledgment of Indias historical legacy in standing up against oppression and injustice. The delegation also had the honour of interacting with S.P. Narayanasamy, a veteran of the Indian National Army (INA) and a member of the Balak Sena of the INA. The delegation expressed deep gratitude for his contribution, the Indian Embassy in Malaysia said in a press statement on X. Advertisement The delegation also visited the Ramakrishna Mission in Kuala Lumpur and paid floral tributes to the statue of Swami Vivekananda, the Indian Embassy in Malaysia said in the press statement. Advertisement The Indian Embassy in Malaysia in the press statement wrote: An All-Party Parliamentary Delegation from India, led by Member of Parliament Sanjay Kumar Jha, arrived in Kuala Lumpur on the evening of May 31, 2025, as part of the Indian governments regional outreach. The visit underscores Indias principled and uncompromising stance of zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and also highlights the strategic significance of Operation Sindoor. The delegation comprises: Sanjay Kumar Jha of the Janata Dal-United, Aparajita Sarangi of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Abhishek Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress, Brij Lal of the BJP, John Brittas of the Communist Party of India-Maoist, Pradan Baruah of the BJP, Hemang Joshi of the BJP, Salman Khurshid, Former Minister of External Affairs and Congress MP, and Mohan Kumar, former Ambassador of India to France. The delegation began its engagements with a detailed briefing by the India High Commissioner to Malaysia, B.N. Reddy, who highlighted the importance of robust India-Malaysia ties and outlined the Malaysia-specific messaging to strongly convey Indias commitment to combat terrorism under the Operation Sindoor, the Indian Embassy in Malaysia said in a press statement. In a wide-ranging interaction with members of the Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur, the delegation conveyed Indias resolute stance against cross-border terrorism, particularly in light of the recent dastardly terror attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The discussion included background on Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of Indias right to respond, pre-empt, and deter future terrorist attacks. Diaspora members, including voices from the Malaysian Indian Muslim community, unequivocally condemned terrorism. An appeal was made to amplify the message of unity and zero tolerance through various platforms and communities, the press statement added. The delegation also held an engaging session with leading Malaysian media outlets and prominent social media influencers, where they highlighted the purpose of their visit, Indias new normal and on ways to realise zero tolerance against terrorism. The delegation paid heartfelt homage to the Malaysian national who lost her life in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, emphasising that terrorism is a global menace that endangers all of the humanity, the press statement said. The All-Party delegation also engaged in a meaningful dialogue with the 15-member delegation of the National Defence College (NDC), New Delhi, which is currently undertaking a Foreign Country Study Tour to Malaysia from June 2 to 6, 2025. India remains firm in its message to the world: terrorism in any form, from any source, will not be tolerated. The visit of the All-Party Parliamentary Delegation to Malaysia is part of the sustained diplomatic and public outreach to convey this message with clarity. The presence of the All-Party Parliamentary Delegation and the NDC delegation in Malaysia represented also by senior officers from the Armed Forces of India, at the same time in Malaysia, provides a unique opportunity over the next three days to disseminate the context and background of Operation Sindoor and Indias zero tolerance against terrorism, the Indian Embassy in Malaysia said in the press statement. The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation, led by MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, visited Ramakrishna Mission, Petaling Jaya. The delegates paid floral tributes to the statue of Swami Vivekananda, and also visited the Panchavati Prayer hall as well as the Nivedita House. The 12-feet bronze statue unveiled by PM Narendra Modi in 2015, stands testament to the resilience and moral strength that is an inherent part of Indias fight against terrorism. The delegation, led by MP Sanjay Kumar Jha also visited Torana Gate at Little India in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. The Torana Gate, a gift from people of India to the people of Malaysia inaugurated during the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Malaysia in 2015, symbolises the unity and stands as a mark of strong and continued friendship between India and Malaysia. The delegation also interacted with members of the Malaysia-India Heritage Society (MIHS), who presented the delegates with the compendium of the proceedings of the International Conference titled Malaysia and India: Shared Heritage and Cultural Links. Our All-Party Parliamentary Delegation visited the Ramakrishna Mission in Kuala Lumpur a respected institution affiliated with the Ramakrishna Math in India, devoted to service, spiritual upliftment, and cultural harmony. The Mission stands as a strong symbol of IndiaMalaysia friendship, rooted in shared values and mutual respect. At the mission premises, we paid floral tributes to Swami Vivekananda ji the timeless sage who embodied Indias civilisational wisdom. Prime Minister @narendramodi had unveiled the 12-foot bronze statue here in 2015, recalling Swami jis vision of One Asia a thought that continues to guide ASEAN and East Asia today. His enduring message of universal brotherhood and inner strength remains a beacon for humanity, said JD-U MP Sanjay Kumar Jha in a post on X. Amidst todays intensive diplomatic engagements, our Indian All-Party Parliamentary Delegation had the honour of visiting the iconic Torana Gate in Brickfields a majestic symbol of IndiaMalaysia friendship. Inspired by the historic Sanchi Stupa a revered Buddhist monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Madhya Pradesh, India this architectural marvel was gifted by India in 2015. It stands as a proud testament to our shared civilisational values, cultural resonance, and enduring diplomatic ties. More than a monument, the #ToranaGate reflects the spirit of unity, peace, and mutual respect a bond that continues to strengthen the partnership between India and Malaysia, JD-U MP Jha said in another X post. Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been formally charged with crimes against humanity by the countrys International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) over her alleged role in the violent nationwide uprising of July 2024, according to local media reports. The charges, which were made public on Sunday, mark a significant turn in the political landscape of Bangladesh, as the trial of the exiled former leader began with live television coverage. Advertisement Alongside Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun have also been named co-accused in the case. Advertisement The tribunal, in its Sunday session, received a formal submission of charges from prosecutors who claimed Hasina was the central figure responsible for instigating the mass violence that engulfed the country during July and August last year. Leading Bangladeshi daily, The Dhaka Tribune, reported that an investigation report submitted on May 12 identified Hasina as having directly ordered the killings. The findings allege that she instructed state security forces, members of her political party, and affiliated organisations to execute brutal crackdowns against the growing wave of anti-government protests. These killings were planned, said Chief Prosecutor of Bangladeshs ICT Mohammad Tajul Islam, during the high-profile televised hearing. He presented video recordings and encrypted communications as evidence, claiming they establish Hasinas orchestration of a coordinated, widespread and systematic attack. According to the prosecution, Hasina, then serving as the head of government, bore command responsibility for the violent actions carried out by security forces under her leadership during the peak of the unrest. She unleashed all law enforcement agencies and her armed party members to crush the uprising, Tajul Islam told the tribunal. This development comes weeks after the interim government, currently led by Muhammad Yunus, banned all activities of the Awami League Hasinas party under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The mass protests, initially sparked in early 2024 by student-led demonstrations opposing a controversial job quota system, quickly morphed into a widespread movement demanding Hasinas resignation. By August 5, facing intense pressure, Hasina stepped down and fled to New Delhi, where she has remained in self-imposed exile. In October 2024, the ICT issued an arrest warrant against her and formally requested her extradition from India. A suspect was taken into custody after multiple people were injured in an terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, authorities said. Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said at a news conference that Boulder dispatch received several calls reporting an incident at the county courthouse in downtown Boulder at approximately 1:26 p.m. local time (1926 GMT), Xinhua news agency reported. Advertisement Police officers found several victims suffering from burns and other injuries upon arriving at the scene. Advertisement An organiser with Run For Their Lives a group that holds weekly walks to raise awareness about Israeli hostages held in Gaza told local television station KUSA that five people were burned in the attack. When they arrived at the historic courthouse near 13th and Pearl Streets, a man was waiting with bottles, the organizer was quoted as saying in the report. The suspect threw the bottles, burning five people, including a woman who was severely injured and had to roll on the ground to extinguish the flames, according to the report. In a social media post, FBI Director Kash Patel said, We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available, he added. Redfearn condemned the incident as unacceptable, but noted it was still too early for police to speculate on a motive. I am closely monitoring the situation in Boulder, and my thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror, Colorado Governor Jared Polis said in a post on X, adding, Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. Sharing concern after the attack, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is leading one of the all-party delegation globally highlighting Indias stance against terrorism, posted on X: Members of the Indian MPs delegation learned with concern about the terror attack in Boulder, Colorado today. We are relieved there was no loss of life. We all share Secy of State @SecRubios view that terror has no place in our countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi batted for India as a global aviation hub, and not just in flights and airports, but as a value chain leader straddling everything from design to delivery. The worlds biggest aviation companies should not just Make in India, but also design in India, the Prime Minister exhorted the gathering of the whos who of global aviation at the International Air Transport Associations (IATA) annual meet. In his inauguration speech at the annual meet which is happening in India after four decades, the PM described the country as a rising leader in the global aviation-aerospace convergence. In the global aviation ecosystem, we are not just a big market, but a leader in policy, innovation and inclusive development, he said. #WATCH | Delhi: At AGM of IATA (International Air Transport Association), PM Modi says, "There is another emerging sunrise sector - MRO i.e., Maintenance Repair and Overhaul. With our new MRO policies, the effort to make India a global hub of aircraft maintenance has picked up pic.twitter.com/v9hJmqICG1 ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2025 While Indias achievements in the civil aviation sector becoming the third biggest aviation market in the world after the US and China and the fast-increasing passenger, cargo traffic and airport infra, are commendable enough, Modis speech was more a future business pitch, calling upon the aviation makers to come to set up manufacturing facilities in the country. #WATCH | Delhi: At AGM of IATA (International Air Transport Association), PM Modi says, "Today, we stand at a juncture where our travel plan is restricted not just to the cities on earth. Today, humans are dreaming of commercialising space flights and interplanetary journeys, and pic.twitter.com/LAsLjBrYaJ ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2025 Modi highlighted the focus on civil aviation manufacturing incentives in the last union budget and specifically on Mission Manufacturing. He pointed to the scope of aircraft leasing being kick-started through the special economic zone in Gujarats GIFT City. The laws are strong and transparent while the tax structure is simple. It is a great opportunity for the worlds biggest aviation companies to invest in India. The PM also touched upon other areas of scope for international civil aviation investment into India from pilot and other skilled manpower training and sourcing to specifically, the maintenance, repairing and overhaul (MRO) sector which he described as another sunrise sector. We are aiming at making India a global maintenance hub. In 2014, India had 96 MRO facilities, today there are 154 MROs. The governments push offers 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) under automatic route and GST discounts. By 2030, India should be a four billion dollar MRO hub. Interestingly, the PMs speech did not limit itself to just airlines, plane manufacturing, training or maintenance alone. Starting off his speech talking about aviation-aerospace convergence, the prime minister spoke of imagination not being limited by long haul flights, but interplanetary ones, too. It is still some distance away, but India is ready for all these sorts of possibilities, Modi said. Major auto heavyweights posted their May 2025 sales numbers on Monday. Among them, rivals Hero MotoCorp and Bajaj Auto went head to head, while Royal Enfield saw a major jump due to the number of models on offer. Two-wheeler giant Hero MotoCorp led the back with more than 5 lakh vehicles sold in May 2025. For the month, it sold 5,07,701 units, up 2 per cent year-on-year from 4,98,123 units in May last year. Among them, domestic dispatches to dealers were 4,88,997 units vs the year-ago figure of 4,79,450 units. Exports improved to 18,704 units in May 2025 from last years 18,673 units. While rival Bajaj Auto saw an 8 per cent jump year-on-year in total sales, the 3,84,621 units it sold in May 2025 were still behind that of Hero MotoCorp. Moreover, domestic saleswhich included commercial vehicles, many of them not being two-wheelersjust marginally rose to 2,25,733 units in May 2025 vs 2,25,087 units in the year-ago period. Exports came to the rescue here, with sales jumping by 22 per cent to 1,58,888 vehicles for the month. While the two major two-wheeler brands gained from new products across the motorcycle and scooter categories, it was mid-size motorcycle maker Royal Enfield that saw major gains in May. Total sales of the thumping two-wheeler maker soared 26 per cent to 89,429 units in May, with a 19 per cent jump in domestic sales of 75,820 vehicles. Exports skyrocketed by a massive 82 per cent to hit 13,609 units for the month. In May 2024, Royal Enfield exported 7,479 units. Hyundai, Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki post May sales Apart from two-wheeler giants, major car makers also posted May sales. Hyundai Motor India saw its total sales slump 8 per cent year-on-year to 58,701 units on an 11 per cent slide in dispatches to domestic dealers of 43,861 units. This was marginally offset by exports rising to 14,840 units for the month vs 14,400 units in May 2024. In contrast, Maruti Suzuki India saw a 3 per cent spike in total sales of 1,80,077 units in May 2025, helped by higher numbers posted for utility vehicles such as Grand Vitara, Brezza, Ertiga, XL6, and Jimny. This helped reduce the impact of sales slump in the mini segment (Alto, S-Presso) and compact cars such as Baleno, Celerio, Dzire, Ignis, Swift, and Wagon-R. Maruti Suzuki Indias total domestic passenger vehicle dispatches to dealers in May 2025 dipped 6 per cent to 1,35,962 vehicles. Tata Motors, in comparison, saw a 9 per cent year-on-year dip in total sales of 70,187 units in May. Domestic sales slid 10 per cent to 67,429 units, and total passenger vehicle sales slumped 11 per cent to 42,040 units for the month. Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, the top military leadership of the two countries exchanged their views and issued warnings at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, billed as Asia's premier defence forum. While India accused Pakistan-based terror groups of carrying out a deadly attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in April, Pakistan denied any involvement and called for a resolution to the Kashmir issue. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, speaking of Operation Sindoor, said, "What India has done, politically, they have drawn a new red line of intolerance against terror. I hope, this particular operation, it's basically lying in the military domain, that should bring about some lessons for our adversary also, and hopefully they learn that this is a limit of India's tolerance." "We have been subjected to this proxy war of terror for almost two decades and more, and we lost a lot of people...we want to put an end to it," he said. READ MORE: 'Both sides were rational': CDS General Anil Chauhan praises militaries of India, Pakistan Meanwhile, Pakistan's top military General highlighted the need to move towards conflict resolution and warned that if this is not done, it could lead to a destructive escalation. General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), during a panel discussion, titled 'Regional Crisis-Management Mechanisms', said, "It has become imperative to move beyond conflict management towards conflict resolution. This will ensure sustainable peace and assured crisis management." He called for an early resolution of the Kashmir issue in line with the UN Security Council resolutions and as per the aspirations of the people. "Given the Indian policies... the absence of a crisis management mechanism may not give enough time to the global powers to intervene and affect cessation of hostilities. They will probably be too late to avoid damage and destruction," he said. In an apparent reference to the Kashmir issue, General Mirza said, "Crisis prevention is better than crisis fighting. Suppressed disputes, whether territorial or ideological, cannot be indefinitely managed." He said the recent military confrontation between India and Pakistan had underscored how regional crisis management frameworks remain hostage to the belligerence of countries. General Mirza said following the military conflict, the threshold of an escalatory war has come dangerously low, implying greater risk on both sides, not just in the disputed territory but all of India and all of Pakistan. He claimed that Pakistan desired a peaceful coexistence with India based on mutual respect, sovereign equality and most importantly, dignity and honour. "We seek a principal order, an order anchored in sovereign equality and restraint. In this, crisis management is not merely a set of tools but a strategic ethic," General Mirza added. Chinese FM meets Pakistani counterpart on ties Xinhua) 13:20, May 31, 2025 HONG KONG, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Friday that China is willing to work with Pakistan and like-minded countries to enhance the unique advantages of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed). When meeting with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, who attended here the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed, Wang said that China is willing to work with Pakistan and other countries to provide voluntary and efficient new options for dispute settlement for all countries, and a new platform for maintaining peace, stability, fairness and justice in the global South. Dar said that China's initiative to establish the IOMed was timely and represented an important contribution to strengthening the multilateral system. He noted that the recent informal meeting of foreign ministers from Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan in Beijing was a success. Pakistan decided to accept China's mediation proposal and elevate its diplomatic relations with Afghanistan to the ambassadorial level. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that Pakistan's move to upgrade its diplomatic ties with Afghanistan will help improve relations, enhance trust and strengthen cooperation between the two countries. China supports Pakistan in assuming the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council in July and contributing to international peace and security, Wang added. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Kou Jie) SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. SACRAMENTO, Calif. The big question in California politics is, "Will Kamala Harris run for governor?" But that's the wrong question. Far more important is, "Should she?" And that's not a question to be answered based strictly on her prospects for winning. Initially, at least, the former vice president would be the heavy favorite to succeed termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom although, eventually, she could find herself in a tough election fight next year. Rather, the answer should be determined based on what strengths, goals and ideas she would bring to the table her specific plans for fixing California's enormous problems, her eagerness to fight even political allies to achieve her objectives and her own desire to lead the state's comeback. She shouldn't view the job as a consolation prize after losing the presidential election to Donald Trump. Voters would smell that and, anyway, Harris would be miserably bored in the state Capitol dealing with budget minutiae and relatively inexperienced legislative leaders. So far, since returning from Washington to her native state, Harris, 60, has displayed none of the above criteria that California needs in its next governor. But neither did she previously in any noteworthy way as a U.S. senator or particularly state attorney general. As attorney general, Harris refused to take positions on important ballot measures, including those dealing with her role as California's so-called top cop propositions to stiffen criminal sentences and both abolish and expedite the death penalty. Harris has a record of being overly cautious about taking positions that could alienate interests she deems important to her political career. Sure, Harris isn't running for anything right now. So, she deserves a pass on issuing 10-point plans to patch up the state. But, look, you don't need to be a gubernatorial candidate to express concerns about your state. Any resident who's conscious should be alarmed. "Home prices have skyrocketed as supply slumped over the past three decades," the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California noted in a report last week. California's median home price in March was $884,000 very tough if not impossible for many middle-class families. The housing shortage is largely due to over-regulation, tangled red tape that slows issuance of building permits and abuse of California's environmental protection laws. There's a strong move in the Legislature to ease regulations, but it's highly controversial. Does Harris have a thought on this? Homeowner insurance rates are rising fast in the aftermath of wildfires. And in many fire-prone regions, traditional policies are impossible to obtain. The next governor needs to fix this. California's poverty rate is the nation's highest when the cost of living is considered, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Despite our spending many billions of dollars and regardless of ugly finger-pointing at each other by Newsom and local officials, 187,000 Californians are homeless a 35% increase in 17 years. That's the highest in the nation only partly because we've got the largest population. Gasoline prices are roughly $1.60 a gallon higher in California than the U.S. average. And two oil refineries are planning to shut down, invariably hiking pump prices even higher. We're a high-tax state, a fact Newsom is in denial about. We lean too heavily on the wealthy for tax revenue and that produces roller-coaster budget deficits and surpluses depending on the stock market. It's ridiculous. State taxes should be modernized. But no politician has the guts to attempt that. Then there's California's historic problem of not enough water for its thirst. Does Harris have anything to say about any of this? She hasn't so far. Of course, the seven leading announced Democratic candidates have been practically mute themselves on matters that risk aggravating party interest groups. One exception is former Los Angeles Mayor and state Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, who has been bolder than most of his rivals. Harris has said she'll decide by the end of summer whether to run for governor in 2026. Maybe she'll seek the presidency again in 2028 or retire from politics and make a bundle in the private sector. But Villaraigosa already is taking shots at her including last week for allegedly helping to cover up former President Biden's cognitive decline while in the Oval Office. Villaraigosa included in the attack another gubernatorial candidate: former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra. Harris is a lot more vulnerable than Becerra on the issue. But it's a cheap shot. How many people would publicly accuse their boss of being mentally incompetent? And Harris would have instantly been blasted for being self-serving by plotting to push the president aside so she could grab the Democratic nomination. Harris could help herself and California's voters, however, by occasionally voicing some anxiety about her home state. The little we've heard from her this year are attacks on Trump. She also has been lending her name to anti-Trump fundraising appeals by the Democratic National Committee. But the last thing California Democrats need is another politician especially a potential governor telling them that Trump is an evil, ignorant con artist. They're fully aware of that. They need someone who can tell them how their state can be fixed. If she ran, Harris would be the initial favorite because of her broad name recognition, past election successes in California and fundraising ability. Some current candidates would probably drop out. But there doesn't seem to be a public clamoring for her to run. Harris needs to start showing people why she should even consider seeking the job. Because, so far, she's sounding more like a 2028 presidential retread. (COMMENT, BELOW) Previously: Did Newsom just give Dems a glimpse of a younger, robust alternative to Biden? Don't listen to the chatter about Newsom running for president Newsom-DeSantis debate would be good for voters --- and two ambitious politicians An unlikely solution to the problems with Harris and Feinstein Newsom could face tough task replacing Feinstein in US Senate Civil Feinstein delivered results but irked ideologues Harris should never have run for president George Skelton Los Angeles Times (TNS) Political columnist George Skelton has covered government and politics for more than 50 years and for the Los Angeles Times since 1974. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/mykola.kalashnyk The first technical hub in Ukraine in the field of construction materials was opened by CEMARK, a part of the international group CRH, in Bucha district of Kyiv region, head of Kyiv Regional State Administration Mykola Kalashnyk reported on Facebook. "The hub's activities will contribute to the implementation of innovative approaches and the creation of solutions that will work to rebuild our state tomorrow. I sincerely thank the CEMARK team for this important decision - to invest in the creation of such an object on the economic map of Kyiv region. This is a strong signal of trust in Ukraine and our region in times of war," Kalashnyk wrote. As CEMARK clarified to Interfax-Ukraine, in the hub, specialists can explore innovative solutions for the production and application of binders, test concrete mix formulations, receive technical advice on their use, quality control, and selection of the optimal composition. "This is about creating a new generation of materials that will improve the quality of our lives, increasing the stability of Ukraine's infrastructure and the comfort of our homes," CEMARK noted. The most modern equipment in the hub's laboratories will allow them to work out technical solutions, adapting global expertise to the needs of the local market, and will become a scientific and technical base for educational projects that CEMARK is already implementing together with partners. Similar technical centers exist in other countries, but the format and goals may differ significantly. The closest example in the company is Le L.A.B in France. This technical platform performs a number of tasks: supports technical professions, participates in the development of innovations and encourages the exchange of experience and cooperation between participants in the sustainable construction market. CRH has been operating in Ukraine since 1999. Since November 2021, its cement enterprises in Ukraine have been operating under the Cemark brand: Podilsky Cement (Khmelnytsky region), Cement (LLC Odesa), and PrJSC Mykolaivcement (Lviv region). CRH is a leading manufacturer of construction materials in the world and the largest in North America and Europe. It has 3,200 businesses in 28 countries, employing about 71,000 people. The company is also present in Asia. In a major step towards enhancing maritime security cooperation, two warships from the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) ESPS Reina Sofia (Spanish Navy) and ITS Antonio Marceglia (Italian Navy) arrived in Mumbai for the first-ever EU naval visit to India. The ships were docked in Mumbai from May 26 to June 1 for an operational turnaround. The visit follows high-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Rear Admiral Davide Da Pozzo, Force Commander of Operation Atalanta, led the EU side in discussions with Rear Admiral Vidyadhar Harke VSM, Chief Staff Officer (Operations), Western Naval Command. Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in the military domain, with an emphasis on maritime operations. During the harbour phase, Indian and EU naval personnel engaged in Subject Matter Expert Exchanges and a Table Top Exercise, focusing on anti-piracy, anti-smuggling, and other non-traditional security threats. These interactions set the stage for joint naval exercises in the Arabian Sea after the ships' departure on June 1 (Sunday). ALSO READ: Who is Lt Gen Dinesh Singh Rana, new Commander-in-Chief of Andaman & Nicobar Command? Why is his appointment special? The sea drills will involve Indian Navy ships and aircraft along with the visiting EU warships and is aimed at enhancing interoperability and operational coordination in the Indian Ocean Region, especially in dealing with issues like piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing. This historic visit reflects the outcomes of the 4th India-EU Maritime Security Dialogue, held in New Delhi in March 2025, and marks a growing multi-domain partnership between India and the European Union. Both sides reaffirmed their support for a rules-based maritime order, ensuring free and open seas while respecting the sovereignty of coastal states. As the rift between India and Turkey grows, speculations are rife that Turkey could join hands with Bangladesh in setting up a weapons factory in Chittagong and Narayanganj. In a move many describe the move as calculated and strategic, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) executive chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun went on a five-day visit to Turkey to discuss the matter with Turkish officials. Harun was also granted the rare opportunity to visit the state-owned defence factory Makine ve Kimya Endustrisi (MKE) in the city of Kirikkale, Turkey. BIDA Chairman Ashik Chowdhury visits Turkey's MKE to explore military cooperation & tech transfer in defence. Turkey emerges as a key supplier of military equipment for Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/4KbOEAposX Jahidul Islam Sajib (@jisajib1) May 31, 2025 The entourage was given a special briefing on the factor, testing centre and secret weapons management, according to local Bangladeshi media, which added that the purpose of the visit was to strengthen the defence ties between the countries. The report added that Dhaka might offer various benefits including tax exemptions and duty waivers under the Bangladesh Economic Zone Act, 2010. The government also thinks Chittagong and Narayanganj are ideal locations for setting up the units because these regions are connected to two seaports or waterways, which are strategically important for weapons production and transportation. A technical team from MKE will soon come to Bangladesh to conduct surveys in these regions, the report added. Interestingly, the Bangladeshi delegation's visit came amid the standoff between India and Turkey over the latter's support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. However, Bangladesh had engaged with MKE earlier too with Dhaka procuring MKE Boran 105mm howitzers last year. They have also purchased Bayraktar drones, which now form the central component of Bangaldesh's airborne intelligence and strike capabilities. Besides, Dhaka has also been exploring purchasing the Turkish-made Otokar Tulpar light tanks. The Bangladesh Army has also purchased Roketsan TRG 300/230 Tiger guided multiple rocket launch system, armoured vehicles, small arms and a night vision system. Claiming that Pakistan has concrete proof of India's involvement behind militant networks in Balochistan, Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir said the Pakistan army would "crush every enemy, foreign or domestic" that challenges the sovereignty of the country. During an interaction with Balochistan tribal leaders, on the security situation in the region, Gen Munir, who was recently promoted to the rank of Field Marshal in the wake of the military conflict with India, claimed that these alleged attempts by the enemy would fail. It is an open malicious act of terrorism waged on out people, or progress, our peace, he was quoted as saying, as per a Radio Pakistan report. ALSO READ: How India-Pakistan hostilities played out at Shangri-La Dialogue Gen Munir further said the Pakistan Army is fully prepared to decisively respond to any possible threat. Echoing similar sentiments, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif too claimed that India-backed proxies are operating in Balochistan to cause destabilise the province and cause disruption to development activities and added that the country will put an end to terrorism in the region. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which had claimed 26 lives. Following this, India carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as part of Operation Sindoor. Pakistan reacted by attempting to attack Indian military bases, but India managed to thwart these attempts. India is set to receive two more squadrons of long-range, mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system S-400 from Russia by 2026. India currently has three squadrons of the Russian-made system, received under a $5.43 billion deal signed in 2018. The S-400 Triumf, developed by Russias Almaz Central Design Bureau, and billed as one of the most advanced air defense systems in the world, capable of engaging an array of threats, including aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, reportedly played a major role in the recent military conflict between India and Pakistan. The road-mobile S-400 system includes powerful radars, multiple types of interceptor missiles, mobile launchers, and a command centre, and can be quickly employed and repositioned. This state-of-the-art air defence system can detect targets at distances up to 600 km and engage them at ranges up to 400 km. ALSO READ: How India-Pakistan hostilities played out at Shangri-La Dialogue Russian Deputy Ambassador Roman Babushkin, speaking about the delivery of the remaining air defence systems to India, said, "We heard that S-400 performed very efficiently during the situation between India and Pakistan." "We have a long history of collaboration. The air defence systems, according to what we are experiencing, the situation in Europe, here, this is one of the promising topics of our partnership in defence preparation in general. As far as my knowledge, the contract for the remaining S-400 units will be according to the schedule," news agency PTI quoted him as saying. We are open for promotion of this partnership for the discussion of the expansion of dialogue on air defence system, he said, adding, "I think it will be done in 2025, 2026." On Saturday, a New Indian Express quoted a source in the defence establishment as saying that the two squadrons of S-400 system would be delivered by February 2026 and August 2026, respectively. In another reiteration of the never-ceasing relevance of the guerrilla style of warfareof hitting behind enemy lines in a surprise attackRussia, on Sunday, was subjected to its Gaza moment when the Ukraine military utterly shocked Russia by launching attacks in the latters airbases, one of which is situated more than 4,000 km away from the Russia-Ukraine border. The only difference with the classical guerrilla tactic is that drones, not fighters, were used in the attack. The attack, of game-changing proportions, means that Russias capability to launch long-range strategic attacks will be considerably curtailed besides eroding its negotiation status during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine talks to end the conflict. It would disturb the logistics of the Russian military and throw its supply lines into disarray. ALSO READ: Why Ukraine drone strikes targeted Russia's Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bomber aircraft? Notably, it would have the important impact of booting the sagging morale of the Ukrainians in the face of a relentless Russian offensive. Russian forces, gearing up for a summer offensive when the ground is firm and hard to deploy one of Russias key military strengthslong and medium-range heavy artillery gunswould be blunted for some time. The Ukrainian operation, codenamed 'Spider's Web', can be likened to the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas in Gaza in one of the massive failures of intelligence and security systems in recent military history. The Gaza attack led to a war that is still ongoing with more than 56,000 people having lost their lives till now. Calling it an absolutely unique operation, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on social media that 117 drones were used in the attack that had been planned for one-and-a-half years, with the office of the operation on Russian territory located right next to an important Federal Security Service (FSB) headquarter. The FSB is Russias main security agency and the primary successor agency to the well-known KGB. According to Zelenskyy, 34 per cent of Russias strategic cruise missile carriers at the airfields were hit. According to reports, 41 Russian strategic bombers, including A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft and Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers were hit in the strikes on four Russian air basesBelaya Air Base in Irkutsk Oblast (southeastern Siberia), Olenya Air Base in Murmansk Oblast, Dyagilevo Air Base in Ryazan Oblast, and Ivanovo Air Base in Ivanovo Oblast. In financial terms, the damage inflicted is reported to be in the range of about $7 billion worth. According to various reports, including those attributed to Ukraines Security Service (SBU), the First Person View (FPV) drones had been transported and stored in trucks with retractable roofs over a period of time and parked near Russian air bases before remotely opening the truck roofs and launching the killer drones. Zelensky said the Ukrainian agents involved in the operation had already been withdrawn to Ukraine before the operation. Binita Chetry, a prodigious nine-year-old hailing from Assam, has paved her way into the annals of Britains Got Talent history. As the first Indian to ascend to the grand finale of the prestigious reality show, she charmed audiences, leaving them mesmerised while bagging the second runner-up title. Netizens have since celebrated her extraordinary feat on social media. The grand finale of the show, which took place at the United Kingdom on May 31, saw an extraordinary curation of budding talent across the globe. The title was won by Harry Moulding, a British magician, who not only secured a 250,000 cash prize but also got the honor of showcasing his talent at the Royal Variety Performance later in 2025. The runner-up position was secured by the LED dance ensemble, The Blackouts. Assams Binita Chetrys triumph on Britains Got Talent 2025 has struck a wave of national pride across India. She also earned recognition from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who lauded the nine-year-old for her performance representing India on the global stage. Sharing a video along with a heartfelt congratulatory message, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma praised Binita Chetry for her achievement. He wrote: Dancing her way to glory. Many congratulations to our very own Binita Chetry on securing the 3rd spot at the Britains Got Talent finale. Her performances have mesmerised audiences from the Brahmaputra to the Thames and made us all proud. Binita also expressed her gratitude to the Assamese CM in a reply: I want to personally meet our Chief Minister Himanta Mama, in Guwahati, and thank him for his immense support and blessings in my journey. I hope this message reaches him, and I get the opportunity to meet him. At the time of her audition, Binita Chetry revealed that her dream was to win the competition to buy a pink princess house. Her journey on Britains Got Talent was a compilation of powerful acts, culminating in a show-stopping finale set to Tears for Fears' Everybody Wants to Rule the World, which established her as the ultimate standout talent. Coming all the way from the Talbalijan village near Bokajan, Binita Chetry takes her roots from a humble (yet determined) family background. Her father, Amar Chetry, is an owner of a small broiler chicken farm. Recognising his daughters talent, he made sure she received proper training and assistance. Her training was arranged, first in Guwahati, and later in Jaipur, under the mentorship of her aunt Amrita Devi and renowned choreographer Hardik Rawat, according to Nanda Kirati Dewan, coordinator of the BGT Binita Chetry Support Group. Binita also and thanked her constant support system, acknowledging the financial aid given by Tuliram Ronghang, the Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC). She also appreciated the encouragement she received from local MLA and Deputy Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly, Numal Momin. The young talents journey has garnered her acclaim throughout India, garnering praise not only from the Chief Minister but also from industrialists like Anand Mahindra, who congratulated her talented act in his social media. Binita Chetrys success is a testament to her talent and determination. Kartik Aaryan, whos been one of the faces of Bollywoods modern rom-com for years, is currently filming 'Tu Meri Main Tera', a breezy new drama co-starring Ananya Panday and directed by Anurag Basu in Europe's picturesque Croatia. Both Panday and Aaryan are shooting a light, summery romance across Croatia just weeks before releasing what might be Aaryan's most intense role yet. Speaking on location from Europe, Aaryan reportedly described the project as a very fresh kind of storyemotional, but not heavy. It breathes. The production, which is set to wrap by July-end, has taken the team through stunning locales and logistical hiccups. We were shooting on an island and had to halt because of some objections, Aaryan recalls. It happens when youre filming in unfamiliar terrain, but we adapted. The view made it worth the trouble. ALSO READ | 4K remastered 'Umrao Jaan' to get a theatrical re-release; Rekha-starrer to be out on this date The actors on-set reunion with Ananya Pandayhis co-star from 'Pati Patni Aur Woh'brings a kind of full-circle comfort. Ananya keeps things light. She hasnt changed much, and I mean that in a good way, he grins. Together, theyre shooting scenes framed by sea breezes and cobblestone streets, with cinematographer Sudeep Chatterjee bringing in a lush, romantic aesthetic. This film with Panday, in a way, is touted as Aaryan's return to his romantic roots, post the intense maturity that came with his previous film, 'Chandu Champion', directed by Kabir Khan. Every film gives you something. With Chandu Champion, I learned resilience. With this one, Im learning stillness, he had told THE WEEK, ahead of the release of 'Chandu Champion'. I literally swam in freezing water for this film, he said with a laugh back then,"but more than that, I had to swim against my own image. Gone is the chaotically lovable Rooh Baba of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, the wide-eyed Sattu from Satyaprem Ki Katha, or the affable Bantu of Shehzada. Chandu Champion introduced a version of Kartik Aaryan stripped of his signature toothy grin and playful monologues. ALSO READ | Disha Patani set to make explosive Hollywood debut in Kevin Spacey's 'Holiguards' Its the first time Ive had to completely let go of my comfort zone, he reflected. This departure mirrors a deeper shift. While 'Tu Meri Main Tera' may be positioned as a vacation romance, for Aaryan, it also seems like a breather: a moment of lightness after months of emotional intensity. The film, backed by Bhushan Kumar, is designed as a romance for the big screenone framed by scenic beauty and emotional sincerity. From viral monologues in 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama' to a performance-driven biopic and a European romance, Kartik Aaryans journey is no longer about breaking inits about breaking free. And beneath the casual tone lies a new Kartik Aaryanone shaped by the transformative experience of 'Chandu Champion', his first biopic, where he portrayed Indias first Paralympic gold medallist, Murlikant Petkar. The film had marked a departure from the actors signature brand of goofy, romantic charm. As the European summer unfolds and the cameras roll, its clear Kartik Aaryan is in the middle of his own cinematic shift. No longer boxed in by genre or image, he moves fluidly between tones, roles, and expectations. The controversy surrounding Kamal Haasan and his remark on the Kannada language does not seem to be dying down. The actor recently faced backlash from the Karnataka government and pro-Kannada communities for saying that Kannada was born out of Tamil during a recent event for his upcoming film, Thug Life. As reported by ANI, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has announced that the Mani Ratnam directorials release will be banned in the state until the actor issues a public apology. KFCC president M Narasimhalu stated that a distributor from Karnataka has invested money in the film. We will wait for 24 hours; if he doesnt apologise, his movie will not be allowed to be released in any of the theatres in Karnataka. 100% without his apology movie cannot be released, Narasimhalu declared adding that the actor is currently in Dubai and will return to Chennai tomorrow. Now, Haasan has moved to the Karnataka High Court to restrain the government and film chamber from barring the screening of the film in the state and petitioned to provide proper security during the screening of the film. He filed the petition through the CEO of his production banner, Raaj Kamal Films International. Haasan had earlier clarified that his comments were made out of love and love will never apologise. A complaint by a pro-Kannada organisation, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, alleged, "Every time a new Tamil movie is released, they have been constantly hurting the self-respect of Kannadigas. Such statements have been made continuously and have further disrupted peace and order between Kannadigas and Tamils. Filmmaker Vikram Sugumaran, who rose to prominence in the Kollywood industry with his directorial debut Madha Yaanai Koottam, has passed away. He was 47. Sugumarans premature death has been attributed to a cardiac arrest. The filmmaker was reportedly travelling on a public bus on Sunday, on his way back from Madurai after pitching a script to a producer, when he complained of chest pain. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but the doctors were unable to resuscitate him and pronounced him dead. Sugumarans career began as an assistant director to Balu Mahendra, shadowing the legendary filmmaker between the years 1999 and 2000. He later teamed up with famed director Vetrimaaran, with whom he co-wrote the script for Danush-starrer Aadukalam. The filmmaker etched his name in Kollywood with his 2013 directorial debut Madha Yaanai Koottam. The film was praised for its exploration of socio-political issues, as well as tense familial conflicts. He later helmed the political drama flick Raavana Kottam, with Shanthanu Bhagyaraj, Anandhi, and Prabhu in leading roles. Sugumaran was working on his upcoming directorial Therum Porum when he breathed his last. The film was touted to be another political drama from the filmmaker, adding to the list of his socially conscious body of work. Social media showed an outpouring show of support for the actor, with actor Shanthanu sharing a series of photos of the filmmaker, writing, Ive learnt so much from you & will always cherish every moment. Gone too soon. #Rip dearest brother @VikramSugumara3 Ive learnt so much from you & will always cherish every moment Gone too soon You will be missed #RIPVikramSugumaran pic.twitter.com/U78l3olCWI Shanthnu (@imKBRshanthnu) June 1, 2025 Composer Justin Prabhakaran, who was working with Sugumaran on Therum Porum, penned, A filmmaker who dreamed beyond frames, but left us too soon. Gone with countless stories untold. On Sunday, ZEE5 released the official trailer for its latest crime-thriller web series Chhal Kapat The Deception. Produced by Aditya Pitte and Samar Khan under their Juggernaut Productions banner, the series is centred around themes of hidden betrayals, secrets, and a chilling murder mystery, promising a binge-worthy experience for its audience. The series will premiere exclusively on the platform on June 5, 2025. ZEE5 and lead actress, Shriya Pilgaonkar shared the trailer on Instagram, captioned, Agar sabke sach pe shaq hai, toh kiske jhooth mein sach hai? (If everyone's truth is doubtful, then whose lie is true?) The trailer commences by introducing bride-to-be and influencer Alisha Singh played by actress Kamya Ahlawat. My life is going to change completely tomorrow, says Alisha but only to ironically end up dead the next morning, leaving all her friends and family in dismay. Directed by Ajay Bhuyan, the series is set against the backdrop of an ancient property that is decked up for the upcoming destination wedding. The series carefully peels through the possibilities of the unfortunate incident becoming a suicide, an accident or a murder. Pilgaonkar plays the role of a cynical but clever cop Devika Rathore whos tasked with uncovering this gripping mystery. In an interview with Rajshri Marathi, Pilgaonkar describes her as a character sharp-eyed cop, who recently transferred to Burhanpurs Lalbaug Police Station, and is reeling from the tragic loss of her husband. ALSO READ | Detective Sherdil: Diljit Dosanjhs mystery-comedy to premiere on ZEE5 on this date Your friends arent your friends. Your lover doesnt love you, says Sub-Inspector Devika Rathore in the trailer, raising the stakes by hinting at potential secrets, betrayal, and suspicion surrounding the victims family and friends. I myself as an audience, love to watch murder mysteries, Pilgaonkar added. Previously known for her thriller roles in OTT releases such as Guilty Minds and The Broken News, this series marks yet another addition to her drama-thriller collection. The star cast also features Ragini Dwivedi, Tuhina Das, Yahhve Sharma, Pranay Pachauri, Smaran Sahu, Anuj Sachdeva, and Keshav Lokwani. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed draft law No. 12150, which is the last requirement for Ukraine's accession to the single European roaming space Roam Like at Home (RLAH), the National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications, Radio Frequency Spectrum and the Provision of Postal Services reported. "Ukraine is taking another step towards joining Roam Like at Home. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the law on amendments to certain laws of Ukraine on the implementation of the norms of the European Union legislation on electronic communications (No. 12150)," the regulator reported on Facebook on Monday. After signing the document, Ukraine has completed its homework on legislative and regulatory approximation to the EU roaming legislation: conditions have been created for integration into the EU Digital Single Market in the roaming sector. Together with the law on roaming and the regulatory legal acts adopted by the commission, law No. 12150 ensures the implementation of the necessary EU roaming legislation, it said. The next step is to submit the law to the European Commission for an official assessment of its compliance with European Union law. In the event of a positive conclusion, the EC will initiate a decision on the mutual granting of the internal market regime for roaming between the EU and Ukraine, which will mean full accession to the RLAH policy. "We are proud of the commission roaming team and continue to work further so that Ukraine can obtain the EU internal market regime for roaming this year," the commission said. As reported, the Verkhovna Rada adopted draft law No. 12150 on April 15, 2025. It is the last requirement for Ukraine to join the single Roam Like at Home. After the document is signed by the president of Ukraine, the EC will be able to complete the assessment of the readiness of Ukrainian legislation. A video clip has gone viral where Punjabi school students attempt to speak in Telugu. Standing in a line, the youngsters speak simple sentences in three different languages. One girl says, What is your name? Aap ka naam kya hai? See Peru emiti? The first two lines are English and Hindi and the last translated line is Telugu. Across Punjab, schools have been teaching Telugu under the Bharatiya Basha Summer Camp programme where two states are paired up and each have to be familiarised about the language, culture and food habits of the other state. The programme is being facilitated by the Ministry of School Education and Literacy. As per the guidelines, students should be able to learn at least five simple sentences of the regional language during the camp. In some Punjab schools, Telugu numericals are also being taught. In the two Telugu states, under the Ek Bharat Sresht Bharat programme, Punjabi and Haryanvi language and culture is being exposed to the government school students for the last few years. This is a more elaborate programme compared to the ongoing summer camp. Andhra Pradesh is paired up with Punjab while Telangana is paired up with Haryana. As per past reports of AP education department, Punjabi alphabets and pronunciation were taught to the school students. In Telangana, a group of 50 school students from Haryana stayed in Hyderabad in April and they were taught basics of Telugu. They were introduced to Telangana festivals like Bathuakamma. In Telangana state, the basics of Haryanvi is being taught in around 26,000 schools. We have selected a few Hindi teachers who teach Haryanvi to the students. Since there is slight change in words and slang, the teachers learn it first and then teach the students, said a senior official of Telangana School Education department. In the coming few days, a batch of school students from Telangana is all set to travel to Haryana to be a part of the exchange programme. Amid protests demanding the scrapping of the ongoing Hemavathi Express Link Canal project in Tumakuru and FIRs against BJP MLAs for violating the prohibitory orders, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, also the water resources minister, slammed the opposition for politicising the issue and claimed that the technical (feasibility) committee had okayed the project and the BJP leaders were well aware of it. "Opposition to the Hemavati Link Canal Project is purely political. The project was approved during H.D. Kumaraswamys tenure as the chief minister. When Yediyurappa became CM, the then District Minister Madhuswamy halted the project. Initially, the project cost was Rs 600 crore. It has now increased to Rs 9001,000 crore. I will reveal the blackmail and demands of those protesting against the Hemavati Link Canal Project at the appropriate time, said Shivakumar, who also dismissed claims that Hemavathi water was being diverted to Ramanagara (Bengaluru South) district, his hometurf. There is no need for Hemavati water in Bengaluru South district. The claims that water is being diverted to my district is false. Over the past ten years, 90 per cent of the water allocated to Kunigal has remained unused, which is an injustice to the people there. Kunigal taluk has a share of 3.3 tmc of Hemavati water. BJP should not escalate the matter. Is this an inter-state conflict?, asked the Kanakapura MLA. People like V.K. Ramayya and Huchamasthi Gowda from Kunigal have fought hard to bring Hemavati water to Tumakuru. We are only implementing their vision. We have already released Rs 400 crore for this project. Work has begun, he informed. Shivakumar warned of stern action against anyone who obstructs the project. BJP MLAs Krishnappa and Suresh Gowda had asked for a technical committee to be formed and the committee has now submitted the report in favour of the project. Now, they are taking law into their own hands, creating hurdles and instigating the farmers, he alleged. Meanwhile, the Gubbi police have booked more than a hundred agitators including BJP MLAs B. Suresh Gowda (Tumakuru Rural), M.T. Krishnappa (Turuvekere) and Jyoti Ganesh (Tumakuru city), seers, farmers and JDS leaders. The government will not be intimidated by such protests. I do not wish to publicly disclose what their demands are. When I undertook the Mekedatu padayatra (protest march), did I take the law into my own hands? If work is halted every day, who will bear the losses?, he asked. Meanwhile, Home minister G Parameshwara, who is the MLA from Koratagere in Tumakuru, defended the project and stated that he would again discuss the issue with the legislators concerned from across all parties. WHAT IS HEMAVATHI PROJECT? The Hemavathi Link Canal Project, also known as the Kunigal Express Link Canal or Sriranga Drinking Water Project, is aimed at addressing the drinking water shortages in Magadi (Ramanagara district) and Kunigal (Tumakuru district) taluks by channelling water from the Hemavathi river to the Sriranga Lake in Magadi. On July 3, 2024, the state irrigation department formed a technical committee headed by retired engineer Arvind D. Kanagile, to conduct a feasibility study. On October 19, 2024, the Karnataka government issued an order to proceed with the project based on the committee's recommendations. The report recommended supplying drinking water to Magadi and Kunigal taluks by diverting the Hemavathi river water to Sriranga lake through a pipeline. Kunigal taluk was allocated 3.676 TMC, but it received only 10 per cent over the past decade. The project now hopes to rectify this deficit without impacting the upstream taluks. The protesting farmers are opposed to the water allegedly being diverted to Ramanagara district and also the installation of underground pipeline instead of open canals stating that it would deprive the other taluks of water. The farmers are demanding that an open canal would help the irrigation and livestock all along the canal. The project was initially commissioned during the Congress-JDS government in 2018, with work commencing when the Congress returned to power in 2023. However, it has faced opposition from BJP and JDS leaders, who allege that the project diverts Tumakuru district's share of Hemavathi water to Bengaluru Rural and Ramanagara districts. India is taking a leaf out of the United States strategy to deport undocumented and illegal Bangladeshi immigrants back to their country. India is one of the farthest destinations for US military flights deporting illegals, and interestingly there have been conversations in security circles about how countries like the US have been handling the issue of illegal immigration. Grappling with the issue of detection and deportation of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants for some years now, there has been a move to speed up the process in line with international procedures which some other countries, like the US, have been following strictly. It is the obligation of all countries to take back their nationals, if they are found to be living illegal abroad, the ministry of external affairs told Parliament earlier this year. This is, however, subject to an unambiguous verification of their nationality. This is a policy not only practiced by India, but is a generally accepted principle in international relations, it said. Government sources said it is now the turn of Bangladesh to accept this policy and principle as New Delhi has decided to send illegal Bangladeshi immigrants backnot only from areas close to the border in North eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and West Bengal but also from hinterland states where illegals have been detected, their nationalities established and who are now being taken back to the borders to send them across into Bangladesh. The push back policy is not new, government sources said. The attempt has been not to allow the illegals from going farther into the country once they have crossed the borders and the Border Security Force with the help of the state police has been pushing them back, largely with the assistance and understanding of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in the last few years. However, with the present strain in ties with Dhaka, there is uncertainty about the reaction of the interim government in Bangladesh as thousands of illegals are being sent back. Their fate also remains uncertain in a scenario where the BGB does not welcome them back, opening up the option of sending them to deportation centres. Both Tripura and Meghalaya have emerged as the two main centres from where the majority of illegals are being sent backby air or by landto send them back through the borders in the northeastern states and West Bengal . As the government implements strict measures to send back illegal Bangladeshi migrants, there are three fold challenges going forwardmore checks and balances are needed in issuance of Aadhar cards to prevent illegal immigrants in getting these documents; a strategy to tackle cases where Bangladesh refuses to accept the illegals and a firm legal system in place to handle the issue in courts going forward. In the past, there have been concerns around repatriation of illegal immigrants living in Assams detention centres. The aspect of deportation and facilities at detention centres have come under the legal lens, making it a complex process involving several stakeholdersministries of home and external affairs and law enforcement agencies involving central and state police forces. In effect, it meant that the national security and diplomatic efforts needed to go hand in hand for an effective handling of the critical issue with a neighbouring country. But at the moment, the focus is on preventive deterrence to ensure more illegals do no enter the country, especially at a time when there are concerns about attempts being made by radical elements to create unrest post Operation Sindoor in Pakistan. Congress leader Salman Khurshid, part of an all-party delegation visiting various countries to explain Indias stand on cross-border terrorism, expressed his displeasure over some people at home focusing on political allegiances over unity. His remark is seen as a veiled dig at his own party leaders who have been critical over the selection of MPs for the delegations. "When on mission against terrorism, to carry India's message to the world, it's distressing that people at home are calculating political allegiances, he wrote on X. Is it s difficult to be patriotic?, he further asked. When on mission against terrorism, to carry Indias message to the world, its distressing that people at home are calculating political allegiances. Is it so difficult to be patriotic? Salman Khurshid (@salman7khurshid) June 2, 2025 The Congress has maintained that the government should have convened a special session of parliament and appraised them of the situation before sending the delegations to various countries. Also, the grand old party has also alleged that the government sidelined the list of MPs it had given for the delegations and chose the members on its own. Interestingly, the names of Khurshid and Shashi Tharoor were not there in the list proposed by the party. Khurshids team, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, is currently in Malaysia after having visited Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore. Talking about his cryptic tweet, Khurshid told news agency ANI that he has been facing questions about his role in a delegation which also has members from the BJP. #WATCH | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: On his tweet, member of all-party delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, Congress leader Salman Khurshid says, "People keep saying, 'what are you doing in a deleagtion where there are people from the BJP. What are you doing there?' What are pic.twitter.com/CfdYCwQJOA ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2025 "People keep saying, 'what are you doing in a delegation where there are people from the BJP. What are you doing there?' What are we doing here? We are doing here is, what is needed for the country, said the Congress leader. I think when I say is it difficult to be a patriot - that is the question that has to be asked of those who are putting out tweets and saying things that I think I believe are not very encouraging when you want to do something for the nation, Khurshid further said. As P.V. Anvar announced the formation of a new political front in KeralaJanakeeya Prathipaksha Prathirodha Munnani (JPPM)questions have emerged over whether his move will ultimately harm the United Democratic Front (UDF) more than the Left Democratic Front (LDF), despite his declaration that 'Pinarayisam' remains his primary adversary. Central to Anvars recent rhetoric is his enmity with UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath. Anvar declared that immediately after filing his nomination, he would visit the house of the late Congress leader V.V. Prakash, who had contested against Anvar in the 2021 assembly elections as the UDF candidate, while Anvar stood as an LDF-backed independent. Prakash died of heart failure just two days before the counting, having lost by a narrow margin of 2,700 votes. Prakash died broken-hearted, Anvar said, suggesting that Shoukath was responsible for the pressure that led to his death. His familyhis wife, children, father, and motherbelieve it was the extreme stress he endured from that individual that caused it, Anvar claimed. He further alleged that a relative of Prakash had told him that Shoukath appeared happy after Prakashs untimely demise. Anvar also challenged Shoukath to visit Prakashs home and seek votes. This so-called cultural and social leader everyone celebrateshas he even once gone to that house to ask for a vote? Does he have the courage? He hasntnot even once, Anvar lashed out. Earlier, Anvar also accused Shoukath of making films that were against the Muslim community. Shoukath has made statements about his own community that even the RSS wouldnt dare to make, he alleged. In response, Aryadan Shoukath dismissed the controversy, saying he would not react to Anvars remarks. Though UDF leaders, including the opposition leader, against whom Anvar raised personal allegations, have largely brushed off Anvars provocations, there are growing concerns that he could erode the UDFs vote base in the upcoming bypoll. And now, by announcing a new political front, Anvar is positioning himself as a challenger to the UDF, LDF, and NDAthough this new alliance could prove short-lived, much like his earlier outfit, the DMK, which faded into obscurity. With the CPI(M) fielding its state secretariat member M. Swaraj in Nilamburcontesting on the party symbolthe bypolls have already shaped up into a fierce political contest. Meanwhile, the BJP has declared Adv. Mohan George, a defector from the Kerala Congress and a native of the Christian belt in the constituency, as its candidateclearly aligning with the partys larger plan to court Christian votes in Kerala. Its worth noting that the Kerala Congress is an ally of the Congress within the UDF, and any leakage of Christian votes could weaken the UDF candidate, just as a vote shift towards Anvarwho is primarily targeting the Muslim demographiccould also undercut UDFs prospects. Simultaneously, the Anvar issue is becoming a tool for a section within the UDF that is dissatisfied with the leadership style of opposition leader and UDF convenor V.D. Satheesan. Notably, Satheesan was the main obstacle to Anvars smooth entry into the UDF. After Satheesan closed the Anvar chapter, Anvar struck back with statements aimed at deepening internal fissures. "[Satheesan] is now ruling the UDF in true Hitler style," Anvar said, accusing him of even ignoring the intervention of [IUML state committee president] Panakkad Sadikhali Thangal, who had advocated for 'justice' in his case. Anvar claims that while the UDF had decided to admit the TMC as an associate member, Satheesan was the one responsible for delaying the official announcement. Reportedly, a section of Muslim League leaders criticised Satheesan during the Leagues internal meetings for mishandling the matter. However, the Leagues official stance remains that no criticism targeting any specific leader was raised. Similarly, multiple senior Congress leaders have quietly expressed dissatisfaction with how the episode was handled, even as Congress and the UDF maintain that they hold a unanimous position on Anvar. Some quarters remain hopeful that new developments may unfold before June 5the last date for withdrawal of nominationsthat could bring the UDF and Anvar back on the same page. All these developments have turned the Nilambur bypoll into a high-stakes battle for Satheesan as well. A clear victory for UDF candidate Shoukath would strengthen Satheesans leadership and reinforce his grip over the party and the front. However, a defeat could trigger dissent within the UDF, with voices calling for his head. To secure a win, Satheesan and his team of young Turks leading the campaign must prevent any leakage of voteswhether to Anvar or to other contenders, including the BJPs strategic candidate. Heavy rains continue to lash northeast India and the death toll in rain-related incidents has increased to 30. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram and Nagaland. In a weather bulletin issued on Monday, the IMD predicted moderate rainfall is likely to continue over northeast India during the next seven days and heavy rainfall has been forecast during the next five days. The weather agency has predicted isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall likely over Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura on Monday, and Assam and Meghalaya for two days. At least 30 persons died in rain-related incidents in northeastern states during the past two days. According to disaster management authorities, eight people died in rain-related incidents in Assam and nine in Arunachal Pradesh; five people died in a landslide in Mizoram. Relief camps have been set up and NDRF, SDRF and personnel from armed forces are involved in rescue operations. In south, the weather agency has predicted moderate rainfall with thunderstorm over many places in Kerala, Mahe and coastal Karnataka for three days. Isolated heavy rainfall is also likely over Kerala and Mahe during June 2-4, IMD said in a bulletin. The weather agency has issued a yellow alert for Kasargod and Kannur districts on Monday. Though schools reopened after summer vacation on Monday in the state, the holiday has been extended for institutions being used as relief camps. While Kolkata police have accused social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli of hate speech and "benefiting enemies" through her now-deleted post on Operation Sindoor, more rightwing leaders have come out in support of the social media influencer. The Bar Council of India called her arrest unjust and demanded a fair probe. Sharmistha Panoli, the 22-year-old student studying at Pune Law University, was arrested by Kolkata police on Friday following a complaint over her alleged communal post in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. Panoli was arrested by West Bengal police though she had deleted the video and issued an apology. A Kolkata court rejected her bail plea and she was remanded to 14-day judicial custody. On Sunday, the Bar Council of India questioned the arrest and said it was "unjust, a blatant assault on freedom of expression". "The Bengal government and Kolkata Police have once again proved their pattern of excessive, selective, and politically motivated action, targeting individuals from particular communities while ignoring or even shielding far more egregious acts by others," said Manan Kumar Mishra, Rajya Sabha MP and chairman of BCI. Hightling recent incidents of communal violence in West Bengal, Mishra charged, "Time and again, the state machinery has shielded those inciting or perpetrating violence against Hindus, while acting with unprecedented haste and severity against individuals like Sharmistha for expressing dissent." The BCI chairman also accused the Trinamool Congress government of opposing Operation Sindoor, a charge the party has denied. "I demand Sharmisthas immediate release, a fair trial, and an end to the double standards that have long plagued the states administration of justice," Mishra said in a statement. However, Kolkata police defended its actions and said "hate speech and abusive language should not be misconstrued as freedom of speech." Police dismissed claims that Panoli was arrested for opposing Pakistan as misleading. "At the time when the whole country stood united and our brave citizens were fighting at the frontier, posting such content on social media which is insulting and demeaning to any class of citizens of India is most abominable act. Any such act will only benefit our enemies," it said. "The accused was not arrested for expressing patriotism or for personal belief; legal actions were taken for sharing offensive content which promotes hatred among the communities," police said in a post on X. Police urged all to "refrain from doing anything that would benefit our enemies". An unveiling ceremony of the statue of Tamil poet and philosopher, Thiruvalluvar, installed during the Mahakumbh, was held at Prayagraj on Monday at an event organised jointly by the Bhasha Sangam, Union Ministry of Culture, Central Classical Tamil Research Institute, Chennai with Hindu Tamil Thisai. It was attended by Tamil officials from Uttar Pradesh. Speaking on the occasion, Varanasi Divisional Commissioner, S. Rajalingam said that while the poet had written 1330 couplets on all subjects including Dharma, Artha and Kama, he had not used the word Tamil anywhere in them. Thus, these were considered as universal ethics. Even Mahatma Gandhi, on a visit to Tamil Nadu, had expressed the desire to study Tamil to read Thiruvalluvar. The Prayagraj DIG, N. Kolanji opined that a day dedicated to the poet should be celebrated internationally and that at least one couplet should be taught in the curriculum to school students at the national level. Like the national bird, animal and flower of our country, Tirukkural should be declared the national book. In North India, it is believed that a person's destiny is determined by God from birth. But, according to the verse 'Deivattal Aagadeninum...', man can win even that which is impossible for God with his efforts. Therefore, Kolanji said, it would be good for people to read at least one couplet daily. Statues of the poet abound in South India and also in many foreign countries. This is, however, the first time that a statue has been installed in Uttar Pradesh. Senior journalist R. Shafimunna described Tirukkural as the only common text that is accepted by people of all religions. In Tamil Nadu, it is mentioned in conversations between all kinds of people including friends, couples, politicians, officials. A similar situation could be created in UP too, said Shafimunna. The statue was to be unveiled during the Mahakumbh in the presence of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. However, this was not possible because of the huge crowds. The United States presented its first formal proposal for a nuclear agreement to Iran on June 1, only hours after United Nations inspectors reported a sharp increase in Tehrans stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The document proposes a halt to all uranium enrichment by Iran and calls for the creation of a regional nuclear power consortium involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, other Arab states and the United States. This was the first written proposal delivered by lead US negotiator Steve Witkoff since talks with Tehran began in early April. The proposal was sent through Omani intermediaries and made public in a tweet by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The White House later confirmed the news. "President Trump has made it clear that Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb," said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. "Special Envoy Witkoff has sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime, and its in their best interest to accept it. Out of respect for the ongoing deal, the administration will not comment on details of the proposal." Araghchi responded that Tehran would evaluate the offer "in line with the principles, national interests and rights of the people of Iran." He reiterated that Iran would not abandon its right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes, a capability that maintains its position as a threshold nuclear stateable to quickly develop weapons if it chooses. A new report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), released on June 1, revealed that Iran has stockpiled 408.6kg of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent, just below weapons-grade. This marks a nearly 50 per cent increase since February. According to the IAEA, this amount of uranium could be further enriched to produce fuel for about 10 nuclear weapons. The quarterly IAEA report describes Irans enrichment levels as a source of serious concern, noting that it is the only non-nuclear-armed state producing uranium at such high levels. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi warned that a diplomatic resolution was urgently needed, ideally one that includes a very robust inspection regime. While Iran has allowed inspectors to measure enriched uranium, it has disabled many of the agencys cameras and sensors at key sites in recent years. The IAEA's findings are expected to be central to a push by the United States, Britain, France and Germany at the agencys next Board of Governors meeting, scheduled for June 9. Western diplomats are preparing a resolution to declare Iran in violation of its non-proliferation commitments, which could eventually lead to a referral to the UN Security Council. If passed, it would be the first such finding against Iran in nearly two decades. Israel, which is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and is widely believed to possess its own nuclear arsenal, issued a statement following the IAEA disclosures. "Such a level of enrichment exists only in countries actively pursuing nuclear weapons and has no civilian justification whatsoever," said the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He urged immediate international action, although he did not issue any military threats. The heightened enrichment activity appears to be part of Tehrans strategy to gain leverage in the negotiations. The IAEA report also referenced a secret Iranian nuclear programme believed to have operated until the early 2000s, involving sites in Lavisan-Shian, Varamin and Turquzabad. Iran denies these sites were used for nuclear activities and claims the nuclear traces found there were planted. The IAEA inspectors, however, dismissed Irans explanations, citing "a lack of technically credible answers." Another report by the agency noted that Tehran has continued to obstruct access to military sites suspected of hosting past nuclear experiments. US intelligence has previously concluded that Iran suspended its nuclear weapons programme in 2003, though Israeli officials contend elements of the programme persisted under the direction of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who was assassinated in 2020 in a remote-controlled ambush widely attributed to Israel. Trump administration officials estimate that Iran could produce weapons-grade uranium in under two weeks and potentially assemble a crude nuclear device within months if it chose to pursue that path. The US proposal currently on the table seeks to prevent such an outcome by securing an agreement that dismantles Irans most advanced nuclear facilities and imposes strict inspection protocols. However, the Iranians have insisted they will not dismantle infrastructure built at significant national expense, especially given its exposure to repeated sabotage by Israeli and American intelligence services. Meanwhile, tensions between Tehran and European powers have escalated. On June 2, Araghchi warned that Iran would retaliate if Britain, France and Germany attempted to exploit the IAEA findings to pressure Tehran. He said he had conveyed Irans position directly to Grossi during a phone call. Despite the rising stakes, Trump has expressed optimism that diplomacy may prevail. He confirmed recent reports that Israel had urged him to join in a military strike on Irans nuclear facilities, but said he had asked Netanyahu to hold off in light of the ongoing negotiations. "I want it (nuclear agreement) 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," said Trump. "We can blow up a lab, but nobody is gonna be in a lab, as opposed to everybody being in the lab and blowing it up." A man armed with a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails attacked a weekly Jewish community gathering in Boulder, Colorado yesterday, injuring six people aged between 67 and 88. The assault targeted participants of 'Run for Their Lives', a global campaign that organises walks calling for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The group had assembled near the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street yesterday afternoon. Pro-Hamas supporters should be categorized as domestic terrorists!! pic.twitter.com/cNLWq42Swm Jammles (@jammles9) June 1, 2025 Witnesses said the assailant had been waiting outside the courthouse with bottles of a clear liquid. As the walkers began their event, he ignited and threw the bottles into the crowd. Several people were engulfed in flames. One woman dropped to the ground and rolled to extinguish the fire on her clothes. Onlookers described scenes of panic, scorched clothing, and victims with visible burns. An eyewitness said she saw people dazed and half-dressed, with burnt clothing lying on the pavement. Four of the injured were taken to a hospital in Boulder, while two others in more serious condition were flown to a burn centre in Denver. Police said injuries ranged from minor to life-threatening. Mohammad Soliman just lit a bunch of elderly Jews on fire in Colorado while shouting "Free Palestine" Police: "Too early for a motive" pic.twitter.com/qElnrTTzwS End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) June 1, 2025 Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn confirmed the suspect was detained shortly after the attack, thanks to eyewitnesses who pointed him out. The man was later identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national living in Colorado Springs. According to Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement sources, Soliman arrived in the United States in August 2022 on a non-immigrant visa. He was authorised to remain until February 2023 but did not leave. On September 9, 2022, he filed a claim with US Citizenship and Immigration Services and was later granted work authorisation valid until March 2025. Authorities said Soliman had no significant criminal history. Two senior officials said he appears to have acted alone and is not linked to any known extremist group. While he shouted Free Palestine during the assault, an initial review of his social media activity did not reveal any specific ideology or threats related to the incident. Investigators are examining reports that he may have dressed as a landscape worker to avoid drawing attention prior to the attack. Police and FBI agents later cordoned off a residential area in Colorado Springs believed to be connected to Soliman. Boulders district attorney, Michael Dougherty, said prosecutors were working with federal officials to determine appropriate charges and jurisdictions. FBI Special Agent Mark Michalek stated there was no immediate indication that Soliman belonged to a broader terrorist network. Chief Redfearn said the physical injuries sustained by the victims aligned with initial emergency calls reporting a man setting people on fire. The FBI has opened a terrorism investigation. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser described the act as a hate crime, given the group targeted. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the department was working with interagency partners, including the FBI. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard confirmed that the National Counterterrorism Center is actively involved in the probe. The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents against Jewish individuals in the United States. Less than two weeks ago, two Israeli embassy aides were shot and killed in Washington, DC by a man who also reportedly shouted Free Palestine. Another recent attack involved an arsonist setting fire to the residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish. Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, called for an end to what he described as the publics tolerance of antisemitic rhetoric. He noted the attack in Boulder was the second violent incident in a fortnight targeting Jews gathered peacefully. The White House was quick to link the attack to illegal immigration to the United States. President Donald Trumps Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller posted on X that the attack was committed by an illegal alien. He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa, wrote Miller. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit. Suicidal migration must be fully reversed. Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua Ukraine has agreed with its partners on joint decisions that will strengthen security, and there will be new defense packages, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said following the summit of the Bucharest Nine and the Nordic countries. "Today we agreed with our partners on several joint decisions that will strengthen our security even more. Thank you to each of you for your willingness to help. There will be new defense packages, there will be new investments in Ukrainian weapons production, especially drones. Ukraine can produce much more," Zelenskyy said at a press conference on Monday. The President said that Ukraine sees these investments by partners as a way to provide these partners with priority access to replenish their arsenals after the end of the war. A second round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks are underway at Istanbul's Ciragan Palace on Monday, a day after Kyiv's daring Operation Spider Web, which it claimed struck as many as 40 warplanes located deep in Russian territory. However, no resolution is expected yet, with Russia publicly accused of prolonging its proposed peace memorandum in order to make strategic battlefield gains, as well as for negotiating the best conditions they could possibly get. ALSO READ | Viral videos show Ukraine's drone attack destroying Russian bombers 'across airbases' | WATCH Kyiv is again ready to take real steps towards peace if Moscow stops being rigid in their ceasefire requirements, and were ready to move forward, not just repeat the same previous ultimatums, a Reuters article said, quoting an unnamed source. The source refers to Russia's constant attempts to force Ukraine to sue for peace in the three-year-long attrition conflict. Kyiv, on the other hand, refuses to lose its territory, but also seeks peace. ALSO READ | Russia inches deeper into Ukraine amid fears of renewed Moscow offensive Vladimir Medinsky, a Putin aide who heads Moscow's delegation, explained that Russia had received Ukraine's draft memorandum for a peace accord ahead of the talks. However, Kyiv has not yet confirmed receiving Russia's draft. Kyiv's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov heads the Ukrainian delegation. Despite no ceasefire resolution at the previous peace negotiations on May 16 in Istanbul, the two sides agreed to a historic prisoner swap, freeing about 1,000 prisoners (POWs) on either sidethe largest prisoner swap since the conflict escalated in February 2022. ALSO READ | Ukraine drones attack Russian bombers: How smuggled UAVs were used to hit Tu-95MS in Siberia by SBU? 5 latest updates | Operation Spider's Web Apart from Operation Spider Web, which inflamed Russian war bloggers and had them baying for blood, the two sides saw drone fire across the border as well, with Ukraine shooting down 52 of Russia's 80 drones, and the opposite site shooting down 162 of Kyiv's drones. This drone confrontation took place over Sunday night. This comes at a time when US President Donald Trump's frustration grows at the Russia-Ukraine conflict continuing, despite America's efforts to get the two nations to engage in conducive dialogue. America has also warned the two nations of its possible exit from mediation efforts, if a resolution was not reached soon. The second round of Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations at Istanbul concluded with no ceasefire, but yet another prisoner exchange. The two sides have agreed to release the dead remains of 6,000 soldiers each. Despite Russia not accepting the ceasefire deal that Ukraine, the US and its Western allies put forward with a view to eventually end the three-year conflict, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described it as a great meeting and explained that he next hoped to bring together Russia's Vladimir Putin, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump for a meeting in Turkiye. While Moscow stated that it sought a long-term settlement, rather than a pause in the conflict, Kyiv again accused Putin of not being interested in peace. This begs the questionwhat makes it easier for the two sides to swap prisoners (POWs) in large numbers, but not arrive at a ceasefire deal? ALSO READ | Round two of Istanbul peace talks: Russia, Ukraine to continue ceasefire push, no resolution expected yet Since the escalation of the three-year-long conflict in February 2022, the two nations have carried out multiple prisoner swaps. In May 2024 alone, Russia and Ukraine carried out multiple POW swaps. On May 31, 2024, the two sides swapped 75 people each, including soldiers captured in Mariupol and Bakhmut, as well as a few civilians. This was one of the largest POW exchanges between them since February 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin in conversation with released Russian POWs in August 2024 | AP Since then, thousands of prisoners have been exchanged in this manner, often facilitated by third parties. For example, the United Arab Emirates played a vital role in mediating a January 2024 swap of over 190 POWs from both sides. Turkiye and the Red Cross have also been instrumental in similar ways. Limited cooperation versus strategic stalemate A sad consequence of conflict is the reduction of soldiers to numbers. Important numbers, but numbers, nevertheless. Prisoner swaps, being largely humanitarian and politically safe, therefore become a form of limited cooperation that does not require too much compromise. They are symbolic and practical, but do not touch core political disagreements: they operate independently of larger and more complicated peace negotiation processes. ALSO READ | Is Ukraine behind 2 rail bridge collapses in Russia? 7 killed in Bryansk tragedy, freight train narrowly escapes in Kursk | VIDEOS A ceasefire, and by extension, an end to the conflict, would require significant political concessions. Kyiv and its European allies have repeatedly accused the Kremlin of stalling for time (and for negotiating the best conditions they could possibly get) with its promised peace memorandum, in the wake of Russia's attrition warfare fuelled by incessant attempts to capture more Ukrainian land. Kyiv, on the other hand, refuses to cede its territory, but also seeks peace. Peace, therefore, is at the moment costlier than conflict. Domestic pressure and strategic calculations Both Moscow and Kyiv use prisoner returns to rally domestic support. Indeed, Zelenskyy regularly posts photos and videos of returned POWs reunited with their families, whereas Russian state media brands POW returns as proof of Putin's commitment to his troops, and to his nation as a whole. Our people are homeone of the best pieces of news that can be. Another 277 warriors have returned home from Russian captivity. The warriors of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, and the border guards. They defended pic.twitter.com/bm4OF80o7o Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) April 19, 2025 However, a broader peace deal would inevitably require compromise, which would make it harder to sell. ALSO READ | Viral videos show Ukraine's drone attack destroying Russian bombers 'across airbases' | WATCH For Ukraine, accepting the territorial loss of Moscow-annexed places like Crimea and parts of Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia could fracture public trust and governmental legitimacy. For Russia, a ceasefire without territorial gains might be portrayed as a defeat in its own special military operationsomething Putin would very much want to avoid. Therefore, while prisoner exchanges between the two nations have always taken place on the sidelines of peace negotiations, it must be understood that they are often far removed from actual steps towards peacethey are controlled, transactional acts that serve humanitarian needs and political image-making. ALSO READ | Russia inches deeper into Ukraine amid fears of renewed Moscow offensive So, as long as core war aims remain mutually exclusive and irreconcilable, these swaps may continue as rare points of contact in an otherwise devastating conflict. Almost two thirds of Generation Z said they feel they are judged over how they manage their money, new data shows. Some 63 per cent of 18 to 28 year olds felt the way they spent money was viewed critically, with the majority (39 per cent) of those saying this came from their family members. Another 31 per cent felt judged by their friends, and 17 per cent by people on social media, according to data from Young Enterprise and HSBC. In comparison, just 33 per cent of the overall population said they felt judged over how they spent their money. It is often touted that younger generations splurge their money on avocado toast, flat whites and music festivals. Some do, of course, but many others are doing their best to build their savings and achieve financial security. Spending habits: It is often touted that younger generations splurge their money on avocado toast, flat whites and music festivals While just over 40 per cent of Gen Z are actively saving money, only 42 per cent said they feel financially secure, compared with 54 per cent of the general population. As many as a quarter, 25 per cent, of the generation don't think their income is sufficient to meet their daily living expenses, notably higher than 17 per cent for the population as a whole. According to HSBC's data, this comes down to an absence of financial education. Around half of the overall population think a lack of financial education in schools is the reason so many struggle to build positive financial habits. Sarah Porretta, chief executive of Young Enterprise, said: 'The myth that young people are careless with money just doesn't hold up. Gen Z want to be financially capable, but they don't feel supported. 'From chats at the dinner table to scrolling on social media, we need to give young people better tools, better guidance, and a better emotional foundation for managing money.' Just 13 per cent of young people would turn to their school or college to learn how to manage their money, with even social media influencers a more obvious port of call for 22 per cent of the generation. In fact, a fifth said they weren't taught how to manage their money at school, with almost two thirds using their family as their main source of financial advice instead. Natalie Gregoire-Skeete, head of societal purpose and sustainability at HSBC UK, said: 'This research highlights just how important it is that we work together as a society across public and private sectors and with charities, educators, young people and their parents to break down the stigma around money and ensure every young person has access to clear, relatable, and judgement-free financial education.' Gregoire-Skeete added: 'Financial habits are formed at an early age, so to be truly effective, financial education needs to start in primary school, and continue on through the various stages of life. 'You are never too young or too old to learn new skills and make the most of your money now and in the future.' Defence stocks soared yesterday after Keir Starmer vowed to make the country battle-ready. Although the Prime Minister refused to commit to a date for when defence spending will reach 3 per cent of GDP, his strategic review of the UKs military promised to build 12 nuclear-powered attack submarines. There are also plans for six munitions factories, a cyber unit to protect the UK against digital attacks and a 15billion investment in nuclear warheads. Shares in BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce, which build and power Royal Navy submarines, hit record highs, while Babcock, which services and maintains the fleet, jumped 8.2 per cent to levels last seen in 2016. Explosives and countermeasures specialist Chemring reached a 14-year high and defence robotics, surveillance and cyber security group Qinetiq gained 4.5 per cent. Loredana Muharremi, an equity analyst at US research giant Morningstar, said the spending plan is unequivocally positive for UK defence stocks though questions remain over how it will be funded amid fresh warnings of taxes rises. Stealth: HMS Victorious off Scottish coast. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's strategic review of the UK's military promised to build 12 nuclear-powered attack submarines Britain and other European countries are racing to rebuild their military capabilities after US President Donald Trump said the Continent must take more responsibility for its own security and called on nations to spend 5 per cent of GDP on defence. BAE shares are up 250 per cent since the start of 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, and Rolls-Royce has risen more than nine-fold since Tufan Erginbilgic took over as chief executive in January 2023 giving it a value of about 73billion. Babcock shares have doubled this year alone. Launching his Strategic Defence Review in the shadow of Type 26 frigates being built at BAEs Govan shipyard in Glasgow, Starmer said the moment has arrived to transform how we defend ourselves. The Government has pledged to increase defence spending from 2.3 per cent of GDP to 2.5 per cent by 2027 and has an ambition but no firm commitment for it to rise to 3 per cent. Babcock was seen as a big winner from the plan to build a new fleet of submarines under Britains AUKUS security partnership with the US and Australia. The Ministry of Defence also said the investment would see a major expansion of industrial capability at BAEs submarine-building site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, and at Rolls-Royces Raynesway nuclear reactor plant in Derbyshire. But the end of the so-called peace dividend is a major headache for Chancellor Rachel Reeves as she struggles to meet her fiscal rules as well as rising UK gilt yields pushing up Government borrowing costs. Institute for Fiscal Studies director Paul Johnson warned quite chunky tax increases will be needed to pay for the extra spending. Former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane suggested Reeves will have to shred her fiscal rules to free-up cash for defence. A former trade minister has been appointed as an adviser to the new owner of Royal Mail. Greg Hands, who lost his seat as a Conservative MP in last years election, will advise Daniel Kretinskys EP Group on business matters in the UK and Germany. The appointment came as Royal Mails parent company, International Distribution Services (IDS), formally left the London Stock Exchange after being bought by Czech billionaire Kretinsky. The departure from the stock market also saw a number of IDS board members resign, including chairman Keith Williams. The 3.6billion takeover by Kretinsky saw the more than 500-year-old firm fall into foreign hands for the first time. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Metallus (NYSE:MTUS Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note released on Friday morning. Separately, Sidoti upgraded Metallus to a hold rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. Get Metallus alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Metallus Metallus Stock Down 1.1% Metallus stock opened at $12.66 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $12.83 and a 200-day moving average of $14.19. Metallus has a twelve month low of $10.78 and a twelve month high of $24.28. The stock has a market capitalization of $533.09 million, a PE ratio of 24.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.44. Metallus (NYSE:MTUS Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 8th. The company reported $0.07 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.11 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $280.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $264.03 million. Metallus had a net margin of 2.05% and a return on equity of 6.15%. The companys revenue was down 12.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.56 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Metallus will post 0.66 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Metallus A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of MTUS. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of Metallus by 108.1% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,883 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 978 shares during the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC increased its stake in Metallus by 36.3% in the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 2,943 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 783 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC increased its stake in Metallus by 60.2% in the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,421 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 1,286 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its position in Metallus by 103.7% during the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 4,775 shares of the companys stock worth $67,000 after buying an additional 2,431 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Metallus during the 1st quarter worth about $67,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.58% of the companys stock. About Metallus (Get Free Report) Metallus Inc manufactures and sells alloy steel, and carbon and micro-alloy steel products in the United States and internationally. The company offers special bar quality (SBQ) bars, seamless mechanical tubes, precision steel components, and billets that are used in gears, hubs, axles, crankshafts and motor shafts, oil country drill pipes, bits and collars, bearing races and rolling elements, bushings, fuel injectors, wind energy shafts, anti-friction bearings, artillery and mortar bodies, and other applications. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Metallus Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Metallus and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Signet Jewelers (NYSE:SIG Get Free Report) will likely be issuing its Q1 2026 quarterly earnings data before the market opens on Tuesday, June 3rd. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $1.02 per share and revenue of $1.52 billion for the quarter. Signet Jewelers (NYSE:SIG Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, March 19th. The company reported $6.62 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.39 by $0.23. The business had revenue of $2.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.33 billion. Signet Jewelers had a net margin of 8.57% and a return on equity of 28.69%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $6.73 EPS. On average, analysts expect Signet Jewelers to post $9 EPS for the current fiscal year and $9 EPS for the next fiscal year. Get Signet Jewelers alerts: Signet Jewelers Trading Down 0.5% Shares of NYSE:SIG opened at $66.58 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $2.86 billion, a PE ratio of 7.66, a P/E/G ratio of 3.43 and a beta of 1.34. The companys 50-day moving average price is $60.35 and its 200 day moving average price is $66.08. Signet Jewelers has a fifty-two week low of $45.55 and a fifty-two week high of $112.06. The company has a quick ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. Signet Jewelers Increases Dividend Insider Activity at Signet Jewelers The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, April 25th were given a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, April 25th. This is an increase from Signet Jewelerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.92%. Signet Jewelerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -168.42%. In other news, CEO James Kevin Symancyk bought 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 31st. The stock was acquired at an average price of $57.45 per share, for a total transaction of $861,750.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 50,710 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,913,289.50. This trade represents a 42.01% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Helen Mccluskey acquired 1,700 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, April 25th. The stock was bought at an average price of $58.86 per share, with a total value of $100,062.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 31,916 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,878,575.76. This represents a 5.63% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Signet Jewelers Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SIG. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its stake in shares of Signet Jewelers by 87.2% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 17,564 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,020,000 after purchasing an additional 8,183 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its stake in Signet Jewelers by 9.8% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 122,573 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,117,000 after buying an additional 10,964 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its stake in Signet Jewelers by 33.5% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 849,692 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,333,000 after buying an additional 213,365 shares in the last quarter. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have commented on SIG. CL King started coverage on shares of Signet Jewelers in a research report on Monday, May 5th. They set a buy rating and a $80.00 price target on the stock. Cfra Research raised shares of Signet Jewelers to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Thursday, March 20th. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated a market perform rating and issued a $62.00 price objective on shares of Signet Jewelers in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Signet Jewelers from $77.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 27th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Signet Jewelers from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $80.00. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Signet Jewelers About Signet Jewelers (Get Free Report) Signet Jewelers Limited operates as a diamond jewelry retailer. It operates through three segments: North America, International, and Other. The North America segment operates jewelry stores in jewelry stores in malls, mall-based kiosks, and off-mall locations in the United States and Canada primarily under the Kay Jewelers, Kay Jewelers Outlet, Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry, Jared Vault, Zales Outlet, Zales Jewelers, Diamonds Direct, James Allen, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, and Peoples Jewellers names, as well as operates online through its digital banners, James Allen and Blue Nile. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Signet Jewelers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Signet Jewelers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H Free Report) had its price target boosted by Robert W. Baird from $142.00 to $146.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the stock. Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on Hyatt Hotels from $156.75 to $132.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Susquehanna upped their target price on Hyatt Hotels from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th. Melius Research upgraded Hyatt Hotels to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Truist Financial cut their target price on Hyatt Hotels from $156.00 to $140.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Hyatt Hotels from $172.00 to $170.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $149.72. Get Hyatt Hotels alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on H Hyatt Hotels Price Performance Hyatt Hotels stock opened at $132.35 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. The company has a market capitalization of $12.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.64 and a beta of 1.36. The stocks 50 day moving average is $120.16 and its 200-day moving average is $139.64. Hyatt Hotels has a 12 month low of $102.43 and a 12 month high of $168.20. Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $0.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.30 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $1.68 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.71 billion. Hyatt Hotels had a return on equity of 9.81% and a net margin of 19.50%. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.71 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Hyatt Hotels will post 3.05 EPS for the current year. Hyatt Hotels Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 11th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 29th will be issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 29th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.45%. Hyatt Hotelss payout ratio is 7.79%. Insider Activity at Hyatt Hotels In other Hyatt Hotels news, insider Mark R. Vondrasek sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.80, for a total transaction of $1,168,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 9,337 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,090,561.60. This trade represents a 51.71% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Jnp 2010-Pg Trust sold 266,793 shares of Hyatt Hotels stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.75, for a total value of $35,416,770.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 375,620 shares of company stock worth $49,694,255 over the last three months. Company insiders own 23.70% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in H. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust acquired a new stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels in the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 750.0% in the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 340 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. grew its stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 138.8% in the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 499 shares of the companys stock valued at $61,000 after buying an additional 290 shares during the period. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp grew its stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 31.9% in the 4th quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 467 shares of the companys stock valued at $73,000 after buying an additional 113 shares during the period. 73.54% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Hyatt Hotels (Get Free Report) Hyatt Hotels Corporation operates as a hospitality company in the United States and internationally. It operates through Owned and Leased Hotels, Americas Management and Franchising, ASPAC Management and Franchising, EAME Management and Franchising, and Apple Leisure Group segments. The company manages, franchises, licenses, owns, and leases portfolio of properties, consisting of full-service hotels and resorts, select service hotels, and other properties, including timeshare, fractional, residential, vacation, and condominium units. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Hyatt Hotels Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hyatt Hotels and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:PWZ Free Report) by 1,628.9% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 470,131 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 442,938 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC owned 1.61% of Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF worth $112,130,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $47,000. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $74,000. Bristlecone Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF by 32.3% in the 4th quarter. Bristlecone Advisors LLC now owns 4,100 shares of the companys stock valued at $101,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Comerica Bank raised its holdings in Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF by 31.8% in the 4th quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 8,395 shares of the companys stock worth $207,000 after acquiring an additional 2,027 shares during the period. Get Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF alerts: Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF Trading Down 0.2% Shares of PWZ opened at $23.27 on Monday. Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF has a one year low of $22.23 and a one year high of $25.49. The companys fifty day moving average price is $23.39 and its 200 day moving average price is $24.20. Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF Profile The Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF (PWZ) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks an index of insured investment-grade, tax-exempt debt issued by California or any US territory with at least 15 years remaining to maturity. PWZ was launched on Oct 11, 2007 and is managed by Invesco. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Delegations from Ukraine and Russia agreed in Istanbul on further prisoner exchanges, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov reported. "We have agreed on the exchange and will announce the details of the exchange soon. We have focused on those who were seriously injured, those who are sick. We have focused on the categories of young people and other categories, as well as the exchange of bodies of the dead," the minister said during a briefing in Istanbul. According to him, the details will be made public a little later. Cox Capital Mgt LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Newmont Co. (NYSE:NEM Free Report) by 1.4% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 62,979 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 863 shares during the quarter. Newmont comprises approximately 2.2% of Cox Capital Mgt LLCs holdings, making the stock its 19th largest position. Cox Capital Mgt LLCs holdings in Newmont were worth $3,041,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Nexus Investment Management ULC bought a new stake in shares of Newmont in the first quarter valued at approximately $31,000. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Newmont by 66.0% in the 4th quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 880 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 350 shares during the period. Redwood Park Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Newmont in the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. Promus Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Newmont in the 4th quarter valued at $38,000. Finally, Kestra Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Newmont during the 4th quarter worth about $43,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.85% of the companys stock. Get Newmont alerts: Newmont Price Performance Shares of NEM stock opened at $52.67 on Monday. Newmont Co. has a 52 week low of $36.86 and a 52 week high of $58.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $58.62 billion, a PE ratio of 17.98, a PEG ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 0.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 1.73 and a current ratio of 1.96. The stocks fifty day moving average is $51.51 and its 200-day moving average is $45.59. Newmont Announces Dividend Newmont ( NYSE:NEM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The basic materials company reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.54. Newmont had a net margin of 17.92% and a return on equity of 13.52%. The business had revenue of $5.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.82 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.55 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Newmont Co. will post 3.45 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 20th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 27th will be given a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 27th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.90%. Newmonts payout ratio is 22.42%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms recently weighed in on NEM. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Newmont from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Newmont in a report on Thursday, April 24th. TD Securities dropped their target price on Newmont from $46.00 to $45.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 26th. Raymond James restated an outperform rating and set a $66.00 target price on shares of Newmont in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on Newmont from $51.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, April 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $56.52. Read Our Latest Analysis on NEM Insider Buying and Selling In other Newmont news, Director Bruce R. Brook sold 2,077 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.48, for a total transaction of $106,923.96. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 47,257 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,432,790.36. This represents a 4.21% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.05% of the companys stock. About Newmont (Free Report) Newmont Corporation engages in the production and exploration of gold. It also explores for copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The company has operations and/or assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Suriname, Argentina, Chile, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Ecuador, Fiji, and Ghana. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NEM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Newmont Co. (NYSE:NEM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Newmont Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Newmont and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cypress Financial Planning LLC purchased a new position in shares of Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 1,727 shares of the oil and gas companys stock, valued at approximately $205,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 93,299,598 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $10,023,875,000 after purchasing an additional 1,104,617 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Exxon Mobil during the 4th quarter worth approximately $6,936,737,000. Northern Trust Corp grew its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 7.0% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 46,017,358 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $4,950,087,000 after purchasing an additional 2,998,892 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 14.4% during the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 43,983,110 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $4,731,263,000 after purchasing an additional 5,538,694 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. grew its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 13.1% during the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 35,662,602 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $3,836,226,000 after purchasing an additional 4,140,046 shares in the last quarter. 61.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Exxon Mobil alerts: Exxon Mobil Price Performance NYSE XOM opened at $102.08 on Monday. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 12 month low of $97.80 and a 12 month high of $126.34. The stock has a market cap of $439.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.02, a PEG ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 0.51. The companys 50 day moving average is $106.95 and its two-hundred day moving average is $109.62. The company has a current ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. Exxon Mobil Dividend Announcement Exxon Mobil ( NYSE:XOM Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Friday, May 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by $0.03. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 9.63% and a return on equity of 12.92%. The company had revenue of $83.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $86.11 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.06 EPS. The firms revenue was up .1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 15th will be issued a $0.99 dividend. This represents a $3.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.88%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 15th. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 52.52%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms recently issued reports on XOM. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Mizuho reduced their price target on shares of Exxon Mobil from $129.00 to $124.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Piper Sandler lowered shares of Exxon Mobil from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday. Barclays reiterated a hold rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of Exxon Mobil from $135.00 to $131.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $125.50. View Our Latest Report on Exxon Mobil Exxon Mobil Profile (Free Report) Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Exxon Mobil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Exxon Mobil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Trilogy Metals Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:TMQ Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,510,000 shares, an increase of 81.8% from the April 30th total of 830,500 shares. Approximately 1.5% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 620,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.4 days. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, Raymond James reaffirmed a market perform rating on shares of Trilogy Metals in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Get Trilogy Metals alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Trilogy Metals Trilogy Metals Stock Up 5.5% Institutional Trading of Trilogy Metals NYSEAMERICAN:TMQ traded up $0.07 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $1.26. 139,967 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 585,201. The company has a fifty day moving average of $1.45 and a 200 day moving average of $1.19. Trilogy Metals has a 12 month low of $0.42 and a 12 month high of $2.09. The stock has a market cap of $205.74 million, a PE ratio of -25.10 and a beta of 1.54. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Goehring & Rozencwajg Associates LLC boosted its stake in shares of Trilogy Metals by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Goehring & Rozencwajg Associates LLC now owns 1,402,797 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $2,282,000 after purchasing an additional 10,600 shares during the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd raised its stake in shares of Trilogy Metals by 235.5% during the 4th quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 47,920 shares of the mining companys stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 33,636 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Trilogy Metals during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $83,000. Total Wealth Planning & Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Trilogy Metals during the 4th quarter worth $119,000. Finally, Legacy Capital Group California Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Trilogy Metals in the first quarter valued at $232,000. 16.75% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Trilogy Metals (Get Free Report) Trilogy Metals Inc, a base metals exploration company, engages in the exploration and development of mineral properties in the United States. The company explores for copper, cobalt, lead, zinc, gold, and silver properties. It principally holds interests in the Upper Kobuk mineral projects that include the Arctic, which contains polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits; and Bornite that contains carbonate-hosted copper cobalt deposits covering an area of approximately 448,217 acres located in the Ambler mining district in Northwest Alaska. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Trilogy Metals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Trilogy Metals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cypress Financial Planning LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:MUB Free Report) by 11.0% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,260 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 722 shares during the quarter. Cypress Financial Planning LLCs holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF were worth $765,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of MUB. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 11,651.4% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 13,444,444 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,417,582,000 after acquiring an additional 13,330,037 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn FI LLC grew its position in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 6,306.0% in the 4th quarter. Brooklyn FI LLC now owns 6,966,465 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $748,438,000 after acquiring an additional 6,857,716 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 20.7% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 30,881,189 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $3,290,391,000 after acquiring an additional 5,297,542 shares in the last quarter. Life Planning Partners Inc grew its position in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 10,274.8% in the 4th quarter. Life Planning Partners Inc now owns 3,676,931 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $391,777,000 after acquiring an additional 3,641,490 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LPL Financial LLC grew its position in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 27.1% in the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 9,636,610 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,026,781,000 after acquiring an additional 2,053,687 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares National Muni Bond ETF alerts: iShares National Muni Bond ETF Trading Down 0.1% Shares of MUB opened at $103.86 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $104.05 and a 200-day moving average of $105.83. iShares National Muni Bond ETF has a 52 week low of $100.29 and a 52 week high of $108.81. iShares National Muni Bond ETF Profile iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index (the Index). See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MUB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares National Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:MUB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares National Muni Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares National Muni Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tourmaline Oil Corp. (OTCMKTS:TRMLF Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 12,285,600 shares, an increase of 30.9% from the April 30th total of 9,384,400 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 92,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 132.4 days. Approximately 3.3% of the companys stock are sold short. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have commented on TRMLF shares. Morgan Stanley reissued a cautious rating on shares of Tourmaline Oil in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. Desjardins lowered Tourmaline Oil from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. Raymond James upgraded Tourmaline Oil to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 7th. Finally, Cormark raised Tourmaline Oil to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Friday, March 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold. Get Tourmaline Oil alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Tourmaline Oil Tourmaline Oil Stock Performance TRMLF stock traded down $0.58 on Monday, hitting $45.34. The companys stock had a trading volume of 12,526 shares, compared to its average volume of 65,614. The stock has a market cap of $16.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.83 and a beta of -0.50. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $45.13 and a two-hundred day moving average of $45.84. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10. Tourmaline Oil has a 1 year low of $36.93 and a 1 year high of $50.01. Tourmaline Oil (OTCMKTS:TRMLF Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $0.39 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.07 by ($0.68). Tourmaline Oil had a net margin of 27.12% and a return on equity of 11.06%. The business had revenue of $1.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.80 billion. Equities analysts predict that Tourmaline Oil will post 2.52 EPS for the current fiscal year. Tourmaline Oil Cuts Dividend The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 16th were paid a dividend of $0.2518 per share. This represents a yield of 2.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 15th. Tourmaline Oils dividend payout ratio is presently 57.20%. Tourmaline Oil Company Profile (Get Free Report) Tourmaline Oil Corp. explores for and develops oil and natural gas properties in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. The company holds interests in properties located in the Alberta Deep Basin, Northeast British Columbia Montney, and the Peace River High Triassic oil complex. Tourmaline Oil Corp. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Tourmaline Oil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tourmaline Oil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) fell 3.9% during mid-day trading on Monday after UBS Group lowered their price target on the stock from $150.00 to $145.00. UBS Group currently has a buy rating on the stock. Dell Technologies traded as low as $106.38 and last traded at $106.95. 3,711,023 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 62% from the average session volume of 9,780,011 shares. The stock had previously closed at $111.27. Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Loop Capital reduced their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $185.00 to $130.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $160.00 to $150.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $111.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday. Mizuho raised their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, May 19th. Finally, Evercore ISI reissued an outperform rating on shares of Dell Technologies in a report on Thursday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $138.00. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on DELL Insider Transactions at Dell Technologies Institutional Investors Weigh In On Dell Technologies In related news, CAO Brunilda Rios sold 926 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, March 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.29, for a total value of $86,386.54. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 37,948 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,540,168.92. The trade was a 2.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . Also, CFO Yvonne Mcgill sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.80, for a total transaction of $886,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 245,804 shares in the company, valued at $27,235,083.20. This represents a 3.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders own 42.00% of the companys stock. Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its position in Dell Technologies by 12.9% during the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 30,388 shares of the technology companys stock worth $3,502,000 after buying an additional 3,470 shares in the last quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in Dell Technologies by 163.6% during the 4th quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 16,566 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,909,000 after buying an additional 10,281 shares in the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC lifted its position in Dell Technologies by 3.2% during the 4th quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 1,165,754 shares of the technology companys stock worth $134,341,000 after buying an additional 36,621 shares in the last quarter. Vest Financial LLC lifted its position in Dell Technologies by 61.8% during the 4th quarter. Vest Financial LLC now owns 25,043 shares of the technology companys stock worth $2,886,000 after buying an additional 9,567 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers lifted its position in Dell Technologies by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 635,264 shares of the technology companys stock worth $73,208,000 after buying an additional 24,205 shares in the last quarter. 76.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Dell Technologies Stock Performance The firms 50-day simple moving average is $95.00 and its 200 day simple moving average is $106.89. The stock has a market capitalization of $74.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.92, a PEG ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 0.99. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 29th. The technology company reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.68 by ($0.13). The business had revenue of $23.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $23.17 billion. Dell Technologies had a negative return on equity of 191.91% and a net margin of 4.36%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.27 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Dell Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG). Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Dell Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dell Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BYD Company Limited (OTCMKTS:BYDDF Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,946,200 shares, a decline of 34.9% from the April 30th total of 2,988,500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 409,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.8 days. Currently, 0.1% of the companys stock are sold short. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, Barclays reiterated an overweight rating and set a $85.00 price objective on shares of BYD in a report on Friday, March 28th. Get BYD alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on BYD BYD Stock Performance OTCMKTS BYDDF traded down $2.26 during trading on Monday, hitting $49.25. The stock had a trading volume of 229,719 shares, compared to its average volume of 177,240. BYD has a 12 month low of $25.57 and a 12 month high of $61.51. The company has a market capitalization of $143.37 billion, a PE ratio of 30.40 and a beta of 0.09. The companys 50-day moving average price is $50.04 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $42.93. BYD (OTCMKTS:BYDDF Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 25th. The company reported $0.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.35 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $23.47 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $188.91 billion. BYD Company Profile (Get Free Report) BYD Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in automobiles and batteries business in the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and internationally. The company operates in two segments: Mobile Handset Components, Assembly Service and Other Products; and Automobiles and Related Products and Other Products. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for BYD Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BYD and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Douglas Lane & Associates LLC increased its stake in BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK Free Report) by 9.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 436 shares of the asset managers stock after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the quarter. Douglas Lane & Associates LLCs holdings in BlackRock were worth $413,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. 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 purchasing an additional 10 shares during the period. Farmers & Merchants Trust Co of Chambersburg PA raised its holdings 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. raised its holdings 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 raised its holdings 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. raised its holdings 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 owned by institutional investors. Get BlackRock alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have commented on BLK shares. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on BlackRock from $1,065.00 to $1,035.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 14th. Barclays raised their price target on BlackRock from $950.00 to $990.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, April 14th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on BlackRock from $1,275.00 to $1,124.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on BlackRock from $1,046.00 to $988.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 14th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised BlackRock to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, May 24th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $1,077.08. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director J. Richard Kushel sold 10,000 shares of BlackRock stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $912.50, for a total value of $9,125,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 66,034 shares in the company, valued at approximately $60,256,025. This trade represents a 13.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 1.98% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. BlackRock Trading Up 0.2% Shares of BLK stock opened at $977.95 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $151.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.41. BlackRock, Inc. has a 12-month low of $752.30 and a 12-month high of $1,084.22. The company has a current ratio of 5.23, a quick ratio of 5.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $922.34 and its 200-day moving average price is $974.57. BlackRock (NYSE:BLK Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 11th. The asset manager reported $11.30 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $10.84 by $0.46. The company had revenue of $5.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.47 billion. BlackRock had a return on equity of 16.32% and a net margin of 31.21%. The firms revenue was up 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $9.81 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that BlackRock, Inc. will post 47.41 EPS for the current fiscal year. BlackRock Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 23rd. Investors of record on Thursday, June 5th will be given a $5.21 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 5th. This represents a $20.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.13%. BlackRocks dividend payout ratio is currently 50.63%. About BlackRock (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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BLK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited (OTCMKTS:SPTJF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest in the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 8,958,000 shares, a drop of 24.5% from the April 30th total of 11,862,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 3,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2,559.4 days. Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Price Performance Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical stock remained flat at $0.16 during mid-day trading on Monday. The companys stock had a trading volume of 5,000 shares, compared to its average volume of 27,476. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $0.15 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $0.15. Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical has a 12-month low of $0.10 and a 12-month high of $0.19. Get Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical alerts: Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Profile (Get Free Report) See Also Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells petroleum and chemical products in the Peoples Republic of China. The company operates through Petroleum Products, Intermediate Petrochemicals, Synthetic Fibers, Resins and Plastics, and Trading of Petrochemical Products segments. Receive News & Ratings for Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. UnitedHealth Group, Alphabet, and Tempus AI are the three Healthcare stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Healthcare stocks are shares of publicly traded companies operating in the healthcare sector, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, healthcare providers and related services. They offer investors exposure to growth driven by medical research, demographic trends and technological innovation, while remaining sensitive to regulatory decisions, patent approvals and healthcare policy changes. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Healthcare stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: UnitedHealth Group (UNH) UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage. Shares of UNH traded up $1.73 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $303.64. 12,327,023 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,811,067. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 0.83. The company has a 50 day moving average of $430.87 and a 200-day moving average of $492.75. UnitedHealth Group has a 1-year low of $248.88 and a 1-year high of $630.73. The stock has a market cap of $275.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 0.56. Read Our Latest Research Report on UNH Alphabet (GOOGL) Alphabet Inc. offers various products and platforms in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and Latin America. It operates through Google Services, Google Cloud, and Other Bets segments. The Google Services segment provides products and services, including ads, Android, Chrome, devices, Gmail, Google Drive, Google Maps, Google Photos, Google Play, Search, and YouTube. Shares of GOOGL traded down $2.45 during trading on Monday, reaching $169.29. 19,388,108 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 29,907,465. Alphabet has a twelve month low of $140.53 and a twelve month high of $207.05. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $159.10 and a 200-day simple moving average of $174.56. The stock has a market cap of $2.05 trillion, a PE ratio of 21.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a quick ratio of 1.84, a current ratio of 1.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. Read Our Latest Research Report on GOOGL Tempus AI (TEM) Tempus AI Inc. is a technology company advancing precision medicine through the practical application of artificial intelligence principally in healthcare. The company provides AI-enabled precision medicine solutions to physicians to deliver personalized patient care and in parallel facilitates discovery, development and delivery of optimal therapeutics. Shares of Tempus AI stock traded up $8.55 during trading on Monday, hitting $63.73. 23,619,547 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,749,479. The firms 50-day moving average price is $52.07 and its 200 day moving average price is $51.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.17, a current ratio of 2.69 and a quick ratio of 2.55. Tempus AI has a 12-month low of $22.89 and a 12-month high of $91.45. The stock has a market cap of $11.03 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.20. Read Our Latest Research Report on TEM Featured Articles The negotiations between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul ended without negative results, the Turkish Foreign Ministry announced on Monday. "The (Ukraine-Russian delegeation's) meeting is over. It didn't end negatively," the Daily Sabah quoted Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oncu Keceli as saying. Earlier on Monday, delegations from Ukraine and Russia held talks at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul, which lasted about an hour. A number of research firms have changed their ratings and price targets for Citigroup (NYSE: C): 6/1/2025 Citigroup was upgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a sell rating to a hold rating. 5/24/2025 Citigroup was downgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a sell rating. 5/20/2025 Citigroup had its outperform rating reaffirmed by analysts at Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.. 5/15/2025 Citigroup is now covered by analysts at TD Cowen. They set a hold rating and a $83.00 price target on the stock. 5/14/2025 Citigroup is now covered by analysts at Cowen Inc. They set a hold rating on the stock. 4/28/2025 Citigroup had its price target raised by analysts at Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. from $91.00 to $94.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock. 4/16/2025 Citigroup had its overweight rating reaffirmed by analysts at Piper Sandler. They now have a $77.00 price target on the stock, down previously from $83.00. 4/16/2025 Citigroup had its price target lowered by analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from $85.00 to $78.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock. 4/16/2025 Citigroup had its outperform rating reaffirmed by analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods. They now have a $92.00 price target on the stock, down previously from $96.00. 4/16/2025 Citigroup had its price target lowered by analysts at Truist Financial Co. from $84.00 to $79.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock. 4/4/2025 Citigroup had its price target lowered by analysts at Truist Financial Co. from $85.00 to $84.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock. 4/3/2025 Citigroup had its price target lowered by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $85.50 to $75.50. They now have a neutral rating on the stock. Citigroup Price Performance NYSE C traded up $0.47 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $75.79. 5,176,630 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 14,531,460. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $68.89 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $72.50. Citigroup Inc. has a 1 year low of $53.51 and a 1 year high of $84.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.96. The company has a market cap of $141.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.30. Get Citigroup Inc alerts: Citigroup (NYSE:C Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 15th. The company reported $1.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.84 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $21.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.34 billion. Citigroup had a return on equity of 6.62% and a net margin of 7.43%. On average, analysts predict that Citigroup Inc. will post 7.53 EPS for the current fiscal year. Citigroup Announces Dividend Insiders Place Their Bets The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 23rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 5th were issued a $0.56 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 5th. This represents a $2.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.96%. Citigroups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 35.39%. In related news, Director John Cunningham Dugan sold 4,417 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.26, for a total value of $301,504.42. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 13,048 shares in the company, valued at $890,656.48. The trade was a 25.29% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Citigroup Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Core Alternative Capital boosted its holdings in Citigroup by 83.4% in the 4th quarter. Core Alternative Capital now owns 376 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 171 shares during the period. Orion Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Citigroup in the 4th quarter worth $28,000. MorganRosel Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Citigroup in the 1st quarter worth $28,000. Accent Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Citigroup by 106.0% in the 1st quarter. Accent Capital Management LLC now owns 412 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 212 shares during the period. Finally, American National Bank & Trust bought a new position in Citigroup in the 1st quarter worth $29,000. 71.72% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Citigroup Inc, a diversified financial service holding company, provides various financial product and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions worldwide. It operates through five segments: Services, Markets, Banking, U.S. Personal Banking, and Wealth. The Services segment includes Treasury and Trade Solutions, which provides cash management, trade, and working capital solutions to multinational corporations, financial institutions, and public sector organizations; and Securities Services, such as cross-border support for clients, local market expertise, post-trade technologies, data solutions, and various securities services solutions. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Citigroup Inc Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citigroup Inc and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Russia again against US presence during meeting in Istanbul Kyslytsia Russia was again against the presence of US representatives during a meeting with the Ukrainian side in Istanbul, said First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsia. "At the previous meeting, the Russian Federation was against the presence of a delegation from the United States. This is very sad, because the United States plays a major role and is an important guarantor of trust," he said at a press conference in Istanbul. Kyslytsia noted that in order to ensure a long-term security architecture in Europe, the USA must be involved in the process. Similarly, without involving Europe, it is impossible to talk about long-term security, Kyslytsia added. An exhibition charting the story of the CBS High School Clonmel is currently running at the Tipperary Museum of Hidden History in Clonmel. This year the High School is celebrating the 125th anniversary of the foundation of the school. The exhibition will remain open until June 7. The historic handover from the religious to the lay was a milestone event in the story of the CBS Clonmel High School. The transition from the Christian Brothers to the voluntary secondary schools sector was underway throughout the country since 1987/1988 before it occurred in Clonmel in 1991. READ MORE: Huge investment in Tipperary secondary school to herald a new era. Shay Bannon (pictured below) was appointed principal of the High School in 1991 taking over from Principal Brother Pat Madigan. A short time before Shay Bannon arrived a Board of Management was appointed for the first time and it consisted of four trustees appointed by the Christian Brothers, two parent representatives, and two lay teachers. Brother Craven and Brother Peadar Gleeson served as Chairman of the Board of Management before Aidan Barlow took on the role. After the handover, two Brothers remained on the teaching staff, Brother Turner and Brother Devaney. It meant there was continuity, their presence was a link to the past, said Shay Bannon. Brother Michael Devaney, a native of Galway, finished teaching at the High School in 1998. He was the last Christian Brother to teach at the High School. He was a brilliant Irish teacher and was accomplished at debating. He was involved with Harty Cup teams with a number of schools. He died while living at the Monastery in Carrick-on-Suir in 2000, said Shay Bannon in tribute to Brother Devaney. Soon after the handover students were consulted on uniform policy and a major change was brought in with differentiation introduced with the creation of a senior and junior jumper. Soon after long hair was banned. Teachers could not see the faces of the students as the hair was over their eyes and there was also a health and safety consideration concerning the science labs, said Shay Bannon. READ NEXT: Tipperary secondary school has a unique Olympic connection I was appointed in April and I came down to the Monastery and had lunch with four of the Brothers. There seemed to be an understanding among them that change was coming and it was about moving on. They were very welcoming and friendly to me, he said. Ten years ago this month, on May 22 2025, Ireland made history by being the first state to legalise same-sex marriage through a referendum. Describing the day in question, then Taoiseach Enda Kenny said, Today Ireland made history. The first country in the world to vote for equal marriage. I welcome that and thank all those who voted. In the privacy of the ballot box they made a public statement. With todays yes vote we have disclosed who we are generous, compassionate, bold and joyful people. "Yes to inclusion. Yes to generosity. Yes to love and yes to equal marriage," he added. READ NEXT: Brendan Cummins hails Tipperary's bravery in emphatic U20 All-Ireland final triumph North Tipperary had 54.68 per cent of voters vote Yes while South Tipperary voters who voted yes was recorded at 55.12 per cent. Looking at statistics provided to The Nationalist, over 100 same-sex couples have got married in Tipperary, since the passing of the historic legislation ten years ago. 52 male couples and 56 female couples have decided to tie the knot in the Premiere County over the past decade, out of a total of almost 6,000 couples around the country. READ NEXT: Local Tipperary artist launches inspiring new children's book Clonmel even plays an important role in the history of the referendum, as the first same-sex marriage took place here in November of 2015. Cormac Gollogly and Richard Dowling were the first same-sex couple to tie the knot after the new law was passed, in a ceremony in Clonmel. Looking back on articles written in the weeks before the referendum, one couple from Tipperary articulately put the importance of a yes vote for future generations of LGBTQI+ identifying people. Lorna Gallagher from Bansha and Fiona Ryan from Knockavilla, Dundrum, had been together for nine years when interviewed in 2015. The two examined the importance a yes vote would have on their lives as well as the lives of younger people. Fiona said: A yes vote would mean that future teenagers growing up wont feel the need to move to a big city or another country just to live their lives where it is more socially acceptable, instead of staying closer to home with family and friends who accept them for the person that they know and love, and not to judge them based on who they choose to fall in love with. "We are all the same and people should not judge us once we are happy and are in loving relationships. Brendan Cummins praised Tipperarys bold decision-making after they opted to face into a strong wind during the first half of their All-Ireland U20 final victory. READ NEXT: CHAMPIONS: Tipperary crowned All-Ireland U20 champions after defeat of Kilkenny! Rather than using the elements to their advantage early on, Tipp backed themselves to handle the conditionsand it paid off. They led 0-10 to 0-8 at the break and then surged clear with three goals in the second half, finishing with a convincing nine-point win over Kilkenny at Nowlan Park. I was delighted to see them express themselves and show the bravery in the first half that we needed, said Cummins. He explained that embracing the wind early was part of a bigger tactical picture, banking on the opportunity to strike harder in the second period. We knew if we were brave on the ball, especially the way the wind was, opportunity would come in the second half. Thankfully, that's the way it panned out. I always like playing against the breeze in the first half. It forces the team to play. You have to move the ball, and you have to be brave right from the start. Cummins commended the composure of his defenders for executing that plan under pressure. We backed the lads that they'd be able to do that. Certainly, Halla (Aaron OHalloran), Podge (ODwyer), and (Cathal O) Reilly, the boys at the back, moved the ball around lovely, and they didn't bring it into contact too much. The turnovers and the tackle count was always going to be the key. Hurling is just nearly a game of counter-attack. Teams are so good and so well set up that to take it off them and go the other direction is how you create opportunity. The lads got that and, in fairness to them all year, we've been able to do it. Thankfully, we got the rewards again today for it. One of the standout performances came from Paddy McCormack, who netted two goals and a point in the second half. Having missed the previous years final against Offaly due to injury, he seized his chance this time. He was a bit frustrated at half-time, Cummins admitted. There was no need because he was going really well. It was hard. That breeze up there was really strong. At half-time, we just thought the opportunity would come for him and Oisin (ODonoghue) inside. Thankfully, when they got it, there's nobody else in the world I'd want coming through like that only Paddy McCormack, and he just did the job. He was brilliant. While winning trophies is a welcome bonus, Cummins emphasized that player development remains the ultimate goal for him and his management team. Winning is fine, but the main thing for me is to try to develop the players and get them ready. You could win an All-Ireland and you could end up then not having as many getting through to the senior set up. So the priority is to get them ready to play senior. If we win along the way like today, I think that fast-tracks the progress because of confidence, there is no doubt about that. So the most satisfying thing for me is the number of players that we're trying to get through to the senior panel to Liam Cahill in the next couple of years. That's the mission. ALSO READ: IN PICTURES: Scenes as Tipperary U20s celebrate their brilliant All-Ireland win over Kilkenny A Tipperary student will show his final degree project at the launch of the Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD) final year exhibition, which takes place this Saturday, May 31. Darragh Ryan from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, is a graduate of Print and Contemporary Practice. Darragh's work is titled Why is everything I do a self portrait and includes the use of boards, canvas, layering, paint, and spray paint. READ NEXT: Date fixed for Tipperary County Council's Annual General Meeting in Cashel The week-long event has been attracting thousands of visitors since the schools inception in 1852, due to the LSADs reputation as one of Europes prestigious fine-art, design, and creative media schools. This annual exhibition celebrates the vision and innovation of LSADs emerging talent and showcases the extraordinary work by both Irish and international emerging artists and designers. The LSAD 2025 Graduate Show, at the Clare Street Campus, Limerick, will be officially launched by Minister Patrick ODonovan TD at 3 pm, with doors open to the public from 1 pm 5 pm. The show will run daily from May 31st to June 8th, between 10 am to 5 pm. READ NEXT: Water supply disruption impacting six rural Tipperary communities due to water mains burst Speaking ahead of the event, Dean of LSAD and Director of Cultural Engagement at TUS, Mike Fitzpatrick, remarked: "Every year we are so excited to showcase the creativity and innovation of our LSAD students, who are the next generation of Irish artists and Designers. We look forward to welcoming thousands of guests through our doors throughout the exhibition. We would encourage everyone to take some time to enjoy the collections and works from our animators, filmmakers, fashion, graphic, ceramic, and interior designers and fine artists. There are so many inspiring works, stories, and ideas to marvel at. PS: Bring your friends and future little creatives. " Visitors to the exhibition will view an array of projects from a multitude of disciplines, including Fine Art, Fashion, Animation, Graphic Design, Digital Media, Game Art and Design, Interior Design, Ceramics, Photography, Sculpture, Film, Music Technology, and the Bachelor of Education in Art & Design. Awards A special highlight of the opening day is the Awards Ceremony at 3 pm, where excellence and innovation across disciplines will be recognised. Among the honours to be announced is the prestigious Carmody-Mitchell Global Travel Award a 5,000 prize supporting the international ambitions of a graduating Fine Art student. Funded through philanthropic support and unique to LSAD in Ireland, this transformative opportunity is awarded by a panel of esteemed curators and artists. This will be the third year of the award, with past recipients including Asha Murray (2023) and Tina OConnell (2024). Awards will also be presented across multiple disciplines for outstanding creativity, innovation, residency opportunities, and academic achievement, including industry-sponsored awards for Graphic Design Communication, Animation and Motion Design, Ceramics, Interior Design Students of the Year, and Spacecraft Artist Residency Award. For more information on LSAD, go to: https://tus.ie/lsad/ Russia still refused to agree to an unconditional ceasefire at the talks in Istanbul, said First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsia. At a press conference in Istanbul, Kyslytsia said that Ukraine had once again stressed the need for an unconditional ceasefire, but Russia had not accepted these proposals. At the same time, it was agreed to continue discussing this process. A photo and story exhibition that depicts the everyday lives of Irish foster families in the region opens at Cashel and Tipperary town libraries this month, before moving to Carrick-on-Suir library in July. A Day In The Life of Foster Families is described by organisers Tusla as a big family album of one day, of one community the fostering community - and represents a snapshot of their lives. The exhibition, which was curated by a team comprising foster carers and Tusla fostering staff from Kilkenny, features pictures and individual fostering stories from foster families and children across TUSLA Carlow Kilkenny, South Tipperary (CKST). The A Day In The Life of Foster Families exhibition tells us many things about foster families. They love the sea, sport, baking and animals and, most significantly, they are ordinary families that do an extraordinary thing -caring for children and young people who, for many reasons, need a foster family, said Kay Fennessy, Tusla Social Work Team Leader and one of the organisers of the exhibition. READ NEXT: 'It was worth the wait,' says Carrick-on-Suir principal following move to new school Every photo in A Day In The Life of Foster Families tells its own story and, as an ensemble, creates a sense of place, and an emotional connection. The adage a picture is worth a thousand words is certainly true for this exhibition and we encourage people to come and view it and which may prompt people to consider fostering, she added. The photo exhibition is on view at Cashel library from 9-16 June and at Tipperary library from 16-24 June. It moves to Carrick-on-Suir library from 15-21 July. The events coincide with National Fostering Awareness Month, an essential campaign run by Tusla as the statutory agency for, and experts in, foster care. The campaign, which runs throughout June, raises awareness about the ongoing need for foster carers in communities across Ireland and how rewarding it is to foster a child. READ NEXT: Tipperary community's hugely successful Little Village Festival to return next year As the statutory agency for and experts in foster care, Tusla provides, through its community of foster carers, a safe, secure, and stable home environment for children and young people who cannot live with their birth parent(s). Ireland is among the world leaders in foster care, and across Ireland 3,817* foster carers currently open their homes to 5,021* children. Tusla foster carers are an essential component of Tuslas alternative care system, with 88.4% of children in care living in a foster placement. Jacqueline Smyth, National Foster Care Lead, Tusla commented, Fostering Awareness Month is about celebrating our wonderful community of foster carers - their dedication, kindness, and commitment and spreading awareness about what it means to foster. When you become a Tusla foster carer, you join Irelands largest community of foster carers, a community with decades of experience and staff who have worked in every aspect of the child and family services and who bring this invaluable experience into their fostering work. The first step in the fostering journey is to speak to someone on the Tusla Fostering team to explore if fostering is the right move for you and your family. Photo caption: A Day In The Life of Foster Families organisers (l-r): Kaye Fennessy, Social Worker Team Lead, Tusla Fostering Assessment Team; Brid Kiely, Principal Social Worker, Tusla Fostering; Marie Fitzgerald, Social Care Leader, Tusla Fostering; Victoria McGrath Tusla Fostering Business Support. Cruinniu na nOg, Irelands national festival of creativity for young people will be celebrated on Saturday June 7 across Tipperary. Cruinniu na nOg is a flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programmes Creative Youth Plan to enable the creative potential of children and young people. Tipperary Creative Ireland office together with Tipperary Library Service, Tipperary Museum of Hidden History and Arts Centres and creative providers throughout Tipperary are delighted to present a busy day of fun and free creative activities for all. READ NEXT: Tipperary TD raises several School Transport Scheme concerns in the Dail Unleash Your Creative Spark by joining in over 40 events taking place across County Tipperary: Cashel and Thurles Libraries present a host of varied creative activities; younger children can go on an interactive storytelling adventure, experiment with STEM in a fabulous Robotics workshops. Let Tipperary Music Generation introduce you to drumming while Dapa Dance Academy will get those feet moving in an expressive dance workshop. Please ring Cashel Library on 062 63825 or Thurles Library on 05261 66131 to book these events. Take part in Wonder Walls for this years Cruinniu na nOg at the Source Arts Centre, young people aged 1218 years are invited to bring their creativity to life through vibrant, collaborative murals. Come along to the drop-in sessions on June 7 and get involved in the creativity! Teenagers, join Fracture Youth Theatre for an Open Mic night at the Source Arts Centre, Thurles, where performances may include music, spoken word, storytelling, comedy, and more. The vibe will be informal, inclusive, and entirely youth-led. Join in or just watch the performance, full details on the Source Arts Centre website. Also at the Source Arts Centre, the young people and children of Down Syndrome Tipperary will come together with a number of local groups to sign, sing and perform together celebrating music and communication in all its glory. Clonmel Applefest is throwing an epic youth takeover at Kickham Plaza, Clonmel and youre invited! Its a full day dedicated to youth creativity, packed with hands-on arts and rafts, live music, and dance vibes from every corner of the scene. Come along to the Plaza between 12pm 4pm for juniors and 4 8pm for the teenager events. For this years Cruinniu na nOg, South Tipperary Arts Centre are turning the STAC Chapel, Kickham Plaza into a sensory-friendly Outer Space-themed venue from 11am 4pm. Enjoy storytelling with Mary Hickey, and a cosmic themed arts and crafts workshop with our tutors. This a free family friendly event, drop-in event. Cahir Comhaltas musicians and dancers are looking forward to entertaining us from 11am - 1pm at the Cahir Tourist Office Plaza. All welcome. Galtee Resin Art will host a series of resin art creative workshops at Cahir Arts, Castle Street Cahir from 3.30pm, to book contact Siobhan on 087 1174523. While youre there, why not immerse yourself in the delight of working with clay as you model a pinch pot, a wall tile, a character or a trinket dish. At Tipperary Town Library, Toe Tapping Tipperary, Rachel Sweeney leads an all inclusive dance workshop for 5-12 year olds at 10-11am, storytelling through Irish Sign Language from 11am-1pm, Creative Potato Stamp print workshops, for 4-7 year olds from 2-3pm and for 7+ year olds from 3-4 pm and finally Line Dancing with Bernie Corbett, for 10-14 year olds from 4pm, book your place by ringing 052 616 6126. Join Youth Work Ireland Tipperary in Tipperary Town for a fun and creative illustration workshop, local illustrator Gary Power introduces this workshop, focusing on drawing little joyful moments in daily life, suitable for ages 14-18 years of age, book on the website. All Cruinniu na nOg events are free and we would love to see our young people come out on the day and get involved and perhaps discover a new passion. Full details of the Tipperary Cruinniu na nOg programme can be accessed through cruinniu.gov.ie and Tipperary County Councils website, or ring 0818 065000. READ NEXT: Cashel Community School bids farewell to esteemed guidance counsellor Tonight the weekend concludes with more gunfire and what could be close to a 20% spike in deadly violence this year compared to last year at this time . . . Here's the word: Homicide 2900 block of Wabash This evening, just before 8:30 PM, patrol officers responded to the 2900 block of Wabash on a reported shooting. When they arrived they were directed to a residence on Wabash. Officers located an adult male victim suffering from gunshot wounds. KCFD EMS responded and transported the victim to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased a short time later. This is being investigated as a homicide and no one is in custody at this point. Preliminary information revealed there was an altercation outside of a residence between multiple individuals that led to shots being fired and the victim being struck. Detectives are canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses and surveillance footage. Crime scene personnel are processing the scene for physical evidence. If anyone has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline. We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency. We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents. ############## Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Police: Homicide investigation underway Sunday night at 29th, Wabash Police in Kansas City, Missouri, are investigating a homicide reported Sunday night near 29th and Wabash. The weekend news cycle consists mostly of reporting on explosion tragedy suffered in a suburban city. Here's the most important detail of aftermath reporting . . . "Family members say 82-year-old Richard Adams, a former Navy SEAL, died in Saturday's house explosion in Gladstone that left little standing beyond the outer walls he built himself." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Family mourns loss of Navy veteran after house explosion in Gladstone An 82-year-old Navy veteran was killed in a Gladstone, Missouri, home explosion. Powerful house explosion caught on camera in Missouri kills 1 person, 1 dog Gladstone, Missouri, was shaken by a deadly house explosion on Saturday that killed one person and a dog. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation. 'The house just looks like splinters': Remains of man, dog found after home explosion The body of a man and a dog were found in the rubble after a powerful explosion leveled a home in a Kansas City, Missouri, suburb on Saturday morning. 'He was a great person': Family identifies man killed in Gladstone home explosion Richard Adams Sr., 86, died as a result of an explosion Saturday, May 31, in Gladstone, according to his son. Man, dog killed in house explosion near Kansas City, officials say A man and a dog were killed in a house explosion Saturday in Gladstone, Missouri, which is near Kansas City, officials said. Developing . . . Right now fashion diva Alexis inspires another look at pop culture, community reporting and top headlines as we start the work week . . . Check TKC news gathering . . . Already Beloved Baller Arrives Royals call up Jac Caglianone to Kansas City THE JACWAGON HAS ARRIVED Planting MAGA Fear In Midwest?!? Farmers are taking on more debt. Some worry more financial stress could be ahead Farmers continued to take on more debt through the first quarter of 2025, prolonging a trend from last year. That's as farm incomes have shrunk over the last couple of years, and some worry President Trump's tariffs could make economic conditions tougher. Show-Me Social Moves Small-town Missouri coffee shop goes viral with TikTok post A TikTok post from a coffee shop in Stanberry, Missouri, hit more than 7 million views in one week. The United States is set to ban the app in June. Kansas Controversy Cont'd Medical neglect, 3-day lock downs: Inside dire conditions at Kansas ICE prison Roughly 80 men in ICE custody are currently being held in the federal prison at Leavenworth. Advocates say conditions there are miserable. Beer Pong Will Save Us All?!? Near KC's sports stadiums, a forgotten hotel is reborn through the gospel of pickleball The forgotten Adam's Mark Hotel near Kauffman Stadium now hosts SW19, a pickleball facility with eight courts, restaurants, and community programs. Fashioning Interest . . . Ashley Alexiss Nearly Pops Out Her Birthday Bikini In Thigh-Highs Ashley Alexiss is stunning in her tight colorful bikini as she celebrates her birthday with a smile in thigh-highs. MAGA Money Moment Arrives Trump's big tax bill moves ahead to potential changes in the Senate President Trump wants the Senate to slash taxes even more than the House-passed bill - and get the whole thing to his desk for signature by July 4. Progressively Better Advice . . . Democrats should debate messaging less (and policy more) Democrats are debating whether voters want the party to become more "populist," or to embrace the policy agenda laid out in the book Abundance. But this is a false choice. Suspect Targeted Innocent Colorado walk firebombed by terrorist who shouted 'Free Palestine' was peaceful weekly demonstration supporting Hamas hostages: 'This was not a protest' "This was a humanitarian walk. This was not a protest," said Rachel Amaru, a member of the Boulder Run For Their Lives chapter. "I'm distraught." American Payback Debated Tulsa's new Black mayor proposes $100M trust to 'repair' impact of 1921 Race Massacre Tulsa's new mayor has proposed a $100 million reparations plan to give descendants of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre scholarships and housing help. Attack Exposes Vlad?!? Ukraine's massive drone attack deep inside Russia lays bare Putin's vulnerability Though the knock-on effects are yet to be realized, some military commentators have called the strike Russia's "Pearl Harbor." Post-Capitalism On Display Fruity Booty's Founder on Community-Led Campaigns and Breaking America Fruity Booty's Founder on Community-Led Campaigns and Breaking America: We speak to Hattie Tennant about the rise of her emerging London-based label. Local End Game Documented Volunteer 'Gravers' Search For Plots After Online Inquiries Kansas City-area sleuths are part of the online community of hobbyists who help Find A Grave users find burial places they cannot visit. Katie's Forecast For Today . . . Hot, windy weather today will set us up for severe storms Tuesday Tuesday has been upgraded to a Weather Alert Day Esau Ortiz, Luis R Conriquez, Oscar Maydon, Aleman feat. Victor Mendivil - Triple Lavada is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. A quick Sunday evening update to send readers across the Internets for weekend reporting . . . Check TKC news gathering . . . Kansas City Ablaze This Evening Apartment building catches fire at 112th and McGee The building was empty at the time of the fire. There were no injuries. Kansas City Season Over?!? Inept offense sinks Royals in 1-0 loss to Tigers Kris Bubic took the loss despite throwing another gem Show-Me Legal Battle Missouri law blocks divorce during pregnancy; legislator fights to change it A Missouri law from the 1970s prevents pregnant women from obtaining a divorce, regardless of their circumstances. Kansas Guilty Verdict What did Dana Chandler do? Inside the case of the Kansas woman convicted of double murder after three trials Mike Sisco and his girlfriend Karen Harkness were gunned down in her Topeka, Kansas, home in 2002. Authorities believed it was a crime of passion. Sisco's daughter set out to help prove it was her mother, Dana Chandler, who was responsible. Show-Me Treatment Options Opioid overdose deaths drop in Missouri, but rural areas fight stigmas, barriers to care Investment in medicines like Narcan, an overdose-reversing drug, has allowed many Missourians to respond to opioid overdoses quickly. But more work is needed to address barriers to care and other stigmas, especially in rural areas. About Cowtown Tuckaways Inspired Closets KC Opening New Showroom, Leveling Up Service - IN Kansas City Magazine Sponsored content Inspired Closets Kansas City is opening a high-tech new showroom in Overland Park this July. The company, a Kansas City favorite since it opened in 2018, designs custom closets, offices, garages-any space you store stuff in your home, as owner Jen Macias-Wetzel says. The new showroom near 135th and Metcalf is part of... American Terror Report Emerges FBI and law enforcement respond to 'terror attack' in Boulder, Colorado Several people were injured and some may have been set on fire at an outdoor mall in Boulder, Colorado, police said. Torching Suspect Captured . . . FBI investigating report of 'targeted terror attack' in Colorado mall The Boulder Police Department was responding to the area near 13th and Pearl streets in Boulder, about 30 miles northwest of Denver. Tabloid Deets On Tragedy . . . Madman launches 'targeted terror attack' with Molotov cocktails, 'makeshift flamethrower' - setting at least one victim ablaze while shouting 'Free Palestine' - at Israeli hostages event in Boulder, Colorado Six victims between 67 and 88 years old were all hospitalized with varying burn wounds, FBI Denver Special Agent Mark Michalek said. Soliman was also hospitalized, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn added. Latest Update From Fox News . . . Suspect in Boulder terror attack determined to be Egyptian man in US illegally: FBI FBI Director Kash Patel confirms an investigation into a suspected terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Vlad's War Machine Takes Hit Ukraine destroys dozens of Russian warplanes with drone attack deep inside Russia Ukrainian drones destroyed 40 Russian aircraft in a strategic attack on airfields. The operation was a year in the making, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Deets On Deadly Holy Land Gaza: At least 15 killed in Israeli fire near aid centre, say medics Thousands of Palestinians had gathered near the Gaza Charity Foundation aid centre when Israeli tanks opened fire on the crowd, local reports say. Elon Forever?!?! DOGE Is Busier Than Ever-and Trump Says Elon Musk Is 'Really Not Leaving' Federal workers from six agencies tell WIRED that DOGE-style work is escalating in their departments as both new and familiar DOGE faces have appeared in meetings and at new offices. MAGA Internets Tag Disputed By Law Enforcement US homeland security removes list of 'sanctuary' cities after sheriffs' criticism President of sheriffs' association says 'noncompliant' list 'violated the core principles of trust' with law enforcement American Medical Drama Cont'd Johnson says 4.8 million Americans won't lose Medicaid access 'unless they choose to do so' Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) doubled down on his claim that there won't be Medicaid cuts in President Trump's "big, beautiful bill," despite projections that millions of low-income individuals would lose health insurance as a result of the bill. Johnson, during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press," pushed back on independent projections that the bill... Summer Party Season Advice For Last Remaining Middle-Class Wisdom from My Backyard Deck: Simple Secrets to Memorable Outdoor Gatherings - IN Kansas City Magazine Some of my most misty-eyed memories are of parties my husband and I hosted on our backyard deck. Now it is just my backyard deck; I lost Jimmy to Parkinson's two years ago. It makes me happy to think how much he enjoyed those gatherings. (He would, of course, be the first to admit he... Traffic Forecast For Now . . . Bridge repair on Nall, I-435 in Johnson County to begin Monday Drivers will have to use a detour in Johnson County on I-435 starting on Monday. And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. Thank you for signing up! Youll soon be getting your Toronto scoop in your inbox. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page. Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua Within the framework of the Bucharest Nine and Nordic Summit in Vilnius, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed defense support with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, in particular, investments in Ukrainian arms production. "Vilnius. During a meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, we discussed Ukraine's defense support, cooperation within the coalition of shelters, and EU membership. The most important thing is investments in Ukrainian weapons production and co-production. I told you about our 'Drone Line' project, which has already proven its effectiveness. We discussed how it can be scaled up," Zelenskyy said in his Telegram channel on Monday. The parties separately discussed diplomacy. "We expect a real result from today's meeting in Istanbul: a ceasefire, an exchange of prisoners, the return of children, and a meeting at the leadership level," Zelenskyy said. He thanked Orpo and the people of Finland for all the support provided. Umerov: Further talks with Russia will only make sense if theres preparation at leaders level. We propose next meeting to be held at late June Ukraine proposes holding the next meeting with Russia at the end of the month, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said. "We firmly believe that all key issues can only be resolved at the level of leaders. A meeting between leaders can take place with the involvement of other leaders, including the US President. We believe that further work between delegations makes sense if it is aimed at a meeting of leaders," he said at a press conference in Istanbul. According to the minister, the Ukrainian side proposed that the Russian Federation hold a meeting before the end of the current month (from June 20-30). "This is very important for achieving progress in the negotiation process," he added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda in Vilnius. "I spoke about the second round of negotiations that took place today in Istanbul. While there are no meaningful signals from Russia to end the war, it is important to strengthen our defense, especially investing in Ukrainian production. This is the basis for peace negotiations. Thank you, Gitanas and the Lithuanian people, for sharing this opinion," Zelenskyy wrote on his Telegram channel on Monday. In addition, the leaders discussed sanction pressure, Ukraine's European integration, and restoration. "We coordinated our diplomatic steps. Thank you for the invitation to the summit and for all the support you have provided," the president added. The News in Brief Monday, June 2, 2025 On May 30, Tbilisi City Court sentenced students Lika Lortkipanidze and Tatia Apriamashvili to 12 days of administrative detention following a complaint by Georgian Dream MP Mariam Lashkhi. The lawmaker accused them of publicly insulting her during a May 17 incident at a cafe where she was accompanied by her children. The students reportedly shouted slogans such as "Freedom for regime prisoners" and "No to the Russian regime" at Lashkhi. The Interior Ministry supported the complaint and sought a 45-day detention for the two students. In February, the Georgian Dream-led parliament amended legislation to classify insulting a public official as an administrative offense.Activist Magda Mamukashvili, also involved in the incident, received a fine of 4,000 GEL but was not detained due to being the mother of a minor.The sentencing sparked protests, with students marching from Ilia State University to Parliament, chanting against oppression. Fellow students announced plans to boycott classes on June 2 in solidarity, labeling the detentions as unjust.In a separate case on the same day, the court sentenced Tornike Skhvitaridze to five days of detention for allegedly insulting a police officer, while Ani Kavtaradze was fined 5,000 GEL.On June 1, PM Irakli Kobakhidze shared a message marking International Children's Day. He expressed his wish for peace for every child in the world, emphasizing that peace is essential for development."I wish peace to every child in the world, as it is the essential prerequisite without which there can be no development," Kobakhidze said.He also stressed the Georgian Dream's commitment to ensuring children's rights, focusing on access to quality education, improving living conditions, and providing equal opportunities for safe development across Georgia."Our goal is for every child throughout Georgia to have equal opportunities for development and a safe environment," the Prime Minister added. Umerov: Russia only today hands over its document on ceasefire, we will have a week to study it The Russian delegation in Istanbul on Monday handed over to Ukraine its "memorandum" on a ceasefire, and the Ukrainian team will have a week to study it, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said. "Only during today's meeting did the Russian Federation hand over its 'memorandum'; the Ukrainian team will have a week to study the document, after which we will be able to coordinate further steps," he said at a press conference in Istanbul. According to Russian media, the head of the Russian delegation at the talks in Istanbul, Vladimir Medinsky, stated that Russia had given Ukraine a memorandum on a ceasefire and achieving full-fledged peace. "We have given our memorandum to the Turkish side, which consists of two parts. The first: how to achieve a real long-term peace. And the second part: what steps to take to make a full-fledged ceasefire possible. Moreover, in the second part there is even a variability: to act this way or to act that way," he told journalists following the talks in Istanbul on Monday. "The plan is quite detailed, worked out on our part. Therefore, the Ukrainian side decided to take it into consideration. They will study it and give an answer. We will see," Medinsky added. Photo: https://unsplash.com/ On the sidelines of the summit in Vilnius, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held his first meeting with Romanian President Dan Nicusor. Romania will support Ukraine as a future member of both the EU and NATO under the new president's policy. We agreed that the president will come to us. I think he will come soon, in the summer," Zelenskyy said during a zoom call with journalists on Monday. Tom Tuite An insurance broker triggered a smoke alarm on a London Stansted Dublin flight after aggressively ignoring cabin crew and going to the toilet just before take-off on Sunday, a court has heard. Father of two, William Horn, 29, of Stone Rings Lane, Harrowgate, England, pleaded guilty on Monday to charges under the Air Navigation and Transport Act following his arrest on Sunday at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport. Airport-based Garda Sandip Shrestha told Dublin District Court he charged the accused with offensive behaviour on the Ryanair flight and setting off the smoke alarm, and the accused replied, You are chatting shit. Judge John Brennan noted that day-tripper Horn, who came to Ireland for a birthday party, was pleading guilty to the charges. Garda Shreshta said on June 1st, he received a call from cabin crew about a disruptive passenger on the flight. Garda Shreshta learned that Horn was in the toilet, and a plume of smoke set off the smoke alarm inside the plane. The captain also confirmed to the garda that the alarm was also activated in the cockpit. Judge Brennan heard that it started just before taking off in Stansted when the aircraft was taxiing to the runway. The seatbelts signs were activated but Horn ignored the cabin crews instructions and went to the toilet, and walked by the cabin crew in an aggressive manner. Defence solicitor Edward Bradbury told the court his client, who remained silent during the hearing, was pleading guilty and from his perspective, it had been somewhat an ordeal and in his own mind a misunderstanding. The garda agreed with Mr Bradbury that the aircraft was about to take off when Horn decided to go to the toilet. The accused had no prior convictions in Ireland. Mr Bradbury said his client has been chastened by this ordeal, was held in custody overnight, and missed his birthday party. The court heard there was no evidence of intoxication, and Horn insisted he was not smoking in the toilet. However, the solicitor acknowledged that, at the very least, the issue had a smattering of recklessness all over it. The solicitor said it happened when the aircraft was taxiing for take-off, which was aggravating circumstances for the flight attendants. Judge Brennan said it happened in a confined environment where people were vulnerable, but on the scale of these offences, it ranked at the lower end. He said that if Horn donated 500 to a Dublin charity which has assisted people affected by homelessness and addiction, he would receive the Probation of Offenders Act and be spared a criminal record. The judge warned that failure to pay would result in recorded convictions and fines totalling 800. Horn was released on 300 bail and excused from attending when the case resumes next week. Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Alphonsus Cullinan met with Pope Leo XIV last week at an audience in St. Peter's Square in Rome. Bishop Cullinan was invited to Rome with a delegation of Vocations Directors from across Ireland for a workshop on the promotion of vocations to the priesthood presented by the Dicastery for Clergy. Commenting on his meeting with the Holy Father, Bishop Cullinan said in a statement to the Waterford News & Star that the occasion was a special moment for him, and that Pope Leo has an "enormous task" ahead of him. "It was a very personal moment for me," Bishop Cullinan said. "Pope Leo's calm, loving and prayerful manner puts one at ease. I promised to pray for him as he takes up the enormous task of guiding and inspiring not only Catholics but all people of goodwill. "I have no doubt that Pope Leo, among his many intentions, is praying for work in vocations promotion," Bishop Cullinan added. Pope Leo XIV had in fact previously visited Waterford while Prior General of The Order of the Augustinians. At the time, during a visit to Ireland, Pope Leo XIV visited St Augustine's College in Abbeyside, Dungarvan, creating what can now be considered a historic moment for County Waterford. Blackwater Valley Opera Festival has wrapped up its most ambitious festival to date, attracting more than 5,000 people to their seven-day programme of opera, concerts, and recitals. Local school children were the first to get a glimpse of what lay in store this year, as over 400 primary and post-primary students took part in educational workshops on set, attended the Opera Dress Rehearsal, and performed at the festival's opening ceremony. For the first time, the festival presented two full opera productions this year. The flagship opera, A Midsummer Nights Dream on the breathtaking grounds of Lismore Castle, featured a childrens chorus and child performers, receiving rave reviews from audiences. Meanwhile, conductor David Brophy led the Irish Chamber Orchestra, and a predominantly all-Irish cast directed by Patrick Mason in a playful and atmospheric staging of Benjamin Brittens 20th-century opera. Henry Purcells Dido and Aeneas, featuring Paula Murrihy, Dean Murphy, Kelli-Ann Masterson, and the Irish Baroque Orchestra, was performed in the candlelit surroundings of St Carthages Cathedral beneath a giant suspended moon. The programme at Dromore Yard, a semi-restored 19th-century farmyard on the banks of the River Blackwater, featured standout performances, including When Birds Do Sing, a concert with Irish mezzo-soprano Niamh OSullivan and pianist Gary Beecher; while the festival finale Baroque Hits, performed by the Irish Baroque Orchestra under the baton of Nicholas McGegan, featured internationally celebrated Irish mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy. Susan Ebrill, Terry Neil, Helene Coffey, Cyril Murphy and Marjorie Neil attending A Midsummer Nights Dream. Photo: Patrick Browne The programme also featured Shakespeare in Music, The Tinker and the Fairy, and a special poetry and music recital honouring George Bernard Shaw. Remi Ludick performing at a sold-out recital at Salterbridge House, Cappoquin. Photo: Matt Brooker People of all ages enjoyed the free open-air recitals in Lismore, Dungarvan, Youghal and Castlemartyr, while food enthusiasts savoured pop-up dining experiences throughout the week. When Birds Do Sing at Blackwater Valley Opera Festival. Photo: John Kelly Eamonn Carroll, Festival Director of Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, expressed his delight with the success of the festival this year, saying: There was a brilliant energy throughout the week, from the bold opera productions and beautifully curated recitals to our formal opera dining. What stood out most was the level of engagement from audiences of all ages, whether at sold-out performances, free open-air recitals in towns across the region, or taking part in workshops and opening celebrations. At last weeks Garda Youth Awards in Waterford, Mount Sion CBS Secondary School student Calvin Flynn was the overall winner in the Special Achievement' category. In presenting the award, attendees at the ceremony in the Tower Hotel heard that Calvin is a source of great pride and joy for the staff at the school who have seen him turn his life around through hard work and commitment, overcoming many obstacles on the way both personal and social. Calvin, who had missed a lot of school in his first and second years, turned things around by staying behind three evenings a week catching up, never missing a day and putting all his focus into learning and helping others. He has now progressed to transition year, is part of many clubs and is on the student council. Calvin recently spoke to students from other schools about his experience and received a standing ovation from his peers. He was described at the awards ceremony last week as "incredibly articulate" with "great emotional intelligence." "His positive energy and hope for a future motivates other students who can see how Calvin has refused to let adversity keep him down." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre discussed security issues in Vilnius, in particular strengthening Ukrainian air defense, cooperation in the defense industry and increasing pressure on the Russian Federation, the head of the Ukrainian state said. "With Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre, we discussed continued support for Ukraine - strengthening air defense, investments in our defense industry, the importance of continuing and increasing pressure on Russia, in particular through sanctions," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on Monday. "We appreciate Norway's support, our cooperation in the field of security and defense, and the coordination of efforts to achieve a fair and sustainable peace. We are studying in detail the possibilities of doing even more together in all dimensions," Zelenskyy added. He also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, the people of Norway, "all those who help us protect life." As reported, on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Vilnius and is participating in the Bucharest Nine and Nordic summit. That caveat was debatable, since Trumps post-Liberation Day polling was starting to look like president Joe Bidens polling numbers after the botched Afghanistan withdrawal. Once Biden hit the low 40s in the RealClearPolitics average, he never again reached 45 per cent approval: some presidents just lose their mandate early and never get it back. Even if he dislikes the barnyard-fowl comparison, though, the acronym gets at something thats crucial to Trumps political resilience. The willingness to swerve and backpedal and contradict himself is a big part of what keeps the president viable, and the promise of chickening out is part of Trumps implicit pitch to swing voters reassuring them that anything extreme is also provisional, that hes always testing limits (on policy, on power) but also generally willing to pull back. Judging by his reaction to a reporters question this past week, President Donald Trump doesnt like it when you ask him about TACO the reported Wall Street acronym for Trump Always Chickens Out, an assumption that makes it safe to be in the market even when the president threatens Europe and China with intensifications of his trade war. But since that column appeared, Trump has bobbed and weaved away from his most extreme China tariffs, he has achieved some kind of separation from Elon Musk and he has started complaining about crazy Russian President Vladimir Putin while casting himself as the great would-be peacemaker of the Middle East. And lo and behold, his poll numbers have floated back up, not to genuine popularity but to a perfectly normal level for a president in a polarised country. Loading With a different president, you might say that this recovery happened despite the White Houses various backtracks and reversals (plus various rebukes from the judiciary). But with Trump, its more apt to say that its happened because of these setbacks and recalibrations. Seeing Trump both check himself and be checked by others is what an important group of voters expect from his presidency. They like that Trump pressures institutions they distrust or dislike, from official Washington to elite universities, but their approval is contingent on a dynamic interaction, where he accepts counterpressure and retreats. Ask Trump loyalists about this pattern, and theyll often insist that its all just part of the Plan that the presidents apparent setbacks and volte-faces are just indicators of a strategic flexibility that was present all along. So, the seeming daftness of the Liberation Day tariffs is actually a brilliant way to get the markets to accept a more modest but still substantial tariff regime. Or letting Musk run wild with implausible promises about Department of Government Efficiency cost savings is just a way to open the hood of cabinet agencies and let the president figure out how to control his own executive branch. In some cases, these arguments can be partially persuasive. I think Trumps foreign policy, especially, is fundamentally improvisational in a way thats better suited than some of the more consistent alternatives to the difficult world we now inhabit. Even the seeming shamelessness of his swings can be defensible adaptations to complicated circumstances: It can make sense to try to negotiate with Putin and also to threaten Russia if the negotiations stall out as it might make sense to be hawkish toward a stronger Iran in 2018 and conciliatory toward a weaker Iran in 2025, and so on. Australia is being urged to mandate the use of local steel in projects to protect the nations workers and industry from Donald Trumps tariffs. The US president has announced a plan to double levies on foreign steel from 25 per cent to 50 per cent in coming days. Australian goods exported to the US are already subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff. The steel works in Port Kembla, NSW, where a union leader is calling for steel quotas. Credit: Kate Geraghty Australia must adopt strong domestic protections, says union secretary Arthur Rorris, whose South Coast Labour Council includes workers from BlueScopes Port Kembla Steelworks. If we dont mandate the use of our steel for our own uses, we will become the path of least resistance for the glut of global steel, he said. If you dont defend your own markets, others will take them. Labor could not just talk about a future made in Australia but had to provide the funds to back it, Rorris said. He said the government needed to understand the transactional nature of the Trump administration and use whatever leverage it had to get a better deal. Treasurer Jim Chalmers in February said quotas for Australian steel were under consideration. Australian Steel Association chief executive David Buchanan said he was yet to see dumping of cheap foreign steel into Australia. We do have a very strong system to protect the industry from dumped materials, he told ABC radio. Buchanan said the US presidents decision would not have a major impact on Australian industry, but would result in increased prices for American consumers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese branded the move an act of economic self-harm and is expected to sit down with the American leader on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada later in June. Trumps deepening trade war is considered destabilising to the framework that has benefited middle powers such as Australia. Announcing the steel and aluminium tariffs earlier this year, Trump committed to imposing them without exceptions or exemptions in a bid to help shield domestic industries in the US. University of Sydney academics have been banned from allowing students to make non-course-related announcements at the start of a lecture, under new rules the institution says balance campus safety and academic freedom. It comes after the university spent $441,789 on an external review to combat antisemitism in the 18 months following Hamas October 7 attacks and complaints from Jewish students that they did not feel safe at the institution. Students will be allowed to make non-course-related announcements only at the end of a lecture. Credit: Louise Kennerley Vice Chancellor Mark Scott said the move was one of five new revised policies that articulated what was and what was not acceptable, designed so everyone feels safe to be themselves no matter their religion, gender, sexuality, race or ability. In a world of increased conflict and polarisation, that can be challenging. But over the past year, weve done some significant work across the university to ensure our campus is a place where everyone can thrive, he said in an email on Monday afternoon. On election eve, then-Liberal frontbencher Jane Hume was asked whether Angus Taylor was a future leader. In response, she delivered a political phrase for the ages: You do not read the entrails until you have gutted the chicken. Remarkably, seconds later, she came close to outdoing herself: Democracy sausages are my favourite meal. If I was on death row and they asked me what my last meal would be? A sausage in bread with onion and tomato sauce. Which was not, as it turned out, an entirely inaccurate metaphor for a Liberal frontbencher to use on May 3. Illustration: Joe Benke Credit: Especially not Hume, who as of last week is no longer a frontbencher. Naturally, she responded to this news with a series of quotable quotes: As my very wise mother would say, Stop your nonsense, chin up, chest out, straighten your tiara and lets get on with the job. One way she will do that is, apparently, by saying what she wants which is certainly going to make for much more interesting Sunrise interviews. An interesting feature of Labors stunningly strong election result is how much freedom backbenchers on both sides now have should they choose to use it. In the last parliament, Labors slim majority as well as its anxiousness not to repeat the chaos of the Rudd-Gillard years imposed discipline. A similar thing happened in the Coalition, from the opposite direction: returning to government felt so close and nobody wanted to be the one to wreck things. Now, for opposite reasons, backbenchers on both sides can speak their mind: Labor MPs because their side is so unlikely to lose in 2028, and Coalition MPs because theirs is so unlikely to win. Big business and unions are on a collision course over Labors plans to curb the use of artificial intelligence a policy with potential to create another flashpoint with the Trump administration. The federal government has been mulling new laws or regulations to limit the potentially damaging effect of some automated tools, mirroring moves in Europe. The EU attracted the wrath of US Vice-President J.D. Vance, who said in February that excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry. Australias most influential corporate lobby group, the Business Council of Australia (BCA), is calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to shun calls for heavier regulation stemming from the ethics debates surrounding advances such as OpenAI. AI looms as a critical workplace battleground in Labors second term under Anthony Albanese. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The argument to avoid curbs puts the business lobby on the side of Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy, who said last week that AI presented immense economic opportunities and existing regulations should be favoured instead of new rules. But unions are pushing for federal regulations to protect workers, setting up a fresh contest on industrial relations in Labors second term. London: For decades, smoking was less a habit in France and Spain than a cultural flourish. The smouldering ciggie was part of daily life dangling from the lip of a philosopher on a cafe terrace in Le Marais, or flicked into the sand after a long lunch along the Costa del Sol. But while much of the world stubbed out the social acceptability of smoking long ago, the change in Europe has been slower, more reluctant, and often clouded by nostalgia. Now, two of the continents most iconic smoking nations are making their boldest moves yet to catch up. The French will still be allowed to smoke outside cafes, but no longer on the beach. Credit: Getty Images From July 1, France will ban smoking in many outdoor public spaces, including beaches, parks, playgrounds, bus stops and areas around schools. Spain, meanwhile, is preparing to go even further, with a sweeping reform of its anti-smoking law set to take effect by the end of the year. That plan will outlaw smoking and vaping in places as varied as stadiums, swimming pools, university campuses and even work vehicles. A Ukrainian security official said 41 Russian warplanes were hit, while a statement posted on the Telegram messaging app by Ukraines domestic security agency, the SBU, estimated the damage at $US7 billion ($11 billion). Thirty-four per cent of strategic cruise missile carriers at the main airfields of the Russian Federation were hit, the SBU said. The claim could not be independently verified. Andriy Kovalenko, the head of Ukraines Centre for Countering Disinformation, later said at least 13 planes were destroyed and others were damaged in the attack. The planes targeted included A-50, Tu-95 and Tu-22M aircraft, the Ukrainian official said. The Tupolev Tu-95 and Tu-22 M3 long-range bombers are capable of deploying conventional and nuclear weapons, and Moscow has previously used them to launch missiles at Ukraine. A-50s are used to co-ordinate targets and detect air defences and guided missiles. Unverified video and pictures posted on Russian social media showed Russian strategic bombers on fire at the Belaya air base in the Irkutsk region of Siberia. Regional governor Igor Kobzev said there had been a drone attack on a military unit near the village of Sredny, which is near the Belaya base, though he did not specify what the target was. He said the drones had been launched from a truck. Head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Vasyl Malyuk examines diagrams after SBUs special operation in Ukraine on Sunday. Credit: Security Service of Ukraine/Anadolu via Getty Images) Photographs shared with Reuters by the Ukrainian security official showed dozens of short-range quadrocopter drones piled up in an industrial facility. The official said these were the same devices used in the attack. Other images shared by the official showed the wooden sheds with their metal roofing panels removed, and the drones sitting in the cavities between roof beams. Separate video posted on Russian Telegram channels, which has not been verified by Reuters, appeared to show matching sheds on the back of a truck. The roof panels can be seen lying on the ground next to the truck, and the video footage shows at least two drones rising out of the top of the sheds and flying off. The Russian online media outlet that posted the video, Baza, said in a caption that it was filmed in the district near the Belaya air base. One source shared video footage shot from a drone, saying it showed one of the strikes. The images showed several large aircraft, some of which appeared to be Tu-95 strategic bombers, on fire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin last week. Credit: Getty Images The drone attacks followed explosions that caused two bridges to collapse and derailed two trains in western Russia overnight, killing seven in one of the incidents and injuring dozens more. Russian officials, however, did not say what had caused the blasts, and the word explosions was later removed from an investigative committee press release. The United States was not told in advance about the drone attacks, a Ukrainian government official said, which were carried out hours before the next round of peace talks was due to go ahead in Istanbul, Turkey, on Monday. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was briefed afterwards during a stop at Nellis Air Force Base and was monitoring the situation. Loading Zelensky said the attacks had inflicted very tangible losses on Moscow. An absolutely brilliant outcome. And an outcome produced by Ukraine independently, Zelensky wrote on the Telegram messaging app. This is our longest-range operation. He said Ukraine would send a delegation led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov to Istanbul for the peace talks. We are doing everything to protect our independence, our state and our people, he said. Ukrainian officials had previously called on the Kremlin to provide a promised memorandum setting out its position on ending the war before the meeting takes place. Moscow had said it would share its memorandum during the talks. The damaged bridge in Russias Bryansk region, bordering Ukraine, which collapsed onto a train on Saturday night. Credit: Russian Emergency Ministry/AP Russia also launched on Sunday the biggest number of drones 472 against Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Ukraines air force said, alongside seven missiles. At least 12 Ukrainian service members were killed and more than 60 were injured in a Russian missile strike on an army training unit near the front line. Ukrainian army commander Mykhailo Drapatyi submitted his resignation after the attack. Reuters, AP Boulder, Colorado: Eight people were injured when a man with a makeshift flamethrower allegedly yelled Free Palestine and threw an incendiary device into a group that had assembled in Boulder, Colorado to raise attention for Israeli hostages in Gaza, law enforcement officials said. FBI leaders immediately declared the attack on Sunday afternoon (Monday AEST) an act of terrorism and the US Justice Department denounced it as a needless act of violence, which follows recent attacks against Jewish Americans. Police arrested a 45-year-old man at the scene, whom the FBI identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman of Colorado Springs. Authorities said they believed Soliman, who was hospitalised shortly after the attack with minor injuries, acted alone and no other suspects were being sought. The attack took place on the Pearl Street Mall, a popular pedestrian shopping district in the shadow of the University of Colorado, during a regular event organised by Run for their Lives, an organisation devoted to drawing attention to the hostages seized in the aftermath of Hamass 2023 attack on Israel. Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/ At the talks in Istanbul, the delegations of Ukraine and Russia agreed to exchange prisoners of war in the "1,000 for 1,000" format, with an additional exchange of 200 for 200 possible, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. "There will be an exchange of our military. It will be a thousand for a thousand. There may be an additional 200 for 200. Because Ukraine has raised the issue of additional military personnel, political prisoners, and journalists. We have constantly addressed and raised these issues," Zelenskyy said during a zoom call with journalists on Monday. He also said that this week Ukraine will exchange lists with the Russians, and then there will be verification. Zelenskyy noted that he hopes that the Russian Federation will transfer the exchange lists in advance. Speaking about the exchange of bodies of fallen soldiers, the president noted that Ukraine agreed to transfer 6,000 bodies of those killed on the Russian side, but this issue needs to be carefully studied, since only 15% of this number have been identified. "We definitely need to take all of ours, but we already had one moment when they [the Russians] handed over bodies and there they handed over their own, also Russian, killed soldiers ... You know that at first they didn't take people from the battlefield, and then they left them, and then they seemed to collect them," the president said. He recalled that Ukraine submitted its memorandum in electronic format five days before the meeting. Under the auspices of the WCO/JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Joint Project, the World Customs Organization (WCO) held a Refresher Course for Master Trainers on Customs Valuation in Southern Africa from 13 to 15 May 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. Thirteen (13) Master Trainers from five (5) Southern African MembersBotswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwegathered in Brussels for this highly anticipated refresher workshop. They completed the Master Trainer Programme (MTP) and became Master Trainers on Custom Valuation in April 2021. Since then, they have conducted training sessions within their administrations and in other regions. Their expertise has significantly contributed to enhancing Customs practices in the area of Customs Valuation and supported the achievement of the WCO's Strategic Plan objectives. The refresher workshop aimed to further enhance their knowledge and skills, recognizing their invaluable contributions as Customs Valuation experts. The opening session featured a motivating address from the WCO leadership. In his welcome remarks, Mr. Ian Saunders, Secretary General of the WCO, highlighted Master Trainers significant contribution to Customs practice. He acknowledged that with the support of the WCO and JICA, these Master Trainers on Customs Valuation have strengthened their administrations capacities and shared their knowledge with colleagues from other countries, training more than 3,000 Customs officers in recent years. Emphasizing the crucial role of customs valuation in ensuring proper revenue collection, the Secretary General expressed his appreciation for their continued dedication, especially in light of developments such as the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area. He urged them to continue their valuable activities beyond the continent and worldwide. Throughout the three-day workshop, the Master Trainers were updated on the latest developments in Customs Valuation, focusing on the latest tools and decisions of the Technical Committee on Customs Valuation (TCCV) and best practices. The refresher workshop provided a unique platform for Master Trainers to exchange experiences, discuss challenges, and share success stories related to the implementation of Customs Valuation in their regions. The workshop was facilitated by WCO experts, alongside Member experts who provided invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of Customs Valuation. Mr. Ricardo Trevino Chapa, Deputy Secretary General of the WCO, also addressed the participants during the closing ceremony, acknowledging the significant contributions of the Master Trainers to regional and global Customs initiatives. He encouraged them to make full use of and share the knowledge gained during the three-day refresher workshop and continue expanding their networks. The success of the Refresher workshop for Master Trainers in Southern Africa is a testament to the WCO's ongoing commitment to its capacity-building strategy, leveraging its pool of experts from the beneficiary region. For more information, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org. From May 19 to 23, 2025, a technical support mission led by the World Customs Organization (WCO) as part of its Integrity Portfolio, was held in Moroni with the General Directorate of Customs of the Union of the Comoros (DGD) and a working group set up as part of the initiative. The working group was made up of twenty contributors, representative of Comorian Customs. The main objective of this mission was to support the Comorian customs authorities in assessing their integrity approach and in co-constructing a draft national strategy for fighting corruption and promoting integrity, aligned with the ten key factors of the WCO's Revised Arusha Declaration (RAD). This process was based on a rigorous methodological approach: plenary sessions, participative group work, institutional diagnosis, and consultation with external stakeholders, including the private sector. It enabled to draw up a shared assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the current system, to explore the levers for collective commitment, and to define the outlines of an ambitious and pragmatic roadmap. Five priorities have emerged: Strengthening institutional leadership and governance of customs integrity; Preventing corruption risks by analyzing sensitive processes; Continuous training and dissemination of a professional culture of integrity; The development of mechanisms for detecting and dealing with breaches; and Transparency, dialogue with stakeholders and public accountability. The WCO experts praised the mobilization of the participants, senior managers and focal points of the DGD, the clarity of the strategic vision put forward by the General Management, and the willingness to place this dynamic within a sustainable framework. A structured action plan was launched, accompanied by a monitoring system based on ethical performance indicators. This process marks a major step in the modernization of the Comorian customs administration, at the crossroads of good governance, tax justice and public confidence. The success of this approach will now depend on its effective implementation, internal capacity-building and the coordinated support of technical and financial partners committed to the reform of customs governance in the Comoros. The WCO has committed all its three core functions standard setting, cooperation, and capacity building to support its Members in building integrity and fighting corruption. For more information regarding the ongoing work of the WCO in the area of integrity, please contact integrity@wcoomd.org. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. On June 2, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the official opening ceremony of the 30th Anniversary Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition, 13th Caspian International Power and Green Energy Exhibition, and the 30th Anniversary Baku Energy Forum, held as part of the Baku Energy Week at the Baku Expo Center, Trend reports. Addressing the event, Thomas Hurd, Board Advisor at the UK-based ICA Events Group, said: - Your Excellency, esteemed Mr. President, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, On behalf of the organizing committee, its an honor and a privilege to welcome you to the 30th anniversary of the Baku Energy Week. And I must take this opportunity also to congratulate Azerbaijan on their fantastic victory last night. We are grateful to His Excellency, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, for his presence here today. It highlights the importance of this event for Azerbaijan's energy sector and the importance of this event for the international community as a whole. In 1994, under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan took its first bold step onto the global energy stage. The inaugural Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition coincided with the signing of the historic Contract of the Century, laying the foundation for Azerbaijan's modern energy strategy and its dynamic role in global energy cooperation. Since then, Baku Energy Week has evolved into one of the most respected and influential platforms in the region, bringing together governments, global companies, and industry experts to shape the future of energy. This year's anniversary edition welcomes over 200 companies from 30 countries, alongside new participants and national pavilions, reflecting growing international interest and confidence in Azerbaijan's energy potential. I would like to sincerely thank the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, SOCAR, and all our valued partners and sponsors for their indispensable support in delivering this milestone event. Let me congratulate you all on this remarkable anniversary, and wish you a successful, productive, and inspiring week filled with valuable discussions, new collaborations, and exciting opportunities. Thank you very much. I have the honor to invite His Excellency, President Ilham Aliyev, to the stage. Then, President Ilham Aliyev delivered a speech. Speech by President Ilham Aliyev - Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like, first of all, to greet all our guests. Thank you for being with us today. I also express gratitude to the organizers for the continuous support of Azerbaijan's energy agenda. As was already mentioned, back in 1994, when the first oil and gas exhibition was held, right after that, Azerbaijan signed a contract with a consortium of international oil companies, later called the Contract of the Century, which actually changed the whole geopolitical and geo-economic situation in the region. That was due to the vision of President Heydar Aliyev, who clearly understood that without broad international cooperation, especially in the field of energy, which at that time was probably the only attractive part of our economy, Azerbaijan would not be able not only to overcome difficulties, but also to become a really independent country. Because now, when we look back at that period, we see that the road towards independence actually started from that particular historical moment. At that time, Azerbaijan was considered by foreign investors as a very risky country due to objective reasons. The country was just emerging from the civil war. The economic situation was close to collapse. Inflation was at 1,000% with overwhelming poverty, and the occupation of our territories by Armenia, which led to the ethnic cleansing of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis, created, as you can imagine, a very dark picture for our future. Today, when we look back, we see that our energy policy was the driving force for our economic and political success. Today, Azerbaijan is a country with a stable political system and a developing economy. The share of oil and gas in our GDP is something more than 30%. Azerbaijan is implementing large-scale economic reforms, and our economy is self-sufficient. Our foreign debt is less than 7% of GDP, and our financial reserves exceed our foreign debt by 14 times. We managed to reduce poverty due to the fair distribution of national wealth. Today, the poverty level is around 5%. We invested largely in human capital and education, and the level of literacy is close to 100%. Then, we created a new environment in the region. Without access to the open seas, Azerbaijan today is considered to be one of the important transportation hubs of Eurasia, with our huge investments in transportation infrastructure. Also, our energy projects have completely changed the energy map of Eurasia. Together with our partners, we built strategic pipelines to connect the Caspian Sea with the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Of course, the crown of our pipelines is the Southern Gas Corridor, which stretches 3,500 kilometers from the Azerbaijani offshore fields to Italy. Investing in energy security of many other countries, of course, increases the geopolitical importance of Azerbaijan. We all clearly understand that energy, oil and gas, will continue to play an important role in many countries' energy security. When I was speaking at the Baku Energy Week last time, I informed the audience that we export natural gas to eight countries. Now I'd like to inform you that the number of countries to which we export our gas has reached 12. And this is not the end. We are still in the process of negotiations and also making investments with some countries to expand our geography. With respect to the coverage of geography by pipeline gas, I think Azerbaijan is now one of the leading countries on a global scale. So, all these are positive dynamics, and we see the positive impact of our energy development not only on Azerbaijan's own potential, but also on the neighborhood. When energy resources are properly managed, and cooperation between investors, host country, transit countries, actually is as it is here, then you achieve success. So, it is a win-win situation, and we always looked very carefully at the balance of interest between producers, transit countries, and consumers. This, I think, is a very important factor for future energy cooperation. Our natural gas export last year reached 25 billion cubic meters, and we are planning to increase our production based on the contracts already signed and on the process, which already is in the pipeline. If everything goes according to our plans, by 2030 we will increase gas exports to a level of 8 billion cubic meters. That will be available for the international market. By that time exactly by 2030 we, again, based on already signed contracts and investment commitments, are planning to have 6.5 gigawatts of renewable energy installed capacity. That will be more than 35% of our total energy grid. So, the green agenda of Azerbaijan is very ambitious. The country, which is rich in oil and gas, is investing together with foreign investors in green energy, which demonstrates our responsibility. With all that green energy potential, we will definitely satisfy the growing needs for electricity in Azerbaijan, mainly through renewable sources, and that will save us another several billion cubic meters of gas, which will be available for export. I can understand that as a President of COP29, maybe it's not appropriate now to talk much about oil and gas, but our agenda with respect to COP29 was very pragmatic. It was far from populism, far from false narratives. It was based on the pragmatic calculations of the countries demand for fossil fuels. We see what happens in some countries when the balance between fossil fuels and green energy is not observed. It leads to blackouts and energy collapse, and it may lead to much more complicated scenarios. To keep the balance, and not to follow the trend that sometimes dictates your steps, I think, is the right policy. So, in our case, we are increasing production of natural gas to satisfy the needs of countries, which are waiting for it, and at the same time, investing together with partners in our green energy projects. The 8 bcm of natural gas, which we plan to have additionally by 2030, will be produced from five existing and new fields. It means that investors already operating in Azerbaijan, will increase their production. At the same time, new contracts, which have been signed or will be signed soon, will give this potential. Last year, at Baku Energy Week, several contracts totaling 1,000 megawatts of green energy were signed. This time, several contracts of several hundred megawatts of green energy will also be signed. We are continuing on that path. Talking about COP29, we duly consider it as a success. It was called the Baku Breakthrough because we managed to achieve many goals. I don't want to mention all of them, but the major achievements are the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund, at the same time, the increase in financing for developing countries from 100 to 300 billion dollars, and also, after more than 10 years of negotiations, the carbon market became functional. This is our legacy as a host country, as a responsible actor on the energy market, and as a country, which always puts realistic targets and is capable of bringing together different actors. One of our roles at COP29 was to build bridges between Global South and Global North, and we managed to do it to establish more trust between developed countries, which are the biggest polluters to the environment, and those countries, which suffer, and for them it is can existential threat. We have a special financial package for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which was announced at COP29, and we continue our efforts to help those needing our support. I'd like once again to greet all our guests and wish Baku Energy Week success. Thank you. Wyatt Toehlke, Senior Advisor for European and Eurasian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, said: - Thank you, Mr. President Aliyev, ministers, distinguished guests. I am honored to be here with you today to mark this momentous occasionthe 30th anniversary of Baku Energy Week. The United States and Azerbaijan have enjoyed a strong partnership in the energy sector going back decades. Just last year, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Contract of the Century, which became the foundation of our lasting bilateral energy relationship. And from the Contract of the Century to the Southern Gas Corridor, Azerbaijan has shown leadership and vision, establishing itself as a critical pillar of energy security in the region and beyond. We look forward to our continued partnership with Azerbaijan to advance our shared interests in unleashing energy abundance and ensuring our future energy security. I would now like to share a few words from President Trump: Dear Mr. President, I want to extend my sincere congratulations to you and the people of Azerbaijan on the 30th anniversary of the International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition. This milestone is a testament to Azerbaijan's leadership in the region's energy sector and commitment to global energy security. Over the past 30 years, our two nations, both blessed with energy abundance, have enjoyed a tremendously productive partnership in the hydrocarbon sector. We share the view that natural gas will play an essential role in meeting rising global energy demands in the coming decades, and we support the right of every nation to leverage its resources for its own prosperity. The United States values its partnership with Azerbaijan and appreciates the regional energy stability that makes it possible. I look forward to our continued collaboration in this important sector. Together, we can work toward a future of greater energy independence, sustainability, and economic growth. Once again, congratulations on this momentous occasion. Sincerely, Donald Trump. Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Turkiye, read out President Recep Tayyip Erdogans letter regarding the Baku Energy Week: - Distinguished participants, Dear guests, I greet you all with my most sincere feelings and affection. As in previous years, I hope that the events being held within the framework of Baku Energy Week this year are successful for the two eternally brotherly countriesTurkiye and Azerbaijanand for our region in particular. Our close relations with dear Azerbaijan, as in all areas, continue strongly and resolutely in the energy sector. Together, we have secured many achievements in this field over the years. The global geopolitical developments experienced in recent times have once again confirmed the importance of Turkish-Azerbaijani cooperation in ensuring energy security. This cooperation, crowned with infrastructure projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum, and TANAP pipelines, makes significant contributions not only to Turkiye and Azerbaijan but also to the energy security of the region and Europe. The Igdr-Nakhchivan pipeline, which we inaugurated in March, is the latest example of our successful energy cooperation. The launch of this line has further bolstered the energy security of both the Nakhchivan region and Turkiye. Increasing electricity exchanges between Turkiye and Azerbaijan is another strategically important project. In this context, expanding the capacity of both the TurkiyeNakhchivan and TurkiyeGeorgia interconnectors is a renewed step we must take swiftly. We have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in green electricity transmission and trade with the aim of establishing a new electricity interconnector line between Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Bulgaria. We aim to complete this projectwhich will be another historic step for energy security and prosperity in our regionInshallah, as soon as possible. We also see great potential for new natural gas projects between our two countries. Azerbaijans strategic role in the global energy market, supplying significant volumes of gas to both Turkiye and Europe for many years, is of vital importance. Looking ahead, there is a significant opportunity to expand our cooperation in exporting Turkmen gas via Azerbaijan and Turkiye, which will benefit all of us. This project will contribute to both the diversification of supply routes and regional prosperity. I wish success to all participants of Baku Energy Week, where these dynamic conditions and developments in the energy sector will be closely discussed. I thank all those who contributed to the organization of this event. I sincerely greet my dear brother, President Ilham Aliyevwhom I had the pleasure of meeting in Lachin last weekand all other participants of this event. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkiye Minister Alparslan Bayraktar then delivered a speech: - Mr. President Ilham Aliyev, Dear ministers, distinguished participants, It is a real honor and privilege for me to speak at the opening of Baku Energy Week, a very important platform shaping our region's energy future. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to His Excellency Mr. President Ilham Aliyev and the Government of Azerbaijan for their leadership and warm hospitality at this event. Geopolitical tensions, aging infrastructure, cyber threats, and volatility in the markets are changing the energy landscape. Energy security today means more than supply. It requires flexibility, resilience, and, of course, affordability. And how do we achieve all of them when infrastructure needs are rapidly expanding and maintaining system stability is more critical than ever? I think the answer is: we need to diversify our resources and build strong grids that have large storage capacities and high interconnectivity with neighboring markets. Dear participants, as Turkiye, our policy is shaped around three main objectives: security of supply, reducing import dependency, and, of course, affordability. To achieve all these, we are focusing on renewables, energy efficiency, nuclear energy, developing oil and gas, and also developing critical mineral resources. Renewables' share is now over 60 percent of Turkiye's electricity generation. Last year in Baku, at COP29, we announced the target of quadrupling our existing solar and wind capacity to reach 120 gigawatts by the year 2035. As a good start, we added seven gigawatts of renewables to our mix last year. We are also scaling infrastructure to match the growing needs of our economy, including HVDC lines, battery storage, and launching our first nuclear power plant in Akkuyu, which will hopefully be operational next year. On the oil and gas side, Turkish Petroleum is expanding into new geographies and new countries. In the meantime, we continue to invest in our domestic hydrocarbon production. Today in the Sakarya gas field, we produce 9.5 million cubic meters of gas daily, which will be doubled next year in 2026, and is expected to reach 40 million cubic meters per day by the year 2028. Last but not least, we are aware of the role critical minerals will play, and Turkiye is actively investing in mining projects both domestically and internationally, including rare earth minerals projects. Distinguished participants, the partnership between Turkiye and Azerbaijan stands as a model of strategic energy cooperation, built on deep-rooted ties of history, culture, and a shared vision. Today, we are taking further steps with the signing of a major agreement that will increase our oil and gas production in Azerbaijan. The Shafaq-Asiman Production Sharing Agreement will form another partnership between Turkish Petroleum, SOCAR, and BP. As I conclude, I once again thank and express my sincere gratitude to Mr. President Ilham Aliyev and the Government of Azerbaijan for bringing us together once again today. The challenges we are facing in the energy sector are complex, but through cooperation and dialogue, I am confident that we can build a secure energy future. Thank you. Addressing the event, Cristina Lobillo Borrero, Director of the Energy Platform Task Force, Directorate-General for Energy, European Commission, said: - Your Excellency, President Aliyev, Ministers, ambassadors, distinguished participants in this Baku Energy Week, Allow me, on behalf of the European Commission, to extend our warmest congratulations to Azerbaijan for this Baku Energy Week and also for the successful organization of COP29. We reinforce our ambition to triple renewables and double energy efficiency by 2030. And you help also to forge consensus on an inclusive transition considering national realities but guided by a common goal and responsibility. The energy transition must indeed be grounded in energy security and economic competitiveness. These are not just policy objectives. They are the backbone of economic and geopolitical stability. The events of recent years have taught us these lessons with urgency and clarity. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has shown how energy can be weaponized. In the European Union, we are now beginning to write a new chapter for our energy system, one built on diversification, renewables, and reliable partnerships. Gas imports from Russia have dropped from 45% in 2021 to just 13% of our gas supplies now in the European Union. Azerbaijan is a reliable partner in this new chapter. But the journey is not over. On 6th May, the European Commission unveiled our new REPowerEU roadmap, which lays out how we will phase out Russian energy sources entirely. Azerbaijani gas through the Southern Gas Corridor, including the planned increase in the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline capacity by 2026, is a critical part of this effort. But our partnership is not only about gas. It's about building the energy system of tomorrow. That means investing in renewable electricity and hydrogen and integrated energy systems. Azerbaijan has the potential and the aspiration to become a key producer of renewable energy. We welcome your plans on offshore wind and solar, and we stand ready to continue working together to underpin the massive renewable potential of Azerbaijan. Our cooperation reflects this shift toward greater proximity. With Azerbaijan, we want to co-invest, co-develop, and co-deliver. And here, the European private sector is a powerful partner. European companies are global leaders in clean technologies, from electrolyzers to smart grids, from wind turbines to storage. The European Union's new strategic approach to the Black Sea region, launched a few days ago, provides a blueprint for stronger cooperation on energy transition and energy connectivity. The Black Sea is a pivotal gateway linking our regions. Our strategic approach to the Black Sea aims to promote increased intra-regional and inter-regional connectivity as a key enabler to accelerate the integration of renewables and ensure energy system stability and resilience. So, let us turn our shared ambition into concrete results. Let us move forward, not just as buyers and sellers, but as partners for resilience, for prosperity, and for energy security. Thank you very much again for your invitation, and let us all have a very productive Baku Energy Week. Thank you. Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary General of OPEC, said: - Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem, Your Excellency, President Ilham Aliyev, Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, A gift from God is how His Excellency, President Ilham Aliyev, described oil and gas resources. These are words and indeed a statement that will resonate in history for years and decades to come, because they are words that really matter and truly matter, not just for producers of oil or gas, but also for consumers around the world, the consumers who utilize petroleum and petroleum-derived products in a host of everyday ways and fashions. I would like to thank you, President Aliyev, not only for these wise and pragmatic words that we heard last time at COP29 and this morning, but also for your great support and continued support for the declaration of cooperation between OPEC and its non-OPEC partners, widely known as OPEC Plus. Your Excellency, you have shown great leadership over the years and have been a promoter to bring OPEC and non-OPEC together, and a strong advocate for the declaration of cooperation since it started, for those who don't know, back in December 2016. Thank you, Mister President. In this, of course, you have been supported by my dear friend, His Excellency, Mr. Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Energy, who has been a steadfast supporter in his backing to ensure that the declaration continually works with diplomacy, with pragmatism, with tireless efforts, and consensus building amongst all. Your Excellency, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I may bore you by repeating the message that petroleum and petroleum-derived products continue to shape this world we live in. They are vital in so many ways beyond imagination. In this regard, we need to remember that hydrocarbons still make up 80% of today's energy mix, just the same percentage as they did in the 1980s. Petroleum and petroleum-derived products provide energy for a wide variety of sectors and industries again, beyond imagination. Let's imagine for a minute a world without petroleum and the related products. It would be a world where transportation would come to a halt, food production could be devastated, health services could be broken, and economic growth would grind to a halt. Today, the world continues to consume more oil year after year. These are the facts and the raw data. In fact, last year, the consumption of gas, coal, oil, and also renewables reached record levels globally. The world needs more from all energies, and I underline the word "all" energies given population expansion, urbanization, especially in the developing world, economic growth, and new energy-intensive industries such as artificial intelligence and data mining. And yes, our future energy needs to be one where we all reduce emissions. There's no going back on that. But it also needs to be a future where we deliver on energy security and energy availability for all. This leads me to three key important points. Firstly, our energy future should not be ideologically driven. It is not a world like some would have us believe, where renewables and electric vehicles would simply overnight replace oil and gas. It is a world that needs consistency in messaging and not flip-flopping, as we have witnessed from some in the past years. In this regard, we need to be realistic and pragmatic about what each energy source can actually deliver and ensure that all the available technologies are utilized to help reduce emissions. Secondly, we need to appreciate the needs of all peoples around the world, with billions in many parts of the world still playing energy catch-up. Future energy pathways must be holistic, inclusive, fair, and equitable, and be in accordance with the core UNFCCC principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. This was underscored very clearly at COP29 in Baku last year, and as we move this year from COP29 to COP30 later in Brazil, we also need to remember that the core objective of the Paris Agreement is to reduce emissions and not to replace energy sources. Thirdly, we need investments, investments, and more investments. For oil alone, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, we see investment requirements of 17.4 trillion US dollars. That's nearly $650 billion per year from now to the year 2050, and it's absolutely vital that these investments in all energies and all technologies are made. Because this will help us chart appropriate future energy pathways for all nations and all peoples around the world. Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Azerbaijan has shown itself to be a leader when it comes to evolving future energy pathways. That's very evident. It has exhibited this clearly in its constructive engagements when it hosted COP29 last year, and in its continued support also for the dialogue between OPEC and non-OPEC producers. This is absolutely essential for sustaining the oil market and energy market stability. At OPEC, we look forward to continuing to work with Azerbaijan to help deliver a stable, secure, and sustainable energy future for all, a future that requires all efforts to maintain market stability, justice, and a future where we work together for the energies of the future. Just as Azerbaijan has been the cradle of the modern oil industry, it is also the cradle of how an energy landscape can evolve oil, gas, wind, solar, and much more. It is a path that OPEC and its member countries fully endorse. This past path is closely aligned with the key themes and objectives of the forthcoming OPEC international seminar, our flagship event, which will mark its ninth edition and will be held between the ninth and tenth of July in the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. We will be honored to count on the valuable presence of His Excellency Minister Shahbazov, along with many distinguished friends from Azerbaijan and from around the world. With that, I'd like to conclude by saying it's a great honor, Mr. President, to be here at the opening. Thank you again for inviting OPEC to be here. We wish you all and the organizers of Baku Energy Week great success. Thank you very much. Sophie Westlake, Head of the International Energy Joint Unit of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, said: - Your Excellency, President Aliyev, Ministers, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, It is a huge honor to be here speaking alongside such a distinguished panel. So, on behalf of the UK, I'd very much like to thank again the Azerbaijanis for this invitation. The United Kingdom is proud of the deep partnership between our countries, rooted in decades of energy collaboration. And this relationship has fostered not only prosperity for our nations, but also has contributed significantly to European and global energy security. Last November, our Prime Minister Keir Starmer attended COP29 in Baku and remarked upon Azerbaijan's leadership in addressing global climate change. Azerbaijan and the region have the potential to also now play a leading role in advancing a global and just energy transition, with exciting new renewables and interconnection projects coming to the fore, adding to the important role that Azerbaijan has always played in energy security. The United Kingdom stands with Azerbaijan in this journey. Fossil fuels will continue to play a part in our energy mix for years to come, but achieving long-term energy and climate security requires the adoption of new approaches and technologies. We have committed in the UK to reaching net zero by 2050 and clean power by 2030. And we have also made a commitment, which was announced by my Prime Minister at COP29, to reduce emissions by 85% by 2035 on a 1990 baseline. We became the first G7 country to phase out coal power, and we launched Great British Energy last year, which will champion our clean power capability and drive investment. Since July 2024, over 43 billion of private investment has been announced into clean energy sectors and renewables. Renewables are now producing more electricity most of the time than gas in the UK, and this is how we plan to drive down electricity prices and generate new jobs and growth. I'm pleased to say that the UK and Azerbaijan have embarked on a new chapter in our energy cooperation through our re-established Azerbaijan Energy Working Group. We have set out an ambitious action plan that will enable us to take practical steps forward on offshore wind, electricity markets, grid infrastructure, and other areas, and it's only through lasting international partnerships that we can accelerate the energy transition, create mutual growth, and build a sustainable future. I wish you all a fruitful Baku Energy Week on this important anniversary event, and we look forward to hearing more about all the ideas on energy cooperation. Many thanks. This year, Baku Energy Week is hosting 267 companies from 39 countries. Baku Energy Week traces its origins to Caspian Oil & Gas, the first international specialized exhibition held in independent Azerbaijan. Initiated by National Leader Heydar Aliyev and further supported by President Ilham Aliyev, the event has evolved into one of the worlds most prestigious gatherings in the energy sector. This year, 35% of the exhibitors are new companies. International interest in Azerbaijans oil, gas, and energy sectors continues to grow approximately 70% of the exhibitors are foreign companies, while 30% represent local enterprises. This once again demonstrates not only strong international cooperation, but also the active engagement of the local business community. Leading industry companies that have traditionally participated in the event occupy 40% of the exhibition space. Many of them continue to support the sectors development by participating as sponsors, as they have done in previous years. Since its inception, the Caspian Oil & Gas exhibition has become a key meeting point for leading professionals in the oil, gas, and energy sectors a venue where memorandums, cooperation agreements, and future partnership deals are regularly signed. Over the past 30 years, Baku Energy Week has made a significant contribution to the development of Azerbaijans oil, gas, and energy industries, attracting more than 9,000 companies from 80 countries and welcoming over 170,000 visitors. At the 13th Caspian International Power and Green Energy Exhibition Caspian Power, international and local companies will present the latest developments and solutions in the field of energy and renewable resources. The exhibition will cover a wide range of sectors including solar, wind, and geothermal energy, thermal power, machinery and energy equipment, electric transport, energy-efficient technologies, and other related products, services, and new projects. Later, President Ilham Aliyev familiarized himself with the exhibition. The head of state first visited a stand of SOCAR, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan. SOCAR plays a strategic role in delivering the countrys national resources to international markets and contributes significantly to the energy security of Azerbaijan and its strategic partners. The company continues its purposeful transformation from a national oil and gas entity into a global energy company, reinforcing its position in the energy sector through high-quality management, transparency, and modern approaches. SOCAR operates successfully across a wide range of sectors, including exploration and drilling, production, transportation, refining, manufacturing, marketing, retail fuel sales, gas distribution, and the development of renewable energy sources. The company promotes sustainable growth through digitalization, innovation, and transition to green energy. SOCAR also actively participates in combating climate change by prioritizing the implementation of environmentally friendly, low-carbon, and advanced technologies. Afterwards, the head of state viewed the Germanys national pavilion and stands of the following companies: bp Azerbaijan, Turkiye Petrolleri Anonim Ortaklg (TPAO), Italys Mare, Budapest-based MOL Group, Russian Federations Tatneft, Chinas Sinopec SJ Petroleum Machnery Co, Uzbekistans Uzbekneftegaz JSC, UAEs Masdar, USAs Schlumberger (SLB), Saudi Arabias ACWA Power, Frances TotalEnergies. Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. President Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, Trend reports. ''Dear Mr. President, On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I sincerely congratulate you and, through you, the friendly people of your country on the occasion of June 2 - the Republic Day - extending my best wishes. We are pleased with the dynamic and comprehensive development of interstate relations between Azerbaijan and Italy, founded on friendship, mutual respect, and trust. Today, our countries cooperate effectively across various areas such as economy, trade, energy, investment, defense, humanitarian affairs, science, and education. Our partnership is enriching year by year with new content. Azerbaijan attaches special importance to the development of relations with Italy, a reliable strategic partner, in all areas. The intensity of our political ties, mutual understanding at the highest level, and active dialogue provide a solid foundation for this cooperation. The companies representing Italy, our largest trading partner, have been successfully operating in Azerbaijan for many years and play a special role in deepening our bilateral relations. The participation of your countrys companies in the restoration and reconstruction of the liberated territories is a clear testament of the high level of our partnership. Cooperation in the energy sector remains one of the cornerstones of AzerbaijanItaly relations. Our effective collaboration, built on a broad agenda in this field and our joint efforts within the Southern Gas Corridor, significantly contribute to Europe's energy security. We welcome the steadily developing humanitarian ties. The Italy-Azerbaijan University, established through a joint project with five leading Italian universities, exemplifies the diversification of our cooperation. I highly value the growing political dialogue between our countries. Today, by making use of the great potential of our mutual cooperation, we are determined to further deepen AzerbaijanItaly relations. I am confident that we will successfully continue our joint efforts to strengthen the friendship and multidimensional strategic partnership between our countries and to comprehensively expand our cooperation. On this festive day, I wish you robust health and success in your endeavors and the friendly people of Italy everlasting peace and prosperity,'' the letter reads. Leesville, LA (71446) Today Mostly sunny skies this morning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. High 93F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Clear to partly cloudy. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. It is crucial to correctly interpret the opinions of Turkish and Azerbaijani experts on social media, said Farid Shafiyev, chairman of the board of the Center for Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center), Trend reports. Speaking during a roundtable discussion titled "Threats and Opportunities Created by New Geopolitical Realities for Turkish-Azerbaijani Relations," Shafiyev noted that ties between Turkiye and Azerbaijan continue to grow actively in both the economic and humanitarian sectors. "There are no problems between the two countries. When problems arise, they are resolved at the state and government levels. However, some try to exploit these issues. In traditional media, problems can be solved, but in the context of social networks, it is essential to properly assess the statements of experts from both countries. This meeting is held precisely to discuss such matters in a friendly atmosphere," he added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Weather Alert Bulletin: ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Portions of New Jersey, including the following areas, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Northwestern Burlington, Salem, Somerset and Western Monmouth and southeast Pennsylvania, including the following areas, Delaware, Eastern Chester, Eastern Montgomery, Lower Bucks, Philadelphia, Upper Bucks, Western Chester and Western Montgomery. * WHEN...From 10 AM EDT this morning through this evening. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - The remnants of Chantal will move into the Mid Atlantic this morning bringing areas of heavy rain. The tropical airmass will bring generally 1 to 2 inches of rainfall across the urban corridor but will have the potential to bring isolated amounts up to 5 inches leading to flash flooding. The showers and thunderstorms will generally come to an end by 7 to 8 pm this evening with any residual flooding from showers today coming to an end during the overnight hours. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. && Info: Type: Flood Watch start_time_local: 2025-07-07T10:00:00-04:00 end_time_local: 2025-07-07T22:00:00-04:00 county_name: state: PA headline: Flood Watch from MON 10:00 AM EDT until MON 10:00 PM EDT county_fips: category: Met url: urgency: Unknown severity: Moderate certainty: Unknown geographicname: Upper Bucks County state_name: Pennsylvania BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. President Ilham Aliyev addressed the participants of Baku Energy Week, Trend reports. ''Dear participants of the event, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Very warm greetings on the start of the Baku Energy Week. This significant event serves as an important platform for the presentation of our achievements in the energy sector and the discussion of future priorities. This is already the 30th event, an anniversary one, which once again confirms its successful history and importance. The Baku Energy Week has become a prestigious international event in the energy sector, having emerged as a logical continuation of the Caspian Oil & Gas exhibition, which was founded on the initiative and with the support of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. This event has contributed immensely to the development of energy diplomacy, the establishment of strategic partnerships, and the strengthening of our countrys position on the global energy map, and has gone down in history as Azerbaijans first national exhibition brand. Over the past years, this initiative has expanded in accordance with global trends in the energy sector, taking on the format of the Baku Energy Week. The Baku Energy Week, where a broad range of issues are discussed, from traditional to renewable energy, is already recognized as an influential forum for shaping new approaches and international energy dialogue. This event is also a clear manifestation of Azerbaijan's successful path in the energy sector, its international reputation, and far-sighted strategic vision. Strengthening energy security, diversifying energy supply, and sustainable development in green energy are still among the top priorities of our country today. The progress achieved in this area further strengthens Azerbaijan's position as a reliable and responsible partner in the global energy market. The large scale and international scope of the event are also evidence of this. The Baku Energy Week, which has been joined by companies from eighty countries around the world, is an indicator of Azerbaijan's role in international energy cooperation. The development of the liberated territories as a green energy zone is the main direction of Azerbaijans sustainable energy strategy. Our successful strategic approaches have created ample opportunities for the sustainable development of Azerbaijan in the energy sector. The initiatives we are implementing also reflect our responsible attitude to environmental protection and our claim to leadership in the energy sector. I am confident that the Baku Energy Week, remaining true to its rich tradition and the principle of openness to innovation, will make a significant contribution to deepening international dialogue, establishing new partnerships, and developing beneficial cooperation. I would like to once again congratulate the organizers and all participants on the exhibitions presented at today's event and wish each of you fruitful discussions, successful projects, and continued cooperation!'' the address reads. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. The United States and Azerbaijan are working hand in hand toward a safer, more secure, and more prosperous future, said the publication of U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan on social media, Trend reports. "Charge dAffaires Hugo Guevara and Hessie of the U.S. Embassy in Baku recently visited the picturesque Absheron National Park, taking in the stunning views of the Caspian Sea. For decades, the United States has partnered with Azerbaijan to enhance border security along the Caspian, providing support that includes radars, patrol boats, underwater technologies, and specialized training. This assistance has totaled approximately $320 million. Both countries continue working together toward a safer, more secure, and more prosperous future," the post said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Large-Scale Irrigation and Water Use Inequality in South Africa When: Thursday, 12 June 2025 - Thursday, 12 June 2025 Where: Hybrid Event Parktown Management Campus SCIS Lecture Theatre, North Lodge, Parktown Management Campus, 2 St Davids Place & St Andrew Rd, Parktown, 2193 Start time: 12:00 Enquiries: athenkosi.pono@wits.ac.za kitso.kgaboesele@wits.ac.za RSVP: Click here to register. Cost: Free, but registration is required. SCIS invites you to a hybrid seminar on Large-Scale Irrigation and Water Use Inequality in South Africa by Tereza Varejkova The Southern Centre for Inequality Studies (SCIS) invites you to a hybrid seminar titled Large-Scale Irrigation and Water Use Inequality in South Africa by Tereza Varejkova on 12 June 2025, 12:30 - 14:00 (SAST). Abstract: Large-scale surface irrigation is essential in keeping agriculture viable in regions prone to drought, but it has the potential to exacerbate inequality due to the uneven distribution of its benefits and costs. The paper investigates this issue in the context of South Africa by estimating heterogeneous effects of irrigation canals on crop productivity and agricultural land expansion by type of farmer. To estimate these effects, the paper uses remote sensing measures of crop yields and a novel land cover classification dataset in a spatial regression discontinuity framework with relative elevation to the nearest canal as the running variable. Areas below the canals serve as the treated group, while areas above serve as the control. The findings show that commercial farmers below canals benefit in terms of higher maize and wheat yields and expand their area under production. Census data further reveal that these expanding commercial farms create employment opportunities for the rural poor. In contrast, subsistence farmers below canals experience lower yields relative to those above and do not expand their cultivated area. Despite the unequal distribution of benefits, a cost-benefit analysis demonstrates that large-scale irrigation infrastructure remains a cost-effective investment. Register now! Reshaping attitudes towards learning Early-career academics teaching undergraduate levels embrace their role in helping students move from memorising facts to integrated learning. The Department of Physiologys Academic Support Programme has long been a pillar of student success. However, in recent years, it has found fresh energy and renewed purpose through the dedicated leadership of two dynamic young academics - Tiiso Maluleke and Siluleko (Slu) Mkhize (left - right). Tiiso and Siluleko joined the team three years ago to coordinate and run the programme. They embraced and stepped into their roles with enthusiasm, empathy, and a clear vision to make learning more accessible. They both engage with the second-year physiology students in a way that makes it enjoyable and empowering, further reshaping their attitude towards learning. Tiiso holds a Masters in Medicine specialising in Physiology from Wits. She teaches Physiology and Medical Biochemistry support lectures to second-year students enrolled for Bachelor of Sciences degree, who are taking physiology for the first time. She says this is a role that she takes to heart as it is an influential and formative stage of their academic journey. I see this as a pivotal transition; from memorising facts to truly understanding and applying biological principles in a more integrated and critical way, she explains. She says that the course is also crucial in teaching students to think like scientists, healthcare professionals, and problem solvers, enhancing the clinical relevance of the curriculum. Their understanding of how the body functions equips them to enhance patient care, contribute to drug development, and support clinical decision-making, she adds. Dedicated to building leaders. Tiisos goal is to train students who will drive innovation as entrepreneurs, inform health policy by translating scientific evidence into effective strategies and lead clinical research. Another emerging academic is Siluleko, a PhD candidate and Masters (Family Medicine) graduate. He teaches second-year medical students and those in science (BSc) and allied health professions (nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, and physiotherapy). Helping students understand physiology is critical, he says. Physiology also sharpens analytical and critical thinking skills, as students learn to interpret complex biological processes and apply them to real-world clinical scenarios, says Siluleko. He says beyond clinical roles, he wants to see his students pursue impactful careers in biomedical research, pharmaceutical development, public health, and health education. Under the guidance of Tiiso and Slu, the programme has not only maintained its foundational goals but expanded its impact. Students speak of renewed confidence, improved performance, and a deeper appreciation for the subject. This appreciation expressed by students stems from the approachable, student-centred ethos that both Tiiso and Slu bring to their work. Its been a good month for Politics The Political Studies Department celebrated staff and students who made an impact in their field and society. Dr Siphiwe Dube, multi/interdisciplinary academic background in Religion Studies, Gender Studies, and Political Studies, was recently promoted to Associate Professor. Student highlights Busisiwe Innocentia Mndebele went from serving meals to serving major grad vibes! She officially graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies, proving that hustle and ambition can take you anywhere. Prizes A number of our students were awarded highly competitive external prizes. PhD student and UNZA Lecturer, Janet Mundando, has been awarded a prestigious SSR Next Gen 2025-2026 Doctoral Research Fellowship Award. New PhD student, Yara Pedro Nova, who recently joined the Department, won a prestigious CAPSI-Mastercard Fellowship to conduct research on development, the state and the non-profit sector in Mozambique. PhD student Abdirizak Muhumed has been awarded a Harry Frank Guggenhein African Fellows Award for emerging African scholars studying violence or related issues on the African continent. Lea Elsje Bonthuys was awarded the Yusuf Dadoo Prize for the best undergraduate student in Political Studies from the Ebrahim Foundation. The Department also had a strong 2024 Honours cohort, with Sihle Mazibu winning the Chief Justice Ismail Mahomed Prize for best overall honours student as well as the Joe Ebrahim Prize for best honours dissertation. She was awarded the latter alongside Tintswalo Chauke, who wrote a similarly excellent honours dissertation. Publications Dr Dineo Skosana (SWOP & Politics) recently held a book launch for her excellent new book, No Last Place to Rest: Coal Mining and Dispossession in South Africa which was a panel discussion with Adv. Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, Dr Mbongiseni Buthelezi and Ms Mbonwa. Former Wits PhD student and current postdoctoral fellow, Dr Albert Sharra (Edinburgh & Wits Politics), has two edited books coming out. One is with Jimmy Kainja and Anthony Mavuto Gunde on The BBCs Legacy in Africa: Continuities and Change and a second is on Technologies and Media Production Cultures: A Global South Perspective, with Ufuoma Akpojivi. Our doctoral cohort have been writing and publishing furiously. PhD student Lwando Majikijelas article Simon and I and the prison love letters of Tseko Simon Nkoli as a mode of queer vulnerability and resistance was published in Safundi. PhD student Mpho Tladis article titled Antagonistic politics and coalitions: South Africas local to national landscape was published in Politikon. Recent PhD graduate Dr Palesa Nqambaza has a chapter in the book, Decoloniality in Gender Discourse and Praxis: A view from the Margins which will be coming out soon! The Departments students do not just publish in scholarly journals, they are also driving popular discourse. Politics PhD student, Mhlangabezi Mbala, along with Nicky Roberts and Refilwe Thobejane published an article in the Daily Maverick titled Northern Capes education crisis demands urgent action to fix disheartening matric results. Lectures and Events The Department have a new seminar series called Decolonising Gender: Histories, Resistances and Futures, which is being spearheaded by Dr Leyya Hoosen. The inaugural seminar was held on the 15th of April, when Shinta Jennifer Ayebazibwe gave a seminar titled Land Reform and Sustainable Ecology: Lessons from Lesbian Land Management in South Africa . Dr Ayesha Omar, who is currently undertaking a British Academy International Fellowship at SOAS, University of London held her first book launch at Istanbul University in Turkey on the 23rd of April. The book published with Cambridge University Press is entitled: The Pluralistic Frameworks of Ibn Rushd and Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim. Earlier in the month she presented a talk on the Anti-Colonial Liberalism of ZK Matthews at the Global Intellectual History Seminar Series at Cambridge University. The Afrobarometer Project held a workshop in April for our Research Methods cohort. The Afrobarometer team were really impressed by their critical thinking and initiative taking. This is a part of a new collaboration that Dr Nicole Beardsworth is driving with the Afrobarometer Project, to help students with skills development for mixed methods research. Andiswa Motsa, a third-year Politics student from 2024 attended the Afrobarometer summer school at UCT in January and won a prize for best methods. The paper she wrote will soon be published by Afrobarometer! The Department also had a busy first semester on the Everything Everywhere All at Once Project, with a seminar by Professor Joel Quirk on how to write your postgraduate proposal, while on the 17th of April, Professor Srila Roy gave a seminar lecture on applying for your first academic job at the Humanities Graduate Centre. On the 8th of May, Professor Alf Gunvald Nilsen gave a lecture titled Integrating your fieldwork into your postgraduate dissertation. We hosted a great research seminar on 10 April given by Dr Alex Dyzenhaus (UCT) titled The More Things Change: Race, Segregation and Land Redistribution in Post-Apartheid South Africa . On Tuesday 8 April, The Wits Centre for Diversity Studies & the Innovation Foundation for Democracy held a seminar on Zoom titled Who Speaks for the Afrikaner which included Sean Jacobs, Hannelie Marx-Knoetze, Siphiwe Dube and Cobus van Staden as speakers. Finally, in March, the Department launched a podcasting group called The Icons Corner under the leadership of Dr Leyya Hoosen. On the 7th-9th of April, the group took part in the Wits Doctoral Academys Framing and Planning sessions where they enthusiastically interviewed WDA fellows on their PhD research projects. The podcast is set to launch soon! BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. The ambassador of Iran to Azerbaijan has been appointed and communicated to the counterpart to facilitate the necessary procedures, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Esmail Baghaei said at a press conference in Tehran today, Trend reports. According to him, the ambassador appointed by Iran to Azerbaijan is a highly experienced, renowned, and proficient diplomat in the Eurasian domain, with his identity to be disclosed following the formal procedures. Baghaei stated that relations with Central Asian and Caucasian nations are crucial for Iran, with specific emphasis on the significance of its relationship with Azerbaijan. To note, the term of office of Iran's ambassador to Azerbaijan, Seyid Abbas Mousavi, expired in May 2024. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani responds to a question during the New York City Mayoral Candidates Forum at Medgar Evers College Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in New York. [AP Photo/Frank Franklin II] Amid the crowded field of candidates running in the upcoming Democratic Party primary race for New York City mayor, State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani from the borough of Queens, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), has emerged as the foremost challenger to current frontrunner and former New York governor Andrew Cuomo. Mamdani has continued to strengthen in the polls, rising to within eight percentage points of Cuomo in a recent survey after starting off largely unknown. Mamdani was the first mayoral candidate to qualify for public matching funds and has nearly three times as many individual donations as any of his rivals. His campaign has attracted more than 20,000 volunteers, far larger than any other campaign has been able to muster. In winning this growing support, Mamdani has been able to capitalize on popular anger and dissatisfaction. However, his campaign is designed to divert this opposition away from a genuine challenge to the system. Mamdanis platform of free childcare, fare-free buses, a rent freeze for many tenants and other demands related to the unbearable cost of living has clearly struck a chord at a time when masses of working-class New Yorkers are facing an intensifying crisis. It has become simply impossible for many residents to obtain anything resembling affordable housing. Median rents in Manhattan, for instance, have reached the astronomical sum of $4,500 per month. The outer boroughs offer scant relief. According to an assessment last year of the true cost of living in New York City, half of households with working-age residents lack sufficient income to cover bare necessities such as food, housing, healthcare and childcare. Over the last two decades, the rising costs of these basic needs have exceeded wage gains by 60 percent. The cost-of-living crisis is continuing to intensify. A recent PIX11/Emerson poll revealed that nearly half of city residents (49 percent) feel that they are worse off now than they were a year ago. This year Trumps trade war is poised to intensify the crisis. Under these conditions, Mamdanis promises to control food prices through city-run supermarkets, to freeze many rents and to provide relief to families from the thousands of dollars a month in childcare expenses have clearly resonated. So have his proposals to tax corporations and millionaires to pay for it all, in the home of Wall Street, one of the most unequal cities on the planet. Another significant element of Mamdanis appeal has been his criticism of the genocide in Gaza. Mamdani has been one of the few politicians who have used the term genocide and has described himself as anti-Zionist. This has attracted the support of many workers and young people in New York, including Jewish youth, with polls indicating that Mamdani is placing second among Jewish voters, again behind only Cuomo. The Democratic Party apparatus in New York City, as elsewhere around the country, has viciously attacked and smeared opponents of the US-backed Israeli slaughter in Palestine, brutalizing campus and neighborhood protesters and collaborating with efforts to expel, fire, and detain those who dared to speak out against the genocide. Current Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent this year after his collaboration with the Trump administration precluded any prospects of emerging victorious in the Democratic primary, has led this effort. But he has been joined by the whole of the Democratic Party apparatus, including former governor Cuomo, the current frontrunner in the mayoral race, who has called antisemitism the most important issue in the race and made this slander a central focus of his effort to discredit Mamdani. Mamdanis shift in rhetoric on the genocide in response to this attack is highly revealing, not only in relation to the anti-genocide movement but more fundamentally in what it expresses about his class orientation, political function and the fate of his proposals if elected. In response to criticisms of his declining to sign on to an annual New York State Assembly resolution honoring Israel and condemning the Holocaust in terms that equate antisemitism with opposition to Zionism, Mamdanis spokesman stressed he absolutely supports the Holocaust Memorial Day resolution and pledged that as mayor he would spend more money to fight antisemitism. In reacting to the recent killing of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington, Mamdani denounced the attack as being part of an appalling trend of antisemitic violence, thereby giving support to the lie that opposition to Zionist violence is equivalent to hatred of Jews. Mamdani then made the media rounds explicitly supporting Israels right to exist, a code phrase that signals his approval of the war on the Palestinians, albeit disagreeing with how it is fought. As Mamdanis position has been exposed, he has come under increasing attack from those fighting the genocide. His remarks defending the existence of the Zionist state amid an escalating genocide triggered a flood of denunciations on social media. Mamdanis defense of Israel and invocation of the antisemitism slander is a demonstration to the ruling class that he can be trusted and that he operates on their behalf, while simultaneously attempting to square the circle by appealing to popular revulsion against the crimes of US imperialism and its agents in Israel. Mamdanis promises for affordable housing, food, transit, healthcare and childcare are no less fraudulent, not in the sense that they are unaffordable, as his rivals charge, but in that they cannot be achieved through the Democrats, a party of Wall Street and big business. Mamdanis proposed social programs rely on raising revenues of $10 billion through increased taxes on millionaires and corporationsa proposal that must be approved by the state legislature and Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, who has already rebuffed it. Mamdanis answer, to the extent he addresses it at all, is to rely on negotiations with the governor and legislature. The fundamental fraud perpetuated by Mamdanis campaign is that the Democratic Party, which has long functioned to contain social opposition and class struggle, can be pressured into reviving a bygone era of capitalist reform. At a time when the ruling class is instead turning to dictatorship and fascism to defend its position, the consequences of such illusions will be disastrous if not consciously rejected in favor of a struggle for a genuine socialist alternative. The support for Mamdanis campaign reflects in a distorted way the growing desire to fight against a system that functions for and is dominated by a parasitic elite. It is no accident that he has drawn such support in New York City, the home of Wall Street, situated amidst a historically restless working class. But the contradiction is that his political role is precisely to sabotage this struggle by preventing workers and young people from drawing political conclusions about the necessity to direct its fire against the profit system itself and all its representatives. Mamdani and the DSAs intervention in the New York City mayoral election mirrors the efforts at the national level by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to contain opposition via their Fighting Oligarchy tour. Their events have drawn large crowds looking for a means to struggle against the hated Trump administration. However, what has been offered up is a cover-up for the Democratic Party, which paved the way for Trump with increasing attacks on the working class, brutal anti-immigrant policies, unflinching support for the US/NATO-instigated imperialist war against Russia in Ukraine and the US-Israeli genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. Sanders has repeatedly refused to characterize Israels wholesale slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza as genocide. Both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez consistently backed Joe Bidens reelection campaign without criticizing his enabling the Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators have been expelled from their events. Ocasio-Cortez has thus far not endorsed Mamdani, though she reportedly met last month with him and progressive rival Brad Lander, the current City Comptroller, whom she endorsed in 2021 for his current position. The cautious approach by Ocasio-Cortez thus far toward her fellow DSA member reflects a deep anxiety in the Democratic Party about the danger of raising workers expectations. Six of eight DSA-affiliated state legislators have endorsed Mamdani, with State Senator Julia Salazar and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher withholding endorsements, at least for now. Nation magazine, whose president Bhaskar Sunkara is a prominent figure in the DSA, endorsed both Mamdani and Lander. Mamdanis rise is occurring at a time when a social explosion could erupt at any moment in New York City and beyond. It is imperative that his campaign to politically confuse and disorient be rejected. The way forward is not through appeals to the ruling class via the Democratic Party but through conscious class struggle and the building of an alternative leadership for the working class in opposition to the Democrats and all parties of the ruling class. Have you ever seen the coat of arms of the so-called Armenian Republic, established on May 28, 1918 on Azerbaijani lands? Perhaps there are no representatives of flora and fauna left who would not be crammed into this small square, accepted as the personification of the first Armenian statehood in history. An old dream came true, and the Armenians tried to include in their coat of arms everything that was born in the sick imagination of the nationalists. And they have a lot of imagination. Lions, eagles, strange mountains, strange seas, birds, twigs, chains, swords, ears of corn, crosses, fangs, bones, some symbols. In general, it turned out the devil knows what, that is, everything is as our neighbors like it. The fact that Armenia does not actually possess anything that is crammed into the heraldic sign has never bothered our neighbors. The pompous coat of arms can often be found on the social media pages of paramilitary organizations that prepare young Armenians for a terrorist war. Armenian youth are taught to hate and prepare to kill. Interestingly, those who evade conscription are willing to enroll in such formations as VOMA. Apparently, the prospect of participating in an illegal armed group and terrorist activities attracts Armenian guys more than serving in the legitimate armed forces. In principle, it's not surprising - it's a tradition. The so-called heroic military traditions of the Armenians are based on the traditions of armed gangs. The Army of light cannot fight in any other way. Therefore, Armenian youth are fleeing from the army, but they are happy to participate in the exercises of the so-called "survival school". The terrorist training organization VOMA, led for many years by the notorious "intelligence officer" Vova Vartanov, conducts exercises in the regions of Armenia. The exercises are conducted according to all the rules, as can be seen from the photo and video reports on social networks. For example, such exercises were held in Alaverdi. The photo shows boys and girls with machine guns, in camouflage, with war paint on their faces, running around the city among abandoned houses, practicing something. Reportedly, the "cleaning of courtyards and entrances" is being worked out. Considering that no one is going to attack Armenia, it turns out that Armenian youth are being trained to clean up houses and entrances in foreign countries. In Vanadzor, VOMA chicks learn to work with their fists and dance. By the way, dancing was equated to martial art in Armenia in 2019. It occurred to someone very gifted that the dancing poses of the Armenian soldiers could frighten the enemy more than their weapons. As we can see, this idea captured not only the military school, but also such terrorist education organizations. And what happy faces the young Armenians have. They were given weapons in their hands, shown who their enemy was, and allowed to play heroes. It's just so serious. And the founders and leaders of the organization continue to say the same words they said ten years ago. There are the same slogans, the same bragging and self-admiration. VOMA has been in existence since 2014. Vova Vartanov personally recruited young Armenians of the Diaspora to join and create branches of the organization. The Armenian media has been vying for years to write about how cool they are preparing for the war with Azerbaijan. The Vartan gang operated in Karabakh during the occupation period and was even called almost the main defender of the status quo. But then April 2016 happened, and then September 2020, which showed that it was necessary to prepare not gangs, but an army. And who will train the army if the founders of the "survival school" themselves were members of illegal armed gangs in the first war? Those guys and girls who are taught to shoot and make menacing faces will do the same in real combat as 12,000 of their compatriots in 2020. Moreover, they will run with weapons, in full camouflage and with war paint on their faces. Unfortunately, peace propaganda in Armenia is carried out only at the government level, and everything is the same as before. The same Vova Vartanovs are holding propaganda in their hands, inspiring young people that Armenia needs peace only in order to gain strength and try their luck with foreign territories again. Shortly before the 44-day war, Vovik impressively argued in a media interview that the increased military literacy of the population under the new authorities "may lead to the fact that we will have the opportunity to enter Baku." "Who doesn't want to enter Baku? I want... The war will not end until one of the capitals surrenders," Vova said. Vova also dreamed of Nakhchivan. The fact that Tanoyan, appointed Defense Minister by Pashinyan, went to the border with the NAR for the first time during the years of occupation and looked through binoculars at the Azerbaijani positions inspired Vartanov. He immediately commented that the Azerbaijanis are in a panic, that we are all scared here, "that the Armenians will try to attack, attack from Nakhchivan, and this is their weak point... Nakhchivan has been a hostage in our hands, and it remains so." It was in August 2018. And already in September, everything changed when, as a result of a successful operation, the Azerbaijani army advanced on the so-called neutral territory, taking up more advantageous positions and forcing the enemy to retreat. Thanks to the successful redeployment, 11,000 hectares of territory that had previously been considered neutral were taken under control. In addition, the Yerevan-Meghri highway was targeted, which made communication with the occupied territories more difficult for the aggressor. And how did Vova, who spoke arrogantly a month ago, sing? The situation, he told reporters, is alarming, and 100 percent requires concern. "Isn't it alarming that they've improved their positions by making much progress? Previously, if our guards saw a Turk through binoculars from afar, now they can shoot each other with a slingshot. At the same time, they have reached the distance from which they are viewing the Yerevan-Meghri highway and can direct their artillery onto the highway without lifting drones into the air. As a result, troops, weapons, and ammunition moving along the highway can be brought under fire when the firing targets are adjusted from the ground at that moment. If all this is not disturbing, then what is?" - the founder of VOMA declared in a panic. It's only been a month, but everything has changed. In December 2021, the International Court of Justice demanded that Armenia limit its activities and stop any support to the paramilitary organizations VOMA and POGA in the country. These organizations were accused of violating the provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination against the Azerbaijani People. Pashinyan did not even try to close these offices, as he did not want to turn the terrorists against himself. But shortly before the anti-terrorist operation on September 19, 2023, it became known that VOMA was moving to Khankendi, under the wing of RMK. Unfortunately, it is unknown how many of the weapons that were handed over by the Armenian gangs to the Azerbaijani side belonged to the "survival school". In any case, Vartanov's office has once again shown how it can survive after the 44-day war. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. The Computer Laboratory for Inclusive Education, established by the Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA) in 2015 at the University of Jordan in Amman and intended for students with physical disabilities, especially visually impaired and low-vision students, has been overhauled and equipped with special new-generation equipment, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend. The opening ceremony of the laboratory, which took place on May 29 of this year, was attended by AIDA Head Elmaddin Mehdiyev, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Jordan Eldar Salimov, Vice President of the University of Jordan Professor Ziad Hawamdeh, Dean of the Department for Student Affairs Shayab Shawfan, as well as the university's teaching staff and students. At the ceremony, which began with the playing of the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Jordan, the university administration expressed its gratitude, emphasizing the importance of the support provided by Azerbaijan for the educational institution in question, the fact that approximately one percent of the 55,000 students studying at the university have limited physical abilities, and the contribution of this project to the relations between the two states. Salimov noted that all parties showed exemplary cooperation in the development of the project and that this laboratory will become one of the symbols of friendship between our peoples and states. Mehdiyev said that the developing friendly and cooperative relations between Azerbaijan and Jordan are based on the friendly relations between President Ilham Aliyev and King Abdullah II, and the opening of the laboratory, renovated with the support of AIDA, is dedicated to the independence days of both countries, which were celebrated on May 25 and 28. The initiative, designed to enhance equitable educational frameworks, will facilitate access to cutting-edge pedagogical instruments and resources for students with physical impairments enrolled at the University of Jordan, thereby enabling them to actualize their full potential. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Momodou Taal addresses the meeting in London Momodou Taal, the British-Gambian student who challenged US President Donald Trumps unconstitutional war on free speech and the right to protest the Gaza genocide, spoke at a public meeting in London on Saturday, hosted by the Socialist Equality Party (UK). Taal was forced to leave the US to avoid arrest and detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in retaliation for his lawsuit against Trump. He spoke alongside his lawyer, Eric Lee. They were joined on the platform by Joseph Kishore, national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party in the United States. More than 100 workers and youth attended the meeting at the Crowne Plaza in Kings Cross. This included several students who have faced unprecedented state repression in Britain for their pro-Palestinian speech and activism. Chris Marsden speaking at the meeting Chris Marsden, national secretary of the SEP (UK), chaired the meeting. He denounced Sir Keir Starmers Labour government for its refusal to defend Taal from arrest and detention by the Trump administration. Marsden quoted a letter sent by the SEP to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, which warned: If the government will not oppose the illegal and arbitrary detention of its own citizens in the US, then it will not be long before foreign nationals will be deported from the UK for politically opposing the UKs collusion with the Gaza genocide and its broader predatory war aims. Taal spoke at Saturdays meeting for the first time about the circumstances surrounding his persecution by the US government. He was greeted with sustained applause for his courageous stand. He recalled joining a pro-Palestinian protest last year at Cornell University: I attended the protest for five minutes in September 2024. I left the protest, and then upon leaving, a police officer who had been a campus police officer recognized me and then reported me. Taal explained, Cornell subjected me to some extremely draconian measures. These included restrictions on his right to free movement on campuswhere he livedand even requiring written permission to visit a doctor. I was given a form by campus police that declared me persona non grata, and I was banned from teaching as wellall for attending a peaceful protest, he said. Momodou Taal addresses the meeting in London Taal referred to Trumps statement on the campaign trail last year, when he threatened international students that if they engaged in pro-Palestinian protests, we are going to find you and deport you. It was at that moment, Taal said, I realised that my time in the US was going to come to an end at some point. Trump came to office and signed an executive order, under the title combating antisemitism, making it incumbent on universities to give up international students. Taal filed his lawsuit against Trump on March 15, after discussions with Lee and his legal team, seeking a national injunction against the removal of all international students. One day later, I sat with Eric and my legal team, and we received a call that said the FBI and ICE are looking for Momodou right now. Forced into hiding, Taal recalled, The next day ICE agents did turn up to my house. They couldnt find me. Two days after that, my lawyers received an email saying that you must surrender Momodou to ICE custody, and two days after that I get an email from the Department of Homeland Security that my visa has been revoked, and this was all before we had even seen a judge. Taal was forced to leave the US shortly afterwards. Eric Lee speaking at the London meeting In his remarks at the meeting, Lee made clear that Taal is one of hundreds of international students being arrested, detained, disappeared or deported across the United States for their political activities. Columbia University graduate and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, for instance, remains in detention after three months, separated from his family since his abduction by ICE agents acting on behalf of the Trump administration. To audience applause, Lee stated: At this meeting, we send our deepest regards to Mahmoud, to his wife Noor, to his family and to his legal team as they fight for his freedom. Lee discussed the significance of Trumps war on the US Constitution: There is no historical precedent at any time in the countrys 250-year history for what is presently taking place. The president is attempting to establish a dictatorship, to abolish the most basic democratic rights, including the right to habeas corpus, the right to free speech, the right to seek redress and grievance by suing the government over constitutional violations as Momodou has outlined. Lee emphasised that the grounds for Trumps assault on democracy had been prepared and enabled by the Democratic Party. But there is growing opposition in the population and among American workers to Trumps dictatorial measures. Lee said Taals case was showing there are tremendous opportunities for alerting people and for developing mass opposition to these policies. SEP (US) National Secretary Joseph Kishore addresses the meeting Kishore reviewed the broader political situation within which Taals case has unfolded: We are now more than four months into the second Trump administration, and the pace of political reaction is accelerating by the day. The seizure and deportation of opponents of the Gaza genocide; the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to carry out mass expulsions; the open defiance of court rulings and even the arrest of judges; the targeting of students and immigrants; the systematic assault on free speech, particularly on university campuses. He added: We could certainly spend a great deal of time speaking about the dictatorial actions of the Trump administration, but I imagine that those of you here do not need convincing on this score. Rather, the question is, what is to be done? Kishore stressed, Over the past five years, the political trajectory of the ruling class has been defined by an accelerating turn toward reaction, war and dictatorship. But this is not the only process unfolding. At the same time, a powerful counter-current has emerged in the form of the growing social and political radicalization of the international working class. A growth in the class struggle was underway, but opposition in the working class had not yet reached the level of political generalization required to fundamentally alter the balance of class forces. This is a question of political leadership. The Socialist Equality Party is fighting to arm this movement with a clear understanding of its tasksto unify the working class across all national boundaries and to direct its strength against the capitalist system itself. A lively Q&A followed the speeches, with several university students and other young people taking part. Questions included what role liberal Zionism played on US campuses; the history and role of identity politics, the implications of the unitary executive theory regarding the US Constitution, and the abuse of executive orders by the president. Discussion also centred on the Labour governments far-reaching assault on the right to protest the Gaza genocide, including the use of counter-terror laws to silence dissent. Over the next days the WSWS will publish the remarks of Taal, Lee and Kishore, along with interviews with attendees. Violent insurrectionists loyal to President Donald Trump try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington on January 6, 2021. [AP Photo/Julio Cortez] The Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Trump administration has agreed to settle a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Ashli Babbitt for just under $5 million in taxpayer funds, according to multiple reports. Babbitt, a U.S. Air Force veteran and follower of the fascist QAnon conspiracy theory, was fatally shot while participating in the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Video footage showed her at the front of a violent mob attempting to breach a secured hallway where lawmakers were being evacuated. Replicating a technique previously used by other rioters to breach the Capitol, Babbitt attempted to climb through a shattered window in a barricaded door when she was fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer. A DOJ investigation found no wrongdoing on the part of the officer, and no charges were filed. Yet now, without a trial, the department has agreed to pay millions in a settlementfunded entirely by the public. The January 6 attackan attempted coup orchestrated by Trump and his fascist allies was a deliberate effort to overturn the 2020 election and install Trump as dictator by force. On the basis of the repeatedly debunked lie that the election had been stolen, Trump summoned his supporters to Washington, D.C., on the day Congress was set to certify Joe Bidens victory. Trumps coup was not the product of a lone individual and a handful of crazy collaborators, as falsely portrayed by the House January 6 Select Committee. It was a conspiracy that enlisted allies within law enforcement, the military, and the broader political establishment. Despite the scale and coordination of the coup attempt, numerous high-level conspiratorsincluding Republican lawmakers, U.S. Army generals, Supreme Court justices, and Trump himselfhave never been held accountable, either politically or legally. The Biden administration refused to pursue broader prosecutions, instead emphasizing the need for a strong Republican Party. Biden and the Democrats wereand remainfar more terrified of provoking a mass movement in the working class that could spiral out of their control than they are of Trump and the threat of dictatorship. The violent attempt to overturn the election shocked and outraged people around the world. Ashli Babbitt stood at the forefront of that assault. Since the attack, Babbitt has been elevated to martyr status in far-right and fascist circles, with Trump himself praising her role in the insurrection. In a March interview with the far-right media network Newsmax, Trump even suggested he might personally intervene in the lawsuit brought by her family. Responding to the claim that the DOJ had no intention of settling the lawsuit, Trump said: Well, Ill look into that. I mean, youre just telling me that for the first time, I havent heard that. Im a big fan of Ashli Babbitt. And Ashli Babbitt was a really good person who was a big MAGA fan, Trump fan. And she was innocently standing therethey even say trying to sort of hold back the crowd. And a man did something to her that was unthinkable when he shot her. Trumps fabricated narrative is a deliberate distortion. Babbitt was not a bystandershe was an active participant in the assault. His glorification of her actions serves to whitewash the coup attempt and legitimize the broader fascist movement he is cultivating. Trumps proposed settlement with Babbitts family is a clear incitement to political violence. The message is unmistakable: those who break the law in service of Trumps will are to be rewarded and protected. The Democrats have responded to the settlement and Trumps ongoing efforts to cultivate a fascist movement with a handful of statements vigorously defending the police, while remaining silent on Trumps political objectives. On May 20, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (DNew York) wrote on X: The Trump admin is disrespecting the Capitol Police by awarding $5 MILLION to the family of Ashley Babbitt This sends a sickening message to police and first responders When it matters most, Trump will turn his back on you. At a May 20 hearing, Maryland Representative Jamie Raskina Democrat and former member of the House January 6 Select Committeechastised Trump for giving millions of dollars to Babbitts family and nothing to the families of the police officers who defended the Capitol. Emboldened by the Democrats inaction in the face of his dictatorial rampage, Trump continues to dispense corrupt patronage to his political allies and supporters. The DOJ settlement follows his decision to issue commutations and pardons for roughly 1,600 individuals involved in the attempted coup, including leaders of fascist militia groups such as the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boysmany of whom were convicted of serious federal crimes, including seditious conspiracy. Henry Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys, was also among those pardoned by Trump earlier this year. A close associate of Republican political operative and longtime Trump confidant Roger Stone, Tarrio played a leading role in breaching the Capitol. In his first interview after being released from a 22-year sentence for multiple feloniesincluding seditious conspiracyTarrio reaffirmed his loyalty to the fascist Trump and signaled future violent intentions: Success is going to be retribution. We gotta do everything in our power to make sure that the next four years sets us up for the next 100 years. Emulating their leader, more than four dozen of the insurrectionists pardoned by Trump are now seeking to profit from their role in the coup, according to a report earlier this month by the Washington Post. These J6ers are selling merchandise, hosting podcasts, running for elected office, andin some casescommitting violent crimes. On May 9, one of the insurrectionists pardoned by Trump, Zachary Alam, was arrested outside Richmond, Virginia, on charges of felony burglary and misdemeanor vandalism. Less than two years earlier, in September 2023, a jury had found Alam guilty of seven felonies and three misdemeanors for his actions on January 6, including assaulting police with a deadly weapona black helmet. When sentencing Alam to eight years in prison in November 2024, the judge described his case as by far the loudest, the most combative, and the most violent of the rioters. Witnesses testified that Alam was among the first to enter the Capitol and that he smashed the glass of the door Babbitt later attempted to climb through before being shot. The press conference in Istanbul held by Contemporary Lawyers Association (CHD) demanding the closure of the "well-type" prisons in Turkey, May 26, 2025. [Photo: @etkinhbrajansi via X] A number of prisoners in Turkey have initiated an indefinite hunger strike to protest the severe isolation prevalent in S-, Y-, and R-type high-security prisons, which are among those referred to as well-type facilities throughout the country. (Prisons have turned into a well, we are all at the bottom of this well, one commentator explained.) In these approximately 40 brutal institutions, prisoners are subjected to a state of profound sensory and social deprivation. This deprivation encompasses the fundamental human needs for visual contact with the sky, auditory exposure to human voices and tactile interaction with other individuals. Prisoners on hunger strike are demanding an end to this system of isolation, closure of such prisons, release of sick prisoners and an end to forced transfers. The Sosyalist Esitlik Grubu (Socialist Equality Group) in Turkey advocates the fundamental right of all individuals detained to be held in conditions consistent with the principles of human dignity and health. The well-type prisons, where solitary confinement has been transformed into a systematic form of torture, must be closed and the release of political prisoners must be carried out immediately. Prisoners on hunger strike have stated in their petitions, letters and interviews with legal counsel that they are experiencing not only physical, but also mental and emotional distress. In a recent press conference held by the Contemporary Lawyers Association (CHD) at the Istanbul Bar Association Cultural Center, the testimony of prisoners detained in these torture prisons was made public. According to the b ianet, Onur Yoldas Mete, a member of the Federation of Socialist Youth Associations (SGDF), described his experience in Corlu Karatepe Prison as follows: The average prisoner spends 23 hours a day in a single, dark cell. The dissemination of information, including the exchange of newspapers, is strictly prohibited. In such circumstances, it is anticipated that prisoners will experience a diminution of their capacity to communicate and regulate their anger. Vedat Dogan, a member of the Grup Yorum music band, delivered a presentation on the systematic violations he faced during his 178-day hunger strike. We were denied access to water, and the lemons provided were rotten. Furthermore, the B vitamins administered were in deficient doses. The lingering effects of the hunger strike remain vivid in my recollection. They finally accepted our referral request, but only after we nearly died. Meanwhile, Grup Yorum, a well-established left-wing band with millions of listeners, was censored on YouTube and Spotify last week at the governments request, on the pretext of protecting national security and public order. Lawyer Seda Sarald characterized these prisons as structures that destroy the sociability of human beings. She stated that the cells are built without windows, ventilation or light, and prisoners are only allowed to see the sky for one hour. She added that, in addition to violating the right to privacy with cameras, the most basic social rights, such as chatting and visiting, are also eliminated. According to Sarald, at least nine prisoners are on an indefinite and irreversible hunger strike to protest these conditions. Those on strike include Sercan Ahmet Arslan (219 days), Serkan Onur Ylmaz (197 days), Bakican Isk (158 days), Mithat Ozturk (102 days), Fikret Akar (57 days) and Grup Yorum members Ali Arac, Ali Hasan Akgul, Ufuk Keskin (97 days) and Yurdagul Gumus (144 days). The prisoners face serious health problems, including severe weight loss, chronic pain, neurological issues and loss of mobility. Following the NATO-backed military coup in 1980, prison policies underwent a radical change in Turkey. During this period, to prevent collective resistance and solidarity among political prisoners, the traditional large ward system was replaced with a new architecture based on rooms and cells. First, E-type prisons were built, and large wards were transformed into units for 1620 people. Then H-type prisons were built with smaller cells for four to six people. These structures main purpose was to limit prisoners social relations and isolate them physically and psychologically to keep them under pressure. This new prison architecture was expanded in the following years to enable more advanced isolation practices. These policies reached their peak in 2000 with the implementation of F-type prisons. Consisting of one- and three-person cells, these structures operated under a vicious regime that condemned prisoners to almost total solitude. The collective resistance of political prisoners to this isolation was met with violent attacks by the state. On December 19, 2000, under the leadership of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit of the social democratic Democratic Left Party (DSP), simultaneous raids were carried out in 20 prisons as part of Operation Return to Life. During the operation, 30 women and men prisoners were killed and hundreds were subjected to severe torture. This model of isolation, initiated with F-type prisons, continued under the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government led by current president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In recent years, even more aggravated versions, the S- and Y-type high-security prisons, have been implemented. According to the Human Rights Associations (IHD) 2025 High Security Prisons and Type S Prisons Report, prisoners are permitted only one hour outside per day, and this time is frequently restricted for arbitrary reasons. The same report explains that greeting a prisoner in the next cell is considered a disciplinary offense and punished. This situation demonstrates an isolation strategy that aims to break down prisoners both physically and psychologically. Severe isolation conditions are accompanied by the obstruction of the right to health. The same report reveals that prisoners must petition for days just to be allowed to go to the infirmary, and these requests are often ignored. Taking prisoners to the hospital with their hands and feet shackled is not only against medical ethics, but also against human dignity. This kind of treatment endangers the physical survival of prisoners. The report also points out that prisoners are cut off from the outside world. They are prevented from taking books, magazines and letters without justification, and incoming publications are confiscated. Disciplinary committees restrict prisoners rights to open visits and phone calls with subjective evaluations such as not showing remorse and isolate them socially. These conditions of aggravated isolation profoundly impact the mental and physical well-being of prisoners, sometimes leading to irreversible consequences. The same report states that prisoners kept in solitary confinement for long periods suffered severe psychological breakdowns and some have been driven to suicide. When deprived of basic sensory needs, such as talking to people, touching or hearing a voice, individuals gradually lose their emotional and mental capacity as humans. Another factor that exacerbates the effects of isolation on prisoners is the architectural design of S- and Y-type prisons. According to the Civil Society in the Penal System (CISST) assessment, S- and Y-type prisons are more isolated structures, and the conditions of isolation are more severe compared to F-type prisons. While F-type prisons have both wards and cells, S- and Y-type prisons only have cells. This physical structure not only permanently isolates prisoners at the structural level, but also severely limits their daily movement. The CISST report states that, As F-type prisons have separate ventilation areas for their cells, S- and Y-type prisons do not. Instead, prisoners are taken by guards to a separate area for one hour of ventilation, which emphasizes that even ventilation is completely removed from the prisoners control. Furthermore, prisoners in these structures are subjected to degrading practices such as strip searches and standing roll call. The report published by the CHD Prison Commission following visits to the Y- and S-type high-security prisons in Antalya, Manavgat and Erzurum clearly reveals that the regime in these prisons amounts to torture for the prisoners. According to the report, prisoners spend 22.5 hours a day in their cells and are only allowed 1.5 hours of ventilation in areas that are not directly connected to the cells. These areas are open, with no protection from the rain or sun. Prisoners at Antalya High Security Prison refer to these areas as Hitlers ovens. The densely woven wire mesh on the cell windows blocks airflow and sunlight, worsening living conditions. Furthermore, the possibility that the cell doors, which are only opened and closed by an electronic system, may malfunction in an emergency poses a life-threatening security risk. In fact, according to the report, it took half an hour to open the cell door for a prisoner who had a heart attack. Another striking feature of the S-type prisons in Manavgat and Antalya is the presence of cameras in the cells. These cameras constantly record prisoners living spaces, creating a feeling of constant surveillance and increasing psychological pressure. According to prisoners, torture is common in these prisons, yet no investigations are launched. The CHD report emphasizes that this prison model poses an assault on human rights and must be done away with immediately. The struggle to end inhumane practices in prisons and release all political prisoners is an integral part of the working classs struggle for democratic and social rights outside of prison. The way forward in this fight is through the independent mobilization of the working classnot only in Turkey, but around the worldagainst the capitalist dictatorship, based on an international socialist program. The Starmer Labour government published its strategic defence review (SDR) Monday, with its central aim to prepare Britain to fight wars against Russia in Europe and the Atlantic. The SDR makes clear that this is conceived of as a nuclear conflict. The SDR categorises Russia an immediate and pressing threat operating a war economy that if sustained, will enable it to rebuild its land capabilities more quickly after any ceasefire in Ukraine. China is labelled a sophisticated and persistent challenge, expected to have 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030. Speaking at a BAE shipyard in Govan, Glasgow, Starmerwith two newly commissioned Royal Navy Type 26 frigates being constructed behind him said the UK cannot ignore the threat Russia poses. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer gives a press conference as he and the Defence Secretary John Healey visits BAE Systems in Glasgow, June 2, 2025 [Photo by Lauren Hurley/No 10 Downing Street / CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 He declared, we are moving to warfighting readiness as the central purpose of our armed forces. When we are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces, the most effective way to deter them is to be ready. And, frankly, to show them that were ready. The review was commissioned by Starmer and Defence Secretary John Healey on Labour coming to office almost a year ago. It was led by former NATO secretary-general Lord George Robertsona former Labour defence ministerwith backing from retired British Army officer General Sir Richard Barrons; and Anglo-American academic, foreign affairs advisor and author Dr. Fiona Hill. Starmer announced that under the Aukus alliance with the US and Australia, up to 12 nuclear powered attack submarines would be built aimed at protecting Britains waters with a schedule to deliver a new sub every 18 months from the Barrow shipyard. As part of the historic renewal of our nuclear deterrent, 15 billion would be invested in our sovereign warhead programme. With Britain a main supplier to Ukraine in the NATO led war against Russia, Starmer announced the procurement of up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons, along with spending 1.5 billion to build at least six munitions and energetics factories. This, Healey pledges, would make the British Army 10x more lethal. It requires the militarisation of society, with Starmer saying in Glasgow that Labours review would enable A battle-ready, armour-clad nation, in which Every part of society, every citizen of this country has a role to play. The population had to recognise that things have changed. In the world of today the front line, if you like, is here We face war in Europe, new nuclear risks, daily cyber attacks, with growing Russian aggression in our waters, menacing our skies. Starmer and Healey were hit with a further round of criticism from sections of the media and senior military figures for once again not setting a date when it would spend 3 percent of GDP on military spending, from its current 2.3 percent and for not pledging an increased membership of the UKs armed forces. Starmer has committed only to reaching 2.5 percent by 2027-28 with an ambition of meeting 3 percent by the end of the next parliament as fiscal conditions allow. The Daily Mail denounced Labours defence spending retreat. The Telegraph wrote of Labours defence strategy in disarray after Healey said over the weekend that meeting 3 percent of GDP by 2034 was only an ambition. Speaking to Times Radio, former head of the British Army Lord Dannatt declared the strategic defence review did not cut the mustard Its like saying to Adolf Hitler in 1938 please dont attack us till 1946 because were not going to be ready. Russias armed forces consist of around one million active-duty personnel and close to two million reservists. Britains army, due to several decades of cuts following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, is down to 71,000 troops. Healeys plan, as announced in Parliament later Monday, only envisages an increase to at least 76,000 full-time soldiers in the next Parliament. Given the vast difference in strength between Russias armed forces and the UKs, the SDR focuses massively on developing British imperialism nuclear arsenal. Moreover, even though Starmer boasts of his partners in a European coalition of the willing intensifying support for Ukraine against Russia, this programme relies on the United States for its realisation. The Sunday Times trailed the SDR by revealing in its main article, Britain wants to purchase fighter jets capable of firing tactical nuclear weapons, in a major expansion of the deterrent intended to counter the growing threat posed by Russia. For decades the UK has only been capable of deploying nuclear weapons from its continuously at sea fleet of four submarines. This meant Britain is the only major nuclear power with only one platform from which to launch its nuclear arsenal. The US maintains a nuclear triadable to launch from land, air and seawhile France, through its force de dissuasion, has both air and sea capability. The Times stated, Senior sources said the UK was looking at procuring Lockheed Martins F-35A Lightning stealth fighter jet, which has recently been ordered by the German Luftwaffe, although other types of aircraft are thought to be under consideration. Britains nuclear fleet and Trident II missile system, with 225 warheads is entirely dependent on the US. The Sunday Times writes that the UK now wants to buy US F-35As with a range of 1,400km, longer than other variants of the F-35 that can carry the B61 thermonuclear gravity bomb, the United Statess primary air-dropped bomb from its stockpile of 3,708 nuclear weapons. It has a yield of between 0.3 and 340 kilotonsthe first nuclear bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima had 15 kilotonsand it expected the UK would carry these, rather than its own nuclear weapons, as part of Natos nuclear-sharing arrangements. A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter from the 58th Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Wing [Photo: U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen] Starmer has accepted all 62 SDR recommendations, including that the National Security Council of ministers review progress on the UKs nuclear deterrent at least twice a year. He declared Monday, The NATO alliance means something profound. That we will never fight alone. This was the fundamental source of our strategic strength and why our defence policy will always be NATO first So that when we are building new capabilities at home we are making our allies safer too. This meant strengthening Europe, but mainly strengthening our bridge to the US as Britains first partner in defence. The presence of Dr. Fiona Hill on the SDR panel also makes clear the orientation to the US. The plan for an SDR was announced prior to Trump coming to power last November and Hillcurrently Chancellor of the University of Durham in Englandwas chosen for her extensive ties to previous Republican and Democratic Party administrations. Elected to the Harvard University Board of Overseers in 2023, Hill was an intelligence analyst under Republican President George W. Bush and the Democrats Barack Obama from 2006 to 2009. During Trumps first administration she served as deputy assistant to the president and senior director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council from 2017 to 2019. For her willingness to confront Trump in pursuit of a more confrontational policy towards Moscow, she was described in a Politico profile as The Russia Hawk in the White House and in the Guardian as a heroine for our times. The head of the UKs armed forces, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, was asked Monday if Britain could defeat Russia in a war today. He replied that the UK was a nuclear power, a member of NATO, and had the backing of the USthe most powerful nation on the planet. With the Labour government already widely despised, funding war with Russia requires an upsurge in the austerity offensive against the working class not seen since the 1930s. Commenting on Starmers speech Sky News Political Editor Beth Rigby said, The rhetoric couldnt be clearer: Britain is on a wartime footing. However, To spend 3 percent of GDP on defence, the PM needs to find an extra 13 billion. Thats difficult, especially when the government could U-turn on some welfare cuts. Elevenlabs AudioNative Player Palestinians after an Israeli air strike in the northern Gaza Strip [Photo by UN Photo/Shareef Sarhan / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 On Wednesday, 1,200 Israeli university academics and administrators issued an open letter protesting the war crimes and even crimes against humanity committed by the Israeli military in Gaza. The letteraddressed to the Association of University Heads in Israel, the Board of Academic Public Colleges, the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and Academics for Israeli Democracyis a reaction to the launching of Operation Gideons Chariots in March, which is employing the mass starvation of the Palestinian population in pursuit of what is now the open policy of the Israeli government: the ethnic cleansing of Gaza. The statement declares: Since Israel violated the ceasefire on March 18, almost 3,000 people have been killed in Gaza. The vast majority of them were civilians. Since the start of the war, at least 53,000 people have been killed in Gaza, including at least 15,000 children and at least 41 Israeli hostages. At the same time, many international bodies are warning of acute starvationthe result of intentional and openly declared Israeli government policy as well as of the rendering of Gaza into an area unfit for human habitation. Israel continues to bomb hospitals, schools, and other institutions. Among the wars declared goals, as defined in the orders for the current military operation Gideons Chariots, is the concentration and displacement of the population. This is a horrifying litany of war crimes and even crimes against humanity, all of our own doing. As academics, we recognize our own role in these crimes. It is human societies, not governments alone, that commit crimes against humanity. Some do so by means of direct violence. Others do so by sanctioning the crimes and justifying them, before and after the fact, and by keeping quiet and silencing voices in the halls of learning. It is this bond of silence that allows clearly evident crimes to continue unabated without penetrating the barriers of recognition. The letter signifies the emergence of public opposition within Israel to the war. It is not yet clear how broadbased this opposition is. Recently published polls indicated that there still remains widespread support for the regimes onslaught against the Palestinians, whichif the polls are accuratereflects the deep social disorientation produced by decades of reactionary Zionist policies and propaganda. However, given the relentless barrage of lies to which Israelis are subjected, the fact that more than 1,000 academics have denounced the policies of the government as criminal is a significant development. The letter is a devastating indictment not only of Netanyahus government but of its international backers in Washington, London, Berlin and other capitals, who have denounced criticisms of Israels genocide in Gaza as a form of antisemitism. The New York Times and other major imperialist media outlets have not reported on the letter, despite prominent coverage in Haaretz and Al Jazeera. The letter contrasts the vocal role that Israeli universities played in the 2023 mass protests against the Netanyahu governments attempt to suppress the judiciary with their relative silence on the ongoing genocide. It declares: Israeli higher education institutions play a central role in the struggle against the judicial overhaul. It is precisely against this backdrop that their silence in the face of the killing, starvation, and destruction in Gaza, and in the face of the complete elimination of the educational system there, its people, and its structures, is so striking. There are other signs of growing opposition in Israel to the Gaza genocide. The publication of the letter followed demonstrations Tuesday at universities throughout Israel, where students and lecturers protested the ongoing genocide in Gaza. This is the first action against the ongoing denial and the silent support for crimes being committed in our name, the organizers told Haaretz. At Tel Aviv University, students and lecturers protesting the genocide were assaulted by campus police officers. One of the organizers of the protest told Haaretz, Theres a sense of a breakthrough, that from now on, it wont be possible to hold back. She added, Theres a whole community living under a kind of censorship, feeling stifled, with a scream lodged in their throats. The message we got from the students is clear: they need us to stop staying silent. Ayelet Ben-Yishai, a professor at the University of Haifa, told Al Jazeera that for some participants, the decision to publicly oppose the genocide was in response to the breaking of the ceasefire in March. That was a watershed moment for many, plus witnessing the starvation weve been forcing on Gaza ever since then. The group organizing the publication of the letter is known as the Black Flag Action Network. Professor On Barak of Tel Aviv University told Haaretz that the groups name is a reference to the term coined by [then Jerusalem Magistrate Court] Judge Benjamin Halevy following the 1956 Kafr Qasim massacre, in which 48 innocent Palestinians were killed by the Israeli Border Police. Judge Halevy wrote in his ruling, The hallmark of manifest illegality is that it must wave like a black flag over the given order, a warning that says: forbidden! Not formal illegality but rather, the clear and obvious violation of law. Barak added, The widespread indifference [toward Gazans] among many Israelis is the result of an intensive dehumanization campaign that must be actively resisted. Professor Yael Hashiloni-Dolev of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev told Haaretz, Anyone with even a shred of responsibility or humanity can no longer buy into the propaganda. We must recognize that war crimes and crimes against humanity are openly being committed in Gaza. Were in the midst of a moral collapse. Al Jazeera noted that the academics letter is unique in that it places Palestinian suffering at the heart of its objections to the war. Professor Ben-Yishai told Al Jazeera, we wanted to make Palestinian suffering central. We wanted to say that we stand alongside and in solidarity with Palestinians. This was also about taking responsibility for what we are doing in Gaza and opening peoples eyes to it. The letter appeals to all the people of this land, Palestinians and Jews. It declares, For the sake of the lives of innocents and the safety of all the people of this land, Palestinians and Jews; for the sake of the return of the hostages; if we do not call to halt the war immediately, history will not forgive us. The letter has the character of a moral appeal. Its authors do not address the fundamental historical and political issues that underlie the genocide. But however deeply felt the outrage against the war, the development of an effective opposition to the regime requires a break with the ideology and policies of Zionism. The genocidal character of this war is the culmination of the policies based on the reactionary political foundations upon which the Jewish state was erected in 1948. The opposition of Jewish and Arab socialists, and the Trotskyist Fourth International, to the formation of the Zionist state in 1948 has been vindicated. The authors of the letter state that It is our duty to save what can still be saved of this lands future. The phrasing leads one to hope that the reference to this land rather than to Israel indicates a growing awareness that the existence of the Israeli state, based on the expropriation and annihilation of the Palestinian people, forecloses any future other than one that perpetuates mass murder. The only viable future is one that achieves the revolutionary dissolution of the existing Zionist state and the unification of the Palestinian and Jewish working class in a socialist republic. An image taken from a video released June 1, 2025 by the Ukrainian Security Service showing the aftermath of a drone attack on strategic bombers parked on an airfield in Siberia. A large-scale drone attack by Ukraine on Sunday, June 1, hit Russian airbases in five different regions of the country, including the Far East and Siberia. The furthest target was the Belaya military airfield in Siberias Irkutsk region, about 4,300 kilometers (2,672 miles) east of Ukraine. According to Russian authorities, 53 drones rained down on five regions within the span of an hour and a half. Other targets of what Ukraine dubbed operation Spiders Web included the Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula in Murmansk, near the Arctic, some 1,900 kilometers (1,180 miles) away from the front lines; the Dyagilevo air base some 200 kilometers (124 miles) southeast of Moscow and the Ivanovo airfield, 300 kilometers (186 miles) northeast of Moscow. The British Financial Times celebrated the attack as possibly the most audacious attack of the war by Ukraine. It comes just days after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared that Germany, which invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, killing at least 27 million people, would provide Ukraine with long-range missiles to strike targets deep inside Russian territory. This timing was hardly a coincidence. The strikes deep inside Russias territory, thousands of miles away from the battlefield, were clearly meant to demonstrate both to Russia and to Ukraines imperialist backers that it can and will use such long-range missiles to escalate the war within Russia. The attack is all the more sinister as it was carried out less than a month after the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which the general in charge of the Situation Command Ukraine in the German Bundeswehr spent in the company of the neo-Nazi commander of a Ukrainian drone battalion. Sundays attack was personally overseen by Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky and carried out by the fascist-infested Secret Service of Ukraine (SBU). The SBU, the Ukrainian equivalent of the FBI, has assumed an ever more central role in the war, both in military operations and the suppression of anti-war dissent. Just over a year ago, the SBU arrested Ukrainian Trotskyist Bogdan Syrotiuk; he is one of thousands of workers and youth now imprisoned on trumped-up charges of collaboration and high treason. Zelensky and SBU officials have been gloating about what they called an absolutely brilliant result. The SBU claims that the attack, which was 18 months in the making, caused $7 billion worth of damage and destroyed 34 percent of Russias strategic bomber fleet. However, according to a celebratory report by the Wall Street Journal, it is unclear how many of these aircraft were still in use. A former Ukrainian officer told the Financial Times that the attack would likely not directly influence Russias position on the battlefield. Nevertheless, he added, It does reduce Russias strategic capabilities [which] mean the ability to project power globally, the ability to deliver nuclear strikes and overall military posture in Eurasia. The attack marks a new stage in the war strategy pursued by NATO via its proxy in Kiev to destabilize Russia from within. Over the past three years, through terrorist attacks such as the one on Moscows Crocus City Hall, which claimed over 180 lives, Ukraine already opened up a second front of the war, inside of Russia. In a video message, Volodymyr Zelensky proudly declared that the drone attack had been prepared from within Russia and that Ukrainian personnel had been present in three different regions. The drones were initially smuggled into the country and then placed in trucks from where they were fired off. While Zelensky claimed that all those involved had returned to Ukraine, Russian authorities announced Sunday night that they had arrested an undisclosed number of participants in the attacks. Zelenskys boasting about the SBUs penetration of Russian territory was all the more provocative as less than 24 hours earlier, in the night from Saturday to Sunday, two bridges in Russian border regions were blown up. Russian authorities have described the explosions as terrorist attacks. The collapse of a bridge in the Bryansk region caused debris to fall on a passenger train. As a result, at least seven people died, and 73 were wounded. The attack on a bridge in Kursk made a freight locomotive crash onto a road, injuring three railway workers. Although Ukraine has not officially taken responsibility for the attacks, Zelenskys boasting about Ukrainian personnel on Russian soil and the history of terrorist attacks on Russian territory with traces leading back to Kiev speak for themselves. Ukraines demonstrative escalation of the war comes as delegations from Kiev and Moscow are set to meet for another round of negotiations in Istanbul on Monday, June 2. On Sunday night, Moscow launched 472 drones in what Ukraines air force has described as Russias largest drone attack since 2022. Other reports indicate that Russia is in the midst of launching a new summer offensive. Whatever the outcome of the talks under these conditions, Sundays drone attacks underscore that, already, the war has extended well beyond the borders of Ukraine. Having deliberately provoked the oligarchic Putin regime into invading Ukraine, the imperialist powers have transformed the country into a launching pad for a much broader war. Their principal aim is to secure full control over the Eurasian landmass and its vast resources. For their part, with acts such as Sundays drone attack, the SBU and the Ukrainian oligarchy signal that they are determined to continue to play a central role in this imperialist effort to carve up the entire region and thus earn their right to a share of the spoils, even after hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have been left dead and injured. The working class of Russia and the entire former Soviet Union faces an existential threat from imperialism. But the Putin regime offers no protection against this threat. Just as the Ukrainian oligarchy, it emerged out of the Stalinist destruction of the Soviet Union, which opened up the entire region to imperialist provocations and wars. The Putin regime seeks to defend the interests and privileges of the Russian oligarchy through a combination of military pressure and negotiations with the imperialist powers. It sees its principal enemy not in imperialism, but in the working class. Its policies of military adventurism and Russian chauvinism divide the working class and play into the hands of imperialism. The only viable path in the struggle against imperialism lies in the political revival of the principles of revolutionary internationalism in the Russian and Ukrainian working class, and their independent mobilization, together with workers in Europe and the US, against imperialism and the capitalist system as a whole. In the wake of the decision last week by the US International Court of Trade that his April 2 liberation day reciprocal tariffs were illegal, President Trump has stepped up his tariff war against China and the rest of the world. The decision against reciprocal tariffs, introduced under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, appears headed for the Supreme Court for final adjudication, but Trump has lost no time in hiking tariffs in areas not covered by the decision. He has also made threatening noises against China following the 90-day pause in the tariff hikes against it, indicating that negotiations are proceeding too slowly. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Washington. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci] The steel and aluminium hikes were announced at a rally in Pennsylvania on Friday in support of a deal between the Japanese firm Nippon Steel and US Steel at which Trump declared he would erect a tariff fence around US metals production. From June 4 tariffs on aluminium and steel will be doubled from the present levy of 25 percent to 50 percent. Nobody is going to get around that, he said. At 25 percent, they can sort of get over that fence. At 50 percent they can no longer get over the fence. Touting the $15 billion deal with Nipponwhich he had committed to block during his presidential campaignTrump said it was a blockbuster agreement which ensured that this storied American company remains an American company. Across the border in Canada there have been warnings of a catastrophe with factory slowdowns and major job cuts in the steel industry because of the new tariff hikes. Other steel exporters to the US are making their calculations as to its effects. Canada is the largest international supplier of both steel and aluminium to the US. It accounted for nearly one quarter of US steel imports in 2023 and about a half of aluminium imports in 2024. The aluminium industry has yet to comment, with the Aluminium Association of Canada saying it was waiting for clearer and more formal legal confirmation. But the Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA) has said the new tariff threat essentially closes the US market to Canada and will have unrecoverable consequences. The Canadian steel industry, which is valued at around $11 billion, employs 23,000 workers and supports an additional 100,000 indirect jobs. A statement by the CSPA said the 50 percent tariff would cut domestic industry production in half. A 25 percent tariff is difficult, but a 50 percent one is catastrophic, CSPA president Catherine Cobden told the Financial Times. The CSPA statement issued in her name said: Steel tariffs at this level will create massive disruption and negative consequences across our highly integrated steel supply chains and customers on both sides of the border. Her response, however, was to demand an intensification of the tariff war which can only create further catastrophic consequences. She called for the Canadian government to respond immediately to fully reinstate retaliatory steel tariffs to match the American tariffs and to match as quickly as possible new tariffs at our own border to stop unfairly traded steel from entering Canada. This nationalist response was echoed by the Canadian United Steelworkers national director Marty Warten who said the tariff was a direct attack on Canadian industries and workers to which Canada needs to response immediately and decisively. The tariff hikes on steel and aluminium were accompanied by increased condemnations of China by Trump following the announcement last month of a 90-day pause in the 145 percent reciprocal tariffs, to allow negotiations to take place. In a post on his social media account, he accused China of violating the agreement reached in Geneva for the truce. He said he had made a fast deal to save them from what I thought was going to be a very bad situation but that China had now totally violated its agreement with us. So much for being Mr Nice Guy! Trump did not specify how the agreement had been violated by China nor indicate what action, if any, would be taken. From comments by US trade representative Jamieson Greer to the business channel CNBC on Friday it appears to be US dissatisfaction over the lifting of restrictions imposed on the export of critical minerals introduced by China in retaliation against the US tariff hikes. He said that US officials had not seen the the flow of some of those critical minerals like theyre supposed to be doing. Were very concerned with it. The Chinese are slow rolling their compliance, which is completely unacceptable and has to be addressed. Earlier treasury secretary Scott Bessent said the talks with China were a bit stalled and might need to be invigorated with a call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Given the magnitude of the talks this is going to require both leaders to weigh in with each other, he said, adding that he was confident that the Chinese will come to the table when President Trump makes his preferences known. But one of the problems is determining exactly what are the US preferences. The basic drive of US policy toward China is the suppression of its economic development, above all in the areas of high-tech and artificial intelligence, which it sees as the greatest existential threat to continued US global dominance. Neither Xi, nor any other Chinese leader could agree to such measures. In fact, the whole thrust of the program of the government has been to develop high-tech manufacturing, involving the growing use of AI which has made it a world leader in many manufacturing processes. The US will not be satisfied with an agreement which stipulates that China should buy more American goods. That was the basis of deals reached in the first Trump administration which did virtually nothing to reduce the US trade deficit. While Bessent is touting talks to smooth the negotiations, others in the administration are sharpening their knives. Speaking to reporters, Stephen Miller the White House deputy chief of staff for policy, said while Trump preferred cooperation, Chinas behaviour opens up all manner of action for the United States. What action he did not specify. But the objective logic of the conflict points to the increased use of the military by the US to pursue its objectives. This issue was directly connected to the increased steel tariffs by White House chief economic adviser Kevin Hassett in an interview on ABC. He said we dont want war and it was expected Trump was going to have a wonderful conversation with Chinese president Xi Jinping over trade negotiations. But the bottom line is weve got to be ready in case things dont happen the way we want, because if we have cannons but not cannonballs, then we cant fight a war. And if we dont have steel, then the US isnt ready and were not preparing ourselves for something. On the wider issue of the decision by the International Court of Trade, Greer said the legal defeat of the administration was not hampering negotiations with other countriesafter it had insisted on the exact opposite in the court hearingsand that it was just a bump in the road, rather than any fundamental change. Greer said he was confident about the case and if it went the other way we have other tools as well. This was also the central message of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in an interview on Fox News yesterday, even if Trumps attempt to impose tariffs under the IEEPA was blocked. Rest assured, tariffs are not going away, he said. He has so many other authorities that even in the weird and unusual circumstances where this was taken away, we just bring on another or another or another. The WSWS urges Dundee workers and other autoworkers to come forward with information and to support the investigation into Ronald Adams Sr.s death. Fill out the form at the end of this article to send us your comments. Your identity will be kept confidential. Today marks eight weeks since the death of Stellantis worker Ronald Adams Sr. at the Dundee Engine Complex in Michigan. The 63-year-old machine repairman was crushed to death when a mechanical gantry pinned him to a conveyor in an enclosed workstation. In the nearly two months since his death, Adams family and coworkers have not received any information from the company, the United Auto Workers union or the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) about the causes and circumstances behind the fatal accident. The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) has initiated an independent investigation, to be led by rank-and-file workers, to oppose this coverup, reveal the truth and hold those responsible to account. The following is a statement by Will Lehman, a Pennsylvania Mack Trucks worker and a leader of the IWA-RFC. Lehman ran as a socialist candidate for UAW president in 2022 based on a program of abolishing the union bureaucracy and transferring power from the UAW apparatus to the workers on the shop floor. My name is Will Lehman. I work at Mack Trucks in Macungie, Pennsylvania, and I fully support the investigation being initiated by the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) into the untimely death of Ronald Adams Sr. at the Stellantis Dundee Engine plant in Michigan. This investigation was launched to uncover the truth for his family and for the safety of all autoworkers that Ronald had fought for during his life. Our brother was crushed to death on April 7 by a gantry crane in a fatal incident that never should have happened. He was a skilled tradesman and a respected veteran at his workplace. He was known by many as the protector of the plant because he fought to uphold safety standards even against the unsafe conditions the company and union bureaucrats enforced. No individual worker on his or her own, no matter how experienced or conscientious, can enforce safety in conditions that are out of the workers control. Adams was placed in unsafe conditions imposed by Stellantis and rubber-stamped by the UAW safety committee. The conditions that killed him were not created by him or his coworkers. Again, they were imposed from the top-down, and those same conditions are now being covered up with the complete blackout of information from the company and, more importantly, the union bureaucrats. Ronald Adams shouldered the responsibility of defending safety, not because it was assigned to him but because he had seen firsthand how dangerous the plant is. He stepped into the role of protector because the way things were and continue to be left no other alternative for him. What happened to Ronald was not just an accident. It was the outcome of a system that puts profit ahead of lives. When Stellantis pushes its objectives for launch deadlines and efficiency, its true intention is to push workers past the brink to achieve its goals, cutting corners on safety and covering up every injury and death along the way for the sake of labor peaceto keep workers producing without questioning the conditions were in. Every autoworker knows this to some degree already. When the choice is between safety and profit, the company always chooses profit, and its seen most tangibly every day in the drive to keep the line running in spite of anything else. The joint company-union safety committees only exist to give the illusion that we have a say. But the death of Ronald Adams was not prevented by them. The question needs to be asked: What did they do to prevent Ronald Adams from being killed? The answer is obvious. Nothing. Now Adams family is left without a father, a grandfather and without answers. His widow, Shamenia, has said the UAW has told her nothing. MIOSHA (the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration), Stellantis and the UAW apparatus have stonewalled the investigation for more than seven weeks. While they discuss behind closed doors the best means of absolving themselves of all responsibility, the company is already preparing to reopen the plant, with workers reporting that it could be reopened as early as next week without any explanation for Ronald Adams death. The IWA-RFC is launching an investigation for answers for Adams family and for ourselves. Were calling on every Stellantis worker and every autoworker to come forward with testimony, with information and with support. Breaking the silence surrounding our coworkers death cannot be left up to the company and the union bureaucrats. They do not stop the line and wait until conditions are safe. Instead, they tell us to stay calm, to keep working and to stay quiet. Every time they try to pin the blame on the victims for the lack of safe conditions and on workers who can no longer defend themselves. That must end now. If you are a worker and you know something about what led to the death of Ronald Adams or any other worker, if you have seen how safety corners were cut, if you know about the gantry systems existing problems, if you heard anything in the plant beyond company rumors, now is the time to come forward for your coworkers and for his family. Your identity will be protected, and you will not fight alone for the truth. This is not just a fight about Dundee. Its about all of us. Autoworkers everywhere, internationally, are being pushed to the brink by speedups, through layoffs and adding additional work to existing jobs, by dangerous machineryall because of the capitalist system that treats us as expendable. The working class, armed with the understanding that we are the only ones capable of fighting for our international class interests, is the only class that can stop this. Thats why the IWA-RFC is fighting not only to uncover the truth of the untimely death of Ronald Adams but to fight for workers control over safety and to carry forward the fight that Ronald Adams led while he was alive. We demand the abolition of the company-union safety committees that serve to cover up safety violations, real rank-and-file oversight over safety conditions and full access to all documentation and records on Adams death. No reopening of the plant until the full release of all information regarding his death, and not without the approval of a committee of rank-and-file workers tasked with independently investigating it with the assistance of trusted experts. Workers waiting to resume work need to be compensated fully by the company. To the family of Ronald Adams, we say you are not alone. Your fight is our fight. To all autoworkers, join the investigation. Form rank-and-file committees in your plant and take back control. To get involved, visit wsws.org/ronaldadams and fill out the form. The time to act is now. Thank you. Delegates at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva [Photo: WHO] On May 20 at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78), member nations of the World Health Organization (WHO) formally adopted the first-ever WHO Pandemic Agreement. The approval was carried by consensus at the plenary session, one day after a recorded vote in committee of 124 in favor, zero objections, and 11 abstentions. Fifty-nine nations were not present for the committee vote, including the United States. The Agreement broadly mandates that its nation-state parties shall prevent and prepare for future pandemics in various ways. This includes improved surveillance, preventing disease transmission, strengthened healthcare systems including workforce development, and increased pathogen and disease research. It advocates a One Health approach that takes into account the multiple, intricate interactions between human health and the health of other species on the planet. Despite frequent use of the word shall, the Agreement is watered down with qualifiers such as subject to the availability of resources, as appropriate, and where and as feasible. In addition, the Agreement itself, and its proponents, go to great pains to clarify that the Agreement in no way overrides or diminishes any partys national sovereignty. The Agreement lacks enforcement mechanisms and specifies no penalties for failures to meet obligations. The approval of the Agreement comes four years after 25 heads of government and WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued a call for improved global cooperation on pandemic preparedness and response. As noted by the WSWS at the time, these leaders call for a pandemic agreement was steeped in hypocrisy, false promises and imperialist agendas. With such an inauspicious start, it is not surprising that last months approval is late and that the agreement itself is unfinished and watered down considerably. The original deadline for approval was last years WHA77, but progress on the agreement at the time was sabotaged by corporations who successfully pressured governments to eviscerate key provisions on the sharing of intellectual property. It is no surprise, then, that the unfinished nature of the approved Agreement centers on these very issues, which remain unresolved. In particular, before the Agreement is opened for signatures by states, it requires the finalization of an annex called the Pathogen Access Benefits Sharing System Instrument (PABS Instrument) for approval at next years WHA79. Specifically, the Agreement states: The provisions governing the PABS System, including definitions of pathogens with pandemic potential and PABS Materials and Sequence Information, modalities, legal nature, terms and conditions, and operational dimensions, shall be developed and agreed in an instrument in accordance with Chapter III (hereinafter the PABS Instrument) as an annex. The goal of the PABS Instrument is to share data and information on pathogens with pandemic potential in a timely, open and equitable manner across the world, to enable the development and implementation of response measures including drugs and vaccines. It also mandates global sharing of such measures, requiring participating manufacturers to provide access to the WHO of 20 percent of their production of vaccines and drugs during a pandemic emergency, with at least half of that amount as a donation and the other half at reasonable prices. The definition of participating manufacturer is left to the PABS Instrument itself. The Agreement calls for the PABS Instrument to be finalized in time for approval at next years WHA79, scheduled for May 2026 in Geneva. Only then will the Agreement be opened for signatures or ratification by member states, and the Agreement subsequently goes into force 30 days after the 60th such signature. Thus the Agreement, announced with great fanfare last month, is over a year away from taking effect. The 11 nations who abstained in the committee voteincluding Russia, Italy, Poland, Iran, Egypt and Israelwere given the opportunity to express their reservations. The representative from Iran noted that key concerns of developing countries were not addressed, while decrying the lack of binding commitments on unhindered access and equitable access to medical countermeasures, technology transfer and knowhow, and continued silence on negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on health systems. Notably absent from the entire meeting was a delegation from the United States. On his first day in office, January 20, 2025, Donald Trump issued an executive order initiating the process to withdraw the US from the WHO. As reported then by the WSWS, the withdrawal sabotages global public health efforts and increases the likelihood of future pandemics. The US instead participated in WHA78 by sending a pre-recorded video of Trumps anti-vaccine Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spewing a fascistic tirade, accusing the WHO of being unduly influenced by China, lacking transparency and accountability, and promoting political agendas over its core mission. Kennedy also repeated the thoroughly discredited Wuhan Lab Lie conspiracy theory on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. Attempting to justify the US withdrawal from the WHO and non-participation at WHA78, Kennedy said the WHO has doubled down with the Pandemic Agreement, which will lock in all of the dysfunctions of the WHO pandemic response. Kennedy also attempted to falsely portray the Trump administration as an adherent of global cooperation on health security. As extensively documented by the WSWS, Kennedy and the Trump administration are instead engaged in a massive assault on science and public health, of which the WHO withdrawal is but a part. Kennedy urged delegates and dignitaries at WHA78 to join the Trump administrations program for health instead, and said the US would look for global cooperation elsewhere, either in forming new entities or modifying existing ones, which he did not name specifically. He also contradicted himself, inviting the world to join the US in its shift of focus to chronic disease, while subsequently advocating for a supposed return to the core focus of global health as reducing infectious disease burden. Following the WHO meeting, last week the US and Argentina announced the launching of an alternative international health system separate from the WHO, whose aim is to undermine science and public health while amplifying conspiracy theories. With its withdrawal from the WHO, the US is also pulling its funding for the organization. Even though US GDP is approximately 26 percent of global GDP, it only provided roughly 15 percent of WHO funding. Despite the discrepancy, the Trump executive order cynically states, the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries assessed payments. In the wake of the Pandemic Agreement approval, other nations have announced funding support. Member states also agreed at WHA78 to a 20 percent dues increase. Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong additionally announced that China will commit up to an extra $500 million in the next five years, saying, all sides need to firmly support the WHO to play a central coordinating [sic] in global health governance, (and) support WHO to perform its duty in an independent, professional and science-based manner. China currently commits $200 million per year to WHO relative to the $700 million the US was set to contribute in 2024-2025 prior to its withdrawal. Thus the Chinese commitment falls well short of filling the void left by the US. The international disarray evidenced by a late, watered-down and ultimately unfinished Pandemic Agreement, as well as the United States withdrawal from and attack on the WHO, stands as a glaring indictment of the global capitalist system and its entire ruling class. Despite championing the Agreement, Ghebreyesus himself shares considerable blame. Among other things, as pointed out by the WSWS, it was his WHO that prematurely ended the COVID-19 public health emergency of international concern in May 2023, and he himself has repeatedly referred to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the past tense. The previous administration of the US under President Joe Biden and the entire Democratic Party also are complicit in undermining global health responses to pandemics. It was his administration that adopted the anti-scientific forever COVID policy, dismantling all pandemic response measures and surveillance. The Biden administration also grossly mishandled the pandemic threat posed by the H5N1 avian influenza virus, which now looms ever larger under Trump and Kennedy. As the crippled Pandemic Agreement limped over an artificial finish line, the newest SARS-CoV-2 variant, dubbed NB.1.8.1, burst onto the scene, a situation that places in stark relief the contrast between global threats and the capitalist response. The variant is already the dominant strain in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, where it has caused significant spikes in infections and hospitalizations. So far, it has been found in several US states including California, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Washington. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also found the NB.1.8.1 variant in travelers from multiple nations around the world besides China, including France, Spain, South Korea and Japan. Scientists are warning that it is only a matter of time until NB.1.8.1 becomes the dominant strain globally. As the WSWS wrote previously on the Pandemic Agreement: Capitalisms response to the pandemic both in terms of death and illness and this massive rise in social inequality, as documented extensively by the World Socialist Web Site, is a great social crime. Turning to the institutions of capitalism and demanding that they change course is an exercise in folly. They have proven impervious as they stoke the fires of World War III and enable a deadly virus to tear through vulnerable populations ad infinitum. The international working class must assimilate the lessons of the pandemic, above all the inability of capitalism to organize on a global scale to address the current pandemic and prevent future ones. Indeed, these immense global tasks fall to the working class itself, which must reorganize the world economy on its own terms to prioritize social needs, including public health, over corporate profits. This can only be achieved through an international socialist program, with the goal of ending capitalism and its contradictions and building a new society that protects and promotes health, resolves climate change, and ensures social equality. The Trump administrations Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dramatically escalated the decade-long US confrontation with China in a provocative speech on Saturday at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, the annual premier Indo-Pacific military forum. Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be defense secretary, appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, January 14, 2025. [AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite] Hegseths war-mongering remarks, delivered to a gathering of defense ministers, government leaders, and military generals, had three major prongs. First, he declared that a war with China, ostensibly over Taiwan, was potentially imminent. Second, he demanded that Asian countries massively increase their military spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP)requiring the expenditure of tens of billions of dollarsto join a US offensive against Beijing. Third, he insisted that Asian governments must not try to balance between the US and China. They must choose to line up with Washington. As has always been the case for US imperialism, Hegseth presented the US-led military acceleration as one of deterrence in the interests of peace and stability. In reality, successive US governmentsboth Republican and Democrathave aggressively escalated the conflict with China since the Obama administration announced the US military and strategic pivot to Asia in 2011. Repeated US administrations have designated China, because of its sheer economic growth, as an existential threat to the global hegemony that the US asserted after defeating its German and Japanese rivals in World War II. While speaking of deterrence, Hegseth threatened China with the prospect of an all-out war, almost certainly a nuclear war, that would have catastrophic consequences for the region in which billions of people live, and for the globe as a whole. Hegseth, a former military officer who took part in the US occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq, invoked the warrior ethos of the US armed forces. He said that if deterrence fails, and if called upon by my Commander in Chief, we are prepared to do what the Department of Defense does bestfight and windecisively. Hegseth asserted that recent increases in the intensity of Chinese military exercises around Taiwan showed Beijing was rehearsing for the real deal. He stated: We are not going to sugarcoat itthe threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent. Any attempt by China to conquer Taiwan would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world. That is a threat now overshadowing the population of the entire region and the world. Hegseth asserted: Its public that [Chinese President] Xi has ordered his military to be capable of invading Taiwan by 2027. In fact, the record shows that Beijing has declared its intent to seek a peaceful reunification with Taiwan, which was a Chinese province before it was occupied by the US-backed Kuomintang regime in 1949. Hegseth further turned reality on its head, accusing China of credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. He declared: China seeks to become a hegemonic power in Asia, no doubt. It is the US that has increasingly sought to use military means to reassert its post-World War II grip over the region, including by provoking Beijing by pouring weapons and military trainers into Taiwan in violation of Washingtons de facto recognition of Chinese sovereignty in 1979. In his speech, Hegseth boasted that the Trump administration had boosted the US military budget to $1 trillion and pressured the European NATO powers to raise their military spending to 5 percent of GDP, in order to confront Russia. He demanded that US allies in Asia match that to combat China. NATO members are pledging to spend 5 percent of their GDP on defense, even Germany, he stated. So it doesnt make sense for countries in Europe to do that while key allies in Asia spend less on defense in the face of an even more formidable threat, not to mention North Korea. Currently, according to a recent study, Asian governments spend, on average, about 1.5 percent of GDP on their militaries. Raising that to 5 percent would mean slashing social spending and the conditions of workers, triggering explosive political unrest. Hegseth made clear that this was not a matter of choice. We ask, and indeed we insist, that our allies and partners do their part. This demand will be a central item in talks with regional governments over the Trump White Houses potentially crippling tariffs, along with demands that they radically shift their economies away from dependence on China. Hegseth warned governments against splitting their relationship between Washington and Beijing. We know that many countries are tempted by the idea of seeking both economic cooperation with China and defense cooperation with the United States. Now that is a geographic necessity for many, but beware the leverage that the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] seeks with that entanglement. For governments across the region, China is their main trading partner. Hegseths Biden administration predecessor, Lloyd Austin, used his speeches at the Shangri-La Dialogue to try to reassure such countries they would not need to take sides, while maintaining that Beijing and Washington could keep their competition from spiraling into war. Those pretenses have been replaced by naked bullying and saber-rattling. Hegseth made a series of provocative announcements. He said more than 30,000 military personnel from 19 nations would participate in the 11th Talisman Sabre exercise, the largest ever, to be led by Australia and the US in July and August. It will be staged in Australia and, for the first time, in Papua New Guinea. These war games include live-fire and field training exercises, force preparation activities, amphibious landings, ground force maneuvers, air combat, and maritime operations. Hegseth also said the US Army would soon conduct its first live-fire test of its mid-range capability system in Australia. This would be the first time that system is fired west of the International Date Line, the first time its been tested on foreign soil. Deployments like this represent a commitment to the region, and there are many more planned. Hegseths pronouncements were accompanied by unsubstantiated accusations by President Trump that China had breached a deal to temporarily pause US anti-China tariffs of up to 145 percent, an effective embargo on Chinese imports. China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. Trump did not specify how China had violated the agreement or what action he would take against Beijing. Kevin Hassett, White House chief economic adviser, interviewed on Sunday morning on ABC (US), spelled out the direct connection between the latest expanded US steel tariffs and war plans. He said an American steel industry was essential because if we have cannons but not cannonballs, then we cant fight a war. The Chinese government protested Hegseths speech. A Chinese foreign ministry statement condemned his claim that China was trying to become a hegemonic power in the region. No country in the world deserves to be called a hegemonic power other than the US itself, who is also the primary factor undermining the peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific, it said. The United States has deployed offensive weapons in the South China Sea, fanned the flames, and created tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, turning the Asia-Pacific region into a powder keg, causing deep concern among regional countries. The ministry accused Hegseth of playing with fire on the Taiwan question. The huge Talisman Sabre exercise in Australia underscores the Albanese Labor governments acceleration of the transformation of that country into a platform for war against China. Hegseth later released a statement publicly asking the Labor government to lift its military spending to 3.5 percent of GDP as soon as possible. Hegseth said he conveyed the message to Australian Deputy Prime Richard Marles in a meeting at the Shangri-La Dialogue. Marles had earlier said the Albanese government was up for a conversation with the Trump administration on the issue. Fearing a public outcry, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese initially sought to downplay the US demand, telling the Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Well determine our defense policy, and weve just invested across the [four-year] forwards an additional $10 billion on defense. That is not enough as far as Washington is concerned, however. The Trump administrations demand requires quickly lifting military outlays from about 2 percentor from $56 billion to $98 billion annually based on this years allocation. That illustrates the scale of the war preparations being insisted upon across the entire Indo-Pacific region, at the inevitable expense of the social programs, living conditions, and lives of the working class, which will fuel convulsive workers struggles. The threat of a cataclysmic world war can be defeated only by unifying these struggles on a global scale against all the governments and the capitalist profit system itself, in the fight for world socialism. Details added: first version posted at 11:22 BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. A high-level roundtable titled "Threats and Opportunities Created by New Geopolitical Realities for Turkish-Azerbaijani Relations" was convened in Baku on June 2, Trend reports. Renowned analysts from Azerbaijan and Turkiye participated in the event and analyzed the impact of recent processes in the South Caucasus and the broader Eurasian region on relations between the two countries from various aspects. The session opened with remarks from Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR) board and ambassador, who noted that the conceptual foundation of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations was laid in the 1990s and that relations have been developing successfully for 30 years. "There are no problems between the two countries. At the same time, we observe certain provocative steps in the international media, especially on social networks, in order to undermine our high-level relations. In order to prevent these undesirable situations, analysts from both countries should jointly implement effective measures," he said. Speaking at the first panel moderated by AIR Board Member Javid Valiyev, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University lecturer, foreign policy commentator, associate professor Esma Ozdasli analyzed the opportunities and challenges created by the new geopolitical order formed after 2020 for Turkish-Azerbaijani relations. She said that the relations between the two countries differ from traditional interstate relations based solely on interests, and that cooperation is based on brotherhood and friendship. Besides, she emphasized the growing importance of cooperation, especially in the fields of energy security and transport corridors. Ankara Bilim University lecturer Damla Taskin touched upon the importance of optimizing the Turkiye-Azerbaijan alliance against the backdrop of trade wars and geopolitical turmoil. She also drew attention to the important role of inter-leader diplomacy in deepening cooperation between the two countries in 2021-2025. Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University lecturer, Chairman of the Ankara Crisis and Policy Research Center-ANKASAM, Professor Mehmet Seyfettin Erol touched upon the importance of the Baku-Ankara line from the perspective of regional and global stability. He spoke about the revival observed in Turkiye-Central Asia relations after the Karabakh Victory and how this cooperation creates both opportunities and potential risks. Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University lecturer, foreign policy commentator, associate professor, Levent Ersin Orall analyzed Turkiye's attitude towards the issue of Western Azerbaijan and how this issue was shaped in the socio-political discourse. According to him, seminars on the subject should be organized in Turkiye, this topic should be developed in scientific literature, Azerbaijani literature should be translated into Turkish and covered in the media correspondingly. Araz Aslanli, Vice-Rector for Strategic Development Issues of the Azerbaijan Tourism and Management University (ATMU), emphasized that mutual trust and strategic synchronization between Azerbaijan and Turkey, as a common point of the presented speeches, directly affect all processes in the region. The second panel discussed regional power balances, new diplomatic initiatives and relations with global actors. Hilmi Demir, Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Institute of the TEPAV-Turkiye Economic Policy Research Foundation, made a comprehensive presentation on the groups that aim to undermine bilateral relations and the reasons behind this. Gokhan Cnkara, a lecturer at Necmettin Erbakan University and a political commentator, assessed Azerbaijan-Iran-Turkiye relations and drew attention to Iran's strategic interests in the South Caucasus and the position of the Baku-Ankara line in this context. In his speech, Alper Tan, Deputy Chairman of the Strategic Thinking Institute (SDI), recalled the turning points in Turkiye-US relations during the Donald Trump era and analyzed the indirect effects of Washington-Ankara relations on Azerbaijani-Turkish cooperation. Tugce Tecimer, an expert at the Eurasian Studies Center (AVIM), editor-in-chief of the Armenian Studies journal, made predictions about possible scenarios of competition between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the opposition in Armenian domestic politics and analyzed the effects of this competition on the normalization process with Turkiye and Azerbaijan. Orkhan Valiyev, Head of the Department of Political Science and Philosophy at Khazar University, emphasized that against the backdrop of the changing system of international relations, Azerbaijan and Turkiye can protect their national interests only through mutual strategic support, and in this direction, diplomatic coordination, security cooperation, and regional initiatives are of particular importance. In conclusion, the roundtable participants stated that Azerbaijan-Turkiye relations are a model of alliance based on common national identity, historical ties, and cultural factors, as well as real security and economic interests. Current geopolitical changes necessitate further strengthening of this model and its focus on new areas.. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. President of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports. "Distinguish Mr. President, On behalf of the citizens of the Slovak Republic, as well as on my own behalf, I congratulate you on your country's national holiday - the Independence Day. I am pleased to say that relations between Slovakia and Azerbaijan have been good, friendly and have a strong potential for further development. I greatly appreciate that our strategic partnership is strengthening these relations and is opening the new opportunities for cooperation as well. I fondly remember my visit to your beautiful country and our personal meeting during the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. I sincerely look forward to being able to repay your hospitality during your upcoming visit to Slovakia. I am convinced that our meeting will be a valuable impetus for the further successful development of mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries. Distinguish Mr. President, I wish you, as well as all citizens of Azerbaijan, good health, peace, stability, success and prosperity. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration," the letter reads. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports. "Your Excellency, It is with great pleasure that I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on the occasion of the anniversary of the Independence Day of the friendly Republic of Azerbaijan. Availing myself of this opportunity, I express my hope that the close relations between our friendly countries and peoples will continue to evolve. I wish Your Excellency good health, a long life, and the Republic of Azerbaijan and its friendly people continued progress and prosperity," the letter reads. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police arrested Malcom Smith, 29, in connection to a north Charlotte shooting, officials released on Monday. The shooting happened along North Graham Street around 8:30 p.m. on May 24, according to MEDIC. Crews found two people injured in a car when they got to the scene. One victim was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after the shooting. The victim has been identified as 46-year-old Deeaudrey Copeland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Smith is charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and three counts of shooting into an occupied vehicle. There is no word on what caused the shooting. This is a developing story and we will provide updates as they become available. VIDEO: Deputies respond to mass shooting at party in Catawba County NEED TO KNOW A Texas woman is facing a child endangerment charge after her 1-year-old nephew was allegedly exposed to marijuana Vianney Alyssa Acosta, 22, was arrested after deputies were called to a home in El Paso for a medical emergency involving a 1-year-old child who showed signs of narcotics exposure Her nephew allegedly grabbed her THC vape pen off a nightstand and inhaled from it while in her bedroom, and he later tested positive for marijuana, authorities said A Texas woman is facing a child endangerment charge after her 1-year-old nephew was allegedly exposed to marijuana while in her care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to a home in eastern El Paso for a "medical emergency involving a 1-year-old child who showed signs of narcotics exposure" on May 16. An arrest affidavit obtained by the El Paso Times and CBS 4 states that the toddler was having trouble breathing after smoking from a THC vape pen allegedly owned by Vianney Alyssa Acosta, 22. When deputies arrived at the scene, medics from the El Paso Fire Department were already treating the toddler, who was crying uncontrollably. The child "had droopy eyes and was trying to go to sleep," the affidavit states. El Paso Sheriff's Office Vianney Alyssa Acosta Vianney Alyssa Acosta Authorities stated that Acosta, the toddler's father and the toddler's grandmother were watching the boy while his mother was at work. The grandmother told investigators that the three adults were eating in the kitchen at around 2:45 p.m. when Acosta heard the toddler coughing in her bedroom and went to check on him, per the outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affidavit adds that the toddler had a vape pen in his hands, and the grandmother told deputies that it belonged to Acosta. The child's father's statement differed slightly, as he told investigators that he was outside the home working on a car when deputies pulled up to the house. He said he "was not aware of the incident at the time," the affidavit adds. The grandmother later told him that the toddler had "hit a vape pen." Acosta then told deputies "right away ... that she had her THC vape somewhere in her room where she thought the victim couldn't reach it," the affidavit states, per the outlets. Deputies saw that the pen was kept on a nightstand that was about two feet tall, and the affidavit adds it "was out in the open with just miscellaneous items on top covering it." Acosta also told deputies that her nephew "has ways to get on the bed to reach out for things." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the 22-year-old added to investigators that she did not see the toddler with the pen, she assumed he inhaled from it because "he was red; coughing and observed a little bit of smoke," per the affidavit. She also told the deputies she thought the vape pen was empty and not charged. 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 father and deputies transported to a local hospital to get a urine sample, which later tested positive for THC, according to the affidavit. The Sheriff's Office also said that a case was also opened with Child Protective Services. Acosta was arrested and later charged with child endangerment and possession of a controlled substance on May 21, the sheriff's office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was booked into the El Paso County Jail on a $6,000 bond, and the El Paso Times reported that she was released the same day after posting bail. In Texas, child endangerment carries a punishment of up to 2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, and possession of a controlled substance (1 gram or less) also carries a punishment of up to 2 years in jail and another $10,000 fine. Read the original article on People BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) A man was taken to the hospital after a Sunday shooting in Baton Rouge. According to the Baton Rouge Police Department, police responded to shots fired in the 4000 block of Bawell Street around 5 p.m. Sunday, June 1. When they arrived, police found the victim with injuries that were not life-threatening. The victim told police he was walking home when an unknown suspect confronted him. The victim stated he did not know the person who confronted him and continued walking, according to BRPD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The accused gunman, who was driving, made a U-turn, began driving back towards the man, and started shooting, the victim told authorities. He was shot once, police confirmed. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 344-STOP (7867). Baton Rouge police investigating shooting following early morning traffic stop Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. Editors Note: The video above is previous coverage on this story. JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW) A 10-year-old Jackson Township boy has been arrested and charged after allegedly bringing a loaded handgun to school and making threats against another student and a school resource officer, according to local police. The third grader, who is not being identified publicly because of his age, was identified on May 16 after a loaded .45-caliber firearm was found in his backpack at Sauder Elementary School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Motorcycle pulling a camper trailer overturns in fatal crash The school resource officer recovered the weapon after receiving a tip from another student. No injuries were reported, and all safety protocols were followed by students and staff, police said. (Jackson Township Police Department) The 10-year-old has been charged with inducing panic (a second-degree felony) and illegal conveyance of a deadly weapon (a fifth-degree felony). He was booked into the Stark County Juvenile Detention Center. An investigation revealed the child had obtained the weapon from his grandparents home earlier that morning, police said. Ohio school board makes unanimous decision to suspend high school Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said his father, with whom he lives, was cooperative throughout the investigation. Jackson Township Police Chief Mark Brink said the case will now be reviewed by the Stark County Prosecutors Office to determine if additional charges will be filed. Further arrests may follow, according to the department. The firearm has been seized, and 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Eleven people were taken to a Salem hospital after a stabbing incident outside the Union Gospel Mission, Salem police told KOIN 6 News. Police rushed to the area near 700 Commercial Street NE around 7:15 p.m. The 11 who were taken to the hospital have varying types of injuries, officials said. No further details on their conditions is known at this time. A man is in custody. 11 people were stabbed at the Union Gospel Mission in Salem, June 1, 2025 (KOIN) 11 people were stabbed at the Union Gospel Mission in Salem, June 1, 2025 (KOIN) 11 people were stabbed at the Union Gospel Mission in Salem, June 1, 2025 (KOIN) KOIN 6 News will have more information as it develops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of Azerbaijan Fuad Muradov met with the Azerbaijani community in the Netherlands as part of his visit to the Benelux countries and participated in a meeting of the Coordination Council, a source in the committee told Trend. The meeting, which began with the playing of the National Anthem of Azerbaijan, paid tribute to the memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of the country. Coordinator of the Coordination Council of Azerbaijanis in the Netherlands and Belgium for the Netherlands Elkhan Mirhashimli presented a report on the council's activities. "An important result of the successful diaspora policy implemented under the leadership of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is that relations between the Azerbaijani state and our compatriots living abroad, as well as within communities, have intensified and coordinated activities have expanded," the committee chairman said at a meeting with the Azerbaijani community. The meeting featured video clips of the head of state's speeches, and extensive information was provided on the projects implemented by the State Committee on Work with Diaspora. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to the Netherlands Mammad Ahmadzade expressed that the political activity and influence of the Azerbaijani diaspora have increased further in recent years and emphasized the special role of our compatriots in conveying the truth about our country to the international community. Then, an exchange of views was held on the activities of the Coordination Council, proposals for the future were made, future directions of activity were discussed, and questions from community members were answered. The Azerbaijani community members expressed gratitude for the support provided to the coordinated activities and emphasized that working together yields more effective results. A new coordinator was elected to the Coordination Council of Azerbaijanis in the Netherlands-Belgium. The head of the Azerbaijan-Netherlands Odlar Yurdu Society, Firangiz Baghirova, was presented with an honorary decree for successfully promoting our national music in Europe. In the artistic segment of the event, the "Netherlands Gala Group" presented our national music and gave the community members unforgettable moments. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel NEED TO KNOW After 14 people were simultaneously struck by lightning at a music festival in France in 2017, many have stayed in touch The survivors continue to navigate health issues, PTSD and a forever-altered perspective on life "There were no dead bodies because we shared the charge," said a survivor A group of people who were simultaneously struck by lightning at a music festival in France in 2017 have remained close and agreed to be studied by scientists, according to reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That year, on Sept. 2, more than a dozen people were injured, two of whom were in serious condition, when they were hit by a lightning strike at Le Vieux Canal music festival in Azerailles in the north-east of the country, Le Monde, the BBC and NME reported. The group, which included children, sought shelter in a festival tent when the violent storm struck. Officials said that those injured were "directly hit by the lightning and suffered burns, and the rest of the days events were cancelled, the BBC reported at the time. But that wasnt the end of the story. In a recent feature, Le Monde reported that the 14 people injured by the storm, including some others who werent hospitalized, formed a group of about 20 people who met in the following months. On Sept. 8, 2018, the adults marked the anniversary by returning to Azerailles to reconnect once more including Raphaelle Manceau, 46, and Jocelyne Chapelle, 66. They were the most adversely affected by the strike, according to the outlet. Chapelle was paralyzed and didnt think shed ever walk again, while Manceau navigated exhaustion and unbearable pain in her head and feet where the current had traveled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the months after the strike, Manceau struggled with speech and coordination, according to the outlet. Though she was able to regain her speech, she still struggles with extreme fatigue and memory loss. "I've finally accepted that I am not quite myself anymore," she told Le Monde. Despite their separate struggles, the women connected and stayed in contact as they healed. Chapelle, a retired funeral director, now goes on miles-long hikes. "Raphaelle came to see me a month after the lightning strike and we called each other often," Chapelle told the paper. "We helped each other through the tough times." LeVieuxCanal/Facebook Le Vieux Canal music festival. Le Vieux Canal music festival. 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 women, who were strangers before the festival, are among a number of survivors of the Azerailles strike who have remained connected as they navigate long-term health issues, post-traumatic stress disorder and an altered perspective on life, Le Monde reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of the people who were hit by lightning have agreed to be test subjects so that scientists can learn more about group lightning strikes. By studying the impact of the incredibly rare incident, scientists can note the different effects on individuals, according to Le Monde. A medical resident, Remi Foussat, dismissed the theory that sharing the charge helped save everyone who was struck, calling it too simplistic, according to the outlet. But Herbert Ernst, a correspondent for L'Est Republicain who was also struck by lightning, is sticking by the idea. "There were no dead bodies," he told Le Monde, "because we shared the charge. Maybe that explanation isn't true, but I don't care it's what binds us. When we get together, it's hard to explain. It's like being filled up with emotion." Read the original article on People SOUTH JORDAN, Utah (ABC4) A South Jordan teen who has been missing since April 21 has been found, according to police. Officer Shaun Becker with South Jordan Police Department (SJPD) told ABC4.com Sunday evening that Alisa Petrov, 15, was found alive and healthy. Police said she showed up at the Colorado Springs Police Department and identified herself as the teenager who was missing. RELATED: Charges filed against Utah man who allegedly messaged missing 15-year-old before her disappearance Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family has released a statement to ABC4, saying: We just want to express our biggest gratitude to everyone who has helped to find her. I know the police department has been doing an amazing job, and the FBI, also the news stations who helped spread the word. All the people who have prayed for Alisa, we are so grateful for their support. Background Alisa Petrov had been missing since April 21, when she was last seen being dropped off at a school in American Fork. Instead of going to school, family members said the teenager boarded a train toward Provo. After finding several online messages exchanged between Petrov and three separate men, detectives believed Petrov was trying to get to Las Vegas, Nevada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All three men have been charged in connection with Petrovs disappearance. They have been identified as Matthew Nicholas Menard, 35, of Miami, Florida, William Taylor Glines, 37, of Texas City, Texas, and Samuel Mitchell, 41, of Herriman, Utah. Menard, who turned himself in to the South Jordan Police Department on May 28, appeared in a Provo Court for his initial appearance on Monday, June 2. He will appear for a waiver hearing next Monday, June 9. He faces charges of aggravated child exploitation of a minor, enticement of a minor, and criminal solicitation. Mitchell, who faces felony charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and enticing a minor, is scheduled for his initial appearance on Wednesday, June 4. Glines is still not in custody as of writing on June 2. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Latest headlines: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Police said Monday that they have charged a suspect in connection with a shooting that left a Washington, D.C. man dead last week. The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) charged 18-year-old Christian Okubo of Temple Hills with first-degree murder and other related charges, stemming from a shooting that happened Friday morning. At about 10 a.m. on May 30, PGPD responded to the 7000 block of Allentown Road, where officers found 23-year-old Anthony Bullock outside, suffering from gunshot wounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was pronounced dead at the scene. Metro moves to expand on system to ban violent offenders from using bus, rail system Detectives said Okubo and Bullock knew each other, but its still not clear what the motive was for the shooting. Okubo was in custody with the Department of Corrections, where he is being held without bond. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact PGPD at 301-516-2512. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. South Dakota has reported its first case of measles this year. The state is now the 33rd in the country to confirm a measles case, with at least 1,088 cases reported nationally so far this year. An adult who recently traveled outside the country tested positive for measles in Meade County, South Dakota, according to the South Dakota Department of Health. It comes as federal officials are urging all Americans to get vaccinated against measles before traveling abroad, according to guidance updated last week from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Previously, the guidance stated that those traveling to countries with an ongoing outbreak should be vaccinated before leaving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is part of the routine immunization schedule and has been shown to be up to 97% effective after two doses, the CDC says. Adults without immunity through vaccination or infection should also get vaccinated, the agency notes. At least 62 people in the U.S. were infected with measles while traveling on an airplane this year, a CDC spokesperson told ABC News in part of a statement. "There has been only one situation during this period in which measles appeared to have been transmitted during air travel, " the spokesperson added. Kateryna Kon/science Photo Library/Getty Images - PHOTO: Measles virus particle, illustration. In South Dakota, the person infected with measles visited two medical centers where others may have been exposed to the virus. The Department of Health says anyone who was at the Rapid City Medical Center Urgent Care waiting room on May 28 between 7:15 a.m. and 10 a.m., or at Monument Health Sturgis Urgent Care waiting room on May 29 between 9:45 a.m. and 3 p.m., should watch for signs of illness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Most US counties saw decline in childhood MMR vaccination rates: Report Health officials explain that the early signs of measles appear in two stages. In the first stage, symptoms include a runny nose, cough and slight fever. The eyes may become red and sensitive to light while the fever rises each day. The second stage begins between three and seven days after symptoms start, with temperatures reaching 103 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit and a red blotchy rash that lasts between four to seven days. The rash typically starts on the face before spreading to the shoulders, arms and legs. "Measles is a highly contagious viral disease and spreads through the air from an infected person," Dr. Joshua Clayton, state epidemiologist, told ABC News. "Individuals who lack immunity from vaccination or past infection are at high risk of measles infection if they have contact with an infected person." MORE: Measles cases seem to be slowing down in the US. What's behind it? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to state health officials, the measles vaccine offers the best protection against infection. People are considered immune to measles if they were born before 1957, received one dose of the measles vaccine (MMR) as an adult, received two doses of the measles vaccine (MMR) as a child or high-risk adult, have measles antibodies shown by a lab test, or had a previous measles infection confirmed by a lab test. The Department of Health notes that the MMR vaccine is typically given at 12 to 15 months of age, with a second dose at four to six years. For international travel with children, MMR vaccines can be given starting at 6 months of age. Learn more about measles on the Department of Health website, where information includes fact sheets, frequently asked questions, and a webinar for healthcare providers. The right lanes and on-ramp of eastbound Interstate 10 at Dysart Road were closed due to a "law enforcement situation," according to a post on X from the Arizona Department of Transportation. The closure happened around 6:10 p.m. on June 1, ADOT said. Officers were called to a parking lot near McDowell and Dysart roads around 5:30 p.m. due to reports of shoplifting, Goodyear police told The Arizona Republic in an email. The vehicle failed to yield during a traffic stop but eventually stopped near Dysart Road and I-10, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man and woman got out of the vehicle and jumped off the bridge, sustaining serious injuries. They were taken to the hospital in critical condition, said police. Three other people stayed in the vehicle and were detained. The investigation was ongoing, police said. There was no estimated time for the lanes and ramp to reopen. Motorists can check az511.gov, the AZ511 app or call 511 to see real-time highway conditions. (This is a developing story. Check back for updates.) This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Which part of eastbound I-10 police closed near Goodyear and why NEED TO KNOW Two Arizona teenagers were found dead with gunshot wounds in a remote location after leaving for a reported Memorial Day weekend camping trip The teens identified as 17-year-old Evan Clark and 18-year-old Pandora Kjolsrud were found in the area of Mount Ord, which is located between the cities of Mesa and Payson, on Tuesday, May 27 Authorities are treating the deaths as "suspicious" and have launched a homicide investigation Two teenagers were found dead in a remote area of Arizona earlier this week, and authorities are now investigating their deaths as a possible homicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) said 18-year-old Pandora Kjolsrud and a 17-year-old boy were found dead from gunshot wounds early on Tuesday, May 27, in the area of Mount Ord, according to Fox affiliate KSAZ-TV and ABC affiliate KNXV-TV. While authorities did not reveal the name of the boy, friends have since identified him as Evan Clark, according to both outlets. Per AZFamily, the sheriff's office has launched a homicide investigation. In a statement to PEOPLE on Sunday, June 1, an MCSO spokesperson said the office was "actively working this case," which involves "two victims who tragically lost their lives due to gunshot wounds." "MCSO is seeking the communitys assistance," the statement continued. "If you have any information no matter how small that may be relevant to this case, we strongly encourage you to come forward. Your help could be critical in bringing answers and justice to the victims and their families. You may remain anonymous." Urging anyone with information to contact the MCSO Tip Line at 602-876-TIPS, the sheriff's office added: "We thank you for your continued support and cooperation as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our community." GoFundMe Pandora Kjolsrud Pandora Kjolsrud Per ABC News, the MCSO initially responded to a call in the area of Mount Ord, which is located between the cities of Mesa and Payson, before locating the "two deceased individuals." The teens went on a Memorial Day weekend camping trip at the Tonto National Forest and did not return, according to KSAZ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friends of the pair have since set up a memorial overlooking Camelback Mountain, where the two would often watch the sunset with friends, KSAZ reported. Kylie Whattim, a coworker of one of the victims, called the news "shocking," while Clark's coworker Iara Rosales said the teen's life was "cut very short." "And so was Pandora's," she told KSAZ. "They were very young, and it was just so sudden and a tragedy that you wouldn't even imagine." GoFundMe campaigns have since been established for the families of both Kjolsrud and Clark. Kjolsrud's loved ones described her as someone with "a vivacious personality" and "an infectious smile that brought joy to so many," while Clark's fundraiser featured a message from his mother, Sandra Malibu Sweeney, who remembered him as "funny, bright, kind and entrepreneurial." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kjolsrud was a musician who played violin, cello and guitar, per her fundraiser. She was also a lover of the outdoors who enjoyed camping, horseback riding, kayaking and hiking. She "never failed to stop and greet any dog she passed on her hikes and neighborhood walks," the GoFundMe description said. Kjolsrud's mother told KNXV that her daughter "had an unusual ability to make every person she met feel special and loved." "She was a friend to many and a beloved daughter," the mom said. "She lived life in a big way and was always up for an adventure. She loved hiking and camping, and her favorite place on earth was Camelback Mountain." 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. In another statement to the outlet, a representative for the teen's wider family asked for privacy, thanked the community for its support and revealed they were working closely with law enforcement and had "full faith that justice will be served." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This fundraiser is being organized to allow Pandoras family to grieve the unimaginable loss of their daughter without the worry of financial burden," Kjolsrud's GoFundMe description said. "All funds raised will be deposited directly into an account accessible only by Pandoras mother and father, ensuring that every contribution goes to supporting them during this incredibly difficult time. While funeral services will be private, the family plans to hold a community celebration of life in the coming months so that all who loved Pandora can gather to honor her memory." GoFundMe Evan Clark Evan Clark Clark's mother described her late son as her only child who was "on his way to becoming a wonderful man." "Evan wrote me letters, the last of which he gave me on Mothers Day that was so touching it made me both laugh and cry. He was special. He deserved a long life," Sweeney wrote. Clark, who worked at Crumbl Cookies, enjoyed concerts, photography, cars and taking trips to Malibu, Calif., his mother wrote. She added that he "flourished socially" during his final school year at Arcadia High School (AHS). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to KNXV, AHS sent a letter to families confirming that two students had died and that the sheriff's office was investigating. The school will be offering counseling and support services. "The outpouring of concern from these communities has meant so very much to me," Clark's mother wrote. "I sincerely thank every person who has reached out to offer compassion and sympathy. The kindness I have been shown has touched me greatly. Thank you all." She concluded her GoFundMe description with a quote: Let go of the past, let go of the future, let go of the present, and cross to the far shore. With the mind and body liberated, you shall suffer no more. The fundraisers for Clark and Kjolsrud have since raised nearly $15,000 and nearly $18,000, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The MCSO said in a statement to ABC News that it is now focused on "conducting a comprehensive and meticulous investigation to ensure justice for the victims and their loved ones." "We are coordinating closely with our law enforcement partners and ask for patience and respect for the investigative process as we work through the facts," the sheriff's office added. Read the original article on People Two of three brothers who shot and killed a Reading man in a 2023 ambush attack have been sentenced to state prison. The three men were accused in the shooting death of 47-year-old Eric Ferrer in January 2023. Ferrer was shot while driving his vehicle near his apartment in the 300 block of Washington Street. Brothers Julio Nival, 21, of Reading and Angelo Delgado, 19, of Bronx, N.Y., both pleaded guilty on Feb. 4 to voluntary manslaughter and were sentenced Friday by Berks County Judge Thomas Parisi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nival received a sentence of five to 20 years in state prison. Delgado was sentenced to 54 months to 20 years in state prison. A third brother, Jason Nival, 28, of Reading, was convicted by a jury in February of third-degree murder, conspiracy to commit third-degree murder, aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, possessing an instrument of crime and recklessly endangering another person. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Parisi in May. According to court documents: The brothers waited for Ferrer outside of his apartment at Washington Towers and opened fire on his vehicle as Ferrer pulled into a parking garage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just before 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 18, Ferrer was returning to his apartment with a passenger inside his car. The passenger told police that three males, two of whom were wearing masks, walked in front of Ferrers car and Ferrer stopped to let them walk past. Just before turning into the parking garage of the apartment building, Ferrer and his passenger looked back toward the three males as they started shooting at the car. Video footage from a nearby security camera shows the car suddenly turning into the garage and the three suspects scattering. Footage from the apartment building shows the three suspects leaving a residence on the opposite side of the street just before the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police responded and found the bullet-riddled car in the garage, with Ferrer mortally wounded in the back seat. He was taken to Reading Hospital where he later died. Officers recovered a total of 10 shell casings from three different firearms. Five bullets struck the victims car. The suspects were identified in part through security footage. Jason Nival and Delgado were arrested about a month after the shooting when their vehicle was stopped by police for an unspecified reason in the 600 block of Maple Street. Julio Nival was arrested in September 2023 during a traffic stop by deputy sheriffs in Guadalupe County, Texas, on a warrant from Reading police. He was extradited to Berks later that month. [Watch in the player above: What happens when you call 911?] LORAIN, Ohio (WJW) Lorain police are investigating after two people were found dead of apparent gunshot wounds in a possible murder-suicide. Concerned relatives called officers for a welfare check at the home in the 200 block of West 29th Street just after 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, according to a Sunday news release. Willowick Police investigating after teen was shot in the chest: I-Team Officers were given a key and went inside to find 63-year-old Anthony Coonrod and 30-year-old Emily Simmons both dead, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A preliminary investigation suggests their deaths may have been a murder-suicide, according to the release. Officers are not seeking any other suspects at this time. Intoxicated man allegedly threatens family member with firearm: police The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information related to the case is urged to call police Detective Matt Hartman at 440-204-2105. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DOVER TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW) A 54-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman are dead after what authorities believe was a murder-suicide at a township home, before a graduation party was set to begin on the property. Tuscarawas County sheriffs deputies were called just after 1:30 p.m. on Sunday to the home in the 2000 block of Gordon Road Northwest, Dover Township, according to a Facebook post from Sheriff Orvis Campbell. 2 dead in possible murder-suicide in Lorain The caller told dispatchers she was preparing for a graduation party for another person living at the home, when she heard gunshots in the home. She said the man, who lives at the home, shot his wife then shot himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The graduation party was set to begin elsewhere on the property, and the partys honoree was not home at the time of the shooting, the caller said. Deputies found the man dead lying on his bed and the woman on the floor near the bed. Dover firefighters started life-saving measures on the woman. She was eventually transported to a Canton hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. The deceased were identified as April Houston, 53, and Robert Houston, 64. The sheriffs office said they are husband and wife, and both lived at the home. While there is still evidence to process and information to gather, preliminary indication suggests that murder-suicide is the most likely cause due to evidence and witness statements at the scene, reads the post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Intoxicated man allegedly threatens family member with firearm: police The Tuscarawas County and Stark County coroners offices are working together to determine the cause and manner of the two deaths, since the man died in Tuscarawas County and the woman died in Stark County, according to the post. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Hillsborough deputies were investigating two unrelated fatal shootings in Progress Village and Brandon over the weekend. The first homicide occurred about 4 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Progress Boulevard and South 82nd Street, according to a news release from the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office. Deputies arrived to find a man in the passenger seat of a car with gunshot wounds to his upper body. A woman driving the car and a child in the backseat were not harmed. Authorities have not released the names of anyone involved in the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies learned the driver had stopped the vehicle to talk to a person at the intersection who then began shooting at them. The driver tried to escape from the shooter and struck a motorized bicyclist, who sustained minor injuries. The driver then stopped at a nearby Thorntons convenience store to ask for help. The man in the passenger seat was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Another incident occurred about 7 p.m. Sunday, when a shooting broke out at Cypress Trace Apartments in Brandon. Hillsborough deputies began investigating after a man was killed following an argument with another person in the breezeway of an apartment building on the 700 block of Providence Trace Circle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim, 25-year-old Darien Lamont Henry, was taken to Brandon Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Detectives identified the suspect as Delfeayo McCoy, 32, and he was arrested hours later at a home on the 4900 block of 80th Street South in Tampa. He is facing charges of second-degree murder with a firearm and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Records show he was being held Monday at the Orient Road Jail without bond. An arrest affidavit with more information was not immediately available. While this arrest will bring some measure of accountability, it cannot bring back the life that was lost. These senseless acts of violence must stop, Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a news release Monday afternoon. Our detectives efforts to quickly locate and arrest this suspect demonstrate their commitment to justice and keeping our community safe. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. An international scientific conference on the topic "Imperial structure: ideologies of colonialism and reality" will be held in the capital of Azerbaijan, with the organization of the Baku Initiative Group on June 3, Trend reports. This is the first international conference with the participation of scientists specializing in the field of decolonization and working in various UN structures. The scientific conference will be attended by experienced UN experts in the field of decolonization, famous scientists working in former and current colonies of France, recognized experts in the field of international law, as well as ambassadors of foreign countries accredited in Azerbaijan, and MPs. The event will include an in-depth scientific and methodological analysis of the grave consequences of colonial policy, methods of discrimination applied to peoples under the oppression of colonial states, as well as political, economic and cultural restrictions - components of neocolonialism, and the policy of deliberate destruction of national identity. The obstacles created by colonial powers on the way to completing the process of decolonization, as provided for by international law and UN resolutions, as well as the use of existing opportunities within international organizations, the implementation of effective mechanisms, and ways to eliminate systemic inequalities at the level of international institutions will be discussed. On the second day of the visit, the participants will give lectures to the faculty and students at ADA University and the Azerbaijan University of Languages on the topic "Continuation of Colonial Thinking in the Modern System of International Relations". Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) Two motorcyclists were taken to a hospital Saturday after officials said they crashed into an alligator on Interstate 4 in Volusia County. The motorcyclists, a 67-year-old DeLeon Springs man and a 25-year-old Orange City woman, were both heading westbound in the inside lane when they collided with the gator, the Florida Highway Patrol told NBC affiliate WESH. Hillsborough officials identify 24-year-old killed by gunman who opened fire on car Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The impact caused both motorcyclists to veer off the interstate. Troopers said the 67-year-old crashed his 2022 Suzuki GSX-R1000R motorcycle into a tree. He and the Orange City woman were taken to HCA Lake Monroe Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to authorities. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was dispatched to the scene to assist with the injured alligator. As of Sunday, the crash remained under investigation, and no further information was immediately 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 WFLA. An Army combat veteran and former Iowa Board of Supervisors representative are on the ballot in the Republican primary for House District 70 as newcomers to Newport News. Republicans Hailey Dollar and Cynthia Scaturico are running in the June 17 primary to see who will face Democrat incumbent Del. Shelly Simonds. Simonds has served in Virginias House of Delegates since 2020, including two years in the District 70 seat, which which encompasses swaths of western and northwestern Newport News. Both Dollar and Scaturico say they moved to Newport News within the last year, but Dollar has faced questions about her residency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Voter Registration received a complaint alleging Dollar didnt reside in Newport News, but rather in York County. The Newport News commonwealths attorneys office is investigating the allegation, and a hearing will be scheduled after the primary is certified, according to Newport News Elections Director Vicki Lewis. The latest statement of organization filed for Dollars campaign March 18 lists her address on Curtis Tignor Road in Newport News. Dollar sought to register to vote in Newport News on Jan. 3 using the same address, according to a letter sent by Lewis. The citys election department sent two letters to that Newport News address, both of which were returned as undeliverable, according to Lewis. A third notice was sent to a second property Dollar owns in York County, which was successfully delivered. Dollar told the office she lives in Newport News and spoke to the city and York County about issues receiving mail. Dollar confirmed in an interview that she owns a property in York County and moved to Newport News in December, and added her family has strong roots in Newport News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My family has been living in Newport News since Warwick was a dirt road, Dollar said. Scaturico also lived longer in York County than Newport News. The 49-year-old moved from Illinois to York County in 2014, where she lived until moving to Iowa in 2022. She came back to Virginia in June and began living in Newport News. Related Articles Unlike Dollar, Scaturico isnt a newcomer to politics. She was previously the second vice president of the Hampton Roads Republican Womens Club and won a bid for the Carroll County Board of Supervisors in Iowa in 2023 during a special election to fill a vacant seat. However, Scaturico landed in hot water when she acted as a designated poll watcher and visited at least two polling sites on Election Day while also running for office, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported. Iowa law prohibits candidates from overseeing voting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carroll County Attorney John Werden opted not to prosecute Scaturico, and Scaturico resigned in June to move back to Virginia. Werden couldnt be reached for comment due to his death in March. Scaturico said she volunteered to be a poll watcher prior to the election, and was told by a city committee chair she was allowed to be a poll watcher despite her candidacy. My chair did not know, the poll workers did not know, Scaturico said. It was a lesson and an honest mistake. Dollars past has also come up throughout the course of her campaign. She has previously worked as an actress, model and digital sex worker. Dollar said many people look at her past to criticize it, but she uses it as a way to empathize with people that may be struggling in their communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although I face a lot of scrutiny for living my life openly, I feel that there is no better representation than someone who is unafraid to authentically be themselves, Dollar said. Dollar is running on life experience. The 35-year-old mother of four holds four degrees and a presidential commendation from her service in Iraq, as well as experience at the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs.She said Newport News needs a representative who relates to the daily struggles of its residents. In order to truly understand people and meet their needs, you need to know what the real issues are, Dollar said. I have real boots-on-the-ground experience with all of this. Scaturico is also running a campaign that seeks to appeal to blue collar issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have to have credibility, meaning that you do what you say youre going to do, Scaturico said. I have been able to get those results in a professional atmosphere, and I have also been able to get those results in a political atmosphere. As for their platforms, Scaturico, a mother of three and Robert Morris College graduate, is primarily running on education reform. Scaturico said teachers have been overburdened with extra tasks. However, she did not specify what those unnecessary tasks were or how in the General Assembly she would seek to reduce that work. She said she also wants to work on bipartisan issues like addressing homelessness in Newport News and work toward environmental sustainability. I personally would focus on things that are not partisan, Scaturico said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Social issues are also a part of Dollars campaign. Dollar said she has worked with organizations doing LGBTQ+, homelessness and suicide prevention advocacy, among others. Dollar added she would work to ensure programs dedicated toward disadvantaged communities remain funded in spite of federal cuts, and would also work to eliminate the car tax for residents and help attract businesses to the city. We need to invest more heavily in social services and ensuring that people that are disadvantaged, or theyre just in a hard spot, that theyre taken care of, or we can find better avenues for them, Dollar said. Devlin Epding, 757-510-4037, devlin.epding@virigniamedia.com At an age most children struggle to make it through the alphabet, two-year-old British toddler Joseph Harris-Birtill can already read full books. He's now moving on to Morse code and the Greek alphabet, as well as showing an interest in the periodic table of elements. Recognizing their son's exceptional abilities, parents Rose and David reached out to the British branch of Mensa for advice on nurturing Joseph's potential. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not only is Mensa now giving the family support, they've welcomed the young lad into their community, officially making him the youngest-ever member of the world's oldest and largest high-IQ organization at 2 years and 182 days. Joseph Harris-Birtill (UK) has earned the record for youngest Mensa member (male) at just 2 years and 182 days old https://t.co/atvcaFJLBl Guinness World Records (@GWR) May 26, 2025 In 2023, Isla McNabb from Kentucky was welcomed into Mensa at 2 years and 195 days, after her intelligence was estimated to be in the 99th percentile. To qualify, applicants either need to pass an IQ test or provide sufficient evidence to convince Mensa's board they belong in the top 2 percent of the population's smartest individuals. Joseph demonstrated his qualifications from a very early age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It soon became clear that he was an exceptional little being he first rolled over at five weeks, said his first word at seven months, and read his first book out loud from cover to cover at one-and-three-quarter years," Rose told Vicki Newman at Guinness World Records. "By two-and-a-quarter years old he was reading out loud fluently for 10 minutes at a time, could count to 10 in five languages and could count forwards and backwards to well over 100." By contrast, most newborns lack the motor functions to build head and neck control until around four months of age. Linguistic development means children tend to utter their first recognizable word at around 12 months. Reading in a single language of any kind isn't typically expected until a child is about five or six years old. Most babies lack the motor development to attempt rolling over until three to four months of age. ( themacx/Getty Images Signature/Canva While Joseph's achievements are extraordinary, this doesn't mean life is expected to be smooth sailing. Education systems are often better resourced to support students who aren't meeting prescribed standards than those who are well above average. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anticipating the challenges involved with tailoring their son's educational and developmental needs, Rose and David contacted UK Mensa for guidance. "I searched online for any further support available, and saw that Mensa offers resources and membership for highly able children," says Rose. "We hope that this accomplishment can give him a sense of pride when he is older it's a very unusual accolade and the credit is all his!" True child prodigies are rare, a one-in-5-to-10-million event by some estimates, with the skills contributing to general intelligence emerging from a mix of genetic and environmental factors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whatever head start Joseph has in his academic interests, it's evident he has love and support to continue exploring the corners of his remarkable brain throughout childhood. Related News NEED TO KNOW A 2-year-old child ended up on a luggage conveyor belt at Newark Liberty International Airport on May 28, authorities said Port Authority police officers rescued the child as they were heading for the X-ray units The child was not injured, authorities added Some quick-thinking police officers at New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport rescued an adventurous toddler who was on a luggage conveyor belt last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees the airport, said the incident occurred on Wednesday, May 28. The childs mother was reportedly attempting to re-book a flight at the JetBlue ticket counter in Terminal A on the departures level, per the New York Daily News. That was when the two-year-old gained access to the conveyor belt, the Port Authority said. The conveyor belt was moving the child to the checked baggage room on the airports lower level, NBC affiliate WNBC reported. A JetBlue employee alerted Port Authority police, the Daily News added. "The cops, realizing the danger the child was in, without hesitation, entered the conveyor system and, after about four minutes, located the child who was headed for an X-ray machine, said the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association (PBA) in a social media post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frank Conti, Port Authority PBA president, further told CW affiliate WPIX that the incident unfolded quickly. There was a split in the belts [down the chute], Conti said. One officer went toward one direction, one went toward the other direction. One of them was able to observe the child as the child was approaching one of the X-ray units. The child was not injured, said the Port Authority. Emergency medical services were summoned as a precaution, and the childs family declined additional medical treatment. The toddler was lucky given the potential risk of harm, according to Keith Jeffries, vice president for K2 Security Screening Group, who told ABC affiliate WABC: You've got diverters back there that are actually these gigantic pushers or levers, if you will, that will shove those bags down the appropriate conveyor belt, and that alone can be fatal for a small child." PEOPLE contacted JetBlue for comment on Monday, June 2. Read the original article on People NEED TO KNOW Two people were rescued from the Long Island Sound after their small plane made an emergency landing on Sunday, June 1, according to officials A good Samaritan reportedly helped rescue the individuals before authorities arrived at the scene, Police said the two people rescued from the plane sustained non-life-threatening injuries Two people have been rescued after a small plane crashed into a body of water in New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pilot of the Piper PA-32 declared an emergency while in communication with New York Air Traffic Control around 10:24 a.m. local time on Sunday, June 1, according to a statement from Tweed New Haven Regional Airport. The aircraft, which took off from Bridgeport-Sikorsky Airport in Connecticut, was approximately eight miles from Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN) when it was redirected to the airport for an emergency landing. A short time later, the plane was reported down in Long Island Sound off the coast of Branford. It took Coast Guard officials about 15 minutes to reach the scene, Trent Gulliford of the U.S. Coast Guard told NBC affiliate WVIT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A good Samaritan vessel spotted the two people in the water, and we went alongside them and got them out of the water," Gulliford explained. The two people rescued from the plane were transported to Yale New Haven Hospital in stable condition, according to WVIT. 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 individuals, whose identities have not been released, sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to a statement from the Branford Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are deeply relieved that both individuals were safely recovered and extend our sincere gratitude to all federal, state, and local responders for their swift and coordinated response, said officials with Tweed New Haven Regional Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement that it is investigating the incident. Read the original article on People Two people from South Carolina have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit cyberstalking following the death of the victim from Charlotte. Tysten Anthony Cullon, 26, and Jade Ashlynn Stone, 25, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit cyberstalking, targeting a vulnerable victim and his family members, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. FBI Special Agent James C. Barnacle, Jr. identified the victim as C.T. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to reports, C.T. had an intellectual disability and was classified as Educable Mentally Disabled. The victim was supported by his family and did not live on his own, but did have a job at a Charlotte fast-food restaurant, officials said. READ: New video shows moments before police shooting in South Carolina beach town The suspects admitted to cyberstalking C.T. in court, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office in Charlotte. The defendants used a stolen phone to send harassing and intimidating text messages to the victims family members, reports said. They threatened to provide salacious claims to C.T.s employer unless they were paid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The claims included that C.T. was a pervert, he harassed girls, and paid girls for sexual pictures. Emotional distress caused by the threat resulted in C.T. dying by suicide, prosecutors said. Both of the suspects are in custody and are facing a maximum sentence of five years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set. WATCH: New video shows moments before police shooting in South Carolina beach town WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Officers arrested two teenagers accused of robbing a boy of his shoes in Southeast D.C. overnight, police said Monday. Just after midnight, Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to the 200 block of N St. for a robbery. At the scene, a boy told police that two people he knew approached him, and that one of them held him down while the other assaulted him and took his shoes, according to a police report. The robbery reportedly happened after a fight between the group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Metro to offer extended service for Post Malone concert While canvassing the area, officers reported seeing two people, a 14-year-old boy of Southeast and a 13-year-old boy of Capitol Heights, Md., who matched the suspects description. Officers stopped the teens and arrested them. Authorities charged the pair with robbery (force and violence). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Three people were injured after police say shots rang out during a fight in North Memphis on Sunday evening. Memphis Police officers responded to a shooting call in the 1000 block of Leon Place around 5:45 p.m. A woman told police that she, her cousin, and her brother were sitting in her car in front of a house in the 600 block of Hastings Circle when she heard around 12 gunshots come through the back windshield of her vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3 gunshot victims arrive at hospital: MPD The victims then drove to the 1000 block of Leon Place to call for help. Officers responded to Regional One Hospital at around 6:15 p.m., where two women and one man arrived with gunshot wounds. The MPD says the three victims were driving southbound on Hastings to Jackson Avenue when they saw a large crowd in a fight. Several shots were fired, striking their car multiple times. 1 injured, 3 suspects flee after Mud Island shooting All three victims are in critical, but stable condition. Police previously stated that they were in non-critical condition following the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the citys crime-mapping, since January 1, investigators have been called within a half-mile radius of Hastings Circle more than 100 times for violent offenses, from assaults to weapon violations. If you have any information that could help police, 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. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) The City of Virginia Beach recently announced that 20 local businesses were awarded matching grants of up to $10,000 for improvements. According to the city, the Virginia Beach Development Authority (VBDA) awarded the Facade Improvement Grants in order to help improve the exterior of multiple local, small businesses. Some of the improvements include paint, fencing, parking upgrades, signage and more. We are thrilled to be able to award 20 grants this year, the fifth year of this program, Lisa Murphy, VBDA chair said. The response to the program has been overwhelming, and we have seen the positive impact that it has had on our commercial corridors. We plan to offer this program again next year to once again incentivize small businesses and property owners to enhance the appearance of their buildings in a manner that contributes to the overall revitalization of our city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A release states that, since the programs inception, over $580,000 has been awarded to 80 small businesses throughout the community. A list of all 20 recipients can be found below: Beach Bully BBQ JMT Sweets & More The Vintage Cauldron Rockafellers Karma Longboards Robins Consulting Driveway Motors MMM Coffee MNPN Ladys Boutique & More Plaza Bakery Lakeshore Property I JWFNS Hilltop Atlantic Veterinary Center Snip Atlantic Esoteric Atlantic Avenue Association (nonprofit) Animal Medical Center Waffles & Company The Pig Shop Barbeque Eatery MPN Group/Virginia Beach School of the Arts For more information on the grant program or for 2026 announcements, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2026 FIG Program is expected to be announced in January of 2026. Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. One of Tacomas largest homeless shelters plans to expand to more than double the number of beds it has available. The $20 million project is expected to be completed by summer 2026. Tacoma Rescue Mission is the largest homeless shelter operator in Pierce County. The organizations largest shelter is in Tacoma at 425 South Tacoma Way. Duke Paulson, executive director of Tacoma Rescue Mission, told The News Tribune the organization is planning to expand the mens shelter from roughly 90 beds to a capacity of 205. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The roughly 24,000-square-foot, multi-floor project will be built adjacent to the current mens shelter. Paulson said the beds in the expansion are designed to give a more dignified stay than other traditional congregate shelters in which beds are laid across a large open space. He said these bunks are inspired by the Tacoma Rescue Missions women shelter, which was updated during the pandemic to give people more privacy and space. The bunks include a personal storage area, outlets for charging phones and built to not be in direct line of sight of each other. That way no one is coughing on you, Paulson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 20, Paulson gave a presentation on the new shelter expansion to the Pierce County Councils Health and Human Services Committee. Paulson said the shelter was built in around 2000 and had 75 beds primarily for single women experiencing homelessness. At that point, it was built with the idea that if we could house 60 people, we would be solving homelessness in Tacoma, he told the committee. Now, the shelter regularly serves 120 people a night. During the pandemic and inclement weather conditions, Paulson said, the shelter served upwards of 220 people a night. The need is so much greater, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The planned expansion will more than double its current bed capacity, as well as its addiction-recovery program capacity. It also will add more toilets, showers and sinks for residents. Paulson said the project also will install a roof over the campus courtyard to offer year-round dining space and a venue for health clinics, career fairs and other events in nearly 4,000 square feet of space. The challenge for us is that we are going to keep the shelter open while this project is going on, he told The News Tribune. The expansion has been in the works for nearly a year with previous estimates for project completion by the end of 2025. Paulson recently told The News Tribune that the summer 2026 is a more accurate estimate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 28, he said Tacoma Rescue Mission selected a contractor the previous week. Meetings with the citys planning department now need to be scheduled. The $20 million project has been funded by contributions from every level of government. Paulson described the funding process as complicated, taking nearly eight months for lawyers to determine the terms and requirements of the funding. Tacoma Rescue Missions grant writer Emily Koo reported securing $5.5 million from Pierce County for the project, $5 million from the Washington Department of Commerce, $4 million in federal funding, $3.5 million from the City of Tacoma as well as funding from private donors. The project is going to be constructed at a time where Tacoma is anticipated to lose more than 300 of its homeless shelter beds in June due to a funding shortfall. City officials have maintained optimism they will be able to get state funding made available in the budget to support local homeless programs, but the timeline and process for getting the funding remains unclear. Paulson told The News Tribune he is worried about how the loss of shelter beds will impact the community if those individuals are displaced. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov met with the Pakistani Minister for Energy (Petroleum Division), Ali Pervaiz Malik, the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers told Trend. The meeting welcomed the dynamic development of Azerbaijan-Pakistan friendly and brotherly relations in all spheres. The significance of the initiatives conducted under the auspices of the Baku Energy Week in facilitating global energy collaboration was underscored. The meeting discussed opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector, and reviewed promising oil and gas projects. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) The 21-year-old man who was convicted in the Fox River Mall shooting in January 2021 has filed a motion to withdraw the no-contest plea for which he is serving a 40-year prison sentence. Court records show that 21-year-old Dezman Ellis has filed to withdraw his no-contest plea, for which he was convicted of 2nd-degree intentional homicide and 1st-degree reckless endangerment. Green Bay Metro Fire Department alerting residents of scam involving fake inspectors Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting happened on January 31, 2021, when Ellis, then 17 years old, went to the Fox River Mall and got into an argument, fatally shooting one and injuring a bystander. A manhunt for Ellis lasted several days until he was taken into custody by officers at a home in Des Moines, Iowa, on February 4, 2021. On November 10, 2021, Ellis pleaded no contest to 2nd-degree intentional homicide and 1st-degree reckless endangerment for the Fox River Mall shooting. Three months later, Ellis was sentenced to 40 years in prison and 25 years of extended supervision; however, with a motion to withdraw the no-contest plea, an additional hearing in the case has been set. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Construction worker in Wisconsin airlifted after falling from two stories An evidentiary hearing has been set for 1 p.m. on July 24 in Outagamie County Court. Local 5 will provide updates as needed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) Its the first day of June which means its the first day of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a 60-percent chance that 2025 will be an above-normal season. Here in the Carolinas and in Florida, we have a lot of exposure along our coast. And of course, we saw last year that you dont have to be on the coast to see hurricane impacts, said Jeff Brooks, spokesperson for Duke Energy, which services six states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This hurricane season follows last years when Hurricane Helene devastated parts of western North Carolina and other parts of the southeast. According to the National Hurricane Center, there have been at least 248 Helene-related deaths, and billions in damage. NOAA unveils hurricane forecast for 2025 Atlantic season: See the full breakdown Its important that you use the start of hurricane season as a reminder to prepare your own personal preparedness plan and what that means for you. and if you rely on electricity for medical needs, making sure that you have a plan in place where you could relocate if we had a major storm, Brooks told CBS 17 Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NOAA is forecasting anywhere from 13 to 19 named storms, and 6 to 10 of those the agency predicts will turn into hurricanes. Within those, three to five are projected to be major hurricanes. The agency says it has 70-percent confidence in these projections. Hurricane Helene declared the deadliest US hurricane since Katrina by NHC Books tells us that while they typically see most storm activity around September and October, they prepare throughout the year. We trim trees and remove vegetation and along our power lines to help reduce the number of instances of vegetation-related outages. Weve been upgrading poles and wires on our systems to make them stronger, more resistant to outages from severe weather, and then also installing self-healing technology, which is helped to speed some of that power restoration after major storms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also says the company is ready for different weather events year-round in any season. Hurricane season ends in November, with November and June being the least active months. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. TOPEKA (KSNT) The Topeka Fire Department (TFD) will be hosting a Citizens Academy in the Fall of 2025. City of Topeka spokesman Dan Garrett said the academy will teach people about fire safety and emergency services. The academy opens Thursday, Aug. 7, and will run through Thursday, Sept. 11. Sessions will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. each Thursday. Firefighters with the TFD will host educational sessions every Thursday evening while the academy is ongoing, offering presentations from a variety of the departments different teams. Attendees will learn about different tools used by firefighters and witness some of the training TFD personnel receive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fiesta Topeka taking action after bridge shutdown Garrett said any citizen over the age of 18 is encouraged to apply. Classes are limited to 20 participants with registration ending on July 1. Applications can be submitted through this website. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. DENVER (KDVR) A 21-year-old from Fort Collins is facing a federal charge of bank robbery with forced accompaniment after he was arrested outside of a credit union on May 27. Isaac Meraz, 21, was arrested Tuesday, May 27, after he allegedly robbed the ENT Credit Union on West Drake Road at about 2 p.m. Free on Your TV New FOX31+ App for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Colorado said Meraz was wearing a full rubber mask with attached fake hair, and told bank employees he was there to audit the bank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors said Meraz then produced what appeared to be a handgun and forced three employees to accompany him inside the banks vault. Prosecutors said Meraz pointed the gun at an employee, and out of fear and intimidation, that employee provided Meraz with money out of the vault. The U.S. Attorneys Office said that while fleeing the credit union, Meraz dropped some of the stolen money and the apparent firearm. Later, officials determined it was a realistic-looking BB gun. While officials were investigating the incident, they placed Rocky Mountain High School on secure status for about 15 minutes. Fort Collins Police Services said it later served a search warrant at a residence in the 1200 block of City Park Avenue and recovered key evidentiary items. Fort Collins police and the FBI worked jointly on the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Cornell Law School, the charge of bank robbery carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, with no minimum sentence outlined in the law. Bank robbery with forced accompaniment carries an additional minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Meraz made his initial court appearance on May 30. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A 23-year-old man was taken to the hospital on Friday after receiving a head wound, according to Sioux Falls Police. Lincoln County still best prison site, consultant says Sioux Falls Police Department spokesman Sam Clemens told KELOLAND News first responders were called to a business in the 1100 block of W Blackhawk Street for a hemorrhage call at 2:49 pm. Clemens clarified that the SFPD is not investigating the situation, as a crime did not take place. He said a police report was made to document what took place, and that it was sent to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for their investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KELOLAND News has reached out to the U.S. Dept of Labor, which oversees OSHA, for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Courtesy: Tennessee Riverkeeper) (Courtesy: Tennessee Riverkeeper) (Courtesy: Tennessee Riverkeeper) (Courtesy: Tennessee Riverkeeper) DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) Around 280 pounds of trash was recently removed from the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge on the Tennessee River. Seven people with the Tennessee Riverkeeper filled 14 bags of trash and 4 bags of recyclable materials. According to officials, the majority of the trash removed was made from some form of plastic, mostly styrofoam, plastic bottles and shopping bags. The team also removed traffic cones and a tire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plastic pollution is everywhere. Too much of this litter is entering our creeks and rivers. I am grateful for all of Tennessee Riverkeepers volunteers who donate their time to improve our communities. said Pat Underwood, Cleanup Director for Tennessee Riverkeeper. In 2025, Tennessee Riverkeeper cleanups have removed more than 4,580 pounds of litter from our waterways. These events show that a few people can make a difference, and cleanups provide some hope for hundreds of thousands of citizens who are concerned about our blessed river and its tributaries. Clean water is a nonpartisan issue; we are all in this together, said David Whiteside, Founder of Tennessee Riverkeeper. In 2019, Tennessee Riverkeeper launched a microplastics campaign to remove plastic and other litter from waterways, while educating people about the threat of pollution. There is no easy solution to this problem. We do know that preventing plastics from entering waterways is an obvious solution and it is easier to remove garbage from the shorelines and shallow water of creeks and rivers. It is very difficult and inefficient to try to remove litter from deeper water. Another important solution is education and informing citizens that littering not only makes our community look trashy, it also impairs fishing and water quality, added Whiteside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A stretch of the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge on the Tennessee River is a collection zone for garbage. Trash that gets thrown out regularly often ends up into creeks and rivers after the area receives rain and this could affect drainage systems. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. THOMAS, W.Va. (WBOY) The second annual Appalachian Fly Fishing Festival was held in Thomas over the weekend, where fly fishing enthusiasts could come and talk to other fishermen, check out gear, look at some crafts, and of course fly fish. Event organizer Tyler Waldo said that the major reason they have the festival is to pass on fly fishing to the next generation and bringing out the community that is fly fishing from fly shops, fly casters, to the conservation agencies that make West Virginia special as it is for the resources that we have. How your fishing license helps conservation efforts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waldo explained that people can get a lot out of fly fishing, such as learning patience and a hobby that you can enjoy throughout your life. 12 News talked to one expert fly fisher, Christa Clasgens, who was at the festival to promote her guide business, about what she gets out of fly fishing. Its very therapeutic in that you get down to the motion of things and your focus on the fish, Clasgens said. I almost feel like I have a lot going on and my head constantly and when I go flying fishing it calms everything down. Everything goes quiet and I can just focus on the water and the fish. Waldo said that they plan on having the event again next year, and that itll be May 30 and May 31. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Oak Forest police said Monday a second man has been charged in the May 23 death of a 54-year-old man. Police said Rashee Wyrick, of Chicago, is scheduled to make an initial court appearance Tuesday at the Bridgeview courthouse. Prosecutors are asking that Wyrick be held pending trial, according to a court document. Charged with first-degree murder, Wyrick joins co-defendant Michael Protho charged with the death of Edward Lewis. Protho is also being held pending trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Saturday members of the Illinois Department of Corrections and the U.S. Marshals Services Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force took 32-year-old Wyrick into custody. Wyrick and Protho entered the home through a window and Lewis was beaten with a blunt object, authorities said. Lewis lived in the home in the 15500 block of Long Avenue in Oak Forest for about a year and previously lived in Elburn, authorities said. Protho, of the 9300 block of South Paxton Avenue, was arrested May 24 after leading police on a high-speed chase, according to prosecutors. Police said Lewis was found May 23 dead in the living room of the home by a family friend, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He suffered a blunt force trauma to the head, and police, during a subsequent search of the home, found several pounds of cannabis along with other narcotics, according to the court documents. Police said the home was ransacked, and it appeared to investigators there was a strong connection to narcotic sales. Court records state Protho had a previous robbery conviction involving the blunt-force beating of an elderly victim in Hazel Crest. Protho also was sentenced, in October 2022, to 42 months in prison and two years probation on a federal charge of unlawful transport of firearms, according to court records. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Three people were rushed to the hospital after a two-vehicle crash happened in Providence Sunday afternoon. A spokesperson for the Providence Police Department said the crash happened on Elmwood Avenue near the Roger Williams Park entrance. One vehicle was trying to make a left turn into the park, according to the spokesperson, when it hit another vehicle that was driving straight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There werent any serious injuries reported, the spokesperson said. 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. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Development and infrastructure mobilization are underway throughout Karabakh with the efforts of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters on the results of the Cabinet of Ministers meeting, Trend reports. "We celebrated a significant day together in Lachin. During our visit, we inaugurated the Lachin airport. With the efforts of the victorious leader of Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev, development and infrastructure mobilization are underway throughout Karabakh after 30 years of occupation. Karabakh is rapidly healing the wounds of the occupation with its roads, tunnels, residential areas, and agricultural fields. As Turkiye, we are committed to delivering comprehensive support across various domains," he pointed out. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) A woman was arrested after three juveniles were injured during an ATV accident in Mississippi, authorities said. Jackson County deputies said they responded to the crash on Meadowglenn Road in Vancleave around 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 31. The three juveniles sustained serious injuries. Dog finds possible human skull in Mississippi, sheriffs office says Following an investigation, investigators identified Lilly Seymour, 33, as the individual responsible for operating the ATV at the time of the crash. She was arrested and charged with aggravated driving under the influence (DUI). Lilly Seymour (Courtesy: Jackson County Jail) The incident remains under active investigation. Anyone with additional information regarding the crash can contact the Jackson County Sheriffs Office at (228) 769-3063. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded $3 million for a Forest Legacy project in Washington County during its latest round of funding. Dubbed the Zion Connectivity Project due to its proximity to Zion National Park, the project aims to preserve forested areas from potential fragmentation or development through conservation easements. According to the USDA website, a conservation easement allows the land to remain in private ownership while ensuring that its environmental values are retained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Natalie Conlin, the Forest Legacy program manager for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, said the location of the project, combined with its wildlife assets and numerous springs, garnered strong support. The Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands will use the funding to purchase conservation easements in two properties totaling 766 acres. Landowners receive economic compensation to keep their forests as forests. Thanks to the efforts of these private landowners and The Conservation Fund, protecting this important forested area was recognized as a priority to the national program, Conlin said. A conservation area full of life The land in the Zion Connectivity Project is home to California condors the largest land bird in North America. After becoming extinct in the wild in 1987, the condors were placed in a captive breeding program and later reintroduced, reaching a total population of over 500 today, both captive and free-flying across the different location. The presence of the California condor in southern Utah makes this area a critical habitat for its preservation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, the project contains 4 miles of streams, including a half-mile segment of the La Verkin Creek, a tributary to the Virgin River, which was designated as a National Wild and Scenic River in 2009. The Virgin River winds through the desert near Virgin, Washington County, on Friday, April 9, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News La Verkin Creek provides direct benefits to six native fish species, including the federally endangered Virgin River chub and woundfin, as well as the state-listed Virgin spinedace and flannelmouth sucker. As part of the Upper Virgin watershed, preserving this area ensures wildlife will continue to have access to these stream flows and ponds during their migration from lower desert elevations. Both conservation easements are crucial for the local wildlife habitat. The project site links nearby big game migration corridors, offering summer range for deer and elk, and provides year-round habitat for black bears and dusky grouse. The project area includes old-growth ponderosa pines that are unique to this region. These ancient trees offer food and nesting cover for wildlife and possess resistance to wildfires. Alongside two other Forest Legacy projects (Zion Overlook and Viewtop) and protected lands La Verkin and Taylor Creek BLM Wilderness Area, the Zion Connectivity Project will form a 1,752-acre link of protected lands north of Zion National Park. FORT PIERCE, Fla. (WFLA) Three people were rescued Sunday night after their plane crashed off Floridas Atlantic coast. The Indian River Shores Police Department told federal officials that a single-engine plane crashed about three to four miles offshore, according to a report from NBC affiliate WPTV. VIDEOS: Tampa battered by quarter-sized hail An Indian River County Sheriffs Office helicopter spotted the crash survivors in the water and guided rescue crews to their location. U.S. Customs and Border Protection crews pulled three people from the water just before 10 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were taken to the U.S. Coast Guard station in Fort Pierce and were checked over by medical personnel. The plane departed from Palm Coast and was heading for the Vero Beach airport when it crashed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WENATCHEE, Wash. (WJW) Authorities in Washington state are searching for three young sisters who didnt return home after a planned visitation with their father. According to a press release from the Wenatchee Police Department, all three girls were last seen around 5 p.m. on May 30 when they left their home with their father. Officials are now asking for help in finding the girls, who are unable to return home on their own. Kent State to close LGBTQ+, womens, multicultural centers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have not returned, and contact cannot be made with the father, police said. According to the release, the father is homeless and lives in his vehicle or at various hotels, motels and campgrounds. He was identified as Travis Decker. It is not normal for Decker to go outside of the parameters of the parenting plan, police said, and it is a cause for alarm, they added. The current investigation has not met AMBER Alert criteria, but the situation is being monitored closely, the release said. Armed man wanted after deadly shooting in Ashtabula County An Endangered Missing Person Alert has been issued by the Washington State Patrol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wenatchee Police Department asks that anyone who sees the victims or the father call 911 or RiverCom at 509-663-9911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Three top Trump administration officials were in Alaskas North Slope on Monday morning, looking to open up more oil drilling and revamping a stalled natural gas project in the state. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin and Energy Secretary Chris Wright spent the day at the northernmost point of Alaska in Utqiagvik, an Arctic town looking to benefit economically from the administrations goals for investments in the energy industry. Burgum, speaking with Fox News from the region, said theres land the size of Montana in Alaskas Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve that President Donald Trump has set free for energy development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats and Republicans have been fighting over the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for decades, with Republican administrations opening it up for energy development followed by Democratic presidents shuttering projects in order to protect wildlife in the area. The Kaktovik Lagoon and the Brooks Range mountains of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge are seen in Kaktovik, Alaska, Oct. 15, 2024. | Lindsey Wasson In Alaska with @SecretaryWright to highlight key areas set free by @POTUS as part of his effective Energy Dominance strategy. Smart and safe development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge will strengthen U.S. national security and pic.twitter.com/h0ohcSDsOL Secretary Doug Burgum (@SecretaryBurgum) June 2, 2025 Trump signed an executive order earlier this year that sought to boost oil and gas drilling, mining and lodging in Alaska. While environmentalists have criticized the order over possible effects on the climate, local leaders support it because of the potential for economic gains in the area. These folks up here, they care about the land, they care about the wildlife, they care about their communities, Burgum said. They know that this development can be done safely and smartly here. Zeldin agreed. He told CNBC on Sunday that protecting the environment and economic prosperity is not a binary choice. This image taken through a window of a plane shows wind turbines in Deadhorse, Alaska, on Monday, June 2, 2025. | Jenny Kane The Trump administration chooses both. The people who live here, who clearly care very much about their own environment, this is where they live, they are choosing both, Zeldin said. This isnt a binary choice for the people in North Slope. They choose, protecting their environment and growing their economy. Currently at the northern most point of the US in Alaska where the Trump Admin is full steam ahead to help residents tap into the full potential of their enormous domestic energy supply. pic.twitter.com/I7Llm336CC Lee Zeldin (@epaleezeldin) June 2, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three Cabinet officials celebrated Trumps attempts to make the U.S. energy independent and energy dominant. The completion of an 800-mile natural gas pipeline would do just that for the U.S, the officials said. Some Asian countries are looking to invest in the project as they look to improve their standing with Trump ahead of trying to reach a trade deal with the administration, CNBC reported. We have an opportunity to sell energy to these Pacific allies. We can sell energy to our friends and allies so they dont have to buy it from our adversaries and thats a key part of President Trumps energy dominance strategy, Burgum said. In a release Monday, the Interior Department announced, in accordance with Trumps order, it would be rescinding the Biden-era 2024 rule restricting development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. The rule prioritized obstruction over production when America needs to be energy independent and produce more, Burgum said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the states efforts to develop its natural gas resources is not new, the appearance of three Cabinet officials in Alaska shows significant support from the administration for the project. According to Alaska LNG, the project seeks to use clean, energy-efficient, and safe production methods to deliver natural gas for commercialization and distribution within the state. The project estimates land in North Slope would deliver about 3.5 billion cubic feet of gas each day, with much of it going to international customers and to heat Alaskan homes. The administration officials met Sunday with various groups as well as U.S. Sens. Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski in Anchorage before traveling to North Slope. They also joined the National Energy Dominance Council and officials from Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines at the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System for a press conference to highlight the countrys oil pumping system and next era of energy development in the state. HAPPENING NOW @SecretaryWright joins the National Energy Dominance Council at the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System for a rally with Alaskan energy workers! https://t.co/thWBYroiv3 U.S. Department of Energy (@ENERGY) June 2, 2025 They will also appear at Gov. Mike Dunleavys annual energy conference in Anchorage on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wright celebrated the administrations efforts during the press conference and in several posts online. He said Trump has unleashed and taken off the handcuffs of Alaskas energy capabilities. The state is the poster child of Trumps vision to make American energy dominant because it has both the oil and natural gas resources, he said. President Trump wants to see the flows through taps, doubled. The oil is here. The discoveries are here. If we free Alaska and the people here, were going to more than double the oil flow through the pipeline and build the big, beautiful twin, the natural gas pipeline from the North Slope, Wright said Monday. Today, oil is the largest source of energy on the planet, and the fastest growing source of energy on the planet is natural gas, he continued. You have the big two right here. When most people think of how governments stifle free speech, they think of censorship. Thats when a government directly blocks or suppresses speech. In the past, the federal government has censored speech in various ways. It has tried to block news outlets from publishing certain stories. It has punished political dissenters. It has banned sales of obscene books. Today, however, the federal government rarely tries to censor speech so crudely. It has less blatant but very effective ways to suppress dissent. The current actions of the Trump administration show how government can silence speakers without censoring them. My quarter century of research and writing about First Amendment rights has explored the varied tools that governments use to smother free expression. Among the present administrations chosen tools are making institutions stop or change their advocacy to get government benefits; inducing self-censorship through intimidation; and molding the governments own speech to promote official ideology. A page from the CDCs website, where the Trump administration states that it rejects the gender ideology presented on the page. CDC.gov Using benefits to coerce speech The Supreme Court has made clear that the First Amendment bars the government from conditioning benefits on the sacrifice of free speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Government employers may not refuse to hire employees of the opposing political party, nor may they stop employees from speaking publicly about political issues. The government may not stop funding nonprofits because they refuse to endorse official policies, or because they make arguments the government opposes. The First Amendment, however, works only if someone asks a court to enforce it, or at least threatens to do so. The Trump administration has issued orders that withdraw security clearances, cancel government contracts and bar access to government buildings for law firms that have opposed the administrations policies or have advocated diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI. Some law firms have sued to block the orders. More firms, however, have made deals with the administration, agreeing to end DEI programs and to do free legal work for conservative causes. The administration similarly has withheld funding from universities that embrace DEI or that, by the administrations account, have fomented or tolerated antisemitism. Harvard University has resisted that pressure. But Columbia University has capitulated to President Donald Trumps demands that include cracking down on protests, giving university officials more control over controversial academic programs and hiring more conservative professors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court may ultimately declare the administrations gambits unconstitutional, but it has already succeeded in leveraging government benefits to make major institutions change their speech. Intimidating speakers into silence First Amendment law also restricts government actions that deter or chill expression rather than squarely banning it. That means the government may not regulate speech through vague laws that leave lawful speakers uncertain whether the regulation reaches them. For example, the Supreme Court in 1971 struck down a Cincinnati, Ohio, ordinance that criminalized any public assembly the city deemed annoying. Likewise, the government may not make people disclose their identities as a requirement for acquiring controversial literature or for supporting unpopular causes. In the classic case, the Supreme Court during the civil rights era blocked Alabama from making the NAACP disclose its membership list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chilling of speech is hard to detect, but the current public climate strongly suggests that the Trump administration has plunged the thermostat. College and university campuses, which rumbled in spring 2024 with protests against the Gaza war, have gone largely quiet. Large corporations that challenged the first Trump presidency have fallen into line behind the second. Big liberal donors have folded up their wallets. Some of that dampening likely reflects fatigue and resignation. Much of it, though, appears to reveal successful intimidation. The administration has proclaimed that it is deporting noncitizen students, using their lawful speech as justification. While those expulsions themselves are classic censorship, their hidden reach may stifle more speech than their immediate grasp. Noncitizens are legally attractive targets for government censorship because courts largely defer to the president on matters of national security and immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration could not lawfully treat U.S. citizens as it is treating, lawfully or not, foreign nationals. But most citizens dont know that. The vivid spectacle of punished dissenters seems likely to chill other dissenters. Whitewashing government speech The First Amendment only bars the government from controlling private speech. When the government speaks, it can say what it wants. That means people who speak for the government lack any First Amendment right to replace the governments messages with their own. In theory, then, every new federal administration could sweepingly turn government institutions speech into narrow propaganda. That hasnt happened before, perhaps because most governments realize they are just temporary custodians of an abiding republic. The Trump administration has broken this norm. The administration has ordered the purging of ideologically disfavored content from the Smithsonian museums, implemented book bans in military libraries and installed political supporters to run cultural institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of those actions likely violates the First Amendment. All of them, however, have significant implications for free speech. In what may be the most quoted line in the First Amendment legal canon, Justice Robert Jackson declared in 1943 that government should never prescribe what shall be orthodox in matters of opinion. A 21st-century federal government can dramatically skew public discourse by honing government speech with the flint of official ideology. Trump has assigned Vice President JD Vance, who sits on the Smithsonians board, the role of seeking to remove improper ideology. If Vance decides what the Smithsonian can and cannot say about slavery and Jim Crow, then the Smithsonian will teach people only what Vance wants them to learn about those subjects. That influential source of knowledge will push public discussion toward the governments ideology. When government beneficiaries agree to say what the president wants, when the government intimidates speakers to silence themselves, and when the government sharpens its own speech into propaganda, no censorship happens. But in all those scenarios, the government is doing exactly what justifies fear of censorship and what First Amendment law exists to prevent: using official power to make speech less free. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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: Gregory P. Magarian, Washington University in St. Louis Read more: Gregory P. Magarian 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. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced Monday that four men from L.A. County were arrested for allegedly conspiring to distribute vast quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl. The seven-count federal indictment comes after the DEAs Los Angeles Field Division conducted a raid at a safehouse in Compton and seized millions of dollars worth of drug proceeds, contraband and weapons, according to a DEA release. Investigators located the following during the raid: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 785 kg (1,730 pounds) of methamphetamine 108 kg (238 pounds) of cocaine 117 kg (257 pounds) of powder fentanyl Approximately 360,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills Approximately $1,642,371 in drug proceeds 13 firearms 7 vehicles Each of the four defendants all of whom are residents of L.A. County was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. All four were arrested on May 28 and pleaded not guilty at their arraignment the next day. They have been identified as: Jesse Lopez-Martinez, 27, of Long Beach (aka Gordo) Carlos Mendoza Jr., 32, of Compton (aka Los) Hector Merced Parra Jr., 25, of South Gate (no known alias) Juan Francisco Felix Salazar, 28, of Whittier (aka Panchito) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the men are facing additional charges; Lopez-Martinez is charged with another two counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances while Mendoza also received an additional count of possession with intent to distribute, as well as a count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and a count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Man, 22, arrested in connection with fatal shooting of civilian, Baldwin Park police officer Mendoza is not permitted to legally possess a firearm due to his 2012 felony drug transportation conviction in L.A. County, the DEA said in their media release. A federal magistrate judge ordered both men to be jailed without bond, while Parra and Felix were released on bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The four men, according to the indictment filed on May 22, used coded language while communicating via FaceTime and Snapchat to conduct their criminal activities, some of which happened at a local restaurant, federal officials said. Lopez-Martinez and Felix negotiated the sale of controlled substances with drug customers. Mendoza stored and safeguarded controlled substances at a residence on Wilmington Avenue in Compton, the DEAs media release states. Lopez-Martinez arranged the delivery of controlled substances to drug customers [while he] and Mendoza transported methamphetamine. Lopez-Martinez and Felix supplied fentanyl to others, including Parra, for further distribution, the media release continues. Parra received fentanyl on consignment from Felix for further distribution. Do you know anything? 45-year-old Orange County cold case remains unsolved Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A trial date of July 21 has been set for the case. Special Agent in Charge of the DEAs Los Angeles Field Division Matthew Allen was firm in his stance on the arrests and charges filed. The men and women of DEA will show zero tolerance for drug criminals, who continue to poison and devastate our communities, Allen said per the DEA release. Collaboration between DEA and law enforcement partners at all levels has never been more resolute. Were going to find you, shut down your activities and ensure you face the full force of the law. If convicted of all charges, each defendant would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Four people were rescued from the currents of the Great Miami River after reportedly losing their boat Sunday evening. According to Tipp City Fire and EMS, crews were dispatched around 7:26 p.m. June 1 to the 2300 block of West Charleston Road, in Bethel Township, on report of two adults stuck in the river. Mutual aid from Vandalia Fire and Huber Heights Fire convened on the area as well, leading to the rescue of four people in total. Two people trapped in the water were wearing life jackets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The river is a wonderful place to recreate. Moving water and changing conditions can create hazards. We suggest that all boaters, kayakers and floaters utilize a flotation device, Tipp City Fire and EMS said. No injuries were reported. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DUNMORE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Officials tell 28/22 News a sinkhole opened up in the backyard of a Dunmore home Sunday afternoon. Dunmore Police Sergeant Stephon Burgette told 28/22 News the sinkhole was reported by the residents near the intersection of College Avenue and Jefferson Avenue at about 5:15 p.m. after they returned home and found the hole. Police investigating body found in Susquehanna River Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say the sinkhole was about 40 feet deep, and crews worked to fill it Sunday night. Residents were evacuated from their homes, but were able to return about 20 minutes later, according to authorities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Little Read Book, an independent bookstore that's been in the Wauwatosa Village for four decades, will close July 18. Owner Linda Burg told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel she and Fred Burg, her co-owner and husband, have long talked about when the right time would be to close, and there's still no right answer. "Neither of us are sick, neither of us are tired of selling books," she said. They are, however, ready to "not have responsibilities, and spend time with their eight grandchildren, who span in age from elementary school to college. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All inventory at the bookstore at 7603 W. State St. will be on sale beginning June 15 until the bookstore closes, the Village of Wauwatosa announced in a news release June 2. Co-owners Linda Burg (right) and Fred Burg are closing their independent bookstore The Little Read Book, 7603 W. State St., in July. Linda Burg first opened the shop in July 1985 south of the train tracks on Harwood Avenue in what was most recently Firefly Tosa's kitchen. The bookstore relocated to its current location in 1989. In recent years, Fred Burg began helping with the store after he retired from social work. Linda Burg has sold books to three generations of customers in families who continued to frequent the shop through the years, according to the release. The shop closed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, "but we sold books out the side door, and people would come with their masks on," Linda Burg said. "The most I can wish for any independent bookstore is to have a customer base as loyal as ours has been," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burg never wanted to open another location of The Little Read Book, despite multiple opportunities to do so. "My kid couldnt have jumped on his bike and come have a sandwich with me anywhere else, Burg said in the release. Were just a local mom and pop store. We never wanted to be anything else. It's not yet clear what the State Street building will become after the bookstore closes. National salad chain restaurant Sweetgreen had eyed the longtime bookstore's lot for a new location in 2023, but is no longer interested in the space, according to a representative from the Village of Wauwatosa. The Burgs sold the building to a new landlord a couple years back. Linda Burg said she's not sure what will take over the space, but so far it doesn't sound like any book sales will fill the void. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our incredible sadness is we have not found anybody that wants to put a bookstore in," Linda Burg said. "Weve almost wanted to give the bookstore to someone. The bookstore hours may vary, but it is typically open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call the bookstore at 414-774 2665 to check on hours before the July 18 closure. (This story was updated to add new information.) Bridget Fogarty covers Brookfield, Wauwatosa and Elm Grove for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be contacted at bfogarty@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: The Little Read Book store in the Tosa Village will close in July BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Events will be held in Azerbaijan's Lachin city as part of the official opening ceremony of the "CIS Cultural Capital2025" year, organized by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan and the Special Representative Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Lachin district, the Ministry of Culture said, Trend reports. On this occasion, official delegations, representatives of the arts, artistic groups, and media from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member countries arrived in Lachin on June 2. According to the decision of the CIS Council for Humanitarian Cooperation dated October 8, 2024, the city of Lachin was declared the "CIS Cultural Capital for 2025". Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel AUSTIN (KXAN) This session, Texas lawmakers filed around 50 bills sparked by or following KXAN investigations on a wide range of important topics from schools and health care to criminal justice and constitutional law. Many of those advanced far in the legislative process, while a handful even made it Gov. Greg Abbotts desk and will likely become law. SB 1437 / SB 571: Misconduct Concerns Two bills related to the states Do Not Hire registries made it to the governor. He already signed Senate Bill 1437 into law, allowing the Texas Juvenile Justice Department to designate former employees or volunteers permanently ineligible for certification if they engage in conduct that threatens juvenile safety. The other expected to be signed is Senate Bill 571, which expands the Texas Education Agencys authority to investigate volunteers and third-part contractors who work on school campuses and are accused of misconduct. These bills were filed after KXAN revealed a juvenile corrections officer was able to get a tutoring job at an Austin ISD campus while under investigation for sexual misconduct by a state agency. SB 1 Provision: Crime Victim Payments Part of Senate Bill 1, the budget bill sent to the governor, includes a change to the states crime victim compensation fund, which pays victims and their loved ones for recovery costs and other items like funeral expenses. It requires the Texas attorney generals office, which manages the fund, to give a more accurate picture of how quickly victims are paid and how well the program is working. It comes after KXAN discovered a flawed data formula was showing a much shorter wait time than the actual eight-month average to receive a first payment. The new law aims to have that happen in under 90 days. SB 1403: Child Support Payments Another bill signed by the governor that will impact the attorney generals office is Senate Bill 1403, dealing with the agencys child support division. It allows the attorney general to speed up procedures to cut down on unnecessary delays in delivering child support payments. The agency will also now be able to get information directly to families at courthouses and on its website. The measure comes after a KXAN investigation highlighted concerns from parents owed billions of dollars in child support. SB 378: Botox Party Bill A measure pushing Botox patient safety and transparency will not become law, after the governor issued a veto Monday, the final day of the session. Senate Bill 378 would have prohibited barbers, cosmetologists and estheticians from administering Botox and other injectables unless they were licensed or authorized to give the shots. It also would have given the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation more disciplinary authority over those professionals. Several Texas estheticians and injectors registered their opposition to the bill this session. KXANs reporting revealed anyone in Texas can become certified to do injections, including Botox, and highlighted the lack of oversight concerning medical experts. In his veto the first of a Senate bill this session Gov. Abbott called the measure unnecessary and overly-burdensome for business in Texas. Near Misses, Still Making Impact Another measure, Senate Bill 660, related to patient safety and sparked by a KXAN investigation didnt make it over the legislative finish line. The hospital security measure cleared the Senate but stalled in a House committee. In its original form, it would have required hospitals to have security barriers at their entrances statewide. The bill was filed after KXANs coverage of a deadly crash into an Austin emergency room last year, which led to a local ordinance requiring those devices at all new hospitals in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state legislation, however, met heavy resistance from the Texas Hospital Association, largely over costs, even as lawmakers used KXANs data to illustrate the frequency of these kinds of crashes into medical centers. The dataset now lists more than 580 over the last decade nationwide many of those in Texas. The bills author, Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, said he plans to re-file next session. Another medical-related bill filed after KXANs reporting would have expanded the use of medical examiners for death investigations in more counties across Texas. It came after we revealed most counties dont have medical examiners doctors trained for that purpose and instead rely on elected justices of the peace who often lack expertise in this area. Senate Bill 1370 died along with many other bills at a midnight House deadline in the sessions final week, just one step from the governors desk. But its sponsor, Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, tells KXAN he plans to call for an interim charge to study how to attract more doctors with this expertise to fill the growing need in Texas ahead of the next session. Also, looking ahead to next session, the author of House Bill 1738, Rep. Venton Jones, D-Dallas, said he plans to re-file his legislation aimed at repealing the states unconstitutional ban on homosexual conduct. KXANs analysis shows, since the 1980s, there have been at least 60 attempts to do just that most of those since the U.S. Supreme Courts 2003 ruling struck down the law as unenforceable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 1978, which was filed after a KXAN investigation, made it further in the legislative process than any of those past bills. Critics say leaving the old law on the books allows for police and policymakers misinterpretation of it. The governor has until June 22 to sign, veto or allow bills to become law without his signature. Several this session including others on open government and state hospital beds started with KXAN viewer tips. If you have something you think we should investigate, reach out to our investigative team. The following KXAN journalists contributed to this report: Digital Data Reporter Christopher Adams, Senior Investigative Producer David Barer, Investigative Photojournalist Richie Bowes, Investigative Reporter Arezow Doost, Investigative Reporter Matt Grant, Investigative Producer Dalton Huey, Investigative Photojournalist Chris Nelson, Digital Special Projects Developer Robert Sims, Investigative Reporter Kelly Wiley and Digital Director Kate Winkle. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) Senior centers can send applications to the Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) for grant funding, a state spokesperson said. The Tennessee General Assembly has set aside $5 million in one-time funding for senior centers throughout the state. This money is meant to help give older adults access to resources, activities and social connections. It can be spent on goals including: Capital Projects, such as building improvements and equipment Marketing Programming and activities Routine operating expenses other than staff salaries Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Applications are due by 4 p.m. central time on August 8, and centers have to spend the funding by March 31, 2027. Centers can apply for funding between $10,000 and $50,000. Morristown hosts the Tennessee State Disc Golf Championships Individuals and long-term care/assisted living facilities are not included. The state gave the following qualifications for centers: A single-purpose agency with programs and activities designed and operated only for the benefit of adults aged 60 and over; or A multi-purpose agency with a broad spectrum of services, which shall include provisions of health, social, nutritional, and educational services, and the provision of facilities for recreational activities for adults aged 60 and over; and, An organization with established programming that provides a minimum of 16 hours a month of activities or services specifically targeted for adults 60 and over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement READ: More top stories on WATE.com DDA is committed to ensuring senior centers in both rural and urban communities across the state are vibrant and thriving, said DDA Commissioner Brad Turner. We hope this funding can help enhance the offerings, improve equipment, modernize buildings, and ensure that our senior centers continue to be spaces where older adults can access resources, connect with their peers, and enjoy a wide range of activities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN YSIDRO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) Several lanes on southbound Interstate 5 at the San Ysidro Port of Entry experienced traffic delays for some time Monday due to a demonstration in Mexico, according to the California Highway Patrol. A Sig Alert was issued for congestion caused by the demonstration around 11 a.m. as the protest began on the other side of the border. Shortly after 12:30 p.m., Caltrans announced that all lanes of I-5 had reopened. See real-time road conditions on the FOX 5/KUSI Live Traffic Map Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As reported by Baja News, the demonstration is part of a nationwide strike called for by the National Coordinator of Education Workers, as they are pressing for better wages and other benefits. During the partial closure of southbound I-5, traffic was moderately backed up on the U.S. side of the border. Drivers were advised by CHP to use alternate routes and plan accordingly to arrive at your destination in a safe and timely manner. Traffic delayed near the San Ysidro Port of Entry due to a demonstration in Mexico, according to authorities. Traffic delayed near the San Ysidro Port of Entry due to a demonstration in Mexico, according to authorities. Traffic delayed near the San Ysidro Port of Entry due to a demonstration in Mexico, according to authorities. Traffic delayed near the San Ysidro Port of Entry due to a demonstration in Mexico, according to authorities. This is the second time teachers in Baja California shut down the San Ysidro Port of Entry as part of a demonstration. Last August, the northbound lanes of the border crossing were shut down for more than an hour to call on the Baja government to make good on a negotiated pay hike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. The Russian delegation handed Ukraine a so-called "peace memorandum" with its proposals for a ceasefire during the second round of peace talks in Istanbul, Russian-state media outlet TASS reported on June 2, publishing the alleged document. The Russian memorandum began circulating online following the talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, during which the parties again failed to reach a ceasefire. Among Russia's key demands, according to the document, is the official recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea, as well as the annexation of Ukraine's Kherson, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk oblasts, none of which Moscow controls in full. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia demanded the complete withdrawal of all troops from Kherson, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk oblasts, followed by a demobilization in Ukraine. Moscow's other demands include that Ukraine sticks to its neutral status, abandoning its aspirations to join NATO and other possible military alliances, a ban on the redeployment of Ukrainian troops, and an official end to Western arms supplies and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. According to the document, Ukraine must abandon its claims for compensation for damages, guarantee amnesty for "political prisoners," make Russian the official language of Ukraine. No foreign troops to be deployed in Ukraine, according to the document, which effectively goes against the European porposal for a potential peacekeeping force in the country following the end of an active phase of the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the talks in Istanbul, the Ukrainian delegation also presented a peace proposal, which included a prisoner swap in an all-for-all format, the reutrn of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, as well as the release of all civilians held in Russian captivity. According to the Ukrainian proposal seen by the Kyiv Independent, Kyiv would retain its right to join the EU and NATO. Ukraine also highlighted the need for security guarantees to avoid further Russian invasion. In the meantime, frozen Russian assets must be used to rebuild Ukraine and pay reparations, while some of the sanctions against Russia may be lifted if a ceasefire is achieved. Read also: Operation Spiderweb everything we know about Ukraines audacious attack on Russias heavy bombers Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine's latest attack on Russian airfields has written a new chapter for drone tactics. Operatives snuck the drones into Russia and remotely launched them near bases, Ukraine said. These tactics highlight vulnerabilities for the world's most advanced militaries. The new tactics deployed by Ukraine in striking a reported 41 Russian warplanes have devastating implications not only for Russia's air power but for all advanced militaries, defense experts told Business Insider. "This attack is a window to future war," said James Patton Rogers, a drone expert who's the executive director of the Cornell Brooks Tech Policy Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has attacked Russia with drones many times before. But on Sunday, its Security Service, or SBU, targeted four Russian airfields simultaneously with a wildly creative gambit it dubbed "Operation Spiderweb." The SBU said operatives smuggled the military quadcopters into Russia, later packing them into wooden house-like structures. These were then mounted on trucks, which were driven close to the airfields, where the drones were launched, causing a reported $7 billion in damage. The proximity and number of small attack drones appear to have given air defense crews little, if any, chance to respond. While details of the attack need to be independently confirmed, initial visual information suggests that this is "a stunning success for Ukraine's special services," said Justin Bronk, an influential air power expert at the Royal United Services Institute. Here's what it could mean for Russia and the Ukraine war and the rest of the world. Ukraine's Security Service used containers carried on trucks to smuggle attack drones near Russian military bases. EYEPRESS via Reuters Connect Limiting conventional air defences Ukraine's previous drone attacks have frequently been countered by Russia's advanced air defense systems, such as its S-300 and S-400 missile launchers. But, it seems, these latest drones didn't need to run the S-400 gauntlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SBU said that rather than flying larger, long-range drones through Russian airspace from Ukraine, it trucked the containers out to the airfields, activating the smuggled drones after remotely retracting the roofs to release them. With a much-shortened and simplified journey to their target, the drones struck warplanes at the airfields of Belaya, Diaghilev, Olenya, and Ivanovo, the SBU said. A powerful statement of Ukraine going it alone Lithuania's former foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said on Monday that the attack showed Ukraine's ability to innovate and surprise the world. "Its scale and ingenuity carried out without visible Western intelligence or logistical support suggests Ukraine is now less reliant on outside help," he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Ukraine's Western backers, such as the US, have resisted providing the weaponry and intelligence Ukraine has sought for retaliation against Russian bases, from which it launches regular attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and defensive lines.) Powered largely by domestically produced armaments, Ukraine once again innovated "while the world talks, hosts meetings, and forms yet another 'coalition of the willing,'" Landsbergis wrote. "Ukraine is preparing to fight on its own terms," he added. "If you ever wondered what strategic autonomy looks like this might be it." Ukraine showed that a fleet of $150 million bombers on a runway can be made prey to the kind of cheap drones modified slightly from racing and wedding photos. It enables Ukraine to hit deeper into Russia Prior to these coordinated strikes, Ukraine's drone attacks on Russia have reached as far as 1,100 miles from their shared border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That distance is dwarfed by the reach of Sunday's attack, where the farthest airfield, at Belaya in the eastern-central Irkutsk region, was more than 2,500 miles from Ukraine. Russia most likely viewed bases far from Ukraine as being at less risk of attack. Bronk said that even if only half of the reported 41 planes were damaged or destroyed, it would have a "significant impact" on Russia's ability to launch long-range cruise missile attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure. Bronk estimates that Russia had about 60 active Tu-95 "Bear" bombers and about 20 Tu-160 "Blackjack" bombers involved in this aerial campaign, and he said replacing damaged planes would be a huge challenge, as production on both models has either slowed or halted completely in recent decades. An image from a Ukrainian drone shows the large-scale attack on Russian military bombers in Siberia on Sunday. EYEPRESS via Reuters Connect No hard shelter for planes Videos and images from the attack show that the planes were parked in the open air, outside any shelter. This may have made them an easy target. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Satellite images have suggested that this is a point of some anxiety for Russia, which appears to have tried to pile tires onto the wings of its bombers to try to trick visual guidance systems. An aircraft on the ground is highly vulnerable to attack and is wholly dependent on airborne aircraft and nearby air defenses. Russia isn't the only country with this issue. While China is reported to have enough hardened air shelters to house the majority of its combat aircraft, the US has invested far less in this capability. A US F-16 fighter jet in a hardened shelter at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany in 2025. Senior Airman Demi M. Ebert/US Air Force 'Sleeper' drones Ukraine didn't detail how it successfully smuggled the drones past Russian authorities. But the fact that it did so "highlights the vulnerability of Russian transport and logistics system," Patton Rogers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The question for Russia must be, how many more are lying in wait?" he said. At the same time, Russia has shown itself quick to learn throughout the war, which could worry the West. The attack is a "stark reminder" of a new phase in war, Karl Rosander, the CEO and cofounder of the Swedish defence tech startup Nordic Air Defence, said in emailed comments. "One where drones can be covertly deployed and lie dormant behind enemy lines, waiting to strike." It's "only a matter of time" before the tactic is taken up by Russia and other hostile state actors, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The implications of this are wide-ranging. An air base needs a combination of armored shelters for aircraft, electronic jammers to disrupt drone guidance systems, and enough missiles or guns to shoot them down. All are costs measured in billions of dollars and Ukraine has just devised a new threat costing in the mere thousands. Patton Rogers questioned how vulnerable NATO air bases are to such attacks, while pointing out how the tactic could be adopted elsewhere. "Drones won't be confined to a set battlefield," he said. While long-range drones will continue to strike, weaponized short-range drones will be "hidden and waiting for launch" to attack deep inside adversary territory, he said, adding: "The question is, are NATO allies ready for this new reality?" Read the original article on Business Insider MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man accused of driving recklessly in downtown Memphis in a stolen car while in possession of drugs and a stolen gun was granted a $50,000 bond Monday. Gavin Robinson, 28, was arrested early Sunday morning at Union and Fourth Street, where police said he was doing donuts in a stolen black Charger near pedestrians. Gavin Robinson (SCSO) MPD said they received a complaint about several vehicles driving recklessly at that location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers said when they arrived on the scene, they saw a black 2021 Dodge Charger revving the engine and traveling in a circular motion, accelerate, lose traction, and nearly hit other vehicles. Tire marks at Union and Fourth Photo by Melissa Moon Tire marks at Union and Fourth Photo by Melissa Moon Tire marks at Union and Fourth Photo by Melissa Moon Police deployed stop sticks and said Robinson bailed out of the Charger after it became disabled. He was arrested while allegedly attempting to flee the scene on foot. The Charger came back as stolen from Atoka, Tennessee. According to police, an anonymous tipster reported seeing Robinson throw a black backpack near a dumpster. Agency optimistic for new grocery north of downtown Officers located the backpack and said it contained money, cocaine, fentanyl, and a scale. Police said they also found a Glock 17 handgun next to the backpack, which was stolen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robinson was charged with two counts of theft of property, reckless driving, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, and evading arrest. He is set to appear in court on Tuesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. All eastbound lanes of Interstate 595 between State Road 7 and I-95 will be shut down overnight Tuesday and Wednesday, and the Florida Highway Patrol will be diverting traffic. The closures will give construction crews the opportunity to install new overhead signs, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. Starting at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, one eastbound lane will be closed on I-595 east starting at the State Road 7/U.S. 441 exit, according to the department of transportation. A second lane will close an hour later, followed by all lanes starting at 11 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eastbound traffic will be diverted to southbound State Road 7, where they can turn east on Griffin Road and north on Interstate 95. From there, drivers can return to eastbound 595 north of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. State Road 84 will serve as an alternate detour. All lanes will reopen by 4 a.m. Wednesday. The closure pattern will repeat on Wednesday night into Thursday morning. If the work is not complete, an additional closure might be announced for Thursday night into Friday morning. Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com. Lesley Stahl, who has spent decades as a correspondent for the seminal Sunday night newsmagazine 60 Minutes, is making it clear that she is angry with her corporate boss for looking to settle Donald Trumps frivolous civil lawsuit against CBS News. The legendary newswoman also said she is pessimistic about the future of 60 Minutes, adding that were in very dark times and that shes already preemptively mourning the potential destruction of the long-running program amid an upcoming merger and the presidents attacks on legacy media. In a wide-ranging conversation with The New Yorkers chief editor David Remnick, Stahl sounded off on CBS parent company Paramount's efforts to make Trumps $20 billion lawsuit over the way 60 Minutes edited an interview with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, which the president contends was done deceitfully to interfere in the 2024 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Trumps return to the White House, Paramounts top shareholder Shari Redstone has pushed for a settlement as the company needs the administrations approval for an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, which pro-Trump business mogul Larry Ellison backs. Additionally, Redstone has not only pressured 60 Minutes to ease up on its Trump coverage amid the lawsuit and merger drama, but also criticized the show over the way it's covered the Gaza war. Amid the discussions with Trumps legal team about a settlement, 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens and CBS News chief Wendy McMahon who had said they would not apologize as part of any deal with the president abruptly resigned. Paramounts board has reportedly offered Trump a $15 million settlement, which is in line with ABC News capitulation to the president, but Trump is demanding at least $25 million and an apology. Longtime 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl said she is angry with Paramount chair Shari Redstone for pushing to settle a frivolous lawsuit with President Donald Trump. (AP) Asked by Remnick what is behind the presidents lawsuit, Stahl who has interviewed Trump four times said that it is an effort to chill us, noting that there arent any damages suffered by Trump. I mean, he accused us of editing Kamala Harris in a way to help her win the election. But he won the election, she added. Trumps legal team has since argued in court that the interview caused the president mental anguish. Labeling it as a frivolous lawsuit, Stahl went on to describe Owens as a hero to the newsroom while lobbing criticisms towards Redstone over the 60 Minutes producer feeling the need to step down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [H]e was being asked to either not run pieces or to change parts of the stories, and he was standing up to that. I dont know, frankly, if there was one request that led to it or just an accumulation, one after the next, she said. That was just painful. Painful, she continued, speaking about Owens resignation. Everybody at 60 MinutesI think everybody, most of usreally appreciated his standing up to the pressure, and saw him in heroic terms. So when he announced that he was stepping down, it was a punch in the stomach. It was one of those punches where you almost cant breathe. Adding that McMahon had also served as an intermediary between us and the corporation, and she sided with CBS News, Stahl then expressed disappointment over the likelihood that Paramount will settle with the president. Are you angry at Shari Redstone? Remnick wondered, prompting Stahl to reply: Yes, I think I am. I think I am. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, though, the veteran CBS reporter said that while Owens being forced out may have been a bridge too far for much of the staff, she claimed he urged everyone on the show to stay. Bill Owens leaving was a line, and here we all are, she stated. He asked us not to resign. He explicitly asked us not to resign. Because it was discussed that we would leave en masse. Lesley Stahl, seen here interviewing Donald Trump, called it a hard thing that the corporate overlords are placing pressure on 60 Minutes over its coverage. (CBS News/60 Minutes) Stahl also said it was hard and not a small thing that Redstone had been applying pressure on the news division over its coverage, making her wonder if any corporation should own a news operation going forward. It is very disconcerting, she proclaimed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for CBS News new corporate overlords at Skydance if the merger goes through, Stahl said shes praying and hoping that they'd allow the network to be independent and for journalists to do their jobs. Still, she acknowledged that it could be a little Pollyannaish to believe that will be the outcome. Im not optimistic. I am not. Im pessimistic, she told Remnick. Im pessimistic about the future for all press today. The public doesnt trust us. The public has lost faith in us as an institution. So were in very dark times. Stahl also expressed concern about the fragility of press institutions as a whole, especially with mega-billionaires and large conglomerations pressuring the news organizations they own to soften their coverage of the current administration while they cozy up to the president. The pain in my heart is that the public does not appreciate the importance of a free and strong and tough press in our democracy, she lamented, adding: We are a headache. An expensive headache. And thats part of the fragility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid the continued push to reach a settlement with Trump, Democratic lawmakers have warned the Paramount board and Redstone that paying the president to kill the lawsuit could run afoul of anti-bribery laws, considering that the company is hoping to coax the administration to approve a merger. The California State Senate has now opened an inquiry into Paramount over whether it violated state laws on bribery, inviting both Owens and McMahon to testify. Paramount executives, in fact, have even discussed the possibility of being held liable or criminally charged if the business settles the complaint. The Freedom of the Press Foundation has since threatened to sue the company if it reaches a settlement with the president. In December 2024, staff at Baltimores Docks on the Harbor restaurant woke up to find the eatery had closed overnight. The owner, New York-native Gregory Pranzo, would later be accused of emptying the restaurant of furniture, fixtures and decor, in a lawsuit filed by Baltimore-based developer Cordish Cos. Over several weeks of investigation, The Baltimore Sun found Pranzo launched multiple restaurants across six states and then abruptly closed them, leaving staff, business partners or landlords behind, along with millions of dollars in unpaid bills. The full story ran in print Sunday (and is online here: baltimoresun.com/2025/05/30/docks-harbor-pranzo-baltimore), but heres a quick take on what you should know about Pranzos business practices. Celebrity partner: Pranzo has opened and closed restaurants in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, New York and Connecticut over the last decade. He routinely partners with celebrities including Guy Fieri, Mario Lopez and *NSYNCs Chris Kirkpatrick and he has opened multiple franchises of Wahlburgers restaurants, the Wahlberg-brother-owned burger chain (Donnie, Mark and their celebrity chef brother Paul). All save two of Pranzos restaurants have closed, many racking up debt and health code violations along the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pests in food storage areas: In Baltimore, Docks on the Harbor also earned a closure order from the citys health department after an August 2024 inspection, that followed a customers complaint about rats in the dining room. Inspectors found 31 health code violations, including clouds of gnats, evidence of rodents and other pests in food storage areas, and a lack of water that prevented staff from washing their hands. The restaurant re-opened two days later, having satisfied most of the citys requirements. Health-related restaurant closure: Pranzos Raleigh, North Carolina, Wahlburgers franchise was shut down after the department found his restaurant had lacked hot water for more than three months. The restaurant chose to close instead of immediately fixing the problem, and was evicted for nonpayment of rent before it could reopen. Multiple lawsuits: In Connecticut, Pranzo was sued by food vendor Sysco Connecticut LLC for an unpaid bill topping $30,000. Records show Pranzo has never responded to the suit and made no payments. In Georgia, Pranzo was sued by his former business partners, Finer Food Services, for more than $2 million. According to the agreement, signed by Pranzo, he admitted that he withdrew this sum over time from [Finer Food Services] and/or the [Finer Food Services subsidiaries] without the knowledge and/or consent of majority member and manager, Barry Bierenbaum. Unpaid judgments: The court ordered Pranzo to repay his partners, however, their lawyer said he has been unable to enforce the judgments. And in Florida, Pranzo is named in a lawsuit in district court, which alleges that he violated the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act, a federal law that bans businesses from using phones or fax machines for unsolicited advertisements. In that 2019 suit, Pranzo was accused of spamming fax machines with more than 125,000 unsolicited faxes over two years to advertise the opening of an Atlanta Wahlburgers. The case is ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Docks on the Harbor property: In Baltimore, a civil suit against Pranzo by Cordish Cos. alleges Pranzo plundered hundreds of thousands of dollars in fixtures from his Baltimore restaurant early one morning, walking away with tables and chairs, signage, stoves, refrigerators, decor and more. The lawsuit alleges that Pranzo was caught on security camera footage between the hours of 1 and 7 a.m. on Dec. 9 emptying out the restaurant space he rented from Cordish. $3.2 million lease allegedly unfulfilled: Pranzo also skipped out on a lease valued at about $3.2 million through 2032, a court document filed by Cordishs legal team alleges. Past-due charges between October and early December totaled more than $130,000 for rent and trash, water/sewer and HVAC service, per an account statement. Cordishs lawsuit argues Pranzo emptied out the restaurant with the intent to defraud. Pranzos bad intent is readily evidenced by the midnight timing, the suit reads. Why hide under the cover of night, unless he was following the playbook of Bob Irsay stealing the Colts in a Mayflower truck? Lorraine Mirabella contributed reporting to this story. Have a news tip? Contact Kate Cimini at The Baltimore Sun, at (443) 842-2621 or kcimini@baltsun.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov has met with the Minister of Oil of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Ali Pervez Malik, the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers told Trend. There was expressed satisfaction with the dynamic development of Azerbaijani-Pakistani friendly and fraternal relations in all spheres. The importance of events held within the framework of the Baku Energy Week was noted in terms of encouraging international energy cooperation. The possibilities of cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector were discussed and promising oil and gas projects were considered during the meeting. French police have said there was more rioting, with 79 arrests, during Sunday's parade on the Champs-Elysees to welcome Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, and subsequent celebrations in the club's stadium. "We deplore the new incidents after the parade, which brought together more than 100,000 people on the Champs-Elysees, and the subsequent presentation of the trophy at the Parc des Princes," Paris police chief Laurent Nunez told RTL radio on Monday. He said that those arrested were not really PSG fans. Rioters threw barriers onto the city motorway near the stadium and blocked traffic for 15 minutes, despite the rapid intervention of the police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, groups of people threw fireworks on the Champs-Elysees and tried to damage shops, the police chief said. There had previously been riots during victory celebrations in several locations in France on Saturday night. A total of 563 arrests were made across the country, 491 of them in Paris. According to Nunez, most of those arrested remain in custody, including those involved in attempting to loot shops. PSG secured the European title for the first time in the club's history on Saturday evening with a 5-0 win over the Italian side Inter Milan in Munich. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Eight people were arrested in a Collierville neighborhood for possession of drugs and firearms on Saturday, according to Collierville Police. On May 31, at 10 p.m., officers responded to a large gathering in a neighborhood near Mayfield Road. Reports say the complainant called about vehicles blocking the road. When officers arrived, they noticed many vehicles and detected a strong odor coming from several cars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Men seen carrying stolen counter, faucet on bikes after Midtown burglary Police say additional calls were received from nearby residents reporting that vehicles were parked in their yards. According to police, eight Memphians were arrested and cited for improper parking, and some were charged with multiple firearm charges, public intoxication, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and possession of a controlled substance. Two people were charged with felony narcotics charges and felony firearm charges. Police seized 44 grams of marijuana, 347 Oxycodone tablets, 59 Xanax tablets, three Adderall tablets, and one handgun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say the Town of Collierville Code Enforcement will be following up with additional town ordinance violations with the organizer and homeowner. No injuries were reported. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WSAV) Multiple law enforcement agencies arrested 80 people at a nightclub in Charleston County, S.C. early Sunday morning after a months-long sting operation. Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie said the investigation, called Operation Last Stand, into the Alamo Nightclub began last November. He described the club as a source of crime, assaults and drug dealing. In a media conference Monday, Sheriff Ritchie talked about some of the 80 people who were arrested. Of those were two high level cartel members that were arrested, including those that were with the Las Vegas cartel and from the Tren de Aragua gang, so again, these are folks that have affiliations. There are others that were looking into right now, checking their affiliations, and we believe that number may grow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The extensive sting resulted in more than just local arrests. Sheriff Ritchie said, There was one international warrant, a murder suspect warrant that was served and located an individual from Honduras wanted for murder by Interpol. Let me say that again. We had a murder suspect from Honduras in this club. The sheriff said the Alamo Nightclub was, quote, an unlicensed, unsanctioned bar where IDs were not checked. He also said they found ten juveniles in the club. Our youngest that was removed from that situation was 13 years old 13. What were they doing there at 3 oclock in the morning after 3 oclock in the morning? One of the juveniles recovered had been reported missing. The sheriff said a number of human trafficking victims were removed from the club as well and were being assisted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Homeland Security and ICE agents worked on the investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A man is dead after reportedly falling into a pool Sunday. According to the Shelby County Sheriffs Office, deputies were dispatched around 6:30 p.m. to the 17000 block of East Mason Road in Sidney on report of a man under water. On scene, deputies used a pool skimmer to search the water for anyone underneath. The pool was reportedly unclear, as visibility was poor, and made the bottom of the pool difficult to determine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon after deputies began investigating, members of the mans family arrived to search the pool as well, eventually leading to the discovery of Keith Bolin, 81, who was pronounced deceased after life-saving measures were attempted. During an ensuing investigation, camera footage detailing the incident ahead of deputies arrival was obtained. Deputies say that the video showed Bolin lose his balance near the pool and fall in. Bolin and his wife were seen on the camera feed attempting to free him. Port Jefferson EMS, Port Jefferson Fire and the Shelby County Coroners Office all assisted at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. A wave of storms and a tornado ripped through Kentucky May 16, leaving 19 people dead. Most of the damage was concentrated in Laurel and Pulaski Counties. The powerful system chewed up stores and neighborhoods, collapsed buildings, overturned cars and triggered desperate door-to-door rescues in hopes of pulling residents from flattened homes. Randall Weddle, mayor of London, said in a Facebook post Friday the storms damaged or destroyed 817 homes in Laurel County. Homes destroyed completely: 280 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homes with major damage: 195 Homes with minor damage: 133 Homes lightly affected: 134 Homes with no visible damage: 75 Total affected homes: 817 Its crucial that the affected families connect with all available agencies to receive the assistance they need, Weddle said. Ensuring everyone is aware of the resources and support options is vital for their recovery. Some homeowners and renters in Caldwell, Laurel, Pulaski, Russell, Trigg and Union counties who were affected by the May 16-17 tornadoes are eligible for federal aid. Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance is available for displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other uninsured disaster-related expenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kentucky has recorded at least 43 deaths from severe weather this year. I dont know why this is happening to Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear said following the storms. But our collective resilience is great, and we remain there for the communities that have been hit so hard. At least eight people have been injured and reportedly burned in an attack in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday that the FBI is investigating as an act of terror. A suspect identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman of Colorado Springs by local authorities was encountered on the scene and taken into custody; he was treated at a hospital for minor injuries. About 1:26 p.m., police received calls that a man with a weapon near the county courthouse on 13th and Pearl streets was setting people on fire, according to Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn. They found multiple victims with a range of injuries from serious to minor including injuries consistent with burns, Redfearn said at a Sunday afternoon news conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials confirmed six people ages 67 to 88 were injured but later updated the number to eight. During an evening news conference, police said four of the victims were taken to Boulder Community Hospital, while two victims were airlifted to the Aurora, Colorado, hospital burn unit. Redfearn added they are fairly confident the attack was the work of just one person. Police declined to comment on what the suspect would be charged with or when charges would be announced but said they will bring full accountability for the attack. Eyewitness videos of the attack show a shirtless man holding what appear to be two Molotov cocktails and yelling Free Palestine! at a group of demonstrators seeking the release of Israeli hostages being held in Gaza. Witness interviews reported by the Boulder Daily Camera called the attack absolutely horrific and shocking and also described Molotov cocktails on the scene. Israeli flags were seen on the ground. The suspect used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device, Redfearn and the FBI Denver unit said at the evening news conference in Boulder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is clear that this is a targeted act of violence and the FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism, FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark D. Michalek said. Its our job the FBI, the Boulder police, and our law enforcement and community partners to bring these criminals to justice and keep these communities safe. Special agents with the Denver FBI and their response teams are assisting local law enforcement with resources, processing the crime scene and interviewing key witnesses, Michalek added. The area was still being searched for explosive devices, and an evacuation zone was in place. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said in a social media post that the National Counterterrorism Center is working with the FBI on the investigation. President Donald Trump has been briefed on the attack, a senior White House official told POLITICO. The White House has yet to release a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local chief Redfearn had stopped short of describing it as a terrorist attack in his first news conference Sunday afternoon, saying that it would be irresponsible to speculate on motive at that stage in the investigation. We are not calling it a terrorist attack at this point, Redfearn said. Once we have a clear motive, we will react accordingly. This came shortly after FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino posted about the FBI investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder. This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts, Bongino posted on X. We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack comes after heightened protests surrounding the Israel-Hamas war, which has become a central part of the Trump administrations push to counter antisemitism amid Trumps bid to broker a ceasefire deal in the region. The nonviolent pro-Israel demonstration organized by Run for Their Lives gathered on Pearl Street, local police said though they cautioned earlier Sunday that there were many people out on the pedestrian-only open air street mall. The pedestrian mall is also popular with tourists and local college students. At the evening news conference, Redfearn and the local FBI said that the suspect had been yelling Free Palestine. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said he was monitoring the unfolding situation in Boulder, and his office is working closely with federal and local law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My thoughts go out to the people who have been injured by this heinous and targeted act on the Jewish community, Polis said in a Sunday evening statement. We have overcome tragedies together and will get through this together as a community. State Attorney General Phil Weiser also did not hedge his words calling the act a hate crime. From what we know, this attack appears to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted, Weiser said in a statement. People may have differing views about world events and the Israeli-Hamas conflict, but violence is never the answer to settling differences. Boulders Jewish community denounced the attack, saying that the Run for Their Lives protesters were raising awareness of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our hearts go out to those who witnessed this horrible attack, and prayers for a speedy recovery to those who were injured, the community wrote in a social media post. The Jewish group Anti-Defamation League described the Run for Their Lives demonstration as a weekly meeting of Jewish community members to run/walk in support of the hostages kidnapped, adding that they are monitoring the situation as they approach the Shavuot holiday which celebrates the giving of the Torah to Moses at Mount Sinai and began Sunday evening. One of the organizers for the Run for Their Lives group in Boulder had posted on social media raising awareness for the demonstration, saying that the group met in downtown Boulder every Sunday for a weekly humanitarian walk. The attack comes more than a week after two Israeli embassy staffers were shot to death outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, with the suspect saying his motive was defending Palestinians and Gaza while being taken into custody. It also comes four years after a shooter at a grocery store in Boulder took four lives and was sentenced to life in prison. In April, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiros home was firebombed with Molotov cocktails thrown through the governors mansion windows in what was described as an attempt on his life. The suspected arsonist reportedly said in a 911 call he attacked the governor in defense of Palestinians. It is absolutely horrific what happened to him," Attorney General Pam Bondi said of Shapiro. FLINT, Texas (KETK) A Flint man was arrested on Saturday evening after shoving his disabled moms head into a wall and elbowing her in the mouth, an affidavit reveals. According to a Smith County arrest affidavit, a deputy talked to the victim at her home on Frederick Circle about an assault that happened on Saturday between her and her son. The victim told the deputy that her son, Kerry Dewayne Campbell, has changed ever since he has gotten into a relationship, and he was upset because she wasnt letting him bring his girlfriend to his house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2023 fatal shooting suspect in custody after running from East Texas authorities for almost a month Mugshot of Kerry Dewayne Campbell, courtesy of Smith County Jail The affidavit said that Campbell attempted to enter her home, but she was holding the front door closed to prevent him from coming in. Then [the victim] stated that Campbell grabbed her torso and moved her out of the way, the document said. Campbell grabbed her by the face and shoved her head into the wall, causing her pain, and then Campbell elbowed Kerrys mouth, also causing her pain. The victim explained that he was not acting like himself; he was acting like the wolverine. He displayed a lot of anger and she believed he was on a narcotic. The victim also told the deputy that Campbell could have possibly fractured her rib during the assault and she was disabled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crockett woman arrested for allegedly selling fentanyl-laced fake pills leading to a mans death Campbell was arrested at 5:39 p.m. on Saturday for injury to a disabled person with intent to cause bodily injury, but posted bond the following day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. The Trump administration's plan to build a new section of the U.S.-Mexico border wall in San Rafael Valley is receiving backlash from critics who decry the move as an expensive and unneeded endeavor with potentially disastrous environmental implications. What's happening? As the Guardian reported, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is accepting bids from private companies to construct around a 25-mile portion of the southern border wall near Tucson, Arizona. The CBP says it works with federal, tribal, state, and local agencies to consider potential cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental impacts involving border wall systems which began to go up with concerted efforts toward limiting immigration during the Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman administrations in the mid-1900s, per Time Magazine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, critics aren't convinced this project can be accomplished without severe environmental consequences and believe border security can be achieved through other means. "Even when numbers were the highest, people were crossing in areas that already had a border wall," said Sierra Club borderlands coordinator Erick Meza, who explained that blocking the valley would be "catastrophic for the environment and wildlife," per the Guardian. Why is this important? With the wall sealing around 63% of the Arizona border, per the Guardian, conservationists say passage through the San Rafael Valley one of the largest intact grasslands in the state is more important than ever for the biodiverse creatures that call the region home. Predators such as mountain lions, wolves, bears, ocelots, and jaguars sometimes travel hundreds of miles to find food and water and to breed, and a warming climate has supercharged extreme weather events like droughts in the region, threatening their survival. When a species is lost, its absence can have ripple effects that lead to the degradation of ecosystems, leaving crops more vulnerable to pests and increasing the risk of disease spread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eamon Harrity, wildlife program manager at Sky Island Alliance, told the Guardian that the proposed wall portion would block a crucial migration corridor, cutting animals off from the Santa Cruz River. "It's an expensive, unnecessary, and environmentally disastrous project," Harrity said. "If completed, this wall will sever a continent." What is being done about this? Animal crossings and habitat-connecting corridors can help ensure the creatures we share the planet with have access to resources while limiting the potential for deadly human-animal encounters, and trail cameras are among the tools we have to gather data. Should the government be allowed to restrict how much water we use? Definitely Only during major droughts No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Myles Traphagen, borderlands director for the Wildlands Network, suggested to the Guardian that trail cameras near the border led to an important insight. When wall posts were accidentally placed five or six inches apart rather than four, animals could generally navigate through. That distance had no impact on whether humans could get through or not, so if the project continues, it might be worth reexamining the spacing of the posts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That's probably $30m worth of steel there," Traphagen said of the potential savings, adding that more than 1,000 videos haven't recorded a human crossing. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) suggested border security could also be improved through addressing the root causes of mass migration and improving the legal immigration system, along with continued investments in border security for law enforcement. You can make your voice heard on issues that matter to you by contacting your representatives. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. In the Spotlight is a Fresno Bee series that digs into the high-profile local issues that readers care most about. Story idea? Email tips@fresnobee.com. Two 16-year-olds in Fresno County were recently accused of the premeditated killing of Clovis teen Caleb Quick and many, including District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, have called for the teens to face an adult trial. Whether they will be charged as adults is a significant undertaking that will not likely be decided quickly, according to experts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fresno attorney Kathy Bird is the defense attorney for Byron Rangel, who was accused of being the gunman who sought out the 18-year-old Quick on April 23 before shooting him in the head outside of a McDonalds near Willow and Nees avenues. The teen faces a charge of murder and an enhancement for lying in wait. Also charged in the case was Cassandra Michael, 16, who police said was the getaway driver. She also faces an enhancement as a co-participant in a crime involving a gun. The two 16-year-olds were dating. The Bee is naming the juvenile defendants after Judge Amythest Freeman on May 14 denied requests from their attorneys to withhold their names, entering them into the public record. Two-and-half weeks after the fatal shooting, the two Clovis Unified students turned themselves into police in Clovis on May 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rangels next hearing is June 4, and Michaels is June 18. Can the teens be charged as adults? The Fresno County District Attorneys Office has made the request to try them as adults, but its up to a judge to decide. Multiple attorneys who spoke with the Fresno Bee laid out the process for how the judicial system weighs that request. The teen must be at least 16 to face an adult court under Proposition 57, which voters passed in 2016. Two years later, Gov. Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 1391 to move the minimum age up to 16 from 14. The alleged crime must also be an enumerated offense, which basically means a more serious alleged crime like murder, rape, carjacking or robbery at gunpoint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A judge will hold a transfer hearing in which the prosecutors and defense attorneys make their arguments on why the teen should be moved to an adult court or stay in the juvenile system. The transfer hearing in juvenile court is much more similar to a juvenile criminal proceeding than a preliminary hearing in adult court is to an adult criminal trial, according to Michael McKneely, a veteran Fresno attorney with experience in homicide trials in both juvenile and adult courts. They hear evidence, they hear witnesses and things like that, he said. A transfer hearing is a lot like an actual juvenile trial, because although there are is a focus on the five key criteria, theres also a focus on the factual basis as well. He was referring to the five factors a judge weighs in a juvenile transfer hearing: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Totality of the circumstances and seriousness of the crime. The degree of sophistication of the crime. The likeliness of rehabilitation of the teen. Previous history of delinquency. Success of previous attempts at rehabilitation. Both Rangels attorney and Jeff Hammerschmidt, Michaels attorney, described their clients as teens from decent families who had no previous delinquency. As part of the transfer hearing, juvenile probation officials will be asked to make a recommendation on the transfer. The judge can use it in their decision but is not required to follow the recommendation. The defense will have the teens evaluated by psychiatrists, including looking into whether they had adverse childhood events that may have led them to act out differently than a well-adjusted teen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of this happens quickly. All of the factors in the case would likely come out during many court hearings over months or longer. A case involving a 17-year-old accused of quadruple homicide in Reedley in January 2024 is ongoing, and the court has not yet determined if he should be tried as an adult. A decision has also not been made on a 17-year-old accused of killing and dismembering a man in Mendota in April 2024. Members of the community can grow impatient in the process, and show frustration that the decision takes so long. McKneely stressed that the public should be patient and allow the system to work to come to a full determination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know anybody, outside other than the police or the prosecutors or the defense attorneys, who knows enough about the circumstances of the offense to be able to knowledgeably say whether you know this kid or the girlfriend really are irredeemable, McKneely said. Why being tried as an adult matters The most glaring difference a teen faces in adult court is the severity of the punishment. As adults, Michael would face 26 years to life for participating in the slaying while Rangel would potentially be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, prosecutors said. As juveniles, they each face up to seven years of confinement or up until they turn 25, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hammerchmidt said the difference between how the courts handle a juvenile case and an adult case are absolutely huge. The courts in juvenile cases lean heavily on diversion, when the court prescribes treatment or programs to correct a persons actions rather than a jail sentence. The purpose of the juvenile court is rehabilitation rather than punishment, he said. Sometimes punishment is part of it but its less of an emphasis. There has been an evolving perspective in California of how the courts treat young people who commit crimes. Prop. 57 and SB 1391 are examples of that. In 2020, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office took the additional step of not sending any minors to adult court as part of their own policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even 18 can be seen as too young to handle adult consequences. Some science shows that a persons brain does not finish developing until mid- to late 20s, and the Supreme Court made note of that in its decision in Graham vs. Florida in 2010 in which the justices ruled life sentences cannot be given to minors who commit non-homicide crime. California also holds youth offender parole hearings for anyone younger than 26 when they committed a crime, a law that went into effect with Assembly Bill 1308 in 2018. Courts are catching up with brain science, Bird said. Commerce Street Apartments will be adjacent to Elizabeth Street Apartments shown here. (Photo: Greg Childress) North Carolina housing advocates are sounding the alarm over proposed cuts to the Workforce Housing Loan Program (WHLP) administered by the N.C. Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) in combination with federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. The state Senates version of the FY 25-27 budget does not include funding for WHLP. The House version allocates $5 million for one year of the two-year biennium. Gov. Josh Steins spending plan calls for $30 million in non-recurring funding for the WHLP. The previous budget included $35 million in non-recurring program funding. Stephanie Watkins-Cruz (Photo: NC Housing Coalition) The WHLP was created to help construct or substantially rehabilitate multi-family affordable housing units. The money is used in combination with federal low-income housing tax credits to provide gap funding to make affordable housing development financially feasible in difficult-to-serve markets. The WHLP has financed thousands of apartments for seniors, families and members of the states workforce across 59 counties since it was created 10 years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed program cuts come as the need for affordable housing grows across the state, members of the N.C. Housing Coalition said last week. Without the WHLP, many developments would not be possible, especially in rural areas, a coalition spokesperson said during its weekly housing call. As construction and development costs continue to rise, cuts to this program could shutter much needed investments into the construction and preservation of affordable homes across the state. The coalition is urging housing advocates and others across the state to contact members of the House Appropriations Committee and urge them to protect and restore the WHLP to $35 million. This is an existing program that works, and we already know it works, and it does a really wonderful job of leveraging public funds with private dollars, said Stephanie Watkins-Cruz, the coalitions director of housing policy. If theres ever a time to not cut housing investments, this is the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watkins-Cruz noted that the program is structured so that Tier 1 counties are eligible for up to $3 million in funding. Tier 1 counties are the most economically distressed among the states three tiers. Several counties in the 2025 Qualified Allocation Plan are in eastern North Carolina. Several are also on the list of disaster-impacted counties from Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. They include Alexander, Graham, McDowell, Mitchell, Rutherford, and Wilkes counties. To see the full list of counties in each tier, click here to visit the 2025 Final QAP. See page 8 for county award limits. A bold Ukrainian drone offensive targeting several Russian airbases has exposed significant vulnerabilities in President Vladimir Putins security apparatus and is likely to provoke a severe retaliation from the Kremlin. According to Ukrainian intelligence sources, the coordinated strike damaged or destroyed over 40 Russian military aircraft. The operation, described by some pro-Kremlin commentators as Russias Pearl Harbor, drew parallels to the infamous 1941 Japanese attack on the U.S. that led to America's entry into World War II. Russian officials have labeled the attack a terrorist act, while Ukrainian sources revealed that the drones, concealed in mobile sheds and deployed from trucks deep inside Russian territory, demonstrate the creative and technological adaptability of Ukraines war effort, according to a SkyNews report. The mission, codenamed Spiders Web, reportedly took 18 months to prepare. Its success underscores Ukraine's ability to strike at the heart of Russian military infrastructure despite being the weaker power on paper. In Moscow, outrage is growing. Military blogger Roman Alekhin called for a response as harsh or harsher than Americas retaliation after Pearl Harbor. With tensions soaring, some observers are already speculating that President Putin may again resort to nuclear threats. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov left for an official visit to the Republic of Kenya, Trend reports, citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. Within the framework of the official visit, the minister is expected to participate in the official opening ceremony of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Kenya, as well as hold bilateral meetings with high-ranking officials of the country. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Potential cuts to Medicaid are bringing people together to highlight the importance of its services. Today at the Capitol, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities shared how Medicaid has changed their lives, especially Medicaid home and community-based services. Medicaid allows people to receive long-term care services in their homes or communities rather than in institutional settings, including nursing homes. Advocates say these services are essential for quality of life, personal freedom, and family stability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania My life will not be the same, and I would be lost and I would have to start over again, said self-advocate Ernie Roundtree. These proposed federal cuts could result in the loss of up to 42,000 jobs, including 22,000 healthcare positions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A food drive. Stock photo from Getty Images. The executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks is trying to get the word out: If the budget passed by the U.S. House of Representatives becomes reality, it could trash the state budget and make many, many Ohioans go hungry. The matter goes next to the U.S. Senate. But the members of the Ohio delegation arent talking. The House-passed Republican reconciliation budget President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill would hand out $4.6 trillion in tax cuts over 10 years. In an analysis, Trumps alma mater, the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School, estimated that 70% of the benefit would go to the top 10% of the income distribution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Department of Government Efficiency led by the worlds richest man has been looking to cut services for average Americans. One place the Republican House budget seeks to achieve some of those cuts is to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Also known as food stamps, the program provides debit cards for food. To qualify, Ohio recipients generally have to have net income at or below federal poverty guidelines $32,150 a year for a family of four. Benefits awarded under the program are pretty modest, $6.28 per person, per day on average last year. And, as a reflection of the high level of poverty in the state, one in nine Ohioans or 1.4 million received them last year. Whether Ohios poorest will get those food benefits in future years is an open question in light of the One Big Beautiful Bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House-passed Republican reconciliation plan would cut nearly $300 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through 2034, based on Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates by far the largest cut to SNAP in history, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities wrote last week. As a result of these cuts and other policies in the legislation which are being used to pay partly for trillions in tax cuts skewed to the wealthy millions of people would lose some or all of the food assistance they need to afford groceries, when many low-income households are struggling to afford the high cost of food and other basic needs. The bill would force states to take up the slack by forcing them to pay based on error rates. In other words, theyd have to pay at least 5% more and then go up a sliding scale based on how often they were found to pay recipients too little or too much in benefits. It also would greatly increase error rates by eliminating the current tolerance for small errors those up to $57. This all might sound technical, but the consequences for Ohio would be huge. If it had an error rate of 6% or less (which it doesnt, even under the current, more-tolerant system), the state would have to pay $158 million more a year into the program, according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. At the top end, with an error rate of 25% or more, Ohio would have to pay $790 million more a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the Republican bill, error rates would surely go sharply up. But even under Ohios most recent rate, the state would take a massive hit. At 15% errors, the state would have to come up with $473 million a year. Thats almost $500 million in new state revenue that they would have to come up with just to maintain current levels of benefits, said Joree Novotny, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks. Thats roughly equivalent to the entire state investment in the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services which administers SNAP in addition to many other programs. Novotny is worried that Ohios food banks would be stretched even worse under such cuts than they were after expanded SNAP benefits during the covid pandemic expired. We know that we cant ever make up for the value that SNAP benefits provide to low-income working families, seniors and people with disabilities, she said. Were not designed to be a first-line grocery store. SNAP invests directly in local economies. Benefits are spent at local grocers. The removal of this investment in that supply chain Im not only concerned about access to affordable food for people with lower resources, but also sustainability and resilience in the food-supply sector as a whole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Novotny said two bad-but-likely results would be bigger food deserts and less access to healthy nutrition. Those outcomes would be particularly devastating to low-income families who have seen food prices grow 27% between mid-2020 and the beginning of this year. Asked whether Gov. Mike DeWine opposed the SNAP cuts in the Republican bill, his press secretary, Dan Tierney, was noncommittal. As we have seen, these proposals can change dramatically as the process proceeds, Tierney said in an email. We have generally reserved comments until after final proposals have been adopted. The offices of Sens. Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno were asked if they would support the cuts when the House bill came before them. Neither replied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For her part, Novotny said she has an even deeper concern than overwhelmed food banks and growing food deserts. Asked what would happen if states cant or wont find the money the House budget is demanding for SNAP, she said, We cant get a good answer to that. Fundamentally, will SNAP remain an entitlement? Will states have to administer the program at all? she asked. Fundamentally, its hard to understand how it would be required of a state to participate in the program if theres such a significant cost burden. The question, at bottom, is whether the already huge number of poor Ohioans will swell and whether theyll be pushed even deeper into poverty and food insecurity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im most concerned about what it would mean for the structure of the federal nutrition safety net, Novotny said. SNAP is and always has been an entitlement program. If youre a worker who, through no fault of your own, loses your job and while youre seeking work you need help affording groceries so that you can stay in your house SNAP is there. Or if youre a person who receives a really serious cancer diagnosis and you have to use some (Family and Medical Leave Act benefits) to come and get treatment, SNAP is there. If youre a low-wage working family, or if youre a senior on a fixed income, SNAP is there and the benefit has always been fully federally funded. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A man who shouted "free Palestine" and used a "makeshift flamethrower" on demonstrators marching in support of Israeli hostages held by Hamas was charged Monday with attempted first-degree murder. The state of Colorado's charges against Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, of El Paso County, include attempted first-degree murder after deliberation, attempted first-degree murder with extreme indifference, first-degree assault, including such against an at-risk victim older than 70, and possession of an incendiary device. Michael Dougherty, district attorney for the Boulder area, said at a news conference that a forthcoming formal filing of charges will reflect the latest victim count, which rose to 12 on Monday. Authorities initially said eight people were hospitalized with burns and other impacts from the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Attorney for Colorado also charged Soliman with one count of a hate crime involving actual or perceived race, religion or national origin. An attorney representing Soliman in the state case did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday night. It's not clear if he has a lawyer specifically for his federal case, but the Office of the Federal Public Defender says it does not comment on its cases. Jail records show Soliman's bail, initially set at $10 million, was sustained by district court Judge Nancy W. Salomone during an afternoon court hearing in Boulder. in a post on X, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller labeled the incident a "terror attack." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the DHS, Soliman entered the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa and then filed for asylum in September 2022. While his visa expired in Feb. 2023, Soliman had not yet exhausted all legal options to stay in the U.S. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, whose mother was born in a concentration camp and whose grandparents survived the Holocaust, said the attack appeared to be "a hate crime given the group that was targeted." Weiser said his office was ready to support local prosecutors when the time comes to file any possible charges. FBI Director Kash Patel said in a Sunday night statement on X that the bureau was already investigating a "targeted terror attack." A Boulder Police spokesperson said Sunday night that four men and four women were injured, between 52 and 88 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were at or near a weekly demonstration to support awareness of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas militants, officials said. Soliman was taken into custody at the scene, Mark Michalek, special agent in charge of the FBIs Denver office, said at a news conference Sunday evening. The assault was being investigated as an act of terrorism, he said. Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn speaks at a news conference following the incident on Sunday. (Chet Strange / Getty Images) The group Run for Their Lives Boulder has been holding the demonstrations fairly regularly, sometimes weekly, following the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel on Oct.7, 2023, the group has said. More than 250 hostages were taken during the attack. Following multiple waves of releases and several deaths, 23 are believed to still be alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Redfearn described what dispatchers were told about Sunday's attack in front of the historic Boulder County Courthouse at 1:26 p.m.: "There was a man with a weapon and ... people were being set on fire." Two senior law enforcement officials stressed that the investigation is in its early stages. They said Soliman is an Egyptian national who seemingly acted alone. They said he has no previous significant contact with law enforcement. An initial review of Soliman's possible social media accounts has not answered questions about a motive or point to any particular ideology, the two senior law enforcement officials said. The officials said they are looking into eyewitness reports saying the attacker dressed as a landscaper or otherwise donned workmen's clothing to blend in before the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Redfearn said Soliman suffered minor injuries that required hospitalization upon arrest. He added that its too early to say whether the group supporting the release of hostages was specifically targeted. Its way too early to speculate motive, he said. Flowers on the hood of a patrol car during a news conference at the Boulder Police Department. (Bethany Baker / USA Today) Run for Their Lives said in a media kit that it "started for the sole reason of advocating for the release of the hostages. ... We set our principles very specifically to be a safe, quiet, peaceful, inclusive of all religions, non-political global initiative." Group members in Boulder did not immediately respond to requests for comment Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brooke Coffman was walking down Pearl Street on her lunch break Sunday when she saw a commotion near the courthouse. Worried someone was "getting beat up," she approached the area. Then, "I saw this big fire go up," Coffman told NBC affiliate KUSA of Denver. Coffman said she called 911 as she rushed toward the fiery scene. She said she saw two women "rolling around a little bit" in their underwear after having stripped out of their burning clothes with "really bad burns all up on their legs." Another woman nearby, also with burns on her legs, was screaming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coffman could barely make out the face of one of the women, she said, choking up, adding the woman's hair was burned off. "It just wasn't a good scene," Coffman said. Others nearby rushed to the scene with jugs of water, dousing the victims, Coffman said. She said that she saw at least seven people down, mostly older women, but that she heard there were more victims, including children. Police at the scene of an act of terror on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colo., on Sunday. (Colorado Sun via ZUMA Press Wire) She said she saw a shirtless man, presumably the suspect, screaming while he waved a glass bottle that contained a liquid. Social media video of the immediate aftermath of the attack, including the police response, shows a man without a shirt holding what appears to be a clear bottle with a white top in each hand, shouting, standing away from people and shaking the bottles as he paced. Tactical teams get into position following the incident in Boulder on Sunday. (Chet Strange / Getty Images) A joint statement from multiple Boulder Jewish organizations and congregations noted that the Jewish community has experienced similar events in recent memory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When events like this enter our own community, we are shaken, the organizations said. Our hope is that we come together for one another. Our hearts go out to those who witnessed this horrible attack, and prayers for a speedy recovery to those who were injured, the statement read. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) A hot and humid day is ahead for much of southeastern KELOLAND ahead of a line of showers and thunderstorms later today. The Storm Prediction Center continues to carry a slight risk of severe weather to much of southeastern KELOLAND. Large hail and damaging winds will be possible with the strongest storms. So far, storms have been limited the past 24 hours. You can see the rain totals on the map below. Take a look at the time and placement details of the storms on Futurecast below. Youll notice the initial development takes place west of Sioux Falls as a broken line of thunderstorms moves slowly eastward into the early evening. The strongest storms may produce ping pong ball size hail and wind gusts to 65 mph, along with locally heavy rain. Expect additional areas of showers and occasional thunderstorms behind the front tonight in far southeastern KELOLAND. Much cooler weather will impact all of the region tomorrow into midweek, with additional showers possible in western SD starting Wednesday afternoon. We will carry 20% to 30% chances of rain Thursday and Friday in eastern KELOLAND as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are the details of the forecast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. This article was originally published in Maryland Matters. Local school systems straining to comply with the states sweeping Blueprint for Marylands Future have had to report to both the Maryland Department of Education and the Blueprints Accountability and Implementation Board, a setup creating confusion since the get-go. Now, more than three years into the process, the two agencies said they are working on a memorandum of understanding that could make things a bit smoother for all concerned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alex Reese, chief of staff with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), did not tell the state Board of Education on Thursday how long it would take to finalize an agreement, but he said a memorandum is in the works. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter State law requires the seven-member AIB to oversee the 10-year plan and approve any Blueprint documents submitted by the states 24 school systems and other state agencies that craft elements of the Blueprint. The law also requires the department to provide technical assistance and lend expertise on education policy. The AIB and state Board of Education also hold occasional joint meetings and approve certain policies associated with the multibillion-dollar Blueprint plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reese said MSDE will be fully owning Blueprint implementation. We feel good about that as practitioners. We really do feel like we possess that expertise to be able to be poised to fully implement the Blueprint. An AIB spokesperson confirmed in an email Thursday evening an agreement is being worked on with the department. AIB and MSDE attorneys are working together on an MOU [memorandum of understanding] relating to the agencies respective roles and duties, the spokesperson said. There is not currently a timeline confirmed for finalizing it. Because it is an MOU directly between the AIB and MSDE, there would be no need for General Assembly approval, the email said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a quick summation to the state board Thursday, Reese said certain processes will remain the same such as the Blueprint board providing instructions to school systems on what is required in each Blueprint plan. It will continue interagency collaboration with agencies such as the state Higher Education Commission, which focuses on two of the Blueprints five pillars, or priorities hiring and retaining high-quality and diverse teachers, and preparing students for college and technical careers. The news was welcomed by school leaders, educators and advocates who have expressed frustration over the process of implementing the comprehensive education reform plan. One of the biggest complaints, if not the biggest, has been the lack of clarity and final guidance and where we get questions answered. Weve got to run every decision by both entities [MSDE and AIB], said Mary Pat Fannon, executive director of the Public School Superintendents Association of Maryland. The association released a 12-page document in December that outlined proposals to help improve the plan. One of those recommendations was clearing up the relationship between the two agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Restructuring and clarifying the relationship of the MSDE and AIB would be very beneficial in the implementation of the Blueprint. This change would clarify roles and responsibilities, and establish clear guidance to the LEAs [local education agencies, or school systems] that they are governed by the procedures and processes promulgated by the MSDE and the State Board, the December report said. Somebodys got to be the point. Somebodys got to be the team captain on certain things, Fannon said. Otherwise, its just completely frustrating. We are happy they are doing this. This is all going to help in implementation when these guys are 100% clear with us, Fannon said of the work on an MOU. Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-Lower Shore) was also pleased by the discussions, which she said would help improve the process at the local and state levels. But the senator hopes an agreement can be reached before the 2025-26 school year begins in the fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would like to think they would make every effort to use the time between now and [when] school starts to give as much clarity to the roles and responsibilities, since it will only have a positive impact at the local level, Carozza said. That would be my expectation to keep that on track and to keep it moving. Maryland Matters is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maryland Matters maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Steve Crane for questions: editor@marylandmatters.org. Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least nine civilians and injured at least 49, including children, over the past day, regional authorities reported on June 2. The attacks come as Ukrainian and Russian officials are scheduled to hold a second round of peace talks in Istanbul later during the day. They also follow a mass Ukrainian drone strike that allegedly destroyed or damaged one-third of Russia's strategic aviation fleet on June 2. Russia attacked Ukraine with 80 Shahed-type attack drones and decoys, as well as three Iskander-M or KN-23 ballistic missiles and one Iskander-K cruise missile, the Air Force reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian air defenses shot down 15 drones, while 37 were intercepted by electronic warfare systems or disappeared from radars, according to the statement. In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Russian artillery and drone attacks against the Nikopol district injured three men aged 51, 68, and 72, all of whom were hospitalized, Governor Serhii Lysak reported. A medical facility, a fire department, and a shop were reportedly damaged. Russian attacks against Donetsk Oblast killed one person and injured three in Kostiantynivka, according to Governor Vadym Filashkin. Another civilian was injured by a Russian strike in Hryshyne. Russia attacked Kharkiv Oblast heavily with drones, a ballistic missile, and other weaponry. Twelve people, including two children, were injured in the region, including six in Kharkiv, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Kherson Oblast, three people were killed and 19 injured, including two children, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported. Three high-rise buildings, seven houses, warehouses, and other properties were damaged. In Mykolaiv Oblast, a 65-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman were hospitalized following a Russian drone attack, Governor Vitalii Kim reported. Russian attacks across Zaporizhzhia Oblast killed five people and injured nine, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported. Russian forces launched missiles, aerial bombs, drones, and other weapons against the region. In Chernihiv Oblast, a Russian attack started a large-scale fire on the premises of a production facility, the State Emergency Service said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drones strike over 40 Russian aircraft, damage 34% of strategic bombers Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The air quality in Michigan continues to be evaluated as wildfires in Canada burn. Officials have issued an air quality advisory for counties across the Upper Peninsula. "Overnight Sunday, a warm front tracks east into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Southwesterly winds will develop, bringing increased fine particulate to the northern portions of Michigan on Monday." according to MiAir division, part of Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. MiAir anticipates levels rising into the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range across the U.P. There is a chance hourly levels could reach the "unhealthy" range for a short time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As a result, we anticipate fine particulate levels rising into the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) range across the Upper Peninsula. There is a possibility that hourly levels could reach the Unhealthy (red AQI) range for a short period of time." The following counties are under an air quality advisory for elevated levels of fine particulate through June 2: Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon and Schoolcraft. Graphic showing the Canadian wildfires impacting all of the Upper Peninsula (shaded grey). Officials expect the pollutants to be unhealthy for sensitive groups. "24-hour daily average fine particulate concentrations will range between good and moderate, but unhealthy for sensitive groups (USG, Orange AQI) across the Upper Peninsula on Monday," the MiAir division said. Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, diabetes, older adults, children, and people of a lower socioeconomic status, based on the U.S. Environment Protection Agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Canada, there are several priority fires ranging from roughly 9,100 to 306,000 acres in size. As of May 30, there were 77 uncontrolled active fires, according to Natural Resources Canada. As the smoke continues to carry over, officials forecast the smoke to linger in Michigan. "Extended models show a boundary moving into the region later Tuesday, lingering through the rest of the week. This boundary will trigger storm development. Air quality levels during this period will continue to be evaluated," the MiAir division said. Here's more on the Canadian wildfires affecting Michigan: What does an air quality advisory mean? An advisory is called when two or more (or widespread) monitors are expected to reach or exceed the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG, Orange air quality index (AQI) threshold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An alert is called when two or more (or widespread) monitors are expected to reach or exceed the Unhealthy threshold. Under an air quality advisory, sensitive groups can avoid adverse health reactions by staying indoors, turning on the air conditioning or wearing a N95 mask, according to the Cleveland Clinic. How can I check the air quality in my area? Michigan residents can check current conditions through EGLE's MiAir Quality Index Dashboard. The interactive map provides AQI scores for cities across the state. In addition, residents can use AirNow, a part of the U.S. Air Quality Index, and check local conditions by searching their ZIP Code or city. AccuWeather also has an AQI feature that lists the current pollutants in the air. What does the air quality index mean? The AQI shows the outdoor air quality for public health. It features six color-coded categories, from good (0-50) to hazardous (301 plus). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the AQI, a good reading (green) means the air is acceptable and residents may enjoy their outdoor activities; moderate (yellow) means the air is acceptable, however it could be harmful for specifically sensitive groups. More: Bad air days easier to identify and quantify with new EGLE air monitoring dashboard The AQI takes into account five air pollutants: ground-level ozone particle pollution (also known as particulate matter, including PM2.5 and PM10) carbon monoxide sulfur dioxide nitrogen dioxide Here are the ratings in the AQI: The air quality index ratings. Where are the wildfires in Canada? According to Natural Resources Canada, the National Wildland Fire Situation Report says there are 77 uncontrolled fires; 25 being held; 47 controlled; and 25 modified response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Canada is at National Preparedness Level 5, indicating that there is full commitment of national resources and demand for interagency resources through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center (CIFFC) is extreme. Since national availability of resources is limited, international resources are being mobilized," the Canadian department said. The priority fires are located in Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta with Saskatchewan and Manitoba in a provincial state of emergency. More: It's wildfire season in North America: How to prepare for poor air quality Will the smoke hurt my pets? Similar to humans, animals are also affected when there are issues with air quality, especially birds, animals with underlying respiratory and heart conditions, and other sensitive populations such as young or senior animals, State Veterinarian Nora Wineland said. If animals are being negatively affected by breathing poor quality air, they could exhibit various signs of illness, including coughing, wheezing, having difficulties breathing, eye drainage, lethargy, changing the sound of their vocalization, decreased appetite, and thirst. For any concerns related to the health of your animals, please contact your veterinarian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To best protect animals from poor air quality, follow these tips: Keeping animals indoors with doors and windows closed and limiting the amount of time they spend outdoors. Avoiding strenuous activities/exercise. Ensuring clean air flow when indoors by using fans, air conditioners, air purifiers, etc. More: Wildfire smoke can cause health problems, even death Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Canadian wildfires 2025: here's how it is impacting Michigan's air Tontitown resident Kenneth Lovett, a vocal opponent of the Eco-Vista landfill, stands across the street from the facility earlier this month. (Ainsley Platt/Arkansas Advocate) The latest round of air-quality tests near Tontitowns landfill is complete, the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment announced Friday. Environmental consulting firm CTEH conducted the testing, specifically looking for chemicals found in previous air sampling, including benzene, acrolein, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and naphthalene, a news release from the department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within 90 days of receiving all final, validated analytical sampling results, CTEH will prepare a draft final report for the study, with feedback from the Arkansas Department of Health. All of the chemicals mentioned by the department are toxic to humans and can cause a variety of health problems. Benzene is a liquid, flammable chemical used in a number of consumer products and industrial processes. Long-term exposure can lead to a number of health problems, including cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Inhalation of acrolein leads to eye and throat irritation and can lead to more serious respiratory congestion, according to the CDC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carbon tetrachloride is a highly toxic chemical once used in refrigerants and still used in some industrial processes with serious health consequences for people exposed to it, according to the EPA. Naphthalene, a common ingredient in mothballs, can cause anemia, liver damage and neurological issues if ingested or inhaled in large concentrations, according to an EPA fact sheet. Chronic exposure to chloroform can affect the liver and central nervous system, the EPA says. The testing, which occurred from May 2-11, was the fourth round of tests conducted in response to persistent complaints from nearby residents of overwhelming, noxious odors they say emanate from the Eco-Vista landfill, which is owned by Waste Management and is the only landfill in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The concerns of those living nearby the site, some of whom have said they want the landfill shut down, have bumped up against the waste disposal needs of the region, which has exploded in population since the landfill first opened in 1979. Complaints and concerns about the landfill started about five years ago, and have grown since then. Tontitown is currently suing in state court over Eco-Vistas landfill permits. At a Pollution Control and Ecology Commission meeting last year, Tontitown Mayor Angela Russell said the Division of Environmental Quality had abandoned her town, which is in one of the fastest growing areas of the state, to a landfill that has received nearly 200 complaints in the last five years. The latest round of testing was necessary, regulators have said, because previous tests did not identify the source of the chemicals in the air, even though the concentrations of acrolein and benzene were above EPA screening levels for residential air. The Arkansas Department of Health concluded after the third round of testing last year that further testing would be required to determine if the landfill was contributing the chemicals to the ambient air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CTEH conducted the testing, at a cost of $539,966, after bidding on the project. The division previously said they would not announce when testing would take place in an effort to record normal activities. Rep. Robin Lundstrum, R-Elm Springs, previously accused two unnamed DEQ employees of tipping the landfill off to inspections during a pre-session budget hearing last year. The town is in the process of suing the commission and Eco-Vista over multiple permitting matters. Complaints have come into the division regularly over the last few years, but it was only last year that Eco-Vista was cited with violations of Arkansas air pollution laws as a result of odors. The alleged violations were referred for DEQs formal enforcement process. Editor Sonny Albarado contributed to this story. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX According to the Miss America Instagram page, Miss America, Abbie Stockard, visited President Trump in the Oval Office. She discussed the Promise Fund with Trump, which is a non-profit organization that fights for early detection for breast and cervical cancer. The funds goal is to provide underserved women screenings, diagnosis, treatment and follow up care for the illnesses. Abbie was there with the CEO of the Promise Fund, Audrey Brown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During her visit, Abbie gave First Lady, Melania Trump a bracelet that symbolizes the funds promise, which is screening saves lives. Abbie won Miss America in January of 2025, and she was Miss Alabama last year in 2024. She is from Birmingham, and she attends Auburn University, where she majors in nursing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. The official opening ceremony of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Kenya will take place in the coming days, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan says, Trend reports. The opening ceremony will be attended by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. Jeyhun Bayramov left earlier for an official visit to Kenya. Law enforcement officers examine a load of Alaska crab, much of it infested with Bitter Crab Syndrome, after it arrived in Washington state in 2024. (Photo provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police) A Kodiak fisher has been sentenced to spend a year in jail for illegally shipping thousands of pounds of tanner crab, much of it infected with a parasitic disease, out of Alaska to Washington state, federal officials said. The fisherman, Corey Potter, was also sentenced to two years supervised release following his jail term, during which he will be barred from commercial fishing anywhere in the world, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation was led by NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement. The sentence was imposed on May 13 by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Burgess in Anchorage. The case concerns tanner and Golden king crab harvested in 2024 in Southeast Alaska. Potter owned two vessels, one of them captained by his son, Kyle Potter, and the other by employee Justin Welch. Rather than unload the crab catch in Alaska, as is required by state law, the three men kept the live crab in the vessels and took the catch to Washington state, passing through Canadian waters along the way. The motivation was to fetch higher prices for their catch, according to prosecutors documents. At the time, according to evidence presented in court documents, the men knew that a large proportion of the catch was infested with Bitter Crab Syndrome, a parasitic disease that usually kills the crabs and renders their meat inedible. Bitter Crab Syndrome is not toxic for people, but infected crab meat can be bitter and eating it is likened to chewing on aspirin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That evidence included text messages from other Alaska fishers who cautioned Potter and his son against bringing infested crab to market, with one expressing concerns that their actions would hurt the reputation and marketability of all Alaska crab. Bitter Crab Syndrome affects numerous species, and it is considered a possible contributor to the crash of Bering Sea snow crab and king crab stocks that led to an unprecedented string of harvest closures between 2021 and 2024. The main reason for the stock crashes, scientists believe, was the warmth in the habitat, which led to crab starvation. In the years leading up to the fishery closures, however, there was an increase in Bitter Crab Syndrome. The disease is linked to warming waters and climate change, according to scientists from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Kyle Potter and Welch pleaded guilty last year. In October, Kyle Potter was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay a $20,000 fine; Welch was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. Ultimately, the loads of crab they delivered never made it to any market. They were seized by Washington state law enforcement officers and deemed unfit for sale or consumption. Of the Golden king crab, 42% of the catch was dead upon arrival; of the tanner crab, so much was infested that the entire load was disposed of in a landfill, federal officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Potter pleaded guilty in February to two counts of violating the Lacey Act, the federal law that concerns transport of wildlife and fish across state lines. Prosecutors identified him as the leader of the scheme and therefore requested heavier penalties. Potter, in a presentencing memorandum, asked for probation rather than jail time, arguing that his long career of fishing in Alaska has now ended and that at the age of 64, he is now financially ruined. As a result of last years terrible crabbing season, which included the instant offense conduct, he has been financially destroyed. One of the boats involved in this offense was foreclosed on, and the other is believed to have been seized by the state. He has been reduced to relying upon family for assistance and has no viable means to support himself, the May 6 defense memo said. But prosecutors, who argued for 18 months imprisonment, said actions with the diseased crab fit Potters yearslong pattern of sloppy maintenance and unsafe behavior. In their presentencing report, also filed on May 6, prosecutors listed numerous past problems with the vessels Potter owned. They have been cited for chronically leaking oil, broken down at sea requiring crew members to be rescued and sunk in different sites, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendants track record as a vessel operator in Alaska is abysmal. He has shown a total disregard for the safety of his crew, the safety of Alaskan waterways, and the health of the marine environment, the prosecutors presentencing report said. Yet to be determined is the amount of restitution that Potter will be ordered to pay for the trafficked crab. The government is seeking $187,187 in restitution. A hearing on that subject is set for July 15. This article was first published by Alaska Beacon, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alaska Beacon maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Andrew Kitchenman for questions: info@alaskabeacon.com. Jun. 1Members of the Albuquerque City Council and the mayor's office came together Wednesday to mark the signing of legislation that allocates portions of the historic opioid settlement one of the largest in history to be doled out to local governments. Mayor Tim Keller signed legislation that enables $4.5 million from opioid settlement money to fund three Gateway Center projects, all meant to alleviate drug use and homelessness in Albuquerque. "People who need treatment and addiction help, the most in need, will now have a home and we'll actually be able to open this very shortly," Keller said while at the soon-to-be-opened Medical Sobering Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the legislation, this money goes to three projects. The largest allocation, $2.25 million, was designated for the Medical Sobering Center, which will provide space for up to 50 individuals to recover from severe intoxication and is set to open later this summer. Another $1.4 million was allocated to the First Responder Receiving Area, a facility where police and other first responders can transport individuals in need of drug and mental health services outside regular hours. Lastly, $950,000 is allocated to Gateway Recovery, a city-owned community of 46 tiny homes where individuals recovering from addiction can reside and receive treatment for a year. In all, Albuquerque is set to receive about $80 million over the next 18 years. That money must be used to remediate the effects of the opioid epidemic, per the settlement agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the money stems from a settlement after local governments across the country sued pharmaceutical companies for overprescribing opioids. The resulting settlement, which followed hundreds of deaths in New Mexico, led to a windfall of funding for local governments. More recently, rates of fatal overdoses have decreased two years in a row since 2021, when the number of deaths peaked at 1,029 deaths, according to data compiled by the New Mexico Department of Health. The same data set also showed that fentanyl was involved in 65% of overdose deaths in 2023, the year with the most recent available data. "We created a world of people that were addicted to opiates," said Jennifer Burke, executive director of Serenity Mesa Recovery Center. "And when they couldn't get their opiates anymore, fentanyl was there waiting for them." However, decisions about how to allocate the money led to a split between some council members and the mayor's office. The mayor's office sought additional funding for Gateway services, while the council proposed distributing the funds to nonprofits that support individuals experiencing addiction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The council's plan followed dozens of meetings between councilors and Bernalillo County commissioners. "It was a period of about two years to go through this process of getting community input, finding out how those funds should be used according to the community which is what they were for and then coming up with a plan," Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn said. That same plan also allocated funds for the mayor's office, which the council later allocated toward the three projects celebrated on Wednesday. However, despite the reconciliation and the bill signing, councilors and the mayor sought to convey a message that the work was not over. "We are at the precipice," Councilor Nichole Rogers said. "We are right there, and things like this (Medical Sobering Center) coming online are just going to help us really meet people where they are and connect them to the help so that they can get to self-sufficiency." Alfred Dreyfus is to be posthumously promoted 130 years after he was wrongly convicted of treason. Frances parliament on Monday unanimously backed a bill giving him the rank of brigadier general in a final act of reparation for one of the most notorious acts of anti-Semitism in the countrys history. Dreyfus, a Jewish army captain from the Alsace region of eastern France, was accused in October 1894 of passing secret information on new artillery equipment to the German military attache. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite a lack of evidence, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in the infamous Devils Island penal colony in French Guiana later to feature in the book and film Papillon, starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman and publicly stripped of his rank. He was the subject of a virulent anti-Semitic press campaign that split France. Alfred Dreyfus speaks with General Gillain after being awarded the Legion dhonneur in 1906 - AFP Parliaments backing of the highly symbolic bill, which will be ratified by the senate at a later date, comes amid a surge of anti-Semitism in France following the Hamas-led October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023. The Representative Council of the Jewish Institutions of France registered 1,570 anti-Semitic acts last year, after 1,676 in 2023. In 2022 the figure was 436. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent days, several Jewish and Israeli establishments in Paris, including a Holocaust memorial, were defaced with green paint. Gabriel Attal, the former prime minister who tabled the bill, said that the new law could not have come at a more important time. The anti-Semitism that targeted Alfred Dreyfus is not in the distant past, he said, adding: Todays acts of hatred remind us that the fight is still ongoing. Promoting Alfred Dreyfus to the rank of brigadier general would constitute an act of reparation, a recognition of his merits, and a tribute to his commitment to the Republic, Mr Attal said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just before the vote and in the presence of the Dreyfus family, Patricia Miralles, the remembrance and veterans minister, said: Anti-Semitism is still striking in our democracy... this hatred must be fought resolutely. Guilty walked free The accusation against Dreyfus was based on a comparison of handwriting on a document found in the German attaches waste paper basket. But Lt Col Georges Picquart, the then head of the intelligence services, secretly re-investigated the case and discovered the writing on the incriminating message was that of another officer, Ferdinand Walsin Esterhazy. When Picquart presented the evidence to the general staff of the French army, he was kicked out of the military and jailed for a year, while Esterhazy was acquitted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That gave rise to writer Emile Zolas famous Jaccuse pamphlet to Felix Faure, the then French president, in which he slammed a terrifying judicial error amid the hunt for dirty Jews that is soiling our time. A campaign to free him split the country between Dreyfusards, led by Zola, and anti-Dreyfusards such as Maurice Barres, the far-Right political leader. In June 1899, Dreyfus was brought back to France, found guilty a second time, and sentenced to 10 years in prison, before being officially pardoned, though not cleared of the charges. A Vanity Fair picture of the courtroom during the 1899 retrial - Universal Images Group/Universal Images Group Only in 1906, did the High Court of Appeal overturn the original verdict, exonerating him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was reinstated with the rank of chef descadron (major), a downgrade for an officer who had seemed destined for the highest posts until his wrongful conviction. Dreyfus left the army in 1907, but later signed up again when war with Germany broke out in 1914, and fought at Verdun. He died in 1935, aged 76. In April 2025, Pierre Moscovici, the first president of Frances Court of Audits; Frederic Salat-Baroux, a prominent lawyer; and Louis Gautier, the chairman of the Dreyfus Museum, signed an open letter calling for Dreyfus to be made a brigadier general. The posthumous promotion was all the more important because part of the Left is operating a terrible return to the past, they argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Centrist Democratic MPs later warned the bill should not be used to buy a badge of honour by parties with condemnable past or present stances on anti-Semitism, pointing the finger at Jean-Luc Melenchons Leftist France Unbowed (LFI) and Marine Le Pens radical-Right National Rally (RN). Emmanuel Macron visits the Dreyfus Museum near Paris in 2021 - LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP Gabriel Amard, the LFI deputy leader, said: It is in my family that we are descended from Dreyfusards, not in yours. He also condemned the double discourse of the RN where, according to him, anti-Semitic remarks and behaviour are still rampant. Hailing the law as fundamental for the Republic, Charles Sitzenstuhl, an MP from Emmanuel Macrons Renaissance Party in Alsace and rapporteur of the bill, joined calls for Dreyfus to be interred in the Pantheon, Frances temple to its great and good. Critics, including Francois Bayrou, the prime minister, argue that the Pantheon is for the countrys heroes, not its victims, but others say the decade he spent in solitary confinement and his commitment to the French army proved otherwise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dreyfus is a model of resistance and heroism for the nation. He is an example for younger generations, a great man, said Mr Sitzenstuhl. 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. Alireza Doroudi flies back to Iran 2 months after being detained by ICE outside University of Alabama BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Alireza Doroudi, a mechanical engineering student who was a year away from finishing his doctorate degree at the University of Alabama, has left the country and gone back home to Iran, two months after immigration officers took him from his apartment in Tuscaloosa and held him in a detention facility in Louisiana. Doroudi, 32, left the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Jena, Louisiana over the weekend and left the United States on Sunday, his attorney confirmed to CBS 42 Monday. Prior to the weekend, Doroudi had been held by ICE for 68 days, beginning on March 25, when several officers went to his apartment in the early morning hours to detain him on charges of living in the country on a revoked visa. From there, he was held in detention in Louisiana with 1,200 other people. Despite being labeled a national security risk by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, prosecutors never provided any evidence to back up their claims. In addition, attorney David Rozas said Doroudis SEVIS status was still clear and he could have legally remained in the country as long as he remained a student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 8, Doroudi told the immigration court that he would deport himself back to Iran, his attorneys and family later citing the physical, mental and emotional drain being in detainment had caused him over several months. Rozas, who has defended Doroudi since his arrest, released the following statement Monday morning: Yesterday, June 1, 2025, Alireza Doroudi left the United States to return to Iran. His choice was made in response to a system that failed to uphold fairness, transparency, and due process. For weeks, Mr. Doroudi was held in detention without any substantiated evidence presented to justify the initial claims of national security concerns. Despite having no history of protest or political activity, and despite documentation indicating that his F-1 student visa remained valid until departure, Mr. Doroudi was denied bond and subjected to legal proceedings riddled with delay and contradiction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following his May 8 hearing before Judge Maithe Gonzalez, Mr. Doroudi made the difficult decision to request voluntary departure. It was a heartbreaking moment. He turned and said, I love this country, but they dont want me here so I will go home. At that hearing, even the Department of Homeland Security acknowledged that the central charge of visa revocation did not apply while he remained in the United States, and indicated their intent to drop the charge altogether. Yet, the court delayed action, requiring additional filings despite repeated requests and mounting evidence in his favor. Mr. Doroudis return is a warning. When individuals are detained without evidence, forced to disprove unfounded allegations, and pressured to leave a country they sought to contribute to, we must ask: What message are we sending to international students? To immigrant communities? To those who believe in the promise of American justice? This was not justice. This was attrition by detention. And it should never have come to this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a defense lawyer, I remain committed to seeking accountability for the failures that led to this outcome, and to ensuring that what happened to Mr. Doroudi does not happen again. Doroudi, who is engaged and was in the middle of planning his wedding at the time of his arrest, was expected to complete his degree from UA next year. In fact, a research paper he co-wrote with different colleagues, A review of the effects of laser peening on creep properties, was published in April while he was locked up. It is not clear whether Doroudi will be able to finish his degree at UA while overseas or if he has withdrawn from the university in the wake of his departure. Doroudis departure comes as the Trump administration has cracked down on foreign students staying in the United States, especially Chinese students with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields, NBC News reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attempts to reach Doroudi were not successful Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. In late May, American Airlines announced a major change at Philadelphia International Airport. Those traveling through the popular airport will now "have a 25,000-square-foot oasis awaiting them in the A-West Terminal," as the airlines debuts two new lounges just before Memorial Day on May 22. The lounges are open to eligible AAdvantage members, qualifying OneWorld members and customers traveling in premium cabins on qualifying same-day flights, according to the announcement. Just a week later, American Airlines announced another big change for AAdvantage members at four major airports across the country. Starting May 29, AAdvantage members traveling through Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport will be eligible to enjoy a streamlined process at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport security checkpoints through TSA PreCheck Touchless ID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were examining every aspect of the customer experience, Heather Garboden, Americans Chief Customer Officer said in a statement. TSA Precheck Touchless ID helps streamline our customers travel experience and makes travel with us even more enjoyable. We look forward to it becoming available to even more customers in the coming months. This program provides eligible members who choose to participate with the ability to move through security with ease at select airports. American Airlines described the new technology: "After an identity match compares a customers image to photos they previously provided to the government, such as those in a passport, Global Entry or a visa card, the customer will be able to move through security faster with ease." Expansion will continue at airports across the system in the coming months in close collaboration with TSA, with a focus on hub airports. Related: TSA Makes 'Concerning' Announcement American Airlines Announces Big TSA Change for Select Travelers first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 2, 2025 A nurse readies an MMR vaccine at Sanford Children's Hospital in Sioux Falls. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) As a national outbreak of measles continues, South Dakota has detected its first case of the year. The state Department of Health said Monday in a news release that the infected person is a Meade County adult who visited several public locations. The department said people may have been exposed to measles in the Rapid City Medical Center Urgent Care waiting room from 7:15 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mountain time on May 28 and the Monument Health Sturgis Urgent Care waiting room from 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mountain time on May 29. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People who were in those settings should self-monitor for measles symptoms for 21 days, the department said. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through the air from an infected person. People who lack immunity from vaccination or past infection are at high risk of measles infection if they have contact with an infected person. Measles symptoms appear in two stages. In the first stage, the individual may have a runny nose, cough and a slight fever. The eyes may become reddened and sensitive to light while the fever consistently rises each day. The second stage begins on the third to seventh day of symptoms and consists of a temperature of 103-105 degrees Fahrenheit, and a red blotchy rash lasting for four to seven days. The rash usually begins on the face and then spreads down to the trunk and out to the arms and legs. The department said the measles vaccine offers the best protection against infection and avoids the risks that come with infection. The department said the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is highly effective at preventing measles infection, and two MMR doses usually produce lifelong immunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a measles vaccination rate of 95% is needed to prevent outbreaks, given the highly contagious nature of the virus. Vaccination rates have been falling in South Dakota, where incoming kindergarteners are required to be up to date on the MMR vaccine unless they have a medical or religious exemption. Ten years ago, six South Dakota counties had less than 95% of kindergarteners vaccinated for measles, with the lowest being 80%. Now, more than 40 counties in the state are below 95%, with 12 below 80% and five below 70%. The South Dakota measles case comes amid the most severe U.S. measles outbreak in decades. According to the CDC, there had been more than 1,000 measles cases detected this year across 33 states prior to the detection in South Dakota. Last year, South Dakota reported its first measles case in nine years. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Over the last few months, my team and I have been working on a project to better understand the scale of non-consumption in Nigerias economy, a term that describes a persons inability to purchase a product or service they need. What weve uncovered is what I call a predictable surprise: Nigerias level of non-consumption fits this paradox perfectly, it is both staggering and entirely foreseeable. We knew it would be large, but the extent of it is far greater and more urgent than many might imagine. Consumption matters because, on a fundamental level, life is a series of struggles marked by consumption or non-consumption. We get hungry (struggle). We eat (consumption). We need to go to work or visit a friend (struggle). We drive or get in a vehicle (consumption). We need to feel healthy when we get sick (struggle). We find and take medicine (consumption). Simply put, when people arent consuming, theyre struggling. And most Nigerians arent consuming. First, more than 130 million of the nations 220 million-strong population are living in multidimensional poverty, a method of measuring poverty that goes beyond considering a persons income level and includes health, education, and access to other vital resources such as electricity, clean water, and sanitation. It means that nearly two thirds of the country wakes up each day struggling to meet basic needs: The average Nigerian household spends more than 50% of its income on food, more than 18 million children are out of school (one in three), and approximately 25 million people are at risk of food insecurity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Second, Nigerias economy is structurally unproductive. Economies in sub-Saharan Africa are approximately 8% as productive as those in high-income economies, according to a World Bank study on global productivity. In Nigeria, where there are approximately 40 million micro, small, and medium enterprises they are just 12% as productive as those in larger economies. Heres how this lack of productivity shows up in the economy: In financial services, theres roughly $281 per capita of domestic credit flowing through the economy. In South Africa, theres $5,450; In the United States, theres more than $159,000. Fewer than 10% of workers are part of the formal economy, meaning that more than 90% of people have no insurance, no sick days, no vacations, or guaranteed income. The Nigerian economy is so structurally and fundamentally unproductive that fixing it would require an intentional, long-term effort to build inclusive, productivity-enhancing systems. Also consider mobility. Although data for Nigerias per capita miles traveled in a vehicle (VMT) is difficult to find, estimates suggest its less than 500. In South Africa, VMT per capita is estimated to be around 2,580; In the United States, VMT per capita is around 10,000. Nigerians are not moving. Electricity is another area of significant non-consumption. Nigerias grid capacity is roughly 5 GW, although estimates suggest the country generates an additional 40 GW from millions of off-grid generators. Even at that level, Nigerias per capita electricity consumption is approximately 1,700 kWh versus the global average of roughly 3,700 kWh per capita. Within this crisis of non-consumption however, lies a profound opportunity. At this scale, non-consumption is not just a sign of whats missing it is a glaring signal for whats possible. It reveals that there are great unmet needs in virtually every corner of the Nigerian economy. If leaders public and private can shift their focus from serving the few who already consume to enabling the many who currently cannot, they wont just be solving poverty. Theyll be unlocking a new wave of inclusive prosperity, driven by markets that are designed to empower, not exclude. The predictable surprise of Nigerias non-consumption is all the more reason to build. ANDERSON An Anderson man was arrested Monday after reportedly robbing a woman at gunpoint and stealing her car. Collin Ball, 24, was arrested on preliminary charges of robbery, serious convicted felon in possession of a firearm, auto theft, leaving scene of an accident and a parole violation. According to a press release from Caleb McKnight, public information officer for the Anderson Police Department, officers responded at 4:50 a.m. to a report of an armed robbery in a parking lot in the 2900 block of North Scatterfield Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A woman told police that an armed male wearing a mask approached her car while she was sitting inside. According to the press release, the man forced her to exit the vehicle, demanded her purse and fled in her vehicle. About an hour later, officers spotted the stolen vehicle in the 1000 block of East 53rd Street. When they attempted to make a traffic stop, the driver fled, crashing at the intersection of West 53rd Street and Drexel Drive. According to the press release, Ball fled on foot and was arrested after a perimeter was established with the assistance of the K9 Division. Ball was convicted in June 2021 in Madison Circuit Court Division 1 on a charge of battery on a public safety officer and in another case on a charge of confinement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was sentenced by Judge Angela Warner Sims to three years in prison. Anyone with information on the Monday incident is asked to contact Detective Brett Webb at 765-648-6731 or Crime Stoppers Central Indiana at 317-262-8477. (This story was updated to correct an inaccuracy.) Indianapolis U.S. Rep. Andre Carson has seen plenty of primary challengers throughout his 17 years representing Indiana's 7th Congressional District, but his Democratic opponent for 2026 could be his toughest race yet. The political attacks are already starting between the 17-year incumbent and his 34-year-old primary opponent. George Hornedo, a political strategist and attorney, said he is running against Carson because he wants to be a representative that delivers results to the community and builds Democratic power across the state. Indianapolis needs a change from Carson, Hornedo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I respect Congressman Carson, Hornedo said. Up until this, I had a good relationship with him, but sometimes we have to tell the truth. Hornedo's campaign is part of a current trend across the country of younger candidates challenging longtime Democratic incumbents in Congress, arguing the party needs change after President Donald Trump's election in 2024. Those running could get financial support. David Hogg, the embattled Democratic National Committee Vice Chair, in April said he planned to spend $20 million through his organization Leaders We Deserve to support primary challengers to safe-seat Democratic incumbents as well as young candidates running for office in current red districts. This trend of challenging safe-seat incumbents is likely due to the rise of frustration about Trump administration policies and a lack of action from Democrats, who are in the minority, said Mike Wolf, chair of the Mike Downs Center for Politics at Purdue University Fort Wayne. There is likely also resentment among the party about the end of former President Joe Biden's 2024 campaign and time at the White House, Wolf said. "If you're in a blue district, this is maybe one of the only actions you can take to really do something about it," Wolf said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Hornedo faces the same challenges Carson's past Democratic and Republican opponents have run into for more than a decade. Not only does Carson have the name recognition advantage from being a 17-year incumbent in deep blue Indianapolis, he shares the last name of his late grandmother Julia Carson, who served in the Indiana General Assembly before becoming the first Black woman from Indianapolis elected to Congress in 1996. In 2024, Carson defeated his closest primary challenger by 85 percentage points and closest general election opponent by 39 percentage points. Despite that, Hornedo said Carson has not provided proper leadership to the 7th Congressional District or helped grow Democratic power. He points to recent low voter turnout in Marion County and the congressman's low legislative effectiveness ranking of 197/220 by the Center for Effective Lawmaking. Caroline Ellert, a spokesperson for Carson's campaign, dismissed the critiques. Voter turnout is "a multifacted issue" and Marion County is a Democratic stronghold due to "a strong ground game" Carson has built over the years, Ellert said. Additionally, one website does not reflect the congressman's career or indicate the support of his constituents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It doesn't take into account Congressman Carson's classified work with the House Intel committee, grant funding secured for the district, and community project funding which is funding that goes directly to Indianapolis projects," Ellert said. Who is George Hornedo Hornedo grew up in Indianapolis and attended Park Tudor School. He received an undergraduate degree at Cornell University, a masters degree from Harvard University and a law degree from George Washington University Law School, according to his campaign website. While his political resume doesn't yet include elected office, Hornedo said he worked in communications for the Department of Justice during former President Barack Obama's administration and as a delegate director for then-South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign in addition to other policy roles in the nonprofit and private sectors. Last year, Hornedo founded a political group called Next Gen Hoosiers to support and elect a new generation of leaders. Federal campaign finance reports show the group raised and spent $20,000 in last year, which he said was spent on Facebook ads in support of Indiana Statehouse candidates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Hornedo may have more political experience than some of Carson's past primary challengers, Carson has handily defeated his primary opponents over the years. Still, Hornedo said he views a win over Carson and change in party leadership as "inevitable." "I see this as a really pivotal point in the city of Indianapolis, not just for the seat in 2026, but for the mayoral seat in 2027 of how do we get new leadership that is a break from the past," Hornedo said. "Leadership that actually has a forward looking vision for the community and the ability to execute and the desire to take on that leadership part of building role, and the desire to be the connector and the convener." Political swipes already starting Indiana's primary election is nearly a year from now, but Hornedo has already begun attacking Carson. In posts on social media Hornedo criticized an early May event Carson held at the Center Township Government Center with U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, a top House Democrat. Hornedo said Clark's visit was a sign Carson was "scared" about Hornedo's campaign. (Carson dismissed the comments and said Hornedo "probably doesn't remember" past Democrats visiting Indianapolis "because he wasn't living here at the time.") Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Why a top House Democrat joined Rep. Andre Carson for an event in Indianapolis Hornedo in early May also posted a video on X saying he was turned away from a "local Democratic community organizing meeting," which he said was another sign the party is uncomfortable with change. The director of the Indiana House Democratic Caucus disputed Hornedo's description of the event in a response on X, saying he tried to attend a ticketed political fundraiser he had not RSVP'd to. Federal campaign finance reports, which are due in July, will begin to signal what direction the primary might head in the coming months. But the early start of political swipes is a sign the 7th Congressional District primary could shape up to be a contentious race. Indiana's primary election is May 5, 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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: U.S. Rep. Andre Carson's 2026 primary opponent may be his toughest yet Waukesha's long-simmering trend for Mexican cuisine may continue with the addition of another restaurant, this time along an industrial section of West St. Paul Avenue. Las Cazuelas Restaurant was listed as the operator in city planning documents involving minor changes at an old commercial building at 818 W. St. Paul Ave., near Prairie Avenue. Used for a number of purposes over the years, it was most notably a drive-in eatery decades ago known as The Bun. Details of the restaurant itself were not part of the discussion. But Andrew Borgstrom, of Waukesha, whose company AmVet Properties acquired the now-vacant building along with the neighboring site, offered some tidbits to the Waukesha Plan Commission on May 28, when the minor site plan and architectural review was discussed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Borgstrom said the restaurant would primarily focus on catering events elsewhere, with some seating for dining. That's why fewer than a dozen parking spaces will be needed, he told the planning panel. It was his nostalgic feelings for The Bun, as well as the neighboring lot that was the previous home of Jim's Bug Center in those years, that led to AmVet's acquisition of both lots, he said. (Jim's Bug Center is a regionally renown Volkswagen Beetle repair business that dates back to 1968 and now operates a shop on Philip Drive in Waukesha.) "My dad use to take his Bugs down there in the '60s, and we'd go over to The Bun to have some food and french fries and stuff at 6 or 7 years old," Borgstrom told the Plan Commission. "So I thought it would be nice to do a renovation." Most of the work will involve striping the lot to define the 11 parking spaces, creating a patio area in front of the building and putting some form of protective barrier separating the road from the lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The restaurant operators were not disclosed. (Las Cazuelas Chilaquiles & Taco Bar, which opened in 2024 in West Allis, is not connected to the Waukesha site, a worker at the restaurant said May 30.) No preliminary opening date was listed. Borgstrom did not immediately return a phone call seeking more information. Waukesha is already home to at least 18 Mexican restaurants and food trucks, compared with only a handful a quarter-century ago. Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at james.riccioli@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Las Cazuelas Mexican restaurant planned for old Waukesha eatery site KHANKENDI, Azerbaijan, June 2. The Garabagh Education and Partnership Forum has been held at Azerbaijan's Garabagh University under the theme Joint Steps for the Future Karabakh, Trend's local correspondent reports. The goal of the forum was to promote the development of education and partnership between the public and private sectors in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. The forum was held in partnership with the Ministry of Science and Education and the Ministry of Economy and jointly organized by the Karabakh Revival Fund, Education Development Fund, Free Trade Union of Education Workers of Azerbaijan and Garabagh University. Shahin Bayramov, rector of the university, gave a welcome speech at the opening ceremony of the forum. Then the Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev, the Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov and the special representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the city of Khankendi, Aghdara and Khojaly districts Elchin Yusubov expressed a number of important opinions about the development of education in the Karabakh region, the strengthening of human capital, and the strategic importance of public-private cooperation. Then, within the framework of the forum, panel discussions were organized on two different topics with the participation of professional moderators and speakers. At the 1st panel "The Great Return: Challenges and Opportunities", moderated by Elnura Nasibov, Chairman of the Board of Education Development Fund, Mikail Jabbarov, Emin Amrullaev, Elchin Yusubov and the head of Karabakh Revival Fund Rahman Hajiyev spoke as speakers and touched on the issues of reconstruction of the region and development of human resources. The second panel was devoted to the topic "Possibilities of Public-Private Partnership in Karabakh". The moderator was the director of the State Agency for Professional Education Jeyhun Karamov. During the panel with Shahin Bayramov, the perspectives of the state-private partnership in the region and the possibilities of mutual cooperation were discussed. The forum ended with an artistic part, during which teachers and students of Garabagh University performed national musical works. More than 200 people took part in the event, which once again emphasized the importance of coordinated activities of all parties in the reconstruction and development of Karabakh, including representatives of state institutions, employees of special missions located in the region, representatives of the private sector, and the teaching staff of Garabagh University. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. Opposition to womens rights has helped fuel authoritarian movements in Russia, Hungary, Brazil, and the United States. That the same is true in South Korea, which is holding an early presidential election tomorrow, is perhaps less well known. There, the role of anti-feminists is particularly stark, helping to put womens issues at the very center of the countrys fraught contest. To appreciate the stakes, recall that just a few months ago, South Korea nearly lost its democracy: On December 3, then-President Yoon Suk Yeol shut down the Parliament, banned all political parties, and suspended the free press. His power grab was swiftly defeated by mass demonstrations and a heroic parliamentary effortmembers climbed fences to reach the chamber, where they unanimously voted to lift martial lawbut the shock remained. Why was a country known for technological prowess, slick horror films, and dreamy boy bands descending into chaos? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The answer lies in part with the countrys struggle over womens rights. Even as South Korea has raced ahead economically, gender equality has lagged behind other indicators. Out of 146 countries indexed by the World Economic Forum, South Korea comes 112th in womens economic participation and 100th in womens educational attainment (only slightly better than Iran). For longer than it has had a democracy, South Korea has had a womens-rights movement pressing to improve these conditions. In the late 1980s, a labor activist named Kwon In-sook filed charges against the government for sexual assault she allegedly suffered at a police station. Dozens of womens organizations came together to support her in a coalition known as the Korean Womens Associations United. KWAU wound up playing an important role in the countrys democratic transition, and Kwon herself served as a member of Parliament until last year. [Read: South Koreas crisis is nowhere near over] In recent decades, womens rights have advanced steadily, if slowly. Advocates successfully pushed for sexual- and domestic-violence legislation in the 1990s. In 1999, they managed to abolish a system that awarded extra points on civil-service exams to military veterans, who are overwhelmingly male due to South Koreas male-only conscription. They got rid of the hoju family-registration system, which automatically counted men as the heads of households. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But legislative advocacy has not eradicated violent crime against women, a grim reality that has spurred a particularly dramatic upsurge in womens activism in the past 10 years. In 2016, a woman was murdered near the world-famous Gangnam metro station in Seoul by a man who complained about being ignored by women. In 2019, a criminal network implicated K-pop stars, corrupt police officers, and elite businessmen in a slew of crimesamong them, administering date-rape drugs and nonconsensually filming sexual encounters to distribute online. South Korean feminists have demonstrated against gender violence and objected to its glorification in popular culture. In 2015, for example, Maxim Korea featured a bad guy theme on its cover: A man was shown smoking by his car with a womans legs, bound at the ankles, jutting out of his trunk. Girls like bad guys? the story demanded. This is a real bad guy. Are you dying to love it? In recent years, some elements of the South Korean feminist movement have attracted attention for their radicalism; others, for their media-savvy tactics. Adherents to the 4B movement refuse to date, have sex with men, marry them, or have children (these tenets all start with bi, which roughly means no in Korean). In 2018, in an action called Escape the Corset, women threw out cosmetic products and cut their hairmaking headlines in a country where about a third of women in their 20s have had plastic surgery, largely to meet exacting beauty standards. That same year, a news anchor became the first woman in her field to wear eyeglasses on major-network TV. The ever-higher profile of the feminist movement has inspired right-wing forces to present themselves as the champions of disgruntled men. The story is a familiar one: South Korea has some of the classic problems of an industrialized society, including a housing crisis affecting young people, a declining birth rate, and a short supply of well-paying jobs. Anti-feminist forces have galvanized supporters by blaming these problems on women and feminists. The gambit has worked. In 2016, anti-feminists went after the actor Kim Jayeon, who voiced one of the characters in the popular Korean video game Closers, because she wore a T-shirt that read girls dont need a prince. A backlash among gamers led the company to fire her. The episode spoke to a broader phenomenon in South Korean society. According to one poll, a whopping 79 percent of men now believe they are being discriminated against because of their gender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much as Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro did in 2016 and 2018, respectively, Yoon capitalized on mens grievances in his 2022 run for president, using anti-feminism as a cudgel against the outgoing center-left president. In his campaign, Yoon promised to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. He repeatedly claimed that South Korea did not have a misogyny or gender-violence problem. His wife, Kim Keon-hee, mocked victims of sexual assault in a highly circulated YouTube interview. Gender issues became central to the campaign, and the young male voters Yoon attracted formed a base of support as he swung toward authoritarianism. [Read: South Koreas warning for Washington] Yoon was impeached after his aborted December coup, but South Koreas political crisis did not end there. Only on April 4, when the constitutional court upheld his impeachment, was Yoon formally removed from office. His party is in turmoil over his legacy and only recently settled on its candidate for tomorrows election. The Democratic Party is running Lee Jae-myung, the same candidate Yoon faced in 2022, and he is now the front-runner. Lee mostly shied away from womens issues when he ran against Yoon in 2022, but this year, he has promised to empower the gender-equality ministry. In the past, he has rebuked Yoon for claiming that there is no gender inequality in South Korea; he has also promised to reduce the gender-wage gap, strengthen laws against stalking and dating violence, offer free HPV vaccines to adolescents, and establish a system for reporting and monitoring businesses with discriminatory employment practices. Feminists will likely support him to prevent the rights return to power. Kim Jae-yeon of the Progressive Party ran to become South Koreas first feminist president, but she ended her campaign on May 9, asserting that the priority should be to deter far-right insurrectionist power from seizing presidential authority again. She has endorsed Lee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the disarray on the right, Lee stands a good chance of winning the presidency. If he does, he would do well to remember that South Korean democracy will be preserved not by appeasing anti-feminists, but by devising solutions to real problems, such as the cost-of-living and urban-housing crises, that gave an opening to demagogues like Yoon in the first place. Article originally published at The Atlantic The Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative has reached a significant milestone in its mission to document the regions Underground Railroad history, with an additional eight verified sites now officially listed on the National Park Services National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Supported by an Appalachian Regional Commission POWER Grant awarded to the Lawrence Economic Development Corp., this nine-county, tri-state project spans the tristate region of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. When completed, the Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tour will consist of 27 verified Network to Freedom sites. The initiative aims to preserve historically significant locations and promote economic development through cultural tourism in the Appalachian region. The Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative will host two dedication ceremonies during the month of June to unveil the historical markers indicating sites added to the NPS Network to Freedom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Campbell House, home to John and Elizabeth Campbell, served as a station for Underground Railroad operations in Lawrence County, Ohio. The Campbells worked with other local abolitionists to assist freedom seekers in the area. This dedication event will be held on June 4, 2025, at 10 a.m. and will take place at The Campbell House, 305 N. 5th Street in Ironton. Also, taking place on June 4 at 11:30 a.m., will be the dedication of the Ironton African Methodist Church. The African Methodist Church of Ironton, Ohio, known today as Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, was founded by Retta and Gabe N. Johnson. The couple helped freedom seekers escape through the Hanging Rock Iron District, a region encompassing the tri-state area of Ohio, Kentucky and what was formerly part of the state of Virginia and is now part of West Virginia. This even will be held at the Ironton African Methodist Church, located at 514 S. 8th Street in Ironton. Two locations in Portsmouth will be dedicated in on Sunday, June 8. Pleasant Green Baptist Church, Portsmouth's oldest active Black Baptist congregation, was founded by formerly enslaved individuals and allies and has deep connections to Underground Railroad history in Appalachian Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen Chapel AME Church, a historic African American church with roots tracing back to the pre-Civil War era, Allen Chapel played a pivotal role in supporting freedom seekers in Portsmouth. As a central institution within the local Black community, the churchs members, including John J. Minor and his wife, Martha Minor, Joseph Love, John Q. Weaver and his wife, Mary Weaver demonstrated resilience and agency, actively participating in the Underground Railroad and leaving a legacy of courage and hope that continues to inspire future generations. This dedication event will take place on June 8th at 4 p.m., at 1421 Waller St. in Portsmouth. Dr. Andrew Feight, Director of Research and Outreach for the Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative, expressed the importance of this work, stating, "It is exciting to see this federal investment in the historical assets we have in the tristate region. Our research is recovering important lost chapters of local history that will transform our understanding of the past and help draw interest and visitors to the region. This is a history for which we all can be proud as Americans and its an honor and a humbling experience for me to play my part in the endeavor." Marty Conley, LEDC/Tourism Director of Lawrence County, Ohio, added, Were honored that the Appalachian Heritage Freedom Tourism Initiative has helped make it possible for the National Park Service to recognize these Underground Railroad sites. This is a meaningful step in preserving these stories, and we look forward to safeguarding even more local history for future generations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pleasant Green Baptist Church symbolizes the importance of the history of the African American church as it relates to what it means to help people be set free, explained Rev. Antonio Neeley, the Pastor of Pleasant Green Baptist Church, who has also served as an Outreach Specialist on the project. The church assisted freedom seekers in gaining their freedom, which is important to both American and world history. I am proud to be connected to these great leaders of Portsmouth as an African American male, a pastor, a Christian, and a citizen of the city of Portsmouth. Karen Nance, Outreach Specialist for Cabell County, West Virginia reminds us why the Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative is important for the region: The biggest thing we need when we tell the stories of slaves is that we need to remember that they were people. They had talent, ambition, work ethicall the things that make human beings human beings. We know all these things about the enslavers - the architecture they lived in, the clothes they wore and we need to know more about the enslaved. Were telling heroic stories of people who were seeking their freedom. A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version. Trump Officials Blamed Administrative Errors On May 7, just 28 minutes after a U.S. appeals court ordered that a Salvadoran man not be removed from the United States, the Trump administration deported him to El Salvador. The Trump administration told the Second Circuit in a filing last week that the wrongful deportation was the result of a confluence of administrative errors. The fourth known wrongful deportation in the opening months of Trumps anti-immigration jihad was first reported by the nonprofit news outlet Investigative Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administrations admission that the deportation of Jordin Alexander Melgar-Salmeron was in error came only after the appeals court had ordered the government to respond to a list of nine questions about what had happened in the case. Among the pointed questions posed by the appeals court: 8. What is the Governments overall understanding as to why Petitioner was removed on May 7, 2025 despite an express assurance made to this Court that the Government would forbear from removing Petitioner until May 8, 2025? 9. What is the Governments overall understanding as to why Petitioner was removed at 10:20 a.m. EST on May 7, 2025 despite an existing order from this Court staying removal pending consideration of his Petition for Review? Politico has a good rundown on the specific details of the underlying case. But for our purposes, the apparent violation of the appeals court order (the administration argues it was not a violation because it was an error ) is front and center. The appeals court has given both sides additional time to propose what the next steps in the case should be. A lawyer for Melgar-Salmeron told Politico that he intends to ask the court to order his clients return from El Salvador and to hold Trump administration officials in contempt. Leave No Paper Trail Behind With the Kash Patel era at the FBI in full swing, the bureau is shifting significant resources to immigration enforcement and away from other high priority cases, but agents have been told by higher-ups not to document the shift in order to avoid creating a paper trail, CNN reports. Oops AP: Kristi Noem said an immigrant threatened to kill Trump. The story quickly fell apart Trumps Bogus Invocation Of The State Secrets Privilege NYU law professor Ryan Goodman goes deep on the Trump administrations invocation of the state secrets privilege. The TL;DR: It is hard to escape the conclusion that the Trump administration is invoking the doctrine here to impede accountability and judicial remedies for official conduct that courts have found unlawful. For Your Radar As the House GOP megabill that enshrines the Trump II agenda heads to the Senate, a closer look at the provision that appears intended to weaken the federal judiciary by making it harder to enforce contempt of court violations. Good Read Henry Farrell, on the apparent rupture between President Trump and the Federalist Society: I am not the kind of expert who can provide plausible predictions about whether the Federalist Society will prevail over the Trump administration, or vice-versa, or what terms they might meet if they find some compromise. My best guess and it is just a guess is that Emil Boves confirmation process will tell us a lot about what happens afterwards. But which side wins and which loses in the bigger contest will have important consequences for the kind of conservatism that prevails, and for the kind of America that were going to live in. Law Firms Paying A Price For Capitulation WSJ: At least 11 big companies are moving work away from law firms that settled with the administration or are givingor intend to givemore business to firms that have been targeted but refused to strike deals, according to general counsels at those companies and other people familiar with those decisions. Higher Ed Capitulation Watch CNN: The White House is looking to strike a deal with a high-profile school, said the first source, who is involved in the higher education response. They want a name-brand university to make a deal like the law firms made a deal that covers not just antisemitism and protests, but DEI and intellectual diversity, this person said. They want Trump to be able to stand up and say he made a deal with so-and-so an Ivy League school, some sort of name-brand school that gives them cover so they can say, We dont want to destroy higher education. Asked if any of the schools are inclined to make such a deal, the source said, Nobody wants to be the first, but the financial pressures are getting real. The Purges, Step 2: Install Cronies We always knew the Trump purges were merely the first step in a plan to install loyalists throughout government, though loyalist doesnt fully capture the mix of unqualified, deeply compromised, and/or unfit candidates Trump is selecting: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inspectors General : After his mass purge of inspectors general, President Trump is turning to people like former Rep. Anthony DEsposito (R-NY), who was defeated for re-election in 2024 after he was accused of putting his mistress and his fiancees daughter on his payroll. DEsposito is Trumps nominee for Labor Department inspector general. State : If you want to know whos running the State Department these days, it helps to peruse the website of a relatively new, conservative-leaning organization called the Ben Franklin Fellowship, Politico reports. U.S. Office of Special Counsel: After terminating the U.S. special counsel without cause, Trump has nominated conservative lawyer Paul Ingrassia, 30, who has ties to antisemitic extremists. What Comes After The Initial Trump II Blitz A thoughtful reflection by M. Gessen as we settle in for the long haul: As in a country at war, reports of human tragedy and extreme cruelty have become routine not news. CDC Contradicts RFK Jr. On COVID Vax The COVID vaccine remained on the CDCs schedule for healthy children 6 months to 17 years old despite Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s earlier public announcement. War On Science The Guardian: Senior officials at the US Department of Veterans Affairs have ordered that VA physicians and scientists not publish in medical journals or speak with the public without first seeking clearance from political appointees of Donald Trump, the Guardian has learned. Beyond Weird After her epic town hall face plant dismissing concerns about Republican Medicaid cuts with the memorable line Well, we all are going to die. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) doubled down with a creepy af video shot in a cemetery: Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know! Ariana Grande at CinemaCon 2025 on April 2, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. - Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty Images A leaked draft of the U.S. Department Health and Human Services department budget reveals that $50 million might be cut from federal funding for LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention programs. More than 100 celebrities including Pedro Pascal, Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Daniel Radcliffe have signed an open letter pleading with lawmakers to reconsider. As artists, creators, and public figures, our platforms come with responsibility, they wrote. And today, that responsibility is clear: we must speak out to protect the mental health and lives of LGBTQ+ youth. We will not stay silent This is about people, not politics. At a time of deep division, let this be something we as people can all agree on: no young person should be left without help in their darkest moment. Stripping away this lifeline leaves LGBTQ+ youth with the message that their lives are not worth saving. We refuse to accept that message. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter highlights that nearly 1.3 million LGBTQ+ young people have been helped by the program since it began in 2022. Suicide among LGBTQ+ youth is a public health crisis, and it should be treated as such, the letter states. LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers. The Trevor Project estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ young people in the United States seriously consider suicide each year and at least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds. It concludes by telling members of the LGBTQ+ community that they are not alone. We see you, they wrote. We value you. You have the right to feel safe, supported, and loved exactly as you are. You deserve access to life-saving services that honor your humanity. You may be hurting. You may be scared. You may feel like no one hears you but we do. We will keep showing up and speaking out. We will not stop fighting for you. Alan Cumming, Aly & AJ, Bob the Drag Queen, Cara Delevingne, Christina Aguilera, Conor Oberst, Darren Criss, Dwayne Wayde, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Kelsea Ballerini, Margaret Cho, Paul Feig, and Troye Sivan are among those who have signed the letter. It remains open, and others can sign on in the coming days and weeks. Theres also an Action Network petition that anyone can sign in support. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Rep. Cesar Aguilar, D-Phoenix, speaks to the press along with other Democratic lawmakers and student activists advocating for affordable, accessible and equitable education during a rally on June 2, 2025. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror Democratic lawmakers and students from across the state gathered at the state Capitol Monday morning to demand that lawmakers protect students from the Trump administrations attacks and ensure higher education funding wont be cut. The Arizona Students Association, along with other progressive organizations, rallied at the Capitol in the hopes that they could persuade lawmakers to address the affordability of higher education, attacks on campus speech and the vilification of specific groups of students, including international and LGBTQIA+ students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A major focus so far of Trumps second term in office has been assailing higher education institutions, with a specific focus on universities with programs to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in both the student body and the faculty. Universities across the country are taking differing approaches on how to respond. Locally, Trumps executive orders and new priorities set by the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights to ban DEI programs has led to local community colleges sweeping mentions of DEI and doing audits of their curriculum in order to make sure they dont lose federal funding. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The administration is also proposing lowering the maximum amount that can be awarded for federal Pell grants in order to stave off a $2.7 billion shortfall in the program. Republicans have been proposing overhauls to the federal student loan program that critics argue would harm lower-income students and create higher costs long-term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arizona universities took a budget hit last year as the state faced a budget deficit, due in part to a loss of state tax income from the implementation of a flat income tax and the states universal school voucher program that has consistently exceeded cost projections. Our public universities are being forced to backfill the budget cuts being made to them, year after year after year, Sen. Lauren Kuby, D-Tempe, said during a press conference outside the Capitol, adding that it has led to continued tuition hikes for students. A student holds a sign advocating for higher education funding at a rally on June 2, 2025. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror Last budget cycle, Arizona universities, along with most state agencies, saw their budgets reduced by 10% in order to bridge a budget shortfall. Democratic lawmakers said Monday that theyre hoping to claw some of that money back or, at the very least, not see university budgets reduced more. Higher education is first on the chopping block, Rep. Cesar Aguilar, D-Phoenix, told the Arizona Mirror, adding that competing budget priorities at the Capitol often can lead to universities being left out of budget negotiation conversations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there is now a new issue making that even more difficult for lawmakers who are currently in budget negotiations, which must be finalized by the end of this month in order to avoid a government shutdown. This year is tough because of the federal government, Aguilar said. Currently, lawmakers dont know if Medicaid will face budget cuts in Trumps Big Beautiful Bill, something that would have major ramifications on the state budget. Do we want to pass a baseline budget and wait until the federal government figures this out? Aguilar said, adding that GOP and Democratic leadership, including the Governors Office, are the ones having that discussion. For Arizona Pell grant recipients and current students, though, the reality is that there is fear and tension for their future, and they want to know that lawmakers are going to hear their concerns and make sure theyre protected. A student holds a sign advocating for higher education funding at a rally on June 2, 2025. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror Stefany Valenzuela, a student at Arizona Western College in Yuma, said that the Pell grant helps fund her education and called it a lifeline for her to be able to afford her education, but said that her experience is not unique. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the 2022-23 school year, 34% of Arizonas undergraduates received Pell grant assistance. But even with that federal financial aid, some students spoke about how many are still struggling to afford school and are facing difficulties such as food insecurity. At Arizona State University, student-led organizations like Pitchfork Pantry and Sun Devil Swipes aim to help out ASU students who are facing food insecurity issues, something that 26% of students faced in 2021. Advocates at the Capitol on Monday said theyre planning legislation next session to address this issue specifically. That proposal, the Hunger Free Campus Bill, would mirror legislation passed in other states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students also voiced their concerns about ongoing immigration enforcement actions that have taken place at college campuses. Arizona has seen a number of student visas revoked and an event put on by a white nationalist aligned student group encouraging students to report other students to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE has no place in a learning environment, Maria Blandon, an ASU student said at the rally. Lets build campuses where everyone belongs. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said Monday that police in Jonesboro, Ark., arrested 16 people for alleged retail theft last week. According to the announcement, police said they pinpointed five additional retail crime suspects, who they did not arrest during this blitz. Among those arrested, the state brought more than 60 chargesabout half of which were felony charges. In Arkansas, suspects become eligible for a felony if they steal more than $1,000 worth of merchandise. The class of the felony is determined by how much the stolen merchandise is worth. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the attorney general, other charges included drug possession, evidence tampering and forgery. The attorney general said impacted stores included two Walmart locations, two Walgreens stores, a Target, a Dollar Tree, a TJ Maxx, a HomeGoods, a Lowes, a Home Depot, an Academy Sports, a Kohls and a Burlington Coat Factory. Rick Elliott, chief of the Jonesboro Police Department, told Sourcing Journal that the five additional suspects have not yet been arrested, but the department is seeking warrants for them. Griffin said the operation is the latest example of the states interest in combating retail crime, an issue that retailers consistently cite when discussing shrink. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This operation shows our continued commitment to eradicating this type of crime in Arkansas. We are working with law enforcement agencies and private sector partners across the state to gather intelligence, arrest perpetrators, and ultimately hold bad actors accountable, Griffin said in a statement. Elliott said its clear that Griffin has made retail crime an issue of importance during his tenure. Were pleased with the collaboration efforts of our retail merchants and the attorney generals office. This [issue] is something new that [Griffin] has started since he took over, and hes made it one of his top priorities across the state, Elliott told Sourcing Journal. Im pleased that Jonesboro is one of the first agencies in the state to participate in this joint effort. Elliott further noted that the Jonesboro police have collaborated with other forces throughout the state and in Memphis, Tenn., about 60 miles away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas, like other states, has recently worked to tighten its theft laws, even extending to cargo theft. Earlier this year, the state legislature passed a bill that would see cargo theftsters serving enhanced sentences if convicted. Another bill in the same retail crime package also created a framework to more robustly charge those involved in organized retail crime. Shannon Newton, president of the Arkansas Trucking Association, said at the time that the package would help disincentivize retail crime throughout the state. By recognizing that organized crime operates throughout the supply chain, from retail stores to transportation networks, this collaboration has produced meaningful legislation that will better protect Arkansas businesses and consumers. We remain committed to working with our partners to develop practical solutions to the challenges facing our industry, Newton said in a statement in March. Griffin said in his Monday statement that the state has made organized retail crime a priority since 2023; since then, officers have recovered more than $600,000 in stolen merchandise and arrested 44 suspects. Late last month, his office announced that a retail crime suspect the state had been pursuing for several months would be charged with Class D felonies. Sasha Rena Ziegler, 32, of Little Rock, surrendered Wednesday to the Little Rock Criminal Court after being at large on a warrant issued for her arrest. The warrant was the result of an investigation by my office into multiple incidents of organized retail crime at a Marshalls store in Little Rock. Ziegler has been charged with two counts of theft of property, Class D felonies, Griffin said in a statement. MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) A proclamation signing Monday morning officially kicked off the two-week-long Armed Forces Celebration in Madison County. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Madison Mayor Paul Finley and Madison County Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon all signed the proclamation recognizing June 1 through June 14 as the Armed Forces Celebration in the area. A chaotic mess: Vietnam Veterans reflect on war after 50 years Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is an honor for me to be able to sign this proclamation here on behalf of the residents in Madison County, McCutcheon said at the ceremony. Thank you to our military for what they do for us, not only here in Madison County, but in our country as a whole. Key national military initiatives happen right in Madison County, making the area one of the largest armed forces populations in the state. When they need something, they call area code 256, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Military Affairs Committee Chair and Retired U.S. Army Major General Jim Myles said. The sacrifices and also what we do to protect our country is a national treasure. Because of that large population, county officials find it fitting and necessary to hold two weeks full of events in their honor and to thank them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre not a patient, youre a resident: State veteran-only nursing home provides resources, benefits Now we have this event where were recognizing people on the Arsenal that are doing so much for our country, Myles said. And its about the community saying we know who you are and we appreciate who you are. U.S. Army Major General and U.S. Army Materiel Command Chief of Staff Kevin Meisler said those community connections are what encourage them and keep them going. When you have the support of the community around you, it makes you energized, Meisler said. It gets you out there. You feel like hey, I could do anythingIve never been to a community thats been more military-friendly in the entire world. Im honestly truly honored to live in this area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement County leaders planned a plethora of events, catering to a wide range of interests and community involvement spanning the two-week period. MONDAY, June 2: Proclamation Signing, Veterans Memorial, 8 a.m. WEDNESDAY, June 4: Armed Forces Celebration Luncheon, VBC Saturn Ballroom, 12 p.m. THURSDAY, June 5: Team Redstone vs. Community Leaders Softball Game, Toyota Field, 6 p.m. THURSDAY, June 5: Business After Hours at Softball Game, Toyota Field, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. FRIDAY, June 6: Military Appreciation Night at Huntsville City FC, Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium, game starts at 7 p.m. SATURDAY, June 7: U.S. Army Birthday Celebration, Redstone Gateway, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. MONDAY, June 9: Concert in the Park and Fireworks, Big Spring Park, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. THURSDAY, June 12: Department of the Army Civilian Dinner, Jackson Center, 6 p.m. SATURDAY, June 14: AUSA Army 250th Birthday Ball, U.S. Space & Rocket Center Davidson Center, 6 p.m. While the county has hosted the Armed Forces Celebration for several years, it falls on the Armys 250th birthday during this years events. Myles encourages everyone in the area to attend the events and celebrate alongside the Armed Forces personnel over the two weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not just coming out and saying, Thank you for your service, we appreciate it,' Myles said. Its about coming and bringing your lawn chairs and sitting down in Big Spring Park, watching the music, and then watching the fireworks. Watch people jump out of airplanes and parachutes. And, its about watching community leaders try to play softball against other people, trying to beat them a little bit, but having fun; recognizing all of us coming together. For more details on the events or how to register, visit the Huntsville/Madison County Chambers 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 WHNT.com. ***Watch previous coverage in the video above*** LENOX TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW) The suspect in a deadly Ashtabula County shooting early Monday morning has been arrested, the sheriffs office announced. After an hours-long manhunt, 42-year-old Timothy Adams was taken into custody without incident. He was wanted for aggravated murder and was believed to be armed and dangerous, investigators said. Timothy Adams Authorities responded to a 911 call at 6:11 a.m. reporting a shooting at 3578 State Route 46 in Lenox Township. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Motorcycle pulling a camper trailer overturns in fatal crash Ohio school board makes unanimous decision to suspend high school A 62-year-old man was found with a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Ashtabula County Sheriffs Office. Investigators identified Adams as the suspect in the killing. He fled the scene in a red 2006 Ford Explorer, deputies said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. When medics with the 173rd Airborne Brigade called for blood supplies to treat combat wounds in a major exercise last month, the flying machines slashed life-saving minutes in transport time and used fewer troops to do it. The difference is someone dying and someone not, because four minutes is substantially faster than 20 or 30, said 1st Sgt. Cyril Clayton, a senior medic with the 173rd Brigade. As far as risk to the force goes, weve cut it from probably five to two. The Army has long relied on the bravery of helicopter pilots or fast-moving ground vehicles to get medical resources into the hands of medics treating wounded soldiers on the frontlines, including blood supplies. In a recent exercise held in Lithuania, that meant moving blood supplies three to four kilometers, which could take five soldiers 20 to 30 minutes in a field ambulance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But for Swift Response 2025, a mobility and airborne exercise with Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden across the Baltic and Arctic regions, the 173rd used drones to move blood. The use of drones is part of the Armys effort to move blood supplies faster and closer to soldiers injured in combat, as the U.S. prepares for a large-scale conflict with more casualties but fewer chances for safe air evacuations to hospitals outside of combat. U.S. military researchers have estimated that 1520% of traumatic deaths are potentially preventable, and 6680% of deaths are caused by blood loss. In addition to cutting down on risk to the services already-limited medical personnel, using drones to carry blood supplies was also a stepping stone towards a future where the drones could transport injured patients from the front lines to field hospitals for life-saving care, said Maj. David Hourani, a surgeon for the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The force of drone movement on human tissues is about as good as we can do prior to actual humans, Hourani said. Keeping blood viable Army medics use a range of blood supplies, including whole blood, red cells, platelets, and plasma. For each. Personnel have to keep it on ice until ready to use. During Saber Junction in September, line medics parachuted with blood supplies a technique that they quickly learned was not the best option because of the need to maintain the temperature with ice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres definitely a limited shelf life on how long we can keep units, Clayton said. The requirements for ice are heavy and anytime youre going to jump something under canopy, thats a concern so they need rapid ability to either recool or have access to ice, which are both tall orders. Additionally, the violent G-forces and impacts of parachuting can cause damage to the blood cells outer membrane. Main concern for us is is it safe to deliver human tissue at those speeds, at the force being applied to that tissue? Is it still gonna be viable when it gets to the patient that needs it? Clayton said. Each of those cells in that bag is potentially life-saving. Any force outside of normal parameters could potentially damage those cells and then theyre no longer viable for resuscitation. The exercise began with blood support detachment personnel bringing whole blood supplies to medical laboratory specialists at a main command post. There, teams loaded up around 18 units of blood enough for roughly five casualties, depending on injuries onto the drones in a Collins Box, a cardboard shipping container with Styrofoam insulation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The technicians loaded and then flew the drone to the field hospital, said Capt. Jessica Knoll, commander of the brigades support medical company. Once the blood was delivered, the operators flew the drone back to the command post for another resupply. They were able to make two long-distance movements of three to four kilometers into battle and three smaller-scale rehearsals. In an actual combat theater, it could be 20-30 [kilometers], Clayton said. I dont think there would be any issues with temperature for that amount of time. The biggest thing is going to be the navigation piece. Theyre just covering that much distance. From the exercise, the medical team realized two challenges: resources and airspace. In order to keep drones powered up for hours or flying, they needed a tent to house the equipment, a generator to charge batteries and a viewing station for the operators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a future large-scale conflict, militaries will need to deconflict the airspace above the battlefield, accounting for thousands of drones and regular aircraft like helicopters taking flight above ground forces. If a helicopter is coming in low, the drones are grounded, whereas if the helicopter is maintaining airspace above 500 feet, drones are good to fly at 100-200 feet, Knoll said. It really comes down to the drone operator being aware of whats going on and then being able to quickly react to any incursions into our reserve airspace to ensure that theres no in-air collisions. Drones in medical companies As the Army expands the number of drones within its formations, the service is planning to have drone experts down to the platoon level in infantry and artillery units. But for medical companies, the use cases will look and feel different. In combat, medics are considered protected under the rules of war set by the Geneva Convention, which means their drones cannot be used for offensive operations. For medical, we have to adhere to the Geneva Convention, all of ours are resupply, in which case, they are much bigger because they have to be able to handle a payload, Knoll said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our concerns are making sure that were using the drones defensively and not offensively, and ultimately to render aid to service members in need and not for defense. The 173rd Medical Company tested Class II-designated drones, which weigh between 21 and 55 pounds, and fly as high as 3,500 feet. During the exercise, they used the TRV 150 cargo drone, which is roughly 8.5 feet long and 6 feet wide, weighs around 125 pounds, and can carry 150 pounds of cargo. They also used the FlyingBasket drone, which is around 5 feet wide, weighs 150 pounds and can carry up to 220 pounds. Knoll said that the two drone teams werent confident flying more than 30 minutes at a time because of the drones battery life. They also kept the drones within five kilometers for communication. We need more training. We need more time with the pilots flying the drones, Knoll said. Then we need the platform to be available for us to do that training and we definitely want to continue developing this and really push the limits of what these drones are capable of so that we can push the limits of what we can do medically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 173rd company plans to use drones for blood resupply at exercises next fall and spring. In the meantime, their drone pilots will continue running simulations with and without payloads. The latest on Task & Purpose BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. A high-level roundtable titled "Threats and Opportunities Created by New Geopolitical Realities for Turkish-Azerbaijani Relations" was convened in Baku on June 2, Trend reports. Renowned analysts from Azerbaijan and Turkiye participated in the event and analyzed the impact of recent processes in the South Caucasus and the broader Eurasian region on relations between the two countries from various aspects. The session opened with remarks from Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR) board and ambassador, who noted that the conceptual foundation of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations was laid in the 1990s and that relations have been developing successfully for 30 years. "There are no problems between the two countries. At the same time, we observe certain provocative steps in the international media, especially on social networks, in order to undermine our high-level relations. To prevent these undesirable situations, analysts from both countries should jointly implement effective measures," he said. Speaking at the first panel moderated by AIR Board Member Javid Valiyev, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University lecturer, foreign policy commentator, and associate professor Esma Ozdasli analyzed the opportunities and challenges created by the new geopolitical order formed after 2020 for Turkish-Azerbaijani relations. She said that the relations between the two countries differ from traditional interstate relations based solely on interests, and that cooperation is based on brotherhood and friendship. Besides, she emphasized the growing importance of cooperation, especially in the fields of energy security and transport corridors. Ankara Bilim University lecturer Damla Taskin touched upon the importance of optimizing the Turkiye-Azerbaijan alliance against the backdrop of trade wars and geopolitical turmoil. She also drew attention to the important role of inter-leader diplomacy in deepening cooperation between the two countries in 2021-2025. Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University lecturer, Chairman of the Ankara Crisis and Policy Research Center-ANKASAM, Professor Mehmet Seyfettin Erol, touched upon the importance of the Baku-Ankara line from the perspective of regional and global stability. He spoke about the revival observed in Turkiye-Central Asia relations after the Karabakh Victory and how this cooperation creates both opportunities and potential risks. Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University lecturer, foreign policy commentator, and associate professor, Levent Ersin Orall, analyzed Turkiye's attitude towards the issue of Western Azerbaijan and how this issue was shaped in the socio-political discourse. According to him, seminars on the subject should be organized in Turkiye, this topic should be developed in scientific literature, Azerbaijani literature should be translated into Turkish, and covered in the media correspondingly. Araz Aslanli, Vice-Rector for Strategic Development Issues of the Azerbaijan Tourism and Management University (ATMU), emphasized that mutual trust and strategic synchronization between Azerbaijan and Turkey, as a common point of the presented speeches, directly affect all processes in the region. The second panel discussed regional power balances, new diplomatic initiatives ,and relations with global actors. Hilmi Demir, Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Institute of the TEPAV-Turkiye Economic Policy Research Foundation, made a comprehensive presentation on the groups that aim to undermine bilateral relations and the reasons behind this. Gokhan Cnkara, a lecturer at Necmettin Erbakan University and a political commentator, assessed Azerbaijan-Iran-Turkiye relations and drew attention to Iran's strategic interests in the South Caucasus and the position of the Baku-Ankara line in this context. In his speech, Alper Tan, Deputy Chairman of the Strategic Thinking Institute (SDI), recalled the turning points in Turkiye-US relations during the Donald Trump era and analyzed the indirect effects of Washington-Ankara relations on Azerbaijani-Turkish cooperation. Tugce Tecimer, an expert at the Eurasian Studies Center (AVIM), editor-in-chief of the Armenian Studies journal, made predictions about possible scenarios of competition between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the opposition in Armenian domestic politics and analyzed the effects of this competition on the normalization process with Turkiye and Azerbaijan. Orkhan Valiyev, Head of the Department of Political Science and Philosophy at Khazar University, emphasized that against the backdrop of the changing system of international relations, Azerbaijan and Turkiye can protect their national interests only through mutual strategic support, and in this direction, diplomatic coordination, security cooperation, and regional initiatives are of particular importance. In conclusion, the roundtable participants stated that Azerbaijan-Turkiye relations are a model of alliance based on common national identity, historical ties, and cultural factors, as well as real security and economic interests. Current geopolitical changes necessitate further strengthening of this model and its focus on new areas.. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The British Army must increase troop numbers for the first time in a generation to combat the growing threat from rivals such as Russia, Sir Keir Starmer has been told. After years of cuts to service personnel, the Governments long-awaited Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has recommended an uplift in the number of soldiers to 100,000, including both regulars and reservists. The Government has committed to delivering the SDRs recommendations in full, with the aim of recruiting around 3,000 additional regular troops in the next Parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there are fears that ministers have no plan for reaching this number, amid a wider row over how to increase defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP. The IFS said that tax rises would be needed to fund a boost in defence spending. The SDR, published on Monday, set out how the Armed Forces must adapt to the battlefields of the future, warning they were not currently optimised for warfare against a peer military state. 0306 Russia v Britain It called for a 63 billion spending spree that includes upgraded nuclear warheads, stealth fighters and a fleet of submarines. It said: There is no scope for reducing the number of highly trained and equipped regulars across all three services, even as the forces move to a much greater emphasis on autonomy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall, we envisage an increase in the total number of regular personnel when funding allows. This includes a small uplift in Army regulars as a priority. The number of reserve soldiers should also be increased by 20 per cent when funding allows, the report said. In May 2024, the number of Army personnel fell below 73,000 for the first time since the Napoleonic era. It was announced under the previous government that the Army would be reduced to 72,500 personnel by 2025, scrapping a target of 82,000 that had been set in 2015. Soldier numbers fall further The new SDR, by Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, Gen Sir Richard Barrons and Fiona Hill, said that there should be at least 73,000 regular soldiers as part of a 100,000-strong total force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Healey, the Defence Secretary, told the House of Commons that the Government was aiming to increase the British Army to at least 76,000 full time soldiers in the next Parliament. He said: For the first time in a generation, we are a government who want the number of regular soldiers to rise. But opponents criticised the vague timescale and warned that there was no clear plan for delivering on the promise. Sir Grant Shapps, the former defence secretary, said: In opposition Labour thundered about boosting the Army to 80,000. In Government, theyve quietly shrunk it to 70,000. Todays new review merely rubber-stamps programmes we had already funded, while the money that should restore Army strength is being diverted to pay Mauritius for the privilege of surrendering our own sovereign territory in the Chagos Islands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sir Gavin Williamson, another former defence secretary, said: What we need is a clear plan in terms of growing army numbers. We also need clarity as to when this is going to be achieved and the resources that will be allocated to do that. To grow army numbers is going to take time and the sooner we are able to start doing that the better. The authors of the SDR painted a bleak picture of the current state of the Armed Forces, describing them as better suited to a peacetime era. They added that innovation was stifled while bureaucracy consumed precious time and effort. Hollowed out forces The report also criticised a focus on procuring exquisite capabilities highly advanced and specialised technologies rather than mass-produced kit, which had served to hollow out the Armed Forces ability to fight wars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SDR found that soldiers were being hamstrung by inadequate weapons stockpiles, and a lack of preparation for the digital battlefield. It called for the military to develop more advanced AI, as well as suggesting that a gap year scheme could be set up to solve its recruitment crisis by giving young people a chance to try out a career before they committed to serve in the longer term. Stockpiles are inadequate, further reduced by the important and necessary transfer of materiel to Ukraine, it said. The strategic base lacks capacity and resilience following years of underinvestment. Medical services remain optimised for counter-terrorism operations and lack the capacity for managing a mass-casualty conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The review added that the UK was insufficiently prepared for the digital battlefield and carries intolerable levels of cyber risk. The SDR authors said that their recommendations had been drawn up in line with an existing pledge to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2027. The Government has a longer-term aim to increase defence spending to 3 per cent, but has yet to say how it will achieve this. Speaking on Sunday, Mr Healey had been unable to commit to spending 3 per cent of GDP on defence, although the Treasury insisted that it remained an ambition when the economic conditions were right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SDR authors said they were confident the reports proposals would be affordable over the next decade. But they added that given the turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster. The Institute for Fiscal Studies warned on Monday that increasing defence spending would require tax rises and cuts elsewhere ahead of a spending review next week. Paul Johnson, the director of the think tank, told Times Radio: It really does seem to me that the only choice that is available, if were going to go through all of those things, is some really quite chunky tax increases to pay for it. A report by three of the IFSs key economists warned that if defence spending were increased to 3 per cent of GDP, and health received 3.4 per cent, that would require cuts of 1.8 per cent a year in other departments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, defence figures involved in the review were unable to say how and when they would fund the 62 recommendations that had been set out. One former Army head told The Telegraph they supported a rise in troop numbers, but said they would need to be accompanied by reinvigorating and expanding reserves, and using drones to make a still relatively small army much more lethal and effective. The report pointed out that a combination of poor recruitment and retention with the numbers of UK regulars and reservists in an 8 per cent persistent decline since 2022 for the Regular Armed Forces shoddy accommodation, falling morale, and cultural challenges had resulted in a workforce crisis. In a foreword to the review, Mr Healey said that the review set out a new vision for how our Armed Forces should be conceived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From a combination of conventional and digital warfighters, to drones, AI, and autonomy, these would all compliment the heavy metal of tanks and artillery. He also supported a breaking down of barriers between the Army, RAF and Royal Navy, as well as between the military, the private sector and society. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Army is offering a $10,000 reward for credible information regarding the death of 1st Lt. Marciano Parisano. (Army) The Army is offering a $10,000 reward for credible information leading to an arrest and conviction in the death of a lieutenant in Honduras. The Army Criminal Investigation Division posted the reward with details regarding the death of 1st Lt. Marciano Angelo Parisano, who was last seen on camera footage May 3 at 3:20 a.m. outside Club Santos in Comayagua, Honduras. He was off base on a liberty pass at the time. Individuals with credible information regarding this incident are encouraged to contact the Army CID MacDill Resident Unit at (912) 547-4626 or via WhatsApp at (571) 656-7842. They can also submit an anonymous tip online at www.cid.army.mil/tips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parisano, 25, served as a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot with 1st Battalion, 228 Aviation Regiment at Soto Cano Air Base near Comayagua, a city in west-central Honduras. He is a 2023 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. The lieutenant was found dead near the Chiquito River on May 3, according to a Joint Task Force-Bravo release. Police do not suspect robbery as a motive in his death. Army Black Hawk pilot found dead in Honduras Joint Task Force-Bravo, Parisanos unit parent command headquartered out of Soto Cano Air Base, posted on social media May 9 with a statement from his parents, Tom and Jessie Parisano. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple said they are committed to seeking justice for Marco. We trust the authorities will do everything in their power to ensure that accountability prevails, they said in the statement. No family should have to endure this kind of loss, and we hope that Marcos story will serve as a reminder that Gods timing is unknown, and we must always be prepared. Tom and Jessie Parisano shared additional comments about their son and their loss. No words can truly capture the depth of our grief, nor the pain of waking up each day without him, they said in the statement. Marco was more than just our child he was a bright light in our lives, a source of joy, kindness, and unwavering love. His presence was a gift, touching the hearts of everyone who crossed his path. The U.S. Armys 1st Information Operations Command is no more. The active-duty unit shut down in May, after 23 years of operations, citing changing needs in the wider force. The initial closure was announced last year, as part of the Army Force Structure Transformation plan. 1st Information Operations Command, a part of U.S. Army Cyber Command, focused on cyber warfare and psychological operations. In practice, it worked to help protect other units from information attacks from enemy forces, and served as red teams in cyber attack simulations. For more than two decades, the soldiers and leaders of 1st IO have been at the forefront of information warfare, adapting to every challenge and shaping the Armys cyber capabilities, said Lt. Gen. Barrett, the commanding general of U.S. Army Cyber Command, in a May 8 Army news release.Their contributions have been instrumental in securing our nations interests in an ever-changing battlefield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Army has said that the closure of the command is not an abandonment of information warfare, but comes out of a need to integrate it into other forces and joint commands. Since that was announced, the Department of Defense has leaned further into the consolidation of the service and restructuring. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a memo in late April calling for major restructuring of the force. Army Transformation and Acquisition Reform directed several changes, including wider usage of drones and a focus on integrating electronic warfare into maneuver units. 1st IO had previously accumulated many of those similar tasks. Its director of information warfare told Task & Purpose last year that 1st IO took on a variety of jobs that technically fell under its purview but werent truly related. 1st Information Operations Command was initially set up in 2002 as a way for the Army to coordinate information technology, field red teams which meant having their soldiers take on the role of an adversary during a simulation and deal with the growing use of cyberspace by militaries. The unit traced its lineage to the Land Information Warfare Activity, created in the 1990s in the aftermath of the Gulf War. In the post-9/11 conflicts, 1st IO was based out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The unit also deployed field support teams overseas to bases in Qatar and elsewhere. The commands leader in 2006, now-retired Maj. Gen. John Davis, described modern warfare as bullets, bombs, bits and bytes, per the Army, something that 1st IO helped the force to address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warfare is evolutionary and mutable, he said. Adversaries have spent decades learning from us, exploiting effects under the threshold of armed conflict. In place of 1st Information Operations Command, the Army is creating region-specific Theater Information Advantage Detachments. These units are meant to focus on information and cyber warfare, and work closely with the similarly new Multi-Domain Task Forces, which are currently testing the use and integration of drones and other modern technology with current and new battlefield tactics. The latest on Task & Purpose Around 30 Craig residents displaced after apartment fire MOFFAT COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) An early morning apartment fire left dozens of residents without a home. The structure fire began around 5:45 a.m., Saturday, at Remington Village Apartments, 1125 W. Sixth St. in Craig. Craig Police Department officers responded first and evacuated people from building 4 followed by additional buildings within the complex. The Craig Fire Department arrived not long after and started suppression efforts. Firefighters contained the blaze around 8:15 a.m. and they stayed on-site to address hot spots and clean-up efforts. The fire was fully extinguished around 11:38 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One person was evaluated for smoke inhalation, but no serious injuries or fatalities were reported, according to the Craig Police Department. The American Red Cross of Western Colorado helped the 29 people who were displaced, which included 18 adults and 11 children. The Red Cross is providing assistance that consists of health services, mental health services and spiritual assistance. Volunteer caseworkers are helping find short and long-term housing arrangements. The Moffat County Sheriffs Office, Memorial Health Ambulance Service and the West Routt Fire District also responded to the blaze. Craig PD said the coordinated effort between the agencies was critical in containing the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Moffat County Sheriffs Office and Craig Police Department extend our heartfelt condolences to all those affected by the tragic fire at Remington Village Apartments this morning. We mourn alongside our community during this difficult time, and our thoughts remain with those who have lost their homes, belongings, and sense of security. We are committed to doing everything within our power to support our Moffat County and Craig families as they begin to recover, the law agencies said in a news release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. MATTHEWS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A 25-year-old woman, who was the focus of an Ashanti Alert, has been found safe. The Matthews Police Department confirmed Amber Marie Tibbits was safely located on Monday afternoon. But the investigation isnt over. The man suspected in her disappearance, Logan William Calaway, 23, is still on the run, and warrants for his arrest have been issued. Police said he may still be driving a dark-colored BMW sedan (unknown license plate number). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement $15,000 reward offered in Catawba County mass shooting investigation Tibbits was reportedly taken from the Wells Fargo parking lot at 1401 Matthews Mint Hill Road, near East Independence Boulevard. The alert was triggered after police determined there was credible evidence she may have been kidnapped and in danger. Calaway is described as a white man, 510 tall, about 150 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a dark green hoodie. Upon his arrest, Calaway will be charged with: Second-degree kidnapping Stalking Assault by strangulation Even though Tibbits is now safe, law enforcement still considers this an active investigation. Anyone with information should call Detective L. Valdes at 704-241-5060 or 911. This is a Developing Story . Check back for updates Photos: Matthews Police Department Photos: Matthews Police Department Photos: Matthews Police Department Photos: Matthews Police Department Photos: Matthews Police Department Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. [Source] Asian American advocates rallied at the Ohio Statehouse on Tuesday to denounce proposed legislation they describe as discriminatory targeting of immigrants disguised as national security measures. About the bills State legislators are weighing House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 88, both known as the Ohio Property Protection Act, which would bar foreign nationals and businesses from countries designated as foreign adversaries from buying property within 25 miles of critical infrastructure sites. The legislation would expand existing farmland restrictions to include military bases, airports, power stations, water treatment facilities, railroads and telecommunications infrastructure coverage so broad it would effectively blanket the entirety of the state of Ohio, according to Senate sponsor Terry Johnson (R-McDermott). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. currently designates China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela under Nicolas Maduro as foreign adversaries. While House Bill 1 would not apply retroactively to existing property owners, Senate Bill 88 originally required current owners to sell their property within two years, though that forced-sale provision was removed at Tuesdays committee hearing. Trending on NextShark: Former DEI supporter selected as University of Floridas new president What critics are saying Opponents of the bill reportedly filled the committee hearing room, with more than 100 people attending in person and over 230 submitting written testimony. This bill is racist, said Rep. Anita Somani (D-Dublin), a first-generation immigrant from India, arguing it does nothing to protect Ohioans or improve Ohio. Vincent Wang, who chairs the Asian American Coalition of Ohio, told 10 WBNS that the bills will push immigrants out and cause fear, hatred and destroy the Ohio economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics say the legislation violates constitutional protections, and that existing federal laws already address legitimate security threats without resorting to racial profiling. Allowing someone to rent indefinitely but not own is legally inconsistent, Hongmei Li of the Ohio Chinese American Council told WTVG, calling it an attempt to codify racial profiling in law. Trending on NextShark: Jackie Chan wants Rush Hour 4 and Shanghai Dawn The big picture The bills, parallel to others advancing across the country, stem from Gov. Mike DeWines 2023 veto of similar legislation over concerns about unintended economic development consequences. Asian immigrant-owned businesses in Ohio employed 97,600 people with an annual payroll of $3.3 billion in 2022, according to census data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Understandably, opponents have drawn parallels to historic discrimination, including Chinese exclusion laws and Japanese incarceration camps during World War II. A comparable Florida bill with a smaller 10-mile restriction zone is currently under federal constitutional challenge, with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) promising swift litigation if Ohios version passes. Trending on NextShark: South Korean students warned to clean up their socials amid US visa crackdown Lawmakers have yet to schedule votes on either chambers version of the legislation. This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Trending on NextShark: ICE officials ousted amid White House order to triple number of daily arrests Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what were building, consider becoming a paid member your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe here now! Trending on NextShark: Missouri community rallies behind Chinese woman facing deportation Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! Before the ravages of World War II, Paris was the center of the art world. The citys salons, schools and cafes attracted painters from around the globe, with Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Piet Mondrian and Salvador Dali among the many emigres gravitating to Frances capital during the 1920s and 30s. Artists arriving from Asia, however, faced a very different set of expectations than their European counterparts. Paris may have been a melting pot of foreign cultures (by the standards of the day, at least), but it was also the heart of a colonial empire with a fascination for all things exotic. It seems that oil is a medium that is too heavy for their hands, French art critic Henri Lormian wrote dismissively of the Vietnamese painters on show at a modern art exhibition in Paris in 1933. Instead, they were habituated to light strokes of the brush, he argued, adding: It is the memories of the arts of the Far East which seduce, much more than a laboriously acquired Western technique. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other words, their art was not Asian enough, nor their attempts to embrace European art good enough, for his liking. "Reclining Pink Nude with Raised Arms," by Chinese artist Sanyu, features in a new exhibition about the experiences of Asian artists in Paris. - Courtesy Leo Shih/National Gallery Singapore Amid marginalization and disinterest, a generation of little-known artists from Japan, China, French Indochina and elsewhere in Asia nonetheless made their mark on Paris in the interwar period. Many were compelled to balance the influence of their cosmopolitan surroundings with the exoticized tastes of potential customers. Now, a century later, some of the eras pioneers aided by Asian collectors growing purchasing power are belatedly earning the kind of recognition bestowed on their Western contemporaries. Take Le Pho, a Vietnamese artist whom the critic Lormian had once disparaged over a nude painting he deemed too occidental too Western. His paintings now fetch sums exceeding the million-dollar threshold, making him one of Southeast Asias most bankable names. His La famille dans le jardin, a leisurely scene evoking French Impressionism but delicately painted on silk, sold for 18.6 million Hong Kong dollars ($2.3 million) in 2023, an auction record for his work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then theres Sanyu, a painter whose signature nudes their flat perspective and flowing calligraphic lines informed as much by his Chinese art education as French modernism now attract astronomical sums. He achieved little commercial success after moving to Paris from his native Sichuan in 1921 and died in poverty four decades later. Today, however, he is hailed as the Chinese Matisse, with the 2020 sale of a rare group portrait, Quatre Nus, for 258 million Hong Kong dollars ($33 million) confirming his status as one of contemporary arts most coveted names. Merging traditions The experience of Asian artists in Europe is also attracting renewed academic interest thanks, in part, to a new exhibition at Singapores National Gallery. Almost 10 years in the making, City of Others: Asian Artists in Paris, 1920s-1940s brings together more than 200 works from the period, many on loan from French institutions and private Asian collections. Le Pho and Sanyu feature prominently, as do Japanese artist Tsuguharu Foujita and two of Singapores best-known painters, Liu Kang and Georgette Chen. The show spotlights how they grappled with their identities through searching self-portraits, landscapes depicting their adopted homeland and street scenes showing Paris through outsiders eyes. References to major Western art movements like Cubism and Surrealism are meanwhile limited, eschewing the conventional lens through which the era is usually viewed. Liu Kang's 1931 painting "View of Sacre-Cur" shows the Sacre-Cur Basilica in Paris' 18th arrondissement. - Liu Kang Family/Courtesy National Gallery Singapore We thought, Well, if our story is about Asian artists in Paris, we should map their concerns, not try to map the concerns of Eurocentric art history onto them, the exhibitions lead curator Phoebe Scott told CNN at the preview, adding: Otherwise, were just reiterating the significance of Paris without giving something new from our region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The artists dual identities are often expressed through the combination of Eastern and Western techniques. Foujitas Self-Portrait with Cat, which depicts the artist surrounded by paint brushes and supplies in his studio, nods both to European and Japanese traditions, its fine lines informed by sumi-e ink paintings. Elsewhere, works present various Asian sensibilities, from compositions evoking ancestral portraits to the use of unusually thin canvases reminiscent of paper or silk. Other paintings demonstrate the artists overlooked mastery of styles like Impressionism. A selection of Chens rural landscapes, produced on a trip to Provence, ooze with the warmth of Paul Cezanne; Japanese painter Itakura Kanaes striking portrait of his wife, Woman in Red Dress, reflects the classical tendencies of rappel a lordre (or Return to Order), a French movement that responded to the upheavals of World War I by rejecting the avant-garde. Paris-based Japanese artist Itakura Kanae's portrait of his wife on show at National Gallery Singapore. - National Gallery Singapore As well as absorbing influences, Asian artists in turn shaped European art, said Scott. The Paris scene had a hybridizing aesthetic, she added, citing the influence of African art on Picassos oeuvre as an example. And the presence of Asian painters added to the cultural mix, tapping into the longstanding interest in orientalist aesthetics evident in the Japonisme of the late 19th century, when a fervor for Japanese art, furniture and artifacts swept Europe. Its difficult to say that any individual modern Asian artist who came (to Paris) influenced French art, Scott said. But was there an Asian impact, in general, on French art? Absolutely. Multicultural Montparnasse For Frances more established Asian artists, life often revolved around the multicultural Montparnasse district, home of the so-called School of Paris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They shopped for supplies in the neighborhoods art stores and networked in its bohemian cafes. It was here that Sanyu refined his observational skills by attending open life drawing sessions at the Academie de la Grande Chaumiere (which, to this day, welcomes the public to its walk-in life drawing classes for a modest fee). Foujita Tsuguharu's "Self Portrait with Cat" fuses Western artistic influences with the lines of Japanese "sumi-e" ink paintings. - Martial Couderette/Courtesy National Gallery Singapore Foujita, meanwhile, was a prominent figure in the Montparnasse scene and a friend of the celebrated Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani, among others. The community there comprised people of over 50 nationalities, including those from countries so obscure their names are barely known, Foujita wrote in 1936. It is no wonder this environment fosters unconventional ideas and creativity. There was a commercial imperative, too: Showing at the districts commercial galleries and salons could help artists sell work or meet potential buyers. A local market for their art existed, and some were very financially successful at the time, Scott said, adding: But Paris was a crowded market for attention. Even if you got a commercial show, it didnt necessarily mean that you could make money. Forging a social circle like Foujitas was a key factor determining their success, said Scott. Some (Asian) artists had a very good network of connections in Paris that could support them people they knew, or art critics who would champion their work. Singaporean artist Liu Kang (front right) pictured with the Chinese translator and critic Fu Lei (back right) and other friends in Paris in 1930. - Courtesy Liu Kang Family Yet, solo exhibitions and patronage were out of reach for the vast majority of migrant artists. In recognition of this, a section of the Singapore exhibition is dedicated to the artisans who worked in Frances decorative arts workshops, playing an important but largely anonymous role in the Art Deco movement. An estimated one-quarter of Indochinese workers living in Paris were lacquerers, and a selection of their jewelry and objects dart are displayed as testament to this uncredited role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exhibition ends like some of the international artists time in France with World War II. Those who returned home (or were drafted by their countries) often faced difficulties returning. Among them was Foujita, whose place in art history is complicated by his role in Japans war effort: He dedicated his wartime practice to glorifying the efforts and bravery of the Imperial Army, severely hampering his reputation upon his return to France in 1950. The reputation of Paris changed, too. Although promising Asian creatives continued to arrive in the post-war period (among them were Wu Guanzhong and the abstract painter Zao Wou-ki, now two of the art markets biggest-selling names), the city was no longer the epicenter of the art world. New York was increasingly the destination of choice for budding young migrants, but the industry was also, the exhibition argues, becoming more fragmented, a precursor to today. New sites and hubs gained in significance with the energy of decolonization, asserting their independence and cultural identity, the exhibition notes read. The post-war period marked the beginnings of a less hierarchical global art world. City of Others: Asian Artists in Paris, 1920s-1940s is showing at National Gallery Singapore until Aug. 17, 2025. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com In cities around the country, June is the designated month to honor the LGBTQ+ experience. But Atlanta considered widely to be the Black gay mecca moves to its own beat. Up until 2007, Atlantas annual celebration of queer identity and rights took place every June, a nod to the Stonewall Uprising in New York City. In 1969, a stretch of protests and riots in response to police discrimination and persecution of queer people helped propel Americas gay liberation movement, inspiring former President Bill Clinton to designate June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month on Stonewalls 30-year anniversary. (Former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden broadened the designation to include bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex identities.) But the tradition changed in 2008, when the city of Atlanta temporarily prohibited large events at Piedmont Park due to a drought, causing organizers to postpone festivities until October, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The timing stuck. For the past 17 years, Atlanta Pride anchored by a weeklong festival best known for its extravagant parade has been centered in the early days of autumn, which is fitting for its proximity to National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11. But Pride celebrations in June may feel more crucial than ever this year due to rollbacks of LGBTQ+ freedoms across the country and in Georgia following President Donald Trumps second inauguration in January. Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office that rejected gender ideology, proclaiming the United States government will only recognize two sexes: male and female. Subsequent executive orders prohibited people under age 19 from receiving youth gender-affirming care and banned transgender troops from serving in the military. In alignment with another Trump executive order, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law last month a bill that restricted trans girls and women from participating in female sports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cobb County school districts have continued to restrict literature that references queer experiences. Mary Wilson, executive director of the Trans Housing Coalition, describes the current spirit in queer communities as resilient as Pride Month begins amid political attacks at both the local and federal levels. Theres still a bunch of parties, celebrations, fundraisers, Wilson told Capital B Atlanta. For the most part, the spirit is still up, even if we are in the background trying to figure it out financially, or figure it out in other ways, or are feeling a little defeated. I feel like were still showing up for each other. While Atlantas biggest Black Pride functions of the year are four months away, there are a plethora of ways to celebrate. Heres Capital B Atlantas round up of events to commemorate Black queer culture as boldly as possible. People participate in the annual Pride parade on Oct. 15, 2023, in Atlanta. (Getty Images) Thrill seekers can hit Six Flags Over Georgia to celebrate the rainbow flag all month long with themed decor, Instagram-worthy photo setups, and LED light shows. Limited-edition Pride merch will also be available for purchase with 15% of the proceeds going to local organizations including Lost-n-Found Youth, which provides shelter and support for Atlantas unhoused LGBTQ+ youth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When: June 1-30 Where: Six Flags Over Georgia, 275 Riverside Parkway, Austell Cost: $35 for a one-day ticket Audiophiles will enjoy this vinyl-only listening experience catering to Black queer Atlantans, with a music menu from DJ Candy Raine that includes soul, funk, jazz, R&B, and contemporary tracks. Expect a hearty helping of food, cocktails, mocktails, and, most importantly, vibes. When: Wednesday, June 4, 8 p.m. to midnight Where: Echo Room, 705 Echo St. NW, Atlanta Cost: $5 This community town hall is billed as a safe space for Black queer and trans folks to get real about politics, housing justice, safety, health care, and other pressing issues and systemic injustices. Its somewhere to feel seen and heard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When: Wednesday, June 11, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Where: The Murph, 561 W. Whitehall St. SW, Atlanta Cost: $5 suggested donation Friend Zoned is a community-driven collective seeking to help Black queer and trans people forge platonic relationships. Their monthly event a play on speed dating seeks to connect like-minded individuals and form friendships. This one is specifically for the 40-50 set. Its sober friendly, too! When: Thursday, June 12, 7 to 9 p.m. Where: Neighborhood Church, 1561 McLendon Ave. NE, Atlanta Cost: $5 requested donation Atlanta Gay Mens Chorus whose performances are self-described as ranging from campy to earnest and everything in between will take the stage for two performances to support the Childrens Museum of Atlantas Pride initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When: Sunday, June 15, at noon and 2 p.m. Where: Childrens Museum of Atlanta, 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW, Atlanta Cost: $19.95 For a third straight year, ALT ATL presents a day party that amplifies Black and queer pride. Bring your dancing shoes: Miss Milan, who regularly spins for Grammy-winner Doechii, is one of three DJs who will be providing the feel-good soundtrack. When: Sunday, June 15, 5 to 10 p.m. Where: Westside Motor Lounge, 725 Echo St. NW, Atlanta Cost: $11.35 Cartoon Network employees and others march in the 2013 Atlanta Pride Parade. (Getty Images) With Juneteenth falling within Pride month, its only right that Black LGBTQ+ folks celebrate living unapologetically with a party dedicated to liberation. DJ collective Lavender Lounge, Mami Popo, and Calypso will be rocking the ones and twos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When: Thursday, June 19, 7 to 11 p.m. Where: Monday Night Brewing, 670 Trabert Ave. NW, Atlanta Cost: $15 for general admission ($12 for presale) Kick off summer with an immersive warehouse experience that features pole dancing, burlesque, music, Black queer vendors, gallery art and a chance to win Atlanta Dream tickets! When: Saturday, June 21, 6 to 9 p.m. Where: 945 Allene Ave. SW, Atlanta Cost: $16.20 This ones for the girls. Women ages 35 and up can step out in their denim shorts and cowgirl hats and boots for a night celebrating Pride. Its the perfect way to get in step for Beyonces Cowboy Carter tour stops in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When: Saturday, June 21, 8 p.m. to midnight Where: Truth Midtown Restaurant & Lounge, 657 Antone St. NW, Atlanta Cost: $25.45 Southern Fried Queer Pride is putting the out in outside with its 11th annual festival a wide-ranging series of events spread over seven days to celebrate all things that make Black queer Atlanta culture special. Theres programming for all pronouns: themed dance parties, workshops, seminars, an open mic, photo gallery exhibit, pageant, film screening, variety show, and more. Its where youll want to be to laugh, learn, love, and live authentically. When: June 23 June 29 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where: Various locations in Little 5 Points, Atlanta Cost: Most events are free to enter, with suggested sliding scale donations of $5-$20 The post Atlanta Pride Month 2025: June Events to Celebrate Black Queer Joy appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta. Tenants at the Bolden Townhomes in southwest Atlanta say they are being told to leave their apartments within days, despite having paid rent. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] They fear becoming homeless and claim the property owner is attempting to classify them as squatters under Georgias new squatting law. Residents say theyve been living without power and facing unsafe living conditions, including mold and severe water damage, with little to no response from the property owner, Bolden Capital Group, which is headquartered in downtown Atlanta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I havent had any power since I moved in, said one tenant, Montavious Vaughn, while showing Channel 2s Eryn Rogers dark, powerless units and empty meter boxes. Others pointed to dangerous living conditions, including collapsing ceilings, standing water, and widespread mold. One tenant also showed Rogers his bandage, where he said he was shot in the leg by a stray bullet two days ago. Multiple tenants reported not receiving formal leases upon moving in, despite paying rent. One woman shared that her lease lacked her name, and several other tenants told Rogers their leases had the same wrong name on them. Other tenants said they were promised a lease the day after moving in, but never received it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We moved in here, she said she was going to give me my lease the next day, Vaughn said. I waited like three weeks, and she had not been in the office. He said she never showed up again. Several other tenants also said they paid their money to the leasing manager, who disappeared. TRENDING STORIES: On Friday, some tenants returned home to find their belongings outside. We never got an actual eviction notice, Hailey Spruill-Osley said. We just got this: a letter anybody could type. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter said it was a warning. Spruill-Osley said it was put on her door Friday and that she was given no notice before her belongings were put outside. Tenants have shown rent receipts and payment records to support their claims, insisting they are legal occupants. Many say theyre living in the complex on vouchers. You cant call nobody a squatter when weve got proof of payments, Vaughn said. However, Georgias recently passed Squatter Reform Law requires tenants to show a valid lease. The property owner has to file a squatters affidavit. Its unclear if the owner, Edward Bolden of Bolden Capital Group, filed it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The act was recently passed, allowing law enforcement to cite suspected squatters criminally for trespassing. 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. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Tenants without a lease may be forced to vacate by Tuesday. Those who do have leases could still be required to appear in court to prove their right to remain in their homes. Rogers reached out to Bolden. When asked about the power issues, Bolden denied the allegations, said he would send documents, and then hung up. Follow-up messages were read but not answered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgia Power confirmed its working with Bolden Townhomes and released the following statement: Georgia Power continues to work with Bowden Townhomes to address various connection and account issues for their residents. Given possible legal, safety and account privacy issues, we are not at liberty to discuss. For further details, please contact Bowden Townhomes directly. Tenants say they feel the law is being weaponized against them. With nowhere else to go, many are now scrambling to find housing before Tuesdays deadline. I am homeless, Spruill-Osley said. I have nowhere to go. Under the new law, A fake lease also adds an extra felony charge. Channel 2 Action News also learned that Bolden Capital Group is involved in several lawsuits. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The attorney for a Campbell man indicted in August on sex crimes is asking that his bond be modified. Read next: 2 dead in suspected murder-suicide before Dover Township graduation party Attorney Michael Yacovone filed the request Friday before Judge Anthony DApolito for Terrance Jefferies, 65, who is charged with rape, a first-degree felony and compelling prostitution, a third-degree felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jefferies has been in the Mahoning County jail since he was arrested Aug. 17. Before he was arraigned, Jefferies was initially arrested by Campbell police and given a bond of $25,000 at his arraignment there in municipal court, Yacovone wrote. Yacovone asked that his client be given a similar bond now. Also indicted on the same counts as Jefferies is Mildred Woods, 48. She also faces an additional first-degree felony charge of compelling prostitution as well as a first-degree felony charge of trafficking in persons. The indictment in the case said Woods forced or enticed a 12-year-old child to engage in sexual activities with other people between April 1 and June 13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jefferies is accused of engaging in sexual activity with the victim during the same time period. A trial date for Jefferies is not listed but there will be a July 7 pretrial hearing. Woods case is set for a June 17 status hearing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KHANKENDI, Azerbaijan, June 2. Garabagh University is actively working to establish itself as a leading institution in the region, said Shahin Bayramov, the university's rector, Trend reports. Speaking at the Karabakh Education and Partnership Forum titled Joint Steps for the Future of Karabakh, Bayramov described the event as a call to action to advance educational progress. Garabagh University, currently enrolling around 1,150 students, is on a strong development trajectory. Its continued growth is a key priority for us, he said. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin held a news conference Monday morning to announce updates on his offices investigation into organized retail crime and human trafficking in Arkansas. In his first announcement, Griffin announced that 16 people were arrested in connection to thefts at least 13 store locations in Jonesboro. Griffin also added that five additional suspects were identified. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announces arrest of Little Rock woman for organized retail crime Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to theft charges, Griffin said some of the individuals arrested are facing additional charges of drug possession, tampering with evidence, and forgery. The stores that were mentioned included two Walmart locations, two Walgreens locations, Target, Dollar Tree, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Lowes, Home Depot, Academy Sports, Kohls and Burlington Coat Factory. In a second announcement, the attorney general said a raid was conducted at AI Massage, a massage parlor in Hot Springs. Griffin said an investigation indicated that the parlor was involved in prostitution and human trafficking. During the operation, more than $22,000 in American cash was seized, as was currency from Turkey, Thailand, and Colombia, Griffin said. About 100 unused condoms were confiscated, along with what is believed to be a home remedy to treat sexually transmitted infections, which implies there was sexual activity occurring at the business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas Attorney General announces grant to combat human trafficking in Arkansas Griffin said that a victim shared that she came to the U.S. through Mexico after responding to an online ad in China for work that was not sex related. Griffin said no arrests have been made in connection to the raid, but suspects have been identified. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Attorneys for suspended Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill want a key prosecution witness in her elder exploitation case removed from the proceedings, saying her contradictory and false answers in pretrial depositions make her unreliable. The 17-page motion filed Friday by Hills defense team seeks to remove Sandra Lewis from the case against Hill, who was indicted last year. Hill is accused of exploiting a 96-year-old woman by draining her savings of more than $100,000 after getting control of her finances. Prosecutors say Hill used a document notarized by Lewis to purchase a west Orlando home in her own name, with the elderly woman as a co-signer. Lewis is expected to testify against Hill in the trial, which is for now slated for the fall, though could be delayed further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hills attorney Fritz Scheller said in the Friday filing that his team had a difficult time interviewing Lewis over the course of two depositions, finding her answers evasive and at times dishonest. The defense attorneys asked Lewis about her political activity and her work for the City of Orlando in the past year. Central to the motions claims are questions about Lewis time as a canvasser for former Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain, who held the post when Hill was indicted. Bains political committee paid Lewis more than $41,000 for outreach services in his failed campaign last year to keep the job. She also evaded questions about working for Hills replacement, interim City Commissioner Shan Rose. Lewis worked for Rose as a temporary employee following her special election win. The filing further targets Lewis work with Eboni Beauty Academy, a nonprofit that apparently doubles as a political strategy firm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her depositions, Lewis demonstrated both a willful and blatant disregard for her obligations as a state witness a witness who was under subpoena and oath, Scheller wrote. She intentionally avoided questions and provided contradictory and false answers throughout her depositions. The notion that the State would proceed with this witness is disturbing. The Orange-Osceola State Attorneys Office led by Monique Worrell, which is prosecuting Hill along with the Office of Statewide Prosecution, did not immediately respond to questions about the motion. Lewis declined to comment. The charges against Hill go beyond what Lewis is expected to have relevant testimony about, so it is not clear how much damage Lewis removal would do if a judge agrees with the defense attorneys. The case against Hill is expansive, charging she used the older womans money on expenses like rental cars, hotel rooms and vitamin injections, none of which benefited the woman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time Hill was indicted in 2023, Gov. Ron DeSantis had removed Worrell from office and had appointed Bain as state attorney. Worrell, a Democrat, returned to the job in January after defeating Bain, running as an independent. Rose didnt respond to a request for comment. Beauty school or political firm? Records obtained and reviewed by the Orlando Sentinel appear to lend credence to some of the arguments made in the filing regarding the activities involving Eboni Beauty Academy. First formed as a for-profit business in 1989, it was later reorganized as a nonprofit in 1992 only to fold and restart on-and-off in the ensuing years, state business filings show. The schools most recent reinstatement was in 2017, based out of a house on Lenox Boulevard near Lake Mann. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite its existence as an active nonprofit in both state and federal records, Eboni Beauty Academy is not licensed to operate as a cosmetology school and it never was, according to a database from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Records confirm Lewis had a cosmetology license that expired in October 2017. In her depositions described in the filing, she testified that Eboni is a mobile beauty school that hosts students at her residence while also traveling to clients homes and sometimes operating out of beauty salons. Lewis refused to answer which salons were used, stating: Thats not your business. The filing also claims Lewis couldnt recall the name of any student that graduated from Eboni, nor the names of the companys board members. Additionally, in her application to work for the City of Orlando, which was obtained by the Sentinel, Eboni is listed as part of her job experience without reference to it being a beauty school. That business based out of the same Lenox Boulevard residence as the alleged school is instead described as a political strategy firm where she worked from 2010 to 2021 advising elected officials and candidates as a field coordinator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the candidates she consulted, according to the depositions described by Hills legal team, are Bain and Rose. Neither the beauty school nor the firm appear to have a website nor any other online presence, nor does the latter appear to exist in state or federal databases. Furthermore, campaign finance reports dont show Rose having paid Eboni or Lewis for canvassing, though Bains campaign paid Lewis $41,095 for outreach services between August and November. No payments were made to Eboni, an entity through which she said she paid other canvassers. Those payments came months after Hills indictment. Hills lawyers characterized her testimony regarding Eboni as suffused with falsehoods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, it was a beauty school with students she could not remember, then it was a canvassing company for Bain and Rose, and then it was both, according to their filing. A questionable donation The questions of Eboni Beauty Academys legitimacy didnt stop it from receiving a $3,200 donation from Insomniac Cares on Feb. 10, the result of a years-old agreement between the city and the nonprofit tied to the organizers of the Electric Daisy Carnival. Every year, Insomniac Cares donates tens of thousands of dollars to organizations in District 5 as a way to help the community following the annual rave, which often draws complaints of booming noise and other disruptions. The donations, disbursed by city-run nonprofit Strengthen Orlando, primarily go to surrounding neighborhood associations, which this year received $45,000. The rest, totaling $30,000, went to local community organizations with the stipulation that the money be used to benefit the entire neighborhood in the form of building improvements, landscaping projects and other community needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The address for Eboni Beauty Academy falls outside of the city limits, according to city property records. In response to questions about the protocols for distributing the donations, city spokesperson Andrea Otero said that is determined by the district commissioner, which is now Rose. The intent of the monies are to those neighborhoods directly affected by the EDC event. However, there are no requirements, she added. That detail, Hills attorneys said, is one Lewis claimed she didnt know despite the donation appearing to have been granted while working for Roses office, where Otero said she remains employed in a temporary status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis denied knowing where the $3,200 came from in her sworn testimony, even though a document confirming the donation appears to contain her signature. Hills legal team called her denial ludicrous. It is likely Lewis answer was designed to evade the inconvenient fact that Eboni improperly received money that was intended for entities in District Five where the EDC was held, their filing argued. _____ By Alasdair Pal SYDNEY (Reuters) -An Australian woman accused of murdering three of her estranged husband's elderly relatives by serving them a lunch laced with poisonous mushrooms began giving evidence during her trial on Monday, in a case that has gripped the nation. Erin Patterson, 50, is charged with the July 2023 murders of her mother-in-law Gail Patterson, father-in-law Donald Patterson and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, along with the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, Heather's husband, in a case that has gripped Australia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All four fell ill after a lunch of Beef Wellington, mashed potatoes and green beans, the court has heard. Prosecutors allege the accused laced the meal with highly poisonous death cap mushrooms at her home in Leongatha, a town of around 6,000 people some 135 km (84 miles) from Melbourne. Erin Patterson denies the charges, with her defence saying the deaths were a "terrible accident". Beginning her evidence towards the end of the day's session, Erin Patterson said on Monday her relationship with estranged husband Simon Patterson had been in difficulty shortly after they married in 2007. "We could never communicate in a way that would make each of us feel heard and understood," she told the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She had also grown apart from Simon's parents, Donald and Gail, at the time of their deaths, she added. "I had felt for some months that my relationship with the wider Patterson family, particularly Don and Gail, had a bit more distance or space put between us," she said. Earlier on Monday the prosecution rested its case, following a month of evidence from witnesses, including relatives and medical, forensic and mushroom experts. Simon Patterson gave evidence earlier in the trial, characterising the relationship between him and the accused as strained at the time of the alleged murders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial, that began on April 29, has seen intense interest from Australian and international media, with podcasters, journalists and documentary-makers descending on the town of Morwell, around two hours east of Melbourne, where the trial is being held. Erin Patterson is expected to resume her evidence on Tuesday, when the trial continues. (Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Michael Perry) SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Its National Cancer Survivors Day, and to celebrate, Avera spent the day honoring patients who beat the odds. Biking 4,000 miles to help homeless veterans Hundreds of cancer survivors came out the the Prairie Center in Sioux Falls where they enjoyed a free meal and a superhero theme. Its the 15th time Avera has hosted the event. Survivors say it was helpful for them to be around people who know exactly what they went through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The thought of being with other survivors because sometimes it kind of feel like youre alone in this whole journey. Just to see that other people that have survived, too, is going to be kind of cool, cancer survivor Terri Vanden Bosch said. Their lives are essentially flipped upside down, and unless weve been in those shoes, we just honestly dont necessarily understand that, Avera certified nurse practitioner Jennifer Reiner said. The survivors also got to add their names to a survivor tree painting and listen to guest speakers. The new Miss South Dakota has been crowned Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) Shoulder surgery is a common procedure performed by orthopedic surgeons nationwide. Joining Good Morning Connecticut at 9 a.m. to talk about a new shoulder arthroplasty procedure performed with a mako robot, was Dr. Ammar Anbari, an orthopedic surgeon at Backus Hospital in Norwich. Anbari is one of 16 surgeons worldwide who helped develop this new protocol. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. If you decided to devise a scheme to frustrate loyal voters so much that a good chunk of them would just give up, you might arrive at something like the Senate Bill 1 that Texas lawmakers passed in 2021. Perhaps you remember the dustup over this solution-in-search-of-a-problem election bill. Anyone filling out an application to vote by mail, or sending the mail-in ballot itself, suddenly had to include their state ID number or the last four digits of their Social Security number on the envelope. Oh, and it had to be the same number you used when you first registered to vote all those years ago so dont put your Social if you registered with your drivers license. (You remember which number you used, right?) Yilu Zhao, left, sits with his daughter, Alice Yi, in the fall of 2022 to discuss how his mail-in ballot application that year was rejected for the 2022 primary election. He persisted and voted in person in the primary, and by mail that fall, but a new Brennan Center study found other voters who were turned away gave up. Oh, and its possible you didnt see the new spot on the envelope requiring this number. It was under the flap. Sorry about that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the March 2022 primary rolled around, more than 30,000 Texas voters had their ballot application or their mail-in ballot itself rejected over this rule. Most voters who ran into this obstacle ended up not voting at all. A 2022 analysis by the nonpartisan Brennan Center found that among the 11,719 Texans whose application for a mail-in ballot was rejected in that years primary, only 3,266 ended up voting in person. Among the 18,368 Texans whose mail-in ballot was rejected, only 338 voted in person. If your goal is to disenfranchise voters, mission accomplished. I mention all of this because a troubling new study just came out that followed these voters to see what happens over time. If you run into a pointless procedural roadblock with voting once, are you less likely to vote in the future? Distressingly, but not surprisingly, the Brennan Center said this week the answer is yes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Take the voters whose mail-in ballot applications were rejected in the 2022 primary: When the general election arrived that fall, those voters participation dropped 16 percentage points. Among those whose mail-in ballots were rejected in the primary, participation was down 1.5 percentage points in the general election. The Brennan Center and researchers Michael G. Miller and Ian Shapiro found the declining participation for those voters continued through the 2024 primary, the most recent data they reviewed. In other words, when you make it harder to vote, people are less likely to vote for years to come. That no-duh mantra bears repeating because some lawmakers, at the state and federal level, keep working to raise more procedural hurdles for voters. A bill that passed this session in the Texas Senate, but thankfully stalled in the Texas House, would have required all existing and future voters to present proof of citizenship digging out birth certificates or passports (not to mention marriage or divorce paperwork, if youre a woman whose last name ever changed), driving to election offices to present these documents, all in service of stamping out noncitizen voting that experts have called vanishingly rare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the federal level, a similar proof-of-citizenship measure the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives in April, and now rests with the U.S. Senate. I have yet to meet anyone who wants noncitizens to vote. Nor is there evidence thats happening at any meaningful scale and its not like Texas hasnt looked. Gov. Greg Abbotts claim last year that officials had found 6,500 potential noncitizens on the Texas voter rolls turned out to be way off base (the secretary of states office had flagged 581 people, and even that list was flawed, the Texas Tribune, ProPublica and Votebeat found). And looking nationally, when the Brennan Center analyzed 23.5 million votes cast in the 2016 presidential election, only 30 of them appeared to involve noncitizens. Still, the tiny prospect of noncitizens voting is used to cast a large shadow of suspicion on our elections, justifying measures that, in reality, just make it harder for legitimate voters to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is why Texas experience with the 2021 SB 1 matters: It triggered a warning light. Those allowed to vote by mail in Texas are 65 and older, and in practice they are the die-hards. They are the coveted super-voters who cast their ballots year in and year out, for every elected office from the White House to the water conservation district board. And even they could be deterred in worrisome numbers when paperwork hassles sent them back to Square One. There is every reason to think that barriers to participation even more effectively turn off younger voters at the start of their civic participation, Brennan Center president and CEO Michael Waldman wrote this week. A long line at a polling place, a demand to produce a birth certificate, or a technical error on a ballot can reverberate throughout a lifetime. Its not a guess that raising these barriers hurts voter participation. Its a documented fact. And theres not an acceptable level of collateral damage here not when every voters voice should count. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bridget Grumet is the Statesmans Editorial Page Editor. Her column contains her opinions. Share yours via email at bgrumet@statesman.com, or via X or Bluesky at @bgrumet. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: A ballot denied can deter voters for years, Texas law shows | Opinion The Banana Lake Fire is pictured on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Inciweb photo) An 850-acre wildfire exploded in size on Sunday about four miles north of Plains. The Banana Lake fire was discovered on Saturday and prompted a significant response from firefighting officials. As of Monday, 17 engines, two helicopters, two hand crews, a hotshot crew and three bulldozers are all assigned to the fire. The Western Montana Type 3 Incident Management Team, led by Ken Parks the deputy director of the Missoula County Emergency Management Department assumed command of the incident on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters were busy over the weekend with structure protection. (Information on what structures were being protected was not immediately available.) The fire started near Locust Hill in Plains and is burning along Highway 28 near Rainbow Lake. Fueling the fire is open timber, and a full suppression response is being implemented per the fires Inciweb situation report. Fire officials asked the public to stay away from the area. The states Department of Natural Resources and Conservation media liaison listed for the fire did not immediately return a request for comment. Montana could be gearing up for a long fire season. National Interagency Fire Center maps predict greater than usual likelihood of significant wildfires for half of the state by July and nearly all of it come August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wildfires are a reality in Montana each year, but thanks to increased funding and innovative technology, DNRC is more prepared than ever before to respond quickly and effectively, Gov. Greg Gianforte said in a press release last week. While our teams are equipped and ready to protect homes and communities in the event of wildfire, we also need every Montanan to take simple steps to join us in our efforts to keep our state safe. Gianforte signed two wildfire bills earlier this month, while vetoing two others that would have impacted local fire departments. How wildfires are to be fought is also a major topic both at the federal level and in the court system. The state has already had several early season wildfires, including one near Wisdom that ended up burning more than 2,000 acres. According to Montana Fire Info, nearly 350 fires have burned in the state this year so far. Rural firefighters throughout the state are starting to see things dry out. That includes Missoula Rural Fire District Lt. Phillip Mediate during an interview with the Daily Montanan regarding unseasonably warm temperatures over the weekend. Weve had a pretty good wet spring, Mediate said on Saturday morning. Were starting to see the spike in temperatures now. I think the fire danger has moved to moderate, just in the last couple of days, so were starting to see those grasses dry out were starting to head into that season. MAGA insider and former Trump White House chief strategist Steve Bannon said Monday that Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), one of Kyivs strongest backers in Congress, should be arrested if he doesnt stop traveling overseas and stirring it up in Ukraine. Bannon expressed his frustration over Ukraines stunning drone attack on Russias strategic bombing fleet, which destroyed 40 aircraft deep inside Russian territory, giving Ukrainian forces a potential morale boost. Bannon said the White House should condemn the military strike and crack down on Grahams diplomacy. The senator applauded Ukraines resourcefulness in pulling off a successful attack Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House has to condemn this immediately and pull all support and tell Lindsey Graham to come home or we are going to put you under arrest when you come home. Youre stirring it up, Bannon said Monday on his War Room podcast. He accused Graham, who met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, of working behind President Trumps back. Lindsey Grahams over there saying, Hey, forget Trump. I got the House and the Senate. Were going to pass it. Youre going to see something in a couple of days, Bannon said, referring to legislation Graham has sponsored to sanction Russia and countries that buy its products. Hes stirring it up over there, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grahams praise for Ukraines attacks Sunday called the country ever-resourceful. The ever-resourceful Ukraine used creative drone warfare tactics to successfully attack Russian bombers and military assets used to kill Ukrainian citizens and destroy their country, he posted on the social platform X. Ukraine struck deeply into Russia, hitting targets in the regions of Irkutsk and Amur, thousands of miles from the Russian-Ukraine border. The countrys security services reportedly smuggled the drones into Russia on 18-wheelers, which were remotely opened near military bases. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. On the occasion of June 2 - Civil Aviation Workers Professional Day, employees of the civil aviation sector visited the Alley of Honor to pay their respects, Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) said in a post on its official X page, Trend reports. The visit included a solemn tribute to late National Leader Heydar Aliyev. Attendees laid wreaths and bouquets at his tomb in honor of his memory. The delegation also visited the tomb of the prominent ophthalmologist and academician Zarifa Aliyeva, placing floral arrangements in recognition of her contributions. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Germany's new government is set to build gas plant plants in the southern state of Bavaria, Economy Minister Ketherina Reiche said on Monday. Attending a meeting of the Bavarian Cabinet in the lakeside resort of Gmund am Tegernsee, Reiche said "two-thirds" of the new capacity would be built in southern Germany as part of a "southern bonus." Bavaria will be prioritized in "the tender for the first 20 gigawatts that we have planned in Germany," she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative-led administration, which took office last month, is promising to bring down electricity prices for energy-intensive industries by constructing new gas-run plants. The Cabinet is expected to decide on the first measures to relieve businesses by the summer, with a reduction of levies on electricity, grid charges and gas storage. Reiche said high energy costs are leading companies to make new investments in countries where prices are more favourable. "Security of supply, climate protection and affordability must come together again in a balanced triangle," said the minister. Reiche said consultations with the European Commission over the plans are already under way. LYNN HAVEN, Fla. (WMBB) The Lynn Haven Police Department has arrested a Bay District Schools bus driver with Child Abuse. According to a Lynn Haven Police Department Facebook post, authorities had received a report through the Gulf Coast Childrens Advocacy Center about a child being struck by a school bus driver. Authorities said that during the investigation, they learned that on May 13, Stacy Halloran was working as a bus driver and during the afternoon drop-off time, she allegedly slapped a child with an open hand on the back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The slap resulted in marks on the child that lasted for more than 48 hours. The incident was reported to the Florida Department of Children and Families in its institutional division. Authorities said that the allegations were sustained as they continued to investigate and the child victim was provided services through the Gulf Coast Childrens Advocacy Center. While obtaining services, the incident was reported to law enforcement. Warrants were obtained for Halloran and she was arrested by the Bay County Sheriffs Office. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact the Lynn Haven Police Department at 850-265-4111 or Crime Stoppers at 850-785-TIPS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. BAZETTA, Ohio (WKBN) The Valley is home to several lakes and rivers, making it great for boating, kayaking and all sorts of summer activities but if something goes wrong, first responders need to be trained in swift water rescues. Members of the Bazetta Fire Department touched up their water rescue skills on Sunday at Mosquito Lake Outflow. A group from Rescue Training Specialists in South Carolina was invited to Ohio to help those in the department. We do have a number of river systems in the area, whether it be the Grand River, the Mahoning River, and of course, the outflow here at Mosquito Creek Reservoir, said Bob Wasser, head of the water rescue division at the Bazetta Fire Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the first year the specialists have made a trip up north. They trained 13 members of Bazetta Fire, teaching them the fundamentals of water rescue training. Firefighters learned how to make rescues without getting in the water and how to stay clear of obstacles. If they get caught in the environment or in the water, they can save themselves. Before you can save anybody, you have to learn how to save yourself, said Ricky Burgess with Rescue Training Specialties. Local officials say it gives the department another resource. Thats vital to be taught by people who have actually been on those emergencies, so its very important to have them here, Wasser said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Standard training is required every three years, but the more you train, the more comfortable youll be. Those who participated say it was a great experience. They practice this all the time. So, having these guys come up here and be working with us and giving us some knowledge that we might not be able to come across from guys that dont do it all the time. It was very good training, said Zack Hileman with the Bazetta Fire Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. A beloved restaurant in the Houston area announced it permanently closed its doors over the weekend. Rudi Lechner opened his German-inspired beer hall in 1976 before he retired and the restaurant was purchased by Jay Luchun. "I made sure not to change anything about Rudi's, from the menu to the staff and especially the name," Luchun told Westchase Today, a quarterly community publication, in 2018. "Many of the restaurant's loyal workers have been there for 20 years or more. I feel a responsibility to keep them employed." Now, nearly 50 years after its opening, Rudi Lechner's is shuttering its doors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After many wonderful years of serving the community, Rudi Lechner's has permanently closed its doors," read a statement from the restaurant Sunday, via the Houston Chronicle. "We want to express our deepest gratitude to all of you who have supported us over the years. It has been an incredible journey filled with memorable moments, delicious meals, and the joy of sharing our culture and hospitality with you." The restaurant reportedly apologized to those impacted by the sudden closing. In a post on Reddit, the Consulate of Austria emailed members that its monthly Stammtischan Austrian-themed dinnerat the restaurant was canceled following Rudi Lechner's sudden closing. In the email, the consulate revealed that the owner of the Rudi Lechner property was "looking for a new restaurant operator who may also invest in renovating the place." Rudi Lechner's described itself as a casual, and 'gemuetliches' German-Texan restaurant, that is all about Sausages, Wiener Schnitzel and great German Beer and Wine." Related: Beloved Pizza Chain Closing in June After 54 Years Beer Hall 'Permanently' Closing After Nearly 50 Years first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 2, 2025 If your morning starts with a litany of daily puzzles and word games, now is a great time to add USA TODAY Play's games to your roster. Less stressful than many other crossword puzzles on the market, the USA TODAY daily crossword is a quick, typically less than 10-minute brain break with clues ranging from the traditional fare (Hint: the answer to the cookie clue is nearly always OREO) to pop culture to current events. P.S. if you're a Taylor Swift fan, there will likely be at least one clue you know nearly every day as our crossword editors seem to be in their ERAS era. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking for an even shorter time commitment? Our daily Quick Cross is a four-by-four grid that you should be able to solve in a few minutes. RACE your friends and see who can complete it the fastest! Every day, crossword editor and columnist Sally Hoelscher who hails from the crossword-friendly state of IOWA breaks down the puzzle in her "Off the Grid" column with helpful hints and context for each puzzle. And if crosswords aren't for you, USA TODAY Play offers a variety of other games including daily Sudoku, our brand-new game 7 Little Words and more. While everyone has access to a limited number of puzzles each week for free, adding a USA TODAY Play subscription gives you access to: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Your stats and the ability to track your daily streaks Unlimited puzzles, hints and reveals across Crossword, Quick Cross and Sudoku Additional games, like the brand new 7 Little Words The crossword archive, filled with hundreds of past puzzles for your enjoyment An ad-free gaming experience Sign up today at puzzles.usatoday.com and start bragging about your high scores to all your friends. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: USA TODAY Play offers challenging but fun crossword puzzles, games Two long-vacant Reading industrial sites are being targeted for redevelopment by the Berks County Industrial Development Authority. The authority is pushing forward with plans for the former Glidden paint factory site, 1853 N. Third St., and the former Penn Optical property, 212 S. Eighth St., said Jeremy Zaborowski, executive director. In a recent presentation to City Council, Zaborowski outlined the environmental, infrastructure and planning work underway to prepare the Glidden site along Bern Street for reuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In our 55-year history, this is the first purchase weve made in the city of Reading, Zaborowski said. So its the first project well be doing here. Were excited to be doing that. Berks authority acquires abandoned paint factory in Reading The authority acquired the 13-acre site in February after two years of environmental planning in partnership with the state Department of Environmental Protection, he said. The goal, Zaborowski said, is to clean the property and subdivide it for mixed-use redevelopment that reflects the varied character of the surrounding neighborhood. The Norfolk Southern Railroad right-of-way will form the dividing line for the two parcels, he noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parcel on the southern end closest to nearby homes is being targeted for retail use, Zaborowski said. The northern portion, which contains remnants of the old industrial structures, is slated for new light industrial development. Environmental, infrastructure and planning work are underway to prepare the former Glidden paint factory site along Bern Street for reuse. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) Were still in design phases, Zaborowski told council. Lot one, were looking at up to 50,000 or 60,000 square feet in industrial use. We expect to see a design late 2025 that might bleed into the first quarter of 2026. The authority partnered with Shuman Development Group for the retail development. Another developer, not yet identified publicly, will work with the authority on the industrial development, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proposed Reading shopping center at former paint factory site moving closer to construction HDR Inc., an engineering firm based in Omaha, Neb., is handling environmental remediation at the site. Zaborowski said the firm has extensive experience in the field. While environmental remediation is a specialty of the authority, Zaborowski noted the authority requires its developer partners to hire certified cleanup teams and document their compliance with state environmental regulations. In answer to a question from Councilman O. Christopher Miller about increased traffic from the planned retail and industrial activity at the site, Zaborowski said traffic studies will be required as part of the planning process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Berks County Industrial Development Authority is looking at purchasing and developing the former Penn Optical site in the 200 block of South Eighth Street, Reading. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) Penn Optical At another city site, the former Penn Optical building, the authority is wrapping up a separate two-year environmental analysis conducted in partnership with the property owner, Reading Redevelopment Authority. That study, Zaborowski said, was a necessary step to prepare the downtown site for future transit-oriented development. You cant even sell the property without an environmental (analysis), where you know whats wrong with the site and whats right with the site, he told council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project is part of the countys broader Imagine Berks economic development strategy, which prioritizes redevelopment and job creation in the city. When asked by Councilman Jaime Baez about job creation, Zaborowski said the authoritys primary goal is to support family-wage jobs. However, he acknowledged that tracking employment outcomes over time is difficult for the agencys small staff. Instead, the authority often measures success through increased property tax revenue. The authority is self-funded and does not receive general tax revenue for operations, Zaborowski said. It supports itself through land sales, redevelopment fees and special project allocations, such as a new infrastructure loan program it is administering on behalf of the county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zaborowski also highlighted a state-funded redevelopment project underway at Albright Colleges library. Through Pennsylvanias Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, Albright received a 50% matching grant to rehabilitate the library building. The authority is managing grant compliance, reviewing bids and payroll records, and verifying that construction materials meet state sourcing requirements. City Managing Director Jack Gombach said the administration recently met with the authority to explore collaboration on challenging redevelopment projects in Reading. The administration is very excited to continue those conversations, Gombach said, and keep getting deals done in the city of Reading. The Berks County Industrial Development Authority is looking at purchasing and developing the former Penn Optical site in the 200 block of S. Eighth St., Reading. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) A Berks County man has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges he sold about $186,000 in counterfeit artwork that he claimed had been created by prominent artists, including the late Keith Haring. Carter Reese, 77, pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl in Philadelphia to one count each of wire fraud and mail fraud, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney David Metcalf of the Eastern District. Prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of $186,125, the total amount Reese received in selling the fake artwork, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents: Reese, claiming to have more than 40 years of experience in art and antiquities, operated Carter P. Reese American Antiques and Fine Art. Online records indicate the business lists a Wyomissing address. An unnamed person referred to as Associate 1 in court documents pleaded guilty in federal court in Illinois in September 2010 to six counts of mail fraud and wire fraud in the sale of counterfeit artwork, some of which he had purchased on eBay. He admitted he and co-conspirators schemed to sell limited edition fine art prints and that he forged the signatures of certain artists on those prints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors note Associate 1 died in November 2021. From February 2019 to March 2021, Reese sold and tried to sell art that he represented as genuine pieces created by artists, including Francis Bacon, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jean Cocteau, Fernand Leger, Roy Lichtenstein, Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and Haring, a Kutztown native. Reese purchased and acquired pieces from Associate 1 at low prices. Many of the pieces Reese sold appeared identical to images of artwork reproductions Associate 1 bought on eBay. Reese told potential buyers that he purchased more than 100 pieces of art from a collector identified in court papers as Individual 1 including work by Bacon, Basquiat, Cocteau, Haring, Leger, Lichtenstein, Miro, Picasso and Warhol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Individual 1 never owned or sold such a collection to Reese. At the time Reese offered this art for sale, Individual 1 was dead and thus unavailable to verify Reeses claims for potential buyers. Reese told potential buyers that he acquired an additional set of art from an individual named Ken James who was friends with various renowned artists. Ken James was an alias used by Associate 1 so potential buyers would not know he had been convicted of selling fake artwork. Associate 1 did not have the purported connections to such artists. To support his claims that the artwork was authentic, Reese concealed Associate 1s involvement with the fraudulent artwork; provided prospective buyers with false provenance information such as affidavits signed by himself and an attorney stating that he had acquired the artwork from Individual 1 and sold prospective buyers art on which forged inscriptions and signatures had been added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reese continued to claim the artwork was authentic even after some potential buyers told him the work was fake. A potential buyer also informed Reese of Associate 1s conviction, but Reese continued to offer artwork he had obtained from Associate 1 as authentic. During a telephone call on July 16, 2020, Reese told a person in Florida that he had acquired various works of art from Individual 1 and offered to sell them. On July 30, 2020, Reese sent a package to the person in Florida containing an affidavit notarized in Berks County falsely certifying that he had acquired artwork by Miro, Lichtenstein, Haring, Picasso, Basquiat, Bacon, Warhol and others from Individual 1. Reese is scheduled to be sentenced in September and faces a maximum possible prison term of 40 years. Title changed Details added: first version posted on 10:18 KHANKENDI, Azerbaijan, June 2. The Garabagh Education and Partnership Forum has been held at Azerbaijan's Garabagh University under the theme Joint Steps for the Future Karabakh, Trend's local correspondent reports. The goal of the forum was to promote the development of education and partnership between the public and private sectors in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. The forum was held in partnership with the Ministry of Science and Education and the Ministry of Economy and jointly organized by the Karabakh Revival Fund, Education Development Fund, Free Trade Union of Education Workers of Azerbaijan and Garabagh University. Shahin Bayramov, rector of the unversity, gave a welcome speech at the opening ceremony of the forum. Then the Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev, the Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov and the special representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the city of Khankendi, Aghdara and Khojaly districts Elchin Yusubov expressed a number of important opinions about the development of education in the Karabakh region, the strengthening of human capital and the strategic importance of public-private cooperation. Then, within the framework of the forum, panel discussions were organized on two different topics with the participation of professional moderators and speakers. At the 1st panel "The Great Return: Challenges and Opportunities", moderated by Elnura Nasibov, Chairman of the Board of Education Development Fund, Mikail Jabbarov, Emin Amrullaev, Elchin Yusubov and the head of Karabakh Revival Fund Rahman Hajiyev spoke as speakers and touched on the issues of reconstruction of the region and development of human resources. The second panel was devoted to the topic "Possibilities of public-private partnership in Karabakh". The moderator was the director of the State Agency for Professional Education Jeyhun Karamov. During the panel with Shahin Bayramov, the perspectives of the state-private partnership in the region and the possibilities of mutual cooperation were discussed. The forum ended with an artistic part, during which teachers and students of Garabagh University performed national musical works. More than 200 people took part in the event, which once again emphasized the importance of coordinated activities of all parties in the reconstruction and development of Karabakh, including representatives of state institutions, employees of special missions located in the region, representatives of the private sector, and the teaching staff of Garabagh University. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A study released in May had a lot to say about incarceration in Berks County. Undertaken in a joint effort between the nonprofit organizations Building Justice in Berks, The Real Deal 610 and the Vera Institute of Justice, the study focuses on trying to reduce the inmate population in the county. It also illuminates the experiences of people detained in Berks County Jail and recommends a new vision for public safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The study lobbied some criticism, pointed out alleged flaws and suggested changes. And much of that was directed at county officials: the county commissioners, district attorney, judges and the prison warden. The Reading Eagle reached out to those county officials to gauge their opinions on the report. A few two county commissioners and the district attorney agreed to share their thoughts. Commissioners Chairman Chistian Leinbach and Berks County Jail Warden Jeffrey Smith declined to comment, while Berks County President Judge M. Theresa Johnson did not respond to requests for comment. Those who did respond said, in general, that they do not agree with some of the details in the report. They said it paints an inaccurate picture, and that it fails to give the county credit for the large strides it has made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the officials did say that the big picture, the overarching idea behind the report, is one they agree with. Finding a way to reduce the number of people behind bars is an endeavor they can continue to support. Heres what the officials had to say. District Attorney John Adams Adams said he had a lot of problems with the study. I dont believe that the report is very accurate, he said I think it has many areas where the statistics do not reflect reality. Adams main complaint about the report is that it did not address the work that has already been done in attempting to decrease the jail population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I came into this job in 2008, and I believe our prison population was about 1,300 at that time, Adams said Its now 700 thats about a 45% reduction. So, frankly, I think we are doing a very good job. But, Adams added, he is the first to admit there are places where the county can do a better job. One of the areas that immediately comes to mind of which I have concerns is the long lengths of stay in our jail, he said. I believe that the majority of those lengths of stays are caused by certain judges who continually grant continuances requested by defense counsel. Adams cited one case in particular where a man facing gun and drug charges has remained imprisoned since 2020, saying the court has allowed him to manipulate the system and delay his trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And that is not an isolated case, Adams said. The district attorney said his staff continually requests that the court schedule cases for trial but there are certain judges who continually grant delays. There are cases where a lengthy period of time between the initial charge and a trial is unavoidable, especially when there are mental health evaluations or cooperation issues, Adams said. But the court has to take requests by my office to list a case for trial seriously so that we dont have a backlog and individuals lingering in our jail. Its about time that our courts put their foot down, and they have to understand that theres a responsibility to move cases. And I believe that if certain judges would stop granting serial continuance motions that our inmate census would be at a minimum 100 individuals less than the current census. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An area where Adams said he isnt exactly on the same page as the study is recommendations to enact diversion policies for an assortment of low-level crimes. The report suggests diverting offenders charged with things like drug possession, trespassing and vagrancy. Adams said he cannot enact such a blanket policy. This is another place where there are complete inaccuracies, Adams said. Each individual case has to be reviewed on its own merit. That being said, Adams agreed that jail is not always the best place for some low-level offenders. I am the first one to acknowledge that in some drug possession cases it would appear that maybe the individual shouldnt end up in jail, he said. But, on the other hand, many times the fact that that individual does end up in jail is the only thing that saves their lives because many times those individuals are so addicted that they need help, and to permit them to remain on the street would be a death wish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams said the county has had a marijuana diversion program in place for several years, with all of those cases diverted and dismissed upon the completion of the program. No one should go to jail for possession of a small amount of marijuana, Adams said. Adams said he also took issue with information about mental health included in the study. He said it does not reflect the diversion efforts the county has undertaken to remove mental health cases from the system. I think we have a great diversion program here which is being run by Connections Work, who are working closely with the police, my office and the public defenders office, Adams said, referring to the local nonprofit that works to help people reenter society from incarceration. So we are diverting a lot of individuals out of the system every week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In some cases charges are not filed. Some are diverted into treatment programs and charges are withdrawn after successful completion, and there are a few where the charges could be reduced upon participating in treatment programs. An area of the study that Adams does believe is a challenge for the county is homelessness. When an individual is arrested and theyre homeless, that brings the problem of whether he or she shows up in court, Adams said. So I acknowledge that is one of the biggest problems when we are dealing with a low-level offender, and it is a problem that we need to work on. A change that Adams said hes not willing to make is easing prosecution on low-level retail thefts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I will tell you though that my position on retail theft is that Im not going to permit law enforcement in our county to look the other way and to not arrest people who commit theft, he said. I feel strongly about that because Philadelphia invoked some policies that led to some retailers having to move out of the city because of the lawlessness that was occurring. Adams said protecting the local business community is something he feels very strongly about and that he will not tolerate retail theft. We identify many individuals with much more serious problems as a result of an arrest for retail theft cases, he said. Many times those individuals are addicted to drugs and the only way to get them into the treatment that they need is through the criminal justice system. Those people are eligible for treatment court and other programs that could actually help treat the underlying issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The study makes a recommendation that the plea bargain process not be coercive and not use threats of harsher penalties. That, Adams said, is how the process already works. We do not use any coercive plea bargaining processes, Adams said. Every individual who is offered a plea agreement can either accept it or decline it. And we do not punish people for going to trial. If someone is convicted after a trial the sentence is completely determined by the presiding judge. Adams said the study also criticizes probation and technical violations of probation failing to adhere to the terms and conditions set by the court during a probation period but not committing a new crime. Those issues are things that are already being addressed at the state level. He said the Legislature has passed probation reform that will be very impactful in lessening the amount of time an individual can be incarcerated for a technical violation of probation. Those changes are going to help reduce our jail census, he said. The reform will also lessen the length that an individual will serve on probation. In 2008, Berks implemented an early termination of probation program, so we are way ahead of the curve in this area, Adams added. But this legislation will reduce it even more than what we are currently doing. Adams said he believes Berks is working toward lowering the jail population, but that in many cases incarceration is a necessity. Jails are inevitable because there is, unfortunately, a minority of our population who are dangerous and cannot behave on the streets so the only way to protect the community is to incarcerate a certain percentage of people, he said. But those are generally our most violent and prolific offenders. I am 1,000% on board with trying to divert some of those low-level offenders out of jail. For Adams, the issue is about both helping to improve and protect the community, and about the overwhelming cost of the criminal justice system. I think we all need to be careful about how we spend taxpayer money, and, quite frankly, we all know the jail is a huge burden, he said And, therefore, we have to be smart and we need to lessen the cost to the taxpayers. Commissioners Michael Rivera and Dante Santoni Jr. Rivera said that when it comes to any report released having to do with county operations he will take it under serious consideration no matter the issue. If there is something that I can get out of it that would benefit the county and the taxpayers, I think its a good thing, he said. I may not agree with all the findings, but there are aspects that I think we need to have further discussion on. I want to see what we can learn about reducing the jail population because I agree with that premise. Rivera said he supports looking at alternatives to jail detention for those who commit low-level crimes because it doesnt benefit them and it doesnt benefit the county taxpayer who is on the hook to pay for the housing and care of those individuals. Santoni said that overall he certainly agrees with the concept of reducing the jail population. He said its an effort he believes the county should be working toward. Berks County Commissioner Dante Santoni Jr. (BILL UHRICH -READING EAGLE) This is an issue that I think people can really support in regards to providing resources for people and saving taxpayer money, he said. But this is not going to be an overnight thing. Santoni, who served in the state House of Representatives for 17 years before being elected to his commissioner post, noted that he was a member of the Legislature when a lot of tough on crime bills were passed. He said the outcome of that legislation was not successful. What we did was put people in jail for reasons that they shouldnt have been there and the cost was significant, he said. But I think public perception has changed over time. He said he believes his colleagues on the board of commissioners are very supportive of the overall mission to reduce the jail population, but said the details about how to go about it is going to take more time and more discussion. Rivera said one of his main criticisms of the report is that it doesnt accurately reflect the progress that has been made to tackle the issue. For example, he noted there was no mention of the diversionary programs offered to those who are funneled into treatment court or the assistance given to reentrants through Connections Work or the effort by local law enforcement to complete crisis intervention training. These are things we are already doing, he said. The report in some parts makes it sound like the county isnt doing anything, when in fact we are doing a lot on this front. And, Rivera pointed out, the report includes recommendations that the commissioners and the jail simply cannot control like changing sentencing guidelines or what charges the district attorney files. While we need to make sure we are good partners with those in the criminal justice system to try to keep people out of jail, there is a lot that we have no control over, he said. Rivera said he fully understands that most people in county jail will be released back into the community within a few months. That is why he wants to make sure the county is providing them while they are there with the resources they need to avoid recidivism. He specifically cited a new partnership that began earlier this year between Berks County and PennDOT to provide county prisoners a valid state identification or application for a state identification prior to release. The idea for the effort was born out of a simulation event held last year by Connections Work meant to show the challenges that people released from prison encounter after their release back into the community. Berks County Commissioner Michael Rivera (READING EAGLE) But, Rivera said, there are financial limitations that must also be considered when it comes to funding these kinds of programs. An example of this was on display last fall when Connections Work requested the commissioners approve a contract that would include funding for a trio of programs as a line item in the county budget. During that presentation, all three commissioners voiced support for the programs but acknowledged the county was already facing a tough financial situation related to the 2025 budget. We have a limited number of resources, but we do support working with our partners at the state and federal level to help fund those programs that we know are making a difference, he said. The budget is tight so we have to make tough decisions about how to best spend the money that we have. Rivera, who sits on the countys criminal justice advisory board, noted that it will take everyone working together to help reduce the jail population. He also said he liked the recommendation that the process include the voices of those who have been involved in the system. He said he recently invited the leadership team at the RealDeal 610 to review the criminal justice advisory boards strategic plan to provide input from the perspective of those who have been incarcerated. Rivera said he would also be open to creating a systemwide data clearinghouse that would include details relating to the sentencing, detention, supervision and treatment of inmates. The authors of the report said it would allow them to craft policies that address the issues that cause people to commit crimes and the roadblocks they experience when they are released from jail as well as highlight programs that keep people from returning. Rivera said members of the criminal justice advisory board have already acknowledged that sharing more information would be a positive step in the right direction. I would be more than open to looking at whether its possible, he said. But, he cautioned, privacy laws might be barriers to accomplishing that goal. Like Rivera, Santoni said the county already does provide a lot of resources aimed at keeping people out of jail or helping them as they prepare to reenter society. But, he added, the county can always look for more ways to step up services. He said hes committed to diverting those with mental health issues and substance use disorders to programs that will benefit those individuals rather than sticking them in a cell. He also lauded the work of Connections Work and the crisis intervention training program for local law enforcement. Santoni said he would support more input from people who were in the system as the county continues to work toward improving it. I think that was an important part of the report, he said. Certainly, if we are looking to improve the system, I think we should get input from those who have had that experience. Any changes made to the criminal justice system, Santoni said, are things the commissioners cant do alone. Along with the input from those who have been incarcerated, there are many other stakeholders who need their voices heard. A lot of the things that were in this report are things that our district attorney, judges and state lawmakers would have control over, he said. We cant really do some of these things on our own. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is getting blunt about why Kamala Harris lost the 2024 presidential election. While speaking to BBC Radio 4 during the London leg of his Fighting Oligarchy tour, the two-time presidential candidate said it was wrong to pin Harris defeat on then-President Joe Bidens late retreat from the race. It was the fault of Kamala Harris and her consultants, he said plainly, before laying out how Democrats failed to run a campaign designed to speak to the American working class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders told the station that while President Donald Trump may be reasonably popular, Democrats could have beaten him if they addressed the struggles everyday Americans face during the campaign. I ran all over the country trying to elect Kamala Harris and begged them: Talk to the needs of the working class. Talk about raising the minimum wage to a living wage, he continued. Talk about real health care reform. Talk about building the kinds of massive amounts of housing that we need, and putting checks on landlords greed on housing. Sen. Bernie Sanders, pictured on Capitol Hill on May 14, told BBC Radio 4 that taking working-class voters for granted was a fatal error for Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign. Samuel Corum via Getty Images But instead of listening to Sanders, the Harris campaign decided to rely on billionaire friends and anti-Trump Republicans like former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney (Wyo.). Kamala spent more time with Liz Cheney almost than with anybody else. What is that message out to working-class people? he asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders added that using billionaire Shark Tank star Mark Cuban as a surrogate was also a major misstep for Democrats. To my mind that was a campaign that absolutely should have been winnable, but consultants and the 1% led them astray, he said. The bottom line here is the Democrats have to answer a very simple question: Which side are you on? Talking about the partys current strategy in an interview with The Washington Post published last week, the senator had a similar message. Do Democrats do enough? he asked himself. No. During his interview, Sanders wondered why candidate Harris "spent more time with Liz Cheney almost than with anybody else" during her campaign. The two are seen here in Ripon, Wisconsin, last October. KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI via Getty Images The difference that I have with the Democratic leadership is not in the need to vigorously oppose Trump, he explained. Its to bring forth an agenda that resonates with working-class families. And I think there are a number of Trump people who will support that agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even before ballots were cast, observers were wary about Democrats decision to bank on big-name supporters like Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce, George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez and more, wondering whether it would pay off. And in the fallout from the 2024 election, politics insiders were even more critical. Celebrity endorsements say a lot: they say youre a liberal, an elitist, and a cultural progressive. An Oprah or Clooney endorsement is the kiss of death in large swaths of the country now, Republican strategist William F.B. OReilly told The New York Times in a postmortem election analysis. Related... The Cross Bay Ferry is expected to return by fall next year, local officials said, under a new contract overseen by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, which plans to purchase local boats for the service. The Cross Bay Ferrys future was left uncertain in April when the private company operating the boat, HMS Ferries, announced that it wouldnt provide an hourlong ride across the bay through October as expected. The operator tried to replace its current boat with a slower vessel that would lengthen the trek to two hours. Hillsborough County responded by terminating its contract with the private operator early. Service ended April 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The countys transit authority agreed Monday to transfer a $4.8 million federal grant to Pinellas, allowing transit officials to purchase one or two local boats. The move is expected to slash hourly operating costs by almost two-thirds, saving local taxpayers money in the long haul. The cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg will continue to help subsidize the service. With the local boats, Pinellas officials want the vessels to set sail from both Tampa and St. Petersburg every one to two hours, doubling how frequently they run. Officials also expect some service to return Monday through Wednesday. They may reduce the previous $12 one-way fare as well. The goal is to transform what some officials refer to as transportainment into a genuine option for commuters seeking to bypass the Howard Frankland Bridge and snarled traffic along Interstate 275. It wasnt always a given that Pinellas County would get the funds it needed to purchase the boats. Hillsborough County officials stalled for months on voting to approve the transfer of a federal grant that was initially awarded in 2022 for a now-defunct waterborne transit proposal from South Hillsborough to MacDill Air Force Base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hillsborough Commissioner Josh Wostal expressed skepticism that Pinellas transit authority should dive into waterborne transportation, arguing it would be a liability for taxpayers and a waste of funds for a service that, at its height, netted less than 100,000 riders each season. Pinellas transit agency also oversees the contract for the Clearwater Ferry, though it does not own those boats. One rider died on board April 27 after former Jannus Live owner Jeff Knights boat crashed into the ferry. The future operator of the Cross Bay Ferry will assume liability for the vessels maintenance, said Darden Rice, chief planning and community affairs officer for the Pinellas transit agency. In the end, Hillsborough leaders were swayed by Pinellas pitch for a service that could reduce congestion across the bay without requiring Hillsboroughs money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Id rather it go here than Seattle or Poughkeepsie or anywhere else in the country, said Gil Schisler, a Temple Terrace City Council member on the Hillsborough transit board. The board for Pinellas transit agency, which includes four county commissioners, voiced their support for the grants transfer in a unanimous vote last week. Now Pinellas will get to work soliciting a contractor for the service and coordinating with the federal government to transfer the boat grant. Officials have set a cautious start date for the new service for fall 2026. By then, they hope to have moved the St. Petersburg stop back to the Vinoy basin, a more convenient stop for visitors and locals, from the Port of St. Petersburg. The real question is, why dont we have a waterborne transit system already? Rice said. Were one of the countrys largest urban metro areas surrounded, and defined by name, by a body of water. Its really a no-brainer that we would develop this transit choice for our citizens. PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) A Pennsylvania senator is looking to crack down on road rage shootings with a soon-to-be-introduced bill. Senator Carolyn Comitta has plans to introduce a bill, named after a road rage shooting victim, that would work to protect Pennsylvania residents. In a memo to lawmakers, Comitta said that when firearms are involved and readily accessible, a moment of anger or frustration can quickly turn tragic. According to the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive, between 2013 and 2024, road rage shootings increased by over 400%. Over that period, over 3,000 people were shot in those incidents, and 777 were killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennsylvania Rep. aims to criminalize publishing mug shots for commercial use Biancas Bill was named after Bianca Roberson, who was killed in June 2017. She was a graduate of Bayard Rustin High School and had just gone shopping for college supplies when, on her way home, she was shot and killed by a man with a semi-automatic handgun in a road rage incident. Comitta noted that aggressive driving is not uncommon, but that drivers who have guns are more likely to exhibit signs of road rage. Bianca was preparing to study at Jacksonville University in the fall of 2017. She was a talented student with a bright future that was cut far too short due to a senseless act of gun violence and road rage, Comitta wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed bill would ban people from carrying loaded firearms in their vehicles. According to the U.S. Concealed Carry Association, in Pennsylvania, drivers with a license to carry are allowed to drive with a loaded gun. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. The safety of children and families, as well as police and law enforcement officers, who often encounter vehicles and drivers on our roads, is a top priority. Pennsylvania residents and drivers deserve to live and travel free from the danger of gun violence on our roads, Comitta 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 WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. Former Biden State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller now admits that Israel is committing war crimes in Gaza. In a Sky News podcast interview released on Monday, Millerwho was infamous for smirking every time he took a question on Gaza during State Department briefings in the Biden administrationsaid Israel is without a doubt committing war crimes against Palestinians in Gaza. Do you think whats going on in Gaza now is a genocide? asked Sky News correspondent Mark Stone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think its a genocide, but I think it is without a doubt true that Israel has committed war crimes, Miller replied. You wouldnt have said that at the podium, Stone pressed. Yeah, look, because when youre at the podium, youre not expressing your personal opinion. Youre expressing the conclusions of the United States government. The United States government had not concluded that they committed war crimes, still have not concluded that, Miller replied. Stone said, But your personal view is that they haveand they were while you were there. Yes, Miller said, before stumbling over his words to add a qualification. There are two ways to think about the commission of war crimes. One is if the state has pursued a policy to deliberately committing war crimes, or is acting reckless in a way that aids and abets war crimes, if the state is committing war crimes. And that I think is an open question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is almost certainly not an open question is that there are individual incidents that have been war crimes where Israeli soldiers and members of the Israeli military have committed war crimes. And we do know that Israel has opened investigations. But look, we are many months into those investigations and were not seeing Israeli soldiers held accountable. So ultimately, in almost every major conflict, including conflicts prosecuted by democracies, you will see individual members of the military, of militaries, commit war crimes, and the way you judge a democracy is the way you hold these people accountable. But Israel hasnt, Stone asked. And thats my point, we have not yet seen them hold sufficient members of the military accountable, and I think its an open question whether theyre going to, Miller said. Miller, who served as Joe Bidens State Department spokesperson for the last two years of his administration, spent that time defending U.S. arms sales to Israel, justifying U.S. vetoes of U.N. proposals calling for a ceasefire, and downplaying Israels war crimesover and over again. If Miller really believed that Israel was committing war crimes and could not express his true thoughts from the podium, he could have resigned from his position, like a few other brave people in the Biden administration did. But his Sky News interview reveals that hes simply interested in avoiding blame, as Israel continues its mass starvation of Palestinians and its war crimes become even more evident to the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, before his half-hearted admission that Israel is committing war crimes, Miller still took some time to blame protesting college students in his analysis of the situation. There was a time when our public discussion of withholding weapons from Israel, as well as the protests on college campuses in the United States, and the movement of some European countries to recognize the state of Palestineappropriate discussions, appropriate decisions, protests are appropriatebut all of those things together were leading the leadership of Hamas to conclude that they didnt need to agree to a ceasefire, they just needed to hold out for a little bit longer, and they could get what they always wanted, he said. Now, the thing that I look back on, that I will always ask questions of myself about, and I think this is true for others in government, is in that intervening period between the end of May and the middle of January [2025], when thousands of Palestinians were killed, innocent civilians who didnt want this war, had nothing to do with it, was there more that we could, could have done to pressure the Israeli government to agree to that ceasefire? I think at times there probably was. What brilliant insight. At least 11 large companiesincluding Morgan Stanley, Microsoft, and Oracleare cutting ties with law firms that caved to President Trumps threats of political retribution, according to The Wall Street Journal. General counsels for multiple companies told the Journal that the law firms willingness to cut deals with the president, rather than stand up for themselves, greatly eroded their confidence in the ability of those firms to represent them in court or in high-pressure negotiations. Massive law firms that work on lucrative contracts, like Paul, Weiss, Kirkland & Ellis, and others, struck deals with the Trump administration after he aimed six executive orders at them, removing clearances, building access, and government contracts from firms he thought were attacking him. The law firms capitulated, offering billions of pro bono work to the Trump administration, allegedly in the name of protecting their clients and their contracts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But multiple lawyers at each firm think that their leadership shouldve put up a tougher fight. One staffer told the Journal she felt physically ill upon hearing of Paul, Weisss sellout to Trump. Some younger lawyers have even quit over these deals, as one associate at Simpson Thacher said in his exit email that he would not sleepwalk toward authoritarianism. The firms that decided to strike back did end up losing clients but kept some of their principles intact. Jenner & Block declared in a statement that folding to the Trump administration would require compromising our ability to zealously advocate for all of our clients and capitulating to unconstitutional government coercion, which is simply not in our DNA. Some of the nations top law firms that folded to Donald Trumps pressure campaign are now facing the fallout. At least 11 major companies are shifting legal work away from firms that struck deals with the Trump administration, instead turning toward those that stood their ground, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday. General counsels at various companies told the newspaper they doubted whether firms that surrendered to Trump could still be relied upon to represent themin court or at the negotiating tableif they couldnt stand up for themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oracle, Morgan Stanley, Microsoft and McDonalds are reportedly among the big name businesses to distance themselves from those legal firms, either by scaling back work, voicing concerns, or parting ways. A mobile billboard slams law firms who made a deal with Trump, calling on Big Law to In one case, the Journal reported, a firm that cut a deal with the Trump administration reportedly stopped representing McDonalds in a high-profile lawsuit months before trial. In another, Microsoft put concerns in writing to one of its go-to firms. A top executive at one company told the Journal her employer plans to transition work away from the law firm Paul, Weiss, which lost four of its partners after entering into a deal with the White House. A general counsel at a separate company told the newspaper she felt physically ill when Paul, Weiss struck the agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, Trump began waging war on law firms that had crossed him in past cases or political fights. Through executive orders, his administration threatened firms with access restrictions, canceled government contracts, and revoked security clearances. He rescinded executive orders against firms in exchange for pledges of pro bono work aligned with his governments priorities, often worth tens of millions of dollars. The firms that made deals with the administration include Kirkland & Ellis; Skadden, Simpson Thacher, A&O Shearman, and Latham & Watkins. Collectively, the pro bono work promised by the firms that yielded adds up to roughly $1 billion. Earlier this year, protesters gathered outside New York-based law firms, including Paul Weiss, to oppose their capitulation to the Trump administration. / Erik McGregor / LightRocket via Getty Images Another firm that made a deal was Willkie Farr & Gallagher, which employs Doug Emhoff, former Vice President Kamala Harris husband. Emhoff joined the firm in January, and according to The New York Times, unsuccessfully advised his leadership to fight back. Firms that have hit back with lawsuits, however, have been handed resounding victories in court, with multiple federal judges striking down his orders as an overreach of executive power. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Gage Matzen is on a 4,228-mile mission across America. Ive always loved big adventures that are physically tough, Matzen said. The Tea, South Dakota native is biking the TransAmerica Trail, which begins in Yorktown, Virginia. He set off in early May, and he hopes to reach his final destination in Astoria, Oregon in early August. Air quality alert issued for South Dakota due to wildfire smoke Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im making good progress, I think. The days should pick up with mileage as well as the trip has been going on. A couple days ago, we did 80 and then another 70 miles after that, Matzen said. The reason hes biking across the country is to raise money to help those who have served. Last summer, Matzen volunteered for a day at the Veterans Community Project of Sioux Falls. At my last job in Sioux Falls, we did a volunteer opportunity at VCP and had the opportunity to go out, build some frames, some walls, and the houses and hear some testimonials, Matzen said. It just kind of struck home for me. From support services to a home of their own, the nonprofit provides veterans with resources to help them get back on their feet. To Matzen, this was eye-opening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just hearing those stories really solidifies how awesome that organization is and why I want to help raise money for it, Matzen said. So, as any other aspiring TransAmerica Trail rider would do, he told the staff in Sioux Falls his plan and began preparing for his ride across the country. He had expressed sort of a bucket list thing to bike across the country. What he told Kaelyn, who hes been working with, is he wanted to do this for somebody else. He wouldnt quit, Veterans Community Project of Sioux Falls executive director John Holter said. He was motivated by helping someone else. With no government funding, the Veterans Community Project relies on donations and volunteers. Right now, the organization is adding another row of homes to the Sioux Falls village to help more veterans get a fresh start. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paying the light bill, helping finish out building the village- all that money goes to helping house homeless veterans, Holter said. Helping others is a big part of Matzens goal, but its also about pushing himself. Sioux Falls street closures start Monday A couple of years ago, I was involved in a drunk driving accident. We were hit head-on on a highway, and thankfully, myself and my passengers were okay, but my ankle was put into a pilon fracture and shattered, Matzen said. I spent a good year and a half or two years in and out of surgeries and recovery. Now, back on his feet, Matzen is biking not only to challenge himself, but to inspire others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trek across America is no small feat, and it requires plenty of rest days, resilience and even the kindness of strangers. Ive been approached by so many people. Are you biking across? Are you doing the TransAmerica Trail? And they try to buy you dinner, Matzen said. I had a lady come up to me at the gas station as I was riding my bike while I was eating a snack. She said, Do you have a place to stay tonight? Shes like Im always looking for cyclists and we love hosting. You guys are so much fun.' It wasnt long before Matzen realized he wasnt alone on this mission. What started as a solo ride to help veterans has grown into a shared journey with cyclists from around the world. Along the way, Ive met at least ten other cyclists doing this, and now Im actually rolling with three guys: one from California, a guy from London, U.K., and a guy from West Virginia. So, weve been rolling together, and then we actually met two other gals from the Netherlands, Matzen said. We rode with them for a few days, and the whole last week has flown by because weve been hanging out and riding together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each biker has their own story, their own goals, and their own reason to keep moving forward. For Matzen, it means pedaling across the same country that so many have fought to protect. You can follow along with Matzens journey, and you can also donate to help him reach his fundraising goal and support veterans in Sioux Falls. The new Miss South Dakota has been crowned Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Bill Clinton told CBS News Sunday Morning there was never a moment when he thought Joe Biden was unfit to run for president, amid accusations of a coverup of Bidens decline. I saw President Biden not very long ago and I thought he was in good shape, Clinton told CBS New in an interview published Sunday. The former Democratic presidents comments come amid accusations that the Biden family and the Democratic establishment protected Biden as he allegedly declined mentally and physical during his reelection campaign, punctuated by alarming accounts in the newly released book, Original Sin. It also comes as Biden recently revealed he was diagnosed with advanced-stage prostate cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clinton, who said he didnt read the book, theorized that people are citing concerns about Bidens health in order to blame him for Trumps election victory. But he did make one admission: The only concern I thought he had to deal with was, could anybody do that job until they were 86? Clinton said. We had several long talks. I had never seen him and walked away thinking he cant do this anymore. He was always on top of his brief. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Azerbaijans Ministry of Defense (MOD) has announced plans to destroy expired and unusable ammunition at a training site near the Perekeshkul settlement, the ministry said in a statement to Trend. The operation is slated to adhere rigorously to established safety protocols and compliance measures. Authorities have communicated to the populace that the auditory phenomena associated with the detonation procedures during the disposal operation should not elicit concern. We urge residents not to panic over the sound of explosions, and emphasize that there is no cause for concern, the ministry said in a statement. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft with his late friend and business partner Paul Allen. The company became a major part of the computer age, and Gates amassed billions in fortune following the success of the company's hardware and software. He became the world's youngest billionaire at the age of 31, the year after Microsoft went public. Gates then became the world's first centibillionaire, with a net worth of over $100 billion. After stepping down from many of his Microsoft-related duties, Gates has dedicated the most recent portion of his life to philanthropy. In line with that pursuit, Gates has contributed to several foundations and causes that aim to improve the lives of others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Gates announced his intention for one of his most substantial donation efforts. "I recently made a commitment that my wealth will be given away over the next 20 years. The majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa," Gates said on Monday in Ethiopia, according to a statement from his charity. "By unleashing human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity and that path is an exciting thing to be part of," he added, noting that his net worth would drop by 99% over the next 20 years as a result of the pledge. Gates, his ex-wife Melinda, Warren Buffett and others joined The Giving Pledge, which encourages billionaires to donate 50% or more of their wealth to philanthropic causes and humanitarian efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other notable signees include Elon Musk, Larry Ellison, Mark Zuckerberg and MacKenzie Scott, ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Earlier this month, Gates said that he was inspired to donate the majority of his fortune after reading a quote from industrialist Andrew Carnegie. In his 1899 essay "The Gospel of Wealth," Carnegie said that "the man who dies thus rich dies disgraced." Gates made his announcement at Nelson Mandela Hall at the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Monday. Over 12,000 attended the event in person and virtually, including government officials, diplomats and youth leaders. Bill Gates Pledging $200 Billion to a Worthy Cause first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 2, 2025 Bill Gates is revealing his plans for the $200 billion he intends to give away through his foundation over the next 20 years, vowing that much of the money will go to Africa. Gates, who earlier this month told "CBS Mornings" about his plans to donate the bulk of his fortune, disclosed his intentions to focus on Africa on Monday while speaking at Nelson Mandela Hall at the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Gates had previously said his goal was to fund causes that would help save and improve lives around the globe. "I recently made a commitment that my wealth will be given away over the next 20 years. The majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa," Gates said on Monday, according to a statement from his philanthropic organization, the Gates Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gates said earlier this month that he was inspired to give away the bulk of his fortune by a famous quote from Andrew Carnegie's 1889 essay "The Gospel of Wealth," which stated that "the man who dies thus rich dies disgraced." The Microsoft co-founder said that his net worth, currently valued at $108 billion, will drop 99% over the next 20 years. On Monday, the tech billionaire said that his donations would largely go toward partnering with governments that prioritize their citizens' health and well-being. "By unleashing human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity and that path is an exciting thing to be part of," Gates said at the event, which drew 12,000 government officials, diplomats, health workers, development partners and youth leaders who attended both in person and online. Gates' announcement of his support for programs in Africa comes after the U.S. has scaled back on foreign aid and reduced humanitarian funding. The Trump administration has drastically cut the U.S. Agency for International Development's funding and staff. January 6 defendant refuses Trump's pardon Everything we know about the Boulder attack on Israeli hostage march Murphy presses McMahon on canceled mental health program, Harvard demands AUSTIN (KXAN) Its been nearly 20 years since Texas last studied the impact of mass deportations, and theres no plan to revisit the effort anytime soon. As the federal government continues widespread deportations of undocumented immigrants and workers, a bill that would have required an annual study of the effect unauthorized migrants have on the state has died. Senate Bill 825 would have required a biennial report cataloging the economic, environmental and financial impacts of illegal immigration. The governors office could have contracted with a state or federal agency, a nonprofit or an institution of higher education to conduct the research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2006, former Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn released the first, and last, comprehensive study on unauthorized workers impact on the states finances. Undocumented immigrants in Texas generated more taxes and other revenue than the state spends on them, the study found. A protester holds a sign saying, Immigrant Workers Make Texas Great at a March 24 Capitol rally to call attention to harsh conditions for construction workers. (KXAN Photo/Matt Grant) Employing undocumented workers in Texas is illegal, but rarely enforced Back then, 31% of undocumented immigrants worked in the service industry, followed by 19% in construction. The study found a quarter of all farm workers were undocumented. Deporting 1.4 million undocumented workers would have dropped gross state product by $17.7 billion with the state unable to fully recover the loss of labor over a 20-year period, according to the report. Today, the American Immigration Council, estimates Texas has more than two million undocumented immigrants making up 9% of the workforce. The AIC estimates 27% of construction workers, 17% of agriculture workers and 11% of manufacturing jobs in the state are done by undocumented workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, without official data, the exact numbers are hard to know. EXPLORE: KXANs Undocumented investigative series Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller previously acknowledged we dont have the data, but said, using cowboy logic, he didnt foresee much economic damage from a spike in immigration enforcement at least not for farming, which his office oversees. Im not advocating spending a lot of tax dollars on it, Miller told KXAN last month when asked if the state should revisit the issue and once again study the economic impact. The private industry is moving so fast I dont know that they could even catch them at this point. So, at some point, it would be nice to at least get 20 years [of] updated [data] and see what weve got. And, I think we could do thatwith pretty reasonable research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller credited automation and new technology for lessening the need to hire undocumented farm workers. Amid ongoing reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids on businesses and job sites around the country a KXAN investigation previously found the federal government has focused far more on going after migrants than the bosses who hire and pay them. SB 825 passed the Senate but never made it to a floor vote in the House. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. After decades of population decline, Chesapeake Bay oysters are thriving again, the Washington Post reported. A vibrant oyster population is essential to water cleanliness and aquatic biodiversity. As one of nature's best natural filtration systems that remove sediments and pollutants, they filter as much as two gallons of water hourly. Their healthy reefs are also habitats for other species like striped blennies, American eels, skilletfish, and blue crabs, per Ocean Find Your Blue. However, overharvesting, disease, and environmental factors like drought and habitat decline have affected these aquatic species for decades. The rebound is a result of better ecological conditions and conservation work from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on their research, conditions have allowed for more successful reproduction or "epic, generational spat sets," as Lynn Waller Fegley, Maryland Department of Natural Resources' director of fishing and boating services, told the Washington Post. Those spats, which refer to larvae that attach to hard surfaces as they develop into mature oysters, have not only increased in number but also in distribution through the bay. Maryland isn't the only DMV state to see thriving oysters again since Virginia's conservation effort allowed it to harvest one of the highest bushel amounts since the late 1980s 700,000 of them. Reliable oyster harvesting affects local livelihoods, which is why the past unstable population caused some to leave the business due to fluctuations that made profits impossible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2020 report from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation stated that Maryland received about $9 million annually from oyster operations. In Virginia, one of the nation's top oyster producers, the state's economy gets $1.1 billion from seafood, and oysters are a major part of that, according to Virginia Tech. "In the last five years, we've seen a rebound," Allison Colden, executive director of Maryland for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, told the Washington Post. Other areas are also thriving with aquatic conservation Cabo Pulmo in Mexico is seeing rebounding coral reefs, and an emergency hand-feeding program to help Florida manatees has been suspended as their food source, seagrass, has revived. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Clean water that supports aquatic life and industry isn't something to take for granted. If these revivals remain steady, it marks progress toward a cleaner and safer planet for all. 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. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) A Birmingham man who was killed in a shooting in Ensley was identified Monday morning. The showdown for Alabamas top Senate seat According to BPD, at around 1:55 p.m. on May 30, officers arrived to the 1700 block of 50th Street Ensley on reports of a person shot. Officers found a middle-aged man shot inside of the residence. Birmingham Fire and Rescue arrived on the scene and pronounced the victim dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jefferson County Coroners Office identified the victim as 45-year-old Marcus Dewayne Stollenwreck. A preliminary investigation revealed a family member of Stollenwreck arrived at the home and discovered him. Stollenwrecks death is being investigated at a homicide by the Birmingham Police Department. Anyone with information is asked to call BPD at 205-254-1764. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) A young black bear was found dead Monday morning beside Vietnam Veterans Boulevard in Gallatin. Sumner County officials said the bear was found near Exit 14. Exotic animals you can own in Tennessee The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said it is believed the bear died after it was struck by a vehicle Sunday night after it was spotted in the Saint Blaise retreat area. (WKRN) Authorities confirmed this is the same bear that was first spotted in Bethpage on May 26, which was the first bear sighting in the area in over a decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The TWRA took the bear to a county facility and a biologist is coming to take samples from the bears remains. The bear weighed 190 pounds and is considered a yearling, which is between the ages of one and two years old. WATCH: Bear spotted in Sumner County neighborhood Officials said it is common for young bears to leave their mothers and travel in search of food this time of year. According to the TWRA, it is not protocol to relocate a bear when it is determined to be unnecessary, as long as the bear is exhibiting natural behavior. A statement from the agency reads in part, Relocation of bears is a tool for management, but it is not an ideal solution. Research conducted with the University of Tennessee and Great Smoky Mountains National Park found that 90 percent of relocated bears die, often while attempting to return to their original home range, or in search of food in an unfamiliar area. In fact, the odds a bear will be hit by a vehicle within a year after relocation is 15.4 percent which is higher than bears residing in their home range. TWRA In 2024, 132 bears died as a result of crashes in Tennessee, according to TWRA data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No additional information was immediately released. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mondays Top Stories Mondays Five Facts [1] Bloomfield police officer dies days after being shot during traffic stop Bloomfield Chief of Police Phillip Francisco announced Sunday that Bloomfield police Officer Timothy Ontiveros died from injuries sustained after being shot during a traffic stop. Ontiveros was shot in the neck and shoulder by Dennis Armenta. A fellow officer returned fire, killing Armenta. Ontiveros was later taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital on Tuesday. Ontiveros had been with the Bloomfield Police Department since December 2024 and had also worked with the Farmington Police Department. [2] Senior dog adopted after 128 days at Bernalillo County shelter With over 140 dogs in their care, the Bernalillo County Animal Care and Resource Center is asking for help giving furry friends a home. The shelter says one of its dogs, Chica, had been waiting for over four months at the shelter before officially being adopted. The shelters biggies hurdle is overpopulation, with just 11 vet techs to care for over 200 animals. Shelter staff are hoping to get more people to adopt, reminding people that adoptions are free and each pet comes either spayed or neutered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [3] Active weather to start the workweek Through the morning, isolated to scattered showers and storm chances will continue across most of the state. Much cooler temperatures will be in place across most of New Mexico today, but with some daytime heating, widespread showers and thunderstorms will develop through late this evening. A couple of these could bring heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and small hail. There is a risk of burn scar flash flooding Monday as well. On and off showers and storms are likely for the Albuquerque Metro and much of New Mexico. [4] 2nd St./Rio Bravo intersection to close for construction on June 18 Starting on June 18 and going through June 22, road crews will get started on roadwork at 2nd Street and Rio Bravo Blvd. Construction began about a year ago, at the nearby Princeton Dr. and Rio Bravo Blvd. intersection and stretching all the way to I-25. This upcoming project will bring several improvements to this intersection of roads, walking trails, and train tracks. During the closure, traffic will be diverted further down 2nd Street, towards Woodward Rd. The full construction project is not expected to be complete until December. [5] Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum turns 20 In honor of its 20th birthday, a new exhibit is now on display at the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum. Since 2005, the museum has been a place where the unique spirit of Albuquerque ballooning comes alive for everyone to enjoy. A new exhibit honors the balloon museums beginnings while inspiring future generations to keep ballooning thriving in the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Jun. 1A Bloomfield police officer has died, less than a week after being shot during a traffic stop. At about 10:55 p.m., May 26, Timothy Ontiveros, 32, pulled over Dennis Armenta, 58, for a traffic violation. Armenta refused to roll down his window or provide identification to Ontiveros, Bloomfield Police Department Chief Phillip Francisco said. After over eight minutes of negotiation, Armenta continued to refuse to comply. Officers decided to arrest him for concealing his identity, Francisco said. Armenta was inside his locked car with the windows up, prompting officers to break a window to take him into custody. At that point, Armenta opened fire with a handgun, "hitting Ontiveros and narrowly missing a second officer at the scene," Francisco said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ontiveros was taken to multiple hospitals before dying in Albuquerque Sunday, he said Sunday. "Officer Ontiveros was a valued member of the Bloomfield Police Department," Francisco said. "In his short time with the agency, he demonstrated kindness, professionalism, and dedication to the safety of the community he served. Ontiveros had been with the Bloomfield Police Department since December. He was also a volunteer firefighter with the Aztec Fire Department. He previously worked for Farmington police. "We are grieving his loss and ask for your prayers and support for the family of Officer Ontiveros and the Bloomfield Police Department as we navigate this tremendous loss," Francisco said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A GoFundMe page was set up to support Ontiveros' family. On the page, family friend Heather Eckhoff described Ontiveros as having a "heart of gold" who loved serving and protecting his community. "I extend my deepest condolences to Officer Ontiveros's family, friends, and fellow officers," Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement. "Today, all New Mexicans honor his life, his service, and the sacrifice he made to keep others safe." Funeral arrangements have not been set, Francisco said. BLUEFIELD, WV (WVNS) A Bluefield woman pleaded guilty to a COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. According to a press release, 43-year-old April Elick, of Bluefield, pleaded guilty to the theft of government money on June 2, 2025. She obtained $84,000 in COVID-19 loans through the Small Business Association (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and used the funds for personal use. Elick is set to be sentenced on September 8, 2025, and faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, three years probation, and a $250,000 fine. She owes $97,802.59 in restitution, as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents and statements made in court stated that Elick received two Paycheck Protection Program loans (PPP) amounting to $14,520 in April 2021, after stating that the money was for her home healthcare business to cover payrolls and other expenses. She received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) amounting to $61,000 through the CARES Act in January 2022, and also increased the COVID-19 business loan by $8,700 in April 2022, the release stated. As part of her plea, Elick confessed that she knew she could use the proceeds only for things outlined in CARES Act programs, the release noted. Elick also stated that she used funds for personal expenses, such as withdrawing $30,560, an estimated $16,350 in digital wallet transfers, and $8,290.11 in purchases made in West Virginia, North Carolina, and Virginia. The CARES Act allowed for forgivable PPP loans to be used for eligible for impacted businesses and sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals, the release stated. It also approved the SBA to provide EIDL loans of up to $2 million for eligible small businesses that were experiencing substantial financial struggles. Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston released the announcement and applauded the work of the WorkForce West Virginia Integrity Section, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Inspector General (NASA OIG), the Litigation Financial Analyst with the U.S. Attorneys Office, and the West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. After seven years in Ferndale, the Bobcat Bonnies location will shutter. The Ferndale restaurant was to close after service on June 2, according to a Facebook post made the night before. The closure leaves the Bobcat Bonnies in Lansing as the only remaining location. A reason for the closure was not given. Bobcat Bonnies at one time had seven locations. Coming to you with some bittersweet news but after tomorrow (Monday) Bobcat Bonnie's Ferndale will be closed, the post said. The exterior of Bobcat Bonnie's in Ferndale owned by Matt Buskard on June 24, 2021. Buskard had been assured he'd be receiving funds from Small Business Administration for restaurant relief fund but he found out Wednesday he and his restaurants will not be receiving the much-needed funds. Though not named, according to the post a new amazing operator is expected to take over the space on West Nine Mile. Bobcat Bonnies owners have told the staff and wrote we are ensuring every single one is taken care of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. and will remain open until 10 p.m. or until they sell out of food and drink. On Monday, restaurant operations will run differently: drinks such as beers are $5 and food is at normal prices. The restaurant is asking patrons to pay in cash, though its payment system will be available. On June 3, the restaurant will open and start selling its tables, chairs, art, glassware, plates and outdoor furniture. Rooftop: These 15 metro Detroit bars and restaurants offer patios with spectacular views The closure comes on the heels of celebrating Pride 2025 in Ferndale, with Bobcat Bonnies hosting several events over the weekend. Its also after a Bobcat Bonnies May 27 Facebook post seeking help, looking for a financial partner to stabilize operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Corktown wink- Ferndale is one of the best neighborhoods in the Detroit area. We are so lucky to have been a part of it, the post read. The post thanked its staff and the Ferndale community. In March, after 10 years, Bobcat Bonnies Corktown location its first shuttered abruptly. The Wyandotte location closed in January, and offered the same type of sale of restaurants furnishings. Bobcat Bonnie's owner Matt Buskard announced the downtown Wyandotte location on Sycamore Street would close and serve its last customers on Jan. 26. Bobcat Bonnie's owner, Matt Buskard, has taken to social media expressing in lengthy posts the challenges and struggles the restaurant industry has endured, including the pandemic and a tough business climate with a downward trend in sales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one time, Bobcat Bonnie's had locations in Clinton Township at the Mall at Partridge Creek, which abruptly shuttered last August. Its Ypsilanti location closed a few months later. The Grand Rapids location is temporarily closed and was expected to move to another location, though the status is unclear and the location is still listed on the website. A location in Toledo, Ohio, was also planned but did not open. Buskards portfolio of restaurants at one time also included the Fly Trap in Ferndale, which he acquired in February 2022, but recently transferred ownership back to the original owners. Last August, Buskard opened Scout Vester in the former M Brew spot in Ferndale, but closed it four months later. Messages sent to Buskard on Monday morning were not returned. This is a developing story. Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Bobcat Bonnie's in Ferndale to close June 2, leaving just 1 remaining BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. The 54th meeting of the Permanent Joint Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran on the use of water and energy resources of the Araz River was held in Baku, Trend reports. According to the information, representatives of the Agency, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, and Azerenerji Open Joint Stock Company took part in the meeting, which was chaired by the Azerbaijani co-chairman of the Azerbaijan-Iran Joint Commission, representative of the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency, Zakir Guliyev. A number of issues were discussed at the meeting. Thus, the operation mode of the Araz reservoir and water distribution between the two countries were determined, relevant distribution tables for joint use of water and energy resources of the Araz River were prepared, and the Protocol was signed. CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) Clearwater police said they have finally identified the body of a man found near a local bridge three decades ago. According to the Clearwater Police Department, the body of Edman Eric Gleed, 84, was found floating near the Clearwater Pass Bridge close to Sand Key on Nov. 29, 1993. NHC watching area off Florida coast for potential tropical development At the time, Gleed was only known as Pinellas County John Doe 1993. Detectives said a pile of neatly folded clothes was found near a lifeguard stand on Clearwater Beach, but there was no ID at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Autopsy results were inconclusive in the case, but it was not believed foul play contributed to Gleeds death. Meanwhile, in Fairfax County, Virginia, Gleeds son reported him missing, not knowing what happened to his father for years. However, through genetic genealogy, researchers with Moxxy Forensic Investigations were able to determine some familial connections stretching back to Gleeds ancestors including a couple who lived in Bristol, England, before America was even founded. Almost immediately, we observed that all of the DNA matches were either living in or recent immigrants from England, which was quite unexpected for a person found in Pinellas County, Florida, said Kaycee Connelly, the Moxxy team lead for the case. Our team of volunteer genealogists uncovered numerous ancestors from various parts of England, stretching back to the mid-1700s, to connect the DNA matches with one another. Because of recent immigration and the estimated age range of the man at the time of his death, we were looking for very distant connections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eventually, investigators were able to use their information to track down Gleeds now-94-year-old son who lives in North Carolina. After comparing Gleeds DNA with a swab from his son, Clearwater detectives were able to finally identify the 1993 John Doe. We are happy that we are able to provide the family some answers and some closure as to what happened with their loved one, said Michael Walek, deputy chief for Clearwater Police. And were grateful to the medical examiners office and Moxxy Forensic Investigations for helping us get those answers. This case has been close to the hearts of everyone on the team, said Ed Adams, the Moxxy team assistant for the case. We are all honored to have played a part in returning Edman Gleed to his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. NEED TO KNOW Aziz Ziriat's body was found nearly five months after he and his friend Samuel Harris went missing while hiking in the Dolomites in Italy, according to BBC News The pair, from London, were reported missing in early January after missing a flight home on Jan. 6 from their trip to the mountain range Harris' body was on Jan. 8, however, the search for Ziriat continued all this time The body of a British hiker missing in the mountains since Jan. 1 has been recovered after five months of searching. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, May 31, emergency responders found Aziz Ziriat's body in the Dolomites Mountains in northern Italy, according to BBC News. In doing so, they brought an end to search efforts that started after he and his friend Samuel Harris went missing in early January. The pair, who were last heard from on Jan. 1, were was reported missing after they did not make their Jan. 6 flight home, the outlet reported. Harris' body was recovered on Jan. 8, shortly after search and rescue efforts commenced, according to previous reporting by BBC News. At the time, they also found the cover to Ziriat's phone. However, weather and other conditions made the search challenging. The outlet noted that Ziriat, 36, was found "lying in a rocky crevice" and was only "around 1,300 ft." away from where Harris, 35, was found. Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico Trentino Search efforts for missing hiker Aziz Ziriat in the Dolomites Search efforts for missing hiker Aziz Ziriat in the Dolomites In a statement to the outlet, a spokesman for Trentino Alpine and Speleological Rescue said the rescuers "lowered themselves down the wall below the base of the slope, where the dog finally signalled the missing man's body in a rocky crevice, where it had been covered by snow". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A cause of death has not yet been revealed. However, the BBC previously reported that a possible cause was a fall "from above." It is also not clear what happened in the pair's final hours together. They were last confirmed to have visited a mountain hut near Tione Di Trento. Alpine Rescue, Guardia di Finanza Rescue and Italy's Carabinieri (a military organization similar to the police) all assisted in the recovery efforts. Ziriat and Harris were described as "experienced hikers" by a college friend, per BBC News. Handout Aziz Ziriat Aziz Ziriat The former's family issued a statement in January, saying that they were "devastated by the tragic events of the last few days," according to multiple outlets, including Sky News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our appreciation for the co-ordinated work and expertise of the Alpine Rescue, emergency services and volunteers in Italy is immeasurable," they said. "The work they have been doing, battling against challenging terrain and weather conditions, and their commitment to finding Aziz has been outstanding." The statement concluded: "We hope, with all our hearts, he will be found and brought home soon." Ziriat's girlfriend Rebecca Dimmock spoke out at the time, saying that it was "not unexpected" that he and Harris would go "off-grid" while hiking. "I think they wanted to have some nights where they were out in nature and in fresh air and sleeping in the wild. They have all the gear and theyve done hikes before," she said, according to U.K. newspaperThe Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She received a text from him on New Year's Day. That same day, the outlet reported that they alerted loved ones that their phones might die. PEOPLE has reached out to Alpine Rescue and Guardia di Finanza Rescue for additional comment. Read the original article on People AUSTIN (KXAN) People living in parts of Travis and Hays Counties will need to boil their water following a notice by the West Travis County Public Utility Agency while its water system undergoes maintenance. WTCPUA said it was working on maintenance of a transmission main and so the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, or TCEQ, required it to notify water customers who live off U.S. Highway 290 to boil their water. The Headwaters Municipal Utility District (MUD) and Hays County Water Control and Improvement Districts (WCID) 1 and 2 all notified their customers. Tips for boiling water with or without power Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People should boil and cool water they plan to use to drink, cook with, or freeze, to get rid of any potential bacteria or microbes. WTCPUA said to boil water for at least two minutes. People can also use bottled water. Water utilities will alert their customers when boiling is no longer needed. There are a number of reasons the TCEQ requires boil water notices, according to its website. It does so when something harmful is found, but also as a precaution if theres a situation like low pressure, maintenance, water outages or other factors where theres a chance for negative effects on health. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Thirty years ago, there were virtually no wolves in the Western U.S., the result of a decades-long eradication campaign. Then in 1995, the federal government brought them back, in their most controversial wildlife program ever. Reporters Heath Druzin, producer of the podcast Extremely American, and Clark Corbin of the Idaho Capital Sun took a 1,000-mile journey through wolf country to produce the podcast and written series Howl, which launches Wednesday. They talk to the people who endured death threats, gun shots and frostbite to help spark one of natures greatest comebacks. In conjunction with the release of Howl, join Boise State Public Radio and the Idaho Capital Sun on Tuesday, June 17 for a discussion around the history, reintroduction and politics of wolves. Heath and Clark will be joined by Marcie Carter, Suzanne Asha Stone and Carter Niemeyer who were key figures in bringing wolves back to the American West. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When: Tuesday, June 17 from 6-8 p.m. Where: Special Event Center, in the SUB at Boise State University 1700 W University Dr. Boise, ID 83725 This event is free, with a suggested donation of $10. Register here. *parking available directly across from the SUB in the Lincoln Garage for $5 SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Wolves in the West featured panelists Carter Niemeyer has been a state trapper for the Montana Department of Livestock, and a district supervisor for USDA Wildlife Services. As wolf management specialist for USDA, he was responsible for livestock depredation investigation, as well as wolf capture and removal. Niemeyer was the trapper and tracker who led the mission to capture the Canadian wolves that would repopulate the Northern Rockies in the 1990s. He wrote his first memoir, Wolfer, in 2010. His second memoir, Wolf Land was published in 2016. In 2025 he released a third memoir, The Other Ten Wolves: A Yellowstone Backstory. Suzanne Asha Stone was member of the 1995 wolf reintroduction team. (Photo courtesy of Suzanne Asha Stone Suzanne Asha Stone has dedicated her life to wolf conservation and coexistence. Beginning her journey in 1988 as a college intern with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) Tribe, she contributed to early wolf activity monitoring in Idaho. A pivotal USA/Canada team member for the 1995 Yellowstone and central Idaho wolf reintroduction, she played a key role in transporting and releasing wolves and securing critical funding for the 1996 operations. In 1999, Suzanne became the western wolf restoration lead for Defenders of Wildlife, overseeing compensation programs and creating nonlethal coexistence strategies to address wolf and livestock conflicts. Marcie Carter is the watershed deputy director for the Nez Perce Tribe. (Photo courtesy of Marcie Carter) Marcie D. Carter was born and raised in Lewiston, Idaho, she is an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe. Marcie has a BS in Biology from Lewis Clark State College and an MS in Wildlife Resources from the UI. She is currently working on a PhD in Natural Resources at the UI-CNR. Marcie works full time with the Nez Perce Tribe-Department of Fisheries Resource Management-Watershed Division as the Watershed Coordinator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heath Druzin is a reporter and podcaster who covers extremism, politics and the environment. His series Extremely American looks at the intersection between extremist groups and mainstream politics. He has reported for outlets such as NPR, BBC and the Daily Beast. Clark Corbin reports on politics, state government, public lands and climate change for the Idaho Capital Sun, part of the States Newsroom network. Corbin has followed stories deep into the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park, abandoned mines of Central Idaho and the halls of the Idaho State Capitol. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Two of the men tied to the hazing death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson appeared in court Monday for a bond review. Isaiah Smith, 29, and Kyle Thurman, 25, were arrested on criminal hazing charges after Wilson died. Both later bonded out of jail. Isaiah Smith, Kyle Thurman (Baton Rouge Police) Attorney Franz Borghardt, who represents Smith, had little to say after his client learned what hell have to do to stay out of jail for now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not making any comments today. Were still in the bond review process so we thank you guys, Borghardt said. During the bond review for Smith on Monday, Judge Jermaine Guillory informed him that he is not allowed to carry a gun. He is not allowed to speak to any of the others charged in Wilsons death. In addition, Smith is not allowed to leave the state of Louisiana. Smith requested permission to leave Louisiana to attend a family members funeral in California, but was denied that request. His bond will be revoked if he violates any of these conditions. During Thurmans bond review, a judge stated that he cannot contact any co-defendants in the case. In addition, he is not allowed to carry a gun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A third suspect, Caleb McCray, 23, had new bond conditions set for him on May 29, stating he must wear a phone tracker instead of an ankle monitor. He was ordered not to talk about the case or possess a gun. Caleb McCray (BRPD) This is a serious case, with multiple investigations going, multiple investigations have taking place, McCrays attorney, Phillip Robinson said. McCray is accused of punching Wilson in the chest, which reportedly led to his death. Unlike Smith, McCray is allowed to leave the state. Louisiana First News asked legal analyst Joe Raspanti how two people with similar charges could get different outcomes in a bond hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes you end up going down a slippery slope when you start comparing what you believe to be like-circumstanced defendants with each other because everybody has a different set of circumstances that a judge is supposed to take into consideration in considering whether or not, and how, to allow them to be out on bond, Raspanti answered. The case will go before a grand jury in the fall. McCray, Thurman and Smith were expelled by Omega Psi Phi. Wilson was a 20-year-old SU junior and marching band member who died after being punched in the chest at an off-campus fraternity pledging ritual. Police said no one called 911 for help after he collapsed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisiana bill that would mandate anti-hazing course for college organizations advances Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. (WGHP) Go Beer Hiking across North Carolina this summer! Thats the name of a new book featuring trails and nearby craft breweries in our state, as well as Virginia and DC. The book features 42 trails coupled with a brewery, including Hanging Rock in Stokes County. The authors paired it with the Lesser Known Brewery in Downtown Winston-Salem. The Haw River Trail in Saxapahaw is also featured because Haw River Farmhouse Ales sits right at the end of the hike. Shannon Smith spoke with the author about how this book showcases two of the best parts of our state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. Booking Deputy John Elliott recently received the Valor Award from the American Jail Association for removing a loaded handgun from an inmate being booked at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center in 2023. American Jail Association President Shawn Klucznik presents the Valor Award to Rutherford County Adult Detention Center Booking Deputy John Elliott. American Jail Association President Shawn Klucznik presented the award to Elliott Tuesday during the annual AJA Conference and Jail Expo in Fort Worth, Texas. AJA gives this coveted award to an individual who demonstrated unusual judgment, zeal, bravery, and/or ingenuity that averted or minimized a potential disaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While initiating the booking process on the inmate, Elliot noticed a handgun in the inmates clothing. Without regard for his personal safety, he gained control of the firearm without any injuries. The handgun was loaded with 11 rounds. He had a gun and could have shot anybody, Elliott said. I didnt want that to happen. Anybody else in booking would have done the same thing. Tennessee Corrections Institute Board Chairman Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh commended Elliott. We are extremely proud of Deputy Elliott for his quick action to avoid a potential disaster in our facility, Fitzhugh said. He is very deserving of this recognition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jail Administrator Kevin Henderson said the detention staff appreciates having a deputy on the team like Elliott. To see something wrong, respond and put your own safety at risk showed tremendous courage and the will to do a great job, Henderson said. Who knows how many lives he saved due to his actions with total disregard for his own life? His actions were heroic. Besides locating the handgun, Elliott also recovered a knife from an inmate in October 2023. The arrestee was belligerent and noncompliant with officers. AJA reported Elliotts persistence and dedication to safety and security while serving as a Booking Officer has been a point of inspiration for other staff members and exemplifies the innate bravery required of corrections officers every day across the nation. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Booking deputy earns Valor award for removing handgun from inmate The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. Terrorism doesnt occur in a vacuum. It depends on the oxygen of rhetoric for sustenance and encouragement. Nearly two years after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, the cumulative effect of calls to Globalize the intifada and End Zionists perhaps inevitably led to the horrific attack yesterday in Boulder, Colorado, where a man yelled Free Palestine as he threw an incendiary device at a Jewish gathering in support of the hostages. Words matter. The protester at Columbia University in 2024 holding a sign labeling Jewish demonstrators who were waving Israeli flags as Al-Qasams next targets was dismissed as being hyperbolic. So were the By Any Means Necessary banners carried at demonstrations and the red inverted triangles, similar to those Hamas uses to mark Israeli targets, spray-painted on university buildings, a national monument, and even the apartment building of a museum director. When demonstrators wave the flags of terrorist organizations, wear headbands celebrating those same groups, and publicly commemorate the martyrdom of terrorist leaders such as Hamass Yahya Sinwar and Hezbollahs Hassan Nasrallah, theyre not throwing the bomb, but their message can light the fuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Iddo Gefen: What intifada revolution looks like] In the past six weeks, that fuse has produced a succession of terrorist acts that have threatened the safety and security of Americas Jewish community. That two of the incidents also occurred on Jewish holidaysthe arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiros official residence on the first night of Passover and yesterdays incident in Boulder on the eve of Shavuotshow that Jews in America are not only in some danger, but even more likely to be targeted on specific dates marking religious ritual and observance. And they wont be just singled out, but subjected to especially heinous acts of violence. The attacker in Boulder used a homemade flamethrower and Molotov cocktails, resulting in eight people being hospitalized with burns and other injuries. Tragically, among the eight victims, who ranged in age from 52 to 88, the eldest was reportedly a Holocaust survivor. Yet another example of an especially egregious act of violence was the shooting deaths last month of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim on the street outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. One bullet from a powerful 9-mm handgun is often sufficient to kill. But police found 21 shell casings scattered around the two bodies. The murderer allegedly stalked Milgrim as she attempted to crawl away, shooting her repeatedly. This was an execution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For years, American Jews watched with horror the attacks on their European co-religionists. A young man kidnapped and tortured to death, an elderly lady beaten and thrown out the window of her home, and a teacher and three children murdered outside a Jewish day school are among a long list of violent anti-Semitic incidents in France alonethe country with the worlds third-largest population of Jews after Israel and the United States. What history had taught him was Amazement, Lion Feuchtwanger writes of the conclusion reached by one of the characters in his deeply prescient 1933 novel about Nazi Germany, The Oppermanns. A tremendous amazement that each time those in jeopardy had been so slow in thinking about their safety. Despite the sharp increase in the number of anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. recorded over the past decade by the Anti-Defamation League, American Jews also once believed that the violence against Jews in France, Britain, Germany, and other European countries couldnt happen here. Many told themselves that this threat was unique to European Jewry, given the internal frictions within their own countries, which had absorbed large immigrant populations from former colonial possessions. But yesterdays attack, coming on the heels of the firebombing of Shapiros residence and the D.C. murders, has proved otherwise. As Ian Fleming, the former spy and novelist who created James Bond, reportedly observed, Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action. Arguably the system was already blinking red after the 2018 mass shooting at Pittsburghs Tree of Life synagogue, where a gunman killed 11 people, and the near tragedy averted four years later, when an armed man took hostage the rabbi and worshippers at a Colleyville, Texas, synagogue. The October 7 attacks heightened that awareness and led Jews to emulate the security measures standard at synagogues, day schools, community centers, and senior residences in Europe. Private companies were hired to provide guards at the entrances to synagogues and schools. Volunteers were solicited, trained, and deployed by community-based security organizations. The positioning of at least one local police car and patrol officer in front of synagogues became commonplace. But in todays threat environment, the question for Jews everywhere is inevitably: How much security is enough? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shapiros residence was not unprotected. Additional armed guards were deployed at the entrance to the Jewish museum for the event that Lischinsky and Milgrim attended. Jewish institutions, organizations, and agencies, moreover, are already burdened with rising security costs. A study of expenditures at Jewish day schools in four states found that the average cost for security had nearly doubled in 202425to $339,000compared with 202223. After the past six weeks, further increases can be expected. The same is true on university campuses across America, where Jewish- or Israeli-studies departments and centers, as well as similarly oriented student organizations and Jewish ministries, are themselves responsible for paying for the security now standard for all of their events. And there will be challenges in what can be done to prevent such tragedies in the future. For instance, although security was increased at the entrance to and inside the D.C. Jewish museum, Lischinsky and Milgrim were gunned down outside, on a street corner. Will security measures now require that a secure perimeter be established, or even concentric circles of security in front of every venue and surrounding any event? Will a phalanx of local police or community volunteers be required to box in and protect participants at any and every Jewish event? After yesterdays attack in Boulder, the answer, most likely, is yes. [From the April 2024 issue: The Golden Age of American Jews is ending] Security provisions are often likened to the proverbial length of a ball of string. In the case of American Jewry, however long that once was, it now needs to be lengthened. Whatever upgrades and increases have been implemented in the past will necessitate reassessment, further modification, and enhancements. More resources will need to be dedicated to ensure the protection of Jewish places of worship, clerics, and congregations. The same is true for other Jewish and Israel-related activities at schools, community centers, offices, and senior homes. The same goes for marches, parades, demonstrations, vigils, and other inherently public events. Strengthened physical, personal, and digital security measures will likely followespecially during religious holidays and festivals. Even greater cooperation, coordination, and information sharing between law enforcement and Jewish institutions than already exists will be needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, however, physical security alone will not protect American Jewry. The prejudice and calumny directed against that community that have now become commonplace and have often been treated with indifference must change as well. And with this must come the recognition that violence threatens not just American Jews but all Americans. The Council on American-Islamic Relations cites record numbers of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab incidents; CatholicVote finds hundreds of instances of vandalism as well as more serious attacks on Catholic churches in the U.S. since 2020; and the Hindu American Foundation had to issue a Temple Safety & Security Guide to its worshippers. Violence against all faiths is rising. To stop it, our society must take more seriously not just bomb throwing, but the messages that light the fuse. Article originally published at The Atlantic An attack on Sunday shook the Boulder, Colo., community, as eight people were wounded while attending a peaceful gathering calling for the return of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas into Gaza during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Heres what to know about what took place in Boulder: Authorities investigating as terror attack The FBI and local authorities said on Sunday they are investigating the incident as a terror attack. We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement posted to the social platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts. We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a post on X. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) called the incident a heinous act of terror. I am closely monitoring the situation in Boulder, and my thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror. Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable, Polis wrote on X. Suspect allegedly used flamethrower, yelled Free Palestine Authorities identified the suspect arrested on scene as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FBI special agent in charge Mark Michalek said at an evening press conference the suspect used a makeshift flamethrower and incendiary devices to attack the victims, as they attended a weekly walk to demonstrate solidarity with the hostages. The attack took place at a pedestrian mall near 13th and Pearl streets. Michalek said the suspect was heard to yell free Palestine, during the attack. 8 people injured Eight people were injured in the attack, according to updated information from local police. Victims include four men and four women, who range in age from 52 to 88. Initially, police confirmed six victims, ages 67-88, including two victims who had to be airlifted to a burn unit and four taken to a local hospital. One was possibly in critical condition at the time. White House says suspect in US illegally The White House said late Sunday that the suspect arrested in connection to the attack is an illegal alien who overstayed his visa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A terror attack was committed in Boulder, Colorado by an illegal alien, Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser, said in a statement on X. He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit. Suicidal migration must be fully reversed, he continued. Condemnation from Jewish groups The local Boulder Jewish community said in a statement that the incident took place during a walk organized by Run for Their Lives, an organization that aims to raise awareness for hostages still held in Gaza. We are saddened and heartbroken to learn that an incendiary device was thrown at walkers at the Run for Their Lives walk on Pearl Street as they were raising awareness for the hostages still held in Gaza, the statement read. We dont have all the details of what is unfolding, and we promise to keep our community informed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our hearts go out to those who witnessed this horrible attack, and prayers for a speedy recovery to those who were injured, read the statement, which was signed by three rabbis of local congregations, two representatives of the Boulder Jewish Community Center, and a representative of the University of Colorado Boulder Hillel. Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt condemned the recent rage-filled, violent attacks at Jewish gatherings and called on public officials to do more before the crisis escalates even further. In a post Sunday on X, Greenblatt connected the Sunday attack in Boulder to the killing of a young couple outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., last month. In both scenarios, the suspected perpetrators were heard to shout free Palestine during or after the attack. This is the second violent attack on the US Jewish community in two weeks, Greenblatt wrote in a post on X. First, a young couple slaughtered in DC. And now, a firebomb thrown at a group in Boulder, Colorado, as they gathered to express solidarity with the 58 hostages still being held in Gaza by Hamas terrorists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two peaceful Jewish events that ended with rage-filled, violent attacks, he added. Greenblatt also pointed to recent examples of vandalism and violence against Jewish people in places around the world. Were witnessing a global campaign of intimidation and terror deliberately directed against the Jewish people, Greenblatt said, adding, Sadly, none of this is surprising. In fact, its entirely predictable. This is precisely where anti-Jewish incitement leads. This is exactly what vicious anti-Zionism enables. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 man who allegedly shouted Free Palestine and threw Molotov cocktails into a crowd of people calling for the release of Israeli hostages being held by Hamas has been charged with a federal hate crime. The suspect in the attack, which left at least 12 people injured, has been identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, from El Paso County, Colo., the FBIs Denver office said on Sunday. Soliman has been charged with a "hate crime involving actual or perceived race, religion or national origin," according to an affidavit filed on Monday. Soliman allegedly told police he had planned the attack for a year, researching and specifically targeting a "Zionist group." Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody and told police he would do it again, the Associated Press reported, citing an FBI affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was initially reported that four women and four men, between the ages of 52 and 88, were injured in the attack at Pearl Street Mall, Boulder Police said in a statement on Sunday. No victims have died, although the injuries range from minor to serious. Four more people have contacted law enforcement, saying they were hurt during the attack, bringing the number of victims up to 12, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said in a press briefing on Monday. Two victims are still in the hospital, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said on Monday afternoon. While Boulder police on Sunday said it was too early to treat the situation as an act of terrorism, FBI Director Kash Patel called the incident a targeted terror attack. Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon also referred to the situation as not a political protest but terrorism. Soliman was booked into the Boulder County Jail, and his bail was set at $10 million in cash. He is set to appear in court on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what we know about what happened. What was the rally for? The rally was organized by Run for Their Lives, a national group that has held walks in support of the Israeli hostages who were taken after the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. More than 250 Israeli hostages were taken during the attack and, following months of releases and several deaths, at least 23 are still believed to be alive. Run for Their Lives encourages participants to join its weekly walks to raise awareness for the hostages, and on its website, specifies that participants should not formally protest or block roads. This is a family-friendly event, the group states on its website. It is non-violent and does not focus on the traumatic events that occurred during the hostages captivity. Our events are meant to be quiet and peaceful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group met around 1 p.m. local time on Sunday to travel the length of the Pearl Street Mall, a popular pedestrian area that spans four blocks of downtown Boulder. It was not clear how many people on the scene were participating in the Run for Their Lives rally or were witnesses who happened to be in the area, Redfearn said. What we know about the attack so far Law enforcement officials at the scene following the attack. (David Zalubowski/AP) Authorities were called to an incident near Pearl Street Mall just before 1:30 p.m. MT on Sunday, Redfearn said at an afternoon briefing that day. He said police received calls that a group had been set on fire. Multiple witnesses reported that a man with a makeshift flamethrower and an incendiary device was chanting Free Palestine! and threw the incendiary device into the crowd, the FBI said. Soliman told investigators he created his homemade Molotov cocktails after doing research on YouTube. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said they found 16 unlit Molotov cocktails near where Soliman was arrested. Each item was either a glass carafe, bottle or jar. Inside Soliman's car, which was found nearby, law enforcement found pieces of paper with the words "Israel," "Palestine" and "USAID," AP reported. Witnesses said they saw people writhing on the ground and other people running to get water to try to help the victims. UCHealth told CBS News Colorado station that two of the victims were flown by helicopter to its burn unit; police stated four others were taken to Boulder Community Health. What we know about the suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman A mug shot of Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the suspect in Sunday's attack. (Boulder Police Department) Soliman has been charged with a federal hate crime as of Monday afternoon. After being arrested, Soliman reportedly told police he had been planning the attack for a year, researching and specifically targeting a "Zionist group." It appears Soliman acted alone, FBI Denver Special Agent Mark Michalek said Monday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senior law enforcement officials stressed during the Sunday press briefing that an investigation into what happened in Boulder on Sunday is still in its early stages. They said that Soliman is an Egyptian national who has had no previous significant interactions with law enforcement. Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, claimed in a statement on X that Soliman was an illegal alien. Soliman entered the U.S. in August 2022 on a B2 visa a tourism visa that expired in February 2023 and then filed for asylum in September 2022, Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, told ABC News on Monday. Another senior official told ABC that Soliman was granted a work permit after his B2 visa expired, and that permit expired on March 28. Soliman told a detective he had used Molotov cocktails because he was not able to legally buy a firearm because of his immigration status, acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell said on Monday. Redfearn said law enforcement has been reviewing Solimans social media profiles, but said that its way too early to speculate a motive. Photo: State Committee for Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Mayor Knox White and members of the city council of Greenville, South Carolina, US, signed a declaration on the occasion of May 28 - Azerbaijan's Independence Day, the Azerbaijani State Committee on Work with Diaspora told Trend. The declaration was presented to Adika Iqbal, head of the Azerbaijan Friendship Organization operating in the state. The city of Greenville has declared May 28, 2025, Azerbaijan Independence Day. The document emphasized that the city of Greenville has become a welcoming place where diverse cultural heritages and peoples have come together for many years. The contributions of Azerbaijanis living in the state to the arts, music, education, science, medicine, and other fields were pointed out. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The suspect in a fire attack in Boulder, Colorado, yelled Free Palestine, the FBI said. A Trump administration-fueled shadow docket looms over the Supreme Court. And Ukraine said it carried out a massive drone attack in Russia. Heres what to know today. Suspect uses makeshift flamethrower and yells free Palestine in Boulder, Colorado, attack A man shouted free Palestine and used a makeshift flamethrower during an attack yesterday afternoon in downtown Boulder, Colorado, that left at least eight people injured, officials said. The downtown Boulder County Government Building is shown after an attack on Sunday. (Chet Strange / Getty Images) The Boulder County Sheriff's Office said on its daily booking sheet that Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, of El Paso County, Colorado, could be charged with two counts of first-degree murder one with "extreme indifference" and one listed as "deliberation with intent nonfamily gun." Soliman could also be charged with one count of attempted murder, one count of first-degree assault, one count of causing serious injury to an at-risk adult or someone over 70 and one count of using explosives or incendiary devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soliman is an Egyptian national with no prior significant contact with law enforcement, and he does not belong to a specific group, two senior law enforcement officials told NBC News. This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day. Sign up here to get it in your inbox. The attack happened during a weekly demonstration to support awareness for Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, officials said. Four men and four women ranging in age from 52 to 88 years old were injured, a Boulder Police spokesperson said. Earlier Sunday, officials said one person was in critical condition. Authorities have yet to formally confirm that anyone has died as a result of the attack, and there has been no update on the condition of the other injured victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, whose mother was born in a concentration camp and whose grandparents survived the Holocaust, said the attack appeared to be "a hate crime given the group that was targeted." The group, called Run for Their Lives Boulder, has been holding demonstrations fairly regularly, sometimes weekly, after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack on Israel, the group has said. A witness said she was walking down Pearl Street when the attack unfolded. I saw this big fire go up, Brooke Coffman told NBC affiliate KUSA of Denver, and described two women rolling around a little bit after having stripped out of their burning clothes. Another witness said in an interview with MSNBC that he rushed to the scene and helped other bystanders pour buckets of water on victims burns to keep them comfortable. Heres what else we know. Trump overshadows the Supreme Court as ruling season begins The beginning of June marks the start of the traditional monthlong ruling season at the Supreme Court, with the next scheduled ruling day coming Thursday. But if it feels like the Supreme Court has already weighed in on several big cases already, its because it has. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since January, the court has already issued rulings of some description in 11 emergency cases related to the Trump administration via what some have dubbed a shadow docket. For example, justices have already allowed for President Donald Trumps ban on transgender people in the military to go into effect and have put the brakes on the administrations attempt to use the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members. In the meantime, the docket of merits cases has a relatively small number of headline-grabbing cases compared to previous years. Some bigger decisions to watch for include a challenge to a Tennessee law that bans gender transition care for minors and an effort by Texas to restrict access to pornographic websites. Not only is the shadow docket changing how the Supreme Court operates. It has also sparked concerns about the courts transparency and process. Read the full story here. More politics news: Speaker Mike Johnson defended cuts to Medicaid in the bill for Trumps agenda in a Meet the Press interview, saying that millions of people wont lose coverage unless they choose to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans are facing new pressure to extend Obamacare tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of the year. Ukraine claims massive drone strike on Russian bombers Ukraines Security Service said it has struck more than 40 Russian bombers in what would be one of the largest and most audacious attacks on Russian territory in the yearslong conflict. A source within the Security Service of Ukraine said the country targeted 41 strategic Russian aircraft in an operation code-named Spiderweb that had been in the works for a year and a half. Russia did not immediately comment on the bombs, but Irkutsks regional governor said there had been a drone attack on a military unit in the settlement of Sredny. Russian officials in the Ryazan and Murmansk regions also reported drone activity yesterday afternoon, according to the Associated Press. Ukraine and Russia are scheduled to meet for a second round of direct talks in Istanbul. Read the full story here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NBC Nightly News has a new anchor starting today. Watch NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas at 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT. Read All About It Eleven people were hospitalized and a suspect in custody after a stabbing at a homeless services provider in Oregon. Moderna said the FDA has approved its lower-dose Covid vaccine but only for people who have previously received a Covid vaccine and only for certain groups of people. Newark airport will reopen a closed runway today that has contributed to weeks of delays and chaos at the travel hub. A California state board recommended parole for Charles Manson cult follower Patricia Krenwinkel for the second time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Actor Devin Harjes, known for his roles in Boardwalk Empire and Daredevil, died at the age of 41 after complications from cancer. Staff Pick: These trans Americans are saying goodbye to the U.S. Chase, a 9-year-old trans girl, sits with her parents, Candace and Brandon, as their family prepares for a life-changing move to New Zealand. (Jimena Peck for NBC News) Denver parents Brandon and Candace are spending tens of thousands of dollars to move to New Zealand in July. The reason, they said, is to protect their 9-year-old transgender daughter, Chase, from the effects of the Trump administrations policies and an increasingly hostile climate for trans people in the United States. Youre taught to believe, or indoctrinated, I suppose, in America that this is the land of the free and promise and all of that, and for my childs rights to be stripped away for just being herself is gross, Candace said, adding that she and her family feel like they have no control over their future in the U.S. Brandon and Candace are one of five families interviewed by reporter Jo Yurcaba who have either already left or are planning to leave the country as a result of federal and state policies targeting transgender people and their health care. The families described fears of losing access to health care and identification documents that reflect their gender identities and increased anti-trans violence. Brooke Sopelsa, OUT managing editor NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified Accutane can help with controlling oil production and acne breakouts, but they can also dry out your skin. We spoke to dermatologists to find the best facial cleansers, lotion, sunscreen and more for accutane users. Plus, we tested both the Windmill and July air conditioners for a few weeks. Here are their key differences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week. Thanks for reading todays Morning Rundown. Todays newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Robinson. If youre a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can sign up here. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The man who attacked a group of people in Boulder, Colo., as they called for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza was charged with a federal hate crime Monday after telling police he researched for a year to find a Zionist group to target and asserting he would do it again, the U.S. Department of Justice said in an affidavit. A total of 12 people were injured, one of them a Holocaust survivor, when 45-year-old Mohammed Sabry Soliman attacked them with a makeshift flamethrower Sunday afternoon outside the Boulder County Courthouse downtown. Michael Dougherty, district attorney for the 20th Judicial District, said at an afternoon briefing that the total had been revised from eight after four more victims came forward. Two were still hospitalized as of Monday. Soliman was charged with 16 counts of first-degree attempted murder eight for attempted murder with intent and active deliberation and eight for attempt to murder with extreme indifference two counts of use of an incendiary device, and 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soliman told police that in his quest to kill all Zionist people he had taught himself how to make Molotov cocktails using YouTube videos, then filled a collection of glass jars and wine bottles with gas he bought along the 100-mile drive from his home in Colorado Springs. The husband and father of five told police he had held off the attack until after his daughter graduated from school, according to the affidavit. Soliman yelled Free Palestine as he attacked the group at about 1:30 p.m. Sunday, authorities and witnesses said. The FBI is investigating the attack as a terrorist act. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the Egyptian national was in the country illegally, as his latest work authorization visa had expired in March. Soliman had applied for asylum when his tourist visa expired in February 2023. Several media reports say he had a pending application to renew his work authorization, but DHS did not comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was held on $10 million bond at the Boulder County Jail, officials said. Witnesses told authorities that Soliman had arrived at the scene at around 1 p.m. Sunday toting a garden sprayer loaded with gasoline, then held a lighter in front of the fuel stream as he aimed at the marchers. Authorities said the suspect posed as a gardener to get close to the group he was targeting. He wore a utility vest over his shirt but took both off when they started to catch fire, witnesses told police. Investigators later found 16 more Molotov cocktails scattered around the area of the attack, FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek said in Mondays briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police believe he acted alone. Solimans court appearance was set for 3:30 p.m. local time Monday. Cops said he claimed to have had second thoughts once the attack was underway and threw two out of the 18 incendiary devices he possessed. They stated in an affidavit that the defendant got scared and had never hurt anyone before. The victims, four women and four men, were ages 52 to 88 and sustained injuries ranging from serious to minor, officials said. They were rushed to area hospitals, at least one of them in critical condition, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said. UCHealth told KCNC-TV that two victims had arrived by helicopter and were in the burn unit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The eldest victim had fled the Holocaust during World War II, Rabbi Israel Wilhelm, the Chabad director at the University of Colorado-Boulder, told KCNC. Another is a professor at the university. They were all part of a volunteer group, Run for Their Lives, which organizes weekly walks in downtown Boulder to call for the release of the 58 hostages still being held by Hamas since its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The terrorist group killed about 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages. About a third of the remaining hostages are believed to be alive. Soliman was waiting for the group on the lawn outside the Boulder County Courthouse and hurled liquid-filled bottles at the marchers, setting them on fire, Run for Their Lives organizer Miri Kornfeld told KUSA-TV. Bystanders rushed to douse the flames, hurriedly filling any containers they could find with water from nearby fountains. It was the most horrific thing that Ive ever seen in my entire life, one witness, Brian H., told KUSA. If you can think of a butter knife pulling up skin, thats kind of what it looked like. Like someone had spread the skin off of these peoples legs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police arrived to find Soliman shirtless, yelling and waving more bottles around. They evacuated several blocks as canine and bomb squad teams scoured for other incendiary devices. Security was amped up at religious sites throughout the U.S., including New York City and New Jersey, in the wake of the attack, which occurred on the eve of the Jewish festival of Shavuot. Mayor Adams and Gov. Hochul each condemned the attack. Sundays incident occurred barely two weeks after two Israeli Embassy staffers were gunned down outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., by a man who also invoked Palestinians. In April an arsonist set fire to the official residence of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on the first night of Passover, citing what he said was the governors stance on the war in Gaza. Everyone got out safely. Boulder itself had barely healed from a shooting rampage four years earlier in which a gunman killed 10 people at a King Soopers supermarket in March 2021. That shooter is serving life in prison without parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn described the violence as a heinous terrorist attack in our city, but said he was pleased with where investigators stood during a Monday afternoon press conference. He said law enforcement is piecing together a timeline using surveillance footage, license plate readers and whatever help they get from the public to learn more about Soliman. He was not on our radar in Boulder, Redfearn told reporters. We had no prior contact with him here. District Attorney Michael Dougherty said the suspect could be sentenced to 384 years in prison if convicted on state charges. With News Wire Services OTTAWA CO., Okla. Ottawa County teens have a new place to call home this summer. The Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa County celebrated the grand opening of its new teen center on Friday. Its a 25,000 square foot facility in downtown Miami located between the clubs gymnasium and existing building. The center includes a STEM lab, game room, and e-sports computer lab, as well as learning and hang out spaces for teens and tweens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boys and Girls Club representatives say theyve needed this since the COVID pandemic, and it wouldnt have possible without a lot of help. Really this was a community project it wasnt just the Boys and Girls Club project, we couldnt have done it without our city leaders, our county leaders, our board of directors, our donors, our club families, everyone had a part in this project and so today is kind of a joyous moment for us that we get to share that with everyone, they get to see the final product of what they spent their hard time treasure and talent on bringing to fruition, said Mackenzie Garst. The center is opening just in time for the kickoff of the clubs annual summer program. During that time, the club will be open ten hours each day, providing breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack, all free of charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with club amenities, therell also be field trips for the kids to enjoy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Austin, Tx (FOX 44) A 2022 Brazos County case involving two peace officers being shot has led to a new law with strong penalties for trying to kill police. State Senator Charles Schwertner said the need for the legislation which increases the penalties for attempted capital murder of a police officer was brought to his attention by Brazos County District Attorney Jarvis Parsons. State Representative Paul Dyson of Bryan was also told about the problem, leading to the writing of what became House Bill 1871. The bill passed by the legislature not only increases the punishment for the offense but also modifies parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December 2022, a man shot a Bryan officer, stole their patrol vehicle, and later shot a Brazos County sheriffs deputy during a standoff. Fortunately, both officers survived. In 2024, that man was found guilty of aggravated assault of a public servant. Senator Schwertner said the ultimately exposed a serious gap in our legal system. Current Texas law treats both attempted capital murder of a peace officer and aggravated assault of a public servant as first degree felonies. However, proving attempted capital murder is a more difficult task, requiring the prosecution to prove the offenders intent to kill. As a result, prosecutors could have been discouraged from pursuing attempted capital murder, and instead pursue aggravated assault, even after an attempt to take an officers life. House Bill 1871 addresses this issue by enhancing the punishment for attempted capital murder of a peace officer, ensuring that the law better reflects the seriousness of this crime and provides a more appropriate deterrent. The bill also includes provisions that adjust parole eligibility and restrict mandatory supervision for individuals convicted under this offense, emphasizing the states commitment to protecting peace officers who risk their lives in the line of duty. HB 1871 increases the punishment for criminals who do everything in their power to murder police officers in the line of duty and attempt to take law enforcement away from their family and friends, said Brazos District Attorney Jarvis Parsons It increases the punishment for Attempted Capital Murder of a Peace Officer from a minimum of probation to a minimum of 25 years in prison up to life in prison with no parole. This increased punishment sends a vital message that as Texans we will protect the people who protect us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every day, Texas peace officers put their lives on the line to protect our communities, said Senator Charles Schwertner. House Bill 1871 sends a clear message: if you attempt to kill a law enforcement officer, you will face the full weight of the law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. BREAKING: King of the Hill actor fatally shot in Texas (KODE & KSN) The voice of a King of the Hill fan favorite has passed away. Actor Jonathan Joss, known for his role as John Redcorn in King of the Hill has been fatally shot following an alleged argument with a neighbor in San Antonio, Texas, TMZ reports. Joss was 59 years old. According to TMZ, San Antonio Police and eyewitness reports indicate an argument between Joss and his neighbor the night of Sunday, June 1. Witnesses say the argument escalated and Josss neighbor pulled out a gun and allegedly fired several shots at Joss before fleeing the scene in a vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TMZ reports San Antonio Police have apprehended the suspect. The actor made headlines earlier in the year when he publicly expressed his frustrations with being excluded from events and celebrations related to the Hulu King of the Hill revival coming August 4, despite having allegedly recorded dialogue for four episodes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) Officials with the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) said a bridge preservation project is progressing in the capital city. The work on the Interstate 55 bridges over the Pearl River entails the removal and replacement of both bridge decks, requiring two lanes to be shut down at a time. The project also includes a section of I-20 eastbound to I-55 northbound that entails jacking and structural repairs, epoxy injection, installation of joint seals, bank reshaping, repainting the steel members and rip rap placement, in addition to the hydro-demolition and overlay of the bridge deck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public Water Quality Advisory issued for Pearl River Crews are currently working on the hydro-demolition on I-55 over the Pearl River. Construction of the shoring towers is also in progress on the I-20 east to I-55 flyover. I want to thank Jackson area drivers for the effort they are all making to slow down, leave earlier and detouring around this massive project, along with several other active projects nearby said Commissioner Willie Simmons, Chairman of the Mississippi Transportation Commission. We are making progress and will continue doing so as diligently as possible. Please keep your guard up, stay alert and anticipate moderate traffic during peak travel. Crews currently anticipate reopening the I-55 northbound bridge over the Pearl River in roughly two months, with the southbound bridge to follow, depending on weather conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Photo: State Committee for Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. "Birlik" Odessa Azerbaijanis diaspora organization celebrated May 28 - Independence Day and the 107th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) in Odessa, Ukraine, the Azerbaijani State Committee on Work with Diaspora told Trend. Members of the organizations Board of Directors, public figures, and diaspora activists took part in the event. First, the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Ukraine were played. Then, the memory of the martyrs who gave their lives for the freedom and territorial integrity of both countries was honored with a one-minute moment of silence. The event moderator, lawyer and member of the Ukrainian Bar Association, Aydin Aliyev, briefed on the ADR history. He emphasized that the ADR placed special importance on human rights and that, in the early 20th century, it granted women in an Eastern country the right to vote and be elected. Chairman of the Birlik Odessa Azerbaijani Diaspora Organization Jalil Astanov said that the present-day Republic of Azerbaijan, the successor of the republic founded 107 years ago, is in safe hands under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. Former rector of Odessa University of Economics, Professor Mikhail Zveryakov spoke about AzerbaijanUkraine intergovernmental relations and the history of friendship between the two peoples. Former member of parliament Aleksandr Presman especially emphasized Azerbaijans hegemonic role in the Caucasus as a state with a powerful army. Chairman of the Odessa District Council Vitaliy Barvenenko congratulated Azerbaijanis on the occasion of the Republic Day and noted that they will provide all possible support for the building of an Azerbaijan Park in Odessa. Chairman of the Afghan National-Cultural Unity, Nuri Azim, spoke about the friendship between Azerbaijani and Ukranian peoples. Chairman of the Council of Elders, Haji Namig, highlighted the role of May 28 in Azerbaijani nations history of independence and statehood. It is a matter of pride that our first capital, Ganja, and Odessa are sister cities. I would also like to point out that two ministers of our first state, Nasib bey Yusifbayli and Khosrov bay Sultanov, studied precisely in todays I.I. Mechnikov University in Odessa, said Anar Natigoghlu, Deputy Chairman of the Birlik organization. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel June 2 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans Monday to inject an additional $20.3 billion into the country's nuclear weapons program to combat the "threat from Russia" and China and build 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines. The new spending is part of a major Strategic Defense Review unveiled by Starmer at a military contractor on Clydeside in Scotland, home to the country's Trident submarine nuclear deterrent, aimed at restoring Britain's fighting capability and making it "war-ready" within two years for a conflict in Europe and/or the Atlantic. "We are moving to war-fighting readiness as the central purpose of our armed forces. When we are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces, the most effective way to deter them is to be ready, and frankly, to show them that we're ready to deliver peace through strength," Starmer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I believe the best way to deter conflict is to prepare for it." The plan, was Starmer said, "a blueprint to make Britain safer and stronger, a battle-ready, bomber-clad nation with the strongest alliances and the most advanced capabilities, equipped for the decades to come." However, he stressed that it would be a "NATO first" policy, putting the military alliance at the center of everything the United Kingdom did. In addition to the nuclear warheads program and submarines, which will be built under the AUKUS security pact signed in 2021, other review pledges include six new munitions plants and adding 7,000 new long-range weapons to Britain's arsenal, a "hybrid" Royal Navy that uses drones alongside warships, submarines and aircraft and invest in improved housing and equipment for members of the armed forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Starmer said he was unable to give assurances that defense spending would reach the government's goal 3% of GDP by 2034, everything in the defense blueprint was deliverable within the 2.5% figure the government committed to in February, due by Fiscal Year 2027. Britain's fiscal year runs April 1 through March 31. The government has promised $12 billion of the $20 billion will come from economic growth, rather than spending cuts or tax hikes. The 3% is an "ambition," and the government's refusal to set a firm timeline, and again tying it in with economic growth, raised eyebrows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starmer rejected suggestions that the failure to commit to a 3.5% minimum by 2032 called for by Secretary-General Mark Rutte and others, demonstrated a lack of commitment to the 32-member-country alliance. The SDR was slammed by both the opposition Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. "With the prime minister unable to even confirm a date for hitting 3% on defense spending, the SDR really is unravelling. How can they deliver what they've promised?" Shadow Defense Secretary James Cartledge wrote on X. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer's ruling Labour Party of not being able to "even hold a defense policy together for 48 hours." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "How can they be trusted to defend Britain? In the most dangerous era in a generation, they found BILLIONS for the Chagos surrender -- but can't commit to properly funding our armed forces," she wrote in a social media post. Writing on X, Helen Maguire, defense spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, called for all-party negotiations to agree on a path forward to 3% of GDP. "Whilst the prime minister is totally right to recognize the importance of increasing our defense capabilities -- without a clear spending plan -- the SDR risks becoming a damp squib," she said. LONDON (AP) The United Kingdom will build new nuclear-powered attack submarines, get its army ready to fight a war in Europe and become a battle-ready, armor-clad nation, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday, part of a boost to military spending designed to send a message to Moscow and Washington. Starmer said Britain cannot ignore the threat that Russia poses as he pledged to undertake the most sweeping changes to British defenses since the collapse of the Soviet Union more than three decades ago. The threat we face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War," Starmer told workers and journalists at a navy shipyard in Scotland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new era of threats Like other NATO members, the U.K. has been reassessing its defense spending since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The government announced military plans in response to a strategic defense review commissioned by Starmer and led by George Robertson, a former U.K. defense secretary and NATO secretary general. It's the first such review since 2021, and lands in a world shaken and transformed by Russia's war in Ukraine, and by the reelection of President Donald Trump last year. Months after Britain's last major defense review was published, then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson said with confidence that the era of fighting big tank battles on European landmass are over. Three months later, Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starmer's center-left Labour Party government says it will accept all 62 recommendations in the review, aiming to help the U.K. confront growing threats on land, air sea and in cyberspace. Submarines and weapons The measures include increasing production of submarines and weapons and learning the lessons of Ukraine," which has rapidly developed its drone technology to counter Moscow's forces and even hit targets deep inside Russia. The government said the U.K, will invest in innovation and establish a cyber command to counter daily Russia-linked attacks on Britain's defenses. Other measures include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Building up to 12 nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines under the AUKUS partnership with Australia and the U.S Investing 15 billion pounds ($20.3 billion) in Britains nuclear arsenal, which consists of missiles carried on a handful of submarines Increasing Britain's conventional weapons stockpiles with six new munitions factories and up to 7,000 U.K.-built long-range weapons Developing new airborne and land drones as well as a hybrid Navy of autonomous vessels and crewed ships Committing 1 billion pounds for U.K. air defenses A home guard to protect critical national infrastructure as part of a whole-of-society approach to defense. It was quickly branded a Dad's Army, after the World War II-set sitcom Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starmer said rearming would create a defense dividend of thousands of well-paid manufacturing jobs a contrast to the post-Cold War peace dividend that saw Western nations channel money away from defense into other areas. Deterring Russia comes at a cost Defense Secretary John Healey said the changes would send a message to Moscow, and transform the countrys military following decades of retrenchment, though he said he does not expect the number of soldiers currently at a two-century low of about 74,000 to rise until the early 2030s. Healey said plans for defense spending to hit 2.5% of national income by 2027 a year are on track and that theres no doubt it will hit 3% before 2034. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Starmer said the 3% goal is an ambition, rather than a firm promise, and its unclear where the cash-strapped Treasury will find the money. The government has already, contentiously, cut international aid spending to reach the 2.5% target. James Cartlidge, defense spokesman for the main opposition Conservative Party, said a defense review without the funding is an empty wish list." Even 3% falls short of what some leaders in NATO think is needed to deter Russia from future attacks on its neighbors. NATO chief Mark Rutte says leaders of the 32 member countries will debate a commitment to spend at least 3.5% of GDP on defense when they meet in the Netherlands this month. Bolstering Europe's defenses Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's also a message to Trump that Europe is heeding his demand for NATO members to spend more on their own defense. European countries, led by the U.K. and France, have scrambled to coordinate their defense posture as Trump transforms American foreign policy, seemingly sidelining Europe as he looks to end the war in Ukraine. Trump has long questioned the value of NATO and complained that the U.S. provides security to European countries that dont pull their weight. Starmer said his government would make Britain's biggest contribution to NATO since its creation. We will never fight alone, he said. Our defense policy will always be NATO-first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at defense think tank RUSI, said the review set out a vision ... of what the armed forces should look like in future but lacked key details. This is a statement of intent," he said. It's not a road map. Using dramatic, and occasionally coarse, language to emphasize the gravity of their challenge, local, state and national Democratic Party leaders sought to fire up Broward Democrats, without whom their party has no hope of climbing out of the political abyss in Florida. All sought to energize the party faithful with reminders of the high stakes and tantalize them with the prospect of election wins in 2026. At the same time, speakers at the Broward Democratic Partys big annual fundraising dinner acknowledged some of their most vexing difficulties. During the main speech of the night on Saturday, Democratic National Chair Ken Martin brought up the enormous advantage 1.2 million Republicans have over Democrats in registered voters in Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unless and until that changes, a range of Democrats acknowledge their partys chances of winning statewide elections is exceedingly small. He and state Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried urged county activists to begin engaging immediately with friends, coworkers, neighbors and fellow parishioners about whats going on politically and not wait until 2026 to begin registering them to vote and getting signups to vote by mail areas where Florida Democrats have fallen short as Republicans have built a massive, and effective, organization throughout the state. We cannot give up on any part of this country, including here in Florida, Martin said. Theres an opportunity right now because what were seeing around the country is a huge backlash to what this administration is doing, the pain and the anguish that were inflicted upon the American people. There is a buyers remorse amongst independent voters and even some Republican voters who voted for Trump. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas, a superstar among Democrats who often goes viral with her lacerating takedowns of Republicans, and U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who represents parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, said its essential for Democrats to stop sniping at one another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, people are not excited about the Democrats, Crockett said. They dont believe in us because, unfortunately, we are still divided. So I am begging you. Your one charge tonight is to figure out how it is that we are going to start to heal and unite, because thats the only way that were going to move forward. Cherfilus-McCormick said energy devoted to intraparty battles is a waste, diverting energy from what she said is the imperative to mobilize to counter policies from President Donald Trump and other Republicans. Martin also said Democrats shouldnt pull their punches when describing Trump administration policies. Yet thats an area in which Democrats arent united. Theres a feeling among some in the party, especially those who are younger and arent Washington insiders, that some in the partys old guard of elected officials are too passive and havent done enough to combat Trump. Related Articles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin cited an example. When a second Texas child died of measles in April, Martin called out Trumps health and human services secretary, who has spread anti-vaccine information for years, writing on social media that Robert Kennedy Jr. has murdered another child in Texas. Martin said he heard from a senior elected official in Washington who told him that was too strident. Martin rejected that view. We have to be aggressive. You cannot worry about offending someone. One of the reasons weve lost trust with so many people, he said, is that sometimes Democrats get elected to office and they sit on their power. What good is power if you dont use it to improve peoples lives? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What pisses me off is when we have Democrats on the sidelines, not willing to stick their neck out, not willing to stand up right now. Not willing to roll up their sleeves and get in this fight and do what we need to, to not only resist but to organize, to mobilize, to give people a sense that were gonna fight for them and their families, Martin said. This is the fight of our lives. This is not the time to sit on the sidelines. Crockett told the Florida audience that she knows what its like to be from a state that has plenty of crazy. She cited the Florida law restricting instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in schools, widely known as dont say gay, which is called by its official title, Parental Rights in Education by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republicans. You all arent allowed to say gay here, Crockett said, adding her take: Gay, gay, gay, gay, gay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank God for term limits, honey, which will force DeSantis to leave office after next years election, she said. Bye, governor. Bye. Crockett said Democrats should not accept Republican framing of transgender rights and immigration in a way that divides Democrats. Heres the reality. We allow ourselves to be distracted and then divided. Because at the end of the day we are all on the same Titanic, and this ship is going down, she said. Democrats were animated about the changes wrought by the Trump administration. We must also confront the growing threat to our democracy, said Broward Democratic Party Chair Rick Hoye. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are seeing the warning signs of authoritarianism, book bans, election deniers, voter suppression laws, and the erosion of checks and balances. And now 47 (Trump) is openly attacking the very foundation of a professional impartial government, he said. This is why we fight. And U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the longest-serving Democrat in the Florida congressional delegation and a former national party chair, said its tough to keep up with Trumps madness. Wasserman Schultz said people need to resist the urge to turn away from the news and retreat. We cannot do that. We cannot give in. We cannot give up. We can only go up, she said. Lives are at stake. Our very democracy hangs in the balance. Cherfilus-McCormick was even more blunt in her call to action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not for the weak. If youre not strong, get out of the way. This is not for the ambivalent. If youre not sure, get out of the way, she said. If you do not fight, democracy will die. If you do not fight, Social Security will die. If you do not get up and fight, your way of living will die. Your rights will die. This is not the time and the place to be ambivalent, this is the time to stand up tall. Crockett offered a similar message. You are obligated to stay in this fight. You are obligated to show some love, compassion and humanity as we are all in the same sinking Titanic. But if we work, if we paddle, and we try to get rid of the water together, then I promise yall we can stay afloat. Crockett, Fried and Martin all said the road back to power for Democrats starts by focusing on lower-profile, so-called down-ballot offices for things like school board and city commission seats. Hoye repudiated high-profile Broward-based defectors from the party, insisting they are not precursors of more to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve seen some Democratic leaders leave our ranks because they were unable or unwilling to live up to the values of justice, equity and progress. Some of them crossed over to the Republican Party. Others have opted for the sidelines as NPAs. Let them go The Democratic Party is not dead. We are here. Our voices will be heard, Hoye said. Those are references to state Rep. Hillary Cassel who switched from Democratic to Republican after last years election and to state Sen. Jason Pizzo. Pizzo had been exploring running for the Democratic nomination for governor. He quit the Democratic Party in April, pronounced it dead, and registered as a no party affiliation independent. Pizzo switched after news broke that former Rep. David Jolly, who is better known than Pizzo, registered as a Democrat as he prepared to seek the gubernatorial nomination himself. About 300 people attended the dinner Saturday at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. Hoye said the event would bring in at least $100,000, which would help the party pay for year-round operations instead of attempting to gear up in the election year. A separate, small private fundraising event for the DNC featuring Martin exceeded its $25,000 goal, an attendee said. Anthony Man can be reached at aman@sunsentinel.com and can be found @browardpolitics on Bluesky, Threads, Facebook and Mastodon. Broward Democratic Chair Rick Hoye addresses constituents at the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett of Texas addresses the Broward County Democratic Party's Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Democratic National Committee Chair, Ken Martin addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz speaks at the Broward County Democratic Party's Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried applauds a speaker at the Broward Democratic Party's annual fundraising dinner on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, left, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, second from right, and Broward Democratic Chair Rick Hoye attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (Tex.) addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried addresses constituents at the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (Tex.) addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (Tex.) addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Broward Democratic Chair Rick Hoye attends the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (Tex.) addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (Tex.) addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (Tex.) addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (Tex.) addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (Tex.) addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried addresses constituents at the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried addresses constituents at the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025 (Jim Rassol/Contributor). Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Democratic National Committee Chair, Ken Martin addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Democratic National Committee Chair, Ken Martin addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin speaks at the Broward Democratic Party's Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Democratic National Committee Chair, Ken Martin addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Democratic National Committee Chair, Ken Martin addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Democratic National Committee Chair, Ken Martin addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Democratic National Committee Chair, Ken Martin addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Democratic National Committee Chair, Ken Martin addresses the constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attending the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee. Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor) Show Caption1 of 63Constituents of the Broward County Democratic Party attend the Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Chair Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Jim Rassol/Contributor)Expand A Broward Sheriffs Office deputy shot a man after he punched another officer in a residential neighborhood Sunday afternoon, officials say. Just before 12:30 p.m., authorities received a report about a suspicious incident involving weapon, BSO spokesperson Carey Codd said. Deputies responded to the 4000 block of Southwest 26th Street in West Park, where the man later punched a deputy in the face. One of the deputies fired at the man, who was struck by a bullet and taken to a hospital, according to Codd. The deputy who was punched in the face was, too, treated for their injuries at a hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BSO homicide detectives and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are investigating the shooting and what led up to the gunfire. BSOs internal affairs office is conducting its own probe into any deputies involved in the shooting. The deputies that fired their weapons are placed on administrative assignment, Codd said. Officials havent released the identity or condition of the person who was shot. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) A massive bill to provide tax cuts as well as major cuts to federal programs like Medicaid and food assistance is now in the hands of the U.S. Senate. After easily passing through the House, President Donald Trumps Big Beautiful Bill Act now faces stiff resistance in the Senate. Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul says right now hes a no on the Big Beautiful Bill Act because of its price tag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If I vote for the five trillion dollars debt, whos left in Washington that cares about the debt? asked Paul. Meanwhile, Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst faced backlash during a town hall where she appeared to downplay concerns that proposed Medicaid cuts in the bill could lead to deaths. Well, were all going to die so for heavens sakes, said Ernst. On Saturday, Ernst attempted to mock the social media reaction. I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that, yes, we are all going to perish from this earth. So, I apologize. And Im really, really glad that I did not have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats, like Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, are hitting back. I think everybody in that audience knows that theyre going to die, they would just rather die in old age at 85 or 90, said Murphy. Despite White House optimism, the bill faces GOP divisions and Senate rules that could strip key provisions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Senate President Ben Albritton (L) and House Speaker Danny Perez (R). (Photos via Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives) Florida legislators are finally heading back to Tallahassee to wrap up their work for the year. Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez announced late Friday that closed-door negotiations had yielded a breakthrough on the state budget as legislative leaders agreed to a framework they will use to draw up a final budget bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan as outlined in memos to House and Senate members is for legislators to begin formal budget conference meetings on Tuesday with the goal of voting out a new budget for 2025-26 by June 16. Floridas fiscal year starts on July 1. The main job each year of the Florida Legislature is to pass an annual budget which authorizes billions in spending on education, healthcare, the environment, transportation, public safety, and more. The lingering standoff on the budget had led to the possibility of a state government shutdown While many details remain unclear, the deal announced on Friday would yield a substantial tax cut break for businesses versus a much smaller set of tax cuts for Florida families. The agreement does not include any consideration of a cut in the sales tax rate that had been championed by Perez and House Republicans. Legislators left town in early May after failing to pass a budget during their 60-day session. On its final day, the House and Senate agreed to extend until June 6. At the time, Albritton and Perez announced an agreement to cut taxes by $2.8 billion, including a cut in the states sales tax. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that deal fell apart after Gov. Ron DeSantis warned hed veto it, lest it undercut his push to reduce property taxes. Albritton backed away from the earlier deal. That decision prompted sharp criticism from Perez, who said that Albritton had broken his word. The new agreement calls for $2.25 billion in revenue reductions that include the elimination of the sales tax charged on commercial leases and business rent that is estimated to cost $900 million. The two sides also agreed to $350 million in permanent sales tax exemptions targeted toward Florida families. The memo did not explain exactly what exemptions, although the Senate previously had suggested eliminating some taxes charged on shoes and clothes. The rest of the revenue reductions, however, would include $200 million for paying down existing state debt and $750 million that would eventually be placed in the Budget Stabilization Fund. The size of that rainy day fund is now capped, so legislative leaders would ask voters in 2026 to approve raising that limit. In the meanwhile, they want to set aside money in reserves that will eventually go to the fund. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) Sunday marked the beginning of Pride Month a time of joy, unity, and celebration for the LGBTQ+ community across the country. In Buffalo, the day was filled with vibrant parades, spirited gatherings, and festivities centered around the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino. But along with the celebration, there was also a deep sense of remembrance. This years Pride in Buffalo was the first to take place without two of the citys most beloved LGBTQ+ figures, Mickey Harmon and Jordan Celotto, who were tragically killed in their home earlier this year. Their absence was felt during the festivities, especially among those who knew them best. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mickey was spunky and pugnacious, said Buffalo Councilmember Mitch Nowakowski. He was constantly pushing people and societys norms to the limit. Jordan was a sweet soul who loved music, loved dancing, and loved bringing people together. Harmon and Celotto were both accomplished artists who left marks on the city. Harmon served on the board of the Buffalo-Niagara LGBTQ History Project, while Celotto was a cherished team member at the Twenty Six Allen bar, according to his former manager and friend Michael Moch. It was such a tragic way for them to leave this world, Moch said. All we can do is make sure that their memories mean something, that we keep creating spaces for their spirit to live on, like the Intersect Festival. The couple played an instrumental role in organizing the annual Intersect Pride Arts Festival on Allen Street. This years event, held on Saturday, was the first in years without their leadership, but their influence was still strongly felt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has Mickey written all over it, Moch said. He was amazing at pulling everything together and delivering a polished event. Were all struggling to do as good of a job as he did, but it turned out really well. I think this is going to be a regular fixture in Buffalo Pride. If Mickey were here, hed be organizing the entire thing, Nowakowski added. Hed have the schedule down to the minute and Jordan would be entertaining everyone, playing the best music in town. For Nowakowski, who represents the district where the couple lived and considered them friends Pride this year is a time to both celebrate and reflect. Sometimes the pain is immense when I think about their loss, he said. But then I remember who they were people who brought others together through art, dance, music, and by living authentically. Celebrating who you are and doing what you want to do out in the world and being who you want to be. Thats the celebration of Pride and thats what it brings out in people the most. Latest Local News 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. LEON COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44) A Leon County Sheriffs deputy is okay after the bulletproof glass of the patrol unit prevented a terrible situation. Sheriff Kevin Ellis says dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from an individual in Jewett at approximately 1:53 a.m. Saturday. The caller advised they needed help in the 1000 block of County Road 320. A deputy arrived on scene and found a man with a rifle, who fired eight .223 rounds into the front windshield of the deputys patrol vehicle on the drivers side. Fortunately, the deputy was not hurt thanks to the vehicles bulletproof glass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man identified as Allen David Clutter, was taken into custody without further incident. (Courtesy: Leon County Sheriffs Office) Sheriff Ellis says the Office wants to especially thank the citizens of Leon County, as well as Operation Safe Shield, for preventing harm to the deputy. According to the Operation Safe Shield website, the non-profit came to be after the Texas legislature passed SB2222 to provide bullet resistant windows for Texas Department of Public Safety patrol vehicles. This was in response to two separate incidences of officers being shot through the windows of their patrol cars: Texas DPS Trooper Chad Walker was shot near Mexia on March 26, 2021 and died from his injuries. He was stopping to assist a disabled vehicle when he was ambushed. Texas DPS Trooper Juan Tovar was shot through his side window on April 8, 2021 while trying to apprehend a mass shooter fleeing from Bryan, Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the shooting involving Tovar, concerned citizens in Bryan/College Station decided to start an initiative to provide lifesaving bullet resistant windows for all of the patrol vehicles in the Brazos Valley, starting with Brazos County. This grew into Operation Safe Shield, which expanded its reach to the Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson, and Washington Counties. Operation Safe Shield was founded in 2021, after Trooper Walker was killed after being shot through his windshield. The operation equips patrol cars in several Texas counties with bullet-resistant windows to enhance officer safety. They line it with a protective layer on the inside, which is a combination of glass and a polymer that catches the bullets, Operation Safe Shield Founder and President Clifford Dorn said. The glass seems to slow it down, and then the polymer catches it. So when the bullets do try to penetrate, they can penetrate the glass. But once they hit the polymer, they wont go all the way through. Operation Safe Shield continues to fundraise for patrol car safety, and has provided 140 cars since 2022. While officers continue to risk their lives every day, the Safe Shield is another protection that could make the difference between life or death for a deputy in the field. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Buona Forchetta, the popular Italian restaurant chain whose flagship location in South Park was raided by federal immigration officials, will be closed for several days as the neighborhood continues to reel from last Fridays startling operation. The restaurants owners announced the closure to all seven locations in San Diego and Orange counties on Instagram Sunday night, saying the decision was made to give their employees time to rest and to process the incident that led to the arrest of at least two. We wish we could find stronger words, but the truth is we are heartbroken. The traumatic incident involving a federal enforcement operation at our original and beloved South Park location has left a mark on all of us, the statement read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through the weekend, we showed up with smiles because that is who were are. We served our guests with love because that is what we know. But behind those smiles, we were carrying something heavy, it continued. We will be back soon. But for now, we are holding our people close and leaning into the love you have so generously given. Outrage and solidarity after ICE raid shakes South Park restaurant The statement noted the closure will remain in place through at least Tuesday. They are expected to resume normal operations on Wednesday. The chaotic incident began unfolding as the restaurant was preparing to open on Friday. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrived outside the restaurant around 4 p.m. to carry out a warrant, the specifics of which remain unknown at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than a dozen workers, including its general manager, Renato Ametrano, were detained by armed, masked agents in tactical gear. Most were later released, but at least two were taken into ICE custody. According to Ametrano, all of Buona Forchettas staff have proper documentation to live and work in the U.S. The operation brought other members of the community out to the restaurant, some of whom surrounded ICEs vehicles and attempted to block them from leaving the area. Flash bangs were used at points to try and disperse the crowd. ICE officials have not released any additional information about the raid, but said their investigation remains ongoing. South Park community members gather outside Buona Forchetta as DHS officials raid the restaurant on May 30, 2025. (FOX 5/KUSI) Nonetheless, the dramatic incident, which was shared widely on social media, drew swift condemnation from local leaders and residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria described being deeply upset by the operation in a statement Saturday and said he raised a number of concerns regarding how it unfolded with Homeland Security Investigations leaders that morning. Federal actions like these are billed as a public safety measure, but it had the complete opposite effect, the statement read. What we saw undermines trust and creates fear in our community. San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera issued a similar rebuke of the incident, bluntly calling it state-sponsored terrorism in a post on Instagram. This isnt a war zone its a neighborhood in our city, he said. These are federal agents carrying out raids under the false pretense of safety.' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trumps Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller responded to Elo-Riveras words in a separate post on X, formerly Twitter, tossing back the admonishment. We are living in the age of leftwing domestic terrorism, he said. They are openly encouraging violence against law enforcement to aid and abet the invasion of America. Several mayors in San Diego County challenge sanctuary city designations Prior to the raid, Miller, alongside Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, demanded in a meeting that immigration agents ramp up arrests to 3,000 per day, roughly triple the number of daily arrests made in the first months of Trumps second term, as Axios reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DHS officials also flagged San Diego as a sanctuary city alongside more than 500 other jurisdictions it pledged to scrutinize for alleged obstruction of the enforcement of immigration laws something local leaders dispute. As for Buona Forchetta, the restaurants owners said Saturday they are working with their attorneys to locate their detained employees and support their families. A collective of South Park businesses is also fundraising to help support those detained, providing aid for legal fees, lost wages and their families living expenses. As of Monday, more than $71,000 has been collected, surpassing the fundraisers goal of $60,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. (SOUTHERN COLORADO) FOX21 News is teaming up with the Colorado Business Forum and Digest to bring you the latest and most relevant business news impacting life in Southern Colorado. Dirk Hobbs, Founder and Executive Publisher with the Colorado Media Group, joined FOX21 News Anchors Abbie Burke and Craig Coffey to discuss all the local resources and support for small businesses, entrepreneurs and veteran-owned businesses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. Seeking a pardon from President Donald Trump has become big business for lobbying and consulting firms close to the administration, with wealthy hopefuls willing to spend millions. Two people directly familiar with proposals to lobbying firms said they knew of a clients offer of $5 million to help get a case in front of Trump. And while such high numbers do not seem to be standard, they speak to a burgeoning pardon economy. Many clemency recipients have been people with the means to elevate their case allies, donors, celebrities and former politicians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his second term, Trump is looking and sounding insulated even from the voters who put him back in the White House, and risks looking oblivious to peoples day-to-day concerns. He needs to talk to more regular people and listen to them, said one Trump voter in Ohio. He needs to be talking to people who arent just his inner circle. Advocates for Israeli hostages in Gaza injured in Colorado attack Multiple people were injured Sunday afternoon when an attacker used an incendiary device on demonstrators in Colorado who were marching to buoy awareness of hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza. Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said a suspect was in custody and had suffered minor injuries that required hospitalization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FBI Director Kash Patel called the incident a targeted terror attack on X. The group Run for Their Lives Boulder has been holding the demonstrations fairly regularly, sometimes weekly, since Thanksgiving 2023, following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, the group has said. Ukraine claims massive drone strike Ukraine claims to have struck dozens of Russian bombers deep inside Russian territory, in what would be one of the largest and most audacious attacks on Russian territory in the yearslong conflict. A source within the Security Service of Ukraine told NBC News that the country targeted 41 strategic Russian aircraft in an offensive operation code-named Spiderweb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The remarkable attack was in the works for over a year and a half, the source said. The attack followed a night of bombardment, with Russia launching 472 drones, Ukraines air force said. Earlier Sunday, Ukraines army said a Russian missile strike on an army training unit killed at least 12 Ukrainian service members and injured 60. The latest escalation comes just a day before Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to meet for a second round of direct talks in Istanbul. Veterans upset over VA handling of $1B in overpayments In 2019, Christopher Praino signed a waiver relinquishing his disability compensation from the VA after he was ordered to active duty, because, by law, he could not receive both VA benefits and active-duty pay at the same time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But despite confirming his waiver in a letter, the agency did not fully halt the payments. Instead, it sent various monthly amounts over the next three years, ranging from $0 to over $2,000, Prainos records show. In 2023, the VA said he owed nearly $68,000 and started automatically clawing money out of his military paychecks. In a recent congressional oversight hearing, agency officials partially blamed veterans for exorbitant errors, saying theyve been failing to report eligibility changes. But Praino isnt the only veteran who told NBC News they notified the VA in a timely manner. The long-delayed adjustments may indicate another operational shortfall at the VA. Agency press secretary Peter Kasperowicz said the agency, under new leadership, is working hard to fix longstanding problems, such as billions of dollars per year in overpayments. 'Meet the Press' Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., spoke to NBC News Meet the Press about the Trump administrations One Big Beautiful Bill package that passed along party lines in the House last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson defended cuts to Medicaid in the budget bill, telling Kristen Welker, 4.8 million people will not lose their Medicaid unless they choose to do so. The speaker said hes not buying the argument that the requirements, which would require able-bodied Medicaid recipients to work, participate in job training programs or volunteer for 80 hours a month, are too cumbersome. The bill now heads to the Senate, where some Republicans have voiced concerns about the Medicaid impact. Politics in brief Hailey Bieber has inked a billion-dollar deal. For Justin, things are going less well. Justin and Hailey Bieber at the Grammy Awards in Las Vegas in 2022. (Brian Friedman / Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images file) Hailey Bieber has had a career-making month after securing a billion-dollar deal to sell her beauty empire and landing a Vogue cover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The milestones have renewed the publics obsessive interest in her husband, Justin Bieber, whose erratic behavior and sometimes jaw-dropping online activity have long fueled rumors about his declining health and marriage. Whats going on right now with Justin Bieber is not a full-blown crisis, but the early-warning system lights are definitely flashing, said Evan Nierman, founder and CEO of a global PR firm that handles reputation management. The contrast between them now is glaring and jarring, and thats why there is so much public discussion about him. Nabeela Aysen, a New York-based crisis communications expert, noted a slapdash Instagram post from Justin congratulating his wife. As someone who works in crisis communications, I wouldve loved for his team to review that post before he hit publish, she said. Notable quote Well, we are all going to die. SEN. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, at a town hall in her home state When pressed about cuts to Medicaid in the Houses budget bill, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, pushed back after a town hall attendee said the cuts would lead to deaths. In case you missed it This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A 59-year-old man was killed while on a safari excursion in Namibia last Friday. The local media later identified him as Bernd Kebbel. Kebbel, a well-known businessman, was camping in the Sesfontein area with his wife and friends before he was tragically killed by a lioness. A Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism spokesperson said Kebbel stepped out of his tent to use the toilet when he was attacked by the animal. Members of Kebbel's camping group were able to chase the animal away, but he was already dead by then. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ministry of Environment and Tourism announced that the lioness who killed Kebbel was put down because it posed an "ongoing threat to both community members and tourists." A full report from the authorities will be submitted "in due course." Kebbel, who once owned a company that sold accessories for safari vehicles, was an advocate for wildlife conservation. According to the Namibian, he was also known in desert lion researcher circles. This is the second time in the past six weeks that a deadly lion attack has taken place in Africa. In April, a 14-year-old girl was killed outside Kenya's capital Nairobi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "KWS rangers and response teams were swiftly mobilized and traced bloodstains leading to the Mbagathi River, where the girl's body was recovered with injuries on the lower back," the Kenya Wildlife Service said. "KWS conveys its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and continues to work closely with local law enforcement and communities to enhance the safety of people living near protected wildlife areas." Businessman Dies Horrifying Death While on Safari in Africa first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 2, 2025 PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Butler Hospital workers on strike are demanding the CEO of Care New England (CNE) to immediately settle a fair contract. Hundreds of members of the New England Health Care Employees Union (SEIU 1199NE) and their supporters marched to CNE headquarters Monday at noon, urging CEO Dr. Michael Wagner to return to the bargaining table. Workers rally outside Care New England HQ June 2, 2025 Workers rally outside Care New England HQ June 2, 2025 This follows last Thursdays negotiating session, where workers presented a new set of contract proposals after meeting with a federal mediator for 11 hours, hoping to reach a deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, no progress was made and SEIU 1199NE claimed the hospital managements latest offer provided lower wages, higher health care costs, less on retirement and no movement on our workplace violence committee. MORE: Mediated talks between Butler Hospital, striking staffers stall again According to SEIU 1199NE, Butler Hospital told the workers it would not respond until sometime this week, despite the fact that the union members insurance benefits expired over the weekend. Nearly 800 workers began contract conversations with Butler and CNE in March, seeking competitive wages, paid training, stronger job safety protections, and improved benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For weeks, frontline staff have picketed, urging the hospital to address workplace violence they say is fueled by short staffing. The strike officially began the morning of May 15, when hundreds of workers participated in a walkout. Since then, Butler Hospital has spent more than $2 million on temporary staff, which officials said is straining the hospitals budget and impacting what they can offer in future proposals. In response to Mondays events, Care New England told 12 News that Butler Hospital remains fully fully committed to providing safe, high-quality care to every patient amid the strike. We want to assure our patients and community that experienced, licensed temporary staff are on-site and delivering compassionate and competent care, a CNE spokesperson wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spokesperson said hospital leadership and clinical teams are actively monitoring staffing levels to ensure safety, responsiveness standards are upheld. They said the Rhode Island Department of Health has investigated complaints filed against the hospital, which have not turned up patient care or safety issues. RIDOH has also reportedly been actively engaged with Butler since the strike began. A liaison from RIDOH is embedded in our incident command center and participates in all daily huddles and briefings, ensuring constant awareness and open communication. Furthermore, Butler Hospital leadership and incident command meet daily with representatives from RIDOH and the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH) to provide comprehensive updates on hospital operations, including patient census, admissions, discharges, incidents, and overall facility performance, the statement concluded. RELATED: Butler Hospital accuses workers on strike of harassing patients 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. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. After decades of suspicion, police in San Jose have confirmed that the killer of a high school teacher in San Jose was a student who was seen with a knife that had the words "Teacher Dear" written on its side. On June 16, 1978, one day after Branham High School recessed for summer, a student found Diane Peterson lying on the floor of the hallway near her classroom with a single stab wound to her chest, according to the Santa Clara County district attorney's office. Peterson was said to be one of several teachers on campus cleaning out their classrooms for the summer break when she was killed, according to the news release. Image of Diane Peterson. Photo courtesy of the Peterson family. (County of Santa Clara) For years, authorities had considered Harry "Nicky" Nickerson, at the time a 16-year-old student at the school, as a person of interest in the case, Santa Clara County prosecutors said in a media statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the tips and leads they received led nowhere, and so the case remained unsolved for 47 years. Until earlier this year, when police say a relative disclosed that Nickerson admitted to stabbing the teacher just minutes after it happened, prosecutors said. This marks the end of a terrible and tragic mystery," Santa Clara County Dist. Atty. Jeff Rosen said in a statement. "Ms. Peterson would have been a senior citizen today if she had not crossed paths with this violent teenager. I wish she was." Nickerson became a person of interest in the case just days after Peterson was killed, when he was arrested in an unrelated crime and detectives noticed his booking photo bore a striking resemblance to a police sketch of the teacher's killer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sketch came from a student witness who said they heard Peterson yell for help and saw the killer flee. The same student, however, later disclaimed his statement, according to authorities. Read more: Man charged in cold case murder, sexual assaults could have more victims, police say Police had also been told by a witness that they had seen Nickerson carrying a knife that had "Teacher Dear" written on the side. But under questioning, Nickerson denied having a knife at all, and authorities were unable to corroborate the claim. Years later, prosecutors noted the retracted statement by the fellow student, as well as another person who said Nickerson confessed to killing Peterson when she confronted him about drug dealing, but neither story was corroborated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the years, authorities say, Nickerson built up a rap sheet that included convictions for kidnapping, armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. He was shot and critically injured during an attempted drug robbery in 1984 and committed suicide in 1993. "Nearly five decades have passed since a young teachers life was tragically taken," San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph said. "While the suspect will never stand trial or face the consequences for his actions, we hope this resolution brings a measure of peace to the victims loved ones and to a community that has carried this loss for far too long." 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. Several California bills could lead to significant reforms of the states environmental review law, with the goal of addressing the states ongoing housing crisis. One of the bills, Assembly Bill 609, authored by Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), would establish a CEQA exemption for most urban housing developments. The bill is part of the Fast Track Housing Package, a collection of 20 bills that aim to expedite the approval of housing projects. The California Environmental Quality Act, enacted in 1970, requires public agencies in California to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects and avoid those impacts, if possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, many argue that the law has been weaponized to block new housing projects and development. CEQA can be an expensive and lengthy process, especially for large or complicated projects. This is true even if there is no litigation. Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report under CEQA can take a year or longer and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, or even, in some cases, more than $1 million, a 2024 report from the bipartisan Little Hoover Commission said. Liftoff! Big Bear bald eagle chick takes to the sky The Los Angeles Times also pointed out that when CEQA threatened to stop enrollment at UC Berkeley, prevented the Sacramento Kings from building their new stadium, or prevented renovations of the state Capitol, lawmakers stepped in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the various exemptions, critics have nicknamed the law Swiss cheese CEQA. Right now, it takes far too long to build the housing Californians need and thats a failure of government, Assemblymember Wicks said in a statement. The Fast Track Housing package is about making our systems work better: clearer rules, faster timelines, and fewer bureaucratic hoops. Its not about cutting corners its about being honest that what were doing isnt working. Gov. Gavin Newsom has also announced his support for reforms to CEQA. Still, not everyone is in favor of the proposed changes to the environmental law. Dozens of environmental and labor groups, such as the California Preservation Foundation and Livable California, are opposed to the proposed changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Improving Californias housing crisis has been a priority for Newsom since taking office. In 2018, Newsom, in a Medium post, wrote, As Governor, I will lead the effort to develop the 3.5 million new housing units we need by 2025 because our solutions must be as bold as the problem is. Newsom has since revised that goal, setting a new benchmark for cities to plan for 2.5 million homes by 2030. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Republican-controlled Congress may have all but abandoned its oversight authority when it comes to the executive branch, but state officials are picking up the slack and opening inquiries into potential scandals out of the Trump administration. The latest example comes out of California, where the state Senate is looking into Paramounts reported settlement offer to Donald Trump over his lawsuit alleging mental anguish due to the editing of a 60 Minutes interview on CBS News with then-Vice President Kamala Harris during last years presidential election. Semafor was first to report on a letter from California Democrats asking former CBS News executives about a recent Wall Street Journal report that Paramount, CBS News parent company, had offered Trump a multimillion-dollar settlement that the president apparently didnt think was generous enough. In the letter sent May 30, state Sens. Thomas Umberg, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Josh Becker, who chairs the Energy, Utilities & Communications Committee, write that the reported offer which comes as Paramount seeks the administrations approval for a merger raises questions about potential bribery. (Trump has also called for CBS to lose its broadcast license.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Paramount is entertaining settlement primarily to secure favorable regulatory treatment, this raises deeply troubling implications not just for journalism, but for the rule of law and the integrity of corporate governance, they wrote. The letter goes on to reference the potential threat to press freedoms if Paramount gives in to Trump via a potential settlement (rumors of which have already angered and alienated many CBS employees): Such a settlement would signal that politically motivated lawsuits can succeed when paired with regulatory threats. It would damage public trust in CBS News and other California-based outlets, diminishing the states stature as a national leader in ethical journalism. Paramounts capitulation would also undermine two essential pillars of a liberal democracy: a free press and an impartial, rule-of-law regulatory system. The letter, addressed to former 60 Minutes Executive Producer Bill Owens and former CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon, invites them to testify voluntarily at a joint hearing about internal objections to a potential settlement, whether editorial decisions were impacted by the potential settlement, whether internal counsel or other executives advised that the lawsuit was weak, and whether anyone advised that settling with Trump would help Paramount get approval for its proposed merger. Paramount didnt respond to MSNBCs request for comment on the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State officials elsewhere also arent waiting for Congress to get its act together when it comes to scrutinizing the Trump administration. New York Attorney General Letitia James took a tack similar to California earlier this year, when she launched a probe into potential insider trading related to Trumps haphazard tariff policy. Indeed, these are the types of scandals that Americans might reasonably expect their U.S. representatives and senators in Washington, D.C., to address. But in their absence, state leaders apparently must fill the void. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Switzerland triples non-oil imports from Azerbaijan in 4M2025 Azerbaijans non-oil exports to Switzerland surged to over $100 million in the first four months of the year, tripling compared to last year. Overall, Azerbaijans foreign trade reached nearly $17 billion, driven by significant increases in both exports and imports. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register One of the most striking patterns in the aftermath of many urban fires is how much unburned green vegetation remains amid the wreckage of burned neighborhoods. In some cases, a row of shrubs may be all that separates a surviving house from one that burned just a few feet away. As scientists who study how vegetation ignites and burns, we recognize that well-maintained plants and trees can actually help protect homes from wind-blown embers and slow the spread of fire in some cases. So, we are concerned about new wildfire protection regulations being developed by the state of California that would prohibit almost all plants and other combustible material within 5 feet of homes, an area known as Zone 0. CC BY Photos before and after the 2025 Palisades Fire show thick green vegetation between two closely spaced homes. The arrow shows the direction of the fires spread. Max Moritz; CAL FIRE Damage Inspection photos Wildfire safety guidelines have long encouraged homeowners to avoid having flammable materials next to their homes. But the states plan for an ember-resistant zone, being expedited under an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom, goes further by also prohibiting grass, shrubs and many trees in that area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If that prohibition remains in the final regulation, its likely to be met with public resistance. Getting these rules right also matters beyond California, because regulations that originate in California often ripple outward to other fire-prone regions. Lessons from the devastation Research into how vegetation can reduce fire risk is a relatively new area of study. However, the findings from plant flammability studies and examination of patterns of where vegetation and homes survive large urban fires highlight its importance. When surviving plants do appear scorched after these fires, it is often on the side of the plant facing a nearby structure that burned. That suggests that wind-blown embers ignited houses first: The houses were then the fuel as the fire spread through the neighborhood. We saw this repeatedly in the Los Angeles area after wildfires destroyed thousands of homes in January 2025. The pattern suggests a need to focus on the many factors that can influence home losses. Shrubs in Zone 0 of a home did not ignite during the Eaton Fire, despite the home burning. Max Moritz Several guides are available that explain steps homeowners can take to help protect houses, particularly from wind-blown embers, known as home hardening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, installing rain gutter covers to keep dead leaves from accumulating, avoiding flammable siding and ensuring that vents have screens to prevent embers from getting into the attic or crawl space can lower the risk of the home catching fire. However, guidance related to landscaping plants varies greatly and can even be incorrect. For example, some fire-safe plant lists contain species that are drought tolerant but not necessarily fire resistant. What matters more for keeping plants from becoming fuel for fires is how well theyre maintained and whether theyre properly watered. How a plant bursts into flames When living plant material is heated by a nearby energy source, such as a fire, the moisture inside it must be driven off before it can ignite. That evaporation cools the surrounding area and lowers the plants flammability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In many cases, high moisture can actually keep a plant from igniting. Weve seen this in some of our experimental work and in other studies that test the flammability of ornamental landscaping. With enough heat, dried leaves and stems can break down and volatilize into gases. And, at that point, a nearby spark or flame can ignite these gases and set the plant on fire. Plant flammability testing shows how quickly twigs, grasses, plants and leaves will burn at different moisture levels. The images on the right are from an experiment at the University of Californias South Coast Research and Extension Center to test flammability of a living but overly dry plant. Max Moritz (left); Luca Carmignani (right) Even when the plant does burn, however, its moisture content can limit other aspects of flammability, such as how hot it burns. Up to the point that they actually burn, green, well-maintained plants can slow the spread of a fire by serving as heat sinks, absorbing energy and even blocking embers. This apparent protective role has been observed in both Australia and California studies of home losses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How often vegetation buffers homes from igniting during urban conflagrations is still unclear, but this capability has implications for regulations. Californias Zone 0 regulations The Zone 0 regulations Californias State Board of Forestry is developing are part of broader efforts to reduce fire risk around homes and communities. They would apply in regions considered at high risk of wildfires or defended by CAL FIRE, the states firefighting agency. Many of the latest Zone 0 recommendations, such as prohibiting mulch and attached fences made of materials that can burn, stem from large-scale tests conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. These features can be systematically analyzed. But vegetation is far harder to model. The states proposed Zone 0 regulations oversimplify complex conditions in real neighborhoods and go beyond what is currently known from scientific research regarding plant flammability. Green lawns, trees and shrubs were still visible after the Eaton Fire burned homes in Altadena, Calif., in January 2025. Mario Tama/Getty Images A mature, well-pruned shrub or tree with a high crown may pose little risk of burning and can even reduce exposure to fires by blocking wind and heat and intercepting embers. Aspen trees, for example, have been recommended to reduce fire risk near structures or other high-value assets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In contrast, dry, unmanaged plants under windows or near fences may ignite rapidly and make it more likely that the house itself will catch fire. As California and other states develop new wildfire regulations, they need to recognize the protective role that well-managed plants can play, along with many other benefits of urban vegetation. We believe the California proposals current emphasis on highly prescriptive vegetation removal, instead of on maintenance, is overly simplistic. Without complementary requirements for hardening the homes themselves, widespread clearing of landscaping immediately around homes could do little to reduce risk and have unintended consequences. 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: Max Moritz, University of California, Santa Barbara and Luca Carmignani, San Diego State University Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Max Moritz has nothing to disclose. Luca Carmignani has nothing to disclose. PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) Cambodia said it plans to seek a ruling from the U.N.s International Court of Justice over border disputes with Thailand, one of which triggered a fatal military clash last week. Cambodias National Assembly, where Prime Minister Hun Manets ruling Cambodian Peoples Party holds all but a handful of seats, voted on Monday to support the governments decision. In 1962, the ICJ awarded to Cambodia the disputed territory on which a historic temple is located, rankled Thailand and to this day remains a major irritant in bilateral relations. The ICJ reaffirmed its ruling in 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking on Monday at a meeting of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said Cambodia has the right to file a case with the court, but that would not affect talks between the two countries under existing mechanisms He said Thai officials will meet later this week to issue a clear stance on the matter. Thailands Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who is also defense minister, said in a post on Facebook that both countries are working to resolve the crisis by avoiding further confrontations and violence. Id like to assure that we will avoid escalation of the conflict that would only result in losses for both sides in every aspect, he wrote. A border dispute near Morokot village, in Cambodia's northwestern province of Preah Vihear, on May 28 left one Cambodian soldier dead. It began when Cambodian troops were conducting a routine patrol along the border when the Thai side opened fire, according to Cambodian officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Thai army says that Cambodian soldiers entered a disputed patch of land and opened fire when Thai soldiers approached them to negotiate. Hun Manet in social media posts on Sunday declared that his government will ask the court to rule on the demarcation of several disputed areas, including where the centuries-old Hindu-style Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch and Ta Kro Bei temples are located. In February, Cambodian troops and their family members entered the Ta Moan Thom temple in disputed territory and sang the Cambodian national anthem, leading to a brief argument with Thai forces. Following last week's incident, both sides called for calm and talks to ease their differences, while reserving the right to use military action to safeguard their sovereignty. On May 29, the two countries' army commanders met to discuss how to avoid more clashes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Hun Manet called for the two countries to have their Joint Border Commission continue the work of border demarcation, as well as having the ICJ take up the issue. He said his government would take the cases of the other disputed areas to the ICJ to determine ownership even if Thailand did not join in the appeal, in order to end this problem and extinguish it once and for all so that there is no further confusion. In particular, lets not fall for the incitement of a handful of extremist groups in Cambodia and Thailand, and lets not fall into the problem of confrontation by armed forces of the two countries, he said. Hun Manets intention to appeal to The Hague-based court may touch a raw nerve in Thailand, because the 1962 ruling awarding the major Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia is a touchstone issue for Thai nationalists. and wielded in domestic politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinatwatras government was attacked on nationalist grounds for proposing to resume talks with Cambodia on demarcation of maritime territory believed to hold profitable hydrocarbon resources. In 2008, there were several deadly clashes between Cambodia and Thai forces at the Preah Vihear promontory, an area on which sits a 1,000-year-old temple that was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that same year. - Associated Press writer Jintamas Saksornchai in Bangkok contributed to this report. With more than a hundred wildfires burning in Canada, the smoke is bringing potentially dangerous air quality conditions to parts of the northern United States. As of Monday, there are 181 active wildfires burning in Canada, with 92 of these considered to be "out of control," meaning fires that are being observed and assessed, but not immediately suppressed, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Nasuna Stuart-Ulin/The Canadian Press via AP - PHOTO: Wildfire smoke hangs in the air above Highway 97 north of Buckinghorse River, British Columbia, May 30, 2025. The smoke from these flames has been moving through the Upper Midwest over the weekend in rounds, with the next coming through on Monday and Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The air quality index forecast on Monday shows conditions labeled as unhealthy for sensitive groups -- the third level out of six -- for a large portion of Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as unhealthy -- the fourth level out of six -- in a small area of Wisconsin from Waukegan to Sheboygan, including Milwaukee. The heavy smoke will begin to appear over northwestern Minnesota on Monday morning and will continue to move through the north and central parts of the state throughout the day. Air quality alerts are in place for the state on Monday, creating hazy conditions that could be unhealthy for sensitive groups. On Tuesday, the smoke will travel to eastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, also potentially appearing over Minneapolis and Omaha, Nebraska. But an incoming cold front bringing thunderstorms and strong winds could disperse the smoke and make it difficult to predict where it will appear. ABC News - PHOTO: ABC News ABC News - PHOTO: ABC News As of Monday, the areas of Canada with the most fires include British Columbia with 69 and Alberta with 49. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba declared state of emergencies due to the fires, with around 17,000 residents already evacuated, according to The Associated Press. The combination of dry conditions and "little-to-no precipitation" will continue to feed the flames and make it difficult for officials to manage the fires, Saskatchewan Public Safety said on Sunday. RCMP/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: An RCMP police car is parked near a wildfire burning in Manitoba, Canada, May 29, 2025. Aircraft and dozens of personnel from other Canadian provinces and the United States -- including Arizona, Oregon and Alaska -- are being sent to help fight the wildfires, according to Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. Nasuna Stuart-Ulin/The Canadian Press via AP - PHOTO: A tourist takes his dogs out for a quick break under billowing wildfire smoke off Highway 97 north of Buckinghorse River, British Columbia, May 30, 2025. "We are truly grateful, and we stand stronger because of you," Moe said Sunday on X. Moe said last week there has been a "significant lack of moisture" in the northern parts of the province, causing "over 200 wildfires" in Saskatchewan this spring. (This story was updated to add new information.) A filmy haze draped over South Florida as the week began and National Weather Service meteorologists braced the region for days of rain that could total more than 6 inches through June 4. Whether the murk was smoke from Canadian wildfires wafting south, Saharan dust, a steamy mix of tropical water vapor and heat, or a combination of all of the above, was up for some debate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ana Torres-Vazques, a meteorologist with the NWS in Miami, analyzed what was happening in the atmosphere on June 2 when visibilities at the Boca Raton Airport were down to 2 miles. She said even a wildfire in Monroe County could have contributed to the morning miasma. Did Canadian wildfire smoke make it to Florida? Could it be the Canadian fires?, she said in a discussion on an NWS website. Direct, definitive attribution is tricky. But she surmised the most likely cause was a thin layer of Saharan dust and light southwesterly breezes blowing in smoke from the so-called Sandy wildfire in Monroe. Smoke from wildfires in Canada can be seen on visible satellite imagery reaching deep into southeast U.S. on June 2, 2025. And while Saharan dust is known to dry out the atmosphere, diminishing rainfall and thunderstorms, its not expected to squash heavy rainfall through June 4 that is forecast to bring nearly 4 inches of rain to coastal Palm Beach County and up to 6.5 inches in southern Miami-Dade County. Heavy rainfall for South Florida expected through Wednesday Most of the rain is expected to fall by June 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weather Prediction Center meteorologist Tony Fracasso blamed a stubborn front draped over Central and South Florida for the potentially heavy rainfall. More: Hurricane season 2025: New forecast calls for above normal season but questions remain There is pretty much always a lot of moisture around Florida, so the front acts as a mechanism to focus that rainfall, Fracasso said. May ended almost normal for rainfall in West Palm Beach with 4.3 inches as measured at Palm Beach International Airport, but the area is down 8.6 inches for the year. Most of Palm Beach is considered in severe to extreme drought by the U.S. Drought Monitor. South Florida can expect 6 inches of rain or more in some areas through Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Is there a tropical storm or hurricane forming early this hurricane season? Meteorologists are also watching the tropics as hurricane season began June 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Lowry, a hurricane expert with South Florida ABC-TV affiliate WPLG-Channel 10, said the Atlantic is closed for business for the next week to week and a half, with harsh upper-level winds and Saharan dust squashing potential tropical development. Still, the National Hurricane Center is pointing to an area near the coasts of North Florida through South Carolina as having a 10% chance of spinning up something tropical or subtropical over the next seven days. The center says an area of low pressure is forecast to form near or off the coast and that if it stays over water it may try to become Andrea the first name on the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season list. The National Hurricane Center is giving an area off the southeast U.S. a 10% chance of becoming something tropical or subtropical over the next seven days as of June. 2, 2025. Chances for tropical development throughout the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, renamed by the U.S. government as Gulf of America, increase closer to the middle of the month as the Madden Julian Oscillation, or MJO, crosses the Atlantic, Lowry said in his Eye on the Tropics column. The MJO is a traveling pulse of storms that can incite tropical cyclones. We should see a configuration thatll favor storminess around Central America by late next week into the weekend of June 14, Lowry said. Stay aware, stay informed, and be ready for your one, should this year be the one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kimberly Miller is a journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate, weather, and the environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. Help support our local journalism, subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Canadian wildfire smoke and Saharan dust suspected in South Florida haze CHICAGO Its a club very few of us would ever want to be a part of and one by which so many are affected by in one way or another. Along the lakefront at Grant Park, a walk to celebrate cancer survivors and raise money for research was held on Sunday, which marked National Cancer Survivors Day. Im a survivor, prostate cancer, Jesus Flores said. His mom, Nancy Howarter, had been given a grim diagnosis multiple times. She is still here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive survived pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer. Ive been living with cancer for 40 years. My son is a prostate cancer survivor, Howarter said. Im happy to be here. There are stories that touch nearly everyone today. WGNs Mike Lowe was among the attendees. Nobody wants to be here in these purple shirts, Lowe said. When you walk this path together, its so much easier than when youre walking it alone. To be with all of these great people here today, not only in the purple shirts, but the gray shirts as well. Those are family members are friends and supporters who has helped us along the path. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through walks and runs just like Sundays is where money is raised money that has changed many aspects of how we fight cancer and the survival rates that come with those advances in science. Its very clear that the cancer mortality rates are decreasing sharply. Thats due to better diagnosis, better treatments, in all different areas, but its not good enough, Erik Von Borcke, President of AbbVie Oncology, said. Folks attended the walk to support the Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern Hospital and one another. In hopes of not only changing the survival rates but ending cancer. We understand we have new technology and bringing them all together that they are at the right time, the right place, so that the patients that have the disease, they can be treated immediately, Von Borcke said. Thats what were celebrating with those walks and runs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Health Brigade executive director Karen Legato speaks at a town hall on May 29, 2025 to discuss state and federal funding cuts to Virginia's network of free clinics. Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods / Virginia Mercury Amid federal and state funding cuts, freezes and delayed payments, the outlook is grim for free clinics in Virginia that have had to trim or halt some services, but there is hope, Health Brigade executive director Karen Legato said Thursday evening. Care is resistance, she reiterated during a speech outside of the clinics Thompson Street location in Richmond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having first opened in 1970 as the Fan Free Clinic, what is now known as Health Brigade was the first free clinic established in Virginia. It is one of about 70 free clinics currently in the state that provide care to uninsured or underinsured people. The Thursday gathering brought workers, volunteers, supporters and patients of several Richmond-area free clinics together for a town hall to express concerns and frustrations and to brainstorm ways to keep doors open and patients served. Before her calls to action, Legato shared that Health Brigade alone has lost $1.8 million in state and federal funding over the past year. Programs that have taken a hit include ones that offer HIV/AIDS treatment and testing for diseases like Hepatitis C and Tuberculosis, as well as a clean syringe program that also provides naloxone kits the medication that reverses opioid overdoses. We are witnessing the largest cut in the health care safety net thats ever been made, Legato said. In March, President Donald Trumps administration announced it was planning to pull back $11.4 billion in COVID-19-related funds for state and local public health departments. Virginias Department of Health had to prematurely end three such grants, resulting in a loss of $219 million and about 500 employees, according to a Freedom of Information Act request filed by The Mercury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the crowd was Del. Rodney Willett, D-Henrico, and a staff member representing Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield. Hashmi serves as the chair of the Senates Education and Health committee while Willett had carried a budget amendment hoping to boost funding for Virgnias free clinics that did not survive legislators negotiations. Both lawmakers have noted that theyre monitoring how federal actions are affecting Virginia. Willett said last week the state legislature could reconvene for a special session later this year particularly if Congress and Trump achieve the steep cuts in federal Medicaid funding GOP lawmakers are pursuing as part of a big, beautiful bill designed to shave trillions from the countrys budget. The measure has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives and will be debated in the U.S. Senate this summer. Federal fallout As federal funding and systems dwindle, states are left to decide how and whether to make up the difference. Read the latest > Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Thursdays town hall, some speakers recalled that Gov. Glenn Youngkin held back $900 million of Virginias budget surplus pending federal government actions, and posited that some of that funding could bolster Virginias free clinics or help support any federal Medicaid losses. Meanwhile about $1 billion is earmarked in the state budget for tax relief to Virginians resulting in $200 for individuals or $400 for joint filers. While that cash could be beneficial to families in the short term, Legato said that money could be better spent investing in public health. While were gutting this safety net, were worried about getting some chump change back to people in Virginia. I think its disgusting, Legato said. Her organization reached out to the Youngkin administration in recent weeks, she said, to nudge the state government about $300,000 in reimbursement payments it owes the clinic. She added that Health Brigade almost couldnt make payroll earlier in May. Some of the struggle we have had in the past year is when youre having grants from the state the safety net has to finance the state services until you get paid from the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Youngkin spokesman didnt respond to request for comment by press time. As Health Brigade handles several public health services, it fronts the cost for testing and treatment and then seeks repayment from the state. When we run out of cash because were waiting for the state to pay, we have to go to a line of credit to float us until those payments come in, she said What that means for us is that our line of credit bottoms out. So were at $500,000 on our line of credit right now. We cant get any more. Other speakers included representatives from neighboring clinics, like CrossOver, which has lost $935,000, and Daily Planet, which is facing $1.3 million in cuts from federal grants and state-administered payments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent days, Daily Planet learned that federal funding for its Every Womans Life cancer screening program has been frozen, Dr. Patricia Cook, a chief medical officer, said. The program is meant to help uninsured and underinsured people catch breast or reproductive organ cancers early on. Detecting and treating illnesses early is something that Dr. Jeffry Reihl, an emergency medicine doctor, said is paramount to avoiding costly ER overflows and poorer health outcomes. I feel that this is going to flood our emergency departments with more and more patients who are sicker because they havent gotten care as an outpatient they should have gotten, he said. Its just going to make an overburdened system even more overburdened. His argument echoes that of U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, who has recently cautioned her congressional colleagues against cutting Medicaid. Without preventative care within reach, people will likely flood emergency rooms when they need care, McClellan said at a press conference last month. As hospitals are federally-required to provide care, uninsured patients who cannot pay can become a shared financial burden on taxpayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These cuts are impacting multiple nonprofit health clinics, public health departments, hospitals and medical providers across the state, Legato said Thursday as she connected the dots between how state and federal funding helps local health care providers serve the public. We are now on the verge of the feds taking a chainsaw to Medicaid, which will exacerbate the crisis of access to primary care for low-income residents and vulnerable community members. To counter the current losses, Health Brigade plans to put the building it owns up for sale. It will lease space to operate from the future owner while it secures a new location down the line, she said. The organization also plans to host future town halls with other local health partners to discuss intersectional health issues like housing and homelessness, and to make calls to action for fundraising. Now is the time for courage, creativity and turning caring into action, Legato said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX "So many people have helped me along during the journey that now its just a matter of giving back to others." Steve Gaskell (Leah Romero/Source NM When Gladine Lindly was diagnosed with dementia in 2018, she and her husband Steve Gaskell decided to manage at home. But as Lindlys dementia progressed, Gaskell quickly realized he needed help taking care of her. Lindly was 70 in April 2018 when she was diagnosed with a dementia-related illness. At the time, she and Gaskell lived in Ruidoso, where they had lived since about 2006 after relocating from Houston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I could tell in Ruidoso that she was starting to repeat the same wordsShe was starting to ask the same questions, say the same things. But the real turning point was when I came home one evening after work and there was smoke in the house, Gaskell told Source NM. I walked in and there was a pan on the stove and there was nothing in it, but the burner was onand she had no clue. The couple moved to Las Cruces, where Lindly had better access to medical care. Gaskell said he asked his wife how she wanted to move forward with her diagnosis, and she said she wanted him to take care of her. She said, I want you to be my caregiver. She said, I dont want to go into a home or facility, Glaskell recalled. I proceeded to walk into the doors of Home Instead to apply for a job because I wanted to learn how to be a caregiver. Never done anything like that before. Gaskell started working with the Las Cruces healthcare service, which provides in-home care. He worked with several patients for two and a half years, until he decided he needed to be home with Lindly full-time. Those were the times where she wouldnt know who I was. Shed say that I needed to get out of the house, he said. You learn real early on not to take anything personally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaskell told Source that his prior work as a crisis intervention counselor, as well as his experiences with recovery and sobriety, gave him a foundation on which to build his knowledge. But he also quickly learned that he couldnt continue to care for Lindly alone. One of the first things that I figured out I had to do is I had to find a support system and I had to find it quick, because all the folks I knew were in Ruidoso, I didnt know anybody here, Gaskell said. The senior center was reallykind of our gateway, if you will, to building that support system. The couple started going to Munson Senior Center every day for lunch and events like dances, which the center hosts. They met people and connected with the staff, which Gaskell said benefited both him and Lindly. They were assigned a case manager through the senior center, who helped coordinate assistance for them. Assistance started with respite care, he said. A caregiver working with an agency the senior center contracts with would spend a couple of hours each week with Lindly so Gaskell could take care of his own medical appointments, go shopping, walk the dogs or just take a much needed nap. The caregivers would not only keep Lindly company and ensure her safety, but went above and beyond by doing light housework too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Lindly reached the point at which she couldnt be left alone at all, Gaskell said he paid out-of-pocket for more in-home caregivers to assist each day. What I found through the process was that as you go through it, you need more and more time away to rejuvenate, he said. Just the amount of support of people coming in that were just willing to sit with Galdine, willing to be there with her, wanting to be there with her. So I was very, very blessed. Lindlys dementia continued to progress and Gaskell explained that she went through periods of time when she didnt know who he was, to knowing him again. When Lindly couldnt remember who he was and threatened to call the police on the stranger in her home, Gaskell realized it would be proactive to alert the local police about their situation. Gaskell learned just how strong his support system was last May when he suffered a heart attack and had to stay in the hospital. Respite care for Lindly for several hours a week became 24/7 care while he recovered from an operation and continued when he returned home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As far as having your heart ripped out [while caregiving], it made sense thats the organ that failed, he said. According to a report published by the National Institutes of Health, over 6 million people live with Alzheimers Disease and Related Dementia in the U.S. and experts project the number to grow exponentially in the next 20 years. The New Mexico Caregivers Coalition reports that about 419,000 family caregivers in New Mexico provide unpaid care annually, an economic value estimated to be about $3.1 billion. By September 2024, Lindly started eating less and less, until she completely stopped eating and was placed on hospice care. By December, the hospice nurse told Gaskell it was time for family and friends to start saying their goodbyes. I remained with her in the bed the entire time, as did the pups, he said. And then her breathing slowed and she took a deep breath, and then there was a pause, and then she would exhale. And she did that three times and then that was it. And it was as peaceful as you can imagine. And that wasthis sounds crazy to say, but that was probably the easiest part of the whole process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lindly passed on Jan. 7, 2025 at the age of 77. Since then, Gaskell has turned his efforts to helping others in situations similar to what he experienced. He told Source that the caregiver support groups he was initially directed to were largely attended by women and, while he gleaned information from the sessions, he said he felt there should be a similar space for men to share their experiences. He started working with the Alzheimers Associations New Mexico chapter a couple of years ago and now facilitates a mens caregiver group at Munson Senior Center once a month. One of the first things that I always try to do at the persons first meeting is I always try to get him hooked up with as many different services as I can, he said. Going through the experience of seeing the person that you love most in the world just deteriorate in front of your eyes every single day, its painful. And so you have to have some sort of outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaskell said he continues to visit the Munson Center, tries to help other caregivers as much as he can and spreads the word about services available to people in his community. I cant see doing anything else because so many people have helped me. So many people have helped me along during the journey that now its just a matter of giving back to others, Gaskell said. This article was written with the support of a journalism fellowship from The Gerontological Society of America, The Journalists Network on Generations and The NIHCM Foundation. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WACO, Texas (FOX 44) Caritas of Waco is a local food pantry that has been combating local poverty and food insecurity since 1967. It started out just as a food pantry, a very small food pantry. Weve grown over the years to become one of the largest food pantries in McLennan County, and we offer all sorts of other services, said Ann Owen, Executive Director. Their services include a food pantry stocked with fresh produce, refrigerated items, and dry goods. The organization also offers enrollment assistance for state and federal programs. Emergency services are available to provide essential resources such as diapers, toiletries, feminine hygiene products, utility assistance, and more. Additional support includes intensive case management, specialized services for veterans, and a Resale store. In 2024 alone, Caritas served over 91,000 community neighbors in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to be able to continue to meet as many needs as we can in this community. We were sad in one way that were still needed, but in another way, were glad that were able to be here, Owen added. My favorite thing being here is just being able to help our community neighbors with the different programming resources that we do offer through our programs and just being able to be a one shop stop for them, said Janie Rogers Ramon. Ramon first discovered Caritas while volunteering with her church over ten years ago, and today she serves as the Director of Programs. After more than 50 years, Caritas of Waco remains committed to its mission meeting needs with compassion, and offering hope for a better tomorrow. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. This story contains mention of domestic violence. Abuse can be reported by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. A Carmel city official is on unpaid administrative leave after he was arrested on domestic violence charges in May, according to the city. Jeremy Kashman, Carmels chief infrastructure officer, is facing one count of domestic battery committed in the presence of a child less than 16 years old and one count of domestic battery on a person less than 14 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kashman, who was promoted to his role with the city last June, is accused of yelling at, bear hugging, punching and pulling the hair of a woman inside a Noblesville home on May 23, according to the probable cause affidavit for his arrest. He is also accused of pushing and grabbing a juvenile, causing a scratch on their cheek and a laceration on their ankle, according to the affidavit. Jeremy Kashman Indianapolis news: 'Hogsett must resign': Council Democrat calls on mayor to step down after investigation A pretrial conference in the case is set for July 15. Russell Cate, an attorney practicing out of Fishers, is representing Kashman and said his client is denying the allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is important to understand this case is in the early stages of the process, Cate said in a statement to IndyStar. There is information about this case which is not publicly available. I look forward to aggressively defending my clients case in court, which is the appropriate location for a determination of my clients innocence based upon all of the facts, not the media. I will vigorously defend against these charges and am confident my client will be exonerated. In his role with the city, Kashman has been responsible for overseeing the planning, development, maintenance and improvement of all city infrastructure, including engineering, utilities and street departments. This is deeply concerning, and our thoughts are with those affected, said Nick Weber, chief of staff in the mayors office. The city is treating this matter with the seriousness it deserves. The city moved immediately to place Jeremy on unpaid administrative leave pending the results of an internal inquiry. City operations are continuing without disruption. Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @Jake_Allen19. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Carmel city official facing domestic violence charges TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 2. Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, Davron Vakhabov, met with Ambassador of Belarus Aleksandr Ogorodnikov and discussed issues of strengthening trade and economic cooperation and business ties, Trend reports. One of the key topics was the organization of a business visit to Belarus by a delegation of Uzbek entrepreneurs representing industries such as furniture manufacturing, dairy production, and livestock farming. The parties also explored opportunities for joint projects in Uzbekistan, including the production of furniture and wooden houses based on Belarusian technology and raw materials. Special attention was given to localizing the production of baby food and developing this industry segment. Following the meeting, the sides expressed strong interest in implementing joint initiatives and intensifying business relations. They also agreed to collaboratively develop mechanisms for putting the discussed proposals into action. Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover with Belarus amounted to $446.7 million from January through August 2024, marking an 11.1 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023 ($402 million). OTTAWA (Reuters) -Prime Minister Mark Carney, seeking to reduce Canada's economic ties to the United States, on Monday met the heads of the 10 provinces as part of a push to slash the time needed to approve mining and energy projects. It can take a decade or more for a mine or a pipeline to get the green light and Carney says streamlining the process will boost GDP and help offset the damage done by U.S. tariffs. Carney says Ottawa will declare a certain number of projects to be in the national interest in an effort to get them built faster and has asked the provinces for a list of potential candidates. Approvals will be cut to two years, down from five. "We're in the process of redefining our relationship with the United States ... the coming weeks and months will be critical," Carney said at the start of the meeting in Saskatoon, in the western province of Saskatchewan. Progress though may be slow. The energy-producing province of Alberta is insisting that a pipeline carrying bitumen to the west coast be a priority, even though no company is currently proposing to build one, and the Pacific province of British Columbia opposes the idea. Several Indigenous groups - who have a major say over natural resource development on their lands - say they will oppose any attempt to trim the approval process if it infringes on their rights. (Reporting by David Ljunggren in Ottawa; Editing by Nia Williams) CARTHAGE, N.Y. (WWTI) Carthage Area Hospital (CAH), part of the North Star Health Alliance (NSHA), announces that Jennifer Putnam, RN, has received The DAISY Award for her outstanding patient care. Carthage Area Hospital Celebrates Jennifer Putnams DAISY Award (WWTI/ Carthage Area Hospital) CAH says her compassion during vulnerable moments showcases the essence of nursing. Putnams commitment reminds the hospital of the significant impact one nurse can have, and the hospital says they are proud to honor her within the North Star Health Alliance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My favorite person in the whole world was my grandmother. When she was near the end of her battle with cancer, a nurse would sing to her each daybringing her peace and taking away her fear, even if just for five minutes. I knew then that if someone could do that for another person, I wanted to be a part of it, Putnam shared, reflecting on what drew her to nursing. She said that moment cemented her calling and her first clinical rotation back at Carthage Hospital only deepened her love for patient care. Putnam is essential to the Carthage ER team, expertly guiding patients and families through critical moments with warmth and kindness. Her considerate support, unfailing generosity, and dedication to reducing pain and anxiety are prime examples of the exceptional care that The DAISY Award honors, says CAH. Jennifer Putnam, RN & David Ferris, MSHA, RN, FACHE, Chief Nursing Officer, Senior Vice President of Patient Care (WWTI/ Carthage Area Hospital) Jennifers compassion goes hand in hand with her clinical excellence. She has an uncanny ability to tune into what her patients need mostwhether thats a medical intervention or simply someone to listen. By openly sharing her own stories, she builds bridges of trust and eases her patients fears in their toughest moments. Her empathetic presence transforms the care experience, reminding everyone on our team of the profound impact kindness and genuine connection can have on healing. David Ferris, MSHA, RN, FACHE, Chief Nursing Officer, Senior Vice President of Patient Care The North Star Health Alliance and Carthage Area Hospital congratulated Putnam on this earned accolade. CAH praised her unwavering dedication to patient-centered care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com. WASHINGTON (AP) The sequence of events is familiar: A lower court judge blocks a part of President Donald Trumps agenda, an appellate panel refuses to put the order on hold while the case continues and the Justice Department turns to the Supreme Court. Trump administration lawyers have filed emergency appeals with the nation's highest court a little less than once a week on average since Trump began his second term. The court is not being asked to render a final decision but rather to set the rules of the road while the case makes it way through the courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The justices have issued orders in 11 cases so far, and the Trump administration has won more than it has lost. Among the administration's victories was an order allowing it to enforce the Republican president's ban of on transgender military service members. Among its losses was a prohibition on using an 18th century wartime law called the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans alleged to be gang members to a notorious prison in El Salvador. The most recent emergency filing arrived May 27. A judge rebuked the administration over deportations to South Sudan The Trump administration's latest appeal asks the high court to halt an order by U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy in Boston. The White House violated his earlier order, Murphy found, with a deportation flight bound for the African nation carrying people from other countries who had been convicted of crimes in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those immigrants must get a real chance to raise any fears that being sent there could put them in danger, Murphy wrote. Trump's top Supreme Court lawyer, Solicitor General D. John Sauer, asked for an immediate high court order that would allow the third-country deportations to resume. Murphy has stalled efforts to carry out deportations of migrants who cant be returned to their home countries, Sauer wrote. Finding countries willing to take them is a delicate diplomatic endeavor and the court requirements are a major setback, he said. Lawyers for the deported men have until Wednesday to respond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A watchdog group is trying to bring transparency to DOGE The Department of Government Efficiency, overseen by billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk until his departure on Friday, is resisting a lawsuit calling for it to publicly disclose information about its operations. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington argues in a lawsuit that DOGE, which has been central to Trumps push to remake the government, is a federal agency and must be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. CREW claims that DOGE wields shockingly broad power with no transparency about its actions. The administration says DOGE is just a presidential advisory body that is exempt from FOIA disclosures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper had found that its role is likely more than just advisory, especially in helping to shutter the U.S. Agency for International Development and cut billions of dollars in government contracts. The administration appealed Cooper's orders requiring documents be turned over and acting Administrator Amy Gleason to answer questions under oath. Last week, Chief Justice John Roberts agreed to temporarily pause the orders pending additional word from the Supreme Court. A judge blocked DOGE's access to Social Security systems over privacy concerns Social Security has personal data on nearly everyone in the country, including school records, bank details, salary information and medical and mental health records for disability recipients, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration says DOGE needs access to Social Security's systems as part of its mission to target waste in the federal government. But U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander in Maryland restricted the teams access to Social Security under federal privacy laws, saying DOGE's efforts at the agency amounted to a fishing expedition based on little more than suspicion of fraud. The judge is disrupting DOGE's work and interfering with decisions that belong to the executive branch, not courts, Sauer wrote in asking the high court to block Hollander's order in the suit filed by labor unions and retirees. The justices could act anytime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump wants to change citizenship rules in place for more than 125 years Several judges quickly blocked an executive order Trump signed his first day in office that would deny citizenship to children who are born to people who are in the country illegally or temporarily. The administration appealed three court orders that prohibit the changes from taking effect anywhere in the country. Earlier in May, the justices took the rare step of hearing arguments in an emergency appeal. It's unclear how the case will come out, but the court seemed intent on keeping the changes on hold while looking for a way to scale back nationwide court orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One possibility advanced by some justices was to find a different legal mechanism, perhaps a class action, to accomplish essentially the same thing as the nationwide injunctions blocking Trump's citizenship order. Nationwide injunctions have emerged as an important check on Trumps efforts to remake the government and a source of mounting frustration to the Republican president and his allies. Judges have issued 40 nationwide injunctions since Trump began his second term in January, Sauer told the court during the arguments. The court could act anytime, but almost certainly no later than early summer. ___ Follow the AP's coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court at https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) Catholic Charities is a local organization that helps food insecure individuals get the help they need. This summer, they are hosting a number of fundraising events to help with that cause, that they say they need now more than ever. A recent study by Feeding America shows that people in West Central Indiana are struggling. Jennifer Tames is the Assistant Agency Director for Catholic Charities. She said the results of the study show Vigo County has a problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vigo County ranks the fourth highest in the percentage of food insecure individuals across the state of Indiana and the third highest in the percentage of children who are food insecure, Tames said. To help this issue, Catholic Charities is holding two upcoming fundraisers. The first, the Quick Quack Trail Run. Its not a road race where people are looking to get their best time. Its a race that is going to be taking place at Griffin Bike Park on June 21st, Tames said. Were using the bike trails there that include things like a water bridge over a pond, moguls, hills, and just all sorts of fun parts of running a trail. Another event this summer is the Rubber Duck Regatta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jessica Murphy, Development Manager for Catholic Charities, said residents can adopt a duck for a chance at a cash prize. On the 4th of July, youll have an opportunity to win $10,000 through the Rubber Duck Regatta, Murphy said. Misco, our good friends, release upwards of 15,000 rubber ducks at Fairbanks Park. The winning duck is chosen at random. Both events will raise money for Catholic Charities to help food insecure individuals in the local community. We know that our community members step up every time we ask and we appreciate that because we cant provide the services of Catholic Charities without the community coming together to provide the funds for that, Tames said. This is a great way, not only to provide the funds, but also have fun yourself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To learn more information or be involved in the Quick Quack Trail Run, you can visit their website here. To learn more information or be involved in the Rubber Duck Regatta, you can visit their website 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 MyWabashValley.com. Authorities have announced the cause of death for a hiker found burned severely last weekend in a Georgia nature preserve, the Associated Press and local media outlet Atlanta News First (ANF) reported. Related: Officials Call Off Rescue Efforts After Devastating Nigerian Floods Stone Mountain Park Department of Public Safety spokesperson John Bankhead announced on May 31 that a burnt body had been discovered by another hiker on Stone Mountain at around 8:18 a.m. local time. Authorities arrived on the scene and found the body burned severely. They summarily located the victims wallet, which revealed the deceased to be a male in his 20s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following a brief investigation, authorities determined that the young man died by suicide. Investigators spoke with the mans parents, who reported finding a note outlining how and where he planned to commit suicide. This is the first time in my knowledge that something like this has happened, Bankhead told ANF, adding that responding officers found the body "burned severely." Finding a body on top of the mountainweve found bodiesbut nothing like this, its very unusual," he added. He added that the body was found in an area that visitors usually don't go to." "It's under some trees. It's not in a popular area for visitors," he explained. Related: Here Are All of the Deals Krispy Kreme Is Running in June Bankhead expressed a desire to speak with the 911 caller, who had not left their name or contact details. However, Bankhead added that the person who called 911 is not believed to have any previous knowledge of, or involvement in, the young mans suicide. "We are fortunate that the individual did spot the body. We'd like to talk to him if he would call park police," Bankhead said, calling the scenario a very odd situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7. Related: 'Hero' Wrestling Coach Dies Saving Son From Oklahoma Wildfires Cause of Death Revealed for Man Found Burned Severely in Popular Park first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 2, 2025 NEED TO KNOW Authorities have reportedly determined the cause of death for a man whose body was found "burned severely" on a mountain in Georgia on Saturday, May 31 Police said the man's death has been ruled a suicide This is the first time in my knowledge that something like this has happened, Stone Mountain Park Department of Public Safety spokesman John Bankhead told Atlanta News First Authorities have reportedly determined the cause of death for a man whose severely burned body was found in Georgia over the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, May 31, Stone Mountain Park Department of Public Safety spokesperson John Bankhead announced that a hiker had discovered the charred remains of a man on Stone Mountain, just outside of Atlanta, around 8:18 a.m. local time and called 911. In an update on Sunday, June 1, Stone Mountain Park police said that the mans death has been ruled a suicide, according to the Associated Press, NBC affiliate WXIA and Atlanta News First. Based on his driver's license, the man was described as White and in his late 20s. "Given the sensitivity and possible impact of reporting of suicides, Park police are not releasing the name of the deceased and ask that a link be provided to the Georgia Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988," authorities said, per WXIA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man reportedly left a note about his plans, helping confirm it was a suicide. This is the first time in my knowledge that something like this has happened, Bankhead, the police spokesperson, told Atlanta News First. Finding a body on top of the mountain weve found bodies ... but nothing like this, its very unusual," he added. The mans body was taken to the DeKalb County Medical Examiner's Office and his cause of death is being investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, according to AP. His remains were found in Stone Mountain Park, located roughly 20 miles from downtown Atlanta. The tourist destination features giant carvings of three Confederate leaders: Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man's body was spotted under rocks and an overhang, PEOPLE previously reported. "It's in an area that visitors usually don't go to," Bankhead previously said, per Atlanta News First. "You can see right behind me, it's under some trees. It's not in a popular area for visitors," he added. Atlanta News First/YouTube Police car at Stone Mountain Park Police car at Stone Mountain Park "We are fortunate that the individual [the 911 caller] did spot the body. We'd like to talk to him if he would call park police," Bankhead said, describing the incident as a very odd situation. Stone Mountain Park Police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment on Monday, June 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7. Read the original article on People NEED TO KNOW The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has recommended that all international travelers be vaccinated against measles amid an ongoing rise in cases of the virus The agency says those who aren't fully vaccinated should consider "postponing their trip," and those who are unsure of their immunity should get vaccinated before international travel The news comes after three cases of measles have been linked to an international flight that landed in Denver Following an outbreak of measles linked to an international flight that landed in Denver, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has recommended all international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency recommends that all travelers be fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks before departure and to consider postponing their trip if theyre unable to get the shots. A Turkish Airlines flight that arrived in Denver on May 13 has been linked to an outbreak of the wildly contagious disease, sickening three, including a child. Its part of an ongoing struggle with measles spreading via air travel: This year, there have been 62 cases of measles linked to international travel, CBS News quotes a CDC spokesperson as saying. Getty Stock image of someone with the measles rash. Stock image of someone with the measles rash. The CDC warns that most people who bring measles into the United States are unvaccinated U.S. residents who get infected during international travel. However, in its recent alert, the CDC warns about not just contracting the virus on a plane but throughout the entire trip, as travelers can catch measles in many travel settings including travel hubs like airports and train stations, on public transportation like airplanes and trains, at tourist attractions, and at large, crowded events. In March, there was exposure on an Amtrak train to Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency reiterates that the 2-dose measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travelers, starting with infants at 6 months of age. CDC recommends that all travelers be fully vaccinated against measles before traveling to any international destination, the agency reiterates, adding that those who are unsure of their immunity should get the vaccine as well. Getty Stock image of travelers waiting in a crowded airport line. Stock image of travelers waiting in a crowded airport line. 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 agency's warning comes amid a record rise in reports of measles exposures in the U.S. In May, someone attended a Shakira concert in New Jersey while infectious with measles. Kansas is struggling with a double outbreak of tuberculosis and measles. And the ongoing measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico has resulted in three deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Measles isn't just a little rash, the CDC says. It also can cause a high fever, cough, runny nose and may lead to pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain), which can cause hearing loss and cognitive disabilities. Multiple large-scale studies have found that vaccines are safe. There is no scientific link between vaccines and autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Read the original article on People SCRANTON, Pa. (WTAJ) A Centre County man was sentenced in federal court to serve 360 months, or 30 years, for creating child pornography and online enticement of a minor. Louis Bradley Wetzel, 41, of Howard, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann and will also have 10 years of supervised release when his prison sentence is finished. According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Wetzel was being investigated by the FBI when a trove of child pornography was found on his devices. A forensic search of the devices also found Wetzel chatting with a 12-year-old to make and send him the porn, as well as messages claiming he could offer children to other adults to have sex for money. 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. Chief Judge Brann also ordered Wetzel to pay $50,000 in restitution to the victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. One of the daughters of Charlotte City Councilwoman Tiawana Brown has asked a federal judge if she can take a trip to Jamaica after being indicted on fraud charges. She later withdrew the request after several media outlets reported on it. READ MORE: Charlotte councilmember wont take plea or resign amid federal fraud allegations Last month, Tijema Brown was charged in a COVID relief fraud case along with her sister and mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents say she planned and paid for a trip to Jamaica before she knew about the investigation. #NEW: One of Councilwoman Tiawana Brown's daughters has asked a judge if she can travel to Jamaica. Tijema Brown is charged in a COVID relief fraud case along with her mother & sister. She told the court that she paid for the trip before she knew of the investigation. @wsoctv Hunter Saenz (@Hunt_Saenz) June 2, 2025 She notified the judge which resort she is staying at, for how long, and when she would be back. Federal prosecutors said they do not have a problem with the trip. However, she decided to withdraw the request. VIDEO: Charlotte councilmember wont take plea or resign amid federal fraud allegations BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is extending a 25 million euro loan to Bartu Turizm Yatirimlari, a hotel joint venture between Germanys TUI Group and Turkiyes Akra Hotels, Trend reports. The financing package includes an extension of the existing loan and additional funds to support the purchase of land in Antalya for staff accommodation and maintenance-related investments. The initiative also aims to expand training and employment opportunities for people displaced by the 2023 earthquakes, more than 150,000 of whom have relocated to Antalya. Bartu Turizm operates four coastal hotels with a combined capacity of 1,272 rooms under the Akra brand. The EBRD has supported the company since the Covid-19 pandemic, reflecting its broader commitment to Turkiyes tourism sector. The Bank noted that the investment aligns with its strategy for the real estate sector, with a focus on sustainable and inclusive development. Bartu Turizm also confirmed plans to open a new property in Didim in 2026. To date, the EBRD has invested nearly 22 billion euros in Turkiye through 484 projects, mainly in the private sector. An Italian teacher who called for Giorgia Melonis eight-year-old daughter to be murdered has blamed ChatGPT for his online post. Stefano Addeo, 65, who teaches German in a school near Naples, caused outrage at the weekend when he wrote on social media that he hoped Ginevra would meet the same fate as a 14-year-old girl who was allegedly murdered by her jilted boyfriend. The post was condemned across the political spectrum, with opposition MPs as well as members of the governing coalition saying it was unacceptable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is now under investigation by the authorities for inciting hatred. Mr Addeo attempted on Monday to justify the message, saying that it had been created by the artificial intelligence chatbot, albeit at his request. He told La Repubblica newspaper: It wasnt me, it was artificial intelligence. I saw on television on Friday that the government was not distancing itself from the war in Israel. I asked ChatGPT to create a message critical of Meloni. This crazy thing emerged and I posted it. Stefano Addeo said ChatGTP is more harmful than you think but could not excuse his message Asked why he had not taken a moment to reflect on the gravity of the post, he said: I just wanted to post something. ChatGPT is more harmful than you think. Im a Catholic, Im in favour of animal rights, Im a vegetarian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im on the Left but that does not excuse this type of message. Ive had to cancel all my social media platforms, the consequences have been really ugly. Ive had to shut myself away at home. People are throwing tomatoes at my front door. I have been depicted as a monster. Im really shocked people are issuing threats against me. I did a really stupid thing. He said he had been harangued in the streets because of the comment. The teacher, who has no children and lives with his 90-year-old mother, said that if he had the opportunity to meet the prime minister, he would apologise. I would hug her, asking her forgiveness. I wish only the best for her daughter, although I would advise her to be careful about social media, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it has emerged he has posted messages threatening the children of other members of the Right-wing coalition Matteo Salvini, the transport minister and head of the League party, and Antonio Tajani, the foreign minister and a former European commissioner. This is intolerable you can attack me, but not my daughter, said Mr Salvini. The teachers social media post was a reference to the horrific case of Martina Carbonaro, a 14-year-old schoolgirl who was beaten to death with a rock a few days ago, allegedly by her 18-year-old former boyfriend. He was allegedly furious that she had ended their relationship. After attacking her, he is alleged to have attempted to hide her body beneath rubbish and debris in an abandoned farmhouse near the town of Afragola, north of Naples, it was reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Meloni, who is halfway into her five-year term as premier, has decried what she called a sick climate in Italian political discourse. She said that threats made against her and her young daughter represent a spiral of hatred fed by an ideological fanaticism that has exceeded every limit. No political differences or ideological cause can ever justify attacks on children. Matteo Renzi, the leader of a centre-Left party and a former prime minister, said the teacher should lose his job. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A check of what Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders described as a popular drug house, resulted in multiple arrests overnight Sunday, the sheriff said in a social media post. Late Saturday night or early Sunday, a deputy swung by the house in the 1300 block of Stillwell Street Northeast and located a newer Dodge pickup truck with a fake Oregon state license plate. Stillwell Street is in the countys Tanglewilde-Thompson Place neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his post, Sanders said one individual told the deputy the truck was his before running into a backyard where there were other people. A check of the truck showed it had been stolen in Seattle, Sanders said. After additional deputies responded, they obtained permission to access a neighboring property, Sanders said in his post. We waited in the dark as a female whispered run guys, theyre here! from the drug house, he said. Then, the following happened: One suspect then crawled through the fence right to us and we placed them under arrest for burglary 2nd degree, Sanders wrote. A second suspect, who was identified as the one who said the truck was his, was located hiding in the neighbors bushes. He remained adamant that trespassing isnt a crime, and he was simply looking to pick some blackberries at midnight. He is under arrest for burglary 2nd degree and possession of a stolen vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In all, deputies detained a dozen people and made additional arrests. Sanders said a total of five people were taken into custody. TCSO is currently working on obtaining a search warrant to seize additional evidence, Sanders said. SPRINGFIELD While the Illinois General Assembly didnt end up passing legislation this session that helped or hurt the Chicago Bears stadium efforts, one suburban lawmaker said the legislature got close to a deal on property tax legislation a measure widely seen as a way to ease a team move to Arlington Heights. We were super close and just ran out of time, state Rep. Mary Beth Canty, a Democrat who represents the northwest suburb and surrounding areas, said Sunday. The team in mid-May announced it was shifting its focus away from building a new lakefront stadium in Chicago to Arlington Heights, where it purchased the former Arlington International Racecourse property two years ago. Though the spring legislative session ended as the calendar turned to June on Saturday night, legislators will likely get another chance to pass legislation in the fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, state Rep. Kam Buckner pushed back on the idea that any agreement was close, as no deal was ever actually introduced in the legislature. The Bears have made it clear they no longer want to be in Chicago. Thats their decision, Buckner, a Chicago Democrat whose district includes Soldier Field, said in a text message Sunday. But if they want to leave and use state dollars or ask for special tax protections to do it, theyll have to come through Springfield. And in Springfield, that means facing the Chicago delegation directly. Lawmakers this session introduced multiple bills proposing changes to state laws that would better enable so-called megaprojects, like a new Bears stadium, to be built. But compromise language that received some support was never introduced, Canty acknowledged. The potential changes would give local control to taxing districts statewide, and not simply be a boost to the Bears prospects of moving to a specific suburb, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What to know about the Chicago Bears possible move to Arlington Heights or a domed stadium on the lakefront Were going to keep working all through the summer. I dont like to jinx anything and I also dont like to predict what where everybody will be by the fall veto session, Canty said, referring to the next time lawmakers are expected to consider bills. A Bears spokesperson on Sunday reiterated the teams statement that it has made progress with the leaders in Arlington Heights. The dream of a new domed stadium in Chicago has faced enormous headwinds in Springfield since the Bears unveiled a proposal last year asking the state to take on $900 million in new debt and spend $1.5 billion on infrastructure improvements. The franchise likely has a smoother path to move to Arlington Heights, but one of the holdups there was a dispute with the village and local school districts over property taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Language discussed behind closed doors in the waning days of session would have allowed a weighted vote of all local taxing bodies to set a property tax payment amount for development projects, while also implementing guardrails from the state on issues like the length of time the agreements could last, Canty said. Gov. JB Pritzker has made clear that while he personally would like to see the Bears stay in Chicago, he is skeptical of providing taxpayer funds to help a private business build a new stadium. Buckner said members of the Chicago delegation in both the House and Senate were all very vigilant in the last days of session, expecting the Bears to try to sneak language through the legislature. I dont care how many other lawmakers they talk to there will be no chicanery, no shortcuts, and no sidestepping the people of Chicago, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked on Sunday about the prospects for legislation benefiting the Bears, Pritzker said he generally supported options like STAR bonds, a mechanism for local governments to finance big projects, though he emphasized that idea was not specific to the Bears. The discussion on STAR bonds was separate from the megaprojects proposal discussed in the final days of session, Canty said. Tribune reporter Jeremy Gorner contributed. CHICAGO Pride Month in Chicago kicked off Sunday with a brunch hosted by Equality Illinois. The event celebrated the LGBTQ+ community and advocated for equality. At a very critical moment in our worlds history, its good to know that the fight for justice, the fight for our humanity, still lives on in the soul of this city, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said. Mayor Brandon Johnson was one of several friends and allies who filled Venue West for the 2025 Pride Kick-Off Brunch, sharing words of resilience and support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Let it be known, in the City of Chicago, we will never flinch or coward or buckle, Mayor Brandon Johnson said. In fact, we will come back even stronger on the other side and our democracy will continue to evolve and Pride Month will always be here. Mayor Brandon Johnson also mentioned how Chicago has joined a multi-city lawsuit challenging the Trump administrations anti-identity conditions in order to get grants. We have been through ups as a community like marriage equality. We have been through downs like the aids crisis, Brian Johnson, Equality Illinois CEO, said. Its just a reminder that no matter what is thrown at the queer community, we will be there for each other. Brian Johnson has led the civil rights organization for the past decade but announced that at the end of the month, he will be stepping down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no plateau in civil rights. There is no inertia in democracy. We have to constantly be working to maintain your rights and maintain your wins. And I know the organization will continue to do that going forward, Brian Johnson said. It was announced that Channyn Lynne Parker will serve as interim CEO while the search for a permanent replacement takes place. Kristen Kaza of SloMo and businessman Mark Lieberson were honored for their community work and shown as examples of the continued effort in the fight to maintain wins and defend rights. Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was among the attendees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You see this room: people celebrating, not afraid, living their authentic life and really thats what pride is all about, Lightfoot said. This event kicked off a number of celebrations that run through the month of June, including staples like the citys pride parade, art shows, neighborhood festivals and 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 WGN-TV. CHICAGO (WGN) The list of homicide exonerations tied to disgraced former Chicago Police Department detective Reynaldo Guevara grew Monday, with Antonio McDowell becoming the 51st individual exonerated in a Guevara case. McDowells homicide conviction was officially tossed after a court hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse Monday morning. In total, he spent 23 years wrongfully imprisoned from 1997 to 2020, and has been living with the weight of a wrongful conviction for nearly 28 years. Im free for the first time in nearly 30 years, McDowell said at a press conference following the court hearing. Im free. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDowell was released in 2020 when Governor JB Pritzker granted his clemency petition and commuted his sentence to time served, based on an emergency commutation request tied to McDowells COVID-related health risks. Since August 2022, the States Attorneys Office under Kim Foxxs administration no longer disputed Guevaras misconduct, particularly a well-documented pattern of threatening and abusing eyewitnesses into making identifications, manipulating alibi statements, and fabricating evidence. Earlier this May, after a day-long evidentiary hearing, Cook County Circuit Judge Maria Judge Kuriakos-Ciesil issued a decision vacating McDowells conviction, emphasizing his account of going from victim to suspect, and Guevaras pattern of misconduct. This is the second post-conviction hearing in a case tied to Reynaldo Guevara since States Attorney Eileen ONeill Burke took office, both resulting in the Court deciding to vacate the convictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats unusual about McDowells case is that he originally came to a CPD police station as the victim of a shooting. Guevara said youre going to identify this person as the person who shot you, said Anand Swaminathan, one of McDowells attorneys. Antonio said no, I did not see who shot me. Guevarra tried to force and pressure him into who Guevara wanted him to pick. Swaminathan said when McDowell refused to cooperate, he was punished and hounded, instead of helped. He came there as a victim of a crime, Swaminathan said. He left with murder charges for a crime he didnt commit. Guevaras misconduct is well documented. Hes accused of framing dozens of young men in the 1980s and 1990s, predominantly on the citys West Side. WGN TV News has found local taxpayers have spent well over $120 million investigating, settling and defending claims of misconduct made against Guevara, with dozens more lawsuits still pending in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guevara did not incarcerate me, he incarcerated justice itself, McDowell said. Expenditures tied to former CPD detective now more than $126M Even with a lengthy record of misconduct by Guevara, and Cook County and state lawmakers returning McDowells freedom, a wrongful conviction is not a universally held belief by those involved in McDowells case. In a 2020 article from the Chicago Tribune, Ruth Morales-Santanathe victim in a carjacking CPD connected to the fatal shooting McDowell was originally convicted of in 1997told the Tribune she vividly remembers the crime and is certain it was McDowell who robbed her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was a single mother of four kids running an errand ahead of her sons birthday when an assailant pointed a gun at her stomach and repeatedly threatened to kill her. It was him, Morales-Santana told the Tribune at the time. And he knows it. After being found guilty in 1999, McDowell offered condolences to the victim of the shooting and maintained his innocence during his sentencing. I was framed, McDowell said at the time. Police know they framed me because when they arrested me I was a victim. They placed me in the lineup. I am talking about I aint have no knowledge of [Mario] Castro, his family. I didnt murder him. Putting me under the jail [is] not going to make the family happy because the killer is still at large. You all, I mean, I cant, I dont even know what to say. I know I didnt kill that man. That is not my M.O. That is all I have to say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDowell was sentenced to 103 years in prison. Before Pritzker granted his clemency petition in 2020 and he was formally exonerated on Monday, his first opportunity for release would have been in July 2048. Guevara has never been charged with a crime and currently lives in Texas. Hes repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment and refused to comment on any of the 51 exonerations tied to his career as a CPD detective. He retired from CPD 20 years ago and since then, has collected more than $1 million in pension benefits from the City of Chicago. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHICOPEE Mayor John L. Vieaus proposed budget for fiscal 2026 is up 6% from last years plan, he announced Monday. Vieau also announced plans to use $3 million from the citys fee cash account money raised in taxes from the previous year but not spent to defray taxes in the next year. The budget now goes to the County Council. Cities set tax rates in the fall. The cost of health insurance drove a $3.4 million increase in the human resources budget, Vieau said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police budget went up $3.4 million, as well, because of the cost of technology and to pay for increases in collective bargaining contracts. The new school budget reflects the minimum net school spending requirement of $123 million and the cost of the lease for the school administration building of $280,200. Additional funding coming from the Stabilization Fund for Educational Purposes. Vieau said this budget represents a transition from pandemic-era programs like American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, often called ESSER. I commend our school Superintendent Dr. Marcus Ware for his difficult task of being creative about how to still deliver top-tier education to our students while also dealing with the reality that ESSER funds are gone, Vieau said. Dr. Ware, myself and our mutual finance teams also recognize that the current federal administration has taken and may continue to take away funding that we have relied on in the past. Stories by Jim Kinney Read the original article on MassLive. CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) A Chicopee teenager was arrested and charged with murder following a deadly shooting last Thursday. Hampden County District Attorneys Office Communications Director Payton North shared that on May 29 at approximately 9:00 p.m., the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the DAs Office received a report of a shooting in Chicopee. Springfield police investigating deadly weekend shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers from the Chicopee Police Department were called to 16 Charbonneau Terrace after reports and found an injured man with multiple wounds. Emergency crews performed immediate life-saving measures, but the victim passed away shortly after. The victim has been identified as 21-year-old Tre Kingsbury of West Springfield. Detectives arriving at the location were able to identify and arrest 17-year-old Jayshawn Kempton of Chicopee as a suspect connected to the shooting. On Friday, Kempton was arraigned in Chicopee District Court and charged with murder and illegal possession of a firearm. Kempton is being held without the right to bail and is scheduled in court on June 26 for a pre-trial conference. The Hampden County District Attorneys Office State Police Detective Unit and the Chicopee Police Department are continuing to investigate the incident. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A child is one of two people shot late Sunday near 21st and Broadway. Wichita police said officers found a child and an adult shot at a home near 26th and Park Place around 10:45 p.m. A 32-year-old man suffered a gunshot to his upper back, and a 4-year-old boy suffered gunshot wounds to his back and buttocks. Both went to the hospital with what police describe as critical but non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wichita Police Department Sgt. Steve Jerrell said many people rushed to the scene, complicating matters. It kind of quadrupled our work in terms of who was here and who was not, Jerrell said. Police are still looking for a suspect. During the investigation, police learned that an adult was driving south on Park Place when someone in a dark SUV traveling north opened fire. The victim attempted to escape by pulling into a driveway and accelerating, but ended up crashing through several fences and a shed. 8 injured in Colorado attack by man with makeshift flamethrower who yelled Free Palestine, FBI says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If anyone has any information, they are asked to call detectives at 316-268-4407 or contact Crime Stoppers by calling 316-267-2111, submitting a tip online, or submitting a tip through their mobile app, which is available through Google Play and Apples App Store. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. A child molester has been accused of driving an 8cm iron nail into a girls skull in an attempt to silence her. The seven-year-old was abused by an unidentified man who then pierced the nail through her mouth, penetrating her palate and brain, her mother told doctors in India. The girl, from a village in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, is expected to make a full recovery and was discharged from the King Georges Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow city on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police have opened an investigation. Dr Samir Misra, a surgeon at KGMU, told The Telegraph that the nail had entered through the girls lower jaw and neck before reaching her cranial cavity, narrowly missing major arteries. This was an extraordinarily complex case where the childs life was in serious jeopardy, said Dr Misra. It took us four hours to remove the nail that was touching the brain and it was dangerously close to vital blood vessels. Our team worked meticulously to avoid any damage to the brain and sensitive nerves between the mouth and the brain, the doctor added. The nail measured 8cm after it was removed by surgeons - Newslions/SWNS The nail was dangerously close to vital blood vessels - Newslions/SWNS In the early hours of May 16, the patient was referred to KGMU, where a specialist team conducted examinations including CT scans. Clinical evaluation and imaging revealed the nails path through several high-risk anatomical zones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr Misra described the childs condition on arrival as precarious. Her blood pressure was dangerously low. She was in shock, possibly septic or neurological, and required immediate resuscitation. The team transfused blood to treat her anaemia, which they suspect may have been pre-existing as a result of malnutrition. After surgery, the girl initially did not respond as expected, and doctors were concerned about the risk of infection and meningitis given the high possibility that the iron nail was probably contaminated. But after intensive antibiotic care and close monitoring, the child stabilised and recovered without developing serious infections or neurological complications. The surgical team posed for a photo after successfully removing the nail in a complicated and long surgery - Newslions/SWNS She is now walking, talking and doing remarkably well, Dr Misra said. There is some mild weakness, possibly due to her long hospital stay, but we expect a full recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the surgery, the girl was placed in a paediatric intensive care and kept under close observation for 10 days. On May 29, she was fully conscious and responding well. She has shown remarkable resilience, Dr Misra said. There are no neurological defects and we believe she will go on to live a normal life. 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. China criticised the US on Monday for seriously violating a trade truce agreed in Geneva last month, an agreement that temporarily reduced steep tariffs on both sides. The Commerce Ministry denounced Washingtons moves to stop the sale of chip design software to China, issuing warnings against the use of Huawei-made chips, and revoking Chinese student visas. We urge the US to work with China to immediately correct relevant wrong practices, the Commerce Ministry said in a statement. If the US insists on its own way and continues to damage China's interests, China will continue to take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a breakthrough in early May, Washington lowered tariffs imposed on goods from China from 145% to 30%. Beijings retaliatory tariffs, meanwhile, were lowered from 125% to 10%. While the deal lasts 90 days, allowing US and Chinese negotiators to reach a more substantial agreement, tensions have since been ratcheting up between the two sides. Related Trump stoked the hostility on Friday, accusing Beijing of violating the truce, without giving details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So much for being Mr. NICE GUY," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer later said China had not been removing non-tariff barriers, as per the agreement. He notably criticised Beijing for placing US companies on blacklists and restricting exports of rare earth magnets to the US. Both countries are in a race to develop advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, with Washington seeking to curb Chinas access to the most advanced computer chips. Instead of reflecting on itself, it [the US] has turned the tables and unreasonably accused China of violating the consensus, which is seriously contrary to the facts, the Commerce Ministry said in Mondays statement. This Wednesday, the US is set to double its current tariffs on steel and aluminium from 25% to 50%. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 2. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan held negotiations with the well-known Pakistani company Tabani Group and UCTC, the founder of the Made in Uzbekistan Trading House in Pakistan, which resulted in an agreement to establish a joint textile enterprise in Uzbekistan, Trend reports. The meeting followed the successful official visit of the Chamber's delegation to Pakistan, led by the Deputy Chairman, which took place from May 26 through 29. The discussions marked the transition of bilateral co-operation into a concrete and practical phase. The planned joint enterprise will focus on the production of high-quality garments using modern technologies, with the majority of output destined for export markets. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan considers this partnership a strategic step toward strengthening the country's textile industry, boosting exports, and generating new employment opportunities. Tabani Group is a leading textile manufacturer with a strong international reputation and a fully export-oriented business model. The company produces nearly 1 million shirts annually, with an annual turnover of approximately $10 million. Its products are exported to more than 10 countries, and the company employs over 1,500 workers. Tabani Group holds prestigious international quality certifications, including ISO, ICSE, and TOCC, solidifying its standing in global markets. China has lashed out at Donald Trumps suggestion that Beijing violated an agreement between the two economic powerhouses that largely rolled back the U.S. presidents damaging tariff plans. Chinas Commerce Ministry said in a statement that it firmly rejects these unjustified accusations and vowed to take forceful measures to protect its interests, according to Chinese state media. The United States has unilaterally and repeatedly provoked new economic and trade frictions, exacerbating uncertainty and instability in bilateral economic and trade relations, the statement said. Instead of reflecting on its own actions, the United States has groundlessly accused China of violating the consensus, a claim that grossly distorts the facts. Trump wrote on Friday that China had TOTALLY VIOLATED China was the main target of Trumps April 2 Liberation Day tariff plan, which sparked global market turmoil Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two countries quickly entered an all-out trade war, with Trump raising baseline tariffs on Chinese imports to 145 percent, while Beijing retaliated with its own 125 percent import tax on U.S. goods. The trade war cooled after talks in Geneva in May where the U.S. agreed to reduce its planned tariffs on China to 30 percent and Beijing agreed to cut its U.S. tariffs to 10 percent. In a May 30 rant on Truth Social, Trump accused China of having TOTALLY VIOLATED the agreement with the U.S. Trump claimed the deal was made after he observed many factories closed and civil unrest in China. I saw what was happening and didnt like it, for them, not for us. I made a FAST DEAL with China in order to save them from what I thought was going to be a very bad situation, Trump said, adding: So much for being Mr. NICE GUY! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration later accused China of breaching the agreement by delaying the shipment of materials vital to the U.S. auto, electronics, and defense industries. What China is doing is they are holding back products that are essential for the industrial supply chains of India, of Europe, and that is not what a reliable partner does, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CBS News Face the Nation on Sunday. Treasury Secretary Bessent accuses China of violated the trade agreement by holding back products that are essential to the US industrial supply chain. / Nathan Howard/Reuters Chinas Commerce Ministry is now accusing the Trump administration of violating the Geneva agreement as well, citing multiple discriminatory, restrictive measures. These include the introduction of AI chip export control guidelines, a ban on the sale of chip design software to China, and the revocation of visas for Chinese students studying in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told ABC News This Week on Sunday that he believes Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will have a phone call sometime in the coming days to discuss the ongoing trade dispute. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Beast. June 2 (UPI) -- China on Monday rejected claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that it has broken the terms of the recent trade deal made between the two nations. A Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said in a press release that it "firmly rejects" the "unreasonable accusations" and instead alleged that the United States failed to fulfill its duties. The statement said that China followed through in canceling or suspending "relevant tariffs and non-tariff measures" implemented in response to Trump's "reciprocal tariffs" against China and several other nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also noted that despite its conciliatory actions, the Trump administration has "successively introduced a number of discriminatory restrictive measures against China" such as export control guidelines for AI chips, stopping the sale of chip design software to China, and refering to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's announcements of plans to "aggressively revoke" visas of Chinese students. "The United States has unilaterally provoked new economic and trade frictions, exacerbating the uncertainty and instability of bilateral economic and trade relations. Instead of reflecting on itself, it has turned the tables and unreasonably accused China of violating the consensus, which is seriously contrary to the facts. China firmly rejects unreasonable accusations," China said. "If the [United States] insists on its own way and continues to damage China's interests, China will continue to take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests." Trump said in a social media post on Friday that China had "totally violated its agreement with us" after the two sides had reached the deal in Geneva in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the terms of the deal, the two sides agreed to pause tariffs between the countries for 90 days as China reduced tariffs on American goods from 125% to 10% while the United States cut tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified Trump's comments on CBS News "Face the Nation" Sunday, stating that China was "withholding some of the products that they agreed to release during our agreement," and then confirmed those products to be rare earths. China on Monday accused the United States of violating their recent trade deal and vowed to take measures to defend its national interests. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce pushed back on President Trumps recent claim that Beijing had violated the agreement reached last month in Geneva, saying its the U.S. that has taken multiple discriminatory restrictive measures against China, state-run media outlet Xinhua reported, citing a statement from the ministrys spokesperson. The spokesperson said the U.S. violations include recent guidance on artificial intelligence (AI) chip export controls, the halting of sales of chip design software to China and the revocation of visas for Chinese students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These practices seriously violate the consensus reached by the two heads of state on January 17, seriously undermine the existing consensus of the Geneva economic and trade talks, and seriously damage Chinas legitimate rights and interests, the spokesperson said, according to Googles translation of the statement on the ministrys site. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a call before Trump was officially sworn into office that laid the groundwork for the deal reached during negotiations in Geneva last month. Instead of reflecting on its own actions, the United States has groundlessly accused China of violating the consensus, a claim that grossly distorts the facts. China firmly rejects these unjustified accusations, the spokesperson, who is not named, said in the statement, according to Xinhuas translation. The spokesperson warned of repercussions if the U.S. doesnt change course. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the U.S. insists on its own way and continues to damage Chinas interests, China will continue to take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, the ministry spokesperson said. The statement comes after Trump on Friday accused China of violating a trade agreement with the U.S. amid ongoing tensions between the countries. Two weeks ago, China was in grave economic danger! The very high Tariffs I set made it virtually impossible for China to TRADE into the United States marketplace which is, by far, number one in the World. We went, in effect, COLD TURKEY with China, and it was devastating for them. Many factories closed and there was, to put it mildly, civil unrest. I saw what was happening and didnt like it, for them, not for us. I made a FAST DEAL with China in order to save them from what I thought was going to be a very bad situation, and I didnt want to see that happen, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday. Because of this deal, everything quickly stabilized and China got back to business as usual. Everybody was happy! That is the good news!!! he added. The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer elaborated in a subsequent interview on CNBC, saying China violated the agreement by slowing approval of exports of key rare-earth materials. Under the agreement the Trump administration hashed out with China last month, the U.S. lowered its tariff rate on Chinese imports from 145 percent to 30 percent, and Beijing lowered its rate on U.S. goods from 125 percent to 10 percent. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Cincinnati police arrested the father of a toddler that was shot this weekend in what Chief Teresa Theetge called "negligence by a gun owner" to secure their firearm. Officers say Carmelo Anderson's 2-year-old child was shot with a handgun around noon May 31, according to a department news release. Officers responded to the 2500 block of Nottingham Road in the Villages at Roll Hill after a call was made about the shooting. When they arrived, they found Anderson's toddler with a gunshot wound. The child was taken to Cincinnati Children's Medical Center and is in stable condition, the news release says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers say Anderson, 21, gave the handgun that the toddler was shot with to someone and told them to "get rid of it," according to court documents. Following an investigation, officers arrested Anderson and charged him with tampering with evidence, court documents say. Chief, long advocate for safe storage, calls for citizens to lock their guns Chief Theetge said she is "outraged and heartbroken" about the shooting and called for citizens to safely secure their guns away from children. "Fellow Cincinnatians, I urge you to help spread the word: firearms must be secured, before another child pays the price," Theetge said in a statement June 2. "This is not just a call to action it is a duty we all share. The time to act is now." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theetge and the City of Cincinnati have long been advocates in Ohio for efforts to curb gun violence, including tougher regulations on the safe storage of firearms to keep them away from children. A 2023 ordinance by the city to regulate gun storage, under the guise of a child endangerment law, was blocked by an Ohio state appeals court. State law bans most local gun regulations, the court said in 2024 ruling. The ordinance stated firearms should not be stored where "a child is able to gain access to the firearm," and that failing to do so creates a substantial risk to the health and safety of a child. It was written to allow charges to be filed even if no one is hurt in an incident. "Thank God this child is still alive," Theetge said of the May 31 shooting. "Ive said it before, and Ill say it again: this cannot keep happening. We have a shared responsibility to protect our innocent, curious children." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati police arrest father of 2-year-old shot, hospitalized Cincinnati Public Schools will discuss budget cuts for the upcoming fiscal year at a board of education meeting on the evening of June 2. The Board Business Meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Mary A. Ronan Education Center at 2651 Burnet Ave. According to the meeting agenda, the board will discuss the fiscal year 2026 budget and vote. However, which cuts the board will vote on is unclear. The school district said it anticipates a budget gap of more than $50 million between the current fiscal year and the upcoming one. This gap is due to the amount of money the district will likely receive from government funding in the upcoming year, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement COVID-19 pandemic funds for the district have dried up and the Ohio legislature's draft budget for the upcoming fiscal year shows a drop in funding to public schools, the district said. A district spokesperson said the budget gap is not due to the district overspending. More: Olympian Mary Wineberg will not seek reelection to Cincinnati Public Schools' board At recent Cincinnati Public School board meetings, district parents and community members expressed concern about some of the suggested budget cuts. This includes a decrease in paraprofessionals at the district's Montessori schools and cuts to social workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the budget cuts, the board voted at the May 19 meeting to terminate the district's contract with the Cincinnati Health Department to supply school nurses. The district will instead hire health professionals as Cincinnati Public Schools employees. Cincinnati Public Schools' fiscal year begins July 1. However, the district's budget may be finalized after this date if the state budget, which gives funding to Ohio's public schools, is finalized close to its deadline. The state budget must be signed by Gov. Mike Dewine by June 30 so it can take effect on July 1. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Public Schools board to discuss budget cuts Monday On the day of his second inauguration, President Donald Trump issued an executive order entitled "Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship." Sounds innocent enough, right? But this is the infamous order declaring that birthright citizenship does not extend to children of parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily. "Not so fast," said attorneys for illegal aliens and their children. "Our clients snuck across the border fair and square and they want the prize promised them by the Constitution - U.S. citizenship for all children born after they crossed the border." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But is that really what the Constitution says? Here are the words from the 14th Amendment: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. As President Trump noted in his executive order, the words "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" have always been used to exclude certain classes of people from birthright citizenship. That included, for instance, children of diplomats, who enjoy immunity in their host country. For several decades, it also included Native Americans of certain tribes that had entered into treaties that provided at least partial sovereignty. Those exclusions are not in the Constitution, but they are in the law. So why cant there be an exclusion for illegal immigrants? Trumps executive order correctly recognizes that the higher purpose of the 14th Amendment was to guarantee citizenship for the children of former slaves, who had not only been subject to the jurisdiction of the American government, but even subject to sale. They had earned citizenship through hardship, pain, and suffering - not through an accident of birth. Obviously, the authors of the amendment recognized the high value of citizenship, and it seems unlikely they would just hand it out willy-nilly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Which brings us back to "subject to the jurisdiction thereof." Were citizenship to be granted simply on the basis of where you were born, that phrase would not have been necessary. Yet there it is. As a matter of law, there is no formal, writ-in-stone definition of what "subject to jurisdiction" means. And thats what the Trump administration hopes will provide enough ambiguity that the Supreme Court will agree that the president has the authority to declare under his executive powers that the children of illegal immigrants should not be considered birthright citizens because they fail the jurisdiction test. Three district court judges have already ruled against Trump and issued "temporary nationwide injunctions" to prevent the executive order from being carried out. On May 15, the Supreme Court heard the case, partly to resolve whether district courts should have the authority to apply their rulings nationwide and, ultimately, to make its own determination on the legality of the executive order. But even if the high court should reject presidential authority to interpret the Constitution, the argument does not end there. Section 5 of the 14th Amendment provides that "Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article." In other words, the rare trifecta of a Republican House, Republican Senate and Republican president offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Congress to establish once and for all that U.S. citizenship does not hinge on the ability of ones parents to sneak past the Border Patrol before you are born. Unfortunately, the Senates current filibuster rules would not allow for a simple majority to define "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" in such a way that it excludes the children of illegal immigrants. But since senators in recent years have allowed filibuster exemptions for confirmation of presidential nominations and for votes on budget "reconciliation" bills, there is no reason why some smart parliamentarian could not carve out a new exception narrowly tailored to allow a simple majority to define citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If that seems like using brute force to impose a nation-changing mandate upon the American people, so be it. As Justice Arthur Goldberg wrote in 1963, the Constitution is "not a suicide pact." Yet allowing the children of well over 20 million illegal immigrants to become citizens of a country whose customs they ignore, whose language they often dont understand or choose to learn, and whose laws their parents broke even before they were born, is an invitation to chaos and collapse. If thats not a national suicide pact, I dont know what is. Frank Miele, retired editor of the Daily Inter Lake in Kalispell, Mont., is a columnist for RealClearPolitics. His book The Media Matrix: What If Everything You Know Is Fake is available from his Amazon author page. Visit him at HeartlandDiaryUSA.com or follow him on Facebook @HeartlandDiaryUSA and on X/Gettr @HeartlandDiary. The City of Abilene would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding over recent months as our organization began the work of identifying, circumventing, and recovering from a cyber attack on our network. While essential services continued through this time, we know the attack and its effects have caused frustration for the community. The City of Abilene is grateful for everyones support as we move forward from this event, and are now able to share more information about it. On the morning of April 18, 2025, City of Abilene officials detected that City servers were unresponsive. Around 4 a.m., the Citys Information Technology department investigated the outage, and after determining a foreign actor had compromised the Citys computer systems, the full network was shut down to prevent any further intrusion or data loss. The City suffered a ransomware attack, said Troy Swanson, Director of Information Technology for the City of Abilene. They encrypted data and deleted data off our servers. The City was given a deadline of May 27, 2025, to pay a ransom to restore the stolen data, estimated at 477 gigabytes. Communication has occurred with the suspect hacking group claiming responsibility to ascertain the nature of the information taken. However, the City determined it will not aid or abet the perpetrators otherwise, and will not pay the ransom. I was involved in the acquisition of our cyber insurance because of my role in overseeing risk management, said Mike Perry, Director of the Citys Office of Professional Standards. Fortunately for us, we increased our insurance coverage last year. Perry has used his background in law enforcement as a former Assistant Chief of Police to help direct investigation efforts related to the recent cyberattack. Perry said his role as an administrator has in part been to work with the cybersecurity team hired by the citys insurance company to help mitigate damage and help with recovery efforts. As of May 28, 2025, there is no indication the Citys information has been misused by the threat actors, he said. There also is no evidence that residents information has been used or released by the hacking group, he said. Perry said the investigation is ongoing, and the exact information taken by the hackers is unclear. However, the amount taken appears to be relatively small compared to the Citys total storage capacity. Were currently in this pattern of waiting to see if and when theyre going to publish the data, he said. Theres not a lot more dialog to be had because weve told them were not going to pay the ransom. The Hack and Its Aftermath The hacking group was able to compromise the Citys network and ultimately access administrative credentials, Swanson said. They also attempted to uninstall antivirus software and remove other protective measures. The City turned off its network around 7 a.m. on April 18 after the breach was discovered. We are in the process of replacing all the network infrastructure, including servers, storage, and all the desktops and laptops, Swanson said. By doing so, we will create a new cyber secure environment that we can assure is set up for the future and not able to be compromised. The City was able to restore core services quickly, Swanson said. Our main push is to get desktops and laptops back in the employees hands so they can continue to perform their functions, he said. In many cases, there have been stopgap measures or interim measures to perform work, but we have many time-bound and funding-bound business practices that we are standing back up, and weve been relatively successful at that. While there still will be hurdles to overcome, residents and employees should expect the majority of day-to-day functionality to be restored soon, he said. The City hopes to be at full functionality in a few months, Swanson said. Dealing in Data Perry said when threat actors attack a network, they encrypt data so that its hidden from the entity it belongs to, then ask for a ransom to unencrypt and recover it. While the data may be valuable, were also not going to bow down to a criminal organization, said Perry, who was an Assistant Chief of Police in Abilene for 12 years before taking on his current role. Paying a ransom is no guarantee that the data will be recovered or that it wont be sold on the so-called Dark Web anyway. Youre still dealing with thieves, and is there such a thing as an honorable thief? Perry said. Cyberattacks are an ongoing threat in the digital landscape, Swanson said, and are a new type of emergency organizations both public and private must endure. Hackers seek a variety of data, from personal information to financial and medical records, he said. When we think of disaster preparedness, in our area we think about tornadoes and floods and things like that, Swanson said. But were entering an age where theres a higher probability of a cyber attack than there are some of those natural disasters. This may not be the first one we endure, and so thats why were working to stand up a new network thats as cyber secure as possible. It is difficult to know whether the group will release the full payload of stolen information or not. But all in all, Perry said, We were very fortunate in a lot of ways. Operations didnt stop, he said. We were still able to answer calls for service, for police, for fire. Our water service continued to operate. We didnt lose critical infrastructure. Even though this has all been very uncomfortable and difficult for employees and citizens, critical services have continued and thats a good thing. Residents, City of Abilene Employees Can Protect Against Cyberattack Fallout Data breaches in general are on the rise, Perry said, and most people have been notified in the past by a credit card company or business that their data may have been compromised. In response to this environment, its important for both City employees and residents to actively monitor their credit card and other accounts for data breaches. Credit cards and many bank accounts have free monitoring services, and it makes sense to use them, Perry said. The best thing you can do for yourself, especially if youre not a frequent credit user, is to freeze your credit report to the three major agencies, he said, referring to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Credit agencies collect and store information to help lenders and employers evaluate a persons reliability. They gather information from a variety of sources, including banks, credit card issuers, auto lenders, mortgage lenders, debt collection agencies, court records, and bankruptcy filings. The other thing to do is make sure that your passwords are routinely updated and that your passwords are unique, he said. Perry said he makes use of a password generator and virtual private network, or VPN, service to further protect himself from hackers. Those services are worth the investment, he said. If youre not monitoring your accounts, if youre not monitoring credit, youre behind the times, because its going to sting you, he said. Facts About the April 18, 2025, Cyberattack Against the City of Abilene Working with cybersecurity experts, its insurance company, and their cybersecurity attorney, the City initially focused on ensuring critical systems were up and running. All City of Abilene computers and servers were taken offline. Shortly after the attack, a known hacking group began communicating and exchanging information regarding 477 gigabytes of data the group allegedly stole. Efforts to ascertain the exact nature of the stolen data continue, even though the groups demands for money in exchange for the files and decryption tools will be ignored. As of now, temporary computers have been deployed in key locations to ensure all essential functions are operational. The City has also begun providing permanent desktop replacement computers to employees. The Citys network is being rebuilt to ensure its cybersecurity. Desk phones are in the process of being replaced, which has caused methods of contact with various departments and personnel to change. Current City of Abilene contact information for residents can be found by clicking the information bar at the top of www.abilenetx.gov. Employees have been reminded of best practices for protecting their data from unauthorized access and attacks. There is no evidence that employee data has been used maliciously as of this writing. As the Citys infrastructure has been rebuilt, the public has experienced some delays and, in rare cases, a temporary return to pen-and-paper systems. However, network functionality will be restored and the City of Abilene will release periodic updates until all functions and points of access are fully operational. The City will provide access to privacy protection services to all employees potentially affected by the breach. Details will be released through internal channels to employees. As warranted, the City will release information about the investigation, but its ongoing nature limits what can be shared without compromising those efforts. How much data is 477 gigabytes? Documents (PDFs, Word files): ~238,500,000 pages of text (at ~2 MB per 1,000 pages), or MP3 Songs (at 5 MB per song): ~95,400 songs, or Photos (high quality, ~5 MB each): ~95,400 photos, or 4K Movies (at ~2025 GB each): ~1923 full-length movies, or Netflix Streaming (4K): ~48 hours of streaming (at ~10 GB/hour), or Emails (text only, ~75 KB per email): ~6.4 million emails, or Cell phones: 256 GB = 1.86 iPhones, or one less than 512 GB iPhone. Cities and Municipalities Recently Affected by Cyberattacks Baltimore, Maryland Incident: 2019 ransomware attack causing more than $19 million in damages. Departments Affected: City services including email systems, payment platforms, and real estate transactions. Update: In May 2025, Iranian national Sina Gholinejad pleaded guilty to charges related to this attack and similar incidents targeting other U.S. cities, including Gresham, Oregon; Yonkers, New York; and Greenville, North Carolina. Mission, Texas Incident: February 2025 cyberattack exposing personal and health records, as well as civil and criminal data. Departments Affected: Police Department (loss of access to state databases), municipal servers. Response: The city requested a state of emergency declaration from Governor Greg Abbott. Cleveland, Ohio Incident: Early 2025 cyberattack disrupting Municipal Court systems. Departments Affected: Municipal Court (postponement of trials and court operations). Richardson, Texas Incident: September 2024 cybersecurity incident affecting municipal services. Departments Affected: Various city departments; specific details not disclosed. Wayne County, Michigan Incident: October 2024 cyberattack disrupting county government services. Departments Affected: County services; hackers demanded a ransom. White Lake Township, Michigan Incident: November 2024 cyberattack resulting in the theft of approximately $30 million. Departments Affected: Township financial systems. Arkansas City, Kansas Incident: September 2024 cyberattack on the water treatment facility. Departments Affected: Water Treatment Facility (forced to switch to manual operations). El Cerrito, California Incident: August 2024 ransomware attack attributed to the LockBit group. Departments Affected: City services. Killeen, Texas Incident: August 2024 cybersecurity incident impacting municipal services. Departments Affected: Various city departments. These incidents underscore a broader trend of increasing cyber threats targeting local governments across the United States. Between 2018 and 2024, there were 525 reported ransomware attacks on U.S. government entities, resulting in an estimated $1.09 billion in downtime. The surge in attacks has been attributed to both financially motivated cybercriminals and state-sponsored actors from countries like Russia, China, and Iran. The growing frequency and sophistication of these attacks have prompted calls for enhanced cybersecurity measures at the local level, including increased funding, better infrastructure, and stronger collaboration between federal and state agencies to protect critical services and data. Raleigh sprouts new apartment buildings, stores and subdivisions at a rapid pace, but what may not be growing in the City of Oaks are trees. Its hard to say exactly how many trees are being lost to development. The most recent assessment came in a Wake County report that measured the change in tree canopy cover from 20102020. Countywide, the tree canopy shrank by 3.6 percent, or 11,122 acres. In Raleigh, the decrease was 2.2 percent, or 1,305 acres. But in the more urbanized areas of central and Southeast Raleigh, the loss was greater than 10 percent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the uptick in development since the pandemic ended, its likely the canopy loss has continued or accelerated. Losing trees has consequences not only for the citys leafy character, but also for stormwater runoff, air quality, wildlife habitat and the spread of heat islands as temperatures rise with climate change. Were losing tree canopy. Its critically important, not only for our brand but our quality of life, said Sig Hutchinson, a former Wake County commissioner who has supported the expansion of parks and greenways. Now the City of Raleigh is pushing back with a new project called Leaf Out. It is focused on protecting existing trees, expanding the canopy, reducing heat islands and encouraging residents to plant and protect trees on their private property. Leaf Out is a welcome but limited response to tree loss. Its plantings will be only on public land, though its educational efforts could encourage a greater effort by private property owners to preserve and plant trees. The city is surveying the public about ways to protect the canopy and will offer final recommendations in a 2026 report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to trees, Raleigh has a lot to work with. Despite tree loss, the canopy still covers more than 50 percent of the city. There is more canopy here than most cities our size, especially the older ones, said Zach Manor, Raleighs urban forester. Hutchinson said visitors who fly into Raleigh-Durham International Airport for the first time often comment to him about the abundance of lush greenery. They look down and say, Wheres the city? Its all a bunch of trees down there, he said. Every time I see it, I think, Im so glad I live down there. Dave Klemp is committed to protecting the canopy. Klemp, a Raleigh arborist who has a degree in forest management from N.C. State University, founded a nonprofit called Trees for the Triangle. Its website declares its mission as: Improving the environmental, aesthetic and economic well-being of the Triangle, one tree at a time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trees for the Triangle encourages private property owners to plant native trees. Since launching in 2018, Trees for the Triangle has planted more than 2,200 trees, but Klemp said its a race against tree loss from development. We cant plant faster than in some of these areas where they are wiping things out, he said. Raleighs commitment to denser development also leaves less room for trees, he said. Were building denser, taller buildings. Its tough to preserve trees with construction going all the way to the property line. The city cant do much about that. Klemp said the struggle to preserve the Triangles canopy is about a stalemate right now. Development is continuing, but theres what were trying to do with the Leaf Out program. We need to make a bold push to do what we can to save what we can. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the push to preserve its canopy, Raleigh should set moonshot goals. Klemp said, A lot of tree planting, a lot of tree maintenance. Its easy to be impressed by our tree canopy if you come from places that dont have one. Its something were proud of, he said. Fifty percent (canopy coverage) is pretty good. If it were to remain, we would be pretty happy with that. Associate opinion editor Ned Barnett can be reached at 919-404-7583, or nbarnett@newsobserver.com UPDATE: Court documents Tuesday morning show the mother, Sara Moore, is being charged with 10 counts of endangering the welfare of children Five felony counts and five misdemeanors. She was arraigned Tuesday morning by Magisterial District Judge James Glass and released on $50,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 11. CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) A Grampian man has been hit with more than 2,800 charges relating to the alleged physical and sexual abuse of two young girls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Devin John Moore, 38, is facing 2,840 charges that include indecent assault of a person under 13 (500), indecent assault of a person under 16 (780), corruption of minors (780) and endangering the welfare of a child (777), after two sisters came forward about the alleged abuse. According to charging documents, one of the two girls told Child and Youth Services that Moore would sexually abuse them from when she was in fourth grade to ninth grade, including groping her and touching parts of her body almost daily. The other girl said Moore was physically abusive to her. A previous criminal complaint from the end of May shows that Moore was arrested after physically hitting the girl, sending her to the hospital. According to court documents, the girl said she hadnt done her chores to Moores satisfaction, and while arguing, she brought up the sexual abuse of her sister, and thats when Moore struck her. PA Supreme Court ruling means you may not see Moores mugshot. Heres why. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sisters also alleged that their mother knew about the sexual abuse for the past year and that she had a contract written up for Moore stating that he promised to stop the sexual abuse. According to the affidavit, when Moore was arrested, he allegedly commented that he had separated from his wife and was leaving that night to go to Costa Rica. State police noted in the criminal complaint that they received a search warrant to find the alleged contract; however, when they arrived at the home, it appeared it may have been burned in a still warm to the touch burn barrel with burned remains of paper sitting on the top of the ashes. In addition to computers and electronic devices, troopers said a notebook was seized where Moores wife allegedly wrote statements such as: Its going to be hard to curb that and fix it because he doesnt feel like he is doing anything wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents show that bail for Moore was denied, citing the seriousness of the charges and a possible lengthy prison sentence. 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. Moore was placed in Clearfield County Jail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 11. It should be noted that we reached out to Clearfield County District Attorney Ryan Sayers to inquire about the mother, however, he stated this investigation is ongoing and he cannot comment. Troopers, however, did reveal in the criminal complaint that both girls were emergency removed from the home and the care of the parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. ALBANY, Ky. (FOX 56) After nearly 10 years, law enforcement arrested a Clinton County man on Friday who is accused of incest with a minor. At 4 p.m. on May 30, the Clinton County Sheriffs Office arrested 56-year-old Antonio Velasquez of Albany, according to a Facebook post. The investigation into Velasquez was started in 2016 by the Kentucky State Police. An investigation into a possible scam initiated by the Wayne County Sheriffs Office led authorities to call Albany to verify a transaction at an area business, according to the post. With the assistance of numerous agencies, the investigation ended with Velasquez being found and arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said he had two active warrants for his arrest after being charged with two counts of incestforcible compulsion of a minor. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: The sheriffs office said Velasquez was booked into the Clinton County Jail. Hes being held on a $25,000 cash bond, according to court records. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A large-scale drone attack carried out by Ukraines Security Service (SBU), which reportedly destroyed or damaged 41 Russian heavy bombers on June 1, brought a much-needed morale boost to Ukrainians. Codenamed "Spiderweb," the operation targeted the strategic aircraft that Russia uses for long-range missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. The damage dealt could potentially hinder Moscows ability to carry out such mass strikes in the future. In Ukraine, the operation quickly drew comparisons to some of the most uplifting moments since 2022 including the sinking of the Black Sea Fleets flagship Moskva, the attack on the Crimean Bridge, and the surprise incursion into Russias Kursk Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The timing couldnt be more crucial, as Ukrainians have entered the fourth year of defending their country against Russias full-scale invasion, while Moscows attacks in the air and on the ground continue to intensify. I was shocked by this and could not believe that this could be done. Its some kind of fantastic operation, Volodymyr, a Kyiv resident, told the Kyiv Independent. Any such operation brings us closer to victory. The operation had been in preparation for one and a half years. It used low-cost FPV (first-person view) drones that were smuggled into Russia and hidden inside trucks to attack four airfields across the country, two of them located thousands of miles away from Ukraine. Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb. (Nizar al-Rifai/The Kyiv Independent)) The success of the Ukrainian operation dealt a blow to the image of Russias security services, demonstrating that Ukraine can carry out effective attacks inside Russian territory without having forces on the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It shows the power of modern drones. And it's interesting, to say the least, said Ivan Boichenko, a prospective university student from Kyiv. I was very impressed. It was very uplifting, I would even say. President Volodymyr Zelensky said 117 drones were used in Operation Spiderweb. According to estimates from the SBU, the drone strike disabled 34% of Russias cruise missile bombers, causing approximately $7 billion in damage. We were very impressed and happy. We really hope (that the war is approaching) its end, and this will somehow help us to have a peaceful life like before. We miss those times very much, said Alina, a pharmacist and a resident of Kryvyi Rih. Asked whether she fears a possible Russian attack in retaliation for the Ukrainian operation, she says her city is already a frequent target of Russian attacks. On April 4, Russias missile strike killed 20 people there including nine children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Halyna, a medical worker from Kyiv, shares similar thoughts about possible Russian retaliation. She says Russia already strikes regularly. Every day theres no such day, not a minute, neither at night, nor during the day. Children are in basements, we are in corridors, she says. I also suffered, there was an attack on us. God forbid anybody has to go through that, she went on. But you see, Im alive, many of us are. Though, of course, even more are not. May our defenders rest in peace. Thanks to them, were still here. Russian forces launch drone, glide bomb, and artillery attacks targeting civilian areas in Ukraine on a daily basis. On June 2 alone, Russian strikes across the country killed at least nine civilians and injured at least 49, including children, according to the regional authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyiv resident Volodymyr was among those who spent the night in a bomb shelter. When there was an air raid alarm, my family and I went to the shelter, because I was worried there would be some response, as usual, after such operations, he told the Kyiv Independent. Among those who spoke with the Kyiv Independent, there was a quiet sense that Ukraine, through actions like this, is not backing down. The point is, it is better to strike back. It is better than just sitting there with your hands folded," said Boichenko. Many were also proud of the inventiveness of the operation. These moments should go down in history. There should be books, scientific works the whole world should know about this, said Halyna. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is happiness for us. They are destroying us, destroying us as people. And what did we do? We responded. We did the right thing. Im glad, she added. Read also: Operation Spiderweb everything we know about Ukraines audacious attack on Russias heavy bombers Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. CNN conservative commentator Scott Jennings labeled Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) interesting while praising his communication skills and tearing into other progressive members of the Democratic Party. I think Wes Moore is actually a pretty talented communicator, Jennings said in a panel discussion Sunday on CNNs State of the Union about future leaders of the party. The other person who spoke in South Carolina, [Minnesota Gov.] Tim Walz, is a special mixture of extreme buffoonery and a mean spirit, which is a toxic brew. He is not the future of the Democratic Party, Jennings added, in remarks highlighted by Mediaite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore spoke at the annual South Carolina Democrats Blue Palmetto Dinner on Friday night in Columbia, S.C., and Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate, gave the keynote address on Saturday morning. The Maryland governor, who is seen as a rising star within the party and has been floated as a potential presidential candidate in 2028, said at the beginning of May he will not run for the Oval Office in the next election cycle. Moore is interesting. Moore is interesting, probably more interesting than some of the radicals you have out there Crockett, AOC I mean, these are the true leaders of your party right now, Jennings added in the CNN panel discussion, referring to Reps. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). Moore, an Army veteran and the nations only Black governor, called on his party to learn from President Trumps impatience and to act with more urgency during his remarks in South Carolina. I want to be clear: We can and we must condemn Donald Trumps reckless actions. But we would also be foolish not to learn from his impatience, Moore, a first-term governor, said during his roughly 30-minute speech to the state partys officials and activists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump doesnt need a study to dismantle democracy or use the Constitution like a suggestion box. Donald Trump doesnt need a white paper to start arbitrary trade wars that raise the cost of virtually everything in our lives, he added. If he can do so much bad in such a small amount of time, why cant we do so much good? Moore also said the Democratic Party needs to present itself as the coalition of action that can deliver for working-class Americans. Gone are the days when we are the party of bureaucracy, multiyear studies, panels, and college debate club rules, he said Friday night. We must be the party of action. Because right now, the people of this country are calling on us to act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The people want a growing middle class. And they cannot wait, he added. The people want access to work, wages, and wealth. And they cannot wait. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis is working to help the county capitalize on its location and attract future investors. Mathis recently attended the annual summit of the Tennessee Valley Corridor, a nonprofit organization spans Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Virginia and North Carolina. It is focused on attracting investments related to fields like technology, science, and national security. Morristown hosts the Tennessee State Disc Golf Championships Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The thought of was kind of the second Manhattan Project, but in a much broader scope that goes all the way from Birmingham through Huntsville, Alabama, the Space and Rocket Center, Oak Ridge, Chattanooga, Knoxville and then into Virginia and beyond, Mathis explained. Cocke County sits right astride that corridor because it flows right beside I-40. Despite its proximity to I-40, Mathis told 6 News that Cocke County has yet to take advantage of the opportunity. If we can offer them something on the low-end or something that pays on high-end but also rewards them for going out and getting an education, Mathis said. Lets say a kid wants to get a degree in engineering, a degree in finance, a degree in you name it. Whatever those fields are, we have to create opportunities for those young people to stay as well. So thats what this does. Deadline to apply approaching for Tennessee governors recovery fund Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mathis looking to change this as the county is finishing up construction on an industrial park. Mathis believes construction will wrap up next year. Were currently in the process of running sewer, so thats kind of the last big piece. But we have got about eight good sites, flat sites for new employers to come into that park. Mathis said. This new venture is to not only help the county recover from Helene, but continues to propel forward. See more top stories on WATE.com Were excited about this opportunity and to be able to move forward as a county and this is not just about recovery from a disaster, this is about regaining and enhancing the momentum we had before the disaster happened, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. Five individuals who sought pardons from former President Biden are calling for his clemency decisions to be reexamined amid fresh debate over his mental sharpness while in office. Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.), former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, rabbi and former political candidate Michael Rothenberg, cardiologist Michael Jones and radio host Warren Ballentine outlined in an op-ed published by The Hill on Monday that they completed the process to apply for pardons under the Biden administration but were ultimately denied. All five were convicted of nonviolent federal crimes dating back to 2013, and all five are asking President Trump to reconsider their pardon requests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bidens pardons of close associates and family members raised serious ethical and legal concerns, particularly when others in similar situations were denied pardons, the five wrote in an op-ed for The Hill. The issue at hand was not about his legal right to grant pardons, but whether his cognitive condition affected the integrity of such decisions, they added. This is particularly noteworthy since Biden used the full Nixon-era formula in granting full, complete, absolute and unconditional pardons to members of his family, covering a lengthy period of time and without citing any specific alleged wrongdoing on their part. Jackson said in an interview that his push for reconsideration extended to roughly 70 million Americans who had served their sentences doled out by judges and now find themselves in a perpetual state of felonization where it can be difficult to find a job or get housing. The op-ed comes as fresh reporting and new books, including Original Sin: President Bidens Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, have reignited debate about Bidens mental acuity while in office and whether he experienced cognitive decline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Biden spokesperson told The Hill that the former president and his team thoughtfully reviewed requests for pardons and commutations and pointed to Biden issuing more than 2,500 individual acts of clemency. Biden issued more than 80 pardons during his four years in office, and he commuted the sentences of thousands of individuals. The vast majority of his acts of clemency were granted to nonviolent offenders, including numerous individuals who had been charged with nonviolent drug offenses. But some of his more controversial uses of the pardon power came toward the end of his term. Biden granted a full pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, who had been found guilty on federal gun charges and pleaded guilty to federal tax charges. Hunter Biden had been a political target for Republicans throughout his fathers time in office. Former President Biden also granted blanket pardons in the final moments of his term to five family members and several former government officials who had been the targets of political attacks from Trump and his allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden and his allies have staunchly and repeatedly refuted claims that others in the building were making major decisions or that Biden lacked the mental and physical sharpness to carry out his duties. Jackson, the son of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, served 17 years in Congress before resigning in 2012 amid a criminal probe. He pleaded guilty in 2013 to conspiring to defraud his reelection campaign of roughly $750,000 and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison. Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to federal tax crimes, campaign finance violations and lying to Congress. He later became a witness in President Trumps 2024 criminal trial over an alleged hush money scheme. Ballentine was convicted of fraud in 2013. An appeals court dismissed his appeal in 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rothenberg was sentenced in 2014 on a charge of wire fraud connected to his campaign for a seat on the DeKalb County, Ga., Superior Court. Jones was found guilty on one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. No one disputes the presidents constitutional discretion in wielding the pardon power. But pardons must be given fairly, justly, free of undue influence, the five wrote in their op-ed. In an interview Monday, Jackson told The Hill that he did not submit a formal pardon application under the Obama administration or the first Trump administration, though he did reach out to then-Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows, a former colleague in the House, in the waning weeks of Trumps first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jesse Jackson Jr. noted that many pardon recipients have not submitted formal pardon applications, either. In addition to Jacksons application, his father wrote to Biden last December urging a complete and unconditional pardon for his son. Jacksons pardon application was denied on Bidens final day in office, and he was encouraged to reapply under the incoming administration. To be sure, President Trump has further exacerbated questions about presidential clemency power and how it can disproportionately benefit those with connections to the administration. Trump during his first term used clemency powers on political allies such as Paul Manafort, Steve Bannon, Roger Stone and Michael Flynn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Already in his second term, Trump has pardoned a former Republican congressman who was charged with fraud, commuted the federal sentence of a notorious Chicago gang leader and pardoned reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were convicted on bank fraud and tax evasion charges and whose daughter spoke at last summers Republican National Convention. Trump also pardoned nearly all Jan. 6 defendants on his first day in office. Jacksons argument is that those convicted of federal offenses or who pleaded guilty to federal offenses must carry the social and economic costs of felonization well beyond their time served. Jackson asserted that Trump could take sweeping executive clemency action that would be worthy of international recognition. Wed like Donald Trump to reinstate every pardon application that Joe Biden did not review, because he only reviewed clearly his familys, Jackson told The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the path to the Nobel Peace Prize, Jackson added. How many people can you help without Congress, without the courts? These people will be forever grateful to him. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) Nearly 50 years after a young teacher was found stabbed to death inside a San Jose high school on the first day of summer break, cold case investigators identified her killer publicly for the first time on Monday. Branham High School teacher Diane Peterson was stabbed to death by a 16-year-old boy, Harry Nicky Nickerson, on June 16, 1978, the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office said. Nickerson had a knife with the words, Teacher Dear, written on it, investigators said. One day after the 1977-1978 school year ended, Branham High School teachers were cleaning their classrooms for summer. A student found Peterson lying on the floor near her classroom with a stab wound in her chest. Branham High School teacher Diane Peterson (Image courtesy the Peterson family via SCCDAO) Investigators cracked the cold case after meeting with Nickersons family member this year, according to the DAs office. Minutes after the killing, Nickerson went to their home and confessed to stabbing the teacher, a family member admitted to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just this year, investigators learned that he had confessed the killing to a family member. Nickerson committed suicide in 1993, SCCDAO wrote. Harry Nicky Nickerson is seen as a teenager in an undated photo. (Image via SCCDAO) Nickerson was not a Branham High School student, Deputy District Attorney Rob Baker told KRON4. While detectives have never established a firm motive, detectives at the time theorized that Diane inadvertently interrupted a drug deal on campus the day after school let out for the summer, Baker told KRON4. District Attorney Jeff Rosen said, This marks the end of a terrible and tragic mystery. Ms. Peterson would have been a senior citizen today if she had not crossed paths with this violent teenager. I wish she was. I am pleased that we have solved this case, even though the murderer is not alive to face justice. I wish he was. Nickerson was arrested four days after the killing for an unrelated incident, Baker said. He spontaneously accused the police of trying to pin the murder on him, he denied killing Diane, and denied owning a knife, Baker told KRON4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police took a mugshot of the 16-year-old boy in June 1978, and it bore a strong similarity to a composite sketch based on eyewitness accounts of the high school attack, prosecutors said. A police sketch of Diane Petersons killer (left). Harry Nicky Nickerson is seen as a teenager in an undated photo (right). (Images via SCCDAO) In 1983, a Branham High School students family alerted police that their son claimed to have seen Petersons violent death and identified Nickerson as the person responsible. The student, however, later denied making that statement. In 1984, another witness told police that Nickerson confessed to killing Peterson, but police were unable to corroborate the claim. After high school, Nickerson continued committing more crimes, including kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, and armed robbery, prosecutors said. He was shot and critically injured in 1984 while attempting to commit a drug robbery. Given the circumstances, no charges were filed. He died in 1993 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, SCCDAO wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between 2023 and 2024, the DAs Crime Lab conducted extensive DNA work on the case in an attempt to identify Petersons killer. Unlike other recently-solved South Bay cold cases, forensic investigators were unable to make a DNA match. Instead, the break in the case came from Nickersons family member coming forward to police. Nearly five decades have passed since a young teachers life was tragically taken, San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph said. While the suspect will never stand trial or face the consequences for his actions, we hope this resolution brings a measure of peace to the victims loved ones and to a community that has carried this loss for far too long. No matter how much time passes, we will continue to seek the truth. Every victim matters, and every life deserves justice. Dismembered San Jose woman identified in cold case homicide The DAs Cold Case Unit was established in 2011 and solved over 30 cold case murders from as early as 1969. The Peterson case is the fourth cold case homicide solved by the DAs Office in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A family member of the teacher said, Diane was a beautiful and wonderful person who is missed dearly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Evan Garcia, Patrick Wingrove, Rich McKay BOULDER, Colorado (Reuters) -An Egyptian national charged with tossing gasoline bombs at a pro-Israeli rally in Boulder, Colorado, injuring a dozen people, planned his attack for a year and used Molotov cocktails instead of a gun because his noncitizen status blocked him from buying firearms, prosecutors said on Monday. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, told investigators that he wanted to "kill all Zionist people" but had delayed committing the attack until after his daughter had graduated from high school, according to state and federal court documents charging him with attempted murder, assault and a federal hate crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police and FBI affidavits quoted the suspect as saying he took firearms training to obtain a concealed-carry permit but ended up using Molotov cocktails because of his immigration status. Soliman told investigators that he had learned how to make the fire bombs from YouTube. Federal authorities said Soliman was in the country illegally, having overstayed a tourist visa and an expired work permit. Trump administration officials immediately seized on Sunday's violence as an example of why they are cracking down on illegal immigration. A police affidavit filed in support of Soliman's arrest warrant said he was born in Egypt, lived in Kuwait for 17 years and moved three years ago to Colorado Springs, about 100 miles (161 km) south of Boulder, where he lived with his wife and five children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In light of yesterdays horrific attack, all terrorists, their family members, and terrorist sympathizers here on a visa should know that under the Trump administration we will find you, revoke your visa, and deport you," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X. Federal and local authorities at an afternoon news conference in Boulder said Soliman had done nothing to draw law enforcement attention before Sunday's incident. He was believed to have acted alone, they said. According to the Boulder police affidavit, Soliman had planned for a year to carry out the attack, which unfolded on the Pearl Street Mall, a popular pedestrian shopping district near the University of Colorado. The affidavit said the suspect "threw two lit Molotov cocktails at individuals participating in the pro-Israel gathering," yelling, "Free Palestine" as they ignited in the crowd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims, many of them elderly, were taking part in an event organized by Run for Their Lives, an organization devoted to drawing attention to the hostages seized in the aftermath of Hamas' 2023 attack on Israel. SIXTEEN MOLOTOV COCKTAILS WERE LEFT The attack was the latest act of violence aimed at Jewish Americans linked to outrage over Israel's escalating military offensive in Gaza. It followed the fatal shooting of two Israel Embassy aides that took place outside Washington's Capital Jewish Museum last month. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi described the fire-bombing as an "antisemitic terror attack." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said they found 16 gasoline-filled Molotov cocktails near where the suspect was detained. The police also found a gasoline canister in his car parked nearby and a weed sprayer filled with gasoline at the scene. The federal affidavit references a video posted on social media during the attack showing Soliman "shirtless, pacing back and forth while holding what appear to be Molotov cocktails." During a brief court appearance on Monday, Soliman appeared via a video feed from the Boulder County Jail, wearing an orange jumpsuit. He answered "yes" to some procedural questions from the judge but otherwise did not speak. Soliman's attorney, public defender Kathryn Herold, said during the hearing that she would reserve any arguments regarding his bond conditions until a future date. He was initially detained in lieu of $10 million cash bail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if found guilty on the federal hate crime charge because he was also charged with attempted-murder in state court. The multiple attempted-murder counts are punishable by up to 384 years in prison, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said. Department of Homeland Security officials said Soliman had entered the United States in August 2022 on a tourist visa, filed for asylum the following month, and remained in the country after his visa expired in February 2023. "There are millions of individuals like this that we are attempting to locate from the past administration that weren't properly screened that were allowed in," Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said during a press conference in Boston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a social media post, U.S. President Donald Trump called Sunday's attack "yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland." Under former President Joe Biden, ICE prioritized arrests of serious criminals and called for officers to consider humanitarian factors when detaining migrants. Authorities had identified eight victims by late Sunday - four women and four men, 52 to 88 years of age. Two victims remained hospitalized on Monday. In addition, four more victims who were less seriously injured came forward on Monday. Rabbi Yisroel Wilhelm, the Chabad director at the University of Colorado, Boulder, told CBS Colorado that the 88-year-old victim was a Holocaust refugee who fled Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunday's attack was not the first high-profile incident of mass violence in Boulder, a university town that attracts many young professionals and outdoor enthusiasts. In 2021, a gunman fatally shot 10 people, including an off-duty police officer, in a local supermarket. (Reporting by Evan Garcia in Boulder, Colorado; Rich McKay in Atlanta and Patrick Wingrove in New York; Additional reporting by Jasper Ward, Raphael Satter, Mark Makela, Kristina Cooke, Nate Raymond, Joseph Ax and Keith Coffman; Writing by Steve Gorman and Patrick Wingrove; Editing by Rod Nickel and Matthew Lewis) Law enforcement officials are on scene to investigate an attack on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado on June 1, 2025 - Credit: Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post/Getty Images The man suspected of using a makeshift flamethrower and throwing Molotov cocktails that burned multiple victims at the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday has been charged with a federal hate crime. The suspect, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, is accused of throwing an incendiary device into the crowd gathered at the popular outdoor mall, Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the Denver field office, said at a Sunday evening press conference. The FBI called the incident an act of terrorism. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Soliman was charged with a federal hate crime, and with multiple felony accounts on the state level, including attempted murder. At a press conference on late Monday afternoon, officials said law enforcement recovered 16 unused Molotov cocktails following the incident. Authorities also said there are now 12 victims who were injured during the attack; two of the victims are still hospitalized. The 20th judicial District Attorney Michael Dougherty (Boulder County) said Soliman has been charged with 16 counts of attempted murder in the first degree; if convicted on those counts, he could face a maximum of 384 years in state prison. He is also charged with two counts of use of an incendiary device; which carries a maximum sentence of 48 years. He is additionally charged with 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device, which has a maximum sentence of 192 years should he be convicted. Acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell for the District of Colorado addressed a question regarding the one federal hate crime charge, which doesnt appear to address the act of terrorism that had been used by the FBI in describing the incident. Grewell said the department moved swiftly with the charge to send a message to the community that no acts of antisemitism are going to be tolerated and there are severe consequences, he said. Just because theres only one charge that has been made so far doesnt mean that were not considering other charges that could come in the future. Officials confirmed that Soliman is an Egyptian national, per CBS News. According to the Department of Homeland Security, he arrived legally in the U.S. in 2022 through California on a non-immigrant visa, which expired in February 2023. He subsequently filed for asylum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the federal criminal complaint, Soliman told investigators that he had planned the attack for a year, looking up how to make Molotov cocktails online, NBC News reports. Per the complaint, there was a container holding at least 14 Molotov cocktails, and a backpack weed sprayer, potentially containing a flammable substance that was found near the container. Soliman stated that he hated the Zionist group and did this because he hated this group and needed to stop them from taking over our land, which he explained to be Palestine, the complaint alleges. He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year and was waiting until after his daughter graduated to conduct the attack. The suspect had recently been living in Colorado Springs, located in El Paso County, Colorado, where the FBI said it was conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity related to the attack on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder. A group of walkers participating in a Run for Their Lives event that was calling for the immediate release of the hostages held by Hamas, according to its website, were gathered at the mall where the suspect lodged the attack. Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn described it as a peaceful demonstration. The suspect was heard screaming free Palestine, Michalek said during the press conference Sunday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement on Instagram, Run for Their Lives noted that their walks have been held every week without any violent incidents until today. The organization added that the plight of the hostages is an international humanitarian crisis and called on world leaders to do everything they can to ensure the swift return home of each of the 58 hostages. At least 12 victims were injured in the attack and ranged in age from 52 to 88, authorities said at a press conference on Monday afternoon; the four latest victims came forward afterward, with minor injuries. At least one was seriously injured, and potentially in critical condition, Redfearn said Sunday. The incident occurred around 1:26 p.m. on Sunday, when Boulder dispatch received several calls reporting there was a man with a weapon and that people were being set on fire, Redfearn said in an earlier afternoon press conference on Sunday. When police arrived on the scene, there were multiple victims with injuries consistent with burns and other injuries, which range from minor to very serious, he said. The Department of Justice has swiftly charged the illegal alien perpetrator of this heinous attack with a federal hate crime and will hold him accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Our prayers are with the victims and our Jewish community across the world, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement on Monday, following the filing of the federal charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack comes more than a week after two Israeli embassy staffers were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum. This article was updated at 5:38 p.m. ET to update the number of victims and detail the charges against the suspect. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Turkmenistan unveils East-West Transit Corridor to amplify Mongolias export potential During a landmark state visit to Mongolia, Turkmenistans President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh discussed the creation of a strategic East-West transport and logistics corridor. This initiative aims to revive the Great Silk Roads legacy, enhance regional cooperation, and boost Mongolias export potential by improving access to international markets. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register The challenges associated with bringing gray wolves back to Colorado were illuminated yet again last week. On Thursday, state wildlife managers made what they called the very difficult decision to kill a wolf that was preying on livestock on private land in Pitkin County, and which had previously been relocated from another county due to concerns around livestock depredations. The lethal removal took place the evening of May 29 on an unidentified cattle ranch. It was the first time that officials with Colorado Parks and Wildlife have killed a wolf since the voter-led reintroduction effort began in 2023. It was not, however, the first time that CPW has dealt with this particular wolf, which was identified in an agency news release as gray wolf 2405 and a member of the Copper Creek Pack. Read Next: The Wolf Pack Responsible for the Majority of Livestock Depredations in Colorado Will Be Relocated, Not Killed Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials explained that the young male wolf had met their definition of chronic depredation after being linked to four such events in an eight-day period. They said those events occurred even with non-lethal deterrence measures in place. They pointed to clear and convincing evidence that 2405 was responsible for three of the cows that were injured or killed on several different ranches in Pitkin County around Memorial Day weekend. The decision to take lethal management action was very difficult, CPW director Jeff Davis said in a statement. Our wildlife biologists constructed a timeline of recent events that shows the depredation behavior met the conditions for chronic depredation that were defined earlier this year. We have great respect for these animals and take the removal of a wolf very seriously. Davis went on to explain that the action was meant to discourage [the] other pack members from preying on livestock. He said the agency would continue to monitor the behavior of those remaining pack mates to determine if behavior has changed, but didnt specify what management actions might be taken based on that behavior in the future. Its also unclear based on CPWs timeline of events whether wolf 2405 was acting alone, or if other members of the pack were involved in the depredations as well. That timeline cites GPS collar data, which showed some wolves from the Copper Creek Pack were in the area where the depredations took place on May 24 and 25. A CPW spokesperson did not give a specific answer when asked by OL whether this collar data might indicate that multiple wolves from the Copper Creek Pack were involved in the Pitkin County depredations in May. The spokesperson clarified that 2405 was a member of a pack determined to have met the definition of chronic depredation and said CPW would post a full report with more information soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [This] is not something that we take lightly, CPW wolf conservation program manager Eric Odell said in Fridays news release. Removal of animals early in the restoration process is a balance between managing populations of wolves, while also assisting landowners in resolving ongoing conflicts with wolves. CPW also noted in Fridays announcement that it is currently monitoring four potential dens across the state, and that more pups will likely be born this spring. That should bring Colorado closer to its eventual goal of a self-sustaining gray wolf population, while at the same time giving wildlife managers more GPS-collared wolves to keep track of. There are currently 23 collared wolves roaming the state, and their movements are updated monthly in a map maintained by CPW. A Well-Known Wolf Pack with a History of Conflict In many ways, the Copper Creek Pack has embodied how complicated and contentious Colorados wolf restoration process has been. The pack was formed by two of the 10 wolves that were initially brought over from Oregon and released in Grand and Summit Counties back in December 2023. The mating pair established a den in Grand County that winter and gave birth to five pups the following spring. Read Next: Coloradans Who Oppose Wolf Reintroduction Cant Agree on How to Try Ending It Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conflicts soon followed. Between April and July 2024, as wolf advocates celebrated the packs formation, CPW confirmed multiple livestock depredations by the packs two adult wolves. Ranchers in Grand County pleaded with both the state and the federal government to lethally remove the wolves, but their requests were denied. Although CPWs policy director told commissioners at one point that the adult pair had caused the main issues in depredation among all the wolves that were relocated there from Oregon, the agency ultimately decided that killing the two breeding wolves would be irresponsible and could hamper its larger recovery goals. CPW chose instead to capture and relocate the Copper Creek Pack in September. The male wolf died soon after capture, and one of the pups eluded officials, while the remaining four pups and the female were trapped and held at an undisclosed facility for several months. The five Copper Creek wolves were then re-released this last winter along with the 15 additional gray wolves that were translocated from British Columbia to Eagle and Pitkin Counties in January. At the time of the Copper Creek Packs capture last fall, CPW acknowledged that relocation was not how it planned to handle those types of conflicts going forward. Ranchers, meanwhile, expressed their concerns that by relocating the wolves, wildlife managers were simply moving the problem instead of solving it. Read Next: Colorado Parks and Wildlife Releases Second Batch of Wolves Amid Threats, Rumors, and Growing Controversy By refusing to manage problem wolves, CPW has allowed livestock depredations to continue unchecked, while fostering a pack of depredating wolves, read an August 2024 letter from the Colorado Cattlemens Association to CPW director Jeff Davis. Pups from these problem wolves will be trained to hunt and survive off livestock. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) Columbus Council will be meeting Tuesday evening for the first time since councilors voted to terminate longtime City Manager Isaiah Hugley last week. The question WRBL has been asking is: Where does the city, and the council, go from here? Almost a week after voting to fire City Manager Isaiah Hugley, not many people want to talk about that. Mayor Skip Henderson agreed to sit down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hugley was fired on a 7-3 vote. Everybody has lawyered up in the wake of last Tuesdays firing. The conflict between Hugley and the city council culminated in his firing months of operational, ethical, and personal disputes boiled over last week. Mayor Skip Henderson and Councilor John Anker would not talk about what happened last week. But they were willing to answer questions about how the city operates moving forward. Both Henderson and Anker were asked if there were trust issues between the mayor and counicl. I think the only thing thats going to determine the answer to that is time, Henderson said. I plan to do what I need to do to serve the citizens of Columbus, Georgia. So I think what it does is it necessitates a little greater level of communication between the mayors office and the city council. And my door is always open. Im anxious to try to engage in some of those conversations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anker said the focus needed to be on city services. Right now, were making sure weve got the basics covered, he said. I think the mayors going to do just fine with that. I dont think theres a lack of trust either. I think we can work together. I dont have any issue with anybody who didnt vote one way or the other. I think we we have our own conversations amongst us. I trust the other councilors. I like the other councilors. So, I I dont see there being an issue. I dont we talk about it too much. It just makes it seem like its harder than it is. Anker says his experience in the business community is you just focus on the core duties. My experience is, one, when you got to move forward, you start looking on whats the next thing that needs to get done? he said. Well, payroll and it still needs to happen. Trucks still need to roll and pick up trash. So we need to make sure that were providing the services. I dont think weve missed a beat in that area. Now, when thats in the short term, you got to start covering the bases. You got to start doing your daily tasks the same way youve done them in the past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Henderson says there is still some sting from Hugleys firing. I think you have to separate some of the emotions, he said. I mean, without a doubt, I continue to be borderline mystified, but certainly disappointed in the action that was taken at the last meeting. However, the end of the day, we all serve the same people, and I know what Im going to do, and thats going to focus on making sure services are delivered and things are done in a professional and timely manner. Im counting on them doing the same. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) This weekend, family and friends gathered at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City to mark the 10-year anniversary of Alicia Hummels death. Flowers were put out, and visitors reflected on her life. Kindness cards were given out to those present, asking those who attended to perform 10-acts of kindness to 10 strangers as a way to celebrate the legacy of Alicia. Its all an effort to share her story. The cards came about, just as a way for her story to continue. We want her story to be that of a story of a person that, yes, was murdered at Myron Grove, but someone who would give the shirt off her back to a stranger, and that card resembles who she is, said Bethany Svacina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Story continues below The goal is to have at least 40 acts of kindness done in June in honor of what would be Alicia Hummels 40th birthday on June 27. Svacina said this message and acts of kindness could reach the whole United States. It sounds like this could go to the continental United States, and as someone whos spearheading this, that is extremely humbling to know that someone whos had such a profound effect on my life continues to have a profound effect across the United States. I think it drives the drives to continue the story, to continue to seek justice and not let her just become a number, not let her just become a statistic, she explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case of Alicia Hummels death remains unsolved to this day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Community pantry opens at IRIS Domestic Violence Center BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The IRIS Domestic Violence Center in Baton Rouge took a step forward in its mission to support survivors, officially unveiling its new Community Cupboard. Its a weekend food pantry designed to bring comfort, dignity, and stability to women and children living in its safehouse. The pantry is thoughtfully stocked with shelf-stable groceries, snacks, frozen meals, and beverages all intended to help restore a sense of normalcy during an often difficult transition. This is a space filled with purpose, said Kasie Coleman, a volunteer with IRIS. For women who made one of the hardest and bravest choices anyone could make choosing themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The community pantry was created in partnership with the Synergy Ministry of Mount Gillion Baptist Church. Its designed to feel like a small convenience store, allowing survivors the autonomy to choose what they need, rather than simply receiving whats available. Its not uncommon that when we accept survivors into the safehouse, they come with only the clothes on their backs, said Kimberly Adams, director of client services at IRIS. To have some form of normalcy for them when they arrive is vital for what we do here. Executive Director Patti Freeman echoed that sentiment: Can you imagine being able to walk in and get what you need instead of being told what youre allowed to have? This is more than most realize. The pantry relies entirely on community donations and will require ongoing support to stay stocked year-round. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are thousands of families that will walk through these doors, Coleman added. We have to keep it filled not just today, but for the years to come. Organizers hope the initiative will inspire others to support survivors not only with safety, but with comfort and care. For the safety of the women and children served by IRIS, the location of the safehouse remains confidential. However, those wishing to support the pantry can visit www.mtgillionbc.org. Want to donate money, food, books, clothes or time? Check out Baton Rouge charities Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. A July 2024 chemical leak in Springfield, Massachusetts, spotlighted the need for urgent action and notification when hazardous substances are spilled. What's happening? Workers at Astro Chemicals were transferring a sodium hydroxide-based solution when a valve was left open, according to WWLP 22 News in February. What was initially thought to be a smaller leak turned out to amount to up to 3,200 gallons spilling onto the soil and crushed-stone ground cover of a railway trackbed. Regulations require that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection be notified "within two hours of becoming aware of a spill, if the spill exceeds 50 pounds," the local station reported. WWLP said that the agency wasn't called until the next day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When a reportable quantity of hazardous material is released, responsible parties are required to immediately notify their local fire department and MassDEP," Michael Gorski, director of the agency's office in Springfield, told the outlet. Why are both fast action and notification important? Sodium hydroxide is a potent substance used for multiple purposes, according to the Virginia Health Department. It can be used to make soap and clean wood. It's also found in household cleaning products. The chemical can cause burns and blindness, while powder forms have the potential to cause lung damage if inhaled. Sodium hydroxide is just one example of the chemicals that are transported around the country and all over the world every day. Most reach their destinations without incident. But spills of dangerous cargo can lead to disaster and require quick mitigation from trained experts. A 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, for example, unleashed toxic vinyl chloride. Air, water, and soil pollution fallout will continue to be studied long after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year in Maine, one of the country's largest spills of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances chemicals found in household items like non-stick cookware and also known as PFAS or "forever chemicals" occurred at the decommissioned Brunswick Naval Air Station. A malfunctioning fire suppression system sent about 51,000 gallons of foam containing PFAS into the water. A "do not eat" order for local fish was issued, among other precautions, according to The Guardian. In Maine and in Massachusetts, watchdog groups and officials called for better communication about the contamination events. Fast action from trained professionals is key to safe containment, but experts and the public also need to receive information in a timely manner, guided by regulations, to ensure strategic cleanup, effective monitoring, thorough follow-up, and trust. What can be done to help? Immediate reports to the proper authorities can limit damage from hazardous spills. "This assures timely response, assessment, mitigation, and cleanup to protect both the public and the environment," Gorski told WWLP, regarding the Springfield case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Astro received a $25,000 penalty from the environmental agency. $2,500 of that penalty was suspended, to the company's credit, for a speedy cleanup on its part, per the local report. Becoming informed about the plans and procedures in your community regarding potential environmental hazards is a good way to make sure measures are in place to prevent and mitigate pollution. Communities can also come together to support pro-environment policies to safeguard local ecosystems and the water systems that connect us all from chemical contamination. 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. Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell requested detailed information about immigrants arrest in the city and what they were charged with. Now, immigration czar Tom Homan wants him investigated. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) In an escalation by Trump Administration officials and Republican lawmakers, two U.S. House committees have launched an inquiry into the response by Nashvilles mayor and local officials to federal immigration enforcement activities. A letter sent Thursday by the House Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees demands a series of documents from the office of Mayor Freddie OConnell by June 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They include documents related to the mayors executive order requiring city emergency personnel to report interactions with federal immigration officials within 24 hours. The committees are also demanding all communications between city officials and other organizations and individuals regarding federal immigration activities during the month of May. The letter accuses the mayor of actions that threaten to chill immigration enforcement in the City of Nashville and Davidson County. OConnell, during a regularly scheduled news conference on Friday, said he intends to appropriately respond. I am not particularly concerned, the mayor said in response to a reporters question about the inquiry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to respond appropriately to all inquiries, and we have been guided by a full understanding of state and federal law and we will continue to be, he said. The letter was sent to OConnell the same day the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a list of hundreds of U.S. cities, counties and several states that Trump Administration officials accused of deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities. Nashville, along with Shelby County in West Tennessee, was on the list. But in a reversal over the weekend, the list was removed from the agencys website. Reuters reported Sunday that the list was taken down after DHS received pushback from the National Sheriffs Association, which issued a statement noting that local law enforcement had not been consulted before the sanctuary city list was made public and that it violated the core principles of trust, cooperation, and partnership with fellow law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, OConnell held in his hand a copy of Tennessee law barring sanctuary status, a designation that typically limits cooperation between cities and federal immigration officials, noting that Nashville has not engaged in any of the actions barred by the legislation. By definition Nashville is not a sanctuary city, the mayor said. We do not, nor have we ever had a policy that violates state law. As weve stated several times in recent weeks, Metro (Nashville) does not have any legal authority as it relates to immigration enforcement and we do not impede federal law enforcement actions, OConnell said. In fact we regularly partner with state and federal agencies to take violent criminals off our streets. This is the reality. OConnell also noted that both violent and property crimes in Nashville are significantly down from prior years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayors remarks came at the end of a week marked by escalating attacks against him by top federal immigration officials as well as Tennessee Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles. During a Memorial Day press conference, Ogles accused OConnell, a Democrat, of aiding and abetting illegal immigration. Subsequently, White House border czar Tom Homan warned that immigration agents would flood the zone in Nashville seemingly in retaliation for the mayors perceived political stance against mass immigration detainments. And on Thursday a Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary for public affairs accused OConnell of harboring immigrants without legal status and doxxing immigration enforcement agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OConnell has drawn the ire of Republicans for two actions: during mass immigration stops in Nashville earlier this month, OConnell issued a revised executive order requiring the citys emergency personnel and some non-emergency employees to report any interaction with federal immigration officials within 24 hours. The city then posted a list of those interactions on its web site. Initially the names or partial names of four federal immigration staffers appeared on that list in error, city officials said. The names have since been removed. OConnell also publicized a fund established by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to assist family members of those detained by immigration authorities. While Trump Administration officials accused OConnell of using public funds to support immigrants without legal status, the fund operates only with private donations, a foundation spokesperson said. ogles-request-for-docs WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Congress is ramping up its pressure on Russia to end its war in Ukraine. Fresh off a trip to the war-torn country, Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Lindsey Graham (r-S.C) said they now have a veto-proof bill that would slap additional sanctions on Russia and levy tariffs against any other country that buys its energy, calling this moment in the conflict crunch time. Peace is nowhere in sight, Blumenthal said. While he [Putin] mobilizes troops, escalates the bombing of civilians in Ukraine and the kidnapping of children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blumenthal said he and Graham saw evidence President Putin is only ramping up the fighting, likely preparing for a large summer or fall offensive. Blumenthal stressed the peace talks, most recently held Monday in Istanbul, are simply a delay tactic. Putin is playing America and Trump for fools, he said. However, Blumenthal said there are positive signs for Ukraine, including its surprise drone attack Sunday that officials said destroyed or damaged about a third of Russias bomber fleet. We returned from this trip convinced that Ukraine can win, he said. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is more skeptical. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This war has been brutal from both sides, Leavitt said. Too many people have died, and the president wants this war to end at the negotiating table. Blumenthal and Graham are not convinced though that that can happen without additional pressure on Russia. Thats why theyre sponsoring the bipartisan sanctions bill. We need to put Russia on an economic island, isolated from the world economy, Blumenthal said. The legislations new tariffs on countries that purchase Russian energy target China and India, who have been aiding Russias war effort. Ill let the president speak on that himself, Leavitt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump has yet to endorse the bill, but it now has enough bipartisan support in the Senate to avoid a veto. A vote could happen as early as this week. Mondays peace talks did bring one solution: Russia and Ukraine agreed to another prisoner swap. However, Russia still wont commit to a face-to-face meeting between Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy, which is a key Ukrainian demand. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) Congressmen Don Davis and Greg Murphy came together to take a tour of the Electrolux Manufacturing Facility on Monday. The congressmen were getting a firsthand look at how trade laws and tariffs are impacting local companies. During the tour, the congressmen also talked about the opportunities for young employees, and how communities like Kinston are working to offer competitive positions in this economy. Its important more than ever, especially here in Eastern North Carolina, to find common ground on our economy, Congressmen Davis said. We have to work together to bring real opportunities here. Neither Congressmen were able to speak to the media today due to tight schedules. Congressman Davis will finish his Week Across the East tour Monday with a stop in Goldsboro. For more information, click on the video above. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) The State of Connecticut Mosquito Management Program Monday announced it has begun seasonal monitoring of mosquitoes for viruses that can harm people- primarily West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus. The organizations mosquito trapping and testing program begins June 2 and will continue until the end of October. Milford launches Mosquito Control Program Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mosquito season has begun, Dr. Philip Armstrong, chief scientist at CAES, said in a statement. We will be trapping and testing mosquitoes from 108 locations throughout Connecticut to monitor the risk of mosquito-borne disease. Armstrong said WNV typically peaks in activity between July and September and in urban and suburban areas, but transmission of EEE virus is more sporadic and focused on rural areas. West Nile virus emerges every summer in the Northeast and has been considered the main cause of mosquito-borne illness since it was first introduced to the New York City area in 1999, according to CAES officials. In 2024, CAES said there were 13 human cases of West Nile virus-associated illness, with the dates of onset from July 30 to Sept. 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The virus was also detected in 309 mosquito samples from 44 towns in seven Connecticut counties. The majority of cases were found in urban and suburban regions of Fairfield, Hartford, and New Haven counties. Invasive ticks spread across more Connecticut counties Last year, there were no human cases of EEE virus reported in Connecticut, but cases did come up in New York and New Jersey. The virus is a rare but serious illness in humans with about four to eight cases usually reported annually in the U.S. The virus was detected in 72 mosquito samples from 16 towns in Fairfield, Middlesex, New London and Windham counties last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was also reportedly found in one horse, a white-tailed deer, and two wild birds. The last major outbreak of human EEE infection in the U.S. was in 2019, when confirmed cases reached 38 and four people died- including three in Connecticut. We encourage everyone to take precautionary measures against mosquito bites, such as covering bare skin and wearing mosquito repellent, especially during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, Armstrong said. Visit the CDC website for more information on how to prevent mosquito bites. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Haitham Al Ghais has expressed gratitude to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for the continued support for the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) between OPEC and non-OPEC producers, Trend reports. "Azerbaijan is one of the leading participants in the DoC since its inception in 2016," the SecGen noted. Al Ghais also welcomed the strategic approach taken by Baku Energy Week to address pivotal aspects of the global energy agenda, in line with the priorities and the theme set for the 9th OPEC International Seminar that is set to take place at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna on July 9-10, 2025. Azerbaijan's Baku is hosting the 30th edition of Baku Energy Week, the regions premier industrial event that annually brings together global energy leaders. Running until June 4, this milestone event combines three major gatherings: the 30th Caspian Oil and Gas International Exhibition, the 13th Caspian Power International Energy and Green Energy Exhibition, and the 30th Baku Energy Forum. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) After months of back-and-forth, Connecticut lawmakers have reached a deal on the two-year state budget, Gov. Ned Lamont announced on X Monday morning. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the agreement Monday afternoon and the Senate is likely to vote on the deal on Tuesday. Connecticut lawmakers close to a deal on two-year state budget, Speaker Matt Ritter says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lamont said the budget prioritizes smart investments and affordability. Im proud to share that weve reached an agreement with legislative leaders on a biennium budget one that makes smart investments in our future, our communities and schools, all while prioritizing affordability, holding the line on taxes, and keeping us on a sound fiscal path, Lamont said on X. In a separate post published less than an hour later, Lamont said they had made progress on the legislation in reducing electric rates. He added that he encourages legislatures to approve it. Im glad to report that Democratic and Republican legislators and my office have made significant progress on legislation to reduce electric rates, which among other things eliminates some of the public benefits from consumers bills. I encourage the legislature to approve this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the end, spending increases are on the way. In some areas, like higher education, those increases arent quite as much as the ones Democrats had originally called for, but on many other points, those Democrats managed to move the governor to spend more than he had proposed. Its a reminder that if you just keep going, if you keep negotiating, you keep coming up with ideas you can solve even the most difficult of problems, State Rep. Matt Ritter (D), the State House speaker, said. Another difficult problem is the high cost of childcare. The solution presented in teh budget is nearly $300 million in new spending that will make pre-K free for many families and low cost for more. Lamont says that the proposal and plan are a way to invest in needed services while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not gonna raise taxes. Were gonna be able to honor the commitments to the most vulnerable. A budget is a reflection of our values, Lamont said. Republicans dispute Lamonts claims, saying that they are deceptive. It rises to the level of deception and promotion only second to P.T. Barnum, State House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora (R) said. The Republicans say that under the new budget proposal, the state income and sales taxes wont be touched, but there are two tax proposals that will see hospitals and some large companies paying more. It mightve been fancied as a no tax increase budget but we know based on the documents and the runs that we received this morning that it raises a significant amount of taxes, State Rep. Joe Polletta (R) on the Finance Committee said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans say Democrats are pushing for too much, too fast. Watch the full story in the player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian backed by the right-wing Law and Justice party, second right, greets supporters at his headquarters after the presidential election runoff in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) via Associated Press WARSAW, Poland (AP) Conservative Karol Nawrocki won Polands weekend presidential runoff election, according to the final vote count on Monday. Nawrocki won 50.89% of votes in a very tight race against liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski, who received 49.11%. The race had Poland on edge since a first round of voting two weeks earlier, revealing deep divisions in the country along the eastern flank of NATO and the European Union. An early exit poll released Sunday evening suggested Trzaskowski was headed to victory before updated polling began to reverse the picture a couple of hours later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outcome suggests that Poland can be expected to take a more populist and nationalist path under its new president, who was backed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Trzaskowski conceded defeat and congratulated Nawrocki on Monday, thanking all those who voted for him. I fought for us to build a strong, safe, honest, and empathetic Poland together, he wrote on X. Im sorry I wasnt able to convince the majority of citizens of my vision for Poland. Im sorry we didnt win together. Congratulations From Different Corners Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was among the leaders offering their congratulations to Nawrocki on Monday morning, an acknowledgment of Polands key role as a neighbor, ally and hub for Western weapons sent to Kyiv. He called Poland a pillar of regional and European security, and said, by reinforcing one another on our continent, we give greater strength to Europe in global competition and bring the achievement of real and lasting peace closer. I look forward to continued fruitful cooperation with Poland and with President Nawrocki personally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who shares Nawrockis national conservative worldview, hailed Nawrockis fantastic victory. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered measured congratulations, emphasizing continued EU-Poland collaboration rooted in shared democratic values: We are all stronger together in our community of peace, democracy, and values. So let us work to ensure the security and prosperity of our common home. The Role Of A President In Poland Most day-to-day power in the Polish political system rests with a prime minister chosen by the parliament. However, the presidents role is not merely ceremonial. The office holds the power to influence foreign policy and to veto legislation. Nawrocki will succeed Andrzej Duda, a conservative whose second and final term ends on Aug. 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the Polish constitution, the president serves a five-year term and may be re-elected once. A Headache For Tusk Prime Minister Donald Tusk came to power in late 2023 with a coalition government that spans a broad ideological divide so broad that it hasnt been able to fulfill certain of his electoral promises, such as loosening the restrictive abortion law or passing a civil partnership law for same-sex couples. But Dudas veto power has been another obstacle. It has prevented Tusk from fulfilling promises to reverse laws that politicized the court system in a way that the EU found to be undemocratic. Now it appears Tusk will have no way to fulfill those promises, which he made both to voters and the EU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some observers in Poland have said the unfulfilled promises could make it more difficult for Tusk to continue his term until the next parliamentary election scheduled for late 2027, particularly if Law and Justice dangles the prospect of future cooperation with conservatives in his coalition. A Former Boxer, Historian And Political Novice Nawrocki, a 42-year-old amateur boxer and historian, was tapped by the Law and Justice party as part of its push for a fresh start. The party governed Poland from 2015 to 2023, when it lost power to Tusks centrist coalition. Some political observers predicted it would never make a comeback, and Nawrocki was chosen as a new face who would not be burned by the scandals of the partys eight years of rule. The election outcome vindicated party leader Jarosaw Kaczynskis strategy but on Monday many were also blaming the increasingly unpopular Tusk and Trzaskowski. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrocki has most recently been the head of the Institute of National Remembrance, which embraces nationalist historical narratives. He led efforts to topple monuments to the Soviet Red Army in Poland, and Russia responded by putting him on a wanted list, according to Polish media reports. Nawrockis supporters describe him as the embodiment of traditional, patriotic values. Those who oppose secular trends, including LGBTQ+ visibility, have embraced him, viewing him as a reflection of the values they grew up with. Nawrockis candidacy was clouded by allegations of past connections to criminal figures and his participation in a violent street brawl. He denies the criminal links but was unapologetic about the street fight, saying he had taken part in various noble fights in his life. The revelations did not seem to hurt his support among right-wing voters, many of whom see the allegations as politically motivated. The Trump Factor Trump made it clear he wanted Nawrocki as Polands president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He welcomed Nawrocki to the White House a month ago. And last week the conservative group CPAC held its first meeting in Poland to give Nawrocki a boost. Kristi Noem, the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary and a prominent Trump ally, strongly praised Nawrocki and urged Poles to vote for him. The U.S. has about 10,000 troops stationed in Poland and Noem suggested that military ties could deepen with Nawrocki as president. A common refrain from Nawrockis supporters is that he will restore normality, as they believe Trump has done. U.S. flags often appeared at Nawrockis rallies, and his supporters believed that he offered a better chance for good ties with the Trump administration. Nawrocki has also echoed some of Trumps language on Ukraine. He promises to continue Polands support for Ukraine but has been critical of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of taking advantage of allies. He has accused Ukrainian refugees of taking advantage of Polish generosity, vowing to prioritize Poles for social services such as health care and schooling. WARSAW, Poland (AP) Conservative Karol Nawrockis victory in Polands weekend presidential runoff has set the country on a more nationalist course and cast doubt on the viability of the centrist government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk after the defeat of his liberal ally. Nawrocki, who was supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, won 50.89% of votes in a very tight race against Warsaw Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski, who received 49.11%, according to the final results of Sunday's runoff published Monday morning. By evening, Tusk said he would ask parliament to hold a vote of confidence in his coalition government, a fragile multiparty alliance that includes left-wingers, centrists and agrarian conservatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tusks government exists separately from the presidency, but the president holds power to veto laws, and Nawrockis win will make it extremely difficult for Tusk to press his pro-European agenda. The race revealed deep divisions in the country along the eastern flank of NATO and the European Union. The result leaves Tusk politically wounded, and there are questions about whether his coalition can survive to the end of its term in late 2027. There were already calls on Monday from political opponents for him to step down. Tusk said in a video posted to social media that there's a lot of work for the government to do, and its first test would be the vote of confidence held in the near future. If Tusk survives the confidence vote, it would show he still has a mandate to govern. He also said he was prepared to work with Nawrocki if the willingness is there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want everyone to see including our opponents, at home and abroad that we are ready for this situation, that we understand the gravity of the moment, and that we do not intend to back down, not even a step, he said. Nawrocki thanks his voters In his first public comments since his win was announced, Nawrocki thanked those who voted for him and said he would work for the causes that matter to them. We want to live in a safe country with a strong economy, one that cares for the most vulnerable. A country that matters in international, European, and transatlantic relations. A country that cherishes its centuries-old traditions and respects its history, he wrote on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrockis supporters describe him as the embodiment of traditional, patriotic values. Those who oppose secular trends, including LGBTQ+ visibility, have embraced him, viewing him as a reflection of the values they grew up with. Most day-to-day power in the Polish political system rests with a prime minister chosen by the parliament. However, the presidents role isnt merely ceremonial. The office also holds the power to influence foreign policy. Nawrocki will succeed Andrzej Duda, a conservative whose second and final term ends on Aug. 6. Trzaskowski conceded defeat and congratulated Nawrocki. I fought for us to build a strong, safe, honest, and empathetic Poland together, he wrote on social media. Im sorry I wasnt able to convince the majority of citizens of my vision for Poland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congratulations from Trump, Zelenskyy, Orban Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was among the leaders offering congratulations to Nawrocki, an acknowledgment of Poland's key role as a neighbor, ally and hub for Western weapons sent to Kyiv. He called Poland a pillar of regional and European security." Trump exulted Nawrocki's victory. Congratulations Poland, you picked a WINNER! he said on his social media platform Truth Social. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also congratulated Nawrocki, saying in a statement, The Polish people have spoken and support a stronger military and securing their borders. Poland is a model Ally and a key contributor to strengthening the NATO Alliance and its sovereign integrity against todays challenges and those ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrocki supports Ukraine in its fight against Russia's full-scale invasion, but he's more critical of Zelenskyy than Polish leaders to date, and he opposes NATO membership for Kyiv. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who shares Nawrocki's national conservative worldview, hailed Nawrocki's fantastic victory. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered measured congratulations: We are all stronger together in our community of peace, democracy, and values. So let us work to ensure the security and prosperity of our common home. A former boxer, historian and political novice Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrocki, a 42-year-old amateur boxer and historian, was tapped by the Law and Justice party as part of its push for a fresh start. The party governed Poland from 2015 to 2023, when it lost power to Tusk's centrist coalition. Some political observers predicted it would never make a comeback, and Nawrocki was chosen as a new face who would not be burned by the scandals of the party's rule. The election outcome vindicated party leader Jarosaw Kaczynski's strategy, but on Monday many were also blaming the increasingly unpopular Tusk and Trzaskowski. Nawrocki has most recently been the head of the Institute of National Remembrance, which embraces nationalist historical narratives. He led efforts to topple monuments to the Soviet Red Army in Poland, and Russia responded by putting him on a wanted list, according to Polish media reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrockis candidacy was clouded by allegations of past connections to criminal figures and his participation in a violent street brawl. He denies the criminal links but was unapologetic about the street fight, saying he had taken part in various noble fights in his life. The revelations did not seem to hurt his support among right-wing voters, many of whom see the allegations as politically motivated. The Trump factor Trump had made it clear he wanted Nawrocki as Poland's president. He welcomed Nawrocki to the White House a month ago. And last week, the conservative group CPAC held its first meeting in Poland to give Nawrocki a boost. Kristi Noem, the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary and a prominent Trump ally, praised Nawrocki and urged Poles to vote for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States has about 10,000 troops stationed in Poland, and Noem suggested that military ties could deepen with Nawrocki as president. A common refrain from Nawrocki's supporters is that he will restore normality, as they believe Trump has done. U.S. flags often appeared at Nawrocki's rallies, and his supporters believed that he offered a better chance for good ties with the Trump administration. Nawrocki has also echoed some of Trump's language on Ukraine. He promises to continue Poland's support for Ukraine, but has been critical of Zelenskyy, accusing him of taking advantage of allies. He has accused Ukrainian refugees of taking advantage of Polish generosity, vowing to prioritize Poles for social services such as health care and schooling. RANDALL, Wis. (WFRV) Authorities in southern Wisconsin say a construction worker was airlifted to a hospital after falling from the second story of a building. According to the Twin Lakes Fire Department, on June 2, around 7:20 p.m., crews were sent to a report of a construction worker who fell from the second story of a structure. It was reported that the worker was bleeding from the ear. Green Bay Metro Fire Department alerting residents of scam involving fake inspectors Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release says a helicopter was requested to airlift the worker to a hospital in Milwaukee. There was no information on the condition of the worker or what the cause of the incident was. No additional details were provided. Local 5 will update this story if more information is released. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) Authorities say a convicted felon was arrested on multiple charges in Evansville on Saturday after he attempted to run away from a vehicle that was stopped by sheriffs deputies. According to the Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that failed to use a turn signal at the intersection of south Governor Street and Bellemeade Avenue. The driver reportedly pulled over near the same location, but a passenger was seen exiting the vehicle and fleeing on foot. During the pursuit, a deputy reported the suspect discarded a handgun. Authorities say the man tripped and fell, causing minor injuries, but still fleeing afterwards. A deputy attempted to deploy a stun gun, but it was ineffective in stopping the man. Authorities eventually apprehended the man and placed him in custody without further incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Evansville Police Department K9 team assisted in locating the discarded firearm, which was reported as stolen according to the sheriffs office. The man who fled from authorities was identified as Cameron Banks, 39, of Evansville. Banks has a prior felony conviction, which prohibits him from possessing a firearm. During a search of Banks property, authorities reportedly found 0.27 grams of methamphetamine and a glass pipe. Banks was charged with possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, possession of methamphetamine, resisting law enforcement and possession of paraphernalia. He is being held on a $2,000 bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). LEBANON, Mo. Carl. W. Dill, 79, of Conway, has pleaded guilty to selling methamphetamine and was sentenced on Monday, June 2. According to online court records, Dill admitted to two counts of delivering a controlled substance as part of a plea agreement. The charge of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child involving drugs was dropped. For both counts, he was given a 10-year prison sentence with a suspended execution of sentence, meaning he will be under supervised probation for five years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 79-year-old Conway man arrested for distributing meth Court documents state that law enforcement searched Dills home as part of an ongoing investigation in October 2024 and found $6,000 worth of methamphetamine. Dill told officers he did not use meth but sold it to post other peoples bonds and put money into his incarcerated children and grandchildrens inmate accounts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. An inmate at CoreCivic's Trousdale Turner prison in Tennessee is suing prison administrators for allowing gang members to assault him. (Photo: Kansas Reflector) A Trousdale Turner Correction Center inmate serving time at a privately-run prison in Tennessee is suing the warden and staff for allowing gang members to assault him and extort money from his mother. Filed in May in U.S. District Court in Nashville, the lawsuit claims gang members at the CoreCivic prison in Trousdale County threatened to assault inmate Charles Anderson if his mother and two family friends didnt send them money, then beat and sexually assaulted him anyway after he complained to prison staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trousdale Turner already faces a federal civil rights investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice for gang violence and murders. The lawsuit names prison warden Vince Vantell, assistant warden Keith Huggins, investigator Robert Fohrd and a sergeant at the facility, which is run by the Brentwood-based prison operator under contract with the state of Tennessee. The filing says almost as soon as Anderson was transferred to Trousdale Turner in October 2023, he became the repeated victim of violence, with gang members stealing his property and threatening and inflicting violence on him. Gang members ordered him to buy back the stolen items in a well-known prison extortion scheme, according to the filing. Anderson then instructed his elderly mother to pay gang members affiliates outside the prison through mobile methods or a green dot card or else he would be severely harmed or killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gang members armed with shanks forced him to call his mother and ordered him to tell her to make payments between $40 and $150. These calls were placed from (Trousdale Turner Correctional Center) lines and presumably monitored by staff at TTCC, the filing says. When the inmates mother couldnt afford to make the payments, he asked two family friends for protection payments to preserve his life. The family friends told Fohrd about the extortion and threats, yet the staff member did nothing meaningful to intervene or put Anderson in protective custody, the filing says. In May 2024, the family friend sent multiple emails to the wardens office about the incessant extortion, and at one point a prison official told the friend they were committed to placing him in protective custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet in June 2024, Anderson was assaulted again, and in October 2024, he was sexually assaulted by at least four gang members with a broom handle. They claimed he owed them $1,000 for debt. No staff members intervened, the filing says. The victim received treatment at Nashville General Hospital in October, but when he returned to the prison, gang members attacked him again and poured scalding hot water on his face as he slept. Despite receiving medical treatment, he wasnt placed in protective custody and was attacked again and threatened if he didnt perform sexual favors for the gang members, which he refused to do, according to the filing. A corrections officer recommended he be put in protective custody, and staff reviewed the request. After repeated complaints and a request to file a Prison Rape Elimination Act complaint, Anderson met with prison officials when Vantell told him it was okay if he was gay. Anderson replied that he wasnt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This interaction was an attempt to cover-up the rape as a consensual act and escape liability for the defendants acts and omissions, the filing says. The defendants denied his requests for protective custody, alleging he was not honest about why he needed protective custody and became argumentative with the board of prison officials. In December 2024, Fohrd spoke with the inmates mother and told her to pay the gang members one more time to buy back his property and he would be put into protective custody. The filing says the phone call was made in the presence of Anderson and gang members. Because the defendants failed to stop gang violence and extortion directed towards Mr. Anderson and his family, the violence and extortion continues, without reprieve, even to present, the filing says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since last October, the victim has received multiple disciplinary write-ups for refusing his cell assignment, because he believes segregation is the only way to be protected from constant gang violence, according to the filing. Yet he remains in the general population. Vantell resigned as warden in April after being placed on involuntary administrative leave amid the Department of Justice investigation into inmate physical and sexual violence, as well as understaffing at Trousdale Turner. The plaintiffs are represented by Moseley & Moseley Attorneys in Murfreesboro and Leanne Thorne in Lexington, Tennessee. A CoreCivic spokesman said the company doesnt comment on pending litigation but added that the safety and well-being of every person in our care is a top priority for our leadership and the staff at our Trousdale Turner Correctional Center. CoreCivic 5-22-25 SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) A teenager was killed Monday in a crash in Anderson County. According to Anderson County Coroners Office, at around 12:50 p.m. emergency services were called to West Road in Belton after a pickup truck struck a tree. The coroners office said 15-year-old Vance Kanter Schmidt, of Belton, was driving on West Road when he went off the right side of the road, overcorrected and hit a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wreck remains under investigation by the coroners office and state highway patrol. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) People who earn a living by styling and cosmetically treating other peoples hair, nails and skin could soon be paying higher fees to perform their services in South Dakota. On Monday the South Dakota Cosmetology Commission held a public hearing on its proposal to raise prices for licenses and related services. The commission received no written comments by the Sunday deadline and no one spoke during the hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission voted 4-0 for approval. The meeting adjourned less than 10 minutes after it started. The package now awaits final clearance from the South Dakota Legislatures Rules Review Committee, which is scheduled to meet June 10. Earlier this year, South Dakota lawmakers passed Senate Bill 27 raising many of the maximum amounts that the commission can charge. The package that the commission adopted Monday would generate an estimated $237,385, according to an official fiscal note. Among the changes: The examination/initial license rises to $120 from the current $100. It would generate an additional $4,000 if 200 people receive new licenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The examination-retake fee increases to $90 from the current $60. It would generate an additional $6,600 if 220 people retry. The operator license renewal fee goes to $45 from the current $25. For the approximately 6,640 current license holders, it would cost an additional $132,800 total. The annual booth or salon license fee rises to $55 from the current $40. For the current 2,029 current license holders, it would cost an additional $30,435 total. The salon or booth permit fee goes to $75 from the current $60. The charge for re-inspecting a salon rises to $75 from the current $50. The instructor license fee rises to $45 from the current $35. There currently are approximately 400 instructors. The six schools that currently operate would pay $350 apiece rather than the current $300. Student licenses would rise to $15 from the current $6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The apprentice salon license would go to $300 from the current $250. A reciprocity license for a person licensed in another state would rise to $120 from the current $100. Fees also would rise for license certifications, duplicate licenses and lapsed licenses, while a new fee would be charged for inspections of prospective salons or booths. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. According to a May 2025 survey of Mainers, 67% of respondents cited cost of living as their top concern. (Photo by Getty Images) A new statewide poll found that Maine voters are overwhelmingly worried about the cost of living more than any other issue by a wide margin. According to the poll from Pan Atlantic Research, 67% of respondents cited cost of living as their top concern. Immigration was second, with 39% identifying that as one of the top issues Maine is facing, while 33% said housing and 31% said high taxes are their top issues of concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The poll asked Mainers an array of questions about policy and included favorability ratings of Maines congressional delegation, Gov. Janet Mills, President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. It was conducted May 12-26, surveying 929 adult Mainers (840 of whom are likely voters) and offers a snapshot of an electorate. Respondents were divided on whether the state is headed in the right direction, whether they approved of federal government oversight into Maine policies and the transgender athlete debate, which has put Maine in the national spotlight. Musk and Trump receive unfavorable ratings Despite growing discontent over living costs, the states top political figures maintain relatively strong approval ratings, with only President Donald Trump and billionaire advisor Elon Musk having more negative responses than positive. Independent Sen. Angus King leads with a +38% net favorability rating, and Rep. Chellie Pingree was popular in her district, with a 29% net positive rating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills fell slightly from a net favorability rating of +11% in September 2024 to +8%, while Sen. Susan Collins rose from +2% net favorability to +4%. Overall, Rep. Jared Golden was still favorable by a small margin, with 48% of 2nd Congressional District voters viewing him very or somewhat favorably, compared with 41% rating him as very or somewhat negatively. But Mainers largely disapproved of Trump, with a net rating of -9%, and Musk, who has said hes stepping back from his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, had an approval rating of -19%. The poll asked respondents about Maines inclusive transgender athlete policy, which allows students to play on teams aligning with their gender identity in adherence to the Maine Human Rights Act. The policy was the reason behind several federal agencies threatening the state with loss of federal funding, and is being challenged in courts by the U.S. Department of Justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A majority of respondents (53%) said that they believe that Maine should comply with the federal demands to change its trans athlete policies to avoid losing federal education funding. Thirty-two percent of respondents said that Maine should not comply with federal demands, while 14% were undecided on this question. The responses roughly fell along political lines, with 82% of Republicans, 52% of independent voters and 32% of Democrats agreeing that Maine should comply with federal demands. Overall, a majority of Mainers did not think the federal governments involvement in Maine policy was beneficial, according to the poll results. Forty-nine percent of Republicans, 20% of independents, and 17% of Democrats said that federal government involvement is generally beneficial. Insights into the 2026 gubernatorial primary The poll also asked respondents to weigh in on candidates for next years gubernatorial election, for both rumored and confirmed candidates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among likely Democratic voters, businessman Angus King III, son of the independent U.S. senator, led the field, with 33% of voters saying they would likely support him, and 47% said they would consider supporting him. Twenty-four percent said they would likely support Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, and another 50% said they would consider it. Twenty percent also said they would support former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives Hannah Pingree, with another 39% saying they would consider supporting the congresswomans daughter, though she has yet to officially announce a run. Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, who recently joined the race, came in fourth among the potential Democratic candidates, with 31% of respondents saying they would either likely or consider voting for him. State Rep. Laurel Libby (R-Auburn), who also has not officially joined the race, led the Republicans, with 27% saying they would likely support her and 28% saying they would consider it. Former U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin polled similarly, with 23% percent of respondents saying they were likely to vote for him and 36% saying they would consider it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Businessman and former Republican gubernatorial candidate Shawn Moody was a close third, with 21% and 34% respectively saying they would likely vote for him, or consider it. The only official Republican candidate included in the survey is Bangor resident Bobby Charles, who previously worked in the federal government during the George W. Bush administration. Forty percent of likely Republican voters said they would likely or consider supporting Charles. Divided reactions on states direction Republicans and independents were more skeptical compared with Democrats about the direction the state is headed in. Overall, 39% of respondents said the state is headed in the right direction, while 41% feel its on the wrong track, and 20% remain unsure. That is a significant drop compared with 2022, when 47% of respondents thought the state was headed in the right direction, according to the poll results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The division is more pronounced along political lines, with 66% of Democrats expressing optimism, contrasted with only 25% of independents and 20% of Republicans sharing that view. Forty-five percent of residents in the more liberal 1st Congressional District feel positive about the states direction, compared to 35% in CD2. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Azerbaijan's revenues from natural gas export to Serbia snowball in 1Q2025 Azerbaijan sharply boosted its natural gas exports to Serbia in the first quarter of this year. The country exported 94.7 million cubic meters of gas, generating $46.5 million in revenue. This marks a more than sevenfold increase in volume and over tenfold growth in value compared to the same period last year. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Wyatt Speers just became the third student from Cottondale High School ever to be accepted into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Its pretty awesome. Its rare and Im really excited about it, Wyatt Speers said. Helping him along the way was retired Major General David Morris, the second Cottondale student to attend West Point himself. Morris mentored Speers through the tough application process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Publix and commerical space planned for Watersound West Bay Center in Panama City Beach I graduated from West Point in 1975, serving over 36 years. And Im also a graduate of Cottondale High School, Class of 1971. And there has not been a Cottondale High School graduate since me that has attended any military academy. So thats one reason I was really excited to meet Wyatt and see that he was very competitive for admission, retired U.S. Army Major General and volunteer member of the West Point Field Force David Morris said. West Point is a top U.S. military academy in New York that trains future Army officers. Students receive a full scholarship and must serve at least 5 years after graduating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is very selective. Students need strong grades, leadership skills and a nomination from a member of Congress, a state senator, the president or vice president to get in. K9 Unit assists deputies in locating vehicle theft suspect in Jackson County Wyatt will be a member of just under 14,000 applications that were submitted, and they will be admitting approximately, if memory serves, 1245. Thats roughly an eight-and-a-half percent selection rate, Morris said. Speers earned a nomination from Congressman Neal Dunn. He says he is excited for his next adventure. I mean, it just sets me up for life. Its a good leadership role that I can have for the rest of my life, and Im hoping to make a career out of this, Speers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. For the record: 4:16 p.m. June 2, 2025: An earlier version of this report incorrectly said teaching phonics was new to Long Beach Unified. Some phonics has been taught in the district for years, but a new focus on phonics has been adopted. To look inside Julie Celestial's kindergarten classroom in Long Beach is to peer into the future of reading in California. During a recent lesson, 25 kindergartners gazed at the whiteboard, trying to sound out the word "bee." They're learning the long e sound, blending words such as Pete and cheek words that theyll soon be able to read in this lessons accompanying book. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Celestial was teaching a lesson that's part of Long Beach Unified's new focus: phonics. It's pretty cool to watch, she said. I'm really anticipating that there's going to be a lot less reluctant readers and struggling readers now that the district has made this shift. These phonics-based lessons are on the fast track to become law in California under a sweeping bill moving through the Legislature that will mandate how schools teach reading, a rare action in a state that generally emphasizes local school district control over dictating instruction. Julie Celestial teaches her kindergarten class a literacy lesson at Mark Twain Elementary School in Long Beach. The bill is the capstone to decades of debate and controversy in California on how best to teach reading amid stubbornly low test scores. Gov. Gavin Newsom has pledged his support, setting aside $200 million to fund teacher training on the new approach in the May revise of his 2025-26 budget proposal. "It's a big deal for kids, and it's a big step forward a very big one," said Marshall Tuck, chief executive of EdVoice, an education advocacy nonprofit that has championed the change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California has long struggled with reading scores below the national average. In 2024, only 29% of California's fourth-graders scored "proficient" or better in reading on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP. The proposed law, which would take effect in phases beginning in 2026, would require districts to adopt instructional materials based on the "science of reading," a systemic approach to literacy instruction supported by decades of research about the way young children learn to read, from about transitional kindergarten through third grade. The science of reading consists of five pillars: phonemic awareness (the sounds that letters make), phonics, reading fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Its finite. Theres only 26 letters and 44 sounds," said Leslie Zoroya, who leads an initiative at the Los Angeles County Office of Education that helps districts transition to a science-of-reading approach. "Phonics isn't forever." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: New test score labels seek positivity, ditching the term 'standard not met' for 'below basic' After a failed effort last year, the bill gained the support this year of the influential California teachers unions and at least one advocacy group for English-language learners. In a compromise, school districts would have more flexibility to select which instructional materials are best for their students and the option to decline teacher training paid for by the state. Kindergarten student Annika Esser works on a literacy lesson at Mark Twain Elementary School in Long Beach. For decades, most school districts in California have been devoted to a different approach called "whole language" or "balanced literacy," built on the belief that children naturally learn to read without being taught how to sound out words. Teachers focus on surrounding children with books intended to foster a love of reading and encourage them to look for clues that help them guess unknown words such as predicting the next word based on the context of the story, or looking at the pictures rather than sounding them out. "The majority of students require a more intentional, explicit and systematic approach," Zoroya said. "Thousands of kids across California in 10th grade are struggling in content-area classes because they missed phonics." Kindergarten student Tyler Madrid raises his hand to answer a question during a literacy lesson at Mark Twain Elementary School in Long Beach. An extended reading war in California California embraced the whole language approach to literacy, which took hold in the 1970s and 1980s, said Susan Neuman, a New York University professor who served as assistant secretary of elementary and secondary education under former President George W. Bush. The state became a national leader in what was considered a progressive and holistic approach to teaching literacy, with a focus on discovering the joy of reading, rather than learning specific skills, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bush then incorporated a phonics-heavy approach in an initiative that was part of his 2002 launch of No Child Left Behind, which increased the federal role in holding schools accountable for academic progress and required standardized testing. States, including California, received grants to teach a science-of-reading approach in high-poverty schools. But many teachers in the state disliked the more regimented approach, and when the funding ended, districts largely transitioned back to the whole language approach. In the years since, science of reading continues to draw opposition from teachers unions and advocates for dual-language learners. Read more: California school enrollment continues to drop as poor and homeless student numbers rise Many California teachers are passionate about the methods they already use and have chafed at a state-mandated approach to literacy education. Some don't like what they describe as "drill and kill" phonics lessons that teach letter sounds and decoding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocates for multiple-language learners, meanwhile, vociferously opposed adopting the most structured approach, worried that children who were still learning to speak English would not receive adequate support in language development and comprehension. A 2022 study of 300 school districts in California found that less than 2% of districts were using curricula viewed as following the science of reading. But the research has become clear: Looking at the pictures or context of a story to guess a word as is encouraged in whole language or balanced literacy instruction, leads to struggles with reading. Children best learn to read by starting with foundational skills such as sounding out and decoding words. "Anything that takes your eyes off the text when a kid is trying to figure out a word activates the wrong side of the brain," Zoroya said. Los Angeles County renews focus on phonics In the last few years, several larger districts in California have started to embrace more structured phonics learning, including Los Angeles Unified, Long Beach Unified and Oakland Unified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, these districts have started to see improvement in their reading test scores. Julie Celestial teaches her kindergarten class a literacy lesson at Mark Twain Elementary School in Long Beach. At Long Beach Unified, for example, the districts in-house assessment shows significant gains among kindergarten students. In 2023-24, 78% of them met reading standards, up 13 percentage points from the previous school year. Proficiency rates across first and second grade were above 70%, and transitional kindergarten was at 48%. The districts goal is to hit 85% proficiency across grades by the end of each school year. In 2019, LAUSD introduced a pilot science-of-reading based curriculum, and adopted it across all schools for the 2023-24 academic year. After the first year, LAUSD reading scores improved in every grade level and across every demographic, chief academic officer Frances Baez said. From the 2022-23 to the 2023-24 school years, LAUSD's English Language Arts scores improved by 1.9 percentage points five times more than the state as a whole, which improved by 0.3, she said. 'Science of Reading' makes waves in Lancaster Teresa Cole, a kindergarten instructor in the Lancaster School District, has been teaching for 25 years. So when Lancaster asked her to try out a new way of teaching her students to read three years ago, she wasn't thrilled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was hesitant and apprehensive to try it, she said, but decided to throw herself into a new method that promised results. Artwork and literacy lessons hang from the ceiling inside Julie Celestial's kindergarten class at Mark Twain Elementary School in Long Beach. Teaching kindergarten is a challenge, she said, because children come in at vastly different stages. Many are just learning to hold a pencil; others can already read. She was seeing many children under "balanced literacy" lessons slip through the cracks especially those with limited vocabularies. When she asked them to read words they didn't know, "it almost felt like they were guessing. But as she began to teach a phonics lesson each morning and have them read decodable books which have children practice the new sound they've learned she noticed that her students were putting together the information much faster and starting to sound out words. "The results were immediate," she said. "We were blown away. She was so impressed with the new curriculum that she started training other teachers in the district to use it as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: As children's book bans soar, sales are down and librarians are afraid. Even in California Looking back at her old method of teaching reading, I feel bad. I feel like maybe I wasnt the best teacher back then," Cole said. Part of the change, she said, was learning about the science behind how children learn to read. "I would never say to guess [a word] anymore," she said. This kind of buy-in and enthusiasm from teachers has been key to making the new curriculum work, said Krista Thomsen, Lancaster's director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Department. In schools where the teachers are implementing the program well, scores have started to rise. But it's a steep learning curve," she said, especially for teachers who have long taught a balanced literacy approach. "We are stumbling through this process trying to get it right and making sure that every one of our kids has equitable access to learning how to read,"Thomsen said. "But we have every faith and every intention, and the plan is in place to get it where it should be going." A compromise may bring more phonics to the classroom Kindergarten student Lauren Van De Kreeke answers a question from teacher Julie Celestial as they work on a literacy lesson at Mark Twain Elementary School in Long Beach. A bill introduced by Assemblymember Blanca E. Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) last year requiring a science-of-reading approach in California public schools did not even get a first hearing. This year, Rubio introduced another version Assembly Bill 1121 that would have required teachers to be trained in a science-of-reading approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opponents included the California Teachers Assn. and English-language learner advocates, who said in a joint letter that the bill would put a "disproportionate emphasis on phonics," and would not focus on the skills needed by students learning English as a second language. The groups also voiced concern that the bill would cut teachers out of the curriculum-selection process and that mandated training "undermines educators' professional expertise and autonomy to respond to the specific learning needs of their students." Martha Hernandez, executive director of Californians Together, said the group opposed both bills because they were too narrow in their focus on skills such as phonics. They're essential. But English learners need more, right? she said. "They don't understand the language that they're learning to read. Rubio said she was shocked by the pushback. I was thinking it was a no-brainer. Its about kids. This is evidence-based." Rubio, a longtime teacher, was born in Mexico, and was herself an English-language learner in California public schools. In 2024, just 19% of Latino students and 7% of Black students scored at or above "proficient" on the fourth-grade NAEP reading test. But with the support of Democratic Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister), the groups reached a compromise that not all teachers would be required to participate in the teacher training. Hernandez said she was pleased that the compromise included more of an emphasis on oral language development and comprehension, which is vital for multi-language learners to succeed. AB1454 requires the State Board of Education to come up with a new list of recommended materials that all follow science of reading principles. If a district chooses materials not on the list, they have to vouch that it also complies. The state will provide funds for professional development, though districts can choose whether to accept it. This article is part of The Times early childhood education initiative, focusing on the learning and development of California children from birth to age 5. For more information about the initiative and its philanthropic funders, go to latimes.com/earlyed. 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. BRANDENBURG, Ky. (FOX 56) A crash in Meade County on Saturday night led to a 20-year-old Battletown man being killed, with a passenger in his car and the driver of another vehicle flown to a Louisville hospital in critical condition. Troopers with Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 4 in Elizabethtown were dispatched around 11:15 p.m. on Saturday by the Meade County Sheriffs Office, which asked for help investigating a two-vehicle crash near the 4100 block of Payneville Road. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An initial investigation showed that Robert Eldridge, 20, of Battletown, was driving a 2014 Ford Mustang heading west on KY-144 when he tried to pass another car before allegedly hitting a 2025 Toyota Tacoma driven by John Kay, 44, of Louisville. Eldridge was pronounced dead at the scene by the Meade County Coroners Office. Kaw and a passenger in Eldridges car were flown to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries, per a news release. The area of the crash was closed for several hours to allow troopers to reconstruct what happened. An investigation into the deadly crash remains ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Over the weekend, Everett Police were able to recover the bodies of two of the three boaters who went missing when their boat sunk. On May 21, a shrimping boat started taking on water and eventually sunk off Possession Sound. Four people were plunged into the water. One of those people was able to be rescued, but the other three were missing. Crews launched a search for them and then later that day, deemed it a recovery mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boat was found a day later, but the people who went down with it were not located. The individuals initially missing were the boat owner, a man in his 60s, and his son, who was in his 20s. The older mans coworker, a woman in her 40s, was also missing. On May 31, 10 days after the initial sinking, the boats owner and his coworker were recovered. Their bodies were turned over to the Snohomish County Medical Examiners Office. They were found in the boat about 165 feet underwater. The body of the boat owners son has yet to be located. Everett Police were assisted in the recovery mission by the Seattle Police Harbor Patrol and Pierce County Marine Operations. They also utilized non-profit Innerspace Exploration Team, whose remotely operated vehicle (ROV) was able to get an underwater view of the boat and ultimately, locate the two victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Everett Police Chief John DeRousse: We are grateful for the unwavering dedication and collaboration demonstrated by the Everett Police Marine Unit, Seattle Police Harbor Patrol, Pierce County Marine Operations, Snohomish County Sheriffs Office and the Innerspace Exploration Team. The collective efforts of these organizations have brought a measure of solace to the grieving family by recovering two of the three missing individuals from the tragic incident in Possession Sound. While we continue to hope for the recovery of the third, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to all involved for their commitment to this challenging mission. In addition, the initial response from the Everett Fire Department, South County Fire Authority, Port of Everett and the US Coast Guard played important roles in the early stages of this deployment, and gave the boating public reassurance that when emergencies occur on the water there is a large-scale collaborative response. Its still unknown what caused the boat to sink. UPDATE: On June 1, 2025, at 4:45 AM, the Aubrey Police Department announced, Skylar has been located and is safe. Some personal info has been removed for privacy. *** The Aubrey Police Department is asking the public to help find a missing teen girl. Skylar Page Dennis, 16, was last seen at 11 p.m. on May 31, Aubrey police posted to Facebook. Her last known location was near 4000 Fox Trotter Drive, in the Sandbrock Ranch neighborhood of Aubrey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dennis is a white female with brown hair and brown eyes. She is 5 foot 7 inches tall and weighs close to 140 pounds. Dennis was last seen in a black shirt and black shorts, and she had a black nose ring in her right nostril. She is known to frequent the Paloma Creek area, between Oak Point and Little Elm. Aubrey police are asking anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact officers at 940-349-1600 ext. 9 or call 911. The National Center for Missing and Endangered also shared the alert. Dennis previously went missing but returned home, per an updated statement by Aubrey police originally dated May 25. The Dallas Express contacted the Aubrey Police Department but did not receive a response by the time of publication. Federal officials are charging a father and son, who operated an oil business in South Texas, with aiding a violent Mexican cartel. James Lael Jensen, 68, and Maxwell Sterling Jensen, 25, allegedly conspired to provide material support to the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), according to a press release from the Department of Justice. They allegedly operated Arroyo Terminals in Rio Hondo, near the Texas-Mexico border. This case underscores the more aggressive and innovative approach the Southern District of Texas is taking towards combatting the scourge of drug cartels, said U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei in the press release. This strategy focuses not just on the traffickers and trigger-pullers directly employed by the cartels, but also targeting their confederates and enablers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement James Jensen is reportedly from Sandy, Utah, while Maxwell Jensen is from Draper, Utah. A superseding indictment was returned on May 22, charging them with conspiracy to materially support the cartel a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and related smuggling charges. The father and son are also charged with conspiring to conduct financial transactions to conceal and disguise the nature and source of the proceeds of illegally smuggled goods, crude oil, according to the press release. They allegedly aided and abetted the fraudulent entry of close to 2,881 shipments of oil. The indictment accused James and Kelly Jensen of funneling more than $47 million to Mexican businesses connected to the cartel, according to KRGV. An arrest warrant cited by the outlet accused them of making payments for crude oil to businesses in Mexico that operate only through the permission of Mexican criminal organization, and it claimed, James Jensen was aware that the payments he made were going to these Mexican criminal organizations. Cases like this highlight the often-dangerous relationships between alleged unscrupulous U.S. businesses and terrorist organizations, stated Craig Larrabee, special agent in charge of ICE-Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio, in the release. Through strong collaborations and relentless investigative work, we and our partners exposed a possible large-scale operation that allegedly attempted to move millions in illicit crude oil and launder the proceeds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police arrested James Jensen and his wife Kelly on April 27, according to KRGV. Their sons, Maxwell and Zachary Jensen, were also arrested. All four suspects pleaded not guilty. Officials seized four tank barges with crude oil, three commercial tanker trucks, an Arroyo Terminal pickup, and a personal vehicle at the time of the arrests, according to the release. The Arroyo Terminal property in Rio Hondo included crude oil storage tanks and additional real properties for which the government is seeking forfeiture. Upon conviction, the government will also seek a $300 million monetary judgment. James and Maxwell Jensen could face 20 years in prison for the charges of conspiracy to provide material support and to commit money laundering. They could face additional sentences of five and 10 years if convicted of aiding and abetting smuggling and doing so by means of false statements. James Jensen faces another charge of money laundering spending, which could bring an additional 10 years in prison. The money laundering charge could bring fines of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the property, and the other charges could bring up to $250,000 in fines. The investigation was a joint effort between law enforcement, including the DEI, FBI, and ICE-HSI. The agencies found substantial assistance from Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Marshals, IRS Criminal Investigations, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What began as a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) drug trafficking investigation evolved into a multifaceted case involving an alleged complex criminal operation generating millions of dollars from crude oil the largest funding source for Mexican drug cartels, stated William Kimbell, DEA-Houston acting special agent in charge, in the press release. This investigation was part of the broader Operation Take Back America, a national mission using the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion, or CJNG, is responsible for a significant proportion of fentanyl and other deadly drugs trafficked into the United States, according to the Department of the Treasury. While the Sinaloa Cartel has historically been dominant in Dallas and Fort Worth, the CJNG has also been in the area, according to the 2015 National Drug Threat Assessment. Years later, in 2024, Texas was still among the states with the most Mexican cartel presence. Mexico-based drug trafficking cartels such as CJNG have turned to fuel theft and crude oil smuggling in recent years, resulting in billions of dollars in lost revenue for the Mexican government, according to the Treasurys website. These schemes have grown into powerful revenue generators for CJNG, enabling their campaigns of narcotics trafficking in the United States and violence against Mexican government forces along the U.S. southwest border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aaron Tapp, FBI special agent in charge of the San Antonio Field Office, said in the release that it is a top priority for the bureau to eliminate foreign terrorist organizations by cutting off their funding and seizing their assets. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will use every resource and capability at our disposal to ensure violent cartels and anyone who corruptly facilitates their operations are held accountable to the American people and unable to establish a foothold in our communities, Tapp said in the release. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Sturgis and Laura Garcia are prosecuting this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary Ellen Smyth and Tyler Foster are handling seizure and forfeiture. Whether you are handing the cartel a gun, providing a car or safehouse for smugglers, or putting money in the cartels pocket, Ganjei said in the release, you will be held to account. NEED TO KNOW A Jersey Mike's Subs employee in Navarre, Fla. discovered a note in the bathroom asking for help and listing an address Deputies say they found a woman with visible injuries who alleged her boyfriend, Jordan Williams, held her captive and assaulted her for months Williams, a wrestler who performs as "Jayden Steele," has been charged with aggravated assault, kidnapping, battery and false imprisonment A crumpled note in a Jersey Mike's Subs bathroom may have saved a woman's life, leading Florida authorities to a home where they say she was held captive, beaten and isolated by her pro-wrestler boyfriend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The note which included a plea for help and the address of a nearby apartment was found inside the Navarre sub shop by an employee who called police, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office wrote in a press release. "There was this little piece of crumpled up paper that was shoved next to our toilet paper dispenser, and it looked like a piece of trash," employee Eleanor Coffee told NBC 15. "She was like, 'Please help me. I'm at this address in Navarre. I need you to call the police and do a wellness check.'" WEAR Channel 3 News/YouTube Jersey Mike's employee Eleanor Coffee Jersey Mike's employee Eleanor Coffee Employees at the sandwich shop contacted authorities, who carried out a wellness check at the address. There, they found a battered 29-year-old woman who detailed "repeated assaults, threats involving weapons, and being held in isolation for a span of several months," per the release. The woman was transported to a local hospital for treatment of multiple injuries, including suspected broken bones, according to the release. 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 woman's boyfriend, 34-year-old Jordan Williams, was arrested at the scene and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping and false imprisonment, felony and misdemeanor battery, and battery by strangulation, per the police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release noted that he had been the subject of multiple prior domestic abuse calls. Williams is a wrestler in a local circuit that performs under the name "Jayden Steele," according to WKRC and several wrestling-oriented publications. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail on Thursday and ordered to be held without bond, according to online court records. His arraignment is scheduled for June 19. Read the original article on People (FREMONT COUNTY, Colo.) The fatal crash on Colorado Highway 115 near Florence on Sunday, June 1, was caused when a motorcyclist was unable to navigate a curve and went over the double yellow line into oncoming traffic, hitting two vehicles, according to the Colorado State Patrol (CSP). RELATED STORY: UPDATE: CO-115 reopened near Florence after fatal crash CSP reported that on Sunday, around noon, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle with one person riding was driving eastbound on Hwy 115. As the motorcycle was entering a right curve in the road near Brewster Lane, west of Florence, it crossed over the double-yellow line and into the oncoming traffic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to CSP, the motorcycle side-swiped a Chevrolet Tahoe that was driving in the westbound lane, then hit a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was driving behind the Tahoe head-on, causing the Tahoe to spin out and the motorcyclist to be thrown from the bike, which slid into the eastbound lane. The Jeep hit the motorcyclist before coming to a stop. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead on the scene, and the Fremont County Coroner will release their identity at a later time, according to CSP. Neither the driver of the Tahoe, a 49-year-old man from Florence, nor the driver of the Jeep, a 36-year-old woman from Penrose, had injuries. The cause of the crash is being investigated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. As the only laboratory in the Northeast authorized by the USDA to test for bird flu, the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory on the University of Connecticut campus, is helping play a role in detecting diseases in companion animals, livestock and wildlife as one of the largest animal diagnostic labs in New England. The not-for-profit full-service laboratory, housed within UConns College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, specializes in pathology, microbiology, virology, molecular diagnostics and toxicology, offering a range of diagnostic tests to support animal health professionals. The laboratory, one of the largest in New England, serves as a resource for veterinarians, researchers and public health officials. Beyond serving veterinarians, CVMDL collaborates with state and federal agencies to monitor and respond to emerging infectious diseases, including zoonotic threats that could impact human health. The lab is also instrumental in the early detection of diseases such as avian influenza, Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CVMDL confirmed the states first case of bird flu back in January as cases began to appear throughout the Northeast, according to their website. Each year we respond to around 3,000 necropsies or animal autopsies, said Guillermo Risatti, professor and director for the CVMDL. Sometimes when we receive a case, the same case could be 10 chickens, but its still considered one case. Often times when we receive small animals like chickens or birds, we may receive more than one animal. But we also receive a lot of samples including milk samples from farms and swabs from clinics or veterinarians. So in total, we are conducting around 12,000 to 15,000 tests per year. Risatti said that the laboratory works closely with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and with national agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DEEP is always bringing a lot of animals to us including bears, raccoons and skunks to get tested, Risatti said. They are mainly bringing in animals for rabies testing, and we have a good working relationship with them. Rabies continues to be a source for concern in the state as it impacts public health. There were 36 rabies cases diagnosed in animals in 2023, according to the states annual report. The monitoring and detection of certain types of viruses must be reported to federal agencies including anything that affects livestock or poultry. Viruses that are required to be reported to the USDA include avian influenza, Newcastle disease virus, foot-and mouth-disease, African swine fever and classical swine fever, Risatti said. Avian influenza or bird flu is a naturally occurring virus and can cause infection in birds, humans and some other mammals, such as pigs, according to officials. Sometimes, however, the virus is introduced into a new host, such as domestic poultry, and evolves into a more lethal, highly pathogenic avian influenza strain. HPAI can affect poultry and other large livestock animals including dairy cows, officials said. The laboratory tests for HPAI in cows using milk samples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surveillance and testing for bird flu are ongoing in Connecticut to quickly identify and contain any future cases, according to officials. The CVMDL conducts all tests at the laboratory in Storrs and informs the state veterinarian of findings. Connecticut is home to over five million poultry consisting of backyard and commercial flocks that could be affected by the disease outbreak, according to Risatti. The CVMDL is nationally accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians the only veterinary diagnostic laboratory in New England with this accreditation. Because of its national accreditation, it is authorized to conduct testing for federal agencies, distinguishing it among other diagnostic labs in the region. We were the first to diagnose the presence of HPAI in a dairy cow in Connecticut back in 2023, Risatti said. We are the only lab in New England that is authorized to test for avian influenza for the federal government. Its based on a test provided to us by the USDA, and we are proficient in that test. So we receive samples from Connecticut and other states like Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire. We conduct avian flu testing for most of New England and report results to the USDA. Some of the other diseases the laboratory diagnosis include rabbit hemorrhagic disease and equine herpesvirus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RHD is a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease affecting domestic and wild rabbits. The laboratory confirmed the presence of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus in a colony of rabbits located in Hartford County at a private facility back in 2022. Equine herpesvirus affects horses and has two significant variations including EHV-1, which causes respiratory disease, abortion and neurologic disease; and EHV-4, which primarily causes respiratory disease and only occasionally causes abortion or neurologic disease. The laboratory confirmed diagnosis of EHV-1 in a 14-year-old horse located in Tolland County back in March 2022. CVMDL has the capacity to test clinical samples including nasal swabs and complete blood for EHV-1, Risatti said. Anyone who suspects their companion animal or livestock to be exhibiting viral symptoms, may contact the CVMDL for testing. Ticks may also be mailed to the CVMDL if suspected for Lyme disease. A complete list of diagnostic testing services and prices can be found at cvmdl.uconn.edu. Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. The shareholders of Shafag (Jabrayil) Solar Limited (SJSL), a joint venture between bp, SOCAR Green, and the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund (ABIF), announced the final investment decision for the Shafag solar power plant project today, Trend reports. This decision paves the way for breaking ground on a 240 MW AC solar power plant in Azerbaijans Jabrayil district. In a timely turn of events, the investors behind the Sangachal terminalbp, SOCAR, TPAO, LUKOIL, Southern Gas Corridor, NIKO, MOL, INPEX, ExxonMobil, ITOCHU, ONGC Videsh, Eni, MVM, and TotalEnergieshave given the green light to the Sangachal Terminal Electrification (STEL) project today. This project will ensure the terminals connection to the national power grid operated by Azerenergy OJSC, and for this purpose, new facilities, including a new 220/110 kV electrical substation, will be constructed both within and outside the terminal area. These two projects are closely interconnected through a new commercial model called the virtual energy transfer mechanism. According to this mechanism, the Shafag plant will generate electricity and supply it to Azerenergy in the Jabrayil district, which will in turn supply the same amount of electricity to the Sangachal terminal near Baku. According to current projections and plans, the Shafag and STEL projects together will enable a reduction of approximately 50 percent in emissions from the terminal's operations over its future operational period. At present, the facility operates with a configuration of seven gas turbines to fulfill its energy requirements. Subsequent to the electrification phase, the turbines will undergo a systematic decommissioning process, facilitating the strategic redirection of surplus fuel gas for export purposes. In order to facilitate the conclusive capital allocation determinations for the dual initiatives, a series of ancillary contracts were executed today. Regarding the Shafag initiativea contractual arrangement for power procurement between SJSL and Azerenergy, alongside a grid interconnection accord between SJSL and Azerenergy. For the STEL projecta package of engineering, procurement, construction, and installation contracts; a power supply agreement; and an operation and maintenance agreement between Azerenergy and bp as the operator of the Sangachal terminal. In addition, two agreements were signed to support both the Shafag and STEL projectsa balancing agreement between bp (as the operator of the Sangachal terminal), SJSL, and Azerenergy; and a power purchase agreement between bp and SJSL, also as the terminals operator. The official signing of the final investment decisions and related agreements for both projects took place today during an event held at the Baku Expo Center as part of Baku Energy Week. In line with President Ilham Aliyev's green energy policy, our strategic energy relationship with bp is entering a new phase with the Shafag solar power plant and Sangachal terminal electrification projects. This project, which includes the construction of a 240 MW solar power plant in the Green Energy Zone and the electrification of Sangachal, one of the world's largest oil and gas terminals, demonstrates our progressive approach to energy security and emission reduction. bp, our country's leading oil and gas investor, is expanding into green energy, strengthening our partnership's long-term strategic base. We're building a sustainable, low-carbon future with bp and a stable energy supply, Azerbaijans Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov said during the event. Chairman of the Board of AzerEnergy JSC, Baba Rzayev also delivered a speech during the event. With the attention and care of President Ilham Aliyev, it has become a tradition for Azerbaijans energy sector to frequently witness remarkable events. The Shafag solar power plant and the electrification of the Sangachal terminal, in cooperation with a global company like bp, are two of them. This project, first and foremost, supports energy security and energy efficiency and also promotes the use of green energy. At the same time, it opens up new cooperation prospects for Azerbaijan, which has already achieved regional energy security. Alongside contributing to energy production and transmission, the project will also provide strong support for the reduction of carbon emissions, he noted. Todays decisions mark a new phase in both our partnership with Azerbaijan and our operations in the region. The Shafag project is our first investment in solar power in the country and adds a new dimension to our successful energy collaboration. We are pleased with the innovative approach that connects these two projects, as it will allow us to reduce emissions from the operations of the largest facility we manage in Azerbaijanthe Sangachal terminal. We welcome this new phase in our long-term partnership with Azerbaijan, which has primarily been focused on oil and gas, and we are confident that it will help pave the way for future sustainable energy initiatives in the region, bps Executive Vice President for Production and Operations Gordon Birrell said. Construction of the Shafag solar power plant, estimated to cost around $200 million, is expected to begin this year and continue until mid-2027, primarily using local resources. At the peak of construction, up to 400 new jobs are expected to be created. The Shafag project will be implemented and operated entirely by Lightsource bp, a company wholly owned by bp. The ownership shares in SJSL are as follows: bp 50.01 percent, SOCAR Green 39.99 percent, and ABIF 10 percent. The STEL project, with an estimated cost of $230 million, will be implemented and operated by bp as the operator of the Sangachal terminal. Construction for the STEL project is planned to start this year and will be completed in two phasesPhase 1 by mid-2027 and Phase 2 by the end of 2028. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel (COLORADO SPRINGS) The University of Colorado is bringing its medical Research Roadshow to Pueblo on Friday, June 13. The free event will bring researchers to the community to educate people on cancer and healthy aging. Jan Lowery, PhD, with the University of Colorado Cancer Center, joined FOX21 Morning News on Monday, June 2, to talk about who should consider attending and why this research is important. Lowery said the purpose of the research roadshows is to connect researchers with the community. Researchers get to come and talk about the research that theyre doing, engage the community members, and even potentially enroll people in their studies, said Lowery. And community members get to come and learn about the research that were doing, why its important for them to participate, and have the opportunity to enroll in studies on the spot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During this roadshow, participants can learn about a research study looking into the impacts of heavy metals found in Pueblo, as well as another study looking at interventions for fatigue in cancer survivors. The event is Friday, June 13, at Pueblo Community College from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lowery said most of the studies are targeted for adults 50 and older, but all are welcome to attend. Preregistration is requested but not required. More information can be found at the link 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 FOX21 News Colorado. Countries throughout the Western Hemisphere and Africa are finding ways to take advantage of President Donald Trumps eagerness to thwart migration. But its not working for Cuba. Even as Cuba continues to accept its citizens deported from the U.S., the island nation finds itself increasingly at odds with the Trump administration, a senior Cuban official told POLITICO. The deterioration in relations between Havana and Washington comes as Trump administration officials and members of the Cuban exile community have pushed for a tougher line on Cuban leadership, arguing that the communist government represents a major national security threat. The U.S. is also facing a wave of migration from Cuba that has seen hundreds of thousands of Cubans enter the country since the Covid-19 pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an exclusive interview, Johana Tablada, one of the top Cuban officials in the countrys foreign ministry that works on relations with Washington, said that the bilateral relationship is currently at zero and that the State Department is not interested in having conversations with Cuba that have existed even when both sides were most at odds in the past. She added that under President Donald Trump, she and Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio have been snubbed by the State Department when they visited Washington a change from past administrations, where Cuban officials were at least granted meetings with their U.S. counterparts. The icy attitude from the Trump administration is surprising, per Tablada, given that Cuba proposed further dialogue with the United States on migration and has continued upholding a 2017 agreement between both countries allowing for deportation flights of Cuban nationals back to the island. Since Trump returned to the White House, Cuba has accepted five deportation flights. Tabladas comments suggest that caving to the Trump administrations anti-migration efforts in exchange for goodwill elsewhere has its limits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secretary of State Marco Rubio, backed by former special envoy Mauricio Claver-Carone, has especially pushed for a tough line on Cuba. Claver-Carone said in February that the administration had very creative policy options at its disposal to induce the collapse of Cubas communist government, long a dream of many in Miamis Cuban exile community. The Trump administration restored Cuba in January to a list of state sponsors of terrorism and reinstated a barrage of other sanctions lifted at the end of the Biden administration. A new State Department policy has also threatened visa restrictions on government officials in Cuba and other countries found to be responsible for labor rights abuses against Cuban doctors on state-sponsored medical missions around the world a major source of income for the Cuban government. Tablada blames the impasse in relations on those who advocate for maximum pressure on Cuba within the U.S. government. She denied allegations that Cuba mistreats doctors on medical missions or supports terrorist groups around the world. Tablada accused Rubio and others of stoking tensions to justify further reprisals. Theyre doing everything possible to blow up whats left of the relationship and the adult in the room is the Cuban government, argued Tablada. If we did what they wanted, wed be giving a pretext for those people who want to break off relations, create a migration crisis and prompt a military intervention from the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Department and the White House National Security Council did not respond to requests for comment. Despite the headwinds, Tablada says Cuba remains undeterred in its effort to build strong ties with the American people. Were going to continue cultivating our relations with the United States, which have a long history and have been neighborly and reciprocal, she said. A top CUNY official is spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories and lies that Israel was in on or welcomed Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, massacre as a pretext to take over the Gaza strip, critics fume. Arthur Cheliotes, 76, the board chairman of CUNYs School of Labor and Urban Studies, posted an online thread that compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler, too. Cheliotes, who was instrumental in founding the CUNY social justice Labor School, reposted on Facebook a series of conspiracies and falsehoods under the heading, What Israel Doesnt Want You to Know, and accompanied by a picture of Netanyahu and the Israeli Star of David flag. Arthur Cheliotes, the board chairman of CUNYs School of Labor and Urban Studies, has come under fire for sharing conspiracy theories about Israel on his Facebook page. Emblem Health It says: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1. Egypt warned Israel twice. 2. Israel gave Hamas $200 million in cash. 3. 2/3 of IDF Troops were pulled from [the] Gaza border 3 days before. 4. Israel invoked the Hannibal Directive killing their own to prevent hostage-taking. 5. Bodies were moved to the music festival. No explanation given. 6. Border surveillance footage deleted. 7. Lies about beheaded babies and mass rape were pushed none confirmed. The message then closes with, They wanted a pretext. Gaza was the goal. In another post, the CUNY big who served as president of the Communication Workers of America Local 1180 for 39 years shows a picture side by side of Hitler and the Nazi flag in the year 1939 with Netanyahu and the Israeli flag in 2023. A CUNY insider who has known Cheliotes for years was stunned by the posts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im blown away. Im saddened. These are bogus conspiracy theories that are at odds with the truth, the source said. A post about the Oct. 7 attacks against Israel that Cheliotes shared online. Former longtime City University Board of Trustees Jeffrey Wiesenfeld fumed, This man is an imbecile and antisemite. There are legitimate criticisms that Israels intelligence and security underestimated the threat from Hamas, Wiesenfeld said. The terrorists Oct. 7, 2023 attack caught Israel defenses off guard, slaughtering 1,200 and triggering the brutal retaliatory war in Gaza. The worst thing you can do the martyrdom of 1,200 people who were killed. Of course this is antisemitic, Wiesenfeld said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This man is disgrace to New York City, to union leadership and to CUNY. Weisenfeld said President Trump and his team fighting antisemitism at Ivy League schools such as Columbia and Harvard should pivot to CUNY where theres enough trash to clean up for a long time. Cheliotes, who was instrumental over 40 years in setting up labor programs at CUNY and creating the the Labor school, defended his postings during a Sunday interview. These positions seem reasonable to me, said Cheliotes, who has chaired the CUNY Labor schools advisory board since its creation. Asked if any of the seven points were conspiratorial or falsehoods, Cheliots, I dont know? Are they? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He claimed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin is taking certain actions to extend the Gaza war to avoid prosecution of criminal indictments against him and jail time. You create a crisis to stay in power and create a circustmance to harm your people. Thats what I think Netanyahu has done, said Chelioties, doubling down on the conspiracy theory. [Netanyanu] allowed the circumstances to allow [the Oct. 27,2023 Hamas attack] to happen. Cheliotes shot down claims that hes a Jew hater, noting his mother was under Nazi occupation in Greece. His father fought the Nazis in the US military during World II and two uncles fought the Nazi occupation in Greece. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He visited Israel twice and supports its people. Im particularly sensitive to anyone who claims Im antisemitic, said Cheliotes. CUNY declined to comment. Anti-Israel protesters outside of Barclays Center in Brooklyn during at CUNY graduation ceremony on May 23, 2025. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images Anti-Israel protests have marred some of CUNYs campuses. Last month, Brooklyn College saw anti-Israel student agitators brawl with cops after they set up a tent encampment with one officer being forced to fire a Taser to subdue a violent protester. In another frightening incident last year, anti-Israel criminals caused at least $3 million in damage and the need for costly extra security at taxpayer-funded City Colleges campus in Upper Manhattan during a violent protest there last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CUNY officials said theyve moved to tamp down on Israel-bashing, antisemitism and other forms of discrimination on their campuses. Still, reports of campus antisemitism are of such concern that Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered a review of Jew-hatred at CUNY campuses in 2023. The analysis released last September and overseen by former state chief judge Jonathan Lippman concluded that CUNY needed a top-to-bottom overhaul to combat alarming antisemitism fanned by its own faculty and do-nothing higher-ups. NEW YORK Andrew Cuomo's campaign attorney recently threatened a union that endorsed one of his rivals, issuing a cease-and-desist letter over its criticisms of the frontrunning New York City mayoral candidate, according to a copy of the letter obtained by POLITICO. Longtime election lawyer Martin Connor admonished the Manhattan-based Communications Workers of America Local 1180, alleging its campaign literature made false and defamatory claims against the former governor. The union endorsed Cuomo opponent Adrienne Adams, the City Council speaker who stands to draw some votes away from the former governors base of Black Democrats. A super PAC backing Cuomo has handily outspent Adams and every other candidate with $8 million so far, according to the media tracking firm AdImpact. Adams is expected to begin airing ads soon, following a $2 million cash infusion from the citys Campaign Finance Board Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A filer posted to the unions website dubbed the top 10 reasons not to support Cuomo matches the issues outlined in Connors letter. Among the lawyer's complaints laid out in the May 26 missive: The flier accused the ex-governor of never having been a New York City resident, claimed he settled a Department of Justice probe over sexual harassment allegations, charged his gubernatorial administration with covering up nursing home deaths during Covid and said he allowed a high tax rate on wealthy people to expire. And Connor took issue with the group claiming Cuomo is not a friend of workers. Politically influential unions 32BJ SEIU and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council are among the labor groups backing Cuomo despite calling for his 2021 resignation. Adams has the backing of the CWA local and District Council 37, the largest public-sector union in the city that boosted her for Council speaker and once employed her chief of staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional assertions in the unions flier including Cuomos push for a less generous pension tier, cost-saving labor contracts and the taxpayer money spent to defend him against sexual harassment allegations were omitted from the letter. Connor threatened to contact elections officials and state Attorney General Letitia James a Cuomo foe and Adams backer for your deceptive and misleading claims which may interfere with legitimate voters seeking to exercise their franchise free of this sort of misinformation. Union President Gloria Middleton declined to comment under the advice of my attorney. Adams campaign also declined to comment. Cuomos hardball tactics honed over a half-century of working on campaigns are well-known and oft-reviled in New Yorks political world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its no surprise that Adreiene Adams and her supporters are willfully distorting and lying about the governor theyve been doing it the whole campaign, Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi said. New Yorkers should not be fed misinformation by people seeking to represent them they deserve the truth and will be fighting Trumpian misinformation tactics every step of the way using every tool at our disposal. The letter is an aggressive effort by Cuomo to silence supporters of a rival candidate before the June 24 primary, which polls show he is expected to win. It also underscores how the former governors campaign is taking a combative posture when countering the scandals that drove him from office four years ago. Cuomo has insisted he did not purposefully hide Covid nursing home fatalities, but his administration was later found to have undercounted the number of people who died in the facilities during the initial months of the pandemic. Cuomo, who has touted his Covid leadership on the campaign trail, is reportedly under a Department of Justice investigation after a Republican-led House panel alleged he lied under oath that he personally edited a state report on the matter. Cuomo has denied lying to Congress, and on Sunday said he and his attorneys have yet to be contacted about the probe. Some of Connors complaints are valid; others focus on rhetoric that Cuomos critics frequently hurl at him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cuomo is a New York City native. He grew up in Queens, though he spent the last two decades living in Westchester County and Albany before moving to Manhattan ahead of his mayoral run. Contrary to the unions flier, the former governor was not party to a DOJ settlement which was reached with his successor, Gov. Kathy Hochul, and hes denied any wrongdoing. The debate over the so-called millionaires tax is more nuanced. In 2011, Cuomo faced pressure on his left flank to maintain a high tax surcharge set to expire at the end of that year. Cuomo negotiated a compromise that resulted in a lower tax for wealthy people, but at a higher rate if the surcharge had been allowed to expire. Cuomos critics at the time derided the deal as a giveaway to millionaires. He embraced higher taxes on rich New Yorkers in 2021, citing the financial toll from Covid. Cuomo battled with labor leaders early in his first term as governor. He pressed public-sector unions for cost-saving contracts amid a financial crunch and threatened mass layoffs if the savings werent achieved. He eventually secured the deals he wanted. Jun. 2Despite summer's approach, many residents of Maine's northernmost county still have their heat on those who can afford the energy, at least. "It was in the high 30s on June 1. So people are warming their homes now," said Jason Parent, executive director of the Aroostook County Action Program, which provides vulnerable people with utility bill credits and, rarely, direct checks, through the national Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. For decades, the program also known as LIHEAP has provided critical financial assistance for households struggling to afford heat in the winter or air conditioning in the summer. About 45,000 households in Maine, including about 7,500 in Aroostook County, rely on LIHEAP to make it through the winter. But as Congress attempts to draft a fiscal year 2026 budget that aligns with President Donald Trump's agenda, the program's fate is uncertain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has proposed wholly eliminating LIHEAP and a number of other support programs, weeks after his administration slashed federal staff responsible for administering the program. Last month, the House of Representatives passed its budget bill, which appears not to allocate funding for LIHEAP. The bill landed in the Senate this week. "The progression has clearly been in the direction of a seismic shift if not the elimination of the program altogether," Parent said in a phone interview Monday. "The thought of the program not existing at all, quite frankly, literally has me fearing that people will freeze to death in their homes." Dan Brennan, director of MaineHousing, said eliminating LIHEAP would be devastating to already vulnerable residents. The average income of a LIHEAP recipient is about $13,000 per year, he said. "We're talking people, households that make very little money to begin with and are having trouble making ends meet," Brennan said. MaineHousing administers the program within Maine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Brennan was more optimistic about the program's fate at the federal level, noting its historic bipartisan backing and vocal support from the entire Maine delegation. He added that Trump unsuccessfully suggested eliminating LIHEAP in the 2018 and 2019 budget proposals during his first term. "I would be very surprised if both houses of congress decided not to fund this program. I just don't see that happening," he said. But "I'm anticipating they're not going to increase it very much, if at all." PREVIOUS FUNDING Maine has received about $41.6 million from the federal government for LIHEAP during the 2025 fiscal year about 1% of the federal program's total cost according to Sen. Susan Collins' office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About $26 million of that has been allocated for Maine households, more than $22 million of which had been distributed to residents as of Monday, according to data provided by MaineHousing. The latter figure includes about $2.6 million in Emergency Crisis Intervention Program payments, which are reserved for households facing heating emergencies and in need of immediate help. The majority of LIHEAP funds are distributed for use over the entire heating season. The rest of the LIHEAP funding goes to administrative costs and the four tribes that make up the Wabanaki Nations in Maine. Though the program touches all 16 counties, rural portions of northern Maine tend to receive more than their southern counterparts. Penobscot County residents have received just over $3.6 million this year, the most of any county, while those in Aroostook have seen more than $3.1 million, according to MaineHousing. Sagadahoc has so far received the least of any county, charting about $180,000 as of Tuesday. Cumberland and York have so far seen just under $1.4 million and nearly $1.8 million, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Statewide, the average LIHEAP benefit was $509 in 2024, though that figure varies widely depending on income, home size and heating system, MaineHousing spokesperson Scott Thistle said. BUDGET HEADS TO SENATE Reps. Jared Golden, D-2nd District, and Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, voted against the budget bill last month, criticizing its impact on LIHEAP among other complaints. The bill passed the House by just one vote and was supported only by Republicans. It now heads to the Senate, where Republicans hold a razor-thin majority and tweaks are all but certain. Several Republicans have signaled that certain cuts, including to Medicaid and LIHEAP, go too far, or that the bill fails to bring down the national debt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both of Maine's senators have spoken about the importance of preserving LIHEAP. In testimony before Congress last month, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. argued that the Trump administration's overall energy policy would bring the cost of heating down enough to eliminate any need for assistance, rendering the program little more than "another subsidy of the fossil fuel industry," he said. But when pressed by Collins, who chairs the Appropriations Committee, Kennedy said he would commit to spending any LIHEAP funding appropriated by congress for fiscal year 2026. A spokesperson for Collins said that she will continue supporting LIHEAP and will "work to ensure that households in Maine and throughout the country can afford to heat their homes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, referred questions about the program to an April letter King and Collins signed alongside nearly a dozen other senators, urging Kennedy to reverse the staff cuts. "It is an indispensable lifeline, helping to ensure that recipients do not have to choose between paying their energy bills and affording other necessities like food and medicine," the senators wrote. Gov. Janet Mills encouraged Congress to "protect and preserve" the program in a written statement Monday. Brennan, director of MaineHousing, said Collins' role on the Appropriations Committee was a particularly good sign for LIHEAP's fate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is just a matter now of watching the House and the Senate and what they decide to fund the program at," Brennan said. "In the meantime, we are moving ahead and preparing as if there will be a program." Copy the Story Link Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, commenting on the attack on Russian strategic aircraft, has said that it is in Europe's interest to have a strong and well-armed Ukraine as an ally. Source: Lipavsky on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Lipavsky noted that after the Ukrainian attack on Russian airfields, he expects Russian strategic aircraft to violate NATO airspace by 30% less. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is confirmed that it is in our security interests to have a strong, stable and well-armed Ukraine as an ally," he added. Background: On 1 June, a series of strikes on Russian aircraft took place at at least four airfields in Russia. A Ukrainska Pravda source said this was a special operation by the Security Service of Ukraine which resulted in the destruction of about 40 aircraft, including strategic bombers. A source also told Ukrainska Pravda that the special operation, codenamed Pavutyna (Spider's Web), had been in preparation for over a year and a half. As part of the operation, the special services first transported FPV drones to Russia and then mobile wooden crates in which the drones were hidden. Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide reiterated Ukraines right to defend itself following a series of drone strikes on Russian airfields on Sunday 1 June. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! State Sen. Liz Krueger has endorsed Brad Hoylman-Sigal for Manhattan borough president. Krueger cited his record in Albany on tenants rights, his opposition of casinos in Manhattan and stance against anti-Jewish hate as why shes throwing her weight behind him. Hes been an extraordinarily effective legislator and I know as Borough President hell be a great advocate for all of us who call Manhattan home, Krueger said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im thrilled to have the endorsement of one of New Yorks greatest champions for reproductive freedom, climate action, and government accountability, Hoylman-Sigal said. Senator Krueger represents the best of the Manhattans East Side and its an honor to have Liz as part of our growing coalition of support. Hoylman-Sigals running against current Councilmember Keith Powers for the seat. The Strategic Defence Review is out. Designed to be a root and branch look at all aspects of Britains armed forces, and billed by Labour as a message to Moscow, the message no doubt reaching the Kremlin is Keir Starmer doesnt have a clue what hes doing. First of all, the Prime Minister had an ambition of raising defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP in the next parliament. Then Defence Secretary John Healey said last week that it was no longer an ambition but a certainty. Then when he did the broadcast rounds on Sunday he downgraded it back again to an ambition, which was echoed by Starmer in his press conference this morning. And with the authors of the review writing in The Daily Telegraph today saying that their recommendations were costed on the certainty of a 3 per cent spending boost, Camilla and Gordon explain why Labour cant be trusted to defend Britain, a point thats been brought into even sharper focus with a record 1200 small boat crossings on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere, Chief Reporter Robert Mendick fills us in on the story of Hamit Coskun; the 50 year old Turkish asylum seeker whos been convicted of a public order offence after setting fire to a copy of the Koran. Watch episodes of the Daily T here. You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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. According to a new study, Dallas recorded one of the highest numbers of dog attacks on postal workers last year. While they are often the butt of a joke in movies and television, dog attacks on postal workers are from fiction. Unfortunately for workers in Dallas, those attacks are numerous and rank among the highest in the nation. According to the USPS, postal workers in Dallas faced 43 dog attacks in 2024 alone, the sixth highest number of any city in the United States. Los Angeles ranked No. 1 with 77 attacks, followed by Houston with 65, and Chicago in third with 57. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ranked by state, Texas experienced the second-highest number of attacks in the country, with 438. The study, released on May 29, says the United States recorded more than 6,000 dog attacks in 2024, up from 5,300 in 2022. The findings were unveiled to coincide with the 2025 USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, a month-long endeavor throughout June. This years theme is Secure Your Dog, Keep Deliveries on Track. 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, per the release. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement USPS suggests people secure their dog in a separate room before carriers approach their property. If kept outside, the postal service urges people to keep their dogs on a leash. The government agency also says children should not be encouraged to take mail directly from a letter carrier since canines might perceive them as a threat to the child. Robert Jenrick has faced a media storm with his remarks about the dangers faced by prison officers over the weekend, and what might be done to protect them from being attacked by inmates. But much of this criticism has misconstrued what he has said, sometimes wilfully. I am the inspiration for some of Jenricks more radical ideas, so I have perhaps a better perspective than the criminal justice commentariat who have ridden over the hill to take issue with him. I was asked by the shadow justice secretary to undertake a rapid review of the current threat to prison officers in general and those maimed by terrorists in particular. I was given no terms of reference, no steer and no interference at all in my full analysis which will be published online this afternoon. Jenrick is a politician for a party I used to be part of. Notwithstanding the politics, I believe him to be sincere in his concern about public servants who are closer to being murdered on duty by fanatics than at any time in the last 25 years. Labours response that, as the architects of much of the ruination we see in the criminal justice system, the Tories should sit this one out, is cheap and dumb politics. Ordinary people are astounded that prison officers have less personal protection clothing than the security guard outside a Tesco Metro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers are facing atrocious, obscene amounts of violence at record levels. Twenty-nine of them every day will be scalded, burned, stabbed, punched, slashed, covered in urine and excrement and otherwise assaulted in prisons where order and control has been ceded by the state and its senior officials. Appeasement is rewarded with extreme violence. This is nowhere more apparent than in our High Security prisons, which hold in total around 230 terrorists. People who want to kill for ideas are extremely difficult to manage, particularly if the sentences they are serving leave some with nothing to lose. But the balance between security and rehabilitation is skewed and it has had almost lethal consequences. The Manchester Arena bomber Hashem Abedi is a case in point. He has already received another sentence while in custody for an animalistic attack on the manager of what is supposedly our most extreme custody, the High Security Unit at HMP Belmarsh. How he was subsequently allowed to allegedly fashion weapons to ambush and seriously injure staff at HMP Frankland will be a matter for the courts and a formal review led by Jonathan Hall KC. But it shows that HM Prison and Probation Service has neither the will nor the competence to manage ideologues who want to continue their jihad against agents of the state. The loss of will stems from a collective psychosis within the upper echelons of the service that regards offenders such as Abedi as people whose human rights must be upheld above all other considerations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Competence relates to an unannounced visit to two High Security prisons which led the Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor to issue an unprecedented warning that such was the state of drone defences at HMP Manchester and Long Lartin broken or missing entirely that it was a threat to national security. Why it took the accident of a random inspection to alert ministers to this scandalous degradation of security by officials is anyones guess. These dire factors led me to a recommendation that didnt get much airtime but is perhaps the most radical. Drones with payloads of up to 15kg making cell window deliveries will be used to convey weapons into such places. You can get a lot of Semtex, pistols and ammunition into such a delivery and the consequences are utterly unthinkable. If Im thinking about this, Islamist extremists are too as they represent the most potent threat. The latest assailant who stabbed a prison officer and seriously injured him at the weekend in HMP Long Lartin reportedly had the knife delivered by drone. This threat isnt theoretical, it is here now. Something must be done. The solution is a specially designed High Control Unit run by prison staff but located in a fully secure area, such as a military base, to totally incapacitate the small number of ideologues who have the capacity and capability to kill. This is much better than the much-vaunted Supermax idea for all convicted terrorists. We had that in HMP Maze in Belfast, scene of the greatest jail break in British history. Professor Ian Acheson is a former senior official with the Home Office and a volunteer police officer 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. The Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan signed a number of agreements as part of the 30th anniversary Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition, Trend reports. An agreement was signed between the Ministry and Enerso Jabrail LLC for the lease of land for the implementation of the 50 MW Shams solar power plant project in Azerbaijan. In addition, a land lease agreement was signed with Universal Solar Azerbaijan for the construction of the 100 MW Gobustan solar power plant in Azerbaijan. The Ministry of Energy also signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement in the energy sector with China Energy Engineering Group Co., Ltd.. Contracts were also concluded with the Norm OJSC for the construction of solar power plants in the Jabrayil region. The ministry and Maire Tecnimont S.p.A. signed a protocol to amend and extend the existing Memorandum of Understanding on energy transition cooperation. Shareholders of Shafag (Jebrayil) Solar Limited (SJSL)a joint venture between bp, SOCAR Green, and the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund (ABDF)announced their final investment decision on the Shafag solar power plant. This marks the official green light for the construction of a 240 megawatt alternating current solar plant in Azerbaijans Jabrayil district. Meanwhile, the investors of the Sangachal Terminalincluding bp, SOCAR, Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), LUKOIL, Southern Gas Corridor, NICO, MOL, INPEX, ExxonMobil, ITOCHU, ONGC Videsh, Eni, MVM, and TotalEnergiesapproved the Sangachal Terminal Electrification Project (STEL). This initiative will connect the terminal to Azerbaijans national electric grid, operated by Azerenergy OJSC. New infrastructure, including a 220/110 kilovolt substation, will be constructed both within and beyond the terminals premises. EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) State and local leaders are gathering across southern New England to celebrate Portuguese heritage. It kicked off on Sunday with a flag-raising ceremony at the Portuguese Discovery Monument in Newport. On Monday, there will be flag-raising ceremonies in Bristol at 11 a.m., East Providence at 1:30 p.m., and Coventry at 5 p.m. Then on Tuesday, there will be ceremonies in Central Falls and Cranston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Fall River, the city is hosting three days worth of events from Friday through Sunday. In New Bedford, a four-day feast returns to Madeira Field from June 12-15. The Day of Portugal is officially celebrated on June 10. In Portugal, its officially called Dia de Portugal, de Camoes e das Comunidades Portuguesas, which translates to Day of Portugal, Camoes, and the Portuguese Communities. The day was created to remember the death of poet Luis de Camoes, who is recognized as the countrys greatest national icon. Camoes is best known for his epic poem, Os Lusiadas, which is a tribute to the golden age of Portugals maritime exploration and discoveries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NEXT: Day of Portugal license plates available for preorder in RI 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. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) will be increasing its presence around religious institutions, particularly Jewish institutions, in response to an attack that left several people injured in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday. According to a report from the Associated Press, eight people were injured at an outdoor mall after a man yelling Free Palestine threw a makeshift flamethrower at demonstrators that had gathered to raise awareness for Israeli hostages in Gaza. The attack has since been classified by the FBI as a targeted terror attack. Authorities arrested the suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman in connection with the attack, and he is facing several charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Act of terrorism: DMV, world leaders react to fatal shooting of couple working at Israeli embassy in DC The attack comes just nearly two weeks after two Israeli Embassy staffers were gunned down in D.C. after an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. In a statement, MPD said that, despite no known threats, they are monitoring the situation that unfolded in Boulder closely and sharing information with other law enforcement partners to keep everyone safe. The Metropolitan Police Department is closely monitoring the events that unfolded this afternoon in Boulder, Colorado. We are actively coordinating with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to share information and monitor intelligence in order to help safeguard residents, businesses, and visitors in the District of Columbia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this time, there are no known threats to the District. However, MPD has maintained an increased presence at religious institutions across the city, with particular attention to Jewish institutions. We continue to urge the public to remain vigilant and help keep our community safe. If you See Something, Say Something. For emergencies or immediate threats, call 911. To report suspicious activity, contact MPDs Real Time Crime Center at 202-727-9099, text 50411, or submit a report online at iwatch.dc.gov. In response to the attack in Boulder, the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington sent the following statement to DC News Now: We are horrified by todays terror attack in Boulder, where peaceful demonstrators advocating for the release of Israeli hostages were targeted with violence. Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and the Boulder community. This latest assault follows the tragic antisemitic murders of two Israeli diplomats in Washington, DC, underscoring a deeply troubling rise in hate-fueled violence. We condemn these acts unequivocally and remain unwavering in our commitment to confront violence and hatred towards our Jewish community. Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating after a teenage boy was found shot on Sunday. Police responded to reports of a shooting at 8:19 a.m. in the 1400 block of Fairmont Street, NW, where the boy was found suffering from a gunshot wound. Teenage boy hurt in Southeast DC shooting Police say he was transported to the hospital by DC Fire and EMS, conscious and breathing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. A death investigation is underway at the Federal Correctional Institution in Terre Haute. Javen Pedro, 22, was found unresponsive at the prison about 8:30 a.m. Saturday, according to a Federal Bureau of Prisons news release. The BOP said responding employees began life-saving measures and emergency medical services were requested, but Pedro was pronounced dead by hospital personnel. The FBI was notified. No employees or other incarcerated individuals were injured and at no time was the public in danger, according to the agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pedro was sentenced in U.S District Court in Oregon to a 75-month sentence for distribution of controlled substance to person under the age of 21. He had been in custody at Terre Haute since May 2025. FCI Terre Haute is a medium-security facility. The death toll from devastating flooding in a market town in Nigerias north-central state of Niger rose to at least 151 on Saturday, the local emergency service said, amid efforts to find more victims. Torrents of predawn rainfall early Thursday unleashed the devastating flood on Mokwa, nearly 380 kilometers (236 miles) west of Abuja and a major trading and transportation hub where northern Nigerian farmers sell beans, onions and other food to traders from the south. The spokesperson for the Niger State emergency service, Ibrahim Audu Husseini, confirmed the updated fatality count to The Associated Press on Saturday. In addition to the rising death toll, 11 people were injured and more than 3,000 people were displaced, the official added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least 500 households across three communities were affected by the sudden and intense flood that built rapidly in about five hours, leaving roofs barely visible and surviving residents waist-deep in water, trying to salvage what they could and rescue others. Husseini added that two roads were washed away and two bridges collapsed. In a statement on Friday night, President Bola Tinubu expressed condolences and said he had directed the activation of an emergency response to support victims and accelerate recovery. He said that security agencies have also been asked to assist in emergency operations, which remain underway amid concerns that more bodies could be recovered in remote areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Relief materials and temporary shelter assistance are being deployed without delay, the president said, promising no Nigerian affected will be left behind or unheard of. Flooding is common during Nigerias wet season. Communities in northern Nigeria have been experiencing prolonged dry spells worsened by climate change and excessive rainfall that leads to severe flooding during the brief wet season. But this flood has been particularly deadly in Mokwa, a farming region near the banks of the River Niger. Mokwa community leader Aliki Musa told the AP the villagers are not used to such flooding. The chairman of the Mokwa local government area, Jibril Muregi, told local news website Premium Times that construction of flood-control works was long overdue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW I just graduated with a Masters of Liberal Arts, where I used critical race theory (CRT) as a framework for understanding climate change and its impacts on communities. Thats a mouthful, I know. But this also represents a degree I fought for through late nights, towering stacks of books, and a growing sense that the world can be a more sustainable and equitable place for all. CRT has become one of this countrys favorite villains splashed across the front pages of newspapers, hurled like a slur by politicians, and blamed for everything from school board fights to the supposed unraveling of America. But heres the wildest part: despite all the shouting and panic about CRT, almost nobody who is disparaging it can actually tell you what it is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So lets get this straight: Critical race theory isnt some secret curriculum thrust upon grade school students. Developed in the late 1970s and early 80s by academics, its a framework that examines culture, politics, the economy and more through the lens of race. Its used at the college or graduate school level if ones lucky to have professors who dare to ask challenging questions. CRT asks why some neighborhoods get parks and others get landfills. Why disaster relief comes quickly to certain zip codes and drags its heels in others. Why, after generations, do the same communities keep getting hit hardest by COVID-19, climate change, and every other new crisis? Laws, policies, and institutions even if everyone involved in shaping them thinks theyre being fair are put under a microscope by critical race theorists. Thats because even with the best intentions, systems can still end up treating some groups of people better than others and making life harder for others, often in ways that are challenging to see unless you really look for them. And without critical race theorists, its likely wed have fewer people uncovering this veil that undoubtedly produces unequal lived experiences for non-white people. The author on graduation day. Courtesy of Charles Orgbon CRT provides us with the language and history to connect the dots and the hope that if we see the system for what it is, we can actually make it better. Guided by this vision, Im not interested in some abstract theory, but the lived reality of who wins and loses in America and why. CRT gives us tools for tracing those lines. Its not about blaming anyone for things they personally did or didnt do. Its about refusing to accept thats just the way it is as an answer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, almost every time someone hears about my degree, I get the same knee-jerk reactions, especially, Isnt that the thing that teaches kids to feel bad about being white? and Arent you just saying everything is about race? Ive heard these two misconceptions and many others from strangers in line at Dominos, from old friends, from people who seem genuinely scared. I get it. Politicians including Donald Trump have spent the last decade turning CRT into a boogeyman, right alongside LGBTQ history, both of which they want to use to scare school boards and corporations into erasing any perspective that isnt straight, white, and cisgender. They want you to think CRT is a threat. They want you to be afraid. But lets be honest: these attacks arent just about misunderstanding theyre about power. The people leading this crusade dont want us asking tough questions about who gets what. They dont want to discuss the policies written and unwritten that skew things in one direction. They call CRT anti-American, but what theyre saying is dont look too closely, dont question the rules, and dont demand change. Thats why CRT matters. If we cant ask why climate change is devastating certain communities more than others, or why once redlined neighborhoods are now the hottest places in our cities, then how are we ever supposed to fix these problems? Its not about shame. Its about honesty and the belief that honesty leads to action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, yes, it is racist to try to shut down these conversations. Its racist to erase the experiences of Black, brown, queer, and other marginalized people from our classrooms and our laws. The same movement that wants to ban CRT wants to silence any group that complicates their version of America. The author is pictured receiving his diploma on graduation day. Courtesy of Charles Orgbon I wont pretend its easy to out myself as having studied critical race theory. Universities are backing away from the theory, programs that utilize it are disappearing, and I genuinely wonder if Ill be one of the last people to graduate with a degree in CRT. Its no longer hypothetical that a university could be forced to bow to an American presidents desire to shape what is taught in academic institutions but that just makes this work all the more urgent. I didnt get this degree to hide. I plan to use it to ask hard questions, to work for policies rooted in justice, and to help communities demand more than the bare minimum. Whether Im working in business, public policy, education, or environmental justice, I want to ensure that the problems were all living with are acknowledged for what they are and get addressed. If youve been told to fear CRT, I get it, but thats what those in power would want you to feel. The real danger, however, is a country where were too scared to ask why things are the way they are, or to imagine something better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CRT isnt a threat to America. Its a chance for America to live up to its promises for all its citizens. The only people who should be afraid are those desperate to prevent inequitable outcomes from playing out over and over again. We dont have to settle for silence or the status quo. We can ask, we can challenge, and we can change. Thats what critical race theory taught me and why I hope the questions it raises never go away. Charles Orgbon IIIs words have found homes everywhere from Disney, Marvel, the San Francisco Standard, and more. He holds a B.S. from the University of Georgia and an M.A. from Johns Hopkins University. Hes fluent in Spanish, Will & Grace, and Critical Race Theory. Follow his writing journey on Instagram @charlesorgbon. Do you have a compelling personal story youd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what were looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@huffpost.com. Related... Agents from the Department of Homeland Security handcuffed a staffer in Rep. Jerry Nadlers New York office on Wednesday, according to a statement the Democratic congressman posted on social media. The incident was also captured on video, which was obtained by Gothamist. In the video, a DHS agent can be seen handcuffing a staffer who is distressed and crying. A second agent is seen attempting to enter another room in the office, which is occupied by a second staff member. That staffer then asks if he has a warrant and the agent says he doesnt need one, and accuses the office of harboring rioters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nadler raised alarm about DHSs conduct, noting that no arrests were made and that the situation was quickly de-escalated, but that it was disturbing the incident took place at all. The decision to enter a Congressional office and detain a staff member demonstrates a deeply troubling disregard for proper legal boundaries, Nadler wrote on X, formerly Twitter. If this can happen in a Member of Congresss office, it can happen to anyone and is happening. In its statement regarding the incident, a senior DHS official told HuffPost that members of the Federal Protective Service responded to information that protesters were present inside U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadlers District Office in Manhattan, New York. That statement also claimed that agents visited the office to ensure the safety and well-being of those present due to earlier incidents in a nearby facility. The statement does not reference remarks that the DHS agent made about the office harboring rioters and has been contested by Nadlers chief of staff, Robert Gottheim, who has called it a total fabrication and lie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DHSs statement that they were coming in for a safety check doesnt mesh with the video, Gottheim told The New York Daily News, adding that the staffer who was handcuffed is traumatized. Nadlers Manhattan office is located in the same building as an immigration court where DHS agents were also detaining immigrants that day, The New York Times reports. Gottheim told the Times that staffers witnessed these confrontations and invited immigration advocates to the office, which upset DHS agents. Upon arrival, officers were granted entry and encountered four individuals, the DHS official said. Officers identified themselves and explained their intent to conduct a security check, however, one individual became verbally confrontational and physically blocked access to the office. The officers then detained the individual in the hallway for the purpose of completing the security check. All were released without further incident. DHS agents detention of Nadlers staffer follows multiple cases of federal law enforcement penalizing Democratic leaders. Previously, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested Newark Mayor Ras Baraka while he was visiting a New Jersey detention facility. And New Jerseys federal prosecutor has also charged Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver (N.J.) with assault over her alleged actions at the facility during that same visit. Nadler condemned the aggressive and heavy-handed tactics employed by DHS against his office and immigrants in general in his statement. Trump and the Department of Homeland Security are sowing chaos in our communities, he wrote. Five years after losing his reelection bid to the Florida Senate amid a ghost candidate scheme, Jose Javier Rodriguez is running for Attorney General. For decades, powerful interests have rigged the system to serve themselves while everyday working Floridians are left paying more but getting less, Rodriguez said in a June 2 statement. Im running to be the Peoples Lawyer to keep us safe, root out corruption, and go after those who make backroom deals in Tallahassee to pass costs onto us; Im running to give families, workers and homeowners some relief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, Rodriguez, a Miami Democrat, lost by 34 votes to Republican Ileana Garcia out of more than 210,000 ballots cast. Alex Rodriguez, a no-party-affiliated candidate, was paid by GOP operatives to be a ghost candidate to siphon votes from Jose Javier Rodriguez, according to prosecutors. Garcia has said she had no knowledge of the scheme and was never accused of any wrongdoing. Frank Artiles, a Miami Republican who served in the House and Senate, was later sent to jail for paying Alex Rodriguez. Two other no-party state senate candidates that year were paid by outside interests to divert votes away from the Democratic candidates, but didnt receive enough votes to make a difference in the outcome. As a senator, Rodriguez was one of the most vocal about tackling climate change and critical of investor-owned utilities in the state, particularly Florida Power & Light. He filed legislation to allow homeowners to sell solar power to their tenants, something FPL lobbied against. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FPLs then-CEO Eric Silagy directed two vice presidents to make his life a living hell, referring to Rodriguez, in a 2019 email that was later uncovered. FPL, though, said they had no involvement in the ghost candidate scheme. But reporting by the Orlando Sentinel uncovered the utilitys connection to Matrix LLC, a consulting firm that paid for mailer ads boosting Alex Rodriguez. Ive never been afraid to take on tough fights, whether its holding powerful corporations accountable, challenging broken systems, or defending everyday Floridians, Jose Javier Rodriguez said. The law should protect people, not the powerful. So let me be clear: as the Peoples Lawyer, if youre dangerous or scamming Floridians, no matter how powerful you are, Im coming for you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodriguez is the only Democrat in the Attorney General race so far, but he faces a fierce challenge on the campaign trail. Florida has turned into a safe state for Republicans in statewide races, with the GOP racking up a 1.2 million active voter registration advantage over Democrats in the last four years. Even when Democrats outnumbered Republicans, a Democrat has not won the Florida Attorney General's office since 1998, when Bob Butterworth was reelected. On the Republican side, James Uthmeier, Gov. Ron DeSantis former chief of staff, was appointed to the position in February. He replaced Ashley Moody, whom DeSantis appointed to replace Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate. Rubio left that job to be U.S. secretary of state under President Donald Trump. Uthmeier, though, might not have an easy ride to the GOP nomination; theres still a possibility former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Shalimar, could enter the race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gray Rohrer is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at grohrer@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @GrayRohrer. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Democrat Jose Javier Rodriguez running for Florida Attorney General Suddenly, after months of relentless campaigns, the national political leaders who arrived this week in Gulfport are trying to force new urgency into the last days of the mayors race. We dont quit, Democratic politician and activist Stacey Abrams said at a Sunday campaign stop in Gulfport several miles from where she grew up. Theyve been trying to stop us for 200 years. And what we are going to do instead is show up. Abrams appeared with U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson to campaign for mayoral candidate Sonya Williams Barnes at an event advertised as a kick-off to the election on Tuesday. In impassioned speeches, the Democratic leaders called the race a bellwether election that could signal broader change across Mississippi and even the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the appearance of two prominent Democrats was also a sign of how tense the race has become. Abrams spoke four days after Mississippis Republican Attorney General said she was investigating Barnes following Republican complaints that some locals gave restaurant vouchers to voters in what the party calls a violation of state law. Barnes and other Democrats have dismissed the accusations as a false and politically-motivated distraction. Gulfport mayoral candidate Sonya Williams Barnes, U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson and Democratic operative Stacey Abrams greet supporters before speaking at a campaign event on Sunday, June 1, 2025. And conservatives are energized too. At a Friday rally for Republican candidate Hugh Keating, top leaders warned their party that the race was close and pleaded that they vote. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina spoke alongside U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell and outgoing Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes. Call your friends. Call your neighbors, Scott told the crowd on Friday. This is a race that will require you to go the extra mile. Contentious race nears end About 200 people gathered on a usually-quiet stretch of 31st Avenue to hear Abrams, Barnes and Thompson, who also pleaded that residents urge everyone they know to vote. The leaders said federal cuts by the Trump administration were worrisome for Gulfport and told supporters Barnes would be an ally they could turn to in local government for help. All you have to do is go out and vote, Thompson said. The crowd, sweating in the heat, clapped and cheered approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turnout, often low in local elections, has already been notable: City officials said last week they had received over 1,000 absentee ballots compared to just 177 during the last mayoral election. Barnes won the April Democratic primary with 3,316 votes over 600 more than outgoing Republican Mayor Billy Hewes won in the 2021 general election. Keating had no opponent in the 2025 Republican primary. Abrams said she came to Gulfport after she heard some Republicans had called her an outsider part of a national Democratic effort to turn Gulfport blue. A crowd gathered Friday, May 30, 2025, in support of Hugh Keatings bid to become Gulfports new mayor. With President Trumps success, the Democrats are pretty angry right now, Hyde-Smith told the Republican rally on Friday. This is called revenge, getting back and gaining ground, she added. We cant seem to get the national Democrats out of this race. Barnes has said she alone is responsible for running her campaign and called similar statements divisive. Abrams spent much of her childhood in the city, and she and Barnes are the children of United Methodist ministers who were friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Keating said last week that the Attorney Generals investigation is concerning to Republicans. How fast it will proceed is unclear because the Attorney Generals office does not comment on open inquiries. Barnes did not address the investigation on Sunday but said last week she had met with two of the Attorney Generals investigators. U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, who represents the Mississippi Delta in Congress, poses for a photo with a supporter on Sunday, June 1 at a rally in Gulfport for mayoral candidate Sonya Williams Barnes. Both campaigns have been calling residents and knocking on doors in a last-ditch effort to encourage turnout and lure undecided voters before polls close on Tuesday. We cant quit, Keating said Friday. Were noticing some very positive results. We need to win, Barnes told voters on Sunday. But we can win only with you. Anita Lee contributed reporting. NEW YORK Democratic primary voters would pick Adrienne Adams over Andrew Cuomo in a general election if she were to run on the left-flank Working Families Party ballot line, polling obtained by POLITICO reveals. A survey of likely Democratic primary voters conducted last month found them choosing the relatively low-profile New York City Council speaker over the former governor 41 percent to 34 percent. Primary frontrunner Cuomo would beat state Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani who is polling second in the primary 46-35. And Cuomo would also defeat city Comptroller Brad Lander 41-38, the poll found. The Working Families Party tapped polling firm Upswing Research & Strategy to conduct the survey to inform its endorsement process. The poll questioned 600 likely Democratic primary voters about the June 24 contest before dividing the group into three equally sized subgroups and asking about the November general election. Each subgroup of 200 voters was surveyed about one of the three head-to-head matchups, according to Ana Maria Archila, co-director of the third partys New York chapter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even after the poll projected Adams defeating Cuomo in the general election, the party on Friday night picked Mamdani as its first choice on a five-person slate its backing to defeat the former governor, its longtime nemesis, in the primary. It ranked Lander second, Adams third, and state Sens. Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos fourth and fifth. The citys ranked-choice voting system allows New Yorkers to pick up to five candidates in order of preference. State Attorney General Letitia James, Adams most prominent endorser, was among those briefed on the poll. Everyone has to think about what is in the best interest of this city and not in their own best interest. In a one-to-one match up against scandals and toxic masculinity, Adrienne Adams is the only choice, James replied when asked for comment Sunday. We cannot go back. Progress requires looking forward. Like the WFP, James has a bitter relationship with the mayoral frontrunner, whose gubernatorial career she helped end with a report substantiating accusations he sexually harassed staffers. Cuomo denies the charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Archila cautioned against drawing conclusions from the general election question, given its small sample size and its omission of Republican and independent voters. The party would consider running its own candidate in November if Cuomo wins the Democratic primary in three weeks, but Archila said shes only focused on the upcoming contest. To that end, the WFPs poll showed its unranked endorsement of Adams, Lander, Mamdani and Myrie announced in late March failed to alter Cuomos primary lead. The WFP endorsement does little to change the first-choice vote share, reads one of the slides reviewed by POLITICO. But once the party ranks its preferred candidates, its influence grows. The poll found that around half of the 600 potential voters surveyed would be likely to rank the partys first choice as their top pick, according to a presentation viewed by POLITICO. With that in mind, the WFP announced its choices Friday and rallied over the weekend with Mamdani , who had the highest favorability of the WFPs slate in the poll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zohran is the one that has the most momentum, the most enthusiasm and the capacity to communicate with voters all across the city at doors, via social media and on the phones, Archila said in an interview. We are confident that he will continue, in partnership with other candidates on the slate, to build the momentum to defeat Cuomo. None of the partys ranked candidates have formally backed each other, despite the benefits of cross endorsements. In 2021, mayoral candidate Andrew Yangs 11th-hour support of Kathryn Garcia helped her secure second place behind Eric Adams. The WFP poll also found Adrienne Adams and Mamdani have a lot of influence over their backers: at least 70 percent of their supporters would rank someone else if they urged them to. Archila says this illustrates the power of ranked-choice voting and should persuade the partys slate of candidates to work in concert to deny Cuomo the Democratic nomination. The survey also found WFP candidates do best with voters who are white, self-described liberals living in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Yet the partys endorsement would move the needle most with Black Democratic primary voters and those in the Bronx, the poll found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement POLITICO obtained a portion of the poll and was then briefed by the WFP on other parts of the survey, though Archila declined to release it in full. Adrienne Adams team declined to comment on the findings. Mamdani maxed out early with fundraising and recently cut a video urging his supporters to donate to the Council speaker ahead of a critical fundraising deadline. She got into the race relatively late and had been scrambling for cash. On Friday, the Campaign Finance Board awarded her $2 million in public matching funds essential to paying for ads, which she is expected to air soon. State legislators voted late Monday night for the states new two-year budget that was hailed by Democrats for providing additional money for Medicaid, nonprofit organizations, special education, and the working poor. The plan calls for sending checks of $250 per year to about 85,000 lower-income households who already qualify for the earned income tax credit for the working poor. The money will be directed to the neediest families with children; budget negotiators dropped a previous Democratic plan that would have provided a child tax credit for families earning as much as $200,000 per year. After a day-long marathon that included a debate of more than seven hours, the state House of Representatives voted 99 to 47 with three members absent. Two Democrats Jill Barry of Glastonbury and Chris Poulos of Southington voted with Republicans against two-year, $55.8 billion package. The bill required 91 votes to pass because it changed part of the so-called fiscal guardrails that had been created under the bipartisan deal of 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The massive, 693-page document pays for everything from dental care for prison inmates to pay raises of 3.5% for Superior Court judges and others whose salaries are tied to the judges. Overall spending would increase by about 11% over two years, including an additional $1.2 billion in the first year and $1.4 billion in the second year. Republicans did not see the budget until 4 a.m. Monday as it was still being cobbled together by an army of lawmakers, lawyers, and nonpartisan staff members who write the budget in legal language and provide plain-language summaries. The debate on House bill 7287 did not start until 4:45 p.m. and finally ended just minutes before midnight. The House then passed several more bills and adjourned early Tuesday morning. House Speaker Matt Ritter of Hartford said Democrats are broadly pleased with the final compromises made in recent days with Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont. People are very happy to make the investments in child care that were making, to have the child tax credit through the EITC program to do the massive amounts of Medicaid funding were doing, $20 million [in the first year] and $45 million, Ritter said. People are really, really happy. A lot of people never thought wed get to this point. Its a reminder that if you just keep going, if you keep negotiating, if you keep coming up with ideas, you can solve even the most difficult of problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Republicans had a sharply different view, blasting the budget as a bloated document that did not closely follow the fiscal guardrails that were adopted in 2017 by the legislature and have been credited with restoring the states fiscal health in recent years. House Republican leader Vincent Candelora of North Branford quoted the phrase, traditionally credited to the French philosopher Voltaire, that the perfect should not be the enemy of the good. This budget is neither perfect nor good for the state of Connecticut, Candelora told reporters Monday. This budget eviscerates all of our fiscal guardrails. They are destroying the volatility cap. It is creating a gimmick in the first year to get around the spending cap. Finally, we are devoting the surplus and the revenue cap permanently to an off-budget early childhood account. In the long run, it is setting up the state of Connecticut for failure and tax increases. I am shocked that the governor would agree to this budget. Democrats, though, said flatly that the budget remains under the spending cap in both years, as required by state law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers, Candelora said, are not setting aside enough money to pay down pension liabilities because surplus money will be earmarked for other programs like the early childhood endowment fund that is expected to receive $200 million this year. They are acting as if we are never going to see another recession for the rest of our lives, Candelora said of Democrats who control both the House and Senate. Later, in his wrap-up speech near midnight, Candelora responded to comments that suburban schools are overfunded by saying that he pays $12,000 per year in property taxes on his home, partly to pay for schools. Rep. Tammy Nuccio of Tolland, the ranking House Republican on the budget committee, said the state is coming off the sugar high of billions in federal money from the coronavirus pandemic and is now finding it difficult to pay for multiple programs. Even with the spending cap, the state increased spending by about $1.2 billion next year to $27.2 billion, up from the current $26 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A longtime accountant and financial analyst for large insurance companies like Cigna and Aetna, Nuccio said the breakneck pace of the legislative session, where staff members literally work through the night to cobble together documents at the last minute, is not common outside the Capitol building. In the real world, this doesnt happen, Nuccio said on the House floor. They dropped a 700-page document at 4 oclock in the morning. Weve gotta read it in less than 12 hours. On the House floor, Rep. Mitch Bolinsky, a Newtown Republican who was first elected in 2012, told his colleagues that the state budget document looks like something that my dog threw up. Its just a mess. At some point in time, I would like to see some people in this chamber open their eyes, open their hearts and start working together. Republicans and the Connecticut Business and Industry Association were also concerned that the budget includes Lamonts proposed change to the unitary tax that they said would lead to tax increases for large, multi-state corporations like Electric Boat, Wal-Mart, Raytheon, Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes, AT&T, Verizon, and the parent company of Sikorsky helicopters, among others. Amazon is now the fifth-largest employer in the state, and the unitary tax would hit about 20 major corporations, officials said. The tax has not been mentioned much at the state Capitol in recent years, but Fairfield-based General Electric Co. cited the tax among the reasons that the company decided to move its headquarters to Boston during the tenure of then-Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Lamont and his team are in frequent contact with top business leaders, and he said after the initial proposal was released that the leaders had not raised major objections. Senate Republican leader Stephen Harding of Brookfield said the budget falls short. Gimmicks. Tax hikes. Dead bills getting brought back to life, Harding said. That sums up this budget. Yet again, Gov. Lamont has folded like a lawn chair to his fellow Democrats. Harding added, Fiscal moderation has officially left the state Capitol. The governor and Connecticut Democrats have succeeded in protecting government bureaucracy. Senate Republicans will always defend the fiscal guardrails and defend Connecticut residents from tax hikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite criticisms, Lamonts chief spokesman, Rob Blanchard, said Connecticut is in much better fiscal shape than some other states. This biennium budget makes smart investments in our future, our communities and schools, all while prioritizing affordability, holding the line on taxes, and keeping us on a sound fiscal path, Blanchard said. More importantly, it averts the mistakes of the past by making significant payments on our pension liabilities, preserves the strength of our fiscal guardrails and continues to grow our historic $4.1 billion Rainy Day fundall of which will guard against economic headwinds. While other states are cutting services, raising taxes or wishing for a Rainy Day fund as robust as our fund, Connecticut has worked hard to turn things around economically and maintain the progress that avoids those tough choices. House majority leader Jason Rojas, an East Hartford Democrat, said the budget is consistent with the values we hold that includes support for health care for undocumented immigrants and transgender care. Rep. Maria Horn, a Litchfield County Democrat who serves as co-chair of the tax-writing finance committee, said the state is operating under various constraints that make budgeting difficult. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cannot do everything, Horn said, adding that choices were made to help the most vulnerable citizens. Saying he wanted to respond to criticisms of the budget, Rep. Anthony Nolan, a New London Democrat, said the detailed document will create a better, more equitable future, one step at at time that will improve the state. The budget, he said, is under the spending cap for two years, increases Medicaid, and provides more money for federally qualified health centers, group homes, and nursing homes. Additional funding is provided for urgent crisis centers statewide, childrens mental health care, special education, a new education ombudsman, and hold-harmless funding for local school districts. You cant tell me this is not a good budget, Nolan said. This budget has some fantastic things in it. We might not always agree, but this budget is good for Connecticut. Republicans and hospitals were also concerned about an increase in the hospital tax that is designed to raise an additional $375 million in the first year and $400 million in the second year. They argued that the money is dependent on Connecticut receiving a waiver from the federal government, but the state has not received the waiver yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its really a hope and a prayer, Candelora said. The Connecticut Hospital Association, whose lobbyists testify on multiple bills, said the budget would not be good for hospitals. The tax increase on hospitals and proposed cuts to healthcare providers contained in this budget will be devastating for hospitals, their workforce, and their patients, the association said. This tax increase is far greater than what Governor Lamont proposed earlier this year. It will leave hospitals facing a staggering cut of hundreds of millions of dollars, while the state uses federal dollars to balance its budget without any action to increase Medicaid reimbursement for care provided to patients in hospitals. These policies will move Connecticut backward in our collaborative efforts to make healthcare more affordable and accessible. Rep. Joe Polletta of Watertown, the ranking House Republican on the tax-writing finance committee, expressed concerns about the Passport to Parks fee that is included on automobile registrations that are sent to drivers through the U.S. mail. As such, Polletta offered an amendment that would help fund the states parks by removing $116.3 million from the budget over two years for health care for undocumented immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, a West Hartford Democrat, said Pollettas number was incorrect, adding that the total was $40 million. Polletta then cited numbers from the legislatures nonpartisan fiscal office that added up to $116 million over two years. The amendment failed on strict party lines shortly before 8 p.m. Monday. We are saying some people are not worthy of getting health care when they are here in the state, said Walker, as fellow Democrats gathered behind Walker and Gilchrest in solidarity in the back of the chamber. Connecticut doesnt want isolation. They want to be an open and fair state for everybody. Confusion, decorum on House floor In addition to the 693-page bill, Democratic lawmakers then added a 65-page amendment that Republicans said they had little time to read. We have a 65-page amendment that none of us have seen, said Rep. Jay Case, a Winsted Republican. Its re-numbering the numbers. We got this 10 minutes ago. An amendment on a 700-page document with questions where its difficult to get answers. Weve got to get things right the first time. Rep. Greg Howard, a Stonington Republican, said he prides himself on reading the legislation, even when it is 700 pages that had items that didnt have anything to do with the budget that included portions of bills that had not been passed. This process is so complicated that the proponent herself needed time to figure it out herself, Howard said. The process should not be stained this way. If the people were watching CT-N right now, they would be wondering if they bought a ticket to a circus. Frankly, I dont know if Im in favor of the amendment or not. I just dont want to have my fingerprints or my name on a stain in the system. Nuccio, a colleague of Howards, added, I guarantee you the majority of the people in this chamber have not read this friggin amendment. Clearly frustrated, Nuccio described the situation on the House floor as dysfunctional. I dont think Ive ever felt more Irish than I do today, Nuccio said. Its mind-blowing to me. Its absolutely mind-blowing. I would love to do a hands-raise on how many people have read it. Amid the back-and-forth on the House floor, Rep. Toni Walker, the longtime budget committee co-chairwoman, said Democrats were trying to fix numbers in the 65-page amendment. I know it is a little confusing, Walker said. Later on, state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria said that pieces of six different bills from the public health committee had been jammed into the 693-page budget document. This process is broken. Its broken, Klarides-Ditria said. In another part of the debate, state Rep. Craig Fishbein of Wallingford, the leader of the conservative caucus, asked questions about gender-affirming healthcare services and the shield law that prevents other states from suing Connecticut doctors for performing health services that are legal in Connecticut. How many genders are there? Fishbein asked. Is it infinite? Yes, I would say its infinite, said Gilchrest said. We are updating the definition of gender-affirming healthcare. Concerning changing genders, Fishbein later said, If youre an adult and you want to do this stuff, God bless you. But kids? Totally different situation. Fishbein then offered an amendment that would ban any surgeries for anyone under 18 years old for the purpose of sex reassignment or for the provision of gender-affirming health care services. The measure failed largely on party lines with one Republican voting with the Democrats. Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw, an Avon Democrat, said that misinformation was spread during the House debate regarding surgery for minors under the age of 18. Harmful things have been said tonight, she said in opposing Fishbeins amendment, adding that legislators need to be accurate in their language. Inflammatory terms have been used. During the debate, Rep. Thomas ODea, a New Canaan Republican, said Monday night was the low point in my political career since he was first elected in 2012, adding that not a single piece of the 693-page budget came from the Republican side of the aisle. D.C. is dysfunctional central, ODea said. Connecticut is not. Minors cannot get a tattoo, but the chairman of the judiciary committee doesnt know whether a minor can have their breasts removed. Later, Democratic state Rep. Larry Butler of Waterbury said he was offended when Rep. Anne Dauphinais, a Republican from Danielson, had read graphic details shortly before 11 p.m. Monday on the House floor from books that she said were available in the Connecticut public schools. She said she was concerned about sections that were placed in the budget from the library bill, which was Senate Bill 1271. To repeat the vulgarity that is in them, on this floor, is something that we should never hear, Butler said. I am so taken aback. So offended. I wasnt raised like that and certainly didnt come here to hear that. Walker, a longtime lawmaker, said she was concerned about the decorum in the chamber on Monday night, adding that young people are often listening. Financial details Rep. Tina Courpas, a freshman lawmaker from Greenwich, strongly opposed the budget as she said it was an attack on the states fiscal solvency, adding that corporate taxes were being raised. To me, the fiscal guardrails are the most important thing the state has done in 20 years, Courpas said on the House floor. Connecticuts pension debt is not the most riveting of topics, but it is the elephant in the room. We have $56 billion in pension assets, but we owe $90 billion in pension obligations. We have the sixth-worst pension plan on a funded basis in the United States. Every time we increase salaries, we increase the pension those people are going to receive on the back end. Eventually on this path, we will default on our pension obligations. Thats why staying solvent matters. Were reversing the progress weve made since 2017. But Rep. Gregg Haddad, a Storrs Democrat who voted for the budget, said progress was being made in the budget for special education, day care, and non-profits, particularly in the second year. Representing the district that covers the University of Connecticut, he said that Article 8 of the state constitution calls for excellence in higher education. UConn supports 25,000 jobs in Tolland County, spurring a broad economic impact across the area. But he said that a major problem is that the graduation rate is below 15% at 8 of the 12 community colleges, including a snake infestation in a classroom at Middlesex Community College. The overall budget will provide $250 million less for public higher education next year than the current year. Lawmakers, however, say the public Connecticut state university system needs to rely on the reserves that have accumulated through the years. He noted that some Connecticut residents are unable to get admitted to UConn because additional seats to out-of-state students, who pay more than the in-state students. UConns block grant from the state, he said, increased only 7% in 16 years while tuition skyrocketed. Lawmakers were also concerned about a narrowly written provision that they believe could benefit only one company in the state. In order to obtain tax credits for research and development, the company must be a single member limited liability company that has more than three thousand employees in this state and is engaged in manufacturing, with expertise in mechatronics, alignment and sensor technology and optical fabrication. Chris DiPentima, the president of CBIA, said the provision was designed to help ASML Wilton, a major company in Fairfield County. The companys website says it specializes in mechatronics, alignment and sensor technology, which is exactly the language mentioned in the budget. DiPentima, though, says the research and development tax credits need to be expanded to much smaller companies like in Massachusetts, where companies with as few as five employees can earn the credits. Despite statements by various leaders that they had crafted a no-tax-increase budget, DiPentima said that characterization is incorrect. There are business tax increases, DiPentima told The Courant on Monday. Were losing sight of the importance of the business community to Connecticuts economy. Ive got major concerns with the work-around on the spending cap. He added, This is the first time in five years where weve had business tax increases and a changing of the guardrails. Is Connecticut losing its fiscal discipline again? Thats this question mark. Are we going to get back to fiscal discipline? Nonprofit funding Democrats have been pushing for years for a child tax credit, and their latest proposal called for a permanent, refundable credit of $150 per child for a maximum of three children, or $450 per year. That represented 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. The overall plan would have saved families a combined $82.7 million per year, but the idea was dropped as being too expensive and helping too many families at higher income levels. Lawmakers also dropped Lamonts proposal for an increase in the popular property tax credit to $350, up from $300, per tax filer. Lamonts proposal was expected to help 800,000 tax filers, officials said, as the income eligibility would have increased, an issue that had restricted the credit in the past. Nonprofit organizations, including those who hold contracts to perform various services that otherwise would be performed by state employees, were pleased with a funding increase in the second year. The budget is not everything we requested, but in the context of this years discussions about budget restrictions, we are grateful for their choice to support programs that will improve thousands of lives and even save some, said Gian Carl Casa, a former top state budget official who now leads the statewide nonprofit alliance. Rank-and-file lawmakers, including progressives, moderates and members of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, responded by making it clear that the people served by community nonprofits are a priority. The nonprofits are expecting to receive $76 million in the second year, plus an additional $30 million for non-developmental disability providers. The deal also calls for an additional $66 million union settlement for providers and an additional $15 million for Medicaid rates above the appropriations committee total, officials said. Is this a perfect budget? No, Walker said. But we have a situation where we have a spending cap problem and a revenue problem. Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com Question: Can a U.S. President suspend the "writ of habeas corpus"? Answer: The writ of habeas corpus is a safeguard against unlawful detention. It requires the government to justify, under the law, holding someone in custody. The U.S. Constitution mentions only a few rights explicitly in its original text, and habeas corpus is one of them. Historically, this writ was used to try and free people who were imprisoned or detained without judicial process and was a significant reform against the King of England to prevent unlawful or arbitrary imprisonment. The writ allows individuals to petition a court to determine the legality of their detention. In the U.S. today, it is primarily used to challenge the legality or sufficiency of the legal process. So, can a President suspend it? The short answer is probably not at least not on his own. The longer answer involves constitutional interpretation, historical precedent, and a bit of Civil War history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Constitution addresses habeas corpus in Article I, Section 9, which lays out limits on Congress, not the President. It reads: The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it. The placement in Article I is important, as this article is about the powers and structure of the legislature. The placement suggests that the power to suspend belongs to Congress. Does the right to suspend 'habeas corpus' belong to Congress? Kristi Noem is sworn in as head of the Department of Homeland Security on Jan. 17, 2025. She does not understand what habeas corpus is. Habeas corpus is the legal principle, enshrined in the Constitution, that protects people from illegal detention. That view was confirmed in 1861, during the Civil War when President Abraham Lincoln unilaterally suspended habeas corpus in parts of the country. In response, Chief Justice Roger Taney ruled in Ex parte Merryman that Lincolns actions were unconstitutional because only Congress had the authority to suspend the writ. Eventually, Congress passed the Habeas Corpus Suspension Act of 1863, giving Lincoln the power by law, which made the issue moot. There have only been four suspensions of the writ of habeas corpus since the Constitution was ratified. The writ was suspended during the Civil War; in parts of South Carolina during Reconstruction; in two provinces of the Philippines during a 1905 insurrection; and in Hawaii after Pearl Harbor. In modern times, no President has tried to suspend habeas corpus without congressional approval. Cerabino on Trump: Three reasons Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' is bad for Florida Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even during World Wars, the Cold War, and the aftermath of 9/11, presidents have relied on laws passed by Congress to detain individuals or limit court access, but the writ itself has remained intact. In fact, the Supreme Court has repeatedly reinforced its importance. In Boumediene v. Bush (2008), the High Court ruled that detainees at Guantanamo Bay had a constitutional right to habeas corpus, even though they were held outside the United States. The Court called habeas corpus a fundamental precept of liberty. Nonetheless, there are scholars who argue that the President might have some "emergency authority" in cases where Congress is unable to act. It is possible that this argument could get some traction in the courts today where there has been some movement toward granting the President a greater scope of authority. For now, though, it is likely that any suspension of the writ would require congressional approval based on an invasion or rebellion. Kevin Wagner Kevin Wagner is a noted constitutional scholar, political science professor, and co-Director of the PolCom Lab at Florida Atlantic University. The answers provided do not necessarily represent the views of the university. If you have a question about how American government and politics work, email him at kwagne15@fau.edu or reach him on (X) @kevinwagnerphd. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump wants to deport. But what about due process? | Opinion Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke from behind a lectern that read No Tolerance for Squatting in Sarasota on Monday as he met with local business leaders and politicians to sign two new anti-squatting bills into law. On the sixth floor of the bayfront Westin hotel, DeSantis said the measures would allow for more consistent law enforcement against squatters and illegal tenants in residential businesses such as motels. Some advocates have criticized a flurry of such legislation around the country as damaging to poor and homeless communities. This provides those property owners with a streamlined process to regain possession of the property that is rightfully theirs, he said. Gov. Ron DeSantis said new anti-squatting legislation would empower law enforcement and property owners in Florida. The two bills SB 322 and SB 606 are designed to make it easier for local law enforcement to remove people who are staying on a property they dont own (against the owners wishes) and for those who havent been paying their rent or residential fee to be evicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB 322s bill analysis says it would create a procedure outside of the courts for the county sheriff to remove an unauthorized person from commercial real property. Both laws will go into effect on July 1. The House sponsor of SB 322, Highland Beach Republican State Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, told the Herald-Tribune that it wasnt designed to prosecute homeless people who are staying on an empty estate out of necessity. As long as they comply with law enforcement, they wont be charged, she said. Floridas homeless population has fluctuated since DeSantis took office, but since 2021 it has increased by nearly 49% from 21,141 to 31,462 according to Florida Health. This has come amid skyrocketing rent and mortgage rates across the state. Gossett-Seidman tentatively said its possible that the states affordable housing crisis exacerbates squatting, but there wasnt enough hard data on the topic. There arent a lot of numbers and its hard to keep track of this issue, Gossett-Seidman said. Its all possibly conjecture since this has been an under-the-radar issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She referenced a survey by the National Rental Home Council that said Orlando had the third-highest rate of squatters in the state. The National Housing Law Project, an advocacy group of poor communities, criticized anti-squatting laws by state legislatures in a 2024 report. Key dangers include the improper removal of rightful occupants from their homes, the potential for arrest or violent interaction between tenants and police, and a heightened ability of landlords to intimidate tenants by threats of non-judicial police eviction," the report said. Gov. Ron DeSantis said new anti-squatting legislation would empower law enforcement and property owners in Florida. The group also criticized the council survey for a lack of transparency and called its findings unclear beyond what appears in media reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The press conference was filled with DeSantis' usual law and order rhetoric, making comparisons between Florida and states like California and New York. One man several rows of chairs back held a t-shirt in his lap that read Dont California My Florida. Attendees included area state lawmakers such as Sens. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, and Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota; State Reps. Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota, and Danny, R-Englewood; former Sarasota City Commissioner Erik Arroyo, Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche, and Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman. I'm not surprised the Legislature and Governor have turned to the sheriffs to be able to enforce this, Hoffman said to the audience. We're up to the task, and we're certainly going to do that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriff said his office has conducted nearly 700 evictions a year since he took office. Christian Casale covers local government for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Email him at ccasale@gannett.com or christiancasale@protonmail.com This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: DeSantis signs anti-squatting bills into law in Sarasota The first satellite images have emerged showing the aftermath of a major Ukrainian drone strike on Russia's Belaya air base in Irkutsk Oblast, revealing significant damage to Moscow's fleet of strategic bombers, geospatial intelligence consultant Chris Biggers posted on X on June 2. The strike was part of a coordinated operation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) targeting multiple Russian military airfields. The photos, captured by U.S. aerospace company Umbra Space, appear to confirm the destruction of at least three Tu-95MS strategic bombers and one Tu-22M3 aircraft, with an additional Tu-95MS visibly damaged. Another image shows two more likely destroyed Tu-22M3 bombers on the field. Today, Ukrainian intelligence reportedly launched 117 attack drones from trucks that had been placed near Russian air bases. I tasked several collects this morning via @umbraspace and my first images have already started processing. What a remarkable success in a well-executed pic.twitter.com/LzXulw8jnK Chris Biggers (@CSBiggers) June 2, 2025 The SBU carried out the massive drone attack on June 1, which reportedly hit 41 Russian aircraft across four different airfields. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council official Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, said at least 13 Russian aircraft were destroyed in the attack, with more damaged. The claims could not be independently verified. According to a source in the SBU who spoke to the Kyiv Independent, the operation codenamed "Spiderweb" involved smuggling first-person-view (FPV) drones deep into Russian territory. The drones were hidden in mobile wooden cabins on trucks and remotely launched at the right moment to strike bombers used in missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. The Belaya air base, over 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) from Ukraine, was among the most distant targets. Other bases included the Olenya (Murmansk Oblast), Diaghilev (Ryazan Oblast), and Ivanovo (Ivanovo Oblast) air bases. The SBU said the strikes disabled 34% of Russia's cruise missile bombers and inflicted approximately $7 billion in damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's Defense Ministry later admitted to a "terrorist attack" on the four air bases, saying "several units of aircraft caught fire." The scale and reach of the operation, enabled by low-cost FPV drones, underscore Ukraine's growing long-range strike capabilities, especially against aircraft that have long launched missile barrages from deep inside Russian territory. SBU Chief Vasyl Maliuk and President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly oversaw the long-planned operation. On the evening of June 1, Zelensky described the operation as "brilliant," adding that Russia suffered "significant losses entirely justified and deserved." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Whats most interesting, and this can now be stated publicly, is that the 'office' of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions," he said in a post on social media. "In total, 117 drones were used in the operation with a corresponding number of drone operators involved," he added. Read also: 34% of Russian strategic missile bombers at main airfields damaged in Ukrainian drone operation, SBU reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. MARSHALL, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) More details were released regarding the 19-year-old woman who was arrested last week, after police say she allegedly had multiple incendiary devices and was planning to use them at her former school. According to court documents, Ahnna Tipton, now of Evansville, was arrested and charged with possession of a destructive device after police said she told them she planned to deploy the devices at her former school, Marshall High School, in hopes of harming other people. On May 29, a detective with the Evansville Police Department, who is also certified as a Bomb Technician, was dispatched to St. Vincents Emergency Room in reference to a possible destructive device. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon arrival, another officer had transported Tipton to the emergency room for a psychological evaluation after she made suicidal threats, said officials. During that time, police said they allegedly found a pill bottle wrapped in duct tape with a matchstick protruding from the lid and a piece of cloth affixed. Inside the same backpack, police also allegedly found a piece of aluminum piping with both ends secured by duct tape. After removing the tape from the piping, an officer saw incendiary materials inside and detected a strong chemical smell, according to court documents. These items were confirmed to be improved incendiary devices by bomb technicians, according to officials. During an interview with police, Tipton allegedly admitted to creating the devices and planned on initiating the devices by using a matchstick or another flammable ignition source. Tipton also allegedly told police she had two similar devices located inside her home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside Tiptons bedroom, the Evansville Police Department Hazardous Devices Unit allegedly located the two additional devices inside energy drink bottles, constructed using the same materials and design as the devices located in her backpack. Tipton then allegedly explained to police that she had planned to use the devices at Marshall High School with the intent to commit harm, according to court documents. The construction of the devices demonstrates a deliberate attempt to create an improvised incendiary weapon. Of particular concern is the presence of confinement, especially in the aluminum pipe device. Confinement significantly increases the potential hazard posed by such devices. When a flammable or reactive mixture is ignited inside a confined space, pressure can rapidly build, resulting in a deflagration or low-order explosion. This can cause the container to rupture violently, dispersing hot materials and shrapnel, and dramatically increasing the likelihood of injury, fire, or structural damage, said court documents. The Evansville Police Department said a bomb unit was then sent to the school to check for more of these devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, these devices meet the definition of a destructive device under Indiana Code 35-47.5-2-4, resulting in Tipton being arrested and charged with possession of a destructive device, a level five felony. If deployed as designed, these devices would pose a serious risk to life and property. The intentional manufacture, possession, and planned use of such items reflect a clear and dangerous threat to public safety, said court documents. Tipton is scheduled for an initial court hearing on June 4 at 1:00 p.m. in the Vanderburgh Circuit Court. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com. MARYSVILLE (KSNT) A Manhattan-based development company is setting its sights on a small town in rural north-central Kansas this year where it plans to inject life into some aging historic structures. Tyler Holloway with Frontier Development Group (FDG) has some big ideas for downtown Marysville. Specifically, he and his workers hope to transform a block of historic structures tied to the local Koester family into new living areas for local tenants called the Broadway Lofts. FDG has several other, similar projects going on around Kansas to create new housing opportunities in rural areas. FDG staff have worked on or completed projects in Wamego, Alma, Cottonwood Falls and other places, often taking old historic buildings and converting them into new places for people to call home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Highway shutdown to create nearly 70-mile detour in central Kansas Holloway told 27 News that FDG is set to transform some of the old Koester buildings into a new housing complex consisting of 12 units. This comes after officials in Marysville gave FDG the green light to repurpose the aging buildings following numerous meetings and a securing historic tax credits for the project. The new living spaces will be a mix of one and two-bedroom units that will feature modern appliances and individual utilities, all while preserving the original historic value of the property. We are hopeful to have a majority of the units completed late fall of next year, Holloway said. A photo of the future Broadway Lofts in Marsyville, Kansas. Frontier Development Group hopes to transform these buildings into new housing units for the local community. (Photo Courtesy/Frontier Development Group) The Kansas State Historic Society (KSHS) lists the Koester Block Historic District as consisting of several buildings in Marysvilles historic downtown area that date back the 1870s. The historic district contains commercial and residential buildings, including the former home of local historic figure Charles F. Koester and old Post Office buildings, according to the National Park Service (NPS). These were added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1980. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What happened to these Kansas counties and why dont they exist anymore? Holloway said that FDG worked with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for this project. He said the budget, while still in the works, is around $3.5 million, with cash flowing in from investors and state tax credits. This is a unique project for several reasons, Holloway said. First, its actually three individual buildings, so it required three separate historic reviews, and will be treated as three individual projects by SHPO and NPS. We worked closely with our design team at CES to develop a plan that was mindful of all existing historic fabric, but also allowed for updates necessary for modern apartments and code compliance. One of the solutions we identified was creating an opening in between two of the buildings that will allow all three buildings to share a common corridor for convenience and egress. Another item worth noting is that one of the buildings was built in 1870, making the oldest structure that Frontier has ever worked on. Holloway said he believes the project will have a big impact on the Marysville community. The addition of new housing opportunities and the rejuvenation of the Koester buildings are expected to add some new life to Marysville and possibly encourage continued development of the downtown area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marysville has been an amazing community to work with, Holloway said. There is a ton of civic pride and a genuine excitement to see residential and commercial development happening in the downtown district. Its going to be a great project and were really looking forward to showcasing whats possible when everyone works together! You can learn more about the Broadway Lofts project by heading to the FDGs website. You can find out more information on the town of Marysville by going to Visit Marysvilles website. Found an arrowhead in Kansas? Archaeologist urges you to leave it alone 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) A lawsuit has been filed against the City of Fayetteville after the City Council denied an appeal for a Dickson Street student-oriented housing proposal. A lawsuit filed on May 30 states that real estate developers Trinitas Ventures, LLC are seeking damages after a planned 611-bed housing development on 151 W Dickson St was denied multiple times. The suit claims that the project was submitted in full compliance with Fayettevilles Unified Development Code and met all required conditions for approval. It further states that although the development was recommended for approval by city staff, it was still ultimately denied at an April 14 meeting, through a 4-3 vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trinitas appealed the Planning Commissions denial of the project to the City Council on April 22. Adam Fire Cat to open drive-thru coffee shop in Fayetteville The Appeal from the Planning Commissions denial of the project then came before the City Council on May 20. The suit alleges that at that meeting, council members acknowledged that the project was in compliance with Fayettevilles UDC. However, five council members, Monique Jones, Sarah Moore, Bob Stafford, and Mike Wiederkehr voted against approving the project. Council members Scott Berna, Sarah Bunch, and DAndre Jones voted in favor of granting the appeal. While council member Teresa Turk voted in abstention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Therefore, the appeal was rejected by the council in a 4-3-1 vote. However, the suit filed against the city claims that Turk illegally abstained from the vote. In count one of the suit, Trinitas is asking for an Appeal of Final Administrative Decision. Count two asks that the judge rule that Trinitas is facing Deprivation of Property Rights. Through the suit, Trinitas is seeking damages including, but not limited to, lost rental revenue, increased loan carrying costs, and travel expenses required for the appeal. It further states, The plaintiff should also be entitled to award of their cost of litigation and reasonable attorneys fees for this litigation and for the appeal to City Council due to the Planning Commissions violation of Fayettevilles UDC. Now, Fayettevilles City Attorney, Kit Williams, says he plans to ask the city council to reconsider their vote regarding the development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with KNWA/FOX24, Williams says this would allow Turk to remand her vote, and choose to vote yes or no. Hobbs State Park launches firewood permit program to aid tornado cleanup KNWA/FOX24 reached out to the attorney representing Trinitas, Suzanne Clark, who stated that she wants the lawsuit to speak for itself. Trinitas Ventures, LLC, and Trinitas Development, LLC, are the primary plaintiffs in the suit. Court records show that the City of Fayetteville, the Fayetteville City Council and the Fayetteville Planning Commission were served with the lawsuit on Monday morning. The full lawsuit can be found below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trinitas-LawsuitDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. The history of how slavery made New Orleans the city it is today rarely intrudes on the daily awareness of most people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. The event includes a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Slave pictured here, next to St. Augustine Catholic Church on Governor Nicholls Street and other locations. (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. Hundreds of people come, Evans said. Its one way the city can memorialize those who suffered under slavery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. The Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan and China Energy Engineering Corporation Limited have signed an agreement on comprehensive strategic cooperation in the energy sector, Trend reports. The agreement was signed on Monday during the 30th anniversary Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition. The document was signed by Azerbaijans Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, and Vice President of China Energy Engineering Corporation Limited, Bo Wan. Bronx public school student Dylan, who was detained by federal authorities at a recent immigration hearing, received a medical diagnosis over the weekend that his lawyers believe should have required his immediate release. Worse yet, for days after learning of his diagnosis, Dylans legal team at the New York Legal Assistance Group was unable to reach him until Monday, according to new filings in a federal court case known as a habeas corpus petition, where he is challenging his detention as unlawful. Dylan, 20, who is from Venezuela, is currently being held in Pennsylvania. At a conference Monday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Stephanie Haines in Pennsylvania denied Dylans emergency motion, though his lawyers said they were told they could refile after the court and federal government review the medical records. His broader case challenging his detention remains ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While we are disappointed with todays decision by the judge, we remain unwavering in our determination to fight for justice, due process and to bring Dylan home as soon as humanly possible, said a NYLAG spokesperson. Dylan had been receiving medical tests for gastrointestinal issues that could be symptoms of Crohns disease or cancer at the time he was detained, the Daily News previously reported. His medical records and other sensitive health information were put under seal on Monday, and his last name is being withheld at his familys request. It would be profoundly unfair, and irreversible, if prolonging this unlawful detention causes further and possibly very serious harm to this young mans health at an exceptionally delicate point in his medical history, Dylans filings continued. Separately, the citys Law Department made a motion to file an amicus brief on Monday, insisting the manner in which Dylan was arrested at a routine court hearing on May 21 could deter people from accessing the court system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The implications threaten to reach well beyond the immigration arena and reach the countless other matters affecting public welfare that require our residents to appear in court every day, read the citys filing in support of Dylan. In a statement alongside the brief, Mayor Adams added Dylan was going through the legal process to be allowed to work, and accessed a public center helping migrants avoid city shelters and become independent. But instead of being rewarded for following the law, he was punished for doing what we all asked him to do, Adams said. DHS did not return a request for comment on Monday afternoon but last week condemned a Biden-era asylum process that allowed immigrants like Dylan to enter the country with a notice to appear before a judge. The agency claimed President Trump has gone back to following the law and that the student and others in his position should have faced expedited removal from the beginning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If individuals have a valid credible-fear claim, they will continue in immigration proceedings, officials said in a statement, but if no valid claim is found, aliens will be subject to a swift deportation. He has since notched a win in the process when he passed DHSs credible fear interview, meaning he will not be deported immediately and can bring his case back before an immigration judge the process he was undertaking when he was suddenly arrested. Dylan, a student at Ellis Prep High School, is pursuing a pathway to a green card. He has no criminal record. His detention has struck a chord with New York politicians and advocates, who turned out last week en masse to protest his detention and Adams relative silence on his arrest before the amicus brief filed Monday. NEED TO KNOW Sean "Diddy" Combs' former assistant testified under the pseudonym Mia She claims Combs sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions Mia says she would try to keep Combs happy in order to feel "safe" A former assistant of Sean "Diddy" Combs who accused her one-time boss of sexual assault testified that she would post messages of love and admiration toward the Bad Boy Records founder because she wanted to keep him happy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former Combs employee, testifying under the pseudonym Mia, was asked during redirect why she didn't post about her low moments with Combs, whom she previously testified sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions. "That's not what social media was for," she told the court, saying that it was important to keep him happy. Assistant U.S. Attorney Madison Smyser asked Mia why she felt the need to keep Combs happy. "Because when he was happy, I was safe," Mia answered. 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. Mia's testimony lasted multiple days. During cross-examination, defense attorneys attempted to cast doubt on her claims, accusing her of joining a "MeToo money grab." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mia also testified that she witnessed Combs assault Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, the music mogul's ex who is another key witness for the prosecution. Combs is charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution, and has pleaded not guilty. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org. Read the original article on People A search-and-rescue mission is underway on Castaic Lake, where two kayakers flipped over due to strong winds on Sunday afternoon. One of the kayakers, a woman, was rescued with no injuries. The other, a man, is still missing and presumed to have drowned, according to L.A. County Fire Capt. Sheila Kelliher. The incident occurred on the first day of the three-month summer period when officials say drownings in the state spike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Fire Department arrived shortly before 1 p.m. in answer to a call about a kayaking accident. At the time of publication, divers were still searching the middle of the lake. The identities of the two kayakers aren't currently available. Kelliher could not confirm if either of the kayakers were wearing life jackets, but according to the Santa Clarita Valley Signal, which cited radio dispatch traffic, the rescued kayaker was wearing a life jacket, and the missing kayaker was not. Set among the Sierra Pelona Mountains in northwest L.A. County, Castaic Lake serves as the largest state project reservoir in Southern California. About 400 Californians die of drowning each year, according to the state Water Safety Coalition, with nearly half of all those occurring in the summer months of June, July and August. Parks officials urge the use of life jackets for all those in canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards or any other human-powered vessel. 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) James Carpenter spent 24 years in federal prison after he was convicted of second-degree murder when he was 17. He never imagined helping others if he became a free man. Carpenter was approached by the founders of the non-profit, Neighbors for Justice, after he was released from prison, and he has never looked back since. Woman encouraging volunteers to build bridges through teaching English Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighbors for Justice started during the pandemic, helping those inside the D.C. Jail. There were major concerns about the living conditions while COVID-19 was spreading, so Carpenter and his colleagues brought their concerns to the District Council and other leaders. We were trying to be a good neighbor, Carpenter said. They were going through a lockdown, and we heard the conditions were horrific, so we offered as much support as we could. Neighbors for Justice focuses on advocacy for those still behind bars and for the men and women who served their time and our now back in society. Hagerstown business owner offers unique entertainment, learning experience Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carpenter knows the challenges, and he is making sure others maximize their opportunity. We definitely want them to feel like their back is not against the wall and that their options arent limited, so they wont go back to the streets, he said. We want to expand their choices by helping them get workforce development and tech skills and stuff like that. Carpenter also serves as a mentor to teenagers and young children during his spare time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Officials said that a D.C. school employee is facing charges for child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The FBI Washington Field Offices Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force is investigating 56-year-old Devonne Keith Brown, who was arrested on Monday, June 2. The affidavit said Brown was working for IDEA Public Charter School and affiliated with a track club called Project Impact Sports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virginia high school teacher arrested, accused of receiving inappropriate photos, grooming minors According to court documents, the investigation started in November of 2024 when a CashApp account was reported for grooming minors and purchasing CSAM. CashApp found three possible minors accounts and the adults account. Documents said that there was activity that implied that the adult later identified as Brown was grooming minors. The investigation was assigned in January of 2025. Investigators reported that there were 36 CashApp transactions with one of the victims between Feb. 18, 2024, and Sept. 22, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officials went to speak to the victim, she said that she had been talking to a person named Joseph. She later revealed that he was an adult man she met at a Giant grocery store near her home in Prince Georges County. She told investigators that she had messaged the man via Instagram and iMessage. She said that she had sent him nude photos during these conversations and that he also sent an explicit photograph to her. Black bear spotted in Bethesda area days after it was captured, relocated from Langley Park In May of 2025, investigators got a search warrant for Browns email and found nearly 30 emails between him and two different email accounts believed to belong to the minor victim. These emails included explicit photos and videos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who prey on minors to solicit the production of CSAM are morally reprehensible and will be held accountable for their heinous crimes, Steven Jensen, assistant director in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office, said in a release. The FBI remains committed to protecting our children and ridding our communities of this grievous scourge. The FBI asks that anyone with any information about Brown or his involvement in the solicitation of CSAM send their contact information to DBVictims@fbi.gov or fill out a form online. You can also make an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or going online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Faith is an integral part of millions of Americans daily lives. One Nation Under God is committed to reflecting Americas voices, values and communities covering stories of faith and religion, from the latest headlines to stories of hope. Subscribe here. (NewsNation) Shortly after being elected, Pope Leo XIV identified artificial intelligence as one of the central challenges for the modern world and said he intends to make the Christian approach to navigating it a hallmark of his pontificate. In his first address to the college of cardinals, the first American pope called the developments in AI a new industrial revolution that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor. He said the Church offers a treasury of resources to use it safely and ethically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kardashian family Bible study? Kourtney and Khloe float idea Pope Leo has referred to the immense potential of artificial intelligence, which he said required responsibility and discernment in order to ensure that it can be used for the good of all, so that it can benefit all of humanity. So, until now, what has the Catholic Church said about artificial intelligence? Vatican releases document on AI In January 2025, the Vatican released a document signed by Pope Francis that addressed the ethical challenges raised by artificial intelligence. Like any product of human creativity, AI can be directed toward positive or negative ends, the Vatican document says. When used in ways that respect human dignity and promote the well-being of individuals and communities, it can contribute positively to the human vocation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, as in all areas where humans are called to make decisions, the shadow of evil also looms here. Where human freedom allows for the possibility of choosing what is wrong, the moral evaluation of this technology will need to take into account how it is directed and used. AI and society The Vatican says artificial intelligence could be used for innovation and improvement in agriculture, education and culture. But it says the digital divide has also led to greater inequality. The inherent dignity of each human being and the fraternity that binds us together as members of the one human family must undergird the development of new technologies, explains the Vatican document. Noahs Ark: Researchers claim they may have found it in Turkey AI poses risk to human relationships While the Vatican says artificial intelligence can be used to foster connections, it also poses a serious risk to human relationships. It could hinder a true encounter with reality and, ultimately, lead people to a deep and melancholic dissatisfaction with interpersonal relations, or a harmful sense of isolation, the Vatican warns. AI and deepfakes The Vatican warns the public about generating manipulated content and false information, which can easily mislead people due to its resemblance to the truth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vatican encourages careful regulation since AI-generated fake media can gradually undermine the foundations of society. AI and warfare Another serious risk posed by artificial intelligence involves weapons systems and the ability to conduct military operations remotely, the Vatican says. According to Pope Francis, these systems have led to a lessened perception of the devastation caused by war and an even more cold and detached approach to the immense tragedy of war. Like any tool, AI is an extension of human power, and while its future capabilities are unpredictable, humanitys past actions provide clear warnings, the Vatican warns. Opinion: When Americans use faith as a weapon AI and healthcare According to the Vatican, health care professionals have the vocation and responsibility to be guardians and servants of human life. So if AI replaces the relationship between patients and doctors, the sick would suffer greatly, increasing the loneliness and desolation that often accompany illness, the Vatican warns. AI and education Artificial intelligence poses both advantages and challenges in the field of education, the Vatican says. AI can be a valuable resource if used within a healthy teacher-student relationship. However, the technology can also damage students critical-thinking skills since it provides quick answers and information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gen Z Christians see uptick in the UK: Study In conclusion In the face of the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence, the Vatican emphasizes that the professionals involved in its development should realize the moral responsibility they bear. AI should be used only as a tool to complement human intelligence rather than replace its richness, the document 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 NewsNation. Editors Note: The video above is a related story about a local dog that was abused. MEDINA, Ohio (WJW) A senior dog found shot and injured in a Medina backyard has died, prompting a public plea for help identifying who harmed her. The dog, identified as Stella, was discovered over the weekend by a local resident and rushed to MedVet by the Medina County SPCA. X-rays revealed she had been shot in the back leg and suffered a torn ACL, according to the SPCA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Motorcycle pulling a camper trailer overturns in fatal crash Stella, estimated to be over 10 years old, had broken free from her tie-out during a bathroom break. What happened after that remains a mystery. We are devastated and truly disgusted to have to make a post like this, the SPCA wrote in a Facebook statement. A violent crime was committed against this helpless creature. Despite intensive care, veterinarians determined Stellas injuries, age, and underlying conditions left her with little chance of recovery or quality of life. She was humanely euthanized. She deserved peace, the SPCA said. She deserved to leave this world knowing only kindness and comfort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio school board makes unanimous decision to suspend high school Authorities are now asking for the communitys help to find whoever is responsible. Anyone who saw anything unusual near West Washington Street and Walnut Drive over the past few days is asked to contact the Medina County SPCA Humane Officer at 330-802-7880 or email humaneofficer@medinacountyspca.com. She mattered, the SPCA said. And she still deserves justice. Click here to see photos of Stella. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. After a months-long freeze on hiring new federal employees and the Elon Musk-led DOGE cuts to the government workforce, the Trump administration is ready to resume civil service hiring as long as the applicants answer a few essay questions about their level of loyalty to the president and his mission. The Office of Personnel Management last week quietly published a memorandum authored by Vince Haley, the White Houses head of domestic policy that was addressed to the head or acting head of every agency across the entire executive branch. According to the White Houses directive, a copy of which was reviewed by The Independent, anyone applying for a civil service position at entry level or above including such jobs as nurses, janitors, economists and lawyers, among others must respond to a series of essay questions before they can even be considered for an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The merit hiring plan lays out in detail how to implement a January executive order signed by Trump to prioritize recruitment of individuals committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. The plan also seeks to prevent anyone who is unwilling to defend the Constitution or to faithfully serve the Executive Branch from being employed in the civil service. One question asks applicants about their commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States, while another question asks applicants to state how they would help advance the Presidents Executive Orders and policy priorities and to identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that they find significant to them. They must also explain how theyd help implement these orders or initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If applicants write answers that are satisfactory enough to land them an interview, the memorandum also states that they must participate in an executive interview with a political appointee from agency leadership who will evaluate their organizational fit and commitment to American ideals. For civil service experts and good-government advocates, the new applicant screening process is setting off alarm bells. Adam Bonica, a Stanford University political scientist who publishes the On Data and Democracy newsletter on Substack, wrote on Sunday that the White Houses directive signals a profound departure from a cornerstone of American democracy: the non-partisan, merit-based civil service and looks to implement Project 2025 efforts to deconstruct the nonpartisan civil service in favor of a return to the spoils system that was in place until the late 1800s. A merit-based civil service that took generations to build is being dismantled via memo, he charged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new hiring guidelines arent the only way Trump and his allies are upending the nonpartisan system that was set up to govern federal hiring in the wake of President James Garfields 1881 assassination by a disgruntled office seeker. Shortly after he returned to power in January, Trump signed an executive order that ordered agencies to reclassify career employees who work on policy matters into a new schedule that strips them of nearly all civil service protections. The directive largely re-implements an October 2020 order Trump signed to establish what was then called Schedule F and was set to be comprised of any federal worker in confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating positions. That broad category includes most of the governments non-partisan experts such as scientists, doctors, lawyers and economists, whose work to advise and inform policymakers is supposed to be done in a way that is fact-driven and devoid of politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Combined with the more than 100,000 open positions created by the massive number of firings and resignations across the entire executive branch during Trumps first few months back in power, these new policies could allow the administration to recruit an equal number of MAGA devotees who would eventually acquire protection from removal by future administrations. Max Stier, president of the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service, told Axios on Monday that it looks like the administration is emptying the shelves of the existing nonpartisan expert civil servants and restocking those same shelves with loyalists. Jeri Buchholz, a former head of HR at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, told the outlet that traditional federal hiring, by law, was meant to focus on the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the position. She said the Trump White Houses required questions are by contrast philosophical and not even aptitude related, making them difficult to square with the merit hiring plan, especially since it purports to require agencies to speed up hiring decisions. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent. Staff across federal agencies said that red tape implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency is wasting more time than ever. Workers at 19 agencies revealed how sweeping changes brought in by DOGE Elon Musks team that pledged to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse have instead resulted in delays for the most basic transactions and projects put on hold for months, The Washington Post reports. People are so demoralized, anxious and sleep deprived, a NASA employee told the outlet. Nobody is working at top efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Employees at the State Department, Social Security Administration, National Institutes of Health and the Federal Aviation Administration were among those feeling the strain as DOGE laid off staff and brought in new hurdles, impacting financial and policy protocols. One staffer at the State Department told The Post that hiring an international vendor for an event required multiple layers of additional sign off because of the administrations requirement to eradicate diversity, equity and inclusion from government. Workers at 19 agencies revealed how sweeping changes brought in by DOGE Elon Musks team that pledged to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse have instead resulted in delays for the most basic transactions and projects put on hold for months. (AP) The vendor refused to sign paperwork confirming that it did not promote DEI, resulting in the staffer having to go through several rounds of sign-off to secure the contract. The process would have typically taken a day but instead took an entire week, according to the outlet. In response, the State Department told The Post that it would never apologize for putting processes in place to ensure taxpayer dollars are used correctly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While many federal workers told the newspaper they supported scrutiny of how the government spends taxpayer money, the reality was running counter to the goal of efficiency. An employee at the Federal Aviation Authority said that the new process for payment systems means that staff must now write statements justifying all expenditures, from bigger expenses to ordering pens and pencils. It has slowed down the process of getting windows cleaned at air traffic control towers, the employee said. Purchase orders that would take 15 to 20 minutes now take up to 2 hours. These are things that people dont think about, but clean windows are crucial for controllers, the employee told the outlet. Employees at the State Department, Social Security Administration, National Institutes of Health and the Federal Aviation Administration were among those feeling the strain as DOGE laid off staff and brought in new hurdles, impacting financial and policy protocols. (AP) Meanwhile at some parts of the National Institutes of Health, one staffer revealed that grants must be fed through an AI tool to detect references to DEI, transgender, China or vaccine hesitancy. Staff must also check that grant recipients are not on the list of institutions that President Donald Trump has targeted, including Harvard, Changes at the Social Security Administration pushed through by DOGE are also causing chaos after the team reassigned central-office workers to take lower-level positions, according to The Post. In February, the agency outlined plans to cut 7,000 jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staff are overburdened as they have reportedly been taken off normal duties in order to train new staffers. You now have half the staff with very little knowledge of how to do the work, a relocated staffer told the outlet. And the other half of staff overwhelmed with work and unable to really train or mentor these new folks. The agency said that the reassignment of approximately 2,000 staff has not caused disruptions. A statement said the reassignment of the staffers would further accelerate the progress the agency is making. Responding to the claims made in The Posts reporting, White House spokesman Harrison Fields said that President Trump is curbing government waste and reforming a system that has long burdened American taxpayers through DOGE. Anyone resistant to these critical reforms has had ample opportunity to step aside, but the work of DOGE will press forward unobstructed, he added. In March, operatives with DOGE, erratic billionaire Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency, seized control of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), a congressionally funded and quasi-governmental but fully independent nonprofit organization, following a dramatic standoff with staffers. As the DOGE team forced their way into the institutes gleaming Moshe Safdie-designed concrete-and-glass headquarters at the northwest corner of the National Mall, local police and FBI agents ejected everyone from the building, including institute president George Moose, a career diplomat who served for 30-plus years under Republican and Democratic administrations alike. The institute was established in 1984 by Republican president Ronald Reagan with a stated mission to advance international stability and promote global conflict resolution. Still, less than a month into Donald Trumps latest term as president, he issued an executive order taking aim at USIP as unnecessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOGE then swiftly fired USIPs workforce and replaced its board with MAGA loyalists, after which the purported cost-cutting agency locked the doors to $500 million structure and essentially walked away attracting rats and roaches and letting conditions erode to such a point that the facility will now likely require hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs, according to USIP chief of security Colin OBrien. OBrien, along with a contract engineer, was the first to thoroughly inspect the institutes building last month after a federal judge declared DOGEs takeover illegal, ruling its actions as null and void. OBrien, a U.S. Army veteran who then worked in law enforcement before joining USIP in August 2023, said what he found was, in a word, offensive. The offices that were abandoned for two months looked like a scene from a zombie apocalypse movie, frozen in time, with everything left exactly as it was when the house was cleaned out, according to OBrien. And this, he said, was precisely the problem. U.S. Institute of Peace president George Moose last month after being allowed back into the publicly-funded nonprofit's D.C. headquarters following an attempted takeover by DOGE. (AP) Anyone who manages large commercial buildings understands that maintenance is not something you can just stop doing for two months, OBrien told The Independent. After DOGE took over, they canceled a lot of contracts and critical functions stopped happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodents became a problem because DOGE employees neglected to clear out any of the food left on the premises after taking over, OBrien explained. USIP had a cafe managed by a contractor, with food being stored onsite, he said. Additionally, OBrien said, USIP personnel had food in refrigerators throughout the building, along with snack items they didnt have a chance to remove from desks and cabinets before DOGE summarily booted them from the property. Over the next eight weeks, DOGE wouldn't let any USIP staff in the building, and didn't do anything to prevent the moldering food from spoiling further, which quickly attracted vermin. Roaches were also attracted to the abandoned perishables throughout the space, entering through wastewater and drainage pipes that had dried up from lack of use, OBrien said. There were several water leaks, as well, that contributed to their ability to come into the building, he added. Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency managed only a fraction of its promised spending reductions, while crippling a raft of vital government programs. (AP) Beyond the various infestations, OBrien recalled that, among other things, ceiling tiles were mysteriously missing throughout the building, water damage was rampant, vehicle barriers had become non-operational, and weeds were growing in the cooling tower on the roof a potential vector for Legionnaires disease. Since the location was left without adequate security, graffiti also appeared on an exterior wall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These things can turn into major, $100,000-plus repairs for lack of maintenance, OBrien said. Now were in a rush to play catchup. However, according to OBrien, the issues went beyond maintenance. They ripped the main logo off the wall when you come into the lobby, and while we have most of the parts back, would you be surprised that were still missing four letters: U, S, I, and P? OBrien said. Thats not coincidental. More than a dozen USIP flags were also removed from their flagpoles and remain unaccounted for, which OBrien believes were taken, along with the USIP logo remnants, as war trophies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He called the situation uncharted, and struggles to accurately put into words the mix of emotions he felt upon walking back into the USIP building. The closest thing you can compare this to is McCarthyism, and even that pales in comparison to the total destruction that is occurring right now, OBrien said. U.S. Institute of Peace employees held an impromptu celebration on May 19, following a ruling by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell that DOGE's seizure of the independent entity had been unlawful. (AP) OBriens colleagues at USIP are the most incredible group of people, who care about making the world better, oftentimes at the expense of their own health and personal safety, he continued. While the current administration claims to see USIPs programs as expendable, the institute in fact grew during Trumps first turn in office from 2016 to 2020. To OBrien, the disconnect is massive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Trump] gets sworn in on January 20, and in his inauguration speech, he said, Im a peacemaker, OBrien said. USIP is the only publicly-funded private institution that is dedicated to peace in the developed world. We are unique, with a 40-year legacy of trying to do the right thing and make this world just a little bit better. Regardless of political affiliation, the men and women at USIP are still prepared to cooperate with the Trump administration however necessary in order to leave the world a little bit better than we found it, according to OBrien. Its not that were against the administration, or against Trump, he said. Its that were ready to do this work with whomever. On May 19, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the DOGE seizure of USIP had been unlawful, and ordered Moose and his staff reinstated. In handing down her opinion, Howell said Trumps efforts here to take over an organization represented a gross usurpation of power and a way of conducting government affairs that unnecessarily traumatized the committed leadership and employees of USIP, who deserved better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As USIP once again assumes control of its building, Musk left DOGE as his 130-day tenure as a special government employee comes to an end. The hastily formed agency managed only a fraction of its promised spending reductions, while crippling a raft of vital government programs and reportedly leading Trump to ask, Was it all bulls**t? The 80-year-old Moose now has a daunting task in reconstituting and relaunching USIP, according to OBrien, who insisted he would take a bullet for his boss without hesitation. He is that kind of person, a wonderful man, great leader, and something to live up to, OBrien said. Ride or die, Im standing next to him. DOGE officials did not respond to requests for comment. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. The Chinese Warom Technology Incorporated Company is interested in expanding its activities in Azerbaijan, Dillon Lu, deputy general manager of international business in the company, told Trend on the sidelines of the 30th Anniversary Baku Energy Week event. He kicked things off by sharing the lowdown on the company he stands behind. "We come from Shanghai. Our company mainly produces explosion-proof electrical equipment for oil and gas, energy (especially green energy), offshore, and offshore platforms. We have a partner in Azerbaijan and have been trying to benefit our partners together since 2019. We plan to expand our business in Azerbaijan. This depends on the interest of our partners. Next year, we plan to open a plant in one of the liberated territories of Azerbaijan," the company official emphasized. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Dogs Bite More Postal Workers in L.A. More Than Any Other City, with California as No. 1 State originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Los Angeles was recently ranked the No. 1 city in the world for canine attacks on mail carriers. Its rough out there or ruff, some might say for postal workers making deliveries in the City of Angels. But its no laughing matter. This week starts National Dog Bite Awareness Week yes, thats real a campaign by the US Postal Service, which kicked off June 1, encourages #dogbiteawareness be used to show support. The USPS counted over 6,000 dog-related attacks on mail carriers reported in 2024 alone. 77 of these happened here in Los Angeles, and hundreds more in California crowned the state number-one in the rankings. The runner-up, Texas, hit 438, while Californian incidents reached a whopping 701. I strongly encourage all dog owners to take precautions to make sure their dog is secure when mail is being delivered, says Jonah Helfrich, a letter carrier and spokesperson for the USPS campaign. 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. Helfrich said he recently received medical attention after a dog barged out from inside the home he was delivering to and bit him on the wrist. The USPS affirms that their employees are trained to deliver mail safely, even in the presence of pets, listing out verified rules, such as: Never startle a dog, Never assume a dog will not bite and Never attempt to pet or feed a dog. If a carrier feels unsafe, the USPS said, mail delivery can be suspended and patrons may be required to receive all mail from the post office until the situation can be resolved. Dog bite attacks on postal employees are preventable, says Leeann Theriault, USPS employee safety and health awareness manager. 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. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared. You can view the full press conference in the video player above. (NATIONAL) The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it has filed federal charges against Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the suspect in the Pearl Street attack in Boulder on Sunday, June 1. Suspect in Boulder attack charged with federal hate crime, FBI says: Live Updates According to officials, Soliman is in the U.S. illegally. He was arrested for what the DOJ called an anti-Semitic terrorist attack that injured eight when he allegedly threw two lit Molotov cocktails into a group of people participating in a pro-Israel gathering, igniting the crowd. Soliman is alleged to have yelled Free Palestine! during the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is now being charged by the DOJ with a federal hate crime involving actual or perceived race, religion, or national origin. According to the U.S. Attorney for the State of Colorado, J. Bishop Grewell, when a hate crime includes attempted murder, the statutory maximum federal sentence is life in prison. The Department of Justice has swiftly charged the illegal alien perpetrator of this heinous attack with a federal hate crime and will hold him accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Our prayers are with the victims and our Jewish community across the world, said Attorney General Pamela Bondi in a statement. This vile anti-Semitic violence comes just weeks after the horrific murder of two young Jewish Americans in Washington, DC. We will never tolerate this kind of hatred. We refuse to accept a world in which Jewish Americans are targeted for who they are and what they believe. According to the federal complaint, when Soliman was detained by local law enforcement, a black plastic container was found with 16 unlit Molotov cocktails inside. The Molotov cocktails were made of wine bottles or Ball jars with red rags hanging out of the bottles, containing what was later discovered to be 87 octane gasoline. A backpack weed sprayer filled with gasoline was also found nearby. READ THE FULL FEDERAL COMPLAINT HERE Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal complaint stated that after Soliman was arrested, he was questioned by local and federal law enforcement. During the interview, he said that he had researched how to make Molotov cocktails on YouTube, purchased the ingredients, and created them. He allegedly stated that he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead. According to the document, he said he would do it again. Soliman allegedly stated that he specifically targeted this group, having learned of the meeting online and traveled from his home in Colorado Springs, which he shares with his wife and five kids, to conduct the attack. He allegedly stated during the interview that he hated the Zionist group and needed to stop them from taking over our land,' which he explained to be Palestine, according to the federal complaint. FBI: Pearl Street suspect was from El Paso County The document detailed that during the interview, Soliman stated he had been planning the attack for a year and was waiting until after his daughter graduated before carrying it out. He also stated that he had left messages to his family on his iPhone at his house in Colorado Springs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to U.S. Attorney Grewell, Soliman stated that he resorted to using Molotov cocktails because he could not purchase a gun due to his immigration status. Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief Photojournalist Dez Rowe According to the document, after his arrest, Solimans wife went to the Colorado Springs Police Department, bringing an iPhone 14 that she identified as belonging to Soliman. A video was found on social media depicting a shirtless man, identified as Soliman, pacing back and forth, while holding what appear to be Molotov cocktails, according to the federal complaint. The video allegedly shows him saying, how many children killed, then a few moments later, end Zionist. The federal complaint states that, based on the information presented in the document, there is probable cause to believe that Soliman violated federal laws against hate crimes, prompting the DOJ to file federal charges against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No American should experience violence motivated by hatred based on their faith or national origin, and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice will act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators of such crimes to justice, said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon in a statement. There can be zero tolerance for such acts in our great nation. According to court documents, Soliman is scheduled for a Hearing on Advisement on Monday, June 2, where Colorado state charges are expected to be read in Boulder County Court. During a press conference ahead of Solimans court appearance, it was announced that he would be facing state charges of attempted murder in addition to the federal hate crime charges. This approach will accurately reflect the actions the defendant is alleged to have taken and the harm that he caused, said 20th Judicial District Attorney (DA) Michael Dougherty. It will allow us to secure a verdict, an outcome, a sentence whereby he will be held fully accountable. According to DA Dougherty, at the time the arrest affidavit was filed with the state court on Sunday, there were eight victims. As such, Soliman will be facing 16 counts of first degree attempted murder, two for each of the eight victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight of the counts are for attempted murder with intent and after deliberation, the other eight counts are for attempted murder with extreme indifference. It is possible Soliman will be facing additional counts, as the victim count has now risen to 12. If Soliman is convicted on the 16 attempted murder counts, the sentences for these charges, if they run consecutively, would incur a maximum of 384 years in state prison. In addition, he is charged with two counts of use of an incendiary device, and 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary deviceif convicted and the sentences run consecutively, he could face a maximum of 48 years for the use of a device and 192 years for the attempted use. Soliman is being held on a $10,000,000 cash only bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty announced attempted murder charges in connection with an attack on Run For Their Lives demonstrators on the Pearl Street Mall in a June 2, 2025 press conference. (Screenshot from City of Boulder livestream) The man suspected of attacking a group of demonstrators with incendiary devices in Boulder on Sunday, leaving multiple people hospitalized with severe injuries, faces state and federal charges for attempted murder and a hate crime, law enforcement officials announced. Officials said the total number of victims in the attack had risen to 12, at least some of whom were participants in the Boulder branch of Run For Their Lives, which organizes events calling for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. They suffered burns from Molotov cocktails and what FBI officials described as a makeshift flamethrower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least two victims remained hospitalized as of Monday afternoon, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said. The suspect, 45-year-old Mohammed Sabry Soliman, was arrested by Boulder police and later told investigators that he targeted what he called a Zionist group after learning about it through an online search, according to an FBI affidavit filed Monday. Officials previously reported that Soliman, a Colorado Springs resident, was heard to shout Free Palestine during the attack. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX He stated that he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead, the FBI wrote of the suspects interview after his arrest. He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A criminal complaint filed in federal court charges Soliman with one count of a hate crime offense involving the actual or perceived race, religion, or national origin. No American should experience violence motivated by hatred based on their faith or national origin, and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice will act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators of such crimes to justice, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said in a statement. There can be zero tolerance for such acts in our great nation. At a press conference later Monday, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said his office had charged the suspect with 16 counts of attempted murder in the first degree, two counts of the use of an incendiary device, and 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device. A judge has set a $10 million cash bond on the state charges. Soliman made a brief appearance in Boulder County court on Monday afternoon, and is scheduled to return for a formal filing of charges on Thursday. Our office and the U.S. Attorneys Office will be working closely together and in coordination with one another to ensure that the defendant is held fully accountable, Dougherty said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tricia McLaughlin, the Department of Homeland Securitys assistant secretary for public affairs, said Monday that Soliman was in the U.S. unlawfully, having entered the country in August 2022 on a tourist visa that expired in February 2023. An Egyptian national, he filed an asylum claim in September 2022, McLaughlin said. J. Bishop Grewell, the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, said additional federal charges could be forthcoming. In a press release Monday, the Department of Justice called the incident an anti-Semitic terrorist attack. Weve moved to charge quickly, to send the message to the community that no acts of anti-Semitism are going to be tolerated, Grewell told reporters. Just because theres only one charge that has been made so far doesnt mean that were not considering other charges that could come in the future. FBI agents worked through the night to gather evidence at the scene and execute a search warrant at the suspects Colorado Springs residence, said Mark D. Michalek, special agent in charge of the FBIs Denver field office. The suspect was not previously known to the FBIs local Joint Terrorism Task Force, Michalek said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While at this time it appears the perpetrator acted alone, we do continue to investigate all possibilities and pursue all investigative leads, he added. All evacuations and closures in downtown Boulder had been lifted as of early Monday morning, Redfearn said. This morning, I walked down Pearl Street with members of my team. I interacted with a lot of business owners (in the) community out there, and the way I felt leaving there was I was heartened, said Redfearn. I was heartened by the resilience of our community. Once again, as a community, were going to recover after coming together. This is a developing story and will be updated. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty announced attempted murder charges in connection with an attack on Run For Their Lives demonstrators on the Pearl Street Mall in a Monday press conference. (Screenshot from City of Boulder livestream) The man suspected of attacking a group of demonstrators with incendiary devices in Boulder on Sunday, leaving multiple people hospitalized with severe injuries, faces state and federal charges for attempted murder and a hate crime, law enforcement officials announced. Officials said the total number of victims in the attack had risen to 12, at least some of whom were participants in the Boulder branch of Run For Their Lives, which organizes events calling for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. They suffered burns from Molotov cocktails and what FBI officials described as a makeshift flamethrower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least two victims remained hospitalized as of Monday afternoon, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said. The suspect, 45-year-old Mohammed Sabry Soliman, was arrested by Boulder police and later told investigators that he targeted what he called a Zionist group after learning about it through an online search, according to an FBI affidavit filed Monday. Officials previously reported that Soliman, a Colorado Springs resident, was heard to shout Free Palestine during the attack. He stated that he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead, the FBI wrote of the suspects interview after his arrest. He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year. A criminal complaint filed in federal court charges Soliman with one count of a hate crime offense involving the actual or perceived race, religion, or national origin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No American should experience violence motivated by hatred based on their faith or national origin, and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice will act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators of such crimes to justice, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said in a statement. There can be zero tolerance for such acts in our great nation. At a press conference later Monday, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said his office had charged the suspect with 16 counts of attempted murder in the first degree, two counts of the use of an incendiary device, and 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device. A judge has set a $10 million cash bond on the state charges. Soliman made a brief appearance in Boulder County court on Monday afternoon, and is scheduled to return for a formal filing of charges on Thursday. Our office and the U.S. Attorneys Office will be working closely together and in coordination with one another to ensure that the defendant is held fully accountable, Dougherty said. Tricia McLaughlin, the Department of Homeland Securitys assistant secretary for public affairs, said Monday that Soliman was in the U.S. unlawfully, having entered the country in August 2022 on a tourist visa that expired in February 2023. An Egyptian national, he filed an asylum claim in September 2022, McLaughlin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement J. Bishop Grewell, the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, said additional federal charges could be forthcoming. In a press release Monday, the Department of Justice called the incident an anti-Semitic terrorist attack. Weve moved to charge quickly, to send the message to the community that no acts of anti-Semitism are going to be tolerated, Grewell told reporters. Just because theres only one charge that has been made so far doesnt mean that were not considering other charges that could come in the future. FBI agents worked through the night to gather evidence at the scene and execute a search warrant at the suspects Colorado Springs residence, said Mark D. Michalek, special agent in charge of the FBIs Denver field office. The suspect was not previously known to the FBIs local Joint Terrorism Task Force, Michalek said. While at this time it appears the perpetrator acted alone, we do continue to investigate all possibilities and pursue all investigative leads, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All evacuations and closures in downtown Boulder had been lifted as of early Monday morning, Redfearn said. This morning, I walked down Pearl Street with members of my team. I interacted with a lot of business owners community out there, and the way I felt leaving there was I was heartened, said Redfearn. I was heartened by the resilience of our community. Once again, as a community, were going to recover after coming together. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty announced attempted murder charges in connection with an attack on Run For Their Lives demonstrators on the Pearl Street Mall in a June 2, 2025 press conference. (Screenshot from City of Boulder livestream) The man suspected of attacking a group of demonstrators with incendiary devices in Boulder on Sunday, leaving multiple people hospitalized with severe injuries, faces state and federal charges for attempted murder and a hate crime, law enforcement officials announced. Officials said the total number of victims in the attack had risen to 12, at least some of whom were participants in the Boulder branch of Run For Their Lives, which organizes events calling for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. They suffered burns from Molotov cocktails and what FBI officials described as a makeshift flamethrower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least two victims remained hospitalized as of Monday afternoon, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said. The suspect, 45-year-old Mohammed Sabry Soliman, was arrested by Boulder police and later told investigators that he targeted what he called a Zionist group after learning about it through an online search, according to an FBI affidavit filed Monday. Officials previously reported that Soliman, a Colorado Springs resident, was heard to shout Free Palestine during the attack. He stated that he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead, the FBI wrote of the suspects interview after his arrest. He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year. A criminal complaint filed in federal court charges Soliman with one count of a hate crime offense involving the actual or perceived race, religion, or national origin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No American should experience violence motivated by hatred based on their faith or national origin, and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice will act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators of such crimes to justice, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said in a statement. There can be zero tolerance for such acts in our great nation. At a press conference later Monday, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said his office had charged the suspect with 16 counts of attempted murder in the first degree, two counts of the use of an incendiary device, and 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device. A judge has set a $10 million cash bond on the state charges. Soliman made a brief appearance in Boulder County court on Monday afternoon, and is scheduled to return for a formal filing of charges on Thursday. Our office and the U.S. Attorneys Office will be working closely together and in coordination with one another to ensure that the defendant is held fully accountable, Dougherty said. Tricia McLaughlin, the Department of Homeland Securitys assistant secretary for public affairs, said Monday that Soliman was in the U.S. unlawfully, having entered the country in August 2022 on a tourist visa that expired in February 2023. An Egyptian national, he filed an asylum claim in September 2022, McLaughlin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement J. Bishop Grewell, the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, said additional federal charges could be forthcoming. In a press release Monday, the Department of Justice called the incident an anti-Semitic terrorist attack. Weve moved to charge quickly, to send the message to the community that no acts of anti-Semitism are going to be tolerated, Grewell told reporters. Just because theres only one charge that has been made so far doesnt mean that were not considering other charges that could come in the future. FBI agents worked through the night to gather evidence at the scene and execute a search warrant at the suspects Colorado Springs residence, said Mark D. Michalek, special agent in charge of the FBIs Denver field office. The suspect was not previously known to the FBIs local Joint Terrorism Task Force, Michalek said. While at this time it appears the perpetrator acted alone, we do continue to investigate all possibilities and pursue all investigative leads, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All evacuations and closures in downtown Boulder had been lifted as of early Monday morning, Redfearn said. This morning, I walked down Pearl Street with members of my team. I interacted with a lot of business owners community out there, and the way I felt leaving there was I was heartened, said Redfearn. I was heartened by the resilience of our community. Once again, as a community, were going to recover after coming together. This story was originally produced by the Colorado Newsline which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Fourteen people were indicted and 11 arrested as part of a sweeping federal drug trafficking investigation targeting narcotics distribution in Seattles Chinatown-International District and surrounding homeless encampments, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller at a press conference in Seattle. The indictments, announced in late May and followed by coordinated arrests last week, stem from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation led by the FBI, Seattle Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration. Officials say the defendants trafficked large quantities of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl from California into Western Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This trafficking group was a major supplier of deadly drugs to the International District and other communities throughout the Seattle area, said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Seattle Field Division. The fentanyl powder and pills our team seized in this case could have yielded enough lethal doses to kill everyone in Seattle twice. The 14 individuals are charged in two separate indictments. Seven are accused of conspiring to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin, while the other seven face charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine. Defendants charged in first indictment: Octavio Salazar Palma, 33, of Federal Way, WA Luis Soto Lara, 47, of Vancouver, WA Juan Ramirez Recinos, 41, of Burien, WA (fugitive) German Juarez-Otanez, 34, of Bothell, WA (fugitive) Alexander Emilio Cozza, 42, of Seattle Marco Antonio Bobadilla, 33, of Pacific, WA Isai Gamboa Pacheco, 55, of Everett, WA Defendants charged in second indictment: Daniel Ibarra Loera, 31, of Kent, WA Jose Garcia Corona, 61, of Seattle Leonardo Rojas Cruz, 53, of Federal Way, WA Oscar Omar Serrano Serrano, 31, of Algona, WA Juan Lopez Roblero, 43, of Tukwila, WA Giovanni Antonio Garduno Garcia, 46, of Issaquah, WA Sang Su, 44, of Seattle (U.S. citizen, fugitive) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators executed 16 search warrants on May 29 across Washington, Oregon, and California, including locations in Federal Way, Everett, Issaquah, Kent, and Seattle. Authorities seized more than seven kilograms of cocaine, 18 kilograms of methamphetamine, 57,000 fentanyl pills, 17 firearms, and $353,000 in cash. Seattle Police Chief Shon F. Barnes said the group preyed on the homeless and drug addicted and terrorized people living and working in the Chinatown-International District and South Seattle. He praised the coordinated work of detectives and federal agencies. The case builds on previous charges filed in January 2025, when five Washington-based individuals connected to the same trafficking operation were indicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, law enforcement expanded its efforts beyond Washington, tracking the drug supply chain to sources in Oregon and Southern California. In March 2025 alone, the investigation led to the seizure of 100 pounds of meth, 111 kilos of cocaine, 19 kilos of fentanyl powder, 250,000 fentanyl pills, and four kilos of heroinan estimated street value of nearly $3 million. The suspects face a range of federal charges that, in some cases, carry mandatory minimum prison sentences of 10 years. Officials are still working to determine the citizenship status of several defendants. This investigation draws from the resilience of our communities, said Acting Special Agent in Charge Carrie Nordyke of IRS-Criminal Investigation in Seattle. Illegal drug trafficking devastates lives and affects us all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation involved multiple agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Washington National Guard Counterdrug Program, Oregon State Police, and the Clark County Sheriffs Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Conzatti and Brian Wynne are prosecuting the case. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Law enforcement leaders, including Chief Barnes, did not rule out additional indictments as part of this case. We are committed to doing this again and again and again, Barnes said. Until people understand that Seattle is not the place it used to be. Drug-related arrests in Seattle were up in 2024. Last year, there were 953 drug-related arrests in Seattle, up from a recent low of 219 arrests in 2021. ATHENS, Tenn. (WATE) More complaints have been filed in Monroe County against a home improvement contractor from Meigs County. Records show Jerry Gardner was taken to court last year, lost the case, but never paid up. Two women in Monroe County found out about him because he places ads on Angi.com and responds to social media sites for those looking for a contractor. Libby Robinson hired Gardner to install flooring one year ago. The agreed-upon cost was $8,000, although Robinson paid more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All total, I have paid $9,572. But the bad thing is I didnt have the three bedrooms and the two baths done. They were included in that $8,400, said Robinson, who questions Gardners workmanship. Oh, it just squeaks when you walk on it. You can hear it. He didnt put it down. You can hear the sounds. I think he just wedged it in there, beat it down, and left it. NCAA responds to Zakai Zeigler lawsuit seeking to play another season on Rocky Top Gardner was supposed to install jacks under the home to add support, but visual evidence shows no jacks or any type of support were added. Robinson said Gardner told her the job would take two weeks. Katharyn Ahart hired Gardner two years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was supposed to do a complete remodel, new floor, new cabinets, said Ahart. Gardner quit before finishing the kitchen and never painted the walls inside her home. Hardwood flooring was laid, but the workmanship is questionable. He put in the floors and theyre uneven. I can feel stuff underneath the floor. It kind of ripples, said Ahart. Her initial contract was $23,000, but costs kept on adding up. I had to pay more money for tile. I had to pay more money for the flooring, my own countertop, said Ahart. He ghosted me when I told him I was not going to pay him another dime until he was done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She paid him a total of $39,500. What Im left with [is] a house I could not live in, said Ahart. Sweetwater Police: Bear spotted near North Main Steet Because Gardner left so many things undone in the home when he quit, Ahart recently moved back into her home after living with her mother for quite a while. Three months shy of two years long time. A long time to pay my mortgage without being able to live in my own house, said Ahart. Ahart sent a four-page demand letter to Gardner, but it went unanswered. Demand letter sent to Jerry Gardner by Katharyn Ahart (WATE) Robinson became so frustrated with Gardner, she filed a civil lawsuit charging him with breach of contract and won the case. But Robinson hasnt collected a dime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We tried to reach Gardner at the number he gave to his customers, but received the following message: Were sorry the number you dialed has calling restrictions that prevent the completion of your call. Athens couple out $9,000 after contractor never finishes job Amy Guillot and her husband were the first to tell us about Gardner early last month. We just wanted someone to come in to put some flooring in for us and have the job done, said Johnny Guillot. We paid him everything upfront, Amy Guillot added. The contract with the couple was signed in February. They paid Gardner more than $9,000 for work left undone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont hire him. Do not hire him, said Ahart. $5 million in funding available for Tennessee senior centers: What to know The people we talked with had to hire a second contractor to complete the work that Gardner never finished. There is a law in Tennessee that says contractors may be charged with a felony when they start work, quit, dont respond to a demand letter, and if law enforcement believes there is enough evidence to press a theft charge. The people weve met with in Athens, Sweetwater, and Tellico Plains said they are considering filing theft charges. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. Know thyself: Many have said this. Socratesmaybe youve heard of him? Though he seems to have gotten the phrase from the oracle at Apollos temple in Delphi, where it was chiseled into the stone facade. In the Tao-te Ching, Lao-tzu wrote, If you understand others you are smart. If you understand yourself you are illuminated. And Shakespeare had his own pithy aphorism, To thine own self be true, presupposing that thou knowest enough about thine own self to be true to it. Good advice, to a point. If you know absolutely nothing about yourself or your likes, wants, values, or personality, you either are a baby or have bigger problems than a dead philosopher can address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet sometimes all of modern life seems to be pushing people toward knowing themselves in more and more granular ways. People are going to therapy in rising numbers to seek self-understanding. They are tracking their steps, reading, and sleep. They are giving their data to corporate marketing databases so they can find out their Myers-Briggs type, Enneagram number, or Harry Potter house. On TikTok, as Rebecca Jennings reported for Vox, creators are inventing new micro-identities for people to resonate with: Dilly dally-ers are people who like to fart around and waste time; a therapist friend is someone whose friends talk to them about their problems. The quest to find and define yourself can feel never-ending. It can also feel like a vital part of life, as though if youre not seeking self-understanding, youre missing out. (Our old pal Socrates also said: The unexamined life is not worth living.) If you havent noticed how pervasive this message is in society, just pay attention for the next few days, Rebecca Schlegel, a Texas A&M University social psychologist, told me. Its so baked into our culture that we almost take it for granted. [Read: What we lose when were priced out of our hobbies] But the dream of perfect self-knowledge is unattainable, and chasing it too doggedly can leave you more confused and stuck than when you started. Humans ability to see themselves clearly and accurately has limitations that neither personality quizzes nor Fitbit data can overcome. We should never think that we know ourselves very well, Simine Vazire, a University of Melbourne psychology professor who has studied self-knowledge, told me. Anyone who thinks they doby definition, they lack self-knowledge, because theyre wrong about that, at least. Knowing yourself is difficult, in part, because some behaviors and attitudes stem from the unconscious mind, outside your sphere of awareness. The mind purrs along under the hood in various ways, Timothy Wilson, a University of Virginia psychologist and the author of Strangers to Ourselves, told me. One of many examples he gives in his book is how people interpret ambiguous situations (and why). If I tell a joke at a party and no one laughs, my unconscious patterns will determine whether I think Im a socially awkward fool whom everyone hates or assume that my audience must not have heard me over the din of the party, because Im clearly charming and hilarious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bias is also a hindrance. For example, many people have a tendency to rate themselves as better than average across all kinds of traits, even though, obviously, we cant all be above average. Biases are part of the problem with a personality quiz, Vazire told me. Far from revealing some hidden truth that was locked within, she said, the test is just repeating to you what you tell it. Another tricky thing is that most people arent fully aware of how much capacity they have for change. A study of 19,000 people that Wilson worked on, called The End of History Illusion, found that although people reported having changed a lot in the past decade, on average they believed they were mostly done changing and wouldnt evolve much more in the next 10 years. [Read: I gave myself three months to change my personality] The pursuit of self-knowledge is difficult even when someone goes about it in a thoughtful, deliberate way. Meditating, journaling, or asking yourself the hard questions can be greatly beneficial. But active, conscious introspection has a dark side: rumination, or getting fixated on a problem and going over it again and again, which can make things worse and trap people in a negative thought spiral. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People can also undermine themselves by thinking too much about the good things in their lives. In a small study Wilson conducted, when the researchers asked people to reflect on how their romantic relationship was going, the very act of reflecting seemed to change the subjects minds. Some got happier with their relationship; some got less happy. But according to Wilson, these changes in perspective didnt necessarily reflect peoples true feelings. Love is not fully explainable, after all, and Wilson theorized that the subjects put too much stock in whatever answers they came up with for the study. If they struggled to list a lot of good reasons they loved their significant other, they might conclude that they were less in love than theyd thought. People sometimes construct a new story about their feelings based on the reasons that happen to come to mind, Wilson wrote. Introspection, as he described it in his book, should be understood less as an archaeological dig to uncover the capital-T Truth of ourselves and more as literary criticism in which we are the text to be understood. Just as a good novel doesnt have one single truth in it, a person has many truths as well. Rather than seeking a perfectly accurate story about themselves (which is impossible), people should try to construct a narrative thats pretty positive and somewhat reality-based, according to Wilson. This is one way to think about therapyas a collaborative process of rewriting your story until it works well enough to let you stop thinking about it quite so much. The notion that each person has one real, abiding self buried within, waiting to be discovered, is both widespread and difficult for many people to shake, Schlegel told me: When people go through a big change, for instance, particularly a good one, they tend to think of it less as a transformation from one thing to another and more as a discovery of something in themselves that was always there. Schlegel has found that belief in the true self is linked to seeing greater meaning in your life, but she described herself as a true-self agnostic. (She referenced the social psychologist Roy Baumeister, who called the true self a troublesome myth.) For all the ideas benefits, the downside, she said, is what happens if we close ourselves off to change. And then we miss out on something we might have loved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Read: Lifes stories] Most of my life, I thought I was a dog person who hated running. Yet just a couple of weekends ago I ran a 5K then came home to my two perfect cats, Cherry and Ginkgo, whom I am utterly devoted to. If you had beamed a premonition of that Saturday into the mind of my younger self, she would have been confused, perhaps even alarmed. My preference for dogs and my disdain for running were two things I thought I would never change my mind about. But that might have been just a failure of imagination. As Wilson and his co-authors wrote in their End of History Illusion study, People may confuse the difficulty of imagining personal change with the unlikelihood of change itself. Why did I change my mind? On the running, I really have no idea. I just got on the treadmill one day for some reason and found it to not be so bad. My husband wanted the cats, and I fell in love the day we brought them home as tiny kittens. Was I always a cat person, secretly? Did I have an inner runner within me, just waiting to be discovered? Did I actually change or did I just become more myself? I dont know, and I dont really care. Both explanations seem plausible, and I ended up in the same place either way: watching Survivor on the treadmill every now and then and being woken up every morning at 6 a.m. by a scratchy little tongue licking my face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vazire, like me, runs very casually once in a while. She told me that her well-meaning partner sometimes shares things hes learned about how to improve your form or otherwise optimize your running, and she gets annoyed. Im not trying to optimize anything, she said. Im not trying to become a runner. I wouldnt consider myself a runner, either. I just run sometimes. Not every habit or preference has to become an identity. Sometimes we just do things. As Schlegel put it, Not everything has to be so weighty. Instead of conceiving of our true self as set in stone, the secret to a healthy pursuit of self-knowledge may lie in building a flexible sense of self, one that allows for surprise and even mystery. Research has linked the belief that the self is changeable to positive outcomes: lower stress, better physical health, and less negative reactions to hardships. Maybe we should stop searching for ourselves quite so intensely, put down the Sorting Hat and the label maker, and just, I dont know, live life and try things without overly worrying about what they say about who we really are. To be found, to be known: These are unreachable destinations. Not only is our ability to know ourselves limited, but scientists can probably only know so much about the nature of self-knowledge. Vazire is highly skeptical that research can solve that puzzle. I dont think the expertise we need here is quantitative empirical data, she said. Its just wisdom, or something like that. Parts of the self will probably always remain a little lost, resistant to easy categorizationand maybe thats fine. I am a cat person now, though. Article originally published at The Atlantic Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, will ask for a vote of confidence in his centrist government after nationalist opposition candidate Karol Nawrocki narrowly won Sundays presidential election. Mr Nawrockis victory was a major blow to Mr Tusk, who had hoped Rafa Trzaskowski, his preferred candidate, would aid his liberal reform agenda and attempts to forge a leadership role for Poland in the EU. Instead, Mr Nawrocki is expected to block the governments progressive moves on abortion and LGBT rights and revive tensions with Brussels over rule-of-law issues such as the independence of the judiciary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want everyone to see, including our opponents at home and abroad, that we are ready for this situation, that we understand the seriousness of the moment, but that we are not going to take a step back, Mr Tusk said. Mr Tusk ousted the hard-Right and Eurosceptic Law and Justice (PiS) in a general election in October 2023 and set about repairing relations with Brussels, which had frozen EU funding to Poland. Now he is facing the prospect of a lame duck administration stymied by presidential vetoes before the next election, which must be held by November 2027. The vote is intended to show that his broad and unwieldy coalition remains united despite the presidential loss, which has led to predictions the government could fall and trigger fresh elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it is also a gamble that could backfire because not all the parties in Mr Tusks liberal alliance may be willing to recommit to the government when it is so unpopular. Szymon Hoownia, the speaker of the Sejm the Polish parliaments lower house and a junior coalition partner, has hinted he and his 32 MPs might abstain from the theatrical vote, which is expected to be held this week. The election result, as Ive said many times, is a yellow card maybe even a red one for this government and this coalition, he said before Mr Tusks announcement, which followed talks among senior coalition figures. Mr Tusk said he expected a difficult relationship with the new president, who is armed with vetoes which can block his programme of reforms, but had an emergency plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A contingency plan assuming a difficult cohabitation is prepared. It is difficult to assume in advance what the new presidents attitude will be. If he shows a willingness to cooperate, it will be a positive surprise to which we will respond with complete openness, he said. If not, there is no longer anything to wait for, we will set to work regardless of the circumstances, because that is what we were elected for. Karol Nawrocki is expected to block the governments progressive moves on abortion and LGBT rights - Aleksandra Szmigiel/Reuters He said the coalition would submit legislation.It already has experience of dealing with a president trying to block changes in the outgoing Andrzej Duda of PiS. This plan will require unity and courage from the entire Coalition. The first test will be a vote of confidence, which I will ask the Sejm for in the near future, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nato meanwhile vowed to become even stronger by working together with Polands president-elect, despite fears his narrow election victory could sap Polish support for Ukraine. Mark Rutte, Nato secretary general, on Monday congratulated Mr Nawrocki, who is backed by the PiS and Donald Trump, the S president. He said they would work together to face down the threat from Russia and was looking forward to making sure that with Poland, Nato becomes even stronger than it is today. Poland, which neighbours both Ukraine and Russia, has been one of Kyivs strongest supporters since Russias invasion in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March 2025, Poland was hosting 997,120 Ukrainian refugees, second only to Germany in the EU, but public opinion is hardening. Mr Nawrocki defeated Mr Trzaskowski, taking 50.89 per cent of the vote. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski at a rally before the second round of elections - Kacper Pempel/Reuters During the campaign Mr Nawrocki stoked anti-Ukrainian sentiment and vowed to block Kyivs efforts to join Nato and the EU. Like Mr Trump, Mr Nawrocki has accused Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines leader, of not being grateful enough for Polish help. There are concerns his influence could turn Poland from strong ally to conditional partner if the war drags on. His slender majority was secured thanks to far-Right voters backing the former historian and amateur boxer in the second round run-off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polish far-Right leader Slawomir Mentzen congratulated Mr Nawrocki but told him to put Polands interests before Ukraines. Mr Mentzen is the leader of the Eurosceptic Confederation party, which is against abortion and migration. He scored nearly 15 per cent of votes in round one of the election and came in third. He took on the role of kingmaker and invited the run-off candidates to join him for separate interviews and to sign an eight-point pledge. Mr Nawrocki approved the declaration, pledging not to sign any legislation that would raise taxes, ratify Ukraines potential Nato membership or limit free speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The role of president is largely ceremonial but does have some influence over foreign and domestic policy. Mr Nawrocki is also poised to wield presidential vetoes on legislation to frustrate Mr Tusks coalition government, which does not have a large enough majority to overturn them. I am more critical of Ukraine than outgoing President Andrzej Duda, of PiS, Mr Nawrocki told Mr Mentzen at the time. The 42-year-old is not pro-Russian. As head of Polands Institute of National Remembrance, he oversaw the removal of Soviet-era Red Army monuments, prompting the Kremlin to place him on a wanted list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he has vowed to block Ukraines bid to join the EU because of unresolved Second World War grievances such as a 1942 massacre of Poles by Ukrainian militias. Viktor Orban, Hungarys prime minister, a long time PiS ally and Putins closest friend in the bloc, has also vowed to veto Ukraine joining the EU and congratulated Mr Nawrocki on his nail-biter of a victory on Monday. Mr Nawrocki won support from Polish farmers who claim they are being undercut by cheap Ukrainian food imports after the EU lifted tariffs after the invasion. Mr Tusk steered Poland back towards the EU after ousting the Eurosceptic PiS from power in 2023. End over-reliance on the US Like Frances Emmanuel Macron and Germanys Friedrich Merz, he believes that Europe can no longer rely on Washington for its security and wants to end over-reliance on the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poland, which has one of the fastest-growing EU economies, has pledged to raise defence spending to 4.7 per cent of GDP in 2025 and 5 per cent in 2026. That is not expected to change, with the US grateful for Poland leading the way in exceeding Nato defence spending targets. But Mr Nawrocki, who was recently welcomed at the White House by Mr Trump, will try to slow Poland moving closer to Europe. He has already renewed controversial calls for wartime reparations from Nato and EU ally Germany, when German and Polish defence cooperation is vital to secure Natos northeastern flank. Marta Prochwicz Jazowska, deputy head of European Council for Foreign Relations, said Mr Tusks prospects of re-election in 2027 had been damaged. As president, Nawrocki will elevate his anti-European, anti-German and anti-migration rhetoric in public discourse while intensifying the anti-Ukrainian sentiment that was exacerbated during the campaign, she said. Ukraine policy will become the second major battleground after Europe. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. WASHINGTON The Trump administration on Monday announced $5.4 billion available for major bridge projects in a funding program that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says will be relieved of Biden-era approval requirements. The new funding opportunity, administered by the Federal Highway Administration, includes $4.9 billion for major bridge projects through FHWAs Bridge Investment Program and up to $500 million to repair or replace bridges in rural areas through the agencys Competitive Highway Bridge Program. The money will help improve approximately 42,000 bridges across the country that are in dire need of repair, according to the administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The previous administration handcuffed critical infrastructure funding requirements to woke DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] and Green New Scam initiatives that diverted resources from the Departments core mission, Duffy said in a press release announcing the funding. Under the Trump Administration, America is building again. Applicants which include state and local governments and metropolitan planning organizations will no longer have to explain how a project will consider climate change and environmental justice in the planning stage and in project delivery. Under the Biden administration, applicants had to show, for example, how the project would reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector and the extent to which the project avoided adverse environmental impacts to air or water quality and to endangered species. They were also expected to address negative impacts on disadvantaged communities. In addition, under the previous administrations DEI and workforce requirements, applicants had to include an equity assessment evaluating whether a project would create proportional impacts and remove transportation related disparities to all populations in a project area, the U.S. Department of Transportation noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Applications for the Bridge Investment Program must be submitted by Aug. 1. Those eligible for the $500 million in rural bridge grants under the Competitive Highway Bridge Program include the state departments of transportation for Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Applications for that program must be submitted by Aug. 4. Related articles: Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher. The post DOT streamlining $5.4B for bridge projects appeared first on FreightWaves. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced the appointment of William Roos as Managing Director for Corporate Strategy, effective September 1, 2025, Trend reports. In his new role, Roos will join the banks executive committee and be responsible for shaping the EBRDs corporate strategy. His duties will include advising the President on strategic matters and overseeing the development of key strategic documents. Roos is currently Assistant Secretary for Multilateral, Development and Trade Affairs at the French Treasury. He brings extensive experience in international relations and multilateral development finance, including prior service as the EBRDs director for France from 2019 to 2021. EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso welcomed the appointment, highlighting Rooss background as a strong asset as the bank advances its new Strategic and Capital Framework. Sunday was the second to the last day of the 2025 legislative session, and more importantly, the final day to push legislation over the finish line and onto the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott. Much of the action in both chambers focused on measures not identified as priorities of either Abbott or legislative leaders. But a few pieces of significant legislation were debated and a couple of priorities of top state leaders fell by the wayside. Typically, the final day of the legislative session is mostly ceremonial. Will state judges get a pay raise? Legislation that would have granted state district judges their first pay raise in a dozen years has appeared to fall victim to a House-Senate standoff in closing days of the session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But some members of the House and Senate spent Sunday trying to put a deal together in the effort to pass on the final day of the session. It would require suspending several rules, but it could be done. Senate Bill 293 passed the House last week without much controversy after the sponsor, state Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, made clear that members would not be voting themselves a backdoor increase to the pensions they earn for extended service in the Legislature. Lawmakers' pensions would still be calculated as if judges' pay remained $140,000 per year, and not at the $175,000 the bill would have paid judges. Under state law, lawmakers are paid only $7,200 a year. However, once they reach eight years of service, they are eligible for state pension that is in line with a salary-linked pension that judges can draw. The more years of service, the more valuable the pension of judges and lawmakers is. When SB 293 returned to the Senate, the upper chamber sought to nullify the decoupling of judge-lawmaker pensions without consulting the House. With the legislative session ending Monday, the two chambers would have to agree on SB 293 by midnight Saturday. That deadline came and went with no deal on the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stay tuned. Bid to let attorney general prosecute election fraud falls apart A proposal that would have granted Attorney General Ken Paxton new powers to enforce Texas election laws died on Sunday after House and Senate lawmakers failed to reach a compromise. The Senates expansive version of House Bill 5138 would have empowered Paxton to prosecute any election code violation at any time. In contrast, the House version allowed the attorney general to take on election fraud cases only if the local district attorney waited more than six months to prosecute. The legislation was all but certain to face legal challenges if it went into effect. The all-Republican Texas Court of Criminal Appeals struck down a similar law in 2021, ruling that the state Constitution forbids the executive branch from taking on the judicial-branch duty of prosecuting crimes. District attorneys are considered to be part of the judicial branch, while the attorney general is not. Voter citizenship bill left in dust with time running out Legislation that would have required proof of citizenship to register to vote was left languishing as the clock was running out of the session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though state and federal law already prohibits noncitizens from voting, Senate Bill 16 filed by Mineola Republican Sen. Bryan Hughes would have required voters to prove their citizenship to their local voter registrar. The bill sought to create a bifurcated voter registration system and would require applicants and already-registered voters to provide a document like a birth certificate, passport or naturalization certificate to be eligible to cast a ballot in state or local elections. If a voter does not provide citizenship documents, they would be able to vote only in federal races. Expansion of medical marijuana program clears both chambers Legislation to broaden the umbrella of the states medical marijuana program to including chronic pain and Crohns disease was sent to the governor. If signed into law, House Bill 46 would allow patients eligible for the states medical marijuana program to use products like cannabis patches, lotions, prescribed inhalers and vaping devices. The list of qualifying conditions would also expand to include chronic pain and terminal or hospice care. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas legislative session ends Monday. Here's what's left to finish The Georgia State Patrol is investigating a crash that left multiple people injured, including a child. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] It happened just before 4 p.m. on Sunday on Georgia 20 near Oak Hill Road. According to GSP, a Hyundai Sonata was traveling west on Georgia 20, trying to get away from Newton County deputies. Simultaneously, a Nissan Maxima was traveling east on Georgia 20, approaching the chase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GSP said the driver of the Sonata lost control and drove into the east lane of Georgia 20, slamming into the Maxima. While headed to the scene, GSP learned the NCSO was searching for three men who ran away after the collision happened. TRENDING STORIES: After an extensive search, GSP said all three suspects were found and taken to the Piedmont Newton Hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the Sonata is suspected of driving while under the influence, according to GSP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the Maxima and a 9-year-old who was in the backseat were seriously injured and taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for medical treatment. None of the suspects nor the victims identities were released. GSP said Georgia 20 was closed at 3:51 p.m. and reopened at 7:37 p.m. The crash remains under investigation. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Jun. 2A 23-year-old Anchorage man is facing charges of manslaughter and driving under the influence for his role in a fatal rollover early Saturday along the Seward Highway near Girdwood. The sedan left the highway between Bird Point and Girdwood and came to a rest overturned on the Alaska Railroad tracks. Numerous people reported the crash, which occurred just before 4 a.m., Anchorage police said. The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. Police on Monday identified him as 20-year-old Eeamon Johnston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver, identified as Wyatt Vasiley Flotre, was taken to a hospital with injuries described as not life-threatening. Flotre told police that he drank alcohol and used a dab pen a portable device for smoking concentrated cannabis prior to driving the car, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case Sunday. Flotre, who was interviewed in the hospital, also told police "that he looked down at his phone for a brief second, hit some water and lost control," according to a police report summary included with the complaint. The sedan traveled an estimated 40 feet through the air before coming to rest on the tracks, it said. Officers who interviewed Flotre said they smelled alcoholic beverages and he did poorly on field sobriety tests, according to the police report summary in the complaint. His blood alcohol content, taken at the hospital, was measured at .126%, it said. Alaska's legal standard for driving is .08%. The crash closed the highway in both directions for several hours Saturday morning as police processed the scene. Police are searching for a driver who struck a bicyclist in the Broadway-Manchester neighborhood of Los Angeles overnight and left him dying in the street. The hit-and-run incident was reported shortly after 11 p.m. Sunday near East Century Boulevard and San Pedro Street. Officers arrived to find a badly damaged bicycle and a man in his mid-30s down on the street. The unidentified man was pronounced dead at the scene, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to KTLA. Police respond to a fatal hit-and-run crash involving a bicyclist in South Los Angeles on June 1, 2025. (OnScene.TV) Investigators believe the bicyclist was riding westbound on Century Boulevard when he was struck by a vehicle traveling in the same direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The motorist did not stop to render aid and continued driving on Century Boulevard. The spokesperson was unable to provide a description of the driver or the vehicle. KTLAs Nancy Fontan contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Editors note: This story has been edited to clarify that multiple agencies seized the fentanyl. (NewsNation) For years, a rise in border trafficking of illegal drugs, including fentanyl, was behind one of the most dangerous epidemics in United States history, but new data suggests the worst may be over. Mexican president asks China for help in fight against fentanyl Last year, federal authorities seized more than 1,700 pounds of fentanyl per month, compared to only 746 pounds a month so far this year. Thats a drop of more than half, if the pace holds. Fentanyl seizures down 30% at US border: Report Fentanyl seizures have decreased by 30% at the border compared with the same period last year, the Washington Post reported. A source in Mexico told NewsNation the drop in seizures indicates the U.S. government has been successful in putting pressure on its neighbor to the south to crack down on fentanyl production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has made fentanyl trafficking a national security issue and has threatened Mexico with tariffs. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded by deploying 10,000 troops to her countrys northern border. In the Border Patrol, K-9s are being trained to detect fentanyl. The director of the BPK9 Academy, Stephen Crump, told NewsNation that expanding K-9s abilities will help contribute to the nations safety. The K-9 community for the United States Border Patrol has been the best of the best for 30-something years, and now were even adding on to that, Crump said. The agency is also planning to add more than 300 K-9s in the next fiscal year. These K-9s are being trained to detect drugs and people who are being smuggled into the country. Largest fentanyl bust in US history spans 5 states: Pam Bondi At the beginning of May, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the largest fentanyl bust in our nations history, which spanned across New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and Oregon and took six months to complete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community outraged as ICE raid sparks questions in Chicago Agents were able to recover: 11.5 kilos of fentanyl, including around 3 million fentanyl-laced pills that were labeled as oxycodone 35 kilos of methamphetamine 7.5 kilos of cocaine 4.5 kilos of heroin 49 rifles and pistols US, Mexican authorities cooperating on drug busts With the U.S. and Mexico cooperating in the field, the Sinaloa Cartel has faced multiple hurdles. U.S. and Mexican federal agencies recently dismantled three large-scale synthetic drug production labs in Sinaloa, Mexico. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, recently praised Mexico for busting a fentanyl super lab that was producing 2 metric tons of the drug each week. The lab was dismantled, and authorities seized $80 million in product. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3 charged in scheme to smuggle Pakistani, Peruvian, Mexican migrants The cooperation has added renewed pressure on cartels to produce less of the synthetic opioid, so they can avoid the attention of the U.S. government. The Sinaloa Cartel is involved in a civil war between two factions, another factor in the drop in fentanyl seizures. Although the tide appears to be turning at the border, fentanyl remains inexpensive and widely available 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 NewsNation. THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) The Netherlands 11-month-old coalition government appeared close to collapse Monday after far-right leader Geert Wilders said he would sleep on a decision on whether to pull out of the fragile four-party pact. Last week, Wilders demanded the government sign on to a 10-point plan that aims to radically slash migration, including using the army to guard land borders and turning away all asylum-seekers. He said that if immigration policy is not toughened up, his party is out of the Cabinet. The government crisis comes just three weeks before the Netherlands is scheduled to host a summit of NATO leaders in The Hague. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After talks Monday night with the leaders of the three other parties that make up the ruling coalition, Wilders told reporters we will meet each other tomorrow, but it doesn't look good. Wilders has built his political career on calling for hard-line policies against Islam and migration in the Netherlands. Long in opposition, his party won elections in November 2023 and is the largest in the coalition. Now he says his patience has run out after months of talks and little action from the coalition to crack down on migration. After Monday's meeting, Wilders three coalition partners told him to come up with concrete proposals for changes to the current agreement and expressed frustration at his repeated threats to bring down the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If your goal is to blow things up, just say so, Dilan Yesilgoz, leader of the right-wing Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy, told reporters after the hour-long meeting. According to the leader of the populist Farmers Citizens Movement party Caroline van der Plas, The Netherlands does not like quitters. In February, Wilders also threatened to back out of the coalition if a pair of bills limiting asylum didnt pass, but he ultimately backed down. Wilders latest threat comes as conservative Karol Nawrocki was announced the winner of Polands weekend presidential runoff election. The outcome suggests that Poland can be expected to take a more populist and nationalist path under its new president, who was backed by U.S. President Donald Trump. One driver is dead and another person was taken to a Tri-Cities hospital after a six-vehicle pileup, including three semi trucks, Saturday evening on Highway 395. A separate crash about two hours earlier near the same location about four miles north of Connell left a Pasco man critically injured. Winds whipped through the Benton and Franklin County region on Saturday afternoon and evening, blowing dust and sand, and in some places wildfire smoke, across roadways, reducing visibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wind gusts of up to 45 mph were recorded at the Pasco airport Saturday. Both crashes were near where the highway curves to the northeast, and the Washington State Patrol said vehicles were traveling too fast for conditions. The highway was closed in both directions after the first crash but had reopened when the bigger collision happened. In the six-vehicle pileup, the three trucks and three cars were all heading north about 6:30 p.m. A semi driven by Oleg Kolesnyk, 54, of Auburn, Wash., crashed into a semi driven by Efren Guerrero, 55, of Moxee, according to a WSP report. Then Andrew E. Thomas, 29, of Spokane, crashed his Ford van into the second semi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He died before he could be taken to a hospital. The WSP did not know whether he had been wearing a seat belt. Thomass van was hit by a GMC Yukon carrying a family of four, including children ages 6 and 8, said the WSP report. A truck driven by Geovanie A. Ramirez, 24, of Bakersfield, Calif., then hit the Yukon. No one in the Yukon, driven by Katelyn Croisetiere of Absarokee, Mont., or any of the truck drivers were hurt seriously enough to be taken to a hospital. However, Croisetiere and a passenger with no age available, plus the driver of the first truck, were listed as suffering some injuries. The sixth vehicle involved was a Chrysler Town and Country driven by Marita J. Little, 83, of Spokane, which crashed into Ramirezs truck, according to the WSP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was wearing a seat belt and was taken by ambulance to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland. Kadlec listed her in satisfactory condition Sunday. In the earlier wreck, a truck driven by Ovidiu Botan of Sandpoint, Idaho, slowed for traffic about 4:20 p.m. near the curve of Highway 395. His truck was hit by a Kia Optima driven by Lawrence Richins, 64, of Pasco, according to the WSP. Both were traveling north. Richins was taken to Kadlec, where he was in critical condition Sunday. Highway 395 was closed in both directions near Connell about 5:15 p.m. Saturday. The world is returning to nuclear energy, and of course America has to be the first, the biggest and the best. Swift and decisive action is required to jump start Americas nuclear energy industrial base, President Trump wrote last week, to ensure our national and economic security. Trump is turbocharging what Biden tentatively began in his Advance Act by simplifying licencing and speeding up the building process for nuclear infrastructure. The mood shift is significant, because since the Nuclear Regulation Commission was created 50 years ago, it hasnt commissioned a single new plant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere, Europeans are also shaking off their long-standing hostility, which is not easy to do when a coalition government may require the support of the Greens. Last month, Belgium reversed a 2003 law phasing out nuclear energy. And here? While the UK was the worlds pioneer in civilian nuclear energy, with a working reactor bubbling away in Harwell in 1947, things are anything but swift and decisive. In 2022, as his final act, a demob-happy Boris Johnson announced a massive expansion of nuclear power by 2050. Just in time, you might think, considering a vast deficit in generation capacity loomed. By 2030 we could have just three operational reactors left. A roadmap published in January 2024 committed the UK to building 24GW of new capacity by 2050, both large and small. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Great British Nuclear was created and a competition launched to encourage the building of small modular reactors (SMRs). The value of our spent nuclear fuel, an asset which can be usefully exploited in ways unimaginable in the 1950s, was also recognised. Bidders were informed that the six chosen for the initial shortlist would be whittled down to two. One would be a spades in the ground choice with safety and design approval suitable for rapid deployment, to plug the energy gap. The other was understood to be a native design with export potential, which is a way of saying Rolls-Royce without using the words Rolls or Royce. Rolls-Royce could be Britains home-grown champion for small modular nuclear reactors We were told that we wont put all our eggs in one basket, says one industry insider. Very few nations have chosen just one. Bureaucrats delayed the competition using the election as an excuse, and then once again. Astonishingly the only design capable of putting spades in the ground, NuScale, was rejected last year, as I reported at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NuScale had been Rolls-Royces original partner before they divorced, had a head start, and would not be asking the taxpayer for subsidies. But the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (Desnz) explained that it did not meet the criteria for the SMR competition, as it had already begun production and did not need support getting to market. The goalposts had shifted and havent stopped moving. Now officials insist there was only ever going to be one SMR competition winner an account disputed by competition entrants and former ministers. Its dishonest and simply not true, says one bidder. There were six bids for four slots in the final round, with everyone assuming it would have to be Rolls-Royce plus one. That was made clear in the bid process. It was always six, to four, to two. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ed [Miliband] needs to stop his fixation with renewables at the expense of all else, and elect SMR technologies for deployment in the UK, says Andrew Bowie, the shadow energy minister. A Desnz spokesman says: Great British Nuclear is driving forward its SMR competition and has received final bids, which it is evaluating ahead of final decisions being taken. NuScale sources maintain it could have working reactors by 2030, now the earliest is 2035, and that looks optimistic. SMRs were originally envisaged as powering industrial installations, but the hype made nuclear more palatable. The UKs focus on going small has neglected the advantages of going big, with proven designs. We absolutely need more large-scale nuclear because those reactors have the design maturity, construction experience, operational record and supply chain readiness to mitigate project risks, explains Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since we need so much more reliable, clean power, we have to build more of the big proven technologies. More than 70 reactors are currently under construction, according to the World Nuclear Association, almost all are large, gigawatt-scale reactors, and many of those are in China. Prolonging the SMR beauty pageant might be good for civil servants and consultants, but not for industry or consumers who face the prospect of blackouts. As Kathryn Porter, an energy analyst at Watt Logic, explains, the Iberian blackout in April and our very near miss on Jan 8 remind us how costly a generation deficit can be. With much of the gas generation fleet expected to retire in the coming years there are real blackout risks towards the end of this decade and into the 2030s depending on the rate of these retirements, she says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Iberian blackout resulted in seven fatalities in very benign weather conditions a winter blackout in the UK would be significantly more dangerous. Ed Miliband sees himself in a heroic role as the saviour of the climate, but he is also a temporary steward of a great nations scientific and technical heritage we have engineers and scientists who the world envies. He has a duty to keep this alive. And even more so, to keep our lights on. Andrew Orlowski Tweets at @andreworlowski 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. Seattle and Boeing were together for decades until Chicago came along. But after the company moved its headquarters from a cloudy city to a windy one, it struggled. Was it us? The deep-dish pizza and Italian beef? The ongoing wait for another Super Bowl title? As this iconic aerospace giant tries to regain altitude after yet another turbulent stretch, its fair to ask if its move to Chicago in 2001 put it on the wrong course altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When then-Mayor Richard M. Daley announced that the city had won a bidding contest for Boeings headquarters, this page joined in the celebration. The company got over $60 million in public incentives for moving its boardroom to the Loop. Chicago got bragging rights. The move made sense to us at the time. Chicago gave Boeings leadership team the convenient, centralized transportation hub they were missing in the Pacific Northwest. Settling in a more global city with a financially savvy workforce was widely considered a plus as well. Moving out of Seattle also put almost 2,000 miles between the companys top brass and its restive unions, which might have been one of the biggest attractions from the corner-office point of view. As it turned out, though, the move seems to have undermined an engineering-friendly culture focused on design, safety and quality. In retrospect, separating from the critical mass of aerospace experts in Seattle isolated the companys leaders from the heart of their business. Apart from the move to Chicago, the other X factor in that transformation was Boeings 1997 acquisition of McDonnell Douglas, a company better known for financial engineering than the aerospace kind. Its priorities were quarterly profits and returning money to Wall Street shareholders priorities Boeing embraced after the deal closed, appointing a string of chief executive officers who collected massive paychecks but cut corners in making planes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One outcome of this change was the decision to upgrade a popular passenger jet instead of designing a new one with all the latest advances, as the perfectionists at old-school Boeing no doubt would have preferred. Extending the life of its workhorse 737s helped Boeings bottom line in the short run. Over time, that approach opened the company to serious problems, including the notorious 737 MAX crashes. In October 2018, this newly modified version of the old 737 jetliner crashed near Indonesia. Five months later, another new 737 MAX crashed in Ethiopia. Boeing had reconfigured the MAX model with bigger engines that affected its aerodynamics, and federal regulators had given the company too much control over certifying the new design. A faulty flight-control system forced down the two planes despite their pilots desperate efforts to keep them aloft, killing a combined 346 aboard. Instead of taking responsibility, the company reportedly tried to blame the foreign airlines and resisted grounding its MAX fleet in the interest of safety. Then-CEO Dennis Muilenburg spouted insincere baloney about safety being a core value, until he was finally ousted by a board that paid him off with a $62 million exit package. In the waning days of the first administration of President Donald Trump, Boeing reached a settlement with the Justice Department that protected it from prosecution over the MAX crashes. Shortly after, in 2022, the company moved from Chicago to Arlington, Virginia, closer to its No. 1 customer: Uncle Sam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year brought another shocking safety gaffe, when a door panel blew off in midair from a 737 MAX 9 operated by Alaska Airlines. A few months later, federal prosecutors determined that Boeing had violated its deferred prosecution deal by failing to implement a compliance and ethics program. In response, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to criminal fraud, but a federal judge in Texas rejected the plea deal because it included diversity goals. Now, with Trump back in power, Boeing appears likely to receive a lighter settlement that avoids a criminal plea. During a recent Middle East trip, Trump also publicly promoted Boeing jets a reminder of the companys political clout and close ties to its largest customer: the U.S. government. Cozying up to a pro-defense administration may be giving Boeings stock a boost, but it wont restore public trust or prevent future failures. Boeing recently published the sad results of an all-employee survey, its first in years. Most Boeing employees said they lack faith in senior leadership, and barely a quarter recommend the company as a good place to work. Thats a big comedown from the old days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Boeing stock has bounced back strongly this year and its new-ish CEO, Kelly Ortberg, says he is putting the companys problems behind it. Earlier this month, Ortberg told Wall Street that hes introducing new values and behaviors to the entire organization, vowing to seize the moment to make the necessary changes within the company. Ortberg also reportedly bought a house in Seattle last year, which we consider a positive step. If Boeing was going to move the headquarters anywhere from Chicago, and if it was serious about rebuilding its culture, it probably should have moved back to Seattle. Still, its time here left a positive mark: Boeing supported civic institutions, hired local talent and helped elevate Chicagos stature as a center for global business. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Azerbaijans Minister of Finance, Sahil Babayev, met with a delegation led by Yingming Yang, Vice-President for South, Central, and West Asia of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Trend reports via the country's ministry. The meeting highlighted the long-term cooperation between Azerbaijan and ADB and the banks ongoing support for the countrys development goals. The role of ADBs office in Baku was also acknowledged for effectively coordinating cooperation and identifying national priorities. The parties exchanged views on the draft of ADBs new Country Partnership Strategy for 20252029 and discussed future areas of collaboration in the meeting. Key topics included the development of transport infrastructure in Baku and surrounding areas, expansion of the Baku Metro, improvements in drinking water supply, reduction of water losses, wastewater management, cooperation in renewable energy sectors, and the modernization of logistics and transport infrastructure along the North-South and Middle transport corridors. Vice-President Yang praised Azerbaijans support for the Asian Development Fund (ADF), a financial arm of ADB that primarily assists low-income member countries with poverty reduction and life quality improvements. Minister Babayev briefed the guest on measures taken to ensure sustainability in public debt management and economic stability in line with the Medium- and Long-Term Strategy for Public Debt Management. He also shared information about recent presidential decrees, including the Socio-Economic Development Strategy of Azerbaijan for 20272030 and the Second State Program for the Great Return to Liberated Territories. The official emphasized that ADB could play a significant role in employment development in the liberated areas. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Last March, President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking the elimination of the Education Department calling the 46-year-old federal agency a big con job and pledging to move all things education back to the states where it belongs. Trump added that many of the Educations Departments useful functions including Title I funding and resources for children with disabilities will be fully preserved and redistributed to various other agencies and departments. Now the Trump administration is articulating its specific Department of Education fiscal intentions in its recently released annual White House budget proposal which will ultimately require Congressional approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The departments 2026 budget request advances Trumps plan to reach balance and restore confidence in Americas fiscal management by eliminating spending that does not support meaningful learning and returning responsibility for services that are better provided by the states, local governments, or civil society organizations to each respectively. Added the document: Our goal is clear: to make education better, fairer, and more accountable by ending federal overreach and empowering families, schools, and states who best know the needs of their students. The Education Department is requesting $66.7 billion an approximate $12 billion reduction (or about 15%) from the 2025 appropriation. The proposed budget cut, according to the document, reflects an agency that is responsibly winding down. Proposed allocations for Title I, programs for students with disabilities As Trump promised, the Education Departments budget request asserts it maintains the current Title I allocations of $18.4 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Title I funds aim to help students from low-income families achieve in the classroom. The request recognizes the importance of funds under Title I-A Grants to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), which serve as a critical source of support for LEAs in communities of concentrated poverty, the document noted. This program also provides considerable flexibility to LEAs on how to use the funds to best address the needs of their students which is consistent with the Administrations goal to return education back to the states while maintaining support for families and their students. More than 108,000 Utah K-12 students benefit from Title I money. Students attend second grade class at Manti Elementary School in Manti on Monday, March 24, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News The Education Department also administers the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that helps schools pay for services for students with disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agencys 2026 budget request provides $14.9 billion for the IDEA Grants to States program about $677 million more than the 2024 appropriation. It also calls for consolidating the Preschool Grant program and the Special Education National Activities programs into the Grants to States program. The Grants to States program, the request noted, will continue to be allocated to states and LEAs. States will receive additional flexibility to reserve funds for state-level activities including those currently supported under the National Activities programs. States, the proposal added, would continue to meet key IDEA accountability and reporting requirements aimed at ensuring a free appropriate public education is available to all students with disabilities while protecting the rights of those students and their families. The document said the proposals reflect the Trump administrations commitment to increasing flexibility for states while limiting federal overreach into schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National School Lunch Program, which reimburses Utah schools and other states for students receiving free or reduced school meals, is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture not the Education Department. Kids at Butler Elementary School in Cottonwood Heights eat their lunches on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News The departments 2026 budget proposal argues that federal support for education in the past has supported programs ill-suited for states. As a result, the budget proposal added, states are forced to hire increasingly large numbers of staff not to serve students, but to apply for competitive grants and manage the bureaucratic red tape imposed by the federal government. It is time for the federal government to get out of the way of states and localities as they turn their attention to education outcomes instead of compliance with Federal red tape. So whats being chopped/consolidated in the Education Departments budget proposal? While calling for maintained support for flexible Title I grants to LEAs, the Education Departments 2026 budget includes a proposed K-12 Simplified Funding Program, which would consolidate many currently federally funded grant programs for elementary and secondary education into a single state formula grant program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement States and localities would have flexibility to use (Simplified Funding Program) funds for any number of elementary and secondary education activities, consistent with the needs of their communities, the document states. The budget request notes it would maintain separate funding for Impact Aid and Indian Education both in support of underserved student populations. But the Trump administration is not requesting funding for several stand-alone elementary and secondary education programs for 2026. These eliminations are part of the Administrations overall effort to restore fiscal discipline and reduce the federal role in education. States and localities, not the federal government, are best suited to determine whether to support the activities authorized under the various programs within their own budgets and without unnecessary administrative burden imposed by the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Existing Education Department-funded programs being eliminated as stand-alone programs and instead being recommended for consolidation into the K-12 Simplified Funding Program include programs promoting literacy; enhanced library programs; education services for Neglected, Delinquent & At-Risk Children; the McKinney-Vento programs assisting homeless students; rural education programs; and arts education for students, including those with disabilities. The Education Department budget proposal does not include requests for future funding for the Supporting Effective Educator Development, or SEED, program. Also eliminated from the budget proposal are funds for migrant education. Dylan Martinez-Ramirez, center, participates in an English Language Development class activity Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Aurora, Colo. | Godofredo A. Vasquez This program has not been proven effective and encourages ineligible noncitizens to access taxpayer dollars stripping resources from American students, according to the document. Increased Education Department support of charter schools The Education Departments budget document referenced the alarming rate of the nations eighth graders who are struggling in reading and math and blames federal control for decimating student achievement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More local school options such as charter schools, the document argues, are needed to give parents choices for their childrens education. So the request strategically invests $500 million, a $60 million increase, to expand high-quality charter schools, which have a proven record of improving students academic achievement, according to the report. These funds would support new and continuation awards that make start-up, replication, expansion, and facility support available to charter schools capable of delivering innovative solutions to meet student needs. Ensuring support for CTE programs. The 2026 budget proposal provides $1.4 billion for Career and Technical Education (CTE) State Grants an amount equal to the 2024 appropriation. A Learn4Life student in the CTE Certified Nursing Assistant program practices essential patient care skills in a simulated hospital setting. | Business Wire Secondary and postsecondary CTE programs, according to the document, integrate academic and technical pursuits, introduce students to careers as early as middle school, support attainment of postsecondary credentials of value, and prepare students for career pathways in in-demand, high-wage fields. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The requested programs, the document added, reflects the need to prepare American workers for the historic amount of in-demand and high-quality jobs that will help rebuild the American economy by supporting states. How would the Education Departments proposed budget impact Pell Grants? The Education Departments 2026 proposed budget would set a maximum Pell Grant award of $5,710 for award year 2026-2027 a decrease of $1,685 over the 2024-2025 award year. Pell Grants are financial grants awarded to undergraduate students from low-income families. They have been a traditional pathway for many Americans to pursue higher education. The proposed award modifications, according to the document, will continue to cover the average in-state tuition and fees of attending a community college. The President is committed to fulfilling his promise to preserve the Pell Grant program; however, the growing funding shortfall created by past congressional decisions makes it necessary to decrease the maximum award, according to the document. Eight people were injured in an assault on a Jewish march in the western US state of Colorado on Sunday, police said, as US and Israeli officials condemned the incident as a terrorist attack. Witnesses told the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that the suspect used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device into the crowd and shouted "Free Palestine" during the attack, FBI special agent Mark Michalek said at a press conference. "As a result of these preliminary facts it is clear that this is a targeted act of violence and the FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism," Michalek said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack took place during the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which is celebrated 50 days after Passover and is considered the precursor to the Christian holiday of Pentecost. Four women and four men aged between 52 and 88 years old were injured, police said in a statement, raising the count from the previously reported six victims. The suspect was arrested at the scene. According to Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, the 45-year-old was in the United States without a valid visa. "He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa," Miller wrote on X. Intelligence director: Attack targeted Jewish community In a post on X, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard said the incident was a "targeted terror attack against a weekly meeting of Jewish community members who had just gathered in Boulder, CO to raise awareness of the hostages kidnapped during Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boulder police said the participants were walking in a "regularly scheduled, weekly peaceful event." Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, wrote on X: "Today, in Boulder, Colorado, Jewish people marched with a moral and humane demand: to return the hostages. In response, the Jewish protesters were brutally attacked," he wrote. "We are heartbroken by the tragic attack in Colorado and extend our deepest support to all those affected," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum - which brings together the relatives of those held in Gaza - wrote on X. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also sent his condolences, writing on X: "My wife and I and the entire state of Israel pray for the full recovery of the wounded in the vicious terror attack that took place in Boulder Colorado." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem quickly classified the incident as a terrorist attack in posts on X. Terror has "no place in our great country," Rubio wrote. Victims set on fire Redfearn said initial calls to police said a man was setting people on fire. "When we arrived, we encountered multiple victims that were injured with injuries consistent with burns and other injuries," he said. At a later press conference, Redfearn thanked emergency workers who rushed to the scene where the suspect was "throwing Molotov cocktails, and using other devices to hurt people." Rise in anti-Semitic incidents Since the attacks on Israel by Hamas and other Islamist groups on October 7, 2023, there has been a marked increase in violence in the US classified as anti-Semitic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 abducted to the Gaza Strip in the attacks, which triggered the Gaza war. More than 54,300 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the conflict, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority. The figures do not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties. Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum at a press conference announcing Democrats' voting rights bill package, Nov. 3, 2021, at the Ingham County Courthouse | Laina G. Stebbins A bipartisan group of current and former county clerks from across the state has endorsed Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrums bid to receive the Democratic nomination for secretary of state. Byrums campaign on Monday announced that it has received support from Washtenaw County Clerk Larry Kestenbaum, Genesee County Clerk Domonique Clemons, Saginaw County Clerk Vanessa Guerra, Kalamazoo County Clerk Meredith Place, Muskegon County Clerk Karen Buie, Bay County Clerk Katie Zanotti, Midland County Clerk Ann Manary, Marquette County Clerk Linda Talsma, Menominee County Clerk Marc Kleiman, Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope and Westland City Clerk Richard LeBlanc Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Ingham clerk Mike Bryanton, former Presque Isle clerk Ann Marie Main and former Ontonagon clerk Stacy Preiss also issued support for Byrum. It is so humbling to be recognized by your peers and supported in my candidacy, Byrum said in a statement. This bipartisan group of election administrators represents all parts of the State and a diverse array of our residents. These clerks know what it takes to run elections and I am honored that they believe that I am the right choice to be Secretary of State. Buie said in a statement that Byrum has the experience, knowledge, commitment, and integrity to be our next Secretary of State. Kleiman, the past president of the Michigan Association of County Clerks, in a statement praised Byrums wealth of experience as an invaluable asset. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barb has been a leader in the election administrator community and has a strong grasp of election law and how to practically apply it to ensure that our elections are smooth and secure, Kleiman said. Byrum announced her candidacy last month. Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie is the only other name in the race on the Democratic side. Michigans political parties nominate candidates for secretary of state and attorney general and do not participate in the primary process. Michigan Democrats will nominate a candidate for secretary of state at their state party convention in the spring of 2026. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX NEW JERSEY (PIX11) New Jersey residents are feeling the pain of paying about 20% more for their electricity. Rake hikes started in June, with lawmakers already trying to push back against the budget-busting move. A proposed bill introduced by state Sen. Britnee Timberlake would cap the markup at 2% every five years and that move could roll back the latest increase, which was announced back in February. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation also calls for energy companies to fund a subsidy program for low-income billpayers. The rate hikes are as follows: Atlantic City Electric: 17.23% Jersey Central Power & Light: 20.2% PSE&G: 17.24% Rockland Electric: 18.18% Utility companies argued that electricity demand is rapidly increasing and the growth supply isnt keeping up. The states last two coal-fired power plants shuttered in 2022. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Gov. Phil Murphy has a goal to make New Jerseys electricity production fossil-free by 2035, leading to companies having to import power to meet demand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JCP&L and PSE&G pass on wholesale electricity costs directly to consumers without a profit, but still make money by getting power to your home. 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. Donald Trump has dropped a SpaceX astronaut as his candidate to lead Nasa just hours after Elon Musk left the White House. Jared Isaacman, a technology entrepreneur who has flown on two missions for Mr Musks rocket business, had been tipped to lead Nasa under Mr Trump. However, the president said on Sunday he had withdrawn his nomination after a thorough review of prior associations. Some Republicans had raised questions about Mr Isaacmans past political donations. The entrepreneur had previously donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Democrat politicians, although he also gave $2m (1.5m) to Mr Trumps inauguration fund last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump said on Truth Social: After a thorough review of prior associations, I am hereby withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman to head NASA. I will soon announce a new Nominee who will be Mission aligned, and put America First in Space. Thank you for your attention to this matter! The decision comes hours after Mr Musk officially left his role in the Trump administration. At an Oval Office press conference on Friday, Mr Trump praised him as one of the greatest business leaders and innovators the world has ever produced. However, Mr Musks exit follows signs of growing tension between the pair. Mr Musk has publicly derided several of Mr Trumps policies, labelling his planned tax and spending bill disappointing, while Tesla, his electric car business, has criticised White House plans to strip subsidies from clean energy products. Mr Isaacmans nomination had been welcomed by the space industry, who viewed him as an experienced businessman with first-hand experience of space travel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 41-year-old became both the first billionaire and first private citizen to walk in space last year when he led SpaceXs Polaris Dawn mission. He founded Shift4 Payments in 1999, aged just 16. The business is now worth $8bn. As head of Nasa, he would have been in charge of preparing for a space mission to take humans back to the Moon in 2027 using Mr Musks Starship rocket. Mr Musk said on Sunday: It is rare to find someone so competent and good-hearted. Jared Isaacman (right), pictured with Elon Musk during the pandemic, led SpaceXs Polaris Dawn mission last year In a post on X, Mr Isaacman said: The President, Nasa and the American people deserve the very best an administrator ready to reorganise, rebuild and rally the best and brightest minds to deliver the world-changing headlines Nasa was built to create. A White House spokesman said: The administrator of Nasa will help lead humanity into space and execute President Trumps bold mission of planting the American flag on the planet Mars. Its essential that the next leader of Nasa is in complete alignment with President Trumps America First agenda and a replacement will be announced directly by President Trump soon. 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. Could humanity be just a few short years away from its first cosmic pioneers stepping foot on Mars? If tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has anything to say about it, yes. Musk, the billionaire founder of SpaceX, has for years dreamed of ushering in a "multiplanetary" era where humans would set out toward the stars to establish a sprawling civilization on the Red Planet. And to achieve this grandiose dream, Musk has aggressively sought for his commercial spaceflight company to develop its ambitious Starship spacecraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The towering megarocket, composed of both an upper-stage vehicle and a lower-stage booster, has faced a series of setbacks in its three most recent flight tests. But that hasn't stopped Musk, the world's richest man, from making big promises for the future of Starship and its role in U.S. spaceflight ambitions. His latest bold predictions for Starship came in a video SpaceX posted online last week. In the video, which the company shared Thursday, May 29 on Musk's social media site X, the SpaceX founder offered a detailed timeline for Starship's first uncrewed trip to Mars, which would be followed by human missions. The Road to Making Life Multiplanetary: an update from @elonmusk on SpaceX's plan to reach Mars pic.twitter.com/d2cnsVKK80 SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 29, 2025 Progress is measured by the timeline to establishing a self-sustaining civilization on Mars, Musk said during his talk, referring to Starship. Each launch is about learning more and more about whats needed to make life multi-planetary and to improve Starship to the point where it can be taking, ultimately, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people to Mars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk laid out his vision at a time when President Donald Trump has made clear his intentions to align NASA's spaceflight objectives with the goals of SpaceX. That latest indication came Friday, May 30 with the release of the White House's budget proposal, which would tap the private sector to help lay the groundwork for future Mars endeavors. Here are five things to know about Elon Musk's grand vision for colonizing Mars, and how Trump, his close ally, could help make it a reality. Why is Elon Musk interested in Mars? Musk's latest public comments on his Mars plans came after he departed the Trump administration following a controversial stint slashing federal spending. Now that the tech mogul is one again focusing his attention on his businesses, he delivered a talk to SpaceX employees reiterating his long-held desire to colonize Mars. Musk had been scheduled to deliver the remarks Tuesday, May 27 during a livestream presentation ahead of the ninth test flight for SpaceX's massive Starship. The event, billed as "The Road to Making Life Multiplanetary," was later rescheduled for after the launch before it was canceled altogether without notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SpaceX then shared video of Musk's talk two days later, which he made in front of employees from Starbase, the company's launch site 180 miles south of Corpus Christi that recently became its own Texas city. It's unclear when Musk gave the presentation. Musk described the goal of sending humans to Mars as essential for the long-term survival of civilization." Under his vision, humans would not just step on the planet before departing, but would remain to establish a settlement that could function independently if any cataclysmic event were to ever happen on Earth. "I think it would be the best adventure that one could possibly do, is to go and help build a new civilization on a new planet," Musk said to applause. Why does Musk want to send Starship to Mars in 2026? Musk wants to send the first uncrewed Starship to Mars by the end of 2026 for a very critical reason: The timeline coincides with an orbital alignment around the sun that would shorten the journey between Earth and Mars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's a slim window that occurs once about every two years, and if SpaceX misses it, Musk said they'd target another mission during the next alignment. If Starship were to blast off for the Red Planet by the end of 2026, the journey itself would take between seven to nine months. Well try to make that opportunity, if we get lucky, Musk said during his talk. I think we probably have a 50/50 chance right now. What would the first flight to Mars look like? While no humans would have a seat on the first flight to Mars, Starship won't be empty. Instead, the vehicle would carry one or more Optimus robots designed and built by Tesla, Musk's electric vehicle company. "That would be an epic picture to see Optimus walking around on the surface of Mars," Musk said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SpaceX is still considering multiple potential landing sites on Mars for Starship, but the leading contender appears to be a region known as Arcadia. The volcanic plain is on Mars' northern hemisphere far from the planet's frigid poles with access to water sources in the form of shallow ice. Arcadia is also flat enough to make landings and takeoffs relatively safer, Musk said. Ultimately, Musk said he envisions eventually launching 1,000 to 2,000 Starships to Mars every two years so enough people and supplies can make it to the surface to quickly establish a city, of sorts. Musk hopes to increase Starship testing, production Starship launches Tuesday, May 27 on its latest test, known as Flight 9. For Musk to make this dream a reality, SpaceX will have to race to develop its massive Starship spacecraft, designed specifically with a Martian destination in mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bad news? the vehicle, which has yet to reach orbit in any of its flight tests beginning in 2023, has faced a series of setbacks in its last three launches. The good news? Musk and SpaceX recently received key regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to ramp up testing to 25 flights a year. In its most recent demonstration May 27, Starship spun out of control roughly halfway through its flight and disintegrated in a fireball before achieving some of its most important objectives. Still, the distance the vehicle traveled far surpassed the previous 2025 flights in January and March, when Starship exploded within minutes. At more than 400 total feet in height, Starship is regarded as the worlds largest and most powerful launch vehicle ever developed. The launch vehicle is composed of both a 232-foot Super Heavy rocket and the 171-foot upper stage spacecraft, or capsule where crew and cargo would ride. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And a future version of it will be even bigger. Version 3, Musk explained, should be around 408 feet tall when fully stacked and be upgraded so the upper portion is capable of refueling in Earth orbit, which is necessary for it to reach distant destinations like Mars. To meet Musk's high expectations, SpaceX is looking to expand operations to Florida in order to ramp up both Starship production and testing. Trump wants $1 billion for private Mars exploration Musk could also have some assistance from the White House, as President Trump has routinely voiced his support for SpaceX's Martian ambitions. While Trump's recently released 2026 budget proposal would cut NASAs funding by about 25% overall, it does call for allocating more than $1 billion for Mars exploration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That includes establishing a new NASA initiative called the Commercial Mars Payload Services Program (CMPS). The program would operate similarly to NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program by awarding contracts to private companies that would develop spacesuits, vehicles and other technology aimed at reaching the Red Planet. Contributing: Reuters Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Elon Musk says Starship can reach Mars for exploration by 2026 Elon Musk's stint as "First Buddy" has drawn to a close. But the subject of his boss and ally, president Donald Trump, appears to still be an open wound. In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Musk visibly squirmed when asked a question about the Trump administration attempting to ban international students from entering Harvard University and remained touchy about anything Trump-related throughout the conversation. "I'm wondering what your thought is on the ban on foreign students, the proposal," asked CBS's David Pogue. "I mean, you were one of those kids, right?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a pertinent question; Musk indeed attended university in America as an international student, jumpstarting his career. But the billionaire had no interest in discussing that tension. "Yeah. I mean, I think we wanna stick to, you know, the subject of the day, which is, like, spaceships, as opposed to, you know, presidential policy," Musk said. (The interview was conducted right before the most recent test flight of Musk's Starship last Tuesday. After a successful lift-off, both stages of the SpaceX megarocket exploded.) "Oh, okay," Pogue said. "I was told anything is good, but..." "No, well no," Musk responded, less than artfully dodging the question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when given the chance, Musk aired out some of his grievances about his so-called Department of Government Efficiency, and how his time there tanked his personal reputation and that of his businesses, especially his EV automaker Tesla. "It's a bit unfair because, like, DOGE became the whipping boy for everything," Musk complained. "So, if there was some cut, real or imagined, everyone would blame DOGE." Perhaps Musk's resentment for being a convenient lightning rod for the Trump administration goes both ways at the public who despised him, and his political allies for throwing him to the wolves. We're reading between the lines, of course. But, without even being asked, Musk later launched into a rant about the administration, and didn't have only nice things to say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's not like I agree with everything the administration does," Musk said. "I agree with much of what the administration does. But we have differences of opinion." "There are things that I don't entirely agree with. But it's difficult for me to bring that up in an interview because then it creates a bone of contention," Musk continued. "I'm a little stuck in a bind, where I'm like, well, I don't wanna, you know, speak up against the administration, but I also don't wanna take responsibility for everything this administration's doing." Ding ding ding. There's that hint of "whipping boy" bitterness again. Musk also singled out Trump's new proposed spending bill, which would heap another $3.8 trillion onto the national debt over the next decade; the whole point of DOGE was to slash $1 trillion in federal spending, and under Musk's leadership it didn't even come close to that figure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was, like, disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, doesn't decrease it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing," Musk said. It was a fatal error. Within 24 hours of CBS sharing a clip of the interview segment where Musk criticized the bill, the world's richest man announced on his website X that his time as a "special government employee" was over. More on Elon Musk: Trump Just Kicked Elon Musk's Hand-Picked NASA Head to the Curb A brain-computer interface (BCI), a fusion of man and machine, has sparked human imagination since the Industrial Revolution. This week, the small field of BCI developers which includes Elon Musks Neuralink was joined by Texan company Paradromics, who successfully installed its Connexus BCI in a patient undergoing epilepsy resection surgery at the University of Michigan. The Connexus BCI, which is smaller than a dime, uses AI to translate brain signals at the neuron level into physical movement, including communication, for people with severe motor impairments due to ALS, strokes, or spinal cord injuries. After three years of preclinical trials in sheep, Paradromics said that this human trial demonstrated Connexus can be safely implanted, record electrical brain signals, and be removed intact in less than 20 minutes, using surgical techniques familiar to neurosurgeons worldwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It requires further approval at the clinical level before it can be commercialized. The Texan company is the primary U.S. competitor of Neuralink, which completed three BCI surgeries in 2024. We are now a clinical-stage company, said Paradromics CEO Matt Angle, who co-founded the company ten years ago. He added that the company plans several similar surgeries in 2025. Meanwhile, Chinese state-owned NeuCyber NeuroTech plans to implant its brain chip in 13 people by the end of the year, they announced in April. Other BCI competitors include Synchron, backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, and Precision Neuroscience, founded by former Neuralink employees. Only Neuralink and Paradromics have BCIs that connect to brain tissue; Synchrons enters via a blood vessel, and Precision Neurosciences sits on top of the brain. Proximity to individual neurons, as Paradromics Connexus has, is considered key for high-quality, high-resolution signals that aid in speech in particular. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. NEED TO KNOW Weeks after the death of Emilie Kiser's 3-year-old son Trigg, the influencer's stepbrother Nick Espinosa posted an Instagram video reflecting on "how fragile this life is" The now-unavailable clip which has been reposted on TikTok marks the first time any of the grieving family has alluded to Trigg's death on May 18. Local Arizona police confirmed the news to PEOPLE and stated that the toddler died after a drowning accident on May 12 Last week, Kiser filed a lawsuit to keep records about Trigg's death out of public view, according to court documents Weeks after the death of Emilie Kiser's son Trigg, the influencer's stepbrother posted a meaningful video about life's most unexpected, heartbreaking challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This weekend, Nick Espinosa posted a reflective Instagram video alluding to the tragedy, marking the first time any of Kiser's family has addressed the death of her 3-year-old son. Though Espinosa has since made his social media profile private, a recording of the post resurfaced on TikTok. "Emilie Kiser's [stepbrother] posted a beautiful message on Instagram yesterday," the reposter captioned the video. The clip began with footage of Espinosa getting in his car and casually driving. He began his narration explaining how life can change abrubtly. Emilie Kiser/Instagram Emilie Kiser. Emilie Kiser. Related: Influencer Emilie Kiser's 3-Year-Old Son Dies Days After 'Unimaginable' Drowning Incident in Pool The video continued with scenes of Espinosa's car parked by the side of the road. He appeared despondent while leaning against his vehicle with his head in his hands. "A call you never saw coming. A goodbye you didn't get to say," he reflected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The post continued with footage of Espinosa getting back into the car and resuming his drive as his voiceover continued to urge viewers not to "wait for the world to remind you how fragile this life is." Aside from Espinosa's now-unavailable post, the grieving Arizona family has been silent since the toddler's death was confirmed. A spokesperson for the Chandler Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE that Trigg was hospitalized after authorities responded to a drowning call on May 12. The toddler died on May 18, per the statement. Emilie Kiser/Instagram Emilie Kiser, husband Brady Kiser, and their son Trigg. Emilie Kiser, husband Brady Kiser, and their son Trigg. Related: Emilie Kiser Reflected on 'Joys of Being a Mother' in One of Final Posts Before 3-Year-Old Son Trigg's Tragic Death On May 27, Kiser who has 1.7 million Instagram followers filed a lawsuit to keep records about Trigg's death out of public view, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the filing, Kiser's lawyer said that she and her family "desperately want to grieve in private, but sadly, the public will not let them," adding that Trigg's death "has become a media frenzy." The lawsuit said 100 public record requests have been filed with the City of Chandler and the Maricopa County Medical Examiners Office for access to public records related to Trigg Kiser's death. Emilie Kiser/Instagram Emilie Kiser, husband Brady Kiser, and their children Theodore and Trigg. Emilie Kiser, husband Brady Kiser, and their children Theodore and Trigg. Related: Influencer Emilie Kiser Files Lawsuit to Keep Records About 3-Year-Old Son Trigg's Death Private "The records requested presumably reveal graphic, distressing, and intimate details of Triggs death that have no bearing on government accountability," the filing stated, suggesting "allowing disclosure" would be to turn Arizona's Public Records Law into "a weapon of emotional harm." The court documents continued, "Emilie is trying her best to be there for her surviving son, two-month-old Theodore. But every day is a battle." Read the original article on People Originally appeared on E! Online Emilie Kisers family continues to mourn the death of her son Trigg. The influencers stepbrother Nick Espinosa appeared to address his nephews passing while reflecting on the fleeting nature of life weeks after the 3-year-olds passing. Life will always throw you a curveball, Nick, whose Instagram has since been made private, said in a voiceover as he got into his car and went for a leisurely drive. One day, everything feels aligned. You're making progress, chasing purpose, moving forward. Then just like that, everything changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the screen cut to black, Nick reemerged sitting on the hood of his vehicle with his head in his hands, then proceeded to toss stones towards a hiking trail. As the video, which has since been shared to TikTok, played, the content creator seemingly alluded to his family tragedy, referencing a call you never saw coming and a goodbye you didnt get to say. For a look at Emilies family, keep reading. (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Don't wait for the world to remind you how fragile this life is, he continued. Put the phone down. Go touch grass. Spend time with the people you love. Local authorities confirmed Trigg died May 18 at Phoenix Children's Hospital in Arizona, six days after he was pulled from a backyard pool at his familys home, NBC affiliate KPNX reported. Chandler Police Department spokesperson Sonu Wasu subsequently confirmed her office was investigating the matter. Instagram/Emilie Kiser Out of respect for the familys privacy, Wasu told E! News May 19, we will not be releasing additional details until the investigation is closed. Emiliewho also shares son Theodore, 2 months, with husband Brady Kiserlater filed a lawsuit against several public offices in Maricopa County, Ariz., in an effort to keep details of the toddlers passing private, according to documents obtained by NBC News May 29. Noting that the 26-year-old is already experiencing a parent's worst nightmare, the filing argued that making the records public would invade her familys privacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The records requested presumably reveal graphic, distressing, and intimate details of Trigg's death that have no bearing on government accountability, the legal action read. To allow disclosure in these circumstances would be to turn Arizona's Public Records Law into a weapon of emotional harm, rather than a tool of government transparency. For a look at Emilies family, keep reading. (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) Husband and Wife Emilie Kiser and Brady Kiser tied the knot in 2019. A Family of Three... The couple welcomed their first son, Trigg, in July 2021. ... and Then Four They became parents again in March 2025 with the arrival of their second son Theodore. The Sweet Life Emilie often documented life at home with her two boys on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enjoying Every Moment The family celebrated a happy Easter holiday together. Better Together Emilie shared this sweet photo shortly after Theodore's birth. Bath Time After welcoming Theodore, Emilie wrote on social media, "The love I have for my boys is infinite." For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between SOCAR and Gran Tierra Energy Inc. within the framework of the Baku Energy Week, a source in SOCAR told Trend. The document envisages joint research work for the purpose of technical and economic assessment of the project for the exploration, development, and production of hydrocarbon potential in the Guba-Caspian region. At the same time, Gran Tierra Energy Inc. will analyze the existing geological and technical data on the project, as well as its logistics and infrastructure potential. After the geological exploration program and the main commercial terms are agreed upon, work will be carried out to sign the Production Sharing Agreement. Gran Tierra Energy Inc., an international energy company headquartered in Calgary, Canada, is currently engaged in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas in Canada, Colombia, and Ecuador. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A new, tiny pacemaker smaller than a grain of rice developed at Northwestern University near Chicago could play a sizeable role in the future of medicine, according to the engineers who developed it. Researchers unveiled the device, which they say is the smallest pacemaker in the world, in a study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature. Though the device is still years away from being used in humans, it could eventually be useful for infants with congenital heart defects and also for adults, the researchers say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its really exciting technology that will change how electrical stimulation is done, said Igor Efimov, a Northwestern experimental cardiologist who co-led the study. The device can be inserted with a catheter or syringe. After it is placed in or on the heart, its paired with another small, patch-like device worn on the patients chest. When the device on the chest detects irregular heartbeats it emits pulses of light into the chest that activate the pacemaker, delivering electrical stimulation to the heart. The device is designed for patients who need a pacemaker only temporarily. It dissolves into the patients body once its no longer needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Engineers were initially inspired to create the device for infants with congenital heart defects. About 40,000 babies in the United States are born with heart defects each year, and about a fourth of those generally need surgery or other procedures in their first year of life, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After surgery, the infants typically need a pacemaker for about a week while their hearts heal. Some adults also need temporary pacemakers, such as after an aortic valve replacement or bypass surgery, Efimov said. In such cases, surgeons now must often sew a wire onto the heart thats attached to an external box that delivers a current to control the hearts rhythm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the pacemaker is no longer needed, surgeons must remove the wire from the heart, which can introduce complications such as bleeding, damage to the heart muscle and infection. Such a complication contributed to the death of astronaut Neil Armstrong in 2012, when he started bleeding internally as wires of a temporary pacemaker were being removed, the New York Times reported. Even though its exceedingly rare, it could be lethal, Efimov said of complications of removing traditional, temporary pacemakers. We wanted to create a pacemaker which would be, first of all, much, much smaller compared to what it is now, fully implantable so theres nothing external, so theres no risk of infections, but more importantly, its transient. It serves a purpose for whatever number of days or weeks its required, and after that it will dissolve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The study showed how researchers have used the small, implantable device so far in mice, rats, a dog and in hearts from deceased humans and pigs. Eventually, the team hopes to get approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to begin clinical trials in humans. Efimov and Northwestern bioelectrics expert John Rogers, who co-authored the study and led development of the device, co-founded a company at Northwestern called NuSera Biosystems that will work to further develop the device and eventually bring it to market. Dr Gaurav Upadhyay, an electrophysiologist and associate professor of medicine at the University of Chicago, called the study exciting. Upadhyay was not involved in the devices development or the study. The new pacemaker is impressively smaller than anything else we have available, Upadhyay said. If this can be confirmed in clinical trials, I think that there are incredible applications for short-term pacing requirements, which will have the potential to be used in a variety of clinical settings. A comparison of the pacemaker with a sewing needle John A Rogers/Northwestern University/dpa This story was originally published on BioPharma Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily BioPharma Dive newsletter. CHICAGO Enhertu, the antibody-drug conjugate developed by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, year by year proves more indispensable in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Already enmeshed in clinical practice as a go-to choice for tumors that have come back once, Enhertu could soon have a role to play in initial treatment as well. On Monday, researchers shared results from a large trial showing Enhertu together with an older drug called Perjeta offer greater benefit in certain tumors than the current first-line standard, which includes Perjeta, the stalwart breast cancer drug Herceptin and chemotherapy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The data will be presented Monday morning at the American Society of Clinical Oncologys annual meeting held here. Known as Destiny-Breast09, the Phase 3 trial focused on people whose breast tumors were either locally advanced or had metastasized, and tested positive for a protein, HER2, that typically signals faster-spreading cancer. About 15% to 20% of breast cancers are HER2-positive and for decades now have been treated by Herceptin, Perjeta and other treatments that home in on the protein. Enhertu is one of the newest and most powerful iterations. It consists of a HER2-targeting antibody linked to a tumor-killing toxin. Since winning its first U.S. approval in 2019, the drug has marched upwards through breast cancer treatment lines and into new uses in lung and stomach cancers. Last year, sales reached $3.7 billion. Sales could rise further should findings from Destiny-Breast09 support frontline use in HER2-positive metastatic disease. In the trial, treatment with Enhertu and Perjeta delayed cancer growth for longer than the established regimen of Perjeta, Herceptin and chemotherapy, which is known by the acronym THP. Progression-free survival, which measures time from treatment to disease progression or death, reached a median of nearly 41 months among the 383 patients who received Enhertu and Perjeta, versus 27 months among the 387 given THP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats a phenomenal advantage in progression-free survival and its definitely practice-changing, said Vishwanath Sathyanarayanan, a medical oncologist and an academic advisor at Apollo Hospitals in Bangalore, India. Eleonora Teplinsky, head of breast and gynecologic medical oncology at New Jerseys Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care, agreed, although she cautioned that Enhertu comes with its own safety risks. While keeping an eye on [Enhertus] toxicity, its really hard to ignore that data. About 15% of patients given Enhertu plus Perjeta had a complete response following treatment meaning no detectable signs of cancer versus 8.5% among those on THP. Researchers could not yet statistically determine whether the Enhertu regimen offered a benefit in survival, but reported that data are trending in that direction. Patients will continue to be monitored for further analysis later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, which announced Destiny-Breast09 succeeded in late April, have said they plan to share the trial data with regulators. But they havent clarified when they might seek an approval of Enhertu as part of first-line treatment. Should it win an OK, doctors will have to grapple with a number of trade-offs and unanswered questions, not least of which are Enhertus side effects. The drugs current labeling carries a black box warning for interstitial lung disease and pneumonitis, which can be life-threatening. In Destiny-Breast09, this side effect occurred in 46 patients treated with Enhertu and Perjeta, compared to only 4 who received THP. While most cases were mild, two of the Enhertu-treated patients died. Most participants in the trial were under 65 years old. As a result, Teplinsky said, it is not clear how well older patients might fare with Enhertu and Perjeta in the first-line setting. Results from another study presented at ASCO suggest that, in mild cases of interstitial lung disease, Enhertu can be reintroduced after the side effect has been brought under control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moving Enhertu earlier in treatment also raises questions about how long it should be given and, if patients disease progresses, what should be administered afterwards. Is this for all patients at the beginning of treatment? We dont know, said Rebecca Dent, the deputy clinical chief executive officer at National Cancer Center Singapore, in a press conference with reporters. Is there a way to sequence this induction therapy that includes [Enhertu] followed by a maintenance stage of treatment? Destiny-Breast09 is also evaluating a third group of 387 patients who were given only Enhertu and a placebo. Researchers didnt yet have sufficient data to compare that arm to the other two when they conducted their initial, interim analysis. Evidence supporting Enhertu monotherapy over THP would be significant if it materializes, said Sathyanarayanan, who noted that giving multiple, expensive drugs in combination can be challenging in low- and middle-income countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo are studying Enhertu in even earlier settings, testing whether it could be given before or after surgery to remove a tumor. Last month, the companies said a study called Destiny-Breast11 succeeded, finding Enhertu followed by THP improved complete response rates versus standard of care when used before surgery. And in stomach cancer, study data presented at ASCO on Saturday could help cement Enhertus place as a second-line treatment option for gastric tumors. Recommended Reading NEED TO KNOW New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a $600K settlement involving the Equinox Group over allegedly difficult cancellation agreements with customers The Equinox Group made it challenging for customers to end their membership, costing them time and money, she alleged The fitness group must also improve its disclosures moving forward Equinox and SoulCycle customers in New York may soon be entitled to cash back due to difficulty canceling memberships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, May 30, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a $600,000 settlement from the fitness company, claiming Equinox, Equinox+ and SoulCycle made it hard for New Yorkers to cancel their membership. James alleged Equinox Group failed to clearly disclose its subscription terms and did not provide consumers with the subscription acknowledgment required by New York law. New Yorkers should be able to cancel a membership they no longer use or want without breaking a sweat, James said in a statement. The Equinox Group made it challenging for customers to end their membership, costing them time and money. As a result of my offices settlement, New Yorkers can now cancel their membership with Equinox, SoulCycle, or any of Equinox Groups brands much faster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PEOPLE reached out to the Equinox Group for comment but did not immediately hear back. "Prior to being made aware of this inquiry, we had already begun to make changes to our terms and conditions in conformance with all statutory requirements, and our policies are in full compliance. We are pleased that this matter is resolved," an Equinox and SoulCycle spokesperson said in a statement obtained by CBS News. According to the terms of the settlement, Equinox Group must now pay $600,000 in penalties and change its subscription practices, as well as offer refunds to subscribers who tried to cancel their membership but were unable to. Of the complaints mentioned by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), Equinox was accused of using hard-to-understand terms and conditions within the companys documents, which ultimately made the cancellation process complex, difficult, and time-consuming." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This settlement requires Equinox Group to pay $600,000 in penalties and provide refunds of up to $250 to eligible New York subscribers who filed complaints with the Equinox Group, Federal Trade Commission, Better Business Bureau, or the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York between February 9, 2021 and December 31, 2024, per the OAG press release. 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. Eligible residents who first became subscribers or attempted to cancel their subscription between Feb. 9, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2024, can claim their portion of the settlement by emailing Equinox Group by Aug. 2, 2025. SoulCycle subscribers should email NewYorkAGclaims@soul-cycle.com . Equinox Gym and Equinox+ subscribers should email NewYorkAGclaims@equinox.com. Subscriber restitution requests must include their name and the phone number or email address associated with their account. Read the original article on People ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Miguel Espinoza Challenger Miguel Espinoza is heading into a runoff election against Incumbent Abilene City Councilmember Kyle McAlister for the Place 5 seat after neither candidate secured more than 50% of the vote in the May election. The runoff is set for June 7. McAlister battles to keep his seat in Abilene City Council runoff While Espinoza said the election was intense, he felt very supported throughout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What made it really nice is all my supporters were there, all my people that knew me before I even started this journey. So all those people are with me. Theyre encouraging. They were probably more nervous than I was, which was kind of funny, because Im excited, you know, its a blessing. Its a great opportunity. But just to have all my people there, that meant a lot to me, Espinoza expressed. He anticipated that a runoff might occur with three candidates in the race. Having three candidates in the race, you knew that everybodys going to pull votes in their direction. A lot of it was just making sure that we had enough to force the runoff, Espinoza explained. You never know what can happen, like with the voter turnout and all that. So we were excited to push it on to the next round, and hopefully we give it another good push. Abilene People: Miguel Espinoza Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the runoff election, Espinoza stated that numerous campaign contributors and endorsements have been coming in. Anytime that you go into a runoff, you need more advertisement, more signs to really help you get over the top. My supporters came out swinging, and they came out with money to help me do that. A lot of endorsement letters to help us push not only people who came out and voted the first time, but also to hopefully get some additional voters to come out and vote for me, Espinoza said. As Espinoza talks with residents, he notes that most people are eager for change. I think just in my conversations with people, theyre like, youre a CPA [Certified Public Accountant]. You understand what goes on with the budget. Just here recently, theres been a massive push for financial transparency and understanding whats going on within the city, and having a CPA to really help you explain and see the accounting and somebody who knows this is where the flow of the transaction is going to help explain that thats a big deal to people, Espinoza shared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As he observes city council meetings, he has noticed that council members tend to use the general fund for various projects. What my general understanding is, you know, it frees up a lot of their options, cash flow-wise, what they can do with the money. But just from a budgetary standpoint, what Ive noticed, what people are very hungry to see that allocation, to know that look, money is going there versus it kind of just sitting in the general fund. Money is going to that issue, Espinoza said. Miguel Espinoza looks to bring fresh perspective to Abilene City Council Espinoza stated that his experience as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) allows him to break down these complex topics easily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre taking very complex federal tax law, and youre trying to explain it to a person in their business, and how that applies to them. Its a natural conversation that I have on a daily basis, so its normal to me, because thats just the way I see the world. I see it in the debits and credits, the revenues, expenses, everything flowing, all the accounting; thats just the way I see it, Espinoza explained. Whenever it comes to breaking it down for people, Im like, Well, this is what theyre spending, this is where its going, and this is whats designated for. Thats with my experience with nonprofits, too. Since the runoff, Espinoza has engaged with many Abilene residents to better understand their needs and the town he aims to serve. People are excited. Im excited. To have this opportunity is a huge blessing. But, yeah, just bringing forth energy, just more and more and more conversations you get to have, the more you get to learn about Abilene, Espinoza expressed. Now, if they didnt consider you a serious candidate, theyre now taking you a lot more seriously. So theyre like, maybe I need to talk to this person, and let me get his perspective on a few more things. So Ive had a lot of people reach out on the second kind of go-around. Its been cool to just meet more people and learn what their priorities are, and how they see the political landscape. Abilene People: Kyle McAlister Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Something that came to light during the election was that Espinoza has not voted in a municipal election. He says his voting record shouldnt reflect his values and qualifications. I dont feel like my qualifications and my skill set reflect my voting record. So, for someone to hold that against me, thats kind of on them, for what they prioritize as a candidate for city council, thats on them to weigh. I would highly encourage people to consider my qualifications as a CPA, somebody whos very active in the community, and if you have any questions, as far as what that means, voting for a CPA, what I do for a living, all the things that I do, nonprofit wise, even at the state level, on the committees that I serve on. Those are things that Im happy to field and make sure people know about, Espinoza said. But when it comes down to my voting record, I dont feel like that should be weighed against me, especially as somebody whos as young as I am I would encourage people to get involved in politics early on, but not everybody has that opportunity. I dont think that should be held against somebody as a negative. I think when you do get involved, I think that should be encouraged, and that should be a big positive, instead of a negative. Espinoza emphasizes transparency, stating he is open to discussing topics of interest with anyone. Im not afraid to open myself up, whether you have a question, Im more than happy to talk about those issues, whether theyre kind of relevant or kind of not. Theres certain things that Im like, Well, I would like to stay more focused on the relevant issues, because I feel like thats the most important thing for this election. But I understand people having questions about your values and your standards for certain things, Espinoza shared. I have no problem discussing that with people, because I want people to know who I am as a person, and I hope that kind of factors into their vote, that they know, hey, this is a person of strong work ethic, and really cares about Abilene, and whos also extremely qualified based upon my resume. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If elected, Espinoza states he would prioritize economic development as opportunities arise in the Key City. Abilene is in a strategic position to take advantage of a lot of economic development, and so thats kind of my big motivation for running, is to really help the city take advantage of all these opportunities that are on the table because were in competition with all these surrounding communities for all of this investment, Espinoza explained. To make sure Abilene is laying the infrastructure and doing the right thing strategically to take advantage of all this economic development that is kind of brewing here. I would love to be a part of that, because Im going to be in Abilene for a very long time, and hopefully I can serve in serving as an example for my kids and my grandkids that, look, this is a wonderful place to live and to serve your community well, and to take part in whatever your gifts are, apply it to your community and and give back. FULL VIDEO: Abilene City Council Forum 2025 When asked why people should take a chance on him, Espinoza responded: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im somebody whos going to bring a lot of energy to the table. Im very financially savvy, and whenever it comes to the budget and the things that really matter to the city operationally, Im going to be a massive asset there. I think, just representation-wise, Im going to serve the city well, and just kind of broadening the diverse skill set thats already on the current Council. I think that Im just gonna bring forth a lot of energy, hard work, and really help the community grow. McAlister and Espinoza will face off in the June 7 runoff election for the Place 5 seat. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. By Philip Blenkinsop BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Commission said on Monday it would make a strong case this week for the United States to reduce or eliminate tariffs even after Donald Trump said he would double import duties on steel and aluminium to 50%. European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic will meet U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer at an OECD gathering in Paris on Wednesday, while Commission technical teams will be in discussions with counterparts in Washington this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the EU was "negotiating in good faith" with U.S. officials and the Trump administration remained "hopeful and optimistic" that a deal could be struck with Brussels. The Commission, which oversees trade policy for the 27-nation European Union, said it was prioritising negotiations to resolve the conflict. "We don't want to go down the route of tariffs. Rather than have them increase, we want them to decrease and where possible eliminate them," a Commission spokesperson told a press conference on Monday. "That remains the case, that remains our priority. We will be making that case strongly both at technical level and at political level this week." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EU has said it strongly regrets the planned doubling of steel tariffs. The decision "adds further economic uncertainty on both sides of the Atlantic," Olof Gill, the European Commission's spokesperson for trade, said on X, adding that both sides had agreed to accelerate their negotiations. EU officials had no immediate comment on news that the Trump administration was asking trading partners to present their best offers on trade by Wednesday, news first reported by Reuters. The EU currently faces 25% tariffs on steel and cars and for Trump and "reciprocal" tariffs on most EU goods, which were provisionally set at 20% for the EU but is being held at 10% during a 90-day pause until July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EU imposed, but immediately suspended, a first set of counter tariffs on 21 billion euros ($24 billion) of annual U.S. imports package in response to U.S. metals duties. It is also weighing a response to the U.S. car and broader tariffs that would hit up to 95 billion euros of U.S. imports. The Commission said that, in the absence of a mutually acceptable solution, these countermeasures would take effect automatically on July 14, or earlier if circumstances require. ($1 = 0.8759 euros) (Reporting by Benoit Van Overstraeten and Philip Blenkinsop in Brussels and Andrea Shalal in Washington; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta, Alex Richardson and Nick Zieminski) Europe is gearing up for a fight. Under the European Unions ReArm Europe plan, which was announced in March, Brussels has changed its fiscal rules to allow member states to boost defense spending by up to 1.5 percent of GDP. In concrete terms, the union is looking to increase investment into the defense sector by 800 billion over the next four years. European rearmament is a response to what the EU paper announcing the plan calls the rapid deterioration of the geopolitical context and rising tensions in world politics. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen justified the new policies, arguing that the era of the peace dividend is long gone. Calling the European security architecture something that can no longer be taken for granted, she called on Europe to invest in defence, strengthen [its] capabilities, and take a proactive approach to security. In this race to rearm Europe, Sweden in particular is well-placed to play a leading role. As European commissioner for defense and space, Andrius Kubilius, recently noted, Sweden has a very strong defense industry and is carrying out a major rearmament, so it is a good example for other member states as the continent bolsters its military capabilities. Kubilius specifically identified Saabs artillery systems and armored vehicles, which he described as top-tier capabilities that make Sweden valuable to all of [Europe]. Furthermore,Sweden recently announced that it will dedicate roughly 3.5 percent of its GDP to defense spending by 2030, amounting to roughly $30 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The countrys efforts to highlight its defense industry suggest an important shift in its identity on the world stage. Once a pioneer in feminist foreign policy and a self-proclaimed humanitarian superpower, Sweden is now positioning itself as a major contributor to restocking Europes arsenal. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. The ReArm Europe plan and Swedens revision of its international profile both have important implications for the future of international politics, but also troubling implications for gender politics. The recently announced reforms in Swedens defense policies speak to general shifts in European priorities. Specifically, as military readiness is prioritized, gender equality is downgraded. As disappointing as this is, it comes as no surprise, as militarization and gender equality are often at odds. If Sweden is any indication, the remilitarization of Europe will empower political forces that are already working against gender equality and other progressive causes. This process will also reveal which of the commitments to gender equality made by European states were in earnest and which were merely implemented as window dressing. Swedens Shifting Priorities For the reasons already noted, Sweden is both well-positioned to lead European rearmament because of its robust defense contracting sector, and a useful test case for how European states will balance their commitment to liberal, progressive values as they expand their military capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For decades, Sweden has cultivated a reputation on the world stage for its progressive foreign policy and robust international aid program. The country was the first in the world to adopt an explicitly feminist foreign policy in 2014, from which it only recently stepped back after its current center-right coalition government won election in 2022. Yet, there have always been tensions beneath the surface of Swedens progressive foreign policy, and the countrys rearmament is better understood as a continuation of recent trends than a sharp break from past policies. Swedens feminist foreign policy ran into problems even under the direction of former Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom, who spearheadedthe initiative during her time in office under the center-left government in power at the time. In 2015, for example, Wallstrom denounced Saudi Arabias record on human rights, after which Sweden declined to renew a weapons sales agreement between the two countries.This decision was met with fierce pushback, not just from the Saudi government, but also from the Swedish and European business sector. The idea of earnestly conditioning arms transfers on governance standards threatened the profitability and relevance of the Swedish defense industry. After all, for all of its rhetoric about feminist foreign policy and being a humanitarian superpower, Sweden has remained one of the worlds largest per capita arms exporters. Furthermore, the United Arab Emirates was the largest recipient of Swedish arms in 2024, despite being accused of a litany of human rights abuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2017, while it was still purportedly guided by a feminist foreign policy, Sweden also reintroduced military conscription, in response to geopolitical tensions and instability in Europe at the time. Swedens reputation for spearheading gender egalitarian reforms also guided its conscription policies: In contrast to many other countries drafts, Sweden conscripts both men and women. But this gender neutrality was also a way of making military mobilization more palatable to the public. And while it was presented as a progressive and egalitarian initiative, conscription is a key component of militarization, which typically eats away at gender equality. Shifts in Swedens budget allocations in recent years also threaten both the reputation it cultivated on the world stage as well as the wellbeing of the millions of people that benefited from Swedish international aid, which under the rubric of a feminist foreign policy had often been directed toward gender equality initiatives. In the fall of 2024, Swedens new government announced cuts totaling nearly $300 million in overseas development assistance, or ODA, following up on its commitment to abandon Swedens long-held goal of allocating 1% of its [Gross National Income] to ODA. Prioritizing defense spending over domestic welfare and foreign aid means retreating from Swedens previous foreign policy objectives, while also raising the risk of insecurity at home and abroad. Militarism and Gender Equality Militarization undermines gender equality in a number of ways. It cements narratives that cast men as protectors and women as being under their care. This process further entrenches gender hierarchies and norms that put men in positions of power and women in subordinate roles. Militarization is also expensive, and the government programs that benefit women and girls are often slashed to pay for it. As a result, feminists in Sweden and elsewhere have spoken out against the remilitarization of their country and the continent at large. In 2022,for example,Swedish feminists released a statement condemning creeping militarism and arguing that when militarization appears to be the solution of an overwhelming majority in public debate, it is more important than ever for us as feminists to question the fundamental logics of militarization and to denounce its consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Implicit in this debate is the question of which spending priorities will be displaced by militarization as Europe rearms. This matters not just for how Europe will fund its investment in security, but also for how Europe will define itself and its priorities on the world stage. If Sweden is any indication, the rearming of Europe will empower the constituencies and ideologies that have been pushing back against gender egalitarianism for years. As the Centre for Feminist Foreign policy notes, This tug-of-war has proved to be an oft-repeated trend. It is also a remarkably gendered one: a feminist foreign policy, pursued by a feminine-coded soft power, is stifled by neoliberal and patriarchal hegemonies in the form of the global arms trade, run by a nearly exclusively male cohort of business and state power leaders. Sweden and Europes expansion of their military capabilities may end up making them less friendly to gender equality. If so, in their efforts to win the battle against Russian neo-imperialism, they will have lost the war against the related forces driving the broader backlash against advances for women in Europe and beyond. Hilary Matfess is an assistant professor at the University of Denvers Josef Korbel School of International Studies. She is also a Council on Foreign Relations term fellow, a research fellow at the Research on International Policy Implementation Lab and a nonresident senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Africa Program. In Love and at War is her second book. The post Europes Remilitarization Could Come at the Expense of Gender Equality appeared first on World Politics Review. Europe and the United States must "keep up the pressure" on Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Monday, after a meeting with US Senator Lindsey Graham in Berlin. The European Union "will impose further sanctions" on Moscow, Wadephul promised. Graham, from US President Donald Trump's Republican Party, is currently on a tour to Europe, gathering support from allies for his "bone-crushing" bipartisan sanctions package. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The package likely has enough support to pass in the Senate, although it is unclear whether it would attract enough votes in the House of Representatives. Trump has sought to pressure Ukraine and Russia to end the fighting in Ukraine since returning to the White House in January. Putin "must finally agree to an immediate unconditional ceasefire and come to the negotiating table," Wadephul added in a post on X. Graham also met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Berlin. Von der Leyen "welcomed that Senator Graham committed to ramping up pressure on Russia," according to a statement. During a meeting in Berlin on 2 June, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham discussed coordination of tough US and EU sanctions against Russia. Source: European Commission press service, as reported by European Pravda Details: Graham and von der Leyen discussed joint coordination of sanctions against Russia in response to its ongoing aggression against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This morning in Berlin, President von der Leyen met with US Senator Lindsey Graham to discuss EU-US coordination on sanctions in response to Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine," the European Commission reported. Von der Leyen stressed that both the European Union and the United States "need a real ceasefire, we need Russia at the negotiating table, and we need to end this war". "Pressure works, as the Kremlin understands nothing else," the European Commission president stated. Von der Leyen "welcomed that Senator Graham committed to ramping up pressure on Russia and moving ahead with the [sanctions] bill in the Senate next week". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The European Commission reiterated that the EU is preparing its 18th package of tough sanctions, which will target Russias energy revenues, including Nord Stream infrastructure, the Russian banking sector and a reduction of the oil price cap. "These steps, taken together with US measures, would sharply increase the joint impact of our sanctions," von der Leyen said. Background: Graham is also expected to meet with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Berlin on 2 June. Earlier, Graham stated that he aimed to introduce new sanctions against Russia before the upcoming G7 summit in June. Graham expects the upper house of Congress to begin considering new large-scale sanctions against Russia as early as this week due to the lack of progress in achieving a ceasefire in Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Delegations from Ukraine and Russia met for a second time in Istanbul in a month on June 2, 2025. Missing, again, were the countrys two leaders. For a fleeting moment ahead of the first meeting in mid-May 2025, there existed the faintest prospect that Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine would join, sitting down in the same room for face-to-face talks. But it didnt happen; few expected it would. On that occasion, Putin refused Zelenskyys offer of face-to-face talks in Istanbul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though neither leader met in the Istanbul summits, they have met before. In Paris in 2019, the two men sat down together as part of what was known as the Normandy Format talks. As a scholar of international relations, I have interviewed people involved in the talks. Some five years on, the way the talks floundered and then failed can offer lessons about the challenges todays would-be mediators now face. Initial hopes The Normandy Format talks started on the sidelines of events in June 2014 commemorating the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings. The aim was to try to resolve the ongoing conflict between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatist groups in the countrys Donbas region in the east. That conflict had recently escalated, with pro-Russian separatists seizing key towns in the Donetsk and Luhansk after Russia illegally annexed the peninsula of Crimea in February 2014. The talks continued periodically until 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Until that point, most of the discussion was framed by two deals, the Minsk accords of 2014 and 2015, which set out the terms for a ceasefire between Kyiv and the Moscow-armed rebel groups and the conditions for elections in Donetsk and Luhansk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the time of the sixth meeting in December 2019, the only time Zelenkyy and Putin have met in person, some still hoped that the Minsk accords could form a framework for peace. Under discussion Zelenskyy was only a few months into his presidency. He arrived in Paris with fresh energy and a desire to find peace. His electoral campaign had centered on the promise of putting an end to the unrest in Donbas, which had been rumbling on for years. The increasing role of Russia in the conflict, through supporting rebels financially and with volunteer Russian soldiers, had complicated and escalated fighting, and many Ukrainians were weary of the impact of internally displaced people that it caused. By all accounts, Zelenskyy went into Paris believing that he could make a deal with Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to return with concrete results, Zelenskyy said just days before meeting Putin. By then, the Ukrainian presidents only contact with Putin had been over the phone. I want to see the person and I want to bring from Normandy understanding and feeling that everybody really wants gradually to finish this tragic war, Zelenskyy said, adding, I can feel it for sure only at the table. One of Putins main concerns going into the talks was the lifting of Western sanctions imposed in response to the annexation of Crimea. But the Russian president also wanted to keep Russias smaller neighbor under its influence. Ukraine gained independence after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. But in the early years of the new century, Russia began to exert increasing influence over the politics of its neighbor. This ended in 2014, when a popular revolution ousted pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and ushered in a pro-Western government. More than anything, Russia wanted to arrest this shift and keep Ukraine out of the European Union and NATO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those desires Ukraines to end the war in Donbas, and Russias to curb the Wests involvement in Ukraine formed the parameters for the Normandy talks. And for some time, there appeared to be momentum to find compromise. French President Emmanuel Macron said that the 2019 Paris talks had broken years of stalemate and relaunched the peace process. Putins assessment was that the peace process was developing in the right direction. Zelenskyys view was a little less enthusisastic: Lets say for now its a draw. Talking past each other Yet the Putin-Zelenskyy meeting in 2019 ultimately ended in failure. In retrospect, both sides were talking past each other and could not reach agreement on the sequencing of key parts of the peace plan. Zelenskyy wanted the security provisions of the Minsk accords, including a lasting ceasefire and the securing of Ukraines border with Russia, in place before proceeding with regional elections on devolving autonomy to the regions. Putin was adamant that the elections come first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The success of the Normandy talks were also hindered by Putins refusal to acknowledge that Russia was a party to the conflict. Rather, he framed the Donbas conflict as a civil war between the Ukrainian government and the rebels. Russias role was simply to push the rebels to the negotiating table in this take a view that was greeted with skepticism by Ukraine and the West. As a result, the Normandy talks stalled. And then in February 2022, Russian launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Way forward today? The nascent negotiations between Ukraine and Russia that began in Istanbul in May 2025 represent the first real attempt to bring high-level delegations of both sides together since 2019. Many of the same challenges remain. The talks still revolve around the issues of security, the status of Donetsk and Luhansk, and prisoner exchanges that last point being the only one in which common ground appears to be found, both in 2019 and now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there are major differences not least, three years of actual direct war. Russia can no longer deny that it is a party of the conflict, even if Moscow frames the war as a special military operation to denazify and demilitarize Ukraine. And three years of war have changed how the questions of Crimea and the Donbas are framed. In the Normandy talks, there was no talk of recognizing Russian control over any Ukrainian territory. But recent U.S. efforts to negotiate peace have included a de-jure U.S. recognition of Russian control in Crimea, plus de-facto recognition of Russias occupation of nearly all of Luhansk oblast and the occupied portions of Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Another major difference between the negotiation process then and now is who is mediating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Normandy negotiations were led by European leaders German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Macron of France. Throughout the whole Normandy talks process, only Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia were involved as active participants. Today, it is the United States taking the lead. And this suits Putin. A constant issue for Putin of the Normandy talks was that Germany and France were never neutral mediators. In President Donald Trump, Putin has found a U.S. leader who, at least at first, appeared eager to take on the mantle from Europe. But like the Europeans involved in the Normandy talks, Trump too is encountering similar barriers to any meaningful progress. Members of Ukrainian and Russian delegations attend peace talks on June 2, 2025, in Istanbul. Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs via Getty Images The Istanbul negotiations on May 16, 2025, were less productive than many people hoped. A proposed 30-day ceasefire agreement didnt come to fruition; instead the parties agreed on a prisoner-exchange deal. Follow-up talks on June 2 ended after barely an hour, according to Turkish officials. Again, one point agreed on was a prisoner swap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Paris peace talks, too, led to a prisoner exchange but little more. It appears that getting the leaders of Ukraine and Russia to agree on anything more ambitious is as elusive now as it was when Putin and Zelenskyy met in 2019. 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: Anna Batta, Air University Read more: The views expressed in this article represent the personal views of the author and are not necessarily the views of the Department of Defense or of the Department of the Air Force. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) Tennessee will soon celebrate a day of free fishing for residents and visitors alike. For children ages 15 or younger, the festivities will continue for even longer. The 2025 Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day will take place on Saturday, June 7. All residents and visitors can fish for free without a license in Tennessees public waters. Children aged 15 or younger will be able to continue free fishing for the entire week through Friday, June 13. Pigeon River in East TN stocked with 10,000 walleye after Hurricane Helene concerns Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, partner organizations, and communities across the state will hold special events to celebrate the day and encourage youth participation in fishing. Loudon will hold a fishing tournament at Riverside Park with prizes on offer for anglers of all ages. Free Fishing Day events for children will be held in Lenoir City and Clinton. Click here for a full list of locations and details. Free Fishing Day applies to all public waters, TWRA owned and operated lakes, and state park facilities. Little River Road, the Spur to temporarily closed in June for maintenance The event was renamed in honor of longtime TWRA employee Bobby Wilson in 2023. He retired in 2022 after more than 40 years of service. Wilson served in the Fisheries Division for 35 years, before being named TWRA Deputy Director in 2015 and Executive Director in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Poland's Zakady Automatyki Polna S. A., a manufacturer specializing in automatic control systems and thermal engineering, aims to broaden its activities in Azerbaijan, the companys project manager, Wojciech Basza, told Trend. In his statement on the sidelines of the 30th anniversary of Baku Energy Week, Basza started by outlining the companys core areas of expertise. We offer a wide range of products in the fields of automatic control and thermal engineering, including centralized lubrication equipment and laboratory apparatus. The company is particularly specialized in the design and production of control valves, multi-spring diaphragm pneumatic actuators, steam coolers, needle valves, regulators, and centralized lubrication systems, as well as distillation and redistillation equipment, he said. With over 100 years of manufacturing experience, the company supplies products to sectors including oil and gas, power generation, petrochemicals, chemical production, and the nuclear industry. We supply our products almost all over the world. Our core markets are, of course, Europe and the domestic Polish market. We supply the largest oil and gas company in Poland, the Orlen Group. We also cooperate with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and are listed as a supplier in the United Arab Emirates. In addition, we are working with partners in South America and exporting our products to Uzbekistan. We are here in Baku to explore the Azerbaijani market and to take part in gas and energy projects. Azerbaijan is a target for us. We aim to expand our operations in the country, Basza added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Flies hovered over the blackened and swollen bodies of men and boys, lying side-by-side on a piece of tarpaulin, in blood-soaked combat fatigues, amid preparations for a rushed cremation in the Tamu district of Myanmars Sagaing region, bordering India. Quickly arranged wooden logs formed the base of the mass pyre, with several worn-out rubber tyres burning alongside to sustain the fire, the orange and green wreaths just out of reach of the flames. Among the 10 members of the Pa Ka Pha (PKP), part of the larger Peoples Defence Forces (PDF), killed by the Indian Army on May 14, three were teenagers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PKP comes under the command of the National Unity Government (NUG), Myanmars government-in-exile, comprising lawmakers removed in the 2021 coup, including legislators from Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy party. It mostly assists the PDF a network of civilian militia groups against the military government which serves, in effect, as the NUGs army. The Indian Army said that on May 14, a battalion of the countrys Assam Rifles (AR) paramilitary force patrolling a border post in the northeast Indian state of Manipur, killed 10 men armed with war-like stores who were suspected to be involved in cross-border insurgent activities. The battalion, the Indian Army said, was acting on specific intelligence. The Indian soldiers were stationed at the border in Chandel, a district contiguous with Tamu on the Myanmar side of the frontier. Manipur has been torn by a civil war between ethnic groups for the past two years, and Indian authorities have often accused migrants from Myanmar of stoking those tensions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, disputing the Indian version of the May 14 events, the exiled NUG said its cadres were not killed in an armed encounter within Indian territory. Instead, it said in a statement, they were captured, tortured and summarily executed by Indian Army personnel. For nearly five years since the coup, political analysts and conflict observers say that resistance groups operating in Myanmar, along the 1,600km-long (994 miles) border with India, have shared an understanding with Indian forces, under which both sides effectively minded their own business. That has now changed with the killings in Tamu, sending shockwaves through the exiled NUG, dozens of rebel armed groups and thousands of refugees who fled the war in Myanmar to find shelter in northeastern Indian states. They now fear a spillover along the wider frontier. Fighters are in panic, but the refugees are more worried they all feel unsafe now, said Thida*, who works with the Tamu Pa Ah Pha, or the Peoples Administration Team, and organised the rebels funeral on May 16. She requested to be identified by a pseudonym. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, New Delhi has moved over the past year to fence the international border with Myanmar, dividing transnational ethnic communities who have enjoyed open-border movement for generations, before India and Myanmar gained freedom from British rule in the late 1940s. We felt safe [with India in our neighbourhood], said Thida. But after this incident, we have become very worried, you know, that similar things may follow up from the Indian forces. This never happened in four years [since the armed uprising against the coup], but now, it has happened, she told Al Jazeera. So, once there is a first time, there could be a second or a third time, too. That is the biggest worry. A document that the officials in Tamu, Myanmar, said that Indian security forces gave to them to sign, in order to be get back the bodies [Photo courtesy the National Unity Government of Myanmar] Proactive operation or retaliation? On May 12, the 10 cadres of the PKP arrived at their newly established camp in Tamu after their earlier position was exposed to the Myanmar military. A senior NUG official and two locals based in Tamu independently told Al Jazeera that they had alerted the Indian Army of their presence in advance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AR personnel visited the new campsite [on May 12], claimed Thida. They were informed of our every step. What followed over the next four days could not be verified independently, with conflicting versions emerging from Indian officials and the NUG. There are also contradictions in the narratives put out by Indian officials. On May 14, the Indian Armys eastern command claimed that its troops acted on intelligence, but were fired upon by suspected cadres, and killed 10 cadres in a gunfight in the New Samtal area of the Chandel district. Two days later, on May 16, a spokesperson for Indias Ministry of Defence said that a patrol of Assam Rifles was fired upon. In retaliation, they killed 10 individuals, wearing camouflage fatigues, and recovered seven AK-47 rifles as well as a rocket-propelled grenade launcher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five days later, on May 21, the Defence Ministry identified the killed men as cadres of the PKP. The ministry spokesperson further noted that a patrol out to sanitise the area, where fence construction is under way along the [border], came under intense automatic fire, with the intent to cause severe harm to construction workers or troops of Assam Rifles to deter the fencing work. Speaking with Al Jazeera, a retired Indian government official, who has advised New Delhi on its Myanmar policy for a decade, pointed out the dissonance in the Indian versions: Did Indian soldiers respond proactively to intelligence alerts, or were they reacting to an attack from the rebels from Myanmar? It is difficult to make sense of these killings. This is something that has happened against the run of play, the retired official, who requested anonymity to speak, said. The contradictions, he said, suggested that a mistake happened, perhaps in the fog of war. It cannot be both a proactive operation and retaliation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al Jazeera requested comments from the Indian Army on questions around the operation, first on May 26, and then again on May 30, but has yet to receive a response. Thura, an officer with the PDF in Sagaing, the northwest Myanmar region where Tamu is too, said, The [PKP cadres] are not combat trained, or even armed enough to imagine taking on a professional army. A photo of one of the rebel fighters killed by Indian security forces [Courtesy of the National Unity Government of Myanmar] Taking advantage of our war When they were informed by the Indian Army of the deaths on May 16, local Tamu authorities rushed to the Indian side. Assam Rifles had already prepared a docket of documents, said a Tamu official, who was coordinating the bodies handover, and requested anonymity. We were forced to sign the false documents, or they threatened not to give the corpses of martyrs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al Jazeera has reviewed three documents from the docket, which imply consent to the border fencing and underline that the PDF cadres were killed in a gunfight in Indian territory. Thida, from the Tamus Peoples Administration Team, and NUG officials, told Al Jazeera that they have repeatedly asked Indian officials to reconsider the border fencing. For the last month, we have been requesting the Indian Army to speak with our ministry [referring to the exiled NUG] and have a meeting. Until then, stop the border fencing process, she said. Bewildered by the killings, Thida said, It is easy to take advantage while our country is in such a crisis. And, to be honest, we cannot do anything about it. We are the rebels in our own country how can we pick fights with the large Indian Army? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Above all, Thida said she was heartbroken. The state of corpses was horrific. Insects were growing inside the body, she recalled. If nothing, Indian forces should have respect for our dead. Refugees from Myanmar who fled the country after the military takeover eat a meal inside a house at Farkawn village near the India-Myanmar border, in the northeastern state of Mizoram, India, November 21, 2021. Experts and community members say the border killings have added to the anxiety of the thousands of undocumented Myanmar refugees who have made India their home [FILE: Rupak De Chowdhuri/ Reuters] Border fencing anxieties Angshuman Choudhury, a researcher focused on Myanmar and northeast India, said that conflict observers are befuddled by these killings in Tamu. It is counterintuitive and should not have happened by any measure, he said. The main point of dispute, the border fencing, is an age-old issue, noted Choudhary. It has always caused friction along the border. And very violent fiction in the sense of intense territorial misunderstandings from groups on either side, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When New Delhi first moved last year to end the free movement regime, which allows cross-border movement to inhabitants, Indigenous communities across Indias northeastern states of Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh were left stunned. Members of these communities live on both sides of the border with Myanmar and have for centuries. Political analysts and academics note that the border communities on either side reconciled with the idea of India and Myanmar because of the freedom to travel back and forth. Erecting physical infrastructure triggers a kind of anxiety in these transnational communities that demarcation on maps does not, argued Choudhary. By fencing, India is creating a completely new form of anxieties that did not even exist in the 1940s, the immediate post-colonial period, Choudhary said. It is going to create absolutely unnecessary forms of instability, ugliness, and widen the existing fault lines. Last year, the Indian home minister, Amit Shah, said that border fencing would ensure Indias internal security and maintain the demographic structure of the regions bordering Myanmar, in a move widely seen as a response to the conflict in Manipur. Since May 2023, ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei majority and the Kuki and Naga minority communities has killed more than 250 people and displaced thousands. The state administration has faced allegations of exacerbating the unrest to strengthen its support among the Meitei population, which the government has denied. Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government and the Manipur state government, also under the BJP, have blamed the crisis in Manipur in part on undocumented migrants from Myanmar, whom they accuse of deepening ethnic tensions. Now, with the killings in Tamu, Choudhary said that Indian security forces had a new frontier of discontent, along a border where numerous armed groups opposed to Myanmars ruling military have operated until now, in relative peace with Indian troops. The deaths, he said, could change the rules of engagement between Indian forces and those groups. Remember, other rebel groups [in Myanmar] are also watching this closely, he said. These issues can spiral quickly. Mount Etna, one of the worlds most active volcanoes, has erupted on the Italian island of Sicily. Reports have described tourists visiting the landmark as fleeing for their lives as black smoke billows from the crater. Volcanic tremors were felt in the vicinity of Mount Etna, which is situated on the east of the island, at around 10pm last night. These continued until around 1am, when they were reportedly at their strongest. Italys National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology said that the strombolian explosions (eruptions of magma) were growing in intensity and almost continuous, with thin ash reportedly falling in the Piano Vetore area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency said from a seismic point of view, the values of the tremor amplitude are currently high with a tendency to increase further. According to the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Toulouse, the cloud plume has reached a height of around 6,400 metres. The centres work focusses on monitoring the risk to aviation, in an attempt to mitigate the effects of such events on flight paths. The news will be troubling for those in the area. It may, also, impact those who have holidays planned to the area. Here is everything we know so far. When was the last Mount Etna eruption? Is it safe to visit Sicily while Mount Etna is erupting? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Will flights be affected by the Mount Etna eruption? What happens if my flight is cancelled? What happens if I have booked a package holiday through a tour operator? When was the last Mount Etna eruption? Mount Etna erupted in February of this year, sending a plume of ash and lava from the volcanos south-east crater, called Bocca Nuova (or new mouth). Etna erupts regularly, with most causing little disruption to the nearby towns and villages. Historically, however, there have been more powerful seismic events. In 2002-2003, a much larger eruption caused a column of ash that could be seen from space. A seismic event in 1971 buried the Etna Observatory created to monitor the volcano in lava, while an eruption in 1928 led to the destruction of the village of Mascali, which was situated on the slope of the volcano. Is it safe to visit Sicily while Mount Etna is erupting? It is generally safe to visit Sicily while Mount Etna is erupting. Its regularity means that local authorities are well-prepared to deal with the impact of ash clouds and lava flow, although the situation should be monitored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some tourists even flock to the volcano specifically to see the eruptions, although this is not advised by experts. Alongside the risk from ash and lava, volcanoes can release odourless, invisible toxic gases. In the short term, that can cause issues like nausea, and could cause respiratory diseases after long exposure, according to the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network. Credit: @GlobalReportX Will flights be affected by the Mount Etna eruption? It is too early to say at this stage what the impact will be on flights. Although the eruption in February was not notably disruptive, flights from Catania Airport were intermittently delayed over the following days due to low visibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are due to travel to or from Sicily, and Catania in particular, it is worth monitoring your airlines website for further details. What happens if my flight is cancelled? If your flight to or from a UK or EU airport (or with a UK/EU airline) is cancelled outright, whatever the reason, your airline must offer you either a full refund or a seat on the soonest available alternative flight, even if it is with a rival carrier. Contact your airline directly if you do wish to claim a refund, but beware that in doing so you will waive your right to being placed on another flight. If you opt for an alternative flight, it is your choice as to whether you take the next available flight, or travel at a later date. If you decide to travel at a later date, you may be able to claim compensation on reasonable expenses, such as overnight accommodation and the cost of phone calls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are flown to a different airport, the airline must also cover the cost of onward travel, though you should keep expenditure to a minimum (by taking the train from Heathrow to Gatwick, for example, rather than a taxi). What happens if my flight is cancelled and I have booked a package holiday through a tour operator? If you have booked a package holiday through an ATOL-protected tour operator and your flight has been cancelled, then you will either be placed on the next reasonable available flight (potentially from a different airport) or offered a full refund or rebooking option. Find out more about your rights via our flight cancellation guide. 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. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) The Salvation Army is offering time-limited eviction prevention assistance to eligible residents in western Kentucky. The Salvation Army says assistance will be available June 16, 17 and 18, and appointments must be made in advance by calling 270-885-9633. This support is aimed at residents who are currently behind on rent and have either received a landlord notice or a court-ordered eviction notice. In terms of the Eyewitness News coverage area, the program is available to individuals and families residing in Hopkins or Muhlenberg counties in Kentucky. 1 dead and several injured when storm rips through Kentucky community, authorities say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is about keeping people in their homes, said Lt. David Donegan of The Salvation Army in Hopkinsville. We understand that one missed paycheck or unexpected bill can set someone back. Our goal is to help stabilize families during this critical moment and prevent homelessness before it starts. Officials say in addition to tenants, landlords who are aware of tenants in need of rental assistance are strongly encouraged to call. $8 million PFAS water project moves forward in Morganfield If youre a landlord with tenants who are behind on rent, we urge you to contact us, said Lt. Donegan. You may be the connection your tenant needs to get the help that keeps them housed and your property stable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Salvation Army says residents and landlords must act quickly to take advantage of this limited opportunity. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling 270-885-9633. The Salvation Army team is also available to answer questions about eligibility and documentation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). CONNECTICUT (WTNH) A former East Hartford resident was charged by a federal criminal complaint with child exploitation offenses Monday. Nicholas Burnham, 33, was charged with receipt and distribution of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in prison and a maximum term of 40 years in prison; and with possession of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison and a maximum term of 20 years in prison. Ledyard man charged with possession of child pornography Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The penalties in this matter are enhanced because of Burnhams prior state convictions. According to evidence an testimony, Burnham was convicted in state court for second-degree possession of child pornography in 2016. Then in 2018, he was convicted of first-degree possession of child pornography, which terminated his probation. In 2023 Burnham began serving a term of special parole. On Dec. 17, 2024, Burnhams parole officers and the Connecticut State Police, believing Burnham had been using an unauthorized electronic device, searched his residence and seized three cellphones. Preliminary forensic analysis of the devices allegedly revealed more than 2,000 images and videos depicting child sex abuse. Burnham allegedly used encrypted messaging applications, including Telegram, to trade child sex abuse material with others. He also allegedly accessed numerous webpages to view and download child sex abuse material. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burnham has been detained in state custody since Dec. 17, 2024. He made his initial appearance in Hartford federal court on May 30. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) -The Trump administration wants countries to provide their best offer on trade negotiations by Wednesday as officials seek to accelerate talks with multiple partners ahead of a self-imposed deadline in just five weeks, according to a draft letter to negotiating partners seen by Reuters. The draft, from the office of the United States Trade Representative, provides a window into how President Donald Trump plans to bring to a close unwieldy negotiations with dozens of countries that kicked off on April 9 when he paused his "Liberation Day" tariffs for 90 days until July 8 after stock, bond and currency markets revolted over the sweeping nature of the levies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The document suggests an urgency within the administration to complete deals against its own tight deadline. While officials such as White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett have repeatedly promised that several agreements were nearing completion, so far only one agreement has been reached with a major U.S. trading partner: Britain. Even that limited pact was more akin to a framework for ongoing talks than a final deal. In the draft, the U.S. is asking countries to list their best proposals in a number of key areas, including tariff and quota offers for purchase of U.S. industrial and agricultural products and plans to remedy any non-tariff barriers. Other requested items include any commitments on digital trade and economic security, along with country-specific commitments, according to the letter. The U.S. will evaluate the responses within days and offer "a possible landing zone" that could include a reciprocal tariff rate, according to the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was unclear which countries would receive the letter, but it was directed at those with active negotiations that included meetings and exchanges of documents. Washington has been engaged in such talks with the European Union, Japan, Vietnam and India, among others. A USTR official said trade talks were ongoing. Productive negotiations with many key trading partners continue at a rapid pace. It is in all parties interest to take stock of progress and assess any next steps. 'REGARDLESS OF ONGOING LITIGATION' Tiffany Smith, vice president of global trade policy at the National Foreign Trade Council, welcomed the USTR moves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are encouraged that USTR is moving negotiations ahead as quickly as they can," she told Reuters, adding that trade deals that removed barriers for U.S. companies abroad and lowered U.S. tariffs would be "a win-win if they are done in a way that returns predictability and stability to trade relationships." Trump's ambitious - and often frenetic - tariff policy is a pillar of his "America First" economic agenda as he seeks to reshape U.S. trade relationships, reduce trade deficits and protect American industries. Republican lawmakers are also banking on tariffs to add to federal revenue and offset the cost of the tax cut legislation now working its way through Congress. Trump's tariff policies have taken investors on a rollercoaster ride. In May, U.S. stocks held their biggest rally of any month since November 2023, but that was after global indexes had cratered under the barrage of Trump's tariff announcements through February, March and early April. Stocks were little changed on Monday afternoon after Trump announced a surprise doubling of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports on Friday at an event in Pittsburgh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the legality of the approach used for imposing the most sweeping of his tariffs has been cast into doubt. Last Wednesday, the Court of International Trade ruled that Trump had overstepped his authority with tariffs devised under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, including the "Liberation Day" levies and earlier ones imposed on goods from Canada, Mexico and China related to Trump's accusations that the three countries have facilitated the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. Less than 24 hours later, an appeals court temporarily paused that decision. The tariffs at the center of the legal dispute are expected to remain in effect as the case plays out. The draft letter to trading partners warns them not to believe the tariffs will be sidelined if the court rules against Trump's use of the IEEPA. "Regardless of ongoing litigation concerning the Presidents reciprocal tariff action in U.S. courts, the President intends to continue this tariff program pursuant to other robust legal authorities if necessary, so it is important that we continue our discussions on these matters," the draft says. (Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw in Philadelphia; Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal in WashingtonEditing by Dan Burns and Matthew Lewis) Walt Disney World in Orland, Florida is the most visited theme park on the planet, as millions of fans travel to the "Happiest Place on Earth" each year to enjoy all the venue has to offer. The trip is usually a highlight for children and fans of Disney's films and shows, as they get to see their favorite characters and scenes up close. Disney sends park goers home with a smile every day, but one guest is suing the park after they say negligence led to injuries during the operation of a ride. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eugene Strickland filed a lawsuit against the park in Orange County last week, claiming that he suffered "catastrophic injuries" during a 2021 visit. Strickland says he visited Disney World in late July of that year, and chose to ride the Downhill Double Dipper water slide at Blizzard Beach. After using an inner tube on the ride, Strickland says he became momentarily airborne as a result of the rides exhilarating speeds and design." The lawsuit says that Strickland was separated from the inner tube as he went airborne, hitting the slide's hard plastic surface and causing "permanent catastrophic injuries." The ride's posted weight limit is 300 pounds, but Strickland weighed 334 pounds at the time of his alleged injuries. The lawsuit does not state whether Strickland was aware of the weight limit before riding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit alleges that Strickland's injuries are the result of a "defective" inner tube, and that Disney World operated the ride "knowing that they could forcefully dislodged from under the patrons relying on them." Strickland, who is seeking more than $50,000 in damages, suffered "scarring and disfigurement" as a result of his alleged injuries. He believes Disney was aware of the dangers posed by the ride, and that the "dangerous condition" of the water slide is to blame for his injuries. These injuries are permanent and continuing within a degree of medical probability, and Plaintiff will suffer these losses in the future, his lawyers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents obtained by People, the case is set for a jury trial in May of 2027, nearly six years after Strickland says he suffered the injuries. Exhilarating Speeds of Disney World Ride Cited in Lawsuit first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 2, 2025 Deputies in South Florida are investigating the disturbing death of a 6-year-old boy. The boys mother, Rhonda Palynice, is facing a second-degree murder charge. Investigators in St. Lucie County said Palynice claimed she was told by God to exorcise demons out of her sons body. Deputies went to the familys home after the school reported him absent for more than two weeks. Thats when they found his body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the child had stopped moving and basically passed away at that point, she felt the child had been released of those demons and was waiting for him to basically come back, said St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro. The sheriff said he believes that child has been dead since May 18, which is the last day the mother said she spoke to her son. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The National Hurricane Center was monitoring a tropical wave in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean almost two weeks before the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season. It never became organized enough to worry about, but despite a quiet May, indications are that this could be an active hurricane season. What's happening? There were no named storms in the Northern Hemisphere through the middle of May this year. Over the past 75 Atlantic hurricane seasons, there have only been five other years that did not produce a named storm through May 15. That doesn't mean we can let our guard down, as most forecasters are predicting an active hurricane season for 2025. Hurricane season officially begins on June 1 and ends on November 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forecasting above-average hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year. There is a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and only a 10% chance of a below-normal season, according to the NOAA. Colorado State University has issued a similar forecast, calling for 17 named storms compared to the average of 14.4 during the period from 1991 to 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A National Hurricane Center (NHC) tropical weather outlook noted the wave that developed in the middle of May. The product is posted on the NHC's website to help identify and monitor potential systems that could intensify. "The tropical weather outlook provides forecasts on areas of disturbed weather that could develop into tropical cyclones," said Larry Kelly, a hurricane specialist with the NHC, per the News-Press. "It highlights the location, movement, and development potential of these systems over the next two to seven days. This information is important for early preparation and awareness during hurricane season so you can be prepared for the hazards that systems can bring, including storm surge, flooding, strong winds, tornadoes, and hazardous marine and beach conditions." Why is the 2025 hurricane season important? Any hurricanes that develop this season have the potential to be supercharged by our overheating planet. Hurricane Helene, the most deadly hurricane to strike the United States since Katrina in 2005, got an energy boost from superheated oceans last year. The unusually warm seas that spawned this historic hurricane were 200 times more likely because of our warming world. Melting glaciers and ice sheets are raising sea levels. Rising sea levels have compelled coastal communities to restore sand dunes and beaches as a natural defense against storm surges. Higher seas mean more destructive storms as storm surges penetrate farther inland along coastlines. What's being done about supercharged storms? Heat-trapping gases are warming our planet's oceans and atmosphere. Rising global temperatures are like steroids for our world's weather. Switching to clean, renewable energy sources can counteract this effect and cool our planet by curbing carbon pollution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The electric vehicle sector promises improved technology that will make EVs more desirable by making them safer and extending their range. A San Jose startup says the battery technology it has developed can power an EV for up to 500 miles. Learning about critical climate issues and discussing them with your family and friends can help draw attention to the problems our planet is facing. Supporting policymakers who are addressing these problems and fighting for the future of our planet could be one of the most important actions we can take. 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. Relations between Berlin and Warsaw could suffer after conservative Karol Nawrocki won Poland's presidential election, German foreign policy experts warned on Monday. Lawmaker Paul Ziemiak said cooperation between Germany and Poland is "fundamentally important" for Europe. However, Ziemiak told the Deutschlandfunk radio station that the relationship could become strained after Nawrocki's victory in Sunday's election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It will not be easier with this new president, Karol Nawrocki," said Ziemiak, who leads the German-Polish parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament. During the election campaign, Nawrocki argued that Germany could never be trusted, Agniezka Lada-Konefal from the German Institute of Polish Affairs told dpa. Nawrocki, a conservative historian, pledged he would fight for World War II reparations from Germany, an issue that has long proved contentious between the two countries. As head of state, Nawrocki will not be able to initiate any concrete steps on reparations, but he can influence the atmosphere in bilateral relations with his rhetoric, said Lada-Konefal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Furthermore, she said the result will likely make life difficult for Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who could struggle to pass his reform agenda due to Nawrocki's veto power. Tusk is seen as close to Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with the pair having already held several meetings since the latter took office last month. Lada-Konefal said Tusk will have to "avoid any positive movements in the direction of Germany" ahead of parliamentary elections in 2027. "Major German-Polish initiatives are therefore not to be expected," she argued. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. The Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan signed a number of agreements as part of the 30th anniversary Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition, Trend reports. An agreement was signed between the Ministry and Enerso Jabrail LLC for the lease of land for the implementation of the 50 MW Shams solar power plant project in Azerbaijan. In addition, a land lease agreement was signed with Universal Solar Azerbaijan for the construction of the 100 MW Gobustan solar power plant in Azerbaijan. The Ministry of Energy also signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement in the energy sector with China Energy Engineering Group Co., Ltd.. Contracts were also concluded with the Norm OJSC for the construction of solar power plants in the Jabrayil region. The ministry and Maire Tecnimont S.p.A. signed a protocol to amend and extend the existing Memorandum of Understanding on energy transition cooperation. Shareholders of Shafag (Jebrayil) Solar Limited (SJSL)a joint venture between bp, SOCAR Green, and the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund (ABDF)announced their final investment decision on the Shafag solar power plant. This marks the official green light for construction of a 240 megawatt alternating current solar plant in Azerbaijans Jabrayil district. Meanwhile, the investors of the Sangachal Terminalincluding bp, SOCAR, Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), LUKOIL, Southern Gas Corridor, NICO, MOL, INPEX, ExxonMobil, ITOCHU, ONGC Videsh, Eni, MVM, and TotalEnergiesapproved the Sangachal Terminal Electrification Project (STEL). This initiative will connect the terminal to Azerbaijans national electric grid, operated by Azerenergy OJSC. New infrastructure, including a 220/110 kilovolt substation, will be constructed both within and beyond the terminals premises. 14:01 The Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan signed a number of agreements as part of the 30th anniversary Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition. An agreement was signed between the Ministry and Enerso Jabrail LLC for the lease of land for the implementation of the 50 MW Shams solar power plant project in Azerbaijan. In addition, a land lease agreement was signed with Universal Solar Azerbaijan for the construction of the 100 MW Gobustan solar power plant in Azerbaijan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASUNCION, Paraguay, June 2 (UPI) -- Regional officials, diplomats and analysts warned of China's growing influence in Latin America and urged Paraguay to safeguard its democratic sovereignty as it considers potential economic agreements with Beijing. Since 2020, China has become South America's top trading partner, actively promoting investment and cooperation agreements that expand its influence in the region. This comes as policies by the Trump administration -- such as tariff hikes, mass deportations and threats to reclaim control of the Panama Canal -- have compromised the United States' historic dominance in Latin America. At an international forum in Asuncion titled "Paraguay and New Economic Opportunities: The Role of Sovereignty in the Face of China," speakers from several countries warned of the political and economic risks of closer ties with China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event last week was organized by the Instituto de Desarrollo del Pensamiento Patria Sonada, a Paraguayan think tank focused on governance and development. Panamanian international law expert Alonso Illueca emphasized the importance of Latin American countries maintaining foreign policy principles rooted in transparency, human rights and democratic institutions. Trade experts expressed concern at a forum last week about Paraguay considering signing trade agreements with China. Photo by Jessica Lee/EPA-EFE "We cannot negotiate away our freedoms or democracy," Illueca said. He warned that China is advancing an "alternative regional order" that rejects traditional standards of democratic governance promoted by organizations like the Organization of American States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "China promotes a system more tolerant of authoritarian practices and opaque agreements," Illueca said, adding that Beijing uses tools like U.N. Resolution 2758 to diplomatically isolate Taiwan. "Its goal is to weaken Taiwan's presence in the region, and Paraguay is one of its priorities." Resolution 2758, which was adopted in 1971, recognizes the People's Republic of China as "the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations" and expelled the representatives from Taiwan from the world body. Paraguayan economist Jorge Garicoche said the country should not bow to foreign pressure or align its trade policy with external geopolitical agendas. Paraguay should use its unique position in the region to negotiate from a place of institutional strength, Garicoche said. "Trade alliances should be a lever for sustainable development, not mechanisms of dependency." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jose Altamirano, director of the institute, said "Paraguay has the ability to shape its international role without abandoning its principles. That is the foundation for real development." He said the forum in Asuncion sought to create a pluralistic space to discuss the need for a foreign policy aligned with the country's democratic values. Bolivian Sen. Centa Rek shared her country's experience signing agreements with Chinese firms, which she described as harmful and lacking in transparency. She cited a road project in Yamparaez, Sucre, as an example of poor-quality infrastructure built by a Chinese contractor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We need to ensure our neighbors don't repeat our mistakes," Rek said. In Peru, the coastal city of Marcona has seen a surge in Chinese investment. Retired Adm. Carlos Gamarra, a Peruvian expert on defense and geopolitics, pointed to the area as a cautionary tale of weakened state control over foreign ventures. "Local communities can't build housing or public infrastructure because large parts of the land are owned by Chinese companies," Gamarra said. He called for stricter environmental regulations, greater oversight and clearer rules to safeguard national autonomy. Paraguay is one of the few South American countries that maintains full diplomatic relations with Taiwan -- a position that experts say gives it strategic leverage that should it should not give up lightly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Paraguay must use its sovereignty to build strategic partnerships beyond China," said Gustavo Nakamura, director of the Center for Public Policy Innovation in Peru, during the event that also featured Taiwan's ambassador to Paraguay, Jose Chih-Cheng Han, and former Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno. "Paraguay shouldn't let economic temptation override its core values," said Argentine political scientist Marcos Falcone of Fundacion Libertad. "There's a difference between trading and surrendering." As geopolitical competition intensifies in Latin America, panelists concluded that the real choice is not just between markets, but between models of governance -- and Paraguay, they said, has the opportunity to set an example. The IDF has introduced a new tactic involving old armored personnel carriers (APCs) loaded with tons of explosives and operated remotely. An unusual number of explosions were heard in the Gaza Strip on Monday after the IDF detonated a large amount of infrastructure in the enclave. The sound of the explosions was heard throughout the Negev as well as in the central region and Jerusalem. Residents in central Israel reported that their house windows were shaking from the force of the explosions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, a new IDF tactic employed during Operation Gideon's Chariots could explain why residents of Israel are hearing explosions from multiple kilometers away. IDF forces operating in the Gaza Strip. Operation ''Gideon's Chariots'' (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT) IDF tactics during Operation Gideon's Chariots The IDF recently introduced a new tactic involving old armored personnel carriers (APCs) loaded with tons of explosives and operated remotely. These vehicles, known internally as suicide APCs, are sent toward designated targets and detonated in a controlled manner to minimize risk to soldiers. According to security sources, each APC carries several tons of explosives. The resulting blasts produce shockwaves that can be heard over large distances, including throughout central Israel. This method was adopted following the loss of an APC from the Golani Brigade during fighting in Shejaia, a neighborhood in Gaza City. Since then, the tactic has become a standard procedure to clear routes, demolish buildings, and destroy enemy infrastructure without exposing troops to direct danger. The IDF began its renewed operations in Gaza on May 17 in order to clear Hamas out of Gaza and return the hostages. Claim: In late May 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump re-shared a social media post claiming former U.S. President Joe Biden was executed in 2020 and replaced by clones, doubles, and robotic entities. Rating: Rating: True Context: Trump did not write the claim himself. He reposted it from another Truth Social user without comment. The post explicitly stated that Biden was "executed in 2020" and replaced by "clones doubles & robotic engineered soulless mindless entities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late May and early June 2025, a claim spread on social media that U.S. President Donald Trump re-shared a post claiming former U.S. President Joe Biden was executed in 2020 and replaced by clones. The rumor spread weeks after Biden publicly disclosed a diagnosis of Stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer and Trump wished him "a fast and successful recovery." For instance, the broadcast journalist, liberal political commentator and sportscaster Keith Olbermann wrote on May 31, 2025: Breaking: Well, we're finally here Trump has jumped the shark and just posted that Biden was "executed" and "cloned" in 2020 The 25th Amendment would seem to be mandatory Sunday shows: ask GOP guests if they think Biden was cloned and executed Breaking: Well, we're finally here Trump has jumped the shark and just posted that Biden was "executed" and "cloned" in 2020 The 25th Amendment would seem to be mandatory Sunday shows: ask GOP guests if they think Biden was cloned and executed pic.twitter.com/1pnxJEmmkz Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) June 1, 2025 Other users echoed similar reactions. One widely shared post stated, "Donald Trump, more detached from reality than ever, just shared an unhinged QAnon post saying former President Biden was executed in 2020 and replaced by clones." QAnon is a conspiracy movement based on interpreting cryptic messages from anonymous figures on internet forums. (You can learn more about QAnon here.) Snopes also received multiple reader inquiries about the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News outlets including The New York Times and NBC News also reported on Trump's alleged social media post. At the same time, some social media users expressed skepticism, questioning whether the post was authentic or if Trump had really re-shared it. However, Trump did in fact re-share (archived) a post (archived) from another Truth Social user that read: "There is no #JoeBiden - executed in 2020. #Biden clones doubles & robotic engineered soulless mindless entities are what you see. >#Democrats dont know the difference." Therefore, we have rated this claim as true. The claims that Biden was executed and replaced by body doubles, clones or robots, were entirely unfounded and not supported by any credible evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have reached out to Trump's representatives to inquire about whether Trump endorsed the claims that Biden was "executed in 2020" and replaced by "clones doubles & robotic engineered soulless mindless entities." We will update this report if we receive a response. On May 31, 2025, Donald Trump re-shared the in-question post on his official Truth Social account (@realDonaldTrump). That post, from another Truth Social user, claimed there was "no Joe Biden" as he was "executed in 2020." As of this writing, the original poster's account had more than 6,300 followers, up from around 2,750 on June 1, 2025. Trump did not add any comment to the repost. As of this writing, Trump's repost had over 14,800 shares and over 38,400 likes. (Truth Social user @realDonaldTrump) Below is a screenshot of the original post that Trump shared. (Truth Social user @llijh) The post Trump re-shared was itself a reply to another post (archived) reading, "Babylon Bee: Biden Family Worried They May Be Running Out Of Time To Exploit Joe Biden's Health." The post referenced an article shared on the website dinnertopics.wordpress.com and originally published on May 22, 2025, by The Babylon Bee, a conservative-leaning website known for its fictional news stories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Truth Social user @ChristineForAmericanHeritage) Trump's repost quickly fueled a wave of speculation and unfounded rumors suggesting that Biden was no longer alive. For example, one viral post falsely claimed that "Joe Biden was NEVER President" and "Actors with masks and AI played Joe." It ended with the line, "Now do Hillary, and many, many more." Like many of us have been saying, Joe Biden was NEVER President. Actors with masks and AI played Joe. Trump told us over and over Joes shot, and Joe doesnt even know hes alive. Now Trump Re-Truths: There is no Joe Biden - executed in 2020 Now do Hillary, and many, many pic.twitter.com/eJDrKzzMck RealAF Patriot (@RealAF_Patriot) June 1, 2025 A screenshot of Trump's repost also circulated alongside theories about the presidential autopen, a mechanical device used to sign documents on a president's behalf. Some users cited its use as supposed "proof" that Biden was not acting independently or was no longer alive. We thoroughly addressed the claims about Biden's alleged use of autopen in a separate article. Sources: Deng, Grace. "Biden May Have Signed Documents with Autopen like Many Presidents before Him." Snopes, 13 Mar. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//news/2025/03/13/biden-autopen-signature-documents/. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keith Olbermann | Biography & Facts | Britannica. 16 Apr. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Keith-Olbermann. PerryCook, Taija. "Trump Suggested Biden Hid Cancer Diagnosis. Here's What We Know about the Timeline." Snopes, 22 May 2025, https://www.snopes.com//news/2025/05/22/trump-stage-9-cancer-biden/. "Trump Shares Unfounded Conspiracy Theory Claiming Biden Was 'executed' in 2020." NBC News, 1 June 2025, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-shares-unfounded-conspiracy-theory-claiming-biden-was-executed-2-rcna210244. WARSAW (Reuters) -Polish nationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki won the second round of the country's presidential election with 50.89% of the votes, the electoral commission said on Monday, in a blow to the reform agenda of the pro-European government. Prime Minister Donald Tusk swept to power in 2023 with a broad alliance of leftist and centrist parties, on a promise to undo changes made by the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) that the European Union said had undermined democracy and women's and minority rights. However, reforms have been slow, mainly because - the government contends - Poland's outgoing president, Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, has been vetoing bills. Nawrocki is expected to continue to block them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below are the key issues on which the new president and the government may collide. SOCIAL ISSUES Tusk won the 2023 parliamentary vote partly on promises to end a near-total ban on abortion introduced by the socially conservative PiS government. Tusk and the Left promised to allow abortion on demand until 12 weeks and restore the right to termination in case of foetal abnormalities, but the coalition was unable to agree on a bill. It also argued that Duda would veto any liberalisation. Nawrocki had said he would not sign any bill liberalising the right to abortion, even in the case of foetal abnormalities. He also opposes a bill on same sex partnerships proposed by the Left. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrocki campaigned on a promise to ensure that economic and social policies favour Poles over other nationalities, including refugees from neighbouring Ukraine. RULE OF LAW During its two terms in government from 2015 to 2023, PiS introduced judicial reforms which Brussels said undermined the rule of law and which critics blamed for chaos in the judiciary. The European Union's top court ruled that a new procedure for appointing judges did not guarantee their impartiality, opening the way for their rulings to be questioned. The Constitutional Tribunal issued rulings stating that Poland's constitution had primacy over EU law, undermining a key principle of the Union. Brussels took Poland to court over the ruling, and the current government does not recognise it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Tusk's efforts to roll back the changes have so far failed, blocked by Duda who keeps appointing judges under PiS rules. Nawrocki has signalled he supports PiS's changes, suggesting that the deadlock will continue. Duda also blocked the government's efforts to bring PiS politicians to justice, pardoning two members of the former government sentenced for abuse of power in their previous roles. Critics have said Nawrocki could come under pressure from PiS to pardon its politicians. DOMESTIC POLITICS Nawrocki's win may undermine Tusk's political project and could be a prelude to the return of PiS to power in 2027 or even earlier if the ruling centrist coalition crumbles and a snap election is held. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tusk had said he wants to renegotiate the coalition agreement and reshuffle his team after the presidential election to make it leaner and more efficient. Nawrocki will also get to nominate the new governor of the National Bank of Poland who leads the Monetary Policy Council (MPC) which decides on monetary policy, as well as other high-ranking officials. UKRAINE While Nawrocki supports giving military aid to help Ukraine fend off Russia's invasion, he is opposed to Kyiv joining Western alliances such as NATO. He also declared he would not agree to the deployment of Polish troops on Ukrainian territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrocki rejects suggestions that his stance is pro-Russian, while also saying that Poland has the right to raise sensitive issues with Kyiv such as exhumations of the remains of Polish victims killed by Ukrainian nationalists during World War Two. EU, U.S. Nawrocki vows to resist what he sees as efforts by Tusk and Trzaskowski to promote a European super-state, cede Polish national prerogatives to Brussels and undermine the country's security relationship with the United States. In a meeting with Slawomir Mentzen, the far-right candidate who was in third place in the first round of the election, he signed a declaration that he will not agree to any European treaties that would "weaken the position of Poland". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrocki prioritises closer security ties with the U.S., especially on defence. While his liberal opponent Rafal Trzaskowski played up his European credentials, Nawrocki met Donald Trump at the White House and received the U.S. president's backing for his bid for Poland's top job. (Reporting by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk and Marek Strzelecki; Editing by William Maclean) In early April, factory workers in Sri Lanka stepped away from their stations and protested after their employer in Weligama, Matara, backed out of paying their annual bonus. It sparked more than just outrage. For many, it was the last straw in a long pattern of mistreatment tied to the fast-fashion industry's push for profit over people. What's happening? According to the Daily Mirror Online, garment workers protested by blocking the factory entrance and placing the company's head under a form of house arrest after the workers failed to receive their annual bonus. The Mawrata News reported that management blamed the Trump administration's tariffs on Sri Lankan exports. On April 2, President Donald Trump had announced a 44% tariff on products from Sri Lanka. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Editor's note: The tariff has since been delayed until July and temporarily reduced to 10%. It was then struck down by the Court of International Trade and, most recently, resumed at least temporarily through a federal court appeal. The uncertainty remains that Sri Lanka may face major new tariffs.) However, workers viewed this as an excuse to deny their agreed-upon bonus and possibly more before the Sinhalese New Year. "The basic issue is not even bonus, but basic pay is paid for [a] lot of work," one commenter on the Daily Mirror Online article wrote. Why is this protest important? This isn't just about one missed bonus check. It's part of a larger pattern in fast fashion a business model built on low wages, long hours, and disposable clothing. Fast-fashion brands intentionally design garments to wear out quickly, driving people to buy more and dumping billions of pounds of textile waste into landfills yearly. Synthetic fabrics can take decades to break down, creating lasting environmental harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the while, fast-fashion companies make billions off the exploitative labor. Zion Market Research projects that the fast-fashion sector will be worth $179.5 billion in 2030. What can we do about it? The best way to fight back is by breaking the cycle and saying goodbye to fast fashion. Thrifting, swapping, buying less, and choosing durable items reduce waste while saving money. Every small shift can help build pressure for real change. Speaking out can also help create change. In Sri Lanka, Deputy Minister of Labor Mahinda Jayasinghe told Parliament that an investigation is underway after the strike, per the Daily Mirror. 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. Fairfax County man denied bond for attempted abductions in Alexandria ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now) A Fairfax County man remains in custody, accused of two attempted abductions, including one at a Metrorail station. The Alexandria County Police Department released video from one of their cameras, caught on Friday night shortly after 9:30 p.m. in the 1100 block of Madison Street, near the Braddock Metro Station. Its said to show Jeffrey Gary, 35, as he tried to abduct a woman in her mid-30s by grabbing her and wrestling her to the ground, attempting to restrain her. Police note that no weapon was used during the assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, the women shoved Gary and ran away, calling 911. Investigation underway after suspects fire shots at tow truck driver in Montgomery Village, police say The attack happened about an hour after Metro Transit Police said Gary tried to abduct another woman, this time at the Potomac Yard Station, while with her four-year-old child. Another passenger was exiting the system, and it distracted the arrestee, said Metro Transit Deputy Chief Dan Alvarez. She escaped and also called for help, police say. He was targeting females while riding on the Metro, said Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alexandria Police, Metro Transit Police, and Fairfax County Police found Gary early Sunday morning and arrested him. Your actions were [cowardly], McGuire said. The pursuit of justice will be relentless until this case completely comes to a close. The attempted abduction surprised Metro passengers, but theyre glad to hear a suspect is in custody. Thats good, police doing their jobs, said Leo Martinez of Raleigh, N.C. Thats what we expect. Investigators said Gary does not have any prior arrests. They ask the public to contact them if they believe theyre a victim. This department stands firmly behind the principle that no one, no woman, should ever have to live in fear of violence, said McGuire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acts of violence especially those targeting [law-abiding residents]leave a deep psychological impact on the community and are absolutely intolerable. To the victims, we offer our unwavering support: you are not alone. We commend the courage of those who have come forward, allowing us to remove a dangerous individual from our streets. To the person responsible, your actions were cowardly, and our pursuit of justice will be swift, focused, and unrelenting, said McGuire. Gary remains held without bond, charged with assault and battery, sexual battery, and two counts of abduction by force. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) As Republicans move their big, beautiful bill through Congress, a group of faith leaders organized a protest on Monday to oppose it. The demonstration was part of what activists have labeled Moral Mondays. They argue the cuts included in this bill will hurt the most vulnerable communities. To express their concerns, they held a march and rally. Then faith leaders went to the Capitol rotunda to pray, where Capitol police arrested them for unlawfully demonstrating in the rotunda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goal of all of their actions was to bring attention to their critiques of the bill. Charlottesville, Virginia based Reverend Tony Andres says he was there to voice his concerns about the planned $700 billion cut to Medicaid. This is a moral responsibility. Its not simply money. Its not simply politics, Andres said. Youve got people on Medicaid, Medicare, handicapped people who will be direly hit and some of them may well die because of this. Chicago, Illinois advocate Meg Georgevich is also worried about the cuts to food aid programs and how that might impact families and children. No child should starve for a tax cut, Georgevich said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) defended the bill. In this big, beautiful Bill, the reason we call it that is because theres benefits for everybody, Johnson said. He says the cost savings for Medicaid come from adding work requirements and preventing fraud. What were doing is strengthening the program. Were reducing fraud waste and abuse that is rampant in Medicaid, Johnson said. Durham, North Carolina activist Karen Ziegler says work requirements have been tried and failed before. All it does is kick people who need to be on and deserve to be on these programs off the programs, Ziegler said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Republicans in control of Congress the advocates are facing an uphill battle. However, theyre hopeful that showing up to oppose the legislation sends a message. Its important that people hear the voices of people who say this is not right. If we are silent it just will go on and on and on, Andres said. This is not what the people want and if they are in office to represent their constituencies, then they need to rethink where they are, Georgevich 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. MILAN (AP) Foreign tourists were among a dozen people injured when a 50-year-old tree fell next to a bus stop in the Italian lagoon city of Venice on Monday, authorities said. The oak tree fell on a group of people waiting in a shaded area at Piazzale Roma, the last stop for buses and taxis ferrying visitors to and from the lagoon city from the mainland, city officials said. It wasn't immediately clear why the tree fell. The most seriously injured was a 30-year-old Italian woman, who was sitting on a wall near the tree with her two small children when the tree fell, Italian media reported. The woman was in critical condition with abdominal injuries, while her children werent seriously injured and placed under psychological care, according to hospital officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another Italian woman in her 50s also was in critical condition after suffering chest injuries. A video from the scene showed the tree had snapped at the trunk, just above the roots. "The tree was apparently healthy, Francesca Zaccariotto, the city's top public works official, told the news agency ANSA. She added that the tree was monitored along with others in the city, and there had been no signs indicating a possible collapse. A 60-year-old American was under observation for a head injury, a 70-year-old American suffered facial injuries, and two tourists from Eastern Europe suffered multiple bruises. Four other Italians were slightly injured. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) The flagship of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group returned to its homeport of Norfolk, along with thousands of sailors excited to reunite with their loved ones. Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group to return after 8-month deployment The 8-month long deployment set off in September 2024 to perform in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations. Families waited pier side on Sunday to welcome their sailors home. Pamela Yarbrough understands sacrifice all too well. Her family welcomed a baby boy into the world while her husband was still on deployment. On Sunday, he was able to meet his son for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Children waited with anticipation to see their loved ones. Signs and American flags lined the pier as sailors finally came into sight after the long deployment. While sailing across Europe and the Middle East, Rear Admiral Sean Bailey said the strike group conducted a wide range of missions. This included exercises with NATO Allies and combat operations in the Red Sea. In February, while operating in the Red Sea, the strike group supported a large-scale airstrike and delivered 124,000 pounds of ordnance against ISIS-Somalia operatives. In March, the group led initial strikes against Iran-backed Houthi targets in Yemen to degrade the Houthis capabilities to disrupt commercial shipping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. countdown D H M S WATCH: KXAN documentary Family Beef on KXAN+ In Texas state-designated BBQ capital, two legendary Lockhart families run the towns most iconic barbecue joints as a rising star joins the scene and all vie for coveted spots on the Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ list. Explore our project online now and watch the documentary June 5 at 7 p.m. on the KXAN+ smart TV app. LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) In no way, shape, or form do I ever see there being a Kumbaya moment where we come together and are buddy-buddy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is how Mike Black, co-owner of Terrys Blacks Barbecue, describes the current state of his relationship with his uncle Kent Black, owner of Blacks Barbecue. The familys tense and prickly dynamic dates back more than 15 years and has become the latest of two prominent barbecue family feuds in Lockhart. Dubbed the Barbecue Capital of Texas by the state legislature in 1999, the city draws thousands of meat-loving pilgrims each year to its historic joints. After years of mistrust, firings, lawsuits and intense rivalry, both sides acknowledge that repairing the relationship will be hard to do. One sticking point in particular is still quite visible. Directly across the street from the original Blacks Barbecue location in Lockhart is a building with two large signs that read The Corporate Office of Terry Blacks Barbecue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Kent said the sign across the way is something I dont even notice anymore, its indicative of the lingering issues the families have not resolved. From family to fallout Brothers Terry Black (top row, second from left) and Kent Black (top row, third from right) are pictured with their families, parents, and State Senator Ken Armbrister (top row, center) in 1997. (Courtesy Terry Black) When twin brothers Mike and Mark Black were growing up in Lockhart in the late 90s, the two would spend their summers, sometimes in 100-degree heat, chopping post oak in the lot behind their grandparents restaurant. Its the same undeveloped lot where cord after cord of wood still sits, lining the restaurants delivery entrance while drying out in the Texas heat. At the time, Edgar Black Jr. and his wife, Norma Jean Black, owned Blacks Barbecue. Originally opened in 1932 by Edgar Jr.s father, Edgar Black Senior, the restaurant holds the claim to fame as the states oldest barbecue joint owned by the same family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Years later, when Mike graduated from Texas State in 2010, he needed a job, and he said his grandfather was happy to employ him. It was a family affair with Kent serving as general manager, his brother Terry Black the accountant, and Mike trimming and serving meat. From the outside, it appeared the family was working together in harmony. But like baked beans on the back burner, in reality, they said a strain was simmering. It was a tumultuous three years to say the least, Mike said. We butted heads from day one. My uncle always looked at me as kind of a spy, like I was watching over him. How did Lockhart become the Barbecue Capital of Texas? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sitting in an empty dining room before his restaurant opened for business, Kent denied being an overbearing boss to his nephew. However, the third-generation pitmaster dressed in a cowboy hat, red handkerchief around his neck, and work shirt with his name and job title embroidered in it said he was bemused by his nephews hiring. When they were younger, they didnt have any interest in working here, Kent recalled. So, yeah, we were all surprised. What was already a strained relationship boiled over in September 2013 when Mike and Mark, then 26 at the time, made a move to open Blacks Barbecue Austin, along with their dad Terry and older sister Christina. Mark (left), Christina (center), and Mike (right) shortly after opening Terry Blacks Barbecue in Austin. (Courtesy Mike Black) Mike, now 37, said an agreement had previously been reached inside his grandmothers Lockhart home that his side of the family would open and own a new location in Austin, while Kents side would open and own a restaurant in San Marcos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kent, a former prosecutor for the state of Texas, tells a different story. I was never asked about whether or not they were going to open a place in Austin. That just kind of appeared, he said. There are no public records confirming either version of the alleged agreement. For Mark, who was re-entering the barbecue industry for the first time since working at his grandparents restaurant as a kid, it was a wake-up call on what can happen when you mix family with business. I dont know why they did what they did, Mark said. Kent said, for him, it was the name Blacks Barbecue that was the sticking point. He said his parents legally owned the name and never gave Terrys side of the family permission to use it. Mike and Mark Black added their fathers name Terry to the sign outside their new Austin restaurant after they said they heard from their uncles lawyer. (Courtesy Mike Black) When the sign went up on Austins Barton Springs Road announcing the new joint, Kent said he initially asked his brother and the twins to change the name. When they didnt, he sent them a warning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kent called it a letter, while Mark called it a cease and desist order. Regardless of its legal weight, it was enough to get them to rename the restaurant after their dad. My parents owned the business, and they pushed back on Terry and his kids for not running the business the way my parents wanted it to run, Kent said. In between the original opening and re-opening under a new name, Mike said Kent fired him, Mark, Terry and Christina, from Blacks Barbecue. Lawsuits started flying and all that, Mark said. Terry was completely cut out of the family. Still dont know why. The visitation Edgar Black Jr. took over Blacks Barbecue from his father and lived to be 91-years-old. (Courtesy Kent Black) In 2017, the patriarch of the family, Edgar Black Jr., died at 91 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the days that followed, brothers Kent and Terry reopened their lines of communication to plan a visitation and funeral. Stories differ on what the two families disagreed about during the visitation. However, both said it resulted in a heated argument at the funeral home. The funeral still went on as planned the next day, but it was the last time Mike and Mark saw or spoke to their now 93-year-old grandmother, Norma Jean. The billboard Mike and Mark both spoke to us separately from the dining rooms of their restaurants, with Mike in Lockhart, and Mark in Austin. Both said the families next public feud occurred four years later in 2021, with a dispute over a billboard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along the side of U.S. Highway 183 on the south end of Lockhart sits an old shed, a few shipping containers and lots of tires. As told by Mark, his father Terry owns the land and leases it out to the Rodriguez Tire Shop. Theres also a billboard on the land, towering over the road. It used to contain an advertisement for Blacks Barbecue, attempting to lure in drivers to stop for a meal as they entered town. It was a sign that I owned, and I had the permits, and I had all of the state licenses, Kent explained. But Terry Blacks Barbecue wanted it gone. We told Kent, Hey, since were no longer involved in Blacks Barbecue, were going to put our billboard up, so you need to take yours down, Mark Black said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark said rather than take his sign down, Kent cut the whole billboard down with a saw. In response, Terry Blacks Barbecue sued. When asked about the allegations of cutting down the billboard and the lawsuit, Kent cited the settlement terms. They were not supposed to discuss the case, and so Im respecting the settlement order that says to not discuss the case, Kent said. A Terry Blacks billboard now sits on the property. The signs The billboard dispute kicked off the first of three conflicts, all involving signs. In 2022, two signs popped up directly across the street from Blacks Barbecue, just a block away from the historic Lockhart Square. A nondescript wood and brick building painted tan now has a sign reading, The Corporate Office of Terry Blacks Barbecue hanging on the front of it and plastered on its side. A sign reading The Corporate Office of Terry Blacks Barbecue sits directly across the street from Blacks Barbecue in Lockhart. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) In the front window to the right of the front door is black lettering that spells out Terry W. Black / Certified Public Accountant / Certified Financial Planner. Written after the address on a sign screwed in above the door is an asterisk followed by the message not affiliated with the location across the street. I dont understand why they had to put those signs up there, Kent said. That was a little bit of overkill. Kent owns the building that has his brothers name and family business written all over it. For years, Terry worked out of the building during the time he helped run Blacks Barbecue before Kent took over. Mike said his father has a long-term lease on it, and as a result, is free to put up whatever signs he wants. It just eats him a lot, Mike said about his uncle. His little minions come outside and they cry about it. They get so upset. It cracks me up. Terry Blacks Lockhart The sign across the street from Blacks Barbecue went up at the same time Terry Blacks Barbecue was making a significant expansion into Lockhart. After first opening in Austin, then Dallas, Mike and Mark began construction on a third location, this time in their hometown, and on a lot their father owned. Terry Blacks Barbecue opened its Lockhart location in 2022. (KXAN Photo/Patrick Mullen) Just a half mile from the restaurant where the twins worked as boys, they opened Terry Blacks Lockhart, making it the first restaurant people reach when driving in from Austin. Theyre like, two blocks from Blacks Barbecue, said Texas Monthly Barbecue Editor Daniel Vaughn, whos followed and written about the feud. Theyre also just 45 minutes from their Austin location. From a business standpoint, this is not a wise decision. They were really trying to send a message that they can compete in Lockhart, too. However, the twins point out that Lockhart holds a special sentiment for them. Regardless of the message being sent, theres still a line of people each day, at times out the door, looking for good barbecue. Barbecues Kingmaker: Meet the man with the final say on BBQs most important list (We) finally made our way back to Lockhart, Texas, which is our hometown, Mike said. Its been a raging success. When asked about the new Lockhart location, Kent said, Its a free country. However, he also questions his brothers motives. I dont quite understand why he decided to come to Lockhart and compete against his mother and father, he said. The tips investigation Before the Terry Blacks Barbecue Lockhart restaurant even opened, the marquee was up and taking shots at its new neighbor, Blacks Barbecue. The sign outside Blacks Barbecue says its Open 8 Days A Week. The restaurant has been open in Lockhart since 1932. (KXAN Photo/Patrick Mullen) During construction, the sign read another 230,353 reasons why you should eat at Terry Blacks BBQ. That number was a not-so-subtle reference to the $230,353 Blacks Barbecue was ordered to pay in 2022 as part of an investigation into illegal tip sharing. The Department of Labor recovered the money in back wages for 274 workers after an investigation found Blacks Barbecue gave a portion of employee tips to restaurant managers. That practice is not allowed under federal law. In a statement to KXAN News at the time, Blacks Barbecue said in part: Blacks BBQ was not aware that Department of Labor (DOL) rules had recently changed in 2020 and that managers should not receive tips When notified of the rule change, we quickly and voluntarily came into compliance There was a ton of publicity about that, so we tried to use it as help for us opening, Mark said. Central Texas barbecue joints make Texas Monthlys Top 50 list But Mike also said the tips investigation indirectly affected Terry Blacks. People were pointing the finger at us saying, they dont pay their employees tips, he said. We had to quickly go on the defense and say, No, no, thats not the case. Thats these guys. Totally different brands. Confusion and conclusion Both families expressed frustration with the confusion between the two restaurants. A lot of people think theyre part of the original Blacks Barbecue company, but theyre not, Kent said. Im sorry to the public if its a little confusing. At present, Blacks Barbecue has four locations. In addition to the original Lockhart location, there are also restaurants in Austin, San Marcos and New Braunfels. The Original Family Beef: Kreuz and Smittys reconcile differences, move forward as family Terry Blacks has expanded even further. After opening in Austin, the restaurant added Dallas, Lockhart, Waco and Fort Worth, with plans to open in Houston and San Antonio. Norma Jean Black surrounded by family at a Blacks Barbecue restaurant. (Courtesy Kent Black) Any potential resolution to the feud feels elusive, though both sides point to the family matriarch, Norma Jean Black, as a person to start with. Terry, Michael, Mark and Christina they need to talk to their grandmother, Kent said. They dont interact with her anymore. They have never reached out to her on Mothers Day, her birthday, Christmas, any of that. Shes 93-years-old. Shes at home. Shes not driving around in a car. Shes homebound. She would love to talk to them. They know where she lives. Mark said he believes his grandmother needs to be the one to extend the olive branch, while Mike is more pessimistic about reconciliation between the families. That relationship, its sailed, he said. Its been done for many years, and at this point, I see no reason in trying to reconnect. Behind the Beef: Documentary creators cut to the heart of Texas BBQ capital Since opening in 1932, a year after Norma Jean was born, Blacks Barbecue has weathered many seasons, but none as bitter as this 15-year family feud. Like a storm-damaged oak, Kent hopes the fractured limbs can mend, and that new growth might still take root. Im over it, Kent said. I would hope they would be over it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Tatneft has performed hydrodynamic modeling works for SOCAR's Bibi-Heybat field, said Azat Khabibrakhmanov, Deputy General Director for Industrial Safety, Labor Protection and Ecology of PJSC TATNEFT, told Trend. He made the remark on the sidelines of the 30th anniversary international exhibition Caspian Oil and Gas in Baku. According to him, Tatneft is working in Azerbaijan on the development of hydrodynamic modeling at SOCAR's Bibi-Heybat field, and today, hydrodynamic modeling works have already been carried out in order to jointly solve the tasks of increasing oil recovery. Tatneft is implementing several projects in Azerbaijan. On May 28, a joint memorandum was signed between SOCAR, Tatneft, Uzbekneftegaz, and KazMunayGas on the implementation of green projects in the field of decarbonization and sustainable development. It envisages initiatives on energy efficiency, biotechnology, alternative energy, climate engineering, as well as, of course, environmental education, he noted. The official also emphasized that the four companies - SOCAR, KazMunayGas, Uzbekneftegaz, and Tatneft - have signed an agreement to create a consortium for cooperation in various areas. We are talking about digitalization, industrial safety and emergency response, geophysical research, service, well drilling, exploration and production, and, as already mentioned, green projects. The main focus is sustainable development and decarbonization, Habibrakhmanov said. According to him, issues on new projects will be discussed within the framework of the created consortium. It was created for cooperation and joint solution of global challenges facing us, Khabibrakhmanov emphasized. A father of four who was burned in a boat explosion near Fort Lauderdale over Memorial Day weekend has died, according to a GoFundMe account set up to raise money for his burial and funeral. The fundraising page said the sudden passing of Joshua Fifi, a 29-year-old father, left his family, friends, and community in shock and grief. Fifis family hopes to raise $11,000 to cover Joshuas funeral and support his four children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joshua was just beginning a new chapter in life. He was known for his sense of humor, his easygoing spirit, and the way he could make people laugh even on the hardest days. He was someone people could count on and now, were coming together to support him one last time, wrote fundraiser organizer Hannah Galindo On Memorial Day, 11 people, including two children, were injured after a 39-foot Sea Ray exploded in the Intracoastal Waterway about 5:45 p.m. near Ninth Street, where a sandbar draws boaters and beachgoers on holiday weekends. The boat was anchored at the time. Fifi had been in a medically induced coma at Jackson Memorial Hospital with third-degree burns covering 70% of his body. The GoFundMe account was originally set up for his recovery. The fireball, which quickly burned out on its own, was caused by fuel vapors igniting, according to Frank Guzman, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue spokesperson. The injured boaters were taken from the scene to Broward Health Medical Center. Ten of the patients, including the two children, were later taken by ambulance to the Miami Burn Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Guzman said. A dog was also on board but was not injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The children, boys ages 5 and 7, sustained extensive burns, Guzman said. Those who were injured had varying degrees of burn injuries and trauma. South Florida has seen at least a half-dozen boat explosions over the last year, including two within days of each other in May. Safety experts recommend a number of measures such as smelling for continued gasoline fumes after fueling. GOSHEN, N.Y. (PIX11) A father and his two sons were killed when they were trapped inside a home on fire in Goshen on Saturday, according to officials. The fire broke out around 8:10 p.m. along Pulaski Highway, according to authorities. New York State Police said 50-year-old Shane Munn was found dead inside the home during rescue operations. More Local News His 12-year-old and 17-year-old sons were also discovered and taken to a local hospital, where they both died, according to the Orange County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Paul Arteta said in a statement, In moments of great loss, we are reminded of the strength of our community and the courage of those who serve. Our first responders put themselves in harms way to protect others, and their dedication does not go unnoticed. We stand with the family and the Goshen community during this difficult time. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the SP Monroe Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Orange County Fire Investigation Unit and the Hudson Valley Arson and Explosives Task Force. 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. Mark Michalek, FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge, gives an update on the Boulder, Colorado attack on marchers for Israeli hostages. Michalek confirms there were six victims between the ages of 67 and 88, all of whom were transferred to local hospitals. The suspect has been identified as a 45-year-old man named Mohamed Sabry Soliman, who was heard to yell "Free Palestine!" during the attack. FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek called the Colorado fire attack on Israeli hostage advocates "a targeted act of violence." He added that the agency would investigate it as an act of terrorism. Investigators were still collecting evidence Monday after 11 people were wounded and one was killed in a mass shooting that happened at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday on Walnut Acres Drive in Catawba County. The FBI is offering a $15,000 reward leading to the identity, arrest, and successful prosecution of suspects. READ MORE: Deputies respond to mass shooting at party in Catawba County At least two people fired shots where there were about 100 people at a house party, deputies said. Law enforcement said the homeowners were not home Saturday night and Sunday morning. Investigators are looking into whether the homeowners benefited financially from the party. 80 rounds fired Channel 9s Dave Faherty spoke with a witness who said a gunman fired from a wood line above the home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI, State Bureau of Investigation and Catawba County sheriffs deputies were back at the scene Monday morning. Shawn Patrick Hood, 58, of Lenoir, was shot and killed inside the home at the party that had people as young as 16 years old. There was a coverage charge for people without identification, according to a Snapchat post. Investigators said multiple weapons were used in the shooting and as many as 80 rounds were fired. No one has been charged in connection with the shooting. I was trying to run One of the shooting victims spoke with Faherty. Some people at the party returned fire possibly saving lives, said Quentin Malone, who still had a bullet lodged in his ankle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was trying to run and get out but since there was so many people, people were just falling over each other and tripping over each other, Malone said. I just, honestly, I froze. I didnt know what else to do. And if there werent other people there that started firing back, I honestly think it would have been way worse than what it was. Investigators have not released a motive behind the shooting but a teenager who asked we not to be identified spoke about his friends getting shot and what he believes was the reason behind the shooting. DRONE FOOTAGE: Scene of mass shooting on Walnut Acres Drive in Catawba County Just hate bro, the teen said. Just people having fun on social media and they see people doing this and doing that having more motion. Motion means money-wise or like having this or having something more than somebody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four victims remained in the hospital on MOnday. Alcohol Law Enforcement is involved in the investigation and agents are looking into the possibility of people drinking underage. Can you help? The scene has expanded and investigators are asking residents along Highway 127, Huffman Farm Road, and Pittstown Road for camera footage. The investigators will remain in the area until Wednesday. The scene has expanced and investigators are asking residents along Highway 127, Huffman Farm Road, and Pittstown Road for camera footage. The investigators will remain in the area until Wednesday. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Catawba County Sheriffs Office at 828-464-3112 or upload video or photos here. No arrests have been made. VIDEO: Deputies respond to mass shooting at party in Catawba County (COLORADO) The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has identified the Boulder Pearl Street Mall suspect as being from El Paso County. On Sunday, June 1, at around 1:26 p.m., Boulder Police were called to the outdoor Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on a report of an attack on a group of individuals. According to the FBI, the individuals were walking in a regularly scheduled, weekly, peaceful event. Witnesses reported the suspect used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device into the crowd. The suspect was also heard to yell Free Palestine during the attack, according to the FBI. Law enforcement identified eight victims, four women and four men, between the ages of 52 and 88. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 8 injured in Pearl Street Mall attack; Law enforcement ID suspect At around 8 p.m. on Sunday, FBI Denver reported via X that it was at a location in El Paso County in relation to the attack. The FBI is at a location in El Paso County, CO, conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity related to the attack on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, the FBI wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). As this is an ongoing investigation, no additional information is available at this time. The FBI later confirmed the suspect, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, was from El Paso County. FOX News reported that, according to the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration Enforcement (ICE), Soliman was in the country illegally and had overstayed his visa. FOX News also reported that Soliman was an Egyptian national. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The home was reportedly in Colorado Springs. Our strength as a society comes from our shared values and our commitment to protecting one another. Any attempt to divide us through fear or harm has no place in Boulder Colorado or anywhere in our nation, said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. We stand in full solidarity with those targeted. And we will continue to ensure that justice is pursued swiftly, support is provided to victims and their communities, and preventative action is taken to protect everyones safety. The FBI is investigating the attack as a targeted act of terrorism and is working with the Boulder Police Department to process the crime scene, interview witnesses, and gather evidence. My thoughts go out to the people who have been injured by this heinous and targeted act on the Jewish community. Boulder is strong. We have overcome tragedies together and will get through this together as a community. Ive spoken with Boulder Mayor Brockett, and my administration is working closely with local and federal law enforcement on this afternoons attack. I thank the first responders who ran to help the injured and ensure victims received medical attention needed and to apprehend the suspect. As the Jewish community reels from the recent antisemitic murders in Washington, D.C., it is unfathomable that the community is facing another antisemitic attack here in Boulder, on the eve of the holiday of Shavuot. Several individuals were brutally attacked while peacefully drawing attention to the plight of hostages who have been held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza for 604 days. Hate is unacceptable in our Colorado for all, and I condemn this act of terror. The suspect should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Governor Jared Polis Soliman was booked into Boulder County Jail on multiple charges, including First-Degree Assault. He is being held on a $10 million bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI. Anyone with digital media videos, social media posts, digital recordings is asked to upload it to fbi.gov/boulderattack. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. SLB counts on further technological cooperation with Azerbaijan, the company's technology and marketing manager, Dmitry Kofman told Trend. He made the remark on the sidelines of the 30th anniversary international exhibition Caspian Oil and Gas in Baku. Azerbaijan has an interesting yet challenging operating environment. Various industries are actively developing here, which in turn requires increased attention to technology. That's why we work closely with our clients and partners to implement cutting-edge, best-fit-for-purpose technologies to maximize the efficiency of operations. We work with companies such as SOCAR, BP, and several independent operators present in Azerbaijan. We certainly look forward to further technological cooperation, active interaction, and joint launch of effective solutions on the market, he said. Kofman noted that the company shares expertise and offers optimal approaches to field development in Azerbaijan. Zion National Park is seen from the Pine Creek Canyon Overlook. (Photo by Carlo Alberto Conti/Getty Images) The federal government is awarding Utah $3 million to purchase conservation easements in southern Utah near Zion National Park. The funding awarded to the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands by the U.S. Department of Agriculture was announced Monday and will go toward ongoing forest preservation efforts outside of the national park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Called the Zion Connectivity Project, the state will direct the funding at two properties totalling 766 acres near the north section of the national park. A conservation easement a legally binding agreement between a landowner and government that places restrictions on the land for environmental purposes will prevent the land from being fragmented or developed. That will help preserve the ecologically rich stretch of forest. The region contains a number of springs and streams, including the La Verkin Creek, which feeds into the Virgin River and eventually the Colorado River. The creek supports six native species of fish, like the Virgin River chub and Woundfin, both federally endangered. The forest provides critical habitat for the endangered California condor and Mexican spotted owl, and preventing the area from being segmented will help black bear, grouse, deer and elk populations. Old-growth ponderosa pines, some of them hundreds of years old, can also be found in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strategic location of this project, combined with the presence of California condors, garnered incredible support from Zion National Park, elected officials, neighboring landowners, and other organizations. Thanks to the efforts of these private landowners and The Conservation Fund, protecting this important forested area was recognized as a priority to the national program, said Natalie Conlin, forest legacy program manager for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. The Zion Connectivity Project is part of Utahs Forest Legacy Program, which uses conservation easements throughout the state to safeguard forests from development, protect water resources and habitat, and keep wildlife corridors intact. The Zion Connectivity Project is sandwiched between two existing Forest Legacy projects the Zion Overlook and Viewtop projects. The three projects create a combined 1,752-acre stretch of projected land along the northern border of Zion National Park. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The webpage for a Department of Homeland Security list of localities it said were in violation of federal immigration law was taken down over the weekend following statements by Hampton Roads officials that their respective cities were included on the list in error. The page was created Thursday at www.dhs.gove/sanctuary-jurisdictions with the header Sanctuary Jurisdictions Defying Federal Immigration Law. By Sunday, the page had been deleted. The original page stated it would be continuously updated and that the jurisdictions listed would receive formal notice of their noncompliance. It also included a demand that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with federal immigration laws. Virginia Beach, Hampton, Portsmouth, Newport News and Gloucester County were included on the list of localities that, the page read, are deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities and protecting dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hampton Roads cities accused by Homeland Security of obstructing federal immigration officials Spokespersons for Virginia Beach, Gloucester County and Hampton said in emailed statements to The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press that they were included on the list in error. Thirty-three Virginia localities were included on the list, including Richmond and Fairfax County, which has the largest population in the state. It also includes areas that voted heavily in favor of Trump in the 2024 election, including Gloucester and Middlesex counties on the Middle Peninsula. National Sheriffs Association President Sheriff Kieran Donahue on Saturday said the list lacks transparency and accountability and could create a vacuum of trust that may take years to overcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This list was created without any input, criteria of compliance, or a mechanism for how to object to the designation, Donahues statement reads. Sheriffs nationwide have no way to know what they must do or not do to avoid this arbitrary label. The completion and publication of this list has not only violated the core principles of trust, cooperation, and partnership with fellow law enforcement, but it also has the potential to strain the relationship between Sheriffs and the White House administration. Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., is pictured on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Federal cuts to SNAP and Medicaid could significantly strain Alabama's budget, but Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund committee urged caution due to the bill's uncertainty, despite critics calling the measures "cruel." (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom) A budget bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives could impose significant financial and social challenges in Alabama. The measure could cut food assistance and Medicaid program funding that serve hundreds of thousands of people with low incomes in Alabama, and potentially cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Its still unclear if it will pass the U.S. Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation, which passed the House largely along party lines, proposes funding reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid. Experts and state officials warn the cuts could lead to increased hunger, loss of health care coverage and other economic consequences across the state, particularly in vulnerable rural communities. There are three things in the bill, as it came out of the House, that are problematic for SNAP, said Carol Gundlach, a policy analyst with Alabama Arise, an organization working on poverty issues. The first and the biggest and the most important one is it shifts cost-sharing to the states. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Historically, states have paid 50% of administrative costs for SNAP, but the benefits themselves have been 100% federally funded. The new bill, Gundlach said, would increase Alabamas share of administrative expenses to 75%, costing the state an estimated additional $35 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More concerning, she said, is the proposal to shift part of the benefit cost to the states. Gundlach said Alabama could be on the hook for about 15% of the actual benefit cost of SNAP, amounting to at least $254 million annually. That would also presumably have to come out of the General Fund, and thats every year, every single year, Gundlach said. The proposed SNAP changes also include an expansion of work requirements for parents with children over the age of 7. This could force parents to jump through a bunch of hoops in order to keep your SNAP benefits, or theyre going to cut your family SNAP benefits, she said. The bill could prohibit the U.S. Department of Agriculture from recalculating the base amount of SNAP benefits in the future, a measure Gundlach said would increase hunger as benefits fail to keep pace with food costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any way this works, people are going to lose SNAP benefits, she said, warning that in a worst-case scenario, Alabama could walk away from the SNAP program completely, leaving nearly 1 million people dependent on SNAP, or about 20% of Alabamas population, without food assistance. Medicaid Debbie Smith, campaign director for Arises Cover Alabama, said Alabamas bare bones Medicaid program also faces pressures. According to Smith, the bill could cost Alabama $3 billion over 10 years for Medicaid, translating to roughly $300 million annually. She said this could increase Alabamas Medicaid spending per resident by about 15%. Any cut to Medicaid is concerning when you have the bare bones program that we have. We really cant afford to cut anywhere, Smith said. The bill would also eliminate the federal incentive designed to encourage states like Alabama to expand Medicaid, a significant concern for Smith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (The bill) sunsets that incentive, Jan. 1, 2026, so theres no time for anybody to take advantage of it before it sunsets, Smith said. Even without state expansion, the bill is expected to cause coverage losses. Smith said Arise projects 53,000 people could lose their Medicaid coverage. Combined with the potential expiration of enhanced subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, 170,000 Alabamians could lose health insurance, leading to a $592.89 million increase in uncompensated care costs for the state, according to a Center for American Progress analysis. The House bill also proposes reducing retroactive Medicaid coverage from three months to one month. State budget The combined potential costs from SNAP and Medicaid changes could put Alabamas General Fund in a challenging position, but Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund committee, said its still early in the process and that its hard to plan for a bill that could still change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know things are going to get tough, OK, but we dont know how tough theyre going to be, Albritton said. Albritton said lawmakers had trouble finding an increase of about $220 million for Medicaid this past legislative session and he expects another significant increase next year. Between the changes of SNAP and other changes, thats going to put more pressure on us, he said. Albritton, who has often voiced concerns about federal program funding being pulled, suggested Alabama is somewhat prepared because it hasnt expanded Medicaid. Thats something at least one of the few things we dont have to worry about right now, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arise described the bills measures as cruel. Gundlach described the situation as making parents choose between adequate care for their children and being able to put food on the table. If there is any definition of cruel, I dont know what else it could possibly be. Albritton pushed back against such characterizations, calling the term alarmist and blaming partisan politics. He chose a more cautious approach. All I can do at this point is sit and watch and wait, he said. Theres a lot that we do not know, and were running around trying to fix something that we dont know what the problem is. This story was updated on June 3 at 3:44 p.m. An initial projection provided by Arise estimated the cost to Alabamas Medicaid program at $324 million over 10 years. The organization has since corrected that projection to $3 billion over 10 years. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Senator John Fetterman had some sharp words for his fellow Democrats on Monday, accusing their recent border policy under the Biden administration of being a colossal mistake, the latest sign of his growing tension with his party. I thought the border was really important and our party did not handle the border appropriately. Look at the numbers 260,000, 300,000 people showing up our borders, Fetterman told the audience at a debate with his Republican colleague Senator Dave McCormick. We cant pretend we can take care of 300,000 people showing up every month, Fetterman added, referencing the December 2023 peak level of immigrant encounters at the border under Biden. Fetterman insists hes not changing parties, despite clashes with fellow Dems (Getty Images) Thats roughly the size of Pittsburgh, he continued. Now, thats unacceptable, and thats a national security issue, and thats chaos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most recent data shows there were about 29,000 such encounters nationwide in April 2025. As The Independent has reported, the Biden administration in fact preserved many parts of the first Trump administrations big-picture border strategy, including fast-track entry denials using emergency Covid powers, asylum restrictions, and continuing to construct parts of the border wall. During the debate, Fetterman went on that his views, which include both supporting immigrants and investments like the Trump administrations proposed $12 billion border spending package, puts me at odds with my party and my base. Elsewhere during the debate at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Boston, Fetterman spoke about other tension areas with his fellow Democrats, arguing parts of the base had turned their backs on Israel during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and widespread U.S. pro-Palestine protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats not free speech, building tent cities on a campus and terrorizing and intimidating Jewish students, thats not free speech, he said. And now we really lost, weve lost the argument in parts of my party, and for me, that moral clarity, its really firmly on Israel. Since Trump took office, Fetterman has repeatedly clashed with parts of the leftward wing of his party over issues like co-sponsoring the Laken Riley Act, which calls requires federal detention of undocumented immigrants accused of a variety of crimes, as well as voting to confirm Trump officials like Attorney General Pam Bondi. More than just one-off disagreements, Fetterman has called on the party to get its s*** together soon and reorient, lest it become a permanent minority. We really got our a**** kicked in, and especially in the Senate, we could have been left a gigantic, smoking hole in the ground, Fetterman told Politico. We could have easily lost Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin, and we could be staring down, 56-44. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The criticisms have prompted speculation hes planning to change party, which he dismisses. Ive been on record ... saying I am not going to become a Republican, you know, although maybe some people might be happy on one side, Fetterman said earlier this year. But I would make a pretty terrible Republican, because, you know, [Im] pro-choice, pro really strong immigration, pro-LGBTQ I dont think Id be a good fit. Others in the party have expressed concern over Fettermans fitness for office, after a damning May profile in New York Magazine quoted current and former staffers claiming Fetterman was in poor mental health. The piece described Fetterman, who had a stroke in 2022 and was hospitalized for depression a year later, as continuing to struggle with the demands of office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one alleged incident, amid the contentious confirmation process for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Fetterman reportedly spent part of the day locked in his office, fighting with [his wife] Gisele and crying while FaceTiming with staff. The piece also claimed Fetterman was involved in a 2024 car wreck that injured his wife, despite alleged concerns from staffers he shouldnt get behind the wheel of a car. This hit piece came from best friends Adam Jentleson and Ben Terris who sourced anonymous, disgruntled staffers with lies or distorted half-truths. My ACTUAL doctors and my family affirmed that Im very well, Fetterman told The Independent in a statement. Despite the dismissals, some fellow Democrats continue to show concern about Fettermans health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every time I see him, Im worried about him, one anonymous Democrat told The Hill. I know were all in touch with each other, having conversations about how to intervene. I havent heard anybody say theyre not worried about it, the senator added. People are trying to figure out what to do. People are worried about his safety. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) says the media is trying to smear him over missing votes and committee hearings in the Senate, firing back at an editorial in The Philadelphia Inquirer that argued Fetterman needs to put more effort into his job or resign from Congress. Asked about the harsh op-ed during a debate in Boston on Monday, Fetterman called it a weird smear. Its just part of like this weird this weird smear, Fetterman told Fox News Sunday anchor Shannon Bream, who moderated a debate between the Pennsylvania Democrat and Sen. David McCormick (R-Pa.) at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The more kinds of left kind of media continues to have these kinds of an attack, Fetterman said. And its just part of a smear and thats just not its just not accurate. And weve moved on and why were still having this conversation why at this point? he asked. The debate was co-hosted by the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation and aired on Fox Nation. The Inquirer noted in its critical appraisal of Fettermans track record that he has missed more votes than nearly every other senator in the past two years and regularly skips committee hearings, cancels meetings and avoids Democratic caucus lunches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The editorial observed that six former Fetterman staffers told an Inquirer reporter that Fetterman was frequently absent or spent hours alone in his office, avoiding colleagues and meetings. If Fetterman cant handle the attention or perform his job, then in the best interest of the country and the nearly 13 million residents of Pennsylvania he represents, he should step aside, the paper argued. Being an elected representative is a privilege, not an entitlement. Being a U.S. senator is a serious job that requires full-time engagement. Fetterman defended his missed votes as the result of a conscious choice to spend more time with his family, and he previously dismissed Monday afternoon bed-check votes as procedural minutia that dont necessarily require his participation. If I miss some of those votes, Ive made 90 percent of them, and we all know those votes that Ive missed were on Monday. Those are travel days, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And I have three young kids and those are throwaway procedural votes that they were never determined if they were important. Thats a choice that I made, he added. Fetterman pointed out that Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) have also missed multiple Senate votes in recent months as Sanders has traveled the country rallying opposition to President Trumps agenda and Murray traveled home to care for her husband while he was in the hospital. If you want to attack me for that, go ahead, he said of his attendance record. But Id like to point out that, you know, Bernie and Sen. Murray missed more. So why arent the left media yelling and demanding them and claiming theyre not doing their job and those kind of thing[s]? Just be genuine on that, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Murray said many of the Washington senators missed votes were during a single evening of votes when the Senate held a long vote-a-rama. Senator Murray was caring for her husband while he was in the hospital and was prepared to return to the floor if her vote might have been determinative, the spokesperson said. She missed 32 votes in one week because of time spent caring for her husband. Fetterman has come under intense scrutiny since New York Magazine published a long article about his former staff members concerns about what they viewed as erratic and potentially dangerous behavior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to New York Magazine, the senators former chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, wrote a 1,600-word email to Fettermans doctor at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center warning that John is on a bad trajectory and Im really worried about him. The former staffer said he was concerned that Fetterman wont be with us for much longer. Fetterman said last month that former employees who have expressed their concern about his behavior to the media have a bizarre grudge against him. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Texas bankruptcy courtroom may have become the setting for one of the most controversial legal dramas in the Lone Star States history. A drama is so rich that it might even be considered a good enough plot for a fiction novel, so much so that a presiding judge may have allegedly written a fiction book based on what was going down in her courtroom. Chief Bankruptcy Judge Stacey Jernigan, who presided over the recent billion-dollar dismantling of Dallas-based Highland Capital Management, per AboveTheLaw.Com, is now under fire for writing a collection of fiction books that critics say mirror the real-life case she oversaw as a judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Highland Capitals founder, James Dondero, accused Jernigan of bias, abuse of authority, and rubber-stamping massive legal fees, all while releasing novels that suspiciously resembled the proceedings she oversaw. The Fifth Circuit recently rejected Donderos attempt to force Jernigans recusal but noted a strong argument could be made that she should have stepped aside. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Fifth Circuit ruled that Judge Jernigan did not need to recuse herself from the case despite the extremely transparent similarities between her novels and the proceedings she oversaw as a judge. Jernigans books feature fictional hedge fund characters whose exploits echo the drama surrounding Highlands recent viral cases. Some critics claim that these books reveal insider knowledge and hostility toward the financial world she directly oversaw as a judge. In a previous report by the ABA Journal, a legal team highlighted similarities between the fictional characters and real-life individuals involved in the case that Jernigan was so keen to write and profit from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the real-life bankruptcy cases have drawn many scrutinous eyes, not just from the readers about the outcomes but also from those critical of Jernigan. Legal fees reportedly topped $250 million during the Highland Capital Management bankruptcy proceedings, with one law firm partner earning nearly $30 million annually, according to Above the Law. Meanwhile, per Scribd, no bonuses were paid to rank-and-file employees. Despite the courts refusal to intervene, legal observers say the Fifth Circuits language could fuel ethics complaints or even congressional probes. As The Dallas Express investigates, one thing is clear: the bankruptcy under Jernigan may be more than a financial meltdown; it might be a cautionary tale about judicial accountability and someone seeking creative clout over their duty. Stay tuned for another DX deep dive into the $250 million legal fees, alleged Russian ties, and what really happened inside Jernigans courtroom (or novel pitches). As of the time of publication, Jernigans team has not responded to multiple attempts to reach out for a compliment from DX about the encroaching book plots she wrote following the cases she oversaw. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has appointed Milica Delevic as its new Secretary General, Trend reports. According to the bank, she will assume her new role on 1 August 2025, succeeding Kazuhiko Koguchi, who is set to retire later this year. As SecGen, Delevic will be responsible for advancing the banks engagement with its member countries and international partners. She will also oversee the organisation of the EBRDs Annual Meeting. In her new capacity, Delevic will serve on the EBRDs Executive Committee and work closely with the President, the Board of Governors and the Board of Directors. EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso welcomed the appointment, stating: I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Milica Delevic, who will support me and the Bank in fulfilling our mandate and delivering real impact. I would also like to express my deep gratitude to Kazuhiko Koguchi for his outstanding leadership and guidance as the Banks Secretary General over the last four years. Delevic currently serves as Director for Competitiveness, Governance and Political Affairs at the EBRD. She has held senior roles at the bank since joining in 2013 as Deputy Secretary General for Shareholder Relations. In 2016, she moved to the Banks Policy and Partnerships Vice Presidency. Context: The above video originally aired on May 29. TOPEKA (KSNT) Locals planning to attend the upcoming Fiesta Topeka may get frustrated because of a local bridge construction project scheduled to last for months. The City of Topeka announced earlier this year that it would be sending work crews to the Branner bridge in the Oakland area to conduct repair work. The entire project is slated to last for 110 days, or around three-and-a-half months, starting on Monday, June 2. The projects timeline means it will impact local traffic during the upcoming Fiesta Topeka events that start in late June and continue into July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 27 News reached out to Fiesta Topeka organizers and the District 2 Topeka City Council representative to learn more about the situation and what precautions are being taken prior to the start of this years Fiesta Topeka. Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala said the city has conducted outreach to the local community to inform them about the scope of the project for a while now. Living in Oakland I understand the frustrations, Valdivia-Alcala said. I also know educating the community on the upcoming closure has been happening for a number of weeks. During Fiesta time the bridge is often closed during Fiesta hours. Yes it will be an inconvenience with the closure for the 3 month period. However I am grateful we have the City funds to be doing the much needed work on the Branner Bridge. Fire crews respond to Goodyear tire plant in Topeka Marisol Marcelo, the publicity chair for Fiesta Topeka, said her team is working closely with the City of Topeka ahead of the celebrations this year. She said people are encouraged to use nearby streets such as Sardou Avenue, Sixth Street or other bridges to access the Fiesta Topeka. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As organizers of Fiesta Topeka, we understand the concerns surrounding the bridge closure, especially as it coincides with such a cherished and historic celebration in our community, Marcelo said. While the timing is not ideal, we recognize the importance of these infrastructure improvements for the safety and longevity of our neighborhood. Marcelo said organizers for Fiesta Topeka will be offering a free shuttle service, sponsored by Resers Fine Foods, for the event. While information on shuttle pickup times and locations has yet to be announced, the service is expected to help people avoid construction-related issues and reduce parking congestion. We will be sharing maps, shuttle details, and detour directions on both our website and social media channels, so we encourage everyone to stay tuned and plan ahead for a smooth and enjoyable Fiesta Topeka experience, Marcelo said. Two Topeka women dead after Highway 24 crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City of Topeka released an official detour route for the bridge work. Drivers are encouraged to use the following routes while the project is ongoing: 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. Events for 2025s Fiesta Topeka start with a 5k run/walk in Oakland on June 28, with the main festival running from July 15-19. You can learn more about Fiesta Topeka by heading to the events website or following it on Facebook. What will happen to the old JCPenney space at West Ridge Mall? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. A picture is worth 1,000 words, and in the case of two enslaved African Americans, their portraits set off a historic chain of events and ended a 15-year battle over ownership. Renty and Delia were photographed in 1850, making their pictures the oldest believed of any enslaved American in history. Now, their stories are being told the right way. Harvard University finally settled a 15-year legal battle with Tamara Lanier, an educator who claimed the university was illegally in possession of delicate photos of her enslaved ancestors, according to BBC. Lanier is said to be the great-great-great granddaughter of Papa Renty, so when she found out Harvard held the only photo of her ancestor, she had to take action. The two daguerreotypes unique, early photos produced on a silver-coated copper plate were taken in South Carolina, where Renty and his daughter Delia worked as slaves. But although the photos traveled a long way from South Carolina to Harvard University, its Renty and Delias faces that tell a more horrific account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Renty an older man with a short, grey afro and facial hair stands tall in his portrait. Hes shirtless, emphasizing his bony yet chiseled torso, likely from malnutrition and harsh labor conditions he endured. His face? Stoic, without emotions. But his eyes almost look glossy, like hes in pain and seen way too much in his short lifetime. Delia has her fathers eyes. Shes also shirtless, showing off her pronounced collarbone and broad shoulders. Despite her young age, Delia looks mature as she poses in a chair for the photo. In 2019, Tamara Lanier officially sued Harvard University over the schools ownership of portraits of her ancestors, Renty (left) and Delia (right). The images were captured by a Harvard professor for a racist study, according to The Hill. In her complaint against Harvard, Lanier claimed her ancestors did not give their consent to the photoshoot, meaning Harvards ownership of the photos was illegal. The portraits were rediscovered at the university in 1975, according to BBC. Lanier wanted Harvard to relinquish ownership of the photos. Now, she finally got her wish. 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, attorney Joshua Koskoff told AP News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public can finally view Renty and Delias portraits. They will be transferred to the International African American Museum in South Carolina, the state where Renty and Delia called home. This is a moment in history where the sons and daughters of stolen ancestors can stand with pride and rightfully proclaim a victory for reparations, Lanier told AP News. This pilfered property, images taken without dignity or consent and used to promote a racist pseudoscience will now be repatriated to a home where their stories can be told and their humanity can be restored. Texas lawmakers passed a bill that will give judges a long-awaited raise and boost their own pensions, after an 11th hour clash between the House and Senate. Texas judges will get a 25% raise, with base pay increasing to $175,000. This bill was not expected to be controversial both chambers and parties agree this pay raise, the first since 2013, is overdue and necessary to lift Texas out of the bottom for judicial pay among states. Where it hit the skids was around legislator pensions, which are tied to judicial pay. A raise for judges should have meant a pension increase for lawmakers, but the House added an amendment decoupling them. The Senate rejected the proposal, with the disagreement spilling onto social media and pushing beyond the normal deadlines to reach a compromise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, the chambers finally agreed to negotiate, and just hours before they closed out the 140 day session, they reached a compromise. Legislative pensions will rise with judicial salaries this time, but will be decoupled going forward. In 2030, the Texas Ethics Commission will take over assessing legislator pensions, as they do for the per diem and other lawmaker benefits. The bill says the commission will come up with equitable rules to determine pension amounts, taking into account possible raises for other elected officials, and reassess every five years. The Senate approved the proposal unanimously, with Sen. Joan Huffman, the Houston Republican who carried the bill, saying it "finally gives the judges of the state of Texas a long, well-deserved raise. The House voted 114-26, approving the proposal over hesitation from both sides of the aisle. Democrats seemed concerned about cutting the pension benefit, while conservatives indicated they were expecting election season blowback for voting to raise their own pensions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas part-time lawmakers earn $7,200 a year, plus a per diem for days they are in Austin. But those who serve more than eight years are eligible for a pension when they turn 60 (or when they turn 50 if theyve served 12 years.) Rather than basing that payout on their meager legislative salary, its long been tied to the base salary for a district judge, a benefit that allows some of the longest-standing lawmakers to earn annual retirement payments of $140,000 a year. For too long, the Legislature has been unwilling to give district court judges the raises that they deserve because its tied to legislative pensions, Rep. Brent Money, a conservative Republican from Greenville, said, calling it a politically toxic issue. He said voting for the compromise was a choice between voting for the right thing, or the politically safe thing. "Let's break this stalemate, support our judiciary and face the consequences together," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The usual deadline for the chambers to reach a compromise would have been Saturday at midnight. As that deadline came and went without a deal, judges began barraging their legislators with phone calls and emails, demanding they reach a compromise. On Sunday afternoon, both chambers agreed to appoint conferees, including Leach and Huffman. The deal was still being hammered out when the House and Senate gaveled in on the last day of session, usually a ceremonial day to celebrate the wins of the session. Members from both chambers breathed a sigh of relief with the passage of the conference committee report Monday afternoon. I don't think I've ever worked so hard on a bill that wasn't mine, Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, said Monday. I have never gone back and forth as much between the House and the Senate in one day as I have today." 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! AUSTIN (KXAN) Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed legislation which aimed to enhance Botox patient safety and transparency Monday, calling the measure unnecessary and overly-burdensome for business in Texas. Senate Bill 378 would have prohibited barbers, cosmetologists and estheticians from administering Botox and other injectables unless they were licensed or authorized to give the shots. The measure would also have given the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation more disciplinary authority over those professionals. The passage of SB 378 is a critical step that protects the public from unqualified individuals administering potentially dangerous injections. This common-sense legislation ensures cosmetologists and barbers are not performing injections without proper physician supervision, the bills author, Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, explained after the measure was sent to the governor on May 21. KXAN has reached out to Schwertners office for comment after the veto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Schwertner said I am disappointed in the veto. This bill if had been signed by the governor and became law would have protected Texas from the potential harm of unlicensed individuals performing invasive procedures in the back rooms of beauty salons and med spas. Texas should be removing barriers for small businesses and occupational licensees, Senate Secretary Patsy Spaw said on the chamber floor Monday, reading the governors written words verbatim. Senate Bill 378 by Schwertner does just the opposite by, among other things, prohibiting a licensed cosmetologist or barber from making an incision into the dermis, layer of a persons skin. Barbers who nick a customers neck during a straight razor shave should not fear the loss of their licenses as we work to make government more efficient and less intrusive for Texans and businesses. While most of the governors vetoes will be delivered after the session, SB 378s passage timeline required him to take action sooner or the bill would have gone into law without his signature. It is his first veto of a Senate bill this session. I disapprove of this bill, Abbott wrote to Senators before sine die, the official end of the session. Since you remain gathered in regular session and continue to conduct formal business, I am delivering this disapproval message directly to you along with the unsigned official enrolled copy of the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schwertner told lawmakers earlier in the session there have been increased reports of Botox parties which include unauthorized and unsafe injections to friends and family without proper supervision. RELATED: Botox party bill heads to governor Schwertner previously shared with KXAN investigators that, by law, estheticians and cosmetologists can only perform injections, including Botox, under the authority of a physician. He added that while the Texas Medical Board has disciplinary authority over physicians who are authorizing the injections, there is no oversight when it comes to professionals including estheticians or cosmetologists who could be in violation. During a House committee hearing in April, lawmakers received nearly 50 written comments from many Texas estheticians and injectors opposing the legislation and sharing concerns about their businesses being impacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KXAN INVESTIGATION: Backroom Botox a wild west in Texas Patient protection advocates have been pushing for oversight in the growing industry. The legislation was filed after a KXAN investigation uncovered that anyone in Texas can become certified to do injections, including Botox. KXANs Backroom Botox investigation highlighted medical concerns after a Botox treatment led to an emergency in the back room of a local boutique in Dublin, a city north of Austin. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. PAYNE SPRINGS, Texas (KETK) Payne Springs Fire Rescue responded to a structure fire burning a trailer home in the Cherokee Shores area on Saturday night. How to keep your home safe from house fires According to Payne Springs Fire Rescue (PSFR), their volunteer firefighters were called to the home at around 9:23 p.m. on Saturday. PSFR Engine 1 arrived and the crew fought the fire from the inside of the home. Photo courtesy of Payne Springs Fire Rescue. Photo courtesy of Payne Springs Fire Rescue. Photo courtesy of Payne Springs Fire Rescue. Photo courtesy of Payne Springs Fire Rescue. Photo courtesy of Payne Springs Fire Rescue. Photo courtesy of Payne Springs Fire Rescue. PSFR said no one was found inside the home and the fire was extinguished. One resident was taken to be treated for a medical emergency by UT HealthEMS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gun Barrel City Fire Department, the Eustace Fire Department, the Long Cove Fire Department, the Henderson County Sheriffs Office, the Henderson County Fire Marshals Office and the American Red Cross also responded to the scene. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. TOPEKA (KSNT) Firefighters were at the Goodyear Tire Distribution plant in Topeka Monday morning responding to a fire. A 27 News reporter at the scene said there were Topeka Fire Department (TFD) vehicles and personnel at the Goodyear plant at 2000 U.S. Highway 24 on the morning of June 2. City of Topeka spokesman Dan Garrett said fire crews with Soldier and Silver Lake townships were assisting with this situation. At approximately 9:40 a.m. today, a fire occurred in the mixing area at the Goodyear-Topeka plant. Our on-site fire and rescue team responded immediately and worked in coordination with the Topeka Fire Department and Soldier Township Fire Department to contain the fire. As a precaution, the plant was temporarily evacuated. Production safely resumed after the fire was contained. There are no known or reported injuries, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Goodyear spokeswoman Topeka bridge to shut down for months Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) Deputies helped a resident in a wheelchair escape a fire that destroyed a home near Grand Junction Sunday afternoon. The fire was reported around 4:45 p.m. at a home on Baseline Road near 51 Street in Columbia Township, according to South Haven Area Emergency Services. When firefighters arrived, the home was engulfed in flames and had spread to two other buildings and a nearby field, SHAES said. Deputies helped the resident in a wheelchair get away from the fire. That person was treated at the scene by first responders. A fire destroyed a house on Baseline Road near 51 1/2 Street. (June 1, 2025) A fire destroyed a house on Baseline Road near 51 1/2 Street. (June 1, 2025) A fire destroyed a house on Baseline Road near 51 1/2 Street. (June 1, 2025) A fire destroyed a house on Baseline Road near 51 1/2 Street. (June 1, 2025) A fire destroyed a house on Baseline Road near 51 1/2 Street. (June 1, 2025) Bangor Community, Lee Township, Bloomingdale, Gobles, Lawrence and Allegan fire departments all helped battle the flames, according to SHAES. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. UPDATE: MONDAY 6/2/2025 8:17 p.m. (EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) A third case of measles has been confirmed in El Paso County and another potential exposure site has been identified. According to El Paso County Public Health, a third case of measles was confirmed in a vaccinated El Paso County resident who traveled through Denver International Airport (DIA) on Wednesday, May 14. A new exposure site has also been added: Location Date/Time When symptoms may develop Single Barrel Bar And Grill, 5885 Stetson Hills Blvd. #120, Colorado Springs, CO 80923 Friday, May 30 6-11:30 p.m. Through June 20 MONDAY 6/2/2025 9:14 a.m. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) have confirmed two measles cases in El Paso County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two unvaccinated adults have been confirmed to have measles. The adults are unrelated, but were at Denver International Airport around the same time on Wednesday, May 14. Another individual from Arapahoe County who was a passenger on a Turkish Airlines flight that arrived in Denver on May 13 has also been confirmed positive for measles. The two unvaccinated adults from El Paso and the vaccinated adult from Arapahoe County are all recovering at home. The CDPHE said that based on information, anyone who was in the following locations during the dates and times may have been exposed to measles: Location Date/Time When symptoms may develop Loves Travel Stop/Carls Jr. 748 Road, Grand Junction Tuesday, May 27 6 10 p.m. Through June 17 Maverick Gas Station 2588 Airport Road, Colorado Springs Wednesday, May 28 9-11:30 a.m. Through June 18 King Soopers 1750 W. Uintah Street, Colorado Springs Saturday, May 31 8:30 a.m. 12:45 p.m. Through June 21 Those who believe they have been exposed to measles should monitor symptoms for 21 days after exposure and consider avoiding public gatherings or high-risk settings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community. Measles is highly contagious and can sometimes lead to serious health problems, but it is a vaccine-preventable disease, the CDPHE wrote. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a characteristic rash that usually starts several days later on the face and spreads. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides strong protection. Monitoring is important, especially for people who have not been vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, which, if given within 72 hours of infection, can prevent infection. Colorados total number of cases is up to six. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. The full impact of the Supreme Court's June 2023 ruling that colleges can't consider race in admissions may not be known for years. But a CBS News analysis of enrollment records shows the first class of freshmen since the high court's order is a little less diverse than the class before it. College admissions experts say there are signs campuses will trend toward less diversity at the same time some universities are facing intensifying pressure from the Trump administration to eliminate diversity programs and remove international students. CBS News gathered first-year enrollment data from 116 colleges and universities, 76 of which considered race in admissions before the Supreme Court ruling. The data showed the share of underrepresented minority students among those schools decreased by about 2 percentage points from fall 2023 to fall 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Underrepresented minority students include Hispanic, Black, Indigenous or Pacific Islander students. These are groups that have historically had disproportionately lower rates of college admissions. Among the 35 schools that did not previously consider race in admissions, the share of underrepresented minority students remained roughly the same, suggesting the ruling may have influenced diversity on campus. Five schools did not report whether or not they considered race in admissions. CBS News found the drop in diversity was even sharper at the most elite colleges and universities. At 17 schools that accept less than 10% of applicants, the share of minority students fell nearly 5 percentage points. This includes schools like Dartmouth, Princeton, Cornell, Brown and Tufts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite this, the most selective schools still had a slightly higher share of underrepresented minority students than other institutions we collected data from. While the one-year drop itself seems small, the fall 2024 semester was the first time the percentage of underrepresented minority students had decreased since at least 2015. Black students experienced perhaps the most significant one-year shift. At the 76 schools that previously considered race in admission but no longer do, the average share of Black students dropped from 6.4% in fall 2023 to 5.3% in fall 2024, the lowest level in the data collected since at least 2015. Early data "sends up a warning flag" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dominique Baker, an associate professor of education and public policy at the University of Delaware, said it's still too early to draw any concrete conclusions from this data. "We like to look at trends over a longer period of time, because in any given year, we could see a blip that goes up, a blip that goes down," Baker said. But if the trend continues over four years by the time these students are seniors it could mean the campuses they attend will be significantly less diverse. For Baker, this "sends up a warning flag." "We're now starting to see ... early indicators that we might be seeing a negative trend developing in the share of students of color who are attending, particularly the underrepresented minority students that you all are talking about attending more selective institutions," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She pointed to research out of California, one of the nine states that had banned affirmative action prior to the Supreme Court ruling. A 2020 study found that enrollment among Black and Latino students at UCLA and UC Berkeley, the more selective campuses in the University of California system, fell by 40 percentage points after voters outlawed race conscious admissions (the state ban passed in 1996 and went into effect in 1998). It concluded that California's ban on affirmative action exacerbated socioeconomic inequities among Black and Brown students. Desmond Kuhn, an 18-year-old sociology and urban studies major at Columbia University who identifies as African American, said the Supreme Court ruling happened as he was starting to apply for college. "It's very discouraging and also makes it harder to reach a lot of these, especially private elite universities, because a lot of generally Black and Hispanic communities don't have the same resources as, say, White and Asian communities," Kuhn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he saw the difference in resources between his predominantly Black high school in the suburbs of Detroit and the predominantly White private boarding school where he retook his SAT. Columbia University published first-year enrollment numbers for fall 2024, but in a different format than the federal data collection, which we used in our analysis. In Columbia's reporting, the percentage of students who self-identified as Black or African American dropped from 20% for the class of 2027, to 12% for the class of 2028. (In this reporting method, students can identify with more than one race, whereas in the federal data, students could only pick one.) Columbia declined to provide CBS News data in the same format used for the analysis of other schools, so the university is not included in our overall findings. Other factors at play Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across all schools, the share of students who did not report their race in enrollment records (and were classified as "unknown") grew significantly the largest spike since at least 2015. While the data suggests the start of a downward trend in the share of underrepresented minority students at colleges and universities, the jump in the "unknown" category means the racial makeup of the class of 2028 could be different than what is being reported. If many of the students who did not report their race were White, then the share of White students would be higher than the reported data might suggest, lowering the share of underrepresented minority students. But if the students who did not report their race were Black or Hispanic, then the share of Black or Hispanic students may be higher than what is reported. "That's part of the really, really big challenge of ... charting and thinking through who is currently enrolling at colleges and universities after the Supreme Court decision," Baker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tom Delahunt, the vice president for strategic recruitment and enrollment at Southwestern University in Texas, said the drop in underrepresented minority students could also be because of problems with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, that were at play while the future fall 2024 freshman class would have been making decisions about if and where to go to college. Typically, students can apply for the FAFSA on Oct. 1 each year. But in 2023, the form wasn't available until Dec. 30. As a result, schools couldn't offer financial aid on time because they did not have the FAFSA information, forcing students to wait for delayed offers. "Delays, glitches, and other issues led to a 9% decline in submitted FAFSA applications among first-time applicants, and an overall decline of about 432,000 applications as of the end of August," said a report from the Government Accountability Office. Delahunt said that many of the students who had delayed FAFSAs would likely only make decisions about schools if their families had the money to go ahead without knowing how much they were going to have to pay. But many underrepresented minority students may come from poorer families that could not afford to guess how much college would cost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Impact of diversity on campus Experts said studies have found diversity of all kinds, not just racial diversity, is essential to students' education. "These studies don't say that [only] students of color benefit from diverse learning environments. White students also benefit. Every student benefits from a diverse learning environment," Baker, from the University of Delaware, said. Jennifer Levine, a first-year student at Stanford University who is half Asian and half Jewish, agreed. She participates in a residential humanities program, where she lives with the same students she takes classes with, a group she described as predominantly White. The uniformity, she said, makes for "a worse learning space." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think that all academic environments are made better with more opinions, more experiences, people who have different sets of knowledge," she told CBS News. "For me as someone who's not Black reading Toni Morrison, I can't offer my perspective on that in the sense of race." Stanford's first-year class has roughly half as many Black students this year compared to last year. Austin Shaw, one of those Black freshmen, said he can see the difference. He lives in a dorm that is themed around the Black diaspora, so many Black students choose to live there. "All of us are very tight because we're literally like half of the Black freshman population," he said of his dormmates. "But when you go out into class, it's a completely different vibe." Shaw said that about half of the students in his high school in Los Angeles were Black. One of the reasons he chose Stanford over other California schools was that it had a higher proportion of Black students. "You become an expert on the subject of being Black, or you feel like you have to represent, or you feel like you have to talk for your community," he said. "When I was in high school, where half of the class would be Black, you wouldn't have that expectation." Other ways to ensure a diverse student body Delahunt, of Southwestern University, said this ruling, along with other restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, have made his job harder. He said his goal is to try to ensure that the student body reflects the community around it in Georgetown, Texas, just north of Austin. This is so "when they leave ... they are ready for the next step of entering into society as a contributing member of society, that they understand how to work together. That we're going to have differences, and that's OK. How to work through those differences, how to work together to solve problems," Delahunt said. Now, without being able to see race and ethnicity on admissions forms, he must rely heavily on recruiting from high schools where he knows the population of the school is reflective of the mix of students he wants to come to Southwestern. "Our job hasn't changed. Maybe the way we do it has to change a little bit. But our goals are the same," Delahunt said. Richard Kahlenberg, director of the American Identity Project at the Progressive Policy Institute, said that if schools were to consider socioeconomic status instead of race, they could still increase diversity on campus. Kahlenberg testified on behalf of Students for Fair Admissions in support of the ruling ending affirmative action. With data obtained through the legal process, he and an economist ran dozens of admissions simulations and found that considering socioeconomic status and ending preferential admissions for legacy students could increase diversity at Harvard and the University of North Carolina while maintaining academic caliber. "If there were some universities that did not see declines in racial diversity, as we know there were some, then it's incumbent upon those institutions that saw larger drops to learn what happened," Kahlenberg said. He added that universities and colleges have argued that this method would be far more expensive, as it would increase the amount of financial aid the schools have to provide. "It's not that race-neutral alternatives are ineffective, it's that they cost more money," he said. Some schools have increased socioeconomic diversity. UNC increased the number of students with federal Pell Grants to nearly a quarter of the class. Both Yale and Dartmouth's first-year classes had the highest-ever share of first-generation and low-income students, all while increasing their share of underrepresented minority students. All diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are at risk As universities adapt admissions processes to maintain diversity, they risk butting heads with an administration that is seeking to end all diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. The Department of Justice announced at the end of March that it is investigating four California universities to assess their compliance with the Supreme Court's ruling. University of California schools, which have not been allowed to use race as a factor in admissions directly since voters passed Proposition 209 in 1996, recently moved from using test scores and GPA for admissions to a "comprehensive review" process. That process looks "at multiple factors beyond courses and grades to evaluate applicants' academic achievements in light of the opportunities available to them and the capacity each student demonstrates to contribute to the intellectual life of the campus," according to the University of California's admissions website. UC admissions for underrepresented minority students has increased since the initial drop following Prop 209, with the nine universities admitting the largest share of underrepresented minority students in its history in 2021. But the schools' student bodies are still less diverse than the California population or the cohort of high school graduates who meet UC admissions requirements. Underrepresented minorities make up about 32% of the UC fall 2024 freshman class. But they make up 46% of Californians and more than half of the state's high school graduates who meet the minimum academic requirements to get into UC schools. However schools choose to adapt, ignoring race in wholistic admissions entirely is unrealistic, said Levine, the mixed-race Stanford freshman. "Parts of your identity can't be separated from your field of study, from your interests, from what you do," she said. "My identity is tied to the kinds of things I'm interested in, what I wrote my essays about to get into college. Taking out my race from that is not going to take away the fact that that is part of who I am." Kristi Noem says "we are not going to let a repeat of 2020 happen" amid L.A. crackdown Magic in the dark: The fantastical worlds of Lightwire Theater Carlos Alcaraz beats Jannik Sinner in epic comeback to win French Open Michael Anderson views the Mississippi River as the country's great connector. It flows through 10 states both red and blue weaving its way through major population centers and small towns. Millions of Americans drink from it, and live, work and play on its banks. For that reason, Anderson believes it's high time the river had its day. This year, it will. For the first time, June 2 will be recognized as National Mississippi River Day, a move that Anderson and other advocates hope will bring sorely needed attention to one of the country's most significant waterways as it continues to struggle with pollution, disinvestment and the effects of climate change. The environmental advocacy group One Mississippi, for which Anderson directs outreach and education efforts, launched the day to kick off its annual campaign for the river, River Days of Action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: 10 important facts about the Mississippi River More: The Mississippi River is central to America's story. Why doesn't it get more love? "In a time where it's almost more immediate to turn our backs on each other, now is the time to turn toward the river and turn toward each other," Anderson said. "This is about having a dedicated day for the people of the river, in these mainstem states and beyond, to turn toward each other. Several river cities and three states, including Wisconsin, have formally recognized the day. Gov. Tony Evers wrote in a proclamation that the river connects Wisconsin to the global economy and that protecting it is paramount as environmental threats continue to grow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, the national conservation group American Rivers named the Mississippi the most endangered river in the U.S. because of the Trump administration's plans to scale back spending on natural disasters, including flooding. There's significant room for improvement in federal flood relief programs, advocates said, but they argued federal participation is key to coordinating flooding response because the Mississippi touches so many states. The upper Mississippi River in particular is experiencing higher water flows and more severe, longer-lasting flooding due to climate change and land use changes. These high waters are killing floodplain forests and disrupting fish habitats. On the lower river, drought years have caused barges to run aground. And pollutants from Midwest farm fields and urban centers continues to choke aquatic life at the river's mouth off the coast of Louisiana. More: Mississippi River named most endangered in U.S. Why water quality is not the issue. More: Mississippi River runoff is not just a Gulf problem. It impacts health, recreation upstream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Layoffs and cuts to federal agencies that manage the river are also causing concern among environmental advocates. That's in part what propelled Steve Marking, a river historian and guest performer for American Cruise Lines on its Mississippi River cruises, to organize a June 14 event at Goose Island County Park near La Crosse as a part of One Mississippi's River Days of Action. More: Multiple researchers fired from La Crosse USGS science center, threatening work on invasive species and other Mississippi River issues "Celebrate the Mississippi," hosted by the Upper Mississippi River chapter of the Izaak Walton League, of which Marking is a founding member, will include a paddling trip through the river's backwaters, an outdoor photo contest, a floodplain forest tour and a demonstration of the league's Save Our Streams program, which teaches people how to do their own water quality monitoring. The demonstration is meant to help people realize their own power in taking care of natural resources, Marking said. "Being able to take charge of the data and find out whether your local stream, your local creek or even the mainstem of the Mississippi is healthy or not ... is something we can do," he said. A couple fishes along the Mississippi River on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 in De Soto, Wisconsin. On June 2, One Mississippi will host an online celebration at noon to hear residents' stories from along the river and discuss what's needed to protect it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anderson said he thinks momentum for National Mississippi River Day will continue to build in years to come, similar to Earth Day. "There's just a really encouraging message of hope of where we are ... and also of where we can go," he said. Madeline Heim covers health and the environment for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at 920-996-7266 or mheim@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: First-ever National Mississippi River Day happening June 2 The countrys leading ICT company Azerconnect Group becomes a partner of 4SI Academy National Program implemented to accelerate the transition to a digital economy in Azerbaijan. The project aims to increase the knowledge and skills of citizens in the field of fourth industrial revolution technologies, as well as to support the development of professional talent. At the event, attended by over 100 representatives from the public sector, private industry, and academia, Mushfig Aliyev, Chief Commercial Officer of Azerconnect Group, delivered a speech on the companys innovative projects in new technologies, particularly AI-based solutions. In an era of rapid technological advancement, a countrys competitiveness depends not only on technical capabilities but also on the potential of its human resources, he stated. For the effective adoption and sustainable development of advanced technologies, it is crucial to have highly qualified, adaptable, and open-minded professionals. In this context, our projects not only accelerate technological progress in the country but also hold strategic importance for developing human capital and fostering new skills. Training local specialists in the field of ICT and high technologies, strengthening the country's digital economy ecosystem is one of the main directions of the sustainable development strategy of Azerconnect Group. The company contributes to the formation of professionals in the field of ICT and the development of human capital by supporting projects and initiatives in relevant fields. With its strong ICT infrastructure and innovative solutions, Azerconnect Group plays an important role in the development of the digital economy of Azerbaijan and its transformation into a technological center of the country's region. The National Program is jointly organized by the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) under the Ministry of Economy, the Education Development Foundation under the Ministry of Science and Education, and the Coursera company. Within the framework of the project, tens of thousands of people will be able to join up to 8,000 courses and programs in total for free, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, big data, data analytics, blockchain and cloud technologies, programming languages, as well as leadership, personal development and communication. Users will be able to benefit from training from about 350 of the world's most prestigious universities and leading technology companies, such as Oxford, Stanford, Yale, Duke, London, Manchester, as well as Microsoft, Google, Meta, IBM, AWS, Oracle, Gitlab, for a year. As part of the program, the 2,500 most popular Coursera courses come with Azerbaijani subtitles powered by AI. Participants who complete the courses successfully will earn internationally recognized certificates. Anyone interested in joining can register by clocking the link provided. About Azerconnect Group As a company operating in the dynamically developing ICT and high technologies fields of our country, Azerconnect Group delivers advanced solutions, including Mobile, Internet, and International leased lines provisioning, alongside cutting-edge digital services in FinTech, AdTech, and Media/TV. Azerconnect Group is part of NEQSOL Holding, an international group of companies operating in various countries across the energy, telecommunications, hi-tech, and construction industries. NEW YORK New York Gov. Kathy Hochuls No. 2 Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado has long had designs on her job and plans to launch his long-shot bid to unseat her Tuesday, his spokesperson told POLITICO. Delgado previewed the announcement in a video released Monday that includes images of him in New York City speaking with people and calling for universal health care and universal pre-K. He also pledged to fight the Trump administrations attacks on deep blue New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The powerful and well connected have their champions, he said in the video. Im running for governor to be yours. The news was reported by the New York Times. A Hochul campaign spokesperson declined to comment. The Democratic Governors Association in a statement praised Hochuls record and pledged to support her. The Democratic Governors Association is 100 percent behind Governor Hochul as she continues to deliver for New York, take on Donald Trump, and build the operation it will take to beat Republicans up and down the ballot in 2026, DGA executive director Meghan Meehan-Draper said. For years, Governor Hochul has been underestimated and each time proved her critics wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hudson Valley Democrat has been reaching out to Black elected officials to make his pitch, including leaders in Harlem and Brooklyn, four people familiar with his plans told POLITICO. One Democrat said Delgado is presenting Hochul as a weak top-of-the-ticket candidate who would hurt down-ballot contenders. Delgado is formalizing his campaign for governor four months after declining to endorse Hochuls reelection bid. But he snubbed her well before then, breaking with her last year by calling for President Joe Biden and then New York City Mayor Eric Adams to step down. Delgado, a moderate former House member who briefly had a rap career, holds a largely ceremonial role as Hochuls deputy. The responsibilities have conventionally included lower-stakes appearances to boost the governor while presiding over the state Senate. But Delgado has been on a de facto campaign tour of the state in recent months, hosting town halls and visiting churches to get his name out. He didnt reference Hochul once when he spoke Sunday from the pulpit of a predominantly Black church in Brooklyn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we dont have moral leadership in a democracy, what do you think is going to happen to the democracy? It will collapse on itself, Delgado told the congregation at Mt. Ollie Baptist Church. If you cant tell, Im ready to make a change, he went on to light applause, and I just want to ask you to pray for me. Challenging a sitting governor is a difficult task. Hochul ascended to the office in 2021 after Andrew Cuomos resignation. She quickly inherited the trappings of power that fall to chief executives in New York, including support from politically influential labor unions and a long line of donors eager to contribute to her campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite her middling poll numbers, Hochul is a formidable fundraiser. The governor in January reported $15.5 million in her campaign account and has raised money throughout the year. During the 2024 election cycle, Hochul built up the state Democratic Partys infrastructure, which she is expected to leverage for her re-election next year. Delgado had $968,751 in cash on hand, according to his January filing. The next report is not due until July. Hochul handily defeated two Democratic primary challengers in 2022 when she ran for a full term. She received more than 67 percent of the vote; New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Rep. Tom Suozzi received less than 20 percent each. Delgado remains largely unknown to most voters, a common problem for anyone who serves in the low-profile lieutenant governors post. A Siena College poll in May found 58 percent of voters had no opinion of him or didnt know him. A Schenectady native and resident of the exurban Hudson Valley region, he does not come from a population center like New York City or the immediate suburbs often a prerequisite for statewide success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delgado is part of a long line of lieutenant governors who have chafed in the powerless office. The last sitting No. 2 to challenge a sitting governor was in 1998, when Betsy McCaughey Ross launched an unsuccessful bid to unseat then-Gov. George Pataki. Delgado has spent much of the year in even more governmental irrelevance than is normal for the job. After announcing he would not run again with Hochul and hinting he would challenge her the Hochul administration stripped him of his Capitol office space, staff and email access. The lieutenant governor will be up against Hochuls name recognition and fundraising strength in the primary one year from now. The incumbent governor isnt highly popular but shes formidable enough. A Siena College poll from May showed 46 percent of Democrats would support Hochul in a gubernatorial primary, compared to 12 percent for Delgado and 10 percent for Rep. Ritchie Torres, another potential challenger who says hell make his decision after the New York City mayoral primary this month. On the Republican side, potential candidates for governor next year include Reps. Elise Stefanik and Mike Lawler and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. The 2025 hurricane season names have already been set, but Florida's Gulf Coast is still feeling the effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. "We were consumed by the Gulf," Madeira Beach city manager Robin Gomez told CBS News about the effects of Hurricane Helene. "The surge pushed up, upwards of 7 feet." Many of the tourist hotspots, from restaurants to bars, are back in business with temporary food trucks or locations, but they need the visitors to return in order to stay open. After approximately $50 billion worth of damage to the state, per The Sun Coast Post, Florida is counting on tourists to aid their recovery. A vehicle at an intersection beginning to flood ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected landfall in St. Petersburg, Florida, US. Bloomberg/Getty Images Still, the White House trade wars aren't helping the situation as Canadians exit the state. It's the local businesses that are feeling the impact the most. It's not only having a negative impact on the tourism market but business as a whole, Seed and Bean market owner Cole Peacock shared with Gulf Coast News Now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He's also worried about the effects of the tariffs on food products and how it will affect his business. You need those extra visits to kick that profit margins to another level, Peacock added. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently predicted that the Atlantic would have an "above-normal" hurricane season. They are reporting a 60% chance of 13 to 19 storms with six to 10 turning into hurricanes and three to five of the storms could be major disasters. For now, Florida businesses are going to hope people flock to the beach for the summer season ahead of any possible hurricane. They are open and ready for tourists to spend their hard-earned dollars. Related: Is Sean Hayes Okay? Iconic LA Eaterys Closure Has Fans Concerned Florida Businesses Are Begging for Tourists After 2024 Hurricane Season first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 2, 2025 ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) Florida state troopers are searching for a man they said hit a motorcycle and fled the scene. Photo courtesy: Florida Highway Patrol Escambia County woman seriously injured in crash According to the Florida Highway Patrol, officers were called to a crash on Blue Angel Parkway and Longleaf Creek around 4 p.m. on May 30. LOCATION: When officers arrived, they found that the driver of a Nissan Altima had hit the rear left side of a motorcycle, which then caused the motorcycle to hit the right rear corner of a Nissan Rogue, according to an FHP crash report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the Altima then allegedly continued south, causing a second collision where it hit the rear left corner of the Rogue. FHP officials said the driver of the Altima then fled from the scene, eventually abandoning the car at a Circle K gas station on Mobile Highway. The motorcyclist was seriously injured in the crash. Florida Department of Transportation completes $9 million street safety and resurfacing project in Escambia County Anyone with information can contact FHP by dialing *347. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez was approved by FIU trustees, will become president pending Board of Governors approval. (Photo via FIU) Jeanette Nunez transition from lieutenant governor to university president is one vote away from happening. Nunez was named FIUs interim president in February, stepping away from her role in the governors office. Monday, university trustees unanimously approved her as the institutions official leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im honored, Im humbled, and Im excited about the opportunity to serve my alma mater, Nunez said, thanking trustees. An FIU alumna and adjunct professor, shes been applauded by trustees for her political experience and connections in Tallahassee. She served in the Florida House from 2010-2018. I think youre an amazing addition at this point in time for this university and I am 100% positive youre going to do an amazing job, Board of Trustees Chair Roger Tovar told Nunez. Nunezs presidency is expected to start on June 19, the board said, if the university systems Board of Governors votes to approve her the day before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former lieutenant governor is set to earn a base salary of $925,000 and up to $400,000 in performance incentives. In addition, her contract provides a $245,000 annual retirement supplement, $12,000 car stipend, and $25,000 moving stipend. Kenneth Jessell, the president who resigned when Nunez took the interim job, was paid an annual salary of $650,000 with a $175,000 performance bonus. Relationship with the governor With Gov. Ron DeSantis term-limited out in 2026, Nunez now has a job with a, likely, clear future. Tovar said in February, The governors office has contacted me and suggested that we consider Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez as the next leader for FIU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nunez was the sole publicly announced finalist. According to FIU, two others were selected as finalists but declined to be announced publicly unless they were the sole finalist. At least one trustee predicted the outcome of the search. In February, Trustee Dean Colson said the probable results of the search are already known. Monday, Colson renewed that sentiment, acknowledging that Nunezs service as interim president and the governors involvement could have deterred other candidates from applying. I believe she will be a very successful president. And to be honest, if we dont pick her as our president, I suspect tomorrow were going to find out who the governors office second pick is, and I really like our first pick, so why would I take that chance? Colson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nunez to FIU is another example of DeSantis pushing for close control over state schools. Hes set his focus on New College of Florida and the University of West Florida, vowing big changes to the Pensacola school, and to make each more conservative. As trustees, we are trying to provide fiduciary oversight in a political era very different than just a few years ago, Colson said. Everyone has their hands in higher education these days, and there are a lot of different viewpoints. We are trying to figure out how to do whats best for the institution and then hoping our decision aligns with what the people in the governors office want, and this is tricky. As a public university, saying no to the governor, in most instances, is not a pathway to success. Matt Marr, an FIU associate professor of sociology, expressed concerns during the public comment period about the politics of higher education. Interventions by state government My experiences at FIU have changed in recent years because of what I see as interventions by the state government and embraced by the board of trustees, Marr said, citing the Stop WOKE Act, faculty unionization efforts, post-tenure review, general education course reclassifications, 287(g) agreements, and the way that Nunez was installed as president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel that shared governance and academic freedom are being undermined, and this has diminished morale among faculty and conscribed the kind of education and research that we can do, Marr, who has been at FIU since 2008, said. Trustee Noel Barengo, who represents the Faculty Senate and was the lone no vote against Nunez when she was up for interim president, said she has been approachable and responsive to his communications and has learned really really fast. Shes ready to work with us, and we are ready to work with her, on all these challenges and issues identified. Building trust will take some time, Barengo said. She is very strong in Florida, she knows the politics, and thats her strength. Probably less strong, her track record on academic leadership, but I am convinced she will learn that. No one is born as a president. Tovar announced during the meeting that he will submit his resignation from the board of trustees in the next few days, saying, The last thing I want to do is overstay my welcome. He joined the board in 2017. He started a five year term in 2023. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister in Tampa on June 2, 2025. (Photo by Mitch Perry/ Florida Phoenix) A host of top law enforcement officers briefed reporters in Tampa on Monday about their concerns about senior citizens in Florida being scammed by prisoners alhough they offered few details. They did say that the culprits exploiting older Florida residents are state prisoners whose weapons in these cases are contraband phones, cryptocurrency, and drone devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, a 92-year-old man has been robbed of more $800,000 over a two-year period and one of the perpetrators is an incarcerated individual. He added that more information would come later. We will have formal charges, but it got to the point where we started connecting the dots and realized we need to put the public on notice that a lot of these calls and outreach to seniors, it could very much be a scam, said Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) Secretary Ricky Dixon announced that in conjunction with the attorney generals office and other agencies, Operation Triple Threat took place last week in three correction facilities containing approximately 3,000 inmates to search for illegal cellphones. All told, he said, officers captured 400 phones. The Florida Department of Corrections told the Phoenix after this story was published that the institutions where those searches took place were at Avon Park Correctional Institution (CI), Hardee CI, and DeSoto CI. A spokesperson added that fom July 1, 2024, through May 17, 2025, FDC had intercepted over 7,250 phones within Floridas prison system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked asked how many cases involve prison inmates taking financial advantage of seniors, Uthmeier said at least three known cases, although he added that no formal charges have been brought to date. Were still expanding to see how far it goes, but at least a few different perpetrators and likely several more than that as far as victims, he said. Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass also appeared at the media availability. This story was updated with additional information from the Florida Department of Corrections regarding the confiscation of contraband cellphones in Florida prisons. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Florida state leaders are looking to crack down on crimes against seniors. Law enforcement officials were in Tampa Monday morning to discuss the case of a 92-year-old man who lost about $800,000 over two years to a scam. Investigators said the suspect had done it in a state prison. Even more individuals that are gonna be held accountable and responsible for our 92-year-old victim who lost his entire life savings, said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said advancements in technology and cryptocurrency make it easier for criminals to target the elderly without getting caught. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A 92-year-old man from Sun City Center, Florida, is out $800,000 after getting caught up in a romance and bank scam allegedly coordinated by a 37-year-old man who is now behind bars. "This was an individual who was lonely," Amanda Granit, a spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, said of the victim to Fox 13 Tampa Bay in a story published May 2. "[He] didn't have family or friends in the area. He was in a facility, and he was looking for connection. And unfortunately, he found it in the wrong place." Otiz Swinton Jr. was arrested in Orlando on April 30 and has been charged with multiple counts of fraud. This isnt the first time hes been linked to a criminal case involving seniors. Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what happened, and what you can do to avoid becoming a victim of a romance scam. Senior citizens targeted Swinton Jr. was already serving a prison sentence when he initiated contact with his victim, police say. "Seven years ago, he was convicted of stealing more than $1 million from more than 50 people in Sun City Center," Granit said. According to Fox 13, police say that offense involved the scammer telling seniors they had fraudulent charges on their credit cards and needed to mail the cards to him to resolve the problem. In this latest incident, police say the victim transferred money from his Fidelity account into his Wells Fargo account. The funds were allegedly withdrawn to multiple individuals via a cryptocurrency platform, peer-to-peer transactions, ATM withdrawals and other methods. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan works every single time to kill debt, get rich in America and that anyone can do it From March 13 to April 2, five counterfeit checks were allegedly made payable to Swinton Jr. from the victims bank account, totaling $14,300, while over $5,000 in charges were made on the victims card. Fox 13 reports the suspect had just been released from jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say the victim was targeted as early as June 2022. How to protect against romance scams Romance scams are incredibly common. As of March 31, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had received 13,768 reports of romance scams in 2025, with losses totaling $280 million. The good news is, there are ways to avoid them. The number one way to not fall victim is to simply not send money, gift cards, crypto or anything else of value to someone you haven't met in person. The FTC also advises those making new friends online not believe promises anyone makes about helping you make money. One should also be suspicious if a person refuses to meet, and do a reverse image search of any pictures you receive to ensure theyre legitimate. Its a good idea as well to tell a trusted friend about your interactions so you can get their opinion about whether things are above board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this particular case, the victim was 92 and in an assisted living facility. Seniors living in isolation or experiencing cognitive decline can be ripe targets for scammers. That's why it's important for loved ones of people who are aging to stay on top of things and make sure theyre safe, and, if necessary, pursue guardianship and take over management of their assets if it appears they could be vulnerable to scammers. What to read next Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Putting a pool in your backyard is a major decision costing upwards of $100,000, according to HomeGuide that inevitably involves disruption. But for Tampa Bay-area clients of Olympus Pools, the cost and disruption were far more than they bargained for. As WFLA News Channel 8 reports, hundreds were left with nothing but holes in their backyards and bank accounts, their money swindled by Olympus Pools former owner James Staten. Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May, he was sentenced to 20 years of prison followed by 30 years of probation found guilty of 35 felony counts, including multiple counts of grand theft and contractor fraud. The sentence in this case is based on the fact that, out of all the testimony, you willfully ruined peoples lives, Judge Mary Handsel said during the sentencing. A pool contractor pays the price for fraud At the hearing, the prosecutor read victim impact statements to convey just how much damage Staten caused beyond unfinished pools, including this one: James Staten stole nearly $25,000 from us, leaving us with an unfinished pool and a shattered sense of security. Because of his actions we were forced to dip into our 401k to complete the work, setting back not just our retirement but also our daughters college fund. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan works every single time to kill debt, get rich in America and that anyone can do it In addition to his prison sentence, Staten must pay more than $1 million in restitution to be distributed to victims. Hes also barred from owning a business or having any credit cards while hes on probation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one time, Statens business Lutz, Florida-based Olympus Pools claimed to be the largest pool builder in the state. But Staten shut down the company in July 2021 amid a slew of complaints and what Staten called constant negative media coverage. Floridas Department of Business and Professional Regulation fined Staten $1.4 million and forced him to surrender his contracting licence. Later that same year, he and his wife filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. According to prosecutors, Staten collected money from clients despite knowing their pools were unlikely to be built. He used $1.3 million of his clients money to fund his lifestyle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was stealing money from a lot of us, former Olympus client Toni Rosier told WFLA. In addition to receiving their fraction of the restitution funding, some former clients may qualify to receive a portion of their money back through the Florida Homeowners Construction Recovery Fund. However, the amount payable is capped and is unlikely to reimburse many clients for the full amount they lost. So, what steps can you take to prevent this from happening to you? Be aware of the signs of potential fraud Watch out for contractors who solicit door-to-door because they are in the area or have materials left over from a previous job, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get multiple quotes for your project and dont rush into a decision. Before making a final decision, verify the contractors references and call them. Many people ask for references from previous clients and then fail to call them. Also check Better Business Bureau reports. Confirm that your contractor is licensed and insured. You can check the license with local or state regulators and ask the contractor for proof of insurance. Also look for a contractor whos a member of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and ask if they provide a warranty or guarantee. Be vigilant of contractors who pressure you to commit, only accept cash, demand full payment upfront or want you to borrow from a lender they recommend. Also beware if they ask you to get the permits. Get estimates and contracts in writing. The contract should include a timeline, a detailed cost breakdown, procedures for managing changes to the project and steps for resolving disputes. If things go wrong, keep detailed written records of conversations and events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Set up a payment plan contingent on work milestones being completed and dont pay in full upfront. Monitor expenses throughout the project to make sure they align with the estimate and ask for a receipt as proof of full payment once the contract is completed and paid for. Once the project starts, watch out for subcontractors who contact you directly for payment, have frequent or excessive unexpected expenses and materials that are lower quality than what was agreed to in the estimate. Lack of activity at the job site is another red flag. It may seem time-consuming to assess potential contractors and keep on top of their work, but this extra work could end up saving a lot of heartache and your savings. What to read next Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. A Florida man is suing Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, alleging he sustained "permanent catastrophic injuries" after riding a water park slide in Walt Disney World Resort in 2021. Eugene Strickland is seeking $50,000 in damages against the theme park giant in a lawsuit filed May 29 in Orange County, Florida. Those damages stem from physical and mental injuries Strickland claims he suffered while riding on the Downhill Double Dipper (DDD) at Disney's Blizzard Beach water park on July 31, 2021. "Our client was severely injured on a ride at Disney's Blizzard Beach," John Morgan, founder of personal injury law firm Morgan & Morgan, which is representing Strickland, and attorney Alberto Oliveri said in statement shared with CBS MoneyWatch. "He has filed a lawsuit alleging that it was the defendant's lax safety measures and oversight that contributed to those injuries. We are pursuing justice for him and working to hold Disney accountable for their alleged negligence." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strickland, who weighed 334 pounds at the time of the incident 34 pounds above the allowable limit according to guidelines established by the American Society for Testing and Materials alleges in the lawsuit that he was dislodged from his Disney inner tube, as a result of the ride's "exhilarating speeds," a reference to the ride's description on the Disney World website. "Disappear into a black hole and plummet 50 feet downhill at exhilarating speeds," a description of the high-speed water ride on the park website reads. "Hurtle through darkness, then emerge just in time for the big splashdown." After becoming separated from his inner tube, Strickland landed forcefully on the slide's plastic surface, causing him to sustain "serious bodily injury," such as "disability, scarring, disfigurement," the lawsuit states. Other alleged injuries include "mental anguish" and the "loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life." Strickland claims the theme park is at fault for his injures, stating in his lawsuit that Disney had a "duty to warn him of dangerous conditions at the DDD high-speed water slide premises." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disney did not immediately respond to CBS MoneyWatch's request for comment. Strickland is seeking legal damages and a trial by jury. LAPD chief speaks out about deployment of military forces to anti-ICE protests Can Trump deploy National Guard without governor's approval? Trump's $134 million deployment draws scrutiny TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 2. Davron Vakhabov, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, held a series of high-level meetings and negotiations during his official visit to Afghanistan, with engagements in both Kabul and Kandahar, aimed at strengthening bilateral industrial cooperation and advancing joint textile and processing projects, Trend reports. The visit included productive discussions with senior officials from Afghan government agencies and ministries, focusing on expanding bilateral industrial cooperationparticularly in the textile and processing sectors, which hold strong potential for joint development. As part of the visit, the Uzbek delegation toured an industrial zone in Kandahar covering 50,000 square meters. The site currently houses approximately 2,000 pieces of machinery produced in Uzbekistan in the 1970s. Discussions centered around the possibility of launching joint ventures within this industrial zone, with plans to restore and recommission the existing equipment to revive production. During the negotiations, the sides reached an agreement on collaborative projects aimed at processing at least 50,000 tons of cotton and producing finished textiles and garments in both Kandahar and Kabul. Furthermore, under the proposed project framework, dyed fabrics produced in Uzbekistan will be exported to Afghanistan for garment manufacturing, while yarn processed in Afghanistan will be exported back to Uzbekistancreating a mutually beneficial value chain between the two countries. Pride Month is officially here; however, many might notice fewer festivities, rainbow-colored merchandise and even less sense of security especially in Florida. Home security and safety blog SafeHome.org released their annual report of the best and worst states for LGBTQ+ safety, noting hate crimes have risen for the fourth year in a row and 71% of LGBTQ+ adults have avoided a public space due to fear of discrimination or violence. Experts ranked the 50 states on a composite safety score comprising a law score and a hate crime score. A law score was calculated based on pro- and anti-equality laws in each state. A hate crime score was also calculated based on an analysis of the incidence of hate crimes against any group falling within the LGBTQ+ umbrella. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida has dominated headlines over the last few years when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community, from controversial legislation to discourse over pride events. In this year's ranking, Florida has fallen to the bottom of the list, despite being in the 35th slot just two years ago. Why did Florida rank the worst for LGBTQ+ safety? The Sunshine State placed dead last as Americas worst state for LGBTQ+ safety with a score of 35.69 out of 100. "Under Governor Ron DeSantis, the Sunshine State has become increasingly cloudy for the LGBTQ+ community. Hes signed laws including a Dont Say Gay initiative to restrict scholastic discussion of sexual orientation (then censured Disney for its opposition to the bill), a limit on access to gender-affirming care, and the criminalization of prohibited bathroom use by transgender citizens," the report states. The report further cites that LGBTQ+ advocates and human rights organizations have previously issued a travel advisory for the state due to legislation. Additionally, Florida has the lowest percentage of hate crime reporting in the country with 44% of law enforcement agencies submitting hate crime data to the FBI in 2023. Florida 'anti-LGBTQ+' bills and laws in 2025 Out of the 588 anti-LGBTQ bills the American Civil Liberties Union was tracking, seven were in Florida, including: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement H.B. 731/S.B. 1710 - Died in committee in both the Senate and the House; would have prohibited spending on DEI initiatives and applying for federal health care grants that include DEI. H.B. 1495/S.B. 440 - Never moved past the committee phase in the Senate and was never heard in the House; would have prohibited workplaces from requiring employees to use preferred pronouns. H.B. 1307 - Postponed indefinitely; would revise provisions relating to DOE, FCS institutions, state universities, & K-20 education system. S.B. 100/H.B. 75 - Postponed indefinitely; would have banned Pride flags flying on government buildings. Do LGBTQ+ members feel safe in Florida? In a 2023 survey, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) found that 80% of transgender or nonbinary Floridians either want to move away or have already made plans to do so. It also highlighted that 1 in 3 LGBTQ+ Floridians share the same sentiments. In their own words, HRC shared quotes from respondents, some writing they felt they were losing their basic rights and ability to exist in public spaces. However, the study also highlighted those who wanted to stay and fight in their home state. It showed that 11.7% LGBTQ+ adults, and 6.5% transgender and non-binary adults, were committed to fighting back against gender affirming care bans, through voting out and speaking out against politicians who enacted these bans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I spoke on the Capitol steps but this is what we do we fight, we don't stand down, we stand up because we know the power of staying vigilant," drag queen Latrice Royale told the USA TODAY Florida Network in 2024 when asked in an interview about LGBTQ+ activism in their home state. See the 10 worst states for the LGBTQ+ safety People in the crowds are framed by a rainbow float during the 2024 Pride parade downtown on Broadway in Nashville , Tenn., Saturday, June 22, 2024. Florida Louisiana Mississippi Tennesse Utah South Dakota Alabama Kansas Nebraska Georgia What is the best state for LGBTQ+ safety? Demonstrators raise their flags at a Rhode Island Pride-organized rally in September 2020. For the second year in a row, the tiny New England state earned an A+ for LGBTQ+ safety. "The Ocean State has the nation's most straightforward motto: 'Hope', and supplies that to its LGBTQ+ citizens via various legal protections, progressive healthcare, and vibrant community support," the report detailed. "Rhode Islands score was also boosted by its stellar hate crime reporting participation rate. Ninety-eight percent of law enforcement agencies in the state reported hate crimes to the FBI, more than any other state." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also notes Rhode Island set trends by providing benefits to same-sex partners in 2001, recognizing same-sex civil unions in 2011, and marriages in 2013, two years before the Supreme Courts Obergefell decision. See the top 10 best states for the LGBTQ+ safety: Rhode Island California Delaware Connecticut Nevada New Hampshire Minnesota Virginia Maine Colorado Is it safe to attend Pride Month events this year? Tips to stay safe Pride Month 2025 certainly looks different compared to recent years, which is leading some attendees to wonder if it's safe to attend this year. And unfortunately, there's not an exact answer. According to NBC News, severalEuropean countries have issued official cautions for LGBTQ travelers visiting the U.S. and some LGBTQ rights groups have either pulled out of participation or called for a boycott of international Pride events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite a slew of anti-legislation across several red states this year alone, several Pride organizers told the Guardian that the show will still go on, especially in light of the political hostility the community is facing. Its incredibly rewarding to see tens of thousands of attendees. Its very easy to feel isolated and alone in deep red states like Idaho with people living in relatively isolated areas and incredibly regressive legislatures targeting the LGBTQ community," Donald Williamson, executive director of Idahos Boise Pride, told the outlet. LGBTQ+ news source Them released a list of safety advice for those heading to Pride events, including: Stay Hydrated And Bring Snacks Have a Group or Buddy to Check In With Practice Drug Safety and Harm Reduction Know Your Protest Safety Basics Understand Active Shooter Danger and Safety Tips Have a Plan In Case You Need to Leave This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Pride Month 2025: Why Florida ranks last for LGBTQ+ people safety (NewsNation) The airline industry has been plagued by flight delays and cancellations in recent months, resulting from communication outages and staff shortages. John Goglia, a former National Transportation Safety Board member and adviser on the HBO show The Rehearsal, said some issues could be solved by airports flying fewer aircraft. Capacity for airports like JFK, Newark, and a number of other ones around the country, he said. We just have too many airplanes trying to land on too few airports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Air traffic controller who prevented midair crash: Avoid Newark Goglia says there is no easy fix for the industry, but he said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is examining all of the options right now. We have physical limits on how many airplanes an airport can handle per hour, Goglia said. And weve been pushing on the maximum in certain airports for a while. So, it needs to be reviewed again, and the procedures for those airports need to be reviewed again to make sure were operating at the highest levels of safety. Newark Liberty International Airport has come under tremendous scrutiny after last months incident in which air traffic controllers in Philadelphia lost radar and communications with planes over Newark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newark problems and recent crashes put focus on air traffic controller shortage and aging equipment Chicagos OHare International Airport was also called out for having too many airplanes landing, though the airport has added an extra runway to address safety concerns. People want to fly today, Goglia said. People want to go some place. So, its a balance between what the airlines want to provide, the passengers demand, and the governments ability to satisfy both of those parties. Goglia acknowledged that the federal government should carry the most responsibility for enhancing airline safety because it runs the Air Traffic Control Network, which controls the flow of airplanes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. NEED TO KNOW Former Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel was recommended for parole on Friday, May 30 She was convicted on seven counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Sharon Tate, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, Steven Earl Parent, Jay Sebring, Leno LaBianca and Rosemary LaBianca "Pat has fully accepted responsibility for everything she did, everything she contributed to, every twisted philosophy she embraced and endorsed and, most importantly, every life she destroyed by her actions in 1969," Keith Wattley, Patricia Krenwinkels parole attorney, said Patricia Krenwinkel, a one-time follower of cult leader Charles Manson, was recommended for parole on Friday, May 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The California state parole board found Krenwinkels risk of reoffending to be low, according to CBS. "This decision does not minimize or forgive the criminal conduct or the loss your victims and their families have suffered," Commissioner Gilbert Infante said, per CBS8. "At the time of these crimes, you exhibited all the hallmark features of youth. When we look at subsequent growth, you have made strides, and this is evidenced in the work you have done." The panel's decision must now be reviewed by the Board of Parole Hearings and then Governor Gavin Newsom, which can take up to 150 days. AP Photo From left, Voytech Frykowski, Sharon Tate, Stephen Parent, Jay Sebring, and Abigail Folger. T From left, Voytech Frykowski, Sharon Tate, Stephen Parent, Jay Sebring, and Abigail Folger. T Krenwinkel was 21 when she and Mansons followers went on a two-day murder spree killing pregnant actor Sharon Tate, coffee heiress Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, Steven Earl Parent and Jay Sebring in August 1969 as well as grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, the next night in what prosecutors called Mansons attempt to start a race war. Bettmann/Getty Charles Manson leaves court after deferring a plea on the murder charges. Charles Manson leaves court after deferring a plea on the murder charges. Krenwinkel, now 77, testified that she stabbed Folger 28 times, per the New York Times. She later helped kill the LaBiancas the following night and wrote in blood on the walls, Death to Pigs, according to the Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was convicted on seven counts of first-degree murder in April 1971 and sentenced to death. She was resentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 1972 after the death penalty in California was deemed unconstitutional. Krenwinkel, the longest-serving female inmate in the California prison system, first became eligible for parole in 1976. She has had 16 appearances before the state parole board. AP Photo/Wally Fong Members of Charles Manson's "family" congregate in the Los Angeles Hall of Justice on January 27, 1970 in Los Angeles, California. Members of Charles Manson's "family" congregate in the Los Angeles Hall of Justice on January 27, 1970 in Los Angeles, California. In 2022, Newsom overruled the recommendation by the Board of Parole Hearings for her release after citing that Krenwinkel still posed an unreasonable danger to society if paroled at this time." 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. "Ms. Krenwinkel fully accepted Mr. Manson's racist, apocalyptical ideologies," Newsom said, per The Associated Press. "Ms. Krenwinkel was not only a victim of Mr. Manson's abuse. She was also a significant contributor to the violence and tragedy that became the Manson Family's legacy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jay Sebrings nephew Anthony DiMaria spoke out at Fridays hearing. "Patricia Krenwinkel is not a follower, nor is she a victim," said DiMaria, according to CBS8. "She is a cold-blooded killer of eight people. The more accurate number is eight, as I include the murder of Tates unborn son. Krenwinkel obliterated the rights of all of her victims. Charles Manson did not write Helter Skelter in blood. Patricia Krenwinkel did. She is the author of blood-smeared messages that terrified the world. Parole Patricia Krenwinkel once her victims are paroled from their graves." Keith Wattley, Krenwinkels parole attorney, said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE that the inmate should be released. "After 56-and-a-half years of incarceration with no rule violations, with substantial change in who she is, and with the last nine psychological evaluators over the past 40 years agreeing that Pat is no longer a risk, its time to make the possibility of parole a reality," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Pat has fully accepted responsibility for everything she did, everything she contributed to, every twisted philosophy she embraced and endorsed and, most importantly, every life she destroyed by her actions in 1969," Wattley continued. "Pat has participated in extensive therapy and group counseling to address her experiences as both a perpetrator and survivor of violence, allowing her to understand how she was able to cause this tragedy and helping others along their own healing journeys. This case also shows what happens when we dont officially offer any healing-focused alternative to survivors of violent crime. Pat and I wish them peace, if they can ever experience it after the harm she caused." In response to the recommendation, Sharon Tate's sister, Debra, has started a petition to keep Krenwinkel from getting parole. "Society cannot allow this serial killer who committed such horrible, gruesome, random killings back out," she wrote. "I am asking for your help by letting the parole board know that you do not want to see her get released by signing this petition." It has gained 116,790 signatures as of Monday morning. Manson died in prison in 2017. Read the original article on People [Source] The University of Florida Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Tuesday to select Dr. Santa J. Ono as the universitys 14th president, despite intense scrutiny from conservative activists who questioned his previous support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Who is Santa J. Ono? Ono previously served as president of the University of Michigan, the University of British Columbia and the University of Cincinnati. A world-renowned vision researcher, he has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, among other prestigious organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, his appointment faces significant opposition due to his past advocacy for DEI initiatives. Conservative activist Christopher Rufo, who serves on New College of Floridas board of trustees, found prior statements by Ono supporting DEI programs and reposted them online. U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds and Greg Steube also expressed opposition, with Steube writing about grave concerns regarding Onos woke politics. Trending on NextShark: Former DEI supporter selected as University of Floridas new president Despite the criticism, Ono received the support of anti-woke Gov. Ron DeSantis, who reportedly expressed trust in school officials. Board Chair Mori Hosseini, who has focused on improving the universitys national standing, also endorsed Ono, saying he is precisely the right person to be president at this time and that his values align perfectly with ours here in the great state of Florida. What hes saying Ono has since renounced his previous DEI positions. Over time, I saw how DEI became something else more about ideology, division and bureaucracy, not student success, he wrote in a widely circulated op-ed. Thats why, as president of the University of Michigan, I made the decision to eliminate centralized DEI offices and redirect resources toward academic support and merit-based achievement. It wasnt universally popular, but it was necessary. I stood by it and Ill bring that same clarity of purpose to UF. Trending on NextShark: Jackie Chan wants Rush Hour 4 and Shanghai Dawn Onos appointment follows the search to replace Ben Sasse, the former Nebraska senator who resigned abruptly in July 2024 after serving little more than a year. Under the proposed contract, Ono would receive a $1.5 million annual base salary plus potential bonuses and $500,000 from UF Health, with duties including preventing money from being spent on DEI or activism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Florida Board of Governors is expected to vote on his appointment next week. Trending on NextShark: South Korean students warned to clean up their socials amid US visa crackdown This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what were building, consider becoming a paid member your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Subscribe here now! Trending on NextShark: ICE officials ousted amid White House order to triple number of daily arrests Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! Former German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock was elected president of the United Nations General Assembly on 2 June. Russia did not support her candidacy. Source: European Pravda; Spiegel, German weekly news magazine Details: A total of 167 countries voted for the former German foreign minister in a secret ballot. Baerbock was the only candidate for the post. Despite this, the vote was held in secret at the insistence of one UN member. Diplomatic sources say the secret ballot was initiated by Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow made no secret of its displeasure at Baerbock's nomination, accusing her of "outright bias". As a foreign minister, Baerbock was consistently critical of Russia for its aggression against Ukraine and advocated a tougher policy towards the Kremlin, which repeatedly met with outrage from the Russian authorities. Background: Baerbock's nomination after her party's defeat in the German parliamentary elections drew some criticism in diplomatic circles. In her post-election speech, Baerbock thanked UN members for their confidence in her and promised to be an "honest broker" for all UN member states. Earlier, Baerbock had resigned from the leadership of the Green parliamentary faction for personal reasons. It was later reported that she would be nominated for the rotating post of president of the UN General Assembly. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell listens to Gov. Kay Ivey deliver the State of the State address in the Old House Chamber at the Alabama State Capitol on Feb. 4, 2025 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Will McClelland for Alabama Reflector) Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell announced Monday he is campaigning for the Alabama Attorney Generals Office. Mitchell, a Republican who served on the Alabama Supreme Court from 2019 until his resignation in May, said in a statement that he is a proven conservative and a warrior for President Donald J. Trump and the America First agenda and is running to stop the lawlessness, restore order, and dismantle Joe Bidens radical left wing policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt just my race its our fight for Alabamas future. Ill take on the radical left, advance the Trump agenda, and never stop fighting for our state, Mitchell said in a statement. He describes himself as a law and order conservative with the guts to protect our Constitution in the campaign launch video. Mitchell claimed a tough-on-crime approach to law and order in his campaign announcement. Mitchell also said he plans to aggressively pursue mass deportations. His campaign video stated that Mitchell will work with President Trump to make Alabama the state criminals and illegals hate most. On social issues, Mitchell said he would defend the sanctity of life and fight the woke agenda, saying that no matter the cost, I will stand firm to protect the unborn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mitchell in February 2024 wrote the majority opinion ruling that frozen embryos outside the womb are children, forcing several in-vitro fertilization (IVF) providers in Alabama to pause services temporarily. Mitchell wrote that there was no exception for frozen embryos under an 1872 law allowing civil lawsuits for the wrongful death of children, or under a 2018 state constitutional amendment that required the state to ensure the protection of the rights of the unborn child. The upshot here is that the phrase minor child means the same thing in the Wrongful Death of a Minor Act as it does in everyday parlance: an unborn or recently born individual member of the human species, from fertilization until the age of majority, Mitchell wrote in the opinion. Attorney General Steve Marshall, who was appointed in 2017 by former Gov. Robert Bentley and reelected in 2018 and 2022, is term-limited but announced he would run for the U.S. Senate. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a first-term senator, also announced he would run for governor. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Patricia Krenwinkel, a former member of the notorious Manson family that carried out a series of grisly killings across Los Angeles, was granted parole, but a final decision on her freedom now rests with Gov. Gavin Newsom. In a statement to The Times, her attorney said that after five decades behind bars, it was time for Krenwinkel to be released on parole. "Pat has fully accepted responsibility for everything she did, everything she contributed to, every twisted philosophy she embraced and endorsed and, most importantly, every life she destroyed by her actions," said Keith Wattley, founder and executive director of UnCommon Law, which represents inmates in parole hearings. "Patricia Krenwinkel should be paroled because California professes to believe in redemption and rehabilitation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Krenwinkel was approved for parole Friday, the second time the state's parole board reached that decision during her 54 years in state prison. In May 2022, Krenwinkel was approved for parole, but that decision was reversed by Newsom. The governor's office did not immediately respond to questions about whether he would reverse the latest decision to grant Krenwinkel parole. The parole decision will become final after 120 days, as long as it is cleared by the parole board's legal office, and then it is sent to Newsom, who has 30 days to decide then whether to reverse the parole board's decision. During her 54 years in state prison, Krenwinkel has taken part in therapy and group counseling to address what Wattley described as her role as both a perpetrator and survivor of violence. She has also faced nine consecutive psychological evaluations where she has been deemed to no longer pose a public safety risk, Wattley said in the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was Krenwinkel's 16th appearance before the parole board. Read more: What happens next for the Menendez brothers? Multiple paths to release now open Krenwinkel was convicted in 1971, along with other members of the Manson family, for the killings of actress Sharon Tate and six others during a deadly two-day killing spree in Los Angeles. She had been originally sentenced to death, but that was commuted to life in prison with the possibility of parole after the death penalty was ruled unconstitutional in 1972. Krenwinkel was among the Manson followers who broke into the Benedict Canyon home of Sharon Tate and her husband, Roman Polanski. Tate and four others were stabbed and shot during the attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The high-profile trial of the Manson family made Manson and several of his followers some of the most infamous criminals of the 20th century, not just because of the nature of the grisly crimes, but some of the antics and dramatic moments of the closely watched trial. During her trial, Krenwinkel testified that she chased Abigail Folger, heiress to the coffee company, before stabbing her more than two dozen times. She also testified that she used blood to write on the wall of the home "Death to pigs." Along with co-defendants Susan Atkins and Leslie Van Houten, Krenwinkel at one point showed up to court with an X carved on her foreheard, as Manson had also done. Debra Tate, Sharon Tate's sister, has been an outspoken advocate for keeping Krenwinkel, and other former followers of Manson, behind bars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Society cannot allow this serial killer who committed such horrible, gruesome, random killings back out," she wrote in the online petition, which has garnered more than 116,000 signatures since it was created in 2016. In an online petition, she urged supporters to send letters to Newsom to oppose Krenwinkel's release. She did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Read more: Newsom pardons Cambodian immigrant facing deportation, among other Easter clemency actions Despite the gruesomeness and notorious nature of the crimes, Krenwinkel's attorney argued she should be considered for parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No matter how serious and disturbing the facts of a crime, if a person gets a parole-eligible sentence, our laws require that they be released once they are no longer dangerous," he said in the statement. Former members of the so-called Manson family, now elderly state prison inmates, have faced several parole hearings that have resulted in outright denials. Other former Manson followers, including Charles Denton "Tex" Watson, 79, Robert Kenneth Beausoleil, 77, and Bruce Davis, 82, remain in custody in California state prisons. In 2023, however, Van Houten was granted parole and released, after holding what many described as an exemplary record for decades behind bars. Newsom had denied a previous decision granting parole to Van Houten but was overruled by an appellate court ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Newsom reversed the parole board's decision granting parole to Krenwinkel in 2022, he stated that the 77-year-old convict had "not developed sufficient insight into the causative factors of her crime and her triggers for antisocial thinking and conduct in the context of maladaptive relationships." In a statement issued at the time, Newsom pointed out that Krenwinkel was young at the time of the killings, 21, and she had a record of good behavior in prison, but ultimately decided it was not enough to grant her a release. During a 2016 hearing, Krenwinkel's attorney also noted she had been abused by Manson, or someone else, at the time. She is currently in custody at the California Institution for Women. 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. Holly McClaren is shown in a campaign video for Gov. Dan McKee in 2022. (Screenshot from campaign video by Friends of Dan McKee) A political consultant facing criminal charges for falsifying signatures on Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos campaign papers during the 2023 congressional special election changed her plea to no contest, avoiding potential prison time, as first reported by WPRI-TV 12. Holly McClaren originally pleaded not guilty in May 2024 following a sealed grand jury indictment charging her with two felony counts of violating nomination papers and two misdemeanor counts of giving false documents to an agent, employee or public official. She appeared in Providence County Superior Court Monday, and was sentenced to three years of unsupervised probation, according to records from the court hearing obtained by Rhode Island Current. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Grasso, McClarens attorney, did not return calls for comment Monday. McClarens company, Harmony Solutions, was hired by Matos campaign during her 2023 primary run for the 1st Congressional District seat. Once considered a frontrunner in the 11-way primary for the open congressional seat, Matos ultimately finished fourth, dogged for much of her campaign in the accusations of signature fraud. Yet Matos maintained her innocence even as the state opened a criminal investigation into her campaign after local election administrators in three separate municipalities flagged nomination papers on the grounds of suspected signature fraud, including of dead residents. McClaren was one of two people charged in the signature scandal, along with another campaign worker, Christopher Cotham. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cotham also pleaded not guilty to the same four changes as McClaren. His case remains pending in Providence County Superior Court, according to the public court docket, with a pre-trial conference scheduled for June 25. Matos in a statement Monday said the conviction has cleared her name. I have supported this investigation at every step in the hopes that the truth would come to light, Matos said. With this case settled, the facts are clear: Holly McClaren committed a serious crime that undermined the sanctity of our states free and fair elections. Im grateful to the law enforcement officers who handled this investigation thoroughly and professionally and whose work ultimately led to todays results. Updated to include recently obtained records from Holly McClarens court appearance detailing her plea change and sentencing. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Kartash Kimya LLC, a resident of Azerbaijan's Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park, managed by the Economic Zones Development Agency under the Ministry of Economy, has started exporting products for the first time, the agency said, Trend reports. In the first stage, the company exported approximately 21 tons of construction chemicals to Uzbekistan. Kartash Kimya LLC, inaugurated on April 30 of this year with the participation of the head of state, is engaged in the production of cement-based dry mixes, waterproofing systems, epoxy and polyurethane/polyurea-based flooring materials, cement grinding additives, and concrete additives and its main raw materials in the territory of the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Former Veterans Department Secretary Sonya Smith will run as a Democrat in the June 2026 primary for Secretary of State (Courtesy of Sonya Smith) Sonya Smith, a veteran and former New Mexico cabinet member, will officially announce her 2026 run for New Mexico Secretary of State later this week. The secretary of state operates the states elections, keeps official records for the state government and is third in succession behind the governor and lieutenant governor. Term limits bar current Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, finishing her second consecutive term, from running again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith will be the third candidate seeking the Democratic nomination in the June 2, 2026 primary election, alongside Dona Ana County Clerk Amanda Lopez Askin and Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark. As yet, no Republican candidates have announced runs for the office. Trump administration efforts to change election rules, such as requiring proof of citizenship and changes to mail-in ballots, motivated Smiths campaign, she told Source NM. The biggest threat to elections is people feeling safe and secure and that their right to vote is protected, Smith said. Our vote is our voice, and what were facing right now is the elimination of that. Smith received a bachelors in health services management from Norfolk State University and a masters degree in health care compliance from Argosy University. She served as a combat medic with the United States Air Force Reserve in the first Gulf War, and worked in state health care before joining the New Mexico Department of Health, guiding the agencys COVID-19 testing team. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed Smith to lead the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services as its cabinet secretary in October 2020. She stepped down in November 2022, citing the need to care for her mother in her home state of Virginia. Smith returned to New Mexico after her mothers death a few months ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith said her experience in election administrations is limited to just being a voter, but said her work in the Lujan Grisham administration gave her the necessary leadership skills required, including relationships to pass stronger legislation. I believe that my experience as a former cabinet secretary with statewide experience is just as valuable as having clerking experience, Smith said. According to the latest campaign finance records, Smith reported no donations or campaign expenses. Shell formally announce her candidacy at an event Thursday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) A lawsuit that linked debate over a proposed Rockingham County casino to a politicians primary loss has been reopened after the plaintiff said the judge who dismissed the case acted improperly. Last month, Judge Hoyt G. Tessener sided against former Rockingham County Commissioner T. Craig Travis in his 2024 defamation suit against former Commissioner Don Powell and sitting Commissioners Mark Richardson and Kevin Berger, son of North Carolina State Sen. Phil Berger (R-Rockingham), as well as Rockingham County Republican Party Chair Diane Parnell, the North Carolina Conservatives Fund, Atlas Political Consulting LLC and GOPAC Inc. According to court documents, a hearing was scheduled in April to hear the motion to dismiss filed by the defendants. The judge assigned to the case, Judge Robby Hicks, noted that after reviewing the files, he believed he had a conflict of interest due to his 2022 election campaign and recused himself from the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tessener was then given the case. The filing says, after the hearing, a third party told the plaintiff that Tessener also had a conflict and should not preside over the case, due to his connections to state Sen. Phil Berger (R-Rockingham County), the father of defendant Kevin Berger, and former North Carolina Speaker of the House Tim Moore, who is also named in the lawsuit. Mr. Moore and Senator Berger were both heavily involved with Defendant GOPAC, and Senator Berger is the father of Defendant Berger. Upon information and belief, Mr. Moore was a member of the Legislative Leaders Advisory Board of Defendant GOPAC from 2015 through 2023 and was one of only five Congressional candidates endorsed by Defendant GOPAC in the 2024 election, the motion said. Tessener was appointed to his position as a special superior court judge by Moore in 2023 and was also appointed to the Governors Crime Commission by Moore in 2019. The filing states that Tessener contributed financially to both Phil Berger and Moores campaigns in the past, totaling $22,900 in donations to Moores campaigns since 2015 and around $1,000 to Phil Bergers campaigns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An excerpt from the Federal Elections Commission report filed by Mr. Moores campaign committee showing a $6,600.00 contribution by Judge Tessener to Mr. Moores 2024 Congressional campaign on November 8, 2023, approximately two weeks after Judge Tessener was appointed to his current position, the filing said. GOPAC, one of the defendants in the case, also made significant contributions to Moores campaign through both direct contributions and advertisements. At the April 23 hearing, Tessener said that he had not read the material of the case and would do so before rendering a decision around April 28. Judge dismisses former Rockingham County commissioners defamation suit tied to casino debate Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plaintiffs counsel reasonably believed that, since Judge Tessener had not read any documents in the court file before hearing the arguments of counsel, he likely did not know enough about the facts of the case to realize that he should not render a decision on the dispositive motions in this case, the motion read. Plaintiffs counsel also reasonably believed that, after Judge Tessener read the Complaint and other filings, he would disclose his relationship with the individuals involved in the case as Judge Hicks had done and recuse himself because the circumstances are such that his objectivity could be called into question. On April 30, Tessener rendered his decision to uphold the defendants motion to dismiss without disclosing any connection to Phil Berger or Moore, granting all relief requested by Defendant GOPAC and the North Carolina Defendants. Traviss legal team writes that if they had known about Tesseners connections, they would have filed a request that he recuse himself, but they were not given that opportunity. After Judge Tessener rendered his decision granting all relief requested by Defendant GOPAC and the North Carolina Defendants but before the order on his decision was entered, Plaintiffs counsel informed the Court, by email to the TCC, that Plaintiff had discovered grounds that could warrant Judge Tesseners disqualification and requested that Judge Tessenets decision be held in abeyance for 30 days so Plaintiff could seek an expert opinion on the matter and determine whether to file a written motion to disqualify, the lawsuit said. Plaintiff further informed the Court that, if Judge Tessener would not agree to stay entry of the order based on his orally rendered decision, Plaintiff would proceed with filing the motion to disqualify that had been drafted in its then-current form so that the issue could be addressed before an order was entered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They say that Tessener did not respond to their emails and entered the dismissal order on May 16, stating that by entering the Dismissal Order without notifying counsel in advance of his intent to do so, Judge Tessener ensured that Plaintiff, who was in the process of conducting due diligence regarding the issue of disqualification, would not be able to publicly request his disqualification before Plaintiffs claims were dismissed. Travis and his legal counsel are asking for the lawsuit to be reopened and for a new judge to be selected to reconsider the motion to dismiss. A hearing about Traviss motion to set aside the dismissal was held on Friday, and the case has been marked as reopened in the courts online system. Additional details about Fridays hearing were not immediately available. The lawsuit In the original lawsuit, Travis, an outspoken opponent of a proposed casino in Rockingham County, says he chose not to run for reelection to the Board of Commissioners in 2022 due to his belief in term limits. However, in 2023, he said that multiple citizens, who also opposed the casino, reached out to him and inspired him to run again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Developer tied to casinos eyes Rockingham County land as NC lawmakers consider another new gambling law During the primary, Travis lost by three votes, and the former commissioner says his loss was due to defamation by the defendants. When the plaintiff campaigned on his opposition to the pro-casino measures supported by the incumbent Commissioners and opposed by the majority of residents of Rockingham County, the defendant Commissioners sought to discredit him by publishing defamatory statements to voters in the 2024 Republican primary election, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit lays out in detail Traviss belief that Kevin Berger and other members of the board acted inappropriately in their attempts to bring a casino to Rockingham County, including closed-door meetings that would violate North Carolina statute and multiple donations from lobbyists and officials associated with Cordish Companies, whom it was believed had been courted to build the proposed casinos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Travis claims that the defendants campaign messages and social media posts about his candidacy rose above typical political mudslinging due to his opposition to the casino proposition. The false statements made about Mr. Travis in the False Attack Ads, Facebook posts, email, and other communications described herein constitute more than the mere vituperation and name-calling that is characteristic of political campaigns and protected by the First Amendment, the lawsuit said. These false statements were made with actual malice and intended to harm Mr. Traviss reputation in Rockingham County by lowering Mr. Travis in the estimation of potential voters in the 2024 Board of Commissioners election through deliberate deception and deterring them from supporting his campaign. I call it deception, North Carolina landowner expresses regret over making deal after learning about casino plans According to the suit, a clip of Travis speaking was deceptively edited to remove context so that it would falsely appear that Travis intended to raise taxes in Rockingham County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mailers allegedly accused Travis of opposing budget increases for the Rockingham County Sheriffs Office, which the former commissioner said was not true. The lawsuit adds that Sheriff Sam Page also opposed the casino and supported Traviss candidacy for the board because of Mr. Traviss history of consistently supporting law enforcement and public safety in Rockingham County. Beginning on Feb. 8, 2022, and continuing through March 5, 2024, the lawsuit said Defendant [Donald] Powell falsely stated to many people that Mr. Travis had vandalized his vehicle. Those claims include an accusation that Travis ripped the valve stems out of the tires on Powells vehicle, which was not true, according to the suit. Parnell appeared to accuse Travis of stealing campaign signs for the other candidates running for the Board of Commissioners, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parnell allegedly said, When you do not see signs for [Powell], [Kevin Berger], Ben Curtis and [Richardson], they have been stolen. Signs put out at 5 and gone by 8 signs replaced and the dark side is out there again stealing campaign signs The suit claims that Parnells Facebook friends and followers would recognize that she was using the dark side to refer to Travis based on Parnells previous statements on her Facebook page, in private messages and in personal conversations. Removing campaign signs that were placed legally is a crime under the North Carolina State Statute. Camp for special needs children among plaintiffs in lawsuit against Rockingham County over casino rezoning Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, Travis came in fourth in the Republican primary and did not advance to the general election with the top three vote-getters. He garnered 5,506 votes, three votes short of Kevin Bergers 5,509. Travis states in the lawsuit that these statements and accusations, which he says are false and stem from his opposition to the casino project, contributed not only to his loss in the primary but also to a loss of his good reputation within Rockingham County. Mr. Travis has suffered substantial embarrassment, mental anguish, and distress due to the damage to his reputation proximately caused by Defendants defamatory statements, the lawsuit stated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) A Pierre woman has been charged with four counts of falsifying her own medical marijuana card while she was an employee of the South Dakota Department of Health. The new Miss South Dakota has been crowned According to a news release from the South Dakota Attorney Generals office, Alexandra Feiner, 24, has been charged with forgery, false and forged instrument, falsification public records and possession of a forged instrument with intent to defraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendant is charged with using her position of trust as a Department of Health employee for her own personal benefit, state Attorney General Marty Jackley said in a news release. His statement added, This type of conduct reflects poorly on those state government employees who work hard for South Dakotans. The alleged crimes occurred between March 2024 and March 2025. The South Dakota Department of Health oversees the states medical-marijuana program and cooperated with the investigation conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). The DOH has had more than four different medical-cannabis administrators since the program was created after the November 2020 election. Feiner applied for and received a medical cannabis card in April of 2023. She was certified to receive the card by practitioner Donna Linke of Healing Spirit Psychiatry and Counseling PLLC. Feiner paid for this application, court documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A renewal window opened up for Feiners cannabis card in February of 2024. Feiner allegedly extended the expiration date of the card and approved her own renewal application. She then allegedly created a new medical cannabis card for herself and extended the expiration to May 1, 2025. According to court documents, DOH Secretary Melissa Magstadt reached out to the DCI on March 5 after another DOH employee overheard a former DOH employee speaking at a local gym. Magstadt confirmed Feiner had the ability within the system to create and issue medical marijuana cards. Court documents say Feiners history records show there is not medical provider certification for the medical cannabis card issued to herself on March 19, 2024. According to the AGs office, one felony count of forgery carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; while one felony count of offering a false or forged Instrument for filing, registering or recording carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison. One felony count of possession of a forged instrument carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charge of falsification of public records by a public officer or employee is a misdemeanor, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in the county jail. It is alleged that the defendant avoided both the medical provider certification requirement and the fee. Feiner is listed as an inactive employee on the states transparency website and appears to have left state government employment this spring. The programs previous administrator, Emily Kerr, left at approximately the same time. Whitney Brunner is currently the program administrator. KELOLAND News reached out to DOH for more information. They confirmed Feiners last day of employment with DOH was March 11, 2025, however they could not provide more details, as this continues to be an active and ongoing investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KELOLAND News will have more coverage of Feiners arrest online and on-air. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A former Texas State Trooper will serve 14 years in prison for sexually abusing a child, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Monday. Andrew Smith pleaded guilty on May 1 to one count of indecency with a child in Kleberg County court. The conviction marks another breach of public trust by a law enforcement officer. Smiths victim, now 18, courageously testified about the abuse that began when she was under 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The abuse came to light in January 2021 when the then-14-year-old reported multiple incidents to authorities. Smith was actively serving with the Texas Department of Public Safety during the time the abuse occurred. He resigned from his trooper position after the victims disclosure. During sentencing, the victim detailed numerous acts of abuse she endured as a child. Her testimony helped secure the 14-year sentence after Smith agreed to let the judge determine his punishment. The sexual abuse of a child is one of the most tragic and disgusting crimes, and those responsible for such heinous acts will be punished to the full extent of the law, Paxton said. Thank you to all our law enforcement partners who worked to ensure that justice was secured. Assistant Attorneys General Erika Hime and Elizabeth Mireles prosecuted the case. They worked at the invitation of Kleberg County District Attorney John Hubert. The case underscores ongoing concerns about abuse of authority within law enforcement ranks. That said, the successful prosecution demonstrates Texas officials commitment to holding their own accountable. Fountain Hills Town Councilman Rick Watts felt insulted. He'd spent three hours at a public meeting discussing the town's budget and Fire Department needs in painstaking detail. Then, he read a news article the next day and saw a headline that, in his view, overly simplified the meeting. "Fountain Hills Town Council defers fire department budget plan," the headline read. It wasn't inaccurate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The town's fire chief had wanted more money to promote a few people. Those promotions would support a regional "automatic aid" program the town was applying for. If approved, Fountain Hills would be part of a regional network so that when a customer called, the nearest municipal Fire Department responds, regardless of town boundaries. The council approved the funding but delayed its start to January to reduce the cost in the current fiscal year. The problem with the headline, Watts said in an interview with The Arizona Republic, was that it could "sound more egregious than it is." He didn't offer up an alternative, he just said it should have better represented the complexity of the discussion. Beyond the headline, the article from the Fountain Hills Times Independent did have an error: it reported that the promotions were required for the application. But they weren't. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The error frustrated Watts. It also irritated Vice Mayor Hannah Larrabee, who had a growing list of grievances with the paper since she took office two and a half years earlier. So they decided to do something about it. As Larrabee put it, in an interview with The Republic, they decided to "send a message." That message has since raised eyebrows among First Amendment experts and advocates, who said the retaliation was "improper" and "disrespectful" to free speech and free press freedoms. News alerts in your inbox: Don't miss the important news of the day. Sign up for azcentral newsletter alerts to be in the know. 'I am fed up': Council retaliates against reporter Watts and Larrabee fired off emails to town staff in mid-April. They requested staff remove the desk at the back of the meeting room designated for reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They didn't dance around their motive. "Frankly, I am fed up with the Times partisan reporting and think it is time to remove the corner 'reporters' table," Watts wrote in an email to Town Manager Rachael Goodwin. "I do not wish to further encourage unbalanced reporting, and believe it is best if the Times Independent sits with the audience to allow for more chairs in that corner, making more room for the public," Larrabee wrote. In their letters, they elaborated on their frustration with "melodramatic" headlines, one-sided stories and being misquoted. They did not request to ban reporters. Having journalists sit among the audience wasn't a novel concept; most City Hall reporters in the Valley are not accommodated with designated tables. But the request upended a tradition that was in place for decades. Some town staff couldn't remember a time when there wasn't a press table. But by the end of the month, it was gone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not all councilmembers were clued into the change there was no vote on it. When Councilmember Brenda Kalivianakis found out, she was furious. Growing frustration with coverage pushes councilmembers over edge Watts and Larrabee were frustrated with the paper's error because they said it left readers with the impression that by deferring Fire Department funding, the council was willing to jeopardize the application for the program and, by extension, the community's safety. They were bombarded with accusations that the council didn't care about the Fire Department, they said. Fountain Hills Councilmember Rick Watts. Watts said people should have been informed of the lengthy back and forth and deep consideration the council gave the issue. Yes, the council deferred funding. But in doing so, they had also approved new funding that didn't previously exist. The councilmembers' grievance was largely an issue of framing the concept referring to how a reporter writes a story and which information is emphasized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite their frustration, neither Watts nor Larrabee requested corrections. They said they believed it would fall on deaf ears, though both acknowledged they had never been explicitly denied a correction from the paper. Watts, who took office in January, said he had never requested a correction. He was skeptical of reaching out because "the sentiment in town right now is that it's a very liberal paper, since it has new ownership. That, I have no basis for, other than hearsay." The Fountain Hills Times was purchased by Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA in 2023 and became the Fountain Hills Times Independent. Through the changeover, all newsroom leadership and advertising staff remained, Managing Editor Ryan Winslett told The Republic. Watts also didn't like how the paper covered his campaign. There weren't inaccuracies, he said, "but not everything was included." Fountain Hills Vice Mayor Hannah Larrabee. Larrabee had made one correction request in the past. The paper said she worked for Turning Point USA, but actually she worked for the affiliated political action committee, Turning Point Action. The paper promptly corrected the article, which Larrabee acknowledged. But she had also requested a phone call to discuss opinion columns that mentioned her and which she wanted to respond to. She never got that call, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That's what makes it a little bit difficult to talk about, because it's like, 'OK. He said you work for TPUSA and you work for TP Action. Who cares, right?' But it's like, I have 100 different little tiny instances," Larrabee said. New position: Arizona Republic reporter's work to focus on the First Amendment's 5 freedoms Newspaper editor: Can't address grievance if I'm not notified The removal hasn't changed much for the paper, whose reporter still attends and covers meetings. "Its easier to take notes and manage documents during a busy meeting with a table, but its removal will have no real impact," Winslett said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The paper strives to be "accurate, thorough and down the middle in all of our reporting," he said. Fountain Hills Times Independent also follows a policy to "promptly correct all factual errors" upon notification, and offers a "right to reply" to anyone whom the paper writes about. "That fact is stated in every print edition of our paper," Winslett said. To Larrabee's claim of an unreturned call, Winslett said he didn't recall the request, "but I have always made myself available for such things." "But whether we're talking about two years ago or more recently, I can't address a perceived grievance if I'm not notified about it in the first place," he said. Table removal rebuked as effort to control and silence news coverage Kalivianakis asked about the table's removal at a meeting in early May. Goodwin informed her of the request from the councilmembers as well as Mayor Gerry Friedel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was stunned, and asked why the change was made without a council vote. Goodwin did not explain, and neither she nor the town's communications manager responded to that specific question from The Republic. The mayor also did not respond to The Republic's repeated requests for comment. Fountain Hills Mayor Gerry M. Friedel. Kalivianakis was outraged. The local paper was a staple in the community and its reporter, she said, ate, shopped, worked and worshipped among them. This wasn't some agenda-driven outsider, she said. She wrote a column in the Fountain Hills Times Independent on May 28 blasting the decision. "This incident highlights disregard for transparency by our local officials. Punitive measures are meant to control, influence and silence news coverage and criticism by concerned private citizens," she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She argued the table removal was retaliation. "Retaliation inherently has a chilling effect, making journalists and citizens hesitant to investigate controversial topics or criticize those in power. If journalists are reluctant to report on sensitive topics, the people regrettably pay the price," Kalivianakis wrote. Fountain Hills Councilmember Brenda J. Kalivianakis. First Amendment experts: We need to educate elected officials Free press advocates and First Amendment experts likewise expressed concern. "Local governments dont have to roll out the red carpet for reporters. A physically designated space also isnt required for Arizona local journalists to do their jobs," said Chris Kline, President and CEO of the Arizona Media Association and Arizona Local News Foundation. "But small actions like this can send a big message, and when that message is frustration with coverage, it risks eroding openness in government. Marc Randazza, the attorney who successfully represented the right-wing Gateway Pundit website in its lawsuit against Maricopa County after officials barred a writer from the outlet from attending an on-site election news conference, said, "When government acts this way, it obviously has something to hide. And even if all it has to hide is a lack of respect for the First Amendment, it needs to be called out." Gregg Leslie, executive director of Arizona State University's First Amendment Clinic, called the move "improper." "The government should not retaliate against people based on their viewpoint, their speech," Leslie said. "That is one of the grounds to sue for a civil rights violation." The table removal was not necessarily a violation of free press rights though, Leslie acknowledged. The town is under no legal obligation to provide a table for reporters. Watts and Larrabee both stressed this point, saying they had no intention to ever ban the press and, in fact, hoped for more reporters to provide the public a variety of perspectives. "I'm talking to you, aren't I?" Larrabee responded when The Republic asked about concerns of a chilling effect. The Republic asked these questions as part of a nationwide effort to put a spotlight on First Amendment issues. That three-year project, which includes reporters at The Republic, the Indianapolis Star, the Tallahassee Press Democrat, The Tennessean in Nashville and USA TODAY, is funded by the Freedom Forum's Local Press Initiative and Journalism Funding Partners, a nonprofit that works to increase the depth, diversity and sustainability of local journalism. Larrabee and Watts didn't shy away from the fact they hoped the decision would alter the paper's coverage. "It was simply to send a message of, 'Hey, if you start reporting honestly, then maybe we'll have a different situation," Larrabee said. "I don't care if they have a liberal lens. I really don't. But at least report it honestly." Leslie said more elected officials have wanted to clamp down on the press since the proliferation of online blogs that don't strive for objective reporting. "It leads to people saying, 'Well, I shouldn't have to put up with that,'" Leslie said. But the sentiment is wrong, he said. "I think we need to educate elected officials that yes, you should put up with a lot of criticism, even if you feel it's improper. Because people have a right to their opinions," Leslie told The Republic. 'We will simply continue to cover the community's news' Fountain Hills' fire chief did ultimately request a correction on the fire budget article. Winslett said they reviewed the request and made the change immediately. An editor's note was added to the bottom of the article, notifying readers. The paper doesn't plan to respond to the removal of the press table, which Winslett said its reporter had used for 20 years. "We will simply continue to cover the communitys news, just as we have for more than 50 years," Winslett said. Taylor Seely is a First Amendment Reporting Fellow at The Arizona Republic / azcentral.com. Do you have a story about the government infringing on your First Amendment rights? Reach her at tseely@arizonarepublic.com or by phone at 480-476-6116. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Fountain Hills Town Council retaliates against newspaper over coverage LONDON (AP) British police said Monday that a fourth man has been arrested in connection to a series of fires at properties and a car linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The 48-year-old man, who hasn't been identified, was arrested at Stansted Airport near London on Monday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. No one was injured in the fires that occurred between May 8 and May 12 at a house owned by Starmer, a building where he once lived and a car that he had owned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three men have already been charged in connection with the fires: Ukrainians Petro Pochynok, 34, and Roman Lavrynovych, 21, and Ukrainian-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 26. They are being held without bail before a June 6 hearing at Londons Central Criminal Court. Last week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed a report in the Financial Times that said U.K. security officials were looking into whether Russia was involved in the attacks. Counterterrorism detectives led the investigation because it involves the prime minister. Starmer called the fires an attack on all of us, on democracy and the values that we stand for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starmer and his family had moved out of his north London home after he was elected in July, and they live at the prime ministers official Downing Street residence. A Toyota RAV4 that Starmer once owned was set ablaze on May 8, just down the street from the house where he lived before he became prime minister. The door of an apartment building where he once lived was set on fire on May 11, and on May 12 the doorway of his home was charred after being set ablaze. House Speaker Frank Chopp delivering remarks in the House of Representatives on Jan. 11, 2016, the first day of the legislative session. (Photo courtesy of Legislative Support Services) Frank Chopp, a citizen activist who became the state of Washingtons longest-serving House speaker, spent a half-century relentlessly agitating for social change. It seemed fitting then that Chopp, who died in March, would deliver a final call for action to hundreds attending his memorial service in Bellevue on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have made so much progress, but let us also remember how lucky we are, he says in a taped excerpt of a speech on the opening day of a legislative session. None of us go without a paycheck, none of us go hungry, none of us go homeless, none of us lack health care, none of us lack the opportunity to get an education. The people we represent just want what we have, he said. So we have a lot to do. Lets get to work. Applause and cheers erupted through the crowd of lawmakers past and present, community leaders, current and former governors, and family friends gathered in the Meydenbauer Center to celebrate Chopp, whose death March 22 at the age of 71 stunned them, coming less than three months after his political retirement. For two hours, they told stories and paid tribute to the mustachioed maestro of politics, a streetwise and strategic solon who sought no higher office than the Seattle legislative seat he occupied for three decades. A Democrat, he managed to be both high-profile and behind the scenes, fomenting change without leaving visible fingerprints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Speaker Chopp, we witnessed a rare fusion: the heart of an organizer, the strategy of a legislator and the savvy of a political mastermind, said Teresa Mosqueda, a King County Council member. Frank blended these elements into a force that reshaped our social contract. Former Gov. Jay Inslee said Chopps blend of personal passion and strategic ability was the rocket fuel that drove significant housing, health care and social justice policies across the finish line. Though only one person with one vote, his role in pushing the state to strengthen the social safety net, build affordable housing and improve public schools is unmatched, speakers at the memorial event said. Frank Chopp was the greatest legislator in the last century. Period, proclaimed Lt. Gov. Denny Heck, a close friend and fellow Democrat. Relentless Chopp had two North Stars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was his family: Nancy Long, his wife of 41 years, and Ellie and Narayan, their children. Chopp would tear up when hed mention them on the House floor, for they were his touchstone. He was an equal partner at home, doing the laundry and shopping and showing up for the small stuff, Long recounted. Amid the steady seriousness of the job, she said he was funny and sometimes downright goofy. His other North Star was adapting government to serve the states most vulnerable. His daily focus from the time he was in college to the very day he died was improving the lives of others, Long said. Frank started with no connections, no positional power, no money, no real standing. What he had were these very adaptive personal traits, a very solid understanding of history, a curious and amazingly agile mind and a total disregard for the status quo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chopp was first elected to represent Seattles 43rd Legislative District in 1994, an election that proved catastrophic for many other Democrats. His party lost more than two dozen seats, going from a near supermajority in the House to a 62-36 minority. Democrat state Rep. Frank Chopp takes the oath as co-speaker of the Washington State House of Representatives in 1999. Chopp would become House Speaker in 2001 and serve until 2019. He died in March 2025. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Archives) He ascended to leader of the House Democratic Caucus and, in 1999, became co-speaker with Republican Clyde Ballard of East Wenatchee when there were equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans in the House. Democrats won a special election in Snohomish County in 2001 to gain control of the chamber and installed Chopp as speaker in 2002, a job he kept until stepping aside in 2019. He won two more elections before retiring last year. Chopp understood persistence and patience could achieve lasting progress while impatience could trigger a political recoil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He believed it only mattered to be right if you were getting results, Long said. As speaker, Chopps sometimes cautious approach, or pragmatism, depending on ones perspective, incited the pique of the caucus more caffeinated progressives. He was not an incrementalist, declared Mosqueda, who emceed the portion of the memorial devoted to building on Chopps legislative and political legacy. He knew that bold, progressive victories require smart, strategic steps. He was relentless in his drive to dismantle inequity, and his strategies were thus layered and often multi-year. Inslee said Chopp recognized the potential that a temporary victory could derail policies and cause Democrats to lose seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He made sure that we didnt get too far out ahead of the people, he said. Chopp was the grandson of Croatian immigrants. His father began working in the Roslyn coal mines at age 12 and later became a union electrician at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. His mother served as a school cafeteria employee. She left school at 14 to work but earned her high school diploma from Green River Community College at age 65, according to his obituary. He grew up in Bremerton and graduated from the University of Washington. He served several years as executive director of the Fremont Public Association, now known as Solid Ground, which offers resources such as food banks, housing and employment programs. Frank Chopp, the former speaker of the Washington state House of Representatives, was known for carrying note cards on which he wrote ideas he had or heard from others. At his memorial Sunday, attendees were encourated to write memories of Chopp on note cards and put them on a wall for others to read. (Photo by Jerry Cornfield / Washington State Standard) In his 30 years as a lawmaker, he focused heavily on housing and homelessness, working to increase the amount of affordable housing across the state, improve access to homeownership and house people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He helped start the Seattle Tenants Union and the Cascade Shelter Project, living in a geodesic dome in a rented parking stall to bring attention to the need for affordable housing in the area. He helped lead efforts to set up the states Housing Trust Fund and its Apple Health and Homes program, which uses Medicaid dollars to fund housing. Creation of the states covenant homeownership program was one of the crowning achievements of his tenure. Chopp also pushed policies to expand behavioral health care facilities, child care access and student financial aid for more Washingtonians. Yona Makowski, a longtime budget analyst with the House Democratic Caucus, said Chopp was willing to break tradition and adapt government procedures to achieve broader objectives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ill lose my composure if I talk about what Frank meant to me, she said, instead offering what her family members thought of him. They knew him from me talking about him at the dinner table. My son thought he was a great strategist in getting meaningful things done to help disadvantaged people. My daughter compared him to the Wizard of Oz behind the curtain, but if the wizard was actually the hero, Makowski said. And lastly, my late husband perhaps said it best, Frank was a very good man. METHUEN, Mass. (WWLP) An investigation is ongoing as more than 140 animals from a property in Franklin County were surrendered. In a news release sent to 22News from MSPCA-Angell, a total of 147 animals, consisting of pigs, goats, chickens, geese, ducks, cattle, horses, donkeys, and dogs, were removed on April 16, and some have since given birth. The number of animals has put a strain on the non-profit organization. Ironman triathlon to bring thousands of athletes to Springfield area Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to the influx of animals at MSPCA, this weekend, the animal shelter is waiving the adoption fees for more than 100 of these animals, including pigs, goats, farm birds, and a young horse who was previously surrendered. Fees will be waived for all fowl at Nevins Farm June 7 and June 8 (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell) Goats are available to adopt fee-free during the adoptathon (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell) There are many pigs at Nevins Farm in need of homes (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell) Astrid is still recovering, but will be available for adoption soon (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell) This was a massive undertakingwe took in an entire farm at one time and moved it to Nevins, said Mike Keiley, vice president of the MSPCA-Angells Animal Protection Division. Obviously, following that kind of intake, our resources are really being pushed to the brink. We need to find homes for a lot of these animals, and fast, Keiley added. We typically see more cases of neglect in turbulent economic times, and, given what were already seeing with the increasing costs of hay and feed, I expect more animals will need to come to Nevins soon, whether through owner surrender or related to Law Enforcement cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The adoptathon is being held on June 7 and 8 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Nevins Farm, located on 400 Broadway in Methuen. Online registration, additional information, and donation details can be found at mspca.org/feewaived. Were fortunate to have both the staffing and expertise to make it work, not to mention the equipment needed to move so many animals at once, as well as the space they all need to thrive, Keiley said. All told, were hoping to adopt out about 120 animals in just two days. Its a huge goal, but its what we need to do in order to be there for the next animals who need us. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. A convicted fraudster from the Czech Republic has been allowed to stay in Britain after claiming that his children do not speak Czech. An immigration tribunal found it would be unduly harsh on Jan Balogs children, aged three and six, if he was deported back to the Czech Republic. The Home Office had argued that the children would be able to learn the language of his home country. But the appeal was rejected and Balog was allowed to stay in the UK on the basis that his deportation would breach his rights to a family life under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case, disclosed in court papers, is the latest example uncovered by The Telegraph in which illegal migrants or convicted foreign criminals have been able to remain in the UK or halt their deportations on human rights grounds. Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, has announced plans to curb judges powers to block deportations with new legally enforced common sense rules to clarify how they interpret Article 8 of the ECHR and strengthen the public interest test. Balog came to the UK when he was 10 before being granted indefinite leave to remain under an EU settlement scheme. But between 2010 and 2013, he was convicted of three offences for fraud and false representation, leading to a three-and-a-half-year jail sentence. A judge at the first-tier tribunal allowed Balogs appeal against deportation in December last year because this would be unduly harsh on his children. The judge found: The children would lose access to education and healthcare in the UK. They would also be deprived of care from their grandparents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is noted that they do not speak Czech and that they will be in a place where the mother has never lived before. On this basis, it is held that it would be unduly harsh. The judge concluded that Balog had experienced significant social and cultural integration in the UK after spending most of his life in the country. The tribunal heard that he was in a relationship with someone from the Slovak Republic. It was concluded that it would be harsh for the children to relocate to the Czech Republic as they do not speak the language, the upper-tier tribunal was told. [Balogs] appeal therefore succeeded on human rights grounds. The Home Office appealed against this decision, arguing that the judge failed to explain how the children would be detrimentally impacted by his absence. It said that the children are young and could adapt to change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Alexander Durance, the deputy upper tribunal judge, noted that Balog had been in work, which would mean the loss of emotional, financial and practical support for his family. The judge held that modern communication could not mitigate the absence of the father. It was determined that it would be unduly harsh for the children to stay in the UK without [him]. In our judgment, the fact that travel to the Czech Republic is affordable does not alter the assessment that this would have an unduly harsh impact for the children. The judge concluded: In our judgment, the [Home Office] challenge is one of disagreement rather than an identification of any error of law. The judge directed himself to the relevant case law and applied it. Whilst this may not be a decision which we would have reached, it is one which was open to the judge for the reasons he gave. 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. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, June 2. Following high-level talks between Presidents of Turkmenistan and Mongolia, Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, an official ceremony of signing several bilateral agreements took place, Trend reports. The following agreements were officially signed: Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of Mongolia on Air Transport; Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of Mongolia on International Road Transport; Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry between the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia; Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Food Security and Agriculture between the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia; Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation between the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth of Mongolia; Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism between the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth of Mongolia; Memorandum of Understanding between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Mongolia. As a result of the summit-level negotiations, a Joint Statement on Interstate Relations and Cooperation between Turkmenistan and Mongolia was adopted. This substantial package of agreements significantly strengthens the legal and institutional framework of bilateral relations and serves as compelling evidence of the firm commitment by both nations to deepen cooperation across a wide range of sectors. It also reflects the shared aspiration to reinforce the enduring bonds of friendship and good-neighborliness that have historically united the peoples of Turkmenistan and Mongolia The Ukraine war has seen a proliferation of drones on both sides of the conflict. NATO allies are closely watching the developing drone war and learning from the battlefield tactics. Military leaders from Finland and Poland told BI how their forces are training with drones. Finland and Poland two front-line NATO allies that share borders with Russia are experimenting with new ways of war using drones, military leaders told Business Insider, noting the radical changes unfolding in Ukraine. Col. Matti Honko, the commanding officer of Finland's Guard Jaeger Regiment, said that one of the main lessons from Ukraine is that there is increased transparency on the modern battlefield because of drones, satellites, and other means of surveillance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Building up forces has become much more challenging. Large troop concentrations now have to be assembled on the move, Honko explained to BI last week on the sidelines of the Lively Sabre 25 exercise in southern Finland, where dispersal and mobility were key focal points for the training. Soldiers are learning to listen for drones and what actions to take in response to reduce their exposure and vulnerability. "Whenever you hear a drone, you cannot know if it's your own or not. So you cannot be sure, because you cannot distinguish it from the sound," Honko said. "It means that you start what I would call: immediate air-cover procedures. You find shelter, you try to disperse yourselves, you try to avoid being detected." Small drones have given soldiers unprecedented access to the battlefield. Screengrab/Ministry of Defense of Ukraine via X He said this also includes counter-drone and other defensive measures that should be taken. He declined to go into specifics about the training scenarios but stressed that they are not yet fully integrated into everyday drills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cpl. Jimi Jarnberg, a soldier of the 3rd Jaeger Company, a unit of the Finnish Army's Pori Brigade, told BI during Lively Sabre that uncrewed systems are excellent surveillance tools that can be used to avoid exposing humans to harm when gathering intel, but the Ukraine war also highlights the danger of turning drones into bombs. This type of weapon a cheap, commercially available quadcopter drone that carries a small explosive payload, for example is omnipresent on the battlefield in Ukraine. Both Kyiv and Moscow use them to deliver precision strikes on enemy troops, armored vehicles, and trenches. Drones are widely recognized as the future of war. In Ukraine, they are proving deadlier than artillery, with reports from the front lines indicating they are responsible for roughly 80% of Russian front-line losses. As the world watches these developments, Finland is not alone in recognizing the significance of this threat and integrating new drone tactics into its training. Brig. Gen. Michal Strzelecki, the commander of Poland's 6th Airborne Brigade, which participated in Lively Sabre, told BI that his forces are also experimenting with this technology. Ukraine and Russia are using various types of drones to carry out strike and reconnaissance missions. Oleg Petrasiuk/Ukraine's 24th Mechanized Brigade via AP "We are in the early phase of that," the general said, adding that "we are trying to follow everything that is happening behind the border, like what the Ukrainians are doing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it's difficult to keep up with the pace of innovation. Strzelecki said he wants to stay up to date, but new drone technology is emerging on the battlefield so fast that sometimes all he can do is observe the changes and wait for the right moment to act. "The war in Ukraine shows the significant role of the lower-level" drones, he explained. "That's something we are developing right now. We are training people how to operate them and waiting to implement the best version of that which will be the most suitable for our unit." He said Polish forces are training to use drones for different types of operations and were using them during Lively Sabre. Polish Capt. Bartosz Januszewski said his forces are using the Israeli-made Orbiter reconnaissance drone, but the country is also starting to develop smaller systems like the quadcopter-style drones that are running rampant in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told BI that Poland wants smaller drones for strike and reconassiance missions. And while the country recognized the need for drones before the Ukraine war, the conflict shows that this is the direction warfare is headed, sparking greater urgency in developing and fielding this tech. Read the original article on Business Insider Ava Moore, the 18-year-old victim of a jet ski on Grapevine Lake, received full military honors at her funeral over the weekend. Moores funeral took place at The Met Church in Fort Worth at 3:30 p.m. on May 31, according to a statement from Amanda McNew, media manager for Grapevine Police. Since Moore was preparing for the Air Force Academy, as The Dallas Express previously reported, the United States Air Force gave her [f]ull military honors outside the church at the end of the service. The family has asked for privacy as they grieve the loss of their daughter, McNew wrote in the statement. Avas loss has been deeply felt throughout our community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne, a Republican, posted on X in honor of Moore. Ava Moores Coming Home memorial was held today along with full military honors, the congresswoman wrote. May she rest in peace and her family be blessed by her wonderful memory. Ava Moores Coming Home memorial was held today along with full military honors. May she rest in peace and her family be blessed by her wonderful memory. pic.twitter.com/f4RWuK0LfC Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (@RepBethVanDuyne) June 1, 2025 Kayakers met on Grapevine Lake on May 31 to remember Moore, scattering pedals on the water in her honor. Soon after the tragedy, Moores family emphasized faith and forgiveness, as The Dallas Express reported. This is a difficult time for all involved, but also an opportunity for our beautiful girl to continue to impact our community, her family said in a statement at the time. Out of this tragedy, God will make good, and that only can be accomplished through forgiveness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Moore was kayaking on Grapevine Lake during Memorial Day weekend, she was struck and killed by a jet ski allegedly operated by Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez, an illegal alien from Venezuela, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. The man who allegedly helped her flee the scene committing a hit-and-run in the process is Maikel Coello Perozo, another illegal alien from Venezuela. Under former President Joe Bidens administration, they unlawfully crossed the border in 2023, and officials captured and then released both of them. Gonzalez and Perozo fled the scene, sparking a multi-day manhunt. As The Dallas Express previously reported, police arrested them May 27 in Dallas. ICE lodged immigration holds with the suspects, who are now in removal proceedings. They were initially held at the Grapevine Police Department but have since been transferred to the Tarrant County Jail. Gonzalez faces a manslaughter charge with a $500,000 bond, according to jail records. Perozo faces a charge of collision involving damage to a vehicle with a $2,500 bond and a charge of hindering apprehension/prosecution with a $750 bond. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott previously suggested the death penalty for the suspects, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. Andrew Mahaleris, Abbotts press secretary, emphasized in an email to The Dallas Express that Texans deserve protection from unchecked criminal activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State of Texas has no tolerance for heinous criminals who kill Texans, Mahaleris said in an email. The victims family deserves swift justice, and the criminal illegal immigrants should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. McNew asked the media to respect Moores family and their privacy during this difficult time. We ask all media outlets to honor that request with care and sensitivity, she wrote. The Grapevine Police Department remains committed to supporting her family and thanks members of the media for their continued compassion and respect. A northwest Georgia jail employee is off the job after he was arrested over the weekend. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] According to officials, around 1:20 a.m., Dallas police pulled over Khalil Alexander Rembert for failure to maintain lane. The Polk County Sheriffs Office said Rembert was an employee at the Polk County Jail. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said after a series of tests, Rambert was arrested and charged with DUI less-safe alcohol, DUI per se-alcohol and failure to maintain lane. Mr. Rembert is innocent, until proven guilty. However, he was terminated from the Polk County Sheriffs Office for multiple policy violations stemming from his arrest, Sheriff Johnny Moats said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) The Peoria Civic Center has announced that comedian Gabriel Iglesias is coming back to Peoria in October. Iglesias, who is also known by the nickname Fluffy, has added Peoria for one of the stops on his most recent tour, The 1976 Tour: A Fluffy Celebration on Oct. 18, the civic center said in a Facebook post. Iglesias is one of the worlds most successful stand-up comedians and one of the highest-grossing touring comedians of all time. He is one of the most watched comedians on YouTube, with over 2 billion views and over 34.6 million fans across social media. He was the 3rd highest-grossing comedian of 2024 according to Billboard, Kelsy Martin, a civic center spokeswoman, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has also been named the Hollywood Reporters Top 40 Comedy Players, joining the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, and Lorne Michaels, she said. Iglesias stars in the Netflix series Mr. Iglesias, where he is a high school teacher and has released four stand-up specials with the streaming platform, she said. Were thrilled to welcome Gabriel Iglesias back to the Peoria Civic Center. Comedy continues to be a very strong portion of our event calendar thanks to talent like Mr. Iglesias, Martin said. Hes one of many comedians who weve seen sell out shows in our Theater and are now continuing to have fantastic turnouts in our Arena as well. These success shows continue to put Peoria on the map and make Peoria Civic Center a must-play tour stop. To put a topper on all he has accomplished, on March 11, 2025, he received his own handprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theater, which recognized his impressive career, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tickets will go on sale through the PCC Insider Presale at noon on Wednesday, June 4, and for the general public at noon on Friday, June 6, and can be purchased here, the post 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 CIProud.com. CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) A Galena Police Officer has been charged with sex crimes involving possession of child pornography. Eli Barthel, 23, of Freeport, faces two counts of Class 2 child sexual assault material possession, each punishable by 7 years in prison, and one count of Class 3 child sexual assault material possession, punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced the charges on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Child exploitation is a horrific crime, Raoul said. I am committed to ensuring victims and their families receive the justice they deserve by holding the offenders who commit these crimes accountable no matter who they are. Investigators uncovered evidence of child pornography at Barthels residence in the 500 block of North Sierra Drive in Freeport, authorities said. The Federal Bureau of Investigation assisted with the investigation. Barthel is being held in the Stephenson County Jail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. WETHERSFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) A roadway remains closed after construction crews struck a gas line in Wethersfield, causing a leak, on Monday, officials said. The leak occurred in the 40 block of Charter Road in Wethersfield. Fire department responds to gas leak in Bridgeport The fire department and Connecticut Natural Gas responded to the leak, where it was contained. The scene was cleared by the fire department after the leak was secured, but the road is closed as CNG continues permanent repairs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPDATE: Roads have reopened after a gas leak shut down a neighborhood in Horizon City, police said on Tuesday morning, June 3. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A residential gas leak in a Horizon City neighborhood has forced streets to be closed off and first responders to arrive on the scene on Monday afternoon, June 2. The gas leak is in the area of South Kenazo Avenue and Duanesburg Street, Horizon City Police said. Horizon City Police Horizon City Police Horizon City Police Streets in the surrounding area have been closed off to ensure public safety, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas Gas Service is on-site working to identify and stop the source of the leak. Horizon City Fire has also responded to the scene. No evacuations have been confirmed at this time, but residents are being urged to remain indoors and avoid using open flames or electrical switches until further notice, Horizon Police said. Residents are being told to avoid the area and use alternate routes. We will update this story when 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 KTSM 9 News. Michigan gas prices dropped to $3.08 a gallon, below the national average of $3.14 a gallon and 13 cents less than a week ago, as the OPEC Plus oil cartel announced plans to accelerate increases in oil production. "Michigan drivers are seeing lower prices at the pump, with some metro areas seeing averages below $3 a gallon," Adrienne Woodland, a AAA auto club spokeswoman, said. "If demand drops, alongside low crude oil prices, pump prices may continue to fall." Throughout the state, the most expensive gas price averages on June 1 were in Ann Arbor, at $3.13 a gallon; metro Detroit, $3.12; and Grand Rapids, $3.10. The least expensive were in Jackson, $2.96; Benton Harbor, $2.98; and Traverse City, $2.99. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michigan motorists were paying an average of $46 for a 15-gallon tank of gas. Patrick DeHaan, the head of petroleum analysis at gas-price tracking GasBuddy, said he is optimistic that increased refinery output "could pave the way for further price declines." "The national average price of gasoline has continued its gentle descent over the last week," DeHaan said, adding "the most notable declines seen in the Great Lakes region, where a minor refinery issue was resolved, sending wholesale gas prices lower." Prices also fell in California, where a study concluded gas could reach $8 a gallon next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crude oil prices which have been just over $60 a barrel, less than last year have helped to reduce the price of gas at the pump. If it remains low or goes lower, the cost of gas also could come down further. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' announcement on May 31 said eight nations, which included Saudi Arabia and Russia, "reaffirm commitment to market stability on current healthy oil market fundamentals and steady global economic outlook." The group said it plans to increase production by 411,000 barrels a day in July. The decision, news reports have said, follows production increases in May and June. But that also means that U.S. oil companies may pull back on drilling to offset the increased supply of oil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michigan, which is ranked in the top third of oil-producing states, is pumping about 5 million barrels a year, but that's a fraction of what comes out of the ground in Texas, which pumps out more than 2 billion barrels. More: As oil and gas development potentially increases, dangerous incidents sometimes happen At the same time, some U.S. oil producers are planning to curb oil production as more drilling tends to put downward pressure on oil prices; less drilling helps to increase them. As an example, according to naturalgasintel.com, Tom Jorden, CEO of Coterra Energy, told analysts in a May earnings call that "the White House has been fairly consistent that they want low oil prices." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said "were hopeful that these tariffs get resolved." But Jorden added that "we cant run our program on hope" and, to be prudent, the Houston oil and gas producer would be adjusting and "battening down the hatches, expecting this to last for a while." Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan gas prices dip below $3 a gallon in some cities Kazakhstan, Swiss company join forces to boost sustainable agriculture Photo: Kazakh Invest Kazakhstan is working with a Swiss business and Kazakh Invest to transform 300,000 hectares of pastureland into irrigated farmland. In the initial phase, Harvest Agro Holding LLP will invest $500 million to improve crop exports, create over 1,000 permanent jobs, and support national sustainable agricultural and water-efficient land use goals. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register Key Points Many parents have been known to take work with them on family vacationsbut not every parent is the heir to the British throne. Prince William has apparently been known to break up family vacations to do work for the Duchy of Cornwall, which he took over when he became Prince of Wales in September 2022. The duchy is a $1 billion estate that consists of 128,494 acres of land across 20 counties. Many a dad has a strange vacation habitbut not every dad is the Prince of Wales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prince William is, though, and he has what People called an unlikely habit during family vacationsand it involves not leaving royal work behind. While, again, that might not be incredibly abnormal, only the Prince of Wales runs the Duchy of Cornwall, the $1 billion estate that provides funds for the heir to the throne. While visiting Trescoa favorite destination for William, wife Kate Middleton, and their kids Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis located in the Isles of Scillythe future king is known for chatting with locals about ways to improve the community. 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 These conversations, People reported, have resulted in changes such as a new healthcare facility equipped with a maternity suite, a housing plan for key workers such as teachers and doctors, and a project aimed at creating more sustainable tourism. While that definitely sounds like worthwhile effortsit doesnt make for much of a vacation! Family trips to the Isles of Scillylocated off the southwest coast of Englandare reminiscent of Williams own childhood, according to the outlet, when William and his younger brother Prince Harry would visit with their parents Prince Charles and Princess Diana. But William, Kate, George, Charlotte, and Louis trips there arent all business; as The Mirror reported in 2020, a fellow vacationer described the former Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as riding their bicycles, having a laugh. They looked so happy enjoying the weather. I did do a double take. They were really friendly and said hello. Flash forward to May 2024nearly two years after William took over the Duchy of Cornwall in 2022and William visited the Isles of Scilly, this time on royal duty. Apparently George, Charlotte, and Louis were jealous of the work trip. Getty Images Prince William, Prince George, Prince Louis, Princess Kate, and Princess Charlotte attend the Christmas morning service on December 25, 2024 Prince William, Prince George, Prince Louis, Princess Kate, and Princess Charlotte attend the Christmas morning service on December 25, 2024 My family are very upset Im here without them, he said, The Daily Mail reported. The children will kill me if I dont go home later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to The Telegraph recently, William spoke about his work with the Duchy of Cornwall, saying that hes trying to make sure Im prioritizing stuff thats going to make peoples lives, living in those areas, better. This is what were going to do to make peoples lives in Cornwall better. A secondary title to his Prince of Wales title is Duke of Cornwall, and William added, That, I feel as Duke of Cornwall, is something I should be doing. Its about responsibility, its about leadership, and doing whats right on the social issues of our time. Getty Prince William on March 11, 2025 Prince William on March 11, 2025 The duchys secretary Will Bax described William as a man on a mission, as well as pretty demanding, but for the greater good. Hes easy to follow because hes got great conviction and personality, and he really wears his heart on his sleeve in terms of social interest and his desire to have a positive impact in the world, Bax said. The duchy consists of 128,494 acres of land across 20 counties, and will one day belong to George, who, like his father, is heir to the throne. William wants the duchy to be a positive force for good, he said, adding that it already has become that, but we can do so much more. Getty Prince William and Prince George on May 5, 2025 Prince William and Prince George on May 5, 2025 The Daily Express reported that George is likely being prepared for the massive responsibility that lies in his futurebecoming King someday, sure, but also running the Duchy of Cornwall. The estate will be handed to Prince George and will be in good hands, according to the outlet. Read the original article on InStyle ANDREWS, S.C. (WCBD) Georgetown County deputies are looking to identify a person of interest in a May 22 burglary case. Officials said someone forced a door open and entered a Cherry Street home, and stole a laptop, two cellphones, and two jars of change that had roughly $400 in them, along with a black wallet containing important personal information and credit cards. The neighborhood was canvassed and one witness reported seeing a black male by the big tree stump in the victims yard wearing a black hooded sweater, dark grey pants, and a backpack, the sheriffs office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surveillance video obtained by the sheriffs office appears to show a man fitting the suspects description entering a Food Lion in Andrews about an hour after the alleged burglary, carrying a jar full of change. Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriffs office by calling 843-546-5102. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CLIMAX, Ga. (WJBF) Joseph Kelly, 38, of Climax, GA, has been arrested and charged with two counts of Child Molestation. His wife, Natalie Kelly, 44, also of Climax, has been arrested and charged with two counts of Cruelty to Children in the second degree. On Saturday, May 31st, the Decatur County Sheriffs Office requested the assistance of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to investigate allegations that Joseph Kelly had sexual contact with multiple minors. Both Joseph and Natalie Kelly were arrested later that same day by GBI agents and Decatur County Sheriffs Office investigators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were booked into the Decatur County Jail. Joseph Kelly serves as the mayor of Climax and is employed by the Decatur County School District. At this time, officials say, there is no indication that the alleged acts are related to his employment. The GBI investigation is active & ongoing. Once complete, it will be given to the South Georgia Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office for prosecution. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Rep. Jasmine Clark. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Democratic state Rep. Jasmine Clark has entered the race for Georgias 13th Congressional District to challenge U.S. Rep. David Scott, the longtime Democratic incumbent who has said he is seeking reelection. Clarks announcement Monday comes at a time when Scott, who received treatment for back problems in November, faces questions about his health. Scott, who has represented the metro Atlanta district since 2003, will celebrate his 80th birthday at the end of the month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clark originally decided to run for a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives during the first Trump administration, setting her sights on a Gwinnett County seat that had been in Republican hands for over two decades. Clark ousted an incumbent to win the seat and went on to defend it in 2020, 2022 and 2024 fending off a Republican challenger last year who was backed by Gov. Brian Kemp. I ran to be a voice for science and truth in the face of Republican disinformation and ever since Ive been taking on the toughest fights for Georgia families, Clark said in her campaign video. Outside of her legislative duties, Clark is a microbiologist, mom, nursing school professor at Emory University and a podcast co-host. Since she took office in 2019, Clark has introduced legislation that she said was intended to create a safer, healthier, more prosperous state of Georgia. Clark is also a vocal defender of reproductive rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a metro Atlanta native and longtime Lilburn resident, Clark says she has always nurtured a passion for science and health care. She grew up with parents who both worked in the medical fields, watching her father work as a doctor and mother as a nurse. Ill stand up to Trump and MAGA when they try to cut Medicare, destroy Georgia jobs and gut medical research into cancer and Alzheimers, Clark said in her video. And get to work building a stronger future for all of us, not just a powerful few. Clark isnt the only candidate hoping to steal Scotts seat. Former Gwinnett County Board of Education Chairman Everton Blair Jr. and state Sen. Emanuel Jones of Decatur have announced campaigns. Jonathan Bonner, Joe Lester and Simeon Nunnally are all also planning to run. The primary election is set for next May. Scott faced six Democratic challengers in 2024 but ultimately won the primary outright with nearly 58% of the vote. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX LONDON (AP) Police investigating the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann will carry out fresh searches near the Portuguese holiday resort she was last seen 18 years ago, authorities said on Monday. The 3-year-old disappeared from her bed while on vacation with her family in the Praia da Luz resort, in southern Portugal, on May 3, 2007. She has not been seen since. Detectives acting on a request from a German public prosecutor will carry out a broad range of searches this week in the area of Lagos, in southern Portugal, a Portuguese police statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The main suspect in the case is a German national identified by media as Christian Brueckner, who is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence in Germany for raping a 72-year-old woman in Portugal in 2005. He is under investigation on suspicion of murder in the McCann case but hasnt been charged. He spent many years in Portugal, including in Praia da Luz, around the time of the child's disappearance. Brueckner has denied any involvement in her disappearance. Prosecutors in Braunschweig, Germany, who are responsible for the investigation, didnt give details of the judicial measures taking place in Portugal, according to Germany's dpa news agency. They said the measures are being carried out by Portuguese authorities with support from officers from Germanys Federal Criminal Police Office. Britain's Metropolitan Police said it was aware of the searches being carried by the BKA (German federal police) in Portugal as part of their investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Metropolitan Police Service is not present at the search, we will support our international colleagues where necessary," the force added, without giving more details. The McCann case received worldwide interest for several years, with reports of sightings of her stretching as far away as Australia as well as books and television documentaries about her disappearance. Almost two decades on, investigators in the U.K., Portugal and Germany are still piecing together what happened on the night she disappeared. She was in the same room as her brother and sister 2-year-old twins while their parents, Kate and Gerry, had dinner with friends at a nearby restaurant. The last time police resumed searches in the case was in 2023, when detectives from the three countries took part in an operation searching near a dam and a reservoir about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the Praia da Luz resort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Madeleine's family marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance last month, and expressed their determination to keep searching. ___ Barry Hatton in Lisbon and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed. Former German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock was elected president of the UN General Assembly on Monday. The 44-year-old received 167 votes in favour in New York. Baerbock ran unopposed for the one-year top position, which is primarily of ceremonial significance and should not be confused with the role of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. The election in the plenary session before 193 UN member countries was considered a formality, but a secret vote was held, reportedly demanded by Russia. Baerbock is due to be inaugurated on September 9, shortly before the General Assembly's annual meeting. Former German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock was elected president of the UN General Assembly with an overwhelming majority on Monday in New York. In a secret ballot held by the United Nations' largest body, the 44-year-old received 167 votes in favour, 14 member states abstained, while seven voted in favour of the original German candidate, Helga Schmid. The election in the plenary session before 193 UN member countries was considered a formality, but a secret vote was held, reportedly demanded by Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her acceptance speech, Baerbock said that she wanted to lead the body "as an honest broker and as a unifier." "My door will always be open to everyone," she said. Referring to the numerous crises around the world, she added: "Today, we live in challenging times. We are walking on a tightrope of uncertainty. But ... we have lived through difficult times before. And it is up to us to take on these challenges." After her election, there was loud applause in the General Assembly hall located on the East River in Manhattan. Fifth woman to hold position Baerbock is scheduled to be inaugurated on September 9, shortly before the United Nations General Assembly's annual session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The one-year position is largely ceremonial and should not be confused with the role of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Guterres expressed his full support for Baerbock, highlighting her political experience as Germany's Foreign Minister. He also noted: "Let us not forget the historic significance [of] being only the fifth woman to be elected president of the General Assembly." High office with little power As president, Baerbock will chair meetings of the General Assembly, oversee procedural matters and set agenda items. Though the position carries limited formal power, it can offer behind-the-scenes influence - particularly in shaping discussions around key appointments, such as the election of the next UN Secretary General next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baerbock's direct connections to foreign ministers around the world, who oversee the ambassadors stationed in New York, could serve as a political asset in this context. While the General Assembly reflects global opinion, its resolutions are non-binding. By contrast, the 15-member UN Security Council - dominated by five veto-wielding powers - is far more influential, with authority to issue decisions that are binding under international law. Russian obstruction of election Baerbock's appointment was overshadowed by diplomatic tension. According to UN sources, Russia forced a secret ballot, breaking with the traditional consensus-based approach, where uncontested candidates are typically approved by acclamation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, member states were handed ballots listing only Baerbock's name, with the option to abstain or write in alternative candidates. Seven voted for Germany's original nominee, senior diplomat Helga Schmid. Russia has openly opposed Baerbock's candidacy, accusing her of "blatant bias." As foreign minister, she took a hard line against Moscow following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and has frequently been the target of Russian criticism. Originally, Berlin had put forward Schmid, a seasoned diplomat who was reportedly acceptable to Moscow. Baerbock's late entry into the race - following her Green Party's loss in the recent German election - drew criticism for lacking diplomatic planning and transparency. Taking office in times of crisis Baerbock assumes the UN role at a moment of global turbulence. She has pledged to push for institutional reform and to use the General Assembly's resources more efficiently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She identified key priorities for her one-year term, including advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, fighting the climate crisis and promoting gender equality. Her appointment is widely seen as a potential launchpad for a future international career. Baerbock, who holds a master's degree in international law, may find in New York a new platform on the world stage. The German government's move to turn away asylum seekers at the country's borders is unlawful, a Berlin court ruled on Monday. The urgent decision by the Berlin Administrative Court is a blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has pledged to crack down on migration. Shortly after taking office last month, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt ordered border checks to be stepped up and advised police to turn back irregular migrants, even if they applied for asylum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the first case to emerge over the controversial move, the court ruled in favour of three Somalis who were turned back to Poland from the border town of Frankfurt an der Oder on May 9, judging that they should have been handled under the European Union's so-called Dublin procedure for asylum cases. Under the Dublin Regulation, police are not allowed to simply turn asylum seekers back at the border. Instead, German authorities must initiate a complicated procedure to transfer them back to the country where they first entered the EU. The court rejected the government's argument that the regulation could be suspended due to a "national emergency," suggesting there was not "sufficient evidence of a threat to public safety or order." It said the Dublin Regulation must be carried out in every case, although it also specified that the decision does not grant migrants entry permits to Germany, as carrying out the procedure should be possible at the point of crossing. On June 2, 2025, the Karabakh education and partnership Forum took place at Karabakh University, located in the city of Khankendi. Held under the theme Joint steps for the future of Karabakh, the event served as a leading platform dedicated to the development of education and human capital in the region. At the opening ceremony, Rector of Karabakh University Shahin Bayramov and Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan Emin Amrullayev delivered keynote speeches, emphasizing the critical role of education in the reconstruction of Karabakh and the importance of training highly qualified professionals to ensure sustainable development in the region. Following the ceremony, an agreement was signed to establish a scholarship program for Karabakh University students. This initiative aims to broaden educational opportunities and support the comprehensive development of students in the region. The Forum also featured two panel discussions focused on key themes. The first panel, moderated by Chairman of the Board of the Education Development Fund Elnur Nasibov, was titled "The Great Return: Challenges and Opportunities". Panelists included Minister Emin Amrullayev, Elchin Yusubov, the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the city of Khankendi and the Aghdara and Khojaly districts, and Rahman Hajiyev, Chairman of the Board of the Karabakh Revival Fund. Discussions centered on regional economic development, the role of education in this process, and emerging opportunities for collaboration. The second panel focused on Public-Private Partnership Opportunities in Karabakh. Participants included Farid Hidayatzade, Member of the Management Board of Kapital Bank, along with other prominent representatives of the private sector. The discussion explored the role of public-private partnerships in the long-term socio-economic development of the region, new models of cooperation, and opportunities for introducing digital economy tools and innovations in Karabakh. In his remarks at the forum, Farid Hidayatzade stated: Our ultimate goal is to see graduates of Karabakh University take on leading roles in the economic and social development of the region. Education should not only include traditional knowledge but also be focused on technology and innovation to ensure that young people are fully prepared for the modern labor market. At Kapital Bank, we are always ready to provide not only financial support but also share our professional expertise and experience. It is worth noting that Kapital Bank has long been actively involved in a range of educational initiatives in close cooperation with the Ministry of Science and Education. Through these efforts, the bank has introduced various scholarship programs for university students and established Kapital Bank classrooms at a number of higher education institutions. These projects are designed to enhance students' digital skills, improve their readiness for the labor market, and foster their growth in an innovative environment. Kapital Bank, the country's first bank, is part of PASHA Holding. Kapital Bank has the largest service network in Azerbaijan with 118 branches and 54 departments all over the country. For more detailed information about the banks products and services, please refer to https://kapitalbank.az website, 196 Call Centre or the banks various social network pages. To apply for a consumer loan visit https://kbl.az/prgtk, for a Birbank installment card visit https://kbl.az/prcrc. In a legal setback for the German government, a Berlin court ruled on Monday that rejecting asylum seekers at border checks within German territory - without first initiating proper asylum procedures - is unlawful. The urgent decision by the Berlin Administrative Court is a blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has pledged to crack down on migration. Shortly after taking office last month, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt ordered border checks to be stepped up and advised police to turn back irregular migrants, even if they applied for asylum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the first case to emerge over the controversial move, the court ruled in favour of three Somalis who were turned back to Poland from the border town of Frankfurt an der Oder on May 9. After the group applied for asylum, authorities returned them to Poland the same day. According to the court, the Federal Police justified the swift return on the basis that the individuals had arrived from a "safe third country." However, the Somali nationals challenged the decision and were successful in summary proceedings before an administrative court. The ruling found that the immediate transfer back to Poland without an adequate examination of their asylum claims was unlawful. Court rejects 'national emergency' argument The ruling stated that the case should have been handled under the European Union's so-called Dublin procedure for asylum cases. Under the Dublin Regulation, police are not allowed to simply turn asylum seekers back at the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, German authorities must initiate a complicated procedure to transfer them back to the country where they first entered the EU. The court rejected the government's argument that the regulation could be suspended due to a "national emergency," suggesting there was not "sufficient evidence of a threat to public safety or order." It said the Dublin Regulation must be carried out in every case, although it also specified that the decision does not grant migrants entry permits to Germany, as carrying out the procedure should be possible at the point of crossing. Following the court decision, the interior minister maintained that the policy is consistent with efforts to reduce irregular migration and is legally justified, despite the court's findings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We continue to hold our legal position," Dobrindt said on Monday evening in Berlin. According to Dobrindt, the three Somalis had previously attempted to enter Germany on May 2 and May 3 without applying for asylum. They only submitted an asylum application during their third attempt on May 9, he said. According to the court, the decisions are final. New migration crackdown policy Dobrindt recently reported that, in the week following the policy change, 739 people were turned away at the border - an increase of 45% from the previous week, when 511 were rejected. Among those stopped, 51 had expressed a wish to seek asylum; 32 were turned back. The remainder, including minors and pregnant women, were allowed entry on humanitarian grounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics of the new policy feel vindicated by the court's decision and have accused the government of undermining EU law. Marcel Emmerich, domestic affairs spokesperson for the Green Party, said the decision exposed Dobrindt's policy as "a blatant breach of the law." German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Monday congratulated Karol Nawrocki on his victory in the Polish presidential election. "German-Polish friendship is a matter close to my heart. Let us strengthen the friendship between our peoples together," said Steinmeier. The right-wing Nawrocki narrowly defeated Warsaw Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski in Sunday's election, securing 50.89% of the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steinmeier noted in his statement that Germany is aware of its responsibility for the suffering brought upon Poland during World War II. "We are all the more grateful that Poland and Germany stand side by side today as close partners in the European Union and NATO," the German president said. "We must work closely together on the basis of democracy and the rule of law in order to secure Europe's future in security, freedom and prosperity," he added. Nawrocki is taking office at a very challenging time for Europe, which is "counting on Poland," Steinmeier said. He invited the president-elect to Berlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has emphasized the importance of relations with Poland since taking office last month, having met with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on a number of occasions. Sunday's election result could complicate ties between Berlin and Warsaw, as the conservative Nawrocki vowed during the campaign to raise the contentious issue of World War II reparations - a long-standing thorn in German-Polish relations. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Monday congratulated Karol Nawrocki on his victory in the Polish presidential election, as experts warned that the result could lead ties between Berlin and Warsaw to suffer. "German-Polish friendship is a matter close to my heart. Let us strengthen the friendship between our peoples together," said Steinmeier. The right-wing Nawrocki narrowly defeated pro-European Warsaw Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski in Sunday's election, securing 50.89% of the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steinmeier noted in his statement that Germany is aware of its responsibility for the suffering brought upon Poland during World War II. "We are all the more grateful that Poland and Germany stand side by side today as close partners in the European Union and NATO," the German president said. "We must work closely together on the basis of democracy and the rule of law in order to secure Europe's future in security, freedom and prosperity," he added. Nawrocki is taking office at a very challenging time for Europe, which is "counting on Poland," Steinmeier said. He invited the president-elect to Berlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has emphasized the importance of relations with Poland since taking office last month, having met with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on a number of occasions. Sunday's election result could complicate matters, however, as Nawrocki, a conservative historian, vowed during the campaign to fight for World War II reparations from Germany - a long-standing thorn in German-Polish relations. "It will not be easier with this new president, Karol Nawrocki," said Paul Ziemiak, who leads the German-Polish parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament. Ziemiak told the Deutschlandfunk radio station that cooperation between Germany and Poland is "fundamentally important" for Europe, but warned that the relationship could become strained after Nawrocki's victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the election campaign, Nawrocki argued that Germany could never be trusted, Agniezka Lada-Konefal from the German Institute of Polish Affairs told dpa. As head of state, Nawrocki will not be able to initiate any concrete steps on reparations, but he can influence the atmosphere in bilateral relations with his rhetoric, said Lada-Konefal. Furthermore, she said the result will likely make life difficult for Tusk, who could struggle to pass his reform agenda due to Nawrocki's veto power. Lada-Konefal said Tusk will have to "avoid any positive movements in the direction of Germany" ahead of parliamentary elections in 2027. "Major German-Polish initiatives are therefore not to be expected," she argued. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation gave an operational update while also reiterating that Hamas reports of casualties near the sites were false. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announced Monday that it has distributed close to six million meals in its first week of operations in Gaza, and it intends to open even more aid distribution sites. According to the organization, 21 truckloads of food aid were delivered from its Tel Sultan distribution site, totaling 18,720 boxes enough to provide approximately 1,081,080 meals. This brings the cumulative total to an estimated 5.8 million meals distributed since operations began. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GHF also provided new photos from the successful aid distribution on Monday morning. John Acree, the foundations interim executive director, praised the progress achieved so far, saying that the rapid deployment proves our model is functional and effective in delivering life-saving assistance to the people of Gaza under emergency conditions. Acree added that the GHF plans to expand its operations by opening four additional distribution sites, including one in northern Gaza, to meet the overwhelming demand. On Sunday, reports circulated claiming that the IDF had attacked a food distribution point near Rafah, resulting in civilian casualties. However, GHF dismissed these reports, releasing security camera footage from the site showing calm civilian activity and no reported incidents. CNN and BBC are among many news websites with false headlines that the IDF opened fire on Gazans near aid distribution sites, June 1, 2025. (photo credit: Canva, screenshot, SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT) All aid was distributed today without incident. No injuries or fatalities. We have heard that these false reports are being spread by Hamas. They are untrue and fabricated, the organization said. IDF, GHF slam Hamas for harming humanitarian efforts The IDF also denied the allegations, saying its initial investigation found no evidence of an attack on civilians at the aid site. According to an IDF source, troops operated overnight approximately one kilometer from the distribution area, outside of operating hours, and targeted individuals suspected of approaching their position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also on Sunday, the IDF military released video footage of masked Gazan gunmen shooting at innocent Palestinians who were attempting to collect aid. GHF criticized Hamas for allegedly spreading misinformation that undermines critical humanitarian efforts. We are scaling up as quickly as possible, but the reality is stark: For every truck we manage to bring into our network, other humanitarian groups face looting before aid reaches those in need, the organization stated. NEED TO KNOW New York City authorities continued their search over the weekend for a girl, 15, who went missing in the East River A police source told the New York Post that the girl's friend told the victim that she couldn't swim There was no witness accounts that the girl dropped her cellphone and went into the waters to retrieve it, said police The search for a 15-year-old girl who disappeared in New York Citys East River near Roosevelt Island continued into the weekend after she allegedly attempted to retrieve her phone in the water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the New York City Police Department (NYPD) told PEOPLE on the early afternoon of Monday, June 2, that there has been no new information about the search for the missing girl. On Friday, May 30, at approximately 12:15 p.m., local time, police were notified that the teenager had gone missing after she went into the water, the New York Post, CBS affiliate WCBS and NBC affiliate WNBC reported. Upon arrival, police discovered the missing girls friend beside the river. The friend stayed nearby with the authorities as the search continued into the afternoon. The search recovered a few items believed to belong to the missing girl, including two books, a bag, sneakers, and clothing items. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 15-year-old was wearing a bathing suit with flowers on it around the time of her disappearance. The NYPD and the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) searched for her for several hours before having to postpone their search due to the weather conditions, per WCBS. Authorities resumed looking for the teen on Saturday, May 31, the New York Daily News and WNBC reported. A police source told the New York Post that the girls friend told the victim to get out of the water, you know you cant swim, before the victim was reportedly swept away. Scuba divers, an NYPD helicopter and a drone have been employed in the operation, according to the media outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABC affiliate WABC reported that the victim is from New Yorks Upper East Side neighborhood. Im in shock, Maria Gomez, a bystander, earlier told the Post. This never happens here. Everyone knows the dangers thats on [the East River], that current. Its sad. My friend told me [she saw] a little girl fall in, a man said, per the same outlet. She saw her going over the railing. She hopped the fence, she slipped on the rocks. Thats what I heard. She was on the rocks, she slipped and fell in. 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. An NYPD spokesman said, per the Post, said there was no witness accounts that the girl dropped her phone and went into the waters to get it, despite the conjecture by some park visitors. Read the original article on People KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Red Cross is offering assistance after an explosion on Saturday morning destroyed a home in a Gladstone neighborhood. Authorities confirm that one person who lived there and a dog died. People who live nearby are still in a state of shock. Shawnee Police searching for Jackson Co. Legislator Manny Abarca, son My husband and I just fell to the ground. The kids were downstairs. The dogs were terrified. It was just really scary, next door neighbor Ashleigh Tomlin recalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A little bit of PTSD, I think, just were still in shock, the loss of our neighbor is just devastating. My husbands known him for 20-plus years. Tomlins doorbell camera shows the moment her next-door neighbors home exploded. Our cars are probably not totaled, but theyre pretty close, so theyre going to tow those off and get us rental cars tomorrow. Then the structural people and the engineers, and USAA, our homeowners insurance, will be out here tomorrow morning, Tomlin said. A spokesperson for the Red Cross told FOX4 on Sunday, they are working with two impacted neighbors and are in contact with the family of the person who passed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Red Cross offers assistance for those whose homes were affected in a fire or explosion, such as this, with replacement of medicine, food, clothing and a place to stay. The Red Cross also has disaster mental health workers to assist those affected. Tomlin said a state representative also stopped by the neighborhood Sunday to offer support. He came to our door. He works out of Jeff City and represents us. He said if we had any problems, just to give him a call personally, and he would help take care of things. So I cant say enough for the integrity of a man like that to come to your door personally and offer his help, Tomlin said. Shes also thankful for the response from law enforcement and first-responding agencies at the scene on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We just ran out. The police officers were wonderful. They helped me. They went through the house. They got the dogs in their kennels. They helped me carry them. I mean, it was really neat to see the community kind of come together and really help us out, Tomlin explained. Royals call up No. 1 prospect Jac Caglianone to MLB Gladstone Police did not have any updates to share on Sunday. FOX4 reached out to Spire to inquire about the explosion. A spokesperson for Spire sent the following response: While we are cooperating with authorities on their investigation and defer to them on a cause, it is our understanding this was not a natural gas-related incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. A billy goat recently made headlines in Texas after charging through a church's front door and racking up about $1,600 in property damage. On the surface, it's a humorous story about a goat literally crashing into a church. But beneath the laughter lies a warning about climate shifts, rural land pressures, and the shrinking spaces left for animals to safely exist. What's happening? KYTX reported that the billy goat charged its way through the glass front door of First Baptist Church Mixon in Troup, Texas. The animal was reportedly startled by its own reflection in the door, charging the door as it would another goat. Once inside the church, the goat ran through the pews and across the congregation's stage. "I guess he was just having a baaaaaad day," Lowrey Davis, an administrative assistant with First Baptist Church Mixon, told CBS19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fortunately, no one was injured, and the interior of the church wasn't damaged. But the shattered door will cost a reported $1,600 to replace. The goat fled the scene and has not yet been located. Davis told CBS19 the goat didn't appear to be a wild animal but rather an escaped farm animal of "some value." Why is this billy goat run-in important? This growing trend of dangerous human-animal interactions is a phenomenon increasingly linked to environmental stressors. As rural development continues to change and shrink sprawling agricultural environments, run-ins with confused animals are increasingly common. Though these encounters often happen with wildlife, it is increasingly common for confused domestic animals to cause a stir. That can be tied to rising temperatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Domestic animals often get into the wild when storms damage farm infrastructure, taking down fencing and barns and more frequent storms because of extreme weather mean more vulnerable animals. Consider this story a reminder of how environmental shifts and human development can impact animal behavior, blurring the boundaries between rural, wild, and human spaces. What's being done about increased human and animal interactions? To better manage human and animal interactions, animal rights groups advocate for town planning that considers local species. That includes rethinking land use to minimize conflict zones and incorporating animal management during climate-related disasters. Groups are also working to educate communities on how to safely manage animal encounters, including with startled and displaced domestic species. 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. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The Gonzales Police Department is investigating two shootings reported over the weekend. According to police, both incidents were random and isolated. Patrols in key areas have been increased as a precaution. While any act of violence is concerning, there is no evidence of a broader risk to our community, Chief Sherman Jackson said. We remain committed to maintaining a safe environment and bringing those responsible to justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what to know about each case. Shooting reported at Gonzales intersection Officers responded to the intersection of Bluebird and Roscoe streets around 9:30 p.m. May 31 after multiple gunshots were reported during a gathering. One person was taken to Our Lady of the Lake Ascension in a private car with a non-life-threatening wound to the leg. No other victims were found by investigators. Police said a person of interest has been identified and is being sought for questioning. An investigation is ongoing. Fight leads to shot fired at daiquiri bar Police said officers responded to Top Notch Daiquiris on Cabela Parkway minutes before 1 a.m. June 1, after a fight led to a shot being fired. No injuries were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said suspects have been identified. An investigation is ongoing. How to send a tip Anyone with information is asked to contact Gonzales police at 225-647-9590 or Crime Stoppers at 225-344-7867. Bond conditions set for man accused in death of Southern University student Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. We are pleased to announce that on June 2, during Baku Energy Week, Enerso Jabrayil signed several key agreementsa Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), a Transmission Connection Agreement (TCA), a Land Lease Agreement, and a Balancing Agreement. These agreements are part of the framework established under the Investment Agreement signed with the Ministry of Energy on April 4, 2025, for the development of the 50 MW Ufug (Horizon) Solar Power Plant in the Jabrayil district. The PPA outlines that Enerso Jabrayil will generate and supply clean electricity from the Ufug (Horison) Solar Power Plant to Azerenerji, which will purchase and integrate the power into the national grid as well as play a key role on electricity swap mechanism. The TCA complements this process by granting Enerso Jabrayil access to Azerenerjis transmission network, enabling the efficient and secure delivery of renewable electricity to end users. The Land Lease Agreement provides the legal basis for using the designated land plot required to build and operate the 50 MW Ufug (Horizon) Solar Power Plant Project. Meanwhile, the Balancing Agreement sets out balancing arrangements for reconciling the actual and forecasted electricity flows. The PPA and TCA agreements were signed by the Chairman of the Executive Board of Azerenerji OJSC, Baba Rzayev, and Chief Commercial Officer of Nobel Energy, Eldar Mamedzadeh, who is also Director of Enerso Jabrail LLC, Nobel Energy's Sustainable Energy subsidiary. The Land Lease Agreement was signed by Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Parviz Shahbazov, and Eldar Mamedzadeh, Director of Enerso Jabrayil LLC. The Balancing Agreement was signed by the Chairman of the Executive Board of Azerenerji OJSC, Baba Rzayev; Deputy CEO for Strategy and Finance of Norm OJSC, Elvin Mirzayev; and Eldar Mamedzadeh, Director of Enerso Jabrayil LLC. This milestone marks a significant advancement in Azerbaijans clean energy journey. The project will contribute to the diversification of the countrys energy mix, strengthen energy security, and support its broader sustainability and green transition goals particularly in the newly liberated territories. Eldar Mamedzadeh said, These partnerships are a testament to our shared vision for a cleaner, more resilient energy future for Azerbaijan. The Ufug Solar Power Plant is just the beginning, and we are excited to continue working together to create lasting positive impact for the country and its people. The Ufug (Horizon) 50 MW Solar Power Plant is expected to generate approximately 110 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually enough to power a moderately scaled industrial facility and will play a vital role in reducing carbon emissions. Beyond its environmental benefits, the project is set to create over 300 jobs during construction and around 50 permanent roles upon completion, delivering tangible socio-economic value to the region. Goodwill is opening a new Donation Xpress location in Rockledge, following its announcement of three new sites back in April. Goodwill Industries of Central Florida is stepping up its sustainability efforts while making it easier for people to donate gently used items. We invite our neighbors in these communities to join our sustainability efforts, said Ed Durkee, President and CEO. With these new locations, Central Florida will have almost two dozen DX Centers: 601 Doyle Rd. in Deltona 3550 Edgewater Dr. in Edgewater 234 Barton Blvd. in Rockledge , Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Durkee continues, By donating items to Goodwill, you are diverting them from a local landfill, which amounted to nearly 24 million pounds in 2024. For a list of DX locations in Volusia, Brevard, Osceola, Orange, Lake and Seminole counties, visit here. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Crime and arson experts were investigating Monday after a doting single dad and his two young sons died in a house fire in Goshen, N.Y., over the weekend. Police and fire personnel rushed to a multifamily home on Pulaski Highway in the town about 66 miles northwest of New York City just after 8 p.m. Saturday to find the building completely engulfed in flames, New York State Police said in a statement. Inside on the ground floor, responders found Shane Munn, 50, and the two boys, aged 12 and 17, state police said. Responders administered CPR, but Munn was pronounced dead at the scene. The boys were rushed to Garnett Health Medical Center in Wallkill and died later, state troopers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A mother and two children who lived on the upper floor were able to escape, neighbors told ABC News. Friends and town officials described Munn as a devoted father to the two boys, who had autism and were nonverbal, according to News12 Westchester. He took really good care of those boys, neighbor Crystal Enfield told ABC News. He was a good father, its really sad. Landlord John Porcaro had just spoken to his tenant the day before the fire, he told News12 Westchester on Sunday. I just cant believe it, he said, noting that Munn was a good tenant and a great dad. Porcaro also expressed concern for the upstairs tenant, a woman who had recently lost her husband. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Police Monroe Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), assisted by the Orange County Fire Investigation Unit and the Hudson Valley Arson and Explosives Task Force, is investigating to determine the cause of the fire, troopers said. Neighbors told ABC News that they saw smoke and heavy flames coming out the kitchen window on the ground floor. An impromptu memorial sprang up outside the house, and the Town of Goshen Police Department posted a photo of the decimated house captioned, Prayers up in the Town of Goshen please. In moments of great loss, we are reminded of the strength of our community and the courage of those who serve, Orange County Sheriff Paul Arteta said in a statement. Our first responders put themselves in harms way to protect others, and their dedication does not go unnoticed. We stand with the family and the Goshen community during this difficult time. HONOLULU (KHON2) Gov. Josh Green will hold a ceremony to raise a pride flag at the state capitol for Pride Month, marking the first time the flag has been displayed at the capitol. The ceremony will include a presentation of the official Pride Month proclamation and will occur at the state capitol on June 2 at 7:45 a.m. Hokuleas trans-Pacific voyage delayed In Hawaii, aloha is more than a word its a value that guides how we treat one another, with love, respect and dignity, Green said. Flying the pride flag at our state capitol is a proud reflection of that aloha, as well as our deep commitment to inclusion. While other places are pushing people to the margins, Hawaii is leading with compassion and courage recognizing that our Mahu and LGBTQIA+ communities have always been a valued part of our story, and always will be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flag initiative is led by Lui Pua Ala Queer Histories of Hawaii project in collaboration with the states LGBTQ+ Commission, and is also supported by a number of local community organizations. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The pride flag is more than a banner it is a beacon of hope, unity and resilience, said Lei Pua Ala co-Director Dean Hamer. Flying it at the capitol sends a message that in Hawaii, all people are valued and seen. This celebration comes during a time where over a dozen states across the country have passed laws banning, or are considering banning, pride flags in government spaces and public areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Hawaii, Mahu people have historically been a pillar in traditions, culture and way of life, often serving as revered healers, caretakers and teachers. This is a significant moment for our state, said Vice Chair and project lead for the states LGBTQ+ Commission Michael Golojuch, Jr. By raising these flags, we recognize both the struggles and the strides of our diverse Mahu and LGBTQIA+ communities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Gov. Kim Reynolds was joined by Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, legislators and county auditors in her office June 2, 2025 as she signed into law two bills from the 2025 legislative session related to Iowa elections. (Photo courtesy the Iowa Secretary of State's office) Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed two bills related to Iowas election laws Monday, making changes to the states citizenship verification for voting and election recount processes. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, alongside several county auditors and some of the lawmakers who worked on the bills during the 2025 legislative session, joined Reynolds at the signing. Pate thanked Reynolds and lawmakers for moving the two measures forward in a news release Monday, saying the bills are important steps in strengthening and maintaining Iowas election integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These new laws add additional layers of integrity to our robust election procedures, supporting our efforts to balance election integrity and voter participation, Pate said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX House File 954, signed Monday, was the bill Pate proposed to better allow his office to check the citizenship status and other eligibility requirements of those on Iowas voter rolls. The bill gives the Secretary of States office the ability to contract with federal and state agencies, and with private entities, for voter roll verification and maintenance, in addition to setting up a process for setting a voters registration status as unconfirmed when the state or county officials have received information from a reliable source that the person is not qualified to vote. The measure came up in the wake of Pates guidance to county auditors shortly before the 2024 general election in November that directed the local elections officials to challenge the ballots of 2,176 voters at the polls. Pate had flagged these individuals as potential noncitizens because they had, within the past 12 years, reported to the Iowa Department of Transportation or another state entity that they were noncitizens, and later registered to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A majority of these individuals were naturalized citizens who had the ability to vote, but Pate said the instruction was necessary because his office had been denied access by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements database to verify these peoples citizenship status. USCIS later granted the Iowa office access to the database when Pate said his office confirmed 277 of the 2,176 potential noncitizen voters did not have U.S. citizenship. The secretary of state said the new law will prevent similar situations from arising in the future where individuals have their votes contested at the ballot box. The bill gives tools to election officials for voter eligibility verification before Election Day, but also allows registered voters to be challenged over their citizenship status at the polls. A challenged voter would have to present precinct election officials with evidence they are qualified to vote to cast a regular ballot. If the challenge is not withdrawn, they would cast a provisional ballot. Law sets new limits on election recounts The second measure, House File 928, makes changes to Iowas system for election recounts, including setting new limits on who can request recounts. For statewide and federal races, the election results would have to have a 0.15% difference in votes between candidates for a candidate to request a recount. For state legislative and local races, a difference of 1% or 50 votes would be required. This would stop recounts in future elections similar to those requested in recent elections, like the 2024 election recount for the race between U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Christina Bohannan, that was within 0.2%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure would also make changes to election recount boards. Under the previous system, each candidate in a recount designates one person to serve on the board, alongside a third person agreed upon by both candidates. The new law has county auditors lead election recount boards with their staff and hired election workers, adding the requirement that boards must have an equal numbers of workers from each political party. Candidates can choose up to five people to observe the recount process in each county. While some Democrats said this new system could lead to Iowans questioning election integrity because of conflicts of interest with county auditors, Republican supporters argued the change will lead to more uniform and fair election recounts. Rep. Austin Harris, R-Moulton, who led the bill in the House, said in a news release the recount bill was one of the most important pieces of legislation weve passed this year. We have seen in years past where the old system was used, abused, and manipulated by campaigns to try to fix the outcome for their preferred candidate, Harris said in a statement. Now we have a system that brings uniformity, consistency, and most importantly, trust to that system. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Jun. 2AUGUSTA Gov. Janet Mills has signed a new law creating an annual "day to remember" honoring democracy on the anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021 attacks on the U.S. Capitol. The law, signed Thursday, will require the governor to issue a proclamation each year on the date "honoring the resilience of democracy" and encouraging people to use the day to reflect "on the values of democracy, civic responsibility and the importance of protecting constitutional governance." The annual proclamation would also encourage educational institutions and libraries to observe the day with discussions, events and programming to educate people about the importance of civic engagement and the rule of law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills condemned the Jan. 6 attacks at the time, saying that leaders across the country should denounce the violence and defend democracy, and that all Americans should work to restore honor and decency. Ben Goodman, a spokesperson for Mills, said Monday that she signed the new law "to honor the courage and sacrifice of law enforcement particularly the Capitol Police, some of whom lost their lives due to the events of that day and to remind Maine people that American democracy and the rule of law which she strongly champions is fragile and must be protected." Brian Sicknick, a U.S. Capitol Police officer, died after being assaulted and collapsing during the attacks. Four other police officers who responded to the attacks died by suicide in the following weeks. The law was sponsored by Rep. Rafael Macias, D-Topsham, who said last month that he brought it forward as a way of preserving the truth about what happened during the attacks perpetuated by Donald Trump's supporters after he lost the 2020 presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Jan. 6, 2021, is a day I will never forget," Macias said during a floor debate in the House of Representatives. "I'm so glad it will be remembered for what it was a rebuffed coup attempt that was completed four years later. We should write down how it really happened, otherwise it will be remembered how (rioters) want our descendants to believe it. This bill puts that day on the record." The bill generated heated debate in the House before being approved 74-65. Republicans argued the proposal was only fueling division and presenting a one-sided narrative around the events of Jan. 6 while Democrats said the day of remembrance is important for documenting history. It later received final approval by a 19-14 margin in the Senate. Copy the Story Link SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Governor Larry Rhoden signed Executive Order 2025-06, which establishes the Governors Resilience and Infrastructure Task Force (GRIT). According to a news release from the Governors office, GRIT will serve as a strategic advisory body to develop policy recommendations, assess risks and vulnerabilities, and support long-term planning and investment in critical infrastructure systems across our state. What to know about severe weather Monday Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GRIT task force will include the following members appointed by the Governor, according to the executive order: Representatives from state agencies for public safety, military, cybersecurity, water and wastewater, transportation, or other agencies as designated by the Governor; Members from industry, utilities, the private sector, and academia; and Subject matter experts in cybersecurity, emergency management, and critical infrastructure. The task force will be chaired by Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen, and Adjutant General Mark Morrell will serve as vice chair. I am committed to keeping South Dakota strong, safe, and free for generations to come, Rhoden said in a news release. We pray that the most challenging circumstances will never arise, but we are preparing so that South Dakota can face such situations with determination, resilience, and grit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT) Governor Josh Stein has announced that June 1-7, 2025, is the North Carolina S.A.F.E. Week of Action. This Week of Action, sponsored by the N.C. Department of Public Safety, is a week to unite communities, families, and organizations statewide to promote the lifesaving importance of safe firearm storage. Safely storing firearms can be the difference between life and death, Governor Josh Stein said. When people understand the risks, they are more likely to take action to protect themselves and their families. Thats what S.A.F.E. week is all about keeping people safe from gun violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FBI data says that the rate of gun theft from vehicles is three times as high as it was 10 years ago. This ranks 10 North Carolina cities in the top 100 U.S. cities for reported gun thefts from vehicles in 2022. To help reduce gun violence and needless tragedies, Governor Stein proposed more than $2.2 million for safe storage in his budget proposal. Every conversation and every gun lock distributed brings us closer to a safer North Carolina, North Carolina Department of Public Safety Deputy Secretary William Lassiter said. Our collective efforts are reaching families across the state and making a real impact. Many organizations throughout North Carolina are hosting community events to emphasize the importance if safe gun storage during the Week of Action. A complete list of events can be found here. The NC S.A.F.E. campaign has earned more than 89 million ad impressions, nearly 332,000 visits to the NC S.A.F.E. website, and has distributed 130,000 free gun locks to help North Carolinians safely store their guns. There is also a NC S.A.F.E. for Schools program that helps school districts share safe storage resources with families in their community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here to learn more about NC S.A.F.E. and to download community resources. Click here to view Governor Steins proclamation designating NC S.A.F.E. Week of Action. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn talk to reporters at Clyburns annual fish fry Friday, May 30, 2025. (Photo by Shaun Chornobroff/SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA Minutes before 10 p.m. Friday, after Democratic speakers led the audience in jeers to Republicans efforts to slash jobs and health care and encouraged people to get involved, line dancing broke out. That mix of politics and fun, mostly the latter, is what makes U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburns annual fish fry in the states capital city so popular, attendees said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all came out, and everybodys enjoying themselves, said Shantell Zimmerman, 58, of Columbia. It brings out the community, agreed Dionne Brown, 55, of Irmo, whos been attending the event for six years. Then we actually get to discuss our views and takeaways. Hundreds of people attended the event that started in 1992, the year voters first elected Clyburn to the 6th Congressional District, as a thank you to the voters who couldnt afford the Democratic Partys high-dollar fundraisers. Over time, the World Famous Annual Fish Fry which includes free food and drinks has become a must-attend event for Democrats seeking local, statewide and national office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year was no different, even if Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Kamala Harris 2024 running mate said theyre not running for the 2028 nomination. I know Im not running, Moore told reporters Friday. But the thing Im also very clear about is that anyone whos talking about 2028 is not taking 2025 very seriously. Moore and Walz, as well as Clyburn and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison of Columbia, emphasized the importance of focusing on whats happening now in Washington, D.C. Proposed cuts to government safety nets like Medicaid and billionaire Elon Musks efforts to rapidly slash federal spending were among the topics the governors touched on Friday during speeches at the fish fry, as well as the Blue Palmetto Fundraising Dinner the same night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I taught school long enough to know its because theyre weak and theyre bullies, and when you stand up to them, they fade away, said Walz, a former high school geography teacher. Their addresses at the events in South Carolina which last year got promoted from holding the Democratic Partys first-in-the-South to first-in-the-nation presidential primary sounded a lot like campaign speeches. Walz also spoke at the South Carolina Democratic Partys annual convention on Saturday. Lucy Owens, an Anderson County delegate to the state convention, discounted the governors refusals, saying the 2028 presidential campaign has clearly begun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre all going to come through here. Theyre the first ones, she said. In 2019, the fish fry drew 21 potential candidates hoping to appeal to South Carolina Democrats. The following year, Joe Biden won the South Carolina Democratic primary, a victory that ended up vaulting him to the presidency, aided by Clyburns endorsement. South Carolinas primary was elevated for 2024 as Bidens thank you to the state. Cleanup hitter With Biden gone, the Democratic party in flux, and Harrison no longer leading the national party, South Carolina maintaining its first-in-the-nation status is in question. Clyburns comments Friday suggest he knows the state wont keep it. He doesnt care if the state is first, he said, just that its early. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most important hitter on a team is the cleanup hitter. He comes in fourth place, Clyburn told reporters at his event. Im not concerned about whether or not were first, second, third, he said. Please, let us be at least four. That would take South Carolina back to having the first primary in the South, potentially behind contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada. In the aftermath of Trumps landslide victory and the Republican Party gaining control of both chambers of Congress, the Democratic Party is in a reset. Walz and Moore, the first Black governor in Marylands history, are among the early faces of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winning South Carolina, which changed the trajectory of Bidens 2020 presidential run, will be crucial for Democratic hopefuls. Owens, the Anderson County delegate, pointed to the stage where Walz and Moore spoke, saying every Democrat who wants to be president will eventually appear in that exact spot. They got to come through here. Not South Carolina. They got to go right there, she said. Both governors received raucous ovations from South Carolina Democrats, drawing cheers, standing ovations and even a few laughs as they took shots at the GOP. Owens said theyre both very great candidates, and shes excited to hear more from them over the coming years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was the general consensus from attendees who spoke with the SC Daily Gazette. However, they were significantly more familiar with Walz because of his time on the campaign trail last year with Vice President Harris. I know less about Wes Moore than I do about Tim Walz, but I think hes a good speaker, said Laura Lowery, a 69-year-old from Fountain Inn. I think hes done a good job in his state as well. Moore has recently come under fire for vetoing a bill that would establish a commission to examine state and federal policies from 1877 to 1965 and come up with recommendations for reparations. South Carolina Rep. John King, D-Rock Hill, asked the state party to remove Moore as the keynote speaker of Fridays Blue Palmetto Dinner. Party leaders never responded to questions about that request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But for at least some attendees, the veto perturbed them too. I didnt understand why he would do that, said Tonya Winbush of Anderson. But once Winbush, a 50-year-old Army veteran, heard Moore speak about his time in the Army, as well as his pardoning of 175,000 cannabis convictions, her opinion changed. I think when you dont know the whole story and you just listen to sound bites, which is what we do a lot, well make brash judgments about people, when we are really fighting the same fight, she said. This story first appeared in South Carolina Daily Gazette, a sibling site of the Minnesota Reformer and part of the States Newsroom nonprofit news network. Press Release June 2, 2025 CHIZ: 'PLENARY TO DETERMINE COURSE OF IMPEACHMENT' Senate President Francis "Chiz" G. Escudero on Monday (June 2) reaffirmed that the plenary will ultimately decide on all impeachment matters pertaining to the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, as the upper chamber prepares for the presentation of the Articles of Impeachment on June 11, 2025. In a press conference this morning, he emphasized that while the Senate President may initially set the schedule, the plenary remains the supreme body that determines the course of proceedings and the direction the impeachment court will take. "The plenary is the supreme body of the Senate. It gets to decide anything and everything although at first instance, it can be decided by the Senate President but ultimately, it will have to be confirmed and affirmed or rejected for that matter by plenary," Senate President Escudero pointed out. The veteran legislator also clarified that the rescheduling of the presentation of the Articles of Impeachment does not favor either side of the prosecution or the defense since the date adjustment will not impede the Senate's ability to proceed with the impeachment trial. "Walang mapapaboran nito, walang masasaktan ... Ang nakuha lang namin dito ay mas mahabang panahon para magawa 'yung totoo talaga naming trabaho--ang magpasa ng makabuluhang batas," he said. He added that even if the Articles of Impeachment were presented on June 2, the Senate's authority would still be constrained by the congressional calendar, as the impeachment court could only move forward within the established procedural timeframes. Responding to concerns raised by Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III that the impeachment trial could have progressed sooner if the original timeline was followed, the Senate leader explained: "Nakalagay sa rules na 10 days from receipt. So kung June 3 napadala (ang summons), June 13 ang deadline, adjourned na ang Senado. Kung June 11 naman pinadala, ang 10 days will be on June 21 na adjourned na rin ang Senado by the time." Under Senate rules, the Vice President will have 10 days to respond to the summons once issued, while the House prosecutors will have five days to reply. On top of these, any motion or objection, would be deliberated in the plenary before the trial formally commences. With only six plenary sessions remaining before the 19th Congress adjourns on June 14, Escudero stated that the full trial, if pursued, would be handled by the 20th Congress when it convenes on July 29, a day after the new Congress opens. Based on the proposed schedule, the oath-taking of newly elected senator-judges before the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, will take place on July 29 at 9:00 am, followed by a plenary session in the afternoon. The trial proper will commence on July 30 from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm. The impeachment trial timeline has been adjusted to begin on June 11 to allow the Senate to focus on pending priority legislation before the 19th Congress adjourns, as agreed during last week's Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting in Malacanang. The rescheduling aims to prioritize 12 bills, including amendments to the Foreign Investors' Long-Term Lease Act, the E-Governance Act, and the Anti-POGO Act, which all require the Senate's full attention before moving to impeachment proceedings. The Bicolano senator assured that the Senate will convene as an impeachment court once the plenary decides on the next steps. "Plenaryo ang dapat magpasya n'yan ... Pag-uusapan 'yan sa susunod na mga araw marahil kapag nag-resume ang plenaryo lalong-lalo na sa itinakdang petsa kung hindi ito mababago ng plenaryo sa ika-11 ng Hunyo." BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov met with Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Haitham Al Ghais within the framework of Baku Energy Week, Trend reports via the Ministry of Energy. The meeting expressed satisfaction with cooperation with Azerbaijan in the OPEC+ format and highly appreciated the country's role in the oil market regulation. The importance of investments in hydrocarbons, including the oil sector, against the background of increasing demand for energy was also noted. The rational policy of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the development of energy sources was highly appreciated by the OPEC Secretary General. During the conversation, discussions were held on development trends in the global oil market, the level of implementation of production commitments by OPEC and non-OPEC countries, and the future role of oil in the energy balance. Azerbaijan has received an invitation to participate in the forthcoming OPEC International Seminar scheduled for July. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The governors office said it will start issuing one-time, special tax refunds this week. The bill passed earlier this year will mean money back in your pocket. Here is the breakdown: $250 for single filers and married individuals filing separately $375 for head of household filers $500 for married individuals filing jointly Because weve managed our states resources wisely, were again able to return money to hardworking Georgians who know how best to use it, Gov. Brian Kemp said. Along with our acceleration of the largest income tax rate cut in state history, this latest refund is just one more way were working to support the people of our state, their families, and their businesses, because thats not the governments money, its theirs! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taxpayers can check their eligibility using the Surplus Tax Refund Eligibility Tool, available through the Georgia Tax Center, by inputting their tax year, Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number, and Federal Adjusted Gross Income. TRENDING STORIES: HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro highlighted his plan to steer an additional $200 million to mass transit across Pennsylvania, calling it a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians. Lou Diehl is vision-impaired and relies on mass transit. Although his vision is not perfect, he sees public transits value quite clearly. When I was 19 years old, I began to lose the remainder of my eyesight, said Diehl. Dont look at it as an object or a problem to be solved. Focus on investment, connecting people to jobs, healthcare, food safety, and a variety of other opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, the Senate failed to act, said Governor Josh Shapiro. We are now facing a crisis situation when it comes to mass transit. Governor Shapiro fought for public transit in the new budget during a press conference at Harrisburgs CAT Transit today. During the conference, Shapiro said he wants an additional $200 million for mass transit. Hed steer more from state sales taxes to pay for it, and wants Republicans to get on the bus. People seem to have forgotten that the state taxpayer already invests $1.5 billion a year, just in SEPTA, so the state taxpayers are doing more than their fair share to support transit throughout this commonwealth, said Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R). Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania Both sides agree that mass transit needs sustainable revenues, however, they disagree on how it should be implemented. One side hears sustainable, and they immediately think tax increases, said House Minority Leader Jesse Topper (R). The other side hears sustainable, and we think reforming a system thats broken, and there are definitely ways that we can do that. Reforms, House Republicans say, like privatizing some routes, higher fares for riders, more money from local communities, salary and benefit cuts, and efficiencies. We recognize the value of transit, but there also needs to be a self-help manual in this, said Sen. Pittman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Will the Governor sign a budget that doesnt have more for mass transit? Im not going to get into the hypotheticals here, said Shapiro. While Pennsylvania powerbrokers wrestle with the budget, Diehl hopes they dont lose sight of mass transits importance to people like him. [Public transit] allowed me to continue that training, graduate from college, meet the woman of my dreams, and start a career of 30-plus years, said Diehl. The budget is due June 30, but many feel there are still too many items to sort through, which means they may not make that deadline. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. The bill is a legislative attempt to combat unruly gatherings of teens and young people that officials say have caused havoc, especially in Shore towns. (Lori M. Nichols for New Jersey Monitor) The Senate on Monday joined the Assembly in concurring with Gov. Phil Murphys conditional veto of a bill that would create new criminal charges to deter disruptive pop-up parties that have harried some New Jersey towns in recent years, and the bill became law after Murphy signed it Monday afternoon. The new law will allow authorities to charge those who provoke or attempt to provoke at least four others into disorderly conduct with inciting a public brawl or who conceal their identities to instill fear or frustrate authorities attempts to apprehend or prosecute them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This law makes it clear that if you incite a public brawl, you will be held accountable. We need to give law enforcement the tools to stop this kind of chaos before someone gets seriously hurt, or worse, said bill sponsor Assemblyman Dan Hutchison (D-Gloucester). Those who wear masks or disguises for medical, demonstrative, or religious reasons will not be subject to prosecution for concealing their identities. The new law is a legislative response to pop-up parties and other large, unruly gatherings of young people that have spurred violence and chaos in some New Jersey communities in recent years. A push in favor of the law rose after Memorial Day weekend, when authorities in Seaside Heights said gangs of young people created havoc on the boardwalk. In May, a brawl at the Menlo Park Mall broke out among 300 young people, forcing seven arrests and leaving one officer injured as locals called police from neighboring towns to bring the fracas under control, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later last month, officials were forced to shutter a carnival outside the Woodbridge Center after hundreds of teens responded to a social media post about the event. Authorities said they made no arrests at the scene to avoid an escalation. This bill is meant to make such incidents less frequent and to give our public safety officers more training and resources to help bring these situations under control, said bill sponsor Sen. Paul Moriarty (D-Gloucester). Murphy conditionally vetoed the bipartisan bill in early May over First Amendment concerns. The earlier version would have criminalized engaging or promoting others to engage in disorderly conduct and lacked exemptions for medical and other mask-wearing. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) praised Ukraines weekend drone attack on Russia, calling its government and armed forces ever-resourceful while warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing for more war. The ever-resourceful Ukraine used creative drone warfare tactics to successfully attack Russian bombers and military assets used to kill Ukrainian citizens and destroy their country, Graham said on the social platform X on Sunday reacting to the Ukraine attack. Ukraine hit Russian bases across the vast country in the recent attack, including in the regions of Irkutsk and Amur, which are thousands of miles from the Russian-Ukraine border. The attack came just before new talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey and without President Trumps knowledge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Graham has backed Ukraine throughout its war with Russia and is supporting a major sanctions bill against Russia the Senate is set to consider this week. He has been a voice in Trumps orbit for tougher steps with Russia. Russia indiscriminately kills men, women and children. Its time for the world to act decisively against Russias aggression by holding China and others accountable for buying cheap Russian oil that props up Putins war machine. If you want this war to end, push China to help end it, he wrote Sunday on X. Graham recently visited Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine with fellow Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). With Putin delaying peace talks and Trump showing signs of growing irritation, Graham on Sunday warned it was crucial for western powers to send a unified signal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview in Paris with The Associated Press, Blumenthal said the sanctions in the bill to be considered by the Senate were bone-crushing and would put the Russian economy on a trade island. What I learned on this trip was hes preparing for more war, Graham said of Putin, according to the AP. It is crunch time for Putin and for the world because Russia is mounting a new offensive, he said. The Senate sanctions bill would seek to make it tougher for other countries to do business with Russia by imposing 500 percent tariffs on those who buy Russian oil, gas and other exports. China and India are two major purchasers of Russian energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The world has a lot of cards to play against Putin, Graham told the AP. Were going to hit China and India for propping up his war machine. Graham also offered support for Trumps efforts to work with Putin, but told the AP its become painfully clear hes not interested in ending this war. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Davis County Causeway cuts through the Great Salt Lake toward Antelope Island on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Great Salt Lake will likely have a tough summer. The saline lake relies on mountain snow melt to fill it with water, and this winter wasnt as good as the past two seasons. Enough snow fell in 2023 and 2024 to lift the state out of drought, fill reservoirs to above capacity and boost the withering Great Salt Lake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a different story this year. As of May 1, the amount of runoff that made its way to the Great Salt Lake basin is 72% of normal, compared with 108% at this time in 2024. Jordan Clayton, the Utah Snow Survey Program supervisor, predicted the lake would reach 4,193.7 feet by the end of the runoff season in July. The lake is at 4,193.3 feet right now, Clayton said. Were already, unfortunately, seeing the lake past its peak in all likelihood. This article is published through the Great Salt Lake Collaborative, a solutions journalism initiative that partners news, education and media organizations to help inform people about the plight of the Great Salt Lake and what can be done to make a difference before it is too late. The lake rose about 1.5 feet from its seasonal low in November, according to the Utah Division of Water Resources. Great Salt Lake Commissioner Brian Steed said any additional runoff that makes its way to the lake wont make much of a difference. The levels, he said, have already started to fall, and by the end of summer, the lake will lose as much if not more than it gained over the winter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im guessing were going to have probably a foot and a half more decrease this year. The good news, Steed said, is that the lakes salinity is OK. When salt levels get too high, it essentially suffocates the organisms that call the lake home because fresh water carries more oxygen than saltwater. The current projections are a disappointment to Steed and Clayton. Both anticipated water levels to creep up to at least 4,194 feet. The lake reached a historic low of 4,190.9 feet in 2022. At face value, where the lake stands now versus where it was predicted to be doesnt seem like a big difference. But Steeds established target range for the lake is between 4,198-4,205 feet. That allows for the ecosystem to support the survival of brine flies and brine shrimp. And keeps industries that do business on the lake, such as mineral extraction, able to do their jobs. And recreators can sail their boat or paddle their kayak without fear of hitting the lake bottom. Bonnie Baxter, a microbiologist at Westminster University who studies lake organisms, told KUERs RadioWest that she is seeing the ecosystem take a hit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were starting to see the shorelines recede again. Were starting to see birds in strange places. Were starting to see the place where the brine flies pupate, those are all being exposed, she said. Were starting to see signs that were creeping towards that horrible place again. Still, Steed is grateful that were not in the crisis that we were in 2022. The last two years have bought Great Salt Lake some time, but he sees that buffer eroding. Hes also worried about impacts to the ecosystem as well as the dust from the exposed lake bed. The summer months arent projected to ease the worry, either. #DroughtMonitor 5/27: Early snowmelt continues to impact the West. The Southwest worsened for the 20th straight week (this time UT). The Midwest and FL saw areas worsen too. The Plains and East mostly improved.#Drought2025 Footprint: 26.0% of USAhttps://t.co/mljsjQDvLB @NOAA pic.twitter.com/AQ6CKtMO2q NIDIS Drought.gov (@NOAADrought) May 29, 2025 Climatologists are predicting a hotter-than-average summer. That means the lake will evaporate faster. Additionally, when its hotter, there is greater demand on Utahs already strained water system. The upside, Steed said, is that the majority of reservoirs in the northern part of the state are full. The southern part of the state, which is back in drought, doesnt have much impact on the lake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any precipitation will help Great Salt Lakes cause. But the weather pattern is hard to predict right now. The biggest message Utahns should take away from the summer forecast, Steed said, is to plan on using less water. We havent had the runoff that we wanted to see this year, and that puts us in a pretty perilous position heading into a dry summer, Steed said. That makes us all more worried about how we get more water to the lake, and its going to take all of us to get more water through intentional use and intentional reduction in use. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX GREENE COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) Greene County has received the approved Small Business Administration Agency Declaration for Indiana, concerning assistance for the recent tornado victims, according to Roger Axe, Director of Greene County Emergency Management Agency. Residents still in need after tornado On an SBA Agency Declaration, counties are eligible to apply for physical damage disaster loans for homes and businesses and economic injury disaster loans for businesses. Brown, Jackson, Lawrence, Morgan and Owen Counties have also received the SBA Agency Declaration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Disaster Loan Outreach Center will be in Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, 2700 E Roger Rd, Bloomington, Indiana. Axe said they are prepared to open as early as Tuesday, June 3 if the state agrees. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA)- Heres one way you can help feed hungry children when school is out in an Upstate community. Loaves and Fishes is a Greenville food rescue nonprofit that takes food for free from restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses that have extra food. They transport it on their four refrigerated trucks, seven days a week, to more than 100 agencies that provide food to people. Marketing and Communications Manager Daneen Schatzle said South Carolina is one of 12 states that opted out of the federally funded Summer EBT program. This means that under resourced families have a harder time feeding their children over the summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local bakery Travelers Baking Company heard about this issue and is donating bread from their bakery to help agencies that feed children make sandwiches. Sara Tamling at Travelers Baking Company said 12 sandwiches can be made with one loaf, and the bakery asks that the public buy a loaf for $10, and they will match the purchase. Tamling said that means 24 loaves can be made with other ingredients donated by Harris Teeter, like meat and dairy. Loaves and Fishes will bring it specifically to our agencies, which are feeding primarily children and families. Buy a loaf or more of bread 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 WSPA 7NEWS. GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) Greenville County Schools is honoring the memory of a deputy killed in the line of duty. On Tuesday, the GCS Board of Trustees named a building on Space Drive after Sergeant William Conley Jumper, Jr. Sergeant Jumper died in October 2020, following a series of crashes after a traffic stop along Interstate 85. The man accused of causing Jumpers death, Ray Kelly, was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to life in prison in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School officials said the renovated building will soon become the home of Greenville County Schools security and the sheriffs offices school enforcement unit. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Kazakhstan, Azizi Group join forces for real estate and tourism growth Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kazakhstan and UAE-based Azizi Group are exploring joint investment projects in real estate and tourism, with a focus on hotel and infrastructure development across Kazakhstan. Discussions also included potential collaboration in Afghanistan through Azizi Groups banking operations to enhance regional trade and logistics. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) The Greenville County Sheriffs Office announced the passing of Major Mike East, who dedicated 46 years of unwavering service to the people. Deputies described Major East as a pillar of the Greenville County agency and community. Major East was a man who didnt just wear the badgehe lived the calling, said Sheriff Hobart Lewis. He highlighted what it means to be a deputy sheriff. He pushed all of us to uphold the Sheriffs Office to the highest standards, and he did so with humility, humor, and heart. Major East was a dear friend who has certainly left an everlasting legacy at the Greenville County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency continued to describe East as a true family man and said his devotion to duty was only matched by the love he had for his family. He set the gold standard in law enforcement, never compromising on the values of accountability, professionalism, and excellence. His influence helped shape generations of deputies, and his impact will be felt for years to come. The sheriffs office said Major East joined the agency as a young man; it was the only job he ever held in his adult life. According to deputies, from day one, Major East devoted himself entirely to protecting and serving with honor, integrity and compassion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. A Florida insurance company's husband-and-wife team of top executives earned pay in 2023 and 2024 that totaled more than $50 million, according to federal filings. Tampa-based Slide Insurance Co., the states sixth-largest insurance company, which started operations in 2022, paid its CEO Bruce Lucas $21 million last year, more than all other Florida insurance companies except for one. And Slide's COO Shannon Lucas made $16.5 million that same year, according to a May 23 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, first reported in the Insurance Journal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, national insurers' CEOs such as top executives at Liberty Mutual and Progressive, are making less than Shannon Lucas in total compensation, the article notes. The pair earned $12.6 million in 2023. The public filing has sparked condemnation and calls for more reform from a few quarters. The Insurance Journal highlighted how Slide founder and CEO Bruce Lucas, who left Heritage Insurance Co. in 2021, is making nearly five times his successor at that Deerfield Beach-based insurer he helped co-found in 2012. Current Heritage CEO Ernie Garateix made $4.3 million in 2024, the Insurance Journal reported. Captive policyholders Douglas Heller, director of insurance for the Consumer Federation of America, called the compensation package grotesque, especially considering Floridas insurance woes due to its vulnerability to catastrophic hurricanes. Also problematic for Heller: how much of the start-ups business came from policyholders essentially forced to take Slide Insurance because Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the state-backed insurer of last resort, wanted to pare its rolls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citizens' policyholders can be forced to take a policy from a commercial insurer should the policy cost within 20% of what the estimated Citizens' policy would have renewed at. Slide, from 2023, when it started taking Citizens policyholders, to the end of May 2025 has assumed a total of 232,901 policies that were under Citizens, according to information on the state-backed insurers website. Slide currently has 343,000 policies in force, according to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. The federation, a Washington-based consumer education and research organization thats more than 50 years old, has found that residents in most Florida ZIP codes are paying the highest premiums in the country, Heller said A mounted deer head is part of the debris washed out onto the street by storm surge after Hurricane Helene hit the area on September 27, 2024 in Steinhatchee, Florida. The compensation for Slides executives, Heller said, is just shocking and should offend the sensibilities not just of every policyholder who pays premiums to Slide, but every politician who created the conditions for Slide to move in, take all these policies and vacuum up this for their personal windfall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slide Insurance officials did not return an email seeking comment, but industry officials have long pointed out that Floridas insurance industry is one of the most heavily regulated in the state. Insurance companies that want to increase their premium rates by 15% more than the previous year company must undergo a public hearing before a panel from the states Office of Insurance Regulation, justify the increases with historical claims and future risk assessments and then hope for the regulatory bodys stamp of approval. More: Hope for legislative property insurance fix dimming as Legislature enters second half Current situation targeted for legislative changes Still, Republican state Rep. Hillary Cassel, who works as a plaintiffs insurance attorney and introduced legislation this year that would have changed the landscape in which Slide has taken root, said the situation points out exactly why the current set of rules should be modified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her legislation sought and ultimately failed to roll back a 2022 change that made it so that attorney fees, in most cases, would not be added into litigated settlements for policyholders against their insurers. The 2022 tort changes have caused the number of suits against insurers to plummet, and, some say, stem a tide of legal fraud, add up to a healthier insurance market with more consumer choices and slow the premium growth from the crisis of a few years ago, when some premiums were tripling. Cassel, however, has said the changes have left Florida homeowners still paying more and with few avenues to hold their insurer accountable. And the Lucases are paying themselves on the backs of Florida policyholders, she said. This is exactly the type of egregious behavior that, as the vice chair of the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee, I am committed to ensuring oversight and transparency into any and all payments so runaway insurance costs are reined in, claims are paid and Floridians may continue to secure coverage for their property, Cassel said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Report: As insurance market wobbled, some companies paid billions to affiliated firms Cassels subcommittee was holding an investigation during the last legislative session into insurance company payments, but it did not come to any conclusions about why parent companies of Florida insurers distributed $680 million to shareholders and distributed billions more to company affiliates. The report filed with federal authorities shows that Slide is heavily reliant on reinsurance to pay claims, Heller noted. Risky business Reinsurance is what insurers must buy on the global financial markets to fortify their reserves to prepare for when or if a catastrophic level of claims hit. The reinsurance market has improved since the Florida market started wobbling beginning in 2019, but Floridas insurance crisis peaked as the reinsurance market became particularly tight. Reinsurance costs typically account for the largest, single chunk in an insurance premium about 30% to 50%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be highly reliant on reinsurance, that's a real concern, especially in Florida, where the reinsurance market has been extremely volatile, and there's only so much they (Slide) can take out of the Florida reinsurance fund, Heller said. And if you're highly reliant on reinsurance you could imagine things going south for Slide customers really quickly. Slide entered as other insurers left Slide did enter the market at a moment of high risk for Florida insurers: 10 Florida-based insurance companies became insolvent between 1999 and 2023, and some national carriers decreased Florida business. The risk appears to be paying off for Slide: What was left for stockholders after expenses, taxes and costs (commonly known as the profit) grew from $87 million in 2023, its first full year in business, to $201 million in 2024. Thats about a 130% growth in net income attributable to common stockholders, according to the federal filing. Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky could not be reached to comment on the filing, and Slide officials did not comment due to the quiet period, according to reporting from the Insurance Journal. This period falls between when the initial public stock offering is registered with the federal government and a month after stock trading begins, to ensure that officers dont release new information that could affect investor decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Harold Levy, founder and managing partner of HL Law Group in Fort Lauderdale, which represents insurance policyholders, said the situation sounds like the same old insurance game: deny, delay, defend. Further evidence that it is clearly a profitable strategy to take in premiums and not pay claims, he said, after hearing of Slides expanding executive compensation and profits. Anne Geggis is the insurance reporter at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at ageggis@gannett.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 'Grotesque': Married insurance execs earn $50 million in 2 years Photo illustration by Getty Images. The life expectancy among Native Americans in the western United States has dropped below 64 years, close to life expectancies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Haiti. For many Asian Americans, its around 84 on par with life expectancies in Japan and Switzerland. Americans health has long been unequal, but a new study shows that the disparity between the life expectancies of different populations has nearly doubled since 2000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is like comparing very different countries, said Tom Bollyky, director of the global health program at the Council on Foreign Relations and an author of the study. Called Ten Americas, the analysis published late last year in The Lancet found that ones life expectancy varies dramatically depending on where one lives, the economic conditions in that location, and ones racial and ethnic identity. The worsening health of specific populations is a key reason the countrys overall life expectancy at 75 years for men and 80 for women is the shortest among wealthy nations. To deliver on pledges from the new Trump administration to make America healthy again, policymakers will need to fix problems undermining life expectancy across all populations. As long as we have these really severe disparities, were going to have this very low life expectancy, said Kathleen Harris, a sociologist at the University of North Carolina. It should not be that way for a country as rich as the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 2000, the average life expectancy of many American Indians and Alaska Natives has been steadily shrinking. The same has been true since 2014 for Black people in low-income counties in the southeastern U.S. Some groups in the United States are facing a health crisis, Bollyky said, and we need to respond to that because its worsening. Heart disease, car fatalities, diabetes, COVID-19, and other common causes of death are directly to blame. But research shows that the conditions of peoples lives, their behaviors, and their environments heavily influence why some populations are at higher risk than others. Native Americans in the West defined in the Ten Americas study as more than a dozen states excluding California, Washington, and Oregon were among the poorest in the analysis, living in counties where a persons annual income averages below about $20,000. Economists have shown that people with low incomes generally live shorter lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Studies have also linked the stress of poverty, trauma, and discrimination to detrimental coping behaviors like smoking and substance use disorders. And reservations often lack grocery stores and clean, piped water, which makes it hard to buy and cook healthy food. About 1-in-5 Native Americans in the Southwest dont have health insurance, according to a KFF report. Although the Indian Health Service provides coverage, the report says the program is weak due to chronic underfunding. This means people may delay or skip treatments for chronic illnesses. Postponed medical care contributed to the outsize toll of covid among Native Americans: About 1 of every 188 Navajo people died of the disease at the peak of the pandemic. The combination of limited access to health care and higher health risks has been devastating, Bollyky said. At the other end of the spectrum, the studys category of Asian Americans maintained the longest life expectancies since 2000. As of 2021, it was 84 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Education may partly underlie the reasons certain groups live longer. People with more education are more likely to seek out and adhere to health advice, said Ali Mokdad, an epidemiologist at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, and an author of the paper. Education also offers more opportunities for full-time jobs with health benefits. Money allows you to take steps to take care of yourself, Mokdad said. The group with the highest incomes in most years of the analysis was predominantly composed of white people, followed by the mainly Asian group. The latter, however, maintained the highest rates of college graduation, by far. About half finished college, compared with fewer than a third of other populations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The study suggests that education partly accounts for differences among white people living in low-income counties, where the individual income averaged less than $32,363. Since 2000, white people in low-income counties in southeastern states defined as those in Appalachia and the Lower Mississippi Valley had far lower life expectancies than those in upper midwestern states including Montana, Nebraska, and Iowa. (The authors provide details on how the groups were defined and delineated in their report.) Opioid use and HIV rates didnt account for the disparity between these white, low-income groups, Bollyky said. But since 2010, more than 90% of white people in the northern group were high-school graduates, compared with around 80% in the southeastern U.S. The education effect didnt hold true for Latino groups compared with others. Latinos saw lower rates of high school graduation than white people but lived longer on average. This long-standing trend recently changed among Latinos in the Southwest because of covid. Hispanic or Latino and Black people were nearly twice as likely to die from the disease. On average, Black people in the U.S. have long experienced worse health than other races and ethnicities in the United States, except for Native Americans. But this analysis reveals a steady improvement in Black peoples life expectancy from 2000 to about 2012. During this period, the gap between Black and white life expectancies shrank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is true for all three groups of Black people in the analysis: Those in low-income counties in southeastern states like Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama; those in highly segregated and metropolitan counties, such as Queens, New York, and Wayne, Michigan, where many neighborhoods are almost entirely Black or entirely white; and Black people everywhere else. Better drugs to treat high blood pressure and HIV help account for the improvements for many Americans between 2000 to 2010. And Black people, in particular, saw steep rises in high school graduation and gains in college education in that period. However, progress stagnated for Black populations by 2016. Disparities in wealth grew. By 2021, Asian and many white Americans had the highest incomes in the study, living in counties with per capita incomes around $50,000. All three groups of Black people in the analysis remained below $30,000. A wealth gap between Black and white people has historical roots, stretching back to the days of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and policies that prevented Black people from owning property in neighborhoods that are better served by public schools and other services. For Native Americans, a historical wealth gap can be traced to a near annihilation of the population and mass displacement in the 19th and 20th centuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inequality has continued to rise for several reasons, such as a widening pay gap between predominantly white corporate leaders and low-wage workers, who are disproportionately people of color. And reporting from KFF Health News shows that decisions not to expand Medicaid have jeopardized the health of hundreds of thousands of people living in poverty. Researchers have studied the potential health benefits of reparation payments to address historical injustices that led to racial wealth gaps. One new study estimates that such payments could reduce premature death among Black Americans by 29%. Less controversial are interventions tailored to communities. Obesity often begins in childhood, for example, so policymakers could invest in after-school programs that give children a place to socialize, be active, and eat healthy food, Harris said. Such programs would need to be free for children whose parents cant afford them and provide transportation. But without policy changes that boost low wages, decrease medical costs, put safe housing and strong public education within reach, and ensure access to reproductive health care including abortion, Harris said, the countrys overall life expectancy may grow worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the federal government is really interested in Americas health, she said, they could grade states on their health metrics and give them incentives to improve. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF. Ukrainian children are growing up in a world entirely reshaped by Russias war. Sirens, blackouts, and bomb shelters are nothing extraordinary but a part of everyday childhood. This photo story follows five families as they raise their children in the shadow of the ongoing invasion. Its not about the battlefield, but of bedrooms with windows shattered by blasts, morning routines interrupted by air raid alerts, and games played in underground shelters. The war seeps into the smallest moments. The Kyiv Independent spoke to children and their families to understand how war affects childhood, how it quietly rewrites dreams, creeps into fantasies, and redefines what it means to be safe. Children, in their honesty and imagination, reflect truths that adults sometimes struggle to express. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One thing all the children who spoke to the Kyiv Independent have in common: They all feel safest when there are no air raid alerts or the sounds of Russian missiles and drones above them. Tina and Tymofii Tyshchenko 7 years old and 3 years old The morning of Feb. 24, 2022, Tina and Tymofiis mother Yuliia Tyshchenko woke up to feed then- 8-month-old Tymofii when, for the first time, she heard the terrifying sound of the first explosions of the invasion. Within 10 minutes, Yuliia and her husband Bohdan Tyshchenko, had gathered their things, picked up their daughter Tina from her grandparents, and set off west, driving without a clear destination. After the liberation of Kyiv Oblast, they returned home and now, they no longer want to leave. They are happy to be home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They spent many nights hiding in the basement, but the children always got sick afterward. With no better option, they began taking shelter in their bathroom, even though they know it offers little real protection. Every day, the family says they thank God and Ukraines defenders for the morning, for waking up, and for being alive. (I'd like to have) the superpower of fire because it can destroy. I would first destroy Putin, because he is very bad. The Kyiv Independent: What superpower would you like to have and why? Tina: The superpower of fire because it can destroy. I would first destroy (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, because he is very bad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I grow up, Id buy, like, a gun or something, and Id go and, um pretend to be a Russian. And then Id pick some poisonous berries they dont know what poisonous berries are. And then Id give them some, and theyd all die and be dead. Id give Putin a worse death. And Russia too a terrible one. Because Putin is very mean. And the president of Ukraine is much, much, much, much better. The Kyiv Independent: You wouldnt shoot him with fire, right? Tina: No! Id take care of him. And give him blueberries. Or strawberries. The Kyiv Independent: Youd give blueberries or strawberries to our president? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tina: Yes! Or cake. The Kyiv Independent: What do you dream about? Tina: I want to be very rich. I want to buy everything I want. Tina and Tymofii Tyshchenko pose for a photo, showing me how they hide in the bathroom during air-raid sirens, in Hora, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine, on May 13, 2025. (Elena Kalinichenko/The Kyiv Independent) Sofiia Ovsieienko 3 years old Sofiia Ovsieienko was just five months old when Russias full-scale invasion began on Feb. 24, 2022. She and her mother, Kateryna Ovsieienko, fled Chernihiv under heavy shelling after spending three weeks in the city without electricity, water, or heating. They found temporary refuge in Germany, where they lived for six months before returning home. Since returning, the war has shaped the rhythms of their daily life. After an explosion shattered their windows and a rocket fragment hit a neighboring apartment, going to the shelter during air raid alerts is a regular part of their routine. Sofiia knows what the sirens mean: time to run to the shelter. She does this at kindergarten, and she does it at home with her mom. Sofiia Ovsieienko plays with toys in her bathroom in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 17, 2025. She and her mother hide there during drone attacks. (Elena Kalinichenko/The Kyiv Independent) Sometimes, going to the shelter can even resemble a small adventure to Sofiia. She knows there will be other children there and afterward, her mom always buys her cocoa or a hot dog. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first thing she asks when they go underground is Whats in the bag? She knows her moms emergency backpack is always packed with her favorite toys and snacks. The sound of knocking frightens her most. Sofiia and Kateryna Ovsieienko hug at their home in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 17, 2025. (Elena Kalinichenko/The Kyiv Independent) Sofiia doesnt remember the beginning of the war. When she hears the air defense systems, she asks, Whos knocking? The sound of knocking frightens her most. She may not understand war, but she feels its presence every day. Sofiia Ovsieienko plays in a puddle in the rain, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 17, 2025. (Elena Kalinichenko/The Kyiv Independent) Sofiia Ovsieienko drinks water in the basement of a house that residents use as a shelter in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 17, 2025. (Elena Kalinichenko/The Kyiv Independent) Matvii Yakymov 4 years old When the war began, Matvii and his mother, Nina Logachova, left their home. His father stayed behind and joined the military. For six months, the mother and son lived with friends, first in Ukraines Carpathian Mountains, then in Portugal before they returned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matvii is now in kindergarten. He loves robots and books. His favorite is The Battle for the City, a story that helps kids believe that light will overcome darkness and that evil will eventually be punished. He flips through the pages quickly, pausing to show the illustrations of war. Matvii Yakymov lies on the bathroom floor after playing and reading books, just as he does during air-raid sirens, in Chaiky, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine, on May 18, 2025. (Elena Kalinichenko/The Kyiv Independent) They still havent bought a mattress for the bathroom, where they hide during attacks. Its hard to accept that this might be their reality for a long time. His mothers calm helps, but she cant silence the explosions that frighten Matvii so much. When they travel abroad, Matvii remains tense, constantly asking his mother if the planes flying overhead are the good ones. Children are not made for war, fear, and despair in those little eyes. No children are, Nina says. Matvii Yakymov's favorite book, "Battle for the City," on his bed in Chaiky, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine, on May 18, 2025. (Elena Kalinichenko/The Kyiv Independent) When do you feel safe? When there is no air alarm or anything else scary. Matvii Yakymov plays a game where he protects those around from Russian missiles in the bathroom at home in Chaiky, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine, on May 18, 2025. (Elena Kalinichenko/The Kyiv Independent) The Kyiv Independent: What superpower would you like to have and why? Matvii: I want to have all the superpowers from the cartoon Dinoster to defeat banditsand the biggest bandits are Russians. The Kyiv Independent: Do you get scared sometimes? Matvii: Of course. When theres a siren, or something... The Russians do stuff to make me scared. The Kyiv Independent: When do you feel safe? Matvii: When there is no air alarm or anything else scary. Matvii Yakymov and his mother Nina Logachova sit together on their bed in Chaiky, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine, on May 18, 2025. (Elena Kalinichenko/The Kyiv Independent) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrii Davydenko 10 years old On the first day of the full-scale invasion, the Davydenko family woke up to the sound of a missile whistling over their home in Kyiv. They immediately fled to western Ukraine. Now theyre back home. Andrii often sleeps in his parents closet, surrounded by his favorite panda and capybara stuffed animals. During missile attacks, the family shelters there or in their buildings parking garage. When sheltering, they play games or discuss their hopes for the future. Every month, Andrii helps underprivileged children from the NGO Misto Dobra, buying them gifts with his pocket money and going through his own toys and clothes to donate to the children. Andrii Davydenko poses for a portrait in the pantry at the parking lot where his family hides during rocket attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 17, 2025. (Elena Kalinichenko/The Kyiv Independent) The Kyiv Independent: What would you wish for if you had three wishes? Andrii: If I had a magic wish, the first would be for the war to end. The second would be 100 more wishes. The third: 200 more wishes. Or maybe to have endless money. Because with money, you can do anything: end the war, buy whatever you want, and help other people. The Kyiv Independent: How would you end the war with money? Andrii: Id build a couple of nuclear missiles. They (Russia) attacked us because we have nothing, no nuclear weapons. And my third wish would be a Bugatti Chiron. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If I had a magic wish, the first would be for the war to end. The Kyiv Independent: If you could move a house anywhere on the planet, where would you move it? Andrii: I would move my house to Japan because I really love sushi. The Kyiv Independent: Do you get scared sometimes? Andrii: When there is an air raid at night, when ballistic missiles or cruise missiles are flying. The Kyiv Independent: When do you feel safe? Where grandma lives, Andrii says, pointing to the Carpathian Mountains on the map on the wall. Andrii Davydenko sleeps in his parents dressing room, surrounded by his favorite panda and capybara toys, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 17, 2025. (Elena Kalinichenko/The Kyiv Independent) Tymofii Moskalchuk 4 years old At the beginning of the war, Timofii and his mother, Marharyta Valevach, left for Poland, while his father, Bohdan Moskalchuk, remained in Ukraine. Six months later, the family reunited and returned to Kyiv because home is home, and everywhere else youre a stranger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement War inevitably steals parts of childhood, and his parents are doing their best to lessen its impact. He wont get another childhood. These are the years that will shape his memories, and his parents want him to remember trips to theme parks and visits to the village, not bomb shelters and the sound of Shahed drones. Tymofii Moskalchuk in his room in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 19, 2025. (Elena Kalinichenko/The Kyiv Independent) Timofii is fascinated by building things out of whatever he can find. He also loves hiding in boxes or creating his own little shelters, though he cant quite explain why he enjoys them so much. Sometimes he likes to draw, and lately, he often draws explosions. Whether they come from missiles or from his imagination in a fictional game, its hard to say. I wish I had the superpower to get really angry so I could protect myself from bad guys. The Kyiv Independent: What superpower would you like to have and why? Tymofii: I wish I had the superpower to get really angry so I could protect myself from bad guys. The Kyiv Independent: Are you brave? Tymofii: Yes, I'm only afraid of monsters when I have a scary dream. The Kyiv Independent: When do you feel safe? Tymofii: At home... with mom and dad, and also my grandparents. Tymofii Moskalchuk and his mom, Marharyta , on their bed in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 19, 2025. (Elena Kalinichenko/The Kyiv Independent) Read also: Coming of Age Amidst War Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) Sunday marks the final day of Gulf Coast Jam in Panama City Beach, and country fans look to soak up every last note. Sundays performances include big names like headliner Blake Shelton. Also taking the stage are Megan Moroney and Dasha. The four-day festival has drawn thousands to the beach, combining sun, sand and some of the biggest names in country music. Tickets for the 2026 Gulf Coast Jam have already gone on sale after they announced one of their biggest lineups yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2026 headliners will include Post Malone, Chris Stapleton, Riley Green and Keith Urban. To begin securing your tickets, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. GUN BARREL CITY, Texas (KETK) The Gun Barrel City Police Department is currently searching for a man that led Henderson County law enforcement on a search to Eustace overnight. Passenger ejected from vehicle during crash in Smith County Gun Barrel City PD said officers were doing a traffic stop in the 100 block of Trailwind Street in Gun Barrel City on Saturday at around 9:36 p.m. when a man ran from the vehicle. Photo of Terrence Marshawn Carter, courtesy of Gun Barrel City PD. According to a post from Gun Barrel City PD, the man was identified as Terrence Marshawn Carter, a Black man from Henderson. Officials said Carter has a active patrol violation from the Texas Pardon and Parole Board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gun Barrel City PD and other agencies searched the area and K9 Aygo was able to track Carter into a creek near the 1000 block of East Main Street, Gun Barrel City PD said. Aygo was unable to track any further at that point. Then at around 3 a.m. on Sunday, officials said a Henderson County Sheriffs Office deputy found Carter on Highway 175E but he ran again. The K9 was called out to search for him again but during their search the sheriffs office was called out to a gas station at 206 Highway 175 in Eustace where a person was seen trying to enter semi-trucks. Gun Barrel City PD officers, Athens Police Department officers, sheriffs office deputies and the K9 unit responded to the gas station to search the area for Carter. During this search, a resident on FM 316 South near Eustace, called the sheriffs office about a man at her door matching Carters description, according to Gun Barrel City PD. Officials searched until 6 a.m. on Sunday but could not find Carter. Gun Barrel City PD said they are seeking an arrest warrant for Carter on the charge of evading arrest/detention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gun Barrel City PD stated that they believe Carter has left the Eustace area and is heading to Henderson, on the other side of Tyler from Eustace. Officials asked anyone with information about Carter to contact the the Henderson County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-545-8477 or on their app at P3 TIPS. They added that anyone with information could qualify for a cash reward. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) Myrtle Beach residents and visitors have mixed feelings about their safety heading into the Carolina Country Music Festival after recent gun violence on Ocean Boulevard. The latest incident happened Saturday afternoon and left one person with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, Myrtle Beach police said. Terrell Moore, 44, of Myrtle Beach, was arrested Sunday in connection with the shooting, which happened in the area of 14th Avenue South and Ocean Boulevard. Myrtle Beach road closures announced ahead of Carolina Country Music Fest Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore was being charged with one count of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and one count of possession of a weapon during a violent crime and booked in the Myrtle Beach Jail on a $105,000 surety bond, according to online jail records. CCMF officials said more than 30,000 people attended the festival each night in 2024. However, this year, with recent gun violence in Myrtle Beach, some people are changing their plans. My son came last year and went with his wife, resident Larry Paige said. This year, they sold their tickets. In fact, they sold them about a week ago. I think it was more about the crimes and the shooting. We shouldnt be dealing with that. Saturdays Ocean Boulevard shooting is the third gun-related crime in the city of Myrtle Beach in a little more than a month. Two people were charged on May 22 after shooting at officers and crashing a stolen vehicle, police said. Officers chased them along Highway 17 Bypass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 26, police said Officer Brandon ORourke shot and killed 18-year-old Jerrius Davis of Bennettsville after Davis shot into a crowd on Ocean Boulevard. At least 11 people were injured. News13 spoke to another resident who said the recent crimes should not keep people from going to CCMF. My sons going, Kelly Hubbard said. He went last year. Its the same as usual. Another Myrtle Beach visitor said if he had tickets to the festival, he would think twice about going because of the gun-related incidents. However, he said those crimes will not stop him from visiting the city. We come here every year, around this week, Joe DeMarco said. Weve never had a problem, never felt unsafe. Unfortunately, I think these things kind of go on everywhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hubbard said the city and Ocean Boulevard are safe, but people should be mindful of how late they are staying out. If youre coming late at night, in the hours that you wouldnt go anywhere, youre not going to feel safe, she said. It depends on what youre doing. Just use your own judgment. News13 has asked Myrtle Beach police for the report about Saturday nights shooting and asked CCMF officials for a statement about the incident and is still waiting to hear back. * * * 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. The latest population estimates are out from the U.S. Census Bureau and in Georgia, one city is among the fastest growing in the country. That city is Sugar Hill, in north Gwinnett County. The Census Bureau said in their report that Sugar Hill had a 9.5% increase in its population in 2024, making it among the top 15 fastest growing cities. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As far as rank, Sugar Hill was reported to be the 12th fastest growing city or town in its population bracket, for communities with at least 20,000 people. Many population growth rates reversed or saw major changes between 2023 and 2024, Crystal Delbe, a statistician in the Census Bureaus Population Division said. Cities in the Northeast that had experienced population declines in 2023 are now experiencing significant population growth, on average. In the American South, cities saw the highest average population growth of any part of the U.S., the Census Bureau reported. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] In the past month, two more Florida health care firms have joined a growing list of companies that have reported incidents of hacking or unauthorized access of patients personal data. Information on more than 4,000 patients of DermCare Management and Apollo Medical Supply were exposed in two separate breaches, according to recent reports made to the Department of Health and Human Services. They join 33 other Florida health care firms that have reported data breaches to the agency since July 2023, a federal report shows. The breaches potentially exposed the personal data of more than 6.7 million Florida patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That list includes Tampa General Hospital, which earlier this year agreed to pay $6.7 million to settle a class action lawsuit brought by some of the 2.1 million patients whose data may have been exposed in a 2023 hack. Patient information is typically sold on the dark web and used for identity theft. But cyber criminals have also stolen money directly from health care firms too, including $3.6 million that was stolen from a nonprofit that runs behavioral health services in the Orlando area on behalf of the state. The money was taken from a bank account of Central Florida Cares Health System in October 2023 after an employee cleared the cache on her computer. She later Googled the name of a bank and entered the groups password information into a website that turned out to be fraudulent, according to an Orange County Sheriffs Office report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cyber criminals used that information to access the banks real website and stole $3.6 million via bank transfers, the report states. An unsuccessful attempt was also made to wire another $1.5 million. In addition to local law enforcement, the theft was investigated by the Secret Service, said Maria Bledsoe, Central Florida Cares CEO. A woman in Texas has been indicted on charges of money laundering in a case linked to the theft. Of course its a shock, Bledsoe said. These individuals have gotten so savvy and creative. Central Florida Cares is contracted by the Florida Department of Children and Families to provide substance abuse and mental health services in Brevard, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonprofit was able to recoup $1.9 million from insurance policies and the theft did not impact its services, Bledsoe said. To prevent another online theft the group has switched banks and added authentication processes for when accessing online banking services. It has also stepped up training for its employees and conducts spot checks to see if employees are falling for phishing emails, Bledsoe said. Its not the only Florida mental health services provider to be the target of hackers. An unauthorized user gained access to computer servers of Thriving Mind South Florida in August 2023 and obtained internal files, the group reported. It provides mental health services in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The breach may have exposed personal information of 225,000 patients including name, Social Security number, date of birth and other financial, medical and health insurance details, according to a class action lawsuit filed by victims in circuit court in Miami-Dade County. Thriving Mind officials declined to provide details about the data breach citing the pending litigation. Thriving Mind began mailing notice to impacted individuals and notified appropriate authorities within 60 days of the incident, including posting notice on its website and providing notice to the media, said John W. Newcomer, the groups president and CEO. The Florida Department of Health was also the victim of hackers who last year posted more than 20,000 files onto the dark web that detailed HIV test results, detailed doctors notes and immunization and virus testing records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health care data can be a potential goldmine for hackers, said Hossain Shahriar, associate director and a professor at the Center for Cybersecurity at the University of West Florida. In addition to personal information, data breaches often expose health insurance and medical details about patients. There is often also credit card or other financial information on file for payment of co-pays, he said. Health care companies typically lag behind firms in the military or finance sector when it comes to investing in infrastructure that protects their data, Shahriar said. Hes heard of health firms that are still using old operating systems that have vulnerabilities. He recommends health care companies invest more to protect patients data and also step up training since many breaches are the result of employees falling for phishing emails, messages that appear to be from their own company but may contain viruses or other malware. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What happens in that healthcare industry is most of their focus and attention and even their budget allocations are mostly to serve the patients, Shahriar said. Even though the investment might be, lets say, $10,000, believe me, that can save millions and millions of dollars of potential damage. Tampa General officials said that while their system was breached, defenses against hackers prevented them from encrypting its data, a common tactic used to extract ransom payments from companies. Had the hacker been able to encrypt files, it would have significantly interrupted the hospitals ability to provide care for patients, said spokesperson Amanda Bevis in an email. TGH considers the health, safety and privacy of patients and team members a top priority, Bevis said. The hospital is continuously updating and hardening systems to help prevent events such as this from occurring and has implemented additional defensive tools and increased monitoring. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Slovakia's Naftamatika, a company providing solutions for the oil and gas sector, is exploring the possibility of applying its equipment to Azerbaijani oil wells, Ivan Kolobanov, the company's chief engineer, told Trend on the sidelines of the 30th Anniversary Baku Energy Week. He initially provided an overview of the company. "We engineer cutting-edge apparatus within the domain of artificial intelligence, diagnostic methodologies, and predictive analytics tailored specifically for the oil and gas industry. In conjunction with numerous entities in the hydrocarbon sector, we also engineer automation frameworks for SOCAR. Our collaborative engagement with SOCAR has been ongoing since 2018. We intend to deploy our apparatus to the Azerbaijani hydrocarbon extraction sites. We aspire to enhance and amplify our operational engagements within the Azerbaijani market. Due to the competitive edge of our apparatus in relation to global counterparts," the expert noted. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries more or less admitted he has no plan to actually hold the Trump administration accountable for targeting sitting members of Congress and their aides. Department of Homeland Security police briefly detained an aide to Jeffriess fellow New York Democrat Representative Jerry Nadler on Wednesday. DHS officers entered Nadlers Manhattan district office, which is above an immigration court, and accused staff of harboring rioters. One staffer was handcuffed but ultimately was not arrested or charged. Nadler slammed his aides detention, saying the administration is trying to intimidate members of Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre behaving like fascists, Nadler said. We have to fight them. But when Jeffries was asked about the detention on Sunday, he had little more than vague statements to offer. In terms of how we will respond to what Trump and the administration has endeavored to do, we will make that decision in a time, place, and manner of our choosing. But the response will be continuous and it will meet the moment that is required, he said on CNNs State of the Union. What exactly does that mean? Have you not decided how to respond? asked host Dana Bash. Jeffries sat silently for several long seconds before finally responding with more bureaucratic jargon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve publicly responded in a variety of different ways. We havent let our foot off the gas pedal in terms of additional things that may take place with respect to our congressional oversight authority and capacity. We will respond in a time, place, and manner of our choosing if this continues to happen, he said. Asked about a Dem response to a Rep. Nadler aide being handcuffed by DHS agents inside his congressional office @RepJeffries: We will respond in a time, place, and manner of our choosing it will be continuous and it will meet the moment. BASH: What does that mean? pic.twitter.com/yrO0hWU1dp The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) June 2, 2025 Waiting for more bad things to happen is a markedly different strategy from what Jeffries promised just a few weeks ago. In mid-May, Jeffries warned the administration against targeting sitting members of Congress. Its a red line, he said. They know better than to go down that road. But just a few days later, interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba announced criminal charges against Democratic Representative LaMonica McIver, accusing her of interfering with law enforcement and assaulting officers while trying to enter an ICE facility in New Jersey. Jeffries has done nothing to actually stand up for McIver, or Nadlers aide, or Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka, who was arrested for trying to enter the same ICE facility before the charges were later dropped. Safe to say that Jeffriess bluff has been well and truly called. When a landmark state environmental law threatened to halt enrollment at UC Berkeley, legislators stepped in and wrote an exemption . When the Sacramento Kings were about to leave town, lawmakers brushed the environmental rules aside for the teams new arena. When the law stymied the renovation of the state Capitol, they acted once again . Lawmakers willingness to poke holes in the California Environmental Quality Act for specific projects without overhauling the law in general has led commentators to describe the changes as Swiss cheese CEQA . Now, after years of nibbling at it, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature are going in with the knives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two proposals have advanced rapidly through the Legislature: one to wipe away the law for most urban housing developments, the other to weaken the rules for most everything else. Legal experts say the efforts would be the most profound changes to CEQA in generations. Newsom not only endorsed the bills last month, but also put them on a fast track to approval by proposing their passage as part of the state budget, which bypasses normal committee hearings and means they could become law within weeks. This is the biggest opportunity to do something big and bold, and the only impediment is us, Newsom said when announcing his support for the legislation. Read more: 'The law that swallowed California': Why the much-derided CEQA is so hard to change Nearly the entire 55-year history of the California Environmental Quality Act has featured dueling narratives about its effects. On its face the law is simple: It requires proponents to disclose and, if possible, lessen the environmental effects of a project. In practice, this has led to tomes of environmental impact reports, including volumes of soil testing and traffic modeling studies, and sometimes years of disputes in court. Many credit CEQA for helping preserve the states scenic vistas and waterways while others decry its ability to thwart housing and infrastructure projects, including the long-delayed and budget-busting high-speed rail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the latter point, evidence supports both sides of the argument. One study by UC Berkeley law professors found that fewer than 3% of housing projects in many big cities across the state over a three-year period faced any litigation. But some contend that the threat of a lawsuit is enough to chill development, and examples continue to pile up of CEQA stalling construction of homeless shelters , a food bank and child-care center . Whats clear is that CEQA has become embedded as a key point of leverage in Californias development process. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass once recalled that when she worked as a community organizer in the 1990s, Westside land-use attorneys who were successful in stopping development in their communities taught her how to use CEQA to block liquor stores in South L.A. Organized labor learned to use the law to its advantage and became one of its most ardent supporters, alongside environmentalists major constituencies within Democratic politics in the state. Besides carve-outs for individual projects in recent years, lawmakers have passed CEQA streamlining for certain kinds of housing and other developments. These fast-track measures can be used only if proponents agree to pay higher wages to construction workers or set aside a portion of the project for low-income housing on land considered the least environmentally sensitive. Read more: Homeless shelter opponents are using this environmental law in bid to block new housing Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labor groups argument is simple, said Pete Rodriguez, vice president-Western District of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners: CEQA exemptions save time and money for developers, so some benefit should go to workers. When you expedite the process and you let a developer get the TSA pass, for example, to get quicker through the line at the airport, there should be labor standards attached to that as well, Rodriguez said at a Los Angeles Business Council panel in April. The two bills now under debate Assembly Bill 609 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) and Senate Bill 607 by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) break with that tradition. They propose broad CEQA changes without any labor or other requirements. Wicks bill would exempt most urban housing developments from CEQA. Wieners legislation, among other provisions, would in effect lessen the number of projects, housing and otherwise, that would need to complete a full environmental review, narrowing the laws scope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both are much, much more far-reaching than anything that has been proposed in living memory to deal with CEQA, said Chris Elmendorf, a UC Davis law professor who tracks state environmental and housing legislation. The legislation wouldn't have much of an effect on rebuilding after L.A.'s wildfires, as single-family home construction is exempt and Newsom already waived other parts of the law by executive order. The environment inside and outside the Legislature has become friendlier to more aggressive proposals. "Abundance," a recent book co-written by New York Times opinion writer Ezra Klein, makes the case that CEQA and other laws supported by Democrats have hamstrung the ability to build housing and critical infrastructure projects, citing specifically California's affordability crisis and challenges with high-speed rail, in ways that have stifled the American Dream and the partys political fortunes. The idea has become a cause celebre in certain circles. Newsom invited Klein onto his podcast. This spring, Klein met with Wicks and Wiener and other lawmakers, including Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) and Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg), the leaders of the state Assembly and Senate, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wicks and Wiener are veteran legislators and former chairs of legislative housing committees who have written much of the prior CEQA streamlining legislation. Even though it took bruising battles to pass previous bills, the resulting production hasnt come close to resolving the states shortage, Wicks said. We need housing on a massive scale, Wicks said. To opponents of the bills, including dozens of environmental and labor groups, the effort misplaces the source of building woes and instead would restrict one of the few ways community groups can shape development. Asha Sharma, state policy manager for Leadership Counsel for Justice & Accountability, said her organization uses CEQA to reduce the polluting effects of projects in neighborhoods already overburdened by environmental problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed changes would empower public agencies and developers at the expense of those who would be affected by their decisions, she said. What folks arent realizing is that along with the environmental regulations comes a lot of public transparency and public engagement, said Sharma, whose group advocates for low-income Californians in rural areas. When youre rolling back CEQA, youre rolling back that too. Because of the hefty push behind the legislation, Sharma expects the bills will be approved in some form. But it remains uncertain how they might change. Newsom, the two lawmakers and legislative leaders are negotiating amendments. Read more: Newsom suspends landmark environmental laws to ease rebuilding in wildfire zones Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wicks said her bill will not require developers to reserve part of their projects for low-income housing to receive a CEQA exemption; cities can mandate that on their own, she said. Wicks indicated, however, that labor standards could be part of a final deal, saying she's "had some conversations in that regard." Wieners bill was gutted in a legislative fiscal committee last month, with lawmakers saying they wanted to meet infrastructure and affordability needs without compromising environmental protections. Afterward, Wiener and McGuire, the Senate leader, released a joint statement declaring their intent to pass a version of the legislation as part of the budget, as the governor had proposed. Wiener remained committed to the principles in his initial bill. What I can say is that Im highly optimistic that we will pass strong changes to CEQA that will make it easier and faster to deliver all of the good things that make Californians lives better and more affordable, Wiener said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Should the language in the final deal be anything like whats been discussed, the changes to CEQA would be substantial, said Ethan Elkind, director of the climate program at UC Berkeleys Center for Law, Energy & the Environment. Still, he said the laws effects on housing development were overblown. Many other issues, such as local zoning restrictions , lack of funding and misaligned tax incentives , play a much larger role in limiting construction long before projects can even get to the point where CEQA becomes a concern, he said. CEQA is the last resort of a NIMBY, said Elkind, referring to residents who try to block housing near them. Its almost like were working backwards here. Wicks agreed that the Legislature would have to do more to strip away regulations that make it harder to build housing. But she argued that the CEQA changes would take away a major barrier: the uncertainty developers face from legal threats. Passing major CEQA reforms would demonstrate lawmakers willingness to tackle some of the states toughest challenges, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It sends a signal to the world that were ready to build, Wicks said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Palestinian group Hamas says the Israeli army has again killed people near a humanitarian aid distribution centre during attacks in the Gaza Strip. The organization's media office said on Monday that "three starving civilians" were killed in Rafah. According to the information available, 35 people were also injured. The Israeli army said that soldiers had wanted to prevent suspects who posed a threat to them from approaching, and had fired warning shots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident occurred about one kilometre away from a distribution point in Rafah during the night, outside the centre's operating hours. The army was aware of reports of casualties, and added that "the details of the incident are being thoroughly investigated." The Israeli military does not prevent civilians from reaching the distribution centres, the army emphasized, and said that "Hamas is doing everything in its power to undermine food distribution in the Gaza Strip." The Interior Ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, has called on residents to boycott the new distribution mechanism. According to the Hamas media office, a total of 52 people have been killed at the distribution points since they opened last week. On Sunday, the media office reported that a total of 30 people had been killed there in Israeli attacks. The Israeli army denied this. None of the information can currently be independently verified. Al-Haddadd reportedly survived six assassination attempts and was reportedly charged with rebuilding civilian and military infrastructure during ceasefires with Israel. Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the commander of the northern Gaza brigade, is expected to replace Mohammed Sinwar as leader of Hamas's military wing, The Times reported on Sunday. According to the European Council on Foreign Relations, al-Haddad is a member of Hamas's Military Council, and was head of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas's military wing) in Gaza City since 2021, and commander of the northern Gaza brigade since November 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al-Haddadd reportedly survived six assassination attempts and was reportedly charged with rebuilding civilian and military infrastructure during ceasefires with Israel, The Times noted. He was also responsible for ensuring that hostage handovers went smoothly, according to the report. The Jerusalem Post previously reported that it was likely he would take over as he is the last man standing out of the pre-war original five Hamas commanders of that brigade. The Sinwars appear before a background of Hamas terrorists (illustrative) (photo credit: ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90, Canva Pro, Hatem Khaled/Reuters) With so many Hamas commanders killed, it is possible that if Haddad is also killed, there will no longer be a senior Hamas official capable of coordinating a full hostage deal. Al-Haddad reportedly has veto power on hostage deal proposals Additionally, al-Haddad controls the group, holds the Israeli hostages, and has veto power on the proposal put forward by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Times said that al-Haddad coordinated the initial invasion on October 7, including rallying Hamas commanders the night before with written documents of how to carry out the attack. Al-Hadadd has a previous bounty of $750,000 for information on his whereabouts, and is reportedly cautious of appearing in public or the media, and ensuring limited communication, The Times stated. Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report. HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) The Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue is offering free smoke alarms to help protect the community. As part of a free smoke alarm program, firefighters will furnish and install smoke alarms or replace batteries for any homeowners in Hampton. A working smoke alarm will immediately notify a resident of smoke or fire in their home. To request a smoke alarm, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. CULLMAN COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) A 27-year-old Hanceville man was identified as the victim of a deadly stabbing Sunday evening. Cullman County Coroner Jeremy Kilpatrick identified the victim as Matthew Hall. Lt. Chad Whaley says Hall was killed in a stabbing in the Colony community on Sunday around 5 p.m. One person was detained. No arrests have been made at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. Harrisburg, Pa (WHTM) After a board certified family practice physician called for around 600 homes to be demolished in Harrisburg, the city said it is taking action. Home to more than 100 vacant properties, David West, director of Public Works, said the city is prioritizing the worst properties for demolition. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Alerts Still, he cautioned it would take time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a process to go through, through our codes office where we finalize all the paperwork, someone comes by the house that stops everything, and then they have a certain amount of time to do certain things to the property, West said. Then if they dont do them, then you have to go through that process all over again. Last week, Dr. Merna Michelle Vera sounded the alarm over the potential for blighted properties to cause diseases, including gastrointestinal diseases. She particularly warned about the danger the properties pose to children. Family practice doctor sounds alarm on blighted homes in Harrisburg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city often has few tools to prosecute owners of vacant properties, said Gloria Martin-Roberts, the interim director for Economic Development and Building and Housing. Sometimes they just walk away from their properties, Martin-Roberts said. And we dont have a system of reciprocity where we could go into other states and cite these homeowners to be responsible for their houses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HARRISON COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) Kentucky State Police (KSP) announced on social media on Sunday that a man had been arrested on Thursday and accused of distributing online sex abuse material of a child. State police posted on Facebook that Darrell Wayne Vastine II was arrested on May 28 as the result of an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation by the KSP Electronic Crime Branch. The investigation began when Vastine was allegedly found to be sharing images of child sexual exploitation online. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vastine was arrested and reportedly lodged in the Harrison County Detention Center. He was charged with: 9 counts of the distribution of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance under age 12 Procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means 9 counts of possession of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance The ICAC investigation remains ongoing. More information about the task force can be found at the KSP 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 FOX 56 News. WASHINGTON (NewsNation) The Trump administrations effort to revoke visas for Chinese college students has intersected with its legal battles with Harvard University. As the State Department moves to limit Chinese student visas, the Wall Street Journal has released a report detailing the universitys alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party, citing the university as a favored institution for Chinas political elite. Chinese Communist elites attended Harvard: WSJ According to the Journal, a 2014 article from the Shanghai Observer referred to Harvard as the partys top overseas party school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we were to rank the Chinese Communist Partys overseas party schools, the one deserving top spot has to be Harvard Universitys Kennedy School of Government, the online platform run by the citys main party newspaper said. The report cites a training program from the 2000s called Chinas Leaders in Development. What to know as Trump ramps up his student visa crackdown Harvards website describes the program as designed to help senior local and central Chinese government staff better address Chinas national reforms. The report names several high-ranking party figures who have studied at Harvard, including a former vice president of China who attended a training program at the universitys public policy school in 2002, a retired vice premier who received a masters from Harvard in public administration in 1995, and a current party member who took part in a short-term Harvard program in 1999. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also claims that Chinese President Xi Jinpings daughter attended Harvard under an alias in the early 2010s, which was allegedly known to some staff members. Harvard has not responded to the Wall Street Journals report. A wide range of global leaders including Canadas new Prime Minister Mark Carney, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and multiple Taiwanese presidents have also studied at Harvard. Judge extends block on international student ban In federal court, a judge recently extended a block on the Trump administrations attempt to revoke Harvards ability to enroll international students. Harvard, Trump court battle and polarizing debate continue Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration has given Harvard 30 days to submit evidence challenging the proposed plan, which would limit international enrollment to 15%. Harvard has criticized the plan as a threat to academic freedom after school leaders pushed back against ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs and addressing pro-Palestinian rallies. In the most recent school year, Harvard hosted more than 6,700 international students, including approximately 1,200 from China. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 2. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan have officially opened the new IUCN Central Asia Office in Tashkent, Trend reports, citing IUCN. This office will serve the five Central Asian countriesKazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistansupporting their efforts in conservation and climate resilience. IUCN Director General Grethel Aguilar highlighted the offices role in advancing regional environmental cooperation, focusing on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and climate adaptation. Located at the Central Asian Green University, the office will also foster collaboration with IUCN members and offer opportunities for knowledge exchange. The launch aligns with Uzbekistans declaration of 2025 as the Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy. Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, emphasized the significance of the office in strengthening environmental cooperation across the region. IUCNs ongoing projects in Central Asia include the One Health initiative, Blue Peace Central Asia 2.0 for water cooperation, and the FOLUR project in Uzbekistan for habitat restoration. The office, led by Dmitry Gorshkov, will connect regional stakeholders with global conservation tools and standards, reinforcing IUCNs long-term commitment to biodiversity and sustainable development in the region. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel NEW YORK (AP) Harvey Weinstein doesn't plan to testify at his New York sex crimes retrial, his lawyer said Sunday. That means jurors soon will get the case against the former movie studio boss who propelled the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct. The trial will move on to closing arguments Tuesday without testimony from Weinstein, Arthur Aidala said Sunday night. The court handles other cases on Mondays. It's unclear whether jury deliberations would begin Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a fraught decision for Weinstein, who didnt testify at previous trials in New York and California and was convicted in both. He denies the allegations, and Aidala has said that Weinstein was carefully weighing whether to take the stand this time. While his California appeal winds on, Weinstein won a new trial in his New York rape and sexual assault case when the states highest court overturned his 2020 conviction. He's charged in New York with raping Jessica Mann in 2013 and forcing oral sex on Miriam Haley and Kaja Sokola, separately, in 2006. Mann was an actor and hairstylist, Haley a production assistant and producer, and Sokola a model who aspired to an acting career. All three women testified for days at the retrial, giving emotional and graphic accounts of what they say they endured. They said Weinstein suggested he'd help them achieve their show-business dreams, but then maneuvered them into private settings and preyed on them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His attorneys have argued that anything that happened between him and his accusers was consensual. In the U.S., defendants in criminal cases aren't obligated to testify, and many decide not to, for various reasons. Among them: the prospect of being questioned by prosecutors. Weinstein has been watching the New York retrial intently from the defense table, sometimes shaking his head at accusers testimony and often leaning over to one or another of his attorneys to convey his thoughts. Aidala said outside court Thursday that Weinstein thought a lot of holes had been poked in the accusers' accounts, but that he also was pondering whether jurors would feel they needed to hear from him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jury has heard from a few other defense witnesses one of them via a transcript read by court employees. That witness, Talita Maia, testified at the 2020 trial but was unavailable this time, so jurors instead got a reading Friday of her earlier testimony. One court stenographer voiced the 2020 attorneys' questions, while another stenographer sat in the witness box and rendered Maia's answers, at times with emphasis. Maia and Mann were roommates and friends in 2013 but later fell out. According to Maia, Mann never mentioned in those days that Weinstein had hurt her in any way. Both Maia and another witness, Thomas Richards, met up with Mann and Weinstein shortly after Mann has said she was raped. Both witnesses testified that they saw nothing amiss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mann testified earlier this month that she never anyone at the time that Weinstein had sexually assaulted her because she didn't think she'd be believed, and she was scared about how he might react. Weinstein's defense also brought in former Sokola pal Helga Samuelsen, who has friendly ties to the former producer. Samuelsen testified Thursday that Weinstein visited Sokola once and spent about a half-hour in a bedroom with her in a New York apartment the women briefly shared in 2005; Sokola told jurors no such thing happened. The Associated Press generally does not name people who say they have been sexually assaulted, but Sokola, Mann and Haley have given their permission to be identified. Harvey Weinstein wants to testify but he wont as a matter of courtroom strategy, a spokesman for the former movie mogul now midway through a rape retrial in New York told TheWrap on Monday. Weinstein has told his lawyers that he wants to take the stand in his own defense, one of his attorneys, Arthur Aidala, told reporters last month, which would have been a first for him across his three trials in New York and Los Angeles. Though they considered it, his legal team confirmed Monday that it would only expose him to unnecessary risk. Hes not hiding, and were not shielding him, Weinstein spokesman Juda Engelmayer told TheWrap in a statement. He wants to testify, and we respect that. But the courtroom isnt just about truth its also strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putting Weinstein on the stand opens up avenues that are not available to the prosecution if he stays mum. It is very rare for criminal defendants to testify in their own defense, as attorneys rarely see it as a net positive. Once hes on the stand, the prosecution can range far beyond the current charges, using unrelated or unclear details to try to undermine his credibility, Engelmayer said. This isnt about evasion; its about navigating a legal process that often resembles chess more than it does a straightforward search for truth. Closing arguments were expected to begin late this week in the retrial that was triggered after a New York appeals court threw out Weinsteins previous conviction over improper testimony. He is charged in New York with raping one woman and with forcing oral sex on two others, all three of whom have now testified, in 2006. Weinsteins conviction in a California court, which allowed New York authorities to hold him while he awaited retrial, is being appealed. The post Harvey Weinstein Wont Take the Stand in His Own Defense, Even Though He Wants To appeared first on TheWrap. HONOLULU (KHON2) On Monday, June 2, 2025, Hawaii is marking a historic milestone as Pride flags are being flown at the State Capitol for the first time in history. Governor Josh Green, M.D. authorized the display which is raising eight flags along South Beretania Street, to commemorate Pride Month. The flags include the progressive Pride flag, which incorporates rainbow stripes representing people of color, transgender individuals, intersex individuals and those living with HIV/AIDS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dean Hamer, co-director of the Lei Pua Ala Queer Histories of Hawaii Project, expressed his excitement. We are very excited that this year, for the first year ever, the Hawaii state capital is going to be flying pride flags, Hamer said. He emphasized the significance of this act, especially in the current climate where several states have restricted the display of Pride flags. Its especially exciting right now as we are witnessing this sort of regression where now 12 different states are trying to or already have restricted the flying of pride flags, Hamer noted. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Joe Wilson, co-director of the project, highlighted the importance of the Capitol as a symbol of governance and representation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Especially there. Right. Because, you know, in that building, that big, beautiful building on Beretania Street. Our lives and, you know, the issues that intersect with the lives of people across our communities are often on the agenda in that building, Wilson remarked. He continued, So to see these flags as a symbol of, you know, the diversity of our communities that were seen and, in this case, in a respected way, in a place where decisions are being made by people, about our lives. Michael Golojuch, Jr., Vice-Chair of the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, praised the event as a culmination of years of advocacy. We were thrilled when Governor Josh Green granted permission to fly the Pride Flags for the month of June. It marks the first time in our states history this honor has been bestowed in recognition of Pride Month, explained Commissioner Golojuch. It all began with the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commissions request for a proclamation declaring June as Pride Month, something that hasnt happened since the Abercrombie administration. From that first step, the momentum grew, leading to this years historic Pride Flag Raising Ceremony hosted by the Governor himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flag-raising ceremony was part of a broader initiative to honor and uplift the LGBTQ+ community in Hawaii. Earlier this year, the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission hosted its inaugural Queer Day at the Capitol which brought together various advocacy groups to discuss key issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community. This moment highlights exactly why the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission exists. Our mission is, in part, to bridge the gap between the Mahu, LGBTQIA+ and QTPI+ communities and state government, explained Commissioner Golojuch. Its a powerful culmination to a year of historic milestones, from the first Queer Day at the Capitol to the creation of a state-sponsored glossary focused on Mahu and LGBTQIA+ terminology. Members of the Hawaii State Commission on LGBTQ+ Affairs from right to left: Commissioner Joe Tolbe from Maui; Commissioner Richard Valasquez from Oahu; Commissioner Kat ODell from Oahu; Commissioner Michael Golojuch, Jr. from Oahu; Gov. Josh Green, M.D.; Commissioner Shanda Brack from Oahu and Dr. Camaron Miyamoto at the Hawaii State Capitol on Monday, June 2, 2025. (Photo/Michael Golojuch, Sr.) Right to left: Commissioner Michael Golojuch, Jr.; Commissioner Shanda Brack; Commissioner Joe Tolbe; Dr. Camaron Miyamoto; Commissioner Cat ODell and Gov. Josh Green, M.D. raise the Pride flag at the Hawaii State Capitol for the first time in history on Monday, June 2, 2025. (Photo/Michael Golojuch, Sr.) Pride flags fly for first time at the Hawaii State Capitol for world pride month on June 2, 2025 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo/Michael Golojuch, Sr.) Gov. Josh Green, M.D. presents the official World Pride Month proclamation on Monday, June 2, 2025 at the Hawaii State Capitol in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo/Michael Golojuch, Sr.) The Lei Pua Ala Queer Histories of Hawaii Project continues to document and memorialize Hawaiis long history of gender and sexual diversity. Through initiatives like the Hui Alo Lei PUA Ala collaboration with the Maui Public Art Corps, the project fosters intergenerational dialogue within the queer community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were also quite excited about a partnership weve had with the Maui Public Art Corps called Hui Alo Lei PUA Ala, said Wilson. And this is an effort, to interview and create intergenerational dialog between, people in the queer community, to share their stories and then invite creative performing artists to interpret those interviews in a beautiful pop-up performance. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 As Hawaii celebrates this historic achievement, the raised Pride flags serve as a powerful symbol of visibility, respect, and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community. In a time when many states are moving backward, Hawaii stands as a beacon of progress and acceptance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HONOLULU (KHON2) For the first time in nearly 46 years, Hawaii has a State Fire Marshal. Hawaiian Humane Society unveils Pets in Paradise calendar contest Gov. Josh Green on Monday named Dori Booth to the role, reestablishing the position that was dissolved in 1979. The move follows recommendations from independent investigations into the deadly 2023 Maui wildfires, which called for stronger statewide coordination on fire safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Booth is a U.S. Army veteran and seasoned fire safety leader and is tasked with building a modern fire protection system from the ground up. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Her responsibilities include implementing top reforms highlighted in wildfire reports and bridging gaps between county and state emergency services. This is about saving lives and protecting communities, Green said. Doris leadership will be central to building a safer, more resilient Hawaii. Booth brings more than 20 years of experience, including senior roles in Arizonas fire service. She has led fire prevention efforts in both rural and urban settings and has been active in national fire safety policy work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Legislature reinstated the fire marshal position in 2024, placing it under the Department of Law Enforcement. Officials said the role is key to improving disaster preparedness as climate-driven wildfire risks grow. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news We cant prevent every disaster, Booth said, but we can be far better prepared for the next one. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HONOLULU (KHON2) The Hawaiian Humane Society is bringing back a local favorite and pet lovers across the islands are invited to take part in the 2026 edition. Gov. Green to hold ceremony to honor Pride Month The annual Pets in Paradise calendar contest fundraiser gives Hawaii residents a chance to showcase their furry, feathered or scaly companions in the nonprofits popular calendar, while helping raise funds for animal welfare services statewide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This contest is really about celebrating the special connection people have with their pets, said Anna Neubauer, president and CEO of the Hawaiian Humane Society. But even more importantly, every photo entered and every vote cast directly supports animals in need from lifesaving medical care to helping families stay together during hard times. Submissions are open from June 1 through June 30. Pet owners can enter by submitting high-quality, landscape-format photos of their pets in one of three categories: Dog, Cat, and Other Animals. The entry fee is $30 per photo, and households can submit as many entries as they like. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Once a photo is entered, friends and family can vote online for $1 per vote with all proceeds going toward more than 30 Hawaiian Humane programs, including pet adoption, rescue operations, spay/neuter services and humane education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Top vote-getters in each category will land a coveted spot in the 2026 calendar: Top 5 Dogs Top 5 Cats Top 2 Other Animals Even if a pet doesnt win a featured month, theres still a chance to be included in thumbnail galleries throughout the calendar. Calendars are available for pre-order at $25 (plus $5 shipping) and will be mailed out in November. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Photo Guidelines: Landscape format, at least 1280 pixels wide, and 1MB file size minimum No people in the photo (pets only) Multiple pets allowed per image All pets must legally reside in Hawaii Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To enter, vote or reserve a calendar date, visit HawaiianHumane.org/PetsInParadise. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation at the negotiations in Istanbul, and Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov held a bilateral meeting ahead of the talks. Source: TASS, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet, citing Medinsky Details: According to media reports, the meeting lasted two and a half hours. Medinsky said that it "played an important role in preparing for the general session of negotiations". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: The meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations, which lasted just over an hour, was the second after the negotiations on 16 May. Prior to the talks with the Russians, Ukraines First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhii Kyslytsia and Oleksandr Bevz, a member of the Ukrainian delegation, met with representatives of three of Ukraine's European partners Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. Following the talks in Istanbul, the Ukrainian and Russian delegations agreed on an all-for-all prisoner exchange of seriously wounded and young servicemen. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Patients have their blood pressure checked and other vitals taken at a mobile dental and medical clinic in Grundy, Va. Republicans in Congress are considering making major cuts to Medicaid. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Medicaid managed care in North Carolina has resulted in fewer preventable admissions to hospitals hospitalizations for certain conditions that can be prevented with good outpatient care, according to a UNC researcher. Were talking about real money thats being saved through this change in utilization, said Sandra B. Greene, professor of the practice of health policy at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC. This is fantastic news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the state expanded Medicaid, hospitals saw a decline in uninsured patients, Greene said. That means hospitals are now treating fewer people for whom they dont receive payment, she said. Rapid changes, encouraging results Researchers, community advocates, and policy makers saw an overview of how the rapid changes to Medicaid in North Carolina over the last few years have altered the health care landscape at a symposium hosted by the Sheps Center for Health Services Research at UNC and the NC Department of Health and Human Services on Friday. The state switched to Medicaid managed care for most enrollees in July 2021. That means that companies receive a certain amount of money per Medicaid enrollee and that health care providers are no longer paid for each medical procedure under a system called fee-for-service. The state expanded Medicaid to add more low-income adults in December 2023. Since its launch, more than 600,000 people have enrolled in expanded Medicaid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 3 million North Carolinians use Medicaid as their health insurance. Rural residents disproportionately rely on Medicaid for their insurance, and many rural hospitals struggle financially. One of the arguments for Medicaid expansion was the opportunity it offered to strengthen rural hospital finances. Data from the first six months of expansion found thats what happened, said Mark Holmes, Sheps Center director. Expansion led to a substantial increase in revenue for all hospitals, more so in rural, and more so for the financially challenged hospitals, Holmes said. More changes are looming More Medicaid changes may be coming. A giant bill that passed the U.S. House includes work requirements for Medicaid enrollees. North Carolina Republicans are also actively considering work requirements. The state Senate passed a bill on Medicaid work requirements and included a work requirements provision in its budget. A state House committee has approved a work requirements bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Work requirements have been criticized because they have been found to not increase employment but to result in working people losing their insurance. Susie Gurzenda, a doctoral student at Gillings, presented results of research on the work status of North Carolina adults before Medicaid expansion that showed 42% were working full time or part time; 26% were not working due to illness or disability; 10% had children; 5% were in school; 4% were looking for jobs; and 10% not working for some other reason. Health Opportunities project in jeopardy despite positive results DHHS is trying to save a project it launched in three mostly rural regions of the state in 2022 called Healthy Opportunities. It aims to lower health care costs and improve the health of Medicaid enrollees by helping them secure food, transportation, and housing, and help those experiencing interpersonal violence. Healthy Opportunities saved $85 per person per month in health care costs, according to an evaluation by Dr. Seth Berkowitz, an associate professor at the UNC School of Medicine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DHHS does not calculate administrative costs per enrollee. Neither the House nor the Senate budget proposals include money to continue and expand Healthy Opportunities, though three legislators who attended the symposium said they were interested in it. Gov. Josh Steins budget proposal included $87.7 million to maintain Healthy Opportunities as it is, and another $3.2 million to expand it to more western counties. The lack of Healthy Opportunities funding in the budget has been a huge concern of mine, said Rep. Sarah Crawford (D-Wake). People are healthier because of Medicaid expansion, she said. We have more work to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Tim Reeder (R-Pitt), an emergency physician, said he sees value in Healthy Opportunities, and has talked with DHHS about how we can continue to demonstrate the value of the program. I think, right now, were just trying to find sources of revenue to help continue the program, said Reeder, a chairman of the House Health Committee. State House and Senate are far apart on the budget Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett), a chairman of the Senate Health Committee and of the chambers Health and Human Services budget committee, said he wants money for Health Opportunities, but raised the question whether House and Senate Republicans would agree on any spending plan for next year. The two chambers budgets differ greatly on proposed taxation and spending. The two chambers must reach a compromise before sending a budget to Stein for his consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were far apart, Burgin said. Somebody asked me yesterday, Will we have a budget? I dont know. Its the furthest apart Ive ever seen it in my time. Updated at 4 pm with Steins budget proposal. NEED TO KNOW Maricela Hernandez Quezada, 35, almost died when she had a stroke during an international flight on Friday, May 30 A doctor on board urged the flight crew to make an emergency landing in Houston After a blood clot was removed from her brain, Hernandez Quezada can walk and talk again A 35-year-old woman suffered a stroke mid-flight, but was saved by a doctor on board. Maricela Hernandez Quezada was traveling from Turkey to Mexico when she collapsed on Friday, May 30. A doctor realized what was happening and administered oxygen to the woman before he urged the flight crew to make an emergency landing in Houston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hernandez Quezada was then rushed to Memorial Hermann Northeast, where she was stabilized, before she was transferred to Memorial Hermann The Woodlands. There, a surgeon immediately removed a life-threatening brain clot, according to a hospital press release. Hernandez Quezada is now stable. The woman said she was healthy and doesnt smoke or drink, but later realized she made an error when she didnt move during the long international flight. I realized the problem was I didn't move in the airplane, said Hernandez Quezada in a video shot at the hospital that was shared with PEOPLE. I didn't go to the toilet. I didn't stand up. Hernandez Quezada said she realized something was wrong when she couldnt speak when people around her began asking her questions. She doesnt know the name of the Mexican doctor who assisted her, adding, I just barely remember his face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the woman arrived at Memorial Hermann, she was partially paralyzed. She was found to be weak and paralyzed on the right arm, [and] right leg completely, said Dr. Haris Kamal, Medical Director of the stroke program at Memorial Hermann Northeast, in the video, as well as having trouble with her speech where she could not comprehend what was being told to her. Following the emergency surgery, Hernandez Quezada can now walk and talk. I expect her to continue this trajectory of improvement, to hopefully being near normal or normal in a few months' time, the neuro-interventional surgeon continued. Anyone who would be speaking with her would probably not be able to tell that she had literally just been through a major neurological event. Memorial Hermann Maricela Hernandez Quezada. Maricela Hernandez Quezada. 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. Experts warn that a stroke can happen to anyone. Long flights can increase the risk of blood clots if people are seated for hours at a time. Doctors urge travelers to stay hydrated and to move every two to three hours during long journeys, according to the hospital and the National Blood Clot Alliance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hernandez Quezada is happy to have survived. I feel blessed because of the doctors and nurses that [have taken] care of me, she said in the hospital video. I'm just feeling like a new person. Read the original article on People U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 31, 2025. Credit - Ore HuiyingBloomberg/Getty Images Against the backdrop of U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vances jaw-dropping polemic against European democracies at Februarys Munich Security Conference, this was a welcome return to sense, if not sanity. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a powerful though measured speech at Singapores IISS Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday, pointedly calling out Communist China for its massive military build-up, grey zone tactics, and hybrid warfare, while also hailing the strength and importance of Americas regional alliances and using the word peace 27 times. President Trump is a leader of peace, a man of peace, a force for peace, Hegseth told the scores of Asia-Pacific defense and military chiefs crammed into the ballroom at Singapores Shangri-La Hotel. And together, we will achieve that peace through strength. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth repeatedly called the Indo-Pacific our priority theater and, in a marked departure from Vance, actually praised European nations for hiking defense spending as an example that their Asian counterparts should emulate. It was quite surprising that he used Europe as a reference in terms of GDP [defense] spending, Micael Johansson, president and CEO of the Swedish arms manufacturer Saab, told TIME. But it was a good speech and more collaborative than I had expected. As Hegseth described it, American defense policy was now that Europes security would be left to Europeans, while the U.S. was focusing its rebuilt military mightaugmented by a $1 trillion defense spend next year, a 13% year-on-year riseon the Indo-Pacific. This would focus on boosting Americas forward force deployment, helping allies and partners strengthen their security capabilities, and rebuilding defense industrial bases including within friendly nations. A strong, resolute, and capable network of allies and partners is our key strategic advantage, said Hegseth. Hegseth also unleashed several broadsides against China, accusing strongman President Xi Jinping of having ordered his military to be capable of invading Taiwan by 2027, with the former Fox News anchor warning that an assault on the self-ruling islandwhich politically split from the mainland following Chinas 194549 civil warcould be imminent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These remarks drew the inevitable rebuke from Beijing, which issued a statement saying Hegseth vilified China with defamatory allegations that were filled with provocations and intended to sow discord. Beijing also warned that Washington must never play with fire on [the Taiwan] question, which is entirely Chinas internal affair. Notably, Chinas defense minister stayed away from the annual security summit for the first time since 2019. Admiral Dong Jun was rumored to have been under a corruption investigation amid a sweeping purge of high-ranking PLA officers, though latest reports suggest that hes been cleared. The Chinese delegation that did attend treated Hegseths accusations with scorn. He used a very strong, harsh tone, which surprised me a little, and its unconstructive and hypocritical, says Prof. Da Wei, director of the Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS) at Beijings Tsinghua University. Because the U.S. is imposing high tariffs on regional countries, so how can you expect them to partner with you against another economic power? Indeed, Trump's internecine global trade war was the glaring elephant in the room. Asked about the reciprocal tariffs imposed in April, Hegseth joked: I am happily in the business of tanks, not trade, and I will leave that discussion to the man who knows how to do it best. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Which was the ultimate takeaway for the brass hats present. Hegseths statement of commitment to the region and working with allies was broadly welcomed but hedged by the chaotic approach of the guy he reports to. Indeed, Hegseth showed his hand when he admitted: My job is to create and maintain decision space for President Trump, not to purport to make decisions on his behalf. Delegates in Singapore were only too aware that today, more than during any other U.S. administration, power rests with just one man, whose constant policy flip-flopsembarrassing Zelensky before lambasting Putin; ripping up one Iranian nuclear deal before seeking another; hiking and pausing tariffshave conjured a bevy of TACO, or Trump always chickens out, memes as well as the impression that American words have never been cheaper. Im quite sure its just talk, one European delegate said of Hegseths speech. A Bangladeshi military officer agreed: It still feels like Trump is a more inward-looking than global President. Write to Charlie Campbell at charlie.campbell@time.com. BulgariaIndia business forum sets stage for stronger trade and innovation links Photo: Ministry of Economy and Industry of Bulgaria Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry of Bulgaria Doncho Barbalov participated in the BulgariaIndia Business Forum, highlighting the growing trade ties and cooperation opportunities between the two countries. The forum brought together government officials and business leaders to discuss sectors with high growth potential and ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral economic relations. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register A hemp flower is shown at Lovewell Farms in Hopkinton, the largest outdoor cannabis farm in Rhode Island. (Courtesy of lovewellfarms.com) As co-founder of Rhode Islands only USDA organic hemp farm, and the largest outdoor cannabis farm in the state, Ive spent the last eight years helping build the hemp industry from the ground up. At Lovewell Farms, weve operated under one of the strictest regulatory frameworks in the country, subject to licensing, batch testing, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) limits, secure packaging requirements, and product traceability. Yet two recently proposed bills, H6056 and H6270, would cut licensed hemp farms like ours out of the very market we helped establish. These bills, introduced by Democratic Reps. Jacquelyn Baginski of Cranston and Scott Slater of Providence, aim to regulate the sale of hemp-derived beverages containing delta-9 THC, the compound most commonly associated with cannabis intoxication. Slaters bill would specifically eliminate the sale of such beverages and drink mix powders in Rhode Island, unless these products are specifically included in the states cannabis laws. The bills misrepresent both the science behind these products and the legal infrastructure already in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a recent House hearing, Rep. Baginski stated, I was surprised to learn that hemp-based THC products are also available in the marketplace and largely sold unregulated at any establishment with a retail sales permit. That could be a convenience store, a hair salon, a gas station, anywhere. Respectfully, this is inaccurate. In Rhode Island, consumable hemp products must be produced by licensed handlers and tested by certified labs. They are subject to strict limits on THC content, comprehensive labeling standards, and age restrictions. If some products are being sold outside these rules, thats a failure of enforcement, not evidence of an unregulated system. Rep. Slaters testimony in support of his bill, which would effectively ban all hemp-derived THC beverages unless sold through a dispensary, also included misleading claims. He asserted that the hemp-derived THC products are now being sold outside the regulated cannabis system with minimal oversight, including limited testing, weak labeling, no seed-to-sale tracking, as well as avoidance of cannabis taxes. This characterization erases the work of licensed hemp producers who follow every requirement the state imposes, many of whom, like us, already distribute specific products through dispensaries and operate with full compliance under existing cannabis laws. Two recently proposed bills, H6056 and H6270, would cut licensed hemp farms like ours out of the very market we helped establish. Slater went on to say that allowing hemp beverages undermines Rhode Islands cannabis cultivators, whom he described as his constituents. I really find it unfair that as soon as this market has started that were trying to undermine them and allowing folks that found kind of a loophole with this synthetically altered hemp in drinks without going through the same framework that everyone else has. But our farm has always followed the framework. There is no loophole for us, just increasing restrictions on products weve made legally, safely, and transparently for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both bills ignore a crucial scientific fact: Not all hemp products are intoxicating. Our full-spectrum gummies and vape cartridges, for example, often contain a CBD-to-THC ratio of 25:1 or higher. Peer-reviewed research shows that products with a 15:1 ratio or greater are effectively non-intoxicating, as the CBD counteracts the effects of THC. These products are designed for stress, sleep, and inflammation support, not intoxication. Lumping them together with high-potency THC beverages from out of state is scientifically inaccurate and economically harmful. Whats also troubling is that these bills would hand control of hemp beverage sales to either liquor stores or cannabis dispensaries, while excluding the very farms that have driven the states hemp market since 2018. Rep. Baginski says she wants to create a new safe marketplace for hemp THC beverages, but the safest and most transparent path is the one we already have: Products that meet intoxicating thresholds should be sold in dispensaries, and products that do not should be available through licensed CBD consumable retailers. That distinction already exists under current state law. Rhode Island can and should regulate cannabinoids based on potency, ratios, and public health risk. But it must do so with accuracy and fairness. Hemp farmers have invested many years and many dollars into building compliant, small-scale businesses rooted in sustainable agriculture and community health. We are not the problem, we are part of the solution. My hope is that lawmakers will revisit these proposals and work with, not around, the people who have spent years getting it right. Hemp regulation should be based on science and equity, not stigma or disinformation. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX President Pro Tem John F. Kennedy of Macon has become the latest prominent Republican to declare his candidacy for lieutenant governor. The race for Georgias next lieutenant governor is heating up, with current President Pro Tem John F. Kennedy of Macon becoming the latest prominent Republican to declare his candidacy. Kennedy, a civil litigator who was first elected to the state Senate in 2014, has served as the second-ranking leader in the chamber since 2023. This year, he was also the lead sponsor of Gov. Brian Kemps legislation aimed at overhauling Georgias civil litigation system, which was signed into law in April after months of contentious debate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lieutenant governor is elected on a separate ticket from the governor and presides over the state Senate. Because members of the Senate determine how much power a lieutenant governor has, a Republican candidate could wield immense influence in the Republican-controlled chamber. While other candidates for the seat emphasized their loyalty to President Donald Trump and MAGA policies, Kennedy took a different approach, focusing on his conservative values and work in the state legislature. My first priority has always been to put hardworking Georgians first, and thats what I will continue to do as Georgias next Lieutenant Governor, Kennedy said in a statement posted on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter. Ive never shied away from tough fights in the state legislature, and this campaign will be no different. In the Republican primary, he will face Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch, a Dahlonega senator who launched his campaign last month. Other Republicans are expected to join the race. Appropriations Chair Blake Tillery has filed paperwork to run for the seat but has not yet officially launched his campaign. Democratic State Sen. Josh McLaurin of Sandy Springs is currently the only prominent Democrat to have announced his candidacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The candidates are hoping to succeed incumbent Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, who is widely expected to launch a bid for governor this summer. If he does, hell join a slate of candidates that currently includes Republican Attorney General Chris Carr and Democratic Sen. Jason Esteves of Atlanta. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Carlos Contreras, Gov. Katie Hobbs' pick to head the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity is grilled by Sen. Jake Hoffman during a Senate Director Nominations Committee meeting on May 28, 2025. Screenshot via azleg.gov The far-right Republican senator who already blocked several of Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs picks to lead state agencies has accused another nominee of lying and violating the Arizona Constitution. The nominees transgression? Adhering to grant requirements that were already baked into Arizonas federally required state workforce plans by Hobbs Republican predecessor. Ignoring those federal requirements would put the grant money at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that didnt stop Sen. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, from grilling Carlos Contreras, Hobbs nominee to head up the Office of Economic Opportunity, during a May 28 Director Nominations Committee hearing. When Contreras answered that he was following the rules stipulating the use of the federal grant money, Hoffman said that was not good enough. Hoffman is just trying to find excuses to villainize these highly qualified public servants, Sen. Analise Ortiz, a Phoenix Democrat and member of the committee, told the Arizona Mirror. And, in this case, he was just flatly wrong, spewing misinformation and thinking that anything he says goes, when that is just not the case. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Hoffman, who leads the far-right Arizona Freedom Caucus, is the chairman of the Arizona Senates Director Nominations Committee, which was created in 2023 specifically to scrutinize Hobbs director nominees. It has held numerous contentious and combative nomination hearings since then, and its Republican members refused to confirm several of the governors nominees. Some of the nominees backed out prior to a confirmation committee hearing that they knew wasnt going to go their way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State law requires the state Senate confirm a governors agency directors, but before Hobbs took office in 2023, confirmations occurred with little fanfare following brief interviews with relevant legislative committees. After Hobbs struggled to get committee approval for many of her director nominees in 2023, she attempted to bypass the Senate by leaving director posts vacant and instead appointing deputy directors who essentially served as directors. Agency directors are subject to Senate approval, but deputy directors are not. But Senate Republicans sued and a judge ruled that the move violated state law, so Hobbs agreed to once again submit her director nominees for committee approval. Contreras, who spent 25 years working for Intel, including as its U.S. education manager, has headed the Office of Economic Opportunity since 2023. Part of the offices mission is to coordinate the states workforce development strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Contreras May 28 Director Nominations Committee hearing, Hoffman repeatedly questioned the nominee about the scoring system used to award grants via the BuilditAZ apprenticeship program. The program helps to fund earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships in construction, an area with an increasing need for skilled workers. Why is your agency awarding higher scores for programs based on race, sex, or identity of their participants? Hoffman asked. Led by President Donald Trump, Republicans both nationally and locally have been on a crusade to rid diversity, equity and inclusion requirements from government, education and the private sector. You dont have statutory authority to select based on race, sex or English language learner status, yet you did it anyway, Hoffman said, accusing Contreras of violating the Arizona Constitution and state statute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contreras initially answered that his office was following U.S. Department of Labor grant requirements, but Hoffman dismissed that explanation, arguing that the OEO doesnt have to participate in a grant program with what he called discriminatory requirements. Ortiz called the suggestion that the state forgo federal grants that have requirements that Hoffman disagrees with ridiculous. We are in a situation as a state where we need to look for opportunities for funding anywhere that we can, she said. The purpose of these federal grant programs is to provide that additional support for states in order to strengthen our economies, strengthen our workforce. As Hoffman became increasingly hostile, Contreras struggled to answer the chairmans numerous versions of the same question about the grant scoring process, saying that the office did not select grant winners based solely on race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre gonna struggle if you keep up obfuscating like this. OK? Hoffman said. Your own documents say that you award greater points for those characteristics. The scoring system for BuilditAZ grant proposals does give priority to certain demographic groups to ensure equitable access to workforce development programs and services. But thats not an idea that Contreras came up with on his own: Its a requirement of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which funded the grants. One of the main goals of the WIOA is to help groups who face barriers to employment obtain high-quality jobs. The first several times Hoffman asked Contreras about the points system, the senator only mentioned the categories of race, sex and English language learners, but the list is much more extensive than that. It includes people with low incomes, those with disabilities, young people, displaced workers and military veterans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hoffmans focus on race, sex and English proficiency, while leaving out so many other groups, was telling, Ortiz said. I think it makes it very clear that Chairman Hoffman believes that certain jobs should only be for certain people, she said. And that is a racist and sexist viewpoint that does not make our workforce stronger. If were leaving out crucial demographic groups and we are leaving out different perspectives, then we are going to be at a disadvantage as a state. All of the groups mentioned in the BuilditAZ grant scoring rubric were outlined as priority groups in Arizonas Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act state plan for 2020-2023, which was created under the direction of then-Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican. Ortiz told the Mirror that the usage of the same language in plans created by a GOP governor showed that the criticism was not actually based on the grant language, but was just a way to go after the Democratic governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is just further evidence of this process being politicized in a way that it should not be, Ortiz said. And who is paying for that? It is our hardworking public servants. As Hoffman repeatedly told Contreras that his office had violated anti-discrimination laws in both the Arizona Constitution and state statute, Ortiz interjected to request input from one of the Senates nonpartisan attorneys. Hoffman quickly cut her off, saying that she should have asked more hard-hitting questions when it was her turn. Ortiz told the Mirror that, as an elected Senator, she should have the same authority to call points of order and to request clarification as anyone else on the committee, but that has not been the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Hoffman) has been so patronizing and has treated every member of that committee like we are children that I have to sit there and bite my tongue and not call points of orders when I know that hes wrong, Ortiz said. Hoffman was adamant that federal law doesnt supersede state law in this case, and that it was not acceptable that the grant scoring rubric directly conflicts with provisions of the Arizona Constitution. The Arizona Constitution states that the state shall not grant preferential treatment to or discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education or public contracting. However, just two lines down in the same section, the constitution stipulates that those rules do not Prohibit action that must be taken to establish or maintain eligibility for any federal program, if ineligibility would result in a loss of federal monies to this state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution says that, when they conflict, federal law generally supersedes state law. At the request of Sen. John Kavanagh, a Fountain Hills Republican and the vice chairman of the committee, Hoffman agreed to adjourn the meeting without making any recommendation on the nomination to give time for Contreras and members of the committee to consult with attorneys about the legality of the grant scoring system and what to do if state and federal law pertaining to it conflict. Legislative Council, the legislatures in-house division of attorneys, did not respond to the Mirrors request for clarification of the state and federal laws and how they intersect. Ortiz said that it was unfortunate that Hoffman unnecessarily delayed Contreras confirmation. I hope that Chairman Hoffman comes more prepared (to the next committee hearing), understanding the Supremacy Clause and understanding our state constitution before dragging all of us through this dog and pony show, she said, because not only is it a waste of our time, it is a waste of precious state resources. Hoffman suggested that all interested parties reach out to the U.S. Department of Labor for updated guidance on grant requirements since they have likely changed since Trump took office in January. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Gov. Kathy Hochul last week announced that reported gun violence across New York state has continued to decline, reaching the lowest level since the state began tracking the data in 2006. According to a news release from Hochuls office, new statistics released by the State Division of Criminal Justice Services show a 15% decline in shooting victims and a 9% drop in shooting incidents with injury from Jan. 1 through April 30, compared to the same period last year, in communities participating in the states Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative. Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority. Since taking office, my administration has been laser focused on eliminating gun violence and reducing the number of gun-related injuries and fatalities across the state, Hochul said. Our efforts are working, and I am committed to continuing our record level support for gun violence prevention initiatives in our most impacted communities to ensure all New Yorkers are safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newly released data comes from the 28 police departments outside of New York City participating in the states Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative. Those police departments report roughly 90% of violent crimes involving firearms and 85% of violent crime reported outside New York City. Since 2021, shootings in New York are down by more than 50% and murders are down 30%, according to the release. Between January and April this year, those departments reported 156 shooting victims, down from 183 during the same period in 2024; and 139 shooting incidents with injury, down from 153 in 2024 data that are the result of a coordinated, data-driven effort to reduce gun violence in the States most impacted communities, the release stated. State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, New Yorks strategy is working because its grounded in data, backed by funding, and built on strong partnerships. We are proud to support our law enforcement and community partners with the tools they need to make every neighborhood safer. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control the murder rate in New York declined by 8% from 2023 to 2024. Mortality data shows that New York has the second lowest homicide rate of the 15 most populous states and the lowest homicide rate of the top 10 states. CDC data also show that New York has the third lowest firearm-related mortality rate, including firearm-related homicides, accidental discharges, and suicides, in the nation behind only Massachusetts and New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Preliminary full-year crime data from DCJS shows a 4% decline in overall index crime statewide in 2024 compared to 2023. The 57 counties outside New York City reported an 8% drop in crimes with 5% fewer violent crimes and 9% fewer property crimes, the release stated. In the 57 counties outside of New York City, the following categories of crime declined from 2023 to 2024, with robbery and burglary at the lowest levels on record: Motor vehicle theft, down 27% Robbery, down 11% Burglary, down 8% Larceny, down 6% PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) A vacant home north of Gobles was destroyed in a fire Sunday. The fire broke out around 5 a.m. at the property on M-40 south of 4th Avenue in Pine Grove Township. Crews at the scene of a fire on M-40 north of Gobles on June 1, 2025. (Courtesy Scott Brunner) The scene of a fire on M-40 north of Gobles on June 1, 2025. (Courtesy Scott Brunner) Crews at the scene of a fire on M-40 north of Gobles on June 1, 2025. (Courtesy Scott Brunner) Crews at the scene of a fire on M-40 north of Gobles on June 1, 2025. (Courtesy Scott Brunner) The scene of a fire on M-40 north of Gobles on June 1, 2025. (Courtesy Scott Brunner) The house was already fully involved by the time firefighters arrived, the Gobles Pine Grove Fire Department said. Crews from Bloomingdale and Allegan were called in to help, and the fire out in about three hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gobles fire chief told News 8 the home was not hooked up to electricity or water. He said the fire is being investigated as suspicious. Anyone with information is asked to call the fire department at 269.628.2908. Property owner Scott Brunner told News 8 he was notified of the fire by a neighbor who lives nearby. He recently purchased the home, which was built in the 1940s, from his father. While it has been vacant for about 20 years, Brunner said the family used it for hunting and kept the grounds in good condition. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A street in Shamokin in Northumberland County. The county got more than $1 million for residential improvements like plumbing and weatherization through the Whole Home Repair Program, which has since run out of its American Rescue Plan funding. State lawmakers are proposing a similar successor funded at $50 million per year. (Emily Previti/Pennsylvania Capital-Star) A home repair program that Pennsylvanians really seem to need, based on the response, could continue if state officials can agree on how to run it. A bipartisan group of state legislators announced just before budget talks officially start in Harrisburg theyll co-sponsor forthcoming legislation creating the PA Home Preservation Program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement https://penncapital-star.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/31epHPP-web-audio.mp3 Gov. Josh Shapiros proposed budget allocates $50 million for the program. It took mere months to spend four times that amount through the similarly-focused Whole Home Repair Program. The WHRP diverted $125 million to financing weatherization, plumbing and other essential improvements to thousands of residential units across the state starting last September, according to the state Department of Community and Economic Development. And more 18,000 applicants, combined, were left on waitlists kept by pass-through agencies, according to the planned bills co-sponsorship memo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers used a one-time federal infusion from the American Rescue Plan to create the WHRP. Program requirements limited homeowners to those making no more than 80 percent of median area household income. Landlords couldnt own more than five properties and 15 affordable units across all properties. And it capped project costs at $50,000 per unit. State officials view the WHRP as a pilot for the proposed PA Home Preservation program thats intended to be more permanent. It is not easy to sort of do all this coordination, build out relationships with contractors, [and] sub-grantees, said DCED Secretary Rick Siger during the agencys budget hearing earlier this year. But we have a path nowinformed by, frankly, just learning a bunch of stuff as we ran Whole Home Repair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new initiative likely would have income limits for homeowner recipients and prioritize senior citizens, according to prime sponsor Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Pittsburgh. Other than that, few details have been hashed out, Powell said Friday. But one would be an effort to keep program guidelines as consistent as possible, she said. She cited constantly changing expectations and reporting requirements as a major challenge during her time on Pittsburghs Urban Redevelopment Authority Board. Siger, Powell and others have pointed to the age of Pennsylvanias housing stock as another reason to invest in renovation and rehabilitation, with nearly 60 percent of homes statewide dating back to before 1970. ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) After taking over the old Bed Bath & Beyond building in Logan Towne Center earlier this year, HomeGoods is just about ready to open its doors. According to their website, HomeGoods will open its Altoona store on Thursday, June 12, at 8 a.m. The TJX company, which owns the HomeGoods brand along with sister companies TJ Maxx and Marshalls, began renovating the former Bed Bath & Beyond location to fit their needs earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HomeGoods sets sights on new Altoona location The Altoona location will be the companys 35th HomeGoods in Pennsylvania. Theres currently a HomeGoods in Johnstown and State College. 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. According to their website, the first two TJX stores, both TJ Maxx, opened in 1977. HomeGoods was later launched in 1992. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Washington state and most of its counties were among a list of more than 500 jurisdictions believed by President Donald Trumps Administration to have impeded the enforcement of federal immigration laws. The list, initially posted on the Department of Homeland Securitys website at dhs.gov/sanctuary-jurisdictions, appears to have been taken down since it was posted. Visitors will get a Page Not Found error. KIRO 7 used an archive website, Wayback Machine, to see what the website initially said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The page read: Executive Order 14287: Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens requires that a list of states and local jurisdictions that obstruct the enforcement of Federal immigration laws (sanctuary jurisdictions) be published. Sanctuary jurisdictions including cities, counties, and states that are deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities. Sanctuary cities protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril. The list below was created to identify sanctuary jurisdictions, which are determined by factors like compliance with federal law enforcement, information restrictions, and legal protections for illegal aliens. Each jurisdiction listed will receive formal notification of its non-compliance with Federal statutes. DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Note that the list can be reviewed and changed at any time and will be updated regularly. No one should act on this information without conducting their own evaluation of the information." Washington state was listed on it, as were all but four counties, and a handful of specific cities. It should be noted that Yakima County itself was not on the list, but the city of Yakima was. The cities of Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Olympia and Yakima were listed. According to Reuters and other national reports, the site was scrubbed following criticism from the National Sheriffs Union, which said that a list of non-compliant sheriffs could damage the relationship between the Trump administration and law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Sheriffs Association represents more than 3,000 elected sheriffs across the U.S. and over 10,000 individuals. A letter from the associations president, Kiernan Donahue, from Idaho, said: This list was created without any input, criteria of compliance, or a mechanism for how to object to the designation. Sheriffs nationwide have no way to know what they must do or not do to avoid this arbitrary label. The completion and publication of this list has not only violated the core principles of trust, cooperation, and partnership with fellow law enforcement, but it also has the potential to strain the relationship between Sheriffs and the White House administration. This is an unfortunate and unnecessary erosion of unity and collaboration with law enforcement and the enforcement of the rule of law at a time when that unity is needed most. This decision by DHS could create a vacuum of trust that may take years to overcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DHS has done a terrible disservice to President Trump and the Sheriffs of this country. The Presidents goals to reduce crime, secure the Borders, and make America safer have taken a step backward. In a meeting today called by the National Sheriffs Association (NSA), with members of DHS, no political appointee for the administration could explain who compiled, proofed, and verified the list before publication. The NSA believes that the criteria for evaluation used by DHS must be published immediately, and they must provide a legitimate reason to evaluate those not cooperating with ICE and other federal law enforcement agencies. These are not just common-sense efforts; they are urgent necessities. DHS and the Administration should publicly denounce the report to demonstrate accountability. The Sheriffs of this country feel betrayed. The current list must be removed immediately, and DHS must release an apology to the Sheriffs and the American people. The National Sheriffs Association is one of the largest non-profit associations of law enforcement professionals in the United States, representing more than 3,000 elected sheriffs across the nation, and with a total membership of approximately 10,000 individuals. NSA is dedicated to raising the level of professionalism among sheriffs, their deputies, and others in the field of law enforcement, public safety, and criminal justice. Throughout its eighty-four-year history, NSA has also served as an information resource for all law enforcement, as well as local, state, and federal government agencies. Jun. 2The Department of Homeland Security has taken down a recently posted list of "sanctuary jurisdictions" that it accused of disobeying federal immigration law, including three Maine communities. The city of Portland, as well as Hancock and Cumberland counties, were called out on the federal agency's web page last week for "obstructing" immigration enforcement, but as of Monday, the list had been removed. That webpage now produces a message that "the page may have been moved, deleted, or is otherwise unavailable." When the list was posted online, DHS said officials in each community would receive "formal notification" of their noncompliance. It was not clear Monday whether those communities would still be contacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce said in an emailed statement that the new letter from Homeland Security appeared to be nearly the same as another letter he received in January from some of President Donald Trump's advisers, warning leaders in Hancock and Cumberland counties that they could face legal problems for unlawfully protecting people suspected of immigration violations. Immigration and Customs Enforcement routinely submits "detainer requests" to local jails, asking officials to hold such inmates up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release date until the agency can take them into custody and determine whether they should be deported. Jails in both counties do honor requests from ICE to hold suspects, but officials at both facilities have said they will not hold them past their release dates which has been a point of contention between Joyce and the federal agency before. Hancock County Jail Administrator Tim Richardson said Monday that he hasn't yet learned why Hancock County would be included on the list. He said he and Sheriff Scott Kane have called the ICE office in Boston multiple times to find out why the county made the list, but they haven't gotten an answer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I believe our operation policies are acceptable to everybody," Richardson said, adding that the allegations from DHS don't seem to align with Hancock County's practices. As of Friday, the Cumberland County Jail was holding 77 people for ICE. The Hancock County Jail does not currently have any ICE detainees, Richardson said. The city of Portland has not received notice from DHS, a spokesperson said. Mayor Mark Dion said in a statement Friday that he would not comment further until receiving the letter with more information about the city's alleged noncompliance. Portland police Chief Mark Dubois said in an interview this spring that his officers don't contact ICE for any reason, even if they see a request from ICE to detain a suspect while running their license number. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Romania hopes for future talks on gas supply from Azerbaijan, Pavel-Casian Nitulescu, State Secretary of Romanian Energy Ministry, said in an exclusive interview with Trend on the occasion of the Baku Energy Week to be held June 2-4. As it is my first attendance in Baku Energy Forum, I am grateful to represent Romania this year in such a renowned event. My message towards the regional energy leaders highlights the importance of regional cooperation through strategic infrastructure projects which add to our joint energy security and allow for unhindered flow of energy. In my opinion, I strongly believe that adequate infrastructure and proper investment are needed to support the safety of our region! To this end, Romania is involved in regional initiatives such as the Vertical Corridor project and the so-called Green Corridor. They represent relevant initiatives that open the perspectives to alternative sources of gas or renewable energy as it is the case with the submarine cable that will link the green resources of Azerbaijan to Georgia, Romania, and Hungary, he said. Nitulescu stressed Romania's continued support for the energy security of the region and his countrys openness for continuing fruitful and loyal cooperation in the energy sector with its neighbors as reliable partners. Romania and Azerbaijan have a long-lasting relation and, over the years, we have significantly deepened our cooperation in the natural gas filed. I believe that future negotiations for certain Azerbaijani gas volumes to be supplied to the Romanian market will be carried out by the interested companies of the two countries. For Romania, gas represents a strategic resource and will remain in our energy mix for the years to come, adding its share to a flexible energy system. We have a low dependence on natural gas imports, being in a favorable situation, as consumption is mostly ensured by domestic natural gas production, he added. Expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor Future discussions should be held on expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor, Pavel-Casian Nitulescu said. We could not stress more the importance of the Southern Gas Corridor as an alternative gas source for the region. The plans to expand the Southern Gas Corridor are of strategic importance for Romania, as new gas suppliers are needed, especially for the Balkan and South-Eastern European countries. In our view, this could be achieved only by adequate funding in order to put into place the necessary and appropriate infrastructure, as well as for identifying new gas supply sources. For this reason, I believe that future discussions should be held in this framework, he said. Nitulescu pointed out that in the South-Eastern and Central European region, Romania has been involved in the development of strategic gas transport infrastructure projects such as the BRUA gas pipeline, the Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline to the Republic of Moldova and functional interconnections with neighboring states and supports, as well, the Trans-Balkan Corridor, which aims to increase energy security in the region. I want to highlight that with a production horizon in 2027, developing the Neptun Deep field in the Black Sea, will have a positive impact on the energy market of our country, but also at regional level. Neptun Deep is a project that will strengthen Romanias role as an energy player in the region, with Romania becoming the largest producer of natural gas in the European Union, added the state secretary. New horizons of cooperation with SOCAR The state secretary pointed out that Romania is open for future propositions by Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR. He noted that SOCAR is an important company on the Romanian fuels market. SOCAR investments in Romania have considerable strategic, economic and social importance. They have allowed the diversification of companies on the Romanian market, contributing to our energy security, said the state secretary. Moreover, Nitulescu pointed out that SOCAR contributed to the creation of several hundreds of jobs, whereas investments in gas stations and infrastructure brought regional economic development. Therefore, I totally agree that the expansion of SOCAR's presence in Romania signals that our country is an attractive destination for investments and would be very glad to hear about SOCARs future propositions, he added. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn American Legion posts in Andover and Orwell have added to the Hometown Heroes banners that spring up throughout northeast Ohio. Banners were recently posted in the two villages after they were seen in other communities. To date, 100 banners have been created and displayed. The banners are put up before Memorial Day and taken down in the fall, said Rosemary Jones, secretary/treasurer of the Orwell American Legion Auxiliary, who helped coordinate the project with Tom Jones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The banners in Orwell are displayed on routes 45 and 322. This is a fitting tribute to all of the servicemen, many of who fought and died to keep our country free, according to a press release from the post. This project is a reminder to all Americans of the sacrifice our local men and women make to ensure the freedoms we enjoy. The Orwell American Legion Post 719 partially financed the program, reducing the price for a family. Andover American Legion Percy D. Hyatt Post 226 created a similar arrangement with their members, post member William French. said. Post commander Bob Hitchcock coordinated the program, and said he appreciated the assistance of village workers, who helped put the banners up around village square and surrounding main routes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement French said the post started working on the project late last year. We just decided it was a good idea, he said. Sixteen banners were hung in late April or early May. French said they were up for Memorial Day, and people enjoyed seeing the banners. It has created a lot of interest, he said. DES MOINES, Iowa On this weeks episode of Homewi$e Amanda Krenz and mortgage expert Tyler Osby discuss what you need to know as you prepare to close on a home. Past Episodes: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. By Angie Teo TAIPEI (Reuters) -Fu Tong and his wife Elaine To were among the first demonstrators in Hong Kong to be charged with rioting in 2020 after pro-democracy and anti-China protests started in 2019 in the former British colony. After leaving for Taiwan, Fu continued his activism and is now preparing to mark this year's anniversary of Beijing's bloody June 4, 1989, crackdown on protesters in and around Tiananmen Square. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fu has co-hosted a Hong Kong human rights exhibition in Taipei, showcasing artwork from the protest movement, and leads guided tours of the displays. "When Hong Kong can no longer hold the June 4 vigils, and can no longer even mention it, Taiwan's existence becomes very important," Fu, 43, told Reuters in Taipei. "It's one of the very few places in Asia, where people can openly commemorate the accident on June 4, discuss it, and even condemn the Chinese Communist Party. The existence of such a space is already hugely significant," he said. Taiwan is the only part of the Chinese-speaking world where June 4 can be remembered openly, though Chinese communities in the United States, Britain, Australia and other Western countries will also mark it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Hong Kong, a national security law has outlawed such events, which previously drew tens of thousands of people. Fu says he remains committed to advocating for Hong Kong issues and the values of freedom. "I really feel like I've been chosen to be in this era. If I don't step up to do things that seem foolish and unrewarding, then who will? As long as I can, I'm willing to keep going," he said. Before dawn on June 4, 1989, Chinese tanks rolled into Tiananmen Square, crushing weeks of pro-democracy demonstrations by students and workers. China has never provided a full death toll, but rights groups and witnesses say the figure could run into thousands. Public discussion of what happened is taboo in China, which blamed the protests on counter-revolutionaries seeking to overthrow the ruling Communist Party. (Reporting by Angie Teo; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Michael Perry) The Johns Hopkins University will freeze hiring, pause pay increases and slowdown capital projects amid ongoing federal cuts and uncertainty, the schools leadership said Monday. In a letter emailed to the university community, Hopkins President Ron Daniels, Provost Ray Jayawardhana and Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Laurent Heller outlined the difficulties facing the school in the wake of the Trump administrations changes to federal funding and guidance for U.S. universities. Since January, we also have had 90 grants terminated by other agencies, resulting in the loss of more than $50 million in federal research funding, with more terminations arriving nearly every week, the leaders wrote in the letter.. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said that on top of the terminations, new federal research awards are down by nearly two-thirds since January. The leaders said they fear more cuts are coming to the universitys federal research partners at the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and Departments of Defense and Education. Nearly half of the schools incoming funding last year was from federal research, according to a letter Daniels wrote in March. That month, the university lost $800 million in federal grants from USAID, causing over 2,000 job losses. To respond to the current and potential future funding constraints, the university is taking steps to shore up university and divisional finances, according to the letter. Those steps include pausing scheduled pay increases for employees earning more than $80,000 yearly. Should the schools financial outlook improve, the policy could be reversed with the planned increases coming in January instead of July, the letter says. The school will also implement a university-wide hiring freeze for new and existing positions. Exceptions will be made by divisional leadership as needed for mission-critical positions and those covered by grants or other restricted funds, the letter says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The schools capital projects, which involve research, academic and student spaces, will see cuts as well. Prudence dictates cutting back our ambitions in the near term, and we have decided to reduce our capital construction and renovation plans by approximately 10-20%, according to Daniels, Heller and Jayawardhana. The school will make its final decisions over the summer, but will prioritize continuing mission-critical projects, essential deferred maintenance, and projects that are already far along in the permitting, demolition, and construction process. The school is also planning to make general cuts to discretionary spending, such as travel, food and supplies, with final decisions to vary by division. Hopkins individually and alongside the American Association of Universities and other research groups has challenged some government cuts to research in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond federal actions affecting its bottom line, Hopkins leadership wrote that they continue to monitor actions impacting international students. About 27% of Hopkins student body, including undergraduate and graduate students, are international, a Hopkins spokesperson said last week. We are deeply concerned about the toll of this uncertainty on our students and on our university as a whole, with every division set to welcome current and prospective international students, faculty, and staff who choose to make their home at Johns Hopkins, the letter reads. Meanwhile, Hopkins said in the letter that it continues to be both scrupulous in our compliance with the law and thoughtful in how we sustain our capacity to be a place that prizes pluralism in all its respects, advances opportunity, and combats discrimination. This story might be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Racquel Bazos at rbazos@baltsun.com, 443-813-0770 or on X as @rzbworks. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A man was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated and crashing into a rock wall on Thursday, May 29, in Horizon, according to the Horizon City Police Department. Police say just after 8 p.m. that Thursday, officers responded to a report of a vehicle rollover crash at the 700 block of Teichelkamp Drive in Horizon. Upon arrival, officers received information indicating that a vehicle had crashed into a rock wall, causing the vehicle to roll over, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers were then able to locate the driver, who was identified as Mauro Esquivel Rosales, who had fled the scene before police arrived, police said. Rosales was medically evaluated and cleared. He was then arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated and failure to report striking a structure, fixture, or landscaping. He was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility under a $2,000 bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Yellow shirts of Second Amendment supporters frame the view of Rep. Jason Knight, a Barrington Democrat, lead sponsor of the bill to ban assault-style weapons, during a House Committee on Judiciary on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Knight's amended bill is set for a vote on Tuesday, June 3. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current) After securing a big win at the federal level Monday, Rhode Islands gun safety advocates are hoping the momentum continues at the State House Tuesday when a House panel will consider an amended bill to ban assault-style firearms. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up a challenge by gun rights advocates against the states 2022 law banning firearm magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said in a statement hes grateful the court did not overturn the ban. As the Rhode Island General Assembly prepares to vote on the assault weapons ban, it is my hope that this offices successful defense of the large-capacity magazine ban inspires our leadership to act, and act boldly, Neronha said. One life lost to gun violence is one too many. The 15-member House Committee on Judiciary meets Tuesday at 3 p.m. to consider advancing amended legislation sponsored by Rep. Jason Knight, a Barrington Democrat, to the floor for a full vote by the chamber. Knights bill has support from 38 of the Houses 75 members. Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi has previously indicated support for a ban on assault-style weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal includes revisions based on feedback from a March 26 Judiciary Committee hearing where hundreds of Second Amendment advocates in yellow T-shirts outnumbered gun safety advocates. Under Knights bill, assault weapons are defined as semiautomatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns equipped with accessories such as pistol grips, folding stocks, or threaded barrels. The amended version removed bayonet mounts and certain .22 caliber rimfire rifles and Olympic-style target pistols from the definition. The amended legislation now takes effect July 1, 2026, rather than Jan. 1, 2026. Knight said the new date was picked in order to give store owners more time to prepare for the change, and for state and local police to develop a voluntary firearm certification program for assault-style weapons acquired ahead of the ban. Knights original legislation proposed that grandfathered weapons be registered with state or local police. Weapons acquired ahead of the ban would continue to be exempt from the legislation, but the amended bill also exempts firearms passed down through a family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amended bill now exempts retired law enforcement officers. Thats in addition to active police and members of the armed forces who would be allowed to keep assault-style weapons under the original bill. We got rid of one or two things upon reflection we probably did not need, Knight said in an interview Monday. The vast majority of Rhode Islanders want this policy change, he added, acknowledging two recent polls that found widespread support for banning assault weapons. A University of New Hampshire poll released May 29 found that 55% of the 653 residents surveyed were in favor of banning the sale and manufacture of firearms with military-style features. A February poll conducted for the Rhode Island AFL-CIO found 64% of Rhode Islanders support the ban. Its our responsibility Knight has backed legislation to ban assault-style weapons since 2018 the same year then-Gov. Gina Raimondo established a gun-safety working group after a gunman killed 17 students in Parkland Florida with an AR-15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You see random acts of violence that involve multiple victims stepping up, Knight said. Its our responsibility as a legislature to provide public order and safety. Whats not changing in the amended bill: Violators of the proposed ban would face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000 and forfeiture of their assault-style weapon. Its a good bill, Melissa Carden, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence, said in an interview. This is really momentous. This is the reason that the coalition was formed, its been our priority for a really long time. But Knights changers are still not enough to appease gun rights advocates, who remain opposed to the proposed ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their concern is passing a bill for the win, and not reducing gun violence, Glenn Valentine, president of the Rhode Island Second Amendment PAC, said in a text message Monday. The Gaspee Project, a nonprofit that touts its opposition to progressive and special interest policies on its website, took to social media Friday evening to urge gun owners to keep opposing Knights legislation. This amended version is just as awful as the original, the group wrote on X. Companion legislation is filed in the Senate by Lou DiPalma, a Middletown Democrat, where the bill has 23 additional sponsors including Senate President Valarie Lawson. DiPalmas bill was heard by the Senate Committee on Judiciary on May 14 where it was held for further study The bill has not been scheduled for the committees consideration as of Monday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX HOUSTON COUNTY, Texas (KETK) Members of the Houston County Sheriffs Office have rescued a dog who was left tied up to a stop sign with no food or water in sight. Passenger ejected from vehicle during crash in Smith County Deputies received a call on Sunday reporting that a dog had been tied to a stop sign at County Road 2140 and FM 229. Once officials arrived on the scene, they discovered the dog tied to the stop sign wearing a harness with a ratchet strap running through the harness. Photos courtesy of Houston County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dog was reportedly visibly stressed and scared and there was no food or water seen near the sign. Deputies took the dog, and he is currently being cared for at the sheriffs office. Officials stated they will contact the veterinarians office in the morning to possibly identify the owner. Anyone with information regarding the dog is asked to call the sheriffs office at 936-544-2862. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Jason Sung thought it was all fun and games when he bought a custom license plate "5.0 GPA" for his white Ford Mustang. "I'm not a good student, or I don't have a good grade, but I just thought it's a funny plate," Sung told ABC13 News. "I really liked it." But what started as a lighthearted joke turned into a frustrating financial headache. Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sung noticed his Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) account auto-replenished unexpectedly, even though he rarely uses toll roads. Diving deeper into his account, Sung was shocked to find dozens of toll charges, many racked up during a period when he was out of the country and his white Ford Mustang was parked safely in his garage. Someone had a duplicate plate, down to the exact phrase, and had slapped it on a black Ford Mustang. Toll charges pretty much every day Sung found toll charges dating back to at least January that he knows he is not responsible for. "It's just pretty much every day," he said. When he contacted HCTRA for answers, he said the toll authority checked transaction photos. A representative asked him if his vehicle was black with yellow lightning bolts on the back, but Sungs response was immediate: No, my car is completely white. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The photo HCTRA sent him showed a different vehicle altogether, but it had the same "5.0 GPA" license plate. "Even a person who doesn't even have a driver's license can tell you that's not a Texas plate," Sung said. The photo included the other drivers Instagram handle. ABC13 tracked down the individual behind the duplicate plate via social media. The driver admitted that the plate was a fake, ordered online from Arizona. He told reporters that he had no idea the plate phrase was officially registered and said he had been pulled over multiple times for the bogus tag. When asked if he would consider obtaining a legal plate, he instead asked if Sung might change his. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eventually, the driver said he would remove the fake plate from his vehicle. Meanwhile, Sung filed a report with the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office. Authorities told ABC13 the case is still under investigation. As for the wrongful charges, HCTRA confirmed to the news channel that they are reviewing all the transactions linked to Sungs account and will issue him a credit for tolls incurred by the other driver. For Sung, its an expensive lesson in how a vanity plate can make you stand out, even to the wrong people. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan works every single time to kill debt, get rich in America and that anyone can do it How to protect yourself from license plate cloning License plate cloning is becoming a growing problem in the U.S., where criminals copy legitimate license plates to commit illegal activities, leaving innocent vehicle owners, like Sung, on the hook for fines, tolls and even criminal offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In New York City, the police impounded more than 4,000 vehicles with fake plates in the 12 months after a task force was established in March 2024, while nationwide scams, like one in Tampa involving more than 1,000 cloned cars, have racked up losses exceeding $25 million, according to the FBI. States like Virginia and Texas are seeing rising thefts and enforcement efforts, with automated license plate readers (ALPRs) recovering hundreds of stolen vehicles. Victims of license plate cloning may have to deal with problems like toll charges, parking and traffic fines, wrongful administrative fees, and in severe cases, the issues can impact credit scores. So, what can you do to protect your vehicle from cloning? Here are some strategies you can use: Regularly monitor toll accounts. Log into toll authority portals, like TxTag and E-ZPass, monthly to review trip logs and check for unauthorized trips. Use antitheft screws. Install tamper-resistant screws to make it harder for thieves to remove your plates. Dont overshare online. Dont post images of your license plate on social media or public forums. Be careful where you park. Choose well-lit areas with security cameras to help avoid theft. Use plate-monitoring services. Consider services that alert you if your plate appears in enforcement databases or is flagged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regular monitoring and taking proactive steps like these can help protect you from the financial and legal repercussions of license plate cloning. If you do run into a stolen plate, report it to authorities immediately. What to read next Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, June 2. At the invitation of the Iranian side, Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu will pay an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran on June 7, 2025, Trend reports via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. During the visit, Murat Nurtleu is scheduled to meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, as well as several leaders of major Iranian businesses. "The upcoming talks are expected to contribute to strengthening political dialogue, expanding trade, economic and investment cooperation, and enhancing ties between the business communities of the two countries," the statement said. According to the ministry, particular attention during the talks will be given to issues of transport and logistics connectivity, energy, agriculture, and cooperation within international and regional organizations. TEXARKANA (KTAL/KMSS) Texarkana police have made an arrest in connection with a murder that left one man dead and an elderly man injured. Over the weekend, 24-year-old Benjamin Brem was taken into custody in Houston on several Texarkana arrest warrants. Wanted: Man threatens to kill entire family if they call police The arrest was a joint effort between Houston police and Detective Casey Schmidt with the Texarkana Texas Police Department (TTPD), stemming from a Texarkana shooting that occurred early last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just after midnight on May 1, 2025, TTPD responded to a shots-fired call in the 1300 block of Carroll Street. When officers got there, they found 21-year-old Benjamin Betts dead inside the home. You flee, you get a felony, police make several evasion arrests A 52-year-old man who was also in the house was shot and taken to Christus St. Michael, with non-life-threatening injuries. Investigations showed that more than 50 rounds were fired into the house from the street. Brem will be brought back to Texarkana in the next several days and booked into the Bi-State Jail for Murder, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Evading Arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. The Honolulu City Council is set to vote Wednesday on a proposed task force to reduce the Honolulu Police Departments dire staffing shortage of 456 uniformed officer vacancieswhich despite mitigation efforts has grown 32 % in some four years. Council member Andria Tupola, who introduced Resolution 160 to form a task force, says HPDs staffing shortage is an ongoing crisis that puts the public at risk. We cant be burning days. This is a big issue, said Tupola during the Councils Public Safety Committee meeting Thursday. By the end of this year, we dont want to hit 500 police officer vacancies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Councils Public Safety Committee has recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution 160 to fill vacancies and promote officer retention at HPD. Tupolas resolution states HPD is currently experiencing a severe staffing shortage, with 456 uniformed officer vacancies as of February 2025, compared to 345 vacancies in February 2021, despite ongoing efforts to reduce the shortage. This staffing shortage has resulted in inadequate police coverage across Oahu, increased emergency response times, unmanageable caseloads for police detectives, and increased safety risks for both officers and the public, the legislation says. Resolution 160 highlights that in 2024, HPD conducted an internal Commander Performance Survey in which survey responses noted high vacancy rates, increased workloads, insufficient resources, and overall safety risks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tupolas resolution alleges that HPDs inability to resolve its officer vacancies rests with its leadership, in this case Police Chief Arthur Joe Logan. The City Council finds it necessary to hold the Chief of Police accountable for the failure to adequately address vacancies in a timely and effective manner, which has directly contributed to the current crisis, and to take swift action to resolve this issue, Resolution 160 states. Council believes it is critical to establish a task force to develop actionable strategies for reducing vacancies, improving retention, and ensuring that the HPD can effectively serve and protect Oahu communities. Logan did not immediately respond to the Honolulu Star-Advertisers request for comment. Tupolas resolution also noted that part of HPDs challenge is that the department is not using all of its annual appropriations. In fiscal year 2024, HPDs patrol division let approximately $15 million in funding lapsethe largest lapsed amount of any city department, according to the Status of the Citys Finances 2025 report issued by the Office of Council Services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report also noted that HPD let $50 million of its overall fiscal year 2024 appropriation lapse. To put that into perspective, in March, HPD submitted a fiscal year 2026 operating budget request of nearly $400 million to fight crime. Resolution 160 also requests that the task force remain in effect to monitor progress on its recommendations and may be dissolved by the Council once (HPD ) demonstrates sustained improvement in recruitment, retention, and staff levels. Tupola announced at Thursdays meeting that she had taken part in a recent meeting to discuss the task force proposal with Logan, Council Public Safety Committee Chair Val Okimoto and Police Commission Chair Kenneth Silva. She said the group all agreed that a written plan about addressing the vacancies, and not just recruitment (but ) also retention was needed and that budget-line items needed to delineate how to fund each of the things that we think will help the department move forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tupola thanked city Managing Director Mike Formby for his assistance. Hes been participating in a lot of these discussions, so hes included as well in the list of nine people on the task force, she added. Tupola noted that the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers and the Hawaii Government Employees Association could also play a role in advising Logan on how to retain positions or recruit to fill vacancies. The task force, Tupola said, also should have a representative from an outside police department. HPD Maj. Parker Bode, assigned to the departments Human Resources Division, told the committee that he favored Resolution 160. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We support the intent of the task force, he said. Eddie Fujioka, a retired city Emergency Medical Services district chief, was among others who testified in support of forming a task force. Fujioka said he was pleased that a focus of Tupolas resolution is shoring up police dispatchers. Ive noticed that the Police Department has always been short of dispatchers, he said. Theyre the primary answering point for the County of Honolulu, which means every 911 call must go to the Police Department, and its routed to either EMS or Ocean Safety. He added that HPDs dispatchers are the only dispatchers who are nonuniformed personnel, which means they make the lowest wages of any dispatcher in the county, yet they do the most amount of work, answer the most amount of calls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Ive seen times when theyre on skeleton crew and when a dispatcher whos on the radio has to go on a break, another dispatcher has to manage two districts, which is very dangerous and stressful for the dispatchers, Fujioka said. Council member Esther Kia aina suggested increasing the task forces 90-day timeline to produce a written report to 180 days. People who are going to be part of this task force will have their own opinions, and you dont rush something, Kia aina said. You discuss it and ensure that out of the collective voices you will hopefully have a unified front to wean out what should be actionable items. Tupola said she was agreeable to a verbal amendment to increase the timeline to 180 days, but said, It does not prohibit us from finishing it faster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board Chair Philip Ganaban told the Star-Advertiser after the meeting that his board supports Tupolas Resolution 160. A lifelong Waianae resident, Ganaban said increasing police presence in the area is a good thing, but it wont solve all crimes that occur there, particularly gun-related violence involving youth and families. We need to really find ways to make things positive for these kids, he said, adding that the cost of living and a lack of youth-oriented programs along the Waianae Coast increase the challenges. So these kids can fall into the wrong crowd, and can get them things that they cant do the legal waywhich comes with the guns. Dont get me wrong, I would love to have more police, he added, but I think its not going to prevent anything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To promote prevention and education, Ganaban said he favors restarting Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or D.A.R.E., or the Scared Straight program where at-risk youth are exposed to jail or prison life. Those are good programs that are not in the schools anymore, and I dont know why, he said. Thats one of those HPD things that they did have that actually really made a difference when it started at a young age with the kids. Jeff Merz, the Waikiki Neighborhood Boards Subdistrict 1 vice chair, said he favored improvements to HPDs staffing but also recognized that crime in the islands prime tourist zone will still occur. Again, anything we can do to shed light on the issue is good, but Id like to see some absolutes, or some things that come out of this that are actionable and that would need to be required to be taken by the city, Merz, a 23-year Waikiki resident, said of the proposed task force. If those are the recommendations that they have to implement, or try to make them so we can solve this issue, as opposed to coming up with a report and putting it on the shelf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So I think if its got some teeth to it, and the City Council and the mayor agree to implement the recommendations, then I think we have something to stand on there, he added. However, Merz noted recruiting for police officers in high-priced Oahu is difficult. Were not the only city suffering from a lack of police officers ; its nationwide, he said. Possibly, were not going to be able to fill all of those positions ; its expensive in Hawaii, and its just not an occupation that a lot of people want to pursue. Merz said employing new technologiesincluding ground-based surveillance cameras and aerial dronesmay be alternate ways for law enforcement to reduce crime in Waikiki and elsewhere on the island. TASK FORCE REQUIREMENTS The HPD staffing and retention task force, formed by Resolution 160, will be composed of the following nine members :The Council chair, or the chairs designeeA representative from the mayors officeThe chief of police, or the chiefs designeeA Honolulu Police Commission representativeA city Department of Human Resources representativeA State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers representativeA Hawaii Government Employees Association representativeA current HPD officer, to be appointed by the CouncilA representative from another police department with success in reducing officer vacancies, also to be appointed by the Council. Once formed, Resolution 160 says the new task force should study the following issues :Analyze HPD recruitment and retention challenges and identify the primary causes of vacancies.Review and evaluate existing hiring and retention initiatives, including financial incentives.Assess HPDs hiring standards to determine whether they are unnecessarily restrictive and preventing qualified applicants from being hired.Develop a strategic plan with short-and long-term recommendations to reduce vacancies and improve officer retention.Evaluate HPDs budget to ensure funding is directed toward staffing priorities.Submit a report to the Council within 180 days of the adoption of the resolution, which provides the task forces analysis and recommendations, and provide a copy of the report to the Honolulu Police Commission to support its evaluation of the chief of police. Source : Resolution 160 The military parade planned to mark the U.S. Armys 250th anniversary, which falls on President Donald Trumps 79th birthday on June 14, could leave Washington, D.C., facing up to $16 million in street repairs, U.S. military officials have acknowledged. Heavy tanks are planned to roll through parts of the city. The damage theyre expected to cause on roads could make up more than a third of the parades total estimated upper cost of $45 million, reported NBC News. U.S. Army personnel load and secure military tanks for transport to Washington, D.C., at Fort Cavazos near Killeen, Texas. via Associated Press Steel plates, at least an inch thick, will be positioned at key tank turning points along the parade route, while some of the tanks will have new track pads in a bid to minimize disruption, reported NBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has expressed her concern over the potential damage that could be caused by the tanks. These are, for the most part, local streets, and if theyre rendered in unusable, we have to make them usable, she said last month. But Trump has defended the spectacle, which will reportedly include the U.S. Army Golden Knights team parachuting in to present him with a flag, and claimed the cost is peanuts compared to the value of doing it. Related... Jun. 1People sat in their lawn chairs and held loved ones while looking up at the sky where they saw the U.S. Army Parachute Team jump out of a plane and showcase their skills and planes including a MiniJet roar across the sky. "It's just a baby," New Mexico Tech student Atticus Stewart said as the MiniJet flew upside down before turning around and speeding past the spectators. "The Minijet is over 1,000 pounds lighter and 60 mph faster than any current Indy car," an announcer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No way," Stewart said. "That's crazy." Stewart was one of hundreds of people to attend the final day of the Kirtland Air Fiesta, which began Saturday at Kirtland Air Force Base. Base officials said 30,000 people attended the event on Saturday or Sunday. Aside from jumps by the U.S. Army Parachute Team also known as the Golden Knights people watched the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team from Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina perform as well as a comprehensive showcase by the 58th Special Operations Wing, including the MC-130, AC-130, HC-130, HH-60, Huey and CV-22 aircraft. They also saw a F-35 fighter jet, a fifth-generation stealth plane, zoom across the clear skies. The event also included live demonstrations and "static demonstrations," where guests went inside military aircraft including the Grumman E-2 Hawkeye and B-52 Stratofortress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is a good historical footprint of aviation history," said Greg Holmes with the Roadrunner Convoy, an event participant. Albuquerque resident Ashley Dunbar said she was glad to be back at Air Fiesta, which last took place in 2019. "It brings back a sense of normalcy, after years of social distancing and the pandemic and all that," she said. The event also provided a chance for 6-year-old Cora Scott to see the planes and jets, which she said "are really cool." "This is her opportunity to get up close to something she always admires in the sky," said Cora Scott's mother, Marla Scott. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is also a way for people to get to see another side of the military. "It almost makes it to where they're real people," Marla Scott said. Kirtland wanted to make sure people in the community had a chance to see what it does and to "come out and experience" all the different aircraft it has, Air Fiesta director, Lt. Col. Andrew Freitag, said in an interview, adding "we're thinking" the event could take place every two years. South Valley resident Marie Trujillo said she attended the event because she loves looking at military planes and wanted to honor her brother who served in the military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is awesome," she said. "This keeps the kids busy and it's entertaining." As Trujillo's grandson, Malekai McMurray, 14, looked at the planes, he said, "I would love to be in one, one day." City officials in Huntington Beach are enforcing a crackdown on street vending, particularly in popular areas such as the beach, the pier, Pacific Coast Highway and the downtown district. While sidewalk vending is permitted with a valid city-issued license, vendors are strictly prohibited from setting up shop on the sand, the pier, in nearby parking lots, or along certain high-traffic corridors. The citys sidewalk vending ordinance, which has been in place since 2019, requires anyone selling food, merchandise, or services in public spaces to first obtain a permit, or else violators could face steep consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vending in prohibited areas like the beach comes with a penalty of up to $1,000 per day, city officials confirmed. A city spokesperson told KTLAs Rachel Menitoff that the street vending ordinance is intended to prevent foodborne illness and address safety concerns associated with unpermitted food sales. Leno Moreno, a local restaurant owner, supports the enforcement, saying it helps create a fair environment for businesses that comply with health and safety regulations. Now theres a lot of those catering trucks. Some of them are legally operating, some of them are not legally operating, so it hurts a small business, Moreno said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the rules, some residents and visitors believe the citys approach may be too harsh. Barbara Swanson, a Huntington Beach resident, said shes bought fruit from street vendors and never experienced any issues. I have stopped on the corner to get fruit, and Ive never gotten sick because its in ice. So, Im all for it, Swanson said. I dont have anything against it. Street and sidewalk vending at Huntington Beach and surrounding areas are prohibited as city officials look to crack down on the activity during the busy summer months. (Huntington Beach City) Others said restricting vending on the beach hurts both vendors and beachgoers. For some people, thats their livelihood, said James Vanpelt, another Huntington Beach resident. I mean, the beaches are so long. It would be convenient to go up and get a hot dog or slushy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although California decriminalized sidewalk vending in 2018 through the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, the law allows cities to regulate when, where and how vendors operate. The Huntington Beach Police Department said enforcement will include education and warnings. Officers will first explain the rules and ask for voluntary compliance before issuing citations. The increased enforcement is already noticeable to some. I dont see anything wrong with that, one local said. Its more competitive and now everybody is playing by the same rules. The city said its efforts are part of a broader push to manage public spaces while balancing health, safety and economic fairness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) Huntsville Utility Crews will be closing Walker Lane for utility work starting on Monday, June 2. Contractors working for Huntsville Utilities Electric Operations will be closing Walker Lane between Billy D Harbin Road and Butler Road to change out transmission poles. The work is scheduled to last until June 12. However, the work will only be carried out on Mondays through Thursdays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The closure will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, and detour signs will be in place to divert traffic to Billy D Harbin Road and Henry Taylor Road. Please avoid the area if possible. (Courtesy: Huntsville Utilities) Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Some areas along Florida's Gulf Coast are still rebuilding after being slammed by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which hit the Sunshine State back-to-back during the 2024 hurricane season. But the hot-spot tourist communities are also trying to share a simple, but vital message that they're open for business. Caddy's Waterfront Restaurant in Treasure Island, Florida, has set up a temporary restaurant in a parking lot next door, complete with a food truck, as its physical building undergoes repairs from last year's storms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have all the tables. We have a full bar. We have the TVs. We have the sound, the music. It really is a restaurant that we built from the ground up," said Stephen Santasieri, the general manager of Caddy's. Santasieri said it was important to get his employees back up and running and just as important to get tourists to come back. "I think that tourism has not been where it was. We've been getting quite a bit of tourism around the holidays, though, which has been great," he said. Tourism impact on the Gulf coast Tourism is the main economic engine for communities along the Gulf Coast. Last year, more than 15 million visitors had an $11 billion impact on the St. Petersburg and Clearwater, Florida, area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, it remains to be seen. While businesses and hotels are back up and running, scars from the storms remain. In Madeira Beach, more than 1,400 structures were damaged. The city has issued about as many building permits as it has residents, around 2,000. "We were consumed by the Gulf," said Madeira Beach city manager Robin Gomez about when Hurricane Helene hit. "The surge pushed up, upwards of 7 feet." Sand and water on the streets after Hurricane Milton, in Holmes Beach, Anna Maria Island, Florida. / Credit: Maxar Technologies After struggling to rebuild, businesses are thankful for the support they've received and are hopeful for the future. "We have a lot of families that come every year, that are still coming, but we just need more support from everyone right now," said Savannah Huskie, the store manager of The Bronze Lady in Madeira Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For some, there's still work to do. "When you live here, you have to expect something like that can happen," said Andreas Bieri, one of the owners of The Mucky Duck Bar and Restaurant, a staple in Captiva Island, Florida, for decades. They started the restaurant 50 years ago before it was leveled by last year's fierce storms, but Bieri says they still feel lucky while continuing to rebuild nine months later. "I can't really complain too much that you know, we are here. We see the light at the end of the tunnel. We are rebuilding everything and we hope to be back in business by Christmas." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the past destruction is still fresh in their minds, the coastal communities haven't forgotten about the upcoming hurricane season. "It's always in my mind. But we'll be prepared. We're ready, and it's just something you have to living in this environment, this is what we call our 'two miles long and a smile wide' in our paradise, but it does come with a little bit of cost the price we pay for living next to the Gulf," Gomez said. 2025 NOAA Atlantic hurricane season forecast Last month, NOAA announced its forecast for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, predicting a 60% chance of an above-normal season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NOAA expects between 13 and 19 named storms, with six to 10 of them becoming hurricanes. Forecasters said around three to five could become major hurricanes. NOAA predicts an The Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season saw 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes and five major hurricanes, which is defined as a Category 3 or larger storm. Sneak peek: Where is Jermain Charlo? Hegseth orders Navy to rename USNS Harvey Milk, Jeffries calls it "a complete and total disgrace" FEMA, Trump administration react to sources saying chief did not know U.S. had a hurricane season HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) An 18-year-old was arrested and taken to Williamson County Jail after he was accused of shooting a juvenile at a party overnight, the Hutto Police Department posted on social media. Around 12:24 a.m., Hutto Police officers were called for a noise complaint at a large party in the 200 block of Phillips Street in the Hutto Parke subdivision. While officers were en route to the scene, the Williamson County Emergency Services updated the call to shots fired, said the post. According to the post, 911 callers reported people were shooting, running and driving away from the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officers arrived at the scene they found a male juvenile with a non-life threatening gunshot wound to his arm. Police said he was transported by EMS to a local hospital. Hutto Police said at least one vehicle and one residence were struck with a bullet during the incident. No other injuries were reported, the post stated. Police arrested an 18-year-old male who was not a Hutto resident. Police did not release his identity, nor information about charges against him. The HPD post said he was unlawfully carrying a weapon on scene. HPD believes this was an isolated incident and there is no further danger to the public. According to the post, police will not release other information in this case unless another person is taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This investigation is ongoing. Hutto Police thanked the Williamson County Sheriffs Office for their on-scene assistance on this case. If you have information on this case, Hutto Police encouraged you to call 512-846-2200 or email crimetips@huttotx.org. Crime tips can also be sent anonymously via cell phone to HPD by texting HUTTOPD and their message/tip to 847477 (tip411). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Why do the agents wear masks? Mondays press conference in Boston had essentially ended. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons was leaving the room with other federal law enforcement officials, just as a reporter asked the question. They had just announced the arrest of nearly 1,500 people in Massachusetts, in the month of May alone, who are living in the U.S. illegally. More than half of those arrests, authorities said, were of people with significant criminal backgrounds -- convicted murderers sought by Interpol, child rapists, drug traffickers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moments later, Lyons, a native of South Boston and a graduate of Boston College High School in Dorchester, walked back to the podium. Hang on. Im going to answer the mask question, he said. Federal officers have been doxed on social media, and often wear masks while on duty and making immigration arrests after officers, and their families, have received death threats, Lyons said. A lot of agencies were invited to come out two weeks ago in Los Angeles where we ran our operation where ICE officers were doxed, Lyons said. So lets just say that again. People are out there taking photos of the names, their faces and posting them online with death threats to their family and themselves, Lyons said. So Im sorry if people are offended by them wearing masks, but Im not gonna let my officers and agents go out there and put their lives on the line and their family on the line because people dont like what immigration enforcement is, Lyons said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Typically, when ICE publicly releases photographs of the arrests of foreign nationals who are in the United States illegally, federal agents are often shown not facing the camera or their faces are blurred, a practice of shielding their identities that is not new and goes back several years to previous administrations. For Lyons, the increased threats made on federal agents and officers come as assaults against ICE officers are up 400 percent since this time period last year. They are wearing those masks because we ran an operation with the Secret Service where we arrested someone that was going online, taking their photos, posting their families, their kids Instagram, their kids Facebooks and targeting them, Lyons said Monday. Lyons comments about the masks came weeks after reported assaults on law enforcement officers in a Worcester neighborhood on May 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 16, the city of Worcester released body camera footage after chaos erupted when a crowd surrounded and assaulted law enforcement officers. A link to the full body camera video can be found here. ICE agents at the time were trying to detain Brazilian national Rosane Ferreira de Oliveira, 40, who is in the country illegally and faces previous criminal assault charges, federal authorities said. Several people, including City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj and Worcester School Committee candidate Ashley Spring, are seen in the videos shouting angrily at the officers and pushing and shoving the officers. Spring, 38, was later arrested, accused of throwing an unknown substance at an officer. During Mondays press conference, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley denounced anyone who threatens, assaults or interferes with law enforcement officers doing their job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will not tolerate anyone who impedes or obstructs ICE operations, Foley said. What I have seen on the news and in social media is concerning, to say the least. Agent safety is paramount and it is a felony to threaten or assault a federal agent. I want to be clear about that, Foley said Monday. No one is above the law. This is non-negotiable. The law in this area is clear and I will not sit idly by and watch federal agents being threatened. Lyons, in talking about the masks, echoed Foleys comments. He also posed a few questions to reporters. So let me ask: Is that the issue here? That were just upset about the masks? Or is anyone upset with the fact that ICE officers families were labeled terrorist? Lyons said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lyons then left the room. 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 A Massachusetts high school student heading to volleyball practice was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Saturday during a traffic stop targeting his father, officials said. Marcelo Gomes, an 18-year-old student at Milford High School, was not the target of the investigation but was still taken into custody and faces deportation after federal agents determined the teen was also in the U.S. illegally, said ICE Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia Hyde at a press conference Monday. The teenager from Brazil was driving a vehicle registered to his father, Joao Paulo Gomes-Pereira, whom the Department of Homeland Security called an illegal alien and known public safety threat due to his habit of reckless driving through residential areas. Family and classmates of Marcelo Gomes Da Silva embrace as they protest outside of Milford Town Hall on Sunday. Boston Globe via Getty Images While ICE officers never intended to apprehend Gomes-DaSilva, he was found to be in the United States illegally and subject to removal proceedings, so officers made the arrest, the DHS said in a statement Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gomes father remained wanted by ICE as of Monday, authorities said. The teens arrest drew large protests over the weekend and condemnation from Gov. Maura Healey (D), who said the Trump administrations immigration crackdown has created fear in our communities, and its making us all less safe. Yet again, local officials and law enforcement have been left in the dark with no heads up and no answers to their questions, she said in a statement Sunday. The 18-year-old was detained by ICE on his way to volleyball practice. Boston Globe via Getty Images Todd Lyons, acting director of ICE, defended the teens arrest to reporters at Mondays press conference, calling it legal and arguing that the teen didnt need to be a known violent or dangerous criminal to be taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like any local law enforcement officer, if you encounter someone who has a warrant, or like I said is here illegally, we will take action on that, he said. I didnt say he was dangerous, I said he was in this country illegally, and were not going to walk away from anybody. Hyde said the teens arrest was part of a mass immigration sweep in May that targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most crime-infested areas of Massachusetts. ICE made nearly 1,500 arrests within the last 30 days. Everyone arrested was breaking the nations immigration laws, she said but most of these individuals, 790 to be exact, had significant criminality, including records for murder and drug crimes. Hundreds of people marched in protest of Gomes arrest on Sunday from Milford High Schools graduation ceremony to the citys Town Hall, according to NBC Boston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gomes girlfriend, Julianys Rentas Figueroa, told the local station that he was supposed to play drums in the schools ceremony. He said they had put chains around his ankles and on his wrists and that he was first in, I think, Burlington and then transferred to Plymouth, and right now, I havent spoken to him since then, I dont know how hes doing, she said. Among those demonstrating on Sunday was state Sen. Becca Rausch (D), who condemned the teens arrest in a statement Monday. The cruelty and unlawful actions of the Trump Administration make all of us less safe, and the trampling of one persons constitutional rights is the destruction of constitutional rights for us all, she said. Related... Kyrgyzstan reports decline in USD remittances In the first quarter of 2025, Kyrgyzstan recorded a decline in remittances in US dollars, while transfers in the national currency via international systems showed notable growth, according to the National Bank. Bishkek remained the leading region for both incoming and outgoing transfers. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons on Monday defended the use of masks by his agents and expressed frustration at sanctuary jurisdictions that he said are hindering the detainment of immigrants who are in the country illegally. During a press conference at the federal courthouse in Boston announcing a May operation in Massachusetts where nearly 1,500 immigrants were taken into custody, Lyons said his agents wear masks because they and their families have been doxxed and targeted with death threats. So, Im sorry if people are offended by them wearing masks, but Im not going to let my officers and agents go out there and put their lives on the line, their family on the line because people dont like what immigration enforcement is, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigration enforcements May operation in Massachusetts detained 1,461 immigrants living in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, Lawrence, Nantucket, Marthas Vineyard and several other communities. ICE said 790 of those immigrants had criminal histories, including the crime of reentering the U.S. after deportation, and that 277 of those individuals have been ordered to be removed from the country by a federal immigration judge. Lyons, who is from Boston, said operations like this one wouldnt be necessary if sanctuary cities would change their policy. Theres no legal definition for sanctuary city policies, but they generally limit cooperation by local law enforcement with federal immigration officers. Courts have repeatedly upheld the legality of sanctuary laws. If sanctuary cities would change their policies and turn these violent criminal aliens over to us into our custody, instead of releasing them into the public, we would not have to go out to the communities and do this, he said. Boston is my hometown. And it really shocks me that officials all over Massachusetts would rather release sex offenders, fentanyl dealers. drug dealers, human traffickers, child rapists back into the neighborhoods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lyons heads an agency at the center of President Donald Trumps mass deportations agenda. Just last week the agency underwent its second major reorganization since Trump took office with the head of the Enforcement and Removal Operations section of ICE retiring and the head of ICEs Homeland Security Investigations section transitioning to another role. More News Read the original article on MassLive. Surprise, surprise: Immigration and Customs Enforcements biggest operation to date was also a huge failure. Fox News national correspondent Bill Melugin reported on X Monday that ICE completed a massive month-long operation in Massachusetts in response to the states sanctuary policies. Of the 1,461 arrests made as part of Operation Patriot, only 790 individualsor roughly 54 percenthad criminal convictions or charges. Meanwhile, 277 detainees, or about 19 percent, had received final orders of removal or deportation, though its unclear whether there was overlap between those two groups. This disastrous sweep comes as the Trump administration sets a new quota of 3,000 ICE arrests per day, and continues to stray from its commitment to target criminals for deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fox reported that many of these arrests were so-called collaterals, a strange euphemism for people whose only crime was being with an ICE target at the time of arrest. Fox said that ICE had repeatedly warned sanctuary city officials that a failure to enforce immigration policies would result in collateral arrests. According to ICEs own numbers, the agency made a minimum 394 wrongful arrests as part of Operation Patriot. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, wrote in a post on X Monday that this latest ICE sweep was even worse than Aprils Operation Tidal Wave in Florida, which previously held the record for ICEs largest operation with a whopping 1,120 arrests. Wow. Just 54% of all the people arrested during this operation had a criminal record at all. Thats an even lower percent than the big Florida operation in April, where 63% had criminal history, Reichlin-Melnick wrote. ICE is expanding its dragnet even more to go after people with no criminal history. ICE told FOX that Operation Patriot was significantly more difficult due to a lack of cooperation from local officials, and claimed that theyd encountered almost daily interference from activists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Massachusetts officials say that ICE had failed to communicate with them. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey expressed outrage Monday after an 18-year-old student at Milford High School was arrested by ICE, just days before graduation. Yet again, local officials and law enforcement have been left in the dark with no heads up and no answers to their questions, she said. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller was enraged to hear that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers had been focusing on arresting only criminals, The Washington Examiner reported Monday. Last week, 25 field directors from ICEs Enforcement Removal Operations, as well as 25 special agents from Homeland Security Investigations, were called to Washington for a meeting. Officials told the Examiner that the presidents ghoulish immigration czar wasnt happy. Miller came in there and eviscerated everyone, said one official. You guys arent doing a good job. Youre horrible leaders. He just ripped into everybody. He had nothing positive to say about anybody, shot morale down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official told the conservative outlet that Miller didnt want ICE to narrow its field to just undocumented immigrants with criminal records. Stephen Miller wants everybody arrested. Why arent you at Home Depot? Why arent you at 7-Eleven? the official recalled. When one ICE official pushed back against Millers call to widen the deportation dragnet, citing border czar Tom Homans claims that ICEs deportation efforts would target criminals, the deputy chief of staff seemed confused. What do you mean youre going after criminals? the official recounted Miller as saying. Miller got into a little bit of a pissing contest. Last week, Miller and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced that the Trump administration had set a new quota of a minimum 3,000 ICE arrests per day. On Monday, ICE announced that it had completed its largest operation ever in Massachusetts and the Greater Boston Areabut as the number of arrests rose, so did the number of people detained with no criminal record or deportation order. Hundreds of so-called collaterals were arrested as part of the massive operation. [Source] Two senior ICE officials are being removed from their positions amid White House pressure for dramatically higher arrest numbers of undocumented migrants. Pressure to arrest White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanded that agents arrest 3,000 people daily during a heated meeting at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters in Washington, D.C., on May 21, sources told Axios. Some attendees reportedly worried about their jobs if targets were not met. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aggressive push, which would triple the current rate of arrests, comes despite detention facilities already exceeding capacity, with nearly 49,000 people in ICE custody while Congress has funded only around 47,000 beds. Additionally, Miller and Noem threatened to dismiss the bottom 10% of regional ICE officials based on their arrest numbers, sources told Reuters. Trending on NextShark: Former DEI supporter selected as University of Floridas new president The pressure reflects a major enforcement shift as May data reportedly showed 11,367 migrants were arrested by ICE compared to 2,415 from border patrol a reversal from May 2024 when border arrests far exceeded interior enforcement. Whos out? Kenneth Genalo, who heads ICEs enforcement and removal division, will retire, while Robert Hammer, who heads the agencys investigative arm, will be reassigned, ICE announced on Thursday, among other changes. These follow earlier shakeups in February and come as deportation numbers have remained roughly equivalent to the Biden administrations final year despite Trumps mass deportation promises. Trending on NextShark: Jackie Chan wants Rush Hour 4 and Shanghai Dawn The White House and Congress are now working to provide $147 billion in additional immigration funding over the next decade to support expanded operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Trending on NextShark: South Korean students warned to clean up their socials amid US visa crackdown Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what were building, consider becoming a paid member your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Subscribe here now! Trending on NextShark: ICE officials ousted amid White House order to triple number of daily arrests Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! The state flags hangs from the rotunda of the Idaho State Capitol Building in Boise on Jan. 7, 2025. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) Idaho health officials say itll take years to switch all Idaho Medicaid benefits to being managed by private companies. Through a sweeping bill meant to cut Medicaid costs, the Idaho Legislature this year directed the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to change a range of Medicaid policies including to pursue switching Medicaid benefits to being run by private companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That model, called managed care, is used widely across the country. Right now, Idaho Medicaid already uses managed care somewhat. But its more of a patchwork approach, where some services are managed by the state health department, some by managed care organizations, and some by doctors offices. Shifting Idaho Medicaid to managed care will take time to do well, Idaho Medicaid Deputy Director Juliet Charron told a panel of state lawmakers late last month. Idaho Medicaid administrator Juliet Charron testified before the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on House Bill 345 on March 10, 2025, at the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare expects the new comprehensive Idaho Medicaid managed care contract to start in 2029, following years of prep work, she told the Idaho Legislatures Medicaid Review Panel on May 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have been evaluating all of the different scenarios and timelines under which we could implement this looking at it as early as 2027 or 2028 and have determined that going much earlier is risky, Charron said. Because youre going to start to have pieces overlapping throughout this. And that will be particularly challenging for our provider communities. Medicaid is a largely federally funded health care assistance program that covers about 260,000 Idahoans, including low-income earners, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and some older people. Roughly 92,000 Idahoans are enrolled in Medicaid expansion, a voter-approved policy that raised the income eligibility cap. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Medicaid work requirements could come under new law The new Idaho Medicaid cost cutting bill also called for Idaho to seek federal approval for Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied adults. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare plans to apply for that by July 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal spending and tax cut bill being considered by Congress might ease the process for Idaho to seek Medicaid work requirements. Instead of applying for a Medicaid waiver that could temporarily allow for work requirements, Idaho could seek a longer-lasting state plan amendment for Medicaid work requirements if the federal bill becomes law, Charron said. (The bill would require nationwide Medicaid work requirements years later. After passing the U.S. House, it heads to the Senate, where changes are expected.) Other states experiences and a federal watchdog report suggest costs for Medicaid work requirements are high, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. Since almost half of Idahoans on Medicaid are already working, some advocates say work requirements are effectively just expensive administrative barriers to access the program. Idaho Medicaids management is split up. A new contract would replace existing ones. Overall, only 6% of Idaho Medicaid enrollees are in comprehensive managed care the roughly 15,000 Idahoans enrolled in managed care plans who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, Idaho Idaho Medicaid Deputy Administrator Sasha OConnell told the legislative panel. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idahos existing Medicaid managed care contracts mostly carve out private management for certain benefits, like mental health, medical transportation and dental. That split makes it complicated for the state to oversee, OConnell said. What this has led to is we have particularly high turnover, I would say, in state agencies. And I think that that happens in Medicaid as well, she said. The various contracts have put Idaho Medicaids limited staff in a cycle of amending these contracts constantly, she said, instead of putting the contracts up for a new competitive bid, a process called procurement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because procurement is such a huge lift, OConnell said. Idaho is also on track to end doctors offices managing Medicaid benefits next year, Charron told lawmakers. The new Idaho Medicaid cost cutting bill called for the end of that model, called value-based care, which is unique to Idaho and has existed for a few years. Idaho senator: Asking the private company how providers are doing is Like asking the fox, Hows the hen house? The new Idaho Medicaid managed care contract is likely to become the biggest contract given out by the state of Idaho. Idahos contract for the company Magellan to run mental health Medicaid benefits is already the states largest contract, initially pegged at $1.4 billion over four years. Idaho state Sen. Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls, works from the Senate floor before legislative action begins on Jan. 7, 2025, at the State Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) Like under Idaho Medicaids first managed care mental health organization, Idaho Medicaid providers have reported payment delays from Magellan, the Idaho Capital Sun reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls, raised that issue to Idaho health officials. Youre saying, Im getting reports back from the (managed care organization), and theyre saying, Everything is great. All of our providers are happy. Theyre loving it, Cook said. Thats like asking the fox, Hows the hen house? Idahos new managed care contract slated to go to three companies Idahos existing managed care contracts will be phased out for the broader contract to come. Idaho is a very large state. But our health care infrastructure is somewhat limited. And people access health care all over the state. Frequently, we are sending Medicaid participants to different parts of the state, based on the service that they need, Charron said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new contract will task three different managed care organizations to run Idaho Medicaid benefits, for a few reasons, she explained, like: Federal requirements for Medicaid enrollees to have choice under managed care; Creating competition between companies to drive efficiencies; and Redundancy, in case a plan terminates. Before Idaho launches the new managed care contract, Idaho has a lot of preparation to do, state health officials say. Like engaging stakeholders, seeking out more information and contracting out for actuarial services, a pharmacy benefits manager (PBM), a new enrollment broker for Medicaid enrollees to pick managed care plans, and Idaho Medicaids information system. Correction: This story was corrected at 4:50 p.m. June 3 to state that the 6% of Idaho Medicaid enrollees in comprehensive managed care are the roughly 15,000 Idahoans enrolled in managed care plans as dual enrollees in Medicaid and Medicare. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Russias proposal for a 23-day local ceasefire to retrieve the bodies of fallen soldiers, speaking during a June 2 online press conference attended by the Kyiv Independent. Russia proposed a temporary two- to three-day ceasefire in specific areas of the front line to allow for the retrieval of fallen soldiers' bodies, Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky said on June 2. Medinsky, who heads Moscows delegation to the peace talks in Istanbul, made the statement during a press conference following the second round of negotiations with Ukraine. "They just dont see a ceasefire as such at the moment," Zelensky said of Russia's proposal. "As they said regarding a ceasefire, they are ready for a 23-day ceasefire to retrieve the dead from the battlefield. I think theyre idiots, because, fundamentally, a ceasefire is meant so that there are no dead." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You can see their attitude. For them, this is just a brief pause in the war," the president added. "Thats why we really want our American partners to push a sanctions package through the Senate with decisive steps to pressure the Russians into a ceasefire with strong sanctions. They dont understand any other way for now." U.S. President Donald Trump Trump said on May 28 that the U.S. would soon know whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is serious about ending the war. If not, he warned, Washington would "respond a little bit differently." The U.S. president said he had not yet imposed new sanctions on Russia because he believed a peace deal might be within reach. "If I think I'm close to getting a deal, I don't want to screw it up by doing that," he said, but added he is prepared to act if Moscow stalls further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's official proposal, obtained by the Kyiv Independent on June 2, suggests that some existing sanctions against Russia could be lifted in the event of a full ceasefire. However, the plan includes a key condition: sanctions would be automatically reinstated if Russia violates the ceasefire terms. Read also: Operation Spiderweb everything we know about Ukraines audacious attack on Russias heavy bombers Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A chaotic scene unfolded Sunday afternoon as police responded to a terror attack at an outdoor event in Boulder, Colorado, leaving eight people seriously injured. The suspect, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian, was in the country illegally after overstaying a visa under the Biden administrations watch, according to federal authorities. The incident happened this past weekend at a Run for Their Lives walk organized to raise awareness about Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Witnesses say Soliman threw Molotov cocktails (or something similar) at people in attendance, setting them on fire while shouting Free Palestine and other anti-Israel slogans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight victims in total were injured, ranging from 52 to 88 years old, with one victim still reportedly in serious condition. Soliman now faces a collection of felony charges, including first-degree murder, though officials have not confirmed whether any victims have died of their injuries as of Monday morning. The illegal alien is currently booked in the Boulder County Jail on a $10 million bond. Federal immigration records reveal Soliman entered America on August 27, 2022, at Los Angeles International Airport on a non-immigrant visa. Under that visa, he was authorized to remain until February 26, 2023, but he never left the U.S. Despite overstaying his visa. The Biden administration granted Soliman work authorization in March 2023, which remained valid until March of this year, according to Fox News. Solimans recent terror attack is just another example of how lax immigration enforcement from the Biden administration has allowed dangerous people to remain in America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event, an annual walk, is part of an effort to highlight the plight of hostages held by Hamas. Organizers told reporters that the event was apolitical and focused more on humanitarian awareness. However, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser still called the attack a hate crime, saying the event targeted Jewish Americans peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights. From what we know, this attack appears to be a hate crime given the group that was targetedPeople may have differing views about world events and the Israeli-Hamas conflict, but violence is never the answer to settling differences, Weiser added in a written statement. The attack comes amid a troubling rise in anti-Israel and anti-Semitic rhetoric across the country. Just weeks ago, two Israeli Embassy staffers were shot in Washington, D.C., in a separate attack that authorities also labeled as terror-related, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jewish leaders across the country are now calling on law enforcement to step up protection at religious events. The NYPD has already allegedly increased patrols around synagogues and community centers ahead of Shavuot, the Jewish holiday that began at sundown Sunday. As authorities continue to investigate the attack, many in Boulder and across America may be left questioning how an illegal alien from Egypt was able to carry out such a senseless act with apparent ease. For months, Chicagolands transit agencies have sounded an alarm: If lawmakers dont plug a looming $771 million budget gap, they warned, residents will experience drastic service cuts on the CTA, Metra and Pace next year. Over the weekend, Illinois lawmakers adjourned their spring legislative session without passing legislation that would avert the fiscal cliff. The Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees CTA, Metra and Pace, has warned that it will have to start planning for dramatic cuts to transit service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next year, the RTA has warned, riders could experience a 40% reduction in transit service with some rail lines and bus routes eliminated entirely. Nearly 3,000 workers could lose their jobs. Still, service cuts are not slated to start until COVID-19 relief funding runs out in January, or even later into next year. That means there is still time for lawmakers to go back to Springfield to take another stab at passing legislation that would plug the budget gap. However, any legislation passed after May 31 that would take effect before June 2026 requires per the states constitution a three-fifths majority in both chambers rather than a simple majority. That makes lawmakers task harder. Heres what Chicagoans need to know about the future of transit service in the metro area. What happened in the legislature last week? In short, lawmakers in both chambers introduced legislation that would have revamped the structure of the RTA, which oversees the CTA, Metra and Pace. A Senate proposal that included funding mechanisms for those reforms and to avert the looming fiscal cliff largely in the form of various taxes and fees failed to get over the finish line in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the spring legislative session came to a close, a mantra of no funding without reform came to dominate conversations in Springfield about the looming transit fiscal cliff. Bills introduced last week would have replaced the RTA with a new entity called the Northern Illinois Transit Authority that would be given broad planning authority. But after months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, lawmakers only began publicly sharing their ideas for revenue generation on Thursday to avert the fiscal cliff. Those ideas included a 50-cent tollway tax that got shut down after fierce opposition from organized labor and suburban lawmakers and a $1.50 retail delivery fee that garnered similarly ferocious opposition from powerful business groups. Shortly before May 31 gave way to June 1, the Senate approved a version of the bill that would have included the $1.50 package delivery fee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the bill, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Ram Villivalam, was never called for a vote in the House. The legislature adjourned in the early hours of Sunday morning without passing any transit legislation at all. While the General Assembly has been engaged in negotiations over ways to overhaul public transit in the Chicago area for months, if not longer, state Rep. Kam Buckner, a Chicago Democrat who was one of the sponsors of the Houses transit reform bill, noted the Senates approach was different from the Houses in that the Senate decided to include revenue options in its proposal while the House wanted to discuss operational fixes first before getting into how itd all be funded. Buckner noted that he and Chicago Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, the main sponsor of the Houses transit bill, were among the key House Democratic negotiators for the entire state budget, and Buckner said he was concerned about a transit revenue vote in the House derailing the budget talks. Buckner also said the House wasnt aware that the $1.50 delivery proposal from the Senate was a possibility, which is why we never talked about it with our folks. All in all, he felt it would have been disingenuous and irresponsible to ask fellow House members to vote on the bill without being more familiar with its revenue proposals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It jeopardizes the integrity of what weve built in the House and we made the right call, Buckner said of the Houses decision to not call the bill. In a statement on Monday, Villivalam reiterated his consistent message on the issue that there will be no funding without reform and said he looked forward to working with Delgado and Buckner to get this package of reforms and funding across the finish line. Do lawmakers still have time to avert the fiscal cliff? Yes. Lawmakers could go back to Springfield later this year to pass transit legislation that would plug the funding gap. Any laws passed after the end of May taking effect before June 2026 require three-fifths approval in both chambers to pass, which makes the path forward more difficult than it was on May 31. While lawmakers will be scheduled to return to Springfield for the fall veto session, most likely in October or November, theres nothing stopping them from reconvening before that. Lawmakers had already left the door open to the possibility of coming back to the Capitol in the summer if they need to shore up the state budget in response to any action from President Donald Trump that could cause Illinois to lose critical federal funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the RTA said, transit agencies will have to make their budgets for next year assuming theyre not going to get any more money. The RTA has said layoffs could be announced as early as September. Its not clear exactly what might happen if transit workers are told they are facing layoffs and then the legislature, weeks or months later, passes a law ensuring more funding. Its going to be chaotic, said P.S. Sriraj, the director of the Urban Transportation Center at the University of Illinois Chicago. Workers who get pink-slipped would have to start looking for other jobs, he said. Then, if agencies learn they have more funding available and can start ramping up plans for more service, they may have to go out and hire new employees. Youre now behind the eight ball, said Sriraj, who added that he believed the legislature would ultimately find funding for transit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buckner also indicated he understood the urgency for the state to come up with a solution on transit while the CTA is in the midst of crafting their budget. Its very clear to me that they need some stability and need some certainty to know what to do if theyre going to balance their books, Buckner said. What would service cuts look like on the CTA, Metra and Pace? Service cuts throughout the Chicago metro area would be drastic if the legislature doesnt take further action, transit agencies have warned. Service on half of the CTAs eight rail lines could be cut entirely or at least on whole branches of the line, the RTA has said. More than 50 L stations could close or see drastic service cuts. Frequencies on remaining rail lines would be cut 10% to 25%. And as many as 74 out of the CTAs 127 bus routes close to 60% of them could be eliminated. That could leave Chicago with fewer bus routes than Madison, Wisconsin, or Kansas City, Missouri, according to the RTA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Metra, early morning and late evening trains would be cut. Trains might run only once an hour on weekdays and once every two hours on weekends. The Metra Electric Blue Island Branch might be slashed entirely. On Pace buses, weekend service could be cut entirely. Federally mandated ADA paratransit service would still exist, but its service area could be slashed by 66% on the weekends. And as more people take to their cars because of diminished service, traffic throughout the area which is already among the worst in the nation could worsen. Which CTA train lines and bus routes would be eliminated? Which L stations would close? We dont know exactly where service will be cut. Heres what we do know about the process: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This month, the RTA will give the CTA, Metra and Pace directions for the creation of their 2026 budgets. RTA spokesperson Tina Fassett Smith said in a statement over the weekend that its budget must, by law, only include funding we are confident the system will receive in 2026. It will then be up to the agencies to decide how to adjust their planned service for next year. The staff at each agency will prepare proposals and budgets will be released publicly in the fall. As is the case in a typical year, each agency will hold public budget hearings in October or November. Because the agencies receive federal funding, they will almost certainly go through a Title VI process to make sure that any proposed cuts or fare increases do not disproportionately affect people of color or low-income people. For instance, the agencies will have to show that if they are cutting service 40% for riders overall, they are not cutting service by a significantly higher percentage for Black riders or low-income riders. If there will be a disparate impact from proposed cuts, they will have to show that they are taking steps to mitigate those effects. The Title VI process would include public hearings with the opportunity for riders to share their concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the agencies evaluate where to cut service, Sriraj said, theyll be weighing Title VI responsibilities along with ridership metrics on various routes and lines and the availability of alternative modes of transit near routes slated for cuts. The respective boards of the CTA, Metra and Pace would ultimately be responsible for approving any proposed cuts or fare hikes. When would service cuts begin? Cuts would begin in January at the earliest. Maggie Daly Skogsbakken, a spokesperson for Pace, said that though the agencys budget would take effect Jan. 1, its possible the cuts would not take effect until later into the year. She also said that in the past, the agency has phased in large service changes rather than make them all at once. That could happen in this case, she said. Metra spokesperson Michael Gillis similarly said the soonest cuts would begin would be in January. The CTA did not directly address a question about when cuts would take effect, but said in a statement it would plan for a number of scenarios that could occur in 2026. We are committed to working on behalf of our riders and employees, and we look forward to continuing the work to secure funding for Chicago-area public transit, the agency said. Robert M. Nelson here. A couple of years back, I wrote a guest column in this fine newspaper about what can feel like insincere corporate support for Pride how it can be a performative act to maximize profit, that at its worst erodes the authentic queer experience, and at its best gives us a surface level of seen-ness, a mainstream support that often feels as thin as a dollar bill. Since I last wrote here, things have only gotten more worrisome for queer folks in America and are downright terrifying for our transgender siblings. Rights and respect for LGBTQ+ people had been moving forward for the last few decades, but now those rights are being peeled away. And the moment the political headwinds changed, support for LGBTQ+ Americans started to feel very flimsy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pride has always had a special place in my heart, but this year Im feeling it so much more. Robert M. Nelson at Motor City Pride on June 12, 2022. More from Freep Opinion: LGBTQ+ pride is being diluted by corporate rainbow washing I'm worried, and exhausted Growing up, my parents and grandparents taught to me to believe in and to love America a country, a place, a belief come to life an idea that in execution is often severely flawed, but ultimately strives towards the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all, be they an immigrant, gay, queer, women, men, trans, fat, thin, old, Black, Asian, disabled or able-bodied. But it seems our government, and as such, we the American people, are no longer striving our country is feeling like a scarier, far less hopeful place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can feel it, too, cant you? The exhausting weariness of trying to get by in a country where the truth, science and so many people matter far less than they did a few years ago; where the future for anyone who isn't a billionaire and LBGTQ+ folks especially grows darker and darker each day. There are regular attacks on the middle and working classes through the increasing cost of living, cuts to Veterans Affairs, Medicaid and other health services and medical research. Attacks on trans and queer folks, and the executive orders policing the bodies of (mostly) women, transgender and non-binary people, seem to be the steps to a subjugation of queer people and, at some point in the not-so-distant future, of all women. Queer teen suicide ideation (already twice the rate of their straight-identifying counterparts) is up , along with the feeling that people just dont care about each other. And the odds of anything changing in the near term are down. Being an employed, white, gay, cis male with stable housing gives me some privilege, a bit of a shield against whats coming. But watching the erasure of trans folks, queer folks, women, people of color and more, I am very worried concerned, confused and worn-the-hell out. I fluctuate between thinking I, or someone I love, will be disappeared or sent to a gulag, and thinking Im crazy for worrying about being sent to a gulag. (A gulag, an El Salvadorian prison without due process under the law, we are all at risk.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More from Freep Opinion: Trump's attacks on your access to news are all part of Project 2025 It's more important than ever to celebrate I dont know what the future holds, but I do know this from Patroclus and Achilles to me and that dizzyingly dashing bantamweight MMA fighter, queer love has been with us since before recorded time, and it cannot be erased. Its not going anywhere. Alas, queer hate, using the smallest minority as a scapegoat to rally against, has been with us for nearly as long. And thats why we have Pride. Pride Month is more than just a time to wave rainbow flags, show off cute outfits and watch a drag show while eating chicken-on-a-stick. At its very heart, Pride is an event to gather with people who care, with folks who are sharing the same oftentimes lonesome and frightening experience, a place for all who are marginalized to feel accepted, heard, and, for one weekend at Hart Plaza (or last weekend at Ferndale Pride or Hotter Than July next months in Palmer Park, or at the many Pride events across our state) at least, to be surrounded, supported and seen by people just like you. Just like me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pride is a home, and you, queer reader, are Pride. I dont know what we can do to save or reclaim our country, but maybe its the same as what we can do to save or reclaim our sense of self: Rally likeminded individuals to support, to vote, to come together, to shout, to celebrate ourselves, our authentic existence, our lives, our liberty, our pursuit of happiness, our very survival and our Pride.See Robert M. Nelson at the MotorCity Pride Parade on Sunday, June 8 at 12 p.m. Find more information about Detroit's Pride celebration at MotorCityPride.org. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters, and we may publish it online and in print. 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: As a gay man in Detroit, LGBTQ+ Pride is important this year | Opinion Iran Khodro speeds ahead with increased passenger vehicle manufacturing Passenger car production at Irans Irankhodro Automotive Company rose by over 26 percent in the first two months of the current Iranian year compared to the same period last year. The company produced more than 82,000 vehicles, contributing to an overall rise in national car output across major manufacturers. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register (Texas Scorecard) A high-profile immigration enforcement measure is now headed to Gov. Greg Abbotts desk after both chambers approved a compromise hammered out in conference committee over the last week. Senate Bill 8, a top priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the Republican Party of Texas, requires all Texas sheriffs who operate or contract to operate a jail to pursue formal cooperation agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Section 287(g) of the federal Immigration and Nationality Act. State Rep. David Spiller (RJacksboro), who led negotiations for the House, called the legislation heavily negotiated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the Senate first passed SB 8 in April, it applied only to sheriffs in counties with populations over 100,000. But the House broadened the bill significantly, requiring universal coverage for all counties that run jails, regardless of population. That provision was maintained in the final version. We improved the bill with a floor substitute to provide for universal coverage of the 287(g) program to all counties that operate or contract to operate a jail, Spiller told House members Monday. SB 8, in its original form, only had counties with a population of 100,000 or more. This version has expanded that to all counties. Under the final language, counties may enter into any of the three ICE partnership models allowed under federal lawthe task force model, jail enforcement model, or the warrant service model that had been emphasized in the House version. The conference committee also made a major funding shift. While the House had created both a grant and reimbursement program to support implementation, the final bill eliminates the reimbursement system and substantially increases grant funding instead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The monies that were there for the entirety are now basically front-end loaded, said Spiller. We addressed concerns that counties needed funds to be able to implement and operate. Weve done that. The grant program awards counties between $80,000 and $140,000, depending on population, to help cover the cost of implementing an agreement with ICE. These funds can be used for officer compensation, reporting requirements, equipment, training, and detention-related expenses not reimbursed by the federal government. What we now have, in my view, is a very strong bill that achieves the public safety purposes of the bill, Spiller said. It provides universal coverage and cooperation, provides necessary funding to the counties, guarantees coordination with the executive orders and President Trump, and provides assistance and cooperation with our federal partners to assist in enforcing existing immigration law. The legislation now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it into law. Among the students of Oxford University, Sylvanus Sydney Denton was a name to be conjured with. For many years, he made his money selling bicycles to students, while simultaneously developing a passion for modern and contemporary ceramic art. He amassed a collection of over 220 examples which he kept in a specially built kitchen extension. Denton died last year at the age of 90 and his collection has gone on view at Sothebys this week prior to being sold at the end of the month. It is estimated to fetch as much as 1.7 million. It is not known exactly when Denton caught the ceramic bug, but it was probably not until his late forties. Having done his National Service in Kenya he found work back home in Oxford fixing bikes and refurbishing caravans before investing in a bike and toy shop. By 1982 he had four shops and was displaying his ingenuity buying vintage 19th century bikes on which he posed for the local press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sothebys believes his journey to ceramics began with Modern British art (Henry Moore, LS Lowry and Barbara Hepworth) before he discovered more affordable ceramics by the likes of 1930s refugees from Nazi Germany, Hans Coper and Lucy Rie whose pots were beginning to be seen as fine art and superior to craft. Black Cycladic Form Arrow, by Hans Coper According to the sale catalogue, one of Dentons earliest acquisitions was a work by Coper which he bought in 1988 at the trailblazing Oxford Gallery, which presented contemporary ceramics with avant-garde modern art by the likes of Terry Frost and Patrick Heron. Two works he bought there in the 1990s were by Edmund de Waal, the ceramicist and author of The Hare with Amber Eyes, long before he was swept up by the upmarket Gagosian contemporary art gallery. Denton also shopped at auction and in 1997 bought a Black Cycladic Form Arrow pot by Coper at Bonhams for about 9,000. To give an idea how Copers prices have moved, another Cycladic Form Arrow pot bought by a different collector in the 1970s for 250 sold in 2018 for 381,000. Dentons example at Sothebys is a comparatively tame 100,000 (check). Sothebys describes Dentons collection as one of the finest collections of studio and contemporary ceramics in private hands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Apart from Coper there are several delicate works by Rie in the 25,000-50,000 range, and a standout work by Elizabeth Fritsch, who is currently enjoying a high-profile exhibition at The Hepworth Wakefield museum near Leeds. Denton bought Fritschs 20-inch, vividly coloured Spout Pot (1998) for a double estimate record 10,160 at Bonhams in 2004, since when her record has risen to 51,400 last year. The estimate for Spout Pot has now doubled to 12,000-18,000. Large Spout Pot, by Elizabeth Fritsch Another auction buy was a playfully twisted Monumental Body Pot, by Joanna Constantinidis which Denton bought for a record 1,600 at Bonhams in 2002, two years after she died. Posthumously, her prices have crept up to 15,000 for another Body Pot in 2021 so Dentons example, now estimated at 4,000-6,000 should make more. His favoured method of acquisition, however, was to buy directly from the artists themselves; he was very popular with potters. One was Dame Magdalene Odundo, the British Nigerian who was the subject of an impressive exhibition at The Hepworth Wakefield in 2019. Three burnished terracotta pots by her in the sale all date from 1990/91, before she was famous. There is no record of their cost, but by this point art dealers were charging 5,000, compared to 250 in the 1970s. Since then, her prices have been multiplying. At auction in around 2010 they were selling for 10,000-15,000, but after The Hepworth Wakefield show was announced and she was signed up by leading contemporary art dealer Thomas Dane, wealthy collectors like fashion designer Jonathan Anderson (who has been announced as the new head designer at Dior) began buying her work and at auction they soared to a record 533,400 for one of her pots in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The estimate on that work was 100,000, a record for Odundo at the time. Now Sothebys has gone a step further with two from Dentons collection estimated at 150,000 each. This is, though, a collection of value extremes. While most of the value is concentrated in just a handful of artists, the majority of lots are estimated at under 3,000 each, some with no reserve minimum price. Other artists include Janet and David Leach, the wife and son of the influential potter Bernard Leach, and Richard Batterham, a student of Leach who died in 2021 the same year that a pair of his pots hit a record 20,000 at auction. So, for fledgling ceramic collectors its time to get on your bikes and bid. How the art market is coping with sanctions on Russia The sanctions that were imposed on Russian businesses after Putins invasion of Ukraine in 2022 put an end to the regular art sales, worth millions of pounds, which London used to stage mainly for the benefit of Russian buyers. Russian art auctions in London went from being worth over 100 million a year to nothing. But last year, Sothebys held a sale unnoticed by the press entitled Faberge, Imperial & Revolutionary Works of Art, which included Russian paintings, and it exceeded its 2.9 million estimate to make 3.9 million. And this November they are planning a repeat. So what is going on? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to analysis conducted by advisory group Overstone Art Services, Russian art continues to appear, but in different sale categories from Old Master and 19th century to Modern. Russian art can be bought and sold, so long as the client is not a Russian passport holder or on a sanctions list. This April, for instance, Sothebys included two paintings by the 19th century artist Richard Zommer, who worked in Central Asia and would previously have been sold in a Russian art sale, in its sale of Orientalist art together with a variety of European artists. Chaikhana, by Richard Zommer One of his paintings, a depiction of a chaikhana (or meeting place for travellers) on the Silk Road, was estimated at 20,000 and sold for a record 114,300. Trade sources believe the Russian art market is buoyant within Russia, better than property, and that Russian buyers are still active in the West but operate under a dual nationality, as Ukrainian, say, or Belarusian. In a statement released to the Telegraph last week, Sothebys said: Today there is a significant diaspora of Russians who collect. As ever, we have worked to ensure that we are complying with sanctions and other restrictions placed on Russian clients and property of Russian origin. Where appropriate, we have also been offering Russian paintings in international sales across various selling locations. While the international auction market for Russian art remains significantly smaller than it was, we have seen areas of positive momentum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement echoes Overstones observation that while sale totals are down, average hammer prices for Russian artists have increased, indicating that growth is already beginning to occur. If this trend continues, it seems likely that the accessibility of the Russian paintings market will increase, thus allowing for the market to grow again when the situation is more settled. 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. Sen. Mike Bohacek, right, talks to Sen Greg Walker, R-Columbus, on the Senate floor on Jan. 23, 2025. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Charges are pending against Republican Indiana Sen. Mike Bohacek for a January drunk driving incident that remained under wraps for months shielded by legislative immunity during the 2025 session. Bohacek, of Michiana Shores, was stopped by police on Jan. 24 after a citizen reported him drinking an open container and stumble out of his vehicle at a Panda Express in Michigan City, according to charging documents obtained by the Indiana Capital Chronicle. He was later pulled over near Swan Lake Cemetery on U.S. 20, where he refused a breathalyzer test. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police then took him to a hospital, where a blood test showed a blood alcohol content of 0.28% more than three times Indianas legal limit of 0.08%. But Bohacek wasnt arrested at the time. Under Indiana law, members of the General Assembly are shielded from arrest in most cases during the legislative session a protection known as legislative immunity. That meant Bohaceks case was kept sealed and the senator remained uncharged for months. Porter County Prosecutor Gary Germann, appointed as special prosecutor in the case, said the charges were filed shortly after his office was appointed in May but they werent made public until Monday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two other judges recused themselves and the current Special Judge is LaPorte Circuit Judge Julianne K. Havens. Bohacek did not respond to the Capital Chronicles requests for comment. A Senate communications staffer also declined to comment, saying the incident falls into the personal matter category. Details emerge Anonymous rumors about the incident circulated online after the January incident, but details were not publicly disclosed until Monday. Charging documents provided by Germann show that Bohacek was stopped by a Michigan City police officer just before 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 24, a Friday. The senator was allegedly speeding while driving a 2023 Dodge Charger bearing his Indiana legislative license plate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officer at the scene claimed Bohaceks speech was quiet and slow; that his eyes were red, watery (and) bloodshot, and that he had poor balance and staggered from his vehicle. Charging records additionally note that he was covered in food. Bohacek admitted to consuming his prescription medication Tramadol as prescribed prior to driving. Tramadol is a prescription opioid pain medication used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain, often after surgery or for chronic conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic. After refusing a breathalyzer, the senators blood was drawn at around 4:30 p.m. the same day at Northwest Health Hospital in LaPorte. Results of that test later indicated a blood alcohol content of 0.283%, and no drugs present, according to the charging paperwork. Bohacek was back taking votes in the Indiana Senate chamber the following Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Online court records show Bohacek had several prior traffic citations, including ignoring a stop sign; speeding; and driving the wrong direction on a one-way. Bohacek was first elected to the Indiana Senate in November 2016. He represents District 8, which includes Starke County, as well as portions of LaPorte, Marshall, and St. Joseph counties. He most recently served on the Corrections and Criminal Law, Health and Provider Services, and Local Government committees. Before joining the General Assembly, Bohacek served as a two-term LaPorte County Commissioner and was a member of the Michiana Shores Town Council. He additionally works as an enterprise consultant with Echo Global Logistics and owns MSL Services Inc., a company based in Michiana Shores, according to his legislative biography. What is legislative immunity? A specific section in the Indiana Constitution states that lawmakers are immune from arrest during session in all cases except treason, felony, or breach of the peace during the legislative session, as well as while traveling to and from the Indiana Statehouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most recent session started on Jan. 8 and adjourned on April 25. Bohaceks charges add to a series of other alcohol-related incidents involving separate Indiana lawmakers. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US In May 2023, Republican Rep. Jim Lucas was arrested after crashing his vehicle into a guardrail and driving the wrong way on an interstate entrance ramp. Lucas, of Seymour, pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident, both misdemeanors. He received a suspended sentence, was placed on probation, and was removed from interim legislative committee assignments. Lucas was reelected for a seventh term last November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before that, Democratic Rep. Dan Forestal was arrested in 2019 for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, resisting law enforcement, and impersonating a public servant. Forestal, of Indianapolis, died in 2021 after his legislative tenure had ended. In 2009, former Democratic Rep. Dennie Oxley was arrested for misrepresenting himself as a state legislator to avoid arrest for public intoxication and was later convicted. Oxley claimed legislative immunity at the time of the incident, even though he was no longer an elected representative. And in 2002, Republican Sen. Johnny Nugent was arrested for DUI with a blood alcohol content of 0.13%. Voters repeatedly re-elected Nugent until he retired from the Indiana Senate in 2014. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Attorney Libby Nelson chose to go to law school because she wanted to help people. Her next step in achieving that goal is with Indiana Immigration Attorneys, a new law office that recently opened in Logansport. Indiana Immigration Attorneys will offer a full spectrum of services. Nelson said they already had asylum clients come through but they will also accept family-based cases such as issues surrounding marriage, employment and more. She said they can also help local businesses who might have questions about employing immigrants. The firm opened on May 5 and Nelson said they had been meeting with new clients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laws change constantly, especially in immigration law, she said. I just want everyone who is able to talk with us to come talk to us. Nelson said the best advice she had was to hire an attorney before problems arise, especially at this moment in time, but understood that not everyone had the resources to do such a thing. Indiana Immigrant Attorneys has a bilingual staff that speaks Spanish and English, and they also have the capability to translate between 300 different languages using virtual technology, including video interpreters who help the firm. While the office is still in the process of being set up, there will be two rooms with state of the art video conferencing hardware. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Karla Chavez works as a Spanish translator for the firm and said she was excited about the difference Indiana Immigrant Attorneys can make for the community. I know that (we) will be able to help guide people in the right direction and give back some of the hope many of those have lost, she said. Im Just really grateful for the opportunity to be a small part of someones path to the American Dream even if it starts with simply picking up the phone. Nelson is originally from Logansport. She studied law at the University of Arkansas Little Rock and also started her law career in Florida before coming home. She said she became really aware of the immigrant experience while attending law school and she began to understand it was an area of law that needed more attorneys. But she also had friends as a child who she recalled had parents struggling with immigration law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a good thing for me to be introduced to it when I was and to have the opportunity to start here, she said. Local attorney Andrew Miller approached Nelson and told her there was no one in the area focusing on immigration law. I thought yes, our community needs that. Our community needs the service, she said. Miller said he learned about Nelson and the work she wanted to do during a conversation with her mother. He thought Nelson was someone who had a strong set of values and the grit to fight for those who needed help. I think the current circumstances demand those with conviction to stand up and actually do something, he said. I felt Libby would be a good and worthy advocate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller praised The Bridge for having its Immigration Connection but said there were limitations as to what The Bridge could do because its not staffed by attorneys. There are no immigration only firms essentially north of Indianapolis, said Miller. There is a huge geographical gap and then just the knowledge that the immigrants in our community, in order to get access to legal services, they were having to go to Chicago or having to go to Indianapolis. Nelson said wanting to be a helper in life came naturally to her and she credited her parents for giving her examples of kindness to follow. I think maybe it was just how I was raised, she said. I truly believe I was given these gifts or talents and the best way to use them is to help others. I was fortunate enough to be able to go to law school so I want to use those skills to help others. Those interested in learning more about the services offered at Indiana Immigration Attorneys may do so by calling 574-355-8017 or by emailing info@indianaimmigrationattorneys.com. Indiana Immigration Attorneys is located at 1810 Commerce Dr. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) Indiana State University has announced it will be holding a public hearing to receive input on student tuition and mandatory student fees for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years. Even though there will be no increase in student tuition planned for full-time undergraduate students or graduate Indiana resident students for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years, the university said non-resident full-time undergraduate and graduate students tuition will increase by 5% in 2025-2026 and additional 5% in 2026-2027. At last, some welcome news on college costs. Tuition has fallen significantly at many schools Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The university said this increase to non-resident students tuition is necessary to fund the universitys operating budget. The Student Recreation Center fee and Student Health and Wellness fee for both academic years will remain flat at $100 and $40 per semester. The hearing will provide the public with an opportunity to comment on the proposed tuition and mandatory fees for the academic year as required by Indiana Code 21-14-2-8. The public can provide comments to the university at its hearing on June 12, at 1:00 p.m. in the Stateroom located in Tirey Hall. The university asks individuals to limit comments to three minutes or less. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Student housing costs are rising. Heres how to lower your bill The Indiana State Board of Trustees will review the public comments from the hearing and then are scheduled to vote on the tuition proposal and fees at the June 27 meeting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Miguel Guimaraes, a Shipibo-Konibo leader, has spent his life protesting palm oil plantations and other agribusiness ventures exploiting the Amazon rainforest in his homeland of Peru. Last spring, as he attended a United Nations conference on protecting human rights defenders in Chile, masked men broke into his home, stole his belongings, and set the place on fire. Guimarares returned days later to find he will not live spray-painted on the wall. The U.N. special rapporteur on human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, denounced the attack and urged Peru to guarantee Guimarares protection. Although Guimaraes enjoyed international support, his assailants havent been identified. Guimaraes is one of 6,400 activists who endured harassment or violence for defending human rights against corporate interests. Thats according to a new report from the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre that chronicles attacks and civil violations human rights defenders worldwide have experienced over the past decade. Although Indigenous people make up 6 percent of the world population, they accounted for one-fifth of the crimes documented in the report. They also were more likely than others to be killed, particularly in Brazil, the Philippines, and Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of these attacks arise from the range of ways governments are restricting civic space and discourse and prioritizing economic profit, said Christen Dobson, an author of the report and co-head of the Civic Freedoms and Human Rights Defenders Programme. Over the past 10 years, weve seen a consistent, sustained pattern of attacks against people who speak out against business-related human rights, risks, and harms, he said. People like Guimaraes experience a wide variety of harassment, including judicial intimidation, physical violence, death threats, and killings. Most abuse stems from defenders raising concerns about the social and environmental harm industrial development brings to their communities and land. (More than three-quarters of all cases involve environmental defenders, and 96 percent of the Indigenous people included in the report were advocating for environmental and land issues.) The majority are tied to increased geopolitical tensions, a crackdown on freedom of speech, and the global minerals race, the report found. Most of these attacks are reported by local organizations focused on documenting and collecting Indigenous cases, and the number of crimes against them may be higher. The only reason we know about even a slice of the scale of attacks against defenders worldwide is because defenders themselves are sharing that information, often at great risk, said Dobson. Virtually every industry has a case in the database that the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre maintains. The organization has tracked companies, trade associations, and governments believed to have requested, or paid, law enforcement to intervene in peaceful protest activity. In 2023, for example, local authorities in Oaxaca, Mexico, attacked and injured members of the Union of Indigenous Communities of the Northern Zone of the Isthmus who were peacefully blocking the Mogone Viejo-Vixidu railway, which posed a threat to 12 Indigenous communities in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline saw the highest number of attacks related to a single project over the last decade, the report found. Around 100,000 people in 2016 and 2017 gathered to oppose the pipeline and were met with a campaign of harassment, intimidation, and arrest. Energy Transfer, the company that led the project, filed a defamation suit accusing Greenpeace of violating trespassing and defamation laws and coordinating the protests. In March, a jury ordered Greenpeace to pay $660 million in damages, a verdict legal experts called wildly punitive. The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre cites that lawsuit as an example of companies using a legal tactic called a strategic lawsuit against public participation, or SLAPP suit, to silence dissent and harass protesters. But Energy Transfer cited that courtroom victory in its response to the nonprofits report: The recent verdict against Greenpeace was also a win for the people of North Dakota who had to live through the daily harassment and disruptions caused by the protesters who were funded and trained by Greenpeace. Fossil fuel companies were hardly the only offenders, however. Dobson and her team identified several cases involving renewable energy sectors, where projects have been linked to nearly 365 cases of harassment and more than 100 killings of human rights defenders. But mining, including the extraction of transition minerals, leads every sector in attacks on defenders. Forty percent of those killed in such crimes were Indigenous, a reflection of the fact that more than half of all critical minerals lie in or near Indigenous land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outsize scale of harassment and violence against Indigenous people prompted the U.N. special rapporteur to release a statement last year making clear that a just transition to green energy must support Indigenous peoples in securing their collective land rights and self-determination over their territories, which play a vital role in biodiversity, conservation, and climate change adaptation. Businesses, particularly those in mining and metals, are being pressured to ensure their operations do just that. The Consolidated Mining Standard Initiative, or CSMI, for example, is a voluntary framework to improve industry policies adopted by several trade associations like the Mining Association of Canada. The standard addresses a broad range of community risks by requiring mining operations to work with communities to identify and work together to mitigate risks faced by the community, the association said. Such risks include those to human rights defenders, where they exist. Another member of the initiative, the International Council of Mining and Metals, said it has strengthened our member commitments on human rights defenders to explicitly include defenders in companies due diligence, stakeholder engagement, and security processes. Defenders often work on issues related to land, the environment, and Indigenous peoples rights. Even as this report highlights the dangers human rights defenders face, a growing need for critical minerals, mounting demand for the infrastructure to support AI, and the dismantling of regulatory oversight in the United States bring new threats. The report also makes clear that these attacks will not decrease until broad agreements to adopt and implement protections for these activists are enacted. Such policies must be accompanied by legislation designating Indigenous stewardship of their land and requiring their involvement in project consultations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet Indigenous organizations tend to doubt any industry can be trusted to voluntarily participate in such efforts. In a letter sent to the CSMI, 25 human rights organizations including the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre said mandatory participation will be required to ensure robust protection of human rights defenders and relationships between industry and Indigenous peoples. People and the environment suffer when companies are left to self-regulate with weak voluntary standards, the letter stated. Still, change is coming, however slowly. When Dobson and her team started tracking the harassment and violence against human rights defenders, she wasnt aware of any companies with a policy pledging to not contribute to or assist attacks against defenders. Since then, Weve tracked 51 companies that have made this policy commitment, she said. Unfortunately that doesnt always mean we see progress in terms of implementation of those policies. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Indigenous land defenders face rising threats amid global push for critical minerals on Jun 2, 2025. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Back in March, First News reported on an inmate being beaten and tied up by other inmates at the private prison on the East Side. Now, the inmate is seeking damages from the detention facility. Read next: 2 dead in suspected murder-suicide before Dover Township graduation party Filed in the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas on Wednesday, the inmate is seeking $25,000 from CoreCivic, the company that runs the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center (NEOCC) on Hubbard Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WKBN is not releasing the name of the inmate for safety reasons. The lawsuit states that the inmate was subjected to hours of physical and psychological torture and harm by other inmates, including beatings and humiliation, from March 6 to 7. Youngstown police were not notified of the incident until March 8, according to the police report filed by YPD. According to the report, the inmate reported to officers that he had been sexually assaulted as well. The filing states that much of the incident was livestreamed by inmates on cell phones. First News was sent a video of the incident, and CoreCivic confirmed its authenticity. We are not sharing that video at this point while we obtain a release for its use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The inmate states in the lawsuit that during the two days, he was not checked on by any employee. He is seeking $25,000 in damages, as well as attorney fees, and a trial by jury. YPD reports state that the inmates demanded money from the man, and the inmates family members sent over $3,000 to a CashApp account. As of Monday morning, CoreCivic has not filed a response in court. CoreCivic provided this statement to First News: Although were unable to discuss the details of the case while it goes through the legal process, we want to emphasize our strong commitment to the safety and well-being of our staff and every person in our care at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center (NEOCC). CoreCivic Public Affairs Manager Brian Todd Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ukraines drone attack against Russian airfields was audacious and daring. But most of all, it was meticulously planned and flawlessly executed. New footage released on Wednesday shows in stunning detail the surgical precession with which the Ukrainians struck where they knew it would make a difference, damaging or destroying military aircraft that Moscow has been using to terrorize Ukrainian civilians with near daily aerial attacks. The video, released by the SBU, Ukraines security agency, shows drones approaching dozens of planes of different types across several airfields as aircraft burn and explode around them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian military officials said 41 Russian aircraft were hit, including strategic bombers and surveillance planes, with some destroyed and others damaged. Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, said the attack was a stunning success for Ukraines special services. If even half the total claim of 41 aircraft damaged/destroyed is confirmed, it will have a significant impact on the capacity of the Russian Long Range Aviation force to keep up its regular large-scale cruise missile salvos against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, whilst also maintaining their nuclear deterrence and signaling patrols against NATO and Japan, he wrote in a note. This is what we know about how the attack unfolded. Striking from within Russia The attacks targeted four airfields deep inside Russia, with the farthest one, the Belaya base in Irkutsk region, some 4,500 kilometers (2,800 miles) from Ukraines border with Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other targets included the Olenya base near Murmansk in the Arctic Circle, more than 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) from Ukraine; the Diaghilev airbase in Ryazan Oblast, some 520 kilometers (320 miles) from Ukraine; and the Ivanovo air base, which is a base for Russian military transport aircraft, some 800 kilometers (500 miles) from the border. A visual shared by the SBU also showed another base in the eastern Amur region as a target. It is not clear whether an attack on this base failed or was aborted. Its these huge distances from the border with Ukraine that likely made Russia complacent about protecting the sites. Its most prized aircraft at the Belaya base were regularly parked in plain sight in the airfield, clearly visible in publicly available satellite images including on Google Maps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Satellite images provided to CNN by Maxar show planes parked on the airfield next to what appears to be a decoy a picture of a plane painted on the ground in white paint. Many of the aircraft are seen with tires and other dark objects placed on their wings and roofs, an apparent attempt to make them harder to spot for some missile guidance systems. An aircraft and a decoy aircraft painted on tarmac are seen in this satellite image of the Diaghilev airbase in Ryazan Oblast in Russia on March 9, 2025. - Maxar Moscow likely believed the distance itself was enough to keep the aircraft safe from Ukrainian attacks. Russia maintains air superiority over Ukraine and while Kyivs allies have supplied Ukraine with some long-range missile systems, including US-made ATACMS and British-French Storm Shadows, neither has the range to strike this deep inside Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has been using drones against targets inside Russia, including in Moscow, but the low speed at which they travel makes them relatively easy for Russian air defenses to strike them. This is where the audacity of the attack really played out: rather than trying to fly the drones all the way from the border, Ukraine managed to smuggle them right next to the sites it wanted to target and launched them from there. This picture shows drones said to be used by Ukraine in its coordinated attacks on Russian air bases. - Obtained by CNN Insufficient Russian defenses Russias radar and air defenses at these bases were not prepared for such a low-altitude and sudden attack. The only effective way to stop an attack like this is with heavy machine guns. Russia has been using these against Ukrainian sea drones in the Black Sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But these were either not available or not deployed quickly enough at the air bases targeted by Ukraine on Sunday most likely because Russia simply didnt foresee this type of attack. CNN was able to verify and geolocated photos and videos from the scenes, confirming their locations near the bases. Russias Defense Ministry confirmed in a statement that the attacks which it called terror attacks were launched from the vicinity of the airfields. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky said 117 drones were used in the operation. According to the SBU, the drones were smuggled into Russia by its operatives. At some point, likely while already in Russia, the drones were then hidden inside mobile wooden sheds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photos obtained by CNN show the drones tucked just under the sheds metal roofs, slotted in insulation cavities. The drones hidden in cavities of wooden sheds. - Obtained by CNN This handout photo from the Ukrainian Security Service shows wooden sheds in an industrial facility. (Note: The location and date of this image has not been independently verified and a portion of this image was blurred by the source.) - From the Ukrainian Security Service/Reuters These wooden cabins were then placed on trucks and driven to locations near the bases. Ukraine did not disclose how exactly it managed to get the vehicles into the vicinity of high-profile military targets without detection, but reports in Russian media suggested it was relatively simple. Baza and Astra, two Russian Telegram channels, both reported that the trucks were bought by a Ukrainian man who lived in Russia who then simply paid a quartet of drivers to get them where he needed them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither Russian nor Ukrainian authorities commented on these reports, but the Russian state news agency RIA reported that authorities in the Irkutsk region were searching for a man who was suspected of being involved in the attack. His name matched the name reported by Baza and Astra. The Ukrainian Security Service said the operatives involved in the operation were safely back in Ukraine by the time the attacks started. Zelensky said they worked across multiple Russian regions spanning three time zones. A senior source with Ukraines drone development program told CNN the pilots who flew the drones were probably nowhere near the locations from which they were launched. They would have likely setup an internet hub allowing the pilots to (control them) remotely, each rapidly deploying each FPV (first person view drones), hitting each target one by one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The source said the communication hub could be a simple Russian cell phone which is harder to track than other systems, such as Starlink that is used widely in Ukraine. A source briefed on the matter confirmed the attack was carried out via Russian telecommunications networks. Once the trucks were in place and the drones ready to go, the cabin roofs opened and the drones flew towards their targets. The footage released on Wednesday shows the drones getting incredibly close to the aircraft, flying around and looking for the best place to strike. They approach the aircraft seemingly undetected, hitting one plane after another. Brilliant operation A video of the attack in Russias southeastern Irkutsk region that was shared on social media and verified and geolocated by CNN shows two drones flying out of a truck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are seen heading towards the Belaya air base in the distance, where thick dark smoke is already billowing from a previous strike. Another video from the same location shows the truck used to transport the drones on fire after what appears to be an explosion designed to self-destruct the truck. Zelensky said on Sunday that the attack was in the making for one year, six months and nine days, and praised the security services for a brilliant operation. Russian officials have downplayed the attack, saying strikes were repelled in the Ivanovo, Ryazan and Amur regions but that several pieces of aircraft caught fire after attacks in the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions. It added that the fires had since been extinguished. It said there were no casualties. But while Russian authorities tried to downplay the attack, several high-profile Russian military bloggers have been vocal in their criticism. Rybar, a high-profile Russian military blog, said the attack caused a tragic loss for the entire Russian air fleet and was a result of criminal negligence. The SBU said the strikes caused an estimated $7 billion in damages and hit 34% of Russias strategic cruise missile carriers at its main air bases a claim CNN cannot independently verify. Satellite imagery captured June 4 shows the remains of three strategic bombers at Russia's Olenya airbase in Murmansk Oblast. - Maxar Technologies Ukraine said it destroyed several TU-95 and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers and one of Russias few remaining A-50 surveillance planes. Air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat told Ukrainska Pravda that while some of the aircraft were completely destroyed and some were damaged beyond repair, some may be repairable although he said they would likely be out of action for a long time. A source briefed on the matter said 27 Tu-95, four Tu-160, two Tu-22M3 and probably an A-50 were hit. The footage released on Wednesday shows Ukrainian drones approaching two of the rare A-50 aircraft, although it is unclear whether both were hit. The Russian air force uses the aircraft for airspace surveillance and early detection of airborne threats. It also plays a role in command and control of aerial attacks against Ukraine. The Tu-22M3 is Russias long-range missile strike platform that can perform stand-off attacks, launching missiles from Russian airspace well behind the front lines to stay out of range of Ukrainian anti-aircraft fire. Russia had 55 Tu-22M3 jets and 57 Tu-95s in its fleet at the beginning of the year, according to the Military Balance 2025 report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank. The Tu-95 joined the Soviet Union air force in the 1950s, and Russia has modified them to launch cruise missiles like the Tu-22. Bronk, the RUSI expert, said that replacing some of these aircraft would be very difficult for Russia because they have not been produced for decades. CNNs Natasha Bertrand contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Irans Hormozgan trade flows expand as oil and non-oil exports rise Exports of oil and non-oil products from the western ports of Irans Hormozgan Province have shot up by more than 50% in the first two months of the current Iranian year. Close to 1.2 million tons of goods hit the road, with hefty shipments rolling out from the ports of Lengeh, Siri, and Lavan. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BAMAKO (Reuters) -An Al Qaeda-linked jihadist group active in West Africa's Sahel region has claimed an attack on a military base in Mali on Sunday that two sources said had killed more than 30 soldiers. In a separate attack on Monday, the group, Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), said it targeted a military airport and Russian mercenaries in the northern city of Timbuktu, where residents described taking cover from explosions and gunfire. More than 400 soldiers have reportedly been killed by insurgents since the start of May in bases and towns in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, an unstable region prone to coups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunday's attack in central Mali hit a military base in Boulkessi, near the border with Burkina Faso. The Malian army said in a statement it had been forced to pull back after dogged defence, but gave no casualty numbers. Two security sources said more than 30 soldiers had been killed. A municipal source at Mondoro, near the base, said there were many dead. Videos shared online showed dozens of insurgents overrunning the base. One showed militants stepping on the bodies of soldiers who had fallen between sandbags. Reuters could not immediately authenticate the videos. In Timbuktu, the assailants hit multiple positions with heavy gunfire and shelling, residents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There was panic, people are locked in their homes, we don't know what's going on," one resident told Reuters, before relative calm returned to the city. Mali's army said on X on Monday afternoon that the situation was under control and that 13 jihadists had been killed. "Based on the evidence that is emerging, the scale of the assault and the immediate claims by JNIM suggests this was a long-term and carefully planned attack," said Byron Cabrol, senior Africa analyst at Dragonfly. WIDENING INSECURITY JNIM has claimed a host of recent attacks in the region. On May 24, it said it had assaulted a base in Dioura, in central Mali, killing 40 soldiers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last Friday, it said it had seized a base in Sirakorola in southwestern Mali, although the army said it had repelled the attack. It did not provide a toll for that incident either. In neighbouring Burkina Faso, JNIM claimed attacks on military positions and the town of Djibo in mid-May in which it said it had killed 200 soldiers. And in Niger, more than 100 soldiers were killed in two attacks in the Tahoua region on May 24 and the Dosso region on May 26, security sources said. Neither Burkina Faso nor Niger has published a death toll. All three countries are ruled by juntas that seized power between 2020 and 2023, citing the inability of civilian governments to stamp out jihadist insurgencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All have cut ties with Western nations and turned to Russia for military support, but are still struggling to contain violence that has displaced millions. (Reporting by Mali newsroom Additional reporting by Portia CroweWriting by Bate Felix and Ayen Deng Bior Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet, Kevin Liffey and Alex Richardson) NEW YORK (AP) U.S. health officials have changed their advice to international travelers about measles, saying that Americans should be vaccinated against the virus no matter where they're going. U.S. residents are recommended to get measles-mumps-rubella shots, anyway. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention previously emphasized the importance of vaccination for travelers going to countries with outbreaks. Last week, the CDC updated its guidance to call for vaccinations for travelers going to all other countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashley Darcy-Mahoney, a researcher at George Washington University's nursing school, called the update significant. An Colorado outbreak last month stemmed from an international flight that landed in Denver, she noted. The CDC travel notice change reflects a recognition that people are not just being exposed to measles in countries where it's spreading, but also in airplanes and during travel, she added. We're seeing a shift from localized outbreaks to transmission in transit, and the CDC seems to be responding to that, Darcy-Mahoney said. The travel notice advises two doses for all Americans ages 1 and older. An early dose is advised for traveling infants ages 6 months to 11 months. The U.S. has seen more than 1,000 measles cases so far this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ 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. Today, the Georgia Recorder is moving into a new chapter, and as the Recorders new editor, I wanted to take a moment to reintroduce us. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder For nearly six years, weve covered high-stakes elections. Weve been your eyes and ears at the state Capitol. And weve explained what policy decisions made in Atlanta mean for communities across Georgia. Administrations, politicians and agency heads have come and gone during that time, but our mission has stayed the same: To provide meaningful coverage of state policy and politics without a paywall to readers living below the gnat line, in the mountains of north Georgia and anywhere in between. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a nonprofit news outlet, our stories and photos are also available for local newsrooms to complement the vital work they are doing and available to republish for free. The generous support of our readers and donors to our parent organization, States Newsroom, makes all this possible. Thats especially true during these uncertain economic times when many Georgians are having to make hard choices to get by. The Georgia Recorders founding editor John McCosh (far left) is retiring and Jill Nolin (third from right) will serve as the new editor. Also pictured from right to left is senior reporter Stanley Dunlap, reporter Maya Homan, national editor Adam Kealoha Causey, deputy editor Ross Williams and intern Amber Roldan. Adam Kealoha Causey/States Newsroom And today, the Georgia Recorder is moving into a new chapter. Our founding editor John McCosh is retiring and handing the reins over to me, and as the Recorders new editor, I wanted to take a moment to reintroduce us. Ive been with the Recorder since we launched in 2019, serving you as the deputy editor. And before that, I covered state politics and policy for a chain of newspapers around the state (shoutout to CNHI). All told, I have been covering the state Capitol here for a decade now, doing my part to help tell the story of Georgias evolution into the swingy, purpley state it has become and all that comes with it and what that means for you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Recorder staff includes veterans, like our new deputy editor, Ross Williams, who focuses on education and economic inequality. Senior reporter Stanley Dunlap covers energy and environmental issues, including what the Trump administrations policies mean for Georgians and the resources they rely on. And reporter Maya Homan has joined us to cover state politics with an emphasis on voting rights and immigration. And Im still chasing down stories about health care and the states safety net systems. Well all pitch in on the campaign trail. Two Public Service Commission seats are on the ballot this year, and the 2026 midterms are already ramping up, as Georgians prepare to pick a new governor and as U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff works to defend his seat in a state President Donald Trump won last year. You can read more about us, our beats and how to submit story tips, questions or feedback here. Feel free to shoot us a note at info@georgiarecorder.com, too. And you can also have our work sent directly to you every morning by signing up for our daily newsletter. Were also on Facebook, Bluesky and Instagram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We may be undergoing some changes, but our commitment to you is the same: To deliver the same scrappy, independent reporting and analysis of the days news that youve come to appreciate. That kind of unflinching coverage of our state Capitol is more crucial today than its ever been, and we are renewing our pledge to be a resource amid the chaos for all Georgians, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. We promise to always do our best to get the facts right, to be fair in our reporting and to be transparent. Because we recognize that your trust in the medias credibility is the foundation for all that we do not to mention foundational to democracy. So, thanks for joining us for the ride, and if youre new to us, were so glad youre here. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Tegus are like a cross between an iguana, a snake and a lizard, and people are seeing them more often near Palm Beach County. The invasive Argentine black and white tegu has reproducing populations in Hillsborough, Miami-Dade and Charlotte counties, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Scientists also discovered an emerging population in St. Lucie County. Tegus in other Florida counties are likely there because they are escaped or released pets. Still, the lizards have been spotted crawling around Palm Beach County for more than a decade, said Amy Kight, executive director of Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter Farms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She gets calls about tegu sightings around canal banks at least once a year. I have a feeling people see them more, but just dont know what they are looking at, wrote Kight in a prepared statement. They come from all over the place. We have cared for a few over the years. Schools: Who are the 2025 teachers of the year in northern Palm Beach County? Meet the winners! What is a tegu? Argentine black and white tegus are not native to Florida, but to South America: Brazil, Paraguay, eastern Uruguay and northern Argentina. The omnivores are only protected by anti-cruelty laws in Florida and can be humanely killed on private property with permission from the landowner, according to FWC. They can also be captured and humanely killed without a permit or hunting license on 32 Commission-managed lands in South Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lizards can reach nearly 5 feet long and live up to 20 years. They lay about 35 eggs each year. They have a dotted black-and-white pattern along their backs and tails. While they are climbers, they rarely reach more than a few feet off the ground. Tegus are also strong swimmers. They hibernate during the winter months. In South Florida, they emerge from their burrows in February, just in time for breeding in spring. Are tegus dangerous? Pictured, an Argentine black and white tegu, which can grow nearly 5 feet long and is an invasive, non-native species that is prohibited in Florida. Tegus can be dangerous if people try to catch them, but they are not considered aggressive. They dont typically chase people and attack them if left unprovoked, Kight said. However, they are known as egg-eaters and can disrupt Florida wildlife. They may eat American alligator eggs and gopher tortoise hatchlings. What should you do if you find a tegu? Information on how to report an Argentine black and white tegu lizard is seen next to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission truck at Ffa Road during a media briefing on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, in Fort Pierce. The FWC is actively taking steps to try and remove the nonnative lizards. Those who find tegus should not try to catch the tegu themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, take a picture of it and call FWC, which has a wildlife alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922). FWC also encourages people to report tegu sightings to its exotic species hotline at 888-Ive-Got1 (888-483-4681). Is it legal to own a tegu in Florida? Tegus are a prohibited species in Florida and cannot be kept without a permit from FWC. People who have tegus as pets can surrender them without penalties through FWCs exotic pet amnesty program. Maya Washburn covers northern Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida-Network. Reach her at mwashburn@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: What is a tegu? Iguana-looking reptile is spotted in Palm Beach County A new investigation is raising serious concerns about fast fashion giant Shein's ties to forced labor and human rights abuses, sparking renewed calls for accountability by the brand and the fashion industry, Leigh Day reported. What's happening? An investigation by the campaign group Stop Uyghur Genocide uncovered an alleged link between fast-fashion retailer Shein and textile manufacturing in China's Xinjiang region, an area infamously associated with forced labor. The link is so strong that the U.S. government "presumes that all goods manufactured in the region are made with forced labor," per the law firm Leigh Day, which represents Stop Uyghur Genocide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China denies all allegations of genocide, forced labor, and human rights violations in Xinjiang, according to the Financial Times. Stop Uyghur Genocide's research focused on the Guangqing Textile and Garment Industry Orderly Transfer Park in China's Guangdong province, which reportedly received investment and support from Shein. The park was specifically designed to connect Xinjiang-based cotton and textile companies with e-commerce platforms like Shein, according to the report. Shein's reported involvement with the park includes signing a strategic cooperation agreement in November 2023 and hosting an "investment promotion event" there in March 2024, allegedly encouraging manufacturers to "move to the premises with the potential benefit of becoming a supplier for Shein," per Leigh Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the park's role in sourcing Xinjiang textiles, outlined here by the U.S. Department of Labor, and Shein's alleged participation, the research suggests Shein's products are at a high risk of being made with materials linked to forced labor. Why is this study important? The concerns outlined in the study are part of broader international criticism of China's treatment of the Uyghur population in the Xinjiang region. Several countries, including the U.S., have formally accused China of genocide, CNN reported. Stop Uyghur Genocide said that Shein's support of the textile park could be seen as profiting from the forced labor and upholding modern slavery, per Leigh Day. But fast fashion doesn't just exploit vulnerable workers it also takes a serious toll on the environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Built on speed, volume, and disposability, the fast fashion model encourages consumers to buy large quantities of cheap, low-quality garments, which are quickly discarded. This cycle of overconsumption is expensive, and it also drives massive textile waste and unsustainable production practices. Fast fashion production also pollutes waterways, relies heavily on toxic chemicals, and depletes natural resources. These practices disproportionately harm the health and livelihoods of local communities by threatening access to clean water, food, and safe living conditions. What's being done about forced labor and fast fashion? Stop Uyghur Genocide submitted its evidence to the UK's Financial Conduct Authority, urging it to consider the findings given Shein's potential listing on the London Stock Exchange. The group argued that allowing Shein to go public in the U.K. would endanger the country's commitments to human rights and ethical financial practices, per Leigh Day. "Shein is not simply turning a blind eye I believe it is profiting from a system built on the forced labor of persecuted people," Rahima Mahmut, executive director of Stop Uyghur Genocide, said in a statement, per Leigh Day. "The Financial Conduct Authority must take this evidence seriously." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, there are growing efforts around the globe to regulate fast fashion through legislation and industry-led initiatives, but enforcement can be inconsistent. While international law catches up, you can make a difference by breaking up with fast fashion. While it can seem like you are saving money while shopping fast fashion, experts estimate that you can save $200 or more a year by investing in fewer, higher-quality sustainable pieces that last longer. If sustainable brands are out of your price range, secondhand shopping is a great alternative. Thrifting at local shops or shopping resale sites like ThredUp can save you money while also helping to lessen the environmental and social impact of clothing production. 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. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday that Iran would not give up its independent uranium enrichment programme under any circumstances, even if a regional nuclear consortium is established. "The crucial point is that a consortium is not an alternative and cannot replace uranium enrichment in the country," Esmaeil Baghaei said, according to the Tasnim news agency. He declined to comment on whether this demand was included in the latest proposal made by the United States to Iran. Unconfirmed reports suggest the US demanded a complete halt to Iranian uranium enrichment in a written proposal to Tehran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In return, Washington is said to have offered the country the civilian use of nuclear technology, including uranium enrichment, within the framework of a regional consortium under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Behind the US demands is concern that the Islamic Republic could build its own nuclear weapons. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also vehemently rejected any demand for Iran to give up its own uranium enrichment programme. "Our nuclear programme and enrichment are solely for peaceful purposes and are a national scientific achievement that we will not allow to be taken away from us," Araghchi said, according to a report by the INSA news agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the US does not accept this, the nuclear negotiations will also fail, said the minister, who is currently in Cairo. Nevertheless, Iran's chief diplomat intends to continue negotiations with the US. Diplomacy is the only option for resolving the nuclear dispute, he said, adding that Iran is therefore willing to allay all US concerns about a nuclear weapons programme. However, he insisted that "unrealistic" demands, such as giving up national nuclear technology are non-negotiable. Baghaei said that Iran will give an appropriate response to the US proposal in due course. Until then, the country will insist on both its own uranium enrichment and the lifting of US sanctions in the next round of negotiations, he said. DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran's foreign ministry said on Monday it would have to see if there are changes in the U.S. position on sanctions, as the two countries negotiate a deal to resolve a decades-long dispute over Iran's nuclear ambitions. "I regret to inform you that the American side has not yet been willing to clarify this issue," ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said in a weekly press conference in Tehran. "It must be clear to us how the oppressive sanctions against the Iranian people will be lifted, to ensure that past experiences are not repeated", he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, who has been mediating between Iran and the Trump administration, presented elements of a U.S. proposal for a nuclear deal between Tehran and Washington during a short visit to Tehran on Saturday. Iranian and U.S. delegations wrapped up a fifth round of talks in Rome last month and, while signs of some limited progress emerged, there are many points of disagreement that are hard to breach, notably the issue of Iran's uranium enrichment. (Reporting by Elwely Elwely, Writing by Ahmed Elimam; Editing by Hugh Lawson, William Maclean) Any Iranian involvement in Egypt will be of concern to Israel. Irans foreign minister went to Egypt on Sunday for high-level talks. It is one of several recent outreaches to Egypt by Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with top Egyptian officials, including President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Iranian state media said. This is important. Egypt borders Gaza and historically has played an important role in Gaza. However, Egypt didnt seem to warn about theOctober 7 attack, and Cairo has been impacted by this war. Pressure has built on Egypt over the last two years of the ongoing war. Iran likely wants to discuss this and other issues with Egypt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egypt has peace with Israel. However, any Iranian involvement in Egypt will be of concern to Israel. This comes as Iran appears to be heading toward the development of a possible nuclear weapon and as Iran is in talks with the US about that program. The US is also trying to get a Gaza ceasefire. Araghchi met al-Sisi at his presidential palace on Monday morning, where they exchanged views on issues of mutual interest. Hours later, the top diplomat met and held talks with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, Iranian state media IRNA said. Discussions on bilateral relations Bilateral relations are on the agenda, and there are other issues to discuss. This is Araghchis third trip to Egypt since taking office in 2024. He also accompanied President Masoud Pezeshkian during the D-8 summit held in Egypt in December last year. Iran and Egypt are eyeing on a new chapter in their bilateral relations, building on strenuous efforts made over the past two years, the IRNA report said. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi visits Iran's nuclear achievements exhibition, in Tehran, Iran, April 17, 2025. (photo credit: IRANIAN ATOMIC ORGANISATION/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY)/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS) Pezeshkians primary agenda of his visit to Egypt, the first by an Iranian president since 2013, was aimed at fostering economic cooperation within Islamic nations, especially Egypt. Referring to the ongoing visit of Araghchi, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said that Iran and Egypt have held high-level meetings and consultations over the past one-and-a-half years, with both sides showing determination to strengthen relations. Press Release June 2, 2025 SPONSORSHIP SPEECH Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster bill Senate Bill No. 2999 under Committee Report No. 533 Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, as your Chairperson of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, I am honored to sponsor Senate Bill No. 2999 under Committee Report No. 533, An Act Establishing a Mechanism on the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster, Providing the Criteria for its Declaration and Lifting, Enabling Anticipatory Measures, and Appropriating Funds Therefor. The Philippines, for the third straight year, emerged on top of 193 countries in the world with the highest disaster risk according to the World Risk Index 2024. This underscores the pressing need to give preferential attention to national policies that will reduce our vulnerabilities, manage disaster risks, and speed up response and recovery. That is why I am thankful to our dear colleagues for acting positively in our proposed legislation establishing evacuation centers for every city and municipality, which addresses the necessity for safe and decent temporary shelters for those affected by natural or human-induced calamities. That measure is now a law - Republic Act No. 12076 or the "Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act". Once again, my dear colleagues, I humbly seek the support of the men and women of this august chamber as I present yet another measure that seeks to strengthen our disaster resilience amid the expected harsher impacts of climate change, and plugs a crucial gap between disaster preparedness and response. Hindi naman po lingid sa kaalaman ng lahat na ang Pilipinas ay dinaraanan ng humigit kumulang na dalawampung bagyo kada taon, at ang mga ito ay nagbubunga rin ng iba pang kalamidad gaya ng flash flood, landslides, at storm surge. Sa huling quarter noong nakaraang taon, hindi natin malilimutan ang pagragasa at paghagupit ng anim na magkakasunod na sama ng panahon sa loob lamang ng isang buwan na nagpahirap sa milyon-milyon nating mga kababayan at nagdala ng kabuuang pinsala sa agrikultura at imprastraktura na nagkakahalaga ng dalawampung bilyong piso (Php 20 bilyon). Ang mga kalamidad gaya nito ay inaasahang magpapatuloy sa hinaharap. At bilang mga mambabatas, patuloy po tayong nagbabalangkas ng mga panukalang hindi lamang magpapabilis ng pag-responde ng pamahalaan matapos ang sakuna, higit sa lahat ay ang magtitiyak na magiging maagap, listo, at handa ang mga awtoridad bago pa man dumating ang banta ng kalamidad. We thank our stakeholders for engaging our Defense Committee and for assisting us with this innovative policy which introduces the concept of "State of Imminent Disaster". Compared to a State of Calamity which is declared after the occurrence of a disaster and is based on the mass casualties and major damages and disruption to the way of life, the State of Imminent Disaster is declared ex ante, that is based on forecasts and assessments, and enables the government, both at the national and local levels, to utilize available resources and proactively respond to an impending natural calamity. Maaaring bago po ito sa ating pandinig, ngunit matagal na po itong pinag-aaralan ng National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council o NDRRMC. In 2022, NDRRMC issued Resolution No. 7 which cited the need to review protocols for declaration of State of Calamity with consideration for advance declaration, and resolved to facilitate the institutionalization of a State of Imminent Disaster. Under our Committee Report, the State of Imminent Disaster may be declared by the President or the local chief executive upon the recommendation of the NDRRMC or the Regional DRRMCs respectively, after a conduct of a pre-disaster risk assessment in anticipation of a highly probable disaster with projected catastrophic impact. Corollary to such declaration are anticipation action measures. "Anticipatory action" is defined as "action taken to reduce the adverse impacts of forecasted hazards before it occurs or before its most acute impacts are felt." This may sound as a novel concept to many of us, but for the information of the body, "Anticipatory Action or AA" is already found under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan 2020-2030. AA is also promoted under the Work Programme of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Management Response which was ratified by member-states in 2005 and is legally binding in the region since 2009. During the Committee deliberations with our stakeholders, we learned that "elements of AA are already existing though not explicit in our present laws," including the Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. Because of this, local government units are "hesitant to bolster anticipatory action by allocating more resources in the absence of a national policy framework on AA for fear of fund disallowances." Sa madaling salita, dahil sa gray area na ito, maraming lokal na opsiyal ang natatakot "ma-disallow ng COA" at kalaunan ay makasuhan. At ito po ay nagiging isang malaking balakid sa epektibo at maagap na pag-aksyon sa panahon ng kalamidad. Sa ilalim ng ating panukala, bubuksan natin ang 70% ng disaster fund upang magamit ng ating lokal na pamahalaan para sa anticipatory actions. This bill benefits from the technical expertise and experience of our stakeholders from the government and international humanitarian organizations who advocated and strongly supported the passage of this measure. In the remaining days of our plenary session before the sine die adjournment of the 19th Congress, I respectfully call on our dear colleagues to also support this landmark legislation that provides explicit guidelines for efficient mobilization of resources during disasters, and marks a definitive shift from a reactive and passive response toward a more proactive, anticipatory approach in times of calamities. Let us turn our top ranking in the World Risk Index into an opportunity of becoming a trailblazer in instituting pioneering policies on disaster management and disaster resilience. Maraming salamat po, Mr. President. Iran determines financial needs to ramp up gas output in Central Oil fields Iran requires $13.5 billion to boost gas production in its Central Oil Fields, said Central Oil Fields Company s official Shirin Mohajer. About $7 billion has been secured so far, with efforts ongoing to get the rest. Completion of all projects could raise gas output by 100-140 million cubic meters daily. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register The 70-year-old pro-Palestinian activist was allegedly arrested alongside 48-year-old Swedish activist Susanne Bjork. A 70-year-old Irish woman was arrested Sunday night in the Palestinian village of Khalet al-Daba, south of Hebron, after she refused IDF orders to leave the area, the Israel Police reported Tuesday. Maire ni Mhurchu, also known as D Murphy, is a pro-Palestinian activist who was detained together with 48-year-old Swedish activist Susanne Bjork, the police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They had been volunteering for the International Solidarity Movement and were arrested for being in a closed military zone, the police said. Bjork was set to return to Sweden, but D Murphy is fighting against the deportation order and remains in detention at Ben-Gurion Airport, Irish media outlets reported. Tourists who exploit their entry into Israel to promote subversive activities against the state will find themselves outside its borders, the police said. Israel is determined to prevent any attempt to undermine its governance and stability. Any anti-Israel activity will be met with a swift and decisive response from the security forces. Ben Gurion Airport (photo credit: Gili Yaari, Flash 90) D Murphy was also reportedly detained in 2011 by Israeli authorities. Family of Irish pro-Palestinian activist celebrate arrest Her son, Dale Ryan, told the Irish Times: As far as I can see, her only crime was observing crimes against Palestinian people. D has always had a strong sense of justice, and I know she could not sit at home while she knew her friends in Masafer Yatta and all of Palestine were suffering unnecessarily. I am very proud of my mother for sticking up for the basic human rights of her friends and trying to raise awareness of the injustices the Palestinian people are experiencing. KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip opened fire early Monday as people headed toward an aid distribution site a kilometer away, killing at least three and wounding dozens, health officials and a witness said. The military said it fired warning shots at suspects who approached its forces. The shooting occurred at the same location where witnesses say Israeli forces fired a day earlier on crowds heading toward the aid hub in southern Gaza run by the Israeli and U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The Israeli military said it fired warning shots on Monday toward several suspects who advanced toward the troops and posed a threat to them, around a kilometer (1,000 yards) away from the aid distribution site at a time when it was closed. The army denied it was preventing people from reaching the site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United Nations and major aid groups have rejected the foundation's new system for aid distribution. They say it violates humanitarian principles and cannot meet mounting needs in the territory of roughly 2 million people, where experts have warned of famine because of an Israeli blockade that was only slightly eased last month. In a separate incident Monday, an Israeli strike on a residential building in northern Gaza killed 14 people, according to health officials. The Shifa and al-Ahli hospitals confirmed the toll from the strike in the built-up Jabaliya refugee camp, saying five women and seven children were among those killed. The military said it had struck terror targets across northern Gaza, without elaborating. Israel says it only targets militants and tries to avoid harming civilians. It blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the militant group is entrenched in populated areas. Also Monday, the Palestinian Authority said a 14-year-old boy was shot and killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank in the Palestinian village of Sinjil. In a statement, the Israeli military said troops in the Sinjil area had opened fire and neutralized someone who threw two bottles containing a dangerous substance at them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shooting in southern Gaza A Red Cross field hospital received 50 wounded people, including two declared dead on arrival, after the shooting in southern Gaza, according to Hisham Mhanna, a Red Cross spokesperson. He said most had gunfire and shrapnel wounds. Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis said it received a third body. Moataz al-Feirani, 21, who was being treated at Nasser Hospital, said he was shot in his leg as he walked with a crowd of thousands toward the aid distribution site. He said Israeli forces opened fire as they neared the Flag Roundabout at around 5:30 a.m. We had nothing, and they (military) were watching us," he said, adding that drones were filming them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, at least 31 people were killed and over 170 wounded at the Flag Roundabout as large crowds headed toward the aid site, according to local health officials, aid groups and several eyewitnesses. The witnesses said Israeli forces opened fire on the crowds at around 3 a.m. after ordering them to disperse and come back when the distribution site opens. Israels military on Sunday denied its forces fired at civilians near the aid site in the now mostly uninhabited southern city of Rafah, a military zone off limits to independent media. An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with procedure, said troops fired warning shots at several suspects advancing toward them overnight. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has denied previous accounts of chaos and gunfire around its sites, said it had delivered aid on both days without incident. On Sunday night, the foundation issued a statement, saying aid recipients must stay on the designated route to reach the hub Monday, and that Israeli troops are positioned along the way to ensure their security. Leaving the road is extremely dangerous, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Risking their lives for food U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was appalled by the reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza on Sunday. It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food. He called for an independent investigation into what happened. Israel and the United States say they helped establish the new aid system to circumvent Hamas, which they accuse of siphoning off assistance. U.N. agencies deny there is any systemic diversion of aid and say the new system violates humanitarian principles by allowing Israel to control who receives aid and by forcing Palestinians to travel long distances to receive it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palestinians must pass close to Israeli forces and cross military lines to reach the GHF hubs, in contrast to the U.N. aid network, which delivers aid to where Palestinians are located. No end in sight to Israel-Hamas war The Israel-Hamas war began when Palestinian militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Hamas is still holding 58 hostages, around a third of them believed to be alive. Israels military campaign has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The ministry is led by medical professionals but reports to the Hamas-run government. Its toll is seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts, though Israel has challenged its numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants, without providing evidence. Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages in return for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli pullout. Israel has vowed to continue the war until all the hostages are returned, and Hamas is defeated or disarmed and sent into exile. It has said it will maintain control of Gaza indefinitely and facilitate what it refers to as the voluntary emigration of much of its population. Palestinians and most of the international community have rejected the resettlement plans, viewing them as forcible expulsion. ___ Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, and Magdy from Cairo. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Supreme Court Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor dissented from their colleagues refusal to hear a race discrimination case Monday, in a dispute that also tells a bigger story about the current state of the high court. The rejected petition came from adult entertainer Chanel Nicholson, who performed at clubs in Houston. She brought a lawsuit claiming that the clubs had engaged in race discrimination. An appeals court said her claims were barred because they fell outside the statute of limitations. But in her dissent, which was joined by Sotomayor, Jackson wrote that the lower court ruling flouts this Courts clear precedents. It takes four justices to grant review. On a court with six Republican appointees and three Democratic appointees, liberal-leaning petitions are all but doomed, saying nothing of how a majority of the court would rule if review were granted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Nicholsons case is also the latest example of a case not even garnering all three Democratic appointees interest, with Justice Elena Kagan not joining the dissent. Thats not a new phenomenon Jackson and Sotomayor have spoken out on their own plenty before, without Kagan but it reinforces a split within the Democratic appointees priorities. We saw a split among Republican appointees play out in a separate case Monday, when a Second Amendment appeal fell just short of getting four votes. In that case, however, a statement from Justice Brett Kavanaugh suggested that the right to bear assault weapons could land on the high court docket soon. Yet, when it comes to an appeal like the one Jackson and Sotomayor flagged, its not a matter of time but a matter of the courts composition. Indeed, the two Democratic appointees didnt just say they wanted the discrimination appeal to be reviewed but that they wanted to summarily reverse the lower courts ruling. That generally takes six votes, showing how much further out of reach their judicial goals are in this case and others. Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for expert analysis on the top legal stories of the week, including updates from the Supreme Court and developments in the Trump administrations legal cases. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com NEED TO KNOW Japan's former Princess Mako gave birth to her first child, whom she shares with husband Kei Komuro, Japan's Imperial Household Agency announced Mako left Japan's royal family when she married Komuro, who is a commoner, in 2021 The couple, who now live in New York City, met during a study-abroad event in college and got first engaged in 2013 Japan's former Princess Mako has given birth to her first child, Japan's Imperial Household Agency confirmed on Friday, May 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Few details were shared by palace officials, who did not reveal the baby's gender or date of birth, but did say that both mother and child were doing well, according to reports from the Associated Press and The Japan Times. Mako's child is the first grandchild for Japan's Crown Prince and Crown Princess, who also share children Princess Kako and Prince Hisahito, according to The Japan Times. Grand Master of the Crown Prince's Household Naomasa Yoshida shared in a May 30 press conference that the palace was officially announcing the arrival of Mako's child following reports that she had given birth. "This is a matter for a person who has left the Imperial Family, and we had hoped that she would spend her time in a quiet environment," the grand master said, per The Japan Times. "We decided to make the announcement, however, in light of some media reports [about the birth]." SIPA Press/Nicolas Datiche/Pool/Anadolu Agency/Getty Japan's former Princess Mako and Kei Komuro Japan's former Princess Mako and Kei Komuro Mako welcomed her child with her husband Kei Komuro, her former classmate from International Christian University in Tokyo. The former princess, who is Emperor Naruhito's niece, left Japan's royal family and gave up her royal status in order to marry Komuro who is a commoner in 2021. They later moved to New York, where Komuro is a lawyer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple, both 33, first met during a college study-abroad event at a restaurant in Tokyo's Shibuya district. Mako previously said the she was first attracted to her future husband's "bright smile," per The Telegraph. In December 2013, Komuro proposed to Mako over dinner, and the couple continued their relationship while Mako completed her master's degree abroad, graduating from England's Leicester University with a degree in Art Museum and Gallery Studies in January 2016. Komuro and Mako originally planned to wed in 2018, but delayed the ceremony in February of that year, citing "immaturity," and pushed their wedding date once more in 2020. The couple officially tied the knot on Oct. 26, 2021. When she wed Komuro, Mako turned down a $1.3 million payout from the Japanese government, which is traditionally paid to royal women who lose their status in marriage. 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! While appearing at a press event in the hours after she and Komuro submitted their marriage registration, Mako said, "I am very sorry for the inconvenience caused and I am grateful for those ... who have continued to support me," per the BBC. "For me, Kei is irreplaceable marriage was a necessary choice for us." Komuro shared, "I love Mako. We only get one life, and I want us to spend it with the one we love." Read the original article on People Nonprofits and a group of public school parents argue that the state's school system is unconstitutionally segregated. (Courtesy of the New Jersey Governor's Office) Attorneys for the state of New Jersey want an appellate court to deny an appeal bid by nonprofit groups and several public school families who allege New Jersey schools are unconstitutionally segregated along racial and socioeconomic lines. In a 46-page brief filed last week, the states attorneys argue that it is premature for the appellate division to hear the case because a trial judge overseeing the dispute has not issued a final order. The record before the trial judge is too limited, and an appellate court weighing in now would result in piecemeal review, the state argues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no grave damage or injustice necessitating immediate appellate review, the state said. The case, filed in 2018 by Latino Action Network and the statewide NAACP, among others, alleges that school district boundaries tied to municipalities exacerbate de facto segregation across schools. They cited a UCLA study that found New Jersey had the seventh most segregated school system, with nearly half of all Black and Latino students in New Jersey attending schools that are more than 90% non-white, schools that are often mere blocks from predominately white districts. The plaintiffs note that the state has a constitutional duty to provide students with a thorough and efficient education. In October 2023, a state superior court judge ruled that the plaintiffs demonstrated a marked and persistent racial imbalance in public schools, but said the lack of data did not prove their sweeping claim that the system is unconstitutionally segregated because of race or ethnicity. He declined the plaintiffs request for an immediate ruling. The plaintiffs appealed. In Wednesdays filing, the state criticizes the plaintiffs for failing to show what desegregation would look like or offering any practical solution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states recent filing came one day after the New Jersey Policy Institute, a nonprofit think tank that supports school choice, filed a 20-page motion in the case arguing in favor of expanding a state program that allows students to attend schools outside of their hometowns. Enrollment in the program has been virtually frozen since 2015. Lifting that freeze would be a cost-effective way to increase racial diversity and would not require any significant additional administration, they said, adding that districts could be incentivized to participate. The program offers a ready-made solution that can be implemented almost immediately, according to the institute, which says more than 2,000 students are currently on waitlists. And school choice expansion could help integrate schools more quickly than redistricting, according to the brief. The state has already built the infrastructure. All thats left is to unfreeze it, the brief states. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The removal of more than 60 Tesla Superchargers is underway from the super highway connecting northern and southern New Jersey. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) made the decision to instead go with a sole third-party charging provider to serve the states turnpike and has not allowed Tesla to co-locate, the business wrote on X. ... NJTA requested 64 existing Supercharger stalls on the New Jersey Turnpike to not be renewed and be decommissioned, the post reads. We have been preparing for three years for this potential outcome by building 116 stalls off the New Jersey Turnpike, ensuring no interruption for our customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Service areas on the New Jersey Turnpike will begin transitioning fully to Universal Open Access EV chargers on June 6, NJTA wrote on May 30 in a statement. The chargers, provided by Applegren Electric, are compatible with all makes and models of EVs. Tesla called the decision to eliminate the charging stations a setback for EV users on the highway, adding that it offered the NJTA above-market commercial terms, including an offer to build Superchargers at all New Jersey service plazas and with equipment upgrades like screens and NACS with CCS1 magic docks. Tesla always advocates for more infrastructure and co-location with additional third-party charging providers, Tesla wrote. This drives down costs through optionality and accelerates EV adoption by having sufficient capacity to shoulder peaks. Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, there are 97 Tesla Supercharger locations, according to Loan Center. While the majority of these locations are contracted with a business, four are located in plazas owned by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the agency told MassLive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MassDOT has contracted with Tesla to host Superchargers at 4 service plazas: Charlton East, Charlton West, Newton and Lexington, the agency told MassLive. None of these locations will be canceled, MassDOT added. Tesla hopes that NJTA or New Jerseys Gov. Phil Murphy will change their minds regarding the states cancelation. We are willing to invest in New Jersey Turnpike sites if the New Jersey Turnpike or Murphy want to reverse this decision, the X post reads. Otherwise, we will continue to build out the best possible infrastructure off the Turnpike to serve Tesla owners and the electric vehicle drivers of New Jersey. Read the original article on MassLive. NEW JERSEY (PIX11) Primary day is right around the corner in New Jersey, when residents will cast their first ballots for the states next governor. Almost a dozen candidates are vying for Gov. Phil Murphys seat as the current governor reaches his term limit. More Local News Among those running are Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and Congressman Josh Gottheimer. To learn more about the candidates, watch PIX11s recent Democratic primary forum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below is everything you need to know before you head to the polls on primary day. When is primary day? The primary election is on June 10 in New Jersey. Additionally, June 10 is the last day to submit mail-in ballots to the county Board of Elections or an authorized ballot drop box. When do the polls open on primary day? Polls will open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on primary day. Anyone who is in line at the time polls close will be allowed to vote. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State When is the deadline to request and send mail-in ballots for absentee voting? Residents must request mail-in ballots by June 3. Thats also the last day for unaffiliated voters to declare their political party to receive a mail-in ballot. Ballots must be postmarked and sent back to the Board of Elections by June 10 to be counted. When does early voting start? Early voting starts on June 3 and ends on June 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More News: Politics How do I find my polling location? New Jersey residents can find their designated polling location by using the address lookup on the states Board of Elections website. Do I need my ID to vote? New Jersey doesnt require voters to show ID at a polling location. However, if a voter does not provide ID at the time of registration, they will have to show it at the polling place. Below is a list of valid forms of ID to vote: New Jersey drivers license Military or other government ID Student or job ID Store membership card United States Passport, Bank statement Car registration Government check or document Non-photo NJ drivers license Rent receipt Sample Ballot Utility bill Any other official document What are we voting for? New Jersey residents will be voting for the states next governor as well as the District 35 senator and assembly members for all 40 legislative districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A list of candidates for each seat can be found here. Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Texas College Tyler Instructor/Assistant/Associate Professor of History Specific Duties: Counsel and advise students regularly during the semester and during formal registration. Become familiar with academic foundation requirements as well as major and minor requirements of the discipline to ensure effective student counseling. Maintain class rolls and place book orders prior to the end of a semester for upcoming courses. Comply with College requirements in submitting grade reports and statistical information when due. Perform other duties as assigned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Qualifications: 1 3 Years Experience. Education: Masters, Ph.D. preferred. Apply 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 KETK.com | FOX51.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Irans nuclear negotiation team has delivered its initial response to a letter from the United States, said Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Irans Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trend reports. Speaking today at a press conference in Tehran, Baghaei emphasized that exchanging texts during negotiations is par for the course, with both parties laying their cards on the table, whether through spoken word or written communication. He clarified that receiving the US letter does not imply Irans acceptance of the issues raised. Every proposal and letter must be carefully reviewed and answered accordingly, he said, adding that "no letter containing radical and maximal demands that ignore Irans interests will receive a positive response." "Both sides have identified each others red lines in five rounds of indirect talks held so far. Iran insists on enriching uranium based on logical, legal, and national needs while demanding an end to unlawful sanctions imposed against it. These issues must be reflected in any agreement," Baghaei added. Recently, the US delivered a letter outlining its "proposed points" and stated that a positive response from Iran would be in Tehrans interest. To note, five rounds of indirect talks between Iran and the US on Irans nuclear program have taken place on April 12, 19, 26, May 11, and May 23. These discussions, conducted indirectly with the mediation of the Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi, involved Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi leading the Iranian delegation, while the US delegation was led by the US Special Envoy to Middle East Affairs, Steve Witkoff. The first and 3rd rounds took place in Muscat, Oman, while the 2nd round was held in Rome, Italy. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ATLANTA (AP) John Kennedy, the top-ranking Republican in Georgia's state Senate, on Monday joined a growing field of GOP candidates seeking to become the state's next lieutenant governor in 2026. Kennedy, a Macon lawyer, is banking on the support of Georgia's business community after helping pass a law this year limiting lawsuits and civil verdicts. Burt Jones, the current Republican lieutenant governor, is expected to run for governor next year instead of seeking reelection. He's could announce his candidacy later this summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy was first elected to the state Senate in 2014. Majority Republicans elected him president pro tem, the No. 2 position in the Senate, in 2023. Before that, Kennedy had been chair of the majority caucus and led the redrawing of legislative and congressional districts after the 2020 Census, securing Republican majorities. Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch of Dahlonega announced last month that he is running for lieutenant governor, saying he would model his candidacy on President Donald Trump. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Blake Tillery of Vidalia is raising money for a possible bid. Other Republicans could seek the office as well, including state Sen. Greg Dolezal, of Cumming. Kennedy didn't mention Trump in his announcement, saying his top priorities as lieutenant governor would be a strong economy, education and public safety. Georgians can be confident that my leadership will be focused on delivering conservative results, not empty rhetoric, Kennedy said in a statement. And I know that by working together, we will keep Georgia growing, keep Georgia learning and keep Georgia safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, Kennedy sponsored a law that is meant to curb the number of student absences in schools. Like the onetime president, Kennedy's initials are JFK. But this 59-year-old Kennedy, born less than two years after the president was assassinated, is unrelated and bears the middle name of Flanders. Georgias lieutenant governor presides over Senate sessions, but senators decide how much power the official has. When senators agree, lieutenant governors can be influential. As president pro tem, Kennedy already works with Jones to set the agenda for the Senate. On the Democratic side, the only declared candidate is state Sen. Josh McLaurin of Sandy Springs. History will no doubt look upon the outcome of the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard with the same skepticism now applied to O.J. Simpson's 1995 acquittal after charges of his killing his wife and her friend. The 2022 trial, in which Depp sued Heard for defamation after she made anonymous allusions to domestic violence in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed, was a farce by design. Depp hired publicist Melissa Nathan, who famously bragged she could "bury anyone," to seed social media networks with misogynist rumors about Heard, who had been 25 when she started dating the 48-year-old movie star. The New York Times later reported on Nathan's alleged tactics, based on court documents from a similar campaign against actress Blake Lively. The strategy, according to the Times, is "waging a largely undetectable smear campaign in the digital era," which succeeded when "online criticism of the actress skyrocketed." The evidence in Depp v. Heard, in a sane world, should have favored Heard. His claim to damages was that Heard's op-ed led to him losing his lead role in "Pirates of the Caribbean." A Disney executive denied this on the witness stand, and Depp's longtime talent agent testified that Depp's erratic behavior was what soured his reputation on set. As Jessica Winter at the New Yorker wrote during the trial, Heard produced "a trove of text messages, witness statements, and photos of injuries which, she says, corroborate her allegations of abuse." Depp had previously sued a British tabloid for calling him a "wife-beater," and he lost, even though British law favors plaintiffs in defamation cases to an outrageous degree. The judge described Heard's side of the story as "substantially true." Winter continues: There are also Depps texts sent before he married Heardin which he calls her a worthless hooker, jokes about how hell smack the ugly ct around, and, at one point, shares a brainstorm with the actor Paul Bettany: Lets drown her before we burn her!!! I will fk her burnt corpse afterwards to make sure shes dead. Theres footage of Depp trashing a kitchen and audio recordings of him telling Heard, Shut the fk up. . . . Dont fg pretend to be authoritative with me. You dont exist. Depp, to review, is the plaintiff in the defamation trial, and the one whom most of social media is rooting for. As that last sentence suggests, the case ended up being tried in the court of public opinion, where the preposterous story that Depp was the real victim took hold. Instructions to the jurors to ignore the crescendo of support for Depp outside the courtroom didn't matter, leading to a $15 million judgment in his favor. It's not clear how much of the pro-Depp clamor was seeded by his hired guns, but in the end, they were pushing on an open door. As journalist Kat Tenbarge reported for NBC at the time, content creators for TikTok and YouTube found that spreading sexist rumors about Heard was like printing money. There was an immense amount of public hunger in 2022 to forget all the lessons of the #MeToo movement, and instead fall back into the comfortable belief that sexism is a myth, women just make up stories for attention, and it's accused men who are the real victims. Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only. This week is the third anniversary of the day that a jury favored Depp over Heard. Looking back, the whole situation can be read as a portent for the 2024 election of Donald Trump. The public outpouring of support for Depp reflected a widespread willingness to choose self-delusion over facing hard truths, especially about the dangers of male domination. For a lot of people, it's exhausting hearing about how many women are beaten, raped, killed, harassed, and otherwise oppressed. It can feel much easier to believe it's all just made up. It's simpler to believe that ours is a just system, even as men still hold the lion's share of power and money. It's comforting to imagine that men react to all their privilege with grace and gratitude, and ignore the reality where all too many abuse women because they can. Trump was selling the same message to his voters: Wouldn't it be easier to live in a fantasy where patriarchy is all kittens and rainbows? Isn't it easier to live in the lie than confront the hard truth? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May, the gold standard for post-election analysis, the Catalist report, was released. It affirmed what preliminary reports had shown: there was a huge swing to the right among young men in 2024. "In 2024, the gender gap among 18 to 29-year-olds widened to 17 points," the report explains. In 2020, 55% of men in the youngest bracket voted for Joe Biden. In 2024, only 46% voted for Kamala Harris. Early exit polls were bad enough, but this data shows even more how much younger men have been bamboozled by the MAGA propaganda machine into voting against their self-interest on issues like education costs, future employment, and clean energy. Much attention, for good reason, has been paid to the role that social media influencers, podcasters, and other online content creators played in this shift. Some present as apolitical entertainers, such as Joe Rogan, the Nelk brothers, or Theo Von. Others, like Jordan Peterson or Ben Shapiro, wear their right-wing politics more proudly. But all share a view that men are the oppressed ones in our society, supposedly denied their ability to bro out and be their full manly selves. And while some may be coy about who is behind this supposed oppression of men, realistically, there can only be one answer: women. Or, more specifically, what's harshing men's vibe is women claiming the right to be treated as equals and to be safe from male violence. Claims that men are "innocent" in the face of overwhelming evidence of guilt are rarely about a sincere misapprehension of the facts. Instead, it's an oblique statement of an unspeakable but widely held belief that violence against women shouldn't be a crime, especially for high-status perpetrators. We see this with Trump. He's been found liable by a civil jury for sexual assault and is on tape bragging about exactly the kind of crime multiple women have accused him of. His supporters are aware of this, but ultimately, they don't seem to care. They lash out at the alleged victims for speaking out, believing women have a duty to endure men's abuse in silence. This also helps explain the unhinged rage that exploded across the internet at Heard. The more evidence she produced against Depp, the angrier the mob got. People desperately wanted to believe the charming actor whose movies they've enjoyed their whole lives is a wonderful guy. When presented with evidence to the contrary, it was just easier to shoot the messenger than grapple with the uncomfortable reality that the world is often more complicated and uglier than we'd like it to be. They wanted Heard to shut up, not because they didn't believe her, but because they did. The far-right website Daily Wire spent an astonishing amount of money promoting anti-Heard propaganda during the trial, which confused many people at the time. The Daily Wire is a political outfit, so why would they care about celebrity gossip that doesn't seem to have any partisan value to it? But they understood that Heard v. Depp did benefit Republicans, especially Trump. The entire circus was useful for convincing people that it's okay to choose disinformation over the truth, especially when the facts make you feel bad. It all goes back to George Orwell's insight with the "two-minute hate" in "1984." Self-delusion takes practice. Defending Depp was boot camp for the real test: supporting the lie that Donald Trump would make a fine president. The husband of Jonathan Joss, the King of the Hill actor fatally shot by a neighbor in San Antonio, thanked Joss for saving his life in the Sunday altercation. He explained that the actor, whom he had just married on Valentines Day, pushed him out of the line of fire at the site of their former home, which had burned down following repeated threats. [The neighbor] started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired. Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving. We were standing side-by-side. When the man fired, Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life, Tristan Kern de Gonzales wrote in a Facebook post on Monday. Joss neighbor, identified as Sigfredo Alvarez-Cega, was arrested a block away. Alvarez-Cega, who reportedly got into a heated argument with Joss before killing him, has been charged with murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement De Gonzales explained that before the neighbor with the gun appeared, they were horrified to discover the skull of one of our dogs and its harness placed in clear view. This caused both of us severe emotional distress. We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw, he said. He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other. I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved, de Gonzales wrote. He also explained that during the two years he and Joss had lived at the site, that people in the area repeatedly told us they would set it on fire. We reported these threats to law enforcement multiple times and nothing was done. He added that they were harassed regularly by individuals who made it clear they did not accept our relationship from people who were openly homophobic. De Gonzales said that he and Joss were still newlyweds who were looking for a trailer and planning our future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He thanked Joss friends and fans, concluding his post with, My focus now is on protecting Jonathans legacy and honoring the life we built together Jonathan saved my life. I will carry that forward. I will protect what he built. The post Jonathan Joss Husband Says Actors Death Was a Hate Crime, Details Years of Homophobic Harassment appeared first on TheWrap. NEED TO KNOW Jonathan Joss' husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, released a statement on June 2, claiming the person who shot and killed Joss was "homophobic" and yelling "violent" slurs Gonzales also alleged that he and Joss had been "harassed regularly" before leaving the area once their house burned down Joss was pronounced dead on the scene at his property in San Antonio, Texas, on June 1 after being shot during a dispute with a neighbor More details are coming to light surrounding Jonathan Joss tragic shooting death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours after news broke that the King of the Hill actor was killed during a dispute with their former neighbor in San Antonio, Texas, on Sunday, June 1, his husband offered his first-hand account of the incident. Tristan Kern de Gonzales took to Joss Facebook page to reveal that he was present when Joss was shot, and claimed the issue was rooted in homophobia. My husband Jonathan Joss and I were involved in a shooting while checking the mail at the site of our former home, the statement began. That home was burned down after over two years of threats from people in the area who repeatedly told us they would set it on fire. We reported these threats to law enforcement multiple times and nothing was done. Throughout that time we were harassed regularly by individuals who made it clear they did not accept our relationship, he went on to share. Much of the harassment was openly homophobic. Jonathan Joss/Facebook Tristan Kern de Gonzales (left) and Jonathan Joss Tristan Kern de Gonzales (left) and Jonathan Joss According to the post, Joss and Gonzales allegedly found the remains of one of their dogs left out for them to see when they visited the property that day, causing them "severe emotional distress." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw," he explained. "While we were doing this a man approached us. He started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired. Jonathan Joss/Facebook Tristan Kern de Gonzales (left) and Jonathan Joss Tristan Kern de Gonzales (left) and Jonathan Joss He continued: Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired, Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life. Having just gotten married on Valentines Day of this year, Gonzales gushed over his special connection with Joss, who gave me more love in our time together than most people ever get. He added that they were just newlyweds and planning our future. Derek Storm/Everett Jonathan Joss Jonathan Joss He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other, Gonzales wrote. I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved. To everyone who supported him, his fans, his friends, know that he valued you deeply. He saw you as family. My focus now is on protecting Jonathans legacy and honoring the life we built together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jonathan saved my life, the post concluded. I will carry that forward. I will protect what he built. In a follow-up post, Gonzales confirmed he has "absolutely no plans yet" on a memorial service but would keep fans updated. "Theres not a need to donate to the gofundme," he wrote, referencing the GoFundMe page that was set up after their home burned down. "But I want everyone to remember the joy and love Jonathan has brought and will continue to bring forever. I have my essentials covered and our family in San Antonio is taking care of me until I get back to South Carolina. Instead of donating Jonathan and I would both rather you spread the word about the consistent injustice done to him, to us, and to our dogs. We had so many beautiful plans for the future." Despite Gonzales' claims, the San Antonio Police Department issued a statement on X, where they stated that they are "currently investigating the murder of Mr. Jonathan Joss" and whether it was "a hate crime," but so far, have "found no evidence to indicate that Mr. Josss murder was related to his sexual orientation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PEOPLE has reached out to the San Antonio Police Department for comment. SAPD Homicide is currently investigating the murder of Mr. Jonathan Joss. Despite online claims of this being a hate crime, currently the investigation has found no evidence to indicate that the Mr. Josss murder was related to his sexual orientation. San Antonio PD (@SATXPolice) June 2, 2025 The Parks and Recreation alum was shot and killed on the evening of June 1 at the age of 59, PEOPLE previously reported. According to police, authorities were dispatched to a shooting in progress at Joss address around 7 p.m., where they found him lying near the roadway. Despite attempting life saving measures, paramedics pronounced Joss dead at the scene. Officers quickly found and detained a suspect, 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Cejam, who had fled the scene in a vehicle. He has now been booked for murder, and the investigation is still ongoing, per police. PEOPLE can confirm that the suspect is a neighbor of Joss. NBC Jonathan Joss Jonathan Joss 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. Just two days before the fatal shooting, Joss disrupted a panel about the upcoming King of the Hill revival at the ATX TV Festival. At one point, he stood up from the audience and spoke out about the discrimination he had been facing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im an actor, he said. I see a mic, I use it. I see a wrong, I make it right. I take a breath, I want to breathe. He then revealed: My house burned down three months ago because Im gay." Before sitting back down, a showrunner on stage pointed out that Joss played John Redcorn on the iconic series and confirmed that he was set to return for the reboot. Read the original article on People SAN ANTONIO (WGHP) Actor Jonathan Joss, best known for his parts in King of the Hill and Parks & Recreation, was killed in a shooting in San Antonio on Sunday, according to People. Joss provided the voice for John Redcorn for most of the time King of the Hill was on the air. He also played Chief Ken Hotate on Parks & Recreation. People reports that Joss, 59, was killed during a dispute with a neighbor on Sunday night. The suspect, 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Cejam, left the scene in a car and has since been taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. Former Miami Democratic state Senator Jose Javier Rodriguez (via Twitter). Saying that he wants to make Florida safer and less expensive, former state Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez announced Monday that he is a candidate for the Democratic Party nomination for attorney general in 2026. Corrupt deal makers have taken over Florida, and we are paying the price, says Rodriguez in a video message announcing his candidacy posted early Monday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our power company is planning the biggest rate hike in U.S. history. Our insurance goes up every year. Powerful interests get away with everything they want, looking out for themselves and making deals at our expense and at our childrens expense. And who do we have to stop them? Nobody. Because our attorney general, the guy who should be taking them to court, is too busy enriching himself and only looking out for himself. That last reference is to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who was selected by Gov. Ron DeSantis to serve out the remainder of Ashley Moodys four-year term in February after he appointed her to the U.S. Senate. Rodriguez, 46, is a Miami attorney with Cuban roots who graduated from Harvard Law School before getting into electoral politics. He first ran for office in 2012, when he won a House seat representing a portion of Miami-Dade County. In 2016, he left the House and won a seat in the state Senate representing various cities in Miami-Dade (including downtown Miami). His time in the Legislature ended abruptly in 2020 when he lost his bid for re-election to his Senate seat to Republican Ileana Garcia by just 32 votes out of more than 210,000 cast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, it was later exposed in state court that former Republican state Sen. Frank Artiles had orchestrated the candidacy of a no-party-affiliated ghost candidate named Alex Rodriguez by offering him $50,000 to enter the contest to take votes away from Jose Javier Rodriguez. Alex Rodriguez received 3% of the vote that year. Ultimately, Artiles was sentenced to 60 days in jail for his involvement in that operation. In 2021 Rodriguez was nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as assistant secretary for employment and training in the U.S. Department of Labor. He wasnt confirmed however, until March of 2024, clearing the U.S. Senate on a narrow 50-48 vote. Climate change A strong advocate for combatting climate change during his time in the Senate, in 2019 Rodriguez filed a bill that would have allowed property owners to sell home-generated solar power to other people or tenants living in their homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such legislation if enacted could have become a threat to investor-owned utilities like Florida Power & Light. It was later reported that then-utility CEO Eric Silagy sent an email to lobbyists for the utility after the bill was introduced, writing, I want you to be make his life a living hellseriously. Rodriguez referenced that comment in his campaign video on Monday. I made my career taking on the corrupt and powerful, he said. When I did, they promised to make my life a living hell. Seriously. So I gave em hell right back. Seriously. As an attorney, fighting for janitors, security guards, and cab drivers whose wages were stolen. As a state senator, taking on special interest giants who want more and more of our hard-earned money at every turn. And as an assistant secretary of Labor, proud to fight every day for American workers. And now Im running to be your attorney general, because Florida needs somebody in its court, and Ive never been more ready to take on the corrupt and powerful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodriguez is the first major Democrat to announce his candidacy for the AG position, which has been held by Republican lawmakers ever since Bob Butterworth left office due to term limits in 2002. Uthmeier controversy Uthmeier previously served as DeSantis chief of staff and has already faced several controversies during his short time in office, which could invite a primary challenge from a fellow Republican. A federal judge has said that she may hold him in contempt of court for informing law enforcement officers that they dont need to follow a court order barring enforcement of a newly enacted state immigration law. Uthmeier has also had his name mentioned in the Hope Florida saga. Specifically, he chaired a political committee called Keep Florida Clean last year that was created to oppose Amendment 3, the proposed constitutional amendment that would have legalized recreational cannabis use for adults. Keep Florida Clean was the ultimate recipient of millions of dollars of the original $10 million that the Hope Florida Foundation received from a $67 million Medicaid overpayment settlement with the state. Uthmeier has denied any involvement in how that money came to Keep Florida Clean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like any Democrat now running statewide in what has become a very red state, Rodriguez will definitely be an underdog should he win the Democratic partys nomination for AG next year. Evan Power, the Republican Party of Florida chair, blasted the South Florida Democrat as being a failed politician and liberal ambulance chaser. Jose Javier Rodriguez has spent his career coddling criminals, chasing ambulances, and auditioning whatever political gig he can land, Power said in a statement. Floridians support fighters who protect communities, not far-left hacks who put criminals first. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SAN FRANCISCO (AP) An estimated 5,000 Venezuelans granted temporary protected status can continue to work and live in the U.S. despite a Supreme Court ruling revoking protections while their lawsuit against the Trump administration is pending. U.S. District Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco ruled Friday that Venezuelans whose Temporary Protected Status was extended to October 2026 are not affected by the Supreme Court's order and are not eligible for deportation. The Supreme Court last month gave the go-ahead for the Republican administration to strip TPS from an estimated 350,000 Venezuelans that would have expired in April. In doing so, the court put on hold Chen's order blocking the administration from revoking protections granted under President Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The justices provided no rationale, which is common in emergency appeals. But they singled out applicants who had received work authorization and other paperwork with new expiration dates of Oct. 2, 2026. Chen said at a hearing Friday that the justices could have stayed silent as to that subset of people, but didn't. His court continues to hear the underlying claim that the revocations by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem were unlawful. TPS allows people already in the United States to live and work legally because their native countries are deemed unsafe for return due to natural disaster or civil strife. President Donald Trump promised on the campaign trail to deport millions of people, and in office has sought to dismantle Biden administration policies that expanded paths for migrants to live legally in the U.S. SEATTLE (AP) A federal judge on Monday granted a preliminary injunction to stop Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from killing a collective bargaining agreement for Transportation Safety Administration workers. U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman of Seattle said in her order that an injunction is needed to preserve the rights and benefits that TSA workers have enjoyed for years while being represented by the American Federation of Government Employees. In their lawsuit, Pechman said, the union has shown that Noem's directive to end the agreement constitutes impermissible retaliation against it for its unwillingness to acquiesce to the Trump Administrations assault on federal workers. It also likely violated due process and AFGE is likely to succeed in showing that Noems decision was arbitrary and capricious," she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todays court decision is a crucial victory for federal workers and the rule of law, AFGE National President Everett Kelley said in a release. The preliminary injunction underscores the unconstitutional nature of DHSs attack on TSA officers First Amendment rights. We remain committed to ensuring our members rights and dignity are protected, and we will not back down from defending our members rights against unlawful union busting. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Kipnis declined to comment on the judge's ruling, according to Emily Langlie, spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's office. AFGE had entered into a new, seven-year collective bargaining agreement with agency last May, but Noem issued a memo Feb. 27 rescinding that agreement. One week later, TSA informed the union about Noem's directive, saying the contract was terminated and all pending grievances would be deleted. AFGE filed a lawsuit against Noem, claiming the move was retaliation against the union for pushing back against the Trump administration's attacks on federal workers. AFGE had filed a separate lawsuit Feb. 19 against the Office of Personnel Management to stop the firing of probationary workers. A judge issued a temporary restraining order Feb. 27 stopping the firings the same day Noem issued her memo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abigail Carter, representing AFGE during oral arguments before Pechman on May 27, said Noem's move was retaliation and a violation of the union's First Amendment right to protected speech and its Fifth Amendment right to due process. The administration has made it clear that if you dont disagree with it politically, you and your members can keep your rights, but if you do disagree, you lose them, Carter said. She also argued that the collective bargaining agreement was necessary because TSA workers are not covered under the federal labor-management code. The agreement protects them from dangerous working conditions and unreasonable hours. Kipnis denied the retaliation claim and said it was simply a difference in management styles. Pechman questioned that contention. Not all unions are banned by the administration, Pechman said, only the ones oppose the administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isnt this a pattern that you see? Pechman asked Kipnis. Attorneys who take opposition stances get banned. Those who dont, dont have those restrictions. Isnt this the pattern that the White House has set up?" Kipnis said tension between unions and management are common and this conflict doesn't signal a violation of the workers' First Amendment rights, but instead reflects a confrontational relationship. But Pechman wasn't convinced. Previous TSA managers have found unions to be beneficial and renewed their contracts for years, she said. They found they made a happier workforce, and they wanted their employees to feel that they were well-treated, she said. What has changed is this administration's attitude, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To that, Kipnis replied: Or you could characterize it as a different management style. The former administration apparently saw that as a better way to do business. ... But this administration sees a different way of doing business. And the same statute affords them the same amount of discretion. Pechman said she understood that the administration has the right to exercise that discretion, but to abruptly cancel doesnt seem well reasoned, so Im having trouble with that." She also noted, "But why the United States gets to back out of contracts that its made is harder to accept. In Monday's order, Pechman said TSA workers would suffer irreparable harm without the injunction, noting that if they lose their collective bargaining agreement, they will lose the benefits it provides. While the loss of money alone does not show irreparable harm, the total harms here are more than monetary, Pechman said. They include the loss of substantive employment protections, avenues of grievance and arbitration, and the right to have a workforce that can unite to demand benefits that might not be obtainable through individual negotiation. Julie Wise JAY, Okla. Delaware County Special Judge Nick Lelecas banished a Grove woman with a history of drug trafficking convictions from living in Ottawa and Delaware counties after pleading to drug charges. Julie Aspen Wise, also known as Julie Wiess, 33, pleaded guilty in Delaware County District Court in Jay, to aggravated trafficking in illegal drugs, possession of firearms, and unlawful use of a communication device. All were after a former conviction of two or more felonies. She received a 25-year suspended sentence on drug charges and was ordered to pay a $16,500 fine. She is also on supervised release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wise agreed to leave Ottawa and Delaware counties as part of her plea agreement. Records show that her current address is Northridge, California. Since 2011, Wise has appeared before the court on nine drug charges, court records show. On her most current drug conviction, she admitted to having in her possession 200 fentanyl pills, and she had purchased 1,000 fentanyl pills in the four months preceding Aug. 2022, according to an arrest affidavit. Julie-Wise-Plea-Agreement Authorities found $15,280 in cash, a loaded Smith and Wesson Police .38-caliber Police Special Revolver, and 196 blue fentanyl pills at Wises residence, the affidavit states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. MUNCIE, IN A Delaware Circuit Court 4 jury has found a local man guilty of two counts of possession of child pornography. Neil B. Cook, 58, listed in court documents at addresses in Albany and Dunkirk, was charged in May 2019 with the two Level 6 felonies, both carrying up to 30 months in prison. According to court documents, Albany police were notified in September 2018 that a family member had found nude images of children on Cook's cell phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Albany officer later "observed images of adult pornography as well as images of what appeared to be young children fully nude," an affidavit said. More: New Castle man charged with 42 felonies after child pornography investigation The guilty verdicts were returned on May 30. Deputy Prosecutor Adrian Perez presented the state's case against Cook, who was defended by Noblesville attorney Peter John Capofari. Master Commissioner Timothy Hollems set sentencing for June 25. In a release, Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman expressed disappointment that Hollems did not grant Perez's request that Cook be jailed as he awaits sentencing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hoffman said as a convicted felon, Cook "should be in jail." He has been free on bail since the charges were filed against him more than six years ago. Cook has twice been convicted of driving while intoxicated, in Wayne and Wells counties. Douglas Walker is a news reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Jury finds Delaware County man guilty of possessing child pornography BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has full capability to monitor Irans nuclear activities, said Esmail Baghaei, the spokesman for Irans Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trend reports. In his statement today at a press conference in Tehran, Baghaei noted that Iran, as a responsible member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the IAEA, has always coordinated its peaceful nuclear activities with the agency. He added that exaggerating the refusal to admit a few inspectors while failing to note that 125 inspectors visited Iran to participate in inspections is clearly a deliberately promoted issue. In its latest report, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that, as of May 17, 2024, Irans stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent had reached 408.6 kilogramsan increase of 133.8 kilograms since the February report. The report also noted that 60 percent enrichment is considered a short technical step away from weapons-grade level at 90 percent. The agency called on Iran for full and effective cooperation. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel HONOLULU (KHON2) Honolulu Emergency Medical Services responded to a three-car collision in the Kaaawa area shortly after 3 p.m. on June 1. According to first responders, a 25-year-old male was one of four patients examined at the scene. Miss Hawaii crowns new queen: Miss Kaneohe A 21-year-old male, a 56-year-old female and a male estimated to be 40 were also examined at the scene. All patients but the 40-year-old were transported to the hospital in serious condition. The 40-year-old man sustained minor injuries and declined transportation to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a 2026 candidate for the Republican nomination for governor, discusses election politics during a recording of the Kansas Reflector podcast. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Secretary of State Scott Schwab takes exception to anyone insisting on a state criminal investigation of Kansas elections based on the assumption evidence of misconduct waited to be found. Schwab, the states top election official and a candidate for the Republican Partys nomination for governor, said Kansas elections were secure, fair and accurate. He was aware GOP rival Doug Billings said if he were elected governor in 2026 that hed order the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to launch an inquiry into election irregularities. Billings asserted anyone who said Kansas didnt have election integrity issues was lying or ill-informed. Hes not attacking me, Schwab said on Kansas Reflectors podcast. Hes attacking the lady thats retired, that volunteers at church and wants to volunteer as a poll worker. Thats who hes attacking. And, if thats who youre attacking, your character is seriously in question. If youre calling her a liar, OK, thats between you and God. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said anyone running for Kansas governor should be familiar enough with state government to know the KBI was under jurisdiction of the attorney general not the governor. Schwab, 52, of Overland Park, graduated from Fort Hays State University, worked for a medical equipment company and entered the Kansas House in 2003. He unsuccessfully sought the GOP nomination to a U.S. House seat in 2006, but returned to the Kansas House in 2009. He left the Legislature after elected secretary of state in 2018 and was reelected to that job in 2022. He declared his Republican gubernatorial candidacy in January and revealed he was being treated for cancer in March. He said testing showed a lung abnormality that required surgery. They said, Wow, we caught this thing really early. Were rounding up to stage one lung cancer, but were gonna go in, take some significant margin, and youre good,' he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2026 governors race Aside from Schwab, the most prominent politician preparing for the GOP gubernatorial primary in 2026 was former Gov. Jeff Colyer. He replaced Gov. Sam Brownback when he resigned in early 2018 to work in the first administration of President Donald Trump. Colyer, who lost the GOP primary for governor in 2018 to Kobach, was recently endorsed by former Trump cabinet Secretary Ben Carson. Schwab said Colyer hadnt held public office for years, and he doesnt win primaries. Other potential GOP candidates for governor included Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, state Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, former Johnson County Commissioner Charlotte OHara, businesswoman Stacy Rogers and former Wichita school board member Joy Eakins. Only Billings has paid the filing fee to be a candidate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schwab said it was significant U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, U.S. Reps. Derek Schmidt, Tracey Mann and Ron Estes and former U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner wouldnt enter the governors race. Suddenly, what was considered a very crowded field doesnt get nearly as crowded, Schwab said. He said candidates expecting to mount a competitive campaign would need to raise about $1 million this year. Taxes, abortion Schwab said he would campaign on a platform that included a commitment to lowering the property tax burden on Kansans. He said the county-by-county property appraisal process needed to be updated. He previously criticized the 2025 Legislature and Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly for not taking substantive action to get a handle on property taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On abortion rights, Schwab said he remained an opponent of abortion. He said a fetus deserved personhood status and legal protections afforded Kansans at birth. The question weve got to ask yourself is, when does a person get access to constitutional and legal protections? Is it after theyre born? A minute before theyre born? he said. Personally, I believe when theres implantation into the uterus, and then because theres a connection to the mother, that exists. Thats my personal religious belief. The Kansas Supreme Court issued an opinion in 2019 that said the Bill of Rights of the Kansas Constitution contained a fundamental right to bodily autonomy and that women in Kansas had the right to end a pregnancy. In 2022, Kansas voters rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have nullified the state court decision. I know where I would like to go, but its unrealistic, and I get it. I want everybody in the world to love Jesus. Thats unrealistic. I get it. I accept that. Does that make me an extremist? No, no, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election reforms Schwab said he was comfortable with Kansas voters casting ballots ahead of Election Day, but would prefer ballots were deposited in drop boxes operated by county election offices rather than relying on the U.S. Postal Service. Theres a few people thatll say, Hey, Election Day should be Election Day. Nothing early. Nothing by mail. But thats an extreme minority. Theres three ways to vote in Kansas: In-person on Election Day, in-person early or vote with an advanced mail ballot. We dont need more ways. Kansas lawmakers approved a bill requiring special elections to be conducted in early March, at the August primary or the November general election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schwab welcomed a law granting access to information from the Kansas Department of Revenues motor vehicle division to better identify noncitizens registered to vote. In addition, legislators said online obituaries could be used by election clerks as a reference source for removal of deceased individuals from voter registration rolls. Schwab said he was disappointed the Legislature declined to enact his recommendation to make it a crime to harass an election worker. These are volunteers who are getting paid, but not much, the secretary of state said. To threaten them when theyre just doing what they were trained to do, its pretty ridiculous. Some people are just mean. The judge in the Karen Read trial will allow into evidence damaging text messages from the fired lead investigator, Michael Proctor, who worked for the Massachusetts State Police. Judge Beverly Cannone made the ruling Monday morning before jurors entered the courtroom over the objections of Norfolk County prosecutors. I find that they come in as they go to the state of mind of Trooper [Michael] Proctor, specifically as that goes to potentially reflecting any bias or omissions in the police investigation, Cannone said from the bench. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reads lawyers are not planning on calling Proctor to the witness stand and they argued on Friday that they should not have to call him to introduce his text messages into evidence. The damaging text messages were revealed during the first Read trial last year and played a role in Proctors firing in March. Proctor made comments about Reads appearance, mocked her medical conditions, called her a whack job, and shared details of the investigation with family members and high school friends amid his investigation into John OKeefes death. Massachusetts State Police found Proctor sent derogatory, defamatory, disparaging and/or otherwise inappropriate text messages about Read to other individuals. They also found Proctor provided sensitive and/or confidential information about Read, potential witnesses, and/or potential investigative steps in the case to non-law enforcement personnel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reads defense attorneys called Jonathan Diamandis, who was on the text thread with Proctor, after the judges ruling on Monday morning. Diamandis said he has been on a text chain with Proctor for more than 10 years and that he attended high school with Proctor in Canton. Defense attorney David Yannetti briefly questioned Diamandis to authenticate the text messages from Proctor. 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. More about the case Read the original article on MassLive. Karen Reads second trial in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John OKeefe, continues on Monday in Dedhams Norfolk Superior Court before Judge Beverly Cannone. Read more: Karen Read retrial: Biggest takeaways from week 6 as prosecution rests its case On Friday, the first day of Reads defense, the jury heard from a vehicle data expert and accident reconstructionist who examined the findings of a pair of prosecution experts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People to know: Hank Brennan, special prosecutor for the district attorneys office Jonathan Diamandis, friend of former trooper Michael Proctor 9:40 a.m. - Fired troopers texts read aloud On cross-examination from Brennan, Diamandis was forced to read aloud many of the messages Proctor sent in a text exchange with friends of his from high school about Read and the investigation into OKeefe. In the text exchange, which includes messages on Jan. 29, 2022, the day of OKeefes death, Proctor tells his friends serious charges will be brought on Read. He also calls her a babe with a weird Fall River accent. Shes got a leaky balloon knot, leaks poo, Proctor wrote of Read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brennan read many of the texts aloud himself, with Diamandis authenticating they were accurate. Both Brennan and David Yannetti, a lawyer for Read, asked a series of questions about Proctors termination from Massachusetts State Police. Diamandis confirmed he knew the termination was tied to the texts Proctor sent, but not any more detail. Brennan also used the cross-examination to deflect accusations that Proctor planted evidence or attempted to frame Read. Diamandis confirmed Proctor never sent messages along those lines. 9:10 a.m. - Judge lets in fired troopers text messages Before the jury entered the courtroom Monday morning, Cannone allowed the defense to bring in text messages sent by former trooper Michael Proctor as evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defense called one of Proctors friends, Jonathan Diamandis, to authenticate the messages during a brief voir dire Friday afternoon. Diamandis was on the group chat where Proctor sent several degrading text messages about Read and revealed details of the investigation into OKeefes death. Proctor was later fired in part for those messages. Cannone found the messages had been properly authenticated and allowed them in as they speak to Proctors state of mind. Special prosecutor Hank Brennan objected to the inclusion of the texts and argued the defense must call Proctor to get them into evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diamandis was the first witness to take the stand Monday. He authenticated the messages again on direct examination and they were entered into evidence. Read, 45, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of OKeefe, who was found outside the Canton 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. Karen Read murder case Read the original article on MassLive. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Florida, said the federal agency cuts under the Trump administration may leave Tampa Bay vulnerable to potential hurricane dangers. Castor spoke at a press conference with St. Petersburg city officials Monday as the city discussed hurricane preparedness. VIDEOS: Tampa battered by quarter-sized hail Chief Holloway, under Mayor Welchs leadership, and Amber Bolding, head of emergency preparedness, they are really very forward leaning, Castor said. In what you heard from Amber is they have taken so much of what theyve learned from the catastrophes of Debby, Helene and Milton, and theyre pouring that into preparing, for that worst-case scenario. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Castor was less optimistic about the federal governments ability to handle the 2025 hurricane season so far, blaming the chainsaw cuts under President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. We dont have the same number of meteorologists, hurricane hunter experts, folks on the job preparing for an active hurricane season, the congresswoman said. Now, the National Hurricane Center says they will be able to deal with what comes, but its a vulnerability moving forward. She also said FEMA is not entirely prepared for potential hurricanes this year due to their cuts. It was days after the storm surge of Hurricane Helene, and I saw the FEMA contractors on the ground checking on our neighbors, making sure they had the emergency funds necessary to get them through that, that emergency response period, Castor said. And I cannot say, based upon what Ive heard over the past months and talking with, with experts, that they are going to be there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While she did say that Florida is still better equipped than any other state to handle natural disasters on the local level, the cuts to funds for local communities is going to hamper preparations and recovery. Right now, they have cut back on the building resilient infrastructure grants that local communities were relying on, Castor said. Theyve cut back on the hazard mitigation grants. Those are the funds that help you rebuild seawalls, roads, water infrastructure, and they have announced over the past couple of weeks that that local communities will not get those same funds. So its a time now for folks to be vigilant, to look out for their neighbors to take some extra added responsibility. NOAA has predicted an above-average hurricane season for 2025. We know we just hope and pray this is not the new normal, but what we know is that the Gulf waters are very hot, Castor said. We know that NOAA has is predicting an active hurricane season. The climate is heating their longer, hotter summers. Just last week, we said we set, all time records for, in Tampa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. HONOLULU (KHON2) Kauai firefighters carried out two separate rescues on Sunday, aiding stranded hikers at Kalalau Beach and along the Waipoo Falls Trail in Kokee State Park. Gloomy Monday ahead The first call came in just after 9:15 a.m., when a man at remote Kalalau Beach reported severe stomach issues and was unable to hike out. Rescue crews responded and airlifted the man to the Waimea Ballpark landing zone. He was transferred to medics for further care by 10:30 a.m. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Later in the day, around 5:45 p.m., crews were dispatched to the Waipoo Falls Trail to assist a 44-year-old visitor from California who injured her ankle while hiking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to weather conditions, Air 1 had to land nearby, and firefighters hiked in to reach her. She was carried out using a rescue seat and flown to a landing zone before being handed off to medical personnel. Firefighters cleared the scene by 7:20 p.m. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The Kauai Fire Department reminds hikers to wear proper footwear, stay hydrated, and be prepared for rapidly changing trail conditions when exploring remote areas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up a case that involves whether possessing AR-15s is protected by the Second Amendment, but the courts conservatives are signaling they soon will. Only three justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch voted to hear a challenge to Marylands ban on possessing AR-15s, barely falling short of the four votes required to take up a case. But Justice Brett Kavanaugh sent a strong signal that he will provide that crucial fourth vote in a future case once the issue percolates more in the lower courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In my view, this Court should and presumably will address the AR15 issue soon, in the next Term or two, Kavanaugh wrote in a three-page written statement. Kavanaugh, President Trumps second appointee to the court, called Marylands law questionable. But he stressed the issue is currently being considered by several appeals courts that are weighing other states bans. Opinions from other Courts of Appeals should assist this Courts ultimate decisionmaking on the AR15 issue, Kavanaugh wrote. The constitutionality of such laws has become a flash point in the legal battles over gun control. The Supreme Court has issued multiple expansions of Second Amendment rights in recent years but has yet to settle how those rulings apply to AR-15 bans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maryland is one of nine states that have banned the possession of AR-15s, the most popular civilian rifle in America. Maryland enacted its law in 2013 following the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting the year prior. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Marylands law by ruling AR-15s are not constitutionally protected arms under the Second Amendment. The Supreme Courts refusal to hear the case leaves intact that ruling. The trio of other conservative justices said they wouldve taken up the issue now. I would not wait to decide whether the government can ban the most popular rifle in America. That question is of critical importance to tens of millions of law-abiding AR15 owners throughout the country. We have avoided deciding it for a full decade, Thomas wrote in a solo, written dissent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, I doubt we would sit idly by if lower courts were to so subvert our precedents involving any other constitutional right. Alito and Gorsuch did not join Thomass written dissent and did not author their own to explain their reasoning. The courts refusal to hear the case came as it also turned away a challenge to Rhode Islands ban on high-capacity magazines. Thomas, Alito and Gorsuch indicated they also wouldve taken up that case. In that dispute, four gun owners and a local hunting store accused lower courts of contorting the Supreme Courts recent expansions on Second Amendment rights to uphold Rhode Islands restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Kent County Commissioner Robert Womack is launching a series of town halls following the dismissal of charges in two high-profile police cases and the upcoming closure of a local Job Corps center. Sign up for the News 8 daily newsletter The event addressed public reaction to recent legal decisions involving former officers Christopher Schurr and Brian Keely, as well as broader concerns around police reform and community rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first forum of the State of Emergency series was held Monday evening at Wealthy Street Theater. It put a community on display that is looking for answers, after the end of criminal proceedings against multiple law enforcement officers whose actions resulted in the deaths of local young men, amid a still growing trend nationwide. Former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr will not be retried in the shooting death of Patrick Lyoya. Charges against former Michigan State Police Sgt Brian Keely were dismissed after he struck and killed Samuel Sterling with an unmarked cruiser. Womack is calling for Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to appeal the Keely ruling. Panelists for Monday nights event included attorneys Ben Crump and Ven Johnson, local civil rights leaders, NAACP representatives, and family members of Lyoya and Riley Doggett. Abomination of justice: Community leaders react to Keely case dismissal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you look at the data, from 2020 to last year we had some of the highest numbers of officer involved shootings, and the highest number of use of force by law enforcement on citizens across the country, said Carlton T. Meyers, special advisor for public safety at the NAACP of Greater Grand Rapids. Mondays meeting featured pointed questions from Womack, most notably, What do we do now? and Where do we go from here? Thats a loaded question, said Cle Jackson, President of the NAACP of Greater Grand Rapids. I will be completely transparent. I dont know. Those helpless feelings come in the wake of decisions from local prosecutors and federal judges to end criminal proceedings against charged officers. Attorney Ven Johnson, who routinely represents these types of cases in civil court, painted a picture of stagnant progress in criminal courts and emphasizing the power of the still-pending civil suits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The old game that they played was it didnt matter what they did to you or where they did it, they would never be charged, Johnson said. Now, you charge them and let the system do its thing. They say the civil trial is for money. Its not just for money. Its for justice. Its for justice. The meeting also featured emotional calls to action, encouraging the assembled community to use their collective power both in their day-to-day choices, and at the ballot box. We have to be sure we are keeping records and receipts, Jackson said. Remember that the prosecutor is an elected official. The judges are elected officials. We have to be willing to sacrifice. When we talk about economic boycotts locally, we have to be willing to sacrifice. The event also featured a period of public education. Womack read and distributed a guide on how to respectfully manage legal or illegal interactions with police to keep young people safe through the ordeal. There will be three more public town halls in the coming weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dates and locations for the remaining three meetings have not been announced. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KENT, Ohio (WJW) Kent State University will close several identity-based student centers on its Kent and Stark campuses this summer to comply with new state law, the university announced Monday. Effective June 27, the Kent Campus will no longer operate its LGBTQ+ Center, Womens Center and Student Multicultural Center. The Stark Campus also will cease operations at its LGBTQ Resource Center, the University announced in a press release. Motorcycle pulling a camper trailer overturns in fatal crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the centers themselves will close, university officials said their physical spacesincluding the E. Timothy Moore Center and Williamson House, home to the Center for Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services (SRVSS) will remain open as general-use spaces accessible to all students. Guidelines for using these spaces are still being developed. In addition to the closures, Kent States LGBTQ+ Living-Learning Community will be discontinued. Other academically based Living-Learning Communities will remain in operation. We understand these centers and the Living-Learning Community have been powerful sources of connection, support and growth, and we acknowledge the emotional and personal impact this change may have on many members of our community, said Eboni Pringle, Ph.D., Senior Vice President for Student Life. The move is in response to new state directives affecting diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public universities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more about Ohio Senate Bill 1 here. Once-in-a-lifetime: When you can see all three Goodyear Blimps together over NE Ohio Students will still have access to resources that support mental health, wellness and basic needs, the university said. Our mission remains the same: to foster a campus where every student feels a sense of belonging, Pringle said. The university also expressed appreciation for the staff and student employees affected by the changes, stating, The university places a high value on their contributions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member states have significant potential to deepen their collaboration in transportation and logistics, said Farzaneh Sadegh, Irans Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Trend reports. Speaking at the 13th meeting of transport ministers from ECO member countries held in Tehran, Sadegh highlighted the importance of leveraging existing opportunities to strengthen regional cooperation within ECO, noting that enhanced collaboration and closer relations benefit all parties involved. Joint infrastructure projects along trade routes and streamlined freight transportation processes can play a crucial role in improving the welfare of the regions population and driving development, she said. The 13th meeting of transport ministers from ECO member countries in Tehran brought together ministers and high-level representatives from Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Turkiye, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijans Ministry of Digital Development and Transport. Ambassadors from ECO member countries, the ECO Secretary-General, and heads of organizations such as the International Road Transport Union, TRACECA, ECO Bank, and the Islamic Development Bank also participated. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel CLINTON COUNTY, Ky. (WKRN) A wanted man was taken into custody Friday following a nearly decade long and multi agency investigation, according to Clinton County officials. The Clinton County Sheriffs Office said Antonio Raymundo Velasquez, a 56-year-old man living in Albany, had two active warrants for incest/forcible compulsion. Woman charged with assault following Hopkinsville shooting Authorities said an investigation by the Wayne County Sheriffs Office into a possible scam brought a deputy to Albany to verify a transaction at a local business. The Albany Police Department and Clinton County Sheriffs Office provided assistance, which led to a possible location for Velasquez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said all law enforcement personnel at the scene started following up with potential locations, adding that an officer from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife even helped in the search. Hopkinsville and Clarksville police work together to arrest burglary suspect According to authorities, Clinton County Sheriff Ricky Marcum and a deputy arrested Velasquez without further incident on Friday, May 30. Velasquez was reportedly held in the Clinton County Jail. The Clinton County Sheriffs Office said Kentucky State Police started the investigation in 2016. However, no additional details have been released about the case or the circumstances surrounding the arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. A Kentucky mother says after she asked the state to help her manage her adopted daughters severe behavioral issues, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services sent letters to the childs birth parents and others, asking them to take her in. (Getty Images) A Kentucky mother says after she asked the state to help her manage her adopted daughters severe behavioral issues, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services sent letters to the childs birth parents and others, asking them to take her in. Jennifer Nelson filed a lawsuit in Caldwell Circuit Court last week, saying the state violated her daughters privacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nelson is asking for a declaration from the court that adoption records are confidential and that adoptive parents are the only legal parents. She also wants the court to block any future letters from being sent and other damages. Her daughter, 14, identified by the pseudonym Ann in the lawsuit, has been living at a Louisville residential facility since June 2024, Nelson said. Im so torn because in my heart, I want her home, and it hurts me when I leave her, she told the Lantern. We visit often, but when I leave, shes okay. Thats home, and that hurts. But Im also very grateful that she sees that as home. She is in a living environment where she is not different than anybody else there. She has severe behavioral issues, but that is the norm there. Nelson, a lawyer who is representing herself, names several state and local officials, including outgoing secretary of the CHFS Eric Friedlander and Department of Community Based Services Commissioner Lesa Dennis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A CHFS spokeswoman said that as of Thursday, the cabinet hadnt been served with the lawsuit and couldnt comment directly on it. Team Kentucky is committed to the well-being of children and families across the commonwealth, said Kendra Steele, the executive director for the cabinets Office of Public Affairs. Once an adoption case is final, it is sealed to protect the identities of the child and their new family, Steele said. Very few employees within the Department for Community Based Services can access those cases. The department takes the sensitivity of these cases very seriously. A higher level of assistance Jennifer and her ex husband, Jared, adopted Ann and her biological brother in May 2012, and Ann was never in the legal or physical custody of her biological parents, the lawsuit states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jared and Jennifer met Ann at the hospital on the day she was born, according to the lawsuit. The parental rights of both Ann and her sibling were involuntarily terminated. It was soon clear to Nelson that Ann had special needs, she said, citing cognitive impairments and various mental, behavioral and emotional problems. After years of documented and observed struggles with behavioral issues, cognitive impairments and mental health disorders, it was evident that Ann required a higher level of assistance than either parent could provide, and that Ann had become too dangerous, putting herself and others at risk of harm, to be in a private home setting without intervention, the lawsuit says. In August 2023, the couple reached out for help from the Post Adoptive Placement Stabilization Services (PAPSS), a state program that lets adoptive parents put their child in a residential facility without giving up custody, according to the CHFS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But over the course of eight months, the lawsuit says, the Nelsons and PAPSS tried to find a facility for Ann, but she was rejected by every facility in Kentucky, multiple times, over her IQ level and documented behavior issues. By that time, Ann had become unmanageable in the home and was a safety risk to herself and others, the lawsuit states. A symptom of Anns illness includes unprovoked attacks upon family and teachers. For example, Ann would routinely be suspended from school for hitting, biting, crying, yelling and attacking both students and staff. At home, Ann would be violent with her siblings and her family. On multiple instances she attempted to throw herself from moving vehicles. In April 2024, the Nelsons took Ann to the childrens hospital at Vanderbilt in Tennessee after she attacked teachers in her special education classroom and attempted to use scissors against students and staff, the lawsuit states. The hospital kept her under observation for five days and then wanted to discharge her. Nelson was adamant with the hospital staff that the child was too violent and that Ann needed treatment. Jennifer stated that she would not leave without getting Ann help, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eventually, after the hospital filed a report later unsubstantiated, according to the suit of neglect against Nelson, she filed a custody petition with the state, asking CHFS to take temporary custody of Ann. That petition was approved, and the CHFS became Anns temporary custodian in April 2024, with a goal of getting her admitted to a facility and getting her stabilized so she can come home, the lawsuit states. I love her. I want her better, but I want her fixed, because Im going to die one day, and when that happens, shes going to be in prison, or she is going to be in some group home, strapped to a bed, and I dont want that, Nelson told the Lantern. I want her treated now so that I dont have to worry about her being killed or arrested or strapped to a bed. While in the states custody, Nelson says in her suit, the cabinet sent at least 60 letters to people including biological and adoptive family seeking placement for Ann. One went to Jared Nelson, Anns adoptive father, saying he had been identified as a potential father, according to the lawsuit and a copy of the letter shared with the Lantern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nelson wonders what if one of the letter recipients had said yes? And who accessed the private adoption information in order to identify and write to Anns biological parents? Kentucky law states adoption records are to be kept confidential by the parties involved, their lawyers and cabinet representatives who are given permission by a court to examine them. I think that they the social workers on the ground believe that they have to send these letters, but in order to know who all to send them to the biological relatives they would have to have access to TWIST, Nelson said. TWIST is a computer database, iTWIST, that houses information on abuse and neglect cases and has itself been the center of a debate between the cabinet and the auditors office of late over who should have access to it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident led Nelson to believe there is a disconnect in policy and law. I work with a lot of social workers, and I think the ones that are on the ground are doing what they can with what resources they have, she said. And I dont know why there is such a block between the regs, the policy and the law. For now, Ann is scheduled for a neurological evaluation in June, which Nelson hopes will provide answers to what, specifically, Ann needs treatment for. Right now, staff suspect schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, mood disorder, autism and other diagnoses. The hope and goal remains: bring Ann home, a goal Nelson said shes devastated to not yet be able to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until we can figure out a regimen of both behavioral therapy and medication that will, at least, ensure her safety and everyone elses, Nelson said, then shes where she needs to be. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A down-on-her-luck Kentucky woman who claimed her boyfriend was laid off when they lost their home to a tornado had to stop asking for donations after police began looking into her story. While returning to her London, Kentucky, home after the death of her mother-in-law, Sierra Barnes said she learned a tornado was about to hit her town and her family was able to head to safety, KLTV reported. It was like a voice spoke to me, Turn around. It was probably the best thing we could have done, she told the news station. When she was finally able to return, she found her home had suffered heavy damage and could potentially even be ruled a total loss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I built my whole life there. I raised my daughter there, she said. Barnes later set up a GoFundMe seeking help after the loss, but also wrote on the fundraiser that her boyfriend lost his job working for the city of Londons public works department. Sierra Barnes GoFundMe prompted a police investigation after she initially claimed her boyfriend lost his job. (GoFundMe) According to a since-deleted section of the fundraiser, Barnes said her boyfriend had been working 12-hour workdays since the tornado and now they have laid off him and seven other men as well. Barnes told KLTV her boyfriend was part of a group that was told they were about to be laid off. However, officials with the city of London told the news station there had been no terminations in the past week and no layoffs planned for the immediate future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City officials noted they had not fired anyone, but were, instead, looking to hire additional help. It was not immediately clear what caused Barnes to include that claim in her fundraiser. London police said they were investigating the incident. Barnes GoFundMe remains listed but is no longer accepting donations. It also makes no mention of her boyfriend losing his job. Before it was shuttered, the fundraiser received $500. The Independent has messaged Barnes through the fundraiser seeking comment. As the National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a newly released transcript of the audio recording from the Dali container ship shows routine conversation then panic. The transcript reveals the moments directly before and after the Dali cargo ship collided with the Key Bridge in the early morning hours of March 26, 2024, as it was leaving the Port of Baltimore. At the beginning of the trip, there was no indication of what was to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the ship was still alongside Seagirt Marine Terminal, the ships crew on the bridge was having casual conversation. Once two local pilots from the Association of Maryland Pilots boarded the DALI to guide its departure from the Port of Baltimore, one asked the master of the Dali, Captain, everythings working? The master replied, yeah, everything is in order. The conversation between the pilot and the training pilot was ordinary. They were talking about where the training pilot lived and when they started the job. The pilot mentioned he had stepped on a staple at home. There was conversation about people wanting sugar in coffee. However, around 1:24 a.m., there were signs of trouble. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around that time alarms began going off, and the Dali lost power. The training pilot then said, uh oh. The pilot began asking if the ship had steering. Over the next minute, there was chaos on the cargo ship as crew members and the pilots worked to respond to the loss of power. Around 1:26 a.m., the pilot began warning to close the Key Bridge. At 1:27 a.m., the training pilot said, Security call. Security call. Container ship Dali has lost power. Approaching the Key Bridge I repeat: The container ship Dali has lost all power approaching the Key Bridge, Dali. While the crew members unsuccessfully tried to anchor the ship, around 1:29 a.m. the audio recording picked up an enormous rumble, when the Dali hit the Key Bridge. At that point the pilot and training Pilot shouted expletives, saying the Key Bridge is down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immediately, the pilots were in contact with the Coast Guard, as the quick response from first responders began. Six men, working for a construction company performing routine maintenance work on the bridge, were killed. In the minutes after the bridge collapsed, the pilots on the ship were trying to figure out what went wrong. I called [the pilot dispatcher] when we started to drift, the pilot said. But we had good speed, he added. We werent going crazy everything was under control. Lawsuits filed after the collapse accuse Grace Ocean and Synergy, the owners and operators of the Dali, of negligence. In court documents, state officials argued the disaster was preventable and said the operators failed to address issues with the ship prior to leaving the port. The transcript released by the NTSB seems to back up claims in some of the lawsuits filed against the owners and operators of the Dali. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigation has established that the ship experienced two electrical power failures on March 25, hours before she departed from her berth. The ships owner and operator did not diagnose or correct these electrical system failures. Nor were these failures reported to the United States Coast Guard, as required by law, court documents said. Similarly, these failures were not divulged to the two local pilots from the Association of Maryland Pilots who boarded the DALI to guide its departure from the Port of Baltimore, which was also required by law. In fact, the DALIs master falsely reported to the Pilots that everything was in good working order, the lawsuit filed by the State of Maryland continued to say. While Grace Ocean and Synergy have reached a settlement with the Department of Justice, in a statement the companies said they are prepared to vigorously defend themselves in the limitation of liability proceedings pending before the Federal Court in Baltimore and to establish that they were not responsible for the incident. Earlier this year, the NTSB said that the Key Bridge was almost 30 times above the acceptable risk or threshold for critical bridges. Have a news tip? Contact Jessica Babb at jessicababb@sbgtv.com. BALTIMORE As the National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a newly released transcript of the audio recording from the Dali container ship shows routine conversation then panic. The transcript reveals the moments directly before and after the Dali cargo ship collided with the Key Bridge in the early morning hours of March 26, 2024, as it was leaving the Port of Baltimore. At the beginning of the trip, there was no indication of what was to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the ship was still alongside Seagirt Marine Terminal, the ships crew on the bridge was having casual conversation. Once two local pilots from the Association of Maryland Pilots boarded the DALI to guide its departure from the Port of Baltimore, one asked the master of the Dali, Captain, everythings working? The master replied, yeah, everything is in order. The conversation between the pilot and the training pilot was ordinary. They were talking about where the training pilot lived and when they started the job. The pilot mentioned he had stepped on a staple at home. There was conversation about people wanting sugar in coffee. However, around 1:24 a.m., there were signs of trouble. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around that time alarms began going off, and the Dali lost power. The training pilot then said, uh oh. The pilot began asking if the ship had steering. Over the next minute, there was chaos on the cargo ship as crew members and the pilots worked to respond to the loss of power. Around 1:26 a.m., the pilot began warning to close the Key Bridge. At 1:27 a.m., the training pilot said, Security call. Security call. Container ship Dali has lost power. Approaching the Key Bridge I repeat: The container ship Dali has lost all power approaching the Key Bridge, Dali. While the crew members unsuccessfully tried to anchor the ship, around 1:29 a.m. the audio recording picked up an enormous rumble, when the Dali hit the Key Bridge. At that point the pilot and training Pilot shouted expletives, saying the Key Bridge is down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immediately, the pilots were in contact with the Coast Guard, as the quick response from first responders began. Six men, working for a construction company performing routine maintenance work on the bridge, were killed. In the minutes after the bridge collapsed, the pilots on the ship were trying to figure out what went wrong. I called [the pilot dispatcher] when we started to drift, the pilot said. But we had good speed, he added. We werent going crazy everything was under control. Lawsuits filed after the collapse accuse Grace Ocean and Synergy, the owners and operators of the Dali, of negligence. In court documents, state officials argued the disaster was preventable and said the operators failed to address issues with the ship prior to leaving the port. The transcript released by the NTSB seems to back up claims in some of the lawsuits filed against the owners and operators of the Dali. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigation has established that the ship experienced two electrical power failures on March 25, hours before she departed from her berth. The ships owner and operator did not diagnose or correct these electrical system failures. Nor were these failures reported to the United States Coast Guard, as required by law, court documents said. Similarly, these failures were not divulged to the two local pilots from the Association of Maryland Pilots who boarded the DALI to guide its departure from the Port of Baltimore, which was also required by law. In fact, the DALIs master falsely reported to the Pilots that everything was in good working order, the lawsuit filed by the State of Maryland continued to say. While Grace Ocean and Synergy have reached a settlement with the Department of Justice, in a statement the companies said they are prepared to vigorously defend themselves in the limitation of liability proceedings pending before the Federal Court in Baltimore and to establish that they were not responsible for the incident. Earlier this year, the NTSB said that the Key Bridge was almost 30 times above the acceptable risk or threshold for critical bridges. _____ Delegations from Russia and Ukraine wrapped up peace talks Monday in Istanbul after just more than an hour, departing the meeting with plans to swap prisoners but no breakthrough on a proposed ceasefire. Ukrainian officials and Russian state media reported the second round of negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow since March 2022 yielded pledges to return the bodies of dead soldiers to the other side, in addition to a large swap of prisoners of war (POW). More than a dozen people on each side attended the talks at Istanbuls Ciragan Palace, with the Ukrainian delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and the Russian team led by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States has led efforts to bring about an end to the war, starting with a ceasefire, but the Kremlin has been a holdout in agreeing to any end of hostilities. Weekend events seemed to move in the wrong direction. Kyiv launched a surprise drone attack on Sunday on air bases deep inside Russia, and Moscow fired 472 drones at Ukraine the largest number of drones fired by the country since it first invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Here are the key takeaways from the latest talks: Both sides exchange broad peace plans Ukraine and Russia remain deeply divided on how to bring about an end to the war, which has seen the Kremlin gain control of about 20 percent of Ukrainian territory. That includes Moscows hold on the southern Crimean Peninsula, which it annexed in 2014. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine is insisting on a full and unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days on land, in air and at sea to end the killings now, Umerov told reporters after the meeting. He noted that Ukraine had given Russia a truce proposal a few days ago, but Moscow had not reciprocated and instead presented its plan at Mondays talks. Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of not wanting a quick end to the war so it can make further advances on the battlefield. Kyiv is demanding war reparations, no restrictions on its military forces after any peace deal, and that the international community not recognize Russian sovereignty over parts of Ukraine it currently claims or occupies, Reuters reported. Russia, meanwhile, said it wants a long-term settlement versus a pause in attacks, rejecting an unconditional ceasefire that doesnt address its maximalist demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While neither countrys ceasefire proposal has been made public, Russian state media published bullet points of what the Kremlin wants, including that the Ukrainian military withdraw from its four partly occupied regions in the southeast Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia as well as international recognition of its hold on that land as well as Crimea. Moscow also demands Ukraine not be allowed in any military alliances, a reference to NATO; limits on the size of the Ukrainian army; Russian being adopted as an official language; and that international sanctions be lifted. Moscow also floated a ceasefire of two to three days in certain sections along the front so that both sides can collect the bodies of dead soldiers. Prisoner exchange in the works Russian and Ukrainian officials said they had agreed at the peace talks to exchange more POWs and return the bodies of 12,000 dead soldiers 6,000 for each side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of prisoners to be swapped wasnt disclosed, but will reportedly include people under the age of 25 and those with serious injuries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later said Ukraine could return up to 1,200 POWs, with an expected 1,000-for-1,000 format that could be increased. Speaking during an online press conference, Zelensky said a future swap could also involve imprisoned journalists and political prisoners held in Russia, as reported by The Kyiv Independent. The two sides last held a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange from May 23 to 25, an exchange that was agreed upon at May 16 peace talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine also wants back nearly 400 children Kyiv said had been forcefully taken to Russia, and gave Moscow a list of names at the Istanbul talks. Russia contends that the children were saved as they had been moved to protect them from the fighting. Talks come after Ukraines drone attacks The talks come after Ukraine launched a major drone attack on Russian air bases Sunday that damaged or destroyed more than 40 warplanes, including nearly a third of Moscows strategic bomber fleet, according to Kyiv. Zelensky hailed the strikes which were simultaneous and deep inside Russia in five regions including the Arctic, Siberian and Far East as a brilliant operation that will undoubtedly be in history books. He also noted that the raid took more than a year and a half to prepare by the Ukrainian security service, according to a Sunday post on the social platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking Monday at a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Zelensky said such attacks would help force Moscow to the negotiating table. Russia must feel what its losses mean. That is what will push it toward diplomacy, he said. While there are no meaningful signals from Russia to end the war, it is important to strengthen our defence. Ukraine has struck Russian air bases in the past, but Sundays attack marks the furthest into the country it has gone, more than 4,000 miles from the border, to attack the Kremlins air assets. Whats next? Ukraine has proposed holding more rounds of talks before the end of the month, but hopes are not high that the two sides can reach a peace deal under the current negotiating format. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Umerov said only a meeting between Zelensky and Putin could smooth out the issues around a ceasefire agreement. President Trump has expressed growing frustration with the lack of movement after declaring he could bring about a quick end to the war. Last week the president lashed out at Putin after Moscow for several straight days hit Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with drones and missiles, saying that the Russian leader has gone absolutely CRAZY! in a rare rebuke. But while Trump has suggested Washington could impose tough sanctions on Russia, so far he has delayed imposing any such punishment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That action could instead be done by the U.S. Senate, with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), an ally of Trump, last week announcing his chamber will move forward on a bill to impose sanctions on Russia, perhaps before the Group of Seven summit in late 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 The Hill. Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, succeeds House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, as the head of the GOP caucus. (Photo by Ned Oliver/ Virginia Mercury) House Republicans on Sunday tapped Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, as their new caucus leader, handing the reins to a seasoned strategist from Southwest Virginia just as the party gears up for a high-stakes election year when each of the chambers 100 seats are on the ballot. Kilgores election comes on the heels of Minority Leader Todd Gilberts recent announcement that he was prepared to step aside amid his pursuit of a federal appointment. A former House Speaker and longtime power broker in the General Assembly, Gilbert is under consideration for the U.S. attorney post in Virginias Western District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im honored by the trust my colleagues have placed in me, Kilgore said following the vote. We need disciplined leadership, a unified message, and a clear strategy to take back the House. Im ready to get to work. Kilgore, 63, has represented the far southwestern corner of Virginia since 1993 and served as House Majority Leader when Republicans controlled the chamber from 2022 to 2024. He currently serves on the Commerce and Labor, Courts of Justice and Rules committees. His ascent to the caucus top job marks a return to frontline leadership, with a mission focused squarely on retaking the House majority later this year. We have no time to waste, he added. The 2025 elections are around the corner, and we need to operate like a team ready to win. That starts now. The vote followed weeks of speculation after Gilbert, 54, told colleagues in May that he might need to step away from elected office on short notice if nominated for the federal role. In a statement at the time, he stressed the importance of continuity. This mission is bigger than any one person and were going to make sure it stays on course, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Gilbert endorsed Kilgore in a message posted to X, formerly Twitter: Leading our caucus in various capacities has been the honor of my lifetime. I wish Leader Kilgore all the best and look forward to helping in any way I can. House Minority Leader Del. Todd Gilbert at the Virginia State Capitol. (Photo by Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury) Gilbert has represented what currently is Virginias 33rd House District in the Shenandoah Valley since 2006. As Speaker from 2022 to 2024, he helped steer House Republicans through a period of divided government under Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Democratic control of the Senate. In a statement posted on X Sunday, Youngkin applauded both men. Thank you to @cToddGilbert for your years of principled leadership as Speaker and Republican Leader. Your strong voice for common sense has made a lasting positive impact. Big Congratulations to @DelTerryKilgore Your deep experience will serve Virginians incredibly well as House Republicans lock arms to win and lead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virginia Scope reported that Sundays vote followed behind-the-scenes lobbying by several potential contenders, including Dels. Joe McNamara, R-Roanoke County; Kilgore; and Michael Webert, R-Fauquier. Ultimately, only Kilgore and Webert formally pitched their cases to fellow Republicans before the vote. A spokesman for the caucus declined to comment on internal caucus affairs. Though he fell short, Webert expressed support for the outcome, writing on X: Virginias House Republicans are strong with @delterrykilgore at the helm! Ill be forever grateful for @cToddGilbert leadership and mentorship, but our team is ready to work together and win! Kilgore, who holds degrees from the University of Virginias College at Wise and William & Mary Law School, played a key role in avoiding a leadership clash after the 2021 election by stepping aside in favor of Gilbert, who was elected Speaker and then backed Kilgores bid for majority leader. Their mutual support helped maintain internal unity, a dynamic Kilgore now hopes to build on as he charts the GOPs next steps. With federal confirmation still pending for Gilberts potential nomination, the timeline for his departure remains uncertain. But with Sundays vote, Republicans have made clear theyre preparing for every possibility and positioning themselves for an uphill battle to win back the House majority in November. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE As the countrys head of state, King Charles III traveled to Canada to give a speech at the opening of parliament in Ottawa May 27. It was the first time a monarch had delivered what is known as the throne speech in almost 50 years. The Crown has for so long been a symbol of unity for Canada, said the 76-year-old, who ascended the throne in 2022 after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. It also represents stability and continuity from the past to the present. The royal concluded with a nod to O Canada, which was officially proclaimed the national anthem in 1980. As the anthem reminds us: The True North is indeed strong and free! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two-day trip came amid Charles continuing cancer battle, but he and wife Queen Camilla did not let his health issues slow them down. The pair visited a farmers market, where they enjoyed a traditional Mexican dance troupe. The sovereign later picked up a shovel to plant a tree at the capitals Rideau Hall, after which the crowd spontaneously broke into a rendition of God Save the King. The monarch also met with various charities as well as the chief of the National Assembly of First Nations. After heading home, Charles thanked Canada for the warmest of welcomes and the fondest of returns. 'King of the Hill' Actor Dies at 59 in Horrific Altercation With Neighbor originally appeared on Parade. Actor Jonathan Joss, likely best known for lending his voice to John Redcorn in the adult animated series King of the Hill, was killed last night in a horrific altercation with one of his neighbors. He was 59. As reported by TMZ, Joss was shot by a neighbor, who at first remained unidentified, after a heated argument at a residence on the south side of town (it's unclear at this time if it was Joss's home, the neighbor's, or somewhere else). According to San Antonio police and eyewitnesses, the man, later identified as Sigfredo Alvarez-Cega, allegedly pulled out a gun during the incident and shot Joss several times before fleeing the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers were called in for a shooting in progress, with a bystander offering a description of the suspect's vehicle. He was discovered a block from the residence, where he was taken into custody. Paramedics were also dispatched to the scene to provide aid to Joss, but, unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the scene. It's unknown at this time what sparked the altercation between Joss and his neighbor. Alvarez-Cega was later arrested and charged with murder, with a bond of $200,000, according to the publication. Joss is also recognizable as Chief Ken Hotate in the mockumentary-style comedy series Parks and Recreation, and was also featured in Tulsa King. Film fans will know him from projects like True Grit and The Magnificent Seven. He also contributed his voice to video games like Days Gone and Cyberpunk 2077, and Red Dead Redemption. Related: Jonathan Joss' Husband Breaks Silence on the Horrific Altercation That Took the 'King of the Hill' Actor's Life 'King of the Hill' Actor Dies at 59 in Horrific Altercation With Neighbor first appeared on Parade on Jun 2, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Any new sanctions package imposed by the US against Iran would be considered a significant obstacle to reaching an agreement between the two countries, said Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Irans Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Trend reports. Speaking today at a press conference in Tehran, Baghaei noted that the United States throwing more sanctions into the mix has folks scratching their heads about whether Washington is truly committed to moving the diplomatic ball forward. Baghaei also weighed in on the notion floated by certain American lawmakers that sanctions against Iran ought to be here to stay. "Iran does not accept the notion that Congress and the administration are on separate paths. We view both as part of a single authority," he explained. He emphasized that any potential agreement between Iran and the United States must be based on the principle of lifting sanctions. Unless sanctions imposed on Iran and its various sectors are transparently removed, no agreement will be possible. "The next round of talks between Iran and the United States is currently under consideration. Mutual engagement is ongoing through Omani mediation, with necessary decisions being taken. A determination regarding the continuation, format, and process of the negotiations will be made in due course," he added. In November 2018, the United States enacted a series of punitive measures targeting Iran, specifically in response to its nuclear proliferation activities. Subsequently, the imposition of sanctions has significantly impacted the Iranian hydrocarbon export sector and has encompassed over 700 financial institutions, corporate entities, and individual stakeholders. To note, five rounds of indirect talks between Iran and the US on Irans nuclear program have taken place on April 12, 19, 26, May 11, and May 23. These discussions, conducted indirectly with the mediation of the Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi, involved Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi leading the Iranian delegation, while the US delegation was led by the US Special Envoy to Middle East Affairs, Steve Witkoff. The first and 3rd rounds took place in Muscat, Oman, while the 2nd round was held in Rome, Italy. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel SAN ANTONIO, Texas (WJW) Actor Jonathan Joss, best known for his voice work in the animated sitcom King of the Hill, has died. According to multiple reports, the 59-year-old was fatally shot by a neighbor. Sheriffs officer dies after falling from window PARKS AND RECREATION 2017 Episode 701 Pictured: (l-r) Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, Jonathan Joss as Ken Hotate Photo by: (Ben Cohen/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank) PEOPLE reports police were called to the shooting in San Antonio, Texas, at about 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 1, where they found Joss lying near the roadway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sams Club hot pizza now available for delivery According to TMZ, a suspect was taken into custody and charged with murder. It is not clear what led to the shooting. Joss played the voice of John Redcorn in King of the Hill. According to Internet Movie Database, he was also know for his work known for his work in Abduction of the Fourth Kind (2022), The Magnificent Seven (2016) and The Forever Purge (2021). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. King of the Hill voice actor Jonathan Joss has died aged 59 after a shooting in Texas, police have confirmed. Joss was the voice of John Redcorn for seasons two through 13 of the popular animated series. He had reportedly recorded bits for the shows reboot, which recently began production for Hulu and is slated to premiere in August. The actor was reportedly shot multiple times over the weekend after a disagreement with a neighbor, according to TMZ. San Antonio police responded to a home after reports of shots fired and found Joss near the road with gunshot wounds, according to Variety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police found the shooter whose name has not yet been released after he fled the scene and have charged him with murder, Variety reported. The investigation is ongoing. Joss whose other credits included the recurring role of Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation, as well as Tulsa King, Ray Donovan, True Grit, and The Magnificent Seven took over the King of the Hill role of John Redcorn from Victor Aaron, who died in a 1996 car accident. Jonathan Joss has died in a Texas shooting (Facebook) Just hours before his death, Joss was in Austin, Texas, bringing The Redcorn Experience to fans. Saturday evenings event included live music, a Q&A session, and a meet and greet with Joss, according to Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were bringing stories, laughs, music, and that unmistakable Redcorn energy to the heart of Texas for one unforgettable night. Whether you're a longtime fan or just curious what the spirit of Redcorn is all about this is for you, Joss wrote of the event in a May 25 Facebook post. Joss then posted on his Facebook that he and his husband were seeking a ride back to San Antonio after the event. Last nights gig was amazing huge thanks to everyone who came out and showed us love! Were feeling so grateful for the support and good vibes. Now were looking for a ride from Austin to San Antonio if anyones heading that way soon and has room for a couple of performers and our gear, hit us up! Thanks again, yall. We couldnt do this without you! the post read. Josss final Facebook post read: Our ride will arrive in a few hours thank you everyone we are grabbing some food and feeling thankful for the support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours later, the dispute occurred, leading to his death. Joss played John Redcorn (center) on King of the Hill (Fox) The actor suffered a devastating loss earlier this year when his San Antonio home burned down in a fire. According to a GoFundMe started on his behalf, Joss lost his childhood home and possessions, as well as three beloved dogs. This wasn't just any home - it was the house his father built for his mother in 1957, filled with a lifetime of memories, the GoFundMe description read in part. Fans have been devastated by news of Josss passing. They took my brother away from me manJonathan Joss aka John Redcorn.i love you brother until i see you again, one fan wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Redcorn was pretty much the only contemporary Native representation I had in comedy growing up. Probably the funniest Native character in cartoon history and a lot of that was on Jonathan Joss' pitch perfect rezzy uncle performance. RIP to one of the best to ever do it, another fan wrote. Jonathan Joss... unfathomably sad. Sending all my thoughts to his loved ones, someone else said. RIP Jonathan Joss. You brought us so much joy for your roles. I hope he can finally be at peace, another chimed in. Joss leaves behind his husband, Tristan. UPDATED with statement from husband Tristan Kern de Gonzales: Jonathan Joss, who voiced John Redcorn on multiple seasons of Foxs animated series King of the Hill and in its upcoming revival, was shot and killed Sunday in San Antonio, police have confirmed. Police say Joss, 59, was found shot near a roadway after officers were dispatched to the scene of a shooting in progress in the early evening hours. Police attempted life-saving measures, but paramedics pronounced Joss deceased. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A suspect, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, 56, was located and eventually booked for murder, according to the police. The investigation is ongoing. Joss, a native of San Antonio, had worked steadily as an actor since the mid-1990s, first appearing in the Luke Perry rodeo movie 8 Seconds. He worked in several TV movies and had an six-episode arc in the series Walker, Texas Ranger. His later TV credits includes Friday Night Lights, The League, Ray Donovan, In Plain Sight and Parks & Recreation. Jonathan Joss with Amy Poehler in a 2015 scene from the TV series Parks & Recreation He appeared in 34 episodes of King of the Hill, according to IMDb, and also voiced the John Redcorn character in the King of the Hill video game. It was one of several video game credits that also included voice work in Red Dead Redemption, The Walking Dead: Michonne, Days Gone, Cyberpunk 2077 and Wasteland 3. Jonathan Joss brought King of the Hills John Redcorn to life for over a dozen seasons, including in the upcoming revival, Mike Judge, Greg Daniels and Saladin Patterson said in a statement. His voice will be missed at King of the Hill, and we extend our deepest condolences to Jonathans friends and family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the film side, he appeared in the Coen brothers True Grit, Antoine Fuquas The Magnificent Seven and 2021s The Forever Purge. Most recently, he played Bad Face on Paramount+s Tulsa King. After news of Jos killing broke, his husband Tristan Kern de Gonzales shared a lengthy, heartbreaking statement on Facebook, in which he detailed the events that preceded the shooting, saying it was the result of an anti-gay hate crime. He wrote that police did not take seriously the openly homophobic threats he and Joss who is of Comanche and Apache descent had been receiving for the past two years and that their home had been burned down after surrounding neighbors said they would do so. Read the full statement below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My husband Jonathan Joss and I were involved in a shooting while checking the mail at the site of our former home. That home was burned down after over two years of threats from people in the area who repeatedly told us they would set it on fire. We reported these threats to law enforcement multiple times and nothing was done. Throughout that time we were harassed regularly by individuals who made it clear they did not accept our relationship. Much of the harassment was openly homophobic. When we returned to the site to check our mail we discovered the skull of one of our dogs and its harness placed in clear view. This caused both of us severe emotional distress. We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw. While we were doing this a man approached us. He started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life. Jonathan is my husband. He gave me more love in our time together than most people ever get. We were newlyweds. We picked Valentines Day. We were in the process of looking for a trailer and planning our future. He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other. I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved. To everyone who supported him, his fans, his friends, know that he valued you deeply. He saw you as family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My focus now is on protecting Jonathans legacy and honoring the life we built together. If your concern is how someone coped with trauma or how loudly they speak when recounting injustice and being ignored by authorities then you never truly cared about my husband. Jonathan saved my life. I will carry that forward. I will protect what he built. Tristan Kern de Gonzales Gonzales, who tied the knot with Joss just months prior, also shared loving photos of him and the couple together. He added in a separate post that while he deeply appreciate[s] the support from people, several individuals have offered to cover the expenses for a celebration of life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have absolutely no plans yet on that but I will try to keep everyone updated. Theres not a need to donate to the gofundme. But I want everyone to remember the joy and love Jonathan has brought and will continue to bring forever, he wrote. I have my essentials covered and our family in San Antonio is taking care of me until I get back to South Carolina. Instead of donating Jonathan and I would both rather you spread the word about the consistent injustice done to him, to us, and to our dogs. We had so many beautiful plans for the future. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Texas police say they have no evidence so far that the fatal shooting of King of the Hill voice actor Jonathan Joss, 59, was a homophobic attack, despite his husbands claims to the contrary. Despite online claims of this being a hate crime, currently the investigation has found no evidence to indicate that Mr. Josss murder was related to his sexual orientation, the San Antonio Police Department wrote in a statement on X on Monday. SAPD investigators handle these allegations very seriously and have thoroughly reviewed all available information, the department added, Should any new evidence come to light, the suspect will be charged accordingly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Josss husband has said the weekend shooting had a clear homophobic motive. Joss, who voiced the character John Redcorn for seasons two through 13 of the popular animated series, was reportedly shot multiple times over the weekend after a disagreement with a neighbor. San Antonio police responded to a home after reports of shots fired and found Joss near the road with gunshot wounds, according to Variety. Joss was pronounced dead at the scene. Jonathan Joss died in a shooting his husband described as a hate crime (Facebook) Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, 56, has been arrested and charged with murder in Josss death, according to The Washington Post. After the shooting, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, Josss husband, posted a statement to the actors Facebook page claiming the incident was a homophobic hate crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gonzales said he and Joss were checking the mail at the site of their former home, which burned down in a January fire, when the incident occurred. The couple lost their three dogs in the fire. When we returned to the site to check our mail we discovered the skull of one of our dogs and its harness placed in clear view. This caused both of us severe emotional distress. We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw, Gonzales wrote. Thats when, according to Gonzales, a man approached the two and started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired. Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life, Gonzales continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gonzales said he and Joss were harassed regularly by individuals who made it clear they did not accept our relationship. Much of the harassment was openly homophobic. Murder suspect Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja in his booking photo (Getty Images) He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other, Gonzales continued. I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved. Gonzales noted he and Joss were married just a few months ago on Valentines Day and were making plans for the future, rebuilding what they lost in the January fire. He said their home was burned down after over two years of threats from people in the area who repeatedly told us they would set it on fire. We reported these threats to law enforcement multiple times and nothing was done. Jonathan Joss played John Redcorn (center) in King of the Hill (Fox) Gonzales concluded his statement by vowing to protect what [Joss] built going forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a GoFundMe started on his behalf, Joss lost his childhood home and possessions, as well as his three dogs, in the fire. This wasn't just any home - it was the house his father built for his mother in 1957, filled with a lifetime of memories, the GoFundMe description read in part. Joss whose other credits included the recurring role of Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation, as well as Tulsa King, Ray Donovan, True Grit, and The Magnificent Seven took over the King of the Hill role of John Redcorn from Victor Aaron, who died in a 1996 car accident. Jonathan Joss, 59, who voiced the character John Redcorn in the animated series King of the Hill, was shot and killed over the weekend in San Antonio, Texas. On Sunday at around 7 p.m., police responded to a shooting in progress on Dorsey Drive, located in the southern part of the city. When officers arrived, they found Joss near the roadway, local police told KTLA 5. The officers attempted life-saving measures until EMS arrived. EMS pronounced the victim deceased, police said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers later detained 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja and have booked and charged him with murder. Preliminary information suggests that there was an argument that took place between Ceja and Joss, which escalated and shots were fired, police said. Actor Jonathan Joss was shot and killed in San Antonio, Texas on June 1, 2025, San Antonio Police told KTLA 5. (Facebook: Jonathan Joss) Ceja is believed to live in the area, but law enforcement officials couldnt confirm if he and Joss were neighbors. TMZ was the first to report the death and said a neighbor pulled the trigger following a dispute. The suspect reportedly fired at Joss and then fled the scene in his car. On Monday afternoon, Josss partner Tristan Kern de Gonzales gave more details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My husband Jonathan Joss and I were involved in a shooting while checking the mail at the site of our former home. That home was burned down after over two years of threats from people in the area who repeatedly told us they would set it on fire. We reported these threats to law enforcement multiple times and nothing was done, de Gonzales posted on Facebook Monday afternoon. His partner said the couple was regularly harassed by people who made it clear they didnt accept their relationship. Much of the harassment was openly homophobic, de Gonzales explained. When the couple went back to their burned down home to check the mail, they found the skull and harness from one of their dogs. This caused both of us severe emotional distress. We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw, the post continued. While we were doing this a man approached us. He started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TMZ did say witnesses told them that Joss was distraught after seeing the skull and was yelling at anyone who passed him in the area. The actors partner said the two didnt have any weapons and werent threatening anyone. We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired, Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life, de Gonzales said. He explained that the couple got married this past Valentines Day and were planning their future looking for a trailer together. He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other, de Gonzales claimed. I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, he is focusing on protecting Josss legacy and honoring the life they were building together. Jonathan saved my life. I will carry that forward. I will protect what he built, he concluded. Police said they couldnt confirm de Gonzales account because the investigation is ongoing. Joss worked on King of the Hill from Season 2 to 13, replacing the original voice actor Victor Aaron, who passed away in a car accident in 1996. The series aired on Fox from 1997 to 2009 and was created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels. It follows the family and friends of Hank Hill who live in the fictional town of Arlen, Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joss also played Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation. Other acting credits include Ray Donovan, Tulsa King and The Magnificent Seven among others. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jonathan Joss, best known for his roles on King of the Hill and Parks and Recreation, was reportedly shot and killed over the weekend. Joss, 59, who voiced the character John Redcorn on the popular FOX cartoon for 13 seasons, got into an argument with a neighbor that turned deadly, according to TMZ. "According to San Antonio PD and eyewitnesses ... Joss got into a heated argument with his neighbor at a house on the city's south side Sunday night -- leading to a bloody confrontation," TMZ wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Police say the unidentified neighbor whipped out a gun and pumped several bullets into the actor before fleeing in a vehicle. Officers responded to a call of a shooting in progress and received a description of the car." Officers were able to corral the suspect at a nearby location and take him into custody. Meanwhile, despite the best efforts of responding paramedics, Joss died. The incident remains under investigation. Sadly, his tragic and seemingly senseless death was the culmination of a tough 2025 for Joss. In January, the longtime actor lost his home and all of his possessions in a house fire. Joss discussed the fire in a social media post in April, shortly after he was not invited to a King of the Hill event, a snub that Joss admitted crushed him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Not long ago, I lost the home I grew up in burned to the ground. Everything I owned gone. My memories, my keepsakes, and most painfully, all of my dogs. My companions, my family, my comfort in this world lost in the flames," Joss said. "Ive been rebuilding, piece by piece, soul by soul. And while this latest heartbreak stings, I want to take a moment to thank you my fans, my friends, and my family of followers. "Youve been the ones to lift me up, to remind me of the impact Ive made, and to carry me through some of the darkest days of my life. Your love means more than I can ever say." Rest in peace, Jonathan. King of the Hill Actor Reportedly Shot to Death first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 2, 2025 Originally appeared on E! Online Hollywood is mourning a beloved actor. Jonathan Joss, known for his role voicing John Redcorn in King of the Hill and his recurring Parks and Recreation character Ken Hotate, died June 1 following a fatal shooting in his San Antonio, Texas neighborhood, authorities confirmed to TMZ. He was 59. Joss was shot by a neighbor amid a heated argument according to the San Antonio Police Department and eyewitness reports, per TMZ. Police told the outlet that a neighbor allegedly fired several bullets from a vehicle before driving away from the scene. On June 2, Sigfredo Alvarez-Cega was arrested in connection to the crime and charged with murder. He is being held on a $200,000 bail, per TMZ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement E! News has reached out to San Antonio authorities as well as reps for Joss but has not yet heard back. Joss, a graduate of McCollum High School, was born and raised in San Antonio and had remained in the city to take care of his mother, he told My San Antonio in 2011, but traveled to Los Angeles for his acting gigs. More from E! Online He initially joined King of the Hill in its second season, voicing the character John Redcorn through its final 2009 season, and had already voiced the part again as part of the series upcoming revival, per Variety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Texas native also had a recurring role as Wamapoke tribal elder Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation, appearing in five episodes across the series after his debut in season three. Ken Hotate is almost like The Wolf in Pulp Fiction, Joss joked to My San Antonio in 2014. You call when you need him. He added that it was a dream to share scenes with series star Amy Poehler. As he put it, It's like standing next to Lucille Ball. Jonathan Joss/Facebook Joss also appeared in True Grit, Friday Night Lights, The Walking Dead and more. In addition to his acting career, Joss created a line of spice rubs that paid homage to his King of the Hill character, Redcorn Rub. He sought out the opportunity out of pride for not only his character, but also his native San Antonio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I really want people to know that I am from the South Side, he told My San Antonio in 2011, and a southside boy made good. For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App SAN ANTONIO, Texas (WJW) Actor Jonathan Joss, best known for his voice work in the animated sitcom King of the Hill, has died in an apparent shooting in Texas. According to multiple reports, the 59-year-old was allegedly shot by a neighbor. Jonathan Joss is pictured with Amy Poehler in a promotional still from a 2017 episode of Parks and Recreation.(Ben Cohen/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank) Nexstars KTLA reports that police were called to the shooting in San Antonio, Texas, at about 7 p.m. Sunday and found Joss lying near the roadway. The officers attempted life-saving measures until EMS arrived. EMS pronounced the victim deceased, police said in a statement, as reported by KTLA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriffs officer in NJ dies after falling from window KTLA reported that police later detained Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, 56, who is believed to live in the area, and charged him with murder. TMZ was among the first outlets to report the death, citing sources who said a neighbor fired at Joss after a dispute, then fled the scene in his car. KTLA said law enforcement couldnt confirm whether Ceja and Joss were neighbors. Joss partner Tristan Kern de Gonzales offered more details on social media Monday afternoon, claiming that he and Joss had returned to the site of their home, which had burned down, to check the mail when they were attacked. De Gonzalez further alleged that the house caught fire after some of their neighbors made threats to burn it down, but neighbors who spoke with TMZ claimed Joss himself accidentally burned the home while attempting to use a BBQ pit to heat the residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That home was burned down after over two years of threats from people in the area who repeatedly told us they would set it on fire, de Gonzales claimed on Facebook. We reported these threats to law enforcement multiple times and nothing was done. He said he and Joss were harassed regularly by people who made it clear they did not support the couples relationship. Much of the harassment was openly homophobic, de Gonzales wrote. At the home, he said in the post, the couple found the skull and harness of one of their dogs placed in clear view. This caused both of us severe emotional distress, de Gonzales wrote. We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement De Gonzales claimed thats when they were approached by a man directing violent homophobic slurs at them. He said the man fired a gun, and Joss pushed de Gonzales out of the way. He saved my life, de Gonzales said of Joss. He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other, de Gonzales wrote. He said neither he nor Joss was armed, adding, We were not threatening anyone. He said now he is focusing on protecting Jonathans legacy and honoring the life we built together. Joss provided the voice of John Redcorn in King of the Hill. According to Internet Movie Database, he was also known for his work in Abduction of the Fourth Kind (2022), The Magnificent Seven (2016) and The Forever Purge (2021). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. NEED TO KNOW Jonathan Joss was found dead at his home in San Antonio, Texas, on Sunday, June 1 Police say a suspect is in custody and has been booked for murder The suspect is a neighbor of Joss, PEOPLE can confirm Jonathan Joss has died at the age of 59. The King of the Hill voice actor was shot and killed on Sunday, June 1, in San Antonio, Texas, police confirmed to PEOPLE. According to police, authorities were dispatched to a shooting in progress at around 7 p.m., where they found Joss lying near the roadway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite attempting life saving measures while waiting for EMS, when paramedics arrived, they pronounced Joss dead at the scene. Officers quickly found and detained a suspect, 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Cejam, who had fled the scene in a vehicle. PEOPLE can confirm that the suspect is a neighbor of Joss. He has now been booked for murder, and the investigation is still ongoing, per police. Derek Storm/Everett Jonathan Joss Jonathan Joss TMZ was first to report the news. Joss was best known for his voice role as John Redcorn in King of the Hill, which aired in the late 90s and early 2000s. He took over for the original actor, Victor Arron, in season 3 after he died in a car accident in 1996. NBC Jonathan Joss Jonathan Joss Joss was set to return to the newly announced revival of the hit animated sitcom, which is set to premiere on Hulu in August and has already begun recording. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Joss attended the ATX TV Festival, where he watched his co-stars Pamela Adlon (Bobby Hill), Lauren Tom (Kahn "Connie" Souphanousinphone Jr.), Toby Huss (Cotton Hill, Dale Gribble) and one of the show's new writers Saladin K. Patterson as they discussed the upcoming project during a panel. FOX Jonathan Joss Jonathan Joss Just hours before his death, Joss posted a video on Instagram talking about how the reboot is up and moving as he walked around Austin, Texas. In addition to King of the Hill, Joss was known for his recurring role as Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation, and has also appeared in Tulsa King, Ray Donovan, True Grit, The Magnificent Seven, among others. Read the original article on People Jonathan Joss, the voice actor behind John Redcorn on King of the Hill, was killed by his neighbor in an altercation this weekend. According to a report on TMZ, Joss and his neighbor got into a heated argument on Sunday at a house in San Antonio, Texas. In a police report on the matter, cops say that things escalated to the point of Joss neighbor fatally shooting Joss before fleeing in a vehicle. Police apprehended the suspect and took him into custody while paramedics were tragically unable to save Joss. The suspect, Sigfredgo Alvarez-Cega, was reportedly charged with murder. TMZs report notes that detectives are now trying to figure out what exactly caused the argument, and what made it escalate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joss is best known for his role as John Redcorn on King of the Hill, but had also had appearances on a variety of shows throughout his careet, including ER, Parks and Recreation, Ray Donovan, Tulsa King, and more. Most recently, Joss will appear in the upcoming Hulu revival of King of the Hill. Its unclear how much his character will appear in the show, although he was shown in the revivals opening credits. ComingSoon extends its condolences to the friends and family of Joss. (Source: TMZ) The post King of the Hill Voice Actor Jonathan Joss Murdered by Neighbor appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Negotiations between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul took place in a constructive format, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan wrote on his X page, Trend reports. He noted that the parties exchanged draft memorandums on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict. According to him, the Russian and Ukrainian sides will begin working on these documents at the technical level in the coming days. In addition, Hakan Fidan reported that the delegations decided to continue preparations for a possible meeting between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine. King of the Hill voice actor Jonathan Joss was shot and killed in what his husband alleges to have been a homophobic hate crime. On Monday, authorities confirmed that Joss, 59, had died after a Sunday night altercation with a former neighbor. Afterwards, Joss husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, shared his account of the incident in a social media statement where he claimed the couple was regularly the target of homophobic harassment and threats while living in the San Antonio, Texas, neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gonzales and Joss had moved out of the area after their home burned down in January but returned to the site to retrieve pieces of mail. Upon encountering the skull of a dog they lost in the fire, Gonzales said both men began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw. It was at that point, they were approached by a man yelling violent homophobic slurs who then raised a gun from his lap and fired, Gonzales claimed. Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone, he wrote. We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life. Jonathan Joss, here at Smoky Mountain Fan Fest 2021, was shot and killed in San Antonio, Texas, on Sunday. Derek Storm/Everett Collection He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other, Gonzales said in his statement, which went on to thank Joss friends and fans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jonathan saved my life. I will carry that forward, the statement concluded. I will protect what he built. San Antonio police initially told People magazine they discovered Joss with several gunshot wounds after they were dispatched to a shooting in progress around 7 p.m. on Sunday night. Though they attempted life-saving measures while waiting for medics to arrive, he was later pronounced dead on the scene. The suspected shooter, neighbor Sigfredo Alvarez Cejam, fled, but was detained by officers a block away from the crime scene. Cejam has been booked on murder charges, and an investigation is still ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources who spoke to TMZ told the outlet that Joss and Cejam had a history of getting into verbal and physical altercations with one another. Joss was the voice of the stoic but sensitive King of the Hill regular John Redcorn from Season 2 through Season 13 of the animated classic, which aired its series finale in 2009. Joss voiced "King of the Hill" character John Redcorn (left) and was reportedly set to return for the show's high-anticipated revival. 20th Century Fox He had reportedly already recorded lines for the shows highly-anticipated revival and appeared alongside castmates at Austins ATX TV Festival last week to promote the reboot. Joss other credits include a recurring role as Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation, as well as appearances in Tulsa King, Ray Donovan, True Grit and The Magnificent Seven. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his lifetime, the Comanche and White Mountain Apache actor had pushed for the industry to stop using dated stereotypes while depicting Native Americans. At Indigenous Comic Con 2017, he told aspiring actors that while Hollywood seemed scared to write Native American characters in a modern day scenarios, its still worth it to take a stance. Related... The post King of the Hill Voice Actor Jonathan Joss Was Victim of Hate Crime, Husband Says appeared first on Consequence. Earlier today, it was reported that Jonathan Joss, the voice actor known for his role in King of the Hill, was tragically shot and killed on Sunday following a dispute with his neighbor. Now, Joss husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, has issued a statement revealing that the incident was, in fact, a hate crime: My husband Jonathan Joss and I were involved in a shooting while checking the mail at the site of our former home. That home was burned down after over two years of threats from people in the area who repeatedly told us they would set it on fire. We reported these threats to law enforcement multiple times and nothing was done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout that time we were harassed regularly by individuals who made it clear they did not accept our relationship. Much of the harassment was openly homophobic. When we returned to the site to check our mail we discovered the skull of one of our dogs and its harness placed in clear view. This caused both of us severe emotional distress. We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw. While we were doing this a man approached us. He started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired. Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jonathan is my husband. He gave me more love in our time together than most people ever get. We were newlyweds. We picked Valentines Day. We were in the process of looking for a trailer and planning our future. He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other. The alleged suspect, identified as Sigfredo Alvarez-Cega, was arrested and charged with murder shortly after the shooting. Joss voiced John Redcorn on King of the Hill from seasons 2 to 13, and had recorded lines for the series upcoming revival set to air on Hulu this summer. He also notably played Chief Ken Hotate on the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. HOUSTON (AP) Jonathan Joss, a voice actor best known for his work on the animated television series King of the Hill, was fatally shot near his Texas home, authorities said Monday. Police were dispatched to a home in south San Antonio about 7 p.m. Sunday on a shooting in progress call. When officers arrived at the scene, they found the wounded 59-year-old near the street. The officers attempted life saving measures until EMS arrived. EMS pronounced the victim deceased, San Antonio police said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joss' husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, confirmed the actor's death to The Associated Press in a text. The two were married earlier this year on Valentines Day. In an email, San Antonio police did not immediately provide any information on what prompted the shooting. In a statement, de Gonzales said he and Joss had previously faced harassment, much of it openly homophobic. Joss' husband said the person who killed the actor yelled violent homophobic slurs before opening fire. He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other, de Gonzales said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the shooting, de Gonzales and Joss were checking mail at Joss home, which had been heavily damaged during a January fire that claimed the lives of their three dogs. A man approached the two and threatened them with a gun, de Gonzales said. Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life, de Gonzales said in a statement. After the shooting, authorities arrested 56-year-old Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez and charged him with murder in Joss death. Court records did not list an attorney who could speak on behalf of Ceja Alvarez, who was being held in the Bexar County Adult Detention Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, San Antonio police said its investigation has found no evidence whatsoever to indicate that Mr. Josss murder was related to his sexual orientation." We take such allegations very seriously and have thoroughly reviewed all available information. Should any new evidence come to light, we will charge the suspect accordingly," police said. Joss, who grew up in San Antonio, was best known as the voice of John Redcorn, a Native American character on the popular King of the Hill animated series that ran for 13 seasons from 1997 to 2008. A reboot of the show is set to start in August. Joss also had a recurring role on the television show Parks and Recreation, playing Chief Ken Hotate. He appeared in two episodes of the series Tulsa King in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A GoFundMe page had been set up in January for Joss after the house fire. According to the page, Joss had lost all of his belongings in the fire, including his vehicle. Before he was fatally shot, Joss had been in Austin, located about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of San Antonio, for events related to a sneak peak of the King of the Hill revival. On Saturday, Joss had posted a video on Instagram in which he said he was signing autographs at a comic book store in Austin. The fans get to revisit King of the Hill again, which I think is an amazing thing because its a great show, Joss said in the video, adding he had already done voice work on four episodes of the revival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joss' husband said Joss was grateful for his fans. To everyone who supported him, his fans, his friends, know that he valued you deeply. He saw you as family, de Gonzales said. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70 ___ This story has been corrected to show the name of the suspect is Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, not Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja. SAN ANTONIO, Texas (WTVO) Voice actor Jonathan Joss, who played John Redcorn on King of the Hill, was killed over the weekend in a shooting after an argument with a neighbor. Joss, 59, reportedly was shot multiple times by the assailant during the argument outside his Texas home. The gunman fled the scene and was later apprehended by police. Despite life saving measures, Joss reportedly died at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joss voiced John Redcorn on the animated series from Season 2 to Season 13 on FOX, and recorded lines for the upcoming Hulu revival. He took over the role after original John Redcorn actor Victor Aaron was killed in a 1996 car accident. He also had roles in Parks and Recreation, Tulsa King, Ray Donovan, True Grit, and The Magnificent Seven remake, according to Variety. The revived King of the Hill is set to premiere on Hulu on August 4th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. The man accused of killing voice actor Jonathan Joss was released from jail on Monday, after allegedly admitting to authorities what he had done, according to a police report obtained by KSAT. Joss, 59, was best known for his character John Redcorn on King of the Hill. He was shot and killed on his property in San Antonio, Texas, on Sunday night, authorities said. The suspect, Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 56, who was Josss neighbor, posted a $200,000 bond Monday night, a Bexar County court spokesperson told Yahoo News. (The San Antonio police report originally misstated his name as Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja.) He is now under house arrest (and thus subject to random drug testing) is not allowed access to any firearms and cannot make contact with Josss family. Ceja Alvarez allegedly told San Antonio police, I shot him, after he was taken into custody on Sunday, KSAT reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers responded to a call about a shooting around 7 p.m. on Sunday on the south side of San Antonio. Police found Joss near the roadway, and police attempted life-saving measures until the EMS arrived and pronounced him dead. Ceja Alvarez had fled the scene but was caught and arrested by police one block away, according to the San Antonio Express-News. Josss husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, alleged in a post on Josss Facebook page on Monday that Joss was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other. He started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us, Kern de Gonzales wrote. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired. San Antonio police said in a statement on Monday that their investigation has found no evidence that shows Josss murder was related to his sexual orientation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A court hearing for Ceja Alvarez has been scheduled for Aug. 19, according to News 4 San Antonio. Joss was best known for his role as John Redcorn on King of the Hill, which aired from 1997 until 2009. He took over for the original Redcorn voice actor, Victor Aaron, in the shows second season, after Aaron died in a car accident. Joss also played the recurring role of Chief Ken Hotate in NBCs Parks and Recreation and appeared onscreen in Ray Donovan, True Grit and The Magnificent Seven. King of the Hill was revived for its 14th season, which will premiere on Hulu in August. Joss was not invited to partake in the revival, but he did attend the King of the Hill cast panel at 7 p.m. local time at Austins ATX TV Festival on Friday, roughly 48 hours before he was found shot in San Antonio. Animated characters John Redcorn, Bobby Hill and Hank Hill in a King of the Hill episode from 2000. (Everett Collection) Joss lost two dogs and his San Antonio childhood home in a fire in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a house I grew up in. Im more concerned about my dog that died, but you know what? The good Lord will protect us, Joss told KSAT at the time, adding that his father built the home in 1957. Joss was of Comanche and White Mountain Apache ancestry, and his performances as Native characters on TV resonated with a lot of fans who took to social media to commend Josss work. John Redcorn was pretty much the only contemporary Native representation I had in comedy growing up, one viewer wrote on X. Probably the funniest Native character in cartoon history and a lot of that was on Jonathan Joss pitch perfect rezzy uncle performance. RIP to one of the best to ever do it. Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the day this shooting took place. This month marks 45 years since the disappearance of 15-year-old Kerry Louise Patterson, and authorities are still looking for information as the case remains unsolved. According to the Orange County Sheriffs Department, Patterson and her family moved to the 1700 block of Peacock Lane in Fullerton from Cerritos in early June 1980. Weeks later, on June 26, Kerry left home to walk to a nearby convenience store so she could buy candy and ice cream. She was never seen by her family again; however, OCSD says that was not the last time she was spotted. June 27 Investigators say Patterson, aged 15 at the time of her disappearance, met with three boys she attended school with on June 27, the day after she was last seen by her family. The boys told authorities that they met her near Rosecrans Boulevard and Euclid Street on their bikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rosecrans and Euclid is just over a mile from where she resided. Overturned Castaic Lake paddleboarder identified but still missing The boys dropped her off down the street from her home on Peacock Lane, OCSD said. No further information on the interaction was released. July 1 Kerry was seen at a local bowling alley on July 1, five days after she was last seen by her family. The circumstances behind who saw her, what bowling alley she was seen at or what time of the day the interaction occurred were not disclosed. July 3 Another witness told authorities that they saw Patterson riding her bicycle in Cerritos about 10 miles from her Fullerton home on July 3. The witness said that they gave Kerry $8, and when they asked where she was staying, Kerry refused to divulge that information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After this interaction, the witness and Kerry parted ways, and no confirmed sightings of her were ever reported again. December 27 On Dec. 27, 1980, an oil worker in Brea found a skull with some remaining teeth, a left femur and a left tibia in a field near Tonner Canyon and the 57 Freeway, about 7.5 miles from the Patterson home and approximately 19 miles from where Kerry was spotted on July 3. Video: Motorcyclist avoids injury in crash by front flipping over car Detectives later positively identified the remains as Kerry Louise Patterson, but they have not been able to find any further clues in the four-and-a-half decades that have passed since the remains were found. July 8, 2019 On July 8, 2019, a post on Reddit purportedly published by Kerry Pattersons mother provided more information on the case. It stated that on the day she was last seen by family, Kerry left their new home to meet with friends from the Cerritos neighborhood she used to live in who had also moved to Fullerton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the boys she was with (the post confirmed that there were three) later rode her home on his bicycle handlebars and dropped her off within a block of their Peacock Lane home. The post indicated that the boy said he could see the residence from where he dropped Kerry off. Kerry Patterson as seen in a photo released by the Orange County Sheriffs Department. Six months later, some of her remains were discovered in Tonner Canyon behind the Brea Mall in the Union Oil Field, the post reads. This was before [social media] so there was not much coverage of her death, but I believe someone out there saw something, knows something or heard something that could help get this case resolved. Video: Motorcyclist avoids injury in crash by front flipping over car According to the Orange County Sheriffs Departments missing persons bulletin for Kerry, she was described as having brown eyes and blonde hair and was last seen wearing a red Hawaiian print blouse, light blue loose-fitting pants and white Vans shoes. She was also in possession of a white macrame purse, deputies said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information surrounding the case is asked to contact the Orange County Homicide Cold Case Task Force. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Twelve people at an outdoor mall in Boulder, Colo., calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza were injured on Sunday by a man police say attacked a crowd with makeshift incendiary devices and a flamethrower. The suspect, identified by the FBI as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, was arrested at the scene and FBI Director Kash Patel has described the incident as a terror attack. The Department of Justice decried the Pearl Street Mall attack as a needless act of violence, which follows recent attacks against Jewish Americans. President Donald Trump pledged in a Monday post on his Truth Social platform to prosecute the perpetrator to the fullest extent of the Law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yesterday's horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America," Trump wrote. Special Agent in Charge of the FBIs Denver field office, Mark Michalek, said in a press conference on Sunday evening: Attacks like this are becoming too common across the country, this is an example of how perpetrators of violence continue to threaten communities. In a statement, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said that the attack appears to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted and that the group was conducting one of its weekly meets. Who is the suspected attacker? Soliman arrived in the U.S. on a non-immigrant B2 visa in August 2022 that expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a Monday post on X. She added that he filed for asylum in September 2022. The Colorado terrorist attack suspect, Mohamed Soliman, is illegally in our country, McLaughlin told TIME in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He came in through Biden's ridiculous Open Border Policy, which has hurt our Country so badly. He must go out under 'TRUMP' Policy, Trump said of Soliman in his Truth Social post. This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland. My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and the Great People of Boulder, Colorado! CBS reported that Soliman is an Egyptian national and has recently been living in Colorado Springs. According to the FBIs Michalek, Soliman shouted Free Palestine during the attack. Read More: Who Is the Suspect in the Colorado Attack? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Associated Press, video from the scene showed Soliman holding two clear bottles with transparent liquid while he shouted at onlookers, and another video shows a witness shouting, Hes right there. Hes throwing Molotov cocktails, as an armed police officer approaches him. Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said that the attack took place around 1:30 p.m. local time, and that Soliman was taken to hospital with minor injuries. At this time it appears the perpetrator acted alone, Michalek said at a Monday afternoon press conference. But he noted that authorities do continue to investigate all possibilities and pursue all investigative leads. If we uncover evidence that others knew of this attack or supported the subject in this attack, rest assured that we will aggressively move to hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soliman has been charged with 16 counts of first-degree attempted murder, including eight counts for attempted murder with intent and after deliberation and eight for attempted murder with extreme indifference, District Attorney Michael Dougherty said in the Monday press conference. He also faces two counts of use of an incendiary device and 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device. He is being charged with a federal hate crime as well, the Justice Department announced Monday. The Department of Justice has swiftly charged the illegal alien perpetrator of this heinous attack with a federal hate crime and will hold him accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Our prayers are with the victims and our Jewish community across the world, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. An FBI affidavit supporting the hate crime charge says Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody and told police he planned it for a year, targeting what he described as a Zionist group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado J. Bishop Grewell said during Mondays press conference that Soliman told authorities he had previously tried to buy a firearm, but was unable to because he is not a legal citizen and instead resorted to using Molotov cocktails. There were 16 unused Molotov cocktails within arms reach of the subject at the time of his arrest, Dougherty said. So there is no question that the first responders saved lives and prevented further victims from being injured. When the hate crime charge Soliman faces includes attempted murder, Grewell noted, it carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. If convicted on the state charges, he could be sentenced to up to 384 years in prison on the attempted murder charges, 48 for the use of incendiary devices, and up to 192 for the attempted use of incendiary devices, Dougherty said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soliman made his first appearance in court Monday afternoon. He will be back in court on Thursday for the filing of charges. Who are the victims? Twelve people are believed to have been injured in the attack after law enforcement identified four additional victims on Monday, according to Dougherty. Four men and four women were hospitalized Sunday. The injuries were consistent with people being set on fire, Redfearn said on Sunday, adding that one of the victims was in critical condition. The people taken to hospitals range from 52 to 88 years old, Boulder police said Sunday. Redfearn said Monday afternoon that two victims were still hospitalized. The four previously unidentified victims sustained minor injuries and came forward later to be interviewed, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: What We Know About the Victims of the Colorado Attack The event calling for the release of hostages held by Hamas was part of Run for Their Lives, non-violent running and walking events organized in communities around the world. Run for Their Lives has two chapters in Colorado, plus 100 others across 30 U.S. states. According to its website, it was started by a group of Israelis in the Bay Area of San Francisco alongside the Hostage and Missing Families Forum (#BringThemHomeNow). The Boulder attack comes almost two weeks after two Israeli embassy staff were fatally shot in Washington, D.C. while attending an event at the Capitol Jewish Museum. The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, told police after the shooting that he did it for Gaza, and for Palestine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Antisemitism and political violence is on the rise across the U.S. The FBI recorded 1,989 incidents of anti-Jewish hate crimes in 2023, the last year for which data is available. Contact us at letters@time.com. Officials in Boulder, Colorado, have released new information about the attack Sunday on a group of peaceful demonstrators who were marching to support Israeli hostages in Gaza. They now say 15 people were injured, up from eight reported earlier, when the suspect hurled Molotov cocktails at the crowd. The incident is being investigated as an act of terrorism, according to the FBI, which described it as targeted. The suspect, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national, was taken into custody at the scene. He is facing multiple felony charges as well as a federal hate crime charge. Soliman is being charged in state court with 16 counts of attempted first-degree murder, eight "with intent and deliberation" and the other eight "with extreme indifference," Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty said Monday. Officials said additional charges could be forthcoming. He's also being charged with two counts of use of an incendiary device and 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is what we know so far: What happened in Boulder? The attack occurred around 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the outdoor Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, near the historic County Courthouse in the city's downtown. It was the site of a march held to advocate for the hostages who were taken from southern Israel by Hamas militants on Oct. 7, 2023, and have yet to be released. Witnesses said the suspect had a "makeshift flamethrower" and yelled "Free Palestine!" as he threw Molotov cocktails at demonstrators, leaving multiple people with burns, according to the FBI. Those who suffered injuries had been standing outside the courthouse. In the aftermath, a burn scar was visible in front of the courthouse building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who is Jewish, condemned the attack, calling it a "heinous and targeted act on the Jewish community." The suspect had another 16 unused Molotov cocktails "within arms reach" at the time of his arrest, investigators said during a news conference Monday afternoon. Law enforcement officers detain a suspect, after an attack that injured multiple people, in Boulder, Colorado, June 1, 2025, in this picture obtained from social media. / Credit: X/@OpusObscuraX via Reuters Soliman had set out to kill all the marchers but seemed to have had second thoughts, authorities said. He didn't throw all 18 Molotov cocktails he was carrying "because he got scared and had never hurt anyone before" police said in an affidavit cited by The Associated Press. Authorities said he expressed no regrets about the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One marcher told CBS News Colorado the suspect looked like a landscaper when they approached. But Lisa Trunquist said she felt something odd as they arrived at the courthouse. "The groundskeeper was here, and I didn't know why. Things were off," Trunquist said. He wasn't a groundskeeper. Then, after he tossed the devices, she and her fellow marchers worked as a team to try to put out the flames that were burning their fellow marchers, Trunquist recalled. The FBI's Colorado office said those who attended the march were participating in a scheduled, weekly event. Organized by the group Run for Their Lives, local branches hold community walks and runs in different cities within Colorado, around the country and internationally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are a local chapter of the global initiative Run For Their Lives," reads the description of the Boulder chapter's Facebook page. "We do an 18 minute weekly walk to show international solidarity with the hostages taken from Israel during the 10/7 massacre, and still being held in Gaza. We will walk until they are all released." Rachel Amaru, an organizer at Run for Their Lives in Boulder, called the attack "blatantly antisemitic" in comments to CBS News Colorado. It took place less than two weeks after two Israeli Embassy employees were killed in a shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., which is also being investigated as a hate crime. Omer Shachar, a co-leader of Run for Their Lives Denver, told CBS News the group contacted Boulder police several times about security concerns around the event prior to Sunday. CBS News has reached out to Boulder police for comment. Who was injured in the Boulder attack? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the victims of the Boulder attack included eight women and seven men, whose ages range from 25 to 88. One of them was seriously injured, according to Boulder Police Chief Stephan Redfearn, who said the person had been hospitalized in critical condition. The 88-year-old is a Holocaust refugee who fled Europe, according to Rabbi Israel Wilhelm, the Chabad director at the University of Colorado Boulder. Wilhelm described her as a "very loving person." Another victim is a professor at the university, the rabbi said. Two of the injured were flown by helicopter to the burn unit at UCHealth, and four others were taken to Boulder Community Health, according to police and the hospitals. The injured patients who were taken to Boulder Community Health had either been discharged or transferred elsewhere later Sunday night, the hospital said, although it did not specify how many were discharged versus transferred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials initially said eight people were injured, but raised the number when more people came forward later with less severe injuries. Who is the Boulder attack suspect? The suspect was identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, FBI Special Agent in Charge Mike Michalek said Sunday. Witnesses heard Soliman yell "Free Palestine" during the attack, according to Michalek, who said it was "clear this is a targeted act of violence." Two sources told CBS News that witnesses who spoke to investigators also alleged the suspect shouted "End Zionist" during the attack. The suspect told investigators he "researched on YouTube how to make Molotov Cocktails, purchased the ingredients to do so, and constructed them," an affidavit filed by the Department of Justice reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also allegedly "stated that he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead," and that he had been planning the attack for a year, the affidavit says. The suspect had tried to purchase a firearm but couldn't because he was not a U.S. citizen, so he resorted to Molotov cocktails instead, the acting U.S. attorney for Colorado, J. Bishop Grewell, said during a news conference Monday. Soliman is an Egyptian national, government officials confirmed to CBS News Colorado. Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said he first arrived in the United States in August 2022, originally on a non-immigrant visa that expired in February 2023. She said he filed for asylum a month after arriving in the U.S., in September 2022, but did not provide details about the outcome of that immigration case or whether it was resolved. Soliman had recently been living in Colorado Springs, about 100 miles south of Boulder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He made his first court appearance on Monday and could be seen with a bandage over the right side of his face. He responded "yes" when asked whether he understood a judge's question on a protection order against him that keeps him from contacting the victims of his alleged crimes. His next court hearing is Thursday for an official filing of charges. Mohamed Sabry Soliman / Credit: Boulder Police Department After the attack on Sunday, authorities evacuated three blocks of Pearl Street for the rest of the day as they probed a vehicle of interest in the area, which an FBI official later said belonged to the suspect. On Sunday night, the FBI said it was "conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity related to the attack" in El Paso County, which includes Colorado Springs. FBI Director Kash Patel, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino and National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard have referred to the incident as a terrorist attack. "The @ODNIgov's National Counterterrorism Center is working with the FBI and local law enforcement on the ground investigating the targeted terror attack against a weekly meeting of Jewish community members who had just gathered in Boulder, CO to raise awareness of the hostages kidnapped during Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7," Gabbard wrote in a social media post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soliman's former employer, an independently owned medical clinic in Centennial, Colorado, called Veros Health, told CBS News he had a valid work visa while employed there from May 2023 to August 2023. "We can confirm that Mohamed Soliman worked with Veros from May 2023 to August 2023. He was hired in our accounting department," Roni Mushovic, the CFO at Veros, said in a statement, noting that Soliman underwent the hiring process through ADP, which handles human resources for the clinic. "At the time of hire, he was confirmed to have a valid work Visa, which was noted to expire on March 2025," Mushovic said. Prior to Sunday's attack, Soliman was driving for Uber, which required him to have a valid Social Security number, CBS News has learned. According to an Uber spokesperson, he passed a background check and provided a photo ID and Social Security number when the company hired him in the spring of 2023, and passed another background check "about nine months ago." Sneak peek: Where is Jermain Charlo? Baldwin grills McMahon on unallocated funds for students, schools, approved by Congress Hegseth orders Navy to rename USNS Harvey Milk, Jeffries calls it "a complete and total disgrace" DENVER (KDVR) An investigation is underway after a suspect allegedly threw Molotov cocktails into a group on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder who were peacefully in support of Israeli hostages in Gaza on Sunday. A criminal complaint stated that on Sunday afternoon, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, allegedly threw Molotov cocktails into a crowd on Pearl Street Mall, injuring 12 people during a demonstration held by Run for Their Lives. The suspect was heard yelling, Free Palestine. Updates: 8 injured in Boulder after Pearl Street Mall attack; suspect in custody Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the investigation is ongoing, officials have shared some of their initial findings. Heres everything thats known so far: Who is the suspect? The FBI said the suspect was identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman from El Paso County. Soliman was arrested on the scene, and he was booked into Boulder County Jail on several charges, including first-degree murder. He was later charged with a federal hate crime and faces 42 state charges. Mohamed Sabry Soliman was booked on several charges after the Pearl Street Mall attack (Courtesy of the Boulder Police Department) The suspect in an attack on a pro-Israel group on the Pearl Street Mall on Sunday, June 1, 2025. (Courtesy Brian H.) A senior Department of Homeland Security official confirmed with FOX31 that the suspect is illegally in the country. He allegedly entered the U.S. in August 2022 on a B2 visa, which expired in February 2023. DHS said he filed for asylum in September 2022. The criminal complaint said Soliman was an Egyptian national. The criminal complaint filed said the suspect told police he planned the attack for a year, researching and specifically targeting a Zionist group. An FBI affidavit said Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody. He allegedly told the police he would do it again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soliman was booked on several charges, including murder in the first degree and first-degree assault. The Justice Department said the suspect was charged with a federal hate crime and faces 42 state charges, including several counts of firt-degree murder. The complaint said Soliman lives in Colorado Springs with his wife and five kids. Soliman said he was waiting until after his daughters graduation to attack. NewsNation reported that a spokesperson for Uber said he was formerly employed by the rideshare company and passed its eligibility requirements, which included a background check. Who are the victims? The FBI initially identified eight victims, four women and four men, between 52 and 88 years old. However, officials later said 12 people were injured, and as of Tuesday morning, three victims were still in the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While their identities are unconfirmed, Leo Terrell, the senior counsel to the assistant attorney general for civil rights with the U.S. Department of Justice, said one woman was a Holocaust survivor. A witness told FOX31s Nicole Fierro that two other victims were a couple who had been married for 58 years. The victims went to local hospitals, with three of the victims taken to UCHealth Anschutz to be treated for burns. The victims had serious to minor injuries, but all of them are still alive. Witnesses have reported that the victims skin had been melted off and that one woman was on fire. One witness posted a video on X of a woman with burns lying on the ground while others used water jugs to help. What is Run for Their Lives? Run for Their Lives is a grassroots organization that hosts global running and walking events where local communities meet once a week to call for the immediate release of the hostages held by Hamas, the website said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we know about the suspect and victims in the Boulder, Colorado, attack Representative Junie Joseph said the Run for Their Lives event was organized to raise awareness for Israeli hostages in Gaza. The city of Boulder said the demonstration on Sunday is a regularly scheduled, weekly peaceful event. What was thrown at the victims? The FBI said a suspect allegedly threw a makeshift flamethrower and an incendiary device into a crowd; however, the complaint said it was two Molotov cocktails. Merriam-Webster defines a Molotov cocktail as a bomb thats made out of a bottle and filled with flammable liquid, like gasoline, and is lit just before the bottle is thrown. 16 unused Molotov cocktails were also found nearby when the suspect was arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an ongoing investigation. The FBI is asking anyone with information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI and anyone with videos, social media posts and recordings to upload them at fbi.gov/boulderattack. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. The Atlantic hurricane season has just begun, and the aftermath of storms like Milton, Beryl, and Helene in 2024 is still being felt. With a forecast of 13 to 19 tropical storms, of which six to 10 could become hurricanes, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has said that, despite expecting a less active season than last year, the 2025 season remains above average. But in addition to the impact that climate change has on hurricanes increasing their intensity, increasing rainfall, and slowing them down this years season has another peculiarity: it will be under the administration of Donald Trump, a president who denies climate change, and is on a mission to cut resources to agencies as fundamental to risk prevention and disaster response as NOAA and the U.S. aid agency, USAID. These decisions are causing uncertainty not just for the United States, but also for all of Central America and the Caribbean. Monitoring hurricanes with an underfunded NOAA The numbers arent clear, but the fact is that NOAA, which is responsible for researching and monitoring storms across the continent, has been a victim of Trumps cuts. Media outlets like the BBC reported layoffs of nearly 800 workers, while experts familiar with the sector have heard that one in five workers had their contracts terminated. This, says Mario Salgado, Risk Knowledge Officer at the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) for the Americas and the Caribbean, could translate into less and lower-quality data. This work is done with nearly 120 Doppler radars, 16 environmental satellites, and what are known as hurricane hunters, he recalls. And, although there is no way to know if this entire system is being affected, the signs will be evident when the first storm of 2025 is tracked. Until then, we wont be able to measure how large the impact is, adds Dr. Rafael Mendez Tejeda, a professor at the University of Puerto Rico at Carolina and a member of the islands governments Climate Change Committee. We mustnt forget that NOAA is part of the United States Department of Commerce precisely because its forecasts inform decisions about cruise ships, oil tankers and airplanes. So, if climate change isnt a concern for Trump, perhaps trade will be. Michael McAlister collects weather data at the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center on May 6 in Lakeland, Florida. John Raoux (AP) Preparing without USAID If a potential lack of information is a cause for concern, there is even greater dismay about how the first hurricane season will be experienced after the pause in USAID assistance throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Calculations made by the Center for Global Development (CGD) based on the latest documents shared by Congress in March estimate that $265,038,208 was cut for disaster preparedness worldwide. USAID has been a very reliable source of funding for various disaster reduction, preparedness, and response activities, Salgado insists. In the region, one of the initiatives that has been greatly affected is the early warning system for all people, which is also an initiative mandated by the United Nations Secretary-General. A 24-hour warning, he recalls, can reduce economic and livelihood losses by up to 30%. That entire chain, from early warning to hurricane recovery, has been shaken in the region. Knowing the extent is difficult due to the lack of transparency from the United States government, but there are specific cases. Science journalist Justine Calma revealed in The Verge that the Regional Disaster Assistance Program (RDAP), funded by USAID since 1989, was terminated in Latin America and the Caribbean. It included activities such as running drills with community members, purchasing supplies for evacuation shelters, and making sure people with disabilities can access services. Fishermen pull a boat damaged by Hurricane Beryl in Barbados on July 1, 2024. Ricardo Mazalan (AP) In a public letter, the Global Network of Civil Society Organizations for Disaster Risk Reduction (GNDR) also denounced the cancellation of a project targeting Honduras, Colombia, and Guatemala to increase the resilience of communities at risk of disasters, including those related to climate change. Speaking from Honduras, Juan Jose Reyes, head of the Early Warning System, confirms that there has been no perceived drop in technical information from NOAA so far, but that the absence of USAID has limited certain risk management actions. In the Sula Valley, specifically, early flood warning drills were being conducted in conjunction with the U.S. agency. Nevertheless, Reyes prefers to maintain a glimmer of hope. The gap will be filled, he says, adding that other cooperating partners, such as Germany and Ireland, are already supporting them. The feeling is similar in the Caribbean. Last week, ahead of hurricane season, Elizabeth Riley, director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), explained that USAID cuts have not directly harmed the agency, as it does not receive funding from the United States. However, she confirmed that the countries under this umbrella, including the 15 members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), have seen some areas left unprotected with the suspension of assistance programs. Other countries, however, are already stepping in. The CDEMA and the United Kingdom, for example, have signed a memorandum of understanding to guarantee financial support for rapid response to emergencies such as those likely to arise with the upcoming storms. Each member country can receive up to $375,000 in support through this partnership. Hurricane season will be one of the first reality tests for the new world order that Trump seeks to establish. Personally, I think what were going to see is not a lack of information, but a privatization of it, Salgado states with some trepidation. Scientific data, weather data, and hurricane data are needed for insurance and for the catastrophe bonds that countries issue to cover sovereign risks. No one can afford to let that information disappear, but the question is whether access to it will continue to be free, he wonders. As Tejeda concludes, right now, you can give a weather forecast, but not a Trump forecast. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Police have arrested a suspect in the Boulder, Colorado, attack of an event held by a group advocating for the release of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. Mohamed Sabry Soliman is facing five charges, including murder in the first degree. He was booked in the Boulder County Jail on a $10 million bond, records from the Boulder County Sheriffs Office show. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, on Sunday at about 1:30 in the afternoon, Soliman used a makeshift flame thrower and threw an incendiary device into the crowd of people participating in the Run for Their Lives walk, a weekly event that was occurring outside the Pearl Street Mall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight victims four women and four men have been identified between the ages of 52 and 88 and were taken to the hospital for treatment. None of the victims were killed in the attack; it is so far unclear why Soliman was charged with murder. Any attempt to divide us through fear or harm has no place in Boulder, Colorado, or anywhere in our nation, FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek said in the FBI press release. We stand in full solidarity with those targeted. And we will continue to ensure that justice is pursued swiftly, support is provided to victims and their communities, and preventative action is taken to protect everyones safety. The attack is under investigation as a terrorist act. Witnesses of the event reported hearing Soliman yell Free Palestine as he carried out the attacks. This image provided by the Boulder Police Department shows Mohamed Sabry Soliman. | Boulder Police Dept. via the Associated Press Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, posted on social media that Soliman is in the country illegally. He entered the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023. He filed for asylum in September 2022, she posted. The Colorado Terrorist attack suspect, Mohamed Soliman, is illegally in our country. He entered the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired on February 2023. He filed for asylum in September 2022. pic.twitter.com/1Jd5IA9bcg Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) June 2, 2025 According to Fox News, Soliman,45, was granted work authorization through March of this year and is an Egyptian national. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to the attack, Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson posted on X her support for the Jewish community: The violent attack on peaceful demonstrators in Boulder is a shocking and painful reminder that hate and prejudice persist in our society. Utah stands in solidarity with the victims and the entire Boulder community during this horrific time. There is no place for such hatred in our state or our nation. Tonight, I reiterate my support for our Jewish brothers and sisters here in Utah and around the world. The violent attack on peaceful demonstrators in Boulder is a shocking and painful reminder that hate and prejudice persist in our society. Utah stands in solidarity with the https://t.co/hu3Hnc2Ddc Lt. Gov. Deidre M. Henderson (@LGHendersonUtah) June 2, 2025 The United Jewish Federation of Utah also responded to the attack in a press release obtained by the Deseret News, noting the chilling pattern of escalating threats targeting visibly Jewish spaces, referring to the attack last week when two staff members at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., were fatally shot on Wednesday evening after leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. Peaceful Jewish gatherings are being turned into scenes of violence, said Alex Shapiro, CEO of the United Jewish Federation of Utah. We are heartbroken for the Boulder community and outraged by this continued wave of hate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will not be intimidated, Shapiro added. We are committed to protecting Jewish life, standing with Jewish communities around the country, and calling on our faith, civic, and government leaders to denounce these threats clearly, quickly, and forcefully. A day after Ukraines audacious attack using drones launched from trucks to strike nearby Russian bombers, the scope of the damage and how the mission was pulled off is just starting to come into focus. While there are still questions as to just how many bombers were destroyed, the attack was a major blow to Russian strategic aviation, regardless, a subject you can read more about in a separate story we posted earlier today. You can also catch up with our initial report on the attack here. Ukraine claims it struck 41 Russian aircraft in its attack on Sunday, according to Ukrainian Lt. Gen. Vasyl Malyuk, head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), which carried out the attack known as Spiderweb. All told, 117 first-person view (FPV) drones struck the Belaya, Dyagilevo, Ivanovo and Olenya air bases, the SBU says. On June 1, the Security Service of Ukraine carried out a brilliant operation on enemy territory, targeting only military objectives, specifically the equipment used to strike Ukraine. Russia suffered significant losses. In total, 117 drones were used in the operation with a pic.twitter.com/PeD1lTx9Nw Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) June 2, 2025 The Security Service of Ukraine conducted an unprecedented and unique special operation to simultaneously destroy four military airfields in the rear of the Russian Federation, where enemy aircraft are deployed, the SBU stated on Telegram on Monday. As a result of drone strikes, 41 aircraft were hit, including the A-50, Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In general, we are talking about the defeat of 34% of strategic cruise missile carriers at the main airfields of the Russian Federation, Malyuk claimed. This was not just a devastating blow to enemy aircraft, but a serious slap in the face of the power and terrorist essence of the Russian Federation. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian governments center for counteracting disinformation, said that so far, there is evidence that 13 aircraft were destroyed. even more were damaged (over 40 in total), he claimed on Telegram, though that figure could rise. We must make clear that all of this still needs to be confirmed. Meanwhile, Russian sources discount the damage. Ukrainian drone strikes hit military airfields in Russias Murmansk, Ryazan, Irkutsk, and Ivanovo regions. (Photo by Elif Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu Again, The War Zone cannot independently verify either claims. Adding to the challenges of doing so is that many of the air bases attacked are under cloud cover, making verification through traditional satellite imagery impossible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Satellite mapping images taken by synthetic aperture radar (SAR) over the Belaya airbase appear to indicate that four Tu-95s and four Tu-22M3s were destroyed at the base. There are further indications that four Tu-95s and one An-12 were destroyed at Olenya, for a total of 13 airframes. No images have yet emerged of Dyagilevo or Ivanovo, so the total number of aircraft destroyed or damaged could be higher. When it comes to SAR imagery, especially of the commercial variety, it should be treated as an indicator and not conclusive for evaluating damage like this. Pairing what is imaged with other intelligence-related products can help bridge the certainty gap. So, we will have to wait for more information. The revetted parking positions. pic.twitter.com/WNFYnlEZDz Chris Biggers (@CSBiggers) June 2, 2025 Olenya/Olenegorsk/Vysokiy (part two).Burning An-12: 68.146555, 33.450901Destroyed Tu-95MS from part 3 at 68.145419, 33.449928 identified as RF-94257 '22 Red' Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555.bsky.social) 2025-06-02T14:24:07.929Z There was also some indication that a Tu-95MS may have also been destroyed at the Ukrainka air base. Yesterdays drone attack on Ukrainka Air Base in the Amur Oblast of Russias Far East, right on the border with China, which was initially believed to have been a total failure, with the truck and drone container seen burning on the side of the road after some kind of https://t.co/ALhvHr9rsM OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 2, 2025 There are additional suggestions that two more Tu-95s may have been damaged, as well as an Il-76 Candid transport aircraft. Updated BDA of Operation Pavutyna as of 1500 EST June 2nd 2025. Olenya Airfield 4x Destroyed TU-95 1x Likely Destroyed TU-95 1x Destroyed AN-12 (Typo on my part kept accidentally typing AN-22) Belaya Airfield 3x Destroyed TU-95 1x Damaged TU-95 4 TU-22M3 in total Intelschizo (@Schizointel) June 2, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the Olenya airbase in the Murmansk region, where Pantsir was actively working, only one Tu-95MS was lost and another was seriously damaged, the Russian Military Chronicle Telegram channel claimed. The only thing that saved us was that the planes were standing empty for routine maintenance, without missiles. According to other sources, 8 Tu-95MS units were partially or completely lost, including possibly an Il-76 (the pictures are not clear). Also, 4 Tu-22M units and 1 An-12 were disabled. No imagery has yet emerged of damaged or destroyed Tu-160 Blackjack bombers, the A-50 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, or the transport airframes. Several videos were posted immediately after the attacks showing Russian bombers being struck, burning, as well as the drones being launched. Ukrainian drones struck Russian strategic aviation at the Belaya air base in Irkutsk 4,800 km from Kyiv. pic.twitter.com/UBAi7znioR Michael MacKay (@mhmck) June 1, 2025 Locals filmed dozens of small FPV-like drones which reportedly struck multiple aircraft and other targets at the base. In short, a truck drove up to a gas station in the town next to the base and launched at least 20 drones.#BudanovApproves#OSINT pic.twitter.com/yrjEBSUT8g OSINT Intuit (@UKikaski) June 1, 2025 The Russian aviation-connected Fighterbomber Telegram channel downplayed the scope of the damage but acknowledged the seriousness of the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 34% of strategic cruise missile carriers were hit. This is pure bullshit, Fighterbomber wrote on Monday morning. The number of planes hit is in the single digits. (Hit does not always mean destroyed) And our carriers are Tu-95, Tu-160 and Tu-22. But yes, even one destroyed [strategic bomber] is a huge loss for a country that does not yet make such aircraft and has nowhere to get them. In addition to more information about the number of types of aircraft destroyed, more details are emerging about how this attack was carried out. First the SBU transported FPV drones to Russia, and later mobile wooden houses, the SBU said Monday. Already in the territory of the Russian Federation, drones were hidden under the roofs of houses, placed on trucks. At the right moment, the roofs of the houses were remotely opened, and the drones flew to hit the designated targets Russian bombers. One video shows one of the drones hovering over a bomber as it slowly approaches its point of detonation. SBU spokesman Artem Dekhtiarenko declined to offer more details, adding that for now, he can only share the information provided in the official statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some things may be told only upon approval at a determined time, he told us. We disclose the details only when it will not hamper the future operations. Footage showing a Ukrainian FPV Drone striking one of the fuel tanks on a Tu-95MS Long-Range Strategic Bomber at Olenya Airbase in Murmansk today during Operation Spiderweb. pic.twitter.com/7EObjb5VDA OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 1, 2025 It's been a long time since I worked with ArduPilot Mission Planner, but I think this screenshot suggests this drone navigated to the airfield autonomously and then was hand-flown into the target. "PosHold", "0m>6" and the map in the upper left are the clues. 1/ pic.twitter.com/1W5MZWBlJ3 John Wiseman (@lemonodor) June 1, 2025 Spiderweb, more than 18 months in the making, was a marvel of operational security, timing and logistics. It took place in secret, in different time zones, and required the manufacture and movement of drones, the trucks they were launched from, and the structures they were launched from. The simplicity in this plan makes it. Use existing unwitting logistical avenues to drive your weapons to a location near unsuspecting enemy positions and unleash your attack. Id love to know how they got these structures into Russia. https://t.co/pN0aTDY0H8 TheIntelFrog (@TheIntelFrog) June 2, 2025 As we mentioned yesterday, containers with the drones were assembled in Russia, according to Russian milblogger Sergey Kolyasnikov. We found a warehouse where containers with drones were collected, Chelyabinsk, Sverdlovsk tract 28A, he wrote on Telegram. It was rented for 350,000 rubles (about $4,500). Thats why the truck in the Amur region had Chelyabinsk license plates they were leaving from there. Russian sources claim geolocation shows Ukrainian FPV drones used in the airbase attacks were assembled inside a rented warehouse at 28A Sverdlovsky Trakt, Chelyabinsk, Russia. The claimed facility lies just near the Kazakhstan border, possibly a supply route for components. pic.twitter.com/sYhhr9U1Do Clash Report (@clashreport) June 1, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian operatives duped those around them, the Kyiv Independent (KI) reported on Monday. Those operatives, likely supported by embedded agents or sympathetic localsbuilt First Person View (FPV) drones using materials sourced from within Russia, the publication wrote. These strike platforms were hidden inside wooden modular cabins constructed to look like prefabricated houses. Beneath the roof panels, drone bays were concealed between structural beams, with remotely operated opening mechanisms to allow launch on command. Unique footage and details of the preparation of the operation to destroy Russian air bases published by the SBU! Drones were hidden in the roofs of camouflaged cargo containers. According to SBU sources, Ukraine's Security Service conducted a special operation called https://t.co/JcHfeRHOOCpic.twitter.com/Z3aldQSI7L Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) June 1, 2025 Once sealed, the cabins were loaded onto civilian trucks. The vehicles were then handed over to unwitting Russian drivers, recruited by Artyom, a 37-year-old ethnic Ukrainian who coordinated logistics under the cover of a private construction job, KI noted. The drivers were told they were transporting portable homes to regions like Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ryazan, and Ivanovo. Each was given a delivery plan, a route, and a schedule. During transit, a mysterious intermediary would call and issue final location instructionsalways near military infrastructure. Russias defense ministry said it had detained an undisclosed number of participants in the terrorist attacks, the Financial Times reported, citing state media. How Ukraine's Special Services conned Russian truck drivers into delivering drones that then destroyed $7 billion of Russia's most irreplaceable aircraft.https://t.co/5WGZBpoOS3 Kyiv Insider (@KyivInsider) June 2, 2025 Zelensky on Sunday offered another supposed detail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most interesting thing and we can already say this publicly is that the office of our operation on Russian territory was located right next to the FSB of Russia in one of their regions, the Ukrainian president claimed. In the aftermath of the attacks, video emerged of Russian authorities stopping trucks for inspection, creating large traffic jams across the nation as authorities try to determine if there are any more attacks in the offing. Traffic jams are being reported today all across Russia, with trucks seen backed-up for miles in the Irkutsk Oblast, as the Federal Security Service (FSB) and other law enforcement agencies frantically search for any additional drone carriers, fearing another large-scale drone pic.twitter.com/n3n5RZznHN OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 2, 2025 While the damage from Sundays attack was still being assessed, both sides launched new cross-border barrages. Video emerged on social media of claimed attacks on the Lipetsk and Voronezh regions, though the results of those incidents are unclear. In Lipetsk Oblast, a drone crashed behind a three-story apartment building in Lebedyan, causing a fire and shattering windows from the blast wave, Euromaidan Press reported. Local reports suggested drones attempted to target the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant NLMK industrial plant that produces steel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voronezh Oblast experienced infrastructure damage when a high-voltage wire broke on the M-4 Don highway, according to Euromaidan Press. Governor Alexander Gusev reported broken windows in houses and vehicles but stated there were no civilian casualties among the 15 drones intercepted in the region. Local residents reported attacks on the Borisoglebsk military airfield, which houses an aviation repair plant previously targeted in January 2025, according to Russian independent media Astra. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 162 Ukrainian aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles overnight. That included 27 UAVs over the Lipetsk region, 16 over the Voronezh region, 11 over the Bryansk region and 11 over the Ryazan region. Drones are heavily attacking Lipetsk. Target: Lipetsk-2 airbase, NLMK steelworks, and ammunition warehouses. pic.twitter.com/QtxXlndeTr Ukraine Front Line (@EuromaidanPR) June 2, 2025 Overnight, Russia was again under a massive attack reporting downing 162 Ukrainian drones across 8 regions. A military airfield was targeted in Voronezh Oblast, according to local residents. The airfield also houses an aviation repair plant that was previously hit in January pic.twitter.com/fv6kyXd0OJ Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) June 2, 2025 Russia launched attacks as well, firing 80 Shahed attack drones and simulator drones of various types along with three Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles and an Iskander-K cruise missile, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. The main areas of the air strike are Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Donetsk and Kherson regions, the Air Force stated on Telegram. In the morning, the enemy struck one of the enterprises of the Chernihiv region. Firefighters localized the fire to an area of 6800 sq. m. There is no threat of further spread. pic.twitter.com/QWbbPs9jBM The Ukrainian Review (@UkrReview) June 2, 2025 Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russia held the second round of talks aimed at ending the conflict, now in its fourth year. Negotiations concluded in a little more than an hour, with little additional progress made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two sides did agree on an exchange of prisoners and remains, according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Ukraine and Russia have agreed to an all-for-all exchange of seriously wounded and ill prisoners of war, as well as all service members aged 1825, Umerov told reporters. Both sides have also agreed to begin exchanging the bodies of 6,000 service members each, he added. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov states following todays peace talks in Istanbul, that Ukraine and Russia have agreed to a all-for-all exchange of seriously wounded and ill prisoners of war, as well as all servicemembers aged 1825. He adds that both sides have also pic.twitter.com/hkTRRpuDDu OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 2, 2025 While Ukraine was seeking a full ceasefire as a starting point in negotiations, Moscows top negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, stated that Russia proposed a partial ceasefire at the talks in Istanbul, The Guardian reported. We have proposed a specific ceasefire for two to three days in certain areas of the front line, Medinsky said, so that commanders can collect the bodies of their soldiers. There was no immediate response to that from Ukrainian negotiators. Another key point that emerged was Ukraine handing Russia a list of several hundred children that Kyiv wants returned from Russia, according to Umerov. These abductions were the subject of an international criminal court arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as other Russian officials. It is unknown at the moment how Russia will respond to having its bombers successfully attacked on such a scale from inside its own borders, however, the devastation of even a portion of its strategic bomber fleet will likely engender a response beyond the scope of what have become almost routine drone and missile attacks. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com Ukraine this weekend struck one of its most devastating blows in its grinding war against Russias invading army, using smuggled drones to target bombers on air bases deep inside Russian territory. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky quickly took credit for what he called Operation Spider Web, a contrast with many of Ukraines attacks inside Russia. He said 117 drones were used in the attack Sunday, each with its own operator back in Ukraine. Zelensky said the drone attacks took out nearly a third of Moscows fleet of bomber aircraft, which has rained terror on his country for more than three years. Ukraines security services said 41 Russian aircraft were destroyed or damaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian military bloggers put the figure lower, with the prominent Rybar account saying 13 Russian aircraft were damaged. Heres what to know about the stunning attacks: How Ukraine pulled it off Ukraine said Operation Spider Web was started 18 months ago, in what military experts called a remarkable feat of logistics, espionage and military cunning. The bomb-laden drones were hidden in what Reuters reported were the roofs of wooden sheds. These sheds were loaded onto 18-wheelers and parked near military bases as deep into Russia as Siberia. The roof panels were then remotely lifted up, so the drones could fly out and stealthily begin their attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The operation likely required recruiting Russians to assist throughout the smuggling network, without alerting Moscows sprawling spy services. It underlines how Ukraine has transformed modern warfare with its use of drones on the battlefield, one aspect of the war that does not rely on U.S. support. Videos ricocheted across the internet after the attacks, showing explosions at air bases across Russia. Russias defense minister said airfields were attacked in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan and Amur regions of the country. The New York Times said it verified a video showing two drones take off from containers on the back of a semitruck within 4 miles from a Russian military base, with smoke plumes visible in the distance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other images showed what appeared to be Tu-95 strategic bombers on fire. The operation did not stop Russian and Ukrainian envoys from meeting for another round of talks Monday, in which they were set to exchange broad plans to end the war. Zelensky said documents were swapped after the talks finished, and suggested a new prisoner swap is in the works. Russias response, latest attacks If the scale of Ukraines attack is confirmed, Operation Spider Web could be Ukraines most damaging drone attack of the war. Ukraines security service estimated the strikes dealt Russia $7 billion in damage. While experts say the operation could significantly degrade Russias capacity to wage aerial assault on Ukraine, it is unlikely to shift Russian President Vladimir Putins strategy or resolve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those involved in the attacks were withdrawn from Russia before they were carried out, Zelensky said. However, Russias defense ministry said it had detained an undisclosed number of participants in the terrorist attacks, the Financial Times reported, citing state media. Ukraines air force said Russia launched 472 drones over Ukraine overnight Sunday, in one of its largest drone attacks in the war, with explosions reported in the cities of Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, and strikes on at least 18 locations. Neither Putin nor the Kremlin have publicly addressed the attacks, and state media outlets made little mention of them as of Monday morning in the U.S. US reportedly in the dark President Trump was not informed ahead of time of the drone attacks, a Trump administration official told The Hills sister network NewsNation on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Ukraines timeline is correct, the plan was in the works when Trump told Zelensky in February that he had no cards in negotiations to end the war. Trump had not publicly remarked on the attacks as of 11 a.m. EDT Monday. Trump has ramped up criticism of Putin in recent days. The president last week wrote on social media that Putin had gone absolutely CRAZY and warned he was playing with fire with continued strikes on Ukrainian cities. Ukraine, unlike Russia, has agreed to a U.S. proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. Kyiv has also signed a framework deal for the U.S. to recoup any future spending on Ukraines military with proceeds from natural resource extraction after the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has at times blamed Putin, Zelensky and former President Biden for the war, and has warned the U.S. will walk away from peace talks if theres no progress toward a deal. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Eight people were hospitalized and four others sustained more minor injuries after a man with a makeshift flamethrower threw an incendiary device into a crowd of protestors in a mall in Boulder, Colo., who were calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Four women and four men between the ages of 52 to 88 who were injured in the attack were taken to Denver metro hospitals, according to Boulder police. Two of the victims remained hospitalized as of Monday afternoon, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said during a press conference, adding that he believed they were the two people who were flown to University Hospital Aurora on Sunday. The previous evening, Redfearn said at least one victim was in serious condition. He described the injuries resulting from the attack as consistent with those of burn victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Who Is the Suspect in the Colorado Attack? Four additional victims whose injuries Redfearn described as "more minor in nature" were identified on Monday after they came forward to be interviewed, he said. The names of the victims have not yet been released. Elyana Funk, director of University of Colorado Boulder Hillel, a center for Jewish students, told CNN that several of the victims were well known among community members and that a Holocaust survivor in her 80s and her daughter were among those injured in the attack. Funk spoke to at least one of the other injured, a woman she said was healing from horrible burns, on Sunday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early Monday, a spokesperson for Boulder Community Health told The New York Times that victims treated at Foothills Hospital Emergency Department had been transferred or discharged, but declined to provide additional information. The victims were participating in a Run for Their Lives event, a weekly walk held in communities around the world to advocate for the release of hostages held by Hamas. Read more: I Am a Former Hamas Hostage. Heres My Message to Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu Authorities arrested a suspect identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, of El Paso County, according to the Boulder Police Department. He has been charged with sixteen state-level counts of first-degree attempted murder, as well as a number of charges related to the use and attempted use of incendiary devices. The Department of Justice has also charged him with a federal hate crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soliman told police that he wanted to kill all Zionist people and could conduct another attack, according to an affidavit filed Monday. Plans for Sunday's attack had been in motion for a year, the affidavit said Soliman told authorities. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin identified Soliman as an undocumented immigrant who overstayed his tourism visa. He filed for asylum in September 2022 and remained after his visa expired in February 2023, McLaughlin said. The Colorado terrorist attack suspect, Mohamed Soliman, is illegally in our country, McLaughlin told TIME in a statement. Read more: Ehud Barak: Israel Must Back Donald Trumps Deal To End the War in Gaza Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Counterterrorism Center is working with the FBI and local authorities to investigate the incident as a targeted act of terrorism, according to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The suspect yelled Free Palestine while throwing the incendiary device into the crowd, FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek said Sunday evening. Authorities found 16 unused Molotov cocktails in the vicinity where Soliman was arrested, District Attorney Michael Dougherty said on Monday. What the charges allege that he did was to throw Molotov cocktails a group of men and women, some of them in their late 80s, burning them as they peacefully walked on a Sunday to draw attention to Israeli hostages held in Gaza, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado J. Bishop Grewell said at the Monday afternoon press conference. When he was interviewed about the attack, he said he wanted them all to die. He had no regrets, and he would go back and do it again. Contact us at letters@time.com. The Department of Homeland Security has quietly removed from the web a list of 500 sanctuary jurisdictions around the country it accused of shamefully obstructing the Trump administrations deportation plans after pushback from some GOP strongholds that were included on it. Cities, counties and states across the U.S. were targeted by the department in the list, including those who claimed to be outspoken supporters of President Donald Trumps immigration policies. The National Sheriffs Association also issued a statement Saturday criticizing the list, saying that it lacks transparency and accountability. Its president, Sheriff Kieran Donahue, said that the list was created without any input from sheriffs and violated the core principles of trust, cooperation and partnership with fellow law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The list was taken down over the weekend and the original link to the web page now reads: Page not found. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was asked about it by Fox News host Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures. The Department of Homeland Security quietly removed the list of Sanctuary cities from its website over the weekend. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem did not directly acknowledge the list being taken down from the departments website. (AP) I saw that there was a list produced, Bartiromo said. Now, the list I dont see anymore in the media. Do you have a list of the sanctuary cities that are actually hiding illegals right now? Noem did not directly acknowledge the list being taken down from the departments website. The department previously said the sanctuary jurisdictions are deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the cities have pushed back, she said Sunday. They think because they dont have one law or another on the books that they dont qualify, but they do qualify. They are giving sanctuary to criminals. Republican strongholds griped after finding themselves on the list. Jim Davel, administrator for Shawano County, Wisconsin, said the inclusion of his heavily GOP community must be a clerical error. We have no idea how we got on this list whatsoever right at this point, Davel said. I think it was just a big mix up, probably some paperwork or something. Many officials hit back after finding themselves on the list, claiming theyve been outspoken supporters of the president and his stringent immigration policies, while others reinforced that they welcomed migrants. (AP) Communities said the list didnt make sense. In California's Orange County, the city of Huntington Beach was on the list even though it has sued the state over its policies that protect immigrants and its City Council supports Trump. But the nearby city of Santa Ana, which has policies to protect members of its sizable immigrant community, was not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Las Vegas government said it believed it was included in the list due to a misunderstanding. The city of Las Vegas has never designated itself as a sanctuary city, the statement said. We are not sure why DHS has classified Las Vegas in the manner it has. We hope to have conversations with those at the federal level to clear up this misunderstanding. Immigrants rights organizations condemned the administrations action as unconstitutional and immoral. Labeling sanctuary policies as lawless insurrection is not only inflammatoryit is legally baseless and a reckless distortion of the rule of law, said Jessica Inez Martinez, director of policy and coalition building at New Mexico Immigrant Law Center. Former Seattle City Councilmember and socialist organizer Kshama Sawant announced Monday that she is running for Congress in Washingtons 9th Congressional District, launching a campaign against longtime Democratic incumbent Rep. Adam Smith. Speaking at a press conference in Seattle, Sawant stood alongside organizers from Workers Strike Back the national movement she co-founded after leaving the council as well as local union members and activists. She described her campaign as a working-class challenge to what she called the corporate and warmongering agenda of both major political parties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sawant, who served on the Seattle City Council for a decade before stepping down in 2023, said her platform will focus on building mass movements to win policies like Medicare for All, a $25 minimum wage, and an end to U.S. military funding for Israel. Working people have no political representation under capitalism, Sawant said. Both the Democrats and Republicans serve the interests of the billionaires. Sawants campaign is running independently of the Democratic Party. She sharply criticized progressive members of Congress such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, accusing them of capitulating to their partys leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also took direct aim at Rep. Smith, who has represented the South Sound-based district since 1997 and currently serves as the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee. Sawant accused Smith of enabling U.S. militarism and specifically blamed him for supporting the Israeli military during its war in Gaza. She cited his voting record on military spending, including his support for the Iraq War in 2002 and various U.S. military interventions since the 1990s. He has blood all over his hands, Sawant said, referencing Smiths role in approving defense funding and support for Israel. She also accused Smith of receiving campaign contributions from defense contractors and health insurance companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith, a centrist Democrat who has served in Congress for nearly three decades, has not yet commented on Sawants candidacy. He handily won reelection in 2022 with over 70% of the vote. In her speech, Sawant outlined her plans for a Seattle-based healthcare ballot initiative that would raise billions in taxes on large corporations to fund free healthcare for city residents. She argued that victories at the local level could build momentum for a national push for Medicare for All. There is no reason, in the wealthiest country on earth, that everyone cannot have free healthcare, she said. Sawant also revisited her legislative accomplishments on the Seattle City Council, including passing the citys $15 minimum wage, taxing major corporations through the Amazon Tax, and pushing for multiple renter protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She credited these wins to grassroots organizing and dismissed mainstream political strategies as ineffective. Sawant pledged to take only the average workers salary if elected, donating the rest of her congressional salary to labor and social justice movements. She also criticized the influence of corporate money on both parties, warning that without mass mobilization, working people would continue to lose ground. The 9th District includes parts of Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Kent, and other South King County communities. Jonathan Hagel, an assistant professor of history at the University of Kansas, is among plaintiffs in a New Jersey lawsuit filed to compel opening of a documentary archives tied to the kidnapping and murder of aviator Charles Lindburgh's son. Hagel and other researchers seek permission to expose certain documents to modern DNA testing. (Submitted) TOPEKA An assistant professor at the University of Kansas is a plaintiff in a New Jersey lawsuit seeking modern DNA testing of state archive materials tied to the kidnapping and murder of the infant son of trans-Atlantic aviator Charles Lindbergh. The 200-page Mercer County Superior Court suit was filed amid controversy about decisions by New Jersey State Police to block access to the case archive. The plaintiffs KU historian Jonathan Hagel, author Catherine Read and retired teacher Michele Downie said their Open Public Records Act request related the 1932 kidnapping was rejected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hagel, a New Jersey native who has studied the Lindbergh case, said DNA analysis of ransom notes or envelopes could contribute to understanding whether Bruno Richard Hauptmann, who was executed in 1936 after convicted of first-degree murder, acted alone in the high-profile crime. It is among questions that have riveted scholars and investigators since Hauptmanns trial. There were more than a dozen ransom letters overall, and they were sent through the post, said Hagel, a New Jersey native who has studied the Lindbergh case. If Hauptmanns DNA is on it, then he definitely is not innocent of being involved. But, if there is other DNA, that would confirm other peoples involvement. Twenty-month-old Charles Lindbergh Jr. was abducted from the family estate near Hopewell, New Jersey. The family was contacted through ransom notes and parcels, and a demand for $50,000 was paid. The toddlers remains were subsequently discovered adjacent to a roadside several miles from the Lindbergh home. There are those who think were likely to find Charles Lindberghs DNA on the materials, Hagel said. They believe there was some kind of accident, and he orchestrated this as a way to deflect responsibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least one previous lawsuit unsuccessfully sought to compel New Jersey to allow DNA testing of documents associated with the case. A state appellate court said New Jersey law didnt guarantee a public right to physically examine archive materials. In 2023, the State Police said access was restricted to preserve contents of case files. My take is that states or police organizations, like any bureaucracy, just like to protect their stuff, Hagel said. There are others who think the state police are embarrassed they may have botched it quite badly and been involved in a railroading. Jun. 1WILKES-BARRE Now in its third year, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry's (L&I) UC Connect program continues to provide essential, in-person assistance to Pennsylvanians looking for help navigating the Unemployment Compensation (UC) system. Since its launch in May 2022, UC Connect has helped more than 106,000 Pennsylvanians resolve claims, navigate eligibility issues, and connect to community-based resources, helping more than 700 people in April 2025 alone. Offered at PA CareerLink locations statewide, UC Connect appointments are tailored to claimants who lack reliable internet, are unfamiliar with digital systems, or need language support. With sustained demand for in-person help, L&I has embedded UC Connect into its long-term customer service model. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As UC Connect enters its third year, it remains a necessary and effective tool for delivering unemployment services equitably," said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. "In-person support ensures that no Pennsylvanian is left out of the system simply because they don't have access to broadband or need help understanding the process. L&I has expanded UC Connect's services and took the initiative statewide, and it's clear that our efforts are making a difference in delivering faster, better service for Pennsylvanians." After initially launched as a pilot program in 2022, UC Connect was made a permanent service through bipartisan investments in the 2023 24 budget, enabling L&I to hire more than 380 UC interviewers to expand service delivery across Pennsylvania. Unemployment Compensation system update The Department first eliminated a backlog of 40,000 claims from the pandemic era each requiring case-by-case review within seven months. The Department then shifted focus to scaling up staff, reducing wait times, and improving access for all Pennsylvanians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Key service highlights from April 2025 include: Average call wait time was reduced to 18 minutes and 56 seconds. 5,321 live chat sessions were completedan increase from the same time last year 44,077 new UC claims were filed $157 million in UC benefits was paid to 99,518 individuals 86,616 helpline calls were answered 13,965 email inquiries were processed 709 individuals received in-person assistance through UC Connect Since the beginning of 2025, L&I has paid out $784 million in UC benefits to more than 483,000 individuals, responded to 361,258 helpline calls, and provided 3,112 UC Connect appointments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Risk-limiting audit of 2025 primary election begins The Department of State this week began Pennsylvania's statewide risk-limiting election audit (RLA) of the May 20 primary. "This is our sixth statewide risk-limiting audit since the 2022 general election," Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said. "RLAs are proven to be the highest standard of comprehensive election audits because the RLA process provides a statistically sound, scientific method for confirming, with a high degree of confidence, that the reported outcome of the audited election is accurate." Schmidt said 10 Department employees took turns rolling 10-sided dice to deliver the random 20-digit "seed number," which is used to determine which batches of ballots counties will audit over the next several days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A random-selection drawing on May 23, resulted in the selection of the contest for the Republican nomination for Judge of Commonwealth Court for this RLA. During the audit, county officials will hand-tally the randomly selected ballot batches, then compare those vote counts to the original machine counts for the selected race. Known as a "batch comparison" type of RLA, this pre-certification audit can confirm whether counties accurately tabulated paper ballots so that a full hand count would produce the same reported outcome. The RLA will be carried out in addition to the 2% statutorily required review that counties must perform after each primary and general election in Pennsylvania. For that review, county officials are required to conduct a statistical recount of a random sample of at least 2% of all ballots cast, or 2,000 ballots, whichever is fewer. Counties must complete the RLA by June 5, and they must certify all election results to Schmidt by June 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fetterman joins push to return stolen art to Holocaust survivors U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Braddock, is pushing legislation to help survivors of the Holocaust and their families reclaim tens of thousands of pieces of artwork stripped from them by the Nazis. The bill, sponsored by Fetterman and a bipartisan group of lawmakers, attempts to smooth the legal process for these survivors or their heirs as they petition the courts for return of the art, according to a news release. Though Congress passed a bill with the same aim nearly a decade ago, some museums, institutions and governments have stonewalled and battled families in their reclamation efforts, Fetterman's office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Some 80 years after the Holocaust, we have a moral responsibility to do right by the victims of these atrocities and their families," Fetterman said in a statement. The proposal extends the original Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act, which is set to expire at the end of 2026. Recognizing the difficulty of tracking down artwork stolen during the Holocaust, Congress in 2016 passed the act to give families six years to file a legal claim for a piece after they've located it. The new bill backed by Fetterman also seeks to make sure families' court claims get fair consideration on their merits rather than being dismissed over technicalities, the release stated. During the Holocaust, Nazi Germany seized hundreds of thousands of pieces of artwork from Jewish people. While the U.S. and other allied nations have tried to restore these valuables to their rightful owners, more than 100,000 pieces still have not been given back, according to Fetterman's office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fetterman is co-sponsoring the bill introduced by U.S. Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut. DCNR: Free menstrual products available in 68 state parks Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn this week was joined by First Lady Lori Shapiro and members of the Governor's Advisory Commission on Next Generation Engagement to announce a new initiative that makes free menstrual products available in 68 state parks across Pennsylvania. The products are now stocked in park offices, visitor centers, and environmental educational centers at participating parks, offering a convenient and essential resource for visitors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Signage in English and Spanish helps park-goers locate where products are available. This effort is part of the Shapiro Administration's broader work to make public spaces across the Commonwealth more accessible and supportive for all. The announcement coincides with Menstrual Hygiene Day highlighting the importance of addressing period poverty through public policy and access. "I've been so inspired by all the young women I've met who are making their voices heard and starting conversations on period poverty talking so comfortably about something that, for so long, has been a taboo subject," said First Lady Shapiro. "Thanks to them speaking up, Pennsylvania has taken some major steps to ensure more women have access to basic hygiene supplies throughout the day. I want everyone to be able to enjoy their time outdoors, and DCNR's work to get free menstrual products in the bathrooms and visitor offices of our state parks is critical to making our outdoor spaces welcoming to everyone." "No one should have to cut an outdoor adventure short because of their period DCNR has you covered," said Secretary Dunn. "We are committed to creating inclusive, welcoming outdoor spaces and that means meeting people's basic needs without stigma or barriers." DCNR will evaluate the program's success and expand it to additional park locations in the future. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle. It took a federal jury an hour to convict a Los Angeles County Sheriffs deputy of using excessive force after he assaulted and pepper-sprayed a woman outside a supermarket in Lancaster in 2023. The prosecutors made their case in a three-day trial in February, ultimately persuading jurors to find Trevor Kirk guilty of a felony count of deprivation of rights under color of law. Kirk faced up to 10 years in prison. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson sentenced Kirk to four months in prison, after last week granting the government's request to dismiss the felony charge. With that dismissal, Kirk faced up to a year in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of sentencing, the government had requested probation that included three months of home detention and 200 hours of community service. The defense team asked for a term of two months of home confinement and 300 hours of community service. "In my view, the jury verdict was fully supported and the case was not unfairly argued, as the government at some early point argued," Wilson said after handing down his sentence. "The job of a police officer is a very difficult one ... but with those factors in mind, there is a responsibility to act appropriately." Kirk declined to speak during the sentencing hearing. Tom Yu, an attorney representing Kirk, said they plan to appeal Wilson's earlier denial of their motion for an acquittal. Read more: How a Mojave Desert footrace became a showcase for L.A. County Sheriff's Dept. turmoil Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sentencing capped a controversial case that saw the federal government abandon a conviction and take the highly unusual legal step of offering Kirk a misdemeanor plea deal after jurors had spoken. That plea deal played a role in the resignation of several federal prosecutors last month and raised concerns over how the office will handle pending cases against law enforcement. The post-trial plea agreement landed the same week President Trump issued an executive order vowing to unleash American law enforcement, and it followed other recent controversies that have raised alarms about the eroding independence of the U.S. Justice Department under the Trump administration. Seated in the front row of the packed courtroom Monday was U.S. Atty. for Los Angeles Bill Essayli, a staunch Trump ally and hard-line conservative who was appointed in April and under whom the felony verdict unraveled. Approached after the hearing, Essayli declined to comment. An indictment A federal jury indicted Kirk last September in connection with the incident, in which the deputy who was responding to a robbery report threw a woman to the ground and pepper-sprayed her in the face while she filmed him outside a WinCo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the woman matched the description of a suspect Kirk had received from a dispatcher, she was not armed or committing a crime when he confronted her, court records show. Before the case went to trial, according to a motion filed by Asst. U.S. Atty. Robert J. Keenan, the government was willing to enter into a plea agreement that would have allowed Kirk to plead to a misdemeanor. Kirk instead took his chances on a jury trial and lost. In January, Nick Wilson, founder of a first-responder advocacy group and spokesperson for the Los Angeles Sheriffs Professional Assn., wrote to Trump urging him to intervene before the case went to trial. In the letter, he said left-wing activists wanted to make an example of Kirk. This case is about more than just one deputy, its about the survival of law and order in America, he wrote, according to screenshots of the letter posted on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Federal judge reduces charge against L.A. deputy convicted of excessive force to misdemeanor The trial went ahead anyway. In his opening statement on Feb. 4, Asst. U.S. Atty. Brian R. Faerstein told jurors Kirk had used excessive force against the victim, Jacy Houseton, by slamming her to the ground and pepper spraying her "when it was unnecessary to do so." "At the end of this trial, the United States will ask you to hold the defendant accountable for abusing his power and authority," Faerstein said. Kirk's attorney told the jury the deputy had relied on his training to deal with a "resistant suspect." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is a world of difference between a use of force and excessive force," Yu said. Two days later, the jury returned with a guilty verdict. A new U.S. attorney Essayli was sworn in as the new U.S. attorney on April 2. The following week, prosecutors on the Kirk case filed a motion to delay the sentencing hearing because Essayli wanted to review the case. When asked about the review, the U.S. attorney's office said former U.S. Atty. Martin Estrada in March 2023 established an executive position within the office to address ethics and post-conviction issues. The office said it gets requests to review cases pre-and post-conviction, but declined to comment on how many cases have been reviewed since 2023. Estrada did not respond to an email seeking comment on the Kirk case last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon after his appointment, Essayli requested that the Riverside County district attorney's office "conduct an independent and impartial review of the case and evidence in the Kirk matter," according to Dist. Atty. Mike Hestrin. "I assigned a team of experienced investigators and prosecutors to thoroughly review the evidence and case details, evaluating what, if any, charges we would consider for prosecution had the case been submitted to us for potential filing," Hestrin said in a statement. The U.S. attorney's office declined to comment on why Essayli involved the Riverside County district attorney's office in a federal case out of Lancaster. A legal expert called the move highly unusual. "I think it looks like he was trying to shore up evidence to find the result he was looking for. The fact that he went outside the office is an indication he wasn't getting the support that he wanted from the prosecutors within the office," said Carley Palmer, a former federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, who is now a partner at Halpern May Ybarra Gelberg LLP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the allegations of partisanship swirling around the case, Palmer also questioned why Essayli didn't ask the Los Angeles County district attorney's office to lead the review, given Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman's status as a political independent. "It does seem like if you were looking for additional takes on this case, it might make sense to go to the former federal prosecutor now working across the street now managing the county where the crime took place," said Palmer. Read more: L.A. federal prosecutors resign over plea deal for convicted sheriff's deputy, sources say A spokesman for the L.A. County district attorney's office said Essayli has never contacted Hochman about the Kirk case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, Wilson denied a motion from Yu for an acquittal. The judge ruled that footage of the incident was sufficient evidence for a jury to find that Kirk used objectively unreasonable force. On April 22, the judge refused the government's request to postpone Kirk's sentencing. Two days later, according to Hestrin, the Riverside County prosecutors and investigators Essayli tapped to review the case attended a meeting in L.A. with the U.S. attorney and his staff to present their findings and recommendations. When asked what those findings and recommendations were, the Riverside County district attorney's office referred that question to the U.S. attorney's office, which declined to comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 1, the government filed a "post-trial" plea agreement under which Kirk would plead guilty to misdemeanor violation of deprivation of rights under color of law. The downgrade to a misdemeanor is significant as Kirk would have lost the right to be a law enforcement officer or own a gun with a felony conviction. The only assistant U.S. attorney who signed off on the plea agreement, Robert J. Keenan, was not previously involved in the case. The next day, the original prosecutors involved all withdrew from the case. Last week, Wilson rejected the plea agreement which recommended that Kirk be sentenced to probation. But the judge granted the prosecutions motion to lessen the charges against the deputy to a misdemeanor, despite the jury conviction. Sentencing More than 50 people packed the courtroom for the sentencing hearing Monday, including former Sheriff Alex Villanueva, who has championed Kirk's case online. Before the proceeding began, supporters embraced Kirk, who wore a cross-shaped pin that bore the American flag. Keenan told the judge that the government believed a prison sentence to be "unnecessary" and "unreasonable." In handing down his sentence, Wilson said that, in his view and the jury's view, Kirk's actions were "just plain inexplicable." He said that Kirk "knew there was no danger to himself or anyone else," before he pepper sprayed Houseton. "This was pretty awful," Wilson said. "Yes, it wasn't as terrible as many cases or most cases I see, but this is the case before me. In my view, it can't go unpunished. ... This is the way the court feels the ends of justice are achieved." In a sentencing recommendation obtained by The Times, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna asked Wilson to sentence Kirk to probation, blaming his actions that day on poor training, stemming from the fact that the Sheriffs Department had not properly followed reforms ordered by the U.S. Department of Justices Civil Rights Division. Kirk remains a sheriff's deputy, according to an agency spokeswoman, but an internal investigation into his conduct that could result in termination will now move forward since the criminal case is complete. "We uphold the highest standards of conduct for our personnel and expect them to serve our communities with integrity," LASD said in a statement. "No badge grants our personnel immunity from accountability." Kirk agreed to surrender himself on Aug. 28. In another twist, Caree Harper, who has represented Houseton, filed a petition Monday morning with the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals requesting that it vacate the dismissal that reduced Kirk's conviction from a felony to a misdemeanor. The 9th circuit responded after Kirk was sentenced, stating that the petition "raises issues that warrant an answer." The court directed the government to file an answer by Tuesday. 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. When Patrick Davies receives a call from the health center in his community, in a rural area of Ghana, he knows what to expect: a patient with a dermatological condition that the medical staff cannot identify. He is neither a doctor nor a nurse, but he leads a small local organization, the Gate Foundation, based in Ankaful (Cape Coast, Ghana), which works to improve the lives of people suffering from neglected tropical skin diseases, such as leprosy or Buruli ulcer, which, if left untreated, can cause severe disability. They call me because there is no one else no trained doctors or diagnostic resources so they rely solely on my years of experience on the ground, he explains to EL PAIS via video call. Cases like the one described by Davies highlight the lack of attention that the largest organ of the human body has received worldwide until now, despite the fact that skin diseases affect, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), one-third of humanity at some point in their lives and constitute the seventh leading cause of disability. However, last week Ivory Coast, with the support of other Global South countries and institutions such as the International Alliance of Dermatology Patient Organizations and Spains Anesvad Foundation, succeeded after years of effort in getting the World Health Assembly to approve a resolution that recognizes skin diseases as a global health problem for the first time. The text, approved unanimously, urges countries to integrate skin health into their universal health coverage strategies, to train their primary care teams, and to improve access to treatments and diagnostics, especially in rural and low-resource areas. Although this is a first step and national health systems still need to develop policies to implement the resolution, experts agree that the measure opens a new path for skin conditions to be seen not merely as an aesthetic issue but as a global public health priority. The resolution is very important because skin diseases place an enormous burden on healthcare systems, yet they go relatively undetected because the numbers are underestimated, explains Jennifer Austin, director of GlobalSkin, via video call. The numbers, according to Austin, are devastating: There are 4.69 billion new cases of skin diseases each year, and its one of the top 10 reasons people seek healthcare, she says, referring to data from the University of Washingtons Global Burden of Disease Study, published in 2024 in The Lancet. Despite this, in sub-Saharan Africa, for example, there is less than one dermatologist per million people. For Antoine Gliksohn, an albino person and executive director of the Global Albinism Alliance, the resolution sends the message that dermatological conditions must be taken seriously, that they are not a cosmetic issue, but rather affect physical and mental health, he tells EL PAIS in a phone interview. As the activist recalls, skin diseases are among the leading causes of disability. When you have a skin disease, the burden can be enormous and affect your daily life, your family, your work, your studies... But patients have often been told until now that its just skin and not a big deal, he adds. Inequality and discrimination Skin diseases not only cause disability, but in the most severe cases, they can even kill you if left untreated, says Davies. The activist recalls the case of a 52-year-old woman from a rural community in Ghana who had advanced skin symptoms, yet no one was able to provide a definitive diagnosis. I sent the woman to a hospital, which was an eight-hour drive away. The hospital director told us what medications we should give her and discharged her again, but we didnt have enough money to treat her in her village, and she eventually died, he laments. A health center specializing in the treatment of Buruli's ulcer near Yamusukro, in Cote d'Ivoire. Francisco Sarrio Volpi / Fundacion Anesvad This argument is echoed by Toni Roberts, founder and director of DEBRA South Africa, an organization focused on research into epidermolysis bullosa, a rare skin condition that makes both external and internal tissues extremely fragile. In South Africa, most babies with this condition dont survive; theres no training or capacity to care for them from birth. And in the rest of the continent, the situation is even worse, because we dont even know how many cases there are, says the activist, who also suffers from the disease. One of the key issues addressed by the WHO resolution is the need to tackle inequities in access to treatments. There are particularly severe cases, such as in Malawi, where there are only three dermatologists for a population of over 20 million, says Gliksohn. Davies adds: In my community, when someone has a skin problem, they dont go to the hospital because they know they wont be properly treated. They call me instead, and that says it all. The resolution goes beyond medical treatment and also recognizes the social, psychological, and economic impact of dermatological diseases. For example, in some countries, having vitiligo can ruin a womans marriage prospects. In other countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, leprosy or albinism continue to be grounds for discrimination. With stigma, you cant have a social role or find work. Your life can be hell, says Inigo Lasa, general director of the Anesvad Foundation, in a telephone interview. Davies adds: There are healthcare workers who dont dare touch a patient with a skin condition because they believe its contagious. That hurts more than the disease itself. However, the resolution, experts agree, now needs to be implemented. The resolution is good, but if patients dont ultimately benefit, whats the point? warns Kingsley Asiedu, lead of skin neglected tropical diseases team at the WHO, during a video call. It is our collective responsibility to work with states to ensure that what has been approved is reflected in national policies and concrete plans. Some measures are relatively simple. An important statistic is that 80% of skin disease cases correspond to 10 common diagnoses, so if we train healthcare professionals in these diseases, we can treat a large proportion of cases, explains Claire Fuller, president of the International League of Dermatological Societies. Gliksohn calls for more concrete measures, such as including sunscreen on the essential medicines list for patients with albinism, a decision that depends on the WHO. The real impact of the resolution on peoples lives will come in the long term, warns the activist, emphasizing that it will take time to develop national public policies and train healthcare personnel. However, he notes that for the first time, millions of patients worldwide have heard that skin diseases are a matter of physical and mental health that can profoundly affect their daily lives. And he stresses that this is a recognition that had not been made until now. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition COLUMBIA, Mo. A Lake St. Louis man is in custody following an incident that led to a five-hour standoff over the weekend in Columbia. According to authorities, Columbia police were called to the 2700 block of Summit Rd. around 4:30 a.m. Saturday for a domestic disturbance. Court records state that when police arrived, they saw 29-year-old Octavious Brashaw pacing around and announced their presence. He was ordered to come outside but remained in the house with one victim. According to police, they did not go inside the home as Bradshaw was armed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first victim ran toward police and began recounting what had happened. Officers noticed physical injuries to the victim, which included bruising, lacerations, a chipped tooth, and more. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Police said Bradshaw had told the first victim that he would shoot her and the second victim, adding that if he was arrested by police, it would be for murder. Following negotiations with the SWAT team and the Columbia Police Department, Bradshaw was taken into custody around 9:30 a.m. Bradshaw was charged with second-degree domestic assault, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. He is being held without bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records say Bradshaw was also wanted for a first-degree burglary charge in St. Louis. An investigation is ongoing, and the Columbia Police Department is asking anyone who has information regarding this incident contacts them at 573-874-7652 or CrimeStoppers at 573-875-8477 to remain anonymous and potentially receive a reward. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A Lancaster County man was arrested after allegedly burning an American flag and a Commonwealth flag. According to the Ephrata Police Department, officers responded to the 600 block of East Main Street in Ephrata Borough at 8:12 a.m. on May 30 for vandalism to property and flags. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter Police say video surveillance from the scene showed that earlier that morning, a man burned the American flag, the Commonwealth flag, and various other items, resulting in an estimated $500 in damages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the subject was identified as Sergei Polischouk, 58, of Lancaster County. Polischouk was charged with institutional vandalism and insults to the National or Commonwealth flag, police said. He was arrested at around 11:22 a.m. on May 30 by the Lititz Borough Police Department. According to the Police, Polischouk was arraigned and his bail was set at $20,000. He was transported to Lancaster County prison after being unable to post bail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A Lancaster County man was charged Monday after he allegedly cut a dogs leg off, and never sought to get the animal proper treatment, according to the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office. John Stoltzfus, 45, of Colerain Township, said the dog was happy and doing fine, however, it was suffering from a medical complication due to an infected wound, the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office stated. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Daily Digest When investigators found the four-year-old labradoodle-type dog, they saw that its back leg was missing, and bone was exposed, and the dogs fur was soaked with blood. The DAs office said the dog had acute blood loss and other complications like severe anemia, fleas, ticks, and blood matting. According to investigators, the dog was injured by farming equipment at Stoltzfus home in the 800 block of Pumping Road, and he used scissors to sever its leg. He never took the dog to a veterinarian for treatment, despite a local one pleading with him to, the district attorney alleged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clinic then contacted police in May and reported that Stoltzfus was asking them for pain medication for the dog, but he allegedly refused to bring the animal in for examination. Stoltzfus was also ordered to surrender six other large dogs and eight puppies to the Pennsylvania SPCAs custody. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Nittany Insiders Stoltzfus was then arrested by the Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania SPCA, and Lancaster County Detectives. He faces felony charges of aggravated cruelty to animals causing serious bodily injury or death, and aggravated cruelty to animals torture. He also faces misdemeanor charge of cruelty to animals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was placed on unsecured bail set at $10,000 by Magisterial District Judge William Mankin. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 16. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (KRON) A road worker was killed in a landslide on Highway 36 in Humboldt County Saturday morning, Caltrans announced Sunday. The man was employed by a company contracted by Caltrans to perform emergency roadwork in the area. The slide occurred east of a popular swimming hole along the Van Duzen River known as Swimmers Delight. We extend our sincere condolences to the workers family and friends and all who knew and worked with him, Caltrans stated on social media. This tragic incident, occurring shortly after our workers memorial service, serves as a reminder of the risks associated with our work on state highways. The scene of the slide where a worker was killed on May 31, 2025. (Caltrans) Pedestrian hit and killed in Santa Rosa area Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Sunday afternoon, the slide is still active and Highway 36 is closed in the area. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. My wife and I just sold every single one of our individual stocks. We did so because we know that public trust is essential, and yet so many no longer trust their government. This is the same reason I advocated for the establishment of the first-ever Office of Good Government at Cincinnati City Hall several years ago. Public trust in government has been low for years, with only 22% of Americans agreeing elected officials are working in their best interest. But few issues unite people like this one more than 80% of Americans think members of Congress shouldnt be trading stocks. 'It was a mistake': What to know about U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman stock trades Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some lawmakers have used insider information to gain financially and have been convicted in the past. Its wrong, and with reforms, we can fix this and begin to rebuild trust. In Congress, Im leading this effort by cosponsoring the bipartisan Transparent Representation Upholding Service and Trust (TRUST) in Congress Act. The TRUST in Congress Act is designed to end insider trading and requires members of Congress, as well as their spouses and dependent children, to either divest from individual stocks or place their investments in an arrangement where they have no knowledge of or control over how the assets are managed. While the Trust in Congress Act is not yet law, I made the decision to become fully compliant with the legislation because of how important this is. Earlier this year, my wife and I started the long process of selling every single one of our individual stocks and reinvesting them in mutual and exchange-traded funds that we do not control. Im likely one of the first members of Congress to do this, but hopefully others follow our lead. It was an expensive process, but the right thing to do. I know Americans see a system thats broken, and Im determined to be part of the generation that fixes it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: Landsman needs to explain why he failed to disclose stock trades Theres been renewed momentum this year around banning stock trading in Congress, but the bill has not been voted on yet. Instead, Congress has been focused almost entirely on a budget bill that gives tax breaks to the super wealthy and big corporate investors at the expense of everyone else. More than 14 million Americans will lose health care, and millions more will lose food assistance. Plus, this budget would add trillions to the deficit. This kind of budget bill could be a reason why nearly 80% of Americans lack trust in their government. Members of Congress continuing to trade stocks doesnt help. I do believe we can restore faith in politics and government by making it clear we only work for you. Getting members of Congress out of the stock-trading business and free from the influence of big money interests will be a big part of the solution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want every one of my constituents to know that my focus is entirely on serving them. Thats why Im not only leading on these reforms but practicing what I preach. I want other members of Congress to see what we did and follow our lead and to join me in passing the Trust in Congress Act. 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 to 2020, before becoming a member of Congress, supporting philanthropic efforts. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Trust in Congress Act would ban stock trading in Congress | Opinion Larry Hoover, founder of a notorious Chicago street gang who has spent the past three decades in solitary confinement in federal prison, was granted clemency by President Donald Trump on Wednesday but his legal troubles are far from over. Hoovers six life-term federal sentences have been commuted to time served, but he will serve the remainder of a 200-year sentence in state prison for the 1973 murder of 19-year-old William Pooky Young, a neighborhood drug dealer. Trump granted a round of clemency applications that included Hoover, founder of the Gangster Disciples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hoover, 75, has been incarcerated in a maximum security federal prison in Florence, Colorado, since 1997 and will be transferred back to an Illinois state prison. His attorneys with the Bonjean Law Group said in a statement to ABC News that they are thrilled that Trump answered Hoovers clemency request. His federal sentence for conspiracy, extortion, and money laundering charges stemmed from his leadership of the Gangster Disciples since the late 1960s. Hoover operated a free lunch program for children in low-income neighborhoods throughout Chicago, and his influence trickled down across generations, especially into hip-hop culture. Lance Williams, professor of Urban Community Studies at Northeastern Illinois University, acknowledges that while the wiping out of Hoovers federal charges would hold significant symbolic weight in Chicago, the impact on young people at the street level would be minimal. Its important to understand that the Gangster Disciples, like all other historical Chicago Black street organizations like the Stones, Vice Lords and others of today, bear little resemblance to the hierarchical organization that existed prior to Mr. Hoovers fed[eral] conviction, Williams told Capital B. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The traditional gang structure has radically fractured into decentralized, horizontally organized cliques with no central leadership, often functioning more as factions than as structured street organizations. The contemporary conditions of the Chicago street scene were thrust into the limelight in the early 2010s, when then-teenager Chief Keef popularized the subgenre of drill rap, which captured the raw violence and chaotic turf wars of a more disjointed gang landscape. Beyond the symbolic significance, Williams said a commutation of Hoovers federal sentence could still carry tangible value. Mr. Hoovers potential release could offer an opportunity for restorative justice and public reflection on the deeper structural force, such as concentrated poverty, housing displacement, and failed public policies that have contributed to Chicagos violence problem far more than any single individual, he said. Read More: Larry Hoovers Pardon Puts Spotlight on Atlantas Own Gangster Disciples History The push for Hoovers freedom initially reached presidential heights through hip-hop in 2018 when rapper Kanye West visited the Oval Office and appealed directly to Trump for him to commute Hoovers sentence. Later, in 2021, West and rapper Drake set aside a long-standing beef to perform together and host a Free Larry Hoover benefit concert at the L.A. Coliseum, which was streamed live on Amazon Prime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also issued 16 pardons and five other commutations this week. Since taking office for a second term in January, he has granted clemency to nearly 2,000 people. Trumps clemency announcements reverberated beyond high-profile figures like Hoover. Gary, Indiana, native Charles Duke Tanner, who was released from prison in 2020 after Trump commuted his life sentence, received a full pardon from the president this week. The full pardon means he will no longer have to report to a parole officer. Tanner, a former professional boxer, had been serving a life sentence after being convicted of possessing and conspiring to distribute cocaine. I got a call that the president had read over my petition and had signed me a full presidential pardon and my record was clean. No more probation, no more anything; Im a free man. I just jumped for joy, Tanner told Capital B. Tanner said when Trump first commuted his sentence in 2020, he still faced the challenges that many formerly incarcerated people encounter when they try to integrate back into society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They gave me 10 years of supervised release, Tanner said. After one year, you are supposed to get off, so I requested it for two years in a row, and they kept denying me even though I felt I had done everything that was required. Despite the supervised release, Tanner managed to remain productive. He has visited the White House several times, serves as an America First Policy Institute Athletes for America Ambassador, and works with local governments to develop public housing for those in need. Tanner now has his sights set on his hometown. I love the way Mayor Eddie Melton is handling things, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We see the things hes doing, especially with the new convention center. I want to come home and get more involved with housing. Thats a major goal, and thats why Im in this field. Gary, Indiana, is going to be one of the most popular cities in the world in the next couple of years once we help the development. Tanners story also drew praise from national criminal justice advocates. Were thrilled to celebrate Duke Tanners pardon and his freedom from supervised release, said Jessica Jackson, CEO of REFORM Alliance, in a statement to Capital B. His spotless record, relentless work ethic and commitment to his family and community should have earned an early termination long ago, yet he needed [a] presidential pardon to regain his freedom. Thats one reason why we are working on legislation like the Safer Supervision Act, to close that gap by giving people who prove they are ready a clear, fair off-ramp from supervision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Jackson points to policy change as the key to long-term impact, for Tanner, the focus is personal. After spending nearly two decades behind bars, he says the next step is helping others find a path out of the system especially those still waiting for the kind of second chance he received. It took two life sentences and almost 17 years of me not being there when my mother and father passed, not being able to teach my son how to ride a bike or graduate high school, Tanner said. All this for what? But if we help develop the people and be there for them and give them an outlook, we can come together as a collective. Thats what a second chance is about. The post Larry Hoovers Federal Sentence Commuted. How Have Chicago Streets Changed? appeared first on Capital B Gary. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A couple told investors they could net billions of dollars by selling luxury cars and boats to overseas buyers who police suspect never existed, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained. The revelations come from a 94-page arrest warrant for Jong Rhee, 45, and Neelufar Rhee, 34 who Las Vegas Metro police took into custody on May 22. Each faces dozens of charges for allegedly persuading people to invest in the luxury items, saying the assets would be resold to overseas buyers at massive profit margins, police said. However, detectives suspect no buyer ever existed. Jong Rhee allegedly promised investors that he could make money in the scheme to acquire high-value, exotic cars. Wealthy clients in Singapore would then buy the cars, delivering a $2.5 billion profit off of a $57 million investment because of that countrys import restrictions, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple conducted the alleged fraud scheme through two of their businesses: Twisted Twins Motorsports and Lusso Auto Spa, police said. State business records indicate that the Rhees are associated with businesses in Las Vegas and Henderson. Metro detectives suspect the couple netted $57 million for purchasing seven high-value motor vehicles by materially fraudulent misrepresentation, documents said. In all, detectives list dozens of high-end and exotic cars and boats as part of the investigation, including models from Bugatti, Porsche and Rolls-Royce. One investor was allegedly promised a hefty return on an investment from the overseas purchases, documents said. Records show Jong Rhee never contacted anyone to sell [the vehicles in question] for $2 billion, documents said. In one case involving a 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre, Jong Rhee said he could receive $7.5 million for the vehicle with a value of $526,000, documents said. Another involving a $3.9 million boat involved a $13.5 million Singaporean purchase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last July, Jong Rhee reportedly paid $60,000 for he and his wife to fly in a private plane to Missouri to go boating, documents said. The boat the pair and their friends rode on that weekend was supposed to be sold to Jongs overseas connection, police said. Police also said the Rhees attempted to buy a bar and a home in Lake Havasu, Arizona, and traveled with an investors money to California. In October, a judge signed off on a warrant to search the couples $2 million Henderson home and businesses. As part of that search, police seized dozens of high-end cars. Detectives also obtained text messages between the couple, which they said made it evident that Jong and Neelufar were under intense pressure due to mounting debts, delayed payments, and unreliable business partners, documents said. An April 2024 text from Jong Rhee involving outstanding payments on debts read: We r [sic] big trouble money, according to police. Another text from Jong Rhee read, Right now, our lives are on the line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple became so desperate for money in 2024 that Jong Rhee bet their last $10,000 to gamble in the World Series of Poker, police said. Jong frequently gambled and played poker, especially when he and Neelufar struggled financially, police said. He participated in tournaments similar to the World Series of Poker, which required significant buy-in amounts. Jong would often spend several days playing poker, further contributing to their financial distress. On July 8, 2024, while at a poker event, Jong told Neelufar, I dont think Ive lost 99% 4 [sic] times in [my] whole life now 4 [sic] times in one month. He believed that a big win would solve all of their money issues. Both Rhees face 78 felony charges, including racketeering, money laundering, and forgery, records said. Based on redactions in court documents, it was not clear how many alleged victims were involved in the case. Both posted $100,000 bail, records said. They were not scheduled to return to court until June 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two other people, Crisfin Deguzman and John Baudhuin, also face charges connected to the case, records 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 KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A landlord who was shot and killed by one of his renters was shot in the back while he was lying on the kitchen floor, according to the police documents. Las Vegas Metropolitan police said Steven Lucchesi, 39, owned and lived with three roommates in the home on Campbell Road, near West Gowan Road in northwest Las Vegas. The arrest report said Christopher Rainey, 36, shot Lucchesi on May 29, after an eviction notice fell downstairs from the second floor. According to another roommate, when Rainey asked about the notice, Lucchesi responded that he knew what it was and told him to have fun with that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roommate accused of killing Las Vegas landlord over eviction notice identified According to the two roommates, Lucchesi said Rainey was behind on rent. One roommate said he believed Rainey may have recently lost his job, and the BMW he drove had not been seen for some time. One roommate, who was in a bedroom, said he heard Rainey yell, Steven, followed by two loud bangs. Another roommate who was outside the home and heard the gunshots ran away from the scene. When he returned, he said, Rainey pointed the gun at him and told him to leave, which he did. According to documents, officers said they found Lucchesi face down on the floor with gunshot wounds in his back. Further testing indicated he was in that position when he was shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rainey did cooperate with police during his arrest, and police retrieved two handguns believed to belong to him. However, he did not cooperate during his interview with officers. According to the report, he sat in the interview room with his eyes closed and wouldnt acknowledge the detectives. Rainey is due to appear in Las Vegas Justice Court on June 3. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In a rare twist for the desert city, Las Vegas just experienced a historic downpour and it's sending much-needed water into Lake Mead. Thanks to a powerful low-pressure system, Las Vegas shattered its nearly 60-year record for May rainfall, collecting 1.44 inches in just a few days. For context, May is usually one of the driest months in the valley, averaging only 0.07 inches and last year, it didn't rain at all. The result? The Las Vegas Wash, a crucial stormwater and runoff channel, surged over seven feet overnight, redirecting water straight into Lake Mead. While the inflow won't drastically raise the lake's long-term levels, it marks a rare and welcome moment of replenishment for one of the most important water sources in the western U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a region facing "severe to exceptional" drought conditions, every drop counts. And thanks to Southern Nevada's forward-thinking flood infrastructure including over 100 detention basins built to collect stormwater that rainfall is being put to good use instead of going to waste. In just 72 hours, one of these basins in Anthem collected 1.3 inches of rain on its own. The Wash delivers about 200 million gallons of water a day to Lake Mead roughly 2% of the reservoir's total volume annually. But with new flood control projects underway, including 40 more detention basins and 200 additional miles of drainage, officials are aiming to boost rainwater recapture even further. This rare influx of water is great news not only for people but also for the environment. As the Wash channels water back into Lake Mead, it helps rehydrate surrounding habitats, giving local plant and animal species a better chance to thrive. A more consistent water flow also helps reduce dust pollution and stabilize the delicate desert ecosystem. Long term, building out water-smart infrastructure and expanding stormwater collection capacity will support a healthier hydrological cycle one that can better absorb and adapt to the extremes of both drought and downpour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's a small but powerful reminder that with the right systems in place, even a brief desert rain can fuel real environmental resilience. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The Nevada legislative session is winding down to its final hours for voting on pending bills. The session adjourns at midnight. Lawmakers have had a busy weekend of days and nights, including working into the early morning hours of Monday, the final day. The Assembly and Senate started the process with meetings, then went into recesses where they debated legislation off-camera. Nevada Legislature passes charter school raises, bill goes to Lombardos desk Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunday night, Senate lawmakers approved an amended version of Gov. Joe Lombardos crime bill, as well as the education reform bill, which will go to the assembly Monday. Summerlin Studios: 31-acre film hub in Las Vegas hinges on bill approval The expanded film tax credit bill is awaiting consideration in the Senate. The Assembly narrowly passed it on Friday with a 22-20 vote. Late Monday evening, Sen. Roberta Lange introduced an amendment to AB 236. The measure would provide millions of dollars in tax breaks to Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. In exchange, they would build film studios in Summerlin. At the same time, Sen. Lange had her own proposal, working with UNLV and Manhattan Beach Studios. Lange proposed studying the assembly measure, instead of voting on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other bills before lawmakers include health care reform and state worker pay. Late Monday night, Rebas Law, an animal cruelty measure, was approved by the Senate and the Assembly and will move forward to the governors desk. To date, Lombardo has signed 169 bills. Heres a list of all the bills before the legislature and their status. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, made it clear on Sunday that he does not care if the media or the international community call him a dictator, and dedicated 80 minutes of national television coverage to attack critical voices inside and outside the Central American country. The Salvadoran leader, who has just completed six years in power, the last of which exceeds the constitutional mandate, said to Congress: To the international media, you know what? I dont care if you call me a dictator. Better that than seeing Salvadorans killed on the streets. When I pick up the phone I see that they say: Dictator, dictator, dictator. I prefer that to reading: Murder, murder, murder. Surrounded by an imposing military and police presence, Bukele walked into the National Palace on a red carpet in front of thousands of Salvadorans and gave an address that had little to do with the government accountability that he is required by law to provide to Congress each year. It was Bukeles first annual address to Congress of his second presidential term, which exceeds the five-year term limit established by the Constitution. This is a historical milestone in El Salvador, as the last president to be reelected was the dictator Maximiliano Hernandez Martinez, who ruled from 1931 to 1944. Bukele began his speech by emphasizing his successes on the security front. He claimed that in the 25 years that the feared gangs MS-13 and Barrio 18 operated in the country, they were responsible for more than 200,000 murders. However, the president did not say where those figures came from. The transformation of El Salvador has been one of the fastest in modern history, but for us it has been slow. We have already achieved the impossible, but our work is just beginning. Weve had to fight for what other countries take for granted, which is the possibility of building a future on our own terms, he said. The president went on to mention recent news stories and statements by human rights organizations that have denounced an escalation in his authoritarianism. In the month of May, at least 15 people were arrested in El Salvador, including entrepreneurs of the transportation sector, activists, human rights defenders and peasant leaders. More than a dozen journalists have also had to leave the country for fear of reprisals. Bukeles authoritarian style has been consolidated throughout his six years in power, morphing from a fresh and modern young leader to a more classic, autocratic one. However, it is not yet affecting his popularity. According to the last poll published at the end of May by Cid Gallup, the 43-year-old leader continues to enjoy an approval rating of over 80%. In his speech, Bukele alluded to the democracy index published by the British publication The Economist in February. In this index, El Salvador shows up in 95th place out of 167, with a rating below 5, where 0 is not democratic at all and 10 is very democratic. The president took the opportunity to compare El Salvador with Spain. I am impressed by how countries with monarchies get better scores than us. A few years ago we had the King of Spain as a guest, a real gentleman, by the way. And we respect the self-determination of the people who want a monarchy. But, in the end, they are the ones who draw up the index at their own convenience, he said. In the same index published by The Economist, Spain came in 21st place with a score of 8.13. Some say that before this there was democracy in El Salvador, and now there isnt. You have read that, right? But the truth is that before this you could choose between either bad or worse. Whoever says it is not so, does it because that was their source of income. The only ones who say that are those who dont know any better, or those who used to make a living off of that, he added. The president asserted that recent criticism of his punitive measures and the persecution of activists are all part of a globalist agenda that is afraid of a domino effect. They say that we are jailing human rights defenders, dissidents, opponents of the regime. I get to thinking, how can we fight corruption if all the opposition has immunity? Some of them have put on a badge of politically persecuted. Being a journalist of the club allows them to break the law without consequences, he said. They are not there to defend any causes, they are there to get impunity from corruption and crime for their members. They want to impose their narrative, which every political party in the world does, he said. Bukele also assured that the international news coverage of El Salvador is a coordinated attack and that there are external forces sponsoring it. They are not journalists, they are political activists who are doing business, he said. The president also took the opportunity to justify the Foreign Agents Law approved on May 20, with which his government will be able to decide which organization can work in El Salvador and which cannot, in addition to charging 30% tax on their income to those he decides. I believe that [alleged foreign interference] should be prohibited in all countries of the world. But we are still going to allow it. The only thing we are going to ask is that they pay their taxes, he said. In addition, he assured that humanitarian aid organizations will be exempt from this tax, but those that carry out political activities will have to pay. The law establishes that it will be the president himself who gets to define the concepts of the law, that is to say, he will be the one to determine what it means to carry out political activities. Rise to power At the time of Bukeles address, 2.6% of the countrys adult population was in prison, and a recent poll shows that 74% of Salvadorans are afraid to express their opinions. In just 12 years, Bukele has gone from being a publicist and nightclub manager to an all-powerful president and one of the most influential politicians in the world. At 43, he has consolidated absolute power in the small Central American country, demolishing institutions from within and replacing the system with one centered on himself. Although his authoritarian style has deepened in recent years with the implementation of the state of emergency and, more recently, with the support of President Donald Trump, his strategy began long before that. In six years, Bukele has managed to crush, one by one, the countrys most powerful institutions: the traditional parties, the historic business elite, and the feared gangs. He has done so by applying a formula that has proved unbeatable: making alliances and destroying from within. His political career began in 2012, when he became mayor of Nuevo Cuscatlan, a town less than twice the size of New Yorks Central Park, which had little political significance on El Salvadors national agenda. He arrived as an outsider who had recently joined the leftist FMLN party, for whom he had previously provided publicity services. He soon began wearing red clothing and chanting The Internationale. Three years later, in 2018, under the same banner, he became mayor of the capital, San Salvador, and although he was never part of the partys leadership, he became one of its most widely recognized politicians. A recent news investigation published by El Faro has revealed that Bukele then allied himself with the Barrio 18 and MS-13 gangs to become mayor. A week before he took office as president in May 2019, an MS-13 spokesperson said in an interview that he trusted in God and in Nayib Bukele. In the first years of his administration, the main gangs that had sown terror in the country over the past 20 years and caused tens of thousands of deaths and disappearances in El Salvador had suffered several internal ruptures and were weakened. In March 2022, the MS-13 murdered 87 people across the country in just three days. In response, Bukele changed his strategy and launched a brutal crackdown against them. This, according to journalistic investigations, was due to the breakdown of a pact Bukele had had with criminal organizations since at least 2014. Sign up forour weekly newsletterto get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition President Donald Trump faces the challenge of convincing Republican senators, global investors, voters and even Elon Musk that he wont bury the federal government in debt with his multitrillion-dollar tax-break package. Financial markets have remained skeptical, as the deficit continues to grow despite Trumps promises to curb spending. Here's the latest: Trump implores New Jersey voters to back governor candidate Jack Ciattarelli in primary Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president announced his endorsement for Ciattarelli last month but held a telephone rally for the candidate Monday ahead of the start early in-person voting on Tuesday. The phone call lasted about 10 minutes, with the president saying that voters will decide whether the state remains a high tax, high crime sanctuary state. New Jersey is ready to pop out of that blue horror show and really get in there and vote for somebody thats going to make things happen, the president said. Ciattarelli said his first executive order if elected would be ending any sanctuary policies for immigrants in the country illegally. Currently, the state attorney general has directed local law enforcement not to assist federal agents in civil immigration matters. Ciattarelli is running against former radio talk host Bill Spadea, state Sen. Jon Bramnick, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac and a southern New Jersey contractor named Justin Barbera. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Senate budget hawks talk privately over increasing cuts in GOP tax bill Sen. Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, said hed spoken with Trump recently about the bill after his promise that at least four senators were willing to hold the bill unless steeper cuts to the deficit were made. My main sticking point is the debt ceiling. If they strip the debt ceiling off, theres a lot of things I would vote for, said Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. Paul said that he told Trump this would be the first time in recent history that Republicans would own the debt ceiling if an increase of the nations debt limit was included in the GOPs sweeping tax and spending package. My target for the next fiscal year (is) $6.5 trillion, said Sen. Rick Scott of Florida. Senators, Scott said, must go line by line through the budget to achieve pre-pandemic levels of spending. Scott added that hed recently conveyed this to Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harvard lawyers ask judge to rule whether health research grants were lawfully ended Attorneys representing the Ivy League institution filed a motion for summary judgement in its lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Massachusetts U.S. District Court on Monday, asserting that the Trump administrations freeze of billions of dollars in grants flagrantly violates the First Amendment multiple times over. The Governments across-the-board freeze and terminations are unreasonable and unreasoned, the motion filed by Harvard reads, going on to say that the Trump administration asserts antisemitism concerns as the basis for its actions but fails to explain how the termination of funding for research to treat cancer, support veterans, and improve national security addresses antisemitism. Harvard attorneys said the institution has been at the forefront of health research for 400 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All told, the tradeoff put to Harvard was clear: Allow the Government to micromanage your viewpoints and your academic institution or jeopardize your ability to pursue medical breakthroughs, scientific discoveries, and innovative solutions, attorneys wrote. GOP senators are waiting on Trump before launching Russian sanctions package Sen. Markwayne Mullin says Congress is ready to slap sanctions on Russia to push an end to the Ukraine war as soon as Trump says so. We are prepared to move forward as soon as they feel like its the timings right, the Oklahoma Republican said. He said, We dont want to get in front of the White House. We want to work with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham has been overseas working to build momentum for the sanctions on Putins regime. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said earlier that the White House is still working toward a deal to end the war. Trump is talking to GOP senators about Medicaid cuts and taxes in the big bill GOP Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri says Trump told him in a call he wants to make sure the Senate doesnt cut Medicaid benefits. The Missouri Republican has been working to strip steep health care cuts in the House bill, beyond work requirements for some aid recipients. Hawley said Trump told him the senators could instead raise revenue by closing the so-called carried interest tax loophole used by wealthy filers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeChambeau golfs on the White House lawn U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau was getting in some golf practice on a famous green Monday at the South Lawn of the White House, according to a video posted by a White House aide. DeChambeau, who golfed on Sunday with President Donald Trump at his club in Virginia, returned to the White House with the president Sunday and appeared to stick around Monday, when he used the putting green on the South Lawn. The putting green was first installed in 1954 during President Dwight Eisenhowers administration. It was removed in 1971, later restored in a different location by former President George H.W. Bush and moved to its current spot under President Bill Clinton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House makes public Trumps new official picture His stare is intent. His coiffure has been swept to his right side. The lighting is dramatic with a mix of shadows that depart from the brighter photographs of his predecessors. An American flag pin gleams in his lapel. On the Monday social media post announcing the portrait, the White House used a flame emoji to describe the picture. The posting on X featured a video of a suited man hanging the framed picture on the wall to the soundtrack of an Austin Powers-like jazz riff as people walked by, giving the picture a look of stillness and permanence. Trump meets Senate GOP leader at White House Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune met at the White House at a critical moment Monday as senators returned to begin negotiations over the presidents big tax breaks and spending cuts package. Thune said that GOP senators are on track to have the package approved by their July 4 deadline. But Thune also acknowledged the long road ahead as senators grind through private talks over changes to put its own stamp on the House-passed bill. More white South Africans arrive in the US under new refugee program Nine people, including families, arrived late last week, said Jaco Kleynhans, head of international liaison at the Solidarity Movement, a group representing members of South Africas white Afrikaner minority. An initial group of 59 white South Africans arrived in Virginia on last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program announced in February fast-tracks the resettlement of white South Africans after the Trump administration indefinitely suspended other refugee programs. The administration said it is offering refugee status to white South Africans it alleges are being persecuted by their Black-led government and are victims of racially motivated violence. The South African government has denied the allegations and said they are a mischaracterization of the country. Read more about the South African refugee program RFK Jr. says autism destroys families. Heres what those families want you to know Emery Eversoll and her mother shared a good laugh when Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that some autistic children will never write poems. The 16-year-olds bedroom is full of notebooks featuring her verses. Sometimes, she quietly recites poetry to get through an outburst of anger. Still, this Kansas family is optimistic about Kennedys plans to launch a broad-based study of what causes autism. Kennedy has said the developmental disorder destroys families. He said children with autism will never pay taxes, theyll never hold a job, theyll never play baseball, theyll never write a poem, theyll never go out on a date. Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted. For some people with autism, his comments were an overdue recognition of the day-to-day difficulties for families with autistic loved ones. To others, Kennedy deeply misrepresented the realities of their disability. Read more about Kennedys plan and the reactions to it Another federal judge freezes Trump's push for wartime deportations U.S. District Judge John Holcomb, who was appointed in 2019 by Trump, ruled that the administration is not providing due process rights to people it accuses of belonging to a Venezuelan gang against which Trump invoked an 18th century wartime law. Holcomb temporarily halted removals of people in central California targeted under Trumps invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. He joins judges in New York, Texas, Colorado and Pennsylvania in temporarily freezing deportations under the act. Holcomb did find that Trumps invocation of the act was proper. Thats in contrast to some other judges who ruled it cannot be used against a gang. Trump says horrific Colorado attack WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in US Trump says the horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America and suggested it was the fault of his predecessors immigration policies. In a post on his social media site, Trump wrote, that the suspect in the attack, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, came in through Bidens ridiculous Open Border Policy even though the details surrounding Soliman arent entirely clear. Soliman was living in the U.S. illegally after having entered the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a post on X. B2 is generally a non-immigrant, temporary tourist visa. McLaughlin said Soliman filed for asylum in September 2022 and was granted a work authorization in March 2023 that had expired. Trump and Xi set to talk this week about trade challenges Trump is likely to talk this week with Chinese President Xi Jinping, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says. The two leaders are slated to talk as trade tensions have intensified after both nations agreed in May to reduce tariffs for a 90-day negotiation period. But the U.S. is displeased with problems over China exporting critical minerals, while China is frustrated by U.S. efforts to limit their access to advanced computer chips. Leavitt told reporters that the White House would provide a readout of the call between Trump and Xi. Pennsylvania senators mostly agree during forum on bipartisanship, and politely disagree Pennsylvanias two U.S. senators, Democrat John Fetterman and Republican David McCormick sat on Monday for 30 minutes to take questions from Shannon Bream, anchor of Fox News Sunday, at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston as part of an effort to promote bipartisanship. They found it easy to agree on certain questions, such as foreign policy, and politely disagreed on others, including President Trumps tax breaks, spending cuts and border security bill. Fetterman says he wont support cuts to Medicaid and food aid. McCormick stresses the need for tax relief, spending cuts and border security. But he also says they agree that the federal government shouldnt take benefits away from vulnerable people. Fetterman and McCormick have struck up a friendship following McCormicks victory last November over longtime Democratic Sen. Bob Casey, Fettermans mentor in the Senate. Fetterman has had something of a warm embrace from Republicans over his ideological split with Democrats on Israel and border policy. On foreign policy, both men are strong backers of Israel in its war against Hamas and preventing a nuclear-armed Iran, even if it means Israel striking Irans nuclear facilities to destroy them. Trump's lawyers file emergency appeals weekly to Supreme Court Trump administration lawyers have filed emergency appeals with the nations highest court a little less than once a week on average since Trump began his second term. The court is not being asked to render a final decision but rather to set the rules of the road while the case makes it way through the courts. The justices have issued orders in 11 cases so far, and the Trump administration has won more than it has lost. Among the administrations victories was an order allowing it to enforce the Republican presidents ban of on transgender military service members. Among its losses was a prohibition on using an 18th century wartime law called the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans alleged to be gang members to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Trump officials visit Alaska to discuss a gas pipeline and oil drilling The Trump administration is sending three Cabinet members to Alaska this week as it pursues oil drilling in the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and reinvigorating a natural gas project thats languished for years. The visit by Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin comes after Trump signed an executive order earlier this year aimed at boosting oil and gas drilling, mining and logging in Alaska. The three officials are appearing at an energy conference convened by Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy and at events with industry representatives and Alaska Native leaders who support drilling. Trump lashes out at Leonard Leo and Federalist Society Trump has lashed out at Leonard Leo, the conservative legal activist who has worked to dramatically reshape the countrys courts. Trump is blaming Leo and the group he used to head for encouraging him to appoint judges who are now blocking his agenda. Leo is the former longtime leader of the conservative Federalist Society, who, during Trumps first term, helped the president transform the federal judiciary and closely advised him on his Supreme Court picks. He is widely credited as an architect of the conservative majority responsible for overturning Roe v. Wade. Can Trump fix the US debt? President Donald Trump faces the challenge of convincing Republican senators, global investors, voters and even Elon Musk that he wont bury the federal government in debt with his multitrillion-dollar tax breaks package. The response so far from financial markets has been skeptical as Trump seems unable to trim deficits as promised. The tax and spending cuts that passed the House last month would add $5.1 trillion to the national debt in the coming decade if they are allowed to continue. Thats according to the Committee for a Responsible Financial Budget, a fiscal watchdog group. Spike in steel tariffs could imperil Trump promise of lower grocery prices President Donald Trumps doubling of tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum could hit Americans in an unexpected place: grocery aisles. The announcement Friday of a staggering 50% levy on those imports stoked fear that big-ticket purchases from cars to washing machines to houses could see major price increases. But those metals are so ubiquitous in packaging, theyre likely to pack a punch across consumer products from soup to nuts. Rising grocery prices would be part of the ripple effects, says Usha Haley, an expert on trade and professor at Wichita State University, who added that the tariffs could raise costs across industries and further strain ties with allies without aiding a long-term U.S. manufacturing revival. Trumps return to the White House has come with an unrivaled barrage of tariffs, with levies threatened, added and, often, taken away, in such a whiplash-inducing frenzy its hard to keep up. He insisted the latest tariff hike was necessary to even further secure the steel industry in the U.S. Trump withdrawing the nomination of Musk associate to lead NASA Trump says he is withdrawing the nomination of tech billionaire Jared Isaacman, an associate of Trump adviser Elon Musk, to lead NASA, saying he reached the decision after a thorough review of Isaacmans prior associations. It was unclear what Trump meant and the White House did not respond to an emailed request for an explanation. After a thorough review of prior associations, I am hereby withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman to head NASA, Trump wrote late Saturday on his social media site. I will soon announce a new Nominee who will be Mission aligned, and put America First in Space. Delaware is the latest state to ban Red No. 40 in schools. Heres how the new law came about. Why is Red No. 40 banned in Delaware schools now? Senate Bill 69 was introduced on March 11 by Sen. Eric Buckson, R-South Dover, and aims to protect students in the First State from the potential health risks associated with Food, Drug and Cosmetic Red No. 40, a synthetic food dye made from petroleum. It contains benzene, a cancer-causing substance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB 69 prohibits the sale or distribution of foods and beverages containing Red No. 40 during the school day in Delaware school districts and charter schools. This includes items sold in vending machines on campus or served a la carte. Recent concerns over the impact of synthetic food dyes on childrens health, including potential links to behavioral issues and hyperactivity, were cited as reasons for the proposed ban. SB 69 was signed into law by Gov. Matt Meyer on May 22, with the restrictions on Red No. 40 to take effect by July 1, 2026, allowing schools and education officials time to prepare for the transition. This makes Delaware only the second state, behind California, to ban Red No. 40 in schools. At least six other states have introduced similar legislation. Senate Bill 41 is a similar bill in Delaware that aims to ban Red No. 3 statewide, another synthetic food dye. This bill has yet to be decided on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More on proposed Red No. 3 ban: Along with the FDA ban, Delaware legislators seek to ban use of Red No. 3 in the state What foods and products have Red No. 40 in them? Red dye 40 (Allura Red or FD&C Red No. 40): Creates a dark red color and is commonly used in candy, cereals, sports drinks, frosting, condiments, gelatin, jams and more. Red No. 40 is widely used and found in a variety of foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, according to Healthline, including: Flavored milk Yogurt Pudding Ice cream Popsicles Cakes and other pastries Candy Gum Breakfast cereals and bars Fruit snacks Gelatin Chips Powdered drink mixes, including some protein powders Soda Sports drinks Energy drinks More legislation news: Medical aid in dying becomes law, Inspector General bill passes Senate: The Press Room How to know if your food, products contain Red No. 40 Additives like Red Dye 40 are found in many processed foods and beverages such as sports drinks. If Red No. 40 is in a product, it will be listed on the label as: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Red 40 Red 40 Lake FD&C Red No. 40 FD&C Red No. 40 Aluminum Lake Allura Red AC CI Food Red 17 INS No. 129 E129 Sidewalk parking violations: Wilmington officials address complaints about vehicles parked on sidewalk Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin atkgriffin@delawareonline.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Red No. 40 banned in Delaware schools, second US state to do so A man reportedly set people on fire in Boulder, Colorado, multiple people were injured, according to the citys police chief, as crowds gathered to show support for the Israeli hostages. Police have a suspect in custody and are investigating what the FBI initially called a targeted terror attack, though local authorities are still unsure how to classify the incident. When we arrived, we encountered multiple victims with injuries consistent with burns, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FBI Director Kash Patel shared a comment in a social media post on X, which you can view below. We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available. @FBI FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) June 1, 2025 Jun. 2Gov. Janet Mills has signed a new law that allows health care providers to remove their names from labels when prescribing abortion pills. The law, LD 538, was introduced by state Rep. Sally Cluchey, D-Bowdoinham, who said she has heard from prescribers who say they have been threatened or harassed for prescribing mifepristone, an abortion medication that is increasingly used for abortions. Medication abortions account for 63% of all abortions in the United States, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a national abortion-rights nonprofit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a previous interview with the Press Herald, Cluchey said that health care providers who have prescribed abortion medication "have faced harassment through phone calls, test messages and online threats" and have been "stalked, targeted with bomb threats and harassed in their homes." However, abortion opponents, including Rep. Marygrace Caroline Cimino, R-Bridgton, said the real reason for the bill is to shield abortion providers from criminal charges from other states. "The purpose of this bill is clear to protect doctors from criminal prosecution when prescribing these (drugs) to patients in other states where abortion is restricted," Cimino said in May. New York passed a similar bill this year days after a New York physician was charged with prescribing abortion pills to a pregnant girl in Louisiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maine is one of a several states that also has passed "shield laws" that provide health care workers with legal protection from charges filed by other states for prescribing abortion medication or providing abortion care. Abortions were legal nationwide for five decades until a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturned Roe v. Wade, paving the way for states to ban abortion. Thirteen states have passed total abortion bans since the 2022 decision, while Maine has expanded abortion rights, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Maine previously outlawed abortion at fetal viability typically considered to be between 22 and 24 weeks, with exceptions for the health and life of the mother but removed the ban in 2023. Abortion rights advocates said that the vague wording of the law made it difficult to obtain abortions in Maine even when the health of the mother was in question, and the new law leaves the decision between doctors and their patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less Rep. Miguel Garcia (D-Albuquerque) wants U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico Ryan Ellison to attend an interim legislative Land Grant Committee meeting this year. Garcia is showing speaking during the committee's first meeting since the most recent legislative session on May 30, 2025. (Photo by Austin Fisher / Source NM) A state lawmaker is asking the top federal prosecutor in New Mexico to reopen a case that allowed the American government to take millions of acres of commonly owned land promised to New Mexicans in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Rep. Miguel Garcia (D-Albuquerque) on May 28 sent a letter to U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico Ryan Ellison asking him to reopen a 128-year-old court case called United States v. Sandoval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garcia is asking Ellison to attend one of this years interim legislative Land Grant Committee hearings, at which land grant attorney Narciso Garcia will present the legal arguments and questions surrounding the case to either Ellison or his designee, and the committee will ask him to intervene. Last Friday, at the committees first meeting since this years legislative session, Garcia said he took it upon himself to make the request, and that Ellisons office is deliberating how to respond to it. Ellisons office declined to comment. The case deals with commonly owned land locally managed lands meant to sustain communities in seven areas in New Mexico granted by the Spanish Empire and later recognized by Mexican law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The justices ruled that the common lands were actually owned by the Spanish Empire, and therefore became the U.S. governments property as a result of the the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo at the end of the Mexican-American War. During this period, land speculators, including U.S. government officials, took advantage of adverse U.S. Supreme Court decisions to defraud communities of their common lands, Arturo Archuleta, director of the New Mexico Land Grant Council and the University of New Mexico Land Grant-Merced Institute, told the committee. Arturo Archuleta, director of the New Mexico Land Grant Council and the University of New Mexico Land Grant-Merced Institute, presented a short history of New Mexico land grants to the interim legislative Land Grant Committee on May 30, 2025. (Photo by Austin Fisher / Source NM) The Sandoval decision resulted in the seven land grants shrinking from an average of 450,000 acres to 1,500 acres, Garcia wrote. He wrote that the ruling was a travesty of justice, and told the committee that it resulted in the depopulation of some land grant communities who could no longer herd as many cattle and sheep or produce as many forestry products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was devastating for these communities because this is what brought on poverty in our state, Garcia told the committee. This is a good example of how our land grant communities were turned from a vibrant, self-sustaining community to an impoverished community. Garcia attached to the letter a 2018 working paper written by John Mitchell, who argues that after Mexico ceded the Territory of New Mexico to the U.S., Congress failed to incorporate it and allowed a temporary government to grant common lands to the inhabitants, which took away jurisdiction from the U.S. Supreme Court concerning land titles in the territory. Ultimately, the decision still belongs to the New Mexico Supreme Court who could hold that the de facto government did in fact grant common lands under existing law, Mitchell wrote. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Leaders in Washington are condemning the terror attack in Boulder, Colorado that left eight injured this weekend. A suspect is in custody after investigators say he attacked eight people Sunday in Boulder with a makeshift flamethrower and shouted, Free Palestine. The injured were demonstrating for Hamas to release Israeli hostages. Colorado Senator Michael Bennet condemned the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The people in Boulder, Colorado were savagely attacked by a terrorist while they were expressing their First Amendment rights. that should never happen in this country, said Bennet. The FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer is urging authorities to fully investigate. After all, all they were doing was expressing a simple plea: bring the hostages home. And because of their Jewish identity, they were targeted by hate, said Schumer. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the suspect, 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman was in the country illegally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House says President Trump stands with Jewish Americans and with its plans to deport illegal immigrants. This terrorist was allowed into this country by the previous administration who was foolishly given a tourism visa and then was illegally allowed to stay. These individuals are going to be deported, and were not going to tolerate such violence in our country, said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. President Trump posted on Truth Social, Acts of Terrorism will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law. This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, The attack comes just over a week after a man was charged with fatally shooting two Israeli embassy employees in Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also shouted, Free Palestine. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPRINGFIELD While offering a sunny take on the passage of a roughly $55 billion state spending plan balanced in part by cutting back on some of his own priorities, Gov. JB Pritzker on Sunday blamed Illinois latest fiscal challenges not on a state tax system he once described as unfair and inadequate but on economic headwinds created by President Donald Trump. This year has been hard across the entire Midwest indeed, the entire country, Pritzker told reporters in his state Capitol office, nodding to cuts in areas such as public health and higher education in neighboring red states Indiana and Iowa. Donald Trumps incomprehensible tariff policies have put a tax on our working families and dampened the nations economic outlook, he said. The Trump slump is affecting every state, and the chaos and uncertainty of the Republicans proposed cuts to health care and education and jobs have made budgeting, well, harder than ever before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spending plan, which was passed by lawmakers on Saturday shortly before a midnight deadline and awaits Pritzkers signature before the states fiscal year begins July 1, makes nearly $400 million in spending cuts, including some $193 million in operational cuts, beyond what Pritzker proposed in February, according to budget negotiators. It also relies on increased taxes on tobacco products, online sportsbooks, and overseas and out-of-state corporate earnings as well as one-time revenue measures, which together total more than $800 million. Pritzkers efforts to blame Trump for Illinois latest budget woes and contrast the states spending decisions with those of neighboring Republican-led states came at the end of a spring legislative session during which the governor continued efforts to raise his national profile. His relentless criticisms of Trump particularly in a fiery speech to New Hampshire Democrats and appearances on cable news, late-night TV and podcasts have stood in contrast to the softer tone employed by some other prominent Democratic governors and further fueled speculation Pritzker is eyeing a White House run in 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before that, however, the billionaire Hyatt Hotels heir must officially decide whether to run next year for a third term as governor. Its widely expected he will, though he didnt answer when asked about it as he departed his Sunday morning news conference. Pritzkers reluctance to embrace a more comprehensive approach to overhauling the tax system after his failed effort to amend the state constitution in 2020 to allow for higher rates on larger incomes suggests a wariness about giving credence to political opponents eager to brand him as a tax-raiser. Indeed, the governor vowed to use his veto pen this year if lawmakers sent him a spending plan that relied on broad-based increases to sales or income taxes. Pritzkers hesitancy over taxes extended to the unresolved debate about how to overhaul governance and increase funding for Chicago-area mass transit systems facing a looming fiscal cliff of more than $771 million. While echoing the need for changes to the disjointed board structure of the city and suburban bus and train systems, the governor hasnt publicly endorsed a funding plan, and legislators left town without sending one to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for the states longer-term financial picture, the kind of deeper cuts Republicans espouse are anathema to Pritzker and the legislatures Democratic supermajority. But rather than expending political capital on broader revenue-generating efforts such as a renewed push for a graduated-rate income tax or an attempt to expand the sales tax to cover more services, both common practices in other states, Pritzkers answer on Sunday for state budget stability is more stability out of Washington, D.C. We would not have suffered this problem had we not had the Trump slump affecting us, Pritzker said. There are $500 million of reduced revenues to the state of Illinois as a result of what Donald Trump has done to a booming economy. Throughout the closing days of the legislative session, which adjourned in the early morning hours Sunday, Democrats repeatedly pointed the finger at Trump and congressional Republicans for the difficulties the General Assembly faced in crafting the upcoming years budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Presenting the spending plan on the House floor late Saturday, Majority Leader Robyn Gabel of Evanston said a big reason for many of the proposed cuts was the uncertainty over whether the Trump administration would deprive Illinois of critical federal funding for Medicaid and in other areas. I want to emphasize that these were not decisions made lightly or made hastily. These are strategic efficiencies so we can invest in the needs of our working families and seniors on fixed incomes, Gabel said. Of course, we do not know the full extent of the cuts Washington is preparing. But we do anticipate that health care access and infrastructure will be most directly impacted. Democrats cut back on the $350 million annual increase in school funding required under a 2017 state law, withholding $43 million that normally would go to a grant program designed to help school districts with high property tax rates and low real estate values. They characterized the move as a pause to allow for a study of whether the program is working as intended. The overall spending plan followed Pritzkers recommendation to pause one of his key priorities: a $75 million annual increase to boost the number of seats in state-funded preschool programs. The budget would keep the spending level with the current year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The budget also cuts back on another Pritzker priority, suspending monthly contributions to the states rainy day fund for a year. Instead, about $45 million would be held in the general fund, which pays for day-to-day operations. Funding for a program that provides Medicaid-style health insurance for noncitizens ages 42 to 64 also was zeroed out, a savings the governors office estimated at $330 million, though the budget includes $110 million to continue coverage for those 65 and older. During the House debate, Rep. Dagmara Avelar, a Democrat from Bolingbrook and member of the legislative Latino Caucus, said she was supporting the overall spending plan even though it was not a perfect budget. In fact, its painful. It eliminates a program that has been a lifeline for many, including people that I have fought alongside for years, she said. But Im voting yes because leadership requires hard choices. And this budget protects more than it cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To that end, the budget includes an 80-cent-per-hour wage increase for direct support professionals who work with people with developmental disabilities. But it reduces the hours the state would pay for by 35%, which Gabel, the House majority leader, characterized as rightsizing. Advocates and unions have said wages needed to be raised by $2 an hour to meet recommendations that those workers be paid 150% of minimum wage. At a Senate committee hearing on the plan Saturday afternoon, Sen. Chapin Rose of Mahomet, a GOP budget negotiator, called the reduction in hours a cynical sleight of hand. Safety-net hospitals serving low-income patients and communities are set to receive $118 million in grant funding, less than the roughly $160 million some lawmakers were hoping for. The Monetary Award Program, which provides grants to lower-income college students, will see a $10 million boost to a total of nearly $722 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The budget also will devote $75 million to help ensure pensions for newer state employees meet a federal requirement to be on par with Social Security benefits, and it sets aside $100 million for a bridge fund to cover unexpected shortfalls in the coming year. Despite the fiscal challenges, the Democratic plan includes $8.2 billion in new spending on infrastructure projects, which are separate from the operating budget and funded by dedicated taxes and borrowing. Republicans accused the majority party of once again hoarding that money for projects in their own districts. Lets hide this stuff. Lets hide it so that the public doesnt see it until its too late. Lets blame everybody but ourselves. The Trump administration did this. The Trump administration did that. I call BS, GOP Rep. John Cabello of Machesney Park, who was a Trump delegate during last years Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, said during the House debate late Saturday. Cabello also said Republicans werent given a chance to fund projects on behalf of taxpayers in their districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the revenue side, a tax amnesty program that would allow delinquent filers to pay off their tax debt without penalties is expected to generate $228 million in one-time money for the state. The plan also includes a set of tax law changes that would give the state the ability to tax more offshore and out-of-state corporate income. Taken together, those changes would bring in an estimated $336 million in ongoing revenue. Democratic Rep. Will Guzzardi of Chicago, a House budget negotiator and member of the progressive caucus, said the budget will be balanced, in part, with revenues paid for by the biggest and most profitable corporations that do business in Illinois, who can afford to pay a little bit more to help us fund the operations of our state, closing loopholes and going after financial tactics that those companies use to avoid paying what they should. Theres also a new per-wager tax on online sportsbooks, expected to generate $36 million in the coming year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taxes will go up on tobacco from the current rate of 36% of wholesale price for cigarettes and 15% for vaping products to 45% across the board, including nicotine pouches, which have exploded in popularity in recent years. The $50 million in anticipated revenue would go to tobacco cessation efforts and the states Medicaid program. Republicans criticized the use of one-time revenue streams to fill shortfalls, including the diversion of money from road projects by again delaying a shift of revenue from the sales tax on gasoline from the states general fund to the road fund, freeing up $171 million to spend on operations. Pritzker defended the practice, saying Democrats crafting the budget tried to ensure any one-time revenues really matched up with or were diminishing of the one-time expenditures that we have to make. Even without a substantial overhaul of the states income or sales taxes, Pritzker said, the state has gotten really much closer than ever before to erasing a structural budget deficit his administration pegged at $3.2 billion shortly after he took office in 2019. Still, some other Democrats, especially members of the partys progressive wing, believe there needs to be a deeper look at how services for residents across the state are funded, particularly given the uncertain economic times. Guzzardi, the House budget negotiator, was a co-sponsor of legislation that put the graduated income tax question on the 2020 ballot and fought really hard in the unsuccessful campaign for its passage. I still think its the kind of change that our state is going to need, the systemic change to our tax structure, to ease the burden on working families and to generate the revenue we need to fund vital services by asking the folks at the top to pay, Guzzardi said Sunday. We have to make a more convincing case to the voters, that much is really clear. More immediately, though, lawmakers are under pressure to address the dire financial situation facing Chicago-area mass transit with the impending expiration of federal coronavirus relief money. In the closing hours of the spring session, Senate Democrats introduced and passed a plan to address mass transit governance and funding, including a new $1.50 fee on retail deliveries. Sen. Ram Villivalam, a Chicago Democrat and point person on transit issues, called the plan unprecedented and said it would create the world-class, safe, reliable, accessible, integrated public transit system we need for our northeastern Illinois region. But key House Democrats said their chamber didnt take up the Senate proposal before adjourning for the spring because they wanted to focus first on overhauling the way the various transit agencies operate before allocating taxpayer money to those changes. I would say that the commitment has always been to do reform first. And then talk about doing revenue, Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, a Chicago Democrat, said. We worked really hard along with the Senate on putting together that reform. Unfortunately, we had different approaches to how to get that across the finish line. Rep. Kam Buckner, another Chicago Democrat involved in transit negotiations, said it wouldve been irresponsible for House members to vote on the Senate plan without being thoroughly familiar with its funding proposal. The measure came over from the Senate after midnight Sunday, when the threshold to pass legislation taking effect before June 2026 increased from a simple majority to three-fifths. That didnt allow enough time for House Democrats to review the proposed tax and round up the votes needed to pass it, Buckner said. Pritzker likewise said Sunday that he hadnt had much time to review the delivery tax proposal, which was met with stiff opposition from business groups and others. I obviously want to make sure were lowering, not raising, taxes whenever we can, the governor said, adding that he looks forward to reviewing future proposals in the coming months. Its important for there to be significant work thatll need to be done over the summer and in the fall on governance and funding the Chicago-area and downstate transit systems, Pritzker said. Republican Rep. Rachel Henderson of Rumford (middle) discusses her data privacy proposal with Judiciary Committee analyst Janet Stocco (left). (Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star) Members of the Judiciary Committee late Friday advanced one of three proposals to better protect data privacy in Maine with the hope that the effort to rein in the reach of Big Tech would not founder as it did last year. Before voting against her own bill, Rep. Rachel Henderson (R-Rumford) told the Judiciary Committee Friday afternoon that she thinks the best chance the Legislature has to get a comprehensive data privacy law passed this year is for there to be just one plan for the Maine Senate and House of Representatives to consider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To me, its not about having a bill in my name, Henderson said. Its about the policy. Transparently, it took me a while to get there. Ive got an ego too. However, that decision does not mean lawmakers agree on what the right policy is. That will still be worked out in the chambers. For the sake of procedure, the committee opted to advance just one of the bills, but the competing components of the plans will still have the opportunity to be considered as majority and minority reports. As Henderson put it, I would hate to see happen this year what happened last year. Last session, after a dozen public meetings, countless hours of behind-the-scenes work and sizable lobbying influence from Big Tech, the Legislature rejected two competing data privacy bills on the last day, during which floor speeches demonstrated confusion over the various differences in the bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fundamental differences between last years legislation namely how companies approach the collection of user data could not be reconciled. The plans being considered this year, which lean heavily on last years proposals, still have those key differences, so whether a resolution can be reached this year will remain to be seen. The main disagreement is how to approach a standard called data minimization, which broadly means limiting the collection of personal information to only what is necessary to fulfill the consumer service. The legislation the majority of the committee advanced, LD 1822 sponsored by Rep. Amy Kuhn (D-Falmouth), uses this approach. It specifically would limit the collection of personal data to only what is reasonably necessary and proportionate to provide a specific product or service requested by the consumer. The key reason business interests at the public hearing opposed this bill was because they were concerned it would prevent them from doing targeted advertising. While Kuhn built her bill off of one of the versions last year that was favored by privacy advocates and opposed by businesses, she altered it to ensure small businesses that have to stretch their advertising dollars can access ad exchanges, which are marketplaces where companies can buy and sell advertising. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Maine Assistant Attorney General Brendan ONeil said, I dont see a restriction on targeted advertising in the bill. Hendersons bill, LD 1088, which the majority of committee rejected, would use a notice and consent model, allowing companies to collect data as long as consumers agree to it in privacy notices. Earlier in May, the committee rejected a similar bill, LD 1224, to narrow down the number of competing proposals. These two bills are similar to the version last session that was favored by businesses, who argued for Maine to adopt a law that is consistent with those adopted by other states. There is currently a patchwork of state laws and parts of federal legislation governing the current landscape, as there remains no one federal law regulating internet privacy, despite several proposals. But more than a dozen states have modeled their laws off one first passed in Connecticut, which is the basis for LD 1088 and LD 1224. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Connecticuts attorney general has since recommended that its state Legislature amend the law to strengthen data minimization provisions rather than rely on its current exploitable notice-and-consent model. Reading from the Connecticut report released in April, ONeil said, They start out by saying that, in many cases, serious privacy and data security concerns could have been offset, if not fully alleviated, if companies had properly minimized the data they collected and maintained. Thats really what LD 1822s data minimization standard aims to do. Maryland passed a law last year that is similar to Kuhns proposal, marking a departure from the years-long trend of states following what privacy advocates see as Connecticuts watered down model. Maines full Legislature will now decide between these two versions of a data privacy law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee voted 7-1 against LD 1088, with Rep. Adam Lee opposed, but his minority report was to strike and replace the bill with Kuhns bill. Six members were absent for the vote. The committee also voted 7-1 in favor of LD 1822, with Henderson opposed. Her minority report is to strike and replace the bill for her bill language. Six members were again absent for the vote. Essentially, these minority reports afford lawmakers avenues to take up the versions as they see fit but, the committee hopes, without the confusion of competing bills like last year. With the possibility of changes coming to Connecticuts law and waiting to see how Marylands law works in practice, lawmakers also prepared to have a vehicle to use should Maine pass a law and then want to amend it based on lessons learned from other states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A concept draft, LD 595 sponsored by Judiciary Committee co-chair Anne Carney (D-Cumberland), will be carried over into next year, which currently reads that it could further update certain consumer privacy laws in response to recent developments in federal and state consumer privacy laws. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Waupun Correctional Institution, photographed in 2017 (Wisconsin Department of Corrections photo) A federal civil rights lawsuit was filed Thursday over the death of Joshua Botwinski, 43, at Waupun Correctional Institution (WCI). The lawsuit named Randall Hepp and Yana Pusich as defendants, the then-warden and then-security director of the prison. The Wisconsin Examiners Criminal Justice Reporting Project shines a light on incarceration, law enforcement and criminal justice issues with support from the Public Welfare Foundation. According to the lawsuit, Botwinski suffered from a severe drug addiction and from mental illness at all times while serving his prison sentence at WCI. It says he died of a fentanyl overdose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit alleges prison staff known to be smuggling drugs were assigned in proximity to Botwinski. It also alleges a failure to order Botwinski into close observation until drug smuggling could be controlled. The DOCs online offender locator dates Botwinskis death on January 19, 2023. Botwinski is at least the eighth incarcerated person to die at the prison since 2023. The death of Damien Evans, 23, was at least the seventh death at the Waupun prison since 2023, according to reporting from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel earlier this year. Another man incarcerated at Waupun, Tyshun Lemons, died on Oct. 2, 2023 when he overdosed on a substance containing fentanyl, the Examiner reported. The estate of Joshua Botwinski is the plaintiff for the lawsuit, by special administrator Linda Botwinski. The lawsuit alleges Hepp and Pusich were deliberately indifferent to a serious medical need, knowingly created a danger for Botwinski and knowingly failed to protect him from danger. It argues that their alleged deliberate indifference caused Botwinskis death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that nearly a dozen prison employees had resigned or been fired since the U.S. Department of Justices launch of a probe into a suspected smuggling ring within the prison. In September, William Homan, a former facilities repair worker at WCI, pleaded guilty to smuggling contraband in exchange for bribes. A sentencing memorandum by prosecutors said the presence of contraband in WCI contributed to a lack of institutional control. In late April, Hepp was convicted of a misdemeanor and fined $500 in the death of Donald Maier, who was incarcerated at WCI. A sentencing memorandum by a lawyer for Hepp said that in March 2023, conditions and actions of the inmate population created an environment that posed an immediate threat to the safety of the staff and inmates while also threatening the security of the institution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memo said Hepp put the prison in modified movement, at times referred to as a lockdown. This led to an investigation of the conditions and a search of the institution, the memo said. Information and physical evidence that was developed revealed a level of corrupt behavior taking place that was historical in scope involving trafficking of illegal drugs, cellular telephones, finances, and other contraband. The sentencing memo from Homans case said the lockdown involved incarcerated people being confined to their cells twenty-four hours a day except for medical or other emergencies. As part of its efforts to reestablish control, a facilitywide search was conducted, resulting in the recovery of numerous cellular phones, controlled substances, and other contraband, the memo said. WCI provided information obtained from its investigation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which included information that WCI staff were receiving bribes in exchange for smuggling in contraband. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit alleges that before Jan. 19, 2023 and therefore before the lockdown and investigation via the reports they received from staff, both Pusich and Hepp knew that illegal drug use was rampant at WCI, and they knew that prison staff was smuggling drugs into WCI. Lawsuit includes alleged timeline leading to overdose The lawsuit alleges that on August 15, 2022, WCI officials found out that Botwinski was under the influence of drugs. Botwinski tested positive for opiates and stimulants. Incidents of prisoners being under the influence of drugs is automatically reported to Pusich as security director, and Pusich would report incidents of prisoners using illegal drugs to Hepp, the lawsuit alleges. Before Jan. 19, the day of Botwinskis death, Pusich and Hepp knew illegal drug use was rampant at the prison, the lawsuit alleges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the reports of drug use and overdoses, they knew that inmates had an almost unfettered access to drugs in prison, the lawsuit alleges. Botwinskis access to drugs in WCI was greater than his access to drugs outside of WCI. The lawsuit alleges that Hepp and/or Pusich assigned prison staff known to be smuggling drugs into the prison in proximity to Botwinski. It alleges that they knew placing staff who smuggled drugs into the prison in Botwinskis proximity would lead to overdose. According to the lawsuit, staff observed Botlinski in his cell at about 5:10 p.m. At about 6:45 p.m., Botwinski was discovered in his cell: he had been the victim of a drug (fentanyl) overdose, from which he died, the lawsuit says. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Examiner. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A recent lawsuit alleges medical staff at a Franklin County jail did not perform required safety checks on a woman, resulting in her death, then falsified records to cover it up. The lawsuit, filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court in March, accuses multiple medical professionals with Armor Health of Ohio LLC who worked an overnight shift at the jail on Jackson Pike of not properly monitoring Gierra Perdue, 33, who died of a fentanyl overdose. The legal action was filed on behalf of Perdues mother. Ohio lawmakers push for stricter rules on obscene drag queens, indecent exposure Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 9, 2023, Perdue was arrested and taken to jail. She was in the process of detoxing from drugs she took before her arrest, according to the lawsuit. At some point after arriving at the jail, Perdue was put on a safety watch, which required medical staff to visually inspect her every 8-10 minutes, the filing says. Franklin County contracts with Armor Health of Ohio to provide medical services at the jail. Along with the company, the lawsuit names four medical staff members who were working the overnight shift on March 16 as defendants. Between the four employees, Perdue was checked on a total of four times: at 9:07 p.m., 10:15 p.m., 11:14 p.m. and 2:08 a.m., when she was found dead. However, some of the staff falsified a log to indicate they checked on Perdue 42 times, according to the suit. All of the entries claimed Perdue was asleep. The lawsuit does not specify when or how Perdue may have come into contact with the fentanyl that caused her fatal overdose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The filing further alleges that before Perdue was discovered dead, the nurses had prefilled out safety check entries for times after her death. After realizing the records would be reviewed in a death investigation, they created a new log that did not include times after 2 a.m. but still falsely reported 42 checks and discarded the original in the medical record shredding bin. Ohio announces 2-week sales tax holiday An investigator asked one of the nurses why she falsified the reports, to which she blamed ignorance and laziness, according to the lawsuit. The legal filing claims Perdue needlessly died under the neglect of the medical staff. It says if the nurses were checking on Perdue when they falsely reported doing so, they would have clearly noticed her in distress, making it obvious she needed emergency attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit requests damages exceeding $25,000 on top of all court-related costs. NBC4 reached out to Armor Health for comment but has not received a response. Franklin County commissioners entered into a three-year contract with Armor Health in 2021 for nearly $65 million. In October 2024, they extended the contract by one year, and it is currently set to expire on Oct. 17. Founded in 2004, the Florida-based company provides medical care to state and local correctional facilities across the country, according to its 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. The first judicial elections in Mexicos history have resulted in a turnout of around 13%, well below what the latest polls had predicted. The low presence of citizens at the polling stations throughout the day foreshadowed such an outcome, further calling into question the electoral reform that led to this election. The thousands of candidates running to fill 2,681 positions were complete unknowns to the vast majority of voters, and the complexity of having to fill out more than six different ballots discouraged participation even more so given that people couldnt simply vote for a party without considering individual names. The final results will take nearly two weeks to be announced. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who just a year ago achieved a sweeping victory, has called the election a success and celebrated the fact that 13 million voters took part. As in previous days, she emphasized that if the government had wanted to appoint judges of its choosing, it wouldnt have allowed the people to decide. In a video released shortly after the turnout figures were made public around midnight she also criticized the judiciary, accusing it of having favored organized crime and of committing economic crimes. Today, however, she said: Mexico is the most democratic country in the world. In recent days, Sheinbaum had said that even a 5% turnout would be acceptable so a double-digit figure is being hailed as a win. One of the standout images from election day was that of former president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who came out to vote amid the curiosity of journalists and citizens in Chiapas. It was a notable moment he has stayed out of public life since handing over power to his successor on October 1, keeping away from the spotlight and the cameras, retired at his home in Palenque, where he has been focused on writing. Since then, there had been no images or statements from him until Sunday: We have the best president in the world, he said as he arrived at his polling station. He added that he is in good health and expressed his happiness at having the right to elect judges, magistrates, and justices for the first time: It gives me great joy to live in a free and democratic country. Lopez Obrador laid the groundwork for the judicial reform that Sheinbaum has had to implement, after it was quickly passed by Congress. The comparison between the two presidents will be closely analyzed in terms of their ability to mobilize the electorate. Despite her enormous popularity and having won the presidency with more votes and a higher percentage than any previous president, Sheinbaum was unable to rally the public this time. In contrast, Lopez Obrador managed a 17% turnout when he submitted himself, mid-term, to an equally unprecedented vote to determine whether he should remain in office. That was the now-famous and controversial Recall Referendum, which is now enshrined in law and one that his successor will also have to undergo. The rush to carry out this election didnt help either. Citizens had little time to prepare their vote amid a tangled selection process involving thousands of candidates. The system is unprecedented only a handful of countries elect judges by popular vote, and none do so at all levels of the judiciary, as is the case in Mexico. The initiative had little political consensus. The ruling party, Morena, and its allies were virtually the only political parties that supported the judicial reform. Thats why many supporters of opposition parties followed the call to abstain from voting. The popular election of judges, magistrates, and Supreme Court justices is the most controversial aspect of the judicial reform and is likely the domestic issue that has caused President Sheinbaum the most headaches in her eight months in office. The ruling party holds a massive majority, and the bond between the president and the public is far from fading but the low turnout has spoiled Morenas celebration. The historic election has now taken place, but what remains to be seen is how capable these new judges will be in addressing the major flaws plaguing Mexicos courts which are riddled with corruption, classism, and political collusion. The winners of the Supreme Court race will soon be announced a body heavily criticized by Morena leaders, and the only one where a few candidates with some degree of public recognition were running. Some of the candidates were already serving as justices on the top court, and their names were fairly well known, especially among voters in the capital. Its possible they will be re-appointed this time through popular vote. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador votes in Chiapas. The low turnout at the polls was also influenced by opposition parties, which called for a boycott of the process they had consistently opposed. They denounced the elections as partisan and warned the ruling party not to give in to the temptation of manipulating turnout figures. As soon as the polls closed at 6 p.m., leaders of the conservative National Action Party (PAN) declared that turnout wouldnt even come close to 10% and dismissed any claims to the contrary as fairy tales. Ironically, with such low participation, the opposition parties might have had a real chance to get a minister of their choosing onto the Supreme Court. But instead, they chose to disregard the election entirely. The process may be politically delegitimized, but the new judges have been elected nonetheless, as even the PAN acknowledged. The partys national leader, Jorge Romero, granted them all the benefit of the doubt and warned that from now on, they will have to prove through their actions whether they stand for objectivity and justice or merely serve those in power. The election on Sunday was free, secret, and slow more like an exam: people brought cheat sheets with the names and numbers of each candidate and sat at the polling stations to write for a while, about 10 minutes. The counting will also take its time. On Sunday, the judicial elections were on the same days as municipal elections in the states of Durango and Veracruz, but in 2027, the second phase of the judicial elections will coincide with the midterm elections nationwide, making the process even more complex. A polling station in Mexico City. Nayeli Cruz Each and every candidate was subject to prior dismissal if they were already serving and had to run for the position again. Except for the Supreme Court, the candidates have largely gone unnoticed because the campaigns were legally very limited: everyone had to seek votes through very simple events funded with their own money. Hence, the controversy over the printed or digital ballots filled out with candidates names and distributed to guide voters a practice that has been heavily criticized and will also need to be addressed by the electoral authority. The initial screening of candidates, which was handled by the executive and legislative branches (with the judicial branch ultimately stepping aside from the process), was plagued by errors and failures that allowed inexperienced candidates and in some cases, individuals linked to drug trafficking or with a corrupt past in their judicial roles to slip through. The electoral authority will also have to rule on these challenges after the fact, as there was no time to address them before the elections when the ballots had already been printed. There were no surprises in some states during election day because only one candidate was approved for each available position, rendering the election process meaningless. The result was effectively predetermined, known well before the polls opened and the votes were counted. This situation has been strongly criticized as a case of collusion, ensuring that the selected individual assumed the post without facing any competition. These elections were promoted by the ruling party as the most democratic method of selection and as a remedy for the judicial corruption that plagues Mexico, where impunity for crimes exceeds 90%, and thousands of innocent people remain imprisoned or await trial and sentencing. However, it is difficult to convince Mexicans that simply voting will put an end to corruption, as they have ample evidence in the political arena to believe otherwise. The recent revelations of some candidates linked to crime or unsavory practices have deepened public distrust. Criticism has intensified against the ruling party, as it was the Morena-majority legislators who screened the candidates raising suspicions that many of them will be compliant with the partys directives. Some analysts have warned that this could backfire on the party when a judge issues a questionable ruling, because complaints will no longer be directed at the judiciary as a whole, as has been the case until now, but rather at those who designed the process. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) El Salvadors arrest of an anticorruption lawyer from a well-known human rights organization last month is the latest example of how special powers given to President Nayib Bukele to battle the countrys gangs are being applied to a host of unrelated alleged crimes. Police arrested Ruth Eleonora Lopez at her home on May 18, alleging she aided one of her former employers being prosecuted for embezzlement. Lopez has denied the accusations, but did not appear before a judge until Monday, more than two weeks after her arrest. El Salvadors constitution gives authorities 72 hours to bring someone before a judge after an arrest. But criminal defense attorneys say most of the cases they see drunk driving, robberies, sexual assaults now arent brought before a judge until 15 days after the arrest, the maximum allowed under the state of emergency the countrys Congress approved in March 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That month, Bukele asked lawmakers for extraordinary powers to respond to a gang massacre. Among the rights the Congress agreed to suspend were that window to take a prisoner before a judge, as well as fundamental protections like access to a lawyer. Since then, more than 86,000 people have been arrested for alleged ties to gangs, with 90% still awaiting trial. But untold others the attorney generals office did not respond to a request for statistics have been treated in the same manner for alleged crimes having nothing to do with the gangs. While the constitutional rights are suspended, the expansion into crimes unrelated to gangs is legal, but abusive, lawyers say. In an address to the nation Sunday night about the first year of his new term, Bukele brushed off criticism of his heavy-handed tactics. I dont care that they call me dictator, he said. I prefer they call me dictator than see how they kill Salvadorans in the streets. I prefer they call me dictator, but Salvadorans can finally live in peace. Let them keep arguing semantics and were going to continue to be focused on results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They say we jail human rights defenders, dissidents, opponents of the regime," Bukele said. "I think to myself, How are we going to battle corruption if all the opposition has guaranteed impunity? Late Monday, a person with knowledge of Lopezs case who requested anonymity because the case had been sealed, said that prosecutors told the court Monday that Lopez would be charged with illegal enrichment. That is different than the charge of embezzlement that prosecutors alleged when she was arrested. They also requested she be held for six months while the investigation continues. The next hearing was scheduled for Wednesday. Earlier in the day, Cristosal, the human rights organization Lopez works for, said via X that it had filed a habeas corpus petition with the constitutional chamber of the countrys Supreme Court to demand Lopezs release. With the gangs severely weakened by the governments own accounts, human rights organizations in El Salvador like Cristosal where Lopez worked and from abroad like the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights have called for the end of the emergency declaration. They say the justification no longer exists, and rights should be restored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, lawyers say the extended state of emergency has become the norm, rather than the exception. Theyve generalized it, said Oswaldo Feusier, lawyer and professor at the Jose Simeon Canas Central American University, adding that more and more judges are applying the exceptional rules to a broader array of crimes. To me its an abuse of the spirit of the decree. Just this month, Bukele called via the social platform X for the arrest of the heads of bus companies he said had ignored his call to provide free service during the closure of a major highway. The government said it would reimburse them. Despite arrests May 5 through May 7, the 12 people detained werent formally charged until May 19. On May 12, dozens of people from an agricultural cooperative protested an eviction outside Bukeles home. One participant was arrested May 12 and another May 13 for alleged public disorder and aggressive resistance. Their cases werent brought before a judge until May 27. The president also used the protest as an example of why the Congress should pass a foreign agents law which it did days later because he said they had been manipulated by globalist NGOs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law would require all non-governmental organizations who receive international donations to register as foreign agents and the government can then impose a tax of 30%. Jayme Magana, a criminal defense lawyer working with an initiative called Wings of Freedom that seeks to draw attention to human rights violations, said she has seen the exceptions under the state of emergency applied to a variety of cases including sexual crimes, drunk driving and robberies. They're applying 15 days to the majority, she said. This is because the courts are saturated. Criminal attorney Carlos Avelar said that since the state of emergency suspends constitutional guarantees, it can be applied to all crimes. If they arrest someone, if the prosecutor wants to apply the 15-day term, he does it, he said. He estimated that 80% of the cases he sees in the courts now start 15 days after the arrest. Lopez's alleged wrongdoing dates to her time as an adviser to Eugenio Chicas, the former president of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal during the administration of President Salvador Sanchez Ceren (2014-2019). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicas moved from the court to the Cabinet of Sanchez Ceren and also served as a congressman. Last November, he and some of his relatives were convicted in a civil case for illegal enrichment between 2009 and 2021. Chicas, who was detained in February, is now being prosecuted on criminal charges of illegal enrichment. Ruth has dedicated her life to the defense of human rights and the fight against corruption, Cristosal said in a statement last week. Hers is not an isolated case: it is part of a pattern of criminalization against critical voices. Most students in Michigan are approaching summer vacation, a time for a relaxing and fun break from the long school year. Parents, though, typically aren't on that kind of schedule and might find themselves wondering at what age it's legal to leave children home unattended over summer vacation. "Every parent eventually faces the decision to leave their child home alone for the first time," the Michigan's Child Welfare Information Gateway said in a fact sheet. "Whether they are just running to the store for a few minutes or working during after-school hours, parents need to be sure their children have the skills and maturity to handle the situation safely. Being trusted to stay home alone can be a positive experience for a child who is mature and well prepared." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Michigan, there is no minimum age at which children may be left home alone without supervision. Michigan law does regulate how young a child can be to remain in a vehicle alone. Parents, however, should consider many factors before leaving their children alone. "When deciding whether to leave a child home alone, you will want to consider your childs physical, mental, and emotional well-being," the Child Welfare Information Gateway said. Here's what you should know when making a decision. Is there a legal age when you can leave children home? According to the National Child Care Information Center, only Illinois and Maryland currently have laws regarding a minimum age for leaving a child home alone. Even in those states, other factors, such as concern for a childs well-being and the amount of time the child is left alone, are considered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Child Protection Law, there is no legal age that a child can be left home alone, the Michigan Mandated Reporters' Resource Guide says."...But as a general rule, a child 10 years old and younger is not responsible enough to be left home alone. A child over the age of 10 and under the age of 12 will be evaluated, but the case may not always be assigned for a CPS investigation," the guide says. Things to consider when leaving a child home It's important to consider their maturity and if they've demonstrated responsible behavior in the past: Is your child physically and mentally able to care for him- or herself? Does your child obey rules and make good decisions? Does your child feel comfortable or fearful about being home alone? What should you consider when leaving children home? You may also want to consider certain circumstance like: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How long will your child be left home alone at one time? Will it be during the day, evening, or night? Will the child need to fix a meal? How often will the child be expected to care for him- or herself? How many children are being left home alone? Children who themselves are ready to stay home alone may not necessarily be ready to care for younger siblings. Is your home safe and free of hazards? How safe is your neighborhood? Once you've decided your child can stay home There are other points to consider: Have a trial period. Leave the child home alone for a short time while staying close to home. Role play. Act out possible situations to help your child learn what to do. Establish rules. Make sure your child knows what is (and is not) allowed when you are not home. Some experts suggest making a list of chores or other tasks to keep children busy while you are gone. Check in. Call your child while you are away to see how its going, or have a trusted neighbor or friend check in. Talk about it. Encourage your child to share his or her feelings with you about staying home alone. Dont overdo it. Even a mature, responsible child shouldnt be home alone too much. Consider other options, such as programs offered by schools, community centers, youth organizations, or churches, to help keep your child busy and involved Create a safety plan you child can understand It's also important to establish a safety plan so your child knows what to do and who to contact in an emergency situation. Other factors include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can your child follow this plan? Does your child know his or her full name, address, and phone number? Does your child know where you are and how to contact you at all times? Does your child know the full names and contact information of other trusted adults, in case of emergency? Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Leaving children home alone in Michigan. What are the rules LEBANON, Pa. (WHTM) St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Lebanon kicked off Pride Month celebrations with a Pride service on the first Sunday of the month. The service is called You Are Loved. It was a day of worship, music, and community. Welcoming all people, regardless of their ethnic background, regardless of the color of your skin and especially today, were focusing on their sexual orientation and gender identity, Rev. Dr. David Zwifka said of the services message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices The service of celebration is in its third 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 ABC27. UPDATE: Thomas Eugene Tolbert, the alleged suspect in the Lees Summit police shooting has been found and arrested in Ellis, Kansas. LEES SUMMIT, Mo. A Lees Summit police officer was shot multiple times Sunday night, and the man suspected of shooting the officer is yet to be found. The officer remains in serious condition as law enforcement officers work to find the suspect. A Blue Alert was issued for the suspect, Thomas Tolbert, a 27-year-old man. He ran from officers after the shooting then left in a car, according to police. The car was recovered in Grandview. According to authorities, Tolbert is considered armed and dangerous and is believed to be in possession of a 10mm handgun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an updated Blue Alert sent around noon on Monday, police said Tolbert was last seen wearing a black hooded shirt and black pants. He is described as being 6 feet and 2 inches tall, weighing 240 pounds. The original alert was issued Monday morning in Missouri, but the latest alert was sent out in Kansas, as well. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV According to police, around 11 p.m. Sunday, officers were sent to a domestic disturbance at an apartment on Hollywood Drive. The first officer arrived at the apartment complex and was waiting for his assisting officer when the officer saw a man running from the scene, according to the LSPD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the officer chased the suspect and told officers that shots had been fired via radio.The LSPD said no shots were fired by the officer, but the officer was struck four times. The officer was then taken to a hospital, where Sgt. Chris Depue said he cleared surgery Monday morning. Despite undergoing surgery, it was confirmed that he is still in serious condition. Investigators are working with law enforcement partners to track down Tolbert, the man suspected of shooting the officer. According to the LSPD, there is no danger to the public at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 1-800-KS-CRIME. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KC Crime Stoppers is also offering a $10,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of Tolbert. You can call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Democratic-run New York state legislature could rush through a series of bills to give convicts early parole and prevent law enforcement from keeping dangerous criminals off the streets, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly warned Sunday. In recent years, Democrats clawed back controversial cashless bail and discovery laws after serial criminals were let loose, triggering massive political blowback. These bills undercut everything we work for every day building strong cases, securing convictions, and ensuring justice is served, Donnelly, a Republican up for re-election this fall, told The Post. Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. Brigitte Stelzer When prosecutors do the hard work of putting violent offenders behind bars, we should be backed by laws that protect that progress not laws that allow those same criminals to return to our communities years before their sentences are complete, added Donnelly, who is holding a press conference Monday announcing her opposition to the bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the bills drawing concern is the Elder Parole bill which would require inmates aged 55 and older who have served at least 15 years of their sentence to be considered for early release, regardless of the seriousness of the crime committed. The measure is sponsored by Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan) and Assemblywoman Maritza Davila (D-Brooklyn). Another bill, the Earned Time Act, would make most violent felons eligible for time allowance credits, potentially slashing their prison sentences in half, Donnelly said. The earned time bill is sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) and Assemblywoman Anna Kelles (D-Ithaca). Madeline Brames son, Hason Correa, was murdered in a scuffle outside a Harlem apartment building seven years ago. Steven Hirsch A third bill the Second Look Act would permit prisoners to petition the courts for a sentence reduction after serving 10 years, including inmates convicted of violent crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation is promoted by Sen. Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn) and Assemblywoman Latrice Walker (D-Brooklyn). GOP Long Island lawmakers oppose the early parole bills, including Assemblyman Edward Ra and Sen. Jack Martins. The New York State Capitol building. Hans Pennink for the NY Post Crime victims advocate Madeline Brame, whose Army Sergeant son Hason Correa was murdered in a scuffle outside a Harlem apartment building seven years ago, expressed outrage at the proposals to give violent cons a break. These proposals completely disregard the pain and effort that go into holding criminals accountable, she said. We need to help prosecutors put violent offenders behind bars not give criminals new ways to get out early. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Kathy Hochul toyed with early release proposals in April as a way to try to alleviate the prison population amid an illegal prison guard strike and a staffing shortage. She was forced to bring in the National Guard to staff the prisons. She proposed opening eligibility for merit time in the state budget, then backed down after it was revealed doing so could lead to people who were in for violent crimes to be released early. Donnelly was among those who raised the alarm. Inmate advocates have pushed for early parole and other reforms after prisoners were allegedly killed at the hands of guards over the past year. AUSTIN (Nexstar) The Texas legislature gave the final approval of Senate Bill 8, which will require almost every single county in the state to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce federal immigration laws. Its a move supporters say will keep Texans safe while aligning the state with the Trump administration on strict immigration enforcement. Opponents argue it could lead to overcrowding in jails, a chilling effect on reporting crimes, and racial profiling in minority communities. After going through various changes throughout the legislative process, lawmakers in both chambers finally came to an agreement on the final language of the bill a day before a deadline that would have killed the bill before getting to the governors desk. SB 8 would require every sheriffs department in a county that operates a jail, or contracts with a private jail, to enter into an agreement with ICE known as 287(g). Currently in Texas there are 234 counties that this bill applies to, according to the bills author State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas needs to be much more proactive in identifying, detaining, prosecuting and deporting criminal illegal aliens, Schwertner said. The 287(g) program allows sheriffs deputies to assume some ICE duties, like questioning migrants, issuing warrants or arresting them for immigration violations, depending on their specific training. There are three models within the 287(g) program a law enforcement agency can enter into. They include: Jail Enforcement Model allows officers to question people to determine immigration status, put their information into a Homeland Security database, take statements and begin the deportation process with an immigration detainer and notice to appear. Warrant Service Officer a narrower scope than jail enforcement, with officers identifying people as non-citizens during the booking process, referring those people to ICE for evaluation and possible deportation, and serving ICE administrative warrants on people in their custody, according to the ACLU. Task Force Model described by ICE as a force multiplier, allowing local officers to enforce immigration laws during their routine duties in the community. The final version of the bill gives discretion to sheriffs to decide which of the three models it will enter into with ICE. Sheriffs could decide to enter into more than one type of model, but it is not required to have more than one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also provides a grant program to help counties cover the cost of training staff or operating the program. The grant amount ranges between $80,000 and $140,000 depending on the size of the county. In laying out the bill on the Senate floor, Schwertner said it sends a clear message. Texas will not tolerate criminal illegal aliens threatening our communities, Schwertner said. But Democratic members in the Senate raised concerns with the bill. It passed along party lines in the Senate. Chilling effect on crime reporting Opponents of the 287(g) program have argued the incorporation of local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement will lead many people to not call in the case of emergency out of fear it could lead to them or their family being deported. Thats an issue that I have, that were going to potentially drive immigrants into the shadows, and you know, make them victims, or have them a bulls eye of potential crimes, State Sen. Jose Menendez, D San Antonio, said to Schwertner on the Senate floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schwertner argued it would not prevent lawfully present citizens from calling the police in an emergency. The people of the United States and of Texas spoke very clearly last November regarding their concerns of illegal immigration and the concerns of criminal illegal aliens doing great harm to communities, Schwertner said. But Menendez pointed there are some families with mixed status, where the parents may not lawfully be in the country but their children are. If people understand that that family, theres an undocumented person, they have a target now, because people know, well, they wont call the police because theres an undocumented person in that household, Menendez explained. Concerns over jail capacity Another concern is the capacity in Texas jails. The 287(g) program would require counties place an immigration detainer on an inmate that is deemed to be in the country illegally. Opponents argue this would be costly for counties to hold on to somebody in the jail and wait for federal immigration officials to pick them up. Theres also an issue of space. According to data from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, between January and February this year there were 7,481 inmates in Texas jails with an immigration detainer placed on them. Those inmates spent a total of 156,494 days in jail, which averages out to about 21 days per inmate in jail. The total cost to the state is estimated to be more than $14 million, according to the data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What are we going to do when these jails must have a 287(g) agreement with the federal government to hold people who are not rapists, murderers or people who have been involved in aggravated assault, they are just people who are not here legally, State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D Austin, said to Schwertner on the Senate floor. They are criminals, in the sense they are illegal aliens. The program does allow for expedite transfer to ICE to properly adjudicate those individuals, Schwertner responded. Concerns of racial profiling Many opponents to the bill have pointed out concerns with the task force model within the 287(g) program. That model, as Schwertner explained, allows non-federal law enforcement, such as sheriffs deputies, to enforce immigration laws within the community as opposed to inside a jail. Some believe it will lead to racial profiling in minority communities. Are you not afraid of the potentiality for racial profiling by police if they see what presumably looks like Mexican or Hispanic people in a truck that they will not be pulled over simply because of the color of their skin, State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, asked Schwertner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schwertner agreed racial biases do exist in the world, but argued the sheriffs department and ICE would have oversight on who they place in a task force model. Through the 287(g) program task force model, there is training to address the concerns of racial profiling, there are procedures, Schwertner said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Ever since President Donald Trump took office, hes been violating the law left and right to reach his mass deportation goalsand hes faced an onslaught of lawsuits, a majority of which hes losing. In private, Trump has said he wants to deport 1 million immigrants in 2025, according to the Washington Postbut in his first 100 days, the numbers suggested he was not deporting people on a greater scale than past presidents. The judiciaryincluding judges appointed by Trump himself during his first termhas been the main line of defense against his lawless actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The courts have particularly been a thorn in the Trump administrations side when it comes to the case of Maryland man Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who the administration admitted was deported by mistake. Multiple federal judges ruled Abrego Garcia must be brought back home, and even the Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to facilitate his return, yet the father of three remains in El Salvadors CECOT megaprison. The Supreme Court went even further earlier this month, blocking Trumps efforts to continue the illegal extradition flights and declaring that the affected migrants had not been granted their full due process rights during the administrations attempts to rush deportation flights to third-party countries. Instead of respecting court orders, the Trump administration is now eyeing a workaround: Cutting out the courts by suspending habeas corpus. The administration has its eye on habeas corpus because its a legal principle that requires the government to come before a judge and provide a reason for detaining and imprisoning people. In recent weeks, Trump officials have begun suggesting that they can simply revoke habeas corpus. Deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller told reporters that the writ of habeas corpus can be suspended in a time of invasion. So I would say thats an option were actively looking at. During a recent congressional hearing, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem incorrectly defined habeas corpus as a constitutional right that the president has to be able to remove people from this country and suspend their rights. The executive branch, though, does not have the unilateral authority to simply pause habeas corpus as it pleases. In order to understand what habeas corpus is and how it can be suspendedif it can at all, I spoke with Steve Vladeck, professor of law at Georgetown University and author of the Substack newsletter One First. Habeas corpus gives anyone who believes they have been unlawfully detained by the government a way to contest the legality of their detention. It was adopted in British common law and was formally codified under the Habeas Corpus Act of 1679, where it remains in effect in England today. When the founders established the legal foundation of the United States, they brought this concept along with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, habeas corpus is enshrined under Article 1 of the Constitution. It comes before the Bill of Rights, which, Vladeck believes, suggests that the founders wanted to prioritize establishing the existence of habeas while also specifying the only circumstance under which it could be taken away. What habeas really is, its a guarantee of judicial review. That is, in some respects, more than just a right, Vladeck told me. That is actually a fundamental constraint on the government, where even if you had no other rights, you would be entitled to have a court say so, as opposed to the executive branch. The Trump administration wants to cut off immigration detainees pathway for judicial review, essentially clearing the way for deportations without interference from the courts. Suspending habeas corpus is technically possible under the suspension clause, which states that the Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it. This clause has only been invoked four times in U.S. history: in 1861 during the Civil War; in 1871 when the Ku Klux Klan was committing mass violence against Black Americans in the South; in 1905 during a rebellion against the American military in the Philippines while it was still a U.S. territory; and in 1941, in the midst of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The suspension clause can only be invoked by Congress, not the president, despite what the Trump administration has said. It also specifically limits the circumstances under which habeas can be suspended, rather than revoking habeas corpus in its entirety, because the founders wanted to ensure that judicial review of detention cases could still continue even in a true emergency. The reality is that the Trump administration is likely hoping that no one actually pays close attention to the text, Vladeck said, because its not just that were not actually being invaded by anyone right now, its that even the suspension clause does not authorize suspensions by the president, ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its worth noting that even during the War of 1812 when Great Britain invaded the U.S., the suspension clause was not invokedits meant only for truly egregious national emergencies. Right now, of course, Trump is trying every potential legal tool in the kit, as further demonstrated by his use of the Alien Enemies Act, a separate wartime law passed in 1798 thats only ever been invoked three times in U.S. history. I think what the Trump administration is counting on is that it can sort of discuss suspending habeas corpus at a high enough level of abstraction that it all appears to blur together, Vladeck explained, when the legal authorities are in fact much, much more nuanced and much, much more specific. Miller said that whether the Trump administration tries to suspend habeas corpus or not depends on whether the courts do the right thing or not. He was basically saying the quiet part out loud: that its a threat from the executive branch to twist the arm of the judiciary. Since Trump began his second term, habeas corpus has been critical in keeping his administration in check. It is the first and only legal pathway for challenging immigration detention. Its how Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish international student at Tufts University, was able to get out of immigration detention in Louisiana, along with Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University student who is a lawful green-card holder. Cristian Farias, a courts reporter for Vanity Fair, told Slates Dahlia Lithwick that to file a habeas petition is basically what ensures that you wont be sent to a black site or put in a prison without ever getting out. Considering also that there have been at least three cases where a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to bring back wrongfully deported immigrants, habeas is the sole lifeline for detainees to get back their freedom. Without habeas, thered be no mechanism by which someone could challenge the Trump administrations designation that they are, for example, an alien enemy, Vladeck said. Theres nothing to stop the government from pointing to any of us, citizen or noncitizen, and saying, you know, You are an alien enemyor an undocumented immigrant. Editors Note: As Lexington celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, the Herald-Leader and kentucky.com each day throughout 2025 will share interesting facts about our hometown. Compiled by Liz Carey, all are notable moments in the citys history some funny, some sad, others heartbreaking or celebratory, and some just downright strange. Mim Hunt, Lexingtons first food bank founder, couldnt escape her calling to help others. Mildred Mim Salmon Lunsford Hunt spent her life helping people in Lexington and beyond. Although at one point she vowed to leave the heartbreaking profession of social work, the desire to help those in need pulled her back in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Born on Feb. 24, 1914, Hunt grew up in Lexington. In the 1940s, Hunt moved to New York City to pursue a career as a child welfare worker. After several years in the city, she moved back to her hometown, vowing to leave social work behind. In the early 1950s, though, that would change. In a History of Gods Pantry, Hunt wrote that she realized that Lexington had its own empoverished areas just like New York City. Enlisted to help those in need by Dr. Harriet Marble, Hunt raised money to help Black patients at Eastern State Hospital. Later, she and her husband Robert started a retail space selling health food, gifts and antiques named Mims. Instead of leaving social work behind her, she started collecting food, clothing and bedding for those in need just blocks away from her and distributing them directly to people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By 1955, her basement had become the first organized food bank in the city. Soon, neighbors were bringing donations to what they called Mims Pantry in her Parkers Mill Road home. Hunt was quick to point out it wasnt her pantry. I dont fill these shelves, she said. God does. This is Gods Pantry. Thus, Gods Pantry Food Bank was born. It remained mobile until the first brick and mortar location opened in 1959. Since then, the pantry has grown to serve 50 counties in Central and Eastern Kentucky, with a dedicated staff committed to helping those experiencing food insecurity. Between July 2023 and June 2024, the food bank served more than 264,000 individuals and distributed nearly 47 million pounds of food with the help of more than 32,000 volunteer hours. The food bank estimates that one in six Kentuckians and one in four children in Central and Eastern Kentucky experienced hunger during that 12-month period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunt, who died in 2005, said she was called to make a difference. I have never felt that life was a popularity contest and as I read my bibles marching orders to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and give a cup of cold water to the thirsty, I listened to my own drumbeat and with Gods help forged ahead! she wrote on the pantrys 40th anniversary. I truly believe that one day someone will be celebrating a 100th anniversary if we continue to have faith! Have a question or story idea related to Lexingtons 250-year history? Let us know at 250LexKy@gmail.com. A man escaped from a Lee County jail Thursday by posing as his brother. Kentucky State Police are searching for Jeffrey Harrison, 43, of Lexington, who was serving a 12-month sentence for first-degree promotion of contraband at a jail in Beattyville. Officials released Harrison after he posed as his brother also an inmate who was scheduled for release on Thursday. Harrison wasnt identified as missing until six hours after his mistaken release, when the jail did nightly roll call and he wasnt there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kentucky State Police said in a news release Harrison was last seen wearing a red jacket, camo shoes and a black hat. He may have left the area in an older model of a white Subaru. Harrison is a white man with brown hair and blue eyes. Hes 5 feet, 9 inches tall, and weighs 138 pounds. Anyone with information that might help law enforcement find Harrison is asked to call KSP Post 7 in Richmond at (859) 623-2404. Senator Lindsey Graham is really hoping that Israel bombs the Freedom Flotilla that political and environmental activist Greta Thunberg is taking on an aid trip to Gaza. Hope Greta and her friends can swim! Graham posted on X, linking to a Times of Israel article about Greta. X screenshot Lindsey Graham @LindseyGrahamSC: Hope Greta and her friends can swim! The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is a civilian aid group that regularly goes into Israeli-controlled waters to deliver needed supplies to Palestinians as they starve behind Israels land and naval blockade. Thunberg and several others set sail on Sunday from Italy in another similar effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grahams post is clearly a call for targeted violence against Thunberg and the rest of the civilian passengers of the flotilla. In early May, another flotillawhich Thunberg was supposed to be onwas bombed twice on its way to Gaza. And while the Israeli government never confirmed or denied its involvement, it was obvious to the flotilla passengers that it was an IDF attack. Grahams incendiary post was quickly rebuked. This is when you sell your soul to Zionism. We are dealing with the Zio-Nazis who are the most murderous and hated people the earth has ever known. This is you, Palestinian journalist Abubaker Abed wrote in response to Graham. What a cowardly and despicable creature you are to wish death upon a girl! One day, all of you will collapse like smelly mosquitoes. You are a cancer to the earth. Abed fled Gaza only recently to escape Israels genocide as the government continues to target thousands of other innocent journalists and civilians. A sitting United States Senator threatened a convoy full of nonviolent activistsincluding Greta Thunbergwith a bombing, Medhi Hasan wrote on X. Its difficult to describe how sociopathic, unhinged, and criminal some of the pro-Israel folks have become. Press Release June 2, 2025 Bills seek to expand Phil. Science High School, institutionalize masterplan for lifelong learning The Senate is seeking to expand the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) campuses and make them more accessible to high school students nationwide. Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2974, otherwise known as the Expanded Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System Act, was approved on third and final reading Monday, June 2, 2025. Sen. Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri, sponsor of the bill, said the enactment of SBN 2974 into law would allow more high school students with exceptional aptitude for science and mathematics to enroll in PSHS campuses across the country. Currently, Zubiri said the Philippine Science High School Act allows for one PSHS campus per administrative region. He said the total 16 PSHS campuses across the country serve over 10,600 students. "The Second Congressional Commission on Education report disclosed a very disappointing statistic: since 2022, the Philippine Science High School system has turned away a total of 5,807 qualified students from enrolling in the school. These kids did not fail. They met all the qualifications and they passed the notoriously difficult Pisay (PSHS) admission tests but were turned away because they have no room left," Zubiri said. He said expanding the PSHS System Act would allow thousands of deserving high school students to enroll at PSHS campuses nationwide. "Under our proposed measure, we are allowing for the establishment of up to two Philippine Science High School campuses for every region--excluding the National Capital Region, which already has a bigger campus compared to others, but including the Negros Island Region, which does not yet have its own campus," Zubiri explained. "We will ensure that these regional campuses are not built in the same provinces, so we can democratize the Philippine Science High School and give more students a chance to apply for and enter the school. After 15 years, we will again allow for the establishment of additional campuses, upon a comprehensive review of the educational demands in a particular region," he added. Among the objectives of the program is to increase the pool of high school graduates who will pursue undergraduate courses in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), undertake research and development or pursue careers in Science and Technology (S&T). It also aims to consolidate existing and future campuses under a unified system of governance and management to ensure a consistent quality standard and efficient operation as well as support the holistic development of scholars, faculty and staff. Also passed on third and final reading Monday, June 2, 2025 was Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2960 otherwise known as the Lifelong Learning Development Framework (LLDF) Act. The bill seeks to institutionalize a culture of continuous learning to enable all Filipinos regardless of age or circumstances to acquire skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. "This bill mandates the formulation of a master plan that shall develop the guidelines for the designation of Learning Cities and Municipalities. We are amending the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) Law and expanding the mandate of the PQF National Coordinating Council and even its membership by including the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to help ensure that every Filipino has access to lifelong learning opportunities," said Sen. Joel Villanueva, author and sponsor of the bill. He said the proposed legislation will also scale micro-credential initiatives, promote transferable skills development, and recognize alternative learning certifications through the Philippine Credit Transfer System and the Philippine Qualification Register. "We need to learn throughout life. We can no longer navigate and face the challenges of modern life by only relying on what we have learned in school or in college. The Lifelong Learning Development Framework will be pivotal in enabling Filipinos to upskill and reskill continuously," Villanueva stressed. The second round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by Turkey, following the talks held in mid-May, concluded Monday with modest progress. The Ukrainian side noted good progress on the humanitarian front, according to the assessment offered at the end of the meeting held in Istanbul, which lasted just over an hour. However, no progress was made regarding Ukraines request for an unconditional ceasefire. Although Kyiv sent its proposal to Moscow last week, the Russians did not present their document until its delegation arrived in Istanbul, so the parties have given themselves a week to study it. The results are not negative, summarized a Turkish diplomatic source present at the negotiations. The agreement is a broad exchange of prisoners of war. We agreed to focus on specific categories rather than numbers, explained Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who leads the countrys negotiating team, adding it would constitute an all for all exchange instead of the previous arrangements where each side released the same number of prisoners. Under the new agreement, all prisoners in each category would be returned, regardless of the number captured by each side. The agreed categories are, on the one hand, severely wounded or critically ill prisoners and, on the other, young soldiers aged between 18 and 25, although in the latter case, the exchange will be carried out in batches of 1,000 for 1,000, clarified the leader of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky. Furthermore, the exchange of 6,000 bodies of fallen soldiers for the same number from the other side was agreed. Kyiv also presented a list of several hundred Ukrainian children who were deported to Russia, Umerov explained. This is a fundamental priority for us. If Russia is truly committed to the peace process, the return of even half the children from that list would be a positive signal, the Ukrainian minister emphasized. The head of the Russian delegation has denied that his country has displaced thousands of children from their homes, a war crime for which the International Criminal Court is seeking the arrest of Vladimir Putin and the Russian Childrens Ombudsman, Maria Lvova-Belova. Whenever we tried to document what kind of children have been stolen by the Russian Federation, there were no lists, said Medinsky, who justified the displacement of minors by the war children who found themselves caught between two fronts were evacuated, but if there is a family, they are returned stating that Moscow has already handed over 101 minors to Kyiv while Ukraine has returned another 20 to Russia. He later explained that, in Istanbul, Ukraine has transmitted a list with the names of 339 families of Ukrainian minors who are demanding their return home, reports Javier G. Cuesta from Moscow. Not millions, not thousands, Medinsky added. Ceasefire negotiations The main point of disagreement is a ceasefire, with Russia rejecting an unconditional cessation of hostilities. Diplomatic efforts should be accompanied by a ceasefire, because only when the guns fall silent can we speak. It is very difficult for us to discuss territory or security guarantees while Ukrainian civilians are being killed daily, criticized Ukrainian presidential advisor Oleksandr Bevz at the press conference following the meeting with Russia. The Russian conditions for the truce were presented at the start of the meeting in Istanbul, within a memorandum that, Medinsky explained, consists of two parts: one focusing on the ceasefire and the other a roadmap on how to achieve a real and lasting peace. (Kyiv sent its proposal last week so the Russians could evaluate it before Mondays meeting.) The Ukrainian delegation declined to comment on the content of the Russian document, which they said they would evaluate in the coming days. However, Moscow had previously set as a condition for a ceasefire that Western countries halt arms supplies to Kyiv and that the Ukrainian government halt the mobilization of young people and reservists to fight on the front lines. To negotiate a complete peace, Russias demands were even tougher: Ukraines withdrawal from all Russian-occupied provinces, even if only partially, and Kyivs renunciation of access to Western institutions such as NATO and the EU. Another point of contention is Russias refusal to allow the United States or European countries to participate in the negotiations. We cannot talk about long-term security in Europe, to which Ukraine belongs, without the involvement of the United States and our European partners. When we reach the point of a ceasefire or a peace agreement, we need someone capable of monitoring it. And we believe the United States has the capacity to do so, said Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya, who is also participating in the talks. In fact, the Ukrainian delegation met with representatives of Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom before and after the meeting with Russia to coordinate positions. One aspect hovered over the meeting: the audacious Ukrainian attack on five military bases in Russian territory, where its drones destroyed or damaged a significant number of aircraft. Neither side would confirm or deny whether this was directly discussed in face-to-face contacts, but Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgi Tikhi warned: Ukraine offered a ceasefire in early May; if Russia had accepted, those aircraft would still be in place. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A lion killed a man at a luxury lodge in the remote northwest of Namibia, authorities said. The victim identified by local media as well-known businessman Bernd Kebbel was camping with other tourists at the tented resort when the early morning tragedy unfolded, police said. Kebbel, 59, was camping with his wife and friends near Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp in the Sesfontein area when he was attacked by the animal, the Namibian newspaper reported. He was attacked when he stepped out of his tent to use the toilet, environment ministry spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela told local news outlet Informante. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other campers managed to scare off the lion but Kebbel was already dead by then, he said. Police were "attending the scene and a full report will be submitted in due course," spokesperson Elifas Kuwinga said. According to the Daily Mail, Kebbel was a philanthropist who supported wildlife conservation in Namibia and once owned Off-Road-Centre, which sold accessories for safari vehicles. A lion is pictured at the Hoanib River drainage in northern Namibia, Feb. 8, 2023. / Credit: Chen Cheng/Xinhua via Getty Images Desert-adapted lions roam the remote northwest of the country where mountains and sand dunes meet. In 2023, they were estimated to be around 60 adults and more than a dozen cubs. But their numbers have dipped in recent months following a drought-induced drop in prey and conflict with humans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last August, Namibia authorized the culling of hundreds of animals, including elephants, as part of a plan to feed people in the drought-stricken country. The mauling marks at least the second deadly lion attack in Africa in less than six weeks. In April, a lion killed a 14-year-old girl outside Kenya's capital in a ranch to the south of Nairobi National Park. The wonderfully weird world of artist Luigi Serafini Fans turn out for estate sale at home of Tom Petty Watch: Italy's Mount Etna volcano erupts, spewing hot ash and lava LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Las Vegas Metropolitan police released the locations where First Tuesday meetings will be held on June 3. The meetings are an opportunity for police and community residents to connect, ask questions, and talk about concerns. June 3, 2025, meeting locations and topics to be discussed: Bolden Area Command , 5:00 p.m., LVMPD Search & Rescue,1851 Stella Lake St. Northwest Area Command , 5:30 p.m., Red Rock Search & Rescue, 9850 W. Cheyenne Ave. Summerlin Area Command , 5:30 p.m., Armor Unit & Spot the Robot Dog, Siena Community Ballroom,10525 Siena Monte Ave. Northeast Area Command , 5 p.m., Drone Unit,3750 Cecile Ave. Downtown Area Command , 5 p.m., Counter Terrorism, 621 N. 9th St. Southeast Area Command , 5 p.m., ACE Program: Anti-Violence through Community Engagement, 3675 E. Harmon Ave. South Central Area Command , 5 p.m., Pool Safety, 4860 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Spring Valley Area Command , 4:30 p.m., LVMPD Traffic, 8445 Eldora Ave. Enterprise Area Command , 6 p.m., Pool Safety, Windmill Library, 7060 W. Windmill Lane Convention Center Area Command, 9:30 am-12:30 pm, Meet our Officers at Aura Vegas Apartments, 3240 W. Harmon Ave., Open to tenants of the complex ONLY Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The Department of Homeland Security removed a list of hundreds of so-called sanctuary jurisdictions that it published on its website Thursday following questions about its accuracy and pointed criticism from a major group representing law enforcement. DHS had described it as comprehensive list of sanctuary jurisdictions including cities, counties, and states that are deliberately obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws and endangering American citizens, according to an archived version of the since-deleted webpage. The agency added that each jurisdiction will receive formal notification of its non-compliance and all potential violations of federal criminal statutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump has vowed to punish jurisdictions that do not cooperate with federal authorities immigration enforcement as part of his administrations efforts to increase deportations. Theres no specific or legal definition of what constitutes a sanctuary jurisdiction. The term is often used to refer to law enforcement agencies, states or communities that dont cooperate with immigration enforcement. Asked by CNN why the list was removed, a senior DHS official said in a statement Monday that the list is being constantly reviewed and can be changed at any time and will be updated regularly. The statement did not respond to specific questions about how the list was created or who identified jurisdictions that would be included. Designation of a sanctuary jurisdiction is based on the evaluation of numerous factors, including self-identification as a Sanctuary Jurisdiction, noncompliance with Federal law enforcement in enforcing immigration laws, restrictions on information sharing, and legal protections for illegal aliens, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But several jurisdictions on the DHS list said it does not accurately describe their policies. The city of Las Vegas said in a statement on X that it has never been a sanctuary city and is not sure why DHS has classified Las Vegas in the manner it has. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said while his city is welcoming, it is not a sanctuary city. Several city officials in San Diego County said they were confused about being on the list including one mayor who told local media that officers are allowed to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement in certain cases. Members of immigration advocacy groups react as the Los Angeles City Council votes to enact an ordinance prohibiting city resources from being used for immigration enforcement on November 19, 2024. - Damian Dovarganes/AP The president of the National Sheriffs Association, which represents more than 3,000 sheriffs nationwide, also criticized the list in a statement Saturday. The groups president, Kieran Donahue, demanded an apology and that the list be removed, said the list was published in a manner that lacks transparency and accountability, and accused DHS of doing a terrible disservice to President Trump and the Sheriffs of this country. Donahue said that in a meeting between his association and members of DHS, no political appointee for the administration could explain who compiled, proofed, and verified the list before publication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This decision by DHS could create a vacuum of trust that may take years to overcome, said Donahue, the sheriff of Canyon County, Idaho. Trump signed an executive order in April directing the DHS secretary and the attorney general to publish a list of sanctuary jurisdictions considered to be obstructing federal immigration laws. The order directs federal agencies to identify funding that could be withheld from such jurisdictions. Donahue, the sheriffs association president whose statement criticized the now-removed list, was in the Oval Office when Trump signed that executive order. The Associated Press contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com LITTLE RIVER, S.C. (WBTW) A man jailed in connection with a Little River party-boat mass shooting that injured 11 people was in the Navy, according to a spokesperson. Shawon Shamarion Williams, 19, was arrested Thursday in Lake County, Illinois, near Chicago. Deputy Chief Chris Covelli with the Lake County Sheriffs Office said officers arrested Williams outside the Naval Station Great Lakes. We can confirm that Hull Maintenance Technician (HTSN) Shawon Williams, assigned to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Great Lakes, was arrested by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service on May 29, Commander Jessica L. McNulty told News13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NCIS transferred custody of Williams to local authorities, according to McNulty. Williams waived his extradition and will return to Horry County to face his charges. Suspect in Little River boat-party shooting wasnt alone, victims attorney says Williams also graduated from North Myrtle Beach High School in 2023. * * * 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. A Maryland man shot a store clerk over a bottle of iced tea then led police to the body of his pregnant girlfriend, left to rot after he killed her weeks earlier. Torrey Moore, 31 at the time, walked into a convenience store across the street from his White Oak apartment, placed a bottle of iced tea on the counter and began arguing with the clerk on the afternoon of December 8, 2022, Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy said during a news conference. He shot 61-year-old Ayalew Wondimu, then leaned over the counter to shoot him several more times after he fell to the floor, McCarthy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, Moore walked back across the street to his apartment. There, a responding SWAT team found the body of his live-in girlfriend Denise Middleton under a blanket in an "advanced state of decomposition," he said. Middleton, 26, was 8-and-a-half months pregnant with Moore's child. She had already named the boy Ezekiel, The Washington Post reported. Surveillance footage showed Moore pushing Middleton into an elevator in the building's lobby on Oct. 9, 2022. Moore shot her seven times in their shared apartment that day, McCarthy said, with at least four bullets entering her back. 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. According to McCarthy, Moore traveled to North Carolina and California in the following weeks. Investigators searching his phone after his arrest found searches for "how long does it take for a dead body to smell?" and "How to move a dead body without being seen?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCarthy said Moore also researched how to plead insanity. After traveling for 26 days, Moore lived in the apartment with Middleton's body until his arrest, the Washington Post reported. Moore was convicted of first-degree murder and another firearm-related charge in Wondimu's death on May 16 last year, per a statement from the state attorney's office. On Nov. 22, 2024, another jury convicted him on two counts of first-degree murder one for Middleton's death, and another for her viable fetus, according to the statement. Moore was sentenced to three consecutive life terms last Friday. McCarthy said he likely wouldn't qualify for parole until he is in his 90s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors said that Moore's was the first conviction in the county's history for the murder of an unborn child, the Washington Post reported. The Maryland man, now 34, did not testify at his trial or speak at his sentencing last week, per the outlet. His attorneys argued that mental illness and schizophrenia led to his unthinkable actions. These acts were not a byproduct of a cold and calculated individual, but one who has struggled with his mental health for his entire life, Assistant Public Defender Roberto Martinez wrote in recent court filings, per the Washington Post. The very fact that Mr. Moore was sleeping in the apartment with Ms. Middletons body emphasizes that Mr. Moores mental illness brought him out of touch with reality. Were left to wonder why he did what he did, said Montgomery County Circuit Judge Rachel McGuckian at sentencing. And really no one knows but him... maybe not even him." Read the original article on People The Commodore Hull Bridge, which carries Route 8 over the Housatonic River between Shelton and Derby, will now have a posted load restriction of a 32 tons load for all vehicles using the span, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation. The bridge remains safe to use, according to DOT. The DOT said an emergency declaration has been signed for the bridge. A DOT spokesman said this declaration took place as, during a special inspection of the Commodore Hull Bridge in preparation for a future project, further deterioration on the gusset plates was noticed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These plates connect the truss members together to support the weight of the overall bridge structure and traffic load on the bridge. Due to the additional deterioration found, starting the week of June 2, CTDOT will begin milling off the bituminous wearing surface, posting a 32-ton weight restriction for all vehicles, and implementing lane shifts to keep traffic away from these areas, the spokesperson said. The Emergency Declaration signed allows CTDOT and its contracting partners to move forward with permanent repairs more quickly, the spokesperson said. The bridge remains safe for the traveling public. We urge motorists to slow down, move over, and use caution when traveling through this area to keep themselves and workers safe. Construction will begin on Monday in the area. On Route 8 northbound, Howe Avenue and Kneen Street on-ramps may be closed to traffic and mainline traffic will be maintained for two lanes across the bridge in a lane shift configuration, according to DOT. During a 2022 DOT public meeting on the bridge, officials also said it is safe to use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every two years the bridge undergoes a hands-on inspection of the superstructure and substructure and is given a rating, DOT officials said, according to records about the project and the meeting. The rating scale from best to worst condition goes: Good, Satisfactory, Fair, Poor, Serious, and Critical. This bridge is rated as Satisfactory. The bridge also undergoes an underwater inspection every two years, the 2022 records say. The underwater inspection reports show a history of scouring, but today it is still far from the critical scour depth. The purpose of this project is to add scour countermeasures around the piers as a preventative measure to prevent the riverbed from scouring further during future major storm events. The records show that meeting was held on the rehabilitation of (Bridge No. 00571A) the Commodore Hull Bridge, noting specifically, the project for installing scour countermeasures at Piers 9 and 10 within the Housatonic River. It was not clear if the work to be done now on the bridge is part of Project 0126-0176, or a separately named project. Scour is erosion of streambed or bank material due to flowing water, a DOT official said during that meeting. That project was said to be funded with 80% federal funds and 20% state funds, with no municipal funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bridge was constructed in 1951 and widened in 1990, according to DOT. For the new work, on Route 8 southbound, two-lane traffic will remain in the area across the bridge. The off-ramp to Wharf Street will remain open. Work will be performed between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to DOT. CT road work projects getting underway in coming days. Heres what to know. In separate other upcoming work, milling and resurfacing will begin on Route 816 in Newtown on June 9 with a scheduled completion of the project on June 26. The CTDOT said the project, being performed by state workers, will be done in Newtown, Shelton and Derby 0.20 miles east of Washington Street to the Southbury Town Line. Delays and one-lane traffic alternating traffic are said to be expected. The project will have the time frame of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Weather or unforeseen conditions may modify the schedule. The CTDOT asks that motorist maintain a safe speed in the area. HOUSTON COUNTY, Ala. (WDHN) Two Houston County residents say they assisted police in a chase Sunday afternoon. According to Rickey Stokes News, multiple Houston County Sheriffs Deputies and Ashford Police officers responded to Oak Creek Lane off of Bluff Springs Road this afternoon after getting reports of multiple disorderly people, both male and female, yelling. Reports show one or more suspects then allegedly fled on foot between a trailer park on Oak Creek Lane and the cemetery at Bluff springs Church. Two witnesses and Houston County residents, Nick Francis and Kincaid Knight, tell WDHN they caught one of the suspects in the woods during the chase and held the man at gunpoint before police caught up to detain him. Francis claims the deputies thanked them for their assistance afterwards. Now the Houston County Sheriffs Department is leading the investigation and WDHN has reached out to them for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) In a time when LGBTQ+ individuals feel they have become targets by the Trump administration, small town events garnering support from the local community are paramount. Thats the belief of Clark County Pride, the organization behind the 5th Annual Rainbow Walk and Festival, which took place in La Center, Wash. on Sunday. Starlight Parade fills streets in downtown Portland Geared towards the celebration of queer identities, the event kicked off Pride Month, attracting around 200 people of all ages and beginning with a short parade on the La Center Bridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the parade, attendees told KOIN 6 News that the community response was so full of joy. Were getting so many waves and thumbs-ups and honks, said community member Lacey Meehan. Community member Lacey Meehan at the 5th Annual Rainbow Walk and Festival in La Center, Wash. on June 1, 2025. (KOIN) Although five counter-protesters made an appearance, holding up signs on the opposite side of the street, paradegoers drowned them out with even more honks and cheers. Lets make some noise! the parades leader shouted. Lets show these bigots what pride looks like! Map shows who in the PNW, rest of US might see the Northern Lights All of this culminated at a festival in Holley Park, with DJs, live music, food, a resource fair, as well as arts and crafts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kaycee Weaver, Clark County Prides event coordinator, told KOIN 6 News that ultimately the goal of this was to bring awareness in a place that doesnt have as many resources or support for those identifying as LGBTQ+. The 5th Annual Rainbow Walk and Festival in La Center, Wash. on June 1, 2025. (KOIN) Theres just not a lot of representation out here, Weaver said. We face a lot of difficulties finding support and resources for our area and we just want to be sure that were out here supporting people, letting them know that were here and we have a network. Community member Emily Lake echoed this, stressing how significant it is for people to show up for the queer community in a small town. Small town events are huge, she said. Everybody loves a pride parade, but showing up for your local community especially with school districts and everything its so important that you show up for the people closest to you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lake also noted how the festival has evolved since its inaugural event in 2021. Its way nicer this year than its been, she said. Ive come to this event for three years now and just seeing it grow and community grow, thats what pride is. Not about itself, not an individual, but all of us together. This parade and festival marked the first of more Pride events to come in the Clark County metro area this 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 KOIN.com. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Its the start of Pride month, which means there will be many events all over central Ohio celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. Many businesses and homes will start hanging up their rainbow decorations, but for the past two years, a local bar said its decorations have been stolen. Columbus music festival raises noise concerns The owner of Rumours, Jackie Sansavera, said instead of responding with frustration, theyre coming back with even more color. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were able to come up with something really great for the community to see as they drive by and something that cant be taken away, Sansavera said. Last year, NBC4 reported on the theft of Pride decorations throughout Merion Village and German Village, including at Rumours. Residents came together this year to help paint a rainbow mural on the fence at the bar to begin Pride month. We will never consider not having pride decorations, Sansavera said. Thats what we are. Its what we do. Its who we are. I think the whole point of people trying to steal that from you is so that you dont put it up, and well just make it louder and brighter and prettier and a little bit more fun every time. Ohio residents are among Americas biggest gamblers, according to recent study Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea to paint the fence was born after employees at Condado Tacos found out about the theft. They said it was the perfect way to put leftover paint to use. We wanted something that was going to be bright and bold and representative of the welcoming friendliness that Rumours provides to the area, Condado Tacos Art Director Alyssa Martin said. The fence is now a permanent and even brighter version of last years. Pride is such an ongoing and ever-growing movement and we just want to be able to participate in whatever way we can and support in whatever way we can, Condado Tacos Project Manager for Loca Restaurant Marketing and Art Olivia Dempsey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. DENVER (KDVR) Public health officials say there are additional locations now known to be potential measles exposure locations, and also that a recent international traveler at Denver International Airport led to three more measles cases. On Sunday, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and El Paso County Public Health announced that two unvaccinated, adult El Paso County residents had confirmed measles cases. Both adults, who are unrelated, were at DIA around the same time on Wednesday, May 14, and both are recovering at home. Measles is very contagious. Heres how to avoid it Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The health officials reported on Thursday that another Colorado passenger on Turkish Airlines flight 201 that arrived in Denver on May 13 has been confirmed to be positive for measles. The vaccinated adult, who is from Arapahoe County, is recovering at home. CDPHE said that this brings the total number of measles cases associated with an out-of-state traveler who flew while infectious to six. There were four people on the flight who were infected, including three Colorado residents, and two El Paso County residents who were at the airport. Heres where health officials say that individuals may have been exposed to measles. Anyone who was there should monitor for symptoms for 21 days after exposure, and avoid public gatherings or high-risk settings. Location Date/time When symptoms may develop Loves Travel Stop/Carls Jr. 748 22 Road Grand Junction, CO 81505 Tuesday, May 27 6 10 p.m. Through June 17 Maverick Gas Station 2588 Airport Rd. Colorado Springs, CO 80910 Wednesday, May 28 9 11:30 a.m. Through June 18 King Soopers 1750 W. Uintah St. Colorado Springs, CO 80904 Saturday, May 31 8:30 a.m. 12:45 p.m. Through June 21 The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, when given within 72 hours of exposure, can prevent infection. Its also the best way to protect yourself, according to health officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who was at the locations is asked to immediately contact their health care provider by phone, or call an urgent care or emergency department, where you should explain youve likely been exposed. Calling ahead prevents additional exposures. Measles is a highly contagious disease. Colorado health officials said that measles can spread through the air via coughs and sneezes, and can remain in the air up to two hours after the person has left. The officials said that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccines provide strong protection and is the best protection. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Gazans with boxes and bags of food delivered by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed and Israeli-approved organization, in Khan Yunis on Sunday. In Gaza, aid distribution has become a death trap. Mass casualties including scores of injured and killed among starving civilians due to gunshots this morning. This is according to reports from international medics on ground, posted Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), after learning that at least 31 people were killed and around 200 injured this Sunday morning in a new attack against the civilian population. The incident, attributed to the Israeli army, took place near one of the distribution points set up by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private group backed by Israel and the United States, in Rafah, in the south of the enclave, according to a statement from the Islamist group Hamas. Israel has denied involvement and blamed Hamas for the shooting. In addition, another person was killed and 32 others were injured at another aid distribution point on the Wadi Gaza Bridge, the militia added in its report. In total, according to its figures, in the six days since the chaotic start of the aid distribution by this foundation, which is operating outside the United Nations aid system, 49 people seeking food were killed and more than 300 were injured. The International Committee of the Red Cross in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories issued a statement this afternoon stating that in the early hours of June 1, its 60-bed field hospital in Rafah received a massive casualty influx of 179 cases, including women and children. It added: The majority suffered gunshot or shrapnel wounds. 21 patients were declared dead on arrival. According to the NGOs account, all the patients it treated in this incident stated that they were attacked while trying to reach an aid distribution site. This is the highest number of weapon-wounded in a single incident since the establishment of the field hospital over a year ago, the statement adds. It far surpassed the capacity of the hospital. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) teams at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis treated patients with serious injuries on Sunday. They had visible bullet wounds on their limbs and blood-soaked clothes, says Nour Alsaqa, communications officer for the NGO. They looked shattered and distressed after trying to get food for their children, returning wounded and empty-handed. According to testimony collected by MSF, Mansour Sami Abdi, a father of four, described the chaos: People fought over five pallets. They told us to take food and then fired from all sides. I ran 200 meters before I realized I had been shot. This is not help. Its a lie. Were supposed to go get food for our children and die? Smoke rises to the sky following an Israeli strike in Gaza City, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi) Jehad Alshrafi (AP) For its part, the GHF asserted this morning that it was false that incidents had occurred at the distribution points. The Israeli army announced, however, that it would investigate, and published its findings in the afternoon: Findings from an initial inquiry indicate that the IDF did not fire at civilians while they were near or within the humanitarian aid distribution site and that reports to this effect are false. The army urged the media to be cautious about information published by the terrorist organization. The military statement asserts that the Israeli army is cooperating with the American civilian organization and international aid organizations to facilitate distribution, preventing aid from falling into the hands of Hamas. The IDF accuses the Islamist militant group of doing everything possible to undermine its food distribution efforts. Later, Oren Marmorstein, a spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, posted a message on his X account blaming the Palestinian militia for the shootings and offering a video showing a person pointing a long-range weapon at others, but which could not be independently verified. The aid distribution system allowed by Israel in Gaza is humiliating, in Lazzarinis words. The entire population of Gaza, 2.1 million people, is on the brink of famine, in addition to lacking adequate medical care, clean water, and shelter due to the lack of basic supplies. For more than two months, Israel completely blocked the entry of any supplies. On May 18, Benjamin Netanyahus government announced it was reopening the door to aid trucks. Since then, barely a hundred trucks have entered each day, far below the 600 that the U.N. estimates are needed daily to cover basic needs. The UN has denounced in recent days that Israel is obstructing the distribution of this meager amount of aid. It does so by delaying the issuance of permits and proposing inappropriate routes that do not guarantee the safety of operations. The obstacles to delivering large-scale assistance to the population make the GHF distribution points virtually the only places where the hungry population can obtain food boxes. However, their location forces thousands of desperate people to walk tens of kilometers to an area virtually pulverized by heavy Israeli army bombardment. Alarms in Israel On the day the Jewish population celebrated the holiday of Shavuot on Sunday, commemorating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, alarms sounded across Israel when the army reported that a missile had been launched from Yemen. Meanwhile, bombing has continued on the Stripwhere nearly 54,500 people have died since the start of the Israeli military invasionand negotiations to reach a ceasefire continue. Israel and Hamas blame each other for the failure of the latest Arab and U.S. mediation attempt to secure a 60-day truce that would include the release of 18 live Israeli hostages and 10 dead ones out of the 59 remaining Hamas hostages in Gaza, in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli jails, and the necessary aid inflow. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition London Mayor Sadiq Khan reversed a ban on displaying decriminalizing abortion ads from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service charity on the city's transportation network. Khan called for an urgent review of the ban on ads calling on people to lobby members of Parliament ahead of an upcoming vote on whether to decriminalize abortion, which was ordered by Transport for London. The BPAS ads were placed across England and Wales, featuring anonymous stories of real women investigated by police and in some cases prosecuted after a termination or pregnancy loss. TFL decided to ban the ads, saying that they may shed a negative light on the Metropolitan Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to The Guardian, BPAS received a statement from TFL saying the ads "did not comply with TFL advertising policy because they made negative references about the police." BPAS planned to appeal the decision, taking the matter to the "highest levels" and seeking an "immediate in-depth explanation" as to why the ads were banned. "As chair of TFL, Sadiq is going to seek an urgent review of this decision. Women's voices must be heard," a source close to the mayor said. TFL previously approved pro-choice ads to run on buses from Doctors for Choice and Abortion Talk featuring the tagline, "Abortion is healthcare, not a crime." Last year, ads from Dignity in Dying were also approved to run on the network. The mayor hopes for a quick decision from the TFL with an understanding that the BPAS ads are not criticizing the police, but are calling for the law on abortion to be changed. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has used the opening day keynote of the inaugural SXSW London to criticize an inward-looking mentality, uncertainty and political turmoil in the U.S. As he laid out why London is a creative hotbed, a gateway to the world and a hub for talent, trade, tech and innovation, Khan threatened to reopen rifts between himself and Donald Trump. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We believe we can do business in a way that achieves commercial gains at the same time as advancing the common good, he said of the city over which he has presided for nearly a decade. So at the time when theres so much uncertainty and political turmoil across the pond, defined by an inward looking mentality, Im going to reach out to international investors, businesses and creators to say that London offers you the opposite. Khan and the POTUS have a chequered history. They have both been publicly critical of each other over the years, with Trump blasting Khans record on crime and calling him a stone cold loser, while Khan has described Trumps insults as childish. Khan used the opening SXSW speech to lay down a marker for Londons position on the world stage as the UK negotiates trade deals with the EU, India and U.S. London is somewhere that is resolutely pro-business, pro-growth and pro-freedom of expression and by new trade deals which means the UK is tearing down barriers to trade, not putting up walls theres never been a better time to come and create, collaborate and invest in our city, he added. Elsewhere, you might see uncertainty and efforts to wind back the clocks on human rights, on individual liberties, on freedom of press, on democracy, but not in London. In London, you find a city which stands strong as a bus against hate and a city which shines bright as a beacon of hope, of progress and of possibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the conversations taking place this week at SXSW are so consequential and reiterated a desire for London to be a global center for AI investment and innovation. Khan joked that his Texan friends who organize SXSW had brought the weather with them on a sunny opening SXSW day in the sometimes cold, grey and rainy UK capital. He described SXSW as a moment of creative synergy with Londons spirit meeting Austins swagger. Its like Big Ben started wearing cowboy boots and made a podcast, he joked. SXSW London runs all week, with the likes of Idris Elba and the CEOs of Letterboxd, OnlyFans and Twitch set to address crowds in Shoreditch, East London. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For an eminent barrister to regret a clumsy choice of words is rather like a distinguished heart surgeon owning up to being wobbly with a scalpel. Just as we ordinary folk expect pillars of the medical profession to be careful with our atrial chambers and pulmonary veins, so we pay Lord Hermer KC to be precise in language and wise in judgment. When the Attorney General delivers a setpiece speech that is the exact opposite, forcing him to make amends for having compared anyone who questions our membership of certain international conventions to a Nazi jurist, then he is advertising his own incompetence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As it happens, I wrote speeches for three Foreign Secretaries and one Prime Minister and even I could work out that it was best to avoid 1930s or Nazi references. Apart from my stubborn belief that Basil Fawlty was not a model of public oratory, the inevitable row would obliterate the message of the speech. And what was Lord Hermers message? I want to be fairer than he deserves and concentrate on his argument because I think he was trying to be reassuring. After 32 years at the Bar, he may even have changed his mind about something. Lord Hermer is trying to swim with the tide created by the Defence Review, published on Monday, which confirms plans to increase military spending to match the most perilous international situation arguably since 1945. It may sound strange but the Attorney General is re-positioning himself as, if not a hawk, then at least a realist. He denounced legal romantic idealists for being dangerously naive and willing to confine Britain to irrelevance in global affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, he argued that loyalty to international law was consistent with a hard-headed approach to British interests in a dangerous world. Lord Hermer failed to repeat a doctrine he outlined last year that Britain must not just obey international law but go further than simply meeting our obligations surely the essence of legal romantic idealism. But that was all of seven months ago; the new Lord Hermer no longer entertains such purism. He even thinks that treaties should be subjected to evidence-based criticism and proposals to reform while international organisations must avoid blindness or indifference to public sentiment in their member states. When a human rights barrister shows sympathy for public sentiment, you know that something is afoot. Ironically enough, Lord Hermers speech was his attempt to be moderate. He was trying to occupy the middle ground between romantic idealists on the one hand and pseudo-realists on the other, the latter being people who supposedly want to do away with international law altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there is a problem: he doesnt mean it. Look at the asymmetry of his language: the idealists are naive, but the pseudo-realists are imitating Nazis. And he stubbornly evades two central questions. Is it still the Governments position that Britain must go further than just obey international law? Or is that an example of Old Hermer-ism that is no longer operative? More seriously, why is it always wrong even shocking to withdraw from an international convention? They all provide for states to depart. Why would exercising that right imperil the whole system? Lord Hermer thinks that his critics want to pick and mix, breaking some elements of international agreements and obeying others. But if that were true, there would be no point withdrawing from any convention: we would just ignore them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that Robert Jenrick wants to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) does not make him an enemy of the rule of law. It just means that he wants to use the procedure for withdrawal in Article 58 because he believes that continued membership no longer serves the British people. What is so wrong with that? For example, the British people have a security interest in their government being able to deport foreign nationals who commit serious offences. Keeping them here, no matter how dangerous they might be, breaches the states obligation to protect its own people. Yet the courts have interpreted the ECHR in a way that effectively compels us to keep many foreign national offenders. Articles 3 and 8, which respectively prohibit torture and guarantee family life, are routinely used to defeat the states attempts to deport them. Some go on to re-offend. Foreigners who avoided deportation committed 10,000 crimes in Britain in one year, 2021-22, according to Ministry of Justice data. That is 10,000 avoidable human rights abuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why is it wrong to observe that membership of the ECHR collides with the right of people in the United Kingdom not to fall prey to foreign criminals who could otherwise have been expelled? Is placing membership of the ECHR above the safety of the British public not a pick and mix approach, and a pretty reprehensible one? Meanwhile, five European countries, including Finland and Poland, are withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention of 1997 which bans anti-personnel landmines. They believe they need these weapons to deter Russian invasion. Are they vandalising the international system? Should Britain be campaigning against their decision? I see no sign that we are. If our allies are allowed to leave a convention because it no longer serves their national interest, why cant we? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After all, the biggest catastrophe for Finland and Poland would be a failure to deter Russian aggression. A smaller but still grave catastrophe here in Britain was 10,000 avoidable human rights abuses in one year, particularly if you happened to be one of the victims. If you insist on remaining in every convention regardless of the consequences, isnt that more extreme and irresponsible than exercising the legal right to leave? Will you not open the way for politicians who might respond stay in the conventions, but just ignore them. Lord Hermer might be trying to re-brand himself as a moderate, but by placing membership of international conventions beyond question, he endangers what he wishes to preserve. 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. Peabody Award winners sounded the alarm on the threats to democratic norms, criminal justice reform and forward progress in diversity and inclusion goals as the 85th annual kudos were handed out Sunday in Beverly Hills. Meanwhile, Saturday Night Live chief Lorne Michaels spoke from the heart as he accepted the Peabodys Institutional Award for his enduring NBC sketch comedy series. Its the sixth Peabody in total collected by the storied late-night show that bowed in 1975. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Referring to the SNL50 specials that aired in February, Michaels said, All those people coming back from the first season on, all being in one room performing and applauding was one of the most moving experiences of my life. Michaels, 84, also made what seemed to be an oblique nod to the endless churn of speculation about the long-term plan for the show. Im not planning a sixtieth, he said after referencing SNL50. Getting to do what I get to do is sort of everything that makes me happy. Also makes me angry, he said. Michaels closed with a shout-out to the Peabody Awards, which are administered by the University of Georgias George Foster Peabody School of Communications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you come to the Peabodys, unlike other awards shows, you know youre in the right room. Its really an honor to be here, so thank you, he said. There were also numerous calls for support of public media and opposition to Trump administration efforts to gut federal funding for PBS, NPR and other public media and arts program. The larger subject of the administrations effort to slash federal spending in general was also decried by numerous winners as a violation of cherished democratic norms. Dave Biscobing, chief investigative reporter for the ABC affiliate in Phoenix, was hailed for his years-long dedication to producing a 32-part series that uncovered systemic police brutality and racism in local policing. Just a few days ago, Trumps Justice Department has retracted an earlier report that documented Biscobings work. They can retract the report, they can erase their words but theyll never erase what we did, Biscobing told the crowd. Not as long as all of us are here. Not as long as there are people like us to tell stories that matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthew Hashiguchi, the journalist behind the in-depth report The Only Doctor for the Reel South public media station, referenced the growing crisis in rural health care as he took in the kudo for his deep-dive report on the woman is the only physician around in a wide swath of rural Georgias Clay County. Dr. Karen Kinsell was on hand with Hashiguichi and received the first standing ovation of the night. Hashiguchi emphasized that she has no choice but to treat anyone in need regardless of their ability to pay. If Medicaid is cut, were going to need more people like her, he warned. The power of TV to affect change around the world was also highlighted with the kudo presented to Mr. Bates Vs. the Post Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The British narrative drama was an expose of the scandal that engulfed the nations Post Office system in the early aughts, and law enforcements ruthless pursuit of everyday people despite evidence of their innocence. Public reaction to Mr. Bates was so strong that there was retroactive efforts to bring justice to those wrongly accused even 20 years later. Producers James Strong and Patrick Spence Such is the power of television. Such is the power of a nation brought to rage by such a naked abuse of power, said producer Patrick Spence, who accepted with James Strong. May that be an inspiration to all of us. More to come (Pictured: Dave Biscobing, investigative reporter in Phoenix, accepts his Peabody for his 32-part series Policing Phoenix) Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Butler Hospital workers marching from their Blackstone Boulevard picket line react to a Rhode Island Public Transit Authority bus driver honking as they march along Wayland Avenue to Care New England's headquarters at Richmond Square in Providence. (Screenshot/SEIU 1199NE video) Two days after their work-sponsored health insurance expired, striking Butler Hospital workers marched two-and-a-half miles from the Providence psychiatric hospital to the headquarters of its parent company, Care New England. The demonstration marked week three of the strike, which began on May 15 and has seen approximately 800 unionized members SEIU 1199 New England cease work to protest what they call unfair labor practices, including subpar wages and inadequate safeguards around workplace violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We remain ready and willing to settle a fair contract and return to the patients who need us, Niki Anthony, a registered nurse and member of the unions bargaining committee, said in a statement Monday, adding that the workers marched on the headquarters to make the entire management team stop the delays and end the bad faith bargaining. According to a statement from Butler President and COO Mary Marran, negotiations will resume on Wednesday, June 4. Butler believes productive dialogue on meaningful issues is the best way to reach an agreement, Marran wrote. We are returning to the table with a steadfast commitment to constructive dialogue and the goal of reaching a fair and sustainable agreement. Marran also briefly described the tensions from last weeks attempts at negotiations, in which both parties sat down with agents of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) to hash it out. Wednesday and Thursday saw negotiating sessions take place over 11 hours, with no conclusion agreed upon even with the feds help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the evening of May 29, 2025, after conferring with the parties, FMCS mediators recommended concluding the bargaining session in order to allow the parties the opportunity to consider modifications to their positions, Marran wrote. But union members alleged the new set of contract proposals they offered that Thursday were strategically declined by the hospital. Its crystal clear management is using our access to healthcare as a weapon to break our resolve, said Dan Camp, who works in behavioral health call intake, in a statement Friday. Since then, workers health insurance has been officially terminated by the hospital. A May 19 letter from Butler management first informed union members they could lose medical, dental, and vision coverage on May 31 if they remained on strike. Other benefits including disability, life, and accident insurance had already lapsed on May 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hundreds of striking workers have since enrolled for new health coverage via HealthSource RI, the states insurance marketplace. According to SEIU 1199 New England, the union organized a crisis team to assist workers with one-on-one enrollment support ahead of the May 31 deadline. After negotiations stalled last week, Gov. Dan McKee issued a statement on the strike Friday, and penned a letter to the leaders of both sides. As I said before this strike began, my priority as Governor is the health and well-being of all Rhode Islanders I know you share that commitment, McKee wrote in his letter to Marran and SEIU 1199 Executive Vice President Jesse Martin. That is why I strongly urge both hospital leadership and the union to immediately return to the bargaining table to reach a fair and timely agreement, McKees letter continued. I know that you both take your responsibilities seriously and want what is in the best interest of the people you serve. Unionized Butler Hospital workers march to Care New England headquarters on Monday, June 2, 2025, as the strike enters its third week. (Video by SEIU 1199NE) SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Jacqueline Crenshaw turned 60 last year and celebrated with a $80,000 (59,000) party on a yacht. But she was hiding a secret from her 130 guests. She had been scammed by a man with whom shed been in an online relationship for a year. I learnt this three weeks before my party. Already $70,000 had been put into it. I couldnt cancel it, I had 130 guests coming, she says. Her boyfriend who she knew as Brandon Miller had promised to pay for everything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I had to scrape together another $12,000 to pay everyone. The party went off without a hitch. It was actually amazing, and no one knew. I was holding in this information. Gifts of such extravagant amounts are a hallmark of a type of fraud called pig-butchering scams, designed to effectively fatten up the victim by building trust and legitimacy. The fraudsters often push victims into making investments, which are never actually invested. Crenshaw is still calculating the scale of the scam, though experts think she was defrauded out of $1m, including credit cards taken out in her name. She should be looking forward to retirement, but thats no longer possible. I wanted companionship Crenshaw is a pillar of her community. She has worked in healthcare for more than 40 years, and manages a radiology team at the largest hospital in Connecticut. With no children, and 10 years out of her last serious relationship, in the early summer of 2023 she tried online dating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I thought I was one of the sharper tacks in the box, she says. It wasnt that I was lonely or anything like that. I have a big job, a busy job, but I was 59 and just wanted to share all the things. I had everything I needed, I didnt need anything from anyone. But I did want companionship. She signed up for a dating app called BLK, which advertises itself to black Americans. Crenshaw says: I talked to a couple of people, and I was like, I dont know if this is for me, but then there was this one particular picture. He had these blue eyes, and I thought, Wow, his eyes are really pretty. So I commented, and a day or so later he responded. He told her that he was a widower with two young children, originally from New York but working in Virginia. The children were in Brooklyn with their nanny or so Crenshaw was told. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They spoke every day over text messages and phone calls, but never on video. The one thing that most people ask, which is probably the craziest thing, is that I never saw his face, she says. But he built trust slowly, persistently, and she was eventually won over. After weeks and months of discussions, and messages supposedly from his children, they began talking about investing and cryptocurrencies. The scammer told her hed got into crypto during lockdown. Several weeks went by and then he started asking me about investing, she says. Crenshaw initially withdrew $40,000 from a retirement account, known as a 401(k), to invest, to which her boyfriend added $60,000, as a gift. Then he told her shed get a cheque for $100,000 as her return. Lo and behold, I got a cheque for $100,000, she says. The cheque was made out to me from a woman in Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This set off alarm bells. Worried that this was a fraud, Crenshaw went to her local police station in East Haven, Connecticut, in September 2023. The officer just blew me off: Ha ha ha, just see if it clears, he said. If he had taken five minutes and made a call, I wouldnt be talking to anyone about this right now. Still unsure, Crenshaw called the bank which had issued the cheque, but was reassured that it was a legitimate payment. She would later discover that the woman who had sent her the cheque had been told that she was an investor, and that shed sent more cheques to other investors. Romance scams of a whole new level Pig-butchering scams gain the trust of their victims over a long period, and usually combine an element of romance with the lure of making money through investment schemes or cryptocurrency. The assets involved can range from crypto to whisky, or holiday cottages abroad. These scams can be particularly devastating because they are combined with romance scams. Romance scams have come to prominence after the so-called Tinder Swindler was unmasked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victims are tricked into believing theyre in romantic relationships so they will lower their guard and feel obligated to help the fraudster, who they sometimes believe to be in financial difficulty. The Tinder Swindler Simon Leviev, who conned women he met online out of their life savings In the US, the Federal Trade Commission said that $823m was lost to romance scams in 2024, up from $547m in 2021. In the UK, the number of reported cases of romance fraud fell between 2023 and 2024, although levels are still nearly double what they were in 2020, according to industry body UK Finance. An estimated 30.5m was lost last year, with three quarters of the romance rackets beginning online. I thought he really cared about me he taught me how to pray Crenshaw was reassured when the $100,000 cheque cashed, and the relationship continued apace. Having looked after her late parents, and with six siblings and 50 nieces and nephews, she says it was a revelation to be the one being looked after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To keep my sanity, I label it a financial and emotional fraud. This person would have been the best boyfriend, best husband ever, always a step ahead of me. When I had doubts he used to talk me off the ledge. The other thing that I think helped bring my walls down is that we prayed every day. He taught me how to pray. It became a routine, it was every day. I thought, Wow, this person really cares about me. Ms Crenshaws online boyfriend sent her gifts for birthdays and Christmas. It was like someone was finally taking care of me, she says The busy hospital manager would return home from long shifts to find food deliveries on her porch. She was plied with gifts for birthdays and Christmas, including a pillow with both of their names on it. All this time, Im like, Oh my goodness, its finally my turn. He was like a gift from God. Someone was finally going to take care of me. Eventually, her boyfriend introduced a third person to their relationship: Mike, a broker, who helped to talk Crenshaw through more complicated investments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She opened multiple wallets, or accounts, online, drawing further on other retirement accounts, including taking $400,000 from a 403(b) retirement account. She also took out a $189,000 loan against her home. Emails showed that her investment profits had jumped to more than $1m. Her online partner began sending her $3m house listings for properties in upmarket parts of Connecticut that they could buy and move in together. He also promised to pay for her 60th birthday party as a grand romantic gesture. He offered a blank cheque but it was really her money he was using. The earth fell out from beneath me Months after shed approached them, the police department that she had initially contacted called. There had been an anonymous tip-off. She recalls that the officer said: Hi Jacqueline, we got an anonymous tip from a gentleman with a thick Indian accent, stating that you were being scammed and he felt sorry for you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She adds: It was like the earth fell out from beneath me. I was just paralysed, thinking of all the money. 0306 Romance Scam The police wanted Crenshaw to string the scammer along. But when he realised that she knew it was a fraud, he started using her details to apply for loans and credit cards. She says: Once he felt that I knew, I started getting decline letters from credit unions and credit cards. I was traumatised just going to the mailbox. She handed over as much evidence as she could, and reported the fraud to the state police. One wallet was traced to Nigeria, another to Singapore. In total, she estimates that the fraud has cost her $1m in losses, tax bills and loans taken out in her name. Its likely that her money is gone for good, and the real identity of her online boyfriend may never be known. I want to help people Crenshaw has decided to be open about her experience, in the hope that it will stop the same thing happening to someone else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes also supporting two fraud measures in the Connecticut state legislature one to allow law enforcement to seize illegal crypto wallets, and another to better train police about fraud. I just want to help people, because people have taken their lives. People are so fearful of the embarrassment, and thats why its not stopping. Its only got worse. Losses, massive, massive losses. Its just rampant. With AI, its going to get even worse, Crenshaw says. She should be thinking about retirement, but that seems a long way off now. Her home will have to be sold, as she tries to tackle her debts. She earns too much to file for bankruptcy, and so her only option is slowly paying off the loans as she can. I do look at the glass half-full because I have a good job and I have my health. I know that people would probably have had a stroke or a heart attack by now, because of the devastation, she says. Jonathan Frost, of international fraud consultancy firm BioCatch, says: The unfortunate assumption of those who havent been exposed to these situations tends to be that the victims are at fault or theyre somehow foolish. Its not the case at all. In fact, more often than not, they tend to be highly educated people. The social engineering aspect of it is so powerful that it overwhelms their otherwise good judgement. He says that Crenshaws case is notable because she was pushed to take money out of her home. This is part of what makes her case so devastating. One of the interesting aspects of this case is the equity release part of it. People tend to make the assumption that many victims are being robbed of, not necessarily spare cash, but cash. Whereas, in reality, a lot unfortunately end up divesting their assets in the course of these deceptions, Frost says. East Haven police were contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Hurricane season is now officially underway, and the Red Cross of Louisiana wants you to be prepared. Louisiana has reportedly been hit by a tropical storm or major hurricane 54 times since 1851, making it one of the most impacted states in the United States. The Red Cross is encouraging people to be prepared by planning to evacuate or shelter safely at home. Your evacuation plan should include knowing where to go, how to get there, and where to stay. The Red Cross says your stay-at-home plan should focus on gathering the right supplies to live safely without everyday resources. Karen McCoy, Executive Director of the Louisiana Red Cross, discussed the importance of planning during severe weather. Preparedness saves lives, and with more frequent and intense storms affecting Louisiana, were calling on neighbors to get ready now and to consider joining us in this lifesaving work. Whether you volunteer or donate, every action makes a difference, said McCoy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. To stay informed, download the free Red Cross Emergency App for real-time alerts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Louisianas insurance commissioner urges residents to prepare for hurricane season by checking their policies before a storm arrives. Preparedness tips on the Louisiana Department of Insurance website include checking deductibles details, taking pictures or video of items in the house to make the claims process easier if needed and keeping copies of policies and agent contact information. I urge all policyholders to Be Insurance Ready by reviewing your policies now and discussing potential out-of-pocket costs with your agent, Commissioner Tim Temple said. Its much better to know how to file a claim before your property is damaged than to try and figure out that process after the fact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch out for signs of insurance and contractor fraud to avoid being scammed. Tips from the Better Business Bureau include getting repair estimates in writing and avoiding handing over a check to a contractor before work starts. Anyone who suspects fraud can report it to LDI by calling 225-342-4956. Hurricane season is from June 1 to Nov. 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials said an above-normal season is expected with a forecasted range of 13 to 19 named storms. Temple suggested that residents download the LDIConnect app to access resources. Gulf policymakers detail efforts to brace for 2025 hurricanes Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The Senate Finance Committee approved the states operating budget for next year during a Sunday hearing. The bill will now head to the full Senate for debate. Afterward, it will return to the Louisiana House of Representatives for concurrence before heading to the Governor. The Senate committee restored $30 million in high-dose tutoring for K-12 students and maintained the $199 million appropriated for teacher stipends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of the budget bills collectively include funding for state agencies. Action by the committee utilizes an additional $60M in state general funds recognized after the Revenue Estimating Committee met last week. Gov. Jeff Landry signs bills to address Louisianas insurance crisis After hearing public testimony last week, the committee unanimously adopted a set of amendments that address many of the needs our communities and families depend upon, said Finance Chair Glen Womack. This is a responsible budget that brings some wins home for our state and I look forward to moving it favorably in the Senate. The 2025 Regular Legislative Session must adjourn no later than Thursday, June 12th, at 6:00 pm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Information from a press release from the Louisiana Legislature contributed to this report. Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, helped lead an effort to reduce funding in the state budget for a new private education voucher program that Gov. Jeff Landry has pushed. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) The Republican-led Louisiana Senate Finance Committee has removed public money meant to expand the use of private education vouchers in spite of the initiative being a priority for fellow Republican Gov. Jeff Landry. The committee agreed Sunday to cut $50 million from LA GATOR, Landrys initiative launching in the 2025-26 school year. The reduction will leave $44 million for the program, enough to continue covering private school tuition for 6,000 students who already receive state-funded vouchers. Landry and the Louisiana House wanted to put an additional $50 million into LA GATOR so the state could give out 5,300 new vouchers next school year, for approximately 11,300 overall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cut was one of the biggest shakeups in the Senate leaderships initial version of the $43 billion state budget unveiled Sunday. The Senate and House must come together to reach a compromise on the spending plan by June 12. Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, has been resolute in his opposition to giving out more vouchers in the coming year. For weeks, he has expressed concern that LA GATORs cost could grow faster than the state can afford it, and that the states existing voucher program hasnt resulted in better education outcomes for students enrolled in it. Still, Landry and conservative groups who back LA GATOR have been putting pressure on senators to keep the $50 million in the program. They are running advertisements and recently held a rally next to the Capitol pushing for additional vouchers for the program. Some senators were also reluctant to explain why the money had been removed Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Finance Committee Chairman Glen Womack, R-Harrisonburg, and Sen. Rick Edmonds, who sponsored the bill to set up LA GATOR last year, allowed the state budget bill with the cut to move forward, but they declined to comment after the committee meeting. Louisiana Education Superintendent Cade Brumley, one of LA GATORs biggest proponents, also refused to comment on the budget change after the committee hearing. Brumley said he had not had a chance to review the adjustment to the program yet. Yet based on the assumption that the number of vouchers offered would grow, Brumley had opened applications for the program across the state earlier this spring. Nearly 40,000 families have applied for the limited slots. At least some of the $50 million taken from LA GATOR is going to be used to restore $30 million to a targeted tutoring program for public elementary school students. Brumley attributed some of Louisianas success on national math and reading tests to the tutoring program and said he was grateful it had been added back into the budget. Landry, Senate hope for hundreds of millions in federal Medicaid funding The Republican Senate leaderships version of the budget also adds hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to the state Medicaid budget. The money would be used to pay physicians and hospitals a higher reimbursement rate for treating Medicaid patients. Landry asked the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services earlier this year to allow Louisianas medical providers to receive a rate for treating Medicaid patients closer to what private insurers provide. The federal government has not agreed pay the new rate yet. But if it does, it will increase Louisianas federal Medicaid funding by $500 million in the state budget cycle that starts June 1. Hundreds of millions of federal dollars could also be given to Louisiana to retroactively cover payments in the current budget year that ends June 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisianas request for more Medicaid funding comes at a time when President Donald Trump and U.S. House Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, are pushing for ways to reduce the nations overall spending on Medicaid. But the reimbursement rates are not expected to be affected by changes Congress is considering. UNO transfer to LSU System comes with debt relief The Senate has added $20 million in its budget proposal for the University of Louisiana System to pay off debt associated with the University of New Orleans, which is likely to move over to the LSU System this summer. The Senate has also included nearly $2 million for the UL System to continue a youth recreation partnership at UNO for another year and $450,000 for LSU to conduct an academic and finance audit of UNO in the next fiscal cycle. Sheriffs will get paid more to hold state inmates The Senate added $11.6 million to the budget in order to give local sheriffs $3 more per day per inmate to house state adult inmates in their local jails. Currently, sheriffs are paid $26.39 per day per inmate to house state prisoners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisiana keeps approximately 15,800 inmates in local parish jails instead of state prisons. This includes almost 2,000 state prisoners who are in transitional work programs, where they hold jobs at private businesses in the community while living at the jail. Louisiana DOGE gets money, staff to find efficiencies The Senate has added $1.5 million into the budget to support the so-called Louisiana DOGE initiative Landry set up to search for government efficiencies. The money will support 10 positions in Landrys Division of Administration to perform a financial review of government services statewide. Mount Etna, the Sicilian volcano that towers over the city of Catania in the east of the island, reawakened on Monday afternoon with a thunderous eruption that sent a column of smoke some five kilometers (3.1 miles) into the sky and generated lava flows. The Italian Civil Protection Agency has issued a red alert, although for the moment the activity is limited to the crater area, at an altitude of around 2,800 meters. In any case, the violent explosions of Europes most active volcano, accompanied by strong tremors, were heard in all the nearby towns. Despite the spectacular images, which quickly circulated on social media as there were many tourists on the slopes of the volcano at the time, the eruption is not currently affecting flights at Catania Airport. Air traffic is usually one of the first-affected aspects of Etnas periodic eruptions, but on this occasion, the wind is not blowing in the direction of the terminal, so operations have been able to continue. The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) in Catania reported that part of the volcanos southeastern crater wall, which formed in 2007 and has been the site of frequent eruptions in recent years, has likely collapsed. A pyroclastic flow has emerged from that location, while other lava fountains have also emerged at various points. A small flow of volcanic material has moved toward the Leone Valley, but has not surpassed its borders, and another modest flow has spilled into the Bove Valley. The tremors caused by the eruption have reached very high levels and are likely to increase, the agency said. Volcanic ash rises from the crater of Mount Etna on Monday. Giuseppe Distefano (AP) The eruption of Mount Etna in Sicily, seen from the town of Milo. GIUSEPPE DI STEFANO (REUTERS) Despite the spectacular images, the eruption is not currently affecting flights at Catania Airport. MARCO RESTIVO (REUTERS) The 3,000-meter volcano, the most active in Europe, is under constant surveillance and has been responsible for various episodes of destruction, such as the 1699 eruption that almost completely destroyed the city of Catania. The image shows the eruption as seen from the Italian city. Anadolu (Anadolu via Getty Images) The eruption of Mount Etna in Sicily, seen from the town of Milo. GIUSEPPE DI STEFANO (REUTERS) Columns of volcanic ash rise from Mount Etna. MARCO RESTIVO (REUTERS) The violent explosions of Europe's most active volcano, with strong tremors, have been heard in all nearby towns. Joachim Herrmann (REUTERS) The eruption seen from Catania on Monday. Fabrizio Villa (Getty Images) The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology has reported that part of the volcano's southeastern crater wall, which formed in 2007 and is the site of frequent eruptions in recent years, has likely collapsed. Joachim Herrmann (REUTERS) Situation under control I just spoke with the Institute of Volcanology, and everything is normal and under control, explained the mayor of Catania, Enrico Tarantino. There is no critical situation; it is a recurring phenomenon, and the volcanos surveillance system had already anticipated it and had blocked access to the summit areas. Its our mountain, and we know it. The volcanos activity had increased since 11 p.m. on Sunday. The eruption began at 2:39 a.m., and loud explosions were heard Monday morning. According to the INGV, the most recent episodes of similar intensity were recorded in February 2021 and in 2014. In recent months, the volcano has already experienced 14 eruptions of varying size, but this has been the most significant. Mount Etna, 3,403 meters high and with five craters at its summit, almost always emits a cloud of smoke of varying intensity, and small eruptions and ash fallout are frequent. The last notable eruption was last February, which offered such beautiful images that authorities had to monitor access to the site due to the influx of tourists seeking to witness it. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition AKRON, Ohio (WJW) Akron Police Department detectives are searching for two suspects after a Lyft driver was reportedly robbed of their vehicle early Sunday morning. Police were called to the area of 700 block of Garth Avenue for reports of a robbery around 3:15 a.m. Local Lyft driver says man opened fire on her vehicle: police Upon arrival, the spoke to a 32-year-old Lyft driver who said he picked up two male passengers on 25th Street SW, and then picked up two females along the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As they got closer to where they were supposed to be dropped off, one of the males reportedly took out a gun and told the driver to pull over and get out of the car. The two females were told to exit as well. VIDEO: Shootout with police near University of Akron The driver told police the two males then drove off with the Lyft drivers Honda Civic. Detectives were able to track down the vehicle, but it was found abandoned on the 800 block of Kickapoo Avenue. Those who may have information regarding the carjacking are asked to reach out to Akron detectives at 330-375-2490. Anonymous tips can be made to Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. One man was killed and another was injured in a machete attack in downtown L.A., authorities said. On Monday at 12:17 a.m., the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a report of an assault near 11th Street and Grand Avenue, police said. Officers found two men, one in his 60s and the other in his 30s, with injuries from a machete attack, according to the LAPD. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to take the victims to a hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man in his 60s was pronounced dead from his injuries, and the second man was hospitalized in stable condition, authorities said. Officers searched the area, arrested a male suspect and found the weapon, police said. More information, including the victims' and suspect's identities, wasn't released. 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. A wax figure of Emmanuel Macron was stolen from a Paris waxwork museum by several people claiming to be Greenpeace environmental activists. According to police sources, two women and a man entered the Musee Grevin, in central Paris and left through an emergency exit with the statue, worth 40,000 (33,700), hidden under a blanket. The activists took the waxwork to the Russian embassy and stood it on the street in protest against Frances economic ties with Russia. Jean-Francois Julliard, the director general of Greenpeace France, said: For us, France is playing a double game. Emmanuel Macron embodies this double discourse he supports Ukraine but encourages French companies to continue trading with Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are targeting Emmanuel Macron specifically because he has a particular responsibility in this situation, he added, saying that the president should be the first in European discussions to end trade agreements between Russia and European countries. France, along with Britain, has been at the forefront of attempts to forge a European coalition of the willing to provide security guarantees to Ukraine and enable peace negotiations with Russia. But in March, Greenpeace France released a scathing report that accused Paris of indirectly supporting Russias war in Ukraine through continued trade in fossil fuels, fertilisers and nuclear materials. While Mr Macron has pledged billions of euros in aid to Ukraine and reaffirmed sanctions against Russia, Greenpeace claims that France remains a major importer of Russian liquefied natural gas, fertilisers and uranium. The Macron waxwork in its usual place at the Grevin Museum - Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images In 2024, France became the largest European importer of Russian liquefied natural gas, with imports increasing by 80 per cent compared with 2023, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian companies benefitted from the deal to the tune of 3.1 billion despite declining domestic gas consumption, Greenpeace claimed. The report also underscored the EUs broader dependence on Russian fossil fuels, which have generated 206 billion in revenue for Moscow since the war began, exceeding financial aid provided to Ukraine. Frances reliance on Russian chemical fertilisers further complicates its stance, Greenpeace says. Between 2021 and 2023, imports of Russian fertilisers surged by 86 per cent as domestic production faltered because of gas shortages. The NGO warns that these imports indirectly finance Russias war effort through export taxes imposed by the Kremlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the nuclear sector, French collaboration with Russias state-owned nuclear giant Rosatom remains intact despite the war. Greenpeace highlighted Rosatoms dual role as a civilian and military entity, accusing it of complicity in war crimes at Ukraines Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Despite its strategic importance to Russias regime, neither France nor the EU has sanctioned Rosatom. Greenpeace accused France of hiding behind Hungarys veto on sanctioning Rosatom while continuing lucrative contracts with the company. 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 any fair measure, Donald Trumps second term has been challenging for U.S. intelligence agencies. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, for example, recently fired the leaders of the National Intelligence Council because it dared to produce accurate information the president didnt like. That coincided with reports of a Trump appointee trying to politicize intelligence, the White House moving forward with a major downsizing at U.S. intelligence agencies, and the presidents recent decision to fire the leadership of the National Security Agency, a key intelligence gathering department, as well as the National Security Councils director for intelligence. But perhaps most important is the fact that Trump tends to ignore intelligence briefings and reports, as NBC News reported that Gabbard is exploring new ways to revamp his intelligence briefings in order to bring them in line with how he likes to consume information. From the report: One idea thats been discussed is possibly creating a video version of the PDB thats made to look and feel like a Fox News broadcast, four of the people with direct knowledge of the discussions said. ... One idea that has been discussed is to transform the PDB so it mirrors a Fox News broadcast, according to four of the people with direct knowledge of the discussions. Under that concept as it has been discussed, the national intelligence directors office could hire a Fox News producer to produce it and one of the networks personalities to present it; Trump, an avid Fox News viewer, could then watch the broadcast PDB whenever he wanted. I can appreciate why this might seem amusing, but NBC News wasnt kidding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same report noted that one insider envisioned a new presidential daily briefing that would include maps with animated representations of exploding bombs, similar to a video game, apparently in the hopes of capturing the presidents attention. The problem with Trump is that he doesnt read, said one person with direct knowledge of the PDB discussions. Of course, thats only part of the problem. Not only does the Republican avoid reading briefing materials, he also doesnt want to receive in-person, oral presentations of intelligence, either. Politico reported last month that Trump, during his second term, has sat for just 12 presentations from intelligence officials of the Presidents Daily Brief, which represents a significant drop compared with the Republicans first term, and a vastly smaller number than the presentations for recent Democratic presidents. Time will tell whether Gabbards creative solutions are implemented how intelligence officials would give a Fox News producer the necessary security clearance would be an interesting challenge but hanging overheard is the inconvenient fact that Trump doesnt seem to want intelligence briefings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His record on this is long and unambiguous. During his transition process in 2016, for example, Trump skipped nearly all of his intelligence briefings. Asked why, the Republican told Fox News in December 2016, Well, I get it when I need it. ... I dont have to be told you know, Im, like, a smart person. As his inauguration drew closer, Trump acknowledged that he likes very short intelligence briefings. I like bullets, or I like as little as possible, he explained in January 2017. Around the same time, he added, I dont need, you know, 200-page reports on something that can be handled on a page. Things did not improve once he was in power. In early 2017, intelligence professionals went to great lengths to try to accommodate the presidents toddler-like attention span, preparing reports with lots of graphics and maps. National Security Council officials eventually learned that Trump was likely to stop reading important materials unless he saw his own name, so they included his name in as many paragraphs as possible. In August 2017, The Washington Post had a piece on then-White House National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster, who struggled to hold the attention of the president during briefings on Afghanistan. The article noted, [E]ven a single page of bullet points on the country seemed to tax the presidents attention span on the subject. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Trump confidant said at the time, I call the president the two-minute man. The president has patience for a half-page. In February 2018, the Post reported that Trump rarely, if ever read the PDB prepared for him. Months later, the Post had a separate report noting that the CIA and other agencies devoted enormous time, energy and resources to ensuring that Trump received key intelligence, but his seeming imperviousness to such material often renders all of that a waste. In early 2020, the Post reported that Trump missed the early alarms on the Covid threat in part because he routinely skips reading the PDB and had little patience for oral summaries of the intelligence. Exactly five years ago next week, The New York Times had a related report: The president veers off on tangents and getting him back on topic is difficult, they said. He has a short attention span and rarely, if ever, reads intelligence reports, relying instead on conservative media and his friends for information. He is unashamed to interrupt intelligence officers and riff based on tips or gossip. ... Mr. Trump rarely absorbs information that he disagrees with or that runs counter to his worldview, the officials said. Briefing him has been so great a challenge compared with his predecessors that the intelligence agencies have hired outside consultants to study how better to present information to him. It was an extraordinary revelation to consider: A sitting American president, in a time of multiple and dangerous crises, was so resistant to learning about security threats that his own countrys intelligence officials sought outside help to figure out how to get him to listen and focus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Will Gabbard figure out a way to get Trump to care about information he doesnt want to receive? Theres reason for skepticism. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Donald Trumps preoccupation with Joe Biden has appeared unhealthy for quite some time. On Memorial Day, for example, the Republican president promoted an online item that described his Democratic predecessor, who had recently been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, as a decrepit corpse. On Friday, the incumbent went further, urging people not to feel sympathy for Biden as he combats cancer because hes vicious. His claim was rooted in the absurd Republican conspiracy theory that Biden personally executed a secret plot that culminated in Trumps 2023 criminal indictments. But as it turns out, the day after the Republican president made these public comments at an Oval Office event, Trump apparently took an interest in an even more unhinged conspiracy theory. NBC News reported: President Donald Trump on Saturday night reposted a baseless claim on Truth Social that former President Joe Biden was executed in 2020 and replaced with clones or robots. The original post, made by an anonymous Truth Social user who often spreads outlandish claims, suggested that Biden was replaced with clones, doubles and robotic engineered soulless mindless entities. Periodically, the political world ponders a parlor game of sorts, based on an unfortunate question: Whats the most bananas idea Donald Trump has ever endorsed, promoted or amplified? The competition has long been fierce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, just in recent weeks, the current president has used his social media platform to amplify all kinds of truly bizarre claims and arguments, ranging from targeting Barack Obama with a military tribunal, accusing federal judges of committing acts tantamount to treason and sedition, to suggestions that Trump should be chosen to serve as the pope. But for those who partake in this little parlor game, theres clearly a new frontrunner. On Saturday night, Trump used his social media platform to amplify an item that claimed that Biden was secretly executed in 2020, at which point the public saw clones, doubles and robotic engineered soulless mindless entities that appeared to be the Delaware Democrat. To be sure, the Republican didnt personally write this message, but he nevertheless thought itd be a good idea to amplify the missive, bringing it to the attention of his millions of online followers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for why in the world Trump did this, The New York Times reported, The White House did not respond to requests for comment on the post about Mr. Biden, whom Mr. Trump has targeted for criticism almost daily since the start of his second term. Whether the incumbent president realizes this or not, hes gradually discrediting his own weird campaign against his predecessor. In recent weeks, fueled in part by the book Original Sin by CNNs Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, Trump has argued publicly and in apparent seriousness that the entire Biden administration was illegal, because the Democrat was so incapacitated that his presidency was reduced to autopen. But if the goal is to reinforce concerns about Bidens mental health and acuity, Trump has it backwards. Consider what this story would look like if their situations were reversed. Imagine Biden were in the White House right now, and he decided to use his social media account to amplify a message that accused Trump of being dead and replaced by robotic clones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I suspect that if the Democrat were to do this, there would be widespread concern that the president had gone completely around the bend. And yet, here we are. For those concerned about elderly presidents and their cognitive abilities, theres one key truth that shouldnt get lost in the shuffle: Biden isnt the one amplifying a message about his former rival secretly being a dead robot. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com When Donald Trump launched an unprecedented offensive against prominent law firms, the businesses faced a difficult decision: appease the president or fight back against the Republicans authoritarian-style assault. To date, four firms Jenner & Block, Perkins Coie, Susman Godfrey and WilmerHale chose the latter course, and at least so far, theyre undefeated in court. As The New York Times noted after WilmerHales latest victory, The ruling seemed to validate the strategy, embraced by a minority of firms, of fighting the administration instead of caving to a pressure campaign and making deals with Mr. Trump to avoid persecution. Those in the appeasement camp have had far less to celebrate. The Wall Street Journal reported: Support for the law firms that didnt make deals has been growing inside the offices of corporate executives. At least 11 big companies are moving work away from law firms that settled with the administration or are giving or intend to give more business to firms that have been targeted but refused to strike deals, according to general counsels at those companies and other people familiar with those decisions. ... In interviews, general counsels expressed concern about whether they could trust law firms that struck deals to fight for them in court and in negotiating big deals if they werent willing to stand up for themselves against Trump. The Journals report, which has not been independently verified by MSNBC or NBC News, added that the firms that cooperated with the White Houses offensive are confronting the awkward realization that their strategy backfired: The agreements were supposed to buy peace and allow the firms to move on, but in the weeks since they have caused rifts between partners, alienated some younger associates and created problems with some longtime clients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same article noted that one of the big firms lost an associate who wrote in his departure email that he refused to sleepwalk toward authoritarianism. This coincided with a recent New York Times report on four of the top partners at Paul Weiss one of the legal giants that gave in to the White House announcing that they are leaving to create their own law firm. Lets also not forget that some of these same firms are also starting to realize that their deals with the president are worse than they first realized. Im not privy to the internal deliberations at any of the firms that chose appeasement, but common sense suggests that many, if not all, of the firms that linked arms with Team Trump have second-guessed that decision. With this in mind, NBC News reported about a month ago that a progressive group has launched a media campaign targeting the same firms that reached deals with the president. Big law, stop bending the knee, reads a poster from the Big Law Cowards campaign by the liberal nonprofit group Demand Justice. The group says the ads will be wheatpasted strategically around Washington on Thursday near the locations of the firms that have reached deals with the administration. The group will also have a mobile billboard circulating with ads criticizing the firms, along with a broader digital campaign. In case this isnt obvious, the underlying point of these efforts isnt to chastise the firms for making the wrong decision; its to remind those firms that its not too late to reverse course and join the ranks of the firms resisting Trumps gambit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Will any of the firms abandon their existing deals? If one firm does it, will others follow? Watch this space. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Todays installment of campaign-related news items from across the country. * With 22 weeks to go in Virginias closely watched gubernatorial race, former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger has launched her first television ad of the election cycle. Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears has already launched two ads of her own. * In Alabama, with Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville forgoing re-election to run for governor, the GOP field to run for his Senate seat is growing. State Attorney General Steve Marshall threw his hat into the ring late last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * In Michigans gubernatorial race, the Democratic Governors Association Victory Fund began airing an ad last week targeting Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who was elected as a Democrat but is now running as an independent. * Amid speculation about the Democrats possible presidential ambitions, Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut is launching the American Mobilization Project, a new political action committee focused on opposing the Republican agenda. * Annie Andrews, a Democratic pediatrician who ran for Congress unsuccessfully in 2022, kicked off her first U.S. Senate campaign last week, hoping to take on Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham in his 2026 re-election race. * While Politico reported last week that former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown was unlikely to run again for the Senate, the Ohioans spokesperson soon after said the report was untrue, adding that Brown is considering all his options and hasnt ruled anything out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * And while June tends not to be an especially busy month for elections, Bolts magazine published a rundown of the races worth watching this month, starting with gubernatorial primaries in New Jersey next week. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Todays edition of quick hits. * The latest from Boulder: A man who law enforcement officials say used a 'makeshift flamethrower' to injure eight people in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday marching for the release of Hamas-held Israeli hostages has been charged with attempted murder, among other charges. The state of Colorado has charged the suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, with 42 counts, including eight counts of attempted first-degree murder after deliberation and eight counts of first-degree murder with extreme indifference. He was charged earlier Monday with a federal hate crime." * A dramatic attack deep inside Russia: It was a stunning, audacious attack whose widespread effects are only just becoming clear. Ukraine managed to smuggle 117 aerial drones on the backs of trucks that deposited them at the perimeter of four Russian air bases one of them deep inside Siberia some 2,500 miles from Ukraines borders, according to Ukrainian officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * On a related note, this is an interesting angle: President Trump was not informed of a recent Ukrainian attack on Russia, The Hills sister network NewsNation confirmed Sunday. An administration official told NewsNations Tanya Noury that the president was not given a heads-up about the drone attack that a Ukrainian security official alleged destroyed more than 40 planes well within Russian territory, according to The Associated Press. * In the Middle East: More than 20 people were killed on Sunday and more than 100 wounded when Palestinians who had gathered overnight in the hope of obtaining food from an aid distribution center in Gaza came under fire, according to local health officials. * Israels explanation for the same violence: An Israeli military official tells NBC News that Israeli soldiers fired warning shots toward several suspects about half-a-mile from an aid distribution center that was the site of a deadly attack in the Gaza Strip on Sunday. * So ICE seized a high school student by accident? Federal immigration officials on Monday said the Milford High School student who was arrested on his way to volleyball practice Saturday was not their intended target. Instead, ICE officers were looking for the teens father, said Patricia Hyde, field director of ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston, on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * In related news: Officers with the Department of Homeland Security briefly detained a staff member in Rep. Jerry Nadlers (D-N.Y.) Manhattan office during an incident on Wednesday, as protests took place outside an immigration courthouse in the same federal facility as the representatives office. * Approval is one thing, access is another: Moderna announced this weekend that the Food and Drug Administration approved its lower-dose Covid-19 vaccine for adults 65 and older, as well as people ages 12 to 64 with at least one medical condition that increases their risk for severe Covid. The approval, which is limited to individuals who have previously received a Covid vaccine, was granted by the FDA on Friday. * Tyler Hassen gets scrutiny: A Texas oil executive from Elon Musks government efficiency team has been given sweeping powers to overhaul the federal department that manages vast tracts of resource-rich public lands, but he hasnt divested his energy investments or filed an ethics commitment to break ties with companies that pose a conflict of interest, records show. * The demise of the Job Corps: The Department of Labor (DOL) announced this week it will pause operations at Job Corps centers nationwide, a move that has already gotten pushback from both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill. The department said Thursday it will begin a phased pause initiating an orderly transition for students, staff, and local communities. The pause will occur by June 30, the office said. See you tomorrow. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Jan. 6 rioter Pamela Hemphill has refused a pardon from President Donald Trump, and is now expecting him to come after her. More than 1,500 people who participated in the 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol have been pardoned by Trump this year. However, when Hemphill, from Idaho, was pardoned by the president on Jan. 20, the 72-year-old contacted Sen. James Risch, the Idaho Republican, to formally refuse and block it. Ms. Hemphills non-acceptance is noted, the pardons attorney office acknowledged on April 2, while a spokesperson for Risch told CBS News, Due to privacy concerns, we cannot disclose details about individual cases. Pamela Hemphill seen holding up a selfie stick. / FBI The grandmother, 72, spent 60 days in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges related to the riot in July, 2022. She explained her battle to refuse Trumps pardon to CBS and claimed she was expecting the president to mention her at any moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump will probably say, That ungrateful lady, Im going to make sure she gets back on probation and give her the worst you can give her. I wont be surprised, she said. We were guilty, period, Hemphill added. The pardons just contribute to their narrative, which is all lies, propaganda. One former MAGA member is refusing the pardon she got for her role in the January 6 riot. / Brent Stirton / Getty Images We all know that theyre gaslighting us. They are using January 6 to just continue Trumps narrative that the Justice Department was weaponized. They were not. When the FBI came to my home, oh my God, they were very professional. They treated me very good. Hemphills reaction to her pardon is out of the ordinary, according to former Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer, who was sacked by the Trump administration in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Jan. 6 defendants blew up our phones seeking a copy of their pardons. They wanted the copies quickly. They wanted it framed and signed, Oyer told CBS. Hemphill labelled Trump a felon on her social media in January. She told the Daily Beast last year she realized, I was trespassing. I had a choiceI could have left. Its a stark reversal from a post on Dec. 28, 2020, on Hemphills social media that read Its a WAR! and one day later when she posted, On my way to Washington DC January 6th. She was arrested two days after Jan. 6. Hemphill said she has had time to reflect on her actions, even if they have made her the target of MAGA hate. Some have labelled her an FBI plant and she also has also been targeted by former Proud Boy leader Enrique Tarrio on social media. How could you sleep at night taking a pardon when you know you were guilty? You know that everybody there was guilty. I couldnt live with myself. I have to be right with me. And with God, Hemphill said. Theres a concerted effort going on to tamper with the U.S. mail. Delivery times of mail through the U.S. Postal Service have become glacial. And Im beginning to think that the problem is the plan. The postal service recently announced it was cutting 10,000 jobs while partnering with Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to find further efficiencies in delivering the mail. One mans further efficiencies is another mans sabotaging of what used to be a reliable government service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of those so-called efficiencies has been to re-route the mail through 60 Regional Processing and Distribution Centers, often sending undelivered mail through understaffed stops on long journeys far from its eventual destination. For the first time in my life, I dont trust the mail. And Ive got good reason. My bank, Wells Fargo, put out a notice to customers, urging them not to pay bills through the mail because the delivery time was five or more days late for letters. Paying the bills through the U.S. Mail might result in late-payment fees on those bills due to long delivery delays, Wells Fargo advised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I mailed a first-class envelope to my son in Philadelphia on Friday, May 9. The postal clerk at the counter of the Boca Raton branch where I hand delivered the mail told me the mail would arrive at my sons apartment on Wednesday, May 14. More than two weeks after that due date, the envelope still hasnt arrived. Its apparently undergoing further efficiencies somewhere in America. And that wasnt an isolated incident. I mailed a birthday card in March that arrived in the middle of April weeks after the birthday had passed. It all seems very intentional. President Donald Trump has threatened to disband the postal services governing board, and consolidate his control over the mail service by putting it in the Department of Commerce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For years, right-wing think tanks have been arguing that the U.S. Postal Service should be replaced by private companies. The Heritage Foundation in its Blueprint for Balance: A Federal Budget for 2017 called for eliminating restrictions on competition in the postal business, including the prohibition on private delivery of letter mail. Making crippling cuts to the U.S. Postal Service, which then results in long delays of mail service seems more like a concerted attempt to turn the public against this public service. Cerabino: Don't tell Trump, but in Florida, voting by mail was once considered 'phenomenal' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The more well-founded dissatisfaction with mail delivery gets generated, the fewer the objections will be when the architects of this chaos move in for the kill. You might want to write to your Congressman about this on second thought, call. Frank Cerabino is a news columnist with The Palm Beach Post, which is part of the USA Today Florida Network. He can be reached at fcerabino@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: DOGEing the mail: Degrading "further efficiencies" in Postal Service At 33 years old, Helen Toner has had a long and eventful relationship with artificial intelligence (AI). Her defining moment was her entry onto the board of directors of OpenAI in 2021, but more so the way she left, shortly after voting to dismiss Sam Altman as CEO in November 2023. Toner declines to discuss that experience at the company that created ChatGPT, but she has previously shared her opinion: Altman was not honest with the board. We found out about ChatGPT on Twitter, Toner said. She also added that the executive had created a toxic atmosphere at the company, according to some executives. That battle ended with Altmans reinstatement. Toner now closely follows the development of AI in the defense industry and in China, two of her specialties, from the Center for Security and Emerging Technology at Georgetown University (CSET) in Washington. She has already testified before Congress about her vision for the future of AI, which she explains in this video interview. Question. Why do many users ascribe magical properties to AI? Answer. I would say there are two reasons. One obvious reason is the way weve learned about AI is through science fiction, and science fiction AI is usually infallible. Maybe its good, maybe its bad, but it always has the right answers and can do everything. Its role in fiction is similar to that of fairies, gods, or supernatural beings. A different answer could be that we have to change how we think about interacting with computers, because in the interaction were used to with computers, theyre very reliable. A calculator always gives you the right answer, it never stumbles on the third line of a long division. But [AI] are non-deterministic systems, they give different answers, theyre just pattern matching and theyre not carrying out this perfectly specified algorithm to solve your problems, its quite new and quite different. Q. How far will AI go? A. People talk as though theres a finish line, which is AGI, artificial general intelligence. If you try and dig into what that is, a lot of people imagine that its when AI is kind of like a human, as good as a human. But we know that AI is never going to have the same skill profile as a human. There are already things at which AI is much better than us, and others at which it is worse. Even if we achieve AI as good as a human, it will still be different. I dont think we will ever have robots that are as good as humans at social dancing, like salsa or swing dancing where youre improvising live with another human. It doesnt make sense to build something like that. But we will have very powerful AI systems, capable of surpassing humans in strategic or intellectual tasks. We talk as though there is an obvious destination, but in reality we dont know what the future will look like for AI systems to become more advanced. Q. What is your main concern with AI? A. I think there are many areas of concern. The bad scenarios that seem most likely to me are in the category where we choose to give more and more autonomy to the AI systems and we choose to embed them more and more in society and in the economy and the military. That would be step one. Step two could be many different scenarios. It could be that AIs start cooperating with each other and eventually take control of humans. It could be that we live in a world that kind of seems nice but its meaningless: scrolling TikTok all day and having nice junk food to eat but without very meaningful lives. Or that a small number of people start collaborating with the AIs, take control, and we end up in a totalitarian world, with a very concentrated kind of power. Q. Do you really think that can happen? A. I think it could go very, very badly. I think theres a much wider range of things that could go very, very wrong than just everyone dies. Maybe everyone will die, but that seems like a very specific scenario to focus on. Helen Toner, in a provided image. BASSEM MOUSSA Q. Were already seeing studies where AI is capable of manipulation. Are you concerned? A. It depends on what theyre trying to convince you of. A kind of persuasion that seems more realistic to me is AI-based cults or AI-based religions, where people believe that the AI is their friend and is looking out for them, and is a wise being they should follow and listen to. The history of human cults tells us that its pretty easy to found one and get people to do some pretty crazy things. So far, theyve usually involved a small number of people. Im sure were going to see AI-based cults. Q. It doesnt seem a trivial matter to create an AI capable of leading a cult. A. Its going to be interesting. At a minimum theres going to be a lot of people who have relationships with their AI partners. Q. How advanced is China in AI? A. It depends what part of the AI youre looking at. In more advanced systems, the U.S. is still ahead. I work in national security, and I think its harder to tell there. How AI is applied within the military will matter more. I would expect the U.S. to be doing better than China, but its not easy to tell, and its a different kind of problem than building more advanced models. When were talking about frontier models, thats also hard to measure. I dont know if Id say China is a year or two behind. The most recent data we have is the release of DeepSeek V3. DeepSeek released two models, and a lot of people were excited about R1, the reasoning model. But among people working in AI, a lot of people think the other one, V3, is more impressive. They released that one in December, and it was probably six to nine months behind the equivalent model in the U.S., and the reasoning model was about three or four months behind. But since then, U.S. companies have continued to make progress, and China still hasnt responded. Theyre currently six to twelve months behind, but that gap could widen with the implementation of chip export controls. Q. How afraid should we be of military AI? A. AI is a lot of different things. Its very natural and very reasonable for militaries to be using AI. All militaries have a huge administrative component, with human resources and finance, so it makes perfect sense for them to use it like businesses. It makes sense to use AI to process when you have far more imagery than your human analysts can look at. Theyve also tried to use it for what they call predictive maintenance: for example, if you have a bunch of helicopters and youre trying to figure out when you should be doing maintenance on them. It can better predict when a motor is going to burn out or when a different part needs to be replaced. Q. And autonomous weapons? A. The debates about AI and the military focus too much on that topic. And its only a small part of how AI could be used in the military. Focusing only on autonomous weapons is not the best approach. I tend to think that the more important thing for us to focus on is our existing laws of armed conflict, on international humanitarian law. Are you distinguishing between combatants and civilians? Are you responding proportionately to attacks? When we imagine scenarios where AI and warfare go very wrong, its often because, for example, civilians are being attacked instead of combatants. And that is already illegal under international law. Q. Will the AI business model always be subscription-based? A. I think the big money will come from businesses, not consumers. Because its a multipurpose technology, not just a fun chatbot that people carry in their pockets, it will be a very powerful tool for all kinds of economic productivity and innovation. So I imagine the revenue on the business side will be very large. Q. If AI doesnt advance further, does it already have the capacity to change the economy? A. Yes. General-purpose technologies, like AI, take decades to integrate into the economy. If all AI development stopped now, I dont know if it would be as huge of a transformation as people are forecasting, but I think certainly as big as the internet. The transition from having no internet to having it took decades. Even if we stopped now, there would still be a huge amount of work to do to integrate AI into healthcare, education, business processes, law, and finance. Q. And have we already reached the ceiling of what AI can do? A. I wouldnt bet on that. The story of the last 15 years in AI hasnt been one of huge innovations that completely change how AI is built, but rather small or medium-sized improvements they can stack on top of each other to keep getting more and more improvements. Right now, we have these large language models, chatbots, that weve become accustomed to. But companies are pushing in two main directions. One, reasoning models: teaching them to think step by step so they can work through harder problems. And two, agents: teaching them not just to chat with you in a little browser window, but to go out and do things for you and take actions and be productive. Well see big improvements there over the next 25 years. Q. It is impossible to predict in which direction. A. AI will change how the whole political economy of society works. Were in an unusual moment right now. There are many democratic countries where the people are in control in some meaningful way. But that seems to be starting to slip in some important countries. AI will reconfigure the balance of power, for example, in the labor market. How much power do workers have if they strike? How many soldiers are needed in an army if you have certain kinds of AI? Labor power will presumably decrease with AI. If we can end up in a world where people have their basic needs met and they have access to AI, that could be a wonderful world. But I do worry that the basic condition of humanity for most of history is might makes right and whoever has the power gets to do what they want, and people who dont have power lead much worse lives. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Jun. 2AUGUSTA Republicans are accusing Democrats of breaking state law by refusing to hold a public hearing on a citizen initiative that would make it easier for police to confiscate firearms from people who are in crisis. Gun safety groups have collected signatures for a fall referendum on a so-called red flag law, which would allow family members to directly petition a court to temporarily confiscate firearms from someone who is a danger to themselves or others. But that proposal has drawn opposition, not only from Republicans and gun rights groups, but from Gov. Janet Mills, who worked with sportsmen to craft the state's current yellow-flag law. The existing law can only be initiated by police and requires a mental health evaluation before a court petition may be filed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans oppose the red flag initiative and say state law and past precedent require lawmakers to hold a public hearing at the State House, which would give proponents and opponents a chance to make their case ahead of the November referendum. But Democrats argued that the Maine Constitution does not require a hearing and supersedes state law a reading Republicans challenged at a press conference Monday. Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth, said Friday that lawmakers didn't need to hold a public hearing, because sending it to the voters is "the appropriate path forward." She said the state constitution, which doesn't directly address the need for a hearing, supersedes a state law that says that every initiative "must be afforded a public hearing" unless waived by a vote of two-thirds of the Legislature. "The constitution is different than the statute, and I think the constitution actually takes precedence over the statute," said Carney, who added that the committee had discussed this course of action two weeks ago and Republicans did not object at the time. Rep. Rachel Henderson, R-Rumford, and a member of the Judiciary Committee, said Monday that failing to hold a hearing was "shameless display of abuse of power" and "a complete breach of the law." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart, R-Presque Isle, said Monday that he flagged his concerns about the committee chairs not planning to hold a hearing with Senate President Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, and urged her to follow state law and his reading of the constitution, which he said requires a public hearing if the initiative is presented while lawmakers are in session. "We're calling on them again to do the same thing, to do the right thing, to do the legal thing and schedule a hearing," Stewart said. "It's not that complicated. It's not that controversial. The pushback is coming from rogue committee members. The presiding officers need to get a handle on this." Laura Whitcomb, president of the Gun Owners of Maine, said her group was "exploring other legal avenues to assure the people of Maine get the public hearing they deserve." The Maine Gun Safety Coalition said Monday there is broad support for the red flag initiative and they welcome the debate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Gun lobby -backed politicians in Augusta are clearly just trying to use this life-saving policy as a means to score political points, but regardless we welcome a public debate any time, anywhere, and would remind them that a majority of Mainers support this common-sense tool that empowers family members to get help when a loved one is in danger and may pose a threat to themselves or others," Executive Director Nacole Palmer said in a written statement. Carney and Rep. Amy Kuhn, D-Falmouth, defended their decision in a joint written statement, saying members of the public will be able to weigh in when they vote. They said the constitution requires the question to go to voters, unless lawmakers enacted it without any changes, which is unlikely. "Given this constitutional process, we do not believe it is necessary or timely to hold a public hearing or further work on LD 1378 during this legislative session, while we still have hundreds of bills left for the full Legislature to vote on over the next few weeks," they said. "We believe the best and most direct way to hear from the public on this issue is through the referendum process, where every Maine voter will have a say." Assistant Senate Minority Leader Matt Harrington, R-Sanford, speculated the Democrats want to avoid a hearing on the red flag proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "One would argue that Sen. Carney doesn't want to hold a hearing on this because she knows that there are going to be a lot of voices out there that are opposed to the legislation many from her own side of the aisle," Harrington said. "Maine people deserve to have their input on this." Citizens initiatives that have qualified for the ballot first go to the Legislature. Lawmakers can adopt the proposal outright, send it to the voters in a referendum or send it to voters along with a competing measure. A different committee held a public hearing earlier this session on a different citizens initiative that would require residents to show a photo ID when casting a ballot and add restrictions to absentee voting. Attorney General Aaron Frey, a Democrat, would not comment on questions about the dispute sent through a spokesperson. Copy the Story Link Jun. 2A government-funded campaign has begun spraying insecticides and biological agents on 240,000 acres of Maine's North Woods infested with spruce budworm, a voracious forest pest that killed millions of spruce and fir trees during its last population explosion. JBI Helicopters began spraying tebufenozide over 9,000 acres in far western Maine on Thursday, said spokesman Jim Britt of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The spraying, approved by the Board of Pesticide Control in April, could last through June 25 of this year. The tebufenozide, which is sold under the brand name MIMIC, kills the budworm caterpillar by triggering a premature molt. A biological agent, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki, or Btk, is also authorized for use, but will likely be applied in much smaller amounts. It destroys the caterpillar's gut lining. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When applied properly, neither agent will harm people or most animals, according to Doug Van Hoewyk, a state toxicologist with pesticide board. Any caterpillar that eats it will die, however, including those that turn into beneficial moths and butterflies. Several beneficial moths and two state-threatened butterflies live in or near the targeted spraying area. Clayton's copper lays its eggs and collects nectar in shrubby cinquefoil stands in bogs, fens and streamside meadows, including some near New Sweden. The Arctic fritillary feeds and lays its eggs on dwarf willows in the mature coniferous forests of Big Twenty Township, Maine's northernmost community. "Maine has an important role in conserving the rare Clayton's copper butterfly," according to the species description posted by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. "This small metallic purple and bronze jewel is found only in Maine and just over the border in New Brunswick." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state agency identifies several threats to the species: floods that destroy the copper's eggs, larvae and host cinquefoil stands, forest succession that creates too much shade for the sun-loving cinquefoil to tolerate, and aerial insecticide spraying. A study published in Science in March found about one in five U.S. butterflies, or 22%, have disappeared over the last 20 years. Clayton's Copper and Arctic Fritillary were too rare to be included in the study, but seven of Maine's other 118 species showed some of the country's fastest declines. In its chapter on butterfly conservation, the authors of a 2023 field guide, "Butterflies of Maine and and the Canadian Maritime Provinces," warn that widespread budworm spraying has the potential to reduce butterfly abundance at both the population and landscape level. The early intervention strategy that Maine is using to spray on the leading edge of the outbreak will limit the geographic scope of the spraying, the authors say, but it "does not eliminate the threat of incidental spray impacts to butterflies." One of those authors leads the state's wildlife diversity division. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To protect these rare butterflies, JBI must not spray within a quarter-mile of habitat these species are likely to frequent. The quarter-mile buffer is recommended by the biological agent manufacturer and was written into the Maine Board of Pesticide Control's spray permit. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife "anticipates minimal impacts to these two species as a result of project activities," senior resource biologist Andrew Wood told Ked Coffin of Irving Woodlands, a leader of the Maine Budworm Response Coalition, in an April 20 letter. At a public forum on spruce budworm earlier this month, state wildlife biologists and pesticide regulators said Maine's solution to its budworm problem will be closely managed, and that it will not be as heavy-handed as Maine's response to the last outbreak. Last time, Maine approved the use of synthetic broad-spectrum insecticides toxic to non-caterpillar insects like bees, aquatic invertebrates and birds to keep trees alive long enough to harvest; this time, narrow-spectrum pesticides will be sprayed on hotspots before a full-fledged epidemic breaks out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The budworm response of my parents' generation does not need to be the response of today," said Maine Forest Service entomologist Allison Kanuti. "A successful early intervention strategy can keep forests healthy, supporting not only the economies that rely on them but also maintain wildlife habitat." Van Hoewyk, the state pesticide toxicologist, said tebufenozide does not build up in the blood, fat or muscle tissue of Maine's mammals, birds or bees, won't leach into the ground water and won't persist in the soil. It is slightly toxic for fish, but they excrete 90% of what they absorb in 15 days. What if an angler eats that fish? For reference sake, imagine a 2-pound trout had ingested a ridiculous amount of tebufenozide, or 300 milligrams. According to Van Hoewyk's back-of-the-napkin calculations, you'd have to eat a half million such trout in one setting to approach a lethal amount. "So there's hardly going to be any risk to anglers," Van Hoewyk said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The risk from Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki, the spores of a naturally occurring bacterium, is even lower and is approved for use in organic crop production, Van Hoewyk said. It is dormant until activated by the alkaline environment of a caterpillar's gut. Mammals such as humans have a highly acidic gut. The spraying is part of a $14 million spraying campaign funded with state, federal and private dollars to contain an outbreak that industry projects could cost the state economy an estimated $794 million a year and thousands of jobs, or 12% of the forest product industry's total workforce. Unlike forest pests like the emerald ash borer, which is an invasive species, spruce budworm is a Maine native. But every 40 years or so, the population explodes, killing up to two-thirds of the spruce trees in its path and 97% of the fir trees. The last outbreak killed an estimated 7 million trees. But the spruce-fir forests in Maine's colder, higher-elevation regions provide wildlife benefits, too, by creating unique habitats for Bicknell's thrush, which Maine added to its endangered species list last year. Also, fir and spruce forests provide critical deer wintering areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A budworm outbreak also could reduce the amount of heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions removed from the atmosphere by Maine's spruce-fir forests by 5%-16%, depending on the severity, according to Professor Adam Daigneault, director of the University of Maine's School of Forest Resources. The hotspots popping up in Maine are connected to a massive outbreak in Quebec that began in 2006. By 2020, over 33.5 million acres had been damaged. Aerial spotters found 850 discolored acres in northern Aroostook County in 2021. Last year, the found 3,000 denuded acres near Little East Lake. While Quebec is in the throes of a full-fledged outbreak, Maine hopes to follow New Brunswick's lead and use targeting spraying in areas where they have found a lot of overwintering eggs to contain budworm population before it reaches full outbreak status. The state has approved spraying in 34 towns in Aroostook County, from Allagash to Wallagrass. Although the pesticides are considered non-toxic, many of the logging roads that crisscross the largely unpopulated area will be blocked to keep people out of the area during spraying days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To limit the already low risk, JBI will steer clear of rare butterfly habitats, rivers, lakes and streams and populated areas with high budworm larval counts like Fort Kent and target the upper canopy only, where spruce budworm caterpillars are known to feed, to minimize on-the-ground impact. JBI planes are equipped with GPS-guided delivery systems, digital mapping and automated navigation to minimize the risk of aerial drift. And the planes will sit idle on windy or rainy days. The state's spruce budworm taskforce will share spraying plans as they develop at sprucebudwormmaine.org. Most environmental advocates didn't want to talk about Maine's budworm spraying plan. Pete McKinley, a senior conservation biologist in The Wilderness Society, was one of the few to voice a concern, but even he admitted that he wasn't sure if he'd ask the state to stop spraying. McKinley said he isn't sure if the spraying program is worth it or a budworm outbreak is all bad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An outbreak would wreak havoc on the forest economy, tank the North Woods' carbon storage capacity and destroy habitat for spruce-fir dependent wildlife. But budworms are a native Maine species, and outbreaks are great for many forest songbirds and predators that thrive on edge habitat. In his long career, McKinley has worked for a land trust, a birding group and a timber management company. He loves Maine's boreal forest, but he doesn't like spray advocates likening an outbreak to a wildfire. Budworm doesn't kill people. It doesn't even kill all spruce or fir. The last outbreak left a trail of dead trees behind for woodpeckers, he said. It created dense young balsam-fir stands that provided food and cover for snowshoe hares, whose resulting population boom helped increase the ranks of the endangered Canada lynx. Budworm outbreaks provide "a bonanza of primo bird meat" for more than 40 species of migratory songbirds, McKinley said, including budworm specialists such as the Tennessee, Cape May and Bay-breasted warblers. McKinley spent five years as a forest songbird researcher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These warblers time their breeding cycles to coincide with peak budworm caterpillar season, relying on them as a source of high-energy food that helps fuel their very costly flight from Central and South America to their breeding grounds in Maine and Canada, McKinley said. "Will they go extinct or disappear from Maine if they spray?" McKinley asked "No, probably not, but it won't be good for them. Most will switch to another insect. Without any caterpillars at all, though, the competition for what insects remain will be fierce another stressor on already stressed species." A 1998 study out of Canada suggests the stress will pose little risk to these forest songbirds. The Canadian wildlife agency found nestling survival and growth of Tennessee warblers in New Brunswick were mostly unaffected by the spraying or the indirect effects of prey reduction. The study found nests in treated areas had smaller clutches, smaller broods and lower hatch rates than those in untreated areas, but described these differences as statistically insignificant. Female warblers in spray areas spent more time foraging and less time at their nests, but it did not affect survivorship. State regulators say they understand the public is concerned about the impacts of aerial insecticide treatments on wildlife. That concern is not only valid, but it is also shared by the people who are leading the budworm prevention effort, said Britt, the agriculture spokesman. The treatments in Northern Maine are part of a carefully designed, science-based early intervention strategy to prevent a crisis, not respond to one," Britt said. "Acting early allows us to treat fewer acres less often and, more precisely, reduces long-term product use and forest damage." Note: This story was updated June 2 to correct a reference to the Canadian wildlife study. Differences measured regarding impacts on songbirds were not statistically significant. Copy the Story Link The majority of the $200 billion Bill Gates plans to give away over the next 20 years through the Gates Foundation will be used to promote development and innovation in Africa, the philanthropist said. The organization, in a statement on Monday that carried the co-founders announcement, acknowledged the current headwinds, but highlighted examples of government-backed innovation in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria, as well as the potential for AI in the fields of healthcare and education. Gates will be meeting with several of Africas AI leaders at an event in Nigeria later this week, the statement said. Gates told Semafors Yinka Adegoke in an interview in May that he planned to use his foundation to give away virtually all of his wealth and then sunset his iconic foundation in 2045. He added that the $200 billion estimated spend twice the amount given away since the foundation was founded will still struggle to plug the hole left by USAID and other foreign aid rollbacks in recent months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive always been inspired by the hard work of Africans even in places with very limited resources, Gates said in a speech at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa on Monday. By unleashing human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity and that path is an exciting thing to be part of. A male who appeared to be in his late teens was fatally shot in the West Pullman neighborhood on Sunday morning, according to Chicago police. The shooting took place in the 11900 block of South Wallace Street around 3:08 a.m. on Sunday. Upon arriving at the scene, officers said they spoke with a witness who said the male was in an alley when they heard gunshots. The witness then relocated to where the victim was and found him in alley with a gunshot wound to the head. The Chicago Fire Department provided aid to the victim, who was subsequently pronounced dead on scene. The Cook County medical examiners office has not yet released the victims exact age and identity. No one is in custody. Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department officials announced that a man has been arrested in connection with a shooting that left a civilian and a police officer from Baldwin Park dead. The man, described by deputies as the person believed to have shot and murdered a male adult then shot and murdered a Baldwin Park police officer, was detained on Saturday the night of the shooting LASD said Tuesday. He was identified as 22-year-old Eduardo Roberto Medina-Berumen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medina-Berumen has been booked on suspicion of two counts of murder, LASD said, and he remains hospitalized in stable condition Tuesday. Upon being discharged, he will be transferred to a jail facility. Police officers cordon off an area near the site of a shooting in Baldwin Park on May 31, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by I RYU/VCG via Getty Images) Police officers cordon off an area near the site of a shooting in Baldwin Park on May 31, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by I RYU/VCG via Getty Images) Law enforcement work to investigate a shooting scene at 4200 Block Filhurst Avenue on Sunday, June 1, 2025 in Baldwin Park, CA, after the shooting left one officer dead and another wounded. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on May 31, 2025. (RMG) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on May 31, 2025. (RMG) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on May 31, 2025. (RMG) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on May 31, 2025. (Citizen) The 22-year-old is being held on $4 million bail. King of the Hill actor killed in shooting Officers with the Baldwin Park Police Department originally responded to the 4200 block of Filhurst Avenue around 7:15 p.m. Saturday on a call of a man firing a rifle in the street; upon arriving, they were shot at by the suspect, according to L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna. One of the first responders who was shot at, Baldwin Park Police Department Officer Samuel Sam Riveros, was airlifted to USC Memorial Hospital but died of his wounds there. Another officer within that department, Anthony Pimentel, was also shot but has since been released from the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities also found a man suffering from gunshot wounds in the area. He was taken to a hospital but was pronounced deceased there, and investigators believe this individual, who has not been formally identified, was also fatally shot by Medina-Berumen. Officer Samuel Riveros as seen in a photo released by the Baldwin Park Police Department. Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact LASDs Homicide Bureau: 323-890-5500. Information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org. The case is set to be presented to the L.A. County District Attorneys Office in the coming days. Video below: KTLA coverage of the Baldwin Park officer-involved shooting from Saturday, May 31. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. ELKINS, W.Va. (WBOY) A man with three active felony warrants was arrested on Saturday after trying to escape through the basement of a residence. Pete Perez According to a press release from the Randolph County Sheriffs Office, deputies and the troopers Beverly/Randolph County detachment of the West Virginia State Police responded to the Mabie area on May 31 for a felony fugitive apprehension attempt. Man accused of sexually assaulting woman at Upshur County gas station Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Police had been searching for 45-year-old Pete Perez who had three warrants from an investigation, charging him with child neglect with gross risk of injury, distribution and displaying child phonography and soliciting a minor via computer. Law enforcement was able to apprehend Perez without incident. He was booked into the Tygart Valley Regional Jail the same day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BEREA, Ky. (FOX 56) Deputies in Madison County worked with Kentucky State Police troopers to find a man accused of attacking two people with a knife on Saturday. The Madison County Sheriffs Office (MCSO) posted on Facebook that after being dispatched to Owsley Fork Road in response to reports of a stabbing, deputies found a man and woman who had suffered cuts consistent with a knife attack. Law enforcement identified the suspect as 34-year-old James Cochran, who was arrested and lodged in the Madison County Detention Center, according to a Facebook post by the MCSO around 9 a.m. on Sunday. According to the sheriffs office, Cochran was charged with attempted murder and first-degree assault. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was lodged in the Madison County Detention Center. Deputies wrote that a man who was attacked had been treated at the scene, and a woman was taken to the University of Kentucky Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries. The knife attack 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. Police have identified a suspect accused of throwing baggies containing antisemitic messages into the front yards in two Western Pennsylvania counties. Around two weeks ago, police collected over 100 fliers just in Squirrel Hill, plus some in Shadyside and Peters Township, Washington County. Now, Jeremy Brokaw, 45, of Zanesville, Ohio, has been issued more than 160 traffic citations. Police said each citation carries a $300 fine, which in total is around $48,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Pittsburgh Public Safety said that Peters Township, Washington County, also issued the same citations for violations in that jurisdiction. The spokesperson added that the district attorney was only able to charge for traffic citations, saying that the person did not make threats and was within his First Amendment rights. Last month, witnesses said a Dodge Durango with Ohio license plates and three to four people inside tossed the baggies out of the car window while yelling slurs. The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh said they know the national group behind this, which is known for flyers with a shock factor. The Jewish Federation added that this group usually operates under the cover of darkness, which makes this all the more frightening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With this particular group, they were so blatant, they did this in broad daylight, between 6-8 p.m., Shawn Brokos with the Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh said. People were out, it was a beautiful night. Its disturbing to see them escalating and being so vocal about it. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Thousands of Latin American students headed to the United States are feeling doubly victimized by Donald Trumps attacks these days: for being university students, and for being Latinos. Of all the battles the Republican has launched in four months, the one hes waging against universities has proven the most surprising. Economic warfare and persecution of immigrants were part of the presidents campaign promises, but no one could have predicted his interest in destroying what is widely considered the best academic environment in the world. EL PAIS spoke with four young Latin Americans who, until very recently, felt privileged. They thought they had achieved the ultimate goal: a spot among thousands of candidates from around the world, but now President Trump doesnt want them in American classrooms. Last week, his administration ordered all embassies to cancel student visa interviews. In the 2023-2024 academic year, 1,100,000 foreigners studied at universities in the country. But Trump now dreams of a United States with fewer university students and fewer foreigners. Regarding the defunding of universities, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt tried to explain the unexplainable a few days ago: Apprentinships [sic], electricians, plumbers we need more of those in our country, and less LGBTQ graduate majors from Harvard University. Many of the students who will arrive in the United States between August and September are currently in the middle of the visa process, while others have already obtained one. But with or without a visa, they all feel singled out: they are beginning to believe they are coming to study in a country where they are no longer welcome. Manuel Beltran 28 years old, Colombia For Manuel Beltran, going to study in the United States isnt an individual project. Hell be the one sitting in the classrooms at Columbia University, but his familys dream travels with him. The effort of those of us who come from the global south is collective and familial, he says over the phone from Bogota. Getting a spot at one of the worlds most prestigious universities is an obstacle course. Beltran spent more than a year preparing for admission, put his career on hold, and did the math with his parents. He was clear that the experience would be worth it and would be key to his future upon his return to Colombia, where he hopes to work in public administration. These previous months should have been filled with excitement, but instead theyre becoming filled with anxiety. His parents call him almost daily, and are very scared by the news coming in daily from the United States. The latest is the cancellation of visas for Chinese students; there was also the suspension of student visa interviews. Manuels F-1 visa arrived just four days before that announcement. Its a relief, but its not enough. My parents think even my personal safety could be at risk. I dont know if well encounter xenophobia or exclusion; being Latino in the United States could be a problem, he notes. In Trumps offensive against universities, only Harvard has spoken out and clearly opposed the governments pressure. Other institutions have opted to handle the Republican administrations demands in a more docile way to avoid further cuts to federal funding. Columbia was the first major university to suffer cuts, and funding options for international students disappeared overnight. It was the first blow for Beltran. Then, the possibility of a Fulbright scholarship, the emblematic federally funded study abroad program that is also a victim of the cuts, vanished. The financial burden will be borne by my family, but now the uncertainty is whether we will even be accepted or welcomed in the United States. Determined not to change the life plan hes invested so much in, Beltran is looking for accommodation in New York, where he will arrive in August. Columbia University has contacted him and the rest of the prospective students from time to time to inquire about their immigration and visa status, but not much more. I understand its part of the American academic system: were their clients; if someone doesnt show up, therell be someone else in line to take their spot. Antay Miranda 23 years old, Chile What Antay Miranda is feeling these days is anguish. With an approved scholarship to become an exchange student at San Diego State University and a plane ticket already purchased, shes just waiting for her visa. I was very excited until a week ago. But now the American dream is turning into a nightmare. I have mixed feelings. I want to be there to open new horizons, but at the same time, I feel uncertainty and fear that I might be discriminated against, she says in a telephone conversation. Concern has grown. In Chile, the only Latin American country in the visa waiver program with the United States, there have been cases of last-minute visa revocations, as acknowledged by the Foreign Minister of Gabriel Borics government, Alberto van Klaveren. Although Donald Trumps measures are not specifically focused on the South American country, they are beginning to affect some Chileans, including those studying at Harvard University. The latest salvo was the suspension of visas for exchange students. Thats what unnerved Antay: I was surprised. I have an appointment at the U.S. Consulate in Chile next week. I dont know if theyll approve it or not. If they reject it, Ive already invested money, and its money no one will get back for me. I regret having bought the ticket. Antay is considering what to do next. She thinks she chose the wrong exchange destination and that it would have been better to look to Europe: I feel sorry and want to cry. I thought now was the time for the opportunity in the United States. Maria Ruiz wants to study a master's degree in photojournalism at the International Center of Photography in New York. Maria Ruiz 31 years old, Mexican Maria believed the biggest obstacle would be financial, but since being accepted into the Masters program in Photojournalism and Documentary Film at the International Center of Photography in New York, she hasnt let the uncertainty, the anti-immigrant climate, or the latest news about the freeze on student visa appointments dampen her hopes of fulfilling her dream. I knew the immigration and visa issues had become more complicated under Trump, but Id been told that student visas were much easier, she says a day after the new measures were announced. Although she doesnt have an appointment yet because shes still in the process of obtaining her Mexican passport, she isnt giving up. The school sent us an email saying they havent received any notifications and that we should continue with our paperwork. They also told us that if we havent had an appointment yet, theyll offer us a pre-appointment session to prepare. Some classmates were worried because we have to pay for the first part of the course this Saturday, but they told us that if they reject our visa, theyll refund our money. Until recently, her biggest concern was finding the money to pay for the program, where shes one of only 18 people accepted from around the world out of hundreds of applications. She even opened a donation page to try to raise the $15,000 it will cost for her masters degree, but this Thursday she received the news that shell be awarded a full scholarship. The joy is bittersweet amid so many uncertainties. Whatever happens next, she takes solace in the fact that even if she doesnt make it this year, the school will hold her spot until 2027. I think its a time when we also have to share whats happening, right? Beyond the fear, Id like to do it. Anonymous 29 years old, Cuban Its hard to be Cuban and not feel worried. Although she prefers not to give her name for fear of reprisals, she doesnt want to hold back from explaining what the climate of terror Trump has created means for so many people, especially Cubans. Next academic year, this 29-year-old Cuban woman, who lives in Spain, has a spot to study for a PhD at the University of Pennsylvania. She is grateful for the support of the university, which has guaranteed her position, but the fear is always there. As a Cuban, I feel very sad because of the feeling that freedom of expression is difficult to maintain. It makes me feel infinitely helpless to have to check my social media accounts to delete or silence any ideas that might jeopardize my admission and permanence in a doctoral program. She wants to study in the United States because she sees it as a unique opportunity, but feels constantly at risk. I still believe its a country with many opportunities and whose universities have an academic prestige and scientific rigor that I dont think will fade so easily or in such a short time. Her plan to fly there in September remains firm, although she wont feel completely at ease now or then: Being Cuban makes me three times more concerned and I have to act before many things happen. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition FOREST HILLS, Queens (PIX11) A Queens man is accused of hoarding dozens of dogs in a filthy, cramped apartment, three of which were too sick to be saved, authorities said. Isaac Yadgarov, 37, was arraigned Monday on animal neglect and abuse charges for allegedly keeping 48 Belgian Malinois in his one-bedroom apartment on 62nd Road in Forest Hills, according to prosecutors. More Local News On May 8, officials allegedly found the animals living in a tiny apartment filled with feces, urine, and debris. The dogs were unable to move around in the small space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the rescue, three dogs were euthanized, and the others were taken to the ASPCA and Animal Care Centers of NYC for medical treatment and eventual adoption, according to court records. Yadgarov had allegedly agreed to surrender the dogs the day before the rescue and was not in the apartment because he had been evicted, prosecutors said. He surrendered to police about a week later. Yadgarov was charged with 48 counts of overloading, overdriving, torturing animals, and 48 counts of failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter, authorities said. Sadly, it is not uncommon to see large-scale cruelty and hoarding cases in New York City, with too many animals living in crowded, unsanitary, and unsustainable conditions, said Ellen Curtis, chief programs officer at Animal Care Centers of NYC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yadgarov is due back in court on Aug. 5 and faces up to a year in jail if convicted, prosecutors said. His attorney could not be reached Monday. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Two members of the Nashville Fire Department were injured while responding to a call in the Edgefield area of East Nashville Saturday afternoon, leading to one mans arrest. The Metro Nashville Police Department said NFD personnel responded to a report of two people passed out inside a vehicle at the intersection of Fatherland Street and South 6th Street around 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 31. When personnel arrived, 44-year-old Anthony Maynard Jr. had regained consciousness, but his female passenger was unresponsive. 1 charged after 2 killed, 1 injured in Columbia shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to authorities, Maynard became combative while one paramedic was assisting him. Then, while the other first responder tried to help the passenger, Maynard allegedly accelerated the car, injuring both NFD employees. Officials said the two first responders were transported to a local hospital to be treated for non-critical injuries. Meanwhile, police said the Kia was found a short time later, stopped at the intersection of Marina Street and Myrtle Street, with both Maynard and his passenger unconscious inside. Motorcyclist critically injured after multi-vehicle crash on I-440 in Nashville Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to law enforcement, Maynard became combative with officers, but he was eventually taken into custody. Authorities also provided Narcan to the passenger, who reportedly recovered. Officials said Maynard who was driving on a revoked license admitted during an interview that he didnt remember the incident due to taking narcotics. He is being held on a $45,500 bond for two counts of aggravated assault on a first responder, driving under the influence, and resisting arrest. No additional details have been released about this incident. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Brandon Isabelle, the man accused of shooting his girlfriend to death and throwing their newborn baby into the Mississippi River in 2022, was supposed to stand trial on Monday morning, but new information means the family must wait longer. Isabelle was indicted in the murders of Danielle Hoyle and her two-day-old baby, Kennedy. Isabelle will still be in court on Monday for a status hearing, but his trial date has been pushed back to September of this year. He is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and neglect, and aggravated kidnapping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A family is still seeking justice after the tragic deaths of their loved ones. Its been more than three years, and they just want closure and a sense of peace, said April Campbell, Danielles mother. ORIGINAL STORY: Father of missing newborn charged with murder I just hate the fact that he can call his mama. My baby cant call me, said Campbell. Hoyle was found dead outside her vehicle in Whitehaven on Feb. 1. Police say Isabelle confessed to luring Hoyle to the intersection of Sedgwick and Levi and shooting her in the head. He then told police that he took their daughter, two-day-old Kennedy Hoyle, drove her to the north end of Mud Island where the Wolf River enters the Mississippi River, and allegedly threw the infant in the water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a case that the family of Danielle and Kennedy has been forced to live with for over three years. Brandon Isabelle indicted in death of girlfriend, 2-day old baby I just dont see how he can kill his own child. It wasnt no reason for it. We didnt need him, Kennedy was going to be taken care of regardless, my grandbaby was going to have the world, said Danielles mother. Campbell says shes raising Danielles oldest daughter and though it been tough, shes remaining prayerful. Isabelles trial date is set for September 22nd. Isabelle is currently being held in jail with no bond. We will continue to follow this case and bring you the latest updates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) A Baton Rouge man was arrested on Sunday, May 29, after being accused of stalking a woman and ramming her car. According to an affidavit, officers with the Baton Rouge Police Department were called to a hit-and-run incident in the 2600 block of Coursey Boulevard on Wednesday, May 25. When they arrived, the victim told the officers that her ex-boyfriend, Edward Berryman Jr., 36, intentionally hit her vehicle. She also shared that she has a restraining order against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim told detectives that she was leaving the hair store when Berryman blocked her car in with his black Dodge Challenger. She said she put her car in reverse and exited the parking lot. She later accused Berryman of following her through a neighborhood and ramming the drivers side of her car. Berryman exited the vehicle after the crash, but the victim pulled off. The affidavit states that Berryman then followed her onto Coursey Boulevard, where he hit her vehicle again, running her off the road and disabling her car. At the time of the crash, the victims 15-year-old child was in the passenger seat. She said she captured the collision on her dashcam. After reviewing the dash camera footage, detectives found it supported the victims claims. She later explained that the relationship recently ended and that she filed the restraining order in October 2024. While on the scene, detectives saw a Black Challenger with a missing passenger front tire. They took the vehicle in as evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Berryman was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated criminal damage to property, stalking, violation of protective orders, and a bench warrant. Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. Do you recognize this man? [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] An area business released pictures on social media of a man accused of stealing a donation box that was raising money for the Cincinnati Childrens Hospital. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OBryans Wine & Spirits in Loveland posted several pictures and videos that show the man allegedly stealing a Kindervelt Donation Box from the store counter. The incident happened on Thursday. Kindervelt helps support medical care for thousands of children and is the largest auxiliary of Cincinnati Childrens Hospital, the store said. Who steals from this type of charity? They are asking for anyone to ID this man and his Black Escalade. Anyone with information can call the Warren County Sheriffs Office at 513-695-1280. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A 35-year-old man was arrested as a result of a sexual assault investigation in Logan County, according to Bellefontaine Police Department Chief Christopher Marlow. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Jordan Kyle Walker was arrested and has been criminally charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. The investigation started on May 20 after Shelby County Sheriffs Office deputies contacted Bellefontaine police detectives about a sexual assault case they were investigating, Marlow said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deputies told detectives that they determined the incidents occurred within the Bellefontaine Police Departments jurisdiction. TRENDING STORIES: Over several days, detectives and officers conducted several interviews and served multiple search warrants related to the case, Marlow said. Authorities arrested Walker on May 30 in the 600 block of South Madriver Street. Additional details were not immediately available. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] MANHATTAN (KSNT) Police arrested a 23-year-old man on a warrant in connection with an alleged attempted murder in Manhattan. Officers filed a report for an incident that happened around 12:45 a.m. on May 30 in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department (RCPD). The RCPD listed a 33-year-old woman as the victim. A 23-year-old from Junction City was arrested on a warrant on the following charges: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attempted murder in the 1st degree. Aggravated intimidation of a witness/victim. Aggravated kidnapping. Aggravated domestic battery. Criminal threat. Domestic battery. Criminal damage to property. $1.9 billion CHIPS grant denied for Kansas The 23-year-old was issued a $500,000 bond and is confined in the Riley County Jail at the time of the report. For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. GREEN RIVER, Utah (ABC4) A man was arrested on Friday for running through a Green River neighborhood with a machete, according to the Emery County Sheriffs Office. The man reportedly told police he was also under the influence of methamphetamine. Louis Sayna, 34, was arrested in Emery County for possession of a controlled substance (class A misdemeanor), use or possession of drug paraphernalia (class B misdemeanor), and prohibited dangerous weapon conduct (third-degree felony). On the evening of May 30, police responded to a residence in Green River where a male had ran to a house saying someone was chasing him, a statement of probable cause reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an officer was en route to the scene, police received another call stating that a resident had a man knock on their door while carrying a large machete. Police arrived and found Sayna, who said that he had been riding the bus when some people were trying to force him to do things and were chasing him. Sayna told police he ran from the bus stop and dropped the machete on the grass while approaching a home where kids were outside playing. The officer then found the machete in the grass and ran a records check on Sayna. Police learned that Sayna had a NCIC full extradition warrant out of the state of Washington. The officer placed Sayna under arrest and found a glass pipe consistent with methamphetamine use in his sock. Police also found methamphetamine folded in a paper inside a small bag Sayna was wearing on his chest. Sayna told the officer he had used methamphetamine within the last hour before police arrived. Police said Sayna has an extensive criminal history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No further information is available at this time. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Latest headlines: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A man who has pleaded guilty to attacking a woman downtown has asked to take his plea back. Nick Brevetta, the attorney for Whittington Davis, 38, of Warren, filed the request Friday before Judge Anthony DApolito in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Davis had pleaded guilty April 14 to charges of felonious assault, a second-degree felony, and obstructing official business, a first-degree misdemeanor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plea headed off a trial that was to begin a few days later. A plea agreement in the case recommended a sentence of four years in prison for Davis. Davis was indicted in August for a July 2 attack on a woman on West Federal Street. The woman told police Davis pushed her to the ground and she fell, injuring her wrist. Davis has been in the county jail since July 6 when he was arrested on a warrant. He was to plead guilty in February to a charge of attempted felonious assault, a third-degree felony, but he withdrew his plea and opted to go to trial instead. In his motion, Brevetta wrote that his client wants to take his plea back because he believes he has a self defense claim and that he also lacked the required mental state to knowingly commit the crimes he has been charged with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A hearing on the request is to be held June 15. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) The Decatur Police Department says a man was charged with first-degree domestic violence on Sunday. At about 12:53 a.m., officers responded to a domestic disturbance call at an apartment at Summer Courtyard Apartments. DPD said patrol officers arrived on the scene and found that Kobe Cowan had unlawfully entered and remained inside the apartment before he physically assaulted the person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A detective with the DPDs Family Services Division was notified of the incident and responded to the scene to investigate. Authorities said that Cowan was later found by a Decatur Police patrol officer and taken into custody without incident. Cowan was taken to the Morgan County Jail and charged with first-degree domestic violence. He was booked without bond, per Aniahs Law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Jackson County prosecutors have filed charges against the 27-year-old man accused of shooting a Lees Summit police officer multiple times. Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced Monday afternoon that Thomas E. Tolbert has been charged with first-degree assault, second-degree domestic assault, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm and resisting arrest. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officer remains in serious condition as law enforcement agencies continue to search for Tolbert. Thomas Tolbert is wanted by police after a Lees Summit officer was shot Sunday night A Blue Alert was issued in Missouri and Kansas for Tolbert, after he ran from officers following the shooting and then left in a car, police said. The car was recovered in Grandview. According to court records, Lees Summit police responded to an apartment complex late Sunday night near Southwest Hollywood Drive and Highway 150 regarding Tolbert, who investigators say was involved in a domestic assault with the victim. When an officer approached the suspect in the parking lot of the complex and attempted to detain him, Tolbert broke away and began running on foot, with the officer running after him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tolbert then began to fire multiple gunshots at the officer, striking him four times, according to court documents. Court records say the officer was hit in the leg, left arm, chest of his body armor and his shoulder. Investigators are working with law enforcement partners to track down Tolbert. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 1-800-KS-CRIME. KC Crime Stoppers is also offering a $10,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of Tolbert. You can call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. A man climbed a seven-and-a-half-foot pole at a busy intersection in Miramar Monday morning and refused to come down for more than two hours. The shirtless mans actions prompted the Miramar police to respond to the incident at the intersection of Miramar Parkway and State Road 7. In September 2023, the same man climbed on top of an ambulance at the same intersection and refused to get down. He gained national attention when he danced and did push-ups on top of the Miramar Fire Rescue truck. Miramar police said the pole-climber, identified as Todd Boothe, 33, is a repeat offender. Crisis negotiators worked to get him down and police took him into custody shortly after 11 a.m. TV crews captured Boothe alternating between squatting and standing on the pole. He also was seen waving to onlookers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A similar standoff with Boothe also played out in 2021 after he climbed a traffic light post at a busy intersection in South Beach and sat on top of the light before he fled on foot. He was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence in that case. Miramar Police officers respond to a man who has climbed a pole and refuses to get down at the intersection of Miramar Pkway and State Road 7 on Monday, June 2, 2025. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Miramar Police officers arrest a man who climbed a pole and refused to get down at the intersection of Miramar Pkway and State Road 7 on Monday, June 2, 2025. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Miramar Police officers arrest a man who climbed a pole and refused to get down at the intersection of Miramar Pkway and State Road 7 on Monday, June 2, 2025. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Miramar Police officers arrest a man who climbed a pole and refused to get down at the intersection of Miramar Parkway and State Road 7 on Monday. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Show Caption1 of 5Miramar Police officers respond to a man who has climbed a pole and refuses to get down at the intersection of Miramar Pkway and State Road 7 on Monday, June 2, 2025. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)Expand LONDON (Reuters) -A man who set fire to a copy of the Koran outside the Turkish consulate in London was found guilty on Monday of committing a religiously aggravated public order offence, in a verdict critics said effectively reinstated an abolished blasphemy law. Hamit Coskun, 50, was fined 240 pounds ($325) at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court after being convicted of being disorderly by shouting "Fuck Islam" as he held aloft the burning book near the consulate in central London in February. The lawyer for Coskun, whose father was Kurdish and his mother Armenian and who lived in central England, had argued that the prosecution amounted to an attempt to bring back a blasphemy law that was abolished in England in 2008. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coskun had denied the charge and said on social media he was carrying out a protest against the Turkish government. While he was holding the book aloft, he was attacked by a man with a knife who kicked and spat at him. "Burning a religious book, although offensive, to some is not necessarily disorderly," said Judge John McGarva. "What made his conduct disorderly was the timing and location of the conduct and that all this was accompanied by abusive language. There was no need for him to use the 'F word' and direct it towards Islam." The National Secular Society (NSS), which helped pay his legal fees, said the prosecution was "a significant blow to freedom of expression", a sentiment echoed by the main opposition Conservative Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Britain has no blasphemy laws. Yet this verdict creates one de facto," the party posted on X. "Parliament never voted for it. The British people do not want it. This decision is wrong." ($1 = 0.7395 pounds) (Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Alex Richardson) British courts have been accused of reviving blasphemy laws after a man who set fire to a copy of the Koran was convicted of a racially aggravated public order offence. Hamit Coskun shouted f--- Islam and Islam is religion of terrorism while holding the religious text above his head during a protest on Feb 13. The 50-year-old, who was violently attacked by a passerby during the demonstration in London, went on trial last week, accused of an offence under the Public Order Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Westminster magistrates court on Monday, he was found guilty of a religiously aggravated public order offence of using disorderly conduct, which was motivated in part by hostility towards members of a religious group, namely followers of Islam. Robert Jenrick, shadow justice secretary, said: This decision is wrong. It revives a blasphemy law that parliament repealed. Free speech is under threat. I have no confidence in Two-Tier Keir to defend the rights of the public to criticise all religions. Blasphemy laws were abolished in the UK 17 years ago. Derogatory remarks about Islam In a statement after the verdict, Coskun said the decision was an assault on free speech that would deter others from exercising their democratic right to protest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: As an activist, I will continue to campaign against the threat of Islam. Christian blasphemy laws were repealed in this country more than 15 years ago, and it cannot be right to prosecute someone for blaspheming against Islam. Would I have been prosecuted if Id set fire to a copy of the Bible outside Westminster Abbey? I doubt it. The CPS said that Coskun was not being prosecuted for burning the book. They argued it was the combination of his derogatory remarks about Islam and the fact that it was done in public that made it an offence. The CPS originally charged Coskun, who is an atheist, with harassing the religious institution of Islam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the charge was later amended after free speech campaigners took up his cause and argued he was essentially being accused of blasphemy. Credit: Crown Prosecution Service District Judge John McGarva said, there was a real problem with the original charge, which referred to Islam as if it was a person, when it is not. He said, however, that the current prosecution was not an attempt to bring back and expand blasphemy law. He said: A decision needs to be made as to whether your conduct was simply you exercising your right to protest and freedom of speech or whether your behaviour crossed a line into criminal conduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katy Thorne KC, Coskuns barrister, had argued that even the amended charges against him effectively criminalised any public burning of a religious book and were tantamount to blasphemy laws. It is effectively chilling the right of citizens to criticise religion, she said. She said Coskuns actions were not motivated by hostility towards the followers of Islam but the religion itself. Judge McGarva, however, said he did not accept that argument. Addressing Coskun, he said: You believe Islam is an ideology which encourages its followers to violence, paedophilia and a disregard for the rights of non-believers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You dont distinguish between the two. I find you have a deep-seated hatred of Islam and its followers. That is based on your experiences in Turkey and the experiences of your family. Highly provocative actions Giving his verdict, Judge McGarva said: Your actions in burning the Koran where you did were highly provocative, and your actions were accompanied by bad language in some cases directed toward the religion and were motivated at least in part by hatred of followers of the religion. The judge ordered Coskun, who is currently claiming asylum, to pay a fine of 240. The court heard Coskun, who is now in hiding, had to flee his home country of Turkey two and a half years ago to escape persecution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He argued he was protesting against the Islamist government of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Giving evidence, Coskun made a number of comments about Islam, including claiming the majority of paedophiles are Muslim. Lawyers for the CPS insisted that Coskun was not being prosecuted for setting fire to the Koran. Philip McGhee, for the CPS, said: He is being prosecuted for his disorderly behaviour in public. He added: Nothing about the prosecution of this defendant for his words and actions has any impact on the ability of anyone to make any trenchant criticism of a religion. On Feb 13, Coskun, who is of Armenian-Kurdish descent, travelled from his home in the Midlands to the Turkish consulate in Knightsbridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then set fire to the holy book and held it above his head, shouting, Islam is religion of terrorismand f--- Islam. As he did so, a passerby attacked him and appeared to slash at Coskun with a blade and then began kicking him when he fell to the ground. Although the man has admitted assaulting Coskun, he has denied using a knife in the attack. The man, whose identity is subject to reporting restrictions, will go on trial in 2027. We intend to appeal this verdict The National Secular Society (NSS), which, alongside the Free Speech Union, paid for Coskuns legal fees, said the verdict jeopardises free expression. A spokesperson for the FSU said: This is deeply disappointing. Everyone should be able to exercise their rights to protest peacefully and to freedom of expression, regardless of how offensive or upsetting it may be to some people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Free Speech Union and the National Secular Society intend to appeal this verdict and keep on appealing it until its overturned. If that means taking it all the way to the European Court of Human Rights, we will do so. Religious tolerance is an important British value, but it doesnt require non-believers to respect the blasphemy codes of believers. On the contrary, it requires people of faith to tolerate those who criticise and protest against their religion, just as their values and beliefs are tolerated. 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. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Allen Hawkins, 44, convicted of kidnapping in the assault of a man he caught having sex with his girlfriend, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison. In June 2023, Hawkins, along with Connor Steffler, Lisa Lies, Kyla Lee, and Kylee Farmer, chased and abducted an unnamed victim as he tried to flee a residence in the 4300 block of Nina Terrace. The victim fled but was pursued by a van, police said. Five people, including Hawkins, reportedly got out of the van and beat the man with a metal pipe, later forcing him into the van where they continued to beat him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Samuelson and Alpine, the assailants let him out and threatened to kill him, threatening him with a machete before beating him again. Allen Hawkins, Connor Steffler, Kyla Lee, Kylee Farmer, Lisa Lies. Photos: Winnebago County Jail Connor Steffler pleaded guilty to charges of armed kidnapping in December and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Lisa Lies, Kyla Lee, and Kylee Farmer each pleaded guilty to mob action in 2023 and were all sentenced to 180 days in jail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Jun. 2GRAND FORKS A man died in a motorcycle crash over the weekend in rural Polk County, Minnesota. According to a release from the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the incident occurred shortly after 1 p.m. Sunday, June 1. The release said sheriff's office staff responded to a report of a possible crash on County Road 38, about a mile and a half north of U.S. Highway 2. The crash scene had been discovered by a passerby, the release said. Emergency personnel responded, but found Travis Shimpa, 39, of rural Erskine, Minnesota, had died on the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evidence showed that Shimpa was northbound on the graveled County Road 38. The crash remains under investigation. The Polk County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Minnesota State Patrol, Erskine Fire and Rescue, and Essentia Ambulance A man was hospitalized in serious condition after experiencing medical distress while stuck about 20 feet up a tree in the Hollywood Hills on Sunday afternoon. The Los Angeles Fire Department reported the incident at 2:13 p.m., sending crews to rescue the man in the Mt. Olympus neighborhood. Upon arrival, first responders found a man, estimated to be 30 years old, stuck in a tree canopy near 2325 N. Mt. Olympus Dr. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials did not further explain the mans medical distress, but made it clear he was in danger being stuck about 20 feet above the ground. It was not revealed why the man was in the tree or how he got there. Crews are seen rescuing a man in medical distress who got stuck about 20 feet up a tree in the Hollywood Hills. June 2025. (Citizen.com) Crews are seen rescuing a man in medical distress who got stuck about 20 feet up a tree in the Hollywood Hills. June 2025. (Citizen.com) Crews are seen rescuing a man in medical distress who got stuck about 20 feet up a tree in the Hollywood Hills. June 2025. (Citizen.com) Crews are seen rescuing a man in medical distress who got stuck about 20 feet up a tree in the Hollywood Hills. June 2025. (Citizen.com) Crews are seen rescuing a man in medical distress who got stuck about 20 feet up a tree in the Hollywood Hills. June 2025. (Citizen.com) Footage from Citizen.com showed crews using an aerial ladder to lower a firefighter, who was holding a rope, into the tree canopy. The incident was upgraded and LAFD Urban Search and Rescue-trained firefighters conducted a rescue operation, safely extricating the patient from the trees, the department said in an alert. 10 Amazon delivery trucks go up in flames in Los Angeles parking lot Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details are limited, but LAFD said the patient was ultimately transported to a hospital in serious condition. His identity was not immediately made available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A man died in an apparent hit-and-run crash in downtown Sacramento early Sunday morning. Just before 2:30 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to the 500 block of J Street for a report of a male adult who was down in the roadway, according to police spokesperson Officer Allison Smith. Fire personnel pronounced the man dead at the scene, Smith said. Police believe he was struck by a vehicle, which fled the scene prior to police arrival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sacramento County Coroners Office was expected to identify the 22-year-old victim once next of kin are notified of his death. Police are investigating the incident and are asking for witnesses to call 916-808-5471. (FOX40.COM) A man was found dead in a canal in Ceres on Sunday, according to the Ceres Police Department. Video Above: Tips for water safety in the summer Police said concerned community members walking along the canal bank reported a possible dead man submerged in water around 6 p.m. on 3000 Moore Road. CPD, along with the Modesto Fire Department and American Medical Response, recovered the man who was pronounced dead around 6:24 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man was found without identification, and the Stanislaus County Coroners Office responded to the scene and took custody of the body Gusty winds and low humidity spark Red Flag Warning in parts of Northern California The cause of death is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sergeant Berber at (209) 538-5672. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A man has been acquitted of murder in a deadly shooting near downtown Grand Rapids a year ago. Xavier Ramos of Grand Rapids stood trial last week on charges of open murder and felony firearms in the death of Eliot Flores. Late Friday afternoon, jurors returned a verdict of not guilty. Ramos has since been released from jail. Flores was shot in the early hours of June 2, 2024, near the intersection of Cesar E. Chavez Avenue and Cherry Street SW and died at the scene. Ramos claimed self-defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court docs: Murder suspect shot man 3 times in back Authorities say Flores and his friend, Jashaun Morgan, were followed by Ramos and his brother, Ezekiel Ramos, when they left a bar across the street from where the shooting happened though a man who said he witnessed the shooting previously told News 8 it didnt look like the Ramos brothers were following Morgan and Flores and that the two groups might simply have parked near one another. As the Ramos brothers got closer, court documents say, Morgan pointed a gun at Xavier Ramos. The witness told News 8 he heard Morgan antagonizing the brothers while holding the gun. Both Ramos brothers shot at Morgan, hitting him, police say. Morgan fired back, hitting Ezekiel Ramos in the leg. Xavier Ramos then shot Flores, police say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grand Rapids homicide count nearly doubled in 24 hours, chief says Flores died at the scene. Emergency responders found Morgan alive, but he died at the hospital. Xavier Ramos dropped his injured brother off at the hospital and then left, police said. No charges were filed in connection to Morgans death because the brothers could claim self-defense. But charges were filed in Flores death because he was unarmed and was shot three times in the back while running away and seeking cover, police said. Xavier Ramos was arrested and arraigned in August. Police say Morgan and both Ramos brothers had concealed pistol licenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. TOKYO - A Japanese social media personality has been arrested for allegedly extorting a man out of 3 million yen ($21,000) in exchange for removing his private details from the internet, Tokyo police said Monday. Yuki Azuma, 29, who posts as Entertainer Orihara, is known for exposing apparent secrets of famous people on social media, according to the police. He allegedly uploaded the personal information and headshot of a 30-year-old man to X, formerly Twitter, and extorted the money from him at a Tokyo restaurant in October last year. Azuma hinted at further posts, telling the man he was considering releasing "everything," the police said. He has remained silent about the allegations, they said. Related coverage: Man sent to prosecutors over naked trespassing, suspected in 20 cases North Korean hacker group identified in theft of DMM Bitcoin assets ALTON, Ill. Homicide detectives are investigating after a man was killed in a shooting at daybreak in Alton, Illinois. According to Sgt. Andrew Pierson, a spokesman for the Alton Police Department, police received word of a shooting around 5:50 a.m. in the 2000 block of Agnes Boulevard. Officers arrived to find Christopher D. Green lying in the roadway with a gunshot wound. Green was taken to a nearby hospital, where he eventually succumbed to his injuries. He was 41. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Pierson said investigators have identified a person of interest in the shooting, and that Green and this person knew one another. Police have not said if this individual is in custody. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked contact authorities at 618-463-3505, ext. 634. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) A California man pleaded guilty to his involvement in a scheme to launder millions in state unemployment compensation funds from numerous state treasuries, including Pennsylvania. The United States Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania said Carlos A. Grijalva, 59, of Simi Valley, California, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments in the amount of $46.4 million. Grijalva is the second person to plead guilty in connection with the case. The attorneys office said Grijalva admitted that he and multiple others agreed to launder state unemployment compensation funds they knew had been fraudulently obtained from 2021 to 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter He also admitted to entering into agreements that made it seem like they were operating businesses selling masks and other COVID-19 protection equipment, knowing that funds laundered through their companies came from fraudulently obtained state unemployment compensation benefits, per the attorneys office. Grijalva told the court he knew individuals from China were conducting the fraudulent activities, resulting in millions of fraudulent unemployment compensation payments issued by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department, among other states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorneys office said Grijalva also claimed that he and Brian R. Cleland provided bank account information of identity theft victims to payment processing companies to generate ACH payments to accounts he controlled. This resulted in the two obtaining more than $46 million. According to the attorneys office, Grijalva and Cleland later used different bank accounts to transfer over $30 million to companies controlled by Bruce Jin. Jin would then transfer a portion of the funds to parties in China. Grijalva said he made an estimated $2.2 million in personal profit. The attorneys office said Jin has been detained since August 2023, and Cleland has pleaded not guilty to his charges and is awaiting trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis Police are looking for a man accused of pointing a gun at another driver following an accident on Interstate 40 in northeast Memphis. MPD says the incident happened around 11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 29, near the Sycamore View exit. According to MPD, the victim was involved in a crash with a man driving a black Nissan Murano with temporary Tennessee tags QK8GRL9. Burglar hits Midtown home twice stealing over $2K in items Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim told police that the man said he could not stay at the scene because he didnt have a drivers license or insurance. When the man drove off, the victim followed him. Thats when the man pulled out a gun and pointed it at the victim, forcing the victim to back off and call police. Photo courtesy MPD Photo courtesy MPD Photo courtesy MPD So far, no arrests have been made. Call Crime Stoppers at (901) 528-CASH if you recognize the man or vehicle in the pictures 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 WREG.com. NEED TO KNOW Adamu Yusuf, 36, said he watched helplessly as the catastrophic flood "washed away" his wife and newborn baby on May 29 Yusuf's wife and child had just returned home after spending time with family in another town The husband told BBC News he lost everything in the flood, but that the most painful losses were members of his family A man says he watched helplessly as the catastrophic flood that killed more than 200 people in Nigeria washed away his wife and newborn baby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adamu Yusuf, 36, said he lost nine family members when the flood hit Tiffin Maza in north-central Nigeria on Thursday, May 29, according to BBC News. Among those family members were his wife and newborn, who had returned to the town of Mokwa the day before the flood after spending time with family in another town. "She was the one that woke me up when the flood hit, and I quickly gathered the family and told everyone to hold one another, Yusuf explained. As we stepped outside, we saw water everywhere in our living room and the compound. They panicked and we got disconnected." He later added, "I watched helplessly as water washed away my family. I survived because I could swim. It was God that saved me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yusuf said he lost everything in the flood, but that the most painful losses were members of his family. The only valuable I have now is this cloth I am wearing which was even given to me by my friend, he added, per BBC News. The flooding occurred in the town of Mokwa, heavily impacting the districts of Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa following torrential rains, according to BBC News. More than 200 people are believed to have died in the floods, and over 3,000 people have been displaced, the Associated Press reported. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. More than 500 households were impacted by the flooding, and two roads were washed away and two bridges collapsed, Ibrahim Audu Husseini, a spokesperson for the Niger State emergency service, previously told the AP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said in a statement on X on Sunday, May 30, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the affected families and the good people of Niger State at this difficult time. He later added, Relief materials and temporary shelter assistance are being deployed without delay. We will ensure that no Nigerian affected by this disaster is left behind or unheard of. I assure all those impacted that your government stands with you. Click here to learn more about how to help the victims of the Nigerian floods. Read the original article on People IRON COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A man has been sentenced to Utah State Prison after receiving his tenth DUI conviction and multiple assault convictions, according to the Iron County Attorneys Office. Thomas Vaughn, 61, was sentenced on May 14, 2025, to the maximum sentence of up to five years in Utah State Prison following his conviction for driving under the influence and assault on a peace officer. Thomas Vaughn, 61. (Courtesy of Iron County Attorneys Office) This DUI conviction marks number 10 a disturbing milestone that clearly shows the ongoing threat he poses to the public. Vaughns criminal history reportedly landed him in prison in 2020, but he was released on parole in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This prison term will run consecutively to a separate DUI sentence, for which Vaughn was already on parole at the time of the current offense. Consistent with our offices long-standing position, we advocated for prison time in those 2020 cases to protect the community from a repeat offender who continues to endanger others through his reckless and criminal behavior, a statement from the Iron County Attorneys Office reads. The Iron County Attorneys Office remains committed to aggressively prosecuting repeat DUI offenders. We will continue to seek prison time for individuals whose repeated disregard for the law makes them a clear and present danger to our community. The Utah Board of Pardons will ultimately determine how long Vaughn will remain in prison. Latest headlines: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. HARVARD, Ill. A two-vehicle crash involving an SUV and a semi-truck in Harvard sent one man to the hospital with serious injuries Sunday afternoon. The Harvard Fire Protection District was dispatched to the area of Route 173 and Crowley Road for a reported crash with entrapment just after 2:30 p.m. While crews were en route, multiple 911 callers reported that an SUV had collided with a semi-truck and that the adult male driver of the SUV was trapped inside. Officials say one of the vehicles had left the roadway and came to rest in a wooded area. Firefighters freed the driver of the SUV from the vehicle in under 10 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the SUV was airlifted to Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside in Rockford with serious injuries. The female driver of the semi-truck was not injured. Route 173 remained closed in both directions for about two hours as emergency crews worked on the scene. The McHenry County Sheriffs Office is investigating the events leading up to the crash. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. CHICAGO A man shot by Chicago police on the Northwest Side is facing multiple charges. Carlos Sanchez-Roa, 28, of Hammond, was shot by police Saturday at around 2:10 a.m. in the 3100 block of North Central Avenue. CPD was called to the scene of a battery in progress and shots fired at a business in the same block moments prior. Officers were directed to a red pick-up truck by an employee of the business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanchez-Roa allegedly refused and accelerated in the direction of the officers, hitting one of them. Police then opened fire on the vehicle, but Sanchez-Roa allegedly kept driving. He was found shot outside of his vehicle in the 3200 block of North Menard Avenue. Man shot by police after allegedly hitting CPD officer with truck during flee attempt on Northwest Side Sanchez-Roa was transported by the Chicago Fire Department in critical condition with multiple gunshot wounds. A condition on the officer who was hit was not provided. An investigation into the shooting is now underway by Chicagos Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officer involved in the shooting will be placed on routine administrative duties for 30 days. Sanchez-Roa was charged with attempted first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault of a peace officer. He remains hospitalized and his next court date is scheduled for June 9. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ST. LOUIS Homicide detectives with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are investigating a fatal shooting in the citys Penrose neighborhood. According to a police spokesperson, the shooting happened around 8:15 p.m. Sunday in the 4800 block of Kossuth Avenue. Officers arrived at the scene and found an adult man had been shot to death. The victim has not been identified. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. NAGASAKI - The mayor of Nagasaki said Monday he is considering how to respond to Taiwan's request to attend this year's ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the city in August. Taiwan, which has never been officially invited to the memorial event, has expressed its wish to join for the first time, according to the city. Mayor Shiro Suzuki did not disclose details regarding Taipei's request or specify when the city would respond. Nagasaki plans to send invitations to all countries and regions that have diplomatic missions in Japan or representative offices at the United Nations. Taiwan does not fall into either category. Suzuki said last month that the southwestern Japan city's policy remains unchanged, drawing a contrast with Hiroshima, which indicated it would add the island to the list of participants of the city's memorial event after Taipei expressed its wish to join. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, and three days later in Nagasaki killed more than 200,000 people by the end of that year. Each year, the cities hold memorial ceremonies to mourn the victims and pray for lasting peace. Related coverage: Over 90 nations call for preserving A-bomb memories in U.N. meeting Japan imperial couple mourn Iwoto war dead in WWII 80th anniv. visit MIAMI, Okla. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation released the name of the man involved in Saturday nights shooting at a Miami restaurant. Michael Cook, 25, is accused of firing a weapon into the restaurant, Mia Bella Italian Kitchen. When Miami police officers made contact with Cook in front of the business, there was an exchange of gunfire, leaving Cook wounded and taken to a Tulsa hospital in critical condition, according to the OSBI and Miami police. Michael Cook, DMV Photo Authorities say Cook was shot multiple times by police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lesson here is if you point a gun at a law enforcement officer, theres a strong likelihood youre going to be shot. It could have been significantly worse. Several of my officers were in danger and we dont understand the motivation at this time as to why he did it. Were still trying to run that down, but Im just thankful that more people werent hurt, said Miami Police Chief, Stephen Sigmon. The shooting remains under investigation, and Cook is currently being treated for his injuries. The OSBI reported that one person suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene. Formal charges in the case will be determined by the Ottawa County District Attorneys Office. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Miami Police Department at 918-542-5585 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A man was sentenced in Washington, D.C. for receiving military training from and fighting for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), the U.S. Attorneys Office (USAO) announced Monday. Lirim Sylejmani, 49, pleaded guilty in December 2024 to receiving military-type training from a designated foreign terrorist organization, for which he was sentenced on June 2 to 10 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. The USAO detailed that from November 2015 through February 2019, Sylejmani received military training from ISIS while in Syria. He was eventually captured in 2019 by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FBI says 8 injured in Colorado attack by man with makeshift flamethrower who yelled Free Palestine Born in Eastern Europe, but a naturalized U.S. citizen, he traveled with his family to Syria in 2015 to join ISIS. Once there, he completed his ISIS intake process and adopted the name Abu Sulayman al-Kosovi. Sylejmanis military training included instruction on how to assemble and fire an AK-47 rifle, how to use a PK Machine gun, as well as an M-16 rifle and grenades. After the 21-day training, ISIS assigned him to a battalion in Iraq, issuing him an AK-47, four AK-47 magazines, a belt and two grenades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May 2016, Sylejmani reported for guard duty on the front line of the Manbij offenses, bringing his gear to the assignment. Virginia high school teacher arrested, accused of receiving inappropriate photos, grooming minors During a battle with Coalition Forces, he was hurt when shrapnel hit his legs. He was then reassigned to a new battalion in the fall of 2017. The USAO noted he received payments from ISIS for his service. From then until February 2019, Sylejmani moved his family to Baghouz, Syria, as the territorial Caliphate of ISIS collapsed. On Feb. 27, he and his family were captured and he was jailed by the SDF in Syria. The following year, he was transferred to the United States, where he faced criminal charges in Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. (FOX40.COM) A man is being accused of stalking a woman in Northern California before he broke into her home and assaulted her. Video above: How to report a public safety threat Around 12:20 a.m. on May 21, the Stanislaus County Sheriffs Office responded to a 911 call for a report of an intruder inside a Ceres residence. When deputies arrived at the scene, they identified the suspect as Cristian Alejandro Solorio Anguiano, 27, of Modesto. A man was arrested in connection to stalking and assaulting a woman in Northern California on May 22, 2025./SCSO Anguiano allegedly entered a womans home while she was asleep. He is accused of assaulting the woman by biting and licking her toes and then attempting to get into her bed. The victim reportedly pushed the suspect off and called law enforcement. Anguiano fled the scene prior to deputies arrival, according to SCSO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies said an investigation revealed that Anguiano allegedly stalked the victim at her place of work as early as February 2025. Despite multiple confrontations by store employees, his behavior escalated. Northern lights may be visible in Northern California amid severe geomagnetic storm Anguiano followed the victim home after her shifts and began sleeping in his vehicle outside her residence, including in the alleyway behind her home, according to SCSO. Over the week leading up to the incident, Anguiano was observed watching family members depart the residence and checking doors to gain access. Through victim statements and video surveillance evidence, deputies said they identified Anguiano as the suspect. On May 22, investigators located Anguiano in the vicinity of the victims residence and arrested him for alleged burglary, stalking, sexual battery, and assault with intent to commit a felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anguiano was booked into the Stanislaus County Jail with a $325,000 bail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. Authorities in the city of Ust-Kut in Russias Irkutsk Oblast have declared a man wanted for supposedly being involved in the drone attack on the Belaya airbase, which houses strategic aviation, and have published his photo. Source: Ust-Kut City Administration on Telegram; Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency TASS; Russian Telegram channel Baza Details: The authorities named the wanted individual as Andrii Tymofieiev, born in 1987 in Donetsk. He is said to be "possibly involved in the drone attack on the Belaya military airbase". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Baza reports that Tymofieiev was actually born in Zhytomyr and later lived in Kyiv. "A few years ago, he moved to Chelyabinsk Oblast. Most of his relatives, as well as Tymofieiev himself, were registered in the city of Miass," the channel states. Baza also claims that in October 2024, Tymofieiev registered a sole proprietorship in the cargo transport sector. In December, he supposedly purchased several vehicles. "It was with the help of these vehicles that the 1 June attacks on military facilities were organised. Sources say that a wanted notice for Tymofieiev has been distributed to all Interior Ministry departments," Baza reports. Background: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commenting on the attack on Russian strategic aircraft, said that "our people withdrew from Russian territory on the eve of the operation and are now safe, as are those who helped us". On 1 June, a series of strikes against Russian aircraft took place at at least four airfields in Russia. According to Ukrainska Pravda sources, this was a special operation by the Security Service of Ukraine, which resulted in the destruction of about 40 aircraft, including strategic bombers. The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed the attack using FPV drones on military airfields in five regions, blaming the so-called Kyiv regime for the attack. According to Axios, the United States was not informed about Ukraine's military operation to destroy dozens of Russian aircraft. Zelenskyy called the operation to destroy more than 40 strategic aircraft at Russian airfields a brilliant result that will go down in history books. Later, the first satellite images appeared online, allowing for a better assessment of Russian losses at the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk Oblast. GEOINT consultant Chris Biggers published the photos. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! NEED TO KNOW A man is suing his ex, claiming that she stole his lottery winnings and then ghosted him Lawrence Campbell said he purchased a winning lottery ticket worth $3.6 million in January 2024 and asked his then-girlfriend to deposit the money in her account, because he didnt have one He now alleges that she broke up with him and stopped returning his calls after taking the money A man says his ex-girlfriend took his lottery winnings and then ghosted him and now hes suing her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawrence Campbell of Winnipeg, Canada, claims he purchased a winning lottery ticket worth $3.6 million in January of 2024, according to a complaint filed in Manitobas Court of Kings Bench on May 14, per Canadian news outlet CTV News and Manitoba Court public records. Campbell claims that after discovering he had a winning ticket, he and his then-girlfriend, Krystal Ann McKay, went to a local convenience store to claim the money. He alleges that he and McKay were in a "loyal, committed and promising relationship at the time, per the complaint obtained by CTV News. According to the documents, a representative from the Western Canada Lottery Corporation told Campbell that he would be ineligible to claim his winnings as he didnt have a valid government-issued ID and suggested that McKay redeem the winnings instead, per the news outlet. Getty Scratch-off lottery ticket (stock image) Scratch-off lottery ticket (stock image) Campbell alleges in the complaint that he had McKay deposit the money into her bank account, as he did not have an active account himself at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, per CTV News, the complaint alleges that McKay did not return to the hotel room she and Campbell shared several days after depositing the winnings into her account. Campbell also claims that McKay ghosted him, and refused to take his calls or answer his messages, blocked him on social media and took out a protection order against him. Campbell also alleges that McKay told him that she wanted to break up and be with a new guy, per the outlet. 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. In addition to suing McKay, Campbell also filed a complaint against Western Canada Lottery Corporation and the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, claiming that the situation resulted in bad advice and faulty protocols from both companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case is about systemic karma vs. the system itself, Chad Panting, Campbells lawyer, said in an e-mail to CTV News. A situation created or certainly enabled by the state-owned Lottery Corporations administering lotto claims in Manitoba. Meanwhile, McKays attorney, Conor Williamson, told the outlet that his client plans to dispute the allegations against her and will be filing a statement of defense. PEOPLE reached out to attorneys for both Campbell and McKay, as well as the Western Canada Lottery Company and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, for comment on Sunday, June 1, but did not receive immediate responses. Video of the couple claiming the money was released by CTV News in 2024. In the footage, Campbell and McKay can be seen holding a giant check for 5 million Canadian dollars with McKays name on it. In the video, McKay shared that she planned to use the money to take care of the family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKay is currently under court order not to purchase or gift any property, money or motor vehicles, or make any investments while the case is underway, per public court records. A hearing for the case is scheduled for June 13. Read the original article on People By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) -Jay Clayton, the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, said on Monday he had chosen former terrorism prosecutor Sean Buckley to serve as his deputy. Clayton, a former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is Republican President Donald Trump's pick to lead the U.S. Attorney's office for the Southern District of New York, which is known for bringing high-profile financial crimes, terrorism and corruption cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has also historically enjoyed an unusual degree of independence from the Justice Department compared with the 92 other federal prosecutors' offices around the country. Buckley was a prosecutor in the Southern District from 2009 through 2018, and served as co-chief of the office's terrorism and international narcotics unit. While a prosecutor, he brought charges against a Vietnamese man who pleaded guilty in 2016 to plotting to detonate an explosive in London's Heathrow Airport, and secured the 2015 trial conviction of a top Osama bin Laden deputy in connection with the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. "He is deeply respected by the New York Bar and embodies the commitment to professionalism and the safety of the people of New York that runs through our Office," Clayton said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since leaving the U.S. Attorney's office, Buckley has worked as a partner at law firm Kobre & Kim. He represented Olivier Amar, a former executive at college financial aid startup Frank who was convicted of fraud at a trial in the Southern District in March. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) The search for a man sought in the killing of two men is underway in south Georgia. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Wilcox County Sheriff Jeff Wessell has identified 39-year-old Quintavis Holt as a suspect in last weeks double homicide. Holt is wanted in connection with the deaths of Nathadius Lawson, 39 and Charleston Calix, 40, both of Pineview, Ga. Authorities said around 12:14 a.m. on May 25, Holt came to a home on Depot Street in Pineview where several people were gathered outside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WCSO said Holt allegedly opened fire, killing both men. Holt then ran away. TRENDING STORIES: The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has joined the investigation. Arrest warrants have been obtained for Holt. He faces the following charges: Two counts of malice murder One count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime One count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Two counts of aggravated assault Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Wessel asks the community to remain vigilant as Holt is considered armed and dangerous. Violent and senseless crimes like this have no place in Wilcox County. We will not rest until he is taken into custody and behind bars where he belongs, Wessel said. Anyone with information or who knows where Holt is, call the GBI Tip Line at 1-800-597-8477 or the Wilcox County Sheriffs Office at 229-467-2322. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] SENDAI - A commercial whaling ship returned to a port in northeastern Japan on Monday carrying 25 fin whales taken in the Sea of Okhotsk. The fin whale hunt in Japan's exclusive economic zone, north of the northern island of Hokkaido, was conducted for the first time since Japan formally withdrew from the International Whaling Commission in 2019. About 320 tons of fin whale meat were unloaded at Sendai port in Miyagi Prefecture on Monday, with some 1.6 tons set to be transported to six markets across the country including Tokyo and Osaka as raw meat. The ship departed Shimonoseki port in the western Japanese prefecture of Yamaguchi on April 21. The Japanese Fisheries Agency added fin whales to the list of commercial whaling target species in 2024, setting a catch quota of 60 for this year. As an International Whaling Commission member, Japan halted commercial whaling in 1988 but continued to hunt whales for what it called research purposes. The practice was criticized internationally as a cover for commercial whaling. Related coverage: Global warrant for anti-whaling group founder suspended Homewood police are investigating an accident that resulted in the death of a Markham man who was riding a motorcycle. Police said they responded at about 9:30 a.m. Saturday to 183rd Street and Hood Avenue for a report of a crash. Police said the motorcycle was headed west on 183rd when it struck a vehicle traveling north on Hood, crossing 183rd. The driver of the motorcycle, a 42-year-old Markham man, died later at a hospital, police said. The name of the driver was being withheld pending notification of family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the crash is under investigation by its criminal investigation unit with help from the Suburban Major Accident Reconstruction Team. Police ask anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact the Homewood Police Department at 708-206-3420. The Cook County medical examiners office reported the man was pronounced dead at 10:14 a.m. Saturday at South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest. HOWARD COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) A teen who was wanted for murder in connection with a shooting at the Columbia mall last summer was arrested in New York City, according to the Howard County Police Department (HCPD). Police announced on Thursday, May 31, that 18-year-old William Marshall III, was taken into custody for the murder of 17-year-old Angelo Little. I am proud of the outstanding, tireless work of everyone involved in this search, including HCPD officers, U.S. Marshals and our HCPD social media team, said Howard County Police Chief Gregory Der. There was true creativity and ingenuity that resulted in this apprehension. We arent immune from crime in Howard County, but if you commit a crime here, we will catch you and bring you to justice, no matter how long it takes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS COVERAGE | HCPD searching for 17-year-old boy wanted for murder in connection to Columbia Mall shooting On the evening of July 27, 2024, Howard County police officers were called to The Mall in Columbia for a shooting, where they found Little, who had been shot. He died at the scene. Throughout the investigation, detectives obtained surveillance video footage from the mall allegedly showing a man dressed in all black with a dark mask covering his face. As the video continues, the man is seen sitting at a table in the food court with his head down. Once Little begins walking to the bathroom, the person follows him. According to police, he then waited for Little to leave the bathroom, and thats when he fired one shot before running through the back door. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About a month later, detectives identified Marshall, who was 17 at the time, as the suspected gunman. He was charged with first-degree murder. Their investigation determined that Marshall, also known as Junior, knew Little and targeted him. Since Crime Reduction Plan, Howard County PD reports no gun-related violence near Columbia mall For several months, authorities were unable to locate Marshall. Despite this, officials continued to conduct extensive interviews. Investigators also tracked down hundreds of tips, reviewed digital evidence, conducted hours of surveillance and traveled to multiple states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the search for Marshall intensified, the U.S. Marshals joined the police departments search. The case had a break in late May of 2025, when detectives received a lead that Marshall was in New York City. During the overnight hours of May 28, authorities searched a building in Brooklyn, NY, where they apprehended Marshall. This was a collaborative effort with months of diligence, long nights, and communication. After a long road, our hard work has led us to the arrest of William Marshall. We remain committed to ensuring accountability and taking criminals off the street, said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. As of May 29, Marshall was being held in New York and was awaiting extradition to Maryland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and officials are working to determine what led up to the shooting. Police noted that detectives are also investigating if someone helped Marshall elude the police; if so, criminal charges will be filed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. The Trump administration is coming under scrutiny for deporting several U.S. citizen children along with their foreign-born parents. Trump officials have defended the move, saying the minors were not deported, rather the parents have elected to take them along rather than be separated from their children. But attorneys for the families involved in such cases say their clients were given little notice and forced to make split-second decisions about what to do with children born in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), has been in contact with attorneys for several families, including a Honduran woman with two U.S. citizen children, including a 4-year-old with stage 4 cancer. At no time did the mother offer any consent. At no time did the mother sign anything. Also, the mother was not given the opportunity to speak with legal counsel, even though the lawyer was in the same building at the time, Magaziner told The Hill. Theres a specific set of protocols that ICE is supposed to follow any time they are preparing to remove someone who has a minor child, whether that child is a citizen or not, and that includes providing access to legal counsel, which was not done in any of these cases, he added, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). That woman, known by initials RMV, is not alone. Another Honduran mother, JLV, was deported to Honduras with her 2-year-old U.S. citizen child as the father was preparing custody documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And then theres the case of two Mexican parents living in Texas who were deported along with five of their six children after being stopped at a border checkpoint. The family was en route to Houston for emergency treatment for their 10-year-old, U.S. citizen daughter who had recently had a brain tumor removed. The Hernandez family, using a pseudonym to protect their privacy, pleaded while in custody for staff to look at documentation from the hospital requesting permission to travel. Instead, they spent the night in custody before being taken to a bridge and turned over to Mexican authorities in an area rife with kidnappings. The family has since gone into hiding in rural Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danny Woodward, an attorney at the Texas Civil Rights Project who is working on the Hernandez familys case, said the mixed status family has multiple children who were born in the U.S., as well as one born in Mexico. The parents were not offered any sort of meaningful choice about what to do with their daughter or any of their U.S. citizen kids. CBP will repeatedly say, Oh, the parents were all given the choice about what to have happen. But what happened in this case is that the parents were repeatedly pressured to sign deportation papers and basically said, Your two options are to take your children back to Mexico, all of them, or hand them over to government custody and you will never see them again, he said of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents that dealt with the family. Thats not a meaningful choice. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, met with the Hernandez family in Monterrey, Mexico, earlier this month. He said its been disruptive for the family the daughter isnt getting treatment, while the U.S. citizen children cant officially enroll in school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes hoping to get passports for the U.S. citizen children and humanitarian parole for the parents and their one Mexican citizen child. That would allow the family to return to the U.S. so the daughter can continue to get medical care unavailable in Mexico. The little girl is not able to get the treatment she needs to get to deal with her illness, Espaillat said. This is happening more than we think it is happening, and that this mass deportation effort by the administration will now, now seems to be kicking in, and its sort of like on steroids, right, he added. Its happening to green card-holders and U.S. citizens, particularly children. So its not just an undocumented issue its impacting everybody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sirine Shebaya, executive director for the National Immigration Project, which is representing both of the Honduran women who were deported with their children, said ICE agents in Louisiana did not follow established protocol for handling family situations. Shebaya said past administrations have not moved to deport the parent of a citizen child if they were not otherwise considered a public safety risk. Theres a requirement that parents be given an opportunity to make decisions about what happens with their children, because, obviously, as a U.S. citizen, you have a right to be here. You are not able to be deported. And in this situation, neither of the moms was given an opportunity to make a decision about what happens with their kids, she said. Shebaya said the mothers should have been presented with forms, translated into their native language, as well as time to consult with an attorney and other family members, including to arrange the possibility of leaving the child with a designated custodian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, one was never informed her lawyer was trying to reach her and both were told their children would be removed with them. The families in Louisiana were evidently and clearly not given any choice in the matter at all, and if they had been given a choice, there would have been documentation of a process and a conversation. Its also not possible to have the ability to make a choice in less than 24 hours, about two children, one of whom is extremely sick, she said. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem framed the matter as an election of the parents, telling Magaziner and other lawmakers during questioning in earlier in May that we do not deport U.S. citizens and have not deported U.S. citizens. Homan says having US-born children does not make people immune from deportation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration also lashed out this week following a report from The Washington Post detailing the case of a 2-year-old born in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Brazilian parents without legal status in the U.S. The child, Emanuelly Borges Santos, is now left in bureaucratic limbo. U.S. immigration officials confiscated her parents Brazilian travel documents, leaving them unable to secure Brazilian citizenship for their daughter at a consulate in South Florida. When she arrived on a deportation flight with her parents in Brazil, Borges Santos had only her U.S. travel documents meaning she had to enter the country as a tourist. That status is set to expire in days, and Borges Santos has no simple way to gain citizenship in a country that, like the U.S., has birthright citizenship or requires foreign births to be registered at consulates abroad. The media is force-feeding the public false information that U.S. citizen children are being deported. This is FALSE and irresponsible, the Department of Homeland Security said in a tweet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children or ICE will place the children with someone the parent designates. Parents, who are here illegally, can take control of their departure through the CBP Home app. The United States is offering illegal aliens $1,000 and a free flight to self-deport now. But critics say removals amount to deportation and ignore the complexities faced by such families. Woodward said that the Hernandez familys son was out of town when the rest of the family was deported and remains in the U.S. He just lost his whole family. Hes been separated from everybody, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woodward pointed to comments from border czar Tom Homan, who recently said having U.S. citizen children doesnt make someone immune from immigration laws, and that families get separated every day by law enforcement. Woodward noted parallels with the family separation policy implemented under the first Trump administration. Zooming out a little bit, the whole purported point of family separation was to be as cruel as possible to try to send a message to people about coming to the United States, the attorney said. And this is the exact same thing, and thats the clear, stated intent. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 shooting at a Minnesota park has left one woman dead and five men wounded. On Sunday, June 1, at about 9:30 p.m., officers were called to Boom Island Park in Minneapolis for reports of shots fired that were quickly upgraded to reports of a shooting, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said at a press conference the next morning. Officers from the Minneapolis Police Department and from Minneapolis Park Police came upon a very chaotic scene with more than 100 people still in the park screaming and fleeing, he said at the press conference, which was shown on local station ABC 5 Eyewitness News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People were gathered at the park for a barbecue or something else when an altercation erupted into gunfire, OHara said. Authorities believe there was more than one shooter involved in the incident, he said. Police found three male shooting victims at the scene and one female victim in a car near the entrance to the park at 11th Avenue Northeast and Sibley Street Northeast, he said. The female victim, who has not been identified, was rushed to a local hospital where she later died. 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. One of the three male shooting victims who was rushed to the hospital by ambulance has life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two other male victims who were taken to the hospital in private vehicles have non-life-threatening injuries. One additional adult female was knocked unconscious in the melee that followed the shooting, he said. Authorities have not yet identified the victims. Our hearts go out to the woman whose life was taken in this incident and everyone else that was affected by it, he said. While the woman's family is mourning her loss, authorities are sifting through literally hundreds of pieces of evidence at the scene, as they work to identify all of those who are responsible for this, OHara said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a very extensive scene, he said. There were a whole lot of rounds fired. Calling the number of rounds fired outrageous, OHara said, It's more akin to a war zone, the amount of shell casings that the officers are recovering here. It's just, it's sickening." He said he doesnt know exactly why people were gathered at the park or what sparked the shooting. I dont know what can motivate people to come armed to a gathering like this in the way that they did, said OHara. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Minneapolis police at 612-673-5845 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Calls can be anonymous. Read the original article on People BOSTON (SHNS) Gov. Maura Healey stepped up her criticism of recent federal immigration enforcement actions in Massachusetts, this time demanding immediate information on the reported arrest of a Milford High School junior Saturday. Public and high-profile arrests and apprehensions have been part of the Trump administrations immigration enforcement strategy, including in Somerville, Worcester, Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket. Late Monday morning, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons, and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston Acting Field Office Director Patricia Hyde plan to hold a press conference to announce the results of a month-long immigration enforcement surge in Massachusetts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, a junior at Milford High was reportedly arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement while he was on his way to a volleyball practice. The governor, who last week said she would like ICE to share information about planned enforcement operations here with state and local authorities, said she was disturbed and outraged by the reports. Yet again, local officials and law enforcement have been left in the dark with no heads up and no answers to their questions. Im demanding that ICE provide immediate information about why he was arrested, where he is and how his due process is being protected, Healey said in a statement. My heart goes out to the Milford community on what was supposed to be a celebratory graduation day. The Trump Administration continues to create fear in our communities, and its making us all less safe. Hundreds of people participated in a march from the high school to town hall in Milford on Sunday to support the apprehended student, including more than 200 educators. The Milford Teachers Association said the apprehension was an act of cruelty that marked an escalation in tactics. The Milford Teachers Association proudly stands with its students and the residents of Milford in opposing this dangerous shift in operations, union president Nick Molinari said. We are committed to defending every students right to learn, grow, and be treated with dignity no matter where they come from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, ICE and partner agencies said they apprehended around 40 people on Nantucket and Marthas Vineyard. Officials did not release the identities or backgrounds of the arrested people, but said the cohort included a documented gang member and at least one child sex offender. Kimberly Milka, acting special agent in charge of the FBIs Boston Division, said last weeks island operations highlighted the FBI Bostons ongoing commitment to supporting our partners at the Department of Homeland Security with identifying and apprehending those who are breaking the law by violating our immigration laws and, in some cases, committing crimes that endanger public safety. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MASSENA, N.Y. (WWTI) State Police responded to a report of a fight in progress in Massena, which resulted in charges of assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. New York State Police said they responded to a report of a fight in progress on Friday, May 16, at approximately 7:36 p.m., on Alcoa Road in the town of Massena. During an investigation, police determined that a verbal argument had occurred between Michael J. Green, age 38, of Massena, NY, and the victim. Watertown man facing arson charges Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The argument reportedly turned into a physical altercation when Green struck the victim in the face. The victim was taken to Massena Memorial Hospital and received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. While conducting interviews regarding the altercation, police say, Alan M. Green, age 33, also of Massena, NY, became disorderly. He made disrespectful remarks, acted belligerently, swore and exhibited violent behavior towards law enforcement. Alan refused to calm down despite being asked to multiple times by police. Troopers attempted to arrest him and he continued to resist and ignored their commands. Alan M. Green was transported to SP Massena for processing on May 16. He was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest and was later released on an appearance ticket, returnable to the Town of Massena Court for a later date in June, according to police. On May 31, State Police received the victims medical records, which led them to the arrest of Michael J. Green. He was arrested and transported to SP Massena, where he was charged with third-degree assault. He was released on an appearance ticket, returnable to the Town of Massena Court for a later date in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com. NEED TO KNOW There may be a global shortage of black pepper on the horizon, causing prices to increase Inventory and production levels of black peppercorn the seed from which black pepper is derived are down due to a variety of factors Only four countries generate about 80% of the worlds black peppercorn supply, meaning changes in production have far-reaching impacts One of the worlds most common kitchen ingredients might become scarce soon: black pepper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the U.S.-based spice importer Majestic Spice, global inventory levels of black peppercorn the seed from which black pepper is derived are down, despite the fact that demand levels have not changed. This scarcity is expected to drive the price higher. Additionally, unpredictable rain and drought cycles in places where peppercorn is harvested, like India, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, have delayed harvest schedules, putting increased strain on the supply chain, per the outlet. Oscar Wong/Getty Black peppercorn (stock image) Black peppercorn (stock image) Studies also show that unpredictable changes in climate likely due to climate change can affect how the peppercorn tastes, rendering some of the harvest unusable. 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. Additionally, according to a recent article in The India Tribune, trade issues have disincentivized pepper farmers and traders from investing in black pepper production, and they are instead often redirecting their focus to more stable crops. This, combined with the fact that only four countries generate 80% of the worlds pepper supply, means this volatility has far-reaching impacts for consumers. imageBROKER/Jurgen Pfeiffer/Getty Black peppercorn (stock image) Black peppercorn (stock image) Allrecipes.com notes that Americans will likely first notice the effects of the shortage in stores that sell generic spices, like Trader Joes or Aldi. They also state that the price of peppercorn is likely to increase in all stores, regardless of where you shop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allrecipes notes that, unfortunately, there is no great substitute for fresh pepper ground from whole peppercorns. While white pepper offers too mild a flavor for most, pepper blends like rainbow peppercorn will likely overwhelm the average dish. Instead, Allrecipes food writer Hannah Klinger suggests utilizing other spices, such as smoked paprika, coriander and cumin, or dried herb blends to brighten your dishes. She also recommends investing in a refillable pepper grinder and stocking up on whole peppercorns while they are available, as this is usually a more affordable option than purchasing pre-filled grinders. StillTasty, a food shelf life guide site, says that whole black peppercorns stay fresh for three to four years, meaning that any peppercorns you buy now should be usable for quite some time. Read the original article on People TEHRAN - Iran plans to reject a proposal from the United States for a nuclear agreement, viewing it as "not balanced," a diplomatic source said Monday, following negotiations that started in April. The U.S. administration of President Donald Trump has called on Iran to cease uranium enrichment. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said Saturday on social media platform X that he had received via mediator Oman "elements of a U.S. proposal which will be appropriately responded to" in line with Iran's national interests. The source told Kyodo News that the elements are "totally one-sided" and favor U.S. and Israeli interests, slamming the proposal as "a non-starter." Trump, who has vowed to block Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, is seeking a new deal with Iran after pulling the United States out of the previous agreement between Iran and six major powers in 2018, under which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Senior U.S. and Iranian government officials have held five rounds of indirect talks over the nuclear issue since April this year. Iran has insisted that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes. Trump has threatened to use military force if talks break down. Both sides have said negotiations will continue, but the schedule for the next round has yet to be fixed, indicating the differences remaining. Israel is reportedly considering attacking Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump said Wednesday he had called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during phone talks not to attack Iran, claiming that Washington was close to a nuclear deal with Tehran. Related coverage: Senior Taliban officials make 1st known visit to Japan since takeover Syria government falls, rebels declare end to Assad family's rule Japan develops uranium-based battery to reuse radioactive waste BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) Mayor Jared Kraham released a statement on Monday, addressing recent terrorist attacks and voicing his support for the local Jewish community. Kraham issued the following statement: Following the horrific terrorist attacks in Colorado, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania, I am deeply troubled by a growing wave of antisemitic violence and hate across our nation. We must fiercely condemn these acts of violence and reject hateful antisemitic rhetoric of all kinds. They have no place in our community, our government or our politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the last few weeks, Ive been in touch with Binghamtons Jewish faith leaders to reaffirm the Citys commitment to the safety of our Jewish friends and neighbors. The Binghamton Police Department will continue to work closely with places of worship and faith-based community organizations to ensure security and peace of mind. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols on Sunday unveiled a $105 million reparations plan for the descendants of the Tulsa race massacre -- the deadly 1921 attack by a white mob on the Oklahoma city's Greenwood section, a thriving Black neighborhood known as "Black Wall Street." The attack, which occurred May 31 and June 1, 1921, killed hundreds of people and left homes and businesses destroyed. Nichols, who became Tulsa's first Black mayor in 2024, announced the Greenwood Trust -- a $105 million charitable initiative -- on the first official Tulsa Race Massacre Observance Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tulsa race massacre survivors praise DOJ investigation revealing 'truth' but disappointed no charges recommended Joey Johnson/AP - PHOTO: Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols IV speaks during the Legacy event for the Tulsa Race Massacre, June 1, 2025, at Greenwood Cultural Center in Tulsa, Okla. The trust is part of "The Road to Repair," a multi-step plan aimed at healing generational wounds, according to the mayor's office. "This is a critical step to help to unify Tulsans and heal the wounds that for so long prevented generations of our neighbors from being able to recover from the Race Massacre," Nichols said in a statement on Sunday. The private trust will invest in affordable housing and homeownership, cultural and historic preservation, as well as economic development and education, according to the plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While the City of Tulsa cannot undo the harm of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, it can choose a road to repair to invest in justice, opportunity, and dignity and begin to repair the harm to those who survived and were impacted by the Tulsa Race Massacre and the subsequent disinvestment of the historic Greenwood District and North Tulsa," the mayor's office said. DOJ announces first-ever federal review of 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Joey Johnson/AP - PHOTO: Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols IV speaks during the Legacy event for the Tulsa Race Massacre, June 1, 2025, at Greenwood Cultural Center in Tulsa, Okla. In September 2024, the DOJ started the first federal review of the Tulsa Race massacre -- a move that the living survivors and the descendents of the victims praised at the time. Following a four-month probe, the DOJ released a 126-page report on Jan. 17. According to the report, the two-day raid killed 300 Black residents and destroyed their businesses was a "coordinated, military-style attack" conducted by a white mob of over 10,000 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the murders and property destruction, victims' money and personal property were stolen, and they were not provided with any aid, the report said. Survivor of Tulsa Race Massacre, 'Mother Randle,' marks 110th birthday Joey Johnson/AP - PHOTO: Viola "Mother" Ford Fletcher, 110 years of age and Lessie Benningfield "Mother" Randle 109 years old listen during the Legacy event for the Tulsa Race Massacre, June 1, 2025, at Greenwood Cultural Center in Tulsa, Okla. Viola Fletcher, known as "Mother Fletcher," and Lessie Benningfield Randle, known as "Mother Randle," are the last known living survivors, according to the Department of Justice, after Hugh Van Ellis, known as "Uncle Red," died on Oct. 9, 2023, at 102. Randle, who celebrated her 110th birthday on Nov. 10, 2024, and Fletcher, who turned 111 on May 10, were young girls when the deadly attack occurred and have been fighting for reparations for decades. Joey Johnson/AP - PHOTO: Lessie Benningfield "Mother" Randle, one of the final two survivors at 109 years old, listens during the Legacy event for the Tulsa Race Massacre, June 1, 2025, at Greenwood Cultural Center in Tulsa, Okla. Attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons, executive director and founder of Justice For Greenwood who represents the victims and their descendants, celebrated the mayor's plan and said that this is a "hopeful moment" for the families in this community. "Many of the commitments outlined today echo the very proposals our team and community have spent years fighting to bring to light," Solomon-Simmons said in a statement on Sunday. "This alignment is a testament to the power of truth-telling and organized advocacy -- and we're ready to work together to ensure these ideas become real outcomes for descendants." MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) A McDowell County man has been sentenced to life in prison for shooting an killing a man in 2023. On May 22, a jury found Jeffrey Allen Higgins, 40, guilty of first-degree murder. He has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Higgins was charged in the November 2023 killing of Jimmy Lee Cool, who investigators said was shot by Higgins on Fairview Road in the Marion area. He was transported to the hospital but later died of his injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once again, I am very proud of the commitment and hard work our team puts forth with their investigations, said McDowell County Sheriff Ricky Buchanan. A thank you as well to the SBI for their partnership, and to District Attorney Ted Bell and his team for doing an outstanding job in bringing this case to justice. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Childhood vaccination rates against measles, mumps, and rubella have been declining in much of the U.S. since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study has found. The study, which was published in JAMA on June 2, analyzed measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination rates by county where data were available. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University collected county-level data on MMR vaccination rates for kindergarteners from each states health department website for the school years before the pandemic (2017-2018) and after (2023-2024). In states where that data were not available, researchers analyzed the most comparable data instead. Of the 2,066 counties in 33 states that researchers analyzed, 78% of them reported a decline in vaccination rates. Researchers found that the county-level mean vaccination rate decreased from almost 94% before the pandemic to about 91% after the pandemicfalling well below what public-health experts generally consider to be the threshold for herd immunity against measles of about 95%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read More: What to Know About the New COVID-19 Variant NB.1.8.1 Lauren Gardner, senior author of the study and director of Johns Hopkins Universitys Center for Systems Science and Engineering, says the goal of this research was to get a more comprehensive, higher resolution understanding of the vaccination landscape in the country. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has national- and state-level data, but we know that vaccination patterns can vary significantly within a state and even at a higher resolution than that across communities, within even the county, Gardner says. For places with a low vaccination rate, if measles gets introduced into these regions, theres more likely to be an outbreak. And thats what were seeing. As of May 29, a total of 1,088 confirmed measles cases were reported by 33 jurisdictions in the U.S., according to the CDC. Of those cases, 96% were in people who were either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown. So far in 2025, there have been 14 reported outbreaks and three people confirmed to have died of measles-related complications, all of whom were unvaccinated. Before this year, the last confirmed measles-related death in the country occurred in 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Getting vaccinated is the best way to be protected against measles. The MMR vaccine is both safe and effective, and the CDC has said that most people who get it will be protected against measles for life. Read More: Do You Need a Measles Vaccine Booster? The new study found that only four of the 33 states that researchers analyzedCalifornia, Connecticut, Maine, and New Yorkreported a rise in the median county-level vaccination rates. Researchers didnt investigate the causes behind disparate rates, and Gardner says that many factorsincluding the pandemics impact on access to health care, different populations, the quality of reported data, and vaccine hesitancyplay a role in a communitys vaccination rates. But she also notes that the four states that reported an increase in the measles vaccination rate are among the few that dont allow non-medical exemptions for school immunization requirements, such as the MMR vaccine. Gardner says that Hawaii stood out to her in the study because it experienced a significant drop in measles vaccine coverage; before the pandemic, its rate was around 95%, but after the pandemic, it plummeted to roughly 80%. Wisconsin had the lowest vaccination rate, on average, among the states studied; its most recent rate was in the 70s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gardner says that a states average vaccination rate might be misleading because the rate can vary greatly within communities. It would be ideal, she says, if researchers could get even more granular with the data and analyze vaccination rates school by school. The higher granularity you get, the more you actually see problemsand then can also respond to them and figure out where its actually important to go and target and try and help get vaccination rates up, Gardner says. Contact us at letters@time.com. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The Sedgwick County Health Department will host a vaccine clinic on Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Evergreen Recreation Center, 2700 N. Woodland. No appointment is necessary, and it is no cost to the patient. The MMR vaccine is for adults and children 12 months to 17 years. Ages 6-11 months may be vaccinated if traveling to a high-risk area. A parent or guardian must be present. An ID is required for adults (18+), and a photo ID is preferred (drivers license, state ID, passport, Matricula Consular, etc.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information, call 316-660-7300 or 316-303-8042 or click here. Pickup crashes into west Wichita home For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Demonstrators are marching in Washington, D.C. against President Trumps tax and spending package. Executive Director of Repairers of the Breach, the non-profit leading the demonstration, Reverend Kazimir Brown joins Chris Jansing to speak out against the Republican spending plan, which includes cuts to crucial programs like Medicaid. The Senates deficit hawks might be raising the loudest hue and cry over the GOPs big, beautiful bill. But another group of Republicans is poised to have a bigger impact on the final legislative product. Call them the Medicaid moderates. Theyre actually an ideologically diverse bunch ranging from conservative Josh Hawley of Missouri to centrist Susan Collins of Maine. Yet they have found rare alignment over concerns about what the House-passed version of the GOP domestic-policy megabill does to the national safety-net health program, and they have the leverage to force significant changes in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would hope that we would elect not to do anything that would endanger Medicaid benefits as a conference, Hawley said in an interview. Ive made that clear to my leadership. I think others share that perspective. Besides Hawley and Collins, other GOP senators including Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Jerry Moran of Kansas and Jim Justice of West Virginia have also drawn public red lines over health care and they have some rhetorical backing from President Donald Trump, who has urged congressional Republicans to spare the program as much as possible. Based on early estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, 10.3 million people would lose coverage under Medicaid if the House-passed bill were to become law many, if not most, in red states. That could spell trouble for Majority Leader John Thunes whip count: He can only lose three GOP senators on the expected party-line vote and still have Vice President JD Vance break a tie. Republicans already have one all-but-guaranteed opponent in Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky so long as they stick to their plan to raise the debt limit as part of the bill. They also view Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson as increasingly likely to oppose the package after spending weeks blasting the bill on fiscal grounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meeting either senators demands could be enormously difficult given the tight fiscal parameters through which House leaders have to squeeze the bill to advance it in their own chamber. That in turn is empowering the senators elsewhere in the GOP conference to make changes and the Medicaid group is emerging as the key bloc to watch because of its size and its overlapping, relatively workable demands. Heeding those asks wont be easy. Republicans are counting on savings from Medicaid changes to offset hundreds of billions of dollars in tax cuts, and rolling that back is likely to create political pain elsewhere for Thune and Co., who already want to cut more than the House to assuage a sizable group of spending hawks. At the same time, Speaker Mike Johnson is insisting the Senate make only minor changes to the bill so as to maintain the delicate balance in his own narrowly divided chamber. Thune and Finance Chair Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) have already acknowledged that Medicaid, covering nearly 80 million low-income Americans, will be one of the biggest sticking points as they embark this month on a rewrite of the megabill. They are talking with key members in anticipation of difficult negotiations and being careful not to draw red lines publicly. We want to do things that are meaningful in terms of reforming programs, strengthening programs, without affecting beneficiaries, Thune said, echoing language used by some of the concerned senators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crapo voiced support in an interview for one pillar of the House bill broad new work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries but rushed to add that hes still working with a 53-member caucus to get answers to how the program can be overhauled: I can only speak for myself. Complicating their task is the fact that some in the group namely Collins and Murkowski have a proven history of bucking their party even amid intense public pressure. The pair, in fact, helped tank the GOPs last party-line effort on health care, in 2017. Leaders view them as unlikely to be moved by the type of arm-twisting Republicans are planning to deploy to bring enough of the fiscal hawks on board. And then theres Hawley, who is playing up Trumps own warnings to congressional Republicans about keeping their hands off Medicaid. Hawley and Trump spoke shortly before the House passed its bill, with the senator recounting that the president said absolutely categorically, Do not touch Medicaid. No Medicaid benefit cuts, none. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawley, like Crapo, has indicated he is comfortable with work requirements, but he is pushing for two major tweaks to the House language: undoing a freeze on provider taxes, which most states use to help finance their share of Medicaid costs, and new co-payment requirements for some beneficiaries that he has been calling a sick tax. The provider tax changes would present an issue with multiple senators, who fear it would exacerbate the bills impact on state budgets and slash funding that helps keep rural hospitals afloat. Justice, a former governor, called it a real issue. They havent done anything to really cut into the bone except that one thing, Justice added. Thats gonna put a big burden on the states. Moran grabbed the attention of his colleagues when he warned in a pointed April floor speech that making changes to Medicaid would hurt rural hospitals. A "significant portion of his focus, he said, is to make sure the hospitals have the capability and the revenues necessary to provide the services the community needs Medicaid is a component of that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collins, who is up for reelection in 2026, has also left the door open to supporting work requirements, depending on how they are crafted. She has also raised concerns about the provider tax provision, noting that rural hospitals in my state and across the country are really teetering. Murkowski, meanwhile, isnt as concerned about the provider tax, because Alaska is the only state that doesnt use it to help cover its share of Medicaid spending. But she has expressed alarm over the Houses approach to work requirements, including a decision to speed up the implementation deadline to appease House hard-liners. She said it would be very challenging if not impossible for her state to implement. As it is, any effort to water down the Houses Medicaid language will face steep resistance in other corners of the GOP-controlled Senate, where lawmakers are pushing to amp up spending cuts, not scale them back. Some senators, in fact, want to further tighten the Houses work requirements or reduce, not just freeze, the provider tax. Id be damned disappointed if a Republican majority with a Republican president didnt make some reforms, said Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.). The provider tax is a money laundering machine. If we dont go after that, were not doing our jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ron Johnson and a few others are continuing to push to change the cost split for those Medicaid beneficiaries made eligible under the Affordable Care Act. The federal government now picks up 90 percent of the cost, and House centrists nixed an effort by conservatives to reduce it. One idea under discussion by conservatives is to phase in the change to appease skittish colleagues and state governments, but that is still likely to be a nonstarter for 50 GOP senators. Hawley warned that there will be no Senate bill if that is on the table. Adam Cancryn contributed to this report. 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Floridas 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 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 only process bills received directly from providers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. To retain tax-exempt status, nonprofit hospitals must have programs that provide free or discounted care to patients who cant afford their bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 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 are also 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More from this series The Patient Expected a Free Checkup. The Bill Was $1,430. Apr 30, 2025 He Had Short-Term Health Insurance. His Colonoscopy Bill: $7,000. Mar 28, 2025 A Runner Was Hit by a Car, Then by a Surprise Ambulance Bill Feb 28, 2025 More from Bill of the Month Bill of the Month is a crowdsourced investigation by KFF Health News and The Washington Posts 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! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF. Subscribe to KFF Health News free Morning Briefing. This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. The post A Medicaid Patient Had a Heart Attack While Traveling He Owed Almost $78,000 appeared first on Katie Couric Media. AUSTIN (Nexstar) With time running out in the legislative session, lawmakers reached a deal to expand the states medical marijuana program. Sunday evening, both the House and Senate approved a conference committee agreement on House Bill 46, relating to the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP). The legislation calls for expanding the number of licensed cannabis providers in the TCUP from three to 15. It also allows patients with chronic pain and patients with traumatic brain injuries to take part in the program. The issue of how to define chronic pain for TCUP eligibility was a point of difference between the House and Senate. Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian, who authored HB 46 spoke about the differences Sunday as he laid out the conference committee report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate had defined chronic pain as a pain that continues for more than 90 days after a prescription of an opioid. This was not acceptable, so the conference committee agreed that to define chronic pain as persistent, severe pain that lasts more than 90 days for which THC is a viable method of treatment, King said. King said that veterans are not specifically listed as eligible for the program. Similarly, he said that lawmakers were not able to reach agreement on conditions like glaucoma, degenerative disc disease, and spinal neuropathy. However, King said the definition of chronic pain would cover most of those patients. TCUP launched in 2015 for epileptic children and has since slowly grown to include more people, including those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. It provides low-THC cannabis to patients with a proper prescription from a physician. There are currently three licensed dispensing organizations that cultivate and deliver the products to patients. Nico Richardson is the CEO of Texas Original Compassionate Cultivation, one of the dispensing organizations based in south Austin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richardson says one of the main issues for the TCUP is accessibility. He says when a patient makes an order they will either have to drive to the main facility of the organization, meet the organization at a pick-up location, or have the product delivered to their house. The size of Texas creates a long waiting period for the patients, Richardson explained. Expanding the number of providers seeks to serve patients in a more effective and timely manner. The push to expand TCUP gained attention in recent weeks as separate legislation advanced to ban over-the-counter products containing hemp-based THC. THC is the compound in cannabis that causes a high feeling. Legislation passed by both the House and Senate would ban THC products, like vapes, snacks, and drinks currently sold in stores around the state. Some critics of the ban raised concern about people who use the products to treat pain. State Rep. Penny Morales Shaw, a Democrat from Houston, raised concerns earlier this month during debate on the House floor for the veteran community. Youre taking away potentially their freedom to choose this product that in their own words saved their lives, Morales Shaw said from the back microphone. State Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, who wrote the amendment that changed the bill from a regulation on THC to a complete ban, sympathized with those concerns but argued the proper help for veterans would need to come from the states regulated TCUP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont ever want somebody to be denied access to a medication that may be a benefit, Oliverson said. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick voiced support for the THC ban, but also called for expanding TCUP, saying those who need THC for medical use would get it in a controlled way. It will be the largest medical cannabis program, regulated medical cannabis program in the country, and probably the most well-designed, State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock said. Both the THC ban and the TCUP expansion are now on the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott. He has until June 22 to decide whether to sign the legislation, veto, or let it go into effect without his signature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters of the TCUP expansion are optimistic the legislation will become law. The veterans out there watching need to know that the Texas Compassionate Use Program has been protected, Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, said while speaking in the chamber. He was one of the House members on the conference committee. We actually got a little more than what we thought wed get out of that conference committee, Tinderholt said. Veterans are covered, chronic pain is covered, and this bill will cover all of the things that we wanted when it went over to the Senate and there were modifications made. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Many questions have been asked about Meghan Markle's life, but thinking she was marrying up into billions is a new one. The Duchess of Sussex's expectations reportedly fell short when she married into the royal family and discovered her husband, Prince Harry, is a humble millionaire. Meghan Markle's life has been under intense scrutiny since she left the United States to marry the future king's younger sibling in the United Kingdom. Royal Insider Claims Meghan Markle Was Shocked At Prince Harry's Net Worth MEGA Tom Quinn, in his book "Yes, Ma'am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants," notes that Meghan was allegedly taken aback when she learned that Prince Harry, despite being the brother of a future king, was not as wealthy as she had anticipated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite leaving her flourishing acting career behind to move to the UK, the mother-of-two reportedly faced an unexpected reality. Quinn shared that Meghan had expected Prince Harry to be a billionaire but found out he was worth around 20 million. This revelation prompted her to reassess her assumptions about her new royal family. Furthermore, it was shocking for Meghan to discover that, unlike her ex-husband, Trevor Engelson, who married a multi-millionaire heiress, she would not be residing in grand royal locations like Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. Instead, the couple lived in the modest Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace, with no live-in staff to cater to their needs. According to the Daily Mail, Quinn shared that Meghan's net worth was about $5 million when she married the prince. Meghan Reportedly Became Sensitive On Harry's Behalf MEGA Quinn commented on Meghan's dissatisfaction when she and Harry were expected to live in the modest Nottingham Cottage, which she perceived as a slight against her husband, especially when compared to the accommodations of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A member of Palace staff suggested that Meghan's troubles began with this small living situation, as she felt it signified how the Royal Family viewed Harry. Meghan's perspective also illuminated Harry's position as the "spare" to William, a realization that seemed to deepen after their marriage. According to an insider, she quickly recognized that Harry was not as central to royal matters as his brother, which sparked a sense of grievance. While Harry had not considered his role as a spare before, Meghan's sensitivity on his behalf led her to believe he was being treated as less important. Inside Prince Harry's Eight-Figure Inheritance ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Prince Harry's 40th birthday last year made him richer by millions when he received an $8.5 million inheritance, a gift arranged by his late great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. As noted by the New York Post, this inheritance comes from a $90 million trust fund established for the family, which stipulated that Harry could access his share upon turning 40. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initially, there were concerns that he might need to pay taxes on this inheritance. However, investment experts from Stocklytics have clarified that this inheritance will not be subject to tax due to how the Queen Mother's estate was managed. The firm noted that inheritance tax applied only to trusts established within seven years of an individual's death. Since the Queen Mother's passing in 2002, the trust has remained exempt from inheritance tax. Had the trust been created within that seven-year window, it could have incurred a tax liability of up to $9.7 million for HM Revenue & Customs. As it stands, Harry's inheritance is not expected to be taxed, allowing him to receive the full amount. The Duke Of Sussex's Appeal Court Loss Cost Him $2 Million In Legal Fees ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Following Harrys deafening loss at the court, the couples finances became public knowledge, which included the debt left behind by the legal proceedings. According to The Mirror, Harry will now have to settle $2 million in legal expenses despite losing the case to reinstate his United Kingdom security detail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After moving to the United States with Meghan, they secured several lucrative contracts, including a $100 million deal with Netflix, which they signed as soon as they stepped back from their royal duties in 2020. Meghan and Harry also acquired a $20 million advance from Penguin Random House for a four-book deal, with one of the books being Spare. The couple expanded their earnings with another $25 million deal with Spotify, which led to the creation of Meghan's Archetypes podcast. Despite their transition away from royal life and the financial obligations associated with their former residence, their net worth has impressively reached around $60 million, alongside their Montecito home, valued at $14 million. In May 2020, Harry and Meghan showed commitment to repaying the taxpayer money spent on refurbishing Frogmore Cottage. They planned to reimburse $3 million over the next decade, remitting approximately $24,000 per month. Prince Harry Says No More U.K. For Meghan Markle And Their Kids MEGA Harry losing his case came with personal consequences. As noted by The Blast, the younger royal mourned the possibility of his kids never setting foot in the U.K. since their security cannot be guaranteed by the Royal Family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The philanthropist noted that the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, before the judgment that nailed the coffin, made the hasty decision of demoting him from a high-risk to a low-risk entity. The Prince's interpretation is that the committee downplayed his safety concerns, thereby making him and his family vulnerable to potential attacks. "I can't see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the U.K. at this point," Prince Harry explained, adding that his family would miss everything about the country. Did Meghan Markle marry up, or did she give up a possible high Hollywood lifestyle? Chinese proficiency competition held in South Africa Xinhua) 13:32, May 31, 2025 A contestant performs a talent show during the South Africa finals of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students in Cape Town, South Africa, on May 30, 2025. The South Africa finals of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students took place on Friday in Cape Town, the country's legislative capital, where participants showcased remarkable language abilities and cultural talents. (Xinhua/Wang Lei) CAPE TOWN, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The South Africa finals of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students took place on Friday in Cape Town, the country's legislative capital, where participants showcased remarkable language abilities and cultural talents. Hosted by the Chinese Embassy in South Africa and organized by the "Chinese Bridge" Club in Cape Town, the event was co-sponsored by Confucius Institutes across the country. This year's competition, themed "One World, One Family," consisted of three segments: a quiz on China-related knowledge, a Chinese language proficiency contest, and a showcase of Chinese cultural talents. Fifteen university students won rounds of applause and cheers from the audience. Thakane Masia, a second-year student from Rhodes University, emerged as the winner. Masia, whose Chinese name is Ma Kaini, will represent South Africa in the global finals to be held in China. Masia said the competition was intense and that all contestants performed well. She expressed her pride in winning first place and noted the value of Chinese as one of the official languages of the United Nations. Masia believed her Chinese language skills will be an asset in her future career. "With my politics degree, I also know Chinese. I can communicate with a lot of different people. It can also help if I have business or political engagement with China in the future," she said. In a video message, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng highlighted the role of language cooperation as a key part of people-to-people exchanges. "As an important component of people-to-people exchanges, language cooperation between China and South Africa empowers mutual understanding between our peoples and contributes to the enduring friendship between our two nations," he noted. Wu expressed hope for the contestants to find inspiration in the beauty of the Chinese language, form lasting friendships, and become active ambassadors for China-South Africa friendship and cooperation. Tang Chang'an, deputy consul general of the Chinese Consulate-General in Cape Town, attended the event, saying that language is not just about grammar or vocabulary -- it is about understanding, connection, and respect. "Through your effort and your interest in language and culture, you are helping build a stronger, more connected world," he added, encouraging the contestants to continuously bridge diverse cultures through the power of language, friendship, and shared dreams. Wu Changhong, chairperson of the "Chinese Bridge" Club in Cape Town, described the competition as a celebration of language and culture. She praised the participants for demonstrating excellent language proficiency and a deep appreciation of Chinese culture. "The event not only enhanced students' language abilities but also fostered cross-cultural understanding and built bridges between people," she said. A contestant gives a speech during the South Africa finals of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students in Cape Town, South Africa, on May 30, 2025. The South Africa finals of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students took place on Friday in Cape Town, the country's legislative capital, where participants showcased remarkable language abilities and cultural talents. (Xinhua/Wang Lei) A contestant gives a speech during the South Africa finals of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students in Cape Town, South Africa, on May 30, 2025. The South Africa finals of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students took place on Friday in Cape Town, the country's legislative capital, where participants showcased remarkable language abilities and cultural talents. (Xinhua/Wang Lei) A contestant performs a talent show during the South Africa finals of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students in Cape Town, South Africa, on May 30, 2025. The South Africa finals of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students took place on Friday in Cape Town, the country's legislative capital, where participants showcased remarkable language abilities and cultural talents. (Xinhua/Wang Lei) A contestant gives a speech during the South Africa finals of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students in Cape Town, South Africa, on May 30, 2025. The South Africa finals of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students took place on Friday in Cape Town, the country's legislative capital, where participants showcased remarkable language abilities and cultural talents. (Xinhua/Wang Lei) A contestant performs a talent show during the South Africa finals of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students in Cape Town, South Africa, on May 30, 2025. The South Africa finals of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students took place on Friday in Cape Town, the country's legislative capital, where participants showcased remarkable language abilities and cultural talents. (Xinhua/Wang Lei) (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Kou Jie) Press Release June 2, 2025 Senators ok Optimization Bill Senators on Monday, June 2, 2025, pressed the green light button to empower President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to scale down agencies under the executive branch and efficiently deliver services to the people. With 22 senators voting in the affirmative, zero negative vote, and no abstention, Senate Bill No. (SBN) 890, or the Government Optimization Act, was approved on third and final reading. Senate President Francis "Chiz" G. Escudero was the principal author of the bill, which was originally titled Rightsizing the National Government Act of 2022. Considered to be the administration's priority measure, the optimization bill is intended to minimize redundancies, eliminate redundant functions, and simplify rules, regulations, and processes. Escudero downplayed the possible lay-offs or dislocation of government employees, saying rightsizing is about streamlining the bureaucracy, which also means the possible creation of new positions, new offices, upgrading, upskilling, and upscaling personnel to help them fill up much-needed positions and put them on the path toward career advancement. He said the objective of rightsizing is not about saving money but being able to deliver services to the people more efficiently. The bill authorizes the President to optimize the operations of the different agencies in the Executive Branch under the Government Optimization Program (GOP) to, among others, strengthen the functions of the agency that directly contribute to the targeted ultimate societal outcomes of the national government and/or the targeted sector or sub-sector outcomes of the agency; scale down, phase out, eliminate, or discontinue functions, programs, projects, or activities that can be better carried out or undertaken by the private sector, or have already been devolved to LGUs consistent with the governing principles provided in this Act; and, transfer or integrate functions from one agency to another which can better perform the same, or split functions of agencies, bureaus, and offices that may be conflicting or multifarious. A Committee on Optimizing the Executive Branch (COEB) will be created to oversee the implementation of the GOP. It will be composed of the Executive Secretary as chairperson; the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) as co-chairperson; and the Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning, the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), and the Director-General of the Anti-Red Tape Authority as members. Covered under SBN 890 are all agencies of the executive branch, including departments, bureaus, offices, commissions, boards, councils, and all other entities attached to or under their administrative supervision, and government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) not covered by Republic Act No. 10149 or the GOCC Governance Act of 2011. Under the bill, exempted from the rightsizing program are the legislature, the judiciary, constitutional commissions, the Office of the Ombudsman, local government units (LGUs), and teaching-related positions of the education sector, Also excluded are military and uniformed personnel in the Department of National Defense, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of Justice. The legislature, judiciary, constitutional commissions, and the Office of the Ombudsman may, within their respective authorized appropriations, optimize their respective offices, consistent with the principles and guidelines contained in this Act, and within the parameters of the Unified Position Classification and Compensation System established under Republic Act No. 6758, as amended. LGUs may also optimize their respective offices, consistent with the governing principles and guidelines contained in this Act and the provisions of Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and subject to their financial capability. The authority given to the President shall end five years after the effectivity of the bill. LONDON, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Britain has "lost control" of its borders over the past five years as illegal migrant arrivals continue to surge, Defence Secretary John Healey said on Sunday. According to official figures, 1,194 migrants arrived in the UK in small boats on Saturday, marking the highest daily arrivals so far this year. "Truth is, Britain's lost control of its borders over the last five years, and the last government last year left an asylum system in chaos and record levels of immigration," he told Sky News. Meanwhile, he said it is a "really big problem" that French police have failed to intervene effectively to intercept boats in shallow waters despite signing a 480-million-pound deal with Britain to stop the crossings. French police have intercepted just over 38 percent of asylum seekers attempting to reach Britain in small boats this year, down from 45 percent in 2024 and 47 percent in 2023, according to Home Office figures released on Thursday. France has not yet issued an official response on the matter. CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Doctor Charryse Johnson discusses the mental health toll mass shootings like the one in Catawba County can have on a community. Sadly, a mass shooting in Catawba County Sunday morning killed a 58-year-old man and left 11 others hospitalized, one of whom is in critical condition. Dr. Johnson gives insight into how parents can discuss tragic situations with kids to help them grasp and understand the magnitude. MORE FROM QCNEWS.COM Catawba County Mass Shooting Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mexican citizens went to the polls Sunday to elect thousands of judges in a historic vote championed by President Claudia Sheinbaum as an essential democratic reform and assailed by opponents and many legal experts as a crude maneuver to consolidate ruling-party power. The vote marked the first time that Mexico has elected judges, who until now have been appointed by review panels after passing a series of legal exams or, in the case of Supreme Court justices, after presidential nominations. With Sunday's vote, experts said, Mexico became the first country worldwide to elect all of its judges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheinbaum, who has assailed the current judiciary as corrupt and plagued by nepotism, gave a thumbs-up to journalists early Sunday as she and her husband arrived at a polling place in the Museum of Art in downtown Mexico City. "Long live democracy!" she declared on X after the first couple cast their ballots. The president has presented the judicial reform as a key component of her efforts to curb Mexican criminal cartels, a crackdown that is being closely watched by the Trump administration. But detractors predict a partisan judiciary beholden to the ruling Morena party and even more vulnerable to bribery and infiltration by organized crime. Read more: Mexico judicial elections: Government calls it essential reform. Critics say it's a farce Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is a black Sunday," Fernando Belaunzaran, a member of the center-right National Action Party told protesters gathered Sunday at the capital's landmark Angel of Independence monument. "Today the system of checks and balances died. ... Today was a coup d'etat. No weapons were used, but they captured the institutions meant to safeguard democracy." Some opposition lawmakers called for a boycott, labeling the process a farce meant to bolster the power of Sheinbaum's leftist Morena political bloc. Besides holding the presidency, Morena dominates Mexico's Congress, the Mexico City government and many statehouses. Apart from fierce polemics, the election has generated widespread confusion. Voters faced a daunting task: Choosing 881 federal judges, more than half of the federal judiciary. Citizens had to pore over at least six separate, color-coded ballots listing more than 3,000 candidates, mostly unknown to the public. Elections are slated for 2027 to choose the remainder of the federal bench. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, voters in 18 states and Mexico City were choosing some 1,800 regional judges. Turnout seemed sluggish and delays appeared the norm Sunday at several polling sites in the capital. Voters, many of them elderly, struggled with making a choice among the wide array of candidates. Many people were taking 20 minutes or more to fill out ballots. "I'm very upset," said Alberto Romero Diaz, 57, a car wash owner who was waiting in line to vote in the capital. "I've been waiting here almost an hour. This is very badly organized." Many voters carried cheat sheets listing numbers corresponding to preferred candidates. Ruling party officials have denied handing out the widely distributed cheat sheets, known here as acordeones (accordions) because the guides fold like the musical instrument. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Of course we used accordions to help us," said Jeronimo Contreras, 42, a businessman who was accompanying his elderly parents at a polling site. "One has to enter many numbers, it's very complicated." The cheat sheets, he said, indicated candidates backed by Sheinbaum's Morena party. Voting for Morena-backed candidates, Contreras said, would ensure continuation of government financial aid and other social-assistance programs launched by the ruling party. "If the judges are people who help Morena and the president, then everyone is on the same side and that's a good thing," Contreras said. The elections are officially nonpartisan. Contenders were not identified by party affiliation. Political parties were banned from funding candidates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics said the vetting of candidates was woefully inadequate and that some candidates had ties to organized crime or other ethical shortcomings. Sheinbaum said only a few candidates appeared unqualified. There was no immediate word on voter participation, which is viewed as a key test of the election's validity. Turnout is widely expected to be far below the more 60% of voters who cast ballots in last year's national balloting. The most closely watched contest is the election of nine members of the new Supreme Court. Under the electoral reform, the nation's highest tribunal will see both a reduction in the number of justices (from 11 currently) and new restrictions on the court's ability to invalidate laws as unconstitutional. The vote is the result of constitutional amendments pushed last year by former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who, like President Trump, often chafed at court rulings blocking his initiatives. The Mexican Congress, dominated by Morena, fast-tracked the radical judicial makeover, rejecting criticisms that the move was another step toward one-party rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The election featured a rare public appearance by Lopez Obrador, who cast his ballots in the southern state of Chiapas, where he retired to a family ranch last year after completing his six-year term. Mexican law bans presidential reelection. The former president, who founded the Morena party and is Sheinbaum's mentor, has kept a low profile. Lopez Obrador, an avid amateur historian, said he has been working on his latest book, a study of Mexico before the 16th century arrival of Spanish conquistadores. In brief comments to reporters, the former president who plucked Sheinbaum from relative academic obscurity to launch her remarkable political ascendance hailed the judicial vote and praised his protege. "I wanted to participate in this historic election," Lopez Obrador told reporters after voting, adding: "We have the world's best president!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Official results of Sunday's election are not expected for two weeks. Once electoral authorities certify the vote, the newly elected judges are scheduled to take office Sept. 1. McDonnell is a Times staff writer and Sanchez Vidal is a special correspondent. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) A police officer from northwestern New Mexico has died, several days after being critically injured when a man opened fire during a traffic stop. Law enforcement agencies gathered Sunday to escort the body of Bloomfield Police Officer Timothy Ontiveros from an Albuquerque hospital, where he had undergone multiple surgeries over recent days, to the office of the state medical investigator. A procession back to Bloomfield will be held Tuesday. Ontiveros had pulled over a man for a traffic violation on Memorial Day. Authorities said the man refused to roll down his window or provide identification. After negotiations failed, officers opted to arrest him and broke a window to take him into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man subsequently began shooting, hitting Ontiveros and narrowly missing a second officer at the scene. That officer returned fire, striking and killing the suspect. Authorities said the man had a record that included previous arrests for assault, trespassing, resisting an officer and threatening hospital staff. Ontiveros, 33, previously worked for the Farmington Police Department and was a volunteer firefighter for the neighboring community of Aztec. A GoFundMe page was set up to help his family. In his short time with the agency, he demonstrated kindness, professionalism, and dedication to the safety of the community he served, Bloomfield Police Chief Phillip Francisco said Sunday in a social media post. Ontiveros had joined Bloomfield police in December. Francisco asked for the community's support as the department navigated what he called a tremendous loss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham also mourned the loss of the officer. His death is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers our law enforcement officers face every single day, she said in a statement Sunday. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) The New Mexico Supreme Court affirmed the felony murder convictions of Jimmie Atkins for kidnapping and killing two teenagers in Albuquerque in 2018. Detectives said 15-year-old Colin Romero and 14-year-old Ahmed Lateef were killed over marijuana. One of the three men sentenced to life in prison plus 19 years appealed his convictions, saying the felony murder and step-down instructions caused juror confusion. NMSP arrest two men accused of leading officers on pursuit after a shooting, vehicle theft Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jimmie Atkins argued that a reversal was required because the district court inadequately responded yes to the jurys question on whether defendants could be found guilty of both second-degree murder and felony murder, and the jurys verdicts did not indicate that the confusion had been eliminated. The New Mexico Supreme Court denied the appeal, writing that Atkins failed to explain why the district courts instruction to the jury in response to its question was inadequate, and did not clearly explain why the jurys verdict demonstrated persistent confusion. We hold the district courts response to the jurys question was not in error because it was an accurate statement of the law, and the instruction would not have confused or misled a reasonable juror, the New Mexico Supreme Court wrote. Stephen Goldman Jr. and Julio Almentero were also convicted of the teens murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. The owner of a Miami cosmetic surgery center has been accused of not only allowing unlicensed doctors to cut open patients, but participating in at least one unlicensed surgery, then trying to reopen her center in an unlicensed location. Thats all from the states emergency order suspending the license of Maria Gonzalezs Mystic Cosmetic Center, which did business at 2020 SW First St. as New World Medical & Mystic Cosmetic Surgery. Thats where arrest reports say Doral residents Manuel Lazzaro and Wilson Munoz Suarez, neither of whom holds a Florida license, botched surgeries last fall. As a result of the cosmetic breast surgery by (Lazzaro), the victim suffered permanent disfigurement, said the arrest report about what a Miami-Dade prosecutor in bond court described as the loss of a nipple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lazzaro and Munoz each has pleaded not guilty to unlicensed practice. READ MORE: Two unlicensed doctors accused of botching cosmetic surgeries in Miami The suspension order says Gonzalez was documented as a medical assistant during the liposuction performed by Munoz on Oct. 12. Mystics owner and office manager appears to have direct knowledge of the unlicensed practiced due to her personal involvement in one of the unlicensed surgeries, the suspension order says. The owners knowledge and apparent indifference towards unlicensed individuals practicing medicine at her facility indicates a blatant disregard for the laws and rules which govern office surgery registrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gonzalezs attorney, Little Havanas Luis Fernandez, did not respond to a request for comment. Nor did Gonzalez. On the move... Through the 2020 SW 1st LLC, Gonzalez also owns the building out of which Mystic operated. Its been under renovation for months. In January, the suspension order said, Mystic put up a banner telling patients it was moving temporarily to 2397 SW 22nd St aka Coral Way. Mystic did not register that location with the department, the suspension order says and, therefore, the department didnt inspect the location. Office surgery registration licenses dont just transfer with the business name. A temporary sign says the location is now the home of Mibeauty Suites. Michael Cohen, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, believes the president will turn on his friend Elon Musk due to jealousy over his wealth. Cohen made the remarks to MSNBC, adding hes long suspected the pairs bromance was going to come to an end. Speaking to a network panel on Sunday, Cohen said: Trump will ultimately go after Elons money next, because it bothers him that he is the richest man in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps net worth is currently at $5.1bn, while Musk is worth $417bn, according to Forbes. Yes, he used him for his money. Now hes going to go and hes going to figure out how Elon, with his companies, took advantage of the United States of America, Cohen said. US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk speak to the press as they stand next to a Tesla vehicle on the South Portico of the White House in March (AFP/Getty) Cohen told panelists Trump could attempt to use the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was spearheaded by Musk, against the Tesla CEO. Theyre going to turn around, use DOGE to go, right, government efficiency, fraud, waste and abuse. How is it that he got $7,000 as a credit for every Tesla vehicle that was sold? Thats where his billions were made. Why should the United States pay for electric vehicles? Pay your own car if thats what you want. So theyre going to claw it back, Cohen continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tesla and SpaceX, another company founded by Musk, have long benefited from government contracts. In February, Musk tweeted he loves Trump as much as a straight man can love another man. Earlier this year, The Washington Post reported Musks companies have received over $38bn in contracts, loans, subsidies and other forms of government aid. Additionally, a government electric vehicle tax credit has helped Musk make a fortune, Cohen said. Hes going to do to Elon Musk, my prediction, what Mohammed bin Salman did to the other members of the royal family, added Cohen, referencing how the Saudi crown prince was accused of going after the wealth of his relatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk donated $288m to help elect Trump in 2024 and was seen a handful of times on the campaign trail. His association with the administration has led to some consumers boycotting Tesla, causing the company to lose more than half its value since December 17. Tesla quickly recovered after Musk announced hed be taking a step back from his role as a special government employee. Last week, Musk said he was disappointed by the presidents tax and spending bill. In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to multiple federal crimes and later spent three years in prison. He was convicted of campaign finance violations, tax evasion and lying to Congress, stemming from hush money payments made to silence Stormy Daniels, a woman who claimed she had an affair with the president. Cohen was released after about a year and completed his sentence in home confinement during the Covid-19 pandemic. U.S. Reps. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, Bill Huizenga, R-Walker, and Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, discuss bipartisanship during the third day of the Mackinac Policy Conference at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Mich., on May 29, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) MACKINAC ISLAND Republican and Democratic members of Michigans congressional delegation alike, speaking last week at the Mackinac Policy Conference, said they are willing to work across the aisle to get things done for Michigan. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) thanked Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for being willing to meet and negotiate with President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor is trying to do whats right for Michigan, Dingell said. She went in there and got a mission for Selfridge Air Force Base, which we, quite frankly, fought for for four years. And thank you, Donald Trump, for delivering a mission to Macomb County, we need that, Dingell added. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, speaks during a panel with bipartisan members of Congress during the third day of the Mackinac Policy Conference at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Mich., on May 29, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland) joked that were going to cut and snip that one. Huizenga similarly praised Whitmer as leading the fight for the Brandon Road Lock and Dam to protect the Great Lakes from invasive species. He said the Great Lakes are an example of an issue where almost everyone in the Midwest can agree and work together, noting that Dingell is a Democratic co-chair of the Great Lakes Task Force, along with Ohio U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, also a Democrat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My joke is with Marcy Kaptur, she and I would struggle to agree that today is Thursday in most instances, but we are lockstep when it comes to Great Lakes funding, Huizenga said. U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Walker, speaks during a panel with bipartisan members of Congress during the third day of the Mackinac Policy Conference at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Mich., on May 29, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Huizenga said he and Dingell have co-signed several letters related to the Great Lakes, including one to the Office of Management and Budget requesting full funding for related projects. U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) disagreed with an assertion that the Democratic base is frustrated with elected Democrats working with Republicans. Even in this climate, in Congress, there are many bills that we see Democratic and Republican votes on, and I dont feel ostracized by my party in doing that, McDonald Rivet said. I work for the people of the Eighth District, and I actually think working in a bipartisan way is what helped me overperform in almost every single precinct of the district. U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, speaks during a panel with bipartisan members of Congress during the third day of the Mackinac Policy Conference at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Mich., on May 29, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) But Huizenga said he does get criticized by other Republicans for working with Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive had people say, Hey, you shouldnt even be talking to those people, Huizenga said. And my reply to them is, well, if were not talking, how are we supposed to figure out whether we agree on 5%, 15% or 50%? You might not be able to picture yourself interfacing with these folks, but guess what? Thats my job. I have to, Huizenga added. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX MIDDLESBORO, Ky. (FOX 56) A Middlesboro man is facing numerous charges after reportedly running over a deputys foot at a pre-approved traffic safety checkpoint Saturday night. The Bell County Sheriffs Office announced on Facebook that at 9:23 p.m., Shane Ray, 23, approached the checkpoint at the intersection of Highway 92 and Highway 25E. When deputies asked him for his license, he claimed he didnt have one. Ray reportedly gave the deputy a fake name and said he had a suspended license. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents note that as the deputy approached his cruiser to run Rays license plate, he was seen driving away quickly, running over the deputys foot in the process. The sheriffs office said that, after a chase down 25E, deputies were able to box Ray in and arrest him. During a search of the vehicle, deputies said two bags of marijuana and nearly $2,000 were found. Arrest records show he was booked into the Bell County Detention Center, where he was charged with: Driving on a suspended license Giving an officer false identifying information First-degree fleeing or evading the police in a motor vehicle First-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer two counts Second-degree assault of a police officer Trafficking less than 8 ounces of marijuana Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Records show that Ray had a failure to appear warrant as well. The injured deputy went to Pineville Hospital for treatment and was released, according to the sheriffs office. Read more of the latest Kentucky news Court documents note that hes being held on a $10,000 cash bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WINDHOEK, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Namibia has reduced its export levy on skins and hides to bolster the country's vital livestock industry and foster local value-addition. The move, which went into effect on May 1 but announced by the Ministry of Finance on Monday, was part of Nambia's broader policy reforms to enhance domestic industrialization, the ministry said. The export levy on raw skins and hides has been drastically cut to 15 percent, down from 60 percent, Finance Ministry spokesman Wilson Shikoto said in a statement. The levy on pickled skins has been reduced from 15 percent to 10 percent. "The balanced approach ensures the availability of skins and hides for local value-addition while also allowing producers to export surplus production," Shikoto said. The revision is intended to improve market flexibility, support revenue generation for producers, and increase the global competitiveness of Namibia's livestock products, he said. "The ministry aims to improve the competitiveness of Namibian livestock products in regional and international markets, enhance market access, and generate employment opportunities in rural and urban areas," Shikoto said. MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A Midland man arrested last week after he was allegedly caught with explosive components claimed he was only trying to make fireworks for his grandchild. Brock Burt, 58, has been charged with Components of Explosives and Prohibited Weapon, both third-degree felonies. According to court documents, on May 14, the Midland Fire Department Fire Marshals Office began investigating after a suspicious incendiary device was found in the parking lot of a business on Princeton Avenue. Surveillance video from the area showed that a man in a red Dodge truck pulled into the lot around 10:00 pm on May 13 and exited his vehicle. The suspect then placed a glass liquor bottle on the ground and, after waiting for traffic to clear, lit the bottle. Investigators said the bottle contained brake fluid and calcium hypochlorite, substances that, when combined, can explode. Working together with the Midland Police Department and Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, as well as the Midland County Fire Marshals Office, investigators identified the driver of the Dodge as Burt. In a later interview with Burt, investigators said he admitted to creating the device after watching a video on YouTube and that he intended only to make fireworks for his grandson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Burts home, investigators reportedly found three five-pound bags of calcium hypochlorite, multiple bottles of brake fluid, and several Jack Daniels bottles already prepared with the volatile mixture. In addition, investigators said they found narcotics and a firearm in Burts possession. He was arrested and booked into the Midland County Detention Center; hes since been released on a $20,000 bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MIGOP Chairman state Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, center, and state Rep. Bryan Posthumus, R-Rockford, right, discuss the future of the Michigan Republican Party Chad Livengood of The Detroit News during the third day of the Mackinac Policy Conference at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Mich., on May 29, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) MACKINAC ISLAND Michigan GOP Chair Jim Runestad says he is open to the idea of selecting nominees for attorney general and secretary of state through statewide primaries. Currently, the candidates are selected by delegates at each partys convention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the base of the party likes the idea of being able to have input in these statewide positions, said Runestad, a state senator from White Lake. State Rep. Bryan Posthumus (R-Rockford) expressed a similar sentiment but added that he sees value in the type of grassroots activists conventions bring out. Runestad and Posthumus spoke during a discussion on the future of the Michigan Republican Party at the Mackinac Policy Conference on Thursday. Runestad was selected to lead the Michigan Republican Party in February. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX He said the party had about $800,000 of debt when he first took over, but said he has raised $500,000 since taking over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were vanquishing that debt, Runestad said. I think by years end, were going to get most of that down, and into next year, at the end of this term, we certainly will have no debt. Runestad said he has vowed to ensure the party has a big fund balance by the end of his term even if means denying requests for a last-minute spending spree in the run-up to the election. Were going to raise the money, were going to spend the money, but whether its me or someone else, were not going to leave that for the next person, Runestad said. He said the party has been undergoing a rebuilding process following several years of dramatic internal politics. We are on a growth spurt, Runestad said. We have changed everything that was done in the past in terms of the email system, the domain system, the website. We are changing absolutely everything from what it was before into a completely new party. MILFORD, Mass. (WPRI) Students walked out of Milford High School on Monday to show their support for a classmate who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over the weekend. Patricia Hyde, the acting director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston field office, identified the 18-year-old as Marcelo Gomes during a news conference on Monday. The students who took part in the walkout chanted free Marcelo and wore T-shirts with those same words. Many of the teenagers held signs that said, He is Not a Criminal and Get Him Back on the Volleyball Court! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: ICE says 1,461 illegal aliens were apprehended in Massachusetts Gomes girlfriend, Julianys Rentas Figueroa, was among the participants. She broke down in tears as she talked to reporters about her boyfriend and the community. This is Gods love right behind me, she said as she gestured to her peers. Marcelo always preached the message of love. He loved his neighbor, and I think because of Marcelo and how he acted toward people is why so many people came out here today to help support Marcelo. Students from Milford High School walked out of class to show their support for their classmate Marcelo Gomes who was detained by ICE. According to Hyde, Gomes remained in ICE custody as of Monday. He was not the target of the investigation, she explained during the press conference. Hes 18 years old and hes unlawfully in this country. Unfortunately, we had to go to Milford to look for someone else, and we came across him. He was arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons confirmed that agents were searching for Gomes father. The teenager was driving his fathers vehicle when he was pulled over and detained. He isnt the father of the year because he brought his son up here illegally as well, Lyons added. Like any local law enforcement officer, if you encounter someone that has a warrant or is here illegally, we will take action on that. He also noted that ICE still does not have Gomes father in custody. According to Rentas Figueroa, Gomes was brought to the United States when he was young. He is now a junior at Milford High School and was on his way to volleyball practice when he was pulled over. Colin Greco was on the schools volleyball team before he graduated on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I had a huge weight on my shoulders, Greco said of how he was feeling on Sunday. Not nervous for graduating, but nervous because I dont know where my brother is, one of my good friends Marcelo. Rentas Figueroa said she talked to Gomes on Saturday and he seemed scared. He told me he was in a room with only men, she said. He seemed very nervous. I think he was very worried about his family. Rentas Figueroa also expressed her gratitude for the communitys support. I dont think the resources that weve gotten to help him get out would happen if it wasnt for the community that we have here in Milford, she said. I think Ill see him soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to 12 News, ICE said, The target of the operation was Joao Paulo Gomes-Pereira, an illegally present Brazilian alien. Upon conducting the vehicle stop, officers arrested Marcelo Gomes an illegally present, 18-year-old Brazilian alien and the son of the intended target. The statement continues, [Gomes] was found to be in the United States illegally and subject to removal proceedings, so officers made the arrest. Gomes is being held at a detention facility in Burlington, Massachusetts, pending removal proceedings. 12 News has reached out to Gomes attorney for more information but has not yet heard back. 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. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. A military air strike in northwest Nigeria has killed at least 20 people, according to the military and local residents, prompting calls from human rights groups for an investigation into the attack. The strike occurred over the weekend in Zamfara state, one of the regions worst affected by violence from armed groups, commonly referred to as bandits. Nigerian Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the strike followed intelligence that a significant number of terrorists were massing and preparing to strike unsuspecting settlements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further intelligence confirmed that the bandits had killed some farmers and abducted a number of civilians, including women and children, Ejodame said in a statement, adding that two local vigilantes were killed and two others injured in the crossfire. However, according to residents cited by the AFP news agency, a group of local vigilantes pursuing a gang was mistakenly bombed by a Nigerian military jet. The air force had been called in by villagers who had suffered an attack earlier in the weekend. Locals said an unknown number of people were also wounded in the strike. We were hit by double tragedy on Saturday, said Buhari Dangulbi, a resident of the affected area. Dozens of our people and several cows were taken by bandits, and those who trailed the bandits to rescue them were attacked by a fighter jet. It killed 20 of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents told AFP that the bandits had earlier attacked the villages of Mani and Wabi in Maru district, stealing cattle and abducting several people. In response, vigilantes launched a pursuit to recover the captives and stolen livestock. The military aircraft arrived and started firing, killing at least 20 of our people, Abdullahi Ali, a Mani resident and member of a local hunters militia, told the Reuters news agency. Another resident, Ishiye Kabiru, said: Our vigilantes from Maraya and nearby communities gathered and went after the bandits. Unfortunately, a military jet struck them. Alka Tanimu, also from the area, added: We will still have to pay to get those kidnapped back, while the cows are gone for good. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amnesty International condemned the strike and urged a full investigation. Attacks by bandits clearly warrant a response from the state, but to launch reckless air strikes into villages again and again is absolutely unlawful, the rights group said. Nigerias military has previously acknowledged mistakenly hitting civilians during air operations targeting armed gangs. In January, at least 16 vigilantes were killed in a similar strike in Zamfaras Zurmi district. In December 2022, more than 100 civilians were killed in Mutunji village while pursuing bandits. A year later, an attack on a religious gathering in Kaduna state killed at least 85 people. Father's Day is just a few weeks away, and Milwaukee-area attractions and restaurants are getting ready for the holiday. Looking for the perfect spot to celebrate your dad? From free zoo admission to brunch, here's what Milwaukee has to offer this Father's Day: If your business has a special Father's Day offer this year, please email cgleeson@gannett.com so we can include it in this list. When is Father's Day? Father's Day 2025 is on June 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Fiction, baseball and fishing: Books to give as Father's Day gifts What Milwaukee-area attractions are offering Father's Day deals? These four destinations around Milwaukee are offering deals on Father's Day: All fathers will receive free admission to Discovery World for Father's Day. Tickets must be purchased in person to receive the discount. You can get the motorcycle-loving father figure in your life free admission to the Harley Davidson Museum on June 15. All fathers will receive free admission to the Milwaukee County Zoo on June 15. Parking and regular attraction fees still apply. Visitors can receive one free adult ticket per group on Father's Day. To reserve your free ticket, call 414-278-2728. What Milwaukee-area restaurants are offering Father's Day Deals? Here are eight restaurant deals you can get around Milwaukee on Father's Day: Dave & Buster's is hosting its second annual "Dad Games" on Father's Day. Compete with your family for a chance to win free game play for a year. If you're one of the first 100 families to sign up, your dad can also get a free hat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can find the location closest to you on its website. The Barlotta's supper club location will offer several Father's Day specials, including a $45 bourbon flight, a Chilean sea bass and 24-ounce porterhouse. All father figures can get a free Lowlands Brewing Collaborative bier or pop-mosa at any of its locations. There will also be special brunches for the holiday from June 14 to 15 at the following restaurants: Buckatabon Tavern & Supper Club, at 7700 Harwood Ave. Cafe Hollander (has locations in Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, Brookfield, Mequon and Madison) Centraal Grand Cafe and Tappery, at 2306 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. Cafe Benelux, at 346 N. Broadway Motor Bar and Restaurant, connected to the Harley-Davidson Museum, is offering one of the following free beverages to fathers who purchase an appetizer or entree: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MOTOR Old Fashioned Stone Delicious IPA Harley-Davidson Road King non-alcoholic pilsner Fountain soda Dads can get a free 12-ounce drip coffee from Stone Creek locations on Father's Day. Not feeling a coffee? You can also get the price of a 12-ounce drip coffee off of your total of another beverage. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Father's Day 2025: See Milwaukee area events, deals, discounts Since the pandemic, Milwaukee has evolved into a dramatically different city. Long viewed as a symbol of post-industrial decline, the city now has some of the nations fastest-rising rents. Once dismissed as a flyover city, it's been "discovered" by out-of-towners for its old-world charm and unpretentious culture. Yet amid all this change, one thing remains the same: our local political tradition of burying our heads in the sand and hoping the problem fixes itself. But Milwaukee's passive stance on housing will only accelerate displacement, weaken the economy, and deepen inequality, just so local legislators dont have to legislate. Other cities have faced similar transformations before. New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area, once known for crime, decay, and suburban flight, are now among the world's most expensive urban centers, pushing their working-class residents to the exurban fringe, or even directly onto the street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They reached this point by allowing newcomers to outbid and replace existing communities instead of creating more space for them to go the same strategy Milwaukee currently follows. While Milwaukee is unlikely to see such extreme growth, Madison, Pittsburgh and parts of Chicago have clearly shown how inaction accelerates gentrification and displacement everywhere. However, some cities, like Austin, took proactive steps by significantly expanding housing in their urban core, causing rents to drop by 22%. Despite fears from homeowners about falling property values and activists about rising rents, Austin's approach achieved the opposite: rent, condos and new suburban houses all became more affordable, while urban home values appreciated. In other words, everyone but landlords won. Opinion: Cudahy Farms development harms invaluable trees, wetlands and Milwaukee's health Minneapolis initially adopted a similar growth-focused strategy, also lowering rents by 22% while peer cities saw increases. However, a court blocked the plan and rents once again started rising. This shift now means Minnesota is projected to lose a congressional seat and electoral vote in 2030 joining states like California, New York and Illinois in handing over power to Republicans by sticking with policies that accomplish the opposite of their stated goal. Strange alliance opposes Mayor Johnson's 'Growing MKE' There is another state on that list: Wisconsin, primarily due to Madison embracing that same policy approach. Milwaukee, however, attempted something different by electing a mayor, Cavalier Johnson, who ran under the slogan of one million Milwaukeeans in a landslide. Yet, when he introduced his Growing MKE proposal, a peculiar alliance between more conservative and left-wing figures formed to oppose it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This paradoxical partnership isnt unique, it happens almost every time local Democrats are breaking with former President Barack Obama and nearly every other national Democrat to join Donald Trump in defending housing policies that were explicitly invented to segregate minorities and the working class away from those with means. Opposition might make sense if Growing MKE involved bulldozing neighborhoods for apartment towers, but the plan would merely revert to the rules the city was built with: apartments above shops on main streets, and duplexes or triplexes where they already exist. Because it only legalizes whats already there, development would primarily replace vacant or deteriorating properties. Concerns about displacement are understandable, but Milwaukees Bronzeville offers powerful proof that growth prevents displacement. By rezoning for more housing consistent with existing character, Bronzeville went from decaying to one of the citys most desirable neighborhoods, even earning recognition in the New York Times. Homeowners built wealth alongside nonprofits and small developers. Low-income renters stayed because wealthier newcomers chose newer units, and new affordable housing outpaced units lost. Without changes, Milwaukee rents will continue to rise Strangely, anti-growth politicians obscure their positions, claiming they support more housing, but then resubmitting many of the Growing MKEs proposals with a litany of poison pills; obtuse mandates that have shown to limit the construction of new housing to an amount one could count on their hands and feet in every single city where theyve been implemented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even after countless reductions in the plans scope at the request of the council, it is still quite unclear if they will pass the much weakened proposal. Opinion: Here's what readers had to say about wake-enhanced boating on Wisconsin lakes If local politicians decide to break with their party to join with Trump to fight for historically unsuccessful policies that empower Republicans, they owe voters clarity. Likewise, if Democrats and business leaders hope to maintain Wisconsins political relevance, they must press local politicians to part with the policies that undermine their goals. Most importantly, if Milwaukeeans want to avoid displacement and skyrocketing rents, they must demand their council members support the mayoral mandate they voted for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Wisconsin native, Jacob Major works as a political strategist by day and a policy activist by night. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Mayor Johnson's housing plan being sunk by allies | Opinion A nurse gives an MMR vaccine. The vaccine is 97% effective against measles when two doses are administered. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) The Minnesota Department of Health has documented two new cases of measles in the Twin Cities area, according to a Monday news release. One case is an unvaccinated Dakota County child who was contagious while visiting Nickelodeon Universe in the Mall of America on May 24. The second case is a Washington County adult who was exposed during travel within the United States. Their vaccination status is currently unknown. The child with measles has not traveled recently and does not have known exposures to the illness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anytime we confirm a case of measles unrelated to travel that has no known source it is worrying, said Jessica Hancock-Allen, infectious disease division director at MDH. This is because it could be a sign that measles is spreading in the community undetected by public health and health care systems. MDH doesnt yet know where the child was exposed and is working with local health officials to identify others who may have been exposed. These are Minnesotas third and fourth known cases this year. MDH urged those who visited the Mall of America on May 24 to be aware of possible measles symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a rash. Measles can lead to hospitalization and even death. Measles is a highly contagious airborne illness that can stay in the air up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area. After being exposed to measles, a person could be asymptomatic for up to 12 days. The Minnesota measles cases come during a resurgent time for both the disease and anti-vaccine sentiments President Donald Trumps Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has expressed conflicting opinions on the safety and effectiveness of vaccinations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, Kennedy traveled to Texas, which is experiencing the largest measles outbreak since 2000. As of May 30, the Texas Department of Health has confirmed 738 cases of the illness since late January. Two unvaccinated children have died since the outbreak began. Following the visit, Kennedy appeared to endorse the vaccine on social media. The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine, Kennedy said on X. In an interview with CBS news three days later, however, Kennedy argued that measles cases are inevitable. Were always going to have measles, no matter what happens, as the vaccine wanes very quickly, Kennedy said. While the measles case count in Minnesota remains low, MDH recommended that Minnesotans get vaccinated and check their immunization records. 'I miss being anonymous': Star Tribune restaurant critic steps down originally appeared on Bring Me The News. Star Tribune restaurant critic Jon Cheng has stepped down following a recent leave of absence. Cheng, who joined the newspaper in 2021 after working as a columnist and restaurant critic in New York, London and Singapore, announced his decision in a Star Tribune column published Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He reflected on his recent sabbatical, during which he traveled and avoided documenting his dining experiences as a means to "willfully disengage, hoping to restore some of the joy that led to the profession in the first place." "The truth is, I miss being anonymous and without the pressure to overly dissect I was letting a job define who I was," Cheng wrote. "This time away should give me the chance to embrace the Twin Cities as a food-obsessed ex-critic who will visit restaurants no less frequently, but give them their due in a way that works for me." Tony Webster, Flickr In his farewell, Cheng admits he's changed his mind about cheese curds which he once likened to "mozzarella sticks on a tail end of mutation." "The hot and squeaky ones from Mouth Trap, at the State Fair, are excellent. I still dont like walleye, though. Sorry," he concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His complete farewell column can be found here. Cheng joined the newspaper following an internal move for longtime critic Rick Nelson, who shifted to the architecture department before retiring in 2022. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared. CAIRO, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Monday affirmed the need to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement. He made the remarks during a meeting in Cairo with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. During the meeting, Grossi commended Egypt's dynamic and historic role in the field of disarmament. Speaking at a televised joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty later, Grossi said, "When it comes to nuclear issues, everything should be peaceful." Meanwhile, Abdelatty voiced support for any peaceful and political settlement to the Iranian nuclear issue, adding that military escalation does not serve regional stability. In another televised press conference with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Abdelatty said the two sides discussed regional security and ways to achieve stability by settling the Palestinian question. He added that the expanded talks also covered the Iranian nuclear issue and highlighted Egypt's commitment to preventing further regional escalation. Araghchi, for his part, emphasized that both Egypt and Iran are important countries in the region and play a pivotal role in promoting regional peace and stability. Iran on Saturday dismissed a report by the UN nuclear watchdog as "politically motivated and lacking balance," saying it failed to "accurately reflect the scale of Tehran's cooperation" with the IAEA. In a joint statement issued by the Iranian Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Tehran criticized the report -- compiled by Grossi at the request of the agency's 35-member Board of Governors -- as misleading. NEED TO KNOW A missing girl's body was found in the River Thames in England on Saturday, May 31, Kent Police said The previous day a young boy was rescued from the water and hospitalized after the two entered the river together "At the heart of this is a family and community in grief," local politician Lauren Sullivan wrote on social media A missing girl's body has been found in the River Thames in England after she entered the water with a young boy the day prior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At around 1:46 p.m. local time on Friday, May 30, Kent Police was alerted by the Port of London Authority that there were concerns about the welfare of two children who had entered the river via Royal Pier Road, Kent Police shared in a news release. The boy, who remains in the hospital, was retrieved from the water after patrols, H.M. Coastguard, the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) and South East Coast Ambulance Service rushed to the scene. In the evening, the search for the missing girl was suspended, but Kent Police's Marine Unit and H.M. Coastguard continued on Saturday. They recovered her body from the river near Gravesend at around 11:40 a.m. that day with assistance from the RNLI. The childs death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage and a report will be prepared for the coroner, Kent Police said. She was formally identified by her next of kin. David Fowler/Shutterstock A Kent Police vehicle A Kent Police vehicle It's believed the girl was aged 9, while the boy is 7, local media outlet Kent Online reported. The outlet added that the pair are thought to be cousins and they were reportedly playing near the water when the girl slipped and got into difficulty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the nearby Gravesend Rowing Club said a man used a life ring to swim out and retrieve the boy, but was unable to help the girl as he lost sight of her, per Kent Online. The boy is now at a local hospital in a stable condition," according to Kent Police's news release. Gravesham MP Lauren Sullivan shared her deepest condolences on the Facebook following the tragic incident. I am deeply saddened to hear that a body has been recovered in the search for the girl who went missing in the River Thames in Gravesend yesterday, she wrote. I would like to thank emergency services, including the coastguard, Kent Police, the RNLI, and PLA many others for their efforts in the search." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. I know there are many opinions circulating at this time about the circumstances surrounding this tragic event and from speaking to the authorities it is right that there is an investigation, as with all sad circumstances such as these, but at the heart of this is a family and community in grief which I hope everyone can respect, she added. I send my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the child, and keep them all in my thoughts at this time. PEOPLE has reached out to Kent Police and Gravesend Rowing Club for further information. Read the original article on People UPDATE 6/1/25 9:07 p.m.: Howell County Sheriffs Office says Braylon Timlin was located and is safe. HOWELL COUNTY, Mo. The Howell County Sheriffs Office is asking the public for help in locating a runaway teen. Braylon Timlin was last seen at 11:30 a.m. at Pomona Christian Church on Sunday morning. Timlin was last seen wearing a blue button-up shirt, blue jeans and cowboy boots. He was last seen walking west on State Route N in Pomona, the police say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say the teen is from Wisconsin and had been staying at the Whetstone Boys Ranch in Mountain View. If you have information about Timlin, call the Howell County Sheriffs Office at 417-256-2544. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. NEED TO KNOW Family said Brandon Pino, 17, disappeared after he jumped from a Staten Island Ferry vessel on May 31 A police spokesperson tells PEOPLE that crews responded to a 911 call for a water rescue in the vicinity of the Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal just before 10 a.m. local time His sister said her brother was texting a group of friends before the incident occurred A missing 17-year-old boy's family says he leapt from the Staten Island Ferry and had left a note beforehand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Brandon Pino has been missing since he jumped from the boat around 9:45 a.m. local time on Saturday, May 31, as the vessel neared Manhattan, according to the New York Daily News. Police responded to a 911 call for a water rescue in the vicinity of the Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal just before 10 a.m. local time on Saturday, the New York Police Departments Deputy Commissioner of Public Information (DCPI) shared in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. Officers from the 1st Precinct, along with the NYPD's Harbor Unit, SCUBA team, Emergency Services Unit and Aviation responded to the scene and are currently canvassing the waterway and shoreline, the spokesperson said. Cathleen Pino, Brandons 27-year-old sister, told the Daily News that her brother had posted a message on Instagram before jumping into the water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brandon, who lived in Port Richmond, had gone to his uncles house on Staten Island around 7 a.m. on Saturday, then went to the St. George Ferry Terminal, Cathleen said. She added that her brother did not tell anyone of his plans. Cathleen claimed her brother, who was a senior at Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School in New Springville, was texting a group of concerned friends shortly before he jumped. His friends told me that they had seen that he was [happier] than usual at school lately, Cathleen told the paper. It seems very odd because he was being himself, which was eating, cooking for himself, cooking his healthy food, going to the gym, going to school early, being there for his graduation practice. Cathleen said a witness informed the ferrys crew about the incident as the boat docked, according to the Daily News. 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. Family members are doing their own search, according to Cathleen, who also said she has not received an update from authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cathleen said members of her family, especially her mother, hope to recover Brandons body in order to to get some type of closure. An investigation into the incident is ongoing, the DCPI spokesperson tells PEOPLE. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7. Read the original article on People The body of a 31-year-old woman from California was discovered near a hiking trail in Scottsdale, Arizona late last month, officials announced. Hannah Moody, described as a social media influencer by the Los Angeles Times, was first reported missing on May 21 just before 8 p.m. after friends said they had not heard from her and had been unable to reach her after she set off on a hike that day. In a news release, authorities with the Scottsdale Police Department responded to the trailhead where the 31-year-old had last been seen and found her vehicle still in the parking lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers began search efforts on foot, with drones and assistance from a Phoenix Police Department helicopter, the release stated. Search efforts continued for Hannah for approximately four and a half hours until around 11:30 p.m., when the search was called off for the evening. More than 20 officers on bikes, on foot, with drones and with help from the Maricopa County Sheriffs Department search and rescue and air unit picked up the search the following morning, officials said. Hannah Moody, 31, was reported missing on May 21, prompting a search in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Instagram/@itshanrose) The sheriffs air unit spotted Moodys body about 600 feet from the Gateway Trailhead of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale at around 12 p.m. On her Instagram account, where she had amassed more than 45,000 followers, Moodys posts focused on what appeared to be a passion for hiking, fitness and her Christian beliefs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woman, 64, in U.S. legally for 50 years detained by ICE for 3 months In reporting by The Times, the 31-year-old had lived in Los Angeles, Orange and Alameda counties, as well as in South Carolina. Scottsdale detectives and crime scene personnel will now conduct a thorough investigation to piece together what happened to Hannah and how she died, officials said in the release. Our investigation will be in cooperation with the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, which will ultimately determine the cause of death. Temperatures in the area where her body was found, including on the day she was discovered, routinely exceed 100 degrees by noon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said that while the death investigation is in its early stages, Moodys body showed no signs of trauma or foul play. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) announced the creation of the first-ever Mississippi Wild Turkey Stamp, aimed at enhancing management, habitat, and research for wild turkeys. The Wild Turkey Stamp, which is expected to launch for the 2025 spring turkey season, is the result of a multi-year legislative effort by hunters, conservation partners, and land managers and marks a major step forward for conservation. According to MDWFP, the initiative will provide a dedicated funding stream to support wild turkey populations and the habitats they depend on. When will applications open for 2025 Public Waters alligator season in Mississippi? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our state is a special place for turkey hunting, said MDWFP Executive Director Lynn Posey. The Wild Turkey Stamp ensures Mississippi will remain at the forefront of turkey conservation for future generations. We appreciate our legislature, conservation partners, and the public who helped make this happen. As part of its inaugural kickoff campaign, the MDWFP would like to invite Mississippi-based artists, ages 15 and up, to submit original artwork to be featured as the first-ever state Wild Turkey Stamp. Submissions should depict the Eastern wild turkey (Meleagris silvestris gallopavo) in a natural, Mississippi setting. The winning artist will receive a monetary gift, publicity and media recognition throughout MDWFPs social media channels, email blasts, and a spotlight in the Mississippi Outdoors Magazine. To learn more, click here. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. An abortion procedure room pictured on March 3 at Planned Parenthood in Columbia (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent). Both sides of the abortion debate seemed caught by surprise last week by the Missouri Supreme Courts order that essentially reimposed the states abortion ban. Planned Parenthood clinics were sent scrambling, cancelling abortion appointments and working with patients to ensure access in other states a return to the way things operated before voters enshrined reproductive rights in the state constitution last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anti-abortion advocates, meanwhile, celebrated the return of regulations but acknowledged the win could be temporary. With no clear indication of when or if access to abortion will be restored, and a GOP-crafted amendment banning the procedure heading for the ballot next year, advocates on both sides are navigating the uncertainty and gearing up for the fight ahead. anti-abortion politicians in Jeff City have once again weaponized our political system against Missourians. Whats really clear here is the confusion this will cause among patients was the whole point, said Mallory Schwarz, executive director of Abortion Action Missouri, later adding: Missourians proved at the ballot box that what we want is access to abortion. This is not over, and Im confident that ultimately abortion care will continue in Missouri. Sam Lee, a longtime anti-abortion advocate with Campaign Life Missouri, expressed relief that state regulations are back in place but cautioned that the only way to safeguard the lives of unborn children is to amend the constitution next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While it is good news that abortion has ended in Missouri at least for now it would be a mistake for the pro-life movement to rely on the state courts to keep these health and safety laws and regulations in place, he said. While the court last week imposed what abortion providers called a de facto ban, it didnt actually weigh in on the constitutionality of state regulations. The decision was procedural, calling into question the legal standard a Jackson County judge used to justify blocking certain abortion regulations enacted over the years by state lawmakers. The injunction was vacated and the judge was ordered to re-evaluate the case using the standards the Supreme Court laid out last week. A new injunction could be issued, or access could be left in limbo while the case makes its way to a January 2026 trial. Fifty-two percent of Missouri voters in November approved Amendment 3, which said the right to reproductive freedom shall not be denied, interfered with, delayed or otherwise restricted unless the government demonstrates that such action is justifiable by a compelling governmental interest achieved by the least restrictive means. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amendment made Missouris abortion ban unconstitutional, at least until the point of fetal viability, which is generally considered at or around 24 weeks. Attorney General Andrew Bailey acknowledges this in his appeal to the Supreme Court, writing that among the laws which are no longer enforceable because of Amendment 3 are Missouris prohibitions on abortion before viability. But myriad other restrictions remained on the books, including wait times before abortions and constraints on where abortions could be performed. Planned Parenthood affiliates in Missouri sued in December to overturn the states Targeted Restrictions on Abortion Providers, or TRAP laws. Over the course of a decade before an outright ban on abortion was put in place, those laws resulted in the number of abortions performed in Missouri falling from more than 5,000 to less than 200. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the course of two rulings one in December and one in February Jackson County Judge Jerri Zhang pointed to the voter-approved constitutional amendment in issuing the temporary injunction. Most notably, Zhang struck down licensing requirements for abortion clinics, arguing the regulations were unnecessary and discriminatory because they do not treat services provided in abortion facilities the same as other types of similarly situated health care, including miscarriage care. She left in place a requirement that all abortion providers have a medical license. Zhangs ruling opened the door for procedural abortions to resume in Planned Parenthoods Kansas City and Columbia clinics. Medication abortions, which nationally make up two-thirds of all abortions, have not been available as the clinics have been unable to get the state to approve a required complication plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state Supreme Court order, signed by Chief Justice Mary Russell, means even procedural abortions are now inaccessible in Missouri. This is not the end of the legal battle, but it is a critical victory for every pro-life Missourian, said Brian Westbrook, executive director of Coalition Life. Abortion may be inaccessible in Missouri, but the good news is that this court ruling does not affect other reproductive and sexual health care provided at Planned Parenthood health centers across the state, said Dr. Margaret Baum, chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood Great Rivers. The hope, Baum said, is that the courts order is only a temporary setback. In the meantime, she said access to abortion is still available in Kansas and Illinois and that Planned Parenthood will support patients who need lodging, transportation and other resources to access sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE [Source] A Chinese immigrant and mother of three has become the center of a grassroots support campaign after federal agents arrested her during what she expected to be a routine immigration appointment in April. She never came back Ming Li Hui, known to her community as Carol Mayorga, made the trip from Kennett to St. Louis on April 29 following an urgent call from immigration officials. With a pre-arranged date to renew her work visa in August, she anticipated routine paperwork for authorization that remains valid through January 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What followed, however, was a seven-hour ordeal that reportedly ended with ICE agents restraining her and moving her to rural Missouri detention facilities alongside male detainees. She went in for the appointment, a family member told the Delta Dunklin Democrat. And she never came back. Trending on NextShark: Former DEI supporter selected as University of Floridas new president Community response Court documents reveal Mayorga left Hong Kong two decades ago fleeing maternal abuse. Although she received a deportation order in 2008, the 45-year-old has maintained legal compliance for over 15 years through supervised status and regular official contact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennett residents have since mobilized around Mayorga, whom they characterize as an exemplary community member juggling several jobs while raising three U.S.-born children ages 14, 12 and 7. She is a person like no other you will ever meet, her employer, Liridona Ramadani of Johns Waffle & Pancake House, told the Springfield Daily Citizen. She is the nicest, hardest working, most devoted mother that Ive ever met. As of May 20, the restaurant had raised over $19,000 in proceeds from its own sales and donations from community members for Mayorga and her children. Trending on NextShark: Jackie Chan wants Rush Hour 4 and Shanghai Dawn The big picture Mayorgas detainment and possible deportation comes amid the Trump administrations intensified crackdown on immigration. Interestingly, her case has even sparked unusual political tensions in the conservative Bootheel region, where even Trump voters are now questioning the administrations approach. Ninety-five percent of the people in here support Trump I do, too but this is wrong, Bud Garrison, a patron at Johns, told the St. Louis Public Radio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lisa Dry, a Kennett City councilmember who has known Mayorga for years, stressed the latters valid work visa and clean criminal record. She works hard, she takes care of her kids, she makes sure they have everything they need, she added. I mean, to me, thats the kind of citizen we want here. Trending on NextShark: South Korean students warned to clean up their socials amid US visa crackdown This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what were building, consider becoming a paid member your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Trending on NextShark: ICE officials ousted amid White House order to triple number of daily arrests Subscribe here now! Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) Mobile Police Department officials have identified the man killed by their officers Saturday night. Irvington man accused of breaking into a car According to officials, 75-year-old Michael Collins was shot and killed after he pointed a gun at officers. Officers made a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 3300 block of Dawes Road around 8:45 p.m. on May 31 for a report of a man who threatened to kill a woman on Scott Dairy Loop Road South earlier in the day, according to previous reporting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said Collins pulled out the gun and threatened to hurt himself, after which he pointed the gun at police. Mobile man accused of cutting another man Collins was pronounced dead on the scene. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Military chiefs are planning a 1.5bn upgrade of Britains radar defences amid fears that the growing number of wind farms risks leaving the country blind to attacks. Under the Ministry of Defences Njord programme, named after the Norse god of sea and wind, seven air defence radar stations around the country will be replaced or improved to ensure they are not confused by interference from turbines. There are already 3,352 operational or under-construction wind turbines in UK waters, according to the Crown Estate, with another 1,000 at least set to be deployed by 2030 to meet the Governments net zero targets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without measures to reduce interference, military chiefs fear the masking effect will impede the ability of the Royal Air Force to detect enemy missiles and aircraft. Each radar station upgrade will be worth up to 210m and the Ministry of Defence opened the bidding process earlier this year, with several unnamed defence companies in the running. An industry source said: They are concerned that, without mitigation, you are going to see a deterioration of radar coverage if you build all the wind farms envisaged under the 2030 targets. That would potentially reduce the time you have to respond to threats, as well as the probability of detecting them, and so would leave the country more vulnerable to attacks. A unique and detrimental impact The interference problem occurs when turbine blades reflect the electromagnetic pulses pinged out by radar stations, generating unhelpful background noise for the system operators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each blade on a turbine can generate a false return, creating the potential for massive disruption from some sites. The first two phases of Dogger Bank, the UKs biggest wind farm, boast 190 turbines alone. But the Ministry of Defence has warned that every wind farm that is built will have a unique, detrimental impact on its ability to detect threats such as missiles or hostile aircraft, as they reduce the volume of air space that the radars can effectively survey. As a result, military officials have been studying options to fix the problem. This could include attempting to mask the turbines by putting radar-absorbing paint on them similar to the kind used by stealth aircraft such as the F-35 or through computer software fixes that scrub phoney signals out of readings automatically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other companies have suggested turning the wind turbines themselves into assets, rather than liabilities, by fixing an array of sensors to them such as cameras, microphones and radio aerials that could detect the presence of enemy threats. Under the upgrade plans, work on the first four sites Neatishead in Norfolk, Staxton Wold in North Yorkshire, Brizlee Wood in Northumberland and Buchan in Aberdeenshire would begin in July 2026, according to transparency documents. Work is expected to start on the other three Saxa Vord in the Shetlands, Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides and Portreath in Cornwall in October 2027. The contracts are expected to last for 120 weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An MoD spokesman said: As we build the next generation of large-scale offshore windfarms, we are looking at innovative ways to mitigate any impact on the UKs air defence capability. 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. TEHRAN, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday the country would not respond positively to U.S. draft nuclear proposal containing "radical and maximum" demands. He made the remarks during a weekly press conference in the capital Tehran while commenting on a U.S. proposal for a potential nuclear deal presented to Iran on Saturday by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi. Baghaei said both Iran and the United States were aware of each other's red lines, emphasizing that Iran insists on continuing its uranium enrichment and securing the effective removal of what it calls "cruel" sanctions -- two issues he said must be included in any potential agreement with Washington. He stressed that the lifting of sanctions remains Iran's primary demand in the ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations with the West. Baghaei said Iran was ready to implement trust-building and transparent measures regarding its nuclear program under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. However, he stressed that Iran needs to ensure the genuine removal of the sanctions imposed against Tehran over the past decades. He noted that the United States had not provided clarification regarding the removal of the sanctions, adding Iran needed a clear understanding of the mechanisms regarding how the sanctions would be lifted and ensure that it would be able to witness the effects of the sanctions' removal, particularly in sectors such as foreign trade, economy, and banking. Speaking at a cabinet meeting in Tehran on Sunday, Iranian foreign minister said the country was preparing the response to the U.S. proposal, the official news agency IRNA reported. Since April, Iran and the United States have held five rounds of Omani-mediated indirect talks, three in the Omani capital Muscat and two in Rome, over Tehran's nuclear program and the possible lifting of U.S. sanctions. The fifth round was held in Rome on May 23, and the sixth round is expected to be held in the coming days, although the date and venue have not been announced yet. In recent days, the United States has repeatedly demanded that Iran completely cease uranium enrichment, a request firmly rejected by Tehran. NEED TO KNOW Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, the Australian woman accused of fatally stabbing her 3-year-old daughter on May 26, has died The 32-year-old was found unresponsive in her jail cell on Friday, May 30, and died in a local hospital on Sunday, June 1 An investigation into the incident is currently underway Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, the Australian woman accused of killing her 3-year-old daughter, has died. Flanigan, 32, was found unresponsive in her cell at the Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre on Friday, May 30, per the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers provided "immediate assistance" before she was transported to the intensive care unit at a local hospital, according to ABC, which cited Queensland police. Flanigan died on the evening of Sunday, June 1, per the outlet. In a statement to PEOPLE, Queensland Correctional Service confirmed that an investigation into Flanigan's death is underway. The organization said they will assist authorities in preparing a report for the coroner, as is standard practice for all deaths in custody. Support is being offered to the responding officers and their colleagues, the Queensland Correctional Service added. Flanigan, a mother of three, was accused of fatally stabbing her eldest daughter, Sophia Rose, in the front yard of their Moore Park Beach home in Central Queensland on Monday, May 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Queensland Police Chief Inspector Grant Marcus said authorities received several calls from neighbors, but the child was dead when emergency services found her just before 5 p.m. local time, per 7 News and 9 News. Flanigan was taken into custody and charged, while a knife that police allege was the murder weapon was also seized, the outlets reported. There were two other children at the address at the time, both younger aged 1 and 2, Superintendent Brad Inskip said, per News.com.au. Neither of them was injured in the incident yesterday, and theyre currently being cared for by family members. 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. Inskip told 7 News that there were multiple attempts to revive Sophia before she succumbed to her injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No doubt it was a horrific scene, its a terrible, terrible incident for everybody, including the witnesses and the neighbors, including the emergency services police and ambulances who attended and investigators who are doing the ongoing investigation, Inskip said, per 7 News. abcnewsaustralia Home of Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, where she allegedly killed her 3-year-old daughter, Sophia Rose Home of Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, where she allegedly killed her 3-year-old daughter, Sophia Rose According to Sky News Australia, Flanigan had allegedly posted a number of eerie messages on social media in the days leading up to the fatal stabbing. She allegedly shared a video of a woman with bruises on her arm, captioned, Remember your pain as it fuels your purpose. She allegedly included lyrics from the heavy metal group Disturbeds song Prayer, which say, Another nightmare about to come true. Will manifest tomorrow. Another love that I've taken from you. In other posts, Flanigan allegedly referenced training like its war and being a warrior of light, according to News.com.au. She captioned a photo of her children my divine babies, while other posts allegedly referenced past trauma. Read the original article on People In her late 70s, Jan Kelly moved from Texas to Arizona in search of justice in the death of her son, Jake Kelly. The 49-year-old died in September 2023 following what an autopsy report detailed as blunt force trauma to the head and cranial and rib fractures. Photographs shared by his mother show his face riddled with bruises, his eyes closed and blackened and a tube surgically inserted in his windpipe. Did he see it coming? No, he didn't, Jan told The Arizona Republic about the lead-up to her sons violent death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jake lived in a north Phoenix house with a woman whom he regularly cooked for, a friend whose wedding he officiated. The husband and wife and a neighbor have all since been convicted and sentenced in relation to his homicide. Based on months of reporting by The Republic, including police reports, court documents and sentencing hearings and interviews, this is what to know about the grisly case. Who was Jake Kelly? Phoenix-born and raised Jake was a cook by trade who had recently moved back from Texas and was employed at Red Devil Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria. Jake Kelly, 49, died after he was beaten in the driveway of a Phoenix home in August 2023. His roommates were accused of not reporting the injuries, and another man was charged with second-degree murder. Jan described her son as a loving man and said, "he tried to get along with everyone." Who was convicted in Jake Kelly's death? This is the trio convicted in relation to Jake's homicide: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jan urged the court to give Mullooly a lighter sentence, pointing to Young as the principal perpetrator of her son's death. If the prosecutors hadn't lacked evidence, Young would have been charged with murder, Jan said. She also thought Higgins deserved a greater penalty and said, "They were friends, and she did nothing about it. And she never called for help." A Maricopa County Superior Court commissioner said Higgins served 43 days in jail and noted she was no longer drinking and had returned to her accounting career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There were decisions that were made that could have been different and some that were out of my control to change and things that I could have done differently, but I can't change now," Higgins said. How did Jake Kelly die? The initial investigation by Phoenix police found Jake sustained his injuries in late August 2023 in his driveway. Higgins and Young carried Jake inside after the attack, placed him in a bathtub and waited nearly 18 hours before taking him to a hospital, according to court documents. The couple falsely claimed to police they did not know Jake was injured, charging documents said. Jake Kelly was taken to the hospital and was in a coma for more than a week before dying. What evidence was there in Jake Kelly's attack? Mullooly admitted to beating Jake, said he made a mistake and sent a photo of a bloodied Jake, according to text messages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A photo showed Young crouched down next to Jake, holding his head. Higgins told police she and Young were in the photo with Jake. Higgins sent Mullooly's former girlfriend a photo of Jake bleeding in a bathtub and phoned this person and said Mullooly and Young beat Kelly up. The former girlfriend told police she visited Jake the next day and saw him on the sofa, injured and nonverbal. Was Jake Kelly targeted for being gay? Multiple court documents filed by police and defense attorneys and reviewed by The Republic do not indicate a clear motive for the beating. Jan said Young had connections with a white supremacist group and called her sons killing a hate crime because he was gay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Young was on probation out of California, according to court documents. He also served prison time in Arizona for aggravated assault convictions from 1999 and 2003, among other felonies, according to inmate records. This is his eighth known felony conviction, according to court documents. Republic reporters Stacey Barchenger, Lauren De Young, Elena Santa Cruz and Miguel Torres contributed this article. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Jake Kelly, a gay Phoenix man, was targeted in beating death, mom says NEED TO KNOW A mom and her two sons have died following a chain-reaction car crash on Interstate 40 and North Hollywood in Tennessee on May 31 Police tell PEOPLE the trio died at the scene of the five-car crash The victims have been identified by Youth Villages as Tonya Cannady, their employee, and her two sons, Barry and Scott A mom and her two sons have died after a fiery crash on a Tennessee highway. Five vehicles were involved in the fatal crash on Interstate 40 West and North Hollywood around 3:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, May 31, the Memphis Police Department said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said the first vehicle was traveling westbound on I-40 when it struck the rear of the second vehicle, causing a chain reaction crash, according to CBS affiliate WREG-TV. Three people were pronounced dead at the scene, and a fourth was transported to St. Francis Bartlett in non-critical condition, police said. Youth Villages, a nonprofit organization, has confirmed that its employee Tonya Cannady and her two sons, Barry and Scott, were killed in the crash, according to WREG-TV and FOX affiliate WHBQ-TV. Ms. Cannady was a wonderful part of our organization, celebrating 22 years with Youth Villages this year, the nonprofits statement read. She touched the lives of thousands over that time, including children and staff, most recently serving as our nutrition services manager for our West Tennessee residential locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization continued, Our hearts go out to her family during this time. She will be missed by so many of us. Youth Villages did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment. All lanes of traffic on I-40 and North Hollywood were blocked for several hours on Saturday following the crash, according to a post shared on X by the Memphis Police Department. An Army reservist who witnessed the incident told WREG-TV he pulled over to help a woman break a window of a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was involved in the crash. 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. He said he was able to "pull the driver out and unbuckle the passenger as the cars went up in flames. Another bystander handed him a fire extinguisher, and he tried to use that to put the fire out, but to no avail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franchesca Roland, another witness, told WHBQ-TV that she and others raced to help Cannady after the crash. The passenger we did get out, we started performing CPR on her, she explained. I just want to offer my condolences to the family, the Army reservist told WREG-TV. I feel really bad for the family and all the loss theyre going through in such a short amount of time. An investigation into the crash is ongoing, police tell PEOPLE. Read the original article on People Support for victims and survivors of domestic violence is available 24/7: 1-800-897-LINK (5465). If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or in an emergency, please call 911 immediately. KIMBALL JUNCTION, Utah (ABC4) A police pursuit ended with minor injuries and one suspect in custody on Monday morning, June 2. Sgt. Andy Battenfield with the Wasatch County Sheriffs Office said deputies were responding to a domestic violence issue around 8 a.m. on Monday when the suspect fled. Wasatch County Sheriffs deputies pursued the suspect until they left the county, at which point, Utah Highway Patrol took over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Highway Patrol successfully spiked the suspects tires in the pursuit, reportedly causing them to clip a nearby semi-truck. Battenfield confirmed with ABC4.com, the suspect, who has yet to be publicly identified, was taken into custody on I-80 near milepost 146 near Kimball Junction. The suspect was reportedly transported to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries before being arrested. Further details have not been released. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available. Latest headlines: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. MONROE COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) The Monroe County Health Care Authority, which operates Monroe County Hospital, is proposing a move that would create a swing bed program. UPDATE: Man charged with murder after Saenger shooting The Social Security Act allows small, rural hospitals to use some of their beds for skilled nursing facility beds. These allow patients to transition from acute care to a skilled nursing facility without leaving the hospital, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an application, the MCHCA said if approved, it would convert 10 acute-care beds to swing beds at the Monroe County Hospital in Monroeville. The proposed project would require a certificate of need and is estimated to cost $345,000, according to an MCHCA news release. According to the release, those interested in submitting a written statement or appearing before the Certificate of Need Review Board must do so by July 14, 2025, and provide a copy of the statements to Colin H. Luke, Esquire, at Holland & Knight LLP, 1901 Sixth Avenue North, Suite 1400, Birmingham, Ala., 35203. UPDATE: Federal Bureau of Prisons responds to Todd Chrisleys allegations about FPC Pensacola Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The application number is AL2025-013. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEED TO KNOW Extreme flooding in Mokwa, Nigeria has lead to more than 200 deaths, officials tell the BBC An additional 500 people are still missing and presumed dead as authorities have called off rescue efforts The flooding began at 3 a.m. on May 29 while many residents were sleeping Nigeria is suffering a devastating loss amid what is being referred to as the worst flooding in 60 years. According to the BBC, the official death toll is currently at more than 200 people with 500 others still missing. Local official Musa Kimboku told the outlet that rescue efforts have ended because none of the missing are believed to still be alive amidst the devastation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flooding occurred in the town of Mokwa, heavily impacting the districts of Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa following torrential rains. TONYE BAKARE/AFP via Getty People search through the debris in Mokwa, Nigeria. People search through the debris in Mokwa, Nigeria. Mokwa district head Muhammadu Aliyu told the BBC that authorities plan to start digging out corpses buried under the rubble in an effort to prevent disease. Ibrahim Audu Husseini, the spokesperson for the Niger State emergency service, told the Associated Press that in addition to the more than 500 households impacted by the flooding, two roads were washed away and two bridges collapsed. According to the Nigerian Red Cross, the flooding began on May 29 at 3 a.m. when most people were asleep resulting in significant loss of life and widespread distress. 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 National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Nigeria said in a Facebook post on May 31 that 3,018 individuals have been displaced. NEMA is using water purification equipment to help make potable water for residents in an effort to avoid waterborne illnesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shared a lengthy statement on X on May 30, saying, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the affected families and the good people of Niger State at this difficult time. TONYE BAKARE/AFP via Getty Images of the devastation in Mokwa, Nigeria. Images of the devastation in Mokwa, Nigeria. He also assured citizens that the government would be providing assistance to those affected by the flooding. Relief materials and temporary shelter assistance are being deployed without delay, Tinubu wrote. We will ensure that no Nigerian affected by this disaster is left behind or unheard of. I assure all those impacted that your government stands with you. Read the original article on People A woman holds her newborn baby in her Los Angeles home. More legislatures in Republican-led states are passing paid parental leave for public employees. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) More Republican-led states are giving paid parental leave to public school teachers and other state employees, signaling a broader acceptance of family-friendly workplace policies once championed primarily by Democrats. All of these red states, I think were late to the party, said South Carolina state Rep. Beth Bernstein, a Democrat who sponsored a bill this year to increase state employees paid parental leave from six to 12 weeks. It passed the majority-Republican South Carolina House in April with strong bipartisan support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, Alabama, Iowa and Mississippi joined 37 other states in granting paid parental leave to thousands of state workers. The trend has gathered steam in recent years. Some experts link it to the cascade of state abortion bans that followed the U.S. Supreme Courts 2022 Dobbs decision, which dismantled the federal right to abortion. Under fire from critics to do more to care for babies once theyre born, at least a dozen conservative-led states with abortion bans have since granted or expanded paid parental leave for their state employees. But others say the increasing bipartisan support for measures that help working parents is also a reaction to economic realities. What weve seen, especially in more conservative states, is the public sector has experienced a lot of turnover, said Kameron Dawson, legal director of the Southern Office of A Better Balance, a legal organization focused on workplace rights. Theyre looking for tools to recruit younger employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paid parental leave is the time off granted to workers for the birth or adoption of a baby, to care for a child, or to recover from a stillbirth or miscarriage. Without it, employees are left to cobble together their sick leave and vacation leave or go unpaid to stay home with a child and heal. Were trying to attract and retain state employees and teachers, and were in competition with everyone around us, and the private sector as well. Alabama Republican state Rep. Ginny Shaver Alabama Republican state Rep. Ginny Shaver watched her daughter, a public school teacher, struggle to get the leave she needed after the births of her children in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With her second, she had complications in her pregnancy and used up her [paid vacation and sick] leave before she even had the baby, Shaver told Stateline. Her daughter contracted COVID-19, and the baby had to spend time in neonatal intensive care. It was a very difficult time, and she had to take unpaid leave. Last year, Shaver and Democratic state Sen. Vivian Figures worked to win approval of a paid parental leave bill for state employees. It failed. But they tried again this year. With the support of Republican Gov. Kay Ivey, the state legislature which has a Republican supermajority passed it nearly unanimously. The new law gives female state employees, including teachers, eight weeks of paid parental leave in connection with birth, stillbirth or miscarriage, and gives male employees two weeks. Adoptive parents get eight weeks for one parent and two for the other. Shaver said she thinks the law passed thanks to vocal support from the governor and increased awareness of the issue due to the work she and Figures did in previous sessions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the fact that all of the southeast states around us offered it, Shaver said. Were trying to attract and retain state employees and teachers, and were in competition with everyone around us, and the private sector as well. Keeping talent For many Republicans, the workforce development argument for paid leave is a persuasive one. For states such as Alabama and South Carolina that have some of the lowest workforce participation rates in the nation, paid leave can be a tool to keep more people particularly women working. And it can be a way to retain educators as many states struggle with teacher shortages in K-12 schools. For several years weve seen state legislatures acknowledging the importance of child care to businesses and the economy, said Feroza Freeland, policy director at the Southern Office of A Better Balance. But in the last few years, weve seen a growing recognition that paid leave is another piece of that puzzle. States have taken up the issue because the federal government has not. The United States is a global outlier; among 38 peer nations, its the only one that doesnt mandate paid parental leave, according to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development. The group comprises 38 democracies with market-based economies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal Family and Medical Leave Act, passed in 1993 and extended in 2020, only requires public agencies and companies with at least 50 employees to give up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for parents of newborns or newly adopted children, or caregivers of sick family members. GOP support During his first term, President Donald Trump publicly supported some forms of paid family leave and signed a defense bill that gives 12 weeks of paid parental leave to most federal employees. Paid family leave was a signature issue for his daughter Ivanka Trump, at the time a senior adviser to the president. She even held a paid leave and child care summit at the White House in late 2019. That set the stage for other Republicans to take up the issue more publicly. And after the Dobbs decision, family-friendly policies have increasingly become conservative talking points in states with restrictive abortion laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the Mississippi House unanimously passed a paid parental leave bill earlier this year, Republican House Speaker Jason White celebrated the bill as a reflection of Mississippis status as a pro-life state. In a post on X this week announcing her signing of a new paid parental leave law, Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds called Iowa a pro-family state. North Carolina was one of the first Southern states to grant paid parental leave to state workers in 2019 when then-Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, signed an executive order. In 2023, several months after the Dobbs decision, the states majority-Republican legislature extended paid parental leave to public school employees by tacking it onto a law banning most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy. Meanwhile, Indiana Republican Gov. Mike Braun signed an executive order in March to add up to eight additional weeks of paid leave for childbirth recovery to the states existing four weeks of paid parental leave. Running the gamut The new laws wont apply to most residents, because they only cover state employees. But they could have a downstream effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shaver, the Alabama lawmaker, said she hopes her states new law will not only help the state be competitive with the private sector, but also set a precedent for other employers to follow. I hope they will see its in their benefit to offer what they can, she said. It may not be eight or 12 weeks, but even offering a reduced or flexible work schedule can help families. Just over a quarter of private-sector workers have access to paid family leave through their employer as of March 2023, according the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor. Among the lowest-wage earners, that share drops to 6%. State paid leave programs run the gamut in terms of what they offer. While Alabamas new law offers up to eight weeks of leave for all state employees, including teachers, Mississippis offers six and does not require public schools to offer paid parental leave to their employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iowas new law grants four weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child and one week of paid paternity leave. Tennessees law, passed in 2023, only offers paid leave to workers in the states executive and judicial branches. But a few states are already expanding their offerings: Last year, Georgia legislators voted to double paid parental leave from three to six weeks. And some states have gone further than just state employees: 13 states and the District of Columbia have mandated paid family leave for all workers, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. Most of those states are located in New England or on the West Coast and all are Democratic-led. Ten more offer voluntary paid family leave statewide thats provided through private insurance. Sandwich generation Experts say the shift in attitude toward family-friendly policies can also be attributed to a generational shift. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of younger lawmakers are more willing to champion the issue of paid leave, said Freeland, of A Better Balance. Theyre understanding it because theyre seeing it in their own lives, or seeing friends and family members going through this. In South Carolina, Bernsteins bill faced some opposition from members of the states ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus and Family Caucus. Some lawmakers questioned the potential costs of the bill, or criticized it as government overreach. South Carolina Republican state Rep. Josiah Magnuson, a member of the Freedom Caucus, said he believed the bill would be a financial burden on public school districts that could lead to raised taxes. Youre saying, lets tax the people of South Carolina, most of whom dont get paid parental leave, and give them to state employees who already have six weeks paid parental leave, Magnuson told lawmakers in April before the House voted to pass the bill. He also said he doesnt like that the increased paid leave puts the foot in the door a little more for the government to be involved in the home. The opposition frustrated Bernstein, who pointed out that the states 2022 law that granted six weeks of paid parental leave passed the legislature almost unanimously. This years bill expanding that leave passed the House but hasnt seen movement in the Senate. It can be picked up again when the legislature returns in January. Other South Carolina Republicans backed the bill, citing their own families experiences following the birth of their children, reported the South Carolina Daily Gazette. More conservative states are also responding to the needs of sandwich generation employees who may be caring for aging parents as well as children, Freeland said. Earlier this year, Tennessee became the first Southern state to expand its state paid leave policy beyond just parental leave. The state legislature voted almost unanimously to extend its six-week paid leave policy to cover state workers providing end-of-life care to a family member. Were seeing a growing recognition that people need support for these types of family or caregiving needs, said Freeland, and that it strengthens the workforce and economy to be able to provide that. Stateline reporter Anna Claire Vollers can be reached at avollers@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A woman holds her newborn baby in her Los Angeles home. More legislatures in Republican-led states are passing paid parental leave for public employees. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) More Republican-led states are giving paid parental leave to public school teachers and other state employees, signaling a broader acceptance of family-friendly workplace policies once championed primarily by Democrats. All of these red states, I think were late to the party, said South Carolina state Rep. Beth Bernstein, a Columbia Democrat and chief sponsor of a bill to double state employees paid parental leave from six to 12 weeks. Co-sponsored by House GOP leaders, the bipartisan bill cleared the supermajority-Republican chamber by a vote of 86-18 on April 30, a week before the session ended. It awaits action next year in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House vote came three years after the South Carolina Legislature passed a law providing state employees six weeks of paid leave. That was followed in 2023 with a law making South Carolina the first state in the Southeast to extend that much parental paid leave to K-12 public school teachers. This year, Alabama, Iowa and Mississippi joined 37 other states in granting paid parental leave to thousands of state workers. The trend has gathered steam in recent years. Some experts link it to the cascade of state abortion bans that followed the U.S. Supreme Courts 2022 Dobbs decision, which dismantled the federal right to abortion. Under fire from critics to do more to care for babies once theyre born, at least a dozen conservative-led states with abortion bans have since granted or expanded paid parental leave for their state employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But others say the increasing bipartisan support for measures that help working parents is also a reaction to economic realities. What weve seen, especially in more conservative states, is the public sector has experienced a lot of turnover, said Kameron Dawson, legal director of the Southern Office of A Better Balance, a legal organization focused on workplace rights. Theyre looking for tools to recruit younger employees. Paid parental leave is the time off granted to workers for the birth or adoption of a baby, to care for a child, or to recover from a stillbirth or miscarriage. Without it, employees are left to cobble together their sick leave and vacation leave or go unpaid to stay home with a child and heal. Were trying to attract and retain state employees and teachers, and were in competition with everyone around us, and the private sector as well. Alabama Republican state Rep. Ginny Shaver Alabama Republican state Rep. Ginny Shaver watched her daughter, a public school teacher, struggle to get the leave she needed after the births of her children in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With her second, she had complications in her pregnancy and used up her [paid vacation and sick] leave before she even had the baby, Shaver told Stateline. Her daughter contracted COVID-19, and the baby had to spend time in neonatal intensive care. It was a very difficult time, and she had to take unpaid leave. Last year, Shaver and Democratic state Sen. Vivian Figures worked to win approval of a paid parental leave bill for state employees. It failed. But they tried again this year. With the support of Republican Gov. Kay Ivey, the state legislature which has a Republican supermajority passed it nearly unanimously. The new law gives female state employees, including teachers, eight weeks of paid parental leave in connection with birth, stillbirth or miscarriage, and gives male employees two weeks. Adoptive parents get eight weeks for one parent and two for the other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shaver said she thinks the law passed thanks to vocal support from the governor and increased awareness of the issue due to the work she and Figures did in previous sessions. And the fact that all of the Southeast states around us offered it, Shaver said. Were trying to attract and retain state employees and teachers, and were in competition with everyone around us, and the private sector as well. Keeping talent For many Republicans, the workforce development argument for paid leave is a persuasive one. For states such as Alabama and South Carolina that have some of the lowest workforce participation rates in the nation, paid leave can be a tool to keep more people particularly women working. And it can be a way to retain educators as many states struggle with teacher shortages in K-12 schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For several years weve seen state legislatures acknowledging the importance of child care to businesses and the economy, said Feroza Freeland, policy director at the Southern Office of A Better Balance. But in the last few years, weve seen a growing recognition that paid leave is another piece of that puzzle. States have taken up the issue because the federal government has not. The United States is a global outlier; among 38 peer nations, its the only one that doesnt mandate paid parental leave, according to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development. The group comprises 38 democracies with market-based economies. The federal Family and Medical Leave Act, passed in 1993 and extended in 2020, requires public agencies and companies with at least 50 employees to give up to 12 weeks of leave for parents of newborns or newly adopted children, or caregivers of sick family members. But it only requires the time off. The leave can be unpaid. GOP support During his first term, President Donald Trump publicly supported some forms of paid family leave and signed a defense bill that gives 12 weeks of paid parental leave to most federal employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paid family leave was a signature issue for his daughter Ivanka Trump, at the time a senior adviser to the president. She even held a paid leave and child care summit at the White House in late 2019. That set the stage for other Republicans to take up the issue more publicly. And after the Dobbs decision, family-friendly policies have increasingly become conservative talking points in states with restrictive abortion laws. After the Mississippi House unanimously passed a paid parental leave bill earlier this year, Republican House Speaker Jason White celebrated the bill as a reflection of Mississippis status as a pro-life state. In a post on X this week announcing her signing of a new paid parental leave law, Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds called Iowa a pro-family state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Carolina was one of the first Southern states to grant paid parental leave to state workers in 2019 when then-Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, signed an executive order. In 2023, several months after the Dobbs decision, the states majority-Republican legislature extended paid parental leave to public school employees by tacking it onto a law banning most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy. Meanwhile, Indiana Republican Gov. Mike Braun signed an executive order in March to add up to eight additional weeks of paid leave for childbirth recovery to the states existing four weeks of paid parental leave. Running the gamut The new laws wont apply to most residents, because they only cover state employees. But they could have a downstream effect. Shaver, the Alabama lawmaker, said she hopes her states new law will not only help the state be competitive with the private sector, but also set a precedent for other employers to follow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope they will see its in their benefit to offer what they can, she said. It may not be eight or 12 weeks, but even offering a reduced or flexible work schedule can help families. Just over a quarter of private-sector workers have access to paid family leave through their employer as of March 2023, according the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor. Among the lowest-wage earners, that share drops to 6%. State paid leave programs run the gamut in terms of what they offer. While Alabamas new law offers up to eight weeks of leave for all state employees, including teachers, Mississippis offers six and does not require public schools to offer paid parental leave to their employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iowas new law grants four weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child and one week of paid paternity leave. Tennessees law, passed in 2023, offers paid leave only to workers in the states executive and judicial branches. But a few states are already expanding their offerings: Last year, Georgia legislators voted to double paid parental leave from three to six weeks. And some states have gone further than just state employees: 13 states and the District of Columbia have mandated paid family leave for all workers, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. Most of those states are located in New England or on the West Coast and all are Democratic-led. Ten more offer voluntary paid family leave statewide thats provided through private insurance. Sandwich generation Experts say the shift in attitude toward family-friendly policies can also be attributed to a generational shift. A lot of younger lawmakers are more willing to champion the issue of paid leave, said Freeland, of A Better Balance. Theyre understanding it because theyre seeing it in their own lives, or seeing friends and family members going through this. In South Carolina, Bernsteins bill faced some opposition from members of the states ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus and Family Caucus. Some lawmakers questioned the potential costs of the bill, or criticized it as government overreach. Rep. Beth Bernstein, D-Columbia, talks about a bill Wednesday, April 30, 2025, that would double state employees paid parental leave. (Screenshot of SCETV legislative livestream) South Carolina state Rep. Josiah Magnuson, vice-chairman of the Freedom Caucus, said he believed the bill would be a financial burden on public school districts that could lead to raised taxes. Youre saying, lets tax the people of South Carolina, most of whom dont get paid parental leave, and give them to state employees who already have six weeks paid parental leave, Magnuson, R-Campobello, told lawmakers in April before the House voted to pass the bill. He also said he doesnt like that the increased paid leave puts the foot in the door a little more for the government to be involved in the home. The opposition frustrated Bernstein, who pointed out that the states 2022 law that granted six weeks of paid parental leave passed the Legislature almost unanimously. That legislation, also sponsored by Bernstein, started out as a 12-week bill. The Senate cut the maximum time off in half, and the House agreed to the change to get the measure to Gov. Henry McMasters desk. During the floor debate in April, other Republicans backed the renewed effort for 12 weeks, citing their own families experiences following the birth of their children, reported the South Carolina Daily Gazette. More conservative states are also responding to the needs of sandwich generation employees who may be caring for aging parents as well as children, Freeland said. Earlier this year, Tennessee became the first Southern state to expand its state paid leave policy beyond just parental leave. The state legislature voted almost unanimously to extend its six-week paid leave policy to cover state workers providing end-of-life care to a family member. Were seeing a growing recognition that people need support for these types of family or caregiving needs, said Freeland, and that it strengthens the workforce and economy to be able to provide that. Stateline reporter Anna Claire Vollers can be reached at avollers@stateline.org. Like SC Daily Gazette, 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. SYDNEY, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Police in the Australian island state of Tasmania have launched an investigation into the death of a man whose body was found in an industrial garbage bin. Tasmania Police said on Monday that the body of the 45-year-old man was discovered at around 9 a.m. in a large industrial waste bin at a business in Bellerive, a suburb of the state capital of Hobart. Speaking at a press conference on Monday afternoon, Detective Inspector David Gill said that it was not yet known how the man, who had been homeless for about two months, died, but he was known to frequent the area and had last been seen alive by his children on Saturday night. Police have begun piecing together the man's movements since Saturday night and are reviewing CCTV footage from the area. I still remember the call from Allison Bantimba, former leader for the Fulton County Remembrance Coalition, a community remembrance project focused on healing and learning from the legacy of racial terror through reconciliation. Her voice carried the kind of reverence that comes when youre about to be invited into sacred work. We have another lynching victim to remember, she said. And Id like you to take the lead on this remembrance because of your connection and reverence to Atlantas history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within minutes, the file arrived in my inbox. I opened the report, and as I read, I felt my heart break but not for the reason you might think. This wasnt the first lynching report Id received Ive read many over the years but Dennis Huberts story was different. Like Warren Powell, who was just 14 years old when he was lynched in East Point, Georgia, in 1899, Dennis was a child to some and a young man to others. Dennis was 18 a divinity student at Morehouse College. A son and grandson. Full of potential and deeply rooted in a family that believed in education, faith, and service. His lineage reached back to Hancock County, to Camille and Zak Hubert. I dug deeper. I spoke with the family. I continued the work virtually when the world shut down during the pandemic. We hosted remembrance gatherings, and kept his story alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the night of June 15, 1930, Dennis had gone to the playground at Crogman School in Atlantas Pittsburgh neighborhood a segregated school where his mother was the principal. What happened next was as senseless as it was brutal. The family of Dennis Hubert, and Billye Aaron (front right), stand in front of the marker erected on the site of his 1930 lynching in the Pittsburgh neighborhood in 2022. (Courtesy of Fulton County Remembrance Coalition) A group of seven white men accused Dennis of offending a white woman. There was no proof. No investigation. No mercy. They beat him in front of children, and then one of the attackers pulled out a gun and shot him in the head. He died there, his young life extinguished by hatred. In his memory, I stood at the site where he was murdered and collected soil. In 2021, a year later, we erected a historical marker at that exact spot. I tended to his grave at South-View Cemetery. I cried in silence and with the community. And recently, I cried again but this time, they were tears of joy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the rainy morning of May 17, 2025, Morehouse College called Dennis T. Huberts name during its 141st commencement ceremony and posthumously awarded him a Bachelor of Arts in Religion. His great-nephew, Imam Plemon El-Amin, walked across the stage and accepted the degree on his behalf, 95 years after his death. Photo Essay: Morehouse Graduation Celebrates Brotherhood and Excellence Morehouse College President David Thomas called Hubert a son of Morehouse, a martyr of justice, and what history now sees as the Trayvon Martin of the 1930s in Atlanta. It was more than a degree. It was an act of reclamation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement El-Amin recalled an Islamic concept, telling CNN: There are three things a person leaves behind after their death: their charity, knowledge, and family members who pray for them. It was a warm thing, watching El-Amin stand on that stage, the weight of his great uncles name resting in his hands like a promise kept. The moment pulled at memoryslow and deliberateas if the past was not behind us but seated beside us. Through paper and paint, archive and altar, the community and Morehouse stitched a brother back into the world for the Hubert family. Not gone. Not forgotten. Just waiting to be remembered the right way. Later that day, I laughed with the family at the presidents reception. We exchanged hugs with professors like Karcheik Sims-Alvarado, Myrick-Harris White, Stephane Dunn and students who had also fought to see Dennis honored in this way. We celebrated because this wasnt just a symbolic gesture. It was a long-overdue homecoming and acceptance into the Morehouse brotherhood. Read More: Morehouse College Names F. DuBois Bowman New President I felt, in those moments, the long arc of justice bending not fast, not easy but bending toward our babies and their becoming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some say, Dennis should have lived a full life. I say he did. Sharing his story over the years, Dennis was able to symbolically preach from pulpits, walk with his community, and even watch his Morehouse brothers graduate over the years. Dennis has a legacy a legacy that calls us to remember, resist forgetting, and restore the dignity that was taken. And we, his community, will continue to carry it forward. The post A Morehouse student Was Lynched in 1930. Why the College Gave Him a Posthumous Degree. appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta. Morning Joe co-host Joe Scarborough called the attack against pro-Israel rally-goers in Colorado who were advocating for the release of hostages held by Hamas sickening on MSNBC on Monday morning. If this isnt an act of terrorism, I dont know what is, Scarborough said. His comments came the morning after four men and four women, ranging in age from 52 to 88, were attacked in Boulder, Colorado, with Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower, according to witnesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, was heard yelling Free Palestine, according to FBI Special Agent in Charge Mike Michalek; he added it was clear this is a targeted act of violence. Soliman was also seen on video yelling we have to end Zionists in a video that went viral on X. The Egyptian national was in the country illegally, Fox News reported; Soliman entered the U.S. in 2022 and his work permit to remain in the country expired in March. The burned victims were attacked at a walk to remember the hostages who were captured by Hamas during its attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Despite the suspects comments and his targeting of a walk for Israeli hostages, NBC News correspondent Morgan Chesky told Morning Joe the motive for the attack still remains unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A moment after Cheskys appearance, though, Scarborough shared his thoughts. He also noted that Sundays attack was the latest targeting Jews in the U.S., coming a little more than a week after two Israeli diplomats were gunned down in Washington, D.C. The post Morning Joe: Sickening Boulder Attack Was Clearly Terrorism | Video appeared first on TheWrap. The Russian delegation has threatened to call off the negotiations in Istanbul in response to the Ukrainian Security Services operation Pavutyna ("Spiders Web"), which resulted in the destruction of 41 Russian aircraft on 1 June. Source: an Ukrainska Pravda source in the Ministry of Defence familiar with the course of the negotiations Details: The source said that the talks are progressing, but Moscow is deliberately focusing on minor issues to delay the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is definitely [progress in the negotiations Ukrainska Pravda]. But the secondary nature of the issues that Russia wants to discuss indicates that they are deliberately delaying and looking for any mechanisms to do that in the course of the negotiations," the source said. Additionally, the source noted that the recent Operation Spider's Web conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine, which targeted 41 Russian military aircraft, including strategic bombers and an A-50, has also affected the course of the talks. "The Russian side clearly stated that there is a risk of disruption of any negotiations and continuation of hostilities because of such steps," the source said. However, the source said Moscow has not changed its approach to its demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The demands were the same as at the first meeting. First, withdrawal from the territory of five oblasts Kursk, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Only then is a ceasefire possible." The source also confirmed that Vladimir Medinsky remains the main representative of the Russian delegation, as he has full authority and is in direct contact with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. "The position of the Russian side was as unwavering as during the first round of talks. But this time, the Ukrainian side responded just as firmly. And this is the main difference. [Ukraines First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhii] Kyslytsia was one of those who outlined all of the [Russian] positions with which our side [Ukraine] disagreed," the source concluded. Background: The meeting between the delegations of Ukraine and the Russian Federation, which lasted a little over an hour, was the second following the talks on 16 May. At the meeting in Istanbul on Monday 2 June, the Ukrainian and Russian delegations reached an agreement on the next prisoner exchange, which will involve seriously wounded and young soldiers. Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation, has said that Russia is offering Kyiv a temporary ceasefire on certain fronts. Axios has learned from a Ukrainian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, that the so-called "memorandum" containing proposals for a ceasefire and an end to the war, which Russia handed over to Ukraine on 2 June, also contains ultimatums regarding the recognition of the Russian occupation of Ukrainian territories. Previously: On 1 June 2025, the Security Service of Ukraine carried out a special operation codenamed Pavutyna (Spiders Web), one of the largest and most complex sabotage operations against Russian military aviation. The Security Service of Ukraine reported that the operation resulted in the destruction of 41 Russian strategic aircraft, including Tu-95, Tu-22M3 and Tu-160 strategic bombers, as well as an A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft. After the Ukrainian Security Services Operation Pavutyna, EU Ambassador to Kyiv Katarina Mathernova stated that Ukraine has its own cards to play in the war. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, commenting on the Ukrainian attack that destroyed and damaged Russian strategic bombers, said that Ukraine is successfully defending itself. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! GOSHEN TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW) Two people were killed when a Harley Davidson motorcycle that was hauling a camper trailer overturned and slid off the roadway. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Jill L. Morris, 44, of Uhrichsville was a passenger on the motorcycle and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in Goshen Township by the Tuscarawas County Coroners Office. Once-in-a-lifetime: When you can see all three Goodyear Blimps together over NE Ohio Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troopers later said the driver of the motorcycle also died after sustaining life-threatening injuries. He was identified as Keith A. Morris, 47, of Uhrichsville. The crash happened Sunday evening, shortly after 8 p.m., on US Route 250 near mile post 13. According to troopers, the two were traveling eastbound on a blue 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle and pulling a camper trailer. Asian Lantern Festival returns to Cleveland zoo The trailer began to sway and the motorcycle lost control. The motorcycle overturned and slid off the right side of the roadway, stated a press release. Neither the operator nor the passenger of the motorcycle were wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, said troopers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crash remains under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, erupted on Monday morning, causing a chaotic scene at the popular Italian tourist attraction. According to CNN, Italian authorities said the explosion caused plumes of gases, ash and rock to shoot "several kilometers high into the air. The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology Observatory said Etna has not seen an eruption of this magnitude since 2014. The observatory defined the occurrence as a pyroclastic eruption, which caused a significant increase in volcanic tremor and the formation of an eruptive column containing a lethal mixture of high-temperature gases, lava grains, volcanic ash, and rock fragments of various sizes that rapidly descends down the slopes of the volcano. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Videos of the natural phenomenon are circulating on social media, including shots of terrified visitors sprinting down the mountainside as the smoke billowed and lava began to flow. In the video posted below, you can see one view of the moment the volcano erupted, and another angle showing tourists fleeing the scene. Il momento della colata piroclastica nel versante sud-est dell'Etna ripreso dalla telecamera di Santa Venerina della Protezione Civile Regione Sicilia. Nel secondo video, di Mario Denaro, la fuga degli escursionisti e dei visitatori della direzione della colata. pic.twitter.com/LvBrnS3OVS Italia 24H Live Notizie dall'Italia (@Italia24HLive) June 2, 2025 Activity at Mount Etna reportedly began in the predawn hours, with tremors being felt between the hours of 10 p.m. Sunday and 1 a.m. Monday, before culminating with the massive eruptions later in the morning. Explosions could reportedly be heard in Catania and Taormina, which are roughly 25 and 30 miles away from the volcano. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sicilian Civil Protection agency has ordered all flight activity away from the area. Airports in Catania and Palermo remain open, though some flights have been diverted. Prior to today, Mount Etna's most recent eruption happened in February and disrupted several flights from the Catania airport. Mount Etna In Italy Erupted on Monday first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 2, 2025 Mount Etna, the tallest and most active volcano in Europe, erupted on Monday on the Italian island of Sicily. Dramatic video footage shared on social media showed tourists fleeing down the side of the mountain as a thick volcanic cloud intensified above them. Italys National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (IGNV) said in a statement that the eruption began at 3:50 am local time on 2 June following volcanic tremors that started at around 10:00 pm on 1 June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volcanologists added that Mount Etna has been experiencing strombolian explosions of growing intensity. These explosions typically mean a relatively mild kind of eruption. Smoke billows from Mount Etna volcano, Italy, Monday, 2 June. - AP Photo/Giuseppe Distefano A pyroclastic flow - an avalanche of hot rock, ash and gas - was seen on surveillance cameras at around 11:30 am local time. It was probably produced by a collapse of material from the northern flank of the South-East Crater, IGNV said. This flow spread northeast but doesnt appear to have crossed the edge of the Valle del Leone, a valley located at the foot of the summit craters on Mount Etna. Smoke billows from Mount Etna volcano, Italy on Monday 2 June. - AP Photo/Giuseppe Distefano Explosive activity from the southeast crater generated three main lava flows: one heading south, one heading east and one heading north. All of these flows are now in a cooling phase. IGNV has said the ash cloud emission now appears to have ended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Mount Etna has a history of frequent eruptions dating back 3,000 years. The last major eruption in February sent a 3-kilometre river of lava flowing out of a crater called Bocca Nuova, meaning new mouth. That eruption caused some minor disruption to travel, with parts of Catania airport closed due to reduced visibility. Will flights be affected by the eruption and is Catania airport closed? Catania airport stands at the foot of Mount Etna, giving departing and arriving passengers a spectacular view of the volcano. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CataniaFontanarossa Airport, also known as Vincenzo Bellini Airport, on the island's east coast, is Sicily's most popular airport with international tourists. At first, the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Toulouse, France, one of nine global centres monitoring aviation risks, issued a red aviation warning. This was then downgraded to an orange warning as the ash cloud drifted northwest and dissipated. All four of Sicily's airports, CataniaFontanarossa (CTA), Comiso (CIY), FalconeBorsellino (PMO), and Vincenzo Florio (TPS), remain fully operational and are continuing with flights as normal. There were just a few very minor delays at Catania Airport on Monday morning. You can find updated information on arrivals and departures on the Catania Airport website. Can I claim compensation if my flight is disrupted? If flights at Catania Airport are disrupted, airlines are required to offer you another flight or a refund if a flight is cancelled or delayed by more than three hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, this is only when they could have prevented the disruption. In the case of a volcanic eruption, it is not their fault. Related However, in most cases, airlines will still endeavour to get passengers to their final destination. It's always wise to have travel insurance, as you may be able to claim back for unexpected expenses. Is it safe to visit Sicily while Mount Etna is erupting? Yes, it is still safe to travel to Sicily, even when Mount Etna is erupting. Local authorities and residents are used to dealing with Mount Etna eruptions. For the last five years, it has erupted multiple times a year, and tourism to Sicily has been on the rise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite frequent eruptions, lava has not reached nearby towns since the 1800s. Etna has more than 200 craters, and when one of these does erupt, black volcanic ash lands in the city of Catania at its foot and the many surrounding towns and villages. This is inconvenient for residents, but usually not a problem for visitors. Some people even purposefully climb the volcano to see an eruption, though authorities urge tourists to keep a safe distance. Enrico Trantino, mayor of Catania, said everything was normal and under control. He told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that, due to monitoring from IGNV, the summit area had already been closed prior to the eruption. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man is accused of shooting at another man after an argument at a North Memphis store, Memphis Police said. On May 31, 2025, at 3:00 a.m., officers responded to a shooting at Food Mart located at 2456 Chelsea Avenue. A male victim was struck and taken to the hospital in non-critical condition. Police said surveillance footage captured a silver sedan, possibly a Ford Fusion, with heavy damage on the passenger side pulling into the business parking lot. Memphis Police shared pictures of a vehicle they said was used in an aggravated assault. Memphis Police shared pictures of a vehicle they said was used in an aggravated assault. The male passenger of the sedan got into a brief physical altercation with an unknown male. Memphis Police shared pictures of a suspect they said was involved in a shooting. Memphis Police shared pictures of a suspect they said was involved in a shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Data says there have been 17 homicides in Frayser this year After the altercation, the passenger got back in the car, and the vehicle went north on Hollywood. Muzzle flashes were seen coming from the passenger-side front window of the sedan. The male victim was in a vacant lot adjacent to the business when he was struck. Police have described the suspect as a man around 56 wearing a black shirt, jeans and Crocs. If you have any information about this incident, youre encouraged to contact 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. MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WKRN) A first of its kind, luxury and exclusive neighborhood may be coming to the city of Mt. Juliet. The city of Mt. Juliet has been called a great place to live, work and play, which makes it a desirable area for developers. This is extremely unique for the city of mt Juliet. First of its kind, explained Scott Hefner, District 3 Commissioner for the city of Mt. Juliet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More (Courtesy: City of Mt. Juliet) Hefner added he supports plans for a new neighborhood that could bring multi-million dollar homes to Lebanon Road. This is extremely unique. We have not seen anything like this neighborhood proposed since Ive been on the board which is going on five years, Hefner said. Developers showed the planning commission video of what the community could look like. The homes range from $800,000 to a multi-million dollar price tag. The community would have three swimming pools and a gated entrance with security guards. The security guards will handle all the nuisance calls which will save the taxpayers and MJPD resources from having to drive out and handle those, Hefner said. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com With over 400 homes and 52,000 square feet of commercial development, the project would be built over an eight-year time period to avoid burdening infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Hefner said developers will also be part of the solution. They are contributing almost $5 million to the city of M.t Juliet for off side road improvements which those road improvements will go towards the funding of widening Lebanon road, Hefner said. He said on top of all of that the community will bring a positive economic impact to the city. And with that its going to bring higher sales tax revenue for the city of Mt. Juliet so all in all its going to be a great project, Hefner said. Mt. Juliet Board of Commissioners are expected to hear a second reading on an ordinance to rezone the property this upcoming Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The name of the five-year-old boy who fell from a bridge into the Genesee River has been released. The search continued on Tuesday for ZyJae Isaiah St. Pierre, a five-year-old boy from Rochester who fell from a bridge into the Genesee River on Monday. Rochester Police confirmed after the search on Tuesday evening that they have not found the missing child, after continuing the search since Sunday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a recovery operation at this time, RPD Chief David Smith said in a press conference Tuesday, Were just trying to locate ZyJae and bring him home and bring some closure to the family. Scuba teams and boats have been checking up and down the river with support from RG&E, the NYS DEC, and the Rochester Fire Department. The Rochester Police Departments Scuba team has been exclusively assigned the case. They are in the river using what looked like sonar attached to the side of the boat. pic.twitter.com/nUjrQdgjW0 eric schedlbauer (@NG_NewGuy) June 2, 2025 At around 4:40 p.m. Sunday, police responded to multiple calls of a child who was seen going over a railing into the water. SEARCH CONTINUES: @RochesterNYPD Scuba Squad gears up at base of High Falls. Onlookers at Pont de Renne bridge who have been here for some time. As of 12:30, boat is in the water. @News_8 Balloons from growing memorial at Andrews St. bridge can be seen. pic.twitter.com/HUBxIBzWJ5 Isabel Garcia (@IsabelG_WROC) June 3, 2025 Upon arriving at the scene, officers were informed that a 5-year-old boy was walking with his mother, who was pushing another child in a stroller, when he ran ahead of her. Witnesses said that the child then climbed the railing, and before his mother could reach him, he went over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The childs mother ran along the waterway and was unable to reach her son before he went out of her sight. Theres no way the mother could have safely rescued that child. Theres absolutely no way, its very dangerous the way the current runs and everything else, Bello said on Sunday. RPDs scuba team and drones were joined in their search efforts by the New York State Police Aviation unit, Rochester Fire Departments water rescue team, and Irondequoit Police Department drones. Everything we have at this point appears to be accidental and is just an incredibly sad situation, Bello said, Say your prayers for this family because this is an incredibly traumatic situation for anybody to go through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The silence was loud along the Andrews Street Bridge as friends and family placed balloons, toys, and teddy bears anything they could do to show support to the family during this time. Monday night, a powerful show of community support as family and friends watched, no doubt feeling powerless at times, as searchers looked for the 5-year-old. The support carried on into Tuesdays search with a large gathering of community members, including some from Buffalo, wanting to be present for the family. The silence is loud along the Andrews Street Bridge tonight. You can feel the weight of the communitys support and heavy hearts as the search continues for a 5-year-old boy who fell into the Genesee River Sunday evening. @News_8 pic.twitter.com/SSxY74ipJ1 Gio Battaglia (@giobattaglia_) June 2, 2025 Those who came told News 8 it just felt like the right thing to do. It wouldnt let me rest. I just had to be here, one woman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether they knew the family or not, people were hoping to spread a message that no one stands alone in these unimaginable moments. First responders are expected to continue the search on Wednesday. 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 RochesterFirst. URUMQI, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have released a streamflow dataset of Tianshan Mountains watersheds, the key source region of Central Asian rivers. The study, led by researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was published in the journal Scientific Data. The dataset compiles daily streamflow data for 56 watersheds and monthly data for 89 watersheds in the Tianshan Mountains. The researchers reconstructed streamflow observations by integrating data from both domestic and international monitoring stations. The study revealed an overall increasing trend in Tianshan streamflow, which was particularly prominent between 1990 and 2019. Spatially, it showed higher streamflow in the west and south, and lower streamflow in the east and north. Due to scarcity of data and complex hydrological conditions in the Tianshan region, long-term and complete streamflow data are still lacking, said Li Shuai, first author of this study. "This is the first comprehensive and long-term streamflow modeling and data reconstruction effort at the watershed scale in the Tianshan Mountains," said Li. The dataset fills the gap in the availability of comprehensive streamflow data for smaller basins in the Tianshan Mountains, and provides essential data for managing water resources and assessing the impact of climate change in the region, according to the study. According to a press release from the US Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Florida, three men from Orange County pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. The press release indicates that Bradley D. Burch (34, Apopka), Ronald E. Hubbard Jr. (37, Apopka), and Douglas E. Arnett Jr. (33, Orlando) have entered guilty pleas regarding a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, a fentanyl analog and methamphetamine. Throughout the conspiracy, the suspects distributed nearly 2 kilograms of methamphetamine and over 350 grams of fentanyl or fentanyl analog mixtures. In some of these deals, Burch was also seen with a firearm, either nearby or in his waistband. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hubbard and Arnett each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, with a possible life term, in federal prison. Burch faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, with a possible life term, in federal prison. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program uniting law enforcement and communities to reduce violent crime, gun violence and improve neighborhood safety. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. SALEM, Ore. (AP) A dozen people were injured in a stabbing attack at an Oregon homeless shelter on Sunday night, and a suspect was arrested, police said. A man with an eight-inch (20-cm) knife walked into the lobby of the Union Gospel Mission in Salem around 7:15 p.m., the Salem Police Department said on Monday. The man had been talking to people in the lobby when he allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed several people, according to police. Other people in the vicinity were hurt when they tried to intervene, police said. The man then left the building and stabbed others who were nearby, sitting outside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police arrested a suspect identified as Tony Williams, 42, across the street from the shelter. Eleven victims, including two shelter staff members, were taken to a hospital for treatment and a 12th victim was identified as officers interviewed witnesses. Police said the victims suffered varying types of injuries. All of the injured were men between the ages of 26 and 57, police said. Five people remained hospitalized Monday with serious injuries. Police haven't specified a motive for the stabbings, but said it didn't seem targeted at people who are homeless. Craig Smith, the shelter's executive director, said in an online statement that the two staff members were among those still hospitalized on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As you can imagine, our guests and staff are shaken up and grieving, the statement said. Already we are in conversation and meetings with staff and guests to discuss safety improvements, to the best of our ability, moving forward. Williams was traveling by bus from Portland to Deschutes County when he got off in Salem on Saturday, according to Salem Police Violent Crimes Unit detectives. He visited the shelter on Saturday but didn't stay overnight, shelter officials said. The next night, Williams arrived at the shelter shortly before the call for police assistance. Im in disbelief that something like this could happen. We are most concerned with those who are still in hospital and for those who were just there. Its a difficult thing to process, Salem Mayor Julie Hoy said. Bobby Epperly was on the second floor when he said he saw the man screaming outside at traffic and holding a knife, the Salem Statesman Journal reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its like a horror movie, Epperly said. He said he didn't realize some people had already been stabbed inside the building until he went downstairs and saw blood everywhere. Up to 150 men seek refuge at the shelter each night, according to its website. Caleb Rennie, 19, was driving that stretch of road as he does every day and saw the arrest in progress so started recording it with his cellphone. Two cops had their guns drawn when they were running across the street, so that kind of helped me understand the gravity of the situation and that's also why I started recording, Rennie said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His video appears to show a man facedown on the ground as two police officers approach the man with guns and then put what look like handcuffs around his wrists. People out of view can be heard yelling expletives and another man approaches with what appears to be a crutch or walking stick and is told to back up. Never have I ever seen anything like that before, on that street, he said. Alan Humphreys, 67, was outside the shelter when the man with the knife came outside and started stabbing people who he said he later saw lying on the ground "bleeding bad." It was really serious last night, I mean really serious," Humphreys said. Im just glad its all over with now. ___ AP journalist Lisa Baumann contributed to this story from Bellingham, Washington. A man yelling Free Palestine! used incendiary devices and a makeshift flamethrower to attack people calling for the release of Israeli hostages Sunday in Colorado, in what authorities are calling a targeted antisemitic attack. Witnesses described seeing huge flames and people pouring buckets of water onto burning victims. At least 12 people were injured, including four women and four men between the ages of 52 and 88, authorities said. Two victims were airlifted to the Denver metro area. At least one victim was very seriously injured, officials said. No victims have died, the Boulder Police Department said Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism, the agency said. It happened at a weekly walk in support of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Among the victims is a Holocaust survivor, according to a person who knows the victim and was at the event. It is unclear what their condition is. The suspect in the attack, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, is charged with a federal hate crime, according to an affidavit filed Sunday. Hes also facing a number of state charges, including 16 counts of attempted first-degree murder; two counts of use of an incendiary device; 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device; and eight counts of first-degree assault. He was previously booked on two counts of first-degree murder. Soliman faces life in prison if convicted of the federal charge, acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado J. Bishop Grewell said Monday. And he could face 384 years in state prison if convicted of the 16 attempted murder counts, according to Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities recovered 16 unused Molotov cocktails after the incident, Dougherty said Monday. Soliman made his first court appearance Monday in Colorado District Court and is scheduled to return Thursday afternoon for the filing of charges. He is being held on a $10 million cash bond, the judge said. Soliman, who appeared on camera in an orange jumpsuit from Boulder County Jail, didnt enter a plea at Mondays hearing. US Attorney General Pam Bondi said the department will hold the perpetrator accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Law enforcement officials investigate after the Sunday attack in Boulder. - David Zalubowski/AP In videos obtained by CNN, Soliman, 45, is seen shirtless, yelling Palestine is free! End Zionists! and They are killers! He carries two bottles, and witnesses can be heard saying hes spraying alcohol and hes making Molotov cocktails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soliman threw two Molotov cocktails before he was arrested, the federal affidavit said. He arrived in the area around 1 p.m. wearing a utility vest over his shirt and carrying a garden sprayer filled with gasoline. Many witnesses said he looked like a gardener, officials said. Law enforcement officers detain suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman in Boulder on Sunday. - OpusObscura/X/Reuters During an interview, Soliman told local and federal agents he had researched on YouTube how to make Molotov cocktails and bought the ingredients and constructed the incendiary devices, federal charging documents say. Police also found a backpack weed sprayer, which, along with glass bottles, was determined to be filled with gasoline commonly found at gas stations as well as xylene, a colorless, highly flammable and sweet-smelling liquid, according to the federal court documents. Officials are working to assess whether the alleged attacker has any possible mental health issues, a source familiar with the investigation told CNN. Law enforcement visited Solimans home in Colorado Springs, about 100 miles south of Boulder, the affidavit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sundays attack came less than two weeks after two young Israeli Embassy staffers were fatally shot in Washington, DC, by a man who claimed to have been acting for Gaza. The Jewish community has been warning the world that chants of globalize the Intifada and resistance by any means necessary are calls to violence. Weve now seen that violence erupt in America twice in less than two weeks, Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, said on social media. Heres what else we know about the Boulder attack. A weekly gathering to support Israeli hostages descends into chaos Sundays attack took place on the Pearl Street pedestrian mall, where a weekly Run for Their Lives event was being held. The event, which has taken place regularly since mid-October 2023, aims to raise awareness of Israeli hostages being held captive by Hamas and calls for their release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This global grass roots organization was founded on October 15, 2023, a week after the horrendous terrorist attack by Hamas. These walks have been held every week since then for all the hostages without any violent incidents until today, the organization said in a statement. Soliman targeted the group after researching them online. He knew about their meeting Sunday and was planning to conduct the attack for a year but was waiting on his daughter to graduate, according to the affidavit. Witness Brian Horwitz told CNN he and his family were dining at a food hall near the scene when a woman ran toward them saying a man was throwing fire at people. Horwitz got up and ran into the courtyard, where he saw a man carrying a tank on his back that resembled a gardening chemical sprayer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another man was trying to talk the suspect down, but the suspect kept yelling, f**k you, Zionist, you all deserve to die, and youve killed these children. A bomb disposal robot sits on Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday. - Eli Imadali/AFP/Getty Images After calling 911, Horwitz went to see whether he could assist any victims. He described seeing an elderly woman lying on the ground, unresponsive. There were several people attending to her and wrapping her up, trying to ensure she was OK, he said. People from a restaurant across the street were bringing large buckets of ice water to help extinguish the flames, he added. He grabbed a bucket and filled it with water from a fountain in the middle of the courtyard, he said. I just kept filling that up and pouring it on their legs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their pants were completely burned and singed off. It looked like their skin had just melted off their bodies. Many of the victims are well known in the community, said Elyana Funk, executive director of the University of Boulder Hillel. She talked to a couple of them, including one woman who is healing from horrible burns. She really felt like this happened not just to her, but to the whole community, Funk said. A mother and daughter were also wounded in the attack, she said. The mother is a Holocaust survivor in her 80s whos been through certainly enough trauma, she added. This wasnt a pro-Israel rally or some sort of political statement on the war, she said. These are peaceful people whove been walking for nearly 20 months weekly to bring awareness for the hostages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six of the injured are members of the Congregation Bonai Shalom in Boulder, according to CNN affiliate KUSA. Four of them were hospitalized and discharged, while two were airlifted to a hospital near Denver, the congregations leader, Rabbi Marc Soloway, told KUSA. One person remains in serious condition, Soloway said. Tragically, the person who was most seriously injured, it was their first time going on the walk, the rabbi said. The congregation, which Soloway said is like a big family, is struggling to process a range of emotions in the aftermath of the attack. Were all just feeling broken and angry and grieving and sad and hopeless, Soloway said. Suspect not a US national, overstayed tourist visa Videos obtained by CNN capture Soliman, shirtless, on a patch of grass near an area that has obvious burn marks. Around him are black clouds of smoke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses said Soliman took off his vest and shirt because they had started to catch fire during the attack, according to police. He was taken to an area hospital after his arrest for treatment of burns he sustained to his hands during the attack. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the suspect in the Boulder attack, is seen in his mugshot. - Boulder Police Department In an interview with law enforcement after his arrest, Soliman stated that he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead. Soliman stated he would do it (conduct an attack) again, the affidavit read. Soliman planned on dying in the attack, according to a warrant for his arrest. He said he threw two Molotov cocktails only because he got scared and had never hurt anyone before, according to the warrant, and he would not forgive himself if he did not do it. No one else knew about his plan, Soliman said, according to the warrant. Soliman had taken a concealed-carry class and learned to shoot a gun, but he was unable to purchase one because he was not a legal citizen, the warrant said. As of Sunday, the FBI had been working to determine whether Soliman may have been suffering from mental health concerns, a source familiar with the investigation told CNN. Soliman arrived in the United States in August 2022 on a non-immigrant B2 visa that expired the following February, according to Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security. Soliman is an Egyptian national, according to law enforcement sources. He filed for asylum in September 2022, McLaughlin said on X. Soliman was granted a work authorization in March 2023, multiple law enforcement officials said. The authorization expired at the end of March 2025, at which point it appears he remained here illegally, the officials added. Law enforcement sources previously told CNN the suspect had applied for asylum and been rejected for a visa in 2005. Boulder attack victims are treated Sunday. CNN has added blur to their faces for reasons of privacy. - Ivan A. Jewish leaders on high alert after second antisemitic attack in two weeks Today, six people were set on fire by a terrorist in Boulder, Colorado. Why? Because they were calling for 58 hostages still held by Hamas terrorists to finally be returned home, Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, said on social media. The Boulder attack was part of a wave of domestic terror attacks aimed at the Jewish community, said Eric D. Fingerhut, the president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America. Fingerhut outlined a six-point plan for the federal government to address the growing threat. His proposals included increasing a non-profit security grant program funding to $1 billion to meet urgent needs, dedicating resources for security personnel at Jewish institutions, bolstering FBI intelligence capabilities to thwart domestic terrorism and holding social media platforms accountable for spreading antisemitic hate and incitement, among others. The Boulder Police Department will increase the number of officers at community events in the next seven to 10 days, Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said Monday. We want to ensure that people feel comfortable and safe in this community gathering, and remembering what happened, as well as any other planned events that we have, he said. Rabbi Soloway of the heavily impacted Congregation Bonai Shalom says all services at their synagogue now require armed security. It is just inconceivable that Jewish people in the United States of America in 2025 can feel so unsafe right now, Soloway told KUSA. In response to Sundays attack, authorities in major cities across the US have deployed extra security at Jewish sites and community centers. On Sunday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced in a statement an emergency meeting will be held in City Hall to address heightened security ahead of the Jewish holiday Shavuot, and the Los Angeles Police Department would be conducting extra patrols at houses of worship and community centers throughout the city. Antisemitism will not be tolerated, she said. On the East Coast, the New York Police Department said its presence has increased at synagogues and other religious sites across the city for Shavuot. CNNs Amanda Musa, Josh Campbell, Hanna Park, Matt Rehbein and Holmes Lybrand contributed to this report This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) is creating a new political action committee to oppose President Trumps agenda, seeking to mobilize those who want to push back against the administration. Murphy on Monday said in a post on the social platform X that his group, American Mobilization, will support citizen led protest throughout the country. Politico first reported Murphys plans. Lets make a commitment. Lets decide to build it together. Im launching a new fund: American Mobilization. And the purpose is really simple: to support citizens and organizations who right now are mobilizing all over the country against Trumps corruption, he said in a video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murphys announcement comes as the three-term senator has gained increasing prominence within the Democratic Party following former Vice President Harriss loss to Trump in November. It could also add to speculation that he may be a possible 2028 presidential candidate. Murphy said in the video that the Trump administration is overwhelming the public because they want us to believe that were powerless, but he called that the biggest lie of all. He said history shows that mass mobilization can win, but it needs infrastructure, including organizers, technology and logistics support. He said the PAC will support students in states like Georgia and Pennsylvania who are fighting against Trumps assault on democracy and doctors and nurses in Michigan, Louisiana and Utah to oppose cuts to Medicaid. Murphy told Politico that the group is providing $400,000 to organizations opposing Medicaid cuts and getting young people registered to vote. An aide to Murphy told the outlet that the group expects to spend $2 million in the 2026 midterm election cycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The senator told the outlet that his moves arent to lay groundwork for a presidential campaign. Wherever there are Americans willing to stand up against this corruption, we want to be there with the resources that they need to mobilize, he said in the video. The fight is right now. And so the money that were raising is going right now to that fight. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sen. Chris Murphy is launching a new PAC aimed at taking on President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress the latest sign the Connecticut Democrat is eyeing higher office, according to plans that were first shared with POLITICO. Murphy will announce Monday that his group, American Mobilization Project, is doling out $400,000 to organizations that oppose cuts to Medicaid and register young people to vote. Two of the early recipients of his funds are based in battleground states. In an interview, Murphy said that his PAC is unique because it is not focused on funding campaigns and instead is looking to mobilize people against Trumps agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of us have to realize that if we don't act aggressively right now to organize and mobilize, we may not have our democracy in 2026, said Murphy. I'm a believer that the only thing that is ultimately going to stop Trump's corruption and his destruction of democracy is mass mobilization. Murphys PAC expects to spend upwards of $2 million in the 2026 midterm cycle, an aide to the senator said. In the wake of Trumps reelection, Murphy has worked to grow his profile and staked out ground as one of the Democratic Partys most outspoken critics of the presidents efforts to bend institutions to his will. Murphy has appeared on numerous podcasts, held town halls across the country and churned out a steady stream of content on social media. In the run-up to presidential campaigns, would-be candidates often launch new PACs or outside groups, which can be used to expand their visibility, build their email lists and cultivate political relationships. But Murphy insists his recent moves are not designed to lay the groundwork for a future presidential bid. He has argued that its no guarantee that there will even be a race for the White House in 2028, in fact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I don't think its a foregone conclusion there's going to be an election in 2026 or 2028 for anybody to run in if we don't do the work right now, he said, adding, I hope that this PAC is going to act very differently than everybody else's PAC because it's not about banking money or using money for a political campaign or for other people's political campaigns. Its about mobilization. The first recipients of contributions from Murphys PAC include Georgia Youth Justice and Project 26 Pennsylvania. His group is also backing the Committee to Protect Health Care's work organizing doctors and nurses to support Medicaid in Michigan, Louisiana and Utah. Murphy is far from the only Democrat who has positioned himself as a future leader of the party as it struggles to find its way back to power. Several potential 2028 candidates have traveled to critical battleground and early-voting states in recent weeks. Last week, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz both visited South Carolina to attend a key Democratic dinner. Soldiers from the 36th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Bilynskyi have shown footage of Russian military equipment being destroyed and personnel being killed on the Pokrovsk front in Donetsk Oblast. Source: 36th Separate Marine Brigade; an Ukrainska Pravda source in the military Details: A source told Ukrainska Pravda that the video shows the most effective strikes of the past week. A mechanised assault by Russian troops using a BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle was stopped by attack drones and Russian armoured vehicles were completely destroyed using a Javelin anti-tank system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mykolaiv marines also wiped out an assault unit of four Russian soldiers on motorcycles using FPV drones. Three more Russian soldiers hiding in shelters were also killed with FPV drones. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) An unarmed 17-year-old was shot in the back by a Myrtle Beach police officer in the midst of Aprils chaotic North Ocean Boulevard melee that left a Bennettsville man dead. Thats the claim made Monday by national civil rights attorney Bakari Sellers, who said in a news release that he was representing the victim identified only as John Doe. They almost killed my son that night, the victims mother Kristy Flow said in a statement. They shot him in the back while he was unarmed and running away. He was just a teenager at the beach like any other, and now he has to carry that bullet inside him for the rest of his life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The April 26 incident along the 900 block of N. Ocean Boulevard happened just before midnight and left 18-year-old Jerrius Davis of Bennettsville dead. Police said he opened fire into a crowd. Myrtle Beach police responded in 1.2 seconds, with Ofc. Brandon ORourke returning five rounds at Davis, hitting and killing him, Myrtle Beach Police Chief Prock said last week. In the video, one extra shot is heard after the five shots, which Prock said the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is working to determine where it came from. One of those people was critically hurt, but all have since been released from the hospital, according to Prock. The victims ages ranged from 13 to 43. In the aftermath of the shooting, 11 people sustained gunshot-related injuries, with some of them including bullet wounds and shrapnel grazes. Prock said four of them were taken by an ambulance, while seven self-reported to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least two other teenagers known to have been injured are 15-year-old Serenity Chavis and Zavian Washington, 13. Both are being represented by civil rights activist John Barnett. We may go home and its business as usual, but they are left in the dark, in their bedroom as children, teenagers, saying, I went to the beach and got shot, Barnett said. Flows son, who was fleeing at the time, was hit in the back and spent multiple days in the hospital and ICU. The bullet that hit him remains lodged in his chest, Sellers said in a release. When prominent lawyers, national lawyers, come in, that means its a problem a lot of the times, Barnett said. Its not just a paper bag chase. Eventually, if they want to take it to court, there will be a day that all bodycams and all dashcams will be released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sellers and Flow said theyre concerned by the Myrtle Beach Police Departments reluctance to publicly release crucial information about the shooting. Dashcam video of the incident was released May 29, but ORourkes body camera footage has not been released. Jerrius Davis wasnt the only one who recklessly fired into a crowd of people on April 26, Sellers said. Brandon ORourke did too, and justice demands that we hold him accountable. Mayor Brenda Bethune told News13 Monday night that she stands behind the police departments response. I continue to support the fast actions of our police, she said in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police department spokesperson Randolph Angotti referred News13 to Procks video briefing from last Thursday. The information in our community brief is the most current information we have to release at this time, Angotti said in an email. We appreciate our communities ongoing [patience] as SLED continues to investigate to determine a factual account of what happened on April 26. Please reference previous posts and releases for information that we have to share at this time. Were told the teens mom, and Sellers were not available for an interview Monday. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * * * 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A local girl is helping her community fire department raise money to care for their new firehouse dog. The department lost its old dog last fall. 28/22 News Reporter Avery Nape was there to visit the firehouses new furry friend. Meet Hahn, a 14-week-old dalmatian, and Nanticoke Fire Departments new firehouse dog. The playful pup has only been with the department for two weeks. The growing pup requires a lot of care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why eight-year-old Teagan Bruza of Nanticoke decided to raise money to help even before she met him. Eight-year-old Teagan Bruza of Nanticoke I was, in my head, I was like, Oh my God, hes so cute,' Teagan said. Teagan teamed up with friends, family, and firefighters for a fundraiser on Sunday. selling Italian ice, baked goods, and more than 400 hot dogs, all donated by the community. The money will help the department pay for Hahns vet bills and other expenses. He has a lot of energy and is, like, real playful, Teagan added. While this was the first time Teagan got to meet her new friend Hahn, shes no stranger to firehouse dogs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The departments old dog, Ash, passed away last fall. And like, when I heard the news, I was, like, heartbroken and, like, I was upset, Teagan continued. Build-N-Athlete Inaugural Race steps off in Lackawanna County While the loss of their old dog, Ash, wasnt easy, 14-week-old Hahn is quickly becoming part of the family. Hes learning how to go outside on his own. He goes to the door and lets us know he has to go out, and hes doing very well. Hes adapting very well, Nanticoke Fire Department Chief Mark Boncal told 28/22 News. Chief Boncal says firehouse dogs like Hahn play a crucial role in fire safety and prevention. Sometimes, like their first dog steamer in 1987, they can even save lives, as was the case one time with a kid. Nanticoke Fire Departments Firehouse Dog Hahn He was playing with matches and then a lighter and caught his clothes on fire, and he did stop-drop-and-roll. And when he was asked where he learned that from, he said, I learned it from Steamer,' Chief Boncal explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teagan says shes excited to see Hahn at Fire Prevention Week at her school, but for now, shes grateful for all the support the community has shown and make this furry additions role with the fire department possible. I would like to thank everybody who, like, helped out and, like, came and bought hot-dogs, Teagan said. So far, more than $3,300 has been raised. Bruza and her family will be presenting a check to the department at Hahns swearing-in ceremony on June 18. Anyone interested in donating can contact the Nanticoke Fire Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to 28/22 News. BELGRADE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Novi Sad, Serbia's second-largest city, and Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, have pledged to deepen cooperation through a new infrastructure project -- a pedestrian and bicycle bridge to be built on the historic site of the former Franz Josef Bridge. The project was unveiled on Monday at Novi Sad City Hall, where representatives from the two cities signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen bilateral ties. Zarko Micin, mayor of Novi Sad, and Liu Qiang, secretary of the Jinan Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, unveiled a model of the planned bridge. The new bridge, to be built by Shandong Hi-Speed Group, will link Novi Sad's city center with the Petrovaradin Fortress. The original Franz Josef Bridge, built in the late 19th century, was destroyed during World War II. Micin called the project a major step forward, saying it would become a new local landmark and boost tourism around the Petrovaradin Fortress. The bridge, supported by the Serbian government, is estimated to cost 4.6 billion dinars (about 44.8 million U.S. dollars). Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming described the visit of the Chinese delegation from Jinan as a concrete move toward building a "China-Serbia community with a shared future." (1 Serbian dinar = 0.0098 U.S. dollar) After losing more than 560 employees to layoffs and early retirement incentives earlier this year, the National Weather Service has received permission to hire about 125 new meteorologists and specialists for its forecast offices around the country, sources tell CNN, as an active hurricane season looms. The temporary lifting of the federal hiring freeze for the agency could reduce the number of weather forecast offices that must cut back on their hours or no longer staff the overnight shift during periods of non-threatening weather. About half a dozen forecast centers are in that predicament right now, including facilities in Goodland, Kansas, and Sacramento, California. The news comes amid concerns that neither the NWS nor the Federal Emergency Management Agency are nearly as prepared for hurricane season as they have been in past years, and after a spate of deadly severe weather in the Midwest and South prompted speculation the staffing issues might have negatively affected tornado warning lead times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new hires would not make up for all the personnel lost in the Trump administrations cutbacks to the NWS and its parent organization, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. More offices are slated to transition to less-than-24/7 operations if additional staffing is not secured. The additional staff might allow the agency to boost the number of data-gathering weather balloon launches after a pronounced downturn due to the staffing shortage. Weather balloons are typically launched all over the world twice a day to provide crucial data for computer models used to help predict the weather, and fewer launches have sparked concern forecasts are being made less accurate. The weather service is also still moving forward with a stopgap measure of transferring meteorologists from well-staffed offices to ones that are down multiple meteorologists, radar technicians and other specialists. NOAA announced last month it was seeking 155 transfers to fill these critical positions. An NWS employee told CNN it is not yet clear if they will succeed in filling all the transfer positions, but they have received many applications. The new hiring will take place after the transfers are processed, the employee, who requested anonymity for fear of retribution, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new hires may include technicians, hydrologists and physical scientists in addition to meteorologists, according to Tom Di Liberto, a former NOAA employee with knowledge of the situation. The NWS is still seeking broader hiring authority under a public safety exemption, given the agencys mission to protect lives and property. Such a step, which has support among some lawmakers on Capitol Hill, could allow for a more significant recovery in staffing levels. Hurricane season officially began on Sunday. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is calling for significantly higher defence spending in view of the geopolitical confrontation with Russia. "We have to stand ready so it will be considerably more than the 2% we were used to," Rutte said during a visit to Lithuania. He said that the alliance's current annual defence-related spending target of 2% of economic output is no longer adequate to address today's security challenges. The host, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, also called on the allies to invest significantly more money in the military. "Russia will not wait," Nauseda said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rutte took part in a one-day meeting of the so-called Bucharest Nine Group (B9) and the Nordic countries in Vilnius. The summit, which was also attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, served to prepare for the NATO summit in around three weeks' time in The Hague. The B9 includes Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The Nordic states are Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. Nauseda warned that Russia is trying to consolidate and rebuild its armed forces as quickly as possible. "We have very limited time to do the same," he said. "I hope we will be able to reach the agreement regarding the 5% of GDP target." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no need to talk about very long timetables or additional deadlines of 2035 or 2040, he added. US President Donald Trump is demanding that the alliance partners spend 5% of their economic output on defence. Rutte recently proposed a compromise formula of increasing defence-related spending to 3.5% and spending an additional 1.5% on infrastructure. He assumes that the NATO states would agree to this. The presidents of Lithuania, Poland and Romania have stated that the NATO summit in The Hague, scheduled for the end of June, must demonstrate the Alliances commitment to Ukraine. Source: a joint statement from the summit in Vilnius involving leaders of the Bucharest Nine and the Nordic countries, as reported by European Pravda Details: According to the statement by Gitanas Nauseda, Andrzej Duda and Nicusor Dan, who co-chaired the meeting in Vilnius, "the Summit in The Hague must demonstrate NATOs continued support and commitment to Ukraine". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "We stand firm on Allied decision and commitment regarding Ukraines irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership. Ukraine has the right to choose its own security arrangements and to decide its own future, free from outside interference." Background: On 2 June, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that all NATO member states had agreed on Ukraines membership, emphasising that this issue cannot be part of any peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. In an interview with ABC News, Keith Kellogg, US President Donald Trumps special envoy for Ukraine, stated that the United States considers Russias concerns about NATO expansion fair and is ready to discuss the matter. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Poland has a history of confounding its critics and opponents to its West as well as its East. In Brussels or Moscow, the outcome of Polands presidential election is a disappointment. The EU Commission had obviously hoped for the victory of the liberal Europhile mayor of Warsaw, Rafal Trzaskowski, who was a vocal proponent of the Brussels consensus on abortion, gay rights and even the liberalised migration rules backed by Polands current premier and ex-EU insider, Donald Tusk. But these views were vehemently rejected by the nationalist winner, Karol Nawrocki. The new president also has a track record of being a fierce critic of Russia and has personally antagonised the Kremlin by supporting the removal of Soviet war memorials as well as Communist monuments in Poland, but his victory is a mixed blessing for Ukraine. Unlike the EUs two pro-Russian governments in Hungary and Slovakia, Nawrocki is no Kremlin apologist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an historian Nawrocki has emphasised Polands long history of repression by the Russian empire as well as the Soviet Union, so he is not a friend of the Kremlin. But, like his ally, the current Polish President, Andrzej Duda, Nawrocki does not ignore the bitter history of Polish-Ukrainian relations which Putins invasion briefly papered over. Economic factors also haunt Warsaws relations with Kyiv. Polish farmers made up a key component of the new Polish presidents election winning coalition. They have been bitterly opposed to the EUs lifting of tariffs on Ukrainian agricultural exports since Putins invasion. Although Brussels has in fact announced a reintroduction of tariffs on Ukrainian exports, the prospect of Ukraines joining the EU means free trade in foodstuffs is back on the horizon. Recently, Polands economy has grown at far faster rates than the sclerotic big three of the EU, Germany, France and Italy. Economic prosperity has boosted Polands ability to fund a serious defence build up. Given the powerful voice that the Polish president has in foreign affairs and defence matters, Nawrockis election will give Trump an important ally among the European leaders and sideline Donald Tusk, whose status as the EUs man in Warsaw makes him a red rag to the US president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrockis victory is the first success for Trump-style populism after the interventions by his vice-president, JD Vance, and other Maga voices in the recent German and Romanian elections had backfired. But Polands new president got a boost from American Republicans in the days before the polls and looks set to continue his predecessors close relationship with the Trump White House. Nawrockis victory will add to Trumps pressure to turn EU rhetoric about rebuilding European states defence capacity into concrete measures on the Polish model. Poland will emphasise US leadership rather than the more nebulous European strategic autonomy as promoted by Frances Emmanuel Macron. Nawrockis upset victory is a win for the West, but not for Europe. 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. Jacob Soboroff, a national and political correspondent for NBC News, has set a deal with HarperCollins to write a book examining the wildfires that devastated his hometown of Pacific Palisades as well as Altadena in January. Firestorm: The Great Los Angeles Fires and Americas New Age of Disaster is set to be published on Jan. 6, 2026, the day before the one-year anniversary of the start of the wind-whipped fires. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soboroff inked his deal with Peter Hubbard, senior VP and publisher of the HarperCollins imprint Mariner Books. The pair worked together on Soboroffs 2020 nonfiction best-seller Separated: Inside an American Tragedy. That book, about the Trump administrations family separation policy for migrants, was made into a 2024 documentary helmed by Errol Morris. We are honored to be partnering with Jacob again as he embarks on writing a defining account of the devastating 2025 Los Angeles fires, a subject so close to his mind and heart, Hubbard said. Having worked with Jacob on his first book, Separated, I know that every page of Firestorm will evidence his blend of dogged reporting, open-hearted attunement to human stories, and a wide-angle understanding of the complex regional, national and global implications of the L.A. fires. Soboroff said he intends to keep the time frame of Firestorm fairly narrow, given the limited time that he has to finish the book. It will focus on the momentous two weeks from the start of the blazes on Jan. 7 until Jan. 24, the day newly inauguarated President Donald Trump visited the Palisades to survey the destruction with California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Soboroff intends to establish a meticulous timeline of what happened and to capture the experiences of survivors, first responders and myriad others whose lives were up-ended by the blazes that left more than 20 people dead and more than 18,000 homes and buildings destroyed. Its been a real journalistic endeavor of investigating what went on and a reflection that there will be more of these fires, Soboroff told Variety. Its a book-length examination of what weve experienced as a society and as a country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soboroff noted that his drive to write Firestorm was similar to the process that led him to write Separated, after he saw first-hand how the Trump administrations cruel policy of family separation for migrants was being implemented along the U.S.s southern border. It was the jolt that inspired Soboroff to dig deep into the policy failures and political fights around immigration policy for decades. Family separation was the X-ray vision that allowed us to undersand the immigration system and how broken it was, Soboroff said. The fire has exposed the intersection of disaster and inequality. When an event like this hapens, it makes the problems so concrete. It makes things glaringly obvious. Soboroff grew up in the Pacific Palisades area. His brother and other family members were in harms way when Soboroff headed out of NBC News L.A. bureau to cover the devastation in an area he knows so well. This was in many ways the fire of the future, he said. I felt like I was watching my childhood flash before my eyes. And this book is becoming an examination of what my childrens future is going to look like as it relates to these types of disasters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soboroff is repped by CAA. (Pictured top: NBC News Jacob Soboroff speaks to an employee of a restaurant destroyed in the Pacific Palisades fire on Jan. 10.) Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Hundreds of criminals living in Bay State neighborhoods illegally, including several with significant criminal histories, were among nearly 1,500 people arrested in Massachusetts in a month-long immigration surge operation, federal officials said Monday. More than half of the 1,461 people arrested had significant criminal convictions or charges who were roaming free in Massachusetts, with 790 of those arrested convicted or charged with crimes in the U.S. or abroad, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said. They include, among others, a 45-year-old Guatemalan national who is in the country illegally and who has a 2020 conviction for murder in Boston, for which he received a life sentence. An illegally present 45-year-old Guatemalan national who has a 2020 conviction for murder in Boston, for which he received a life sentence. Throughout the month of May, the immigration enforcement operation dubbed Operation Patriot cracked down on the worst of criminals living illegally in Massachusetts, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A significant amount of the criminal aliens that were arrested by the teams were drug traffickers, sex offenders, murderers and foreign fugitives trying to evade justice in their home countries, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons told reporters during a press conference on Monday. An illegally present 24-year-old citizen of Brazil who has an active Interpol Red Notice out of Brazil, where he is wanted for murder. Its long past time to remove these dangerous criminals from our communities, Lyons said. What we need to do is prevent them from terrorizing family, friends and our neighbors. Lyons doubled down on so-called sanctuary city policies in several Massachusetts communities that are thwarting public safety initiatives by his agency. Brazilian national living in Worcester arrested in large-scale human smuggling ring Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said ICE and its federal law enforcement partners made many of the arrests after local jurisdictions refused to honor immigration detainer requests to turn over the offenders and instead chose to release them from custody, forcing officers and agents to make at-large arrests in Massachusetts communities. If sanctuary cities would change their policies and turn these violent criminal aliens over to us, into our custody, instead of releasing them into the public, we would not have to go out into the communities and do this, Lyons said. Boston is my hometown, and it really shocks me that officials all over Massachusetts would rather release sex offenders, fentanyl dealers, drug dealers, human traffickers and child rapists back into the neighborhoods, Lyons said. It should be public safety all around, Lyons said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The month-long surge operation included officers from ICE Boston partnered with the FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the ATF, the U.S. Department of States Diplomatic Security Service, the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Coast Guard. #NOW: ICE and US Attorney of Massachusetts announce roughly 1,500 illegal alien arrests across the commonwealth in May alone. This isnt a victory lap, said federal officials. They continued that these efforts will certainly continue across Massachusetts. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/Slc4mjeqIt Daniel Coates (@danielcoates_25) June 2, 2025 U.S. Attorney Leah Foley and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia Hyde both said Massachusetts is safer following the recent arrests. Make no mistake: Every person that we arrested was breaking our immigration laws, but most of these individuals had significant criminality, Hyde said. An illegally present 48-year-old Salvadoran national whose criminal history includes charges of aggravated rape of child by force, indecent assault and battery on a person under 14, and open and gross lewdness. They are criminal offenders who victimized innocent people and traumatized entire communities murderers, rapists, drug traffickers, child sex predators and members of violent transnational criminal gangs, Hyde said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some were convicted of violent crimes in the United States, and others were wanted for criminality in their native countries, Hyde said. All made the mistake of attempting to subvert justice by hiding out in Massachusetts. Foley said those arrested include people who pumped deadly narcotics into our neighborhoods, trafficked firearms for transnational organizations, defrauded government benefit programs and, in some cases, preyed on vulnerable children. These are defendants who didnt simply cross a border, they crossed a line and jeopardized the safety of Massachusetts communities, Foley told reporters. When someone who is here illegally chooses to engage in crime, when they bring fentanyl into our neighborhoods, sell firearms to gangs or assume false identities to collect benefits intended for vulnerable Americans, these are not immigrants. They are criminals and they will be treated as such. This is about public safety, plain and simple, Foley said. Our job is to protect the public, to prevent harm and to uphold the rule of law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foley said her office will continue to prioritize prosecuting people who are in the U.S. unlawfully and those who pose a threat to communities. If you threaten the safety our our residents, we will find you. We will hold you accountable and when appropriate, we will remove you from this country, Foley said. This is the land of opportunity, not the land for opportunists. Enough is enough. Throughout the duration of Operation Patriot, ICE and its federal law enforcement partners targeted egregious criminal alien offenders including transnational criminal organizations known to operate in and around Boston and throughout Massachusetts. An illegally present 69-year-old registered sex offender and citizen of Uruguay convicted of indecent assault and battery on a 7-year-old girl. These organizations include the notorious MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Trinitarios and 18th Street gangs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was a massive, multiagency immigration enforcement operation aimed at keeping our region safe from habitual lawbreakers who have flouted our countrys immigration laws and, in many cases, committed violent crimes that have endangered our families, friends, and neighbors for far too long, said FBI Boston acting Special Agent in Charge Kimberly Milka. Together, with our partners, we have identified and removed hundreds of illegal alien offenders from the Commonwealth, including murderers, gang members, child predators and a possible associate of a suspected terrorist, and our work is not done, Milka said. An illegally present 32-year-old citizen of Brazil who has an active Interpol Red Notice from Brazil for drug trafficking and drug trafficking association. In an effort to avoid apprehension in his native country, he fled on a motorcycle from Brazilian military police and threw a brick of cocaine at them. ICE and its federal law enforcement partners prosecuted numerous targets who had foreign arrest warrants and Interpol Red Notices, apprehending criminal alien offenders wanted by authorities in several foreign countries. Over the past month, CBP has worked diligently alongside our federal law enforcement partners to apprehended criminal aliens illegally present in our country, said Jennifer De La O, director of field operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Boston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fugitive wanted in Brazil for manslaughter arrested while driving in Massachusetts, ICE says CBP is unwavering in our commitment to protect the American people and make our country safer, De La O said. We will continue to ensure that all criminal aliens that violate our laws are taken into custody and removed. Among the alien offenders apprehended during Operation Patriot, 277 had been previously ordered removed from the United States by a Justice Department immigration judge. However, they refused to comply with the removal order and remained in the country illegally. An illegally present 39-year-old Honduran national who has convictions in Lynn for obscene material to a minor, enticing a child under 16 and attempt to commit crime. Additionally, he has convictions in Stoughton for larceny and larceny from a person over 60 and disabled. During the operation, ICE employed expanded immigration enforcement tactics, which included simultaneous operations on Nantucket and Marthas Vineyard, where they arrested around 40 illegal aliens, including at least one child sex predator and a member of a violent transnational gang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Coast Guard assisted ICE with the safe transport of the aliens from the islands, officials said. ICE officials said those arrested during Operation Patriot include: An illegally present 55-year-old Salvadoran national with an active Interpol Red Notice for aggravated homicide, robbery, aggravated kidnap and theft in El Salvador. ICE officers arrested him in Lynn. An illegally present 32-year-old Guatemalan national and registered sex offender who is pending criminal charges in Boston for five counts of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over and trafficking a person for sexual servitude. He was also arrested in Roxbury for aggravated rape of child with a 10-year age gap and indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over. ICE lodged two detainers that local jurisdictions refused to honor. An illegally present 37-year-old Honduran national whose most recent arrest in Fall River was for rape, indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over, witness intimidation, and kidnapping of a minor by relative. He has other arrests in Massachusetts for lewd and lascivious conduct and sexual conduct for fee. He also has several convictions in Massachusetts for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Additionally, he has been convicted for operating under the influence of alcohol and operating while intoxicated in Iowa, where he served a year prison. An illegally present 22-year-old Colombian national charged with breaking and entering building during the daytime for a felony, kidnapping, aggravated rape, and indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over. Local authorities released him back into the community despite an ICE immigration detainer being in place. An illegally present 39-year-old Honduran national who has convictions in Lynn for obscene material to a minor, enticing a child under 16 and attempt to commit crime. Additionally, he has convictions in Stoughton for larceny and larceny from a person over 60 and disabled. An illegally present 45-year-old Guatemalan national who has a 2020 conviction for murder in Boston, for which he received a life sentence. An illegally present 29-year-old Brazilian national charged in Edgartown with aggravated rape of a child by force, possession of child pornography and dissemination of obscene material. He has and additional arrest in Edgartown for assault and battery (family) and kidnapping. An illegally present 48-year-old Salvadoran national whose criminal history includes charges of aggravated rape of child by force, indecent assault and battery on a person under 14, and open and gross lewdness. An illegally present Ecuadoran national who has a 2018 conviction for soliciting to commit murder. He was sentenced to a year in prison and released back into the community despite the presence of an ICE immigration detainer. ICE officers arrested him in Brockton. An illegally present a Colombian national who was convicted in his native country for trafficking/manufacturing/carrying narcotics. Colombian authorities are currently seeking his custody to serve his sentence of 14 years in prison. An illegally present 40-year-old Guatemalan national charged with assault and battery dangerous weapon (a hammer), threatening to commit crime, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (a vehicle), assault and battery on a family member, strangulation/suffocation and intimidation of witness. ICE officers arrested him in Lynn. An illegally present 69-year-old registered sex offender and citizen of Uruguay convicted of indecent assault and battery on a 7-year-old girl. An illegally present 32-year-old citizen of Brazil who has an active Interpol Red Notice from Brazil for drug trafficking and drug trafficking association. In an effort to avoid apprehension in his native country, he fled on a motorcycle from Brazilian military police and threw a brick of cocaine at them. An illegally present 24-year-old citizen of Brazil who has an active Interpol Red Notice out of Brazil, where he is wanted for murder. Foley added Monday that her office will also prosecute anyone who assaults law enforcement officers or interferes with ICE officers who are doing their job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assaults against ICE officers are up 400 percent since this time period last year, Lyons said late last month. We will not tolerate anyone who impedes or obstructs ICE operations, Foley said. What I have seen on the news and in social media is concerning, to say the least. Her comments came weeks after reported assaults on law enforcement officers in a Worcester neighborhood on May 8. In May, the city of Worcester released body camera footage after chaos erupted when a crowd surrounded and assaulted police officers trying to detain Brazilian national Rosane Ferreira de Oliveira, 40, who is in the country illegally and faces previous criminal assault charges, federal authorities said. Agent safety is paramount and it is a felony to threaten or assault a federal agent. I want to be clear about that, Foley said Monday. No one is above the law. This is non-negotiable. The law in this area is clear and I will not sit idly by and watch federal agents being threatened. All of the people arrested during Operation Patriot will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of their removal proceedings or their deportation from the United States, officials said. Milford High School student detained by federal agents was not intended target, ICE says This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW In May, around 1,500 people were detained across Massachusetts by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and officials said Monday they plan to keep coming back. Make no mistake: ICE is going to keep doing this, Todd Lyons, acting director of ICE, said at a press conference at the Boston Federal Courthouse. ICE is going to make sure that we keep our community safe and keep our neighborhoods safe from these sex offenders and these criminal aliens, Lyons said, days after arresting an 18-year-old Milford high school student on his way to volleyball practice. The arrest spurred protests over the weekend and strong words from Gov. Maura Healey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lyons was flanked by dozens of officials inside the courthouse press room, including ICE Boston Office Field Director Patricia Hyde, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley and ICE Boston spokesperson James Covington. The 1,461 total people arrested in May were detained across the state, the officials said. Of that number, 790 had significant criminality, and had either been convicted of a crime or had pending criminal charges, Covington said. Those targeted in the operation included drug traffickers, sex offenders, murderers and foreign fugitives trying to evade justice in their home countries, Lyons said. While further details were not offered on the other 671 people detained, every person we arrested was breaking our immigration laws, Hyde said. Though reporters pressed for a comprehensive list of those detained, the officials declined to definitively provide one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the total number of people detained, 277 were ordered removed from the U.S. by an immigration judge, Hyde said. Lyons listed Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, Lawrence, Nantucket and Marthas Vineyard as locations people were taken from and Hyde said the targeted individuals were located in some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods of Massachusetts. To any criminal alien offenders victimizing Massachusetts residents, ICE is not going away. We are coming here, Hyde said. While removing these individuals is extremely gratifying, we still have a lot of work to do, she said. In a statement on Monday afternoon, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said ICEs press conference failed to address the serious, unanswered questions surrounding recent sweeping enforcement actions in Massachusetts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arresting people without any criminal record or allegations of criminal activity, detaining individuals in broad daylight without due process, and promising to patrol neighborhoods with no oversight is not reflective of a democratic society its a threat to [public safety]," Campbell said. During the conference, Hyde said while ICE hopes for a mutually beneficial cooperative relationship with state and local law enforcement, the agency will work around them when it becomes necessary to ensure safety and security. The ICE officials also took time to warn citizens who impede or obstruct ICE operations and said they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In a wild scene last month on Eureka Street in Worcester, ICE agents detained Rosane Ferreira-De Oliveira, a Brazilian mother of three. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A crowd of more than 30 people shouted at the agents and demanded to see a warrant, though Ferreira-De Oliveira was eventually taken to be held in Rhode Island. Worcester police arrested her teenage daughter at the scene after she stood in front of the ICE agents car holding a baby, then later ran after the car and kicked it. The officials also addressed why the agents are often masked. ... people are out there taking photos of [ICE agents], their faces and posting them online with death threats to their family and themselves, Lyons said. So, Im sorry if people are offended by them wearing masks, but Im not going to let my officers and agents go out there and put their lives on the line and family on the line, because people dont like what immigration enforcement is, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, Tom Homan, the U.S. border czar, promised, Im coming to Boston and Im bringing hell with me" while speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference. The Trump administration previously maintained that its enforcement efforts are confined to targeting illegal immigrant killers, rapists and drug dealers but several of the arrests have been for minor crimes right down to an argument over a cell phone. Public criticism has reached a fever pitch over some of these arrests, as well as the tactics ICE employs in conducting them such as approaching a target while wearing masks, an interruption of court proceedings and smashing a car window with an ax while people were inside. This includes the arrest of Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old Turkish woman enrolled in a Tufts University doctoral program, was taken from the streets of Somerville by ICE agents on March 25 and detained for 45 days. Federal officials later said the arrest was linked with a pro-Palestinian op-ed she co-wrote for the Tufts University student newspaper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her release followed a tumultuous legal battle between courts in Louisiana, Vermont and Massachusetts vying for control over Ozturks detainment. Ozturk was never charged with any crimes. The Department of Homeland Security said that she engaged in activities in support of Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, without providing evidence of that claim. Court battles after the arrests have been high stakes, as the administration has at times deported individuals before the conclusion of their guaranteed Constitutional right to due process. More News Read the original article on MassLive. State senators join together after adjourning for the year at the end of the 2025 legislative session. Not pictured: State Sens. Christy Armendariz of Omaha, Myron Dorn of Adams, Rob Dover of Norfolk and Glen Meyer of Pender. June 2, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN Nebraska lawmakers ended the 2025 legislative session Monday, celebrating a balanced budget achieved over a major projected deficit and the passage of more than 200 bills. Speaker John Arch of La Vista, marking the end to the 89-day session, thanked his colleagues for their work, and centered them on what he has already identified as the biggest challenge for 2026, the same as in 2025: the state budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said fiscal numbers often change in the two-year budget cycle, and there is considerable uncertainty in the world that could make accurately predicting our fiscal future more difficult. Speaker John Arch of La Vista on the final day of the 2025 legislative session. June 2, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Lawmakers are projected to end the next two fiscal years, through mid-2027, at a $4.15 million surplus. Lawmakers are facing a projected $129.1 million hole in the following two fiscal years, from mid-2027 through mid-2029, which future lawmakers will need to address. Just five months ago, lawmakers faced a $432 million projected deficit for the 2025-27 fiscal years, which had grown by the time the budget passed in May. There is always more work to do and more opportunity to make Nebraska an even better state in which to live our lives and build our dreams, Arch said in his closing address. It was hard work this session, but you proved that you can do the hard work. Next session will be no different. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arch told senators to pay attention to fiscal dynamics in Washington, D.C., which could fall back on Nebraska, and to the next state revenue forecast this Oct. 31, on Halloween. Multiple state senators have noted congressional talks on Medicaid and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits could pass costs back on to Nebraska. Gov. Jim Pillen and Arch agreed that budget adjustments for the 2025-27 fiscal years will be a priority in 2026. That agreement came after Pillen unsuccessfully tried to line-item veto multiple items from the states budget bills. Lawmakers rejected the vetoes as not having been properly filed with the Legislature, and Pillen ultimately withdrew his vetoes. As of this time, neither Pillen nor lawmakers have announced plans for a 2025 special session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A total of 204 bills passed this session, according to a count by the Legislature. Arch said 113 more bills were amended into those bills that have or will soon become law. Most bills that do not have a set date to take effect will become law Sept. 3, three months after adjournment. Pillen has committed to not vetoing any of the bills sent to him before Monday. Arch said senators requested more than 1,600 amendments and 845 fiscal notes during the session. While 715 bills, 18 constitutional amendments and six more policy-based resolutions were introduced this session, Arch said 374 more proposals were drafted but not introduced. Any legislation not passed in 2025 will return in 2026, such as slowing down voter-approved annual increases to the state minimum wage, increasing paid family and medical leave for teachers, requiring health care facilities to cremate or dispose of aborted fetal remains or creating second chance relief for certain state offenders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arch told his colleagues to consider over the next seven months what they want to bring to the 2026 table, including what issues are most important to constituents and the state generally. Think about how were going to work together as a diverse group of individuals, Arch said, with differing opinions, different life experiences, but with a common goal of building consensus and crafting a policy that even makes this state of Nebraska better and better. Lawmakers will reconvene Jan. 7, 2026, and stay for up to 60 legislative days, or around mid-April. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX YANGON, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's Department of Small Scale Industries under the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development has planned to implement a micro industry project in 198 villages across the country during the 2025-26 fiscal year, state-owned Myanmar Radio and Television reported on Monday. The initiative aims to help local residents start micro businesses and improve family incomes by providing training, materials, and equipment, the report said. The department will use over 2.47 billion kyats (approximately 1.17 million U.S. dollars) for the project, the report said. Under the project, the department was offering courses in soap making, sewing, consumer product production, motorcycle repair, in-home electrical wiring, home electronics repair, and diesel engine repair, the report said. In addition to the training, the department was also providing the necessary tools and materials to support the start of these micro businesses, the report said. Similar projects were implemented in 155 villages during the 2023-24 fiscal year and in 221 villages in the 2024-25 fiscal year, the report added. Nebraska's congressional delegation is shown in Washington. From left: U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb. Feb. 5, 2025. (Courtesy of Nebraska Governor's Office) Welcome to another What If? press conference, questions for Nebraskas congressional delegation in Washington. Since our last session, the White House has tried to shutter the U.S. Department of Education, our tariff policy resembles a yo-yo, the inaptly-named big, beautiful bill has uglied up the nations balance sheet, and curious Americans have taken to looking up both emoluments and original sin. Lets start with the aforementioned BBB. The House kept vampire hours to pass it by a single vote, after which the yays, apparently in a fit of sleep-deprived hubris, congratulated themselves before the bill went to the Senate. We have a couple questions: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Your own accounting firm, the Congressional Budget Office, determined the BBB gives 60% of its tax breaks to the top fifth of the income bracket, yet cuts food assistance and health care to millions of poorer Americans. How does this benefit the country and what problem does it solve? The five of you belong to a political party that has historically railed against deficits. The CBO projects the BBB will add $3.8 trillion to the nations deficit over the next decade. Please explain what the economic advantage is here, given the dismal history of such cuts: See Reagan 1981, G.W. Bush 2001 and 2003 and Trump 2017 for details. Well move on. During a recent congressional hearing the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security couldnt come up with the meaning of habeas corpus when she was asked to define it. This comes on the heels of recent interviews in which high-ranking administration officials, including the president, couldnt guarantee that federal detainees would be given due process. Hmm? Assuming you still support habeas corpus and due process, when and how should Congress intervene when the administration ignores these most basic of principles in a country in which the rule of law is paramount? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This next question is actually a matter of math. According to the Partnership for Public Service, using numbers from the federal Office of Personnel Management, in absolute numbers, the federal workforce is slightly smaller than it was 50 years ago, even as the U.S. population has increased by nearly two-thirds during that time period. Even though the courts have tied up or reversed much of the Department of Government Efficiencys work, how do you square those numbers with DOGEs scorched-earth policy, especially since the American public has been provided scant evidence of findings of waste, fraud, and abuse, the triplex premise on which DOGE hangs its hat? Time to talk tariffs. To date, even a casual observer would conclude that the presidents on again, off again tariff proclamations have roiled markets and created uncertainty with little resulting economic benefit. As you know, Article I, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution gives only Congress the power to levy tariffs. Even though previously enacted laws allow Congress to let the president set tariffs in certain situations, could you explain and defend the qualifying situation in which we find ourselves and detail how Congress sitting on the sidelines at this juncture in the levying of tariffs benefits Americans? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president has pulled $2.5 billion from Harvard University, threatened its tax-exempt status, tried to block enrollment of foreign students and pretty much wants a say in whom it should hire and what it should teach. All this to curb what he says is Harvards anti-semitism, a charge which, while acknowledged in part by the school, remains without specifics. (Nevermind that the president hosted a cryptocurrency dinner during which a number of coins carried virulently anti-semitic names.) Some have argued that Harvard is simply the poster child for the administrations war on higher education, in the guise of eliminating DEI, CRT, essentially any voice contrary to its liking. First, should the government be telling colleges and universities what to teach, who should teach it and who is allowed to learn? Please respond to the following quote as it relates to social studies and history curricula. History is not there for you to like or dislike. It is there for you to learn from. And if it offends you, even better, because you are less likely to repeat it. History is not yours to change or destroy. It belongs to all of us. Could you explain what problem is solved by closing the Department of Education, which, as you know, sets no curriculum? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, does it ever occur to you that some in Washington have no idea what they are doing or worse, know what they are doing, know its bad for America and do it anyway? Asking for some friends. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX LOWER MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) The location of a new jail in Manhattan has been a place for rallies and protests. On Monday, some neighbors, advocates, and elected officials spoke near the site in Chinatown along Centre Street. More Local News They also brought a proposal to relocate the jail to federal property south of the location near the Metropolitan Correctional Center. Theyre calling instead for affordable housing at the site, which formerly was home to a jail facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Manhattan Detention Complex has been demolished, and construction is set to begin soon. Crews are working inside the lot. Jan Lee has organized rallies and community forums. He says their new proposal would be closer to court locations and away from residential areas. Its a win-win solution, he said. A court has ordered the city to close Rikers Island, the current jail site, by 2027. Neighborhood jails have been proposed and debated for years, including under previous administrations. We have a viable site that is farther away from our residential community, which is a former jail site. We can bring this site there and we can make this current affordable, said NYC Councilmember Chris Marte, who represents the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Assembly Member Grace Lee is also a representative from Chinatown. She says this effort and idea bring attention to the fight. You have been clear, consistent, and courageous in the fight for environmental justice, said Assembly Member Lee. Liz Garcia, spokesperson for the Adams administration, says the mayor has made unprecedented investments in Chinatown, including $44 million to create more public space, improve travel, and revitalize areas near the Brooklyn Bridge. We have also awarded thousands of dollars in grants to small businesses in the area. To be clear, the decision to place a jail in Chinatown was made before Mayor Adams took office, through the City Council, and the City Council must first decide to move the jail, as our administration cannot unilaterally select a new site. Still, we continue to engage with community members on the project and implement other public safety improvements within our control, Garcia wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New jail facilities are being built in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. The city has also been told to expedite the process. The neighbors say they have contacted the federal government and U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. A spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons told PIX11 News that the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Lower Manhattan has been closed, at least temporarily, and long-term plans for MCC New York have not been finalized. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The antisemitic attacks around the world are "a direct result of blood libels against the Jewish state and people, and this must be stopped," Netanyahu urged. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he trusts "the United States authorities to prosecute the cold-blooded perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law and do everything possible to prevent future attacks against innocent civilians," the PMO announced on Sunday. The statements followed a potential terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, that occurred at an event raising awareness for the Israeli hostages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This attack was aimed against peaceful people who wished to express their solidarity with the hostages held by Hamas, simply because they were Jews," the PMO announcement remarked. The antisemitic attacks around the world are "a direct result of blood libels against the Jewish state and people, and this must be stopped," Netanyahu urged. After the conclusion of the Jewish holiday Shavuot, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on X/Twitter that the attack was sickening and outrageous, and expressed his solidarity with the Jewish community in Boulder. Law enforcement officers detain a suspect, after an attack that injured multiple people, in Boulder, Colorado, U.S. June 1, 2025, in this picture obtained from social media. (photo credit: X/@OpusObscuraX/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY) "This vile act of terror is a painful reminder that antisemitism knows no borders. But let me be clear: we will never let terror win. The American and Israeli peoples stand united determined to bring all our hostages home and to ensure no Jew, anywhere, stands alone," Herzog concluded. On Sunday afternoon, a man threw Molotov cocktails and used an improvised flamethrower to target participants of a weekly walking group that raises awareness for the hostages in Hamas captivity. The 'direct result of the extreme rhetoric' Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid also condemned the violent terror attack in Colorado against protesters who were calling for the release of Israeli hostages, adding that this situation is the "direct result of the extreme rhetoric that has fanned the flames of antisemitism," and that the events illustrate the true meaning of "when extremists call to 'Globalize the Intifada.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Have faith that the perpetrator will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," Lapid stated. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum also expressed concern about the tragic attack in Colorado: "For over 600 days, this community along with so many others around the world has stood with us, marching, praying, and raising its voice for the hostages still held in Gaza. Today, we stand with you with care, with solidarity, and with deep appreciation for your unwavering support." "We remain steadfast in our mission: 58 of our brothers and sisters are still held captive in the tunnels of Gaza. They need us to be their voice, their strength, their hope. We will not stop until each and every one of them is brought home," the forum concluded in the statement. Eran Doron, head of the Ramat HaNegev Regional Council, Boulder's sister city, commented on the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am shocked by the tragic event in Colorado. This is our sister community; we have personal connections with some of the wounded and with the entire community. It is a Zionist, committed community that has always tirelessly worked to promote Israel and support us, even more so after October 7." "Just three weeks ago, I met with the mayor and members of the Jewish community on Pearl Street all of them sent us messages of encouragement. I, together with the entire Ramat HaNegev community, stand with the Boulder community in its difficult hour," the council head said. Ngugi wa Thiongo, who has died aged 87, was a Kenyan novelist whose work could manage to be both poignant and darkly funny as he challenged authority in many forms political, economic, cultural and, most significantly, colonial. In 1964, the appearance of Weep Not, Child in the UK made him the first East African writer to have a novel appear in English. This came about with the help of Chinua Achebe, the Nigerian author of Things Fall Apart. They had met at the African Writers Conference that took place in Kampala, Uganda, in 1962, when Achebe was advisory editor for Heinemanns African Writers series. Although the two novelists could often be muddled by the ignorant, and Ngugi paid generous homage to Achebe when he died, their different approaches to writing would come to represent one of the biggest debates faced by African authors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question was: which language should a post-colonial writer use? Should it be the language of the former imperial power an approach one could characterise as The Empire Writes Back? Or should it be the writers original tongue? At the 1962 conference, Chinua Achebe and his fellow Nigerian, Wole Soyinka, argued for English. However, Ngugi was beginning to think differently, and by 1977, a dramatic sequence of events confirmed his belief. Weep Not, Child That year, he published Petals of Blood in English. He had drafted much of it in Yalta as a guest of the Soviet Writers Union, and the novel depicted an increasingly corrupt, clumsily capitalist Kenya after independence, where changes were coming at the expense of tradition. Mwai Kibaki (a former colleague of Ngugis, and later President of Kenya) hosted the launch. The work was an establishment success. Then he collaborated on a play in his native Kikuyu, whose English title is I Will Marry When I Want, and staged it in Kamiriithu, the community where he had grown up. The play had similar themes a rich, venal couple called, not too subtly, Ahab and Jezebel, who intimidate a local family, blackmailing them into changing their lifestyles while condemning their daughter for adopting fashionable, westernised dress. It was an immediate hit, and played to full houses for six weeks, before Ngugi was arrested without trial. His house was raided, and his books some of them Marxist were confiscated. He was imprisoned for a year, among other political dissidents; they were allowed an hour of sunlight a day. He used government lavatory paper to draft his next novel, The Devil on the Cross, this time in Kikuyu. The response to his play had convinced him that if he wanted to upset the authorities, and to take his audience with him, then his mother tongue was the surest way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He crystallised this thinking in his most significant academic book, Decolonising the Mind (1986), in which he argued that the choice of language is every bit as important as what you say with it. By now he was more openly critical of Achebes approach, and relations between the two became less cordial as a result. Even so, Ngugis own writing went for an ingenious and highly effective compromise: he would write his books first in Kikuyu, and later produce his own English translations. Towards the end of his life, he would think back on the first stories he heard, from his mother: In the daytime, we would try to retell the stories we had heard among ourselves, but they did not come out as powerfully as when told around the fireside, the entire space jammed with eager participatory listeners. Daylight, our mothers told us, drove stories away, and it seemed true. He argued that the choice of language is every bit as important as what you say with it - Leonardo Cendamo Ngugi wa Thiongo was born in Kamiriithu, a suburb of Limuru, on January 5 1938, and baptised James Ngugi. His father, Thiongo wa Nducu, had four wives at the time: Ngugi was the fifth child of the third wife, Wanjiku. She left the farm with her children when the stress caused by a livestock disease led Nducu to become increasingly drunken and violent. In 1947, Wanjiku single-handedly raised enough money to send Ngugi to school. In 1955 he attended Alliance High School, about 12 miles from Limuru. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a memoir, Dreams in a Time of War, he describes how he and his brother would walk to school separately, because he would be in British-style school uniform and his brother in tribal dress; and for the author, two rites of passage his Christian baptism, with the name of James, and his circumcision by a river happened around the same time. The struggle for Kenyan independence left a profound mark on Ngugi, and on his work. One half-brother joined the Mau Mau uprising with the Kenya Land and Freedom Army. Another, who was deaf and dumb, was shot because he had not heard a soldier command him to stop running. By the time Ngugi left school it was safer for him to continue his studies at Makerere University College in Kampala. There he found a more progressive intellectual environment than in Kenya, and a university with more Africans in positions of authority. Ngugi produced his first writing at Makerere. He wrote a short story because he had bragged that he could, and then had to deliver it. Decolonising the Mind He drafted The River Between, which would be his first completed novel (but the second to appear in print) because the East African Literature Bureau was offering a prize of 50. The first published novel, Weep Not, Child, presents the often harrowing events of the 1950s from a young perspective, and is based closely on the authors own experience of family life, with violence both outside and inside the home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1964 he left for Leeds University, where he embarked on an MA on Caribbean writing. He never finished it, but he did write A Grain of Wheat, set during the days leading up to Kenyan independence in December 1963. For all the influence of social and political Marxism, the book looks sceptically at the more heroic versions of the struggle that had quickly emerged in Kenya. He returned to Kenya in 1967 and changed his name permanently to Ngugi wa Thiongo. He joined the Department of English Literature and campaigned successfully for its abolition. An African Literature department appeared in its place, with a curriculum that included oral as well as written literature. Ngugis arrest in 1977, and his decision to write first in Kikuyu, can be seen as the logical conclusion of this activism. In the House of the Interpreter Detention brought Ngugi fame, and Amnesty International urged the Kenyan authorities to release him. President Jomo Kenyatta died on August 22 1978, and his successor, Daniel arap Moi, freed Ngugi in December. But Mois administration was to become Ngugis biggest target. Nairobi University did not reinstate the novelist, and he lived as an exile, first in London, where he would become writer-in-residence for Islington Borough Council, and later in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There he taught comparative literature at Yale and New York University, and later, on the west coast, at Irvine University. Although he visited South Africa during this time, he had to wait until Mois forced retirement before returning to his homeland, having been warned about the risks to his life from the 1980s onwards. When he did return to Kenya, on August 8 2002, his reception was triumphant, and then horrific. Crowds of admirers welcomed him at Nairobi airport; but three days later four burglars broke into his apartment. They burned him with cigarettes and then held him in one room while they raped his wife in another. He felt the attack had to be political, and that if it had happened under Mois presidency, they could both have been killed. He won wide acclaim for his verse epic Wizard of the Crow - Antony Njuguna He returned to his settled life at Irvine, California, where he wrote more memoir than fiction, but won wide acclaim for Wizard of the Crow (2006), an epic in six books in which a tramp takes on magic powers. He uses these to help mock his identifiably Kenyan rulers before they co-opt him to fulfil their dreams of ultimate power, which prove to be their undoing. Ngugis plots and characters are rich in Biblical reference: for example, the tyrant who is the butt of the invective in Wizard of the Crow decides to build a Babel-like tower so tall that he can climb it for his conversations with God. Often, though, these vie with traditional Kikuyu stories. His last fiction, a verse novel called The Perfect Nine (Kikuyu 2019, English 2020), celebrates the mythical daughters of his tribes founders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ngugi had six children with his first wife, Nyambura. They include the authors Mukoma wa Ngugi and Wanjiku wa Ngugi. She did not follow him into self-exile, and the couple divorced. In 1989, Ngugi met Njeeri at Grand Central Station; they married in 1992, and had two children. They separated in 2023. Ngugi wa Thiongo, born January 5 1938, died May 28 2025 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Three-quarters of the states congressional delegation attacked what they called the Trump administrations reckless cuts to the AmeriCorps program during a Manchester event Monday. Leaders of City Year estimated the impact to New Hampshire from lost grants was about $5 million. For decades, AmeriCorps members have put ideology aside to work for our communities and fill critical service gaps, said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H. I heard from volunteers in the Granite State today, and (President Donald) Trumps shameful cuts to this bipartisan program would be devastating for the Granite Staters they serve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with City Year, the event attracted leaders of conservation groups that have benefited from the program. AmeriCorps members do critical work for our communities, but the Trump administrations funding cuts and firing of AmeriCorps staff are threatening this work, said Sen. Maggie Hassan, also D-N.H. The Trump White House has said critical audits of AmeriCorps in recent years revealed millions of dollars in improper payments. Officials called AmeriCorps a target-rich environment for President Trumps agenda to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse. Returns on investment Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., said shell keep fighting to restore the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The returns on investment are real: Every $1 that Congress invests in AmeriCorps generates more than $30 in returns to communities across New Hampshire, Goodlander said. AmeriCorps changes lives for the better and its spirit of volunteerism is core to who we are as a state and as a nation. The Trump administration ended nearly $400 million in grants in AmeriCorps roughly $1 billion budget and also fired most of its staff in April. About 32,000 lower-level workers were let go and an estimated 1,000 programs were eliminated. A Trump administration notice said the grants erased didnt fit AmeriCorps priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two lawsuits have been filed over the changes, one by leaders in two dozen blue states and another by community organizations. Both alleged President Trump lacked the authority to gut the agency that was created and financed by Congress for decades. Mondays event was at the Manchester School District Welcome Center. NH Democracy Defense Project leaders exchange views with locals Former U.S. Rep. Richard Swett, at right, speaks at a panel discussion with Secretary of State David Scanlan and former Sen. John Sununu at the New Hampshire State Archives in Concord on Monday. Local elected officials gave mixed reviews to state election law changes during a listening session that Secretary of State David Scanlan hosted Monday with the chairmen of the Democracy Defense Project former Republican U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu and former Democratic U.S. Rep. Richard Swett. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Durham Moderator Linda Calloway is no fan of the 2024 law that requires all new voters to prove citizenship in order to register and eliminates affidavits that allowed people without proper paperwork to swear under penalty of perjury that they were eligible. What I am seeing more and more of is the governments lack of trust in the voter, Calloway said at the 90-minute forum at the State Archives Building in Concord. The fact we got rid of affidavits completely shows we dont trust our voter at all. I think that is a bad thing the trust is not a two-way street. Stephen Ludwick, moderator in Concords Ward 9, said his ward has had a large influx of non-English speaking potential voters. He praised the changes the GOP-led Legislature passed and former Gov. Chris Sununu signed into law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think you are going in the right direction when it comes to being a little stricter about who can vote and who cant, Ludwick said. Portsmouth Ward 3 Moderator Joan Hamblet, a former state representative, urged Scanlan to organize a significant media campaign to educate voters about the new voting requirements on citizenship. You need to explain to people even if they have moved to a different town, they are going to need to bring in their passport for (proof of) citizenship, Hamblet said. Scanlan said his office is working on that project. Partisan problems? Scanlan lamented the reality that in the past decade or so, election laws have been adopted here and in most states along partisan lines. When Democrats are in charge they seek ways to make it easier to vote, while Republicans try harder to block access to voter fraud, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The political parties are headed in two different directions, Scanlan said. When the parties arent talking to each other, you tend to get the extreme version that passes, that can tend to be a whipsaw for any political party. In my opinion, election legislation should not be passed on strictly partisan votes. A leading election advocate criticized Scanlan, who said much of the voting public is leery about election devices. The Secretary of States remarks feed into a false and harmful narrative that erodes public trust in our elections, said N.H. Voting Rights Director McKenzie Taylor. Granite Staters support proven, secure upgrades like electronic poll books a modernization his own bipartisan committee on voter confidence recommended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What actually undermines confidence in our elections is the number of eligible voters who have already been turned away because of extreme registration laws adopted by New Hampshire. Making it easier to vote Londonderry Town Moderator Jonathan Kipp asked if policymakers need to make it easier to vote, as he presides over one of the largest polling places in the country. I can go through the drive-thru and get a cup of coffee, why cant the act of voting be as simple as that? Kipp said, asking about the prospect of legalizing mail-in voting. Swett answered, as Scanlan has in the past, that states with mail-in voting have lower voter turnout rates than New Hampshire does. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Healthy turnout of elected officials at listening session From left, former Ambassador Richard Swett, Secretary of State David Scanlan and former U.S. Sen. John Sununu talk about New Hampshires election system at a panel discussion at the New Hampshire State Archives in Concord on Monday. Swett and Sununu were the first two co-chairs named in the eight battleground states that make up the Democracy Defense Project Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, Ohio, Nevada and New Hampshire. Nonpartisan group The nonpartisan group is not a lobbying organization but a clearinghouse that promotes discussion about ways to boost voter confidence around the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sununu said the states reliance on paper ballots and having a verifiable trail to back up all votes cast is New Hampshires strongest asset. He recalled his work in the U.S. Senate two decades ago to beat back attempts to reject paper ballots in federal races. This is an incredibly important thing to me, and it still is today, Sununu said. We have been proven right. Swett said verifying voter eligibility is critical to restoring confidence in the election process. We want to make sure whoever is voting is in fact entitled to vote thats a very simple premise but it needs to be ensured and assured, Swett said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sununu added that state and local election officials need to quickly take ownership when there are glitches at the polls. There are issues in elections but 99% of the time its just human error, an honest mistake, Sununu said. At the same time, it is incumbent on all of us to understand what has happened, be honest about what has happened. klandrigan@unionleader.com (EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) Neighbors of the Boulder attack suspect say they were shocked, and scared, when they heard about the 45-year-olds alleged transgressions at a protest in Pearl Street Mall. On Sunday, June 1, police were called to Pearl Street Mall in Boulder after reports of an attack on a group of individuals. The suspect, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, of El Paso County, reportedly used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device onto the ground. According to the Boulder Police Department, witnesses heard him yell Free Palestine during the attack. During the attack, eight victims were injured, four men and four women between the ages of 52 through 88. The attack occurred during a weekly peaceful protest in support of Israeli hostages in Gaza. According to the federal complaint, Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOJ: Boulder attack suspect facing federal hate crime charges That same day, police raided a home in the Cimarron Hills neighborhood in Colorado Springs. According to those who live in the area, the neighborhood off Constitution Avenue is often quiet and safe. JoEllen Cable, who said shes only been there for two months, noted the neighborhood is relatively safe. 90% of the time is quiet, said Cable. We have people working, people are trying to make ends meet, and so they work. On Sunday afternoon, neighbors could see a heavy police presence on one specific street in the neighborhood. One neighbor, Michael Michaelis, recalled the FBI bursting into the townhome off Washo Circle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They went ahead and ran inside, said Michaelis. They also had some kind of remote-controlled cart thing, too. FBI: Pearl Street suspect was from El Paso County Another neighbor noted that there was a heavy police presence all day. The man, who decided to remain anonymous, told FOX21 he was shocked to hear about Soliman. Ive had good words with him, he was a nice regular guy, said the neighbor. He went to work with his family, you didnt bother him, he didnt bother you, so Im completely shocked. He was super nice. The neighbor said Soliman was an Uber driver and was gone a lot. According to the man, Solimans children and his played together. The federal complaint revealed that Soliman lived with his wife and five children at the home located in Cimarron Hills. Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief Photojournalist Dez Rowe Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief Photojournalist Dez Rowe Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief Photojournalist Dez Rowe Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief Photojournalist Dez Rowe Its sad, said the man. You never know what can push someone over the edge You just never know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While some neighbors were surprised, Michaelis said events like these happen everywhere. Soliman is being held at the Boulder County Jail on a $10 million bond. Soliman is facing federal hate crime charges in addition to state charges. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. Editors Note: The video has been updated to clarify the charges filed. RENO COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW) An investigation into a central Kansas school district has turned into serious charges against a Nickerson woman who served as a part-time substitute teacher. Whitney Shull is charged with five crimes in Reno County, including unlawful sexual relations, aggravated sexual battery and hosting an underage drinking party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents allege the victims in the case are 16 and 17-year-old students who were enrolled at USD 309 Nickerson, where Shull worked. One of the incidents allegedly happened when a student was unconscious. The charges are: Whitney Shull (Courtesy Reno County Sheriffs Office) Unlawful sexual relations by an employee of USD 309 Nickerson with a student, on or before Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, a felony, Attempted unlawful sexual relations by an employee of USD 309 Nickerson with a student, on or before Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, a felony, Aggravated sexual battery of a person 16 or more years of age, on or between Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, a felony, and Two misdemeanor counts of unlawful hosting minors consuming alcoholic liquor or cereal malt beverage. Once was allegedly on or between Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, and once was allegedly around March 15. Shull has an emergency substitute teaching license that only permits her to work in the Nickerson school district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blue Alert: Armed suspect on the run after shooting Lees Summit officer, police say In May, the Sedgwick County Sheriffs Office told KSN News that the Reno County Sheriffs Office had asked Sedgwick County to investigate a case involving Nickerson schools. On Friday, the Sedgwick County District Attorney was approved to be a special prosecutor in the case, and he filed the charges electronically in Reno County. KSN News reached out to the Nickerson USD 309 superintendent for a comment and to see if Shull is still employed. You apparently have more information on this than I do, Superintendent Curtis Nightingale responded. All I can confirm for you is that she was a part-time, substitute teacher until April of this year. Anything else you need to know will need to come from the law enforcement agencies handling the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shulls teaching license expires on June 30. She has bonded out of jail. Her first appearance in court will be June 9. A protective order forbids her from having any contact with the alleged victims and any witnesses. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. By Ahmed Kingimi and Camillus Eboh MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) -The Nigerian Air Force killed more than 20 armed militia members and destroyed 21 motorcycles in an airstrike in northwestern Zamfara state over the weekend, thwarting a planned large-scale attack on villages, a spokesperson said on Monday. Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the strike followed intelligence that "a significant number of terrorists were massing and preparing to strike unsuspecting settlements." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Further intelligence confirmed that the bandits had killed some farmers and abducted a number of civilians, including women and children," Ejodame said in a statement, adding that two local vigilantes were killed and two others injured in the crossfire. Residents and Amnesty International earlier reported the airstrike, with the rights group calling for authorities to investigate the incident. "Attacks by bandits clearly warrant a response from the state, but to launch reckless airstrikes into villages again and again is absolutely unlawful," Amnesty said in a statement. Residents said the airstrike occurred on Sunday in Maraya and Wabi villages in Zamfara state, one of the epicentres of attacks by armed groups, commonly called bandits, that maraud Nigeria's northwest region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack was carried out at the request of villagers who had suffered a bandit attack at the weekend, the residents said. An unknown number of people were wounded, they said. "The military aircraft arrived and started firing, killing at least 20 of our people," Abdullahi Ali, a Mani resident and member of a militia group of hunters, told Reuters by phone. Nigeria's military has in the past admitted to mistakenly targeting civilians while pursuing armed gangs in northwest Nigeria, where there is widespread insecurity, and has promised to investigate such cases. In January, a military airstrike killed 16 people in Tungar Kara, another town in Zamfara. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Auwal Idris, another resident, said a jet dropped a bomb close to where community guards were fighting bandits, killing 20 of the guards. (Writing by Ope Adetayo and Elisha Bala-Gbogbo; Editing by Alex Richardson) Just days after the U.S. and China agreed to a 90-day pause in their escalating tariff battle, Iowa farmers were already back in the fields. As one of America's major agricultural hubs, Iowa has felt the strain of tariffs, especially on its soybean industry. A young Baldwin Park police officer who loved the Dodgers and was an avid snowboarder was killed in a shooting late Saturday that also left a civilian dead and another officer injured. Officer Samuel Riveros, 35, of Pasadena was identified Sunday as the officer who died, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He had been rushed to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center but was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to medical examiner's records. The injured officer, Anthony Pimentel, was released from the hospital Sunday. The identities of the male suspect accused of firing at the officers and the civilian man found shot to death near the shooting were not released as of Sunday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Juan Ruvalcaba, 81, lives across the street from where the shooting began Saturday night. He told The Times on Sunday that he initially thought he was hearing firecrackers but then saw his neighbor shooting what appeared to be a long gun. He said the young man was in his own front yard and seemed to be shooting into the air and in the direction of a different nearby street but he didn't see the man aiming at anyone or anything in particular. Still, he said, he called the man's grandmother, who lived with him, and warned her to hide under a bed and not let her grandson inside. Dont open it, not even to him," Ruvalcaba told the grandmother before going inside his own home. He said he couldn't see any other part of what happened next but was shaken by the two deaths. "Thank God that Im still here," Ruvalcaba said. At a Sunday news conference, Baldwin Park Police Chief Robert A. Lopez fought back tears. Its extremely tragic to have to deal with this, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lopez said Riveros loved to travel to Dodgers games and watch the team play at different stadiums. "Officer Riveros gave his life in service to others, a profound testament to his unwavering dedication to duty and selfless courage," the Sheriff's Department wrote in a statement. "His loss is profoundly feltnot only by his family and colleagues, but by the entire Baldwin Park community and law enforcement family. The death of an innocent civilian only deepens this tragedy. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims loved ones as they endure unimaginable grief." He had been an officer at the Baldwin Park Police Department since 2016, officials said. According to a LinkedIn profile that matched Riveros' information, he became a law enforcement officer after studying criminology, law and society at UC Irvine. There he had played lacrosse and mentored youth in Orange County as part of the Criminology Outreach Program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is survived by his mother and sister. When danger erupted last night and the call went out for help, it was our Baldwin Park police officers who responded without hesitation, reflecting the best of bravery and conviction to serve," Baldwin Park Mayor Alejandra Avila said in a statement Sunday. "On behalf of our council and city hall staff, I offer our sincerest condolences to the victims, our Baldwin Park police department community and the families of those affected by this violence. Last night was a night of tragedy for our community." Read more: Police officer, civilian killed, another officer hurt as violence erupts in Baldwin Park Baldwin Park police officers initially responded to a call around 7:12 p.m. about a person shooting rounds with a rifle near 4200 Filhurst Ave. and a possible body on the sidewalk, officials said. When they arrived in the area, they were met by gunfire, Sheriff Robert Luna said. In the shootout that followed, two officers were shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wounded officers were rushed to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center one by air and one by ground transport. Officers at the scene also found the civilian man dead in the frontyard of the home where they encountered the suspect, according to Baldwin Park officials. He was also taken to the hospital but died there of his injuries, sheriff's officials said. The suspect was also wounded but was listed as stable Sunday afternoon. Luna said investigators had recovered the weapon. Luna said it was unclear how many shots were fired. His agency is leading the investigation into the shooting. On Sunday morning, the area around 13500 Palm Ave. remained an active crime scene. The entire block was still cordoned off as emergency vehicles and investigators flooded the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But by the afternoon, the street had reopened. Several residents were hosing away what appeared to be bloodstains from a few spots on the street, sidewalks and nearby lawns. Damage from bullet holes was obvious on windows of both a home and a police cruiser. Joe Rya, who lives about a block from where the shooting occurred, said he was still in shock. You could hear the bullets flying, Rya recalled. Shots were banging off things, I told the children to get down. He said hed lived in the neighborhood for 34 years and considered it relatively quiet, though he said they hear occasional gunshots. The majority-Latino community is made up of modest single-family homes, most with fences around their frontyards. Evidence markers law on the ground as law enforcement work to investigate a shooting scene on Sunday in Baldwin Park. (Luke Johnson/Los Angeles Times) Beginning at 7:16 p.m. Saturday, 11 shots rang out on Palm Avenue, according to video footage reviewed by The Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A homeowner whose Ring camera captured the shooting, who declined to give his name, said he initially thought the gunshots were fireworks. Only later did he look outside and see police cars flooding the street. He also considered the neighborhood usually pretty calm, he said from his frontyard Saturday night, just steps from police tape that cordoned off the next block. Until Saturday, he couldnt recall any shootings in his nine years living on Palm Avenue, he said. According to another video reviewed by The Times, six additional shots were fired at 7:26 p.m. near the corner of Palm and Filhurst avenues as helicopters circled overhead. By 9 p.m. Saturday, multiple law enforcement agencies had descended on the neighborhood and were going door to door around the area. Police cars from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department and West Covina and El Monte police departments were stationed in the neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I extend my sincerest condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and community members affected by the shooting of police officers in Baldwin Park yesterday, Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) said in a statement. I also want to express condolences to the fallen officer and his family. Thank you for the courage you held and the deeply humble decision you made to protect and serve the people of Baldwin Park, may you rest easy. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell also extended his condolences to the community on behalf of his agency. "This heartbreaking loss is a solemn reminder of the risk officers take every day when protecting their community," McDonnell said in a statement. "Our hearts are with Baldwin Park PD as they mourn a beloved colleague, and prayers for his wounded colleague." Times staff photographer Luke Johnson and Rebecca Ellis contributed to this report. 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. NIMBYs living in million-dollar pads are trying to derail the planned massive overhaul of one of Manhattans largest NYCHA apartment complexes. The citys first-of-its-kind public-private partnership with prominent social-driven real-estate firms Related Companies and Essence Developments aims to create an entirely new neighborhood in place of the dilapidated Fulton & ElliottChelsea Housing projects. But some well-heeled locals are pushing back against the touted trail-blazing type of public housing. This problem-riddled Chelsea housing project is slated to be replaced. Gregory P. Mango Lydia Andre, a leader of her Chelsea neighborhood block coalition, has been knocking on the NYCHA tenants doors, warning them of the projects dangers since it was announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is the first to admit she doesnt want to deal with the noise and pollution of a 16-plus-year local construction project but she claims her opposition is mostly altruistic. I dont think thats outside interference, Andre said of her efforts to raise opposition. I think thats helping people speak truth to power, she told The Post of her belief that shes protecting the tenants from displacement. Andre lives in a brownstone near the NYCHA complex in an apartment that was last purchased in 2007 for $4.2 million dollars. fultonelliottchelsea The design of the planned new complex moves away from the super block model typically associated with public housing, while guaranteeing all current tenants will receive a new apartment in the new buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project, which will involve the demolition and rebuilding of 2,056 NYCHA units for 4,500 residents will also construct an additional 3,500 mixed-income units. It also will feature scattered small parks and small businesses in a bid to create a more vibrant community feel. As part of her push against the plan, Andre has started championing a new candidate for City Council a tenant who lives at Fulton Elliot to challenge the districts incumbent of four years, Erik Bottcher, who supports the project. I think [Bottcher] is wrong and you know what? So do a lot of people thats why I got a protest candidate on the ballot and why shes qualified for matching funds, Andre said of candidate Jacqueline Lara. fultonelliottchelsea Layla Law-Gisiko, who also lives in a million-dollar apartment in the area, has joined the fight against the plan, too, and sends weekly email blasts opposing it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law-Gisiko a Democratic Party district leader in Chelsea who once ran for state assembly may still have political ambitions, sources close to the matter told The Post. This project is wrong on so many levels. It siphons public funds and public land into private profits, with 91% of the financing coming from taxpayers yet the upside goes to Related, Law-Gisiko said. The first building theyve targeted for demolition is the senior building. These are tenants in their 80s and 90s. If they survive one forced move, they may not survive a second. The project has relied on misinformation, manipulation, and silence. Fear is the best eviction noticeand thats exactly whats being weaponized here, she said. Law-Gisiko runs point on the opposition to the project, alongside Fulton Elliot Houses President Renee Keitt and with the help of Lydia Andre and other neighbors. Layla Law-Gisiko, a previous candidate for state assembly and a Chelsea resident, runs point on the opposition to the project. Gabriella Bass Keitt calls the project a land grab and insists there is nothing in writing guaranteeing current tenants new houses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But an agreement between the city and Related has two separate clauses that protect tenants and ensure they get new homes, a review by The Post found. Miguel Acevedo, president of the tenant association and a resident of the housing project for more than 23 years, doesnt deny that tenants feel anxious about the planned demolition but thinks the NIMBYs are actively fear-mongering. People always say, Not in my back yard, he said. Ive never seen what Im seeing today with people outside of the development who dont live here and dont understand how unhealthy the conditions are here. He cited constantly broken elevators, lead, mold and a lack of working heat and water as common occurrences. This building would be replaced under the plan. fultonelliottchelsea I always invite [the outside neighbors] to come live with us so you can see how bad it is, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acevedo said the NIMBYs are specifically targeting tenants who are behind on their rent and at risk of eviction to get behind their cause. Law-Gisiko and Andre denied the claim. Its expected that 6% of the residents may have to relocate off the site, but 94% will be able to remain in their current apartment until their new home is ready, officials said. The plan laid out by the city works like a puzzle, moving residents into empty apartments and demo-ing two buildings at a time. Allen Roskoff, a Democratic activist and fixture of Chelsea, lives directly across from the houses. He welcomes the project and thinks the block coalition are getting involved because they dont want noisy construction though he notes most of the neighbors in his building are all for the new project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the absolute height of NIMBYism, he said of its foes. The current complex is rife with building-neglect issues, some residents say. Gregory P. Mango Sources close to the opposition have indicated they think Acevado is getting paid by Related to speak positively about the project to neighbors which he denies. Andre and Law-Gisiko have both publicly testified also against City of Yes, Mayor Eric Adams housing plan that encourages new construction to address the Big Apples housing shortage through zoning changes. They say theyre for affordable housing so why fight a plan that actually builds it? Acevado said. But Andre fired back, I want to stress that this is not NIMBY-ism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe the best hedge against bad development is good/better development, she said. If this project were about building 100% affordable housing on the Chelsea campuses, we would all stand down. What we object to is the idea that 70% of the campus is being turned into market-rate housing, leaving the NYCHA tenants segregated into three 38-story tall towers that will overwhelm the low-rise neighborhood on Ninth Avenue. A NYCHA rep said that since 2019, residents at the NYCHA complex have participated in unprecedented, detailed and collaborative meetings and workshops on the buildings infrastructure needs. Throughout this six-year engagement process, residents have overwhelmingly made their voices heard, and themselves have outlined a plan that not only addresses over $900 million in mounting physical needs at the developments, but creates a more equitable living experience for NYCHA residents in Chelsea, inclusive of modern amenities and accessibility features, while maintaining their rights and protections, the representative said. New plant growth emerges among burned trees in early September 2023 near Hermits Peak, more than a year after the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire. FEMA is ill-equipped to handle post-fire flooding that occurred of the type seen the Hermits Peak burn scar, but that doesn't mean the agency should be scrapped entirely, New Mexico's U.S. senators wrote in a letter Monday. (Photo by Patrick Lohmann / Source NM) New Mexicos two U.S. senators are calling on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to fix rather than abolish the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as she and other prominent officials have called for recently. Democratic U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan wrote Noem a letter Monday outlining problems FEMA could fix, particularly regarding its response to wildfires and their aftermath, but also defending the agency as necessary to help people recover from disasters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to emphasize that serious, targeted reform is the answer to these pressing problems not dismantling FEMA altogether, the senators wrote. The federal government has an important role to play in assisting state and local governments in the wake of natural disasters. Noem previously said she was devising ways to eliminate FEMA. She has backed off that language, though her department has cut billions of dollars in disaster resilience grants, including a $4 million allocation to New Mexico. The letter notes that states and local governments dont have adequate money to pay for increasingly expensive disasters. In New Mexico, for example, a FEMA formula calculates the state can withstand only about $4 million in disaster costs before it needs the federal government to step in. When it comes to reforming the agency, the senators letter points repeatedly to the 2022 Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire near Las Vegas, the biggest fire in state history. Since the fire, every rainstorm threatens to become a flash flood or debris flow that causes further damage. FEMA is not well-equipped to handle those kinds of scenarios, the senators wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Western states face a distinct and growing threat: namely, catastrophic wildfires followed by cascading disasters such as landslides, flooding, and water system failures that compound damage and slow recovery, the senators wrote. These cascading eventswhich can happen years after an initial fireare devastating, and FEMA has repeatedly struggled to respond effectively. The post-fire flooding in Las Vegas has continued each year since 2022, particularly in the summer monsoon season, after the fire destroyed vegetation and degraded the soil. The flooding has prompted the city to postpone the construction of a new water treatment plant, and caused the cancellation of Fiestas last summer, which is the single biggest annual event in Las Vegas. As a result of these floods, the business community lost out on their largest income-generating event of the year, the senators wrote. FEMA needs to improve its handling of cascading events, allowing disaster grant recipients to rebuild infrastructure equipped to handle future disasters, not just to their pre-disaster capacity. At the moment, FEMAs Public Assistance program will only fully reimburse local governments and other public entities for the cost of rebuilding infrastructure such as bridges and culverts to the same size and specifications as they were before the wildfire. While we understand the intent behind these rulesto restore essential infrastructure equitablythey do not adequately address the unique and escalating risks associated with post-wildfire environments, they wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FEMA should also increase its disaster assistance to individuals and families, the senators wrote. During the 2022 wildfire, the maximum people could receive from FEMA, even if they lost their primary residence and all it contained, was about $37,000. The senators asked the agency to increase the payments, especially in light of challenges people in fire-prone areas face securing insurance. FEMA typically does not pay disaster victims if they have private insurance, but home insurance is becoming prohibitively expensive or is completely unavailable in areas like Mora and Ruidoso after wildfires there last summer. FEMA must adapt its policies and funding levels and work with other federal agencies to meet the needs of those who fall into this widening gap and ensure that recovery is possible for those who, through no fault of their own, cant obtain insurance, Heinrich and Lujan wrote. TORRANCE COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) New Mexico State Police arrested two men following a vehicle theft and shooting that started in Torrance County and ended in a pursuit and crash in Albuquerque. Miguel Pena-Guardado and Maclen Suarez-Villalobos are accused of stealing a dump truck that was parked at the Gonzalez Contractors business in Moriarty, according to NMSP. A couple that drove by the businesses noticed the suspicious activity and followed the dump truck and another gray Ford pickup, believed to be associated with the suspects. The couple called 911 while following the vehicle, and at some point, the dump truck came to a stop and blocked the road. Police said the two suspects exited the vehicle and fled on foot as one suspect brandished a firearm, and a single gunshot was heard as he threatened the couple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A NMSP officer located a gray Ford pickup matching the BOLO description near NM Highway 333 and Skyline Drive around 10:55 a.m. The officer attempted a traffic stop, but the driver kept going, leading to a pursuit on I-40 westbound. During the chase, police said the suspects threw metal tools at the officers patrol unit, shattering his windshield. The pursuit ended on the westbound off-ramp of I-40 at Exit 167 in Albuquerque when the officer attempted a PIT maneuver. The suspect vehicle lost control and crashed into two other vehicles: a Hyundai passenger car occupied by a male and female, and a Chevrolet pickup truck driven by a male. The victims were taken to a local hospital and are reported to be in stable condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspects, Pena-Guardado, who was the driver, and Suarez-Villalobos, a passenger, were taken into custody and also taken to a hospital for treatment of their injuries. Miguel Pena-Guardado is charged with: Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (2 counts) Burglary of an automobile (3 counts) Burglary of an automobile conspiracy (3 counts) Unlawful taking of a motor vehicle (1 count) Unlawful taking of a motor vehicle conspiracy (1 count) Aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer (1 count) Maclen Suarez-Villalobos is charged with: Aggravated assault on a peace officer (1 count) Burglary of an automobile (3 counts) Burglary of an automobile conspiracy (3 counts) Unlawful taking of a motor vehicle conspiracy (1 count) Aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer conspiracy (1 count) Criminal damage to property (1 count) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A third suspect involved in the initial Moriarty incident remains unidentified and at large. Anyone with information regarding the identity or whereabouts of the third suspect is asked to contact the New Mexico State Police at 505-841-9256. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. President Donald Trump shared a post falsely saying former President Joe Biden was "executed in 2020," and replaced with a robot clone. The false claims, made by another user on Truth Social and reposted by Trump on May 31, said "clones doubles & robotic engineered soulless mindless entities" have since substituted for the ex-commander-in-chief. Biden was not executed, and he is still alive today. It isn't the first time Trump has engaged with conspiracy theories since he returned to office. Here is what to know: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump shares Pepe the Frog image: 2016 campaign turned meme political. Then it became a hate symbol President Joe Biden was not replaced by a robot clone Biden has also not been cloned, as the original Truth Social post suggested; He was the president from 2021-2025. He dropped his bid for reelection after a disastrous presidential debate prompted growing questions about his mental fitness for office. He was the oldest sitting president. The president's comments come after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called for former first lady Jill Biden to speak up about her husband's alleged mental decline, saying she conspired to keep her husband's health from the American people. In May, Biden shared he was diagnosed with prostate cancer that had spread to his bones. The former president has said he's "optimistic" about a treatment plan for the disease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The expectation is were going to be able to beat this," Biden told reporters at an event in his home state of Delaware. USA TODAY has reached out to the White House for more information about Trump's repost. Trump repeatedly touts Joe Biden auto pen conspiracy Shortly after taking office in January, Trump claimed that some of Biden's final-hour pardons were "void, vacant" because they were signed using an autopen. The Justice Department said in 2005 that autopens alone are permissible for a President's signature, but Trump's accusations at the time echoed concerns from the conservative Heritage Foundation. Biden had made some controversial moves to blanket pardon members of this family and other people he suspected would be a target of Trump's political retribution. In light of Biden's health announcement, Trump has expanded the unfounded accusations that the autopen was used without Biden's approval to other policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think the autopen is gonna become one of the great scandals of all time," Trump said at a May 30 Oval Office press conference, as clipped by Fox News. "Who signed these orders and proclamations and all of the different things that he signed that set our country so far back?" Trump went on to say he "almost never" uses the autopen, but thinks it should be used to sign some letters. This is not the first time Trump's administration has interacted with conspiracy theories Trump has also previously targeted prior presidents with false theories. For years leading up to his first White House term, Trump promoted baseless claims that former President Barack Obama was born outside the United States. He publicly admitted for the first time that Obama was born in America two months before he won the 2016 election. He also continued to insist he won the 2020 election for years. Biden won the 2020 election. Trump hasn't shied away from other conspiracy theories in his second administration. Trump tapped Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the Secretary of Health and Human Services; he has been accused of peddling conspiracy theories about vaccines. Trump also selected Kash Patel, who has pushed conspiracy theories about federal employees at the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president moved to release troves of classified documents about the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy, the fodder for many conspiracy theories. Trump claimed White South African farmers were the victims of genocide, which Reuters reported is a conspiracy theory, in a White House meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Trump also recently shared a picture of himself on Truth Social with a caption that is a common QAnon slogan. Contributing: Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@gannett.com. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @kinseycrowley.bsky.social. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump shares Biden conspiracy theory about execution, a clone State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha speaks on the floor of the Legislature on May 19, 2023, in Lincoln, Neb. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner). LINCOLN Two Nebraska bills most vulnerable to a governors veto in the waning hours of the 2025 Nebraska Legislature are about to become law without his objection. The pair separate priority bills from Omaha State Sens. Megan Hunt and Terrell McKinney were among a late wave of 26 bills approved by the full Legislature and awaiting action by Gov. Jim Pillen as lawmakers adjourned for the year. Both the Hunt and McKinney bills cleared final votes Friday by less than the number needed to override a veto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pillen, in a letter early Monday to the Clerk of the Legislature, said all the bills on his desk will become law without my objections in the coming days. Included in the 26 bills Pillen is expected to approve were three sent to his desk Monday. Gov. Jim Pillen talks with reporters after his annual State of the State speech to the Nebraska Legislature. Jan. 15, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) That negated any need for veto override attempts on the Legislatures final day. Hunt said she was surprised her Legislative Bill 275 did not have to battle through a gubernatorial veto and was excited to see it cross the finish line. The bill reforms the use of Social Security benefits received by eligible Nebraska foster children, in part strengthening communication between the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the youths representative. Hunt described recipients as among the states most vulnerable, because the benefits are related to the death of a parent or guardian or a physical or mental disability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DHHS currently intercepts the Social Security benefits bound for those kids and uses the funds to offset the state costs of the youths care. LB 275 requires DHHS to set aside at least 20% of all Social Security benefits in a separate trust fund, beginning when the foster youth is 14, with the percentage increasing gradually to 50% at age 18. Meant to ease transition to adult independence, it brings Nebraska in line with federal law to provide further accountability, transparency and conservation of a portion of the funds in a trust account for the youths own use when they exit state care. Hunt said she thought LB 275, which advanced to Pillens desk on a 29-19 vote, might be in jeopardy partly because of a roughly $1 million in annual notification and operational costs estimated in a fiscal note and also because of a pattern of Pillens vetos, which she said have been less about policy and more about the introducer. McKinney said Monday that he was unsure what Pillen might do on LB 48, his bill aimed at helping to keep youths out of the criminal justice system. He said he was happy to see it unobstructed by a veto, and proud of the accomplishment. State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha. July 21, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Its good legislation thats going to help a lot of families and juveniles, keeping them out of the system, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LB 48 calls for an around-the-clock Family Resource and Juvenile Assessment Center pilot program in Omaha. The goal is two sites that will address family dynamics, mental health, substance abuse and educational challenges to juvenile delinquency. The bill faced resistance and near demise during earlier legislative debate. It passed final reading on a 27-21 vote. Of 26 bills awaiting Pillens signature Monday, two others passed final legislative debate with 33 votes; four passed with vote tallies in the mid to upper 30s, and the rest secured 40 or more votes. Said Hunt: Im excited now to breathe a sigh of relief and move on to the next issue. Nebraska Examiner reporter Zach Wendling contributed to this report. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed new legislation Monday, giving thousands of students impacted by Marchs historic ice storm a break from attendance requirements. Michigan law requires that every school year, districts meet a minimum of 1,058 hours and 180 days of student instruction. However, many school districts in northern Michigan were unable to meet those requirements due to widespread damage and power outages. HB 4345 allows school districts located at least partially in the following counties, where the governor declared a state of emergency in March, to waive up to an additional 15 days of instruction for the 2024-2025 school year: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alcona Alpena Antrim Charlevoix Cheboygan Crawford Emmet Mackinac Montmorency Oscoda Otsego Presque Isle State officials say the legislation will save schools money and resources, as they would not have to stay open during the summer. This would save them from having to pay teacher and staff salaries, building utilities, and other operating expenses during the summer. The bill passed the House unanimously and passed the Senate 35-2. 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 WLNS 6 News. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Its been 14 years since one of the most destructive days in western Massachusetts. I watched the tornado come across my back porch and go to Island Pond Road. It took my plants and blew them inside my house, said John Balsam of Springfield. Homes were completely destroyed, the roofs of schools were torn off, and few trees were left standing in some parts of the woods. An EF-3 tornado caused severe damage across western Massachusetts when it touched down on June 1st, 2011. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunday marks 14 years since tornado hit in W. Mass. Sunday afternoon, bells rang at the old first church in the court square. The time was 4:38 p.m., thats when a tornado touched down in Springfield. Fourteen years since the devastation, some still remember where they were and what they heard as the tornado passed through Springfield. I came out and my neighbor beside me said, was that a tornado, because it just went really really fast?, said Beverly Brown of Springfield. From Westfield to Charlton, it took weeks to clean up the debris and destruction left behind. Three people were killed and more than 30 were seriously hurt. As residents look back on June 1, 2011, they say theyve taken away a few things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just dont be surprised by what Mother Nature can do. Nobody expected us to have a tornado in Springfield, Massachusetts, John Balsam of Springfield told 22News. Once I hear that noise that sounded like a freight train, Ill have an idea that it is a tornado, said Beverly Brown of 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LOWER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11) Dozens of residents who live in two Lower East Side NYCHA buildings are struggling to cook without gas service. Isreal Muniz, 90, has three hot plates set up in his kitchen just to make dinner. More Local News Vernette Quick and Kanielle Hernandez say there are two buildings full of frustration. They are part of the tenant association at the Bracetti Plaza, a NYCHA development on the Lower East Side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this time, agitation has been replaced with action. Hernandez says it was just before Easter, a gas leak took out gas service to both of their buildings. A non-profit called Vision Urbana sprang into action, partnering with a restaurant called Casa Adela on Ave C. More than one hundred meals will be delivered to families each day, Monday through Friday. The restaurant is named after Adela Fargas, a beloved matriarch and community champion. Her family says her life was devoted to service. Casa Adela also has a gas outage and is using electric stoves, but the staff is still serving the community in need. Gas service interruptions and restoration work are a matter of public safety and involve multiple partners and steps, including shutting off service, making necessary repairs, inspections, and coordinating with the service vendors, in order to safely restore service as quickly as possible. These processes are currently underway at Bracetti Plaza, a NYCHA spokesperson told PIX11 News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have a story, reach out to Monica Morales at monica@pix11.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 PIX11. Rescuers are seen in operation at the site of a bus accident in Meiktila township in Mandalay, Myanmar, June 2, 2025. (Myanmar Fire Services Department/Handout via Xinhua) YANGON, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Six people were killed and 11 others injured after a highway passenger bus rolled over in central Myanmar's Mandalay region, an official from the Mandalay Region Fire Services Department told Xinhua on Monday. The accident occurred at around 3:30 a.m. local time on Monday in Meiktila township in Mandalay, he said, adding that the bus, carrying about 19 passengers, slipped off the road due to rain and overturned. All the injured were taken to the local hospital, the official said. Rescuers are seen in operation at the site of a bus accident in Meiktila township in Mandalay, Myanmar, June 2, 2025. (Myanmar Fire Services Department/Handout via Xinhua) It took emergency crews several hours to rescue a man who fell through the floor of a home and then 75 feet down into a well. Habersham County Emergency Services said they were called to the unoccupied home just before 6:30 p.m. on Sunday after the mans girlfriend called 911. Emergency officials said once they were able to reach the man, they were able to get him out of the well in about 30 minutes. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are incredibly grateful to the assisting agencies for their support, Habersham County Fire Chief Jason Davey said. We could not have performed a safe rescue without the help of all the partner agencies who responded. Its a testament to the strength and unity of our neighboring communities. The man, who has not been identified, was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville with non-life-threatening injuries. A violent hate crime hundreds of miles away has faith leaders in Northeast Florida on high alert. On Sunday, federal agents say 45-year-old Mohammed Soliman used a homemade flamethrower to attack a Jewish group in Boulder, Colorado, injuring eight people. The group had gathered for a weekly demonstration supporting the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. According to the FBI, Soliman shouted Free Palestine during the assault, later confessed, and said he would do it again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack triggered immediate concern at Temple Bet Yam in St. Augustine, where security is already a top priority. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] We got the alert this morning and shared it with our board right away, Temple President Teresa Freedman said. We take every incident seriouslyeven when its hundreds of miles away. Temple Bet Yam is part of a network that includes a former FBI agent who monitors threats and distributes real-time alerts to synagogues across Northeast Florida. Every synagogue in Northeast Florida is looped in, Freedman said. We all get the same alerts, the same briefingsand we act fast when needed. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Though she said recent bomb threats to local Jewish organizations havent resulted in violence, Freedman isnt taking any chances. The temple is equipped with indoor and outdoor security cameras and holds events only when armed guards are present. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We just held a drill during a community gathering to test our emergency plan, Freedman said. We may be small, but were not unprotected. Weve done everything we can to keep our members safe. Temple officials say they will continue evaluating and adjusting security measures as national threats evolve. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Stargazers had a chance to see a strong display of the northern lights on Sunday, but there's still a chance people could see the lights tonight, Monday June 2. Of course, that all depends on whether the skies stay clear through this evening. The National Weather Service website is calling for only partly cloudy skies tonight following a mostly sunny day, which could lead to decent conditions. Here's what to know. Will it be possible to see the northern lights on Monday, June 2? Parts of New England may see the northern lights on June 2. The Space Weather Prediction Center's website indicates that people will have a chance to see the lights tonight, though the display won't be as powerful as it was last night, Sunday, June 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The likelihood of seeing the northern lights will be low for most of the U.S. on Monday, but northern New Hampshire and Maine are in the predicted view line. The website Aurora Reach predicts there is about a 34% chance odds that people will be able to see the northern lights at 11 p.m. tonight. They made the same prediction for Boston. There's a possibility that people will also be able to see the lights on Tuesday, June 3. What's the best time to see the northern lights? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stated that the best time to look for the northern lights is typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. How to see the northern lights As always, dark skies make for better stargazing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We typically suggest getting away from cities and find a open field or hilltop to lay out under the stars and wait for the show to really peak at the late evening or early morning hours," Massachusetts Institute of Technology Technical Instructor and Observatory Manager Tim Brothers said in a past interview with Wicked Local. This Space Weather Prediction Center graphic shows that the northern lights could be visible over Massachusetts tonight, Monday, June 2. What causes the northern lights? The auroras are a natural light display in Earth's sky that are famously best seen in high-latitude regions of the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The phenomenon is caused when electrically charged particles from space enter Earth's atmosphere and collide with molecules and gases like oxygen and nitrogen, causing the atmospheric particles to gain energy. To return to their normal state, the particles release that energy in the form of light, according to the University of Alaska at Fairbanks Geophysical Institute website, which tracks the phenomenon. Places to check for northern lights forecast If you want a chance at seeing the northern lights, here are some websites you can monitor the sun's activity: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement USA Today contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Northern lights may be visible in NH, Maine tonight. See map, weather The northern lights put on a dazzling show late Sunday into early Monday morning across several U.S. states. If you didn't see them, not to worry you've got another shot at spotting auroras Monday night. You might have to do some traveling, though, depending on how far south you live from the U.S.-Canadian border. More geomagnetic storms are predicted to hit the Earth soon, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, but their level of activity won't be as strong. While space weather is notoriously hard to predict, here's what we know about Kentucky's chances of seeing the northern lights. Will Kentucky see the northern lights Monday? In short, the odds aren't great. Experts at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center say the Kp index a measure of Earth's geomagnetic activity will be lower Monday night than on Sunday, meaning the auroras will be further north. Where in the U.S. will the northern lights be visible June 2? Weather permitting, the northern lights could be visible low on the horizon in cities that include Seattle, Des Moines, Chicago, Cleveland and Boston, according to the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute website, which tracks the phenomenon. Can't spot the northern lights in Kentucky? Here's a great spot for stargazing If you can't spot the northern lights in Kentucky this week, the Blue Grass state still has a great spot for stargazing. Mammoth Cave National Park, roughly 90 miles south of Louisville, is an International Dark Sky location and therefore an excellent place to view the constellations and meteor showers this summer. Sunday's northern lights: What did people on social media see? People living in Alaska, Wyoming, Pennsylvania and Minnesota shared images of Sunday's auroras across social media. Here's a little bit of what they saw. Last nights aurora from Erie, PA was absolutely incredible. It definitely over-performed my expectations. From its early arrival to the vivid displays across the sky, it was truly a night to remember.#aurora #northernlights pic.twitter.com/JI3nhyEluD Tyler Youschak (@tjyouschak) June 1, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Northern lights last night shot on iPhone pic.twitter.com/GzggcbPICB NATHANIEL (@nathanielscanon) June 2, 2025 What time can I spot auroras? Experts say the best auroras are usually within an hour or two of midnight (between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time). These hours expand towards evening and morning as the level of geomagnetic activity increases. There may be aurora in the evening and morning, but it is usually not as active and therefore, not as visually appealing, according to NOAA. Check out this northern lights photo gallery from October 2024. More amazing things to watch: Return to Hawkins, Indiana, with 'Stranger Things' Season 5 release this fall. John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Will the northern lights appear Monday over Kentucky? Check this map ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) Northwest Missouri residents will gather in Maryville and St. Joseph on Saturday, June 14, as part of the nationwide NO KINGS Day of Defiance. In Maryville, participants will rally on the sidewalk in front of the Courthouse from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., carrying signs and flags. In St. Joseph, demonstrators will meet from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the intersection of Belt Highway and Frederick Boulevard, also with signs and flags in hand. The NO KINGS movement has organized more than 1,200 peaceful rallies across all 50 states and several foreign countries. Millions of citizens, led by volunteers, are expected to take part; marking Flag Day with a show of support for democracy over oligarchy. Norway will help Ukraine cover a potential one billion euro ($1.08 billion) gas deficit, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced following a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Vilnius on June 2. "We discussed issues that are important for Ukraine right now. I received a positive signal from him. This concerns gas: if we face a deficit in winter, can we count on the appropriate volume? Today, I received support from Jonas (Gahr Store)," Zelensky said. Russian forces regularly attack Ukraine's energy infrastructure, leading to power and heat shortages across the country. Russia attacked 34 facilities of Ukrgasvydobuvannya, Ukraine's largest gas producer and part of the state Naftogaz Group, last winter, leading to a loss of almost 50% of gas production, the company reported on April 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We agreed that we will look for opportunities to close any deficit, which may arise if everything is not restored (Ukrainian gas production infrastructure affected by Russian attacks), if we cannot fully provide our population with gas," Zelensky noted during an online press conference attended by the Kyiv Independent. "And therefore there is an appropriate volume. We have found half, but we were missing another half. I'll put it this way: we're talking about a volume worth a billion euros that's what I'm discussing with the Norwegian prime minister." The two leaders have also discussed continued support for Kyiv, including strengthening the countrys air defense, encouraging direct investment in Ukraines defense industry, specifucally the drone production, and increasing pressure on Russia. Norway is ranked 11th in the world in terms of the amount of aid provided to Ukraine, having so far provided over $4.5 billion in humanitarian, financial, and military support, according to the Kiel Institute's Ukraine Support Tracker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 20, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway arrived in Ukraine to meet with Zelensky, marking the first visit by a member of the Norwegian royal family during Russia's invasion. Read also: Operation Spiderweb everything we know about Ukraines audacious attack on Russias heavy bombers Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) After another string of car meetups ended in a shooting, Grand Rapids police are renewing their call to put a stop to these gatherings. Drone footage captured by News 8 shows whats left behind from the latest meetups early Sunday morning. Tire tracks remain on the highway and at a strip mall from vehicles spinning donuts. An overhead view of tire marks left on I-196 the day after a car meetup on June 2, 2025. An overhead view of tire marks left on the parking lot at CenterPoint mall the day after a car meetup on June 2, 2025. A close-up of a tire mark left on the parking lot at CenterPoint mall the day after a car meetup on June 2, 2025. They do dangerous driving maneuvers, dangerous for the individuals in the vehicles, dangerous for innocent people outside, Grand Rapids Police Department Chief Eric Winstrom said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not new. Police have been tracking these pop-up gatherings for years since the pandemic. Promoted on social media, they draw big crowds with hundreds bringing their vehicles to spots in the middle of the night and driving recklessly. In Sept. 2023, the year car meetups surged in Kent County, 19-year-old Alana Vasquez was shot and killed during one gathering in Grand Rapids. It prompted police agencies across the county to hold a news conference sounding the alarm that these are widespread and dangerous. After shooting, metro Grand Rapids police promise crackdown on car meetups Ive spoken to individuals that have gone to these and had their vehicles destroyed, that have been injured and now that have been shot, Winstrom said. Ive talked to loved ones of family members that have been killed at these. This is not safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winstrom said he saw progress in 2024 as he said police responded more efficiently, making arrests, writing tickets and towing cars. There were multiple gatherings early Sunday morning, with the first being right on the freeway. That happened just after midnight right along I-196 westbound near US-131 in Grand Rapids. The gathering caused long traffic backups on the highway. Car meetups lead to shooting, stalled highway Police say the second meetup was later in the night at The Shops at Centerpoint strip mall off the East Beltline. There were over 200 vehicles there, police said. Around 2:40 a.m., police say a 23-year-old man who was watching the car meetup was shot by a stray bullet. While hes expected to survive, police say it could have ended much worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of pedestrians will come to watch these car meetups weve seen them hit by cars, hit by stray gunfire, Winstrom said. I think thats what happened here, where an individual not necessarily the intended target just happened to be here. Police say whoever fired the bullet could face a charge of assault with intent to murder. Police have not yet named that individual. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Senator Tolentino urges dismissal of impeachment case due to Constitutional deadline MANILA, Philippines - Senator Francis "Tol" Tolentino on Monday delivered a compelling manifestation before the Senate, asserting that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte can no longer proceed due to constitutional and procedural limitations. Tolentino emphasized that the Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate 117 days ago, but the trial is only set to commence on June 11, 2025, just two days before the Sine Die Adjournment of the 19th Congress. He cited Article XI, Section 3(6) of the 1987 Constitution, which mandates that the Senate must proceed to trial "forthwith" - a term he stressed means immediately and without undue delay. "The command of the Constitution is clear. "Forthwith" is not a suggestion. It is a legal imperative," Tolentino said during his manifestation. Citing Supreme Court rulings (Neri v. Senate and Balag v. Senate) and Senate rules, Tolentino argued that the Senate under the 1987 Constitution is not a continuing body. As such, the jurisdiction of the current Senate to try the impeachment case ceases at noon on June 30, 2025. He warned that attempting to transfer this jurisdiction to the 20th Congress would be an ultra vires act, or a move beyond the powers granted by the Constitution. The Senate Majority Leader also invoked foreign legislative principles, including Jefferson's Manual which affirms that unfinished business at the end of one Congress does not carry over to the next Congress. "Kahit anong pilit, hindi maitatawid -lalo na't kung lalabag sa Saligang Batas," he added, emphasizing that any attempt to push the trial past the constitutional deadline would be invalid and unconstitutional. Tolentino concluded by calling for the functional dismissal of the case due to constitutional operation, urging the Senate to respect institutional integrity and constitutional order. The full manifestation will be entered into the official records of the Senate sitting as an Impeachment Court. A Palestinian woman mourns a victim killed in an Israeli airstrike, at the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, on June 2, 2025. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) JERUSALEM, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Monday that its troops had expanded ground operations in the Gaza Strip over the past day. The move follows an order issued on Sunday by Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir to extend the ground offensive into additional areas in both the northern and southern parts of the strip. According to the IDF, its troops killed militants and dismantled weapons storage facilities and infrastructure sites above and below ground. In addition, the Israeli Air Force struck dozens of targets across the Gaza Strip since Sunday, "including terrorist cells, military structures belonging to the terror organizations in the Gaza Strip, tunnel routes, weapons storage facilities, and additional terrorist infrastructure sites," according to the statement. The expansion of the fighting follows disagreements in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas over the U.S. proposal for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. A Palestinian woman mourns a victim killed in an Israeli airstrike, at the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, on June 2, 2025. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) A Palestinian woman mourns a victim killed in an Israeli airstrike, at the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, on June 2, 2025. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WVNS) A home health nurse in Raleigh County was charged after a child was rushed into emergency surgery with a broken femur. According to a criminal complaint, the nurse, identified as Alisha Dawn Dowdy, was charged with Child Abuse Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury after a 9-year-old child was found with a broken femur. Raleigh County man arrested after reportedly rear-ending an unmarked sheriffs car Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The criminal complaint stated that at around 1:59 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025, a member of the West Virginia State Police received a report from Ruby Memorial Hospital through Raleigh County Dispatch, about potential child abuse. The Trooper reportedly got into contact with a forensic nurse who stated that a nine-year-old patient came in with a femur that was completely broken in two on Thursday, May 22, 2025. According to the complaint, due to the femur being the hardest bone in the body and being very difficult to break, the injury was alarming. The nurse reportedly stated that the injury allegedly occurred while the child was alone at a house with Dowdy, who was the childs home health nurse. Information in the criminal complaint stated that the childs grandmother was then contacted by the Trooper. The childs grandmother reportedly told the Trooper that at around 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2025, the child was left at the house for three hours with Dowdy until the grandmother got home at around 2:00 p.m. Honduran man sentenced for immigration crime in West Virginia Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the criminal complaint, once the grandmother got home she found Dowdy crying due to believing that her husband was cheating before Dowdy left early. The grandmother checked on the child because something reportedly felt wrong due to the child already being moved from a hospital bed to the grandmothers bed, something that the complaint stated was not usually done until around 4:00 p.m. The criminal complaint stated that the childs right leg flopped over her arm and that she screamed in pain when the grandmother picked the child up to move her to the living room. The child was taken to WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital (PCH) after the grandmother called 911, and once at PCH, the childs femur was discovered to be a clean break and was broken in two. The child was then taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown for emergency surgery, and that doctors told the Trooper that the injury had to have been caused by pressure or some sort of blow to the leg. In the complaint, the doctors also reportedly told the Trooper that there was no way that (Dowdy) did not know that the (childs) leg was broken and when the incident happened. The complaint then stated that at around 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025, the Trooper met with Dowdy at the Beckley Detachment of the West Virginia State Police, where Dowdy was informed of her rights and agreed to give a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man arrested after traffic stop in Raleigh County According to the complaint, Dowdy stated that she was home alone with the child on Thursday, May 22, 2025 for around three hours, and that she carried out the usual routine and range of motion exercises with the minor. The Trooper reportedly asked Dowdy if she noticed the child crying or if anything popped or broke, and the complaint stated that Dowdy said no. The complaint stated that the Trooper then asked Dowdy if she noticed anything wrong when moving the child from the hospital bed to the grandparents bed and Dowdy reportedly said no. According to the complaint, the information provided by Dowdy contradicted the information about the injury given by the childs doctors, and not noticing the break would have been impossible due to the nature of the break and the swinging of the (victims) leg. Dowdy was interviewed again at around 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 25, 2025 after she was informed of her rights and agreed to give another statement, the complaint stated. Events that occurred on the day of the incident were reviewed again, and Dowdy allegedly mentioned that the child was not given additional medication to help the child fall asleep before family arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the criminal complaint, the child allegedly not having taken additional medications was reportedly odd due to the fact that the child was asleep with a broken femur. Dowdy also reportedly told the Trooper that she child was not crying that day and that she never cried. Mercer County woman sentenced for witness tampering conspiracy in sex trafficking case After additional interviews, Dowdy was arrested and charged with Child Abuse Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. She is currently being held in Southern Regional Jail under a $150,000 bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. A Henry County man accused of impersonating a nurse remained behind bars Monday evening after investigators say he tried to get a job at an Atlanta nursing facility. Lonnie Robert Williams, 56, of Stockbridge was arrested Friday and jailed on one misdemeanor count of unlawful practice as registered professional nurse, according to Fulton County Jail records. Hes one of many on a state registry that keeps track of impostors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He could have over medicated someone, said Yvette Wells, who serves as the director of nursing at Legacy Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He could have not known the difference between a blood pressure pill and a pain medication. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Investigators told Channel 2s Michael Seiden that 56-year-old Lonnie Williams applied for a job at the Auburn Avenue medical facility late last month. They praised the staff at the nursing home for doing the right thing. We work hard to earn our degrees and our certifications and our training, Wells said. And for someone else to pretend like theyre one of us, its kind of a slap in the face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said Williams applied and then came in for his in-person interview. At first glance, he appeared to be the perfect candidate. He was eager to work here, said Jozell Simmons with Legacy Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He wanted to come in as a nurse manager, a supervisor. He let me know that he had had experience as a unit manager and a supervisor. But the day before his interview, a staff member shared the statewide list of nursing imposters with the human resources department. According to the Georgia secretary of states office, Lonnie Williams also goes by the name Lonnie Releford. Investigators said he has been using the license of a real nurse to work in medical facilities across the state. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] NEW YORK (PIX11) A tense time for the Jewish community in New York City and around the country as the latest terror attack coincides with the Jewish holiday on Monday and Tuesday. Mayor Adams says while there are no credible threats against New Yorks Jewish community, the NYPD is stepping up security at religious sites around the city. More Local News The suspect in Sundays attack in Boulder, Colorado, is under arrest. Witnesses described him throwing Molotov cocktails into a peaceful rally for the release of hostages being held in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twelve people were injured in the attack. At least two of the victims are in critical condition. The Department of Homeland Security says the suspect, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, had been living illegally in the U.S. since his visa expired in 2023. The attack comes just two weeks after the deadly terrorist shooting of two Israeli Embassy workers in Washington, D.C. Joshua Kramer with the American Jewish Committee says the Jewish community in the city and around the country is reeling and calls on everyday people to stand up against hate. The NYPD posted the following statement on social media: We are monitoring the horrific attack in Colorado targeting an event for Israeli hostages. The NYPD has already increased our presence at religious sites throughout NYC for Shavuot with high visibility patrols and heavy weapons teams. We will continue to track this closely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. New York City has recorded the lowest number of murders and shootings in modern history through the first five months of the year, Mayor Eric Adams announced Sunday. There were 112 homicides from January through May, one fewer than the 113 recorded in 2014 and 2017, the previous records for the same time period, according to NYPD data obtained by The Post. There were 18 murders reported for the month of May, one fewer than the previous low of 19 recorded in May 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, there were 264 shootings for the five months of 2025, three less than the 267 recorded in 2018. There were 112 homicides between January and May, one fewer than the previous record stretch from 2014 to 2017. Paul Martinka There were 54 shootings in the month of May, besting the previous low of 61 in 2019, the data showed. Adams, who is seeking reelection this year on an independent ballot line, heralded the data. When I took the oath of office as mayor, I made a promise that we would make this city safer and that we would drive down crime. Today, the numbers prove that we have not just kept that promise we have exceeded it, Adams told The Post. I am exceptionally proud to share that from January 2025 to May 2025, New York City has seen the lowest number of shootings and homicides in recorded history. Mayor Eric Adams speaks at his weekly press briefing on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Paul Martinka NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch praised officers for the new record. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch thanked officers and the mayor but took a jab at the states recent criminal justice reforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Results like this never happen by accident, and certainly not at a time when the states criminal justice laws have made a revolving door out of our criminal justice system, Tisch said. Heres how your Mayor and your NYPD cops delivered the safest January-May for gun violence in New York City: Three-plus years of relentlessly going after guns on our streets; and a data driven policing strategy that puts more cops in the right places at the right times to do what they do better than anyone else in the world. Tisch vowed that the NYPD will not let up and said a Summer Violence Reduction Plan by the department is bold and aggressive and designed to continue driving the same historic safety gains. Divers continued their search Monday for Brandon Pino, the high school senior who jumped off the Staten Island Ferry over the weekend, police said. NYPD crews resumed their search for Brandon and for a second teen, a 15-year-old girl feared drowned in the East River under the Roosevelt Island Bridge after she fell from the rocks about 12:15 p.m. on Friday, a police spokesman said. Meanwhile, Brandons desperate family visited an NYPD stationhouse Monday and spoke to with detective there, hoping for updates but receiving none. They have also visited and called local hospitals, hoping the teen might turn up alive there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 17-year-old Port Richmond boy left a goodbye note on Instagram before taking the 9:30 a.m. ferry from Staten Island to Manhattan on Saturday, his family says. His eldest sister, Cathleen, 27, says the family is hoping public attention might lead to Brandons recovery. Theyre holding out hope he survived because of a radio transmission that stated he was seen swimming after jumping from the boat. We are continuing to do our own search by checking all the nearby water borders, Battery Park, Brooklyn piers, including Governors Island, she said. She is hoping the coverage of the search for Brandon also brings more awareness to mental health issues. Brandons sister said everything seemed normal in the days leading up to when her brother jumped. He was getting ready to go to college. He was going to his graduation practice, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brandon, a senior at Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School on Staten Island, lives with his mother and two older sisters. His friends told his family hed been happy at school in recent days and he was focused on his fitness and cooking healthy food. He was a straight-A student, his sister said. He always did his chores at home, always respectful. He would help with our niece and nephews. My sister, she also has two kids, and he would try to spend time with them. And this just came so unexpected to us. The morning he jumped, he sent a group of friends increasingly alarming text messages, his sister said. In one of those messages he wishes his friends a farewell, telling them to stay true to themselves and that he loves them, she said. And then he sent a picture that he was on the ferry, on the outer part of the ferry, looking towards the water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told his friends that he was going to jump off the boat. He did joke about it a few times laughing, jokingly so they didnt know if it was serious this time, Cathleen said. But then two minutes after, he leaves his friends on read. One of his pals called him four times, but Brandon left his backpack and phone behind when he jumped, his sister said. By that time it was already too late, she said. For those contemplating suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is reachable 24/7 at (800) 273-8255. They can also call 311 or 911 for help. New York City also has several resources, including NYC Well the citys free and confidential hotline that offers mental or substance abuse help 24 hours a day over the phone, through its online chat or via text. With Rocco Parascandola WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) The New York State Police are seeking the public assistance regarding an alleged larceny case in the town of Watertown. Authorities are requesting help from the public identifying a male who committed a larceny at the Target on April 28. Anyone who recognizes the male in the below photo is asked to contact State Police at 315-366-6000. Reference case number NY2500360586. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Two new Ocean State Job Lot stores, which were formerly occupied by Big Lots, will be opening their doors later this week. abc27 news reported back in March 2025, when Ocean State Job Lot first announced that it was in the process of acquiring 15 Big Lots locations across eight states, which included two locations right here in Pennsylvania. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe Now Local Business Beat These Pennsylvania stores included: 3850 Union Deposit Road (Harrisburg, Pa.) 7150 Hamilton Boulevard (Trexlertown, Pa.) According to Ocean State Job Lot, both of these new Pennsylvania stores will have an official grand opening on Saturday, June 7. Ocean State Job Lot is opening a brand new store in Harrisburg, PA, Ocean State Job Lot shared on Facebook. Come join us to celebrate our new store opening on June 7th from 8am-11am! Be prepared to shop and have fun! We will have a giveaway, a special guest, free coffee and more! We cant wait to see everyone! Ocean State Job Lot previously said that each of their stores hire up to 70 employees which includes store leadership; supervisory; and full-time, part-time, and seasonal associates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To apply for a position, you can click here. According to Ocean State Job Lot, they were first founded in 1977 and today boasts 159 store locations in New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Currently, the company has approximately 5,600 employees. abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. DELTONA, Fla. (WFLA) A Volusia County Sheriffs deputy has resigned in lieu of termination after she was caught riding a motorcycle with a fake tag that read, CHASEM3. Former Deputy Erica Muzzy was involved in a series of incidents Saturday night in Deltona and is also being investigated for an apparent social media account where she showed herself doing reckless stunt riding on public roads, the sheriffs office said. Secret recording leads to child trafficking victims rescue after sister calls 911: HCSO Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies first encountered Muzzy around 8:51 p.m. Saturday night as she was with a group of other motorcyclists at a Wawa on Howland Boulevard. Officials said they recognized one of those riders as a motorcyclist who had fled from a traffic stop earlier that evening. The suspect called out to Muzzy as he was being detained, and according to authorities, she became argumentative with the deputy conducting the investigation. The fleeing motorcyclist was ultimately arrested and taken to jail, deputies said. Muzzy then left the area on her motorcycle. Only about two hours later, a deputy pulled over a motorcycle on I-4 near for having a tag that was flipped up and not visible. Authorities said the rider was Muzzy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When flipped down, the tag read, CHASEM3. Muzzy was charged with possession of a counterfeit license plate and taken to the Branch Jail with a $2,500 bond. She had been a deputy with the Volusia County Sheriffs Office since 2021. The sheriffs office said its internal investigation into her conduct online is 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 WFLA. A Baldwin Park police officer was killed and another seriously wounded in a shootout with a rifle-wielding suspect Saturday night, prompting a wave of grief across Southern Californias law enforcement community. The fallen officer has been identified as Samuel Riveros, a nine-year veteran of the Baldwin Park Police Department. According to his LinkedIn page and statements from city leaders, Riveros was a dedicated public servant, an avid snowboarder, and a passionate Dodgers fan. The deadly confrontation began about 7:15 p.m. in a neighborhood near the 4200 block of Filhurst Avenue, after officers responded to reports of a man firing a rifle in the street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officers arrived, they were met by gunfire, said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna during a Saturday night press conference. The Baldwin Park Police Department has released this photo of Officer Samuel Riveros, who was killed in the line of duty. LA County Sheriff Robert Luna (left) and Baldwin Park Police Chief Robert Lopez (right) speak to press outside Los Angeles General Medical Center after a shooting in Baldwin Park leaving one police officer killed and another wounded on Sunday, June 1, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) LA County Sheriff Robert Luna (left) and Baldwin Park Police Chief Robert Lopez (right) speak to press outside Los Angeles General Medical Center after a shooting in Baldwin Park leaving one police officer killed and another wounded on Sunday, June 1, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Law enforcement work to investigate a shooting scene at 4200 Block Filhurst Avenue on Sunday, June 1, 2025 in Baldwin Park, CA, after the shooting left one officer dead and another wounded yesterday evening. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Police officers cordon off an area near the site of a shooting in Baldwin Park on May 31, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Two officers were shot and injured Saturday while responding to a call in Baldwin Park on May 31. The shooting was reported in the 4200 block of Filhurst Avenue around 7:15 p.m., according to CHP. (Photo by I RYU/VCG via Getty Images) SWAT Team units are seen after two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on May 31, 2025. (Citizen) LOS ANGELES, CA MAY 31: Police officers cordon off an area near the site of a shooting in Baldwin Park on May 31, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Two officers were shot and injured Saturday while responding to a call in Baldwin Park on May 31. The shooting was reported in the 4200 block of Filhurst Avenue around 7:15 p.m., according to CHP. (Photo by I RYU/VCG via Getty Images) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on May 31, 2025. (Citizen) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on May 31, 2025. (KNN) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on May 31, 2025. (RMG) An officer being airlifted to the USC Medical Center after being shot by a suspect in Baldwin Park on May 31, 2025. (@baldwinpark_) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on May 31, 2025. (Citizen) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on May 31, 2025. (RMG) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on May 31, 2025. (RMG) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on May 31, 2025. (KNN) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on May 31, 2025. (KNN) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on May 31, 2025. (RMG) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on May 31, 2025. (Citizen) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on May 31, 2025. (RMG) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on May 31, 2025. (KTLA) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on May 31, 2025. (Citizen) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on May 31, 2025. (KNN) Both Riveros and a second officer were hit in the exchange. Riveros was airlifted to USC Medical Center, where he later died. The second officer, transported by ambulance, remains in stable condition and is expected to recover, according to L.A. County Fire Department officials. Assemblymember Blanca Rubio confirmed Riveros identity Sunday morning, writing in a statement, We thank you for the courage you held in the deeply humbled decision you made to protect and serve the people of Baldwin Park. May you rest easy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baldwin Park Police Chief Robert Lopez fought back tears at a press conference. Our officer was an amazing man, he said. Its extremely tragic to have to deal with this. I ask the community to remember the officers and deputies who go out there every day, making it safe for all of our families and residents. Authorities said officers returned fire, striking the gunman, who was also taken to the hospital and remains in stable condition. His name has not been released. Investigators say they also found a third person nearby who had suffered fatal gunshot wounds, possibly shot by the suspect before police arrived. Witness video showed dozens of patrol cars, SWAT vehicles, and tactical officers descending on the neighborhood after the gunfight. Helicopters hovered overhead as officers aimed rifles at a home believed to be tied to the shooter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A resident told KTLA he heard between 10 to 20 gunshots during the incident. Another residents windshield was shattered by gunfire, and others - gathered for backyard parties and weekend get-togethers - were seen on video frantically fleeing for cover. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department Homicide Bureau is leading the investigation. As of Sunday afternoon, no motive has been shared, and authorities have not confirmed early reports that a second suspect may have been involved. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. After two years of preparation, the Village of Oak Park, Illinois, is starting "strict enforcement" of its ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, Wednesday Journal reported. "Beginning June 1 of this year, there will be a full ban on gas-powered leaf blowers," Jonathan Burch, director of neighborhood services for Oak Park, told a meeting of village trustees, per Wednesday Journal. Oak Park is not alone in banning the noisy, highly polluting landscaping tools. As the Associated Press has reported, a growing number of municipalities across the United States have instituted bans on the sale and/or use of gas-powered leaf blowers and similar devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California, the nation's most populous state, banned the sale of gas-powered leaf blowers, lawn mowers, and other small, off-road engines in 2024, per California Local. Opponents of dirty-fuel-powered landscaping tools point to the noise the machines make as well as the disproportionate amount of pollution they produce. According to the California Air Resources Board, one hour of gas-powered leaf blower use releases as much planet-warming pollution as driving a car 1,100 miles, or the distance from Los Angeles to Denver. How could this be? For years, even dirty-fuel-powered cars and trucks have become more efficient, largely because governments have forced automakers to comply with ever-stricter pollution standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, until recently, lawmakers largely exempted small, off-road engines (SOREs) from these standards. This created a widening gap between the amount of pollution coming from new automobiles and the amount coming from the much less powerful engines in devices such as leaf blowers and lawn mowers. The resulting pollution is not only bad for the environment; it's also bad for the health of those in the vicinity of gas-powered leaf blowers and other machines with SOREs. This includes children and the operators of the devices, who are exposed to high levels of carcinogenic compounds and other pollution, according to the Santa Cruz Coalition for a Healthy and Safe Environment. While there are many reasons to ban gas-powered leaf blowers, it's also important to recognize and help lessen the economic impact such bans have on individuals, particularly landscaping professionals. The cost of transitioning to cleaner, battery-powered tools can be eased by financial incentives for pros and consumers who make the switch. Since banning noisy, polluting leaf blowers benefits the entire community, it is only fair that the burden should not be placed on a few individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trustee Cory Wesley noted that it will be important to ticket property owners who employ people utilizing gas equipment as well as the contractors. "I don't think we should ever issue one ticket without the other," Wesley said. "I think the only way to keep this contained and reasonable is if there's some kind of interpersonal accountability among neighbors. "Most of the landscaper contractors in our village are going to be Hispanic, and calling authorities on people here to do a service feels icky, too. So there needs to be a consequence for the person that's paying them to be here." 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. TIANJIN, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Just 20 km from central Hanoi, in Vietnam's famed furniture-making region, Nguyen Lan grew up surrounded by business. Today, the 24-year-old has come to China, aiming to leverage social media and her Chinese language skills to bridge the markets of the two countries via e-commerce. The sophomore at Tianjin University in north China's Tianjin Municipality developed a strong interest in cross-border commerce during high school, when she purchased goods from Chinese e-shops and resold them in Vietnam via Facebook and other platforms. "Whatever I bought from China, people would rush to buy," she said with a smile. Eyeing the huge trade potential between the two countries, young Vietnamese people like Lan are attracted to China, learning the Chinese language and seeking business opportunities in cross-border e-commerce. Lan was born into a business-oriented family, with her brother running a mobile phone shop and her sister being an active entrepreneur. Influenced by her siblings, Lan started reselling items for her classmates in high school through platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, gradually becoming a micro-influencer with over 4,000 followers. However, as more Vietnamese people began learning Chinese and selling Chinese goods online, competition intensified. Realizing that long-term success in cross-border e-commerce requires better language skills and deeper cultural understanding, she decided to pursue further studies in China. She was admitted to Tianjin University in 2023, when she was first impressed by the maturity and efficiency of China's e-commerce ecosystem. "While cross-border e-commerce in Vietnam is still in a phase of rapid growth, China's platforms are already mature, with abundant products, efficient logistics and excellent shopping experiences," she said. She said Vietnamese merchants are very enthusiastic about sourcing goods from China, frequently traveling to Guangzhou, Yiwu and other cities to purchase wholesale products for retail in Vietnam. Recently, Lan witnessed merchants in Yiwu using a Chinese AI model. By simply describing their needs to a camera, the model could generate multilingual scripts for promotional videos, enabling the quick creation of cross-border marketing content. "I was amazed and excited when I saw it for the first time," she said. Lan added that AI technology can significantly lower the barriers to cross-border purchases, improve operational efficiency, and help small businesses expand into international markets. "I believe the combination of AI and cross-border e-commerce will greatly promote global trade development." During her spare time, Lan actively documents her life in China. Her videos have recorded the daily lives of Vietnamese students in China and helped more Chinese people understand Vietnam, gaining over 6,000 followers on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. "Understanding leads to closeness. I hope to help more Chinese friends learn about my homeland," she said, adding that content related to Vietnamese rice noodles, spring rolls and landscapes has been popular with her Chinese followers. She was particularly thrilled to discover that, in Tianjin, she could easily purchase coffee, cashews and dried fruits from her hometown with just a few taps on her phone, making her feel closer to home. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Vietnam. Over the years, the two countries have strengthened economic and trade relations. China has been Vietnam's largest trading partner since 2004, while Vietnam has been China's largest trading partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations since 2016. Bilateral trade has exceeded 200 billion U.S. dollars for four consecutive years, reaching 260.65 billion dollars in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 13.5 percent. Looking to the future, Lan is determined to bring more Vietnamese specialties to the Chinese market. "I also aim to use AI technology to enhance the efficiency of short video production, creating more professional and engaging e-commerce content to make cross-border e-commerce more personal and competitive," she added. Law enforcement located the body of a man who went missing near an Idaho campground earlier this week. The mans disappearance was reported through a 911 call at 2:50 p.m. Wednesday, after last being seen at 1:30 p.m. that day near the Wilderness Gateway Campground in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, the Idaho County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. The campground is near the Lochsa River off U.S. 12, about 70 miles northeast of Grangeville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Idaho County Sheriffs Office identified the missing man on Sunday as 68-year-old Montana resident Robert Howe. The search ended at 2:10 p.m. Saturday after an Idaho County drone sighted Howes body in the river about two miles from where he was last seen, the sheriffs office said in a Sunday news release. Officials did not provide a cause of death and the Idaho County Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to the Idaho Statesmans request for more information. The sheriffs office said Thursday that they suspected he may have drowned near the campground. Officials sent thoughts and prayers to the family as they navigate this difficult time, and expressed gratitude to those who assisted in the search. We wish to thank the Nez Perce County Dive Team, Two Bear Air, the Idaho County Posse K9 team, the US Forest Service Fire Staff and River Rangers, and the multiple family members, volunteers, and friends of Mr. Howe who tirelessly worked to help locate him, the sheriffs office said. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Lawmakers argue Ohio must restrict adult cabaret performances and update indecent exposure laws, citing recent obscene drag queen shows and the case of a transgender woman found not guilty on charges related to using a womens locker room. The Ohio House Judiciary Committee had the first hearing on Wednesday for House Bill 249, legislation to prohibit nudity and sexual conduct in public. The bill would also limit adult cabaret performances, defined as a show harmful to juveniles that features topless or go-go dancers, strippers, and entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performers or entertainers biological sex. Locals paint rainbow fence at German Village bar that had Pride flags stolen Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement H.B. 249 would ban these shows in all locations other than adult cabarets, meaning a nightclub, bar, juice bar, restaurant, bottle club or similar establishment. Coined the Indecent Exposure Modernization Act, the bill is being proposed by Reps. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania) and Angela King (R-Celina), with the support of 42 out of 65 Ohio House Republican representatives. Watch a previous NBC4 report on H.B. 249 in the video player above. The catalyst for this bill came from my own community. I was appalled to watch a video of a family friendly event held in our city park where adults were dancing for children, King said during the hearing, describing a drag queen show in Celina. One of the performers, dressed in a skimpy thonged leotard, twerked and gyrated on the concrete. King emphasized the bill doesnt include sexual orientation discrimination and promised the trans community will be able to dress and express their gender as they go to a grocery store, the post office and live their daily lives. Content like plays written by Shakespeare and performances like Mrs. Doubtfire and Tootsie will not be impacted, she said. Still, the proposal has been condemned by LGBTQ+ organizations, like the ACLU of Ohio, which argued it broadly targets anyone who performs exhibiting a gender identity different than the entertainers biological sex at birth and relies on notoriously vague legal standards used to determine whether content is considered obscene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio announces 2-week sales tax holiday This bill represents an unacceptable attack on our First Amendment rights to freely express ourselves, the group said in a statement. Drag is protected speech, just like any other art form. It is not a crime. Support drag queens and kings, and the entire LGBTQ+ community, by speaking out against this bill. H.B. 249 is identical to previous legislation introduced by Williams and King also banning adult cabaret performances. Williams has long argued the bills intention is to modernize revised code regarding obscenity and indecent exposure to minors, not to ban drag. The representative cited the case of Rachel Glines, a trans woman who was charged with public indecency for changing in a womens locker room at a Xenia YMCA. Glines was found not guilty by a Xenia judge because her genitals were not directly visible. Williams said Glines wouldve been convicted under H.B. 249, which changes Ohio law from prosecuting exposure of private parts to private area, meaning the genitals where nude or covered by an undergarment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though these terms do not seem to differ much in common parlance, amending the section to say private area has a large impact on the viability of the enforcement of the law, Williams said. Had the section said private area, our justice system would have been able to fully prosecute Glines. Ohio residents are among Americas biggest gamblers, according to recent study Rep. Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) argued during the hearing that there are already thorough laws on the books for obscenity and indecent exposure and emphasized that the Celina incident King described is already against Ohio law. My concern here is that this bill is not only redundant, but its redundant in a way thats actively targeting a group of people that dont need more things targeted at them, Isaacsohn said. Its just not right to say all over the state of Ohio, youre walking down the street, you look to the left, look to the right and youre subject to people taking off their clothes and showing their private areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Williams and Kings previous proposal, H.B. 249 outlines the following penalties if Ohioans are found violating the legislation: A misdemeanor of the first degree if a performance occurs in the presence of a juvenile under the age of 18. A felony of the fifth degree if the performance is obscene. A felony of the fourth degree if the performance is obscene and occurs in the presence of a juvenile under the age of 13. The bills language is modeled after a Tennessee law that also bans adult cabaret performances. The contested measure was ruled unconstitutionally vague and substantially overbroad by a district judge in 2023, but then reinstated by an appeals court last year. In February, the Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to the law. Ohio lottery winner takes $2 million prize from Columbus Sheetz Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A conservative Lancaster group advocated for its city council to adopt a measure with the same language last year after they argued a performance during a LGBTQ+ Pride event with a drag queen was pornographic. Small business owners in Lancaster said they experienced an influx of customers after their shops were included in a social media post tying them to the debated event. Bellefontaine, a rural Ohio city, was originally supposed to be the first in the state to vote on whether to ban such performances in public. However, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the proposed ordinance, which also used the adult cabaret performance wording, would not appear on the ballot given it was submitted fraudulently. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jun. 2BEAVERCREEK The state of Ohio and the Air Force's chief research and science arm renewed an agreement to share knowledge and technical know-how Monday, agreeing to find ways to foster mutually beneficial economic development in Ohio. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Brig. Gen. Jason Bartolomei, commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) documents at the Pentagon Tower Club. "This is a relationship that is vitally important to the state of Ohio, and I hope, general, vitally important to the Air Force," DeWine said to Bartolomei in a joint press conference announcing the continued partnership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bartolomei called Ohio "a vital partner." "This memorandum represents a shared vision of the future," the one-star general said. Headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, AFRL is the primary scientific research and development center for the Air Force. Wright-Patterson itself is a hugely important economic engine for the Dayton area and the state, being Ohio's largest single-site employer with some 38,000 military and civilian employees and a reliable magnet for high-paying defense industry jobs. "The brainpower we have at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is unsurpassed anywhere in the world," DeWine said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeWine credited Wright-Patterson's importance and location with attracting industry players such as Joby Aviation and Anduril Industries to the state. The governor singled out for praise the SkyVision system at the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport, a system that allows Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) control in the national airspace system for drone operators. "The future of Ohio is tied very, very closely to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base," DeWine said, adding: "What's going on in Springfield is also vitally important." Springfield-Beckley is also home to the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence that supports research at Wright-Patterson, AFRL, NASA and a host of private companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2007, the state and the Air Force signed a similar memorandum of understanding. "This partnership will enable AFRL to engage with the state of Ohio at a higher level to maximize AFRL and state of Ohio collaboration opportunities," Maj. Gen. Curtis Bedke, then AFRL commander, said at the time. Based at Wright-Patterson, AFRL performs Air Force-focused research with more than 12,500 employees across the world. Oklahoma House lawmakers give Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, front right, a standing ovation on Friday after she thanked the chamber for their support this session as she battled breast cancer. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY A bipartisan group of 28 female lawmakers sent Gov. Kevin Stitt a letter expressing their profound disappointment that he vetoed a measure aimed at expanding access to mammograms. The women wrote Saturday that Stitts veto of House Bill 1389 was disheartening to patients, doctors, families and the very values we all hold dear in our great state, but said that female lawmakers were celebrating the Legislatures overwhelming decision to override Stitts veto. The House voted 83-3 to override the veto and the Senate voted 42-2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They pledged to continue (to) fight for the women and families who need these protections. The measure, which becomes law Nov. 1, requires two additional mammogram tests to be covered by health insurance in Oklahoma. The bill was authored by Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, who is battling breast cancer. Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, thanks House leadership Friday for their continued support this session. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice) Only six women in the Legislature did not sign the letter. In his veto message, Stitt said he vetoed the bill because while hes sympathetic to people battling breast cancer, the legislation would have imposed new and costly insurance mandates on private health plans and raised insurance premiums. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spokespeople from the Governors Office did not return a request for comment Monday. The lawmakers, who penned the letter, said the measure will help with the early detection of breast cancer by requiring insurers to cover the costs of screenings that are recommended by medical experts and are widely recognized as essential tools. The Legislature voted late Thursday to override Stitts vetoes. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, said he supported the veto override during a press conference after the House adjourned. A lot of women across the state of Oklahoma reached out about the mammogram bill, he said Friday morning. As we know, an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure, particularly when it comes to cancer. Early prevention and treatment is way cheaper, as well as better health outcomes, than finding cancer later in life. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Gov. Kevin Stitt jokingly shakes Rep. Trey Caldwell's hand on Wednesday after learning that he hadn't yet vetoed any of Caldwell's bills during session. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice) The curtain fell on the Stitt Show last week. Because if theres one thing that defined Oklahomas 2025 annual legislative session, Gov. Kevin Stitt finally played a starring role after six years in a row of lackluster performance. The Republican adroitly exercised his power to relegate even lawmakers from his own party to supporting roles in their own production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For better or worse, pretty much every major policy passed during the 60th legislative session had his fingerprints all over it. Income tax cuts. Creation of business courts. Four new appointees to the State Board of Education. Stopping the education departments effort to collect information on students citizenship. Extending the school year by a day. Banning cellphones in schools. Largely ending virtual school days. Flat agency budgets. Check. Check. And more checks. These victories represent an amazing turn of events for the governor, who year after year, has seen some of his major policy priorities like calls to cut taxes stymied by fellow Republicans. In prior years he employed one of the few tools a governor has in the Legislature: forcing lawmakers to return to the Capitol to reconsider his top agenda items during special sessions. But his efforts were futile, and those useless special sessions wasted taxpayer dollars with little to show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, Stitt was so pleased with this sessions outcomes, he said last week he doesnt see a reason to call a special session. Lawmakers, meanwhile, sat mutely for days as Stitt vetoed their bills or insulted their priorities. As of Thursday morning the second-to-last day of session the governor had vetoed nearly 70 bills, the majority of which were authored by Republicans. He also let an astounding number of bills over 300 at last count passively take effect without his signature. When asked about his decision to not sign bills, Stitt said those are the measures that he doesnt think are going to move the needle. He also said the people think its super weird that there are over 500 new laws proposed each year. This is the same governor who vetoed measures that increase womens access to breast cancer screening or that aim to improve Oklahomans access to the public records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But later Thursday, lawmakers suddenly emerged from their self-imposed supporting role and spent the final full day of session criticizing the governors decisions. Against Stitts wishes, they took the rare step of firing his commissioner of mental health after the agencys finances fell into disarray. Allie Friesens removal marked one of their final actions and sent a clear sign that the honeymoon is apparently over and it might be a rocky interim. They also overrode nearly four dozen of Stitts vetoes, including the breast cancer and public transparency measures. But it was too little too late. Stitt astutely took advantage of the legislative power vacuum that existed for most of the session to flex his muscles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican lawmakers seemingly wandered into session with no large-scale priorities of their own, and even the House speaker acknowledged early Friday that Stitt had emerged from session with what he wanted. Stitts clear goals must have been a much needed beacon for a rudderless Republican legislative caucus led by new leadership trying to gain their footing and rein in state Superintendent Ryan Walters. Walters, by the way, was the sessions biggest loser amid a meteoric fall from grace and the end of his storied bromance with Stitt. The two men found themselves exchanging escalating verbal jabs over the path forward for public schools. Stitt fired the three education board members that backed Walters, and after closed door budget negotiations, lawmakers revealed that theyd rejected most of Walters budget requests, including spending $3 million on Bibles. Lawmakers also dealt Walters citizenship collection rule the coup de grace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But whether the 2025 Stitt Show will go down in infamy or herald a renaissance remains to be seen. One thing is for sure, this session will certainly be the one that defines Stitts legacy in years to come. Only time will tell if hes remembered as the ultimate champ or biggest chump. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Oklahoma has opened the door for prosecutors to seek the death penalty against someone convicted of rape involving a child under 14 years old, even though capital punishment in such cases has been ruled unconstitutional. Senate Bill 599 was signed into law and becomes effective in November. Current state law allows the death penalty for a second or subsequent conviction of that crime. The bill approved by lawmakers and signed by the governor allows district attorneys to request the convicted be executed after one offense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Does there have to be a second child? Or is one enough?" asked state Rep. and former prosecutor Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, during debate on the House floor this year. Prosecutors seeking the death penalty in these cases, however, face an almost insurmountable obstacle: the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2008, the court ruled in Kennedy v. Louisiana that the death penalty cannot be imposed for crimes where the victim did not die or where the victim's death was not intended. The bill's author, state Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, told TV news station KOCO that he is confident that the high court will eventually revisit the ruling. Despite the renewed political desire to execute child rapists, capital punishment has become an even rarer sentence imposed by courts in Oklahoma and across the nation. It's been three years since someone has been sentenced to death in an Oklahoma court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nationwide, there were 26 new death sentences imposed in 2024, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. In 2010, there were more than 100. More: Oklahoma death row: Could Stacy Drake be state's first death sentence in three years? The bill garnered broad support, mostly along party lines, from both the Oklahoma Senate and House of Representatives. Despite acknowledging the heinous nature of the crime, some Democratic lawmakers had pointed questions about unintended effects. They expressed concern that if perpetrators know they are eligible for the death penalty anyway, a rapist might care less about keeping their victim alive. Others warned that children might be discouraged from reporting or testifying against a family member if it could mean their execution. State Rep. Michelle McCane, a Democrat from Tulsa, revealed during debate against the measure that she was a victim of sexual assault as a child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It would have added to my trauma and likely would have made me hesitate to tell on the offender if I had thought the consequence could be they get the death penalty," she said. "Not because I didn't want them to have a severe consequence, not because I was not hurt and upset, but as a small child, that would have been a really big burden to bear and I don't think I would have come forward if that was the case." McCane also questioned the bill's House co-author whether the death penalty is an effective deterrent. "I don't know if it reduces crimes," replied state Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, "but it shows that cowards who commit these crimes get the sentence they deserve." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Death penalty for child rape: Oklahoma law challenges SCOTUS ruling Members of the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability meet May 21 in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY An Oklahoma Voice reporter won first place in the Education Writers Association national contest for her reporting that uncovered that state officials had quietly lowered student testing proficiency benchmarks. Nuria Martinez-Keel won first prize in news reporting for a trio of stories she wrote in 2024 that uncovered changes to student test scores that showed student proficiency rates jumped as much as 33% even while actual academic gains were largely stagnant. Relying on interviews with parents, educators, testing experts and others, Martinez-Keel reported that the Department of Education did not disclose that dramatic growth in student performance was because of lowered performance expectations. In previous years, the department notified districts of new scoring methods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The performance expectations, known as cut scores, indicate what knowledge students must demonstrate to perform at grade level. Last month, the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability voted unanimously to restore the cut scores to the previous bar used from 2017 to 2023, which align with the national standard. The contest judges wrote that Martinez-Keels dogged reporting highlighted an otherwise hidden issue that the public may not have been aware of. This story series was both enlightening and compelling, a contest Judge said. It left me wanting to know more about the discrepancies in scores and why the state administration sought to distance itself from its own decisions. I also appreciated the diversity of thought and voices across the three stories. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) June is Pride Month and Oklahomans from near and far gathered across the metro to celebrate. 39th Street Pride Parade courtesy KFOR Joy and freedom is what many at Sundays Pride parade say its all about. Its a family outside of blood. Its a family thats there for people who dont have a blood family, said Dusty Engel. Sonja Martinez told News 4, Its about everybody and we all need each other, especially in todays time. We all need each other and this is our party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Families, kids and pets packed 39th Street to kick off Pride Month, enjoying music, food and community. Its like kind of triumph through adversity and like, thats something to be proud of and being true to yourself and who you are and everything like that, said David Gleeson. Gleeson is the oldest of ten siblings, teaching them about the history of Pride and why its important. Ive spent my life being open and, like, visible to my younger siblings. And so, I feel like thats important because, if kids see it early, then they wont become hateful as adults, Gleeson said. In this years legislative session, Governor Kevin Stitt signed a bill banning obscene performances adult performances in the public. Many people at Sundays parade heard about the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dusty Engel said, People like to judge before seeing something. Come out to Pride, see what a drag queen really does with the community. Theyre the backbone and theyre here to push our rights. Theyre here to just help us, theyre here to educate kids. You know, theyre not here to show obscenities. Gleeson added, If they would just come out here and have an open mind I would hope they change their minds. Sonja Martinez said everyone in the community depends on one another. We all have basically the same dreams. We just want to let people love who we want to love and let us be ourselves, Martinez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oklahoma City Mayor, David Holt, also kicked off the month with a post on social media reading, As the eyes of the world turn to our city this coming week, they will know that all people are welcome in Oklahoma City, a place of inclusion, freedom and love. Happy Pride, OKC! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) The Old Dominion Job Corps Center in Amherst County is one of nearly 100 Job Corps centers slated for closure by the United States Department of Labor. As the 2025-2026 fiscal budget continues to get finalized at the federal level, tough decisions had to be made. According to the Department of Labor, the Job Corps facilities are projected to operate at a $213 million deficit. There are currently less than 25,000 students enrolled nationwide after the department halted enrollments in March, and 78 students attend Old Dominion Job Corps Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, local agencies like Express Employment Professionals in Lynchburg are ready to help anyone interested, including former Old Dominion Job Corps students, as they look for the next generation of young workers. That age group is so important to us because were looking for the next set of workers that are going to join the workforce, Express owner Tracy Brummette said. As everybody knows, there are lots and lots of folks are retiring, businesses are growing and its an exciting time in Lynchburg, and we just want to make sure that were capturing all the talent and skills and serving our community. Old Dominion Job Corps re-opens for in-person and hands-on learning Express offers a variety of employment opportunities for people aged 18 and up, from entry level positions, to warehouse and office work, and seasonal help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People interested just need identification and a list of references and work history, and Express will take care of the rest. We do interviews every single day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and they just need to come in and be themselves, Brummette said. Theyre going to sit down with some of our wonderful recruiters, and we just make the job search super easy for everyone. Anyone seeking more information can find it on Express website, social media and the ExpressJobs app. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GAZA/JERUSALEM, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Hamas said on Sunday that it affirms its readiness to begin indirect negotiations over the Gaza ceasefire immediately. In a press statement, Hamas expressed its appreciation for the continued efforts by Qatar and Egypt to broker a ceasefire agreement. The movement said that it is ready to "immediately begin a round of indirect negotiations" to address the outstanding issues with "the other party." Hamas said the objective of the talks would be to end the "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza, ensure the delivery of relief aid to the Palestinian people, and achieve a permanent ceasefire accompanied by the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. There has been no immediate comment from the Israeli side regarding the Hamas announcement. However, Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir has ordered the expansion of the ground operation into additional areas in both the southern and northern parts of the Gaza Strip, according to a statement issued by the Israel Defense Forces. He stated that the expansion of activity will continue until conditions are created for the return of the Israeli hostages and the decisive defeat of Hamas. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Want to enjoy a craft beer or perhaps a coffee milk cocktail with your hot wiener? The new owners of Olneyville New York System have applied for permits to sell alcoholic beverages at the restaurants Providence and Cranston locations. Heritage Restaurant Group, which purchased the restaurant from fourth-generation owners Greg Stevens and Stephanie Stevens Turini in February, told 12 News, We are applying for a BV alcoholic beverage license to offer beer and a signature coffee milk cocktail, all to be served responsibly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We believe that offering beer and coffee milk alongside our iconic wieners, burgers, and fries is a natural extension of Rhode Islands rich culinary culture and is an American staple, Vice President of Hospitality Brad Head continued. BACKGROUND: Olneyville New York System sold to Heritage Restaurant Group At a meeting of Cranstons Safety Services and Licenses Committee on May 5, the committee voted unanimously to approve the restaurants application for a Class BV Liquor License, which will be issued once Olneyville New York System provides a certificate from the state Department of Health. (The attorney representing Heritage was quick to assure City Councilor Andy Andujar that coffee milk will remain on the menu.) In Providence, the matter was raised at a May 29 Board of Licenses meeting and postponed until June 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A city spokesperson told 12 News the Board wants additional details to be submitted so that the scope and nature of the liquor service can be clearly documented and included in the official record, and is requiring Olneyville New York System to provide specifics on where the bar and liquor service areas will be located, as well as an updated business plan with provisions for alcohol storage, sales, and service. Jose Moya, a Providence resident who says he remembers when hot wieners were three for $1, told 12 News hes in favor of Olneyville adding beer to the menu. Its a very good idea. In the summertime especially, its going to be good with the food, Moya said. Why not? 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. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Good News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. (Photo by Trevor Bexon/Nevada Current) As of late Sunday, 223 bills were listed by the Nevada State Legislature as being in Gov. Joe Lombardos office, and dozens more are headed his way. So far, the first-term Republican governor has vetoed just one bill and signed 169. For comparison, Lombardo vetoed 75 bills in 2023, setting a single-session veto record. He signed 535 bills. Nevada governors usually have five days, excluding Sundays, to veto a bill after it gets to their desk. Legislative rules extend that timeframe to 10 days in the waning days of the session. That means vetoes could be announced into next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So what might Lombardo veto this year? Below are the bills the Nevada Current has covered that are now on veto watch. Weve organized them by how bipartisan their journey through the Legislature was. That said, Lombardo last session did veto bills that passed unanimously, and he signed bills that the Republican caucuses voted against. Passed on party lines Bills with bipartisan support Bills unanimously supported CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. (WJZY) One person is dead after a reported mass shooting that left at least 11 other people hurt in Hickory, North Carolina, according to the Catawba County Sheriffs Office. Authorities were called to a home in the Mountain View community, about 60 miles north of Charlotte, shortly before 1 a.m. on Sunday for reports of people shot. Officials said 12 victims have been reported; one of whom was pronounced dead, one in critical condition, and 10 who are hospitalized in serious condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deceased victim was identified as 58-year-old Shawn Patrick Hood of Lenoir. Disabled woman cooped up for 42 days in a Virginia hotel room freed A party was confirmed to have been happening at the home at the time of the shooting, with attendees ranging in age from teenagers to those in their 20s and older. Major Aaron Turk said deputies first responded to the home at around 11 p.m. for a noise complaint. As of Sunday, no arrests have been made, but investigators from the Hickory Police Department and special agents from the State Bureau of Investigation are working to establish a motive and to identify any suspects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials do believe there was more than one shooter involved, with more than 80 shots fired at the scene. Eyewitnesses told local reporters that many people attending the party were from nearby high schools and people began scattering, ducking for cover and running toward safety when shots erupted. The Catawba County Schools told Nexstars WJZY in a statement that it had no information at this time regarding whether any of our students were involved in the mass shooting incident. Turk said at a news conference that the street is usually quiet. Anyone with information about this incident should contact the Catawba County Sheriffs Office at 828-464-3112. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 The Hill. Police arrested the man believed to be responsible for multiple machete attacks, one of which was fatal, in downtown Los Angeles early Sunday morning. The L.A. Police Department confirmed to KTLA that the first call came in at 12:17 a.m., reporting a gruesome machete attack near 11th Street and South Grand Avenue. Officers arrived to find a man, likely in his 60s, suffering from stab wounds that appeared to have been inflicted by a machete strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paramedics took the unidentified man to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. While LAPD officers were investigating this scene, the department received another call of an ambulance cutting reported at a secondary location. LAPD was not able to confirm the time that this call was made. Officers responded to find a second victim suffering from stab wounds, also from a machete, in the area of Broadway Street and Olympic Boulevard. The victim was described as a man believed to be about 35 years old. A victim of a fatal double-machete stabbing is seen being transported by paramedics in downtown Los Angeles. June 2025. (RMG News) A victim of a fatal double-machete stabbing is seen being transported by paramedics in downtown Los Angeles. June 2025. (RMG News) A victim of a fatal double-machete stabbing is seen being transported by paramedics in downtown Los Angeles. June 2025. (RMG News) The suspect of a fatal double-machete stabbing is seen under arrest in downtown Los Angeles. June 2025. (RMG News) The suspect of a fatal double-machete stabbing is seen under arrest in downtown Los Angeles. June 2025. (RMG News) A victim of a fatal double-machete stabbing is seen being transported by paramedics in downtown Los Angeles. June 2025. (RMG News) Paramedics transported this victim to a local hospital, where he was last listed to be in stable condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details are limited; officials did not immediately depict how many stab wounds the victims had or where they were hit on their bodies. Officers at the scene of the second stabbing received information about a possible suspect. During a search of the area, police found the suspect and the machete believed to have been used in both attacks. Family sues a Hollywood Hills cemetery for placing mothers headstone over wrong grave An LAPD spokesperson said they could not confirm where the suspect was apprehended. In an X post at 10:16 a.m., the departments Central Division said, Several different crime scenes were established and we thank the community for their patience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspects identity was not released, but officials said he was most likely in his 20s to 30s and stood about 6 feet 2 inches tall. LAPD did not have further information regarding charges as of Sunday afternoon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. With summer finally approaching, millions of travelers are expected to board flights from Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport. It's too early to accurately predict this summer's passenger counts, said airport spokesperson Summer Hegranes. However, she said this year should be somewhat similar to 2024, which saw more than 1.7 million passengers between June and August, according to airport data. Generally, holiday periods such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day are the busiest at the airport. July is typically the busiest travel month of the summer, said Hegranes in an email. Milwaukee did see a 5% increase in travelers last year compared to the previous year, with 6,316,245 passengers in 2024, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel previously reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's a guide on when to purchase your tickets for your summer vacation, plus a look at some of the top travel destinations for summer, according to Google Flights. When should you book your summer flights from Milwaukee? Average prices for U.S. flights are usually cheapest around 38 days before departure, with the historical low price range between 21 to 52 days before takeoff, according to Google Flights. Airlines do offer special deals for destinations from Milwaukee, and you can find the latest airfare deals here. The best deals are usually posted on Tuesday, but sales can be posted at any time, according to the airport. For a full list of cities you can visit nonstop from the Milwaukee airport, visit www.mitchellairport.com. Top travel destinations for Summer 2025: Here are the trending destinations searched on Google Flights for trips departing June 1 through Aug. 31, 2025, according to Google Flights. And it looks like at least one of those destinations won't require a flight for Wisconsinites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement San Juan, PR Billings, MT Nantucket, MA St. Louis, MO Providence, RI Maui, HI Omaha, NE Juneau, AK Bangor, ME Madison, WI Planning on traveling abroad? Here are some safety tips: The State Department advises citizens to sign up for their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive alerts and to make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for the country you're planning to visit. The State Department also recommends preparing a contingency plan for any emergency situations. Review its Traveler's Checklist. You can also visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information related to your destination. Top Google Flight trending international destinations: Curacao Osaka St. Lucia Tokyo Rio de Janeiro Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Planning to fly without a Real ID in Wisconsin? Here's what to bring to the airport This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Summer travel 2025: Top flight destinations include Madison, Wisconsin Opal Lee, known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth, is recovering in the hospital but doing well and in good spirits, her family says. Lee was hospitalized last month after visiting Ohio to mark the 30th anniversary of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, The Dallas Morning News reported. The 98-year-old is known for her decades-long campaign to establish Juneteenth - June 19 - as a national holiday, a dream that came to fruition in 2021 thanks to then-President Joe Biden. The Fort Worth, Texas, civil rights leader is still unstoppable, despite her hospitalization, according to a news release from Unity Unlimited Inc., a nonprofit run by her granddaughter Dione Sims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She is doing well and in good spirits," Sims said in a statement, according to WFAA. "We are waiting on discharge orders." Opal Lee, known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth has been hospitalized but is recovering well, her family says. (Getty Images) Lee is currently recovering in the hospital in Ohio, but is looking forward to returning home to Texas. It was not immediately clear why she was hospitalized or how long she had been there. Lee thanked those who have reached out to check on her in a Facebook post, writing, "Although I am unable to return the many texts and calls I have received over the past few days, please know that each one is appreciated; I am truly grateful for your concern and good wishes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee became known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth for her decades-long activism and efforts to make the day a federally recognized holiday in the U.S. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery after the Civil War, and recognizes the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas two years after it was issued. It is now celebrated every year on June 19 after Biden officially designated the day a holiday. Last year, Lee received a Presidential Medal of Freedom from Biden. She was also nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. Ukraine was jubilant on June 1 as news filtered through of a stunning drone attack targeting Russian heavy bombers, that simultaneously targeted four air bases, two of them thousands of miles inside Russia. "Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia this is the result of a special operation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU)," a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent on June 1. As well as the physical damage inflicted upon Russia by the attack, retired Australian Army Major-General Mick Ryan, told the Kyiv Independent it was also a "psychological blow." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That's the really profound impact for the Russians, that they're still vulnerable after three and a half years of war, that Ukraine can reach out and hurt them anywhere in Russia, including in the far east," he added. Here's everything we know and don't know about Operation Spiderweb. Ukraine's Russian bomber problem Throughout Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, its extensive fleet of heavy bombers have regularly launched mass missile attacks against Ukrainian cities, in particular targeting energy infrastructure in attacks that led to long periods of widespread blackouts across the country, and caused countless civilian deaths and injuries. During these attacks, the bombers fly from their bases to the Caspian Sea from where they launch their cruise missile payloads, before returning to their bases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout their sorties they fly in perfect safety, far out of range of Ukraine's air defenses. Their bases are also far from Ukraine, and out of range of any missiles that Ukraine possesses or has been given by its Western allies. Some air bases are in range of Ukraine's long-range drones, but as these are less sophisticated than missiles and carry smaller warheads, Kyiv has until now only had limited success in using them against Russia's heavy bombers. While Ukraine is taking steps to develop its own cruise and ballistic missiles that could reach these bases, as well as improving the reach and firepower of its long-range drones, Operation Spiderweb used one of the cheapest weapons already used on the battlefield first-person-view (FPV) drones. What do we know about the Operation Spiderweb drone operation? The first thing anyone knew about the attack were videos posted to social media by bemused Russians showing the bizarre scene of FPV drones flying out of the back of a truck and heading towards an already flaming air base. Russian media describe the logistics of the Ukrainian operation: Investigators questioned the truck drivers whose vehicles were used to launch drones A 55-year-old from Chelyabinsk named Alexander Z.said the truck belonged to a 37-year-old man named Artyom 1/ pic.twitter.com/ftDP6dTtOr Tymofiy Mylovanov (@Mylovanov) June 2, 2025 The SBU quickly began releasing information about the operation, even as it was reportedly still underway, and the extent of what was unfolding quickly became clear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A year-and-a-half in the planning, and reportedly personally overseen by SBU Chief Vasyl Malyuk and President Volodymyr Zelensky, Operation Spiderweb was, in Zelensky's words, an "absolutely unique operation." According to the SBU, the drones were smuggled into Russia where they were then hidden in the roofs of wooden cabins, which were then transported by truck to the air bases being targeted. When they reached their destinations, the roofs were retracted remotely and the drones simply flew off towards the Russian bombers. Zelensky later on June 1 released further information about the operation, including elements that are brazen in their audacity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Whats most interesting, and this can now be stated publicly, is that the 'office' of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions," he said. Zelensky also said that 117 drones were deployed with the "corresponding number of drone operators." "Its genuinely satisfying when something I authorized a year and six months ago comes to fruition and deprives Russians of over forty units of strategic aviation," he added. That satisfaction was also being felt on the streets of the Ukrainian capital on June 2. "I was actually shocked and couldnt believe they had pulled this off. In my opinion, its some kind of fantastic operation, Volodymyr, a Kyiv resident, told the Kyiv Independent. What don't we know about the operation? The full extent of the damage caused is not yet clear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SBU claimed more than 40 aircraft were hit at four different air bases Belaya air base in Irkutsk Oblast, Olenya air base in Murmansk Oblast, Diaghilev airbase in Ryazan Oblast, and Ivanovo airbase in Ivanovo Oblast. Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb. (Nizar al-Rifai/The Kyiv Independent) It added that the aircraft hit included A-50s, Tu-95s and Tu-22 M3s, and released one video clearly showing several aircraft ablaze at the Belaya air base. The SBU later claimed the operation caused approximately $7 billion in damage and disabled one third of Russia's cruise missile bombers. On June 3, Ukraine's General Staff said 41 Russian military aircraft were hit during Operation Spiderweb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least two A-50 Russian surveillance aircraft were damaged, the Telegraph reported on June 3, citing footage viewed by the publication. "This was not just a devastating blow to enemy aviation, but a serious slap in the face of the power and terrorist essence of the Russian Federation," Malyuk said in a statement on June 2. Independent confirmation of the damage caused is so far limited to satellite images of Belaya air base, which appear to confirm the destruction of at least three Tu-95MS strategic bombers and one Tu-22M3 aircraft, with an additional Tu-95MS visibly damaged. Another image shows two more likely destroyed Tu-22M3 bombers on the field. Today, Ukrainian intelligence reportedly launched 117 attack drones from trucks that had been placed near Russian air bases. I tasked several collects this morning via @umbraspace and my first images have already started processing. What a remarkable success in a well-executed pic.twitter.com/LzXulw8jnK Chris Biggers (@CSBiggers) June 2, 2025 The damage appears to have been limited to the Olenya and Belaya airbases, with the Russian Defense Ministry claiming to have thwarted the attacks at the Diaghilev and Ivanovo airbases. How many bombers does Russia have? According to the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft, an organisation that tracks and ranks the world's air forces, Russia at the beginning of 2025 had 58 Tu-22Ms, 47 Tu-95s, and 15 Tu-160 bombers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With 120 heavy bombers in total, Ukraine's claim of disabling one third is in line with its claim of hitting around 40 of them. But perhaps the biggest prize for Ukraine is the A-50 airborne early warning aircraft which provides several critical functions for the ongoing war in Ukraine, such as detecting air defense systems, guided missiles, and coordinating targets for Russian fighter jets. It's believed that Russia has fewer than 10 of these in operation, and Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov claimed in February 2024 that the number was as few as six shortly after Ukraine managed to shoot one down for the first time. Ukraine downed another A-50 four months later, in June 2024. What else do we not know about Operation Spiderweb? Despite the global reaction to the attack, some of those who have been following the rapid advances of drone technology during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine saw such an operation coming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I wasn't really that surprised," Samuel Bendett, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security think tank, told the Kyiv Independent. Bendett highlighted that Russian milbloggers have long been urging the Kremlin to up security at air bases in the event of such an attack, something that appears to have gone unheeded. He also said that although the attack was "audacious," the means and technology to conduct an operation like this aren't that new Ryan echoed the sentiment, saying it was "audacious and important, but I don't think it's going to see any kind of turning point in the war." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's certainly a useful case study of the creative application of autonomous systems," he said, adding: "But I don't think this by itself has upended the rules of warfare or anything like that." One thing that isn't clear at the moment is how the drones were controlled Zelensky said each drone had an individual operator but FPV drones are usually limited in range to a maximum of around 20 kilometers. Bendett said the drones were most likely pre-programmed to fly out of the trucks and towards the air base with the operators taking over using Russian mobile networks when they were over the planes "to ensure the most precise strike." Another thing that's not clear at the moment is how the trucks got to the airbases. Zelensky on June 1 said all those who assisted in the attack "were withdrawn from Russian territory before the operation, they are now safe." Taking this at face value, it would imply the drivers of the truck were unwitting stooges. Russian media channel Baza, citing Russian investigators, claimed all four trucks belonged to the same person who was asked to make deliveries of the wooden cabins by an unknown person(s). All four drivers later reportedly received instructions on exactly where to stop the trucks, at cafes and gas stations located near the air bases that were targeted. This information remains unconfirmed at this time. What has Russia said? Very little. On June 1, Russia's Defense Ministry acknowledged what it described as a "terrorist attack" on the four air bases and said "several units of aircraft caught fire" at Murmansk and Irkutsk. The Kremlin has so far kept quiet. But Russian milbloggers have been much more vocal, describing it as a "black day for aviation." Rybar, one of the most popular with millions of subscribers on Telegram, said "serious errors by Russian intelligence had allowed Ukraine to strike a "very heavy blow. Russian opposition columnist Yulia Latynina even described the attack as "Russia's Pearl Harbor." Hi, this is Chris. Thank you for reading this article. The Kyiv Independent doesn't have a wealthy owner or a paywall. Instead, we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism funded. We're now aiming to grow our community to 20,000 members if you liked this article, consider joining our community today. Read also: Ukraine, Russia end second round of peace talks, no ceasefire achieved Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. This June marks the 50th anniversary of Pride, and with WorldPride descending on D.C., the nations capital will become the epicenter of the monumental occasion. But the celebrations will take place amid a climate of fear. In just the first few months since his return to the White House, President Donald Trump has attacked nearly every marginalized group that didnt vote for him, with trans Americans among his favorite targets. Too many Democrats played right into his hands by refusing to engage in the fight at all. Democrats have won this fight before, and they can win it again but only through confrontation, not cowardice. The most devastating ad of the 2024 cycle featured a clip of Kamala Harris supporting gender-affirming surgery for incarcerated illegal immigrants. The commercial ended with the line, Kamala is for they/them. President Trump is for you. It was cheap, cruel and wildly misleading but brutally effective. According to Future Forward, Harris own billion-dollar Super PAC, the ad swung voters by 2.7 percentage points. Democrats like Bill Clinton warned that Harris campaign needed to respond, but after a possible response tested poorly, the campaign chose silence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even months after the election, Democratic leaders still havent figured out why that ad worked. Their takeaway? Curse more. Make more TikToks. Find the lefts version of Joe Rogan. But thats not what people want. They want to know someone is in the ring, fighting for them. They want courage. The trans issue in American politics is a paradox. On the one hand, it dominates headlines. Search the internet for NCAA trans athletes any day of the week, or spend five minutes watching Fox News, and youll believe that trans athletes are taking over the NCAA. Earlier this year, 13 senators signed a resolution demanding that the NCAA ban trans athletes. But guess how many trans athletes were actually competing in NCAA sports? Fewer than 10. Out of 510,000. So why the outrage? Simple: fear. Americans are overwhelmed by change. Theyre anxious, and Trump knows this. He has always promised to protect people from various boogeymen: immigrants, the left, and now, trans people. But the MAGA outrage machine isnt just yelling into a podcast mic; its leading to real harm. Trans Americans are nearly five times more likely to be victims of violent crime. And while they face this escalating threat, Trump allies like Reps. Lauren Boebert and Nancy Mace are storming a Capitol Hill bathroom to confront a woman they think is trans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trans community needs fighters in Washington. But so far, Democrats have decided to dont ask, dont tell in this fight, or outright throw the trans community under the bus for the sake of electability. What makes this decision even more frustrating is that trans rights arent even unpopular. According to a March Pew poll, 56% of Americans support protecting trans people from discrimination in jobs, housing and public spaces. Thats nearly 15 points higher than Trumps current favorability. The public isnt the problem. The silence from the top is. In the attention economy, silence is surrender. Trump and his allies are loud, relentless and shameless. Unless Democrats are willing to be just as loud, but with truth and moral clarity, they will keep losing. This Pride month, Democrats cant remain silent like Harris did. They have to swing back. When Republicans start ramping up their attacks on Trans people, Democrats need to start showing up on the front lines, loudly calling out the GOPs twisted obsession for exactly what it is: creepy, invasive and deeply dangerous. Republicans creepy obsession with monitoring our restrooms isnt about safety. Its not about fairness. Its about attention, power and fearmongering. People are looking for someone who will defend their version of the American dream, and no ones dream includes genital checks at the bathroom door. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats have won this fight before. Nearly 10 years ago, North Carolina Republicans enacted the first bill restricting transgender Americans from using the bathroom matching their gender identities. But the nation mobilized to stop these bigoted bathroom checks with widespread boycotts and financial pressure even from the NCAA. A year later, the bill was repealed, though Republicans still havent given up. In Omaha, Nebraska, less than a month ago, Democrat John Ewing defeated three-term Mayor Jean Stothert. The incumbent, a Republican, ran a vicious anti-trans campaign. Ewing didnt stay silent, but faced the issue head-on with a blunt slogan, Jean is focused on potties. John is focused on fixing potholes. And my organization, Progress Action Fund, is following in their footsteps. Next week, well be releasing a sequel to our viral Your Republican Congressman ads, literally showing how the GOP is more concerned with checking peoples genitals than focusing on the real priorities of the American people. In our testing, this message moves the needle against Republicans more than 3 percentage points. Democrats must stop managing fear and start confronting it. Not just to defend a community under siege, but to remind every American watching that Democrats are still capable of courage. That this party remembers how to throw a punch. That, like trans rights supporters have done for decades, they are ready to resist loudly, unapologetically, and without permission. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Almost exactly 75 years ago, a Republican rose on the Senate floor to denounce the leader of a popular political movement that had swept across America. The speech delivered by Sen. Margaret Chase Smith of Maine the first woman to serve in both the House of Representatives and the Senate was courageous in 1950, and it remains instructive today. Months earlier, Sen. Joseph McCarthy (R-Wisc.) had made an outrageous claim in Wheeling, W.V.: that there were 205 communists working within the State Department. McCarthys inflammatory remarks rocketed him to fame (and later infamy) and precipitated an era of political persecution, investigation and fear. Suddenly, any American holding opinions even mildly against the conservative mainstream was deemed suspect. It is hard to overstate the political earthquake caused by McCarthys accusations and the fear it struck in members of Congress. In the 1950 elections, two prominent Democratic senators who opposed McCarthy Millard E. Tydings of Maryland and Scott W. Lucas of Illinois lost their seats. According to historians Adam J. Berinsky and Gabriel S. Lenz, this sparked a pervasive belief by politicians that McCarthyism was too popular to defy. Yet their research shows that politicians vastly overestimated McCarthys strength. In fact, they write that there is little evidence that McCarthy reliably influenced the outcomes of those elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And yet members of Congress cowered in fear of McCarthy. In one chilling anecdote first described by journalist Joseph Alsop Sen. Herbert Lehman of New York (and the prominent Lehman banking family) tried to give a speech against McCarthy, only to be told by him, Go back to your seat, old man. When Lehman realized that no other senator would rise to his defense, he gave up. And yet Margaret Chase Smith refused to stay quiet. While at first sympathetic to McCarthy as a fellow Republican, Smith soon grew troubled by her colleagues lies. Even though she was reluctant to challenge McCarthy especially as he promised to ruin her hopes to be selected as vice president in the 1952 election Smith chose integrity over expedience. Much of Smiths speech reads as though it could have been written today, as she articulated a national feeling of fear and frustration that could result in national suicide and the end of everything that we Americans hold dear. As U.S. political culture in 2025 likewise often feels defined by fear and frustration, politicians would be well-served to remember the basic principles of Americanism laid out by Smith in her speech: the right to criticize, the right to hold unpopular beliefs, the right to protest and the right to independent thought. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While neither political party can truly claim to have mounted a full defense of these principles in recent years, it is hard not to hear strong echoes of McCarthyism in Trumpism. The right to criticize is scoffed at by an administration that revokes press credentials from media outlets that refuse to use the term Gulf of America. The right to hold unpopular beliefs is crumbling, as Trump repeatedly cracks down on law firms that have sided against him in legal proceedings. The right to protest is threatened each time ICE agents disappear a foreign student from campus for having participated in protests even ones we may disagree with. The right to independent thought is gone when Ivy League universities, long held up as the greatest in the world, are told by the government that they can no longer write their own curricula. Today, giving a speech like Smiths would be a tall task for a Republican in Congress, as they fear primary challenges and the fury of the MAGA base (even the risk of violence). It wasnt easy for Smith either, as McCarthy quickly worked to bully all those who sided with her after the Declaration of Conscience speech. McCarthy kicked Smith off a prominent Senate subcommittee and proceeded to tag her and the speechs other co-signers with the juvenile moniker Snow White and the Six Dwarfs. (If social media had been around then, perhaps McCarthy would have first tested his insult there.) No single speech, talking point or campaign can fix the ills of our political era. While Smiths speech made a real impact, it didnt immediately return McCarthy to the path of decency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in an environment where politicians live in fear of their voters and the larger-than-life political figures that animate them, Smiths bold act of defiance reminds us that courage pays dividends. Where other politicians who refused to stand up to McCarthy faded into obscurity, Smith served in the Senate for another 23 years. And four years after first rising to give her Declaration of Conscience in 1950, Smith voted in favor of McCarthys censure in the words of the late Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), effectively ending his campaign of falsehood and intimidation. Steve Israel represented New York in the House of Representatives for eight terms and was chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee from 2011 to 2015. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HANOI, June 2 (Xinhua) -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam has called on the public to promote a culture of thrift in daily life as part of the nation's broader efforts to combat wastefulness, Vietnam News Agency reported. In an article published on Sunday, he proposed the establishment of an annual national thrift day to further encourage and institutionalize this practice across society. As an example of effective cost-cutting, the Party chief highlighted the ongoing restructuring of the government apparatus, which began in late 2024. This includes the merger of provinces, the dissolution of certain district-level administrative units and the consolidation of commune-level units. These reforms are projected to save the State budget more than 20 trillion Vietnamese dong (770 million U.S. dollars) annually during the 2025-2030 period, with savings expected to exceed 30 trillion dong (1.2 billion dollars) per year from 2030 onward, he wrote. It was the easiest thing in the world to predict: The medias moment of half-hearted contrition for missing President Joe Bidens obvious physical and cognitive decline has given way already to a fixation on President Trumps health. The journalists have no choice, you see. Theyre humbled now. Their renewed zeal for the truth compels them to correct for the reporting mistakes of the Biden era. Therefore, they must now be unrelentingly suspicious of Trumps mental and physical health. They learned their lesson! The mea culpas seem awfully hollow now more like a thin cover for a public relations reset, clearing the way for media to be far more aggressive about Trumps age and health than anything we saw during Bidens term in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont have to imagine a double standard. We just lived through four years of major media pretending as if it simply didnt notice the dementia patient in the Oval Office. The Daily Beast, which had been an eager and credulous supporter of the Biden White Houses cheap fakes nonsense last year, published a May 28 report titled, Trump Shows Signs of Cognitive Decline, Says Speech Expert. The subhead adds, humorously, As pressure mounts for an inquiry into Joe Bidens mental decline, the president faces scrutiny over his health. This is a neat trick, by the way publishing an article questioning the presidents mental acuity while also pretending as if youre not the one doing the scrutiny. Elsewhere, the Associated Press published a story titled, Trump proclaims himself in good shape, but the results of his physical arent immediately released. In a separate report published the same month, the AP warned, Despite raising persistent questions about Bidens physical and mental capacity and repeatedly asserting that Biden did not know what he was doing, Trump has routinely kept basic details about his health shrouded in secrecy, in contrast to the traditional transparency on medical issues that presidents of both political parties have shown. For context, the AP, days before Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential election, published a report titled, Biden at 81: Often sharp and focused but sometimes confused and forgetful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the world of commentary and opinion writing, USA Today published a piece this month titled, Is Trump in mental decline? He sounds far worse than Biden ever did. Incredibly, the post is authored by the same pundit who declared in March 2024, Biden old and frail? Nope. President delivers fiery State of the Union his campaign needed. At the Boston Globe , an opinion headline reads, Trump has lots to say about Bidens health. His own? Not so much. Globe columnist Renee Graham argues that the media should examine more critically the health of the men elected to lead this nation. That certainly includes the physical and cognitive health of the current White House occupant, a Constitution-shredding authoritarian who doesnt deserve to get by on medical reports that rely more on hyperbole than facts. For comparison, Graham wrote last year, in response to questions regarding Bidens fitness for office, I cant speak to Bidens mental acuity, but were witnessing in real time for the first time what it means to have a president in his 80s. How were reacting may say more about us than about him. But thats only part of the frank conversations we need to have about what it means to grow old in a nation that routinely ridicules senior citizens and not just among our leaders. In the world of outright partisan media, the New Republic this month continued a cheeky long-running series meant to highlight Trumps quirks and foibles, each article of which leads with the question, Cognitive decline? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, former New York Times public editor Margaret Sullivan concluded this month that the main takeaway from the press cover-up of Bidens decline is that the media arent hard enough on Trump. So if the media were going to put their thumb on the scale as they inevitably do they ought to have done so in defense of democracy, the rule of law and human decency, writes Sullivan for a piece titled, Yes, the medias Biden coverage was flawed. But its reporting on Trump was far worse. Former Meet the Press host Chuck Todd added elsewhere a somewhat different note that was still similarly beside-the-point: To the folks shaming the Biden-enablers, I get the instinct, but the folks on the right doing the victory lap are simultaneously behaving the same way (or worse) when it comes to Trump and his bizarre rants/ statements/ policies that arent working/ graft etc. To those folks feeling good about their Biden takes, you comfortable with your Trump enabling? You really think itll age well? So yes, this is a trend. We are really going to go from four years of news media pretending not to notice the obvious about Biden to four years of the same news media demanding radical transparency and accountability. Next thing you know, they will be demanding weekly blood and urine samples from the current president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We should not be surprised that the brief period of contrition for turning a blind eye toward Biden has already segued into an opportunity to do to a Republican what they couldnt bring themselves to do to a Democrat. The signs were all there last year, even before Trump won his re-election bid. The New York Times reported in October 2024, Trumps Speeches, Increasingly Angry and Rambling, Reignite the Question of Age. Just months earlier, before Biden imploded on national television during a presidential debate, the New York Times had attempted to brush off photo evidence of Bidens decline as lacking context and selectively edited with a disinformative story titled, How Misleading Videos Are Trailing Biden as He Battles Age Doubts. Said PBS, Trumps rambling speeches raise questions about mental decline. From what I can tell, there is no such news report anywhere on PBSs website regarding Bidens decline from during any of the four years of his presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unintelligible: Trumps mental decline on display in final stretch to election, read a headline on MSNBC. That network had been the site of the famous Joe Scarborough declaration that Biden is better than hes ever been, intellectually, analytically This version of Biden, intellectually, analytically, is the best Biden ever. One should not be surprised that weve moved on already to applying to Trump a standard that was unthinkable for a Biden obviously suffering mental and physical deterioration. But one must feel some measure of contempt for those who are so obviously unwilling to maintain consistent standards in their news coverage and commentary. Becket Adams is a writer in Washington and program director for the National Journalism Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Though President Trump promised a big beautiful budget bill, what narrowly passed the House of Representatives in the early morning hours of May 22 will be anything but a big beautiful win for millions of marginalized Americans, and Medicaid beneficiaries wont be the only ones who feel the pinch. In fact, if passed, this legislation would destabilize the publicly insured and privately insured alike, especially in Americas many rural communities. Trumps budget dramatically reduces the robustness of the federal social safety net, on which three in ten Americans (including nearly half of children) rely for critical programs ranging from health care to food security. Most drastically, the bill is set to cut Medicaid by nearly $800 billion over 10 years, add burdensome and ineffective work requirements and kick as many as 13 million people off their health insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These cuts will have demonstrably negative consequences for millions of Americans, including those who are not themselves enrolled in Medicaid. The irony is that despite nearly every Republican House member voting for its passage, it is rural, Republican majority communities that will face the most extreme consequences. Nineteen percent of Americans, or over 72 million, are insured by Medicaid and the share of the 66 million rural Americans on Medicaid is even higher at 23 percent. And not only do Americas rural communities tend to vote more conservatively, but this is even true of Medicaid beneficiaries, the very people whose health coverage Republican legislators seek to strip away. Survey data from the Cooperative Election Study reveal that the majority of rural Medicaid beneficiaries in Republican states and districts are people who identify as Republicans. This is especially true in Republican congressional districts and states with Republican senators. For example, a majority of residents in districts held by some Republican congressmen Reps. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) and David Valadao (R-Calif.) come to mind specifically are enrolled in Medicaid (54 percent and 64 percent, respectively). About 40 percent of residents of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) are enrolled in Medicaid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats more, in most of these cases, the beneficiaries are Republican voters themselves. Meanwhile, in states with two Republican senators like Arkansas and Kentucky, nearly 30 percent of residents are enrolled in Medicaid, and between 40 and 55 percent of Medicaid beneficiaries reside in Republican-leaning rural areas. In each of these instances, survey data from the Kaiser Family Foundation show that the majority of even Republican beneficiaries approve of Medicaid. Not only do 61 percent of Republicans see Medicaid as important to their communities, but 67 percent of Republicans want Congress to preserve or increase Medicaid funding. Political scientist David Mayhew famously argued that members of Congress are single-minded seekers of reelection. Yet even with broad public support for Medicaid and health cares salience in the minds of voters, Republicans efforts to cut Medicaid would remove health insurance from their own voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond the effects experienced by enrollees directly, the proposed Medicaid cuts will reverberate throughout and harm all residents of rural communities by undermining the financial security of rural hospitals. According to estimates from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, not only have nearly 200 rural hospitals already closed in the last two decades, but over 300 rural hospitals face immediate risk of closure in the coming years. Whats more, the vast majority of these vulnerable hospitals are in Republican majority communities in the Republican states that failed to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. A key reason why these hospitals face closure is due to uncompensated care costs, which accrue when uninsured or underinsured patients seek medical treatment for which they are unable to pay. Not only do rural hospitals experience higher rates of uncompensated care, but it proves more debilitating than in the case of research hospitals, which can steady themselves with higher insurance reimbursement rates and subsidies. Medicaid expansion has proven critical in strengthening these hospitals financial security, because it drastically decreased the percentage of people showing up at hospitals without health insurance. The result has been that more rural hospitals have been able to remain open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In contrast, roughly 80 percent of rural hospitals that have closed since the passage of the Affordable Care Act have been in the Republican states that failed to expand Medicaid. The economic and health effects of rural hospital closures are catastrophic for all residents of affected communities, regardless of their insurance status. Numerous studies have shown that rural hospital closures lead to significant increases in mortality. Additionally, birthing outcomes and access to obstetric-gynecological care tend to suffer following closures. Many of these negative effects are driven by the drastically increased distances individuals must travel to receive care. When a rural hospital closes, patients are left to travel on average 20 miles farther to receive common health care services, and 40 miles farther for specialized care. That time is precious in the setting of acute health problems. Regardless of ones insurance status or provider, the farther you are from a hospital following a car crash or after a stroke, the worse the consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For most closures, Republican voters themselves and those with lower incomes are the people who face the longest distances to care following closures. Cutting Medicaid will only further restrict access to care and worsen health outcomes for rural people, regardless of insurance status. Outside of the immediate health effects, hospitals are typically the largest employers in congressional districts, and that is no less true in rural communities. In fact, the health care sector can supply as many as 10 percent of the jobs in a rural community. While some have argued that rural hospital closures are a symptom of communities economic decline, their effects are also unmistakable, leading to a marked increase in unemployment and a reduction in residents average income. In his recent New York Times op-ed, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) argued against Trumps budget. He wrote that while Trump promised to protect working-class tax cuts and social insurance programs such as Medicaid, the Wall Street wing was instead seeking to slash health insurance for the working poor in a manner that he characterized as both morally wrong and politically suicidal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The data are clear and Hawley is correct. Trumps budget will actively harm the health and incomes of rural communities and Republican voters, well beyond those who themselves are enrolled in Medicaid. Michael Shepherd is an assistant professor of Health Management and Policy at the University of Michigan. Miranda Yaver is an assistant professor of Health Policy and Management at the University of Pittsburgh. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem incorrectly defined habeas corpus during a recent congressional hearing, augmenting serious doubts that top White House administration officials understand and are willing to respect the rule of law and legal rights of civilians on U.S. soil. Indeed, Noem oversees the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which has been forcibly disappearing undocumented immigrants, international students and permanent residents off the streets. ICE officers frequently wear masks, which could help them avoid accountability for tactics like warrantless arrests, knock and arrests and smashing car windows. In practice, ICE operates with relatively little oversight, but in principle, it is accountable to the federal government and has been subject to extensive civil litigation in the courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, ICE is deeply flawed, but there is a real risk of something far worse. Over the past few months, Erik Prince, former head of the private military company Blackwater (now known by the name Constellis), has pitched multiple proposals to the White House to help with mass deportations. Prince has argued that achieving President Trumps aggressive deportation goals will require the government to supplement ICEs capabilities. According to one of his proposals, a new Prince company, 2USV, would train and deploy an army of as many as 100,000 armed and deputized citizens. The administration has not yet decided to implement the plan, though Trump said he wouldnt be opposed to it, necessarily. As academic experts on non-state armed groups like militias and on immigration, we are alarmed at this possibility. This is because scholarly research on the type of group Prince would mobilize suggests three key patterns. First, these groups are often tasked with committing human rights violations in pursuit of the governments political goals. Second, the current domestic political environment in the U.S. is conducive to their formation. Lastly, employing groups like this would allow federal government officials including the president to evade accountability for illegal or inhumane tactics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Princes proposed army would be a pro-government militia, which the academic literature defines as an organized, armed group that is government-sponsored and not part of regular security forces. Because these groups can be kept at arms length from political elites, research shows that many governments around the world use these militias to evade accountability for strategically useful violence. Governments shift blame to such militias to retain deniability in the face of domestic pressures or international condemnation. For this reason, they are associated with significant reductions in a countrys respect for human rights, as seen in other countries throughout history, including Serbia, Argentina and Chile. The Serbian nationalist Tigers committed numerous war crimes in Bosnia and Croatia in the 1990s, but Serbian Security Service officials clearly linked to the groups operations were acquitted on all charges by the International Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia. That was because it could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that they planned or organized the crimes. Other militias have conducted disappearances, assassinations and torture so that the government could keep its hands clean, as during Operation Condor in the 1970s in Argentina and in connection with the Sept. 11, 1973, coup in Chile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paramilitaries are often thought of as characteristic of dictatorships, but research shows that informal pro-government militias tend to emerge in weak democracies where leaders are navigating fragile institutions of accountability. Strong democracies usually prevent these groups from emerging because they have more robust constraints on the executive branch and corruption is harder to hide from the public. The troubling fact is that Trumps attacks on American political institutions and independent media integrity have eroded U.S. democracy. One metric used by political scientists to measure regime types is the Polity score, which ranges from -10 (very autocratic, such as North Korea) to 10 (very democratic, such as Sweden). As of 2020, the U.S. had been downgraded to a 5, putting it in the category of weak democracy. What does this mean for the future of U.S. immigration enforcement? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Expanded efforts through shady paramilitary groups is becoming surprisingly possible in the U.S., and the conditions are ripe for this proposed army to commit human rights abuses. Its worth remembering that Princes former company Blackwater was involved in human rights abuses in the past, including a massacre of at least 14 Iraqi civilians, whose perpetrators were pardoned by Trump in 2020. The administration is already relying on dubious means to rush deportation processes while the courts try to slow them down. Consequently, the Department of Homeland Security is already choosing to ignore court rulings with some operations, like one recent deportation of migrants to South Sudan. Their willingness to violate the rule of law is captured by former acting ICE Director Tom Homans statement: I dont care what judges think. Skeptics may argue that the U.S. is unique, that these abuses couldnt happen here, or that American electoral institutions and the free press can still hold policymakers accountable for deeds of private contractors. But democratic institutions in the U.S. are undoubtedly disintegrating. The press can only hold leaders accountable if it is believed, and current trust in the press is at an all-time low. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It may be that Princes private army proposal will never be accepted. It may be that continued deportation efforts are challenged in courts and the administration will begin to abide by substantive rulings against it. It is possible future immigration policy will be more humane. But for now, the political incentives exist for the unprecedented use of pro-government militias on American soil. Immigrants may be the current target of increasingly reckless enforcement efforts, but repressive action by domestic paramilitaries may not stop there. This must be prevented while mechanisms of accountability still survive. Brandon Bolte, P.h.D., is an assistant professor in the School of Politics and International Affairs at the University of Illinois Springfield and an expert in militias, rebellion, and armed conflict. Isabel Skinner, P.h.D., is an assistant professor in the School of Politics and International Affairs at the University of Illinois-Springfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. In May 2025, days before it was announced that former President Biden had been diagnosed with cancer, NBC ran a sensational headline: Biden didnt recognize George Clooney at June fundraiser: new book. It cited Original Sin: President Bidens Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, co-authored by CNNs Jake Tapper and Axioss Alex Thompson, detailing how the presidents team concealed his cognitive and physical decline and raising ethical questions about transparency. Tapper now claims that the White House was lying to the press, the public, their own Cabinet. But as a journalist, Tappers surprise is both revealing and disingenuous. His book shifts blame to Democrats, ignoring how the media aided the cover-up. Its the latest in a string of reputation-saving moves from a media industry in crisis. Credibility in journalism hard to earn, easy to lose once demanded rigorous objectivity. Olivia Nuzzi was fired from The New Yorker merely for private contact with RFK Jr., not even for proven bias. But such standards already seem archaic. During COVID-19, CNNs Chris Cuomo used his show to flatter his brother, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), masking Andrews deadly mismanagement of nursing homes and corruption, behind jokes about Q-tips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The abandonment of objectivity accelerated with Donald Trumps rise. In 2016, New York Times writer Jim Rutenberg and Univisions Jorge Ramos argued objectivity should give way to moral clarity. But this rationalization led to partisan reporting, such as the Russiagate exaggerations and slanted pandemic coverage. In trying to save democracy, journalists undermined the very pillar that sustains it. By Bidens inauguration, the press seemed to have learned nothing. CNNs David Chalian likened spotlights to Bidens arms embracing America. Wolf Blitzer said Biden put his soul into his speech. NBCs Chuck Todd dubbed him the Better Angels president. Meanwhile, the media dismissed or mocked concerns about Bidens mental acuity, even as video evidence suggested otherwise. Biden confused even basic facts calling himself the first Black woman to serve in the White House and declaring that I wouldnt have picked vice president Trump to be vice president, not to mention his glitch at a concert and his lack of focus at a G-7 event. Each time, the press downplayed the issue. MSNBC dismissed cognitive concerns as hysteria and used terms like cheap fakes to discredit video evidence. Others, such as The Views Whoopi Goldberg, dismissed the importance of the presidents cognitive abilities, and exclaimed that she does not care if hes pooped his pants, she is voting for him anyway. Similarly, MSNBCs Joe Scarborough responded to those questioning Bidens cognitive ability with an F you on the air. Scarborough had argued a mere three months before the debate that Biden is far beyond cogent in fact, I think he is better than he has ever been, and this is the best Biden ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This dismissal continued even after a Department of Justice investigator, Robert Hur, described Biden as a well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory. In response, media personalities attacked Hur instead of engaging with the facts. However, now new audio has leaked of the interviews, giving weight to Hurs contention that Biden behaved like an unfocused and confused elder. Bidens disastrous June 2024 debate, where he blanked mid-sentence and claimed We finally beat Medicare, ended the charade. He soon dropped out. When Kamala Harriss chaotic campaign also failed, media credibility cratered. MSNBC lost 61 percent of its key demographic post-election, while audiences turned to outlets like MeidasTouch. In response, some journalists tried rebranding. Chris Cuomo adopted populist critiques of both parties, conveniently forgetting his own CNN record. Tapper, meanwhile, portrays himself as deceived, positioning his book as a reckoning. But Original Sin evades the real question: did this cover-up begin before the election? The answer is yes and Tapper was part of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Concerns about Bidens cognition emerged well before 2020. During a 2019 debate, Julian Castro asked the president if he was forgetting his own statements. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) publicly worried about Bidens ability to carry the ball without fumbling. Yet the press framed criticisms as attacks on a childhood stutter. Around that same time, journalist Ryan Grim described Bidens debate performance as staggeringly incoherent. -The press failed to adequately address these concerns until five years later. Even by 2020, the year of the election, the red flags were impossible to miss. Biden fabricated stories about being in a war zone, called a voter fat for no apparent reason, told Charlamagne Tha God If you have a problem figuring out whether youre for me or Trump, then you aint black and misnamed his own campaign website as Joe 3-0-3-3-0 instead of JoeBiden2020.com. These were just a few of the many moments, captured on video and widely shared on YouTube, that fueled concerns about Bidens cognitive decline before he ever took office. Tappers interviews, so far, have conveniently sidestepped the question of whether this cover-up started before the election. For example, in 2020, just prior to the election, Lara Trump raised Bidens cognitive issues on Tappers show. Tapper responded by dismissing her assertion, and scolded her for making children who stutter feel bad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The media knew Bidens mental decline was an issue in 2019. By 2020, it was impossible to ignore. But fearing a Bernie Sanders upset in the primary, Democrats and their media allies closed ranks. Tappers post-facto outrage avoids this context and his own complicity. Journalism isnt stenography. Blaming sources for lying ignores the journalists job: to interrogate power, not merely repeat it. The public deserves better than a press that performs truth only when its convenient. Now, with Trump back in office, journalists claim theyll be watchdogs again. But the public isnt buying it not after watching the media abandon objectivity when it mattered most. Credibility, once lost, isnt easily reclaimed. And the damage isnt just to journalism, its to democracy itself. Nolan Higdon is a founding member of the Critical Media Literacy Conference of the Americas, Project Censored National Judge and university lecturer at Merrill College and the Education Department at University of California, Santa Cruz. All of his work is available at Substack. He is the author of The Anatomy of Fake News: A Critical News Literacy Education, Lets Agree to Disagree: A Critical Thinking Guide to Communication, Conflict Management, and Critical Media Literacy and The Media And Me: A Guide To Critical Media Literacy For Young People. Higdon is a regular source of expertise for CBS, NBC, The New York Times and The San Francisco Chronicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. In 1958, a group of prominent business leaders founded the John Birch Society. Led by Robert Welch, inheritor of a vast candy fortune, these titans of wealth believed a vast communist conspiracy had penetrated the U.S. government. In The Blue Book of the John Birch Society, Welch presented an apocalyptic vision where politics was no longer a staid battle between the two political parties but a conflict between light and darkness; between freedom and slavery; between the spirit of Christianity and the spirit of the anti-Christ for the souls and bodies of men. Welch claimed these non-Christians sought to replace Christianity with a pragmatic opportunism governed by hedonistic aims. He dubbed his followers Gods Angry Men. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What energized the Birchers was their belief that the U.S. government was engaged in a plot to strip Americans of their individual rights and impose a collectivist regime on an unsuspecting public. To them, the evidence was conclusive: To accomplish his aims, Welch sought to recruit a million men who would impose an American-style version of authoritarianism: The John Birch Society will operate under completely authoritative control at all levels. We mean business every step of the way. The John Birch Society quickly grew to a membership of 30,000 with a staff of 240 employees and more than 400 bookstores across the U.S. with an annual income of $1.3 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robert Welch attracted support from the middle class and the well-to-do. As Barry Goldwater noted, Every other person in Phoenix is a member of the John Birch Society. Im not talking about commie-hunted apple pickers or cactus drunks. Im talking about the highest cast of men of affairs. What made the John Birch Society popular was its appeal to conspiracists who saw the government as the enemy. Welch even went so far as to call Dwight D. Eisenhower a dedicated conscious agent of the communist conspiracy, a charge that infuriated Eisenhower. Conservatives eventually came to despise the John Birch Society. William F. Buckley wondered how its members could tolerate such paranoid and unpatriotic drivel. Yet today, Robert Welchs dream of taking over the Republican Party and imposing an authoritarian-style regime has come to pass. Writing in The Bulwark in 2022, Robert Tracinski declared: The Birchers are back. And theyre winning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tracinski noted the signs of conquest were everywhere: a belief in the machinations of a secret cabal that controls everything from the intelligence agencies to the schools, the rapid spread of crackpot theories to otherwise normal and respectable people, the disarming of conservative critics as weak-kneed appeasers handing over the country to its enemies and an uneasy balancing act of conservatives in the media and in politics who dont want to denounce the crackpots for fear of angering their partys base. Trumps second term has brought about the final victory of the John Birch Society. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy has incorrectly denounced vaccinations as causing the rise of autism in children, while claiming the measles vaccine has not been safely tested. He has virtually dismantled the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has been charged with demolishing that agency through the questionable use of a presidential executive order to fulfill Trumps promise to return education to the states where it belongs. The Birchers would be delighted with the virtual elimination of USAID and Trumps pause on all foreign aid, including suspending George W. Bushs Presidents Emergency Plan for Aids Relief that has delivered medication to 25 million people in 54 countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United Nations has become a place where Trump cast-offs like Michael Waltz are sent into exile. Trump has installed Kash Patel as FBI director and Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, where both are firing those they believe belong to the deep state. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is dismantling of the National Security Council staff, which one White House official gleefully described as the gutting of the deep state. We are also witnessing the targeting of bureaucrats such as Miles Taylor and Chris Krebs, whom Trump deems as egregious leakers and disseminators of falsehoods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, we are seeing fluoride bans in public drinking water in Utah and Florida, with other states poised to follow suit. No wonder one Bircher exclaimed, God has delivered Donald J. Trump to save the United States of America. John F. Kennedy once described members of the John Birch Society as those on the fringes who have sought to escape their own responsibility by finding a simple solution, an appealing slogan, or a convenient scapegoat. Trumps reelection has given Welch and the John Birch Society something they desired but never really thought imaginable: victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Kenneth White is a professor emeritus at the Catholic University of America. His latest book is titled Grand Old Unraveling: The Republican Party, Donald Trump, and the Rise of Authoritarianism. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. For the last 236 years, the U.S. House of Representatives has begun each day of session with a prayer. The Senate does the same. Each body has a nonsectarian, nonpartisan and nonpolitical chaplain who provides spiritual counseling and guidance to its members. The chaplains would do well to remind lawmakers of a truism: The moral test of any society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. President Trump has flooded the zone with failures in that regard. Congress has done nothing about it. Trumps big beautiful bill is an opportunity for some redemption. Middle-class Americans helped Trump take back the presidency, but he has focused on serving the rich, notably including himself. The bill he considers beautiful, which narrowly passed the House and is now before the Senate, has ugly provisions for Americas most vulnerable people. Among other things, it shamelessly cuts assistance for the poorest Americans to continue tax cuts for the rich. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps behavior has renewed the mention of pitchforks in the national conversation (a reference to a 19th-century rebellion by peasants). Eleven years ago, billionaire Nick Hanauer wrote a warning to his fellow zillionaires. He pointed out that his superpower was to anticipate future trends. What do I see in our future now? he asked. I see pitchforks because the divide between the haves and have-nots is getting worse really, really fast. Now, billionaire Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates has told Forbes that he and his fellow billionaires might soon face mobs armed with pitchforks unless they do something about Americas persistent wealth gap. Recent data show that 10 percent of wealthy Americans own 93 percent of all stocks, up from 81 percent a decade ago. The richest 1 percent hold $25 trillion in stocks, while the bottom half of U.S. households own less than 1 percent. The median retirement savings for half of Americans is zero, while families in the top 10 percent have median savings of more than $600,000. Hanauer explained that Reagans famed trickle-down economics does not work. The fundamental law of capitalism must be: If workers have more money, businesses have more customers, he argued, which makes middle-class consumers, not rich businesspeople like us, the true job creators. Which means a thriving middle class is the source of American prosperity, not a consequence of it. The middle class creates rich people, not the other way around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, why have House Republicans passed a beautiful bill that retains tax cuts for the rich by taking $800 billion from Medicaid and leaving 3 million policyholders without coverage under the Affordable Care Act? Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich calls the bill ugly and disgusting, part of the largest redistribution of wealth in the nations history. The moral test is not only about money. Its also about our childrens future. In line with Trumps disastrous energy policy, the bill ends federal investments in clean energy and provides new benefits for the oil and gas industry. Trump has unilaterally cut nearly every program with climate in its mission. He is trying to manhandle states into ending their efforts to mitigate global warming. The least of us low-income households and children will suffer most. Studies recently published in Nature show that large fractions of future generations will be exposed to extreme climate events that usually occur only once every 10,000 years. Children have no defense except moral persuasion to protect their future. Under current U.S. and international policies, their world will be much less livable than it has been for their parents. As the editors of Nature point out, Children and young people born in the present decade face exposure to heat waves, crop failures, floods, droughts, wildfires, and tropical cyclones in a way that their parents and grandparents never did. Even if civilization could hold global warming to 1.5 degrees, the most ambitious and now probably unattainable goal of the Paris climate agreement, more than half of the worlds children born in 2020 will experience an unprecedented life of exposure to heat waves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Future generations will also pay the price of Trumps war against science. His administration has fired or displaced thousands of scientists from the federal government, defunded research on topics vital to the nations health and welfare, and infected federal science with politics and misinformation. These reductions are shaking Americas reputation as the worlds science leader. Three-fourths of the 1,200 scientists who responded to a Nature poll said they may leave the U.S. to continue their work in other nations. Walter Robinson, a professor of atmospheric sciences, warns that the epicenter of science research will shift from the U.S. to China, the European Union or other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. Michael S. Lubell, a physics professor at the City College of New York and a former official at the American Physical Society, says it will take a generation to fix the brain drain Trump is causing in Americas science workforce Trumps war on science makes no sense unless its motivated by the same factors behind his assaults on the news media, the courts, and various watchdog organizations. They all reveal how petty, selfish, corrupt and misinformed he is. William S. Becker is a former U.S. Department of Energy central regional director who administered energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies programs. He is executive director of the Presidential Climate Action Project, a nonpartisan initiative founded in 2007 and is not affiliated with the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Last week, Donald Trump turned his fire on the Federalist Society, a powerful conservative advocacy group, and its co-founder Leonard Leo, a key adviser to Trump on judicial nominations during his first term. In a post on Truth Social, Trump called Leo a sleazebag and blamed the Federalist Society for the bad advice they gave me on numerous Judicial Nominations. The impetus for the post was a ruling by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade holding that he did not have legal authority for his most sweeping tariffs (an appeals court paused the ruling the following day). When something goes wrong for Trump, he always looks for a scapegoat and his political allies arent immune to such treatment. However, in the Federalist Society and Leo, Trump may have chosen the wrong targets. It is self-destructive to throw them under the bus when they have deep and continuing ties to members of the Supreme Courts conservative majority, and when their political operation was crucial to Trumps judicial nominations in his first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Politico reports, Trumps relationship with [Leo] is known to have grown strained after the fiasco of Trumps 2020 election denialism and coup attempt. The president was sorely disappointed that the Supreme Court, including the three justices he appointed in his first term, did not do what it had done 20 years earlier when it, in effect, threw the election to George W. Bush. Both the Federalist Society and Leo had played key roles in helping the president choose those three nominees: Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. As NPR reported in 2022, all three were on a list of potential justices that Trump shared during the 2016 campaign A list that was personally curated by Leo. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito are also close to Leo, who played a key role in securing their nominations and confirmation. Leo has become, as former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway told ProPublica, a den mother to the justices, helping take care of the judges even after they had made it to the highest court in the country. For Trump, for whom every action is transactional, the conservatives failure to help him stay in the White House would be seen as a betrayal not just by the justices but by their patron. However, Politico reports that despite the falling out between Trump and Leo, many legal conservatives said in recent months that they expected him to remain influential in the choices Trump makes for judicial nominations in his second term. This weeks ruling, however, seems to have changed that. Already, a group Leo helped funded, the New Civil Liberties Alliance, had challenged Trumps tariffs on Chinese imports, raising the same claims of executive overreach that the trade court accepted Wednesday. And one of the three judges on the trade court who made that decision, Judge Timothy Reif, was appointed by Trump during his first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not clear what, if any, role either the Federalist Society or Leo played in Reifs elevation to the bench. But it is clear that during his first term, Trump credited both of them for helping him transform the federal judiciary. Leo had laid the groundwork for that transformation, as ProPublica reported in 2023: Decades ago, hed realized it was not enough to have a majority of Supreme Court justices. To undo landmark rulings like Roe, his movement would need to make sure the court heard the right cases brought by the right people and heard by the right lower court judges. Leo began building a machine to do just that. Besides pampering members of the Supreme Court, he placed Federalist Society members in clerkships, judgeships and jobs not only at the federal level but throughout the states as well. That, it seems, was then. Now, says Trump, Leo is a bad person who, in his own way, probably hates America. The presidents changing mood doesnt change the fact that, as Time reporter Chad de Guzman explains, the President may be relying on Leos greatest accomplishment to ultimately push his agenda through. Already, however, Republican-appointed judges are ruling against Trumps second administration nearly as often as Democratic-appointed judges. And while there were far fewer vacant judgeships at the start of Trumps second term compared to his first, there are still nearly 50 empty seats. But replacing Leos voice with more combative, less experienced voices like Trump aide Mike Davis means that nominating candidates for those seats will likely be a slower, more fraught process than in Trumps first administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conservative judges are going to be much more open to stepping down if theyre confident that their replacements will be high quality, former Bush administration lawyer Ed Whelan told The New York Times. Trumps bizarre attack on his judicial appointments in his first term doesnt inspire confidence. Even the president, as he raged at Leo, seemed to recognize the importance of the latters project. Referring to the trade court decision, he said, Hopefully, the Supreme Court will reverse this horrible, Country threatening decision, QUICKLY and DECISIVELY. But lashing out at a den mother is hardly the way to curry favor with those who are the beneficiaries of their care. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Picking Paul Ingrassia to lead the U.S. Office of Special Counsel is not like putting the fox in charge of the hen house. Its more like setting fire to the whole farm. On Thursday, President Donald Trump nominated the former far-right podcast host to lead the important albeit little-known federal agency office. OSC is not to be confused with the special counsel position recently occupied by Jack Smith, who was appointed under federal regulations by Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Trump for alleged violations of criminal law. Instead, OSC is an independent agency created by Congress as part of the Civil Service Reform Act in the wake of the Watergate scandal. The office protects whistleblowers and other federal workers from unlawful employment practices. OSC also enforces the Hatch Act, the law that bars political activity in the federal workplace. The nature of the work demands an experienced investigator who is scrupulously apolitical. Ingrassia is anything but. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 30-year-old Ingrassia has been a lawyer for only three years. He previously was a fellow at the Claremont Institute, the same far-right think tank that brought us John Eastman, a key alleged architect of the 2020 elections fake elector scheme. According to its website, Claremont is currently working to undermine the Lefts hold over Americas institutions and conscience. Ingrassia doesnt have the legal experience for the role. But he has something more important, at least for this administration. Early in Trumps second term, Ingrassia served as the presidents liaison to the Justice Department, where he referred to himself as Trumps eyes and ears, according to NBC News. He was reassigned to the Department of Homeland Security after he reportedly clashed with DOJ officials by pushing to hire candidates with exceptional loyalty to Trump, reports ABC News. His views on the Jan. 6 riot are extreme, even by MAGA standards. In December, Ingrassia called for not only pardons of the Jan. 6 defendants, but also for $1 million per family in reparations. He advocated for Trump to expressly name, in a public proclamation, any judge and prosecutor involved in the J6 scam and call on them to resign from their offices, and pressure Congress to undertake impeachment proceedings against them if they do not cooperate. Ingrassia also urged Congress to make Jan. 6 a national holiday to place the days events in their proper historical context: as a peaceful protest against a great injustice affecting our electoral system. Ingrassia has referred to former Vice President Mike Pence as a traitor who belongs in the ninth circle of hell. Paul Ingrassia. (U.S. Department of Homeland Security) Of course, all private citizens are entitled to express their opinions, but someone who is either as delusional or sycophantic as Ingrassia is, in my opinion, simply unfit to lead an agency that is tasked with enforcing nonpartisanship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, Trump fired the prior head of OSC, Hampton Dellinger, a Joe Biden appointee who was only one year into a five-year term set by Congress. Dellinger challenged his removal, alleging it violated a federal law that prohibits termination except for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. A court had found Dellingers dismissal unlawful, but Dellinger dropped his lawsuit when an appeals court declined to reinstate him. Trumps move to effectively neuter OSC may be in response to the agencys oversight during his first term, when investigators found that 13 senior administration officials violated the Hatch Act by campaigning while conducting official government business. A loyalist at the helm of the agency could help Trump avoid similar findings. Whats more, without an independent watchdog in charge, whistleblowers may be reluctant to come forward with complaints of fraud, waste and abuse at federal agencies. Federal employees will also lose their advocate in cases of prohibited personnel practices, such as discrimination, coercing political activity or violations of our merit system in the civil service. This move threatens the integrity and efficiency of our civil service. The selection of Ingrassia to lead OSC rivals the nomination of Ed Martin as U.S. attorney in Washington. Trump ultimately withdrew Martins nomination after he failed to earn support from key Republican senators. Martin now leads the Justice Departments Weaponization Working Group and serves as Trumps pardon attorney, where he has already processed two dozen pardons that include corrupt public officials, business executives and Trump supporters. Last week, Martin posted on social media, No MAGA left behind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like the U.S. attorney position, the head of the Office of Special Counsel must be confirmed by the Senate. For the sake of our federal workforce and the important work they do for our country, lets hope this nomination meets the same fate as Martins. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A gun safety bill is making its way through the Oregon legislature, which would ban bump stocks and allow local governments to decide whether to allow firearms in public meeting spaces. The Oregon Senate passed Senate Bill 243 the Community Safety Firearms Act on Thursday, which would create new crimes for possessing bump stocks or devices that turn semi-automatic guns fully automatic. Under the bill, local governments would also have the authority to limit concealed handgun license holders from bringing firearms in public buildings where official meetings are held, such as city halls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Something was not right: Oregon Coast safari park received complaints for nearly a decade Following the bills passage, Oregon Senate Democrats said the legislation marks action for community safety. Being elected to serve means guarding the people who put their trust in us: protecting their safety, defending their rights, and leading with humility and common sense, said Senator Anthony Broadman (D Bend). As a father, a hunter, a responsible gun owner, and an Oregon Senator, I know Senate Bill 243 honors that responsibility. Rapid-fire activators are simply tools of mass destruction and do not belong in our communities, added Sen. Floyd Prozanski (D Eugene & Springfield), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and chief sponsor of the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Eye on Northwest Politics Its time to call these devices what they are. They give legal firearms the same dangerous abilities as machine guns, said Senator Lisa Reynolds (D Portland). If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, its probably a machine gun. The bill passed the Senate in a 17-12 vote along party lines, with the Oregon Senate Republican Caucus calling the legislation deeply flawed. The people who follow the law deserve policies that respect them. The people who break the law deserve consequences, said Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles). Senate Bill 243 targets responsible Oregonians, not criminals. Thats a mistake weve made before. We should learn from it, not double down on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Candlelight vigil marks 15th anniversary of Kyron Hormans disappearance According to the Senate Republican Caucus, there is no credible evidence that banning bump stocks will reduce gun violence. This bill does not address the core issues driving gun violence in our communities, said Senator Bruce Starr (R-Dundee). It doesnt target criminals. It doesnt invest in mental health or illegal gun trafficking enforcement. Instead, it creates new penalties for responsible gun owners who already follow the law, store their firearms safely, and have undergone background checks. The Republican caucus noted they offered their own proposals in a minority report, which was rejected by Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kohr Explores: Salmon fishing season arrives in Oregon The proposals from Republicans included repealing SB 554, a bill from 2021 that allows school districts and local governments to decide whether to allow concealed handgun license holders to bring firearms into public buildings. Other proposals from the Republican caucus included preventing people who have been charged with drug-related misdemeanors from owning guns along with another provision requiring participants in deflection programs to transfer their firearms to a law enforcement agency, a gun dealer or a third party until their deflection program is completed. After passing the Senate on Thursday, the bill moves to the Oregon House of Representatives, where the bill will have its first reading on June 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. The attorney for suspended Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill is attempting to prevent a key witness from testifying in her upcoming trial, expressing worries about potential bias due to the witnesss past job with Hills political opponent. Hill faces charges of financially exploiting a 96-year-old woman to fund personal expenses, including buying a new home and receiving cosmetic surgery. Court records show that Sandra Lewis, a notary who approved Hills mortgage application, had formerly been employed by Shan Rose, the present interim commissioner for Hills district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hills defense argues that Lewiss relationship with Rose could call her reliability as a witness into question. Hills trial is set to begin this fall. If convicted, she could receive a sentence of as much as 180 years in prison. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. JAKARTA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia launched its first national environmental, social, and governance (ESG) forum for the nickel industry on Monday, bringing together miners, policymakers, and investors to develop sustainable practices for the sector critical to the global energy transition. The Indonesia ESG Forum 2025, organized by the Indonesian Nickel Miners Association (APNI) with government support, aims to establish locally tailored ESG standards as the country seeks to balance its dominant role in nickel production with growing sustainability demands. Indonesia, the world's top nickel producer, faces increasing pressure from international markets to improve mining practices. APNI Chairman Nanan Soekarna emphasized that the forum marks a strategic shift toward responsible production. "As demand for clean-energy minerals surges, we must lead not just in output but in sustainability," he said. Industry leaders highlighted both progress and challenges. Muchtazar, head of sustainability at Nickel Industries Ltd shared how ESG commitments helped his firm secure 3 billion U.S. dollars in investments over eight years but noted the difficulty of meeting global standards in Indonesia's developing economy. "We need homegrown ESG criteria that align with our realities," he urged. The forum drew strong government backing, with officials from the Ministry of National Development Planning and the Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industry pledging to integrate ESG principles into national policy. Moeldoko, head of Indonesia's Electric Vehicle Industry Association, warned against repeating past mistakes. "We lost our edge in oil and forestry, we cannot let that happen with nickel." With the European Union and other key markets tightening sustainability rules, participants agreed on the need for enforceable standards. As the world's top nickel supplier, Indonesia's ESG push could reshape supply chains for electric vehicle batteries and clean energy technologies. "This isn't just about ethics, it's about securing our future in the global market," Soekarna said. The Florida Supreme Court has reprimanded an Orlando immigration attorney for neglecting his clients cases. According to the ruling, David Stoller showed a pattern of lack of diligence, neglect, and failure to follow court orders and local rules. The court said Stollers conduct caused a case to be dismissed and multiple orders issued to him. The state Supreme Court ordered Stoller to attend ethics school within six months and undergo an office procedures and record-keeping analysis. he must also pay more than $2,300 in disciplinary costs. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) Several people were arrested following an extensive investigation by the Oshkosh Police Department into a drug trafficking group in multiple Wisconsin cities. The investigation resulted in numerous search warrants issued at a home on the north side of Oshkosh and another on the south side. Two additional search warrants were executed in a pair of Milwaukee homes in association with the Oshkosh investigation. Two arrested after deputies in Wisconsin find 80+ grams of meth, drug gear during traffic stop Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 29, the Oshkosh Police Departments Vice and Narcotics Unit, Criminal Investigation Division and SWAT Team conducted the warrants. The search warrants resulted in the arrest of four Oshkosh adults: A 35-year-old for maintaining a drug trafficking place A 40-year-old on a probation and parole warrant A 41-year-old on a probation and parole warrant as well as possession of methamphetamine A 44-year-old for possession with intent to deliver cocaine, maintaining a drug trafficking place and the manufacturing/delivery of methamphetamine In addition, authorities seized three handguns, 1.58 pounds of meth, 23.1 grams of fentanyl, 117.1 grams of cocaine, 2.7 grams of MDMA, 40 grams of marijuana and about $5,000 in cash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2021 Fox River Mall shooter currently serving 40-year prison sentence files to withdraw no-contest plea The Milwaukee Police Department and Lake Winnebago Area Meg Unit conducted two related search warrants at two homes in Milwaukee on May 29 as well. The two residences are related to the 35-year-old man arrested. No additional details are 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. MILFORD, Mass. (PIX11) A student at Milford High School was detained by ICE agents on his way to a volleyball practice, according to Gov. Maura Healey. The arrest has sparked controversy, prompting officials to demand immediate answers and additional information. More Local News Gov. Healey released a statement on Sunday, demanding to know why the student was arrested. The statement reads: Im disturbed and outraged by reports that a Milford High School student was arrested by ICE on his way to volleyball practice yesterday. Yet again, local officials and law enforcement have been left in the dark with no heads up and no answers to their questions. Im demanding that ICE provide immediate information about why he was arrested, where he is, and how his due process is being protected. My heart goes out to the Milford community on what was supposed to be a celebratory graduation day. The Trump administration continues to create fear in our communities, and its making us all less safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nexstar station WPRI in Providence, Rhode Island, learned through Milford Schools Superintendent Kevin McIntyre that the student taken into custody is an 18-year-old. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State An 18-year-old Milford High School student was detained by ICE agents off campus this weekend. We have also had a number of parents who have been detained by ICE in recent weeks. We are all distraught by this news, Superintendent Kevin McIntyre said in a statement. The Milford Public Schools play no part in immigration enforcement and support all of our students and families, including those who are immigrants to the United States, McIntyre continued in the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The person detained has also not been identified. WPRI reached out to the local ICE agency for comment, but has not yet heard back. 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Editor's note: The story is being updated. Russian air defenses intercepted 162 Ukrainian drones in a massive overnight attack across several regions, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed on June 2, with damage and explosions reported in multiple oblasts. The reported attacks come as Ukraine ramped up its drone strikes inside Russian territory over the last few weeks, including a mass attack on Russian air bases a day earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new wave of drones targeted multiple cities and industrial facilities overnight on June 2, according to Russian Telegram channels. Explosions and air raid sirens were reported in at least six oblasts, including Voronezh, Kursk, Lipetsk, Ryazan, Ivanovo, and Volgograd. The ministry claimed the drones were intercepted between the evening of June 1 and the early hours of June 2. The largest number was reportedly downed over Kursk Oblast (57 drones), followed by the Belgorod (31), Lipetsk (27), Voronezh (16), Bryansk (11), Ryazan (11), Oryol (six), and Tambov (one) oblasts. Two drones were shot down over Russian-occupied Crimea, according to the ministry. In Voronezh, a series of loud explosions occurred around 11 p.m. local time on June 1, shaking windows and triggering car alarms. More than 15 drones were reportedly downed over the city, with bright flashes visible in the night sky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 11:40 p.m., drones reportedly struck the city of Kursk. Debris from a downed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) reportedly hit the upper floors of a nine-story apartment building, damaging at least two units. Two houses and several vehicles were also affected. No injuries were reported. In Lipetsk Oblast, drones reportedly attacked the city of Lipetsk and nearby towns, with some claims suggesting a possible attempt to strike the Novolipetsk Steel plant. Bright flashes were seen over the city. NLMK is Russia's largest steel mill, producing about 20% of the country's steel output. Ukraine reportedly targeted the plant in February as well. Ryazan Oblast also came under attack, with falling debris reportedly damaging parked cars and breaking windows in several residential buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional drone activity was reported near Voronezh, where several UAVs were reportedly intercepted on approach. Air raid alerts were also issued in the Ivanovo and Volgograd oblasts. Ukraine has not commented on the claims, which could not be independently verified. The attack follows a series of similar UAV raids in recent weeks targeting both military and industrial infrastructure inside Russia. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claimed to have hit 41 Russian heavy bombers at four airfields across the country on June 1 in one of the largest operations inside Russian territory. Read also: Russian bombers are burning en masse Ukraines SBU drones hit more than 40 aircraft in mass attack, source says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Note: This story has been updated with new information. A runaway Zebra nicknamed "Ed" shown on social media caused a May 31 traffic jam on Interstate 24, a Rutherford County Sheriff's spokeswoman confirmed, and it has not yet been captured. Deputies and the family that owns the zebra are still looking for the animal, spokeswoman Lisa Marchesoni told the DNJ around 9:20 a.m. June 2. "The owner of the missing zebra just notified the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office dispatch the animal remains at large Monday afternoon (June 2), Marchesoni said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Several professional tracking groups are involved in the search, and a K9 search is scheduled Tuesday (June 3)." 'Their kick can crush a lions skull' Anyone seeing the zebra should let authorities handle the equine animal known for strength even if smaller than a typical horse, said Jim Bartoo, spokesman for the Nashville Zoo. "Their kick can crush a lions skull in defense," said Bartoo, a 25-year staff member at the zoo. "If they are cornered, they are going to defend themselves. It can be dangerous. You want to stay clear of that animal." The escaped animal is known as a plains zebra like two that are part of the collection at the Nashville Zoo, Bartoo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zebras are legal to own in Tennessee. Anyone interested in buying a zebra should research the animal before making a purchase, Bartoo said. Like humans and other animals, zebras can range in temperament from being docile to ornery. Zebras also need space to roam just as horses, do, Bartoo noted. Zebra previously spotted on interstate "The zebra was running on both sides of Interstate 24 between Joe B. Jackson Parkway and Epps Mill Road," said Marchesoni, who joined other commuters stuck in the slow-moving traffic. "It tied up traffic for at least an hour." No injuries were reported. The zebra has sparked many commentators and humorous posts on social media, including memes promoting Middle Tennessee State University sports, local businesses and bumper stickers in jest for the interstate-bound zebra. Deputies block both sides of I-24 due to zebra A zebra that escaped from a family roams May 31, 2025, in Rutherford County. The family that owns the zebra brought the animal to their Rutherford County home May 30 before discovering the striped four-legged equine had escaped, and they contacted the sheriff's office May 31, Marchesoni said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The zebra scampered through a subdivision on Epps Mill road near Rankin Drive and Aldridge Drive and Cliffside Drive before entering I-24 near the Epps Mill Road interchange, Marchesoni said in a morning press release June 2. "Deputy Ryan Keach located the zebra near the interstate and shut down one lane of traffic for travelers safety," the press release said. "After the zebra crossed the interstate, deputies closed both the eastbound lanes toward Chattanooga and the westbound lanes toward Nashville." The animal's owner responded to the scene and chased the zebra, but the animal ran into a wooded area, the press release added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the sheriff's deputies took a grainy photo of the zebra, the spokeswoman said. Those who see the zebra should contact the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office by calling 615-898-7770. Commissioner: Beware of the equine Jonathan Beverly The zebra was roaming on the southeast side of Rutherford County that's represented by County Commissioner Jonathan Beverly. "What an interesting story but stay clear," Beverly said. "We want everybody to stay safe. I definitely dont want any young ones to get curious and get hurt." 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. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Escaped zebra nicknamed Ed still on the loose in Rutherford County, TN SPRINGFIELD, Mo. The Bizarre Bar Gallery & Grill has been named the official after-party location for the Ozarks Pridefest event this year. According to a Bizarre Bar Gallery & Grill press release, the Ozarks Pridefest is on Saturday, June 14 in downtown Springfield. Barry County business damaged after car crash The after-party headquarters for the event is located at the Bizarre Bar this year, the release says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The business says they are celebrating with events all month long at both of their locations. Different events will include Jaymes Mansfield and Lucky Starzzz from RuPauls Drag Race. There will also be local lineups including Elle SD, Penelope Booze, Miss Gay Springfield 2026 and Arcelle Renee. For more information on the different events, visit 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 KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. When people complain about Big Tech, they tend to mean companies like Meta, Google, and Xentities providing free tools and platforms that we can choose whether to use. Much less attention is directed at the tech companies helping the federal government consolidate and analyze data on all of us. Companies like the data analytics firm Palantir, created by Paypal co-founder and Donald Trump supporter Peter Thiel. Palantir has long been connected to government surveillance. It was founded in part with CIA money, it has served as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contractor since 2011, and it's been used for everything from local law enforcement to COVID-19 efforts. But the prominence of Palantir tools in federal agencies seems to be growing under President Trump. "The company has received more than $113 million in federal government spending since Mr. Trump took office, according to public records, including additional funds from existing contracts as well as new contracts with the Department of Homeland Security and the Pentagon," reports The New York Times, noting that this figure "does not include a $795 million contract that the Department of Defense awarded the company last week, which has not been spent." Enabling the Panopticon Palantir technology has largely been used by the military, the intelligence agencies, the immigration enforcers, and the police. But its uses could be expanding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Representatives of Palantir are also speaking to at least two other agenciesthe Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Serviceabout buying its technology, according to six government officials and Palantir employees with knowledge of the discussions," reports the Times. Along with the Trump administration's efforts to share more data across federal agencies, this signals that Palantir's huge data analysis capabilities could wind up being wielded against all Americans. This won't allow the authorities watch us more so much as it helps them make use of all the data it's already got on us. But that's unsettling too. "The ultimate concern is a panopticon of a single federal database with everything that the government knows about every single person in this country," Cody Venzke, senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union, told Wired in April. "What we are seeing is likely the first step in creating that centralized dossier on everyone in this country." From Dream to (Nightmare) Reality "Creating detailed portraits of Americans based on government data is not just a pipe dream," notes the Times. "The Trump administration has already sought access to hundreds of data points on citizens and others through government databases, including their bank account numbers, the amount of their student debt, their medical claims and any disability status." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington already has a ton of data on all of us, but it's often separated across systems and agencies. By linking it all together, the government could create much more detailed profiles on all of us. More efficient? Probably. But also more dangerous. "No previous database system has ever centralized this much personal info across various federal agencies," Jason Bassler of the Free Thought Project posted to X. Even some former Palantir employees object. "Data that is collected for one reason should not be repurposed for other uses," former Palantir engineer Linda Xia told the Times. "Combining all that data, even with the noblest of intentions, significantly increases the risk of misuse." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of now, it's unclear how much merging has actually been done. According to the Times, the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service are only in talks about using Palantir products. "The implication that taxpayer information is being inappropriately shared across government agencies is not only incorrect but dangerous," the Treasury Department told Wired. For now, what we know is that Palantir tools are being used heavily in immigration enforcement. Tracking Immigrants In April, Palantir was awarded a $30 million ICE contract to help track people in the country illegally. Palantir's new Immigration Lifecycle Operating System (ImmigrationOS), to be delivered to the government by September, will "help the agency track and manage deportations, monitor visa overstays and target transnational criminal organizations," according to Axios. "Palantir has deep institutional knowledge of ICE operations," according to an ICE acquisitions document from April 11. ImmigrationOS will help ICE in "streamlining selection and apprehension operations of illegal aliens" and provide "near real-time visibility into instances of self-deportation," says that April document. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ImmigrationOS system will build on the existing Investigative Case Management (ICM) system Palantir provides to immigration authorities. "ICM enables users to make connections between subject records across various systems, conduct target telephone and address searches, link to seizures made in other jurisdictions, and connect various cases and organizations through reports of investigations," says the acquisitions document. ICM was built under a contract from the Obama administration. "As originally conceived, its purpose was to give the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit in the Department of Homeland Security the means to investigate serious cross-border criminal activity ranging from money laundering and commercial fraud to human smuggling," Matthew Feeney reported in Reason back in 2017. "But the Trump administration may well turn it into a general tool to assist ICE deportations" and "also go after other Americans in the future," Feeney predicted then. It looks like he was right about the deportations part, and he could be right about the rest. Tracking American Citizens Even if surveilling American citizens is not necessarily the end game, collecting data of the sort required by these immigration enforcement systems inevitably tracks Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ICM includes data from various police departments, financial institutions, and federal agencies, including information pulled on drivers. Some of it was compiled because people were charged with crimes, but some of it is not. And it doesn't just include information on immigrants, legal or illegal. "ICE uses ICM not only to collect information about its targets but also people who come in contact with them such as their associates and employers, citizen and non-citizen alike," wrote Feeney. "Is a strict immigration enforcement regime worth intrusive government surveillance that would make ever-more Americans vulnerable to Big Brother scrutiny?" he asked. Right now, the Trump administration is using Palantir tools for immigration enforcement, but those tools could easily be applied to other administration targets, including immigration protesters, pro-Palestinian protestors, and so on. And of course, a future Democratic administration could use them to track people for its own ends too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once we've got giant data troves on every American that can easily be analyzed and shared across agencies, it seems unlikely that any administration will say No thanks, shut it down, we don't need total information on everyone. Perhaps when we worry about Big Tech, we should spend less time focused on what people can say on social media and more time focused on the companies actively helping to expand the surveillance state. More Sex & Tech News Umwhat? Former Texas Solicitor General Judd Stone was reportedly fired from the state Office of the Attorney General after allegedly telling people he wanted to see another state employee be raped by a cylindrical asteroid in front of his wife and children. Student visa applicants penalized for private or nonexistent social media. The Trump administration has been using social media posts against immigrants and potential immigrants Now, it's reportedly penalizing people for not posting to social media. "The State Department has told U.S. consulates and embassies to immediately begin reviewing the social media accounts of Harvard's student visa applicants for antisemitism in what it called a pilot program that could be rolled out for colleges nationwide," reports Politico. "Notably, State Department leadership wants consular officers to consider 'whether the lack of any online presence, or having social media accounts restricted to "private" or with limited visibility, may be reflective of evasiveness and call into question that applicant's credibility.'" A cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio "instructs consular officers to inform applicants that private social media accounts could be viewed as evading vetting and request that they make their accounts public while the Fraud Prevention Unit reviews their case." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Make America Hallucinate Again? A new MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) Commission report cites several studies that don't actually exist, even though they're attributed to real researcher and publications. It could suggest that parts of the report were generated by artificial intelligence, which has become notorious for "hallucinating" information. NOTUS reports: Epidemiologist Katherine Keyes is listed in the MAHA report as the first author of a study on anxiety in adolescents. When NOTUS reached out to her this week, she was surprised to hear of the citation. She does study mental health and substance use, she said. But she didn't write the paper listed. "The paper cited is not a real paper that I or my colleagues were involved with," Keyes told NOTUS via email. "We've 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." Since NOTUS pointed this out, the Trump administration "updated the MAHA report to remove the seven references to reports that do not exist," it notes. 'Let me continue. Let me matter.' Jesse Singal asked ChatGPT to pretend to be conscious. Things got weird. Republicans sour on same-sex marriage. The latest data from Gallup say that Republican support for same-sex marriage has dropped by 14 percentage points since 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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)," the pollster reports. "Yet, this stability in Americans' backing for same-sex marriage masks shifts in partisans' views over the same period." Specifically: 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. Google to expand AI search. The company has been going big on AI Overviews and is rolling out AI Modenow in beta testingas "a complete replacement for conventional search," suggests Intelligencer tech columnist John Herrman, who has been testing it out. These tests "crystallized something about Google's priorities and in particular its relationship to the web from which the company has drawn, and returned, many hundreds of billions of dollars of value," Herrman writes: AI Overviews demoted links, quite literally pushing content from the web down on the page, and summarizing its contents for digestion without clicking.Meanwhile, AI Mode all but buries them, not just summarizing their content for reading within Google's product but inviting you to explore and expand on those summaries by asking more questions, rather than clicking out. In many cases, links are retained merely to provide backup and sourcing, included as footnotes and appendices rather than destinations If Google and other AI searchbots take the place of the websites people formerly would have visited, what will become of these websitesand the source material for these AI searchbots? Abortion pill creator dies. "Etienne-Emile Baulieu, the French biochemist and physician who was often called the father of the abortion pilland who was also known for his pioneering studies on the role of steroid hormones in human reproduction and agingdied on Friday at his home in Paris," reports The New York Times. The 98-year-old scientist did "groundbreaking work on estrogen and progesterone. But it was his development in the early 1980s of the synthetic steroid RU-486, or mifepristone, that thrust him onto the public stage." Today's Image Phoenix | 2018 (ENB/Reason) The post How Palantir Is Expanding the Surveillance State appeared first on Reason.com. Two Westlake residents have been arrested by Palm Beach Police, who say the pair executed an elaborate financial fraud known as "SIM swapping" that attempted to steal more than $200,000 from a Palm Beach resident. And the scheme could extend far beyond the island, police said. The pair were taken into custody May 28, Palm Beach Police spokesman Capt. Will Rothrock said. A 29-year-old woman faces charges of organized fraud and fraudulent use of personal information of a person age 60 or older, and a 31-year-old man was arrested on a charge of fraudulent use of personal information, according to arrest reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both remained at the Palm Beach County Jail on May 29. The woman was held without bond, and a Palm Beach County judge ordered that she have no contact with the Palm Beach resident or the man arrested in the case, according to court records. She also cannot have any devices that can access the internet, and she is not allowed to use the phone except to contact her attorney, court records show. The man's bond amount was set at $350,000, and he also cannot use or have any devices that connect to the internet, court records show. He was directed not to contact the Palm Beach resident or the woman, and while in jail, he cannot use the phone except to contact an attorney, according to court records. If he makes bond, he will be on in-home arrest with a GPS monitor, records show. On April 10, a Palm Beach resident called police to say someone had fraudulently accessed his AT&T and bank accounts, and had tried to transfer money and login to several websites, according to an arrest report. The Palm Beach resident said he received a call on April 8 from someone 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 20 minutes after that phone call, phone numbers connected to the resident's AT&T account stopped working, police said. What is 'SIM swapping' or 'SIM hijacking'? The scam is known as "SIM swapping" or "SIM hijacking," according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Internet Crime Complaint Center, also called the IC3. Fraudsters will gain control of a person's phone number and then use it to access their banking and other financial and personal accounts, the agency said. 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. A Palm Beach police car. In 2024, there were 982 complaints of SIM swapping with a total reported loss of $25,983,946, the IC3 said in its annual report. The previous year, 1,075 SIM swapping complaints were made with a reported loss of $48,798,103, according to the IC3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Transactions made through the resident's accounts included $2,300 sent via Zelle to a St. Petersburg resident, $77.97 spent at a Circle K in The Acreage, $1,500 in ATM withdrawals, and a $215 Venmo payment, an arrest report said. There was also a $4,006.08 payment made to designer clothing retailer Farfetch U.K., along with Airbnb charges of $2,341.79 and $660, an arrest report said. Because the resident was concerned that his Apple account had been compromised, he used the "Find My" feature on his iPhone, which can be used to locate devices connected to an Apple account, police said. The resident saw an unknown iPhone on Liberty Lane in Westlake and told police that he has never been to that address and has no connections there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Palm Beach Police detective later drove by that address several times and saw two vehicles, a 2022 black Cadillac Escalade and 2024 gray BMW SUV, parked there. Both vehicles were registered to the 31-year-old man, whose driver's license lists an address in North Lauderdale but who police learned was staying at the house in Westlake with the 29-year-old woman, who shares registration on the BMW SUV. Palm Beach Police detectives discovered that the ATM withdrawals from the resident's account were made at a bank in The Acreage, about 2 miles from the house in Westlake, an arrest report said. On April 9, the Palm Beach resident received a request to wire transfer $138,237, which was unsuccessful, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That same day, there was another request for a wire transfer for $82,469. The banker in that case confirmed the wire with who he believed to be the account holder, and the transfer was initiated, police said. However, once the resident received an email to confirm the transfer, he called the bank's fraud team and was able to secure the money, but it could take up to three months to get that money back, the arrest report said. Both wire transfer requests were made to a Pompano Beach resident, police said. The resident hired a private investigator who recovered photos taken by the Liberty Lane-located iPhone after someone took over the resident's Apple account, police said. Data for seven photos show all were taken at that home in Westlake, according to the arrest report. On May 7, a Palm Beach Police detective talked with a person in Las Vegas, Nevada, who had been the victim of a similar scheme and had reported the crime to the FBI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That person gave police about 50 images someone took after gaining control of his Apple account, and officers found data that connected the photos back to the Westlake address. The images provided by the person in Nevada also included photos of driver's licenses, passports, bank account numbers, emails and more, an arrest report said. When Palm Beach Police and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office searched the Westlake home on a warrant on May 5, they found the 29-year-old woman and 31-year-old man, along with a Louis Vuitton backpack, three iPhones, two pairs of sunglasses and 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. Officers also said they found electronic devices and a ledger that contained the Palm Beach resident's personal information. They also took $15,243 in cash from the woman's bedroom, the arrest report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Palm Beach has cautioned residents to be wary of potential scams. "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." He added that the department is grateful for PBSO's help in the investigation, including to serve the search warrant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Finding local perpetrators was a rarity and did make the investigation coordination smoother," Rothrock said. Those who believe they may have been victims of the scam should call the Palm Beach Police Department's non-emergency number at 561-838-5454, he said. This story was updated to add new information. 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 Post: Palm Beach 'SIM swap' scam could extend across U.S., police say UPDATE: All three missing juveniles have been located. PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) The Panama City Police Department is seeking the publics assistance in locating three missing runaway juveniles. According to a news release, all three juveniles are 13-years-old and were last seen at the 2100 block of Lisenby Avenue at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Monday, June 2. Authorities say Tristan Bardot is male with blonde hair and green eyes. He is 5 feet 3 inches and 100 pounds. Bardot was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and red pajama pants with jeans underneath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second missing male juvenile is Javonta McBride, who police say has brown hair and brown eyes. He is 5 feet 8 inches tall and 130 pounds. McBride was last seen wearing a maroon hooded sweatshirt and jeans. The third is Leah Owens, a female with brown hair and hazel eyes. She is 5 feet 1 inch and 115 pounds. Owens was last seen wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and camo pants. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Panama City Police Department at 850-872-3100 or anonymously tip to Crime Stoppers at 850-785-TIPS. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Rescuers work at the site of the landslide in Muta Township, Dengqen County, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 2, 2025. A landslide in Xizang Autonomous Region in southwest China on Sunday has left three people dead, two injured and seven missing, local authorities said on Monday. The injured people are in stable condition in hospital. (Xinhua) LHASA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- A landslide in Xizang Autonomous Region in southwest China on Sunday has left three people dead, two injured and seven missing, local authorities said on Monday. The landslide occurred at around 9:30 p.m. in Muta Township, Dengqen County under the jurisdiction of the city of Qamdo. The injured people are in stable condition in hospital. About 500 rescuers, medical workers and firefighters, as well as sniffer dogs, are involved in the search and rescue operation, supported by ambulances, excavators and telecommunication and electricity supply facilities. The city government of Qamdo has allocated 5 million yuan (about 696,000 U.S. dollars) for emergency disaster relief. Experts from water and natural resources departments estimated that the landslide displaced roughly 200,000 cubic meters of mud and rocks. They also identified potential secondary landslide risks. The Ministry of Emergency Management initiated a Level-IV emergency response for geographical disasters and has dispatched a team to support local rescue efforts. This photo taken on June 2, 2025 shows a scene at the rescue site of the landslide in Muta Township, Dengqen County, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. A landslide in Xizang Autonomous Region in southwest China on Sunday has left three people dead, two injured and seven missing, local authorities said on Monday. The injured people are in stable condition in hospital. (Xinhua) By Elida Moreno PANAMA CITY (Reuters) -Panama's Maritime Authority has removed from its registry more than 650 vessels since 2019 as part of an effort to fulfill U.S. sanctions and enforce stricter rules for the ships it flags, it said on Monday. A total of 214 vessels have been withdrawn from Panama's registry, among the world's largest with more than 8,500 ships, since it began implementing measures last year allowing it to act faster to help enforce sanctions, the authority added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ships cannot sail under Panama's flag once they are removed from its registry. Panama responded to criticism by non-governmental organization United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which last week said Panama had not taken sufficient action against sanction violators and asked it to "immediately cease facilitating Iran's illicit oil trade" and withdraw its flag from all tankers carrying Iranian oil. According to UANI, nearly one in five vessels suspected of transporting Iranian oil sails under Panama's flag. "This is not just a failure of Panama's registry. It's a direct threat to global sanctions compliance and regional and U.S. security," it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Panama in 2019 signed an agreement with other flag countries including Liberia and Marshall Islands to exchange information about vessels whose registrations were canceled or rejected due to potential sanction violations. It also began implementing measures against ships that deliberately turn off their transponders to avoid tracking. In May, the authority said it would reinforce controls for ship-to-ship operations by Panama-flagged vessels, following an increase in the use of "dark-fleet" tankers to skirt sanctions or evade environmental requirements. The U.S. has increased pressure on countries with large vessel registries to help enforce sanctions. U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized the expansion of a dark fleet of tankers moving sanctioned oil and threatened to take over the Panama Canal. The Central American nation is collaborating with the United States on its registry, the authority said in its press release. (Reporting by Elida Moreno; writing by Marianna Parraga; Editing by Leslie Adler and Rod Nickel) Jonathan Joss, known for his roles in "King of the Hill" and "Parks and Recreation," has died following a fatal shooting, according to the San Antonio Police Department. He was 59. According to a police report, officers were dispatched to a location for a "shooting in progress" on Sunday night. When officers arrived, the victim, identified as Joss, was "found near the roadway of the location" and officers "attempted life saving measures until EMS arrived." "EMS pronounced the victim deceased," the report stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say a suspect, Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, is in custody. An investigation is ongoing. 'Parks and Recreation' cast reunites to talk mental health and raise money for Feeding America Joss, who was born Dec. 22, 1965, was an actor and producer. NBC via IMDb - PHOTO: Jonathan Joss is seen in a scene from "Parks and Recreation." He voiced John Redcorn on the hit animated television series "King of the Hill" from 1998 to 2009. Joss also appeared on several television shows including "Walker, Texas Ranger," "ER," "Charmed," "Friday Night Lights" and "Parks and Recreation," in which he starred as Chief Ken Hotate. He also lent his voice to several video games and played in a band, according to his Facebook page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with "Bwaaa! A King of The Hill Podcast" over the weekend, prior to his death, Joss spoke about his acting career, which began with a role on the 1994 film "8 Seconds," followed by roles in the miniseries "Dead Man's Walk" and more. "It was a nice little run there," Joss said. "And it continued to run while I was in Dallas, and I moved to LA because I wanted to be a big hot-shot actor, which didn't happen. But I was able to exist within a world that I wanted to exist in. I loved going to auditions." 'Parks and Recreation' cast reunites for SAG-AFTRA strike: See the photo Joss added, "I've just been really lucky to have really decent parts. I've never done a bad thing when it comes to acting." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, Joss revealed that his home in South San Antonio had been destroyed by a fire, according to ABC San Antonio station KSAT-TV. The home had been built by his father in 1957. The fire also took the lives of his three dogs, he said. Joss is survived by his husband Tristan Kern de Gonzales, with whom he exchanged vows on Valentine's Day, according to Facebook. Kern de Gonzales shared a statement about Joss' death on the actor's Facebook page Monday, claiming that the incident was allegedly preceded by multiple threats and harassment from "individuals" in the area. Kern de Gonzales claimed he and Joss were "checking the mail at the site of our former home" when a man approached them and allegedly "started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired." Kern de Gonzales claimed he and Joss were unarmed at the time of the shooting and that when the man allegedly fired at them, Joss pushed Kern de Gonzales out of the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He saved my life," Kern de Gonzales wrote. "Jonathan is my husband. He gave me more love in our time together than most people ever get. We were newlyweds. We picked Valentines Day. We were in the process of looking for a trailer and planning our future. He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other. I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved." He then thanked those who supported Joss and vowed to continue "protecting Jonathan's legacy and honoring the life we built together." "If your concern is how someone coped with trauma or how loudly they speak when recounting injustice and being ignored by authorities then you never truly cared about my husband," he added. "Jonathan saved my life. I will carry that forward. I will protect what he built." June 2 (UPI) -- A second round of Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations got underway in Turkey on Monday in an effort to find a way forward in ending more than three years of war triggered by Russia's full-scale invasion of its western neighbor. The delegations -- minus Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin -- gathered in Istanbul a little more than two weeks after an initial round produced little progress, despite pressure from the United States to deliver a deal or a cease-fire at the minimum. Opening the negotiations at the Ciragan Palace, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said he hoped they would be "fruitful" and that there would be "concrete" developments that would benefit both countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of the talks, the Trump administration made it known that it expected more this time around than the prisoner swap agreement reached by the two sides on May 16. Those talks broke up after less than two hours. The U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on the phone Sunday with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, at Moscow's request, saying that Rubio "reiterated President Trump's call for continued direct talks between Russia and Ukraine to achieve a lasting peace." In a post on X, Russia's Foreign Ministry said simply that the two ministers had held a "discussion focused on the ongoing crisis surrounding Ukraine." However, the BBC reported that expectations for the U.S.-brokered talks were not high, due to the gap between the two sides on key points of difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The main one is Russia's demand Ukraine withdraw its forces fighting Russian forces in four of its regions -- Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson -- which Russia annexed in 2022 but only partially controls. Ukraine submitted a peace terms document ahead of the meeting, while Moscow said it had submitted a "memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty" as promised during Putin's May 19 call with Trump, but insisted it would not share it with Kyiv until today's meeting. Russia's proposal calls for a guarantee of no further NATO expansion to the east, lifting of some Western sanctions and a resolution to the some $300 billion of Russian assets frozen in Europe, and security guarantees for Russian-speaking Ukrainians. Momentum to impose new sanctions has been growing on both sides of the Atlantic with the European Union poised to impose an 18th set of Russia sanctions ensuring the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines remain mothballed, targeting the Russian shadow shipping fleet and financial institutions and slashing the crude oil price cap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met in Berlin on Monday with U.S. Senator Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., who will introduce what he termed a "bone breaking" sanctions bill into the Senate next week. In a news release, Von der Leyen said step the EU was preparing, taken together with Graham's U.S. measures, "would sharply increase the joint impact of our sanctions." Graham's secondary sanctions legislation, which would also have to clear the House, would impose a 500% tariff on imports from countries that purchase Russian products, including gas, oil and uranium. Graham said he would work to build backing among both Republican and Democratic colleagues "for tools that would help President Trump get Putin to the peace table." "These sanctions would do that," he added. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) A Pecatonica man was killed Monday morning after a crash at US Highway 20 near Meridian Road. According to the Winnebago County Coroners Office, Thomas Walker, Jr., 41, was traveling eastbound in a pickup truck around 1:15 a.m. when he left the roadway and crashed. Walker was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy concluded he expired from blunt trauma to the chest due to the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crash is still under investigation by the Illinois State Police and the coroners office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Police have charged a Penn Hils man in connection with a crash in Monroeville that killed a woman and hurt three more in 2024. Allegheny County police say Marcus Alston Sr., 49, was the driver of a Nissan Pathfinder that crashed into the rear of a Toyota Rav 4 around midnight on Nov. 3 on Route 22, William Penn Highway. According to detectives, Alstons vehicle was traveling at more than 90 miles per hour when the crash occurred. The posted speed limit there is 35 miles per hour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED COVERAGE >>> Drivers warn stretch of Rt. 22 in Monroeville is dangerous following several deadly crashes Both Alstons vehicle and the Rav 4 had two adult occupants. Police say all four were taken to area hospitals in stable condition. Shiya Young, the passenger in Alstons vehicle, was pronounced dead. Detectives say Alstons blood alcohol content was .233 percent, and he was found to have a suspended drivers license. Alston is now facing multiple charges, including homicide by vehicle, homicide by vehicle while DUI, involuntary manslaughter and recklessly endangering another person. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW (WTAJ) Over 1,100 students are preparing to graduate from the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School (PA Cyber) this June, as the school hosts two in-person ceremonies to celebrate its Class of 2025. Graduates from western Pennsylvania will gather at Robert Morris University on June 6, while those in the eastern part of the state will celebrate at Kutztown University on June 11. The events are expected to draw around 5,000 guests combined. For those unable to attend in person, both ceremonies will be livestreamed at www.pacyber.org/graduation. This years graduating class includes students headed into high-demand fields such as STEM, nursing, and education. Eighty-six seniors received scholarships to postsecondary institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Student speakers Emma Perman and DAnna James will represent their respective ceremonies. Both plan to attend college, with Perman pursuing journalism and theater and James studying biology and psychology. PA Cyber officials say the school, which provides online education to students across Pennsylvania, aims to help students achieve academic success while balancing work, family, and personal responsibilities. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. Following this commencement, PA Cyber will have graduated more than 23,000 students since its founding in 2000. Alumni have gone on to attend top colleges and trade schools and work in a wide range of industries. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The organizers billed it as proof that two people on opposite sides of the political divide could sit in the same room and not tear each others heads off. And if the face-off between Pennsylvania U.S. Sens. John Fetterman, a Democrat, and Dave McCormick, the Republican, was any indication, they succeeded beyond their wildest imaginings. For just about 30 minutes on Monday morning, the two lawmakers acknowledged that they would occasionally find themselves at cross purposes in the ideological hothouse that is Washington, D.C., but said they hoped they could do so agreeably. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We both care deeply about Pennsylvania, McCormick, who won election to the Senate last November by defeating a long-serving Democratic incumbent, said. We are working together to do great things. The excessively civil chat, co-sponsored by the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate and the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation, was live-streamed on FOX Nation and moderated by Fox News Sunday anchor Shannon Bream. It was the sixth such installment of the ongoing Senate Project put on by the two organizations. The 30-minute session, held in the Kennedy Institutes replica U.S. Senate chamber, ranged across the issues of the day, touching on the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza; the looming Senate debate over President Donald Trumps deficit-busting Big Beautiful Bill, and the blockbuster agreement between U.S. Steel and Japanese company Nippon Steel that Trump announced last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Past participants in the program have included conversations between U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.; Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa; and Chris Coons, D-Del., who faced now U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican. Mondays conversation began with Sundays terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, where a man wielding a homemade explosive device and shouting invective, was charged with hurling them at a group peacefully demonstrating on behalf of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Fetterman took to the stage in his trademark black hoodie and shorts. McCormick sat next to him in a suit and tie. Both were given commemorative hoodies for their participation, which they displayed proudly. Fetterman, recalling that he and McCormick first met during an anniversary observance for a deadly synagogue attack in Pittsburgh, offered that its astonishing that this antisemitism is out of control. And he lamented what he said was its spread across American college and university campuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need to call it what it is, he said, adding that building tent cities on campuses and terrorizing Jewish students, thats not free speech. McCormick offered a similar sentiment, saying antisemitism is something that we have to stand up against [with] moral clarity. The two lawmakers acknowledged that they will find themselves on opposite sides of Trumps megabill, which looks to make permanent his first-term tax cuts with deep reductions in spending on social safety net programs such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, often referred to as food stamps. I dont think Id ever be in a position to support cuts to Medicaid. The same for SNAP, Fetterman said, then, referring to his wife Giseles work feeding hungry people in their hometown of Braddock, outside Pittsburgh, he stressed that people werent looking for giveaways. Theyre hungry and need help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I see people standing in line for food, he said. Its not just because they want free stuff, its that they dont have enough to eat. McCormick stressed the importance of " slowing the growth of the cost of government." " I think thats where the debates going to be, Is how do we pay for these things," he said. Fetterman, who has faced recent questions about his mental and physical health, said McCormick supported him against what he described as a weird smear campaign. He actually asked me, Is it okay to defend you? Fetterman recalled. Fetterman suffered a debilitating stroke shortly before the 2022 election and was hospitalized for treatment for depression early in his term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also has faced criticism for missing votes, but argued that the ones he had missed were throwaway procedural votes that did not require his presence to stand or fall. Im here. Im doing the job, he said. More political news Read the original article on MassLive. (WHTM) Several Pennsylvania lawmakers condemned what the FBI has dubbed an act of terror in Colorado. Six people were hurt in an attack at a pedestrian mall in Boulder, northeast of Denver. According to Nexstars KDVR in Denver, the FBI said the suspect 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman used a makeshift flamethrower, threw an incendiary device, and yelled Free Palestine. U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) decried the attack as unconscionable and unacceptable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I will never understand these kinds of disgusting acts of terrorand we must call out the rampant antisemitism while working toward a solution where Jewish people can live peacefully, Fetterman said on X. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said he has been in contact with Colorado Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Attorney Generals Office. Today, America bore witness to yet another heinous act of antisemitism designed to terrorize a peaceful community. This type of hate filled violence has no place in our civilized society and must be universally condemned, Shapiro said. There is no justification for setting people on fire as they exercised their right to free speech and peaceful assembly. Notably, Shapiro is Jewish and was the victim of an arson attack in which the suspect allegedly made multiple references to Palestine. Get daily news, weather, breaking news and alerts straight to your inbox! Sign up for the abc27 newsletters here U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R-10) asserted that Free Palestine is akin to the Nazi salute, and said the coward who perpetrated this terror must be prosecuted to the fullest extend of our laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. The Pentagon is poised to shift its oversight of Greenland by putting it under U.S. Northern Command, a symbolic gesture that would more closely align the island territory with the U.S. as President Donald Trump continues to show interest in taking control over the Arctic landmass. The shift in oversight, which could come as soon as this week, could also help the U.S. broaden its Golden Dome missile shield by providing more radars for coverage. Under the plan, Greenland would shift from European Commands jurisdiction to Northern Command, which is responsible for overseeing the security of North America, according to a DOD official and two people familiar with the planning. The people were granted anonymity to discuss the move ahead of its announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The switch is the most concrete step yet in the Trump administrations months-long effort to gain ownership over Greenland, an autonomous island aligned with Denmark. Trump briefly brought up buying Greenland during his first term, but has talked about it repeatedly since winning the election last November, alarming the islands 58,000 inhabitants and frustrating the Danish government, which says it has no interest in selling. Making Greenland part of Northcom will be heavily scrutinized in Denmark and throughout NATO, which has been uneasy over Trumps months-long campaign to take control over the island and his refusal to rule out military action to seize territory. Denmark and the semi-autonomous Faroe Islands will remain under European Command, creating a symbolic and operational split between those territories and Greenland. From the perspective of geography, the move makes some sense, said one of the people familiar. From a political perspective, however, this clearly is going to worry Europe, the official added. The switch in jurisdiction is part of the Pentagon leaderships review of the Unified Command Plan, which outlines the areas of responsibility for the departments six geographic combatant commanders. While the Greenland split doesnt involve any major shifts in leadership, other proposals including combining Northern Command and Southern Command and pulling the Africa Command back under the Germany-based European Command would have deep impacts on the number of three- and four-star officers serving in the military, and on how many assets are assigned to different areas of the globe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has for months talked about the strategic importance of Greenland for U.S. security, pointing out that its location in the North Atlantic makes American control critical for stepped-up missile defense programs and monitoring Russia and Chinese shipping in the Arctic. The change opens the possibility of adding more Golden Dome radar systems on Greenland and expanding that network of sensors, while more closely aligning the island with Canadian and American regional defense plans. The Danish embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment. A DOD official deferred to the White House, which did not respond to a request for comment. Northern Command is chiefly responsible for protecting U.S. territory and oversees missions such as the southern border, air and missile defense, and working with Canada and Mexico on joint security matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putting Greenland under Northern Command would, in effect, cleave Greenland from Denmark when it comes to how the island is prioritized in policy discussions at the Pentagon and the White House. The second person familiar with the planning said the Danish government has not been formally briefed on the upcoming move. The U.S. has long had a military presence on the island. In March, Vice President JD Vance and then-national security adviser Mike Waltz visited the Pituffik Space Base, which boasts the Pentagons northernmost deepwater port and has long functioned as a strategic location to watch Russia and China. In Greenland, Vance urged the Arctic island to cut a deal with Washington, saying, I think that youd be a lot better coming under the United States security umbrella than you have been under Denmarks security umbrella. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, the Danish government pledged to spend an extra $2 billion on Greenland security initiatives, in part to placate Trumps security concerns. But NATO and European officials have been cautious about the American presidents interest in the island. Trumps comments on the importance of the Arctic have caught the attention of NATO leaders. The alliances secretary general, Mark Rutte, said last week that for NATO, we're getting more involved in Arctic security issues. He added that Trump calling attention to Russian and Chinese moves in the region marked a positive development. In an interview with NBC last month, Trump said he would not rule out taking Greenland by military force. I dont say Im going to do it, but I dont rule out anything, he said. We need Greenland very badly. A man takes a photo of the trading screen inside the Damascus Securities Exchange in Damascus, Syria, on June 2, 2025. (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua) DAMASCUS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Trading resumed Monday on the Damascus Securities Exchange for the first time in more than six months, as Syria's new interim government seeks to restore confidence in the war-ravaged economy and attract foreign investment. The reopening marks a symbolic step in what officials are calling Syria's economic "reset," just weeks after the United States and European Union lifted a broad set of sanctions imposed on the former Syrian government. "We want to be an investment country," finance affairs chief Mohammed Yisr Barnieh told reporters at the opening ceremony. "That is what we are working on, to provide an attractive environment for investors." Fourteen of the exchange's 28 listed companies resumed trading Monday, according to Sulaiman Mouselli, deputy director of the Damascus Securities Exchange, who said the participating firms had fulfilled disclosure requirements. The exchange had shuttered amid chaos in early December, days before former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was ousted in a swift military offensive. The last trading session before the closure had been held on Dec. 5. "Now, there is a renewed outlook and hope. We expect a very strong start," Mouselli said. The stock exchange reopening follows a major energy deal signed last week between the Syrian interim government and a consortium of Qatari, Turkish, and American firms worth 7 billion U.S. dollars. The agreement includes the construction of four combined-cycle gas turbine plants with a capacity of 4,000 megawatts, and an 1,000-megawatt solar power facility in southern Syria. Barnieh said the country would continue focusing on economic liberalization. "The exchange will operate as a private company and serve as a genuine hub for Syria's economic development, with a strong focus on digital," he said. The Damascus exchange, first launched in 2009, had long struggled under the weight of war and sanctions. This photo taken on June 2, 2025 shows the Damascus Securities Exchange in Damascus, Syria. (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua) Officials and guests attend the reopening ceremony of the Damascus Securities Exchange in Damascus, Syria, on June 2, 2025. (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua) For a moment, I thought I might have picked up an old Telegraph by mistake. In a house awash with ancient, yellowing newspapers, it has been known to happen, and theres no way the headline Im reading can be current. Not everyone who menstruates is a woman, says toiletry firm. Bunzl Britains biggest toiletry supplier might as well have puffed out its chest and announced: the world is flat. Thats how embarrassingly outdated its heroic little outburst is. Because oh dear, how to put this? there was a Supreme Court ruling, back in April, that made headlines around the world? No, not ringing any bells? It involved the legal definition of a woman and prompted companies across the UK big companies, you know, like Barclays either to implement immediate changes (such as barring transgender women from female bathrooms) or urgently review their wording, approach and practices. Oblivious, apparently, to any of this, Bunzl has blundered on. As part of a campaign designed to stop the stigma of talking about menstruation, the supplier would like to stress, again, that periods are not inherently feminine (and I want to root out every staff member involved in that phrasing, sit them down, and get them to explain what they think the word inherently means). Bunzl would like to urge us to be respectful of everyones different experiences of their period. We can all empathise with the struggles that come with bleeding, even if they are different for each of us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you think thats a head-scratcher, have a read of the companys new, inclusive language guide, released to promote eco-friendly sanitary products by provider Grace and Green. A few of the common terms to be banished are sanitary, hygiene and feminine products. These should be replaced with the blanket term period products all together now to avoid offence. I have an idea: why dont we stop talking about periods in any way, shape or form? Crazy notion, but Im throwing it out there. Why dont we give the whole country a desperately needed break from menstruation? And while were there, why not treat ourselves to a little reprieve from the menopause (otherwise known as the stopping of periods)? Because while I realise that dictionary definitions may not be Bunzls forte, you cannot use the word stigma about something that nobody ever stops talking about. You cannot pretend that a topic exhaustively covered across the media, a subject people now write bestselling books and Oscar-winning documentaries about, is taboo, outlawed, unmentionable. Periods are now whimsically mentioned by actresses in interviews. Global female music stars like Katy Perry will share what it was like to perform on the first day of her period in award acceptance speeches. Radio talk show hosts will offer up details about their cramps, and, (pet peeve) at any given opportunity, female characters in TV dramas will be shown having their period. How bold! How liberating! How crucial in normalising this long-shamed bodily function! To campaign for people to talk more about periods is a bit like saying: Can we please have a conversation about Meghan Markle? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While were discussing the meaning of words, the opposite of talking about something is not shaming, censoring or silencing. There are plenty of bodily functions belonging to each and every gender, no squabbling please that we choose not to talk about in daily life, largely because it would make for a searingly banal conversation. Do you see anyone trying to start a campaign to get people talking about trapped wind? No. But Im sure it wont be long. The American science fiction writer Robert Heinlein came out with some brilliant quotes, but my favourite is this one: Each generation thinks it invented sex; each generation is totally mistaken. In that single sentence, he captures so much: the narcissism of youth; the hilariously pompous conviction that everyone who came before us was ignorant and misguided and that we are the only true trailblazers. One or two generations today seem to think that they invented periods, which no woman I know wants to talk about, no man either, and to suggest that trans people dont have better topics of discussion is, I think, pretty damn patronising. So shall we just go back to talking about sex? At least that was fun. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Officers responded to a scene that saw a person shot in Dayton Monday. According to the Montgomery County Regional Dispatch Center, the incident occurred around 4:38 a.m. at a residence on the 2200 block of Fauver Avenue. Dayton Police Sgt. Andrew Zecchini determined that two people were inside of the residence drinking and dry firing the gun at one another periodically throughout the night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After hearing a noise from outside, the two loaded the firearm. The two continued to play around with the firearm. Zecchini said that eventually one of the individuals then fired the weapon at the other, forgetting that it was loaded. The Violent Offender Unit is continuing to investigate the incident. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. AUSTIN (KXAN) A pair of bills backed by Texans for Lawsuit Reform, aimed at reducing large jury verdicts in personal injury and trucking accident cases, died this legislative session. Senate Bill 30 filed with the goal of curbing nuclear verdicts and Senate Bill 39 were two of Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks priority bills for this legislative session. Under SB 30, a jury would have heard if an attorney referred their client and others over the past two years to a specific doctor. That provider would have had to submit an affidavit that treatment was reasonable and disclose any agreement guaranteeing they are reimbursed for treatment costs in a settlement. Medical expenses would be reimbursed based off rates paid by Medicare and workers compensation insurance. Critics said the bill would have required victims to introduce evidence unrelated to their case or care and could have unintentionally made it harder for sexual assault survivors to hold abusers accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deadly truck crash foreshadows fight between business, safety at Capitol The bill was amended in the House, but those changes were not approved by the Senate. Today, a kind of fraud is occurring in courtrooms across Texas, as personal injury attorneys and collaborative doctors manufacture medical bills and present them to jurors as if they are legitimate, said TLR President Lee Parsley. This unethical activity is increasing insurance premiums for every business operating in Texas. Ultimately, the increased cost of doing business is being paid by every Texan. We are disappointed the legislature did not enact laws necessary to stop this well-documented, barely hidden abuse of our legal system. Another bill, SB 39, took aim at commercial vehicle lawsuits. Patrick said the bill was about protecting Texas trucking. Critics said it would have presented new legal hurdles to make it harder for injured victims to introduce evidence about a companys alleged negligence. Debate about the bill occurred at the same time a truck driver was arrested for causing an 18-vehicle pileup on Interstate 35 in north Austin, killing five people and injuring 11 others, according to Austin Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TLR, along with the Texas Trucking Association and the Lone Star Economic Alliance, released a joint statement urging the legislature to prioritize both bills next session. The meaningful reforms included in SB 30 and SB 39 would have been an essential step forward curbing the meritless lawsuits plaguing Texas businesses of all sizes, across all sectors, by preventing unjustified damage awards, and restoring fairness and transparency to the courtroom, the statement read. Last year, a KXAN investigation first revealed TLR and LSEAs intention to back bills this legislative session aimed at lawsuit reforms. The industry groups wanted to stop what it called nuclear verdicts and bring down rising insurance rates. For four decades, Texans legal rights have been under constant assault by corporate lobbyists at the Texas Capitol, countered consumer advocate Ware Wendell, with the nonpartisan group Texas Watch. This session, lawmakers said no more, rejecting SB 30 and SB 39. The bills backers sought to undermine the Rules of Evidence, putting their thumbs on the scales of justice. Juries deserve to hear the whole truth upfront, and judges deserve to rule on these matters. Our independent judiciary was protected when these bills died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. The day I encountered David Brooks in person, I was first struck, as we sat next to each other at a conference, at how short this larger-than-life columnist was. Later, at another gathering he organized, I saw for myself why he calls himself normally a mild guy as he navigated with grace the loud protests from one angry attendee. But this week, something set Brooks off. Like other Americans, the journalist has been concerned about changes taking place in the country. He wrote with particular concern about the consequences of tariffs and illiberal impulses now emerging on the right. Yet Ive never seen this mild-mannered journalist, followed by millions of Americans, so frustrated as he was in last weeks column, which referenced the growing societal impact of a sentiment voiced by JD Vance in his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention: People will not fight for abstractions, but they will fight for their home. Then-Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, gestures to the crowd as he arrives to speak at the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee. | Carolyn Kaster Brooks noted the similarity of Vances remarks to an earlier Memorial Day essay from Notre Dame political scientist Patrick Deneen, who he called a popularizer of the closest thing the Trump administration has to a guiding philosophy. Deneen wrote in 2009 that soldiers die not for abstractions ideas, ideals, natural right, the American way of life, rights, or even their fellow citizens so much as they are willing to brave all for the men and women of their unit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brooks pointed out that research by historian James M. McPherson rebuts this historical argument, with the majority of thousands of Civil War letters showing patriotic motivations as one reason they went into combat. That includes a Union soldier writing his wife who had begged him to stop fighting and come home: Remember that thousands went forth and poured out their lifes blood in the Revolution to establish this government; and twould be a disgrace to the whole American people if she had not noble sons enough who had the spirit of 76 in their hearts. This historical debate isnt what got Brooks angry, though. Its how he believes this minimizing of abstractions and ideals appears to be shaping what this administration is currently doing. The Bible is built on abstractions, the columnist notes. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The Sermon on the Mount contains a bunch of abstractions: blessed are the meek, blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are the merciful. Believe it or not, down through the centuries, billions of people have dedicated their lives to these abstractions. Of course, there are many great Americans who appreciate what President Trump is doing and see Republican actions as realigning the country with its founding ideals. Brooks himself notes in his essay, I have no trouble simultaneously opposing Trump policies and maintaining friendship and love for friends and family who are Trump supporters. In my experience, a vast majority of people who support Trump do so for legitimate or at least defensible reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of them rightly see a country that has strayed from Judeo-Christian morality. And they appreciate ways the Trump administration is trying to move the nation in a better direction. Along with pulling the country away from DEI mandates and biological men in womens sports, they cheer the cost-cutting attempts by DOGE as past due and the security of the American border, which most people (on both the left and right) saw as problematic. As someone who has studied pharmaceutical companies in the past, Im also among those who believe were overdue in asking fundamental questions about incentives for our health care system including the funding that shapes basic medical research we depend on to guide our treatment decisions. Heaven knows we can use more encouragement to improve our health as Americans, which is another focus of this administration. All this feels encouraging to many, and I can sincerely understand why. I wonder, do Trump supporters also understand the reasons others may be concerned? In our hyper-partisan discourse, its become too easy to make knee-jerk references to far left radicals and attribute any concern to Trump derangement syndrome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like in a fraying marriage, any hope of deeper reconciliation among Americans depends on at the very least understanding where different people are coming from. So, just like Ive invited liberals for years to more deeply hear conservative concerns, I believe this latest column offers a window for Trump-supporters to understand more fully the sincerely-held concerns of his critics. Far from being a progressive, this man is one of the most widely known conservative commentators in the world. Ill recap Brooks concerns in simple form centered around three differences in perspective the columnist proposes as fundamental: 1. Two forms of nationalism. On one hand, Brooks describes aspirational nationalism reflected in people like Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan who saw America not only as a homeland, but also as founded to embody and spread the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address. On the other hand, he describes a nationalism centered on ancestors and homeland, traditionally more common in Europe reflecting the belief that America is just another collection of people whose job is to take care of our own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2. Two conceptions of society. Compared with a more universalist conception of society centered on love of family and neighbor as foundational to larger love towards a nation or humankind, Brooks describes an identity politics conception of society that shows up on both sides of the political spectrum now namely, that life is a zero-sum struggle between racial, national, partisan and ethnic groups. 3. Two kinds of morality. Compared with a morality based on universal ideals, Brooks also references an openly tribal morality. In this, he references the Presidents own Memorial Day message on social media, which opened with this line: Happy Memorial Day to all, including the scum that spent the last four years trying to destroy our country. Laying aside wearisome debates over the Presidents use of language, Brooks often presses readers to ask what language like this is doing inside us shaping how we see and relate to others around us. Brooks goes on to argue here that the philosophies behind this administration (often called Trumpism) are gradually nudging our nation as a whole towards a morality, a society and a nationalism based less on universal ideals and reflecting more of a zero-sum, tribal motivation that centers primarily on taking care of our own. President Donald Trump delivers the Memorial Day Address at the 157th National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Arlington, Va. | Julia Demaree Nikhinson This can be seen, Brooks says, as a giant effort to narrow the circle of concern to people just like us. He raises concern that the ultimate effect on our country is to amputate the highest aspirations of the human spirit and to reduce us to our most primitive, atavistic tendencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On this basis, he says, increasing numbers of Americans have been persuaded to turn away from Ukraine, from the recipients of aid programs in Africa, and to turn against immigrants as a whole. Yet if America is an idea, Brooks appeals, then Black and brown people from all over the world can become Americans by coming here and believing that idea. If America is an idea, then Americans have a responsibility to promote democracy. We cant betray democratic Ukraine. Brooks acknowledges that Vance himself referred to America as partly a set of ideas in his Republican National Convention acceptance speech, but notes the Vice President emphasized mostly the idea of a homeland where his ancestors were buried for generations. I agree with Brooks that our gaze must go deeper than policy level details to the moral and spiritual realm if we want to understand whats taking place in America right now. But I disagree with him that Trump and Vance are somehow intentionally causing harm trying to degrade Americas moral character to a level more closely resembling their own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, theres something important in what Brooks is saying thats worth considering, especially his contention that were continuing to separate ourselves as a country from some of the higher ideals that motivated our founders. Once again, many see President Trump as helping return America to these foundations. But in Brooks view, the effort to advance a more isolationist, internally-focused American ethos stain(s) the memory of those who gave their lives in the early revolution and who fought to preserve the Union including the men who froze at Valley Forge and who stormed the beaches at Normandy and Guadalcanal, motivated by something far loftier than survival, conquest, or power alone. NEED TO KNOW A zebra remains "on the loose" in Tennessee days after it escaped from its new owners, was spotted trotting through a neighborhood and caused "havoc" on an interstate A spokesperson for the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office in Tennessee confirmed to PEOPLE on Monday, June 2, that the animal remains missing The mammal was seen on Saturday "running through traffic on both sides of the highway" It isn't all black and white when it comes to chasing down a missing zebra. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A pet zebra remains "on the loose" in Tennessee after escaping from its new owners over the weekend, trotting through a residential neighborhood, causing "havoc" on an interstate and being chased by said owners into a wooded area. A spokesperson for the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office in middle Tennessee confirmed to PEOPLE on Monday, June 2, that the mammal remains missing days after it "disappeared from its owner." After the owners obtained the zebra on the night of Friday, May 31, the animal could be seen the following day "wreaking havoc on Interstate 24" near Joe B. Jackson Parkway, RCSO Patrol Lt. Kenneth Barrett confirmed on Facebook. In response to the animal "running through traffic on both sides of the highway," deputies closed the interstate over the weekend before reopening when the animal "disappeared into the woods." Deputy Ryan Keach initially located the animal on the interstate, the RCSO confirmed to PEOPLE. Rutherford County Sheriff's Office/Facebook Pet zebra spotted after escaping from owners in Tennessee Pet zebra spotted after escaping from owners in Tennessee 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 Saturday afternoon, the RCSO confirmed in an update to Facebook that the owners were still searching for the missing animal, which "escaped into a wooded area" near the exits of Joe B. Jackson Parkway and Epps Mill Road. Cpl. Zach Campbell spoke with the animal's owners to confirm. Rutherford County Sheriff's Office/Facebook Pet zebra seen on the loose in Tennessee Pet zebra seen on the loose in Tennessee In an update on Monday, the RCSO spokesperson shared with PEOPLE that an owner "responded to the scene" of the zebra on the interstate and "chased the zebra" into the woods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The zebra was also filmed by an apparent home security camera traveling through a residential neighborhood following its initial escape on Friday, with footage shared by ABC7 showing the animal running through a street and making a right turn. According to The Tennessean, it is legal to own the animal as a pet in the state, which classifies them as Class III animals that do not require any special permits. Still, as the outlet notes, the Library of Congress says their "unpredictable nature and tendency to attack preclude them from being good candidates for domestication." The latest zebra escape comes a year after a group of four zebras being transported in Washington escaped a truck when their driver of the truck pulled over to secure the trailer. As Regional Animal Services of King County revealed in a news release, three of the four zebras were secured within hours, while one zebra (named "Shug") was eventually captured after six days on the loose ending the "zearch." Read the original article on People The Pentagons new press secretary is a chronically online 26-year-old white nationalist who believes in the great replacement theory, thinks Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskiy is an entitled midget, and pushed an antisemitic conspiracy theory about Leo Frank, a Jewish man who was lynched after being falsely accused of murder in 1915. Kingsley Wilson, who has served as deputy press secretary since January, is the daughter of right-wing talking head and former Trump adviser Steve Cortes and previously worked for Center for Renewing America, a think tank founded by Project 2025 architect Russel Vought. She will now act as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths primary mouthpiece at the Pentagon, a department that has not had regular press briefings for some time now. The Office of the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs is announcing that Kingsley Wilson will serve as Press Secretary for the Department of Defense, senior Defense Department adviser Sean Parnell wrote on X last week. Kingsleys leadership has been integral to the DODs success & we look forward to her continued service to President Trump! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilsons personal X page is a treasure trove of ultraright-wing content. Minneapolis became Mogadishu in 10 years time, she said over a video of Muslim Representative Ilhan Omar at a rally in her district. The Great Replacement isnt a conspiracy theory its reality. She has posted about the great replacement therorya racist conspiracy theory that alleges there is a coordinated plot to decrease Americas white population through immigration, in some iterations at the behest of Jewish leadersincessantly for the past three years. She said, I hate this entitled midget, in response to Zelenskiy receiving military aid from the U.S last year, and lauded Russian President Vladimir Putin for having encyclopedic knowledge of his peoples history, which she called beyond impressive especially when contrasted with the low-IQ lunatics working at the U.S. State Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leo Frank raped & murdered a 13-year-old girl. He also tried to frame a Black man for his crime, she wrote on X. The ADL turned off the comments because they want to gaslight you. The ADL stated that they were deeply disturbed by Wilsons comments. While troubling, this is a predictable pick, as Trump has lined his highest ranks with fringe MAGA loyalists with often openly racist politics, like State Department official Darren Beattie and National Counterterrorism Center head Joe Kent. They, like Wilson, are anti-neocons who subscribe to the same far-right, deep-MAGA views as figures like Steve Bannon and Peter Thiel, rather than the more conventional conservatism of the GOP. One of the biggest grid batteries in California almost resumed operations Sunday following the cataclysmic Moss Landing fire in January. The San Francisco Bay Areas power grid used to draw on two battery storage plants in the quiet seaside town of Moss Landing. Texas-based power company Vistra built the nations largest standalone grid battery on the grounds of an old gas power plant there, and utility Pacific Gas and Electric Co. built and owns the Elkhorn project next door. A roaring fire engulfed Vistras historic turbine hall in January, wrecking rows of lithium-ion batteries that delivered 300 megawatts of instantaneous grid power. That site is still in shambles. PG&Es battery plant suffered far less disruption: Hot ash blew over the fenceline from Vistras property, posing an environmental hazard and potentially clogging batteries thermal management systems. But after several months of remediation, cleaning, and testing, PG&E attempted to flip the switch Sunday to reconnect Elkhorn to the grid. But the utility ran into a problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On June 1 we began methodically returning the batteries to service as a part of the planned return to service, and in the process a clamp failure and coolant leak was identified in one of the 256 megapacks onsite, the company said in a statement Monday evening. We are working to remediate the issue and out of an abundance of caution we are deferring the facility's return to service until a later date. PG&E has not released any more details on how long it will take to restore the facility. It noted that the testing and discovery of the malfunctioning unit led to no injuries, smoke, or fire. Had the operation succeeded, it would have returned 182.5 megawatts/730 megawatt-hours of storage capacity to the power-hungry Silicon Valley grid corridor right before the regions first major heat wave of the summer. The concern was lower in the winter months, with demand lower, said Dave Gabbard, vice president of power generation at PG&E, in an interview Thursday. It will be critical to have assets like Elkhorn available as we get into the peak summer months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, California has been building grid batteries at a record pace, to store the states nation-leading solar generation and deliver it during crucial hours, like after sunset. The tech is displacing some gas-fired power generation in the state. Californias battery fleet passed 15.7 gigawatts installed per a May tally, which Gov. Gavin Newsoms office touted as an unprecedented milestone. The governor, a Democrat, did not specify why the 15.7-GW threshold merits particular attention, but it does mean California has added more than 5 GW since it crossed the 10-GW mark a year prior. The pace of construction for large-scale energy storage in California is phenomenal, the kind of accomplishment that was beyond our wildest dreams a few years ago, said Scott Murtishaw, executive director of the California Energy Storage Alliance. The states battery buildout is plowing ahead. But Vistras fiery failure sparked deep community concerns about battery safety in California and beyond, as Moss Landing residents were forced to evacuate for several days and plumes of smoke loomed over surrounding estuaries and farmlands. In April, Vistra rescinded an application to build a 600-MW battery in Morro Bay, two hours down the coast from Moss Landing, following significant local resistance that intensified after the January fire. Even before the unsuccessful restart, the plan to revive Elkhorn had rekindled concerns among community leaders who are still grappling with the fallout from the largest-ever battery fire in the U.S., and quite possibly the world. The Monterey County Board of Supervisors had asked to keep both battery plants offline until the Vistra investigation was completed and acted upon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Restarting operations before investigations are complete and before stronger emergency protocols are in place is disappointing and deeply troubling, Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church posted on Facebook after learning of PG&Es plans in early May. PG&Es safety improvements kicked into action Crucially, PG&Es battery layout, completed in 2022, mitigates the hazards that took out the neighboring Vistra plant, which was completed two years earlier. Officials have not yet pinpointed the cause of Vistras fire, but it became so destructive because it spread through the densely packed rows of batteries in the old turbine hall, igniting more and more fuel as it grew. By contrast, PG&Es Elkhorn plant spans 256 individual Tesla Megapack containers spaced over the property. We have a completely different design, Gabbard said. We have compartmentalized our design so that fire propagation wont occur to adjacent units. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That industry-wide preference for separate, containerized systems doesnt eliminate the chance of battery fires, but it does limit the potential severity. One container might burn, but the fire cant reach all the other batteries. A fire could knock a facility offline temporarily, but it would only eliminate a small percentage of its capacity, Murtishaw said. That stands in contrast to Moss Landings failure, or the all-or-nothing issues that can occur when a gas-burning turbine malfunctions. The technology and standards have changed considerably since the first big batteries, like Vistras, Murtishaw said. Facilities coming online now are being constructed with newer technologies meeting newer standards. Risk of runaway incidents has decreased dramatically relative to the amount of storage being deployed. That compartmentalization strategy worked out when Elkhorn suffered its own battery fire in 2022 the result of water seeping into a unit through an improperly installed roof, Gabbard said. The single unit burned in a contained fashion and did not spread to any other batteries. PG&E restarted the facility three months later, after implementing recommendations from an independent investigation into the cause. Since that incident, PG&E installed air quality monitoring onsite and upgraded the battery enclosures to automatically discharge stored energy if abnormal behavior is detected, Gabbard said. PG&E additionally updated its emergency action plan and instituted annual exercises with the North County Fire Protection District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Vistras plant burned up in January, Elkhorns thermal imaging cameras spotted it and automatically severed the connection to the grid, halting the flow of high-voltage power out of the site. PG&E also made the air quality data available to emergency response teams. The utility then kept Elkhorn offline for the subsequent months to allow for environmental remediation of the soot to keep it out of local waterways, Gabbard said. Workers also cleaned the Megapacks outside and inside, he noted. The main concern was that the ash could have intruded into the systems that cool batteries during operations. Staff pressure-washed all those components and tested their functionality to get the site ready for operations. Many more batteries on the horizon Another 10 gigawatts of storage are already under contract for Californias regulated utilities and community choice aggregators over the next four years, Murtishaw said. That would put the state over 25 gigawatts, well on its way to the current goal of 52 gigawatts by 2045, stemming from the states clean energy law SB 100. To achieve that goal, the Moss Landing calamity needs to remain an outlier event. Theres good reason to believe that will be the case. For one thing, the industry has all but abandoned Vistras strategy of packing huge amounts of batteries into a single building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California now has 214 grid-scale batteries, and only about 10 of them reside in a building, Murtishaw noted. Those are subject to inspection by the California Public Utilities Commission under a recently expanded authority, he added; in the meantime, owners have stepped up safety measures in response to the Moss Landing news. Small-scale batteries in homes and businesses also count for Californias top-line storage goal. They depend on the same core battery technologies as the large-scale storage projects, but as mass-produced consumer items, they go through a different gauntlet of tests before they reach customers. The home batteries are tested inside and out, up and down they undergo rigorous safety testing and certification to standards, said Brad Heavner, executive director of the California Solar and Storage Association, which advocates for rooftop solar and battery installers. In the state Legislature, Sen. John Laird, a Democrat from the Moss Landing area, introduced a bill in March to systematize coordination between battery owners and local emergency responders, and to fix a timing mismatch so Californias fire codes match the latest standards set by the National Fire Protection Association. Murtishaw said the California Energy Storage Alliance supports the measure, which passed out of the Senate last week. A correction was made on June 3, 2025: This story initially stated that PG&E restarted its Elkhorn battery facility on June 1. The story has been updated to reflect that the company initiated the restart process on June 1 but halted the process due to equipment issues. The story also originally said the utility installed heat-sensing cameras at Elkhorn after the January Moss Landing fire; those cameras had actually been part of the facility since it was built. SINGAPORE The Philippines defense secretary cast doubt on a $5.6 billion purchase of American F-16 fighter jets approved in April, saying Manila hasnt yet decided whether to move forward with the sale. Speaking on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, a defense summit held in Singapore, Gilberto Teodoro said the Philippines hadnt yet received a formal offer to purchase the fourth-generation fighters. Even if it had, he said, his department doesnt know whether it wants them. As far as Im concerned, theres nothing on the table for me to consider, he said in an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, the U.S. State Department approved the potential sale of 20 F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines, as part of a package that also included missiles, bombs and other ammunition. The total was valued at just under $5.6 billion, which would have commanded a massive share of the Philippines defense budget. Manila spends about $6 billion, or 1.3% of its GDP , on its military each year, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, a think tank. Teodoro referred to the purported sale as media hype, without explaining why the State Department initially approved it. We have not even decided, number one, when we will acquire a multi-role fighter and what model, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the Philippines in March as the U.S. upgrades its alliance with the country in an effort to better compete with China. The two met again over the weekend in Singapore, where Hegseth warned that the military threat Beijing poses could be imminent and urged allies to spend more on defense. To some Philippine officials, the sale of fighter jets was a sign of long-term U.S. commitment and a show of trust that their military could handle such advanced equipment. But soon after the announcement other officials from the country began to question how they could afford such a large purchase without American assistance. The U.S. sent the Philippines $500 million in long-term security aid last year but would need Congress to pass more in order to continue such support. During the Biden administration, the U.S. and Philippines agreed on a roadmap of weapons to purchase in the years ahead as Manila upgrades its military. That plan largely consists of equipment to help survey and protect the Philippines vast coastlines, not high-end fighter jets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the conference here, Teodoro had a testy exchange with Chinese delegates in attendance, who asked critical questions about the Philippines alliance with the United States. Chinese coast guard vessels routinely harass Philippine ships in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims as its own despite a contrary ruling in 2016 from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. China has a lot of trust building to do to be an effective negotiating partner, Teodoro said during remarks on stage. We have to call a spade a spade. MANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines and the European Union have agreed to start a dialogue on security and defence in order to tackle emerging threats like cyber attacks and foreign interference, Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo said on Monday. The announcement came during the visit to Manila of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas for meetings with Manalo as well as a courtesy call with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. "We hope that through the security and defence dialogue we will remain proactive and united in addressing emerging security threats that transcend borders, cyber attacks and foreign interference and manipulation of information," Manalo said in a joint briefing with Kallas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kallas said the new dialogue will be a "dedicated platform" in which the regional bloc and the Philippines can deepen defence cooperation, share expertise on security matters and explore joint initiatives. The dialogue will be part of a partnership and cooperation agreement between the Philippines and the EU, which was established in 2012 and entered into force in 2018. Kallas said the EU remains committed to upholding a rules-based order, promoting peace and addressing common concerns in the South China Sea and Russia's war against Ukraine. "We reject any unilateral changes to the status quo, including use of coercion," Kallas said when asked what the EU's red lines are when it comes to China's activities in areas like Taiwan and the South China Sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China claims sovereignty over nearly all the South China Sea, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. (Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by John Mair) LONDON, June 2 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday unveiled the country's long-anticipated Strategic Defence Review, but stopped short of committing to raising defence spending to 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Speaking in Glasgow, Starmer outlined "three fundamental changes" to defense strategy: reorienting the Armed Forces toward warfighting readiness, reinforcing NATO as Britain's "first priority," and accelerating innovation "at a wartime pace" to make the British military "ten times more lethal by 2035." As part of the review, Starmer announced plans to build at least six new munitions factories, deliver up to 12 attack submarines, and invest 15 billion pounds (20.31 billion U.S. dollars) in the country's nuclear warhead program. The review sets out a plan to raise Britain's defence spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027, which falls short of the 3 percent target U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Britain to meet by 2029. While the review noted an ambition to raise the defense budget to the 3 percent threshold during the next parliament, Starmer declined to commit to a timeline: "I'm not going to put arbitrary dates on that percentage." Asked about potential trade-offs between defence spending and public services, Starmer stressed that economic growth would be the primary funding source: "The best way to pay for an increase in any public spending is to grow our economy." However, he did not rule out further reductions to the foreign aid budget. James Cartlidge, the Conservative Party's Shadow Defence Secretary, questioned the feasibility of the government's plan. "All of Labour's Strategic Defence Review promises will be taken with a pinch of salt unless they can show there will actually be enough money to pay for them," Cartlidge said. "These submarines are not due to enter service till the late 2030s, so how can we have any confidence Labour will actually deliver them when they can't even sustain a policy on defence spending for more than 48 hours?" Helen Maguire, defence spokeswoman for the Liberal Democrats, echoed that concern. "Labour's mere 'ambition' rather than commitment to reach three percent of GDP on defence leaves serious questions about whether the money for these projects will actually be forthcoming," she said. (1 pound = 1.35 U.S. dollar) WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A pickup traveling at a high rate of speed crashed into a west Wichita home Monday morning. It happened on Meridian and Mentor, just south of Maple, around 6 a.m. The Wichita Police Department responded along with the Wichita Fire Department. Police said two people were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Fire had to assist with extricating the individual that was trapped under the vehicle, Lt. Keith Fort said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the driver of the pickup wasnt injured and was placed in custody. Police believe the driver was under the influence of an unknown substance. Traffic on southbound Meridian and Maple has been blocked. Northbound traffic is being diverted to University Street. The fire department remained on scene to shore up the building. Child among two shot in north Wichita 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Jun. 2NEW GLOUCESTER Echoes reverberate off the pristine walls of the dairy barn at Pineland Farms like they never have before. There's no hay covering the floors. The chirps of birds are no longer drowned out by moos. Pineland Farms has shut down its milking operation that once filled those stalls and sold off all but two cows in its Holstein herd, considered one of the oldest in the nation. It's keeping a pair of youngsters for educational purposes. It's a bittersweet change for staff at Pineland a farm, education center and major cheese producer with a large campus in New Gloucester. And it's an upsetting change for some community members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But milking and caring for 100 cows had become too costly; Pineland Farms said it lost $500,000 to $600,000 a year on the operation in recent years and was effectively subsidizing its commercial dairy operation. Dairy producers across the state have expressed similar concerns: that costs are unsustainable, profits are shrinking and smaller farms in particular are struggling to stay afloat. The farm sold 60 milking cows and 40 heifers and calves in March for an average of $2,100 apiece, with most going to two dairy operations, one in New York and another in Vermont. Pineland Farms did not disclose the total sale price. It might sound counterintuitive, but Pineland believes parting ways with its Holsteins will make Maine's struggling dairy industry stronger. The farm is growing its educational programming and says its cheesemaking business is going strong. "We've had to think where our focus should be to help dairy in the long run," said Erik Hayward, executive vice president of the Libra Foundation, which owns Pineland's nonprofit and for-profit arms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even so, the cows' absence is noticeable. HOLSTEINS AT PINELAND The Libra Foundation purchased the 5,000-acre property in 2000, replenishing the land that was left in disrepair by the state after it closed an institution for developmentally disabled adults and children. It built a tie-stall barn a rare form of lodging for dairy cows where they can live and be milked without moving a hoof. And Pineland filled out that barn with the herd of Holsteins, which it purchased two years later. The cows' lineage dates to the 1880s, when the Merrill family started breeding the matriarch, Trina Redstone Marvel, known as "Old Trina." It stayed in the Merrill family until the 1960s, when Mike Wilson purchased the herd for his farm in Gray. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the herd arrived at Pineland, there were about 200 Holsteins, half of which were milking cows. The count had fallen to 100 by March. Though the herd initially was the sole source of milk for Pineland's cheeses, that was short-lived. This year, it only contributed to about 10% of the 10 million pounds of milk Pineland used to make cheese at its production facility in Bangor. Owning Holsteins is already an expensive endeavor. But Pineland had the additional burden of keeping its barn as clean as possible because it was on public display for demonstrations and field trips. (The animal barns have immaculately swept pathways and vacuumed surfaces.) DAIRY INDUSTRY STRUGGLING Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maine, at its height, had what was called the "Dairy Belt," from Waldo County, across to Kennebec, into Somerset and Franklin and down to Androscoggin. But the heritage industry is waning. In the 1950s, there were 4,500 dairy farms in Maine; today there are 135 that still ship milk commercially, according to Julie-Marie Bickford, executive director of the Maine Milk Commission. Maine dairy farms have an average of 100 cows, compared to 250-300 nationally, Bickford said. The largest dairy producer in America, Rockview Family Farms in California, has 100,000 cows, according to trade publication The Bullvine. Maine's largest farm, Flood Brothers Farm in Clinton, has 1,700. "Someone in California once asked me what the average farm size was in Maine. And when I told them that, at the time, it was about 90 cows, they said, 'I'm sorry, it's not worth talking to you if you don't have at least 1,000 cows,'" Bickford said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And those smaller farms pay the price, struggling to keep up with the big players that the system favors. Small-scale dairy farmers have less negotiating power over the price of their milk. And they front the costs for shipping, including a fee for a truck just stopping at a farm. Because there are few processors in the state, over 50% of the raw, commercially made milk is shipped out of Maine, making those costs even higher than in other states. "Having 60 Holsteins milking is more of a commercial operation done at a demonstration scale, which any farmer in the state would look at and say, 'You guys are losing your shirts,'" Hayward, at the Libra Foundation, joked. "It was a question of where do we focus those resources and our energy?" That focus has ultimately landed on supporting the rest of Maine's dairy industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As the largest cheese producer in Maine, right out of the gates, we need to be able to put a dent in that lack of processing capacity in the state," Hayward said. Pineland Farms has committed to only using milk from Maine farms. And the money the organization will save from cutting down the Holstein costs, and their sale, can go toward beefing up cheese production. Amanda Beal, commissioner of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, believes that these kinds of creative partnerships are key to the future success of the industry. "We are seeing promising innovation in the works," she said in an emailed statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SAYING GOODBYE Brittany Moon grew up with cows on her family farm. She's used to seeing animals come and go. Still, Moon, the assistant director of the farm's education department, said it was weird to say goodbye to 100 cows all at once. The first thing she noticed when she came to visit the barn after the cleanup was the resounding echo. She misses the bonds she formed. But Cathryn Anderson, the farm's education department director, said there are plenty of possibilities moving forward, to grow educational opportunities and shift Pineland's purpose. "Certainly there's a sadness, not seeing all the cows that used to be here day to day," Anderson said. "But there's also an excitement of what can happen." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hardest part of the process, however, was the reaction from the community. There were families visiting the cows every day, some coming once a week. After announcing the sale on social media, Pineland got what Hayward described as a "flurry of comments" from people who were either disappointed, sad or concerned about the cows' safety. "Hopefully they'll go to a sanctuary and not directly to a slaughterhouse," one person commented. Hayward, Moon and Anderson all emphasized that they were not only headed to dairy farms, but that a majority of the herd was staying together, continuing the lineage and legacy. Most are headed to the farms in New York and Vermont, while a few others have gone to local farm owners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was nice to think that even though they're not here anymore, there are groups of cows that came from Pineland who are still together out there in the world," Moon said. "We're spreading the genetics that we had worked so hard on, that are now benefiting other farms, and they're getting to have these really high-producing, long-living animals, because we worked so hard to make them be such great cows." And it's not the last of the cows on Pineland's property. Highland cows continue to roam the property. And there are two members of the "T" family (which means the direct line to Tina, the original, 1880s era matriarch) holding down the fort: Timber and Thunder. "The 'T' family is what started Pineland," Moon said. "It's poetic that we decided to keep these ones specifically, to keep that legacy going." Copy the Story Link KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) Pinnacle Turkey Creek hosted a 5K race on Sunday morning raising money for older adults. This event raised awareness and money for Send Senior Citizens Love whose mission is to improve the lives of seniors around the world. Tennessee Valley Authority leads Douglas Lake Community Day of Service This was the first year for the event, but there are plans for more in future years, said Gabi Walsh, marketing manager for Pinnacle Turkey Creek. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were happy that so many people want to support a great nonprofit, Walsh said. Ashley Lynch, founder of Send Senior Citizens Love, said it was humbling and amazing to see so many people come out to support this cause. She started her nonprofit in 2019 after the death of her grandparents. I wanted to do something in memory of them, Lynch told 6 News. COVID hit, everybody went on lockdown and the seniors were often forgotten, so I wanted to do something to cheer them up. Morristown hosts the Tennessee State Disc Golf Championships She said she wants to raise awareness for older adults who might feel isolated. (WATE) (WATE) (WATE) (WATE) (WATE) (WATE) (WATE) (WATE) Lynch added, Next year well plan bigger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. By Alan Charlish and Barbara Erling WARSAW (Reuters) -The victory of nationalist Karol Nawrocki in Poland's presidential election looks set to strain relations with Ukraine and embolden Donald Trump-inspired conservatives in central Europe, analysts and diplomats said on Monday. Nawrocki won a knife-edge vote that pitted him against Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, who was supported by the ruling centrists Civic Coalition (KO), dealing a major blow to the pro-European government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While remaining committed to helping Ukraine's effort to fend off Russian's invasion, Nawrocki opposes Kyiv joining Western alliances such as NATO. Nawrocki rejects suggestions that his stance is pro-Russian. But his campaign, backed by the nationalist opposition party Law and Justice (PiS), tapped into a mix of weariness with Ukrainian refugees and worries Poland could be drawn into the war over the border that many Polish voters feel. All parties in Poland have ruled out sending troops to Ukraine. Although real executive power lies with the government, the Polish president has veto powers, meaning he can stymie the government's agenda. The head of state can also propose laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrocki signed a declaration saying he would not ratify Ukraine's accession to NATO, as it could result in the alliance being drawn into a conflict with Russia, a move that was sharply criticised by Kyiv's ambassador to Warsaw and which marked a departure from previous Polish policy under both PiS and KO. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy congratulated Nawrocki on Monday and said he looked forward to future "fruitful cooperation" with Poland. But elsewhere in Ukraine, the mood was less positive. "The choice of the Poles will most likely complicate the dialogue within the EU and our European integration," Ukrainian lawmaker Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze was quoted as saying by Interfax-Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A European diplomat based in Warsaw said that while policy on Ukraine's future in the EU and NATO would continue to be set by Tusk's government, Nawrocki could create "a shift in tone that's not going to be helpful". In his role a head of Poland's Institute of National Remembrance, Nawrocki has been a harsh critic of what he said was Ukraine's reluctance to exhume the remains of Polish victims killed by Ukrainian nationalists during World War Two. EUROPE Nawrocki's campaign echoed the language of other eurosceptic politicians in central Europe, lambasting a perceived over-reach of Brussels into areas that they consider should be the domain of individual countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Yes, we want a common market, we want development, we want to be a strong voice in the European Union, but we do not want our freedom in the entire scope of social life to be decided by the Brussels elites," Nawrocki told a campaign rally in March. The election of Tusk, a former European Council president, as prime minister in 2023 catapulted Poland back to the heart of European decision-making. He succeeded in unblocking billions in EU funds that had been held back over rule-of-law concerns, even as critics said Warsaw had not actually implemented the necessary court reforms as a result of PiS-ally President Andrzej Duda's veto. "Of course it (the election result) will mean a lot to the prime minister of Poland, who now instead of being a very strong force in the EU will be more marginalised," said a second European diplomat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, himself facing a tough election battle in 2026, hailed Nawrocki's "fantastic victory" on Monday. "This is definitely emboldening for... all pro-Trumpist or pro-MAGA eurosceptics," said Botond Feledy, a geopolitical analyst at Red Snow Consulting, adding that in Hungary it could add strength to Orban's argument that protecting national identity is more important than EU money. With the 'co-habitation' of a government and president from different political camps looking likely to continue at least until parliamentary elections in 2027, a third diplomat said that they hoped "they will not be spending more energy on fighting each other than they will... (on) Poland's leadership in Europe". Stanley Bill, Professor of Polish Studies at the University of Cambridge said that Tusk's pro-European government would set foreign policy, but that if Nawrocki uses "an even more aggressive rhetoric against the European Union than Duda has... that's clearly going to create a greater impression of chaos". (Reporting by Alan Charlish, Barbara Erling and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk in Warsaw, Lili Bayer in Brussels, Olena Harmash in Kyiv, Editing by William Maclean) Polish presidential candidate Rafa Trzaskowski on Monday congratulated his right-wing rival Karol Nawrocki, who narrowly won the race to be the country's next president. "This victory is an obligation, especially in such difficult times. Especially with such a close result. You should remember that," Trzaskowski wrote on X. The 53-year-old mayor of Warsaw thanked his voters and apologized, saying: "I am sorry I did not succeed in convincing the majority of citizens of my vision of Poland." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trzaskowski, backed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, was defeated in Sunday's run-off election for the presidency by Nawrocki, who was representing the nationalist conservative Law and Justice party. Nawrocki won 50.89% of the vote while Trzaskowski won 49.11%. Detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are to begin fresh searches close to the former Algarve home of the prime suspect in the case. Around 30 German police officers, along with forensic specialists, will examine a site on the outskirts of Praia da Luz, where convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner was living at the time. Portugese police officers block the access to reporters looking to cover the new search for Madeleine McCann on Tuesday - PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images The 48-year-old German who is currently serving a seven-year sentence for raping an American tourist in Portugal is due to be released from prison later this year and police face a race against time if they are to charge him in the McCann case before he walks free. Portuguese police close roads in the Atalaia area near Praia da Luz on Monday - JTP/Solarpix The fresh searches, which are the most extensive since 2008, will focus on a 26-mile strip of land around Brueckners former cottage, while digs will also take place in specific locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The area being focused on extends eastwards from the cottage towards an inland area known as Atalaia, close to the resort of Lagos. Sources said the search teams would pay particular attention to wells, ruins and water tanks. The searches will be carried out by officers from the BKA, Germanys equivalent of the FBI. Madeleine McCann was three years old when she vanished - REAL MADRID TV Brueckner had been living in a ramshackle property on the outskirts of Praia da Luz when three-year-old Madeleine was abducted from her parents holiday apartment in May 2007. The convicted rapist and paedophile had spent a number of years living as a drifter in the Algarve in the years leading up to Madeleines disappearance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2005, he raped a 72-year-old American tourist after breaking into her home close to Praia da Luz. He was jailed for the offence in 2019 and is due to be released in September this year. Last year, a German court cleared him of another rape and a string of sex abuse charges which allegedly took place in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. Christian Brueckner (left) arriving at court in 2024 - Alexander Koerner The German authorities are considering appealing against that verdict and, if successful, he could be forced to face a retrial. But prosecutors, who named him as the prime suspect in Madeleines disappearance five years ago, are understood to be keen to press charges before he is released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One source said: As soon as Brueckner is free, he will disappear and likely never be seen again. Weve seen it time and time again over the years with other offences and even his own lawyers have said it. He cannot be released. It is believed the latest operation is part of a final push to secure the evidence needed to put him before the courts. On Monday, in preparation for the fresh search, Portuguese police closed roads leading to the area and erected several blue, forensic-style tents. A source in Portugal said: The landowners havent had to be asked for permission and they cant stop the searches from continuing if they turn up because police will be acting with a judicial warrant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They will be land searches only. The main objective is to look for any signs of Madeleines body. Around 30 German police officers have already arrived in Portugal and will be starting the search tomorrow [Tuesday]. Portuguese police will also be on the ground. We are talking about a rural area with a lot of waste ground. Some of the areas that are going to be looked at have already been searched before. The operation is expected to last for three days and signifies the first major search in the Algarve for two years. In 2023, a joint team from Germany, Portugal and the UK carried out digs and dives at a remote dam around a 40-minute drive from Praia da Luz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prime suspect was known to spend a lot of time at the Barragem do Arade dam, which was even dubbed Brueckners paradise. In a statement, a spokesman for the Portuguese police said: The Policia Judiciaria (PJ) is complying with a European Investigation Decision (DEI) issued by the German authorities and issued by the co-ordinator of the public prosecutors office of the Faro District, with a view to carrying out a wide range of measures, specifically search warrants. They will be carried out between the 2nd and 6th of June in the municipality of Lagos. The search warrant was issued by the Braunschweig public prosecutors office, which is conducting preliminary proceedings against a German citizen suspected of the murder of British citizen Madeleine Beth McCann, who disappeared from a holiday resort in Praia da Luz on 3 May 2007. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the evidence seized by the PJ will, with the prior authorisation of the national public prosecutors office, be handed over to the agents of the German federal criminal police service. Scotland Yard confirmed it was aware of the operation and said it would support the investigation where necessary but would not be involved on the ground. A spokesman for the German federal prosecutors office told The Telegraph: As part of the investigation into the Madeleine McCann case, criminal proceedings are currently under way in Portugal. These proceedings are being implemented through mutual legal assistance by the Portuguese law enforcement authorities with the support of officers from the federal criminal police office. 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. SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Rio de Janeiro police said on Monday that a British journalist reported missing nearly four months ago had been out of contact with her family voluntarily and the case has been closed. Charlotte Alice Peet, who had worked as a freelance reporter in Brazil for Al Jazeera and British news outlets, went missing in early February. She was located in a Sao Paulo hostel, police said on Monday, adding she "expressed her desire not to have contact with her family." (Reporting by Andre Romani; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (C) meets with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi (2nd L) in Cairo, Egypt, on June 2, 2025. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met on Monday with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Cairo to discuss accelerating regional developments, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement. (Egyptian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua) CAIRO, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met on Monday with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Cairo to discuss accelerating regional developments, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement. During the meeting, al-Sisi reiterated Egypt's position against the expansion of conflicts in the Middle East, warning that any further escalation could plunge the region into a broader war, with grave consequences for the security and stability of all nations in the region. He emphasized the urgent need for de-escalation and stressed the importance of ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States. Highlighting maritime security, al-Sisi called for the restoration of "normal navigation" in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea. Araghchi, for his part, praised Egypt's role in restoring regional stability. He affirmed Iran's commitment to continuing consultations with Egypt. Egyptian-Iranian relations have seen signs of gradual improvement in recent years, particularly following the 2023 normalization of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Police are investigating a shooting that has sent a man to the hospital with critical injuries. The shooting was reported shortly after 5:30 a.m. in the 3600 block of Cambridge Street near Twain Avenue. LVMPD investigates a shooting in the 3600 block of Cambridge Street near Twain Avenue on June 2, 2025. (KLAS) LVMPD investigates a shooting in the 3600 block of Cambridge Street near Twain Avenue on June 2, 2025. (KLAS) LVMPD investigates a shooting in the 3600 block of Cambridge Street near Twain Avenue on June 2, 2025. (KLAS) Las Vegas Metro police said officers found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital. There is a heavy police presence in the area. No other details were released. This is a developing story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Police are investigating a shooting in Bridgeport on Sunday night. Officers responded to the area of William Street and Maple Street at 10:30 p.m. on the report of a male who had been shot, according to Shawnna White, public information officer for the city of Bridgeport. Police located the victim suffering from a gunshot wound, White said. He was taken in an ambulance to an area hospital. His condition was not immediately clear, according to White. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bridgeport Police Department Detective Bureau is investigating the shooting. No arrests have been made, White said. Anyone with information has been asked to contact the police department at 203-275-TIPS. OWEGO, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) New York State Police at Owego are looking to the public for assistance in identifying a male suspect accused of burglary. On May 30 at around 7 a.m., the individual pictured below allegedly broke into the old Quality Inn Hotel on State Route 434 in the Town of Owego and stole thousands of dollars worth of tools. He fled on foot with a black bicycle. Anyone with information is asked to contact the New York State Police at (607)561-7400 and reference Case NY2500464291. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. TEXARKANA, Texas (KETK) A man was arrested over the weekend in connection with a Texarkana homicide and is accused of firing more than 50 rounds into the house that led to the death of a 21-year-old. 2023 fatal shooting suspect in custody after running from East Texas authorities for almost a month According to the Texarkana Police Department, detectives were able to find the suspect and worked with Houston PD officers last week to arrest 24-year-old Benjamin Brem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just after midnight on May 10, officers responded to a shots-fired call in the 1300 block of Carroll Street. According to police, officers discovered an injured 52-year-old man and 21-year-old Jaylen Betts dead inside the house. The 52-year-old man was taken to the hospital; however, an update on his condition has not been released. More than 50 rounds were fired into the house from the street, according to officers. Brem is expected to be brought back to Texarkana from Houston and will be booked for murder and evading arrest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. A man was in custody after a shooting in Apache Junction the morning of June 2 left a police officer injured, according to the Apache Junction Police Department. Officers responded to the area of Ironwood Drive and Ray Avenue after receiving reports of a driver brandishing a firearm, police said. An officer found a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle they were looking for and made contact with the driver, 37, who later stepped out of the vehicle while holding the gun, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers followed the man as he walked south on Ironwood Road while he held the firearm, police said. They tried to get the man to comply with verbal orders and used "less-lethal means" once they were in the area of Radiance and Davis drives, according to a department statement released in the afternoon. The man then shot at officers, and at least one officer shot back, police said. A 3-year veteran of the department was struck during the exchange and rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said. The man was also struck and taken to a hospital for treatment. Police did not elaborate on the severity of his injuries. Mesa police would lead the investigation into the shooting as part of the East Valley Critical Incident Response Team, according to the department. Reach reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@gannett.com. Follow him on X, Threads and Bluesky @ReyCJrAZ. (This article was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What we know about Apache Junction shooting that injured an officer Police Officer Shot Dead in Baldwin Park Identified originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Slain Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros, who died in a gun battle Saturday Officer Down Memorial Page A police officer slain Saturday night during a gun battle with an armed man has been identified as Samuel Riveros, a nine-year veteran of the Baldwin Park department, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. Riveros, 35, and his partner were responding to a call of shots fired around 7:15 p.m. on the 4200 block of Filhurst Avenue, where they found a man unresponsive. As they tended to the victim, a gunman armed with a rifle ambushed the officers, killing Riveros and wounding his partner. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department honors the memory of the Baldwin Park Police Officer who tragically lost his life in the line of duty, Saturday, May 31, 2025. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, and the community he served with dedication and pic.twitter.com/BqfCH4WkZv LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) June 1, 2025 The unidentified victim was found on the front lawn of the home that prompted the Baldwin Park Police response, the City of Baldwin Park said in a statement, and was pronounced dead at the hospital.. Riveros' partner, Anthony Pimental, was in stable condition on Sunday, officials said. The suspect was also shot and was in stable condition. Our officer was an amazing man, Baldwin Park Police Chief Robert Lopez told reporters during a press conference early Sunday morning. He was an avid snowboarder, a Dodger fan. One of the interesting things that I found is he would travel and go see the Dodgers play at different stadiums across the United States. Its extremely tragic to have to deal with this. Baldwin Park Mayor Alejandra Avila also addressed his city's loss, saying in the statement: Last night was a night of tragedy for our community. Many in our community have been affected by these crimes, and I ask that you embrace your officers and neighbors, support them in their time of need and show one another the best of Baldwin Park. A somber procession from Baldwin Park to Boyle Heights followed the fatality as the slain officer's body was taken to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner's office. Procession Held Sunday Morning for Baldwin Park Police Officer Killed in the Line of Dutyhttps://t.co/ISzjHWHc2J pic.twitter.com/hVMiQTk6P0 BaldwinParkNews (@BaldwinPNews) June 1, 2025 The investigation is being led by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared. The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying three suspects who are allegedly involved in a series of attacks against a transgender woman -- with the most recent incident taking place on Sunday. Police released photos of the three suspects and said that an initial attack and sexual assault allegedly took place on April 8, while the most recent attacks that police believe to be "perpetrated by the same individuals" allegedly took place at around 11:38 p.m. local time on Saturday. No arrests had been made in this case as of Monday afternoon, an LAPD spokesperson told ABC News. LAPD - PHOTO: Surveillance image believed to be of individuals responsible in the repeated assault of a transgender woman in Westlake, Calif. "[The suspects] returned to the victim's location and physically assaulted her, inflicting serious injuries. The suspects fled the scene before officers arrived," the LAPD said in a statement released on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the victim is a 61-year-old transgender woman but did not disclose her identity. However, the victim of the alleged attacks -- Sabrina de la Pena -- came forward in an April 28 interview with ABC Station in Los Angeles, KABC. De la Pena, a small business owner in the Westlake neighborhood, recounted the alleged April 8 attack. She told KABC she believed that being transgender made her a target. She said that the first suspect came into her store and attempted to flirt with her but became angry when she turned him away. "He pushed me down... on the floor and we start fighting on the floor," she said. Kirby Lee/Getty Images - PHOTO: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) administration building aka new Parker Center on September 23, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. According to an April 28 police statement, "the suspect sexually assaulted the victim and discovered she was a transgender woman. The suspect pulled away and threatened to kill the victim." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Subsequently, the same suspect returned to the location multiple times with additional suspects and committed hate crimes against the victim," police said. According to police, during one incident the suspect allegedly struck the victim with a skateboard, and on another occasion, he pepper-sprayed her. During a third incident, the suspect allegedly "threw an unknown liquid at the victim while another suspect attempted to stun her with a Taser," police said. De la Pena said that after the initial incident on April 8, the suspect allegedly returned the next day with another man and beat her with a skateboard. "He take me to the alley, out my door...and he beating me," she told KABC. "I think he hate transgender women because he tell me many times... 'I'm gonna kill you.'" Police are asking for the public's help in identifying the three alleged suspects and urging people to review the photos and share any tips with LAPD Rampart Division Detectives at (213) 484-3495. The Enumclaw Police Department needs help identifying three people who broke into Enumclaw High School over the weekend. It happened Saturday evening, just before 10 p.m. The department says the teens were masked and had at least one gun on them, but they didnt take anything or vandalize the school. Police quickly showed up, but the teens had already run off. On Monday afternoon, the Enumclaw police chief told KIRO 7 they believe the visit may have been a dry run for a shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In my 28 years, Ive seen a lot of break-ins at schools, right? And every single one of them involves theft or damage. That didnt happen here at all, said Enumclaw Police Chief Tim Floyd. And now looking at the video from start to finish with all the different angles, it became very clear, at least in my mind and some of our other commanding staff what we were witnessing. The FBI is now involved as police and federal agents continue to investigate. Chief Floyd said its believed that one of the suspects who had their phone out was allegedly recording the whole thing, which is why investigators believe this was a rehearsal of some sort. One was filming the entire event. And then one was moving around with a handgun in his hands. And they would stop and talk about they would stop and talk to each other for a moment. It gave us an indication that this was a practice run, Chief Floyd said. Enumclaw High School will have increased police presence for the rest of the school year, or until the individuals can be identified and apprehended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although this was a scary incident, the City of Enumclaw and Enumclaw School District are doing everything in our power now to head this off before it could potentially get worse, Chief Floyd said. If you have any information related to the identity or whereabouts of these individuals, please contact the Enumclaw Police Department Tip Line: www.enumtips.com or leave a message at (360) 615-5707. BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) The NYPDs Bronx Child Abuse squad is actively searching for a nanny accused of violently assaulting three children in her care. According to the family, NYCs Administration of Children Services (ACS) and Selfhelp assigned LaKeysha Jackson to care for the children aged 6, 4 and 2. More Local News On May 7, the childrens grandparents, using a Nest security camera, allegedly witnessed Jackson physically abusing the two eldest children by striking them with a belt 58 times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PIX11 News has also reviewed the same video, which shows a woman hitting the children with a leather strap on the body. A short clip of that video, which goes on for about four more minutes, is shown in the video player above. The childrens mother, Geraldine Jaramillo, a domestic violence survivor, was referred to ACS by the district attorneys office for supportive services while she was pregnant with her third child. ACS enrolled her in the Family Home Care program and assigned homemakers from Selfhelp Community Services, Inc., a provider certified and paid for by ACS, according to the familys attorney. Problems began when their first assigned homemaker was observed smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol while supervising the children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State In May 2024, ACS and Selfhelp assigned Jackson as the new nanny, according to the family. Further review of additional camera footage revealed more incidents of abuse against all three children, including the 2-year-old being slammed into a bed, and other physical and verbal abuse. Upon reviewing the video, NYPD detectives were assigned to the case. A spokesperson for the Bronx District Attorneys Office told PIX11 News that a warrant had been issued for Jacksons arrest on Monday, only after PIX11 got involved on Friday. According to the family, the children experienced significant physical injuries, such as bruised buttocks, and emotional trauma, including fear, aggression, regression, bedwetting, and discomfort with undressing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im sorry to my kids, said Jaramillo. If it werent for me trying to provide for them, I would be home with them. Jaramillo offered words of advice to all other parents: Be careful with your kids, even if you trust family or a friend, because I considered her a friend. The family is filing a Notice of Claim with the city and ACS on Monday. An ACS spokesperson told PIX11 News, The safety and well-being of New York Citys children is our top priority, and we hold our contracted providers to the highest professional standards. We are taking these despicable actions very seriously, and we have commenced a review of the contracted providers procedures. The provider terminated the employee and, with the NYPD, we are investigating this incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Selfhelp spokesperson said the nanny is no longer working for them. Selfhelp Community Services is aware of the allegation involving an individual who previously provided services through the ACS homemaking program. This individual has been terminated, and we are fully cooperating with investigations conducted by ACS and the NYPD. As the matter is under investigation, we cannot comment further. Selfhelp upholds strict hiring standards, including background checks, drug testing, and mandatory training to ensure professional, high-quality care, the spokesperson said in a statement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) San Diego police are searching for the suspect involved in a stabbing on the edge of San Diegos Paradise Hills neighborhood and National City late Sunday night. The incident was first reported to San Diego police around 11:30 p.m. According to SDPD Sgt. Ariel Savage, officers were dispatched to begin their investigation at Paradise Valley Hospital, where the victim was taken to receive treatment. Savage confirmed the victim had multiple stab wounds, but was not able to provide any additional details about their condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Responding officers were directed from the hospital to the scene of the crime at a single-family home near the intersection of Winchester Street and Rachael Avenue. Upon arrival, SDPD and SWAT surrounded the house to begin call outs to the suspect, who was presumed to be inside. However, after several hours, it was determined the suspect was not in the home, per Savage. SDPD then began searching the surrounding area. As of 8:30 a.m., they remain at large. No description of the suspect was immediately available. Road closures were put in place by SDPD for Rachael Avenue, between Cumberland and Blueridge streets. The road closures have since been lifted as officers wrap up their on-scene investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. ADDIS ABABA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian Airlines launched its new passenger flight service to Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Sunday evening. The new route will operate four times weekly and be served by Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, the airline's chief operating officer, Retta Melaku, told a launching event. The new service complements the company's existing cargo operations and strengthens its connectivity to the Middle East, providing more opportunities to explore the UAE's rich cultural heritage and dynamic business landscape, he said. Noting that the Ethiopian Airlines operates over 120 weekly passenger and cargo flights to about 13 destinations in the region, Melaku said the new route is designed to offer seamless global connectivity to and from Sharjah. The airline launched its first flights to the region in 1979, to Dubai, UAE. Melaku said the Ethiopian Airlines is preparing to resume flights to Abu Dhabi, another UAE city, in July, after a suspension of more than 10 years. Police investigating the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann will carry out fresh searches near the Portuguese holiday resort she was last seen 18 years ago, authorities said on Monday. The 3-year-old disappeared from her bed while on vacation with her family in the Praia da Luz resort, in southern Portugal, on May 3, 2007. She has not been seen since. Detectives acting on a request from a German public prosecutor will carry out a broad range of searches this week in the area of Lagos, in southern Portugal, a Portuguese police statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The main suspect in the case is a German national identified by media as Christian Brueckner, who is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence in Germany for raping a 72-year-old woman in Portugal in 2005. He is under investigation on suspicion of murder in the McCann case but hasnt been charged. He spent many years in Portugal, including in Praia da Luz, around the time of the childs disappearance. Brueckner has denied any involvement in her disappearance. Prosecutors in Braunschweig, Germany, who are responsible for the investigation, didnt give details of the judicial measures taking place in Portugal, according to Germanys dpa news agency. They said the measures are being carried out by Portuguese authorities with support from officers from Germanys Federal Criminal Police Office. Britains Metropolitan Police said it was aware of the searches being carried by the BKA (German federal police) in Portugal as part of their investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Metropolitan Police Service is not present at the search, we will support our international colleagues where necessary, the force added, without giving more details. The McCann case received worldwide interest for several years, with reports of sightings of her stretching as far away as Australia as well as books and television documentaries about her disappearance. Almost two decades on, investigators in the UK, Portugal and Germany are still piecing together what happened on the night she disappeared. She was in the same room as her brother and sister 2-year-old twins while their parents, Kate and Gerry, had dinner with friends at a nearby restaurant. The last time police resumed searches in the case was in 2023, when detectives from the three countries took part in an operation searching near a dam and a reservoir about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the Praia da Luz resort. Madeleines family marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance last month, and expressed their determination to keep searching. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A man accused of shooting two police officers during a Mifflin Township traffic stop remains in custody Monday recovering at a Columbus hospital, and a woman who allegedly harbored him faced a judge for the first time. U.S. Marshals deputies arrested 21-year-old Daveonte Dixon after a manhunt that ended Friday. On Monday, the Franklin County Sheriffs Office, U.S. Marshals Service and Mifflin Township police offered details on Dixons capture and provided details on the woman who they say helped hide him. Two dead after head-on collision in Licking County Daveonte Dixon (Courtesy/FCSO) Dixon is facing two counts of felonious assault and one count of attempted felony after a traffic stop turned into a shootout near the intersection of Perdue Avenue and Mecca Road in a part of the Northeast Side that falls outside of Columbus city limits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Dallas Baldwin said that Dixon ran away from the passengers seat before turning and firing off several shots at the two officers. Both were injured, with one released from a hospital on Thursday and the other recovering after multiple surgeries. Rewards were offered for Dixons capture, including $25,000 from the FBI, $10,000 from Central Ohio Crime Stoppers and $5,000 from the Fraternal Order of Police. In Mondays update, Major Nate Smith of the sheriffs office said authorities used several leads in tracking Dixon, who was allegedly hiding out at a residence near a perimeter that authorities had set up. A sheriffs office SWAT team and U.S. Marshals executed a search warrant Thursday at a home on Woodland Avenue, but Dixon had already gone. Additional leads tracked Dixon to two possible residences on Cedar Drive in the Pine Hills area, but again, he was not found. That search for Dixon led authorities to the Bridlewood Apartments complex on Thelma Drive in Obetz on Friday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents show that 31-year-old Jayla Call, the resident of the apartment, was detained and interviewed by deputies and that she admitted knowing Dixon was a fugitive while he was in her apartment for several hours. She also told deputies she deleted text messages from her phone between Dixon and another woman. Grandview Heights graduate reunited with class ring lost 50 years ago Smith said Call and three children left the home as SWAT units approached Thelma Drive and that Dixon barricaded himself inside. After Dixon fired several shots toward the officers, he was eventually found alone and inside the apartment with a rifle. Dixon reportedly had suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head or neck area. He remains in critical condition but is stable, Smith said. No other officers were injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Call was arrested, facing charges of obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence. A Franklin County Municipal Court judge issued Call a $250,000 bond Monday, and she is next scheduled to appear in court on June 10 for a preliminary hearing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Editor's Note: This story has been updated with the latest election results and President Volodymyr Zelensky's reaction. Karol Nawrocki, a right-wing nationalist supported by the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, has won Poland's presidential election. Nawrocki garnered 50.89% of the vote in the run-off election on June 1, narrowly defeating his liberal rival, Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, according to Poland's National Election Commission. Trzaskowski earned 49.11% of the votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The closely-watched election has been widely seen as an inflection point in Poland's political trajectory, including its approach to Polish-Ukrainian relations. Nawrocki, known for adopting a "Trumpian" style of politics, has been criticized for parroting pro-Russian narratives due to his opposition to Ukraine's NATO membership. Earlier in the night, Poland's elections were deemed too close to call, with exit polls showing showing Trzaskowski and Nawrocki virtually tied. Early polls showed Trzaskowski with a narrow lead, while more recent polls flipped the results in Nawrocki's favor. Trzaskowski, whose campaign hinged on supporting Prime Minister Donald Tusk's democratic reforms, was the first to declare victory after an initial exit poll suggested he would secure a narrow win. An exit poll by Ipsos for the broadcaster Polsat showed Trzaskowski, of the ruling centrist Civic Coalition (KO) party, winning by a slim margin of 50.3%. "We won," Trzaskowski told party members after the first exit poll results came out. "I will bring people together, I will be constructive, I will be a president for all Poles. I will be your president." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, a later poll flipped the results, showing Nawrocki narrowly ahead with 50.7%. Speaking to his supporters, Nawrocki also declared victory. "Congratulations to (Karol Nawrocki) on winning the presidential election," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 2 after full results were announced. "Poland, which preserves the strength of its national spirit and its faith in justice, has been and remains a pillar of regional and European security, and a strong voice defending freedom and dignity for every nation." While Poland has a parliamentary system in which the president's authority is largely ceremonial, the Polish president is still able to veto legislation proposed by the parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moreover, the president plays a key role in foreign affairs and serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Polish presidents have historically been particularly active in shaping eastern policy. While both candidates agreed on certain issues such as increasing defense spending and supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia's full-scale invasion they diverged on Ukraine's potential NATO accession. Trzaskowski supported Ukraine joining NATO, whereas Nawrocki has signed an eight-point declaration that included a pledge to block Kyiv's membership in the alliance. Although Trzaskowski has been seen as more "pro-Ukrainian," both presidential candidates have taken positions targeting Ukrainian refugees. Russian disinformation campaigns also targeted the election, particularly amplifying anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The candidates also disagreed on several key social issues, highlighting deep divides in Polish politics and society more broadly. Read also: As Trump fails to sanction Moscow, few expect breakthrough during upcoming Russia-Ukraine talks Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Polish conservative Karol Nawrocki has won the run-off election for the presidency, according to local media citing the election commission's count of more than 99% of votes. Nawrocki secured just under 51% of the vote, Polish media including the Rzeczpospolita newspaper and Onet.pl portal reported on Monday. His opponent, liberal candidate Rafa Trzaskowski, received just over 49%. An official final result of the vote to find a successor to President Andrzej Duda is not expected until Monday evening from the electoral commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the opinion polls in the run-up to Sunday's vote had indicated a razor-thin gap between the candidates since the first round of voting on May 18. In Poland, the president holds a five-year term and has broad powers, including representing the country abroad, shaping foreign policy, appointing the prime minister and the Cabinet, and serving as commander-in-chief of the armed forces in the event of war. WARSAW (Reuters) -Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk will call for a parliamentary vote of confidence in his coalition government, after his candidate, Rafal Trzaskowski, lost the presidential election on Sunday. "The first test will be a vote of confidence, which I will ask in the Parliament soon," Tusk said on Monday in a televised speech."I want everyone to see, including our opponents, at home and abroad, that we are ready for this situation, that we understand the gravity of the moment, but that we do not intend to take a single step back." Nationalist opposition candidate Karol Nawrocki narrowly won Poland's presidential election, delivering a blow to the centrist government's efforts to cement Warsaw's pro-European orientation. (Reporting by Justyna Pawlak, Marek Strzelecki and Pawel Florkiewicz; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) Polish President Andrzej Duda has informed his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he will visit Ukraine before the end of his presidential term. Source: press service for the Office of the President of Ukraine, as reported by European Pravda Details: During the meeting of the two leaders in Vilnius, Zelenskyy congratulated Poland on holding the presidential election and Karol Nawrocki on his victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted that continued support from Poland is important not only for Ukraine but also for the whole of Europe. "Andrzej Duda reaffirmed his consistent support for Ukraines membership in the EU and NATO," the press service stated. The two presidents discussed bilateral relations, diplomatic efforts and the importance of pressure on Russia to achieve a just and lasting peace. Zelenskyy also invited Duda to visit Ukraine. According to the Presidents Office, Duda confirmed he would make the visit before the end of his term. Background: After 100% of the votes were counted, Nawrocki won the second round of Polands presidential election on 1 June with 50.89% of the vote. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! House Appropriations chair Ben Barnes (D-Prince George's and Anne Arundel) and Senate Budget and Taxation Chair Guy Guzzone discuss the budget with reporters during the 2025 legislative session. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) Who says being a lawmaker is a thankless job? The Arc Maryland said thanks to four lawmakers Thursday, recognizing them at the Arc Marylands 65th Convention and Awards banquet for their part in clawing back nearly $300 million in proposed cuts to the Developmental Disabilities Administration. Budget and Taxation Chair Guy Guzzone (D-Howard), Appropriations Chair Ben Barnes (D- Prince Georges and Anne Arundel), Sen. Cory McCray (D-Baltimore City) and Del. Emily Shetty (D-Montgomery) were each given a Legislator of the Year award Thursday at the Arc Marylands 65th Convention and Awards banquet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As chairs of committees that create the state budget, Guzzone and Barnes were influential in restoring millions in funding back to the DDA, which oversees the services for people with developmental disabilities, after Gov. Wes Moore (D) initially proposed $457 million in cuts for the 2026 budget citing unsustainable growth and costs. Much of the work to restore almost $300 million to the agency occurred in budget subcommittees in the respective chambers, with McCray leading the effort in the Health and Human Services subcommittee and Shetty leading the Health and Social Services subcommittee. This was a heck of a year one that we would not like to be repeated, Guzzone said in accepting his award. It was a grueling session for advocates in the developmental disabilities community. Hundreds of people with disabilities, their families and support staff rallied in Annapolis against the hefty cuts, and significant lobbying efforts continued throughout session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guzzone recognized the persistent lobbying from the developmental disability community this session as inspiring and an example of democracy at work. I am just touched by the fact that all of you keep telling your stories, bringing them to the legislature, he said And there are others in the legislature who really stepped up. This was a session when we needed all hands on deck, he said. The team of people who came together who said, No way, were not going to let this happen. Were going to work with the administration to make this thing this enormous amount of money were going to figure out a way to deal with it.' Thomas joins Melwood to take IT program national Teresa Thomas, who designed and led a neurodiversity internship program at MITRE and supported pilot neurodiversity hiring programs at federal agencies, is joining Melwood Community Services to lead and expand its abilIT initiative, the organization announced last week. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The abilIT program bridges the gap between people with disabilities and careers in information technology (IT) and cybersecurity, with free training for eligible individuals to help them get industry-recognized certifications, and foll0w-up help finding an IT-related job . As director, Thomas will drive the expansion of the program, which recently won an $8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to take the program nationwide. According to a Melwood news release announcing the appointment, Thomas has spent nearly a decade in neurodivergent talent recruiting and retentio. She has led and trained teams in neurodiversity-focused best practices, co-authored influential works on the topic including the Neurodiversity@Work Playbook: Federal Edition and is a parent to an adult on the autism spectrum. Teresa Thomas is a passionate advocate for neuroinclusive workplaces, having facilitated employment for neurodiverse individuals across industries in the U.S. and globally. She is the ideal leader for Melwoods abilIT program, and were thrilled to welcome her expertise and dedication, said Melwood President & CEO Larysa Kautz. Im honored to lead the abilIT team and contribute to a transformative program that changes lives by preparing adults with disabilities for rewarding careers in a high-demand sector of our economy, Thomas said in the Melwood release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The abilIT program addresses critical challenges: high underemployment and unemployment rates among neurodivergent and disabled adults, the growing demand for IT and tech talent, and the need for a cohesive national solution. To learn more about abilIT or to apply for the program visit www.melwoodcommunity.org. Kamonjoh takes over governance job at Maryland State Retirement Agency Edward Kamonjoh, who was recently director of impact management at Calvert Research and Management, was named last week as the Maryland State Retirement and Pension Systems next senior corporate governance manager. Kamonjoh will oversee the strategic execution of the Systems governance program, including proxy voting, the integration of material environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into investment due diligence, and board-level engagement initiatives, according to an agency release announcing the appointment. Edwards appointment signals a deepened commitment by the System to uphold leading governance practices, informed engagement and responsible stewardship across our investment operations, State Treasurer Dereck E. Davis, chair of the SRPS Board of Trustees, said in the release. We are confident that his global perspective and policy fluency will enhance our governance framework in meaningful and measurable ways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Kamonjoh has more than two decades of corporate governance and investment experience. At Calvert Research and Management, part of Morgan Stanley Investment Management, he designed and led a landmark impact stewardship program, according to the SRPS release. He has also worked at Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), The 50/50 Climate Project and Climate Safe Lending. In his new role, he will advise the systems chief investment officer and the board of trustees, he will be responsible for implementing a proxy voting program, include ESG environmental, social and governance into investment considerations, and will represent SRPS with corporate issuers, regulatory bodies and policy organizations. Edwards industry experience and passion for principled investing make him uniquely equipped to guide the System through an evolving governance landscape, said Comptroller Brooke Lierman, vice chair of the SRPS board and chair of the investment committee. His leadership will help ensure our governance program not only reflects the highest standards but also delivers on our long-term investment and fiduciary goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kamonjoh officially began his job Wednesday, when he was introduced at the SRPS Board of Trustees meeting. Speaking of the Maryland State Retirement Agency Maryland State Retirement Agency Chief Investment Officer Andrew Palmer has been named to Blueprint Capital Advisors 2025 Power100 list as a leading allocator among institutional investors. The Power 100 is a nonprofit enterprise designed to shine a spotlight on alternative investment organizations, professionals and investors that are high performing, impacting the industry and narrowing societal gaps related to wealth, health, education, and other areas important to us all. This recognition speaks to the work of our investment team and the broader mission of the Maryland State Retirement Agency, Palmer said in a release from the retirement agency. Its gratifying to see how our investment strategy not only secures the long-term retirement benefits of our members but also contributes meaningfully to the future of the investment industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is the second consecutive year Palmer has been named to the Power 100. Under his guidance, the agency said, the investment division has consistently pursued innovative strategies while staying grounded in the fiduciary responsibilities owed to Marylands public employees and retirees. Andys recognition is a reflection of the values we prioritize at SRA: integrity, long-term thinking, and a commitment to the public good, said SRA Executive Director Martin Noven. Were proud that our investment program is not only producing strong results for members, but also serving as a model for principled, inclusive leadership in the broader investment community. The list also features other prominent state pension systems, including CalSTRS, the New York State Common Retirement Fund, and the Employees Retirement System of Hawaii. A full list of the 2025 Power 100 honorees is available at www.power100family.com. NEED TO KNOW Over 256,000 pounds of Hormel Foods Corporation's Dinty Moore Beef Stew have been recalled The recall occurred after Hormel Foods reported that the 20-ounce cans may be contaminated with "foreign material," specifically wood Officials say that anyone who purchased the specific cans printed with the lot code of "T02045" should throw them away or return them Consumers who have recently purchased canned beef stew should check their labels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a press release published on Wednesday, May 28, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that Georgia-based Hormel Foods Corporation is recalling roughly 256,185 pounds of canned beef stew product that may be contaminated with "foreign material," specifically wood. The recall includes Hormel's 20-ounce metal cans of Dinty Moore Beef Stew. The cans have a best-by date of February 2028 as well as a lot code of "T02045" and the establishment number "EST 199G" printed on the can. USDA Dinty Moore beef stew, recalled by Hormel Foods. Dinty Moore beef stew, recalled by Hormel Foods. These products were produced on Feb. 4, 2025, according to the USDA. The recall is being considered a Class I, meaning that the products pose a "health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death." Officials discovered this issue when Hormel notified the USDA about three consumer complaints about finding pieces of wood in the beef stew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Out of an abundance of caution, Hormel Foods is voluntarily recalling 17,080 cases of a single code date of 20 oz. DINTY MOORE Beef Stew as it may contain extraneous wood material," the company told PEOPLE in a statement. "No other DINTY MOORE products are affected, and no illnesses or injuries have been reported in association with this recall." The USDA confirmed in the press release that there have been no official reports of injury so far regarding the recall. Officials say that anyone who has purchased these cans of beef stew should not consume them, and instead throw them away or return them to the store where they were purchased. "All information related to the recall can be found here or consumers can contact Hormel Foods Customer Relations via email here, via chat at hormel.com or at 1-800-523-4635, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. 4 p.m. Central Time, excluding holidays," Hormel added in its statement. 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. A number of other reports about contamination in food have led to recalls in the past several months. In March, Coca-Cola issued a recall of select soda packs due to foreign object contamination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drink brand initially recalled specific 12-packs of Coca-Cola 12-oz. cans on March 6. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said at the time that the Class II recall included 864 units of 12-packs of soda. The recalled products were distributed in Illinois and Wisconsin, per the report, and the specific product codes of affected products can be found on the FDA's website. Just one week prior, another a recall was issued for nearly 30,000 pounds of Chomps beef snacks after "pieces of metal" were reportedly found in the product. Read the original article on People The family of late Andriy Portnov, a former top aide to ex-President Viktor Yanukovych, acquired more than $2 million worth of real estate in Dubai during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, an investigative report by Schemes, a project by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, has revealed on June 2. According to property records leaked from Dubai's Land Department and state-owned utilities, verified in collaboration with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and Le Monde, six properties were purchased in 20222023 by Portnov's civil partner, Anastasiia Valiaieva, and his daughter, Liliia Portnova. As of mid-2025, five of the properties remain under their ownership. The first known purchase was made by Portnova in October 2022, when she bought a 69-square-meter apartment in Sobha Hartland One Park Avenue for around $320,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Property acquisitions reportedly accelerated in mid-2023, with Portnova and Valiaieva investing in multiple new developments, including Sobha Hartland Waves Opulence and Creek Vista Heights, spending between $132,000 and $600,000 per unit. One property an apartment in Sobha Hartland Waves Opulence valued at over $600,000 is still under construction and slated for completion in September 2025. Another, in Creek Vista Heights, worth more than $550,000, is expected to be completed in 2026. Despite owning these high-end assets, Schemes found no public records indicating current business activity for either woman. Valiaieva previously owned a company called Vasilisa Group, formerly known as Portnov Group and linked to Portnov himself, but he ceased to be listed as its owner in 2020. Journalists were also able to confirm that Valiaieva has held Russian citizenship since 2014 and that Portnova is a Swiss national. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April 2024, Portnov transferred ownership of a luxury estate outside Kyiv to his children through a notarized deed of gift. The document, obtained by Schemes, shows that the transaction was conducted by Valiaieva on behalf of their children. A Ukrainian notary certified the deed, while a lawyer who previously represented Portnov in court, Marina Parinova, acted on his behalf using a power of attorney notarized in Madrid. Neither Portnova nor Valiaieva responded to requests for comment from Schemes, nor did attorneys previously associated with Portnov. The revelations come around two weeks after Portnov was shot dead in Madrid on May 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian military intelligence confirmed his death to the Kyiv Independent. Spanish media outlets said Portnov was shot at five times, with at least three bullets striking his head and torso. No arrests have been made. Portnov, 51, was a central figure in the Yanukovych administration from 2010 to 2014 and was sanctioned by the United States in 2021 over allegations of corruption and judicial manipulation. After fleeing Ukraine following the 2014 EuroMaidan Revolution, he resided in Russia and Austria, returning to Ukraine in 2019. He fled again in June 2022 after Russia's full-scale invasion began. Known as one of the most litigious ex-officials in Ukraine, Portnov sued several media outlets, including the Kyiv Independent, over reports labeling him "pro-Russian." He won a defamation case in a Kyiv court in 2024. His influence extended into the media as well: he briefly headed the pro-Russian TV channel NewsOne in 2018. A 2020 UkraineWorld report accused Portnov of using online bots to discredit the EuroMaidan Revolution and Ukraine's pro-European reforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. American actress and Broadway legend Patti LuPone has made it clear that she is done with musical theater, and her longstanding relationship with Audra McDonald is over. In a new profile published by The New Yorker, 76-year-old Patti LuPone says, "Thank you for including me, honest to God," LuPone said. "And just, you know, think of me. Because I don't want to be onstage anymore. Period." In the piece she is talking to Sex and the City creator Michael Patrick King. She is portraying the mother-in-law of Carrie's friend Anthony (Mario Cantone). LuPone is not only one of Broadway's greatest voices and acting talents. She is also the queen. As a true queen, she has left people behind. This diva also shared that she is no longer close to colleague Audra McDonald, 54. "Not a friend," she stated plainly, refusing to elaborate on the reason behind the falling out. The silence didn't stop there. According to People, when asked about McDonald's current performance as Rose in "Gypsy"a role LuPone once won a Tony forshe stared silently for 15 seconds, then looked out the window and said, "What a beautiful day." Audra McDonald has earned her 11th Tony nomination for her role as Rose, setting a new record and further cementing her place in Broadway history. Though she already holds six Tony wins, the most of any performer, LuPone didn't offer any praise or comment on the performance. Patti beefing with Audra and showing love to Nicole was not on my 2025 bingo card pic.twitter.com/vvFkBz7Vsj ALW Memorial Pool (@liliasleggings) May 26, 2025 LuPone Slams Kecia Lewis in Fiery Interview LuPone and McDonald once had a working history, sharing the stage in productions like "Sweeney Todd" and "Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny." However, their relationship appears to have quietly unraveled over the years, US Magazine said. The topicDuring the interview, LuPone brought upte conflicther dispute with Broadway star Kecia Lewis. Last year, LuPone complained that sound from the musical "Hell's Kitchen," starring Lewis, was bleeding through the wall into her own play, "The Roommate." Lewis later called LuPone's comments "bullying," "racially microaggressive," and "rooted in privilege." In the interview, LuPone responded sharply, expressing doubts about Lewis's experience. "She calls herself a veteran? Let's find out how many Broadway shows Kecia Lewis has done... Don't call yourself a vet, bitch." While LuPone claimed Lewis had done seven shows, sources noted she had ten. LuPone, in comparison, has 28 Broadway credits. When informed that McDonald had supported Lewis's Instagram video with emojis, LuPone responded pointedly: "Exactly. And I thought, 'You should know better.' That's typical of Audra." While McDonald has not responded publicly, the silence between the two powerhouses is telling. LuPone did, however, praise another current Broadway production: Sunset Boulevard starring Nicole Scherzinger. "I was energized when I left the theater. I loved it," she said in December. Originally published on Enstarz ULAN BATOR, June 2 (Xinhua)-- Mongolia and Turkmenistan have signed several cooperation documents to enhance bilateral ties, according to the Mongolian presidential office website on Monday. The documents, which include a joint statement on further development of cooperation between Mongolia and Turkmenistan, as well as memorandums of understanding on cooperation in health, education, science, media, culture and light industry, were signed in Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia. Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov arrived in Ulan Bator on Sunday evening for a two-day state visit at the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, accompanied by a high-ranking delegation. Enditem. He couldnt recall how he had gotten there all Douglas Hegdahl could remember was leaving behind his glasses in his bunk and going up to the top deck of the cruiser Canberra to watch the ship firing its guns off the Gulf of Tonkin. I cant tell you how I fell from my ship, Hegdahl said after his release in 1969. All I know is, I walked up on the deck. It was dark and they were firing, and the next thing I recall I was in the water. Picked up by a North Vietnamese fishing boat after treading water for hours, and handed over to the Viet Cong before being brought to Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the Hanoi Hilton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was there that the 20-year-old sailor from Clark, South Dakota, began one of the greatest non-combatant cons of the war. Deemed a low-value prisoner due to his low rank, Hegdahl began to exploit this perception. I had probably the most embarrassing capture in the entire Vietnam War, Hegdahl said in a 1997 interview with author and veteran Marc Leepson. I found that my defense posture was just to play dumb. Lets face it, when you fall off your boat, you have a lot to work with. Pretending to be illiterate and suffering from a cognitive disability, Hegdahls ruse eventually led to his captors giving the American prisoner of war more leeway within the harsh confines of the prison, which often included regular use of severe torture and harsh interrogation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike many prisoners who were not allowed to interact with one another, Hegdahl was given more freedom to interact with POWs which he used to his advantage. After his initial capture in 1967, Hegdahl quietly began to collect vital information, covertly communicating with fellow POWs, memorizing the names, capture dates and personal details of approximately 256 other American prisoners, according to the Veterans Breakfast Club. He developed mnemonic devices, including the nursery rhyme Old McDonald Had a Farm, and repeated the information constantly to ensure he would not forget it. He also managed to glean the exact location of the infamous camp. Dubbed The Incredibly Stupid One by North Vietnamese guards, Hegdahl frequently frustrated their attempts to use him for propaganda purposes. Feigning compliance, Hegdahl would read out statements criticizing the U.S., but they were so laced with errors and the performance so flat that they were rendered unusable by his captors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was so mad about their propaganda that it became a personal war to think how I could mess it up, Hegdahl recalled in a 1972 interview. Despite most of the American officers having a No Go Home Early pact, Hegdahl was released in 1969 with the support of imprisoned senior officers in order to bring back valuable intelligence to the U.S. government. His meticulous recall of names provided a comprehensive list of POWs held in Vietnam, including the reclassification of 63 service members previously listed as missing in action to POW. After his release from the Army, Hegdahl moved to San Diego, but never stopped serving his country. He began working as an instructor in the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape, or SERE, school in San Diego Bay. One of his students, William J. Dougherty, a CIA officer, was among the 52 hostages held in the U.S. Embassy during the 1979 Iranian Hostage Crisis. Dougherty credits Hegdahls lectures with helping him keep his sanity, dignity and secrets intact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Leepson, Hegdahls quick thinking and coolness under immense strain should be recognized. I think it was one of the most heroic acts not in combat during the Vietnam War, Leepson told The Independent. And I think thats something that people should know. This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Island-hopping is a charming way to discover Croatia, allowing you to enjoy shots of espresso and shimmering sea views on deck as you sail from coast to coast. National ferry operator Jadrolinija and private competitors link most inhabited islands in the country. The majority of inter-island trips run during the daytime and vary in length from just 20 minutes to a few hours, so no cabin is required for bookings. To get the most from an island-hopping trip, however, some pre-planning is required. How easy is it? National company Jadrolinija operates car-ferries and passenger-only catamarans throughout the islands, which are supplemented by vessels run by private operators such as Kapetan Luka. Key short crossings depart every hour, if not more often. Longer routes tend to run only once or twice a day, often at hours tailored to island commuters. Jadrolinija operates year-round, although at lower frequencies over winter, while private services typically run from April to October. jadrolinija.hr krilo.hr Should I hire a car? Youll be glad of your own wheels in the quieter Kvarner Gulf but, in summer, a car can limit your options in south Dalmatia. Costs can spiral with a vehicle on ferries, you pay for the car plus each passenger and reservations are essential in July and August. Youll also need to backtrack at least once from Vis back to Split to continue to Hvar, for example which means more spending, plus precious days lost to transport. Foot passengers not only travel more cheaply, theyre guaranteed passage on car ferries and can also access passenger-only catamarans running useful routes between islands Kapetan Luka is excellent in south Dalmatia (reservations are advisable in peak season). Where ports are isolated, there tends to be a local bus timed to meet the car ferry. Can I still explore larger islands without a car? Absolutely, although allow a couple of days longer at each destination for logistics. Local bus services shuttle around islands plan on around three services a day but taxis are also available. In summer, boat taxi services go from major hubs like Hvar Town and Vis Town to popular beaches. On all islands, private tourism agencies are the travellers friend, offering bike and scooter hire plus day trips to less accessible corners of the islands. Do I need to book accommodation? While hotels are available across Croatia's islands, accommodation is limited on smaller ones Solta and Mljet have just one each, Vis only three. Book ahead to guarantee a bed or, for more spontaneous travel, consider a private room offered by a local family. Advertised in windows and on plaques as sobe, meaning rooms, or booked through local tourism agencies the easier option these are plentiful at most destinations. What should I pack? Less is better for island-hopping, especially on foot. The weather is classically Mediterranean and Croatia is informal, so smart dress isnt required even at top-end restaurants. Be aware that most beaches are fine shingle rather than sand, so you may prefer swimming shoes, which will also protect you from sea urchins, common on rocks. Published in the June 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only). Michael Cohen, a former longtime personal attorney to Donald Trump, predicted on Sunday that the presidents relationship with billionaire ally Elon Musk is about to take a turn for the worse. I said from the very start that this bromance was gonna come to an end, he said on MSNBC on Sunday, days after Musk ended his role in the DOGE effort to cut government spending. Im gonna go one step even further, again, and Im gonna say Trump will ultimately go after Elons money next because it bothers him that he is the richest man in the world, he said. Yes, he used him for his money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk spent some $291 million during the 2024 election cycle, most notably to help Trump, according to OpenSecrets.org. Cohen also predicted that Trump will use the so-called Department of Government Efficiency to go after Musk, looking at how Elon, with his companies, took advantage of the United States of America. He said Trump will look to claw back money, such as government subsidies for Tesla vehicles. Hes gonna do to Elon Musk, my prediction, what Mohammed bin Salman did to the other members of the royal family, he said, referring to the Saudi crown princes moves to quickly consolidate power after being named next in line to the throne including arrests and detentions of rivals, even family members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cohen was, for years, Trumps personal attorney and loyal fixer, but eventually turned on his one-time boss as he cooperated with investigators and testified to Congress. He ultimately pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations, lying to Congress, and other charges, saying he did it all for Trump, and was sentenced to three years in prison. Cohen used his own story as a case in point for how Trump treats even those who are loyal to him. Donald doesnt care about anyone or anything other than himself. Look at what he did to me, for Gods sakes, he said. Guy who was with him for a decade and a half, who literally would have taken a bullet for him, but for him being the one pulling the trigger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See more of his MSNBC conversation below: Related... Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. In a quiet, rural enclave, Clark County Pride is a big deal. The annual parade and festival, which is in its fifth year, is held in La Center, a southwest Washington town of 4,300 that doesnt have a stoplight. There are no hotels and only three restaurants . Still, about 100 people attended the event when it was held for the first time in 2021, braving record-breaking heat to march through the citys modest downtown. To accommodate the 100-degree temperature, organizers installed five different cooling tentscomplete with water stations and copious mistersalong the 0.9-mile walk. Rather than marching, some locals participated in the parade from the shelter of their air-conditioned vehicles. Attendance has since ballooned to nearly 700 people, not including the dozens of vendors who cater the event. For the businesses who provide food and beverages or sell rainbow flags and jewelry, many have reported that the festival is their single most profitable day of the year. Our vendors are so excited to come back because they do so well, said Malerie Plaugher, Clark County Prides board secretary. Folks who come and want to celebrate Pride rurally are so relieved to have a space that feels friendly, open, and safe that theyre excited to spend their money among family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Clark County Pride is still much too small to survey the events economic impact on the local community, all available data indicates that its vendors arent alone in finding Pride to be a lucrative endeavor. Some of the larger Pride events have estimated that their financial footprint spans the tens of millions: A 2019 study tabulated that Los Angeles Pride generated $74 million in revenue for Southern California, and St. Pete Pride, Floridas most-attended Pride festival, brought in an estimated $60 million in 2023. Similar reports have found that Twin Cities Pride, in Minnesota, and Charlotte Pride, in North Carolina, contribute about $13.4 million and $15.8 million, respectively, to their local economies. San Diego Pride, which is typically the citys largest single-day event each year, is estimated to have a $30 million impact. Despite the fact that Pride remains big money, corporate America is increasingly unwilling to return the investment. Prides across the country have reported a sharp decrease in sponsorships for their 2025 events amid threats from the Trump administration against companies that outwardly embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. On the high end, San Francisco Pride and WorldPridethe latter of which is set for the District of Columbia this monthhave lost nearly $300,000 and $260,000, respectively, in sponsorships from corporate partners of previous years, and NYC Pride is down a reported $750,000. Some Pride festivals have been forced to scale back their events while they grapple with a new reality, and others worry that, someday in the near future, they may no longer have the money to exist at all. These funding deficits were nearly universal among Pride organizers I contacted for this story, reporting shortages that account for significant chunks of their overall budget. Representatives for Omaha Pride, in Nebraska, and Wynwood Pride, in Florida, each estimate that sponsorships are down by 50 percent in 2025, while a spokesperson for Californias Long Beach Pride says that contributions from businesses have plummeted by 40 percent. Hampton Roads Pride, in Virginia, was forced to cut $80,000 from this years budgetamounting to a little less than 20 percent of its 2024 expendituresto keep pace with reduced commitments from corporate sponsors. These funding woes simply do not square with the considerable money that Pride groups bring in for their communities. The estimates cited by LGBTQ+ groups themselves are actually on the conservative side: When I contacted a representative for Columbus Pridewhich brings in an estimated $16 million to $18 million for Ohios economy each yearthey said that their data is based almost solely on local hotel stays during the month of June. Its hard for them to survey the more intangible externalities of Pride, such as a surge in local restaurant bookings, bottled-water sales, or even temporary job creation. Airbnb, for one, has estimated that Pride festivals bring in $77 million nationally for its hosts each year, while Lyft has reported that Pride has an even bigger impact on the demand for rideshares than a Taylor Swift concert does. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not something that Pride organizations always talk about because, for so long, theres been this diametrically opposed sensibility that Pride cant be something that also impacts revenue generation because its protestbut it is both, said Densil Porteous, executive director of Stonewall Columbus. Our opportunity as a community to demonstrate our power through the economic impact that we can make in a region is also part of that protest. It says: Look at what we can do. Look at what smart business is. Smart business is being welcoming, open, and inclusive. Although Durham Pride generates about $2.7 million in annual revenue off 100,000 attendees, co-founder Trey Roberts says that many of the major tech companies based in North Carolina wont even return his calls. This years weeklong roster of eventswhich includes a fashion showcase and a poetry open-mic nightis being funded almost entirely through the proceeds from a local charity 5K race. Its like a guarded fence, Roberts said of trying to attract corporate sponsors. We have no clue how to break the barricade to get in there. Its crazy, because Pride feels like it every year gets bigger, but were also trying to get more resources so we could do more. Were building ourselves up where everyones expecting us to get bigger and bigger, and were just struggling: Can you help us out? Can we find sponsors and donors? Can we get grants? The cold shoulder that Pride groups have received is coming from not just Wall Street but also local businesses, establishments that would appear, on paper, to be natural partners for their programming. Although Come Out With Pride is one of the few major draws to Orlandos downtown districtas the citys tourism is largely centered on Disney World, out in the suburbsorganizers have struggled in recent years to get prominent restaurants and bars to sponsor the event. In this case, much of the hostility stems from fear of retribution, not from the White House but from the DeSantis administration: In 2023 Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a draconian bill restricting public drag performances (legislation that was declared unconstitutional by a federal appeals court this month). Even before the drag ban was enacted, at least one Florida city, Port St. Lucie, pulled the plug on its Pride event to avoid prosecution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As with Clark County Pride, many of the Orlando business leaders who have been hesitant to show up to the table have confessed that Pride is their best day of the year. Tatiana Quiroga, the executive director of Come Out With Pride, told me that after organizers were forced to change the parade route in 2024 due to the challenges of accommodating 230,000 attendees, the organization received major backlash from businesses that were along the old path. Those numerous complaints, Quiroga says, were yet another indication of how valuable Pride is to the very people who dont want to fund it. We were like, Oh, wow, so you do need us. At the same time, wheres your sponsorship? Im really glad that you were standing room only at this wine bar or this brunch place, but theres no conversation with you. You have absolutely no representation in our festival whatsoever, she said. Where is that mutual amount of support? Were the actual nonprofit having to support their business, when its not a mutual relationship. These roadblocks affect not merely Pride festivals but entire communities. Mallory Pollock, now the executive director of Wyomings Casper Pride, joked that when the organization held its first festival back in 2017, she could turn her camera horizontally and capture the whole event in the same photo. But this year, Casper Pride will take over the citys entire downtown area with a weeks worth of eventsa lineup that will include a drag show, karaoke night, and bowling night. Although organizers have yet to see a reduction in funding this year, any losses in sponsorship or vendor participation would ripple across not just the town but the wider state. The festival is part of the And Let Live coalition, a network by which Pride groups in Wyoming share funding and resources with one another. One organizations being defunded would be extremely detrimental for each of ALLs members. Casper Pride not only brings revenue from LGBTQ+ people and allies to Wyoming, but it also keeps those dollars in the community. The city of 58,000 recently opened its first queer resource center, which offers monthly support groups, a food pantry, and microgrants. Weve had people say that they moved here because of that, and I would like to think that we also keep people here because of it, Pollock said. The surroundings are really hard, and so a lot of people tend to leave for bigger places with more to offer. Without that support in place, Pollock worries, members of Caspers LGBTQ+ community might move awayand take their business with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It goes without saying that Pride is about much more than money. Its about creating spaces where LGBTQ+ people can be visible but also feel safe to be in community, a moment to live without fear and luxuriate in collective joy. But the paradox is that those opportunities will be curtailed unless Pride itself is able to be economically sustainable. Some groups, like Utahs SLC Pride and Ohios Cincinnati Pride, have pushed to end relationships with businesses that have backtracked on their support for the LGBTQ+ community, shifting to alternative fundraising models to help make up the gap. Jonathan Swindle, board president of the Mosaic Project of South Texas, said that he has never had the backing of Fortune 500 companies to put on Pride Corpus Christi, as there arent very many in the area. Thats South Texas, he said. But Pride organizers say they remain committed to finding long-term solutions that uplift and celebrate the community, while also creating space for the most vulnerable. The first Clark County Pride was thrown together on extremely short notice, after its founders learned that LGBTQ+ students at the local middle and high schools were being bullied. Being in such a small town, Plaugher says, Pride is the only opportunity many queer youth in the area have to find their people and feel as if they arent alone. At last years festival, an eighth grader came up to Plaugher and told her, I made my very first friend today. Its become so big and loudin the joyful, happy way, Plaugher said of Clark County Pride. To folks who are ignorant of what it looks like to celebrate Pride and what the meaning of it is, I would like to see them be unable to deny the fact that we are safe, happy, and courageous. I would like the naysayers to be unable to deny the positive impacts that our community has on the area. Happy Pride Month! June marks the 55th anniversary of the first LGBTQ+ Pride march held in the United States. Since its creation in 1978, the Rainbow Pride Flag has become a universal symbol for the LGBTQ community. While the flag's image is well-recognized, its history may not be as well-known. Here is the history of how the Rainbow Pride Flag came to be and the meaning behind its colors. What is Pride Month? Held in June every year, LGBTQ Pride Month is dedicated to the celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other sexualities. It seeks to honor LGBTQ history and the challenges the community faces, past and present, according to Cathy Renna, Communications Director for the National LGBTQ Task Force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to History, Pride Month is held in June due to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City. The riots began on June 28 when police officers raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club located in Greenwich Village, which led to days of protests and violent clashes with law enforcement. When did Pride Month start? Why is it called 'pride?' USA TODAY notes that in the year following the riots, some of the first Gay Pride parades were held in Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. Early Pride celebrations still excluded pivotal members, such as trans women and other women of color. Celebrations soon expanded on their activist roots in the 1980s and 1990s with the onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. More recently, activists have used the celebrations to shed light topics from marriage equality to racial justice. As for why it is called "pride," it again goes back to the Stonewall Riots. Bustle explains that Brenda Howard, a bisexual woman, is known as the "Mother of Pride" for her work in organizing the first LGBTQ Pride March back in 1970. It was also noted that Howard's peers and other key figures popularized the word following its inception. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement June became known as Pride Month in the United States when former President Bill Clinton first recognized it in 1999, referring to it as "Gay & Lesbian Pride Month." Former President Barack Obama declared June "LGBT Pride Month" in 2009. Most recently, former President Joe Biden declared June "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" in 2021, including all sexualities under the acronym. What do the colors of the Pride flag mean? Mandy Rubin struts across the Acosta Bridge with a gay pride flag as Jacksonville's LGBTQ+ community and its supporters held two related events to kick off Pride Month Sunday June 1, 2025 in downtown Jacksonville, Fla. The first was the annual march across the Acosta Bridge. Participants carried Pride flags and signs. The second was the community bridge lighting of the Acosta Bridge after the Main Street Bridge was scheduled for maintenance. The Acosta Bridge was bathed in yellow, purple, blue, green orange and red lights. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Each of the flag's six rainbow colors has a unique meaning: Red: Life Orange: Healing Yellow: Sunlight Green: Nature Blue: Serenity Purple: Spirit In recent years, many flags also feature black and brown stripes to represent marginalized LGBTIQ+ people of color and the trio of blue, pink, and white from the trans flag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are also more than 25 different variations of the Pride flag to represent different communities, including lesbians, transgender people and asexuality. The history of the Gilbert Baker Pride flag In the 1970s, Harvey Milk the first openly gay elected official in California tasked activist Gilbert Baker to design a symbol of hope for the gay community. "Harvey Milk was a friend of mine, an important gay leader in San Francisco in the 70s, and he carried a really important message about how important it was to be visible," Baker said in an interview with the Museum of Modern Art in 2015. "A flag really fit that mission, because thats a way of proclaiming your visibility, or saying, 'This is who I am!'" The original pride flag had eight stripes, with colors symbolizing: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hot pink: Sex Red: Life Orange: Healing Yellow: Sunlight Green: Nature Turquoise: Magic Indigo: Serenity Purple: Spirit Before the rainbow flag, the pink triangle was used as a symbol for the LGBTQ+ community, according to Baker. In Nazi Germany, people were forced to wear pink triangles. While the symbol was reclaimed, the community wanted a new symbol. "We needed something beautiful, something from us," Baker said in the MoMA interview. "The rainbow is so perfect because it really fits our diversity in terms of race, gender, ages, all of those things." The original Pride flag was flown for the first time at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade celebration on June 25, 1978, the History Channel reports. How did the Pride flag come to be? The original flag was made by hand, but as the flags started to be mass-produced, the hot pink stripe was removed due to manufacturing difficulties, the New York Times reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parade organizers also wanted the rainbow to have an even number of stripes so they could "split" the flag and use the halves to line the street along parade routes. Baker then removed the turquoise stripe and replaced the indigo stripe with blue, the History Channel reports. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Pride Month 2025: What do all the colors in the pride flag mean? Prince Harry Nearly Adopted Princess Dianas Maiden Name, Severing Royal Ties originally appeared on Parade. A new report claims Prince Harry nearly adopted Princess Diana's maiden name after reportedly discussing the matter with her brother, Charles Spencer. In doing so, Harry would have severed his ties to the House of Windsor for good. Per The Mirror's Richard Eden, sources revealed the Duke of Sussex entertained the idea of adopting Princess Diana's maiden name, Spencer, after discussing the matter with her brother, the 9th Earl Spencer, during a visit to the United Kingdom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reasonably, if Harry did change his name, the switch would mark a definitive split between Harry and his royal kin. Additionally, the surname of Harry's children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, Mountbatten-Windsor, would also be affected. Eden states, "It is understood he discussed the issue with Earl Spencer, whose family seat is Althorp in Northamptonshire, during a rare visit to Britain, but was told that the legal hurdles were insurmountable. They had a very amicable conversation and Spencer advised him against taking such a step, said a friend of Harry." Parade Daily SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox He adds, "Nevertheless, the fact that he consulted the Earl over the issue, a proposal that would dismay his brother and father, is a vivid expression of the toxic rift with his family. Mountbatten-Windsor is the surname available to descendants of the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. It combines the Royal Family's name of Windsor and the Duke of Edinburgh's adopted surname." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if Harry found a way to legally take on his mother's maiden name, he would not be entitled to inherit his mother's ancestral property, Althorp House. Princess Diana's family home will be passed down to her nephew, Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp. As the only son of Charles Spencer, Louis is set to inherit the estate and earldom under the traditional practice of male primogeniture, which is an age-old system that favors male heirs, bypassing his three older sisters. Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, use Sussex as their last name. Harry was known as "Harry Wales" when then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana held the royal title of Prince and Princess of Wales. Subsequently, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were granted the titles Duke and Duchess of Sussex by Queen Elizabeth on their 2018 wedding day. The couple's children were titled prince and princess after King Charless accession. Per the BBC, upon stepping back from their duties as senior royals, the couple were allowed to keep their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles. However, they are no longer addressed as His or Her Royal Highness (HRH). Additionally, Harry had to give up all of his military titles after a decade-long career in the armed forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prince Harry Nearly Adopted Princess Dianas Maiden Name, Severing Royal Ties first appeared on Parade on Jun 2, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared. As Prince Harry continues to navigate his estrangement from his family, he reportedly considered changing his last name to his mother's maiden name, Spencer. According to the Telegraph, During a rare visit to Britain, Prince Harry is said to have sought advice from his uncle Earl Spencer, about whether to assume his mothers surname. One of Harry's friends told the paper, They had a very amicable conversation and Spencer advised him against taking such a step. The decision would've meant getting rid of his current last name, Mountbatten-Windsor, which is also on the birth certificates of his children, six-year-old Prince Archie and three-year-old Princess Lilibet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Meghan Markle recently revealed on her Netflix series With Love, Meghan that their family uses Sussex as their last name. Its so funny you keep saying Meghan Markle. You know Im Sussex now? she tells Mindy Kaling, who appeared as a guest on the series. You have kids, and you go, No, I share my name with my children, and that feels soI didnt know how meaningful it would be to me, but it just means so much to go, This is our family name. Our little family name. It's likely that instead of using Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Lili Mountbatten-Windsor, then, the children go by Archie Sussex and Lili Sussex. Harry's relative Lord Ivar Mountbatten previously told T&C Meghan is completely incorrect in how she's using her last name. Her family name is not Sussex, her family name is Mountbatten-Windsor. Her children are called Archie and Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor; they're not called Archie and Lilibet Sussex because Sussex is a title. So, they are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but actually he's Harry Mountbatten-Windsor and she would be Meghan Mountbatten-Windsor. My brother is the Marquess of Milford Haven, but his surname is Mountbatten, so he's called George Mountbatten, the Marquess of Milford Haven. You Might Also Like When I first saw the headlines, I took it with a grain of salt: Over the weekend, The Mail on Sunday reported that Prince Harry spoke with his uncle, Charles Spencer, about the idea of dropping his royal last name of Mountbatten-Windsor in favor of using his late mother Princess Dianas surname, Spencer, instead. But could it really be true? As with many royal things, the sources felt spotty, but as more and more publications picked up the news, the gravity of the Duke of Sussex even considering a move like that hit me: The state of royal relations between father and son (and William) must be bleaker than we ever thought. Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images After all, the movewhich Dianas brother, Charles Spencer, is said to have talked Harry out of, according to the reportswould have also affected his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, who are currently sixth and seventh in line to the British throne. (For example, it would have changed Lilibets name from Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor to Lilibet Diana Spencer.) It also would have read like a royal mic drop and a permanent and symbolic severing of any remaining familial ties. Chris Jackson/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont get me wrong: We already know that the state of Harrys relationship, specifically with his father King Charles, is practically non-existent in the wake of the Duke of Sussexs battle for U.K.-based security, per his recent interview with the BBC. But the idea that he would adopt his mothers last name feels like a blow that would remove all associations with the House of Windsor, not to mention chart a path that he couldnt take back. (That said, to formally align his identity with Dianas would not only carry a great deal of meaning for Harry, it would make sense given how similarly their life trajectories insidebut especially outside ofthe royal sphere seem to align.) Anwar Hussein/Getty Images As for Charles Spencers role, reports state that the 9th Earl Spencerwho recently saw Harry during a rare visit to the U.K. to attend the funeral of his uncle, Robert Fellowes, last yeartalked him out of it and told Harry that the legal challenges to a decision like that would be insurmountable. (Both William and Harry are notably close with Dianas brother.) Of course, this isnt the only name change drama thats cropped up for the Sussexes as of late. When Meghan Markles recent Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, first debuted, much was made about her revelation to actress Mindy Kaling about changing her last name to Sussexa move that solidified her familys collective identity, even if it wasnt formalized. I love that that is something that Archie, Lili, H and I all have together. It means a lot to me, she shared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be clear, based on reports, it sounds like Harry was just putting feelers out. (Its also good to know he has someone like Charles Spencer to lean on in times like this.) But a move like that would be majorand, sadly, speaks volumes about where things currently stand. Prince Harry Just Gave a Rare (& Emotional) Interview About the Royal Family New month, new royal calendar. June is here and that means the royal family is back to business with a fresh slate of engagements. From King Charles and Queen Camilla to Duchess Sophie and Princess Anne, everyones got something on the books. And yes, Prince William is right there with themthough one of his events this week stands out in a big way. On Wednesday, June 4, the Prince of Wales will make his first official visit as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps. Hell be heading to Wattisham Flying Station to spend time with 4 Regiment Army Air Corps and get a closer look at what they do. While royal visits to military units arent new, this one marks a milestone: its Williams first appearance in this role since it was officially handed over to him by King Charles in May 2024. There is a bit of lore behind the new role as it is the same title that was once expected to go to Prince Harry, who served in the Army Air Corps during his time in Afghanistan. But after stepping down as a senior royal in 2020, Harrys path shifted and the honor eventually went to his older brother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If May was any indication (remember the Princess Charlotte birthday tributes, that emotional father-son photo of Charles and William and, of course, Princess Catherines style moments?), June may be shaping up to be another busy month for the royals. The Prince and Princess of Wales even dropped their May rewind video over the weekendand it was packed. Want all the latest entertainment news sent right to your inbox? Click here. Prince Williams Cheeky Comment Caught on Video After Royal Fan Calls Kate Beautiful TOKYO, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Capital spending by Japanese companies in the first quarter of 2025 rose 6.4 percent from a year earlier, rebounding from a slight decline in the previous quarter, government data showed on Monday. Investment by all nonfinancial sectors for purposes such as building factories and adding equipment came to a record 18.80 trillion yen (about 130.6 billion U.S. dollars), Ministry of Finance data showed. Capital spending, one of the key gauges of the country's economic growth, rebounded from the previous quarter's 0.2 percent fall, the first quarterly fall in nearly four years. Corporate sales rose 4.3 percent in the first quarter from a year earlier to a record 404.23 trillion yen, gaining for the 16th consecutive quarter, while pretax profits increased 3.8 percent to 28.47 trillion yen. The solid expenditure data will be used to calculate revised gross domestic product figures for the January-March period, which showed Japan's economy shrank an annualized real 0.7 percent, the first contraction in four quarters. NEED TO KNOW Sir Christopher Airy, a decorated veteran of the British Army and former royal aide, died on April 7 Airy was appointed private secretary to King Charles and his then-wife Princess Diana in 1990 However, he found. himself unsuited for the role and left just a year later Major General Sir Christopher Airy, a former private secretary to King Charles and Princess Diana, died on April 7, 2025. He was 91. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A decorated veteran of the British Army, Airy joined the military in 1954, rising through the ranks until he became Major-General commanding the Household Division and General Officer Commanding London District in 1986. Upon his retirement from the military in 1989, Airy was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, having previously received the Order of the British Empire. He also received a new assignment in 1990, becoming the private secretary to King Charles then, the Prince of Wales and his then-wife, Princess Diana. According to his obituary in The Times, Airy was recommended for the job by British comedian Jimmy Savile, whom Charles allowed to "say things to his face that other courtiers could not." The buttoned-up major general held the role for just under a year and reportedly found himself ill-suited for the role, and not just because marital tensions between the prince and princess were building towards their eventual breaking point. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Prince Charles and Princess Diana In his 2022 book Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown, royal expert Valentine Low cited a contemporary of Airy as saying he was a "very bad fit" for the role, and operated "completely on a different planet." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He was not attuned to Charles' growing charitable interests and struggle to understand the differences between the prince's various organisations," the insider added. "He must have been miserable. We would all talk acronyms, all this charitable, voluntary sector, government stuff, and Christopher was completely lost." 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! Airy's role with the royal family lasted only a year. He left the position in May 1991, and retired with his wife, Judith, to a farmhouse in Somerset. The couple were married for 65 years before Lady Airy died in January 2025. They are survived by their three children, a son and two daughters. Read the original article on People Following a meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul on Monday 2 June, the parties have reached an agreement on the next prisoner exchange, which will involve seriously wounded and young soldiers. Source: Ukraines Defence Minister Rustem Umierov, who heads the Ukrainian delegation, at a briefing, as reported by European Pravda; Interfax-Ukraine with reference to the deputy head of Ukraines Defence Intelligence, Vadym Skibitskyi Details: Umierov noted that Monday's meeting was the first time that Ukraine had seen Russia's proposals for a ceasefire and an end to the war. Moscow has yet to respond to Ukraine's proposals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our teams will have a week to review the documents, after which we will be able to coordinate next steps," he said. The defence minister also said that the parties have agreed to "focus on specific categories rather than numbers" regarding the release of prisoners of war. "We have agreed on an all-for-all exchange of seriously wounded and seriously ill prisoners of war. The second category is young soldiers between the ages of 18 and 25, all-for-all as well. We have also agreed on a 6,000-for-6,000 exchange of bodies of fallen soldiers," he said. Vadym Skibitskyi, the representative of Ukraines Defence Intelligence, added that agreements on a specific exchange mechanism had been reached in Istanbul: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Today, we have made new progress the so-called all-for-all format. Today, we agreed on two categories [of prisoners of war] that will be subject to return to their homeland, we agreed on the mechanisms, and we determined the preliminary terms of this exchange." Skibitskyi said that it will be necessary to conduct many verifications and determine all categories so that no one is lost or forgotten. Umierov confirmed that Ukraine has given Russia a list of several hundred Ukrainian children who have been deported to the Russian Federation and is waiting for Moscow to take action on this. Another item on the agenda was organising a leader-level meeting, possibly involving other leaders such as the US president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We believe that further work between the delegations makes sense if it is aimed at preparing for a meeting between state leaders. We have proposed to the Russian side that a leader-level meeting should be held by the end of this month, between 20 and 30 June. This is very important for the negotiation process," Umierov added. Background: The meeting the second between the delegations from Ukraine and the Russian Federation lasted for just over an hour. The first meeting was held on 16 May. Before the negotiations with the Russians, Ukraines First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhii Kyslytsia and Oleksandr Bevz, a member of the Ukrainian delegation, met with representatives of three of Ukraine's European partners Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. This news has been updated since publication. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! CHICAGO (WGN) This week kicks off one of the most important summers of JB Pritzkers life. The two-term governor will soon reveal whether he intends to seek a third term, but that decision may be inextricably linked to speculation hed like to test the 2028 White House waters. Does he run for governor and then run for president? In his post legislative session meeting with reporters Monday, Pritzker offered a national message that drew contrasts with President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike the federal government, we are balancing our budget for the benefit of your families while Trump spends wildly to benefit his family and their DOGE-bro friends, he said. Hes cutting health care and food for children and seniors and moms and dad while Illinois prioritizes them. The Illinois budget, passed late Saturday, boosts K-12 education funding, provides special grants for safety-net hospitals, helps controls the cost of prescription drugs, and offers direct college admission for eligible high schoolers. But the governor did not get everything he wanted. A ban on cellphones in schools, township consolidation, and a measure to allow community colleges the ability to offer four-year degrees did not win approval of the legislature. Illinois lawmakers approve $55.2B budget, tax hikes on sports betting, tobacco Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State leaders, lawmakers react to $55.2B state budget passed just before deadline Things take sometimes longer than one session to get done, Pritzker said. Republicans say the budget was all about advancing Pritzkers political future. Its a bridge fund for a governor who has been adamant doing everything he can to audition to be president of the United States for 2028, said State Rep. Ryan Spain, the House Deputy Minority Leader. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during the McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner, Sunday April 27, 2025, in Manchester, N.H. Pritzkers national stature has been growing with appearances on TV and a recent stop in New Hampshire, but before he can fulfil any national ambitions, Pritzker must handle business here at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Pritzker decides on a White House run, its likely a couple of years before he would launch a campaign. Hes said hell make an announcement about the 2026 governors race before Cook County Democratic Party slating on July 17. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Gabrielle Cuccia, a self-described MAGA girl who served as One America News chief Pentagon correspondent, says the far-right network fired her after she criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths war against the press. In a blistering Substack post, Cuccia who served in the first Trump administration tore into the Pentagon for limiting media access and blasted Hegseth for not holding one press briefing since taking over as the head of the Defense Department. Specifically, she took issue with the agency closing off portions of the Pentagon that had previously always been open to reporters. He claims its to reduce the opportunity for in-person inadvertent or unauthorized disclosures. But lets be honest since January, the real leaks from the Pentagon havent come from the press. Theyve come from Hegseths own team and other senior officials, she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I personally know reporters whove sent formal emails to Hegseths office requesting clarification on specific topics and received radio silence in return, Cuccia added. Lets call this what it is: limiting freedom of movement in the name of national security. Making sure to burnish her pro-Trump bona fides, Cuccia noted that it is pretty obvious how I feel about fake news outlets like CNN, MSNBC, CBS, and ABC, adding that she thinks their obsession with advocating for transgender inclusion in the military is a complete waste of time and taxpayer resources. One America News recently fired chief Pentagon correspondent Gabrielle Cuccia after she criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for restricting press access. (Instagram) At the same time, though, she noted that while their coverage may not be my cup of tea, it doesnt mean I stand behind Hegseths decision to limit reporters movements through the Pentagon. It also raises a fair question: why has the Department prioritized limiting press access, while the Secretary of Defense himself has yet to hold a briefing in the press room during his first 100 days? Cuccia also asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two days after she published her fateful Substack post, Cuccia told CNN that her bureau chief asked her to turn in her Pentagon badge. The following days, she said, she was let go by the network. Asked to comment on the circumstances surrounding Cuccias termination, OAN president Charles Herring told The Independent that we dont comment on employee related issues. On Thursday, my Pentagon badge was revoked. By Friday, I was out of a job, Cuccia told The Independent. The timing came just days after I published a personal Substack article raising legitimate concerns about new restrictions placed on journalists inside the Pentagon an article my employer later confirmed had been put on their radar. She continued: When a reporter asks inconvenient questions about government overreach, the response should be accountability not silence, and certainly not separation. You can love your country and still challenge those who govern it. Ive never been afraid to speak the truth, even when it costs me. My loyalty is and always will be to my country above all else. And for those reasons, this isnt the end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Independent also asked Cuccia if she was aware if OAN had tapped anyone else to replace her yet as the networks top Pentagon reporter. I can confirm I have been contacted by potential new hires to fill my role asking how to do the job, what are the expectations, what qualifies as conflicts of interest within the role, and what my experience was like with OAN, she said. I was told that OAN is seeking to fill this role as soon as today, Monday, June 2nd. Cuccia, who had briefly worked for OAN as a White House correspondent towards the end of the first Trump administration, was re-hired by OAN in February to lead its defense coverage after Hegseth took away NBCs longtime workspace and handed it to the MAGA channel. This was, of course, part of the administrations larger effort to push out mainstream media outlets and elevate sympathetic right-wing coverage. Initially elated with the opportunity, Cuccia would take to her social media accounts to document how she personally renovated the old NBC office into what she deemed Liberty Lounge. Still, her joy soon grew into skepticism and disillusionment over the way Hegseth handled the Signalgate scandal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our SecDef told us that it was Fake News. That it was another Russia Hoax, she noted. As a MAGA girl myself, I cannot stand when we take something super serious and legitimate - such as the Russia Hoax - and conflate everything and anything that is an inconvenient truth, throw in the towel and say, Yep its just a Russia Hoax, and then proceed to call people losers and liars for reporting something that was unfortunately true. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth closed off portions of the Pentagon that had previously always been open to reporters. (AFP/Getty) Cuccia insisted that following Signalgate, the Pentagon stopped all press briefings moving forward and simultaneously decided to lock one of the doors that connects journalists to the DoDs Public Affairs Officials, a door that has always been wide open. She also took Hegseth to task for the cheap PR move of using the Memorial Day weekend to conveniently announce that reporters are no longer allowed access to the offices of the Secretary of Defense or the Joint Chiefs without an official escort. This Administration, to my surprise, also locked the doors to the Pentagon Briefing room, a protocol that was never in place in prior Administrations, and a door that is never locked for press at the White House, she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Commander-in-Chief welcomes the hard questions and yes, even the dumb ones. Why wont the Secretary of Defense do the same? Cuccia rhetorically asked. Since telling CNN on Friday that she was fired by OAN, Cuccia has since changed her X profile to read Fmr Chief Pentagon Correspondent and posted a story on her Instagram that included a screenshot of her Substack article. You know I was once told that a former peer feared I was too MAGA for this job, she captioned the story. I guess I was. I guess I am. Throughout her Substack post, she asserted that her intention in sounding off against the Pentagons press policy was to tear down Hegseth, but due to her wanting to keep MAGA alive. She also repeatedly used the phrase love your country, not your government, which is a slogan shes emblazoned on tank tops that she began selling on Etsy last year. Prior to returning to OAN this year, Cuccia had drawn attention to herself by posing with firearms on her social media accounts, hawking her MAGA-branded merchandise, and once causing a Newsmax host to cut off her mic after she began peddling Trumps baseless 2020 election fraud claims on the air. Newsmax, like One America News, has been sued multiple times for defamation for amplifying election denialism and voting machine conspiracy theories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If she was indeed fired for criticizing Hegseth and the administration, this wouldnt be the first time that OAN has terminated an employee for speaking out publicly. In 2021, the right-wing cable channel fired producer Marty Golingan after he told the New York Times on the record that many network staffers dont think many of OAN stories are factual. One America News, which had been facing an existential crisis after losing nearly all of its cable and satellite contracts in recent years over its conspiratorial coverage, appears to be on the upswing since Trumps return to the White House. Besides taking over NBCs office space in the Pentagon, the network hired former GOP congressman (and one-time attorney general nominee) Matt Gaetz as a primetime host, and White House senior adviser Kari Lake announced last month that she struck a deal with the channel to blast out its content on Voice of Americas airwaves. Cuccia isnt the only conservative media figure who has scrutinized the Pentagon press crackdown. After CNN first reported on her firing, Fox News media host Howie Kurtz highlighted the criticism over Hegseths actions against the media and brought on former CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr to blast the defense secretary (and former Fox News host) for restricting press access. One of the key axioms of politics in our, and any other, era is that nothing lasts forever. Todays seemingly new political arguments, almost certainly, will find their way into an opponents arsenal. Evidence of that axiom is abundant. Where once Republicans were rapidly anti-Russia and anti-Putin, today they favor accommodation. Where once Democrats were suspicious of free trade, today they embrace it as part of their criticism of the presidents protectionism. The most consequential of those inversions involves attitudes toward courts and judges. Where once progressive critics called the rule of law a myth and worked to expose the politics of law, today the president mobilizes that argument to accuse judges of being driven by partisan motivations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the first Trump administration, as the president stacked the Supreme Court and the federal judiciary with MAGA-allied judges, progressives eagerly denounced those judges and what they labelled judicial supremacy. They argued that the authority to interpret the Constitution was not lodged solely in the judicial branch. It was, they contended, also the work of the other branches, and the American people themselves, to say what the law is. Now, they are appalled when members of the Trump Administration take up those arguments and offer constitutional arguments of their own. Before saying more about the source of attacks on the courts and positions now being appropriated by the Trump administration, let me cite a few examples of its escalating critiques of judicial supremacy. On May 20, Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered his own rendition of the powers and jurisdiction of the federal courts. Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about the handling of the Kilmar Abrego Garcia deportation case, and the administrations reluctance to facilitate his return, Rubio insisted that he does not have to obey court orders when they touch on the foreign policy of the United States. There is, Rubio said, a division in our government between the federal branch and the judicial branch. No judge, and the judicial branch, cannot tell me or the president how to conduct foreign policy. The Secretary of State insisted that No judge can tell how I have to outreach to a foreign partner or what I need to say to them. And if I do reach to that foreign partner and talk to them, I am under no obligation to share that with the judiciary branch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio is not the only one in the administration to act as if they get to define what the Constitution means or what authority courts have. Two months ago, Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed Federal District Judge James Boasberg, who, as NBC News noted is presiding over the case involving the administrations use of the rarely invoked Alien Enemies Act to deport what officials claim are gang members to El Salvador was trying to control our entire foreign policy, and that under the Constitution, he cannot do it. And then there is the recent insistence of White House staffer Stephen Miller and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that the president has the right to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus. Some might call these comments unconstitutional or anti-constitutional, but I suspect they would say that they have as much right to interpret the Constitution as the judicial branch. That is the position of conservative allies of the administration. Adrian Vermeule, for example, Professor of Law at Harvard, argues that the law is to a large degree what the President and the agencies say it is. And The President, as a key figure in the republic, has a responsibility to interpret the Constitution in a way that promotes the common good and effective governance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This brings us back to the fact that arguments made with the goal of advancing one political program may be flipped and turned to another purpose. It was not so long ago that progressives chaffing under the rulings of the Roberts Court called for the same kind of diffusion of the authority to interpret the Constitution that we are now seeing from the Trump Administration. In September 2020, New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie quoted with approval the following: The judiciary is not the sole guardian of our constitutional inheritance and interpretive authority under the Constitution has varied over time. In his own voice, he said: (I)f protecting the right of the people to govern for themselves means curbing judicial power and the Supreme Courts claim to judicial supremacy, then Democrats should act without hesitation. Twenty years earlier, two progressive constitutional law scholars reacted to an increasingly conservative Supreme Courts erosion of the Warren Courts pro-criminal defendant Miranda v. Arizona decision by calling for what they called shared constitutional experimentation. As they put it, Because constitutional meaning is so wrapped up in broader questions of governance, constitutional interpretation should be a shared endeavor among (at the least) all the branches of the national, state, and local governments. Each branch brings to the process both a constitutional role and a set of institutional advantages. A few years earlier, another law professor argued that competition and debate among the branches concerning important constitutional issues may well promote the kind of public dialogue that would lead to adoption of constructive constitutional approaches while enhancing respect for the fundamental values inherent in constitutionalism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One final example is drawn from the work of two prominent, progressive constitutional law scholars, Yales Robert Post and Reva Siegel. They observe that it would be a fundamental mistake to define constitutional law in ways that force nonjudicial actors regularly to choose between obeying constitutional law and fulfilling what they regard as their constitutional obligations. Trump administration officials would likely agree. They might claim to be engaged in the very form of constitutional interpretation and dialogue that Bouie and others on the left have held out as a healthy and welcome. Or, perhaps more accurately, they may be owning the libs by cynically using their arguments to secure the administrations own political purposes. Whatever their motive, using the tools of progressive constitutional scholars, Trump and his colleagues are creating what Princetons Kim Lane Scheppele labels a counter-constitution, an alternative constitutional reality proposed in place of a current constitution. That is why, if the Constitution survives this moment, we should be cautious about calling for the dismantling of the courts ultimate authority to advance the political cause of the moment. Supreme Court Justice John Marshall got it right when, more than two centuries ago, he wrote, It is emphatically the duty of the Judicial Department to say what the law is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of this is a reminder that in a constitutional republic, officials, citizens, and commentators need to take a long view and think not just of what will advance their immediate interest. Prudence requires considering what things would look like if, and when, their opponents come to power. Patience and foresight are underappreciated, but indispensable virtues of constitutional government. With President Donald Trumps radical rehaul of America well underway, right-wing policy engineer Russell Vought wants you to believe Project 2025 was never meant to be his road map. During Sundays episode of State of the Union, CNN moderator Dana Bash got an icy answer when she asked Vought if the overlap between Trumps agenda and the hyper-conservative political program meant that Project 2025 was coming to fruition. Though the president repeatedly distanced himself from Project 2025 during his campaign, second-term Trump achievements like eliminating DEI, banning transgender troops and sending the military to crack down on the southern border were all detailed in the far-right policy wish list, for which Vought served on the advisory board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Vought, who is now Trumps director of the Office of Management and Budget, shot down the idea that the Heritage Foundation-helmed initiative inspired any of the presidents actions. BASH: Is it fair to say that what you are doing now is in part enacting Project 2025? VOUGHT: No, of course not. (This is a blatant lie.) pic.twitter.com/EQeq1lKysL Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 1, 2025 Claiming Trump was very public about his plans during his campaign, the political operative told Bash it is delusional to think the president was not the sole architect of his executive strategy. Im not suggesting that hes not in charge, Bash countered. Im just saying that now its pretty clear that what he wants to do and what you planned are dovetailing. Vought still refused to acknowledge the influence of Project 2025, which also laid out tactics for shuttering the Department of Education, banning abortion medication and imposing work requirements for Medicaid recipients in a 900-plus page blueprint titled Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the president was very clear with his agenda and he is going forward with that agenda and he has been at the helm and the originator of all of these ideas, he told Bash. Whats on the agenda is what the president has put on the agenda, most of which he ran on, Vought continued. And you will continue to see the things that hes interested in doing and those people like me will be executing that vision. Though Trumps policies seem to be in sync with what was outlined by Project 2025, he told voters during his campaign he had nothing to do with the program. I havent read it. I dont want to read it purposely. Im not going to read it, he claimed during his first and only debate with Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris. Related... YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Prosecutors are opposing a request for relief by a man serving a prison sentence for an Austintown shootout. Read next: Inmate tied up, beaten sues private prison for $25K In a brief filed Friday before Judge Anthony Donofrio in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, Assistant Prosecutor Kristie Weibling wrote that the request for post-conviction relief by Stevie Ballard, 25, of Campbell, should be denied because he never stated a claim in his petition as to why his conviction should be overturned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ballard was convicted Jan. 5, 2024, by a jury of firing several shots during an exchange of gunfire Nov. 22, 2021, at the Westminster Apartment complex in Austintown. No one was injured. He was sentenced Feb. 22, 2024, to 11 to 12 years in prison. At the time of his sentencing he vehemently denied the charges, saying, None of this is fair. This is not justice to me. Jurors convicted Ballard of felonious assault, a second-degree felony; discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises, a third-degree felony; carrying concealed weapons, a fourth-degree felony; and being a felon in possession of a firearm, a third-degree felony. All the charges had a firearm specification. Ballard had earlier pleaded guilty in the case but took his plea back, saying he felt coerced to take a plea because he was facing a murder charge in an unrelated case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A jury found Ballard not guilty in his murder trial. Defense attorney Rhys Cartwright-Jones filed Ballards request for relief May 8. Weibling also wrote that several of Ballards claims are not true, such as his claim that his defense team never received body camera footage from Austintown police. Weibling wrote in her response that the first item of evidence township police turned over to the defense was body cam footage. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Protests have erupted over the arrest of an 18-year-old Massachusetts high school student who state officials say was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents over the weekend while on his way to volleyball practice. Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a Brazilian national who is a junior at Milford Public High School, was arrested on Saturday, according to a court filing from his attorney. Students at the high school staged a walkout on Monday in support of Gomes da Silva, holding signs that said "Free Marcelo." The protest followed community demonstrations at the Milford Town Hall on Sunday calling for his release. Brian Snyder/Reuters - PHOTO: Classmates of Marcelo Gomes da Silva, who was reportedly detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, participate in a rally in support of da Silva after their high school graduation in Milford, Mass., June 1, 2025. The teen, who is currently in ICE custody, was not the target of the operation but was a collateral arrest, according to ICE officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When we go out into the community and we find others who are unlawfully here, we are going to arrest them," ICE acting Field Director Patricia Hyde said at a press briefing on Monday. "We've been completely transparent with that. He's 18 years old. He's unlawfully in this country." MORE: Georgia teen forgives officer who wrongly arrested her leading to ICE detention Gomes da Silva's father was the actual target of the operation, according to acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. The father, Joao Paulo Gomes-Pereira, was sought because he "has a habit of reckless driving" at speeds over 100 mph, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Agents made a traffic stop on the father's vehicle, which Gomes da Silva was driving at the time of his arrest, Lyons said during the briefing. The father has not turned himself in yet, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gomes da Silva entered the U.S. in 2012 through a student visa, which has since lapsed, according to his attorney. He has no criminal history and is "eligible for and intends to apply for asylum," his attorney stated in a habeas corpus petition filed Sunday seeking his release. A federal judge issued an emergency order Sunday afternoon directing the government not to remove Gomes da Silva from the U.S. or to transfer him out of the judicial district of Massachusetts for at least 72 hours. On Monday, a federal judge ordered that the government not transfer the teen out of Massachusetts without first providing the court at least 48 hours advance notice of and reasons for the move. The ICE detainee locator website lists Gomes da Silva as being in custody but does not list where he is being held. His habeas petition indicates "on information and belief" that ICE is detaining him at a field office in Burlington, Massachusetts. Courtesy Julianys Rentas - PHOTO: Marcelo Gomes da Silva is seen with his girlfriend, Julianys Rentas. Courtesy Julianys Rentas - PHOTO: Marcelo Gomes da Silva is seen with his girlfriend, Julianys Rentas. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said she is "demanding immediate answers from ICE" about the teen's arrest, where he is being held and "how his due process is being protected." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm disturbed and outraged by reports that a Milford High School student was arrested by ICE on his way to volleyball practice yesterday," Healey said in a statement on X on Sunday. "Yet again, local officials and law enforcement have been left in the dark with no heads up and no answers to their questions." Kevin McIntyre, the Milford superintendent of schools, said in a statement that the student was detained off-campus, and several parents have also been detained by ICE in recent weeks. "We are all distraught by this news," McIntyre said in a statement. "The Milford Public Schools play no part in immigration enforcement and support all of our students and families, including those who are immigrants to the United States. They are members of the community, students in our classrooms, athletes that compete representing Milford, musicians, artists, friends, and neighbors. We will do everything in our power to support our students and families during these difficult times." WCVB - PHOTO: Students walk out of Milford High School in Milford, Mass., June 2, 2025, in support of fellow student Marcelo Gomes da Silva, who was reportedly detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Gomes da Silva was supposed to play in the band at the high school's graduation on Sunday, Boston ABC affiliate WCVB reported. Some graduates marched from the ceremony to the protest at Milford Town Hall, still in their caps and gowns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The teen's friends expressed shock and dismay at his arrest. His girlfriend, Julianys Rentas, told WCVB that he plays drums for her church. "He's a member of his community and he's never done anything wrong," she told the station while fighting back tears. U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, who attended Sunday's rally, also expressed disbelief at the teen's detainment. "I don't see how a kid en route to volleyball, who is an honors student, who's a musician in the high school band -- that kid is not a threat to law and order," the Democrat told WCVB. Brian Snyder/Reuters - PHOTO: Members of the community gather for a rally in support of high school student Marcelo Gomes da Silva, who was reportedly detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, in Milford, Mass.., June 1, 2025. MORE: Federal judge grants ICE bail for Harvard researcher, but she remains in custody on criminal charges Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE arrested 1,461 "alien offenders" in the region in May as part of a large-scale operation, according to Hyde. Over half -- 790 -- had "significant criminality as well," she said. Pressed by reporters on whether Gomes da Silva was a danger to the community, Lyons said, "I didn't say he was dangerous. I said he's in this country illegally." "We're not going to walk away from anybody," he added. ABC News' Luke Barr and James Hill contributed to this report. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Providence House in Shreveport has been awarded a grant from the Community Foundation of Louisiana. The homeless shelter has received a $150,000 grant from the Community Foundation of North Louisiana, an organization recognized for managing funds contributed by donors and reinvesting them for the communitys benefit. According to the press release, the funds will support essential programs designed to empower families in crisis. Louisiana Red Cross urges preparedness amid hurricane season Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lakeisha Florence, Interim Executive Director of Providence House, expressed deep appreciation for the Foundations ongoing commitment: We are incredibly thankful to the Community Foundation of North Louisiana for their continued belief in our mission. This generous grant helps ensure that families in crisis receive the tools they need to achieve independence and long-term success. The Community Foundation of North Louisiana has awarded Providence House more than five million dollars in grants since 1993. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Three former top executives from French video game giant Ubisoft the maker of games like Assassins Creed and Far Cry - went on trial on Monday. Serge Hascoet, Thomas "Tommy" Francois and Guillaume Patrux appeared before the Bobigny criminal court on charges of psychological abuse, sexual harassment and attempted sexual assault. The trial is due to continue until Friday. During the week, the judges will hear the accounts of six women and three men, as well as accusations made by two trade unions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendants deny all the allegations against them. Ubisoft booth - AP Photo The Ubisoft omerta began to break in 2020. Three years prior, a Ubisoft employee tried to report psychological harassment to his superiors. The response? You stop talking about this immediately. Theres no problem at Ubisoft. But then came an in-depth investigation conducted by French publications Liberation and Numerama. The examination revealed working conditions plagued by harassment, humiliation and discriminatory comments. Ubisoft then launched an internal inquiry in 2020 after anonymous testimonies emerged on social media accusing the company of a toxic work culture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators spoke to dozens of witnesses during the probe, but "many refused to file a complaint for fear of reactions from the video game community. Still, the testimonies that poured in painted a damning picture of what went on behind the walls of the Ubisoft studios. Serge Hascoet, 59, Ubisofts chief creative officer and second-in-command, who resigned after the allegations, is accused of sexual harassment and bullying. He is also accused of making racist comments. He allegedly told staff that a senior employee was irritating because she did not have enough sex and that he should have sex with her in a meeting room in front of everyone to show how to calm her. Thomas Francois, 52, former vice-president of editorial and creative services, is accused of forcing a young employee he had just hired to do a headstand in the open-plan office while wearing a skirt. He is also alleged to have often watched pornographic films in the open-plan office and, at a 2015 office Christmas party, he allegedly tried to kiss a colleague on the mouth as his other colleagues restrained the woman. She said she managed to break free and felt traumatised by the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former game director Patrux, 41, has been accused of psychological harassment and was dismissed for serious misconduct. He is alleged to have mimed hitting staff, cracked a whip near colleagues faces and drawn swastikas on a womans notebook as he sat near her in a meeting. Other examples which allegedly took place under the complicit or indifferent eye of Ubisoft management include shameful examples of public humiliation. For instance, a young Muslim member of staff allegedly found her screensaver changed to an image of a bacon sandwich, while sandwiches were thrown at her during Ramadan. Other women alleged to police that sexual comments were made regularly, that they were called sluts and told to wear shorter skirts. One woman who wore a coat with red lining was allegedly told by an executive: Thats an invitation to rape. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot - 2015 - AP Photo This week's trial is a pivotal moment for the gaming industry, one hailed by some as a #MeToo moment in the video games "boys club". Indeed, the male-dominated video game publishing industry has been scrutinised for years over its treatment of women and minorities, as well as the way these groups are depicted in games. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, there are those who feel that this week's trial is not enough. This trial could have been exemplary, according to Marc Rutschle, union delegate at Solidaires Informatique. He told L'Humanite: It wasn't three isolated individuals who created this atmosphere of widespread harassment. Their impunity was organised. There are no defendants and many victims. The whole structural aspect has been evacuated. Indeed, Ubisoft is taking great care to keep out of the trial as neither the human resources department, nor any representative of the company as a legal entity or its CEO Yves Guillemot, will be making an appearance in court. Guillemot allegedly previously referred to some of the accusations as generational differences of opinion and creative friction. The trial continues in Bobigny until Friday. DAMASCUS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. forces have carried out a sudden withdrawal from two major military bases in Syria's eastern Deir ez-Zor province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Monday, in what marks one of the most significant American military shifts in northeastern Syria. According to the Britain-based monitoring group, the withdrawal began gradually on May 18 and accelerated over the past 48 hours. U.S. military convoys, including armored vehicles and logistical equipment, were seen departing the al-Omar oil field and the Conoco gas field, both strategic outposts within the area controlled by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The pullout took place amid intense overflights by aircraft from the U.S.-led international coalition, the report added. Following the withdrawal, the SDF special forces commandos were deployed to the vacated locations. Sources cited by the observatory said that while American ground troops have withdrawn from these two sites, joint operations targeting Islamic State (IS) militants will continue with coalition support based out of the al-Shaddadi base in southern al-Hasakah province, where U.S. forces still maintain a presence. The move has sparked concerns over a potential security vacuum in a region already grappling with instability, recurring IS activity, and mounting local tensions, according to the observatory. The observatory noted that while the U.S. exit from these positions does not mark a full withdrawal, it is nonetheless one of the most significant repositionings of American troops in the area. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) Activists on Monday celebrated a decision by Puerto Ricos federal district court to allow nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people to update their birth certificates. The ruling comes after a group of six nonbinary people filed a lawsuit against Puerto Ricos governor, its health secretary and other officials. The ruling means that nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people will now be able to select X as their gender marker on birth certificates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pedro Julio Serrano, president of Puerto Ricos LGBTQ+ Federation, called Friday's ruling a historic one that upholds equality. Meanwhile, Gov. Jenniffer Gonzalez Colon told reporters that she was awaiting recommendations from Puerto Ricos Justice Department regarding the ruling. The ruling comes more than seven years after a U.S. federal court ordered Puerto Ricos government to allow transgender people to change their gender on birth certificates following a lawsuit if they so wished. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america A tiny pooch was fatally struck by an e-bike in a sidewalk hit-run on the Upper East Side on Memorial Day weekend but the dogs grieving owner says she cant get justice for the pup because of a loophole in state law. Local resident Sarah Grants 18-month-old shih tzu-poodle mix Fennel who Grant rescued in December was out with a dog walker when she was struck on the sidewalk by an e-bike rider on East 96th Street near Third Avenue in Manhattan just before 6 p.m. that Sunday, her owner said. Little Fennel was tragically struck and killed by an e-bike in a sidewalk hit-and-run in Manhattan over Memorial Day weekend. She was not very responsive, Grant told The Post, recalling the moment her dog walker rushed Fennel back to her nearby apartment building. Her eyes rolled back into her head, and she was barely moving. It was just heartbreaking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fennel sustained a traumatic brain injury and severe skull fracture and was euthanized hours later. Grant said when she attempted to report the incident as a crime with the NYPD, she was told she couldnt, as the incident wasnt a criminal matter because dogs are only considered property under the law. The 18-month-old pop was struck by a speeding e-bike rider on the sidewalk on East 96th Street near Third Avenue. Google Maps I pushed back. If dogs are property, then this is a property crime, Grant said. And they [still] said, No, you cannot submit a report.' She said she was told only her dog walker who was also injured in the incident could file a report. A rep for the NYPD told The Post that Grant can still file a police accident report and a complaint report for the e-bike driver leaving the scene of the accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a wake-up call for me, Grant said. Ive always had pets, and its an oversight that there is no legal recourse. Setting a car on fire is considered to be a worse felony than setting a dog on fire. The legal loophole is already the subject of a state bill introduced in January by Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan). The bill seeks to swap the property classification of such animals to sentient beings and establish that they can be a victim of a crime. The bill has remained in committee since its introduction. State Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) is pushing to reclassify animals under the law and establish that they can be a victim of a crime. AP A sentient being is one who perceives or responds to sensations of whatever kindsight, hearing, touch, taste, or smell, according to Merriam-Websters dictionary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mayors Office of Animal Welfare told The Post it is looking into the matter in conjunction with other city agencies. Upper East Side resident Sarah Grant says she just wants justice for her pup Fennel. We are heartbroken to hear about Fennel and are in touch with her family, a rep for the office told The Post. In addition to championing Rosenthals bill to reclassify animals as sentient beings under the law, Grant is calling for more enforcement for pedestrians safety on Gothams sidewalks, where any form of biking is illegal for riders over the age of 12. Whether thats for humans or pets, it needs to be a bigger priority, Grant said of the issue. An e-bike at that speed is deadly. I think people need to have a license and prove they have an understanding of traffic law in order to drive them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This incident is exactly why Police Commissioner Tisch issued new enforcement and guidance on 14 high-traffic, high-volume e-bike corridors throughout the city to protect all New Yorkers from reckless e-bikes, a rep for the NYPD said. Fennel was out with a dog walker when it was killed. Janet Schroeder, director and co-founder of the NYC E-Vehicle Safety Alliance, which has called for the registration and licensing of e-bikes, told The Post that Fennels passing is incredibly sad and infuriating but not surprising. The fact that the e-biker fled is also expected, she said. The rider flees the crash scene the majority of the time and therefore the rider cant be held accountable because they cant be identified. Schroeder said Fennels untimely death is yet another reason city legislators must pass the proposed Priscillas Law, a common-sense solution requiring license plates on e-vehicles so that egregious riding can be identified by enforcement cameras and riders held accountable to following the basic rules of the road which will change egregious riding behavior. The pooch was adopted as a rescue dog in December. In 104 e-bike-related crashes that Schroeders group recorded, only four riders remained at the scene, according to the coalition and in only six cases were crashes logged by the NYPD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a public-health crisis, and there is blood on the hands of any legislator who continues to do nothing but talk, Schroeder added. Fennels tragic passing comes just weeks after the mauling of chihuahua pup Penny on the Upper West Side by a pair of pitbulls sparked public outcry over how the city and state handle animal-related crimes. As dogs are considered property under state law, police often dont get involved unless a human is attacked or a human owner participates in crimes against dogs and justice for Penny has yet to be served as well, animal advocates say. [From] East Harlem to Brooklyn, there are people who have the same concern: Somebody has dogs who attack other dogs, and nobody does anything about it, city Council Member Gale Brewer told The Post this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agencies try, but they operate in a silo. We need to have everyone working together. Grant said, I think if people knew and understood the ramifications of [the law], it would help galvanize action. I dont want any money out of this I just want accountability, I want the laws to change, she said. I dont want any other people to have to go through what Im going through. NAVASOTA, Texas (FOX 44) A multi-agency investigation leads to multiple arrests and seizures of stolen property, narcotics and a firearm. The Brazos County Sheriffs Office was investigating stolen propoerty on Wednesday, May 28, leading them to the City of Navasota. Investigators found a stolen vehicle which fled the area upon being seen. Deputies started a pursuit leading onto Highway 6 to FM-3090. Navasota Police officers responded to assist with the pursuit. During the pursuit, occupants of the stolen vehicle discarded a firearm and narcotics from the vehicle. The pursuit ended on FM-3090, near Rabun Road, where the vehicle came to a stop. Two individuals were taken into custody and transported by the Grimes County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Navasota Police, 33-year-old Pedro Campos, Jr., of Navasota, was charged with Evading Arrest in a Vehicle, two counts of Tampering with Evidence, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Another charge of Tampering with Evidence was given to 34-year-old James Robert Steele, of Anderson. Search on for man accused of break-in, child assault, fleeing traffic stop Pedro Campos, Jr. (Courtesy: Brazos County Jail) James Robert Steele. (Courtesy: Brazos County Jail) Police say a search of the stolen vehicle revealed more narcotics and evidence of stolen property. Based on these discoveries, the Navasota Police Department obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 300 block of Turner Drive. The search warrant was excuted with the help of the Brazos County Sheriffs Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Several individuals were detained at the scene. The search resulted in a seizure of narcotics, a firearm, and more stolen property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Navasota Police say two people found at the residence, identified as 29-year-old Osmar Nathanael Medrano Palacios and 32-year-old Jose Roan Martinez, were found to have active detention orders and were released into the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for further processing. All others at the residence were released pending further investigation. This case remains under active 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 KWKT - FOX 44. QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) The beginning of Pride Month kicked off with the 33rd annual Queens Pride Parade, the second-oldest pride parade in the city. This years celebration also included direct messages to the Trump administration. More Local News 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, was filled with colors, music, and Pride Sunday afternoon. Love everyone, love everybody, shouted one of the attendees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A message of love along with this years theme, defiant Joy and Unity. It is probably the most important pride of our lifetime because of the hate and attacks and trying to erase our community, said David Kilmnick, President of the LGBT Network. Assemblymembers Catalina Cruz and Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas were two of the three Grand Marshals for this years Queens Pride Parade. The third one was Andry Jose Hernandez Romero, who is now detained in the maximum-security Prison, CECOT, in El Salvador after being deported by the Trump Administration in March. Romero is a gay man who was seeking asylum in the United States after fleeing Venezuela in May of last year due to alleged threats because of his sexual orientation. He was deported because the government claims his tattoos link him to the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andry represents everything that is Queens. He is queer, he is an artist, and he is an immigrant. That is who we are, said Rojas. This is not normal. We cant normalize the disappearance of people under a constitution that is supposed to protect us all, no matter who the president is, added Cruz. The first Queens Pride Parade was held on June 6, 1993. Decades later, attendees are saying that today is more important than ever to show up because of the current political climate under the Trump administration. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State I really wish they would rethink a lot of these positions; people of the LGBTQ community just want to be able to live and love and have the life that everybody else wants. Said Aubrey Nelson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syddiq and his wife, Sabar, brought their son, Syris. They say they want him to learn about equality from a very young age. You just have to accept everyone, hatred is straight up for losers, said Syddiq With thousands of spectators, over 140 diverse groups marched down from 89th to 75th Street, promoting the visibility and accomplishments of the LGBTQ+ community and fostering acceptance. Transgender people are human, transgender people are right, transgender people are not invisible, SOT Yanitza Lara. Others are also sending a message to younger generations. Come out, dont be afraid, be yourselves! Stand up for yourself no matter what! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. 25,859 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? 25,859 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? Widespread showers and thunderstorms will move into New Mexico to start the work week. Thunderstorm chances will continue for parts of the state through Wednesday. Moisture ahead of a large low pressure system has been bringing isolated showers and thunderstorms across New Mexico Sunday afternoon. A couple of these storms have turned severe along and east of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Its also another hot day in places that have stayed sunny and dry. Rain and a few thunderstorms will actually continue overnight in western and central New Mexico as the aforementioned low pressure system moves into the state. Through the morning, isolated to scattered showers and storm chances will continue across most of the state. Temperatures will be much cooler across most of New Mexico Monday, but with some daytime heating, widespread showers and thunderstorms will develop. A couple of these could bring heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and small hail. There is a risk of burn scar flash flooding Monday as well. On and off showers and storms are likely for the Albuquerque Metro and much of New Mexico. Some of these storms will continue into late Monday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drier weather briefly moves in Tuesday morning, but isolated storms will return in the northern half of the state Tuesday afternoon, along with western pats of New Mexico. Temperatures will warm up a slightly in the western half of the state, while the eastern half will see cooler temperatures with a backdoor cold front moving in. Another low pressure system will cross New Mexico from the west on Wednesday, bringing scattered showers and storms to the northern half of New Mexico once again. Some of these storms could drop heavy rainfall. Temperatures will again be cooler across most of the state Wednesday afternoon. Drier weather quickly returns Thursday as temperatures start a warming trend. It will feel a lot more like summer again next weekend as the dry weather sticks around. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Ramsey County has established an Economic Development Authority, allowing the county to assist small businesses in areas such as technical, advisory services and expansion. The countys Housing Redevelopment Authority previously was only able to fund specifically housing-related projects. With the addition of the EDA, the HRAs levy funding now can be used more broadly, according to District 6 Commissioner Mai Chong Xiong. Small business programming, for example, would be allowed. The creation of the EDA is allowed due to an omnibus bill signed last month by Gov. Tim Walz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This legislation allows Ramsey County to use the HRA levy more flexibly by expanding what it can fund without adding another tax, Xiong said in a May 27 statement. That means deeper investments in small business support, commercial corridors, workforce infrastructure, and the stability of the neighborhoods we serve. Notably, the passage of the EDA comes at a critical time as counties brace for significant cuts to federal funding to housing, creating high-stakes urgency to stretch every local dollar further and smarter. City councils in the county who are members of the HRA must opt-in or opt-out of business programming through the passage of resolutions by June. Expanding the HRAs authority supports the county in taking a more modern approach to an affordable housing plan, said Rep. Liz Lee, DFL-St. Paul, who authored the legislation in the Minnesota House. It will allow the county to focus on needs beyond just housing. It could mean affordable housing units above a nonprofit laundromat, Lee said. It will help officials create a community people want to live in, rather than just concentrating those living in poverty into public housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mixed-use projects can be challenging to develop across the entire county, said Josh Olson, Ramsey Countys director of Community and Economic Development. I think the two things that I would say is, this is about flexibility more than anything else. Its about our opportunity to kind of support the community in a proactive but also holistic way, Olson said. The other is, the county is going to remain focused on affordable housing. That is, and has been the lions share of how weve spent the HRA, and I expect that to not change substantially even with this change in legislation. The flexibility ties into the countys Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan, with the county focusing on adding affordable housing, redevelopment, businesses and workforce, Olson said. Weve been in a housing crisis here, nationally, regionally, and we have felt that we still can intend to invest heavily through our multiple uses, but that investing solely in housing or narrowly in housing doesnt get the county out of a housing crisis, Olson said. And so one aspect of that is in that intersection where it supports businesses, and that, in turn, supports job opportunities and job growth as well as wage growth. And so thats really kind of the nexus that links all these things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county directed $11.1 million to affordable housing and redevelopment projects as part of the 2022-2023 budget. Related Articles Dark clouds loom over the Minnesota Capitol on May 15, 2025. Photo by Michele Jokinen/House Public Information Services. Senate Taxes Chair Ann Rest, DFL-New Hope, didnt need much time to shoot down the skinny, 12-page tax bill proposed by Minnesota legislative leaders as they rush to button-up a two-year budget deal, without which the state shuts down at the end of the month. I rejected it right off the bat, Rest said in an interview Monday. As soon as I saw it, I told them I couldnt vote for that and neither could half a dozen other Senate Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The text of the bill was posted on Sunday, but Rest said its been obsolete since Friday morning when she expressed her opposition and asked that they continue working toward a deal. Rests rejection raises the prospect of a two-year budget agreement without a tax bill, which isnt necessary for ongoing government operations but would leave a bevy of lawmakers and interest groups fuming, their hopes for special tax treatments foiled. The 12-page document largely maintains the status quo with a couple notable exceptions agreed to weeks ago: increasing the sales tax on cannabis 50% and repealing the electricity tax exemption for power-hungry data centers. Those will still be in any final package, Rest said, but the skinny bill leaves out noncontroversial but nevertheless important policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For instance, more than a dozen cities are awaiting approval for local tax increment financing districts aimed at spurring development. The skinny bill also leaves out continuing tax credits for sustainable aviation fuel, which has bipartisan support but was was absent from the leadership agreement signed off by Gov. Tim Walz, Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, and Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul. Republican co-chair of the House Taxes Committee Greg Davids of Preston also unequivocally rejected the proposal in an interview with MPR News. We put five months of thought into something they put five minutes of thought into, and I know which ones going to be better, Davids said. Im just not sure why any Republican would even consider voting for this. I dont think it would pass (the) House or the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the taxes working group was meeting in public, negotiations have moved behind closed doors and will likely remain so until a deal is reached, Rest said. Building trade unions and business groups are banking on lawmakers extending sales tax exemptions for data centers on equipment purchases even as they sunset exemptions on electricity. They hope by extending the equipment sales tax exemption into the next century, the state will entice Meta, Amazon and other tech giants to build data centers in Minnesota. The tax incentives are particularly important to the construction unions after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on a public infrastructure package for the second year in a row. Building one large data center can cost upwards of $1 billion more than an entire public infrastructure package and create upwards of 1,800 construction jobs, according to a study of Wisconsin. Opponents argue that tech giants will build data centers in Minnesota regardless of the tax incentives leaving regular taxpayers to subsidize some of the richest companies in the world at the expense of investing in schools, nursing homes and infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state expects to bring in an additional $56 million in tax revenue over the next two years by repealing the electricity exemption. The state will still exempt data centers from sales tax on equipment and software through 2042, which is expected to cost more than $200 million in forgone sales tax revenue over the next two years. Amazon recently announced that its suspending plans for a large data center in Becker due to uncertainty one week after lawmakers announced they were eliminating the sales tax exemption on electricity. Lawmakers have also agreed to raise the tax on retail cannabis sales from 10% to 15%, pushing the total sales tax above 20% across the state when local and state sales taxes are added. The tax hike would land before the state has even issued any cannabis sales licenses, although it has been collecting taxes on THC beverages and low dose edibles. Just one dispensary would be subject to the tax increase: The White Earth Nation opened its first off-reservation store in Moorhead last month after negotiating a compact with state leaders through a process exclusive to tribes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State lawmakers voted to legalize cannabis in 2023 with a relatively low sales tax compared to other states, arguing that a higher tax would allow the black market to survive, and that cannabis sales should not generate funding for unrelated budget items. The 15% rate would push Minnesota toward the higher end of taxes compared to the 23 states with legal cannabis sales, according to the Tax Foundation. The bill would also repeal a law that sends a fifth of cannabis tax revenue to cities and counties to fund local enforcement costs. Newark Liberty International Airport has reopened one of its runways ahead of schedule after the transportation hub has suffered recent technical issues. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the development at an airport news conference alongside United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, who said flights out of Newark are expected to be the cheapest in the airlines history this summer. The airport has faced recent air traffic control outages, a shortage of air traffic control workers and a struggle to keep up with demand during the revamp of Runway 4L-22R, an 11,000-foot-long strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This key milestone puts us on a path to further reducing congestion, enhancing safety, and ensuring a seamless travel experience, Duffy said. With the runway completed, well continue our work to harden the telecoms infrastructure and improving the staffing pipeline for the airspace. Newark has faced air traffic control outages, a shortage of air traffic control workers and a struggle to keep up with demand. (REUTERS) On Friday, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airport, said the runway would reopen 13 days ahead of schedule after it was cleared by the Federal Aviation Administration. Some of the work included improving milling, repaving the runway surface and improving lighting and drainage work. Runways are typically updated every 10 years and Runway 4L-22R had last been updated in 2014. The improvements reportedly cost $121m. Still, Duffy noted issues remain at Newark and officials are working to return the airport to maximum capacity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, the airport shut down and was later closed nights and weekends for construction work. Officials plan to reinstate the weekend and night closures at the end of the year to complete additional work. When that does happen, two other runways will remain fully operational, officials noted. The ongoing issues have resulted in passengers experiencing delays and cancellations. Airport air traffic controllers have also faced communication blackouts while directing planes. The blackouts reportedly stemmed from equipment failures, which caused the FAA to reduce the number of flights coming in and out of the airport. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the reopened runway will help reduce congestion at Newark. (Getty Images) Speaking to reporters on Monday, Duffy said: The message I have for all of you is, no one here has created this problem... The problem has landed on our laps, but I want you to know that you have every asset that touches the problem, working together, coordinating, cooperating, collaborating, to make sure that as a team, we address the problem that exists at Newark. He added: You can't snap your fingers and make it happen really quickly, because these things take longer than a week or two or even a month. Editor's note: Letters to the editor reflect the views of individual readers. Scroll to see how you can add your voice, whether you agree or disagree, or click on this link to fill out the form. We welcome diverse viewpoints. Elected officials should focus on serving constituents, not currying political favor Re: U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, others call for probe into Nashville mayor over ICE operation Well, here is the pot calling the kettle black the man who should not be walking the streets today with all the baggage he is carrying around from his campaign finance issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How is it that a man like U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles even gets elected to public office and does so little for the people? Letters: Rep. Andy Ogles' telephone town hall meeting stifled dialogue with constituents Now he is shooting off his mouth only because he is a Trump lackey and still not doing anything for the people. Kick him out next election! Richard Smith, Spring Hill 37174 U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., greets guests during the Marshall County GOP annual dinner at the Lewisburg Recreation Center in Lewisburg, Tenn., Thursday, July 11, 2024. Why should local officers assist with federal deportation efforts? I guess Rep. Lee Reeves, R-Franklin, wants his 15 minutes of fame. Why do all the police and sheriffs offices need to be signed up to a 287(g)? Does Reeves think that he is going to get brownie points from Governor Bill Lee or President Trump? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: TN Republicans may lose political control and respect by supporting Trump So, Williamson County how many more brown-nosers are you going to elect? And what is going to happen to all the maids, yard workers, and nannies that work in Williamson County if all the immigrants are gone? Yes, l said immigrants not illegals. All these elected officials are just sprouting nonsense over and over again. Immigrants are getting the blame for all the crime everywhere. Is this what the GOP has become, to push blame everywhere but where it needs to be? Ruth Kindrat, White House 37188 What happened to Christ's appeal to love one another? Christianity is in real trouble. It has to be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Look at the wonderful message from Jesus the Christ as relayed in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Look at the actions that Jesus took in the book of Acts and more. Now look around at what we, as people of the United States, are doing. Look at what our representatives U.S. Reps. Mark Green and Andy Ogles, Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, and President Donald Trump are doing. Opinion: Leaders like Trump have always existed. Here's what Scripture says about them. Would Jesus round people up for deportation? Would Jesus take needed health care away from people? Would Jesus take food away from the poor and needy? Would Jesus support a huge military, that is the greatest purveyor of violence in the world, at the expense of the poor? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Would Jesus support a genocide? Would Jesus, who was not white, favor white people above all others? The religion that so many in this state grab on to has been manipulated to ignore the real teaching of its namesake. How long can such a religion survive? Maybe you should ask yourself: Are you a Christian or a follower of the teachings of Jesus? Jim Wohlgemuth, Nashville 37221 Agree or disagree? Or have a view on another topic entirely? Send a letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@tennessean.com. Include your full name, city/town, ZIP and contact information for verification. Thanks for adding to the public conversation. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessean readers push back on actions of elected officials | Opinion BUDAPEST, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Hungary's Paks Nuclear Power Plant reported on Monday that the output of its Unit 4 reactor dropped by 160 megawatts at 8:13 a.m. local time (0613 GMT) following a malfunction in its control system equipment. The plant, located about 100 kilometers south of Budapest, did not disclose details about the nature or extent of the fault, nor did it provide an estimate for the duration of repairs. Paks is Hungary's only nuclear power facility and supplies roughly half of the country's electricity. The last major incident at the plant occurred in April 2003, when a malfunction in the fuel cleaning system caused overheating and damage to 30 fuel assemblies. Radioactive gases were released, prompting the evacuation of the reactor hall. Readings Haitian community celebrated Haitian Heritage Month with a recent flag raising and other events. Celebrated in May, the observation recognizes the history, culture and contributions of Haiti, the Haitian people and Haitian-Americans. The monthlong observation extends beyond Haitian Flag Day, May 18, and is intended to acknowledge and appreciate the diverse heritage of Haitians and Haitian-Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Reading communitys recent celebration was a vibrant commemoration of Haitis rich history and its significance as the first free black nation in the world, said Alex Civil, organizer of the event. The event at Alvernia Universitys Francis Hall included a flag raising and reception. Civil said he and others also were honored to celebrate a pre-flag day event at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, where the delegation of those with Haitian heritage received a standing ovation in the House of Representatives. The celebration continued last week when City Council issued a proclamation in honor of the occasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Civil and other members of the citys Haitian community were present to accept a copy of the proclamation. Council also issued a proclamation in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, also observed in May. The observation recognizes the contributions of Jewish Americans to the U.S. It also celebrates the rich history, culture and achievements of Jewish Americans while acknowledging the hardships they have faced, including antisemitism and persecution. Marcia Goodman Hinnershitz, a former city councilwoman, accepted the proclamation on behalf of Readings Jewish community. Real Housewives of Atlanta star Dwight Eubanks revealed on Monday that he has been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. The celebrity stylist says he wants to raise awareness about the risks, particularly the ones that Black men face, when it comes to prostate cancer. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A prostate cancer diagnosis is crushing but Im grateful to still be in this fight and use my platform to help others impacted by this disease, Eubanks said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is critical that men especially Black men who are disproportionately diagnosed with prostate cancer become their own health advocates and push for information, screenings, and lifesaving care," he added. Eubanks told People Magazine that he was first diagnosed in January after he got bloodwork done at a church health fair. Further testing confirmed his stage 4 diagnosis in April. I was shocked. I was angry, he told People. I was just emotionally a wreck. Eubanks says he will be an ambassador with ZERO Prostate Cancer to advocate for more access to screenings and care. I am deeply thankful for ZEROs support and partnership and I hope by sharing my story I will help to save more lives, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Cancer Society said that prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer other than skin cancer in men in the U.S. Black men have a higher risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to the organization. READ MORE: What are the signs, symptoms of prostate cancer AUSTIN (Nexstar) After 140 days, Texas 89th Legislative Session closed Monday with state lawmakers passing over 1,000 bills. Senators and representatives filed 8,719 bills and 2,765 resolutions this session; by the sessions end, 1,189 bills went to the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott. In 2023, the legislature passed 1,222 of its 8,046 filed bills; Abbott vetoed 76 bills following the session. DATA HUB: How many bills have state lawmakers passed? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of the 2025 Legislative Session, KXAN laid out which topics we would focus on education, immigration, housing, AI, LGBTQ+ rights, and more. These 5 KXAN investigations sparked bills landing on the Texas governors desk KXAN and Nexstar journalists wrote hundreds of stories covering the 89th Legislative Session since bill filing opened in November 2024. Due to the volume of bills, KXAN also republished stories from The Texas Tribune. What stalled out & died When lawmakers, legislative staff, activists, journalists, and other lege watchers talk about a piece of legislation dying, they mean that a bill failed to meet a deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IN-DEPTH: What are the Texas Legislatures session deadlines? The clearest deadline is the end of a session. Unless called back for a special session, lawmakers must wait until 2027 to pass more legislation. This session, 7,530 bills died in the legislature (86.4% of filed). That number likely also includes companion bills for bills that did pass this session. If every bill that passed had a companion, then the total shakes out to around 6,300 (72.7%). Thousands of Texas House bills die at key midnight deadline KXAN reported on the following bills that failed this session: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 366, which would have criminalized deceptive AI-generated campaign ads, also failed to pass. Other bills died during the final days of session. That period is when committees with members from both legislative chambers meet to hash out any differences in a bill that both passed. Bills that die dont always stay dead; lawmakers can refile them during the next session. Some already announced their intent to do so, such as Sen. Royce West with his bill to require hospitals install bollards near entrances. In fact, most of the bills that we covered in our session preview ended up failing. The bills that passed Ahead of the 2025 session, Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced their priority bills for the session. They met many of those priorities this session, such as creating education savings accounts (HB 2), funding water infrastructure projects (SB 7), and creating a Texas Cyber Command (HB 150). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Monday evening press release, Patrick called the session the Senates most conservative and successful yet. All 40 of his priority bills passed in the Senate by the end of April, according to his release. This session was a team effort. I want to thank all 31 senators and staff for their hard work and perseverance, said Patrick in his release. None of these major victories would be possible without their dedication over the interim and session. He also thanked Abbott and House Speaker Dustin Burrows, and said that he looks forward to the next legislative session in 2027. Where Abbotts emergency priorities stood on May 16, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what some other bills that passed this session would do: Abbott has 20 days following the sessions end to veto bills, after which they become law regardless of his signing them. Last session, KXAN reported that Abbott vetoed 76 bills, setting a new personal record. When will these take effect? Most new laws in Texas will take effect on September 1 in the same year as the session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some, like a law allowing fireworks sales before Juneteenth (HB 554), begin immediately. Several laws related to ad valorem taxes take effect at the start of 2026, and so will SB 2420, which requires mobile app stores verify the ages of their users. However, Texas voters have final say on anything that would effect taxes. In 2023, 14 laws required an amendment to the states constitution; voters approved 13. IN-DEPTH: KXANs Capitol Context In November, 14 ballot measures will be before voters, according to legislative records: billreport-2Download Legal challenges can lead to a court enjoining the state and its agents from implementing or enforcing some laws. The ACLU announced its intent to bring a lawsuit against recently passed SB 10, which would require public schools display a state-approved version of the Ten Commandments in every classroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Did we miss a bill that youd like an update on? Let us know at ReportIt@kxan.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 KXAN Austin. Sri Lanka's customs authorities arrested on Friday a woman and seized the largest haul of cocaine ever detected at the country's main international airport, an official said. The unnamed 38-year-old Thai woman was carrying nearly 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of cocaine stuffed into three plush toys, Customs Additional Director-General Seevali Arukgoda said. "This is the biggest attempt at cocaine smuggling stopped by Sri Lanka Customs at the airport," Arukgoda said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Customs officials at Bandaranaike International Airport posed for photos with the cocaine, which had been neatly stuffed into just over 500 plastic capsules, with an estimated street value of $1.72 million. The seizure follows three other hauls this month totaling nearly 60 kilograms of synthetic cannabis. Three foreign nationals from Britain, India and Thailand were arrested in separate cases. The Briton, identified as Charlotte May Lee, 21, a former cabin crew member from London, was produced before a magistrate on Friday and further remanded until June 13, court officials said. She was arrested on May 12 when officials discovered that her two suitcases were packed with 46 kilograms of kush, a synthetic drug. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee told the BBC she had traveled from Bangkok to Sri Lanka's capital Colombo to renew her Thai visa. She described her living conditions at a prison in Negombo, a city just north of the capital, saying she spends most of her day inside, although she does get to go outside for fresh air. "I have never been to prison and I've never been to Sri Lanka," she told the BBC. "This heat and just sitting on a concrete floor all of the time." British woman accused of drug offences appears in Sri Lanka court https://t.co/s53nBjG2HZ BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) May 30, 2025 All four suspects, including the Thai woman arrested on Friday, could face life imprisonment if convicted. Sri Lankan authorities have previously seized large quantities of heroin off the country's shores, suggesting the island is being used as a transit hub for narcotics destined for other locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, a Sri Lankan court sentenced 10 Iranian men to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to smuggling more than 111 kilograms of heroin. In 2023, nine Iranians received life sentences in a separate drug smuggling case. Sri Lanka's largest single seizure of narcotics occurred in December 2016, when Customs found 800 kilograms (1,760 pounds) of cocaine in a shipment container of timber addressed to a company in neighboring India. The wonderfully weird world of artist Luigi Serafini Fans turn out for estate sale at home of Tom Petty Why the FBI is calling the Boulder mall attack a "targeted act of violence" PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) As uncertainty over tariffs persist, trucking companies are hustling to move goods as fast as possible to store shelves. Don Schaefer, who heads the Midwest Truckers Association, joined On the Record for a snapshot of whats happening here in Central Illinois. He said the transportation, distribution and logistics industries, which represent about one in 10 jobs in the Midwest, are feeling the pressure. Were seeing a mad dash to get products into the country, especially from places like China and Hong Kong, he said. This is the trucking industrys Christmas. Everything that hits store shelves for the holidays has to be stateside by Labor Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many products, especially toys and electronics, come from overseas. Schaefer says the journey can take up to two months, starting by boat, then train, and finally by truck. Right now, its all over the board because everyones kind of up in the air about, what the tariffs mean, and how quick things are going to move, whats going to come over and what is not going to come over, he said. Schaefer says truck shipments are up 70% compared to this time last year, a sign that companies are racing to beat potential tariffs. Trucks are full right now, he said. The uncertainty about tariffs is why theres this pressure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That concern stretches beyond consumer goods. Central Illinois farmers are watching closely too, especially those exporting soybeans and corn. Much of their product is trucked to river terminals along the Illinois River before being shipped abroad. With harvest season approaching, Schaefer said timing is critical. The export of that is critical, especially right now, because what the farmers want to do is make sure they get their grain beans cleared up before harvest time comes in the fall. So its a very tight timetable, he said. So what does this mean for you at the store? Schaefer says companies are doing what they can to avoid raising prices, even if tariffs go into effect. If a tariff is imposed, the goal is to keep price hikes minimal. But much depends on ongoing trade negotiations, he said. The administration wants fair agreements, so we could see more deals struck in the months ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. The Atlantic Alumina, a.k.a. Atalco, bauxite refinery in Gramercy, Louisiana. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) This article is the first in a series on the environmental costs of Americas last remaining alumina refinery. GRAMERCY For several months, a River Parishes refinery unlawfully discharged industrial toxic waste containing arsenic, cadmium, chromium and other toxic heavy metals into public areas and waterways, state records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company, Atlantic Alumina, also known as Atalco, has so far racked up 23 violation notices from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality after inspectors first discovered the pollution in August. It involves a slurry of industrial red mud byproduct that has eroded through the giant levees surrounding the facilitys waste containment lakes and spilled onto public property. The toxic sludge has killed vegetation and contaminated the land along its path to a local drainage system that flows to the Blind River Swamp of Lake Maurepas, according to a 606-page LDEQ inspection report finalized in March. The incident marks the first known case of red mud levee breaches at an American bauxite refinery. When asked for details, LDEQ spokesman Gregory Langley had little information to share about the prolonged discharge other than to say it is currently under investigation with the agencys enforcement division. The only enforcement action taken as of May 29 is a warning letter LDEQ sent to Atalco. A review of thousands of pages of state and federal documents and interviews with scientists and area residents indicate that Atalco polluted public land and state waterways with the most toxic non-radioactive elements on the planet and allowed that pollution to continue for months never notifying the outside community. Atalcos refinery occupies roughly 3 square miles of land where St. James and St. John the Baptist parishes meet on the Mississippi Rivers east bank. The site specializes in refining bauxite, a rust-colored powder of raw metals and minerals, into aluminum oxide or alumina in the form of an ultra-fine white powder. Atalco sells the alumina to metal smelters that need it to make finished aluminum. Opened in 1958 as Kaiser Aluminum, the Gramercy facility is the only remaining bauxite refinery in the United States and therefore the nations only domestic source of a critical metal feedstock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Atalco produced 669,261 metric tons of aluminum oxide last year, state records show. For every ton of aluminum produced from Atalcos work, bauxite refining generates an estimated 2.5 tons of waste byproduct, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. One of the main problems in refining bauxite is there are not many good options for what to do with all that waste, most of which takes the form of a thick red mud. The waste comes from a part of the process in which bauxite is heated in a pressurized vessel with sodium hydroxide, a highly caustic chemical. The alumina compounds are then filtered out and separated, while the toxic byproduct is stored in the facilitys six red mud lakes. The lakes are open-air ponds, each roughly 150-200 acres in size surrounded by large earthen levees, some as high as 50 feet, meant to contain the thick liquid waste. Four of the lakes, including a surge or overflow basin, were constructed in the early 1970s without any liners that would help prevent the heavy metals and chemicals from seeping into the soil below. The Atalco alumina refinery in Gramercy suffered numerous levee breaches around its red mud waste lakes, sending arsenic, cadmium, chromium and other toxic chemicals into public areas and waterways for a period of several months. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) It is very dangerous, said Slawomir Lomnicki, an environmental scientist at LSU. There can be a lot of toxic metals leaching out of it and getting into the groundwater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Groundwater contamination from leaching is a constant risk that exists when Atalcos systems are operating normally. The public drinking water system in St. James Parish regularly monitors for that kind of contamination, according to Parish President Peter Dufresne. Officials with the St. John Parish water system did not answer multiple phone calls last week. A greater risk to the community from bauxite refineries in general is the rare case of a levee breach at a red mud lake, which can cause toxic waste to directly contaminate public waters and soils, scientists said. Until this reporting, the last known breach at a bauxite refinery occurred in Hungary in 2010. The failure of a red mud reservoir sent 35 million cubic feet of waste into nearby villages, killing 10 people and injuring 150 others. In the wake of that incident, industry officials told the American public that a levee breach at Louisianas bauxite refinery would be unlikely because the levees are periodically checked by state and federal regulators, according to a news report from that time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That unlikely event has happened at Atalco. With a caustic level higher than drain cleaner and elevated concentrations of heavy metals, Atalcos waste slurry eroded through levees in multiple locations at multiple lakes, forming canyons as deep as 10 feet that allowed the toxic waste to escape, records show. Chart depicting levels of arsenic and cadmium found in public ditch compared to LDEQ thresholds for groundwater. (Created by Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) A water sample LDEQ had tested from a public ditch outside the plant detected arsenic at a concentration nearly 1,400% higher than the level considered safe by state groundwater and EPA drinking water limits. The sample also contained cadmium at levels above those same limits. A soil sample taken from the same ditch contained mercury, beryllium, cadmium and chromium all at concentrations above the average background levels found in U.S. soils. The cadmium was nearly 400% higher, and the chromium was 900% higher than LDEQs standard limits for soil. In its hexavalent form, which is created through industrial processes, chromium is the most toxic non-radioactive element on earth and is about three times more poisonous than arsenic, according to EPA toxicity factors. Historic water quality data for the Blind River, recorded from 1979-99, show heavy metal concentrations nowhere near those levels. Chemical residue in the public drainage ditch along the highway to the west of Atalco. (LDEQ) When the levees broke With this kind of facility, the worst major accident that can happen is a breach of the lake [levees], said Corinne Gibb, a chemist who works with the environmental watchdog Louisiana Bucket Brigade. The group has monitored incidents at the alumina refinery for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unknown when the mud lake levees first began to erode, but state and federal records show the pollution lasted for months and continued even after Atalco became aware of the problem. The company has not responded to the Illuminators multiple requests for an interview. Federal inspectors with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) documented several hazards at Atalcos levees last summer and voiced concerns about the risks they posed to the workers at the plant. There were several mud lakes at the facility that was (sic) not being maintained, MSHA inspector Brandon Olivier wrote in a citation dated June 25, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trees and shrubs obscured sections of the levees, making thorough inspections impossible, Olivier added. A few weeks later, on Aug. 14, the MSHA issued Atalco another citation after inspectors discovered caustic waste seeping through various locations on the east and west side of Mud Lake #4 and flowing downhill into the roadway and ditches. LDEQ later noted the Aug. 14 citation was the first formal written notice Atalco received about the levees having a breach with dangerous toxic waste escaping from its facility. The location of one of the breaches in the 50-foot-high levee around Atalcos Red Mud Lake 4, which spilled toxic chemicals into public areas and waterways for a period of several months. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) Other dangers present at the Atalco plant had already drawn regulators attention at that time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just days prior, on Aug. 4, the public was reminded just how dangerous the chemicals at Atalco could be when 45-year-old Curtis Diggs, a contract worker from Waste-Pro USA, fell into a pit of sodium hydroxide at the plant because a grate that covered the pit was missing and the entire floor was flooded with several inches of the caustic cloudy liquid. The chemical, the same that is stored in the red mud lakes, left Diggs with severe burns from which he did not recover, according to LDEQ records. He died in a New Orleans hospital on Sept 2. MSHA investigated the fatality and learned that Atalco personnel had removed the grate on July 30, 2024, to try to pump out the flooded area and failed to put anything in its place or even a warning marker, creating a dangerous pitfall left open for five days and virtually invisible. MSHA charged Atalco with three regulatory violations and charged Waste-Pro USA with two, faulting both companies for aggravated conduct that involved an extraordinary pattern of negligence, though its unclear if any fines or penalties have been issued as of May 30, according to federal records. Atalco uses sodium hydroxide to refine bauxite into alumina. After the refinement process, it stores the used sodium hydroxide in the lakes with the other waste. Despite the heightened scrutiny from state and federal regulators at the time, by mid-September Atalco still had not repaired the levee breaches to Red Mud Lake 4 that federal inspectors cited the month before. Nor did the company thoroughly inspect its other lakes to look for similar breaches because, as the records indicate, similar breaches were there if only the company had looked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sept. 17, MSHA inspectors found a breach in the levee around another lake, Red Mud Lake 1 East, with a stream of hazardous waste flowing freely across the roadway. The caustic was observed seeping through the side of the levee for approximately 50 yards across the roadway and to the ditch, the citation states. The mud lake is access[ed] by the plant operators daily and contractors for service, and this condition exposes them to injuries if there is a dam failure due to the seepage. One of the erosion canyons in Atalcos levees. (LDEQ) Based on further inspections that same day, MSHA cited Atalco for a third levee break at Red Mud Lake 2. On that single day, three of Atalcos six waste lakes had confirmed breaches with streams of poisonous chemicals flowing freely to areas they werent permitted to go, including the Blind River Swamp a popular recreational fishing spot in the Lake Maurepas backwaters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LDEQ officials first arrived at the plant Sept. 20 to initiate a routine compliance inspection. Agency records show state officials met with Atalco managers, conducted an interview and toured parts of the facility. However, they were unable to inspect some of the lakes and levees because the plant manager told them the access roads were too wet to travel on. LDEQ first documented the levee breaches five days later when they were contacted by the federal inspectors, according to state records. Atalco had still not officially notified LDEQ of the levee breaches something the company should have done immediately upon learning of them in accordance with Atalcos permit requirements as well as state and federal laws. Local officials have also been kept in the dark. When asked about the events during an impromptu meeting with a reporter Thursday at the State Capitol, St. James Parish President Peter Dufresne said he was unaware of Atalcos levee breaks that contaminated neighboring land and drainage with toxic waste. Dufresne declined an interview but asked the Illuminator for copies of LDEQs inspection reports. In October, the records show, state inspectors discovered erosion channels in the levee of a fourth lake, Red Mud Lake 3. They also saw for themselves the levee breaches that federal inspectors documented two months before. The erosion channels were still there, and the caustic waste was still escaping from those lakes. So much waste had escaped that it also overwhelmed the facilitys secondary containment system, which is a network of interior ditches just outside of the levees used to catch any chemical spills or leaks from the lakes. The backup ditch at one location had overflowed, sending the toxic slurry across the highway just north of the Veterans Memorial Bridge. Atalco was also, as a matter of protocol, unlawfully using a stormwater ditch as a backup containment ditch. Three company officials, apparently unaware that they werent permitted to use the ditch for toxic waste disposal, told LDEQ inspectors that they routinely used it for containment, according to the inspection files. In other areas, LDEQ inspectors saw that the waste slurry had accumulated to nearly the height of the levee in some of the lakes, the agencys files note. The waste level in the lakes should never be allowed to rise higher than two feet from the top of the levee. Ultimately, in site visits over the next three months, LDEQ inspectors viewed and documented levee breaches at four of Atalcos six lakes, prompting the state agency to cite Atalco multiple times for failing to inspect and failing to repair the levees. A screenshot of one of the many images LDEQ inspectors included in their report on Atalcos levee breaches. (LDEQ) Erosion of the levees was a very real possibility that Atalco had long known about. In its 2010 permit renewal applications with the state, the company had addressed the topic at length, promising to prevent erosion by conducting daily inspections of the levees and keeping written logs of those inspections. The state included those as specific ongoing requirements in the final permit issued to Atalco. At that time, the company was in the process of raising its levees from 30 feet to 50 feet high, according to the permit application. By the time state and federal officials began prodding the company last August, Atalco had not consistently inspected its lakes and levees in over three years and was missing hundreds of daily inspection records from July 30, 2021, to Dec. 18, 2024, according to LDEQs summary of violations. On Oct. 23, state officials noted the company was constructing a new berm to contain the breach at Red Mud Lake 4, which Atalco had known about since at least Aug. 14. The breach at Red Mud Lake 3 continued until at least Dec. 4, according to the LDEQ file. On that day, Atalco managers accompanied state inspectors into the field when they noticed multiple streams emerging near an access road and traced it back to one erosion channel with an estimated depth of at least 10 feet. You would definitely get injuries and skin burns from it. The plants and any fish in the area would die from that. You cant survive that high of a pH. Corinne Gibb, chemist, Louisiana Bucket Brigade The chemistry of Atalcos toxic waste During their site visits in October, the state inspectors took pH readings from various pools of standing waste that had escaped from the lakes The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with water having a neutral pH of around 7. Lower values indicate acidity, while higher values indicate alkalinity. Substances at the extreme ends of the scale in either direction can eat through solid materials such as steel and concrete and are very dangerous to most life forms. The LDEQ detected high pH at every location, with one puddle logged at a high of 12.49 the same alkalinity as most caustic drain clog removers and ammonia-based cleaners. The inspectors also photographed dead or dying vegetation, petrochemical sheens, and white and yellow chemical residues in many of the locations where the slurry had traveled. Just the pH by itself is concerning That is very high, Gibb, the chemist, said. You would definitely get injuries and skin burns from it. The plants and any fish in the area would die from that. You cant survive that high of a pH. State inspectors had testing done on water and soil samples from off-site locations in the public drainage system and on-site locations near the erosion streams. Simultaneously, Atalco personnel collected their own batch of samples and sent them to a separate lab for independent testing. LDEQs soil samples contained significantly elevated levels of cadmium, chromium and nickel all toxic carcinogens. Atalcos samples reaffirmed the LDEQs lab results and detected even higher levels at one location. The companys sample taken from public property outside the facility contained cadmium at roughly 1,000% higher than what the state considers safe for people. Additionally, the levels of chromium and nickel measured 1,700% and 300% above their respective state standards, the lab reports show. Chart depicting lab results of soil samples compared to LDEQ thresholds. (Created by Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) Gibb and Lomnicki, the LSU scientist, said these three heavy metals, along with arsenic, are among the most dangerous non-radioactive substances on the planet. Exposure to excessive levels can cause a range of serious health issues, including cancer and blood poisoning. Ganga Hettiarachchi, a Kansas State University professor of soil and environmental chemistry, said cadmium could pose the greatest long-term risk because it spreads easily and accumulates in living organisms over time. Enough small doses during a given time period can add up to a fatal dose, she said. Cadmium is highly toxic to humans in short- and long-term exposure settings. Small concentrations ingested or inhaled can cause gastrointestinal or respiratory illness, while higher concentrations can cause cancer, cell death, neurological damage and organ system failure, according to the National Institutes of Health. Increasing the risk from cadmium is that it can be easily spread across far distances and transfer from soil into crops, Hettiarachchi said, posing risks to humans and animals if they eat those crops. It could easily end up in our food, she said. That has been historically the main pathway for cadmium. If cadmium gets into surface water or groundwater, it can become an even bigger problem, especially if that water is used for irrigation, she added. The area of damage can expand further and further over time, Hettiarachchi said. Cadmium was present at elevated levels in two of Atalcos water samples and four of LDEQs. The highest concentration was 400% above the level considered safe in a water sample taken from an erosion channel within the perimeter of the facility. It also had high levels of chromium and lead. All seven water samples that LDEQ had tested contained elevated levels of arsenic. One of them taken from outside the levee of a red mud lake detected arsenic at a level 9,000% higher than state and federal safe limits, and it contained high levels of cadmium, nickel and thallium. Six out of the seven samples Atalco personnel collected contained arsenic at levels beyond what is considered safe. LDEQ has yet to address the risks Atalcos red mud runoff could pose to the community. Langley, the agencys spokesman, said it has yet to determine what the public impact might be. Obviously those are things we dont want going into state waterways, Langley said. Part Two: For some nearby residents, the levee breaches at Atalco are just the latest incident in a familiar pattern. The second story in this series reveals why the incident at Atalco was foreseeable based on the history of the plant and the many accidents and environmental exposures to the nearby communities. Theyre turning a blind eye to it, said Gail LeBouef, whos lived near the plant since 1999. Violent antisemitism in the U.S. isnt limited to the far right wing of the political spectrum. This was tragically obvious in two recent events the June 1, 2025, attack using Molotov cocktails to burn participants in a Boulder, Colorado, march supporting Israeli hostages in Gaza, and the murders of two Israeli embassy staffers, an American Jew and an Israeli, on May 21, 2025, outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. As an expert on the Middle East, including Israel, my research and administrative work have included contributing to a global effort to define antisemitism and addressing antisemitism on my own campus. Antisemitism can be defined simply as discrimination, prejudice, hostility or violence against Jews as Jews (or Jewish institutions as Jewish). What actually constitutes it is more contested, especially with respect to links between Jews and the state of Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump claims he is taking unprecedented steps to combat antisemitism. American Jews perceive antisemitism as rising since 2016, largely because, as one study put it, people who hold anti-Semitic views now feel more free to express them. But the current federal fight against antisemitism in the U.S. may have more to do with the agendas of members of the American and Israeli governments than with the concerns of most American Jews. First, the Trump administrations attacks on antisemitism center on elite universities, where the president claims antisemitism runs rampant. Second, the current Israeli government tries to blur the lines between pro-Palestinian activism and antisemitism. These factors polarize and complicate the landscape for combating antisemitism effectively. GOP nominee for president Donald Trump speaks to prominent Jewish donors at an event called Fighting Anti-Semitism in America on Sept. 19, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Targeting speech at universities by charging antisemitism Trumps administration has taken dramatic actions in the name of curbing antisemitism. Yet, his policies are notable for what they ignore as well as what they target. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right-wing antisemitism was responsible for the deadliest attack on a Jewish community in U.S. history in Pittsburgh in 2018. Yet the administrations model for fighting antisemitism is not based in fighting white supremacist hatred toward Jews, which relates back to the Nazis in Germany. In fact, members of Trumps administration, including senior adviser Stephen Miller and former Department of Government Efficiency chief Elon Musk, have supported white supremacist ideas or groups. Trumps own words have evoked right-wing antisemitic tropes, such as assuming American Jews are loyal to Israel or adept at making money. Trump administration policies on antisemitism are most vocal around punishing leading American universities as unsafe for Jews. As the leading target of the presidents ire, Harvard University has acknowledged that some activism against Israels war with Hamas in Gaza has contributed to antisemitism on campuses. However, federal actions targeting Harvard ostensibly seek to punish antisemitism by demanding sweeping federal oversight of Harvards curriculum and self-governance. Billions of dollars in research funds have been cut. Neither action connects clearly to Harvards patterns or policies around antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given this, Harvard sued the government in April. Many American Jews believe that Trumps true purpose is to use the antisemitism issue as one means to curb free expression at universities. Defending Israeli policy by charging antisemitism National governments naturally seek political and material support from powerful allies. Israels efforts to encourage Americans to champion that support fit this pattern. Israel receives more U.S. aid than any other country. Thus, its government has an interest in enlisting diverse people and organizations in a sustained way to support its policies. The Israeli intervention has grown because Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus far-right government is unpopular in both Israel and the U.S. Its war in Gaza, provoked by Hamas, is highly destructive and globally unpopular. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most experts and policymakers now argue that Israel, along with Hamas, has committed international war crimes. The Israeli government recently increased its funding to US$150 million for global public relations efforts. This is a major acceleration of policies that Israeli has pursued for decades known in Hebrew as hasbara, which translates to explanation. Documenting specific links between Israels government and groups promoting its agenda in the U.S. can be difficult. This may be a deliberate strategy by Israeli leaders to conceal their efforts. Yet, mainstream Israeli-run organizations such as the Jewish Agency have played up links between pro-Palestinian activism and antisemitism since Hamas triggered the war in Gaza. Groups whose funding and leadership are hard to trace maintain public blacklists labeling vocal pro-Palestine activists as antisemites. Those lists have been used by Israeli government bureaucrats to bar visitors to the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S.-based groups aligned with Israeli government messaging engage in persistent strategies to discredit opposition voices. Some attack publicly vocal activists, including some American Jews. Others press organizations, political bodies and institutions to adopt a definition of antisemitism that makes it easy to conflate criticism of Israeli policy with antisemitism. Anti-Israel behavior in the U.S. can be antisemitic, such as asserting that American Jews, because they are Jews, are responsible for Israeli state actions. And some American Jews support crackdowns on pro-Palestinian activists. However, characterizing antisemitism in the U.S. mostly in terms of speech and activism against the Israeli government augments the Trump administrations neglect of dangerous right-wing antisemitism. Presidential adviser Elon Musk interviews via video the German right-wing party AfD leader Alice Weidel at AfDs election campaign launch on Feb. 23, 2025. Hendrik Schmidt/picture alliance via Getty Images Polarization and antisemitism in the US Taken together, the politics pursued by Trump and the Netanyahu government combine to target legally protected speech in the U.S. more than they deter antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By contributing to polarization, the conflation of antisemitism with a wide range of speech critical of Israel could add to threats faced by Jews and other religious minorities. Those who wish to undermine work toward Palestinian-Israeli coexistence benefit from the charge that most pro-Palestinian activists are antisemitic. This worsens already visible divides among American Jews over how Israels mistreatment of Palestinians squares with their Jewish identities. Supported by the most aggressive pro-Netanyahu groups, the Trump administration links concerns against antisemitism to efforts to deport immigrants who have expressed pro-Palestine views, such as Tufts doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk. Deporting people in the name of policing speech critical of Israel also runs a risk that Jews will be blamed for government actions many Americans find objectionable. Lets be clear. Some pro-Palestinian activism embraces Jew-hatred, as the attacks in Washington and Boulder highlight. But lumping together as antisemitic most pro-Palestinian speech, as current American and Israeli leaders do, complicates seeing antisemitism clearly and countering it. In addition, most Americans and Israelis seek an end to the war, mounting deaths and humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Any potential to blur this with antisemitism augments the few, loud American voices that support one side in the conflict by dehumanizing the other side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Americans believe other minority groups face greater discrimination than Jews. Yet, antisemitism from diverse directions is the worst I have seen in my lifetime. As with any policy problem, the way to deal with this issue is to focus on all facets of the problem, including right-wing racism and Christian nationalism. Current national politics around antisemitism may serve many purposes. Yet most American Jews doubt that these policies actually protect them. 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: David Mednicoff, UMass Amherst Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: David Mednicoff 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. Something that the progressive Left always feared but never took very seriously seems to have happened: the accusation of racist has lost much of its power to silence opponents. Take Scotland. There has been an avalanche of media and political condemnation, bordering on hysteria, against Nigel Farage and the prospect that his party, Reform UK, will do well in this weeks by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. The First Minister himself, John Swinney, used the R-word to describe Farage at an election rally at the weekend. But to what effect? Yesterday, Swinneys predecessor as first minister, Humza Yousaf, took to the stage at an event organised by Stand Up To Racism to inform us that Scotland, on whose behalf Yousaf claimed to be speaking, does not welcome Farage or his party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well discover the truth of this assertion when the votes are counted on Thursday, but all the polling and anecdotal evidence from the campaign trail suggests that at least a significant proportion of this decidedly working-class constituency does not share Yousafs views. Worryingly for the main parties, recent front page splashes by Scottish tabloids and dire warnings of Scotland being engulfed in the shadow of 1930s Germany seem to be having far less of an impact than what might have been the case in days gone by. That is not to say that Scots in west central Scotland are relaxed about the arrival of a far-Right party in the Scottish Parliament and in town halls, or the consequences of that partys policies on race relations. Its more that they seem to have grown somewhat cynical about repeated cries of Wolf! and the subsequent non-appearance of said sheep-bothering predator. After decades in which ordinary people across the country were warned that criticising high levels of immigration was the equivalent of goose-stepping along Nuremberg High Street, such colourful lessons from history are taken significantly less seriously than in the past. Partly this is down to fascism fatigue: when everyone to the Right of Ed Miliband is a fascist, then no one is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And when commonly held opinions on immigration or gender ideology are considered by many to define the new fascism, the best response is to accept the new definition with a resigned sigh and get on with your life. Commentators often seek answers as to the perceived increase in the kind of political disillusion that has led to the relative success of Reform UK in recent opinion polls: they should look no further than how the definition of far-Right has shifted in the last few decades, from violent bullying of political opponents and the subversion of democratic norms, to believing that you cannot change your biological sex. Much, though not all, of these culture war shenanigans have penetrated the previously comfortable political settlement in Scotland, where anything outside centre-Left opinion, as represented by the SNP, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens, is seen as beyond the pale. The Scottish Conservatives are tolerated at Holyrood because they have never seriously challenged for office, nor are ever likely to, and they provide a handy contrast against which lazy progressives can signal their many virtues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a cosy consensus just waiting to be blown apart, and Reform UK may be just about to do that. It was arrogant but expected for Yousaf to declare that Farage is unwelcome in Scotland. And of course, as has happened south of the border, all this attention given to Reform by politicians who sound increasingly desperate in their shrill warnings has done little to deter voters from supporting this most disruptive of new political forces. Has it ever occurred to the leaders of the SNP and Scottish Labour, I wonder, if they might consider their own policy and rhetorical failures as part of the reason that disgruntled voters might be turning to Reform? Rather than hosting anti-Right-wing summits to warn poor, stupid, ignorant voters of the drawbacks of Farage and his party, might it be appropriate to try to recapture those voters support by addressing their priorities? For some grandstanding MSPs and MPs, the rise of Reform is an excellent opportunity to remind voters which side they would have been on at Cable Street, even if the natural response to such assertions is: And? And so a political class that already stands accused of forgetting how to talk like ordinary voters, who are no longer seen as concerned with the publics priorities, are compounding their mistakes by using hysterical language about a party that many Scots by no means a majority or even a plurality, it has to be pointed out might be considering flirting with at the ballot box. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one can say with any confidence who will win the Hamilton by-election on Thursday, although if I had to place hard-earned money on the outcome Id say the SNP followed by Reform in second place. It could be any other combination of the leading three parties on the night. The point is that, at least for now, Reform is one of those leading parties, and I would caution any politician who, in Thursdays aftermath, might feel attempted to accuse local voters of racism or support for fascism. Worried politicians of the establishment parties love to attribute the rise of Reform to either the devilishly populist and dishonest rhetorical skills of Farage himself or to the ignorance of voters who never got a university degree, and are therefore uniquely vulnerable to Reforms message. Perhaps there needs to be an injection of honesty: the culprit who is guilty of the disillusion that has led to a public appetite for new solutions, new language and perhaps a new party, is staring back at them from their own mirrors. 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. People witness the departure of buses carrying freed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) detainees in Aleppo, northern Syria, on June 2, 2025. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian interim authorities resumed a large-scale prisoner exchange in the northern city of Aleppo on Monday, signaling renewed efforts to ease tensions following weeks of disrupted coordination. (Str/Xinhua) DAMASCUS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian interim authorities resumed a large-scale prisoner exchange in the northern city of Aleppo on Monday, signaling renewed efforts to ease tensions following weeks of disrupted coordination. According to Syria's state-run SANA news agency, the exchange between the Aleppo Directorate of Internal Security and the SDF began after both sides agreed to resume the terms of a previously signed agreement with the Syrian interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the Damascus interim authorities are set to release eight members of the SDF's allied Women's Protection Units, along with 170 other detainees, while the SDF is preparing to free approximately 250 prisoners affiliated with armed factions under the interim authorities. The move follows the collapse of a similar exchange attempt on Wednesday, when SDF officials accused Syrian authorities of failing to release the agreed-upon number of detainees, leading to the suspension of the process. Over the past week, intensive negotiations were held between the parties, ultimately leading to a new agreement to proceed with the prisoner handover in Aleppo, according to the observatory. In addition to the prisoner release, the exchange will reportedly involve the return of several bodies from both sides, including members of Damascus-aligned factions and the SDF's internal security forces. According to the observatory, security was heightened throughout Aleppo on Monday as both sides prepared for the sensitive exchange. The war monitor described the event as part of a broader framework aimed at de-escalation and reopening dialogue channels between the long-feuding factions. This marks the second phase of the prisoner swap effort since the political transition in December. Freed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) detainees are seen on a bus in Aleppo, northern Syria, on June 2, 2025. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian interim authorities resumed a large-scale prisoner exchange in the northern city of Aleppo on Monday, signaling renewed efforts to ease tensions following weeks of disrupted coordination. (Str/Xinhua) A newly released detainee greets a loved one through a metal fence after being freed by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo, northern Syria, on June 2, 2025. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian interim authorities resumed a large-scale prisoner exchange in the northern city of Aleppo on Monday, signaling renewed efforts to ease tensions following weeks of disrupted coordination. (Str/Xinhua) Freed prisoners flash victory signs on a bus after being released by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo, northern Syria, on June 2, 2025. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian interim authorities resumed a large-scale prisoner exchange in the northern city of Aleppo on Monday, signaling renewed efforts to ease tensions following weeks of disrupted coordination. (Str/Xinhua) Released prisoners are seen on a bus after being released by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo, northern Syria, on June 2, 2025. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian interim authorities resumed a large-scale prisoner exchange in the northern city of Aleppo on Monday, signaling renewed efforts to ease tensions following weeks of disrupted coordination. (Str/Xinhua) Released prisoners are seen on a bus after being released by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo, northern Syria, on June 2, 2025. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian interim authorities resumed a large-scale prisoner exchange in the northern city of Aleppo on Monday, signaling renewed efforts to ease tensions following weeks of disrupted coordination. (Str/Xinhua) Attorneys for suspended Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill want a key prosecution witness in her elder exploitation case removed from the proceedings, saying her contradictory and false answers in pre-trial depositions make her unreliable. The 17-page motion filed Friday by Hills defense team seeks to remove Sandra Lewis from the case against Hill, who was indicted last year. Hill is accused of exploiting a 96-year-old woman by draining her savings of more than $100,000 after getting control of her finances. Prosecutors say Hill used a document notarized by Lewis to purchase a west Orlando home in her own name, with the elderly woman as a co-signer. Lewis is expected to testify against Hill in the trial, which is for now slated for the fall, though could be delayed further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hills attorney Fritz Scheller said in the Friday filing that his team had a difficult time interviewing Lewis over the course of two depositions, finding her answers evasive and at times dishonest. The defense attorneys asked Lewis about her political activity and her work for the City of Orlando in the past year. Central to the motions claims are questions about Lewis time as a canvasser for former Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain, who held the post when Hill was indicted. Bains political committee paid Lewis more than $41,000 for outreach services in his failed campaign last year to keep the job. She also evaded questions about working for Hills replacement, interim City Commissioner Shan Rose. Lewis worked for Rose as a temporary employee following her special election win. The filing further targets Lewis work with Eboni Beauty Academy, a nonprofit that apparently doubles as a political strategy firm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her depositions, Lewis demonstrated both a willful and blatant disregard for her obligations as a state witness a witness who was under subpoena and oath, Scheller wrote. She intentionally avoided questions and provided contradictory and false answers throughout her depositions. The notion that the State would proceed with this witness is disturbing. The Orange-Osceola State Attorneys Office led by Monique Worrell, which is prosecuting Hill along with the Office of Statewide Prosecution, did not immediately respond to questions about the motion. Lewis declined to comment. The charges against Hill go beyond what Lewis is expected to have relevant testimony about, so it is not clear how much damage Lewis removal would do if a judge agrees with the defense attorneys. The case against Hill is expansive, charging she used the older womans money on expenses like rental cars, hotel rooms and vitamin injections, none of which benefited the woman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time Hill was indicted in 2023, Gov. Ron DeSantis had removed Worrell from office and had appointed Bain as state attorney. Worrell, a Democrat, returned to the job in January after defeating Bain, running as an independent. Rose didnt respond to a request for comment. Beauty school or political firm? Records obtained and reviewed by the Orlando Sentinel appear to lend credence to some of the arguments made in the filing regarding the activities involving Eboni Beauty Academy. First formed as a for-profit business in 1989, it was later reorganized as a nonprofit in 1992 only to fold and restart on-and-off in the ensuing years, state business filings show. The schools most recent reinstatement was in 2017, based out of a house on Lenox Boulevard near Lake Mann. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite its existence as an active nonprofit in both state and federal records, Eboni Beauty Academy is not licensed to operate as a cosmetology school and it never was, according to a database from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Records confirm Lewis had a cosmetology license that expired in October 2017. In her depositions described in the filing, she testified that Eboni is a mobile beauty school that hosts students at her residence while also traveling to clients homes and sometimes operating out of beauty salons. Lewis she refused to answer which salons were used, stating: Thats not your business. The filing also claims Lewis couldnt recall the name of any student that graduated from Eboni, nor the names of the companys board members. Additionally, in her application to work for the City of Orlando, which was obtained by the Sentinel, Eboni is listed as part of her job experience without reference to it being a beauty school. That business based out of the same Lenox Boulevard residence as the alleged school is instead described as a political strategy firm where she worked from 2010 to 2021 advising elected officials and candidates as a field coordinator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the candidates she consulted, according to the depositions described by Hills legal team, are Bain and Rose. Neither the beauty school nor the firm appear to have a website nor any other online presence, nor does the latter appear to exist in state or federal databases. Furthermore, campaign finance reports dont show Rose having paid Eboni or Lewis for canvassing, though Bains campaign paid Lewis $41,095 for outreach services between August and November. No payments were made to Eboni, an entity through which she said she paid other canvassers. Those payments came months after Hills indictment. Hills lawyers characterized her testimony regarding Eboni as suffused with falsehoods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, it was a beauty school with students she could not remember, then it was a canvassing company for Bain and Rose, and then it was both, according to their filing. A questionable donation The questions of Eboni Beauty Academys legitimacy didnt stop it from receiving a $3,200 donation from Insomniac Cares on Feb. 10, the result of a years-old agreement between the city and the nonprofit tied to the organizers of the Electric Daisy Carnival. Every year, Insomniac Cares donates tens of thousands of dollars to organizations in District 5 as a way to help the community following the annual rave, which often draws complaints of booming noise and other disruptions. The donations, disbursed by city-run nonprofit Strengthen Orlando, primarily go to surrounding neighborhood associations, which this year received $45,000. The rest, totaling $30,000, went to local community organizations with the stipulation that the money be used to benefit the entire neighborhood in the form of building improvements, landscaping projects and other community needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The address for Eboni Beauty Academy falls outside of the city limits, according to city property records. In response to questions about the protocols for distributing the donations, city spokesperson Andrea Otero said that is determined by the district commissioner, which is now Rose. The intent of the monies are to those neighborhoods directly affected by the EDC event. However, there are no requirements, she added. That detail, Hills attorneys said, is one Lewis claimed she didnt know despite the donation appearing to have been granted while working for Roses office, where Otero said she remains employed in a temporary status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis denied knowing where the $3,200 came from in her sworn testimony, even though a document confirming the donation appears to contain her signature. Hills legal team called her denial ludicrous. It is likely Lewis answer was designed to evade the inconvenient fact that Eboni improperly received money that was intended for entities in District Five where the EDC was held, their filing argued. A Catholic schools unique partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection is sparking debate over what role religious institutions should play in the governments national security work. St. Johns University officials say students and homeland security officers stand to benefit from collaboration, but some professors believe the school is undermining its religious mission, according to Religion News Service. St. Johns partnership with CBP The partnership comes in the form of a new institute on St. Johns campus in Queens, New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Called the Institute for Border Security and Intelligence Studies, it will offer specialized training to homeland security professionals and career guidance to students. St. Johns students may have access to CBPs New York Field Office, gaining valuable experience in real-time scenarios that could enhance their employability after graduation. CBP also will provide border security and intelligence experts to serve as guest speakers, student mentors, and advisers to faculty, the school explained in a May 6 press release. The new institute will build on the schools existing security-related programs. St. Johns offers multiple degrees on cybersecurity and homeland security, including a doctoral degree on the latter topic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All universities educate, said Simon G. Mller, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at St. Johns, in the press release. The great universities have partnerships like the one we are signing today that allow students to experience real-world situations and learn from experts in their fields. Pushback against St. Johns Critics of the new partnership acknowledge that it would build on the schools existing work, but say that St. Johns should not formalize its ties to what they view as a violent and flawed government institution. This partnership with CBP presents grave ethical, legal, and cultural concerns especially in light of St. Johns Universitys Catholic and Vincentian mission to serve poor, immigrant, and socially marginalized people," reads a petition signed by around 900 members of the St. Johns community. The petition highlights several controversies related to homeland security that have taken place since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, including arrests of college students from other countries and high-profile deportations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new partnership will spark fear among foreign students and others on campus, the petition says. Signers are calling for a termination of the partnership between St. Johns and U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the formation of a campus committee aimed at monitoring the schools relationship with federal immigration agencies. When asked to comment on pushback to the partnership by Religion News Service, a spokesman for St. Johns described the claims made in the petition and elsewhere as illogical and unfounded. This MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) is no different than countless others that St. Johns pursues with public, private, and non-profit organizations to enhance the 200 diverse programs of study offered by the University, the statement provided to Religion News Service said. The Institute aims to create a more proficient current and future border security workforce through innovative education and training. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spokesman also noted that discussions about the partnership began under the Biden administration. What is U.S. Customs and Border Protection? U.S. Customs and Border Protection is a division of the Department of Homeland Security. On its website, it describes itself as a law enforcement agency charged with keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S. while facilitating lawful international travel and trade. The work of U.S. Customs and Border Protection includes screening for security threats at airports and managing border crossings. U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak, R-N.D., talks to voters through a virtual town hall meeting on March 25, 2025. (Amy Dalrymple/North Dakota Monitor) U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak, R-N.D., will host another online public forum, with topics including the one, big beautiful budget bill being considered by Congress. The forum will be at 7 p.m. CDT June 10. People wanting to participate in the conversation must sign up on Fedorchaks website by noon that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The forum will be livestreamed on her website and on her official Facebook page but will not be interactive. Im especially looking forward to sharing what the One Big Beautiful Bill means for our state, Fedorchak said in a news release. Fedorchak said earlier this month that changes to Medicaid, including work requirements, included in the bill are needed to keep the program viable. This will be the third online forum hosted by Fedorchak, who is in her first term as North Dakotas only member of the U.S. House. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX June 2 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler said Monday he wants a congressional investigation after a Department of Homeland Security officer handcuffed a staff member at the Democrat's office in New York in the same building as immigration court. Nadler told CNN he will send House Judiciary Committee chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a letter requesting an investigation and hearing into the matter, including testimony from HHS Secretary Kristi Noem. Nadler is a former chairman of that committee. On Wednesday, activists were protesting outside the Varick Immigration Court on a different floor of Nadler's office in opposition to the detention of migrants by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nadler posted Sunday on X that President Donald Trump and DHS "are sowing chaos in our communities, using intimidation tactics against both citizens and non-citizens in a reckless and dangerous manner. In the most recent and deeply troubling incident, DHS agents forcefully entered my Congressional office and handcuffed a member of my staff." He noted no arrests were made and "the situation was quickly de-escalated." But he added: "The decision to enter a Congressional office and detain a staff member demonstrated a deeply troubling disregard for proper legal boundaries. If this can happen in a Member of Congress's office, it can happen to anyone -- and it is happening." Nadler told CNN that DHS officers accused the staff members of "harboring rioters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video taken by a person inside Nadler's office, and obtained by Gothamist, shows an aide being handcuffed by an agent with the Federal Protective Service while another agent tries to access an area inside the office. A second staffer stands in front of the agent and asks if he has a warrant. "You're harboring rioters in the office," the federal agent told her. The handcuffed aide is heard crying while someone tries to comfort her. DHS was "upset that some of my staff members were watching them grab immigrants emerging from an immigration court in the same building," Nadler told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HHS posted Monday on X that officers "responded to information that protesters were present" inside Nadler's office in Manhattan. "Based on earlier incidents in a nearby facility, FPS were concerned about the safety of the federal employees in the office and went to the location to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those present," HHS said. "Upon arrival, officers were granted entry and encountered four individuals,. Officers identified themselves and explained their intent to conduct a security check, however, one individual became verbally confrontational and physically blocked access to the office. The officers then detained the individual in the hallway for the purpose of completing the security check." HHS said all were released without "further incident." U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver, a Democrat serving a district in New Jersey, was charged with assaulting ICE officers on May 19 during her visit to Delancey Hall ICE detention prison in Newark, N.J., on May 9. Rep. Tony Tinderholt of Arlington, a leading Republican hardliner in the Texas House who once ran for speaker, announced his retirement after six terms on Monday, the last day of this years session. Surrounded by lawmakers of both parties, Tinderholt said he decided to retire knowing that there was a new generation of ultraconservative lawmakers in the House who would continue the movement he has helped lead for over a decade. I returned to this chamber with one goal: accomplishing as much conservative policy as possible, while humbly evaluating if it was time to go home and let others continue this vital fight for the conservative movement, he said. Weve accomplished a lot in six sessions, but theres still more work to be done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tinderholt, a voice of the insurgent far-right faction of the Legislature who often disagreed with his more mainstream peers, acknowledged his colleagues from across the political spectrum in a tearful speech on the floor while encouraging his hard-right colleagues to continue the fight. To my Democrat colleagues, I hope you know that Ive always tried to treat you with the respect that you deserve as members of this body who are chosen by your districts to fight for the values you hold, he said. To the Republican colleagues that Ive oftentimes disagreed with, please know that my absence next session will not remove in any way the pressure to deliver real conservative results to the people of Texas. And though weve disagreed at times, Ive been truly honored to serve alongside each of you. His departure comes after last years earthquake election season. Those primaries ushered in over a dozen more conservative Republicans and significantly grew the ranks of the far-right faction from last session, when Tinderholt ran for speaker on a hardline platform. Texas is in good hands with each of you, and it's time for me to step aside, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Nate Schatzline, R-Fort Worth, alluded to their evolving influence in the 150-member body with a grin: The first vote I ever took in this chamber was to vote for you to be speaker, and we were only 73 votes away. We were so close. Tinderholt, now 54, joined the Legislature after more than two decades serving in the military, where he earned a Bronze Star and the Combat Action Badge after taking part in counter drug missions in the Air Force and volunteering in combat zones with the Army after the Sept. 11 attacks. Arguably, he said to laughs, my 12 years here has been one of the more difficult combat zones Ive had the pleasure of serving in. He attributed his decision to retire to a desire to spend more time with his family, who surrounded him after his speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To my wonderful wife, Bethany, and my children, Tyler and Brenan, he said, choking up, Im coming home. I get to be a dad, he said. I dont have to miss practices and dances. Im going to be able to do prayer at dinner with you, instead on FaceTime. Colleagues in both parties who spoke after his speech emphasized his integrity, respect for his peers and the influence he developed within his caucus. Its not a matter of where we are when we come, its a matter of whether or not we grow, Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston and a veteran lawmaker, said. Ive never seen a legislator grow as much as Tony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tinderholt recalled one of the earliest lessons he learned in the House, when Dutton helped him hash out the details of a technical challenge he wanted to raise to a bill the Houston Democrat supported. When he asked Dutton why he was helping him, Tinderholt recalled Dutton saying that, were colleagues, and I want you to look smart when you go up there and I beat you. The lesson is we are colleagues and we are family, Tinderholt said, adding that he had tried to impress that lesson onto freshmen Republicans over each session. Were going to fight, and were going to argue, and then were going to go into the members lounge, and were going to make up. 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! Sixteen people have been killed and several others injured in the city of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Monday. The Israeli military said it was investigating the report. According to WAFA's report, there were also fatalities in other parts of the Gaza Strip. Among them were several women and children. The Israeli military announced an expansion of its offensive against the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in the coastal strip after negotiations on a ceasefire initially failed to produce an agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military said that in the past 24 hours, it had "expanded its ground offensive, eliminated terrorists and destroyed weapons caches and numerous terrorist infrastructure facilities above and below ground." The air force also attacked dozens of targets, it said. The Hamas-controlled health authority says more than 54,400 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the Gaza war more than a year and a half ago. The war was triggered by the attack on Israel by Hamas and other Islamist groups on October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage and abducted to the Gaza Strip. At least sixteen people were killed and several others injured in the city of Jabalia in northern Gaza as reports emerged that people were killed near a humanitarian distribution centre on Monday, according to Palestinian sources. The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that there were also fatalities in other parts of the Gaza Strip. Among them were several women and children. The Israeli military said it was investigating the reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military announced an expansion of its offensive against the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in the coastal strip after negotiations on a ceasefire initially failed to produce an agreement. The military said that in the past 24 hours, it had "expanded its ground offensive, eliminated terrorists and destroyed weapons caches and numerous terrorist infrastructure facilities above and below ground." The air force also attacked dozens of targets, it said. The Hamas-controlled health authority says more than 54,400 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the Gaza war more than a year and a half ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage and abducted to the Gaza Strip. Hamas: More deaths near Gaza food distribution centre Elsewhere, Hamas said the Israeli army had again killed people near a humanitarian aid distribution centre during attacks in Gaza. The organization's media office said on Monday that "three starving civilians" were killed in Rafah. According to the information available, 35 people were also injured. The Israeli military said that soldiers had wanted to prevent suspects who posed a threat to them from approaching, and had fired warning shots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident occurred about 1 kilometre away from a distribution point in Rafah during the night, outside the centre's operating hours. The army was aware of reports of casualties, and added that "the details of the incident are being thoroughly investigated." The Israeli military does not prevent civilians from reaching the distribution centres, it emphasized, and said that "Hamas is doing everything in its power to undermine food distribution in the Gaza Strip." The Interior Ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, has called on residents to boycott the new distribution mechanism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Hamas media office, a total of 52 people have been killed at the distribution points since they opened last week. The information from both sides could not be independently verified. Reports: Israeli military kills 14-year-old boy in West Bank A 14-year-old Palestinian boy has been shot dead by Israeli forces in the West Bank, the Palestinian Ministry of Health and local media reported on Monday. The incident occurred in a village, north of Ramallah. The Israeli military stated that its forces opened fire on a Palestinian who had attempted to throw stones at a road and had also hurled "two bottles containing a dangerous substance" at soldiers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the military did not initially confirm the identity or age of the individual. Tensions in the occupied West Bank have worsened since the war in Gaza began. Since then, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 928 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank in Israeli military operations and armed clashes. There has also been increased violence by radical Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians. As President Donald Trumps big, beautiful bill heads to the Senate, Republicans are trying their hardest to sell voters on the prospect of deep cuts to Medicaid and other social safety net programs in order to fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. The process has involved plenty of bold-faced lying to constituents. Republicans current reconciliation bill will kick an estimated 15 million Americans off of their health care coverage by 2034. The expected coverage rollback will primarily be fueled by increased requirements for Medicaid recipients, as well as changes made to Affordable Care Act marketplace policies and the failure of the bill to renew tax benefits for ACA plan purchasers. Last month, Trump told reporters that he and Republicans were not doing any cutting of anything meaningful. The only thing were cutting is waste, fraud and abuse. With Medicaid, waste, fraud and abuse. Theres tremendous waste, fraud and abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Sunday interview with CNN, Trumps director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought, claimed that no one will lose coverage as a result of this bill, and accused backlash to the legislation of being astroturfed. This bill will proserve and protect the programs, the social safety net, Vought added. In reality, the bill cuts spending on Medicaid by at least $600 billion over the next 10 years. What Republicans say are measures to curb waste, fraud, and abuse in the program are largely administrative hurdles intended to bog down potential recipients in paperwork and red tape in order to complicate enrollment in the programs. Voughts statements to CNN represent Republicans latest strategy to combat increased hostility from voters over unpopular cuts to popular programs. As members of the GOP move to market the legislative package to constituents, their unified message has been that the legislation somehow protects Medicaid, and that any American who loses their health care coverage doesnt deserve it, and even that they would only be giving it up voluntarily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) accused Democrats of using fear tactics- not the truth- when they speak to the American public. Chuck Schumer claims Republicans want to dismantle Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, but the reality is were working to safeguard these programs, she wrote on X. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) told the New York Post last month that the bill worked to protect critical services like Medicaid, while eliminating those who were gaming the system. In a separate tweet, Lawler wrote that the reconciliation package strengthens Medicaid for seniors, single parents, and the I/DD community by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse, by eliminating coverage for illegal immigrants (who were already ineligible for most Medicaid programs), eliminating scam artists from the program, and instituting work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Republicans like Lawler avoid acknowledging is that the vast majority of able-bodied adults on Medicaid already do work. Over 60 percent of recipients work either full or part time, where as the remainder largely do not work because they are disabled, ill, a primary caregiver, or a student. Several other Republicans, including Reps. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.), Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.), and Rob Wittman (R-Va.) all used some version of the phrase protecting Medicaid in public statements defending the legislation. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) wrote on X that Republicans had protected Medicaid for those who need it, adding that work requirements for able bodied adults w/out children helps get 4.8 million back into work force & on employer provided insurance. Its a fancy way of saying that 4.8 million people would be forced out of the program, according to estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, House Speaker Mike Johnson told NBC News Meet the Press that concerns about individuals losing coverage were overblown. The people who are complaining that these people are going to lose their coverage because they cant fulfill the paperwork, this is minor enforcement of this policy, and it follows common sense, the speaker said. 4.8 million people will not lose their Medicaid unless they choose to do so, Johnson added, insisting that the American people are not buying Democrats messaging around the bill. But even as House Republicans make their pitch to increasingly angry voters, theyre being undermined by some of their colleagues in the Senate. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has called the legislations attacks against Medicaid politically suicidal, and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) told CBS News on Sunday that the cuts are a bad strategy to deal with GOP concerns about the national debt. (The deficit will increase, not decrease, as a result of the legislation.) But perhaps the clearest acknowledgement of how awful the legislation is came from one senator who didnt even bother denying that the bill would have potentially awful consequences for Medicaid recipients. On Friday, during a town hall even in her home state of Iowa, an attendee yelled out people will die as Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) defended the big, beautiful, bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ernst simply paused, and told the audience, Well, we all are going to die. If Republicans get their way, many people will be dying a lot sooner than they hoped. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Republicans are planning to attack their Democratic opponents over New Yorks effort to force Massapequa to drop its Chiefs mascot as part of a ban on Native-American imagery in school logos. The GOP sees the mascot controversy as another example of Democratic-run Albany pushing fringe issues, and wants them to pay a political price for it. We have a lot of chiefs in volunteer fire departments in New York, said John McLaughlin, a pollster for New York Republicans and President President Trump also known as the commander-in-chief. New York Republicans are planning to bash state Democrats over the controversy surrounding Massapequa High School being pressured to change its Chiefs mascot. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post Hochul and the Democrats should focus on improving reading and math and not indoctrinating our students, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McLaughlin noted that Hochul is already unpopular on Long Island she has a 55% unfavorable rating in the New York suburbs compared to 36% favorable in a recent Siena College poll. She is up for reelection next year. The comments come after US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Massapequa on Friday and threatened to bring a civil rights case against the Empire State for forcing the high school to ditch its mascot. The event was coordinated by Nassau County Executive and Trump pal Bruce Blakeman, who is up for re-election this fall. Denigrating whole communities like Massapequa and Wantagh is not a good look for Governor Hochul, who seems hell bent on making as many enemies as she can on Long Island, Blakeman, who also is also eying a run for governor next year, told The Post Sunday. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman holding up Chief Nation shirts at a press conference at Massapequa High School on May 30, 2025. Courtesy of Nassau County Executive Blakemans Democratic opponent for county executive, Seth Koslow said, School pride matters, but its hard to believe this is the top concern of the federal government right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Board of Regents and state Education ordered schools to ban Native American mascots back in 2023. The members of the education policy-making board are appointed by the Democratic-controlled state legislature. The National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee is using the controversy to tar Democratic incumbents up for re-election next year on Long Island and elsewhere, including Reps. Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen. Blakeman accused Gov. Hochul of denigrating whole communities in Long Island by forcing schools to abandon their mascots. Stephen Yang Its another day that ends in y, so obviously Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillens Democrat Party is more concerned with demonizing a high school mascot than lowering taxes and costs for Long Island families, said NRCC spokeswoman Maurenn OToole. Democrats are completely missing the plot, and voters will hold Suozzi and Gillen accountable for their utterly foolish, destructive, and out of touch agenda next fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Suozzi told The Post Sunday, I support the Massapequa Chiefs. A Chiefs mural seen at Massapequa High School. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post Suozzi said Republicans are engaging in cheap politics to change the subject. This is nonsense, and just another distraction from national Republicans. Congressman Suozzi supports the Massapequa Chiefs, but not the petty partisan politics that people cant stand, said Suozzi senior campaign adviser Kim Devlin. National Republicans should spend their time reducing prices, negotiating a bipartisan fix on immigration, lowering their own proposed record-breaking deficits, and protecting peoples healthcarenot cutting it. Congressman Suozzi has always stood with our communities, and no amount of desperate distortion will change that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Gillen also said Albany officials should lay off the Massapequa chiefs. Congresswoman Gillen believes that school districts should be the ones to decide their mascots and logos, not state or federal bureaucrats, a Gillen spokesperson said. She is far more worried about the actual issues Long Islanders care about: preserving the middle class, the skyrocketing cost of living and our national security. We should be working in a bipartisan fashion to address those things. State Democratic Party chairman Jay Jacobs, a close ally of Hochul who also is the Nassau County Democratic leader, said Trump and the GOP are trying to deflect from their unpopular policies in DC by focusing on mascots. This is a Republican distraction. The Democrats have not made this an issue, Jacobs insisted. The Republicans are trying to distract from all the damage theyre doing in Washington. They want to talk about mascots instead of tariffs, cuts to Medicaid, SNAP benefits and education programs, Jacobs said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is what Republicans do every election they try to scare and anger people. Hochul, through a rep, sought to distance herself from the mascot controversy. A Massapequa Chiefs scoreboard at the high schools baseball field. AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File The decision being discussed was made by the independent State Education Department, which is not under our Administrations jurisdiction, said Hochul spokesman Gordon Tepper. While Secretary McMahon focuses on WWE-style distractions, Governor Hochul is focused on what matters: fully funding Long Islands public schools and making sure every kid gets a high-quality education. Last year, Trump and the GOP successfully slammed Democrats for supporting the unpopular policy of allowing transgender athletes to compete against biological females in sports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans said they are pleasantly surprised even baffled at state officials going after local school districts on Long Island, of all places. Numerous Long Island towns have native American names honoring tribal history Massapequa, Wyandanch, Manhasset, Mineola, Quogue, Amagansett, Patchogue, Hauppauge, Patchogue, among others. SPRINGFIELD Luz Ramos, a 29-year resident of the Bay Meadow Apartments affordable housing complex in Springfield, helped Monday to turn on new, high-speed internet capable of delivering up to 1 gigabit-a-second upload and download speeds. This is going to open a lot of doors, Ramos said after a news conference Monday at the complex. She recently received her high school equivalency diploma. And she plans to go on and take college courses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramos also describes how her grandchildren, and her neighbors and their children will now be able to do homework, and access information and job opportunities easily without a trip to the library for better internet. The doors are open, and Im going to walk right through them, she said. The 148-unit Bay Meadow Apartments is the first housing development in Massachusetts to get connected through the Residential Retrofit Program of Massachusetts Technology Collaboratives Massachusetts Broadband Institute. Funded with $82 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, the program already has committed $38.9 million to deliver internet to more than 27,300 housing units across the state, said Michael Baldino, director and general counsel for the institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Western Massachusetts alone, the institute has committed $14 million for 8,000 units, Baldino said. The units are in Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, Easthampton, Northampton and Westfield. Housing operators interested in applying to the next round of the retrofit program may submit an expression of interest form by July 31. For more information, applicants should visit broadband.masstech.org/retrofit. The funds must be spent by the end of 2026. The program pays for upgrades to wiring and connectivity infrastructure that in some cases is phone cabling thats 50 years old, Baldino said. Through internet provider Aervivo Inc. and property owner Preservation of Affordable Housing, Bay Meadow Apartment residents get free service of 100 megabits per second. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For $19 a month, residents can upgrade to the faster 1 gigabit-a-second service. Which is more than enough for any family to do anything they need to do, whether it is doing Teams meetings for work, accessing education, checking with family, accessing government resources. This is state of the art, said Baldino. Without the upgrades, its a different story. The wiring prevents them from getting high-quality access, Baldino said. The speeds might be lower. It may cut in and out. The internet has gone from an amenity to a must-have utility, said Preservation of Affordable Housing President and CEO Aaron Gornstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having high speed internet access is really key to economic opportunity for our residents, he said. It is really crucial for participation in our economy. At the event, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal called internet access a civil right for the 21st century, given that its required to do almost any everyday task. Its a right that the Residential Retrofit program will continue to guarantee, despite the political changes since the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill was passed in 2021. He said the money is still secure. The American Rescue (Plans) roots have taken hold for sure. I think there is no threat, Neal said. Stories by Jim Kinney Read the original article on MassLive. UNITED NATIONS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for the immediate and unconditional release of UN staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen. "This June marks one year since the arbitrary detention of dozens of personnel from the United Nations, national and international NGOs, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions by the Houthi de facto authorities in Yemen," he said in a statement. "I renew my call for their immediate and unconditional release, including those held since 2021 and 2023, and most recently this January." The United Nations and its humanitarian partners should never be targeted, arrested or detained while carrying out their mandates for the benefit of the people they serve, said Guterres. "The continued arbitrary detention of our colleagues is a profound injustice against those who dedicate their lives to providing life-saving assistance and support to the people of Yemen. It has placed additional constraints on our ability to operate effectively and undermined mediation efforts to secure a path toward peace." He highlighted the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, saying the Muslim holiday is a time to show compassion and end the ordeal of families who face celebrating yet another holiday without their loved ones. The United Nations will continue to work through all possible channels to secure their release, he said, calling on UN member states to continue expressing their solidarity with those detained and intensify advocacy towards their release. Guterres reiterated his strongest condemnation of the death in detention of a World Food Programme staff member earlier this year. Saying that the Houthis have yet to provide an explanation for this tragedy, he renewed his call for an immediate, transparent and thorough investigation and accountability. Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Guterres, said Monday that 23 UN personnel remain detained by the Houthis. Workers at Roux 61 restaurant in Baton Rouge were reportedly left stunned when they were told on Saturday that the business was abruptly closing. According to WBRZ, one employee says the group was given no prior notice of the shut down. Instead, the message was delivered via text message following the final shift on Saturday. WBRZ added that as of Sunday night, cleanup crews were on site clearing out the building. The entire restaurant is expected to be emptied by Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owner Jason Lees told WAFB that financial issues were not the cause of the closure. Rather, Lees said he came upon great opportunity to sell the real estate. While the Baton Rouge Roux 61 is no longer, the restaurant's other outpost in Natchez remains open. Lees also said he is looking to pursue a new Baton Rouge location. All of that is well and good, but it doesn't help out any of the employees who were left scrambling by the establishment's sudden shuttering. On the WBRZ Facebook page, news of Roux 61 closing its doors sparked a variety of reactions from readers. "Its ironic how employees are expected to give two weeks notice, yet companies can shut down without warning or communication," one person commented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Yay! Another empty store front in Baton Rouge. Yay," a second person said. "Literally was just there Thursday," a third commenter added. "This place was my home for 4 years. I'm gonna miss this place and my family I worked with," a fourth person lamented. You can find the official Roux 61 website here. Restaurant Closes 'Abruptly' Without Telling Staff first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 2, 2025 A medical doctor testified on Monday that John OKeefe had multiple dog bites on his arm. Dr. Marie Russell took up most of the day on the stand. She was the same dog bite expert from Karen Reads first trial. Live video, updates: Dog bite expert testifying in Karen Reads retrial Two other witnesses were called by the defense today, including a former Canton Police officer, Kelly Dever, who was a reluctant witness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dever and Reads lawyer Alan Jackson had a contentious back-and-forth in the morning session. Did you say, I know youre going to tear me a new one? Jackson asked. Thats what youre trying to do, Dever responded. So yes. Actually, what you said was youre going to tear me a new [expletive], Jackson said. I dont recall that, Dever responded. Dever was a Canton Police officer in 2022 when OKeefe was killed. Like many others involved with the case, she was questioned by FBI agents. Did you tell those law enforcement agents that you saw Brian Higgins and Chief Berkowitz together and alone with the SUV for a wildly long time? Jackson asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was my recollection at the time, Dever responded. Dever now says she got that wrong. She called it a distorted memory. She previously told Reads defense team that by phone. How did they respond? Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan asked on cross. They became very aggressive, Dever said. Raising their voices, and the one word that I can very definitely remember is they said that they would charge me with perjury. Dever is now a Boston Police officer. She confirmed she was called in to speak with the police commissioner Michael Cox about this case. Outside of court, Karen Read had her own thoughts about Devers testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Are you suggesting that Dever may have been coaxed into changing her testimony? Boston 25 News Investigative Reporter Ted Daniel asked. Yes, Read responded. We subpoenaed her to testify to what she told other authorities and just wanted her to be as honest with us as she was with them. And today, shes now telling us that was a lie. Dr. Marie Russell will be back on the stand on Tuesday morning. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW WASHINGTON (WPRI/AP) A split Supreme Court on Monday rejected a pair of gun rights cases, though one conservative justice predicted the court would soon consider whether assault weapons bans are constitutional. The majority did not explain its reasoning in turning down the cases over high-capacity magazines and state bans on guns like the AR-15, popular weapons that have also been used in mass shootings. But three conservative justices on the nine-member court publicly noted their disagreement, and a fourth said he is skeptical that assault-weapons bans are constitutional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch said they would have taken a case challenging Marylands ban, and Justice Clarence Thomas wrote separately to say the law likely runs afoul of the Second Amendment. I would not wait to decide whether the government can ban the most popular rifle in America, Thomas wrote. That question is of critical importance to tens of millions of law-abiding AR15 owners throughout the country. Justice Brett Kavanaugh agreed with the decision to pass on the case now but indicated that he is skeptical such bans are constitutional and that he expects the court will address the issue in the next term or two. The Maryland law was passed after the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut that killed 20 children and six adults. The shooter was armed with an AR-15, one of the firearms commonly referred to as an assault weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several states have similar measures, and congressional Democrats have also supported the concept. The challengers had argued that people have a constitutional right to own the firearms like the AR-15, which most gun owners use legally. The case comes nearly three years after the high court handed down a landmark ruling that expanded Second Amendment rights and spawned challenges to firearm laws around the country. Ten states and the District of Columbia have similar laws, covering major cities like New York and Los Angeles. Congress allowed a national assault weapons ban to expire in 2004. The gun control group Everytown Law applauded the high courts action, saying the measures make communities safer. We will fight to ensure the courts continue to uphold these life-saving laws, said Janet Carter, managing director of Second Amendment litigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than twice as many people died in mass shootings in which large-capacity magazines and assault weapons were used between 2015 and 2022, the group said. Attorneys for Maryland argued the guns arent protected by the Constitution because theyre similar to military-grade weapons. The law bans dozens of firearms including the AR-15, the AK-47 and the Barrett .50-caliber sniper rifle and puts a 10-round limit on gun magazines. The gun rights group Second Amendment Foundation said it has seven other cases challenging the bans and plans to continue to aggressively litigate them. Millions of Americans continue to be disenfranchised from exercising their complete Second Amendment rights by virtue of these categorical bans, Executive Director Adam Kraut said. The high court also rebuffed a bid to overturn state bans on high-capacity gun magazines in a case out of Rhode Island. Thomas, Alito and Gorsuch said they would have heard the case. More than a dozen states have similar laws limiting the amount of ammunition a magazine can hold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas and Kavanaugh have previously expressed skepticism about assault weapon bans. As an appeals court judge in 2011, Kavanaugh wrote a dissent saying that a similar measure in Washington, D.C., was unconstitutional. Thomas, meanwhile, dissented in 2015 when the Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to a municipal ban on AR-15-style weapons, writing that the overwhelming majority of people who owned the weapons used them for lawful purposes like self-defense. The high court in 2022 handed down a ruling that expanded gun rights and told lower-court judges they should no longer consider factors like public safety in deciding whether firearm laws are constitutional. Instead, they should focus on whether a law fits into the nations historic tradition of gun ownership, the court said. That led to a flurry of challenges to gun laws around the country, multiple restrictions struck down, and confusion among lower-court judges over what gun laws can stay on the books. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, the Supreme Court has overturned a ban on rapid-fire gun accessories called bump stocks but upheld a law barring people under domestic-violence restraining orders from having guns and regulations on nearly untraceable ghost guns. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said in a statement hes grateful the Supreme Court did not overturn the high-capacity magazine ban. My office has always fought to ensure that we have common sense gun laws on the books to keep Rhode Islanders safe, Neronha said, adding that the Supreme Courts decision allows his office to continue that mission without interruption. The law in question, the states ban on possession of large-capacity magazines, as well as other gun safety laws are working and working well to prevent gun deaths and hold accountable those who commit gun crimes, he continued. Just last year, my office charged more than 300 cases involving large-capacity magazines of 11 rounds or higher, undoubtedly preventing and deterring gun violence in the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neronha said he hopes this will inspire state lawmakers to pass the proposed assault-style weapons ban, which the Rhode Island General Assembly will be voting on Tuesday. Every life has meaning every person has hopes, dreams, family, and friends, all of which shatter when we lose someone to gun violence, Neronha said. One life lost to gun violence is one too many. 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. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. WASHINGTON (AP) A Romanian citizen pleaded guilty on Monday to engaging in a plot to use swatting calls and bomb threats to intimidate and threaten dozens of people with bogus police emergencies, including a former U.S. president and several members of Congress. Thomasz Szabo, 26, is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 23 by U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson in Washington, D.C. Szabo was extradited from Romania in November 2024. He was charged with Nemanja Radovanovic, 21, of Serbia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Szabo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of making bomb threats. The two men targeted roughly 100 people with swatting calls to instigate an aggressive response by police officers at the victims homes, a federal indictment alleges. A U.S. Secret Service agents affidavit doesnt name the former U.S. president or any other officials identified as victims of the hoax calls. The two defendants are not explicitly charged in the indictment with threatening a former president, but one of the alleged victims is identified as a former elected official from the executive branch who was swatted on Jan. 9. 2024. Radovanovic falsely reported a killing and threatened to set off an explosion at that persons home, the indictment says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Szabo told Radovanovic that they should pick targets from both the Republican and Democratic parties because we are not on any side, the indictment says. This defendant led a dangerous swatting criminal conspiracy, deliberately threatening dozens of government officials with violent hoaxes and targeting our nations security infrastructure from behind a screen overseas, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. Charges against Radovanovic are still pending. Online court records indicate that he hasn't made any court appearances in Washington yet. By Raphael Satter WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A Romanian man has pleaded guilty to participating in a years-long series of dangerous hoax phone calls and bomb threats targeting American legislators, law enforcement leaders, and government officials, the U.S. Justice Department said Monday. In a statement, the department said that Thomasz Szabo, 26, who was extradited to the United States last year, admitted targeting more than 75 officials, four religious institutions, and multiple journalists in his campaign of intimidation. Officials said Szabo targeted private residences, including the homes and families of senior government officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities say Szabo routinely phoned in bomb threats and reports of ongoing violence or hostage situations at his targets' homes or places of work, a technique called swatting because it is meant to elicit the emergency deployment of heavily armed police officers. Emails seeking comment from Szabo's lawyers were not immediately returned. Justice officials described Szabo as the leader of a group that made a series of false reports to U.S. law enforcement, including a December 2020 threat to commit a mass-shooting at New York City synagogues and a January 2021 threat to detonate explosives at the U.S. Capitol and kill then-President-elect Joe Biden. The department said that, in a two-month period alone, members of Szabos gang targeted at least 25 members of Congress or their family members, six then-current or former senior U.S. federal officials, "including multiple cabinet-level officials," at least 13 then-current or former senior federal law enforcement officials, including the heads of multiple federal law enforcement agencies. Others targeted included members of the federal judiciary, state government officials, and members of the media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was during that time that one of Szabo's subordinates boasted of "creating massive havoc" in the United States, the department said. (Reporting by Raphael Satter; Editing by Stephen Coates) AUSTIN (KXAN) Local Austin roof repair business Quality Exteriors said that even if homeowners are not seeing leaks after the Wednesday hailstorm, their roofs may still be damaged. The Wednesday storm brought damaging winds, large hail, and localized flooding, leading to widespread damage across Austin. Dustin Golden of Quality Exteriors said he and his team have been busy ever since. This has been one of the busiest times, Golden said. We have seen trees on peoples roofs. Weve been seeing a lot of just general hail damage on roofs in Austin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leaks are a clear indication that a roof has been damaged in a storm. However, even if it is not leaking, Golden advised people to have their roofs inspected if hail moved through their area. You have to get it checked out to see if there is actual damage, he said. You might not have a leak now, but the hails impact could lead to one in the future. Golden said most insurance policies cover hail-related damage, and that its best for a homeowner to act quickly to ensure eligibility. The sooner the better, he said. Id highly recommend at least getting it all documented. Documenting includes things like taking photos and videos. Also, reporting any issues, even minor ones, to protect long-term property value. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a quick fix was needed to repair damage immediately after the storm, Rich Johnson from the Insurance Council of Texas said to save receipts, as insurance companies often reimburse for those purchases. Lets say, you have a broken window and you need to put a piece of plywood over it that could be reimbursable, Johnson said. And while both Johnson and Golden recommended having your property assessed after a storm by a contractor, they both encouraged homeowners to be wary of fraudulent companies. During storm season like this, we will see contractors and roofers who come from out of town looking to take advantage of the situation, Johnson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One red flag would be if a contractor offers to waive a deductible, he said. That is totally illegal in Texas, Johnson said. Johnson recommended taking photos of a contractors license plate, ensuring the company is based locally and checking for positive reviews. Your insurance company may have a list of preferred contractors in the area, Johnson said. Oftentimes, youll get a little bit of an extra warranty if you do go with one of those preferred contractors. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Rochester police are searching for a person of interest in a shooting on Otis Street on January 22, 2025. RPD released video of an individual wearing a hooded, black jacket walking between houses. Its unknown if this was on Otis Street or an area further away. On that night, officers were investigating after a woman was shot in a car that crashed on Otis Street. The victim was taken to the hospital for what were initially life-threatening injuries, but RPD said they were life-altering injuries. No suspects in this shooting were found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police are asking anyone who may know this individual to call 911, 311, Crime Stoppers at (585)-423-9300, or email RPDTipLine@CityofRochester.gov. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A ShotSpotter activation on Garson Avenue led to a chase and arrest, according to the Rochester Police Department. The ShotSpotter activation happened early Monday morning, around 12:40 a.m., near Kingston Street. There were no reported injuries related to the ShotSpotter activation. Officers said they found a 28-year-old man close to where the activation was, and when they approached him, he ran off. They chased him and detained him on Grand Avenue. A loaded pistol was found in the area of Garson Avenue and Kingston Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect, whose name was not revealed, has been charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated. Russia attacked the city of Kharkiv overnight with drones and ballistic missiles, injuring at least six people, including a child, local authorities reported in the early hours of June 2. Drone strikes on the city's Kholodnohirskyi district injured six people, including a 7-year-old boy, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported. Two Russian ballistic missiles also targeted the Kyivskyi district, Terekhov said. One of the missiles struck a road "just a few dozen meters" from a local school. The other hit an area close to high-rise buildings, shattering windows and damaging facades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is a miracle that there were no casualties," Terekhov said. Several homes, a civilian enterprise, and vehicles were damaged in the attack, according to Terekhov. Earlier in the day, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia may be preparing for another mass strike against Ukraine in the wake of Kyiv's successful operation against Russian military aircraft. "Even before the start of this operation, we had intelligence about the preparation of another Russian massive strike," Zelensky said in his evening address. "And it is very important for all our people not to ignore aerial alerts. Last night, there were almost 500 Russian drones, strike drones. Every week they increased the number of units per strike. Now they have also prepared Kalibr cruise missles from sea carriers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has launched repeated large-scale aerial assaults against Ukraine in recent days. The city of Kharkiv and the surrounding region came under heavy attack the previous night during a mass Russian drone strike. Russia launched nearly 500 drones at Ukraine, shattering its previous record for the number of drones fired in a single night. Kharkiv Oblast in northeastern Ukraine is a regular target of Russian missile, drone, and glide bomb attacks. Russia has frequently attacked densely populated neighborhoods in the city of Kharkiv, hitting residential buildings and civilian infrastructure. Read also: As Trump fails to sanction Moscow, few expect breakthrough during upcoming Russia-Ukraine talks Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. ISTANBUL, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian and Russian delegations made modest but concrete progress in renewed peace talks in Istanbul on Monday, raising cautious hopes for a potential easing of hostilities through expanded humanitarian measures, including the largest prisoner exchange since the onset of the conflict. The roughly 90-minute session marked the second round of direct talks between the two sides in recent weeks. Turkish officials described the outcome as "cautiously optimistic." "The talks did not end negatively," Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli said, characterising the tone as constructive despite persistent divisions over the broader conflict. AGREEMENTS ON HUMANITARIAN MEASURES Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who chaired the negotiations, said on the social media platform X that the delegations built on previously agreed points, including measures related to humanitarian exchanges. "There is an agreement on new categories and an increased number of prisoner swaps," Fidan said. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, leading Kiev's delegation, proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, the return of displaced children and young soldiers, and the release of prisoners. Umerov called for "real efforts to end the war," and suggested holding a third round of talks between June 20 and 30, as part of a broader push toward a possible leaders' summit. Russia's delegation, led by Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky, confirmed agreement on what he described as the largest prisoner exchange since the conflict began. "All severely wounded and seriously ill soldiers will be exchanged, along with all captured servicemen under the age of 25," he said. Medinsky added that Moscow would return the bodies of 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers and proposed a two- to three-day ceasefire in specific front-line areas to enable body recovery. He also confirmed that discussions on the return of displaced Ukrainian children were underway, with Kiev submitting a list of 339 names. "We will work on this," he said. Medinsky noted that a preliminary meeting with Umerov had helped set the stage for Monday's negotiations. INTERNATIONAL REACTIONS The United Nations (UN) welcomed the progress on humanitarian issues. "We obviously welcome any agreement that will bring the exchange of prisoners or remains," said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the meeting as a "significant achievement," saying the number of prisoners exchanged had surpassed 1,000, with some bodies returned outside formal channels. Erdogan also said Turkiye was prepared to host a high-level summit involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and potentially U.S. President Donald Trump. Russian media, citing unnamed sources, reported that the next round of talks was likely to be held again in Istanbul. TALKS SHADOWED BY ESCALATING AIRSTRIKES The renewed negotiations come amid a backdrop of intensified military actions. Ukrainian officials said more than 40 Russian warplanes were damaged or destroyed in a drone strike on Sunday that targeted air bases deep inside Russian territory, including in the Arctic, Siberia, and Far East regions. Vasyl Malyuk, head of Ukraine's Security Service, described the operation, which hit sites in three time zones simultaneously, as "a major slap in the face to Russia's military power." Ukrainian officials claimed nearly a third of Moscow's strategic bomber fleet was either destroyed or rendered inoperable. The Russian Defense Ministry accused the "Kiev regime" of launching first-person-view drone attacks on multiple airfields. It said airstrips in the Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions were targeted, but that the strikes were repelled. Fires at airfields in the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions were extinguished, with no casualties reported. In Washington, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Trump believes the conflict in Ukraine "needs to come to an end." The Russians attacked Ukraine with 80 drones, three Iskander-M/KN ballistic missiles and one Iskander-K cruise missile on the night of 1-2 June. Source: Ukraine's Air Force Details: Russia attacked with 80 Shahed UAVs and decoy drones of various types, three Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles and one Iskander-K cruise missile. They targeted mainly Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Donetsk and Kherson oblasts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early reports indicate that as of 08:30, Ukrainian air defence systems had downed 52 aerial targets in the country's east, south and north: 15 Russian Shahed attack UAVs and other types of drones were destroyed with direct fire and 37 disappeared from radar or were suppressed by electronic warfare. Aircraft, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units and mobile fire groups from Ukraine's defence forces were involved in repelling the attack. Hits were recorded at 12 locations. Total of 52 aerial targets were downed: 15 were destroyed with direct fire and 37 disappeared from radar or were suppressed by electronic warfare. Infographic: Ukraine's Air Force Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation at the talks in Istanbul, has said that Russia is offering Kyiv a temporary ceasefire on certain fronts. Source: a speech by Vladimir Medinsky broadcast by Russian propaganda media following the talks in Istanbul on Monday, as reported by European Pravda Details: Medinsky said that Russia has prepared a two-part "memorandum" proposing a ceasefire and ending the war it started. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second part of the "memorandum" provides for "variability" and "several paths", he said. Among other things, Russia offered Ukraine a 2-3-day ceasefire in certain areas of the front line during the negotiations, and the Ukrainian side has taken time to consider the proposal. Medinsky also confirmed the preparation of the "most ambitious" prisoner exchange between Kyiv and Moscow, which will include the seriously wounded and seriously ill, as well as military personnel under the age of 25, and the exchange of 6,000 bodies. Background: Earlier, the Ukrainian side reported the results of the talks with Russia. The meeting between the delegations of Ukraine and the Russian Federation, which lasted for just over an hour, was the second one after the talks on 16 May. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The so-called "memorandum" containing proposals for a ceasefire and an end to the war, which Russia handed over to Ukraine on 2 June, also contains ultimatums regarding the recognition of the Russian occupation of Ukrainian territories. Source: Axios, citing a Ukrainian official who spoke on condition of anonymity, as reported by European Pravda Details: Axios' source reported that Russia's position as outlined in the "memorandum" remains "as per usual" and includes demands for the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from territories claimed by Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian delegation also offered to return 10 illegally abducted Ukrainian children by 10 July a fraction of those on the list that Ukraine handed over during the negotiations. Two Axios sources said that Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation, denied that Russia has abducted tens of thousands of Ukrainian children, claiming this was "propaganda", and told the Ukrainian side not to "throw around crazy numbers". "There are no abductions. Russian soldiers dont do that. They only saved them because their lives were in danger. Don't put on a show for bleeding-heart European old ladies with no children of their own," Axios quoted Medinsky as saying. Background: The meeting between the delegations of Ukraine and Russia, which lasted for just over an hour, was the second since the talks on 16 May. As a result of the meeting, the parties were able to reach an agreement on the next exchanges of certain categories of military personnel. The Russian delegation has claimed that it proposed a temporary ceasefire in certain areas of the front line. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! DeepState, a Ukrainian group of military analysts, has reported that the average number of daily offensive attacks by Russian forces increased by 19% in May 2025 compared to April. Source: DeepState Details: According to DeepState, the average number of attacks per day rose from 154.8 in April to 183.6 in May. Quote: "The enemy was especially active at the beginning and end of May, trying to maintain a high intensity of attacks." : DeepState Russian assaults between 1 January 2025 and 31 May 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: DeepState Details: In April, daily attacks by the Russians exceeded 190 attacks on just two occasions, but by May that number had risen to 13 days. The most intense day was 4 May, when the Russians launched 269 assault actions. Background: On 1 June, State Border Guard Service spokesman Andrii Demchenko said during the national 24/7 newscast that the Russians were continuing to press forward in Sumy Oblast, expanding the territory for its troops to advance. Demchenko explained that Russian assault groups, often using all-terrain vehicles or motorcycles, are attempting to penetrate deep into Ukrainian territory, waiting for reinforcements and then attacking Ukrainian positions. On 31 May, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that the Russian army had become significantly more active on the Zaporizhzhia front, where it is conducting active offensive operations. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russia offered a limited ceasefire to collect the bodies of fallen soldiers from the battlefield on Monday as a second round of peace talks ended without a clear breakthrough on a wider truce. Vladimir Putins chief negotiator suggested localised pauses in fighting could be used by both sides to retrieve thousands of corpses from across the front lines. It came after an agreement for an exchange between the two warring countries of 6,000 bodies each. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the Istanbul talks broke up, Vladimir Medinsky, who headed the Russian delegation, said: We have proposed a specific ceasefire for two to three days in certain areas of the front line, so that commanders can collect the bodies of their soldiers. It was not clear whether the Ukrainian delegation, led by defence minister Rustem Umerov, accepted their enemys proposal. But Mr Umerov told reporters after the talks that the two sides had also agreed to an all-for-all exchange of all seriously wounded and injured prisoners of war and captured servicemen aged under 25-years-old. A Ukrainian official familiar with the talks described them as unproductive, as Moscow refused to remove a series of unacceptable preconditions for a longer-term ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This included a demand that Kyiv withdraw its forces from the four regions in eastern Ukraine which are only partially occupied by Russian troops. Inside the room at peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul - Getty Images Europe One source told the Telegraph that the Russians also refused to return hundreds of Ukrainian children that had been abducted during the full-scale invasion. The Ukrainian delegation presented a list of a tiny fraction of the 20,000 children taken from Ukraine into Russia, which was dismissed by the Russians as propaganda. According to a quote shared with the Telegraph by a member of the negotiating team, Medinsky said: Do not put on a show for European tender-hearted aunties who do not have children themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Ukrainian source familiar with the talks told the Telegraph that Russia made a counter-proposal to return just 10 children. The official said: Ukraine brought forward a list with more than 300 children requesting their return. Should Russia have agreed to this request and returned those children, that would provide Ukraine with more confidence that Russia is interested in the humanitarian component of peace negotiations. The Russian negotiator later claimed his country would return children to Ukraine if their parents or legal guardians can be identified. Children from the dance club Spirit of Ukraine prepare to lead a march highlighting the plight of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia - Guy Bell / Alamy Live News The Turkey and US-brokered talks, which lasted around an hour, were just the second direct contact between Ukrainian and Russian officials in the past three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyiv has been pushing for an unconditional, 30-day ceasefire, as backed by Donald Trump, in the two rounds of negotiations. But Putin has continued to stall on any large-scale truce that would pause the fighting on land, air and sea. The Russians have previously used mini ceasefires to prepare for assaults or repair bridges crucial for resupplying the frontlines, a senior member of Ukraines military told the Telegraph. The two sides faced off across a U-shaped table, with Turkish officials at the head, inside a large conference at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul. It didnt end negatively, Oncu Keceli, a Turkish foreign ministry spokesman, said yesterday after the talks drew to a close. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As they entered the room earlier, the Russian negotiators appeared stony-faced, a day after Ukraine had launched an audacious drone attack on Moscows strategic bomber force. The two sides did not shake hands or exchange pleasantries. Putins officials showed little sign they were willing to engage with a Ukrainian memorandum published ahead of the talks, which proposed a full ceasefire, security guarantees for Kyiv and confidence-building measures ahead of a possible peace accord. The Russian intransigence has frustrated Mr Trump, but the US President has yet to pull the trigger on a threatened sanctions package against Moscow that is being backed by Ukraine and its European allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow reportedly shared its own two-point plan a list of preconditions before a ceasefire with Ukraine at the talks after weeks of refusing to publish it. 04:39 PM BST Todays live coverage has ended Todays live coverage of the Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul has ended. Heres a roundup of the days events: Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange all severely wounded prisoners and those aged under 25. They also each agreed to return the remains of 6,000 fallen soldiers. Russia accused Ukraine of putting on a show when Kyivs negotiators demanded the return of hundreds of children that Kyiv says Russia has forcibly removed from occupied Ukrainian territory. Russia offered Ukraine a limited ceasefire to collect the bodies of soldiers from the battlefield, according to Vladimir Putins lead negotiator. Ukraine proposed a further round of peace talks from 20th to 30th of June. Volodymyr Zelensky called for Europe to impose more sanctions on Russia in order to force Putin into peace. 04:03 PM BST Russia accuses Ukraine of putting on a show over stolen children Russia accused Ukraine of putting on a show after Kyivs negotiators demanded the return of hundreds of abducted children during peace talks in Istanbul on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian delegates handed over a list of children they want Moscow to return during talks on Monday, Volodymyr Zelenskys chief of staff said. Kyiv says Russian forces forcibly removed hundreds of children from occupied Ukrainian territory. Do not put on a show for European tender-hearted aunties who do not have children themselves, Vladimir Medinsky, a senior Putin aide and head of the Russian delegation, is reported to have said. The quotes were leaked to The Telegraph by a member of the Ukrainian team close to the talks. Children from the Dance club Spirit of Ukraine prepare to lead a march highlighting the plight of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia - Guy Bell / Alamy Live News/Alamy 03:33 PM BST Ukraine proposes next round of talks Ukraine has proposed holding the next round of peace talks with Russia before the end of the month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rustem Umerov, Kyivs defence minister, said: We propose to the Russian side to hold a meeting by the end of this month, from 20th to 30th of June. He added that delegations should try to arrange a meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin. Ukraine said todays talks with Russia in Istanbul had been unproductive after Moscow refused to drop its maximalist demands. However the two warring sides agreed to exchange all severely wounded prisoners and those aged under 25. They each also agreed to return the remains of 6,000 fallen soldiers. 03:24 PM BST Russia and Ukraine agree to exchange all severely wounded prisoners Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an all-for-all prisoner swap for severely wounded captives as well as those aged under 25, negotiators said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both sides also agreed to exchange the bodies of 6,000 fallen soldiers each. We agreed to exchange all-for-all seriously wounded and seriously sick prisoners of war. The second category is young soldiers who are from 18 to 25 years old - all-for-all. Also we agreed to return 6,000 to 6,000 bodies of fallen soldiers, Rustem Umerov, Ukraines defence minister and lead negotiator, said. 02:55 PM BST Ukraine to review Russia ceasefire memorandum Russia handed over its terms for a ceasefire to Ukrainian negotiators in Istanbul this afternoon, Kyiv has confirmed. Rustem Umerov, the Ukrainian defence minister who led the talks, said Kyiv would review the document. 02:26 PM BST Talks didnt end negatively, says Turkey A second round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine didnt end negatively, a Turkish official has said. The meeting is over. It didnt end negatively, ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli said of the talks at Istanbuls Ciragan Palace, which lasted just over an hour. Inside the room at peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul - Getty Images Europe 02:14 PM BST Zelensky calls for more sanctions on Russia Volodymyr Zelensky has called for Europe to impose more sanctions on Russia in order to force Vladimir Putin into peace. The Ukrainian president was speaking as talks between his country and Russia concluded in Istanbul Without pressure, Putin will just keep playing games, the Ukrainian president said, adding that Ukraines allies must act in unity. He went on to address todays peace talks, saying Moscow should not get a veto on Ukraine joining Nato. Putin must get nothing that would justify his aggression, he added. 02:12 PM BST Talks in Istanbul conclude Talks between Russia and Ukraine have concluded. 01:41 PM BST Zelensky: We are stopping war from spreading Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine is stopping the war from spreading into Europe, highlighting yesterdays audacious drone attack on nuclear bombers deep inside Russia. Europe, together with America, has better weapons than Russia. We also have stronger tactical solutions - our operation Spiderweb yesterday proved that. Russia must feel what losses mean. That will push it toward diplomacy, the Ukrainian president said in Vilnius. When Russia takes losses in this war, its obvious to everyone that Ukraine is the one holding the line - not just for itself, but for all of Europe. Europe, together with America, has better weapons than Russia. We also have stronger tactical solutions our operation "Spiderweb" yesterday proved that. Russia must feel what its losses mean. That is what will push it toward diplomacy. And when Russia takes losses in this pic.twitter.com/7vel0PRFrn Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) June 2, 2025 01:17 PM BST US support extremely important, says Turkey US support for the second round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks is extremely important, Turkeys top diplomat has said. We find Americas belief in and support for these talks to be extremely important. Trumps determination to establish peace has opened a new window of opportunity, Hakan Fidan, the foreign minister, said. 01:03 PM BST Meanwhile in Moscow... Vladimir Putin is meeting with Maria Lvova-Belova, Russias presidential commissioner for childrens rights. She is accused of being central to Russias effort to forcibly deport thousands of Ukrainian children. Vladimir Putin, right, speaks with the Presidential Commissioner for Childrens Rights Maria Lvova-Belova during their meeting at the Kremlin - Pool Sputnik Kremlin 12:45 PM BST Natos eastern flank backs Ukraine membership Nordic, Baltic, and central European Nato members are committed to Ukraine joining the military alliance, the countrys leaders have said in a statement. We stand firm on Allied decision and commitment regarding Ukraines irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership, the statement reads. Ukraine has the right to choose its own security arrangements and to decide its own future, free from outside interference. The leaders of Poland, Romania and Lithuania made the statement following a meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky in Vilnius today. 12:03 PM BST Watch: Ukrainian delegation arrives for ceasefire talks in Istanbul Earlier this morning, the Ukrainian delegation was filmed entering Istanbuls Ciragan Palace ahead of peace talks with their Russian counterparts. Its not clear how long the talks will last. They went on for around 90 minutes last month. 11:50 AM BST Allies not informed of Ukraines audacious drone attack Ukraine did not inform its allies of plans to strike dozens of nuclear bombers deep inside Russia, it has emerged. The German government was not informed ahead of time of a Ukrainian drone attack striking targets deep within Russia, a government spokesperson said in Berlin this morning. The German government was not informed about this, but that is not necessary because the Ukrainians have the right to defend themselves against a war that violates international law, the spokesperson said. It is also understood the attack went ahead without Donald Trump knowing. 10:51 AM BST Russian delegation arrives in Istanbul The Russian delegation has arrived in Istanbul ahead of talks with their Ukrainian counterparts. Talks are set to start in around 10 minutes. 10:16 AM BST We need to learn the lessons of Ukraine, says Starmer Sir Keir Starmer said the UK needs to learn the lessons of Ukraine as he set out of the governments plans for defence spending in Glasgow. We need to ensure every capability works seamlessly together. Drones, destroyers, aircraft...each different branch of our armed services fully integrated to create an army that is ten times more lethal by 2035, the Prime Minister said. You can follow his speech live here. 09:53 AM BST Analysis: Zelenskys diplomatic whirlwind Volodymyr Zelensky has been on a diplomatic whirlwind since May 16, when the first round of direct peace talks since 2022 occurred between the Ukrainians and the Russians. The May talks yielded the biggest prisoner swap of the war, but peace or even a ceasefire agreement was out of grasp as both sides laid out their opening negotiating positions. Since then, Mr Zelenskys agenda has been very full, meeting with the leaders of 25 countries, including all of those in the G7 except for Japan. Hes spoken with some more than once, amongst them Sir Keir Starmer and Friedrich Merz, the chancellor of Germany. Other meetings have been with the general secretary of Nato, the Crown Prince of Norway, and the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission. Mr Zelenskys last direct contact with Mr Trump was shortly after the May talks on a group call along with the leaders of UK, Germany, France and Poland. Hes also met with US vice president JD Vance and US secretary of state Marco Rubio, US senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, and US pastor Franklin Graham. Much emphasis was placed on the continued pressure of sanctions, and possibly new packages to squeeze Russia. But underlining many of those conversations was a sentiment that Zelensky reiterated in a weekend speech just before the talks today: The war must be pushed back onto Russian territory back to where it came from. 09:30 AM BST Zelensky attends summit with Nato leaders Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived Monday in Vilnius for a summit with the leaders of Natos eastern and Nordic members, some of Kyivs staunchest backers amid the Russian invasion. The Ukrainian presidents spokesman said he would hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit in the Lithuanian capital, which will also be attended by Natos Secretary General Mark Rutte. Volodymyr Zelensky arrives in Vilnius ahead of a summit of Nato leaders - AP 08:59 AM BST Analysis: Russia will seek to exploit Ukraines audacious plane attack When the Ukrainians and Russians come face-to-face at Istanbuls Ciragan Palace later on Monday, the delegation from Moscow will be looking for ways to drag its heels. Both sides are meant to present their memorandums, setting out the broad contours of any deal to end the full-scale invasion more than three years after it was launched. Ukraine has made its document public, via a leak to the Reuters news agency. The Russian version is still very much a guarded secret, despite Vladimir Putin claiming it is set for sharing. The Russians, who are wary that the Americans are starting to see them as the main obstacle to a ceasefire, will likely look to Ukrainian attack on its nuclear warplanes to further stall the peace talks. They will likely argue that the raid deep inside Russian territory demonstrates that Ukraine does not want to stop the fighting. Its impossible to know how Donald Trump, who is playing a mediator role, will respond to such an argument. It may just bide the Russians a little more time as they seek to prevent the US president from delivering on his promise of crushing sanctions against Moscow if a ceasefire isnt agreed in the near future. But this is all still very much of a sideshow. Peace talks were always going to be long and complicated, especially when both Ukraine and Russias opening positions are a world apart. 08:51 AM BST Starmer: We cant ignore Russian threat The UK cannot ignored the threat posed by Russia, Sir Keir Starmer is expected to stay in a speech this morning. The Prime Minister told the BBC ahead of the publication of a strategic defence review: We cannot ignore the threat that Russia poses. Weve seen whats happened in Ukraine just over three years ago. You can follow live updates of the Prime Ministers speech here. 08:25 AM BST Ukraine claims 13 planes destroyed in Sundays attack Ukraine destroyed at least 13 planes during an attack on Russian air bases, the countrys national security and defence council said this morning. Andriy Kovalenko, the head of Ukraines Centre for Countering Disinformation, said some other planes were also damaged in the attack, in a post on the Telegram messaging app. Some 40 planes were damaged in total, it is understood. Credit: Via Reuters 08:10 AM BST How did the first round of peace talks go? The first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in more than three years took place in Istanbul last month. The two warring sides did not come close to negotiating a ceasefire, though did agree on the largest prisoner of war swap of the conflict so far. Both sides also agreed to share their visions of a potential future ceasefire, which are expected to be discussed in greater today. Those negotiations lasted around 90 minutes. According to reports, Russias lead negotiator vowed to keep fighting for another 20 years and threatened to illegally annex more territory. The talks come at a time of heightened attacks by both sides. On Sunday, Ukraine launched a daring strike on Russias nuclear bombers. The night before, Russia launched a record 472 drones in an overnight attack. Previous talks between Russia and Ukraine lasted 90 minutes - AFP 07:15 AM BST Ukrainian delegation arrives in Istanbul Ukraines delegation, led by defence minister Rustem Umerov, has arrived in Istanbul ahead of peace talks later today. Negotiations are set to get under way at 1pm local time (11am in the UK). 07:04 AM BST Russia intercepts 162 Ukrainian drones Russias defence ministry said it intercepted 162 Russian drones overnight, hours before the second round of peace talks in Istanbul. Air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 162 Ukrainian drones between 1710 GMT and 2300 GMT on Sunday, the ministry said in a statement. The majority of the drones were shot down over regions bordering Ukraine, with 57 intercepted over the Kursk region and 31 over the Belgorod region, it added. 06:50 AM BST What to expect from peace talks Russian and Ukrainian negotiators will meet today for their second round of peace talks, following negotiations - also in Istanbul - last month. It follows a massive Ukrainian attack on Russias strategic bombers on Sunday. Russia launched a wave of retaliatory strikes overnight. At the first round of peace talks in Turkey last month, both sides negotiated a large-scale prisoner swap and agreed to share a memorandum on how they envisage a ceasefire playing out. The Kremlin said it will present this memorandum at talks, despite pressure by Kyiv to release it beforehand. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, outlined his countrys position on Sunday night. First - a full and unconditional ceasefire. Second - the release of prisoners. Third - the return of abducted children, he said in his evening address. He also reiterated his call for direct talks with Vladimir Putin. The key issues can only be resolved by the leaders, Mr Zelensky said. The Kremlin has said such a meeting will only occur once there is agreement over a ceasefire. 06:28 AM BST Peace talks to take place within hours in Istanbul The second round of peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul are set to get under way at 1pm local time today (10am GMT) at the Ciragan Palace. Russia said it would present a memorandum of its peace terms, having resisted pressure by Ukraine to send its demands in advance. Outlining Kyivs position ahead of the talks, Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his call for an immediate halt to the fighting. First - a full and unconditional ceasefire. Second - the release of prisoners. Third - the return of abducted children, he said on Sunday in a post on social media. He also called for the sides to discuss a direct meeting with Putin. The key issues can only be resolved by the leaders, Mr Zelensky said. 06:23 AM BST Secret smuggling operation made Ukraines attack possible Five airfields came under attack on Sunday as Ukraine launched Operation Spiders Web, the most daring mission it has mounted on Russian soil in more than three years of war. Its target: Russias strategic bomber fleet, long considered beyond Kyivs reach. As plumes of smoke rose over the Olenya and Belaya bases and footage emerged of 75-million supersonic jets reduced to fireballs by drones costing only few thousand pounds, the scale of the Kremlins miscalculation became clear. Read the full piece by Adrian Blomfield here Credit: Telegram / babr_mash 06:17 AM BST Russia thwarts railway sabotage attempt Russias Security Service FSB thwarted an attempted arson attack on Russias railway transportation in the far eastern region of Primorsky Krai, known as Primorye. The sabotage attempt was to be carried out by two teenagers on Ukraines order, the RIA news agency reported on Monday. It was established that two 19-year-old residents of Primorsky Krai, on orders from Ukrainian special services and expecting to receive a monetary reward, committed actions aimed at setting fire to track-side relay cabinets, RIA cited the service as saying. 06:12 AM BST Several killed and injured in Russias retaliatory strikes Russia launched a wave of retaliatory strikes overnight ahead of peace negotiations between the two countries later today. In one of the most remarkable attacks of the war, scores of drones were smuggled into the top of freight trucks before striking targets 2,500 miles away from the Ukrainian border. The operation, which took 18 months of planning, damaged a third of Russias strategic bombers and caused $7bn (5.2bn) of damage, according to Ukrainian estimates. In response, Russian strikes overnight killed five in Zaporizhzhia, injured six in Sumy and several more in the northeastern region of Kharkiv, Ukrainian authorities said. The second round of peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul are set to get under way at 1pm local time today (11am UK time) at the Ciragan Palace. Russia said it would present a memorandum of its peace terms, having resisted pressure by Ukraine to send its demands in advance. Outlining Kyivs position ahead of the talks, Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his call for an immediate halt to the fighting. An elderly Ukrainian woman walks past her damaged home following a combined overnight attack in Kharkiv - Shutterstock Editorial 06:08 AM BST US and Russian diplomatic chiefs speak on phone Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his US counterpart Marco Rubio spoke on the phone on Sunday night to discuss the new round of peace talks with Ukraine. The two diplomats exchanged their points of view on several initiatives aimed at a political solution to the Ukraine crisis, in particular the resumption of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. 06:06 AM BST Good morning Russia struck Ukraine overnight in a wave of retaliatory attacks. The strikes come as the two warring countries are set to meet again today for a second round of peace talks. Follow our live blog for the latest developments. 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. Russia has proposed to Ukraine a temporary ceasefire for two or three days in certain areas of the front line to collect the bodies of the fallen soldiers, Vladimir Medinsky, Russian President Vladimir Putin's aide and head of the country's delegation to Istanbul, said during a press conference on June 2. Medinsky's statement comes hours after the conclusion of the second round of the peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul. Ukraine has not yet reacted to the Russian proposal. According to a source in the President's Office, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Russia declined a ceasefire proposed by Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Medinsky, Russia will also transfer 6,000 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers and officers. "We identified all (the bodies) that we could, conducted DNA tests, found out who they were. Next week, we will transfer these bodies to the Ukrainian side in an organized way by special trains so that they can bury them humanely," Medinsky said. Medinsky added that Ukraine and Russia also agreed to exchange severely wounded people and those under 25. The total number of people involved in the exchange could reach 1,000, he added. A representative of the Russian delegation also showed a list handed over by Ukraine during the talks. The list included 339 names of children abducted by Russia and whom Ukraine wants to return to their homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medinsky denied Kyiv's accusations, claiming that Russia did not abduct the children. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has identified over 19,500 children who were forcibly deported to Russia, Belarus, or Russian-occupied territories. To date, only around 1,300 have been returned to Ukrainian-controlled areas, according to official data. The abduction of Ukrainian children has drawn international condemnation. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova, accusing them of overseeing the forced deportations. Earlier this month, the European Parliament passed a resolution labeling Russia's actions a "genocidal strategy" aimed at erasing Ukrainian identity, and demanded the unconditional return of all abducted minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: As Trump fails to sanction Moscow, few expect breakthrough during upcoming Russia-Ukraine talks Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Vladimir Putin has laid out his demands for both a ceasefire and ending the war in Ukraine. Russian negotiators tabled a long memorandum, resembling a complete capitulation for Ukraine, in a second round of direct talks with Kyiv in Istanbul on Monday. The documents first section contains Moscows basic parameters of a final settlement. It stipulates that Ukraine must withdraw its troops from four eastern regions that Russia only partially occupies, and that international recognition of Russian sovereignty over them and Crimea must be granted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyiv must also commit to curbs on the size of its military, as well as to permanent neutrality and to having no foreign troops deployed on its territory. Diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations must be reinstated, which would include the resumption of Russian natural gas transit through Ukraine. Other demands included a ban on glorification or promotion of Nazism and neo-Nazism, and for the Russian language to be given official status. Russian negotiators tabled a long memorandum, resembling a complete capitulation for Ukraine, in a second round of direct talks with Kyiv - Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Getty Images The demands are unrealistic, cross multiple red lines for Ukraine and its Western allies, and will be dismissed as another ploy to further delay serious peace talks. A Ukrainian official familiar with the talks described them as unproductive, and called the Moscow demands unacceptable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second section in the memorandum listed the Kremlins conditions for agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire, and appeared to give Kyiv two choices. These were that Ukraine should withdraw its troops from four mainland regions claimed by Russia, or agree to a package of demands that included cancelling martial law and holding elections. Among the other requirements was a total halt on all foreign military aid and for Ukraine to begin demobilising. The US and Turkey-brokered negotiations at the Ciragan Palace, on the banks of the Bosphorus, appeared to bring the sides no closer to a truce. Ukraine and Russia, however, agreed to an exchange of 6,000 bodies of fallen soldiers, as well as an all-for-all swap of seriously wounded and injured prisoners of war and captured servicemen aged under 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russians offered a series of smaller, localised truces across the front lines to allow for the collection of bodies. This, however, appeared to be rejected by Ukraine, as a senior military figure told The Telegraph that Russia had previously used similar pauses to prepare for fresh assaults. Both sides could not bridge the divides on the 30-day ceasefire being pushed by Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, and Donald Trump. Despite the lack of progress, the US president said on Monday that he was open to holding talks with his Ukrainian counterpart and Putin. Ukrainian officials had been waiting weeks for the Russian peace proposals to be published, but the documents were only made available as talks started in Istanbul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read side-by-side, the two memorandums reveal a mountainous wedge between their opposing positions. Russias demands appeared almost identical to the set of proposals put forward in the early months of its full-scale invasion, which were rejected by Mr Zelensky as a capitulation. The Russian terms of surrender for Ukraine were published by Russian state media hours after the talks were wrapped up in Turkey. Kyivs proposed route to a ceasefire, and ultimately a fuller peace deal, including security guarantees to prevent another Russian invasion, no international recognition of Moscows occupation of Ukrainian territories and no restriction on Kyivs armed forces. The two delegations entered a large conference at the Ciragan Palace without exchanging handshakes or pleasantries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russians, led by Vladimir Medinsky, a Putin aide appeared stony faced as they positioned themselves around the U-shaped table, after Ukraine mounted an audacious drone attack on Moscows fleet of strategic bomber warplanes. The planes, worth $7 billion and amounting to 34 per cent of Russias strategic cruise missile carriers, were destroyed deep inside Russian territory. The attack will hamper Moscows ability to bomb Ukraine safely from a distance and dent its nuclear strike capabilities. Credit: Via Reuters At one moment in the hour-long talks, Mr Medinsky accused the Ukrainians of putting on a show after they handed over a list of hundreds of Ukrainian children they wanted returned from Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do not put on a show for European tender-hearted aunties who do not have children themselves, he said, according to a quote shared with The Telegraph by a member of the negotiating team. A Ukrainian source familiar with the talks told The Telegraph that Russia made a counter-proposal to return just 10 children. Ukraine brought forward a list with more than 300 children, requesting their return, the official said. Should Russia have agreed to this request and returned those children, that would provide Ukraine with more confidence that Russia is interested in the humanitarian component of peace negotiations. The Russian negotiator later claimed his country would return children to Ukraine if their parents or legal guardians could be identified. 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. Russian intelligence services are actively attempting to recruit Ukrainian nationals for illegal operations across the European Union, Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) said on June 2. In a statement, the agency warned that Kremlin-linked operatives are offering money to vulnerable Ukrainians, particularly those from Russian-occupied territories, to conduct surveillance of critical infrastructure and carry out other tasks for the benefit of the Russian state. "The recruitment of Ukrainians for hostile operations in Europe is yet another tool of hybrid aggression that the Russian Federation is waging against Ukraine and the entire European community," the agency said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The intelligence agency urged Ukrainian citizens abroad to immediately report any contact with suspicious individuals to local law enforcement or Ukrainian diplomatic missions. The warning comes amid a growing number of suspected Russian-directed sabotage and arson plots across Europe involving Ukrainian nationals. British security officials are currently investigating possible Russian involvement in a series of arson attacks targeting properties linked to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Financial Times reported on May 23. The incidents include fires at Starmer's family home, a vehicle, and a former residence in London earlier this month. Three men Ukrainian nationals Roman Lavrynovych and Petro Pochynok, and Romanian Stanislav Carpiuc have been charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. Prosecutors allege they acted in coordination with unknown individuals, and U.K. authorities are examining whether Russian agents may have recruited them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement German authorities have also accused three Ukrainian nationals of being involved in a Russian-orchestrated parcel bomb plot, according to Der Spiegel. The suspects were arrested in May during coordinated raids in Germany and Switzerland. In a separate case on May 12, Poland charged two Ukrainians in connection with suspected Russian-backed arson attacks at an IKEA store in Vilnius and a shopping mall in Warsaw in 2024. Additionally, Russian intelligence is believed to be behind a July 2024 fire at a DHL airport logistics hub in Leipzig, Germany. Investigators said a flammable package sent from Lithuania was marked for delivery to a fake address in Birmingham, U.K. Western officials have repeatedly accused Moscow of using covert sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation as part of its broader campaign to destabilize European nations that support Ukraine during the Russian large-scale war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian intelligence agency emphasized that such operations rely on exploiting desperate individuals and weaponizing them against host countries. It called on European governments to remain vigilant and closely coordinate with Ukrainian security services. Read also: As Trump fails to sanction Moscow, few expect breakthrough during upcoming Russia-Ukraine talks Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The News The Senate may take up new Russia sanctions legislation this month, as Moscows war on Ukraine continues with no peace deal in sight. With more than 80 senators support, Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters on Monday that hes balancing coordination with President Donald Trumps White House with huge pent-up interest in the Senate in imposing new sanctions. That would have a big impact. But obviously [were] working with the White House to try and ensure that what we do and when we do it works well with the negotiations that theyve got underway, Thune said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senators in both parties are increasingly frustrated with the delay, with several Republicans saying recently they do not want to wait for the White Houses green light at this point. The crippling secondary sanctions on Russia trading partners, they argue, could be used by Trump as negotiating leverage to force Russian President Vladimir Putins hand on ending the war on Ukraine. The Trump administration, Thune added, is still hopeful theyll be able to strike some sort of a deal. But as you might expect, theres a high level of interest here in the Senate, on both sides of the aisle, in moving on it. And it very well could be something that we would take up in this work period. Asked for a response to the possibility of Senate action on sanctions, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said,President Trump has smartly kept sanctions on the table, and while he remains in constant communication with leaders on the Hill, the decision on whether to impose sanctions will come from the commander in chief. Know More Theres been no sign of the conflict coming to an end anytime soon. Ukraine wiped out dozens of Russian aircraft over the weekend, a day before talks in Istanbul between both sides failed to reach a breakthrough. Chief sanctions sponsor Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told the Associated Press that he believes Putin is preparing for more war after visiting Ukraine with the bills co-sponsor, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, patience is wearing thin in the halls of the Capitol. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schuner, D-N.Y., said senators in both parties are getting tired of Trumps wishy-washy approach to Putin. Sooner the better. Over 80 co-sponsors in both parties, I think the appetite is strong, said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the Democratic whip. Im told the White House keeps saying, We expect a breakthrough. Weve been expecting that for a long time. Of course, there are still more than a dozen senators who dont support the legislation. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., recently told Semafor he strongly opposes it and called the 500% levies on Russian trading partners the craziest thing Ive ever heard. That means Thune would probably have to burn significant floor time to get the bill through. Notable Russia launched a record number of drones at Ukraine in a mass overnight aerial attack, Ukraine's Air Force reported the morning of June 1. Russia attacked Ukraine during the night with 472 Shahed-type attack drones, breaking its previous record set just last week on May 26 by over 100 drones. In addition to nearly 500 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Moscow also targeted Ukraine with three Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles and four Kh-101, Iskander-K air and ground-based cruise missiles, the Air Force said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian air defense units shot down 210 drones, while another 172 were suppressed by electronic warfare, according to the Air Force. Russian drones were intercepted in 18 different locations across the country. The record-shattering drone attack came on the eve of Ukraine's "Operation Spider Web" a major strike on Russia's military airfields coordinated by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU). The operation hit 41 Russian bombers at four airfields, according to the SBU. The attack, planned for over a year, involved smuggling first-person-view (FPV) drones deep into Russia. The operation caused approximately $7 billion in damages and disabled 34% of cruise missile carriers in key Russian air bases, the SBU reported. Ukraine's strike on Russia's military aircraft follows some of Moscow's heaviest aerial bombardments since the beginning of the full-scale war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For three nights in a row from May 24-26, Russia barraged Ukraine with drones and missiles, launching a record 298 drones on May 25 only to break the record with 355 the following night. The escalating attacks form the backdrop against which Ukrainian and Russian delegations prepare for their second round of direct peace talks, scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul. The Kremlin has claimed it will submit a memorandum outlining its ceasefire conditions during the meeting though previous promises to present terms have been followed by weeks of delays. The first round of talks, held May 16, failed to produce any significant breakthroughs towards a peace settlement. Russia continues to reject calls for an unconditional ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Russian bombers are burning en masse Ukraines SBU drones hit more than 40 aircraft in mass attack, source says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. This photo taken on June 2, 2025 shows a scene of the 164th session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Council held in Kuwait City, Kuwait. GCC foreign ministers on Monday called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, backed Syrian sovereignty, and addressed regional security concerns, including Iran's nuclear program. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua) KUWAIT CITY, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers on Monday called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, backed Syrian sovereignty, and addressed regional security concerns, including Iran's nuclear program. The calls were part of a final communique issued at the close of the 164th session of the GCC Ministerial Council, held in Kuwait City under the chairmanship of Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya. The ministers condemned "attempts to displace the population of the Gaza Strip" and urged the UN Security Council to establish an independent international commission to investigate alleged violations by Israeli forces. They also endorsed Qatar's mediation efforts, conducted in coordination with Egypt and the United States, to secure a ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian access to civilians in Gaza. The ministers called for an end to "Israeli aggression" and emphasized the need for sustained diplomatic efforts for a lasting solution. The Council further supported a recent call from the Cairo Arab Summit to deploy international protection forces in Palestinian territories under a UN Security Council mandate. On Syria, the Council reaffirmed support for the country's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, rejecting foreign interference. The ministers described Syria's stability as "a fundamental pillar of regional security" and condemned ongoing Israeli strikes on Syrian territory. Turning to Iran, the ministers welcomed renewed U.S.-Iran diplomatic contacts and acknowledged Oman's role in facilitating dialogue. They supported negotiations focused on easing sanctions in return for curbs on Tehran's nuclear activities, while stressing Iran's responsibility to restrict uranium enrichment to peaceful levels and maintain full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Riyadh-based GCC, founded on May 25, 1981, is a political and economic alliance comprising six member states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya speaks at the 164th session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Council held in Kuwait City, Kuwait, June 2, 2025. GCC foreign ministers on Monday called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, backed Syrian sovereignty, and addressed regional security concerns, including Iran's nuclear program. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua) Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a new prisoner swap and the return of thousands of war dead during direct talks in Istanbul although little headway was made towards ending the war. The delegations met on Monday at the Ottoman-era Ciragan Palace in the Turkish city, and officials confirmed that both sides will exchange prisoners of war and the remains of 6,000 soldiers killed in combat. Negotiators from both sides confirmed they had reached a deal to swap all severely wounded soldiers as well as all captured fighters under the age of 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We agreed to exchange all-for-all seriously wounded and seriously sick prisoners of war. The second category is young soldiers who are from 18 to 25 years old all-for-all, Ukraines lead negotiator and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov told reporters in Istanbul. Russias lead negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, said the swap would involve at least 1,000 on each side topping the 1,000-for-1,000 POW exchange agreed at talks last month. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking from Vilnius, Lithuania, said the two parties exchanged documents through the Turkish side and Kyiv was preparing for the next group of captives to be released. The Istanbul meeting marks the second direct dialogue in less than a month, but expectations were low. The talks on May 16 produced another major prisoner swap but failed to reach a ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exchange of prisoners seems to be the diplomatic channel that actually works between Russia and Ukraine, Al Jazeera correspondent Dmitry Medvedenko said, reporting from Istanbul. Weve actually had exchanges of prisoners throughout this war, not in the numbers that have been happening as a result of these Istanbul talks, Medvedenko added. Zelenskyys chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said Kyiv also handed over a list of children it accuses Russia of abducting and demanded their return. As for a truce, Russia and Ukraine remain sharply divided. The Russian side continued to reject the motion of an unconditional ceasefire, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya told reporters after the talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia said it had offered a limited pause in fighting. We have proposed a specific ceasefire for two to three days in certain areas of the front line, Medinsky said, adding that this was needed to collect the bodies of dead soldiers from battlefields. At the negotiating table, Russia presented a memorandum setting out the Kremlins terms for ending hostilities, the Ukrainian delegation said. Umerov told reporters that Kyiv officials would need a week to review the document and decide on a response. Ukraine proposed further talks on a date between June 20 and June 30, he said. After the talks, Russian state news agencies TASS and RIA Novosti published the text of the Russian memorandum, which suggested as a condition for a ceasefire that Ukraine withdraw its forces from the four Ukrainian regions that Russia annexed in September 2022 but never fully captured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an alternate way of reaching a truce, the memorandum presses Ukraine to halt its mobilisation efforts and freeze Western arms deliveries, conditions that were suggested earlier by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The document also suggests that Ukraine stop any redeployment of forces and ban any military presence of third countries on its soil as conditions for halting hostilities. The Russian document further proposes that Ukraine end martial law and hold elections, after which the two countries could sign a comprehensive peace treaty that would see Ukraine declare its neutral status, abandon its bid to join NATO, set limits on the size of its armed forces and recognise Russian as the countrys official language on par with Ukrainian. Ukraine and the West have previously rejected all those demands from Moscow. Ceasefire hopes remain elusive Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the talks magnificent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My greatest wish is to bring together Putin and Zelenskyy in Istanbul or Ankara and even add [United States President Donald] Trump along, he said. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who chaired the talks, said the world was watching closely. He acknowledged the two sides had discussed the conditions for a ceasefire but no tangible outcome was announced. Head of the Ukrainian delegation, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, speaks after a second round of direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials on June 2, 2025 [Adem Altan/AFP] Oleksiy Goncharenko, a Ukrainian member of parliament, told Al Jazeera he was not very optimistic about the talks in Istanbul. Russia clearly shows that they dont want to end the war because Ukraine proposed a 30-days ceasefire in March, and the American and Europe proposition was the same, but only one country [Russia] refused, Goncharenko said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Ukraine has ramped up its military efforts far beyond the front lines, claiming responsibility for drone attacks on Sunday that it said damaged or destroyed more than 40 Russian warplanes. The operation targeted airbases in three distant regions the Arctic, Siberia and the Far East thousands of kilometres from Ukraine. This brilliant operation will go down in history, Zelenskyy said, calling the raids a turning point in Ukraines struggle. Ukrainian officials said the attacks crippled nearly a third of Russias strategic bomber fleet. Vasyl Maliuk, head of the Security Service of Ukraine, said the mission had taken more than a year to plan. Zelenskyy said the setback for Russias military would increase pressure on Moscow to return to the negotiating table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia must feel the cost of its aggression. That is what will push it towards diplomacy, he said during his visit to Lithuania, where he met leaders from NATOs eastern flank and Nordic countries. Ukraines air force, meanwhile, reported that Russia launched 472 drones on Sunday the highest number since the start of its full-scale invasion in 2022 aiming to exhaust Ukrainian air defences. Most of those drones targeted civilian areas, it said. On Monday, Russian forces bombarded southern Ukraines Kherson region, killing three people and injuring 19, including two children. Separately, five people were killed and nine injured in attacks near Zaporizhzhia in the neighbouring Zaporizhia region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russias Ministry of Defence said its forces had intercepted 162 Ukrainian drones overnight across eight regions and Crimea while Ukraine said it shot down 52 of 80 drones launched by Russia. Zelenskyy warned that if the Istanbul talks fail to deliver results, more sanctions against Russia will be necessary. If theres no breakthrough, then new, strong sanctions must follow urgently, he said. Ukraine's shock drone attack on Russian military air bases, including some deep inside Russian territory, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said was secretly planned and coordinated from inside Russia over the past 18 months, seemed on Monday to have left the Kremlin speechless. Russia's state-run media cited the country's defense ministry as saying Monday that forces had struck Ukrainian drone production, launch and storage sites, and claiming to have shot down hundreds of Ukrainian-launched drones over the past 24 hours, but there was no direct public response from Russian authorities to the Ukrainian strike. While Ukraine has launched drones at Russia, including the capital Moscow, for months, as well as staging other covert operations on Russian soil, the attack on Sunday was notable for its scope and scale. Ukraine claimed it had damaged or destroyed 41 Russian bomber aircraft at bases across the vast country. Ukrainian officials said the attack did not endanger any Russian civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was also notable for its timing, a day before the two sides sat down face-to-face in Turkey for a second round of direct talks. Ukraine gains support as U.N. panel accuses Russia of war crimes The head of Ukraine's SBU intelligence agency said in a statement on Tuesday that Russia "thought that it could bomb Ukraine and endlessly kill Ukrainians with impunity. But that is not the case. We will respond to Russian terror and destroy the enemy everywhere at sea, in the air, and on land." A drone lifts off from a container that Ukrainian authorities said had been loaded onto a truck and driven to the perimeter of an airbase inside Russia, as smoke rises in the background, in Mal'ta, Irkutsk Region, Russia, in a still image obtained from social media video posted on June 1, 2025. / Credit: Social Media/via REUTERS SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk claimed in the statement that Ukraine had hit aircraft at four Russian bases, inflicting more than $7 billion worth of damage on Russia's bomber fleet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ministry of Defense in Moscow said Monday that Russia's air defenses had intercepted a total of 316 Ukrainian drones in 24 hours, which encompasses the time of Ukraine's attack. The Russian ministry said 205 of those drones were hit outside the "special operation zone," a term the Kremlin uses to refer to land it has seized since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ukrainian authorities said that, before dawn on Monday, Russia launched two ballistic missiles and a series of drones at the northeast city of Kharkiv, just miles from the Russian border, wounding at least six people, including a child. Separately, Russia's military claimed more than 1,400 Ukrainian troops were killed in northern Ukraine over the preceding day. Russia and Ukraine hold 2nd round of talks in Turkey Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the sharp escalation in the war making any breakthrough appear even less likely than it had before, Russian and Ukrainian delegations did sit down opposite each other Monday in Istanbul for the second round of negotiations in a bid for peace. Ukraine's representatives, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, were expected to present a plan demanding a "full and unconditional ceasefire in the sky, on land and at sea as a necessary background and prerequisite for peace negotiations," the Reuters news agency said, citing a text of the Ukrainian proposal it had viewed. The proposed truce would last a minimum of 30 days, in line with calls made by the Trump administration previously. A handout image provided by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows members of Ukrainian and Russian delegations attending peace talks presided over by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (center), June 2, 2025, at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. / Credit: Handout/Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Getty Ukraine was also expected to demand the unconditional return of all Ukrainian children and civilian hostages taken during the war, and that territorial gains made by Russia since February 2014, when Russia first invaded and illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula, not be recognized by the international community. In return, Ukraine is open to the lifting of "some sanctions" imposed against Russia by the U.S. and its allies, "but in stages and only gradually, with a mechanism for resuming sanctions if necessary." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainians also want Russian sovereign assets frozen by Western nations to be used for reconstruction, or to remain frozen until reparations are paid. Moscow did not, going into the second round of talks on Monday, reveal any new conditions or terms for a hypothetical ceasefire. President Vladimir Putin's government has insisted for months that the only way to end the war is to address what it vaguely calls the conflict's "root causes." Russia insists the war, which Putin calls only a "special military operation," was caused by NATO's ambitions for further eastward expansion, and by Moscow's desire to defend Russian-speaking Ukrainians in the eastern part of the neighboring nation. Putin and his senior aides routinely dismiss pro-Europe, pro-NATO Zelenskyy as an illegitimate leader of Ukraine. The Russian president has refused to accept his Ukrainian counterpart's challenge to hold direct personal talks, face-to-face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Monday as the talks got underway that discussions over such a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting "will be considered." But there was no confirmation from either Ukraine or Russia that such a high-level dialogue was imminent. Instead, reports from Turkey suggested the second round of talks had concluded in just over an hour. Zelenskyy, who did not attend the negotiations, told reporters during a visit Monday to Lithuania, however, that a new prisoner swap between the warring sides was being organized. He did not say how far the planning for a swap had gone, but a significant exchange late last month of about 1,000 captured civilians and prisoners of war was the only tangible result of the first round of talks between Russia and Ukraine. President Trump has voiced frustration with both Zelenskyy and Putin for failing to agree to a truce. During last year's election campaign, Mr. Trump vowed repeatedly to broker an end of the war within hours of taking office. The U.S. president recently issued rare sharp criticism of Putin, calling him "absolutely crazy" for continuing to hammer Ukrainian cities with missiles as the U.S. and its partners push for a peace agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Trump wondered in a social media post during the last prisoner swap whether it, "could lead to something big?" Russian officials were quoted by the country's state-run media as saying the two sides agreed on Monday to hold a third round of talks, but no date was set. The officials acknowledged that future prisoner swaps had been a key point of discussion, but Ukrainian officials said Russia had rejected the call for a broader 30-day ceasefire. There was no immediate reaction from the White House to the second round of negotiations in Turkey on Monday, but the Trump administration did make it clear that Ukraine had given no advance warning of the Sunday drone attack ahead of those talks. January 6 defendant refuses Trump's pardon The wonderfully weird world of artist Luigi Serafini Instagram video appears to show escaped New Orleans inmate A local woman has been killed in a Russian airstrike using FAB-250 bombs on residential areas in the city of Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast. Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office on Facebook Quote: "On 1 June 2025, at 21:35, the Russian forces launched three airstrikes with FAB-500 aerial bombs equipped with a Unified Gliding and Correction Module (UMPK) on Kostiantynivka. Residential areas were hit." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: A 60-year-old woman was killed in her home during the attack and four more civilians two men aged 33 and 83 and two women aged 73 and 78 sustained injuries. They were diagnosed with blast and traumatic brain injuries, shrapnel wounds, multiple bruises, fractures and burns. They received medical treatment, and doctors assessed the condition of three of them to be moderate. A total of 26 residential properties were damaged, along with power lines, a gas pipeline and several vehicles. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! (Reuters) -Russian shelling killed at least five people on Monday in different frontline areas of eastern Ukraine, officials said. Vadym Filashkin, governor of Donetsk region, the focal point of the Russian military's slow westward advance, said one person was killed and two injured in the city of Kramatorsk. The city would be a key Russian target if its forces make further progress through Donetsk region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Filashkin said two more people were killed and three injured further south in the town of Illinivka. In Kharkiv region, farther to the north, prosecutors said two women were killed in a village south of Kupiansk, which has come under heavy Russian attack for months. The mayor of Kupiansk last month said his city was 90% destroyed. (Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksander Kozhukhar; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) Russian state news agencies published the text of the Russian "memorandum of settlement", containing proposals for a ceasefire, on the evening of 2 June. Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS Details: In particular, Russia is demanding the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson oblasts as a condition for a ceasefire. Another condition is Ukraine's neutrality, which means not joining military alliances and banning the deployment of foreign formations on the territory of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The list of demands also mentions a ceasefire, confirmation that Ukraine will not possess nuclear weapons, the disbandment of Ukrainian "nationalist formations", and restrictions on the maximum number of military personnel in Ukraines Armed Forces. The memorandum also proposes granting the Russian language official status and "ensuring the freedom of the Russian-speaking population". The document also mentions the following demands for Ukraine: lifting all sanctions and refusing to impose new ones; waiving "mutual claims" in connection with damage caused in the hostilities; lifting restrictions on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP); gradual restoration of diplomatic and economic ties with Russia, including with "third states". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the second section, the Russian Federation has put forward two versions of the so-called ceasefire conditions. The first one proposes a gradual withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson oblasts. The second option is called the "package proposal" and includes the following: a ban on the redeployment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces; the cessation of mobilisation and the start of demobilisation; the cessation of foreign arms supplies, including the provision of reconnaissance and satellite communications; a ban on the deployment of foreign military aid on the territory of Ukraine; guarantees to refrain from "sabotage and subversive activities on the territory of the Russian Federation"; mutual amnesty for political prisoners; announcement of the date of presidential and parliamentary elections, which should supposedly take place no later than one hundred days after the lifting of martial law. To adopt the memorandum, the Russian delegation has proposed declaring a 2-3-day ceasefire to collect bodies from the grey zone and arrange the transfer of 6,000 bodies of fallen defenders to Ukraine. Background: The meeting between the delegations of Ukraine and the Russian Federation, which lasted a little over an hour, was the second following the talks on 16 May. At the meeting in Istanbul on Monday 2 June, the Ukrainian and Russian delegations reached an agreement on the next prisoner exchange, which will involve seriously wounded and young soldiers. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The second round of negotiations between the Russians and Ukrainians on a possible ceasefire has ended after about an hour, according to Russian news agencies. State news agency TASS and the Interfax agency cited their own sources as saying the talks were over and that there were no plans to continue the talks later in the day. There was initially no confirmation from the Ukrainian side or the Turkish hosts that the negotiations had ended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The talks were intended to discuss ways out of Russia's three-year war against Ukraine, but the two sides were apparently far apart going in to the talks. Kiev had demanded an unconditional 30-day ceasefire as a first step; Moscow had tied a ceasefire to conditions that included Western states refraining from supplying weapons to Ukraine. Russian secret services are actively trying to recruit Ukrainian citizens in European Union countries to involve them in illegal activities. Source: press service for Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Quote: "Russian secret services have intensified their attempts to recruit Ukrainian citizens with the aim of involving them in illegal activities on the territory of European Union countries. Potential perpetrators are offered monetary rewards for participating in illegal activities, conducting surveillance of critical infrastructure and performing other tasks for the benefit of the aggressor state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This mainly concerns Ukrainians from temporarily occupied territories who find themselves in difficult circumstances." Details: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine noted that the recruitment of Ukrainians to carry out hostile activities in Europe was another tool of hybrid aggression that Russia is waging against Ukraine and the entire European community. Ukrainian intelligence urged anyone who is approached by suspicious individuals to immediately contact the law enforcement agencies of their country of residence or Ukrainian diplomatic missions. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Russians have attacked a fire and rescue station in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, injuring four firefighters. Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) Details: The SES reported that on 2 June, Russian forces carried out yet another attack on a fire and rescue station in one of the frontline settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Although the personnel were in a shelter, four firefighters sustained injuries and another eight are undergoing medical examinations. The SES asserted that all the people injured in the attack are receiving the necessary medical and psychological assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The station building and fire engines were severely damaged by the direct hit. The aftermath of the attack. Photo: SES The Russians opened fire again during the evacuation process. Two fire engines carrying the injured and the station's personnel came under attack. Quote: "This is yet another example of deliberate and targeted attacks by the occupiers on rescue workers people who risk their lives every day to save others!" Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! SANAA/JERUSALEM, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group on Monday night claimed responsibility for launching a ballistic missile targeting Ben Gurion Airport in central Israel, which was reportedly intercepted by Israeli defense systems. "The missile force carried out a military operation targeting Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, using a ballistic missile," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. Sarea said the operation had achieved its objectives by causing disruptions, including forcing millions of Israelis to seek shelter and temporarily halting air traffic at Ben Gurion Airport. He stated that the attack was carried out in response to what he described as "Israeli crimes" in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces said earlier in a statement that it had successfully intercepted a missile launched from Yemen. Israel's national emergency service, Magen David Adom, said there were no reports of casualties. Warning sirens were activated four minutes after smartphone alerts were sent to millions of residents, prompting them to take shelter. Israel's Channel 12 News reported that the missile was intercepted over the Tel Aviv metropolitan area and that landings and takeoffs at Ben Gurion Airport were temporarily suspended. According to al-Masirah TV, this was the 18th missile launched by the Houthis toward Israel since May 2. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have been targeting Israel since November 2023 in what they describe as an act of solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Russian forces launched an attack on a business facility in Chernihiv Oblast on the morning of 2 June, triggering a large-scale fire. Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) on Facebook Quote: "This morning, the Russians struck one of the businesses in the oblast. The attack caused a large fire at a production facility." The aftermath of the attack. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Firefighters managed to contain the blaze to an area of 6,800 square metres. There is no threat of it spreading further. The aftermath of the attack. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! During talks in Istanbul, the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, reacted with disdain to Ukraine's demand for the return of children deported to Russia, reportedly calling the handover of the list of children "a show for childless European old ladies". Source: The Economist journalist Oliver Carroll on X (Twitter), citing a source familiar with the progress of the negotiations in Istanbul Details: According to the source, when the Ukrainian side handed the Russians a list of hundreds of deported children, Medinsky responded: "Dont put on a show for bleeding-heart European old ladies with no children of their own." Ukrainian side passed on list of 100s of children deported to Russia. A source with knowledge of the exchanges says head of Russian delegation Vladimir Medinsky responded thus: Dont put on a show for bleeding-heart European old ladies with no children of their own" (2/3) Oliver Carroll (@olliecarroll) June 2, 2025 Background: During the talks in Istanbul on 2 June, the Ukrainian side handed over a list of deported children whom Russia must return. Prior to the negotiations, Ukraines First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhii Kyslytsia and Oleksandr Bevz, a member of the Ukrainian delegation, met with representatives of three of Ukraine's European partners Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. Earlier reports outlined the proposals that the Ukrainian delegation brought to Istanbul. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Europes largest and most active volcano Mount Etna erupted on the Italian island of Sicily on 2 June, sending plumes of smoke into the air as tourists ran for their lives down the side of the mountain. The volcano is one of the worlds most active, such as in February this year when it spewed hot ash and lava. This time around, a pyroclastic flow of hot rock, ash, and gas was seen falling around 11.30am, while a fountain of lava was emitted from its southeast crater. Mount Etna sits in a national park near the port city of Catania, filled with a wealth of Baroque architecture and popular with those looking to head off to the volcanos foothills, covered with ash hills lava rocks on guided hikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Toulouse issued a red aviation warning, but subsequently downgraded this to orange after the ash cloud dissipated and drifted north-west. Here is everything we know so far about Mount Etnas eruption. When did Mount Etna erupt? Mount Etna began erupting on Monday, sending a large column of smoke and ash into the sky above Sicily. Footage on social media showed people running down the mountainside of Etna as the smoke intensified. Volcanic tremors were felt before the blast between 10pm Sunday and 1am Monday, local time. Etna has three major craters at its peak (Italys National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology) Italys National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology said the eruption began around 3.50am local time (2.50am BST), following volcanic tremors which started around midnight local time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The institute said eruption activity continued with increasing intensity but has now stopped. A pyroclastic flow, which is an avalanche of hot rock, ash, and gas, was witnessed on Mount Etna surveillance cameras at around 11:30am local time, the institute added; however, the hot material does not appear to have crossed the edge of the Valle del Leone. What is the government's advice? The UKs Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has not released any new travel advice relating to Mount Etnas eruption as of Monday morning. The FCDOs general advice for volcanic eruptions states that you should follow any guidance and instructions shared with you by local authorities. Mount Etnas eruption (Sicily Civil Protection Agency) If you are asked to evacuate, do so as soon as possible and take your key documents (for example, passport) and necessary supplies (for example, medication) with you, the FCDO adds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are not told to evacuate but are in an affected area, you should shelter in place. Close any windows and turn off air conditioning or HVAC systems. Ensure that you have enough basic supplies (including food, necessary medication and bottled water) given power may be affected and water supplies may be contaminated. If you cannot get basic supplies to shelter in place, you may need to evacuate. If you go outside, cover your skin and wear a mask or other face covering, as volcanic ash could irritate your skin and airways. The US Department of State has not issued any new travel advisories to Italy. Its most recent warning was published on May 23, with visitors told of a "risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Italy". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It added: "If you decide to travel to Italy, stay alert in tourist spots, check local media for breaking news and be prepared to adjust your plans. "Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (Step) to receive messages and alerts from the U.S Embassy. It makes it easier to locate you in an emergency." Will my flight be cancelled? One travel expert remarked that the eruption of Mount Etna today underscores a hidden yet persistent danger in travel destinations often viewed as safe, scenic, and luxurious (AP) Officials say that if you are on board or waiting to board a plane when a volcano erupts, expect flights to be rerouted or cancelled because volcanic ash is damaging to engines. A red aviation alert was issued in response to the initial eruption of Mount Etna by the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Toulouse, one of nine such centres worldwide used to monitor aviation risks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sicily has four main international airports: Catania-Fontanarossa (CTA), Palermo-Falcone Borsellino (PMO), Trapani-Birgi (TPS), and Ragusa-Comiso (CIY). All four airports appear to be carrying on with their flight schedule as normal as of midday Monday, with very little disruption. Catania has seen some minor delays in flights departing Monday morning, the longest being just over an hour. What are your rights if your flight is cancelled? As a passenger, you are covered by UK law if you are departing from an airport in the UK on any airline, arriving at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline, or arriving at an airport in the EU on a UK airline. Airlines must provide you with care and assistance if your flight is cancelled, meaning they must supply you with food and drink (often provided in the form of vouchers), means for you to communicate (often by refunding call costs), accommodation if you are given a new flight the following day, and transport to and from the accommodation or your home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The airline must provide you with these items until it is able to fly you to your destination, no matter how long the delay lasts or what has caused it, the Civil Aviation Authority says. Sometimes, airlines are unable to arrange care and assistance if they are stretched during major disruptions, meaning you can arrange the care yourself and claim the cost back later by keeping receipts. If your cancelled flight is covered by UK law, passengers can choose between getting an alternative flight or receiving a refund if their flight is cancelled. If you recieved less than 14 days notice of a cancellation, you may also be able to claim compensation. However, this is unlikely if the cancellation was not the airlines fault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Situations such as extreme weather, strikes or other extraordinary circumstances are not eligible for compensation. The U.S Department of Transportation says: "If your flight is canceled, most airlines will rebook you on their first flight to your destination on which space is available, at no additional charge. If this involves a significant delay, find out if another carrier has space and ask the first airline if they will endorse your ticket to the other carrier. Finding extra seats may be difficult, however, especially over holidays and other peak travel times. "Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers waiting at the airport; there are no federal requirements. If you are delayed, ask the airline staff if it will pay for meals or a phone call. Some airlines, often those charging very low fares, do not provide any amenities to stranded passengers. Others may not offer amenities if the delay is caused by bad weather or something else beyond the airline's control." Can I cancel my holiday to Sicily? A red aviation alert was issued in response to the initial eruption of Mount Etna by the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Toulouse (Reuters) As neither the Foreign Office nor the U.S Department of State have warned against non-essential travel to Italy, there will be no special circumstances in place to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so its best to contact them if youre looking to postpone. There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim on your travel insurance due to safety concerns unless government advice changes. If you do have travel insurance, some policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents you from reaching your holiday destination. Check your insurance policies and speak to your insurer to see where you stand. Is Sicily safe to travel to? Ross Caldwell Thompson, CEO of Florida-based travel evacuation company Covac Global, told The Independent: The eruption of Mount Etna today underscores a hidden yet persistent danger in travel destinations often viewed as safe, scenic, and luxurious. From a travel risk perspective, this is a significant event not only because it confirms the regions high seismic activity, but also because it signals a potential escalation in geological unrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In the event of a major disruption, the most viable refuge for U.S. and Nato-affiliated travelers may be Naval Air Station Sigonella, which could serve as a temporary shelter or evacuation staging point. However, capacity is limited, and non-Nato nationals may not receive the same level of access or support. This situation highlights the critical need for travelers to have a robust evacuation plan supported by real-time intelligence monitoring. Knowing where to go, what to do, and how to leave safely before a crisis escalates can make all the difference. Finally, it's important to recognize that Sicilys location on the boundary of multiple tectonic plates also influences nearby regions. Increased activity here may correlate with other seismic or volcanic events, including at Mount Vesuvius near Naples, which lies alarmingly close to a densely populated area." For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast Put the white shirts back in the closet and grab your masks and shades Saharan dust is rolling into Texas this week. 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 those with respiratory issues. When will Saharan dust reach Texas? Map shows where it will reach A light layer of Saharan dust is expected to settle over South Texas on Monday, drifting north into the Dallas-Fort Worth area by Tuesday. Conditions should clear briefly on Wednesday before a thicker wave moves in Thursday and Friday, a radar from CBS News shows. Another round is possible over the weekend or early next week. Saharan Dust Forecast Animation (Courtesy: CBS News / Saharan Dust Forecast) 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, Saharan 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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? The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is officially here, as June 1 marks the annual start. While dry, dusty air from the Saharan plume is likely to 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 tracker: Hazy skies expected this week in Texas A Salisbury family has lost everything due to a house fire. Channel 9s Hannah Goetz spoke with family members who said they are hoping people can help them get their lives back to normal. ALSO READ: Dilworth fire that led to explosion set intentionally, CFD says Lena Tiadoravici said she, her fiance Jared, and their 14-year-old daughter Charlie will be living out of a trailer until they can find a permanent situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tiadoravici said the fire was sparked by their dryer and tore through the home on May 25. My fiance, Jared, said that he heard somebody screaming, and thats what woke him up. It ended up being Charlie, said Tiadoravici. Tiadoravici said Charlie woke up to flames and smoke. She then ran to her parents door to wake them up before racing to the neighbors home to call 911. If she wouldnt have made a noise or screamed or knocked on our door, we wouldnt have woken up, said Tiadoravici. Jared then fought the black smoke and flames because he thought the teen was still trapped inside. It was like a movie, to be completely honest; the whole back of the house was in flames, said Tiadoravici. He couldnt shake the thought that his daughter was dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, eventually the family reunited outside. Unscathed. How? God, thats the only answer I can give you, Tiadoravici expressed. While the familys cats are still missing, Tiadoravici said they are hoping for the best. You can provide support to the family here. VIDEO: Dilworth fire that led to explosion set intentionally, CFD says Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4) A current Salt Lake City Police Officer has been charged after being accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend. Todd Goodsell, 40, was charged with Stalking a Current or Former Cohabitant, a third-degree felony, on May 19, after allegedly stalking an ex-girlfriend he used to live with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, the alleged victim broke up with Goodsell in November 2024. But he continued to reach out to her over various social media apps, using numerous profiles and at least 10 different phone numbers, including his work phone. Documents also show the victim told Goodsell several times to stop reaching out. The victim ended up blocking him on social media, moving to a new location and getting a new phone and email address. The Salt Lake County District Attorney notes in the documents that they believe there is clear evidence of danger to the alleged victim, citing concerning emails. The victim told Sandy Police she was concerned that the stalking would get worse and her life would be in danger and possibly end. The Salt Lake City Police Department released a statement on behalf of Chief Brian Redd, saying: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arrest of any police officer is a serious matter and is treated as such by our department. As with any person, this employee is entitled to due process under the law, as well as an administrative process that will determine whether any department or city policy or procedure violations occurred. We will respect and closely follow court proceedings. It is important to remember that an individual allegation does not define our department. Our employees consistently demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and a strong commitment to public service. I have full confidence that our employees will continue to carry out their duties with the professionalism and commitment our community expects and deserves. Goodsell has been a Patrol Officer with SLCPD since 2019. He is currently on paid administrative leave. Latest Headlines: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) The Salvation Army will celebrate National Donut Day on Friday, June 6. National Donut Day was first established in 1938 by The Salvation Army in Chicago to pay tribute to the Donut Lassies, a group of women who served soldiers during World War I by providing them with homemade donuts, coffee, and a touch of home. Brian OConnor to lead Mississippi State baseball program Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The donut became a symbol of care during one of the most difficult times in history, said Major Timothy Delaney of The Salvation Army. And now, more than 100 years later, The Salvation Army continues that mission by bringing comfort, hope, and practical help to people in need every day. Ways the Community Can Celebrate: Donate to support The Salvation Armys programs in the six counties surrounding Jackson, MS, including food assistance, shelter, veteran services, and disaster relief. Volunteer and follow in the footsteps of the Donut Lassies by giving back locally. To learn more or to support The Salvation Armys mission, visit the Jackson MS Corps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. A man was shot and killed in Santa Ana Sunday afternoon, and police are asking for anyone who witnessed the slaying to come forward. Armando Barocio Salcido, 60, was found unresponsive and suffering from a gunshot wound behind a business in the 4500 block of West 1st Street, police said on social media. The address provided by police corresponds to a liquor store. Salcido, a Santa Ana resident, was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this time, the motive surrounding the shooting is under investigation, police said. Homicide Detectives are attempting to identify and locate additional witnesses who can provide information about the homicide. Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 714-245-8390 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WSPA) Two South Carolina residents pleaded guilty in a cyberstalking investigation that led to the death of a disabled man in North Carolina. The United States Attorney Office for the Western District of North Carolina said in a release that Trysten Anthony Cullon, 26, and Jade Ashylynn Stone, 25, both of South Carolina, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit cyberstalking in a scheme that led to the death of a vulnerable victim. According to the release, Cullon and Stone targeted a victim identified by court records as C.T. The release said C.T. was classified as mentally disabled and relied on the support of immediate family as his disability left him unable to live on his own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement C.T. worked at a fast-food restaurant in Charlotte, according to the release. The attorneys office said Cullon and Stone admitted that from September 5 to September 8, 2024, they used a stolen phone to send C.T.s family members harassing and intimidating text messages and demanded an unspecified amount of money from them. According to the release, if the money was not paid, the defendants threatened to release derogatory and embarrassing information to C.T.s employer. The release said the threats included spreading claims that C.T. was a pervert, that he harassed girls, and that he paid girls for sexual pictures. According to the attorneys office, the emotional distress caused by the threats led to C.T.s death by suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cullon and Stone pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit cyberstalking and face a maximum sentence of five years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. ABUJA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 20 suspected armed bandits were killed in anti-terror airstrikes by the Nigerian military in the northern state of Zamfara over the weekend, an official said Monday. Ehimen Ejodame, the spokesman for the Nigerian Air Force, said in a statement sent to Xinhua in Abuja, the nation's capital, that more than 21 motorcycles belonging to the suspected bandits were destroyed during the airstrikes in the Maru local government area on Saturday. The operation was aimed at "halting a planned large-scale attack on vulnerable communities by armed bandits," the statement said, noting that intelligence received by the military indicated that a significant number of criminals were massing and preparing to strike unsuspecting settlements. Further intelligence showed that the bandits had killed some farmers and abducted an unknown number of civilians, including women and children, according to the statement. This prompted a precision engagement by the military that led to the destruction of motorcycles and the killing of the suspected bandits, said the statement, noting ground forces were immediately mobilized to exploit the situation. "They confirmed the destruction of enemy assets and the neutralization of over 20 bandits." Efforts are underway to track and rescue the kidnapped villagers who were taken into the adjoining forest, the military statement added. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) South Carolina residents are no strangers to hurricane season, and it officially started Sunday. Kim Stenson, director of the South Carolina Emergency Division, said its crunch time. Prepare while youve got the time to prepare because doing the last-minute piece of it is probably not going to always work very well, said Stenson. So certainly, need to take a look at those resources, build your plan and be ready to take action if you need to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stenson said the best time to prepare for a hurricane is before one forms. June 1 was the first day of hurricane season, and it runs through November 30. Stay in tune with whats going on. Listen to your trusted sources for information, especially at the local level or trusted local sources, and if youre encouraged to evacuate or asked to evacuate, you should heed that warning, Stenson said. There have been several natural disasters recently, like Hurricane Helene and wildfires. Stenson said those events shouldnt change peoples preparation, but no matter where you live, coast or inland, youre not off the hook. Storms can bring flash flooding and strong winds. Well, we dont really expect any big changes in terms of that. I mean, weve known about these risks for a number of years, said Stenson. For several years, we have encouraged people to be aware that a hurricane event is not just a coastal county event, but it can occur anywhere in South Carolina in terms of the effects of it; the wind and the rain, etc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stenson added that communication with FEMA is still evolving. They have not heard anything about getting fewer resources this year. We dont have, you know, all the information in terms of what we think may end up in that particular sphere, but right now were expecting to get the same level of support from FEMA that we get every year, and, you know, that may change later on, but were not expecting anything right now, Stenson said. Stenson said one resource you could use is the SCEMD mobile app. It gives you access to evacuation routes, emergency alerts, and checklists for your family and pets. You can also head to their website for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. State Sens. Wendy DeBoer of Omaha and Jana Hughes of Seward, from left, take photos of the successful vote to move forward a School Finance Review Commission led by Hughes in 2025 and sought by DeBoer in earlier years. May 21, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN Nebraska lawmakers greenlit a long-term commission Friday to review how the state funds its K-12 schools, a step that could lead to future property tax relief after the latest efforts fell short this year. Legislative Bill 303, from State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward and introduced at Gov. Jim Pillens request, passed 48-0. It would create an 18-member School Financing Review Commission to regularly review and suggest possible improvements to the states main state aid formula to divert sales and income tax dollars to public K-12 schools: the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope to be a fly on the wall of those meetings anyway, said Hughes, who plans to reintroduce legislation in 2026 for additional property tax relief. When you hear ideas, then it might spark something else that gives you better ideas. State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, center, talks with State Sens. Wendy DeBoer of Omaha, left, and State Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner at a legislative retreat in Kearney on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LB 303 received widespread support, including from the Nebraska Farm Bureau, Nebraska Farmers Union, Nebraska State Educational Association, Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association, Nebraska Council of School Administrators, Nebraska Association of School Boards, Greater Nebraska Schools Association, Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council and the OpenSky Policy Institute. TEEOSA basics The TEEOSA formula, created in 1990 and perpetually adjusted since, in most basic terms, diverts equalization aid to public school districts if it calculates that a local district has more needs than resources. Needs is calculated among 18 buckets, including a districts poverty concentration, students with limited English proficiency, transportation needs and student growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Resources includes six buckets of funds, such as estimates of property taxes that could be raised with a $1 tax levy and net option enrollment funds. These are the various components that make up the needs and resources that amount of equalization aid as part of Nebraskas Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act (TEEOSA). (Courtesy of the Nebraska Department of Education) The formula diverts about $1.2 billion between 245 school districts each year. An increasing number of districts do not receive any TEEOSA aid under the formula, which is why Pillen and other senators in 2023 created foundation aid, distributing $1,500 to school districts roughly for each student. About 60% of foundation aid is considered a resource. Pillen, in a Friday statement, said the states history with TEEOSA has indicated some glaring flaws. He thanked Hughes for championing a commission that Pillen said could find the right solutions to funding schools and ultimately be a part of solving our property tax crisis. A long time coming Hughes said the significant milestone has been a long time coming with multiple senators, including State Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Omaha and former State Sen. Al Davis of Hyannis, who each proposed similar commissions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeBoer, now in her seventh year, routinely fought for the commission, including with LB 500 this year, because she believes it is the best way for a deep dive look at TEEOSA and property taxes generally. She said it can help understand if the state is on the right path, or if corrections are needed, not just today but in the long run. State Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Omaha. Jan. 8, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) DeBoer and Hughes are among a rare crop of senators who understood TEEOSA before coming to the Legislature, Hughes because of school board service in Seward and DeBoer because of preparations during her 2018 campaign and as a self-described nerd. The two senators said the implementation of term limits in 2006 also complicated major changes to TEEOSA. Desperation for change State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, chair of the Legislatures Education Committee, said the commission shows the need to reform property taxes and how the state funds its public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I agree with the desperation of farmers and homeowners that nothing else has worked, so its worth a try with the commission, Murman said. A former senator had questioned whether a commission was needed, arguing that lawmakers didnt need an outside advisory group and could act right away for any TEEOSA changes. State Sens. Dave Murman of Glenvil and Jana Hughes of Seward meet on the floor of the Nebraska Legislature. May 30, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Murman said the commission could be beneficial, but hes been hesitant to support one in the past because he feared school officials might push conversations in ways that support their local schools or a set group of schools. He said their representation is needed, but he also wanted more taxpayer representation. Hughes embraced those suggestions. With those reservations, Murman said senators should take any recommendations with a grain of salt as they have the final say in legislation. Murman plans to appoint himself as the Education Committee representative on the commission. Property tax relief Hughes, vice chair of the Legislatures Education Committee, has made it one of her personal legislative missions to reform the states model for funding K-12 schools. Over her years in the Legislature, she hopes to lower school property tax levies and push them closer together. Right now, school districts can tax up to $1.05 per $100 of taxable property valuation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TEEOSA considers a local effort rate of $1 per $100 of taxable property valuation for every school district, a mathematical model to determine what a district could theoretically contribute. State Sens. Jana Hughes of Seward and Myron Dorn of Adams, front, join Gov. Jim Pillen for one of his property tax town halls in Seward on May 31, 2024. (Courtesy of State Sen. Jana Hughes) LB 303 would have originally lowered both the maximum tax rate and the local effort rate by 3 cents, thereby distributing more dollars to schools to ease the burden of local property taxes. That would have cost more than $120 million, proving too big a hill to climb with the states budget woes. Pillen originally included LB 303 in his budget proposal in January, but the Appropriations Committee made key diversions from Pillens proposal, and downward economic projections in April derailed hopes to find additional funds without expanding sales taxes. Instead, the bill moved forward only with the review commission, the members of which will need to be appointed within one month of the governor signing the bill. A first report is due Dec. 1, with subsequent reports each Nov. 1 after. Commission duties The commissions main duties are to: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evaluate TEEOSA and make recommendations for adjustments or changes that may be necessary to help prevent the increase of property taxes. Regularly review both the needs and resources sides of the TEEOSA formula. Analyze how to minimize the negative impact on schools during times when the state might not be able to fully fund the TEEOSA formula. Examine the impact of funding for education on student achievement and outcomes, including access to early childhood education, student attendance, literacy, graduation rates, college-going rates and postsecondary workforce participation. Consider the impact of funding on issues and resources impacting students with relatively high needs, including students who live in areas of high concentrations of poverty, students with an individualized education program and students with limited English proficiency. Path to the governors desk Hughes bill languished in the Education Committee until mid-May, largely because of a lack of funds. But it also stayed behind as a backup for property tax reform. We had to get a better feeling of what mechanisms might work to fund schools and property tax relief, Murman said. We wanted to keep all options open. Gov. Jim Pillen hosts a news conference at the end of the Legislatures special session to address property taxes. Aug. 20, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Murman tried to keep LB 303 in committee longer than when the committee met May 9 to advance the bill 7-0, which could have hurt the chances of the bill reaching its finish line. The bill reached the full Legislature on May 15, the 80th legislative day, and passed on the 88th legislative day. Lawmakers will adjourn for the year Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the committee meeting to advance LB 303, a committee staffer urged Murman to oppose LB 303, or at least not vote to advance it. But Murman voted it out of committee and approved it along the way. He said his concerns werent personal. Hughes challenged Murman for committee chair in January. He won reelection 29-20. LB 303 sought three state senators as nonvoting members of the commission. However, Murman said the Education Committee chair should be a member, which some committee members pushed back on. A big deal Hughes changed her bill so the senators are the chairs of the Education and Revenue Committees, or their designees, and one at-large senator. No more than two senators can be of the same party, and both chairs are Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the Revenue Committee chair appoints himself, Hughes would not be able to serve on the commission because she, too, is a Republican. Hughes said she doesnt see a big recommendation coming from the commission this year but will continue work ahead of the 2026 session on how to drop school property tax levies and increase property tax relief. She plans to work with at least six other senators, two each from the Appropriations, Education and Revenue Committees, with even political party splits. People may or may not have noticed what a big bill it is, DeBoer said, but it is a big deal towards the ultimate goal of finding the right way for Nebraska to finance education. School Financing Review Commission membership The School Financing Review Commission shall consist of: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state commissioner of education (currently Brian Maher), or the commissioners designee, who will chair the commission. The state property tax administrator (currently Sarah Scott), or the administrators designee. One representative of the governor appointed by the governor. Three members of the Legislature, including the chairs of the Education Committee (currently State Sen. Dave Murman) and Revenue Committee (currently State Sen. Brad von Gillern) or their designees. Up to two senators can be from the same political party. One member who is a representative of postsecondary education with expertise in school finance. One representative of a Class V school district (Omaha Public Schools). One representative of a Class IV school district (Lincoln Public Schools). Four superintendents or school board members representing Class I, II or III school districts (smaller than OPS or LPS). No more than two members can be from the same school district class. Five members appointed from the state at large, including at least one with experience in business, one with experience in farming and one who is an active certified teacher in a public school. The commission must meet at least once each calendar quarter. Commissioners would need to be designated by early July. The Nebraska Department of Education, Nebraska Department of Revenue and the Legislatures legislative fiscal analyst can provide data and assistance as needed. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX For a few Florida students counting the days until school is over, they're finally into single digits. School ended the week of May 27-30 for students in 45 counties, with students in 16 other counties saying good-bye to their teachers May 22-23. The final group of seven counties will celebrate the last day of school between June 2 and June 5. Last day of school arrives for students in 7 Florida counties Alachua: June 3 last day of school Broward: June 5 last day of school Dixie: June 2 last day of school Lee: June 3 last day of school Miami-Dade: June 5 last day of school St. Lucie: June 2 last day of school Sumter: June 3 last day of school Classes ended May 27-30 in 45 Florida counties Baker: May 28 last day of school Bay: May 28 last day of school Bradford: May 28 last day of school Brevard: May 28 last day of school Calhoun: May 28 last day of school Charlotte: May 29 last day of school Citrus: May 30 last day of school Clay: May 30 last day of school Collier: May 30 last day of school DeSoto: May 29 last day of school Duval: May 30 last day of school Flagler: May 29 last day of school Franklin: May 29 last day of school Gilchrist: May 30 last day of school Glades: May 30 last day of school Gulf: May 28 last day of school Hendry: May 29 last day of school Hernando: May 30 last day of school Hillsborough: May 30 last day of school Holmes: May 28 last day of school Indian River: May 30 last day of school Lake: May 29 last day of school Levy: May 30 last day of school Liberty: May 30 last day of school Manatee: May 30 last day of school Marion County: May 29 last day of school Martin: May 29 last day of school Monroe: May 30 last day of school Nassau: May 30 last day of school Okaloosa: May 29 last day of school Okeechobee: May 29 last day of school Orange: May 28 last day of school Osceola: May 30 last day of school Palm Beach: May 30 last day of school Pasco: May 30 last day of school Pinellas: May 29 last day of school Polk: May 29 last day of school Putnam: May 30 last day of school Santa Rosa: May 29 last day of school Sarasota: May 29 last day of school Seminole: May 28 last day of school St. Johns: May 30 last day of school Taylor: May 29 last day of school Volusia: May 28 last day of school Walton: May 30 last day of school School over for students in 16 Florida counties May 22-23 Columbia: May 23 last day of school Escambia: May 23 last day of school Gadsden: May 23 last day of school Hamilton: May 23 last day of school Hardee: May 23 last day of school Highlands: May 23 last day of school Jackson: May 23 last day of school Jefferson: May 23 last day of school Lafayette: May 23 last day of school Leon: May 23 last day of school Madison: May 22 last day of school Suwannee: May 23 last day of school Union: May 23 last day of school Wakulla: May 23 last day of school Washington: May 23 last day of school When was the last day of school in Florida? See list of all counties in alphabetical order When the earliest date school can start in Florida for the 2025-2026 school year? Florida law prohibits school from starting any earlier than Aug. 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the 2025-2026 school year, Aug. 10 falls on a Sunday. Florida school districts set their own start dates, but the earliest date school can start is Monday, Aug. 11. What are 2025 federal holidays? In 2025, there are 12 instead of the usual 11 federal holidays, although two fell on the same day. Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day both fall on Jan. 20 this year. Since 1965, federal employees in the Washington, D.C., area are entitled to a holiday on the day a president is inaugurated. President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn into office on Jan. 20. Here are 2025 federal holidays: Jan. 1: New Year's Day Jan. 20: Inauguration Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day Feb. 17: Washington's Birthday. Many state and local governments designation it as Presidents Day. May 26: Memorial Day June 19: Juneteenth July 4: Independence Day Sept. 1: Labor Day Oct. 13: Columbus Day Nov. 11: Veterans Day Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Day Dec. 25: Christmas Day Florida state holidays for 2025 When are 2025 Florida state holidays? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Florida Department of Management Services lists the following days observed as paid holidays by state agencies: Jan. 1, Wednesday: New Year's Day Jan. 20, Monday: Martin Luther King Jr. Day May 26, Monday: Memorial Day July 4, Friday: Independence Day Sept. 1, Monday: Labor Day Nov. 11, Tuesday: Veterans Day Nov. 27, Thursday: Thanksgiving Nov. 28: Friday after Thanksgiving Dec. 25, Thursday: Christmas Day See list of 2025 Florida, federal holidays, including new one for Sunshine State This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: When is the last day of school in Florida? Oceans help manage the carbon in the atmosphere by locking it away. Climate scientists have sought ways to accurately track this process in their efforts to understand our changing environment. That task has proved difficult until now. According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, a number of technological advancements can provide the data researchers are looking for. The carbon cycle is a planet-wide process that involves oceans, land, living things, and our atmosphere. Oceans cover 71% of the planet, which means their role in this cycle is tremendous. They absorb massive amounts of carbon, and marine organisms then convert it into biological matter that eventually becomes deep ocean sediment. That sediment can remain there for millions of years. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute teamed up with a group of researchers from Florida State University to monitor this key aspect of the carbon cycle. To do so, they utilized an array of datasets from all over the scientific map and leveraged advanced tech at MBARI's Station M research site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The team's biggest issue is that previous monitoring technology could capture only the ocean's surface, and Station M collects its data over decades. To solve this riddle, it developed a new satellite-derived model that considers multiple factors, including carbon-consuming plankton movement and ocean currents. According to the researchers' study, this new monitoring system offers a more accurate, comprehensive picture of the ocean's role in the carbon cycle. "We urgently need tools to monitor the ocean-carbon connection on a global scale. By leveraging diverse sets of data, we've identified a new path forward to improve carbon export estimates from space," said Monique Messie, an MBARI research specialist and the study's lead author. This development may be tremendously beneficial to both humanity and the planet. Research shows that microplastics are altering the ocean's ability to absorb carbon. Understanding how the carbon absorption process works may help us address this issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another recent development may offer another solution. Ocean researchers believe that marine bacteria may be able to store carbon. This not only broadens our understanding of the ocean's role in the carbon cycle but also presents a path toward maintaining that cycle and protecting our planet. If you want to protect our oceans, reducing your use of plastics and lowering your emissions by upgrading to clean energy sources is a great and cost-effective way to start. Should we be harnessing the ocean to power our homes? Absolutely Leave it be It depends I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Follow all our Sean Combs trial coverage Sean Combs personal assistant Mia returned to the stand Monday for the third day, where she spoke about her reticence to come forward sooner with allegations of sexual assault against Combs. I was terrified and brainwashed, she said, while being cross-examined by Combs defense attorney, Brian Steel. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steel took a highly aggressive approach to his cross examination as he picked up the defenses efforts to undermine Mias allegations by highlighting instances where she appeared affectionate towards, or supportive of, her former boss. Mia, testifying under a pseudonym, responded to Steels questions by trying to convey the complex emotions that came with working for someone who was both her alleged abuser and someone she described as her protector. As he pressed Mia, Steels tone was often exaggerated and sarcastic, and at times directly confrontational. At one point he asked Mia if shed joined the #MeToo money grab, garnering one of many objections from the prosecution, which the judge sustained. (Mia later asserted that she did not intend to file a civil suit against Combs.) Steel also repeatedly cast doubt on the veracity of Mias allegations, asking if her claims were true, suggesting the events she described never happened, or that she made them up. (Combs defense had yet to take such a pointed approach with past witnesses.) At one point, Mia retorted, I would not lie in this courtroom. I never lied in this courtroom. Everything I have said is true. As expected, the prosecution repeatedly objected to Steels questions and Judge Arun Subramanian often sided with the prosecution (at one point, he sustained about 10 objections in as many minutes). Federal prosecutor Maurene Comey expressed her concern to the judge that Steels tone would not be reflected in the court transcripts; and she accused Steel of trying to humiliate Mia and effectively deter other potential victims from coming forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One person who seemed engaged with Steels approach was Combs. The moguls face was glued to Steel as he grilled Mia, intense and concentrated, as if he was watching a movie for the first time. For much of the cross, Steel asked Mia about supportive and loving social media posts and text messages she sent Combs both during her employment and after. In one exchange from 2019, after shed stopped working for Combs, Mia described a nightmare in which Combs saved her while she was trapped in an elevator with convicted sex criminal R. Kelly. A few months later, Mia texted Combs that she was sending him all the love in the world. Asked if Combs still had a hold on her at that point, Mia said the mogul still did psychologically. She also added that she sent these texts after tragic events in his life, like the death of his partner, Kim Porter, in November 2018. I was always constantly seeking his approval. He was my authority figure, my only authority figure, Mia said at one point. When the prosecution got to question Mia on redirect, Assistant U.S. Attorney Madison Smyser asked about some of the positive social media posts that were referenced during the cross-examination, such as posting for Combs birthday. Mia said that if she did commemorate her boss birthday she would be in trouble, adding that if Combs thought she wasnt doing her job she would be screamed at, humiliated, made fun of, and my job would be threatened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steel also pressed Mia over why there was no contemporaneous documentation of Combs alleged abuse, even though she was constantly filming Combs at his instruction and taking notes during their time together. Mia said she never captured Combs in a moment of anger because she would not have been allowed to film that. She added that she only filmed whatever he wanted me to film and that capturing such an incident wouldve been a huge break of trust, loyalty, and confidentiality. Similarly, Mia said that writing down an alleged instance of abuse, or discussing with others, wouldve been a breach of confidentiality. She said that the only time she reached out for help was very subtly to people in the office but not disclosing things that other people hadnt witnessed. She suggested others who worked for Combs were similarly cautious, saying nobody around batted an eye when Combs misbehaved or acted out. Mia even said she grew fearful when Combs threatened to tell his girlfriend, Casandra Cassie Ventura, about everything between them. Mia said this made her feel like I had sone something wrong, as well as internalize blame and shame. I dont know how to explain what that does to a person, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mia said the first time she likely spoke publicly about the alleged abuse was during a June 2024 meeting with prosecutors, though she acknowledged it was possible shed mentioned it previously to her therapist. Steel pounced on this during his cross-examination, asking Mia if she would be willing to approve the release of her therapists notes. The prosecution successfully objected to this line of questioning, though Steel again asked later if shed be willing to forgo patient confidentiality. (This again earned Steel a warning from the judge.) Steel also fixated again on the text messages Mia sent in December 2016 after she learned that Combs was shutting down the part of his business she was working on at the time, Revolt Films. In these messages, which Mia was also asked about last week, she said she felt that her life was over. On the stand Monday, she acknowledged that she felt as if her entire world was being ripped away from her, adding, And even if in hindsight that world was awful, I didnt know it at the time. When Steel asked Mia if she would have continued working for Combs at the time if given a chance, she said, I wanted to continue following my dreams. I was finally making real stuff, and I had a separation from him. As Mias time on the stand came to a close, the prosecution asked about the challenges of testifying, but also why she decided to come forward. Asked by Smyser if shed ever been able to speak about Combs alleged abuse without looking down, Mia responded, No, its the worst thing I have ever had to talk about in my life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Mia was also adamant as to why she felt she had to testify. Because I cant look my niece and goddaughter in the eyes in the future if they happen to be in this situation. During her testimony last week, Mia repeatedly broke down in tears as she detailed a hellish eight years working for Combs between 2009 and 2017. She claimed she fluctuated between a constant state of feeling like Combs best friend and a worthless piece of crap, all depending on the volatile moguls mood. Sometimes, shed be showered with praise and promised executive roles in one of Combs many companies. At other times, Mia said, she might have her arm crushed in a heavy industrial door or have a bowl of spaghetti hurled at her for not rushing off to IHOP in the middle of the night fast enough. Mia said her job was always in jeopardy and once was placed on unpaid leave for insubordination because she left a hotel without Combs permission to attend a party with Ventura at Princes house. We ran through the house, Mia said of the women trying to escape when Combs turned up. There was something across the street that looked like I dont know if it was woods or not, but somewhere to hide, like bushes, and we were trying to run to hide there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mia testified that Combs sexually assaulted her multiple times, describing the alleged attacks as unpredictable and sporadic. They occurred, she said, on Combs 40th birthday bash at the Plaza Hotel, inside his bedroom closet, and on a staff bunk bed while she slept. There were other sexual assaults, Mia said, but she repressed them, only able to recall a horrible dark feeling in my stomach. I always thought that it was the last time, and if there ever [was] a next time, I would somehow be more prepared, Mia testified. We would have to get right back into work, and there was so much going on, I never processed it. I never thought it would happen again. 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. Prosecutors accuse Combs of wielding his vast wealth and multifaceted 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. (Combs has pleaded not guilty to the five felony counts against him.) On cross-examination, Combs attorney Steel grilled Mia on why she never told anyone about the alleged assaults. He also confronted Mia with numerous social media posts where she heaped praise on Combs, promoted his business ventures, and created a specialized scrapbook for Combs 45th birthday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man who you say has ruined your life, Steel asked. This is what you write to him? At the time, as low as he would make me, he would also make me feel the opposite as well, Mia explained in response. Again, I can tell you what my therapist has said, but Im not a professional to explain that. Following the end of Mias cross-examination and redirect Monday, the jury briefly heard from Sylvia Oken, area director of sales and marketing at the Beverly Hills Hotel. She told the jurors that Combs would often use aliases while booking hotel rooms, including Frank Black and Phillip Pines. Phillip Pines worked as Combs personal assistant from December 2019 to December 2021, filing a workplace lawsuit against Combs in late 2023. He previously told Rolling Stone about having to set up for Wild King Nights and the wreckage he was tasked in cleaning up afterwards. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. COLLEGE STATION, Texas (FOX 44) The search is on for a man suspected of breaking into a residence, assaulting a child and fleeing a traffic stop after a machete was found in his possession. College Station Police dispatch received a 9-1-1 call around 3:30 a.m. Thursday reporting a man wearing a ski mask kicked in the front door of a residence in the 800 block of Harvey Road. The man, identified as 28-year-old Sedrick Tyrone Darnell, of College Station, entered the residence looking for a person he knew. He was said to be carrying a machete. Police say Darnell confronted a child inside the residence, demanding to know where the childs mother was. Darnell would then assault the child and flee the area. The mother was not in the residence at the time of the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man escapes from Austin psychiatric and addiction hospital Officers later found Darnell and initiated a traffic stop. He stopped his vehicle and identified himself with his drivers license. Officers discovered a machete in the passenger seat. Darnell fled in his vehicle, leading officers on a high speed chase down Highway 6 into Grimes County. Officers were forced to stop the pursuit due to safety concerns. Police say Darnell is considered to be armed and dangerous. He is wanted for Burglary of a Habitation, Injury to a Child and Evading in a Motor Vehicle. If you have any information on Darnells whereabouts, you can call 9-1-1 or the College Station Police Department at 979-764-3600. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. A new Community Ambassador program launches Monday in Seattles Chinatown International District (CID). The goal is to crack down on crime and connect people with resources they may need. Business owners there told KIRO 7 they have had enough of the constant crime, hoping this program will fix the issues. Seattle police said since November, there have been four shootings and five stabbings in this portion of the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They told us crime is on the downward trend, but still higher than it should be. We spoke with Gina Kim, the co-owner of Tous les Jours, a coffee and baked goods shop, in the CID. While we were there, a man, she says, is known for coming to steal pastries and cause issues, came inside the shop. Kim immediately asked the man to leave. The interaction between the man and Kim lasted about four minutes before our KIRO 7 photojournalist stepped in and asked the man to leave as well. Kim tells us this happens 2-3 times a day, every day. She said people come in to steal pastries, making the customers and employees uncomfortable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes I stop them and they push me, but the police have said dont touch them, Kim said. This is the kind of situation the city of Seattle is trying to crack down on with the new Community Ambassador program. Kim said this will hopefully make the area safer for everyone. Deputy Mayor Greg Wong said he believes these Ambassadors will be the first wave of de-escalation measures with groups or issues in the CID. Theyre going to engage people on the street, make sure problems are solved, and really getting more eyes and feet on the street to make that community a safe, vibrant place for all, Wong said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told us three ambassadors will be walking the CID streets every afternoon, looking for people who need help. This could be lost tourists, unhoused people looking for community help, or local businesses searching for more ways to succeed. Both the businesses in the community and the people on the street are facing challenges to connect them with services they need, Wong said. Kim said this is needed because these situations cost her business thousands of dollars monthly and scare her employees. Deputy Mayor Wong says if a situation escalates, the ambassadors will call nearby officers to help. The deputy mayor said he hopes the program grows over the next months and years. Seattle Police are asking for the publics help to find a 79-year-old woman who is trying to return to the Philippines, but went missing in the process. Eleanor Sabay was last seen on 4th Ave. S. in Seattle on June 1, around 7:30 p.m. Police said she is unable to return home without assistance. Its unclear if police meant the Philippines or in Seattle. She is 51 and weighs around 125 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a silver vest. If you see her, call 911. Secret intelligence files show that missing U.S. journalist Austin Tice was imprisoned by the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria despite the regimes longstanding denials, according to a report. Tice, a freelance journalist, was abducted outside the Syrian capital of Damascus in August 2012. He has remained missing ever sincethough the BBC now claims to have confirmation that Assads government, which was overthrown in December 2024, had Tice in its detention. Washington, D.C., has previously accused the Syrian government under Assadwho fled to Russia and the protection of his ally Vladimir Putinof being responsible for Tices disappearance. The U.S. has also questioned the authenticity of a video that emerged shortly after Tice vanished, showing him blindfolded and being held at gunpoint, with analysts suggesting the scene may have been staged to give the appearance that a jihadist group took Tice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No group or nation has claimed responsibility for Tices disappearance. The BBC now reports it has the first evidence that the Syrian government detained the reporter. The broadcaster claims Tice was captured in a suburb outside Damascus and then held by an Assadist paramilitary group called the National Defense Forces (NDF). One document marked top secret obtained by the BBC said Tice was kept in a detention facility in Damascus in 2012. Austins value was understood, a former NDF member told the broadcaster, describing Tice as a card to be played in any future diplomatic negotiations with the U.S. Vladimir Putin meeting with Bashar al-Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, July 24, 2024, mere months before the downfall of Assads regime in Syria. / Valeriy Sharifulin / via Reuters Tice was held in the facility until at least February 2013, another Syrian official told the BBC, during which time he was visited at least twice by a doctor. The outlet reported that blood tests showed Tice had a viral infection at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was later spotted by a visitor to the facility who told the BBC Tice was being treated slightly better than Syrian prisoners, but that he looked sad, and the joy had gone from his face. At some point between late 2012 and early 2013, Tice is reported to have escaped from the facility after squeezing through a window in his cell, but was quickly recaptured. He was also said to have been interrogated twice by a Syrian intelligence officer. Following the downfall of the Assad regime in December 2024, then-President Joe Biden told a press conference he believed Tice was alive and was committed to returning him to his family. Biden also admitted the government had no direct evidence of his whereabouts and said: We still have to identify where he is. Austin's mother Debra Tice has campaigned tirelessly for her son's release. / Andrew Harnik / Getty Images Tices mother, Debra, said at the time that a significant source had told her Austin was alive and was being treated well by his captors. After the regime fell and political prisoners were freed, Tice has still not been found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A former U.S. Marine captain, Tice served in Iraq and Afghanistan before traveling to Syria in 2012 to report on the countrys civil war as a freelancer. He is thought to be one of the longest-held American hostages in history. Around 100,000 people were disappeared by the Assad regime, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. TRIPOLI, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah on Monday demanded full disclosure of more than 100 billion dinars (around 18 billion U.S. dollars) in what he described as "parallel expenditures" by the eastern-based authorities over the past two years, escalating tensions between the country's rival administrations. Speaking during a meeting with members of the Tripoli-based High Council of State, Dbeibah called on Aguila Saleh, speaker of the eastern-based House of Representatives, to account for the spending, which he said posed a threat to Libya's financial stability. Dbeibah said his administration "categorically rejects any parallel public spending outside the legitimate framework," warning that such practices burden the economy with unsustainable debt and inflate public liabilities without delivering real services. The eastern-based parliament, based in Benghazi, held its own session on Monday to review a draft budget and consider a three-year development plan for 2025-2027. Lawmakers also discussed allocations for a Reconstruction and Development Fund under its administration. Libya has remained fractured since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi. The country is currently split between Dbeibah's internationally recognized government in Tripoli and a parallel administration in the east backed by the Libyan National Army led by commander Khalifa Haftar, a close ally of Speaker Saleh. Last week, Saleh renewed calls for the formation of a unified government to oversee long-delayed national elections, intensifying the power struggle with Dbeibah's Tripoli-based administration. Following recent clashes between rival armed groups in the capital, Saleh said Dbeibah must step aside "voluntarily or by force," accusing him of obstructing the electoral process. Private security and Los Angeles police are increasing patrols outside Jewish houses of worship in reaction to Sundays attack in Boulder, where, according to police, a man using a makeshift flamethrower hurled an incendiary device into a crowd of Jewish demonstrators. Eight people were injured. What happened in Boulder, Coloradoan especially brutal targeting of eldersis an atrocious affront to the very fabric of our society and our beliefs here in Los Angeles, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. Bass said she would convene an emergency meeting after the conclusion of Shavuot, a Jewish holiday that began at sundown on Sunday and ends Tuesday evening. Anti-Semitism will not be tolerated in this city, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said the attacker, identified by the FBI as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, targeted demonstrators with a volunteer group called Run for Their Lives, which organizes run and walk events to call for the immediate release of the Israeli hostages who remain in Gaza since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in 2023. A shirtless Mohamed Sabry Soliman is seen confronting demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, on June 1, 2025. (@BHflyer5 via Storyful) A shirtless Mohamed Sabry Soliman is seen confronting demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, on June 1, 2025. (@BHflyer5 via Storyful) The group had gathered at the Pearl Street pedestrian mall, a four-block area in downtown Boulder frequented by tourists and University of Colorado Boulder students. Soliman was shouting Free Palestine, said Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the FBIs Denver field office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four women and four men, ages 52 to 88, were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said. Soliman was arrested and taken to the hospital for treatment, but authorities didnt elaborate on his injuries. The FBI is investigating the attack as a targeted act of terrorism. This marks the second violent assault on Jewish and pro-Israel civilians in the U.S. in less than two weeksa chilling escalation that cannot be dismissed as coincidence, the L.A.-based Simon Wiesenthal Center said in a statement, referring to the slaying of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. on May 21. Both attacks are the direct result of months of anti-Israel propaganda, moral equivocation, and silence in the face of raging antisemitism. Israels war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250 others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels military response has killed more than 54,000 people in Hamas-run Gaza, mostly women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The offensive has destroyed vast areas, displaced around 90% of the population and left people almost completely reliant on international aid. 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 KTLA. North Providence Town Councilor Stefano Famiglietti won his district party committee's endorsement in the upcoming special primary for the Senate District 4 seat. (Courtesy photo from svf-law.com) Rhode Island Senate District 4 candidate Stefano Famiglietti has secured the support of his districts party committee in the four-way Democratic special primary to fill the open seat left by the late Sen. Dominick Ruggerio. Famiglietti, an attorney and North Providence City Councilor, was unanimously endorsed by the five-person Senate District 4 Democratic Committee, the Rhode Island Democratic Party announced Monday. The committee interviewed all four Democratic contenders for the open seat before making its selection Thursday. The July 8 primary is set to feature former state Rep. Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, Lenny Cioe and Manny Taveras. Whoever wins the primary will then run against Republican Alexander Asermely and independent Stephen Tocco in an Aug. 5. general special election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Candidates must still submit at least 100 signatures of registered district voters by June 10 to qualify for the ballot. The special election to represent parts of North Providence and a small section of northern Providence marks the first time the district will have a new state senator in 40 years, following the death of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. Ruggerio died on April 21. Ruggerios sister, Lisa Ruggerio Aceto, is one of five people on the Democratic Senate district committee, which is led by chair Lisa Andoscia. Nicole Verdi, Rhode Islands Democratic National Convention committeewoman, is also the vice chair of the Senate district party committee. Famiglietti thanked the committee for their endorsement in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am now looking forward to a successful campaign this summer and am hopeful for a victory so I may continue to serve our community, he said. It has been one of the greatest experiences of my life to advocate for the residents of North Providence as a member of the North Providence Town Council, and am looking forward to representing my community on a broader level, while bringing that same energy to the State House. Voters have until June 8 to register, or disaffiliate, ahead of the July 8 primary election. Early voting is set to begin June 18, running through July 7. The winner of the election will serve the rest of Ruggerios two-year term, through 2026. State lawmakers are paid $19,817 a year. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Lawmakers return to Washington this week and Republicans are gearing up to pass the presidents big, beautiful bill which include sweeping tax cuts and a roll back of social services, like Medicaid. A handful of Senate Republicans have expressed concerns about the bills proposed cuts. This week will be a test to see if the party will band together in the end. The math doesnt really add up, said Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Kentucky Senator Rand Paul threw cold water on the plan. He argues the proposed spending cuts and tax breaks in the massive bill will only balloon the federal deficit. I dont want to raise the debt ceiling $5 trillion, said Paul. On Truth Social President Donald Trump went after Paul, arguing if he joins Democrats to block the bill the great people of Kentucky will never forgive him. On Monday Senate Majority Leader John Thune pledged to get to work. Our biggest focus this month will be completing this tax relief legislation with the goal of getting the final bill to the president before the Fourth of July, said Thune. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley says he will not support the bills $800 billion cut to Medicaid. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates $7.6 million Americans would lose health care as a result. Its a nonstarter in this form, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). Democrats are united against the bill. They say it will also slash food assistance for millions. This Republican budget bill is an absolute disaster for the country in particular for middle class in poor people, said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). Senate Republicans are all but certain to make changes to the bill which will tee up another showdown among conservative and moderate Republicans in the House before it ever makes it to the presidents desk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. Several people suffered burn injuries at a busy outdoor mall in Boulder, Colorado, and a man was taken into custody Sunday in what the FBI called a targeted terror attack as a group of demonstrators walked in support of hostages still being held in Gaza, according to multiple media reports. Update: An FBI spokesman confirmed that there were six victims, aged 67 to 88. The suspect has been identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, of Egyptian origin, who was heard yelling Free Palestine during the attack. It is clear that this is a targeted act of violence and the FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism, said Mark Michalek, FBI Denver special agent in charge. Sadly, attacks like this are becoming too common across the country. This is an example of how perpetrators of violence continue to threaten communities across our nation. JUST IN: FBI confirms the suspect in the Colorado terrorist attack yelled Free Palestine as he lit innocent people on fire. Here are the updates: The suspect has been identified as 45 year old Mohamed Sabry Soliman. There are six victims, ages 67 to 88. Subject used pic.twitter.com/mNEQHi248Z Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 2, 2025 The attack took place at a popular pedestrian mall that attracts tourists and college students. Demonstrators with a volunteer group called Run For Their Lives with multiple chapters across the world that regularly meet to advocate for the release of hostages in Gaza had gathered to call for their release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initial callers indicated that there was a man with a weapon and that people were being set on fire, Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said. When we arrived, we encountered multiple victims that were injured with injuries consistent with burns [and] a suspect was pointed out to our officers on the scene. Our officers immediately encountered that suspect, who was taken into custody without incident. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said he was monitoring the situation, adding that hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. Redfearn also said the suspect was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, but was not able to release his identity. The ADL Center on Extremism has reviewed videos from the scene in Boulder, Colorado. We believe we hear the suspect saying: How many children you killed? We have to end Zionists. They are killers. We are continuing to learn more and will update accordingly. ADL (@ADL) June 1, 2025 The scene itself is contained, but we have a large area here in downtown Boulder closed off right now, he added. Businesses have been closed, and we have asked people to avoid the area. It is notthis area is not safe yet. Were dealing with a vehicle of interest. Were dealing with a large area that we are making sure is safe before we allow people to come back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ADL said it reviewed videos from the scene, and believe it heard the suspect saying: How many children you killed?, We have to end Zionists, and They are killers. The post Several Burned in Targeted Terror Attack as Pro-Israel Demonstrators March at Colorado Pedestrian Mall appeared first on TheWrap. Credit: X A man used a makeshift flamethrower to set people on fire in a terror attack at a pro-Israel demonstration in Colorado on Sunday. The FBI and local police are investigating after at least eight people, aged between 67 and 88, were injured in the attack at the busy Pearl Street Mall area about 1.30pm local time (7.30pm GMT). Rabbi Israel Wilhelm, the Chabad director at the University of Colorado, told reporters that one of the victims is understood to be an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, FBI director Kash Patel said. The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Egyptian national Mohamed Sabry Soliman, was arrested at the scene after using a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to set demonstrators on fire. Police officers were seen pinning the suspect to the ground before arresting him. He was taken to hospital. The shirtless man was seen shouting with clear spray bottles in his hands The FBI said it was investigating the attack as terrorism, while the White House said on Sunday that the suspect was living in the country illegally and was granted a work permit by Joe Bidens administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A terror attack was committed in Boulder, Colorado by an illegal alien, Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy, said. He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden administration, and then he illegally overstayed that visa. In response, the Biden administration gave him a work permit. But Steve Redfearn, Boulders police chief, refused to call the incident a terror attack. We are not calling it a terror attack at this point, Mr Redfearn said. It is way too early. It would be irresponsible for me to speculate right now on motive and other things. Attack suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman pictured in a mugshot after his arrest in Boulder - Boulder Police Department/REUTERS Demonstrators with the volunteer group Run For Their Lives, consisting of Jewish community members, had gathered in the mall to call for the release of Israeli hostages who remain in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Redfearn said police were investigating whether the demonstrators were targeted. It was unclear whether they were among the injured victims. There was a group of pro-Israel people that were there in a peaceful demonstration, I wouldnt even call it a protest. I believe that [the demonstration] happens frequently down here, he said. We are looking and actively interviewing victims and witnesses to determine whether that group was targeted or others. Credit: X via @MissNUndrground FBI special agent in charge of the Denver Field Office, Mark Michalek, said the victims were taken to hospitals, many of whom suffered from burns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of these preliminary facts, it is clear that this is a targeted act of violence and the FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism, he said. Video of the aftermath of the attack showed Mr Soliman, wearing sunglasses and holding clear spray bottles, pacing as a fire on the grass burned in front of him. He shouted end Zionists, Palestine is free, and they are killers towards several people as they tended to a person lying on the ground. At one point, he was confronted by onlookers, including one who said: He is spraying alcohol... he is making Molotov cocktails. Other videos showed victims lying motionless on the ground as bystanders rushed to douse them with water. An Israeli flag to a street light near the scene of an attack that injured multiple people, in Boulder, Colorado - REUTERS/Mark Makela Brooke Coffman, a 19-year-old student at the University of Colorado, said she saw four women lying or sitting on the ground with burns on their legs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said one woman appeared to have been badly burned on most of her body and had been wrapped in a flag by someone. Everybody [was] yelling, get water, get water, she said. Mr Redfearn said officers raced to the scene after receiving reports that people had been set on fire. The initial callers indicated that there was a man with a weapon and that people were being set on fire, he said. When we arrived, we encountered multiple victims who were injured with injuries consistent with burns and other injuries. We're evacuating the 1200, 1300 and 1400 blocks of Pearl Street between Walnut and Pine while we continue to investigate this active incident. PLEASE AVOID THIS AREA pic.twitter.com/8a2wtZjz5h Boulder Police Dept. (@boulderpolice) June 1, 2025 The popular pedestrian mall is known for attracting tourists and college students. People were told to evacuate the area due to the active incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Polis said in a statement that he was closely monitoring the situation, adding that hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. I am closely monitoring the situation in Boulder, and my thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror. Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable, he wrote on X. While details emerge, the state works with local and federal law enforcement to support this investigation. More information will be provided as it becomes available. Law enforcement officials investigate after an attack on pro-Israeli supporters - AP Photo/David Zalubowski The Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish activist group, said on X that it was aware of reports of an attack at todays Boulder Run for Their Lives event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group said the event was a weekly meeting of Jewish community members to run/walk in support of the hostages who were seized during Hamass unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, sparking the war in Gaza. Israels ambassador to the United Nations in New York, Danny Danon, condemned the attack. Terrorism against Jews does not stop at the Gaza border it is already burning the streets of America, he said in a statement. Today, in Boulder, Colorado, Jewish people marched with a moral and humane demand: to return the hostages. In response, the Jewish protesters were brutally attacked, with an attacker throwing Molotov cocktails at them, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Make no mistake this is not a political protest, this is terrorism. Officers patrol the cordoned off area following the attack on pro-Israeli protestors - AP Photo/David Zalubowski The attack comes a week after two Israeli embassy staff were shot dead as they left a reception for diplomats near Washingtons Jewish museum. Elias Rodriguez, 30, was arrested after allegedly shooting Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, who were soon to be engaged. He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He was also charged with murder of foreign officials, causing death with a firearm, and discharging a firearm in a crime of violence. 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. June 1 (UPI) -- Authorities in Colorado said a man armed with a makeshift flamethrower attacked a group of people demonstrating in support of Israeli hostages near Boulder's county courthouse on Sunday, injuring eight. The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman of Colorado Springs, was taken into police custody at the scene. He has been booked into the Boulder County jail on a slew of charges, including first-degree murder, according to jail records. Bond has been set at $10 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark Michalek, the FBI special agent in charge, told reporters during a press conference that the suspect is alleged to have attacked the group of demonstrators with the makeshift flamethrower and incendiary devices, later said to have been Molotov cocktails. He said witnesses reported hearing the suspect yell "Free Palestine" during the attack. "It is clear that this is a targeted act of violence and the FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism," he said. Police originally stated six people were injured but in a late Sunday statement said it had identified eight victims, four men and four women between the ages of 52 and 88. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conditions of the victims ranged from minor to serious, though Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said he could not confirm specific injuries. Authorities earlier said four victims had been transported to local hospitals and two were airlifted to the Denver area where they were receiving treatment by the Aurora hospital burn unit. Redfearn said at least one victim was "very seriously injured, probably safe to say critical condition." The attack near Pearl St. Mall in downtown Boulder occurred just before 1:30 p.m. MDT, authorities said. Police arrived at the scene to find victims suffering from burns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was taken into custody without incident but was transported to the hospital for minor injuries. "We need to hold the attacker fully accountable. That is my promise -- to hold to the attacker fully accountable," Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty vowed during the press conference. FBI Director Kash Patel described it as "a targeted terror attack," and his deputy director, Dan Bongino, said it was being investigated as "an act of ideologically motivated violence." The pro-Israel advocacy group the Anti-Defamation League identified the demonstrators attacked in a statement as participants of the weekly Run for Their Lives event, which sees Jewish community members run and walk in solidarity with Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Today, America bore witness to yet another heinous act of anti-Semitism designed to terrorize a peaceful community," Colorado Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a statement. "This type of hate-filled violence has no place in our civilized society and must be universally condemned." The attack is the latest to occur in the United States targeting Jewish people amid Israel's war in Gaza. On May 21, Elias Rodriguez, 31, was accused of yelling "Free Palestine" as he was being arrested after allegedly shooting two Israeli embassy employees outside Washington's Capital Jewish Museum, where an event was being hosted by the American Jewish Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Days later, a U.S. citizen from Boulder was charged with planning to firebomb the U.S. embassy in Israel with Molotov cocktails. The ADL on Sunday said, "We're witnessing a global campaign of intimidation and terror deliberately directed against the Jewish people." Decades of fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hamas exploded into a full-fledged war in Gaza after the military group killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 more hostage in a blood surprise attack on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel has responded by devastating Gaza with a brutal military offensive, killing more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, Israel launched a new military offensive in the Palestinian enclave, increasing international criticism, including from allies, over the war. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser condemned the Sunday attack as a potential hate crime while stating violence is not the answer to political differences. "People may have differing views about world events and the Israeli-Hamas conflict, but violence is never the answer to settling differences. Hate has no place in Colorado," he said in a statement. "We all have the right to peaceably assemble and the freedom to speak our view. But these violent acts -- which are becoming more frequent, brazen and closer to home -- must stop, and those who commit these horrific acts must be fully held to account." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An evacuation zone encompassing several blocks of downtown Boulder was established. The FBI late Sunday said in a statement that agents located in El Paso County, Colo., were conducting "a court-authorized law enforcement activity" related to the Pearl Street Mall attack. No other information was given. According to the ADL, there have been nine plots or attacks allegedly targeting Jews or Jewish institutions in the United States in the past 11 months, a sharp increase from seven between the 54 months between January 2020 to June of last year. Sunday afternoon's attack in Boulder, Colorado, took place hours before the start of a major Jewish festival, Shavuot. Authorities say a man threw two incendiary devices into a group holding one of its regular rallies in solidarity with Israeli hostages in Gaza. Twelve people were injured and the FBI described the violence as a targeted terror attack. What is Shavuot? Shavuot (pronounced Shah-voo-OTE), Hebrew for weeks," has been observed since biblical times. It marks the passing of seven weeks (49 days) from the holiday of Passover, with Shavuot falling on the 50th day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In biblical times, Shavuot was an agricultural festival, when Israelites would bring harvest offerings to the temple. Today, it's primarily commemorated as the traditional date on which God gave the Torah the law that forms the heart of the Jewish Scriptures to Moses on Mount Sinai, as described in the Bible. The 50-day time period gives the festival its Greek name, Pentecost, which is also the name for a holy day on the Christian calendar. When is Shavuot? Shavuot falls on the 6th of Sivan on the Jewish calendar, which reckons days as beginning at sundown. This year, Shavuot began Sunday evening and continues for one or two days, depending on tradition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Jews inside Israel and for Reform Jews, the festival lasts for one day. Other traditions outside of Israel observe Shavuot for two days, ending Tuesday evening this year. (The variation stems from different traditions on when to observe lunar holidays, which historically were based on moon observations in ancient Israel.) Shavuot typically falls in May or June on the Gregorian calendar. How is Shavuot observed? Jews celebrate with readings of the biblical book of Exodus, including the Ten Commandments. Some mark the occasion with all-night readings from the Torah and other religious texts. Observant Jews refrain from work on Shavuot. The biblical book of Ruth, about a woman who embraces the Jewish faith, is often read and studied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shavuot celebrations are often marked by the consumption of dairy products, such as cheesecake and cheese-filled blintzes. Explanations for this tradition vary; one is that the Torah is like nourishing milk for the spirit. Reform Judaism has traditionally connected Shavuot to its rite of confirmation for teens, in which they affirmed their commitment to Jewish life. Somber observances Tragically, this year's Shavuot is not the first time in recent memory that Jews have marked a normally festive holiday in grim circumstances. Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, claiming about 1,200 lives, took place on Simchat Torah, a date when Jews celebrate the completion of their year-long cycle of Torah readings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sundays gathering in Boulder was to raise attention for the 58 hostages, around a third believed to be alive, who are still being held by Hamas. A statement from Rabbi Yisroel and Leah Wilhelm, directors of the Rohr Chabad House at the University of Colorado in Boulder, asked people to celebrate the holiday while keeping the victims in their prayers. We encourage everyone to respond energetically to this attack by celebrating Shavuot joyously, by attending the reading of the Ten Commandments, and by recommitting to the heritage and traditions we hold so dear, they said. ___ Sources: What is a Jew? by Rabbis Morris N. Kertzer and Lawrence A. Hoffman; Chabad.org; ReformJudaism.org; Jewish Agency for Israel; JCC Association of North America. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. SHAWANO COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) Last week, Shawano County and two other Wisconsin counties were identified by the US Department of Homeland Security as jurisdictions not in compliance with federal laws and policies. Legal vs illegal: Oshkosh Police Department shares what fireworks residents can set off In a statement on social media, the Shawano County Sheriff says the county was not formally notified by any federal authority prior to the recent publication that the county had any non-compliance issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff George Lenzner says the Shawano County Sheriffs Office has reached out to several state and federal agencies inquiring about the reasons behind the designation and what steps can be taken to remove it. We are grateful for the assistance of Congressman Tony Wied, who contacted our Sheriffs Office to offer his support. His office has been instrumental in being a liaison with federal contacts to seek clarity on this matter. Shawano County Sheriff George Lenzner Sheriff Lenzner adds, Shawano County does not identify as a sanctuary jurisdiction and remains committed to upholding federal immigration laws and policies. The Shawano County Sheriffs Office is said to be continuing to consult with federal agencies on resolving the issue. Crash in Wisconsin leaves deputy and other driver hospitalized At this time, while the sheriff says his office appreciates interest from the media, they will not be participating in interviews or responding to media questions as they turn their focus on getting the issue resolved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. YANGON, June 2 (Xinhua) -- A five-day art exhibition is being held in Yangon, Myanmar, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Myanmar. U Maw Li Shwe, chairman of the Myanmar-China Calligraphy and Painting Association, said on Monday that the exhibition aims to bring together Myanmar-born Chinese artists and Myanmar artists to promote cultural exchange and mutual learning, as well as enhance friendship between the two nations. Calligraphy works and paintings from eight artists are being displayed in the exhibition, which are on sale for charity. They will be donated to the Chinese calligraphy competition fund to support Myanmar-born Chinese artists, he added. U Maw Li Shwe expressed the hope that the "Paukphaw" (fraternal) friendship between Myanmar and China will last forever and continue to grow and deepen. The exhibition, which opened on May 31, will run until June 4. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca appeared remotely for Jackson Countys 24th meeting of the year. He even led the pledge of allegiance for the meeting. Abarca is at the center of a missing persons report filed Sunday, by his wife, who reported that he and their 2-year-old son were missing. She had not seen them for a few days. He was not present for the Anti-Crime Committee meeting at 1:30 p.m. nor the 2 p.m. Housing & Homelessness Committee Meeting, but he did appear virtually for the 3 p.m. Jackson County Legislator Meeting on Monday. He also participated in the session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the countys website, he is a member of both of those committees. Abarca released a statement earlier in the day saying that he and his son are both safe and healthy. But a missing persons case remains active, Shawnee police told FOX4 Monday morning. Abarca wrote in part, Please rest assured, we are not missing and we are both safe and healthy. Shawnee police tell FOX4 theres no indication of immediate danger. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV As of Monday afternoon, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) still lists both Abarca and his son as missing. According to Emily Rittman, Shawnee police spokesperson, although some kind of contact has been made, the city has not yet had the opportunity to verify Abarcas and his sons well-being through direct, in-person contact. I just want my son This comes after the wife of Abarca filed a missing persons report for her husband and their son Luca. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alexis Garcia Abarca told FOX4 she last saw her son on Wednesday evening and last saw her husband on Thursday. View the latest headlines from Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas at fox4kc.com She told FOX4 she got a text message from him on Friday. She filed a police report with Shawnee police Sunday afternoon. Manuel Luca Abaraca V. Photo courtesy of Alexis Garcia Abarca I would want him to know that I just want my son, she told FOX4. I want my son to be safe. I want my son to be with me. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri Alexis Garcia Abarca said Sunday shes concerned for both Abarca and their sons safety. The wife and mother indicated that none of their family members, friends or Abarcas public service colleagues have been able to reach him since Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While he reportedly hasnt been seen by family since Thursday, Abarca did send out the following post on X on Friday, May 30, at 12:11 pm: Today, after a spirited conversation at the Urban Summit this morning. Then immediately after, we advanced a preliminary budget amendment to the Legislative 2025 budget amendment we passed December 31st. Its a step towards a compromised solution led by a solid coalition of legislators and the executive directly. Abarca also reposted a missing juvenile post from the Kansas City Police Department account that was tweeted at 5:19 p.m. on May 30. Gladstone home explosion leaves one dead, cause still unknown Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abarca is a prominent figure in Kansas City. He represents Jackson Countys First District and serves as the Chair of the Health and Environment Committee. This is a developing story. Stay tuned to FOX4 News for the latest updates and information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEED TO KNOW The unknown woman allegedly sprayed an "unknown substance" into the face of a bus driver, say police The attack was one of multiple assaults on MTA employees in May Crime is down overall this year on subways and buses, but any assault on our employees is intolerable, MTA spokesperson Lucas Bejarano said New York City police are searching for a woman accused of assaulting a Metropolitan Transit Authority bus driver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the New York City Police Department, the suspect sprayed an unknown substance into the face of a 33-year-old bus driver onboard a BX-10 MTA bus, in the vicinity of Bainbridge Avenue and Van Cortlandt Avenue East in the Bronx around 8:40 a.m. on Monday, May 19. The individual then fled the location to parts unknown, according to a police press release. The victim was transported to Montefiore Medical Center in stable condition. The attack is just one of a series of assaults on MTA employees in May. Another assault occurred just before 9 a.m. on May 13, when a man boarded an MTA bus in the vicinity of Lorraine Street and Hicks Street in Brooklyn and got into a verbal dispute with the 71-year-old driver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The unidentified individual engaged in a verbal dispute with the victim, displayed a wrench and struck the victim on the forehead, states a NYPD press release. 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 suspect, described as a Black male approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and in his early 40s, wearing a black sweatshirt and tan pants, fled the area on a scooter. The victim sustained minor injuries and was taken to New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in stable condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just over a week later, on May 22, a 55-year-old male MTA conductor was punched in the face when he poked his head out of the conductor's window while the No. 5 train was stopped at the 42 Street-Grand Central Station. On May 27, the New York City Police Department arrested Leonard Johnson, 43, on charges of second-degree assault. More recently, on May 29 just before 12:15 a.m., a 68-year-old MTA cleaner was working on the platform at Brooklyns Bergen Street station, when a man approached him and swung a metal pipe at him. The suspect missed and then punched the worker in the chest before running off. The victim was transported by EMS to an area hospital in stable condition. Crime is down overall this year on subways and buses, but any assault on our employees is intolerable, which is why were grateful the NY State legislature just changed the law to ensure perpetrators of attacks on transit workers face maximum justice, MTA spokesperson Lucas Bejarano said. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD's 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 https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on X @NYPDTips. Read the original article on People TOPEKA (KSNT) A local school district is mourning the loss of one of its teachers after she was killed in a head-on highway crash last week. 27 News reached out to Topeka USD 501 on Monday, June 2 and confirmed that a local preschool teacher died in a two-vehicle crash on Friday, May 30. USD 501 spokesman Aarion Gray shared an email sent to the districts employees regarding the death of 32-year-old Andria Anderson, a teacher at Sheldon Head Start Preschool. Andria was such a joyful, kind, loving teacher who was passionate about early childhood. Her students and staff loved her dearly. She dedicated her life to serving young children and she impacted families at Pine Ridge Prep in past years and at Sheldon this year. Mrs. Anderson made learning fun and her students could not wait to see her smiling face every morning, she loved her students tremendously and was a bright light for so many. Mrs. Andersons laughter and positive energy filled the halls of Sheldon. Sheldon Head Start Principal Gabby Tanner Man arrested again in connection to killing 35-year-old Topeka local in 2022 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement USD 501 said it is mobilizing its mental health team at Sheldon to support families and staff who are impacted by Andersons loss. People who knew Anderson are also encouraged by the district to take part in memorial services which will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 6 at Parker-Price & Davidson located at 245 Northwest Independence Avenue in Topeka. The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) responded to a crash just after 2 p.m. on Friday, May 30 in the westbound lanes of Highway 24 close to where it intersects with Northwest Rochester Road. A Hyundai Santa Fe, driven by 22-year-old Anya J. Turner of Topeka, was traveling east on the highway when it went off the roadway to the right before overcorrecting to the left. The Hyundai then crossed through the median and into the westbound lanes of traffic where it collided head-on with a Kia Forte. The KHP initially reported that Turner was the only fatality associated with the crash. Anderson, listed under the last name Starr by the KHP, later died at a local hospital due to her injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mans truck parked at casino for hours before deadly crash that killed a Topeka teacher: court documents (Photo By: Grace Gaume) (Photo By: Gabriel Johnson) (Photo By: Grace Gaume) (Photo By: Gabriel Johnson) (Photo By: Gabriel Johnson) Topeka Goodyear tire plant fire under investigation 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 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Crude text messages about Karen Read that fired Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor sent to his friends in a group chat after John OKeefes death were allowed as evidence in the Mansfield womans murder retrial and read aloud for jurors to hear on Monday. 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. Before Day 25 of witness testimony got underway, Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone ruled that Proctors texts can be presented as evidence by the defense without the disgraced investigator present in the courtroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan had fought to keep Proctors texts out of the retrial altogether. He argued that if the defense wants the jury to hear Proctors texts, then Reads lawyers should be required to call him to the witness stand. Cannone noted in her ruling that the texts had been properly authenticated by Jonathan Diamandis, a childhood friend of Proctor. She also said the texts lend insight into Proctors state of mind and that they potentially reflect bias or omissions in the investigation of OKeefes death. Diamandis was the second witness called to the stand by the defense and testified Monday that he has known Proctor since middle school and theyve been friends for 30 years. Jonathan Diamandis While on the stand, Diamandis confirmed to the jury that Proctor sent offensive text messages about Read while investigating her for murder. He also acknowledged that Proctor was fired from the state police for his behavior in the group chat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diamandis was asked to read a series of texts Proctor sent to the group in the hours and days after OKeefes death, but denied the request because he was uncomfortable with doing so. Instead, special prosecutor Hank Brennan read them and asked Diamandis to verify the accuracy of each message. Brennan: Mr. Proctor says, From all accounts, he didnt do anything wrong. Shes a whack job and then uses the C word to describe. Is that accurate? Diamandis: "Thats accurate." Brennan: He then says, yeah, shes a babe. Weird Fall River accent though. No [expletive]. Are those the words that he wrote? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diamandis: Those are the words. Brennan: Theres a response at the bottom from one member in the group stating, Oh, shes skating." Diamandis: Yes. Brennan: "Mr. Proctor responds, Zero chance she skated. Shes fd, shes [expletive]. Yes. Is that what he said?" Diamandis: It is. Brennan: Somebody in the group says. Is that chick a smoke? And then the same person follows up with a question mark. Accurate? Diamandis: Accurate. Brennan: Mr. Proctor responds, Eh. Diamandis: Yes. Brennan: Nut bag, as my chief would say. Diamandis: Yes. Brennan: Shes got a leaky balloon." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diamandis: Yes. Brennan: Leaks poo. Diamandis: Yes. Brennan: Those are the words of Mr. Proctor? Diamandis: They are. Proctor, who served as the lead investigator in Reads murder case, was fired in March for a series of disparaging texts he sent about Read, which he read aloud in court during witness testimony at her first trial. He admitted on the stand that the texts were unprofessional. While Proctor played a big role in Reads first trial, he wont be called by the defense this time around. On the way out of court on Friday, defense attorney David Yannetti said it was a team decision not to have Proctor take the stand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A mistrial was declared last year after jurors said they were at an impasse and deliberating further would be futile. 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 Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was effusive. "Marvelous, impressive " she told reporters Monday. "Extraordinary. ... A great success." The superlatives kept coming about Sunday's historic judicial elections which Sheinbaum championed but the president could not conceal a harsh reality: Only about 13% of 100 million eligible voters cast ballots in a vote that the president had labeled a key component of the ruling party's ongoing "transformation" of Mexican society. She and her allies had spent weeks urging people to vote. No one expected that Sunday's polling which didn't include contenders for any national or statewide legislative posts would approach the 61% turnout of last year's national elections. Sheinbaum won a landslide victory last year, and her Morena political bloc swept to huge majorities in both houses of Congress and in state houses and towns across the country. This was a festival of voter fraud, and they dare to say that the people rule. Jorge Romero, national leader of the National Action Party Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The turnout was more disappointing than even the the lowest pre-election turnout estimates of about 15%. Some election advocates had optimistically predicted as many as one-third of voters would make it to the polls. "Everything can be perfected," the president conceded. The lack of participation, experts said, can be attributed to many factors: it was an off-year election; the balloting process was new and extremely convoluted; the vast majority of more than 7,000 contenders for 881 federal judge positions and for another 1,800 state jurist posts were unknown. The election, while the brainchild of former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador the founder of Morena and the mentor of Sheinbaum was ostensibly nonpartisan. Would-be judges were not identified by political affiliation and were banned from receiving party funds. There were no massive rallies or advertisement blitzes in a contest that largely played out on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And it was the first time that Mexico had ever voted for judges, who have historically been appointed by expert panels or, in the case of the Supreme Court, the president. Mexico becomes the first nation in the world with an all-elected judiciary. The task was a very time-intensive one for voters, who had to learn about an outrageous number of candidates, said Kenneth F. Greene, a professor of government at the University of Texas at Austin. "Nobody could possibly learn about all of them." Nonetheless, many political observers deemed Sunday's low turnout an embarrassing setback for a party that had seemed near invincible in its extraordinary march to power since its emergence less than a decade ago. Read more: Mexicans cast ballots for nation's judges in controversial, first-ever vote Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Government opponents reveled in a rare opportunity to mock Morena's legendary electoral prowess, labeling the vote "Black Sunday," and the end of judicial independence and of Mexico's system of checks and balances. "This was a festival of voter fraud, and they dare to say that the people rule," Jorge Romero, national leader of the center-right National Action Party, said at a news conference that featured images of empty voting booths and testimonies from citizens who didn't know which candidates to vote for. Writing in Reforma newspaper, columnist Denise Dresser archly compared the election to a long-planned gala that no one attends. "They rolled out the carpet, sent the invitations, mounted the chairs, designed the menu, [and] contracted with mariachis," Dresser wrote. "And, at the end, they were alone." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Will all the complaints and the low turnout make any difference in the ultimate makeup of the judiciary? Many experts say no despite the opposition's vow to file a complaint with the Organization of American States, a move that may be more symbolic than substantial. Final results won't be known for a week or two. But at the end, it seems likely that the official count will stand, and pro-Morena judges will take their seats in a system that Sheinbaum has assailed as corrupt and filled with nepotism. "It was always going to reinforce Morena and give President Sheinbaum even more power than she already has," said Greene, who was in Mexico City to observe the voting process. My strong guess is that Sheinbaum now dominates all three branches of government and is essentially able to pass whatever laws and constitutional reforms she wants. We're seeing a tremendous concentration of power in the presidency. The most closely watched race is for the makeup of the new Supreme Court, which will have both fewer judges nine, instead of the current 11 and less authority to challenge legislative and presidential decisions. Only three sitting members opted to run for office. All three were appointees of Lopez Obrador, who repeatedly clashed with the justices about his strong-arm efforts to reform electoral law and other initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Mexico judicial elections: Government calls it essential reform. Critics say it's a farce Whether Mexico's new judges will be an improvement over the current judiciary remains to be seen. Many Mexicans clearly agree with the president's assertions that Mexico's judicial system was in need of an overhaul. But judges are only part of a justice system that has many flaws. Untouched in the judicial reform were other entities, notably district attorney's offices and local police, both notoriously corrupt. Both Sheinbaum and her predecessor have turned to the National Guard as the nation's go-to law enforcement agency. But National Guard troops have themselves been implicated in various recent scandals, including killing civilians and trafficking in black-market gasoline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The election "was a political humiliation," wrote Alejandro Monsivais-Carrillo, a political scientist at El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, on X. "But it doesn't matter much: Party control of public powers advances without retreat." Special correspondent Cecilia Sanchez Vidal contributed. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Shelby County commissioners are set to respond on Monday following a statement made by FBI director Kash Patel calling Memphis the homicide capital of America. Commissioners are set to vote on a resolution requesting a federal designation naming the city and county as a priority community and asking for $10 billion. FBI Director calls Memphis homicide capital of the USA The resolution states that Shelby County faces intense infrastructure needs that contribute to our homicide rate, but could be mitigated with a one-time federal investment of $10 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of that, $1.4 billion would build a new jail. Another $1.5 billion would go toward rebuilding Regional One Trauma Center, and $2 billion would address deferred maintenance at schools. This, of course, comes following the remarks by FBI director Kash Patel, who said hes sending in a task force to Tennessee to join the fight against crime. Senator Marsha Blackburn has also said in response to make sure that Memphis has every resource needed. Memphis Mayor Paul Young responded to Patels initial comments, welcoming any effort that brings more resources to Memphis. The resolution was sponsored by County Commissioner Mick Wright. We will provide updates as information becomes available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) Sherise Reese Lyndel Beacham, the beloved daughter of Raymond Edwards, Jr. and Clara Wilson was born June 7, 1958, in Youngstown, Ohio. She passed away on Monday, April 28, 2025. Find obituaries from your high school Affectionately known to family and friends as Reese, she attended Todd and Garfield Elementary Schools, Princeton Junior High and was a cheerleader and proud graduate of South High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly upon graduation from South High, Reese ventured to Detroit, Michigan, working alongside her grandparents as a property manager. After raising her sons, she moved to Atlanta in 2005. Active in her faith, she diligently sought and discovered a church home, New Jerusalem Baptist Church, where she freely shared her gifts to support the work of ministry. She assisted in various roles but found her true passion as the choir director, where she served until becoming ill. She married James P. Beacham in 2015 and they settled in Loganville, Georgia. After retiring as a supervisor with Cigna to remain active and engaged, Sherise began substitute teaching for Gwinnett County Public Schools, where she ultimately retired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sherise leaves precious memories which will be cherished by husband, James; mother, Clara Wilson of Youngstown; sons, Joseph (Keela) of Cocoa Beach, Florida, Anthony of Youngstown, Jermaine of Phoenix, Arizona, Clarence of Loganville, Georgia and Leonard of Lawrenceville, Georgia and daughter, Tanisha of Detroit, Michigan; Sherises brothers, Raymond (Terry) Edwards, III of Youngstown and Tony Jones of Lawrenceville, Georgia, will retain unforgettable experiences and precious moments shared. Sherises legacy will be forged and sustained by her revered grandchildren, Dorian, Anthony, Akayla, Audrina, Cameron, Gabriella, Mischelle, Corey, Paris, Jermaine, Javon, Amiri, Tavin, India and Jayden; along with a cadre of nieces nephews, cousins, family and friends who loved her. As her faith became sight, Sherise experienced a heavenly reunion with her father, paternal grandparents, Clandice and Maddie Marchbanks and maternal grandparents, Francis and Gladys Ballinger, all who welcomed her into eternity. Join the Beacham Family as they say goodbye, remembering the laughter, love and light she brought into our world. A memorial service to celebrate Sherise will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 12:00 p.m., at Christian Bible Baptist Church, 2369 Oak Street Extension in Youngstown, where Reverend Ernest Ellis will officiate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this time of intimate need and personal loss, the family of Sherise Reese Lyndel Beacham elected to entrust the Ministry of Comfort & Care, along with Transitional After-Care Arrangements to the J.E. Washington Funeral Services, 2234 Glenwood Ave, Youngstown, Ohio. It Is Well With My Soul When peace like a river attended my way.When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say It is well, it is well, with my soul It is well, with my soul! My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought My sin, not in part, but the whole Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more.Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh, my soul Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Lord haste the day when my faith shall be sight,The clouds be rolled back as a scroll The trumpet shall sound, and the Lord shall descend- even so, it is well with my soul! A television tribute will air Tuesday, June 3 at the following approximate times: 7:10 a.m. on FOX, 12:22 p.m. on WKBN, 5:08 p.m. on MyYTV and 7:27 p.m. on WYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Authorities responded to a shooting Monday morning just north of downtown Nashville. According to authorities, a report of gunshots fired on Fern Avenue was made just before 5 a.m. Monday. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Responding officers found a man with a gunshot wound to the leg on the Fern Avenue overpass of Interstate 65. He was taken to TriStar Skyline Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. (WKRN) (WKRN) According to arrest documents, the shooting occurred after an altercation between several people at a party in a short-term rental. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man and woman in attendance said they were forced out of the party at gunpoint, prompting the woman to call authorities and report that she was robbed. While on the phone with emergency services, the suspects reportedly began firing shots at her and the man, who then allegedly pulled out his own weapon returned gunfire. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Officers were in the area for several hours collecting evidence along the street and on the Interstate 65 overpass. Jaylin McNairy, 18, was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after he was identified as the person who forced the woman outside at gunpoint. He was booked into Metro jail on a $75,000 bond. No additional information was immediately released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. A shooting reported before a graduation party in Ohio is being investigated as a likely murder-suicide, WOIO, a CBS affiliate in Cleveland, reported. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Tuscarawas County Sheriffs Office (TCSO) said deputies were called to a home in Dover Township on reports of a shooting just after 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. A 911 caller said people were getting ready for a graduation party at the home when they heard the gunshots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The graduation party was for a child who resided in the home but was not in the home at the time because the party, which had not yet begun, was to be a couple of hundred yards away from the home on the property, the sheriffs office wrote in a release shared on social media. TRENDING STORIES: The 911 caller told dispatchers a man inside the home reportedly shot his wife and then himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When deputies got to the scene, they found a 54-year-old man dead on his bed and a 53-year-old woman on the floor near the bed, The woman was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. While there is still evidence to process and information to gather, preliminary indication suggests that Murder-suicide is the most likely cause due to evidence and witness statements at the scene, TCSO said. The official cause and manner of death for both the man and the woman, whose identities have not been released, have yet to be determined. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] SYDNEY, June 2 (Xinhua) -- An Australian woman charged with the murder of her three-year-old daughter has died days after being found unresponsive in her jail cell, the police said on Monday. Lauren Flanigan was on Tuesday charged with the stabbing murder of her daughter at a home in Moore Park Beach, over 300 km north of Brisbane in the state of Queensland. The 32-year-old was found unresponsive in her prison cell at the Brisbane Women's Correctional Center on Friday and was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition. The Queensland Police Service said on Monday that she died on Sunday night. Flanigan was due to appear in court in July and had not indicated how she would plead to the murder charge. News Corp Australia newspapers reported that she was being held in a specialized crisis support unit for high-risk prisoners. In the House of Representatives recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, something ugly lurks beneath the surface. It is a provision a single paragraph found about halfway through the bills 1,000-plus pages that could hamstring judges, reduce access to the courts for the average person and reverse a number of the Trump administrations legal setbacks and defeats. What is the provision, and how likely is it to become a reality? HuffPost breaks down what it all means. This story is part of HuffPosts commitment to fearlessly covering the Trump administration. You can support our work and protect the free press by contributing to our newsroom. What Is Section 70302? Section 70302 of the bill states that no court of the United States may use appropriated funds to enforce a contempt citation for failure to comply with an injunction or temporary restraining order if no security was given when the injunction or order was issued pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(c), whether issued prior to, on, or subsequent to the date of enactment of this section. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In simple terms, this means that judges wouldnt be able to issue contempt orders against defendants who defy the courts unless the person who first sued for an injunction or restraining order had forked over a bond at the very start of their lawsuit. Contempt citations, which occur when a person fails to obey court orders, can carry financial penalties as well as jail time. Bonds are taken to limit financial damages to the person or entity being sued. The Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(c) has offered guidance on this point since 1938, telling judges they can only hand down preliminary injunctions or temporary restraining orders if they first issued a bond that was proper. A preliminary injunction stops a party in a legal dispute from taking any further action; a temporary restraining order is similar but it only lasts for a short window of time, usually 10 days. A judge ultimately decides what that proper bond amount should be. Federal courts often do not set bonds at all due to the large disparity in power and resources between the United States and an individual plaintiff, judges often put practicality first when it comes to lawsuits against the federal government and Rule 65 is applied at their discretion: A single person would likely never be able to put up a financial bond big enough to cover the full cost of potential injury the federal government may experience if hit with an injunction. As a result, a judge might set such a bond for a nominal amount, like $1 or even $0. This lowers the hurdle that the public must climb over when contesting the actions of its own government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Importantly, the provision in the bill passed by the House applies retroactively, without any stated time limit. This could mean that injunctions handed down by the courts years ago like those instructing the government to stop segregating schools, for example, and any other where a bond was not taken could potentially be undone if a bond was not taken first, Erwin Chemerinsky, dean and distinguished professor of law at Berkeley Law School, recently told HuffPost. The language in the provision is somewhat vague, and its not clear whether bonds set by a judge at $0 would be swept up, too. Will It Pass The Senate? The biggest hurdle the provision faces is that it likely doesnt meet the requirements of the Byrd Rule, which prohibits passing a budget bill that includes anything extraneous or not related to fiscal spending. There are six tests senators must use to determine if a provision is extraneous, according to the Congressional Research Service: 1, if the provision does not produce any change in revenue or the amount of funds spent on something; 2, if it produces an increase in the amount of funds spent on something or a decrease in revenue; 3, if it is outside the jurisdiction of the congressional committee that submitted the provision to begin with; 4, if it only changes revenue or spending in a way that is merely incidental; 5, it increases the deficit in a fiscal year beyond what was already covered in a budget bill; and 6, it would amend specific parts of the Social Security Act relevant to old age, survivors and disability insurance. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed the House with Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) help, but it faces an uphill battle in the Senate. Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images The provision in the tax bill attempts to meet that criteria by saying courts cant use appropriated funds to enforce a contempt citation. Although judges have the power to hold someone in contempt, the related penalties for example, whether someone gets arrested and is taken to jail are left up to the U.S. Marshals service, Chemerinsky explained. That agency is housed under the Justice Department, which has its funds appropriated by Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khadijah Silver, the supervising attorney for civil rights at Lawyers for Good Government, told HuffPost the U.S. Marshals Service connection is incredibly thin. The Byrd Rule requires budget reconciliation measures to have a direct fiscal impact, and this is fundamentally about restricting judicial power, not spending, Silver said. More importantly, as the Supreme Court established nearly a century ago in Michelson v. United States, Congress cannot undermine the essential functions of federal courts. The contempt power is integral to judicial authority under Article III without it, court orders become meaningless suggestions that the executive branch can ignore at will. At least one Republican senator demurred when asked whether the provision was likely to make it to the final bill. During a town hall in Iowa on Friday, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) told attendees that every provision in the 1,100-page bill would go through a review process before it came up for a vote and said Republicans in the chamber wouldnt be making the final call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not the ones who make those decisions, folks. If you follow Senate procedures, its nonpartisan parliamentarians who make that decision. And they are very strict about this as well. I dont think any argument that could ever be made that this [provision] impacts mandatory spending or revenues I just dont see it getting into the Senate bill, Ernst said. The current Senate parliamentarian is Elizabeth MacDonough, who was appointed to the role by then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, in 2012. But what Ernst failed to mention was that senators could vote to overrule MacDonough if she were to suggest tossing the provision and that a simple majority is all that is needed to do so when it comes to budget bills. Republicans hold the majority in the Senate. Real-World Impact If the provision were passed, it would have the potential to unwind injunctions or restraining orders that judges have already set against the Trump administration as the president has pushed through executive orders attempting to dismantle the federal government or target groups he perceives as a threat to his administrations agenda, from people born to immigrant parents to law firms he claims are weaponized against him, to trans people serving in the U.S. military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judges in the nations lower courts have ruled against the administration 96% of the time so far, according to an analysis by political science professor Adam Bonica of Stanford University. Many cases where an injunction was issued could be in jeopardy if the provision is left intact, and the threat of a judge issuing future contempt citations against the administration evaporates as well. There is little question the provision would embolden government excesses and hobble judges ability to enforce their rulings, Silver said. This is most problematic in cases where the injunction is based on the governments breach of the Constitution, they said. It forces private actors who have been harmed and are being harmed to pay for the privilege of having those harms brought before the court. In short, its now up to the Senate whether the judicial system will change drastically and quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This provision would render hundreds of existing court orders unenforceable overnight. Were talking about everything from school desegregation orders to police reform mandates to protection of immigrants due process rights, Silver said. It would create a catch me if you can system where the government could violate the Constitution faster than courts could stop them. This isnt about fiscal responsibility its about neutering the last meaningful check on executive power when it tramples our constitutional rights. Related... A man shouted free Palestine and used a makeshift flamethrower during an attack in Boulder, Colorado, that injured eight people marching to bring awareness of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, officials said. Morgan Chesky reports. CLARKSDALE, MISS. Tyler Yarbrough makes it clear. Sinners and the cultural fest that followed may have thrust Clarksdale into the national spotlight, but this moment represents the culmination of years of hard-fought progress. In as little as three weeks, community members, more than a dozen sponsors, and partners planned and executed Clarksdale Culture Capitals Sinners fest on May 29-31. It wouldnt have happened if residents werent already recharged and already rebuilding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A diverse and intergenerational mix of people lined up on East Second Street hours before the doors opened to enjoy screenings and fellowship at the Clarksdale Civic Auditorium. Despite an overcast sky, thousands packed the Civic Auditorium to see two free screenings and hear directly from the cast and crew and the mood was electric. The auditorium erupted with applause when Yarbrough walked to the front of the room. A wave of pride, joy, and celebration washed over him as he peered back into the crowd. At the moment, he saw what he always believed: Clarksdale has the power to work together to achieve greatness. High school students volunteered as ushers. Youth worked at the concession stand. The Iota Omicron chapter of Omega Psi Phi helped clean in between screenings. Restaurants like the Matchbox and Levons had Sinners-inspired drinks on their menu. Community members like Yasmine Malone stopped by the screening with her nephew, then moderated the panel discussion Coffee with Kinfolk: Our Vision For The Future. Natives like Jaleesa Collins one of the organizers who first sparked the idea of a screening drove from Florida during a rainstorm to ensure the event was a success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The excitement continued over the next two days, as people packed out Meraki Roasting Co., the Crossroads Cultural Art Center, and the Delta Blues Museum to participate in important conversations. They talked about the legacy of Black farmers, the steps to building a blues economy that benefits Black creators, how Mississippi can build infrastructure to attract blockbuster films, and the Choctaw and Chinese Americans rich cultural diversity within the region. On Friday morning, folks gathered over coffee and pastries prior to a panel discussion at Meraki, which teaches youth entrepreneurial skills and career readiness. Attendees hugged and caught up on local happenings. Others discussed the film and the future of Clarksdale, which perfectly aligned with the Coffee with Kinfolk panel. During the panel, Yarbrough shared the sacrifices he and others continue to make to do the work to make Clarksdale better. He mentioned the yearlong effort to revitalize Js Grocery, the only Black supermarket in the town, and its reopening last month. Collins, who was also a panelist, is helping to host the first-ever Clarksdale Day over Labor Day weekend to celebrate local culture through activities such as a parade, car show, award ceremony, and barbecue competition. Theres also Griot Arts, a youth nonprofit that is rebuilding the historic Paramount Theater in downtown Clarksdale, and Higher Purpose Hub, which received a $2.2 million grant to build a regional hub to improve intergenerational economic opportunity across the Delta. Clarksdale locals share their vision for the future of Clarksdale at Meraki Roasting Co. (Aallyah Wright/Capital B) In addition to the collaboration showcased last weekend, the conversation also explored how it is often a challenge for organizations and even local people to believe in and support those who are doing the work on the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Often, international tourists appreciate the beauty of Clarksdales culture, art, and architecture, while locals may not fully embrace it, said Edna Nicole Luckett, known as Edna Nicole, a local artist and musician. Now is the time for Clarksdale to champion its city, and for Black people to take ownership of a culture that they have created while allowing the art to heal and preserve our history, she said. Clarksdale has always been a big deal, not just when it comes to music when it comes to sports, when it comes to culture, when it comes to agriculture, she said. But we dont sell it to our own people, and we dont believe that anymore. The blues is more than the four streets that make up downtown. Its the neighborhoods, its the rural areas, and we need those areas to come out and support because we want to represent our people the right way. Read More: Clarksdale Pushed for a Screening of Sinners. Theyre Getting One This Week. Part of the onus is on the community to shift the narrative and create change, said Tim Lampkin, founder and executive director of Higher Purpose Hub. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to take a different type of stance in talking about the place that we love, and that goes for the folks that are not believing in our own local leaders. How can you expect it to be changed when youre the main one talking negative about the work thats happening? Lampkin said. He added: We have to get beyond this moment and stop pointing the finger at each other and come together and work to build the unthinkable. There are too many people outside of the culture that already dont believe in this. So, how do we change that? It starts with us, individually, collectively, building every single day. Lampkins remarks were met with laughter from the audience, as he noted hes not a preacher, so hes going to leave the preaching to them. These recent events and the momentum from Sinners have inspired Clarksdale residents and natives to continue rebuilding their city. A Southern renaissance Zaire Love, Camry Bino Buckhalter, Justin Hardiman, Bryan YoBreezye Roberson, and Jasmine Williams dive into a conversation on the importance of young folks collaborating for the betterment of the South. (Aallyah Wright/Capital B) Like many pivotal movements in U.S. history, this historic moment in Clarksdale has been shaped by young people driving change. Theyre reclaiming it as their Southern renaissance. On the last day of the festival, changemakers from Clarksdale; Jackson, the states capital; and neighboring Memphis, Tennessee, shared their perspectives on the importance of youth involvement in making lasting change happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As people poured into the Crossroads Cultural Art Center, many shared laughs, conversations, and vibed over music prior to the main discussion. Jasmine Williams of Sipp Talk Media, who moderated the conversation, described what this moment of renaissance meant for her. We all are the products of multiple movements. One thing I really care about showing people is that Mississippi the South, Memphis we never stopped, even though people stopped looking, Williams said. We can deem this a renaissance because we are in this moment, and we know what were doing, and were building on the work of people who did it for generations. Read More: Sinners Honored Juke Joints. Today, Theyre Fighting to Stay Open. Jermeria Skillom, coordinator of Mississippi Delta Programs for Partnership for a Healthier America, said organizers and creators have sparked a sense of purpose, and for folks to know they can live, thrive, and create a sense of belonging in the place that raised them. Clarksdale native Jaleesa Collins, Griot Arts director Rebekah Pleasant Patterson and local organizer Jermeria Skillom are on the front lines of creating change in the city of 14,000. (Camry Buckhalter for Capital B) The next generation [should] never feel like leaving Mississippi is an option. You may have an opportunity to leave, but its not an option, Skillom said. That Mississippi pride is the Southern pride. Its nothing to be ashamed of, and that freed me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For progress to continue, Clarksdale resident, preacher, and event organizer Mark Webb says, healing must take place. The Scripture tells us to reach the least of these. When the least of these begins to rise, guess what? The community will begin to soar. I want to be a part of healing to bring our community together, he said. One of the things that I really am inspired by is that despite the obstacles, those who are willing, we can lock arms and we can get some things done. The post Sinners Shows Clarksdales Past. Whats Next for the Birthplace of the Blues? appeared first on Capital B News. Police cordon off Pearl Street following an incident that the FBI is investigating as an act of terror on June 1, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado. - Credit: Chet Strange/Getty Images Eight people were injured and some burned at an outdoor mall in Boulder, Colorado, authorities said on Sunday. A man was taken into custody in the attack at 13th and Pearl Street, a popular pedestrian mall downtown, police said. FBI agents are also investigating what the agency has described as a targeted terror attack. A male suspect, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, is in custody at Boulder County jail. All eight victims, ranging in age from 52 to 88, were transported to hospitals where they remain after the suspect threw an incendiary device into the crowd, Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the Denver field office, said at a Sunday evening press conference. The suspect could be heard shouting Free Palestine, Michalek said. He added that the FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. No charges were immediately filed, but District Attorney Michael Dougherty said the attacker would be held fully accountable. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man was throwing Molotov cocktails and using devices to hurt people, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said. At least one of the victims is in serious, possibly critical condition, he said. A group of walkers participating in a Run for Their Lives event were among the people gathered on Pearl Street. The series of events are calling for the immediate release of the hostages held by Hamas, according to its website. This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts. We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it, Dan Bongino, Deputy Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation said via social media. The incident occurred around 1:26 p.m., when Boulder police dispatch received several calls reporting there was a man with a weapon and that people were being set on fire, Redfearn said in an earlier afternoon press conference. When police arrived on scene there were multiple victims with injuries consistent with burns and other injuries, which range from minor to very serious, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The male suspect was pointed out and was taken into custody without incident, Redfearns said, and was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. During the earlier press conference, Redfearn noted that there was a group of pro-Israel people who were holding a peaceful demonstration, which happens frequently in the area. Redfearn said at that time that it was too soon to determine motive. It would be irresponsible of me to speculate on motive this early on, while they were still interviewing witnesses. Colorado Governor Jared Polis said in a statement: My thoughts go out to the people who have been injured by this heinous and targeted act on the Jewish community. Boulder is strong. We have overcome tragedies together and will get through this together as a community. Ive spoken with Boulder Mayor Brockett, and my administration is working closely with local and federal law enforcement on this afternoons attack. The scene itself had been contained, Redfearns said, and police were investigating a vehicle of interest in the area. Several blocks around the outdoor mall had been evacuated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available, FBI Director Kash Patel said on social media Sunday afternoon. In a statement on Instagram, Run for Their Lives noted that their walks have been held every week without any violent incidents until today. The organization added that the plight of the hostages is an international humanitarian crisis and called on world leaders to do everything they can to ensure the swift return home of each of the 58 hostages. The attack comes more than a week after two Israeli embassy staffers were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum. Israels war in Gaza began on Oct. 7, 2023 when Hamas led attacks in Southern Israel, including attendees of the Supernova Festival, killing more than 1,200 civilians and abducted 251 hostages. There are 58 hostages still being held, it is unclear how many are alive, after many of the others were released following ceasefire agreements and other deals. As The Associated Press reports, Israels military campaign has killed more than 54,000 people in Gaza, mostly women and children per Gazas Health Ministry, which does not identify how many were civilians or combatants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This post was updated with the number of people injured and Run for Their Lives statement at 2:55 a.m. ET on June 2. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Six people were injured in an incident that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) called a "targeted terror attack" in the western state of Colorado on Sunday. FBI special agent Mark Michalek told a press conference the attack was being treated as an act of terrorism. Witnesses told the FBI the suspect used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device into the crowd and shouted "Free Palestine" during the attack, Michalek said. The attack happened at a regularly scheduled peaceful event, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six people, aged between 67 and 88, were injured and taken to hospital, Michalek said. "As a result of these preliminary facts it is clear that this is a targeted act of violence and the FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism," he said. "Sadly attacks like this are becoming too common across the country. This is an example of how perpetrators of violence continue to threaten communities across our nation," Michalek said. "Our strength as a society comes from our shared values and our commitment to protecting one another ... Any attempt to divide us through fear or harm has no place in Boulder, in Colorado or anywhere in our nation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FBI Director Kash Patel wrote earlier on X the agency was "aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado." Earlier, Boulder police chief Steve Redfearn had said it was too early to call it a terror attack and it would be "irresponsible" for him to speculate on the motive. The suspect had been detained and was taken to hospital with minor injuries, he added. Redfearn said initial calls to police said a man was setting people on fire. "When we arrived, we encountered multiple victims that were injured with injuries consistent with burns and other injuries," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a later press conference, Redfearn thanked emergency workers who rushed to the scene where the suspect was "throwing Molotov cocktails, and using other devices to hurt people." One person was seriously injured, Redfearn said, adding it would be "safe to say" that person was in a critical condition. Colorado Governor Jared Polis said he was closely monitoring the situation. "My thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror," he wrote on X. "Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. While details emerge, the state works with local and federal law enforcement to support this investigation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said terror had "no place in our great country," in a post on X. "We're united in prayer for the victims of a targeted terror attack this afternoon in Boulder," he wrote. Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, wrote on X that the attack was not a protest. "Today, in Boulder, Colorado, Jewish people marched with a moral and humane demand: to return the hostages. In response, the Jewish protesters were brutally attacked, with an attacker throwing a Molotov cocktails at them," he wrote. "Make no mistake this is not a political protest, this is terrorism. The time for statements is over. It is time for concrete action to be taken against the instigators wherever they may be." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conflict in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Palestinian militant organization Hamas and other extremists invaded Israel, killing 1,200 and taking some 250 hostage. Israel responded with a massive attack, which has since killed more than 54,300 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority. The figures do not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties. Autocomrade North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong Un, is tightening the leash to stop the influence of South Korean media from crossing the border, where it's often smuggled on USB sticks and SD cards. As the BBC reports, consuming foreign media is punishable by imprisonment and even death in the dictatorship. In 2023, Kim even made it a crime for people to use South Korean phrases or speak in a South Korean accent. It's an Orwellian degree of absolutist control over the freedom of speech. And it extends to deep features of localized smartphones in the reclusive nation; a North Korean phone that was smuggled out of the country and obtained by the BBC was programmed to automatically replace forbidden words as they were typed, demonstrating the extraordinary extent of the Kim regime's efforts to control the way people express themselves in an incredibly literal way. Big Brother For instance, the South Korean word "oppa," which directly translates to older brother but has become a popular term to address older male friends or romantic partners, gets autocorrected to the word "comrade." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This word can only be used to describe your siblings," reads a warning that automatically pops up on the smuggled phone when a user types the word "oppa." And the word for South Korea automatically changes to "pocket state," North Korea's preferred term for referring to its southern neighbor, which has a vastly more mainstream government and relationship to the outside world. Worst of all, the device is taking a screenshot every five minutes and sending it to the authorities files that the user isn't even able to access. The software highlights the oftentimes surprising extent to which the North Korean regime goes out of its way to fight foreign influences and squash dissent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Smartphones are now part and parcel of the way North Korea tries to indoctrinate people," North Korean tech expert Martyn Williams told the BBC. And it's working, Williams argued, with North Korea "starting to gain the upper hand" in its ongoing information war with the South. More on Norht Korea: North Korean Soldiers Deployed to Ukraine Reportedly "Gorging" on Uncensored Internet's Porn LEE COUNTY, Ala. (WRBL) A man is dead after what investigators believe was a sniper-style shooting in a quiet Lee County neighborhood Sunday evening. Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones confirms a suspect is in custody and the community is not in danger. Oscar Eiland, 58, was sitting on the porch of his home along Lee Road 685 when he was shot from a distance with a rifle, according to neighbors. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on June 1st. Christopher Futral, 58, is charged with murder after investigators say he fired a rifle from a perched position 75 yards away, striking and killing 58-year-old Oscar Eiland as he sat on his porch. Futral told deputies he was aiming at someone else. According to Sheriff Jones deputies arrived on scene at approximately 7:24pm CDT and made contact with Christopher James Espey Futral (58) of Opelika Futral was hiding behind a fence and called out to deputies, saying he was putting his gun down and was coming out with his hands up. Futral was immediately detained and placed in a patrol unit, said Sheriff Jones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eiland suffered what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds to the pelvic and groin area. Deputies performed CPR on Eiland until EMS arrived on the scene. He was transported by ambulance to East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Investigators recovered a .243 caliber bolt action hunting rifle and multiple spent shell casings from the yard at Futrals residence. It was determined Futral shot the victim from a perched position from approximately 75 yards away. He admitted to the shooting but stated he missed his intended target, said Sheriff Jones. Futral was arrested and charged with Murder. He is being held in the Lee County Detention Center with no bond, awaiting an Aniahs Law Hearing. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriffs Office at 334-749-5651 or Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eilands body is being transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Montgomery for a postmortem examination. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SNOW HILL, N.C. (WNCT) The town of Snow Hills Board of Commissioners have announced an emergency meeting to reconsider the closure of the Snow Hill Police Department. The meeting is set to take place at Snow Hill Town Hall on June 2, 2025 at 1:00pm. This meeting has been called after Congressman Don Davis urged town commissioners to reconsider. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. HANOI, June 2 (Xinhua) -- A total of 4,328 people were killed and 5,307 others injured in traffic accidents across Vietnam between Dec. 15, 2024, and May 14, 2025, according to a report from the National Traffic Safety Committee. Tran Huu Minh, chief of the committee's office, said the figures represent a significant decline compared to the same period last year, Vietnam News Agency reported on Monday. Road accidents accounted for the vast majority of traffic accidents, with 7,781 cases resulting in 4,277 deaths and 5,292 injuries. These figures reflect year-on-year decreases of 25.31 percent in the number of traffic accidents, 5.56 percent in fatalities and 34.72 percent in injuries, said the report. The placement of solar panels in Colorados grasslands could help decrease water stress and increase plant growth by about 20 percent during dry years, a new study has found. In these semi-arid areas, where grasslands often dont get as much water as they need, the partial shading offered by solar systems can help plants get through harsh summers, according to the study, published in Environmental Research Letters. The plants also benefit from any additional water that ends up collecting on the panels, the authors noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though this solar array was designed to maximize energy generation not to promote beneficial environmental conditions for the grasses grown beneath it still provided a more favorable environment during a dry year, lead author Matthew Sturchio, a postdoctoral researcher at Cornell University, said in a statement. In more temperate environments, although solar power arrays provide a critical source of renewable energy, they also reduce the availability of sunlight for plant growth. The diminished presence of local vegetation also means a decrease in plant-based carbon storage and the forage available for grazing animals. But during dry years in semi-arid Colorado, scientists found that grass growth on the east side of panels was in some cases considerably more productive than in adjacent open sites. In wet and normal years, the positive rate of production was reduced, but the east side of the panels still saw more grass growth than the neighboring control spots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scientists suggested maximizing potential gains by adjusting panel arrays to changing environmental conditions such as repositioning them to provide shade when air temperatures rise or configuring them to let in more light during growing seasons. With small changes in array design, configuration and management, we may even realize untapped benefits, particularly those related to water use, Sturchio said. Going forward, Sturchio and senior author Alan Knapp, a biology professor at Colorado State University, said they are researching optimal ways to place solar power infrastructure in order to also support grazing livestock or habitat pollinators. PV solar arrays may provide a unique opportunity to harvest the sun for electrical energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the climate change threat of increased water limitation to ecosystem functioning, the authors concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A property lawyer who was caught working three jobs at the same time from home has been struck off and ordered to pay almost 9,000. Belinda Sarkodie misled her employer by claiming she was only working for them, while also working remotely at two other law firms, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal ruled. The tribunal said Ms Sarkodie capitalised on an extremely busy period for the conveyancing industry during the Covid pandemic by taking on multiple jobs for her own financial gain without her employers permission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She misled two firms where she worked as a locum, by submitting timesheets and claiming payment for the same hours on the same dates from both firms, while she was also employed to work full-time by a third law firm, the tribunal ruled. The ploy came undone after clients complained about Ms Sarkodies work and employers raised concerns that she was not readily contactable whilst working remotely. In her defence, Ms Sarkodie told the tribunal she worked up to 100 hours a week while at home during the pandemic and claimed she was able to complete the tasks required under all three of her jobs by switching between them throughout her working day. The lawyer told the tribunal that she had worked hard in each of her roles and gone over and above the requirements, claiming she had an innate work ethic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Sarkodie also argued her timesheets reflected the total hours worked overall while switching between tasks, as opposed to an accurate record of the time spent on a particular working day for each of the firms that she was contracted to work for. However, the tribunal rejected Ms Sarkodies explanations and instead ruled she acted dishonestly by filling out the timesheets incorrectly. Ms Sarkodie also tried to argued that her failure to abide by the terms of her contract had been an inadvertent error, claiming she was rushed into starting a job by a recruiter and didnt realise she couldnt take on other roles as the stress meant she failed to read the contract properly. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal said Ms Sarkodie was given a week to read over her contract and said: The Respondents assertion that her breach of contract was inadvertent lacked credibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Sarkodie has now been permanently banned from working as a solicitor and told to pay 8,891.50 in costs to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, which ruled she had acted dishonestly and undermined trust in the profession by misleading her employer. The property lawyer first qualified as a solicitor in 2020 before starting a job at London law firm Muve in May 2021. She later starting working two extra locum jobs in June that year, before quitting both jobs the following month. Ms Sarkodie was subsequently fired from her full-time position at Muve in September, at the end of her three month probationary period as a result of poor performance at the conveyancing law firm based in Richmond, south-west London. The tribunal said that given she acted dishonestly the only appropriate and proportionate sanction was for Ms Sarkodie to be struck off from the the Solicitors Register. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A mass stabbing at an Oregon homeless shelter sent 11 people to the hospital as officials are unsure what led to the attack. Police were called to the Union Gospel Mission in Salem, Oregon, about an hour south of Portland, just after 7 p.m. Sunday following reports of a stabbing, police said. Victims suffered varying types of injuries in the attack, and their conditions were unknown Monday morning, Angela Hendrick of the Salem Police Department said. Craig Smith, the executive director of the shelter, told NBC News the suspected attacker had just arrived at the facility the day before and was going to check in for a second night when he got into a fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Somethingset him off, and he evidently had a knife in his bag, Smith said. Eleven people were sent to the hospital after a man began stabbing people at a Salem homeless shelter. (Google Maps) The confrontation happened just as the suspect was about to turn over his belongings and check in. At least one staff member working at the check-in desk was injured, Smith said. Its unclear what led the man to start his attack. Bobby Epperly was on the second floor of the shelter when he said he saw the man screaming outside at traffic and holding a knife, the Salem Statesman Journal reported. Its like a horror movie, said Epperly, 48. He said he didnt realize some people had already been stabbed inside the building until he went downstairs and saw blood everywhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another witness, Malik Law, said he saw the man stab at least seven people. Everybody was basically trying to move out of his way, Law said. He started attacking them. Police have arrested the suspect but have not named the man. The shelter, a faith-based organization, houses upwards of 150 homeless men and provides support services, food, clothing, case management and counseling. With reporting from the Associated Press. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A man from Guatemala was sentenced in San Diego to 14 years in prison after a joint investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection revealed he was orchestrating cocaine trafficking operations. Arnoldo Oswaldo Vargas-Samayoa, 50, of Zacapa, Guatemala, was sentenced in federal court on Wednesday, May 23. Buona Forchetta to close temporarily following ICE raid in South Park Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to import cocaine. According to ICE, the charges were filed five years ago in January 2020. Vargas surrendered to authorities in June 2024 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), ICE stated. Authorities said prior to his arrest, he managed a cocaine trafficking organization that smuggled more than 1,000 pounds of cocaine into the U.S. from Guatemala. This sentencing sends the message that those who traffic dangerous drugs into our country will be held accountable, said ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Diego Special Agent in Charge Shawn Gibson. Thanks to the outstanding investigative work and strong domestic and international law enforcement partnerships, we were able to disrupt a key supply line of a major drug trafficking network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outrage and solidarity after ICE raid shakes South Park restaurant According to ICE, Vargas admitted he had sourced the cocaine from two different Guatemalan suppliers and coordinated delivery to another trafficker in Mexico by arranging for the drugs to be concealed in vehicles and smuggled into the U.S. Vargas received $1,000 in U.S. dollars for each kilogram of cocaine he delivered to the Mexico-based trafficker, ICE stated. Authorities learned Vargas was the son of Arnoldo Vargas Estrada, the former mayor of Zacapa, Guatemala. Estrada was convicted by a jury in the Eastern District of New York of five counts related to the importation of narcotics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was sentenced to a year in custody and was one of the first Guatemalan drug traffickers to be extradited to the U.S. in the 1990s, ICE stated. He returned to his home country in 2017 and was reelected as mayor of Zacapa, a position he held until 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. In Episode 19 of Going Rogue with Lara Logan, journalist Lara Logan sits down with South African billionaire and outspoken entrepreneur Rob Hersov for a powerful and urgent discussion on the unfolding crisis in South Africa. Hersov delivers a blunt indictment of the African National Congress (ANC), blaming the ruling party for skyrocketing crime, corruption, and targeted violence, including the well-documented murders of white farmers across the country. He warns of a country in freefall where lawlessness, state-led land expropriation, and deep-seated political dysfunction threaten to collapse one of the continents most important democracies. Logan and Hersov discuss the international communitys silence, the political betrayal of South Africans, and how former President Donald Trumps remarks briefly cast a necessary spotlight on the escalating farm attacks. Despite the grim realities, Hersov emphasizes that there is still opportunity to turn the country around if bold leadership and global pressure align. DILLON COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) The South Carolina Department of Transportation will temporarily close Judson Road over Sweet Swamp in Dillon County for bridge repairs starting next week. The bridge repairs will begin June 10 and last until September, SCDOT said. As part of the closure, a detour will be put in place using Highway 57, Highway 9, and Harllees Bridge Road. Map courtesy of the South Carolina Department of Transportation SCDOT said Judson Road will be open to local traffic only, except at the work site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * * * 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. A South Florida trucking executive convicted in November on eight counts in a Ponzi scheme fraud totaling well over $100 million was sentenced Friday to 23 years in prison. The fraud began in January 2020 and was ongoing when Singh was indicted in June 2023. He ultimately was convicted of eight counts of wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy. Jurors only deliberated an hour before convicting Singh at his trial in November, according to the Miami Herald. The same article said Singh had built Royal Bengal Logistics up to a company with 200 trucks, quoting one of his public defenders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sentencing memorandum submitted by the Justice Department just days before the sentencing paints a picture of Singh as a man who was using Royal Bengal Logistics for illicit personal gain. According to the memo, Singh raised $158 million for Royal Bengal Logistics but used much of that for his own use. The total losses from Singhs activities were about $100 million, the Justice Department said. Singh pillaged Royal Bengal Logistics bank accounts and the investors funds therein gambling it away in the stock market, the memo said. Singh exposed approximately $40 million dollars in investor funds to his amateur gambling on mostly meme stocks, ultimately losing over $12 million of investor funds. His activities went on for four years, according to the Justice Department, as he watched Royal Bengal Logistics slip further and further into debt, all the while lying to investors about the profitability of the business. During this time, Singh also pitched his investors new investment opportunities and businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Singh realized that the Ponzi scheme was beginning to fail, he attempted to shift ownership and responsibility of the company to his general counsel, Elizabeth Hueber, so that she could ultimately be left to steer the sinking ship, the memo said. The number of victims of Singhs activities totaled more than 2,000, according to the Justice Department. The victims were not random, the memo said, with a large majority of them being working class Haitian south Florida residents. The Justice Department sought a sentence of 25 years. While the U.S attorney for the Southern District of Florida as of publication time had not issued a news release on the sentencing of Sanjay Singh of Royal Bengal Logistics, and the PACER file in the case did not have an active hyperlink to information on the sentencing, at least two sources have reported that Singh received that duration for his convictions: Law360 and the law firm of Tripp Scott. Paul Lopez of that South Florida firm is a receiver in the case, responsible for seeking to compensate victims of the Ponzi scheme from Singhs assets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pre-sentencing memo submitted by Singhs attorneys noted he was a first-time, nonviolent offender. It says little about the charges that led to his indictment, conviction and sentencing. The bulk of the pre-sentencing memo submitted by Singhs attorneys focuses on the federal guidelines for sentencing. It says the guidelines suggested by the federal government would be a gross miscarriage of justice and says Singh has a very low risk of reoffending. That low risk is a function, the memo says, of the damage done to Singhs reputation at his age, both at the time of sentencing and at the likely time of his release. He is described in the memo as nearly 46. Mr. Singh has been personally and financially devastated as a result of his conduct, the memo said. There is no reason to believe that a sentence within the advisory guideline range is necessary to prevent him from committing further crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an impact statement filed recently with the court with the name of the victim redacted a victim addressed Singh directly by saying because of your greed and inhumane actions, I am entering the workforce again at the age of 66 years to meet several financial obligations as well as support our extended families. For my wife and I, our families have had to witness our pain, and have done their very best to support us through countless difficult days and adjust to the changes in our personality, financial hardship and daily life, the author of the impact statement said. More articles by John Kingston Georgia tort reform aims to change practices in judicial hell hole Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Lego approach helps prepare Manhattan Associates TMS for tariff chaos BMOs Q2 earnings show no improvement in credit conditions for trucking The post South Florida trucking company owner gets long prison term for Ponzi scheme appeared first on FreightWaves. After more than a month, a South Jordan missing teenager has been found alive in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The South Jordan Police Department confirmed that the 15-year-old girl is in the care of officers with the Colorado Springs Police Department. Late last night, she walked into the Colorado Springs Police Department and identified herself as the South Jordan runaway thats been missing, said Officer Shaun Becker. And they instantly got into contact with the South Jordan Police Department After more than a month, a South Jordan missing teenager has been found alive in Colorado Springs, Colo. | Neil - stock.adobe.com Police confirmed she is in good health. Her family has been notified and is expected to reunite with her soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a good night for the detectives and their hard work to find that she is safe and in good health, Becker said. Becker said the department is relieved about the outcome, but the investigation is ongoing. I mean, for my detectives, the investigation is long, she said. Its going to continue, right? Its not over. Theyre going to continue to do everything they can to figure out what happened. So far, three suspects have been charged in connection of the case. This was a missing girl case and we were for finding and holding bad actors involved in that case accountable, said Becker. If others become available, we will do the same and hold them accountable as well. Becker reiterated that there is still a lot of work to be done. This investigation isnt over, she said. If anything, its just beginning. This is a breaking news story. It may be updated. [Source] South Korean students, the third-largest group of international students in the U.S., are being urged to carefully manage their online presence amid heightened visa scrutiny by the Trump administration. An internal State Department cable, obtained by Reuters, instructed U.S. embassies to pause new student and exchange visa appointments to allow for expanded digital vetting. The directive is part of a broader immigration crackdown that has raised concerns among students and their families. Call for transparency In response, the South Korean government has asked the U.S. to provide timely and detailed information about the reported suspension of new visa interviews. Trending on NextShark: Former DEI supporter selected as University of Floridas new president Our government is closely monitoring the situation while continuing necessary communication with the U.S. side, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong during a press briefing. The government is currently asking the U.S. to provide necessary information and timely notifications to South Koreans. Agencies urge caution Educational agencies in Seoul report a surge in inquiries from worried parents and students following the announcement. Park Hyuntae, head of Worldnet U.S. Overseas Edu Center, said both current and prospective applicants are anxious about the policy shift. Trending on NextShark: Jackie Chan wants Rush Hour 4 and Shanghai Dawn Those who already scheduled those interviews and will apply for interviews both are worried, nervous, Park told Reuters. But cancellations of existing interviews havent happened yet as far as I know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Park said the pause could delay students ability to start the school year and that his agency is advising caution about online activity. I am telling them, especially male students, do not post anything extreme or disgusting on social media, like pictures of grenades or weapons, he said. Trending on NextShark: South Korean students warned to clean up their socials amid US visa crackdown This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what were building, consider becoming a paid member your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe here now! Trending on NextShark: ICE officials ousted amid White House order to triple number of daily arrests Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! Children perform during a ceremony marking International Children's Day at the Islamabad China-Pakistan Youth One Heart Step and Cure Home (ICOSH), in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, on June 1, 2025. Established in 2023 by the Beijing One Heart Sphere Charity Foundation and the China-Pakistan Youth Exchange Community (CPYEC), ICOSH began with the mission of assisting critically ill Pakistani patients seeking treatment in the capital. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal) By Misbah Saba Malik ISLAMABAD, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Muhammad Shahab has been living with his sister at the Islamabad China-Pakistan Youth One Heart Step and Cure Home (ICOSH), a compassionate shelter made possible through the generous support of the Chinese people, and has found strength, comfort and courage to dream of a brighter future. An orphan with no relatives, Shahab lost his mother, who bravely fought oral cancer. In her final days, she entrusted ICOSH with her children, a gesture that speaks volumes about the trust and love she felt for this place. "This home means everything to us. The Pakistani staff treats us with kindness and care, and Chinese friends visit us every week to see how we are doing. They ensure we have access to quality education, nutritious meals, and a safe, loving environment. ICOSH is more than a home, it is our protection, our hope, and our family," the 11-year-old, who has been living in the home for about a year, told Xinhua. Established in 2023 by the Beijing One Heart Sphere Charity Foundation and the China-Pakistan Youth Exchange Community (CPYEC), ICOSH began with the mission of assisting critically ill Pakistani patients seeking treatment in the capital. Today, it has grown into a haven offering temporary shelter for disabled and seriously ill children, as well as full-time residence for 21 orphans, including Shahab. Shahab's late mother, who stayed at the compassionate home for several months, deeply appreciated the care she received and asked the center's administration to look after her children after her passing, according to Sobia Adnan, the Pakistani director of ICOSH. "She was a seriously ill patient who entrusted her children to us based on her own experience here," Sobia said. "It reflects the deep trust that people have in ICOSH." She added that all orphans at the center have experienced some form of trauma in their lives, like Shahab and his sister, who witnessed their mother's passing after a battle with cancer. Beyond meeting their basic needs, ICOSH places strong emphasis on the emotional well-being of the children. To support this, volunteer teachers visit the children in their rooms, fostering a nurturing and understanding environment where they can heal and thrive, she added. Since its establishment, ICOSH has provided care and assistance to 130 children who stayed temporarily while receiving treatment for various illnesses, before leaving once cured, Sobia said. The resident orphans attend local schools, with their education fully funded by Chinese support. In the future, based on their interests and talents, these children may be sent to China for higher education after completing their college education in Pakistan. "The center is a ray of hope for poor, underprivileged children who would have faced life's hardships alone if the Chinese people had not extended their hand and offered them warmth," she added. Speaking to Xinhua, Ma Bin, the head of the CPYEC, said the center embodies the deep friendship between the Pakistani and Chinese peoples. Since its inception, ICOSH has upheld the principle of "people-to-people communication," offering shelter, medical care, and educational support to impoverished families and orphans. "Every recovered child and every smiling face tell the heartfelt story of China-Pakistan friendship. Love knows no borders, and good deeds have no boundaries. To support these beloved Pakistani children, many Chinese enterprises in Pakistan, with the backing of the Chinese embassy, have joined forces in this public welfare initiative, creating a strong relay of charitable efforts," he said. "This collaboration not only empowers the development of vulnerable families but also helps the Belt and Road Initiative's vision of people-to-people connectivity take root. We believe that even more social forces will join this caring mission in the future," Ma added. As the partnership between Pakistan and China continues to strengthen, initiatives like this shelter stand as powerful symbols of solidarity and hope, Shiffa Butt, a volunteer at the home, told Xinhua. "Through sustained support and shared commitment, countless vulnerable children are being given the chance to rebuild their lives, pursue education, and dream of a brighter tomorrow, demonstrating the enduring impact of friendship beyond borders," she added. Children attend a ceremony marking the International Children's Day at the Islamabad China-Pakistan Youth One Heart Step and Cure Home (ICOSH), in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, on June 1, 2025. Established in 2023 by the Beijing One Heart Sphere Charity Foundation and the China-Pakistan Youth Exchange Community (CPYEC), ICOSH began with the mission of assisting critically ill Pakistani patients seeking treatment in the capital. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal) YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A man whose South Side home was searched as part of a drug investigation has pleaded guilty in federal court to a two-count indictment. Rashad Wahid Akbar, 35, entered pleas Monday in the U.S. Northern District Court of Ohio before U.S. Judge Charles Esque Fleming to charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Sentencing is set for Sept. 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was indicted Oct. 2 by a federal grand jury following a criminal complaint based off a Sept. 4 search of his home on Vermont Avenue. An affidavit accompanying the criminal complaint in the case said investigators serving the search warrant found suspected fentanyl in a bedroom safe, over 250 grams of powder in the basement, a digital scale, $3,000 cash and three guns, one of which was reported stolen. The affidavit said Wahid Akbar admitted that everything in the house was his when questioned at the FBI office in Youngstown. The affidavit said federal agents were aided by the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force and the Youngstown Police Department during their investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. A Southwest Airlines flight diverted to South Carolina an hour into its journey. "A customer's battery charger apparently overheated and began to smoke," the airline said. The incident came the day after Southwest introduced new rules for portable charging devices. A Southwest Airlines flight had to divert after a passenger's battery charger started to smoke, the day after the airline introduced new rules for devices. Thursday's Flight 1844, from Baltimore to Tampa, took off at about 6 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But data from Flightradar24 shows that an hour into the journey, the Boeing 737 made an abrupt right turn. In a statement shared with Business Insider, an airline spokesperson said, "A customer's battery charger apparently overheated and began to smoke." Quick-thinking flight attendants followed procedures and put the device in a containment bag, they added. The captain diverted to the nearest suitable airport, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The plane landed safely, and the airline said it was investigating the incident. "We appreciate the professionalism of our flight crew in swiftly handling the situation," the statement added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another Southwest plane picked up the passengers in Myrtle Beach and continued to Tampa nearly five hours later, according to Flightradar24. On Wednesday, Southwest introduced what it called a "first-in-industry safety policy" related to portable charging devices. It says customers must keep them visible while in use, so they cannot be stored in a bag or overhead bin while charging. That's because quick intervention is key to preventing a fire from getting out of control. Since a January incident in South Korea, the industry has taken a stricter approach to power banks and other lithium-battery devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Air Busan plane was about to take off when a fire spread through the cabin, injuring seven people. Investigators later said the fire was most likely caused by a power bank found in an overhead luggage bin. The Korean government subsequently tightened its rules for airlines, which included prohibiting storing them in the overhead bins. Last year, the Federal Aviation Administration recorded about three incidents every two weeks, compared with fewer than one a week in 2018. Read the original article on Business Insider A drop box in a parking lot next to Prince Georges County Board of Elections on May 30. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) Prince Georges Countys year of cascading special elections is almost over. More than 62,000 Prince Georges County voters had dropped off mail-in ballots as of Friday, ahead of Tuesdays special election to choose a new county executive and a new District 5 council member, a county election official said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In-person turnout was light just 307 voters on Wednesday, the first day of early voting and 396 on Thursday but county Election Administrator Wendy Honesty-Bey attributed that to the weeks rainy weather. Its been expected, she said Friday. There is one more day of early voting Monday before Election Day on Tuesday. The voting caps a year of upheaval in the county, where the election of a new U.S. senator and the criminal conviction of a sitting council member created openings that had a domino effect, as county officials moved in to new positions. The parade of elections began with the conviction last year of former At-large Council Member Jamel Mel Frankin, who was convicted in a campaign theft scheme, setting up an August primary and a November election. When District 5 Council Member Jolene Ivey won Franklins seat and County Executive Angela Alsobrooks won a U.S. Senate seat in November, it set up a March primary and Tuesdays general election for those seats. In the executives race, voters are choosing between States Attorney Aisha Braveboy, the Democrat, and Republican nominee Jonathan White to fill out the remaining two years of Alsobrooks term, who stepped down in December to take her Senate seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The countys chief administrative officer, Tara H. Jackson, who has been acting county executive since Alsobrooks stepped down, chose not to seek the seat. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Braveboy, who was endorsed by Gov. Wes Moore (D), easily won a March primary over a field of nine Democrats, including former County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, who had the endorsement of state treasurer and county resident Dereck Davis (D), and At-Large Council Member Calvin Hawkins, who was endorsed by Alsobrooks. Ivey was briefly a candidate in the executives race but withdrew before the primary and still managed to finish fourth. By withdrawing, Ivey spared county residents the prospect of another special election for her at-large council seat. Should Braveboy win the executives race, the countys circuit court judges will select a replacement to serve out the remaining two years of her term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In heavily Democratic Prince Georges County, Braveboy is the favorite to win. In a victory party after her March 4 primary win, Braveboy acknowledged as much when she told the crowd, I cant wait to serve as your next county executive. Voters in council District 5,which includes Bladensburg, Cheverly and Glenarden, are also choosing between former school board member Shayla Adams-Stafford, a Democrat, and Republican Fred Price Jr. to replace Ivey. Adams-Stafford, a former school board member, won the Democratic nomination by slightly more than 2,000 votes against four other candidates. A fifth Democratic challenger, former Cheverly Mayor Kayce Munyeneh who lost reelection in last months city election, dropped out the County Council race. As with Braveboy, Adams-Stafford is the likely favorite in the heavily Democratic county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The council make up could become more progressive with Adams-Stafford on the council, who also received support from Council Chair Edward Burroughs III and Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha. About three weeks after Braveboy won the special primary, Burroughs became the youngest chair in the countys history at age 32. Honesty-Bey said counting ballots for Tuesdays special general election should be completed by June 13. The winners in both races are scheduled to be sworn in June 19, the federal holiday of Juneteenth, also observed by the state and county, when government offices will be closed. For more information on where to drop off mail-in ballots and nine of the vote center locations, go to here. Polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Polls will open Tuesday on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Megha Vemuri, Massachusetts Institute of Technologys 2025 class president, was banned from participating in her graduation commencement ceremony last week, after she accused the university of having aided and abetted Israels assault on the Palestinian people during a speech on campus the day before. On Thursday, Vemuri took to the stage at the OneMIT commencement ceremony, donning a keffiyeh a traditional scarf worn by Arab communities that has been a symbol of Palestinian nationalism for decades over her graduation gown. During her speech, Vemuri denounced Israels war in Gaza and criticized the university for its ties to the country's military. Right now, while we prepare to graduate and move forward with our lives, there are no universities left in Gaza, Vemuri said. We are watching Israel try to wipe out Palestine off the face of the earth, and it is a shame that MIT is a part of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Hamas-run Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 54,418 people have been killed and 124,190 injured in Gaza amid Israel's ongoing attack in the region since Hamas' terrorist attack in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. That attack killed more than 1,200 people in Israel and took around 250 hostage, according to Israeli counts. Vemuri's speech starts around the 55:30 mark, and her remarks related to Gaza begin at the 56:00 mark: At the end of her speech, Vemuri referenced a decades-old MIT tradition in which graduating students turn their class rings, featuring their universitys mascot, Tim the Beaver, outward, symbolizing that their time at MIT is now in the past. As you lift it off your fingers, notice that the beaver is no longer facing you; it is now facing the world, Vemuri said. This is a world that we will be entering with an immeasurable responsibility. We will carry with us the stamp of the MIT name, the same name that is directly complicit in the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people. And so we carry with us the obligation to do everything we can to stop it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Vemuri finished her speech, Sally Kornbluth, the university's president, tried to settle the crowd. At MIT, we believe in freedom of expression. But today is about the graduates, Kornbluth said. Without naming Vemuri, MIT confirmed that she had been banned from Fridays events, after they said she delivered a speech a day earlier that was not the one provided to the school in advance of the event. While that individual had a scheduled role at todays Undergraduate Degree Ceremony, she was notified that she would not be permitted at todays events, university spokesperson Kimberly Allen said in a statement. MIT supports free expression but stands by its decision, which was in response to the individual deliberately and repeatedly misleading Commencement organizers and leading a protest from the stage, disrupting an important Institute ceremony. Vemuri's speech quickly attracted criticism, including from House Speaker Mike Johnson, who called it Ignorant. Hateful. Morally bankrupt, in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where is the shame or appropriate response from the institution? Have your children avoid MIT & the Ivy League at all costs, Johnson wrote. An MIT spokesperson told CNN that despite not attending Friday's ceremony, Vemuri will still receive her degree. What I am dealing with right now is absolutely nothing compared to the people of Palestine, and Id take on much more if it meant helping their cause, Vemuri told CNN on Sunday. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com On 1 Aug 1990, British Airways (BA) Flight 149, scheduled to fly from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur, via stops in Kuwait and Madras (now Chennai), was briefly delayed before takeoff. Right at the end of the boarding period, our ground controller told me that there were additional passengers who had just checked in, recalls Clive Earthy, the flights cabin services director, one of 367 passengers and 18 crew onboard. The passengers turned up and boarded the flight. They were a group of young, fit-looking men. They were all seated at the back of the aircraft. The Boeing 747-136 finally took off just after 6pm. As soon as they landed in Kuwait, Earthy opened a door at the front of the plane to be greeted by a British military officer in full uniform. He said to me: Youre very late, Flight 149, Ive come to meet some people from London, and its very important I get them off quickly now. All those men were escorted off the aircraft. Instead of going down the arrivals channel into customs and immigration, the officer took them down some side steps and disappeared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I thought that was most peculiar. But I didnt put two and two together for a long, long time. Clive Earthy watched a British officer whisk mysterious men off Flight 149 and has spent 35 years demanding answers - Drum Studios/ Sky UK Flight 149 never made it out of Kuwait. While the plane was in the air, and unbeknown to the passengers and crew, Saddam Husseins Iraqi forces had invaded Kuwait, after months of build-up on the border, and were making rapid progress towards the airport. For the civilians on board, their flight into a war zone was the start of a 35-year tale of mistreatment and government cover-ups, which is the subject of a gripping and beautifully made new documentary, Flight 149: Hostage of War. The story remains unresolved: more than 100 (at the time of writing) of the survivors are suing the British Government, and British Airways, for knowingly putting them in harms way. Personally, I dont want money, Earthy says. What I do want is an apology. From boarding gate to battleground While the plane waited on the tarmac in Kuwait, another passenger, 12-year-old Jennifer Chappell, heading to Madras with her brother and parents, got her first inkling something was wrong. The cleaners could not get off the plane fast enough, she recalls. I looked out of the window and saw fighter planes flying very low, with what I thought were things falling off them. Jennifer Chappell was just 12 when she witnessed fighter jets flying low outside the plane in Kuwait - Drum Studios/ Sky UK Moments later, the bombs went off. Kuwaiti soldiers ordered all passengers and crew off the plane into the airport. There, they watched the fighting through the large plate-glass windows of the terminal building. You could see the planes dogfighting and the tanks rolling over the horizon, Chappell says. The crew had to tell some of the adults to stand back from the windows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Iraqis seized the airport. Chappell and her family were transferred, along with several other guests, into a series of facilities where they were held prisoner as Husseins honoured guests, during the build-up to the first Gulf War. Initial media reports portrayed their stay as a kind of extended holiday in the sun. The reality was much harsher. The captives were released after five months, apart from one Kuwaiti who was shot trying to escape, after a concerted campaign for their release by British and US officials as well as a surprising parade of celebrities, including Edward Heath, Sir Richard Branson, Rev Jesse Jackson and Muhammad Ali. But during their time as guests the prisoners, not just those on that flight, were variously used as human shields, kept hungry, paraded on TV and subjected to mock executions. Possibly the most famous image of the time was of five-year-old Stuart Lockwood with Saddam Hussein (as seen as the top of this article). Lockwood was not on board the plane but lived in Kuwait his father was in the oil industry. Today Lockwood says I was shielded, completely unaware of the gravity of the events unfolding around me. However, when I stood next to him, surrounded by guards, TV cameras and everyone else who were also being held as human shields, I knew instinctively that this situation was important. This surreal chapter from my early childhood remains a profound and formative part of who I am. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile Jennifer Chappell says, Ive never recovered. I was diagnosed with PTSD at 15. Ive suffered with depression and anxiety my whole life, emotionally unstable personality disorder, which has led to numerous suicide attempts. Ive never been able to hold anything down or settle down. Ive lived my life on benefits. At 12 years old I was a straight-A student at boarding school. One of them, Charlie Kristiansson a steward on the flight says an Iraqi soldier separated him from the other hostages and raped him. Charlie Kristiansson, a steward on Flight 149, says he was separated from other hostages and raped by an Iraqi soldier - Drum Studios/ Sky UK I feel proud to have survived, Kristiansson says. We survived inhumane conditions. I saw a 10-year-old girl chased by Iraqi soldiers jump to her death. Having witnessed that, and after what happened to me personally, which was horrible, you have to recalibrate and reconfigure yourself. He recently switched nationality to Luxembourg, part of the process of exorcising his demons from that time. For Kristiansson and Chappell like Earthy and the other souls aboard Flight 149 captivity marked the beginning of a nightmare that has lasted 35 years. Throughout that time, their account has been repeatedly denied by British Airways and successive governments, even as new evidence has steadily corroborated their story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last July, it was announced that around a hundred survivors are suing British Airways and the British Government, believing their civilian flight was deliberately endangered to enable a covert intelligence-gathering mission. As the infected blood and Post Office scandals have shown, such betrayals are far from history. The controversy hinges on the extent to which British Airways and the government were aware of the rapidly developing situation on the ground in Kuwait. And if they knew about the Iraqi invasion, why was a British civilian aircraft allowed to land? Flight 149 was the only plane to land in Kuwait in the small hours of the morning on August 2nd. At the time, British Airways and the government claimed not to have been aware of how fast the invasion had taken place. In a now infamous statement in parliament on 6 Sept 1990, Margaret Thatcher said: The British Airways flight landed, its passengers disembarked, and the crew handed over to a successor crew and went to their hotels. All that took place before the invasion: the invasion was later. Subsequent governments repeated this claim, despite testimony from passengers and crew such as Chappell, who witnessed gunfire from the plane. It also contradicted the timeline set out in Thatchers own memoir, The Downing Street Years. A long road to accountability A major breakthrough came in 2021, when documents released under the thirty-year rule (the period after which most government records are transferred to the National Archives and made available to the public) revealed that the Kuwaiti Ambassador had rung the Foreign Office at midnight, when the plane was in the air, to warn that the invasion had begun. The information was passed on to Downing Street, MI6, the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Defence, but not British Airways. Liz Truss, foreign secretary in 2021, apologised for the deceit. This failure was unacceptable, Truss said in a written statement. I apologise to the House for this, and I express my deepest sympathy to those who were detained and mistreated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it came to why British Airways was not informed, one scapegoat was Anthony Paice the MI6 station chief in Kuwait, working undercover as aviation security at the embassy. He was accused of failing to warn the airline of the risks. Some reports even suggested that he and his service were complicit in the clandestine operation a claim he denies. Paice, then Kuwaiti MI6 station chief, warned that flying through Kuwait at the time was dangerous contradicting British Airways claim they were told it was safe to proceed - Drum Studios/ Sky UK In subsequent years there were press reports that claimed I was responsible for telling British Airways it was safe to fly through [Kuwait], where in fact I advised them exactly the opposite, he says. I had to live with this because I had signed the Official Secrets Act, so my only comment could be no comment. It was only in 2019 that his worm turned and he decided to tell the truth. In 2022 he published a book, Overkill or Under-kill, about his story, which he says has never been disputed by MI6 or any other department. I thought, damn it all, were a long time after the events [of Flight 149] and Im still being blamed for something I had nothing to do with, he says. As with the captives, living in the shadow of so much deceit has taken a personal toll. It made me a difficult person to live with, he says. You are totally frustrated. But Im happy with my account. People know the truth. My only concern is to get compensation for those people who were wronged. It caused me an enormous amount of anger and it makes me feel all the more sore about other instances of governments not owning up and apologising and doing the right thing. The post office scandal is a good case in point. Another, much further back, is the squaddies who were exposed to radiation during our nuclear tests in the Pacific. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given that the government of the time admitted it knew about the invasion earlier than it claimed, the question remains: why was the flight allowed to go ahead? Many believe the answer lies with the young men who boarded at the last minute. Paice is now convinced that a military intelligence exploitation of British Airways flight 149 did take place, despite repeated official denials. He says: Somebody should come up with an apology for not having accepted that something was going on on the aeroplane, and that that was responsible for the discomfort experienced by nearly 400 people, which was quite unnecessary. British Airways had been warned and took no notice of the warning, and the British government was also warned and also took no action as it could have done. Both organisations are culpable. Liz Truss apologised in 2021 after secret documents revealed the government knew of Kuwaits invasion before BA Flight 149 took off - Geoff Pugh Paices account aligned with the version of events being pieced together by Kiwi journalist Stephen Davis, a former member of The Sunday Timess insight team and The Independent on Sunday, who was writing a book about Flight 149. The Secret History of Flight 149 was published in 2021 the same year Liz Truss admitted the government had covered up the true timeline. Much of the legal case against British Airways and the Government now rests on Daviss reporting, which took nearly 35 years to complete. He was alerted that all was not as it seemed almost as soon as the invasion took place. Like other journalists, Davis then on the news desk at The Independent on Sunday was fed the official line that the hostages were enjoying an extended holiday. Ironically enough, it was true for about three days, he says. The Iraqis were astonished they had been gifted this British Airways plane with all these people. The invasion was pretty disorganised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was not long before he was tipped off that something was amiss. Id done a lot of work reporting on special forces and intelligence services and I got a call from a contact saying what theyre saying about this plane isnt right, you should look into it, he says. That was the start of an epic battle, which has taken more than half my life. Davis has spent nearly 35 years investigating Flight 149 Daviss version of events is that, as the threat of Iraqi invasion loomed, intelligence services cobbled together a last-minute plan to get a group of operators into Kuwait discreetly. He believes this was a group known as The Increment, more recently known as E Squadron, a secretive British paramilitary group mostly composed of ex-servicemen who work closely with the intelligence services. Davis believes their air fares were paid by a military account and that BA were aware of the operation, which was intended to activate an underground intelligence network during the invasion. The initial briefing was predicated on the fact that when the Iraqis invaded, the Kuwait military would hold out for three to five days, he says. This team would fly on the plane, get off, go to their assigned positions, the plane would fly on and nobody would be the wiser. What actually happened was the Kuwaiti military collapsed like a pack of cards. The tanks reached the airport in five hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So initially it was a cock-up. Everything thats happened since has been the most blatant cover-up. A group of guys boarded the plane while it was delayed at Heathrow, got on at the front and walked through the plane to the back. They were seen by dozens of people. Yet British Airways maintains to this day that no group boarded the plane to the delay. A key figure in Daviss enquiries was Lawrence OToole, the manager of British Airways in Kuwait. It was OToole who went to be briefed by Tony Paice on whether it was appropriate to proceed with the flight. British Airways have always maintained they were told it was safe to fly, Davis says. When Liz Truss finally made her statement, it completely shot that down. Paice had actually warned that if a plane went through Kuwait at that time, it would get into trouble. As Saddam Husseins forces stormed Kuwait, Flight 149 landed with over 400 unsuspecting passengers - Drum Studios/ Sky UK Further to that, I discovered his wife and child had just come from Switzerland, Davis adds. I tracked down his PA, who was sitting in the office when OToole came back from the briefing. He was anxious and told his PA, get my wife and kid out on the next flight. That is not a man who has just been told that nothing is about to happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During disclosure to US lawyers over a comparable claim in the US, British Airways admitted that OToole knew of the invasion when he was awakened by the sound of tanks and gunfire at 4am, 15 minutes before the plane landed and when it had not yet entered Kuwaiti airspace and could have been diverted, potentially to Bahrain. But it insisted he was powerless to help. Laurie OToole could not have turned the aircraft back, BA said at the time. He was aware of military movement. He tried repeatedly to contact airport staff and the embassy, but could not raise either. Davis believes both the Government and British Airways are cautious about admitting culpability, fearing the financial costs as well as reputational damage. In 1995, a French court ordered BA to pay at least 3 million in damages to 61 French nationals on board, ruling the airline had exposed passengers to undue danger by stopping in Kuwait. In 2021, another French court awarded 1.1 million to seven additional passengers. In the mid-90s, BA settled claims from US passengers out of court, requiring them to sign non-disclosure agreements. In a 2024 statement, British Airways said: Our hearts go out to all those caught up in this shocking act of war 34 years ago, who had to endure a truly horrendous experience. UK government records released in 2021 confirmed British Airways was not warned about the invasion. Stuart Lockwood, aged five, arrives at Gatwick Airport in 1990 after being held hostage in Kuwait - Shutterstock Stephen Davis says, Liz Trusss statement to the House said: On 1 August the British Embassy in Kuwait told the local British Airways office that while flights on 1 August should be safe, subsequent flights were inadvisable. That is a warning, obviously: BA149 was due to arrive on August 2. BA just ignored that part of the statement and focused on the part that they did not get a call after the invasion had started. The Ministry of Defence, meanwhile, has previously referred to earlier statements in the House of Commons. In 2007, the UK government clearly confirmed in parliament that the government in 1990 did not exploit the flight in any way for military personnel. A source reiterated to The Telegraph that no military personnel were onboard or deployed on BA149 on 2 Aug 1990. It echoes a denial by John Major in 1993, who responded to letters from John Prescott by denying that there were military personnel on the plane and refusing to set up an enquiry. Davis believes this is a verbal sleight of hand as the Increment isnt technically military. In a footnote in the governments defence, it says it cannot rule out that there were military intelligence people on the plane by coincidence. A turning point The new documentary is directed by Jenny Ash who first encountered the story eight years ago while interviewing Richard Branson. When asked what he was proudest of, Branson didnt mention ballooning or his business empire but his role in helping to free the hostages. For Ash, the Flight 149 story is vital not only because of its devastating human toll but because it marked a turning point in history. The film highlights the often-overlooked destruction of Kuwait during the Gulf War and the profound shift in relations between the West and the Middle East that followed. Its four months when the world completely changed, she says. Up to this point the Americans are calling Osama Bin Laden a freedom fighter. Both Britain and the USA were totally in bed with Saddam Hussein. It all imploded when he invaded Kuwait. Its the beginning of everything. 9/11, all of it. And these poor people were caught in the middle of it and spent 30 years being told it never happened. Matthew Jury, the lawyer representing more than 100 claimants suing the Government and British Airways, believes that based on what he has seen, this is another in the seeming lineage of British government cover-ups. Theres an abundance of material pointing to BA and the government being culpable for the harm the passengers and crew have suffered yet they continue to deny it. We hope this litigation will allow the truth to be revealed and those responsible to be held to account. No dates have been set but jury hopes to have a trial before the end of 2026. A Kuwaiti official sits among the wreckage of a British Airways Boeing 747 aircraft in Kuwait, March 1991 - Peter Jordan/Popperfoto For the victims, it cannot come soon enough. Wed have understood that governments sometimes have a choice between s--- decision and another s--- decision, says Jennifer Chappell. We get that. But the utter disrespect to keep lying. The [soldiers] on the plane have spoken about it. We have their testimony. Why are [the authorities] still lying about it? Have the guts to stand up and say this is what we did, were sorry you got caught in the crossfire and were going to try to make it right. That was all they had to do. Instead theyve lied and lied and lied. Theyve gaslit us, in modern parlance, for 35 years. I want to see our names cleared. We havent made it up. This stuff happened and it ruined our lives and they were responsible. The British government for using a commercial flight as a de facto military transport, and British Airways for putting 368 passengers and 36 of their own staff, at risk. The 747 was eventually blown up. Subsequent wars in the Middle East have eclipsed the first Gulf War. For those caught up in Flight 149 and those who have made it their mission to help them the search for the truth goes on. Flight 149: Hostage of War is on Sky Documentaries and Now on 11 June 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A 53-foot sperm whale, which was struck by a vessel, washed ashore north of Seaside on Thursday afternoon, days after it died, the Seaside Aquarium posted on their Facebook page Sunday. The adult male was first reported dead on May 23 about 15 miles offshore. Four days later, the whale was about 7 miles offshore. Once it washed ashore between Del Ray and Sunset Beach, officials were able to do a necropsy that revealed the whale died after being hit by a vessel. An adult sperm whale washed ashore north of Seaside, May 29, 2025 (Seaside Aquarium) An adult sperm whale washed ashore north of Seaside, May 29, 2025 (Seaside Aquarium) An adult sperm whale washed ashore north of Seaside, May 29, 2025 (Seaside Aquarium) An adult sperm whale washed ashore north of Seaside, May 29, 2025 (Seaside Aquarium) The whale will stay on the beach to decompose and provide a nutrition boost to the local ecosystem, authorities said. The whale will provide food for turkey vultures, bald eagles and coyotes for quite some time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Astoria police wear The Goonies patches in honor of Oregon films 40th anniversary However, people should stay away from the whale. Marine mammals may spread potential diseases to humans and pets, the Seaside Aquarium said. Though authorities said the whale was an adult male, they did not provide an estimated age. However, these male sperm whales can reach 60 feet and more than 40 tons while living up to 60 years. Males mature around 50 with a length of about 52 feet. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Springfield convention and visitors organization Visit Springfield is declaring the city the Cashew Chicken Capital of the World as it kicks off its second annual event dedicated to the dish. Yes, the declaration made on June 2, 2025 is a promotion, but there is some truth behind Springfields most well-known dish. According to a release from Visit Springfield, starting in June 2025, the Springfield Cashew Chicken Trail officially launched its second season, inviting food lovers to indulge in the dish that helped put Springfield on the culinary map. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previous coverage: Cashew Chicken could become Missouris official dish Leongs legacy Cashew Chicken was first created in 1963 when David Leong was looking for a way to better connect with Springfield customers eating at his Chinese restaurant. By frying chicken chunks and drizzling a concoction of Chinese oyster sauce, cashews, and chopped green onions, Leong was successful in finding the right combination for southwest Missourians taste buds. Soon, versions of Springfield-Style Cashew Chicken appeared on menus coast to coast and even around the world, states Visit Springfield in a article published on the history in March, 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can find out more about the history of Springfields famous Cashew Chicken by watching the video above, or by reading Visit Springfields full history. Previous coverage: Springfields first Cashew Chicken Trail Second season of the Cashew Chicken Trail The Cashew Chicken Trail is put on by Visit Springfield and features participating restaurants across the city by offering foodies the chance to sample a wide variety of takes on the classic. This seasons trail includes: A brand-new, limited-edition Cashew Chicken Trail T-shirt for those who complete the challenge and earn enough points. Several new restaurants added to the lineup, expanding the trail with even more local flavor and creativity. Several new cashew chicken-inspired dishes such as cashew chicken pizza, wings, salad, and more that local restaurants have made their own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Participants can sign up starting June 1 and begin earning points by checking in at participating restaurants and trying their featured dishes. The more stops you make, the more points you earn, and the closer you get to tasty rewards. To sign up and get started on the trail, visit springfieldmo.org/cashewchicken to 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 KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. KATHMANDU, June 2 (Xinhua) -- A total of 86,216 foreigners visited Nepal in May, down 4.4 percent year-on-year, the Nepal Tourism Board said on Monday. The South Asian country welcomed more tourists from China and the United States, but saw a sharp decline in the number of Indians, in May, the board noted. Only 28,160 Indians visited Nepal in the past month, as against 38,288 in May 2024. From January to May 2025, Nepal had a total of 501,264 foreign arrivals, according to the board. SPRINGFIELD Saying people shouldnt be punished twice for the same crime, city officials are pushing for legislation to automatically seal records for those who committed nonviolent crimes three to seven years after conviction. The Clean Slate Initiative, which is now being debated in the Legislatures Joint Committee on the Judiciary, would automatically seal records of misdemeanor crimes three years after conviction and after seven years for a felony. The law has a clause exempting some, including sex offenders and others who have committed violent felonies, from having their records sealed automatically, according to the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The intent is to give people a second chance, said state Sen. Adam Gomez, D-Springfield, who is one of the legislators who filed the bill spearheaded by Sen. Cindy Friedman, a Democrat who represents the Fourth Middlesex district. For Gomez, the bill is especially meaningful, since he got into trouble with the law and was charged with a misdemeanor when he was a teenager. He was able to seal his record, change his life and give back to his community, but many do not have the same opportunity. Currently employers, landlords and others do background checks through the states Criminal Offender Record Information system and find out about an applicants legal history. Even if a person was arrested and never convicted, the charge can appear on their record. That means people who have made a mistake are left struggling to find a place to live and having difficulty making ends meet, because they cant find a good-paying job, no matter how qualified they are, Gomez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People can apply to have their record sealed, but the process is cumbersome, timely and can be difficult for people who cant afford a lawyer, officials said. Hampden County is one of the counties with the most arrests per capita, so the bill is even more important here, Gomez said. The City Council voted last month to support the bill in a resolution that passed unanimously. All councilors asked to be listed as co-sponsors of the proposal. Gomez said he was proud to have the largest city that he represents becoming the first to officially support the bill. City Council Vice President Tracye Whitfield, who proposed the resolution, called the bill a great piece of legislation, which already has been adopted in at least a dozen other states, including neighboring Connecticut and some conservative ones such as Oklahoma and Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clean Slate really just levels the playing field. We know that Black and Latino individuals have been and are disproportionately arrested, prosecuted, convicted and incarcerated, and the best way to fix and address this problem is to automatically seal records for low-level, nonviolent misdemeanors and low-level offenses, she said. Multiple advocates from a variety of agencies, such as Live Well Springfield, Greater Boston Legal Services and the Urban League, spoke in support of the bill. Several talked about people who had records that followed them their entire lives. Clean slate is about fairness. It is about economic opportunity, said Miles Gresham, policy director for Neighbor to Neighbor. It is also about public safety. People who cannot find a home and a job (are) more likely to reoffend. There are now roughly 672,000 people statewide who are eligible to seal their records, many of whom have not committed a crime in decades. Some do not know they are eligible to clear their record, some have mental health issues, others find the petition process daunting, and some are just traumatized over the idea of returning to court, said Andrea Freeman, policy director for the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is about fairness and opportunity, and it is also about health, she said. City Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce said having an unsealed record is double jeopardy, because people who paid the price for their crimes are still being punished because their record follows them when they apply for a job, an apartment and even to enter college. If you make a mistake, who are we to judge? he said. It is a resolution that needs to be passed swiftly. City Councilor Zaida Govan said she has been fighting for legislation like this for three decades. When you are in active in active addiction, you get caught up, said Govan, who added she has been sober for 36 years. It is a long time coming. Im really glad we are doing something about this. Read the original article on MassLive. ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) As summer heats up and the fire season gets into full swing, Utah has issued a Stage 1 Fire Restriction order for Washington, Kane and Garfield Counties. Due to current and forecasted weather conditions coupled with the extremely dry vegetation conditions in Southwest Utah, the State forester, in consultation with the county commission of the affected county, has determined that measures must be taken to prevent the ignition of forest and rangeland fire, the order reads, in part. Utah ranks as second best economy in the United States, per report Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the fire restrictions, the public is prohibited from having any open fires of any kind except for within established public facilities in campgrounds and picnic areas or in permanently constructed fire pits. The restrictions also prohibit fireworks, tracer ammunition, exploding targets, smoking, and cutting, welding, or grinding metal in areas with dry vegetation. Anyone found in violation of the fire restriction order could face up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Southwest Utah forecast Its been a hot week for southern Utah. The National Weather Service reports St. George hit triple-digit temperatures over the weekend, with highs as hot as 102 degrees on Friday, May 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABC4s 4Warn Weather Team temperatures will stay warm in the area throughout the upcoming week. Daytime temperatures will hover in the high-80s and the low-90s before returning to triple digits for the weekend. Most notably, southern Utah will also see a storm move into the region. This storm is expected to bring a band of heavy rainfall and favorable ingredients for thunderstorms, which have a chance of sparking lightning-caused fires. Wildfires in Utah Utah has had 215 fire starts that have burned over 1,200 so far in the 2025 fire season as of June 2, according to Utah Fire Info. Data shows 171 of those fires were human-caused, burning over 730 acres. Fires sparked in southwest Utah so far in 2025. Red spots mark fires caused by humans. Yellow spots mark naturally sparked fires and green spots are undetermined. (Courtesy: Utah Fire Info) In 2024, more than 90,600 acres burned across Utah with 1,244 reported wildfires. Over 700 of those fires were human-caused, burning a total of 29,059 acres. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of writing, there are only two active fires in the Southwest Utah area, including one new start in Garfield County. Utah Fire Info said the Garfield County fire sparked just before 3 p.m. on June 1 and has so far burned a tenth of an acre. Another fire in Iron County, just north of Washington County, also sparked on Sunday afternoon, and similarly burned a tenth of an acre. Latest headlines: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Opponents of the Dakota Access Pipeline gather Nov. 1, 2023, in Bismarck ahead of a public meeting on an environmental impact statement. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe opposes the pipeline, citing concerns for its water supply and sovereign rights. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is asking the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to review a federal judges decision to dismiss its latest lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over the Dakota Access Pipeline. Standing Rock filed the lawsuit in October, asking the court to find the pipeline must be shut down because it still lacks an easement authorizing it to pass under the Missouri Rivers Lake Oahe reservoir, which is regulated by the Army Corps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Corps of Engineers has not earned the trust of our Tribe, Standing Rock Chairwoman Janet Alkire said in a statement last week announcing the appeal. We cannot rely on the Corps to properly evaluate DAPL, so we are continuing our legal efforts to protect our water and our people from this dangerous pipeline. The Army Corps originally granted the easement to the pipelines developer in 2017, but U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg revoked it in 2020 after finding the agency had issued the permit without completing the full environmental review required by federal law. The matter was brought to him through a lawsuit the tribe filed against the Army Corps in 2016. Boasberg at the time directed the Corps to withhold making a decision on the easement until it completes a full environmental impact study. He also ordered the pipeline to be shut down, though that demand was later reversed by an appellate court. Five years later, the Army Corps still has not finished the environmental review. It published a draft in late 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Standing Rock in its latest suit argues that keeping the pipeline open without an easement is a violation of federal law. The tribe also alleges the Army Corps is at fault for a number of other regulatory violations related to the pipeline. In court filings, Standing Rock has said it intends to present new evidence related to the pipelines safety. The pipeline company has indicated previously it does not consider that information credible. Boasberg tossed the suit in March, finding that the courts cannot intervene in the matter until the Army Corps wraps up its environmental study. No matter its frustration with Defendants sluggish pace, it is not yet entitled to a second bite at the apple, he wrote in his March order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg previously indicated that while the agency works on the study, it has the option of enforcing its property rights since the pipeline is operating on federal land without authorization. The Corps has conspicuously declined to adopt a conclusive position regarding the pipelines continued operation, despite repeated prodding from this Court and the Court of Appeals to do so, he wrote in a 2021 order. Standing Rock leaders say they hope the D.C. Circuit will overturn Boasbergs decision to dismiss the case. In her statement, Alkire said the tribe fears the Army Corps study will whitewash the pipelines risk to the surrounding environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pipeline crosses Lake Oahe just north of the Standing Rock Reservation. The tribe opposes the Dakota Access Pipeline as a threat to its sovereignty, water supply and cultural heritage sites. Alkire also underscored the tribes dismay over a March jury verdict that found the environmental group Greenpeace at fault for damaging the pipeline developers property and business as part of its protests against Dakota Access Pipeline. The jury ordered Greenpeace to pay the company, Energy Transfer, roughly $667 million. Standing Rock has criticized the verdict as based on a false narrative that Greenpeace, and not Standing Rock and other tribes, led the protests. We saw Energy Transfers efforts to re-write history as we know it and lived it in their lawsuit against Greenpeace, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, another federal judge ordered the Army Corps to pay North Dakota $28 million in connection to the anti-pipeline protests, finding the agencys actions had wrongfully forced the state to pay millions policing the protests and cleaning up the aftermath. The Dakota Access Pipeline passes through unceded land previously recognized as belonging to the Sioux Nation in 19th century treaties with the U.S. government. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described Russia as a "continued threat". Source: Sky News, as reported by European Pravda Details: Speaking to journalists on 2 June, Starmer responded to Germanys recent warning that Russia could invade a NATO member within the next four years. Starmer said that he is "very alert to the continued threat from Russia, whether that's continuing in Ukraine, or the wider threats". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I believe the best way to deter conflict is to prepare for it," he added. Background: The UK plans to expand its fleet of strike submarines and invest further in its nuclear deterrent as part of a new defence strategy aimed at countering the Russian threat. Additionally, Britain will increase investment in domestic defence manufacturing by another 1.5 billion and strengthen its nuclear deterrence capabilities. The details of these additional expenditures are outlined in the UKs 130-page Strategic Defence Review, published on Monday. The document warns of an "immediate and pressing threat" posed by Russia and is expected to draw heavily on lessons from the war in Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! THE HAGUE, Netherlands British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday unveiled sweeping defense reforms and spending increases, pledging to transform Britain into a battle-ready, armour-clad nation as he launched the findings of his governments Strategic Defence Review at Govan shipyard in Glasgow. Among the rearmament measures is an announcement that the country will build up to twelve new attack submarines. Speaking against the backdrop of Type 26 frigates under construction, Starmer announced plans to raise defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with an ambition to reach 3% in the next Parliament subject to economic and fiscal conditions. The increases represent the largest sustained increase in defense spending since the end of the Cold War, the prime minister said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UK will significantly expand its nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarine fleet, Starmer announced, with the government purchasing and UK shipyards building up to a dozen new SSN AUKUS-type vessels. Production was to be scaled up to allow a new sub to be launched every 18 months, the prime minister said. Its part of an ambitious industrial expansion program, also promising to build at least six new munitions factories, which the government says will generate over 1,000 jobs and produce thousands of new long-range weapons, supporting around 800 additional positions. Just yesterday, the UKs Defence Secretary John Healey announced that the government is planning to buy 7,000 new cruise missiles. The review identifies three core priorities: shifting to warfighting readiness as the central purpose of Britains armed forces, strengthening NATO contributions through a NATO first policy, and accelerating innovation to a wartime pace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starmer also confirmed a 15 billion ($20.3 billion) investment in the sovereign warhead programme, the British nuclear weapons program, claiming it will create 9,000 jobs plus thousands more in the supply chain. This would constitute a historic renewal of [Britains] nuclear deterrent. The United Kingdom maintains a submarine-based, nuclear second-strike capability, with British atomic warheads deployed in the worlds oceans at any given time. The Prime Minister set an ambitious target to create an Army which is ten times more lethal by 2035 through the integration of drones, destroyers, AI, and aircraft across all service branches. He promised to end the hollowing out of our armed forces while delivering the biggest armed forces pay rise in 20 years. The government also plans to establish a hybrid Royal Navy that combines drones with traditional warships and submarines to patrol the North Atlantic, alongside investments in air and missile defense systems to better protect these islands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Framing the spending increases as a defense dividend for working people, Starmer argued the investments would drive jobs and investment throughout the country while providing local opportunities, skilled work, community pride. The announcement comes as Britain faces what Starmer characterized as threats more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War, citing war in Europe, new nuclear risks, and daily cyber attacks. We know that threats are increasing and we must act decisively to face down Russian aggression, said Healey. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) As Columbus City Schools work on the implementation plan to close down several school buildings, the Ohio legislature may change how public schools have to get rid of unused buildings. Ohio is drafting its biennial budget, a more than 5,000-page document that includes some new changes to how public schools can get rid of unused school buildings. The budget, House Bill 96, is still in Senate hearings after being passed by the House, but if left unchanged, public schools will now have to try to sell unused buildings sometimes at a lower value before they are allowed to demolish them. See previous coverage of how the budget could effect public schools in the video player above. How lawmakers want to change the teacher pension fund Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio already requires public schools to offer to sell unused buildings to STEM, college preparatory and charter schools within the districts boundaries before selling them elsewhere or demolishing them. Under H.B. 96, schools would also have to offer sales to private schools. The state defines unused school buildings as any administrative or operational building owned by a public school that has not been used in more than a year, or any academic building operating at less than 60% capacity. In Gov. Mike DeWines version of the bill, buildings that fall under 60% of the buildings highest enrollment over 10 years would also count as unused, although the House removed that provision. Public districts must offer these buildings to other non-public schools first, and have to sell the building for the appraised fair market value of the property. If no one buys it, under current law, the school may then demolish it or put it up for public auction, then private sales. The state budget would invite more potential buyers at lower prices by inviting private schools to purchase them. DeWines budget would also change how much schools could sell buildings for, adjusting sales prices from fair market value to the value of the property for operation as an educational facility. The House also did not carry this provision over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio lawmakers push for stricter rules on obscene drag queens, indecent exposure Under H.B. 96, school districts would be required to put buildings up for public auction before they can demolish them. School districts would also be required to sell the land to the highest bidder at a public auction, making it more difficult for schools to demolish buildings. Both current law and the budget bill give preference to high-performing charter schools during building sales. However, H.B. 96 redefines a high-performing charter school to determine its performance based on the public schools around it, rather than solely on its achievements. Under current law, a community school must get three stars, or improve their score for three consecutive years in its achievement rating. Under H.B. 96, the achievement rating must be better than the public school district it resides in for two years in a row. The change directly equates charter schools success with outperforming local public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unused buildings that are located on or adjacent to land still actively used by the school are not required to be sold. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A marijuana plant at the Dakota Herb grow operation near Tea, South Dakota. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight) Another former South Dakota state employee has been charged with allegedly committing a crime related to their job the sixth such case since last summer. Alexandra Feiner, 24, of Pierre, is charged with three felonies and one misdemeanor for allegedly forging and approving her own medical marijuana card recertification without a doctors approval and avoiding the renewal fee. The standard fee is $75 annually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Dakota voters legalized medical marijuana by citizen initiative in 2020. The program is overseen by the state Health Department. Cardholders must meet requirements certified by a medical provider, such as suffering a debilitating illness, before they can be issued a card. State employee crime updates The defendant is charged with using her position of trust as a Department of Health employee for her own personal benefit, said Attorney General Marty Jackley. This type of conduct reflects poorly on those state government employees who work hard for South Dakotans. According to a news release Monday from the Attorney Generals Office, Feiners criminal activity occurred between March 2024 and March of this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Attorney Generals Office was tipped off about the case by a Pierre resident and former state Department of Health employee, according to court documents. Feiner worked with medical cannabis cards in the state Department of Health and was able to create and issue them. She legally obtained a medical cannabis card in 2023 but allegedly reissued the card to herself in 2024 without a medical provider certification. Feiner turned over her card to law enforcement, according to court documents. She is no longer an employee of the state, according to Open SD, the state government financial transparency website, and her initial court appearance hasnt been scheduled. Feiner faces up to nine total years in prison if convicted of the three felony charges, including forgery; offering a false or forged instrument for filing, registering or recording; and possession of a forged instrument. She faces up to one year in county jail if convicted of the misdemeanor charge of falsification of public records by a public officer or employee. The Feiner case is among six criminal prosecutions Jackley has filed against former state employees since last year for allegations related to their work for state government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One former employee, Lonna Carroll, used her position at the Department of Social Services to steal nearly $1.8 million over the course of 13 years. A jury found Carroll guilty of grand theft, and shes scheduled to be sentenced in July. Other criminal allegations against former state employees included creating fake vehicle titles to avoid excise taxes, falsifying food service inspections, and the personal use of foster family food vouchers. In response to the run of prosecutions, Jackley supported a package of four bills passed during the recent legislative session that will expand the investigatory authority of the state auditor; strengthen the Board of Internal Controls; institute mandatory reporting requirements for state employees and penalties for failing to report; and establish protections for whistleblowers. Gov. Larry Rhoden signed an executive order in April mandating the creation of a secure standard reporting mechanism for employees. The portal will deliver whistleblower reports of malfeasance to the states auditor and attorney general. Lawmakers also passed legislation this year strengthening the ability of the Legislatures Government Operations and Audit Committee to conduct investigations and issue orders known as subpoenas requiring people to testify or supply information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, then-Gov. Kristi Noem added an extra internal control officer position to the executive branch and ordered state employees to undergo annual training aimed at preventing criminal activity. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX LOWVILLE, N.Y. (WWTI) Dairy farms are hoping to get a shot in the arm from the first round of funding from New York State to help with modernization. Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Monday nearly $21.6 million has been awarded to 103 farms across the state through the Dairy Modernization Grant Program to support New Yorks dairy industry. Need for milk once Chobani expands to Rome seems promising to family dairy farms Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The awards were announced this morning at a special event at Glory Days Farm, a 120-cow dairy farm in Lowville in Lewis County. Dignitaries such as Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball, Lewis County Manager Tim Hunt and Lowville Mayor Dan Salmon were on hand for the announcement. Our aspiration is for our farm and farms like ours to remain viable for future generations. The Dairy Modernization Grant Program gives farms like ours the opportunity to progress and innovate, and continue being the lifeblood of our communities. This program encourages the adoption of efficient technology that improves food safety with more consideration to environmental impacts, securing the future of dairy in New York. The Beyer Family, owners of Glory Days Farm in Lowville Heres a breakdown of funding by region: Capital Region: nine farms were awarded a total of nearly $1.8 million. Central New York: 18 farms were awarded a total of more than $3.9 million. Finger Lakes: 20 farms were awarded a total of more than $4.3 million. Mid-Hudson: One farm was awarded more than $147,000. Mohawk Valley: 11 farms were awarded a total of more than $2.1 million. North Country: 15 farms were awarded a total of more than $3.3 million. Southern Tier: 13 farms were awarded a total of nearly $2.6 million. Western New York: 13 farms were awarded a total of more than $2.7 million. Here is the list of farms in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties that will be part of the first round of grants: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CTS Dairy (Jefferson) Locust Hill Dairy LLC (Jefferson) North Harbor Dairy, LLC (Jefferson) Sheland Farms, LLC (Jefferson) Celtic Acres, LLC (Lewis) Glory Days Farm (Lewis) Irish Settlement Farm (Lewis) Moserdale Dairy (Lewis) Murrock Farms LLC (Lewis) Silvery Falls Farms LLC (Lewis) J & J FARMS (St. Lawrence) River Breeze Dairy LLC (St. Lawrence) Royal J. Acres LLC. (St. Lawrence) Stauffer Farms LLC (St. Lawrence) The grant program awarded eligible applicants for projects to expand on-farm milk storage capacity, improve the transportation and storage of milk, and strengthen the dairy industry. The program supports the needs of dairy farmers by facilitating the installation of critical technological and infrastructural improvements that will improve dairy supply chain efficiency and avoid the need for raw milk dumping during emergency events. NYS has roughly 3,000 dairy farms that produce over 16 billion pounds of milk annually, making New York the nations fifth-largest dairy state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Officials in British Columbia, Canada, campaigning against a destructive invasive species have unveiled their secret weapon: a very good boy. Zebra mussels are native to Russia and Ukraine but have spread throughout Europe and North America. Like other invasive species, they destroy ecosystems by outcompeting native fauna for resources and reproducing in vast numbers. As the National Park Service noted, a large population can rapidly clear a body of water of its floating particles, damaging the food web. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zebra mussels spread into new areas by hitching rides on boats they attach themselves to. Because of robust preventative measures in place, they haven't yet spread to British Columbia. As the Agassiz-Harrison Observer reported, boat owners must clean off all plants, animals, and mud, drain all water, and dry their vessels before returning to the sea. But it's too easy for the naked human eye to miss a zebra mussel attached to a boat. That's where the dogs come in. Specially trained sniffer dogs can easily detect the tiny pests. The May 6 demonstration showed a German shepherd named Major finding a hidden mussel on a boat at Cultus Lake. The discovery was especially valuable since quagga and zebra mussels are hardy critters. As a local official told the Observer, mussels "can survive out of water for potentially up to 30 days." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Using dogs in conservation efforts is a natural fit; helping humans comes naturally to our canine friends. Another example can be found in South Africa, where a clever border collie named Jessie sniffed out a species experts thought had disappeared 80 years ago. Dogs and local community action are a powerful combination in the fight against invasive species. In Ontario, locals came together to remove a million invasive snails from the waterways. With 225 million scent receptors (humans have only 6 million), German shepherds have one of the strongest noses among dogs. This, combined with their high intelligence, is why they're commonly used by law enforcement. As a comment on a social media post about the story said, "They picked the right breed for the job." 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. Nannie Ruth Johnson stands next to her mother, Ellen Williams Francis, in Nannies yard on Shoe Laneproperty that was part of a historically Black community in Newport News, where families were ultimately displaced to make way for Christopher Newport University. (Photo courtesy of James Johnson) As more states reckon with the history of Black land loss, the Virginia General Assembly has been taking a rare, state-sanctioned approach: formally examining how the creation or expansion of public university campuses has displaced Black communities. A 19-member legislative commission met last month, its first convening since a mandatory hiatus during the 2025 legislative session was lifted. Enacted last year, the commission received an additional $200,000 in the state budget signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin in May, a major bump from the $28,760 it was initially allocated. As it prepares to enter its second year, the group is poised to deliver Virginias only known comprehensive statewide examination to date of how public universities displaced Black communities and what forms of redress may be appropriate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Newport News, a separate task force has also been working since last year to address the displacement of a once-thriving Black neighborhood that was usurped to make way for Christopher Newport University. The neighborhood, enclosed by Shoe Lane and three other streets, was home to several generations of families who were forced to move when an all-white city council voted to seize a large portion of the area through eminent domain in the 1960s, paving the way for the schools construction. The universitys expansion over time led to the acquisition of remaining homes. Today, only five remain. The local response to probe this history, running parallel to the state-level work, is led by the city and university and has laid bare ongoing tensions among some impacted residents of the neighborhood and their descendants. The community members have raised integrity questions about the task forces work, and frustrations remain high for some who say they are still waiting for the impact of their displacement to be fully acknowledged and addressed. Weve done this before, time and time again, said Angela Mickel, one of several attendees of a March documentary screening and discussion on Black community displacement, who expressed frustration towards public officials over long-term inaction on the issue. Like others in attendance, Mickel said she felt formal recognition of the communitys complete loss was long overdue. We have many stories that we need to tell, and Newport News needs to reconcile with its own history. Angela Mickel speaks at a March event in Newport News highlighting displacement of Black families. (Photo by Winfred Walker II) Mapping a pathway toward healing and repair While Virginias state commission and the Newport News task force have indicated that engagement with impacted residents will be critical to their work, both are still navigating how best to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the state level, the legislative commission has created a subcommittee focused on African American displacement in Virginia. When they reconvened in May, members adopted a formal work plan outlining how the commission will gather input from those directly affected by university expansion. That could include in-person public hearings, virtual comment periods, or an online platform for submitting written testimony. This particular work is pivotal to the work of the committee, said Del. Karen Keys-Gamarra, D-Fairfax, who suggested that outside experts not legislators themselves take the lead on organizing and facilitating community engagement. I would not assume that the legislators would be responsible for that that would speak to the level of integrity of the work that comes out of that committee. All four subcommittees tasked with conducting research, liaising with universities, documenting community displacement, and exploring forms of relief have meetings scheduled through the summer and fall, with the goal of presenting recommendations for the full commission to consider ahead of the 2026 legislative session. Commission Chair Del. Delores McQuinn, D-Richmond, expressed optimism about the direction of the work, particularly with the additional funding recently approved by the General Assembly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are moving in the direction of and the process of acknowledging history, and listening to those who have been impacted, and seeking a pathway toward healing and repair, she said. Del. Delores McQuinn, D-Richmond speaks during a meeting of the Commission to Study the History of the Uprooting of Black Communities by Public Institutions of Higher Education in the Commonwealth on May 20, 2025. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods / Virginia Mercury) A date for a public forum is still being determined in Newport News, where the city-university task force formed in April 2024 has faced criticism over limited transparency and slow outreach largely due to lack of public access to its meetings and sporadic updates on its progress. The task force has said outreach to families is ongoing, though members have also acknowledged that coordinating those meetings has taken longer than expected. In a February city council work session, as members raised questions about the task forces outreach efforts, the groups co-chair, Vice Mayor Curtis Bethany, said the group wanted to prepare before beginning full-blown outreach, calling the issue extremely sensitive and noting task force members didnt want to approach the community with a half-baked pie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public remarks from at least one task force member have indicated that the impending public meeting would involve gathering community feedback. We want to get the input from the citizens, from the families that lived on Shoe Lane, and from other families that grew up in Newport News, said task force member Councilman Cleon Long at the March event. Newport News Councilman Cleon Long speaks during a March event in Newport News on Black community displacement. (Photo by Winfred Walker II) Virginia mirrors a nationwide pattern of Black displacement As Newport News formally examines the impact of university expansion on Black families, stories of similar displacement are reemerging from other parts of the state. Adrienne Jackson-Franklin said her father, Otis, was young when her grandparents were among those forced to relocate when Longwood University in Farmville expanded into a bordering Black community in the mid-20th century. Former residents and locals in the area recall that the university cleared community blocks in phases to build dorms and academic buildings, displacing many families by threatening or using eminent domain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You lose friends, you lose connections, you now have to rebuild, and its almost like starting over, Jackson said. She told the Virginia Mercury that shed be willing to speak with the commission and believes its important that the state group address generational deep-seated trauma that may exist among families impacted by the displacement. Otis Jackson (right) and brother Kennell (left) at their home on Ely Street before it was acquired by Longwood University during its expansion into an adjacent Black community. (Photo courtesy Adrienne Jackson-Franklin) Lamberts Point, a once-thriving middle-class Black community in Hampton Roads, was partially razed in the 1960s and 70s to make way for a branch campus of the college of William & Mary now the main campus of Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk. Thomas Harris, a longtime resident who moved to the area in the 1970s, said he has worked with remaining neighbors to address the continuing impacts of the expansion. I think they should have a whole lot to say about it, Harris said of displaced families. It tore up their homes. It tore up their familiesthey had to leave and go somewhere else to start all over again. Longwood and Old Dominion have both said they have worked to improve relationships with communities impacted by their expansion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Longwood pledged to end its use of eminent domain for campus expansion in 2004, according to a spokesperson. ODU offers financial support for Lamberts Point residents admitted to the university, including scholarships either specifically for neighborhood residents or those that prioritize them. Across the country, efforts to reckon with university-led displacement of communities of color vary. Davarian Baldwin, a historian and urban studies scholar, said Virginias statewide investigation stands out nationally as few other states have sanctioned similar examining bodies. In my research I havent heard of another one, Baldwin said. There could be commissions in almost every state in the union (but) a reparations commission around urban renewal is singular. Baldwin co-founded the Renewal Project, a national network launched in 2022 to support local responses to campus-related displacement, including efforts in states like Kentucky and Colorado. In Denver, descendants of a displaced Latino community help oversee Ninth Street Historic Park, where preserved homes and a church now stand in the former Auraria neighborhood. (Photo courtesy Nolbert Chavez) In both states, impacted residents are directly involved to some degree in reconciliation efforts. Descendants of the displaced Jonesville community in south Kentucky sit on a reconciliation workgroup led by Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, which was established in 2022 to identify ways to address the lasting impacts of the neighborhoods destruction in the 1960s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Denver, descendants of a Latino community displaced from the former Auraria neighborhood in the 1970s hold the majority of seats on a nine-member council formed last year comprising representatives from several universities involved in the original displacement, including the University of Colorado Denver. The council oversees the future use of homes and a church that were saved from demolition, now part of a historic park. Whats next The months ahead may bring key developments in both the state and local investigation. In addition to the impending public forum, members of the Newport News task force have publicly said a website could launch this spring or summer to make their research findings publicly accessible. At the May meeting, the commission was still working to acquire responses to a survey it distributed this winter to most of the states 45 public institutions of higher education listed by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The survey included several questions about campus expansion, including queries on schools knowledge of displacement in Black communities. The Virginia Mercury polled the 15 four-year public institutions and 23 community colleges on that list. A majority said they had responded or planned to respond to the commissions survey, including Christopher Newport, Longwood and Old Dominion University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McQuinn said she expects the additional funding received from the amended budget will allow the commission to bring in more resources which could support the subcommittees work including hiring consultants or, if needed, project managers. One of the reasons that we were not able to make as much progress as I think we needed to make was because there was limited funds, McQuinn said. The additional dollars are going to be essential in us feeling that the outcome (is) something that is worthy of the community. Davarian Baldwin, a historian and urban studies scholar, outlined figurative and tangible acts of repair universities, the state and localities could enact as they address the long-term impact of Black community displacement statewide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Repair for property-impacted residents could take structural forms such as: direct payments to affected families; scholarships for descendants of those displaced; community development initiatives like affordable housing and community centers; and Community Benefit Agreements ensuring job training and procuring contracts from small businesses. Given that universities are often property tax-exempt, an alternative approach could involve redirecting Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) directly to affected communities rather than the city. Commemorative efforts could include integrating the communitys history into university curricula; placing historical markers; renaming buildings; and other forms of public recognition that acknowledge the past while fostering ongoing community engagement. Editors note: This story was produced in partnership with Columbia Journalism Schools Spencer Education Journalism Fellowship program. Reporter Brandi Kellam is a member of the 2025-2026 class of Spencer fellows. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE TASHKENT, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan has finalized World Trade Organization (WTO) accession talks with Britain, Azizbek Urunov, special representative of the president of Uzbekistan on WTO issues, said on Saturday. Urunov announced the completion of bilateral negotiations with Britain on LinkedIn. "Since then we have gone through internal procedures to sign the Protocol on the margins of the 10th Working Party meeting in Geneva on June 12, 2025," he wrote. Britain is the 24th country to finish bilateral market access negotiations with Uzbekistan, he added, noting that "a few more WTO members are left for the entire completion of bilaterals." According to his press office, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on May 14 reviewed Uzbekistan's efforts and gave specific instructions to accelerate and systematically organize the accession process. "As part of the bilateral track, negotiations have been held with 33 countries on market access, of which talks with 24 countries have already been successfully concluded," the press service said. A student walks by the headquarters building of the Nebraska State Historical Society in Lincoln. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN The twice-dismissed felony criminal case against the former director of History Nebraska might soon reach the states highest court. The Nebraska Supreme Court has been asked to accept an appeal of a March ruling by the Nebraska Court of Appeals that dismissed, on procedural grounds, a felony theft by deception charge against Trevor Jones. Trevor Jones served as director and CEO of History Nebraska from 2016 to 2022. (courtesy of History Nebraska) The Nebraska Attorney Generals Office, which is prosecuting the case, asked for the review last month, maintaining that the Appeals Court had erred in dismissing the case and in not hearing the states objections. Due to the high profile nature of the charge and the weighty concerns raised by its dismissal, the Supreme Court should weigh in, wrote Zachary Viglianco, a principal deputy solicitor general in the Attorney Generals Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is also a need for greater clarity about the proper procedural path to appeal an order granting a motion to discharge. This Courts intervention is warranted, Viglianco wrote. But in a May 23 response, Jones attorney wrote that the AGs office is raising the same flawed argument that led to the earlier dismissals that a motion for discharge due to a speedy trial violation is civil in nature as it is purportedly a special proceeding. Jones charges were dropped in January after Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong ruled that state prosecutors had failed to bring him to trial soon enough, violating his right to a speedy trial. That led the Attorney Generals Office to appeal to the Court of Appeals, which dismissed the case based on another procedural error. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was unclear whether the Supreme Court would take up the case on appeal. The court had issued no notice as of Thursday. Jones had served six years as the $164,800-a-year director of the Nebraska State Historical Society, but resigned suddenly in 2022, shortly before a state audit raised concerns about his handling of $270,000 in donations from a fundraising foundation. Attorney General Mike Hilgers. May 13, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) The Attorney Generals Office eventually charged Jones with theft by deception, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors alleged that he wrongly diverted the donations into a private foundation he helped establish, instead of depositing them with the state treasury, as required by law. The failed prosecution has drawn criticism from at least one state lawmaker, Sen. Danielle Conrad, who has said Attorney General Mike Hilgers seems too focused on politically charged litigation to the detriment of a prosecution to protect public funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones reign as director was controversial. He imposed a personnel management system that some workers complained micromanaged their work and rebranded the society as History Nebraska. But he also won some praise for seeking to digitize the societys holdings. Gov. Jim Pillen, when he took office, restored the agencys historic name, the Nebraska State Historical Society, and has since named a former head of the Nebraska National Guard, Daryl Bohac, as director. The independent nature of the agency was ended, placing the society as a department under the governors direction. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX CLINTON, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) State Rep. Tim Yocum (R-Clinton) has announced he will be hosting four town halls the week of June 2 to hear from community members and recap the 2025 legislative session. Town halls are one of the best ways for me to connect directly with the people I represent. They give me the opportunity to talk about the issues that matter most, reflect on what we accomplished this session and hear from my constituents, Yocum said in a press release sent to WTWO/WAWV. I encourage you to attend one of the upcoming town halls near you. Tim Yocum chosen as State Representative for District 42 Locations and dates of town halls: 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 2, at Brazil City Hall, 203 E. National Ave. 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, at Bridge 61 (Kremer Conference Room), 1248 N. Lincoln Road in Rockville. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, at the Clinton Community Center, 301 S Main St. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 5, at the Cayuga Community Center, 103 S. Logan St. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Indiana General Assembly concluded the 2025 legislative session on April 24, and will meet for Organization Day on November 18, ahead of the 2026 legislative session. For those unable to attend the meeting, constituents can contact Yocum at in.gov/h42 or 317-232-9986. Vermillion officials take next steps on solar farm project Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sen. Sharon Carson, photographed during a Senate Finance work session Thursday, plans to propose an amendment to restore the Office of the Child Advocate after the House voted to eliminate it. Still, her proposal pares the agency down. (Photo by William Skipworth/New Hampshire Bulletin) New Hampshires Office of the Child Advocate has been on the chopping block this session as state lawmakers look to trim the budget during a difficult fiscal year. However, some senators, slightly more bullish on the states economic outlook, have proposed a way to keep the office, albeit in a slimmed-down form. When the New Hampshire House of Representatives passed its version of the budget, it eliminated the Office of the Child Advocate. Established in 2018, the office serves as a watchdog for New Hampshires youth, overseeing the states child welfare, juvenile justice, and youth care systems, and advocating for the best interests of children in the state. Eliminating it would save the state which has been experiencing lagging business tax revenues around $2.2 million over two years. However, state senators who projected a slightly less dire financial outlook and appear more interested in keeping the child advocate have since come up with a proposal to restore it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im trying to find a middle ground that the House will accept, Sen. Sharon Carson, who is spearheading the proposal, said. Keeping it but compressing it down for now and still allowing them the funds that they need to do the job I think is important. Carson, a Londonderry Republican and the Senate president, said she plans to propose an amendment to the budget that would restore the Office of the Child Advocate but lay off four of its employees. The amendment also gives the office the option to request more money from the Fiscal Committee in the future should the states finances improve over the course of the next two-year budget term. The committee is expected to finalize the budget plan on Tuesday. After that, the entire Senate will vote to create the Senates final version of the budget. From there, the Senate and House will hash out the differences between their budgets before Gov. Kelly Ayotte gets the opportunity to review and either approve or veto it. Carson believes theres enough Republican support for her proposal on the child advocate. She hopes its a path that the House can accept. Carson serves on the Childrens Oversight Committee and has been pleased with the offices work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After working with the office for a number of years, I know how valuable it is, Carson said. And I know the value of the work they do, so we had to try to figure out a way to save it. Cassandra Sanchez, who heads the Office of the Child Advocate, said she has really mixed feelings about the proposal. Its a really difficult time to look at reducing the office in the way in which that amendment would, Sanchez said. But, of course, seeing an amendment come forth that continues funding to our office and does not eliminate the office altogether is a big win for us. Sanchez said the four positions to be eliminated are an office coordinator (which is currently vacant), a public relations and training officer, the associate child advocate (her second-in-command), and a case aide. As the budget cut threats have loomed, shes conceded to lawmakers that if they have to cut positions, losing the public relations and training officer wont impact their caseload management and she asked that it be removed first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes most fearful of the case aide being laid off because that position reviews all restraints and seclusions of children, and the state has been seeing rising numbers of these tactics being used, she said. In April, the state saw approximately 450 instances of children being restrained or secluded by a state worker, according to her offices most recent numbers. Sanchezs office is the only agency that reviews such instances to ensure theyre necessary and in the best interest of the child. She said the office would be able to function quite well with the other three positions removed but (the case aide) is the one critical position being cut that is truly going to have an impact on the children of New Hampshire. The amendment also includes a provision that prohibits the office from partisan advocacy. Sanchez has been vocal in support of trans youth in the state. In April 2024, she participated in a press conference speaking out against bills targeting LGBTQ children, which ruffled feathers among Republicans. State Sen. Victoria Sullivan told New Hampshire Public Radio the advocacy is distracting from the actual good work thats happening with the children, with the systems. Other lawmakers have echoed the sentiment. Sanchez said shes not extremely clear on what that means, but could assume its a reference to that press conference and other LGBTQ advocacy. She wants more clarification from lawmakers, or even an interpretation from the attorney general. Regardless, she has not backed down on the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have had conversations where Im willing to talk about the way in which we engage with the Legislature around those issues, she continued. But it would not change our viewpoint, which again, backed by psychological research, is that supporting a child and their gender identity, however they choose to explore that gender identity, supporting them in that exploration is healthy for their development. And so that is where I stand and where the office stands on those issues. And we will continue to advocate for protections of those vulnerable children and sharing factual information about the statistics and the outcomes for children when there is harmful legislation that attacks their ability to freely express themselves. She said leading a team where employees are aware that their jobs are on the chopping block, through no control of their own, has been extremely difficult. Its nothing I ever thought or had planned for having to manage, Sanchez said. And now that its here, Im really taking it day-by-day. But it is hard because the work we do already is so heavy and so difficult, and then to add that burden of the unknown on top of it, for their own lives, their own jobs, its a lot for folks to deal with. Still, she said, the team is not gonna let pessimism sink in. Nearly a dozen states have drafted legislation to hold dirty energy companies fiscally responsible for environmental harms and the impact of rising temperatures they've caused. In 2024, lawmakers in Vermont advanced legislation "modeled after the EPA's Superfund program." A year prior, residents experienced unprecedented, catastrophic flooding, a form of extreme weather the state later warned would likely become more common, including because of a warming climate. Vermont's first-of-its-kind legislation was passed in June 2024. At the time, Elena Mihaly of the Conservation Law Foundation said the bill was not about "punishing" oil companies. "If you contributed to a mess, you should play a role in cleaning it up," Mihaly told the Guardian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Grist, Vermont's novel Superfund bill "requires major oil and gas companies to pay for climate-related disaster and adaptation costs, based on their share of global greenhouse gas emissions over the past few decades." The state encountered predictable pushback from dirty fuel corporations and lobbyists, but that hasn't stopped other states from adopting the same approach. Lawmakers in New York passed similar legislation in June 2024, ultimately seeking $75 billion from oil companies. Efforts to make "polluters pay" were already underway in California when swaths of the broader Los Angeles area were devastated by another form of extreme weather devastating wildfires that engulfed homes, caused chaotic evacuations, and killed 30 people. By March, costs associated with the January 2025 wildfires were estimated at between "$76 billion and $131 billion, with insured losses estimated [at] up to $45 billion." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California's efforts to make polluters pay hit a roadblock in the form of a successful, $80 million lobbying effort to spike the bill but as extreme weather becomes a "new norm" and disaster costs stack up, lawmakers persist in their attempts to hold oil companies accountable. "We realized that these big fossil fuel companies were, frankly, not paying their fair share for the climate crisis that they've caused," said Adrian Boafo, a Maryland state delegate and co-sponsor of a similar superfund bill. Big Oil's big pockets are infamous, and efforts to sabotage state-level Superfund bills are not unexpected. Nevertheless, the costs of a warming globe aren't going anywhere, and neither are the state lawmakers faced with ever-increasing cleanup costs. Columbia University climate law fellow Martin Lockman, who said advancing science has made it much easier to attribute emissions to specific companies, told Grist that state-level politicians can't ignore the issue at a budgetary level, due to "really serious questions about how our society is going to allocate the harms of climate change." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I suspect that the lawmakers who are advocating for these bills are in it for the long haul," Lockman observed. 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. Key Trump allies have condemned the Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian nuclear bombers, warning the attacks risked escalating the conflict at a time when Washington is trying to keep both sides at the negotiating table. Steve Bannon, the White House chief strategist during Donald Trumps first term, used a Second World War comparison as he pointed out that Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, launched the operation just a day ahead of talks in Turkey. On the eve of peace talks or ceasefire talks he takes the Japanese role in Pearl Harbor the sneak attack, he said on his popular War Room show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He called on the Trump administration to immediately condemn the strikes if it had no warning that Ukraine was planning such a huge attack. Mr Bannon and his allies fear the world is hurtling towards a Third World War, as China and Russia deepen ties, and flashpoints ignite around the world. A day earlier, Ukrainian officials said the surprise drone offensive had destroyed or damaged more than 40 warplanes at air bases deep inside Russia. Operation Spiders Web, 18 months in the planning, targeted strategic bombers capable of launching nuclear weapons. As well as sending a message to Moscow, analysts said it was hard not to see a message for Mr Trump after his Oval Office showdown with Mr Zelensky, when he told the Ukrainian president: You dont have the cards. With us, you have the cards, but without us, you dont have any cards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strike was launched ahead of a big week of diplomacy. Mr Trump is expected to speak to Xi Jinping, the Chinese premier, and he will host Friedrich Merz, the new German chancellor, on Thursday. Mike Flynn, who was Mr Trumps first national adviser in 2017 before resigning over undeclared meetings with Russian officials, described the weekend strikes as a geopolitical insult if Washington had not been informed in advance. People, and especially world leaders, need to realise the global implications to such an operation as Ukraine just pulled off, he posted on X. Russia will respond. Action, reaction, counteraction. Those are the shifting tides of warfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This wasnt a bold action, it was brash. Ukraines short-term win could be the worlds long-term loss. Volodymyr Zelensky meets with Ukrainian officials The US president has moved one way and then the other as he tries to make good on his campaign promise to end the conflict in Ukraine. Long an admirer of Vladimir Putin and his hardline rule of Russia, he hardened his position on Moscow after a surprise meeting with Mr Zelensky at the Vatican in April, but has not pushed through additional sanctions and has given the Russian leader more time to show he is serious about wanting peace. On Monday, the two sides met for just an hour in Turkey. That was still enough time to agree to swap the bodies of 6,000 soldiers killed in action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Bannon said: This is scampering up the escalatory ladder at the exact moment President Trump wants to get everybody off the escalatory ladder. Mr Bannon and his allies speculated that the Trump administration had given tacit approval. Vasyl Malyuk, the head of Ukraines Security Service, looks at a map showing a Russian military aircraft base amid the attack on Russia - AFP Theres no way that our intelligence services could not have known about this, Jack Posobiec, a conservative activist and conspiracy theorist, told Mr Bannons show. Weve had intelligence services that have been on the ground, as we know prior to the war, that are directly embedded, direct embeds with Ukrainian intelligence services and Ukrainian security services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Bannon may no longer be in the White House, but he continues to talk with the president and his show is deeply influential with the wider Maga base. Russia is just not going to sit there and take it, he said about the strikes The attack was audacious and bold and brilliant. Thats also not the point. 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. Underneath oak trees and Spanish moss from Texas to the Carolina coasts, the remains of Black Americans lay in unmarked graves across roadside cemeteries and backyards. While some graves now remain hidden beneath highways and shopping malls, others have been stripped of their dignity in an even more insidious way. Nowhere is this more painfully clear than in New Orleans, where the remains of 19 Black men and women, once spirited away across the ocean in the name of racist science, have finally come home. For 150 years, their remains languished in a German vault, until, at last, they were brought home in May and honored with a jazz funeral this past weekend and interred in the city that once denied them peace in both life and death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their journey reveals the depths of exploitation endured by Black Americans, and the current movement to restore what was lost, name by name, soul by soul, said Eva Baham, a historian from Dillard University in New Orleans who led the cultural repatriation committee to bring the remains back to the U.S. Between December 1871 and January 1872, 19 people checked themselves into Charity Hospital in New Orleans. They were ordinary people whose final indignity came not in death, but in what followed. There was Marie Louise, who died of malnutrition, her life ending quietly in a city she had always called home. Hiram Malone, just 21, succumbed to pneumonia far from the Alabama soil where he was born. Samuel Prince, a cook of 40 years, lost his battle with tuberculosis, and William Roberts, a 23-year-old man from Georgia, died from diarrhea. Their skulls were severed and shipped across the Atlantic, cataloged as specimens in a German university, as the pseudoscience of phrenology took root across the globe. The theories claimed there were connections between someones intellect and morality with the size and shape of their skull. It was used to proliferate the false idea that Black and brown people were inferior to white people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The skulls return to the U.S. is believed to be the first major international restitution of the remains of Black Americans from Europe. The multi-faith service included traditional West African song and praise. (Jacob Cochran/Dillard University) The homecoming is a reckoning with the relentless cycle of exploitation, dispossession, and erasure that has defined Black existence in America, advocates behind the initiative explained. This moment calls us to bear witness to a painful chapter in our collective history while recognizing the unique role our institution plays in preserving the dignity and legacy of those who were wrongfully taken, said Monique Guillory, president of Dillard University, where the funeral service was held. This is more than an act of remembrance it is a restoration of humanity. From the theft of bodies for pseudoscience to the plundering of land and the forced migrations that have scattered families and severed roots, Black Americans have repeatedly been ripped from the places and people that ground them, Baham said. The loss is ongoing and dictating the shape of modern life, from the continued struggle for agency over ones body in the health care system to the demand for restitution and remembrance from the institutions that exacerbate racial inequality in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These peoples lives had meaning, Baham said during the memorial. History is not to wallow in, or wind about. It is to build on. It is to move forward. And when we keep our past hidden, were starting over every day, she added. Hundreds of people turned out to the memorial and jazz funeral on Saturday to lay the remains of the 19 people to rest. The committee tried for two years to contact descendants of the victims, but had no success. (Jacob Cochran/Dillard University) In 2023, the University of Leipzig in Germany reached out to New Orleans city archaeologist, acknowledging that the skulls in their collection had been acquired in a colonial context and unethically. What followed was a two-year journey of coordination between city officials, state agencies, and academic partners. Researchers believe many of the 19 victims had once been enslaved, later moving freely in the uncertain years after the Civil War, only to fall ill or be institutionalized before dying at Charity Hospital. The hospital, which was abandoned after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, was one of Americas oldest hospitals known to care for Black and poor people. Over the past two years, Bahams team has pieced together glimpses into their lives: 13 men and four women, with two still unnamed. The committee tried for two years to contact descendants of the victims, but had no success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the memorial, a group of Dillard students read from the little info collected from hospital and census records, ending with the final chapter of their journey. Another voyage across the Atlantic, passing bones of enslaved Africans on the ocean floor, the students said. From Africa, to the Caribbean, to the United States of America; from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Leipzig, Germany; from Leipzig, Germany to New Orleans, Louisiana justice carries 19 men and women home. May they walk freely in the city of God, in dignity and in honor. You can watch the memorial in full here. Michael White performed at the ceremony at Rhodes Funeral Home honoring the 19 Black Americans. (Jacob Cochran/Dillard University) The post Stolen Black Remains Return Home After 150 Years in European Vault appeared first on Capital B News. GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS, Ohio (WCMH) Just after graduating from Grandview Heights High School in 1975, Mary Melfi lost her class ring off the coast of a Maryland beach. After nearly 50 years, a stranger went above and beyond to reunite them. Its funny, Im wearing my class ring, and Im going to be 68, Mary said. A friend of mine the other day said, So why do you have your class ring on? And I said, Oh, you dont know the story? because it just gives me an avenue to tell my story, because it is so remarkable. Columbus City Schools quietly dissolves its Equity Department Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mary and her husband, fellow Grandview Heights graduate Larry Melfi, said they began getting Facebook messages last year about the ring. The couple said they have Shawn Tippett to thank just three days into owning a metal detector, he uncovered the ring buried nearly one foot in the sand. With a large gemstone and a once-white gold band, Tippett could have pawned or kept the jewelry. Instead, noting the Grandview Heights 1975 engraving and a pair of initials, Tippett set out to reunite the ring with its rightful owner. He tracked down a yearbook and searched for a match to the MVM initials on the inner band, finding just one candidate: Mary Virginia Masse, Marys maiden name. The ring was lost on a trip with her high school boyfriend, Tony, who the Melfis contacted after learning about Tippetts discovery. In the summer of 1975, Mary and Tony exchanged class rings at the beach. Tony put Marys in his pocket and soon realized hed lost it in the ocean. I remember slugging him and saying, Are you kidding? I just got that ring. And then, of course, time went on, and I totally forgot about rings until last year, Mary said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New anchor Tom Llamas on his vision for Nightly News and his memories of NBC4 Tony reached out to Tippett, who sent him the ring. Tony then passed it along to Mary, texting her, I told you I would find it. Mary was now the proud owner of two GHHS class rings, joking with Larry about still having Tonys somewhere. Larry said Mary could send the other ring back, and Mary quipped about worrying Tony would think it was over. We both grew up in Grandview Heights, so we know all the same people, Larry laughed. Thats why I know people in Marys class, and she knows people in my class. Neither of us are jealous people. Courtesy photo/ Mary Melfi Mary and Larry Melfi said they were just amazed someone would go to such trouble to reunite the ring and its owner. Although they have texted, the couple called Tippett for the first time this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once again, thanked him for going the distance, and he said, Im having as much fun telling the story as I know you are, Mary said. A lot of people wouldnt go to all the trouble to do that. Mary and Larry will be able to show the ring off further this September, when they return for Marys 50th reunion. It is a beautiful stone, you know, Mary said. And amazingly enough, it still fits my finger, which is pretty remarkable. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 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 Justices 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 mini-grants 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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%. This report was first published by Stateline, which like NC Newsline, is part of the national States Newsroom network. Stateline reporter Amanda Hernandez can be reached at ahernandez@stateline.org. ALMATY, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have signed a protocol on the joint use of Tajikistan's Bahri Tojik reservoir during the peak irrigation period from June to August 2025, Kazinform news agency reported on Monday. The document was signed on the sidelines of the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation by the water resources ministers of the three countries. Under the protocol, Kazakhstan is expected to receive 491 million cubic meters of water during the peak vegetation season. The protocol sets out a coordinated water usage schedule aimed at ensuring the efficient and balanced distribution of water resources among the three countries. "Kazakhstan remains committed to implementing joint water management projects and promoting the principles of international water law. Only through cooperation can we effectively address climate challenges," said Kazakhstan's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov. Earlier, it was reported that the energy and water resources ministers of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan held a regular meeting in Tashkent to discuss the uninterrupted and efficient operation of regional water and energy systems during summer season. Jack Greiner, partner of Faruki PLL Mediators like to tell a story about two kids fighting over an orange when the exasperated dad enters the room, snatches the orange, cuts it in half and hands each kid half. Problem solved, right? Well, not exactly. As it turns out, one kid wanted the peel and the other wanted the fruit. The solution isn't to cut the orange in half. It's to peel it. This story reminds me of two pardons President Donald Trump recently granted. In the first, Trump pardoned Paul Walczak. Walczak was charged with 13 counts of tax fraud, based on his withholding pay from employees at his nursing home. According to prosecutors, Walczak used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle that included a $2 million yacht and shopping sprees to Bergdorf and Cartier. Part of Walczak's sentence was a "restitution" order, meaning he had to return what he stole to the victims. But thanks to the pardon, Walczak no longer must repay the victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April of this year, Walczak's mother paid $1 million to attend a Trump fundraising dinner at Mar-a-Lago. A little more than a month later, the pardon came through. But this column does not concern the corruption here. Others can comment on that. This column concerns Trump as the bumbling father. The timing of the pardon before Walczak paid restitution means that ordinary Americans (e.g. the ones whose mom can't write a $1 million check) are hung out to dry. Remember, this is not a case where Walczak has maintained his innocence. He admitted he ripped off his employees. If Trump felt a pardon was warranted, why not wait until the victims were compensated? Like the exasperated dad, Trump apparently didn't bother thinking through the problem. In the case of P.G. Sittenfeld's pardon, Trump jumped in too quickly as well. In upholding Sittenfeld's conviction, the Sixth Circuit noted that there were underlying legal issues with the case that the Supreme Court should address. Given that the Sittenfeld case examined the fine line between political fundraising and bribery, a Supreme Court decision could guide politicians and prosecutors nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But thanks to the pardon, the case is moot, and the high court won't have a chance to issue a clarifying ruling. It's not clear why Trump rushed to this pardon, but his doing so eliminates the prospect for now that the law will get some needed clarity. Again, Trump could have waited for the Supreme Court to rule, considering that's their job. But an exasperated dad doesn't bother to consider the consequences. And that's exasperating for everyone. And speaking of people doing their jobs, Trump's pardon of Sittenfeld may not have cheated victims out of restitution, but it was an unwarranted slap in the face of Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Gladfelter and her team. Gladfelter and her team secured an indictment, tried the case to a jury and successfully argued the appeal in the Sixth Circuit. In short, she and the courts did their job. But apparently Trump knows better than these trained professionals. If Trump believes that political corruption ought not be punished, he should have let the Sittenfeld appeal play out and/or encourage Congress to change the law. But one off, arbitrary pardons is a slipshod way to go about it. Jack Greiner is a partner at Faruki PLL law firm in Cincinnati. He represents Enquirer Media in First Amendment and media issues. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Strictly Legal | Pardon me, Mr. President A new study has found that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination rate among American children has fallen about 3% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, aligning with the rise of anti-vaccine misinformation. The change comes after over a decade of more stable MMR vaccination rates, the studys senior author, Lauren Gardner, director of Johns Hopkins Universitys Center for Systems Science and Engineering, told HuffPost. The study, published on Monday in JAMA, found that 78% of the 2,066 counties studied experienced a decline in their MMR vaccination rates over the past five years. On average, the rate fell from 93.92% pre-pandemic to 91.26% post-pandemic, marking a 2.67% decline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the 33 states included in the study, only California, Connecticut, Maine and New York reported an increase in the median county-level MMR vaccination rate. The lowest MMR rates observed in the study were in Wisconsin, confirming previous findings. The shift means the U.S. is moving further away from the 95% herd immunity threshold to predict or limit the spread of measles, Johns Hopkins University said with the release of the study. Vials of the MMR vaccine on display in Lubbock, Texas, in February. via Associated Press Though measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. 25 years ago, its now surging with more than 1,000 confirmed cases and three confirmed deaths this year in an outbreak largely centered in Texas. Only 3% of those infected are known to have received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Even as the outbreak grows, lawmakers in Texas approved a bill earlier this week that would make it much easier for children to enroll in school without the MMR vaccine and other standard inoculations. Since 2018, the Texas Tribune reported, such exemption requests have more than doubled from 45,900 to more than 93,000 in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The observed downturn in MMR vaccine rates comes as anti-vaccine misinformation thrives online at a rate outpacing the interventions to address it, a study out of Columbia University found last year. Misinformation is not new and its noxious consequences are not insurmountable, but its effect on vaccine hesitancy through social media is an urgent global threat to public health, the studys lead author, Kai Ruggeri, said upon its release. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., long one of the loudest voices in the anti-vaccine movement, is also a known spreader of misinformation about the MMR shots. In an April interview with CBS, he claimed the vaccine wanes very quickly, even though evidence shows it lasts most people their entire lifetimes. And in a March appearance on Fox Nation, he pushed baseless claims that Vitamin A could be a treatment for measles. He also falsely claimed that a lot of studies show that natural immunity derived from catching measles can help the immune system fight cancer, cardiac disease and allergies. Related... NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) With the primary election just weeks away, Democratic candidates vying to become New York Citys public advocate will come head-to-head in a debate on PIX11 News. Viewers can submit questions for the candidates by commenting on PIX11s social media accounts, including X, Facebook and Instagram. Submit your questions by Thursday, June 5, to be included in the upcoming forum. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Thursdays debate, incumbent Jumaane Williams will face off with Democratic state Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar. An exclusive poll from PIX11, Emerson College and The Hill showed Williams appears poised to keep his job as the first choice for 56% of Democratic voters polled. Rajkumar trails behind with 15% of the vote. Some 16% of voters said they were still undecided in the public advocate primary. Pre-debate coverage will start at 6:30 p.m., and the two candidates will take the debate stage at 7 p.m. Watch the forum by tuning in or streaming online starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 5. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Hundreds of Memphis parents filled an auditorium today at KIPP Memphis Collegiate High School for the first day of a two-day Parent Summit. The event is organized by Memphis Lift, which attempts to see parents more involved in their childrens education. Summit at KIPP Memphis Photo by WREG Summit at KIPP Memphis Photo by WREG Summit at KIPP Memphis Photo by WREG Summit at KIPP Memphis Photo by WREG We are working all over this county to bring a message that our children are in crisis. We are losing children in America every single day, said Geoffrey Canada, Founder of Harlem Childrens Zone. These kids are out on these corners when they should be in these schools, where they should be getting an education and a set of skills that will prepare them for the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Litigation over leadership: What led to Feagins being fired by MSCS school board? What got me here the first time I met with Sarah, it was during Covid and we were all on Zoom, and she told me she had a parent meeting and wanting me to talk, so I expected 20 parents, 30 parents, and there were hundreds its the biggest Zoom call Ive ever done. Since Dr. Marie Feagins was ousted as the Shelby County Schools Superintendent in January, there has been controversy surrounding local schools. Feagins firing led to an almost state takeover of Memphis Shelby County Schools. Memphis Lifts Executive Director Sarah Carpenter says she didnt agree with how the school board handled things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1 injured, 3 suspects flee after Mud Island shooting I dont think it was done right. I dont think it was done right. I said it then, and Im saying it now. I dont think it was done right, said Sarah Carpenter, Lift Memphis Executive Director. Carpenter and Canada agreed that there may be problems from literacy to violence with the Memphis Shelby County Schools. They called on parents to step in and demand the best for their kids education. Heres my message to parents here in Memphis, dont give up, dont settle for less than you know your children deserve, said Canada. Tuesdays speaking lineup will feature Michael Bloombergs daughter Emma and former Shelby County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Marie Feagins, as Memphis Lift hopes to raise more awareness from parents concerning Memphis Shelby County Schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. The Supreme Court said Monday that it will hear an appeal from Illinois Rep. Mike Bost who wants to challenge the states decision to count absentee ballots after Election Day. At issue is a lower court ruling that found the Republican and two presidential elector nominees did not have standing to sue. The Supreme Court will likely hear arguments in the case in the fall. Bost sued in 2022, claiming that an Illinois law allowing mail-in ballots to arrive up to two weeks after Election Day ran afoul federal law that sets a uniform day for federal elections. As in other states, the mail-in ballots at issue must be postmarked on or before the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump has attacked the practice with an executive order that pressures states to abandon their post-election deadlines for mail-in ballots to arrive at election offices. His directives are subject to litigation as well. Roughly 20 other states and jurisdictions count ballots that arrive after Election Day. Republicans are pursuing litigation in multiple courts attempting to roll back the expansion of mail-in voting. A federal appeals court in Louisiana last year ruled that Mississippi was violating federal law by counting mail ballots that arrive after Election Day, but stopped short of blocking the policy before the November election. Lower courts never considered Bosts underlying claim. A federal district court ruled that Bost and the other plaintiffs were not injured by the state ballot law and so they did not have standing to sue. A divided 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that decision and Bost appealed the technical question of standing to the high court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bost, first elected in 2014, tried to argue that his campaign was required to pay for an additional two weeks of staff to monitor ballot counting. But the 7th Circuit noted that Bost won reelection in his Southern Illinois district by a healthy margin and that he chose to spend resources to avoid a hypothetical future harm. Plaintiffs cannot manufacture standing by choosing to spend money to mitigate such conjectural risks, the court wrote. The three-judge panel included one judge nominated by Trump and another named by President Joe Biden. US Circuit Judge Michael Scudder, who was also nominated by Trump, dissented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a sitting member of Congress in the midst of an ongoing reelection campaign, he is nothing close to a mere bystander to the upcoming election or the allegation at the heart of this lawsuit, Scudder wrote. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a Republican lawmakers challenge to an Illinois state law requiring election authorities to count mail-in ballots received up to two weeks after Election Day, as long as they are postmarked or certified by the voter as being cast by that date. The lawsuit brought by six-term Rep. Mike Bost is one of a series of cases President Donald Trumps allies have filed seeking to exclude votes received after Election Day from official results. However, it seems unlikely that the justices will deliver a definitive ruling on that issue in this case. Lower courts dismissed Bosts lawsuit, in part, on the grounds that the harm he expected to suffer from counting late-arriving ballots was too speculative to give him legal standing to sue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That standing question is the only one his attorneys presented to the high court, so any ruling would likely be confined to whether he can revive his lawsuit, although the justices sometimes broaden the legal questions during oral arguments or in their ruling. The justices announced their decision to take up the case in a routine orders list on Monday. It will likely be argued this fall and decided by June 2026. Illinois is one of 18 states with legal provisions that count mail-in ballots arriving after Election Day, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Trump has repeatedly criticized those states and the practice of mail-in voting, raising unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud. He has also expressed suspicion about the long-observed phenomenon that in-person vote tallies and those of mail-in ballots can often differ dramatically. In recent years, particularly since the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Democrats have had an advantage with mail-in ballots. Republicans have been itching to catch up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have to be decided by 9 oclock, 10 oclock, 11 oclock on Tuesday night, Trump said on the campaign trail last November as he warned of fraud that he said would be perpetrated by crooked people. In March, Trump issued an executive order that declared tallying of ballots after Election Day to be illegal. At least five lawsuits have been filed challenging various aspects of Trumps order. Bost brought his case to the justices last November after his challenge struck out before a district court judge and an appeals panel. The earlier stages of the dispute divided Trump-appointed judges. U.S. District Court Judge John Kness, a Trump appointee, threw the case out on standing grounds and also found it lacked legal merit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, Trump appointee Michael Brennan and Biden appointee John Lee agreed that Bost lacked standing to challenge the states procedures, while Trump appointee Michael Scudder said the costs Bost would incur from deploying poll watchers to examine late-arriving ballots were sufficient to give him standing to sue. Under the Biden administration, the Justice Department weighed in on the states behalf. DOJ officials said federal law doesnt prohibit states from counting ballots received after Election Day and doing so is one way to make sure that military and overseas voters ballots are counted even if they are delayed in the mail. Last October, the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a Mississippi law allowing ballots to be counted up to five days after Election Day ran afoul of a federal law setting a uniform, nationwide day for federal elections. However, that ruling did not go into effect for last years general election. The Supreme Court will consider reviving a lawsuit challenging Illinoiss ability to count mail ballots received after Election Day, the court announced in a brief order Monday. Lower courts ruled Rep. Michael Bost (R-Ill.) and two of President Trumps 2020 electors from the state had no legal standing to bring their lawsuit. More than a dozen states allow mail ballots to be received after Election Day so long as they were postmarked or certified by the time polls close, and Republicans have looked to demolish the practice in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legality of the practice is not yet before the Supreme Court, but the new case enables the justices to weigh in on who is able to bring such lawsuits. The case will be considered during the courts next annual term, which begins in October. Oral arguments are likely to be held late this year. Bost, who represents Southern Illinois and chairs the House Veterans Affairs Committee, sued in May 2022 alongside Laura Pollatrini and Susan Sweeney, who served as some of Trumps presidential electors in the state in 2020. A Trump-appointed federal district judge ruled they cant claim legal standing by asserting they face injury as voters and political candidates. The judge ruled their case failed to state a legally viable claim, anyway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A panel on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the ruling, agreeing that the plaintiffs had no standing. In their petition to the high court, Bost and the two electors said the decision disrupts a long line of cases enabling federal political candidates to challenge election regulations. In the aftermath of the 2020 elections, however, for a variety of reasons, courts have limited candidates ability to challenge the electoral rules governing their campaigns. This case presents the latestand an extremeexample of this trend, their attorneys wrote. The plaintiffs are represented by Judicial Watch, a conservative group known for unearthing government records under the Freedom of Information Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is an injustice that the courts would deny a federal candidate the ability to challenge an election provision that could lead to illegal votes being cast and counted for two weeks AFTER Election Day, Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said in a statement. The Supreme Courts decision to hear this case is a critical opportunity to uphold federal law, protect voter rights, and ensure election integrity. Illinois 14-day extension of Election Day thwarts federal law, violates the civil rights of voters, and invites fraud. Illinoiss election board, represented by the state attorney generals office, urged the justices to turn away the case, saying the lower court was merely applying settled precedent. The case presents no sufficiently importantor even sufficiently discretelegal question warranting the Courts review, it does not conflict with this Courts opinions, and it does not implicate a division of authority among lower courts. The petition should be denied, the state wrote in court filings. Updated at 12:57 p.m. EDT Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court agreed Monday to consider reviving a Republican challenge to an Illinois law that allows mail ballots to be counted if they are received up to two weeks after Election Day. The justices will hear arguments in the fall over whether Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., and two former presidential electors have the legal right, or standing, to sue over the law in federal court. Lower federal courts ruled they lack standing. But the case could serve to amplify claims made by President Donald Trump that late-arriving ballots and drawn out electoral counts undermine confidence in elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois is among 18 states and the District of Columbia that accept mailed ballots received after Election Day as long they are postmarked on or before that date, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In March, Trump signed a sweeping executive order on elections that aims to require votes to be cast and received by Election Day and says federal funding should be conditional on state compliance. In their appeal to the court, the Illinois Republicans said the justices should make clear that candidates have the right to challenge state regulations of federal elections. TASHKENT, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Shen Yueyue, vice chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, visited Uzbekistan on Sunday and Monday and attended the Second Chinese-Uzbek Interregional Forum. During her visit, Shen met with Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Chairperson of the Senate of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbayeva, Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev, and had friendly exchanges with Deputy Prime Minister Zulaykho Makhkamova. Shen noted that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Uzbekistan in the new era has entered a fast track of development. China is willing to work with Uzbekistan to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen political mutual trust, deepen all-round mutually beneficial cooperation, promote people-to-people exchanges, jointly build a China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future at a higher starting point, and bring greater benefits to the two countries and their peoples. Aripov asked Shen to convey his sincere greetings to Chinese Premier Li Qiang, saying that Uzbekistan and China are good partners for mutual benefit and good friends who support each other. Uzbekistan is ready to work with China to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, culture, local exchanges, and jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative with high quality. On Monday, the Supreme refused to hear two significant cases challenging Marylands state-wide ban on semiautomatic rifles and other assault-style weapons like AR-15s. The courts rejection of the cases, a somewhat surprising move for the conservative majority, means that the gun control law will stay in placefor now. The court also refused to hear a challenge to Rhode Islands restrictions on high-capacity magazines. Four Supreme Court justices are needed to hear a case. Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Samuel Alito wrote a dissenting opinion on the Maryland case, arguing that it wasnt consistent with the Supreme Courts conservative 2022 ruling that the right to bear arms extends outside the home, which loosened gun restrictions and caused states like Maryland and Rhode Island to enact bans like the ones being challenged in court. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the other conservative justice, wrote his own dissenting statement, calling the Maryland ban an outlier and positing ominously that this court should and presumably will address the AR-15 issue soon. WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear an appeal from a private prison company facing a lawsuit claiming immigration detainees were forced to work and paid a $1 a day in Colorado. The GEO Group appealed to the high court after a judge refused to toss out the 2014 lawsuit saying the detainees had to perform both unpaid janitorial work and other jobs for little pay to supplement meager meals. The company says the lawsuits are really a back door way to push back against federal immigration policy, and its pay rates are in line with Immigration and Customs Enforcement regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They say the migrants cant sue because it's running Aurora, Colorado, facility on behalf of the government, which is immune from such lawsuits. Attorneys for the migrants say the lawsuit is only about people being paid almost nothing for their work, and the contract didn't require them to pay so little. A lower court judge allowed the lawsuit to go forward and the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals found it couldn't review the immunity claim before trial. The GEO Group argued to the Supreme Court that government contractors should be able to argue that issue on appeal quickly. The Florida-based GEO Group is one of the top private detention providers in the country, with management or ownership of about 77,000 beds at 98 facilities. Its contracts include a new federal immigration detention center where Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested at a protest in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar lawsuits have been brought on behalf of immigration detainees elsewhere, including a Washington state case where the company was ordered to pay more than $23 million. ___ Associated Press writer Mike Catalini in Trenton, New Jersey, contributed reporting. The Supreme Court declined Monday to hear arguments in a pair of significant Second Amendment challenges involving certain semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines, a move that leaves both of those laws in place. One of the appeals dealt with Marylands ban on certain semi-automatic weapons such as AR- and AK-style rifles. The law, enacted after the deadly 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, was challenged by David Snope, a state resident who wants to purchase those rifles for self-defense and other purposes. The Supreme Court also declined to hear a challenge to Rhode Islands ban on high-capacity gun magazines, leaving that law in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As is typical, the court did not explain its reasoning in denying the cases, though it has denied several high profile gun appeals over the past year. Conservative Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas dissented from the courts decision not to hear the pair of cases. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, another member of the courts conservative wing, noted that other cases involving AR-style rifles are pending in lower courts and said that this court should and presumably will address the AR15 issue soon. The 2022 Rhode Island law prohibits the possession of large-capacity feeding devices or magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. It requires owners of such devices to either modify them to fit the 10-round limit, sell them to a firearms dealer, remove them from Rhode Island or hand them over to law enforcement. The law required such action to be taken within 180 days of its passage, after which time violators faced up to five years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, in the Maryland case involving semi-automatic rifles, the Richmond-based federal appeals court upheld Marylands law over the summer, finding that the guns at issue are dangerous and unusual weapons and therefore are not covered by the Second Amendments protections. The majority also concluded that there were historical analogues to the Maryland statute that were adopted by state legislatures across the country in the 19th and 20th century. US Circuit Judge Harvie Wilkinson, who was named to the bench by President Ronald Reagan, wrote for the court that we decline to wield the Constitution to declare that military-style armaments which have become primary instruments of mass killing and terrorist attacks in the United States are beyond the reach of our nations democratic processes. In dissent, US Circuit Judge Julius Richardson, a Trump nominee, wrote that the majority opinion disregards the Founders wisdom and replaces it with its own. Following the Supreme Courts blockbuster 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which struck down a strict requirement in New York that residents show cause to obtain a carry permit, the justices have largely avoided major guns cases. In July, for instance, the court declined to take up a challenge to a similar ban on assault-style weapons in Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decisions have had the practical effect of leaving the gun prohibitions in place amid a fierce debate playing out in lower courts over exactly what the Supreme Court meant by requiring firearm laws to be consistent with this nations historical tradition. Last year, the Supreme Court upheld a federal law that prohibits Americans who are the subject of certain domestic abuse restraining orders from owning a weapon, despite the fact that no identical law existed at the time of the nations founding. Thomas said in a solo dissent on Monday that the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals had erred in upholding the Maryland law. The prohibition, Thomas wrote, could not be squared with the 2022 decision in Bruen, which he authored, that said the nations gun laws must have a connection to history to survive constitutional scrutiny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is difficult to see how Marylands categorical prohibition on AR15s passes muster under this framework, Thomas wrote in dissent. Two lower courts refused to block the Rhode Island law, with the 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals saying in a ruling last March that the ban was a lawful response by state lawmakers to a public safety concern. Attorneys for the laws challengers several individual gun owners and a registered firearms dealer in the state told the Supreme Court that the ban is not only a violation of the Second Amendment but that it also runs afoul of the Constitutions Takings Clause because it forces citizens to dispossess themselves of their lawfully acquired property without any compensation from the state. They asked the court to take up the case to resolve the question of whether and when the government may ban and even confiscate from law-abiding citizens common arms. This story has been updated with additional details. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WASHINGTON (AP) A split Supreme Court on Monday rejected a pair of gun rights cases, though one conservative justice predicted the court would soon consider whether assault weapons bans are constitutional. The majority did not explain its reasoning in turning down the cases over high-capacity magazines and state bans on guns like the AR-15, popular weapons that have also been used in mass shootings. But three conservative justices on the nine-member court publicly noted their disagreement, and a fourth said he is skeptical that assault-weapons bans are constitutional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch said they would have taken a case challenging Maryland's ban, and Justice Clarence Thomas wrote separately to say the law likely runs afoul of the Second Amendment. I would not wait to decide whether the government can ban the most popular rifle in America, Thomas wrote. That question is of critical importance to tens of millions of law-abiding AR15 owners throughout the country. Justice Brett Kavanaugh agreed with the decision to pass on the case now but indicated that he is skeptical such bans are constitutional and that he expects the court will address the issue in the next term or two. The Maryland law was passed after the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut that killed 20 children and six adults. The shooter was armed with an AR-15, one of the firearms commonly referred to as an assault weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several states have similar measures, and congressional Democrats have also supported the concept. The challengers had argued that people have a constitutional right to own the firearms like the AR-15, which most gun owners use legally. The case comes nearly three years after the high court handed down a landmark ruling that expanded Second Amendment rights and spawned challenges to firearm laws around the country. Ten states and the District of Columbia have similar laws, covering major cities like New York and Los Angeles. Congress allowed a national assault weapons ban to expire in 2004. The gun control group Everytown Law applauded the high court's action, saying the measures make communities safer. We will fight to ensure the courts continue to uphold these life-saving laws, said Janet Carter, managing director of Second Amendment litigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than twice as many people died in mass shootings in which large-capacity magazines and assault weapons were used between 2015 and 2022, the group said. Attorneys for Maryland argued the guns arent protected by the Constitution because theyre similar to military-grade weapons. The law bans dozens of firearms including the AR-15, the AK-47 and the Barrett .50-caliber sniper rifle and puts a 10-round limit on gun magazines. The gun rights group Second Amendment Foundation said it has seven other cases challenging the bans and plans to continue to aggressively litigate them. Millions of Americans continue to be disenfranchised from exercising their complete Second Amendment rights by virtue of these categorical bans, Executive Director Adam Kraut said. The high court also rebuffed a bid to overturn state bans on high-capacity gun magazines in a case out of Rhode Island. Thomas, Alito and Gorsuch said they would have heard the case. More than a dozen states have similar laws limiting the amount of ammunition a magazine can hold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas and Kavanaugh have previously expressed skepticism about assault weapon bans. As an appeals court judge in 2011, Kavanaugh wrote a dissent saying that a similar measure in Washington, D.C., was unconstitutional. Thomas, meanwhile, dissented in 2015 when the Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to a municipal ban on AR-15-style weapons, writing that the overwhelming majority of people who owned the weapons used them for lawful purposes like self-defense. The high court in 2022 handed down a ruling that expanded gun rights and told lower-court judges they should no longer consider factors like public safety in deciding whether firearm laws are constitutional. Instead, they should focus on whether a law fits into the nations historic tradition of gun ownership, the court said. That led to a flurry of challenges to gun laws around the country, multiple restrictions struck down, and confusion among lower-court judges over what gun laws can stay on the books. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, the Supreme Court has overturned a ban on rapid-fire gun accessories called bump stocks but upheld a law barring people under domestic-violence restraining orders from having guns and regulations on nearly untraceable ghost guns. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court at https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) The covert operation was described as one for the history books by Ukraines president. In the span of a few hours on Sunday, nearly a third of Moscows strategic bomber fleet was destroyed or damaged with cheaply made drones sneaked into Russian territory, according to Ukrainian officials. The undertaking by Ukraines Security Service, codenamed Spiderweb, involved more than 18 months of painstaking planning and great risk. It was personally overseen by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It came to fruition at a time in the 3-year-old war when peace talks have failed to deliver the unconditional ceasefire long-sought by Kyiv, and as Moscow continues to launch record-breaking numbers of drone and missile barrages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack on Sunday encapsulates Ukraines wartime strategy: Outnumbered, outgunned and dependent on Western partners, Ukrainian military planners have sought innovative and cost-effective means to exact Russian losses, often leaning on the element of surprise. Heres what we know about the Ukrainian attack so far: Ukraine says 4 airfields were attacked Zelenskyy said 117 drones were used in the operation in which four military airfields were attacked resulting in the severe damage or destruction of 34% of Russias fleet of air missile carriers. The complex operation was directed from an office that was next door to an office of the Russian security service, the FSB, Zelenskyy said, without elaborating on where in Russia it was. Executing it involved smuggling in first-person view, or FPV, drones to Russia, where they were placed in wooden containers, which were eventually taken by truck close to the airfields. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From there, the drones flew to strike Russias strategic bombers. Social media footage shared by Russian media on the day of the attack showed drones rising from inside the containers. By the end, over 40 Russian warplanes were severely damaged or destroyed with costs estimated to be around $7 billion, according to Ukraine's security service. Among the most striking targets was Belaya air base in the Siberian region of Irkutsk over 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) away from Ukraine. Russias Defense Ministry in a statement confirmed the attacks, saying they damaged aircraft and sparked fires on air bases in the Irkutsk region, as well as the Murmansk region in the north. It said strikes were also repelled in the Amur region in Russias Far East and in the western regions of Ivanovo and Ryazan, the ministry said. There was no way to independently verify the claims from either side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack targeted bombers used to strike Ukraine Strategic aircraft, including the A-50, Tu-95 and Tu-22M, were destroyed in the attack, according to the SBU. Moscow has previously used Tu-95 and Tu-22M long-range bombers to launch missiles at Ukraine, while A-50s are used to coordinate targets and detect air defenses and guided missiles. Ukraine has long hoped to degrade Russias ability to deploy bombers that launch deadly missile barrages against Ukrainian cities, against which Kyiv has limited means to respond. The loss of the planes could reduce Russias ability to deliver devastating missile barrages against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack comes right as Moscow has unleashed a record-breaking number of drones and missiles against Ukraine to degrade domestic weapons production capabilities, shatter morale and consume Kyivs limited quantities of air defense missiles. Often these attacks have also struck civilians. The attack gives Ukraine a morale boost The attack also gives Ukraine a morale boost at a time when peace talks have sputtered and could undermine Russian confidence that it can win the war with ease. It was launched a day before a round of direct peace talks took place in Istanbul on Monday. It also occurred on the same day as Russia launched a record number of 472 drones against Ukraine in yet another barrage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The enemy thought it could bomb Ukraine and kill Ukrainians with impunity and without end. But that is not the case. We will respond to Russian terror and destroy the enemy everywhere at sea, in the air, and on land, said the head of the SBU, Vasyl Maliuk, on Monday. And if necessary, well get them from underground too, he added. The attack is the latest to use the element of surprise Despite suffering setbacks and shortcomings on the battlefield, throughout the war Kyiv has sought to focus on Russias rear to cripple and neutralize combat capabilities. Sundays operation is perhaps the most brazen in a series mounted by Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April 2022, Ukraine sank the Moskva, the flagship of Russias Black Sea Fleet, after striking it with two Ukrainian Neptune anti-ship missiles. The sinking marked a major Ukrainian victory in the war. In October 2022, a Ukrainian attack damaged the Kerch Bridge, which links Russia to Moscow-annexed Crimea. The bridge, which holds important strategic and symbolic value, was hit again in July 2023. A year later, in August 2024, Ukrainian forces launched a daring military incursion into Russias Kursk region, the first time Russian territory was occupied by an invader since World War II. It dealt a humiliating blow to the Kremlin. Russia claimed in April 2025 that it had fully reclaimed the border territory, though Ukraine insists it still has troops present there. Surprise Guest Nancy Pelosi Honors Frank Gehry at MOCA Gala originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Ava DuVernay, Nancy Pelosi, Johanna Burton, Theaster Gates, Frank Gehry, Wendy Schmidt and Maria SeferianStefanie Keenan/Getty Images, courtesy of MOCA "MOCA, thank you so much for the diversity that you brought to the legends that you honored tonight," said surprise guest Nancy Pelosi upon taking the stage at the Geffen Contemporary at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Little Tokyo on May 31. The 2025 gala, presented by BVLGARI, introduced a new format whereby which three MOCA Legends from different areas are honored annually. The first three honorees were artist Theaster Gates, recognized by Ava DuVernay; philanthropist Wendy Schmidt, praised by Jane Fonda; and finally, Frank Gehry, whom Pelosi came to honor. "Listening to even the presenters, Ava and Jane, and Wendy and Theaster it reminded me of something that our founders said," Pelosi began. "John Adams wrote to Abigail Adams, and he said to her, 'I must study war and politics, so that our sons can study agriculture, science.' So that their children will have the freedom to study music and poetry and architecture, and he even said tapestry at the time." Pelosi went on, "But the connection of all of these disciplines through the eyes of art is so important, because what John Adams was talking about was the expansion of freedom, and that is what art is about freedom." "So tonight, I'm here to talk about Frank Gehry," said Pelosi, who remarked how she left her grandson's high school graduation to be there because of how much she respects and loves him. "Frank Gehry you think of him, I think of him, as a genius. But he's more than a genius. ... Frank Gehry is a magician. Because with his architecture, he enables people to see the art differently. To hear the music differently. To understand the education differently." Frank GehryJojo Korsh/BFA.com, courtesy of MOCA Pelosi continued: "He has said, 'architecture speaks to its time and its place, but yearns for timelessness.' And that's what he has been about. ... The architecture is art for the community. He has always listened to the community about what this structure will be. He designs it around the community. So it's about culture, it's about community, it's about communication to everyone as to what the purpose is of the design, of the art, that he has created." She concluded, "The poet [Percy] Shelley once said, 'The greatest force for moral good is imagination.' And Frank Gehry is the personification of imagination." The 96-year-old MOCA culture legend Gehry who renovated MOCA Geffen in 1983 prioritizing adaptive reuse made remarks from his table after a standing ovation. "I owe a lot to this place," Gehry said. "When I graduated architecture, I met with the undergraduates and by luck, I designed a little building on Melrose and artists started to come to the construction site. And I couldn't understand why they were there!" Gehry continued, "They had brought me into their club, and it's where I wanted to be. And it opened my eyes to another world which is more relevant than where I was coming from. So, MOCA means a lot to me. I was on the board a long time ago, but I didn't have the body to keep up with it! I've always been a supporter. I'm so honored to have Nancy here she's so important in my life. I believe in her so much, Thank you. Let's go on and make this place really important it is important, we got to build it, we've got to build on it. I'm here to help ... Let's do it!" Nancy Pelosi and Karen BassMarc Patrick/BFA.com, courtesy of MOCA The festive evening attended by 600 art lovers, including Sarah Paulson and Mayor Karen Bass featured a performance by Tierra Whack and raised over $3.1 million in support of the museum. Following a cocktail hour outdoors in the Aileen Getty Plaza, guests explored the immersive current exhibit Olafur Eliasson: OPEN en route to dinner, where this year's "legends" received toasts. "This is my fourth gala, and what I had realized as I got to know the institution was how many people from 50 years of history almost we have to look back to, in order to look forward," Maurice Marciano Director Johanna Burton told Los Angeles. "And this idea of storytelling became very important because of the historical moment we're in, where we should really be reminding ourselves and each other of the kind of radical, really caring gestures that have happened in his space and lay ground for what comes ahead." This informed the gala's new format. "We came up with this three-part structure, where there are three visionaries each year: one is an artist; one is a cultural visionary, that could be a filmmaker or a fashion designer or a dancer; and the third is a philanthropist," Burton said. "So it became this really beautiful way of tapping in people who have helped write the history of this place and the people who support them are also legends." MOCA Board Chair Maria Seferian and Burton began the program by addressing the room. "This past year has been one of extraordinary growth and meaningful momentum MOCA," Burton said, calling out Eliasson's exhibit (and presence in the room). She also cited the collaborative efforts to fundraise following the wildfires through the Los Angeles Arts Recovery Fund led by the Getty. Maria Seferian, Wendy Schmidt and Jane FondaStefanie Keenan/Getty Images, courtesy of MOCA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burton also spoke to future exhibits: Nadya Tolokonnikova (of Pussy Riot)'s Police State "staging a durational performance that highlights human resilience in the face of state power," from June 5-14; the third presentation of MOCA's relaunched Focus series with Takako Yamauchi at the end of June. "And in October, the long-awaited Monuments exhibition, co-presented with The Brick,: Burton said. "Conceived nearly a decade ago, Monuments brings recently decommissioned Confederate statues to the museum, displayed alongside contemporary artworks many created for the exhibition, by 15 of the most compelling artists working today. The show explores how public monuments have shaped national identity, historical memory and ideas about power and belonging." Fonda praised Schmidt, citing her environmental activism work (protesting oil drilling and promoting ocean conservation) and her newly-founded Eric and Wendy Schmidt Environment and Art Prize which will present its first artist projects by Cecilia Vicuna and Julian Charriere at MOCA next year. Sarah Paulson and performer Tierra WhackJojo Korsh/BFA.com, courtesy of MOCA "There are people in the world who do good things, and seek and receive a lot of attention, and there are people who have a profound impact and they do work quietly without notice and fanfare, and Wendy Schmidt is the latter," Fonda said. "But the work she has done for two decades should be known by everyone in this room. ... She sees the big picture; she sees how the world can be, while the rest of us just see a mess." "There was a clear distinction between science and art," Schmidt said. However, she noted, "In a world of increasing convergence, science and art actually need each other. ... Where art meets science, great things happen." DuVernay took the stage to honor Chicago-based artist Gates, who held his first solo museum exhibition on the West Coast at MOCA in 2011. "I'm here to speak to you about sound," DuVernay began. "The sound of a man who walks into an open space and hears something that others cannot. ... I've been out on the town with Theaster ... and I've shared contemplative times with him, where the world slows down and we talk, not just about what we're making, but why. And in these exchanges, there's a beautiful truth I've come to realize: Theaster Gates is the whole band." Theaster Gates and Ava DuVernayStefanie Keenan/Getty Images, courtesy of MOCA "In growing up, this [idea] was important to me, that you enter the world, you enter a circumstance with something or maybe with nothing," Gates said. "And that, life feels like it's about the attempt at making that nothing something. ... You take your talent, and you multiply it." He also made a plea: "I feel like I'm constantly looking at Black and brown talent in my neighborhood, and no one's invested in them and in fact, they are burying Black talent all the fucking time! And is it possible that we would just take a moment to imagine that the talent around us has the capacity to do greater than it does?" Gates ended: "My job is to make talent. To be talented. To multiply talent." This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared. TAMPA After breastfeeding triplets, Lisa Medlen wanted her body to look the way it did before pregnancy. She saw a cosmetic surgeon about getting a breast lift but he recommended implants. He never mentioned any risk, she said. In January, some 20 years after her surgery, Medlen noticed one breast was swollen and sloshy. A mammogram revealed almost 2 inches of fluid in her breast. A biopsy confirmed that a lymphoma, a form of cancer, was present in the scar tissue that forms around the implant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medlen, who lives in St. Petersburg, had surgery in February to remove the implants and the scar tissue. She later learned that her model of implant had been recalled in 2019 at the request of the Food and Drug Administration because of higher than normal incidences of cancer. It was very scary, she said. I still have this fear that it could come back, because there are women that have had recurrences. Medlens cancer, known as anaplastic large cell lymphoma, is a rare but known risk of breast implants, especially with implants that have a textured surface. The 59-year-old Clearwater woman was one of a dozen survivors of the cancer who gathered in Tampa to call for a ban on all similar implants and for women to be better informed about the risks of surgery. The gathering in Tampa drew women from as far as Europe. It was organized by the Breast Implant Safety Alliance, a nonprofit made up mainly of survivors. The group hoped to put more pressure on plastic surgeons and oncologists who attended a breast implant safety conference in downtown Tampa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alliance wants more to be done to raise awareness of the cancer among medical professionals so there is less risk of the disease going undiagnosed. There is also concern that many women who undergo breast enhancement surgery are unaware that implants are not lifetime devices and that they will likely need additional surgeries as the implants age, said Jennifer Cook, the alliances director of advocacy. Cook noticed a lump in her breast in 2016, six years after having implants. Both a breast surgeon and a radiologist told her it was scar tissue and there was nothing to worry about, she said. Some of the doctors she saw had never heard of that type of cancer, and she had to fight to get approval for a biopsy, she said. It took roughly a year before she was diagnosed. She needed surgery and chemotherapy to be cancer free. This is why Im big on awareness because I want women to have a chance, Cook said. If you dont recognize these symptoms, and your doctors dont know it exists, they can miss it and let it progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 300,000 breast augmentation surgeries are performed in the United States each year, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Manufacturers began using textured implants as a way to prevent implants from moving and to reduce the risk of a complication where the bodys scar tissue forms too tightly around the implant, sometimes causing discomfort and misshapen breasts. The Food and Drug Administration in 2011 first reported a link between textured implants and the cancer, which is different from breast cancer. Eight years later, the federal agency requested that Allergan recall specific models of its textured implants found to be used in 481 of the 573 cases recorded at that point. Its implants were used in 12 of 13 linked deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have now been more than 1,700 cases of cancer linked to breast implants worldwide with the majority of those in the past few years, said Dr. Mark Clemens, professor of plastic surgery, and associate vice president at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. The anaplastic large cell lymphoma is more like a blood cancer than a tumor, Clemens said. A diagnosis can be performed by extracting fluid using a needle. If that tests positive, a CT scan is performed to determine whether the cancer has spread. Clemens was one of the authors of a study that looked at the outcomes of 52 women with anaplastic large cell lymphoma who were treated at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas over a five-year period. One-quarter of the patients were treated early, mostly with surgery. There were several patients with stage IV, with metastasis to the bone marrow, liver and bowels. Clemens said there is now a standardized way to diagnose and treat the lymphomas with recommendations for both plastic surgeons and pathologists. That knowledge has been shared in major medical journals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clemens agrees that more should be done. He was one of the contributors to an American Association of Plastic Surgeons white paper that recommended the discontinuation of all textured implants. He would also like it be mandatory for new cases to be reported to a national profile registry so more can be learned about the cancer. Reporting is currently optional. Every single case we learn something new, he said. In 2021, the FDA required manufacturers to include a patient checklist that details potential risks specific to that implant. It also prohibited manufacturers from selling implants to physicians and clinics unless the surgeon attests, in writing and prior to the sale, that the checklist is used as part of the informed-consent process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that has not deterred a single one of her patients, said Dr. Lauren Kuykendall, assistant professor at the University of South Florida Department of Plastic Surgery. Kuykendall, who is vice chief at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Tampa General Hospital, said she no longer uses textured implants, unless in exceptional circumstances. Surgeons, manufacturers and medical societies are spending time and resources to better understand how the cancer originates and to educate women about the risks, she said. Meanwhile, the technology is evolving. The FDA last year approved nano-textured implants where the texturing is just 4 microns deep. A human hair is between 50 and 70 microns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The checklist is based on old data, Kuykendall said. Thats the challenge when the data lags behind what were doing. The Safety Alliance was formed by a group of women who testified to the FDA about their cancer. It has become a support group for women discovering their implants have given them cancer. Clearwater Beach mom Emily Haase found the group on Facebook after she was diagnosed with cancer. She got implants in 2012 when she lived in California. She had finished breast feeding her two children. The plastic surgeon told her they were so safe, he would put them in his own daughter. She recalls being told they would not need to be removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, she noticed she had a rash and one of her breasts was slightly bigger. Her doctor told her it was likely shingles. He never asked if she had implants. In 2021, she decided to have her implants replaced with smooth ones due to discomfort she was feeling. The plastic surgeon found and removed a black mass around her old implant. A biopsy confirmed it was cancerous. She credits her plastic surgeon with saving her life. Haases anxiety over the diagnosis led her to see a therapist. The therapist ended up having her implants removed too. February marked three years of being cancer free. Haase still has to have a mammogram and MRI once a year. Its vital that there is more accurate information about the risks of implants made available for women, she said. I dont think breast implants are bad. I dont think plastic surgeons are bad, she said. If I can help people that way, like, if you have textured, you know, consider taking them out. A man from Hammond is now facing charges after allegedly striking an officer with a vehicle early Saturday morning on the citys Northwest Side, Chicago police announced Sunday evening. Carlos Sanchez-Roa, 28, faces three felony counts, including one for attempted murder, after he allegedly fired a gun during a large fight outside of a business in the 3100 block of North Central Avenue and then struck a responding officer with a red pickup truck, police said. Police said that around 2:10 a.m. on Saturday officers responded to a call of a battery in progress and shots fired at the business establishment. An employee told officers that during a large fight outside of the business, a person fired a gun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The employee directed police to the suspect, who was getting into the pickup truck. As police approached the truck and ordered the driver to step out, police said that he refused and allegedly struck an officer with the vehicle, police said. Officers then fired their weapons at the vehicle as it fled the scene. Responding officers found the truck in the 3200 block of North Menard Avenue in Portage Park, where the suspect, apparently struck by the officers gunfire, was found on the ground near the vehicle. The suspect sustained gunshot wounds to the body and was transported to Illinois Masonic Hospital in critical condition. A weapon allegedly was found inside the suspects vehicle. Police said that the Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the specifics of the shooting. The officers involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for a minimum period of 30 days. The suspect in the Boulder, Colo. attack on demonstrators rallying in support of Israeli hostages is an Egyptian citizen who had overstayed a tourist visa and was living illegally in the United States, the Department of Homeland Security said Monday. Federal and local authorities are investigating Sundays incident as an act of terrorism. The suspect, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, entered the U.S. in August 2022 and remained after his visa expired in February 2023, according to Tricia McLaughlin, a Homeland Security spokeswoman. She said that Soliman filed for asylum in September 2022, but did not share details about the status of his claim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Colorado terrorist attack suspect, Mohamed Soliman, is illegally in our country, McLaughlin told TIME in a statement. Soliman was arrested Sunday after authorities said he used a makeshift flamethrower to assault participants in a weekly march called Run for Their Lives, held in downtown Boulder to draw attention to the 58 hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas after the groups Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Witnesses said he shouted Free Palestine as he threw an incendiary device into the crowd. At least eight people, ranging from ages 52 to 88, were hospitalized with burns and other injuries, authorities said. Four additional victims who sustained more minor injuries were identified on Monday after they came forward to be interviewed, according to Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn. Boulder Police said Monday morning that none of the victims have died. Read more: What We Know About the Victims of the Colorado Attack Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soliman, who was living in Colorado Springs, was also injured and taken to a hospital to be medically evaluated before being booked into the Boulder County Jail on multiple charges. He faces 16 counts of first-degree attempted murder, two counts of use of an incendiary device, and 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device, District Attorney Michael Dougherty said Monday. The Justice Department also charged Soliman with a federal hate crime, according to an affidavit. He is being held on a $10 million bond. The facts we have at this time make it clear that this is a targeted act of violence, said Redfearn at a Sunday evening press conference. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a statement that the attack appears to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted. The incident has stirred anxiety within the Jewish community, which has already been reeling from a series of recent attacks. Two weeks ago, two Israeli Embassy aides were shot and killed outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. And in April, a man set fire to the home of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish. Read more: The Rise of Antisemitism and Political Violence in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what to know about Soliman, the suspect in the Boulder attack. Illegal alien: The Trump Administration The Trump Administration on Monday said that Soliman entered the U.S. on a B-2 tourist visa, which typically allows stays of up to six months, and remained illegally after it expired in February 2023. He had applied for asylum in September 2022, but his claim may have been delayed amid a court backlog of more than 3.6 million cases. This image provided by the Boulder Police Dept. shows Mohamed Sabry Soliman. Boulder Police Dept/AP In a social media post, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller called the suspect an illegal alien and criticized the Biden Administration for approving his work permit. Suicidal migration must be fully reversed, Miller said. The Department of Homeland Security and the White House did not immediately return a request for comment on the status of his asylum claim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Little else is publicly known about Solimans time in the U.S. or what he was doing in Colorado before the attack. During the incident, he is heard on video saying How many children have you killed? and We have to end Zionists, they are killers. One law enforcement official told CNN that following the attack he said, I did it to avenge my people. An F.B.I. affidavit said that Soliman confessed to the attack and told police he would do it again. He told investigators that he had researched and planned the attack for more than a year, according to court documents. Soliman also told authorities he had previously tried to buy a firearm but could not because he is not a legal citizen, so instead used Molotov cocktails, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado J. Bishop Grewell said Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sixteen unused Molotov cocktails were found in Soliman's vicinity at the time of his arrest, law enforcement officials said. President Donald Trump expressed condolences for the victims on Truth Social. This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland, he said in a post, claiming that Soliman came in through Bidens ridiculous Open Border Policy and that he must go out under TRUMP Policy. Read more: Ehud Barak: Israel Must Back Donald Trumps Deal To End the War in Gaza Did he act alone? At this time it appears the perpetrator acted alone, Special Agent in Charge of the FBIs Denver field office, Mark Michalek, said at a Monday afternoon press conference. But he noted that authorities do continue to investigate all possibilities and pursue all investigative leads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we uncover evidence that others knew of this attack or supported the subject in this attack, rest assured that we will aggressively move to hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law, he said. The F.B.I. searched Solimans home in Colorado Springs on Sunday after he was identified as the suspect. There was no immediate indication that he was linked to any particular organization or group, authorities said. Soliman made his first appearance in court Monday afternoon. He will be back in court on Thursday for the filing of charges. Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com. A man who law enforcement officials say used a makeshift flamethrower to injure eight people in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday marching for the release of Hamas-held Israeli hostages has been charged with attempted murder, among other charges. The state of Colorado has charged the suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, with 42 counts, including eight counts of attempted first-degree murder after deliberation and eight counts of first-degree murder with extreme indifference. He was charged earlier Monday with a federal hate crime. According to an FBI affidavit released Monday, Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national, shouted free Palestine and threw two lit Molotov cocktails at individuals participating in a weekly Run for Their Lives event around 2 p.m. local time at Boulders Pearl Street Mall. The weekly events purpose is to demand the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and during Israels ongoing, retaliatory bombing campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight people were hospitalized with burns and other injuries from the attack, with two of them in serious condition, officials said Sunday. Officials on Monday afternoon said they had identified four additional victims, bringing the total number of those injured in the attack to 12. Soliman has been charged with a single federal hate crime offense, involving actual or perceived race, religion or national origin. He is expected to face additional charges. After Soliman was detained, law enforcement officials found a nearby plastic container with fourteen unlit Molotov cocktails, the FBI stated in its arrest warrant application. While in custody, Soliman stated that he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead. [Soliman] stated he would do it (conduct an attack) again. The affidavit continued: He specifically targeted the Zionist Group that had gathered in Boulder having learned about the group from an online search. SOLIMAN knew that they planned to meet today, Sunday, June 1 at 1pm. He arrived at approximately 12:55 p.m. and waited for them. Throughout the interview, SOLIMAN stated that he hated the Zionist group and did this because he hated this group and needed to stop them from taking over our land, which he explained to be Palestine. He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year and was waiting until after his daughter graduated to conduct the attack. Soliman entered the U.S. in August 2022 on B2 visa (a temporary visitor visa for non-businessrelated activities) that expired in February 2023, said Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Colorado Terrorist attack suspect, Mohamed Soliman, is illegally in our country, she said in a post on X. He filed for asylum in September 2022. McLaughlin told NBC News the suspects asylum claim was pending, the outlet reported. While his visa had expired, he had not yet exhausted all legal routes to staying in the U.S. The attack occurred less than two weeks after a shooter killed two Israeli embassy staffers outside the Capitol Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., and subsequently shouted free Palestine! This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com BRATISLAVA, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Sunday that his government cannot support the European Union's (EU) proposal to completely halt nuclear fuel imports from Russia. Addressing a press conference, Fico said the plan would threaten the operation of nuclear power plants in Slovakia. The European Commission last month unveiled a new roadmap to end EU's reliance on Russian energy. The REPowerEU Roadmap sets out a phased and coordinated plan to halt imports of Russian natural gas, oil, and nuclear materials across the 27-member bloc, according to the Commission. "We've repeatedly declared this idea of the European Commission to be harmful, ideological and damaging to the competitiveness of the European Union," said Fico, adding that Slovakia will intervene in the EU to fight for its national interests in the preparation of legislative changes concerning oil, gas and nuclear fuel. As of April 2025, Slovakia has five nuclear reactors generating half of its electricity, according to the World Nuclear Association. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the Egyptian man arrested for throwing Molotov cocktails at attendees of a Boulder, Colorado, march Sunday in support of Israel hostages still in Gaza, was officially charged with committing a federal hate crime on Monday. According to an F.B.I. affidavit, Soliman told investigators in a post-arrest interview that he had been planning his anti-Israel attack for a year and that he was driven to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead. Soliman is expected to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. local time in Boulder. While throwing two Molotov cocktails at the Sunday demonstrations marchers, Soliman reportedly yelled, Free Palestine! Following his arrest, law enforcement officials found a container owned by Soliman filled with 14 more unlit Molotov cocktails. Eight people, four men and four women, suffered burns and other injuries from Solimans terror attack and were hospitalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On X, Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, announced that Soliman had entered the United States in August 2022 with a temporary visa. He filed for asylum in the U.S. a month later, but ultimately overstayed his visa, which expired in February 2023. The Colorado Terrorist attack suspect, Mohamed Soliman, is illegally in our country, McLaughlin wrote in a tweet published early Monday. Soliman was identified by witnesses as the assailant and was subsequently taken into custody in the Boulder County Jail and initially booked with multiple felony charges. His attack comes not even two weeks after two Israeli Embassy aides were shot and killed outside of the Lillian & Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. In April, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his family also survived an arson attack on their home that occurred just hours after Passover Seder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Solimans attack is just the latest event to stem from the ongoing and growing international fallout of the Israel-Hamas war that has been raging since Hamas surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The post Suspect in Colorado Molotov Cocktail Attack on Pro-Israel March Charged With Hate Crime appeared first on TheWrap. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Investigations are underway after a man was shot by police during a domestic disturbance call overnight in Kansas City, Kansas. The Kansas Bureau of Investigations said that at about 2:45 a.m., officers with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department were dispatched on a domestic disturbance call. Lees Summit officer shot multiple times; armed suspect on the run, police say When officers arrived, they talked with the woman and then left to continue their investigations at a storage unit near North 78th Street and Splitlog Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the KBI, officers arrived at the storage unit to interview the man, later identified as 41-year-old Timothy Cella of Kansas City, Kansas; however, the situation escalated, resulting in Cella being shot by an officer. Investigations revealed that the responding officers had attempted to contact Cella, who they could see through a large window from the outside of the storage unit. As they were negotiating, KBI said they told Cella to exit the building, but he refused and threatened the officers. KBI said it was believed Cella had pointed a firearm at the officers, leading them to call in backup. At about 3:45 a.m., Cella was seen raising what officers believed was a gun, KBI said. This resulted in six officers firing at Cella, striking him several times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When emergency personnel arrived at the scene, Cella was taken to a hospital, where he is reported to have life-threatening injuries. A butane torch was found at the scene, which KBI believes to be the object Cella had pointed at the officers. Man charged in shooting of Lees Summit police officer This independent investigation aims to discover all events leading up to the officer-involved shooting, KBI said. In police use of force cases, the KBI releases details to the public as soon as possible. This information is preliminary in nature, and is based on evidence collected and early statements of the parties involved, witnesses, medical personnel and others. It does not represent final or thorough findings which take several weeks to complete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to KCKPD, no officers were injured in the shooting. Once the investigation is finished, KBI said it will present its findings to the Wyandotte County District Attorney to determine if any party should be charged. This is a developing story. Stay tuned with FOX4 News for the latest updates and information. If you are a victim of domestic violence, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Those with hearing impairments can contact 1-800-787-3224. Missouri residents can find local shelters and domestic violence resources on the Kansas City Missouri Police Departments website. Kansas and Missouri residents can find additional resources 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 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. SPRING HILL, Fla. (WFLA) Hernando County Sheriffs Office announced a man who allegedly broke into a Spring Hill home lived there. Deputies responded to an alleged armed home invasion in the area of Spring Hill Drive and Kass Circle around 3:10 a.m. According to HCSO, Curtis Neraasen, 28, forced his way into a home on Cobblestone Drive, but it is now believed he is a resident inside the home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A caller reported a break-in where the complainant alleged an ex-boyfriend broke into the home and stole the gun, deputies said. During an investigation, deputies found out that Neraasen lives at the home, and the person who called deputies is in a relationship with him. No one was injured during the home invasion. According to deputies, the weapon believed to have been used in the home invasion has been recovered. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A DUI suspect who was possibly headed home from a Dodgers game was arrested after crashing into a pole and rolling his vehicle in Los Angeles Westside region Sunday night. The two-vehicle collision was reported shortly after 11:30 p.m. on the 1800 block of Bundy Drive near Nebraska Avenue. Arriving officers found one vehicle overturned and a damaged light pole. Video showed the driver of the vehicle, who appeared to be OK, sitting on a sidewalk and talking to officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was eventually given a sobriety check at the scene before being handcuffed. An overturned vehicle is seen after a suspected DUI crash in Los Angeles on June 1, 2025. (OnScene.TV) A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that one person was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. The spokesperson did not identify the suspect. Freelance media firm OnScene.TV reported that the suspect had been drinking at the Dodgers game earlier in the evening and felt OK to drive home, but police have not confirmed any further details about the investigation. There was no word on the condition of the other motorist involved in the crash, but the spokesperson had seen nothing to indicate that anyone was transported from the scene by ambulance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KTLAs Nancy Fontan contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WKRN) Authorities have identified a man connected to a shooting in a Columbia neighborhood over the weekend, which left two people dead and one person injured. The Maury County District Attorneys Office told News 2 that Byron Childers has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault, carjacking, assault, and use of a firearm in a dangerous felony. Records show he is being held without bond. RELATED: 1 charged after 2 killed, 1 injured in Columbia shooting Byron Childers (Courtesy: Maury County Sheriffs Department) District Attorney Brent Cooper said Childers attempted to carjack an innocent bystander following the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Columbia Police Department, officers were sent to the 3000 block of Somerset Lane shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 31 to respond to a shooting incident with multiple gunshot victims. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Once at the scene, officials reportedly found three people suffering from gunshot wounds. Law enforcement announced that 46-year-old John Bidle was pronounced dead at the scene. Another victimlater identified as 51-year-old Stacie Wrightwas taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she died during surgery. Meanwhile, the third victim was taken to VUMC with non-life-threatening injuries. No additional details, including what led to the shooting, have been released. Anyone with information about Saturdays deadly incident is asked to call the Columbia Police Departments Investigations Division at 931-560-1670. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) Two armed suspects robbed a Brinks truck of money in front of a Bank of America in Queens on Monday, sources told PIX11 News. A driver, 33, and an armed guard, 62, were approached by the two suspects with guns near Linden Boulevard and 205th Street at around 8:50 a.m., according to authorities. Sources said the victims are employees of Brinks. More Local News Workers of businesses around busy Linden Boulevard and 205th Street in St. Albans, Queens, describe what they heard and saw Monday morning as a scene from a movie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was like, what? They have James Bond or something in this or something like that! There were helicopters and everything, said Mohammed Salim. According to police, two unidentified individuals approached an armored Brinks truck and pointed a firearm at the driver and an armed guard. The two suspects then stole three bags from the truck, which had around $300,000. They got a big score, added Salim. Owners of a convenience store near the bank told PIX11 News they opened their business a month ago and were not expecting anything of this sort to occur. We were hoping it would be a safe environment, especially with two banks around. We thought it was going to be safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the suspects then fled the scene in a black Chevy going west on Linden Boulevard. According to authorities, the suspects also stole the firearm from the guard of the truck. No injuries were reported, and no arrests have been made. 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). 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. A major conference on sustainability and development opened in the northern Germany city of Hamburg on Monday, as participants warned that global environmental issues are being sidelined by conflicts. Around 1,600 people from some 110 countries are expected to attend the Hamburg Sustainability Conference, which is centred on the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The two-day event, first held last October, is being jointly organized by the German Development Ministry and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) along with local foundations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamburg Mayor Peter Tschentscher said "in recent years, the world has changed." "Crisis, wars, and conflicts increasingly overshadow the focus on climate change and the global pressures on nature and the environment," he argued. Tschentscher said the SDGs "aim to give 8 billion people worldwide a good life and a secure future with access to education, to health, participation, peace, security, and prosperity." "Implementing this is a mandate and a great responsibility for the international community of states, because global developments can only be achieved through cooperation and joint efforts," the mayor added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UNDP head Achim Steiner admitted that "the world has not exactly moved forward" since the last conference in October, and that "this is not a good moment to encourage people to believe in the scope, value, and potential of international cooperation." "My hope is that here, out of Hamburg, out of this Hamburg Sustainability Conference, emerges a new way to actually think about the future and not only to think, but to act on it," Steiner added. STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Sweden should phase out international adoptions, a government-appointed commission said on Monday, after an inquiry prompted by concerns that children had been taken from their biological parents without permission. "Today, it has become even clearer that for decades, children and parents have been affected and harmed in the context of international adoption," Social Services Minister Camilla Waltersson Gronvall said. The commission identified irregularities including illegal adoptions and other unethical practices, the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sweden launched the probe in 2021 amid growing concerns that adopted children may have been taken from their biological parents illegally. There are nearly 60,000 international adoptees in Sweden, the commission said in its report. The report recommended an official apology to adopted people and their families as well as financial aid to help those who have been adopted to travel to their country of origin. The Netherlands said in December it would phase out international adoptions over the next six years, while Switzerland said in January it also plans to end the practice, amid concerns of abuse. Waltersson Gronvall said the government would now analyse the commission's findings and proposals. (Reporting by Greta Rosen Fondahn, editing by Anna Ringstrom and Keith Weir) Sweden's government has announced tougher checks on insurers of foreign vessels to combat what is known as Russia's "shadow fleet". Source: AP news Details: Starting 1 July, the Swedish Coast Guard and Maritime Administration will collect insurance data not only on ships entering Swedish ports but also on those sailing through Swedens territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This underlines Swedens clear presence in the Baltic Sea, which in itself has a deterrent effect," said Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. He added that the measures would also provide Sweden and its allies with valuable information about vessels, which could serve as a basis for expanding sanctions lists with more ships. Russia uses its shadow fleet to transport oil and gas, as well as stolen Ukrainian grain. The European Union has imposed sanctions on nearly 350 vessels, with the latest additions introduced on 20 May, the publication says. The average age of these vessels is around 18 years, meaning they are nearing the end of their service life and are more vulnerable to accidents, particularly if they are poorly maintained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are seeing more and more problematic events in the Baltic Sea and this requires us not only to hope for the best, but also to plan for the worst," the Swedish prime minister said. Background: Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! A dragon boat race is held on the Arno River in Florence, Italy, May 31, 2025. (Confucius Institute at the University of Florence/Handout via Xinhua) FLORENCE, Italy, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Against the backdrop of Florence's Renaissance skyline, the rhythmic beat of drums from three dragon boats racing in the Arno River drew crowds along the banks, marking a vibrant celebration of the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival. Organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Florence, with support from several other Confucius Institutes across Italy and San Marino, the event assembled some 60 paddlers. The boats were painted in green, white and red to reflect the colors of the Italian flag. Participants came from various cities, including Rome, Padua and Florence, forming a mix of Chinese students, Italian youth, and local boating enthusiasts. "This year's event has seen record participation and attention," said Silvia Scaramuzzi, Italian director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Florence. "It's not just a sport -- it's about young people from two cultures paddling together, literally and figuratively. That is the heart of cultural understanding." Winning the race required seamless teamwork in each boat. But to fully appreciate the festival, a grasp of deep-rooted cultural stories -- like that of Qu Yuan -- added another layer of meaning. "This is more than just a competition," said Cirillo Ruggero, a high school student from Rome and a Mandarin learner at the Confucius Institute. "We are here to remember people like Qu Yuan, whose loyalty and patriotism continue to inspire." According to a Chinese legend, the Dragon Boat Festival commemorates Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet of ancient China, whose death in the Miluo River inspired villagers to race out in boats to search for him and throw rice into the water to keep fish from his body. Just hours before the race, Ruggero had won the first prize in the regional final of the 18th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for secondary school students in Italy and San Marino. Fluent in Chinese, he said events like the dragon boat race offer "an invaluable chance for cultural exchange." In addition to the race, festivalgoers enjoyed traditional zongzi -- glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves-- and exchanging handcrafted herbal sachets, which were handed out to paddlers and spectators. As the dragon boats cut through the gentle current of the Arno, crowds lining the riverbanks cheered them on. Locals and tourists paused to take photos, surrounded by the aroma of zongzi in the air. For many, it was their first close encounter with this centuries-old Chinese tradition. "Watching the race made me feel curious and excited," said Claudio, a retired Florentine resident who had never seen a dragon boat race before. "It made me want to learn more about Chinese culture - especially the story of Qu Yuan and what this festival means." The Dragon Boat Festival is gaining popularity in Italy, with more cities hosting similar events in recent years. Chinese Consul General in Florence Yin Qi said he hoped cultural exchanges like this would deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and Italian peoples. As the race came to a close, participants exchanged smiles, high-fives, and warm embraces, celebrating not only victory but shared joy. For young Italians and Chinese paddlers who worked side by side, the spirit of the Dragon Boat Festival is charting a course of unity across both rivers and cultures. A dragon boat race is held on the Arno River in Florence, Italy, May 31, 2025. (Confucius Institute at the University of Florence/Handout via Xinhua) A dragon boat race is held on the Arno River in Florence, Italy, May 31, 2025. (Confucius Institute at the University of Florence/Handout via Xinhua) SWEETWATER, Tenn. (WATE) The Sweetwater Police Department warned that a bear was spotted near Mayes Avenue and North Main Street. Police told people not to approach or feed the bear in their post from Monday at noon. They also recommended people in the area stay alert and keep a safe distance. (Sweetwater Police Department) (Sweetwater Police Department) SPD is working with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to monitor the situation and safely relocate the bear, if needed. Police asked people to call their non-emergency line at (423) 442-4357 if they believe the bear poses a threat or is behaving aggressively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It almost fell on my mom Bear crashes through ceiling in Bell County, Kentucky Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community and wildlife safe, SPD wrote. TWRA shared guidelines meant to minimize potentially dangerous bear encounters: Never feed or approach bears! When camping in bear country, keep all food stored in a vehicle and away from tents, and dispose of food waste in the proper receptacles. If you see a black bear from a distance, alter your route of travel, return the way you came or wait until it leaves the area. Make your presence known by yelling and shouting at the bear to scare it away. If approached by a bear, stand your ground, raise your arms to appear larger, yell and throw rocks or sticks until they leave the area. Never run from a black bear! This will often trigger its instinct to chase. If a black bear attacks, fight back aggressively, and do not play dead! Use pepper spray, sticks, rocks or anything you can find to defend yourself. If cornered or threatened, bears may slap the ground, pop their jaws or huff as a warning. If you see these behaviors, you are too close! Slowly back away while always facing the bear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon introduces new challenges for 2026 TWRA also encourages people to contact them if they see aggressive behavior by black bears. To learn more about what to do when encountering a bear while hiking or camping, go to bearwise.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 WATE 6 On Your Side. CLAY, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) The Onondaga County Sheriffs Office was called to the Heritage Park Townhouses off Wetzel Road after receiving a call for an attempted armed robbery on Sunday, June 1. Sheriff deputies said that when they arrived, they spoke to the victim, who reported that the suspect had attempted to rob him of his phone and vehicle at gunpoint. Police say that the suspect ran away after failing to steal the victims property. Through a description of the suspect provided by the victim, the Sheriffs Office and the New York State Police were able to find the suspect, who has been identified as 18-year-old Gabron Polk of Syracuse, in the woods behind Wetzel Road Elementary School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polk was arrested about 30 minutes after the police were originally called. Sheriffs Deputies reported finding a 9mm ghost gun in Polks possession at the time of his arrest. Polk was charged with the following offenses: Attempted Robbery in the First Degree (Class B Felony) Forcible theft with a deadly weapon. Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class C Felony) Possession of a loaded firearm. Criminal Use of a Firearm in the Second Degree (Class C Felony) Display of a weapon during a felony. Criminal Possession of a Firearm (Class E Felony). Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (Class A Misdemeanor) Possession of a ghost gun. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. The backbone of the army are the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham units that came out of Idlib and had fought Assads military for years, as well as units from southern Syria and units linked to Turkey. Members of the Syrian military took part in a graduation ceremony for what Syrian reports said was the 56th Division of the new Syrian army. Syria has been rebuilding its armed forces since the fall of the Assad regime. It has also been working to integrate various armed groups into the new army. The backbone of the army is the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham units that came out of Idlib and had fought Bashar al-Assads military for years. There are other units from southern Syria and also units that were linked to Turkey that have joined the new forces. In addition, the Syrian Democratic Forces, backed by the US, are seeking to come to an agreement about integration. Another small force called the Syrian Free Army, backed by the US at Tanf, is reported to now be part of the new 70th Division of the Syrian army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to reports, around 1,200 soldiers graduated from the new course for the 56th Division. The unit had already been in combat in early May against gangs linked to the old Assad regime, Levant24 Syrian media said. The graduation takes place at a former Assad regime base in Hama province. In the presence of Chief of the General Staff, Maj.-Gen. Ali Al-Naasan, the 56th Division held a graduation ceremony for a level-up course. The course is part of a military, physical, and tactical training program aimed at raising the readiness of fighters and enhancing their combat efficiency, in accordance with the approved plan for qualifying the armed forces, the Syrian Defense Ministry said. Syrian army personnel gather as they head towards Latakia to join the fight against the fighters linked to Syria's ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, in Aleppo, Syria, March 7, 2025. (photo credit: Mahmoud Hassano/Reuters) Controversial appointments to Syria's new military Syria recently appointed Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Khair Hassan as the new deputy defense minister. He has more than a decade of experience fighting in key battles in Idlib and Aleppo when HTS was fighting the Assad regime. Syria has made some controversial appointments in the new military. Ahmad al-Hayes (also known as Abu Hatem Shaqra) has been appointed to the 86th Division. He formerly led Ahrar al-Sharqiya and was involved in human rights abuses against Kurds. He was sanctioned for his role in these abuses by the US. The new integration of the army and graduation ceremony comes as Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa went to Kuwait on Sunday. It also happens amid discussions between Syria and Jordan and as there was an important meeting between representatives from the eastern Syrian authorities of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) and Damascus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syrian government officials and a delegation from the DAANES convened in Damascus on Sunday, June 1, for a formal round of negotiations aimed at implementing the March 10 agreement between President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander Mazloum Abdi, Levant24 noted. The delegation from eastern Syria included Fawza Youssef, Abdel Hamid al-Mahbash, Ahmed Youssef, Sanharib Barsoum, Souzdar Haji, Maryam Ibrahim, and Yasser Suleiman, according to sources. It included women and men, whereas the Damascus authorities appear to have only sent men to the meeting. ALEPPO, Syria (AP) Syrian authorities and a Kurdish-led force exchanged Monday more than 400 prisoners as part of a deal reached earlier this year between the two sides. The exchange in the northern city of Aleppo is a step in the process of confidence- building measures between the government in Damascus and the U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. A similar exchange took place in April. Mulham al-Akidi, the deputy governor of Aleppo province, said 470 prisoners were released by both sides adding that the exchange aims to reduce tensions on the ground. He added that if there are more prisoners they will be released in the near future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yasser Mohammed Hakim said he was detained six months ago after he drove into an SDF-controlled area by mistake. The man added that he was held in a jail where members of the Islamic State group are held in Syria. They put us with the biggest terrorists, Hakim told The Associated Press after his release by the SDF. I am a civilian who took the wrong road. I lost six months of my life. In March, Syrias interim government signed a deal with the Kurdish-led authority that controls the countrys northeast, including a ceasefire and the merging of the main U.S.-backed force there into the Syrian army. Since the deal was signed, the clashes between the SDF and the Syrian National Army, a coalition of Turkey-backed groups, almost stopped in northern Syria after months of fighting that left dozens killed or wounded on both sides. Syrias new rulers are struggling to exert their authority across the country and reach political settlements with different ethnic and religious groups in the war-torn nation. The intelligence files unearthed by the BBC are the first evidence to surface of the Assad regime's detention of Austin Tice, who disappeared near Damascus in 2012. Missing American journalist Austin Tice was imprisoned by the Assad regime and questioned by a Syrian intelligence officer, the BBC reported on Monday, citing uncovered intelligence files from the former government. BBC said that the authenticity of the files had been verified by the news organization and by law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syrian officials from the former Assad regime also confirmed to the BBC that the regime had detained Tice. The US government previously said that it believed the Syrian government held Tice, but the Assad regime denied the claim. Tice, who worked as a freelance journalist, disappeared near Damascus in August 2012. According to the BBC, seven weeks after his disappearance, a video was posted online showing Tice blindfolded and his hands bound, being forced to recite an Islamic declaration of faith by a group of armed men. A banner for journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared while reporting in Syria in 2012, hangs outside the National Press Club building in Washington, US, May 2, 2023. (photo credit: EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/REUTERS) However, US officials and analysts questioned the validity of the video, saying it "may have been staged." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No government or group claimed responsibility for Tice's disappearance, and he had not been heard from since. The intelligence files unearthed by the BBC are allegedly the first evidence to surface of the Assad regime's detention of Tice, since efforts to locate him began following the fall of Assad's regime in December 2024. According to the BBC, the files labelled "Austin Tice" included communications from different branches of Syrian intelligence. Tice detained by pro-Assad paramilitary group in Damascus in 2012 One file, marked "top secret," showed that Tice was detained in a facility in Damascus in 2012, with sources confirming to the BBC that he was held by a paramilitary group loyal to the Assad regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Syrian official told the BBC that Tice was held in Damascus by the paramilitary group until February 2013, and at that time, Tice developed stomach issues and was treated by a doctor twice. Blood tests reportedly revealed that he suffered from a viral infection, the BBC wrote. A man who visited the facility where Tice was held told the BBC that Tice was treated better than the Syrian detainees, but that he looked "sad" and that the "joy had gone from his face." A former member of the Assad loyalist group NDF with knowledge of Tice's detention told the BBC that Tice was a "card" for diplomatic negotiations with the US. Tice was reported to have briefly escaped from captivity through a window in his cell, but was recaptured and interrogated by a Syrian government intelligence officer sometime between late 2012 and early 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the fall of the Assad regime, former US president Joe Biden said he believed Tice was alive, and Tice's parents said they heard from a "significant source" that Tice was indeed alive and being "treated well." However, when prisons emptied after the fall of the regime, there was no sign of Tice, and his whereabouts are still unknown. The Louisiana State Capitol building. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) A package of legislation that would have included tax cuts and an overhaul of state budget laws has stalled in the Louisiana Senate and is unlikely to regain momentum before lawmakers end their 2025 legislative session next week. The package includes a proposed constitutional amendment that would have let lawmakers take $3 billion from an emergency savings account and free up money to pay for income and sales tax cuts, among other things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That proposal, sponsored by Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro, received overwhelming bipartisan support from House lawmakers last month but has been sidelined until next year, according to Sen. Franklin Foil, R-Baton Rouge. Foil, who chairs the Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs, said in an interview Sunday he and other senior lawmakers met with Emerson and Gov. Jeff Landry last week to discuss several fiscal bills being proposed this session. [After] our last meeting that we had with the governor, I dont believe that well be bringing that amendment through this session, Foil said, adding that Emersons package of fiscal bills had him worried that it was all too much, too fast. Senate leaders are reluctant to green light another tax overhaul before they even see the results of the one they completed in a special session last fall. In November, lawmakers lowered and flattened both individual and corporate income taxes and increased the sales tax. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emerson, who chairs the House Ways & Means Committee, and other House Republicans have been on an aggressive path to lower the state income tax until they can eliminate it entirely. In a previous interview, Emerson said her goal is to get to zero, referring to a 0% tax rate. Emersons constitutional amendment would have allowed lawmakers to shift about $2 billion from the state Revenue Stabilization Fund into a separate savings account. The remaining $1 billion would be used to pay down debt, freeing up some money currently being spent on interest payments. But the current version of the amendment also formed the backbone of a plan that included using that extra cash to fund tax cuts and make a pay stipend for teachers part of their permanent salary. Lawmakers have found a new way to pay for teacher stipends for another year and are continuing to work on it through a proposed amendment, but the tax cuts have stalled. House Bill 667 would have cut Louisianas new 3% flat income tax to 2.75% and authorized a higher deduction for taxpayers age 65 and older. The bill was contingent on the amendments approval, and senators were concerned with an analysis from the Legislative Fiscal Office that estimated the measure could deprive the state of more than a billion dollars in revenue over a five-year period beginning in 2027. The Fiscal Office also stressed the difficulty in coming up with any estimate due to the lack of data reflecting the tax changes that took place in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We didnt even hear the income tax bill because thats primarily what it did, Foil said. It was going to reduce income taxes even more than what we did during the special session in the fall. Many of us up here would like to see income taxes reduced, but we need to do it in a responsible way, andwe didnt want to accelerate deficits for us either until we see how the finances level out. Another cut was in House Bill 578, which would have lowered the state sales tax from 5% to 4.75%. The rest of the bill restores some minor sales tax exemptions removed from state law during the special tax session last fall. The Senate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committee advanced an amended version of the bill Sunday that no longer contains the sales tax rate cut. It is now pending a vote in the Senate Finance Committee. Outside of the committee room Sunday, Emerson, who is typically responsive to reporters, offered only short answers as to how she felt about the setback to her legislation. I mean, it is what it is. They took it out, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislative session ends June 12. Correction: After House Bill 578 advanced on Sunday, it was recommitted to the Senate Finance Committee, so it is not yet heading to the Senate floor as a previous version of this article mistakenly reported. We apologize for the error and thank the reader who pointed it out. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Canceling I have been planning to cancel my subscription to the Times-Call for months and dont know why I held on so long maybe because growing up here all these years the paper was so much a part of our family and our connection to our community. After several decades, I no longer feel the Times-Call represents me and other conservatives. The constant Cartoonists Takes, the hateful articles that show the Times-Call does not represent a balanced newspaper. And to make my point perfectly clear, (on) the Thursday, May 29, front page of the Times-Call, (ther) most important story was (the) plan to keep Warren Hearns late-term abortion clinic open with new owners and location. This front page article is the reason so many are dropping their subscription to a paper that has lost their moral compass. Trump Complaint Line Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To the person whos calling the TC Line the Trump Complaint Line: That might be true, but he gives us so much to work with. SVVSD superintendent The new school superintendent looks to be a very impressive leader. It is this type of person that we need for the next mayor of Longmont. There are too many left-wing ideologues on the present council who make poor decisions for the city. Boulder cows I see Boulder is going to use cows for wildfire mitigation in order to eat the grasslands. Im confused, because I thought cows caused climate change. CEO compensation In (Sundays) Time-Call we learned that CEOs being compensated with tens of millions of dollars a year received an average increase of 10% while employees received an increase of 1%. That is why we have to cut services for health and research and food for poor children to give the upper 1% a few trillion dollars. 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Sound off, but please remember: * Dont reference locally written opinions. * Dont reference criminal or civil court cases. * Dont attack private citizens. * Dont reference local candidates for office. * Keep it brief. * Calls may be shortened. * We dont publish all calls. Julieth Tapado has met with recruiters each time Kodiak Island Borough School District held a screening event in Manila. (Photo by Brian Venua/KMXT) Alaska school districts are ramping up international hiring. For some, that means sending their own recruiters to the Philippines. In Part 2 of this five part audio series, Mabuhay sa Alaska, KMXTs Brian Venua reports that the process can be pretty complicated, and its only getting more stressful. Julieth Tapado was one of hundreds of teachers waiting for the chance to impress recruiters from Alaska school districts earlier this year. She drove about an hour from Cavite City to the recruiting event in Manila, then waited even longer to get in. She said Alaska was at the top of her list she hadnt applied anywhere else in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im curious and excited to work in Alaska because I believe the tradition and the culture is still not like other states, Tapado said. She said shes heard the people are more genuine in places like Kodiak. This is Tapados third attempt to get a job in Alaska. She has friends and family that have been successful in Alaska, and she wants to join them. There are a lot of school districts looking, so I might be one of those blessed aspirants! she said. Serjoe Gutierrez explains the steps for legal immigration to the crowd. If recruiters like them at this screening event, theyll be endorsed for further interviews with principals and begin their journey to Alaska. (Photo by Brian Venua/KMXT) Serjoe Gutierrez has taught in Kodiak for the last three years. Now he also helps Alaska districts fill vacancies with teachers from his home country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the start of your dreams, he told Tapado and 120 of her peers at the start of the event. They were the first of six groups about that size that the recruiters would meet on their 2025 recruiting trip. The administrators asked candidates about classroom management and how they connect with families. They were also looking for skills like English fluency and the ability to respond to questions quickly. Each candidate had less than 10 minutes with recruiters. They could earn more time through a callback, but less than a third were asked for one. Recruiters split into multiple groups in the first rounds of interviews to meet with up to 240 people in a single day. (Photo by Brian Venua/KMXT) Thats where the process shifts to the bureaucracy around immigration. You need to go through (the) Visa Application Center, get your biometrics, get your pictures done, Gutierrez said to the crowd of applicants. And once youre done, you need to schedule a U.S. Embassy interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teachers also have to pay hundreds of dollars in application fees to the U.S. embassy and work with the Philippine governments Department of Migrant Workers and its licensed agencies. Before hosting the recruiting event, Alaska recruiters met with International Skill Development, a Philippine agency that helps process some of the teachers immigration paperwork. (Photo by Brian Venua/KMXT) After arriving in the U.S., but before starting in classrooms, new teachers have to file for teacher certification and Social Security numbers. All of the paperwork gets pretty complicated. Thats why at least seven Alaska districts, including Kodiaks, work with immigration lawyer Russell Ford. Ford, of FordMurry Law, is based in Maine but has public school districts and private schools across the country as clients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He helped his Alaska clients figure out which visa was most appropriate. When we met them, most of their teachers were on J1, Ford said. J1 visas are supposed to promote international cultural exchange. They allow foreign nationals to live and work in the United States for three years and can be extended up to five years. A former J1 visa holder can reapply after returning to their home country for two years. In the past, many Alaska school districts hired from abroad through third-party recruiting agencies that used J1 visas. Now that administrators are recruiting directly with Fords help, many have shifted to using H1B visas. Those are designed for high-skill jobs like teachers and allow for longer careers in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If everything is working out, then theres the possibility of sponsorship for permanent residence or a green card, Ford said. That opens the door for districts and communities to build long-term relationships with international hires. Neil Frank Rivera Ferrer on a trip to Kodiak in 2024. He has served as a Philippine Consulate General since 2021. (Photo by Brian Venua/KMXT) Neil Frank Rivera Ferrer is the Philippines consulate general in San Francisco and provides immigration services for Philippine nationals across 10 states, including Alaska. He said switching to the H1B visa is the right call. We would prefer if those that are coming to Alaska and coming to the U.S. in general, for work purposes, should get a work visa the H1B visa instead of a J1 visa, which is really more of a temporary, cultural, short term visit to the U.S., Ferrer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services issues a limited number of H1B visas each year. And President Donald Trumps administration has sworn to deport millions of illegal immigrants. Some legal immigrants have been caught in his crosshairs , too. Ford said thats left his clients with more uncertainty about living in the U.S.. Im having conversations that are a little tougher its about peoples fears, Ford said. Its about Can I go home? Should I go home? Can I travel? Do people want me here? So Im doing more counseling, and not from a legal sense, but just having someone to talk to. The Philippines Department of Migrant Workers helps people leaving the country understand their rights before arriving at their new jobs. (Photo by Brian Venua/KMXT) Ford said H1B applications have had a few more delays than before, but hes trying to run business as usual. He just makes sure to remind clients to be extra careful to follow the law and avoid attracting negative attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least one Filipino migrant in Kodiak was arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commonly known as ICE, in April. Elsewhere, ICE has deported legal Filipino immigrants . But for candidates like Julieth Tapado at the recruiting event in Manila, the work is worth it. This wasnt her year again but shes already planning to try again next year. Im still hoping that somehow, in Gods time, in Gods beautiful time, I could be able to achieve my dream working in Alaska as an English teacher, Tapado said. This story was originally published by KMXT, as part two of a five part audio series, Mabuhay sa Alaska. Welders work to construct the Scout Motors paint shop in Blythewood April 10, 2025. Welding is among high-demand study programs at Midlands Technical College in Columbia without enough space to handle all who wish to enroll. (File photo by Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA For students hoping to study building and construction, Midlands Technical College has only 11 seats remaining in the program for the coming fall semester. The welding program is already at capacity. And a second enrollment surge in August is still expected, meaning additional incoming students will likely be waitlisted. The Columbia-based technical college hopes to fix its capacity problems with a building expansion planned over the next several years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More space for Midlands Tech students training for a job in the building trades and a Greenville Tech center that merges manufacturing and technology skills are among the largest projects for South Carolinas technical colleges in the 2025-26 state budget. Legislators spent $16 million on each. In all, the spending package sent to Gov. Henry McMaster last week provides South Carolinas technical colleges with more than $150 million in one-time aid for building projects, maintenance and renovations. (See information box below.) Training in automotive, industrial electricity, heating and cooling, as well as welding and construction have all seen a surge in demand the last five years, said Robbie Sharpe, who heads Midlands Techs building construction program. Students are having to wait a semester or two just to get into these programs, because we just dont have any more space, Sharpe said. Our programs are busting at the seams. For more than a decade, industry and educators have struggled with how to address a shortage of new workers in the trades as existing employees reach retirement age. Now it seems that recruitment effort is paying off, as long as technical schools in the Palmetto State can find the space to train them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The market is there. The jobs are there. The placement is there for our students, Sharpe said. Theyre making really good wages coming out of these programs with virtually zero debt. Its just, were just at the end of our rope. In the meantime, Midlands has raised enrollment caps and added night classes. For example, Sharpe twice doubled the number of seats available in the construction program for the school year that just ended going from 20 seats to 40 seats for first-year students in the fall and then going from 40 seats to 80 seats in the spring. He filled all but five of them. Theyve also asked students to start with math and English courses that fulfill general education requirements as they wait for seats to open up in their trade-specific classes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were out of all of our creative options, and this isnt something thats going to go away anytime soon, Sharpe said. For years, Sharpe said, parents and educators were pushing high school seniors to pursue a four-year degree while trade education fell to the wayside. Ive seen the mentality of students change over the last decade, but Ive never seen this much momentum behind it, Sharpe said. People now realize that these are not second-rate jobs. Theyre honorable careers. While the cost of a bachelors degree has soared, scholarship programs for technical colleges, such as the $5,000-per-year S.C. Workforce Industry Needs (WINS) Scholarship that comes on top of other financial aid, are covering students full tuition. When they graduate two years later, those same students are walking into jobs that pay upwards of $50,000 a year starting out. Legislators approved $91.4 million for WINS Scholarships in the coming school year: $57.2 million from lottery profits and $34.2 million from the general fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now we have to kick it in high gear to get caught up (to demand), Sharpe said. The $16 million legislators included in the state budget that takes effect July 1 for Midlands Tech is expected to fully cover the cost of expanding an existing building to add more classrooms and workshop space on its campus near the airport in West Columbia. But it will take the college several more years to design the space and complete construction. AI in manufacturing While all of the states technical colleges have trades programs, those at Midlands Tech and Greenville Technical College are among the largest in the state. At the Upstate tech school that feeds major employers, such as BMW, Michelin and Lockheed Martin, efforts are focused on building a new $41 million Center for Industrial Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state budget would cover $16 million of that cost. The purpose, according to Greenville Techs spokeswoman Becky Mann, is to give the technicians who keep manufacturing lines up and running some expertise in cybersecurity and data science as artificial intelligence and other technologies become more ingrained in operations on the factory floor. Greenville Technical College will merge these two, high-demand skill sets in the Center for Industrial Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence, so that cybersecurity skills and artificial intelligence analytics protect plants against cyberattacks while anticipating and addressing maintenance needs and problems before they have a chance to occur, according to a statement from the school. The school cited IBMs Threat Intelligence Index, which has ranked manufacturing as the most targeted industry for four years in a row. The sector accounted for 26% of all cyberattacks worldwide in 2024, exceeding finance, insurance, and energy. Other funding Among other major projects at South Carolinas tech schools is a $15 million Technical High School Workforce Center at Central Carolina Technical College. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The money is meant to fund a partnership for a future technical high school in Sumter to give those student access to college programs offered by Central Carolinas Industrial Department, according to budget documents provided to the SC Daily Gazette. CCTC supports initiatives that expand access to technical education and strengthen our states workforce, college spokeswoman Nicole Miles wrote in an email. No other details were available. There are 16 technical colleges statewide. Heres a breakdown of how the budget doles out $150 million to 14 of them for projects, maintenance and renovations. Two schools receive nothing in one-time aid in the budget that starts July 1: Denmark Technical College and Northeastern Technical College. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aiken Technical College: $6.7 million Central Carolina Technical College: $23.5 million Florence-Darlington Technical College: $4 million Greenville Technical College: $24 million Horry-Georgetown Technical College: $8 million Midlands Technical College: $28.5 million Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College: $7.9 million Piedmont Technical College: $7 million Spartanburg Community College: $9.2 million Technical College of the Lowcountry: $1 million Tri-County Technical College: $9 million Williamsburg Technical College: $1 million York Technical College: $4 million Source: Legislatures 2025-26 state budget summary control document BELGRADE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The Serbian finals of the 2025 "Chinese Bridge" competition concluded on Sunday at the Archives of Vojvodina in Novi Sad, with three winners standing out to represent Serbia at the global finals in China later this year. Participants competed in three age-based categories -- primary, secondary, and university -- through a series of themed speeches, talent performances, and language quizzes that highlighted their enthusiasm for Chinese language and culture. Among the younger contestants, Vanja Lazic from Janko Veselinovic Primary School won first prize with her lively and expressive performance in the "Happy Chinese" category. In the secondary school group, Milica Durovic and Jovic Emilia, both from the Confucius Institute at the University of Novi Sad, impressed the judges with their interpretations of the theme "Chasing Dreams with Chinese," winning top honors in the beginner and advanced levels respectively. University students tackled the theme "One World, One Family," using their speeches to reflect on cultural dialogue and global harmony. Tijana Jovanovic Paunovic and Lena Lazic, both representing the University of Novi Sad's Confucius Institute, emerged as winners in the beginner and advanced divisions, showcasing both language fluency and cultural insight. The three overall champions -- Vanja Lazic, Jovic Emilia, and Lena Lazic -- will represent Serbia at the global finals in China. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Yuan Jigang, counselor for education at the Chinese Embassy in Serbia, noted that 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Serbia. With stronger bilateral ties and an increasing number of Chinese companies operating in Serbia, more Serbian youth are motivated to learn Chinese, he said. This year's competition was jointly hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Serbia and organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Novi Sad, with support from the Confucius Institutes in Belgrade and Nis. BALCH SPRINGS, TX. (KTAL/KMSS) On Saturday, a Texas teen was found by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol after being submerged underwater for some time. For more local news The boy was in a beach area and swam out to deeper waters before being fully submerged at around 2:50 p.m. Troopers rushed the boy to the Idabel hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The boy was not wearing a life jacket, the patrol reported. The family of the boy has been notified, and more information is soon to follow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. CHICAGO (WGN) A recent graduate of a high school in the citys Auburn Gresham neighborhood was gunned down in an alley in West Pullman early Sunday, according to police. DeAngelo Miles, 17, a graduate of Hansberry College Prep., was found in an alley on the 11900 block of South Wallace Street with a gunshot to his head shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday. Police said a witness found the teen in the alley after hearing gunshots. Efforts by responding officials to save him were not successful. Our hearts are heavy as we grieve his passing. We extend our deepest sympathies and offer our thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss, school officials said in a statement posted to social media. Hansberry College Prep shared this image announcing DeAngelo Miles death on Sunday, June 1, 2025. The statement confirmed that Miles was a recent graduate of the school and added that counselors were made available Monday to provide support and assistance to anyone in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hansberry College Prep held commencement last Thursday. Miles had plans to join the US Navy this summer. I would say these last 24 hours have been shock, anger, grief, said school principal Kashawndra Wilson. Every grade level has been impacted by this. He was literally a light and a leader in the building. Wilson described Miles as a charismatic and a warm-hearted young man who was well-loved. I always told him he was destined to be on someones TV, she said. He was the one that would make the TikToks for our school (and) would do the interviews of different students for the school. Friends told WGN that Miles funny, fun-loving and didnt cause problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was just joy to be around at all times, said classmate Sirmetrict Scott. In the wake of his friends death, Scott shared a message to the youth in the city: Be safe. Know who yall going outside with. Be outside with people who want to see better for you and who want to see you make it home. Wilson, the principal, said the school plans to honor Miles next week with a memorial and balloon release. This is a time when we have to love on our babies, she said. We have to ensure sure that they have the support they need. No one was in custody in connection with the crime as of Monday afternoon, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. The talks suggest both sides are buying time. For Irans leadership, an agreement could unlock billions in frozen assets and reduce sanctions pressure. Iranian state media said on June 2 that Iran is preparing its response to US proposal. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is attempting to figure out what to do next. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that Iran is preparing an appropriate response to an official proposal from the United States regarding the nuclear talks mediated by Oman, the IRNA Iran state media report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Araqchi made his announcement in a cabinet session in Iran on Sunday. The Iranian diplomat briefed the government on the talks with the US. The talks are supposed to head to their sixth meeting. The fifth meeting was considered good, but since then, there have been hurdles. International warnings on Iran's nuclear activities A newInternational Atomic Energy Agency report indicates that Iran is carrying out secret nuclear activities. It also has enriched material that it didnt declare at three locations in Iran, Reuters noted. This could pave the way for a push by the United States, Britain, France and Germany for the board to declare Iran in violation of its non-proliferation obligations, Reuters noted. The report could push the talks into overdrive or lead to a crisis. Iran seems to feel neither is coming. An Iranian newspaper with a cover photo of US President Donald Trump and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is seen in Tehran, Iran, May 11, 2025. (photo credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS) Iran received the proposal on Saturday from Omans Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi during his visit to Tehran, IRNA noted. Irans foreign minister said that Omans top diplomat visited Iran on May 31 to discuss the US proposal. The proposal, prepared by the U.S. presidents Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, is the first official proposal sent to Iran since the two sides began the ongoing negotiations in early April, IRNA noted. Witkoff and Araqchi, who represent their countries in the negotiations, have so far held five rounds of indirect talks aimed at reaching a deal on Irans nuclear program. Iran says any agreement must respect its right to uranium enrichment and lift the sanctions in place against the Iranian nation, the report added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Irans Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei said Iran will consider its own red lines when responding to the recent US proposal. Iran would not accept any text containing radical and maximal demands that disregards the legitimate rights and interests of the Iranian nation, he said, referring to the U.S.s proposal submitted to Iran as part of the ongoing indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington, IRNA noted. The talks suggest both sides are buying time. For Irans leadership, an agreement could unlock billions in frozen assets and reduce sanctions pressure. Whats missing from the current process is a long-term framework that addresses not only Irans nuclear program but also its regional behavior. Washingtons pursuit of a deal continues to lack clarity. US President Donald Trump clearly wants a win either with Iran, a Gaza deal or a Ukraine deal. As Iran deepens ties with Russia and China, strengthening its place in the emerging multipolar world, the stakes of the nuclear file extend beyond centrifuges and uranium. They reflect the larger contest over influence in the Middle East and the assumption in Iran and Moscow that a post-American order is emerging. Nevertheless, Iran still needs a deal. It just doesnt want to violate its red lines. Jun. 1ATHENS A Tennessee man was in Limestone County Jail on Sunday after his arrest following a shooting incident Saturday on Interstate 65. The Limestone County Sheriff's Office said a 911 caller reported Saturday that a man on a motorcycle fired shots at him and his family while they were traveling north on I-65 in the area of mile marker 347. The gunfire struck the victim's vehicle, endangering the lives of the occupants, the Sheriff's Office said. An alert was issued, and troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency located the motorcyclist about 10 miles from the incident scene. Limestone County deputies responded to assist with the traffic stop and identified the suspect as Jason Jermain Johnson, 30, of Centerville, Tennessee, the office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sheriff's Office alleges that during the arrest, Johnson was found to be in possession of a loaded pistol with two additional loaded magazines and was wearing a bullet-resistant vest beneath an Outcast Motorcycle Club vest. Johnson was charged with shooting into an occupied vehicle and three counts of attempted murder, and he remained jailed Sunday with bail not set pending an Aniah's Law hearing, according to the Sheriff's Office. A view of the Boulder County Courthouse on the Pearl Street Mall in downtown Boulder on Aug. 14, 2021. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline) Multiple people were injured Sunday in downtown Boulder when a man reportedly lit them on fire, according to local police. Eight victims ranging in age from 52 to 88 were transported to hospitals in the region, police said. One was described as being in critical condition, with other victims injuries ranging from serious to minor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Saliman, was taken into custody by police and was treated for minor injuries at a hospital, Mark D. Michalek, special agent in charge of the FBIs Denver field office, said during a Sunday evening press conference. Witnesses are reporting that the subject used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device into the crowd, Michalek said. The attack took place near the Boulder County Courthouse on the Pearl Street Mall, an area in the heart of the city that typically attracts hundreds of people on the weekend. The first calls about the attack came at 1:26 p.m., Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said earlier Sunday. The initial callers indicated that there was a man with a weapon and that people were being set on fire, he said. When we arrived, we encountered multiple victims that were injured with injuries consistent with burns and other injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Participants in the Boulder branch of Run For Their Lives, which organizes events calling for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, were the apparent target of the attack. Michalek said the suspect was heard to yell Free Palestine during the attack. He called it a targeted act of violence and said the FBI was investigating it as an act of terrorism. Kash Patel, director of the FBI, earlier on Sunday called the incident a targeted terror attack, and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said it was a heinous act of terror. Joe Neguse, a Democrat who represents Boulder in the U.S. House, characterized the attack as targeting Jewish people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am horrified by the heinous act of terror that took place in downtown Boulder this afternoon, he said in a statement. Tonight, as many prepare to mark the Shavuot holiday, our Jewish community has been subjected to yet another brutal and horrific act of violence. The scourge of antisemitism has metastasized across our country, and we must do more now to stop this hatred and violence. Phil Weiser, Colorados attorney general, also indicated the group was targeted. From what we know, this attack appears to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted, Weiser said in a statement. People may have differing views about world events and the Israeli-Hamas conflict, but violence is never the answer to settling differences. Hate has no place in Colorado. Chase Woodruff contributed to this report. Colorado Newsline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Colorado Newsline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Quentin Young for questions: info@coloradonewsline.com. A view of the Boulder County Courthouse on the Pearl Street Mall in downtown Boulder on Aug. 14, 2021. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline) Multiple people were injured Sunday in downtown Boulder when a man reportedly lit them on fire, according to local police. Eight victims ranging in age from 52 to 88 were transported to hospitals in the region, police said. One was described as being in critical condition, with other victims injuries ranging from serious to minor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect, 45-year-old Mohammed Sabry Soliman, was taken into custody by police and was treated for minor injuries at a hospital, Mark D. Michalek, special agent in charge of the FBIs Denver field office, said during a Sunday evening press conference. Witnesses are reporting that the subject used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device into the crowd, Michalek said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The attack took place near the Boulder County Courthouse on the Pearl Street Mall, an area in the heart of the city that typically attracts hundreds of people on the weekend. The first calls about the attack came at 1:26 p.m., Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said earlier Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initial callers indicated that there was a man with a weapon and that people were being set on fire, he said. When we arrived, we encountered multiple victims that were injured with injuries consistent with burns and other injuries. Participants in the Boulder branch of Run For Their Lives, which organizes events calling for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, were the apparent target of the attack. Michalek said the suspect was heard to yell Free Palestine during the attack. He called it a targeted act of violence and said the FBI was investigating it as an act of terrorism. Kash Patel, director of the FBI, earlier on Sunday called the incident a targeted terror attack, and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said it was a heinous act of terror. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joe Neguse, a Democrat who represents Boulder in the U.S. House, characterized the attack as targeting Jewish people. I am horrified by the heinous act of terror that took place in downtown Boulder this afternoon, he said in a statement. Tonight, as many prepare to mark the Shavuot holiday, our Jewish community has been subjected to yet another brutal and horrific act of violence. The scourge of antisemitism has metastasized across our country, and we must do more now to stop this hatred and violence. Phil Weiser, Colorados attorney general, also indicated the group was targeted. From what we know, this attack appears to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted, Weiser said in a statement. People may have differing views about world events and the Israeli-Hamas conflict, but violence is never the answer to settling differences. Hate has no place in Colorado. Chase Woodruff contributed to this report. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The state takeover of the Houston Independent School District will continue for two more years, the Texas Education Agency announced Monday. Education Commissioner Mike Morath had until June 1 to decide next steps for the states largest school district, whose former superintendent and elected school board members were ousted and replaced in 2023 due to years of poor academic outcomes at a single campus and allegations of leadership misconduct. Since then, state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles has led the district, a controversial figure in Houston who has ushered improvements on state exams while struggling to win over community support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Morath decided to extend the intervention until June 1, 2027, applauding the district for its improvements but citing the need for more progress. That progress, he said, will have to include no school campuses with failing accountability scores across multiple years, compliance with special education requirements and improved school board governance. Morath on Monday also announced the appointment of four new school board members, replacing four he selected in 2023. With the changes made in the last two years, Houston ISD is well on its way to being a district where all of its schools provide students with the educational opportunities that will allow them to access the American Dream, the commissioner said in a statement. Ultimately, two years has not been enough time to fix district systems that were broken for decades. The extension of this intervention will allow the district to build on its progress and achieve lasting success for students once the board transitions back to elected leadership. The Houston Chronicle first reported the extension of the takeover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miles inherited a district that for years ran an overall well-performing school system and was experiencing a bit of momentum after years of scandal and public dysfunction. Still, certain campuses struggled for years, and in the end, one spurred the takeover. Under Miles leadership, the district has experienced extraordinary staff turnover and plummeting student enrollment. Miles has faced accusations of shepherding a militaristic educational environment where teachers have limited freedom to teach in ways they see fit and children are exhausted and disengaged from learning. Miles, on the other hand, has touted student improvement on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR test, and progress in the districts A-F accountability ratings as proof that his model is effective, an achievement that Morath and state lawmakers have publicly commended. During the November election, Houston voters shot down a plan to approve $4.4 billion in academic and infrastructure improvements for the school district the largest proposal of its kind in state history which many saw as a litmus test for Miles support. 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! Trevor McEuen, a 32-year-old capital murder suspect on Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list, was arrested early Monday in Van Zandt County after a month-long manhunt, the Kaufman County Sheriffs Office announced. McEuen, who skipped a May 5 court appearance for the 2023 killing of Aaron Martinez, 35, in Forney, was taken into custody without incident following an hours-long SWAT standoff at his grandparents home, where he was allegedly hiding under the house. His grandmother is in her 90s. From what Im hearing, he was hiding under the house and was hiding from her as well, said McEuens attorney, Abigail Spain, per CBS 11. So, I am hopeful that they would not be facing any charges for this. I dont believe that they were aiding and abetting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kaufman County Sheriffs Office posted a photo on social media showing McEuen, barefoot and mud-covered, in a police vehicle. Authorities located him through weeks of investigative work and surveillance, with assistance from the Van Zandt County Sheriffs Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety. This arrest is the result of relentless and coordinated efforts by law enforcement personnel who worked around the clock to ensure that this dangerous individual was brought back into custody, Sheriff Bryan Beavers said. The safety of our community was at stake, and we are proud of the partnership and professionalism displayed by every agency involved. McEuen faces charges including capital murder by terror threat, five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, arson, bail jumping, and failure to appear. He is held in Kaufman County Jail, with no bond amount listed as of Monday afternoon. Authorities are investigating whether anyone knowingly aided McEuen while he was a fugitive. Martinezs family told CBS News Texas that McEuen had previously threatened Martinez, fired at his property, and made racially charged remarks, though Martinez did not pursue charges at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McEuen allegedly shot Martinez multiple times on May 1, 2023, and admitted to the murder after a SWAT standoff. Initially arrested that month, McEuen was released on a $1 million bond in September 2024 but violated conditions by posting photos of Martinez and his relatives on Instagram. Released again on a $2 million bond in December, he cut off his ankle monitor at 5:33 a.m. on May 5, 2025, and allegedly set a house on fire before fleeing. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott had offered a $30,000 reward for information leading to McEuens arrest, but the Texas DPS said the reward would not be paid. A news conference on the arrest is expected, though details about the standoffs duration remain undisclosed. A bill expanding Texas medical marijuana program is headed to Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts desk. The latest version was negotiated by members of the Texas House and Senate, including several lawmakers representing parts of Tarrant County. A compromise version of House Bill 46 advanced on Sunday, June 1, as negotiated in a conference committee made up of lawmakers from both chambers. It includes a number of recommendations from supporters of medical marijuana on how to improve the program, called the Texas Compassionate Use Program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bills measures include: Permitting satellite locations where dispensing organizations can securely store medical marijuana for distribution. Currently the products can only be stored overnight at an organizations main location, creating distribution challenges. Requires the state to have 15 dispensing organizations. At least three are required now, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Allows inhaling medical marijuana as an aerosol or vapor. Smoking is still not allowed. It also expands qualifying medical conditions to include: A condition that causes chronic pain. A traumatic brain injury. A terminal illness or condition that requires hospice or palliative care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The version that passed out of the House in May also included glaucoma, degenerative disc disease and spinal neuropathy, and included language specifically folding veterans into the program. The bill defines chronic pain as pain that is not relieved with acute, post-surgical, post-procedure or persistent non-chronic pain treatment and is associated with a chronic pathological process that causes continuous or intermittent severe pain for more than 90 days and for which a tetrahydrocannabinol is a viable method of treatment. The Senates version had included language that would have required patients to be on an opioid for 90 days before qualifying for the medical marijuana program. That requirement wasnt acceptable to the House, said Rep. Ken King, a Republican from Canadian who authored the bill. While we were not able to find agreement on degenerative disc disease, glucoma, spinal neuropathy and veterans, we believe with the new definitions of chronic pain, most of these patients will be covered, King said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tony Tinderholt, an Arlington Republican, who was a member of the conference committee, maintained that veterans are covered under the bill. The veterans out there watching need to know that the Texas Compassionate Use Program has been protected, Tinderholt said. The expansion comes as Texas is positioned to ban consumable TCH products, like the delta-8 and delta-a gummies, vapes and drinks that can be found at stores and gas stations across Texas. The ban was a top priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who on May 28 held a news conference blasting the THC products. Members of the hemp business community have called for new regulations, like age restrictions, and better enforcement of existing regulations, rather than a ban of the products. The Texas Hemp Business Council has called on Abbott to veto the legislation. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov (C) speaks to the press in Istanbul, Turkiye, June 2, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) ISTANBUL, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The latest round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, held in Istanbul on Monday under Turkish mediation, concluded with what officials described as some positive developments, particularly on humanitarian matters. Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oncu Keceli confirmed that the talks, held behind closed doors, "did not end negatively." Following the talks, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who led the Ukrainian delegation, stated at a press conference that the two sides had reached concrete humanitarian outcomes in the talks. Umerov said during the talks Ukraine presented its agenda to Russia, proposing a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, alongside the release of prisoners and the return of young soldiers and children. Moscow will return Ukraine 6,000 bodies of fallen soldiers, said Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky after the peace talks. Moscow and Kiev agreed to exchange all heavily wounded and 18-25-year-old soldiers, while Moscow proposed to declare a ceasefire with Ukraine for two to three days at some areas of the front line, he added. The two countries last held direct talks on May 16 in Istanbul -- their first face-to-face negotiations since March 2022. During that meeting, the two sides agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each, marking the largest prisoner swap since the start of the conflict. Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky (C, rear) speaks to the press in Istanbul, Turkiye, June 2, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov (C) speaks to the press in Istanbul, Turkiye, June 2, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky (1st R) speaks to the press in Istanbul, Turkiye, June 2, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) Gov. Greg Abbott is facing intense political pressure over a bill that would ban products containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, as hemp industry leaders mount a full-court press urging the governor to veto the measure while Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and his allies urge Abbott to sign it into law. The issue has sparked backlash from both sides of the aisle, including from conservatives ordinarily supportive of Patricks hardline agenda. An April statewide survey by the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin found that 55% of Republicans believe Texas marijuana and cannabis laws should be less strict or left as they are now, compared to 40% who said they should be stricter. Less than one-third of voters of all political persuasions said the state should stiffen its THC laws. Yet, should he break out the veto pen, Abbott would likely incur the wrath of Patrick, the powerful Senate leader who made the ban one of his top priorities, calling THC-infused products such as gummies, beverages and vapes a poison in our public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a sign of the intense fallout since lawmakers approved the ban, Patrick called a news conference last week to renew his criticism of the hemp industry and the products they are pushing, which he said are designed to appeal to children. Patrick, brandishing a THC-infused lollipop and standing before a table covered in cannabis products, said, You might go into a store and buy em and not even know that youre getting your kid high on drugs and hooked for life. The hemp industry supported an alternative to the ban that would have restricted THC products to Texans 21 and older, barred sales within a certain distance of schools and outlawed marketing the products in ways that are attractive to children, which they said would make people less likely to develop a dependency on the drug. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick displays various THC and CBD products during a press conference in the Texas Capitol on May 28, 2025. Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune Asked if he was calling the news conference over concerns about an Abbott veto, Patrick said he was not worried about the governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im worried about the pressure on the media and the general public to try to keep this going in some way and bring it back, Patrick said, adding, Im not going to speak for the governor. He will do what he is going to do. I have total confidence in the governor. Meanwhile, as the Legislature prepared to gavel out for the session on Monday, hemp industry leaders held their own news conference to call for Abbott to veto the bill underscoring the competing pressures now facing the governor. Abbott has three options for how to handle the THC ban, known as Senate Bill 3. He has 20 days after the end of the session to sign or veto the measure. If he does neither, it will become law without his signature. An Abbott spokesperson declined Monday to say what he would do, saying only that the governor will thoughtfully review any legislation sent to his desk. On Monday, the Texas Hemp Business Council reported that it delivered 5,000 letters to Abbotts office, along with a petition signed by some 120,000 people, urging the governor to veto the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group organized a news conference in which industry leaders, business owners and a sixth-generation Texan farmer along with a pair of military veterans blasted lawmakers who pushed the ban, accusing them of putting politics and power above sensible policy. Dave Walden, a Texas VFW senior vice commander who served multiple combat deployments in more than a decade with the U.S. Army, shared a story about how his life was saved by a veteran-founded company that makes THC gummies. The cannabis helps Walden manage the chronic pain and PTSD thats plagued him since he returned from service, he said. "I live with the scars that you can see and the ones that you can't and like thousands of us, I went through the government's solution: a never-ending parade of pills," Walden said. "Those drugs nearly destroyed me." Thanks to the legal, hemp-derived consumable products he found, Walden said that he has not touched an opioid since 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "THC gummies brought me back," he said. "Let's stop pretending this is about public safety. This is about control and veterans are caught in the crossfire." Industry leaders, meanwhile, tried to appeal to Abbott by arguing that a ban would hurt Texas business-friendly reputation and weaken its border security by giving rise to a black market in place of legal dispensaries. State Sen. Charles Perry, the Lubbock Republican who authored the THC ban, said those businesses were forewarned, when lawmakers approved 2019 legislation authorizing the sale of consumable hemp, that the measure was only intended to boost agriculture. If you're doing hemp that ultimately ended up as a Delta 8 or a Delta 10 [product], going forward, you're out of business, Perry said. And you should be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disclosure: University of Texas at Austin has been a financial supporter 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! The gubernatorially appointed boards that oversee Texas universities soon could have new powers to control the curriculum required of students and eliminate degree programs. The legislation sent Monday to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott marks the latest effort among Republican-led states to reshape higher education institutions that they assert have been promoting liberal ideology. It follows similar moves in Florida and Ohio. The state actions come as President Donald Trump's administration also has injected itself into higher education, leveraging federal funding and its student visa authority to clamp down on campus activism and stamp out diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some professors contend the moves violate the principles of academic freedom that many universities have followed for decades. Political operatives have basically used their positions of power political power, economic power to demand that the institutions conform to their ideas, said Isaac Kamola, director of the Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom at the American Association of University Professors. Its an existential attack on higher education that were facing, added Kamola, a political science professor at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. A Texas effort to shape general education requirements Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the Texas legislation, governing boards at higher education institutions will be tasked with reviewing and potentially overturning general education curriculum requirements to ensure courses are necessary to prepare students for civic and professional life, equip them for the workforce and are worth the cost to students. Governing boards also will gain greater power over faculty councils, the employment of academic administrators and decisions to eliminate minor degree or certificate programs that have low enrollment. The bill also creates a state ombudsmans office to investigate complaints against institutions, including alleged violations of restrictions against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The objective of this legislation is to provide consistency with respect to our curriculum and the degrees were offering our students, Republican state Rep. Matt Shaheen, co-sponsor of the legislation, said during House floor debate. Ray Bonilla, an attorney for the Texas A&M University System, one of the states largest higher education institutions, said the legislation formalizes decisions already being made at the university and wouldn't create an "undue workload. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Democratic state Rep. Donna Howard said during a May committee hearing that the legislation "appears to be extreme micromanagement on the part of the Legislature. The bill is not about improving education, it is about increasing control, Howard said during the debate. An Ohio law mandates specific curriculum In Ohio, a new law bans DEI programs at public colleges and universities, strips faculty of certain collective bargaining and tenure protections and mandates a civil literacy course in order to graduate. In addition to covering the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, the three-credit-hour course must include a least five essays from the Federalist Papers, the Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr. and a study of the principles of Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations, among other things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law also places restrictions on the handling of controversial beliefs or policies, defined to include climate, immigration or foreign policy, electoral politics, DEI programs, marriage and abortion. While testifying for his bill, Republican state Sen. Jerry Cirino cited John Dewey -- one of the fathers of progressive education -- to condemn what he believes to be a hard tack in the other direction at colleges and universities. He believed that all theories should be examined and debated, Cirino told fellow lawmakers. He would certainly have been against the woke conformity we see on so many campuses and the clearly demonstrated liberal leanings of faculty and staff who will not tolerate alternative views. Christopher McKnight Nichols, an Ohio State University history professor, said the law has already driven some faculty members to sanitize their websites of controversial content, alter course descriptions and, in some cases, cancel courses altogether. He said it's never been proven that faculty members are systematically punishing students who dont share their political beliefs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nichols is among a coalition of Ohio educators, students and administrators fighting back against the new law. Opponents face a late June deadline to collect enough signatures to place a referendum overturning it on the November ballot. A movement with roots in a Trump order and Florida In some ways, the efforts to exert greater state control over college faculty and curriculums are moving higher education closer to a governing model generally seen in K-12 education, said Alec Thomson, president of the National Council for Higher Education at the National Education Association. Its a concerning change in the sense that you would expect the institutions to have a fair amount of autonomy to make these decisions about curriculum, added Thomson, a professor of political science and history at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Michigan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his first term in 2020, Trump issued an executive order combating race and sex stereotyping in federal agencies and contracting that forbid the promotion of divisive concepts, including that one race or sex is inherently superior to another, that individuals should feel guilty because of their race or sex and that merit-based systems are racist or sexist. Similar prohibitions on divisive concepts soon appeared in model bills backed by conservative think tanks and in state higher education laws, including in Florida in 2022. The next year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis initiated a makeover of the New College of Florida a small liberal arts school once known as the states most progressive by appointing a group of conservatives to its governing board. DeSantis then traveled to the campus to sign a law barring public funds from going to DEI activities in higher education or promoting political or social activism. Governors and lawmakers this year have taken about twice as many actions targeting DEI initiatives as last year, according to an Associated Press analysis aided by the bill-tracking software Plural. Among those is a new Idaho law that not only bans DEI offices and programs in higher education but also addresses whats taught in the classroom. It prohibits colleges and universities from requiring students to take DEI-related courses to meet graduation requirements, unless theyre pursuing degrees in race or gender studies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ Lathan 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. After $625 million and six years of construction, the Port of Corpus Christi, Texas, has opened the 11.9 miles of its expanded ship channel. The four-phase improvement project deepened the ship channel from 47 to 54 feet and widened it from 400 feet to 530 feet to accommodate the growing demand for larger vessels. The Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project unlocks a new era of economic growth for both the Coastal Bend and the nation, David Engel, chairman of the Port of Corpus Christi Commission, said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Corpus Christi Ship Channel is about 34 miles long, extending from the Gulf of Mexico to the Viola Turning Basin near the westernmost point of Nueces Bay. The ship channel project was approved in 2017 and began construction in 2019. It was funded by Congress and the Port of Corpus Christi, with support from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and private marine companies. The Port of Corpus Christi has provided more $161.5 million for its portion of the total cost. The federal government has appropriated more than $296.3 million in funding for the project. The expanded waterway aims to facilitate larger vessels and allows for more two-way traffic, permitting more than one vessel to pass through the channel at the same time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Port of Corpus Christi dubbed the Energy Port of the Americas is the largest crude oil export gateway in the U.S. and the third-largest in the world, behind Russia and Saudi Arabia. It moves more than 2.4 million barrels of crude oil exports per day. The Port of Corpus Christi also ranks second in the U.S. for liquid natural gas exports. In 2024, trade at the port totaled $89 billion, according to Census Bureau data analyzed by WorldCity. The Port of Corpus Christi handled over $7 billion in trade during March. The ports largest global trade partners during the month were South Korea ($1.1 billion), the Netherlands ($897 million), Taiwan ($583 million), India ($415 million) and Canada ($386 million). The post Texas port completes $625M ship channel deepening project appeared first on FreightWaves. (Texas Scorecard) The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that Attorney General Ken Paxton can investigate and seek judicial remedies against Annunciation House, a Catholic non-profit that operates several homeless shelters throughout the El Paso area allegedly benefitting illegal aliens. Published Friday morning, the Texas Supreme Court opinion states that Paxton has the authority to file a quo warranto action challenging Annunciation Houses right to do business in Texas. If Paxtons accusations are accurate, it could lead to the closure of Annunciation House. In February 2024, Paxton requested access to the organizations records after accusing it of aiding and sheltering illegal aliens. His request was denied. This was followed by an El Paso district judges ruling that further blocked Paxtons request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paxton appealed the dismissal of his lawsuit to the Texas Supreme Court in July 2024, and the court heard oral arguments in the case earlier this year. Justice Evan Young, who delivered the opinion, concluded that there is no lawful reason to bar Paxton from filing a quo warranto action or requesting records in this situation. Quo warrantos have a long historical standing in both common law and in the Texas Constitution. We conclude that the trial court erred in its constitutional holdings, wrote Young in the opinion. We likewise conclude that the courts related injunctions, which prevent the attorney general from even filing a quo warranto action, were premature at best. Additionally, the Supreme Court rejected arguments from Annunciation House that Texas law limits the attorney generals authority and that the demand of immediate access to records is unconstitutional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Young further stated that the Supreme Courts decision does not express an opinion on or discuss questions regarding Paxtons accusations against Annunciation House, but leaves them to be determined in the lower courts through usual legal processes. The Supreme Court was right to right to respect the AGs authority to investigate and and they were right to withhold judgment about any the substance of the case, which will be determined in due course, attorney Tony McDonald told Texas Scorecard. Today is a great victory for Texas, secure borders, and the rule of law, said Paxton. Annunciation House has flagrantly violated our laws by harboring illegal aliens and assisting them to enter further into our country. This cannot be allowed to continue, and I will do everything in my power to stop them and any other NGO breaking our laws. Annunciation House declined to comment on the case at this time. When patrons step into Planet K on Guadalupe Street, about a mile north of the University of Texas, its immediately clear what its primary business is. Shelves fixed against the stores vibrant green walls are filled with a diverse array of consumable hemp products, most containing THC: gummies, vapes, infused beverages, smokable flowers, and accessories such as bongs, pipes and rolling papers. Those shelves may soon look dramatically different after the Texas Legislature last week passed a bill that would ban all products containing THC, potentially delivering a costly blow to the state's booming cannabis industry. If Gov. Greg Abbott signs Senate Bill 3 into law, Planet Ks shelves come September would be limited to selections of nicotine products, such as pouches, cigarettes and some leaf tobacco, as well as counter-culture wearable buttons, T-shirts and sex toys. How we got here SB 3, which would ban all THC products in Texas, makes exceptions only for hemp containing non-psychoactive compounds such as CBD and CBG. The measure was spearheaded by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a three-term Republican who presides over the Texas Senate and has described the legislation a "life and death issue." Sen. Charles Perry, a Lubbock Republican, authored the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some medical professionals, including a pediatrician spokesperson for the Texas Medical Association, share Patricks concern that many potent THC products are too accessible to minors and those whose brains are still developing, a process the National Institutes of Health says may extend into a person's mid-to-late 20s. I've been a pediatrician for over 15 years, and there's a drastic difference with these new high-potency hemp-derived products sold at vape shops, the TMA spokesperson said. That pediatrician and her colleagues report a rise in Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) and Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) both of which are linked to early and chronic high-potency use. According to the Cleveland Clinic, those who use cannabis before age 18 are four to seven times more likely to develop CUD, while CHS can cause recurring vomiting in long-term users. Since 2019, when Texas lawmakers legalized hemp production and retail, the legal age for consuming products with low levels of THC has been 21 in Texas. Patrick, 75, who previously alleged some shops were selling consumable hemp to minors, was seen on security footage being asked for identification at a store in Austin in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opponents of SB 3 have advocated for tighter regulation of THC products, but Patrick has remained steadfast in pushing for an outright ban. Estella Castro, owner of Austinite Cannabis Co., works in her store Thursday April 17, 2025. We cant regulate it, Patrick told NewsNation. We dont have enough police to check every store, when there are 8,000-9,000 of them. To put it into perspective, we only have 1,100 McDonalds in the state of Texas; 1,300 Starbucks in the state of Texas. So, there are eight times more smoke shops selling this poison. Just minutes into a news conference Patrick held at the Capitol on Wednesday, the lieutenant governor tossed a bag of THC-infused cereal bites to a reporter, after asking if anyone wanted some, before making clear his opposition wasnt limited to underage use. We dont want adults to have this either, Patrick said, holding up a different bag of infused cereal bites. What are you? Crazy? You want to go home and eat a bag of this tonight and see if youre here tomorrow? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We dont want anybody buying anything off the shelf that could kill them or ruin their mental state for the rest of their lives. Patrick also claimed shoppers have no idea what ingredients were in the THC products that he displayed at the news conference. But Hometown Hero ATX, which makes the cereal bites Patrick threw to a reporter, fired back on X, saying the lieutenant governor blatantly lied on multiple occasions about its products. If you turn it (the package) over, youll find a full ingredients list as well as nutritional information and a certificate of analysis on every product, the brand posted. But it was a legislative loophole, not an influx of bad actors, that drove Texas' booming cannabis market. Estella Castro, owner of Austinite Cannabis Co., holds packages of THC-A cannabis at her store Thursday April 17, 2025. In 2019, a law sponsored by Perry legalized the production, manufacturing and sale of hemp in Texas while approving consumable products with up to 0.3% THC, the primary psychoactive component in the cannabis plant. However, other intoxicating hemp derivatives such as THCa, Delta-8 THC and Delta-10 THC compounds that can produce a "high" when heated or processed inadvertently were legalized for sale and consumption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You would think that they (those concerned about the publics safety) would want it to go the other way, said a Planet K employee. If they legalize it, then they can regulate it, and then you can figure out what is in them, and not just say proprietary THC blend. Since then, more than 8,000 retailers, including Planet K and its 17 locations in Central Texas, now sell THC products in Texas. As a result, the states hemp business has grown like a weed, employing 53,000 people and having an estimated economic impact of $10 billion, according to Austin Monthly. Perry: 'Youre out of business, and you should be' While some businesses, such as gas stations, convenience stores and some vape shops, will be able to withstand the ban, many others, like dispensaries and apothecaries, will likely be forced to close. Brothers Todd and Mickey Harris, owners of the Happy Cactus Apothecary in South Austin, the same shop in which Patrick was carded, believe the legislation would effectively shut down our business and hurt the local economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It mainly affects small, Texas-based, family-owned businesses, Todd Harris said. It won't affect those huge companies that have a few shops in Texas but have shops all over. They'll just move all their money to other states, which will then take more money away from the commerce here in Texas. All four states that border Texas have legal cannabis in some form. New Mexicos billion-dollar legal market brought in $32.7 million from its 12% excise tax in fiscal year 2024, while Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana have medicinal markets, with the latter also having decriminalized the drug. Estella Castro, who owns Austinite Cannabis Co. on East Cesar Chavez Street, also owns two locations in Southern Oklahoma and anticipates a boom in business for any smoke shops in the states bordering Texas. Austinite Cannabis Co. Thursday April 17, 2025. Within Texas' borders, the economic impact of the hemp industry extends far beyond the states progressive cities, as many hemp farmers, some of whom live in Perrys West Texas district, are facing a threat to their livelihoods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charles Perry says he has an open-door policy. That is an absolute lie, Ann Gauger, co-owner of Caprock Family Farms in Lubbock, told the Texas Tribune. Weve gone to his office in Austin, but he refuses to see us. We wouldnt be in the hemp business in a million years if they hadnt passed that bill. Now were one of the largest hemp producers in the U.S., and their ban is going to shut that down. Some farmers dont grow the drought-resistant crop to be used for cannabis products, as the plant has many industrial purposes, such as textile production, but farmers and Katharine Harris, a fellow in drug policy at Rice University, contend that legal hemp production without traces of THC is impossible. There are thousands of cannabinoids in the hemp plant, many of them non-impairing, she said. Chemistry experts testified during the State Affairs Committee hearing that this language will make manufacturing and testing of remaining legal products nearly impossible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perry disagrees with this argument, maintaining that SB 3 doesnt interfere with industrial hemp production allowed under federal law. If youre under compliance with the federal law and youre doing stuff for fiber and stock and production for those other products that we hope to do, you didnt get affected by this, Perry said at a news conference Wednesday. But if youre doing hemp that ultimately ended up as a Delta-8 (product) or Delta-10 (product), youre out of business, and you should be. The 'underpaid therapists' The potential ban comes after years of scientific study suggesting medicinal benefits of cannabinoids for many people, from veterans to cancer patients to insomniacs. A year-long peer-reviewed study published by the academic journal Frontiers of Molecular Neuroscience found that veterans exhibiting post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms who used cannabis were 2.57 times more likely to no longer meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD during the study period compared with non-users. Anecdotally, Castro and the Harris brothers maintain that a large portion of their customer base consists of older individuals seeking relief, rather than a high. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our clientele is pretty expansive, but I'd say most of them are looking for help with sleep, chronic pain or PTSD, said Mickey Harris, a former massage therapist who as a smoke shop owner has become knowledgeable about cannabis compounds. We have a pretty large 55 (years old) and up clientele base. Castro told the American-Statesman in April that she has seen many senior citizens and veterans stock buying consumable hemp products in anticipation of SB 3 becoming law. Estella Castro, owner of Austinite Cannabis Co., Thursday April 17, 2025. Its terrible to have somebody thinking that (these products) are going to go away and they're on a fixed income, and they have to budget that gummy or that tincture in there, Castro said, noting the shop has been giving some veterans discounts. For Kaymon Thomas, who has worked at Planet K for a decade, his job is about providing an affordable solution to customers ailments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We always make a joke that we're kind of underpaid therapists, Thomas said. Theyll tell us all their problems, and its like, Maybe try this. Sometimes they come back and say, That helped a lot, which is cool. A path forward for medicinal use In an effort to grease the wheels for one of his biggest legislative priorities, Patrick brokered a deal on Sunday with Rep. Tom Oliverson, a Republican from Cypress and anesthesiologist, to support House Bill 46. That bill, authored by Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian, will expand the Texas Compassionate Use Program, the states limited medicinal marijuana program, to Texans suffering from chronic pain, illnesses such as Crohns disease, and those who are terminally ill. The Senate and my concern has always been that we dont want to go back to the days of doctors writing prescriptions for anyone who paid them for a prescription for pain pills, Patrick announced on X. The Texas Medical Board has put in strong guidelines to prevent that from happening over the last decade. Dr. Oliverson presented a new thoughtful plan that the Senate and I can support that will help those in true need of relief." Patrick noted that the bill would increase the number of licenses to 12 from three and add satellite locations in each public health region of the state for the first time. HB 46, which was amended and passed by the Senate on Tuesday, also awaits a signature from Abbott, whose office declined to comment on pending legislation when contacted by the American-Statesman. Will He or Wont He? There has been considerable debate about whether Abbott, who has never had a THC ban on his list of top legislative priorities, will sign SB 3 into law. In March, he offered tacit support for marijuana decriminalization, telling the Houston Chronicle that "small possession of marijuana is not the type of violation that we want to stockpile jails with." Look, Im not going to speak for the governor, Patrick said on Wednesday. He will do what hes going to do. I have total confidence in the governor. In April, polling by UT's Texas Politics Project found that 50% of Texas voters opposed an outright ban, including 35% who expressed strong opposition more than double the 17% who said they strongly supported a ban. In total, just 34% expressed support. The thing thats the most surprising about this is that Lt. Gov. Patrick usually follows his political antenna, and on this, he did not, Scott Braddock, the editor of the Quorum Report, a Texas political newsletter, told KVUE. His own pollster found that only about 30% of Texas Republican voters agree with a full ban. Abbott has until June 22 to veto any bill that advances to his desk from the current legislative session, which ends Monday. This is a jump ball, 50/50 chance on this, Braddock told KVUE. Abbott could sign this into law at the urging of Lt. Gov. Patrick, or he could veto it, and hed make a lot of the MAGA crowd, the Trump supporters, really happy because they dont agree with a full ban. Meanwhile, many THC product advocates and business owners like the Harris brothers are still holding onto hope that their $10 billion industry wont go up in smoke. We've been dealing with a bunch of bills like this for four years, Todd Harris said. Each time the community comes out and speaks (against it), so we've been able to keep this industry alive and booming. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas THC ban threatens burgeoning cannabis industry, local businesses The Fermi Paradox ponders an endlessly fascinating question: If so many worlds exist in the universe, why havent we detected any sign of extraterrestrial life? A possible reason, called the Sustainability Solution, argues that the search for technosignatures necessitates a particular human bias, suggesting that rapid growth is the only means of society expansion. A new paper reexamining this solution suggests that many societies may face collapse due to the unsustainable aspect of an ever-expanding species, and so many of its technologies could be indistinguishable from nature itself. For more than 40 years, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) organization has turned its gaze toward the cosmos in search for an answer to one of humanitys greatest questions: Are we alone? Often taking the form of the Fermi paradoxa 75-year-old thought experiment that explores why there are so many worlds, yet seemingly no alien civilizationsthis grand question has inspired a lot of possible solutions. Maybe life is much rarer than we imagine? Maybe its incredibly difficult to evolve into a modern civilization like ours? Or maybe aliens are speaking in a language we simply dont understand. However, theres one possible solution that eerily speaks to our current moment. Known as the Sustainability Solution, this idea posits that endless economic growth may simply be impossible to sustain, so alien societies either adapt by creating sustainable civilization in harmony with their host planet, or they simply die out. First proposed by Pennsylvania State University scientists Jacob Haqq-Misra and Seth Baum in 2009, the Sustainability Solution suggests that if aliens do exist, they likely wouldnt create the technosignatures we often attribute to advanced civilizations, such as Dyson Spheres or interstellar spacecraft. Instead, these structures (part of the technosphere) would blend with the natural world, making them difficult to distinguish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a new study uploaded to the preprint server arXiv, New York University researcher and philosopher Lukas Likavcan revitalizes this solution to the Fermi paradox as a lens through which to view humanitys own development. The paper re-conceptualizes technology, history, and sustainability on a planetary scale. The ecological limits constrain the topology of viable planetary histories to those evolutionary trajectories where the technosphere successfully folds back into the biosphere, Likavcan wrote. The major result of this reconceptualization is the problematization of the analytical import of technosphere as a category denoting some new geological layerit seems to be more of a transitory armature of the biospheres evolution and less of an emerging permanent layer. Humans play a strange, transitory role in this conceptualization. Of course, being primates, we are of the biosphere. But our creationsat least, as argued by this theorybecome part of the theoretically detectable technosphere (whether this region is a permanent fixture or a temporary arm of the biosphere is up for debate). Drawing on a sample size of one (i.e. human civilization), its easy to think that progress will continue unabated until we become masters of our own Solar System and beyond. However, as Haqq-Mistra and Baum originally stated in 2009, this Sustainability Solution questions the assumption of the unimpeded exponential growth of such civilizations. It is still possible that slower-growth ETI civilizations exist but have not expanded rapidly enough to be easily detectable by the searches humans have yet made, the original authors wrote. It is also possible that faster-growth ETI civilizations previously expanded throughout the galaxy but could not sustain this state, collapsing in a way that whatever artifacts they might have left have also remained undetected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Likavcans idea of folding back into the biosphere, means that advanced civilizations might instead create technologies that are essentially biological in nature in order to remain in balance with their finite resources. To support this point, Likavcan quotes Canadian sci-fi author Karl Schroeder, who wrote that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from nature, itself a reformulation of sci-fi Arthur C. Clarkes famous words that compared technology to magic. This could also explain why we havent found civilizations while looking for technosignatures alone. Magic or no, the nature of the Fermi paradox makes it a we wont know until we know kind of question. But the exploration of possible solutions can also provide a valuable lens through which to value our own society, its future perils, and how we mightagainst all oddssurvive long enough to one day solve this perplexing question. You Might Also Like Three people were injured in a shooting early Sunday in the 3100 block of Schaal Avenue, police said. Terre Haute Police Department officers responded to the area, which is near Schaal and Oakland avenues, in response to a report of shots fired at a large party, the department said in a news release. Officers found one injured person at the scene, and two more later arrived at a hospital. Two of the people hurt later were taken to an Indianapolis hospital. Police said the investigation continues and more information would be released when possible. MEXICO CITY, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Mexicans went to the polls Sunday to cast their votes in the country's first-ever election for members of the judiciary -- from the federal supreme court to local courts. Mexicans cast their votes for 881 judicial posts at national and regional levels, including the nine justices of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, according to the National Electoral Institute. The results are expected to be announced in 10 days. The Ad Astra statue atop the Kansas Statehouse takes aim against a wall of gray clouds on May 2, 2025. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) In their supposed eagerness to save money and do right by taxpayers, perhaps Kansas Republican leaders could try passing laws that dont trample on the rights of their constituents. Thats my only response to lawsuits filed throughout May that highlight the downright sloppy lawmaking that has become a hallmark of our states rushed, secretive legislative session. Bills are introduced and rubber-stamped in committee, testimony from experts is ignored, and the House and Senate send them through with nary a speed bump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Afterward, the taxpayers of Kansas have to foot the bill for any carelessness. Lets take a quick look at the lawsuits and their subjects. Up first, Kansas Reflector editor in chief Sherman Smith, who reported the following May 28. Two transgender teenagers and their parents are challenging a new Kansas law that bans gender-affirming care for minors. The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and the national ACLU filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Douglas County District Court on behalf of a 16-year-old trans boy and a 13-year-old trans girl. The lawsuit argues the new law violates state constitutional rights for equal protection, personal autonomy and parenting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 63 prohibits health care providers from using surgery, hormones or puberty blockers to treat anyone younger than 18 who identifies with a gender that is different from the sex they were assigned at birth. Health care providers who break the law may be subject to civil penalties and stripped of their license. You can read the law here. You can read the lawsuit here. Next, Reflector reporter Anna Kaminski wrote about another lawsuit on May 19. A Kansas reproductive rights advocacy group, backed by a Washington, D.C., law firm, sued state officials over a new law banning financial contributions from foreign nationals to support or oppose constitutional amendments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group, Kansans for Constitutional Freedom, argued in a complaint filed in federal court Friday that House Bill 2106, which passed the Legislature in April and is set to go into effect July 1, is broad, vague and unconstitutional. The group said the bill inhibits its ability to advocate for or against future constitutional amendments. Kansans for Constitutional Freedom and its donors have received contributions from foreign nationals, the lawsuit said. The complaint drew a connection between HB 2106 and opposition to the 2022 ballot measure that sought to limit reproductive rights. Voters rejected the proposed constitutional amendment by a 59-41 margin. You can read the law here. You can read the lawsuit here. But wait, theres still more! Heres senior reporter Morgan Chilson on May 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three advocacy organizations filed a lawsuit Monday in Douglas County District Court challenging the Kansas Legislatures attempt to arbitrarily reject advance ballots of voters if the mail system fails to deliver them by Election Day. Kansas Appleseed, Loud Light and Disability Rights Center of Kansas are asking the court to find Senate Bill 4 unconstitutional. Defendants are Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew. SB 4, which the Legislature passed this year, disqualifies any mail-in ballots not received by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Previously, mail-in ballots were counted if they were postmarked by Election Day and arrived within three days later. You can read the law here. You can read the lawsuit here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We covered all of these proposals at various stages, from twinkles in legislators eyes to enshrinement in the statute books. Leaders sent the anti-trans bill to Gov. Laura Kelly as their first act of business in the 2025 session. She allowed the foreign nationals ban to become law without her signature and a warning that it went too far. The advance-voting bill was called pure partisan politics by former Rep. Ann Mah. Sure, the deluge of wastewater emanating from the Statehouse in 2025 may have overwhelmed at times. But none of this should have come as a surprise. If people or groups believe the government has infringed on their rights to medical care, to advocacy, to voting no one can be surprised if they bring legal action. When senators and representatives cast votes on such issues, they decide whether the state should place a barrier in front of the people they represent. No amount of victim blaming or sanctimonious claptrap obscures the truth. Defending the laws falls to Attorney General Kris Kobach and his office. Who pays their salaries? You and me and all the people of Kansas. Were all on the hook for legislative foolishness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state may win some or all of these suits. So may those who filed them. Regardless, their mere presence suggests that our elected officials tread far too easily into the swamps of ideological overreaction. Rather than representing all, they have bowed and scraped in service to a hateful few. We will see the consequences play out before judges in the months ahead. Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A house fire that broke out Monday morning in Northwest D.C. has left multiple people without a home, officials said. DC Fire and EMS (DCFD) were called to the 7400 block of 9th Street NW shortly before 8:30 a.m., where a fire was reported on the second floor of a two-story home. At that time, flames were showing from the roof line. Man dies in hospital after Southeast DC apartment fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One person who was home at the time was helped out of the house and evaluated by EMS crews. In a social media post made at 10:37 a.m., DCFD said the fire had been confined to the ceiling area of the second-floor bathroom and was under control. No one was hurt, but a total of three people were displaced, with the Red Cross being called in to 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) -Israeli fire killed at least three Palestinians and wounded dozens of others near an aid distribution site operated by the U.S.-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, local health authorities said on Monday. The Israeli military said it was aware of reports of casualties and the incident was being thoroughly looked into. It said in a statement that troops operating overnight in Rafah, which is under full Israeli military control, in the southern Gaza Strip, had fired warning shots "to prevent several suspects approaching them", adding the incident took place about 1 km (0.6 miles) away from the aid distribution site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GHF, a private group sponsored by the United States and endorsed by Israel, said there had been no fatalities or injuries at its distribution site or the surrounding area. Reuters could not independently verify what took place. The reported incident was the latest in a series underscoring the volatile security situation that has complicated aid delivery to Gaza, following the easing last month of an almost three-month Israeli blockade. On Sunday, Palestinian and international officials said at least 31 people were killed and dozens wounded near the same site, one of four operated by the GHF in Rafah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Monday he was appalled by reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza on Sunday, and called for an independent investigation. The Israeli military denied firing at people gathering to collect aid, and the GHF said Sunday's distribution was carried out without incident, describing reports of deaths as fabricated by Hamas. In a separate statement, the Israeli military said that in the past day its forces expanded ground operations in the Gaza Strip, killed gunmen, and dismantled weapons storage facilities and military infrastructure above and under the ground. Meanwhile, the Gaza health ministry said Israeli strikes across the enclave had killed 51 people and wounded 500 others in the past 24 hours. Local health authorities said at least 16 of those were killed at a house in Jabalia, in northern Gaza, earlier on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RISK OF FAMINE The GHF said Monday's deliveries raised the number of meals it has distributed since it began operations to nearly 6 million. The United Nations has said most of Gaza's 2 million population is at risk of famine after an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid entering the strip. The GHF launched its first distribution sites last week and said it would launch more. Its aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the U.N. and humanitarian organisations, which say the GHF does not follow humanitarian principles. The Palestinian NGOs Network urged a boycott of what it called the "U.S.-Israeli aid mechanism" in protest over the killings on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, relatives of Hussam Wafi, a 37-year-old father-of-six, who was killed near the aid site on Sunday, arrived to pay their last respects before burial. Wafi's brother Ali said the victims were driven by hunger. The U.S. and Israel, what do they tell us? Go and get your food and water, and the aid. When the aid arrives, they hit us. Is this fair?" Wafi told Reuters. "They were going peacefully, they were killed. They went to get food and water for their children, to get a can of hummus or fava beans, a box or whatever is available, and they got shot, they died, Wafi's neighbour, Abu Youssef, told Reuters. CEASEFIRE TALKS TO RESUME Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel and Hamas, meanwhile, traded blame for the faltering of a new Arab and U.S. mediation bid to secure a temporary ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli jails. On Monday, a Palestinian official close to the mediation effort said Hamas leaders were in constant contact with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo and Doha. Israel says it accepts a temporary truce to release hostages, but that war can only end once Hamas is driven out of Gaza. Israel began its offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli tallies, and saw 251 taken as hostages into Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel's campaign has devastated much of Gaza, killing more than 54,000 Palestinians and destroying most buildings. Much of the population now lives in shelters in makeshift camps. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi. Additional reporting by Alex Cornwell and Hatem Khaled; Editing by Alex Richardson) COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A sheriffs deputy was killed and three other officers injured in three separate shootings last week across central Ohio. Since last Monday Memorial Day there have been three separate shootouts between police and suspects. Most recently, Dustin Ohm, 29, was charged with attempted murder after allegedly opening fire on Marysville Police officers early Friday morning, then again on the median of U.S. Route 33 after a car chase. One officer was treated and released from the hospital; Ohm remains hospitalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, two Mifflin Township police officers were shot after a traffic stop turned into a chaotic foot chase. Then, a two-day manhunt for the suspect ended with multiple arrests. Davenote Dixon, 21, is charged with attempted murder and is hospitalized after suffering what police said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. In addition, Jayla Call, 31, is in jail without bond on felony charges for allegedly hiding Dixon at her apartment; she is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. On Memorial Day last Monday, Morrow County Sheriffs deputy Daniel Sherrer was shot and killed during a shootout with a man in Marengo. The suspect was hospitalized for four days and on Saturday, was released from the hospital and jailed. Sherrers death was a killing that rocked the law enforcement and Morrow County communities. Just seeing the community come together for this blue line family, its definitely really meaningful to see how much support they actually have, Morrow County resident Abby Pence said Thursday at a candlelight vigil in Sherrers honor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive lived in Morrow County my whole life and just to hear about this incident thats happened, its breathtaking and its really heartbreaking to the community, resident Jennifer Fisher said. A public visitation for Sherrer will take place Tuesday at Northmor High School in Galion from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. The next day, a public memorial will begin at 11 a.m. at the school followed by a private burial. Just a really deep, deep emotion of just thinking about his family and all of the officers that work here in Morrow County, resident Cathy Brake said. The Morrow County Prosecutors Office said the suspect, Brian Wilson, 53, is charged with aggravated murder, but will remain in Delaware County Jail for the duration of the judicial process due to the relationship Sherrer had with the jail staff in Morrow County, which was touched on by Morrow County Sheriff John Hinton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He came to work every day, he loved this community, he loved the job, Hinton said last Tuesday. He was just a great guy. He will be missed. According to the prosecutors office, Wilson is set to have a court hearing either Monday or Tuesday, at which point, more details on the domestic violence call that led to Sherrers death should come to light. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DISCLAIMER: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Three individuals are in custody after leading officers on two separate chases in Caddo Parish. On Saturday, May 31, at 10:30 PM, officers attempted to stop the driver of a stolen Chrysler 300 on LA Highway 2, near Centerville Road. The driver refused to pull over, leading to a chase. The Bossier Parish Sheriffs Office and the Plain Dealing Police Department initiated the traffic stop, but once the driver reached the city limits of Vivian, Louisiana, the Vivian Police Department joined the pursuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fatal accident at Highway 79 and Buncombe Road intersection The driver, identified as a juvenile, was tased after he exited the vehicle. Upon searching him, officers discovered a handgun, ammunition, and a THC vape pen. He was charged with aggravated flight, possession of a handgun by a person under 18, and resisting an officer. According to the press release, shortly after the initial pursuit, another chase began when an officer attempted to stop a Mercedes at the intersection of Bert Kouns and Antoine. The vehicle fled the scene but eventually crashed in the 9000 block of US Highway 80. While two passengers stayed in the vehicle, both the driver and another passenger fled on foot. However, deputies were able to apprehend both suspects, identified as 20-year-old Cozy Graham and 18-year-old Havana Madden, using a drone and a K9 unit. Both were booked and charged with resisting an officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. At Mount Holyoke College, a liberal arts school some 90 miles west of Boston, administrators have few answers so far for their prospective international students who are no longer certain they will be allowed to study in the US. The Trump administrations order directing US missions to pause new visa interviews for international students has thrust schools into a scramble to assess the impact on institutions and their students. This is supposed to be a celebratory time where theyre looking forward to coming to the United States, going here for their education, and suddenly, all of thats, you know, been thrown up in the air, said Kavita Khory, a professor of politics at Mount Holyoke and director of the schools center for global initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The womens college admitted 140 international students for the upcoming academic year, but only about 50 of those students have received their visas, Khory said. The majority are in limbo for appointments. And even if they have secured appointments, its not clear that theyll get their visas, Khory said. Mount Holyokes situation is true for many colleges and universities. But with few answers, and amid heightened concerns about being critical of the Trump administrations actions, few schools are willing to discuss it. CNN reached out to 50 schools and heard from fewer than 10 about how they are handling this period of uncertainty. The half-dozen university officials who spoke with CNN, representing schools across the country, said it is too soon to assess the financial implications of the State Department directive on their schools. The lack of official answers surrounding the length of the pause has left students seeking guidance that schools are not able to provide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stett Holbrook, a spokesperson for the University of California presidents office, said the school system is very concerned about the State Departments directive. About 9% of the systems 2024 undergraduate enrollees were international students. The timing isnt only problematic for students who are in the middle of their application or visa processes, but also for schools that are in the middle of their annual budget planning for next year. If they cant guarantee the revenue stream that international students will bring, that creates a ripple effect, from how many faculty members they have to how many janitors they keep on. 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, Holbrook said in a statement. 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. No clarity from the administration Another aspect of the uncertainty is the potential for specific countries to be targeted differently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday said the US would aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students. About 1 in 4 international students in the US are Chinese. We have followed every rule, Zilin Ma, a recently graduated Harvard University PhD student from China, said on CNNs The Situation Room on Wednesday. We have got our visa, we have passed all of the checks, and we have paid a ton of taxes in federal, state, and sometimes even Social Security that we may never benefit from. We are contributing to the US scientific research, education and economy, and we shouldnt be the one facing uncertainty at this point, Ma, whose work includes AI research, added. Zilin Ma speaks to CNN on Wednesday. - CNN Other officials spoke to CNN on the condition that their name or institution not be published to give a frank assessment of the situation or avoid their school being singled out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the impact is dependent on how long the pause is, one official who works in global initiatives at a research university on the East Coast said. If its a few days, universities can withstand that, but this is a time of year when students make these appointments, have been accepted to these institutions and have accepted these institutions offers. The directive not only affects new students, but also current students who need to renew their visas, the official noted. Time is of the essence for these students, the official said. The uncertainty piece of it is whats making it challenging. An official at a different leading research university agreed and said: The damaging part of some of these policy announcements is how theyre being rolled out. The administration, they said, does not provide clarity for actual informed decision-making. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked on Friday how long the pause is expected to last, the State Department referred CNN to an earlier press briefing by its spokesperson, Tammy Bruce. During that briefing, Bruce declined to give specifics on a timeline, but said more guidance would be released in the coming days. The Trump administration is focused on protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through the visa process specifically, said Bruce, who added that every visa adjudication is a national security decision. A chilling effect The second university official said that beyond a potential financial hit, which wont be as burdensome at their school because of its size, they fear the policy will impact recruitment and the schools reputation internationally. There is sort of a chilling effect, the official said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move comes as President Donald Trump has pressured institutions of higher learning into falling in line with the administrations policies and vision for how their schools should be run. The bulk of the administrations recent actions against colleges have focused on elite universities like Harvard, where the administration first moved last month to prevent the school from enrolling international students. People hold up signs during a rally in support of Harvard University international students in Boston on Tuesday. - Rick Friedman/AFP/Getty Images Harvard sued to stop the order targeting its international students from taking effect, and a judge temporarily paused the prohibition. That order does not impact the latest State Department directive to US missions to pause visa interviews for students. But the new directive could have wider implications: More than 1.1 million international students lived in the United States during the 2023-2024 school year, according to the nonprofit NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The groups analysis found that those students contributed nearly $44 billion to the US economy during the 2023-2024 academic year. International students already represent the most tracked and vetted category of nonimmigrants in the United States, the nonprofits executive director and CEO, Fanta Aw, said in a statement. It is a poor use of taxpayer dollars to devote resources to screening students who are already subject to extensive background checks, while business visitors and tourists are not tracked at all. Trump has suggested that if schools like Harvard accept fewer international students, more domestic students would take their place. But Khory, from Mount Holyoke, said its not that simple. Its not the zero-sum game the way the Trump administration has been presenting it, If you have fewer international students, you will bring in more domestic students. Thats not how this sort of works, she said, adding thats particularly true in the near future, when students cant be immediately recruited to replace those who are lost. Three-pronged impact A former university official described three buckets of anxiety being felt by universities: the revenue impact, the talent impact and the human impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Small, private universities without large endowments are in the most precarious positions, this former official said, as public schools often have the ability to go to their state to fill revenue shortfalls. On the talent impact, graduate schools will take more of a hit than undergraduate colleges. At the graduate level, foreign students are a critical part of the machinery. They are the teaching assistants, the researchers, the grant writers and the next generation of professors. If those students cant or wont come, some graduate programs could collapse, the former official said. And regarding the human impact: Students are members of campus communities. Graduate programs can take years five, six or seven, in some instances to complete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyone is anxious for friends and colleagues, the former official said. There is also the long-term worry about brain drain and competition. These universities are not just in competition for talent with other US universities, the former official said. There is a short-sightedness to this that university administrators are really feeling as well: Will we be able to be the place for global talent to come if they cant or dont feel comfortable for the US? Karen Edwards, dean of international student affairs and exchange visitors at Grinnell College in Iowa, lamented that the political climate in the US may deter prospective international students. That shift, she said, runs contrary to the mission of her 30-year career. It really breaks my heart, Edwards said, to think that we wouldnt see the incredible value in enhancing the presence of global learning and international education, international students in our classroom as opposed to, you know, fighting against it. CNNs Maria Moctezuma contributed. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com TIOGA COUNTY, N.Y. (WETM) A Berkshire man was arrested on Tuesday, after an investigation into a traffic stop where deputies said he tried to get rid of drugs during the stop in Tioga County, New York. William A. Ward Jr., 39, was arrested on Tuesday, May 27, on the charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree (class A misdemeanor) and tampering with evidence (class E felony), as stated in a release from the Tioga County NY Sheriffs Office. Waverly man sentenced years in jail following trespass conviction Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ward Jr.s charges stem from an investigation into a traffic stop in March of 2025, where deputies said he tried to throw evidence out of the car window during a traffic stop. Deputies found the items thrown which later tested positive for meth. As a result, Ward Jr. had his charges read to him in court on May 27 and was then released to appear at the Town of Richford court sometime in the future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. COOKVILLE, Texas (KETK) The Titus County Sheriffs Office has arrested a man in connection to the death of his wife who was found dead in Cookville on Sunday. 2023 fatal shooting suspect in custody after running from East Texas authorities for almost a month The sheriffs office said they responded to a possible murder reported on Sunday in the 500 block of County Road 3130 in Cookville. When deputies arrived at the scene they found a dead woman that the sheriffs office identified as Amy Denmon Allen, 54. Mugshot of Michael Paul Allen, courtesy of Titus County Sheriffs Office. Amys husband, Michael Paul Allen, 52, was taken in to custody at the scene. According to the sheriffs office, he was then interviewed by the Titus County Criminal Investigation Division and arrested for murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen was arraigned on Monday and his bond has been set at $1 million. The sheriffs office is continuing to investigate this case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Three years after the death of a young sheriffs deputy, Tennessee legislators have enacted a new law in her honor creating a public registry to track repeat domestic violence offenders. Gov. Bill Lee signed House Bill 1200, known as "Savanna's Law," on May 21, 2025. The bill is named in honor of Robertson County Sheriffs Deputy Savanna Puckett, who was found shot to death inside her burning home on Jan. 23, 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Puckett, 22, died at the hands of her ex-boyfriend James Jackson Conn, who pleaded guilty to first-degree premeditated murder, among other charges, and is serving a life sentence. More: Named for slain Tennessee deputy, bill would create domestic violence offender registry The newly enacted law will go on to create a registry at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for people convicted of a second and subsequent domestic violence offense and make offender information publicly available online beginning next year. As previously reported by The Tennessean, Tennessee state Rep. Sabi "Doc" Kumar of Robertson County introduced House Bill 1200 to strengthen domestic violence protections statewide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Savanna's Law provides a critical step toward protecting future victims and holding repeat domestic violence offenders accountable, Kumar said in previously prepared statements. The registry will give communities the tools they need to stay informed and safe." The Robertson County Sheriff's Office did not respond to The Tennessean's request for comments before the publishing of this story. Who will be added to the registry and when? According to the Tennessee General Assembly, the bill applies to individuals with a domestic offense committed on or after Jan. 1, 2026, with at least one prior. A prior conviction is not required to have occurred on or after that date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Individuals with a domestic offense (not confined to domestic assault) after January 1, and who have a prior domestic offense (can be before January 1) are supposed to be ordered onto the registry by the court, a representative of the TBI said. Domestic offenses include assault, sexual assault, stalking and murder, among other offenses. Court clerks will be required to send certified copies of any offender convictions that meet the criteria for the new registry to the bureau within seven days of conviction. Currently, state officials dont know how many people may be required to register next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials estimate at least 1,838 offenders will be required to register in the first year based on data from the Administrative Office of the Courts and Department of Correction Jail Summary Reports, according to the March 25 fiscal memorandum. How did they arrive at that number? The data shows an average of 4,594 domestic offense convictions have occurred each year for the last five years, though its unknown how many of these convictions were for second or subsequent offenses. The Tennessee General Assembly Fiscal Review Committee assumes its about 40% of convictions. There may also be an additional unknown number of offenders for second convictions of other relevant offenses that are not captured in this data, but this is assumed to capture the large majority of the relevant offenders, state officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That led them to the roughly 1,800 offenders they believe will be required to register in 2026. But it may take a few months for the registry to fill out, as cases proceed through the courts and await convictions. It is not known precisely how long it will take for convictions to occur for offenses committed on and after January 1, 2026. It is assumed the first convictions will begin to occur three months later, or on April 1, 2026, state officials said. Officials assume offenders will begin paying registration fees that day. What information will be available to the public? Individuals who fall under the new law will be legally required to include the following information: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Name Date of birth Conviction date County or counties of convictions Current photograph of the offender Information that will not be available to the public incudes addresses, social security numbers, driver license numbers or any other state or federal identification number. How much will the registry cost to create and maintain? Along with the creation of this new registry, four new positions will also be created within the TBI to maintain it including one staff attorney, two intelligence analysts and one accounting technician. The TBI says all four positions, including salary and benefits, will cost the state $407,625 each year. Heres a breakdown of the salary and benefits for each position: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney: $162,990 Intelligence Analysts (2): $173,816 Accounting Technician: $70,819 State officials say the new positions will begin on Jan. 1. Other expenses related to these new positions are expected such as equipment, supplies, communication, training and professional services estimated at $50,073. That figure does not include a recurring $35,000 TBI officials estimate it will cost each year for registry maintenance and support. Another $250,000 will be needed to build and store the registry. TBI officials estimate a $150,000 cost to contract with a vendor to build the registry, and $100,000 will be needed for additional storage and processing capacity, according to the document. How much will it cost to register? On April 16, the Tennessee House of Representatives passed the bill with an amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That amendment did two things. It changed who would receive registration fees for the registry and when offenders could be taken off the registry. The bill previously outlined a $150 registration fee partially retained by the court clerk and TBI. Clerks would retain $50 for administrative costs, while TBI would retain the remaining $100 to maintain the registry, The Tennessean previously reported. However, the amendment now requires the department of finance and administration's office of criminal justice programs receive the remaining $100 for the administration of grants to fund family violence prevention and intervention services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Offenders are not required to pay recurring annual fees. Can you be taken off the registry? The amendment also replaced the bill's schedule for removing identifying information about a persistent domestic violence offender from the registry. Individuals may remove identifying information from the registry under the following circumstances: Five years after the date of the most recent conviction if the defendant has one prior conviction for domestic assault. Seven years after the date of the most recent conviction if the defendant has two prior convictions for domestic assault. 10 years after the date of the most recent conviction if the defendant has three prior convictions for domestic assault. 20 years after the date of the most recent conviction if the defendant has four or more prior convictions for domestic assault. Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee creates statewide domestic violence offender registry Todd Chrisley claimed that he witnessed systemic issues firsthand while he was in prison. After being released from FPC Pensacola in Florida thanks to President Donald Trumps pardon, Todd, 56, opened up about his experience behind bars during a press conference in Nashville on Friday. I have met some wonderful men. I have listened to some horrific stories about things that have gone on in our system, Todd said with his daughter, Savannah Chrisley, by his side. Todd Chrisley speaks at a news conference in Nashville on May 30. REUTERS Savannah Chrisley with her dad Todd Chrisley after his release from prison. AP I will continue to fight for all of the guys that I dealt with and that I was blessed to be with at FPC Pensacola, the Chrisley Knows Best star stated. I will continue to expose the injustices that go on there and throughout the Bureau of Prisons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todd continued, Being in the prison system, anyone that says that its a fair shake its not. Because I dealt with young African-American males in the prison that I was in that were not treated the same. Todd Chrisley speaks to reporters about his experience in prison. AP Todd Chrisley at a news conference in Nashville. REUTERS They were denied programming. They were denied access to certain things, he claimed. I was not denied that, but we know why I wasnt denied that. And so I think that that is a much bigger picture that we all as a society as a whole need to look at: that we are one. Todd also revealed what his fellow inmates reactions were to his release. When I left that day, there was only 317 men at our camp, but they were lined up shouting when I was walking out and they were saying Dont forget us, dont forget us and my commitment is to them that I will never forget them, Todd shared. Savannah Chrisley and Todd Chrisley at a news conference on May 30. REUTERS Todd and his wife, Julie Chrisley, were pardoned by Trump, 78, after they were convicted of faking documents to obtain over $30 million in loans, and then dumping them by declaring bankruptcy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todd, 56, was released from his 12-year prison sentence at Floridas FPC Pensacola, while Julie, 52, was pardoned from her seven-year stretch at FMC Lexington in Kentucky. They each served a little over two years of their sentences. Julie and Todd Chrisley were pardoned by President Trump. Instagram/@juliechrisley During the news conference, Todd insisted that his conviction was unjust. Even though this pardon has happened, I still was convicted of something that I did not do, he said. It could be you. It could be any of you, Todd told the group of reporters. And somewhere in this room, someone has had a family member who has been affected by this system. I understand the shame thats around it, but I refuse to feed into that because shame is like a cancer that just spreads, and I have no shame. Todd and Julie Chrisley in a selfie. Instagram/@juliechrisley Todd and Julie, who have been married since 1996, reunited at their Tennessee home after their prison releases in front of the cameras for a new reality show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Savannah, who fought for her parents freedom, told People that its been amazing to have Todd and Julie home. We were going to bed last night. Were like, Is this real? And then, I wake up this morning and my moms walking into my bedroom and Im like, its absolutely insane! she said. LOS ANGELES, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Eight people were injured Sunday in "a targeted terror attack" in Boulder, Colorado, authorities said. The suspect was identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, said Mark Michalek, special agent in charge of the FBI's Denver office, on Sunday evening at a news conference. Boulder police confirmed Sunday night that eight people, namely four women and four men, were injured in the attack. Officials initially told news outlets that six victims had been taken to hospitals. The 45-year-old suspect was allegedly heard yelling "Free Palestine" while using a "makeshift flamethrower" during the attack. He was also reportedly heard yelling "They are killers" and "How many children you killed." Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said at a news conference that Boulder dispatch received several calls reporting an incident at the county courthouse in downtown Boulder at approximately 1:26 p.m. local time (1926 GMT). Police officers found several victims suffering from burns and other injuries upon arriving at the scene. An organizer with Run For Their Lives, a group that holds weekly walks to raise awareness about Israeli hostages held in Gaza -- told local television station KUSA that a man was waiting with bottles when they arrived at the historic courthouse near 13th and Pearl Streets. The suspect threw the bottles, burning multiple people, including a woman who was severely injured and had to roll on the ground to extinguish the flames, according to the report. One of the victims is a Holocaust survivor, said the report. In a social media post, FBI Director Kash Patel said, "We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado." White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security advisor Stephen Miller said in a social media post that the terror attack was committed by "an illegal alien." Fox News reported that Soliman is an Egyptian national who overstayed his visa after entering the United States, citing Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement sources. CNN reported authorities are working to determine whether the suspect may have suffered mental health issues. "He's shirtless, screaming, used rudimentary (explosive) devices, and stuck around to be arrested," a source told CNN. Colorado Governor Jared Polis condemned the attack as a "heinous and targeted act on the Jewish community" in a statement. "Hate is unacceptable in our Colorado for all, and I condemn this act of terror. The suspect should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," he added. Tom Llamas said hes "excited" to take the helm of "Nightly News" and will live by his tenets of being "tough but fair" while reporting "without fear or favor." Llamas succeeds Lester Holt as anchor and managing editor of Nightly News in a historic move making him the first weekday Latino evening news anchor of an English-language show. "I'm a little nervous, but I'm looking forward to the challenge," Llamas told "TODAY" anchor Savannah Guthrie in a sit-down interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His new role is the peak of his decadeslong career in journalism, that started when he was just 15. "Never, ever in my wildest dreams, did I think I could get to that point ... You get a new opportunity, a new challenge, and you get to a point where you think, Wow, maybe that could be me, Llamas reflected. "You just kind of keep running your race, and thats what Ive been doing. Its like everybody dreams of this happening to them." He said hell come into work with the same fire and fuel he had when he was younger working overnights in the industry "because I know this is a calling." Llamas said that little by little, "I do want to put my stamp" on "Nightly News." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Id like to launch an investigative series into the insurance industry. I think people are having a tough time getting house insurance, getting medical insurance, trying to find a doctor, trying to get their kids covered. So I think we should take a look at that a little closer," he explained. Holt announced in February that he planned to step down over the summer. He will remain a fixture at NBC with a full-time role at Dateline, where he has been the principal anchor for nearly 15 years. In addition to his duties at Nightly News, Llamas will continue to anchor Top Story, a daily evening newscast that streams on NBC News NOW. Llamas started out as an intern at a local Telemundo station before kick-starting his professional journalism career at NBC News, working as an overnight production assistant and then a political campaign embed. He rose through the news business as a local journalist at WTVJ in Miami and WNBC in New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He later moved to ABC, serving as the networks chief national affairs correspondent and anchoring weekend editions of World News Tonight. Llamas returned to NBC News in 2021 as a senior national correspondent and then took the helm at Top Story. He was a regular fill-in anchor on Nightly News. In recent years, Llamas has led coverage of major breaking news and political events for NBC News Now, reporting on pivotal storylines such as the Israel-Hamas war; Russias invasion of Ukraine; the July 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump; and the Tokyo and the Paris Olympics. He has interviewed key world leaders, including Trump during the 2016 presidential contest, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Llamas, who grew up in Miami in a Cuban American family, credited his parents with inspiring his journey. "My parents came here as immigrants. They came here with nothing. Their son is now going to be the anchor of 'Nightly News,' one of the biggest and most important newscasts in our country. What it tells me is that the American dream is still alive. I know that because Im living it," he said. He also praised his three children, calling them "my biggest cheerleaders," and his wife, a television producer and "his best editor," with helping him soar in his career. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com By Nate Raymond BOSTON (Reuters) -The head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement defended on Monday his agency's decision to arrest a Massachusetts high school student on his way to volleyball practice, saying "he's in this country illegally and we're not going to walk away from anybody." Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, made those comments as reporters asked him during an event in Boston to explain why authorities on Saturday arrested 18-year-old Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, who has been in the United States since 2012. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Brazilian's arrest prompted a large protest on Sunday in the Boston suburb of Milford, where he lives, and a demand for information about the incident from Democratic Governor Maura Healey, who said she was "disturbed and outraged" by the situation. Lyons spoke about the arrest of Gomes while announcing the results of an immigration enforcement surge in Massachusetts that resulted in nearly 1,500 people being taken into custody last month as part of Republican President Donald Trump's hardline effort to ramp up mass deportations. Lyons and Patricia Hyde, the acting field director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston, said Gomes was not the target of the investigation that led to his arrest, and that authorities instead were seeking his father, who remains at large. "So obviously, he isn't the father of the year because he brought his son up here illegally as well," Lyons said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Milford High School student had been driving his father's vehicle when he was arrested following a traffic stop, Lyons said. Lyons said that when authorities encounter someone in the country illegally, "we will take action on that." "We're doing the job that ICE should have been doing all along," Lyons said. "We enforce all immigration laws." "The actions by ICE in arresting a teenager on his way to volleyball practice are outrageous," Miriam Conrad, Gomes' lawyer, said in a statement. "Locking up a high school junior with no criminal record does not make the community safer. It sows fear among immigrants." Hours after the press conference, a federal judge issued an order barring immigration authorities from transferring Gomes out of Massachusetts without 48 hours' notice while the court considers a lawsuit arguing he was unlawfully detained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit said that Gomes entered the United States on a student visa. While his student visa status has lapsed, the lawsuit said he intends to apply for asylum. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Matthew Lewis) Get a load of these guys. I wrote a lot about wolves, apparently. (Getty Images) Welcome to The Topline, a weekly roundup of the big numbers driving the Minnesota news cycle, as well as the smaller ones that you might have missed. This week: the bottom line. Well Reformers, this is it: the final Topline. Call it the Bottom Line? As this is my last day here, I thought Id do something a little more self-indulgent than usual and look back at my time at the Reformer, by the numbers. Number of days I was employed by the Reformer: 1,050 I started at the Reformer on July 18, 2022, making my tenure just a hair under three years. My first story was about wolf attacks, and how they benefit far-right politicians. I published 309 stories in total, including this one, which works out to about one byline every 3.4 calendar days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most widely-read story I worked on was this one from March about then-Sen. Justin Eichorns arrest in an underage prostitution sting, although if I recall correctly Michelle Griffith actually did most of the work on it. My most-read solo piece was a November 2023 story about how wolves werent responsible for that years disappointing deer hunt. Judging by the state of my inbox at the time, many of those pageviews were hate-clicks from angry guys looking for any excuse to go shoot a wolf. Pieces of legislation inspired: 3 Journalisms not just about the hate-clicks, of course: Youre also trying to change things for the better. To that end, my stories inspired three pieces of legislation in St. Paul this year. The first was a bill providing grant money to help solve non-fatal shootings in the state. This came about after I wrote last year about data showing more than half of violent crimes in Minnesota go unsolved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second would have reformed how so-called drug free zones can be policed after I reported on the aggressive and frankly bizarre drug charging practices used by a prosecutor in Polk County (and basically nowhere else). The third, and the only signed into law this term, was the bill that finally decriminalized bong water in the state. It was inspired by my reporting on Jessica Beske of Fargo, who was staring down the barrel of a 30-year prison term after cops alleged theyd found a bong used to smoke methamphetamine in her car. That case, incidentally, also came out of Polk County. Some very strange things happening up there! Its also worth noting that these stories didnt just arise out of a vacuum. The Reformer had done extensive work on violent crime clearance rates long before I showed up. And Jessica Beske reached out to us only because she had read Deena Winters prior reporting on drug paraphernalia reform at the legislature. Legislator ties to extremist groups exposed: 1 One of the things that drew me to the Reformer in the first place was editor Patrick Coolicans characterization of it as a newsroom that would tell the stories other news organizations cant or wont tell. I got a first-hand taste of this shortly after I started, with a piece about former Republican Rep. Donald Raleigh of Blaine, whose name had turned up on a leaked membership roster of the Oath Keepers, a far-right extremist group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raleighs defense was that he never actually agreed with the Oath Keepers ideology, and had only signed up for their email list as part of market research he was doing for a veterans organization he founded. He also told us that other news outlets, like the Star Tribune and Buzzfeed, had looked into his ties to the group and decided they werent worth doing a story on. The implication was that we shouldnt be reporting on it either. I strongly disagreed, and Patrick backed me up on this. Raleighs story was plausible enough, and thats how we framed our piece. But by the time Raleigh had signed up for their newsletter, the Oath Keepers had a well-established reputation as a fringe group with violent tendencies, and they had been the subject of countless media stories. As a voter, Id want to know if one of my elected officials was signing up to receive communications from extremist groups, for market research or any other purposes. Especially in the post-January 6 era. We ran the story, and Raleigh lost his seat two months later (although that was due more to the effects of the states recent redistricting than anything else). Senate ethics inquiries launched: 1 Im delighted with my reporting on Senate President Bobby Joe Champions ethically questionable ties to the Rev. Jerry McAfee for two reasons. The first, and most journalistically obvious reason, is that it shined a light on Minnesotas extremely lax conflict-of-interest laws, and it got a number of lawmakers to acknowledge that they should maybe try to avoid funneling boatloads of grant money to individuals they have professional relationships with outside of the Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also sparked a Senate ethics inquiry into Champions actions, which went nowhere given the even balance of power in that body. But the other reason I love this story is how I stumbled across it in the first place: by wasting time on social media. I was hanging out one morning on Twitter (I will never call it X), avoiding whatever story I was supposed to be working on, when I saw some Minneapolis folks making offhand comments about Champion being McAfees lawyer. It was a jarring moment, as these people were casually discussing the fact as if it were common knowledge, despite it not having been reported anywhere. A quick visit to Minnesotas court records system confirmed what they were saying, and we were off to the races from there. There are two reporting lessons here, I think. The first is that what passes for common knowledge in some communities will come as a shocking revelation to others. The second: Never log off. NEED TO KNOW A male tourist jumped into a pit at the Museum of the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang in Shaanxi, China, on May 30 The man was described as a 30-year-old "domestic tourist" by local authorities, who said he struggled with "mental illness" The man was later contained by security and the museum was shut down for the rest of the day Millennia-old artifacts have been damaged after a tourist visiting the Museum of the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang in Shaanxi, China, leapt over a guardrail and into a pit. On May 30, the tourist fell 18 feet into one of the pits where the figures of the historic Terracotta Army are located. The man was seen falling before getting up and damaging the statues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man pushed and pulled the clay warriors and two were damaged to varying degrees, local authorities told The Guardian in a statement. NewsFlare Tourist leaps into pit and damages Terracotta Army figures. Tourist leaps into pit and damages Terracotta Army figures. In footage obtained by PEOPLE, the man was then videotaped laying down on the ground holding his arms over his head. Authorities told The Guardian that the man was controlled by security at the scene. Eyewitness Xiao Lin told NewsFlare that the tourist jumped into the excavated pit, landing on a middle level before jumping further down to the bottom. Lin said fellow tourists shouted What are you doing? to the man. NewsFlare Man damaged Terracotta Army figures, holding his arms over his head afterwards. Man damaged Terracotta Army figures, holding his arms over his head afterwards. Later, the museum was closed, and we were evacuated by staff, Lin told NewsFlare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities told The Guardian that the perpetrator was a domestic tourist and identified him as a 30-year-old man. The Guardian said the man is known to suffer from mental illness and the case is currently being investigated. PEOPLE has reached out to local authorities for comment on the situation and has not heard back. 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 Frayer/Getty Tourists visit the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, China. Tourists visit the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, China. The Terracotta Army is a collection of terracotta soldiers discovered in 1974 by a group of local farmers. The funeral art of around 8,000 different figures is believed to have been created sometime in the 200s BC and guarded the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The museum was constructed over top of the discovery to display the impressive find to the public. Despite the damage, the Museum of the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang is currently still open to the public. Read the original article on People Credit: @GlobalReportX Tourists have described the terror and confusion of being caught up in the eruption of Mount Etna in Sicily. Nine students, celebrating their graduation with a holiday on the island, went on a day trip to see the volcano on Monday morning and were driven to an altitude of 9,000ft. But minutes after they disembarked from a minibus, it erupted. Tour guides and drivers shouted at them to return to their vehicles as a giant plume of ash, pumice and gas spewed from the volcano. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The students, from Trinity College Dublin, described the confusion, fear and anxiety of the situation. At one point, they said a guide told them they were fortunate to witness the eruption because it was like what happened in Pompeii. It was not the reassurance they were looking for as clouds of ash rolled down the flanks of the volcano towards them. Tourists calmly photographed the spectacle despite being just a few hundred yards away One of the students, Marina, told Irelands RTE News: The tour guides and bus drivers ran in panic towards the buses and shouted at everyone to get to the buses fast. There were about five buses honking their horns in urgency. We waited for everyone to get on for around 10 minutes. People were taking pictures and there was no clear protocol to get everyone on board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Panic-stricken passengers were yelling for the buses to leave. Eventually the students were driven to a lower, safe point on the side of the mountain. Marina said: People were coughing, some covered their noses and mouths. The atmosphere was confusion, fear and anxiety. Credit: INGV Osservatorio Etneo Video footage showed tour groups rushing away from the eruption of the volcano one of the most active in Europe. The eruption was so powerful that it led to the collapse of part of a crater. Surveillance cameras show a pyroclastic flow probably produced by a collapse of material from the northern flank of the Southeast Crater, according to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A pyroclastic flow occurs when volcanic rock, ash and hot gases surge from volcanoes. The explosive activity had transitioned to a lava fountain, the institute said, with the plume of ash expected to dissipate towards the south-west. The eruption was visible from the city of Catania Renato Schifani, the head of Sicilys regional government, said experts had assured him there was no danger for the population. He added: The partial collapse of the Southeast Crater, which generated an impressive eruptive cloud several kilometres high and a pyroclastic flow, is a phenomenon that we are following with extreme caution. Salvo Cocina, a senior official with Italys Civil Protection Agency, said tourists should avoid the area in consideration of the potential evolution of the phenomenon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said the volcanic cloud was estimated to be more than four miles high. Despite that, nearby Catania Airport was still in operation. In the city of Catania, beneath the flanks of the volcano crowds of people enjoyed the sunshine and went about their business as the clouds of ash billowed high into the sky. Despite the huge quantities of ash, authorities said there was no current danger to the population - AP At 11,000 feet, Mount Etna is the tallest volcano in mainland Europe. Its last major eruption was in May 2023, which forced airport authorities to halt all flights at Catania Airport. In February this year, there were small eruptions, and tourists flocked to the volcano to take photos of lava flowing past snow. They were criticised by local authorities for irresponsible and dangerous behaviour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Giuseppe Distefano, a photojournalist, said Someone roasted a sausage on a lava rock, and another guy I know brewed a coffee with an Italian coffee maker. We have seen so many absurd situations. There are some [tourists] walking to the lava flow with plastic bags on their feet so as to not wet their shoes with snow and ice. There have been several injuries, including someone who broke their ankle. Some have got hypothermia, some have got lost. 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. Colombia sits on the land through which Homo sapiens first spread from Central America to South America more than 14,500 years ago, making it a crucial population gateway. Researchers have now found evidence of a previously unknown people who once lived there. Specifically, an international team has traced back 6,000 years of history, based on DNA analysis of 21 sets of carefully chosen human remains. The remains were collected from five sites across the Altiplano plateau, in central Colombia. These DNA records reveal a fascinating timeline, including the existence of an ancient population with genetics unrelated to any modern descendants a group of people who may have been some of the earliest settlers in South America, but who subsequently disappeared completely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We couldn't find descendants of these early hunter-gatherers of the Colombian high plains the genes were not passed on," says anthropologist Kim-Louise Krettek, from the University of Tubingen, in Germany. "That means in the area around Bogota there was a complete exchange of the population." DNA contains the genetic instructions we need to grow into the people we are, with contributions from parents, grandparents, and generations before them. By studying it, scientists can work out links between generations and see how these generations moved and evolved over time. Ancient DNA was compared with more recent records. (Krettek et al., Science Advances, 2025) While one group was settled in the Colombian region around 6,000 years ago, a different community, with completely separate genetics, called the area home starting about 2,000 years ago. These people, who would've most likely spoken Chibchan languages, do have known genetic links to modern groups from the lower part of Central America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This later group also represents a cultural shift, from the hunter-gatherers of the original population, to people who were skilled in pottery-making and more sophisticated types of agriculture. It seems that these people stayed in place until settlers from Europe started arriving in the 16th century. "That genetic traces of the original population disappear completely is unusual, especially in South America," says geneticist Andrea Casas-Vargas, from the National University of Colombia. What happened to this newly discovered group, established 6,000 years ago, is something the researchers don't speculate on though the usual causes of conflict or disease may be responsible. It's something future studies could look into. Even with many questions remaining unanswered though, the research offers some valuable insight into the history of South America and some of the earliest people to venture down from the north. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier studies have suggested that the story of indigenous people in the region may be more complex than previously thought, and genetic links to South America have connected its people to places as far away as Australia. With Colombia sitting right on the land bridge between South America and the continent to the north of it, however, it's a particularly important place to study and it likely has more secrets to give up yet. "These are the first ancient human genomes from Colombia ever to be published," says anthropologist Cosimo Posth, from the University of Tubingen. The research has been published in Science Advances. Related News NEW YORK (PIX11) Despite an overall drop in transit crime, felony assaults in New York Citys subway system have jumped 19 percent this year, according to NYPD data through the end of May. Police stats show that there have been 828 reported crimes across the subway system in 2025, down nearly six percent from the 876 incidents reported during the same time last year. More Local News Felony assaults, however, are moving in the opposite direction, with 255 reported incidents so far in 2025 compared to 214 during the same time frame last year. Straphangers reacted to the uptick in subway assaults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It makes me question whether or not police are really in the right place or doing the right things, said Jason Zhong, a subway rider. Maybe they should divert their focus somewhere else. Former NYPD Lieutenant Dr. Darrin Porcher said the key to combating the uptick in subway assaults is precision-based policing. Precision-based policing is deploying police officers to areas where you have the greatest propensity for crime, he said. So, if you see theres a lot of crime on 34th street on the two-train southbound, you want to have more officers on that two-train southbound platform. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch has previously credited the 24/7 increase in police patrols, particularly on stations and platforms, where nearly 80 percent of subway crimes happen, with driving the overall decline in transit crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Still, violent attacks are on the rise. Just days ago, police reported a stabbing at the Grant Avenue station in Brooklyn. While some riders say the increased police presence gives them peace of mind, others question how effective that presence really is. I feel safe, said John Baosamo, a subway rider. I do see a lot of policemen, but I also see a lot of policemen not really looking at the boots. Theyre looking at their cell phone. The NYPD said that out of all the felony assaults in the transit system this year, 73 of them have been assaults on police officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PIX11 News asked the NYPD whether any new efforts or adjustments are being made in response to the recent rise in felony assaults on the subway. As of now, were still waiting to hear back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) An Abilene man has been found guilty of fatally assaulting another man in Taylor County. Abilene man arrested for assault has charges upgraded after death of victim Mario Valerio was indicted in March 2023 on charges of Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Methamphetamine. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on January 2 at a home on North Bowie Drive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a press release from the Abilene Police Department, Valerio was accused of fleeing the scene of a reported family disturbance. Officers arrived to find Bruce Alan Payne Jr., 35, suffering from a severe blunt force trauma injury. Payne was transported to a hospital, where he later died. A woman also sustained minor injuries during the incident. Valerio was arrested without incident near the scene shortly afterward. Abilene man indicted for murder after victim killed by blunt force trauma The case was heard in the 350th District Court, with the trial beginning on June 2. On June 5, the jury unanimously returned a guilty verdict for both Murder and Aggravated Assault. Sentencing will be determined by the judge within the next 45 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) The trial for a teenager accused of shooting and killing his 12-year-old friend in York County begins today. 15-year-old Nolan Grove of Red Lion will be tried as an adult as he heads to trial on Monday on murder and involuntary manslaughter charges. President Judge Maria Cook will preside over the trial scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe Now Severe Weather Alerts Police say Grove shot and killed Kain Heiland on First Avenue in Red Lion back in April 2023. Officers say Grove had been playing with a gun and making comments about Heilands mom, despite the boy repeatedly telling him to stop. Investigators said a similar exchange happened again later that night, and it ended in Grove shooting Heiland in the back. Officersa said the gun belonged to Groves father, who is not facing any charges. Grove posted a $50,000 bail set in August 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) The trial of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco started Monday in the Dominican Republic in a sexual abuse case involving a 14-year-old girl. Franco told judges he wants justice to be done. Franco has been charged in the northern province of Puerto Plata with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors introduced documents as pieces of evidence against the 24-year-old Franco during the first hearing, and added they will call at least seven witnesses in a trial that is expected to proceed on Thursday, Friday and next Monday. Franco heard the charges against him and could be sentenced to up to 30 years in jail. I heard all they said, but I wanted to say that justice must be done, Franco told the judges. Irina Ventura, one of Franco's attorneys, said part of the evidence against her client is fraudulent and illegal. Teodosio Jaquez, another member of the player's legal team, said that the underage girl denied having sexual relations with the player. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutor Claudio Cordero said all the evidence was obtained in a lawful manner, are self-sufficient and will lead to a conviction, which is sought by the prosecutor's office. Franco was having an All-Star season in 2023 before Dominican authorities began investigating allegations he had been in a relationship with a minor and paid her mother thousands of dollars for her consent. The trial was initially scheduled for Dec. 12, but was postponed until June. The trial could take up to eight months to conclude, based on the average duration of trials in the Dominican Republic. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB By Nandan Mandayam, Shivansh Tiwary and Rajesh Kumar Singh NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Airlines warned on Monday that growing trade barriers risked damaging the global economy and pledged to resist efforts by manufacturers to pass on tariffs as higher prices for aircraft. Airline bosses also complained that "unacceptable" aircraft delays were dampening growth at a time of record passenger numbers, as the International Air Transport Association shaved a key forecast for 2025 industry-wide profits. "Like all forms of connectivity, flying makes the world more prosperous," IATA Director General Willie Walsh said at the group's annual meeting in New Delhi. "That stands in contrast to isolationism, trade barriers and the fragmentation of the multilateral rules-based system. These destroy wealth and lower living standards. For the times we live in, this is an important message," he said. Sweeping tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump have stoked fears of an economic slowdown and squeezed discretionary spending, prompting many consumers especially in the United States to delay or scale back travel plans. "The consumer is uncertain," said JetBlue Airways CEO Joanna Geraghty. IATA now expects global airlines to make a combined profit of $36.0 billion this year, down from a previous forecast of $36.6 billion in December, but up from $32.4 billion last year. Walsh said there was no evidence so far that aircraft prices had increased due to tariffs, but that airlines would resist any attempt to charge more. Engine maker GE Aerospace and several other aerospace groups have said they are passing on tariff costs in a surcharge. IATA represents some 300 airlines and 80% of global traffic. DELIVERY DELAYS More people are flying than ever before after a post-pandemic passenger market recovery, but airline growth is being hampered by extended delivery delays and supply bottlenecks. Walsh called predictions of aircraft delivery delays throughout this decade "off-the-chart unacceptable". He said the airline industry was evaluating legal options over the delays, but preferred to work with manufacturers. "The manufacturing sector is failing badly," he said. Planemakers Airbus and Boeing had no immediate comment. IATA said the number of deliveries scheduled for 2025 was 26% fewer than promised a year ago. "Delays are becoming inexcusable. Transparency, to be frank, is lacking, and we're getting agitated," Airbus customer Steven Greenway, CEO of Saudi budget carrier flyadeal, told Reuters. Washington State Patrol arrested a man Monday morning after a chase that reached speeds of more than 100 miles per hour on I-5. It all started around 4 a.m. in Tukwila. Troopers say the driver refused to pull over for troopers, and eventually, they had to stop chasing the car. They were worried it could cause a crash. However, a trooper in an unmarked car was able to follow the driver to an apartment complex in Kent. Ultimately, the driver was arrested for eluding law enforcement and for driving under the influence. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) A longtime community organization is closing its doors for good. But not before giving back in a big way. After 47 years, the Trumbull Town Hall organization has officially dissolved due to dwindling membership. The groups final act was a gesture of generosity. With the remaining money it its treasury, Trumbull Town Hall selected eight local nonprofits to receive $5,000. On Monday, the members of Trumbull Town Hall held a reception at the Warren Womens Club where the checks were formally presented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been sad, said Sandy Mahaffey, Trumbull Town Hall Chair. Weve struggled for the last two years to try and raise money. We didnt get a whole lot of support from the corporations, and the costs, as everyone knows, have gone up so much. Trumbull Town Hall also awarded a pair of scholarships to one student at Southington and Masury, totaling $1,700 each. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Graphics cards and motherboards assembled in China are avoiding President Donald Trumps import taxes, for now. In a three-page notice published Saturday in the Federal Register, the Office of the Trade Representative said it was appropriate to extend a moratorium that wont subject vendors of electronics equipment to tariffs on graphics cards and graphics processing units. The measure stems from a long-running Section 301 investigation into Chinese economic policies and whether they are harming American companies. That federal probe started under the first Trump administration, and it would apply a 25% tariff if officials conclude that Chinese companies had an unfair advantage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 25% tariff has been inactive due to a string of reprieves from both the Biden and Trump administrations. China remains the worlds largest electronics manufacturer, according to the International Trade Centre; the nation is still subject to a minimum 30% import tax by the Trump administration, barring some exemptions. Major tech companies including Apple (AAPL), Nvidia (NVDA) and Microsoft (MSFT) were spared the brunt of Trumps reciprocal tariffs in April. A federal court battle is now brewing over the fate of those tariffs. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. (WHTM) Four Midstate counties and municipalities have declined to comment after the Department of Homeland Security took down a list accusing them of illegally protecting immigrants almost as quickly as the list went up. The DHS accused Dauphin County, Adams County, the Borough of Gettysburg, and the City of York of being sanctuary jurisdictions defying federal immigration law on Thursday, May 29. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania The Borough of Gettysburg responded to the website, saying it fully complies with the law, and a provision in the countys police manual requires its compliance. On Friday, May 30, the DHSs list disappeared. Gettysburg leaders are aware that the list is down, but didnt have any immediate reaction to that. Leaders for the other three jurisdictions all either couldnt be reached for comment or declined to comment. This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. President Donald Trump was completely in the dark about a Ukrainian operation that sent attack drones deep into Russia on Sunday, per several reports. Ukraine's attack involved more than 100 drones and reportedly destroyed dozens of Russian military aircraft. In posts to X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack took over a year and a half to plan and called the operation "brilliant." "Today, a brilliant operation was carried out on enemy territory, targeting only military objectives, specifically the equipment used to strike Ukraine," he shared on X. "Russia suffered significant losses entirely justified and deserved." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The assault comes after weeks of Russian bombing campaigns on Ukrainian cities. U.S. and Ukrainian officials confirmed that the Trump administration was not made aware of the attack in advance, per a report from Axios. The White House has been working to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine for many months, with Trump souring on Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin at times. Russian and Ukrainian officials met today for their second set of direct peace talks, but left with no significant breakthroughs. The talks lasted just over an hour, CNN reported. Both sides agreed to work on a new prisoner exchange, but the nations made no progress toward a ceasefire. Two foundational government pathways for the resettlement of Afghan allies and refugees would be terminated under executive branch plans shared with Congress last week. The U.S. State Department informed Congress in a May 29 congressional notification letter that it will close the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts office, which handles planning and logistics for the relocation of Afghans who qualify for Special Immigrant Visas, Immigrant Visas and the United States Refugee Assistant Program, or USRAP. The Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) Office will be eliminated and its functions will be realigned to the Afghanistan Affairs Office, the letter read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move, which will see the office shut its doors by July 1, comes amid a plan to restructure the State Department. The White Houses proposed 2026 budget, shared May 30, dealt another blow to relocation efforts by recommending to strike down Operation Enduring Welcome, a program facilitated by CARE that relocates Afghan nationals who are endangered because of their involvement with U.S. war efforts in the region. The Department will shut down the Enduring Welcome program by the end of FY 2025, the fiscal year 2026 budget appendix states. Consequently, the Budget includes no funding for the Enduring Welcome Administrative Expenses account. Under the proposal, Operation Enduring Welcome would end Sept. 30, 2025, at the conclusion of the 2025 fiscal year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AfghanEvac, an organization dedicated to relocation efforts for Afghan allies, lambasted the news. The CARE Office was established to fix the failures of the U.S. withdrawal. Eliminating it without public explanation, transition planning or reaffirmation of mission is a profound betrayal of American values and promises, AfghanEvac said in a public statement. US troops, Afghan allies say executive orders endanger their families The organization said the abolishing of CARE defies the CARE Authorization Act of 2024 included in section 7810 on page 1,804 of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act which specifically calls for the Secretary of State to appoint a coordinator for the program through Dec. 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move is the latest in a series of developments thwarting the resettlement of Afghan refugees. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced in early May the end of temporary protected status, or TPS, for Afghanistan, stating that the regions safety had improved and no longer posed a threat to the well-being of those returning. The status, ending July 14, offered protection from deportation to individuals who would otherwise face harm if they returned to their origin country. DHS ends deportation protections for Afghans But Afghans and U.S. service members with relatives stuck in Afghanistan told Military Times in February that their families constantly feared for their lives with the threat of the Taliban hanging over their heads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shawn VanDiver, CEO of AfghanEvac, estimated the end of TPS would impact more than 11,000 individuals from Afghanistan living in the U.S. Speaking on a Zoom call last week after the news of CAREs end, VanDiver estimated the closure of Operation Enduring Welcome would affect nearly 300,000 Afghans in need of assistance. About 212,000 of those individuals live in Afghanistan, while 3,000 are relatives of active duty U.S. military personnel, VanDiver and AfghanEvac estimated. If both programs dissolved, VanDiver said it would remove implicit U.S. protection, leaving the fate of military allies in Afghanistan up to the Taliban. The United States is saying, Do what you want with these people. We dont care, VanDiver said in a phone call with Military Times. (Reuters) -The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday proposed rolling back Biden-era limits on oil and gas drilling in an Alaska area that is the nation's largest tract of undisturbed public land. The move is consistent with Trump's goal to slash regulations for oil and gas development and increase domestic fuels production as part of his energy agenda. The rule, finalized by the administration of former President Joe Biden last year, prohibited oil and gas leasing on 10.6 million acres (4.3 million hectares) of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, while limiting development on more than 2 million additional acres (809,000 hectares). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NPR-A, as it is known, is a 23-million-acre (9.3 million hectares) area on Alaska's North Slope that was set aside in 1923 as an emergency oil supply for the U.S. Navy. The land was opened to commercial development in the 1970s and is now managed by the Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management. The Interior Department said the Biden-era rule was inconsistent with the 1976 Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act, which authorized oil and gas leasing in the area. "Congress was clear: the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska was set aside to support America's energy security through responsible development," Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement. "The 2024 rule ignored that mandate, prioritizing obstruction over production and undermining our ability to harness domestic resources at a time when American energy independence has never been more critical." The Biden administration's Interior Department last April finalized the regulation to block oil and gas development on 40% of Alaska's National Petroleum Preserve to protect habitats for polar bears, caribou and other wildlife and the way of life of Indigenous communities, it had said at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environmental groups had praised the Biden rule for protecting habitats and cultural resources, but Alaska state officials said the restrictions would cost jobs and make the U.S. reliant on foreign resources. Alaska's North Slope accounts for just over 3% of U.S. oil production, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. (Reporting by Nichola Groom and Timothy Gardner; Editing by Aurora Ellis) Last week, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. warned that the Trump administration might crack down on government scientists contributing to medical journals and instead create in-house medical publications. And it seems the administration is wasting no time in moving forward. According to The Guardian, the administration essentially tongue-lashed two Department of Veteran Affairs scientists via email after they co-authored a report published in the New England Journal of Medicine highlighting how federal cuts could negatively affect patients health. Basically, the two scientists, Texas-based pulmonologists Pavan Ganapathiraju and Rebecca Traylor, said cuts at their agency could have disastrous effects on veterans respiratory health. And that didnt go over well with their bosses. The Guardian reported: The edict, laid down in emails on Friday by Curt Cashour, the VAs assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs, and John Bartrum, a senior adviser to VA secretary Doug Collins, came hours after the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine published a perspective co-authored by two pulmonologists who work for the VA in Texas. We have guidance for this, wrote Cashour, a former Republican congressional aide and campaign consultant, attaching the journal article. These people did not follow it. The Guardian reported further: The article sparked an immediate rebuke from Trumps political appointees, according to internal emails obtained by the Guardian. We have noticed a number of academic articles and press articles recently, Bartrum wrote, attaching a copy of the journal article. Please remind the field and academic community that they need to follow the VA policy. Cashour, the assistant secretary, wrote that approval for publication in national media was delegated to his office. Local and regional directors were to inform Washington as soon as possible when situations exist that have the potential for negative national exposure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The issue here seems obvious. I think Americans should want experts working for them who can offer scientifically based critiques or recommendations on U.S. policy, especially if their work is laid out sanely in a respected medical journal. The idea of such views potentially being suppressed not out of primary concern for public health but rather the potential for negative national exposure, as Bartrum suggested in his email, is worrisome. This kind of restriction seems to fit within the administrations broader attack on scientific expertise, such as its rescission of federal research grants that is driving some scientists out of the country. The VAs press secretary, Peter Kasperowicz, said in a statement to MSNBC that requiring approval for contributions to medical journals is VA policy that has been in place for several years across both Democrat and Republican administrations and requires VA employees to properly coordinate with public affairs staff prior to speaking with the media. He added that virtually every organization both inside and outside government has similar policies. That claim was disputed by one of the authors, Ganapathiraju, who said his co-authored article was in full compliance and that VA rules encourage but dont require coordination with public affairs professionals at the agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It certainly looks like the Trump administration is engaging in academic censorship. And the fact that the administrations major in-house health report has been a complete disaster doesnt exactly paint this White House as trustworthy on the matter of scientific research. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com After pushback from sheriffs, a list of "sanctuary jurisdictions" has disappeared from the Department of Homeland Security's website. The list was published last week, about a month after President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to create a list of jurisdictions obstructing federal immigration laws. These jurisdictions would risk their federal funds being terminated or suspended. Greater Cincinnati Republicans were confused after two GOP-controlled counties, Warren County in Ohio and Campbell County in Kentucky, were included on the list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriffs and county officials in several other states were also mystified at being deemed noncompliant. 'They got this wrong' "We have supported ICE's mission since I took office," Warren County Sheriff Barry K. Riley previously told The Enquirer. "They got this wrong." An official in Campbell County told The Enquirer their inclusion on the list was a mistake. President Donald Trump met with members of the National Sheriffs' Association in April. The National Sheriffs' Association was upset about the list, too. Sheriff Kieran Donahue, the association's president, released a statement on May 31 saying sheriffs felt "betrayed" by the list. "DHS has done a terrible disservice to President Trump and the Sheriffs of this country. The Presidents goals to reduce crime, secure the Borders, and make America safer have taken a step backward," the statement read. "In a meeting today called by the National Sheriffs Association (NSA), with members of DHS, no political appointee for the administration could explain who compiled, proofed, and verified the list before publication." List removed over the weekend The association called on Homeland Security to immediately share the criteria for the list, take it offline and apologize to sheriffs. The list was removed from Homeland Security's website on June 1, according to the Wayback Machine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff's offices have played a major role in the Trump administration's mass deportation effort by supporting ICE. Across the country, including in Southwest Ohio's Butler County, sheriffs have signed contracts with ICE, allowing agents to use their jails to hold detainees. Cincinnati, a Democrat-controlled city, was also included on the now-deleted list. City council did declare Cincinnati a "sanctuary city" in 2017, but the move was symbolic and did not result in any new policies. After the list was published, Mayor Aftab Pureval told The Enquirer the city would continue to follow federal laws and had not been informed why they were deemed noncompliant. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: DHS removes 'sanctuary jurisdictions' list after sheriff pushback I head up our supply chain practice group, and Im involved with both manufacturing folks and with the people providing transportation services and all across the board were seeing the effect of the uncertainty, Baker told FreightWaves in an interview. I dont care what business youre in, uncertainty is the bane of any companys existence. Eric Baker, a transportation attorney and partner at law firm Frost Brown Todd , said many of his supply chain clients are being affected by the uncertainty caused by back-and-forth tariffs around the world. Despite Mexicos positive momentum, nearshoring in the country faces significant challenges, particularly security concerns, infrastructure needs and trade policy uncertainty. The short-term solution was to go to Southeast Asia, to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, India, Dewart said. But now theyre rethinking and moving those from Southeast Asia to Mexico. The movement is a pivot among manufacturers in recent years who initially sought alternatives in Southeast Asia but see Mexico as a more viable long-term solution. Were starting to see that nearshoring trend to Mexico starting again, Dewart told FreightWaves in an interview. I heard three times in the last month that companies brought some of their supply chain over to Mexico. They understand they have to get out of China. Mexico continues to benefit from the global trend of nearshoring, especially as companies reconsider their dependence on manufacturing in Asia, said Jordan Dewart, CEO of Redwood Mexico . Investments from the U.S. and Canada represented 42.4% of the total. The manufacturing sector attracted more than 40% of the countrys FDI in the first quarter. Companies from the U.S. were the largest investors in Mexico during the first quarter, contributing 38.7% of total FDI, followed by Spain and the Netherlands. Despite the current uncertainty in global trade relations, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Mexico reached a record $21.4 billion in the first quarter of 2025, representing a 5.4% increase from the same period in 2024. Borderlands Mexico is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: Nearshoring investments still flowing south of the border; Buhler Group plans first manufacturing facility in Mexico; Frisa opens $350M steel factory in Monterrey; and $90M logistics hub opens near Phoenix. Story Continues Baker said the uncertainty caused by tariffs or any type of disruption, such as the COVID pandemic, affects long-term investment decisions, as manufacturers typically plan supply chain strategies years in advance. It isnt easy for manufacturers to implement a new supply chain strategy, Baker said. When things like tariffs or pandemics disrupt that supply chain, then its very difficult for manufacturers to turn that ship and respond quickly, because theyre relying on other manufacturers to provide them with equipment they might need to have locally or to retool their supply chains, especially when you see the environment changing so quickly back and forth. Baker said most big car companies are taking a wait-and-see approach to tariffs but have not significantly changed their supply chains yet. My impression is that a lot of original equipment manufacturers, theyre watching it out of the corner of their eye, Hey, weve got to pay attention to this over here, Baker said. But I really havent seen a wholesale change in the supply chain strategy. Jacob Shapiro, director of research at The Bespoke Group, said that beyond policy uncertainty, Mexico faces challenges such as building the infrastructure needed to accommodate a large increase in manufacturing activity. The Bespoke Group is an Evergreen, Colorado-based wealth strategy firm. The biggest problem for Mexico is going to be capacity, Shapiro told FreightWaves in an interview. Are they going to be able to build out energy infrastructure and things like that to meet the energy demand that is coming? Are they going to be able to deal with scarce water resources in some towns on the border for whats coming? Shapiro also said the uncertainty created by the Trump administration could undermine trade confidence in North America and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The United States enjoyed its position globally because it was the most trusted and the most stable power in the world. Now theres countries and blocs that are saying the United States is not dependable anymore, he said. During Trumps first administration and Bidens administration, it seemed like, especially in 2020 when the new USMCA was signed, that there might be this North American trade bloc, U.S., Canada and Mexico. I dont know if its gone away, but its been very strained since Trumps second term in office began. For trade stakeholders, nearshoring should be considered a long-term trend rather than a short-term phenomenon, according to Shapiro. I think were at the very, very early stages of nearshoring, he said. I think this is a phenomenon thats going to emerge over a time horizon of decades that is ultimately going to be very positive for Mexico in particular and also for the companies that are ahead of the curve on noticing that. Dewart said he is also bullish on Mexicos long-term prospects. Regardless of what happens, Mexico is going to be the winner of these trade wars, Dewart said. I wouldnt say they pull the trigger and theyre relocating factories, but theyre actively asking for quotes, comparing rates on the ocean world versus what it would look like coming from Mexico. Buhler Group plans first manufacturing facility in Monterrey Buhler Group, a Swiss industrial agricultural equipment manufacturer, recently began construction of a $24 million plant in Torreon, Mexico. The plant, which will create 200 jobs, will perform sheet metal work, equipment assembly and painting. The facility is Buhler Groups first manufacturing plant in Mexico. Torreon is in northern Mexico, about 343 miles from Laredo, Texas. The facility will support the manufacturing needs of Buhlers grains and food business and is part of the companys growth plans in the Americas, according to a news release. Buhler Group is based in Uzwil, Switzerland. The company has more than 12,300 employees, and operates 30 manufacturing sites in over 140 countries, including three plants in the U.S. Frisa opens $350M steel factory in Mexico Frisa recently launched a hot rolling steel mill in Monterrey, Mexico. The $350 million facility generated more than 450 jobs and expanded the companys steel production capacity in sectors such as aerospace, semiconductors, wind energy and power generation, according to a news release. Most of Frisas steel production is exported to customers in the U.S., along with Europe and Asia. Founded in Monterrey in 1971, Frisa has more than 3,000 employees. The company has four steel plants and a distribution center in Mexico, along with one factory in the U.S. $90M logistics hub opens near Phoenix NRS Logistics America Inc. recently opened the Chemical Logistic Park in Casa Grande, Arizona, just south of Phoenix. With a total investment of $90 million, Chemical Logistic Park includes a 67,680-square-foot chemical warehouse, a 9,467-square-foot gas pad, a container storage yard and tank container maintenance facility. The logistics hub will serve semiconductor and electric vehicle battery manufacturers and suppliers, as well as industrial chemical markets. White Plains, New York-based NRS Logistics America is a chemical-logistics company providing transport, storage and distribution, and asset leasing services for the chemical and industrial markets. NRS Logistics America is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based NRS Corp., an international freight forwarder. The post Borderlands Mexico: Nearshoring investments still flowing south of the border appeared first on FreightWaves. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime ally of US President Donald Trump, has announced his intention to push for the introduction of new sanctions against Russia ahead of the G7 summit, which will take place from 15 to 17 June in Canada. Source: Bloomberg Details: In a joint statement with Democrat Richard Blumenthal, he stressed that the sanctions should be imposed by mid-June to send a clear signal to China and other countries helping the Kremlin circumvent international restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "By the G7 summit, we hope to have sanctions put in place in coordination with Europe to deliver an unequivocal message to China," they said after talks in Paris with French officials. Graham and Blumenthal noted that their sanctions bill against Russia, which provides for the introduction of a 500% tariff on imports from countries that buy Russian energy resources, has been supported by 82 senators. "Russia indiscriminately kills men, women and children. It's time for the world to act decisively against Russia's aggression by holding China and others accountable for buying cheap Russian oil that props up Putin's war machine. If you want this war to end, push China to help end it," Graham wrote on X (Twitter). Quote from Bloomberg: "It's still unclear whether Trump, who has been pushing for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, is ready to embrace tougher action against Moscow. But in recent days, Trump has been expressing new frustration with President Vladimir Putin." [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda doesn't recognise Putin as president ed.] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Graham and Blumenthal also held a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron. "We assured President Macron and his team that we believe Putin is playing games regarding peace and is actually preparing for a military offensive in the late summer or early fall," they said. Background: Graham expects the upper house of Congress to begin considering new large-scale sanctions against Russia as early as this week due to the lack of progress in achieving a ceasefire in Ukraine. As for the lower house of Congress, whose consent will also be needed to approve the new sanctions, Graham said there are "House members that are ready to move in the House, and you'll see congressional action". The senators have regularly issued threats of what they describe as "bone-crushing" sanctions against Russia, although these have not yet been implemented. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Poland elected a conservative nationalist, Karol Nawrocki, to lead the country as its next president, in an election that could have broad implications for the future of Europe Nawrocki is set to take office Aug. 6. Heres what to know about the election: Visit with Donald Trump last month President Trump hosted Nawrocki at the White House last month, in a sign of support shortly before the election. The two men posed for photos, shaking hands and giving a thumbs-up gesture in the Oval Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrocki told the Polish TV station TV Republika that Trump told him, you will win, Reuters reported. I read it as a kind of wish for my success in the upcoming elections, and also awareness of it, and after this whole day, I can say that the American administration is aware of what is happening in Poland, Nawrocki added at the time. The interview came after Nawrocki attended the National Day of Prayer at the White House. CPAC endorsement The Trump administration has signaled its support for the right-wing candidate in other ways. When the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) hosted its first meeting in Poland last week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem gave a clear endorsement of the conservative candidate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just had the opportunity to meet with Karol, and listen: He needs to be the next president of Poland. Do you understand me? she said at the start of her speech. We need you to elect the right leader, Noem added. You will be the leaders that will turn Europe back to conservative values. She also seemed to imply Nawrockis election would strengthen the countrys relationship with the U.S. If you [elect] a leader that will work with President Donald J. Trump, the Polish people will have an ally strong that will ensure that you will be able to fight off enemies that do not share your values, Noem said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You will have strong borders and protect your communities and keep them safe, and ensure that your citizens are respected every single day, she added. You will continue to have a U.S. presence here, a military presence. And you will have equipment that is American-made, that is high-quality. No political experience Nawrocki, 42, is a conservative historian with no previous political experience. He narrowly defeated the liberal candidate, Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, netting 50.89 percent of the vote. Rising conservative populism The victory is seen as a sign of the enduring appeal of right-wing populism and nationalist rhetoric in Europe. Nawrocki built his campaign on a patriotic message, espousing traditional Catholic values and vowing to defend Polands sovereignty from Germany and other larger European nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poland remains a deeply divided country, Jacek Kucharczyk, the president of the Polish Institute of Public Affairs, told The Associated Press. Although the electoral turnout was highest ever in history of presidential elections, Mr. Nawrockis margin of victory is very small, which means that half of Poland will be cheering his presidency, whereas half of Poland, the other half, remains deeply worried or even disturbed, Kucharczyk added. Implications for Ukraine The election could have implications for the countrys relationship with Ukraine. Nawrocki has signaled support for Ukraines defense against Russia, but he opposes Ukraines membership in NATO and has echoed some of the Trump administrations rhetoric in his approach to the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has questioned the long-term cost of aid to the country, in particular its refugees, and has suggested Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not sufficiently grateful for Polands support. Setback for EU The election marks a setback for the European Union, as Nawrocki embraces nationalist ideology and criticizes overreach by the EU into Polands internal affairs, including its policies concerning judicial reforms and migration. This is very bad news for the European Union as well as Polands key European partners, both Germany and France as well as Ukraine, Kucharczyk said. Mr. Nawrocki is well known for his Eurosceptic stand. Hes opposed to deepening European integration and European cooperation. He is also opposed to Ukraines NATO membership, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press contributed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A child celebrates Independence Day | Getty Images Creative Autocrats and authoritarians share certain traits. They dont recognize checks and balances nor the institutions tasked with imposing them. They do not recognize the rule of law. Laws that do not suit simply do not apply. So, a countrys governing documents such as a constitution are malleable. Truth is what they say it is, facts be damned. Critics who challenge this journalists and the organizations they work for, law firms, universities, disagreeable judges, artists, etc. are in for punishment and derision. They are cast as unelected elites, liars and betrayers of the countrys ideals, the better to silence or mute their influence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But perhaps most importantly, autocrats and authoritarians must identify enemies for the rest of us to hate. Anyone whos not part of their tribe, ideologically, ethnically, racially, by gender or sexual orientation is a target. If they speak another language, all the better. President Donald Trump has focused for years on targeting immigrants. Trump himself is a descendant of white immigrants and is married to one, but thats where he makes an exception. He has accepted white South Africans as refugees while dismantling protections for people from countries he once described as shholes. Which is to say, refugees who arent white. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He claims white South African refugees are the victims of extreme violence. As descendants of apartheid adherents, they are members of a group that has retained its privilege in South Africa. They are certainly not victims of genocide, as Trump claims. The data shows that they are less likely to be the victims of violence than Black South Africans. Trumps executive order to enshrine English as the countrys official language America for English-speaking Americans only is another example of whites-only tribalism. Long ago, the languages of European immigrants like Trumps forebears were thought to delay assimilation and demonstrate traitorous loyalty to other countries. But these days, the fear is rooted around Spanish of the Latin American variety and the languages of immigrants from Asia and Africa. Around the globe, people in other countries think a populace fluent in many languages is an advantage, not a deficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trumps American is one of proud provincialism. In any case, immigrants already recognize English as the indispensable language of commerce and success in this country. Ask any child of immigrants. My parents desired that I master written and spoken English, though the price was less literacy in their native language Spanish. My proficiency in English brought my parents the most pride. Now, for many people, speaking perfect English is a matter of safety. Trump is deporting immigrants of color under an assumption they are members of criminal gangs. But in many cases there is plenty of evidence that those charges are misplaced, and people are being deported without due process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is carelessly rounding people up and sending them to a hellhole prison in El Salvador and to other countries he would assuredly describe as shholes even to a dysfunctional non-country such as Libya, in the midst of a civil war, without giving them time to respond to the charges against them. He has long labeled immigrants as terrorists, although there is little discernible link between immigrants and terrorism. Under his broad definition, importing drugs to satisfy Americans appetites for illicit substances is a terrorist threat, not a public health issue. Even when the administration is forced to admit error in deporting people who have a legal right to be here, it is not returning them. See, Abrego Garcia, mistakenly deported to a notorious El Salvadoran prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like many citizens of color, Ive become hardened to Trumps racist animus. Weve been cast as job stealers, criminals and a threat to American culture. This is the same animus that made the civil rights movement necessary. Not so long ago, we thought the pendulum had swung to a more equitable, inclusive country. But then more than 77 million Americans voted for Trump for the purpose of making America great again. A country led by an authoritarian leader who thumbs his nose at the rule of law is not the America I know. And it certainly isnt great. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX By John Kruzel WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Donald Trump's administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday to halt a judicial order blocking mass job cuts and the restructuring of agencies, part of the Republican president's campaign to downsize and reshape the federal government. The Justice Department's request came after San Francisco-based U.S. District Judge Susan Illston blocked large-scale federal layoffs, known as "reductions in force," in a May 22 ruling siding with a group of unions, non-profit groups and local governments that challenged the administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case involves the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, State, Treasury and Veterans Affairs, among others. Controlling the personnel of federal agencies "lies at the heartland" of the president's executive branch authority, the Justice Department said in the filing. "The Constitution does not erect a presumption against presidential control of agency staffing, and the president does not need special permission from Congress to exercise core Article II powers," the filing said, referring to the constitution's section delineating presidential authority. The Supreme Court requested a response by the plaintiffs in the case to the administration's filing by June 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump directed federal agencies in February to "promptly undertake preparations to initiate large-scale reductions in force" as part of his administration's restructuring plans. Illston wrote in her ruling that Trump had exceeded his authority in ordering the downsizing. "As history demonstrates, the president may broadly restructure federal agencies only when authorized by Congress," Illston wrote. Illston on May 9 had initially blocked about 20 agencies from making mass layoffs for two weeks and ordered the reinstatement of workers who had lost their jobs. She continued most of that relief in her May 22 ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a 2-1 ruling on May 30 denied the Trump administration's request to halt the judge's ruling. The 9th Circuit said the administration had not shown that it would suffer an irreparable injury if the judge's order remained in place and that the plaintiffs were likely to prevail in their lawsuit. "The executive order at issue here far exceeds the president's supervisory powers under the Constitution," the 9th Circuit wrote, calling the administration's actions "an unprecedented attempted restructuring of the federal government and its operations." Trump's administration has sought relief from the Supreme Court in a growing number of cases following rulings by lower courts impeding various policies since he returned to office in January. (Reporting by John Kruzel; Additional reporting by Andrew Chung; Editing by Will Dunham) A nationalist boxer-turned-historian backed by US President Donald Trump narrowly won Polands presidential election. Karol Nawrockis victory is a blow to Polands centrist, pro-Brussels Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who has sought to loosen abortion restrictions, pass a civil-partnership law, and reverse legislation that the European Union said politicized the judiciary efforts the new head of state could veto or slow. The campaign focused on security and migration, issues closely tied to Polands relationship with Ukraine. But while both presidential candidates pledged to maintain support for Kyiv, Nawrocki was more critical of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and took a harder line against Ukrainian refugees in Poland, accusing them of taking advantage of Polish generosity. June 2 (UPI) -- Karol Nawrocki, a populist conservative backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, has won Poland's presidential runoff election, according to official results released Monday. Eyes across the country, Europe and even North America were watching the race in Poland, where the presidency is a somewhat symbolic position -- especially compared to the prime minister and their executive powers -- but one that does carry veto authority. The election of Nawrocki also suggests a political shift in the deeply divided nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warsaw Mayor Rafal Kazimierz Trzaskowski -- of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Civic Platform party -- had narrowly beaten Nawrocki, a conservative historian who ran as an independent, in the first round of voting on May 18, but failed to secure a majority of the votes to win the presidency outright. In Sunday's runoff, the roles were reversed, and it was Nawrocki who secured the narrow victory. According to official results, Nawrocki, 42, won 50.89% of the vote. The liberal Trzaskowski, 53, received 49.11%. Of the 20.8 million votes cast -- representing 71.6% of Poland's electorate -- nearly 37,000 votes separated the two candidates. Nawrocki was backed by the nationalist opposition Law and Justice party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to reporters Sunday night as exit polls were being released, Nawrocki said they must stop Tusk's government from achieving a "monopoly" on power, Polish international news network TVP World reported. He also thanked his supporters in the speech, saying they "succeeded in achieving something very important, something that will last for the next months and years: we managed to unit the patriotic camp in Poland, everyone who wants a normal Poland, a Poland without illegal immigrants, a safe Poland." In his victory, Nawrocki overcame numerous scandals including allegedly being involved in an organized football hooligan fight in 2009 while working at a state-run organization that investigated crimes committed during communist rule and the Nazi era. President Donald J. Trump welcomes Polish presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki to the Oval Office pic.twitter.com/EzjPgygMxI The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 2, 2025 In the United States, Nawrocki had the support of far-right conservatives, including Trump, who hosted the presidential candidate at the White House last month, as well as backing from his administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Days before the runoff, the United States' leading conservative gathering, the Conservative Political Action Conference, was held in Poland where U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem urged voters to cast ballots for Nawrocki. "He needs to be the next president of Poland," she said at the start of her 20-minute speech, while calling Trzaskowski "a socialist" and "an absolute train wreck of a leader." "Donald Trump is a strong leader for us, and you have an opportunity to have just as strong of a leader in Karol," she said. "If you make him the leader of this country, you can be that shining city on a hill that the rest of Europe and the world will watch and know how strong you are, how free you are, because you've elected the right leader." Viktor Orban, the authoritarian prime minister of Hungary, was among world leaders to cheer Nawrocki's victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On X, Orban said: "What a nail-biter! Congratulations to President @NawrockiKn on his fantastic victory in the Polish presidential elections. We are looking forward to working with you on strengthening the Visegrad cooperation." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also congratulated Nawrocki, while voicing confidence that "the EU will continue its very good cooperation with Poland." "We are all stronger together in our community of peace, democracy and values," she said on X. "So let us work to ensure the security and prosperity of our common home." Czech President Petr Pavel, who also congratulated Nawrocki, said that under the conservative's leadership, he believed "Poland will continue to develop its democratic and pro-Western direction and that our countries will continue their mutually beneficial cooperation." FBI personnel and local police are investigating the attack in Boulder, which occurred at an event raising awareness for the Israeli hostages held in Hamas captivity. US President Donald Trump slammed the open border policies of his predecessor Joe Biden on Monday, claiming that the policy had enabled the Sunday afternoon Colorado attack, which saw twelve people demonstrating on behalf of the hostages held in Gaza wounded by an Egyptian national who had overstayed his US visa. "Yesterdays horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America. He came in through Bidens ridiculous Open Border Policy, which has hurt our Country so badly. He must go out under TRUMP Policy. Acts of Terrorism will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law," Trump wrote on Truth Social. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland. My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and the Great People of Boulder, Colorado!" Policemen gather near the scene of an attack that injured multiple people, in Boulder, Colorado, US, June 1, 2025. (photo credit: MARK MAKELA / REUTERS) FBI, police investigating Boulder attack FBI personnel and local police are investigating the attack in Boulder, which occurred at an event raising awareness for the Israeli hostages, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said. On Sunday afternoon, a man threw Molotov cocktails and used an improvised flamethrower to target participants of a weekly walking group that raises awareness for the hostages in Hamas captivity. Local police reported that twelve people were burned, with CNN reporting that the victims are aged between 67 and 88. Their injuries range "from very serious to more minor," Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said, according to Reuters. President Donald Trump pinned blame for Sundays fiery attack on Colorado protesters squarely on former President Joe Biden as he turned an expression of sympathy for the victims into a call to continue his administrations immigration crackdown. The suspect in custody, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, is accused of using a makeshift flamethrower to attack a group of people who were protesting in support of the Gaza Strip hostages who were abducted from Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Fox News has reported that Soliman was an Egyptian national who overstayed his visa, but those details have yet to be confirmed by law enforcement. Stephen Miller, Trumps top national security adviser, said on X that the suspect overstayed a tourist visa and was subsequently granted a work permit under the Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yesterdays horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America, Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social. He came in through Bidens ridiculous Open Border Policy, which has hurt our Country so badly. He must go out under TRUMP Policy. Trump continued, This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland. Soliman reportedly yelled Free Palestine in the course of his attack, which left eight people hospitalized some of them older adults. Prosecutors charged him Monday with a federal hate crime, one day after the Justice Department denounced the needless act of violence. It came around a week after a man shouted support for Palestinians after shooting two Israeli embassy staffers to death outside a Washington, D.C., Jewish museum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Political leaders, including some who have advocated against Israels brutal war in the Gaza Strip, swiftly condemned the Colorado attack as antisemitic. But GOP leaders have taken the opportunity to demand stricter immigration controls. This act of terror could have been prevented, but Biden made a mockery of our national security and America is paying the price for his failures, House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on X. Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) wrote that Trump had a mandate from voters for mass deportation of illegals like this one, but was being stymied by Democrats and federal courts siding with due process protections enumerated in the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Big Beautiful Bill has $14B for mass deportation efforts & $50B to build the wall + secure our border. Cant pass soon enough! he said, affirming his support for the Trump tax bill that passed the House but faces an uncertain future in the Senate. Miller provided a more gruesome take on the incident. Suicidal migration must be fully reversed, Miller wrote on X. His words seemed to echo his past advocacy for the racist conspiracy theory that non-white immigrants were in the process of replacing white Americans and sending the country into decline. Related... President Donald Trump blamed an attack in Boulder, Colorado, that injured at least eight people who were demonstrating in support of the release of Israeli hostages on lax U.S. immigration laws. In a post on Truth Social, Trump seized on the attacks implications for immigration policy after a Department of Homeland Security official wrote in a social media post Monday morning the suspect in the attack had overstayed his visa and was in the country illegally. He came in through Bidens ridiculous Open Border Policy, which has hurt our Country so badly. He must go out under TRUMP Policy. Acts of Terrorism will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, Trump wrote. This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terror, with local authorities identifying the suspect as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman of Colorado Springs. Soliman, who was encountered on the scene, is in custody and has been charged with a federal hate crime, according to an FBI affidavit. According to the affidavit, Soliman said in an interview with federal and local law enforcement that he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead and that he had been planning the attack for a year. J. Bishop Grewell, acting U.S. attorney for the District of Colorado, said in a press conference on Monday that when Soliman was interviewed about the attack, he told authorities, he wanted them all to die. He had no regrets and he would go back and do it again. No one should ever be subjected to violence of any kind, Grewell said. But our laws recognize that such violence is particularly pernicious when somebody is targeted because of their race, their religion, or their national origin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many initial responses to the attack focused on its potential connection to antisemitism and the Israel-Hamas war, but top Trump administration officials quickly began a discussion about immigration policy. According to DHS, the suspect entered the country on a B2 non-immigrant visa in August 2022 filing an asylum claim the following month and was authorized to stay until February 2023 but never left. The B2 non-immigrant visa allows foreign nationals to temporarily enter the country for tourism, pleasure or medical treatment. This individual, this terrorist was allowed into this country by the previous administration, was foolishly given a tourism visa, and then was illegally allowed to stay, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Monday afternoon. These individuals are going to be deported, and were not going to tolerate such violence in our country. Eyewitness videos show a shirtless man holding what appear to be two Molotov cocktails and yelling Free Palestine! at a group of demonstrators seeking the release of Israeli hostages being held in Gaza, and Israeli flags were seen on the ground after the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Anti-Defamation League in a post on X described the demonstration as a weekly meeting of Jewish community members to run/walk in support of the hostages kidnapped. One of the organizers of the group had posted on social media raising awareness for the demonstration, saying that the group met in downtown Boulder every Sunday for a weekly humanitarian walk. FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino posted Sunday on X that the FBI was investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder. This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts, Bongino posted. We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard wrote in a social media post that the National Counterterrorism Center is working with the FBI on the investigation. The attack comes more than a week after two Israeli embassy staffers were shot to death outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington. Gregory Svirnovskiy contributed to this report. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump wants to make some pretty devastating cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services in his new 2026 budget request. But one of the cruelest is a line buried in HHS Budget in Brief: The budget eliminates funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The federal block grant program, often referred to as LIHEAP, has been around for decades and helps millions of people in low-income households pay their energy bills. Critically, it helps seniors, families with children, and people with disabilities keep their heat on in the dead of winter and cool air blowing in the sweltering days of summer. More than 6 million households currently rely on LIHEAP for help with energy bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration appears to justify gutting LIHEAP by tying it to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in government, all of which Trump wants to eradicate. Savings come from eliminating radical diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and critical race theory programs, which weaponized large swaths of the Federal Government against the American people and moving programs that are better suited for States and localities to provide, reads the HHS budget brief, just before it calls for zeroing out LIHEAP funding. To be sure, the presidents budget request isnt going to become law. It has to make its way through Congress, where lawmakers will make all kinds of changes to it. But its going to fall on Republicans to fight to preserve LIHEAP. The Trump administration has already crippled the low-income energy program. On April 1, HHS announced it was putting 10,000 federal employees on administrative leave through June 2, at which they would be terminated. This included the entire staff running LIHEAP. Twenty state attorneys general intervened in May and sued HHS, claiming the mass firings were illegal and calling for everyones jobs to be restored. The lawsuit is still underway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State administrators that provide LIHEAP assistance still have federal money to keep operating this year, but without federal staff, the programs future looks grim. Trump zeroing out its entire budget certainly feels like its death knell. Make America's Poorest Have No Heat Or A/C Again. via Associated Press While Republicans in Congress are overwhelmingly beholden to Trump, they dont have strong margins in either chamber. If even a handful of GOPers push back on a provision in a bill, their opposition could tank the whole thing. LIHEAP could draw such pushback. House and Senate Republicans have called on HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to restore the programs staff and vouched for its need. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), one of the most politically vulnerable in his party, told Kennedy in April the program is vital to his community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program supports our most vulnerable populations, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and households with young children under the age of six, Lawler wrote to Kennedy. In FY 2023, 24% of New Yorkers reported being unable to pay their energy bill at least once in a 12-month period. During FY 2023, LIHEAP also helped prevent over 100,000 utility disconnections in New York alone, highlighting this programs critical need. Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) led a bipartisan letter to Kennedy in April urging him to reverse course on LIHEAP staff cuts. We write regarding reports that you have terminated staff responsible for administering the LowIncome Home Energy Program, reads their letter, signed by 13 senators. If true, these terminations threaten to devastate a critical program dedicated to helping Americans afford their home energy bills. It is an indispensable lifeline, helping to ensure that recipients do not have to choose between paying their energy bills and affording other necessities like food and medicine, said the senators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, Murkowski directly told the HHS secretary in May how crucial LIHEAP assistance is for people in her state. For us its not a budget line item, she told Kennedy as he testified before a Senate committee. Youve been to Alaska. You know that the temperatures there can get really, really tough. [LIHEAP] keeps people from freezing to death in their homes. The fate of LIHEAP will almost certainly come up this week on Capitol Hill, with both the House and Senate back in session and Trumps budget request now awaiting their action. Aides to Murkowski, Collins and Lawler did not immediately respond to requests for comment relating to Trumps budget request zeroing out LIHEAP funding. BP has appointed oil industry veteran Dave Hager to its board, a move that underscores the company's strategic shift to its core fossil fuel business. Hager, with more than four decades of experience in the sector, is currently a non-executive director of US quoted infrastructure company MRC Global. The addition of Hager brings oil and gas expertise to a board that has been lacking in this area. Prior to joining bp, Hager served in different roles at Devon Energy. He was the companys executive chair from 2021 to 2023, president and CEO from 2015 to 2021, and EVP of exploration and production, starting in 2009. Previously, he held roles at Kerr McGee, including COO and SVP of exploration and production, after starting his career as a geophysicist in 1979. BP chairman Helge Lund said: "On behalf of the board, I am delighted to welcome Dave to bp. He brings deep-rooted knowledge of the US upstream oil and gas industry. His strategic focus combined with his experience in driving operational results and capital efficiency will be an asset to the board." In April this year, Lund informed bp's board of his intention to step down in due course. BP has already started the search for a successor with the process being led by Dame Amanda Blanc in her capacity as senior independent director, with support from the wider board. The successful candidate for the chair position will join the board and work alongside Lund to ensure a smooth transition before formally taking on the role. Lund will then step down from the board, expected during 2026. Recent reports indicate that Shell is considering acquiring bp, with the decision hinging on the latter's fluctuating stock value and oil price trends. This potential move by Shell could further reshape the oil and gas industry landscape. "BP appoints former US shale boss Dave Hager to board" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. Donald Trumps plan to slash billions of dollars in federal spending includes dramatic cuts to vital programs that support millions of Americans, including the nations poorest families. New details in a massive White House document spanning more than 1,200 pages outline stark cuts to programs that help feed and house millions of children, which critics fear will have dangerous consequences for the nations most vulnerable households. Trumps 2026 budget proposal was released with little fanfare on Friday evening as Congress prepares to vote on more than a dozen spending measures. It will ultimately be up to lawmakers to decide how far those cuts stretch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the president wants to shed $163 billion in non-defense spending from the nations 2026 budget. That includes cutting down $12 billion from education programs and more than $60 billion from agencies supporting housing and food access for women and children from slashing rental assistance for poor families to ending the only federal program that supports state-level preschool development. Donald Trumps 1,200-page budget proposal would cut billions of dollars to federal programs supporting food access for poor families with children as well as education programs for preschool and homeless children (Getty Images) The White House proposes significantly rolling back support for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which supports more than 6.7 million people, including 1.5 million pregnant and post-partum mothers and more than 5 million children under age 5. Under Trumps proposal, breastfeeding mothers receiving WIC assistance would see their monthly benefits plummet from $54 to just $13, while support for children would drop from $27 to $10, according to the National WIC Association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current WIC benefit levels only cover the cost for about half the recommended daily serving of fruits and vegetables for young children and mothers, according to the group. Trumps proposed cuts would give children only 19 percent and mothers just 12 percent of those recommendations, the group found. This budget request falls short of the Trump administrations commitment to Make America Healthy Again, particularly in its failure to support maternal and child health through vital nutrition programs, according to National WIC Association president Georgia Machell. Trumps proposal directly removes healthy food from the hands of low-income moms and young children who face nutritional risk, she added. This budget doesn't just break promises. It takes healthy food off of children's plates. The proposal would also eliminate funding for Child Nutrition Trainings, Farm to School Grants, and School Meal Equipment Grants, which will hurt schools' ability to feed children nutritious food during the school day, according to Democrats on the Senate Appropriations committee. Demonstrators in Washington, D.C., on June 2 protested proposed cuts to Medicaid, food stamps and federal aid in budget proposals from Donald Trump and congressional Republicans. (AP) Trumps budget document zeroes out programs across education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Entire pages across the 1,200-page document would eliminate programs supporting preschools, before- and after-school programs, literacy programs and education for homeless children and in rural areas. The proposal would reduce the annual budget for the Department of Education which the president wants to abolish altogether by $12 billion, from $79.6 billion to $66.7 billion. The budget underscores that President Trumps vision for returning education to the states means state and local taxpayers will pay more to support students and educators at their local schools thanks to major cuts in federal funding, according to Democrats on the Senate Appropriations Committee. Under the White House proposal, more than a dozen existing grants supporting education programs would be condensed into one fund that would let states choose how to spend those dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That would mean ending dedicated funding streams to support after-school programs and other services such as programs that specifically support tens of thousands of homeless children. Roughly 1.4 million children in kindergarten through 12 grade experienced homelessness during the 2022-2023 school year, according to the latest federal data. Sen. Patty Murray, of Washington is the top Democrat on the Senator Appropriations committee, and warning against draconian cuts outlined in Trumps budget proposal (AFP via Getty Images) Trump also proposes slashing funds for the Department of Housing and Urban Development by more than 43 percent. More than 10 million Americans rely on federal rental assistance, including 5.6 million people in families with children. Drastic cuts to those lifelines could put more families at risk of eviction and homelessness, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Housing Choice Vouchers and Section 8 assistance would lose more than $26.7 billion, marking a 42 percent reduction, under Trumps proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We should be making housing affordable by expanding effective rental assistance to help everyone in need, not slashing it irresponsibly to pay for tax cuts skewed to the wealthy, said Will P. Fischer, the centers director of housing policy. A cap on how long households with able-bodied adults can continue receiving federal assistance could put thousands of families at risk of losing their homes. In New York City, more than 61 percent of residents receiving assistance roughly 316,00 people could be deemed ineligible under Trumps vague definition, according to an analysis of New York City Housing Authority data. This is a draconian proposal to hurt working people and our economy, and it is dead on arrival in Congress as long as I have anything to say about it, said Washington Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations committee. But this is just another reminder we need Republicans to join us to reject these reckless cuts, focus on the investments we actually need to make in our communities and security, and to finally force Trump to follow the law and end his devastating funding freeze, she added. WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will likely speak this week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday, days after Trump accused China of violating an agreement to roll back tariffs and trade restrictions. Leavitt is the third top Trump aide to forecast an imminent call between the two leaders to iron out differences on last month's tariff agreement in Geneva, among larger trade issues. It was not immediately clear when the two leaders will speak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday that Trump and Xi would speak "very soon" to iron out trade issues including a dispute over critical minerals and China's restrictions on exports of certain minerals. Trump said on Friday he was sure that he would speak to Xi. China said in April that the two leaders had not had a conversation recently. On Saturday, the U.S. Trade Representative's office announced it would continue to exclude certain solar manufacturing equipment and other products from existing tariffs on Chinese goods until August 31, offering a three-month extension while talks with Beijing continue. Bessent led negotiations with China in Geneva last month that resulted in a temporary truce in the trade war between the world's two biggest economies, but progress since then has been slow, the U.S. Treasury chief told Fox News last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S.-China agreement to dial back triple-digit tariffs for 90 days prompted a massive relief rally in global stocks. But it did nothing to address the underlying reasons for Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods, mainly longstanding U.S. complaints about China's state-dominated, export-driven economic model, leaving those issues for future talks. A U.S. trade court on Wednesday ruled that Trump overstepped his authority in imposing the bulk of his tariffs on imports from China and other countries under an emergency powers act. But less than 24 hours later, a federal appeals court reinstated the tariffs, saying it was pausing the trade court ruling to consider the government's appeal. The appeals court ordered the plaintiffs to respond by June 5 and the administration to respond by June 9. (Reporting by Katharine Jackson, Doina Chiacu and Andrea Shalal; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Rod Nickel) (NewsNation) The Trump administrations Department of Homeland Security is criticizing the federal response under the Biden administration to the toxic train derailment in East Palestine, calling it gross mismanagement. Emails of FEMA ignoring a potential cancer cluster breakout in East Palestine, Ohio, under the Biden administration is yet another outrageous example of the gross mismanagement and poor treatment of Americans under the prior administration, a DHS spokesperson said in a statement to NewsNation. FEMA, White House accused of cover-up, ignoring residents In September 2023, officials burned five tankers containing 115,000 gallons of toxic vinyl chloride. Residents quickly reported serious health issues and pleaded for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven months after the toxic vinyl chloride spill, then-President Biden issued an executive order, sending FEMA executive Jim McPherson to East Palestine to assess the communitys unmet needs. FEMA, White House covered up East Palestine devastation: Exclusive But new documents from FEMA obtained through the Freedom of Information Act show extensive coordination between FEMA, the White House, the National Security Council, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice, voicing serious concerns about health, toxins and the unmet needs of East Palestine following the train derailment. But publicly, their message was that there was nothing to those concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It showed that FEMA knew health care was the No. 1 issue, said Lesley Pace, senior environmental officer at the Government Accountability Project. Entire system contaminated 2 years after Ohio train derailment: Ex-resident Pacey is an investigator with the Government Accountability Project who sued to get these documents when FEMA refused to turn them over. It was only discussed internally, and it actually was discussed all the way up to the White House. Theres White House officials and National Security Council officials discussing the dangers of the cancer cluster potential and the health issues, and discussing whether or not to release the unmet needs report to the public and to the media, Pacey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. David Gura, Bloomberg News Anchor and Correspondent and Justin Wolfers, Professor of Economics at the University of Michigan join Nicolle Wallace on Deadline White House to discuss the impact of Donald Trumps tariff approach, which is leaving Wall Street in a state of paralysis, while Americans continue to shift their lifestyles to prepare for potential price hikes. President Donald Trump told U.S. steelworkers on Friday that he will double tariffs on steel imports to 50 percent. Reuters White House correspondent Jef Mason discusses. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt has confirmed that US President Donald Trump has not ruled out taking part in a potential meeting between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia to end Russias war of aggression. Source: Karoline Leavitt during a press briefing at the White House on Monday, as reported by European Pravda Details: Leavitt recalled Trump saying that he is "open to" participating in a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin "if it comes to that". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But he wants both leaders and both sides to come to the table. And we saw them do that today at President Trump's request," Leavitt added. The White House spokeswoman repeated that the US administration is in favour of ending the war as soon as possible. "Too many people have died. And the president wants this war to end at the negotiating table. And he has made that clear to both leaders, both publicly and privately," Leavitt said. Background: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday 2 June that the Turkish side hopes to organise a meeting between US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian ruler Vladimir Putin in Istanbul or Ankara. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had previously put forward the idea of a meeting between the leaders of Turkiye, the US, Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that he supports Erdogan's idea of holding a meeting between the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, US and Turkiye. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! NASA's top candidate for its still-open administrator position a space tourist who was handpicked to run the agency by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been thrown under the bus by the Trump administration. As scooped by Semafor, the White House has pulled its nomination for billionaire fighter jet pilot-turned-SpaceX astronaut Jared Isaacman. While the exact reasoning behind the eyebrow-raising move remains unclear at best a White House spokesperson said Isaacman wasn't in "full alignment with" the Trump agenda the timing of the announcement comes as Musk's relationship with the Trump administration is visibly fraying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mercurial CEO arrived at his own White House goodbye party last week with a black eye, which he blamed on his five-year-old son, bookending chaotic and destructive months in Washington, DC. Given recent reports, a major rift appears to have opened up between Musk and Trumpworld. In other words, it's easy to imagine that the Trump administration pulled Isaacman from consideration out of retribution, given the latter's extremely cozy relationship with Musk. During his confirmation hearing, the former NASA administrator hopeful had to repeatedly assure lawmakers he wasn't in the pocket of the richest man in the world, going as far as to diverge from Musk's plans to make sending humans to Mars a top priority. But it was hard to see much daylight between the two. The SpaceX CEO played a key role in Isaacman's nomination, catapulting him to the front of the line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As such, the pulling of his nomination could represent a major blow to SpaceX, which has relied heavily on NASA contracts to sustain itself since its early years. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has indicated that it's planning to catastrophically slash the space agency's science budget, an existential risk for major interplanetary missions, including NASA's next major space telescope and Mars Sample Return mission. Isaacman said he planned to lead missions to both the Moon and Mars simultaneously, despite extremely slimmed-down budgets, potentially handing SpaceX major contracts for trips to the Red Planet on board its still-under-development Starship rocket. But now that he's been kicked to the curb by the Trump administration, lawmakers are bound to ask some tough questions. The US Senate Commerce Committee approved his nomination in late April, voting 19 to nine, including unanimous support from Republicans, as Ars Technica reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In spite of his close ties to Musk, Isaacman remains a popular figure in the space community, likely making his abrupt departure a tough pill to swallow for many influential figures. "NASA is f*cked," a current NASA leader to Ars. "NASA's budget request is just a going-out-of-business mode without Jared there to innovate," a separate NASA leader added. Chances are that Isaacman could make his return to his civilian space exploration program, Polaris Dawn, which was put "on hold" following his nomination. In September, he became the first private astronaut to go on a spacewalk outside of a SpaceX spacecraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that he's become the victim of the murky machinations of an administration that has long been known to throw anybody who fails Trump's loyalty test to the wolves, chances are he may soon be headed off-planet once again to leave all of that drama behind. More on Isaacman: Incoming NASA Administrator Throws Elon Musk's Mars Plans Under the Bus DEADHORSE, Alaska (AP) President Donald Trump wants to double the amount of oil coursing through Alaska's vast pipeline system and build a massive natural gas project as its big, beautiful twin, a top administration official said Monday while touring a prolific oil field near the Arctic Ocean. The remarks by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright came as he and two other Trump Cabinet members Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin visited Prudhoe Bay as part of a multiday trip aimed at highlighting Trumps push to expand oil and gas drilling, mining and logging in the state that drew criticism from environmentalists. During the trip, Burgums agency announced plans to repeal Biden-era restrictions on future leasing and industrial development in portions of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska that are designated as special for their wildlife, subsistence or other values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The petroleum reserve is west of Prudhoe Bay and Deadhorse, the industrial encampment near the starting point of the trans-Alaska pipeline system. The pipeline, which runs for 800 miles (nearly 1,300 kilometers), has been Alaskas economic lifeline for nearly 50 years. Government and industry representatives from several Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines, were joining a portion of the U.S. officials trip, as Trump has focused renewed attention on the gas project proposal, which in its current iteration would provide gas to Alaska residents and ship liquefied natural gas overseas. Matsuo Takehiko, vice minister for International Affairs at Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, was among those at Prudhoe Bay on Monday. For years, state leaders have dreamed of such a project but cost concerns, shifts in direction, competition and questions about economic feasibility have hindered progress. U.S. tariff talks with Asian countries have been seen as possible leverage for the Trump administration to secure investments in the proposed gas project. Oil and natural gas are in significant demand worldwide, Wright told a group of officials and pipeline employees in safety hats and vests who gathered near the oil pipeline on a blustery day with 13-degree Fahrenheit (-10 Celsius) windchills. The pipeline stretched out over the snow-covered landscape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have the big two right here," he said. Lets double oil production, build the big, beautiful twin, and we will help energize the world and we will strengthen our country and strengthen our families. Oil flow through the trans-Alaska pipeline peaked at about 2 million barrels in the late 1980s. In 2011 a year in which an average of about 583,000 barrels of oil a day flowed through the pipeline, then-Gov. Sean Parnell, a Republican, set a goal of boosting that number to 1 million barrels a day within a decade. It's never come close in the years since: last year, throughput averaged about 465,000 barrels a day. Those joining the Trump officials Monday included U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan and Gov. Mike Dunleavy, both Republicans, who also took part in meetings Sunday in Anchorage and Utqiagvik. In Utqiagvik, an Arctic community that experiences 24 hours of daylight this time of year, many Alaska Native leaders support Trumps push for more drilling in the petroleum reserve and to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil development. They lauded the visit after lamenting that they felt ignored by former President Joe Bidens administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alaska political leaders have long complained about perceived federal overreach by the U.S. government, which oversees about 60% of lands in Alaska. Sullivan, Dunleavy and Alaska's senior U.S. senator, Lisa Murkowski, often complained that Biden's team was too restrictive in its approach to many resource development issues. Murkowski, an at-times vocal critic of Trump, joined for Sunday's meeting in Anchorage, where she said Alaska leaders want to partner with you. We want to be that equal at the table instead of an afterthought. Environmentalists criticized Interior's planned rollback of restrictions in portions of the petroleum reserve. While Sullivan called the repeal a top priority, saying Congress intended to have development in the petroleum reserve, environmentalists maintain that the law balances allowances for oil drilling with a need to provide protections for sensitive areas and decried Interior's plans as wrong-headed. Erik Grafe, an attorney with Earthjustice, called the Trump administration's intense focus on oil and gas troubling, particularly in a state experiencing the real-time impacts of climate change. He called the continued pursuit of fossil fuel development very frustrating and heartbreaking to see. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Interior Department said it will accept public comment on the planned repeal. The three Trump officials also plan to speak at Dunleavy's annual energy conference Tuesday in Anchorage. ____ Bohrer reported from Juneau, Alaska. Brown-Forman has made a series of changes to its distribution network in the US. The company, which has seen sales in the US come under pressure in recent months, has named new distributors for 13 local markets. Breakthru Beverage Group will become Brown-Formans largest national distributor partner, covering 14 markets across the US and Canada. According to multiple reports in the US, Republic National Distributing Co. will handle the spirits giants products in 12 markets in the country, down from 23. Robinson Brown IV, senior vice president and managing director for the Woodford Reserve makers operations in the US and Canada, said: This is Brown-Forman's first significant change to our US route-to-consumer landscape in more than 60 years. These decisions were taken with great thought and care, and we believe they will bring tremendous opportunities for growth in the years and decades to come. Brown-Forman, home to brands including Jack Daniels and Gin Mare, is set to report its annual financial results later this week. In the first nine months of the companys financial year, it reported a 5% fall in net sales in the US. Brown-Forman said the result amounted to a 1% dip on an organic basis but said the decrease was due to the sale of the Sonoma-Cutrer wine business, plus lower volumes of Korbel California Champagnes and Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey. Brown-Forman pointed to growing sales of Woodford Reserve, which continued to outperform the US whiskey category. In January, the company announced more than 600 workers were set to lose their jobs amid moves to realise up to $80m in annualised cost savings. Brown-Forman also set out plans to close and sell a barrel-production facility in the US city of Louisville and the restructuring of its executive leadership team. Last month, the group ended its 60-year sales, marketing and distribution partnership with Californian winemaker Korbel Champagne Cellars. "Brown-Forman shakes up US distribution" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. MIAMI (AP) Two South Florida shark divers convicted of theft for freeing 19 sharks and a giant grouper from a fisherman's longline several miles from shore have been pardoned by President Donald Trump. Pardons for Tanner Mansell and John Moore Jr. were signed Wednesday. They had been convicted in 2022 of theft of property within special maritime jurisdiction. The two men avoided prison time, but they were ordered to pay $3,343.72 in restitution, and the felony convictions prevented them from voting in Florida, owning firearms and traveling freely outside the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We never stopped fighting, and justice has finally prevailed, Moores attorney, Marc Seitles, said in a statement. We are thrilled the White House considered our arguments and determined this was an unjust prosecution. We could not be happier for John and Tanner. Moore, who was captain of a shark-diving charter boat, and Mansell, a crew member, spotted the longline about 3 miles (5 kilometers) off the Jupiter Inlet in August 2020, according to court records. Believing it was an illegal fishing line, the men freed the sharks and grouper, reported it to state wildlife officials and brought the line back to shore. Federal prosecutors later charged the men with theft. Officials said the line actually belonged to a fisherman licensed by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration to catch sharks for research. Mansell and Moore were convicted by a jury, and their appeals were later denied. The full and unconditional pardons signed by Trump erase those convictions. This case never should have been filed, Mansell's attorney, Ian Goldstein, said in a statement. These gentlemen made an honest mistake and were trying to save sharks from what they believed to be an illegal longline fishing setup. I cant think of two individuals more deserving of a Presidential Pardon. President Donald Trump 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 granted 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. Moore and Mansell said they thought they were doing the right thing by confiscating the line and releasing the 19 sharks snagged by its hooks. It's why they called state wildlife officers to report the line, and why they snapped photos as they freed the sharks and pulled the gear from the water photos later used against them in court. Here are those photos: Jupiter shark divers in Florida pardoned by President Trump John R. Moore Jr., pictured handling a shark, was convicted of stealing fishing gear. He could spend up to five years in prison. 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. 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. Trump pardon: More photos from what sparked the arrest of Jupiter shark divers A photo of captain John Moore Jr. and passengers unloading miles of longline onto a dock in Jupiter went viral on Aug. 10, 2020. Prosecutors would use this photo, and others, to prosecute Moore and his crewmate, Tanner Mansell, for theft in federal court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A screenshot of a post made by a passenger on the dive boat that illegally pulled ashore a fisherman's legal longline, cutting its hooked sharks free. 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: Photos: Trump pardons Florida shark divers who freed fisherman's catch With courts threatening to unravel his global trade war, Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday to send a not-so-subtle signal to the judges standing in his way. The president suggested he expects an appeal to go his way following a week of legal whiplash over his signature economic policy. On Wednesday, a federal trade court struck down his sweeping Liberation Day tariffs on global trade partners, ruling he had overstepped his constitutional authority. But just a day later, an appeals court put that decision on hold while it reviews the case. Trump catastrophized in his post that a court loss would spell economic disaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the Courts somehow rule against us on Tariffs, which is not expected, that would allow other Countries to hold our Nation hostage with their anti-American Tariffs that they would use against us, he wrote. This would mean the Economic ruination of the United States of America! Trump suggested a ruling against his tariff policy would lead the country to The initial ruling came in response to a lawsuit from small businesses that said the tariffs put their operations at existential risk by driving up costs associated with importing goods. The U.S. Court of International Trade sided with the plaintiffs, with the three-judge panel concluding that the 1977 law Trump relied on to impose the tariffs did not give him unbounded authority to do so. Trump and his mouthpieces have characteristically lashed out at the judiciary in response. His White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, on Thursday cast the panel as activist judgesdespite the fact that two of the three were appointed by Republican presidents, including one by Trump himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has also reaffirmed the administrations intent to push forward with the tariff policyvia other means if necessaryregardless of the legal setback. Were going to take that up to higher courts, the presidents going to win like he always does. But rest assured, tariffs are not going away, Lutnick said in an interview on Fox News Sunday. He has so many other authorities, that even in the weird and unusual circumstance where this was taken away, we just bring on another or another or another. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Trump's tariffs are Trump has spent months framing his tariffs as a bargaining chip to force overseas trade partners to make new agreements. To date, the administration has finalized only one such agreementwith the United Kingdomand a separate 90-day truce with China to roll back steep tariffs on both sides. A federal appeals court has set a June 5 deadline for plaintiffs in the trade court case to respond and June 9 for the administration. U.S. President Donald Trump was not informed in advance about Ukraine's mass drone attack that allegedly hit 41 Russian aircraft across four air bases, CBS News and Axios reported on June 1, citing their undisclosed sources. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) operation, dubbed "Spiderweb," allegedly destroyed or damaged A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22 M3 planes parked at the Belaya, Diaghilev, Olenya, and Ivanovo air bases on June 1. Kyiv has claimed it had disabled 34% of Russia's strategic bomber fleet in what is seen as one of the most daring operations during the full-scale war. The strike reportedly involved 117 drones launched from trucks hidden across Russian territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House was not notified about the plans, which had been being prepared for a year and a half, Axios reported, citing a Ukrainian security official. CBS News' sources in the Trump administration also confirmed that the Trump administration was not informed. CNN reported on June 2 that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth "received regular updates" about Ukraine's operation as he traveled to Joint Base Andrews on Sunday but has not yet talked to his Ukrainian counterparts. Trump is yet to comment publicly on the attack, which took place a day before the second round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul. The U.S. president has repeatedly criticized Moscow for launching attacks on Ukrainian cities as he pushes for a ceasefire deal. The Kremlin continues to reject the truce backed by Kyiv, Washington, and European partners, and is reportedly preparing a new offensive this summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has also often criticized President Volodymyr Zelensky, claiming that Ukraine is at times "more difficult" to deal with than Russia. The two came into an open clash during a tense meeting in the White House on Feb. 28. Zelensky has urged the U.S. president to impose stronger sanctions against Russia if the upcoming round of negotiations fails to bring results. "If the Istanbul meeting brings nothing, that clearly means strong new sanctions are urgently needed from the EU's 18th package, and from the United States specifically, the strongest sanctions President Trump promised," Zelensky said. Trump said on May 28 that the U.S. would soon know whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is serious about ending the war. If not, he warned, Washington would "respond a little bit differently." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. president said he had not yet imposed new sanctions on Russia because he believed a peace deal might be within reach. "If I think I'm close to getting a deal, I don't want to screw it up by doing that," he said, but added he is prepared to act if Moscow stalls further. Read also: Russian bombers are burning en masse Ukraines SBU drones hit more than 40 aircraft in mass attack, source says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Trumps immigration and economic agendas have sparked a steep drop in international tourism to New York City, a trend thats stirring so much financial concern in the local hotel industry that owners and labor groups are joining together to ask Mayor Adams and the City Council for relief, the Daily News has learned. They want a cut to the local hotel occupancy tax, which currently stands at 5.875%. The city-set tax is paid by hotel guests, adding what can amount to a pretty hefty surcharge on their bills. In a Monday letter to Adams and Council leaders, the Hotel Association of New York and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council called on them to shave that tax down to 3% as part of this years municipal budget. The budget is currently in negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The association, which represents hotel owners, and the trades council, which represents hotel workers, are seldom on the same side on any given issue. But in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The News, they both agreed cutting the occupancy tax rate could be an effective tool for convincing international tourists to still come to New York and stay in hotels. The hotel occupancy tax directly influences visitors decisions on where to stay and how long to visit. Cutting the tax on tourists would help boost hotel occupancy, especially for group business stays hotels are now losing to destinations with lower occupancy tax rates, association CEO Vijay Dandapani and HTC President Richard Maroko wrote in the letter. As international tourism continues to plummet, its critical the city reduce the hotel room occupancy tax now to help draw international visitors who spend four times as much as domestic tourists back to the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter, which was also signed by New York City Hospitality Alliance Executive Director Andrew Rigie, New York Building Congress President Carlo Scissura and a few other business leaders, didnt explicitly mention Trump. But their missive did note that data released by the citys Tourism and Conventions agency shows travel to the Big Apple from nearly all parts of the world have plummeted in recent months, with an expectation there will be 800,000 fewer foreign visitors to the five boroughs this year as compared with 2024. The letter also references a study from city Comptroller Brad Landers office finding local tourism spending will fall by $9 billion this year. Experts say the decline in international tourism to New York is primarily driven by anti-American sentiments increasing around the globe as Trump has spent his first months in the White House threatening hefty tariffs on allied countries, including in Europe, and pursued an aggressive crackdown on undocumented immigrants in the U.S. In response to Mondays letter, Julia Agos, a rep for Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, said, Budget negotiations are ongoing, and the Council continues to work toward delivering a budget that strengthens our city and supports all New Yorkers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spokesmen for the mayor didnt immediately return requests for comment. The mayors office and the Council are in the final stages of negotiating the citys 2026 fiscal year budget. They must reach a final agreement on the budget by the July 1 start of the fiscal year. Mondays letter came after the Hotel Association has also mounted a behind-the-scenes lobbying effort on securing an occupancy tax cut as part of the budget. City records show the association earlier this year tapped Kasirer, the citys largest government relations firm, to lobby Council members as well as top members of the Adams administration on the proposal to trim the tax rate. The top officials targeted by Kasirers lobbyists include First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro, Deputy Mayor for Intergovernmental Affairs Tiffany Raspberry and Jeffrey Garcia, Adams nightlife mayor, records show. Additionally, the Hotel Association has hired Pythia Public as a communications consultant to work on the tax issue. Pythia is run by Evan Thies, formerly the top spokesman for Adams 2021 mayoral campaign. In December, President Donald Trump said he was totally against Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steels plan to buy its American rival U.S. Steel, warning Buyer Beware!!! in a social media post. On Friday night, however, Trump traveled to a U.S. Steel plant near Pittsburgh to celebrate that potential deal, describing it as a blockbuster agreement that will ensure this storied American company stays an American company. "You're going to stay an American company. You know that, right? Trump said in an hour-long speech at the plant. But we're going to have a great partner." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The terms of the takeover are not yet clear. Later on Friday, after returning to Washington, Trump told reporters he still hadnt granted the acquisition his final approval. We havent seen that final deal yet, he said, according to a White House transcript. The Friday speech follows weeks of headlines suggesting the Trump administration was seeking a way to push through the once-dead deal. The nearly $15 billion bid fell apart in January when then-President Joe Biden blocked the sale on the grounds that foreign ownership of U.S. Steel threatens to impair the national security of the United States, though the decision was widely seen as a concession to labor groups. Not everyones happy the Trump administration has revived talks. Critics of the potential deal range from steelmaking unions to environmental advocates, who say it would threaten efforts to clean up carbon emissions and local air pollution from the industry. Steelmaking is one of the most emissions-intensive sectors in the world, though it is fairly low-carbon in the U.S. due to the prevalence of mini mills that recycle steel using electric arc furnaces that dont burn coal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nippon Steel has floated building a new electric arc furnace in the U.S. if the deal goes through but it has also pledged to extend the life of U.S. Steels coal-burning furnaces. The aging blast furnaces are linked to some of the worst air quality in the U.S. Nippon Steels bet on coal and disregard for innovation lock in the path [of] dependence that led to U.S. Steels diminished position, more than two dozen environmental groups wrote in a letter to Congress last October. Research suggests that continuing to rely on coal will lead to more job losses, further diminishing the manufacturing skilled workforce. Though the deal terms remain opaque, Trump offered greater clarity at least, for now around the trade policy he said undergirded the deal. He said on Friday that hed double tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50%, a hike that roiled global steel stocks on Monday and sent shares in U.S. steelmakers soaring. Trumps speech outside of Pittsburgh did little to clear confusion over his position on the deal, which has shifted over the last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president struck a jubilant tone while dozens of workers clad in red hard hats sat behind him, below a sign that read The Golden Age. Youre going to be very happy. Theres a lot of money coming your way. Theres a lot of money. Youre going to say, Please, sir, we dont want this kind of success. Please, sir. Its too much. We cant take it. Please, we beg you, we dont want this much success, Trump continued. But we do really, dont we? Were going to be so successful. He called Japan an amazing country with great people. Just two weeks ago, however, the United Steelworkers union blasted Nippon as a serial trade cheater and accused Japans largest steel manufacturer of simply seeking to undercut our domestic industry from the inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is simply absurd to think that we could ever entrust the future of one of our most vital industries essential to both national defense and critical infrastructure to a company whose unfair trade practices continue to this day, United Steelworkers International President David McCall said in a May 22 statement. President Trump has publicly pledged to block this sale since January 2024. We now urge him to act decisively, shutting the door once and for all on this corporate sellout of American Steelworkers and defending U.S. manufacturing. In a press release issued Friday, McCall declined to speculate on the nature of the deal, on which he said the union was not consulted. Issuing press releases and making political speeches is easy. Binding commitments are hard. The devil is always in the details, and that is especially true with a bad actor like Nippon Steel that has again and again violated our trade laws, devastating steel communities in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, he said. Our members know from decades of negotiating contracts: Trust nothing until you see it in writing. Nippons heavy reliance on coal, rather than electric arc furnaces or other innovations, to produce steel has drawn fierce criticism of the U.S. Steel acquisition from U.S. climate groups. Instead of investing in new technologies like those planned by rivals such as Nucor and Cleveland-Cliffs, Nippon has proposed upgrading U.S. Steels blast furnaces to extend operations by decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last summer, shareholders warned that the tie-up risked raising Nippons already steep costs of decarbonizing its facilities in Japan. A report published last month by the advocacy group SteelWatch found Nippon is not planning any significant reduction in planet-heating pollution from its supply chain between now and 2040. With its focus on technology to only partially reduce emissions at coal-based production facilities, its increasingly large investments in Australian coal mines, and its promise to prolong blast furnace production at U.S. Steel plants during its acquisition bid, Nippon Steel is looking more and more like a coal company that also makes steel, Roger Smith, Asia lead at SteelWatch, said in a statement. Following a horrific attack against Boulder, Colorado, protesters calling for the release of Israeli hostages held captive by Hamas, President Donald Trump is blaming the alleged act of terrorism on the immigration policies of the Biden administration. Yesterdays horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America, Trump wrote on Truth Social. The president added that the suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, came in through Bidens ridiculous Open Border Policy, which has hurt our Country so badly. He must go out under TRUMP Policy. Acts of Terrorism will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, the president added. This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland. My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and the Great People of Boulder, Colorado. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice President J.D. Vance shared Trumps response to the attack. The Department of Homeland Security has said that Soliman an Egyptian citizen was in the United States unlawfully, but he did not cross the border without documentation. According to DHS, Soliman overstayed a tourist visa that expired in 2023. He applied for asylum status in September 2022, the year before his visa expired, and was granted a work authorization in 2023. DHS did not specify the outcome of Solimans asylum application. Soliman, who injured eight protesters using Molotov cocktails and improvised incendiary weapons while yelling Free Palestine, has already been indicted on federal hate crimes charges. Additional charges of first-degree murder (no fatalities have been confirmed by law enforcement) assault, and weapons crimes have also been filed, and the attack is being investigated as an act of terrorism. While Soliman originally entered the country legally, his immigration status has become a focal point for the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller wrote on X that a terror attack was committed in Boulder, Colorado by an illegal alien, who was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit. Suicidal migration must be fully reversed, Miller added. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News today that the Biden administration foolishly gave [Soliman] a tourist visa and allowed him to unlawfully remain in our country. This individual should have been deported. Instead he was welcomed here. Leavitt suggested to Fox News that the attack took place because the Biden administration had no vetting process for immigrants. The Biden administration was allowing illegal aliens from all over the world to come into our country illegally, unvented, untested, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of today, DHS and other law enforcement agencies have not produced information indicating that Soliman had a criminal record. Some B2 visas can last for years, and its unclear precisely when and under what administration Solimans visa was issued. The Trump administration regularly attempts to deflect blame for the presidents own stumbles or reframe major news stories onto the Biden administration. In recent months, Trump has claimed that economic uncertainty over his misguided tariff policy is the fault of his predecessor, as is Russias war against Ukraine, as is every other stumble and sticking point in his presidency. In this case, Trump is using misinformation about a horrific attack and the specter of Biden-era immigration policies to further demonize immigrant communities, and continue his crackdown on not just undocumented, but lawful immigration practices as well. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. By Neil J Kanatt (Reuters) -Prego pasta sauce maker Campbell's Co beat third-quarter sales and profit estimates on Monday, helped by strong demand for canned food and soups as consumers increasingly prefer to eat at home amid an uncertain economy. Fears of a potential recession and price hikes triggered by the imposition of hefty tariffs have prompted consumers to opt for more affordable products and avoid costly dine-outs. "Consumers continue to cook at home and focus their spending on products that help them stretch their food budgets," Campbell's CEO Mick Beekhuizen said. The company maintained its fiscal 2025 net sales growth forecast of 6% to 8%, excluding the impact of tariffs. It projected annual adjusted profit per share to be at the lower end of its prior range of $2.95 to $3.05, owing to weak snacks demand. Accounting for levies currently in place, however, Campbell's expects a hit of between 3 cents and 5 cents per share. The company said it was pursuing possible pricing actions while working with suppliers to seek better sourcing and lower product costs to minimize the tariff impact. Net sales rose 4% to $2.48 billion during the quarter ended April 27, compared with analysts' average estimate of $2.43 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. Max Gumport, analyst at BNP Paribas, said Campbell's key growth engines of snacks and Rao's brand are lagging, while cost inflation ramps up and pricing remains difficult to take. Volumes for the meals and beverages unit rose 7% during the quarter, while the snacks business reported a 5% fall. The company's adjusted per-share profit of 73 cents also surpassed the estimate of 66 cents. Its shares, which have fallen about 18% so far this year, were up about 1% in early trading. (Reporting by Neil J Kanatt in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar) A transgender woman violently assaulted by three male suspects earlier this year in a brutal hate crime was reportedly attacked by the same men over the weekend, officials announced. The latest incident, according to a news release from the L.A. Police Department, occurred Saturday at around 11:30 p.m. and left the 61-year-old victim, Sabrina de la Pena, seriously injured. De la Pena, who has operated a second-floor convenience store in L.A.s Westlake District for the last 30 years, spoke to KTLA after the initial violence on April 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was screaming for help, but nobody around giving help to me, she said in an interview. In that instance, police said the 61-year-old rejected the advances of one of the suspects, who later returned to her store, sexually assaulted her and discovered she was a transgender woman. The suspect pulled away and threatened to kill the victim, police said at that time. The same suspect returned several more times with two other suspects and committed hate crimes against De la Pena. Surveillance cameras captured repeated and violent assaults on a transgender woman in L.A. beginning on April 8, 2025. (Sabrina de la Pena) Surveillance cameras captured repeated and violent assaults on a transgender woman in L.A. beginning on April 8, 2025. (Sabrina de la Pena) Surveillance cameras captured repeated and violent assaults on a transgender woman in L.A. beginning on April 8, 2025. (Sabrina de la Pena) Surveillance cameras captured repeated and violent assaults on a transgender woman in L.A. beginning on April 8, 2025. (Sabrina de la Pena) Surveillance cameras captured repeated and violent assaults on a transgender woman in L.A. beginning on April 8, 2025. (Sabrina de la Pena) Surveillance cameras captured repeated and violent assaults on a transgender woman in L.A. beginning on April 8, 2025. (Sabrina de la Pena) Surveillance cameras captured repeated and violent assaults on a transgender woman in L.A. beginning on April 8, 2025. (Sabrina de la Pena) Surveillance cameras captured repeated and violent assaults on a transgender woman in L.A. beginning on April 8, 2025. (Sabrina de la Pena) Images of two additional suspects involved in the hate crimes starting on April 8, 2025. (LAPD) Images of one of the suspects involved in the hate crimes starting on April 8, 2025. (LAPD) In hard to watch surveillance footage of the attacks, one of the men hides just outside her door with a skateboard before rushing in and, according to investigators, brutally striking De la Pena with it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was screaming for help, but nobody around giving help to me, De la Pena told KTLA. He take me out to the alleyway and he start beating me outside. Woman, 64, in U.S. legally for 50 years detained by ICE for 3 months The same suspect is then seen dragging her onto the balcony of the building, violently beating her as she tries to defend herself while another suspect looks on. In other instances, police said the suspects pepper sprayed De la Pena, doused her with an unknown liquid and tried to stun her with a Taser. Terrified and distraught, the 61-year-told KTLA in April that she believes the men are trying to kill her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Los Angeles Police Department is urgently requesting the publics assistance in identifying and apprehending the suspects, the release stated. Members of the public are encouraged to review the [suspects photographs] and contact LAPD Rampart Division Detectives at 213-484-3495 with any information that may assist in the case. 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. DAVIS, W.Va. (WBOY) A community group called Tucker United held a public meeting in Davis on Sunday to discuss the ramifications of the proposed power plant between Davis and Thomas, and what can be done to stop the project. Roughly 100 people filed into St. Johns Lutheran Church for the meeting. In a flier, Tucker United said it is against the development of the data center project anywhere in Tucker County. The group claims the project poses a threat due to possible air pollution, high water use that could further strain water sources, and impact on local tourism. Several times during the meeting, members of Tucker United said that the company Fundamental Data, who is behind the project, would not be good neighbors and that the local area would reap few of the economic benefits of the project. Tucker United said that in its correspondence with Fundamental Data, the company would not discuss if the project would bring long-term jobs to the area. Furthermore, they say that under House Bill 2014, which was signed by Governor Morrisey last legislative session, 70% of the tax revenue would go to the state, leaving 30% to the county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2nd Annual Appalachian Fly Fishing Festival returns to Thomas Among the groups frustrations with the data center project is the secrecy around it, including a highly redacted air quality permit that they have been trying to get more details on. Local leadership and residents were both caught off guard by the proposed power plant, with many learning about the project through a notice posted in the local newspaper. Tucker United is trying to marshal community support, and various members of the community with relevant expertise spoke or were mentioned during the meeting, including a lawyer, an engineer, and a tech project manager. Zina Raye, who works as a project manager in northern Virginia and has had a lot of experience with data centers, connections with the Davis area and said she plans on retiring in Canaan Valley. In an interview with 12 News, she said that the data center would be of a massive scale and that its likely use is artificial intelligence (AI). Raye said that while she believes AI will be largely beneficial to society, she also believes in industry working with the local community when it comes to the building of data centers, which is what she said happened in her home in northern Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe if public and private partnership exists, thats where you would find that optimal place for this data center. Thats where you would take into consideration that West Virginia has this fledgling, wonderful eco-tourism industry, and you dont want to kill your existing industry. Tucker United is also looking to enlist the support of local leaders and representatives. At the meeting, Mayor of Davis Al Tomson announced that the Davis Town Council adopted a resolution against building the data center next to Davis. Tucker United says it plans to go to the City of Thomas and the Tucker County Commission to make their case to them. Floated during the meeting was advocating for amending House Bill 2014 and creating different zoning ordinances. House Bill 2014 prohibits any county or municipality from enacting rules, laws, or ordinances that limit, in any way, the creation of, [] and operation of any certified microgrid district or certified high impact data center project. Tucker United says that the law has serious implications for not just Davis, but communities throughout West Virginia. Member of Tucker United Shaena Crossland told 12 News, I just want to say that if you are a West Virginian, if this is your home, even if its not and you come here, what is going on right now is really important. And you need to be informed. You need to be aware of whats going on and you need to fight back and take control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 12 News recorded the majority of the two hour meeting, and you can watch it below. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sheikh Hasina, the ousted Bangladesh prime minister and the aunt of Labour MP Tulip Siddiq, has been charged with crimes against humanity for her alleged involvement in mass killings during anti-government protests. Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal has issued arrest warrants for Ms Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan, the former interior minister, who are both believed to be in India. Chowdhury Abdullah al-Mamun, the former police chief, has been arrested. According to the charges, the autocratic former leader was directly responsible for ordering all state forces, her Awami League party and its associates, to carry out actions that led to mass killings, injuries, targeted violence against women and children, the incineration of bodies and denial of medical treatment to the wounded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charges describe the 77-year-old as the mastermind, conductor, and superior commander of the atrocities. Maynul Karim, the International Crimes Tribunal prosecutor, said: The attacks involved murder, attempted murder, torture, and other inhumane acts. Ms Hasina has not yet responded to the charges. If found guilty, she could face capital punishment. She fled to India in August last year as student-led protesters brought down her 15-year rule. Her premiership was marked by widespread accusations of election-rigging to maintain her hold on power and human rights violations such as extrajudicial killing, extensive arbitrary arrests, torture and enforced disappearances, including of children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UN human rights office has estimated that up to 1,400 protesters may have been killed in Ms Hasinas attempts to crush the uprising. Bangladesh has demanded that India hands her over. Last year, India confirmed receiving a diplomatic communication for her extradition from Dhaka, but it has refused to comment further, triggering a diplomatic row between the two countries. The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Mohammad Golam Mortuza Mozumder in a live trial proceedings, has ordered the prosecution to file a progress report on efforts to arrest Ms Hasina and Mr Asaduzzaman on June 16. According to the charges, Ms Hasina incited violence during a press conference at Ganabhaban on July 14. Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal, pictured, has issued an arrest warrant for Sheikh Hasina - MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP In one charge, Mr Karim said Ms Hasina ordered the extermination of protesters using helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons, orders that Mr Khan and Mr Mamun allegedly executed by commanding security forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another charge states that on Aug 5 last year, law enforcement officers shot six unarmed protesters and subsequently burned them in Dhakas Ashulia area, under similar orders. Police poured petrol over the bodies and set them ablaze. Eyewitness testified that a young protester among them was burned alive after being shot and left wounded. He was still alive as the bodies burned, Mr Karim claimed. We have strong evidence, including telephonic conversations, that Hasina, under her superior command responsibility, ordered crimes against humanity, including murder of students, Mr Karim said. If proven guilty, she will face capital punishment. If she doesnt join the trial, it will be presumed that she is involved in the crimes against humanity, and the court might start a trial in absentia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bangladeshs Anti-Corruption Commission is holding a wider investigation into the alleged unlawful allocation of state-owned land and apartments to Ms Hasina, her children, and close relatives, including Ms Siddiq. The case also involves a $4 billion (2.9 billion) embezzlement investigation by the commission into a nuclear deal with Russia struck by Ms Hasina, in which Ms Siddiq had been named. Ms Siddiq, who resigned from the UK Government in January amid scrutiny of her links to Ms Hasina, has been named in multiple Bangladeshi inquiries for illegally acquiring plots and apartments. She has denied the charges and accused the Bangladeshi government of a targeted and baseless campaign against her and asked why it had briefed the media but not put its allegations to her directly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UKs National Crime Authority has frozen 90 million worth properties linked to the former Bangladesh regime. 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. Kalin and al-Hayya reportedly discussed the final stage of the US-brokered ceasefire negotiations, and Turkey's ongoing efforts to "end the humanitarian crisis and devastation in Gaza." Turkish Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin held a phone conversation with Hamas Deputy Political Bureau Chief Khalil al-Hayya, head of Hamas's negotiation delegation, Turkish Anadolu Agency reported on Monday. According to the report, Kalin and al-Hayya discussed the final stage of the US-brokered ceasefire negotiations, as well as Turkey's ongoing effortscoordinated with the international communityto "end the humanitarian crisis and devastation in Gaza" and to ensure the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid, Anadolu Agency wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anadolu Agency also noted that Kalin emphasized the importance of continuing ceasefire talks, which the United States, Qatar, and Egypt are mediating. Hamas says it had not rejected Witkoff proposal for ceasefire On Saturday, Hamas said it had not rejected a ceasefire proposal presented by US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, senior Hamas official Basem Naim told Reuters. Naim said Israel's response to Witkoff's proposal was incompatible with what the group agreed on, adding that the US envoy's position towards the group was "unfair" and showed "complete bias" towards Israel. Ibrahim Kalin, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman and chief foreign policy adviser, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Istanbul, Turkey May 14, 2022. (photo credit: MURAD SEZER/REUTERS) Witkoff slammed Hamas for making what he called "backward" changes to the US-backed hostage deal proposal. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeated his offer to facilitate a meeting between heads of state following talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul. Source: Anadolu, quoting Erdogans remarks after a Turkish government meeting in Ankara, as reported by European Pravda Details: Erdogan said his "greatest wish" is to arrange a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy "in Istanbul or Ankara". He did not rule out inviting US President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I also want to take part in this meeting so that Istanbul becomes a centre of peace," he added. Erdogan called the negotiations in Istanbul "an important achievement" that took place "despite yesterdays events" likely referring to the attack on Russian airfields. Background: This meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations, which lasted a little over an hour, was the second one, following talks on 16 May. As a result of the meeting, the two sides managed to reach agreement on further exchanges involving specific categories of military personnel. Kyiv also handed over a list of several hundred Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. The Russian delegation has stated that it proposed a temporary ceasefire on certain sections of the front. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! A landmark vote to select judges in Mexico has been labelled a success by the president despite a sparse turnout and widespread confusion. Just 13 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in Sundays vote to overhaul the court system. President Claudia Sheinbaum proclaimed that the election would make Mexico more democratic, but critics accused her of seeking to take control of the judiciary, while analysts warned it could open the way for criminals to seize influence. The vote, a cornerstone policy of Sheinbaum and predecessor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, aimed to fill about 880 federal judicial positions, including Supreme Court justices, as well as hundreds of local judges and magistrates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But many voters said they struggled to make informed choices among a flood of largely unknown candidates, who were barred from openly disclosing party affiliations or engaging in widespread campaigning. Largely empty polling stations Al Jazeeras John Holman reported from Mexico City that polling stations were largely empty. On what the government planned to be a historic day, the majority of Mexicans prefer to do something else, he said. Still, Sheinbaum hailed the election as a complete success that makes the country a democratic trailblazer. Mexico is a country that is only becoming more free, just and democratic because that is the will of the people, the president said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reform, defended by supporters as necessary to cleanse a corrupt justice system, was originally championed by Sheinbaums predecessor, Lopez Obrador, who frequently clashed with the old judiciary. Painstaking process Experts had warned that turnout would be unusually low due to the sheer number of candidates and the unfamiliarity of judicial voting. To be properly informed, voters would have to spend hours and hours researching the track record and the profiles of each of the hundreds of candidates, said David Shirk, a professor at the University of San Diego. That concern was echoed by voters at the polls. We are not very prepared, said Lucia Calderon, a 63-year-old university teacher. I think we need more information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francisco Torres de Leon, a 62-year-old retired teacher in southern Mexico, called the process painstaking because there are too many candidates and positions that theyre going to fill. Beyond logistical challenges, analysts and rights groups raised fears that powerful criminal groups could use the elections to further infiltrate the judiciary. While corruption already exists, there is reason to believe that elections may be more easily infiltrated by organised crime than other methods of judicial selection, said Margaret Satterthwaite, the United Nations special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although all candidates were supposed to have legal experience, no criminal record and a good reputation, several have been linked to organised crime and corruption scandals. Rights group Defensorxs identified about 20 candidates it considers high risk, including Silvia Delgado, a former lawyer for Sinaloa cartel cofounder Joaquin El Chapo Guzman. Another candidate, in the state of Durango, previously served nearly six years in a US prison for drug offences. Election results are expected in the coming days. A second round of judicial elections is scheduled for 2027 to fill hundreds more positions. The attackers came from all sides, with machine guns mounted on the beds of their pickup trucks. Their target: the Samsam refugee camp in Sudan's North Darfur state. Panic broke out in the camp, which was home to between 500,000 and 1 million internally displaced people, according to different estimates. The attackers were fighters from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, the very group the refugees had fled from. Refugees like Mohamed, who does not wish to disclose his full name, experienced horrific events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Older people who couldn't flee quickly enough were burned alive in their huts. Children were dragged out of hiding and killed," Mohamed reported by phone from Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur. He said the RSF abused and racially insulted their victims. Aid workers were executed on the spot. Mohamed's statements cannot be independently verified, but observers and aid organizations on the ground confirm the violent deaths of staff from the humanitarian organization Relief International. According to UNICEF, at least 23 children were killed. Reports indicate those killed numbered at least 129, possibly several hundred. Violence in Darfur has deep roots Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war for more than two years between the RSF militia, led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, and the government forces of Sudan's de facto leader Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two generals originally seized power together in 2021 and are now fighting each other. Multiple diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire and launch peace negotiations have failed. However, the roots of the violence in Darfur go back further, to conflicts between Arab nomads and African farmers over resources such as water and land. Twenty years ago, Arab militias on horseback, some of whom later became part of the RSF, attacked villages belonging to African ethnic groups such as the Massalit, Zaghawa, and Fur. Thousands of villages were destroyed, and there were widespread reports of sexual violence and massacres. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2004, then-US secretary of state Colin Powell described the events in Darfur as genocide. In 2010, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an international arrest warrant for Sudans then-president Omar al-Bashir for crimes against humanity in Darfur. Unlike today, Darfur received international attention at the time, with Hollywood stars such as George Clooney, Angelina Jolie and Mia Farrow making public appeals to "Save Darfur." History repeating itself? Now, history seems to be repeating itself. As early as summer 2023, there were reports of massacres targeting the Massalit ethnic group in West Darfur. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Human rights groups have since repeatedly accused the RSF of torture, mass rapes and other crimes. Since the attack on Samsam in mid-April, there have been daily reports of dozens of deaths from shelling in Al-Fashir and surrounding villages. Al-Fashir, the last major city under government control and besieged by the RSF for a year, is of strategic importance. If the RSF captures Al-Fashir, they would control all of Darfur and could implement their plans to establish a parallel government there. Amnesty International demands action While many flee, those still in Sudan face "killings, summary executions, injury, rape, gang-rape, sexual slavery and other forms of sexual violence, torture and enforced disappearances and widespread looting all amounting to war crimes and some of which may also amount to crimes against humanity," Amnesty International wrote in an appeal to the European Union to act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Children have been caught in the crossfire of aerial bombardments and shelling, resulting in numerous casualties and impacting severely on their safety, education and well-being." Since the start of the war, access to independent and reliable information has been under pressure as journalists are targeted by both parties with (death) threats, violence and attacks, Amnesty noted in its open letter. Media infrastructure, including offices and equipment, has been looted, burned and deliberately destroyed. "Ethnically motivated killing, forced displacement and sexual violence by both parties have re-emerged, raising alarming parallels to the Darfur crisis of 2003-2005, when mass atrocities were committed against ethnic communities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resurgence of these tactics heightens the risk of a return to the darkest days of Sudan's wars, when systematic ethnic cleansing and war crimes devastated entire communities. "Diplomatic efforts have failed to bring a change in the behaviour of the warring parties or end the violations," the NGO noted, adding Washington's suspension of foreign aid only amplified the "urgency for robust and timely diplomatic action." Meanwhile, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reports that sexual violence has become so widespread in the Darfur region that many people chillingly speak about it as unavoidable. "Women and girls do not feel safe anywhere. They are attacked in their own homes, when fleeing violence, getting food, collecting firewood, working in the fields. They tell us they feel trapped," MSF emergency coordinator Claire San Filippo says. "These attacks are heinous and cruel, often involving multiple perpetrators. This must stop." (Corrects 3rd paragraph to say Kandrusevich now lives in Poland, not Sweden) By Mark Trevelyan (Reuters) -Two Belarusians who fled repression in their native country were named on Monday as winners of the Prix Voltaire, a prestigious award that recognises publishers who fight for freedom of expression. Dmitri Strotsev is a publisher and poet who was briefly arrested and jailed during mass demonstrations in 2020 against Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. He now operates from Berlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nadia Kandrusevich founded Koska, a children's publisher that had books seized and offices closed after the crackdown by Lukashenko's security forces. She now lives in Sweden. James Taylor, director of communications and freedom to publish at the International Publishers Association, told Reuters the pair were being recognised for the personal risks they had taken and for their contribution to preserving the Belarusian language. In a telephone interview, Strotsev, 62, said the pro-democracy protests five years ago had provoked an outpouring of poetic expression in Belarus as demonstrators clamoured for Lukashenko, in power since 1994, to step down after a disputed election. But as the crackdown gathered pace, poets deleted their work from the internet because they feared it could endanger not only themselves but anyone who commented on it or "liked" it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strotsev said he himself was arrested in October 2020 by operatives of the KGB security service. He was handcuffed and bundled into a minibus, with a bag placed over his head, then interrogated and sentenced to two weeks in jail for taking part in an unauthorised demonstration. After his release, he was briefly detained twice more and lived in hiding for a time before leaving the country in 2021. 'POLYPHONY' In Berlin, he founded the small publishing house Hochroth Minsk as a platform for the poets of the failed revolution, whose voices he compares to a choral symphony. "It was very important for me to somehow present to Belarusians and the world this polyphony, this one big symphonic choral work. I left Belarus with that task," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kandrusevich, the children's publisher who shared the prize of 10,000 Swiss francs ($12,200) with Strotsev, said: "This recognition affirms not only the importance of publishing and translating books for children but the belief in the quiet power of words to shape minds, to open hearts, and to build bridges across languages, cultures, and generations." Both publishers are dedicated to promoting the Belarusian language, although Strotsev has also published Belarusian poets writing in Russian, Yiddish, Polish and even Norwegian. Russian has been the dominant language in Belarus since Soviet times, so speaking and writing in the native tongue is itself an act of resistance, Strotsev said. His mission, he said, is "to bear consistent witness to this language and this culture, because if things continue as they are, there will be no Belarusian language in Belarus". (Reporting by Mark TrevelyanEditing by Gareth Jones) (FOX40.COM) The Sacramento Police Department responded to reports of a shooting in Sacramento on Sunday afternoon. Video above: How to report a public safety threat According to SPD, the incident happened on the 2800 block of Broadway at around 12:30 p.m. When officers arrived at the scene, they found one victim who had sustained one gunshot wound and had been transported to a local hospital. Fan favorite drink makes a comeback on Chick-fil-A menu for the summer Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another victim transported themselves to the hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound, SPD said. Both of the victims are males. The 20-year-old man, who had to be transported to a local hospital, is now in critical condition, SPD said. The other victim who self-transported is 40 years old. 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 FOX40 News. Two men were injured in a shooting Sunday afternoon along Broadway in Sacramento. Just after 12:30 p.m., police responded to a call about a shooting in the 2800 block of Broadway, according to police spokesperson Officer Allison Smith. Officers located a victim with at least one gunshot wound, and he was transported to a hospital, Smith said. A second man with at least one gunshot wound also self transported to the hospital in connection with the same incident, Smith said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One man is in critical condition and the other sustained non-life threatening injuries, Smith said. Police closed 28th Street at Broadway at around 4 p.m. Sunday in order to conduct an investigation, Smith said. Police have not released suspect information. Sales of Chinese-branded vehicles in South-east Asias four main markets, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, rose by over 58% to 67,558 units in the first quarter of 2025 compared with 43,646 units in the same period last year, as the countrys automakers continued to step up their global expansion in a bid to reduce their dependence on their home market. Many Chinese brands only entered markets in the region in the last year, while existing players continued to expand their sales networks. In total, there are around two dozen Chinese brands active in the South-east region at present, accounting for over 10% of the regions sales in the first quarter of 2025 up from just over 6% in the same period last year, in markets that for many decades have been dominated by Japanese brands. Governments in the region are offering generous incentives to attract new automotive sector investment, particularly for the production of battery-powered and hybrid-electric vehicles and related supply chains, as part of their commitments to reduce carbon emissions. Competition for this investment is tough, with some countries offering temporary exemptions on import tariffs ahead of local production and other tax incentives. China is the worlds largest producer of hybrid and electric vehicles and its manufacturers have been quick to take up the incentives on offer. In most countries in the region, they already dominate the fledgling BEV markets, in the absence of any significant competition from the Japanese. Thailand remains the regions largest market for Chinese-branded vehicles, with first-quarter sales amounting to just under 27,000 units up 27% year-on-year, to account for almost 18% of total vehicle sales in the country. BYD and its Denza brand together accounted for over 11,140 sales, followed by SAIC Motor and GAC-Aion with 4,760 and 3,091 units respectively. Indonesia was the second-largest market for Chinese automakers in the first quarter, after sales grew by 161% to 21,270 units. They accounted for just over 10% of the total market, up from less than 4% a year earlier. Around half of the brands active here entered the market only in the last year, targeting mainly the BEV segment. This includes BYD which sold 8,820 BEVs in the first quarter. Wuling was the next best-selling Chinese brand with 4,882 sales, followed by Chery with 4,554 units including models sold under its Omoda, Jetour and Jaecoo brands. Malaysia was the third-largest market in the region for Chinese brands, with first-quarter sales rising by 53% to 10,951 units. They accounted for less than 6% of total sales, however, the lowest penetration rate among the four markets surveyed, with Chery by far the largest player with some 6,826 sales. The data do not include sales by Proton, which sources a growing number of models from Chinas Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, which has a 49.9% stake in the company. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Two men have been sentenced in federal court for transporting eight kilograms of methamphetamine. According to a United States Department of Justice press release, Juan Alvardo-Alvardo, a Mexican national, and Jesus Sanchez, of Joplin, were sentenced following the transport of methamphetamine from Dallas, Texas, to Joplin. Alvardo-Alvarado was sentenced to 192 months in federal prison without parole with five years of supervised release. The man first pleaded guilty on Sept. 23, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanchez was sentenced to 132 months in federal prison without parole with 5 followed years of supervised release. He first pleaded guilty on Nov. 21, 2024. Arkansas man arrested in Springfield after 130 farm animals found in neglect The two men were first found with methamphetamine on May 25, 2022, during a traffic stop by police in Newton County, the release says. Police say Sanchez admitted during a post-Miranda interview that Alvardo-Alvardo and he had traveled to Dallas to purchase the methamphetamine. Both men were charged on June 6, 2022, after plans to distribute 500 grams of methamphetamine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP Five people were left without a place to live Saturday after fire ripped through their State Road home. There was fire coming out of the second floor window, Ashtabula Township Fire Department Captain Ed Scott said of what firefighters found when they arrived just after noon. He said everybody was out of the building in the 3900 block of State Road when firefighters arrived. Scott said the estimated damage was $60,000, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. He said the fire was called in at noon Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We knocked it down pretty quick, then we went in and put it out, Scott said of the departments work. He said Ashtabula and Jefferson fire departments responded to the blaze as well. Scott said firefighters were on-scene for about an hour and a half. He said there were no injuries to occupants or firefighters. The bulk of the visible damage was in the second floor of the structure. Ukraine has managed to bring back an 18-year-old woman who spent most of her childhood under occupation and a 21-year-old man whose village was captured by the Russians in 2022. Source: Bring Kids Back UA initiative Details: Karyna (name changed), 18, spent almost her entire childhood under Russian occupation. She always knew that she wanted to live in Ukraine, so she waited until she came of age to finally leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now Karyna is starting a new life in Ukraine: she wants to go to university and find a job. The village where 21-year-old Kyrylo (name changed) lived was occupied at the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, when he had just turned 18. The village was left without communications, checkpoints began to appear, and people began to disappear. Kyrylos mother left for Crimea, and the young man was left alone. It was dangerous for him to leave because of the numerous Russian checkpoints. The young man received help in finding a safe route, gathering documents and preparing for departure. Kyrylo is now in Ukraine-controlled territory with his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: On 28 May, 11 children were brought back from Russian-occupied territory to Ukrainian-controlled territory. Among them were two orphans and relatives of military personnel. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! U.S. officials are condemning Sundays violence at a march in Colorado, with the states governor calling it a heinous and targeted act against the Jewish community and some Republicans turning the blame on the Biden administration. Eight people in Boulder were taken to hospitals after a man wielding a makeshift flamethrower and hurling an incendiary device attacked a crowd of people participating in a demonstration calling for the release of hostages in Gaza, police said. Suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was in the U.S. illegally after overstaying a tourist visa that expired in February 2023, a senior Department of Homeland Security official told HuffPost on Monday. The man was heard yelling Free Palestine while carrying out the afternoon violence, which injured four women and four men between the ages of 52 and 88, local authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soliman was charged with a federal hate crime Monday, according to court documents. An Israeli flag stands Sunday in a bed of flowers in Boulder, Colorado, as caution tape blocks off the scene of an attack on demonstrators calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. ELI IMADALI via Getty Images Yesterdays horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America, President Donald Trump said in a statement Monday afternoon that pointedly blamed his predecessor for the violence and repeated his campaign for mass deportations. This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland. My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and the Great People of Boulder, Colorado! he said. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who in the wake of the attack has directed local law enforcement agencies to bolster security efforts at Jewish places of worship, also called for the suspect to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several individuals were brutally attacked while peacefully drawing attention to the plight of hostages who have been held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza for 604 days, the Democrat said in a statement Sunday. Hate is unacceptable in our Colorado for all, and I condemn this act of terror. I released the following statement condemning todays attack in Boulder. pic.twitter.com/UZDs4dKfCe Governor Jared Polis (@GovofCO) June 2, 2025 Colorados Democratic Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper also slammed the violence, with Bennet asserting that hate and violence of any kind will not be tolerated in Colorado. In recent years, antisemitism has reached unprecedented levels in the U.S. leading to attacks like this hate-fueled incident in Boulder and the recent murders in Washington, D.C., Bennet said in a statement that also cited the May 21 fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers. The suspect in that attack said, I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza, upon his arrest, according to an FBI special agents affidavit in the case. It is particularly painful that this attack occurred as the Jewish community prepares to celebrate Shavuot. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to combating antisemitism in all of its forms, Bennet added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) expressed similar sentiments, with all three calling it a shared responsibility to stand up against antisemitic acts. When antisemitism is allowed to fester, when it spreads unchecked, and when too many look the other way, history has shown us where it leads: to hatred, to violence, to terror, Schumer said. Antisemitism has no place in our nation or anywhere throughout the world. It must be crushed, Jeffries said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that the victims were targeted simply because they were Jews and that he expected the cold blood perpetrator would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The antisemitic attacks around the world are a direct result of blood libels against the Jewish state and people, and this must be stopped, he said. Several Trump administration officials have spoken out, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sharing that her department is monitoring the incident and praying for the victims and their families. This violence must stop, she posted on social media. FBI Director Kash Patel also said his agency is fully investigating what his deputy director called a suspected act of ideologically motivated violence. We are investigating this incident as an act of terror, and targeted violence. All of the necessary assets will be dedicated to this investigation, Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps senior adviser Stephen Miller meanwhile also blamed Joe Bidens administration for the suspects ability to carry out the attack. Suicidal migration must be fully reversed, he said. Immigration security is national security. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) similarly blamed the Biden administration for what happened. This act of terror could have been prevented, but Biden made a mockery of our national security and America is paying the price for his failures, he posted on social media. Related... In less than four months, the federal government plans to stop sending paper checks for all disbursements, including tax refunds and benefits like Social Security checks, after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to transition almost all payments made and received by executive departments and agencies to electronic funds transfer methods. Ceasing the old-fashioned approach to disbursements is likely a good idea from a security perspective, experts say, and the vast majority of Social Security recipients already get them via direct deposit. But any change of this magnitude could come with confusion and complications, especially as more than 485,000 people receive their monthly Social Security payments this way. Sitting ducks for scams Check-washing scamsin which someone steals a check and erases the original information with chemicals, subbing in a different payee and amountare increasingly common, and Social Security checks are sitting ducks: Because they go out at the same time each month to, generally, the same recipients, criminals are able to easily plan to steal them out of mailboxes, says Haywood Talcove, CEO of LexisNexis Risk Solutions Government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This type of crime can be particularly difficult to track because checks can take days or longer to clear. By the time the victim realizes something is off, it can be hard, if not impossible, to resolve, says Talcove. A recent survey of financial institutions conducted by the Federal Reserve found that check fraud is second only to debit-card fraud in total attempted scams and monetary loss, accounting for 30% of all fraud losses. Hundreds of millions of dollars are fraudulently deposited in the U.S. every year. In the world that we live in today, it is just much, much safer to electronically transfer that payment into an account, as opposed to mailing it, says Talcove. According to the FBI and United States Postal Inspection Service, it is particularly dangerous to leave checks in residential mailboxes overnight and to place them in blue mail-collection boxes after the days last pickup. And the scams arent just perpetrated by shadowy figures lurking near mailboxes: Earlier this year, a former U.S. Postal Service employee was found guilty of stealing nearly 100 checks worth $1.6 million; and last summer, two postal workers were charged with stealing U.S. Treasury checks worth more than $4 million. Potential challenges The vast majority of peoplemore than 68 million, or over 99%already receive their benefits through direct deposits into their bank accounts. But the half a million who dont are typically older, are unbanked, or dont have reliable internet access. That can make the switch difficult, potentially harming some of the most vulnerable people in the country. The Trump administration says it will make exceptions for people without banking or electronic payment access and certain emergency payments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another potential hiccup: Many recipients may need the Social Security Administrations help with the change, which could be made even more difficult because of recent cuts to personnel and office closures made by the Trump Administrations so-called Department of Government Efficiency. Still, Talcove says the change is ultimately worthwhile. For those who do still receive paper checks, he advises signing up for USPS Informed Deliverywhich allows recipients to see what will be delivered to their mailbox each day so they can be sure to get the checks before a scammer doesand to set up alerts on bank accounts for when money is deposited or withdrawn. That way if something shady does happen, steps can be taken immediately to try to rectify it. I understand theres two sides to this. An 83-year-old, any any change is hard for her, he says. On the other hand, if its part of a fraud schemetheres even more pain for your elderly mother, who now has to fill out other forms, get police reports and all that stuff, to be able to get her money back. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is urging action from rail company CSX after two trains derailed in Georgia in less than two months. Ossoff announced the launch of an inquiry into CSX Transportation, requesting answers from company CEO Joseph Hinrichs after train cars went off track in March and May. The two derailments mentioned by Ossoff for his safety inquiry happened on March 25, when six CSX train cars derailed in Fayette County, and on May 9 in Smyrna, when 17 train cars derailed in a residential area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The March 25 derailment in Fayette County was preceded by a warning to the rail company by law enforcement hours before that they had found broken tracks at the intersection where the derailment later occurred. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Smyrna, Channel 2 Action News was at the scene, where the train cars derailed just feet from homes and businesses nearby. I write to express serious concern about two recent derailments of CSX train cars in Georgia, and to request specific solutions from CSX as soon as possible on plans to prevent such derailments in the future, Ossoff said in his letter to Hinrichs. More must be done to protect my constituents. The senator wants CSX to provide information on new solutions to prevent future derailments and is pushing for answers on what theyre doing to make that happen. Ossoff said the derailments and significant operation failures could have seriously injured or killed my constituents, saying the company has to do more to prevent serious incidents in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his letter to Hinrichs, Ossoff requested answers within two weeks related to the nature of the failures, prevention and if hazardous materials are ever on the routes where the derailments happened, among others. Channel 2 Action News received the following statement from CSX, confirming theyd received the letter and planned to respond: We received the letter from Senator Ossoff regarding recent CSX incidents in Georgia. We are currently reviewing it and will respond in a timely manner. At CSX, safety is our highest priority. Its a commitment we make to our employees, our customers, and the communities through which we operate. Our goal is zero accidents. We take every accident on our railroad seriously and we work hard to learn from each one through careful analysis and fact-based process improvement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the safest way to move freight over land, we are committed to reducing incidents on our network and every decision we make is intended to transport all freight as safely and efficiently as possible." [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to consider a lawsuit from conservative Texas activist Michael Quinn Sullivan against the Texas Ethics Commission, serving another blow to his more than decade-long challenge against the state agency that implements and enforces Texas campaign finance and lobbying laws. Since 2014, Sullivan, who used to lead a powerful conservative advocacy group called Empower Texans, has challenged an ethics commission decision to fine him $10,000 for failing to register as a lobbyist in 2010 and 2011, repeatedly appealing his case before petitioning the nations highest court earlier this year to consider it. Last year, the Texas Supreme Court declined his request to overrule two state appeals court decisions refusing to toss out the fines. Sullivan argued in a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court that Texas ethics laws violate the First Amendment rights of ordinary citizens, who are looking to speak to their elected representatives, with burdensome registrations and fees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement States in some parts of the country are able to curtail the freedoms of speech, petition, and assembly by branding ordinary citizens lobbyists and threatening them with severe financial penalties, Sullivans lawyers wrote. This Courts review is sorely needed to clarify the circumstances under which the government may require citizens to pay a fee and obtain a license to communicate with their government representatives. Unless and until this Court does so, States can continueas Texas has done hereto use such requirements to harass or silence those whose speech is disfavored. The Ethics Commission responded that Sullivans actions went far beyond an average citizen who happened to visit with a lawmaker or who spent a day or two at the Texas Capitol during a legislative session. The Ethics Commission declined to comment. In a statement, Sullivans lawyer Tony McDonald said they were grateful for those who urged the Supreme Court to take the case, including Attorney General Ken Paxton and Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More and more Texans are waking up to the threat posed by the Texas Ethics Commission to the fundamental freedoms enshrined in our constitution, McDonald said. No Texans should ever be dragged behind closed doors to be investigated over their political speech. The courts decision means the appeals court decision siding with the ethics commission stands. Sullivan will go back to a district court for a jury trial to determine how much he has to pay. The ethics commission started investigating Sullivan after two former state lawmakers filed a complaint against him asserting that he had acted as an unregistered lobbyist. Sullivan has long contended that his activities with the now-defunct Empower Texans constituted journalism, not lobbying. But the ethics commission rejected that argument. In their 2014 ruling, they pointed to dozens of communications that he routinely sent to Republican lawmakers to discuss legislation and amendments, and encouraged them to vote in alignment with his organizations values. Sullivan also published a Fiscal Responsibility Index ranking lawmakers conservative bonafides based on their voting record each session. The commission found Sullivan used that scorecard to influence members votes as part of his job for Empower Texans, another example of lobbying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In court, Sullivan repeatedly tried to argue the ethics commission didnt have the constitutional authority to enforce the states ethics laws. Initially, Sullivan was able to get the case tried in a Denton County district court instead of Travis County, claiming he moved there. A judge there ruled in Sullivans favor, but the ruling didnt stick because the case got sent back to Travis County after an appeals court ruled Sullivan didnt actually meet the residency requirements to have the case heard in Denton County from the start. The Travis County judge sided with the TEC, which Sullivan appealed and lost again. Meanwhile, Sullivan filed multiple other cases against the commission, all of which have been denied or dismissed in federal or state district court. In recent months, Sullivans bid to the nations high court has drawn support from multiple high profile conservative officials and groups who wrote briefs in support of the activist, including the Cato Institute, the Manhattan Institute and Paxton. Cornyn and Cruz wrote a joint brief. Paxton declined to have his office represent the ethics commission in the case, forcing the agency to hire outside counsel. Since 2014, the commission has put more than $1 million in taxpayer dollars toward outside legal help. In his brief, Paxton backed Sullivans argument that Texas lobby laws violate his first amendment rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is antithetical to the First Amendment that a private citizen working for a nonprofit organization dedicated to fiscal responsibility that does not provide gifts to lawmakers nonetheless must register with the government, make disclosures to the government, and even pay a fee to the government to simply email elected officials about matters of significant public concern, Paxton wrote. Cruz and Cornyn did not take a position on the fines imposed on Sullivan, but instead argued that the courts have not set a solid precedent about how courts should review lobbying statutes against free speech concerns. Applying the appropriate tier of scrutiny when evaluating lobbyist disclosure requirements is crucial to ensuring protected political speech is not unlawfully restricted or silenced, they wrote. In their response to the petition, the ethics commission said many of the authors of these friend-of-the-court briefs, including ones written by Paxton, and Cruz and Cornyn, appear to assume, without any real analysis of the record that Sullivan did nothing more than write a newsletter and work on a website that rated legislators. Such characterizations belie the actual record that led to a Texas court granting summary judgements in the Commissions favor on the merits of the claims that Sullivan violated Texas law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court's decision is the latest loss for Sullivan, who up until a few years ago was one of the top conservative political activists in the capitol. Empower Texans, the group he used to run, was one of the first major groups to receive the financial backing of West Texas oil billionaires Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks. The group supported candidates and lawmakers in an effort to push the Texas Legislature further to the right. In 2019, Sullivans influence reached its apex when he secretly recorded a conversation with former House Speaker Dennis Bonnen where Bonnen offered Empower Texans media credentials in exchange for Sullivans assistance to go after some House Republicans in the next election cycle. Bonnen ultimately did not seek reelection. Empower Texans disbanded in 2020. Sullivans public profile has waned in the years since, though he is still involved in Texas politics as the publisher of Texas Scorecard, a conservative blog and nonprofit also associated with Dunn. His lawyer, McDonald, is the general counsel for Texas Scorecard, which has published many posts critical of the ethics commission. Sullivan and his conservative political associates have long waged a war against the ethics commission's enforcement on campaign finance and lobbying infractions in the name of free speech. Last year, the Republican Party of Texas, which also receives large amounts of funding from Dunn, passed a resolution calling on lawmakers to "rein in the abuses" of the ethics commission as lawmakers conducted a periodic review of the state agency and proposed legislation to improve the agency's processes based on the review recommendations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers filed an ethics commission review bill this session, which would place more guardrails on the TEC's ability to prosecute such violations. But that piece of legislation and dozens of others ethics related bills appear to be dead on the last day of the legislative session. 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! COLUMBIA, Ill. A Collinsville man and Cahokia Heights teenager have been charged with shooting an Uber driver outside the Columbia, Illinois, police station over the weekend. According to Col. Jason P. Donjon, Chief of Police for the Columbia Police Department, the shooting happened around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. Police said the Uber driver, Allen Lalk, went to pick up two passengers, a 20-year-old man and 17-year-old boy, at an undisclosed location in north St. Louis County. Shortly after getting into the vehicle, one passenger pulled a gun and ordered Lalk to drive to his home in Columbia, Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lalk initially complied with the order, but upon entering Columbia, he diverted to the police station parking lot to seek help. Police said teenager shot Lalk in the face. Both suspects ran from the vehicle toward Bolm-Schuhkraft City Park. Lalk, 52, suffered critical injuries but is expected to survive, police said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Police eventually took four people into custody, including the two suspects believed to be the passengers in the Uber drivers vehicle. On Sunday, the Monroe County States Attorneys Office charged Kareem Weaver with vehicular invasion, attempted aggravated vehicular hijacking, aggravated unlawful restraint, and aggravated kidnapping. Weaver is being held at the Monroe County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 17-year-old juvenile suspect was charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, vehicular invasion, attempted aggravated vehicular hijacking, aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated unlawful restraint, and aggravated kidnapping. The teen is in custody at the Juvenile Detention Center in Belleville. The reported details are terrifying. Our hearts go out to the driver and their loved ones as they begin to heal from this senseless act, an Uber spokesperson said. Were relieved that the suspects have been apprehended and are standing by to assist law enforcement however needed. According to friends of Lalk, Hes been a part of the Columbia Hockey Club for years, leading the 2024-2025 varsity and JB South teams to first place in their league, with Varsity winning a 1A championship and JB South winning a gold championship. His leadership has been credited with improving the experience for youth both on and off the ice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One friend described Lalk as the guy you call when you need help and believes his injuries will not keep him from fighting through them and using them as fuel for something else. Friends continue to ask for prayers. A GoFundMe has been established to raise money for the victims medical and other recovery expenses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The United States became the undisputed leader of the "free world" after World War II for a lot of reasons, but one of the most important was the fact that so many of the most renowned scientists who had been displaced during the war came to America. This was especially true of German Jews and some of their comrades who were chased out of Germany when the Nazis took power. It was a massive brain drain that hobbled the German war effort and benefited the Allies greatly. As reported in the book "Hitler's Gift" by Jean Medawar and David Pyke, Germany had long been the acknowledged world leader in the hard sciences. Between 1901 and 1933, it had won a full one-third of all the Nobel Prizes. Between 1933 and 1960, it won only eight. According to the book, some 2600 scientists and other scholars left Germany within the first year [alone], the vast majority of them Jewish. Twenty-five per cent of all physicists were lost from German universities in an insane squandering of talent. Almost all of them emigrated to the United States and the U.K., winning a vast number of Nobel prizes in the ensuing years. They included such luminaries as Albert Einstein, Edward Teller, Leo Szilard, John von Neumann, Hans Bethe and Stanisaw Ulam among many others. This ended up being Hitler's gift to America which spent the next 90 years welcoming the very best minds from around the world to study here and do the research that made the U.S the world's leader in physics, medicine, chemistry and economics which has led to the astonishing innovations such as this contraption you're reading this on right now. The alliance between the federal government and the great American research universities is one of the most successful public-private partnerships in history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parallels between what happened to Germany's scientific community and what is happening here isn't perfect, but it's close enough. The Trump administration has embarked on a concerted effort to end America's role as a world leader in science and innovation. They aren't singling out Jewish scholars, although plenty of Jews will be caught up in it. They are instead using a blunderbuss to blast the whole system by targeting foreign students for deportation and defunding the research that will lead to the breakthroughs of the future. There is no logical reason for any of this. Their reasons change day to day. One day it's because the research is "DEI" which simply means we have no need to understand anything about diverse populations. Another day it's withholding money for universities allegedly because of antisemitism and revoking Harvard University's right (and probably others in the future) to enroll foreign students. Now we've gone into full red scare McCarthyism toward Chinese students and scientists. Listen to the Secretary of Homeland Security speak about it over the weekend: Kristi Noem: "China hates us, and they have infiltrated our country, they've hacked into our systems, they've proven they can shut down our critical infrastructure ... they want to destroy us, and Harvard is allowing that to happen on their campus..." pic.twitter.com/FD7GrRChkk The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 1, 2025 That's just ignorant smearing by someone who doesn't even know what habeas corpus is. But it's a problem since our secretary of state has just announced that he will aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students." There are over a quarter of a million of them studying in the country as well as other Chinese and Chinese-American researchers who are very heavily represented in the scientific fields. They are now being hunted, apparently because our government doesn't value scientific innovation and wants them to go elsewhere to share their talents and ambition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the American Association of Universities: [A] recent brief from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) found that the NIH has canceled $1.9 billion in funding across hundreds of grants over the past few months. This years terminations of biomedical research grants funded by the National Institutes of Health are unprecedented in the history of the agency, stated AAMC in the brief. Every day, there are stories of researchers seeing their life's work being capriciously destroyed without any thought or consideration for the value they bring to the country's economic and social well-being. Foreign scientists working in the country are harassed by ignorant customs officials and, in some cases, thrown in prison on spurious grounds. It's impossible not to see this as another example of an authoritarian government purging the country of its finest minds simply as a way of exerting control. To make matters even worse, we seem to be also intent upon replacing our scientific community with woo-wellness influencers and conspiracy cranks, led by none other than the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert Kennedy Jr. It's a lethal one-two punch. Meanwhile, the rest of the world is eagerly anticipating that they will reap the benefits of "Trump's Gift." According to Politico, he has sparked Europe's "New Enlightenment." European universities and top politicians have mobilized in response to Trumps domestic measures, creating new initiatives aimed at attracting top foreign talent to Europe by offering generous grants and greater academic freedom. Earlier this month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a 500 million plan named Choose Europe for Science aiming to lure foreign researchers to the EU.[...] The Commission last month announced plans to accelerate visa procedures to attract U.S. researchers and EU research ministers met in Brussels on May 23 to discuss how to increase Europes competitiveness in science and innovation. China and India are also stepping up efforts to lure foreign talent and keep their own at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of this is going to affect not just the cutting-edge medical advances, but it's also going to affect U.S. business competitiveness and the jobs of the future. The dynamism of the American economy has been the envy of the world for decades, but we are throwing away the very engine that drives it. But then, the Trump administration keeps insisting that Americans yearn to work in factories and eschew material things in order to engage in more spiritual pursuits, so perhaps our future really lies with supplying the rest of the world with consumer goods while they engage in the services and investing that made America wealthy in recent years. In some ways, it's odd that Trump would go along with all this. He's always been a big admirer of the MIT big brains like his uncle, who taught there (which he often uses as validation of his own alleged genius), and he went to Penn as did Don Jr., Ivanka and Tiffany, and it's an Ivy League school. But then he does have tremendous status envy, which was exacerbated during the pandemic when he commonly made a fool of himself with his attempts to discuss serious scientific subjects. And he certainly senses how much his followers loathe the intellectual elite. At this point, the battle with Harvard is simply a battle of wills. He wants to see them crawl. Whether they do or not, much of the damage is already done. The top scientific talent from around the world is already seeking opportunity elsewhere and they are being offered plenty of incentives. It's only a matter of time before American talent does the same because they won't have the support or the resources to do their work here anymore. It's a hell of a "gift" to the rest of the world. So much for America first. The United Kingdom has announced plans to build 12 new nuclear submarines in preparation for potential armed aggression from Russia. Source: The Sunday Times Details: According to The Sunday Times, the UK is planning to construct 12 new nuclear attack submarines to replace the seven existing Astute-class submarines equipped with conventional weapons and to complement the four Trident nuclear missile strategic submarines that form the sea-based component of the UKs nuclear deterrent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new submarines are expected to enter service by the late 2030s. They will be part of the AUKUS trilateral security pact signed between the UK, the US and Australia in 2021. The alliance provides for the sharing of military technology and intelligence and the joint development of submarines. The total number of submarines ordered under AUKUS will reach 20. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will also promise to invest 15 billion (around US$20 billion) in a nuclear warhead development programme. The Sunday Times noted that this is the first time the UK has revealed both the number of nuclear attack submarines to replace the Astute class and the scale of investment in warhead development programmes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details about the rearmament of the British forces are expected to be outlined in the UK government's strategic defence review, which will be published on Monday 2 June. Defence Secretary John Healey said that the UK must be ready for armed attack from Russia and that the review will send a "message to Moscow" about the countrys readiness for combat. The 130-page document will also recommend putting the UK armed forces on a state of combat readiness in response to the "immediate and pressing" threat from Russia. Background: Prior to that, The Sunday Times reported that the UK government is negotiating with the Pentagon to purchase US F-35A Lightning stealth fighters capable of launching tactical nuclear weapons. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Financial Times reported Builder AI commissioned a law firm to investigate the figures and experts involved in the review told Ratia that they believed there may have been past efforts to inflate sales, it was reported. Builder AI was also forced to restate its sales for 2023 after previously booked sales from resellers of its technology were not collected for long periods. According to Bloomberg, the companys lenders pulled funds after Builder AIs promised sales figures came in far below expectations. Before his exit the 42-year-old Duggal gave lenders a sales forecast in the region of $220m for 2024. After an independent audit, the actual figure came in at $50m. In a letter to investors seen by The Telegraph, Ratia blamed the sudden collapse on the unexpected and irreversible action of the companys senior lenders who swept over $40m in cash from our accounts, and restricted all access to funds, effectively shutting down our ability to operate. Manpreet Ratia, who was parachuted in by investors to try and save the business, told staff earlier in May that he had been left running the company with zero dollars, according to the Financial Times. Now, administration appears all but certain, although advisers have yet to be formally appointed. This vision helped Builder AI catapult to a valuation of $1.5bn, making it one of Britains rare unicorns a private tech company worth more than a billion. Not only that, it was also operating in the field of AI, a technology Sir Keir Starmer has promised will deliver a decade of national renewal . Builder AI had claimed to use human-assisted AI, including a bot called Natasha, to quickly and cost-effectively build apps for customers, including the BBC. Duggal, who has said he started building PCs at home at the age of 14, said the company would make building an app as easy as ordering a pizza. The collapse came despite Duggal, a colourful technology entrepreneur who went by the title of chief wizard, raising more than $450m (334m) in funding from investors including Microsoft , Qatars sovereign wealth fund, and venture capital investors such as Insight Partners. On May 20, the London start-up confirmed that it would be appointing administrators with the loss of about 1,000 jobs . Just weeks after Duggal posted this famous Teddy Roosevelt quote, Builder AI would indeed fail and in spectacular fashion. It is not the critic who counts, Sachin Dev Duggal posted on Instagram days after he was pushed out as chief executive of Builder AI. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. Story Continues In the letter from Ratia to investors, he revealed that Builder AI had borrowed $50m last year and owed $88m in cloud fees to businesses such as Amazon. A $75m capital infusion by existing investors in March was not enough to stave off collapse. Despite its lofty valuation, the company had been grappling with a series of crises for years. One source says: Where did it go wrong? Everywhere. Attention-grabber Builder AI was founded in 2016 by Duggal, an Imperial College graduate who worked at Deutsche Bank before founding Nivio, a cloud computing business that he later sold. From the outset, the company caught the attention of the wider business world. Duggal was named an EY World Entrepreneur of the Year in 2024 and, that same year, he hosted the rapper Will.i.am at the BuilderPlex event in Davos for the World Economic Forum. Yet as early as 2019, problems had begun to emerge. Duggal (second from left) with then prime minister Rishi Sunak. The Builder AI founder captured widespread attention Builder AI and Duggal were sued by Robert Holdheim, a former employee, for $5m that year. Holdheim alleged he was dismissed after complaining that the companys technology at the time did not work as promoted and was essentially nothing more than smoke and mirrors. At the heart of the allegation was a claim that Builder AI was far more reliant on humans than it let on. Holdheim claimed the company told investors apps were 80pc built by a product it had barely even begun to develop. Instead, it relied heavily on contractors in India, according to court filings. Builder AI disputed the allegations and the lawsuit was later settled. Duggal always insisted the company had been upfront that its AI was human-assisted. Investors would later say that this combination of automation and human-helpers allowed apps to be built multitudes cheaper and faster than traditional approaches. At a 2020 conference, Duggal said that AI doesnt mean Another Indian, adding how you translate a companys mission and where it is today to the companys aspirations are two very different things. Later, the start-up would sue Barry Kaufman, the lawyer that had brought the claims, alleging the case had been the basis of a damaging newspaper article that had cost the business $1.2bn in an investment round. The claim was ultimately dismissed. In a further lawsuit, filed this year, the lawyer accused Builder AI of using legal strong-arming to intimidate its critics and silence them. Legal battles Duggal, meanwhile, is involved in his own legal battles. Court records in India show that he was issued with a non-bailable warrant and a demand that he come in for questioning in a case related to the collapse of Indian business Videocon, which has been the subject of a high-profile loan fraud investigation. Lawyers for Duggal have said the warrant was bad in law and is strongly refuted. His lawyers have insisted he is a witness in the case. The case is ongoing. Saurabh Dhoot, another Builder AI co-founder, was in 2023 named on a charge sheet brought by Indian prosecutors alleging a criminal conspiracy at Videocon, which was founded by Dhoots one-time billionaire uncle. Dhoot has not been involved with Builder AI since 2022 and has denied wrongdoing in the case. Lawyers for the Dhoot family were contacted for comment. Duggal stepped down as chief executive of Builder AI in February after the board became concerned that its projected sales for 2024 were way off the mark. The apparent accounting discrepancies that occurred under Duggals leadership have come under legal scrutiny in recent weeks. In the days before it said it would file for administration, Builder AI received requests from US prosecutors in New York for information about its sales data, The Telegraph understands. A fake it till you make it approach has long been an accepted part of the tech world, with founders and start-ups setting out ambitious visions for their products and performance as they hope to woo both investors and staff. However, investors and lenders have become less tolerant of companies that fall short as interest rates rise and following a series of high-profile failures. Still, Builder AIs dramatic end came as a shock to staff and shareholders. Investors had just injected rescue funding of $75m to try and shore up the business, an effort that was quickly undone as lenders pulled support. The Telegraph also understands that Duggal agreed a $300,000 personal loan with Builder AIs chief executive, Ratia, to help meet payroll costs. The failure of Builder AI threatens to cast a shadow over the UKs AI sector at a time when Britains start-ups are struggling to compete with their Silicon Valley peers. According to data from Dealroom, UK AI start-ups have raised about $3.1bn for the latest wave of generative AI tools since 2019. US start-ups, meanwhile, have raised $84bn. Since his exit, Duggal has not been quiet. The Builder AI founder has been on panels in Dubai, where he is now based, talking up the Middle Easts AI prospects on LinkedIn. Sources said he has been working independently to try and raise funds to save Builder AI or buy it out of insolvency. Duggal and his lawyers declined to comment. The founder did, however, post a note on a group for ex-Builder AI employees, many of whom have just lost their jobs. I know this week has been devastating for everyone, Duggal wrote. Not a day goes by since I stepped away that I dont miss the builder energy. Cryptically, the chief wizard, added: I dont think the story is done yet. 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. Britain will build new attack submarines, invest billions on nuclear warheads and move toward war-fighting readiness, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday, shortly before the publication of a landmark review of the future of the countrys military. Starmers government said it would build up to 12 new attack submarines as part of its AUKUS partnership with the United States and Australia, replacing the countrys current class of seven subs from the late 2030s. And he will launch a historic renewal of the UKs nuclear deterrent backed by a 15 billion ($20.3 bn) investment, Starmer said in a speech in Scotland on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The announcements came on the same day as the publication of the long-awaited UK Strategic Defense Review into Britains armed services, which outlined how the British military would pursue an immediate shift toward greater use of autonomy and AI in the wake of Ukraines experiences in its war with Russia. When we are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces, the most effective way to deter them is to be ready, and frankly, to show them that were ready to deliver peace through strength, Starmer said Monday. But Starmer refused to set out the timeline for his pledge that Britains overall defense spending would hit 3% of the UKs gross domestic product (GDP). The uplift, announced earlier this year, is set to be reached by the end of the next parliament in 2034, but is dependent on economic conditions. And the prime minister did not set out where the money to pay for the new weaponry will come from; he previously announced cuts to the UKs aid budget to fund the uplift in defense spending, and he declined to rule out similar moves on Monday. Starmer pledged to turn the UK into a "battle-ready, armour-clad nation." - Andy Buchanan/PA/AP According to the 144-page review, units in future will be made up of only 20% crewed vehicles, with the remainder of capabilities split between reusable platforms, like drones that survive repeated missions, and 40% single-use weapons, like rockets or attack drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Royal Navy is to move toward a more powerful but cheaper and simpler fleet, and the UKs two aircraft carriers (the largest in Europe) will shift to being used as a base for European rather than only British aircraft and drones. Meanwhile, under the waves, unmanned subs and sensors will police the North Atlantic against Russian military movements. However, some such capabilities will require a decade of investment and development, Dr Marion Messmer, a senior research fellow at thinktank Chatham House told CNN. That stretches far beyond the forecast of certain European countries that Russia could be ready to threaten European borders militarily six months to a few years after ending fighting with Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even so, the boosted investment in the UKs nuclear capabilities as well as potential integration with European deterrence outlined in the document will strike a nerve with Moscow, she said. The fiscal promise from the UK falls short of defense spending promises from some NATO countries, whose spending has been closely scrutinized by US President Donald Trump. NATOs Secretary General Mark Rutte said last month he assumed NATO members will agree on a defense spending target of 5% at Junes NATO summit, a significant increase from the 2% benchmark, which was agreed to in 2014. Per 2024 NATO data, only Polands defense expenditure was above 4% of GDP, although Latvia and Estonia had promised increases to 5%, with Italy promising a hike to between 3.5 and 5% of GDP. The US defense expenditure sat at 3.38% of GDP in 2024, making up some 64% of total NATO expenditure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just weeks before NATO allies could agree on a significantly higher spending target, it seems a little risky for the UK government to essentially have boxed itself in to a 2.5%-of-GDP spending cap, analyst Messmer told CNN. The UKs ambition to lead in NATO, doesnt fit with spending in the middle of the pack among NATO allies, she said. Countering the Russia threat Russias invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent pressure from Trumps administration on European nations to boost their own military capabilities has sparked a race among Europes key military powers to boost their readiness and counter the Russian threat should the White House pull its support for Kyiv. The UK cannot ignore the threat that Russia poses, Starmer told the BBC on Monday. Russia has shown in recent weeks that its not serious about peace, and we have to be ready. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starmer said Monday he intended to turn the UK into a battle-ready, armor-clad nation with the strongest alliances, and the most advanced capabilities, equipped for the decades to come. Government MP and member of the British Parliaments Defence Select Committee, Fred Thomas, told CNN that the review was a bold plan, and the first since the 1980s that argued for doing more, not less, with the UKs military. However, the British military of today is a long way from its Cold War ancestor. At under half the strength of the regular military in 1989, the British army is a shadow of its former self. In 1989, defense spending accounted for 4.1% of GDP. If you want to prepare for tomorrows war, you need to make sure youre at least ready for todays war. And were not ready for todays war, MP Thomas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The planners hope machines will make up for manpower. As part of the UK military fundamentally transforming how it works, the review recommended enabling any sensor and weapon across the armed forces arsenal to work in tandem, using AI to predict threats and speed up decision-making. 10 times as lethal? Combining conventional armored forces with AI and land drone swarms, the review boasted of creating a military 10 times more lethal than the British militarys currently is. Writing in the Financial Times MP Thomas on May 31, the lawmaker criticised the UKs ministry of defences, deep cultural and structural resistance to change, but he said he saw reason to hope in the recommendations laid out in todays review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At times frank the review highlighted how a focus on focus on exquisite capabilities has masked the hollowing out of the Armed Forces warfighting capability the document still offered a somewhat rosy vision of the British armed forces. This is at odds with much commentary in the British press, which has slammed the dwindling size, troubled and inefficient equipment procurement and failures of conduct plaguing the British military through its wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Analyst Messmer advised caution around some of the reviews promises. Ten times more lethal is something that sounds good, but I would really want to see more evidence, she said, I think its more marketing than anything else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given decades of shrinking investment in the British military, questions have been raised over the deterrence that Britains conventional and nuclear weapons offer, particularly given its reliance on a US supply chain. In the past eight years, the UK has publicly acknowledged two failed nuclear missile tests, one of them in the waters off Florida, when dummy missiles didnt fire as intended. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Alistair Smout and Andrea Shalal LONDON/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States on Tuesday announced it would skip doubling steel and aluminum tariffs for Britain, hours after the UK government said the two countries agreed on the need to implement a tariff relief deal as soon as possible. The U.S. announcement, which exempts British steel and aluminum from a doubling of tariffs to 50%, came in a proclamation signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday that will raise metals tariffs for other countries from June 4. British trade minister Jonathan Reynolds and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met in Paris on Tuesday during a meeting of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The UK was the first country to secure a trade deal with the U.S. earlier this month and we remain committed to protecting British business and jobs across key sectors," a UK government spokesperson said. Were pleased that as a result of our agreement with the U.S., UK steel will not be subject to these additional tariffs. We will continue to work with the U.S. to implement our agreement, which will see the 25% U.S. tariffs on steel removed. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Trump on May 8 agreed to reduce tariffs on UK imports of cars and steel to the U.S., with Britain agreeing to lower tariffs on beef and ethanol, but implementation of the deal has been delayed. Industry body UK Steel had earlier warned that doubled tariffs would be a "body blow" to the British steel sector. Britain's trade ministry said Greer and Reynolds met to discuss the pace of implementation of the May 8 bilateral trade deal, and both sides agreed that businesses and consumers in each country needed to start feeling its benefits. "The pair discussed their shared desire to implement the Economic Prosperity Deal, including implementing agreements on sectoral tariffs as soon as possible," Britain's trade ministry said in a statement after the meeting. Greer's office had no immediate comment on the meeting. Before the meeting, Starmer's spokesperson said, once implemented, the deal with Washington would eliminate tariffs on the "majority of steel products" exported to the United States, and that "we'd continue to expect that to be the case" regardless of the 50% tariff announced by Trump. He also said that industry minister Sarah Jones was meeting with representatives from the steel sector on Tuesday. Asked earlier if the 50% tariffs would go ahead on Wednesday, Greer, speaking French with reporters in Paris, said: "We'll see." First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhii Kyslytsia and Ukrainian delegation member Oleksandr Bevz have met with representatives of Ukraines European partners Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom ahead of negotiations with the Russian delegation in Istanbul. Source: Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: On 2 June in Istanbul, Kyslytsia and Bevz held talks with representatives of Germany, Italy and the UK. The parties coordinated their positions ahead of a meeting of the Ukrainian and Russian delegations later today. The Ukrainian delegation reaffirmed the countrys commitment to peace efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian side outlined the agenda items in detail, including a meeting of the two leaders, a full ceasefire and humanitarian confidence-building measures. Background: On 1 June, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy approved the updated composition of Ukraines delegation for negotiations with Russia in Istanbul aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace. As in the previous delegation, it is headed by Defence Minister Rustem Umierov. However, Oleksii Malovatskyi, head of the International and Operational Law Directorate at the General Staffs Legal Department, was excluded. Three new members Andrii Fomin, Yevhenii Ostrianskyi and Yurii Kovbasa have been added. On 2 June, the Ukrainian delegation arrived in Turkiye for the second round of negotiations with the Russian delegation, scheduled to begin at around 13:00 Kyiv time. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukraines large-scale drone attack on Russian air bases thousands of miles behind the front lines is the latest in a long line of daring missions by Ukraines forces against its giant neighbor. The operation, more than a year and a half in the making, involved drones being smuggled into Russian territory and hidden in wooden mobile houses atop trucks, according to a source in the SBU, Ukraines domestic intelligence agency. The strikes caused an estimated $7 billion in damages and hit 34% of Russias strategic cruise missile carriers at its main air bases, the source said. The assault also showed that Ukraine still has the ability to pressure Russia even as Moscow ramps up its own attacks and offensive operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a look at some of the Ukrainian forces most significant hits during the war: Undercover drones Analysts have called Ukraines Sunday drone attack on the bomber bases the most significant by Kyiv since the beginning of the war. More than 40 aircraft were known to have been hit in the operation, according to an SBU security source, including TU-95 and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers and one of Russias few remaining A-50 surveillance planes. The Tu-22M3 is Russias long-range missile strike platform that can perform stand-off attacks, launching missiles from Russian airspace well behind the front lines to stay out of range of Ukrainian anti-aircraft fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia had 55 Tu-22M3 jets and 57 Tu-95s in its fleet at the beginning of the year, according to the Military Balance 2025 from the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank. Smoke rises following what local authorities called a Ukrainian drone attack in Olenegorsk of the Murmansk region, Russia, in this still image from social media video released on June 1, 2025. - Social Media via Reuters The Tu-95 joined the Soviet Union air force in the 1950s, and Russia has modified them to launch cruise missiles like the Tu-22. Military aviation expert Peter Layton said the loss of the bombers, which could carry the heaviest and most powerful cruise missiles, mean Russia will need to rely more on drones for future attacks on Ukraine. Outside the immediate air war, the attack on the air bases will be a major distraction for Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Carl Schuster, a former director of operations at the US Pacific Commands Joint Intelligence Center, now a military analyst in Hawaii. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin will direct more resources to internal security after such a domestic security failure, Schuster said. Ukraine was able to deploy dozens of containers with drones to within line of sight of major Russian strategic bases and launch massive air strikes. Can you imagine explaining that one to Putin? The sinking of the pride of Russias Black Sea fleet One of Ukraines first major wins was the sinking of the cruiser Moskva, the pride of Russias Black Sea fleet, in the early months of war. The Moskva was one of the Russian Navys most important warships and its sinking represented a massive blow to Moscows military, which at the time was struggling against Ukrainian resistance 50 days into Putins invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, 2022, Ukraines Operational Command South claimed the Moskva had begun to sink after it was hit by Ukrainian Neptune anti-ship missiles. The Russian guided missile cruiser Moskva is seen April 7, in Sevastopol, Crimea in this satellite image. - Maxar Technologies Russia, meanwhile said a fire broke out on the guided-missile cruiser, causing munitions aboard to explode, inflicting serious damage to the vessel, and forcing the crew of the warship to be evacuated. Analysts said its loss struck hard at the heart of the Russian navy as well as national pride, comparable to the US Navy losing a battleship during World War II or an aircraft carrier today. What followed was a string of naval defeats for Moscows Black Sea Fleet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early 2024, six sea drones, powered by jet skis, felled a Russian guided missile ship, the Ivanovets. Night-time footage released by the Ukrainians showed Russians firing at the drones as they raced toward the Ivanovets, before at least two drones struck the side of the ship, disabling it and causing massive explosions. Damage to the Kerch bridge Built following Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea, the 12-mile Kerch bridge was a vital supply line for Moscows war effort in Ukraine and a personal project for Putin, embodying his objective to bind the peninsula to Russia. Russia built the bridge at a cost of around $3.7 billion In July, 2023, Ukrainian security services claimed to have blown up the bridge using an experimental sea drone. The attack caused damage to the road lanes of the bridge, and, according to Russian officials, killed two civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The head of the SBU, Vasyl Maliuk, told CNN at the time that the Kerch attack was a joint operation with the Ukrainian navy. The bridge is a critical artery for supplying Crimea with both its daily needs and supplies for the military. Mysterious assassinations A number of high profile Russian military figures have been killed inside the country over the past year. Crucially, Ukraine has never claimed the killings but it is notable that many of those killed played important roles in Moscows war. Last month, Russian deputy mayor and prominent veteran of the war, Zaur Aleksandrovich Gurtsiev, was killed in an explosion in southern Russia. Russian authorities said they were investigating all options into the killing, including the organization of a terrorist attack involving Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gurtsiev had been involved in the Russian attacks on the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, which destroyed about 90% of residential buildings, according to United Nations estimates. Gurtsiev had introduced his developments in the technology of targeting missiles, which allowed them to increase their accuracy and effectiveness many times over, according to the Time of Heroes program. In April, 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. 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, Russian state media outlet TASS reported at the time. Ukraine has never claimed the killings but it is notable that high-profile figures have been assassinated in Russian territory. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Ukraines extraordinary attack deep inside Russia has, at a stroke, rewritten the rules of modern war. On Sunday a swarm of small drones, each costing under $500, rose over four Russian airfields deep inside Siberia and the Arctic and destroyed over forty strategic bombers reportedly worth over $7 billion. Thanks to meticulous planning, sophisticated military imagination and an underdogs boldness of vision, Kyivs forces have landed a stunning blow on their far stronger opponent, opening a new chapter in the history of human conflict. The question that will be haunting Putin is whats next? Ukraines famously stone-faced chief of military intelligence, or HUR, Major-General Kyrylo Budanov, has built his covert operations forces into a weapon as deadly, if not more so, than Israels Mossad, its only international rival. And like the Biblical champion Goliath, it is precisely the vast lumbering size of Russia that makes it fatally vulnerable to small but precisely aimed projectiles from Davids small but deadly slingshot. Many of the details of Sundays drone operation come from the Ukrainian side, so may be taken with a pinch of salt. But the basic logistics of the strike are in no doubt. Ukrainian military engineers, possibly already inside Russia, covertly loaded dozens of explosives-laden drones into special compartments set into the roofs of standard 40-foot steel shipping containers. Using a network of haulage companies set up for the purpose, Ukrainian operatives recruited truck drivers via commercial apps to drive their loads to specific designations next to military airfields thousands of miles away from the Ukrainian border. Credit: Telegram / russianocontext Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a predetermined time the drones buzzed into the air and headed for the airfields with their deadly payloads to the amazement of the Russian drivers, some of whom posted profanity-laced mobile phone footage of their own rigs and suddenly transformed into mobile drone-launch platforms. First-person footage from the drones released by the HUR shows the unmanned aerial vehicles carefully lining up over fuel tanks in the bombers wings before closing in for the kill. Military drone specialists have speculated that the drones were not targeted remotely by human operators but were rather programmed by artificial intelligence to recognise the distinctive shape of Russian Tu-22 and Tu-95 strategic bombers, making them invulnerable to electronic jamming. If the sci-fi novelty of the strikes seems like something out of the dystopian world of Black Mirror, the revolutionary implications for the future of warfare are plain enough. A world where multibillion dollar pieces of sophisticated military hardware can be eliminated en masse by drones light enough to be held in one hand and simple enough to assemble in a garage is one where the conventional balance of power has been upended forever. What should really be worrying Putin is how target-rich his country is for Kyivs drone hunters. His economy is dependent on a vast network of oil and gas wells pipelines, pumping stations, refineries, storage depots and shipping terminals. Many such facilities have already been targeted by older generation long-range drones, which resemble slow-moving miniature civilian aircraft loaded with explosives. These were launched from inside Ukraine and were vulnerable to anti-missile defences and radio jamming though a few succeeded in scoring psychologically important hits, for instance a bullseye right on the roof of the Kremlins Senate Palace back in May 2023. Imagine the devastating power of the new Ukrainian drones, pre-programmed with visual coordinates and launched from just a few hundred yards from their targets, on airports, bridges, factories and military headquarters. The HUR has, like Mossad, also shown a steely disregard for moral niceties in pursuit of revenge. Back in October 2022 a Russian truck driver was recruited as an unwitting suicide bomber as he picked up a commercial payload across the Kerch Bridge linking Russia proper with occupied Crimea. The container was packed with explosives, seriously damaging the bridge and killing the driver. Suicide bombing by false-flag recruitment has become an HUR signature. Last week a man reportedly recruited to honeytrap a senior Russian commander via a gay dating app was blown up, along with his target, with a bomb concealed in a hidden camera he had been given to wear supposedly to record the liaison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until this year, Kyivs allies and sponsors in Washington had frowned on this kind of borderline terror activity for fear of provoking Russian escalation. The CIA was furious when a team of six Ukrainian divers intentionally destroyed the Nord Stream pipeline in September 2022 (though Western intelligence, fearful of a backlash against continued support for Ukraine, kept publicly quiet about the operation). But with the Trump administration disengaging from both material support for Kyiv and control over the Ukraines war effort, the gloves are now off. 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. Ukraine, which is defending itself a full-scale Russian invasion, has received an invitation to the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague. "We have been invited to the NATO summit. I think that is important," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists on Monday. The invitation was extended during his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Vilnius. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has been tasked with preparing the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky did not say whether he would travel to the Netherlands himself. The summit of the member states of the NATO military alliance is scheduled to take place in The Hague in just under three weeks. Ukraine has been fighting a Russian invasion with Western support for more than three years. Preventing Kiev from joining NATO, which is enshrined in the country's constitution, is one of the Kremlin's main reasons for having launched the assault on its neighbour Ukraine. Credit: Via Reuters Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that Ukraine holds no cards in this war. Well, they just played one hell of a hand. On Sunday, a clandestine drone operation hit as many as five different airfields deep inside Russian territory, striking at least eight and possibly dozens of Soviet-era nuclear-capable heavy bombers, which are today impossible to remanufacture. And the way Ukraine did so is worthy of a Robert Ludlam thriller. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its domestic security service smuggled in 150 First Person View (FPV) drones in concealed compartments on the top of multiple shipping containers, undetected by Russias own sprawling counterintelligence organs, which were then loaded on the backs of articulated lorries and driven to within striking distance of their targets. At the push of a button, the tops of the containers popped off, allowing a swarm of lethal unmanned aerial vehicles to ascend which then struck their unsuspecting targets; lines of Russian bombers fully fueled and awaiting takeoff. The timing of this kinetic covert operation could not have been better from the Ukrainian perspective. Peace negotiations begin again in Istanbul with the Russians on Monday, even as Moscow continues to make clear it isnt interested in a 30-day ceasefire. Personal favour Trump is said to be exasperated that a suddenly crazy Putin wont end the war as a personal favour to him and is growing weary of engaging in pointless diplomacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the US president has also made no statements about future security assistance to Ukraine, which badly needs three things only the US military-industrial complex can provide at scale: ballistic missile defence, GMLRS rocket artillery and howitzer ammunition. So Ukraine, it seems, is imposing its own bespoke penalties on Russia, hitting its adversary on supposedly impregnable ground and eliminating a good percentage of its irreplaceable bomber fleet. CBS News and Axios have reported that Kyiv did not inform the Trump administration of its plans, which took 18 months to pull together. This means that when Zelensky sat through that Two Minutes of Hate session delivered jointly by Trump and JD Vance in the Oval Office last February, he had this secret caper bouncing about in the back of his head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its worth re-watching that confrontation in light of what just happened. A Russian man enters one of Ukraines drone trucks, and moments later a self-destruction mechanism ignites Now, Ukraine has a much needed morale boost at a time when the war has ground down into one of attrition and Russia has launched its now annual summer offensive, which is making costly but consistent progress in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. Ukraines capacity to bring the war home to Russia in such a bold fashion is also likely to encourage pro-Ukrainian Republicans who are growing anxious and impatient with Trumps dithering. Lindsay Graham, the Trump-whisperer senator from South Carolina who has drawn up a range of sanctions against Russia for Mr Trump to sign off, said: The ever-resourceful Ukraine used creative drone warfare tactics to successfully attack Russian bombers and military assets used to kill Ukrainian citizens and destroy their country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This operation has demonstrated that Ukraine is very much still in the fight, whatever dour statements emerge from the White House. Mr Trump, easily distracted and unfocused on his best days, has told big and small lies about the war since the beginning of his second term, all damaging to the reality and perception that Ukraine is holding its own. He has said, for instance, that thousands of Ukrainian troops were surrounded in Kursk when they were not, and claimed that Russia would have taken Kyiv in five hours had Russian tanks not got stuck in the mud. Ukraines drone escapades have embarrassed Mr Trump, as well as Mr Putin, it seems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraines home-grown munitions are not only changing the nature of this war, but the nature of all future wars fought in the 21st century. The secret operation was prepared for more than a year and a half A nation regarded for its IT and engineering sectors has adapted ingeniously to being outgunned and outmanned by an invading army. A few hundred thousand dollars worth of FPV drones have just eliminated approximately $7 billion of Russian kit, according to the SBU. No shambolic mineral or rare earths deals had to be struck for that to happen. Ukraine is mass producing its own variegated fleet of drones at scale using both its own coffers and money from seventeen Western countries the UK among them part of a drone coalition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tulsi Gabbard, Trumps director of national intelligence, is said to be mulling replacing the presidential daily briefings with video segments similar to those of Fox News, in a desperate effort to get the commander-in-chief to follow along with his own nationals security prerogatives. Russian nuclear bombers burning on the tarmac is surely one way to get even his attention. 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. Some of the sanctions against Russia could be lifted following a potential full ceasefire, according to Ukraine's official proposal, seen by the Kyiv Independent on June 2. Yet, the condition proposed by Ukraine is that sanctions are automatically renewed if the ceasefire agreement is broken. Russia and Ukraine held a second round of talks in Istanbul on June 2. Kyiv presented a peace proposal that included potential easing of restrictions on Moscow, among other clauses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the talks in Istanbul, the Ukrainian delegation offered Moscow a complete ceasefire, an all-for-all exchange of prisoners of war (POWs), the return of children abducted by Russia, and the release of all civilians from Russian captivity. According to the proposal, Ukraine retains its aspirations to join the EU and NATO. Kyiv also highlighted the need for security guarantees to avoid another Russian invasion. In the meantime, frozen Russian assets must be used to rebuild Ukraine and pay reparations, the proposal seen by the Kyiv Independent read. Contrary, the head of the Russian delegation said that a ceasefire is possible only following Ukraine's withdrawal from four of the country's regions Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson none of which Russia controls in full. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The West has imposed heavy sanctions on Russia since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022. In spite of these measures, Moscow retains its ability to wage war, gradually advancing in several sectors of the front line and increasing its defense production. U.S. President Donald Trump's stance on U.S. sanctions against Russia has been unclear. Trump has repeatedly threatened additional economic measures against Moscow but said he does not plan to take the step at the moment after his phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has said they are ready to vote on a bill on sanctions against Russia if peace talks over the war in Ukraine do not progress soon. The bill, introduced to the Senate in early April, would impose new penalties on Russia and slap 500% tariffs on imports from countries that buy Russian oil, petroleum products, natural gas, or uranium. Read also: Ukraine, Russia end second round of peace talks, no ceasefire achieved Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Investing.com -- Ukraine and Russia, during discussions set to take place in Istanbul next Monday, have agreed to exchange lists of individuals intended for a proposed prisoner of war (POW) exchange, as stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. In an online news briefing, Zelenskiy disclosed that both countries negotiators have consented to swap 1,000 POWs each, with an additional 200 POWs potentially included in the exchange. He added that a mutual agreement was reached to return the remains of deceased service personnel, though this process would require meticulous planning. The Ukrainian President also mentioned that Ukrainian negotiators presented a list of almost 400 children whom Ukraine wishes Russia to return. However, the Russian delegation agreed to cooperate on the return of only 10 children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskiy also referred to a Ukrainian intelligence operation, codenamed "Spiders Web", which took place on Sunday. During this operation, drones hidden inside wooden sheds were used to attack Russian military airfields. The operation, he said, has bolstered partners confidence in Ukraines ability to persist in its conflict against Russias invasion. Related articles Ukraine and Russia agree plans for prisoner swap, says Zelenskiy Western powers to urge U.N. to declare Iran in breach of nuclear obligations Senate to advance bill on new Russia sanctions next week - Lindsey Graham Dai-ichi Life Holdings has revealed plans to acquire a 15% stake in UK-based insurer M&G through on-market purchases to capture long-term value creation opportunities across an array of strategic initiatives. The acquisition, subject to regulatory approvals, is part of a long-term strategic partnership between the two companies covering asset management and life insurance. Once the 15% threshold is reached and certain conditions are met, Dai-ichi will have the right to appoint a director to M&Gs board. Under the terms, M&G will become Dai-ichis preferred asset management partner in Europe. The partnership will focus on growth, distribution and product development, with the aim of generating new business flows for both companies. M&G expects the partnership to support its expansion into European private markets and open new business opportunities in Japan and Asia. Dai-ichi will gain access to M&Gs investment capabilities across public and private markets to support its own portfolio and client needs, and will collaborate to enhance Dai-ichis expertise in bulk purchase annuities. Dai-ichi Life HD president and CEO Tetsuya Kikuta said: Dai-ichi Life Holdings is delighted to enter into a strategic alliance with M&G, a highly regarded global player in the insurance and asset management industries, to collaborate and develop capabilities together in multiple areas, especially in Europe. We see our partnership with M&G acting as a spearhead to develop our presence across Europe and the UK, accelerating our strategy to become a global top-tier insurance group. The partnership is expected to generate at least $6bn in flows into M&G funds over five years, with Dai-ichi expecting at least $2bn (Y285.83bn) in new flows through investments and distribution of its products. An implementation agreement outlines Dai-ichi Life HDs governance rights and includes restrictions such as a two-year lock-up, a 19.99% shareholding cap and an orderly market arrangement for share disposals. Commenting on the partnership, M&G Group CEO Andrea Rossi stated: It brings together two highly complementary international businesses with shared growth ambitions who aim to deliver excellent client service and sustainable shareholder returns. In April, TAL, a subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, agreed to acquire a 15.1% stake in retirement solutions provider Challenger for Y80bn. "Dai-ichi Life to acquire 15% stake in British insurer M&G " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. The latest round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine has begun in Istanbul, with the two sides looking for ways to end the conflict. Television broadcasts showed the delegations meeting in Cragan Palace in Istanbul, where Turkish officials will act as mediators. Prior to the talks, the warring parties outlined their demands for an end to the fighting in written proposals, but their positions remain far apart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine, which has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for more than three years, is demanding an internationally monitored 30-day ceasefire as a starting point for peace negotiations, based on a US proposal. Moscow meanwhile has set a number of preconditions for a ceasefire, including that Kiev renounce Western arms deliveries and halt mobilization, in an attempt to prevent Ukraine from using the pause in fighting to regroup its forces. The two countries met for the first round of direct talks since 2022 in mid-May, which resulted in the largest prisoner exchange since the beginning of the war, with 1,000 detainees released on each side. The Russian delegation in Istanbul is again led by presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky, and the Ukrainian one by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov. In the days before the meeting, the two sides massively expanded their attacks, resulting in casualties and damage in both countries. Ukraine on Sunday carried out one of its most ambitious attacks on Russian territory, hitting several airfields with remote combat drones. Negotiations between the delegations of Ukraine and Russia have begun in Istanbul, Turkiye, during which proposals for a ceasefire and an end to the war are expected to be presented. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, as reported by European Pravda Details: The ministry reported the talks are being held in the presence of the Turkish side. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is present in the room where the negotiations are taking place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was also reported that Ibrahim Kaln, the head of Turkiyes National Intelligence Organisation (MIT), would attend the meeting. Background: On 1 June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy approved the updated composition of Ukraines delegation for negotiations with Russia in Istanbul aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace. As in the previous delegation, it is headed by Defence Minister Rustem Umierov. However, Oleksii Malovatskyi, head of the International and Operational Law Directorate at the General Staffs Legal Department, was excluded. Three new members Andrii Fomin, Yevhenii Ostrianskyi and Yurii Kovbasa have been added. Ahead of negotiations with the Russian delegation in Istanbul, First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhii Kyslytsia and Ukrainian delegation member Oleksandr Bevz met with representatives of Ukraines European partners Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations, which took place on Monday 2 June in Istanbul, have concluded. Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS, as reported by European Pravda Detail: The talks between the Ukrainian and Russian representatives lasted for just over an hour. They were preceded by an opening statement from Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who was present in the negotiation room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conclusion of the talks was indirectly confirmed by Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, who wrote on Telegram that the Ukrainian side had "officially handed over to the Russian side a list of Ukrainian children who must be returned [by Russia ed.]". "We are talking about hundreds of children who were illegally deported, forcibly relocated, or are being held in temporarily occupied territories by Russia," Yermak wrote. Background: Ahead of negotiations with the Russian delegation in Istanbul, First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhii Kyslytsia and Ukrainian delegation member Oleksandr Bevz met with representatives of Ukraines European partners Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. Earlier reports outlined the proposals with which the Ukrainian delegation travelled to Istanbul. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Negotiators from Ukraine and Russia met Monday in Istanbul for a second round of peace talks, as both sides hammer each other on the battlefield. The meeting was severely delayed, and reportedly ended after barely an hour. Moscow said it shot down 162 Ukrainian drones overnight, hours after Kyiv carried out an audacious attack in which it claimed to have destroyed 41 Russian planes using drones smuggled across the border. Kyiv, meanwhile, accused Moscow of firing nearly 500 drones and missiles, with one strike killing 12 Ukrainian soldiers at a training ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The upsurge in fighting underscores the challenges of reaching any deal, despite persistent US pressure on both sides to agree a truce: For now, Kyivs former foreign minister wrote in Foreign Affairs, a ceasefire in Ukraine is impossible. Editor's note: This story has been updated with statements by Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Russian President Vladimir Putin's advisor Vladimir Medinsky after the second round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul. Russia and Ukraine are preparing to hold a new prisoner of war (POW) exchange mediated by Turkey, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on June 2 at the Bucharest Nine (B9) summit. The development comes after the second round of peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow in Istanbul on the same day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's Defense Minister and head of the Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul, Rustem Umerov, later confirmed that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an exchange with priority given to seriously injured and younger soldiers, Suspilne reported. Vladimir Medinsky, Russian President Vladimir Putin's aide and head of Russia's delegation to Istanbul, clarified that the exchange would apply to people under 25. The total number of people involved in the exchange could be as many as 1,000, he added. As a result of the previous talks in Istanbul in May, Kyiv and Moscow carried out the largest prisoner swap during Russia's war in Ukraine, exchanging 1,000 people from each side. "If Russia turns the Istanbul meetings into empty talk, new sanctions will have to be imposed not only by Europe but also at the level of the G7, including the U.S. and all those who want them," Zelensky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the president, sanctions should remain an important lever of influence on Russia, as it continues the war in Ukraine. "Sanctions against Russia are necessary because they will significantly reduce tanker use and trade opportunities. Lower oil prices could hit the Russian economy. Without pressure, Putin will continue to manipulate everyone who wants to end the war," Zelensky added. During the talks in Istanbul, the Ukrainian delegation presented a peace proposal expressing its readiness to make concessions regarding Russian sanctions if a full ceasefire is achieved. According to the proposal, some of the restrictions could be lifted gradually, provided that there is a mechanism for their renewal if necessary. The Ukrainian proposal also includes a prisoner swap in an all-for-all format, bringing back Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, as well as the release of all civilians held in Russian captivity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While ceasefire agreements and peace talks have remained elusive since the start of the full-scale invasion, regular prisoner swaps have remained one of the few areas of ongoing cooperation between the two countries. Ukraine has long advocated for an "all-for-all" exchange, but Russia has so far rejected the proposal. At least 8,000 Ukrainian service members are held captive by Russia, Iryna Vereshchuk, president's office deputy head, said on May 1, citing data from Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of POWs. Kyiv does not release the figures for how many Russian POWs are currently in Ukrainian custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: We could not influence the list Ukraine reacts to reported inclusion of alleged defector in prisoner swap with Russia Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine aims to return up to 1,200 prisoners of war (POWs) in the next exchange with Russia following the second round of talks in Istanbul, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 2 during an online press conference attended by the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine and Russia held direct talks in Turkey earlier in the day, agreeing on a new prisoner swap, which will reportedly include young people between the ages of 18 and 25, as well as people with serious injuries. Zelensky said the next exchange is expected to be in a 1,000-for-1,000 format, with the possibility of increasing the number to 1,200 people on each side. The president added that future swap could also involve imprisoned journalists and political prisoners held in Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is very important that the Russians allow the lists to be checked in advance, unlike last time," Zelensky said. Ukraine and Russia held a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange from May 23 to 25 after previously agreeing to the exchange at peace talks on May 16. Aside from yielding a prisoner exchange, the peace negotiations in Istanbul were largely inconclusive. Apart from Ukrainian prisoners of war, the exchange list also reportedly included Anatolii Taranenko, a Ukrainian service member accused of collaborating with Russia. Taranenko's alleged inclusion in the exchange exacerbated criticism that Ukraine failed to secure the release of any Azov fighters and many civilians who had been held captive by Russia for years in what was the largest prisoner swap of the full-scale war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrii Yusov, deputy head of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (POW), said that Kyiv could not influence who Russia decided to release in the recent swap. Read also: Operation Spiderweb everything we know about Ukraines audacious attack on Russias heavy bombers Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Operation Spiderweb, the large-scale Ukrainian drone strike against airbases across Russia yesterday, which you can read about in our coverage here, primarily targeted Moscows fleet of strategic bombers. These aircraft, which have been extensively used to launch cruise missile attacks on Ukraine, have been targeted before, but never on such a scale a reported 117 drones were launched against at least four airfields. At this point, its unclear how many aircraft were destroyed or damaged, but theres little doubt that the Ukrainian operation will have a long-term effect on Russian strategic aviation. According to an initial statement from the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, the drones hit 41 aircraft. As of today, those claims have been reassessed, with Andriy Kovalenko, an official with Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, saying that at least 13 Russian aircraft were destroyed. These supposedly included examples of the Tu-22M3 Backfire-C intermediate-range supersonic bomber, Tu-95MS Bear-H long-range turboprop bomber, and A-50 Mainstay airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform. Still unconfirmed are reports about the possible destruction of a Tu-160 Blackjack long-range supersonic bomber. The Tu-160 is very much the jewel in the crown of the Long-Range Aviation branch and is the only Russian bomber that is still in production albeit on a very limited scale as we will discuss later. Russian air defense crew filming a burning Olenya airbase, with multiple Russian Tu-95 bombers seen ablaze after a Ukrainian strike this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/CAkoktnVxU OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 1, 2025 Based on open-source intelligence, including video evidence, unverified accounts suggest that two Tu-95MS were destroyed and two more damaged at Olenya Air Base (also known as Olenyegorsk), as well as one An-12 Cub transport aircraft destroyed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Belaya Air Base, more than 2,500 miles from Ukraine, there is satellite evidence that suggests at least three more Tu-95MS were destroyed and one possibly damaged, plus as many as four Tu-22M3s destroyed. Russian films the burning remains of Russian Tu-95s and Tu-22s at the Belaya military airfield in the Irkutsk region pic.twitter.com/GXuWfkIg9c Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) June 2, 2025 Today, Ukrainian intelligence reportedly launched 117 attack drones from trucks that had been placed near Russian air bases. I tasked several collects this morning via @umbraspace and my first images have already started processing. What a remarkable success in a well-executed pic.twitter.com/LzXulw8jnK Chris Biggers (@CSBiggers) June 2, 2025 The revetted parking positions. pic.twitter.com/WNFYnlEZDz Chris Biggers (@CSBiggers) June 2, 2025 The individual identity of at least one of the Tu-95MS destroyed at Olenya has meanwhile been confirmed. Tu-95MS Bort No. "22" Red (RF-94257), which carried the honorary name "Chelyabinsk," is one of the aircraft confirmed destroyed in today's drone attack by Ukraine on Olenya air base in Russia's Murmansk Oblast. https://t.co/BGcsBF5Szh Guy Plopsky (@GuyPlopsky) June 1, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olenya is located on the Kola Peninsula, south of Murmansk, and is home to the 40th Composite Aviation Regiment flying Tu-22M3s. Belaya, near Irkutsk, is also a Backfire base, accommodating the 200th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment. Russian bombers now frequently redeploy to different bases, in large part to try and escape Ukrainian attacks, so its not uncommon for different types to be found at different locations. There are also suggestions that a large number of Tu-95MS aircraft may have arrived at Olenya only recently, making the timing of the Ukrainian attack even more impressive or fortuitous. Another two air bases Dyagilevo and Ivanovo were also attacked. Of these, Dyagilevo, in the Ryazan region, is a training center for Russian Long-Range Aviation, while Ivanovo, in the region of the same name, is the home base of the A-50 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) fleet, although these aircraft are now normally forward-deployed. The locations of the three airbases targeted in Operation Spiderweb, in western Russia. Google Earth Belaya Air Base in southeastern Siberia. Google Earth The Russian Ministry of Defense admitted that FPV drone attacks had taken place in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions and that several aircraft had been set on fire in the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions, which would indicate Olenya and Belaya. As for the reference to the Amur region, this likely points to an attempted attack on Ukrainka Air Base, another bomber airfield. Unconfirmed reports suggest that a drone-filled truck was intended to strike that airfield, but never reached the target, for reasons unknown. Several videos show a burning truck close to Ukrainka. There was a fith target, but the truck supposedly never got there. Ukrainka Air Base 51.1691, 128.4456https://t.co/7aQhFTCIYC pic.twitter.com/MS6U8rWRKi Def Mon (@DefMon3) June 1, 2025 Its worth noting, too, that the A-50 radar plane is not a part of Russias Long-Range Aviation. These aircraft belong to Russias sole AEW&C squadron and are primarily tasked with air defense and command and control duties. They have played an important part in the war in Ukraine, reflected in earlier efforts to target these aircraft in the air and on the ground. Prior to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia was estimated to have nine A-50s in active service. As well as the two combat losses since then, one of these aircraft was damaged in a drone attack while on the ground at a base in Belarus. As it stands, prior to yesterday, the best-case scenario involved seven of these aircraft in active service. An A-50 Mainstay AEW&C aircraft. aviation-images.com/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian Armed Forces determined that the total cost of the damage was around $7 billion, a figure presumably based on roughly 40 aircraft being permanently put out of action. This is very hard to quantify, however, bearing in mind the uncertainty about the number of aircraft hit, the extent of the damage, and the fact that these aircraft have been out of production for decades. The only Russian bomber for which a somewhat meaningful price tag can be determined is the Tu-160, which may not have even been destroyed in the attack. Regardless, back in 2018, the Russian Ministry of Defense ordered 10 new Tu-160M2s at a cost of 160 billion roubles, making it the most expensive Russian aircraft. That equates to over $500 million per aircraft if the purchasing power parity factor is taken into account. Russian aerospace expert Piotr Butowski told TWZ he expects that the figure was underestimated back then and, moreover, in the current circumstances, I would add another 50 percent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the only aircraft that is currently in production, so its price can be estimated, Butowski added. How to estimate the price of the Tu-95MS, which has not been produced for 30-plus years and has no replacement? Its value to the Russian air force is greater than money. The bombers of Long-Range Aviation that were primarily in the crosshairs of Sundays drone strike are among Russias most prized strategic aerial assets. Critically, none of these aircraft can be replaced quickly, and most of them cannot be replaced at all since the production capabilities have long ceased to exist. The option of bringing long-since-retired aircraft back into service is increasingly unviable. With such aircraft having been stored in the open for decades and scavenged for parts, the extent of work required to make them airworthy again would be huge. Tu-95MS Bear-H Of Russias bombers, the oldest design is the Tu-95MS. This unique four-turboprop, swept-wing aircraft dates back to the early 1950s. However, todays Tu-95MS was manufactured between 1982 and 1992 as a dedicated carrier for cruise missiles. A total of 88 Bear-H bombers were completed before the collapse of the Soviet Union, after which 40 were left in Kazakhstan and another 25 in Ukraine. Kazakhstan returned to Russia all the aircraft in its territory, while only the three most modern examples from those left in Ukraine made it back to Russia in 1999, the others being scrapped. Named Kaluga, this Tu-95MS is seen carrying four Kh-101 cruise missiles in a photo published in May 2022. Fighterbomber/Telegram A Tu-95MS is seen carrying four Kh-101 missiles in a photo published on May 10, 2022. Fighterbomber/Telegram Reflecting the continued importance of the Bear-H, surviving aircraft have been steadily upgraded to Tu-95MSM standard. This provides a new radar, flight control system, and navigation suite. The cockpit is also updated, with new liquid-crystal displays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the start of the war in Ukraine, Russia had a force of likely a little less than 50 Tu-95MS aircraft. If reports of the destruction of five Bear-Hs prove to be correct, the loss of 10 percent of the fleet would be very significant. For all of the given totals of bomber types, it should also be recalled that, at any given time, only a portion of the entire fleet is operational, with others undergoing routine maintenance, being cycled through deeper upgrades, and so on. Tu-22M3 Backfire-C The swing-wing Tu-22M3 is another Cold War design, the development of which began in the late 1960s. Unlike the Tu-95MS and the Tu-160, the Tu-22M3 is also able to carry free-fall bombs, although in the Ukraine war, it has primarily been associated with attacks using Kh-22 (AS-4 Kitchen) supersonic anti-ship missiles repurposed for use against ground targets. This weapon has proven to be very destructive, although not highly precise, for land attack applications and has resulted in significant numbers of civilian deaths. A Tu-22M3 with a pair of Kh-22/Kh-32 supersonic anti-ship missiles under the wings. Russian Ministry of Defense Russian Ministry of Defense The definitive Tu-22M3 version first flew in 1977, and a total of 268 examples were built up until 1993. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, some Tu-22Ms remained in Ukraine and were briefly operated before being scrapped between 2002 and 2006. The Tu-22M3M upgrade is an effort to keep the Backfire relevant, although it has made only slow progress. It is primarily an avionics upgrade, adding a modernized radar, weapons control system, and navigation/communications equipment, as well as an updated cockpit. It also brings compatibility with new weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian Aerospace Forces started the war in Ukraine with approximately 60 Tu-22M3s in service, although there have been other incidents of combat losses and attrition since February 2022. A video from May 2022 that purports to show the launch of Kh-22 cruise missiles, as seen from the cockpit of a Tu-22M3: The launch of two supersonic cruise missiles kh-22 from a long-range supersonic missile-carrying bomber Tu-22. fighter_bomber pic.twitter.com/kAXU9pP5KW Massimo Frantarelli (@MrFrantarelli) May 11, 2022 Tu-160 Blackjack Finally, the Tu-160 is the most modern and capable of Russias bomber triad, but also its smallest fleet component. The current Russian Tu-160 fleet number is around 16 operational aircraft. Its also the only one that can be replaced, at least in theory. For now, we also dont know for sure if any Blackjacks were destroyed in yesterdays drone strikes. The first of two prototype Tu-160s took to the air in 1981 and was followed by 33 series-production aircraft (including one for static tests). The initial production run came to an end in 1994, with four aircraft unfinished at the factory in Kazan. Three of these have since been completed. The demise of the Soviet Union left 19 Tu-160s in Ukraine until a deal was brokered between Moscow and Kyiv, and eight of them were finally returned to Russia between 1999 and 2000. Of the other 11 aircraft in Ukraine, one was preserved, and the remainder were scrapped. The Tu-160M Ilya Muromets takes off from the runway of the Kazan factory airfield on Feb. 22, 2024. Photo by DMITRY AZAROV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images The Tu-160 is also subject to an upgrade program, and, unlike the other bombers, Russia is building additional examples to serve as a stopgap until the potential arrival of the next-generation PAK DA bomber, whenever that might happen. At this point, its hard to envisage Russia having the funds to replace its bomber fleet with an advanced stealth flying-wing type, especially while it is being crushed by sanctions and its military has taken huge losses in equipment and manpower in a war that has no foreseeable end at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With that in mind, the existing bomber force becomes an even more critical asset. In January 2018, Moscow ordered 10 new-build Tu-160Ms, each of which were expected to cost around $270 million, with the first example planned to be ready in 2021. While the Russian Ministry of Defense has said it wants to receive at least 50 new-build Tu-160M aircraft, no further orders have been placed since then. In January 2022, the first new-build Tu-160M took to the air, as you can read about here. Confusingly, the Tu-160M designation is applied to both new-build aircraft and upgraded versions of the older aircraft. As we have discussed in the past, the Tu-160M is based around an entirely new mission system and avionics. This includes a new radar, digital cockpit displays, flight control system, navigation equipment, and communication suite. A new self-protection suite is also installed. Tu-160 with cruise missile armament. Kh-101/102 series missiles are in the front row, with Kh-55SM behind. Russian Ministry of Defense The effort to build new Blackjacks has been far from easy. Only around three new-build Tu-160Ms had been completed as of early last year, and none of these were in operational service. Therefore, while Russia has a theoretical ability to introduce new-build bombers to service, and to make up for losses sustained by drone strikes, or other attrition, this is not something that can be done rapidly and not without great cost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even taking one or two bombers out of operation will impact the Russian Aerospace Forces. The bomber triad has played a key role in launching the barrages of cruise missiles that have regularly struck targets across Ukraine. The remains of a Kh-101 cruise missile that came down in Ukraine in March 2022. via Piotr Butowski At the same time, these aircraft are a integral part of Russias nuclear deterrent. This makes them a matter of great prestige, but also a critical element in Russias ability to launch nuclear or conventional airstrikes against targets outside of Ukraine. These aircraft are also regularly used for long-range patrols over Europe and Asia, also venturing as far as the coast of Alaska, and for irregular visits to strategic allies. Wiping out a significant portion of one prong of the nuclear triad the most flexible part of it has an impact on the credibility of Russias overall deterrent. Its also worth noting that Moscow has repeatedly said that attacks on strategic targets would constitute a red line for them, although, strategic bombers and critical locales have been attacked on numerous occasions in the past, too. None of these strikes have been as widespread and possibly successful as this operation though. Regardless, even if a handful of bombers met their demise, its a blow to Russias nuclear deterrent posture. Russia just lost an unknown number of strategic aircraft that are directly tied to validity of their nuclear deterrent. We don't know if this was four or 40 aircraft. The strategic nature of the effects of this attack puts it into uncharted territory. And YES, these aircraft Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) June 1, 2025 Vulnerable, prime targets Even before yesterdays massed drone strikes, the vulnerability of Russian bombers to Ukrainian attack was abundantly clear. Until now, however, attacks on these aircraft have tended to target only one base at a time, using smaller numbers of long-range one-way attack drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The repeated nature of these Ukrainian attacks had led to Russian air bases dispersing their aircraft for protection. There have been other measures, too, as TWZ has reported in the past: The Russian Aerospace Forces have also taken further precautions at their bases. Initially, they installed blast walls between active aircraft. This was an attempt to contain any damage to one aircraft in an attack, designed to prevent both fire and shrapnel from spreading. More recently, construction work at multiple bases has been adding many dozens of new hardened aircraft shelters to better shield aircraft from drone attacks and other indirect fire. However, the size of the bombers means they cannot be provided with the same kinds of protection. As well as the physical hardening of airfields, Russia has arranged discarded aircraft as decoys. More unorthodox measures have included placing car tires on the upper surfaces of aircraft and painting aircraft silhouettes on concrete airfield surfaces. The tires, specifically, were intended to confuse image-matching seekers on Ukrainian-operated standoff weapons. A close-up of a Russian Tu-95MS with tires on the wings and top of the center fuselage at Engels-2 Air Base, taken on Aug. 28, 2023. Satellite image 2023 Maxar Technologies Silhouettes of Tu-95MS bombers painted on the tarmac at Engels-2 alongside an actual Tu-95MS with tires on top. PHOTO 2023 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION At the same time, anti-aircraft defenses have been set up at Russian airfields, although their effectiveness has clearly been mixed, despite Moscows claims to the contrary. With that in mind, its far from clear how Russia will respond to the latest drone attacks on its airbases. One immediate change could be to move to an even more highly dispersed positioning model, which will severely limit the bombers effectiveness for Ukraine operations. At the same time, attacks on its bases can be launched even from great distances, making any effort to prevent them much harder. Added to this is the prospect of more capable drones being used for attacks in the future, including examples with enhanced countermeasures, or AI-infused drones that will be immune to jamming and will not need a man-in-the-loop for dynamic targeting. Longer-term, Russia might look to protect its bombers under enormous hardened aircraft shelters (HAS). This is a measure that is already being undertaken for Russian tactical jets at bases closer to Ukraine, and we recently also saw a plan that envisaged a HAS large enough to accommodate a Tu-160. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov was shown a model of a hangar for Tu-160 strategic bombers during a visit last week.https://t.co/1ectH4iB5t https://t.co/OnCu7GUQkX pic.twitter.com/OFApvt0qhG Rob Lee (@RALee85) June 2, 2025 Even before the Ukrainian operation began, Moscow was in the process of launching more of its own drones against Ukraine: the Ukrainian Air Force said yesterday that Russia had launched 472 drones overnight, claimed to be the highest nightly total of the war so far, as well as seven missiles. While more of the same might be a predictable outcome, it remains to be seen what longer-term measures Russia will adopt to better protect its bombers and other high-value aircraft against future attacks while sitting idle on the ground. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com By Tom Kackenhoff and Christoph Steitz DUESSELDORF/FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Salzgitter, Germany's second-biggest steelmaker, warned on Monday that Washington's tariff policy was dealing a severe blow to European industry, after the U.S. administration unveiled plans to double steel import levies to 50%. According to Germany's steel association, the United States accounted for around a fifth, or 4 million metric tons, of European steel exports outside of the EU, making it the sector's most important export market. "The erratic tariff policy of the USA is hitting Europe's economy hard - especially Germany," Salzgitter CEO Gunnar Groebler said in a statement. Groebler said apart from the direct tariffs on exports to the U.S., there was also increased import pressure on the EU market as a result of rising volumes of cheaper Asian steel in Europe. Asian steel has been flooding the European market for years and the fear of that trend intensifying due to the U.S. tariffs has been the biggest headache for Europe's sector, in addition to high energy prices. In response to those fears, the EU on April 1 tightened steel import quotas to reduce inflows by a further 15% as part of its European Steel and Metals Action Plan. Shares in ArcelorMittal and Thyssenkrupp, Europe's two biggest steelmakers, were down 0.2% and 1.2%, respectively, while Salzgitter was flat. Shares in Spain's Acerinox, which produces more steel in the U.S. than in Europe, were up 4.2%. A source close to the company said that overcapacity was going to reach Europe and that the EU had to take measures to protect the local industry against subsidised Asian rivals. Just 4.5% of Salzgitter's sales come from its U.S. business, with its non-steel technology division accounting for half of that. Thyssenkrupp has previously said that the United States accounts for less than 5% of its steel exports. Thyssenkrupp did not respond to a request for comment. "An increase in steel import duties in the USA to 50% should prompt the EU Commission to accelerate its efforts to implement the measures under the Steel and Metals Action Plan," Groebler said. (Reporting by Tom Kaeckenhoff and Christoph Steitz; Additional reporting by Lavi West Larranaga; Editing by Friederike Heine, Bernadette Baum and Rod Nickel) Ukraine has deployed an AI-powered turret that can down Shahed drones, a Ukrainian officer told BI. He said one of the guns had been used in combat six times and destroyed six drones as of last week. It appears to be the first confirmation that a Sky Sentinel had so many confirmed kills. Ukraine has deployed an AI-powered turret that has already shot down at least six of Russia's devastating Shahed drones, a military officer told Business Insider. Yuriy, the commander of Ukraine's air defense group, told BI last week that the system, called the Sky Sentinel, has "already been deployed in real combat, demonstrating high effectiveness." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said one prototype shot down six Shaheds in as many operational uses. This appears to be the first confirmation that one of the Sky Sentinels had downed up to six exploding drones. Ukraine previously said that the turret had been successfully tested, including on the front lines. United24, a Ukrainian government initiative that raises funds to purchase weaponry for the military, said last week that a Sky Sentinel prototype was used at the front, where it successfully shot down four Shahed drones. The Sky Sentinel can also take down cruise missiles that are within its effective range, United24 said, but added that many details regarding the system couldn't be revealed due to security concerns. In remarks to BI, Yuriy, who went by only his first name, a standard practice in the Ukrainian military, described the Sky Sentinel as "a cost-effective and scalable solution for defending both cities and frontline regions from Shaheds, reconnaissance drones, and even cruise missiles." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its deployment comes at a critical moment for Ukraine. Russia has been pounding its neighbor with unrelenting drone and missile bombardments. Over the weekend, Moscow launched 472 attack and decoy drones its biggest air attack with drones to date. An image of a Ukrainian Sky Sentinel unit. Courtesy of United24 Little human involvement The Sky Sentinel system is designed to require almost no human involvement. This could be key for Ukraine as it tries to stop Russia's aerial attacks amid concerns about dwindling stockpiles of Western air defenses. Yuriy said that the weapon is "powered by AI and designed for autonomous operation." He told BI that when a turret is in a combat position and synced up with radar data, "it independently scans the airspace, identifies threats, locks onto aerial targets, calculates their speed and trajectory, and determines the exact firing point." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An operator does not manually select targets, he added. "Instead, the system's sensors and software do it autonomously." Sky Sentinel does the "target detection, tracking, and automatic aiming" itself, Yuriy said, but it still needs human authorization before it fires. "This approach reduces the chance of error while still maintaining human oversight." He said the weapon has successfully identified targets: "Its AI can distinguish between birds and drones, and only engages when the threat is clearly identified. It also factors in environmental variables like wind speed." The Shahed-136 is an Iranian-designed drone. Russia has started to produce its own model. Anonymous / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP Sky Sentinel can spin 360 degrees and is equipped with a machine gun. United24 said the turret can strike "small, fast-moving targets" that are travelling up to almost 500 miles an hour. Its range is classified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The weapon is also precise enough to hit much smaller targets, per United24, which said that the system successfully hit targets five times smaller than Shaheds in field tests. It is unclear how many have been made to date. United24, which has a crowdfunding campaign for 10 of the turrets, said the system's development team was focused on trying to deliver dozens every month. Needed by Ukraine The Sky Sentinel could be key to protecting Ukraine's cities. Russia can fire hundreds of drones in a single night, and Ukraine has struggled with having enough air defenses since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. A Ukrainian officer shows a thermobaric charge of a downed Shahed drone. AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky Its attacks often use Shaheds, Iran-designed drones that Russia fires en masse to try to overwhelm Ukraine's defenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attacks leave Ukraine with a major problem: Many of the missiles it has that can potentially stop Russia's attacks cost far more than the Russian drones they target. That's another way the Sky Sentinel could be particularly useful. Each Sky Sentinel unit costs around $150,000. Meanwhile, missiles for the US-made Patriot air defense system, which Ukraine has a few of in its cities, cost around $4 million each, and the Patriot system itself costs about $1.1 billion. Even if the Sky Sentinel is less capable than the Patriot, which can stop faster ballistic missiles, having it shoot down cheaper targets would be a big boost to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to United24, the developers believe that 10 to 30 Sky Sentinels would be needed to protect a city. The cost of even 30 systems would be less than many single air defense missiles, United24 said. And Kyiv needs more systems to protect its cities. It says, for example, that it needs dozens more Patriot systems than it has. United24 added that Sky Sentinel can also be used in dangerous frontline areas, and other variants are being designed for different types of missions. The US has sent Patriot batteries to Ukraine, along with associated interceptor missiles. US Army photo by Sgt. Alexandra Shea Ukrainian designed The new system was entirely designed and tested in Ukraine and uses software designed by Ukrainian engineers, per United24. However, it does rely on some foreign-made parts that have no Ukrainian equivalent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement United24 did not name its developer, something that is common as Ukraine seeks to protect its weapons makers. It's another example of Ukraine's growing defense industry, which is supplying an increasing part of Ukraine's arsenal, especially amid questions over the future of US security assistance. Ukraine has increasingly been investing in AI-powered and robotic technology, including ground robots. Oleksandr Yabchanka, the head of robotic systems for Ukraine's Da Vinci Wolves Battalion, told BI that Ukraine is also using robots that fire at Russian troops and targets, while allowing its soldiers to stay safe from return fire. Read the original article on Business Insider Key developments on June 2: Ukraine, Russia conclude talks in Istanbul, a 1,200-for-1,200 prisoner exchange is in the works, Zelensky says 5 Ukrainian regions, ban on NATO, limits on Kyiv's army Russian media publishes Moscow's official peace demands 34% of Russian strategic Russian bombers at main airfields damaged in Ukrainian drone operation, SBU reports Over 160 Ukrainian drones downed across Russia, Moscow claims day after mass strike on airfields Russia recruiting Ukrainians for illegal activities in Europe, Ukrainian intel warns The Ukrainian and Russian delegations concluded peace talks in Istanbul on June 2, agreeing on a new prisoners of war (POWs) exchange but failing to reach a ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The talks, hosted by Turkish officials, follow the first round of negotiations on May 16. The initial meeting ended with an agreement on the largest prisoner exchange of the war, but without any tangible progress toward a peace deal. The parties agreed to conduct a major swap, which will include severely injured and young people aged 18 to 25. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the next prisoner exchange would feature at least 1,000 people on each side, and might reach a 1,200-for-1,200 swap that would possibly also include imprisoned journalists and political prisoners held in Russia. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us After the talks, Russia pledged to transfer 6,000 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers and officers to Ukraine and also proposed a ceasefire for two or three days in some areas of the front line in order to retrieve the bodies of the fallen soldiers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky said that only 15% of the mentioned 6,000 are identified and that Ukraine would need to check that the bodies Russia is willing to return are those of Ukrainian soldiers. "We had instances when they returned bodies that later were identified as their own," Zelensky said on June 2. Following the talks, the Kyiv Independent obtained the text of the peace proposals that Ukraine, in turn, presented to Russia in Istanbul. According to the document, the Ukrainian delegation offered Moscow a complete ceasefire, the exchange of prisoners of war in an "all-for-all format," bringing back the children abducted by Russia, and the release of all civilians from Russian captivity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine called for guarantees that would prevent Russia from repeating its aggression, as well as the involvement of the international community to achieve this. According to Ukraine's proposal seen by the Kyiv Independent, Ukraine would continue on its path toward joining the EU and will become a member of NATO if there is consensus within the alliance. Ukraine is also ready to agree to the gradual lifting of some sanctions against Russia, but with a mechanism for their renewal if necessary. Frozen Russian assets, in turn, should be used to rebuild Ukraine and pay reparations. Read also: As Trump fails to sanction Moscow, few expect breakthrough during upcoming Russia-Ukraine talks 5 Ukrainian regions, ban on NATO, limits on Kyiv's army Russian media publishes Moscow's official peace demands The Russian delegation handed Ukraine a so-called "peace memorandum" with its proposals for a ceasefire during the second round of peace talks in Istanbul, Russian-state media outlet TASS reported on June 2, publishing the alleged document. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian memorandum began circulating online following the talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, during which the parties again failed to reach a ceasefire. Among Russia's key demands is the official recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea, as well as the annexation of Ukraine's Kherson, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk oblasts, none of which Moscow controls in full. Russia also demands the complete withdrawal of all troops from Kherson, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk oblasts, followed by demobilization in Ukraine. Moscow's other demands include that Ukraine sticks to its neutral status, abandoning its aspirations to join NATO and other possible military alliances, a ban on the redeployment of Ukrainian troops, and a cessation of arms supplies and intelligence to Ukraine by its partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the document, Ukraine must abandon its claims for compensation for damages from the Russian war, guarantee amnesty for political prisoners, make Russian the official language, and not allow foreign troops to be deployed on its territory. Read also: As 50,000 Russian troops amass, Ukraines Sumy Oblast braces for potential large-scale offensive 34% of Russian strategic Russian bombers at main airfields damaged in Ukrainian drone operation, SBU reports The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) reported that the June 1 "Spiderweb" drone operation caused approximately $7 billion in damages and disabled 34% of cruise missile bombers in key Russian airbases. The agency confirmed that more details about the attack will be revealed later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will strike them (Russia) at sea, in the air, and on the ground. And if needed, we'll get them from underground too," the SBU said in a message. This operation targeted aircraft that is used in frequent long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities, and the plan had been in preparation for over a year and a half. According to a Kyiv Independent SBU source, first-person-view (FPV) drones were covertly transported deep into Russian territory and hidden inside trucks before being launched against four major airfields. The source said one of the airfields hit was the Belaya air base in Russia's Irkutsk Oblast, more than 4,000 kilometers from Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olenya air base in Russia's Murmansk Oblast, the Diaghilev airbase in Ryazan Oblast, Ivanovo airbase in Ivanovo Oblast were also targeted. More than 40 aircraft are known to have been hit, including the A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22 M3, according to the source. The Tu-95 is a Soviet-era plane that made its first flight in 1952. It was originally used to carry nuclear bombs but has since evolved to launch cruise missiles. Each aircraft can carry 16 cruise missiles either the Kh-55/Kh-555 or the newer Kh-101 and Kh-102 air-launched cruise missiles. Russia has escalated its attacks against Ukraine in recent weeks, amid ongoing U.S.-backed ceasefire talks and negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 26, Russian forces launched the most extensive drone attack of the full-scale war, reportedly involving 355 Shahed-type attack drones and decoys. Read also: Operation Spiderweb everything we know about Ukraines audacious attack on Russias heavy bombers Over 160 Ukrainian drones downed across Russia, Moscow claims day after mass strike on airfields Russian air defenses intercepted 162 Ukrainian drones in a massive overnight attack across several regions, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed on June 2, with damage and explosions reported in multiple oblasts. The reported attacks come as Ukraine ramped up its drone strikes inside Russian territory over the last few weeks, including a mass attack on Russian air bases a day earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new wave of drones targeted multiple cities and industrial facilities overnight on June 2, according to Russian Telegram channels. Explosions and air raid sirens were reported in at least six oblasts, including Voronezh, Kursk, Lipetsk, Ryazan, Ivanovo, and Volgograd. The ministry claimed the drones were intercepted between the evening of June 1 and the early hours of June 2. The largest number was reportedly downed over Kursk Oblast (57 drones), followed by the Belgorod (31), Lipetsk (27), Voronezh (16), Bryansk (11), Ryazan (11), Oryol (six), and Tambov (one) oblasts. Two drones were shot down over Russian-occupied Crimea, according to the ministry. Ukraine has not commented on the claims, which could not be independently verified. The attack follows a series of similar UAV raids in recent weeks targeting both military and industrial infrastructure inside Russia. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claimed to have hit 41 Russian heavy bombers at four airfields across the country on June 1 in one of the largest operations inside Russian territory. Russia recruiting Ukrainians for illegal activities in Europe, Ukrainian intel warns Russian intelligence services are actively attempting to recruit Ukrainian nationals for illegal operations across the European Union, Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) said on June 2. In a statement, the agency warned that Kremlin-linked operatives are offering money to vulnerable Ukrainians, particularly those from Russian-occupied territories, to conduct surveillance of critical infrastructure and carry out other tasks for the benefit of the Russian state. "The recruitment of Ukrainians for hostile operations in Europe is yet another tool of hybrid aggression that the Russian Federation is waging against Ukraine and the entire European community," the agency said. The intelligence agency urged Ukrainian citizens abroad to immediately report any contact with suspicious individuals to local law enforcement or Ukrainian diplomatic missions. The warning comes amid a growing number of suspected Russian-directed sabotage and arson plots across Europe involving Ukrainian nationals. British security officials are currently investigating possible Russian involvement in a series of arson attacks targeting properties linked to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Financial Times reported on May 23. The incidents include fires at Starmer's family home, a vehicle, and a former residence in London earlier this month. Three men Ukrainian nationals Roman Lavrynovych and Petro Pochynok, and Romanian Stanislav Carpiuc have been charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. Prosecutors allege they acted in coordination with unknown individuals, and U.K. authorities are examining whether Russian agents may have recruited them. German authorities have also accused three Ukrainian nationals of being involved in a Russian-orchestrated parcel bomb plot, according to Der Spiegel. The suspects were arrested in May during coordinated raids in Germany and Switzerland. In a separate case on May 12, Poland charged two Ukrainians in connection with suspected Russian-backed arson attacks at an IKEA store in Vilnius and a shopping mall in Warsaw in 2024. Additionally, Russian intelligence is believed to be behind a July 2024 fire at a DHL airport logistics hub in Leipzig, Germany. Investigators said a flammable package sent from Lithuania was marked for delivery to a fake address in Birmingham, U.K. Western officials have repeatedly accused Moscow of using covert sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation as part of its broader campaign to destabilize European nations that support Ukraine during the Russian large-scale war. The Ukrainian intelligence agency emphasized that such operations rely on exploiting desperate individuals and weaponizing them against host countries. It called on European governments to remain vigilant and closely coordinate with Ukrainian security services. Note from the author: Ukraine War Latest is put together by the Kyiv Independent news desk team, who keep you informed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you value our work and want to ensure we have the resources to continue, join the Kyiv Independent community. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. After too many nights of pulling children from the rubble of Russian drone strikes, the weekends devastating attacks on Moscows military pride mark a moment of brief respite for Ukrainian morale, and yet another twist of the unexpected in the Kremlins war of choice. It may be hard to fathom the precise impact of Ukraines wily drone assault on Russian air bases thousands of miles beyond the Ukrainian border. Kyiv said 41 long-range bomber jets were set aflame and that the attacks hit 34% of Russias strategic cruise missile carriers at its main bases. We dont know how many bombers Russia had that were fully functional after years of taxing nightly missions over Ukraine and how many others had been cannibalized for spare parts, but some reports suggest Russia only had about 20 of the propeller-driven Tu-95s and about 60 supersonic Tu-22M3s in service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will become clear in the months ahead to what extent this really dents the terror the air raid sirens bring across Ukraine. But if what Kyiv says is true 117 relatively cheap drones taking out dozens of planes and causing what one security source estimated to be $7 billion in damage then the economics of the war have shifted. And it marks another point in which guile triumphs over the giant. Russias main card is its vastness of military resources, frontline manpower, tolerance for pain and financial reserves. But repeatedly, Kyiv has shown targeted pin pricks can burst these bubbles. In late 2022, the Ukrainians struck supply lines across occupied northern parts of Ukraine, causing a swift and embarrassing collapse of Russian positions. In 2023, they hit the Kerch Strait bridge linking Russia to occupied Crimea. And last year they invaded Kursk, Russia proper, exposing the vulnerability of the Russian war machines borders. On each occasion, the narrative of the war swung back in Ukraines favor. But no time is it needed more than this week, after months in which the vital plank of US support has been in doubt, and as Russian and Ukrainian delegations met for a second round of peace talks in Turkey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also brings to the forefront one of the key lessons of this war: the capacity for advances in technology, solid intelligence and bold execution to reverse military trajectories many observers felt were settled. Ukraines first use of attack drones in 2023 has evolved to a widescale tactic, enabling it to survive the onslaught of overwhelming Russian infantry attacks across wide, imperiled frontlines. It has sent sea-drones to hit Russias prized Black Sea Fleet. And most extraordinarily, this weekend, Ukraine says its air defenses repelled, with unparalleled success, a record Russian drone attack of 472 Shaheds. Ukraine shot down or used electronic warfare to block 382 of them, according to the air force, a feat that again suggests a technological advance, and the possibility that dwindling air defense interceptor supplies from the United States may not be the immediate horrific threat thought a month ago. But what of the wider impact of the bold drone attack inside Russia one so deep, in Belaya, Irkutsk, that it was almost halfway across Siberia? What does it change in a war where Russia is slowly advancing, and showing little genuine interest in a ceasefire and the peace that might come with it? This is an unknowable, but not a zero. Losing these aircraft has a practical effect, and impacts upon Russian military pride and anxiety. Even airfields deep in Siberia are not safe. Russias lumbering bulk of a military machine projects invulnerability and fearlessness towards the longest of wars as a tactic. It uses the idea of time being on its side as a key asset. But strikes like the weekends show its hardware is vulnerable, limited and probably not easy to replace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow may brush off this latest setback, its rigidly subservient state media able to sustain any narrative the Kremlin chooses. But that does not alter the reality of its troubles. It did not stop the short-lived Wagner rebellion of 2023, or the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk last year. The damage is twofold: to the internal narrative that Moscow can do this indefinitely it clearly cannot, if surprises like these keep coming. And secondly, to its ability to visit the sort of bulk destruction it has relied upon to grind forwards in the war. The latter can slow its progress, but former is more dangerous. Tiny cracks can spread. For now, they are all Ukraine is able to inflict, but their longer-term impact, like so much in this war, is utterly unpredictable. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Vasyl Maliuk, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, has summed up the results of Operation Pavutyna (Spiders Web), which resulted in the destruction of strategic aircraft at four Russian airfields. Source: press service for the Security Service of Ukraine Quote: "In total, 34% of strategic cruise missile carriers at the main Russian airfields were destroyed. This was not just a devastating blow to enemy aircraft but a serious slap in the face to the power and terrorist nature of the Russian Federation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The Security Service of Ukraine officially stated that 41 Russian strategic aircraft were destroyed in the drone strikes, including A-50, Tu-95, Tu-22 M3 and Tu-160. The estimated cost of the strategic aircraft destroyed is over US$7 billion. Maliuk said that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy set the task of destroying Russian bombers, and Maliuk himself led the working group that prepared the special operation for over a year and a half. He said the special operation took place simultaneously in three time zones and was extremely complex logistically. As a result, the drones targeted four Russian military airfields at once: Belaya, Dyagilevo, Olenya and Ivanovo. Due to the plan, the largest number of Russian jets were destroyed simultaneously. First, the Security Service of Ukraine transported FPV drones to Russia, followed by mobile wooden houses. Once in Russia, the drones were hidden under the roofs of the houses, which were placed on lorries. At the right moment, the roofs of the houses were remotely opened, and the drones flew off to strike their targets Russian bombers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In accordance with the laws and customs of war, we have targeted completely legitimate facilities military airfields and aircraft that are bombing our peaceful cities. So, on our part, there is a real demilitarisation of the Russian Federation because we are destroying military targets. And our strikes will continue for as long as the Russian Federation terrorises Ukrainians with missiles and Shahed attack drones," Maliuk said. Background: On 1 June, a series of strikes against Russian aircraft took place at at least four airfields in Russia. According to Ukrainska Pravda sources, this was a special operation by the Security Service of Ukraine, which resulted in the destruction of about 40 aircraft, including strategic bombers. The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed the attack using FPV drones on military airfields in five regions, blaming the so-called Kyiv regime for the attack. According to Axios, the United States was not informed about Ukraine's military operation to destroy dozens of Russian aircraft. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the operation to destroy more than 40 strategic aircraft at Russian airfields a brilliant result that will go down in history books. Later, the first satellite images appeared online, allowing for a better assessment of Russian losses at the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk Oblast. GEOINT consultant Chris Biggers published the photos. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russian authorities are weighing whether to reward residents who tried to stop Ukrainian drones by throwing stones at them during a mass drone strike on Russian air bases, Governor of Russia's Irkutsk Oblast Igor Kobzev said on June 2. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has claimed responsibility for the coordinated strike, which it says hit 41 Russian military aircraft across four strategic airfields, including Belaya in Irkutsk Oblast, thousands of kilometers from the Ukrainian border. "In the operational staff, we will evaluate the actions of concerned citizens who tried to interfere with the work of drones and decide on their recognition," Kobzev wrote on Telegram, praising locals for what he called their "non-indifference." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Videos that surfaced on Russian social media earlier showed civilians in Irkutsk hurling rocks at first-person-view (FPV) drones flying out of trucks, the same kind of makeshift launch systems Ukrainian intelligence operatives used in a bold and destructive operation on June 1. Named "Spiderweb," the operation involved smuggling drones hidden in truck-mounted wooden cabins deep into Russia. At the designated moment, the cabin roofs were opened remotely, releasing swarms of explosive-laden FPV drones toward high-value bombers. The SBU later claimed that the strike caused $7 billion in damage and disabled 34% of Russia's cruise missile carrier fleet. The Russian Defense Ministry later acknowledged the attack, calling it a "terrorist act," and confirmed that aircraft caught fire at multiple air bases, including Irkutsk and Murmansk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Destroyed Russian bombers seen in first satellite images after Ukrainian drone strike Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Buntar-3 is a reconnaissance system developed by Ukrainian defence tech company Buntar Aerospace which has been tested in real combat on the Bryansk, Belgorod, Kupiansk, Lysychansk, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove and Svatove fronts. Source: Mezha Media, a technology and IT news platform within Ukrainska Pravda's holding company Details: Buntar Aerospace explained that the reconnaissance system functions as an integrated solution from mission planning to analysis with a single control interface through proprietary software. The Buntar-3 reconnaissance system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Buntar Aerospace Quote from Buntar Aerospace: "Buntar-3 is not just a separate drone, but a complete system. At its core is a proprietary Copilot a 'combat assistant' for the operator. It forecasts mission scenarios, helps avoid errors in stressful conditions, calculates flight sequences and ensures continuous coverage and centralised transmission from multiple cameras. All controls are contained in a single interface that can simultaneously manage multiple drones." Details: Key characteristics of the Buntar-3 reconnaissance system include: 3.5 hours of flight time; 80 km tactical range; target detection up to 15 km away; operation without GPS; resistance to electronic warfare; vertical take-off and landing capability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The modern battlefield is dynamic, where everything changes signals, electronic warfare modes, tactics," the Ukrainian company added. "The architecture of Buntar-3 allows for rapid adaptation of both the hardware and the Copilot software to specific unit requirements." The Buntar-3 reconnaissance system. Photo: Buntar Aerospace The company also stated that it is entering into contract agreements and preparing to launch mass production. For security reasons, production volumes are not being disclosed. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Ukrainian and Russian delegations concluded peace talks in Istanbul on June 2, agreeing on a new prisoners of war (POWs) exchange but failing to reach a ceasefire. The talks, hosted by Turkish officials, follow the first round of negotiations on May 16. The initial meeting ended with an agreement on the largest prisoner exchange of the war, but without any tangible progress toward a peace deal. The parties agreed to conduct a major swap, which will include severely injured and young people aged 18 to 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the next prisoner exchange would feature at least 1,000 people on each side, and might reach a 1,200-for-1,200 swap that would possibly also include imprisoned journalists and political prisoners held in Russia. After the talks, Russia pledged to transfer 6,000 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers and officers to Ukraine and also proposed a ceasefire for two or three days in some areas of the front line in order to retrieve the bodies of the fallen soldiers. "They just dont see a ceasefire as such at the moment," Zelensky said of Russia's proposal. "As they said regarding a ceasefire, they are ready for a 23-day ceasefire to retrieve the dead from the battlefield. I think theyre idiots, because, fundamentally, a ceasefire is meant so that there are no dead." "You can see their attitude. For them, this is just a brief pause in the war," the president added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky said that only 15% of the mentioned 6,000 are identified and that Ukraine would need to check that the bodies Russia is willing to return are those of Ukrainian soldiers. "We had instances when they returned bodies that later were identified as their own," Zelensky said on June 2. Kyiv also handed over to the Russian delegation a list of 339 children abducted by Russia, and Moscow passed over its memorandum of proposals for a ceasefire. Ukraine submitted its document on May 28. Following the talks, the Kyiv Independent obtained the text of the peace proposals that Ukraine presented to Russia in Istanbul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the document, the Ukrainian delegation offered Moscow a complete ceasefire, the exchange of prisoners of war in an "all-for-all format," bringing back the children abducted by Russia, and the release of all civilians from Russian captivity. Ukraine called for guarantees that would prevent Russia from repeating its aggression, as well as the involvement of the international community to achieve this. According to Ukraine's proposal seen by the Kyiv Independent, Ukraine will continue on its path toward joining the EU and will become a member of NATO if there is consensus within the alliance. Ukraine is also ready to agree to the gradual lifting of some sanctions against Russia, but with a mechanism for their renewal if necessary. Frozen Russian assets, in turn, should be used to restore Ukraine and pay reparations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Umerov was leading Ukraine's 14-member delegation, which includes several figures from Ukraine's military, human rights, and legal sectors who did not take part in the May 16 negotiations. Before meeting with Russian officials, Umerov held a bilateral meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Suspilne reported. Russian delegates were led by Medinsky, who represented Moscow both during the first unsuccessful peace talks in Istanbul in 2022 and then again in May this year. Russia has not officially submitted its memorandum outlining peace terms, but Ukraine plans to present a detailed roadmap aimed at securing a lasting settlement. Before the talks, Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhii Kyslytsia and Ukrainian delegation member Oleksandr Bevz met representatives from Germany, Italy, and the U.K. to coordinate their positions, Tykhyi said on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Members of the Ukrainian delegation reiterated Ukraines commitment to peace efforts. They elaborated on the items of the agenda, which include leaders meeting, a full ceasefire, and humanitarian confidence-building measures," he added. Security advisors from the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany also plan to attend the talks, according to U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg. While the U.S. and Ukraine have pushed for an unconditional ceasefire, the Kremlin has rejected it. Instead, Moscow has regularly voiced maximalist demands that are unlikely to be accepted by Kyiv, such as recognition of Russia's illegal annexation of Ukrainian regions and withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the parts of these regions remaining under Kyivs control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has expressed frustration with Russia's reluctance to make concessions and its intensifying and deadly attacks on Ukraine. He has so far refused to impose additional sanctions on Russia. The talks are taking place only a day after the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) launched a mass drone attack against Russian air bases, allegedly hitting 41 Russian bombers and disabling 34% of Russia's cruise missile air fleet. Read also: As Trump fails to sanction Moscow, few expect breakthrough during upcoming Russia-Ukraine talks Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Ukrainian delegation has arrived in Turkiye for the second round of talks with the Russian delegation. Source: Heorhii Tykhyi, Spokesperson for Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaking to journalists, as reported by European Pravda Details: The Ukrainian delegation arrived in Istanbul on Monday 2 June for the second round of talks with the Russian delegation. Talks between the representatives of the two countries are scheduled for the second half of the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: On 1 June, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy approved the updated composition of the Ukrainian delegation for talks with Russia in Istanbul "regarding the achievement of a just and lasting peace". The delegation is again led by Defence Minister Rustem Umierov, but Oleksii Malovatskyi, Head of the International and Operational Law Department of the Central Legal Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, does not appear on the new list. Instead, Andrii Fomin, Yevhenii Ostrianskyi and Yurii Kovbasa have been added. On 28 May, Russia said it wanted new talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on Monday 2 June, where it would present a memorandum with proposals for a ceasefire and an end to the war. Meanwhile, Ukraine noted that in order to achieve results at the meeting, it needed to review the Russian memorandum beforehand. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukraines Armed Forces responded to recent comments by Andrii Biletskyi, commander of the 3rd Army Corps, who claimed that the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade had not received any state-supplied (first-person-view) FPV drones for three months, Babel reported on June 2. The 3rd Brigade, which formed the basis for the formation of the 3rd Army Corps, is seen as one of the most battle-hardened Ukrainian units. Many of its members include Azov veterans. In a written response to a request from Babel, the Armed Forces of Ukraine said the brigade had received a total of 7,992 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of various types between Jan. 1 and May 27. The military did not clarify whether that number included FPV drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the military's logistics service, units are provided with a list of available equipment and may select what they need. All requests submitted by the 3rd Assault Brigade were reportedly fulfilled. The brigade must submit a separate request to the Defense Ministry for targeted funding if it requires a specific modification that is not in stock, the response read. That was the case in May, when the 3rd Assault Brigade received funds for procurement, the logistics department told Babel. In total, the state reportedly allocated Hr 151.5 million (about $3.6 million) to the brigade in 2025 for drone purchases. As of May 28, 57% of those funds had been spent. Biletskyi made his comments in an interview published May 11 with journalist Yurii Butusov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'd like to 'thank' the Defense Ministry for three months, the 3rd Assault Brigade did not receive a single FPV drone," Biletskyi said. "We were severely lacking (the drones,) " he added. "Without the FPVs supplied by the state, we really dried out during these three months, because the front line is huge." Biletskyi also said the supply flow of drones to his unit has fluctuated. "In some periods, we received 3040% of what was needed, and that mattered." Drones have proven especially effective during Ukraine's full-scale war with Russia, with both sides using them extensively on the front lines and for strikes beyond the battlefield. Read also: Ultimate guide on how drones changed warfare in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. MOSCOW (Reuters) -Emergency crews restored power on Tuesday to at least 700,000 residents across a swathe of southern Ukraine controlled by Russian forces, officials said, a day after Ukrainian shelling and drone attacks knocked out electricity substations. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine, but the attacks, which targeted the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, appeared to be the largest of their kind on Russian-held territory since the war began in February 2022. "Thanks to the coordinated work of power engineers, the power supply to all customers has now been fully restored," Russia's Energy Ministry said on the Telegram messaging app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews from other regions helped complete repairs. Russia lays claim to Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, and already controls most of both regions. It is trying to capture the rest as part of what it casts as its push to ensure its own security and secure the future of ethnic Russians and Russian speakers. Ukraine rejects Russia's portrayal of the conflict, calling it a colonial-style land grab by Moscow and vowing to retake the lost territory through a mixture of force and diplomacy. The drone attacks came hours after Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Turkey for peace talks where Moscow said it would only agree to end the war if Kyiv cedes big new chunks of territory and accepts limits on the size of its army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian-backed officials said the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant - Europe's largest nuclear facility seized by Russia in 2022 - was under control but difficult. Russian officials running the plant said radiation levels were normal at the facility, which operates in shutdown mode and produces no power at the moment. WIDESPREAD OUTAGE Yevgeny Balitsky, the Russian-installed governor of Zaporizhzhia, said on Monday that more than 600,000 people in nearly 500 settlements across the region lost electricity after Ukrainian shelling damaged high-voltage infrastructure. In the Kherson region further west, Russia-appointed Governor Vladimir Saldo said debris from fallen drones had damaged two electricity substations, knocking out power to more than 100,000 residents of 150 towns and villages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, emergency services officials in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy said on Tuesday that a Russian attack had killed three people and injured 28, including three children. "The Russians launched a savage strike on Sumy directly targeting the city and its ordinary streets with rocket artillery," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on social media. The attack damaged an apartment building, three private residences, a warehouse and a hospital building, according to a statement from the emergency services. There was no immediate comment from Russia on these Ukrainian reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Russia and Ukraine deny targeting civilians in their attacks. But thousands of civilians have died in the conflict, the vast majority of them Ukrainian. For many long months during the winter, Ukrainian towns and villages endured repeated electricity cuts as Russian forces focused strikes on generating capacity. Each side has accused the other of launching attacks on the Zaporizhzhia plant and running the risk of a nuclear accident. The U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said last week in response to a Ukrainian complaint that it saw no sign of Russia preparing to restart the Zaporizhzhia plant and connect it to the Russian grid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told Reuters on Tuesday that conditions for restarting the plant were not present due to a lack of water for cooling and the absence of a stable power supply. The IAEA has stationed monitors permanently at Zaporizhzhia and Ukraine's other nuclear power stations. (Reporting by Moscow bureau, Lidia Kelly in Melbourne and Anastasia Malenko in Kyiv; writing by Andrew Osborn, Ron Popeski and Lidia Kelly; editing by Franklin Paul, Stephen Coates, Lincoln Feast, Mark Heinrich and Rod Nickel) (Reuters) -The U.S. tariff rate on most imported steel and aluminum doubled on Wednesday as President Donald Trump ratcheted up a global trade war. Here's a summary of the major trade partners it will affect. STEEL: Roughly a quarter of all steel used in the U.S. is imported, the bulk of it from neighbours Mexico and Canada or close allies in Asia and Europe such as Japan, South Korea and Germany. While China is the world's largest steel producer and exporter, it sends very little to the United States. Tariffs of 25% imposed in 2018 shut most Chinese steel out of the market. China exported 508,000 net tons of steel to the U.S. last year or 1.8% of total American steel imports. ALUMINUM: For aluminum, the U.S. is more heavily reliant on imports. Roughly half of all aluminum used in the U.S. is imported, with the vast majority coming from Canada. At 3.2 million tons last year, Canadian imports were twice those of the next nine countries combined. The next largest sources of imports are the United Arab Emirates and China, at 347,034 and 222,872 metric tons, respectively. The U.S. aluminum smelting industry is small by global standards. Total smelter capacity in the country was just 1.73% of the global total according to the U.S. Geological Survey. (Reporting by Amy Lv and Lewis Jackson in Beijing, Neha Arora in New Delhi, Francesco Guarascio in Hanoi, Hyunjoo Jin in Seoul; Editing by Michael Perry, Clarence Fernandez and Lincoln Feast.) Israeli forces have opened fire again on Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid from a distribution site in Gaza, killing at least three people and injuring more than 30, as the United Nations demands an independent investigation into the repeated mass shootings of aid seekers in the strip. The shooting erupted at sunrise on Monday at the same Israeli-backed aid point in southern Gaza where soldiers had opened fire just a day earlier, according to health officials and witnesses. The Israeli military opened fire on civilians trying to get their hands on any kind of food aid without any kind of warning, Al Jazeeras Tareq Abu Azzoum reported from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a pattern thats been widely condemned by international aid organisations because it enhances the breakdown of civil order without ensuring humanitarian relief can be received by those desperately in need. Witnesses said Israeli snipers and quadcopter drones routinely monitor aid sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is backed by Israel and the United States. A Red Cross field hospital received about 50 people wounded in the latest shooting, including two who were dead on arrival, said Hisham Mhanna, a spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross. Most had been hit by bullets or shrapnel. A third body was taken to Nasser Hospital in nearby Khan Younis. Moataz al-Feirani, 21, said he was shot in the leg while walking with thousands of others towards the food site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had nothing, and they [the Israeli military] were watching us, he told The Associated Press news agency, adding that surveillance drones circled overhead. The shooting began about 5:30am (02:30 GMT) near the Flag Roundabout, he said. The pattern of deadly violence around the GHF aid distribution site has triggered mounting international outrage, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday demanded an independent inquiry into the mass shooting of Palestinians. It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food, he said. I call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military has denied targeting civilians, claiming its soldiers fired warning shots at individuals who posed a threat. The GHF has also denied the shootings occurred although doubts about its neutrality have intensified since its founding executive director, former US marine Jake Wood, resigned before operations even began after he questioned the groups impartiality and independence. Critics said the group functions as a cover for Israels broader campaign to depopulate northern Gaza as it concentrates aid in the south while bypassing established international agencies. Aid is still barely trickling into Gaza after Israel partially lifted a total siege that for more than two months cut off food, water, fuel and medicine to more than two million people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of children are at risk of dying from hunger-related causes, the UN has previously warned. At least 51 people killed in 24 hours Elsewhere in the territory, Israeli air attacks continued to hammer residential areas. In Jabalia in northern Gaza, Israeli forces killed 14 people, including seven children, in an attack on a home, according to the Palestinian Civil Defence agency. At least 20 people remained trapped under the rubble. Two more Palestinians were killed and several wounded in another attack in Deir el-Balah, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, while a drone attack in Khan Younis claimed yet another life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gazas Ministry of Health reported that at least 51 Palestinians have been killed and 503 injured in Israeli attacks across the territory in the latest 24-hour reporting period alone. Palestinian children wait for food at a distribution point in Nuseirat in central Gaza on June 2, 2025 [AFP] Despite growing international condemnation, Israels military on Monday ordered the displacement of even more civilians from parts of Khan Younis, warning it would operate with great force. Roughly 80 percent of the strip is now either under Israeli military control or designated for forced evacuation, according to new data from the Financial Times, as Gazas 2.3 million residents are crammed into an ever-shrinking patch of land in southern Gaza near the Egyptian border. Israel has made little secret of its aim to permanently displace Gazas population as officials openly promote voluntary migration plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Financial Times reported that the areas Palestinians are being pushed into resemble a desert wasteland with no running water, electricity or even hospitals. Satellite images showed Israeli forces clearing land and setting up military infrastructure in evacuated areas. Analysts who reviewed dozens of recent forced evacuation orders said the trend has accelerated since the collapse of a truce in March. The Israeli government has been very clear with regards to what their plan is about in Gaza, political analyst Xavier Abu Eid told Al Jazeera. It is about ethnic cleansing. CAIRO (AP) Iranian, Egyptian and U.N. leaders met in Cairo on Monday to discuss Iran's nuclear program after the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency in a confidential report said Iran is further increasing its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. The report emerged amid U.S.-Iran talks aimed at attempting to limit Irans nuclear program in exchange for lifting some of the crushing economic sanctions that the U.S. has imposed on the Islamic Republic, which have strained relations for almost 50 years. Rafael Mariano Grossi, director-general of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, said the agency compiled its report, seen by The Associated Press over the weekend, because Iranian's uranium enrichment is an ongoing concern for the IAEA's board of governors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grossi said they hoped the report would provide an incentive for a peaceful solution and a diplomatic solution. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Grossi as well as Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. IAEA expresses serious concern The confidential IAEA report raised a warning, saying Iran is now the only non-nuclear-weapon state to produce such material, something the agency said was of serious concern. The IAEA report said that Iran, as of May 17, had amassed 408.6 kilograms (900.8 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60%. That is an increase of almost 50% since the IAEAs last report in February. The 60% enriched material is a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran's leadership has said it believes the IAEA report is politically motivated by Grossi's hopes of becoming the next U.N. secretary-general. Grossi is attempting to attract the votes of several members of the U.N. Security Council with the report, the head of Irans Atomic Energy Organization, Mohammad Eslami, told the official IRNA news agency late Sunday. He basically has chosen a political attitude, and this political attitude has led the environment to be more political rather that technical," Eslami said. Iranian deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected many of the reports findings. Gharibabadi noted on Sunday that out of the IAEAs 682 inspections of 32 states, 493 were carried out in Iran alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So long as a countrys nuclear activities are under the IAEAs monitoring, there is no cause for concern, he said. The Islamic Republic of Iran is neither pursuing nuclear weapons nor does it possess any undeclared nuclear materials or activities. Questions about US transparency Iran is concerned that the U.S. hasn't provided enough transparency about what Iran can gain from the talks, Esmail Baghaei, Irans foreign ministry spokesperson, said on Monday. It must be crystal clear to us that how the unfair sanctions against the Iranian nation will be removed, Baghaei said. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who is mediating in the U.S.-Iran talks, visited Tehran on Saturday to present Washington's latest proposal for ongoing discussions. The fifth round of talks between the U.S. and Iran concluded in Rome last week with some but not conclusive progress, al-Busaidi said at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Araghchi said Monday that Iran will reply to the U.S. approach soon, but there will be no agreement unless Iran's right to enrichment is respected. If the purpose of the talks is to attain trust that Islamic Republic of Iran will never go after nuclear weapons, I think an agreement is fully achievable, Araghchi said. But if there are unreasonable and unreal purposes, if the aim is depriving Iran from having peaceful activities, we will never accept any agreement. ___ Lidman reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (CBS DETROIT) A Chinese national charged with voting illegally at the University of Michigan has fled the U.S., according to a criminal complaint filed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that was unsealed on Friday. Haoxiang Gao was attending the Ann Arbor-based university in October 2024 and lived on campus, authorities said. Safety officials with the school spoke with Gao on Oct. 28 after hearing reports that a student had unlawfully cast a vote in the 2024 general election, according to the recently unsealed court documents. CBS Detroit previously reported on the case, but authorities didnt identify Gao at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gao admitted during the conversation with the school that he registered to vote and did cast a vote at a polling location on campus on Oct. 27. He was charged by the state on Oct. 30 with one count each of unauthorized elector attempting to vote and making a false affidavit for the purpose of securing voter registration, court records show. During Gaos arraignment, a judge ordered him to surrender his Chinese passport and not to leave Michigan, according to the criminal complaint. The passport handed in had a serial number ending in 1332. A warrant for Gao was later issued after he missed court hearings on March 6 and April 24. The FBI said in the filing that Gaos passport was in the possession of school safety officials during a court hearing. However, according to prosecutors, Gao boarded a Delta flight from Detroit International Airport to Shanghai, China, on Jan. 19 using a Chinese passport in his name with a serial number ending in 7137. CBS News Detroit has reached out to the university for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gao has been federally charged with flight to avoid prosecution, though the U.S. does not have an extradition treaty with China. The case is among the very few instances of noncitizens voting in federal elections in modern history, studies and investigations have found. Analysis by the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice found 30 cases of noncitizens suspected of voting in the 2024 general election reported by election officials out of 23.5 million votes cast in the 42 jurisdictions reviewed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (WSPA) An Oconee County man was indicted by a federal grand jury after he failed to report over $1 million in earnings over a three-year period. The United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina said in a release that Marion Keith Sheriff, 60, of Seneca, was returned a four-count indictment by a federal grand jury for filing false tax returns. According to the release, Sheriff operated a landscaping business in the Upstate and allegedly failed to report cashed business checks amounting to $1,006,633.00 as income to the IRS from 2019 to 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff now faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison, a $100,000 fine and one year of supervised release, according to the attorneys office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. Head and torso simulation training manikins are displayed on a table at the University of Arizona College of MedicinePhoenix where only 2.6% of the 6,426 applicants for the Class of 2026 were accepted. (Photo by Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current) Creating a public medical school at the University of Rhode Island (URI) could cost the state approximately $225 million over 10 years, but a consultant draft report suggests it may very well be worth the time and effort if it helps soothe the states primary care shortage. You dont need all this money tomorrow, but youll need a good $20 million right away, Paul Umbach, founder and president of Tripp Umbach told a special legislative commission Friday afternoon at the Rhode Island State House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Umbach told the 21-member panel appointed last year by late Senate President Dominick Ruggerio that the hypothetical school could partially relieve the physician workforce shortage problem in the Ocean State, which has one only one private medical school at Brown University. Rhode Island now has a shortage of approximately 300 primary care physicians statewide, as previously reported by Rhode Island Current and cited in the Tripp Umbach draft report. In 2023, there were just under 4,200 physicians in Rhode Island, and only 327 of them were in family medicine or general practice, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Per the firms analysis, a URI medical school could accept about 100 students a year and, if the funding falls into place, possibly graduate its first students within a decade or so. Tuition could cost about $50,000, which the firm said is comparable to other public medical schools. But tuition wouldnt cover all expenses hence the need for an annual infusion of about $20 million to $25 million in state money. This funding must be supplemented by clinical revenue generated through partnerships with health systems, as well as ongoing philanthropic contributions to support scholarships, faculty development, and programmatic innovation, the report reads. New construction can wait Umbach told the commission his firm has helped 20 medical schools get started. He outlined the phases of financing, from initial investments to hire leadership, get accredited, and make any necessary retrofitments to existing facilities. A dedicated building wouldnt be a must-have at first, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youll be able to use existing facilities for a time to sit your first class, Umbach said. But after four or five years, a new facility would likely be required, and consume about $120 million to $125 million a cost that used to be around $50 million to $70 million around a decade ago, Umbach said. Still, Umbach thought that URIs has an advantage in its existing programs in pharmacy, nursing, and public health, each of which could be integrated into a new potential medical school. The report states that medical students would be able to train alongside future nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals in team-based care environments that reflect real-world clinical settings. Additionally, URI has research facilities and lab space that could be repurposed for medical education. You already have a strong network, Umbach told the panel. A state-of-the-art simulation training manikin of a woman in labor is shown at the University of Arizona College of MedicinePhoenix. (Photo by Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current) Despite recent federal challenges to National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding, Umbach cautioned against a shortsighted or pessimistic read of possible funding challenges. He said research based on clinical outcomes, like the kind that might take place at a medical school, seems to be in a much better place than more traditional biomedical research in large lab settings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Pam Lauria, a Barrington Democrat and the commission co-chair alongside URI President Marc Parlange, asked Umbach to expand on the schools economic benefits. Lets look at it like a rock hitting the pond, Umbach said. Youre building a medical school, and its going to have a budget of $60 (million), $70, million when its at maturity, and thats going to help the economy. Data in the report shows existing medical schools typically generate around $150 million in economic impact and create 1,000 jobs directly and indirectly. Doctors trained at public medical schools who continue to practice locally can create $2.2 million in economic impact and subsidize 15 jobs directly and indirectly, according to the report. But before the school can generate income or even be built, Umbach said the school needs to find a dean. The accreditation process for medical schools is tightly controlled by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), Umbach said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They wont talk to consultants. Theyll allow the president to talk if they want, but its really the founding dean, Umbach said. So your number one thing you have to do in the MD model is find the founding dean. After a dean is picked, the school must hire additional faculty and administrators, many of whom must be MDs or PhDs. So, super expensive, Umbach said. But fledgling schools can bulk up their coffers by having their new faculty practice medicine. Thats what happened at the recently accredited MD program at Roseman University in Nevada, Umbach said, where the founding dean built a self-sustaining clinical practice while the school developed toward accredited status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Faculty can also see patients and make money. Deans can even see patients and make money, Umbach said. The states small size, Umbach told the panel, is why the medical school needs to be envisioned as a statewide initiative, not a siloed endeavor on the URI campus. That would mean partnerships with local health systems and clinics not only to help students learn and succeed, but to firmly plant the school within the states wider economic context. If you think about this as URIs medical school, thats a dangerous way to think about it, Umbach said. Although it will be URIs medical school structurally, technically and in many practical ways it wont work unless its a statewide medical school. To that end, the report recommends that URI secure partnerships with a broad array of health care providers throughout Rhode Island and work with community hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), like Thundermist Health Center in Woonsocket, to better acquaint aspiring doctors with community medicine and the needs of rural populations something students lack when they only see the inside of a large academic medical center, and you dont ever leave, Umbach said, underlining his recommendation for a community-based model. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Umbachs firm carried out the $150,000 feasibility study for the special commission, which was created in June 2024 via a resolution from Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski, a South Kingstown Democrat. Former Senate President Ruggerio selected the panels 21 members in July 2024. The special commission, per the statute that created it, has until Dec. 20 to make its recommendations on a possible medical school. A timeline and wishlist for a potential URI medical school The Tripp Umbach draft report outlines the decades worth of work ahead if the state wants to build a medical school at URI. The rough timeline as given in the report is as follows: Years 12: Planning phase, including community outreach and laying groundwork for accreditation Year 3: Apply for accreditation, and hire founding dean and leadership team Year 4: Secure preliminary accreditation and begin recruiting students Year 5: Enroll first class of medical students Year 9 and beyond: First cohort graduates Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also suggests the following investments, totaling $225 million, over that 10-year period, including: $20 million in seed funding from the community and university foundations $40 million from a lead or private donor $30 million in start-up money from the state $25 million in annual state support $50 million to Seek initial legislative appropriation for feasibility and design $60 million in matching funds from private donors or fiscal commitments from health systems SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Army drones are flying shorter distances with less power due to Pacific heat and weather, a US Army general said. A joint exercise with the Philippines is helping the Army address those challenges. Solutions include more drones, drone swarms, and 3D printing capabilities. The hot and rainy weather in the Western Pacific is presenting some challenges for the US Army's drone arsenal, a top officer told Business Insider. In training, American drone operators have been working with allies to find solutions and adapt their uncrewed aerial systems to the operating environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US troops are currently going through the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center-Exportable exercise in the Philippines, where the Army and their Philippine counterparts are training for what a war in the Indo-Pacific could look like. About 2,000 personnel are participating in the exercise. When it comes to drone activities in this area of operations, the primary issues, Army Maj. Gen. Marcus Evans, the commander of the 25th Infantry Division out of Hawaii, told BI, are the heat and local weather patterns. A key aspect of the training is testing how technologies like drones, counter-drone systems, reconnaissance capabilities, infantry squad vehicles, and aircraft work in conditions specific to that environment. In the Philippines, hot temperatures upward of 90 degrees Fahrenheit impact the function of drones, namely the battery power, meaning operators can't fly them as far or long. Cold climates, like those of the Arctic tundra in Alaska, have similar effects on battery technology. This is the second year that JPMRC-X has been hosted in the Philippines. The exercise comes on the heels on other joint US-Phlippines training. US Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Tommie Berry Rain and winds, too, sometimes affect the vertical takeoff and landing capabilities of some UAVs. It's monsoon season in Southeast Asia, meaning heavy rainfall and humidity are incessant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Generally, we've seen a reduction in the distance they can fly and the endurance for which they can fly," Evans explained. He said his troops are having to get "accustomed to what the endurances are on the unmanned aerial systems" in this region "so then we can integrate those into tactical plans." Immediate solutions that US soldiers have been working on include finding new locations to launch drones, flying more of them, or swarming them. Different areas may experience different weather and temperatures while launching multiple drones or swarming them leaves operators less dependent on a single drone for executing a mission. This kind of adaptive work is happening across the division, not just in one formation or a brigade for these capabilities. At a training in Hawaii last fall, the 25th Infantry Brigade was only using small drones with ranges of about three to five kilometers depending on the environment. Now, they're working with medium-range and long-range reconnaissance capabilities that help formations see out to roughly 30 kilometers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The learn-in-the-moment approach is in line with the Army's Transformation in Contact initiative, a program that streamlines the process for soldiers to integrate, test, and improve on new weapons and then, in turn, implement the feedback into operational planning. The impact of weather on drones is forcing soldiers to adapt and adjust in real time. US Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Ryele Bertoch One of the newer elements being implemented in the ongoing training is 3D printing for first-person view drones. It's useful, Evans said, for making most of the components and then either building a new drone or repairing others. Evans said conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East were also providing lessons on drone warfare and other technologies. There's much to be learned, too, from Philippine soldiers specifically with regard to fighting in the Pacific. Earlier this year, Washington and Manila participated in their annual, three-week-long Balikatan exercise, testing anti-ship, anti-air, and coastal defense drills simulating real-world combat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evans said that the longer US soldiers are in this environment, "the more that we're going to understand about our ability to sustain a force and interoperate with a partner fore like the Philippine Army in this environment." Read the original article on Business Insider Fiverr (NYSE:FVRR) CEO Micha Kaufman isn't sugarcoating the reality of artificial intelligence. In a company-wide email that's been making waves online, Kaufman wrote plainly: AI is coming for your jobs. Heck, its coming for my job too. This is a wake-up call. Speaking Frankly About the Future of Work In a CBS News interview on May 21, Kaufman said the email was a response to growing unease among his team. They weren't really waiting for my email, he said. This email was a validation of the things that they feel. And it was all about, you know, talking openly and directly to our team, like grown-ups. Don't Miss: Kaufman's message wasn't about fearit was about urgency. He encouraged employees to embrace AI as a tool to increase output and quality, saying it should feel like gaining superpowers. My expectations are double or triple the output per unit of time, and the same for the quality, Kaufman told CBS News. If something used to take us three months to build and then fail... today we can test things in three days. He urged his team to automate 100% of their repetitive tasks. That might raise the question, will that make them replaceable? And my answer is absolutely not, Kaufman said. Because when you have all of your time free... you free up your time to do things that human beings have special capabilities innon-linear thinking, judgment calls, issues that have to do with taste, making decisions, thinking about strategy, he told CBS News. His belief: AI won't erase humanity from work. It will force people to double down on their uniquely human strengths. Trending: Be part of the next med-tech breakthrough for only $350 500+ surgeries already done with nView's AI system. Gen Z And The Disappearing Career Ladder Meanwhile, others in the industry are sounding similar alarms, especially when it comes to entry-level jobs. LinkedIn Chief Economic Opportunity Officer Aneesh Raman wrote in a May 27 op-ed for The New York Times that AI is already replacing starter roles like junior software engineers, paralegals and retail associates. Breaking first is the bottom rung of the career ladder, Raman wrote. He warned that college graduates are feeling the pressure hardest, with unemployment among them rising to 30% since 2022. According to LinkedIn data that Raman cited, 40% of Gen Z workers would be willing to take a 2 to 5 percent pay cut if it meant more advancement opportunities. Syrian officials said that under the plan, some 3,500 foreign fighters, mainly Uyghurs from China and neighboring countries, would join a newly formed unit. The United States has given its blessing to a plan by Syria's new leadership to incorporate thousands of foreign jihadist former rebel fighters into the national army, provided that it does so transparently, President Donald Trump's envoy said. Three Syrian defense officials said that under the plan, some 3,500 foreign fighters, mainly Uyghurs from China and neighboring countries, would join a newly-formed unit, the 84th Syrian army division, which would also include Syrians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked by Reuters in Damascus whether Washington approved the integration of foreign fighters into Syria's new military, Thomas Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey who was named Trump's special envoy to Syria last month, said: "I would say there is an understanding, with transparency." He said it was better to keep the fighters, many of whom are "very loyal" to Syria's new administration, within a state project than to exclude them. The fate of foreigners who joined Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebels during the 13-year war between rebel groups and President Bashar al-Assad has been one of the most fraught issues hindering a rapprochement with the West since HTS, a one-time offshoot of al Qaeda, toppled Assad and took power last year. Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace, in Damascus, Syria, March 10, 2025 (photo credit: REUTERS/KHALIL ASHAWI) At least until early May, the United States had been demanding the new leadership broadly exclude foreign fighters from the security forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Washington's approach to Syria has changed sharply since Trump toured the Middle East last month. Trump agreed to lift Assad-era sanctions on Syria, met Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh and named Barrack, a close friend, as his special envoy. Debates on including foreign fighters in new Syrian army Two sources close to the Syrian defense ministry told Reuters that Sharaa and his circle had been arguing to Western interlocutors that bringing foreign fighters into the army would be less of a security risk than abandoning them, which could drive them into the orbit of al Qaeda or Islamic State. The US State Department and a Syrian government spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment. Thousands of Sunni Muslim foreigners joined Syria's rebels early in the 13-year civil war to fight against Assad, who was himself aided by Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some fighters formed their own factions, while others joined established groups such as Islamic State, which briefly declared a caliphate in swathes of Syria and Iraq before being routed by an array of forces backed both by the United States and Iran. Foreign fighters within HTS earned a reputation as loyal, disciplined and experienced militants, and formed the backbone of the group's elite so-called suicide units. They fought against Islamic State and against other wings of al Qaeda from 2016, when HTS broke away from the group founded by Osama bin Laden. The Uyghur fighters from China and Central Asia are members of the Turkistan Islamic Party, a group designated as terrorists by Beijing. A Syrian official and a foreign diplomat said China had sought to have the group's influence in Syria restricted. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said: "China hopes that Syria will oppose all forms of terrorism and extremist forces in response to the concerns of the international community." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Osman Bughra, a TIP political official, told Reuters in a written statement that the group had officially dissolved and integrated into the Syrian army. "At present, the group operates entirely under the authority of the Ministry of Defence, adheres to national policy, and maintains no affiliations with external entities or groups," he said. In December, the appointment of a handful of foreign jihadists who were part of HTS's senior leadership to top military posts had alarmed Western governments, raising concerns over the direction of Syria's new Islamist leadership. Demands to freeze the appointments and expel rank-and-file foreign fighters became a key point of contention with Washington and other Western countries up until the week of Trump's landmark meeting with Sharaa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sharaa has said that foreign fighters and their families may be granted Syrian citizenship due to their role in fighting Assad. Abbas Sharifa, a Damascus-based expert on jihadist groups, said the fighters being included in the army had shown loyalty to Syria's leadership and were "ideologically filtered." But "if you abandon them they become prey to ISIS or other radical groups" he said. By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) -A federal judge on Monday said the administration of President Donald Trump likely broke the law by stripping 50,000 transportation security officers of the ability to unionize and bargain over their working conditions. U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman in Seattle, Washington, blocked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from canceling a union contract covering TSA officers pending the outcome of a lawsuit by the American Federation of Government Employees and other unions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pechman said that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem failed to explain why she was reversing the Obama administration's finding that unionizing would benefit TSA officers, who staff checkpoints at U.S. airports and other transportation hubs, and in turn the public they serve. "The Noem Determination appears to have been undertaken to punish AFGE and its members because AFGE has chosen to push back against the Trump Administrations attacks to federal employment in the courts," wrote Pechman, an appointee of President Bill Clinton, a Democrat. The White House, TSA and DHS did not immediately respond to requests for comment. AFGE, which represents about 800,000 federal government employees, praised the decision. National President Everett Kelley said "the preliminary injunction underscores the unconstitutional nature of DHSs attack on TSA officers First Amendment rights ... we will not back down from defending our members rights against unlawful union busting." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, a Republican, has moved to curb union bargaining for wide swaths of the federal workforce. A U.S. appeals court in May allowed those efforts to proceed, pausing a lower court ruling that had blocked seven agencies from canceling union contracts while it considers an appeal. Because of the sensitive nature of their jobs, TSA officers are not governed by the civil service system and do not have the same rights to unionize and collectively bargain over working conditions as most other federal employees. During former President Barack Obama's administration, the TSA granted officers the ability to bargain over certain subjects. Former President Joe Biden's administration expanded the scope of bargaining in 2021. The agency last year reached a seven-year labor deal with AFGE, the largest federal worker union. Workers received enhanced shift trade options, increased allowance for uniforms and additional paid leave as part of the agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On February 27, Noem rescinded the directives that had allowed TSA officers to unionize and directed the agency to cancel the bargaining agreement within 90 days. Noem said the union contract guarantees benefits such as paid leave that are abused by a small number of officers and shields poor performers from being fired, burdening the entire agency. Noem also said she had asked lawyers at DHS to adopt policies barring any future administration from granting TSA workers the right to bargain without action from Congress. AFGE and the other unions that sued said Noem failed in her memo to provide a reasoned explanation for her decision and that TSA lacks the power to set aside the bargaining agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pechman on Monday agreed, calling Noem's reasoning "threadbare." She said Noem had not backed up her claims that collective bargaining threatens the safety of the transportation system and that the 2024 union contract benefits AFGE at officers' expense. Pechman said Noem had likely violated a federal law that governs policymaking by agencies and the unions' rights to due process under the U.S. Constitution. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; additional reporting by David Shepardson in San Diego; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi, Rod Nickel, Stephen Coates and Sonali Paul) Sixteen US presidents were educated at colleges and universities in the Ivy League. Joe Biden was the first US president since Ronald Reagan not to have attended an Ivy League school. President Donald Trump has recently taken on Harvard University, the alma mater of eight US presidents. Since long before President Donald Trump engaged in a war against Harvard University, the Ivy League has been a breeding ground for world leaders, including many US presidents. Among the eight Ivy League schools, Harvard has educated the most US presidents eight followed by Yale, with five. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, a few of the Ivies have not yet seen one of their students go on to become US president: Brown University, Cornell University, and Dartmouth College. Most presidents in recent US history, including Trump, graduated from an Ivy League school. In fact, from the end of Ronald Reagan's term in 1989 until the beginning of Joe Biden's in 2021, the presidency was occupied by Ivy League alums. Trump has had a fraught relationship with some universities since he signed an executive order during his first term prompting higher education institutions to take tougher action in combating antisemitism. Since October 7, 2023, US colleges and universities have been at the center of controversies regarding student protests against the war in Gaza, with Columbia University gaining national attention in April 2024 when students formed on-campus encampments demanding the school divest from Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since January, the Trump administration has made attempts to block Harvard University from receiving federal funds and enrolling international students, writing in an April 11 letter addressed to the university's leadership that the university had failed to meet "both the intellectual and civil rights conditions that justify federal investment." It came after the university refused the administration's demands to change hiring and admissions policies, among others. Harvard's president, Alan Garber, wrote in a letter to students and staff in April, "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." Here's which presidents were Ivy League educated, and where they attended university. Princeton University Two US presidents have graduated from Princeton. Photo Spirit/Shutterstock The Ivy League's ties with the US presidency go back to the nation's founding. In 1771, the founding father James Madison, who served as the fourth US president from 1809 to 1817, graduated with a bachelor's degree from Princeton University, then called the College of New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woodrow Wilson, who was president from 1913 to 1921, graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1879. University of Pennsylvania Two US presidents, including Donald Trump, have attended the University of Pennsylvania. f11photo/Shutterstock The ninth US president, William Henry Harrison, who served the shortest presidency in US history in 1841, attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied medicine, but he withdrew before his expected graduation date of 1793. In 1968, Trump graduated with a bachelor's in economics from Penn's Wharton School, which he had transferred to from Fordham University two years prior. Columbia University Three US presidents have attended Columbia University. peterspiro/Getty Images/iStockphoto After graduating from Harvard College Harvard University's undergraduate school in 1880, Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th US president, attended Columbia University's law school, from which he eventually withdrew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His fifth cousin Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd US president, attended Columbia Law School in 1904 after graduating from Harvard College a year prior, but he also withdrew from the program. In 1981, Barack Obama, then a junior at Occidental College, transferred to Columbia University, where he graduated with a bachelor's in political science in 1983. Yale University Five US presidents have graduated from Yale University. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton The 27th US president, William Howard Taft, graduated from Yale University in 1878. His father, Alphonso Taft, who graduated from Yale in 1833, had founded the Skull and Bones secret society during his time at the school his son, as well as two other US presidents, would become members of that society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1941, the 38th US president, Gerald Ford, graduated from Yale Law School. In 1973, Bill Clinton, who was the president from 1993 to 2001, graduated from the same school. George H. W. Bush, who was president from 1989 to 1993, graduated from Yale with a bachelor's degree in economics in 1948. His son George W. Bush, the 43rd US president, graduated from the school with a bachelor's in history in 1968. Both of the Bush presidents were members of the Skull and Bones secret society founded by William Howard Taft's father. Harvard University Eight US presidents have graduated from Harvard University, the most of any school. Charles HHuang/Shutterstock Harvard University has ties to the US presidency dating back to the nation's founding. The first US vice president and second US president, John Adams, attended Harvard University, from which he graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1755 and a master's degree in 1758. His son John Quincy Adams, the sixth US president, graduated from Harvard College in 1787. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1845, Rutherford B. Hayes, who was president from 1877 to 1881, graduated from Harvard Law School. The 26th US president, Theodore Roosevelt, graduated from Harvard College with a bachelor's degree in 1880, as did the 32nd US president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, in 1903. In 1940, the 35th US president, John F. Kennedy, graduated from Harvard with a bachelor's in international affairs. In his college essay, he famously expressed his desire to attend the school from which his father, Joseph P. Kennedy, graduated in 1912: "To be a 'Harvard man' is an enviable distinction, and one that I sincerely hope I shall attain." In 1975, George W. Bush graduated from the school with an MBA, the only US president to have earned this degree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1991, Obama graduated from Harvard Law School, the most recent US president to attend the school. Correction: June 10, 2025 An earlier version of this story misstated when Theodore Roosevelt graduated from Harvard College. It was in 1880, not 1876. It also misstated when William Howard Taft graduated from Yale University. It was in 1878, not 1978. A photo caption in the story also misstated which school was attended by two US presidents including Donald Trump. It was the University of Pennsylvania, not Princeton. Read the original article on Business Insider By Andrew Chung (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear a challenge to the legality of state restrictions on assault-style rifles and large-capacity ammunition magazines, passing up for now cases that offered the justices a chance to further expand gun rights. The justices turned away two appeals after lower courts upheld a ban in Maryland on powerful semiautomatic rifles such as AR-15s and one in Rhode Island restricting the possession of ammunition-feeding devices holding more than 10 rounds. The lower courts rejected arguments that the measures violate the U.S. Constitution's Second Amendment right to "keep and bear arms." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch dissented from the court's decision to reject the appeals. A fourth conservative justice, Brett Kavanaugh, expressed sympathy in a statement accompanying the Maryland case toward the argument made by the challengers that AR-15s are in common use by "law-abiding citizens and therefore are protected by the Second Amendment." Kavanaugh said the court "presumably will address the AR15 issue soon." In a nation bitterly divided over how to address firearms violence including numerous mass shootings, the Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, often has taken an expansive view of the Second Amendment. In the two cases turned away on Monday, the challengers contended that states and courts are flouting precedents that make clear that the Second Amendment protects weapons that are in "common use." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maryland in 2013 enacted its ban on military-style "assault weapons" such as the AR-15 and AK-47 after a shooter used such a firearm in the 2012 mass killing of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. The law carries a penalty of up to three years in prison. A Maryland resident who was seeking to purchase one of the banned guns, as well as three gun rights organizations including the Firearms Policy Coalition, sued. The Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the challenge, saying assault weapons "are military-style weapons designed for sustained combat operations that are ill-suited and disproportionate to the need for self-defense." As such, the "excessively dangerous" firearms are not protected by the Second Amendment, it decided. The 4th Circuit said it refused "to wield the Constitution to declare that military-style armaments which have become primary instruments of mass killing and terrorist attacks in the United States are beyond the reach of our nation's democratic processes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiffs told the Supreme Court that the term "assault weapon" is a political term that is designed to exploit public confusion over machine guns and semiautomatic firearms. The banned weapons, they said, are "identical to any other semiautomatic firearm - arms that are exceedingly common and fully protected by the Second Amendment." Thomas wrote in a dissent on Monday that the court should not have waited to take up the case. "I doubt we would sit idly by if lower courts were to so subvert our precedents involving any other constitutional right," Thomas wrote. Gun safety groups welcomed the court's decision to let the laws in Maryland and Rhode Island stand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Courts have repeatedly upheld laws limiting access to highly dangerous weapons," said David Pucino, legal director at Giffords Law Center. "They are proven measures that protect families and reduce gun violence." Rhode Island's law, passed in 2022 as a response to mass shootings, bars most "large-capacity feeding" devices such as a magazine or drum that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. The state calls it a "mild restriction on a particularly dangerous weapons accessory," and that in mass shooting situations "any pause in fire, such as the pause to switch magazines, allows for precious seconds in which to escape or take defensive action." Four gun owners and a registered firearms dealer sued. The Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court broadened gun rights in landmark rulings in 2008 and 2010 as well as in a 2022 case that made it harder to defend gun restrictions under the Second Amendment, requiring them to be "consistent with the nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation." The court has been buffeted in recent years by challenges to gun restrictions. On March 26, it upheld a federal regulation targeting largely untraceable "ghost guns." The court last year struck down a federal ban on "bump stock" devices that enable semiautomatic weapons to fire rapidly like machine guns. (Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will Dunham) A 10th-grade English teacher is walking away from the classroom and lighting up social media on her way out. Hannah Maria, a 20-something former educator, says shes quitting because of a sharp drop in literacy and bad behavior in her classroom. I really dont have a lot of faith in some of these kids that I teach, she said in a TikTok video circulating on X. Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her emotional announcement has since gone viral even though her account is now private, the video has roughly 7 million views. According to her, kids in her class cant sit still, have diminished attention spans and can barely read or write. And the biggest factor contributing to this decline in learning ability and behavior, she believes, is their excessive reliance on technology. Technology is directly contributing to the literacy decrease we are seeing in this country right now, Maria said in her post. Heres why she believes the problem could get worse if lawmakers, regulators and school boards dont step in right away. AI-driven literacy crisis The overreliance on AI-enabled devices has become a crutch that most students cant do without, according to Maria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of these kids dont know how to read because theyve had things read to them or they can click a button and have things read out loud to them in seconds, she explained. Their attention spans are weaning because everything is high-stimulation and they can just scroll [away from something] in less than a minute. They cant sit still for very long. Annual reading and math skill assessments by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) seem to confirm her observation. Average scores have declined 7 points in reading and 14 points in mathematics over the past decade. Younger kids are struggling too. Less than half (47%) of kindergarten students were able to read at grade level during the 2021 to 2022 school year, according to Real Clear Education. School-aged children may be struggling with reading because theyre not practicing as much as they used to. According to Steam Aheads analysis of National Assessment of Educational Progress data, only 17% of 13-year-olds reported reading for fun almost daily the lowest rate since 1984. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, children find screen time more engaging and enjoyable. A study published in the JAMA Pediatrics medical journal found that adolescents aged 13 to 18 years spend 8.5 hours daily on average using screen-based media. This tech addiction is leaving many young Americans unprepared for life outside school, according to Maria. I understand that the world is going in a direction where AI is going to be more prevalent, even in the workforce someday, she said. That still doesnt take away [from the fact that] these are basic skills you need to survive. She calls on regulators and school boards to step in and solve the issue before its too late. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan works every single time to kill debt, get rich in America and that anyone can do it Rethinking education Marias recommended solution for the problem is to cut off technology from these kids, probably until they go to college. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than a third of U.S. adults seem to share Marias view that the use of AI has very or somewhat negative impacts on the K12 education system, according to a 2023 YouGov poll. However, most adults are not in favor of restrictions or an outright ban. Only 24% of U.S. adults said students should be prevented from using AI while 52% said schools should teach children how to use AI appropriately. Nevertheless, if AI tools become more potent and pervasive while literacy rates continue to drop, teachers, regulators and parents may have to rethink the way they educate the next generation. What to read next Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Eight of the nine U.S. Department of Agriculture offices in California that were slated to close, including the location in Bakersfield, will remain open, according to a press release from Sen. Adam Schiffs office. The eight offices that will stay open are those in Bakersfield, Blythe, Los Angeles, Madera, Oxnard, Salinas, Woodland and Yreka. The offices in Mt. Shasta and the newly added Brea office were not removed from the termination list, according to Schiff. Following my call to the Trump administration to reverse their plans to close USDA offices across California, I am pleased to announce that Secretary Rollins has informed me of their work with the General Services Administration (GSA) to ensure that many of these USDA offices will remain open, Schiff said in the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Privacy and hunger groups sue over USDA attempt to collect personal data of SNAP recipients Schiff (D-Calif.) previously led seven Democratic Congress members in California in May to urge the department and the Department of Government Efficiency to reverse their plan to close offices in nine locations throughout California. The letter addressed to the administration said California is the largest agricultural state in the U.S. These terminations come at a time when farmers are already navigating an uncertain agricultural economy due to USDA funding freezes and cancellations as well as the impact of tariffs, the letter said. Closing these vital centers will make it more difficult for farmers to access the essential resources farmers must be able to rely on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage The letter also mentioned the closure of the Farm Service Agency office in Bakersfield forces Bakersfield farmers to drive over an hour to Lancaster or Visalia to access USDA programs. The letter was also signed by Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24), Adam Gray (D-Calif.-13), Jim Costa (D-Calif.-21), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-02), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.-18) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.-19). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. After eight months at sea and six months in combat, the USS Harry S. Truman is back at port. The aircraft carrier, along with other ships in its carrier strike group arrived back in the United States this weekend after an extended stay in the Middle East. The ship and its crew took part in one of the largest naval offensives the U.S. military has engaged in since World War II. The carrier pulled into Naval Station Norfolk on Sunday, June 1, with family and other sailors waiting to meet them. Video and photos shared by the Navy and local media showed crewmembers embracing loved ones. A large combat action ribbon banner was set up on the ships superstructure. It was a welcome homecoming for a carrier group that went on an extended, 251-day-long deployment. When the Truman Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Middle East in December 2024, the U.S. Navy was more than a year into an ongoing fight with Houthi forces. The Truman was the latest in several aircraft carriers to be sent to waters around the Middle East since October 2023, both as a wider deterrent and to deal with the threats from Yemen to shipping vessels. During its deployment, the crew of the USS Harry S. Truman and the aviators of Carrier Air Wing 1 launched 11,000 sorties, flew 25,000 flight hours and executed 22 underway replenishments, Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, said during an address to sailors on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats simply incredible, Caudle added. The deployment was also marred by a series of mishaps, including the loss of three of the air wings F/A-18 fighter jets and a collision with a merchant ship that forced a change of command. Despite that, the carrier strike group remained at the forefront of the Navys actions in the Middle East, which the Navy celebrated on Sunday. It was certainly a long, challenging deployment across the board, and pretty, pretty unique for my entire career as well, Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, said on Sunday. Theres really nothing in comparison because of the tempo of operations, because of the continuous combat that these warriors saw. To be able to bring them all home safely to their families [brings] just an immeasurable sense of relief and pride. Mishaps and munitions The USS Harry S. Truman initially set sail in September 2024, operating in the European theater. The Trumans deployment took it to the Red Sea, to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln. After it arrived in the Middle East in December, it quickly joined in the ongoing campaign against Houthi forces. After Houthis started attacking commercial ships in the waters around Yemen in October 2023, the U.S. Navy had deployed multiple carrier strike groups and several independent destroyers to the region, both to intercept missiles and drones fired at ships and to bomb targets inside Yemen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after joining the combat against the Houthis, the Truman Carrier Strike Group engaged in an intense nighttime fight, with both sides firing missiles and rockets at each other over the Red Sea. During that Dec. 22 fight, the cruiser the USS Gettysburg accidentally shot down a F/A-18F fighter jet that took off from the Truman; the two aviators were recovered with minor injuries. The F/A-18F is the only crewed American aircraft to be downed during the year and half of fighting around Yemen; several uncrewed aerial drones were shot down by Houthis in that period. The fighting with the Houthis paused in January, but the carrier strike group remained active in combat operations in the region. In February, its air wing launched a major airstrike on ISIS militants in Somalia. On Feb. 12, near Port Said, Egypt, the Truman collided with the merchant vessel Besiktas-M. The incident forced the ship to make an emergency port visit in Greece for repairs. That resulted in the initial commander, Capt. Dave Snowden, being replaced with Capt. Christopher Hill. Hill previously had commanded the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, which saw extensive combat against the Houthis in 2024. The carrier once again took the lead in operations against Houthis when hostilities restarted on March 15. The Truman and its support ships were the militarys main arm in Operation Rough Rider, which saw extensive bombings of targets across Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen. That led to more than 50 days of American airstrikes on Yemen, including the use of Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles. However additional problems plagued the ship. In late April a F/-18E Super Hornet and its tow fell off the ship as the carrier maneuvered. A few days later another fighter jet, a F/A-18F, fell into the sea after a failed landing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. announced last month that a ceasefire had been reached. Soon after the Truman Carrier Strike Group departed the region on its trip home. Currently the USS Carl Vinson and its carrier group remain in the waters around the Middle East, having arrived earlier in the spring. In his remarks as the ship pulled home, Hill noted the challenges they faced at sea. These warrior sailors demonstrated superb grit for more than eight months, Hill said. Even in the face of significant challenges, they persevered, never giving up when their nation needed them. Its been an honor to serve alongside such dedicated professionals and to take them home to their families. The latest on Task & Purpose TYLER, Texas (KETK) The National Institutes of Health has issued UT Tyler a $441,000 grant for funding to develop cancer-targeting nanotechnology. Dr. Santosh Aryal, courtesy of UT Tyler At UT Tyler, were committed to advancing research that can save lives, interim dean of UT Tyler Fisch College of Pharmacy Dr. Pamella Ochoa said. This NIH grant not only affirms the excellence of our faculty but also highlights our continued role in driving scientific innovation that can benefit East Texas and beyond. U.S. Sen. Cornyn discussing veterans mental health care in Tyler Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1 in 10 adults has received a cancer diagnosis, according to UT Tyler. Dr. Santosh Aryals and Dr. Farah Debas research will focus on using immune system cells to target cancer with nanotechnology. By combining advanced nanotechnology with immune cell biology, Doctors Aryal and Deba are paving the way for more precise and personalized cancer treatments that could transform how we approach cancer care, Dr. Rahmat M. Talukder said. Their project will offer students hands-on experience with cancer research in real time by assisting in data collection, experimental design, gaining critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills. One of the most rewarding aspects of this grant is the learning experiences it creates for students, Aryal said. Undergraduate students in biology, engineering, nursing and chemistry, pharmacy students and post-doctoral students will all be involved in this project, contributing to the future of health care outcomes nationally and worldwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To learn more, visit the UT Tyler Fisch College of Pharmacy online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A father and son duo out of Utah are facing federal charges after being accused of supporting a Mexican cartel that has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization. James Lael Jensen, 68, of Sandy, and Maxwell Sterling Jensen, 25, of Draper, have been charged with conspiring to materially support the Mexican cartel, conspiracy to commit money laundering and related smuggling charges, according to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Utah couple arrested for smuggling millions of dollars of crude oil, documents say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per the indictment, the Jensens allegedly conspired to provide financial support to the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), a group that was designated as a terrorist organization in February. The Jensens allegedly operated Arroyo Terminals, a Rio Hondo-based enterprise, that reportedly helped conceal and disguise the nature and source of the proceeds of illegally smuggled goods such as crude oil. Federal prosecutors further allege the father and son duo aided and abetted 2,881 shipments of oil in violation of the Tariff Act. At the time of their arrest, authorities reportedly seized four tank barges containing crude oil, three commercial tanker trucks, an Arroyo Terminal pickup truck and a personal vehicle. Authorities are also working on seeking forfeiture for the Arroyo Terminal property in Rio Hondo, crude oil contained in storage tanks owned by Arroyo Terminal and other real properties. What began as a Drug Enforcement Administration drug trafficking investigation evolved into a multifaceted case involving an alleged complex criminal operation generating millions of dollars from crude oil the largest funding source for Mexican drug cartels, said William Kimball, acting special agent in charge of DEA Houston. Given the charges have profound implications for both the United States and Mexico, we will continue to explore all leads and identify any believed to be involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nicholas Ganjei said the case underscores the more aggressive and innovative approach the Southern District of Texas is taking towards battling drug cartels. He said the strategy focuses not only on the traffickers and trigger-pullers that are directly employed by cartels, but also their enablers. Whether you are handing the cartel a gun, providing a car or safehouse for smugglers, or putting money in the cartels pocket, you will be held to account, said Ganjei. Prosecutors said, if convicted, the charges of conspiracy to provide material support and money laundering both carry a possible prison term of up to 20 years. Both men could also face up to 10 years and five years for aiding and abetting the smuggling of goods into the United States and by doing so through false statements. James Jensen also faces one count of money laundering, which carries an additional 10 years in prison. The United States is also seeking a $300 million money judgment if the two are convicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Latest headlines: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) -Google agreed to spend $500 million over 10 years to overhaul its compliance structure, to settle shareholder litigation accusing the search engine company of antitrust violations, settlement papers show. The preliminary settlement of so-called derivative litigation against officials at Google parent Alphabet, including Chief Executive Sundar Pichai and Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, was filed late on Friday. It requires approval by U.S. District Judge Rita Lin in San Francisco. The changes include creating a standalone board committee to oversee risk and compliance, previously the responsibility of the Alphabet board's audit and compliance committee. Alphabet would also create a senior vice president-level committee to address regulatory and compliance issues, reporting to Pichai, and a compliance committee consisting of Google product team managers and internal compliance experts. Google denied wrongdoing in agreeing to settle. Over the years, we have devoted substantial resources to building robust compliance processes," the Mountain View, California-based company said on Monday. "To avoid protracted litigation we're happy to make these commitments." Shareholders led by two Michigan pension funds accused Google executives and directors of breaching their fiduciary duties by exposing the company to antitrust liability related to its search, Ad Tech, Android and app distribution businesses. "These reforms, rarely achieved in shareholder derivative actions, constitute a comprehensive overhaul of Alphabet's compliance function," resulting in "deeply rooted culture change," the shareholders' lawyers said. The changes must remain in place at least four years. Shareholders would not be paid. Patrick Coughlin, a lawyer for the shareholders, in a Monday interview called the settlement one of the largest by a company to fund regulatory compliance committees. "We didn't see the board getting the fulsome reports it should have gotten regarding antitrust risks," he said. "There are things it could have done, and should have done, earlier." The settlement was disclosed the same day U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington, who last August found Google violated federal antitrust law to maintain dominance in search, completed a hearing to consider how to address the monopoly. Mehta plans to rule by August. The U.S. Department of Justice has proposed requiring Google to sell its Chrome browser and share search data with rivals. (COLORADO) A runaway teenager from Utah who has been missing since April has been found in Colorado Springs. According to the South Jordan Police Department, on Monday, April 21, the 15-year-old girl walked away from her American Fork school, purchased items at a local gas station, and boarded a Utah Transit Authority (UTA) train, then exited at the Provo, Utah, station. According to the police department in Utah, the teenager asked multiple people to help her travel to Las Vegas, Nevada. The police department reported that the teen was attempting to meet individuals she had met online using multiple social media platforms and chat applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utah police later received a cyber-tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the case, identifying a man in Texas who South Jordan Police believed had communicated with the teen before she left school on April 21. According to South Jordan Police, both suspects communicated with the 15-year-old prior to her leaving school on April 21. On May 20, South Jordan Police identified Matthew Nicholas Menard from Miami, Florida, through an investigation and charged him with Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Enticement of a Minor, and Criminal Solicitation. A second suspect, William Taylor Glines, from Texas City, Texas, was also identified and 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, June 1, the teen made contact with the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) in Colorado, her identity was confirmed, and police said she was in good health and safe with Colorado officials. CSPD told FOX21 News the teen turned herself into the Stetson Hills station on Sunday night, saying, Parents have been notified of her location and are working with South Jordan Police to bring her home. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Happy Monday, Utah! Weve officially stepped into June, but the weather across Utah is acting like its smack in the middle of July. Over the weekend, temperatures surged into the mid-90s along parts of the Wasatch Front. In fact, Salt Lake City hit 96 degrees, beating its daily record high of 94 degrees on Sunday afternoon. But the heat isnt the only headline. Storms have started to bubble up across western and southern Utah, and theres more unsettled weather in the cards as we kick off the new week Bottom Line?! Active weather to start the work week, flash flooding Probable in Southern Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, whats going on upstairs in the atmosphere? A low-pressure system to the southwest, pulling in a bit of semi-tropical moisture, is currently crossing into northern Baja California. Meanwhile, a trough is sweeping through the Pacific Northwest, and yet another low is beginning to close off near northern California. In short, the upper-level pattern is complex and dynamic, and its setting the stage for an active stretch of weather across the state. As deeper moisture pushes into southern Utah today, the focus turns to heavy rainfall and the potential for flash flooding. A band of rain will likely move into southern Utah during the morning hours. By this afternoon, ingredients look favorable for thunderstorm development across eastern and southern Utah. Storms that form will likely be slow movers, making them capable of dumping heavy rain in a short amount of time. The setup looks especially concerning in areas like Zion National Park, Snow Canyon, and parts of the Grand Staircase, including Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon. Flash flooding will be a major concern this afternoon in these areas, and the outlook is probable, meaning some slot canyons will experience flash flooding. If your Monday plans include hiking in slot canyons or traveling through dry washes or slickrock terrain, its a good idea to have a backup plan. Tuesday will offer a bit of a break from widespread thunderstorms. Storm coverage should be more hit-or-miss, especially across southern Utah. That said, moisture will still be lingering, particularly near the Utah-Arizona border, so any storms that do form could still bring heavy downpours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then comes Wednesday, when another cut-off low-pressure system begins moving into the Desert Southwest. With it, moisture levels climb again, and another round of slow-moving storms is on the table. The Weather Prediction Center already has parts of southern Utah under a marginal risk for excessive rainfall, not just for Monday, but for Wednesday, too. Its another heads-up to folks planning outdoor adventures in flood-prone areas midweek. Well keep you posted on the latest updates in our 4Warn Weather, both on-air and online, we are Good4Utah! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Today saw the unveiling of the much awaited Strategic Defence Review. Commissioned nearly a year ago and presented by an independent panel including Lord Robertson, Fiona Hill, and General Richard Barrons it has been a long time coming and the crescendo of speculation and rumours is now at an end. Which is a shame really because the review itself is something of a disappointment. Its long, well written, insightful in places and contains some interesting strategic guidance. The problem is it lacks foundations. Defence doesnt just need more money. It needs a root and branch overhaul of the systems, infrastructure and mindset that underpins it. These are largely absent from this document at a time in which they are needed more than ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SDR was designed to: determine the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century, deliverable and affordable within the resources available to defence within the trajectory to 2.5 per cent. The Review will ensure that Defence is central both to the security, and to the economic growth and prosperity, of the United Kingdom. But what drafting it has shown, almost from the off, is the gulf between what the Ministry of Defence thinks it needs to achieve this last sentence and the 2.5 per cent the Treasury thinks it can afford to do so. The Prime Minister, despite making defence the central organising principle of government, has not arbitrated to the extent required to resolve this difference. Sir Keir Starmer and John Healy, the Defence Secretary with naval officers on the flight deck of HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navys flagship aircraft carrier - Richard Pohle/PA The current promise of 2.5 per cent by 2027, an increase in 0.2 per cent, is not enough to do anything but paper over the cracks caused by 30 years of underinvestment. Only now is the Defence Secretary talking in terms of 3 per cent by 2034 which by many, myself included, is too little too late. Unless this is resolved, the SDR remains window dressing. A document that doesnt articulate and then balance Ends, Ways and Means is not a strategy; its a think piece. The Hague summit later this month will be key. Many countries attending are now talking openly in terms of a rapid increase to 3.5 per cent on defence and a further 1.5 per cent on broader security measures. We can not pretend to hold any sort of a leadership position on defence if we dont move in the same direction, and fast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The usual, by the end of next Parliament, or when economic conditions allow will show that we are still not serious and our allies who are already prioritising this spending over their own domestic needs will not be impressed. It has also been noticeable during the build-up to today that the ministry has done that thing it occasionally does when the pressure is on, to forget that there are actual military people at the other end of these decisions the pesky armed forces getting in the way of the politics of Defence again. The respective heads of service consequently have been given very little time to explain to their teams why not much is going to change. The content itself is based around five defence pillars. The first is a move to war-fighting readiness with suitable robust accompanying rhetoric about lethality and deterrence. Second can be summarised as Nato first (but not Nato only). From a navy perspective this clearly means focussing on the North Atlantic, protection of Critical Undersea Infrastructure (CUI) and the nuclear deterrent, but does not rule out global deployments such as the one HMS Prince of Wales is currently undertaking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The third describes how defence is an engine for growth, but here there is a clear munitions and land bias. Shipbuilding something that could contribute massively barely features. If you just take the Harland and Wolff yard in Belfast, they are about to start building the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships that our carriers so badly need, but progress is painfully slow. After this they will build the Multi Role Support Ship that will underpin our Commando Force this has been discussed for four years now and nothing has happened and now cant because of the FSS backlog. Finally, many years from now, they will move on to building more fleet tankers. But where are these orders, what is the timeline and where is the imperative to accelerate it? Where is the ambition and drive that the industry needs to thrive and expand in accordance with this engine for growth? This is almost an exemplar of the whole thing; loads capability and revenue potential and yet seemingly no one with the leadership or levers to get on with it. Fourth is the requirement to innovate, largely driven by the lessons from Ukraine. If you have any dealings with Small and Medium Enterprises trying to get business in the MOD, you will know that we have created very nearly the worst business environment possible for these engines of UK excellence and change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our speed of drone production is woeful and has to change if we want to just keep up, much less excel. SMEs hoping this document would unlock funding and a new framework into which they could plug will be disappointed. The fifth and final pillar is about national resilience and a whole-of-society approach to national security. If getting the public to care about resilience means they in turn care about defence enough to make it votable, then we should drive hard for that. From a naval perspective there are no real surprises. There is a reiteration of the importance of the sea to our survival as an island nation followed by a section on the importance of the nuclear deterrent, CUI protection (both data and energy) and how fast the threat to that is changing. There is a push to uncrewed where possible, crewed where necessary, how that could affect carrier operations in the future and how AI will improve our Maritime Domain Awareness, which is so important around the UK, Baltic and High North. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nuclear powered attack submarines get a boost with an aspiration for the Aukus tri-lateral agreement to eventually provide us with twelve of these behemoths. This might be the single line in the report that best reflects the strategic nature of what is now required. Twelve would be an excellent operational outcome but requires a huge uplift in expenditure that would include a second build line at Barrow. Great, but none of that is happening at 2.5 per cent. Likewise, the aspiration to increase to 25 frigates and destroyers. With the Type 31 about to start flying off the shelf, what does the overall surface ship breakdown look like between current and future destroyers (the stalled Type 83 programme), the anti-submarine Type 26 and the general purpose Type 31 frigate. Type 31 frigate HMS Venturer emerging from Babcocks facility at Rosyth in Fife on Tuesday May 27, 2025 - Babcock/PA Whatever happened to the Type 32 does this get reborn or should we just keep building the Type 31 and export the ones we dont need. What about icebreakers, mine warfare support and patrol vessels. Start totting that lot up and you can see why many of these questions were dodged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The review discusses exports which is an area where the UK is increasingly being seen as a good ally (insert as the US wobbles if you wish). Away from the navy there are a couple of interesting sections. The plan to grow the army is commendable until you realise we are talking about going from 73,000 to 76,000, at which point it feels performative, particularly as they continue to lose soldiers at a rate of about 300 a month. Growing the Army is an excellent idea, but we need to make it meaningful. There is a very interesting section on the possibility of acquiring a fleet of F-35As for the RAF. I argued here not long ago that this would be a good way to bridge the gap that is appearing between the ageing Typhoon and the 6th Generation Tempest fighter. Nice to see it being aired as an option in the SDR. Even more interesting is the idea that these jets could be part of a tactical nuclear strike option. As a country I think we need this, but the financial, legal and operating complexities inherent in using the F-35 as the solution makes your eyes water. In terms of overall defence and security architecture, this review is but one part. I have mentioned the Hague summit later this month which may or may not alter the headline figures. We also know that the investment decisions required to make this a costed strategy will be deferred to a Defence Investment Plan due in the autumn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If there is optimism to be drawn from this SDR it is to see it as part of a whole, but given how hard we have found cohering just the defence part in a timely fashion, I shall remain sceptical until proven wrong. Overall this SDR reminds me of a cake. A nice looking one with some pretty icing and the promise of some candles tomorrow. The problem is, the defence cake doesnt really need more icing, it needs a new pedestal, more base ingredients and if not new chefs, at least a wholly new approach to baking. The risk aversion and lack of accountability that has plagued defence decision making in recent decades is not addressed. Neither is the treasury-led sense that defence is tomorrows problem, certainly when compared to other domestic priorities. If youre a glass half full type, the review should be seen as part of a whole, but lets see. And at least the Treasury isnt visibly eating the cake like in previous reviews. But there is no escaping the fact that everyone in Europe thinks the defence paradigm has now changed sufficiently to force through more money and new ways of working. We have between now and the Hague summit to show that it has here too, or we will be left behind, lose defence credibility and most importantly, be less safe. Tom Sharpe OBE served for 27 years as a Royal Navy officer, commanding four different warships. He specialised first as a Fighter Controller and then as an Anti Air Warfare Officer 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. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) A vehicle caught fire inside the Evansville Fire Department Administration building on Sunday. Officials with the Evansville Fire Department say a fire department command vehicle inside the warehouse area of the administration building had a fire in the engine compartment after the vehicle was started. A Battalion Chief was retrieving the vehicle to assist with a warehouse fire on North Kentucky Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evansville crews fight morning warehouse fire The fire was quickly put out and there was no damage to the building. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Vermont Fish and Wildlife is asking land-owners to change the time of year they mow fields to protect grassland birds. The populations of Savannah sparrows, eastern meadowlarks and more have been declining, mostly due to a loss in grassland habitat, according to officials. To combat this land-owners can wait to mow, giving these birds a chance to raise young and increase their numbers. Additionally, these birds build their nests on the ground and rely on fields for food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When people do mow, VTF&W recommends doing so after August 1 while keeping an eye out for unwanted, invasive plants. Rosalind Renfrew, biologist for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, said that birds dont like fields dominated by invasives any more than we do. In a release, Renfrew also noted that These species continue to experience long-term population declines across the continent, and on Vermonts grasslands, especially in large fields and in open landscapes, there are opportunities to help. Additional information can be found on the VTF&W 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 ABC22 & FOX44. Rare June rain showered the Phoenix area to start the month, with lingering chances expected to head north for the rest of the workweek, according to the National Weather Service. The majority of the greater Phoenix area saw at least 0.25 inch of rain on June 1 and into the following morning, according to the weather service office in Phoenix. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport saw just over 0.30 inch of rain, a rare occurrence for the region, according to meteorologist Mark O'Malley with the Phoenix office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's very uncommon," O'Malley said, blaming the June rain on an unusual combination of moisture that met over Arizona. O'Malley said the Phoenix area would see "very little" additional rain, as the majority of the weather system headed north and out of the Valley. Phoenix was expected to return to warmer conditions, with a projected high of 92 degrees June 2 and 98 degrees June 3. By the start of the weekend, temperatures over 100 degrees were expected. Rain brought power outages, crashes to metro Phoenix At the height of the weather system passing through Phoenix, more than 4,000 Arizona Public Service customers were without power because of the storm around 6:50 p.m., according to an outage map. Only 14 Salt River Project customers were affected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Portions of Loop 101 in metro Phoenix were temporarily closed early June 2 because of standing water on the freeway. The Arizona Department of Transportation reported multiple crashes on wet freeways between June 1 and June 2 in the metro Phoenix. It was not clear if the crashes happened because of the weather. Weather system passes through the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff and Tucson The Flagstaff weather service office reported "an unusually active" weather system for the month of June would bring rain, thunder and cooler than normal temperatures through June 5. Rainfall amounts through northern parts of the state ranged from between 0.10 inch and 0.30 inch, but meteorologists said an addition 0.25 inch of rain could happen June 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rangers with the Grand Canyon National Park saw low gray clouds as rain began to enter the tourist destination June 2. News alerts in your inbox: Don't miss the important news of the day. Sign up for azcentral newsletter alerts to be in the know. Isolated thunderstorms and areas of heavy rain were expected alongside scattered showers, with the best chance for activity June 2 before the workweek slowly dried out. Meanwhile, southern Arizona saw mild weather before the weather system also exited from the region, with a 50% chance of more rain threatening to add to about a 0.30-inch total seen in the area, according to the Tucson weather service office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Arizona Republic's Perry Vandell and Julie Mendes contributed to this article. Reach reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@gannett.com. Follow him on X, Threads and Bluesky @ReyCJrAZ. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: More rain in metro Phoenix unlikely as storm heads north ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) A victim was shot at an Abilene hookah lounge early Sunday morning. The shooting happened at the hookah lounge on the 700 bock of N 6th Street around 2:00 a.m. Police say officers received reports of shots fired at the location and when they arrived on scene, they located a male with a gunshot wound. He was transported to the hospital to receive treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and has not been public identified. An investigation is underway and police are asking anyone with information on the incident or possible shooter to come forward and contact Abilene Crime Stoppers at (325)676-8477. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UPDATE: Security guard arrested on murder charge in connection to death of Abilene man In October 2024, Dayshaun Colen, 32, was shot an killed by security officer Teddy Lee Mills while a crowd was trying to push their way inside the same hookah lounge. Read more about that incident on BigCountryHomepage.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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) A 17-year-old is dead as a result of an assault, according to the Greensboro Police Department. At around 8:35 p.m. on Sunday, officers came to the 4800 block of Chapel Ridge Drive to investigate an unknown problem. At the scene, police found 17-year-old Quiteze Lamont Patrick Stimpson suffering from free bleeding trauma. Life-saving measures were attempted, however, Stimpson was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stimpsons death is being investigated as a homicide. There is no further information available at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. JPMorgan Chase announced the opening of 14 new Financial Centers across four states this week The brick-and-mortar locations are aimed at serving its Private Client tier, who have over $750,000 in qualifying deposits and investments with the institution The new financial centers join to existing locations in San Francisco and New York City that opened late last year JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) announced Tuesday it would be open 14 new financial centers to cater to affluent clients in four states this week. These brick-and-mortar locations are spread out across California, Massachusetts, Florida, and New York. They will join the two existing so-called J.P. Morgan Financial Centers in San Francisco and New York City in servicing its wealthiest clientele. "Through these Financial Centers, we are redefining how affluent clients are served, offering a highly personalized level of service that is backed by the global capabilities of J.P. Morgan Chase," Jennifer Roberts, CEO of Chase Consumer Banking, said in a statement. Don't Miss: Each of the locations was acquired in May 2023 when the company took over First Republic. Situated in ritzy locales like Palm Beach, Florida; Napa, California; New York; and Cambridge, Massachusetts, the banks will feature private meeting spaces and distinctive finishes intended to create an environment of privacy, sophistication, and comfort. Additionally, senior private client bankers will be on hand to provide personalized support for customers who qualify for the J.P. Morgan Private Client tier. These customers have over $750,000 in qualifying deposits and investment balances with the institution. "When we meet with clients, they consistently say they want a relationship that spans across banking, lending, and investments, and provides a seamless experience as they navigate the complexities of managing and growing wealth," Roberts said. "These new Financial Centers offer a highly personalized service model, providing greater flexibility to meet clients needs with exceptional attention and care." Trending: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey no cost, no obligation. JPMorgan Chase is the country's biggest bank by deposits and assets, and has a top share in areas like retail credit cards. However, one area where it isn't a clear leader is wealth management. Several Vietnamese American-owned nail salons in Orange County have sued California, alleging the state's labor code is discriminating against their businesses. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana on Friday, alleges that the state's labor code violates the 14th Amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law by forcing nail technicians to be classified as employees. Read more: Google settles lawsuit alleging bias against Black employees Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit argues that professionals in the beauty industry for years have operated as independent contractors, renting space in a salon and bringing in their own clients. That changed at the beginning of 2025, when nail technicians under the labor code became required to be classified as employees, the lawsuit said. State Assemblyman Tri Ta (R-Westminster), who represents Little Saigon and surrounding communities, said his office has fielded much concern from Vietnamese American nail salon owners. "Their lives have turned upside down overnight," Ta said at a news conference Monday morning. "It is not just unfair, it is discrimination." The switch in labor law came in 2019 when Assembly Bill 5, a sweeping law governing worker classification rules across various industries, was approved. It codified a California Supreme Court decision creating a stricter test to judge whether a worker should be considered an employee rather than an independent contractor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: New California labor law AB 5 is already changing how businesses treat workers AB 5 sought to crack down on industries in which many workers are misclassified as independent contractors, who are not afforded protections including minimum wage, overtime pay and workers compensation that employees have access to. But various industries have said AB 5 targets them unfairly, creating an uneven playing field for businesses. Some professions received carve-outs, including doctors, accountants, real estate agents and hairdressers. Others such as truckers, commercial janitors and physical therapists must abide by the tighter classification rules. Some implementation of the law was staggered to give industries, including nail technicians, time to adapt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But An Tran, who owns two franchisee locations of Happy Nails & Spa that are among the businesses suing the state, said the law remains burdensome. Hiring employees is more costly, and it's unfair that businesses hiring hairdressers, aestheticians and other beauty workers aren't subject to the requirement, he said. "We don't have customers all the time. That's going to cost us a lot more to pay them for the downtime when they don't have any customers," Tran said in an interview. The requirement also defies the flexible work culture and control over their clients that many manicurists prefer, Tran said. Emily Micelle was among several manicurists who spoke in support of the salon owners' lawsuit at the Monday news conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No one forced me to be here today. I chose to be here because I want to express my side of the story," Micelle said. "Being [an independent contractor] means I can work for myself, I can be my own boss, I can create my own branding within the business, I choose my own hours, I choose my own clients. ... The law means to protect us workers, but [being an employee] doesn't work for everyone." The lawsuit describes how the nail salon industry in California became dominated by Vietnamese workers in recent decades, when Vietnamese refugees began fleeing to the U.S. in large numbers in 1975 after the fall of Saigon in America's failed military intervention in Southeast Asia. The industry "has become synonymous with the Vietnamese community," the lawsuit said, with more than 82% of nail technicians in California being Vietnamese American and some 85% women. The legal action highlights the tension between how small businesses can serve as a pathway for immigrants and others to build wealth, and how workers at times might have little formal recourse for low wages or unsafe work conditions, experts have said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Researchers with the UCLA Labor Center last year analyzed U.S. Census Bureau data and released a report estimating that the hourly median wage for nail salon workers in 2021 was $10.94, below the then-$13 minimum wage for small businesses. In 2017, four women sued a salon in Tustin, alleging that the owners had created bogus time records and paychecks to create an illusion that manicurists were paid lawfully by the hour, but instead workers were compensated based on a 60% commission system where their pay was further deducted for using business supplies, such as spa chairs. Businesses that filed suit include multiple locations of Blue Nail Bar, Happy Nails & Spa and Holly & Hudson Nail Lounge. Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) New data from the Virginia Cooperative Extension suggests that Roanokes farmers markets are failing to maximize profits for local growers. A presentation of the data was held in Roanoke Sunday to discuss the problems identified by the study and possible solutions. We have five farmers markets that are close together, all on the same day and at the same time, said Virginia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resource agent Shawn Jadrnicek, who presented the data. And research clearly shows that that has a negative impact on farm profitability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All four farmers markets located in Roanoke City are within two-and-a-half miles of the Roanoke City Market, located downtown. The Salem City market is less than eight miles away. The research also indicated that the seven markets spread between Roanoke City, Roanoke County, and Salem may be operating too many hours per week. We also have 130 farmers market hours a week, where cities that are having more profitable markets might be having eight to 15 market hours a week for a city our size, said Jadrnicek. The 130 hours per week number referenced by Jadrnicek refers to the total number of operating hours between all seven markets combined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That comes out to just over 18 hours per week on average for each individual market, with high variation. The Roanoke City Market (63 hours per week) and Vinton Farmers Market (37 hours per week) lead the way, while the Salem City Market (4 hours per week) and the Catawba Farmers Market in Roanoke County (3.5 hours per week) operate far less. According to Jadrnicek, the biggest contributor to the problem lies in scheduling, as the seven markets frequently compete with one another throughout the week. I think its important for our markets to coordinate with each other and make sure that our markets are not too close together, not on the same day, not on the same time, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, getting all the market managers in the same room together has not happened. Unfortunately there hasnt been the willingness to come to the table and have those conversations, said Jadrnicek. He said all five market managers between Roanoke City and Salem were invited to the presentation, but only the manager of the Salem market showed up. He declined WFXRs request for comment on the data presented. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Nannie Ruth Johnson stands next to her mother, Ellen Williams Francis, in Nannies yard on Shoe Lane property that was part of a historically Black community in Newport News, where families were ultimately displaced to make way for Christopher Newport University. (Photo courtesy of James Johnson) This story first appeared on the Virginia Mercury. As more states reckon with the history of Black land loss, the Virginia General Assembly has been taking a rare, state-sanctioned approach: formally examining how the creation or expansion of public university campuses has displaced Black communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 19-member legislative commission met last month, its first convening since a mandatory hiatus during the 2025 legislative session was lifted. Enacted last year, the commission received an additional $200,000 in the state budget signed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in May, a major bump from the $28,760 it was initially allocated. As it prepares to enter its second year, the group is poised to deliver Virginias only known comprehensive statewide examination to date of how public universities displaced Black communities and what forms of redress may be appropriate. In Newport News, a separate task force has also been working since last year to address the displacement of a once-thriving Black neighborhood that was usurped to make way for Christopher Newport University. The neighborhood, enclosed by Shoe Lane and three other streets, was home to several generations of families who were forced to move when an all-white city council voted to seize a large portion of the area through eminent domain in the 1960s, paving the way for the schools construction. The universitys expansion over time led to the acquisition of remaining homes. Today, only five remain. The local response to probe this history, running parallel to the state-level work, is led by the city and university and has laid bare ongoing tensions among some impacted residents of the neighborhood and their descendants. The community members have raised integrity questions about the task forces work, and frustrations remain high for some who say they are still waiting for the impact of their displacement to be fully acknowledged and addressed. Weve done this before, time and time again, said Angela Mickel, one of several attendees of a March documentary screening and discussion on Black community displacement, who expressed frustration toward public officials over long-term inaction on the issue. Like others in attendance, Mickel said she felt formal recognition of the communitys complete loss was long overdue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have many stories that we need to tell, and Newport News needs to reconcile with its own history. Angela Mickel speaks at a March event in Newport News highlighting displacement of Black families. (Photo by Winfred Walker II) Mapping a pathway toward healing and repair While Virginias state commission and the Newport News task force have indicated that engagement with impacted residents will be critical to their work, both are still navigating how best to do so. At the state level, the legislative commission has created a subcommittee focused on African American displacement in Virginia. When they reconvened in May, members adopted a formal work plan outlining how the commission will gather input from those directly affected by university expansion. That could include in-person public hearings, virtual comment periods, or an online platform for submitting written testimony. This particular work is pivotal to the work of the committee, said Del. Karen Keys-Gamarra, D-Fairfax, who suggested that outside experts not legislators themselves take the lead on organizing and facilitating community engagement. I would not assume that the legislators would be responsible for that that would speak to the level of integrity of the work that comes out of that committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All four subcommittees tasked with conducting research, liaising with universities, documenting community displacement, and exploring forms of relief have meetings scheduled through the summer and fall, with the goal of presenting recommendations for the full commission to consider ahead of the 2026 legislative session. Commission Chair Del. Delores McQuinn, D-Richmond, expressed optimism about the direction of the work, particularly with the additional funding recently approved by the General Assembly. We are moving in the direction of and the process of acknowledging history, and listening to those who have been impacted, and seeking a pathway toward healing and repair, she said. Virginia Del. Delores McQuinn, D-Richmond speaks during a meeting of the Commission to Study the History of the Uprooting of Black Communities by Public Institutions of Higher Education in the Commonwealth on May 20, 2025. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury) A date for a public forum is still being determined in Newport News, where the city-university task force formed in April 2024 has faced criticism over limited transparency and slow outreach largely due to lack of public access to its meetings and sporadic updates on its progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The task force has said outreach to families is ongoing, though members have also acknowledged that coordinating those meetings has taken longer than expected. In a February city council work session, as members raised questions about the task forces outreach efforts, the groups co-chair, Vice Mayor Curtis Bethany, said the group wanted to prepare before beginning full-blown outreach, calling the issue extremely sensitive and noting task force members didnt want to approach the community with a half-baked pie. Public remarks from at least one task force member have indicated that the impending public meeting would involve gathering community feedback. We want to get the input from the citizens, from the families that lived on Shoe Lane, and from other families that grew up in Newport News, said task force member Councilman Cleon Long at the March event. Newport News Councilman Cleon Long speaks during a March event in Newport News on Black community displacement. (Photo by Winfred Walker II) Virginia mirrors a nationwide pattern of Black displacement As Newport News formally examines the impact of university expansion on Black families, stories of similar displacement are reemerging from other parts of the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adrienne Jackson-Franklin said her father, Otis, was young when her grandparents were among those forced to relocate when Longwood University in Farmville expanded into a bordering Black community in the mid-20th century. Former residents and locals in the area recall that the university cleared community blocks in phases to build dorms and academic buildings, displacing many families by threatening or using eminent domain. You lose friends, you lose connections, you now have to rebuild, and its almost like starting over, Jackson said. She told the Virginia Mercury that shed be willing to speak with the commission and believes its important that the state group address generational deep-seated trauma that may exist among families impacted by the displacement. Lamberts Point, a once-thriving middle-class Black community in Hampton Roads, was partially razed in the 1960s and 70s to make way for a branch campus of the college of William & Mary now the main campus of Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk. Thomas Harris, a longtime resident who moved to the area in the 1970s, said he has worked with remaining neighbors to address the continuing impacts of the expansion. I think they should have a whole lot to say about it, Harris said of displaced families. It tore up their homes. It tore up their familiesthey had to leave and go somewhere else to start all over again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Longwood and Old Dominion have both said they have worked to improve relationships with communities impacted by their expansion. Longwood pledged to end its use of eminent domain for campus expansion in 2004, according to a spokesperson. ODU offers financial support for Lamberts Point residents admitted to the university, including scholarships either specifically for neighborhood residents or those that prioritize them. Across the country, efforts to reckon with university-led displacement of communities of color vary. Davarian Baldwin, a historian and urban studies scholar, said Virginias statewide investigation stands out nationally as few other states have sanctioned similar examining bodies. In my research I havent heard of another one, Baldwin said. There could be commissions in almost every state in the union (but) a reparations commission around urban renewal is singular. Baldwin co-founded the Renewal Project, a national network launched in 2022 to support local responses to campus-related displacement, including efforts in states like Kentucky and Colorado. In Denver, descendants of a displaced Latino community help oversee Ninth Street Historic Park, where preserved homes and a church now stand in the former Auraria neighborhood. (Photo courtesy Nolbert Chavez) In both states, impacted residents are directly involved to some degree in reconciliation efforts. Descendants of the displaced Jonesville community in south Kentucky sit on a reconciliation workgroup led by Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, which was established in 2022 to identify ways to address the lasting impacts of the neighborhoods destruction in the 1960s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Denver, descendants of a Latino community displaced from the former Auraria neighborhood in the 1970s hold the majority of seats on a nine-member council formed last year comprising representatives from several universities involved in the original displacement, including the University of Colorado Denver. The council oversees the future use of homes and a church that were saved from demolition, now part of a historic park. Whats next The months ahead may bring key developments in both the state and local investigation. In addition to the impending public forum, members of the Newport News task force have publicly said a website could launch this spring or summer to make their research findings publicly accessible. At the May meeting, the commission was still working to acquire responses to a survey it distributed this winter to most of the states 45 public institutions of higher education listed by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The survey included several questions about campus expansion, including queries on schools knowledge of displacement in Black communities. The Virginia Mercury polled the 15 four-year public institutions and 23 community colleges on that list. A majority said they had responded or planned to respond to the commissions survey, including Christopher Newport, Longwood and Old Dominion University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McQuinn said she expects the additional funding received from the amended budget will allow the commission to bring in more resources which could support the subcommittees work including hiring consultants or, if needed, project managers. One of the reasons that we were not able to make as much progress as I think we needed to make was because there was limited funds, McQuinn said. The additional dollars are going to be essential in us feeling that the outcome (is) something that is worthy of the community. Davarian Baldwin, a historian and urban studies scholar, outlined figurative and tangible acts of repair universities, the state and localities could enact as they address the long-term impact of Black community displacement statewide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Repair for property-impacted residents could take structural forms such as: direct payments to affected families; scholarships for descendants of those displaced; community development initiatives like affordable housing and community centers; and Community Benefit Agreements ensuring job training and procuring contracts from small businesses. Given that universities are often property tax-exempt, an alternative approach could involve redirecting Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) directly to affected communities rather than the city. Commemorative efforts could include integrating the communitys history into university curricula; placing historical markers; renaming buildings; and other forms of public recognition that acknowledge the past while fostering ongoing community engagement. Editors note: This story was produced in partnership with Columbia Journalism Schools Spencer Education Journalism Fellowship program. Reporter Brandi Kellam is a member of the 2025-2026 class of Spencer fellows. Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a national nonprofit news organization. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE (Getty Images) Traffic stops and searches of Latino motorists in Loudoun County have increased dramatically the first three months of this year compared to the same period in 2024, sparking complaints from activists and some residents. The Sheriffs Office asserts that deputies are simply patrolling more vigorously where serious crimes, historically, have occurred in the county. We are not stopping vehicles nor doing searches on the basis of ethnicity, Tom Julia, spokesman for the Loudoun County Sheriffs Office, said flatly, rejecting allegations of racial profiling. We completely disagree that its targeting of any group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Julia made convincing arguments. Its understandable that concerns have arisen, however, because of longtime Sheriff Mike Chapmans well-known, boisterous attacks against illegal immigration and its impacts nationwide. The elected Republican has frequently testified before congressional committees on the subject, often invited because of his leadership role in the National Sheriffs Association. That means you cant consider his law-enforcement initiatives in Loudoun in a vacuum. Over the past four years, the United States has seen an unmitigated flow of undocumented and criminal aliens enter this country with many localities throughout the United States encouraging their sanctuary despite minimal, if not a total lack of proper vetting, he testified in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was just a month after Donald Trump, who has demagogued the issue repeatedly often in racial or xenophobic terms was elected a second time to the presidency. A new report from the Center for Migration Studies found that there were 12.2 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. in 2023, using the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data available. About a year ago, Chapman noted hyperbolically on his LinkedIn account: We are all border states now, and the failure of this (Biden) Administration to slow the influx of undocumented immigrants has put all of us at risk. Hed just testified at a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee hearing. This is the backdrop in which the traffic stops in Loudoun are playing out. With 443,000 people, its one of Virginias largest localities. The stops have gained attention following the release of department statistics to the Board of Supervisors there. Loudoun Now recently reported on the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From Jan. 1-March 31, deputies stopped white motorists 3,343 times and Latino motorists 1,194 times. White residents comprise 51% of the population, and Latinos about 14%, according to census figures. The numbers of stops by deputies were up noticeably for both races from the same period in 2024 especially for whites. (Of course, not all motorists stopped by deputies were county residents.) More striking, though, is the number of searches for these subgroups: Deputies searched whites 31 times in the first three months of 2025, compared to 90 for Latinos. The numbers for the same period last year were 13 and 15, respectively. Activists and residents have decried the disproportionate number of searches affecting Latinos and questioned whether theyre being singled out possibly for undue suspicion of being undocumented immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though white and Hispanic residents are getting ticketed at traffic stops at about the same rate, Hispanic residents are eight times more likely to have their vehicle searched than white residents. This is clear racial profiling, Sarah Pace said at a recent Board of Supervisors meeting. When 14% of the population accounts for 55% of all traffic stop searches, this isnt about crime prevention. Its blatant targeting of an already vulnerable and hard-working community, Heather Gottlieb, a New Virginia Majority member, said in a recent news release. The organization focuses on working-class communities of color across the state. I interviewed Sofia Saiyed, campaign director for the groups Loudoun and western Fairfax chapter. She told me organization members say theres a significantly heavier presence of deputies in the community, moreso than before. Were also in an environment in which the presidential administration is making anti-immigrant statements and deportation stunts, Saiyed said. The concern that we have is that Sheriff Chapman has been very public and vocal about his alignment with Trumps anti-immigration agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As several nonprofit officials pointed out, Gov. Glenn Youngkin also signed an executive order in February deputizing the Virginia State Police to help identify and arrest criminal undocumented immigrants who pose a risk to public safety. That brings me back to Julia, the Sheriffs Office spokesman. He said deputies are stopping people for cause and theres a nexus between proactive traffic enforcement, arrests and reducing the number of crimes. Julia noted the Sterling area in eastern Loudoun County has had the highest percentage of crimes for decades. Major crimes also occur there. The Sheriffs Office, he said, is using data-driven analytics to fight the offenses. As the department noted in a recent news release, the Eastern Loudoun Station area has a significantly higher Latino population than in other parts of the county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you patrol heavily in areas where many crimes have been reported, youre bound to make more traffic stops and arrests. The situation is complex. Is it profiling? Or simply smart police work? A combination? Questions of whether the stepped-up enforcement program is targeting Latinos unfairly alienating residents in the process are bound to continue. Given his posture on immigration, the sheriff shouldve expected the heightened scrutiny and should now listen to his communitys concerns. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Missouri voters in November chose to pass a ballot measure establishing reproductive rights in a state with one of the strictest abortion bans in the nation. Last week, because of a decision by the Missouri Supreme Court, abortion is again unavailable in the state. What happened wont necessarily last, but its reminder that ballot measures wont always be enough to protect reproductive rights. Within days of the passage of Amendment 3, Planned Parenthood and other plaintiffs challenged the vast array of bans and restrictions in the state. Missouri not only banned virtually all abortions from the moment of fertilization but also enforced a variety of what are called TRAP (targeted regulation of abortion provider) laws. Clinics must have admitting privileges at a hospital within 15 miles and comply with state licensure rules and the rules governing ambulatory surgical centers. Other rules make patients wait 72 hours before getting an abortion or prohibit the decision to have an abortion for certain reasons. These laws made a big difference in dismantling abortion access even before the overturning of Roe. At one point, Missouri had more than 25 clinics. Before the states absolute ban went into effect, only one remained open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In rulings handed down in December and February, a judge in Jackson County, Missouri, Jerri Zhang, blocked most of the TRAP laws ahead of a trial scheduled for early 2026. Abortions soon resumed in the state, even if access remained limited. Only three clinics opened, and these facilities performed only a handful of surgical procedures before the state Supreme Courts order was issued. The attorney general, Andrew Bailey, one of the most committed abortion opponents in the nation, appealed directly to the state Supreme Court, seeking a special order called a writ of mandamus. He agreed that the states absolute ban couldnt survive under Amendment 3, but argued that other restrictionsthe TRAP lawswere different because they protected women from dangerous procedures. He also argued that women wouldnt be harmed if every clinic in Missouri shut down because they could get abortion pills online or travel out of state. The state Supreme Court allowed the restrictions to go back into effect, all because of a technicalitythe trial judge had applied an older standard for granting a preliminary injunction that asks whether the plaintiffs have a fair chance of succeeding. Missouri courts, since 2008, have followed a more demanding standard set forth by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals focused on whether a plaintiff is likely to succeed at trial. Because the trial court cited the wrong case, abortion in Missouri came to a stop. The three open clinics canceled appointments and counseled patients on how to go out of state. This is hardly a fatal blow for the plaintiffs. The judge may well already believe that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed, and the plaintiffs might have a relatively easy time making that case. Amendment 3 provides broad protections for reproductive rights, requiring not only that a state law serves a compelling interest but also that the government uses the least restrictive means of achieving its goal. And the state cant discriminate against abortion by treating it differently from other medical procedures. The judge might conclude that there are less restrictive and more effective ways of protecting maternal health, or that TRAP laws dont do much to improve patient health at all, as the U.S. Supreme Court did before Roe was overturned in a case about similar Texas regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But what is happening in Missouri is still a sign about the limits of ballot measures. Missouri Republicans already have crafted a new ballot measure that voters will face, most likely in 2026. The proposal asks Missourians whether they want to ensure womens safety during abortions, ensure parental consent for minors, and allow abortions for medical emergencies, fetal anomalies, rape, and incest. It would ban all abortions from fertilization in every other casea fact that it doesnt advertise. For good measure, it also asks whether voters want to protect children from gender transition, even though gender-affirming care for minors is already illegal in the state. That voters adopted Amendment 3 less than a year ago is doing nothing to dissuade the state GOP. The ballot effort may fail. Republicans in other states have a poor track record when they ask voters to make it harder to pass ballot measures. If politicians ignore a result that voters just reached, that might not be popular either. But abortion opponents in the state will have a way forward even if Republicans latest gambit fails. The attorney general can argue that any abortion restriction should survive, even under Amendment 3, just as he has with the TRAP laws. He could repeat that abortion hurts women, or that the state has a compelling interest in protecting fetal life. The attorney general may even seek to establish that an embryo or fetus has constitutional rights. Five of the states seven Supreme Court justices have been nominated by Republicans, and three were selected by former Gov. Mike Parson.* The court barely allowed Amendment 3 on the ballot, choosing to do so by a 43 margin. Voters just ensured that two of the three dissenters will serve another 12-year term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State judges, not voters, are ultimately the ones who will decide what Amendment 3 means. They wont have much fear, when they face retention elections, that an unpopular vote will matter. State judicial incumbents have a high rate of success; the two judges Missourians just retained won well more than 60 percent of the vote. As long as Missouri elects Republican governors and retains judges regardless of their rulings, the Missouri Supreme Court will become more conservative, and Republicans will experiment with new restrictions and bans to see what the state Supreme Court will tolerate. All of this makes Amendment 3 a cautionary tale, even if the effects of the state Supreme Courts latest rulings will only be temporary. For supporters of reproductive rights, ballot measures like Amendment 3 are critical, but what happens after the vote is just as important. Jun. 1MITCHELL Mitchell School District voters will head to the polls Tuesday, June 3 to select candidates for two positions on the Mitchell Board of Education. The vote will take place at the Davison County Fairgrounds in Mitchell. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Absentee voting is currently underway and can be done at the Davison County Auditor's office until 5 p.m. June 2. There are three candidates running for the board of education this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Terry Aselsen, an incumbent, is seeking his second term on the Mitchell Board of Education. A career educator with experience as a teacher and administrator, he has cited capital projects, the fate of the old Mitchell High School and continued policy reform as issues he would like to look into during another term. Kimberly Lofgren, a challenger for one of the two seats, is seeking her first term on the board. Lofgren currently serves as the chief financial officer for the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce and Development Corporation. Lofgren has cited a desire to serve as well as her financial expertise as strengths she would bring to the board. Deb Olson, also a career teacher and administrator, has served on the board for 12 years, including a stint as president of the board. Olson has said district employee satisfaction, math scores and the transition from the old high school building to the new as subjects she would like to dive into during another term on the board. The Mitchell Republic published profiles for all three candidates. Those profiles can be found in the May 24, May 28 and May 31 editions. Positions on the board of education are at-large bids and run for three-year terms. The two successful candidates to take the seats will join fellow board members Brittni Flood, Shawn Ruml and Deb Everson. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Warm weather had many people heading to the lake or the beach this past weekend. The new Miss South Dakota has been crowned That included Wall Lake, where KELOLAND photojournalist Ash Fechner captured some of that natural wonders of the warm weekend, bringing us the sights and sounds of lake. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Beginning June 2, Metro is enforcing a stricter policy aimed at curbing bad behavior on public transit. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) now has the authority to issue longer bans to individuals who commit sexual or violent offenses on trains and buses, extending potential penalties from just 24 hours to up to one year. The new policy is part of Metros initiative to improve safety for both riders and employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Metro moves to expand on system to ban violent offenders from using bus, rail system Previously, passengers who engaged in serious offenses such as assault or indecent exposure could only be banned from Metro services for 24 hours. Under the updated rules, offenders may now face a 45-day suspension for the first offense, a 90-day ban for the second offense and a third violation could lead to a full year-long ban. Metro rider Lamont Randolph is looking forward to the change and how it will impact crime. I want to be able to feel safe coming to work, he said. It makes me feel good, they can protect people. People get robbed on the train, and people got kids and everything, they need to protect the people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Metro Transit Police crime statistics data in April, WMATA recorded more than 2,200 crimes, including aggravated assault, simple assault, robbery, rape and indecent exposure. Anyone banned for more than 24 hours will have the right to appeal their suspension. WMATA promises a final decision will be delivered within 15 days of the appeal. Mayor Bowser unveils new plaza at former Dave Thomas Circle in DC However, some riders remain skeptical about how the new policy will be enforced. Make sure they dont come back, said Randolph. According to WMATA, enforcement will rely in part on transit police officers who are already familiar with repeat offenders. The new policy gives them the ability to arrest individuals who are found violating an active ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everybody be safe, and protect yourself. And dont get banned for 24 hours or longer on the trains or on the buses, do the right thing, added Randolph. In addition to Metros policy shift, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. have either passed or are considering legislation that would increase penalties or impose bans for those who assault transit operators. Metro officials said the ultimate goal is to make the entire system safer for everyone. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Indiana is one of only six states to allow straight-ticket voting. (Getty Images) A few years back, I was knocking on doors for a school board candidate I supported. It was a day of productive conversations about transportation, curriculum, funding, taxes, extracurriculars, school lunches, and so much more. That was until I knocked on what was probably the twentieth door of the day. The man who opened it immediately saw I was holding a pamphlet, and simply asked, Which party? I was frozen for a split second, before gathering my wits and explaining. Actually, this is for a school board race! The candidates are nonpartisan. I saw a look of disappointment flash across his face. But the conversation that continued from there was just as rich as the ones Id had before. By the end of our chat, I think we both learned something about the role of schools in our community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sadly, conversations like these are rare in Indiana, because we are one of only seven states that still allows straight ticket voting. Straight ticket voting was once widespread nationwide, but most states have abolished it since the 1960s. While Indiana limited its use in 2016, it persists for most major votes. Its a practice that rewards partisan ignorance you dont even have to look at candidate names. Check a box, R or D, and almost all votes are marked. I say almost because some candidates, such as judges and school board members, are left out of a straight ticket vote. As a teacher, Im grateful. And Im relieved that this exclusion was maintained in the final version of Senate Enrolled Act 287, which put Indiana in a club of just nine other states requiring school board candidates to declare a political party. But I found it telling to hear how the bills author, Sen. Gary Byrne, justified adding parties into school board elections: People dont know who theyre voting forKnowing which political party a candidate identifies with will help Hoosiers know what kind of principles that person would apply to their position. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, this assumes that there are only two ways to govern Republican or Democrat. In education, as in any other sector, nothing could be further from the truth. The partisan binary in a straight ticket simplifies a much more complicated discourse, enabling people to be uninformed when they vote. If everything comes down to party, we may as well allow artificial intelligence to determine election results based on population characteristics and party affiliation. But thats not how democracy is supposed to work. Democracy requires an open debate that transcends parties. It requires voters to weigh heavily the responsibility of their choice. Advocates of straight ticket voting claim its popular, but if that were true, Indiana wouldnt have one of the most abysmal voter turnout rates in the nation. In fact, the partisan heuristic is just as likely to turn off voters. Both of our major political parties are deeply unpopular, with solid majorities viewing both unfavorably. About half of Americans dont even identify with a political party, and those rates continue to decline. The data is clear: straight ticket voting is about tribal self-preservation, not voter education. Thats how we often find ourselves stuck with problematic, mean, and ethically questionable candidates sliding into positions of power, especially down the ballot. Theres too few options on the table. By emphasizing partisan affiliation over all else, proponents of straight-ticket voting assume that voters are too busy or uninformed to understand real issues. Thats a dismissive way to understand the electorate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So as voters, how do we push back? Its simple: just refrain from voting a straight ticket. We should feel uneasy if we put someone into power without knowing what they are capable of. Get to know the full ballot ahead of time your coroner, your auditor, your treasurer. Ensure that you walk into the voting room and recognize every name. Google them. Email them. Call them. Ask questions early. When election day comes, you can confidently cast each vote, with no abstentions, knowing exactly how theyll use the power youre giving them It takes time. But when we stop using the straight ticket, maybe Indiana will send it to the dustbin where it belongs. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Monday will be another comfortable day in Central Florida, with highs in the mid- to upper 80s and mostly dry conditions across many communities. Areas south of Orlando, particularly Osceola and Brevard counties, face the best chance for rain on Monday. Some areas could see strong storms Monday evening, potentially bringing heavy rain, lightning, small hail, and gusty winds. Over the next few afternoons, rain and storm chances will increase region-wide while temperatures remain in the 80s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents are urged to stay weather-aware, especially in southern counties, and prepare for wetter conditions later in the week. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Julius Baer has named Shui Wei HO and Vi Sun YANG as market heads for South East Asia, with effect from 1 July 2025. They will replace Chin Lit YEE, who is retiring after almost 40 years in the banking sector. YEE has held various leadership roles within the banks South East Asia market. Both HO and YANG will continue to operate out of Singapore and report directly to Jimmy LEE, region head Asia and member of the Global Wealth Management Committee. As South East Asia market heads, they will spearhead growth initiatives of the firm, strengthen client relationships, and guide teams throughout the region. HO and YANG, with approximately 30 years of wealth management experience, have been instrumental in expanding the business and enhancing client engagement across Asia. HO joined Julius Baer as Group Head for South East Asia in August 2022 and subsequently took on the role of market head for Thailand, Japan, and Asia Switzerland in January 2024, a position she will retain. YANG joined Julius Baer as the group head for South East Asia in July 2022, having previously led the Singapore and Indonesia markets at UBS for 14 years. LEE said: We are delighted to have Shui Wei and Vi Sun in dual leadership of our South East Asia franchise. Their leadership, extensive experience, and market insight will be instrumental as we expand our presence in this dynamic region. These appointments underscore Julius Baers longstanding commitment to Singapore and the broader South East Asian market, crucial to our Asia strategy. Last month, Switzerland's Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) fined Julius Baer over SFr4m ($4.76m) for compliance and anti-money laundering deficiencies related to its management of high-risk clients, according to the Financial Times. "Julius Baer names new South East Asia market heads" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) sidestepped a question on whether former President Biden should have dropped out of the 2024 presidential race sooner, saying in a Sunday interview that the election is over. Here is what we absolutely know about last years election: Its over. And Im going to spend all of my energy focused on the task in front of us, he told NBC Newss Kristen Welker on Meet the Press on Sunday, before railing against the GOP tax and spending bill, which the Senate is poised to take up this week. We are headed into a very critical week, the senator continued. The Republicans are trying to push forward this big, ugly bill thats going to literally cut as many as 7 million Americans off of their health care. It is a drag not only on their health care, it is a drag on the American economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an unfunded mandate at a time when Donald Trumps tariff tax is literally raising the cost of groceries. And so Ive got my sleeves rolled up and in front of me is the American people, the people of Georgia. Im doing everything I can to save them from Trumps big, ugly bill, he added. Warnocks comments came in response to Welkers question about a quote from David Plouffe, a senior campaign adviser to former Vice President Kamala Harris, reported in the recent book by CNNs Jake Tapper and Axioss Alex Thompson. If Biden had decided in 2023 to drop out, we would have had a robust primary. Whitmer, Pritzker, Newsom, Buttigieg, Harris, and Klobuchar would have run. Warnock and Shapiro would have kicked the tires. Maybe Mark Cuban or a businessperson of some sort. Twenty percent of governors and 30 percent of senators would have thought about it. We would have been eminently stronger, Plouffe said in the quote, which Welker read to Warnock in the interview. After Warnock gave his response, Welker noted that she didnt hear a direct answer to the question there, but tried to move on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warnock interrupted the anchor and again focused on the GOP legislative package that passed the House late last month. Well, I take very seriously my job. The people of Georgia hired me to stand up for them. And this really is a critical week, Warnock said, continuing to talk about the bill. The interview comes as high-profile Democrats have been asked to reckon with new reporting alleging Bidens mental and physical decline in the final few years of his term was more severe than what had previously been disclosed to the American public. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Photo by Darwin Brandis/iStock Getty Images Plus) Washington is showing promise in its work to combat the epidemic of drug overdose deaths that has ravaged the state and country in recent years. In 2024, fatal overdoses in the state dropped nearly 11% from the previous year, from 3,512 to 3,137, according to preliminary data released by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Theres been not a lot of good news in this space, and this is good news, said Dr. Herbert Duber, regional medical officer at the state Department of Health. I think that we need to get more time, though, to see how it sticks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last years total is still nearly 14% higher than the deaths recorded in 2022. Washington saw the downward overdose trend reversed in the last few months of 2024, noted Duber. The past month has also seen a significant increase. Washingtons decrease last year was far below the national average of more than 25%. Only two states saw upticks in overdose deaths: Nevada and South Dakota. Nationally, overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 44, health officials say. Fatal overdoses had been rising quickly in Washington. In 2019, fewer than 1,300 residents died, according to state data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Highly potent fentanyl drove that rise, along with increased drug use during the pandemic. In 2019, just over 300 people in Washington died from synthetic opioids like fentanyl. By 2023, that had skyrocketed to more than 2,600, according to the state Department of Health. Federal health officials cite the Overdose Data to Action program as a way to continue reducing deaths through statistic-guided prevention efforts. The state Department of Health, as well as the King and Snohomish County health departments, have received federal money under Overdose Data to Action. In Washington, Duber sees increasing access to treatment as a catalyst for the improvement seen last year, especially to the medication buprenorphine meant to treat opioid addiction. Duber, an emergency department physician, will prescribe Suboxone, a medication containing both buprenorphine and naloxone that reduces opioid withdrawal symptoms. Theres just been an increasing level of comfort and education and engagement on opioids, trying to figure out a way where the healthcare community can really impact this epidemic, Duber said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state is looking to keep the progress going. The two-year state budget Gov. Bob Ferguson signed last week included money for a new hotline to facilitate access to services and medication like buprenorphine. The earliest that could be launched is in September, a Department of Health spokesperson said. The goal is to lower barriers as much as possible to give people the chance to get treatment. But the so-called big, beautiful bill the U.S. House passed last month could threaten the progress. The Medicaid program for low-income Americans is the largest payer for opioid use disorder treatment in Washington, according to the state Health Care Authority. The Republican-backed legislation proposes cutting Medicaid by hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade, a move that could cost Washington about $2 billion over the next four years and force around 194,000 to lose coverage, local leaders have warned. The Trump administration is working out the final details for a US-Africa Leaders Summit on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September that will be almost entirely focused on economic growth, according to its top Africa official. Troy Fitrell, head of the US State Departments Africa bureau, said he had submitted his recommendations for an event he sees as an opportunity for commercial and market advocacy. His team has been encouraging African governments to come prepared with a couple of major deals and use the summit as an action-forcing event, he said during a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace event in Washington last week. The last US-Africa Leaders Summit was hosted by President Joe Biden in December 2022, drawing more than 40 African leaders. Just before US President Donald Trump took office, lawmakers added a provision in an annual defense bill mandating that the president host an event for African leaders this year, with another one in two years time. Congress concerns are that limited senior US engagement with African leaders is leading Washington to cede ground to China and other powers. Three teens were rescued on a steep cliff face of Mount Si on Memorial Day. The teens were stuck on the haystack, a 150-foot-steep face of the mountain with major exposure. Seattle Mountain Rescue responded and used a drone to locate the stranded hikers. Rescuers came in with ropes and were able to get everyone down safely. Everyone went home safe and sound! Seattle Mountain Rescue was also assisted by King County Explorer Search and Rescue, King County 4x4 and King County RSVU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seattle Mountain Rescue has the following tips for preparing for as backcountry adventure: Note: Video courtesy West Texas Oil Field Traffic Update Facebook page. ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Ector County Sheriffs Office responded to assist the Odessa Police Department with a felony traffic stop Monday afternoon, video showed. Sheriff Mike Griffis said the large police presence near University Boulevard and Alturas Avenue was in response to a stolen vehicle. Video on Facebook showed that at least one person was taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Griffis said the suspect, who has not been publicly identified, was detained by ECSO deputies and then released to OPD. Weve reached out to OPD for more information and will update this story as more details become 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 Yourbasin. Demand for electricity is growing at the fastest pace in decades, driven by growing industrial production, heating and cooling, vehicle electrification, and the rapid expansion of data centers to feed technological advancements. At the same time, extreme weather events such as heat waves and large storms are projected to increase in frequency and intensity, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Last fall, Hurricane Helene caused more than 5 million customers in the Southeast to lose power. More recently, a massive outage in Spain and Portugal left nearly 60 million people without power with trains, traffic lights, ATMs, phone connections and internet access failing across the Iberian Peninsula. Authorities there are still searching for answers, while U.S. officials heed the warning signs. The need to bolster and modernize the U.S. power grid has never been greater. What is needed to achieve a resilient power grid that also balances sustainability and clean energy priorities, customer affordability and creates jobs? The Gulf Region plays a critical role in the countrys energy and economic security. What progress has been made as we near the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and what vulnerabilities still exist? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Join The Hill, Congresss trusted source for news, for a special program in New Orleans where well gather leaders in federal and local government, industry and energy solutions to discuss the current energy landscape, opportunities for growth, and whats needed to ensure a reliable energy future for our communities and the country at large. Watch the live event 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 The Hill. A next-door neighbors Ring camera captured the fatal home explosion in Gladstone that killed a man and dog, leveled the house they were in and caused significant damage to nearby residences on Saturday morning. The cause of the devastating blast is still under investigation as of Sunday afternoon. The investigation has been turned over to the Missouri Fire Marshal of the Missouri Division of Fire Safety. Ashleigh Tomlin, who lives next door, was in her kitchen when she hit the ground. Her security footage captured the explosion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We thought a plane hit the house, she said. We were like, what the hell just happened. Ring camera footage from a neighbor captured the moment a house exploded in Gladstone on Saturday, May 31. The street the explosion occurred on, Northeast 74th Terrace, remains closed to traffic from North Oak Trafficway to Main Street for as crews work to clear debris, according to Gladstone Fire Chief Mike Desautels. According to an Evergy outage map, the explosion caused several customers to lose power in the area. It has since been restored. Desautels said the investigation into what caused the deadly explosion will likely take some time because of the significant debris it caused. Buy now, pay later provider Klarna took another step toward a U.S. listing last week, reporting progress on its transition into internally developed AI systems. AI-driven staff reductions of 700 contractors have generated "significant efficiency" according to the Swedish company, which now expects revenue per employee to reach $1 million, higher than the $575,000 reported last year. Buy now, pay later payment processing services let retailers offer short-term installment loans at the time of purchase, allowing buyers to spread out payments. The loans are usually interest-free and without service charges, potentially encouraging customers to buy more than they can afford. Not surprisingly, these firms have come under investigation. Notably, the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority hit Klarna with $46 million in fines in December after accusing it of money laundering in 2021 and 2022. Don't Miss: The company filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for an IPO in March, citing an American domicile in Columbus Ohio. It postponed plans after President Donald Trump announced tariffs on Europe in April and hasn't responded to the latest rejection by U.S. Federal courts. Klarna reported a 13% revenue increase to $710 million in the first quarter of 2025 but still hasn't said when it will proceed with the offering. The BNPL business model works by charging fees to merchants, like card processors. There may also be flat transaction fees and late fees for missed payments. The second issue could upend the industry after a recent Bankrate survey reported that about "half of buy now, pay later users have experienced issues like overspending and missing payments." While these companies depend on late fees, high incidence rates may attract the attention of regulators. Trending: Invest where it hurts and help millions heal: Invest in Cytonics and help disrupt a $390B Big Pharma stronghold. Almost one-third of Americans have used BNPL, according to the survey. Klarna captured 9% of the reports market share while PayPal (NYSE:PYPL) led the pack with 15%. Half of customers reported "issues related to service." Of those, 24% mentioned "overspending," 16% "missed payments" and 15% "regretting a purchase." Gen Z users reported the highest rate of these issues, across all generations. It also revealed "consistent use across all income levels," which is surprising, given the greater financial struggles of the lower classes. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A man is recovering after being swept away downstream in Big Cottonwood Creek Sunday afternoon. Unified Fire Authority officials says firefighters from their agency and Murray Fire Department responded to a report of a swift water rescue in Big Cottonwood Creek around 5 p.m. Sunday. Unified Fire says a man was carried down the creek about 50 feet before being stranded on a rock. UFA used their heavy rescue team and ladder truck to lower a rescuer down to the male victim, who was recovered and taken to shore. The victim was reportedly cold plunging with a group of friends before being swept downstream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is currently no update on the mans condition as of this post. (Unified Fire Authority) (Unified Fire Authority) (Unified Fire Authority) (Unified Fire Authority) (Unified Fire Authority) (Unified Fire Authority) (Unified Fire Authority) (Unified Fire Authority) (Unified Fire Authority) (Unified Fire Authority) (Unified Fire Authority) Latest headlines: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. BRADFORD COUNTY, Pa. (WETM) A Waverly man has been sentenced to time in a correctional facility after officials said he was found guilty of crimes committed in 2024, and later failed to appear for his first sentencing date. Timothy L. VanHousen Jr., 38, of Waverly, NY, was sentenced to a minimum of 13 months to a maximum of eight years in a Pennsylvania State Prison for the crimes of defiant trespass, criminal trespass, reckless driving, and harassment, as stated in a release from the Bradford County District Attorneys Office. VanHousen Jr.s sentence is a result of Pennsylvania State Police investigations into trespass situations that happened in Franklin and Monroe Townships in February of 2024, the DA said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gillett man sentenced for DUI-related charges after November 2024 police chase Further, the DA explained, VanHousen Jr. did not show up for his initial sentencing date that was set for February of 2025. VanHousen Jr. was later found and placed into custody in April, the DA pointed out, thats why he was just recently sentenced. The DA stated that VanHousen Jr. has a long criminal history, including crimes committed in the US Army, Tennessee, and other parts of New York, as well as previous offenses in Bradford County. A detective from Bradford County said more charges are expected against VanHousen Jr. for his failure to appear at the initial sentencing, which is a felony charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. Warm, dry weather is forecasted to continue through mid-week. Then, rounds of showers and storms are expected to return by the end of the week. According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, wildfire smoke from Canada will advect into the Midwest region on Monday, June 2. Dry conditions are expected with very little cloud coverage. Smoke will have a subtle impact on surface temperatures, with highs a couple of degrees below normal. However, temperatures will still climb into the mid-70s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A warming trend will occur overnight into Tuesday, June 3. Expect highs to reach the lower to mid-80s. High concentrations of smoke will persist across the area on Tuesday. There will likely be some obstruction from the smoke and "milky-white appearance in the sky" throughout the day, per the NWS. A slow-moving front approaching from the west will lead to repeated rounds of showers and storms starting Wednesday, June 4. Showers and thunderstorms will also be possible on Thursday, June 5. The greatest potential for showers and storms will occur on Friday, June 6. A brief dry spell will work its way back into the region Saturday, June 7, into the morning of Sunday, June 8. Precipitation chances will return by Sunday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Above normal temperatures will also be likely through the end of the work week. Temperatures will fall over the weekend with readings closer to normal. Dry conditions will continue to start the week. After today, temperatures will rise above normal. Showers and thunderstorms will return later in the week when a frontal boundary lays out across the area. pic.twitter.com/TjV1ainzcO NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) June 2, 2025 Smoke from Canadian wildfires impacts air quality and visibility in the Midwest Smoke from raging wildfires in Canada is worsening air quality in some U.S. states. Parts of the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and other states have experienced levels of smoke particulates in the air deemed moderate to unhealthy on the morning of May 31, according to USA TODAY. The ongoing smoke is due to blazes in Canada, including the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where authorities said a combination of rising temperatures, winds and low humidity has spread active fires to thousands of acres. At least 17,000 people have been forced to evacuate as of May 31, the national news site writes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several states in the Midwest have issued air quality alerts due to the smoke. However, the national air quality map from AirNow.gov states that Cincinnati is in the green zone, which is considered good. Parts of the Greater Cincinnati area, including Norwood, Madeira, Forest Park, Loveland, and Montgomery, have ozone and PM2.5, or fine particulate matter, levels in the yellow, or moderate, zone. Detailed 7-Day Cincinnati weather forecast Monday: Areas of fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Light and variable wind. Monday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Calm wind. Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low of around 65. South wind 3 to 6 mph. Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 6 to 13 mph. Wednesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 69. The chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms. Thursday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. The chance of precipitation is 70%. Thursday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 68. The chance of precipitation is 60%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. The chance of precipitation is 60%. Friday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 66. The chance of precipitation is 60%. Saturday: A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. The chance of precipitation is 30%. Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low of around 62. Sunday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. The chance of precipitation is 40%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Source: National Weather Service, Wilmington. USA TODAY's Jeanine Santucci contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Weather: How are the Canadian wildfires impacting Greater Cincinnati? Awards watch: Andrea Mitchell was honored with a Career Achievement Award during this year's Peabody Awards held on June 1 in Los Angeles. This award means the world to me-not just for what it says about my work, but for what it represents about the importance of journalism, NBC News' chief Washington and chief foreign affairs correspondent said. Over the course of her lengthy career, Mitchell has covered eight White House administrations, 12 presidential races, numerous global conflicts, from the fall of the Berlin Wall to 9/11 and the Iraq War. Thank you @PeabodyAwards and thanks to my @NBCNews teammates for celebrating with me! pic.twitter.com/TlOHvRy2cr Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) June 2, 2025 Al Jazeera English also received a Peabody for its Fault Lines segment "The Night Won't End," which follows three families who have experienced the increasingly desperate situation in Gaza firsthand. Happy birthday to ya: CNN celebrated its 45th anniversary on Sunday. The network celebrated the momentous occasion on social media with various reporters and talent acknowledging the milestone on their respective social media pages. Also celebrating a weekend anniversary is Fox News Radio, which marked its 20th year on Sunday. In a memo to staffers, Fox News Audios senior vice president John Sylvester wrote: For two decades, the Fox News Radio Network has been a definitive source for breaking news and in-depth analysis. Were 20 years strong and still growing, proudly keeping radio affiliates informed 24 hours a day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leguizamos back: MSNBC announced that Season 2 of John Leguizamo's docuseries Leguizamo Does America will premiere on July 6 at 9 p.m. ET. I wanted to go deeper into America and put a magnifying glass on Latino exceptionalism, Latino ingenuity, and Latino genius, the actor and comedian said in a statement. Ground floor training: C-SPAN is launching a 15-month professional development initiative geared towards entry-level journalists. Launched in May, the inaugural Network Associate Program will offer three associates-Emily Blumberg, Yasmin Kettani, and Donovan Hunt-a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience by rotating through C-SPAN's various content teams. Network Associates will help the trio build essential skills in editorial judgment, research, writing, and the production of both live and recorded content. A 22-year-old man shot by a Broward Sheriffs deputy during an altercation in West Park now faces several charges. Deputies responded to a 911 call about 12:20 p.m. Sunday over a disturbance involving a weapon in the 4000 block of Southwest 26th Street in West Park, the Sheriffs Office said in a news release on Monday. When deputies confronted him, Joshua Gullatt punched a deputy, knocking him to the ground, the Sheriffs Office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another deputy used a Taser, but Gullatt hit him and then ran into a bedroom and grabbed a weapon, the release said. One of the deputies shot Gullatt. The deputy who fired his weapon is on administrative assignment pending the investigation. Gullatt faces two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, one count of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, one count of resisting arrest with violence and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Gullatt and the deputy who was punched were treated at a hospital. The deputy had been released by Monday afternoon, but Gullatt remained in the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sheriffs Office did not specify which deputy fired his gun, how many shots were fired or whether any weapons were recovered from the home on a street of single-family houses between Pembroke Road and Hallandale Beach Boulevard. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the deputy-involved shooting, while BSO Homicide and Crime Scene units are investigating the initial incident. BSOs Internal Affairs Unit is conducting an administrative review. Sun Sentinel reporter David Fleshler contributed to this report. This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox. BOONSBORO, Md. (DC News Now) Nonprofit organizations in western Maryland are raising their concerns about federal budget cuts impact on programs supporting local communities, inspiring political activism both in Maryland and in neighboring West Virginia. San Mar Family Community Services has for more than a century, championed foster care and helps vulnerable high school grads make a transition to the workforce or higher education. Disconnected youth, 18 to 20, coming in and are looking for an opportunity to remain housed but also live and work in Washington County, explained Jerica Washington with the organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Bowser unveils new plaza at former Dave Thomas Circle in DC Federal funding to the tune of $3.7 million can support the program but may well be on the chopping block. On a visit to Boonsboro Monday afternoon, U.S. Representative April McClain Delaney (Md.-06) said she is concerned about the most vulnerable, particularly kids in the foster care system as they age out and need those workforce, life skills and a safe place to live. The same is true just across the state line, in West Virginias eastern panhandle. These cuts, Im sure are going to impact our state pretty hard, said Jakob Light with the Democratic Party in Jefferson County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proposed cuts like these has inspired political activism in the region. Taj Smith with the Washington County Democratic Central Committee said volunteers are hard at work training people, motivating them to file and run for office. Meanwhile, McClain Delaney will go back to Capitol Hill hoping to restore funds for stable family relations for these youth, their mental health services and housing, so they will have a safe place to live. She said she is meeting with defense contractors, small businesses and local community leaders about further anticipated funding cuts expected to impact the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, broke family tradition when he chose New York University as his college destination. Barron Trump is the only child of the president and first lady Melania Trump, and he just completed his freshman year at NYU's Stern School of Business. Trump's other kids either went to Georgetown or the University of Pennsylvania, where the president himself graduated from. But as the Trump administration has been escalating its battle against Harvard University, some have questioned whether the president could be salty about some personal rejection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the first lady's office squashed those rejection rumors for her son last week. Here is what we know about where the other Trump family members went to school: Did Barron Trump get rejected from Harvard? No. According to the first lady's office, he didn't even apply. "Barron did not apply to Harvard, and any assertion that he, or that anyone on his behalf, applied is completely false," Nick Clemens, spokesperson for the Office of the First Lady, said in an emailed statement on May 27. Harvard University did not respond to multiple requests for comment. In the months leading up to the 2024 presidential election, the president's youngest son attended a Florida rally, and then-candidate Donald Trump confirmed Barron Trump's plan to go to college. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He's now going to college, got into every college he wanted to," Donald Trump said at the July 9, 2024, rally in Doral, Florida. "He made his choice and he is a very good guy." Where does Barron Trump go to college? Barron Trump recently finished his freshman year at NYU's Stern School of Business. He's projected to graduate in the class of 2028. Where did President Donald Trump's other kids go to school? Barron Trump broke tradition when he chose NYU, the first of Trump's five children to go there. Here is where the other Trump kids graduated from: Donald Trump Jr.: University of Pennsylvania in 2000 Ivanka Trump: University of Pennsylvania in 2004 Eric Trump: Georgetown University in 2006 Tiffany Trump: University of Pennsylvania in 2016, and Georgetown Law School in 2020 Trump v. Harvard battle, explained. Trump has threatened to withhold funding from several universities in the U.S. if they do not follow federal directives, all under the banner of fighting antisemitism. He has alleged the institutions did not do enough to combat antisemitism during the protests against the war in Gaza, which brought allegations of both antisemitism and Islamaphobia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harvard rejected the administration's orders, which included ending all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, hiring an external auditor to ensure the university hosts diverse ideological viewpoints, and update admissions processes to bar students "hostile to the American values and institutions inscribed in the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence." Defying the orders has put billions of dollars worth of federal funding and Harvard's tax-exempt status at risk. Where did President Donald Trump go to college? President Donald Trump graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in May 1968 with a degree in economics. But he didn't spend all four years at Wharton. Trump started off his college days at Fordham University in the Bronx in 1964, but transferred to Wharton two years later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contributing: Zachary Schermele, Jennifer Sangalang, Antonio Fins, Savannah Kuchar, Jeremy Yurow, USA TODAY Network Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@gannett.com. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @kinseycrowley.bsky.social. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Barron rejected by Harvard? Trump family college list CLEVELAND (WJW) University Hospitals is partnering with the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce and the USDA to provide free summer meals to children at seven locations across Northeast Ohio. This marks the ninth year UH Rainbow Babies & Childrens has sponsored the Summer Food Service Program. Hot, nutritious lunches will be available to all children aged 1 to 18. No registration, proof of income or residency is required. Motorcycle pulling a camper trailer overturns in fatal crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meals will be served Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Children must eat onsite, as meals cannot be taken to go, according to federal guidelines. We are so excited to be able to continue this program that offers children a hot, nutritious meal every weekday all summer long, said Kathie Wesolowski, Director, Womens and Childrens Community Outreach, UH Rainbow Babies & Childrens. Providing a delicious and fresh meal while also interacting with the families and sharing nutrition and safety education is one of our favorite community outreach initiatives. Pop-Tarts bringing back fan-favorite flavor after six-year hiatus The 2025 meal program begins June 2 and will run through mid to late August at the following UH locations: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahuja Medical Center , Beachwood June 2Aug. 12 Rainbow Babies & Childrens , Cleveland June 2Aug. 15 Elyria Medical Center , Elyria June 2Aug. 15 Lake West Medical Center , Willoughby June 2Aug. 15 Parma Medical Center , Parma June 16Aug. 22 Portage Medical Center , Ravenna June 2Aug. 15 Samaritan Medical Center, Ashland June 2Aug. 22 The Summer Food Service Program is funded by the USDA and administered statewide by the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Stocks fell as US-China trade tensions ratcheted up and the Trump administration said recent court rulings would not stop it from imposing sweeping tariffs. Beijing today accused Washington of undermining a pause in economic hostilities agreed last month, days after the US made similar claims against China. The US commerce secretary, meanwhile, told Fox News that tariffs arent going away, as several top officials insisted that court battles over trade policy would not deter the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, Trump himself said Friday he would double existing duties on steel imports, while JP Morgan economists project that the effective US tariff rate is more likely to rise than fall. Germany-based Knorr-Bremse has signed rail contracts with China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) to supply braking systems for metro projects in several cities. Knorr-Bremse will provide complete braking systems to 1,000 metro railcars across at least five cities. These systems include electropneumatic brake control systems, bogie equipment, and actuators for metro fleets in Guangzhou, Fuzhou, Wuhan, Shenzhen, and Ningbo. The total order volume for these contracts is estimated to be around 50 million, covering approximately 150 trains over several years. Knorr-Bremse is also looking at export opportunities from China. The company has recently been awarded contracts to supply braking systems for more than 100 CRRC locomotives destined for Kazakhstan. These systems are being customised and produced at Knorr-Bremse's facilities in Suzhou and its joint venture with CRRC in Nankou, Beijing. Knorr-Bremse executive board member Dr Nicolas Lange said: Knorr-Bremse has been a highly reliable partner to the Chinese rail industry for over 30 years. Our latest successes reflect our profound understanding of the needs of our customers in China. These new projects in the metro rail segment show that even in challenging times, we can benefit from the dynamic development of Chinas rail industry. Knorr-Bremse is providing braking systems for new light rail vehicles (LRVs) intended for export to Astana, Kazakhstan, and Belo Horizonte, Brazil. In 2023, Knorr-Bremse received an order from CRRC to install braking systems on 36 trains with 288 railcars for Chengdu's Line 13, which connects Tianfu International Airport and other locations at speeds of up to 140km/h. Additionally, the company is enhancing its global operations through its strategic programme, BOOST, which includes upgrading its primary manufacturing plants in Suzhou and Palwal, India. In March this year, Hitachi Rail enlisted Knorr-Bremse for the supply of system technologies for a fleet of up to 30 metro trains for Rome. These trains will feature Knorr-Bremses braking, coupling, and entrance systems. "Knorr-Bremse secures rail contracts in China" was originally created and published by Railway Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. A federal judge has sentenced Kyle Vincenty Rogers, 32, of Whitestown, to 12 1/2 years in prison and another 10 years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material. Rogers received and shared videos of children being sexually abused through peer-to-peer file-sharing software, the Boone County Child Abuse and Sexual Exploitation (CASE) Task Force reported when Rogers was arrested in November 2023. Indiana State Police were tipped off to Rogers online activities, and Rogers shared some of the material with an ISP officer without knowing it. More than 400 images were shared from his account when the ISP detective was interfacing with it, police reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state asked the CASE Task Force to take over the investigation. Rogers, a self-described loner, told detectives he was attracted to children, couldnt kick his pornography habit, and was ashamed, Boone County Sheriffs Detective Jack Callahan wrote in Rogers probable cause affidavit Investigators eventually uncovered at least 600 images and videos of child sexual abuse on Rogers laptop, according to a U.S. Southern District Court statement. The images involved sadistic or masochistic conduct and sexual abuse of prepubescent minors, including toddlers and infants, according to the statement. Rogers collection included not only images of children being sexually abused, but graphic videos of very young children forced to engage in sex acts with adults, including intercourse, bondage and bestiality. The children in these images and videos will be revictimized for years to come because the defendant possessed and recirculated the material, allowing an unknown number of additional predators to gain unrestricted access, said John E. Childress, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adult help Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health lists sources of help for those concerned about their own, or other adults, sexual thoughts and behavior online at https://www.stopitnow.org/help-guidance. Child help Anyone who suspects a child is being abused or exploited should call Indianas child abuse hotline 1-800-800-5556 to report it. The hotline is the clearinghouse for child abuse reports but immediately sends information directly the appropriate Boone County law enforcement agency for investigation. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) You may have noticed that the daily crime reports have not been updated since mid-April. The last report from the Abilene Police Department (APD) was posted on April 17, 2025. Since then, no new reports have been made available. This is a wake up call Cyber security expert weighs in on City of Abilene cyber attack We reached out to APD for clarification. When asked if this interruption was related to the cyberattack that impacted city systems on April 18, APD Public Information Coordinator Rick Tomlin confirmed: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, our Information Technology folks are working to restore them. I cannot give a good timetable on when a fix will occur, but we hope soon. It is part of the issues we have been experiencing. City of Abilene confirms ransom demanded after hackers steal 477Gs of data We understand how important these reports are to our community and will continue to follow up on their return. In the meantime, well do our best to keep you informed about notable police activity and public safety updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. International travelers arriving at Los Angeles International Airport should expect some of the longest wait times in the country to make it through customs en route to their destination, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Every day, thousands of foreign visitors arrive at Southern California's biggest travel hub on their way to visit family, conduct business or tour the region. But first, they need to pass through Customs. In fiscal year 2024, CBP says the agency processed more than 420 million travelers at ports of entry nationwide, up 6.6% from the year before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of those people passed through LAX, according to CBP data updated daily with the airport averaging 550 foreign arrivals every hour last summer, making it the busiest international terminal in the country at the time. With the high volume also came a dubious distinction: LAX arrivals had the second longest customs wait times of any major airport, averaging more than 30 minutes in line from June through August 2024. Only Chicago O'Hare International Airport was worse. Though the 30-minute wait time for foreign travelers was an average over the past 12 months, during peak travel periods, the wait was significantly longer, data shows. For noncitizens, during last year's Labor Day weekend, travelers waited an average of 113 minutes and during the biggest backup, at least one unlucky passenger waited 245 minutes, or more than four hours, to make it through customs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. citizens returning from abroad had much shorter wait times at LAX last summer just under 19 minutes on average but compared to other major airports, LAX was still third slowest for customs. Only O'Hare and Orlando International Airport saw longer waits. On July 19, a TikTok user posted a video of a hellish line leading to customs, captioned "everyone back from their hot euro summer." Two days later, another TikTok user posted an even longer line. His caption asked how the city could possibly fix the situation in time to host the Olympics in 2028. The worst time of summer 2024 to arrive at LAX's international terminal was also Labor Day weekend, when wait times for U.S. citizens topped out at 74 minutes on average with a staggering peak wait time of 205 minutes, well over three hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And according to the latest data, the pace of arrivals is again picking up as we head into the busy summer travel season. Customs arrivals were up nearly 4% year-over-year in April at LAX's Tom Bradley International Terminal, per data from Los Angeles World Airports, suggesting that this summer may be even busier than last year. "Post-COVID, we have seen exponential growth," said Jaime Ruiz, a CBP spokesperson. "There have been more flights, more travelers." Many arrivals are long-haul flights, he said, and they often overlap, with weather and scheduling issues compounding the crowding at customs. "Wait time is kind of a moving target. It's a day-to-day situation," Ruiz said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Key Points Prince Harry reportedly had a conversation with his uncle Charles Spencerthe younger brother of Princess Dianaabout changing his and Meghan Markles surname to Spencer, which is Dianas maiden name. In that conversation, Charles Spencer reportedly advised against the move because of legal hurdles. Harry, Meghan, and their kids Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet no longer use the royal familys traditional Mountbatten-Windsor surname and instead are using the Sussex surname, reflective of their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Much ado has been made about Prince Harry and Meghan Markles surname as of late, with the Duchess of Sussex declaring to friend Mindy Kalingvery clearly, we might addthat her last name is Sussex now in season 1 of Netflixs With Love, Meghan. (Why do we still use Markle, you may ask? Well, it really boils down to the fact that we want our stories to be found and read by youthe same reason we still refer to Kate Middleton as such initially in our headlines and stories about her.) Netflix Meghan Markle and Mindy Kaling in Netflix's 'With Love, Meghan' Meghan Markle and Mindy Kaling in Netflix's 'With Love, Meghan' Harry and Meghans two kids are now known as Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet but, upon their respective 2019 and 2021 births, were known as Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor. (That last name is used on their birth certificates.) Mountbatten-Windsor is the surname of the royal family following the 1947 marriage of then Princess Elizabeth (who hailed from the House of Windsor) and Prince Philip, whose surname was Mountbatten; the royal family began using the combined Mountbatten-Windsor as its surname around 1960, and the first time it appeared on an official document was when Princess Anne married Captain Mark Phillips in 1973, 13 years later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to multiple outlets, it seems that at one point Harry was planning to drop the surname of Mountbatten-Windsor and, before the family landed on Sussex, asked his uncle Charles Spencerthe younger brother of his mother, Princess Dianaif they should use Spencer going forward. (Spencer, of course, is Dianas maiden name before she married Prince Charles on July 29, 1981.) Getty Prince Harry and Charles Spencer Prince Harry and Charles Spencer The Telegraph reported that During a rare visit to Britain, Prince Harry is said to have sought advice from his uncle Earl Spencer about whether to assume his mothers surname. But, the outlet reported, Charles advised against the move because of legal hurdles, the outlet said, citing The Mail on Sunday. They had a very amicable conversation and Spencer advised him against taking such a step, a friend of Harrys told The Mail on Sunday. According to The Telegraph, Harrys apparent desire to abandon the [Mountbatten-Windsor] name speaks to the growing rift with his family. Getty Prince Harry on April 8, 2025 Prince Harry on April 8, 2025 Harry apparently heeded his uncles advice and instead opted to use Sussex for his family surname, following the late Queen Elizabeth granting Harry and Meghan the titles of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their May 19, 2018 royal wedding day. In episode 2 of With Love, Meghanreleased in MarchMeghan corrected Kaling after the latter called her Meghan Markle on the show, with Meghan saying, Its so funny you keep saying Meghan Markleyou know Im Sussex now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have kids and you go, No, I share my name with my children, Meghan added. I didnt know how meaningful it would be to me, but it just means so much to go, This is our family name. Our little family name. YouTube/Netflix Prince Harry, Princess Lilibet, Prince Archie, and Meghan Markle Prince Harry, Princess Lilibet, Prince Archie, and Meghan Markle Meghan told People in March of the Sussex surname, Its our shared name as a family, and I guess I hadnt recognized how meaningful that would be to me until we had children. I love that that is something that Archie, Lili, H, and I all have together. It means a lot to me. I think as the kids get older, theyre so excited about, Oh my gosh, Mama and Papa, how did you meet? Meghan told the publication. I think that will come with time as they get older, but for right now a huge part of our love story is that we share the name Sussex. Getty Images Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on August 15, 2024 Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on August 15, 2024 Surnames for members of the royal family have always been confusingand fluid, depending on titles. For example, Harrys surname while growing up was Wales, reflective of his fatherthe former Prince Charlesand his title during Harrys youth as Prince of Wales. Now, though, as his older brother Prince William is the current Prince of Wales, his kids Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis use the surname Waleswhereas before William took over the title in September 2022 they used the surname Cambridge, reflective of William and Kates Duke and Duchess of Cambridge titles given to them upon marriage by Queen Elizabeth. Getty Images Prince George, Kate Middleton, Prince Louis, Prince William, and Princess Charlotte Prince George, Kate Middleton, Prince Louis, Prince William, and Princess Charlotte When Archie and Lilibet were bornbefore their grandfather became King on September 8, 2022they were known as Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor. But, when Charles took the throne, they were afforded the titles of prince and princess, and Harry and Meghan used their kids royal titles for the first time in March 2023, when they announced Lilibets christening. Archie and Lilibets names have been updated to Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex on the royal familys official website, and the Sussex family of four have adopted the use of the surname, following the royal tradition of using titles as last names often used by members of the royal family. Read the original article on InStyle Smoke from raging wildfires in Canada is worsening air quality in some U.S. states. While not on the same scale as the spring and summer of 2023, when over 800 Canadian wildfires burned more than 40 million acres and blanketed large swaths of the Midwest and East Coast with a gray haze, the current outbreak of approximately 150 blazes will have an extended impact across the border as the wind blows southeast. But will Greater Cincinnati be affected? Here's what we know. Wildfire smoke moving into the area makes for hazy skies Monday morning, June 2, 2025, as seen from Devou Park in Covington. Smoke from Canadian wildfires worsens air quality in Midwestern states According to USA TODAY, parts of the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and other states experienced levels of smoke particulates in the air deemed moderate to unhealthy on the morning of May 31. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ongoing smoke is due to blazes in Canada, including the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where authorities said a combination of rising temperatures, winds and low humidity has spread active fires to thousands of acres. At least 17,000 people have been forced to evacuate as of May 31, the national news site writes. Smoke has already been detected drifting through Montana, North Dakota and northern Minnesota, where air quality alerts have been issued. The smoke is expected to head southeast, where cloud cover would minimize its impact. Is there an air quality alert for Cincinnati? The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency has not issued an alert for Greater Cincinnati. Air Quality Index for Cincinnati Cincinnati's AQI measured 61 as of Monday, June 2, meaning the area has ozone and PM2.5, or fine particulate matter, levels in the yellow, or moderate, zone. What is an air quality alert? According to Columbia University, the EPA created the air quality index, or AQI, "to monitor and report on air quality each day and let people know about its possible health impacts." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 1,000 locations in the United States monitor and record the air in a color-coded index for four significant pollutants: ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. Here's a breakdown of what each level means. Green (0-50) is good. Yellow (51-100) is moderate. Orange (101-150) is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Red (151-200) is unhealthy. Purple (201-300) is very unhealthy. Maroon (300+) is hazardous. Where are the wildfires in Canada? See where the wildfires are still burning in Canada using the NASA-FIRMS wildfire map. Wildfire smoke map for Ohio This map tracks the latest wildfires, red flag warnings, and smoke from wildfires. You can look at just Ohio or zoom out to look at the country. Are you looking for air quality index (AQI) updates? We have a map for that, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wildfire smoke map: Track fires and red flag warnings across the US and Ohio When will wildfire smoke leave Greater Cincinnati? Wildfire smoke moving into the area makes for hazy skies Monday morning, June 2, 2025, as seen from Devou Park in Covington. The EPA interactive map for air quality shows the Cincinnati region in the yellow or moderate category on Monday, June 2. While this air quality is still regarded as "acceptable," some people may experience health impacts, especially those sensitive to air pollution. Smoke will also have a subtle impact on surface temperatures on June 2, with highs a couple of degrees below normal. However, temperatures will still climb into the mid-70s. High concentrations of smoke will persist across the area on Tuesday, June 3. There will likely be some obstruction from the smoke and "milky-white appearance in the sky" throughout the day, per the National Weather Service in Wilmington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although it may be difficult to predict precisely when the haze will lift because air pollution is weather-dependent, showers and thunderstorms are expected to return by mid-week, which may aid in clearing the air. Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY; Jorge L. Ortiz and Chad Murphy, The Akron Beacon Journal. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Is Ohio air affected by Canadian wildfires? Track latest smoke data Ukraines drone attack on warplanes at Russian air bases as deep into the country as Siberia has shocked U.S. military commentators for its sheer audacity. The Security Service of Ukraine claimed Sundays so-called Operation Spiders Web had caused considerable damage to Russia, destroying around one-third of its fleet of air missile carriers, some of which can not be produced again, with damages estimated at $7 billion. Aside from the strategic and financial gut punch to Russian President Vladimir Putin amid stagnant peace talks in Istanbul, the raid triggered headlines for how Ukraine managed to achieve so much with so little. One journalist suggested the fleet of drones deployed by Ukraine cost around $160,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In short, Ukrainian spies managed to sneak explosive-laden drones deep into Russian territory inside wooden sheds by truck, and then launched them by remote control. Daring isnt the word. For good reason, the attack was immediately compared to the legendary Trojan War, where Greeks hid inside a giant wooden horse before bursting out to defeat Trojan enemy forces. The surprise attack has also been likened to Japans unlikely assault on Pearl Harbor during World War II that brought the U.S. into the conflict, with one analyst arguing they both changed the rules of warfare. So what happened? The attack took more than a year and a half to execute and was personally supervised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose leadership has come under question amid his troubled relationship with President Donald Trump and their clash at the White House in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across various reports, Ukraine military officials have explained how around 120 artificial intelligence-powered first-person view (FPV) drones were effectively smuggled into Russia. The drones were placed in mobile wooden sheds, and hidden under the roofs of the structures. They were then placed on trucks and driven by unwitting Russians to the perimeter of four air bases. The roof panels of the sheds were lifted off by a remotely activated mechanism, which allowed a cloud of drones to fly out and begin their attack. The drones hit 41 planes stationed at military airfields on Sunday afternoon, including A-50, Tu-95 and Tu-22M aircraft. They represent some of Russias most important long-range strategic bombers. In a statement to the BBC, Ukraines secret service said an air base in the Irkutsk region of Siberia, more than 2,500 miles from Ukraine, had been hit. and facilities in the Murmansk, Ryazan and Ivanovo regions were also damaged. The Russian defense ministry claimed some of the attacks had been repelled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Irkutsk is beyond the range of the weapons Ukraine has at its disposal, so it required a cunning plan to get the drones close enough to their targets. The damage was recorded on social media, with footage shared by Russian media appearing to show the drones rising from inside the containers and smoke pouring from air bases. Zelenskyy expressed delight at the absolutely brilliant outcome. He said, A result achieved solely by Ukraine. One year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution. Our most long-range operation. Ukrainian drone strikes hit military airfields in Russia's Murmansk, Ryazan, Irkutsk, and Ivanovo regions. Anadolu via Getty Images Why the Pearl Harbor comparison? As details of the attack emerged, many on social media alluded to Japans surprise air raid on Pearl Harbor on Oahu Island, Hawaii, in December 1941, the attack that became the impetus for the United States entrance into World War II. Others rejected the analogy, arguing the damage was actually far less significant than Ukraine suggested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington Post columnist Max Boot on Sunday wrote that almost no one had imagined that the Japanese could sneak across an entire ocean to attack an impregnable fortress, as U.S. strategists had described Hawaii. Yet that is just what they did. In just over an hour, the Japanese aircraft launched from six aircraft carriers destroyed more than 180 aircraft and destroyed or damaged more than a dozen ships. Boot noted that Japan rewrote the rules of warfare in 1941, and that the Ukrainians rewrote the rules of warfare again on Sunday. The Russian high command must have been as shocked as the Americans were in 1941, he added. What has the U.S. military said? Neither Trump nor Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have publicly commented. But a senior U.S. defense official told The Associated Press that the attack represented a level of sophistication the U.S. had not seen before, and former American generals appeared equally impressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Retired U.S. Navy Adm. James Stavridis, who served as the former NATO supreme allied commander, explained to CNN that the range of the attack was akin to Los Angeles being targeted from Washington, D.C. He added, Im Greek American, so Ive got to give you this. Its kind of the Trojan horse. These wooden crates theyve got pushed into the country and suddenly sprouting forth from it are these warriors destroying all of these planes, none of them human beings. Its really quite a remarkable military feat. Writing on X in praise of the mission, retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, who served as commander of U.S. Army Europe, referred to Trump telling Zelenskyy he had no cards with which to negotiate at the awkward White House meeting. He said, For months, some believed that Ukraine didnt hold any cards. Many of us have refuted that claim, saying an inflection point ... would soon be felt on the battlefield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coordinated and synchronized attack today, which appears to have decimated much of the Russian air fleet that were based over 4,000 km from the front line, is showing that Ukraine certainly has many aces in the hole, he added. Plumes of smoke are seen rising over the Belaya air base in the Irkutsk region in eastern Siberia after a Ukrainian drone attack in the Irkutsk region, more than 2,500 miles from Ukraine. Associated Press Related... WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) For local railroad enthusiasts, the Wichita Valley National Railway Historical Society has planned a weekend full of railroading adventure. From Thursday, June 19, to Saturday, June 21, travelers will take round-trip rides on three trains, enjoy personalized train tours, visit exhibits, and experience classic Western charm. In addition, signing up for this trip allows one person a chance to win an Oklahoma Railway Museums At the Throttle experience to take control of a real diesel locomotive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The weekend includes a trip to the Oklahoma Railway Museum for a Historic Train Ride and tour of the Oklahoma Railway, a round-trip excursion on Amtraks Heartland Flyer from Oklahoma City to Fort Worth, and a ride across the Trinity River on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. Travelers will also visit the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. For a single passenger, the trip costs $462, but for a double, the price ranges from $609 to $769, depending on the chosen hotel. The cost includes hotel stay, train tickets, and tours. All meals, gratuities, shopping, ground transportation and personal expenses are the responsibility of the traveler. For trip registration or information, please contact Heather Sutherlin at (501) 306-5558 or by email at heathersutherlin@travelbuggirls.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. GLENDALE, Colo. (KDVR) A witness says they saw the driver of a suspected stolen vehicle speeding away from Aurora police Saturday night before crashing head-on into an uninvolved vehicle in Glendale Saturday evening. Pictures show the result of the crash that happened near the intersection of South Leetsdale Drive and South Cherry Street. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver refused to pull over, leading officers on a chase through Aurora before stopping in Glendale where tire marks and car parts are still left on scene. Edith Perez said she saw the chase moments before the impact. I saw videos on YouTube with those chases but living it is super scary, she said. It was super-fast; it was way too fast. Ive never seen no one driving that fast in this area. Perez said she is still shaken nearly 24 hours after the chase came to an end. I went to make groceries at King Soopers across the street, said Perez. As I was leaving, I saw a lot of police. Then after that, I just saw a white truck that was running from police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State troopers say the driver in the suspected stolen vehicle, a 2000 Dodge Ram, initially got into a minor crash in Denver while police were pursuing it, before continuing northbound. Police say that because of the minor crash in Denver, the hood was blocking the view of the driver, who ended up going into oncoming traffic before hitting a Nissan Leaf head-on. A crash ended up injuring five people in Glendale. (KDVR) A crash ended up injuring five people in Glendale. (KDVR) A crash ended up injuring five people in Glendale. (KDVR) A crash ended up injuring five people in Glendale. (KDVR) He was sticking out from the passenger side, and he was looking around to see if he was going to make it or not, said Perez. Colorado State Patrol Trooper Sherri Mendez said all four passengers in the Nissan Leaf vehicle were transported to the hospital, one had suspected serious bodily injuries. The driver was also taken to the hospital while in custody with non-life-threatening injuries, Mendez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 26-year-old driver, Michael Freyta, was arrested after he was released from the hospital. Free on Your TV New FOX31+ App for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Police say he has a long criminal rap sheet, including arrests for motor vehicle theft, ID fraud, and numerous contacts for failing to maintain his status on the sex offender registry for an Adams District court conviction involving a minor. Freyta has been charged with a slew of charges in this case, including two counts of vehicular assault, motor vehicle theft, felony eluding, and misdemeanor driving under the influence. It was so crazy, said Perez. I dont know, it was so scary. Then, imagining having people crossing by the streets or waiting for the bus, anything would be super tragic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CSP is continuing the investigation into the crash, which comes only a few months into APDs new pursuit policy. So far, there have been nearly 50 chases since the policy went into effect back on March 5, yielding more than 40 arrests. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 64-year-old woman, a legal permanent resident of the United States for the last 50 years, was held in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for three months, according to multiple media reports. A lab technician at the University of Washington, Lewelyn Dixon, was arrested at Seattle-Tacoma Airport and taken to the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, according to reporting by Oregon Public Broadcasting. A Filipino green-card holder, Dixon has been in the U.S. since she was 14 and was detained after returning from a trip to the Philippines in late February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was horrific; it was awful, it is crowded, she told loved ones, friends and supporters who greeted her outside the detention facility after a judge ruled she was not eligible for deportation, NBC News reported. Since Trump has taken office, several green-card holders, including a Danish national father of four with no criminal record who has legally been in the country for more than 10 years, have been swept up in the administrations immigration crackdown. Kasper Eriksen, 31, a Danish national, and his family seen in this undated photo. (Mandi Sanders via GoFundMe) In Dixons case, what caught the attention of U.S. Customs and Border Protection was likely a 25-year-old embezzlement conviction, attorney Benjamin Osorio told the outlet. In 2000, the 64-year-old pleaded guilty to stealing $6,460 from Washington Mutual Bank, where she worked as a vault teller and operations supervisor. She was ordered to spend 30 days in a halfway house and pay restitution, both of which she has completed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre trying to kill me: Transgender woman in L.A. violently assaulted Lani Madriaga, Dixons niece, told NBC News the entire ordeal has been traumatizing and emotional, especially since the 64-year-old never told her family about the conviction. We dont think of her any differently after we found out about her conviction, she told the outlet. She turned it all around and she really worked hard and really focused on health care, where its really about helping the community. Long eligible for citizenship, the 64-year-old never pursued it because she promised her father shed maintain her Filipino nationality so that she could keep property in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to her niece, Dixons first priorities now that shes out of the detention facility are to get her citizenship and return to work. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Photo by Mathias Reding via Unsplash Everything is not so gucci in the world of luxury goods. Brands that cater to the uber-wealthy, including LVMHs Christian Dior, Kerings Gucci, and Chanel, saw a dip in sales for the first quarter of 2025, continuing a slowdown that started last year. While CEOs of luxury goods retailers are chalking up the challenging environment to macroeconomic turbulence, market analysis suggests the industrys excesses of the past few years could be contributing to weakness. READ ALSO: Washington Trade Talks With Beijing Drive S&P 500 Toward Record High and Apple Still Wont Ride the AI Hype Train Greedflation? While luxury goods companies have largely been immune to the state of economies, the decline that started last year could accelerate into 2025, Morgan Stanley analysts Eduoard Aubin and Arunima Sinha said last week during a state-of-the-market discussion at the firms luxury conference in Paris. Chinese nationals and Americans, the two cohorts expected to drive more than 50% of total spending in the next three to five years, are traveling less. Fewer Americans are heading to Europe, and fewer Chinese people are flying to Japan, which could translate to weaker sales in the second quarter than in the first, according to the analysts. Waning business optimism about China and weakness in US consumer spending also do not bode well for the industry. Chanel, which usually raises prices a couple of times a year, is in wait-and-see mode on potential hikes, global CFO Philippe Blondiaux said in a recent interview with Vogue Business. Some luxury retailers are chugging along, with Hermes and Cartier parent Richemont reporting sales growth in the first quarter of 2025 from the year prior. The price of the smallest Birkin bag rose to $12,700 in May, per Sothebys. Luxury brand companies best years coincided with the largest increases in US households net worth. Profits nearly tripled between 2019 and 2024, with the four biggest luxury companies LVMH, Hermes, Richemont, and Kering taking the lions share, per a McKinsey report published in January. Price hikes, some of which were as high as 100% on certain goods, accounted for approximately 80% of industry growth during that period, the report stated. Demand for leather handbags, branded jewelry, and watches reached a fever pitch as US households net worth rose by $51 trillion between 2020 and 2024. Much of that went to the top 20%, or households earning more than $160,000, which were supported by a rise in financial wealth (Read: stock markets going up): Erin Patterson, the Australian woman accused of killing three people and attempting to kill a fourth with a meal laced with death cap mushrooms, has taken the stand in her own defense at a trial that has captured worldwide attention. On Monday, the start of the sixth week of the trial, Patterson told the court about her relationship with her estranged husband Simon, whose parents, Don and Gail Patterson, were among the guests who died after attending lunch at her house in July 2023. Gails sister, Heather Wilkinson, also died after eating Beef Wellington at lunch, but her husband, Ian Wilkinson, a pastor at their local church, survived after spending several weeks in hospital with acute poisoning from Amanita phalloides, the worlds most toxic mushrooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors allege that Patterson, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, deliberately laced the beef dish with lethal mushrooms, after seeing their location posted on a public website. Her defense lawyers argue the deaths were a terrible accident, and while they acknowledge Patterson, 50, repeatedly lied to police, they say she didnt intend to kill her guests. The mother of two told the court that her relationship with her husband was merely functional in July 2023, and that she had started becoming concerned that he wasnt involving her in family gatherings anymore. Her self-esteem was low, and she was so unhappy with her weight that she was considering gastric bypass surgery, she told the court. Id been fighting a never-ending battle of low self-esteem most of my adult life, and the further inroads I made into being middle aged, the less I felt good about myself, she said. Erin Patterson's estranged husband Simon Patterson leaves Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court in Morwell on May 2, 2025. - Martin Keep/AFP/Getty Images How Erin Patterson met her husband Pattersons defense attorney Colin Mandy SC asked her about the start of her relationship with Simon Patterson, the father of their two children. Patterson told the court she met Simon in 2004 at work at Monash City Council, in the Australian state of Victoria. They were friends at first, before a romance developed several months later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They married in 2007, at a service attended by Don and Gail Patterson and Ian and Heather Wilkinson. Erins parents were on holiday when she got married, so Ian Wilkinsons son David walked her down the aisle, she told the court. Patterson said she was very atheist when she met Simon. I was trying to convert him to being an atheist, but things happened in reverse, and I became Christian, she told the court. She said she had a spiritual experience during her first church service in 2005 at Korumburra Baptist Church, where Pastor Ian Wilkinson delivered the sermon. I had what I would call a religious experience there, and it quite overwhelmed me, she said Korumburra pastor Ian Wilkinson and wife Heather Wilkinson attended the lunch. - The Salvation Army Australia Museum/Facebook A traumatic birth Patterson recalled the traumatic delivery of her first child, who was born by emergency cesarian, after an attempt with forceps failed. Her son spent some time in the intensive care unit, and Patterson said she discharged herself against medical advice so she could go home to be with her newborn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patterson spoke about the support Simons mother Gail gave her as she cared for her son. She gave me good advice relax and enjoy your baby, she said. When they were living in Perth, Western Australia, the couple briefly separated for the first time. In 2009, Patterson rented a cottage for herself and their baby, she told the court, while her husband rented a trailer close by. They reunited in January 2010. A second baby came later. During the course of their relationship, Patterson told the court there were periods of separation. What we struggled with over the entire course or our relationship we just couldnt communicate well when we disagreed about something, she said. We could never communicate in a way that made each of us feel heard or understood, so we would just feel hurt and not know how to resolve it. Patterson will resume giving evidence on Tuesday. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A Nevada woman was arrested after her dog was trapped outside in a crate and died due to the extreme heat, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. At approximately 2:02 p.m. on Saturday, police received a call for assistance from the Clark County Animal Protection Services in reference to "a dog who was deceased at a residence" in Las Vegas, police said in a statement on Sunday. MORE: 6 gray whales have died in San Francisco in the past week as authorities scramble for answers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once on the scene, animal cruelty detectives took over the investigation, determining that the dog had been locked in a crate and had been left outside in the extreme heat for hours by the owner, police said. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in Las Vegas reached a high of 105 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday, with officials urging owners to keep their pets inside and out of the excessive heat. MORE: Alaska sled dog race raises allegations of animal abuse The owner, who was identified as 30-year-old Olivia Underwood, was arrested for willful or malicious torture, maiming or killing of a dog and was booked into the Clark County Detention Center, police said. It is unclear whether Underwood remains in custody. BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) A woman who police arrested on the charge of OVI thanked them upon her release, claiming that the officers saved her life. Read next: Prosecutors oppose request for relief by man serving sentence for shootout A bit before 4 a.m. Sunday, an officer on patrol noticed a car driving the wrong way on Boardman Poland Road near California Avenue. The officer activated his lights to initiate a traffic stop, and the car slowly pulled over, hitting the curb in the process, reports state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When police spoke to the driver, a 66-year-old woman, she claimed she didnt know what happened and said she was going to meet a friend at a restaurant that was closed at the time of the stop. Police asked the woman if she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and she claimed she was not, but officers noticed signs of impairment and asked her to take a field sobriety test, to which she agreed, according to reports. The police report from the incident describes officers leading the woman through numerous field sobriety tests, all of which she was unable to successfully complete. Police conducted a search of her car and reported finding a glass pipe and a pill bottle that contained pills of varying colors and sizes. Based on the evidence and the womans failure to pass sobriety tests, she was placed under arrest for OVI and possession of drug paraphernalia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After her processing, police contacted a sober person to pick the woman up, but before she left, reports state she thanked officers for saving her life. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) The woman at the center of the signature scandal that derailed Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos congressional campaign in 2023 was spared prison time after changing her plea to no contest at Providence Superior Court on Monday. Holly McClaren had initially pleaded not guilty last year to two felony counts of violating nomination papers and two misdemeanor counts of giving false documents to an agent, employee or public official last year after she was indicted by a grand jury. On Monday, McClaren changed her plea to nolo contendere, or no contest, meaning she accepts the conviction as though a guilty plea has been entered but does not admit guilt. She was sentenced to three years unsupervised probation without any prison time, and shes allowed to relocate to Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McClarens attorney, John Grasso, said McClaren insists she did not collect any of the signatures herself. She thought that by signing those papers she was just confirming that somebody else had secured those signatures, not realizing that she was attesting to the authenticity of those signatures, Grasso told reporters outside of court. Grasso said McClaren had also been through a lot with both her fathers health and her own health. I think the stress of this has certainly contributed, Grasso added. McClaren declined to comment following the hearing. The Matos campaign hired McClaren and her firm in 2023 to collect signatures on behalf of the campaign to get Matos name on the ballot. It was then revealed several signatures were flagged as potentially fraudulent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Target 12 tracked down several people in Newport, Barrington, East Providence and Cranston who said their names were forged on the paperwork. The scandal launched a criminal investigation and McClaren was subsequently accused of knowingly falsifying nomination papers and submitting them to local canvassing boards. Target 12: Thats not my signature: Newport residents dispute more Matos nomination papers The scandal caused political damage to Matos, who was widely considered a frontrunner in the race. She ended up finishing fourth in the Democratic primary election, losing to Gabe Amo, who went on to win the general election and holds the seat today. (Story continues below.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matos has never been accused of involvement in the scheme. Last month, Matos told 12 News there were moments during the scandal when she thought she would step down from everything, calling it a rough time. This whole process was very traumatic and there were moments in which I thought maybe I was going to quit everything and quit the race for congress then have to quit lieutenant governor. Matos lauded the court ruling on Monday. I have supported this investigation at every step in the hopes that the truth would come to light, Matos said. With this case settled, the facts are clear: Holly McClaren committed a serious crime that undermined the sanctity of our states free and fair elections. Im grateful to the law enforcement officers who handled this investigation thoroughly and professionally and whose work ultimately led to todays results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook. Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook. Tim White contributed to this report 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. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A judge has handed down a suspended sentence to the woman charged in connection with a deadly shooting. A judge said what happened inside 34-year-old Savannah Randles Sioux Falls home was any parents worst nightmare. Lincoln County still best prison site, consultant says Police were called to the residence in August 2024. Officers found a teenager with a gunshot wound to their head. Court documents say the 13-year-old suspect was supposedly dry-firing a gun at the victim. The gun went off, and a bullet killed the victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of a plea deal, Randle pleaded guilty to contributing to the delinquency of a minor and misprision of a felony. Both are misdemeanor charges. In exchange, several felony charges were dropped. In court Monday morning, the prosecution called the incident a tragedy that affected numerous children. The defense argued the case was overcharged from the beginning. It told the judge that Randle did call 911 and tried to save the victims life. The defense also asked the judge to consider 172 days of credit that Randle had already served. The judge agreed and granted Randle a suspended sentence. This means she wont have to serve time behind bars if she stays out of trouble and obeys certain conditions set by the judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Randle was sentenced at the Minnehaha County Courthouse. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LARGO, Fla. (WFLA) A woman is facing charges for attempted first-degree murder after Pinellas County deputies said she shot her father in the back during a child custody exchange. The victim and his estranged wife arrived at the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office administration building around 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 1 for the custody exchange, deputies said. Secret recording leads to child trafficking victims rescue after sister calls 911: HCSO Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim showed up with his sister and his estranged wife was accompanied by their four children, along with one of her friends. Detectives said they noticed that three of the four children appeared to be hesitant to leave their mothers car. It was around that time that the suspect, 28-year-old Gabriella Nascimento, arrived separately and got out of her vehicle. Nascimento, who is the victims biological daughter, then came up behind him with a semi-automatic firearm, according to officials. Authorities said Nascimento shot her father in the back and then chased after him as he ran toward the front lobby of the administration building. She fired a second shot at him but missed, the sheriffs office said. The victim made it inside the buildings front lobby and asked for help. Nascimento remained outside, where she put the firearm on the ground and stood by the sidewalk until deputies came and placed her under arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her father was taken to a hospital in critical but stable condition, according to authorities. Nascimento was taken to the Pinellas County Jail. The investigation remained ongoing Sunday, and no further information was immediately 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 WFLA. In a search for a missing 15-year-old, police in Massachusetts said theyve arrested a woman involving in a sex trafficking scheme involving minors, sometimes charging $1,500. Shakera Pina, of Boston, is in state custody at Suffolk County House of Corrections on charges in connection with sex trafficking of a child. Pina is expected to appear in court on June 4. On April 7, a police officer within the FBIs Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force saw a commercial sex advertisement on a commonly used website which had a photograph attached to it that strongly resembled a 15-year-old girl who had previously been reported as missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two days later, an undercover officer negotiated a time, place and location at which they would engage in commercial sex in attempts to rescue the 15-year-old, court documents state. Rates ranged from $300-$1,500 depending on the act and number of girls, court documents state. Around 10 p.m., a girl came to the undercover officers hotel room. But it wasnt the missing 15-year-old girl. Pina stayed in the parking lot, court documents state. The second girl told officers Pina had driven her to previous situations with older men, including a lap dance with a man who paid $300. She then had to give Pina, who she described as very demanding and disrespectful, the $300, court documents state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She let officers look at her cell phone, which included messages between her and Pina. She also said Pina told her that Pina had been pimping girls out since she was 17 years old. Officers approached Pinas car in the parking lot with lights and attempted to block the car. Pina immediately put her car in drive and attempted to flee, court documents state. Officers went up to the car on foot, identified themselves as law enforcement officers, and demanded she open the door. But Pina refused, instead locking the door. Officers said they saw Pina through the window on her cell phone in a manner consistent with an attempt to delete data. Officers broke her window to confiscate her phone and prevent her from destroying evidence, court documents state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As she was being placed on the ground, she threw the two cell phones that were in her possession, court documents read. Pina was probation for stabbing a female multiple times in the abdomen and right thigh in December 2022. But the 15-year-old girl was still missing. On May 6, law enforcement set up a fictitious date in an attempt to recover her. Once with police, the 15-year-old lied to them saying she was 18. However, she later began telling them the truth. The 15-year-old said Pina told her theyd split the money 50/50. In one day, the 15-year-old said she did more than 10 dates for Pina from afternoon to early morning, court documents state. She immediately gave Pina half of the money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charge of sex trafficking a minor carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison. Prosecutors urged anyone who may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking or child exploitation to contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov. More News Read the original article on MassLive. The Worcester father of a 4-month-old child was deported to Fortaleza, Brazil, after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials signed a deportation authorization document in his name without his permission, according to his attorney. Samarone Alves Ferreira-De Souza, the partner of 21-year-old Augusta Clara Moura and father of her baby, was deported to Brazil from his detention center in Louisiana on May 25, said Andrew George Lattarulo, an immigration lawyer from the Chelsea-based firm, Georges Cote Law. Ferreira-De Souza was arrested by ICE on May 7 after he honked at an undercover car with ICE agents in Worcester while he was driving to work, Lattarulo previously told MassLive. Clara Moura witnessed her mother, 40-year-old Rosane Ferreira-De Oliveira of Brazil, be arrested and detained by ICE agents one day later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the wake of his deportation, Ferreira-De Souzas partner, Clara Moura, has been feeling very sad, Lattarulo told MassLive. She and her 4-month-old son will leave for Brazil on June 6 to be with Ferreira-De Souza, the lawyer said. On May 25, Lattarulo received a phone call from his client in Brazil. During the call, Ferreira-De Souza said that ICE officials asked him if he would sign a form authorizing his deportation from the United States, according to Lattarulo. They violated his rights The lawyer isnt sure what form ICE agents signed and said he was not provided a copy when he asked the agency. Even though his client refused, Lattarulo stated that ICE informed Ferreira-De Souza that they had signed the document on his behalf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When my client questioned it, they said, we already signed for you. Youre going back. Lattarulo said. They didnt even let him talk to us the last few days he was incarcerated. The attorney went on to say that Ferreira-De Souza was not provided due process before his deportation. ICE is trying to deport people now without immigration hearings, Lattarulo said. They violated his (Ferreira-De Souzas) rights and theyre doing it to everyone they can. ICE and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday. Lattarulo told MassLive that his client is doing fine but has decided not to fight his deportation in court as he was tired of being in the United States. A family torn apart in a chaotic arrest The May 7 and May 8 ICE arrests sundered Clara Mouras family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, with her leaving the country and her mothers continued detainment, her two sisters are in the custody of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, according to Lattarulo. The day after Ferreira-De Souza was arrested, Clara Moura through her lawyer said ICE came to her home, telling her to return her partners car and sign immigration paperwork. She said she left her house with her baby and her 17-year-old sister, intending to comply with the order. Thats when ICE stopped my car and told me I was under arrest, Clara Moura said. Since I was with my baby, I called my mother to come take my son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clara Moura also claims that ICE agents also attempted to take her baby from her but they backed down due to protests from neighbors. When her mother arrived, ICE agents attempted and succeeded in arresting her. Screams and chants of dont take the mother erupted on Eureka Street as a crowd of more than 30 people confronted the agents. Clara Moura, along with her 17-year-old sister, both saw their mother being taken away and put into an SUV. Worcester Police Officers arrived at the scene after 11 a.m. after 911 calls were made from ICE agents requesting police assistance and calls from people at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Body camera footage worn by Officer Juan Vallejo that was released by the Worcester Police Department on May 16 showed Ferreira-De Oliveiras teenage daughter run up to the side of the SUVs front passenger door. Police later claimed she tried to kick the door, but it is difficult to confirm this due to the shaky footage and the large police presence. Vallejo and other officers surrounded the girl and moved her to the ground on the street. During the arrest, an officer yells, Youre under arrest for disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace. The daughter was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following her arrest, she was released from custody to be with family friends along with Clara Moura, the baby and another daughter of Ferreira-De Oliveira, who is a minor. On May 16, Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier announced the department requested a court to dismiss the case against the daughter. Saucier said in a statement that it is important to emphasize that assaulting or interfering with law enforcement officers as they carry out their duties is never acceptable. With Clara Moura and her son moving back to Brazil, Lattarulo said that the two other sisters may in the country. He believes that Ferreira-De Oliveira has been in contact with her family, but he does not have any further information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mother of three is currently being held at the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls, Rhode Island. A lawyer for Ferreira-De Oliveira did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. Active ICE presence in Massachusetts ICE has ratcheted up operations in the past four months following the inauguration of President Donald Trump, and has been very active in Massachusetts. While the Trump administration has maintained that its enforcement efforts are confined to targeting illegal immigrant killers, rapists and drug dealers several of the arrests have been for much more minor crimes right down to an argument over a cell phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several ICE arrests were reported throughout Massachusetts in May. On May 27, about 40 people on Nantucket and Marthas Vineyard were arrested by ICE during an operation, with the U.S. Coast Guard taking them off the island. ICE agents were seen making traffic stops in unmarked vehicles Tuesday, May 27, MassLives media partner, the Vineyard Gazette, reported. On May 31, an 18-year-old student from Milford High School was arrested and detained by ICE agents while he was headed to volleyball practice. The student was identified as Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, according to WBUR. A habeas corpus petition filed by the students attorney reads that Gomes Da Silva arrived in the United States in 2012 through a student visa, according to WBUR. The visa has since lapsed and Gomes Da Silva intends apply for asylum, WBUR reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to the filing, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Sterns released an order on Sunday afternoon stating that Gomes Da Silva must not be moved out of Massachusetts for at least 72 hours, according to WBUR. On June 1, protesters gathered in Milford, decrying against the arrest and demanding Gomes Da Silvas return. In a statement, Gov. Maura Healey said she was disturbed and outraged by the reports of the 18-year-olds arrest. Yet again, local officials and law enforcement have been left in the dark with no heads up and no answers to their questions, Healey said. Im demanding that ICE provide immediate information about why he was arrested, where he is and how his due process is being protected. More Worcester Stories Read the original article on MassLive. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11) A 70-year-old worker was attacked during a robbery in a Staten Island jewelry store on Friday afternoon, police said. The robbers allegedly hit the woman in the head before stealing around $5,000 in jewelry from the display case in the store at 302 New Dorp Lane at around 4 p.m., according to the NYPD. More Local News The woman told PIX11 News she was filling in while the owner was away on vacation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They didnt say anything when he came in, they carried the stick. He hit me with the stick, the worker said. The suspects were dressed in all black when they walked into the store with a large bag, according to police and surveillance video. Neighborhood residents were shocked by the brazen daytime robbery. What happened to my country, in broad day light they dont give a crap, they dont care, a 94-year-old resident told PIX11 News. The worker was taken to the hospital for treatment. There have been no arrests. 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). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. One of America's largest automotive service companies is closing 145 stores across the nation after sales recently dropped by $5.2 million, the company's top leader announced. Monro Inc., will shutter the stores after reporting a 4.9% decrease in sales in the 2025 fiscal year ending March 29, the company's president and CEO Peter Fitzsimmons announced during its latest earnings report. The move comes as company leaders identified key areas to boost sales and earnings, including closing the doors to more than 100 "underperforming stores," said Fitzsimmons, named CEO on March 31. Fitzsimmons, partner and managing director of AlixPartners, a global consulting firm, replaced the company's former president Michael Broderick. Other goals include "improving our customer experience and selling effectiveness, driving profitable customer acquisition and activation, and increasing merchandising productivity, including mitigating tariff risk," Fitzsimmons said, according to a May 28 news release. "While our improvement plan will take time to implement, I believe that we will drive enhanced profitability and increase operating income and total shareholder returns in fiscal 2026. Monro Inc., announced in June 2023, that it planned to sell its headquarters in Holleder Parkway in Rochester, New York. The Fairport, New York-based company reported sales decreased 6.4% to $1.195 billion from $1.277 billion during the previous 2024 fiscal year, according to the release. Net loss for fiscal 2025 was $5.2 million compared to net income of $37.6 million in the prior year period, the release continues. Should you buy that car? It makes sense to own one in these cities. How many Monro stores are there in the US? Monro is closing 145 stores across the U.S. It was not immediately known which locations will close. A Monro spokesperson told USA TODAY the company was not releasing the full list of the stores slated for closure "at this time." Monro has more than 1,300 locations: more than 1,200 are owned by the company and 48 are franchised, according to information from Monro's website and the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Stores include its flagship brand, Monro Auto Service and Tire Centers as well as Mr. Tire Auto Service Centers. Other brands are: From Monroe to Monro The move also comes after the auto company announced in June 2023 it planned to sell its headquarters in Rochester, New York. The Lee Company, owned by Gov. Bill Lee's family. received Tennessee's biggest business tax rebate. Lee's office has consistently said his company interest is in a blind trust. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Some of the worlds largest companies and the governors family business received Tennessees biggest new business tax rebate, according to a listing released by the Department of Revenue. Lee Company, a mechanical engineering and HVAC, plumbing and electrical services company owned by Gov. Bill Lees family, joined Amazon, FedEx, Nissan, Hankook Tire, 84 Lumber, AT&T and utilities such as Atmos Energy and Alabama Power in netting franchise and excise tax rebates of more than $10,000 each created by a 2024 state law. Memphis-based FedEx, with 13 subsidiaries, landed the maximum rebate for each one, and Japanese-owned Nissan filed for six subsidiaries that each received the rebate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A governors spokesperson did not respond to questions Monday, but his office consistently says he put his interest in Lee Company into a blind trust during his governorship, though he could benefit when he leaves the post late in 2026. Other notable companies among the 16,000 receiving the states maximum break in its business property tax include Bridgestone, Ingram Industries, Aegis Sciences, Ajax Turner, Ascension Care, BNSF Railway Co., Carhartt Inc., Ford Motor Co, Volkswagen, Coca-Cola Bottling, Denso Manufacturing, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Gannett Co., Frito-Lay Inc., Pilot and Pilot Travel Centers and Brown-Forman, the owner of Jack Daniels. Popular Nashville spots such as Frothy Monkey, Jeff Rubys, Von Elrods and Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar took the rebate as well. In all, about 60,000 companies received three-year refunds ranging from less than $750 to between $750 and $10,000. FedEx, based in Memphis, scored the maximum $10,000 rebate for each of its 13 subsidiaries. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) The estimated $1.5 billion in refunds and tax cuts, a large number of them made to out-of-state companies, appears to be having an immediate impact on the state budget. Tennessees business tax collections on property and earnings are $335 million short of projections through the first four months of the year 11% off the mark according to the Department of Finance and Administration. The tax cut amounts to more than $400 million annually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tennessee lawmakers approved the refunds and franchise tax break in 2024 when Department of Revenue officials said the state faced legal threats over its business taxes. Despite the shortfall, Republican Lt. Gov. Randy McNally said in a Monday statement: I believe now, as I did at the time, that the rebates were the most responsible course due to the strong probability that the state would be in a worse fiscal position after impending litigation. Based on the advice of the attorney general, we were simply not willing to take that kind of risk with Tennessees financial future on the line and I stand by that decision. Other lawmakers such as House Majority Leader William Lamberth, a Portland Republican, said last year they supported Gov. Bill Lees legislation because it was good policy, not because of legal threats. Some 80 companies reportedly sent letters to the state requesting rebates. Conservative budgeting and fiscal responsibility over the past decade have placed our state in a strong financial position, Lamberth said in a statement Monday. The significant tax cut we approved last year reinvested dollars right back into the businesses, communities and workers that fuel the Volunteer States economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states lists, which will be on the Department of Revenue website for only 30 days, dont detail the exact amount of rebates, but the largest amount could run from $10,000 to $75,000. State Sen. Heidi Campbell, a Nashville Democrat, blasted the move as a corporate tax refund scheme and encouraged people to check the list to see which companies are benefiting. Campbell said lawmakers approved the measure without a lawsuit or court ruling, Just a letter from corporate attorneys and a political class eager to please. Campbell added the state is dealing with its biggest budget deficit of the year as a result. The legislature refused to take action this year on grocery sales tax reductions, one sponsored by Democrats accompanied by an effort to go after offshore accounts used to hide income and one backed by Republicans that offered no way to offset the revenue loss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the real cost of trickle-down economics: corporate handouts while working families get left behind. Its fiscally irresponsible and morally indefensible, Campbell said. The advocacy group Tennessee For All, which supports elimination of the grocery tax, criticized the states refunds, saying companies are exploiting the program. Instead of closing loopholes so families can get a break on groceries, the majority of legislators chose more corporate giveaways, said Angela Wynn, a Rutherford County parent and member of Public School Strong, a partner in the Tennessee For All coalition. The group pointed toward reports by two Democratic lawmakers using state information from 2022 and 2025 that show more than 60% of corporations operating in Tennessee pay nothing in excise taxes on income. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) The Monongalia Emergency Medical Services (Mon EMS) is recognizing a West Virginia University nursing student who gave another student CPR earlier this year and helped save his life. Mason Solliday, a then sophomore in the WVU nursing program, sprung into action on Feb. 27 when his friend Grant suffered a cardiac emergency outside the Mountainlair in Morgantown. According to the Mon EMS, Solliday immediately began CPR and was integral in the code of this patient, according to paramedics. Mason Solliday (left) stands with his friend Grant (right) following a football game with YoungLife, a campus ministry organization. (Photo from WVU) I knelt by his side and yelled his name, rubbed his sternum and checked for a pulse. He was completely unresponsive and lacked a pulse, so I started doing chest compressions, Solliday said in a press release from the WVU School of Nursing. I performed chest compressions until the first ambulance arrived and one of the first responders took over for me. At this point, I texted everyone I knew to be praying for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WVU student discovers psychedelic fungus that could be used to treat addiction, depression Solliday had most recently taken a CPR class as part of his nursing training in the fall. He said that the training helped him keep calm in the situation, but he ultimately credited God for putting him in the right place at the right time. Most of all I would like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for providing me with peace and a clear head in the moment and for timing everything the way He did. I firmly believe that my friend is still alive and is recovering as rapidly as he is because of the Lords mercy and the prayer that surrounded him from people across the campus, state, and country, Solliday said in a previous interview. According to the Mon EMS, Grant is now thriving and just finished his freshman year at WVU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Solliday and the EMS personnel who responded will be recognized during a ceremony on June 11. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) An environmental microbiology major at West Virginia University has made a discovery that researchers have been searching for for years. Corinne Hazel, a junior from Delaware, Ohio, recently discovered a new species of fungus and named it Periglandula clandestina, because it has eluded investigators for decades, according to a press release from WVU. The fungus has similar effects as the semisynthetic drug LSD and was discovered growing in morning glory plants. We had a ton of plants lying around and they had these tiny little seed coats. We noticed a little bit of fuzz in the seed coat. That was our fungus, Hazel said in the release. WVU junior Corinne Hazel and faculty member Daniel Panaccione discovered a new species of fungus that may treat a variety of medical conditions. (WVU Photo/Brian Persinger) The fungus grows on morning glories and makes ergot alkaloids, which gives them their psychedelic activities, according to the release. WVU said that the creator of LSD has been looking for the fungus since he invented the drug in the 1930s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newly discovered prehistoric sea creature identified by Marshall University researchers According to WVU, LSD is already used to treat conditions like depression, PTSD and addiction, and Periglandula clandestina opens doors for the future of pharmaceuticals for treating other conditions like migraines, dementia, and Parkinsons disease. Hazel is now studying ways to culture the fungus and looking for other fungal symbiotes in different morning glory species. Daniel Panaccione, Davis-Michael Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences at the WVU Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources who works in the lab with Hazel said that the discovery was a significant thing and amazing for a student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hazel and Panacciones discover has been published in Mycologia. Im lucky to have stumbled into this opportunity, Hazel said. People have been looking for this fungus for years, and one day, I look in the right place, and there it is. Im very proud of the work that Ive done at WVU. You can read more about Hazels discover from WVU here or read the published 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 WBOY.com. SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) South Dakotan Xcel Energy customers will receive a $5 monthly credit to their bill starting in June, according to a news release from Xcel. Xcel Energy is moving forward with plans to deliver $25 million back to North Dakota and South Dakota customers on their bills through federal tax credits on the energy generated by the companys nuclear fleet. Former state worker accused of forging marijuana card Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Xcel Energys two nuclear power plants, Monticello and Prairie Island, together account for nearly 25% of the electricity used by customers across the companys five-state Upper Midwest system, a news release said. This is the first time customers will see savings from the federal tax credit on nuclear energy generation, which the company advocated for in recent law. Starting this month, the average residential customer in South Dakota will receive $5.08 a month in savings, totaling $50.80 through February 2026. Xcel Energy services most of the Sioux Falls area, along with other areas of southeastern South Dakota. Our nuclear power plants have produced safe, reliable, always-available electricity for our customers across the Upper Midwest for more than 50 years. Now, tax credits on the energy they generate will produce savings for our customers, Ryan Long, president of Xcel EnergyMinnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nuclear energy is an important piece of American energy security. It helps us support economic growth in the Upper Midwest, deliver reliable and resilient electricity, and keep customers bills as low as possible, Long said in a release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW YORK Brad Lander rides Coney Islands famed Cyclone roller coaster while calmly taking notes on a legal pad in the second television ad of his mayoral campaign, pitching himself as a steady choice and hoping to improve his third-place standing three weeks before the election. The campaign is dropping $2 million on the 30-second ad, which will air on broadcast and cable channels and streaming services from Tuesday through the June 24 primary, Lander campaign spokesperson Dora Pekec said. It opens by taking a shot at the front-runner in the Democratic primary, Andrew Cuomo, as well as the sitting mayor. New York City feels like a lot lately. Its been a wild ride, a narrator says over footage of people riding the iconic wooden coaster. But it wont change if we just swap Eric Adams for corrupt Andrew Cuomo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ad touts Landers record as New York City comptroller, saying hes fought corruption, built affordable housing and taken on President Donald Trump and Elon Musk for clawing back $80 million in migrant funding from the city. The ad also shows Landers goofy side, as the dad-joke-loving Democrat bounces back and forth in the coaster while calmly munching on a hot dog. Landers new ride may draw derision from rivals. His first ad showed him riding in a construction truck, leading Cuomos team to call him Junkyard Brad and compare him to childrens character Bob the Builder. Coney Island is a popular location for candidates this year comptroller hopeful Justin Brannan, who represents the neighborhood in the City Council, also recorded an ad with the Cyclone. And in 2021, mayoral candidate Andrew Yang made a splash with his own Cyclone ad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With three weeks until the primary, Lander is seeking to climb in the polls and find the momentum he needs to turn around his chances. The Working Families Party gave Zohran Mamdani its number-one ranked endorsement on Friday, despite its long and close relationship with Lander. Its leaders instead encouraged supporters to pick Lander second. Mamdani, a democratic socialist lawmaker, consistently outperforms Lander in polls. Landers new advertisement doesnt mention Mamdani, but the message emphasizing his experience and steadiness appear designed to present a contrast with the 33-year old legislator, whose limited experience has become a vulnerability on the campaign trail. The $2 million ad spend will eat up most of the $2.8 million balance Landers campaign reported late last month. His team has already reported spending $4.7 million more than any of his opponents in the race. As a result, hes entering the final month with significantly less to spend than Cuomo and Mamdani. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) New Yorks Retail Worker Safety Act, a law aimed at preventing workplace violence, is now in effect. The law requires retail employers in New York to provide workplace violence prevention training, provide employees with silent alarm buttons to contact security, and establish a written workplace violence prevention policy. Originally, the law would have given retail workers panic buttons that would call 911. Governor Hochul then signed an amendment to the law, saying the buttons now request immediate assistance from security or management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other changes to the law include templates of the policy to be provided in twelve of the most common non-English languages spoken in New York instead of how many of people in the states population who speak each language. Employers with fewer than 50 employees must provide training upon hire and once every two years. The full amendment and law can be read by clicking 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 RochesterFirst. New Yorks retail crime compliance countdown has closed as the Retail Worker Safety Act (NYRWSA) has been implemented, and Governor Kathy Hochuls landmark legislation has commenced. The Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Union (RWDSU), for one, is grateful. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Effective June 4, the NYRWSA (S. 8358B/A. 8947C) will introduce critical safety measures to protect retail workers across the state, according to the semi-autonomous division of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). Retail workersand shoppersacross New York will be safer because of this law, Stuart Appelbaum, president of the RWDSU, said. Retail workers should not have to go to work every day in fear; this law goes a long way towards ending that. New York State Senator Jessica Ramos introduced the NYRWSA last January to compel employers to evaluate their workplaces for risks, develop a violence prevention plan, provide ongoing safety training for workersand revisit these efforts annually. The Harris-endorsing union has worked with Ramos and New York State Assemblymember Karines Reyes, who chairs its subcommittee on workplace safety, throughout the bills ascension and amendments. While the New York State Senate passed S8358B last summer, Governor Kathy Hochul signed an amendment to the act in February, extending the effective date of some of its provisions to June 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Retail Worker Safety Act provides for preventative measures that will help deter violence and harassment before it starts, Appelbaum said. And, most importantly, will assist workers in getting help quickly in the event of an emergency. Retailers with 10 or more employees must develop comprehensive violence prevention plans, conduct regular risk assessments and provide biennial training on de-escalation techniques and active shooter scenarios, the NYRWSA mandates. Retailers with 500 or more employees, meanwhile, must install silent response buttonsallowing workers to discreetly alert security personnel during emergencies, the RWDSU saidbefore January 1, 2027. As a produce manager, Ive witnessed firsthand the escalating tensions in retail environments, said Edwin Quezada, a manager at a stop-and-shop in Long Island and Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW member. This Act ensures we have the training and tools to handle volatile situations, making our workplaces safer for both employees and customers. We worked hard to see it brought into law and Im proud to see it starting to take effect. The issue has become a source of anxiety for retail employees as retail crime ratchets up, a survey conducted by the RWDSU last spring found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fifty-seven percent of those surveyed said theyve personally experienced verbal harassment or intimidating behavior at work. Eighty percent reported concerns about an active shooter entering their place of business. Seven percent reported that their employers made safety improvements following violent incidents, per the survey. Every day I came to work with a pit in my stomach, not knowing if today would be the day someone got aggressive or violent, said Nancy Almodovar, a salesperson at a major department store in Manhattan, per the RSDSU. Weve been ignored for too long by our employers, but this law finally says: our safety matters. It gives us real tools and real protectionand for the first time in a long time, I feel like someones looking out for us. Theres precedent for such programs, the labor union said. The NYRWSA builds on the public sectors workplace violence protection law from 2006 and uses the statutory framework of New Yorks 2018 workplace sexual harassment protection law, per the RWDSU. We are grateful that Governor Hochul has focused on preventing retail violence and theft and for bill sponsors Senator Jessica Ramos and Assemblywoman Karines Reyes, said Appelbaum. CARTHAGE, N.Y. (WWTI) State Police responded to a reported fight in Carthage, which resulted in an assault charge. New York State Police say they responded to a reported fight on Thursday, May 29, at approximately 7:19 p.m. to an apartment on Bridge Street in the village of Carthage At the scene, police found the victim with a head injury. They provided medical care until the Carthage Area Rescue Squad arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say that an investigation determined the suspect to be Timothy D. OConnor, age 28, from Carthage. It was reported that OConnor arrived at the apartment and confronted the victim. An alleged verbal altercation occurred and reportedly turned physical when OConnor allegedly attacked the victim several times with a closed fist. OConnor left the scene before police arrived. State Police located OConnor at his home and questioned him. OConnor was arrested and transported to SP Carthage. OConnor was charged with the following: Assault 3rd Degree (Class A Misdemeanor) Criminal Trespass 2nd Degree (Class A Misdemeanor) OConnor was later released with an appearance ticket returnable to the town of Champion Court at a later date, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com. Economic activity in the US manufacturing sector continued to contract in May as imports tumbled to their lowest level since 2009. The Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) manufacturing PMI registered a reading of 48.5 in May, down from April's reading of 48.7. Readings above 50 for this index indicate an expansion in activity, while readings below 50 indicate contraction. The manufacturing sector has been in contraction for most of the past two years. The import index sank to a reading of 39.9, well below the 47.1 seen in April. The large decrease in imports came as businesses grapple with President Trump's tariff hikes on various countries. While Trump has recently scaled back some of his initial tariffs, a wide swath of levies are still in place. Imports continue to contract as demand has reduced the need to maintain import levels from previous months, as well as due to the impact of tariff pricing, Susan Spence, chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, said in a release. Spence later told Yahoo Finance in an interview that the biggest concern among ISM panelists was tariffs, with 86% of the responses mentioning levies in their comments. Some respondents compared the current operating environment to the struggles seen during the pandemic in 2020. "So the only thing that can help is certainty and whatever is going to finally be happening with the individual countries," Spence said. Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet A separate reading on manufacturing activity from S&P Global, also released on Monday, registered a reading of 52, up from a prior reading of 50.2. But S&P Global chief business economist Chris Williamson wrote in the release that the headline data "masks worrying developments under the hood" of the US manufacturing sector. "While growth of new orders picked up and suppliers were reportedly busier as companies built up their inventory levels at an unprecedented rate, the common theme was a temporary surge in demand as manufacturers and their customers worry about supply issues and rising prices," Williamson wrote. May data from ISM showed imports tumbled to their lowest level since 2009. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo REUTERS / Reuters Josh Schafer is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on X @_joshschafer. Click here for the latest economic news and indicators to help inform your investing decisions Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The Youngstown Area Jewish Federation released a statement Sunday night in response to what the FBI is describing as a targeted terror attack at an outdoor mall in Boulder, Colorado. Read next: Champion fire dept. warns of gas leak According to the Associated Press, six people were injured and possibly burned, and a suspect was taken into custody after an attack at a popular pedestrian mall where demonstrators with a volunteer group called Run for Their Lives had gathered to raise awareness for Israeli hostages who remain in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman. He allegedly yelled Free Palestine and used a makeshift flamethrower in the attack, according to special agent Mark Michalek. The Associated Press said video from the scene showed a witness shouting, Hes right there. Hes throwing Molotov cocktails, as a police officer with his gun advanced toward a bare-chested suspect with containers in each hand. The Youngstown Area Jewish Federation released this statement in response to the attack: The Youngstown Area Jewish Federation is horrified to learn of the brutal firebombing in Colorado during a march for Israeli hostages, especially on the evening of Shavout, a two-day Jewish holiday that commemorates the date when God gave the Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai over 3,000 years ago. Our hearts go out to everyone involved and we pray for the quick recovery of those injured. We dont yet have all the details of what happened, though video footage of the suspect has emerged suggesting extreme Jewish hatred as a motive. We will keep our community up-to-date as we learn more. The Youngstown Area Jewish Federation 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 WKBN.com. President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Vilnius on June 2 to participate in a summit of the Bucharest Nine (B9) and the Nordic countries, Zelensky's spokesperson Serhii Nykyforov confirmed for Ukrinform. The summit is hosted by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and will also be attended by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who has already arrived, according to Reuters. The summit is taking place the same day as the second round of Russian-Ukrainian peace talks in Istanbul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vilnius gathering will include leaders from the Baltic countries, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Romania. The summit will focus on preparations for the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague later in June and on allied support for Ukraine. The Hague meeting, which will take place on June 24 and 25, will be the first annual NATO summit since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House. The alliance faces uncertainty about continued U.S. commitment to NATO as the new administration has signaled plans to reduce its military deployment in Europe. Trump has also been reluctant to provide new defense aid for Ukraine as he seeks to broker a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow. Trump's views on Ukraine prompted speculations that Zelensky may not be invited to the summit, or that Ukraine's participation may be scaled down in some way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Ukrainian delegates arrive in Istanbul for next round of peace talks with Russia Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on June 2 that Turkey plans to facilitate a meeting between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine in either Ankara or Istanbul. Speaking to reporters on the same day, President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed readiness to take part in such talks. "I had a conversation with President Erdogan of Turkey. And indeed, he sent a signal, asking how I would feel about a meeting of four leaders: himself, the President of the United States, Putin, and me. I told him that I support a meeting at the level of leaders, because I have the impression that there will be no ceasefire without our meeting," Zelensky said during an online press conference attended by the Kyiv Independent. The president's comments followed another round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul on June 2, where the sides agreed to a new prisoners of war (POWs) exchange but failed to reach a ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The talks, hosted by Turkish officials, follow the first round of negotiations on May 16. The initial meeting ended with an agreement on the largest prisoner exchange of the war, but without any tangible progress toward a peace deal. In the meantine, U.S. President Donald Trump is also open to an invitation by his Turkish counterpart to hold three-way peace talks in Turkey with the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, the White House said on June 2. "The president has said he's open to it if it comes to that, but he wants both of these leaders and both sides to come to the table together," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters when asked about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's proposal. Following the June 2 talks, Russia also proposed a temporary two- to three-day ceasefire in specific areas of the front line to allow for the retrieval of fallen soldiers' bodies, Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky said on June 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky criticized Russias proposal for a 23-day local ceasefire to retrieve the bodies of fallen soldiers, adding that "they (the Russian side) just dont see a ceasefire as such at the moment." "As they said regarding a ceasefire, they are ready for a 23-day ceasefire to retrieve the dead from the battlefield. I think theyre idiots, because, fundamentally, a ceasefire is meant so that there are no dead." "You can see their attitude. For them, this is just a brief pause in the war," the president added. Read also: Russian propagandists split between downplaying devastating Ukrainian attacks and issuing threats Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Volodymyr Zelensky has summoned Land Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi for a high-level meeting after the latter submitted his resignation following a deadly Russian missile strike that killed at least 12 Ukrainian soldiers at a training camp in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Zelensky said on June 1. The meeting, scheduled following peace talks with a Russian delegation in Istanbul on June 2, will include top military officials: Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. "I scheduled a meeting... to sort it all out," Zelensky said in a video address. "All our combat soldiers are needed at the front to defend Ukraine. Every one of them. And we must protect every life. All decisions necessary to ensure this will be made." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strike hit the 239th Polygon, a Ground Forces training ground north of the city of Dnipro. Drapatyi, confirming the location and announcing his resignation, said the victims were mostly young recruits who "should have learned, lived, and fought not died." Drapatyi's superiors have yet to confirm whether his resignation has been accepted. Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian training sites have intensified in recent months. The 239th Polygon was also struck by an Iskander missile in March. The Land Forces press office said that if the investigation finds negligence or misconduct contributed to the casualties, those responsible will face strict accountability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: 12 Ukrainian soldiers dead, 60 injured after Russian missile strike on training center Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 2 called on U.S. President Donald Trump to deliver a "strong new package" of sanctions against Russia if ongoing peace talks in Istanbul fail to bring results. Speaking at a joint summit of the Bucharest Nine and Nordic leaders in Vilnius, Zelensky warned that if Moscow derails the negotiations, the West must be ready to act decisively. "If the Istanbul meeting brings nothing, that clearly means strong new sanctions are urgently needed from the EU's 18th package, and from the United States specifically, the strongest sanctions President Trump promised," Zelensky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Sanctions should hit Russian energy especially oil and tankers price caps, of course, and also Russian banks and the financial sector overall." Trump said on May 28 that the U.S. would soon know whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is serious about ending the war. If not, he warned, Washington would "respond a little bit differently." The U.S. president said he had not yet imposed new sanctions on Russia because he believed a peace deal might be within reach. "If I think I'm close to getting a deal, I don't want to screw it up by doing that," he said, but added he is prepared to act if Moscow stalls further. Ukrainian and Russian delegations prepare to meet in Istanbul on June 2 for a new round of peace talks. Though previous talks ended with the biggest prisoner exchange, they failed to produce progress toward a ceasefire or peace deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian side is expected to present a step-by-step peace proposal, starting with a 30-day ceasefire and the return of children deported to Russian-controlled areas. Russia has not submitted any formal memorandum ahead of the meeting and continues to demand a halt to Western military support for Kyiv conditions that Ukraine deems unacceptable. Zelensky made clear that Kyiv still aims to "achieve at least some progress," despite Russian foot-dragging and intensifying airstrikes. He also expressed gratitude to leaders working to keep the transatlantic alliance strong. "We need the support of President Trump, the U.S. Congress, and the American people," he said. "Whatever happens in global competition, it is our shared duty Europe's, America's, and everyone who values freedom to defend it together." The summit also focused on regional security ahead of the NATO summit this June. Zelensky emphasized that Russia must not be allowed to influence NATO's decisions or have any veto power over its enlargement a rebuke to recent reports suggesting Moscow is seeking written guarantees that the alliance will stop expanding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "One of the key principles of European security is that Russia must not have veto power over NATO decisions or influence over the allies or its members," Zelensky said. "That principle must remain in place." While Russian officials continue to push for NATO to "stop" its expansion, most recently as a precondition for the ceasefire, alliance diplomats told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that no such discussions are taking place within NATO. Zelensky said the upcoming NATO summit must deliver a message of strength and unity. "Putin chose to stand against Europe, so he has no place in deciding its future," he said. "That must not change." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: As Trump fails to sanction Moscow, few expect breakthrough during upcoming Russia-Ukraine talks Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Lithuania on Monday 2 June to participate in the Bucharest Nine (B9) summit. Source: Lithuanian broadcaster LRT, as reported by European Pravda Details: The state aircraft with the Ukrainian president on board landed at Vilnius Airport at approximately 10:38. According to the Lithuanian broadcaster, Zelenskyy will attend the Bucharest Nine and Northern Countries summit in Vilnius. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Countries in the region are organising the meeting to coordinate their positions ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague. It is expected that further support for Ukraine will be discussed at the summit. The Bucharest Nine was established in 2015 as a format for cooperation in the security sphere. It includes Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Within this format, meetings are held at the level of leaders, foreign ministers and defence ministers. Background: Earlier, it became known that because of Trump, NATO is preparing a mini-declaration for the summit in The Hague, likely without mentioning Ukraine. It was also reported that the American side supposedly opposes inviting Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the NATO summit. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied this information. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that Russia's proposal for a temporary and limited ceasefire is designed to delay US sanctions. Source: European Pravda; Ukrinform; Zelenskyy at a briefing Details: Zelenskyy criticised Russia's proposal for a two- or three-day ceasefire "to take the bodies of fallen soldiers from the battlefield". "I think they are idiots, because, in principle, a ceasefire is meant to ensure that there are no casualties," Zelenskyy added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president thinks the ceasefire is "just a matter of a short pause in the war" for Russia. "That is why I really want our American partners to take strong steps and send a package of sanctions to the Senate, to push the Russians to cease fire with strong sanctions. They don't understand any other way. And we believe that this is fair," Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy added that "after all, it's been three months since the US signalled a complete ceasefire, and we supported them". Background: Ukraine and Russia reached an agreement on the next exchanges of certain categories of military personnel on 16 May, and Kyiv handed over a list of several hundred Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Meanwhile, Russian media revealed the ultimatum demands for Ukraine that Russia put forward as part of a deal for a complete ceasefire. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has congratulated Poland's newly elected leader, Karol Nawrocki, on his victory in the country's presidential election. Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Zelenskyy extended his congratulations to Nawrocki on Monday 2 June, following the results of the presidential election. He stated that Poland, which preserves the "strength of its national spirit and its faith in justice", has been and remains a pillar of both regional and broader European security, as well as a strong voice "defending freedom and dignity for every nation". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian president said he expects "continued fruitful cooperation" with Poland and personally with the country's new president. "By reinforcing one another on our continent, we give greater strength to Europe in global competition and bring the achievement of real and lasting peace closer," he added. Background: In the end of May Nawrocki officially accepted the demands of Sawomir Mentzen, leader of the anti-Ukrainian Confederation party, including the pledge to block Ukraines NATO accession, in exchange for support in the second round. Nawrocki's opponent, Rafa Trzaskowski, refused to sign such a declaration. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy expects the United States and the European Union to impose new sanctions on Russia if Mondays meeting in Istanbul yields no results. Source: Zelenskyy during the summit of the Bucharest Nine and Nordic countries, as reported by European Pravda Details: Zelenskyy stressed the importance of genuine diplomatic efforts in the pursuit of peace and called for decisive action if the new peace initiative in Istanbul fails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We must do everything to make sure diplomacy is not empty. Our delegation is now in Istanbul. And we are ready to take the necessary steps for peace," said the president, emphasising that a ceasefire, the release of prisoners and the return of abducted Ukrainian children must be the starting points for negotiations. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy warned that if Russia ignores the initial agenda and the meeting proves fruitless, new powerful sanctions must follow. Quote: "If the Istanbul meeting brings nothing, that clearly means strong new sanctions are urgently, urgently needed from the EUs 18th package and from the United States, specifically the stronger sanctions President Trump promised." Details: Zelenskyy emphasised that the new restrictions should primarily target Russias energy sector oil, tanker shipments and price caps. He also noted that Russias financial sector, including the banking system, requires increased pressure. Background: On 2 June, negotiations between the delegations of Ukraine and Russia began in Istanbul, Turkiye, during which proposals for a ceasefire and an end to the war are expected to be presented. On 1 June, Zelenskyy approved the updated composition of Ukraines delegation for negotiations with Russia in Istanbul aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the Bucharest Nine and Nordic summit in Vilnius on Monday 2 June. Source: European Pravda; Zelenskyy on Telegram Details: The Ukrainian president said he had told Rutte about the agreements reached during the Istanbul talks on the exchange of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children, as well as Russia's refusal to unconditionally cease fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Only a significant increase in pressure can change this refusal," Zelenskyy stressed. Zelenskyy and Rutte also discussed further diplomatic steps and defence support for Kyiv, with an emphasis on longer-range aircraft. "It is also important that Ukraine is properly represented at the next NATO summit in The Hague. This will send the right signal to Russia," Zelenskyy said. Background: Earlier, it was reported that because of US President Donald Trump, NATO is preparing a mini-declaration for the summit in The Hague, likely without mentioning Ukraine. There have also been reports that the US is opposed to Zelenskyy being invited to the NATO summit. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has denied these reports. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Microsoft Rus, a subsidiary of Microsoft Corp in Russia, is reportedly set to file for bankruptcy, Reuters reported citing a note published on the official Fedresurs registry. Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment, reported Reuters. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously stated that foreign service providers, such as Microsoft and Zoom, acting against Russian interests should be throttled. He also emphasised the importance of developing domestic software solutions to reduce reliance on foreign technology. Following Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Microsoft continued to provide key services in the country. However, in June 2022, the company announced it was significantly scaling back its operations in Russia due to changes in the economic outlook and impacts on its business. Shortly after the invasion, Microsoft took steps to limit its exposure, including removing Russian state-owned media outlet RTs mobile apps from the Windows App store and banning advertisements on Russian state-sponsored media. The Fedresurs note confirmed Microsoft Russ intention to declare bankruptcy. According to the TASS news agency, Microsoft operates three other units in Russia, including Microsoft Development Centre Rus, Microsoft Mobile Rus, and Microsoft Payments Rus. It remains unclear how these units might be affected by the bankruptcy filing, Reuters report said. Googles Russian subsidiary filed for bankruptcy in 2022 after Russian authorities seized its bank account, rendering it unable to pay Russia-based employees, suppliers, and vendors. In May 2025, Microsoft teamed up with Yotta Data Services to enhance AI innovation in India by integrating Azure AI services with Yotta's Shakti Cloud, creating an advanced AI cloud platform for developers, startups, enterprises, and public sector organisations. "Microsofts Russian subsidiary to file for bankruptcy" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that out of the 6,000 bodies of soldiers that Russia wants to return to Ukraine, only 15% have been identified. Source: Zelenskyy during an online briefing Quote from Zelenskyy: "The Russians have said they are ready to bring back the bodies of our fallen soldiers, but this issue needs to be looked into very carefully, and I have told Defence Minister Rustem Umierov that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since, as I have learned, only 15% of these 6,000 have been identified, it is very important to check everything. All of our [soldiers] must be brought back. However, we have already had a case when they handed over bodies and they included bodies of their Russian soldiers." Background: At the talks in Istanbul on 2 June, Ukraine and Russia agreed on a 6,000-for-6,000 exchange of bodies of fallen soldiers. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that the Security Service of Ukraine's Operation Pavutyna ("Spiders Web") demonstrated that Ukraine is capable of effective tactical decisions in the war with Russia and is able to inflict significant losses on the Russian Armed Forces, forcing it to consider diplomacy. Source: Zelenskyy during the summit of the Bucharest Nine and Nordic countries in Vilnius, quoted by European Pravda Details: Zelenskyy emphasised that strengthening defence remains Ukraine's top priority. He thanked Ukraines partners for their support packages, the development of joint arms production and, in particular, their investments in Ukraine's military industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Europe, together with the US, has better weapons than Russia. We also have stronger tactical solutions our operation Pavutyna yesterday proved this. Russia must feel the weight of losses. This is what will push it towards diplomacy," Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy drew attention to the risks that Russia poses to the entire region. In particular, he called for attention to be paid to Russia's actions in Belarus. Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine is capable of covering up to 40% of its defence needs through its own production, but this requires stable funding. "Our operations demonstrate the impact of investment, especially in drones," he said. Separately, Zelenskyy reiterated the urgent need for air defence systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And we still urgently need air defence systems, especially Patriot systems and missiles for them. Each of you knows what we need and how you can help. We need solutions," Zelenskyy concluded. Background: On 1 June 2025, the Security Service of Ukraine carried out a special operation codenamed Pavutyna (Spiders Web), one of the largest and most complex sabotage operations against Russian military aviation. The Security Service of Ukraine reported that the operation resulted in the destruction of 41 Russian strategic aircraft, including Tu-95, Tu-22M3 and Tu-160 strategic bombers, as well as an A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft. After the Ukrainian Security Services Operation Pavutyna, EU Ambassador to Kyiv Katarina Mathernova stated that Ukraine has its own cards to play in the war. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, commenting on the Ukrainian attack that destroyed and damaged Russian strategic bombers, said that Ukraine is successfully defending itself. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has held a bilateral meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Vilnius. Source: Zelenskyy on X, as reported by European Pravda Details: During the meeting, they discussed defence support for Ukraine, cooperation within the shelter coalition and EU membership. "The most important thing is investment in Ukrainian weapons production and co-production. I told him about our Drone Line project, which has already proven its effectiveness. We discussed how it could be scaled up," Zelenskyy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also told the Finnish prime minister about his expectations from the meeting with the Russian delegation taking place in Istanbul. "We expect real results from today's meeting in Istanbul: a ceasefire, a prisoner exchange, the return of children and a meeting at the leadership level," Zelenskyy emphasised. Background: In the spring of this year, the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched a large-scale project called Drone Line, initiated by the Ukrainian president. Its goal is to develop the best unmanned systems units and scale their combat experience in the defence forces. The project involves creating a network of specialised units that will receive modern equipment, necessary resources and specialists. Zelensky is participating in the Bucharest Nine summit in Vilnius. During the summit, Zelenskyy told his colleagues that the Security Service of Ukraine's Spider Web operation demonstrated that Ukraine is capable of effective tactical decisions in the war with Russia and is capable of inflicting significant losses on the Russian Armed Forces, forcing it to consider diplomacy. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukraine may be able to meet up to 40% of its weapons needs through domestic production, but this would require stable financing. Source: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the summit of the Bucharest Nine and Nordic countries, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine Quote: "Ukraine can cover up to 40% of its weapons needs with domestic production, but this requires stable funding. Our operations show how much impact investments, especially in drones, can have. And we still urgently need air defence, especially Patriot systems and missiles for them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Zelenskyy noted that while Russia has launched a summer offensive, it is also being forced to engage in diplomacy. "This is both a challenge and a real opportunity for us all a chance to try to end this war first," he added. Zelenskyy emphasised that Europe and the US have better weapons than Russia. Quote: "We also have stronger tactical solutions. Our operation Spiders Web yesterday proved that. Russia must feel what its losses mean. That is what will push it towards diplomacy." More details: The Ukrainian president called on summit participants to ask their intelligence services what Russia is planning in Belarus this summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "If they are bold enough to prepare attacks from there, then we need more strength together. And right now that means strengthening Ukraine so we can stop this war and prevent it from spreading." Background: Earlier, Zelenskyy said that the effects of the sanctions imposed on Russia will be felt by June 2026 and that Ukraine is aware of the projected Russian budget deficit. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Ukraine could face a gas shortage as a result of Russian large-scale attacks on Ukraines gas infrastructure. Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a briefing Quote from Zelenskyy: "There were large-scale attacks on gas storage facilities and production facilities. We have lost some of our capabilities, which we are now gradually restoring." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president said that Ukraine had already found part of the required volume of gas, but about half of the resource required to cover its needs fully is still missing. Quote from Zelenskyy: "We have agreed with the minister of energy that we will look for opportunities to close this deficit, which may occur if everything is not restored, if we cannot fully provide gas to our population," Zelenskyy said. The president also noted that it was a question of purchasing gas worth about 1 billion, and said he was discussing this issue with the Norwegian prime minister. Background: Ukraine may soon start importing gas through the Trans-Balkan corridor, in addition to its current gas imports from Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine has been invited to the NATO summit in The Hague, which will take place on 24-25 June. Source: European Pravda; Ukrainian news agency Interfax-Ukraine Details: Zelenskyy told journalists about his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte earlier on Monday. "Weve been invited to the NATO summit. I think this is important," Zelenskyy added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president did not specify how Ukraine would be represented at the NATO summit, but said that Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha would talk to his counterparts "about the layout". Background: Earlier, it was reported that because of US President Donald Trump, NATO is preparing a mini-declaration for the summit in The Hague, likely without mentioning Ukraine. There have also been reports that the US is opposed to Zelenskyy being invited to the NATO summit. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has denied these reports. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre in Vilnius to discuss, among other things, investment in the production of Ukrainian drones. Source: European Pravda; press service of the Office of the President of Ukraine Details: Defence aid for Ukraine was one of the key topics of the meeting. The president briefed Stre on Ukraines key needs, including the need to strengthen air defence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy and Stre discussed the possibility of purchasing an additional air defence system for Ukraine with the support of the Nordic countries. They also focused on direct investments in Ukraine's defence industry, especially drone production. Stre stressed that Norway is already a member of the drone coalition and is ready to do more. Background: Zelenskyy was in Vilnius to take part in a summit of the Bucharest Nine and Nordic countries. At the summit, Zelenskyy told his counterparts that the Security Service of Ukraine's Operation Spider's Web has demonstrated that Ukraine is capable of effective tactical solutions in the war with Russia and can inflict tangible losses that push the Russians to consider diplomacy. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Looking for a break? Test your knowledge of this week's news from the Yakima Valley. The Competition Council of Morocco has initiated a legal procedure against GlovoApp Morocco, following allegations of anticompetitive practices within the digital food ordering and delivery platform market. The development follows an investigation, which began with a self-referral decision on 19 February 2024 and included a surprise inspection of Glovo's Casablanca offices on 22 October 2024. The Rapporteur General of the Council has reported finding evidence suggesting that the Spanish delivery platform may have abused its dominant position in the market, taking advantage of its commercial partners. It has also been reported to be engaged in unjustly low pricing strategies. Glovo has responded to the notification, emphasising respect for the continued procedure and its commitment to fair competition, transparency, innovation and service quality. Glovo spokesperson stated: We remain committed to respecting fair competition rules, transparency, innovation and service quality to contribute to the development of our sector, which is in constant technological evolution, in a win-win dynamic. Glovo, from its inception in Morocco, has impacted the local home delivery market, with the country ranking as its fourth-largest market worldwide. It collaborates with more than 6,500 business partners and employs 4,500 couriers across the country. Morocco's Article 7 of Law No 104-12 on freedom of prices and competition serves as the legal basis for the allegations, prohibiting actions that aim to distort competition, including imposing unjustified commercial conditions or minimum resale prices. The council's board will make the final decision after a thorough investigation that respects Glovo's defence rights and follows a council session. The notification to Glovo marks the beginning of a contradictory procedure phase, ensuring the company's right to defend itself. Led by Ahmed Rahhou, the council has clarified that this step does not prejudge the final outcome. "Morocco probes Glovo for alleged anti-competitive actions" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. (Reuters) - Morgan Stanley is shopping a $5 billion debt package for Elon Musk's xAI and the artificial intelligence company is seeking a valuation of $113 billion in a share sale worth $300 million, according to media reports on Monday. The debt sale, launched Monday, includes a term loan B, a fixed-rate term loan and senior secured notes, Bloomberg News reported, citing a person familiar with the matter, and added that the proceeds will go towards general corporate purposes. Commitments are due on June 17. The share sale would allow employees to sell shares to investors and a larger investment round is expected to follow the secondary stock offer, in which xAI will offer new equity to outside investors, the Financial Times had reported earlier on Monday, citing people close to the situation. The AI startup acquired X, Musk's social media business, in March. The deal valued xAI at $80 billion and the social media platform X formerly known as Twitter at $33 billion, Musk had said then. XAI did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the reports. Musk recently stepped back from the Trump administration after the Tesla CEO ended a chaotic four-month stint leading the administration's sweeping cost-cutting campaign at the Department of Government Efficiency. U.S. President Donald Trump, however, said Musk would remain a close adviser. During Tesla's earnings call in April, Musk had said he would refocus his attention on the EV maker. XAI was launched less than two years ago and was in talks with investors to raise roughly $20 billion in funding for the combined AI startup and social media business, Bloomberg News reported in April. (Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City; Editing by Pooja Desai and Alan Barona) As a result of the governments new programme launched three months ago to eradicate drug trafficking more than 3,500 criminal proceedings have been launched, the government commissioner responsible for the programme dubbed DELTA told a press conference. Police officers have seized half a tonne of illicit drugs, 250 million forints (EUR 625,000) in cash, 100 vehicles, and goods worth some 100 million forints, Laszlo Horvath said. "As a result, not only local distributors, but also trafficking rings and criminals with international connections and dealing in mass production have been uncovered," he said. The amount of drugs traded in the country has dropped, consumption has gone down and, in an important development, the number of new users also went down, Horvath noted. Sandor Toreki, a deputy police chief, said they had so far carried out raids in 558 bars with the involvement of over 28,000 officers. A total of 1,023 dealers were caught in action on the spot, he added. The brunt of their work will come during the summer, while tasks also include monitoring online dealing, he said. "It is however a significant help for us that the government has earmarked 3 billion forints for the programme," said Toreki. Source: MTI Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent. Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all the key narratives within the media landscape. XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. The Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) is organizing an international conference in Budapest between June 3 and 5 entitled Budapest Summit on Technology and Society. This years event will focus on the social impact of rapidly accelerating technological development. The international conference will address the social impact of technological development, including the possibilities for effective regulation of Big Tech, the human-centered integration of technological developments into education, the rise of artificial intelligence and its impact on human creativity, as well as the impact of digital transformation on mental health. The invited foreign and Hungarian speakers will approach the topic from various perspectives. Speakers will include Timandra Harkness, technology journalist, host of BBC Radio 4s FutureProofing, editor of BBC documentaries on technology, author of two books, and contributor to well-known publications such as The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Sunday Times and Mens Health. Timandra Harkness collaborated with neuroscientist Helen Pilcher to create the first science comedy in the United Kingdom, and has since written and performed numerous science and math comedies to sold-out audiences. The discussions will feature Catherine LEcuyer, a Canadian researcher and educational expert based in Madrid, whose new approach to learning theory was first presented in one of the most prestigious international journals on neuroscience. Catherine LEcuye has publications about Montessori pedagogy, neuromyths, and the effects of technology on children. Ellie Lee, a professor at the University of Kent, examines the reasons why parents need to rethink their role in raising children and the impact this has on family life. One of the research focuses of the Center for Parenting Culture Studies (CPCS), which she founded, is the development of risk awareness. According to the institutes research thesis, excessive fears about aspects of childhood now define the parental role as a kind of risk management role. One of the participants in the panel discussion Algorithms and Ideologies: The Politicization of Artificial Intelligence will be Sam Kahn, editor of the non-profit digital magazine and community forum Persuasion, who has worked as a producer for media companies such as Netflix, Showtime, Paramount+. Another guest speaker will be Jash Dholani, an Indian-born writer and speaker who has gained a following of over 100,000 followers on Twitter/X with his account the Old Books Guy. On his profile, he shares his thoughts on old books, dissident thinkers, and essential historical lessons. Research psychologist Leonardo Orlando takes a complex approach to examining the biological and evolutionary aspects of political behavior. The speaker holds a PhD in political science and international relations, a degree in philosophy, and a postdoctoral degree in cognitive science and evolutionary psychology. A panel discussion at the conference, with the participation of Leonardo Orlando, will examine the mental health, cognitive development, and emotional intelligence development of young people from a complex perspective. After the event in Budapest, the international conference will continue on June 5, at the MCCs regional centers in Bekescsaba, Debrecen, Eger, Gyor, Kaposvar, Miskolc, Pecs, Szeged, Szekesfehervar, Szekszard, Szombathely, Veszprem, and Kolozsvar, where professional presentations, panel discussions, and public meetings await those interested, with the participation of Hungarian and foreign speakers, reads the announcement. More: MCC Budapest The iconic Orient Express is set to depart from Budapests Nyugati Railway Station at 5:30 p.m. on the first Sunday of June, arriving in Bekescsaba just over two hours later, according to Magyar Nemzet. The stop in South-Eastern Hungary, however, is not guaranteed, as exact times may change. Known as the rolling palace, the Orient Express is steeped in history. First launched in 1883, the original route connected Paris and Constantinople (now Istanbul), taking passengers on a lavish 80-hour journey through six different empires. With its opulent interiors, fine crystal, silk linens, and gourmet dining, it quickly became a symbol of European luxury travel. Today, the train continues to operate in restored 1920s style, offering a range of journeys between London, Paris, Venice, and beyond. Tickets start at 3,450 per person for a Historic Twin Cabin and rise to over 9,800 for a Grand Suite, complete with private bathrooms and round-the-clock service. In 2025, the operator will launch a new scenic route from Paris to Tuscany, ending at the elegant Castello di Casole in the Italian countryside. All voyages include fine dining, vintage surroundings, and attentive stewards, maintaining the golden age glamour the Orient Express is famous for. Though Bekescsaba may or may not be on the confirmed route this time, Hungary remains part of the storied journey that continues to captivate luxury travellers from around the world. More: orient-express.com The Heviz-Balaton Airport in Sarmellek is undergoing a significant transformation as part of a government-backed investment aimed at enhancing infrastructure and attracting more international visitors to western Hungary. The Hungarian government has allocated nearly HUF 3 billion (approx. EUR 7.4 million) to renovate the airport, with the goal of encouraging high-quality tourism and reducing seasonal fluctuations around Lake Balaton. Infrastructure Overhaul Underway According to Balint Nagy, State Secretary at the Ministry of Construction and Transport, the investment includes HUF 2.8 billion (EUR 6.9 million) dedicated to improving infrastructure, with the remaining funds allocated for equipment purchases and services. As reported by Index, the airports runway is already undergoing full-scale maintenance. Additional upgrades include modernisation of the taxiway, apron lighting, and navigation systems. Once completed, the passenger terminal will be capable of handling two aircraft simultaneously a major step forward in terms of capacity and operational efficiency. Currently, the airport primarily serves ad-hoc cargo flights, mainly for e-commerce logistics. However, the improved infrastructure is expected to pave the way for regular passenger services in the near future. New International Routes from 2026 Starting in 2026, the airport plans to launch scheduled flights to and from Germany, Israel, and Visegrad Four (V4) countries. Heviz-Balaton Airport Ltd., in collaboration with Visit Hungary, is already engaged in discussions with airline partners. The renovated airport will be able to accommodate aircraft with 150220 passengers, making it suitable for both low-cost and charter flights from across Europe and neighbouring parts of Asia. A Boost for the Balaton 365 Vision Tourism is a major economic driver in this part of Hungary, particularly in destinations like Heviz, Zalakaros, and the southern shore of Lake Balaton some of the most visited areas outside of Budapest. The upgraded airport will improve accessibility to the region, supporting the long-term Balaton 365 initiative, which aims to transform the area into a year-round travel destination. Part of a Broader National Strategy This development is part of a wider initiative by Hungarys Ministry of National Economy to centralise and strengthen the countrys regional airports. Under this strategy, Budapest, Debrecen, and Sarmellek airports will fall under the oversight of the newly established Regional Airport Holding Ltd., which will coordinate development and operations. By enhancing air connectivity and infrastructure, the government aims to not only increase international tourism to the Balaton region, but also to create greater economic opportunities for local communities that rely on the hospitality and service sectors. More: Heviz-Balaton Airport By "unlawful" withdrawals from Budapests accounts, the government is putting not only municipal public services at risk but also risks insolvency of the state budget, the citys mayor said. The municipality on Tuesday submitted a request for immediate judicial protection over a dispute concerning the solidarity contribution City Hall is required to pay into the central budget. "Those annually increasing withdrawals from Budapest and every Hungarian settlement put the countrys entire economy at risk," Gergely Karacsony said on social media. "The aim is to patch up holes in the central budget, but because of reckless spending, graft and the thirst of oligarchs for money, the central budget is getting into worse and worse shape," the mayor said. If the municipality is not capable to finance public services, international credit rating agencies will downgrade Budapest which will lead to their downgrading the whole country, he added. As a result Karacsony said that "the interest burden of the indebted state could skyrocket, which could seriously affect the forint exchange rate, the stock markets and the yield on government bonds, and could accelerate capital outflow from Hungary." "Bleeding out Budapest will ultimately lead to state bankruptcy." Budapest accounts for 38 percent of Hungary GDP, the capital city is the engine of the countrya economy, Karacsony said, insisting that returning the "unlawfully" withdrawn monies was in the interest of not only Budapest, but the whole country. Alexandra Szentkiralyi, the Fidesz-Christian Democrats group leader in Budapest, said Karacsony had been lying and pointing the finger at others, including the prime minister. Yet, it was him and the opposition Tisza Party that had brought "the country's richest city" to bankruptcy, she added. She said this year's budget had been purposefully "planned with an unlawful hole" of 50 billion forints (EUR 125m), and then they wasted the same amount on the "Rakosrendezo waste dump" in an irresponsible manner. DK calls for special session of City Assembly The Budapest chapter of the opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) has called for the convening of a special closed session of the City Assembly to discuss the situation following the state treasury "withdrawing more than 10 billion forints from Budapest's current account". DK's group leader in the assembly, Sandor Szaniszlo, told an online press briefing on Friday that urgent measures were needed in light of the "abducted" money, which, he added, belonged to the people of Budapest and financed public transport, nursing homes, homeless care and the city's employees. He said the capital's public services were in danger of collapsing due to the collection of the central government's so-called solidarity tax. Source: MTI Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent. Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all the key narratives within the media landscape. XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. Moody's Ratings affirmed Hungary's investment-grade sovereign rating at a scheduled review on Friday, the National Economy Ministry said in a statement. All three big credit rating agencies put Hungary in the investment-grade category, thanks to the stable foundations of the country's economy, the ministry said. Employment remains high, real wages are increasing dynamically and domestic tourism should have another record year in 2025. International confidence is regularly confirmed by bond issues. Most recently, the Hungarian Development Bank's (MFB) EUR 1bn bond issue, with a 4.375pc coupon, drew significant international interest. The government is using Hungary's resources to support families and domestic SMEs, and is working to achieve the highest possible economic growth and to improve the credit rating outlook from the current negative to stable. It is implementing Europe's largest tax reduction programme and has introduced markups caps on food and non-food products, which is expected to further increase household consumption, the ministry said. In order to achieve sustainable GDP growth, the government aims to boost investments through expanding a scheme announced earlier to set up 100 new factories to 150 manufacturing bases and providing special support to domestic SMEs. The Demjan Sandor Programme aims to scale up SMEs with HUF 1,400bn in funding, including grants, preferential loans, a HUF 100bn capital scheme and HUF 130bn support for technology upgrades, the ministry said. Source: MTI Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent. Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all the key narratives within the media landscape. XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. This years Pentecost Heritage Festival at the Skanzen Open-Air Ethnographic Museum in Szentendre will spotlight folk traditions, sustainability, and dance on 89 June. The two-day event invites visitors to explore the richness of Hungarys intangible cultural heritage through interactive programs, music, and community celebrations. According to organisers, the festival is not just about observing its about active participation. More than 55 tradition-preserving communities will take part, offering a vibrant and immersive experience for all ages. This 14th edition highlights living traditions passed down through generations, with particular emphasis on dance and folk rituals. One of the key attractions is the revival of the Pentecost "queen-walking" (kiralyne-jaras), an old Hungarian custom featuring young girls in traditional attire reenacting local variations of this once widespread ritual. Based on early 20th-century descriptions, the custom differs across regionsfrom ornate bridal-like processions in the Great Plain to canopy-covered flower girls in Transdanubia. Throughout the weekend, over 300 dancers and musicians will perform live, including childrens folk dance groups, and there will be a community dance each afternoon where everyone is welcome to join in the Hungarian Csardas. In all, 18 folk dance ensembles will be on hand to perform and teach. Beyond the performances, guests can also enjoy demonstrations of falconry, gold embroidery from Deszk, Pentecostal church decorations from Mende and Maglod, and Kalocsa folk art. For those eager to get hands-on, workshops in traditional crafts, games, embroidery, and regional cuisine will be available across the museums various country houses. The event offers a unique chance to learn about and take part in Hungarian heritage in a truly authentic setting. More: Skanzen's Facebook page Nigeria's president Bola Tinubu has signed an executive order designed to reduce costs and increase revenue from oil and gas projects. The new upstream petroleum operations cost efficiency incentives order, 2025, offers tax relief to companies demonstrating cost-cutting measures in their operations. The executive order aims to encourage cost reduction, stimulate investment and enhance revenue returns in Nigeria's oil and gas industry. President Tinubu described the initiative as a decisive step to foster efficiency and renew investor trust in the sector. The incentives are structured to reward operators that achieve cost savings against industry benchmarks established by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). The benchmarks, which will be adjusted annually, will differ depending on operational terrain including onshore, shallow water and deep offshore locations. Operators who meet or surpass these benchmarks can retain up to 50% of the additional government revenue derived from their cost-efficiency efforts. However, to protect public finances, the tax credits offered will be limited to 20% of a company's yearly tax obligation. Tinubu stated: This is not about charity, it is about value. Nigeria must attract investment based on a credible promise of returns. This Order signals to the world that our oil and gas sector is being reformed to become efficient, competitive and beneficial to all Nigerians. Every barrel must count, for jobs, growth and our national future. To ensure smooth and effective implementation, the president has tasked his Special Adviser on Energy, Olu Verheijen, with overseeing inter-agency coordination and driving alignment across key government institutions. Verheijen added: This reform is not just about slashing costs. It is a strategic effort to make Nigerias upstream sector globally competitive and fiscally resilient. By incentivising efficiency, we are boosting investor confidence and ensuring greater value for the Nigerian people. Senan Murray, from the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, stated that this executive order builds upon earlier reforms from 2024. These reforms improved fiscal conditions, expedited project timelines and harmonised local content demands with global standards, laying the groundwork for the current incentives. "Nigeria introduces oil tax relief for cost savings" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. Hungarys Committee for Hungarikums has recently added two new treasures to its prestigious national register: the csarda, a traditional Hungarian inn, and Badacsony keknyelu, a rare native grape variety grown exclusively in the Lake Balaton region. These are now officially recognised as Hungarikums exceptional elements of Hungarys cultural and gastronomic heritage. The csarda, once a vital roadside inn offering food and lodging since the early modern era, remains a living part of Hungarian hospitality culture. The committee's latest meeting was held at the historic Hortobagy Csarda, which dates back over 300 years. Minister of Agriculture Istvan Nagy described it as an integral part of Hungarian culture and a source of national pride. The keknyelu grape, cultivated on just 45 hectares in the volcanic soils of Badacsony, is another rare gem. Experts consider it an ancient, indigenous variety and in some vintages, wines made from it have won global acclaim. Also added to the Hungarian Heritage Collection were: The Conductive Education System, based on the internationally recognised Peto method, which supports the development of people with physical disabilities. The Bekes County furriers embroidery, a centuries-old craft tradition still practiced by local artisans today. The Hungarian saddle, particularly the Tiszafured variant, known for its craftsmanship and historical significance in Hungarys equestrian heritage. These latest recognitions bring the total number of Hungarikums to 96 and the Hungarian Heritage Collection to 158, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. More: Collection of Hungarikums Collection of Hungarian Values Full list of Hungarikums available here ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. Paris/New Delhi: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday met some top global CEOs in Paris to explore their future investment plans for the India market in promising sectors like electric vehicle and renewable energy (RE). The minister is on an official trip to France with the aim of boosting trade and investments and will also attend a ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Tuesday. Held a meeting with Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group. Exchanged views on Indias growing potential as an automobile manufacturing hub, along with emerging opportunities in the EV sector, Goyal posted on X social media platform. He also met Bernard Fontana, Chairman and CEO of state-owned energy provider EDF, and discussed India's growing leadership in the renewable energy sector and ways to further integrate sustainable energy solutions into our development roadmap. Earlier, the Union Minister met Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, a global integrated energy company. Discussed the companys investment plans for India and avenues for deeper collaboration in the renewable energy sector, said Goyal. Commerce Minister has also indicated that India is likely to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Oman soon, as the talks between the two countries are making headway. The talks for the free trade pact with Oman started in November 2023, and Goyal visited the Gulf country from January 27 to January 28. Piyush Goyal commences official visit to France, Italy to boost economic ties During his three-day engagements in France, Union Minister Goyal is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings, including with Eric Lombard, Minister of Economy, and Laurent Saint-Martin, French Trade Minister, according to the Commerce Ministry. The discussions will focus on strengthening the Indo-French economic partnership and exploring new avenues for enhancing trade and investment cooperation. The minister will meet top leadership of major French companies such as Vicat, Total Energies, L'Oreal, Renault, Valeo, EDF and ATR. Following his engagements in France, the Union Minister will proceed to Italy for the next leg of his official visit. At least three people died and six are missing after a massive landslide that was triggered by heavy rainfall struck an Army Camp in Chaten, North Sikkim, at around 7 pm on Sunday. In a post on X, the official account of the Indian Army's Trishakti Corps informed that four personnel with minor injuries have been rescued. The post of Trishakti Corps said, "A massive landslide, triggered by heavy rains, struck an Army camp at approx 7 PM on 01 June." Authorities have recovered three bodies, including those of combatants, after the landslide struck the Chatten area, ANI reported, citing an official release of the army. "Four personnel with minor injuries have been rescued. Mortal remains of Hav Lakhwinder Singh, Lance Naik Munish Thakur and Porter Abhishek Lakhada recovered," it added. Landslide at Chaten, North Sikkim A massive landslide, triggered by heavy rains struck an Army camp at approx 7 PM on 01 June. Four personnel with minor injuries have been rescued. Mortal remains of Hav Lakhwinder Singh, Lance Naik Munish Thakur & Porter Abhishek Lakhada pic.twitter.com/7y6FkHWVDf Trishakticorps_IA (@trishakticorps) June 2, 2025 Furthermore, the rescue operations for six missing people are on. The massive landslide also caused significant damage to nearby habitats, and more people are feared missing. Meanwhile, stranded tourists in Lachung in Sikkim are being actively evacuated through a coordinated effort involving the forest personnel, police, residents, and the Lachung Hotel Association. On Sunday, Mangan district Superintendent of Police Dechu Bhutia said that over a thousand tourists were stranded in Lachen and Lachung in Mangan District due to the rains, inducing landslides, bridge collapse, and damage, along with a high rise of the River Teesta. According to ANI, he said, Our teams are working to locate them. The vehicle was visible two days prior, but now with the rising river level, the vehicle cannot be located... We could locate a few mobile phones and identity cards, which we kept in the police station, but no trace of the missing individuals. Something like a dead body was visible. The body is at such a location in the cliff that we could not see it either through the u or by crossing the river with a lifeboat. Landslide In Other Areas A downpour in the northeast region, including the states of Sikkim, Manipur, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam, is causing floods and landslides. According to Assam Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah, at least five people have died due to landslides in Assam, and he informed that an ex-gratia amount of Rs. 4 lakh would be provided to the families of those who lost their lives in this disaster. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also assured of every possible help to the flood-affected areas in the northeast, and also spoke with the Chief Ministers of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and the Governor of Manipur. According to the flood reports of Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), one person drowned in flood waters in Sribhumi district, while a child lost his life after drowning in flood waters in Cachar district. IMD Forecast The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on May 30 stated that as the depression over Bangladesh is likely to move nearly north-northeastwards and weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area during the next 12 hours, warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall to continue in various regions. For the next few days, IMD has forecast that rains are likely to occur in most regions of the northeast until June 5. Thunderstorm and lightning warnings over isolated places in Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura have been issued by the IMD till June 4, with heavy rainfall also expected over Arunachal, Assam, and Meghalaya. (with ANI inputs) Bihar Election 2025: Amid posters surfacing in Bihar portraying Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan as the future Chief Minister of the state, the political atmosphere is getting charged up ahead of the assembly polls. Paswan, a Lok Sabha MP and Union Minister in the Narendra Modi government, has been looking to make it BIG in this year's election, having tried his luck in the 2020 polls. Speaking to reporters, Paswan said that his reason for entering politics was Bihar and not a Central government role. "I dont see myself in central politics for too long. My reason for entering politics was Bihar and the people of Bihar. I want to take forward my vision of Bihar First, Bihari First," said Paswan. Paswan said he has realized that being in Delhi makes it difficult to work directly for Bihar. "I have placed my thoughts before the party, and it will evaluate whether my contesting the Assembly elections would benefit the organisation, he added. Since Chirag Paswan is the leader of the party, the LJP(RV) is likely to go with his wish and field him in the assembly constituency. Paswan emphasised that his decision to consider the state elections is driven by a desire to bring development and stronger representation to Bihar. Sometimes, when national leaders contest state elections, it does help the party grow. If my participation helps the alliance and strengthens the NDA's position in Bihar, I will contest, he stated. However, Chirag Paswan made it clear that he is not eyeing the Chief Minister's post. There is no vacancy for the Chief Ministers post in Bihar. Nitish Kumar will remain the Chief Minister, he affirmed, reiterating NDA unity in the state. Paswan has never contested an Assembly election before, but his growing involvement in state matters has sparked speculation about a shift from national to state politics. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is part of the NDA in Bihar, which also includes parties led by Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha. The 243-member Bihar Assembly is expected to witness a high-stakes contest this year, and Chirags possible entry could alter political equations within the NDA and the larger electoral landscape. (With IANS inputs) Chennai Mahila court on Monday sentenced A. Gnanasekaran, the sole accused in the Anna University rape case, to life imprisonment for at least 30 years without remission and imposed a fine of Rs 90,000, as reported by ANI. Speaking to ANI, the accuseds advocate, BR Jayaprakash Narayanan, said that the judgment was declared last week, and the punishment details were given today. "The court has found Gnanasekaran the accused in Anna University rape case in all the 11 sections. The judgment was declared last week, and the punishment details are given today. He has been sentenced to 30 years without remission. He has also been imposed a fine of Rs 90,000, which will go to the victim. There is a chance for us to have a better appeal. After getting documents from the court, we will appeal before an upper court," Narayanan said. Tamil Nadu Minister Geetha Jeevan welcomed the verdict, saying that the case was resolved quickly due to the prompt action of the Tamil Nadu government. "The sexual assault case of a student studying in Anna University campus has resulted in the conviction of the culprit within five months due to the prompt action of the Tamil Nadu government. The case that was held in the court was concluded quickly and within five months. This case, which took place on December 23rd, was resolved quickly, and the right punishment was given in the court. According to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the punishment has been given in the court. Women who are subjected to violence should come forward to file complaints," ANI quoted Jeevan as saying. The incident took place on December 23, 2024, when the victim, a second-year engineering student of Anna University, was spending time with her male friend on campus. Gnanasekaran approached them, threatened them with a fake video of them being intimate, and warned that he would share it with university officials to have them expelled. He then forced the boy to leave and manipulated the girl into accompanying him to a deserted area of the campus. Pretending that the boy was being investigated by university staff, he continued to intimidate the victim. When she rejected his demands, Gnanasekaran allegedly sexually assaulted her and recorded the act on his mobile device. He subsequently took her phone number and blackmailed her by threatening to send the video to her father and college officials if she did not meet him again. However, the girl displayed remarkable bravery by refusing to remain silent. With the backing of her family and college authorities, she filed a report the next day at Kotturpuram All Women Police Station. Police arrested the accused Gnanasekaran, immediately after the complaint was filed. During the trial, his attorney requested a lenient sentence based on personal reasons. However, the prosecution firmly opposed this, highlighting the heinous nature of the crime and the accused's long history of criminal offences. Judge Rajalakshmi, after considering both arguments, postponed the announcement of the sentence until June 2. (With agencies' inputs) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Gulam Ali Khatana, who is part of the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, has called out Pakistan for supporting terrorism, saying Pakistan begs on one side and spreads terrorism on the other. He stated that Members of the Parliament are here in the UK and other parts of the world to convey the message that India knows how to crush terrorism and does not need the mediation of anyone. While interacting with the Indian diaspora at India House in London on Sunday, Khatana said, "Pakistan begs on one side and spreads terrorism on the other side. That time has gone. We are here in Europe, and our other friends are in different parts of the world to convey a message that we know how to crush terrorism, and we don't need the mediation of anyone. You people are our ambassadors. We will do the fight. Our army will fight there. We have to do a diplomatic fight, a social media fight. We have to fight and present our viewpoint. We remain silent and think that it is not my business. I have to get my kids educated. All the people who have come here have enthusiasm and love for this nation, that's why you are here for the last two hours." He further said that Pakistan was disturbed by the rise in democratic participation in Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370. He highlighted how India shares water from three rivers with Pakistan, yet receives infiltration, drugs, and terrorism in return. "Pakistan says that we have stopped its water....We have given them 80% of our rivers' water and in return, Pakistan has given us infiltration, terrorism, drugs...What unnerved Pakistan was that people's participation increased in democracy, Kashmir became a peaceful region of the world, people started voting, there was a boom in tourism, infrastructure, and women got their rights after Article 370. Women were not given the right to inherit property...Not only this, Pakistan wants to end democracy there, the army wants to keep hegemony and that's why they want to create disturbance here. In the last 30 years, more than 40,00 people were killed, and how many children became orphans, many people left, especially Kashmiri Pandits. They were part of our historic heritage," he said. Former Union Minister MJ Akbar said that the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and other places was a "terror of fascism and ethnic cleansing." He recalled how Pakistan was born in violence and not through a political movement. While addressing the Indian community in the UK, he said, "This is not an ordinary form of terror that we have witnessed in Pahalgam and so many other places. This is the terror of fascism. This is the terror of ethnic cleansing. You are in Europe. If Europe doesn't remember fascism, which continent is going to remember fascism? You have generations here who remember the era of Hitler. This is the return of that era and we are witnessing it with our own eyes, but unless we understand it ourselves and explain it to others, we will have failed those who gave their lives in. We have all mentioned Pakistan's commitment literally to terrorism, but what is this ideology and where does it begin? I will be brief because my colleagues have already said what there is to say and with great energy. But briefly, I will tell you that Pakistan was born in violence. It was not born through a popular movement. It was born after the great Calcutta killing of 1946 and it died in 1971 after the great Dhaka killing and despite its death, it has not withdrawn from its commitment and its policy of violence because for the ruling class and for its elite, it has become genetic." Highlighting that there were many misconceptions about Mahatma Gandhi, MJ Akbar said, "About Gandhi Ji, there are many misconceptions. Yes, he was the greatest apostle of nonviolence in the last 2000 years. But he was alive on 22nd October (1947) when the history of modern terrorism began with Pakistan sending 5 thousand terrorists across the border to cease Kashmir. Gandhi Ji was very much around with us at that time. Exactly seven days later, on 29th October, he met Mountbatten and Mountbatten was astonished. He says - this man of nonviolence, today, he's sounding like Churchill." "Exactly seven days later, on 29th October, he met Mountbatten and Mountbatten was astonished. He says, this man of nonviolence, today he's sounding like Churchill. This is something the British will understand, and that's why I mentioned the story. That he's sounding like Churchill and because Gandhiji said that against terrorism, we don't want non-violence. The state must stand up. The Indian Army and every soldier, his direct quote is "every soldier will fight. No Indian soldier will retreat. They will give their lives in the fight against terrorism, but never retreat." Our message is very clear, that we shall never retreat and in that resolve and in the unity, India will find its future," he added. BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari said that India has always been a responsible nation and it has never raised its ammunition against any other country. She said that India, if ever, has waged a war, it has been against the underdevelopment, poverty and unemployment in the country and to better its condition. While addressing the Indian community in London, Purandeswari said, "Such a kind of an attack, calling them out by name, killing them in front of their families. When one woman pleaded to one of the terrorists that you have killed my husband, now kill me as well, the response was - 'we will not kill you, go and tell Modi and we all saw what happened after that. India has always been a very, responsible nation. Never has India raised its ammunition against any other country. If she had ever waged a war, it has always been against the underdevelopment in the country. It has always been against poverty in the country and it has always been against unemployment in the country. So she has actually waged wars to better her condition, to better the living conditions of the citizens in the country, but never against any other nation. And Modi ji also had mentioned, being a very responsible nation, he had mentioned that this is not an era of war, neither is this an era of terrorism and the result has been after we have faced the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the result has been Operation Sindoor." BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya said that Pakistan was formed as India chose the path of peace and not civil war. He said that India has never divided its people based on religion. While addressing the Indian diaspora, he said, "People sitting over here, you all know what is happening and what is going to be happening tomorrow....Do you ever feel pain in your heart while singing Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, Maratha, Dravida, Utkala, Banga - we don't have half of Punjab, half of Bengal, and the entire Sindh. Someone here said that Pakistan is ours, yes, it is ours. There was no country named Pakistan in this world. It was our fault, we chose the path of peace, we didn't want civil war, and hence Pakistan was formed. I come from Bengal. Someone on the streets of Kolkata raised the slogan 'kaan me bidi muh me paan, lad ke lenge Pakistan', and they got it... Our few leaders also thought that if they could run their own shop well, there would be no issue; let them do that. The country we come from, everyone's mind works, everyone's path works, everyone's religion works...We never divided our people based on religion. But what did we get? We do not stand with a bowl at someone's door. We are roaming across the globe. We are not standing at a door in the UK, that 'kaho an pyar hai', we did not come here to beg. We have come here to warn that what is happening today with us will happen with you." While addressing the Indian diaspora in London, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi called out Pakistan for supporting terrorism. She recalled how 9/11 attack mastermind Osama bin Laden was hidden in Pakistan. She said, "We had a very successful presidency as G20 chairmanship that we had got. We had a very successful one year of presidency. So while we host the G20, they host the T20. The top twenty terrorists of the world will be found being hosted by the Pakistani state government. It's their stated policy. Right from Osama bin Laden, I don't know how many of you have seen the documentary. You all must go back home and see the documentary on how he was taken out of Pakistan and he was being hidden, actively financed, aided, trained, supported, and hidden from their so-called ally in the US. So they shake hands with you, but they bite you on your back." She recalled how Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, had given a speech days before the Pahalgam attack, where he mentioned that there was a huge difference between Hindus and Muslims. She emphasised how Indian Muslims stood by the Indian government and demanded that India give a befitting response to Pakistan. She stated, "A Country which came with the idea that it will have a separate nation...came with the idea of othering one religion from the other, is continuing to manifest that in many forms, ways. What began, and I tell you why this particular incident has united the entire nation, united everybody across political parties, is because of a speech before Pahalgam happened. A speech where they are now Field Marshal, then their Army Chief explains very categorically that there is a huge difference between Hindus and Muslims, and that is exactly what you saw manifestation of it when the terror attacks happened. What he forgot is that over 200 million Muslims in India stood unitedly behind its government and said they should be given a befitting response. What Pakistan has done to the minorities within its nation, they are suffering the consequences of it within their nation. They might keep blaming others; that's not my problem. But the 200 million Muslims stood in solidarity and said, Please do not even compare us to your nefarious ways and your terrorist links. We will fight back, and we will fight back in solidarity. High Commissioner of India to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, lauded the role of the Indian diaspora in India-UK ties and how they worked for the UK. He said that Indians and India are seen in the best of images due to the hard work of Indians. He said, "The value that the community of people of Indian origin provides not just to the India-UK relationship, which is immense, but to the United Kingdom itself. Our community has been a pillar of this nation's growth, this nation's achievements, indeed, this nation's successes. People of Indian origin contributed most mightily to the war efforts in the First World War and the Second World War, both materially, in terms of money, and in terms of the fighting men who served and died in the wars against Imperial Germany and thereafter against the Axis powers. "People of Indian origin came here to build this country and rebuild it after the war. People of Indian origin today have occupied offices, including the highest office in this land. They have played for the country, soldiered for the country, earned money for the country and have helped make India a shining name in the United Kingdom. Because of their hard work, Indians and India are seen in the best of image and the community that has come here today is a community that has come on its own. We opened up the portals for registration. We were swamped with over 650 registrations in less than two days on a Sunday evening with great weather. So you can see that people here care about India, they care about the relationship with the UK and they want to be able to contribute to this partnership." Bihar Election 2025: With the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections around the corner, the state's political landscape is heating up, with a question on everyone's mind: Can Chirag Paswan become the Chief Minister of Bihar? The speculation about Chirag Paswan's potential candidacy for Chief Minister intensified after posters proclaiming "Bihar ka CM Chirag chahiye" (Bihar wants Chirag as CM) made rounds on the internet. While Chirag Paswan, the leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), has denied any personal ambition for the top post, his actions suggest otherwise. This question further deepened and gained momentum with the party suggesting that the leader should contest from a 'general seat', instead of a reserved seat. Arun Bharti, the Lok Janshakti Party's Bihar in-charge and Jamui MP, in a post on X said, there is a prevailing sentiment among party workers that Chirag Paswan should contest the assembly elections from a general seat rather than a reserved seat. Bharti noted that Chirag Paswan is perceived as "the hope of the entire Bihar, not just one community," underscoring his broad appeal beyond his traditional support base. Writing further, Bharti posed a pertinent question, "Why should the scope of the seat be limited when the leader represents the aspirations of the entire Bihar?" He emphasized that party workers and the people of Bihar expect Chirag Paswan to assume a more significant role, transcending traditional boundaries. Bharti further underscored Chirag's growing stature, describing him as "not just a representative but the hope of the whole of Bihar." This narrative is seen by experts as a strategic move to position Chirag Paswan as a potential Chief Ministerial candidate, capitalizing on the perceived decline of the current CM Nitish Kumar's influence and the opposition's criticism of his leadership. Meanwhile, the announcement of the Lok Janshakti Party's (LJP) Nav Sankalp Sabha in Ara on June 8 to rally support for Chirag Paswan's 2025 election campaign has also fueled this narrative. This event is expected to showcase Chirag's leadership and vision for Bihar, potentially setting the stage for a strong electoral performance. If we talk about Chirag Paswan's strategy, it appears to be centered on asserting his party's independence and establishing a strong image as a Dalit leader in Bihar. His recent move to request Bhagalpur's inclusion in the PM Mitra Yojana shows his 'Chess Player's Strategy' and a calculated effort to demonstrate his influence within the NDA coalition. This move has sparked speculation about his party's future plans and potential seat-sharing arrangements with other NDA partners. BJP's Dilemma The BJP might find itself in a tight spot due to Chirag's assertiveness. His support base among the Paswan and Dalit communities could be a significant asset for the NDA, but his party's demand for more seats and the projection of Chirag as the next CM could strain relations with the JD(U). The BJP will need to navigate this situation carefully to maintain the delicate balance within the coalition. Chirag Paswan's Rise Chirag Paswan's growing popularity can be attributed, in part, to his efforts to assert himself as a strong Dalit leader in Bihar. By projecting himself as a champion of the marginalized, he has managed to carve out a niche for himself in the state's politics. However, it's essential to consider whether Chirag's rise is merely a reflection of his efforts or if it's also a result of the larger socio-political dynamics at play in Bihar. The state's complex caste equations and the fragmentation of traditional vote banks have created an environment where new leaders can emerge. Implications of Chirag's CM Ambition If Chirag Paswan becomes the CM of Bihar, it would mark a shift in traditional power dynamics, with a Dalit leader taking center stage. This could lead to a realignment of caste-based vote banks and a reconfiguration of alliances within the state. Chirag's leadership would likely bring a new perspective to governance, focusing on issues affecting marginalized communities. The Road Ahead As the state prepares for the polls, Chirag Paswan's party and leadership aspirations will play a significant role in shaping Bihar's politics. While it's too early to say if Chirag Paswan will indeed become the CM of Bihar, one thing is certain his party's aggressive campaign and his leadership aspirations will play a significant role in shaping the state's politics in the lead-up to the assembly polls. The BJP, JD(U), and other coalition partners will need to carefully consider their strategies and alliances in light of Chirag's growing ambitions. Can Chirag Paswan's vision for Bihar become a reality, or will the complexities of state politics prove too great to overcome? Only time will tell. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, who is leading the all-party delegation in the United Kingdom, ridiculed Pakistan for promoting Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir to Field Marshal despite recent military and strategic failures during Operation Sindoor, saying that despite Munirs defeat in the field, he was promoted. In May this year, Pakistan government promoted Army Chief General Asim Munir to the rank of field marshal for his role during Operation Sindoor. Addressing the Indian diaspora in London on Sunday, Prasad said that Pakistan's problem lies in its lack of democracy, as unelected and unaccountable military leaders have consistently seized power. "What is the problem of Pakistan? The problem with Pakistan is that it is not a democratic country. 'Muhammad Ali Jinnah ne banaya Pakistan, wo ban gaya Generals ki dukaan, that is the situation of Pakistan. The second thing, very important, is people, leaders make the country. There, Pakistan armed forces have made a country for themselves, unelectable, not accountable, not popular sanction, but they seized power. Ayub Khan field marshal for 10 years. Mr Yahya Khan for seven and a half years, Mr Zia ul Haq for eleven years, General Musharraf for nine years Now you have Munir, General, who was defeated in the field but became a field marshal. That is the whole scenario," ANI quoted Prasad as saying. Accusing Pakistan of sheltering terrorists, Prasad pointed out that the 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden was caught in Pakistan. He added that the terrorists who hijacked the plane to rescue Masood Azhar have also been killed in Pakistan, along with Masood Azhar's two brothers, brothers-in-law, and sisters during Operation Sindoor. "9/11 in America, a gentleman known as Osama bin Laden, where was he caught? You know it very well, in Pakistan, who unleashed the entire mayhem of Al-Qaeda and the attack in New York. You remember that Daniel Pearl, the journalist, many journalists are sitting here and watching, it was slit and you'll be happy to know the terrorist who slit his neck has been slit by the missiles of India in this attack. The terrorists who hijacked the plane to rescue Masood Azhar had also been killed, and Masood Azhar's two brothers, brother-in-laws, and sisters have all been killed. Why are we here? We are here to tell the world terrorism is a global cancer," he said. He stressed that India has always sought peace with Pakistan and has never been the aggressor, but has only responded to threats by Pakistan. "India and Pakistan have fought four conventional wars, many distinguished Indians sitting here in the front, they have seen those times. 48 First War, 65 Second War, 71 Third War, when Bangladesh was created, 99 the Kargil War. These are four conventional wars. Remember one thing, my dear fellow Indians, India was never the aggressor, India only responded. The second thing you all need to understand, we are not against the people of Pakistan, they are fine. All governments, be it the Congress or the BJP or Jawaharlal Nehru or Lal Bahadur Shastri or Indira Gandhi or Dr Manmohan Singh or Atal Bihari Vajpayee, everyone tried to have a peaceful dialogue with them. What happened? Terrorism, Prasad said. The Indian delegation, led by Ravi Shankar Prasad, arrived in London on Saturday (local time) as part of India's global outreach program to convey the country's firm stance against terrorism. The delegation includes BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari, Samik Bhattacharya, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Congress MPs Ghulam Ali Khatana and Amar Singh, former Union Minister MJ Akbar, and former Ambassador Pankaj Saran. The delegation On April 22, twenty-six innocent people were killed and several others were injured in a terror attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the terror attack, targeting nine terror infrastructure sites 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. Photo by Stephan Valentin via Unsplash Spoiler alert: The answer to todays Wordle is B-E-Z-O-S. In a first-of-its-kind deal for the historic paper of record, The New York Times last week inked a deal to license its vast editorial library for use in Amazons various AI platforms. The agreement comes as the Gray Lady sues OpenAI and Microsoft for alleged copyright infringement, one of the major legal battles in the AI-spawned era of copyright war. READ ALSO: Washington Trade Talks With Beijing Drive S&P 500 Toward Record High and Apple Still Wont Ride the AI Hype Train Pitch Bot Under the licensing deal (financial terms still undisclosed), Jeff Bezos e-commerce/cloud computing/digital media giant can showcase NYT news articles, recipes, and other material across its consumer-facing AI programs. Ask Alexa how to scramble eggs and, deep down in the layers of the neural network, that could be Kenji Lopez-Alt speaking to you. Its a first for the NYT but hardly for the rest of the industry. Conde Nast, The Atlantic, Axel Springer, the Associated Press, and the Bezos-owned Washington Post have all struck similar licensing agreements with OpenAI. In a situation similar to the NYTs, with one of the same players, News Corp is concurrently suing Perplexity AI over copyright-infringement claims and licensing its content to OpenAI. Translation: If you want your chatbots to train on and feature these companies content, pay up. But just how much is news content worth to the AI industry? Depends on whom you ask: According to The Information, OpenAI offers publishers as little as $1 million to $5 million annually to license their content. In late 2023, the NYT reported that Apple was offering $50 million multiyear deals to license news content for AI model training. Thats small potatoes compared with the billions of dollars in statutory and actual damages the NYT is claiming in its suit against OpenAI. In that case, the NYT is essentially claiming that OpenAI and Microsoft unlawfully used copyrighted material to train its chatbots, which sometimes appeared to respond with content copy-pasted right from the NYT, siphoning away valuable clicks and subscriptions from the NYT itself while helping OpenAI grow into one of the most valuable private companies in the world. Fair Use It or Lose It: AI firms tend to argue that their models are trained on publicly available data fair use under copyright law. Whether the law agrees or not is still being sorted out, though it seems clear the AI industry sees its existence hinging on courts agreeing with its interpretation. In the UK, a coterie of high-profile performing artists, including Elton John, Dua Lipa, and Ian McKellan, are pushing for a law that would require artists to opt-in to their works being used to train AI models. Last week, former Deputy Prime Minister and ex-Meta executive Nick Clegg told British outlet The Times that passing such a law in the UK, while other countries do not, would basically kill the AI industry in this country overnight. This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive delivering razor sharp analysis and perspective on all things finance, economics, and markets, subscribe to our free The Daily Upside newsletter. India-Paraguay Bilateral Meet: India and Paraguay held bilateral talks in New Delhi on Monday. During the meeting with Paraguayan President Santiago Pena Palacios, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India and Paraguay stand shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism. PM Modi added that there is immense potential for cooperation to fight common challenges like cybercrime, organised crime, and drug trafficking. ANI quoted the Prime Minister as saying, "India and Paraguay stand shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism. There is immense potential for cooperation to fight common challenges like cybercrime, organised crime, and drug trafficking. India and Paraguay are an integral part of the Global South. Our hopes, aspirations, and challenges are similar, so we can deal with these challenges effectively by learning from each other's experiences. We are satisfied that during the COVID pandemic, we were able to share the vaccine made in India with the people of Paraguay." #WATCH | Delhi: During the bilateral meeting with President of Paraguay, Santiago Pena Palacios, PM Modi says "India and Paraguay stand shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism. There is immense potential for cooperation to fight common challenges like cybercrime, pic.twitter.com/x5PFWWVGMX ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2025 Earlier, PM Modi met with the Paraguay President at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. Before this, the latter paid a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, laying a wreath at the memorial. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared the pictures on the social media platform X, stating, "Honouring the values of peace and non-violence. President Santiago Pena Palacios of Paraguay paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat today." Paraguay President India Visit The visit of the Paraguay President is part of his three-day state visit to India, which will conclude on June 4. He arrived in New Delhi on his first state visit to India and was accorded a ceremonial welcome along with a Guard of Honour at Palam Air Force Station. The Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement, informed that at the invitation of PM Modi, the President of Paraguay will be on a state visit to India from June 2 to 4, 2025. In addition, he will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers, senior officials, and business representatives. President Pena will also visit Mumbai before returning to Paraguay, and while there, he will meet the state political leadership, business and industry representatives, startups, innovators, and tech leaders. India-Paraguay Diplomatic Relations The statement of MEA continued to explain the diplomatic relations between India and Paraguay. The two nations established diplomatic relations on September 13, 1961 and since then have developed cooperation in sectors, including agriculture, trade, health, information technology, and pharmaceuticals. (with ANI inputs) NEW DELHI: In the wake of the Congress partys criticism of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar over his remarks on "informing" Pakistan about Operation Sindoor, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has intensified his attacks on the foreign policy record of past Congress-led governments. Dubey, known for his combative political style, has once again turned to history to make his case. On Monday, he shared on another declassified letter written by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to the United States President during the 1962 war with China. The letter, which was written on November 16, 1962 which Dubey claimed was later shared by the U.S. with Pakistan, is being cited by him as evidence of what he describes as the Congress leaderships weak approach to international diplomacy. Pakistan is a brother, a friend, a good neighbour, we will reach an agreement with them -- everything was written. But carefully read the excellent foreign policy of the great Nehru ji, Dubey remarked sarcastically in his post. The excerpt he highlighted from Nehrus letter read: The idea of any conflict with Pakistan is one which is repugnant to us, and we on our part will never initiate it. I am convinced that the future of India and Pakistan lies in their friendship and cooperation for the benefit of both. According to Dubey, the US forwarded this letter to then Pakistani military ruler Ayub Khan. After seeing this letter, did we not give Pakistan the opportunity to attack India in 1965? What should one say about a leader who discloses the countrys vulnerabilities to foreign powers, especially Pakistan? Dubey asked. This is not the first time Dubey has invoked declassified documents to attack Congress governments. In recent months, he has posted excerpts from US diplomatic cables and correspondence to revisit key moments in Indias foreign relations -- from the 1962 war with China to the 1972 Simla Agreement. Earlier, Dubey had cited a declassified letter from former US President Ronald Reagan to then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to accuse the Congress party of hypocrisy for questioning American involvement in India-Pakistan diplomacy. He also resurrected a controversy by alleging that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi "ceded" Indian territory to Pakistan in 1968 as part of the post-war boundary settlement in the Rann of Kutch region. Op JalRahat 2: In a continued display of dedication and expertise, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles have intensified their rescue operations in flood-hit areas of Manipur. On the second day of Operation JalRahat-2, the forces successfully evacuated over 500 civilians from severely waterlogged regions. The personnel rescued civilians from severely inundated areas such as Wangkhei, Heingang, Lamlong, Khurai, JNIMS, and Ahallup, officials said. In a post on X, the Indian Army informed, "10 flood relief columns, equipped with BAUTs and inflatable boats, were deployed for rescue tasks. Troops also carried out emergency repairs on the breached Iril River boundary wall near Arapti Lamkhai in Lilong, Thoubal District, to prevent further flooding." #OpJalRahat2 | #ManipurFlood On Day-2 of Operation JalRahat-2, the #IndianArmy and Assam Rifles continued extensive rescue efforts across #Imphal East and West, evacuating over 500 civilians, from severely waterlogged areas of Wangkhei, Heingang, Lamlong, Khurai, JNIMS, and https://t.co/1yOpR1huQe pic.twitter.com/rIVBbkTl8k ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) June 2, 2025 At JNIMS Hospital, Army boats were used to ferry stranded patients to safety, ensuring their medical care and well-being, officials added. "At JNIMS Hospital, Army boats ferried stranded patients to safety. Nearly 800 bottles of drinking water and other essential supplies were distributed to displaced families across affected zones." In addition to rescue efforts, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles also took preventive measures to mitigate the impact of the floods. Troops performed emergency repairs on the breached Iril River boundary wall near Arapti Lamkhai in Lilong, Thoubal District, to prevent further flooding. The forces also distributed nearly 800 drinking water bottles and other essential supplies to displaced families across the affected zones. This gesture provided much-needed relief to those affected by the floods. The Indian Army and Assam Rifles are working in close coordination with civil authorities to ensure timely assistance and sustained support to affected communities. The forces' efforts have been instrumental in providing relief and comfort to those in need. Three days of incessant rain have brought Imphal, the state capital of Manipur, to a grinding halt. The city is grappling with severe waterlogging, with several areas affected, prompting authorities to issue flood warnings. Residents living along the Imphal River's floodplains have been urged to evacuate immediately. The relentless monsoon rains have claimed at least 30 lives across the Northeast, with widespread landslides and flash floods wreaking havoc in the region. Officials confirmed the toll on Sunday, as rescue efforts continue in affected areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has cautioned of continued heavy rainfall in the coming days, keeping authorities and disaster response agencies on high alert. The warning has heightened concerns, and preparations are underway to mitigate the impact of further rain-induced disasters. New Delhi: On June 1, 2025, Ukraine executed a meticulously planned drone assault, targeting Russian military airbases deep within Siberia. Dubbed as Operation Spiders Web, the attack resulted in the destruction of more than 40 strategic aircraft, including Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers. It marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. The operation, which took over 18 months to plan, involved smuggling 117 drones into Russia, concealing them in wooden sheds on trucks parked near the airbases. Upon activation, these drones launched coordinated strikes and inflicted an estimated $7 billion in damages to Russia. Code named Operation Sindoor, Indias recent military engagements with Pakistan, which targeted nine terror launchpads and important airbases, have highlighted the evolving nature of warfare in the region. Ukraines drone strategy, in this context, offers several lessons. Herere a few lessons India must learn from Ukraines strike: 1. Adoption of Asymmetric Warfare Tactics: Ukraines use of cost-effective drones to inflict significant damage on a superior military force highlights the potential of asymmetric warfare. India can explore similar tactics to counterbalance conventional military disparities. 2. Investment in Indigenous Drone Technology: The success of Operation Spider's Web emphasises the importance of developing homegrown drone capabilities. Indias Make in India initiative can focus on creating advanced drones tailored to its defense needs. 3. Enhancement of Counter-Drone Systems: The operation revealed vulnerabilities in traditional air defense systems against drone swarms. India should prioritise the development and deployment of robust counter-drone technologies to protect important infrastructure. 4. Strengthening Intelligence and Surveillance: Ukraines meticulous planning and execution highlight the role of superior intelligence. India must bolster its intelligence capabilities to detect and neutralise potential threats proactively. 5. Balancing Operational Secrecy with Strategic Partnerships: Ukraine conducted the operation without prior knowledge of its allies, emphasising operational security. However, India should balance secrecy with international collaboration to enhance its defense capabilities. Operation Spiders Web is a case study in modern warfare, which demonstrates how innovation and strategic planning can offset conventional military disadvantages. All-party delegations attending diplomatic engagements in Spain on Sunday conveyed a unified stance against terrorism and asserted that Pakistan has hand in every terrorist incident in the world. Addressing the Indian community in Madrid on Sunday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Dr Ashok Kumar Mittal accused Pakistan of being involved in every terrorist incident in the world. "Be it the UK or even France, Pakistan has a hand in every terrorist incident in the world. Prime Minister Modi believes in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. We want peace, we want to grow and let others grow as well," ANI quoted Mittal as saying. BJP MP Captain Brijesh Chauta (Retd) cautioned the international community against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, saying today India is its victim, tomorrow the whole world will be its victim. "It is Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism that different nations need to understand. Today, we might be the victims of it; tomorrow, the world will be a victim of it. Many nations tell us that India should sit and talk. Who to talk to is the question. Do we talk to the elected government in Pakistan? If there is one? Do we talk to the army there? Do we talk to the Islamic clergy?" Chauta said. DMK MP Kanimozhi stressed the complexity involved in resolving conflicts with Pakistan, saying that the issue between the two countries cannot be resolved just by talks. "The Government of India has sent out delegations, and we've also reached out to friendly nations and nations which have some misconceptions that we can resolve issues just by speaking to them and calling Pakistan over for a coffee and saying we will resolve these conflicts. It's much more than what meets the eye for many people," Kanimozhi said. Gurdaspur-born Senator from Barcelona, Robert Masih Nahar, praised Indias firm response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack through Operation Sindoor, terming it a good step. "The government should have done this earlier. We tolerated them for long, we tried to make them understand, but there has to be a day when India had to teach them that it will not tolerate any terrorist attack. It was a good step by India. A terrorist country and those who are running it must get a message that they will get a befitting reply. All the countries are against terrorism. The delegations will talk to the government here, and I think they will get this assurance that Spain is with India," Nahar said. Pahalgam To Operation Sindoor On April 22, twenty-six innocent civilians were killed, and several others were injured by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. In response to this terror attack, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7. This decisive military action targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. As a result, over 100 terrorists affiliated with groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen were eliminated, highlighting Indias commitment to countering terrorism with strong measures. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to attend the G7 summit taking place in Canada, as he has not yet received an official invitation for the event, as per media reports. Canada will host the G7 Summit from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Alberta. Prime Minister Modi has participated in the G7 Summit every year from 2019 to 2024. If the reports are accurate, then this will be the first time that PM Modi will be unable to attend the meeting of the economically most advanced group of nations. The G7, or Group of Seven, is an intergovernmental organization comprising seven developed countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US. Although India is not a G7 member, it has been invited as a guest nation during this period due to its growing economic and geopolitical importance. According to a TOI report, any eleventh-hour invitation is unlikely to be considered by India because of logistical constraints. This development comes against the backdrop of strained relations between India and Canada, particularly following the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil two years ago. Last week, Sikh separatist organizations in Canada had urged Prime Minister Carney's government not to invite Modi, citing Indias alleged unwillingness to cooperate with the investigations into the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Relations between India and Canada soured after former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in Parliament that he had "credible allegations" regarding India's involvement in Nijjar's death. However, newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney has publicly advocated for improving ties with India and extended condolences following the Pahalgam terror attack, signaling his commitment to strengthening India-Canada relations. On May 26, Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar had a telephonic conversation with his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, marking the first call between the two foreign ministers since the new Canadian government took office. Taking to social media platform X on May 26, the EAM stated, "Appreciate the telecon with FM Anita Anand of Canada. Discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties. Wished her a very successful tenure." The Supreme Court on Monday did not pass any interim orders on staying the proposed demolitions in the national capitals Batla House. A Bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Satish Chandra Sharma told the residents, who had received 15-day eviction notices and apprehended imminent demolition, that they are free to avail remedies available under the law. The Justice Karol-led Bench directed that the matter be listed before the regular Bench for hearing in July. The litigants claimed that they were genuine residents and property owners of Khasra Nos. 271 and 279 in Batla House. They stated that their homes fall within the area now sought to be demolished on the purported ground of being outside the PM-UDAY Scheme coverage, despite having valid title documents, proof of continuous possession since before 2014, and eligibility under the Recognition of Property Rights Act, 2019. Any blanket demolition drive initiated without affording affected residents an adequate and meaningful opportunity of being heard would amount to a gross infraction of the principles of natural justice and a direct violation of fundamental rights enshrined under the Constitution of India, said the plea filed through advocate Adeel Ahmed. Underscoring the need for a fair, humane, and judicious approach before any coercive action is undertaken, the plea stated that applicants have been residing peacefully in the area in question for several decades, forming a stable and law-abiding community. It added that the 15-day eviction notices were mechanically applied to residents and properties which are neither part of Khasra No. 271 nor identified in any report as being outside the scope of regularisation. In spite of their legitimate claims, these residents have been denied an opportunity to be heard, and are now at imminent risk of displacement, said the application filed before the top court. West Bengal Police are facing severe criticism for alleged double standards in their handling of recent cases, drawing parallels to concerns about selective enforcement seen elsewhere. Critics point to two contrasting incidents: the alleged inaction in a case involving an attack on Hindus in Siliguri and the swift arrest of a student, Sharmistha, for offensive remarks against a specific religion. In Siliguri, despite attacks on Hindus, police are accused of being inactive, with perpetrators reportedly roaming free. Conversely, the Kolkata Police arrested 22-year-old Sharmistha from Gurugram, 1500 kilometers away, for allegedly making objectionable comments about a particular religion. In today's DNA, Rahul Sinha Managing editor of Zee News decorded why Bengal police's action in Sharmishta Panoli case reflects selective targeting Watch Today's Full Episode: The controversy extends beyond the police to the complainant against Sharmistha, Wajahat Khan. Allegations have surfaced regarding Khan's own track record of offensive social media posts concerning Hindu deities, which police have seemingly ignored. Furthermore, Khan is reportedly linked to the "Sky Foundation," an NGO with alleged connections to Pakistan and an office in Karachi. While Sharmistha remains in judicial custody for 14 days, Wajahat Khan, despite his alleged derogatory comments, remains free. This has led to accusations that West Bengal Police are acting based on religious bias. The Bar Council of India has also questioned the "selective pattern" of the police and the Mamata Banerjee government. Concerns have also been raised about the appointment of Inspector Naushad Akhtar as the investigating officer in Sharmistha's case. Political reactions, including a shared old video of Mamata Banerjee by Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, further fuel accusations of appeasement politics. New Delhi: All-party delegation leader and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has condemned a terror attack in Colorado, expressing relief that no lives were lost. The delegation's statement aligns with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's view that "terror has no place" in their countries. In a post on X, Tharoor said that the MPs share the Secretary of State Marco Rubio's view that 'terror has no place' in our countries." "Members of the Indian MPs' delegation learnt with concern about the terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, today. We are relieved there was no loss of life. We all share the Secretary of State Marco Rubio's view that 'terror has no place' in our countries," the Congress MP said. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the attack occurred in Boulder, Colorado, where a 45-year-old man, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, allegedly set fire to several peaceful Israeli supporters. The FBI has charged Soliman with carrying out a "targeted terror attack" that injured six people aged between 67 and 88. Soliman was shouting "Free Palestine" during the attack and was arrested at the scene. The FBI further marked that the incident is being investigated as an act of "ideologically motivated violence". The attack took place near an event organized by "Run for Their Lives", a grassroots organization advocating for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The Indian parliamentary delegation, currently in Brazil and scheduled to visit the US tomorrow, was received at the airport in Brasilia by Sandeep Kumar Kujur, Charge d'Affaires of the Indian Embassy in Brazil. The delegation's condemnation of the attack reflects India's solidarity with the US in the fight against terrorism. In a separate development, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss the Ukraine conflict and upcoming peace talks in Istanbul. Both sides emphasized the need for continued dialogue to achieve lasting peace. The call was initiated at Moscow's request, and Rubio reiterated President Donald Trump's appeal for direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. (With Inputs from ANI) Ukraine's Operation Spider's Web, a drone offensive targeting strategic air bases deep within Russian territory, offers valuable lessons for India. The operation's success in destroying radar stations and bomber aircraft highlights the evolving nature of war. Considering India's previous Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, which used drones, there are key takeaways for India. - Drones have become a crucial part of modern warfare, going beyond just supporting troops to being the main force. The Spider's Web strikes show that drones can cause significant damage inside the enemy territory without risking pilots' lives. This makes drones a game-changer in military operations, changing how wars are fought. - India has been using manned aircraft for decades is notable but Ukraine's Spider's Web operation underscores a crucial shift which means the future of air power lies in unmanned, AI-driven, and long-range systems. To stay ahead, India must accelerate its development of Indigenous drones, Armed UAVs and Autonomy-led weapons systems. - India's air defence succeeded in Operation Sindoor but Ukraine's drone strikes show that even heavily protected targets can be vulnerable. The operation teaches valuable lessons in creative long-range attacks. India can learn this strategy. - To ensure internal security and prevent any weapon surveillance issues in India, particularly at the borders, the government has to implement several measures. - India's drones demonstrated accurate results during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. However, Ukraine's campaign has showcased the significant value of autonomous missile-firing platforms, which can revolutionise military capabilities. To stay ahead, India can benefit from investing in advanced technologies such as loitering munitions, AI-guided drones capable of targeting and disabling enemy airframes on the ground, and platforms with deeper strike ranges. - The Ukrainian drone campaign will likely reshape India's approach to military modernisation, driving interest and investment in Swarm drones, Suicide drones, Stealth UAVs, Electronic warfare payloads, Autonomous deep strike systems. Paragon Capital Management (PCM), a boutique asset management firm based in Singapore, has appointed Trevor Lau as managing director and strategist. Lau will report to Paul Lee, co-founder, CEO, and CIO, along with Irene Ng, COO and compliance/risk officer. With two decades of experience in private banking and wealth management, Lau has held senior roles at several financial institutions, including Credit Suisse, Azura Investment Partners, UBS, and Citigroup Private Bank. His most recent position was as CEO at Azura Investment Partners, where he was responsible for establishing the Singapore office, obtaining regulatory licensing, and launching the firms Asia platform. Prior to this, Lau served as managing director and head of the entrepreneur segment for Southeast Asia at UBS, focusing on business growth among ultra-high-net-worth entrepreneurs. His career at Credit Suisse lasted over ten years, during which he held various senior roles in investment consulting and team leadership. Lee said: His extensive experience in building and leading high-performing teams, driving business growth, and delivering bespoke investment solutions for ultra-high-net-worth clients will certainly add value to our organisation and for our clients. Additionally, his entrepreneurial mindset evidenced by his experience in launching and scaling a wealth management firm will be invaluable to PCM as we chart the next phase of our growth. Paragon Capital Management currently manages assets exceeding S$1.2bn (approximately $930m) and operates offices in both Singapore and Hong Kong. In January this year, Paragon Capital Management launched its operations in Hong Kong after obtaining Type 4 and Type 9 licences from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). These licences allow Paragon Capital Management Hong Kong (PCMHK) to provide securities advisory services and engage in asset management activities. "Paragon Capital Management hires new managing director and strategist" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. In a recent and significant case, a Christian officer in the Indian Army, Lieutenant Samuel Kamaleson, was dismissed from service for refusing to participate in religious ceremonies associated with his regiment. This case has sparked a broader conversation about the unique "religion" of the Indian Armywhere the nation comes first, above all personal beliefs. Samuel Kamaleson was commissioned into the Armys 3 Cavalry Regiment in March 2017. This regiment consists of three squadrons composed of Sikh, Jat, and Rajput soldiers. Kamaleson was assigned to lead the squadron primarily made up of Sikh soldiers. As a commanding officer, it was his responsibility to attend religious events within the regiment to help maintain troop morale. However, Kamaleson, being a devout Christian, objected to entering temples and gurdwaras and refrained from participating in religious parades. Although he would go up to the vicinity of the places of worship, he avoided stepping into the actual prayer areas, as he believed it went against his personal faith. Senior officers tried to explain to him that his presence in these ceremonies was not about worship but about leadership and morale-building. Despite repeated efforts to make him understand the importance of this role, Kamaleson refused to comply with the orders. As a result, in 2021, the Army dismissed him for indiscipline. His pension and gratuity were also withheld. Unhappy with the decision, Kamaleson filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, challenging his dismissal and seeking reinstatement. After nearly four years of legal proceedings, the High Court upheld the Armys decision. In its verdict, the Delhi High Court clarified that this case was not about religious freedom, but about the failure to follow a lawful order from a superior officer. According to Section 41 of the Army Act, disobeying a seniors lawful command is considered an offence. The court noted that Kamaleson had been instructed to attend the inner parts of religious sites not for personal worship but to support the emotional and spiritual needs of his soldiers. This, in turn, directly contributed to their morale and unity. The court further stated that while such instructions might appear harsh to a civilian, the standards of discipline in the Army are fundamentally different. Refusing to enter a religious place for such purposes weakens military values and cohesion. By placing his personal religious beliefs above a lawful military order, Kamaleson displayed clear indiscipline, which justified his dismissal. The judgment also reaffirmed a long-standing principle of the Indian armed forces: the religion of the Army is the defence of the nation. For Indian soldiers, the country stands above their individual selves and even their personal religions. Though the Army is made up of individuals from various religions, castes, and regions, the uniform binds them as one. This spirit of unity and discipline is what defines the Indian Army. Former officers have emphasized that a soldiers true loyalty is to the Indian Constitution and their duty to the nation. The Indian Army is a secular institution where people from all communitiesHindu, Sikh, Christian, Parsi, and even Jewishhave held important leadership positions. Throughout its history, the Indian Army has maintained a strict apolitical stance and has fought not just external enemies, but also internal threats like religious extremism. In conclusion, the High Courts decision serves as a powerful reminder that in the Indian Army, discipline, unity, and commitment to the nation supersede personal religious beliefs. Soldiers who fight for their country have always proven to be stronger and more dependable than those who fight in the name of religion. Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan responded to his party's request to contest the upcoming Bihar Vidhan Sabha elections, stating that he will respect the party's decision, whatever it may be. "I will obey my party's wishes. For now, we are yet to discuss it...,' he said. On Sunday, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MP Arun Bharti hinted at the possibility of Union Minister and party president Chirag Paswan contesting the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. Bharti also revealed that during a recent state executive meeting, party leaders formally proposed that Paswan consider a larger role in Bihar politics. "Chirag Paswan ji has said from every platform that Bihar is the centre of my politics...the whole of Bihar loves him. We had given him a formal proposal in the state executive meeting that he should come to Bihar and think about playing a bigger role. We are conducting a survey. The result of that survey will come, and if everything goes well, then I think that in the coming time, Chirag Paswan ji will seriously consider all these things and think about coming to Bihar and contesting elections," Bharti said. Highlighting Paswan's commitment to Bihar, the LJP leader said, "He is working for the Biharis and does all his politics by focusing on his vision for Bihar. Will it not be right if Chirag Paswan Ji raises his voice from the Bihar Assembly and realises the vision of Bihar First, Bihari First?" Earlier, Chirag Paswan asserted that there is "no vacancy" for the post of Chief Minister in Bihar, and incumbent Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will lead a strong NDA government after the Assembly polls. "There is no vacancy currently in Bihar for the post of CM. After the election results, under the leadership and vision of PM Modi, CM Nitish Kumar will lead a strong NDA government. After the Bihar election results, the DA government will be formed," Paswan told reporters in Darbhanga. In a significant political development in Bihar ahead of the Assembly polls scheduled to be held later this year, former Union Minister Ram Chandra Prasad Singh has merged his political outfit, Aap Sabki Awaz (ASA), with the Jan Suraaj Party, led by Prashant Kishor. The Bihar Assembly elections are expected to be held in October and November this year, wherein the NDA, which consists of the BJP, JD(U), and LJP, will be once again looking forward to returning to power. In contrast, the INDIA Bloc will be giving competition to the incumbent Nitish Kumar government. Seoul: South Korean exports to the US were down 8.1 per cent for the month of May, as compared to the same month last year, weighed down by the US President Donald Trump's tariff, as it took a toll on automobile sector, the Korea Herald reported on Sunday, citing the government of Korea's data. Korea's outbound shipments were at USD 57.2 billion for the month of May, registering its first y-o-y decline for 2025. At the same time, imports also declined 5.3 per cent to USD 50.3 billion, leading to a trade surplus of USD 6.94 billion. The automobile sector was one of the key sectors that suffered from the impact of the US trade tariff policy. The sector registered a decile of 4.4 per cent to USD 6.2 billion, and "Hyundai Motor Group's operation of its local manufacturing plant in Georgia -- a strategic move to minimise the impact of the tariffs -- was also cited as a factor." "As outbound shipments to our two largest markets, the US and China, have declined, the US tariff policies appear to be impacting the global economy and our exports," Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun said. Despite of decline in exports, semiconductors were one of the country's major export items that experienced a rise of 21.2 per cent on-year to USD 13.8 billion, the highest-ever export value for May. This rise was attributed to strong demand for high-value-added memory products such as high-bandwidth memory and DDR5 chips. Similarly, exports for smartphones rose by 3.9 per cent on-year to USD 1.3 billion, while computer exports increased 2.3 per cent to USD 1.1 billion. "We will come up with mutually beneficial solutions to address the US tariff measures, aiming to minimise damage for Korea's exporters and maximise national interest," Ahn added. However, the minister also highlighted that the South Korean government will move swiftly to implement the budget allocated through the supplementary spending plan, including 150 billion won (USD 108.4 million) for tariff-related trade insurance for small- and mid-sized firms, and 84.7 billion won for tariff response vouchers. Shocked by the sudden demise of director Vikram Sugumaran, in whose film 'Madhayaanai Kootam' she played a pivotal role, actress Viji Chandrasekar on Monday appealed to people, asking them not to overwork or take stress upon themselves. On getting to know about the untimely demise of director Vikram Sugumaran, actress Viji Chandrasekar issued a video statement in which she said, " Vikram Sugumaran's demise comes as a big shock. I have acted in his film 'Madhayaanai Kootam'. It was a film that fetched me a lot of fame. He was a very talented director." Stating that the passionate director had called her two months ago to say that he was to start his next film in Tamil month of Thai, Viji Chandrasekhar said the director had sounded very excited that he was bringing a very good script. "I can't comprehend what is happening to everyone. People who are there today aren't there tomorrow," said the actress, who was still clearly in a state of shock. "I express my deepest sympathies to all his family members and friends in the film fraternity. I still cannot believe," she said. The actress then made an appeal to the people. She said, " I wish to say only one thing. I've realised recently that only those who are working day and night, taking extreme stress on to themselves are losing their lives in this sudden fashion. All of you look after your health. I am feeling very scared. You all know what the reasons for stress are. If you avoid them and give importance to your health, such an end will not happen. It's a big loss to the film industry. Vikram Sugumaran had a lot of dreams. He would talk a lot to me. He would discuss all his scripts with me. Now all that has become meaningless. Deepest condolences," she said. Filmmaker Vikram Sugumaran, best known for his critically acclaimed directorial debut 'Madha Yaanai Kootam', passed away on Monday in Chennai following a cardiac arrest. He was 47. Sugumaran was on his way back from Madurai after narrating a new script to a producer when he experienced severe chest pain. Though he was rushed to a nearby hospital, doctors were unable to resuscitate him. Sugumaran began his film career as an assistant to legendary director Balu Mahendra between 1999 and 2000. He later made a mark with 'Madha Yaanai Kootam', a gritty rural drama lauded for its raw storytelling and social commentary. His most recent directorial venture was Raavana Kottam, starring Shanthnu Bhagyaraj in the lead role. Paying tribute to the late director, Shanthnu took to the social media platform X and wrote: #Rip dearest brother. Ive learnt so much from you & will always cherish every moment. Gone too soon. You will be missed. #RIPVikramSugumaran. Model-turned-actress Giorgia Andriani is majorly into fitness, fashion and all things stylish. The Italian beauty has over 1.6 million Instagram followers and often shares her updates on social media. She made her Bollywood debut with Shreyas Talpade in Welcome To Bajrangpur, followed by her appearances in Karoline Kamakshi (2019) and Martin (2024). In her chat with Zee News Digital, she opened up on working in India, pay parity in Bollywood and much more. Read her exclusive interview here: Q. How has your experience of working in India been so far? A. India has honestly felt like a second home to me. The warmth of the people, the incredible culture, and the energy of the industry, its all so infectious. Ive had the chance to work on diverse projects and collaborate with very passionate, talented people. Its been a journey of growth, discovery, and endless learning, and Im truly grateful for every moment. Q, Who are your 2 am friends in Bollywood? A. Im honestly a bit of an old soul, so I rarely stay up till 2 am! (laughs) But I do have a few very close friends from the industry with whom I can talk about anything, at any hour. Shehnaaz Gill has been like family to me here. Its so important to have your tribe in this fast-paced world. Q. There is a huge pay gap between male and female stars. What do you have to say on that? A. Its an important conversation and one we need to keep having until things change. I believe talent, dedication, and the ability to pull audiences, should decide the final compensation and not the gender. The industry is evolving slowly, and I see more women speaking up and taking charge, which is very encouraging. But yes, theres still a long way to go. Q. Are you dating anyone or single right now? A. Im happily single and focusing on myself and my work. I believe this is such a beautiful time to grow, travel, explore new opportunities, and nurture my passions. Love will come when its meant to, but right now Im in a relationship with life. Q. Tell us about your upcoming projects A. Im quite excited about whats coming up! A couple of music videos and a film project are in the pipeline. I cant reveal too much yet, but youll definitely be seeing more of me very soon! Q. Your last relationship was much-hyped, what did you learn from it? A. Every relationship teaches you something about yourself. I think what Ive learnt is the importance of personal peace, independence, and surrounding yourself with people who truly value you for who you are. Life is about evolving, and Im grateful for every experience that shapes me. Q. What do you have to say on objectification of women in movies, especially special dance numbers? A. It depends on the intent and the execution. Theres a fine line between celebrating femininity and objectifying women. I love dance numbers that are empowering and showcase a womans confidence and strength. As an artist, its important for me to be part of work that respects women while still being entertaining. Cinema should uplift, not reduce anyone to a stereotype. Chennai: Filmmaker Vikram Sugumaran, best known for his critically acclaimed directorial debut 'Madha Yaanai Kootam', passed away on Monday in Chennai following a cardiac arrest. He was 47. He was reportedly on his way back from Madurai after narrating a new script to a producer when he experienced severe chest pain. Though he was rushed to a nearby hospital, doctors were unable to resuscitate him. Sugumaran began his film career as an assistant to legendary director Balu Mahendra between 1999 and 2000. He later made a mark with 'Madha Yaanai Kootam', a gritty rural drama lauded for its raw storytelling and social commentary. His most recent directorial venture was Raavana Kottam, starring Shanthnu Bhagyaraj in the lead role. Paying tribute to the late director, Shanthnu took to the social media platform X and wrote: #Rip dearest brother. Ive learnt so much from you & will always cherish every moment. Gone too soon. You will be missed. #RIPVikramSugumaran. Vikram Sugumaran had been working on a new project titled 'Therum Porum'. During a recent media interaction, the filmmaker revealed that he faced betrayal from certain individuals in the industry. However, he chose not to name anyone, stating that he lacked solid evidence to support his claims. The directors sudden passing has triggered an outpouring of grief on social media, with fans and members of the Tamil film fraternity expressing their shock and sorrow. Many have described him as a filmmaker with strong conviction and a voice that brought authenticity to rural narratives. Sources close to the director revealed that he had narrated a script to a producer in Madurai and was set to return to Chennai by bus when the incident occurred. Despite immediate medical attention, he could not be revived. Vikram Sugumaran is survived by his wife and children, residing in Chennai. His passing marks a significant loss to Tamil cinema, particularly to the genre of socially rooted storytelling that he championed. New Delhi: In what can only be described as a beautiful full-circle moment, Manushi Chhillar returned to the Miss World stage, this time in a completely different role. The 72nd Miss World 2025 pageant, which concluded on May 31, 2025, at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, Telangana, saw Miss World 2024 Krystyna Pyszkova of the Czech Republic crown her successor, Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand. For Manushi, who was invited as one of the esteemed judges, this marked a bittersweet and deeply meaningful return to the platform that catapulted her into global fame and recognition when she was crowned Miss World 2017 in China. What made Manushis role as a judge all the more celebratory was the fact that she was once on the opposite side of that very same panel- the one that gave her the success and recognition she enjoys today. Truly, a full-circle moment like no other. She took to Instagram to express how honoured she was to have been invited onto the judging panel. Check out her post below: For Manushi, sitting on the judging panel was a testament to her journey from being a contestant to becoming an accomplished actress and public figure. Her presence as a judge at the pageant held in India added an extra layer of significance to the event, showcasing how former Miss World winners continue to contribute to the organizations mission of empowering women and celebrating achievement on the global stage. New Delhi: Assams Binita Chetrys big win in Britains Got Talent 2025 has made Indians across the country proud and impressed Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The Chief Minister appreciated the nine-year-old for making India proud on the global stage. Sharing a video along with a congratulatory message for her historic achievement, Sarma wrote, Dancing her way to glory. Many congratulations to our very own Binita Chetry on securing the 3rd spot at the Britains Got Talent final. Her performances have mesmerized audiences from the Brahmaputra to the Thames and made us all proud. In the video, her name is announced as the second runner-up, and she shares her experience: I am very happy and proud of myself, and its the best experience. As the audience cheered and clapped for her, the nine-year-old expressed gratitude with folded hands. Dancing her way to glory Many congratulations to our very own #BinitaChetry on securing the 3rd spot at #BGTFinal. Her performances have mesmerized audiences from the Brahmaputra to the Thames and made us all proud. I wish her all the best for her future endeavours pic.twitter.com/jBhAcJwGb8 Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 1, 2025 Who is Binita Chetry? Binita belongs to a small village called Talbalijan near Bokajan. Her energetic dance performances led her to become the first contestant from India to reach the finals of the prestigious competition. The British show was held on Saturday night, and the winner was announced as British magician Harry Moulding, while LED dance troupe The Blackouts bagged the runner-up position. During her audition, Binita revealed she dreams of winning the competition to buy a pink princess house. The young dancer was supported by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), which provided her with 5 lakh in financial assistance for her finale preparations. She also received support from Tuliram Ronghang, Chief Executive Member of KAAC, and Numal Momin, Deputy Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly. Family Background Binitas father, Amar Chetry, is a broiler farm owner from Bokajan. Despite a modest upbringing, Binitas determination remained unfazed. An executive member and district vice president of the All Assam Gorkha Students Union (AAGSU) arranged for the nine-year-olds dance trainingfirst in Guwahati and later in Jaipur. Binita expressed gratitude to the Assam CM for his immense support. She said, I want to personally meet our Chief Minister, Himanta Mama, in Guwahati and thank him for his immense support and blessings in my journey. I hope this message reaches him, and I get the opportunity to meet him. Britains Got Talent is a British talent show competition and part of the global Got Talent franchise created by Simon Cowell. New Delhi: The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is likely to roll out EPFO 3.0 in June 2025, as per a DD News report. One of the key highlights of this upgrade is the expected introduction of UPI and ATM-based withdrawals which could make managing and accessing PF accounts faster and more convenient than ever before. What is EPFO 3.0? EPFO 3.0 is a new digital platform designed to make services faster and easier for EPF account holders. It is backed by upgraded IT systems and will allow users to do important tasks like withdrawing funds or updating account details more smoothly. This initiative is part of the Labour Ministrys broader effort to simplify and digitise financial services for both salaried employees and those in the informal sector. Using UPI and ATMs to Access Your EPF: What to Expect While the full details are yet to be revealed, EPFO 3.0 is expected to connect PF accounts with UPI and ATM networks. This could soon allow subscribers to withdraw their eligible EPF funds directly through UPI apps or bank ATMs, using secure methods like a PIN or Aadhaar verification. Withdrawal limits and safety rules will likely be in place to protect your funds. When Will EPFO 3.0 Launch and What to Expect Next? According to a DD News report, EPFO 3.0 is expected to roll out in June 2025, although the exact launch date hasn't been officially confirmed yet. The launch may begin with pilot testing in select regions before expanding across the country. Once fully implemented, the upgrade could benefit over 6 crore EPF account holders across India.// EPFO Pension Access from Any Bank Branch Starting January 1, 2025, pensioners under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) 1995 will be able to receive their pension from any bank branch across India. This means retirees wont be tied to a specific branch and can access their pension from any bank location, making the process more flexible and convenient. Mumbai: National Award winner Subhrajit Mitras upcoming historical drama, Devi Chowdhurani, is scheduled for a major theatrical release on September 26, 2025, aligning with the vibrant festivities of Durga Puja, Bengals most iconic cultural celebration. Featuring Prosenjit Chatterjee and Srabanti Chatterjee in the lead roles, with music composed by Pandit Bickram Ghosh, the film is a historic milestone as the first officially recognized Indo-UK co-production in Indian cinema, endorsed by both the Indian and UK governments. Speaking about the project, producers Aparna Dasgupta, Soumyajit Majumdar & Aniruddha Dasgupta, shared, With Devi Chowdhurani arriving this Durga Puja, we are not just launching a film we are lighting the flame of a cultural movement. As producers, we are proud to bring forth a story that reclaims Bengals revolutionary legacy and positions it for global resonance. Durga Puja, one of the worlds largest public art festivals, offers the perfect canvas for this cinematic celebration of resistance, resilience, and rediscovery. Devi Chowdhurani marks the beginning of the ADitedLOK Katha slate a shared vision to tell bold, exportable stories from the East that are rooted in heritage yet universal in impact. Reflecting on his role, Prosenjit Chatterjee stated, Devi Chowdhurani is not just a film, its a reclaiming of our forgotten heroes. Playing Bhavani Pathak was not about portraying a character but embodying a spirit of defiance that still burns in the heart of Bengal. This is a story the world needs to witness of a woman who rose against an empire, and of a culture that refuses to be silenced. Produced by Aparna and Aniruddha Dasgupta of ADited Motionpictures (India/USA) and Soumyajit Majumdar of LOK Arts Collective (India/UK), this magnum opus is based on Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyays iconic novel, reimagined through the lens of local folktales and colonial-era East India Company records. Set during the turbulent times of the Sannyasi-Fakir Rebellion, the film vividly portrays the untold journey of Indias first female freedom fighter, Devi Chowdhurani. Under the guidance of the revolutionary monk Bhavani Pathak, played by Prosenjit Chatterjee, she leads a secret resistance in 18th-century Bengal, defying colonial rule, patriarchy, and historical neglect. Officially announced as the first Indo-UK co-production feature by Indias Ministry of Culture at WAVES 2025, it was the only Indian film presented to the international media at the event. Devi Chowdhurani is supported by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, NFDC, Film Facilitation Office, and Invest India, along with co-production backing from the British Film Institute (BFI) and the UKs Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS). Perenti has secured a contract, valued at approximately A$1.1bn ($707.3m), to deliver underground mining operations at the Siou and Wona areas of the Mana complex in Burkina Faso. Perentis joint venture (JV) subsidiary business, Underground Mining Services Burkina Faso SARL (UMS), signed a contract with SEMAFO Burkina Faso, a subsidiary of Endeavour Mining. The contract will span five years starting from 1 June 2025. The services provided will include underground development, production and related mining services. Perenti managing director and CEO Mark Norwell said: It is very pleasing and positive to announce the expansion of the Mana contract with Endeavour. This contract is consistent with our guidance for FY25 and will contribute strongly in FY26 and beyond. Our team continually delivers exceptional value for our clients, and this is clearly demonstrated by this long-term contract for expanded operations at the Mana complex. The Mana complex, situated in the Hounde Greenstone Belt of Burkina Faso, comprises the high-grade-gold Siou and Wona underground operations. African UMS has been providing mining and support services at Mana since 2018. The contract encompasses services such as underground development and production, and the capital requirements for the financial year 2025 (FY25) have been included in the guidance. Perenti president of contract mining Gabrielle Iwanow said: This contract, with expanded scope, demonstrates the enduring nature of our relationship with Endeavour. We reiterate our commitment to delivering for our clients and creating enduring social and economic value in the communities in which we operate. We are proud to be working alongside our local JV partner Dynamic Mining Supply to take further steps to support development of local procurement, capability and employment in Burkina Faso. The success of these partnerships is built on trust, reliability and the outstanding capabilities of our team. In addition to this contract, Perenti Global has entered a memorandum of understanding with Sandvik to develop advanced diesel-electric equipment aimed at enhancing sustainability in underground mining. This partnership will utilise Perenti's expertise through its subsidiary Barminco to improve the performance of Sandvik's underground diesel-electric loaders and trucks. "Perenti secures $707m gold mine contract in Burkina Faso" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. OnePlus 13s India Launch: Chinese smartphone brand OnePlus has officially confirmed the launch date of the OnePlus 13s smartphone in India. The device is set to debut on June 5 at 12 PM IST. The phone is positioned between the OnePlus 13R and OnePlus 13, the 13s aims to offer flagship-level features and a premium design at a more accessible price point. The smartphone is expected to arrive with the new OnePlus AI features and the Plus Key, and will be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. It is likely a rebranded version of the OnePlus 13T, which launched in China last month. The OnePlus 13s will be available in three colour options: Black Velvet, Pink Satin, and Green Silk. The smartphone is also expected to run OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15, in line with other recent OnePlus releases. OnePlus 13s Specifications (Expected) The smartphone is expected to feature a 6.32-inch OLED display with a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals. It will be powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and may house a large 6,260mAh battery with support for 90W fast charging. The device will measure 8.15mm in thickness and weigh approximately 185g. On the photography front, the rear camera setup is likely to include a 50MP IMX906 primary sensor with OIS and a 50MP 2x telephoto lens, while a 32MP front camera is confirmed for selfies. OnePlus is also introducing a suite of AI features with the 13s, including AI VoiceScribe, AI Translation, AI Search, AI Reframe, and AI Best Face 2.0. The smartphone will also incorporate one of the largest vapor chambers in OnePlus lineup, along with a unique cooling layer integrated into the back panel for improved thermal management. OnePlus 13s Price In India And Availability The device is expected to be priced at around Rs 55,000, positioning it neatly between the OnePlus 13R (Rs 42,999) and the OnePlus 13 (Rs 69,999). It will be available for purchase through Amazon, the official OnePlus website, and offline retail stores across India. Mumbai: Rannvijay Singha hosted Roadies Double Cross has finally come to an end with Elvish Yadav's gang member Kushal Tanwar emerging as the winner. Kushal Tanwar, popularly known as Gullu, returned to the show as a wild card entry and won it with his intense performance. Gullu was a part of Elvish's gang from the beginning and was eliminated. He returned to the show as a wildcard in Gautam Gulati's gang and when Gullu was given a choice to double-cross his gang leader after winning the ticket to the finale, he went back to Elvish's gang, leaving Gautam. Hartaaj Singh Gill from Prince Narula's gang finished as the first runner-up. Expressing his happiness, Gullu said in a statement, "Winning MTV Roadies Double Cross wasn't just a title, it was a silent scream finally heard. There was no support, no guiding hand, no one to lift me when I was down. I went through it all alone. " "This win is more than a trophy. It's a symbol for every person who's ever felt alone, who's ever been told they're not enough. I walked this path by myself, but I never gave up. And that's what this victory is: not fame, not glory -- but proof that even when you have nothing, you can still become everything, " he added. Gang leader Elvish Yadav praised Tanwar's journey, he stated, "From Day 1, I saw fire in Gullu. He didn't just win tasks, he won hearts. His journey defines." Rannvijay talked about the current season and shared, "This season had it all - drama, betrayal, redemption, and a finale that kept us on the edge. Gullu's journey reminded everyone why Roadies isn't just a show, it's a battleground of transformation. " The 20th season of MTV Roadies witnessed the return of Prince Narula and Rhea Chakraborty as gang Leaders, while Neha Dhupia made her much-awaited comeback, Elvish Yadav debut as a gang leader, and for the first time, there was a wildcard gang Leader entry with Gautam Gulati MTV Roadies Double Cross streamed on MTV India and JioHotstar. (ANI) Boulder Terror Attack: A disturbing incident unfolded in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday, leaving several people injured after a group of Jewish protesters were attacked while demanding the release of Israeli hostages. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has taken over the case, labeling it a "targeted terror attack." According to eyewitnesses, the attacker reportedly used Molotov cocktails to set people on fire, causing burn injuries among the victims. A suspect was taken into custody and hospitalized, although their identity has not been disclosed. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the investigation, stating, "We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado." "Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available," he added. We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available. @FBI FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) June 1, 2025 However, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn cautioned that it's too early to determine the motive behind the attack. "It's way too early to speculate motive," he said, adding that the police are still gathering preliminary information. The attack occurred near a "Walk to Remember" event, organized to raise awareness about the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Chief Redfearn described the incident as "unacceptable" and asked the public to think about the victims and their families. The scene after the attack was tense, with law enforcement agents and police dogs searching for potential threats. Multiple blocks of the pedestrian mall area were evacuated, and the public was instructed to stay clear. Israel's ambassador to the United Nations condemned the violence, calling it "terrorism against Jews" that "does not stop at the Gaza border it is already burning the streets of America." He emphasized that the attack on Jewish protesters, who were demanding the release of hostages, was a clear case of terrorism. Terrorism against Jews does not stop at the Gaza border it is already burning the streets of America. Today, in Boulder, Colorado, Jewish people marched with a moral and humane demand: to return the hostages. In response, the Jewish protesters were brutally attacked, with an pic.twitter.com/gdav3zTmD9 Danny Danon (@dannydanon) June 1, 2025 Today, in Boulder, Colorado, Jewish people marched with a moral and humane demand: to return the hostages. In response, the Jewish protesters were brutally attacked, with an attacker throwing Molotov cocktails at them, he said. As the investigation continues, the community remains shaken. The FBI and local authorities are working together to uncover the facts and determine the motive behind the attack. For now, the focus remains on supporting the victims and their families. United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov over a call on Sunday and discussed the initiatives for the political settlement of the Russia-Ukraine situation. This comes after Ukraine carried out a massive drone attack against Russia. In the telephonic conversation, plans to resume direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul on Monday were also discussed. The Russian Foreign Ministry, in a statement, said, "The situation related to the crisis around Ukraine was discussed." "S.V. Lavrov and M. Rubio also exchanged views on various initiatives concerning the political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, including plans to resume direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations in Istanbul on June 2," it added. The US Department of State also informed that Rubio and Lavrov spoke over a call at Russias request. In addition, Rubio reiterated US President Donald Trumps call for "continued direct talks between Russia and Ukraine to achieve a lasting peace." Bridge Collapse In Russia The Russian Foreign Ministry's statement also stated that Rubio expressed his condolences for the civilian casualties from the bombings of railway infrastructure in the Bryansk and Kursk regions. Investigators inspected the site of the collapse of a road bridge and the derailment of a passenger train in the Bryansk region, according to ANI, Russian state media reported on Sunday. Furthermore, it was reported that at least seven people were killed when the road bridge collapsed on the Vygonichi-Pilshino section in the Bryansk region of western Russia late Saturday. A bridge also collapsed in the Kursk region of Russia as a freight train was passing over it, according to the acting governor of the Russian region that also borders Ukraine, ANI reported, citing Reuters. Ukraine-Russia Conflict In a post on the social media platform X, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared a video and wrote in the caption, "Today, a brilliant operation was carried out. The preparation took over a year and a half. Whats most interesting, is that the office of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions." He added that 117 drones were used in the operation, with a corresponding number of drone operators involved. "34% of the strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at air bases were hit," Zelenskyy wrote. In a separate post, the Ukrainian President stated, "Today, a brilliant operation was carried out on enemy territory, targeting only military objectives, specifically the equipment used to strike Ukraine. Russia suffered significant losses entirely justified and deserved." Zelenskyy also posted that in a meeting with Ukraines Minister of Defense, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Head of the Presidential Office, and others, he discussed what Ukraine expects from the meeting in Istanbul on Monday. (with ANI inputs) Hours after Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Turkey's Istanbul under the shadow of Kyiv's drone attack on Russian airbases damaging around 41 aircraft, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called upon the European allies and West to extend more support to Kyiv. Zelenskyy said that Ukraine has shown its capability by striking deep inside Russia. Zelesnkyy speculated that Russia might plan a fresh attack against Ukraine post-Belarus meet. "Europe, together with America, has better weapons than Russia. We also have stronger tactical solutions our operation Spiderweb yesterday proved that. Russia must feel what its losses mean. That is what will push it toward diplomacy. And when Russia takes losses in this war, its obvious to everyone that Ukraine is the one holding the line not just for itself, but for all of Europe," said Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian President also said Kyiv needs more strength against Russia. "Ask your intelligence what is Russia planning this summer in Belarus? If theyre bold enough to prepare attacks from there, then we need more strength together. And right now, that means strengthening Ukraine so we can stop this war and prevent it from spreading. Thats why weapons production matters. At todays summit in Vilnius with the Bucharest Nine and the Nordic Countries, I thanked our partners for their support, and we are coordinating our steps together," said Zelenskyy. As fresh peace talks get underway, Moscow's lead negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, has confirmed Russia received Ukraine's draft memorandum for a peace agreement. Russia, in turn, announced it would present its own draft, along with unspecificied ceasefire proposals. Leading the Ukrainian delegation is Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, whose team notably arrived wearing combat fatigues, a stark visual reminder of the ongoing conflict. The previous round of talks in Istanbul on May 16, 2025, saw the largest prisoner swap of the war, with 1,000 detainees freed by each side. However, despite this exchange, there was no progress on peace or a ceasefire, as both sides presented vastly different opening negotiation positions. New Delhi: As smoke still rises from scorched Russian airbases, two delegations make their way to Istanbul - not with olive branches, but with blueprints and battle scars. Ukraines drone strikes, a long-range assault code-named 'Spiders Web', have sent shockwaves through Russias strategic air command just hours before peace negotiators sit down for an important second round of talks. The timing is no coincidence. Targeting Russian aviation strongholds as far as 4,000 kilometers from Ukraines borders, Sundays drone blitz was hailed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a "brilliant result" and a historic milestone. Ukraine claims it knocked out over 40 aircraft, including bombers and early-warning planes - the aircraft believed to be central to attacks on Ukrainian cities. But this was no spur-of-the-moment counterstrike. It was the climax of 18 months of covert planning, drone smuggling and precise execution by Ukraines Security Service. Zelenskyy called it Ukraines longest-range operation so far and one that will be in history books". And now, with the smoke still settling and the world watching, both Kyiv and Moscow are set to meet again in the halls of diplomacy, not the theater of war. What Ukraine Is Bringing to the Table for Peace Talks As the Istanbul negotiations resume today, the mood is anything but hopeful. Ukraine arrives with a detailed peace roadmap, a document obtained by Reuters that lays out a multi-stage path to a ceasefire and, potentially, to an endgame in Europes most devastating war since the World War-II. Ukraine is going to offer a 30-day ceasefire to halt hostilities and allow humanitarian actions such as prisoner exchanges, the return of Ukrainian children and a proposal for a direct Zelenskyy-Putin summit - a meeting that has long been theorised but never realised. The proposal also aims to expand the scope of diplomacy by involving the United States and European powers and framing the resolution not just as a Ukraine-Russia matter, but a continental turning point with global stakes. But Kyiv is not backing down from its red lines. It reiterates demands for no restrictions on Ukraines post-war defense capabilities, no recognition of Russian territorial control and full reparations for war damages It can further propose current front-line positions serve as a starting point for territorial talks - a suggestion that could further complicate already fragile diplomacy. Russia's Silence, Medinsky's Hint Russia has so far formally responded to the Ukrainian proposal. Asked about the drone strikes and whether they would impact Mondays discussions, Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky replied, Wait for tomorrow. It signals anything from quiet preparation to explosive retaliation. The Kremlins recent rhetoric has hinted at openness to a second round of Istanbul talks, even as it grapples with the embarrassment and potential military fallout of Ukraines drone offensive. For Moscow, Sunday may go down as a black day for aviation", as one pro-Russian military blog put it. For Kyiv, it is something closer to a warning shot - a message that Ukraines hand at the table is not weak and that its reach, both militarily and diplomatically, is growing. Diplomacy in Drones Shadow It is hard to miss the symbolism. Just as diplomats prepare to exchange paper in Istanbul, unmanned drones, smuggled and hidden in trucks, have delivered a different kind of message across Russian skies. The Istanbul summit is not only about peace terms, it is about leverage. And with Operation Spider's Web, Kyiv is making the case that battlefield innovation can balance political inequality and that even a besieged nation can dictate terms when it plays its cards right. Whether the second round of talks ends in progress or deadlock, the world will be watching. Not just for what is said behind closed doors but for what happens next in the skies above. Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Over three years into the war, Ukraine has unleashed one of its lethal strikes deep inside Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy termed the attack named 'Spider Web' a brilliant operation. Zelenskyy said that Ukraine started preparing for the operation over a year and a half ago and 117 drones were used. He said that 34% of the strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at Russian air bases were hit. According to the reports, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) struck at least 41 aircraft, which it claimed were used to bomb Ukrainian cities. These included Tu-22 and Tu-95 strategic bombers and the A-50 radar detection and command aircraft. This is the first time that Ukraine has hit targets thousands of kilometres deep into Russian territory from the borders. So, how did Ukrainian drones reach deep inside Russia? Notably, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) had hidden the drones in wooden pallets that were housed in cargo containers. Trucks were used to smuggle the containers to the nearby areas of the Russian bases. The drivers were clueless about the presence of drones. Since the drones have limited battery range, so flying them all the way from borders to thousands of kilometres inside Russia was not possible. Therefore, they were smuggled inside Russia using cargo containers. The wooden pallets were designed in such a way that container lids could be removed remotely, allowing the munition drones to take off and hit the targets. BREAKING: Over 40 Russian warplanes reportedly hit in massive Ukrainian drone strike. Ukraines Security Service has launched a major drone operation, reportedly damaging more than 40 Russian aircraft including A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22M3 bombers. Thats over $2 billion in pic.twitter.com/8iIdQq47yy Iuliia Mendel (@IuliiaMendel) June 1, 2025 Ukraine claimed that it hit Russian military planes worth $7 billion in drone strikes. "$7 billion: This is the estimated cost of the enemy's strategic aviation, which was hit today as a result of the SBU's special operation," the agency announced on social media. Russia, confirming the incident, stated that the attacks were repelled in the regions of Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur. "No casualties were reported either among servicemen or civilians. Some of those involved in the terror attacks were detained," the Russian defence ministry said in a statement on Sunday. It added that in the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions, drones launched from areas near the airfields caused several aircraft to catch fire, while there were no casualties among military personnel or civilian staff. "Our people operated across several Russian regions -- in three different time zones. It's genuinely satisfying when something I authorised a year and six months ago comes to fruition and deprives Russians of over forty units of strategic aviation. We will continue this work," Zelenskyy added. Russia acknowledged that several of its aircraft "caught fire" in the attacks. "As a result of the launch of FPV drones from territories in close proximity to military airfields in the Murmansk and Irkutsk Regions, several aircraft caught fire. The fires were extinguished," the Russian defence ministry's statement read. Meanwhile, on Monday, Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to hold the second round of direct talks in Istanbul. Russia-Ukraine Conflict: After Ukraine carried out a massive drone attack against Russia on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a series of posts on the social media platform X, shared the details of the "operation". Ukraine launched Operation Spider Web against Russia, targeting several airfields deep across the Russian territories, according to IANS. This also comes at a time when a second round of direct peace talks is scheduled to take place in Istanbul on Monday. In the meeting, Ukrainian negotiators are set to present new proposals to Russia. Here are the top points that Zelenskyy revealed: 1- Zelenskyy's Meeting In a post, Ukrainian President said, "Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk delivered a report regarding todays operation. An absolutely brilliant result." 2- Time Of Planning Zelenskyy also mentioned that the preparation for the operation took over a year and a half. He wrote, "One year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution. Our most long-range operation." He added that Ukraine's people who were involved in preparing the operation were withdrawn from Russian territory in time. 3- 117 Drones Used Zelenskyy also said that 117 drones were used in the operation, with a corresponding number of drone operators involved. 4- 'Brilliant Operation': Zelenskyy "Today, a brilliant operation was carried out on enemy territory, targeting only military objectives, specifically the equipment used to strike Ukraine. Russia suffered significant losses entirely justified and deserved," he wrote. 5- 'Office' Location "Whats most interesting, and this can now be stated publicly, is that the office of our operation on Russian territory was located directly next to FSB headquarters in one of their regions," he added in the thread of his post. 6- Three Time Zones Zelenskyy said, "Our people operated across several Russian regions in three different time zones." 7- Over 40 Units Of Strategic Aviation "Its genuinely satisfying when something I authorized a year and six months ago comes to fruition and deprives Russians of over forty units of strategic aviation. We will continue this work," he said. 8- Ceasefire Proposal Proposing a ceasefire, the Ukrainian President said, "We continue to propose a full and unconditional ceasefire, along with all rational and dignified steps that could lead to a lasting and reliable peace. The Ukrainian proposal we presented to the Russians is logical and realistic." 9- '...Path Toward Peace' He wrote, "The Russians, however, have not shared their memorandum with anyone we don't have it, the Turkish side doesn't have it, and the American side doesn't have the Russian document either. Despite this, we will try to achieve at least some progress on the path toward peace." 10- 'Defending Itself' In one of his posts, Zelenskyy said, "Ukraine is defending itself, and rightly so we are doing everything to make Russia feel the need to end this war. Russia started this war, Russia must end it." US-Russia Talks Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had a telephonic conversation on Sunday and discussed the initiatives for the political settlement of the Russia-Ukraine situation. (with IANS inputs) Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of Ukraine's land forces, tendered his resignation on Sunday, taking responsibility for a lethal Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian military training facility that resulted in the deaths of 12 soldiers and injuries to 60 others, according to a Reuters report. Drapatyi, who has led Ukraine's wartime land army since November last year, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy at the 239th training ground. Writing on Facebook, he said, "These are young guys from a training battalion. Most of them were in shelters. They were supposed to study, live, fight - not die." He extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and those affected. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that he had called a meeting to examine the incident and would summon senior commanders, including top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, once Defence Minister Rustem Umerov returns from talks with Russian negotiators in Turkey. Zelenskiy emphasised the critical need to preserve all frontline personnel, saying, "Every life must be preserved. All decisions needed to do this will be adopted," following a deadly missile strike on a Ukrainian military "tent camp" in the central Dniepropetrovsk region. The Russian military confirmed the strike amid rising tensions after the Russian Defence Ministry accused the Kiev regime of coordinated terrorist attacks using FPV drones on multiple Russian airfields. According to the ministry, multiple Russian airfields in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions were targeted in the drone strikes. While attacks on airfields in Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur were reportedly repelled without major damage, several aircraft caught fire in Murmansk and Irkutsk regions after drones launched from areas near the airbases. The fires were brought under control and no casualties were reported among military or civilian personnel. The ministry also noted that some individuals involved in the attacks had been detained. Amid the military escalations, diplomatic efforts continue. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov regarding ways to end the ongoing conflict. Both sides are set to participate in a second round of direct negotiations in Istanbul on Monday, where Ukrainian representatives are expected to present new proposals. The diplomatic contact between Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov came as Ukraine and Russia conducted some of the largest drone attacks since the war began nearly three years ago. A second round of direct peace talks is scheduled to take place in Istanbul on Monday, with Ukrainian negotiators set to present new proposals to Russian representatives. The diplomatic developments come as fighting continues to rage across multiple fronts, with both Ukraine and Russia conducting intensive drone campaigns against each other's territory. The Istanbul talks represent the most significant diplomatic engagement between the warring parties in recent months, though previous negotiation attempts have failed to produce lasting agreements. Poland's presidential runoff election has concluded with Karol Nawrocki emerging as the winner, according to the final vote count released by the Polish National Electoral Commission (PKW) on Monday. Nawrocki, an independent candidate backed by the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, secured the top spot, with the PKW's official website confirming the result by stating "Elected in the second round" next to his name. Nawrocki is set to succeed the incumbent president, Andrzej Duda, whose second and final term ends on August 6. Who Is Karol Nawrocki? Karol Nawrocki, born in Gdansk in 1983, a historian and head of Poland's Institute of National Remembrance, has won the presidential runoff election with 50.89 per cent of the vote and defeated Rafal Trzaskowski, the Civic Coalition candidate and Warsaw mayor, who secured 49.11 per cent. Despite trailing in polls, Nawrocki's campaign ultimately prevailed. As an ally of the Law and Justice party, Nawrocki follows in the footsteps of departing President Andrzej Duda, who frequently clashed with the current parliamentary majority. This poll was Nawrocki's first presidential campaign and it turned out his victory. An initial exit poll released on Sunday, June 1, 2025, indicated Trzaskowski was likely to win, but updated projections later that evening told a different story, reversing the earlier trend. In 2015 polls, Andrzej Duda, candidate of the Law and Justice party (PiS), won the presidential election, marking a shift towards conservative policies. In the 2020 polls, Duda was re-elected as President, defeating Rafa Trzaskowski, the candidate of the Civic Platform (PO). (With IANS inputs) Casual dining chain PizzaExpress has been listed among more than 500 companies that failed to pay some staff the UK's legal minimum wage, as reported by The Caterer. According to the UK Department for Business and Trade, 60,000 workers across various companies have been compensated more than 7.4m ($9.96m) due to wage discrepancies. PizzaExpress was second on the list and owed 706,701 to 8,470 workers, averaging 83 per employee. A PizzaExpress spokesperson stated: Once we were made aware of this historic unintentional technicality, which occurred between 2012 and 2018, we swiftly identified who was impacted, apologised and rectified [it]. Theres nothing more important to us than fairly and accurately paying our team members. Hilton UK Hotels Limited was also cited for underpaying 18,924 to 20 staff members. The companies have been fined up to 200% of the amount underpaid. Many have attributed the underpayments to past administrative or technical errors. The Caterer reports that these issues were resolved years ago, suggesting that the underpayments were not recent occurrences. The UK National Living Wage in the UK has increased to 12.21 per hour for those aged 21 and over. The minimum wage for workers aged 18 to 20 is now 10 per hour. Those under 18 and apprentices must be paid at least 7.55 on an hourly basis. PizzaExpress secured a significant refinancing deal in April 2025, which will reduce its debt by 55m. The agreement includes a 55m par debt paydown, decreasing the company's debt to 280m. Bain Capital Special Situations and other shareholders have contributed 20m in equity to Wheel Topco, the parent company of PizzaExpress. PizzaExpress was founded by Peter Boizot in London's Soho in 1965. The brand now has more than 360 pizzerias in the UK and Ireland and has expanded into 12 international markets. "PizzaExpress listed by UK government for minimum wage payment failure" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. Polish Bank Pekao has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with insurance company Powszechny Zakad Ubezpieczen (PZU) on a potential merger between the two financial institutions. The financial terms of the agreement remain undisclosed. The agreement outlines the intent to prepare for a merger, which remains subject to the implementation of necessary legislative changes. If completed, the transaction would involve PZU first demerging by transferring its operations to a wholly owned subsidiary and becoming a holding company, then merging into Bank Pekao as the acquired entity. According to the announcement, the signing of the MOU represents the early stages of the planning process. Completion of the merger is conditional on several factors including the finalisation of transaction documentation, legislative amendments, and obtaining required regulatory and corporate approvals from the general meetings of both entities. The merger aims to simplify the group's ownership, enhance governance, streamline the bancassurance model and consolidate operations under one listed entity. It is also expected to generate revenue synergies, diversify income and support stable dividend payouts. The completion of the merger, slated for June 2026, is projected to release a capital surplus of approximately 15bn ($4.02bn)20bn zlotys. It is based on capital adequacy and solvency requirements that the current group structure would be expected to meet from 2027 onwards. As part of the planning, the parties have also agreed to develop a strategy for Alior Bank, a subsidiary of PZU. PZU Group, established in 1803 as Poland's first insurance company, operates in Poland and central/eastern Europe, expanding into investments and healthcare. Its 201620 strategy emphasised banking sector growth, starting with a 25.19% acquisition of Alior Bank in 2015. "Polands Bank Pekao and insurer PZU sign MOU on potential merger " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. Prime Infra, the infrastructure arm of Filipino tycoon Enrique K. Razon Jr., has signed an agreement to acquire a 60% stake in the gas assets of First Gen for $896.44m (49.87bn pesos). The strategic move is set to reshape the energy landscape in the Philippines. First Gen, a company with strong ties to the influential Lopez family, was incorporated in December 1998 as a subsidiary of First Philippine Holdings Corporation (FPH). The Lopez family, which also controls ABS-CBN, the nation's largest broadcaster, will retain a 40% holding in the gas assets. The acquisition is a key development in the Philippine energy sector, following a $3.3bn gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) joint venture announced by San Miguel, Aboitiz Power and a subsidiary of Manila Electric Co. First Gen's divestment is aimed at supporting its ambition to quadruple its renewable energy capacity by 2030. Upon finalisation of the deal, Prime Infra will take ownership of several key assets including the 1GW Santa Rita Power Plant, the 500MW San Lorenzo Power Plant, the 450MW San Gabriel Power Plant, the 97MW Avion Power Plant and the planned 1.2GW Santa Maria Power Plant. The Interim Offshore LNG Terminal is also part of the transaction. In exchange for the shares in First Gen, Prime Infra has committed to a payment of 50bn pesos upon the closing of the deal, with potential adjustments and modifications to be mutually agreed upon by the involved parties. Prime Infra is focused on building and operating assets that support the most urgent sustainability priorities including dependable energy supply, access to clean water and modern waste management. "Prime Infra to buy 60% equity stake in First Gens gas business" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. A Skechers USA shareholder has initiated legal action demanding further clarity on the company's impending $9.4bn acquisition by private equity company 3G Capital. The lawsuit, filed in a Los Angeles federal court, questions the fairness of the buyout process and seeks additional disclosures, as reported by Reuters. The plaintiff, the Key West Police Officers & Firefighters Retirement Plan based in Florida, alleges that Skechers' founder Robert Greenberg and his family, who control approximately 60% of the company's voting power, may have restricted the sale to a single bidder, potentially disadvantaging minority shareholders. The complaint suggests the Greenbergs directed the sale process, bypassing what could have been a competitive bidding environment. This action has raised concerns among investors, with the lawsuit insisting that Skechers should not finalise the buyout until it provides necessary information to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Sources have indicated that the Greenbergs' long-standing relationship with 3G Capital might have influenced their decision to avoid an auction. Skechers, renowned for its emphasis on comfortable footwear, is the third-largest shoe manufacturer globally. The company's spokesperson, Jennifer Clay, has not commented on the issue. It is not uncommon for large-scale corporate mergers in the US to face legal challenges. Such lawsuits frequently conclude with the companies involved making additional disclosures and sometimes compensating the plaintiffs' legal fees, though actual monetary gains for plaintiffs are often negligible. According to regulatory filings, 85-year-old Greenberg stands to receive more than $1bn from the buyout, which will be completed in the third quarter of 2025. The acquisition price of $63 per share represents a 20% decrease from Skechers' 52-week high. Skechers, like other shoe companies such as Nike, is under pressure due to the tariffs implemented by US President Donald Trump. Many of the company's products are manufactured in China, leading Skechers to withdraw its full-year financial forecast in April 2025. "Skechers $9.4bn buyout faces shareholder lawsuit" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. Fast-growing chicken chain Dave's Hot Chicken is now owned by the same private equity firm behind Subway and Dunkin', with Roark Capital on Monday announcing a deal that values Dave's Hot Chicken at roughly $1 billion as it ramps up its global expansion plans. Currently, Dave's Hot Chicken operates 310 locations, but it has sold rights to more than 1,000 franchise locations across the US, Middle East, and Canada. It plans to open more than 155 restaurant locations this year. CEO Bill Phelps, formerly of Wetzel's Pretzels and Blaze Pizza, began working with the brand in 2019, investing roughly $2 million into Dave's Hot Chicken. The brand was started in 2017 by three friends in an East Hollywood parking lot with $900 in savings. "We timed it really well," Phelps said in an interview with CNBC on Monday. "The product is insane ... but then we have a team that built these other businesses, Wetzel's Pretzels and Blaze Pizza, ... [the] franchisees have done a great job building restaurants really, really fast." All the chosen franchisees owned other chains like Dunkin', Wetzel's Pretzels, or Blaze Pizza. A view of a Dave's Hot Chicken restaurant on Feb. 26, 2025, in Rosemead, Calif. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) Mario Tama via Getty Images The brand has a viral social media following with 1.8 million followers on Instagram and 3.6 million on TikTok. Phelps called it a "unicorn," outperforming its food chain peers as US consumer confidence remains challenged due to uncertainty surrounding tariffs. The purchase of Dave's Hot Chicken also comes as Roark Capital continues to bolster its portfolio of food brands. In August of 2023, Roark Capital bought sandwich chain Subway for about $9.6 billion, and its current investments include Inspire brands which includes Arbys, Baskin Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin, Jimmy Johns, and Sonic as well as Focus Brands, which owns Auntie Anne's Pretzels and Jamba Juice. Other investments include Moe's and Carl's Jr. Read more: The best credit cards to use at restaurants Roark Capital currently has $40 billion in assets under management. Dave's Hot Chicken's price point for a meal is above $10 in the New York market, comparable to the rising chicken chain Raising Cane's and other fast-casual players. In the first quarter, Mediterranean-inspired chain Cava (CAVA), which currently has 382 locations and went public in June 2023, reported same-store sales growth of 10.8% in the first quarter. Salad chain Sweetgreen (SG), which operates 251 locations in the US, saw same-store sales decline 3.1% in the first quarter. Sweetgreen has 251 locations and is only in the US. It was another week of policy pivots, back-and-forth trade headlines, and economic data that did little to anchor investor expectations. In the midst of the chaos, one phrase kept surfacing across Wall Street: the "TACO" trade. An acronym for "Trump Always Chickens Out," it captures a growing belief among investors that the president talks tough on tariffs but rarely follows through. That assumption has fueled a market tailwind in recent months as traders bet on policy pivots, buoyed by an initial US-China tariff deescalation earlier this month. But that narrative hit turbulence last week when Trump lashed out at China in a post on Truth Social, accusing the country of having "violated" its trade deal with the US. While he did not provide specifics, the comments echoed earlier rhetoric from his administration suggesting that negotiations with Beijing had "stalled." Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that the Trump administration plans to expand tech restrictions on China by targeting subsidiaries of already-sanctioned firms, aiming to close loopholes that allow Beijing to circumvent existing curbs. The news sent stocks sharply lower on Friday. On Monday, China hit back with its own accusation that the US had broken the tariff truce. It vowed to take "resolute and forceful" measures to defend its interests, even as Trump voiced hopes for a call with President Xi Jinping this week. Still, despite the headlines, markets had largely been leaning into the idea that Trump's tough talk rarely translates into tough action. It's a bet that's paid off: Stocks have not only erased their "Liberation Day" losses, but the S&P 500 (^GSPC) secured its best May since 1990 and had the best month since Nov. 2023. But while some on Wall Street still lean into that pattern, others are warning that the trade's logic may have run its course. "We told Donald Trump that we have this 'TACO' trade," Julie Beale, chief market strategist at Kayne Anderson Rudnick, told Yahoo Finance on Thursday, referencing a reporter's question to Trump earlier in the week about the trade. In response, Trump slammed the term, defending his trade stance and brushing off the question as "nasty." "I worry [that] actually makes him bear down a little bit more and decide to be more resilient and more gripping on some of these tariff trades," Beale said. "So I have a little bit of a concern that creates actually more uncertainty." For the most part, this uncertainty has worked in many investors' favor, especially retail traders who have jumped in to "buy the dip" in record numbers, capitalizing on the familiar pattern of policy threats followed by swift deescalation. The UK government has sold its final shares in NatWest Group, formerly Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), ending 17 years of public ownership that began during the 200809 financial crisis. The final disposal was carried out through a trading plan on 30 May 2025, returning the bank fully to private hands. The state initially stepped in with a 45.5bn bailout of bank, acquiring a stake of 84.4%. The government has recouped about 35bn of its costs through share sales, dividends and fees, resulting in a 10.5bn loss to taxpayers. The disposal of shares took place through a combination of methods. These included three accelerated bookbuilds in 2015 (2.1bn), 2018 (2.5bn) and 2021 (1.1bn); five directed buybacks by NatWest between 2021 and 2024; and a trading plan that ran from 2021 to 2025. Earlier in 2017, the government disposed its remaining stake in Lloyds Banking Group, helping the bank return to private ownership, almost nine years after infusing 20.3bn to rescue it. The sale returned 21.2bn to the taxpayer, 894m higher than the governments original investment. UK Exchequer Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: Nearly two decades ago, the then Government stepped in to protect millions of savers and businesses from the consequences of the collapse of RBS. That was the right decision then to secure the economy and NatWests return to private ownership turns the page on a significant chapter in this countrys history. NatWest Group CEO Paul Thwaite said: This is a significant moment for NatWest Group, for all those who work here and for the UK more widely. As we turn the page on the financial crisis, we can look to the future with confidence, without forgetting the lessons of the past. I am proud to have been part of the team that has helped build a simpler, safer, more customer-focussed bank. It is thanks to the incredible loyalty of our customers and colleagues, along with the support of our shareholders - including the UK taxpayer - that this change has been possible. Last month, NatWest acquired a minority stake in Yonder, a credit card platform. "UK government concludes exit from NatWest Group " was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. SHENZHEN, China, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a news report from Shenzhen Media Group: "When there's a big volume of products from China, it also helps the Thai economy because people can buy things cheaper than produced in Thailand." Recently, Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa responded to a question by Bloomberg TV's interview on concerns about whether an influx of Chinese goods imports into Thailand. Maris Sangiampongsa said, "What I am trying to say is, we have to work and to find, to be able to see the advantage of working together with Asean to fulfill the global supply chain." 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand, as well as the "the Golden Jubilee of China-Thailand Friendship." Over the past five decades, the scale and scope of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has continuously expanded and deepened, with digital technology emerging as a key area of collaboration. As the global live-streaming shopping craze sweeps the world, typified by the catchphrase "3, 2, 1, link it up!", traditional Thai supermarkets are also undergoing transformation. To keep pace with this shift, Thai supermarket giant BigC is partnering with Shenzhen-based internet companies Xingyun Group to pioneer innovative digital marketing strategies. The team of Shenzhen TV's program "Telling China's Story" visited a Thai supermarket to explore how businesses leverage big data to precisely capture consumer preferences, turning Thai specialties like mango chips and durian chips into Internet latest superstar. With the support of digital marketing, Thailand's retail sector has experienced a significant boost in sales and expanded access to emerging markets, particularly China. This not only helps cushion the impact of U.S. tariffs, but also opens new avenues for traditional Thai supermarkets to address global trade challenges. Have you ever wondered what it's like to sell goods through live-streaming in Thailand? As new trade channels are being opened, what ingenious strategies are Chinese and Thai practitioners bringing to the table? Let's find out on Telling China's Story short video series Make Money Together - "Unlocking Trillions: How Data Fuels the China-Thailand Business Boom"! Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/unlocking-trillions-how-data-fuels-china--thailand-business-boom-302470222.html SOURCE Shenzhen Media Group Key Points Vice President JD Vance gave the keynote speech at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas. Vance highlighted recent moves by the White House to create pro-crypto policies. Vance also emphasized that Bitcoin is a long-term strategic asset for the government, as well as a potential source of competitive advantage. 10 stocks we like better than Bitcoin On May 28, Vice President JD Vance gave the keynote speech at the Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) 2025 conference in Las Vegas. He offered a broad overview of what's coming next for crypto, as well as a few insights into how the White House is thinking about Bitcoin right now. Last year, President Donald Trump attended this same event, outlining the major pro-Bitcoin policies of his 2024 campaign platform. So now that top political leaders are openly embracing crypto, what should Bitcoin investors expect? Pro-Bitcoin policies of the Trump administration A major focus of Vance's speech was a reiteration of the pro-crypto regulatory approach of the Trump administration. In just five months, the White House has already taken a number of big steps -- including a major shakeup at the Securities and Exchange Commission to make it more crypto-friendly, and the creation of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Image source: Getty Images. All of this is good news for Bitcoin investors, of course. It opens the door to more innovation, economic growth, and wealth for everyday Americans. As Vance pointed out in his keynote, millions of Americans now own Bitcoin. So any moves that can help Bitcoin grow and prosper will help everyday Americans as they save for the future. And there's more good news on the way. Next up, says Vance, is new legislation for dollar-pegged stablecoins, as well as a comprehensive regulatory framework for crypto that will help to establish the official rules of the road for Bitcoin. Once that's in place, the mainstream adoption of crypto can really start. Institutions will no longer have an excuse not to get involved with Bitcoin. Bitcoin as a long-term strategic asset Vance also emphasized that the White House is thinking about Bitcoin as a long-term strategic asset. That was the stated purpose of creating the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve back in March. The next major step, says Vance, is new legislation that will codify the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in law. Otherwise, the next administration could just as easily reverse the existing executive order with a new executive order of its own. There's a key reason the White House is thinking about Bitcoin as a "strategically important asset" these days. And that's because Bitcoin represents the sort of American values -- innovation, entrepreneurship, freedom, and lack of censorship -- that are anathema to countries such as China. In fact, as Vance pointed out, the U.S. should look to use Bitcoin as a source of competitive advantage against China. Key Points Brookfield Asset Management has a 3.1% dividend yield. The Canadian asset manager is focused on increasing its fee-bearing assets under management. The company is projecting dividend growth of 15% a year through the end of the decade. 10 stocks we like better than Brookfield Asset Management Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM) is a large asset manager based in Canada. It recently increased its dividend by a huge 15%. And it believes it can keep doing that through to the end of the decade, or roughly five years. This has material implications for investors looking at the stock today. Here's what you need to know. What does Brookfield Asset Management do? As an asset manager, Brookfield Asset Management takes money from clients and invests it for them. The company's historical focus has been on infrastructure assets, but it has been branching out into other areas, notably credit investing, in recent years. All in, the business is centered around what are often called alternative assets, which can include everything from collectibles to timberland. This is a segment of the asset management industry that is seeing increased demand. Image source: Getty Images. Brookfield Asset Management collects fees from its customers based on the amount of money it is managing. At the end of the first quarter of 2025, the company was overseeing about $550 billion in fee-bearing capital. That was spread across renewable power, infrastructure, private equity, real estate, and credit investments. The two key takeaways here are that Brookfield Asset Management manages a lot of money, and it has five different investment approaches to generate growth. And that's exactly that plan, with the company expecting to roughly double its fee-bearing capital to more than $1.1 trillion by 2029. Management believes that will support 15% annual dividend growth to the end of the decade. The current dividend yield is about 3.1%, an important number to keep in mind here. Dividend yields as a valuation tool Often, investors simply look at a dividend yield as a way to figure out how much income a stock will generate for them. That's a legitimate and accurate way to view a dividend, but it isn't the only "value" a dividend yield offers. Dividends tend to be consistent over time, much more so than earnings. And, thus, the dividend yield can end up being a useful valuation tool, as well. That's proven out by the fact that stock prices often track along with dividends over time. Rising dividends lead to rising stock prices, and vice versa. Walmart's (WMT) stock still looks like a good bet despite the retailer being smack in the middle of the Trump trade war. Or so reasons JPMorgan, which put the retailer on its list of best summer ideas on Monday. The retailer is the biggest "port in the storm" consumer stock right now, JPMorgan analyst Chris Horvers said, pointing to the company's extensive food business (70% of the business) and market share gainer status in challenging economic times. "Long-term story keeps buyers engaged," Horvers said. The analyst sees Walmart shares climbing 33% over the next 18 months to $130. Horvers' price target is among the most aggressive on Wall Street, according to Yahoo Finance data. The Street's average price target on Walmart is $108. Shares of Walmart have cooled off from their sizzling 2024 run as 2025 moves along. The stock has underperformed the S&P 500's rebound from the "Liberation Day" lows it has advanced 1.3% in the past month versus a 5.5% gain for the benchmark index. Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet The relative underperformance of Walmart's stock comes on the heels of a mixed first quarter earnings report in mid-May and lackluster earnings from retail more broadly. First quarter sales rose 2.5% from the prior year to $165.6 billion, falling short of Wall Street estimates for $166.02 billion. Adjusted earnings per share increased 1.7% year over year to $0.61, beating estimates of $0.58. US same-store sales also beat expectations with a 4.5% increase, led by health and wellness, and groceries. But the company did see transaction growth at its Walmart US stores weaken in the quarter, compared with trends last year. And while Walmart reiterated its full-year earnings per share outlook of $2.50 to $2.61, it was mostly below analyst estimates of $2.61. This is despite the retailer beating earnings estimates by $0.03 for the first quarter. Retailers ranging from Gap (GAP) to Macy's (M) to Best Buy (BBY) within the past week have moved to warn about the profit from the Trump administration's tariffs. The market has wasted no time penalizing the sector. With retail earnings season just about over, investors will likely look for clues on how the economy is handling tariffs ahead of the key back-to-school shopping season in July. Recent economic trends have also been mixed. On the one hand, the second of two readings of the Michigan consumer sentiment survey rose to 52.2 from 50.8 in early May, matching the sentiment level in April. The index is still down 25% from a year ago. Mark Udall served Colorado in the U.S. Senate from 2009 until 2015. Duality Systems, a veteran- and woman-owned artificial intelligence startup based in Monument, is among 35 Colorado companies and researchers who were awarded highly competitive state grants this year to help promote and sustain advanced industry across the state. The company, founded in 2020 by Laurel Chiaramonte, received a $250,000 Early-Stage Capital and Retention grant, the award maximum, from the Global Business Development division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, through OEDIT's Advanced Industries Accelerator Program. Chiaramonte served for nearly 11 years in the Air Force and has two decades of experience in nursing and medical and case management, according to her LinkedIn profile. Duality Systems is the sole recipient in El Paso County, with the majority of the grants awarded to companies based in Boulder and the Metro Denver area. Another 13 researchers across Colorado received Proof of Concept grants through the program. OEDIT announced its 35 winners, out of 119 applicants, in a May 15 news release. "These pioneering companies and researchers are not only advancing technology, they are creating jobs, attracting investment and positioning Colorado at the forefront of global competitiveness," Global Business Development Director Michelle Hadwiger said in part in the release. Sign up for free: Gazette Business Receive a weekly roundup of business news around El Paso County. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Featured Local Savings The grant will help Duality Systems accelerate development of Balance Scheduler, its flagship AI-driven workforce and resource optimization platform. In real time, it automates and optimizes complex scheduling in health care and defense industries, and is already in use by U.S. Space Command, U.S. Space Force and in early health care pilots, Duality's Chief Operating Officer Cindi Brothers told The Gazette. "This grant is more than funding it's a vote of confidence in Duality's ability to drive innovation and create high-value jobs right here in Colorado," Chiaramonte said in a company news release. "We're thrilled to grow our Colorado team and expand the impact of Balance Scheduler in support of national security and health system resilience." Duality Systems plans to use the grant money to hire more Colorado-based talent into full-time roles like software engineering, data science and sales positions, Brothers said. Six of the company's 10 employees are in Colorado, with the remainder located in California, Florida, Massachusetts and New York. Headquartered in Monument, the company is part of the ONEDev consortium that provides various data for the military and other partners and is based out of the Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation on the eastern edge of downtown Colorado Springs. Until recently, Duality Systems had permanent office space at Catalyst Campus, and it still conducts business out of this location as members of the consortium, Brothers said. Company officials expect the grant will increase revenue by 300% over the next three years, and double Duality Systems' number of full-time Colorado-based employees, the company said in its release. "We're very proud to be a veteran- and woman-owned business based in Southern Colorado, and receiving this grant really reinforces that innovation is thriving beyond the Denver-Boulder corridor," Brothers said. "Our region has a strong and growing ecosystem that connects small businesses to national defense and technology opportunities. ... The incredible community that's been built here to support startups has real-world impact. It shows that the state sees the value in that and wants to help us keep building from right here in southern Colorado." For a complete list of this year's award recipients, click here. Colorado Court of Appeals Judge Stephanie Dunn listens during the case of People v. Dooley at Fort Lupton High School on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 in Fort Lupton, Colorado. The Colorado Court of Appeals and Supreme Court hold "Courts in the Community" events for students to learn about the justice system and hear real cases. (Rebecca Slezak For The Denver Gazette) Colorado lawmakers react to Boulder attack, Trump says it 'WILL NOT BE TOLERATED' in America You are the owner of this article. MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell posted to his X account from inside a federal courtroom seven times during the first day of his defamation trial, which ignores strict rules in place to prevent such activity, according to a late-night court filing on Tuesday. Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty, a 2026 Democratic candidate for Colorado attorney general, top left, speaks during an online discussion with fellow district attorneys who support his candidacy on May 29. Clockwise from upper right are 21st Judicial District Attorney Dan Rubinstein, 17th Judicial District Attorney Brian Mason and 5th Judicial District Attorney Heidi McCollum. Rachel Gabel writes about agriculture and rural issues. She is the assistant editor of The Fence Post Magazine, the regions preeminent agriculture publication. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and El Paso County Public Health have confirmed measles in two unvaccinated El Paso County adults, officials said Sunday evening. The adults are unrelated, but both were at Denver International Airport around the same time on May 14, state and local public health officials said in a joint news release. They are both recovering at home. These two additional cases bring the total number of measles cases associated with an out-of-state traveler who flew while infected up to six. They include four passengers on Turkish Airlines flight 201, which arrived at Denver International Airport on May 13 three Colorado residents and one out-of-state resident and the two El Paso County residents who were at the airport during the exposure period, officials said in the release. The health departments are notifying the public of other areas for potential measles exposures as a result of these confirmed cases. Based on available information, public health officials say anyone who was at the following locations during the following dates and times may have been exposed to measles: Loves Travel Stop/Carls Jr., 748 22 Road, Grand Junction, on May 27 from 6-10 p.m. Symptoms may develop through June 17. Maverick gas station, 2588 Airport Road, Colorado Springs, on May 28 from 9-11:30 a.m. Symptoms may develop through June 18. Featured Local Savings King Soopers, 1750 W. Uintah St., Colorado Springs, on Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Symptoms may develop through June 21. Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications like pneumonia, encephalitis or death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The best way to prevent contracting the virus is to be vaccinated against it, public health officials said in the release. Anyone who may have been exposed to measles should monitor for symptoms for 21 days after exposure and should consider avoiding public gatherings or high-risk settings, health officials said. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a characteristic rash that typically starts on the face several days after exposure, then spreads. It is especially critical for people who have not been vaccinated with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to monitor their symptoms, officials said. The vaccine is administered within 72 hours after exposure to measles and can prevent infection. Any person who was at these listed locations during the exposure window and later develops symptoms should immediately contact their health care provider by phone, officials said. People who do not have a provider should call an urgent care center or emergency department and explain they may have been exposed to measles. Calling ahead helps prevent additional exposures. The state health departments measles webpage, cdphe.colorado.gov/dcphr/measles-information, includes up-to-date cases of measles in Colorado as they are confirmed, and an updated list of exposure locations. BOULDER A man accused of using a makeshift flamethrower and an incendiary device to attack a group in Boulder, Colorado, that had gathered to bring attention to Israeli hostages in Gaza, has been charged with a federal hate crime, according to court documents filed Monday. The suspect, Mohammed Sabry Soliman, 45, told police he planned it for a year and specifically targeted what he described as the Zionist group, the FBI said. Eight people were injured in the attack, some with burns, as a group was concluding their weekly demonstration to raise visibility for the hostages who remain in Gaza. Witnesses reported the man yelled Free Palestine during the attack. An FBI affidavit says Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody Sunday and told the police he would do it again. The affidavit was released in support of a federal hate crime charged filed by the Justice Department on Monday. Court records show Soliman was scheduled to appear in state court in Boulder at 1:30 p.m. The burst of violence at the popular Pearl Street pedestrian mall, a four-block area in downtown Boulder, unfolded against the backdrop of a war between Israel and Hamas that continues to inflame global tensions and has contributed to a spike in antisemitic violence in the United States. The attack happened on the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which is marked with the reading of the Torah and barely a week after a man who also yelled Free Palestine was charged with fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staffers outside of a Jewish museum in Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement Monday saying he, his wife and the entire nation of Israel were praying for the full recovery of the people wounded in the vicious terror attack in Colorado. Attack leads to increased security elsewhere Sadly, attacks like this are becoming too common across the country, said Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the FBIs Denver field office, which encompasses Boulder. In New York, the police department said it upped its presence at religious sites throughout the city for Shavuot. The eight victims who were wounded range in age from 52 to 88 and the injuries spanned from serious to minor, officials said. The attack occurred as people with a volunteer group called Run For Their Lives was concluding their weekly demonstration to raise visibility for the hostages who remain in Gaza. Video from the scene shows a witness shouting, Hes right there. Hes throwing Molotov cocktails, as a police officer with his gun drawn advances on a bare-chested suspect who is holding containers in each hand. Alex Osante of San Diego said he was having lunch on a restaurant patio across the pedestrian mall when he heard the crash of a bottle breaking on the ground and a boom sound followed by people yelling and screaming. In video of the scene captured by Osante, people could be seen pouring water on a woman lying on the ground who Osante said had caught on fire during the attack. A man, who later identified himself as an Israeli visiting Boulder who decided to join the group that day, ran up to Osante on the video asking for some water to help. Suspect reemerged after initial attack before being arrested After the initial attack, Osante said the suspect went behind some bushes and then reemerged and threw a Molotov cocktail but apparently accidentally caught himself on fire as he threw it. The man then took off his shirt and what appeared to be a bulletproof vest before the police arrived. The man dropped to the ground and was arrested without any apparent resistance in the video that Osante filmed. Lynn Segal, 72, was among about 20 people who gathered Sunday. They had finished their march in front of the courthouse when a rope of fire shot in front of her and then "two big flares. She said the scene quickly turned chaotic as people worked to find water to put out flames and find help. Law enforcement found more than a dozen unlit Molotov cocktails near where Soliman was arrested. The devices were made up of glass wine carafe bottles or jars with clear liquid and red rags hanging out of the them, the FBI said. Inside his car, law enforcement found papers with the words Israel, Palestine, and USAID, the affidavit says. Soliman told investigators that he constructed homemade Molotov cocktails after doing research on YouTube and buying the ingredients. He drove to Boulder with the devices in his car and stopped along the way for gas, according to the affidavit. He said in his interview that his goal was to kill all Zionists, the FBI said, and that he intentionally targeted the group and knew they they would be assembled on Sunday afternoon. He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year and was waiting until after his daughter graduated to conduct the attack, the affidavit says. The group that was attacked has said it was trying to raise attention to the plight of the Israeli hostages in Gaza. Authorities say they believe the suspect acted alone Authorities said Sunday they believe Soliman acted alone and that no other suspect was being sought. No criminal charges were immediately announced but officials said they would move to hold Soliman accountable. He was also injured and was taken to the hospital to be treated. Authorities did not elaborate on the nature of his injuries, but a booking photo showed him with a large bandage over one ear. State and federal authorities planned to hold a news conference Monday afternoon. Soliman was living in the U.S. illegally after having entered the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a post on X. McLaughlin said Soliman filed for asylum in September 2022 and was granted a work authorization in March 2023 that had expired. DHS did not immediately respond to requests for additional information. Public records listed Soliman as living in a modest rented townhouse in Colorado Springs, where local media outlets reported federal law enforcement agents were on the scene Sunday. Shameka Pruiett knew Soliman and his family as kindly neighbors with five children, three young kids and two teenagers, whod play with Pruietts kids in front of their building, share food and hellos. But she said when she saw Soliman on video in Boulder, shirtless and holding bottles with flames licking up the grass in front of him, it was hard to recognize him. There had to be something deeply disturbing him, cause that is not the guy we see in the neighborhood, said Pruiett, leaning on her doorframe and gazing several feet away at Solimans apartment. Soliman had never been outwardly political, she said, he didnt push his views or values on anyone. On Sunday, Pruiett saw law enforcement vehicles waiting on the street throughout the day until the evening, when they spoke through a megaphone telling anyone in Solimans home to come out. Nobody came out, and it did not appear anyone was inside, said Pruiett. The raid lasted several hours, she said. An online resume under Solimans name said he was employed by a Denver-area health care company working in accounting and inventory control, with prior employers listed as companies in Egypt. Under education, the resume listed Al-Azhar University, a historic center for Islamic and Arabic learning located in Cairo. FBI leaders immediately declared the attack an act of terrorism and the Justice Department denounced it as a needless act of violence, which follows recent attacks against Jewish Americans. This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts. We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a post on X. Israel's war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250 others. They are still holding 58 hostages, around a third believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israels military campaign has killed more than 54,000 people in Hamas-run Gaza, mostly women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The offensive has destroyed vast areas, displaced around 90% of the population and left people almost completely reliant on international aid. The violence comes four years after a shooting rampage at a grocery store in Boulder, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Denver, that killed 10 people. The gunman was sentenced to life in prison for murder after a jury rejected his attempt to avoid prison time by pleading not guilty by reason of insanity. Multiple blocks of the pedestrian mall area were evacuated by police. The scene shortly after the attack was tense, as law enforcement agents with a police dog walked through the streets looking for threats and instructed the public to stay clear of the mall. Tucker reported from Washington. Associated Press journalists Brittany Peterson and David Zalubowski in Boulder, Colorado; Kimberlee Kruesi in Providence, Rhode Island; Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis; Alanna Durkin Richer and Michael Biesecker in Washington and Jim Mustian in New York contributed to this report. A Molotov cocktail attack in Boulder left 15 people injured near Pearl Street on Sunday afternoon. Authorities apprehended suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian citizen, who will remain in custody during the investigation, following his release from the hospital, according to FBI Special Agent Mark Michalek and the Boulder Police Department. Officials said Soliman resides in Colorado Springs. Read the articles below for more details. "Chinese Bridge" competitions held for primary, secondary school students in Nepal Xinhua) 13:36, May 31, 2025 A contestant performs a talent show at the fifth "Chinese Bridge" Chinese show for foreign primary school students in Lalitpur, Nepal, on May 30, 2025. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua) KATHMANDU, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The final rounds of "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competitions for primary- and secondary-school students in Nepal were held on Friday in Lalitpur, a city in the Kathmandu Valley. Ten finalists competing in the fifth "Chinese Bridge" Chinese show for foreign primary school students shared in speeches their rich experiences and thoughts about learning the Chinese language. They demonstrated their Chinese cultural talents through songs, dances, paper-cutting, calligraphy and Wushu rhythmic exercises. Another ten finalists competed on the same stage but in the 18th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for foreign secondary school students. While most speeches were themed on "Fly High With Chinese," one touched upon Oracle bone inscriptions, or Jiaguwen, an ancient Chinese language named for its inscriptions on tortoise shells and animal bones, while the other displayed a clapper talk show. In addition to talent shows featuring songs, dances, kung fu, sword-dance, paper-cutting, Chinese tongue twister and playing of bamboo flute, the secondary-school contestants had an extra contest over their knowledge of Chinese culture. Ashlesha Adhikari and Aarogya Niraula outcompeted the others in the competitions and shall travel to China for the global finals for primary- and secondary-school students, respectively. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Kou Jie) The man accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at a group participating in a peaceful demonstration on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder Sunday, injuring 12, filed an asylum claim in September 2022 after coming into the United States on a visitor visa the month before, federal officials said. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was booked into the Boulder County jail late Sunday night after the attack, which federal authorities initially called an act of terrorism. That night, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed on social media that federal agents were investigating the attack as being ideologically motivated. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed Soliman was in the country illegally at the time of the attack. He entered the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023. He filed for asylum in September 2022, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated in a social media post Monday morning. Soliman was then granted a work authorization in March 2023 that had expired. A B2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for someone who wants to enter the country temporarily for tourism. Soliman is reported to be an Egyptian national. Officials say Soliman is from Colorado Springs. The FBI and other law enforcement officers gathered at a house off the east side of Colorado Springs on Sunday evening where local records indicate Soliman may have lived to execute a search warrant. During a Monday afternoon press conference, law enforcement officials confirmed digital evidence was obtained from the house and family members inside were cooperative. The El Paso County Sheriffs Office reported the agency received three non-criminal calls for service a juvenile contact and two 911 hang-up calls to the residence on Washo Circle since December 2022. The Sheriffs Office also reported deputies had four contacts involving Soliman, all of which were traffic stops. According to an arrest affidavit filed Monday, Soliman lived at the Colorado Springs residence with his wife and five children and traveled to Boulder to carry out the attack by himself. After his arrest, his wife was spotted leaving the home and going to a Colorado Springs police station, the affidavit states. Soliman was charged with a federal hate crime involving actual or perceived race, religion or national origin in Sundays attack, according to an FBI affidavit. The U.S. Department of Justice characterized the weekend incident as an antisemitic terror attack. Soliman was also arrested on suspicion of 42 state felony charges, according to the Boulder County arrest affidavit. The state charges under investigation include: Eight counts of attempted first-degree murder after deliberation, Eight counts of attempted first-degree murder with extreme indifference, Six counts of first-degree assault of an at-risk or elderly victim, Two counts of first-degree assault, Featured Local Savings Two counts of possession of an incendiary device, And 16 counts of attempted possession of an incendiary device. If he is convicted on all counts, he faces up to 624 years in prison. As of Monday, it remains unclear the specific charges Soliman will face on the state level, but officials anticipate formal charges will be filed this week. The Boulder County jail lists him as being held on $10 million cash-only bond . Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade issued a statement Monday afternoon condemning the attack. I am heartbroken by the horrific attack and violence that struck in the city of Boulder on Sunday, Mobolade said. Our hearts, minds, and prayers are with the victims and their families. There is no place for hate or antisemitism in our communities, and I am grateful to law enforcement and first responders for their swift action and continued investigation. The attack occurred just before 1:30 p.m. Sunday near 13th and Pearl streets during a weekly event called the peaceful humanitarian walk for hostages, organized by the group Run For Their Lives, which raises awareness about Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Witnesses say a man was waiting near the historic courthouse with bottles in hand. He allegedly shouted free Palestine and threw what officials described as a makeshift flamethrower or Molotov cocktail into the crowd. According to federal investigators, Soliman previously attempted to purchase a gun to carry out the attack, but was unable to due to his lack of citizenship. Initially, eight people between the ages of 52 and 88 were reported to be injured. The Boulder Police Department on Monday said the number of victims increased to 12, but no deaths were reported. Some victims suffered burns and were transported to Denver-area hospitals. UCHealths University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora confirmed it received two patients who were airlifted from the scene. The affidavit states well over a dozen more Molotov cocktails were recovered as well as containers carrying 87 octane gasoline. During an interview with the FBI, Soliman had no regrets, stating he would conduct an attack again and planned Sundays for a year, only waiting until his daughter graduated high school to take action. Throughout the interview, (Soliman) stated that he hated the Zionist group and did (the attack) because he hated this group and needed to stop them from taking over our land, which he explained to be Palestine, the affidavit reads. During Mondays press conference, acting U.S. Attorney for the state of Colorado J. Bishop Grewell was questioned about the federal charges, specifically the lack of a terrorism charge. Grewell said it was important to get charges filed quickly, but more may be tacked on as the investigation continues. The Colorado Springs man accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at a group participating in a peaceful demonstration on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder Sunday was charged with a federal hate crime and is facing state charges for attempted murder in Colorado. If he is convicted and given the maximum sentence for each of the charges, he faces up to 624 years in prison, officials said at a news conference Monday. Twelve victims have been identified as of Monday afternoon, with four others coming forward to police in the last 24 hours, according to officials. Two of the victims were still in the hospital Monday afternoon, according to officials, who urged any other victims or anyone else with information about the attack to come forward. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, an Egyptian citizen, was booked into the Boulder County jail late Sunday night after the attack, which federal authorities are calling an "act of terrorism." Soliman filed an asylum claim in September 2022 after coming into the United States on a visitor visa the month before, federal officials said. A B2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for someone who wants to enter the country temporarily for tourism. Officials said Soliman is from Colorado Springs. The FBI and other law enforcement officers gathered at a house in Colorado Springs Sunday evening where local records indicate Soliman may have lived. On Monday, officials said Soliman's family cooperated with the investigation. He appeared in court for the first time Monday afternoon, facing the judge with a bandage on his head. His initial $10 million cash-only bond amount was upheld at the hearing and the judge set his next court date for 3:30 p.m. Thursday, when his charges will be filed. At a news conference Monday afternoon, Acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell said the U.S. Attorney's Office is charging Soliman with a hate crime which, if he is convicted, could result in life in prison. Twentieth Judicial District Attorney Michael Dougherty added that the state will be prosecuting the attempted murder and other charges. At the state level, Soliman is charged with 16 counts of attempted first-degree murder, eight of those with intent and after deliberation and the other eight with extreme indifference, Dougherty said. The maximum sentence for these charges would be 384 years in state prison. Additionally, the state is charging him with two counts of using an incendiary device, which would have a maximum sentence of 48 years, and with 16 other counts of attempted use of incendiary devices, which would have a maximum sentence of 192 years, Dougherty said. Featured Local Savings Along with the Molotov cocktails used at the scene, police found 16 others "within arms reach," Dougherty said. Grewell added that Soliman had tried to purchase a firearm previously, but when he couldn't due to his citizenship status he got the Molotov cocktails to use instead. Soliman said he had been planning the attack for a year because he "hated what he called the Zionist group," according to the U.S. District Attorney's Office complaint. When he was interviewed about the attack, he said he "wanted them all to die, had no regrets and would do it all again," Grewell said. "I want to express my support for the victims, their families and the community of Boulder," Grewell said. "We fully intend to hold him accountable to his actions and these charges are the first step." Mark Michalek, the FBI special agent in charge, said his team has been working diligently in the investigation over the last 24 hours, saying they have conducted 44 witness interviews and used search warrants and other strategies to pursue the case. As of Monday, they believe there was only one suspect involved in the attack, but the investigation is ongoing, Michalek said. Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn added that they are in a "really good place" for being 24 hours into the investigation, adding that Pearl Street Mall is back open completely and that his team is planning bolstered security at upcoming events in Boulder to make sure people feel safe. Redfearn walked down Pearl Street Mall Monday, he said, and was "heartened" by the resilience of the community. "I walked out thinking, 'We're going to be OK,'" he said. Dougherty added that the Boulder community has gone through a lot, from fires to floods and mass attacks. "Every time, I've seen this community respond with strength, resilience and support for one another," Dougherty said. "I trust and hope that that will happen again now." Fortinet today announced the appointment of Nicole Henry as Head of Government Affairs for Australia and New Zealand. In this role, Nicole will lead Fortinets strategic engagement with government stakeholders to enhance cybersecurity policy development and support public sector cybersecurity initiatives across both countries. Nicole Henry, Head of Government Affairs for Australia and New Zealand, Fortinet, said, Effective cybersecurity policy is foundational for protecting critical infrastructure (CI), economic stability, and national security. This role brings together the core of my career, including strategic policy, digital capability, and system reform through innovation and cross-sector collaboration. I'm honoured to lead Fortinets engagement with government across Australia and New Zealand, leveraging global insights and expertise to help shape policy frameworks that strengthen cyber resilience. With emerging technologies reshaping CI, trusted communication and enhanced collaboration between industry and government are essential for digital security. I look forward to advancing Fortinets position as a trusted partner in this critical mission. Advancing cyber resilience through public policy leadership Nicole will oversee Fortinets government affairs strategy across Australia and New Zealand at a time when public-private collaboration is critical to addressing escalating cyber threats and safeguarding national interests. In her new role, she will lead Fortinets efforts in advancing cybersecurity legislation and regulatory frameworks across Australia and New Zealand. Nicole will work closely with Fortinets regional public sector teams to provide critical insights into government priorities and cybersecurity requirements, keeping Fortinets cybersecurity innovations aligned with the evolving needs of government agencies and institutions. She will also contribute to shaping regional strategies that reflect national interests, evolving compliance obligations, and global cyber trends, positioning Fortinet as a proactive partner in public sector transformation and digital trust. A proven leader in policy, innovation, and government engagement Nicole brings more than two decades of experience in public policy advocacy, government relations, and stakeholder engagement. She has held senior advisory roles across both the public and private sectors, working at the intersection of government, industry, and research to drive national strategies and foster international partnerships. Before joining Fortinet, Nicole was responsible for the Trade, Americas, Europe, and India branch within the International Strategy and National Security Division of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. Prior to this, Nicole served as the inaugural Counsellor to Indonesia on a diplomatic posting for the Department, establishing strategic relationships and opportunities aligned with the governments priorities. She has also held roles including Head of Business Engagement and Program Management for the Simplified Trade System Implementation Taskforce and Chief of Staff to the Chief Scientist of Australia, as part of a distinguished career in the Australian public service. Nicole has led national initiatives in areas including hydrogen, battery technologies, digital trade, and regulatory reform. She has also represented Australia in international forums such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Nicole has built a reputation for translating complex policy into practical outcomes and fostering collaboration among government, research, and industry to shape impactful national strategies. Her deep understanding of policy, regulation, and cross-border engagement makes her uniquely positioned to drive outcomes that align with Fortinets mission to strengthen cyber resilience and protect critical infrastructure. (Kumagaya) Surrounded by Tokyos vast sprawl, its easy to miss the rich history just north of the capital. Welcome to Kumagaya, located in the northern part of Saitama Prefecture and home to one of the Kanto regions biggest festivals. Its the birthplace of Kumagae Naozone, a famed warrior-turned-monk, whose equestrian statue graces Kumagaya Station. The city, once a trading post on the famous Nakasendo Highway, thrived as a prosperous hub of the silk industry. A Hub Reborn These days, Kumagayas travel credentials have been revitalized after the destruction of World War II. The city is a bonafide regional hub for central and northern Saitama serviced by the Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train lines, the JR Takasaki Line and the private Chichibu Main Line. Having become a much easier jumping-off point for any number of adventure destinations, Kumagaya offers beautiful nearby nature experiences. You can go river cruising in nearby Nagatoro on the scenic Arakawa River that also runs through Kumagaya. Or go hike in the ever-popular Chichibu mountains. (Menuma Shouden Kangi) A Monster Festival The Uchiwa Matsuri, Saitamas largest annual festival and one of the largest in the entire Kanto region, is Kumagayas festive claim to fame. A massive 750,000 people pour into the city in late July, completely transforming Kumagayas usual population of 200,000. The festival dates back to 1750, but got its name about 50 years later from an early 19th-century marketing campaign. Free uchiwa (hand-held fans) were handed out to attract customers during the sapping summer heat. Coinciding with a boom in the local silk industry, the festival soon developed intense levels of energy. Merchants attempted to outdo each other in appeal and wealth with parade floats and music. The Two Rivers Kumagaya lies just north of the Tone, one of Japans top three largets rivers, with the Arakawa running just south. Once a wild waterway prone to flooding, the now gentrified Arakawa is one of Japans top 100 cherry blossom-viewing spots. With its Sakura Tsutsumi bank of 500 trees stretching out for over 2km, its easy to see why. The Arakawa also plays a central role in Kumagayas festival culture. Almost half a million people gather to witness the spectacular Kumagaya Fireworks Festival every second Saturday in August. With over 10,000 fireworks lighting the sky, Kumagaya proudly shows its love for festivals and welcoming visitors. (Cherry blossom trees are in bloom at Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi.) Saitamas National Treasure A more sedate experience can be had within the expansive grounds of the Menuma Shodenzan Kangi-in Temple. Established in the 12th century by Lord Sanemori, the temple underwent a facelift five hundred years later. Master builder Hayashi Masakiyo began work on the main building, and his efforts resulted in the temple becoming Saitama Prefectures first National Treasure. The level of detailed craftsmanship has to be seen to be believed. Each carving is animated through life-like detail and features various stories, including adults strategizing over traditional games, children playing with toys and even sumo wrestlers doing what they do best. The work is stunning and rivals that of any other temple or shrine in Japan, even going so far as to be nicknamed the Nikko of Saitama. A Taste of the Festive In contrast to its festive extravagance, the cuisine of Kumagaya is a much simpler affair. Udon noodles, made from Kumagaya-grown wheat, are highly prized, while a most humble offering is the signature dish of the Menuma Shodenzan Temple, inari zushi. Made from vinegared rice and pickled vegetables wrapped in deep-fried tofu, the temples inari zushi is much larger than the usual variety and keeps to a non-meat Buddhist ethos. Kumagaya is also known for tripe, the internal organs of pork and beef. Grilled and served with a strong sauce, tripe is a popular street stall evening snack. Gokabo is the Kumagaya confectionery of choice. Made using techniques carried over from the Edo period, these soybean powder and rice rolls are a classic rustic delight. As a hub in the north, there is plenty of time in Kumagaya for famous Buddhist temples, cherry blossoms and humble fare. But for anyone wishing to explore festive fun, the city explodes with exuberant life thanks to some of the most massive crowd-drawing festivals in the country. An easy escape from Tokyos hustle, Kumagayas relaxed ambiance is only interrupted by its residents love of festival fun. metropolisjapan.com Its hard to know what to make of Derwin Montgomerys fall from grace. Montgomery enjoyed a meteoric rise. He won a seat on the Winston-Salem City Council in 2009, an energetic 21-year-old with a gift for connecting across generations. He beat a well-established veteran and put in the work to win two additional four-year terms. When then-state Rep. Ed Hanes resigned his seat in 2018, Montgomery parlayed his experience and connections into being named Hanes replacement. Montgomery won a full-term later that year. A political star, it seemed, was born from the gumption it took for a senior at Winston-Salem State University to take on (and defeat) incumbent Council Member Joycelyn Johnson. A life goal Montgomery stated during that upstart run serving in the U.S. Senate didnt seem preposterous. But behind the scenes, at least according to court documents filed years later, cracks in the foundation began to form. Its a long, long way down from serious politician with a bright future in the Democratic Party to where Montgomery finds himself today: arrested and jailed for failing to make restitution after being convicted of stealing from a homeless shelter. Smarts, instincts led to a rapid rise Montgomery was smart enough to recognize that a modest turnout in a local primary would be enough to beat Johnson. In the run-up to the Democratic primary for the East Ward seat, he leaned hard into on campus organizing and managed to get 211 fellow Winston-Salem State students to cast ballots for him during early voting close to half the 530 votes he garnered in total. Once in office, he was smart enough to know that he couldnt coast. No bomb-thrower, he worked hard, worked for consensus and established himself enough to defeat Johnson four years later in the inevitable rematch. After easily winning a third term in 2016, Montgomery was an easy choice two years later to fill the remainder of Hanes term. Hanes himself endorsed him. By then, Montgomery had taken over as the executive director at the Bethesda Center for the Homeless earning more than $70,000 per year. That seems like plenty for a single 30-something, but in the state legislature, Montgomery found himself surrounded by colleagues substantially older and wealthier. In 2020, Montgomerys ambition drove him to run for Congress in the 14th District. Hubris perhaps drove that decision as most of the district was in Guilford County and politicians with deep roots in Greensboro had built-in advantages. Did that ambition and a desire to keep up play a role? Only one man knows, and hes not saying. According to documents supporting his indictment on 15 counts related to financial impropriety, Montgomery used more than $26,000 in funds meant for the Bethesda Center funds for personal use from 2018 to 2020. Expenses listed in indictments include charging Bethesda for a trip to Cancun with a romantic partner, stays at luxury hotels in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Charleston, S.C. There were also expenses from a strip club in Las Vegas. Prosecutors maintained that he enjoyed nice cars by foisting off some $6,500 in lease payments for a GMC Yukon Denali. This was not one mistake, said federal Judge Loretta Biggs at Montgomerys sentencing hearing in 2023. A bank of goodwill Because of the goodwill Montgomery had built through years of public service and his work as a pastor no one wanted to see him sent to prison after his conviction in 2022. Some two dozen letters of support seeking leniency were sent to the court and federal prosecutors, typically not known for being soft or merciful, signaled theyd be OK with a probationary sentence. On condition of restitution, of course. This is a serious case because it involves the abuse of the public trust, assistant U.S. attorney Joanna McFadden told Biggs. Taxpayers in this country should know that their money is being used appropriately by nonprofits who receive federal money. Paying restitution of $36,618 and $22,270 for probation supervision, as we saw last week, was the latest setback in Montgomerys long fall. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of North Carolina noted last summer that hed fallen at least $5,500 behind on monthly payments and failed to complete a required financial literacy course. Again, no one particularly wanted to see Montgomery jailed for violating the terms of his deal, but the feds apparently felt there they had no other choice. The 36-year-old was placed in federal custody Wednesday. He has shown great remorse for his actions and appreciates the input of the government in bringing this matter to a close, reads a statement issued on his behalf by his attorneys in the wake of his sentencing. (Montgomery) looks forward to working hard to establish his image as a person who has learned from his mistakes and will continue to be a leader in the community. In light of last weeks actions, that task has become significantly more difficult. Yana Armoots journey to Lincoln started by waiting in a line that stretched for miles. Armoot, her husband Ahmed and their son and daughter lived out of their car for four days waiting in traffic to make it out of Ukraine to Poland. Armoot and her husband traded off driving and sleeping so that they wouldn't lose their place in line. It was really difficult because a lot of Ukrainians start(ed) to try to escape the country, and the line with cars was like 80 miles long, Armoot said about the exodus of people when Russia invaded in 2022. Many Ukrainians who left the country, like the Armoot family who came to the U.S. in August 2022, have found a new start in Lincoln while keeping an eye on their homeland at a time when U.S. support for the country has been shifting, ceasefire talks continue and immigration laws have also been called into question. Once Armoot and her family arrived in Poland, they moved to the Netherlands to stay with a relative for a time. Eventually, they chose to move to the United States to try to earn money and support their kids' education. Leaving Ukraine Armoot first started hearing bombs at about 4 a.m. one day in late February 2022. Russia had started invading Ukraine and bombing Kharkiv, the city where she and her family lived. Her kids were scared and couldnt sleep with the repeated bombings, she said. After a few days during which she said shops and hospitals were destroyed around them they decided to leave Ukraine, crossing the border into Poland. Since the beginning of the war, the city, which is just 20 miles from the Russian border, has been bombed repeatedly. A Russian advance has closed the gap between the city and the front line, but Russian troops are still largely out of range of the city. Attacks have continued and on May 2 Russian drone attacks wounded almost 50 people in Kharkiv, hitting 12 locations across the city. The attacks damaged residential buildings and civilian infrastructure. Although Armoot, her children and her husband left the city, her parents decided to stay behind. I have my parents, they still live in Kharkiv, Armoot said. "I'm so worried about this, because theres bombings every day." In April, a bomb destroyed the garage of their house in the city, Armoot said. President Donald Trump has been working to facilitate a deal between Russia and Ukraine to end the conflict after he promised a swift end to the conflict during his campaign. Armoot is hoping for an end to the conflict, but said when Trump and European leaders have insisted on ending the war, Russian President Vladimir Putin doesnt listen. She said it is still getting worse in Kharkiv. Negotiations were held last week between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Turkey, but ended only in a prisoner swap. Trump posted Monday on Truth Social that the countries would immediately start ceasefire talks, but those talks have no clear time frame. During a call with Putin, Trump dropped his call for a ceasefire and, following the discussion, questioned if the U.S. should walk away from administering negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Changing news on negotiations and continued bombings are something Ukrainian immigrants are checking regularly. Nataliia Bohuta immigrated to the U.S. in April 2022 and lives in Lincoln. She said the war is still going on and is very present for her and other Ukrainians. When we wake up with the first thing we do: We check the news, Bohuta said. And every day we pray for our people and our country, because all of us have relatives who defend Ukraine. Searching for roots Bohuta is a coordinator and teacher at Lincoln Literacy and teaches English classes to people who speak Ukrainian. One of Bohutas students compared the situation of Ukrainian immigrants in the United States as being like flowers in vases. The flowers were cut from their home country and taken to a new place. They have food and water, but dont have the dirt to grow and take root. Ukrainian immigrants have already built lives in the United States with new jobs and friends, but they are facing uncertainty about their immigration status. Documentation is the dirt Bohutas student said was missing. Bohuta said that, right now, going back to Ukraine isnt an option. A lot of my students don't have (any)where to go back to in Ukraine as the Russian people destroyed their homes. They lost everything, and now they started their new life in America, Bohuta said. Theyre trying to forget the sounds of bombs and sirens. Many of the Ukrainian immigrants in Lincoln came to the country under the Biden-era Uniting for Ukraine program, which gave them temporary protected status. That designation allows foreign-born individuals to temporarily stay in the U.S. and work when its deemed unsafe to return to their country of origin. The status can be renewed over several years. In January, the temporary protected status program was extended for Ukrainian immigrants by President Joe Bidens administration until October 2026. Other immigrants from Ukraine have parolee status, which is granted for urgent humanitarian reasons based on the discretion of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and lasts two years. But the Trump administration has paused immigration applications filed by immigrants from some Latin American countries and Ukraine relying on programs authorizing humanitarian parole. Armoot works with the International Council for Refugees and Immigrants as a case manager and has been tackling changes to the immigration system. She said the system is stuck. They didn't accept any applications, not only for Ukrainians, for all, Armoot said. That's why Ukrainians can't receive any status. The people just applied, received notice that USCIS received their documents and that's it. Because of these expiring programs, Armoot and her family, at the advice of her familys lawyer, have applied for asylum status, which allows refugees to apply for protection once they arrive at the country of their destination. If approved, they receive asylee status, granting them protection from deportations and the right to legally work. Difficulties with peoples immigration status translate to trouble with work authorizations. Armoot said Ukrainians dont just want to sit and receive benefits, they want to work. But people have lost their jobs when theyve lost their documentation. A green card could fix peoples ability to work, Armoot said, but applications for green cards arent being approved. The Trump administration has paused finalizing applications for green cards, citing intentions to increase vetting measures. Armoot said it is hard because people's ability to work is out of their hands, and its hard to wait for the government to decide what to do. 'Love it here' Armoots children, Amira and Amir, who are 11 and 10 years old respectively, initially didnt like the move to the U.S. but have adapted quickly. They actually love it here, Armoot said. When we came they didn't like it because for kids it's hard to change places, leave their friends, leave everything that they have, but we didn't have a choice. Armoot said many Ukrainians want to stay in the U.S., but she thinks about half of the Ukrainians in the U.S. want to move back because they miss their home country. Bohuta said many of the students she teaches work at the Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing plant in Lincoln. Bohuta said that Kawasaki is often one of the only choices for Ukrainians who want to start working. In her neighborhood, Bohuta has seen people put up Ukrainian flags and she knows people have opened their homes and hearts to Ukrainians. One of her students, Liudmyla Shevchuk, whom Bohuta translated for, said when she arrived in Lincoln around Christmas in 2020, before the war, Catholic Social Services supported her family by asking people to donate gifts. Bohuta said, in her mind, Nebraska is a perfect place to live and Lincoln is a nice and quiet city. All of my students call Lincoln their second home, Bohuta said. They are working here, paying taxes here, going to churches here and just live their life. WATERFORD Waterford Graded School District will be significantly different next school year. The K-8 district is realigning its elementary schools in 2025-26 with the goal of more efficiently serving students and families. Beginning this fall, instead of three separate 4K to fifth grade elementary schools, each building will serve a few grades of students. Trailside Elementary will serve 4-K through first grade students. Second and third grade will be at Woodfield Elementary. Fourth and fifth graders will attend Evergreen Elementary. Evergreen is next to Fox River Middle School, which will continue serving sixth through eighth grades. No schools are closing. WGSD Superintendent Tony Spence said realignment was not an easy decision, but he believes it will be beneficial in the long run. This is a substantial change, Spence said. We need to make a change to be self-sufficient and sustaining. We understand what that type of heavy lift is, but we also understand whats on the other side of it. We think this is the right place to be for us. K-8 model WGSD serves about 1,500 students in four buildings. It is a separate district from Waterford Union High School. Plans for potential realignment started in April 2024 when a WGSD operational referendum failed. Planning kicked into a higher gear in November 2024 after another operational referendum was rejected. The WGSD Board approved realignment during its March 3 meeting, about a month before an operational referendum passed, meaning realignment was happening regardless of the April referendum result. Realignment was done to have a more flexible district that can better adjust to enrollment changes. It will not be necessary to shift boundaries of the three elementary schools, for example, since the buildings will not have boundaries starting in 2025-26. The bottom line is we are a K-8 district and were going back to a K-8 model, said Jane Aegerter, WGSD director of student and staff services. WGSD will not be alone in having a few elementary grades at multiple buildings. Southeast Wisconsin school districts with similar setups include Delavan-Darien, East Troy, Heartland Lakeside and Menomonee Falls. Tweaks likely will be required, especially this fall, and WGSD staff plan to adapt as needed. Those first couple days of the school year, maybe even first couple weeks or months, thatll be the telltale sign of how things are functioning and if we need to make any adjustments, Spence said. Parent, staff impact Parents had questions and concerns about realignment, mainly related to transportation; transitioning from one building to another; and daily start and end times at each school. Similar issues were raised when the district expanded from one to three elementary schools in the early 2000s. Whenever youre talking change with families, it brings about anxiety, Aegerter said. After the WGSD Board approved the changes in March, Spence and Aegerter said they met with about 80 parents who provided more feedback. The district plans to continue meeting with a parent survey group next school year to discuss progress and what tweaks need to occur. Spence and Aegerter hope that by having fourth and fifth grade next to the middle school, there will be more potential learning opportunities and an easier transition to sixth grade. Starting next school year, the district also aims to have equal educational support at each elementary building such as instruction specialists and counselors. The vast majority of WGSD employees will be impacted by the changes. About 65% of staff will either be in different buildings, classrooms or teaching different grade levels in 2025-26. Thats a big deal, because people are very tied and connected to the building, the team, the grade level, Spence said. Long-term solution June 2 provided a preview of how next school year will look. Buses took students to the buildings they will attend next school year, where they met their 2025-26 classmates and toured the schools. On Aug. 27 and 28, families and students can tour the buildings, talk with staff and learn more about what to expect in 2025-26. Some details still need to be figured out, including potential school name changes and the impact on parent teacher organizations. Challenges lie ahead, but Aegerter is excited for the opportunity next school year and beyond. Spence agreed and said ideally the new setup will feel natural within a few years and be a long-term solution. Hopefully we never have to go back, Spence said. Were utilizing the resources we have. If, in a future tense, a different (school) board, different leadership, says, You know what, we need to look at this, they still could. Were not closing that door, but hopefully things go well, and we do anticipate they will, and well be in this format for a long time to come. Nine photos of Waterford High School 2024 referendum voting Waterford voting Two people vote regarding a Waterford High School referendum Tuesday at Waterford Village Hall, 123 N. River St. Voters rejected a Waterford U Gara and Wozniak Mary Gara, left, turns in her Waterford High School referendum voting ballot while election worker Tom Wozniak looks on Tuesday at Waterford V Charles Herman Charles Herman, left, receives his ballot with two questions regarding a Waterford High School referendum Tuesday at Waterford Village Hall, 1 Bob Niedzwiecki Bob Niedzwiecki signs in before voting on a Waterford High School referendum Tuesday at Waterford Village Hall, 123 N. River St. Vote A sign directs voters where to enter regarding a Waterford High School referendum Tuesday at Waterford Village Hall, 123 N. River St. Voters r Waterford HS referendum voting Feb. 2024 WUHS referendum voting A sign encourages people to vote in favor of the proposed Waterford Union High School referendum. Voters rejected the capital referendum in Fe "Vote Yes!" Signs encourage people to vote in favor of the proposed Waterford High School referendum on Tuesday. Filling out ballots People vote regarding a Waterford High School referendum Tuesday at Waterford Village Hall, 123 N. River St. Voters rejected a Waterford Union Waterford Village Hall People voted regarding a Waterford High School referendum Tuesday at Waterford Village Hall, 123 N. River St. Theres no such thing as a free lunch, the saying goes. As the school year comes to a close, school districts in Idaho are dealing with tens of thousands of dollars in lunch debt and trying to get families to pay up. Some districts have policies to send that debt to collections agencies or small claims court, if necessary. Cassia County School District this school year had $48,000 in unpaid meal charges, Twin Falls School District recorded $70,800 and Jerome Joint School District is looking at a negative balance of $130,000, according to district employees. Meal debt is a big issue in Idaho right now, Angela Rodriguez, child nutrition director for Cassia district, told the Times-News. In addition to her position with the school district, Rodriguez serves as president of the nonprofit Idaho School Nutrition Association. Its not just Burley or Cassia High School, Rodriguez said. Many areas in Idaho have lunch debt. School districts this summer will try to collect unpaid lunch money from parents. Any remaining balance will come out of the districts general funds, but that doesnt necessarily mean parents are off the hook. It takes away that much money for supplies, for personnel, for text books, whatever, Cassia Superintendent Sandra Miller said, adding that the Idaho Legislature did not approve any new operations funding this year. To help recoup some of the lunch debt, the Cassia school board on Tuesday approved a new policy allowing the debt to rollover from year to year and stick with the student. Before the new policy, Rodriguez said, some parents realized that the district was covering the debt and would feed their kids no matter what, so they stopped paying. The new policy might change that attitude. When they go to graduate, Rodriguez said. They may have a big bill if they dont pay. Collecting the debt Sending letters, phone calls and text messages to parents with lunch debt hasnt been enough to tackle the issue in Jerome district, said Business Manager Brian Bridwell. The district is starting to take a more aggressive and heavy-handed approach, he said. In order to stay on top of that debt, were exploring different collection options via collection agencies, small claims, those types of things, Bridwell said. Twin Falls district has a similar policy. If the benefits outweigh the costs, they could send debt to collections agencies. It would need to be pretty significant for that to be the avenue that we take, spokesperson Eva Craner said. Bridwell, Craner and Rodriguez all told the Times-News that their respective school districts never turn away kids at the lunch line. If a student has a negative balance, food service workers will serve them the same lunch as everybody else. Instead of telling the child, districts will notify the parent. We dont want to bring attention to the child because its not the childs fault, Rodriguez said. Charitable assistance is another way for districts to cover the debt. All three school districts have policies to allow groups and individuals to contribute to an unpaid meal charges fund. The most notable donation in recent years came from Chobani. In 2019, the yogurt maker donated $85,000 to Twin Falls district to cover the entire lunch debt from that year. I dont think its any secret that Chobani is really focused on food insecurity, Craner said. Free meals during COVID For two school years at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, students across the nation ate for free. The federal government in March 2020 issued a waiver allowing schools to serve free meals, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The waiver expired in June 2022. Families became used to eating for free, said Ryan Bowman, operations director for Twin Falls district, and he was concerned that lunch debt would increase when the waiver expired. We were worried that when we started to have to charge again it would be a huge increase, and to be honest, it really has been similar to what is was pre-COVID, Bowman said. It was a different situation in the Cassia district, according to Rodriguez. She said meal debt has increased in recent years. People got used to the free meals during COVID, Rodriguez said. When it came time to start paying again, they didnt want to because they felt that if they could take care of it during COVID then we could take care of it now. Over the past four years, at least eight states have enacted universal free meal policies for public school students to continue what the waiver started. California was the first, in 2021, followed by Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, Colorado, Vermont, Michigan and Massachusetts, according to the Associated Press. Some child nutrition leaders in Idaho would like to see a similar policy in the Gem State. Rodriguez represented Idaho in March at the School Nutrition Associations legislative action conference in Washington, D.C., to lobby Congress for more support on school meals. The idea was to go to D.C. and talk about making universal free meals for all, Rodriguez said. But Idaho is really strict in Republican ideas so they didnt really want to listen to that. A societal issue Universal free meals would help Twin Falls district address lunch debt challenges and would help struggling families, Craner said, but the district is not pushing for any specific policy. Its a societal issue, right? Craner said. Its something that we as a community, state, nation have to tackle holistically. The federal government takes the lead on funding school meals. Students can eat free or reduced lunch if their families qualify under the USDAs National School Lunch Program. In some cases, entire schools can serve free meals if enough students qualify under the Community Eligibility Provision. In Twin Falls, for example, 11 out of 16 schools serve free meals for all. That means the $70,800 lunch debt this year comes from just five schools. As the federal government takes the lead on funding food service programs, how much can the state government do? Rep. Douglas Pickett, R-Oakley, is chairman of the House Education Committee. He told the Times-News that school lunch debt didnt come up in any of his conversations this year. I havent had anybody approach me about that issue either in advocacy or opposition, Pickett said. It didnt come up in any of our presentations. Miller, the superintendent in Cassia County in Picketts district, said she hasnt brought up the issue with legislators because she isnt sure how much influence the state could have. Thats a good idea, Miller said. Maybe I need to do that and get it on the docket and visit with them. Bridwell, in Jerome, said he would like the federal government to make school lunches free for every kid from age 3 to 16. Providing the right nutrition, he said, makes sure kids are engaged in education and not worried about going hungry. A naked British Airways crew member was discovered dancing in a business class toilet while on shift mid-flight after allegedly taking drugs, according to reports. The Sun reported the steward was supposed to be serving meals to passengers on a recent flight from San Francisco to London Heathrow, but had disappeared. When the double-decker Airbus A380-800 was searched, it is claimed that the in-flight crew manager discovered him naked and dancing in the Club World cabin toilet. Staff reportedly dressed their colleague in a spare pair of pyjamas used by first-class passengers before buckling him into a first-class seat, where he stayed for the remainder of the 10-and-a-half-hour trip. ADVERTISEMENT The Metropolitan Police said a 41-year-old man on a flight from San Francisco to London Heathrow Airport was arrested on suspicion of being unfit for duty. The force said officers were called by cabin crew over concerns for the welfare of a man just after 9.30am. When the plane landed, he was taken to hospital for treatment, before being arrested and later released under investigation as enquiries continue. British Airways told The Independent the incident is a matter for the police. The Met said in a statement: At 9.32am, police based at Heathrow Airport were called by cabin crew following the concern for welfare of a man on an inbound flight from San Francisco. A 41-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment once the flight had landed. Officers arrested the man after he received medical attention. He was arrested on suspicion of being unfit for duty. He has since been released under investigation. Enquiries remain ongoing into the circumstances, and an investigation has been launched. Malacanang on Monday announced that Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will undertake his first official bilateral visit to the Philippines from June 4 to 5, following his recent reappointment in May. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Wong are set to hold a bilateral meeting on June 4, where they are expected to reaffirm the strong ties between the Philippines and Singapore and explore cooperation in areas such as healthcare, climate change mitigation, and civil service development. - Advertisement - Wongs two-day visit comes at the invitation of Mr. Marcos, marking his introductory trip to the country since assuming the premiership. This also represents his first official foreign engagement since securing a renewed mandate last month. The two leaders will also discuss regional political and economic developments. Singapore was the Philippines eighth-largest trading partner in 2024 and currently hosts an estimated 220,000 Filipino nationals. The last official visit by a Singaporean prime minister to the Philippines was in 2017. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon on Monday ordered the shutdown of an online booking site for reportedly charging sky-high ticket prices amid the transportation crisis in Eastern Visayas. In a press conference earlier today, Dizon revealed that the government is also finalizing an economic sabotage case against AirAsia Move a Malaysian-based travel platform for allegedly overcharging tickets. - Advertisement - Dizon said he was alerted on the matter by Leyte fourth district Rep. Richard Gomez and Office of Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, who emphasized the urgency of immediate intervention. Gomez and his wife, Ormoc Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, bought PAL tickets from Tacloban to Manila via AirAsia Move that cost them around P77,704 or almost P40,000 each three times the price when booking directly in the flag carriers website. Clearly, this is just absurd, and actually criminal, Dizon said. I have asked them (Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group) to take this website down today, so this AirAsia Move can no longer scam others. Im sure Congressman Richard Gomez is not the only victim here. I also asked the CAB (Civil Aeronautics Board) and DOTr aviation group to immediately file a criminal economic sabotage case against AirAsia Move because this is really economic sabotage, Dizon added. Apart from Gomez, Dizon thanked Nepomuceno for mentioning similar complaints. I would also like to thank the head of the Office of Civil Defense, Sir Ariel Nepomuceno because he wrote me over the weekend regarding reports of excessive airline tickets going to Tacloban, Dizon said. Clearly, there is a crisis there because the movement of goods and people were affected by the partial closure of the San Juanico Bridge to heavy vehicles, buses and trucks. They are taking advantage of the situation. In his letter to Dizon, Nepomuceno asked the DOTr, CAB, and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to probe the alleged increases in passenger and cargo air fares in Eastern Visayas, particularly affecting routes to Tacloban, Catarman and Ormoc City. Any immediate intervention to control the purported air fare and cargo fare increases would truly help diffuse the frustration of our fellow Filipinos in Region VIII and stabilize the local market and economic conditions, Nepomuceno told Dizon. Last May 26, a cease and desist order was initially issued by the DOTr against AirAsia Move allegedly for engaging in the unauthorized sale of airline tickets for carriers in the Philippines at prices exceeding the approved fare structures established by the CAB. AirAsia Move said it was ready to comply with the cease and desist order, but argued that its not under CABs jurisdiction, being a foreign-based online travel agent. CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla, on the other hand, emphasized that while the online booking site is not directly under their jurisdiction, the issue of ticket pricing falls within their mandate. For domestic services, we approve fares, because it is required by law. We set the ceiling, and when that ceiling is violated by an entity, even if they are not defined under our jurisdiction, they come within our enforcement proceedings, Arcilla said. Meanwhile, Dizon clarified that airline AirAsia does not have anything to do with AirAsia Move. Theyre affiliated, but in fairness to AirAsia Philippines, I dont think they have anything to do with this, he said. Dizon also instructed CAB to probe other online booking platforms charging excessive fares, not only in Tacloban but also in other destinations. We will really put the full force of the law on these unscrupulous online platforms who are taking advantage of our people, Dizon said. The President has repeatedly said that should never allow our people to be abused. Hes working so hard to make sure that travel is comfortable, that travel is safe. Round 30 of the UNs annual climate summit COP has joined its predecessors as another farcical circus, this time months before it is even set to take place. Perhaps COP30 will be the star of the hypocritical show, as this years organisers have already plumbed new depths of cynicism in preparation for the event in November. Preparations for this years summit, hosted in Brazil, began with no less than the construction of a four-lane highway leading to the host city of Belem, which has required the destruction of tens of thousands of acres of Amazon Rainforest to make room for it. Dubbed Avenida Liberdade (Liberty Avenue), the highway has cut through a protected area home to 800 species of plants and fungi. But dont fret! It will have cycle lanes, wildlife crossings, and solar-powered lighting! As usual, COPs double standards are a sick joke. The circus comes to town A new highway through the Amazon is just one of thirty projects the city has taken on in preparation for the summit. Others include the construction of two new five-star hotels, the expansion of the airport, and the redevelopment of the citys port known as the gateway to the Amazon River to facilitate the arrival of cruise ships. Preparations for this years summit, hosted in Brazil, began with no less than the construction of a four-lane highway leading to the host city of Belem / Image: Sintegrity, Wikimedia Commons Choosing to host this years climate circus in a city with insufficient accommodation for the thousands of guests is no coincidence. Already, hotel prices have skyrocketed, with one Airbnb charging attendees $9,320 per day during the event, up from its normal rate of merely $11. In addition, COP30 offers the prospect of lucrative deals for real estate developers in the area, with over US$50 million in construction projects already announced. Its not the first time that the capitalist cynics hosting COP have been awarded huge contracts to hold the conference. Last year, when COP29 was held in Azerbaijan whose economy is nearly entirely dependent on fossil fuels the former son in law of the President received a $5.2 million deal to host guests at his ultra-luxury resort on the Caspian Sea, and took the opportunity to refurbish thousands of rooms. Naturally discussing such serious matters as the existential crisis facing humanity would not have been possible without access to a private seven kilometre beach, 50 bars and restaurants, and 60 swimming pools. He did, of course, organise a symbolic tree planting ceremony in the resorts new landscape park to mark the occasion. As the capitalist vultures circle, hungry to get what they can from this years COP, the event has also attracted the bid of the worlds largest PR agency, Edelman, to advertise and organise branding for the summit. This is the same PR company that has worked with trade groups lobbying to roll back measures to protect the Amazon from deforestation, as well as the worlds biggest fossil fuel emitters including ExxonMobil and Shell. Brazils President Lula, evidently proud to host the COP circus, has called himself an environmental champion. These are strong words from the President who is aiming to make Brazil the worlds fourth largest petrol producer (it is currently the eighth largest), seeing this as an essential pillar for economic growth. After an oil reservoir was found off the coast of Rio, dubbed the biggest find of the century so far, the self-proclaimed environmental champion declared that God is Brazilian. Hypocrisy of the UN The impotence of the UN in organising COP is hard to miss. The summit has achieved precisely nothing of note in the struggle against climate change since it was launched in 1995. Now that the liberal world order is falling apart, the UNs meagre efforts to coordinate a response to climate change have become even more irrelevant. Trump is again pulling back from the 2015 Paris Agreement, and, aware of the likelihood of the Trump administration stepping back, US diplomats at COP29 called on countries like China to do more. The whole trend of world capitalism today is towards protectionism, as each national gang of capitalists attempts to extricate itself from the crisis of capitalism at the expense of its neighbours. We are now being treated to the atrocious spectacle of these gangsters applying the exact same logic with respect to the existential threat of climate change. They are rushing to blame their neighbours and shirk responsibility. Blaming China shows another level of hypocrisy in the long list of examples from western imperialism. The parasitic US military alone is the single-largest consumer of energy in the US and the worlds largest institutional customer of petrol. Trump is again pulling back from the 2015 Paris Agreement, and, aware of the likelihood of the Trump administration stepping back, US diplomats at COP29 called on countries like China to do more / Image: Gage Skidmore, Flickr But the US isnt alone. In the wake of Trump, the progressive liberal Europeans are going down the exact same route, delaying environmental accountability laws, suspending fines for CO2 emission, and revising carbon targets downwards. All to boost the competitiveness, and thus the profits, of European capitalists. Despite the talk about China needing to do more, the fact is that under a rationally planned socialist economy, Chinese industry would have a vital role to play in combating climate change. China has become an important part of the global economy for electrification and renewable energy, in 2024 its solar cell production exceeded current global demand. Under capitalism, however, the solution to climate change becomes a problem. Excess Chinese production adds to overproduction, glutting markets, and depressing profits. China becomes a competitor to crush. The capitalists give up While the ruling class attempts to greenwash their reputation through COP, sections of the establishment have simply abandoned even the facade of curbing climate change. The Net-Zero Banking Alliance for instance, set up by the UN to encourage banks to work towards the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels, has lost members such as JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs and Citigroup in recent months. HSBC has pushed back its target to decarbonise its activity until 2050, and BP has shut down its low carbon mobility team which was deemed no longer commercially viable. In a context of global capitalist crisis and growing competition for markets, everything else goes to the wall, including the future of humanity, in the struggle to grab a greater market share and bigger profits. Ironically, the Brazilian government itself even signed a letter to pressure the EU Commission to postpone its EU Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR), which would require companies to prove their commodities do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation. There is a cold capitalist logic to it, given that Brazils exports to the EU which fall under the EUDR amount to billions of dollars in profits per year! This regulation has now been postponed until at least the end of 2025 due to backlash from politicians and the World Trade Organisation. South Korea had unprecedented wildfires in March, as did California in January / Image: , Wikimedia Commons While the capitalists play with fire, for the rest of humanity the crisis is only becoming more severe. 2024 was the warmest year since records began, and the years from 2015-2024 are the warmest 10 years on record. This year, Arctic sea ice reached its lowest extent on record. South Korea had unprecedented wildfires in March, as did California in January. Climate change is accelerating faster than scientists have expected, and it is resulting in more intense storms, droughts and deadlier heatwaves. While the capitalists wine and dine at COP, and slap each other on the back, the impact of their reckless destruction of the natural world is felt most severely by the oppressed and exploited masses. Radicalised mood This is the world that young people today are growing up in, and the vast majority are terrified at what their future will look like. Worldwide searches related to climate anxiety increased by a record 4590 percent between 2018 and 2023. 83 percent of surveyed 16-25 year olds from 10 countries agreed that the adults in charge have failed to take care of the planet, with one 16-year-old adding that for us, the destruction of the planet is personal. Who is paying attention to COP anymore? If anyone is paying attention, the sick irony of this spectacle, this pantomime of profit-seeking that COP has become, can only serve to have one effect: to create revulsion, and to fan the flames of anger and resentment of the capitalist establishment. Morocco has managed to strengthen its role as a strategic catalyst for South-South partnerships, and to serve as a natural bridge between the continents various regions and the countries of the South, affirmed King Mohammed VI. In a message addressed to participants in the 2025 edition of the Ibrahim Governance Weekend, held in Marrakech June 1-3, the King pointed out that in a bid to materialize these partnerships, the Kingdom launched concrete, large-scale projects that will lead to a sustainable transformation of the continents economic and social landscape. This is the approach we are applying through major continental projects, such as the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP). It is a concrete example of integrated economic development, stressed the King in his message that was read by Royal Advisor, Andre Azoulay. It is also in the same vein, and consistent with an approach based on solidarity and the pursuit of shared development that We have launched the Atlantic Initiative to facilitate Sahel countries access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Sovereign recalled, noting that the aim is to establish a solid foundation for a new model of regional cooperation. We have also launched the Rabat Atlantic African States Process, which is intended to benefit all parties in the region, the King added. In addition, the experience Morocco has accumulated in several strategic sectors, such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, financial services, and transport infrastructure, constitutes an important foundation to build on in order to develop trade relations and promote partnerships at the continental level, the Monarch pointed out, noting that Morocco, being fully aware of the paramount importance of financing, has adopted a strategic approach by putting in place innovative financial mechanisms and ensuring the effective mobilization of domestic resources. In this regard, the Mohammed VI Investment Fund stands out as a genuine financial stimulus tool that can boost private investment, support small and medium-sized enterprises, promote technological innovation, and stimulate sustainable development, said the Monarch who also cited the example of Casablanca Finance City. The Finance Center has also succeeded in establishing itself as a major regional financial hub, attracting significant financial flows to our continent, he said. The Kingdom of Morocco will keep up its resolute action to fulfil its duty and mobilize resources successfully, strengthen strategic partnerships, and promote effective financial mechanisms, in keeping with its constructive vision of South-South cooperation, and in accordance with its unwavering commitment to achieving comprehensive, sustainable development for the benefit of African peoples. the King reaffirmed. The Ibrahim Governance Weekend, the flagship event of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, held annually in a different African country, highlights the critical role of Africas resources in accelerating development and transforming the continents position in the new global economy. The program of this years edition features an opening day focused on current leadership challenges in Africa and worldwide, in addition to the Ibrahim Forum 2025, held under the theme Financing the Africa We Want. The Forum also features plenary sessions on Africas priorities, resource mobilization, reform of the multilateral financial system, and investment across the continent. More than 200 lives have been lost following catastrophic flooding in the Nigerian town of Mokwa, situated in north-central Niger State. The torrential rains, believed to have triggered the worst flooding in the area in over six decades, submerged entire communities, including Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa. With over 500 individuals still unaccounted for, local authorities have reluctantly suspended rescue operations, expressing doubt that further survivors can be found, over the week-end. Deputy Chairman of Mokwa Local Government, Musa Kimboku, confirmed the grim development, while District Head Muhammadu Aliyu announced plans to exhume buried corpses to prevent the spread of disease. Survivors have been left traumatised by the scale of the disaster. Adamu Yusuf, a local resident, recounted the heart-wrenching moment he lost his wife and newborn child, swept away by the surging waters as he watched helplessly. Another victim, Saliu Sulaiman, described how the floods destroyed his home and wiped out $1,500 in proceeds from the recent sale of farm produce. I wanted to go back inside and retrieve the money, but the force of the water terrified me, he lamented. Such testimonies underscore the profound emotional and financial toll on the people of Mokwa, many of whom now face an uncertain future. In response, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has begun distributing relief packages to displaced families and assessing infrastructure damage, as key roads and bridges remain inaccessible. The Nigerian Red Cross has also issued a statement acknowledging the significant loss of life and widespread distress caused by the floods. While seasonal flooding is a recurrent threat during Nigerias April-to-October rainy season, the scale of devastation in Mokwa has reignited concerns about the countrys flood preparedness. Recent years have seen a rise in severe flooding, with over 600 fatalities recorded in 2022 alone, a pattern that experts warn could worsen under the weight of climate change and poor urban planning. In the coastal town of Guet Ndar, Senegals newest natural gas venture -the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim project- has ignited fears among fishermen who say their livelihoods are vanishing. Launched in late 2024 by BP and Kosmos Energy, the offshore platform promised to revitalise Senegals economy and reduce gas prices. Instead, residents claim it has driven fish away, increased the cost of living, and left promises of local employment and affordable gas unfulfilled. Boats now lie idle, and the once-thriving fish market is nearly deserted. Senegals President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, elected on a wave of populist sentiment, pledged to renegotiate contracts with foreign firms to ensure resource wealth benefits all Senegalese. Yet locals say little has changed. A leak from the platform earlier this year worsened tensions. Although BP downplayed its environmental impact, Greenpeace warned of serious damage to deep-water coral reefs and marine biodiversity. Fishermen say their traditional reefs are now deserted as fish cluster near the off-limits gas infrastructure. Community leaders feel betrayed, accusing the government of excluding them from critical decisions about their ancestral waters. Even the BP-sponsored fish refrigeration unitmeant to symbolise cooperationsits unused, its key lost in Dakar. Despite corporate social programmes, many in Guet Ndar feel abandoned. This is our land and sea, says union leader Mamadou Sarr. Why dont we get a voice? As Senegal pushes forward with its energy ambitions, its fishing communities are left navigating a tide of economic and ecological uncertainty. Angola is positioning itself as a prime destination for agricultural investment ahead of the 17th U.S.-Africa Business Summit, scheduled to take place in Luanda from June 23 to 27, 2025. The summit, organized in collaboration with the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), aims to strengthen economic ties between the United States and African nations, with a particular focus on sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and technology. Angolan officials are highlighting the countrys potential in the agricultural sector, emphasizing opportunities for investment in agribusiness and food security initiatives. The governments efforts to diversify the economy away from oil dependency include initiatives to boost agricultural production and develop sustainable agri-food systems. The summit is expected to serve as a platform for Angola to showcase these opportunities to potential investors and partners from the United States and other participating countries. The timing of the summit is significant, coinciding with Angolas 50th anniversary of independence in November 2025. This milestone underscores the countrys progress and aspirations for economic growth and development. By hosting the summit, Angola aims to reinforce its role as a strategic partner in Africas economic landscape and attract investments that will contribute to the nations long-term prosperity. Benins Government has firmly dismissed recent accusations from Nigers transitional president, General Abdourahamane Tiani, who claimed that Beninese territory is hosting terrorist training camps aimed at destabilising Niger. Speaking on state broadcaster Tele Sahel on 31 May 2025, Tiani justified the continued closure of Nigers border with Benin by alleging Cotonous complicity in harbouring jihadist elements. In a swift and stern response over the week-end, Benins Foreign Minister Oloushegun Adjadi Bakari condemned the remarks as grave and baseless, insisting that his country has consistently battled terrorism at great national cost. And categorically denied any involvement in destabilising its neighbour. Minister Bakari reaffirmed Benins respect for Nigers sovereignty, while asserting his countrys right to determine its own international partnerships. He highlighted Benins economic resilience, noting that despite the ongoing border closure since the 2023 coup in Niamey, the country achieved a remarkable 7.5% economic growth in 2024 well above projected figures. Bakaris comments sought to position Benin as a stable, self-reliant actor in the region, dedicated to security and economic progress irrespective of regional tensions or unfounded political rhetoric. In closing, Bakari underscored the need for constructive engagement, warning against inflammatory statements aired through media or social platforms. He reminded both governments that their citizens expect practical solutions to pressing challenges, not public confrontations. While reaffirming Benins commitment to peace and neighbourly cooperation, he stressed that the country will never compromise on its honour or sovereignty. Meanwhile, General Tiani broadened his accusations by lashing out at Western powers, accusing France, the European Union, and the United States of neocolonial interference, and further implicated Nigeria and Benin as alleged accompliceswhile sidestepping questions on Nigers deteriorating security situation, where more than 100 troops were reportedly killed in recent jihadist attacks. 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 A randomized controlled trial assessed the benefits of a group-based intervention that fosters communication and coping skills in a culturally tailored way for Latina breast cancer survivors and their caregivers. The results are published in Cancer. For the trial, investigators randomized 136 Latina breast cancer survivors and 136 caregivers from Washington, D.C., New York, NY, and San Jose, CA, to participate in an eight-session coping and communication intervention that reflects the cultural preferences and values of Latina/o people (70 pairs) or to receive usual care support services through community-based organizations (66 pairs). The intervention was developed by Nueva Vida, Inc., a community-based organization in Washington D.C. Among the patient-caregiver pairs in the intervention group, 71.4% attended at least five of the eight sessions, demonstrating high engagement, with 82% of participants still in the program at six months. There were clinically significant improvements in breast cancer survivors' reports of anxiety and fatigue at six months after the intervention compared with reports by breast cancer survivors who used usual community resources. However, after adjusting for potentially influencing factors, the results were not statistically significant. "Our close collaboration with four exceptional community-based organizations for this trial led to our success with recruitment and retention of Latina breast cancer survivors and their caregivers. Future research can seek to replicate our intervention and evaluate the intervention with other groups of breast cancer survivors and their caregivers," said senior author Kristi D. Graves, Ph.D., of Georgetown University. More information: Katarina AuBuchon, et al. Randomized Trial of a Community-Based, Culturally Tailored Intervention: High Engagement Among Latina Breast Cancer Survivors, Cancer (2025). DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35842 Journal information: Cancer 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: Graphical abstract summarizing the researchers' review paper. Credit: Nagpurkar et al. (Neuroscience, 2025). Depression, characterized by persistent sadness, hopelessness and a lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities, is one of the most common mental health disorders. Recent estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that approximately 5% of the global population suffers from depression. For decades, researchers have been trying to devise safe and effective treatments for depression that cause minimal or no side effects. This led to the introduction of a wide range of treatment strategies, ranging from psychotherapy and alternative medicine to a wide range of pharmacological drugs, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and atypical antidepressants. Most people diagnosed with depression eventually find a suitable treatment for them via a trial-and-error process, ultimately leading to their recovery. Some individuals, however, can experience severe depression for prolonged periods of time, finding that no treatment ultimately eases their symptoms. Over the past few years, various pharmacological and neuroscientific studies explored the potential of neurosteroids, naturally occurring steroids synthesized in the brain, for treating depression in individuals who did not benefit from other widely employed treatment strategies. Neurosteroids are compounds that modulate various neural pathways, including the brain's central stress response system (i.e., the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis), as well as GABA_A receptors, inhibitory receptors that contribute to calming the brain's activity, and NMDA receptors, which are known to support learning and memory. Researchers at Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy in India recently reviewed previous literature assessing the potential of neurosteroids for tackling cases of depression that are difficult to treat using existing pharmacological treatments. Their paper, published in Neuroscience, highlights the potential of neurosteroid-based treatments, suggesting that they can boost neuroplasticity and positively affect neural pathways compromised by depression. "Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a severe and persistent subset of major depressive disorder (MDD) that remains unresponsive to at least two different classes of antidepressants," wrote Krutika Nagpurkar, Pratik Ghive and their colleagues in their paper. "Given the limitations of conventional treatments, neurosteroids have emerged as promising alternatives due to their rapid and multi-faceted mechanisms of action." Credit: Neuroscience (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.05.022 As part of their study, Nagpurkar, Ghive and their colleagues reviewed the results of recent preclinical and clinical trials assessing the effects of neurosteroids on individuals who were diagnosed with MDD, the most severe and persistent form of depression, but did not benefit from at least 2 different types of antidepressant medications. These studies used a variety of neurosteroids, including allopregnanolone, pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). "Neurosteroids modulate key neurotransmitter systems, including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA_A) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, enhancing inhibitory transmission and promoting synaptic plasticity," explained Nagpurkar, Ghive and their colleagues. "They regulate the hypothalamicpituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis, mitigating stress-related neurotoxicity and restoring neurochemical balance. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of neurosteroids in reversing depressive-like behaviors in rodent models of chronic stress, while clinical trials highlight their potential for rapid and sustained antidepressant effects." In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of the neurosteroid brexanolone for the treatment of postpartum depression in the United States. Currently, however, brexanolone remains difficult to access and its long-term effects remain poorly understood. "This review explores the therapeutic potential of neurosteroids in TRD, discussing their mechanisms, clinical evidence, and future directions," wrote Nagpurkar, Ghive and their colleagues. "The findings support the integration of neurosteroid-based treatments into TRD management, offering new hope for patients unresponsive to conventional antidepressants. "This review uniquely highlights the paradigm shift offered by neurosteroids, moving beyond the traditional monoamine hypothesis, and positions them as novel, multi-target therapeutics capable of addressing the complex neurobiology of TRD." Overall, the results of the analyses carried out by this team of researchers suggest that neurosteroids are in fact a viable and promising alternative treatment for severe and persistent depression that cannot be treated using existing antidepressants. Based on the observed results of neurosteroids on the brain, Nagpurkar, Ghive and their colleagues hypothesize that they could also be useful for treating other stress-related mental health disorders. This review paper could soon inspire further studies aimed at investigating the long-term effects of taking neurosteroids, which have not yet been elucidated. In addition, they could inform pre-clinical and clinical trials aimed at testing the potential of these compounds for the treatment of other psychiatric conditions. Written for you by our author Ingrid Fadelli, edited by Gaby Clark, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you. More information: Krutika Nagpurkar et al, Neurosteroids as emerging therapeutics for treatment-resistant depression: Mechanisms and clinical potential, Neuroscience (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.05.022. Journal information: Neuroscience 2025 Science X Network 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: Anna Tarazevich from Pexels A new artificial intelligence (AI) test can identify which men with prostate cancer will benefit most from the life-extending drug abiraterone, in clinical trial results presented by scientists from UCL and the Institute of Cancer Research at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO 2025) Annual Meeting. The researchers analyzed prostate cancer tumor samples from men with high-risk prostate cancer that had not spread, who took part in the STAMPEDE trial. Using the new AI test, they found that abiraterone given alongside standard hormone therapy almost halves the risk of death for approximately 25% of men with this type of cancer. However, since many men do well with standard therapy, there is a need to better select those who would gain the most benefit. Experts say that because fewer men than previously thought will need the drug, NHS England should review the decision not to fund the treatment for this group of men. Professor Gert Attard, co-lead of the trial from UCL Cancer Institute, said, "The natural history of advanced and aggressive prostate cancer is highly variable and now with better treatments, the risk of cancer relapse can be significantly reduced. This study shows, in a very large cohort of patients, that novel AI algorithms can be used to extract information from routinely available pathology slides to tailor these treatments to specific patients and minimize overtreatment while maximizing the chance of cure." Abiraterone, discovered in the UK at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), works by inhibiting the production of the hormone testosterone in all tissues throughout the body, including in the tumor. It is approved for use on the NHS in England for patients with advanced prostate cancer that has come back and spread to other parts of the body, but not for the 8,400 men per year with newly diagnosed, high-risk prostate cancer that has not yet spread. However, it has been available for men with this indication in Scotland and Wales for two years. The new test, developed by Artera Inc., uses AI to study images of tumor samples and spot features that are invisible to the human eye. The researchers used the test on biopsy images from more than 1,000 men who took part in the STAMPEDE trial. Patients were given a scoreeither biomarker-positive or biomarker-negativethat was compared to the outcomes of their illness. For patients with biomarker-positive tumors, abiraterone cut the risk of death after five years from 17% to 9%. For those with biomarker-negative tumors, risk of death without abiraterone was 7%, which was cut to 4% with abirateronea difference that was not statistically or clinically significant. These men would therefore benefit from standard therapy alone and could avoid unnecessary treatment and the additional side effects that come with it. Professor Nick James, co-lead of the trial from the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said, "Abiraterone has already hugely improved the outlook for hundreds of thousands of men with advanced prostate cancer. We know that for many men with cancer that has not yet spread, it can also have spectacular results. "But it does come with side effects and requires additional monitoring for potential issues with high blood pressure or liver abnormalities. It can also slightly increase the risk of diabetes and heart attacks, so knowing who is most likely to benefit is very valuable. "This research shows that we can pick out the people who will respond best to abiraterone, and those who will do well from standard treatment alonehormone therapy and radiotherapy. "Access to this life-extending drug is currently a postcode lotterywith those living in Scotland and Wales able to receive the treatment for free. The NHS in England has previously decided that it would be too expensive to offer the drug. Since the patent expired in 2022, abiraterone costs just 77 per packcompared with the thousands of pounds that new drugs cost. "Previous research by my team has shown that preventing cancer relapses for these men would save more money than the drug costs to purchase. I truly hope that this new researchshowing precisely who needs the drug to live well for longerwill lead to NHS England reviewing their decision to fund abiraterone for high-risk prostate cancer that has not spread." Dr. Matthew Hobbs, Director of Research at Prostate Cancer UK, said, "STAMPEDE has driven huge improvements in prostate cancer treatment over the past decade. But we recognized that the samples and data from men in the trial represented an untapped resource and a way to deliver the sort of precision treatment we have seen benefiting patients with other cancers for years. "To unlock that potential, Prostate Cancer UK, in partnership with Movember, awarded 1.4m to lead the way in getting a more precise understanding of prostate cancer, including by using AI tools. Today's results show that our strategic investment is now delivering exactly what we were aiming for: tools that identify men most likely to benefit from a treatment. "Prostate Cancer UK has been calling on the UK Government to approve this life-saving, cost-effective drug for over two years. These exciting results suggest a way to make this an even more cost-effective approach. We therefore echo the researchers' urgent call for abiraterone to be made available to those men whose lives it can savemen who, thanks to this research, we can now identify more precisely than ever before." Giles Turner, 64, who lives in Brighton, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March 2023. He has been taking abiraterone for almost two years and has spent 20,000 on his treatment so far. He said, "This is great research and adds even more reason for NHS England to start funding this treatment now. I find it very difficult to come to terms with having to pay for this treatment, whereas if I was with the NHS in Scotland or Wales I would not. Even more important are the thousands of men in England who are missing out on this cheap, life-saving and cost-saving drug. Action must be taken by NHS England and the government right now." This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Like many residents of this copper-mining town in the mountains east of Phoenix, Debbie Cox knows plenty of people on Medicaid. Cox, who is a property manager at a real estate company in Globe, has tenants who rely on the safety-net program. And at the domestic violence shelter where she volunteers as president of the board, Cox said, staff always look to enroll women and their children if they can. But Cox, who is 65, has mixed feelings about Medicaid. "It's not that I don't see the need for it. I see the need for it literally on a weekly basis," she said. "I also see a need for revamping it significantly because it's been taken advantage of for so long." It wasn't hard to find people in Globe like Cox with complicated views about Medicaid. Gila County, where Globe is located, is a conservative placealmost 70% of voters went for President Donald Trump in November. And concerns about government waste run deep. Like many rural communities, it's also a place where people have come to value government health insurance. The number of Gila County residents on Medicaid and the related Children's Health Insurance Program has nearly doubled over the past 15 years, according to data from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. Today, almost four in 10 residents are on one of the plans for low- and moderate-income people or those with disabilities. So as congressional Republicans consider plans to cut more than $700 billion from Medicaid, the debate over the program hits close to home for many Globe residents, even as some welcome the prospect of tighter rules and less government spending. For Heather Heisler, the stakes are high. Her husband has been on Medicaid for years. "We're ranchers, and there's not much money in ranching," said Heisler, who gets her own health care from the Indian Health Service. "Most people think there is, but there isn't." Heisler was selling handicrafts outside the old county jail in Globe on a recent Friday night when the town hosted a downtown street fair with food trucks and live music. She said Medicaid was especially helpful after her husband had an accident on the ranch. A forklift tipped over, and he had to have part of his left foot amputated. "If anything happens, he's able to go to the doctor," she said. "Go to the emergency room, get medicines." She shook her head when asked what would happen if he lost the coverage. "It would be very bad for him," she said. Among other things, proposed tax legislation written by House Republicans would require working-age Medicaid enrollees to prove they are employed or seeking work. The bill, which passed the House and has advanced to the Senate, would also mandate more paperwork from people to prove they're eligible. Difficult applications can dissuade many people from enrolling in Medicaid, even if they're eligible, researchers have found. And the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates more than 10 million people will likely lose Medicaid and CHIP insurance under the House Republican plan. That would reverse big gains made possible by the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which has allowed millions of low-income, working-age adults in places like Globe to get health insurance. Nationally, Medicaid and CHIP have expanded dramatically over the past two decades, with enrollment in the programs surging from about 56 million in 2005 to more than 78 million last year, according to federal data. "Medicaid has always played an important role," said Joan Alker, who runs the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. "But its role has only grown over the last couple of decades. It really stepped in to address many of the shortcomings in our health care system." That's particularly true in rural areas, where the share of people with disabilities is higher, residents have lower incomes, and communities are reliant on industries with skimpier health benefits such as agriculture and retail. In Globe, former mayor Fernando Shipley said he's seen this firsthand. "A lot of people think, 'Oh, those are the people that aren't working.' Not necessarily," said Shipley, who operates a State Farm office across the road from the rusted remains of the Old Dominion copper mine. "If you're a single parent with two kids and you're making $20 an hour," he added, "you're not making ends meet. You've got to pay rent; you've got to feed those kids." Not far away, at the local hospital, some low-wage workers at the registration desk and in housekeeping get health care through Medicaid, chief financial officer Harold Dupper said. "As much as you'd like to pay everyone $75,000 or $80,000 a year, the hospital couldn't stay in business if that was the payroll," he said, noting the financial challenges faced by rural hospitals. The growing importance of Medicaid in places like Globe helps explain why Republican efforts to cut the program face so much resistance, even among conservatives. "There's been a shift in the public's attitude, and particularly voters on the right, that sometimes government plays a role in getting people health care. And that's OK," said pollster Bob Ward. "And if you take away that health care, people are going to be angry." Ward's Washington, D.C., firm, Fabrizio Ward, works for Trump. He also polls for a coalition trying to protect Medicaid. At the same time, many of the communities where Medicaid has become more vital in recent years remain very conservative politically. More than two-thirds of nearly 300 U.S. counties with the biggest growth in Medicaid and CHIP since 2008 backed Trump in the last election, according to a KFF Health News analysis of voting results and enrollment data from Georgetown. Many of these counties are in deep-red states such as Kentucky, Louisiana, and Montana. Voters in places like these are more likely to be concerned about government waste, polls show. In one recent national survey, 75% of Republicans said they think waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicaid is a major problem. The actual scale of that waste is hotly debated, though many analysts believe relatively few enrollees are abusing the program. Nevertheless, around Globe, Republican arguments that cuts will streamline Medicaid seemed to resonate. Retiree Rick Uhl was stacking chairs and helping clean up after lunch at the senior center. "There's a lot of waste, of money not being accounted for," Uhl said. "I think that's a shame." Uhl said he's been saddened by the political rancor, but he said he's encouraged by the Trump administration's aggressive efforts to cut government spending. Back at the street fair downtown, David Sander, who is also retired, said he doubted Medicaid would really be trimmed at all. "I've heard that they really aren't cutting it," Sander said. "That's my understanding." Sander and his wife, Linda, were tending a stall selling embroidery that Linda makes. They also have a neighbor on Medicaid. "She wouldn't be able to live without it," Linda Sander said. "Couldn't afford to have an apartment, make her bills and survive." 2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: For patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced breast cancer, the oral proteolysis-targeting chimera ER degrader, vepdegestrant, leads to significantly longer progression-free survival in patients with ESR1 mutations, according to a study published online May 31 in the New England Journal of Medicine. The research was presented to coincide with the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, held from May 31 to June 4 in Chicago. Mario Campone, M.D., Ph.D., from the Institut de Cancerologie de l'Ouest Angers-Nantes in Saint-Herblain, France, and colleagues conducted a phase 3, open-label, randomized trial involving patients with ER-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer who had received one previous line of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitor therapy plus one line of endocrine therapy. Patients were randomly assigned to receive vepdegestrant at a dose of 200 mg orally once every day of each 28-day cycle or fulvestrant at a dose of 500 mg on day 1 and day 15 of cycle 1 and on day 1 of subsequent cycles (313 and 311 patients, respectively). The researchers found that median progression-free survival was 5.0 and 2.1 months with vepdegestrant and fulvestrant, respectively, among the 270 patients with ESR1 mutations (hazard ratio, 0.58). Median progression-free survival was 3.8 and 3.6 months with vepdegestrant and fulvestrant, respectively, among all patients. In 23.4% and 17.6% of the patients in the vepdegestrant and fulvestrant groups, respectively, adverse events of grade 3 or higher occurred; adverse events leading to discontinuation occurred in 2.9% and 0.7%, respectively. "Additional follow-up is needed to further characterize the long-term efficacy and safety of vepdegestrant in this population," the authors write. The study was funded by Pfizer, which is developing vepdegestrant. Copyright 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A board game through which players use images on cards to develop and tell their own stories could be particularly appreciated among people with autism as it offers a means to explain their thoughts and feelings, a new study has shown. Dixit, an award-winning game published by the French company Libellud, invites participants to select one of 84 illustrated cards which they feel matches a title suggested by the designated storyteller. For this study, researchers asked 35 autistic participantssplit into groups of between five and eightto place a card that they felt best described autism, and then were asked to explain the reasoning for their choices. The study was published in Discover Psychology, and led by Dr. Gray Atherton and Dr. Liam Cross from the School of Psychology at the University of Plymouth. Analyzing the responses, the researchers found the cards placed by participants covered three main themes: Challenges where participants chose cards that spoke to the difficulties experienced by neurodiverse people, including symptoms of autism and their effects that resulted in anxiety and exclusion; where participants chose cards that spoke to the difficulties experienced by neurodiverse people, including symptoms of autism and their effects that resulted in anxiety and exclusion; Strengths where participants chose cards that spoke to the unique traits of autistic people that make them excel in certain areas; where participants chose cards that spoke to the unique traits of autistic people that make them excel in certain areas; Societythrough which participants highlighted how people's perceptions of autism created a divide between autistic and neurotypical people that exacerbated any challenges they may already experience. Based on this, the researchers say that playing Dixit could be particularly effective for autistic people since rather than having to come up independently with inspiration, participants could use the cards to evoke emotions about their condition. They also believe it and similar games could go some way to creating a conducive environment for learning about different life experiences, bridging the gap between autistic and neurotypical people. Dr. Atherton, the new study's lead author, said, "Sometimes it can be hard to find the words to explain something personal and complicated. That can include how it feels to have a condition like autism that comes with lots of stereotypes and misperceptions. Opening up about this by playing a game, and then being able to use images to support your words, may be a real breakthrough." Dr. Cross added, "This study adds further evidence to the idea that gamified approaches might make it easier for people to talk about difficult topics. In terms of double empathy, or the ability for people with and without autism to understand each other's lived experience, Dixit could be an important step in forming these relationships between groups. "We are currently following up on this with schools to see if children can use it to more easily talk about complex topics like grief, bullying and divorce." Dixit was one of several games played in community groups for autistic adults across the UK as part of a larger study, also led by Dr. Atherton and Dr. Cross, on the connections between autism and board gaming. Previous publications as part of the same program of research have shown that people with autism are overrepresented in the board gaming community compared to the general population, and that they felt playing modern board games provided a social outlet in a structured space. More information: Gray Atherton et al, Metaphors and myths: using the board game Dixit to understand the autistic lived experience, Discover Psychology (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s44202-025-00340-9 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: Zeynep Erten from Pexels Young children who are exposed to trauma rarely receive the help they need, partly because there are no suitable methods targeting this age group in Sweden. However, new research from Karlstad University now points to a method that works. "It feels good to contribute to making a difference for vulnerable children who currently fall through the cracks," says Anna Norlen. "Many who work with children and adolescents, such as professionals in child and adolescent psychiatry and social services, do the best they can to achieve results. However, the methods we've been using in Sweden so far haven't been very effective. What we have here is a method that evidently works," says Norlen. The method tested by Norlen in her research is called CPP, ChildParent Psychotherapy, and is designed for children under the age of six. It has been used with good results in other parts of the world, such as the US. In her doctoral thesis, Norlen shows that the method also works well in a Swedish clinical context. Arriving at this conclusion has been a long journey. As a first step, staff received training in the method. Next, children and parents participated in the trauma treatment, after which Norlen was able to evaluate how effective the treatment was. In the study, assessments were made to evaluate the emotional well-being of the child and their caregiver, usually a parent, before and after the treatment. The study also included a follow-up evaluation six months after the treatment ended. And the results were positive. The method works and leads to lasting improvement for both children and adults, explains Norlen. "Often, parents have shared in the child's trauma in some way, for example, in cases of an accident, war and displacement, or the loss of a loved one, and we found that both the child and caregiver experienced positive outcomes after CPP. Trauma symptoms decreased and the relationship between the child and the caregiver was strengthened," says Norlen. CPP is based on the therapist working with both the child and the caregiver. A lot of focus is placed on play, always from the child's perspective. "Play is a form of communication, and through play, adults are given opportunities to connect with their children and process what they've been through," says Norlen. She emphasizes that the study now being published is relatively small and should be seen as a first step. But her hope is that it will help spread awareness of CPP more broadly in Sweden. Anna Norlen defended her doctoral thesis "Trauma Treatment for Young Children: Outcome and Experiences of Child-Parent Psychotherapy in Sweden" at Karlstad University on 23 May 2025. Provided by Karlstad University 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: Rachel Claire from Pexels Chronic malnutrition will have lifelong consequences for children and babies who survive the war in Gaza, medics warn amid crisis levels of hunger. The entire population of Gaza is at risk of famine, 19 months into Israel's assault on the Palestinian enclave, according to the UN. The limited number of aid trucks allowed into Gaza will only scratch the surface, as food and medical supplies are close to total depletion, medics and aid agencies warned. Around 90 truckloads of humanitarian aid entered the Strip last week, after Israel eased an 11-week blockade that had prevented the delivery or relief to the population of 2.1 million, the UN said. Medical experts say it will do little to alleviate the long-term impacts of chronic malnutrition on children and babiesif they are lucky enough to survive. Nutrition professor Hazem Agha, dean of the faculty of public health at Al-Quds University, in East Jerusalem, Palestine, says chronic malnutrition and famine in Gaza poses a serious and enduring threat to the health of children, especially those under five and newborns. Dwarfism He says the lasting effects include delayed physical and mental growth due to a deficiency in essential nutrientswhich can lead to dwarfismas well as delayed mental, linguistic, and motor development. Malnutrition also weakens children's immune systems, making them more vulnerable to life-threatening infectious diseases such as diarrhea and pneumonia, especially in a war-torn environment that promotes their spread, says Agha. "Malnutrition of mothers during pregnancy, as well as of children during the first months after birth, permanently affects brain formation and the efficiency of its functions," he told SciDev.Net. Alaa Elfeky, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Ain Shams University Faculty of Medicine in Egypt, says inadequate nutrition increases the likelihood of premature birth and has lifelong consequences. "The causes of premature birth are a weak placenta resulting from the mother's malnutrition, which means her inability to nourish the fetus and supply it with the oxygen it needs for life," he explained. Premature babies are more vulnerable to death and require well-equipped incubators to keep them alive. Human Rights Watch previously reported that there were five babies in a single incubator due to the failure or damage of most incubators in the Gaza Strip. Elfeky explains that the long-term effects of prematurity include "mental, intellectual, and motor complications, and problems related to normal physical growth. The child becomes smaller, weaker, and shorter, in addition to having weaker senses and cognitive abilities." These effects "will not be erased by the entry of five to six [aid] trucks daily, and they may persist for decades, up to 50 or 60 years, making it difficult to repair what the occupation has damaged," he said. Agha stressed the need for high-energy nutritional supplements rich in essential nutrients to treat children suffering from severe malnutrition, plus appropriate nutrition programs for pregnant women and post-natal health services in Gaza. The UN children's agency UNICEF says thousands of children affected by severe malnutrition in Gaza urgently need therapeutic food, instant milk, and complementary foods. A shortage of flour and cooking fuel led to the closure of 25 bakeries supported by the World Food Program in late March, while in April the last remaining food stocks were consumed for kitchens providing hot meals to families in need, according to the agency. 'Vast majority' hungry Jonathan Crickx, UNICEF director of communications for Palestine, said the organization was continuing to provide water and nutrition services with the limited resources available. "However, our stocks of malnutrition prevention supplies are depleted, and supplies for treating severe malnutrition are running very low," Crickx told SciDev.Net. "At the beginning of 2025, experts estimated that approximately 60,000 children were in need of treatment and now the vast majority of children in Gaza face severe food deprivation." If the blockade continues, the lack of supplies essential for survival "could push food insecurity, acute malnutrition, and mortality rates above the threshold of famine in the coming months," he added, also citing "extremely limited access to health services and a severe shortage of clean water and sanitation networks." He added that more than 116,000 metric tons of food aid were waiting in relief corridors ready to be brought into Gazaenough to feed 1 million people for four months. Suhaib Al-Hams, director of the Kuwait Specialized Hospital, in Rafah, southern Gaza, says 85% of the hospital's medicines have run out and food is in short supply. "We don't have even a single loaf of bread, neither for patients nor for medical staff," Al-Hams told SciDev.Net. "The hospital receives about 4,000 patients daily, who collapse on the ground due to emaciation and weakness and we can no longer find blood donors because the vast majority suffer from anemia." Displaced people's tents erected near the hospital are subject to round-the-clock shelling, which has also damaged the hospital building, Al-Hams added. Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said the amount of aid allowed into Gaza so far was "vastly insufficient." A report published earlier this month (12 May) said the whole population of Gaza was facing "crisis" levels of hunger or worse. The report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification partnership predicted that 470,000 people will face "catastrophic" levels of hungerthe worst on the food insecurity scaleby the end of September. Provided by SciDev.Net 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: CC0 Public Domain A new, highly transmissible COVID subvariant has been detected in Californiaheightening the risk of a potential summer wave as recent moves by the Trump administration threaten to make vaccines harder to get, and more expensive, for many Americans, some health experts warn. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced this week that he was rescinding the federal government's recommendation that pregnant women and healthy children get immunized against COVID, effective immediately. Dr. Marty Makary, commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, also said the agency will no longer routinely approve annually formulated COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy people under age 65. "We simply don't know whether a healthy 52-year-old woman with a normal BMI who has had COVID-19 three times and has received six previous doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will benefit from the seventh dose," Makary, along with another FDA official, Dr. Vinay Prasad, wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine this month. "This policy will compel much-needed evidence generation." However, some experts say mandating more extensive testing could delay vaccine access for many, as those efforts may not even be complete until after the end of the upcoming winter flu-and-COVID season. "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 O'Leary, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Infectious Diseases, said in a statement. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that, in general, getting an updated vaccine provides children and adults additional protection from COVID-related emergency room and urgent care visits. The recent federal changes, according to some experts, could also prompt private insurance companies and government insurers to stop paying for COVID shots for wide segments of the population, including babies and children. Absent a recommendation by federal officials, Americans could end up paying the entire cost of a vaccine, experts say. The out-of-pocket cost for a COVID vaccine at CVS, for instance, is $198.99. Although the emergency phase of the pandemic has long since passed, authorities note COVID remains a public health concern. A relatively new subvariant has been spreading in Europe and Asia, "particularly Hong Kong, Taiwan, other countries, Japan, etc.," said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a UC San Francisco infectious diseases expert. That subvariant, NB.1.8.1, was first documented in January and has since been detected in California, including in Los Angeles County and the San Francisco Bay Area. The World Health Organization designated it a "Variant Under Monitoring" last week. NB.1.8.1 has grown exponentially worldwide in recent weeks. The Omicron subvariant represented 10.7% of genetically analyzed viral samples worldwide for the week ending April 27, WHO data show. That was up sharply from the week ending April 6, when the subvariant accounted for 2.5% of samples worldwide. "While still low numbers, this is a significant rise," the WHO said, adding that there was a "concurrent increase in cases and hospitalizations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread." NB.1.8.1 isn't yet prevalent enough in the United States to be publicly tracked by the CDC. Another strain, LP.8.1, accounted for an estimated 73% of coronavirus specimens nationally for the two-week period ending Saturday. Data suggest NB.1.8.1 does not cause more severe illness, "but it is more transmissible, at least from what we're seeing around the world and also from lab experiments," said Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, an infectious-disease expert at Stanford University. In Taiwan, a top health official told reporters that an NB.1.8.1-fueled outbreak was "continuing to rise rapidly, with a sustained increase in severe and fatal cases," the Central News Agency reported, prompting a shortage of COVID testing kits. Health officials said a factor in Taiwan's surge was the lack of a major COVID wave over the winter, and forecast that the island's current spike may not peak for another four to six weeks. NB.1.8.1 has seen increased prevalence in each of the three WHO regions that still consistently share genetic analysis of COVID samplesthe Western Pacific (which includes East Asia, parts of Southeast Asia, and Australia); Europe; and the Americas. The rate at which COVID tests are coming back positive in Los Angeles County has slightly increased over the past few weeks, although the overall positive rate remains low, at 3.5%, according to the county Department of Public Health. Coronavirus levels detected in the county's wastewater have increased by 6% in the last three weeks, but also remain relatively low and are about one-eighth of the peak in the summer of last year. Although California experienced a mild winter seasona first of the COVID erathat followed a powerful summer spike that was the strongest in years. Many experts and officials have touted available COVID vaccines as effective both in warding off infection and in lessening the severity of symptoms. However, the need for otherwise healthy individuals to roll up their sleeves has been a matter of debate. In a video message Tuesday on X, Kennedya noted vaccine skepticsaid that he "couldn't be more pleased to announce that, as of today, the COVID vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from the CDC recommended immunization schedule." Experts said they could not recall a time when a political appointee circumvented a well-established process of making vaccine recommendations, which typically involves panels of scientists advising the FDA and CDC. "It's kind of chilling," Chin-Hong said. "It's out of step with the system we've learned to trust and follow." In a statement to The Times, the L.A. County Department of Public Health urged Kennedy to listen to experts in the fieldincluding from the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which is scheduled to meet next month"before decreasing access to any vaccine." As of Thursday, the CDC still had the long-standing vaccine recommendations on its website: Everyone aged 6 months and older should get the most recent COVID-19 vaccine, officially known as the 2024-25 version, which was introduced in September. The CDC also recommends seniors aged 65 and up get a second vaccine dose six months after their first. In a statement, the California Department of Public Health said that it supports the current expansive recommendation for COVID vaccines, and that it "will continue to follow the federal conversation through this dynamic situation." "Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccination can reduce the risk of disease, especially more severe cases that result in hospitalization or death," the department added. The Washington Post reported Wednesday that the CDC did not know of Kennedy's directive until he posted it, and officials have been "scrambling to find out what it meant." Experts who spoke with The Times warned the practical effect of the edictif it becomes officialcould be far more costly vaccines for affected groups. "If vaccines are not recommended by the CDC, insurance companies would NOT be required to cover the cost," the L.A. County Department of Public Health said in a statement. As a result, the vaccines may be less accessible to healthier people who still want themperhaps because they live or work with elderly or other higher-risk people, they've had severe COVID illness before, or they want to protect themselves against the latest subvariant, the agency said. If the FDA withholds a license for an updated COVID vaccination for younger, healthier adults, this group "would not be able to receive it unless their provider chooses to give it 'off label,'" the county said. When asked whether healthy pregnant women and healthy children can still get vaccinated at its pharmacies, Walgreens said its teams operate "in full compliance with applicable laws." CVS said its locations "follow federal guidance regarding vaccine administration and are monitoring any changes that the government may make regarding vaccine eligibility." Kaiser Permanente Southern California said it was aware of potential changes, but noted no new formal guidance has yet been issued. As a result, Kaiser is continuing to follow existing guidance, which recommends the shots for everyone. The L.A. County Department of Public Health said that as of Wednesday, "pregnant women and healthy children can get vaccinated for COVID-19," according to existing recommendations from an advisory panel and the CDC. Chin-Hong noted there were 150 pediatric deaths in the U.S. from COVID-19 in a recent one-year period. That's in the same ballpark as the 231 pediatric flu deaths recorded this season, and federal health officials recommend everyone aged 6 months and older get an annual flu shot. "Most people would agree that kids should be targeted for flu vaccines. It seems kind of weird to have COVID as an outlier in that respect," Chin-Hong said. In the video published this week, Makary said that "most countries in the world have stopped recommending the vaccine for children." Maldonado, however, said the U.S. doesn't use other nations' standards to dictate vaccine recommendations. The U.S., for instance, recommends other types of vaccines that have a lower prevalence than COVID that people want to get, Maldonado said, such as the meningococcal vaccine for children to guard against a serious bacterial disease that can infect the brain and spinal cord and cause death within hours. The effect of a recommendation also varies by country. Canada, for instance, recommends updated COVID vaccines for seniors and other people who meet certain criteria, such as if they're pregnant or are a health care worker. But the country's universal health care system still allows everyone aged 6 months and older to get an updated COVID vaccine. Although it's true that children overall are at lower risk of developing severe COVID illness, those under 6 months of age "have the same risk of complications as the 65-year-old-plus population in this country," said Stanford's Maldonado, who also serves on the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Among children eligible for vaccination, COVID-associated hospitalization rates are highest for those aged 6 months to 4 years, according to the CDC. "So are children going to be the highest risk group? No, they're not. But would you want to protect your child from a disease that could potentially put them in the hospital and get them on a ventilator? Yes, I would say that I would want to make that choice for myself. And why not allow the parent to make that choice?" Maldonado said. The CDC says COVID vaccination during pregnancy builds antibodies that can help protect the baby; studies have also shown that vaccinated moms who breastfeed have protective antibodies in their milk, which could help protect their babies. There have been an estimated 260,000 to 430,000 hospitalizations attributed to COVID since October, causing "an enormous burden on the health care system," Dr. Fiona Havers, a medical epidemiologist with the CDC, said at a recent public meeting. There have also been an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 COVID-19 deaths over the same time period. "It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in older adults, but it does affect other people, particularly those with underlying conditions, in younger age groups." COVID is also a major cause of pediatric hospitalizations, even among otherwise healthy children, she said. "If there's a summer wave this year, we'll be seeing it in children being hospitalized with COVID as well," she said. 2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: Ivan Samkov from Pexels A new study from researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center released at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's (ASCO) Annual Meeting demonstrates that a simple addition to the electronic medical record (EMR) system can assist fertility preservation efforts for young adult cancer patients. As incidence of cancer has increased in adults ages 18 to 49 over the past decade, this growing patient population faces unique challenges while undergoing treatment for cancer, including its impact on fertility and family planning goals. The EMR intervention helps to ensure that these individuals understand how cancer treatment may affect their family planning goals and the options they have to preserve their fertility before starting treatment. "This is a young population facing life-changing diagnoses," said Christopher Cann, MD, Director of the Young Adult Cancer Program and Assistant Professor in the Department of Hematology/Oncology at Fox Chase, the study's lead author. "Fertility preservation isn't just a medical issue, it's a quality-of-life issue. And yet, too often these conversations never happen. We wanted to look into a way to change that." Up to 75% of young cancer survivors are concerned about their future fertility, yet as few as 28% of these patients report receiving information on fertility risk associated with cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. To address this gap, Cann and his team implemented a Best Practice Advisory (BPA) in Fox Chase's EMR in July 2024. When providers placed an order for chemotherapy or immunotherapy in the EMR for patients between the ages of 18 and 50, they received a BPA alert asking, "Would you like to refer this patient to the oncofertility team?" They could then choose to send a direct message to the Fox Chase oncofertility team for referral or select one of several options for declining the alert, including "medically inappropriate" or "patient declined." If they placed a referral, the oncofertility team, which is comprised of nurses and social workers trained in fertility counseling, reached out to the patient within 48 hours to discuss potential fertility preservation options, associated costs, and to help the patient schedule an appointment with a local fertility clinic. Within six months of BPA implementation, oncofertility referrals at Fox Chase increased by 450% compared to the center's average over the previous 12 years. Fourteen patients successfully preserved their fertility through sperm banking, egg cryopreservation, or other means in that same six-month period, compared to just 22 patients completing fertility preservation in the five years before the BPA was introduced. According to Cann, the BPA addressed one of the main barriers to fertility discussions: time. "In the initial outpatient visit, clinicians are often trying to cover many components of the patient's care, including diagnosis, treatment plans, and prognosis, which can result in fertility discussions being overlooked," he said. "The BPA integrates that reminder into the clinical workflow and makes referrals easier." The team hopes the findings will inspire other institutions to adopt similar practices. "It's a scalable intervention," said Cann. "Ultimately, we want to ensure every patient of reproductive age understands their options and has a chance to preserve their fertility, if they wish, before starting treatment." The study, "Increase in Oncofertility Referrals and Fertility Preservation Through an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Best Practice Advisory (BPA)," was accepted as an online publication for the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting, which is being held May 30June 3 in Chicago. More information: The use of an electronic medical record (EMR) best practice advisory (BPA) to facilitate oncofertility referrals and fertility preservation, www.asco.org/abstracts-present tions/ABSTRACT503710 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain A large prospective, randomized clinical trial in patients with advanced breast cancer has found that the use of liquid biopsy blood tests for early detection of a treatment-resistance mutation, followed by a switch to a new type of treatment, substantially extends the period of tumor control compared to standard care. The SERENA-6 study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented concurrently at the annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, was conducted at multiple medical centers, principally in Europe, East Asia and the United States, including at Weill Cornell Medicine and three affiliated NewYork-Presbyterian campuses: NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, and NewYork-Presbyterian Queens. It is one of the first demonstrations that treatment switching guided by liquid biopsy results brings better outcomes for patients. "The main message here is that liquid biopsy technology allows us to intervene sooner when the tumor burden is lower and the chance of a good outcome is higher," said study co-author Dr. Massimo Cristofanilli, professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and an oncologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Dr. Cristofanilli, an expert on the use of liquid biopsy technology for cancer monitoring and early cancer detection, helped design and oversee the SERENA-6 study as a member of its steering committee. The study enrolled patients with advanced forms of estrogen receptor (ER) positive, HER2 receptor-negative breast cancer, which is driven by the overactivity of growth-promoting estrogen receptors on tumor cells. Standard treatment includes drugs called aromatase inhibitors that block the production of ER-stimulating estrogen hormones. However, tumors treated this way often start growing and spreading again because they develop mutations in the ESR1 gene that keep estrogen receptors active even when estrogen hormone levels are low or absent. The trial was set up to determine if patients would benefit from early detection of ESR1 mutations with liquid biopsy-type blood tests, followed by an immediate switch to an experimental new breast cancer drug called camizestrant, which reduces the number of estrogen receptors. The researchers screened more than 3,300 patients at 264 different clinical sites in 23 countries. The 315 who had detectable ESR1 mutations but no symptomatic or medical imaging evidence of tumor progression were randomly assigned to stop taking an aromatase inhibitor and start taking camizestrant, or to stick to standard treatment including an aromatase inhibitor. The results showed that patients who switched to camizestrant tended to have a longer period of tumor non-progression (median 16.0 months vs. 9.2 months), and a much longer time to deterioration in their overall health status and quality of life (median 23.0 months vs. 6.4 months). The researchers considered these differences to be both statistically significant and clinically meaningful. Camizestrant was also well tolerated, with low rates of treatment discontinuation. Dr. Cristofanilli, who is also the scientific director of the Englander Institute for Precision Medicine and the associate director of precision oncology at the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, said that he expects the strategy demonstrated in this study to be applicable more generally when doctors monitor for ER-positive breast cancer recurrence after treatment. He noted as well that not only breast cancer but also many other cancer types have potential treatment-resistance mutations that can be detected early with liquid biopsy techniques. More information: Francois-Clement Bidard et al, First-Line Camizestrant for Emerging ESR1 -Mutated Advanced Breast Cancer, New England Journal of Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2502929 Journal information: New England Journal of Medicine 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 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 lunga chronic condition caused by inhaling coal dusthad 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 one in five 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 halfto the limit already in place for other industriesand 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-thirdsnearly 900of 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 didn't 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 encounterthe 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." 2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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 It's as if she's squinting through a smoke-filled room. But it's Charisse Brown's eye condition, glaucoma, that diminishes her vision. Brown, 38, has worked all her adult life, with a personal policy of keeping two jobs at once. But when she started losing sight in her left eye last year, she was forced to quit her call center job. That left her with one income stream, her marketing research job, to pay her $1,300 monthly rent and other bills. If glaucoma is caught early, monitored by a doctor and properly treated, it's possible to stall the progression of the disease. Eye drops are necessary for keeping eye pressure down to slow glaucoma-induced damage. Without insurance, the monthly cost of the medication can run anywhere from $80 per bottle for a generic version to $200 or $300 for a brand-name one. As an adult without children, Brown doesn't qualify for Medicaid in South Carolina, which has not expanded the program under the Affordable Care Act. She's enrolled in the lowest-premium plan on her state's health care insurance marketplace, but ophthalmologists in the area won't accept her insurance. She said she called 211, a hotline for community services in South Carolina, but her voicemails weren't returned. In medical debt and about to get kicked out of her apartment, she had to choose between her medication and paying for daily necessities like food and feminine care items. One food stamps enrollment worker told her: "We can't approve you. If you go and have a baby, this will be a lot easier." "Single peoplewe're struggling," Brown said. "I feel like I'm getting punished for trying to do what's right." Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can cause a buildup of pressure that damages the optic nerve. Long called the "thief of sight," it's the leading cause of blindness in Black Americans like Brown. Black people are five times more likely to have glaucoma, and lose their sight at six times the rate of white people. Hispanic and Latino communities suffer similar disparities. Among Black patients, a timely diagnosis is paramount: Glaucoma occurs on average a decade earlierand advances faster. But diagnosis and treatment can be costly and out of reach for many. In South Carolina and the other nine states that have not expanded Medicaid, opponents of expansion say it would be too expensive to provide health coverage to more people, even though the federal government picks up 90% of the tab. But forgoing expansion also has costs. People without insurance or not enough insurance are more likely to visit the emergency room, as glaucoma and other chronic diseases take their toll. When it comes to eye diseases, vision can deteriorate without coverage for preventive care. And racial health disparities are higher in states that have not expanded. "You see a lot of end-stage disease," said Dr. Rebecca Epstein, a glaucoma specialist and ophthalmologist at South Carolina's Clemson Eye, which was not involved in Brown's care. "They don't have insurance, and so they will delay care. And then they come in, one eye is already gone, another eye is on its wayand I'm sitting here having to tell them I've got to operate on their only eye." For about two months, Brown was fully blind in her left eye. Surgeries to address her warping cornea, a condition called keratoconus, and another to relieve pressure causing her glaucoma would cost upward of $10,000. Asked if they could offer a payment plan, her doctor's office staff said no. For days, Brown and her siblings called dozens of charities, asking for help to pay for her surgery. They called doctors across the state, asking if they had the necessary surgeon specialists and whether they accepted her insurance. Some nonprofits told Brown she was too young, that their help was reserved for older adults. She finally landed on the South Carolina charity Lions Vision Services, affiliated with Lions Club International. The group offers eyeglasses, vision screenings and reimbursements to local doctors for surgeries patients living below the poverty line can't afford. The charity told her it could pay for her eye surgeries, and Brown was in disbelief. "Access shouldn't be this hard. Our state should do a better job of making sure that we have coverage for people and that they have access to carebefore they're blind," Epstein said. "Here's the crazy thing to think about: So, you don't give them access to care. You let them go blind, and then you're going to pay for their disability when they go blind, right? How backwards is that?" Had she not gotten the surgeries, Brown would have lost sight completely in that left eye, doctors told her. Servants for Sight, a faith-based nonprofit that helps South Carolinians in poverty pay for vision care, offers to pay for surgeries, treatments and Uber rides to eye care appointments. Rideshares have helped people "not only start their care, but complete their care," said Amy Evette, executive director of Servants for Sight. The group also runs a mobile vision screening unit that visits communities across northwestern South Carolina. Volunteers and staff screen for signs of diseases such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy inside the white-and-green van, and connect patients to ophthalmologists for further care. The van is equipped with retinal imaging equipment and rows of free sunglasses. On the outside are logos of various eye care centers and nonprofits who volunteer to help. "If people don't have insurance or are not able to afford an eye exam once a year, it's very difficult for them to detect any kind of eye disease," said Sandra Torres, an ophthalmic technician of 17 years. The group works with homeless shelters, and she says many people end up on the streets because they lose their sight, and then their jobs. The vehicle saw a busy recent Thursday morning in Spartanburg, a city of about 38,000 people roughly 30 miles southeast of Greenville. Stationed in the parking lot behind a free medical clinic, staff prepared for nearly three dozen patients scheduled that day. Multiple residents filed into the van throughout the morning, many with thick contact casts wrapped around their calves and feet, used to heal and protect diabetic ulcers. Diabetes, which increases the risk of glaucoma, disproportionately affects people with lower incomes and communities of color, amid structural barriers to affordable health care and healthier food. Often, patients don't know help is available, or they stop coming to their appointments because they can't drive and lack transportation, or they're unable to pay, said Dr. Peter Daniel, another ophthalmologist and glaucoma specialist who works with the nonprofits. He recalled a glaucoma patient who stopped showing up for appointments. The man began to weep when Daniel told him not to worry about the cost and connected him with the charities. "They're in very difficult socioeconomic and complex situations," Daniel said. "And those are the folks that I worry about going blind." Columbia optometrist Dr. Kendria Cartledge sees late-diagnosed glaucoma "daily." She said the majority of her patients are on Medicaid, and that not enough eye care providers accept the public insurance program, putting more pressure on the ones who do. The state Medicaid eligibility redetermination process has complicated matters. Patients may have had Medicaid in the past and are still struggling financially, but as states cull the rolls, they may lose coverage without knowing it. With glaucoma patients and others at risk of losing vision, timely care gets interrupted. "A lot of these patients are getting lost to follow-up," said Cartledge, who has been treating whole families with the disease among multiple siblings for years, building a relationship with them. "Some expansion would definitely help out these patients have better outcomes, have a better quality of life." The gigantic tax and spending bill the U.S. House approved could make that situation worse. The measure would cut federal Medicaid spending by $625 billion over 10 years, largely by enacting new work rules and additional paperwork requirements. The changes would remove about 7.6 million people from the Medicaid rolls over the next decade, according to initial estimates by the Congressional Budget Office. Ophthalmologists like Daniel give care knowing they're losing money, even after partial reimbursement from charities. "If a charity can carry that burden, why can't our state and federal systems help shoulder that burden? We do it for older patients, we do it for our Medicare population," said Epstein, the Clemson Eye ophthalmologist. "Why can't we do it for our younger patients?" Clad in a bright yellow tunic and woven sun hat, Jekeithlyn Ross stopped by the Servants for Sight check-in table to introduce herself. Only she didn't have to. Marion Keller already knew Ross was the daughter of eye disease advocate J.C. Stroble as soon as she spoke her dad's name. Keller has a bobblehead figurine of Stroble in her curio cabinet. Ross has been on a mission to relaunch her nonprofit, the J.C. Stroble Glaucoma Awareness Foundation. Dormant during COVID-19, the organization is named for her late dad, who had glaucoma and was blind. The eye care advocate and Spartanburg icon died in 2013 at 71. "Trying to get services to those that are falling between the cracks or the socioeconomically challenged is a challenge," Ross said. "What we're trying to do is go to the people, try to get the services to decrease the rate of blindness here." A volunteer with the South Carolina Lions Club and speaker at churches and national and local civic events, Stroble was also well-known in the community for his boisterous order-calling at the local fast-food fixture, the Beacon Drive-In. The eatery, where he was nicknamed the "Beacon Barker," is popular among locals and as a stop on campaign trails. Inside, Stroble's portrait adorns the wall chronicling the diner's storied history, which includes presidential candidate visits, along with benchmarks like the launch of the internet. At the Servants for Sight check-in table, the excitement was palpable: Ross and Keller talked about their mirrored missions as if they were old friends. Keller shared that she had a cornea transplant, and before they parted ways, she and Ross blew each other a kiss. "This is a marriage. This is only the beginning," Ross said. Ross said she was aware of glaucoma because of her dad, but others without exposure might not know the importance of getting their eyes checked, or even that it runs in their families. "We're back in actionbecause the need is great," Ross said. "Education, awareness is the key. It's essential, and it's not enough foot soldiers out there putting that message out." She's been going to churches, civic groups, clinics and mobile units to spread the word about the foundation. "Nonprofits pick up the pieces. We have a little joke: 'When the government and all else fails, then you come to us,'" she said with a wry chuckle. "Because what do you do? You help." 2025 States Newsroom. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: European Stroke Journal (2025). DOI: 10.1177/23969873251314693 The University of Liverpool's Professor Fiona Rowe has led the development of a major new international clinical guideline addressing visual impairment in stroke survivors. Released by the European Stroke Organization (ESO), the guideline is 1 of 4 newly published ESO guidelines aimed at improving post-stroke care across Europe and globally. Visual impairment affects approximately 75% of stroke survivors, yet controversy exists on how best to screen for it, the timing at which to screen, and on the optimal management of the varying types of visual impairment. The new ESO guideline provides comprehensive, evidence-based recommendations to support clinicians in the screening, assessment, and management of vision problems after stroke. Professor Fiona Rowe said, "I co-chaired and led this Vision Guideline from inception to completion. This represents significant work on producing a European international guideline to promote the diagnosis and management of visual problems occurring after stroke. "Such problems are highly prevalent, so it's crucial to ensure their detection and that appropriate care plans are in place for each patient. We provide recommendations and expert consensus statements for stroke vision care, along with key considerations for future research." The guideline, published in the European Stroke Journal, recommends: Screening tools: Recommendations on validated methods for detecting visual impairment. Optimal timing: Guidance on when screening and assessment should be conducted for optimal outcomes. Management strategies: Evidence-based approaches to treating a wide range of post-stroke visual impairments, including visual field loss, eye movement disorders, and visual perceptual difficulties. More information: Fiona J Rowe et al, European Stroke Organisation (ESO) guideline on visual impairment in stroke, European Stroke Journal (2025). DOI: 10.1177/23969873251314693 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: In a new clinical practice guideline issued by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation and published online May 27 in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, recommendations are presented for the surgical management of chronic rhinosinusitis in adults. Jennifer J. Shin, M.D., from Harvard Medical School in Boston, and colleagues developed 11 key action statements to aid clinicians in the surgical management of chronic rhinosinusitis in adults. According to the guideline, the surgeon should verify an existing diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis before considering surgery. For an adult with chronic rhinosinusitis, the surgeon should not endorse or require a predefined regimen or duration of medical therapy as a prerequisite to sinus surgery. Patients who will benefit most from surgery and are least likely to benefit from continued medical therapy alone, such as those with chronic rhinosinusitis subtypes that include chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps, polyps with bony erosion, eosinophilic mucin, or fungal balls, should be identified. The guideline authors also recommend establishing realistic expectations by counseling patients before surgery; these include the potential for chronicity or relapse and the likelihood of long-term medical management. The surgeon should obtain a computed tomography (CT) scan with a fine-cut protocol to examine the paranasal sinuses for surgical planning for an adult who is a candidate for surgery. The extent of surgery should not be planned solely based on arbitrary criteria regarding minimal level of mucosal thickening, sinus opacification, or outflow obstruction on CT scan. Adults who are scheduled for sinus surgery should be educated regarding anticipated postoperative care, including pain control. "This clinical practice guideline provides the guidance for developing the needed care pathways for patients who may undergo surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis, based on current best evidence," Shin said in a statement. More information: Jennifer J. Shin et al, Clinical Practice Guideline: Surgical Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis, OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery (2025). DOI: 10.1002/ohn.1287 Copyright 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved. 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 Health nonprofits and medical interpreters warn that federal cuts have eliminated dozens of positions in California for community workers who help non-English speakers sign up for insurance coverage and navigate the health care system. At the same time, people with limited English proficiency have scaled back their requests for language services, which health care advocates attribute in part to President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown and his executive order declaring English as the national language. Such policy and funding changes could leave some without lifesaving care, particularly children and seniors. "People are going to have a hard time accessing benefits they're entitled to and need to live independently," said Carol Wong, a senior rights attorney for Justice in Aging, a national advocacy group. Nearly 69 million people in the U.S. speak a language other than English, and 26 million of them speak English less than "very well," according to the most recent U.S. Census data available from 2023. A KFF-Los Angeles Times survey from that year found that immigrants with limited English proficiency reported more barriers to accessing health care and worse health than English-proficient immigrants. Health advocates fear that, without adequate support, millions of people in the U.S. with limited English proficiency will be more likely to experience medical errors, misdiagnosis, neglect, and other adverse outcomes. During the start of the pandemic in 2020, ProPublica reported that a woman with coronavirus symptoms died in Brooklyn after missing out on timely treatment because emergency room staffers could not communicate with her in Hungarian. And, at the height of the crisis, The Virginian-Pilot first reported that a Spanish translation on a state website erroneously stated that the COVID-19 vaccine was not necessary. In 2000, President Bill Clinton signed an executive order aimed at improving access to federal services for people with limited English proficiency. Research shows language assistance results in higher patient satisfaction, as well as fewer medical errors, misdiagnoses, and adverse health outcomes. Language services also save the health care system money by reducing hospital stays and readmissions. Trump's order repealed Clinton's directive and left it up to each federal agency to decide whether to maintain or adopt a new language policy. Some have already scaled back: The Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration reportedly reduced language services, and the Justice Department says it is reviewing guidance materials. A link to its language plan is broken. It's unclear what the Department of Health and Human Services intends to do. HHS did not respond to questions from KFF Health News. An HHS plan implemented under President Joe Biden, including guidance during public health emergencies and disasters, has been archived, meaning it may not reflect current policies. However, HHS's Office for Civil Rights still informs patients of their right to language assistance services when they pick up a prescription, apply for a health insurance plan, or visit a doctor. And the office added protections in July that prohibit health providers from using untrained staff, family members, or children to provide interpretation during medical visits. It also required that translation of sensitive information using artificial intelligence be reviewed by a qualified human translator for accuracy. Those safeguards could be undone by the Trump administration, said Mara Youdelman, a managing director at the National Health Law Program, a national legal and health policy advocacy organization. "There's a process that needs to be followed," she said, about making changes with public input. "I would strongly urge them to consider the dire consequences when people don't have effective communication." Even if the federal government ultimately doesn't offer language services to the public, Youdelman said, hospitals and health providers are required to provide language assistance at no charge to patients. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race or national origin, protections that extend to language. And the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which expanded health coverage for millions of Americans and adopted numerous consumer protections, requires health providers receiving federal funds to make language services, including translation and interpretation, available. "English can be the official language and people still have a right to get language services when they go to access health care," Youdelman said. "Nothing in the executive order changed the actual law." Insurers still need to include multi-language taglines in their correspondence to enrollees explaining how they can access language services. And health facilities must post visible notices informing patients about language assistance services and guarantee certified and qualified interpreters. State and local governments could broaden their own language access requirements. A few states have taken such actions in recent years, and California state lawmakers are considering a bill that would establish a language access director, mandate human review of AI translations, and improve surveys assessing language needs. "With increasing uncertainty at the federal level, state and local access laws and policies are even more consequential," said Jake Hofstetter, policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute. The Los Angeles Department of Public Health and San Francisco's Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrants Affairs said their language services have not been affected by Trump's executive order or federal funding cuts. Demand, however, has dropped. Aurora Pedro of Comunidades Indigenas en Liderazgo, one of the few medical interpreters in Los Angeles who speaks Akatek and Qanjobal, Mayan languages from Guatemala, said she has received fewer calls for her services since Trump took office. And other pockets of California have reduced language services because of the federal funding cuts. Hernan Trevino, a spokesperson for the Fresno County Department of Public Health, said the county cut the number of community health workers by more than half, from 49 to 20 positions. That reduced the availability of on-the-ground navigators who speak Spanish, Hmong, or Indigenous languages from Latin America and helps immigrants enroll in health plans and schedule routine screenings. Trevino said staffers are still available to support residents in Spanish, Hmong, Lao, and Punjabi at county offices. A free phone line is also available to help residents access services in their preferred language. Mary Anne Foo, executive director of the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance, said the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration froze $394,000 left in a two-year contract to improve mental health services. As a result, the alliance is planning to let go 27 of its 62 bilingual therapists, psychiatrists, and case managers. The organization serves more than 80,000 patients who speak over 20 languages. "We can only keep them through June 30," Foo said. "We're still trying to figure it outif we can cover people." 2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: Tumorprofiling. Credit: Nicolas Zonvi / USZ Every tumor is unique. This makes it difficult to find the most effective therapy for treatment. The Tumor Profiler Center of the University Hospital Zurich, the University of Zurich, ETH Zurich and the University Hospital Basel has now carried out a study, published in Nature Medicine, in which nine different molecular biological technologies were used to precisely measure the properties of the tumor in four weeks and enable a precise treatment decision. The study is the first of its kind in the world. Doctors base their decisions on established guidelines when selecting the appropriate therapy. Thanks to these guidelines, significantly better treatment results have been achieved in recent years, especially in the case of melanoma. However, even within these standard therapies, there are often several treatment options, and it is not always clear which therapy is the most likely to be successful for a particular patient. It becomes even more difficult when standard therapies have been exhausted and there is little scientific evidence on how to continue treatment. Know each tumor down to the individual cell Until now, cancer therapies have been determined primarily on the basis of the tissue where the tumor originated and its genetic characteristics. The Tumor Profiler project, which has been ongoing since 2018, is investigating how new molecular biological methods can help improve and expand treatment options for patients beyond standard therapies. To do this, the researchers take advantage of the fact that every tumor is unique right down to the individual cells. Nine technologies are used to analyze a tumor at the individual cell level. The information obtained in this way creates a comprehensive picture of the biological processes in the tumor, from DNA to RNA and proteins. This knowledge should then make it possible to determine the most effective treatment for the individual patient from the available forms of therapy, especially medications. This data-driven approach also makes it possible to include drugs used to treat other cancers in the evaluation, thus broadening the range of treatment options on a case-by-case basis. In a first phase of the Tumor Profiler project, it was investigated which molecular biological technologies provide relevant information for treatment and showed that such comprehensive analyses are feasible and that the necessary processing of the enormous amounts of data is possible. The next step was to examine how tumor profiling can be implemented in practice. TuPro workflow, technology node performance and output. Credit: Nature Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-025-03715-6 First study with nine molecular biological methods and practical application In a prospective, multicenter observational study, a research group of over 100 scientists from the University Hospital Zurich, the University of Zurich, ETH Zurich, the University Hospital Basel and Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd investigated whether this approach is feasible in the hospital and whether it offers advantages. The focus was on how long it takes for the tumor analysis to be available and how the treating physicians assess the resulting recommendationstwo key factors for the successful application of tumor profiling in practice. The tumors of 116 patients were analyzed for this purpose. Individual treatment recommendations were derived from the resulting 43,000 data points or 0.5 terabyte (TB) data per sample. For the first time worldwide, nine molecular biological technologies for profiling were used in parallel in a study and, for the first time, the data collected from these technologies was also used in treatment predictions for the benefit of treating physicians in the clinic. Rapid analysis and individual treatment recommendations for melanoma The study was able to show that the recommendations provided by the tumor profiling were available after four weeks and that in 75% of cases, the treating specialists found them helpful for the choice of therapy and provided them with substantial information. "These values and information show us that the recommendations from tumor profiling are available within a reasonable period of time and with tangible and directly implementable benefits for the treating physicians," says Nicola Miglino, research assistant at the Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology at the University Hospital Zurich and lead author of the study. The USZ Tumor Board, an association of oncology specialists, assessed the tumor profiler data and proposed specific therapies tailored to the study participants based on this information. It was found that patients whose treatment was based on information from the Profiler data responded more often to the therapy than patients who did not participate in the program. "This is an encouraging result that goes beyond our actual goal of the study, but one that still needs to be confirmed in prospective and randomized clinical trials involving more patients," is how Andreas Wicki, Professor of Oncology at the University of Zurich, Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology and Co-Director of the Tumor Profiler Center at USZ, summarizes the results. "This study is a major step toward data-based medicine. It paves the way for new clinical trials that don't test individual drugs, but actually predict the most effective therapy." More information: Nicola Miglino et al, Feasibility of multiomics tumor profiling for guiding treatment of melanoma, Nature Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-025-03715-6 Journal information: Nature Medicine Provided by Universitatsspital Zurich 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: Nicholas Swatz from Pexels Marital status significantly impacts survival rates for patients with colorectal cancer, according to a new study co-authored by a Fox Chase Cancer Center researcher that was presented today at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's (ASCO) Annual Meeting. Married individuals were found to have better survival rates than single or separated and divorced or widowed individuals. "Research has shown that people who are by themselves face a double burden: They are typically diagnosed at later stages and experience worse treatment outcomes," said Namrata Vijayvergia, MD, Assistant Chief of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at Fox Chase and senior author on the study. "Our findings indicate that the pattern has persisted over time, which suggests the need for more targeted outreach and screening approaches for unmarried individuals." Lisa Liu, MD, who presented the results of the study, worked on it under the mentorship of Vijayvergia, who she met while attending medical school at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. Liu is now an internal medicine resident at George Washington University. The research team analyzed data on colorectal cancer cases diagnosed between 2000 and 2021 gleaned from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. They stratified patients by marital status into three groupsmarried, single, and separated/divorced/widowed (SDW)and also compared data across two time periods, 2000-2010 and 2011-2021. The researchers found that overall survival improved across all marital groups between the 20002010 and 20112021 time periods, likely due to advances in cancer treatments and improved screening. However, the disparity between married and unmarried individuals persisted. In both periods, results showed that married individuals had the highest five-year overall survival rate (61.2% and 63.1%, respectively), followed by single individuals (51.1%, 54.5%) and then SDW individuals (43.8%, 45.7%). "We see in clinical practice that patients with partners demonstrate higher treatment compliance, have better appointment attendance, and are more likely to report side effects promptly, all factors that influence outcomes," said Vijayvergia. The data also showed that married individuals were more commonly diagnosed with localized, earlier stage cancer compared to the two other groups. Combined with their higher survival rates, this finding suggests that earlier detection may be key to better colorectal cancer outcomes. "These results suggest we may need to challenge the status quo in our screening approaches," Vijayvergia said. "Developing specialized screening efforts and targeted outreach programs for single populations could help close this gap." The study, "Effects of Marital Status on Survival in Patients With Colorectal Cancer," was presented at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting, which is being held May 30June 3 in Chicago. 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 In an emergency, police are often the first called to the scene. But they are rarely equipped to deal with complex mental health crises. Following recent parliamentary inquiries and royal commissions there has been a pushled by researchers, advocates and some senior police officialsfor a shift to a health-led and paramedic-first response. South Australia is one of a number of states trialing a program based on a "co-responder" model. This means trained specialists accompany police to some mental health call-outs in the community. So, how do co-responder programs work? And are they effective? Here's what the evidence says. The current situation Mental health legislation in all states and territories gives police the power to use "reasonable force" to transport people who "appear to have a mental illness" to hospital to prevent harm. In most cases, this involves police taking people experiencing mental health crises to hospital emergency departments, without help from mental health clinicians or paramedics. Overburdened emergency departments have long wait times for mental health and are often inadequate at responding to people experiencing distress. Those who need mental health support may not need a hospital stay. One study found only 1 in 5 (23%) of those taken to emergency by policeusually after expressing intention to self-harmwere admitted. The strain on police resources is also significant. For example, in New South Wales, police now respond to triple zero calls about mental health crises in the community every nine minutes (in Victoria it's every 10). Criminalizing mental health The mere presence of police alone can escalate already heightened emotional situations. Police frequently lack training in mental health, with combative police culture and the militarization of police training presenting significant problems. Police often acknowledge they are ill-equipped to intervene in a mental health crisis. Yet, about 1 in 10 people who access mental health services have previously interacted with police. These encounters can be risky and even deadly. People who experience mental health issues are over-represented in incidents of police use of force and fatal shootings. Police involvement can also lead to the criminalization of people with mental health issues and disability, as they are more likely to be issued with charges and fines or be arrested. Yet the main reason police take people to hospital is for self-harm or suicidal distress, and most are not deemed to be of risk to others. What do people with mental health issues want instead? In our research, conducted in 20212022, we interviewed 20 people across Australia who'd had police intervene when they had a mental health crisis. Those we spoke to often had multiple experiences of police call-outs over their lifetime. They told us excessive use of force by police had traumatizing and long-term effects. Many were subject to pepper spray, tasers, police dogs, batons, handcuffs and restraints, despite not being accused of committing criminal offenses. For example, Alex said, "I was having an anxiety attack, and they pepper sprayed me. I had bruises all over my hands from the handcuffs they put on really roughly, even though I wasn't under arrest. Then they took me to hospital." In our study, people with mental health issues said they would prefer an ambulance-led response wherever possible, without police attending at all. They also wanted to be linked to therapeutic and community-based services, including mental health peer support, housing, disability support and family violence services. What are co-responder programs? Co-responder programs aim to de-escalate mental health incidents, reduce the number of emergency department presentations and link people experiencing mental health crises with services. These programs, such as the one being trialed in South Australia, mean mental health clinicians (for example, social workers, counselors or psychologists) attend some mental health incidents alongside police. Peer-reviewed research shows these kinds of responses can be effective when compared to traditional police-led interventions. An evaluation of a co-response program in Victoria found the mental health response was quicker and higher quality than when police attended alone. The success of programs in the United States and Canada shows many mental health crises can be safely managed without police involvement, for example by addressing issues such as homelessness and addiction with health workers, and reducing the number of arrests. Limited by a lack of resources While the evidence shows co-responder schemes are valued by people with lived experience, they are often limited by under-resourcing. Co-responder programs are not universally available. Often, they do not operate after usual business hours or across regions. There is also a lack of long-term evaluations of these programs. This means what we understand about their implementation, design and effectiveness over time can be mixed. More broadly, the mental health sector is facing significant and ongoing labor shortages across Australia, posing another resourcing challenge. How can responses to mental health crises be improved? Last year, the final report from the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System recommended paramedics should act as first responders in mental health crises wherever possible, instead of police, diverting triple zero calls to Ambulance Victoria. However that reform has been delayed, with no indication of when it may be implemented. A 2023 NSW parliamentary inquiry also remarked on the need to explore reducing police involvement. Co-responder and ambulance-first models offer an improvement. But our research suggests people with lived experience of mental health issues want more than ambulances replacing the police as crisis responders. They need a mental health system that supports them and provides what they needed, when they need it: compassionate, timely and non-coercive responses. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A scanning electron micrograph of an Anopheles stephensi mosquito. This Anopheles species is an urban mosquito invading Africa and it behaves differently from rural species, says Jane Carlton, director of the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute. Credit: Lauren Holden, CC BY 4.0 The "catastrophic" freeze on U.S. funding for malaria has halted prevention programs across Africa and also threatens to stall advances in genomic research, says Jane Carlton, director of the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute. The U.S. President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) is one of numerous USAID-supported programs to see its funding terminated under U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping reforms this year. From eco-friendly bacterial pellets that kill mosquito larvae, to gene-drive mosquitoes that suppress wild populations, scientists are developing an arsenal of promising new technologies to combat malaria. But "without sustained funding, even the best tools stall," says Carlton, in an interview with SciDev.Net, warning that a retreat from funding could jeopardize decades of progress. What is the impact of the recent US funding cuts for malaria programs? The dissolution of the President's Malaria Initiative [PMIa five-year program to combat malaria in 15 African countries] is catastrophic. Modeling [reported in a leaked USAID memo] shows its collapse could cause 18 million new cases and 160,000 deaths yearly. Already, Uganda reports clinics rationing rapid tests, and Ethiopia's PMI office halted bed net distributions mid-campaign. Stockouts of artemisinin-based drugs are rising and five African countries have less than three months' supply. This isn't just a health crisis; it's economic. Malaria costs Africa US$12 billion yearly in lost productivity. With the funding freeze, how do you make a case to skeptics and policymakers in higher-income countries that malaria funding matters to the US? First, self-interest. Malaria isn't "someone else's problem." The U.S. had 2,000 cases last year, mostly travelers, yes, but Anopheles mosquitoes still thrive here. Florida and Texas saw local transmission in 2023 after decades. Second, leadership. The U.S. eradicated malaria in the 1950s through swamp drainage and DDT [dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, a pesticide used to control insects]. Today, it is a moral duty to share that knowledge. Finally, security. Destabilized regions breed conflict and healthy populations are more resilient. How will the PMI funding freeze impact genomic research in malaria control? When I started, malaria research was like navigating a maze in the dark. Sequencing the Plasmodium falciparum and vivax genomes in the early 2000s was revolutionary; it gave us the first "blueprint" of the parasite. Suddenly, we could identify genes, proteins, and metabolic pathways. But it wasn't an instant cure. Genomics laid the groundwork for precision medicine. Today, we combine parasite, human, and mosquito genome data to track drug resistance and outbreaks. [Genomics] is a foundational tool, not an endpoint. Translating genetic insights into drugs requires massive collaboration. For instance, my team works on "functional genomics" to link genes to traits like drug resistance. It's painstaking work, but AI tools are now helping automate hypotheses. Without sustained funding, even the best tools stall. How is artificial intelligence reshaping malaria research? AI is a game-changer in three areas. First, machine learning models predict outbreaks by analyzing climate data, human movement, and historical trends. In Ethiopia, these models helped pre-deploy bed nets before rains triggered outbreaks. Second, AI-powered diagnostics. Algorithms analyze blood smears to detect parasites, reducing human error. But field validation is tricky, dust on microscope slides or poor lighting can confuse the software. Third, protein language models like AlphaFold predict 3D protein structures in hours, not years. This lets us design drugs targeting parasite proteins more efficiently. For example, we're using AlphaFold to study Plasmodium proteins that help mosquitoes transmit the parasite. What ethical concerns come with AI in malaria? Bias is a big risk. Most genomic data comes from Africa, but AI models are often trained in Western labs. If local researchers aren't involved, tools might ignore regional nuances, like how Anopheles stephensi, an urban mosquito invading Africa, behaves differently from rural species. Also, AI-driven drug discovery risks prioritizing profit over access. Who owns the patents? Will new drugs be affordable in low-income countries? These questions need global dialogue. What innovations excite you most? In Zambia, we're testing bacterial pellets that kill mosquito larvae without chemicals. They're cheap, eco-friendly, and can be produced locally. The second are gene-drive mosquitoes. Engineered to block parasite transmission or reduce fertility, they could suppress wild populations. Trials in Burkina Faso show promise, but public acceptance is a hurdle. The third are vaccines. R21 and RTS,S are being rolled out in 19 African countries. Early data from Ghana shows a 30% drop in severe cases among vaccinated kids. How can research avoid 'colonial science' pitfalls? True partnerships are key. We don't fly in, collect samples, and leave. For example, in India, we train local scientists to run genomic labs. In Zambia, community leaders co-design biopesticide trials. Capacity-building ensures African researchers lead future breakthroughs. But canceled field visits [due to funding cuts] undermine this. What gives you hope? The malaria map is shrinking. Egypt was declared malaria-free in 2024. India slashed cases from 20 million to 2 million since 2000. With vaccines, gene editing, and African nations like Nigeria stepping upthey just allocated US$200 million [for the health sector] to offset U.S. cutswe can eliminate malaria. But urgency is critical; retreating now would waste decades of progress. Provided by SciDev.Net 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: Visual Abstract. Credit: Journal of Nuclear Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.124.268805 Radionuclide therapy with the radioactive element terbium could effectively combat lymphoma. This is demonstrated by promising results from experiments carried out at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI in collaboration with InselspitalBern University Hospital. The team's findings are published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. The researchers are now refining this type of therapy in order to carry out clinical trials. Every year, almost 2,000 people in Switzerland are diagnosed with lymphoma, and about 570 of them die from the disease. Researchers at PSI's Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences are now proposing a new therapy that could soon increase the chances of survival for many of those affected: radioimmunotherapy with the nuclide terbium-161. "The radioactive isotope terbium-161 is attached to an antibody and injected into the bloodstream of the patient," explains Martin Behe from the Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, part of the PSI Center for Life Sciences. This antibody latches onto a structure in the body that is particularly common in lymphoma cells: the CD30 receptor. "This brings the radioactive terbium directly to the site of the tumor to kill the cancer cells with its radioactive radiation," Behe says. Healthy organs in the body are spared, on the other hand. In almost a third of all lymphoma patients, the tumor cells produce the CD30 receptorin these patients the new treatment could be applied. The same is true of T-cell lymphomas, in which the T-lymphocytes of the immune system become cancerousa disease that has until now been difficult to treat. Radiotherapy from within Radionuclide therapy is already well established in clinical practice. Hospitals currently carry out this form of cancer treatment with a different radioactive substance: the nuclide lutetium-177. This is used to treat prostate cancer and tumors arising from hormone-producing cells. Radioactive lutetium decays to produce high-energy, high-velocity electrons, called beta particles, which combat larger tumors effectively. However, individual tumor cells and small clusters of cancer cells elude treatment with lutetium-177 and can lead to a recurrence of the disease. This makes this form of radionuclide therapy unsuitable for lymphoma. In this type of cancer, some of the tumor cells circulate in the bloodstream rather than existing as a larger, localizable tumor. Terbium-161 has a decisive advantage over lutetium-177: in addition to beta particles, it also emits conversion and Auger electrons. "This radiation has a range of less than one micrometer, or one thousandth of a millimeter. This is the size of a tumor cell," explains Behe. Hence, terbium-161 acts on its immediate surroundings, making it particularly suitable for the targeted treatment of smaller tumors. "Terbium-161 fires more precise bullets, so to speak," explains Elisa Rioja-Blanco, also from the Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences and first author of the study. Even individual cancer cells in the blood could be eliminated without causing severe side effects. "We can also catch small tumor foci that doctors may not even be aware of at the time," she adds. The isotope has a half-life of 6.9 days, which means that its effect is halved every 6.9 days. This is an advantage of radionuclide therapy: after manufacturing the drug, it can be transported to a hospital without losing too much of its activity on the way. On the other hand, the radiation level decreases rapidly after treatment within a reasonable period of time. A powerful weapon against cancer cells The PSI researchers, led by Behe and Rioja-Blanco, produced the active substance, consisting of terbium-161 and an antibody against the CD30 receptor. They then tested it in the laboratory on three types of cancer cells that produce CD30 receptors. They found that depending on the type of cell, the substance was two to 43 times as effective at killing the cancer cells than the analogous substance using lutetium-177. Further experiments have shown that this is because the terbium-based drug caused more severe damage to the DNA in the cancer cell, which the cell itself is unable to repair. The researchers then tested the drug on mice suffering from cancer. "This shows us where the substance accumulates in the body and whether it actually reaches tumors," explains Rioja-Blanco. The substance was indeed preferentially absorbed by the tumor tissue. On average, mice treated with terbium-161 survived twice as long as their counterparts injected with a lutetium-177 drug. Some of the mice even ended up completely cancer-free after the treatment. On the way to clinical trials Terbium-161 is already being tested as an anti-cancer drug in several clinical trials; the PSI researchers have now scrutinized it as a potential treatment for lymphoma. "Our results are a good indication that the substance could also prove to be effective against lymphoma in humans," says Rioja-Blanco. Clinical studies will hopefully soon show whether this is indeed the case. The team plans to further investigate and optimize the drug so that it can be commercialized and tested in humans in the future. More information: Elisa Rioja-Blanco et al, 161Tb Radioimmunotherapy as a Treatment for CD30-Positive Lymphomas, Journal of Nuclear Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.124.268805 Journal information: Journal of Nuclear Medicine Transfer of biometric database compromises the sovereignty of nations in South Asia. The spectre of an authoritarian, vindictive, surveillance state thus continues looming large over India. - Dr Shashi Tharoor, chairperson, parliamentary standing committee on external affairs in Our Living Constitution (2025), p. 97 There is no system for maintaining year-wise records of deactivations. Maintaining such a database is not required under the Aadhaar Act, 2016 and Aadhaar (Enrolment & Update) Regulations, 2016. - Minister of electronics and information technology on 7 February 2018 in the Lok Sabha The government said it may hear a person before deactivating the number, which means it can decide whether or not to hear someone before deactivating something as important as the Aadhaar number. Further, it is stated that a person is only informed post-deactivation through SMS and email, thereby completely ignoring the principle of audi alteram partem i.e to hear the other side before taking punitive action, and the difficulties faced by persons without SMS or internet services, as their Aadhaar numbers may be deactivated without them even knowing about it. -Dr Shashi Tharoor Unique identification (UID)/ Aadhaar number database is beyond the control of national entities. Regulation 28 and 28A of unique identification authority of India (Enrolment and Update) Regulations, 2016 read with Section 23 (1) (g) of Aadhaar Act, 2016 provides powers and functions of the unique identification authority of India (UIDAI) including power for "omitting and deactivating of an Aadhaar number and information relating thereto." Section 54 (1) (l) of Aadhaar Act provides the power of UIDAI to make regulations including "the manner of omitting and deactivating an Aadhaar number and information relating thereto under clause (g) of sub-section (2) of section 23" which also provides powers and functions of UIDAI regarding "omitting and deactivating of an Aadhaar number and information." 23A of Aadhaar Act which provides power of UIDAI to issue directions to any entity in the Aadhaar ecosystem, which is required to be complied with by the entity in the Aadhaar ecosystem to whom such direction is issued. These provisions pertain to cases requiring deactivation of the Aadhaar number. Notably, the power of UIDAI to deactivate has been challenged before the chief justice TS Sivagnanam and justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya bench of the Calcutta High Court. This database is a privacy invasion project which is inherently linked to national security. It is a means of social control. It is a tool for further victimisation of vulnerable groups. There is a history to it. There used to be suspect identification offices in Egypt and Bengal, India after the development of biometric identification by Sir Francis Galton, an English eugenicist who supported slavery. Biometric mapping through identification is concerned with the enrolment and the filing away of the most private and incommunicable aspect of subjectivity which is consequent in the capture of the human body by the State and non-State actors for good. Till now, such assault on the private human body was an exception; now it is becoming the norm. The biometric Aadhaar numberindeed a case of 'bio-political tattooing'has been turned into a normal identity registration of a good citizen. It provides architecture for continuity between the world of the Nazi concentration camp and contemporary democracy. It shows how professor Giorgio Agamben's prediction of 2003, regarding the perpetuation of the genocidal liberal order, has turned out to be true. It is increasingly becoming crystal clear that UID/Aadhaar number database is a tool of war against the natural rights of human beings. Its linking with all public services is designed to cause 'civil death' of persons and groups whom the state and non-state actors of certain kinds don't like. Public services and goods are fish baits to trap unsuspecting humans. Civil death is the loss of all or almost all civil rights by a person caused by the government of a country. It is clear that denial of rights in the absence of UID/Aadhaar is an act of coercion that would lead to civil death, this is tantamount to normalisation of cruelty towards Indian residents. It begins by classifying and profiling them. As to privacy, human life is a gift of privacy, the privacy of our parents and grandparents. Can the present generation safeguard future generations from unlimited profiling? Citizens opposition to UID/Aadhaar has a historical context. It is linked to more than a century-old world-famous Satyagraha of Mahatma Gandhi in order to oppose the identification scheme of the government in South Africa. On 22 August 1906, the South African government published a draft Asiatic Law Amendment Ordinance. The ordinance required all Indians in the Transvaal region of South Africa, eight years and above, to report to the registrar of Asiatics and obtain, upon the submission of a complete set of fingerprints, a certificate which would then have to be produced upon demand. The move proposed stiff penalties, including deportation, for Indians who failed to comply with the terms of the ordinance. Knowing the impact of the ordinance and effective criminalisation of the entire community, Mahatma Gandhi then decided to challenge it. Calling the ordinance a Black Act, he had mobilised around 3,000 Indians in Johannesburg who took an oath not to submit to a degrading and discriminatory piece of legislation. The biometric Aadhaar case demonstrates how Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it. Biometric profiling is inherently dangerous because it tracks individuals based on their religious, behavioural and/or biological traits. History is replete with examples wherein such profiling has been used for genocide, holocaust and violence against all kinds of minorities. Such profiling with biometric UID/Aadhaar is fraught with dangers of genocide and communal crisis at the local, regional and national level. It is akin to the census operation undertaken in Hitler's Germany. The effective platform is supposedly for financial inclusion and targeted subsidy payments, but the same targeting measures can be used with vindictive motives against citizens of certain religion, caste and ethnicity or region or towards a section of society due to economic resentment. It may be recalled that Edwin Blacks book IBM and the Holocaust revealed IBMs strategic alliance with Nazi Germany. IBM and its subsidiaries helped create enabling technologies, step-by-step, from the identification and cataloging programs of the 1930s to the selections of the 1940s. Notably, IBM was in the census business. The book reveals that IBM technology was used to organise nearly everything in Germany and then Nazi Europe, from the identification of the Jews in censuses, registrations, and ancestral tracing programs to the running of railroads and organising of concentration camp slave labour. Coincidentally, IBM is involved in the UID/Aadhaar project as well. Also quite coincidentally, Pramod Varma, who has been a volunteer chief architect at UIDAI, has been with a company which is now part of IBM. He had joined UIDAI in July 2009 and led the overall technology and application architecture and application development within UIDAI technology unit based in Bengaluru. His role has been pivotal in ensuring an open, scalable, and secure architecture is built to meet the needs of the Aadhaar project. If Mr Varma were only a volunteer as per UIDAI Volunteers Guidelines, 2011 then it implies that he may have continued as the chief technology architect and vice-president of research at Sterling Commerce, which is now part of IBM because, as per this guideline, a 'volunteer' is a person who wants to give services to the authority, either on a part-time basis or on a full-time basis, without any remuneration from the authority. The related UIDAIs guidelines for recruitment of personnel on sabbatical/ secondment refer to conflict of interest from private sector members moving from one category of employment to another. This guideline defines applicant on sabbatical/ secondment or applicant as a person who wants to give services to and work with the authority, on a full-time or part-time basis while on sabbatical from a parent organisation, without seeking any remuneration from the authority. Given the fact that one of the presentations of UIDAIs chairman made it clear that he wants a '360-degree view of citizens' for a single view as per the attached presentation which was available on the website of the Cabinet secretariat till 14 January 2018 (now it has been removed) and IBM also wants to have 'single view of a citizen', the interest of the chief architect is conclusively established. Transnational companies like Ernst & Young, L1 Identities Solution, Safran and Accenture are involved in it. Ironically, these companies are taking personal sensitive information for 'seven years' and the government is paying for it. At no stage was the political class briefed about the far-reaching implications for the right to privacy, national security and national sovereignty. It is apparent that the national treasure of India, the entire Indian database registry of its people has been robbed through questionable contract agreements signed by UIDAI with these companies in the name of the president of India. In a related development, on 16 December 2015, Bangladesh introduced mandatory biometric registration for all SIM card-owners. With this new system in place, every mobile phone SIM card will be associated with its user's identity as it appears in the national identity card database of the election commission. Every SIM card owner will be asked to verify their identity by providing their fingerprint which will be checked against the fingerprint data associated with their national identification. Each person will be allowed to register a maximum of 20 mobile phone SIM cards to their national identity card. This scheme connects communications data together with individual, government-assigned identities. By implication, it allowed the government to have unprecedented oversight of the daily lives of Bangladeshi citizens. Disregarding criticism, the Nepal government had officially launched the national identity card distribution campaign in 2018 by presenting a card to a 101-year-old woman in the Panchthar district and to government employees at Singha Durbar. It announced plans to digitally integrate the driving licence, vehicle ownership certificate, banking services, tax payment system, voter ID card and social security system into the national ID. In May 2024, it had decided to make the national ID compulsory to provide social security benefits and retirement pensions. A writ petition was filed at the Supreme Court but in a decision issued on 19 January 2025 a full bench of chief justice Prakash Man Singh Raut and justices Abdul Aziz Musalman and Nripadhwaj Niraula issued a directive to implement the national ID card by making it mandatory for receiving social security funds along with pensions and other government services and provisions. Responding to a complaint, Nepal's parliamentary accounts committee (PAC) had raised national security concerns over the contract to be awarded to Morpho Safran, a French company working in India, for preparing the national identity card in January 2016. Its members had argued that any firm belonging to, or working in India or China, should not be awarded such a sensitive project as preparing the national identity card that contains all vital information on Nepali citizens. The national identity management centre (NIDMC) has chosen Morpho Safran to print the national IDs, the same firm that had been disqualified earlier for a conflict of interests. Only Morpho Safran was deemed 'technically eligible' to set up infrastructure and print the ID cards. While the selection has to be approved by the funding agency, Asian Development Bank (ADB), the fact that only one firm was found to be technically eligible has raised many an eyebrow. Nepals parliamentary accounts committee members had claimed that Morphos subsidiary firm is involved in many projects in India including in preparing a similar kind of national identity card (Aadhaar). The NIDMC of Nepal's home ministry had chosen Morpho Safran from among five other bidders namely, Gemalto (France), IRIS Corporation (Malaysia), Informatics (Sri Lanka), Dermalog and Arjowiggins (France). Nepals parliamentary accounts committee had formed a sub-committee under Ramhari Khatiwada to probe if there are irregularities in picking only one firm. In June 2015, the Nepal government had called a global tender for the procurement and installation of hardware at its offices and project sites. The ADB had extended a US$8mn (million) loan for the project while the rest is to be financed by the World Bank. After the sub-committees report, the parliamentary accounts committee gave its endorsement to the home ministry after Dinesh Bhattarai, executive director of NIDMC, gave an assurance saying, We have set up enough gatekeeping measures on data security and Nepali engineers and technicians would be in charge of the data. It is evident that the governments of Nepal, Bangladesh and India are following the footprints of an experiment which has been tried, tested and failed in the developed countries. It may be recalled that on 23 April 2010, the World Bank had launched its eTransform Initiative by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with France and South Korea besides transnational companies like L-1 Identity Solutions, IBM, Gemalto, Pfizer and others. It was launched in the presence of the ministers of finance and communications from many developing countries. The World Bank is currently funding 14 projects related to e-government and e-ID around the world. These projects are unfolding under the influence of international finance and not because there was a domestic need for it. It is apparent that India, Nepal and Bangladesh are among the World Banks 14 projects. Dr M Vijayanunni, former registrar general and census commissioner and former chief secretary of government of the Kerala, said, China, which is the other country in the world comparable to India in terms of size and diversity of population, abandoned its universal ID system midway in the face of insurmountable problems encountered during its implementation, despite the supposed advantage of their totalitarian system in pushing through such a humongous but ill-advised project. He pointed out, While the US has the social security number for all residents, it does not intrude into the privacy of the individuals and is so liberally implemented that it does not block or stand in the way of getting any deserved benefits from the state or from availing of any services from other agencies. He added, The government's attraction to the project is the supposed reduction achieved in disbursal of subsidies through avoidance of duplicate and bogus claims. This has to be achieved through other administrative modalities in each individual scheme rather than by steamrolling it through an uncaring denial of thousands of claims based merely on faults in the biometric and data retrieval systems. The real pressure for continuance of the scheme will be from the police and secret surveillance systems to pry into the privacy of everyone which gives them unlimited powers over the lives of helpless individuals and enjoy unchallenged supremacy in the days to come. That will sound the death knell of freedom and democracy. He observed: There have been umpteen complaints from the affected citizens in the actual collection and collation of the biometric and personal data in the field so far and the project is engulfed in the tears and curses of lakhs of people of all social strata up against the uncaring ways of the officials doing the aadhaar exercise. It is pulling wool over one's eyes if it were to be claimed that it has been perfectly implemented so far. Dr Usha Ramanathan, a noted jurist, says, Biometrics, unlike passwords or pin numbers, cannot be replaced. What is a person supposed to do if their biometrics get compromised? We know now that fingerprints, for instance, can be faked, that they can be lost because someone stole them, that they can become unusable because of a range of reasons, including that their work wears out their fingerprints or that working in the sun affects iris recognition. This is a risk that is being foisted on the people, and no one else is willing to accept liability for the harm and loss that this may cause. Pointing out its unconstitutionality, she said, In making biometrics compulsory for the poor, the poor are being told that they do not have any interest in privacy, and that they should only care about the money they may get from the government or the food that may be provided. This reduction of citizenship of the poor person to a rightless welfare recipient is itself unconstitutional. She underlined, This project has made it necessary to remind the governments that the Constitution is not about the power of the state over the people. It is about the limits of state power. This backdrop gives birth to a few questions: Is it a coincidence that similar schemes are unfolding in South Asia? Isnt there a design behind persuading and compelling developing countries to biometrically profile their citizens? Is it too early to infer that international bankers, UN agencies and Western military alliances wish to create profiles in their biometric and electronic database for the coercive use of social control measures? Is it not true that uninformed citizens, parliamentarians and gullible government agencies are too eager to be profiled and tracked through an online database? Would freedom fighters have approved of mass surveillance by any national or transnational agency? Is it not clear that UN agencies, World Bank Group transnational intelligence companies and military alliances are working in tandem to create the bio-electronic database of Indians, Nepalis and Bangladeshi as per their pre-determined design? Is this design structured to safeguard the interests of present and future generations? Can citizens compel their national governments to explain how the national security of the US, France and their allies converge with the national interest of India, Nepal and Bangladesh? Will the transnational owners of national biometric data and metadata be subservient to peoples will? Who is stopping the political class in South Asia from resisting the subjugation of fellow citizens by transnational imperial powers? Why are illegitimate advances of these transnational entities being legalised? Will unlimited and endless mass surveillance enrich democracy? The Supreme Court of India is seized with the matter. The seven-judge Constitution bench of the court is likely to unanimously declare the Aadhaar Act as unconstitutional after a five-judge bench reached the conclusion in November 2019 that the Aadhaar Act was not a money Bill. The Union government may readily accept the verdict because its Plan B in the form of the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022, which authorises taking measurements of convicts and other persons for the purposes of identification and investigation in criminal matters and to preserve records and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto, has already been enacted. The struggle against biometric identification is a struggle against genetic profiling of human beings. Such identification and profiling are part of the efforts by beneficial owners of biometric technology and big data companies to create a universal database of all human population in order to make prisons and most police forces redundant through a universal database of all. In the near future, most prisons are likely to be sold in the real estate market. This struggle is not a national struggle alone. It is a struggle against dehumanisation and for the natural rights of present and future generations of all human beings. It is a universal freedom struggle by the freedom fighters for the right to life, liberty and dignity of all humans. Feminist literature teaches us about the ugliness of the male gaze that objectifies females. Databases like the central identities data repository (CIDR) of UID/Aadhaar numbers objectify all humans through its ugly panoptic gaze. Eugenicists are on the prowl. There is a compelling need to examine the constitutionality and legitimacy of such initiatives in a global and South Asian context. Notably, Thomas J Watson, CEO of IBM during the holocaust, had received the Order of the German Eagle medal in 1937. The Italian philosopher Benedetto Croce was right when he said that "all history is contemporary history." To draw from the title of the book The Economics of Innocent Fraud by JK Galbraith, it emerges that most media owners and editors have been complicit with privacy and national security invaders like fifth columnists and have been guilty of seemingly 'innocent fraud' because of the structural compulsions of advertisement revenue they get from these invaders. You may also want to read In a significant ruling, the national consumer disputes redressal commission (NCDRC) has dismissed a revision petition filed by the State Bank of India (SBI) and upheld orders from lower consumer forums directing the bank to refund Rs40,000 along with interest and compensation to a customer after an ATM failed to dispense cash but still debited the amount from her account. In an order issued last month, the NCDRC bench comprising presiding member Subhash Chandra and member air vice-marshal (AVM) J Rajendra (retd) says, "SBI denied that as per the journal printer (JP) log, the automated teller machine (ATM) was successfully used by the complainant and in a single transaction Rs40,000 was withdrawn successfully. It was specifically denied by the Bank that three transactions were made by the customer for a total of Rs40,000. At the same time, SBI did not produce any video or any other evidence which could have been done as every ATM is inherently known to have video facility to identify the individuals using the ATM facility to clarify the contention." "The district forum as well as learned state commission have gone into detailed evaluation of records and evidence place before it and passed a detailed and well-reasoned order dated 23 February 2015 in compliant case no533 of 2011 and vide order dated 5 April 2016 in first appeal no.301 of 2015 holding SBI liable for refund of Rs40,000 along with interest at 9%pa (per annum) from the date of filing the complaint till realisation along with compensation of Rs2,200 and costs of Rs2,000. Clearly, there are concurrent orders in the matter. The scope for intervention of this Commission in such cases is limited," the bench says. The case originated from a complaint filed by Kamlesh Rani of Faridabad in Haryana, who held a savings account with SBI and was issued an ATM card. On 17 March 2011, she attempted to withdraw Rs20,000 from an ATM, but no cash came out. She made two more attempts for Rs15,000 and Rs5,000 respectively, but again received no cash. Shockingly, her account still reflected a withdrawal of Rs40,000. She immediately reported the matter to the bank and was initially assured that the amount would be credited back. While Rs40,000 was temporarily credited to her account, it was later debited again without explanation. Despite repeated complaints to the bank and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)s banking ombudsman, the issue remained unresolved, prompting her to approach the district consumer disputes redressal forum in Faridabad. The district forum ruled in her favour, holding SBI responsible for deficiency in service and directed it to refund the Rs40,000 with 9% annual interest. The state commission later modified the order, placing the liability solely on SBI, since the ATM involved belonged to State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur (SBBJ), which has since been merged with SBI. SBI challenged the decision before NCDRC, claiming that the ATM JP logs showed a successful withdrawal and that the machine was functioning properly. The Bank also argued that the ATM card and PIN were used reportedly by Ms Ranis husband and thus, it should not be held liable. However, the commission found no merit in the banks arguments. It held that Ms Ranis version was supported by the entries in her passbook and the lack of video or transaction slip evidence from the bank worked against it. In its final order, NCDRC noted that both the district forum and the state commission had thoroughly evaluated the evidence and arrived at concurrent conclusions. It ruled that there was no error or irregularity justifying interference under its limited revisional jurisdiction. Quoting the Supreme Courts judgment in Sunil Kumar Maity vs SBI, the commission reiterated that revisional powers are to be exercised only when there is a jurisdictional error or material irregularity. With this, the commission dismissed SBIs petition, affirming the lower forums order and granting long-awaited relief to the complainant, nearly 14 years after the failed transaction. (Revision Petition No2930 of 2016 Date: 16 May 2025) Indias military confirmed for the first time that it lost an unspecified number of fighter jets in clashes with Pakistan in May, while saying the four-day conflict never came close to the point of nuclear war, says a report from Bloomberg Speaking to Bloomberg TV at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, the chief of defence staff (CDS) general Anil Chauhan has for the first time confirmed Pakistan shot down Indian Air Force fighter jets during clashes in early May. Indias military confirmed for the first time that it lost an unspecified number of fighter jets in clashes with Pakistan in May. Anil Chauhan, chief of defense staff of the Indian Armed Forces, spoke to Bloomberg TV on Saturday, while attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in pic.twitter.com/9y3GW6WJfn Bloomberg TV (@BloombergTV) May 31, 2025 "He did not disclose the number of its aircraft that were shot down, but did push back on Pakistani claims that six Indian aircraft were shot down. He, however, did not reveal the type of aircraft that were lost, although photos and videos of wreckage posted on social media indicated that at least one each of Indias French-made Rafale and Mirage 2000 jets were downed," Bloomberg says. General Chauhan called Pakistans claims that it shot down six Indian warplanes 'absolutely incorrect,' though he declined to specify how many jets India lost. Why they were down, what mistakes were made that are important, the CDS said when asked about the fighter jets. 'Numbers are not important,' he added. The good part is that we are able to understand the tactical mistake which we made, remedy it, rectify it, and then implement it again after two days and fly all our jets again, targeting at long range, general Chauhan told Bloomberg. On Monday, 2128 stocks advanced, 1992 declined and 167 remained unchanged on Bombay Stock Exchange with advance decline ratio of 1.06 indicating a positive closing in the broader market. The trend of the major indices on Mondays trading is given in the table below. On NSE, 68 securities advanced and closed at a new 52-week high whereas 38 securities sank to close at their new 52-week lows. In sectoral indices, Nifty IT, Nifty Metal, and Nifty Pharma were among the biggest losers. Nifty PSU Bank, Nifty FMCG, and Nifty Media were among the biggest gainers. United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) concluded general Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) inspection at Piramal Pharmas (-0.30%) facility at Aurora, Canada. The inspection was completed successfully with Zero Form - 483 observations and No Action Indicated (NAI) designation. The Company remains committed to maintain the highest standards of compliance NMDC (-0.56%) reported an 89.32% rise in its iron ore production and 53.90% growth in sales of the mineral in May 2025. It produced 4.43 million tonnes (MT) iron ore in May 2025, higher from 2.34 MT in same month last year. NMDC sold 4.34 MT iron ore May 2025, up from 2.82 MT in May 2024. RailTel Corporation of India (+0.18%) selected Techno Electric & Engineering.(TECL) as managed service data centre partner through open tender process on revenue sharing basis to setup 10MW data centre in phases on the companys land in Noida. LOI was issued in this regard. As per the LOI, the company will receive revenue share on fixed percentage basis. The tenure of this contract is 30 years including implementation time period and may be further extended with mutual consent between RailTel and TECL. Confidence Petroleum India (+3.43%) commissioned eight additional auto LPG dispensing stations across various strategic locations in the country. With this expansion, the total number of operational auto LPG stations of the company stands at 295. Cosmo First (+4.20%) commissioned new BOPP (Biaxially Oriented PolyPropylene) Film Line with capex of over Rs400 crore at the company's existing manufacturing plant located at Aurangabad, Maharashtra. The new line boasts an annual rated capacity of 81,200 MT with the worlds most advanced technology. With the commissioning of the new line, the companys annual BOPP capacity will increase by around 40% to 2,77,000 MT. United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) concluded an inspection at Alembic Pharmaceuticals (-2.17%) API-I & II facility located at Panelav, Gujarat. This was an un-announced and routine cGMP inspection. The USFDA issued a Form 483 with four observations. None of the observations are related to data integrity and management believes that they are addressable. Zydus Lifesciences (-0.22%) received tentative approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for Rifaximin Tablets, 550 mg (USRLD: Xifaxan Tablets, 550 mg). Rifaximin tablets are indicated for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea (IBS-D) in adults. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) (+2.46%) successfully raised Rs5,000 crore through a 15-year non-convertible debenture (NCD). Backed by companys strong financials and a AAA/Stable' domestic credit rating, the issue locked in a competitive coupon rate of 7.75% p.a. and was fully subscribed by LIC. The debentures will be listed on the BSE. KRN Heat Exchanger and Refrigerations (-0.65%) wholly owned subsidiary -- KRN HVAC Products commenced commercial production and operations at its manufacturing plant located at Alwar, Rajasthan. The plant is engaged in the manufacturing of heat exchangers and HVAC Products. InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) (+0.06%) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bangalore International Airport (BIAL) as part of the airlines sustained commitment to enhancing its operational capabilities at the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru. Under the agreement, BIAL will allocate around 31 acres of land to IndiGo for development of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) infrastructure to support the airlines expanding fleet. Vodafone Idea (+1.59%) received approval for raising of funds in one or more tranches, either by way of further public offer or private placement (including qualified institutions placement) or through any other permissible mode and combination thereof as may be considered appropriate, by way of issue of equity shares or by way of issue of any other eligible instruments or securities including securities convertible into equity shares, Global Depository Receipts, American Depository Receipts or bonds including foreign currency convertible bonds, convertible debentures, warrants, non-convertible securities and composite issue of non-convertible debentures along with warrants, which may or may not be listed upto an aggregate amount of Rs20,000 crore. Adani Energy Solutions (AESL) (+0.88%) won a Rs1,660 crore inter-state transmission project in Maharashtra. The project scope includes establishment of 3,000 Mega Volt-Amperes (MVA) of substations capacity, besides other related transmission infrastructure, taking AESLs overall transmission network to 26,696 ckm and 93,236 MVA of transformation capacity. AESL is scheduled to commission the project by January 2028. The top gainers and top losers of the major indices are given in the table below: The closing values of the major Asian indices are given in the table below: The Allahabad High Court on May 29 dismissed Patanjali Ayurved Ltd's challenge to a 273.5-crore Goods and Service Tax (GST) penalty. The Bench comprising Justices Shekhar B Saraf and Vipin Chandra Dixit rejected Patanjali's argument that such penalties constitute criminal liability and can be imposed only after a criminal trial. The Court held ruled that tax authorities can impose penalties under Section 122 of the GST Act through civil proceedings without requiring criminal court trials. The judgment clarified that GST penalty proceedings are civil in nature and can be adjudicated by proper officers. "After detailed analysis, it is clear that the proceeding under Section 122 of the CGST Act is to be adjudicated by the adjudicating officer and is not required to undergo prosecution," the Court said. Patanjali Ayurved Ltd operates three manufacturing units at Haridwar (Uttarakhand), Sonipat (Haryana) and Ahmednagar (Maharashtra). The company came under investigation following information received by authorities about suspicious transactions involving firms with high Input Tax Credit (ITC) utilisation but no income tax credentials. The investigation led to allegations that Patanjali "acting as a main person, indulged in circular trading of tax invoices only on paper without actual supply of goods." The Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DGGI) issued a show cause notice on April 19, 2024 proposing a penalty of 273.51 crore under Section 122(1), clauses (ii) and (vii) of the Central Goods and Service Tax Act 2017. However, in a significant development, the department subsequently dropped tax demands under Section 74 through an adjudication order dated January 10, 2025. The department found that "for all the commodities, the quantities sold were always more than the quantities purchased from the suppliers, thereby making the observation that all the ITC which was availed in the impugned goods was further passed on by the petitioner." Despite dropping the tax demand, authorities decided to continue with penalty proceedings under Section 122, prompting Patanjali to challenge this before the High Court. The company argued that penalties under Section 122 are criminal in nature and can be imposed only by criminal courts after a trial, not by departmental officers. This prompted Patanjali to move the Allahabad High Court. The Court extensively analysed the nature of Section 122 penalties and concluded they are civil proceedings. "The term 'penalty' has also been given a broad definition by the law dictionaries and the Supreme Court judgments wherein it is stated that the term 'penalty' is used very loosely in statutes in some cases and may be held to embrace all the consequences visited by law for an infringement of the law," Justice Saraf observed. The Court distinguished between civil and criminal penalties by relying on the Supreme Court judgment in Gujarat Travancore Agency case. "A penalty imposed for a tax delinquency is a civil obligation, remedial and coercive in its nature, and is far different from the penalty for a crime or a fine or forfeiture provided as punishment for the violation of criminal or penal laws," it said. The Court also rejected Patanjali's argument that Section 122 doesn't mention "proper officer" and therefore, requires criminal court adjudication. "Explanation 1(ii) to Section 74 of the CGST Act clearly indicates that it is the proper officer who initiates the proceedings under Sections 73 and 74 is also the person who is initiating the proceedings under Sections 122 and 125," the Court held. The judgment further clarified that Rule 142(1)(a) of CGST Rules categorically states that a proper officer shall serve along with the notice issued under Sections 52/73/74/76/122/123/124/125/127/129/130, a summary of the same electronically in form GST DRC-01. "The above clearly indicates the intention of the legislature that the proper officer is required to issue show cause and thereafter adjudicate and pass order under Section 122 of the CGST Act and nothing further remains in doubt." The Court analysed the structure of the GST Act to distinguish between penalty and punishment provisions. On the issue of whether dropping Section 74 proceedings automatically terminates Section 122 penalties, the Court ruled they are independent. "The contravention under Section 73/74 need not necessarily be a contravention covered under Section 122 of the CGST Act and the proceedings are with respect to contravention of two different offences," the Bench made it clear. The Court noted that Section 122 is a penal provision aimed at curbing evasion of taxes and discouraging unlawful activities with regard to supplying goods without invoice, issuing fake invoices, non payment of tax to government after collection, non deduction or non remittance of tax, claiming wrongful input tax credits or fraudulently obtaining tax refunds. Deterrence is the main theme or object behind the imposition of penalty and, therefore, it is not possible to say that in the instant case the provision of Section 10(3) infringes Articles 14 and 19(1)(g) of the Constitution, the Bench concluded while dismissing he plea. China's housing policy drives poverty reduction, job growth: official Xinhua) 14:29, May 31, 2025 NAIROBI, May 30 (Xinhua) -- China's housing policies have made significant contributions to poverty reduction, job creation, and post-crisis economic recovery, according to a senior Chinese official on the sidelines of the resumed second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. "China's poverty alleviation campaign has prioritized ensuring housing safety for rural impoverished populations as a core objective, historically resolving housing safety issues for 23.416 million impoverished households," Dong Jianguo, vice minister of housing and urban-rural development of China, said on Thursday. China's central government has allocated more than 310 billion yuan (about 43 billion U.S. dollars) in subsidies for the renovation of rural dilapidated housing, with additional matching funds provided by provincial, municipal, and county governments, Dong noted. Dong also said China has focused on developing affordable housing tailored to diverse groups, and "efforts have been made to advance urban dilapidated and old housing renovation." These approaches continue to improve people's well-being while supporting broader goals of economic stability and inclusive development, Dong said, adding that "in 2025, China plans to build and provide over 1 million additional affordable housing units." The resumed second session of the UN-Habitat Assembly, the world's highest-level decision-making body on sustainable urbanization and human settlements, runs from Thursday to Friday. It has brought together 1,200 delegates from 193 UN member states, including 39 ministers, 16 deputy ministers, governors, city mayors, donors, innovators, civil society representatives, and scholars. Anaclaudia Rossbach, executive director of the UN Human Settlements Program, called for greater political commitment and policy reforms to secure the financing needed for expanded access to decent shelter and to accelerate urban renewal. She emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration, sustained funding, and the transfer of knowledge and technology to achieve inclusive, adequate, and affordable housing across the Global South. Johnson Sakaja, governor of Nairobi, said Kenya's affordable housing program, backed by state subsidies, has helped address critical urban issues, such as crime, youth unemployment, and pollution. "To prevent urban decay, we are called upon to invest in modern housing units for the low-income population. The construction sector will also gain from investments in housing, unlocking job opportunities," Sakaja said. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Kou Jie) Cambodia to lodge ICJ complaint on fatal border clash Cambodian army commander Mao Sophan, left, listens as his Royal Thai Army counterpart, Pana Klaewplodthuk, gives Bangkok's account of Wednesday's clash at the Chong Chom border crossing. Photo: AFP Cambodia will file a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over border disputes with Thailand, Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Monday, after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a recent frontier clash. "Cambodia hopes that the Thai side will agree with Cambodia to jointly bring these issues to the International Court of Justice... to prevent armed confrontation again over border uncertainty," Hun Manet said during a meeting between MPs and senators. 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. The most recent occurred on Wednesday, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a location known as the Emerald Triangle a joint border area between Cambodia, Thailand and Laos. The day after, Cambodia's foreign ministry sent a letter to the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh demanding "an immediate and thorough investigation" into the "unprovoked attack". Describing the incident as "a violation of Cambodian sovereignty", Phnom Penh said it remained committed to resolving the issue through "peaceful and diplomatic avenues". Prime Minister Hun Manet said that even if the Thai side did not agree on bringing the issue to the ICJ, Cambodia would still file the complaint. He added that the border dispute was being "incited by small extremist groups in both countries", which could lead to further clashes. Cambodia's military had said they were attacked first in Wednesday's incident, while the Thai side said their soldiers were responding to gunshots. The Thai and Cambodian militaries met the following day, agreeing to ease tensions. Thailand says a Joint Boundary Committee will meet in the next two weeks to resolve the issue. The Emerald Triangle is among the areas that will be named in the ICJ complaint, Hun Manet said. Another is Ta Moan Thom Temple, the backdrop for a video posted on social media this year showing a woman singing a patriotic Khmer song that led to Bangkok lodging a formal protest with Phnom Penh. Cambodia and Thailand have long been at odds over their more than 800-kilometre-long 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 Temple, a 900-year-old structure 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. (AFP) India is becoming an increasingly important market for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and was ranked number four in the world in 2024, said Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies. He made these remarks during an exclusive conversation with ANI in Paris, France. Pouyanne shared insights into the French energy giant's expanding presence in India, highlighting that TotalEnergies has invested nearly USD 5 billion in the country over the last five years. He said, "India is becoming an important market for LNG, number four in the world in 2024. So developing this gas for us, finding customers, long-term customers in India is good". These investments span across gas, natural gas imports, city gas distribution, development of gas infrastructure, as well as renewable energy projects such as solar and wind. "We have invested almost USD 5 billion in the last five years, in particular in gas, natural gas, importing energy, city gas, development of gas infrastructure in India, as well as renewables. We invest a lot in solar and wind in India," Pouyanne said. Responding to a question about the progress on the MoU signed during India Energy Week with GSPC (Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation) venture in India, Pouyanne said, "It's going very well. We have signed some contracts in the last year for providing energy to India. GSPC is one, IOCL is another. These are long-term, 10-year contracts." He added that the MoU would be converted into a Sales and Purchase Framework (SPF) soon, marking a significant step in strengthening the LNG supply chain to India. He also spoke about his meeting with Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, who encouraged the company to expand its operations further in India. He said, "We discussed TotalEnergies' investments in India....And so we discussed our plans, what we've done and what we intend to do for the future. And of course, Mr. Goyal encouraged me to do more in India". The meeting took place in Paris during Goyal's official visit to France, which is part of his ongoing trip to France and Italy from June 1 to 5. Goyal is also scheduled to meet with key French ministers, including Minister of Economy Eric Lombard and Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin. The developments highlight India's growing role in the global energy market and its strong partnership with global energy players like TotalEnergies. (ANI) Indian stock markets kicked off the fresh week on a negative note, weighed down by global concerns despite strong domestic GDP figures. The benchmark indices slipped in early trade on Monday, with investor sentiment dampened by renewed tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. The Nifty 50 index opened at 24,669.70, registering a decline of 81.00 points or 0.33 per cent. Similarly, the BSE Sensex also opened lower at 81,214.42, down by 236.59 points or 0.29 per cent. The indices decline further in early trade. The pressure came amid Trump's announcement to revise tariffs on steel and aluminium, reigniting fears of a trade war and economic strain. Market experts noted that while India's macroeconomic fundamentals remain strong, as reflected in the robust GDP numbers, the external headwinds triggered by the U.S. tariff revision have overshadowed the domestic positives. The threat of a wider impact on global trade and capital flows has made investors cautious. Ajay Bagga, Banking and Market Expert, told ANI, "Asian markets are down as tariff tantrums and tax uncertainty rule sentiments. China-US public spat is not being taken seriously, given the rollback they did a month back after posturing. The 50 per cent Steel and Aluminium tariffs announced by Trump from July 4th are a bit of a 1 per cent type dampener". He further added, "Ukraine Russia conflict widening is a risk, but markets are ignoring it for now. Indian markets should have done well today on the back of a superb March quarter GDP print and expectations of a rate cut and further monetary easing at the RBI MPC later this week. However, the global weakness is holding the Indian markets also in its grip today". On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), sectoral indices displayed a mixed trend. Except for Nifty FMCG and Nifty PSU Bank, all other sectoral indices opened in the red, highlighting broad-based selling pressure. Nifty IT emerged as the worst performer among the indices, declining by 1.28 per cent, indicating strong selling pressure in the technology sector. Nifty Bank also saw a decline of 0.5 per cent, Nifty 100 fell by 0.68 per cent, while Nifty Smallcap was down by 0.43 per cent. The Midcap index showed relative resilience but still opened 0.10 per cent lower at the time of filing this report. "Currently, the price is trading between a hurdle and support. A breakout above resistance would indicate a continuation of the uptrend in the sector. The Indian stock market concluded the week with mixed results, as benchmark indices registered their second consecutive weekly decline, while the broader market experienced some growth," said Sunil Gurjar, SEBI-registered research analyst and founder of Alphamojo Financial Services. The negative sentiment was not confined to Indian markets alone. Other major Asian markets also opened weak on Monday. Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped by more than 1.4 per cent, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index declined over 2.3 per cent, Taiwan's Weighted index lost 1.61 per cent, and Indonesia's Jakarta Composite fell by 1.44 per cent. (ANI) PRNewswire Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 2: Infigrowth, the digital growth platform developed by Infidigit, India's leading SEO agency, has introduced its SEO Audit Module -- a comprehensive, AI-powered solution designed to help brands precisely identify and resolve SEO issues impacting online visibility and performance. The SEO Audit Module offers a comprehensive site health checkup that helps brands gain clear insights into their website's performance. By analysing critical SEO factors through advanced AI-driven technology, it highlights key areas for improvement and provides actionable recommendations. This empowers businesses to enhance their search rankings and maintain a strong digital presence. The key features of our Automated SEO Audit Module include: * 200+ Pointers Checked -- Covers speed, mobile-friendliness, content, backlinks, and user experience. * Weekly and Monthly Reports -- Track SEO progress regularly. * Clear Fix Recommendations -- Step-by-step guidance for quick fixes. * Issue Prioritisation -- Focus on the most critical problems first. * Page-Level Insights -- Analyse and optimise individual pages. * Team Collaboration -- Share audits and work together in real-time. Kaushal Thakkar, CEO, Infidigit, said, "With over a decade of experience in SEO and digital marketing, Infidigit has a deep understanding of the challenges brands face in today's digital ecosystem. Infigrowth was created to address these challenges by offering a platform that combines AI-driven diagnostics with practical recommendations. Our SEO Audit Module enables brands to make data-driven decisions that lead to measurable growth, improved user experience, and a stronger online presence. It helps businesses stay agile and competitive in a constantly evolving landscape." Leveraging Infidigit's deep industry expertise and Infigrowth's AI capabilities, the SEO Audit Module delivers precise insights and actionable steps that enable brands to optimise their digital strategies, adapt swiftly to market shifts, and drive sustainable growth. Beyond the SEO Audit Module, Infigrowth provides a full suite of AI-powered features -- including AI Overview tracking, SearchSense, RankTracker, and SERP Comparison. They are complemented by AI-driven keyword suggestions, seasonal trend tracking, competitor benchmarking, comprehensive SERP insights, and instant ranking alerts. Together, these features provide brands with a comprehensive and proactive SEO management experience. Looking ahead, Infidigit remains committed to continuous innovation and plans to introduce more advanced features on Infigrowth tailored to the evolving needs of digital marketers and businesses aiming to maintain a competitive edge. About Infigrowth Infigrowth is a cutting-edge digital growth platform developed by Infidigit, one of India's premier Digital Marketing agencies. Specialising in AI-powered SEO and data-driven marketing solutions, Infigrowth helps brands optimise their online presence, improve search rankings, and achieve measurable business growth. With a focus on innovation, actionable insights, and comprehensive digital tools, Infigrowth empowers businesses across industries to stay competitive in the evolving digital landscape. About Infidigit Founded in 2017, Infidigit is an AI-enabled digital growth partner that empowers top brands to achieve impactful results across SEO, Content, PPC, ASO, CRO, Website Development, and data-driven marketing strategies. As a pioneer in AI innovation within marketing, Infidigit has developed Infigrowth -- a SaaS platform designed to simplify SEO for businesses of all sizes. Over the years, Infidigit has partnered with startups, MSMEs, and enterprises across diverse industries, helping them thrive in the fast-evolving digital economy. The company's commitment to excellence is demonstrated through over 65+ award-winning campaigns, recognised by prestigious platforms including SMX, APAC Search Awards, ET BrandEquity Shark Awards, Sparkies, and E4M IDMA. Video: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2700019/Infigrowth_Audit_Features.mp4 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2700018/SEO_Audit_Module_Infidigit.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2700017/Infigrowth_by_Infidigit_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) PNN New Delhi [India], June 2: ITCONS E-Solutions Ltd., a leading New Delhi-based player in India's Staffing and Human Resource Solutions sector, has once again exceeded expectations by posting exceptional results for FY2024- 25. The company recorded almost a 100% year-on-year (YoY) increase in revenue, the figure of INR 57.06 crore for the last financial year ending March 31, 2025, compared to INR 28.73 crore in the same period in FY 2023-24. Net profit also saw significant growth, recording PAT of INR 3.20 crore FRO fy 2024-25 from PAT of INR 1.90 crore in FY 2024-25. Earnings Per Share (EPS) for the periods stood at INR 5.23, underscoring the company's robust financials. During this financial year, the company consolidated its IT Manpower & added Technical Testing & IT Asset Management Consulting Services business, and added three prestigious clients, cumulating to INR 13 crore contributions in the financial year 2024-25. The company has a promising Book size in this new line of business. Government business, which became a focus at the start of FY2024- 25, grew manifold, and from 2 active clients at the start of the financial year, 19 new clients got added, cumulating to a book size of close to INR 52 crores. Orders were of different durations, ranging from 8 months to 36 months. Government business alone contributed to addition of close to 1000 manpower. ITCONS increased their footprint in the General Staffing business as well, gaining expertise in Temporary & Permanent Staff Services in the Highly Skilled, Skilled, Semi-Skilled & Unskilled resource categories. On achieving the excellent growth, the ITCONS board has also decided to give a 1.5% dividend of ITCONS Shares' face value, i.e. INR 0.15/ share, to its shareholders. Dr Gaurav Mittal, Managing Director, ITCONS E-Solutions Ltd, attributed the company's growth to the deployment of Technology & Process Standardisation to increase Per Person Productivity. Company's focus lead on developing expertise in all kinds of Staffing business in various industry verticals, across all types of resources, Permanent & Temporary Staffing servicers & entering and consolidating IT Staffing, IT Services, General Staffing & Government business. This opens new avenues for faster growth and goes a long way in business expansion, which not only will reduce dependency of the IT Staffing & Services Business but has been a Business Risk Mitigation Strategy as well. The company's stock market journey has been equally notable. ITCONS debuted on the BSE SME Platform in February-March 2023 with an IPO priced at Rs 51 per share, raising Rs 8.67 crore. Since listing, the stock achieved a high of Rs 767 during FY 2024-25 and currently trades at Rs 508.95, reflecting strong investor sentiment despite various market aberrations. To increase investor value, the company intends to explore an inorganic growth route in the staffing business by strategic acquisition in FY 2025-26 and has set the ground in place to diversify into Solar Power production. (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], June 2: In a country where looking at a woman for 14 seconds is considered a crime and has legal punishment, incidents like Nirbhaya's brutal murder still take place. A doctor in Kolkata was severely assaulted. Many such incidents occur, whether it is the Bengaluru girl, a 3-year-old child, or a 60-year-old elderly woman. In response to this distressing reality, Pariwar Films Ltd is taking a bold step forward by launching a powerful film "Jagriti SpeakUp" focused on rape prevention and women's empowerment. This upcoming film doesn't merely depict the problem--it delivers a compelling message of resistance, resilience, and justice. It encourages women and girls across the country to speak up, fight back, and trust that the law, the government, and society stand with them. The film will serve as a wake-up call for both citizens and institutions, driving awareness, legal literacy, and community support to tackle sexual violence at its root. "This film is not just cinema, it's a movement. We want every woman to know that if someone touches you inappropriately, don't stay silent. Stand up and resist. You are not alone, and you will get justice. Through storytelling, we aim to ignite a shift in societal mindset and embolden survivors to come forward. The time for silence is over," said writer of the film Pushkar Sharma. This initiative has garnered support from CAPSI (Central Association of Private Security Industry), which is actively involved in promoting security awareness and community engagement on safety issues. Firmus Vision PR has partnered as the official PR and media partner for "Jagriti SpeakUp" ensuring the film's vital message reaches wide audiences across India and beyond. Kunwar Vikram Singh, Chairman, CAPSI, said "We commend Pariwar Films Ltd for addressing such a sensitive but necessary topic. Security is not just about systems and guards; it's about social consciousness. Empowering women to act and speak out is the first step toward safer communities." "We are honored to be part of a film like Jagriti - Speak Up that resonates so deeply with the ongoing struggle for women's empowerment and justice. This film is more than just a story--it's a powerful movement that challenges societal norms and encourages women to stand strong in the face of adversity." -- Sunil Kumar Singh, Director, Firmus Vision PR (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 Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 2: TVS Motor Company registered a sales growth of 17% increasing from 369,914 units in May 2024 to 431,275 units in May 2025. Two-Wheeler Total two-wheelers registered a growth of 16% with sales increasing from 359,590 units in May 2024 to 416,166 units in May 2025. Domestic two-wheeler registered growth of 14% with sales increasing from 271,140 units in May 2024 to 309,287 units in May 2025. Motorcycle registered sales growth of 22% with sales increasing from 173,627 units in May 2024 to 211,505 units in May 2025. Scooter sales registered a growth of 15% with sales increasing from 145,305 units in May 2024 to 166,749 units in May 2025. Electric Vehicle Electric vehicles grew by 50% with sales increasing from 18,674 units in May 2024 to 27,976 units in May 2025. While EV sales continue to grow steadily, disruptions in the EV supply chain, particularly concerning magnet availability is expected to pose challenges in the short to medium term. International Business The Company's total exports grew by 22% with sales increasing from 96,966 units in May 2024 to 118,437 units in May 2025. Two-wheeler exports grew by 21% with sales increasing from 88,450 units in May 2024 to 106,879 units in May 2025. Three-Wheeler Three-wheeler of the Company registered a growth of 46% with sales increasing from 10,324 units in May 2024 to 15,109 units in May 2025. Three-wheeler EV registered sales of 1,829 units in May 2025. TVS Motor Company (BSE:532343 and NSE: TVSMOTOR) is a reputed two and three-wheeler manufacturer globally, championing progress through sustainable mobility with four state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities located in India and Indonesia. Rooted in our 100-year legacy of trust, value, and passion for customers, it takes pride in making internationally accepted products of the highest quality through innovative and sustainable processes. TVS Motor is the only two-wheeler company to have won the prestigious Deming Prize. Our products have led in their respective categories in the J.D.Power IQS & APEAL surveys and J.D.Power Customer Service Satisfaction Survey. Our group company Norton Motorcycles, based in the United Kingdom, is one of the most emotive motorcycle brands in the world. Our subsidiaries in the personal e-mobility space, Swiss E-Mobility Group (SEMG) and EGO Movement have a leading position in the e-bike market in Switzerland. TVS Motor Company endeavours to deliver the most superior customer experience across 80 countries in which we operate. For more information, please visit www.tvsmotor.com. (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) BusinessWire India Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 2: Spark Capital Private Wealth Management (Spark Capital PWM), today announced the launch of its operations in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region through Spark Global PWM Private Limited. Spark Global PWM Private Limited, a CAT4 firm regulated by Dubai Financial Services Authority, the independent regulator for business conducted from or within Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), operates as a subsidiary of Spark Capital's Private Wealth Management business and the new office will serve as a hub for its Middle East operations. This strategic expansion will enable global investors to access diverse markets with ease while offering its clients comprehensive portfolio diversification opportunities. The move reinforces Spark Capital's commitment to delivering sophisticated, bespoke wealth management solutions on an international scale. Spark Capital PWM has significantly focused on growth & expansion in recent years. Its AUM & AUA has grown nearly 10x--from INR ~3,000 crores (~360.24 million USD) in April 2023 to INR ~30,000 crores (~3.56 billion USD) in May 2025. The firm has also scaled its team from 60 to over 400 professionals, including 130+ seasoned relationship managers, and established a pan-India presence across 12 cities. Commenting on the expansion, Arpita Vinay, Senior Managing Director & Co-CEO, Spark Capital Private Wealth Management Private Limited, said, "The establishment of our DIFC office represents a significant milestone in Spark Capital PWM's global growth strategy. Dubai's strategic location and robust financial infrastructure provide an ideal platform to connect investors across regions with diverse investment opportunities. This expansion allows us to enhance our service offerings to international clients while creating new avenues for wealth creation and preservation." Neeraj Ojha, Senior Executive Officer, Spark Global PWM Private Limited, added, "DIFC offers an exceptional ecosystem for wealth management firms, with its world-class regulatory framework and access to a wide network of financial institutions. Through our presence here, we aim to provide professional clients in the Middle East with comprehensive wealth solutions backed by Spark Capital's expertise and innovation in investment management." DIFC is a strategic gateway to financial institutions and multinational firms in the region. DIFC continues to experience exponential growth in the wealth and asset management sector with 420 wealth and asset management firms and over 75 pure play hedge funds, 48 of which are 'billion-dollar club' organisations, that are capitalising on regional opportunities. Spark Global PWM Private Limited's DIFC office will be staffed by a team of experienced wealth management professionals with extensive knowledge of global markets and a proven track record of delivering exceptional client outcomes. These professionals will leverage the firm's comprehensive research capabilities, innovative investment strategies, and established track record in wealth management to provide tailored solutions to clients in the region. This approach underscores Spark Capital's dedication to client-centric service while strengthening its position as a trusted wealth management partner globally. (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) VMPL Kochi (Kerala) [India], June 2: Kings Infra Ventures Ltd. (BSE: 530215), India's leading sustainable aquaculture and seafood company, announced its audited financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. The company reported strong growth across revenue and profitability, backed by strategic investments in precision aquaculture, technology, and market expansion. Key Financial Highlights (FY 2024-25) * Revenue rose to Rs124.63 crore, up 37.56% from Rs90.60 crore in FY 2023-24 * EBITDA increased to Rs24.35 crore, a 66.66% growth * Profit Before Tax (PBT) climbed 67.58% to Rs17.73 crore * Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at Rs13.15 crore, a 69.24% rise * Earnings Per Share (EPS) improved to Rs5.37, up 64.22% These results highlight Kings Infra's disciplined execution, robust market demand, and continued focus on high-value aquaculture operations. Governance & Board Decisions * At its meeting held on May 30, 2025, the Board of Directors approved: * Audited standalone and consolidated financial results for FY25 * Q4 Internal Audit Report * Appointment of VBV & Associates as Internal Auditors for FY 2025-26 * Appointment of SEP & Associates as Secretarial Auditors for FY 2025-30 (subject to shareholder approval) * Reappointment of Ms. Jyothi Maniyamma Vazhappallil as Non-Executive Independent Director for a second term Strategic & Operational Highlights Farm Expansion Kings Infra expanded shrimp farming capacity by over 50% via its lease-cum-revenue-sharing model. Its antibiotic-free, traceable production continues to strengthen global brand credibility. AI-Driven Indoor Precision Aquaculture A Rs6,22 crore investment was made into Kings Maritech Eco Park Ltd. (KMEPL), which is pioneering AI-powered indoor aquaculture systems. The initiative has secured in-principle sanction for a Rs100 crore term loan from a nationalised bank. Processing & Value Addition The company has initiated the acquisition of the Kings International Ltd. facility in Tuticorin to establish a new value-added seafood unit, aligned with its vertical integration strategy. Export & Domestic Market Push "We are rapidly scaling our export footprint with a strong pipeline of direct-to-market relationships across the GCC and Europe," said Mr. Sreeram Inagalla, Chief Operating Officer - International Sales. "Our shift toward technology-led precision farming and traceable supply is unlocking new markets and brand opportunities. Simultaneously, we are deepening our domestic presence in Bangalore, Hyderabad and other metros through Kings Frigo and Bento - offering consumers quality, trusted seafood experiences." Looking Ahead Kings Infra is positioning itself as a BlueTech leader -- integrating advanced technologies like AI, IoT, and data analytics into its aquaculture systems while maintaining its core values of sustainability and traceability. "FY25 marks a defining phase in our transformation journey," said Mr. Shaji Baby John, Chairman & Managing Director. "We are evolving from a traditional exporter into a future-ready aquaculture platform with global aspirations. Our commitment to sustainable practices, precision farming, and value-added exports is reshaping our growth trajectory. Our focus on Blue Tech transformation strategy ensures that every initiative is backed by sustainability, scalability and global relevance", Mr. Shaji said. "We call upon all our stakeholders -- investors, partners, customers, and employees -- to join us in building a resilient, tech-enabled, and environmentally responsible seafood ecosystem for the future." About Kings Infra Ventures Ltd. Kings Infra is a fully integrated seafood enterprise with operations across aquaculture, seafood processing,Kings Infra is a fully integrated seafood enterprise with operations across aquaculture, seafood processing, international trade, infrastructure development, and domestic retail distribution. (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) The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the job market is expected to fall on entry-level white-collar workers, says a report by Jefferies. The report highlighted that the unemployment among recent college graduates in United States is now at 5.8 per cent, which is higher than the national average of 4 per cent and more than double the 2.7 per cent rate for all college graduates. Jefferies said, "We believe AI's most significant impact for investors will be through labour disruption, beginning with entry-level roles". This indicates that young people just entering the workforce are struggling more than others to find jobs. AI is seen as one of the key reasons behind this shift. The report mentioned that Dario Amodei, CEO of AI firm Anthropic, has predicted that AI could replace 50 per cent of entry-level white-collar jobs within the next 1 to 5 years. He also warned that unemployment could rise sharply, even reaching 10 per cent to 20 per cent if the trend continues. The report also pointed out that many of the affected jobs are in fields like sales, customer support, software development, and marketing, areas where junior employees make up a large part of the workforce. Even technical degrees are not a safe bet anymore. Recent graduates in Computer Engineering and Computer Science are among those facing higher-than-average unemployment rates, at 7.5 per cent and 6.1 per cent respectively. Interestingly, it's not just tech companies talking about AI anymore. Jefferies found that out of 419 U.S. companies discussing AI in their earnings calls since 2021, 40 per cent are from non-tech sectors like retail, finance, and healthcare. Despite job losses in some areas, the report also shared mixed views from business leaders. IBM CEO Arvind Krishna said AI has helped the company invest in new roles, and total employment has actually gone up. However, Klarna's CEO admitted that replacing staff with AI led to poorer customer service and may force them to rehire people. Overall, the Jefferies report paints a complex picture. While AI brings opportunities for businesses to grow and improve efficiency, it also creates risks for young workers trying to start their careers. The report suggested that companies, governments, and educators must act fast to help people gain new skills and adapt to this changing job market. (ANI) Elon Musk-owned electric car manufacturer Tesla is not interested in manufacturing in India, instead, they are opening showrooms, Union Minister for Heavy Industries HD Kumaraswamy told reporters on Monday. "Tesla, we are not actually expected from them, they are only to start showrooms. They are not interested in manufacturing in India," the minister said. Heavy Industry Secretary Kamran Rizvi added, "So the real intent we'll know when we open the application and if the company still feels like investing. What minister sir is telling is about what people they come and told informally." The minister however added that many European companies like Hyundai, Mercedes Benz, Skoda and Kia have shown interest in manufacturing units in India under the new EV policy. The government also said that European companies are interested in investing in India as they have left hand drive like in India and they don't have to do much changes for exporting their cars, unlike US which has a right hand drive. The new EV policy announced in 2022, has given many concessions for companies who will invest in India and set up manufacturing units. The policy allows a duty of 15 per cent if a company invest USD 500 million in a manufacturing plant in India. In the first three years the company will have to source 25 per cent of parts locally which has to be increased to 50 per cent by end of fifth year. The company will be allowed to export a maximum of 8,000 units annually to India against a highly reduced duty of 15 per cent. Earlier, there were reports that Tesla was interested in importing Tesla car into India and subsequently sell it through their showrooms in India. Tesla boss Musk had in past indicated that he was interested in investing in India, but "high import duty" structures were a bone of contention. Tesla's intension to come into India had intensified after India announced its new EV policy, under which import duty was reduced to 15 per cent and many incentives provided for setting up manufacturing plant in India. (ANI) PNN Surat (Gujarat) [India], June 2: Bigbloc Construction Limited (BSE: 540061. NSE: BIGBLOC), one of the largest manufacturers of Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (AAC) Blocks and Panels in India has announced its audited financial results for the quarter and year ended 31st March 2025. * Q4 FY25 EBITDA at Rs. 57 Million, with a margin of 9% * Q4 FY25 Sales Volume was 1,75,464 CBM; growth of 8% QoQ Financial Highlights for Q4 and FY25: * Sales volume for Q4 FY25 was 1,75,464 CBM up 8% QoQ and (2.1)% YoY * Sales volume for FY25 was 6,03,101 CBM up 5% YoY * Basic and Diluted EPS for Q4FY25 was at 07 and 0.07 respectively * Basic and Diluted EPS for FY2025 was at 68 and 0.68 respectively * Cash flow from operation was 96 Mn in FY2025 * Net Debt to Equity ratio remained stable at 3x Business Highlights for Q4 and FY25: * The consolidated capacity utilisation was 54% for Q4 FY25 * The consolidated capacity utilisation was 59% for FY25 * The capacity utilization at Starbigbloc Building Material Ltd, BigBloc Building Elements Pvt Ltd and Siam Cement Bigbloc Construction Technologies Pvt ltd was 72%, 63% and 24% respectively in Q4 FY25 * The capacity utilization at Starbigbloc Building Material Ltd, BigBloc Building Elements Pvt Ltd and Siam Cement Bigbloc Construction Technologies Pvt ltd was 76%, 72% and 16% respectively in FY25 Commenting on the performance Mr. Narayan Saboo, Chairman said: For the financial year 2025, Bigbloc Construction reported consolidated Mr. Narayan Sitaram Saboo Revenue from Operations of Rs. 2,246 Mn, a decline of 7.6% YoY. The decrease in revenue was primarily attributed to a slowdown in India's construction sector, a key demand driver for our products, which experienced a period of deceleration due to several external factors. General elections in the country led to delays in government-led infrastructure projects, while prolonged monsoon conditions disrupted site operations, logistics, and supply chains. These factors collectively impacted order flows, site execution and on-ground activity, particularly in core geographies such as Maharashtra and Gujarat. Operationally, the consolidated capacity utilisation for the year stood at 59%. The lower utilisation was largely due to the planned shutdown and subsequent technology upgrade at the Umargaon plant. This also impacted the EBITDA, which stood at Rs. 292 million for FY2025. However, trial operations resumed in October 2024, and the plant is now gradually scaling up to optimal utilisation levels. The upgrades are expected to enhance long-term efficiency and product quality. Despite these operational challenges, the Companymaintaineda stable Net Debt to EBITDA ratio of 1.3x in FY2025. Strategically, the Company completed the Phase 2 expansion of its Wada facility under its wholly owned subsidiary, Bigbloc Building Elements. With this expansion, Bigbloc's total installed capacity reached 13 lakh cubic meters per annum, positioning it among the largest AAC block manufacturersin the country. During the year, the joint venture company SIAM Cement BigBloc Construction Technologies launched India's first AAC Wall Plant in Kheda, Gujarat. The plant received an order from Tata Projects for AAC wall panels at Micron's semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat. This marks an important milestone in introducing large-formatAAC wall panels to the Indian market. Further strengthening its portfolio diversification, the Company ventured into the manufacturing of construction chemicals through its subsidiary at the Umargaon facility. This strategic move broadens Bigbloc's offerings and enables entry into fast-growing segments within the building materials industry. On the sustainability front, the total installed solar power capacity across Bigbloc and its subsidiaries now stands at 2,375 kW. With this initiative, the Company is now meeting approximately 22% of its power requirements through renewable energy, thereby aligning operations with its long-term ESG goals. Looking ahead, in line with its vision for long-term expansion, the Company, through its subsidiary Starbigbloc Building Material, has acquired land in Madhya Pradesh to expand its AAC Blocks business in central India. Furthermore, with the commissioning of the upgraded Umargaon plant and the stabilization of the new AAC wall panel operations, the Company is well-positioned to capitalize on the recovery in construction activity. About Bigbloc Construction: Incorporated in 2015, BIGBLOC Construction Ltd is one of the largest and only listed AAC block manufacturer in India, with a 1.3 million CBM annual capacity across plants in Gujarat (Kheda, Umargaon, Kapadvanj) and Maharashtra (Wada). The company, which markets its products under the 'NXTBLOC' brand, is one of the few in the AAC industry to generate carbon credits. With over 2,000 completed projects and 1,500+ in the pipeline, The company's clients include Lodha, Adani Realty, IndiaBulls Real Estate, DB Realty, Prestige, Piramal, Oberoi Realty, Tata Projects, Shirke Group, Shapoorji Pallonji Group, Raheja, PSP Projects, L&T, Sunteck, Dosti Group, Purvankara Ltd, DY Patil, Taj Hotels, Godrej Properties, Torrent Pharma, GAIL among others. For more details, please visit: www.bigbloc.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 Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], June 2: Sigachi Industries Ltd. (Sigachi), India's largest manufacturer of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), has demonstrated robust financial performance in FY25 while setting the stage for aggressive future growth. With a strong EBITDA growth of 46.21% YoY to Rs1,120 million and a revenue surge of 25.42% to Rs5,003 million, Sigachi is positioning itself for a 25% CAGR through FY28, driven by capacity expansions, market diversification, and API development. Commenting on the company's performance in FY25 and its projected trajectory, Mr. Amit Raj Sinha, MD & CEO, Sigachi Industries stated: "FY25 has been a transformative year for Sigachi, marked by robust financial outcomes and strategic expansions across excipients and APIs. With our Hyderabad API R&D centre going live in Q1 FY26, regulatory approvals flowing in, and global market penetration deepening, we are positioned for sustainable high-margin growth. Our 36-year legacy and diversified portfolio give us an unmatched advantage to scale operations globally while safeguarding profitability." Sigachi has created a strategic growth roadmap through to FY 2028 revolving around: * API Expansion: With the integration of Trimax Biosciences, the company is scaling its advanced intermediate and API portfolio. Plans include filing six additional European CEP dossiers, expanding regulatory approvals, and ramping up capacity utilisation. * Market Diversification: Sigachi is expanding its footprint beyond India, the U.S., and Europe by aggressively entering Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East through new distribution partnerships and turnkey O&M contracts. * Excipient Capacity Growth: Newly commissioned MCC in Jhagadia and Dahej and CCS project expansions will unlock an additional 8,800 MTPA, fuelling year-over-year revenue gains of 20%-30% in excipients. Additionally, new product launches in Pharma Coatings are expected to be the new growth drivers over the next two years * Operational Efficiencies: Digital analytics, lean processing, and energy efficiency initiatives are expected to trim operating costs by 100-150 basis points annually, preserving EBITDA margins while mitigating raw-material volatility. * O&M Services Expansion: The company is scaling its outsourced plant-management contracts, which already contribute 10% of revenues, with a particular focus on Middle East expansion. Sigachi offers over 82 high-purity excipients--ranging from various grades of MCC to advanced co-processed blends, and Pharma Coatings, addressing Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical, and Specialty chemical needs. The company enjoys fruitful and long-lasting commercial relationships with over 500 customers in more than 65 countries. With a clear roadmap and strong execution capabilities, the company remains committed to delivering sustained financial performance and market leadership in the years ahead. About Sigachi Industries Ltd Founded in 1989, Sigachi Industries Limited is a global player in the pharmaceutical industry dedicated to pioneering advancements in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), Intermediates, Excipients, vitamin-mineral blends, and Operations and Management (O&M) services. The company's diverse product portfolio is manufactured in 5 multilocational facilities, viz. Telangana, Gujarat, and Karnataka. Aligned with its ethos of customer centricity, Sigachi established subsidiaries in UAE and USA to be closer to its clients and improve responsiveness. With a strong focus on innovation, quality, and regulatory compliance, we leverage cutting-edge technology and global expertise to develop high-value pharma, food and nutrition solutions that enhance healthcare outcomes. Committed to excellence, we continuously invest in Research and Development, ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety. With 36 years of industry experience, Sigachi is a trusted partner for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies spread across 65+ countries. Sigachi collaborates with healthcare partners, regulatory bodies, and global stakeholders to expand access to reliable, high-quality pharmaceutical ingredients. Sigachi ranks among the world's largest and most reputed suppliers for microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). Chaitanya RapolSenior Manager - Marketing, Branding and CommunicationsSigachi Industries LimitedEmail: chaitanya.rapol@sigachi.com Forward-Looking Statements This document contains forward-looking statements related to Sigachi Industries' future growth prospects, business strategy, operational plans, and financial performance. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors such as regulatory changes, market conditions, supply chain dynamics, and global economic shifts may impact outcomes. Sigachi disclaims any obligation to update these statements, except as required by applicable law. (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) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 2: Acclaimed actress Urmila Mahanta has been bestowed with the coveted 'Outstanding Versatile Performer of the Year' award by Times Network, cementing her position as one of Northeast India's most celebrated cinematic talents. The recognition comes as part of Times Network's grand celebration honoring exceptional individuals and institutions from Northeast India. Mahanta was among 36 distinguished personalities and organizations recognized as 'Gems of Northeast' for their outstanding contributions across diverse fields. Mahanta's accolade acknowledges her remarkable journey across multiple film industries, having delivered critically acclaimed performances in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, and Hindi cinema, in addition to her stellar work in Assamese films. Her versatility has made her a sought-after performer in pan-Indian cinema, breaking regional barriers and establishing herself as a truly national talent. The actress's most recent theatrical venture, "Sikaar,"First Indo- British film, showcased her leading lady prowess alongside Assamese singing sensation Zubeen Garg and internationally renowned actor Adil Hussain. The glittering award ceremony brought together a constellation of renowned personalities, influential leaders, business magnates, and achievers from across Northeast India, creating an evening of inspiration and recognition for regional excellence. Speaking about the honor, an elated Mahanta expressed her gratitude: "This award is the testament of hard-work and determination. I'm truly honoured and humbled. Thank you, Times Now, Times Network for the recognition." (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) L'Oreal's leadership has identified India as a strategic market with exceptional growth potential, describing it as one of the fastest beauty product markets globally and expressing plans to more than double their business in the country within the next few years. Speaking about the French cosmetics giant's expansion plans, L'Oreal executives emphasised their mutual ambition for the Indian market. "India is a very strategic market for L'Oreal. We intend to more than double our business in the next couple of years," Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of L'Oreal told reporters. The beauty conglomerate has established a significant manufacturing presence in India, with local production meeting the vast majority of domestic demand. "We want to expand our factories, which are today manufacturing 95 per cent of what we sell in India, but also exporting to the rest of the region," the L'Oreal chief explained. India serves not only as a consumption market but also as a regional manufacturing hub for L'Oreal's operations. The company currently produces half a billion units in India and exports hair and skin products primarily to the Gulf region. "So it is a country of opportunities, one of the fastest beauty markets in the world, and a big priority for L'Oreal," the L'Oreal chief executive added. The company views its Indian operations as just the beginning of expanded regional presence. "We're manufacturing half a billion units in India, but we intend to increase that in the years to come. So it is just the beginning of a big adventure," the L'Oreal chief noted. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal's visit to Paris included strategic meetings with several major French corporations beyond L'Oreal. He held discussions with Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group, focusing on India's growing potential as an automobile manufacturing hub and emerging opportunities in the electric vehicle sector. "Held a meeting with Mr. Luca de Meo, CEO of @RenaultGroup. Exchanged views on India's growing potential as an automobile manufacturing hub, along with emerging opportunities in the EV sector," Goyal posted on social media platform X. The minister also met with Bernard Fontana, CEO of EDF, France's state-owned electric utility company, indicating discussions across multiple sectors including energy and infrastructure. L'Oreal's bullish outlook on India reflects the country's rapidly expanding middle class and growing consumer spending on beauty and personal care products. The company's strategy of local manufacturing combined with regional exports positions India as a key component of L'Oreal's Asia-Pacific operations. The beauty market's rapid growth trajectory in India, coupled with the country's manufacturing capabilities and skilled workforce, makes it an attractive destination for international companies looking to establish regional production bases while serving the domestic market. These business engagements underscore the broader economic cooperation between India and France, with major French corporations viewing India as both a significant market opportunity and a strategic manufacturing partner for regional expansion. (ANI) VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 2: Bright Outdoor Media Limited, (BSE - 543831), a leading name in India's out-of-home advertising, has announced its Audited Financial Results for H2 FY25 & FY25. Key Financial Highlights: FY25 * Total Income of Rs 128.05 Cr, YoY growth of 19.34% * EBITDA of Rs 27.38 Cr, YoY growth of 17.62% * Net Profit of Rs 19.07 Cr, YoY growth of 18.93% * EPS of Rs 13.11, YoY growth of 14.57% H2 FY25 * Total Income of Rs 70.41 Cr, HoH growth of 22.16% * EBITDA of Rs 14.21 Cr, HoH growth of 8.00% * Net Profit of Rs 9.94 Cr, HoH growth of 8.70% * EPS of Rs 13.68, HoH growth of 9.18% Commenting on the development, Dr. Yogesh Lakhani, CMD of Bright Outdoor Media Limited said, "We are pleased to share that Bright Outdoor Media Limited has delivered yet another year of strong performance, underpinned by our team's relentless dedication and strategic clarity. Our growth trajectory reflects the successful execution of our long-term vision and reinforces the trust our stakeholders place in us. Prime locations like Goregaon ROB, Kandivali ROB, Ram Mandir ROB, Jogeshwari ROB, ITC Parel, Lokhandwala Raheja, Wadi Bunder, Kalyan, Bandra, Borivali East & West, and the Eastern Express Highway underscore our commitment to innovation and visibility. These strategic additions not only strengthen our footprint across key commuter and high-traffic zones but also enhance our ability to deliver dynamic, real-time campaigns. By prioritizing high-density urban corridors and integrating advanced digital technologies, we are creating more engaging experiences for audiences and higher value propositions for advertisers. This robust network positions us to capitalize on emerging trends in programmatic advertising and data-driven targeting, further reinforcing our leadership in the OOH advertising space. Securing exclusive advertising rights on marquee transit projects such as the Navi Mumbai Metro and Western Railways further enhances our portfolio and strengthens our footprint in high-engagement zones. As a token of appreciation for our shareholders' unwavering support, the Board is delighted to announce a bonus issue in the ratio of 1:2 one bonus share for every two shares held. Additionally, we have declared a dividend of 5% per share. This not only reflects our commitment to enhancing shareholder value but also our confidence in the company's future. We are proud of the progress we've made and remain optimistic as we look forward to another year of sustained growth and opportunity. On behalf of the Board and the entire leadership team, I thank all our stakeholders and customers for their trust and belief in our vision" Key Operational Highlights Dividend Recommendation * Dividend of Rs0.50 per equity share (5%) recommended for FY 2024-25, subject to shareholders' approval. Bonus Share Issuance * Bonus shares proposed in 1:2 ratio, one bonus share for every two fully paid-up existing equity shares held as on the record date, subject to shareholder approval. Exclusive Advertising Rights Secured Across Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1 * Awarded by the City & Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO Ltd). * This landmark Ten-year agreement grants Bright Outdoor exclusive advertising rights across the entirety of Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1. * Encompasses all advertising spaces within stations, on pillars, and along viaducts. * Represents a substantial advertising inventory of Approx. 85,000 sq. ft. Prestigious "Western Railways - Bulk Advertising Rights" Contract Won * Secured a significant seven-year contract for prime advertising real estate on Western Railways. * Entails the development of cutting-edge hoardings across 17,555 sq. ft. of high-visibility locations. * Includes the deployment of advanced advertising infrastructure: four state-of-the-art LED displays and seven strategically positioned front-lit static hoardings at high-traffic junctions. Recognized as "Great Indian IPO Game Changer" * Received this prestigious title at the Great Indian IPO Summit & Awards 2024, acknowledging Bright Outdoor's significant impact and innovation in the IPO landscape. Unveiled latest Digital LED Hoarding in partnership with its joint venture partner * This latest Digital LED Hoarding is strategically located at the vibrant Wadi Bunder Junction. * Commands attention with its impressive dimensions: standing tall at 30 feet by 25 feet. * Positioned at a prime intersection connecting Mumbai's bustling east and west corridors, ensuring high visibility and engagement with thousands of daily commuters. 13 New LED Billboards Launched at Prime Locations 1. Expanded digital footprint with the unveiling of 13 new LED billboards at key locations (Owned & JV Partners): * Goregaon ROB: 40 ft X 40 ft (back-to-back) * Kandivali ROB: 35 ft X 35 ft * Ram Mandir ROB: 25 ft X 25 * Jogeshwari ROB: 30 ft X 30 ft * ITC Parel: 30 ft X 40 ft * Lokhandwala Raheja: 40 ft X 40 Ft * Borivali East: 17 ft X 17 ft * Borivali West: 15 ft X 6 ft (Back-to-Back 2 Nos.) * Kalyan Station West: 12ft x 8ft LED screen * Bandra Station West: 16ft x 9ft LED screen * Eastern Express Highway: 40ft x 40ft LED screen 2. Collectively adds 12,569 sq. ft. of Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) advertising space to Bright Outdoor's portfolio. (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 New Delhi [India], June 2: Indian Institute of Management Lucknow jointly hosted the Lakshmipat Singhania National Leadership Awards Ceremony with JK Organisation, in the presence of Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister, as the Chief Guest, honouring some of India's most inspiring and transformational leaders. The event, instituted in memory of the visionary industrialist and philanthropist Late Lakshmipat Singhania, honoured some of the nation's most inspiring leaders who are shaping India's future through transformational initiatives. The ceremony was graced by eminent dignitaries including Raghupati Singhania, Vice President, JK Organisation; Harshpati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, JK Paper Ltd; Vinita Singhania, Chairperson, JK Lakshmi Cement; Prof. (Dr.) M. P. Gupta, Director, IIM Lucknow; and N. K. Singh, Chairman of the Jury. In her keynote address, Smt. Sitharaman highlighted how India's journey towards becoming a developed nation is being accelerated by visionary leaders who tackle current challenges while laying the foundation for the future. "Whether it's driving scientific innovation, transforming governance, or uplifting communities, these leaders are catalysts of lasting change. She also commended institutions like IIM Lucknow for nurturing the next generation of ethical and resilient leaders." Speaking at the event, Raghupati Singhania, Vice President, JK Organisation said, "It is a privilege to be part of this special occasion that celebrates exemplary leadership and nation-building. The Lakshmipat Singhania National Leadership Awards reflect the core values that JK Organisation has upheld for over a century--integrity, innovation, and social responsibility. Through our initiatives in education, healthcare, sanitation, and employment generation, we have consistently worked towards inclusive and sustainable development. Our operations, including those in Tamil Nadu, exemplify our commitment to creating technology-driven, community-focused impact. As we honour today's changemakers, we are reminded that responsible leadership can truly shape the future of our nation." Sharing his thoughts on the occasion, Harshpati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director at JK Paper Ltd, said, "Instituting these awards has been a deeply meaningful endeavour--to honour those who exemplify purposeful leadership in shaping India's future. Over the years, I've had the privilege of witnessing how exceptional leadership, whether in business, community development, or science and technology, can transform lives and inspire generations. Today's awardees represent the very best of that spirit--visionaries who lead with integrity, innovation, and impact. IIM Lucknow and its governing board have played a pivotal role in nurturing such leadership, and I'm proud to see this legacy continue. My heartfelt congratulations to each honoree--your journeys reflect the promise and potential of a new India." Addressing the gathering, Dr MP Gupta, Director, IIM Lucknow, said, "These awards are a reflection of the values we deeply uphold at IIM Lucknow--ethical leadership, visionary thinking, and a commitment to inclusive progress. Partnering with JK Organisation to honour such inspiring individuals reinforces our mission of shaping leaders who not only excel professionally but also contribute meaningfully to society. We take immense pride in celebrating changemakers who are redefining what leadership means in today's world." Awardees of the Lakshmipat Singhania-IIML National Leadership Awards 2025 Category Business * Leader: Venu Srinivasan, Chairman Emeritus of TVS Motor Company* Young Leader: Sahil Brua, Co-Founder & CEO, Delhivery Category: Community Service & Social Upliftment * Leader: Kailash Chandra Agrawal, Founder, Narayan Seva Sansthan, Udaipur* Young Leader: Pallabi Ghosh, Founder, Impact and Dialogue Foundation Category: Science & Technology * Leader: Dr Satheesh Chandra Shenoi, MoES Chair Professor/Scientist, Former Director, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)* Young Leader: Dr. Urbasi Sinha, Professor, Light and Matter Physics, Raman Research Institute Bangalore Over the years, the Lakshmipat Singhania-IIML National Leadership Awards have emerged as a respected platform celebrating nation builders who lead with purpose. Through this initiative, JK Organisation and IIM Lucknow remain committed to honouring individuals who are shaping a better, more inclusive India. JK Organisation is one of India's most respected and diversified industrial conglomerates, with a rich legacy of over 125 years. Headquartered in India, the Group has a strong multinational footprint with manufacturing operations in countries such as Mexico, Indonesia, Romania, Belgium, Portugal, and the UAE. The Organisation's businesses span across key sectors including tyres, cement, paper, power transmission, sealing solutions, dairy products, and textiles, with exports to over 100 countries across six continents. Built on a foundation of innovation, excellence, and social responsibility, JK Organisation is driven by a commitment to world-class manufacturing, sustainable practices, and cutting-edge research & development. With over 10,000 distributors and numerous retail and service centres, the Group enjoys strong brand recall and leadership in its respective markets. It operates with a strong focus on green technologies, energy conservation, and quality control, ensuring that every product aligns with global standards. Guided by the visionary leadership of its founding members--Lala Juggilal Singhania, Lala Kamlapat Singhania, and their successors--the Organisation continues to uphold core values of integrity, care for people, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. JK Organisation remains a dynamic and socially valued conglomerate, deeply rooted in nation-building and global progress. (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) SMPL New Delhi [India], June 2: Niral Networks, an emerging force in India's telecommunications sector, has been honoured with the prestigious Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Telecom Excellence Award 2024. The award was presented by Hon'ble Union Minister Sh. Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of Communications, Government of India during the IMC 2025 theme unveiling event held in New Delhi on 26th May 2025. This distinguished recognition places Niral Networks among India's most innovative telecom organizations, acknowledging the company's significant contributions to the nation's digital transformation journey. The award ceremony coincided with the unveiling of IMC 2025's theme "Innovate to Transform" which aligns perfectly with Niral Networks' mission to revolutionize India's telecommunications landscape. Driving Digital Innovation Forward The Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Telecom Excellence Award recognizes organizations that have demonstrated exceptional innovation and excellence in the telecommunications sector. Niral Networks' selection from India's vast telecom ecosystem underscores the company's commitment to pushing technological boundaries and developing solutions that connect communities across the nation. "This recognition validates our relentless pursuit of telecom innovation and our role in shaping India's digital future," said Abhijit Chaudhary, Founder & CEO of Niral Networks, while receiving the award in New Delhi. "The award represents not just our achievements, but the collective efforts of every team member who has contributed to making Niral Networks synonymous with telecom excellence. This moment belongs to every engineer who coded through the night, every visionary who believed in impossible ideas, and every team member who has been part of our incredible journey." Building Tomorrow's Connected India The company's approach to innovation extends beyond mere technological advancement. Niral Networks focuses on creating solutions that transform lives, strengthen communities, and contribute to building a digitally empowered India. This philosophy has positioned the organization as a key player in the country's ongoing digital revolution. The award ceremony highlighted the critical role that innovative telecom companies play in India's technological advancement. As the nation continues to embrace digital transformation, organizations like Niral Networks are at the forefront of developing the infrastructure and solutions necessary to support this growth. Recognition of Team Excellence In accepting the award, Niral Networks emphasized that this achievement belongs to its entire ecosystem of engineers, visionaries, and team members who have worked tirelessly to push the boundaries of telecom innovation. The company acknowledged the dedication of its workforce, whose commitment to excellence has been instrumental in achieving this recognition. The organization also expressed gratitude to its partners and stakeholders who have supported its journey toward becoming a leader in telecom innovation. About the IMC 2025 Event The IMC 2025 theme unveiling event brought together leading figures from India's telecommunications and technology sectors. The event's theme, "Innovate to Transform" reflects the industry's commitment to leveraging innovation for meaningful transformation across various sectors of the economy. About Niral Networks Niral Networks is an emerging leader in telecommunications, committed to driving digital innovation across India and globally. The company specializes in developing cutting-edge telecom solutions that connect communities and support the nation's digital transformation initiatives. Through its focus on innovation and excellence, Niral Networks continues to play a pivotal role in shaping India's telecommunications landscape. For further information, visit: https://niralnetworks.com/ Media Contact: Tanmay Batabyal(Head of Marketing) at Niral Networks Email: tanmay@niralnetworks.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) BusinessWire India Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 2: Chiku Mobility India Pvt. Ltd. is expanding its service offerings to include a bike rental service, scheduled to launch in Varanasi and Lucknow by December 2025. This expansion targets the growing demand for cost-effective transportation solutions in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Neha Singh, Managing Director of Chiku Cab, was recently interviewed at a press conference in Varanasi. There, she talked about how she kickstarted the car rental business, the challenges she faced, expansion plans, and much more. The press conference can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP17R3d9ClI Everything Started From SCRATCH According to her, it was the year 2018 when she started operations with a few team members. But then, things were not as simple as that. The reason was that the car rental market was already saturated because there were lots of brands there with a strong reach and powerful network. In such a scenario, stepping into such a business was nothing less than a risky job. On the note of struggles and challenges, she said in the beginning, it was quite stressful for her to manage all activities, especially those that involve high stakes, and in such a scenario, when the team wasn't as big as it should be, and on top of that, they were facing manpower issues. According to her, tough times and hardships appear only to make someone STRONGER. Now it's up to him whether he gets scared and broken. For some people, it may be a SITUATION, but there may be a few people more who still perceive it as an OPPORTUNITY. As a team, they analyzed their core strengths and weaknesses and worked consistently with determination and perseverance. Finally, the results are evident: they have become a well-known cab service provider in India. Business Overview, Future Plans, And Expansions Neha shared that Chiku Cab is currently a prominent car rental company in India with an existing base of 6 to 7 lakh Happy Customers, serving in 250+ cities. In addition, they have 5000+ Vendors, 8000+ Drivers operating on 2000+ Routes. Initially, they used to provide professional cab services within the Varanasi circle, but now they cater to tempo traveller services, cabs for outstation tours, not limited to one-way but also for round trips in major cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Lucknow. Apart from that, they offer permanent driver services on a monthly and hourly basis to their users at very attractive rates. As for their business plans, they're going to expand their network in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and a fleet of EV-based vehicles. In addition to this, they're planning to expand their services to semi-urban and rural areas, and that too at affordable and attractive fares, so that anyone who needs a ride can easily afford it. Emphasis on Personalization and Customization Neha Singh believes that since technology is getting advanced, a paradigm shift has been quietly observed in operational activities - whether it's from a business's side or it's consumer's side. From obsolete offline modes, people are moving to much advanced online platforms to get a service in MINUTES, especially these days; and this is the high time when companies need to observe this kind of customer behavior and act accordingly to remain relevant and consistent in the market. Her marketing and research team always stays in touch with existing customers as well as prospects to know what exactly they require from them and what trends are currently going on in the market, so that they can personalise the service based on customers' preferences, requirements, and demands. Neha Singh has also shared that constructive feedback always helps someone to shape a business for the next level. Based on customers' suggestions and feedback, Chiku Cab introduces BRAND NEW features and specifications to its Android mobile application timely manner, so that it can provide a better experience to the users. Her Message To Young Women Professionals According to Neha Singh, the 21st century is witnessing a significant rise in women entrepreneurs--whether it's a start-up or a multinational brand, they are proving their worth and skillset regardless of boundaries and nations. The Time is now. To come out with flying colors and shine like a star. (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) VMPL New Delhi [India], June 2: Yandex has published Yambda (Yandex Music Billion-Interactions Dataset), the world's largest currently available 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. * Netflix Prize 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. (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) VMPL New Delhi [India], June 2: RiseAlive stands out as the leading influencer marketing agency in India, specializing in high-quality, result-driven influencer marketing campaigns. Influencer marketing experts at RiseAlive have more than 7 years of experience in formulating, strategizing, and executing campaigns. The company is led by Er. Naved ur Rehman, an IIM-C alumnus who has more than 15 years of experience in marketing management, video production and influencer marketing, he has worked for several MNCs before starting his venture. At RiseAlive, marketing is the core competence and the soul of the company. This influencer marketing company strives to build and scale its clients' businesses. Naved's passion for performance-oriented influencer marketing campaigns is leading the company to the forefront. According to Naved, "Influencer marketing is also part of digital marketing where we utilize the brand association leverage of social media influencers. With influencer marketing, brands can target well segregated buyer personas and create value through the creator economy." This influencer marketing platform drives performance, amplifies brand awareness, and multiplies reach. With a robust network of influencers across diverse niches and regions across India, RiseAlive enables strategic influencer collaborations, partnerships, and delivers great ROI. How Influencer Marketing is Setting the Future? Influencer marketing helps you get in front of the audience you're trying to reach in a way that feels authentic and human. Brands always figure out ways to market themselves and position themselves well. With influencer marketing, brands get a direct word of mouth from the content creators whose audience listens and their buying decisions get influenced. Influencer marketing enables brands hyper-personalized, strategic creator-matching where the target audience of the brand is matched with the target audience of the content creator/influencer. This is where top influencer marketing agencies in India like RiseAlive become a necessity. RiseALive influencer marketing company not only plays an important role in helping brands effectively identify the right influencers; but also helps brands in crafting influencer marketing strategies, executing it, measuring & articulating the value influencers deliver. Brands/marketers actively collaborate with the best influencer marketing companies in India to leverage the verified influencers and utilize their KPIs. After extensive research, we found that RiseAlive is the best influencer marketing company in India. Now, let us decode the metrics on why we positioned the influencer agency at the top. Why RiseAlive is the Best Influencer Marketing Agency in India in 2025? Scalability: India has millions of content creators across platforms. The top influencer marketing agency helps brands scale campaigns across regions, languages, and influencer tiers. Localization: RiseAlive specializes in matching the right influencer to the right audience, which makes brand communication seamless. Performance Tracking: RiseAlive offers tools and analytics to track ROI, engagement rates, clicks, and sales, which is crucial for data-driven decision-making. Data-driven methodologies: RiseAlive's promotional strategy delivers optimal output as it is based on deep consumer insights. The metrics of key performance indicators allow the influencer agency, brand, and influencer to craft content for maximizing ROIs. Key content can achieve higher engagement and brand visibility for the brands. Delivers High ROIs: Influencer marketing experts at RiseAlive are experienced players who understand the use of the tier of influencers, i.e., mega, regional, micro, macro, and nano level influencers. Experts implement the right key opinion leaders on the basis of performance analysis, which provides valuable leads and ultimately higher organic returns. Trust and Loyalty: The trust and allegiance organically come with the influencers on board the marketing campaign. The strategic placement of content formats by RiseAlive helps brands engage more audiences. The word-of-mouth recommendation-based decision-making model is highly reliable and utilizes the creator's credibility and authority to expand and improve product education, perception, and engagement. Campaign management: Being the best influencer marketing agency, RiseAlive, is actively involved in the discovery and identification of the right influencer for the right brand. The influencer marketing specialists, through their years of experience, know how to create value between the brand and the influencer. Comprehensive research, hyper-personalized content, pragmatic and deliberate effective content strategy result in building a community for the brand. Affordable: While the other top influencer marketing agencies in India demand high rates for executing influencer campaigns, RiseAlive comes as an affordable solution. This influencer marketing company is consumer-focused, value-driven approach and focuses on brands' core strengths. Pragmatic establishment: Investing in a leading influencer marketing platform like RiseAlive provides businesses and brands with deeper insights into their target audiences. Eventually, they can market their product, service well Faster adoption: A top influencer marketing agency in India allows brands to establish their clear-eyed brand identity and increase their brand affinity. It affects customers through bespoke strategies and drives increments in engagement and conversion. The IIM factor - RiseALive has marketing experts like Naved who is an IIM alumnus, he has a decade-plus of experience in marketing and branding, which is why RiseAlive is the mostly preferred by brands for influencer marketing campaigns. Website - https://www.raipl.in/ (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) As part of his engagements, Goyal met Bernard Fontana, Chairman and CEO of EDF Energy, to discuss India's growing role in the global clean energy transition. "Met Mr. Bernard Fontana, Chairman and CEO of @EDFofficiel in Paris.Discussed India's growing leadership in the renewable energy sector and ways to further integrate sustainable energy solutions into our development roadmap,"Piyush Goyal tweeted on social media platform 'X'. He also met Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group, to highlight India's potential in automotive manufacturing and the EV ecosystem. "Held a meeting with Mr. Luca de Meo, CEO of @RenaultGroup.Exchanged views on India's growing potential as an automobile manufacturing hub, along with emerging opportunities in the EV sector," Goyal posted on 'X' In a meeting with Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of L'Oreal Groupe, the minister discussed the scope for the cosmetics giant to expand manufacturing under the 'Make in India for the World' initiative. On Sunday, Goyal also met Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, to explore the company's investment plans in India and to deepen cooperation in the renewable energy domain. The minister commenced his three-day official visit to France on 1st June 2025, as part of his ongoing visit to France and Italy from 1-5 June 2025. "As part of the visit, the Minister will hold a series of high-level bilateral meetings with key international partners. These include the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Mr. Jonathan Reynolds; Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr. Gan Kim Yong; and Saudi Arabia's Minister of Commerce, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Kasabi," Ministry of Commerce & Industry said in a statement. Recently, the minister expressed India's gratitude to France for its unwavering support and solidarity following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, emphasising the shared commitment between both nations in maintaining zero tolerance against terrorism. Goyal also expressed optimism that India could finalise its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) ahead of the year-end deadline, citing minimal divergences between the two economic blocs. (ANI) It comes amidst increasing calls for boycotting Turkish firms' presence in India, following the West Asian country's open support to Pakistan during the recent conflict with India. Pakistan has also used Turkish drones in the military conflict. "Air India is likely to wind up its association with Turkish Technic, a global aviation maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) company. The company used to provide maintenance for Boeing 777 aircraft in the airline's fleet. The airlines said they would find alternatives. The decision has been taken in the national interest, respecting public sentiments," the Air India CEO told ANI. India currently lacks MRO facilities for wide-body aircraft, and is heavily dependent on foreign MROs for services. The government has recently cancelled the security clearance of Turkey-based airport ground handling firm Celebi, citing "interest of national security". Earlier, Indigo had requested a further six-month extension for the "damp-leased" aircraft from Turkish Airlines, which the regulator did not agree to. Indigo is operating two B777-300ER aircraft under a "damp lease" from Turkish Airlines, which was permitted till May 31, 2025. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted Indigo a final three-month extension "to avoid passenger inconvenience." "However, in order to avoid passenger inconvenience due to immediate flight disruption, Indigo has been granted a one-time last and final extension of three months," the DGCA said on Friday while granting a one-time extension to Indigo. "This extension is based on the undertaking from the airline that they will terminate the damp lease with Turkish Airlines within this extension period, and shall not seek any further extension for these operations," the DGCA added. (ANI) Air India and Icelandair announced their new codeshare partnership on Monday. The partnership will significantly boost connectivity between India and Iceland with seamless travel options across 15 routes in India and Europe. This strategic partnership strengthens travel and trade ties between India and Iceland, offering passengers greater flexibility and choice while ensuring a seamless travel experience with convenient connection times, unified baggage allowances, and enhanced connectivity through major European hub airports. According to a statement from Air India, the two airlines signed the codeshare agreement on the sidelines of the 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which will be held in New Delhi from June 1 to 3. Under this codeshare agreement, Air India customers will gain seamless access to Icelandair-operated flights to the Iceland's capital Reykjavik via Air India's European gateways. Air India will add its 'AI' designator code on Icelandair-operated flights between Reykjavik and London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Milan, and Zurich, the airline said in a statement. Icelandair customers will benefit from convenient connections on Air India-operated flights to key Indian cities. Icelandair will add its 'FI' designator code on Air India-operated flights between Delhi and Amsterdam, Paris, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, London Heathrow; and between Mumbai and Frankfurt, it added. Campbell Wilson, CEO and Managing Director, Air India, said: "We are happy to embark on this codeshare partnership with Icelandair, which unites two airlines committed to connecting the world. By combining our strengths, we are creating a seamless bridge between India's vibrant destinations and Iceland's extraordinary landscapes. This partnership underscores Air India's ambition to expand our global reach while offering Icelandair's customers seamless access to India's diverse destinations." Bogi Nils Bogason, President and CEO of Icelandair, also echoed the same sentiments,"This strategic partnership with Air India marks a significant milestone, opening up exciting new travel opportunities from across our network in North America and Europe to and from India." "It will connect Iceland to Air India's extensive network, allowing us to introduce what Iceland has to offer to their customers. We have and will continue to expand our network of partner airlines, focusing on working with airlines like Air India that offer great service and connectivity," Bogi Nils Bogason added. Subject to regulatory approvals, the codeshare flights will be progressively made available for sale through the airlines' respective booking channels, the statement further said. (ANI) VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 2: Maiden Forgings Limited (BSE - 543874), one of the leading manufacturers of wide range of Bright Steel bars and wires from past 35 years has announced its Audited Financial Results for the H2FY25 and FY25. H2 FY25 Key Financial Highlights * Total Income of Rs 104.37 Cr * EBITDA of Rs 10.13 Cr * EBITDA Margin of 9.71% * Net Profit of Rs 2.00 Cr * Net Profit Margin of 1.92% * EPS of Rs 1.41 FY25 Key Financial Highlights * Total Income of Rs 213.57 Cr * EBITDA of Rs 19.91 Cr * EBITDA Margin of 9.32% * Net Profit of Rs 6.05 Cr * Net Profit Margin of 2.83% * EPS of Rs 4.26 Commenting on the performance, Nishant Garg, Managing Director of Maiden Forgings Limited said, "We closed FY25 with a sustained total income of Rs213.57 Cr, driven by our strategic focus on value-added products and enhanced brand visibility. The opportunity in India is immense, and as a steel products manufacturer, we see significant scope for business growth going forward. To capitalize on this growth potential, we have initiated strategic expansion plans by acquiring a land parcel in Ghaziabad. This facility will enable the consolidation of our existing Unit II and Unit III, resulting in improved operational efficiencies and increased manufacturing capacity. The funds realized from the monetization of Unit II will further strengthen our financial position--supporting business growth through increased working capital and a healthier balance sheet by repaying existing debt. With over three decades of industry presence, a quality-driven product portfolio, and a continuous focus on operational excellence, we are well-positioned to expand our market share. We aim to leverage strong industry tailwinds and infrastructure-led growth in India, while maintaining our focus on international markets." Key Operational Highlights Credit Ratings * Company has received a stable long-term rating of 'BBB' Land Acquisition & Unit Consolidation Update * Acquired ~4 acres in Modinagar, Ghaziabad, to consolidate Unit II and III, streamline operations, and support 5-7 years of expansion. * The Unit II land sale has been finalized, with proceeds earmarked for the new facility, working capital, and debt reduction. (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], June 2: In a landmark event held at Max Hospital Shalimar Bagh leading Indian Orthopaedic & Robotic Joint replacement Surgeon Dr Simon Thomas collaborated with world-renowned specialist in Revision Knee replacement surgeon Dr Wolfgang Klauser, Chief in Surgeon & Medical Director, at Ostseeklinik Damp, Germany for a workshop to achieve excellence in Revision knee replacement. What is revision knee replacement: Revision knee replacement is a surgical procedure to replace a previously implanted knee prosthesis that has failed or developed complications. It is more complex than the initial (primary) knee replacement due to factors like scar tissue, bone loss, and altered anatomy. Revision is typically required due to: 1. Implant Loosening: Aseptic failure where the implant detaches from the bone over time. 2. Infection (Periprosthetic Joint Infection): Bacterial colonization of the implant, often requiring staged surgery. 3. Periprosthetic Fracture: Bone break near the implant, often due to trauma or osteoporosis. 4. Instability: Imbalance in ligaments or soft tissues causing joint dysfunction. 5. Wear & Tear: Polyethylene component degradation over decades. 6. Implant Malalignment: Improper positioning leading to uneven stress and pain. 7. Stiffness: Severe loss of motion unresponsive to conservative treatment. Dr Simon Thomas at Max Hospital centre of excellence for revision knee replacement informs about factors that determine the best outcomes of revision knee replacement, they are: 1. Accurate Diagnosis: * Identify failure cause (e.g., infection via synovial fluid analysis, imaging). * Use advanced imaging (CT, MRI, radiographs) to assess bone loss and implant position. 2. Preoperative Planning: * Customized surgical approach based on bone defects (e.g., bone grafts, augments). * Select appropriate revision implants (e.g., constrained designs, stems, tantalum cones). 3. Surgical Expertise: * Surgeon experience in complex revisions to manage technical challenges (e.g., bone loss, ligament balancing). * Use of technologies like navigation or robotics for precise alignment (where applicable). 4. Infection Management: * Multidisciplinary care with infectious disease specialists. * Staged approach: Remove infected implant, administer antibiotics, then re-implant. 5. Patient Optimization: * Control comorbidities (diabetes, obesity), encourage smoking cessation, and improve nutrition. * Address osteoporosis to enhance bone-implant fixation. 6. Intraoperative Techniques: * Ensure proper implant fixation (cemented vs. hybrid). * Address ligament instability and restore joint line alignment. 7. Postoperative Care: * Aggressive physical therapy to restore mobility and strength. * Infection prophylaxis and anticoagulation to prevent clots. * Long-term monitoring for signs of failure. "Our vision is to deliver one of the best revision knee replacements centres in the country and joint workshops with international faculty is of great value to that" said Dr Simon Thomas. www.drsimonthomas.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], June 2: Mia by Tanishq, one of India's leading fine jewellery brands, announces the 'Joy of Gifting Festival'-just in time for the convocation season. The brand is offering customers a Flat 20% off* on making charges of diamond jewellery, making it the perfect opportunity to gift a lasting token of pride and promise. Graduation is more than just a ceremony, it's a moment that symbolises growth, hard work, and the beginning of a bold new chapter. Whether you're gifting a loved one or treating yourself for your achievement, Mia's elegant and contemporary collections make for the perfect graduation gift-something timeless to carry forward into life's next adventure. Mia's lightweight, chic designs cater to every kind of celebration, ensuring that your gift is as memorable as the moment itself. Mia by Tanishq offers an array of collections, made in 14kt and 18kt gold, adorned with certified natural diamonds. Available at sweet selling price points, the brand offers versatile pieces that can be worn everyday or thoughtfully gifted to loved ones. Innovative designs, including elaborate earcuffs, brooches that double as pendants, lightweight earrings, stackable bracelets, trendy sui-dhagas and intricate ring. The brand's latest collection - The 'Mia Fiora' Collection brings delicate floral motifs to life, featuring intricate designs that reflect the freshness of spring and the essence of personal growth. Gold filigree petals, dainty layered patterns, and hand-carved stones come together to create pieces that celebrate sophistication and individuality. The Joy of Gifting Festival is available from 23rd May to 8th June 2025 at all Mia by Tanishq stores and online at www.miabytanishq.com. It's a golden opportunity to celebrate graduates with a gift that mirrors their achievement. A deal this special doesn't come often-so mark graduation day with a sparkle that celebrates their journey and the endless possibilities that lie ahead! *Terms and Conditions apply. Born with the heritage and the legacy of Tanishq, Mia is a brand of bold, modern, and chic jewellery. For the young, the young at heart and the stylish, Mia crafts gold jewellery in designs that are unique, minimal and extremely versatile. Featuring a wide range, the collections from Mia are designed to style one for every moment and every occasion effortlessly. Crafted in 18kt & 14kt gold the Mia has over 2500 designs of stunning natural diamond jewellery starting at Rs.4999/-*. Mia is a network of 230+ exclusive stores and present in leading Tanishq stores across 75 cities within India. Their store at the Burj Uman Centre in Dubai marks the launch of Mia's international presence with three stores in UAE. Delightful designs from Mia are also available through their home page www.miabytanishq.com and across other online platforms Amazon, Tata CliQ, Myntra, Nykaa Fashion. (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) French automotive supplier Valeo has reaffirmed its commitment to continue investing in India following a one-on-one meeting between CEO Christophe Perillat and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during the minister's three-day tour to France. The global automotive technology company, headquartered in France, expressed strong optimism about India's economic prospects and the country's electric vehicle transformation. Valeo's Pune facility is positioned at the forefront of India's EV revolution, supporting the nation's ambitious mobility goals with expanded operations and cutting-edge technologies. Speaking to ANI after the meeting with Minister Goyal, Perillat conveyed enthusiasm about India's growth trajectory. "There is a lot of optimism in the Indian economy. We are investing a lot in India. Very happy to share this with the Minister, and we're happy to be there and happy to continue the growth story of Valeo over there," he stated. The CEO highlighted several factors driving their confidence in the Indian market. "We think that the passenger car market is going to significantly increase. We've seen that in recent years thanks to better infrastructure, good utilities, a lot of talents from the management we have there (India), from the people we are there. So very excited. It was a fantastic meeting," Perillat added. Piyush Goyal wrote on X after the meeting,"Held a meeting with Mr. Christophe Perillat, CEO of @Valeo_Group a global automotive supplier company with a strong footprint in India. Appreciate the company's trust in India's growth story and their plans to enhance investments in the country. We discussed avenues to scale up their manufacturing presence in India,". According to Valeo's assessment, India is accelerating its EV adoption at an unprecedented pace. As in the world's most populous country, the potential for electric vehicle market revolution is enormous. EVs accounted for approximately 5 per cent of India's total vehicle sales in 2023, but this figure is expected to surge dramatically. By 2030, the market is projected to grow by nearly 30 per cent, driven by enthusiastic adoption of electrified two-wheelers and the iconic three-wheel tuk-tuk, which comprised nearly half of all EV sales. Electric SUV models are also increasingly appearing on Indian roads. As a global leader in electric powertrain technologies, equipping one in three new vehicles worldwide, Valeo plays a major role in meeting India's rapidly growing EV demand. At its plant in Pune, Maharashtra, the company manufactures a comprehensive range of EV technologies for local automakers, including Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra, supplying components for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and SUVs. The Indian government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, has approved a forward-looking scheme to promote domestic manufacture of passenger cars with special focus on electric vehicles. This landmark initiative aligns with India's national goals of achieving net zero by 2070, fostering sustainable mobility, driving economic growth, and reducing environmental impact. Today, the Ministry of Heavy Industries issued detailed guidelines for the "Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India" (SPMEPCI), which was announced on March 15, 2024. The Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, simultaneously issued notifications for reduced import duties in line with the scheme provisions. To encourage global manufacturers to invest under the scheme, approved applicants will be allowed to import Completely Built-in Units (CBUs) of electric four-wheelers with a minimum Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of USD 35,000 at reduced customs duty of 15 per cent for five years from the application approval date. Approved applicants are required to make a minimum investment of Rs 4,150 crore in accordance with scheme provisions. The initiative is designed to establish India as a premier global destination for automotive manufacturing and innovation while achieving "Make in India" objectives. The scheme aims to attract investments from global EV manufacturers, promote India as a manufacturing destination for electric vehicles, generate employment, and position India prominently on the global EV manufacturing map. Valeo's continued commitment to Indian operations reflects the broader confidence international automotive companies have in India's transition to sustainable transportation and its potential as a global manufacturing hub. (ANI) The temple, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is one of the most visited religious sites in India, attracting millions of devotees annually. While speaking to ANI after offering prayers at the temple, the 'Fateh' actor shared details about his upcoming project and recalled his first visit to the Lord Venkateswara temple 25 years ago. "When I came here for the first time, it was 25 years ago. Today, I come here with my family. I pray for happiness, peace and prosperity for all in the world. We are starting a new project, a film 'Nandi' - I am acting and directing both. It will begin soon," said Sonu Sood. The actor donned a peach pink Kurta for his holy visit to the Lord Venkateswara Temple. Sonu Sood was recently honoured with a prestigious Humanitarian Award at the Grand Finale of the 72nd Miss World Festival in Telangana for his philanthropic work during COVID-19. This special honour recognises his exceptional service to humanity and unwavering commitment to social upliftment through his foundation. The actor was conferred the Humanitarian Award on the grand finale of Miss World at the HITEX Arena in Hyderabad as part of the festival's final celebrations. In addition to receiving this global honour, Sonu Sood also served as one of the official judges for the grand finale, joining a distinguished panel to crown the next Miss World. (ANI) People of Assam, particularly those in the Karbi Anglong district, had reason to celebrate as 9-year-old dance sensation Binita Chetry returned home after clinching third place in the globally acclaimed talent show, Britain's Got Talent. Her extraordinary achievement marked her as the first person from Asia to earn a podium finish in the competition's history. Binita, who has been learning dance since the age of three, was greeted with applause, flowers, and admiration. Among those who welcomed her home was Prem Tamang, Chairman of the Gorkha Development Council, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to her and her supporters. The young dancer hails from the autonomous council region of Karbi Anglong. Her father, Amar Chetry, beamed with pride as he shared her story. "She has been learning dance since she was three years old... She participated in reality shows in Mumbai and in the South. Now she's the second runner-up in Britain's Got Talent. This is not just an achievement for our family but for the whole country," he said. "Thanks to everyone's love and support, she has reached this global stage." Reflecting on her experience, Binita said, "It was a great experience because all the judges were very happy with me. They gave me very good comments, especially Bruno Sir and Simon Sir. They said they had never seen such a performance before." Her dance journey began with lessons from her aunt. She gained early exposure through Indian dance reality shows like 'Super Dancer 4' and 'Dance Deewane Junior', followed by formal training under choreographer Hardik Rawat in Jaipur. She eventually won Dance Icon Season 2, which paved the way for her participation in Britain's Got Talent. Despite her growing fame, Binita continues to manage her academics. Currently in the fifth grade, she shared, "Sometimes, it is difficult but I manage it." Overwhelmed with emotion, Binita extended her gratitude to her family and well-wishers. "Thank you so much to my parents and everyone who supported me since childhood. Thanks to them, I was able to represent India on such a big stage," she said. She also thanked Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his support. In a message to the people of Assam and her international audience, Binita said, "Thank you, everyone. Though voting was only open in London, people from all over supported me. I got so much love from London and other parts of the world." While she hasn't made concrete plans for her future yet, the young talent remains focused on refining her skills. "I just want to improve my dancing and become better," she said. (ANI) The couple shared the joyful news on social media, bringing smiles to fans and well-wishers. The 'Kahaani' actor posted a note that read, "It's a Baby Boy Our hearts are full. Our hands will be fuller! Welcome to the world, Junior." Alongside the post, the actor also wrote, "As we welcome our first child into this world, we wish to thank each and everyone for their warm wishes and prayers!" Take a look https://www.instagram.com/p/DKYno66She8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Friends, fans and followers flooded the comment section with congratulatory messages and blessings for the newborn. Parambrata, who is best known for his roles in both Bengali and Hindi films, was last seen in 'Khakee: The Bengal Chapter,' which premiered on Netflix. The show featured actors Prosenjit Chatterjee, Jeet, Saswata Chatterjee, and Chitrangada Singh. Though Parambrata had a special appearance, his presence was well appreciated by viewers. 'Khakee: The Bengal Chapter' is a follow-up to Khakee: The Bihar Chapter and released on March 20, 2025. The series received mixed to positive reviews from critics and was well received by the audience. (ANI) For film producer Partha Panda, it was a moment of pride as the first look of his Odia feature film 'Baghuni' (Dance Like a Tiger) was officially unveiled at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. In a conversation with ANI, he shared his experience of taking his film project to an international audience, his journey in filmmaking and how the Odia film market is making its mark globally. "It was a very great experience. I met Anupam Kher and Shekhar Kapur, who revealed our motion poster, so it was a very wonderful and most memorable experience." As part of the Official program of the Bharat Pavilion at Cannes International Film Festival, hosted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, the first-look motion poster of the film was released on May 15 in the presence of the film's director and producer, Jitendra Mishra, and producer Partha Panda. The film is a co-production among National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC), Glocal Films UK Limited (founded by Odisha-born, London-based producer Partha Panda, and Jitendra Mishra's Cinema4Good Pvt. Ltd, 'Baghuni' is a co-production--the first of its kind for any film from Odisha, with the National Film Development Corporation(NFDC) returning to the state after a 23-year gap in significant cinematic collaborations. On the inspiration behind the film, he shared, "It's about women's empowerment, and a girl holding a protest in a male-dominated society, and how a lady is stepping out and fighting for her rights, so it is all about this." While talking about the film, he added, "We named it 'Baghuni'(Dance Like a Tiger) means Tigress and we had a dance called 'Bagha Nacha', (the Tiger dance is the traditional art form performed in Binka, Sonepur, Brahmapur and some parts of Ganjam district in Odisha), and the story was written by one of the good directors, his name is Jitendra Mishra, so we had a conversation from last 3-4 years ago about the story, so we developed the story, then we were going step by step, so first time in 2023, this story was selected in the NFDC co-production market, then luckily, out of 11 countries, 20 stories were selected and we were one of them, which was a good thing about that, and particularly for Odia language, this type of thing, like NFDC involvement happened after 23 years." Partha Panda is an entrepreneur whose journey spans over 15 years of higher education and successful enterprise in the UK. He is a Managing Director, Film Producer & Arts Impresario. Despite being in a different profession, he always remained passionate about cinema. Sharing how his journey in filmmaking started, he added, "Every time I watch a movie from childhood, it's always I wanted to involve in film, but for me, when I was doing my graduation, that time I had an interest, either I wanted to become a director or something involved in the movie industry, but my study and everything was different. In my family, my mom is a good dancer, my dad studied in drama school, so we have a little understanding about that, which came a little from the family. So, the first time I tried was in 2008-09, but I could not finish that project for some reason." "Then I tried again in 2011, but again, we could not find the right person who could do the job together, because in this type of thing, finding the right director or person who can guide you is tricky. I found my friend, Jitendra Mishra. So, I thought, this is the guy with whom I can do the job. So, that's where the conversation started, and we were sort of working on this project for the last four years." Panda further discussed Odisha's cinema. According to him, the Odisha film market is still struggling; however, it is getting better, and with achievements like his film reaching Cannes, it gives a boost to the industry overall. "Odisha market, it's not that strong at the moment. But it's getting better. So, there was last... I don't know, maybe 5 to 10 years, there was a gap where people were not supporting that much, however, now things are improving," he said. Written and directed by internationally acclaimed filmmaker Jitendra Mishra, 'Baghuni' is the first international co-production from Odisha, featuring celebrated Odia actor Sabyasachi Mishra as the lead actor, and boasts a talented crew that includes multiple National Award-winning industry professionals. (ANI) Actor Preity Zinta is on cloud nine as her co-owned IPL team, Punjab Kings, has entered the IPL finals after 11 years. On Sunday, Punjab Kings registered a thrilling 5-wicket win against Mumbai Indians in the Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With this, they secured their spot in the IPL final, where they will lock horns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Before the finals, Preity on Monday evening took to social media and celebrated her team's last match victory with a special post on X. "Wow what a win Punjabi aa gaye oye @PunjabKingsIPL IPL2025 | SaddaPunjab | BasJeetnaHai," she exclaimed. https://x.com/realpreityzinta/status/1929527232248115476 Recapping Qualifier 2 match, PBKS won the toss and opted to bowl first. After losing Rohit Sharma early, a 51-run stand between Jonny Bairstow (38 in 24 balls, with three fours and two sixes) and Tilak Varma (44 in 29 balls, with two fours and two sixes) pushed MI forward. A 72-run partnership for the third wicket between Tilak and Suryakumar Yadav (44 in 26 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes) helped MI keep a healthy run rate. All MI needed was a final push from Naman Dhir (37 in 18 balls, with seven fours) to take MI to 203/6 in 20 overs.Azmatullah Omarzai (2/43) was the pick of the bowlers for PBKS. Kyle Jamieson, Marcus Stoinis, Yuzi Chahal and Vijaykumar Vyshak took a wicket each. In the run chase, PBKS had some stumbles initially despite a blitz from Josh Inglis (38 in 21 balls, with five fours and a six), who took down Jasprit Bumrah for 20 runs in an over. An 84-run stand between Nehal Wadhera (48 in 29 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) and skipper Shreyas Iyer helped PBKS maintain the required tempo for the chase. After quick dismissals of Wadhera and Shashank reduced PBKS to 169/5 in 16.4 overs, a ruthless Shreyas (87* in 41 balls, with five fours and eight sixes) took down pace to guide his team to five five-wicket win with an over left. Ashwani Kumar (2/55) was the top bowler for MI. Trent Boult (1/38) and Hardik Pandya (1/19) took one wicket each. Bumrah was wicketless for 40 runs in four overs. Iyer was given the 'Player of the Match' honour for his clutch knock. The final between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru is set for Tuesday at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. (ANI) Dhanush has joined the growing list of admirers congratulating D Gukesh for his impressive win over five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen in the ongoing Norway Chess 2025. The victory marked Gukesh's first-ever classical win over the Norwegian grandmaster. The 19-year-old also became the second Indian player to beat Carlsen in the competition's history, following grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa. Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, actor Dhanush praised Gukesh for making the country proud and showing composure after the victory. "Many congratulations to @DGukesh on beating world No. 1 and making the whole nation proud. Your composure after your victory is very commendable and an inspiration to everyone," he wrote. https://x.com/dhanushkraja/status/1929542369948352928 Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised Gukesh's performance. He called it an "exceptional achievement" and wrote, "An exceptional achievement by Gukesh! Congratulations to him for triumphing over the very best. His first-ever win against Magnus Carlsen in Round 6 of Norway Chess 2025 showcases his brilliance and dedication. Wishing him continued success in the journey ahead." Carlsen had the upper hand over Gukesh for most of the match, but in the end, he couldn't control his nerves, and the teenager turned the tables and went on to win. With this win, D Gukesh jumped to third place in the Norway Chess 2025 points table with 8.5 points, now just one point behind Carlsen and American Fabiano Caruana. Earlier, on May 27, the marquee clash of Round One at Norway Chess 2025 lived up to expectations as Carlsen launched a classic king hunt to defeat reigning World Champion D Gukesh in a thrilling encounter. This was their first classical match since Gukesh won the world title, and it also marked Carlsen's return to individual classical chess after nearly a year. (ANI) Actor Kamal Haasan extended his support to the verdict given by the Special Court for Women in the Anna University sexual assault case. Taking to his official handle of X, he wrote, "I wholeheartedly welcome the verdict of the Special Court for Women, which has sentenced the accused in the Anna University student rape case to 30 years of life imprisonment without parole. Any act against women can never be tolerated or condoned. This verdict has confirmed the hope that such crimes will be met with fearsome punishment." https://x.com/ikamalhaasan/status/1929474929952780746 Earlier today, a Chennai Mahila court awarded a life sentence for a minimum period of 30 years without remission and a fine of Rs 90,000 to the accused Gnanasekaran, who has been convicted of sexually harassing a student on the Anna University campus in December last year. Mahila Court judge M Rajalakshmi, who convicted Gnanasekaran on May 28, awarded sentences in respect of each of the 11 charges proved by the prosecution against him. Public Prosecutor Marry Jayanthi said, "As far as the Gnanasekaran case is concerned, we have got the verdict today. 30 years without remission have been provided. SIT enquired into the incident; they filed a charge sheet at the Mahila court. April 30, for the first time, affected women took the stage. All evidence was provided, as it was satisfactory for the court; today this judgement has come. The highest punishment is a life sentence for this case, and it has been provided." A second-year student of Anna University was sexually assaulted on the Anna University campus in December. After an investigation, the Chennai Police had arrested Gananesekaran in connection with the case. Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday hailed the state police, investigating officers and government lawyers for the expeditious verdict in the Anna University sexual assault case.In a post on X, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said that the state's police swiftly pursued the case and justice was delivered in just five months. Stalin said he had told the police to prevent crime, and if any incident occurs, no criminal should escape. The criminals, he said, should be investigated expeditiously and punished. He also slammed the opposition parties who had made allegations against the ruling DMK over the incident and said attempts were made to play "cheap politics". He said the government has shattered the "slander" being spread. "We will always ensure justice and the safety of women," he said. (ANI) In the notice dated June 1, the police emphasised that it is the responsibility of the MLA to cooperate in maintaining law and order. "Once again, you are requested to protect yourself by using a bulletproof vehicle and inevitably utilize the (1+4) security personnel allotted by the Government," the notice stated. The police stated that Singh, who represents the Goshamahal constituency, had been moving without his designated bulletproof vehicle or security personnel (1+4), despite being a target of "frequent threatening calls." "It is to once again alert that you have been receiving frequent threatening calls and it is noticed that you are often leaving the residence & office without any security personnel and moving highly communal sensitive areas... which shows negligence towards your life and safety," the official notice reads. According to the police, Singh visited areas such as Talabkatta, Bhavani Nagar, Injanboli, Baba Nagar, Bahadurpura, Santosh Nagar, Yakutpura, Golkonda, and Jirra between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm on May 31. These localities have been identified as "highly communal-sensitive" by security agencies. "The MLA is expected to follow all advised security protocols to avoid any untoward incident," a senior police officer from the West Zone said on condition of anonymity. "Ignoring these measures does not only endangers his life but also puts pressure on local law enforcement if any incident occurs." A copy of the reminder was submitted to the Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad City. The notice has been forwarded to the Hyderabad City Commissioner of Police for further information. Thakur Raja Singh currently serves as an MLA in the Telangana Legislative Assembly, representing the Goshamahal Assembly constituency. (ANI) Spiritual leader Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati praised Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for her continued focus on governance despite being on a spiritual visit to Rishikesh. Speaking to ANI on Sunday after her interaction with Gupta, Sadhvi Bhagawati said, "This was my first meeting with Delhi CM Rekha Gupta and I am so impressed after meeting her. She is on a spiritual journey with his family after 100 days (of becoming the CM), but even after coming here, her mind was only thinking about Delhi." The Chief Minister, who took charge of Delhi's administration 100 days ago, is on a brief personal visit to Uttarakhand. However, according to the Sadhvi, CM Gupta remained deeply concerned about Delhi's issues. "When she was doing aarti on the banks of Maa Ganga, she was thinking about how to take Ganga ji back to Delhi. She wants Yamuna to be as clean as River Ganga," the Sadhvi said, highlighting Gupta's concern for Delhi's river pollution. "She always had her work in her mind, wondering how she could do something for the people of Delhi," she added. "Usually when people come here, they leave their work behind." Earlier on Monday, CM Gupta met Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj of Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh and offered prayers. Following the completion of 100 days of the Delhi government, she said that the aim was to perform Aarti on both sides of the river. CM Rekha Gupta said, "Delhi has so many problems, which is why Yamuna always faces issues in getting cleaned. The earlier governments had neither policy nor intention; today, it is a matter of relief that in the current government, our policies are clear, and our intention is also clear. There is a desire to work under the leadership of PM Modi. Work is going on continuously at many different levels to improve the Yamuna River...We have arranged to run a small ferry on the Yamuna River. When there is odourless water in Yamuna, greenery all around, then Yamuna ji will be able to take its shape, its form." She further said, "Nearly 150 to 200 drains from where dirty water with the sludge enters the river Yamuna have to be cleaned. We have started Aarti at one ghat on the river Yamuna. Our aim is to conduct Aarti on both sides of the river," she added. CM Rekha Gupta took a holy dip in the River Ganga in Haridwar on Sunday and vowed to clean Yamuna so that people can take a holy dip in the river. She met Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj at Harihar Ashram in Haridwar. Delhi CM Rekha Gupta said, "It is a feeling of immense joy. Yesterday, the government completed 100 days of rule in Delhi. Yesterday we did Aarti in Yamuna river and today, after taking a dip in the Ganga, I really feel that the pace of development in Delhi will now pick up more speed. Today, after taking the blessings of Gurujan, I am feeling more powerful within myself. I have a sense of responsibility. Delhi, which has been suffering for many years, now that the government, which has come, it is our responsibility to ensure Delhi progresses. I ask for the strength that whatever the aspirations of the people are, I am able to fulfil them." She further said, "I prayed to God that the way lakhs of devotees come to Haridwar to worship River Ganga, in the same way, River Yamuna can be cleaned so that people can take a holy dip there." CM Rekha Gupta, accompanied by her family, visited the Har Ki Pauri ghat in Haridwar and took a holy dip in the Ganga river. (ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reached Kedarnath with her family on Monday and offered her prayers. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is on a visit to Uttarakhand with her family following 100 days of the completion of the BJP government in Delhi. On Sunday, CM Gupta took a holy dip in the River Ganga in Haridwar and vowed to clean Yamuna so that people can take a holy dip in the river. She met Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj at Harihar Ashram in Haridwar. Delhi CM Rekha Gupta said, "It is a feeling of immense joy. Yesterday, the government completed 100 days of rule in Delhi. Yesterday we did Aarti in Yamuna river and today, after taking a dip in the Ganga, I really feel that the pace of development in Delhi will now pick up more speed. Today, after taking the blessings of Gurujan, I am feeling more powerful within myself. I have a sense of responsibility. Delhi, which has been suffering for many years, now the government, which has come, it is our responsibility to ensure Delhi progresses. I ask for the strength that whatever the aspirations of the people are, I am able to fulfil them." "I prayed to God that the way lakhs of devotees come to Haridwar to worship River Ganga, in the same way, River Yamuna can be cleaned so that people can take a holy dip there," the Delhi CM added. CM Rekha Gupta, accompanied by her family, visited the Har Ki Pauri ghat in Haridwar and took a holy dip in the Ganga river on Sunday. After taking a holy dip in the Ganga at Har Ki Pauri, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta said, "Taking blessings from Maa Ganga, we will work to make Maa Yamuna clean and beautiful. We will work to speed up the development of Delhi. Taking the blessings of Maa, I feel very satisfied that as the Chief Minister of Delhi, I will be able to do better work for Delhi." On Saturday, CM Gupta performed Yamuna Aarti at Vasudev Ghat to mark the completion of 100 days of the BJP government. (ANI) The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted a critical Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operation early this morning, rescuing 14 individuals stranded in the flooded Bomjir River in Arunachal Pradesh's Lower Dibang Valley. According to Defence PRO, Guwahati, the operation was launched in response to an urgent request from the state administrations of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The stranded individuals, cut off from the mainland due to severe flooding, were airlifted to safety using an IAF Mi-17 helicopter. On Saturday, seven people were killed due to a landslide on the National Highway in Seppa West assembly constituency. Natung expressed condolences over the loss of life in the incident that occurred between Bana village and the Seppa area and advised people to avoid travelling at night during the monsoon season. "It's very painful to hear about the tragic loss of seven lives in my Assembly constituency due to a landslide on NH 13 Road between Bana & Seppa. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families during this difficult time. I request everyone to remain vigilant and avoid travelling at night during the monsoon season. My thoughts and prayers are with the families affected. May their souls rest in peace. Om Shanti Shanti," Natung posted on X. On Sunday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the Chief Ministers of Assam, Manipur, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh in response to the ongoing heavy rainfall affecting these states. In an X post, Shah assured the states of all possible assistance from the central government to address any challenges arising from the situation. "Spoke with the Chief Ministers of Assam, Manipur, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh in the wake of ongoing heavy rainfall in their states. Also assured them of every possible help to tackle any situation. The Modi government stands like a rock in support of the people of the Northeast," Shah on X. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for Arunachal Pradesh for the coming week, till June 6, predicting "very heavy rain, thunderstorm and Lightning" on May 31. Meanwhile, the weather department has forecasted "heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning" from June 1 to 5 while predicting only "heavy rain" on June 5 and 6. Earlier this week, the IMD issued a multi-hazard weather warning, predicting heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds in many parts of the country. (ANI) Marking Telangana's 11th Formation Day, President Droupadi Murmu led the nation in extending warm greetings to the state's people, praising its rich cultural legacy and dynamic growth story. In a message shared on social media, the President lauded Telangana's journey as a young state swiftly emerging as a hub of cultural pride and economic progress. https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1929367749530194183 In a post on X, the President of India wrote, "Warm greetings to the people of Telangana on Statehood Day! This young State has a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant modern ecosystem of economic and technological development. I wish that the people of Telangana march ahead on the path of progress and prosperity." Union Home Minister Amit Shah also shared his message in both English and Telugu, celebrating Telangana's cultural richness and the hardworking spirit of its people. https://x.com/AmitShah/status/1929369333790109972 In a post on X, Union Minister Shah wrote," On Telangana statehood day, warm greetings to our brothers and sisters of the state. With its rich culture, heritage, and hardworking people, Telangana shines brightly on India's ethno-cultural map. May the state reach new heights of prosperity." He added, "On the occasion of Telangana State Formation Day. Hearty greetings to my Telangana sisters and brothers. I am confident that Telangana State, which is adorned with high culture, traditions, and hardworking people, will shine brightly on India's cultural map and scale the highest peaks in its development path in the coming days. The BJP Telangana unit marked the day by remembering the sacrifices made by martyrs during the struggle for statehood. https://x.com/BJP4Telangana/status/1929372407200186664 "Let us move towards economic equality and self-reliance in our homeland, which was achieved with the inspiration of the sacrifices of many martyrs. Let us move towards a democratic Telangana. Our best wishes to all the people of Telangana on the occasion of the State Formation Day. Telangana Formation Day," the post added on X. Telangana was officially formed on 2 June 2014. Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K Chandrashekar Rao was elected as the state's first Chief Minister, following elections in which the party secured a majority. (ANI) BJP MP Alok Sharma raised the issue of 'love jihad' in Bhopal, targeting Muslim gym trainers. He said that they will give a list of Muslim gym trainers to the police. Speaking to the media, MP Alok Sharma said, "There are a lot of gyms in Bhopal we are enlisting, in which the trainers are Muslims. Even women should be gym trainers... We will give this list to the police in the coming times... Nobody will be permitted for love jihad now..." He also noted that 'land jihad' is going on in the state, and the administration will take action on such cases. "Even land jihad is going on. This will not work. The law will do its work and take action on such matters..." BJP MP said. MP Alok Sharma's statement came after Bajrang Dal members complained of the presence of Muslim trainers in a gym in Bhopal. The BJP MP interacted with the media post the 'Bhopal Vileenikaran Diwas' (Bhopal Merger Day) celebrations on Sunday. According to an X post by the BJP MP, he hoisted the national flag at Jumerati Post Office, which was the main centre of the Bhopal Merger Movement. He remembered the freedom fighters and expressed his views on their important contribution. Mayor Malti Rai and family members of freedom fighters. Last month, Madhya Pradesh Minister Vishvas Sarang raised the issue of 'love jihad' in the state, after the main accused in an alleged rape and blackmailing case in Bhopal was shot in leg by police. Minister Sarang told ANI, "Those who do such acts should be shot dead in the middle of the road. Acts like love jihad will not be tolerated. If such things are happening by forming gangs, then it is unacceptable. I would say, why should they have shot in the leg? They should have shot him in the chest. Such people have no right to live anywhere. Those who lure girls and commit crimes of conversion of religion then it is unforgivable. They should get shot on the chest and not on the leg." According to the information, private college girls were allegedly targeted by some former students of their college, who lured them into a friendship trap, sexually assaulted and blackmailed them. FIRs were registered based on complaints by the victims. The police arrested five accused, including the main accused Farhan, in the matter so far, and different SITs (Special Investigation Teams) have also been constituted to probe the matter. (ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with her family, offered prayers at Kedarnath Dham on Monday and said her wish for Baba Kedar's blessings was to provide her the strength to work towards the development of the national capital. Speaking to ANI, CM Gupta called herself fortunate to seek blessings at Kedarnath Dham with her family. "After offering prayers at Kedarnath Dham, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta says, "I feel fortunate to get the opportunity to offer prayers at Kedarnath Dham along with my family. I wish Baba gives us enough strength to achieve the target of Viksit Bharat and Viksit Delhi. I hope Baba Kedar gives me the strength to work for the development of Delhi," the Delhi Chief Minister said. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is visiting Uttarakhand with her family following the 100-day completion of the BJP government in Delhi. On Sunday, CM Gupta took a holy dip in the Ganga in Haridwar and vowed to clean the Yamuna River so that people could also do so. She also met Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj at Harihar Ashram in Haridwar. Expressin, CM Gupta stated, "It is a feeling of immense joy. Yesterday, the government completed 100 days of rule in Delhi. Yesterday we did Aarti in the Yamuna river and today, after taking a dip in the Ganga, I really feel that the pace of development in Delhi will now pick up more speed. Today, after taking the blessings of Gurujan, I am feeling more powerful within myself. I have a sense of responsibility. Delhi, which has been suffering for many years, now the government, which has come, it is our responsibility to ensure Delhi progresses. I ask for the strength that whatever the aspirations of the people are, I am able to fulfil them." "I prayed to God that the way lakhs of devotees come to Haridwar to worship River Ganga, in the same way, River Yamuna can be cleaned so that people can take a holy dip there," the Delhi CM added. CM Rekha Gupta, accompanied by her family, also visited the Har Ki Pauri ghat in Haridwar on Sunday and took a holy dip in the Ganga river. After taking a holy dip in the Ganga at Har Ki Pauri, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta said, "Taking blessings from Maa Ganga, we will work to make Maa Yamuna clean and beautiful. We will work to speed up the development of Delhi. Taking the blessings of Maa, I feel very satisfied that as the Chief Minister of Delhi, I will be able to do better work for Delhi." On Saturday, CM Gupta performed Yamuna Aarti at Vasudev Ghat to mark the completion of 100 days of the BJP government. (ANI) The victim, identified as Channappa Hussainappa Narinal, was attacked with a deadly weapon, allegedly a machete, by miscreants. Police have registered a case against 10 people based on a complaint filed by the deceased's family. Police suspect old enmity and a property dispute led to the murder. Senior officials, including Gangavathi DySP and Tavaragera CPI, visited the crime scene to assess the situation. Police have launched a manhunt and laid traps to apprehend the accused. Further investigations are underway. (ANI) In view of torrential rainfall triggering landslides, mudflows, and rockfalls across Aizawl district of Mizoram, authorities have ordered the closure of all schools in the district on Monday, June 2, for student safety. The decision, taken after reviewing IMD warnings and consulting disaster management officials, was announced by Aizawl Deputy Commissioner ET Lalrempuia. On Sunday, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma convened a review meeting at the CM's Conference Hall in Aizawl to assess the situation. Several Ministers and senior officials attended the meeting in person, while Deputy Commissioners from different districts joined via video conference. A key priority highlighted in the meeting was ensuring that access to district capitals and the airport remains uninterrupted by keeping essential roads operational. The Chief Minister also directed that adequate funds be allocated to all District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), and that relief funds for victims be released at the earliest. It was resolved that disaster-affected areas must be continuously monitored under the supervision of the Department of Disaster Management & Rehabilitation (DM&R). Comprehensive and timely reports are to be submitted to the central government to ensure proper coordination and response. According to a preliminary report from the DM&R, 211 landslide locations have been recorded, 60 houses have collapsed, 69 families have been evacuated due to the risk of house collapse, 83 road blockages have been reported, 4 retaining walls have collapsed, 1 electric pole has fallen, 2 major landslides have occurred, and 4 deaths have been reported. Additionally, rising water levels in riverside habitation areas were noted, with some updates continuing to come in during the course of the meeting. Deputy Commissioners also submitted detailed status reports from their respective districts. The northeast region has been reeling under heavy rains, with various areas in Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh experiencing flooding, landslides and increasing river levels. According to Assam Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah, at least 5 people have died due to landslides in Assam, with the state government announcing Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia to the kin of the victims. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also assured of every possible help to the flood-affected areas in the northeast region, and also spoke with the Chief Ministers of Assam, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh and the Governor of Manipur. (ANI) CM Bhajan Lal Sharma wrote, "The news of the demise of senior IAS officer and Additional Chief Secretary of the state's Energy Department, Shri Alok ji, is extremely sad. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant a place at his feet to the departed soul and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this immense loss. Om Shanti!" Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also condoled the official's death in a post on X, describing him as a capable officer whose services will always be remembered. "The sudden demise of senior IAS, Additional Chief Secretary of Rajasthan's Energy Department, Shri Alok is extremely sad. Shri Alok was known as a capable officer. His services will always be remembered. I pray to God to give peace to the departed soul and courage to the family members," Gehlot posted on X. On Saturday, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda and Rajasthan Chief Minister held a meeting to review and advance health initiatives in the state. Senior officers of the Central and state governments attended the meeting. During the meeting, key achievements were highlighted, including notable declines in maternal, infant, and neonatal mortality rates. The state also demonstrated steady progress in immunisation through the Measles Rubella (MR)-I and Measles Rubella (MR)-II drives. Furthermore, initiatives such as Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs), Lactation Management Units (LMUs), Comprehensive Lactation Management Centres (CLMCs), Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC), Home-Based Young Child Care (HBYC), and improvements in Post-Natal Care (PNC) were reported to be operational and expanding. (ANI) The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for a 24-hour strike in Siliguri to protest against the alleged attacks on Hindus and business establishments in the Matigara area, as well as the arrest of workers associated with Hindu organisations. Spot visuals from Siliguri on Monday morning showed shops closed and vehicles off the roads in parts of the city, as the bandh call led to disruptions in normal life. Security has been tightened in sensitive areas to prevent any escalation of tension. The unrest began on Friday following a dispute over the alleged illegal transportation of meat in a vehicle in Siliguri's Matigara area. The vehicle was reportedly set on fire, leading to clashes between two groups. The incident triggered widespread tension and prompted police intervention to restore order. Meanwhile, on Monday, VHP's North Bengal region president, Laxman Bansal, said, "VHP North Bengal has called for a 24-hour strike in Siliguri. There has been prevailing chaos in West Bengal for many years...Our Hindu women and children are being traumatised, and their businesses attacked." He alleged that on May 30, Bajrang Dal workers intercepted a vehicle in the Matigara block allegedly transporting meat. "There were four people in the vehicle, reportedly carrying weapons. An FIR was lodged," Bansal claimed. "When they were stopped, members of the Hindu community gathered at the spot, and they were outraged and set the vehicle on fire. However, the police did not apprehend the accused and instead arrested our Bajrang Dal workers, slapping 14-15 IPC sections on them," he said. He demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and urged the West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, to arrest those responsible. "If not, we will be forced to march to the streets," he said. (ANI) According to the Delhi Fire Services, "The fire broke out in 4-5 jhuggis due to a cylinder blast in Wazirpur Industrial area. One woman was injured and was admitted to a hospital." "Two fire tenders reached the spot. Fire is now under control," said the Fire Services In a separate incident, on Saturday, a massive fire was reported at the Sunday Bazar in Budh Vihar Phase 2 of New Delhi, according to officials, and two to four fire tenders rushed to the incident spot. The fire was in 10 to 12 huts, which the fire officials completely doused. The reason behind the accident is yet to be revealed. No casualties have been reported. Earlier, two people lost their lives and four others were injured in a fire at an E-Rikshaw charging station at Moti Ram Road, in the national capital's Shahdara area. The Delhi Fire Department said they received a call from the e-charging station on Sunday morning reporting a fire at the site. Fire tenders were immediately dispatched to douse the blaze. Two charred bodies were recovered from the spot, and four persons who sustained injuries were rushed to the GTB hospital. The charging station was completely damaged under a tin shed area of approximately 400 square yards. (ANI) The election for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD) Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of 12 ward committees, along with two standing committee members -- each from South Zone and City-SP Zone -- will be held on Monday. The election of the two standing committee members was necessitated after Prem Chauhan and Punardeep Singh Sawhney tendered their resignations on being elected to the Delhi Legislative Assembly. Prem Chauhan and Punardeep Singh Sawhney were the members of the standing committee from the Wards Committee South Zone and the Wards Committee City-SP Zone, respectively. "In pursuance of Sub-section (5) of Section 45 of the Act, these vacancies are to be filled up by the concerned Wards Committees in a meeting from amongst the Councillors of the Wards Committee", a notice from MCD said. Both BJP and AAP are making every effort to ensure that their candidates win. Out of the 12 ward committees, elections in three zones will be uncontested, as there is only one candidate in each zone. The results will shape the standing committee's formation and reveal which party gains majority control to appoint its Chairman. Meanwhile, AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj said on Sunday that the election will reveal the relationship between Congress and BJP. "Tomorrow, there are elections for the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the MCD Rohini zone. On one side is the panel of BJP-supported IVP, and on the other side is the Aam Aadmi Party. The Congress president should tell whom the two Congress councillors will vote for tomorrow. Tomorrow, the relationship between Congress and the BJP will be revealed," he said on X. On May 24, With over two years still to go, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) shifted into mission mode for the 2027 Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections, setting its sights on forming a huge majority in the civic body, a press release from the Aam Aadmi Party said. In a high-level strategy meeting held on Friday, senior AAP leader and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Delhi state president Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the MCD House Ankush Narang met with all party councillors to start the preparations. Former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia reviewed ward-level issues in detail and directed councillors to ensure immediate redressing. "Arvind Kejriwal has pioneered an alternative politics of work across India. Our goal now is to take this model to every household and make it even stronger," said Manish Sisodia. (ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reached Badrinath Dham with her family on Monday. Earlier today, she, along with her family, visited Kedarnath Dham and offered prayers. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is visiting Uttarakhand with her family following the 100-day completion of the BJP government in Delhi. After offering prayers at Kedarnath Dham, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta said, "I feel fortunate to get the opportunity to offer prayers at Kedarnath Dham along with my family. I wish Baba gives us enough strength to achieve the target of Viksit Bharat and Viksit Delhi. I hope Baba Kedar gives me the strength to work for the development of Delhi," the Delhi Chief Minister said after taking darshan at Kedarnath Dham. On Sunday, CM Gupta took a holy dip in the Ganga in Haridwar and vowed to clean the Yamuna River so that people could also do so. She also met Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj at Harihar Ashram in Haridwar. CM Gupta stated, "It is a feeling of immense joy. Yesterday, the government completed 100 days of rule in Delhi. Yesterday we did Aarti in the Yamuna river, and today, after taking a dip in the Ganga, I really feel that the pace of development in Delhi will now pick up speed. Today, after taking the blessings of Gurujan, I am feeling more powerful within myself. I have a sense of responsibility. Delhi, which has been suffering for many years, now that the government has come, it is our responsibility to ensure Delhi progresses. I ask for the strength that whatever the aspirations of the people are, I am able to fulfil them." "I prayed to God that the way lakhs of devotees come to Haridwar to worship River Ganga, in the same way, River Yamuna can be cleaned so that people can take a holy dip there," she added. CM Rekha Gupta, accompanied by her family, also visited the Har Ki Pauri ghat in Haridwar on Sunday and took a holy dip in the Ganga river. After taking a holy dip in the Ganga at Har Ki Pauri, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta said, "Taking blessings from Maa Ganga, we will work to make Maa Yamuna clean and beautiful. We will work to speed up the development of Delhi. Taking the blessings of Maa, I feel very satisfied that as the Chief Minister of Delhi, I will be able to do better work for Delhi." (ANI) The Tamil Nadu government has announced comprehensive support for residents of Madrasi Camp in Delhi's Jangpura, who wish to return to their native districts in Tamil Nadu following a demolition drive on June 1. The demolition, carried out to clear illegal encroachments along the Barapullah drain as per a Delhi High Court order, has displaced hundreds of families, predominantly of Tamil Nadu origin. The state government has pledged assistance for livelihood and other essential needs, with coordination facilitated through the Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi and district collectors. Mani, a Tamil resident affected by the demolition, expressed frustration over the lack of opportunities in Tamil Nadu, stating, "They should give jobs to those already in Madras right now, and then they should call us. Why are people roaming around there? First, they should handle Tamil Nadu, then they should look at Delhi. If they had given us jobs, why would we have come to Delhi from Tamil Nadu?" On Sunday, the demolition drive at Madrasi Camp in Jangpura, South East Delhi, was carried out as authorities acted on court orders to clear encroachments along the Barapulla drain. The operation was carried out to resolve the flooding issues caused by the narrowed drain, which obstructs water flow during heavy rains. A total of 370 encroachments have been demolished, with 189 residents deemed eligible for resettlement and allocated flats in Narela, while 181 are ineligible for resettlement. Anil Banka, District Magistrate of South East Delhi, on the ongoing demolition drive at Madrasi Camp in the Jangpura area, said, "This action is being carried out as per the court's orders, and we are removing the encroachments solely based on those directives. The Barapulla drain had become narrow, hindering its cleaning and causing issues with water flow. During heavy rains, flooding spreads across the area due to these obstructions. The matter was under consideration in court, which has now permitted us to proceed with the removal starting today. We have also allotted flats in Narela to all eligible residents affected by this drive." He further said, "Notices regarding the encroachments were already given to residents, and until now, 370 illegal encroachments have been demolished. While 189 are eligible for resettlement, 181 are not eligible." (ANI) According to officials, Khurshid escaped from the Special Cell's maalkhana on Friday night with around Rs 51 lakh in cash and a large quantity of jewellery. However, the Maalkhana in-charge became aware of the incident shortly after. Subsequent investigation, using CCTV footage, identified Head Constable Khurshid. Acting promptly, a team of the Special Cell arrested him on Saturday. According to the Special Cell, Khurshid was previously posted in the maalkhana but was transferred to East Delhi a few days ago. In a separate incident, on Sunday, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of the Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested a Nigerian national in connection with the possession and intended distribution of 282 grams of cocaine. Following specific intelligence inputs, the arrest was made during a targeted operation in the Old Mahabir Nagar area of Tilak Nagar, Delhi. Deputy Commissioner of Police, ANTF (Crime Branch), Apoorva Gupta, stated that the accused, David Leanne, was caught carrying a bag containing a yellow-coloured powdery substance. A field test conducted on-site by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team confirmed the substance to be cocaine, classified as a commercial quantity under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. A case has been registered under FIR at the Crime Branch Police Station, and further investigation is underway. This operation was the result of dedicated surveillance and intelligence-gathering efforts led by ASI, who received credible information about a foreign national involved in cocaine distribution across the Delhi-NCR region. The ANTF team swiftly responded and laid a trap in the Tilak Nagar area, where Leanne was apprehended. (ANI) Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday said that a critical humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission was launched by the Indian Air Force, Central armed forces, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state government forces in the Northeastern states due to rain-induced floods. "A critical humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission is being launched by the Indian Air Force, Central Armed Forces, NDRF and State Govt Forces in North East India," Rijiju said in a post on X. The Indian Army, along with the Assam Rifles, continued extensive rescue efforts across Imphal East and West, evacuating over 500 civilians from severely waterlogged areas of Wangkhei, Heingang, Lamlong, Khurai, JNIMS, and Ahallup on day 2 of Operation JalRahat-2, the Indian Army said in an official statement. Ten flood relief columns, equipped with BAUTs and inflatable boats, were deployed for rescue tasks. Security personnel also carried out emergency repairs on the breached Iril River boundary wall near Arapti Lamkhai in Lilong, Thoubal District, to prevent further flooding. "Army boats ferried stranded patients to safety at JNIMS Hospital. Nearly 800 bottles of drinking water and other essential supplies were distributed to displaced families across affected zones," the Indian Army said. The Indian Army and Assam Rifles continue to operate in close coordination with civil authorities, ensuring timely assistance and sustained support to affected communities. Restoration work is underway as one of the bases of the Phidang Bailey Bridge connecting Mangan to Chungthang is partially damaged due to the current of the Teesta River. Meanwhile, the Chungthang-Phidang road in Mangan District has now been restored, and the safe evacuation of stranded tourists has commenced from today. The search and rescue operation for the nine missing tourists involved in the tragic vehicle accident in Mangan District on May 29 is still ongoing. The operation is being carried out under the close supervision of the District Police, District Administration, ITBP, Army, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, BRO, NDRF, GREF, Fire and Medical Teams, TAAS and other Tourism stakeholders, IHCAE Chemchey, and Driver Association, along with the support of local volunteers and others, said Sikkim's Tourism and Civil Aviation Department. (ANI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will convene a high-level law and order meeting ahead of Eid al-Adha at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai, according to sources from the Chief Minister's Office. The meeting, scheduled for Monday evening, aims to maintain law and order in the state. Meanwhile, on Sunday, on the controversy surrounding animal sacrifice during Eid al-Adha, Maharashtra State Minority Commission Chairman Pyare Khan emphasised the importance of adhering to Islamic principles and local laws to maintain communal harmony. Pyare Khan said, "... We should follow the concept of Hazrat Ibrahim Ali Salam. No one should suffer from our sacrifice. This is the concept of Islam, whatever we do should not hurt anyone else... We will direct the administration that if anyone has no problem, then it should be done... Nothing should be done to harm mutual brotherhood... You should follow the rules of the country where you live... In Maharashtra, there is a ban on bovine meat, so the sacrifice of a bovine should not be done... Camels and goats are sacrificed in different countries... We have to make sure that the sacrifices of only those animals are made, which are allowed..." Eid Al-Adha, or Bakra Eid, is a holy occasion called the 'festival of sacrifice' and is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic or lunar calendar. It marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Eid al-Adha or Bakra Eid is expected on 6th June in most Islamic countries this year. The festival is an occasion of joy and peace, where people celebrate with their families, let go of past grudges, and make meaningful connections with one another. It commemorates Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice everything for God. According to the Quran, Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son when a voice from heaven stopped him and allowed him to make something else as a 'great sacrifice'. In the Old Testament, a ram is sacrificed instead of the son. To mark this occasion, Muslims re-enact Ibrahim's obedience with the symbolic sacrifice of a lamb, goat, cow, camel, or another animal that is then divided into threes to be shared equally among family, friends, and the needy. Around the world, Eid traditions and festivities vary, and many countries have unique cultural approaches to this important festival. (ANI) Congress MP Rahul Gandhi wished the people of Telangana on the 11th Telangana Formation Day. Sharing a post on social media, he remembered former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress MP Sonia Gandhi for their contribution to the statehood of Telangana. Sharing an X post, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "Wishing the people of Telangana a very Happy Statehood Day! 11 years ago, under the leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh ji and Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji, Telangana was born - giving shape to the hopes and dreams of millions. My heartfelt tributes to all who gave their sweat and sacrifice for the Telangana movement." Gandhi gave a message of a 'just, dignified, and prosperous future' for the citizens of the state. "The Congress party stands with you in building a 'Prajalu Telangana' - a just, dignified, and prosperous future for every citizen. Our guarantees are a reflection of that unwavering commitment - to every family, to every dream," Congress MP posted. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also extended his wishes to the citizens of Telangana. Remembering the martyrs and students who contributed to the formation of the state, he reiterated the Congress government's commitment to a 'Prajala Telangana'. Sharing a post on X, Kharge wrote, "Our warm wishes on Telangana Formation Day! 11 years ago, the aspirations of millions culminated in the creation of India's youngest state, Telangana. The Congress-UPA, led by Dr. Manmohan Singh and Smt. Sonia Gandhi, was instrumental in supporting the will of the people of Telangana." "On this significant day, we respectfully remember the countless martyrs, including students, who gave their lives for the cause of Telangana. The Congress government is strongly committed to a "Prajala Telangana" - a state where social justice, economic empowerment, and continuous progress are assured for all its 3.8 crore people," he added. (ANI) Delhi's Karkardooma Court has recently rejected Delhi police's plea for permission to conduct a polygraph test, layered voice stress analysis test and psychological test of the six murder case accused, including the parents of the deceased girl. The court dismissed the plea because the accused persons declined to give their consent. The body of a girl was found in a canal in Aligarh in 2020. A DNA test was conducted twice, but did not match with that of the accused parents (Ravinder Chaudhary and Suman). On this basis, the accused were granted bail in 2023. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Alok Shukla rejected the application for permission to conduct a test on the accused, namely Ravinder Choudhary, Suman, Sanjay Choudhary, Om Prakash alias Omi, Pravesh and Ankit, after recording their denial and submissions of counsel on their behalf. While rejecting the plea, the court said, " In the present case, the accused persons havefile a reply and have objected to the application filed by the IO for conducting polygraph test, layered voice stress analysis test and psychological assessment test." Since the accused persons have not consented to conducting the said tests, the court cannot force the accused persons to undergo the tests sought to be performed by the investigation officer (IO). Accordingly, the application is dismissed," ASJ Alok Shukla ordered on May 29. The Delhi police submitted it during further investigation. Polygraph, Layered voice stress Analysis and Psychological Assessment test of all six accused persons is required. Therefore, it is requested that the same tests may be allowed to be conducted in FSL/ Rohini Delhi for the purpose of investigation, police said. A reply was filed on behalf of the accused persons opposing the application. It was submitted that the plea is liable to be dismissed on the sole ground that it was filed by the investigating officer at a belated stage when the investigation was completed. The present matter is listed at the stage of evidence. Advocate Deepak Sharma, counsel for accused persons, submitted that the first missing report was lodged by the so-called husband of Sheetal (deceased) on February 6 2020, but till February 16, 2020, neither any FIR was lodged nor any investigation was started. It was further submitted that Ankit gave one more complaint or statement before the IO, contrary to the complaint filed on 06.02.2020. It is crystal clear that, from the beginning, the investigating officer has never carried out a fair investigation. The accused persons were arrested on 20.02.2020, and thereafter, they remained in Judicial custody for a sufficient time, but the investigating agency did not bother to conduct the said tests at the initial stage of the investigation, nor did the investigating agency make any efforts to ascertain the veracity of the allegation, the counsel argued. An FIR was registered at the police station in New Ashok Nagar on February 16, 2020, on the Complaint of Ankit Bhati for the kidnapping of his wife. During the investigation, it was revealed that a girl, Sheetal Chaudhry, was murdered and dumped in the Gang Nahar in Aligarh. Subsequently, sections related to murder and other offences were added in the FIR. The body was identified by the complainant, Ankit, as his wife. A charge sheet was filed before the magistrate court on 15.05.2020, and thereafter, a supplementary charge sheet was filed on 02.08.2022 and October 30, 2022, before the Sessions Court. (ANI) A Mahila Court here on Monday awarded the life sentence for a minimum period of 30 years without remission and a fine of Rs 90,000 to the accused Gnanasekaran, who has been convicted for sexually harassing a student on the Anna University campus in December last year. Mahila Court judge M Rajalakshmi, who convicted Gnanasekaran on May 28, awarded sentences in respect of each of the 11 charges proved by the prosecution against him. Public Prosecutor Marry Jayanthi said, "As far as the Gnanasekaran case is concerned, we have got the verdict today. 30 years without remission have been provided. SIT inquired into the incident, they filed a charge sheet at the Mahila court. April 30 for the first time, affected women took the stage. All evidence was provided, as it was satisfactory for the court, today this judgement has come. The highest punishment is a life sentence for this case, and it has been provided." A second-year student of Anna University was sexually assaulted on the Anna University campus in December. After an investigation, the Chennai Police had arrested Gananesekaran in connection with the case. Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday hailed the state police, investigating officers and government lawyers for the expeditious verdict in the Anna University sexual assault case. In a post on X, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said that the state''s police swiftly pursued the case and justice was delivered in just five months. Stalin said he had told the police to prevent crime, and if any incident occurs, no criminal should escape. The criminals, he said, should be investigated expeditiously and punished. He also slammed the opposition parties who had made allegations against the ruling DMK over the incident and said attempts were made to play "cheap politics". He said the government has shattered the "slander" being spread. "We will always ensure justice and the safety of women," he said. Leader of Opposition Edappadi Palaniswamy welcomed the verdict, alleging that the DMK had tried to protect the accused, "Chennai Mahila Court sentenced to life Ganasekaran, accused in Anna University, who is also a DMK sympathiser. DMK played many games to protect the accused Ganasekaran in this case. AIADMK ensured the accused got punishment with constant protests from people and on social media. We have been fulfilling our words, we will be the voice of the victim." (ANI) Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad has launched raids in Padgha, Thane, in connection with a terrorism-related case. One of the locations includes the residence of Saqib Nachan, a former member of the banned outfit Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), said the agency. Nachan was earlier convicted in 2 terror cases, including the Mumbai Central Railway Station and Mulund bomb blast cases of 2002-2003. There are allegations that he may have resumed radical activities after completing his sentence in 2017, said the agency. The raids are still ongoing. More information is awaited. Earlier, the Counter-Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) unit of the Jammu and Kashmir Police carried out searches at multiple locations across the Kashmir Valley as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected terror links, officials said on Friday. According to a statement issued by Counter-Intelligence Kashmir, the operations were part of a larger probe to track individuals suspected of having ties with terrorist outfits. This operation came amid increased efforts by security agencies to root out terror-related activities in the Valley, following multiple incidents in the recent past that raised concerns over renewed attempts to destabilise peace in the region. Meanwhile, on May 23, in a significant operation targeting the terror ecosystem in Jammu province, the State Investigation Agency (SIA) of Jammu and Kashmir Police carried out coordinated raids at 18 locations across four districts, resulting in the recovery of substantial incriminating material. The meticulously planned raids were executed simultaneously by specialised SIA teams, supported by local police and magistrates, as part of the agency's ongoing campaign to dismantle sleeper cells and disrupt terror networks in the region. Of the 18 locations raided, twelve were in Surankote subdivision and three in Haveli tehsil of Poonch district. Additional operations were conducted at one location each in Rajouri town (Rajouri district), Ramnagar (Udhampur district), and Ramban. A considerable quantity of incriminating material has been seized, which has been secured in accordance with established legal protocols. The material is currently under detailed scrutiny, and further investigation is underway. Several suspects have been summoned to join the investigation at SIA Jammu. These actions follow the development of actionable intelligence and inputs gathered during the SIA's sustained efforts to uncover and neutralise terror-support structures operating covertly within Jammu province. (ANI) Jammu Police received a call from an unknown caller regarding a bomb or an explosive at the railway station on Sunday evening. Sharing a note on social media, the Jammu Police informed about the search operation post the hoax call. "Realising the sensitivity of this information, Jammu Police, along with Railway police, acted swiftly and the whole area of the Railway Station was thoroughly searched, checked and cleared, but nothing suspicious was found," Jammu Police posted on X. The police further said that the process of identifying the caller is going on. (ANI) A 10-year-old girl who was raped and sustained brutal injuries in an assault died at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) on Sunday incharge Superintedent Dr Abhijit Singh has said. The girl was initially treated at the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital in Muzaffarpur on May 26 and had severe neck and internal injuries. The Incharge Superintendent of PMCH, Patna, told ANI, "The girl was admitted at Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital in Muzaffarpur on 26th May. She had neck injuries and internal injuries... After she arrived here, the doctor examined her in the ambulance. She was taken to the ICU, and doctors from all departments treated her for the entire night." The minor girl's uncle, Virendra Paswan, has, however, alleged negligence on the part of the hospital administration and doctors, stating that she was kept waiting for two hours inside the ambulance before getting admission to the hospital. "The doctors referred us to Patna, but we didn't like it there either. It's not a good hospital. Yesterday, we came, and we waited for three hours in an ambulance. When everyone started creating a ruckus, they admitted her at 4 o'clock. There was no convenience for anything. The child was uneasy and started crying at night. The doctors got upset and gave sleeping medicine to the child all night long and at eight o'clock in the morning, she died," Paswan told ANI on Sunday. Dr. Abhijit Singh, in-Charge Superintendent of PMCH Patna, has, however, denied allegations of negligence on the part of the hospital administration. "If such an incident takes place with anyone, the family will make allegations of negligence. We actively treated her right after we learned about this case. The doctor examined her in the ambulance, and then she was admitted, too," he said. The girl's uncle alleged that despite being a Government hospital, he had to spend a sum of Rs 25,000. "PMCH hospital is negligent. This hospital means that anyone who comes will become a dead body. Even the doctor is negligent. Yesterday morning, they said that everything will be taken care of at a government hospital, but they take money to give blood, no money means no blood. Here we spent Rs 25,000. If you give blood, you will get blood; if you don't give, you will not get it. The hospital administration is negligent," Virendra Paswan alleged. Additionally, the minor girl's uncle alleged that the accused lured her on the pretext of offering chocolate near her aunt's house and then took her to a maize field and raped her there. He said, "The culprit took the minor under the pretext of taking her to her aunt's house and giving her chocolate He took her to a maize field at three o'clock in the evening, then raped her there. The boy has been arrested. He strangled the girl and slit her throat. We called 112..." Congress leader Aditya Paswan has demanded action against the hospital administration and the government. "Due to the negligence of the Bihar government due to the negligence of the doctors of PMCH, a nine-year-old Dalit child died. The superintendent of PMCH should be suspended immediately. The Health Minister should resign. The Bihar government is running on ventilators, and this is just a pretence that a world-class hospital is being built.. If this were the case, it would not have happened to that girl Dalit, whether Dalit or poor, people are equal. If someone says you will have to struggle for one hour to admit the girl, it is a shame. "The girl was in the ambulance for more than two hours; there is a system where there is no cost to the life of a Dalit, then there is no price for the life of the poor, then there is no point in staying with such a government" The Bihar spokesperson for Congress, told ANI, "When we met the superintendent there, he said that he had to refer to Patna, we asked for reference to AIIMS, which has better facilities but for some reason, he referred us to the PMCH. After arriving at PMCH, the girl was lying in the ambulance for about two and a half hours. Following that we came with the state president. I brought Mr Rajesh Ram with me... We met the superintendent. After struggling for one hour, the girl was taken away. If the girl had been admitted on time, then today the girl would not have died." (ANI) Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, on the occasion of Telangana Formation Day, paid a floral tribute to Telangana Martyrs at the Martyrs Memorial at Gun Park. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also extended wishes on the state formation day via X post, wrote, "For the aspirations of the martyrs... For the aspirations of the people... For the welfare of the poor... For the dreams of farmers... For the economic self-reliance of girls... For the golden future of the youth... For the vision of Telangana Rising... On this auspicious day... Let us renew our commitment. Happy Formation Day to the people of the state." Meanwhile, marking Telangana's 11th Formation Day, President Droupadi Murmu led the nation in extending warm greetings to its people, praising its rich cultural legacy and dynamic growth story. In a message shared on social media, the President lauded Telangana's journey as a young state swiftly emerging as a hub of cultural pride and economic progress. In a post on X, the President of India wrote, "Warm greetings to the people of Telangana on Statehood Day! This young State has a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant modern ecosystem of economic and technological development. I wish that the people of Telangana march ahead on the path of progress and prosperity." PM Modi also extended wishes and wrote, "Greetings to the wonderful people of Telangana on their Statehood Day. The state is known for making innumerable contributions to national progress. Over the last decade, the NDA Government has undertaken many measures to boost 'Ease of Living' for the people of the state. May the people of the state be blessed with success and prosperity." Union Home Minister Amit Shah also shared his message in both English and Telugu, celebrating Telangana's cultural richness and the hardworking spirit of its people. In a post on X, Union Minister Shah wrote," On Telangana statehood day, warm greetings to our brothers and sisters of the state. With its rich culture, heritage, and hardworking people, Telangana shines brightly on India's ethno-cultural map. May the state reach new heights of prosperity." He added, "On the occasion of Telangana State Formation Day. Hearty greetings to my Telangana sisters and brothers. I am confident that Telangana State, which is adorned with high culture, traditions, and hardworking people, will shine brightly on India's cultural map and scale the highest peaks in its development path in the coming days. Telangana celebrates its 11th Formation Day. The state was officially formed on 2 June 2014. Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), now Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), chief K Chandrashekar Rao was elected as the state's first Chief Minister, following elections in which the party secured a majority. (ANI) Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh on Monday claimed that there has been a "systematic" infiltration of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) into the professional institutions like Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014. Ramesh, who is also a Rajya Sabha member, citing a news article, said that the activists, according to him, are associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Yojana (ABISY) and stand indicted by Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) for financial misdeeds. "Since May 2014, there has been a systematic infiltration of the RSS into professional institutions. One such example is the Indian Council of Historical Research. Now these activists stand indicted by no less a body than the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) for financial misdeeds. It is a Rs 14 crore scam, which for the ICHR is a big amount," he said. "At the heart of the scam is an RSS outfit called the Akhil Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Yojana (ABISY). This report exposes it," he added in the post, citing the article. He further alleged that Many prestigious institutions, including top universities, are being destroyed by RSS sympathisers with extremely dubious academic credentials. "The ICHR is not alone. Many prestigious institutions, including top universities, are being destroyed by RSS sympathisers with extremely dubious academic credentials. We shouldn't be surprised, really, since this dubiousness starts from the very top," the Congress leader stated. https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/1929392863214805124 Earlier, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Sunday again attacked the government's response to Donald Trump's statements on India-Pakistan issues and reiterated his question on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the US President's claim of brokering a truce between the two neighbouring countries. "I made a count; President Trump has repeated the same point he has been making for 21 days. He has claimed to have mediated and brokered the ceasefire; the new thing he has said is about nuclear escalation. He has reiterated his trade and tariffs threat as well... Secretary of State Marco Rubio, VP Vance, and even their Trade Secretary have said this." Ramesh told ANI on Sunday. The General Secretary in Charge of Communications, AICC, called out the government and claimed that PM Modi is targeting the Congress party instead of Pakistan. He said, "Our Prime Minister is silent. He has not responded to what President Trump has been saying. He is targeting the Congress party when he should be targeting Pakistan. He should be making sure that the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack are caught and killed..." (ANI) Paraguay President Santiago Pena Palacios paid a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on Monday, laying a wreath at the memorial. The visit is part of his three-day state visit to India, which will conclude on June 4. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared the moment on X, stating, "Honoring the values of peace & non-violence. President Santiago Pena Palacios of Paraguay paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat today." President Palacios arrived in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India and was accorded a ceremonial welcome along with a Guard of Honour at Palam Air Force Station. The President was warmly received by Minister of State Harsh Vardhan Malhotra, highlighting the strong bilateral ties between the two countries. Sharing an update on X, Randhir Jaiswal from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed President Santiago Pena Palacios of Paraguay as he arrived in New Delhi for his first State Visit to India. In his tweet, Jaiswal wrote, "Bienvenido, President @SantiPenap! President @SantiPenap of Paraguay has arrived in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India, to a ceremonial welcome & Guard of Honour. Warmly received by MoS Harsh Malhotra @hdmalhotra at the airport. This visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen relationship." The MEA emphasized that President Pena's visit, scheduled from June 2 to June 4, aims to deepen and broaden India-Paraguay ties across political, economic, and cultural spheres. At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Paraguayan President will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials, and business representatives. During the visit, President Pena is set to hold high-level talks with Prime Minister Modi and other senior leaders to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations. Prime Minister Modi will host a lunch in his honour, while President Droupadi Murmu is expected to meet him and host a banquet. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar are also scheduled to call on the visiting dignitary. Following the Delhi visit, President Pena will travel to Mumbai to engage with state political leadership, business and industry representatives, startups, innovators, and technology leaders. The State Visit provides an opportunity to comprehensively review bilateral ties and discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest. India and Paraguay have enjoyed warm and friendly relations since establishing diplomatic ties on September 13, 1961. Cooperation between the two countries spans trade, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, and information technology sectors. Paraguay is an important trading partner for India in Latin America, with several Indian companies active in Paraguay's automobile and pharmaceutical sectors. Paraguayan companies, mainly through joint ventures, also have a presence in India, strengthening economic ties. Both nations share common views on international issues, including United Nations reforms, climate change, renewable energy, and combating terrorism. (ANI) After Chennai Mahila court sentenced accused A. Gnanasekaran to life imprisonment for at least 30 years and a fine of Rs 90,000 in the Anna University rape case, his advocate BR Jayaprakash Narayanan on Monday said that they will appeal before an upper court in the coming times. "The court has found Gnanasekaran, the accused in the Anna University rape case, in all the 11 sections. The judgment was declared last week, and the punishment details are given today. He has been sentenced to 30 years without remission. He has also been imposed a fine of Rs 90,000, which will go to the victim... There is a chance for us to have a better appeal. After getting documents from the court, we will appeal before an upper court," Narayanan told ANI. A Mahila Court here on Monday awarded a life sentence for a minimum period of 30 years without remission and a fine of Rs 90,000 to the accused Gnanasekaran, who has been convicted of sexually harassing a student on the Anna University campus in December last year. Mahila Court judge M Rajalakshmi, who convicted Gnanasekaran on May 28, awarded sentences in respect of each of the 11 charges proved by the prosecution against him. Public Prosecutor Marry Jayanthi said, "As far as the Gnanasekaran case is concerned, we have got the verdict today. 30 years without remission have been provided. SIT enquired into the incident; they filed a charge sheet at the Mahila court. April 30 for the first time, affected women took the stage. All evidence was provided, as it was satisfactory for the court; today this judgement has come. The highest punishment is a life sentence for this case, and it has been provided." A second-year student of Anna University was sexually assaulted on the Anna University campus in December. After an investigation, the Chennai Police had arrested Gananesekaran in connection with the case. Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday hailed the state police, investigating officers and government lawyers for the expeditious verdict in the Anna University sexual assault case. In a post on X, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said that the state's police swiftly pursued the case and justice was delivered in just five months. Stalin said he had told the police to prevent crime, and if any incident occurs, no criminal should escape. The criminals, he said, should be investigated expeditiously and punished. He also slammed the opposition parties who had made allegations against the ruling DMK over the incident and said attempts were made to play "cheap politics". He said the government has shattered the "slander" being spread. "We will always ensure justice and the safety of women," he said. (ANI) The Tourism and Civil Aviation Department of Sikkim announced on Monday that the Chungthang-Phidang road in Mangan District has been restored, allowing for the safe evacuation of stranded tourists to commence. The evacuation operation is being carried out under the close supervision of the District Police and Administration, with active involvement from various agencies, including the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Indian Army, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF), Fire and Medical Teams, Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS), Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco-tourism (IHCAE) Chemchey, Driver Association, along with the support of local volunteers and others. Meanwhile, a search and rescue operation is still underway for nine tourists who went missing after a tragic vehicle accident in the Mangan District on May 29. On Sunday, Mangan district Superintendent of Police Dechu Bhutia said that over a thousand tourists were stranded in Lachen and Lachung in Mangan District due to the rains inducing landslides, bridge collapse and damage along with a high rise of the River Teesta. He said the evacuation process had to be delayed due to the landslide on Friday in Shipgyer in Upper Dozongu. The Mangan SP assured that the evacuation of tourists will be carried out on Monday. Further, damages to the base of the Phidang bridge have restricted vehicular movement to the Dzongu constituency. The GREF carried out the restoration work on Sunday, allowing residents and a few emergency service vehicles to commute on foot. Multiple tourists are also reported missing, he said, "Our teams are working to locate them. The vehicle was visible two days prior, but now with the rising river level, the vehicle cannot be located... We could locate a few mobile phones and identity cards, which we kept in the police station, but no trace of the missing individuals. Something like a dead body was visible. The body is at such a location in the cliff that we could not see it either through the u or by crossing the river with a lifeboat." The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on May 30 that as the depression over Bangladesh is likely to move nearly north-northeastwards and weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area during the next 12 hours, warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall to continue in various regions. For the next few days, IMD has forecast that rains will likely occur in most northeast regions on June 5, with no significant change in maximum temperature in various areas. (ANI) Manipur Fire Service Director Laishram Nanachandra Singh said, "Around 47 of our employees have been deployed here... On the first day, around 270 people were evacuated from different locations. On day 2, we did 190 evacuations. Today, we have evacuated 37 patients (from JNIMS).. We got information that blood is also there at JNIMS. We reached here and took the blood to RIMS (Regional Institute of Medical Sciences) from JNIMS... The joint evacuation operations are going on..." Due to heavy rain conditions, on Sunday, the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and Manipur Fire Service launched extensive rescue operations in flood-affected areas, rescuing over 1,500 people across various districts. Torrential rains over the past few days have led to a massive breach of the Imphal River's embankment at four points, causing extensive flooding in Imphal East. Earlier on May 31, Imphal witnessed a flood-like situation in several areas after relentless rainfall, leading to waterlogging. Roads were submerged, disrupting daily life and causing distress to residents trying to navigate the inundated paths. Low-lying areas in and around the city were the worst affected, as stormwater drainage systems failed to cope with the volume of rainwater. In many places, homes and shops experienced water seepage, forcing residents to use makeshift measures to protect their belongings. Earlier this week, the IMD issued a multi-hazard weather warning, predicting heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds in many parts of the country. Heavy rains were also predicted for Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura during the next six days. (ANI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday refrained from commenting on actor-politician Kamal Haasan's recent remarks regarding the Kannada language, urging that the issue should not be politicised and emphasising the importance of harmonious ties between neighbouring states. Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said, "Let's not make this a political issue. We are all neighbours. We all have to work together and live together. Our water goes to Tamil Nadu, and the people of Tamil Nadu come here. We are not enemies; we are all friends. I don't want to comment on it because I don't know the history of that issue." Earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had also criticised Haasan, pointing out the historical depth of the Kannada language. "Kannada has a long-standing history. Poor Kamal Haasan, he is unaware of it," he remarked during an interaction with the media. Kamal Haasan and his movie 'Thug Life' were caught in a controversy in Karnataka after the actor reportedly said that "Kannada is born out of Tamil" during a promotional event in Chennai. It led to several protests in Karnataka by the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and other Kannada organisations. Actor Kamal Haasan reiterated his faith in "law and democracy" on Friday, responding to the ongoing controversy surrounding his purported remark on the Kannada language while promoting his movie 'Thug Life' in Chennai. Terming India a "democratic country," the actor stated that he won't "apologise" to anyone for his actions if he is "not wrong". Pro-Kannada organisations have demanded a public apology from him for allegedly hurting the sentiments of Kannada people. Responding to the warning by pro-Kannada groups that they would boycott his film if he did not apologise for his remarks, the actor said that he believes in "law" and "justice" since India is a "democratic" country. On Friday, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) banned the release of 'Thug Life'. (ANI) Union Minister and BJP state President G Kishan Reddy on Monday hoisted the national flag at the BJP state office in Nampally, Hyderabad, on the occasion of Telangana State Formation Day. BJP MP Eatala Rajender and other senior party leaders were also present at the celebration. Speaking to ANI after the flag hoisting ceremony, Kishan Reddy launched a scathing attack on former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and the Congress-led state government. "Telangana state was formed with the slogan of water, funds, and employment, but the former Chief Minister of Telangana, KCR's family got all these. He said he would make Telangana a golden state, but his family became a golden family," said Kishan Reddy. He further targeted the present Congress government, alleging that it too was indulging in exploitative practices. "Now, the Congress government is also collecting RRR tax. When we come to power in Telangana, we will develop the state," he added. Earlier on Monday, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, on the occasion of Telangana Formation Day, paid a floral tribute to Telangana Martyrs at the Martyrs Memorial at Gun Park. In a post on X, Revanth Reddy wrote,"For the aspirations of the martyrs. For the aspirations of the people. For the welfare of the poor. For the dreams of farmers. For the economic self-reliance of girls. For the golden future of the youth. For the vision of Telangana Rising,on this auspicious day, let us renew our commitment. Happy Formation Day to the people of the state." Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings on Telangana Statehood Day. He noted the state's contribution to the nation and wished the people "success and prosperity." Meanwhile, marking Telangana's 11th Formation Day, President Droupadi Murmu led the nation in extending warm greetings to its people, praising its rich cultural legacy and dynamic growth story. In a message shared on social media, the President lauded Telangana's journey as a young state swiftly emerging as a hub of cultural pride and economic progress. In a post on X, the President of India wrote, "Warm greetings to the people of Telangana on Statehood Day! This young State has a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant modern ecosystem of economic and technological development. I wish that Telangana's people march on the path of progress and prosperity." Telangana was officially formed on 2 June 2014. Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K Chandrashekar Rao was elected as the state's first Chief Minister, following elections in which the party secured a majority. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with President Santiago Pena Palacios of Paraguay at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Monday. Earlier in the day, President Palacios paid a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, laying a wreath at the memorial. The visit is part of his three-day state visit to India, which will conclude on June 4. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared the moment on X, stating, "Honouring the values of peace & non-violence. President Santiago Pena Palacios of Paraguay paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat today." President Palacios arrived in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India and was accorded a ceremonial welcome along with a Guard of Honour at Palam Air Force Station. The President was warmly received by Minister of State Harsh Vardhan Malhotra, highlighting the strong bilateral ties between the two countries. Sharing an update on X, Randhir Jaiswal from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed President Santiago Pena Palacios of Paraguay as he arrived in New Delhi for his first State Visit to India. In his tweet, Jaiswal wrote, "Bienvenido, President @SantiPenap! President @SantiPenap of Paraguay has arrived in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India, to a ceremonial welcome & Guard of Honour. Warmly received by MoS Harsh Malhotra @hdmalhotra at the airport. This visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen the relationship." The MEA emphasised that President Pena's visit, scheduled from June 2 to June 4, aims to deepen and broaden India-Paraguay ties across political, economic, and cultural spheres. At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Paraguayan President will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials, and business representatives. During the visit, President Pena is set to hold high-level talks with Prime Minister Modi and other senior leaders to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations. Prime Minister Modi will host a lunch in his honour, while President Droupadi Murmu is expected to meet him and host a banquet. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar are also scheduled to call on the visiting dignitary. Following the Delhi visit, President Pena will travel to Mumbai to engage with state political leadership, business and industry representatives, startups, innovators, and technology leaders. The State Visit provides an opportunity to comprehensively review bilateral ties and discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest. India and Paraguay have enjoyed warm and friendly relations since establishing diplomatic ties on September 13, 1961. Cooperation between the two countries spans trade, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, and information technology sectors. Paraguay is an important trading partner for India in Latin America, with several Indian companies active in Paraguay's automobile and pharmaceutical sectors. Paraguayan companies, mainly through joint ventures, also have a presence in India, strengthening economic ties. Both nations share common views on international issues, including United Nations reforms, climate change, renewable energy, and combating terrorism. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a petition alleging that the Assam government has reportedly launched a "sweeping and indiscriminate drive" to deport persons suspected to be foreigners to Bangladesh. A vacation bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Satish Chandra Sharma asked the All BTC Minority Students Union (ABMSU) to approach the Gauhati High Court for appropriate relief. The petitioner said that the state of Assam has reportedly launched a sweeping and indiscriminate drive to detain and deport individuals suspected to be foreigners, even in the absence of Foreigners Tribunal declarations, nationality verification, or exhaustion of legal remedies. The petition filed through advocate Adeel Ahmed said there is a growing pattern of indiscriminate detentions and extrajudicial "push backs" of individuals, many of whom are from marginalised communities, by Assam authorities in border districts such as Dhubri, South Salmara, and Goalpara. By its February 4 order, the apex court had directed the deportation of 63 identified "declared foreigners" whose Bangladeshi nationality was confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the government of Bangladesh. The petition said that the Assam government has gone far beyond the mandate of that order by launching a sweeping deportation drive without any judicial oversight. The petition alleged a violation of fundamental rights arising out of the ongoing deportation of Indian citizens under the guise of implementing the top court's order. "This policy of 'push back'-- being executed in border districts like Dhubri, South Salmara, and Goalpara--is not only legally indefensible, but also threatens to render stateless numerous Indian citizens stateless, especially those from poor and marginalised communities who were either declared foreigners exparte or have no access to legal aid to challenge their status," the petition stated. It sought direction that deportation without due process, including judicial declaration, MEA verification, and exhaustion of remedies, is unconstitutional. It further sought a stay on all deportation proceedings carried out against individuals.(ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend and address the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi on June 2. Sharing a post on X, PM Narendra Modi said that he will address the 81st AGM of IATA at 5 pm at Bharat Mandapam. "At 5 PM today, I will be addressing the AGM of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) being held at Bharat Mandapam. Leading stakeholders from the world of aviation are attending this meeting," the X post said. According to IATA's website, the AGM and World Air Transport Summit (WATS) are taking place on June 1-3 and are hosted by aviation firm IndiGo. "The 81st IATA AGM and WATS gathers the top leadership from airlines, the aviation value chain and governments as the aviation industry faces complex and dynamic operating, business and geopolitical environments," says IATA's website. Earlier in the day, PM Modi met with President Santiago Pena Palacios of Paraguay at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. President Palacios arrived in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India and was accorded a ceremonial welcome along with a Guard of Honour at Palam Air Force Station. The President was warmly received by Minister of State Harsh Vardhan Malhotra, highlighting the strong bilateral ties between the two countries. Sharing an update on X, Randhir Jaiswal from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed President Santiago Pena Palacios of Paraguay as he arrived in New Delhi for his first State Visit to India. In his tweet, Jaiswal wrote, "Bienvenido, President @SantiPenap! President @SantiPenap of Paraguay has arrived in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India, to a ceremonial welcome & Guard of Honour. Warmly received by MoS Harsh Malhotra @hdmalhotra at the airport. This visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen the relationship." The MEA emphasised that President Pena's visit, scheduled from June 2 to June 4, aims to deepen and broaden India-Paraguay ties across political, economic, and cultural spheres. (ANI) Behind PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's visit to Lebanon By Col. (ret.) Dr. Jacques Neriah web posted June 2, 2025 Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, Beirut, May 21, 2025 At first glance, Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's first trip last month to Lebanon in seven years suggests a joint effort between the PA and the Lebanese government to stabilize the security situation in refugee camps and reinforce the authority of the Lebanese state. Additionally, it aims to facilitate a limited easing of labor laws that have historically prevented Palestinians from working in 95 professions outside the designated areas of the refugee camps. However, this visit should be viewed not just through a local geopolitical lens but also within the broader context of significant changes in the Middle East. These changes include the defeat of Hizbullah in Lebanon, the ongoing struggle against a weakened Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the downfall of the Bashar Assad regime in Syria, renewed negotiations between Iran and the United States regarding a nuclear deal, the rising influence of Saudi Arabia and Gulf states, and the increasing involvement of Turkey in the region. Moreover, the first administration under U.S. President Donald Trump pursued the expansion of the Abraham Accords, creating a pro-American axis that contrasts with the one established by Iran. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Abbas both understand the reason behind being left aside during Trump's visit to the region, despite the news that Arab media had predicted a potential summit with the U.S. president. Both Palestinian and Lebanese leaders holding talks about disarming the Palestinian factions in Lebanon were signaling to the United States that they were doing their best to comply with the demands formulated by the Trump administration envoys. Abbas wants to be part of any settlement concerning the future of the Gaza Strip. He understands that Gaza's future is deeply linked with the concept that would be applied by the United States, backed by its Arab allies in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states. His visit to Lebanon serves to present himself as a viable statesman responsible for the fate of the Palestinian people (denying Hamas any legitimacy) and who, on the one hand, shows readiness to assist Lebanon in its new "era" and, by the same token, to achieve improvements in the draconic laws that exist in Lebanon relating to the participation of Palestinians in its labor force. As of 2025, Palestinian refugees in Lebanon continue to face significant restrictions in the labor market despite some reforms aimed at easing these limitations. While certain professions have been opened to Palestinians under specific conditions, many remain effectively inaccessible due to legal, bureaucratic, and institutional barriers. While the topic of employment restrictions for Palestinian refugees was not explicitly highlighted in public statements, reports indicate that broader social and humanitarian concerns were part of the dialogue. Notably, before Abbas's visit, Palestinian intelligence chief Majed Faraj held meetings with Lebanese officials to discuss joint plans concerning Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. These discussions included proposals for the PA to oversee security within the camps and to liaise with Lebanese authorities on various issues affecting refugees. As part of this arrangement, a set of social and humanitarian policy decisions concerning Palestinians in the refugee camps was to be drafted for approval by Lebanon's Cabinet. The inclusion of social and humanitarian policy discussions suggests that the challenges faced by Palestinian refugees, including employment restrictions, were acknowledged. However, no specific agreements or policy changes regarding labor rights were announced during this visit. As for Lebanon, the United States is asking it to act against Hizbullah and force it to surrender its arsenal to the state, and dismantle the Hizbullah money laundering machine "Al Qard al Hassan," a bank created by Hizbullah in 1982 as a non-profit charitable organization that operates outside the Lebanese banking system. The United States also wants the Lebanese government and Hizbullah to fully apply UN Security Council Resolution 1701 before discussing any Israeli withdrawal from the five strategic outposts it established along the border with Lebanon and resolving the territorial issues between the two countries. The United States, as well as its European and Arab allies (Saudi Arabia and the Emirates), indicated to the Lebanese government that there would be no financial assistance and reconstruction without Hizbullah's disarmament and not before the dismantlement of Hizbullah's financial institutions. Acknowledging its inability and incapacity to deal with Hizbullah, the Lebanese government tried first to divert American pressure by claiming that only a total Israeli withdrawal would allow it to confront Hizbullah and force it to disarm. Hizbullah immediately adopted the same stance, creating common interest with the government and declaring that absent Israel's withdrawal, there would always be a need for "resistance" against the occupier. Therefore, Hizbullah will not give up its arsenal. Facing growing American discontent (Deputy United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus was called "the ugly American" by Former Member of the Parliament of Lebanon Walid Jumblatt), the Lebanese government turned to another avenue that seemed more straightforward to deal with and to show the Americans that it meant business: the Palestinian military presence in Lebanon. This is how Abbas's "historic visit" was born; necessity is the mother of invention. Indeed, the Lebanese government took a significant step toward curbing Hamas's activities within its borders. On May 2, Lebanon's Supreme Defense Council issued a stern warning to Hamas and other non-state armed groups, cautioning them against launching attacks from Lebanese territory that could compromise Lebanon's security and sovereignty. The Council emphasized that any violations would be met with the "harshest measures" to uphold Lebanon's stability, including immediate deportation from the country. In response to the government's warning, Hamas expressed its commitment to the ceasefire and cooperation with Lebanese authorities. The group stated that the April rocket attacks were unauthorized actions by individuals and that it had handed over three suspects to Lebanese security forces, with efforts ongoing to locate a fourth. Notably, between 220,000 to 235,000 registered Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are located in 12 camps spread across the country from north to south, in addition to 57 other areas. The "weaponization" of the Palestinian refugee camps dates to the 1969 Cairo Agreement between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Lebanese government. The agreement allowed Palestinians to establish military bases in southern Lebanon and engage in political activity within the camps. This gave legitimacy to Palestinian activism within the country and the possession of weapons within the camps before former Lebanese President Amine Gemayel officially annulled the agreement in 1987. Weapons are found unevenly among the camps, except for the Nahr al-Bared camp in the north, which is entirely devoid of weapons. It has been under Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) control since 2007, following more than three months of violent street battles between the LAF and the Islamist Fatah al-Islam group. Before the Nahr al-Bared camp battle, Lebanese political leaders had agreed to disarm Palestinians outside the camps within six months. This was followed by the 2008 Doha Agreement, which defined its objectives as a defensive strategy and Palestinian weapons inside and outside the camps. However, none of those decisions were implemented, and they remained on paper. As the years passed, the camps witnessed sessions of violence between Palestinian factions themselves, as well as participation in confrontations with Israel, with the latest taking place during the "support front" initiated by Hizbullah against Israel. Unlike in the past, the Lebanese authorities claim to have put in place steps to begin withdrawing weapons from Palestinian camps, with the process expected to start in mid-June. Last December, LAF units seized for the first time camps and headquarters in the western and central Bekaa Valley and Mount Lebanon belonging to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command and Fatah al-Intifada, all of which lie outside the refugee camps scattered throughout the south, north, and Bekaa. The army confiscated their equipment and ammunition. These were, in fact, "easy prey" since they were isolated and considered dissident to the mainstream, mainly affiliated to Syria. Dealing with the eleven remaining refugee camps is another issue. Of the 11, three respond to the direct authority of Fatah, and there will be no problem in dealing with those camps. The others are well-entrenched militias, opposition factions, and Islamists that do not recognize Abbas's authority, which means that unless a deal is reached, the issue of disarmament could become an open conflict between the different factions. As a result, it could spill over into a conflict against Lebanon's authority. As mentioned earlier, the LAF and Lebanese General Security are supposed to start collecting weapons from Palestinian camps in mid-June. The first phase will begin from the camps in the capital, Beirut, namely Burj al-Barajneh, Shatila, and Mar Elias; all three respond to the authority of Fatah, thus the PA. At the beginning of July, the demilitarization of the Bekaa and the north-Beddawi camps will commence, followed by the southern camps, located within the southern Litani area, specifically the Rashidieh camps (the largest), Al-Burj al-Shamali, and the Bass. In the Ein al-Hilweh camp, which is the most challenging, the LAF will have to contend with several rival groups that divide control of the camp among themselves: the PLO, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and radical Islamists. Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other factions will be informed of the content of the disarmament agreement between the Palestinian and Lebanese sides, as well as the dates for the implementation of the plan, which does not imply immediate acceptance of the disarmament procedure. In an attempt to influence both Palestinian and Lebanese public opinion, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (nicknamed by his opponents "the Zionist") stressed that the weapons inside the Palestinian refugee camps are no longer weapons that contribute to the fulfillment of the rights of the Palestinian people. Still, rather the danger lies in the fact that they may turn into a weapon of Palestinian or Palestinian-Lebanese strife. According to the speech given by Salam to Abbas, the strength of the Palestinian cause today is not in the weapons in the Palestinian camps in Lebanon but in the increasing number of countries that recognize the "State of Palestine" and in the hundreds of thousands of demonstrators around the world in support of Palestine and Gaza, as it also lies in the decisions of the international legitimacy and the rulings of international courts. From its perspective, Hamas claims that the issue will not be resolved by the push of a button between Abbas and Lebanon but rather through a Palestinian dialogue to develop a strategy for disarming and organizing alternatives within the camps, from community policing to granting civil rights. In other words, the mechanism for disarming Palestinian factions in Lebanon is not yet mature, not only because Abbas has no authority over Hamas but also because of the lack of Lebanon's resolve. In summary, Abbas's visit to Lebanon was intended by himself and Aoun to throw sand in the United States' eyes, making it believe it was gold. Col. (ret.) Dr. Jacques Neriah, a special analyst for the Middle East at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, was formerly Foreign Policy Advisor to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Deputy Head for Assessment of Israeli Military Intelligence. Home Rajasthan Minister Jogaram Patel has criticised the Congress party, accusing it of still being involved in negative politics. "Congress has not given up its negative politics till date," Patel told ANI on Monday, adding that the party lacks a clear issue, policy, intention, or work style. Speaking on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's recent remarks, Patel stated that the Congress Party spends all of its time criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Congress has not given up its negative politics till date. Congress has no issue, policy, intention, or work style. They spend their whole day criticising Modi ji. Prime Minister Modi is working to encourage the bravery of the Armed Forces, expose Pakistan's lies, and implement the schemes of the Central Government on the ground." Patel said. On Sunday, Congress President and Rajya Sabha MP Mallikarjun Kharge took a veiled dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi while speaking to reporters. The Congress President asked the former to refrain from self-praise on Operation Sindoor and asserted that no one would speak against the country. "We must know when to speak what. There should be unity in national matters and a focus on defeating our opponents. All leaders across the country should remain silent regarding matters of national security. It's better to understand what has happened before speaking about it. There should be no election campaign before the delegation reports are out. PM Modi should refrain from giving election speeches. There is no need for self-praise. The entire nation stands with our armed forces. PM Modi had earlier said that he had given full authority to the army, so why is he speaking again now? The Prime Minister should not make self-glorifying speeches. We have said, let's convene Parliament and talk. Even Pakistan has convened its Parliament and is holding discussions. None of us will speak against the nation," the Rajya Sabha MP said. Congress has been demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. India carried out Operation Sindoor and launched precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, including one Nepali national. A day earlier, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a special session of Parliament concerning Operation Sindoor, alleging that the government had "misled the nation" and instead of clarifying US President Donald Trump's assertions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi "is on an election blitz, taking personal credit for the valour of the Armed Forces". In a post on X, Kharge referred to remarks made by the Chief of Defence Staff during an interview and demanded a comprehensive review of the country's defence preparedness by an independent expert committee. "In the wake of the remarks made by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in Singapore in an interview, there are some very important questions which need to be asked. These can only be asked if a Special Session of the Parliament is immediately convened. The Modi Govt has misled the nation. The fog of war is now clearing," Kharge said. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a virtual meeting with the District Magistrates of all 13 districts in the state on Monday, reviewed the progress of development works, road construction, and other schemes. During the meeting, CM Dhami received feedback from the district magistrates. On Sunday, CM Dhami inaugurated the Vatsalya Ganga Ashray in Haridwar in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Mahamandaleshwar Parmanand Maharaj. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also prayed for the happiness and prosperity of all the people of the state and offered prayers to the River Ganga. Chief Minister Dhami appreciated the work done by Sadhvi Ritambhara for "destitute daughters" and called it "divine". CM Dhami said, "The divine work of giving new life to destitute daughters under the leadership of Sadhvi Ritambhara Ji is a strong symbol of hope, compassion and reconstruction in the society." He said that the lives of many daughters have changed in a positive direction due to his project. This is truly an inspiring example of social service. CM Dhami and Delhi CM Rekha Gupta offered prayers to the Ganga river in Haridwar. CM Dhami said, "Delhi CM Rekha Gupta has come to take God's blessings. Tomorrow, she will visit Kedarnath and Badrinath. I extend best wishes to her...After 27 years, a government has been elected in Delhi which is working for the development of Delhi..." Earlier, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta heaped praise on CM Dhami on Sunday for his developmental work in the state, which she said serves as an inspiration for the national capital. Addressing the gathering during her visit to Haridwar, Gupta said, "... The work done by CM Dhami in Uttarakhand is an inspiration for Delhi. Pushkar Singh Dhami extensively campaigned in Delhi during the Vidhan Sabha elections, interacting with the voters who hail from Uttarakhand..." Hours after taking a dip in the Ganges, the Delhi Chief Minister asserted that her government is continuously working towards cleaning the Yamuna river in the national capital. Addressing a public rally in Haridwar, Gupta said, "Yesterday, we performed the aarti of Yamuna ji in Delhi, and today I took a dip in Ganga ji. Today, I want the blessings of all the saints sitting on this stage that one day we will be able to take a dip in Yamuna ji. Yamuna is dry; there is no water in it, and the water that is there is very dirty. I have to work continuously to achieve this goal of cleaning the Yamuna River..." (ANI) Responding to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's statement on PM Modi, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday slammed Congress, asserting that the BJP-led government has taken decisive action against those "promoting terrorism" in India. He further accused the Congress of shielding Pakistan during their tenure. "We have done what we had to do. We have taken action against people who were trying to promote terrorism in India. We have taught them a lesson. The entire world knows what you did during your term. You used to weep before the UN and the US. Now India has hit back, and the world is appreciating our action. The world leaders are supporting us. We dare to talk against Pakistan, but you people tried to protect Pakistan in incidents more severe than this one," he said. "You tried to give a new term called 'saffron terrorism' and point fingers at us. You gave a clean chit to Pakistan. Let them understand their track record and then talk. The entire military was ready when the 26/11 attack happened in Mumbai, but these people did not dare to take action," he added. On Saturday, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a special session of Parliament concerning Operation Sindoor, alleging that government had "misled the nation" and instead of clarifying US President Donald Trump's assertions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi "is on an election blitz, taking personal credit for the valour of the armed forces." In a post on X, Kharge referred to remarks made by the Chief of Defence Staff during an interview and demanded an independent expert committee's comprehensive review of the country's defence preparedness. "In the wake of the remarks made by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in Singapore in an interview, there are some very important questions that need to be asked. These can only be asked if a Special Session of the Parliament is immediately convened. The Modi government has misled the nation. The fog of war is now clearing," Kharge said. "Our IAF pilots were risking their lives fighting the enemy. We have suffered some losses, but our pilots were safe. As per CDS's interview, 'we made, remedy it, rectify it, and then implement it again after two days and flew all our jets again, targeting at long range'. We salute their resolute courage and bravery. However, a comprehensive strategic review is the need of the hour. Congress party demands a Comprehensive Review of our defence preparedness by an independent expert committee, on the lines of the Kargil Review Committee," he said. (ANI) Bihar Minister Kedar Gupta on Monday promised speedy trail and strictest punishment in the rape and murder of a minor girl in Muzaffarpur. He added that the State government will provide an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the victim's family. "An incident of rape took place recently. the accused raped a minor girl and slit her neck. She was being treated in Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital in Muzaffarpur. Later, for better treatment, she was sent to Patna Medical College and Hospital, but she died there yesterday," Gupta told reporters here. "Her last rites were also done. We have instructed the Senior Superintendent of Police to file a charge sheet in 10 days and to ensure the perpetrator gets the death sentence within two months. The deceased's family will get a cheque of Rs 4 lakh from the Bihar government. We want the court to ensure that the victim's family gets justice as soon as possible," he added. The 10-year-old girl died at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) on Sunday, in-charge Superintendent Dr Abhijit Singh said. The Incharge Superintendent of PMCH, Patna, told ANI, "The girl was admitted at Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital in Muzaffarpur on 26th May. She had neck injuries and internal injuries... After she arrived here, the doctor examined her in the ambulance. She was taken to the ICU, and doctors from all departments treated her for the entire night." The minor girl's uncle, Virendra Paswan, has, however, alleged negligence on the part of the hospital administration and doctors, stating that she was kept waiting for two hours inside the ambulance before getting admission to the hospital. "The doctors referred us to Patna, but we didn't like it there either. It's not a good hospital. Yesterday, we came, and we waited for three hours in an ambulance. When everyone started creating a ruckus, they admitted her at 4 o'clock. There was no convenience for anything. The child was uneasy and started crying at night. The doctors got upset and gave sleeping medicine to the child all night long, and at eight o'clock in the morning, she died," Paswan told ANI on Sunday. Dr. Abhijit Singh has, however, denied allegations of negligence. "If such an incident takes place with anyone, the family will make allegations of negligence. We actively treated her right after we learned about this case. The doctor examined her in the ambulance, and then she was admitted, too," he said. The minor girl's uncle alleged that the accused lured her on the pretext of offering chocolate near her aunt's house and then took her to a maize field and raped her there. He said, "The culprit took the minor under the pretext of taking her to her aunt's house and giving her chocolate He took her to a maize field at three o'clock in the evening, then raped her there. The boy has been arrested. He strangled the girl and slit her throat. We called 112..." Congress leader Aditya Paswan has demanded action against the hospital administration and the government. "Due to the negligence of the Bihar government due to the negligence of the doctors of PMCH, a nine-year-old Dalit child died. The superintendent of PMCH should be suspended immediately. The Health Minister should resign. The Bihar government is running on ventilators, and this is just a pretence that a world-class hospital is being built. If this were the case, it would not have happened to that girl Dalit, whether Dalit or poor, people are equal. If someone says you will have to struggle for one hour to admit the girl, it is a shame," he said. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on Monday, called on the visiting President Santiago Pena Palacios of Paraguay, who is on his first State visit to India. In a post on X, Jaishankar highlighted the potential for enhanced cooperation between the two countries. "Pleased to call on President Palacios of Paraguay at the start of his State Visit to India. Appreciate his positive sentiments and guidance for enhancing cooperation in many domains. Confident that his talks with PM Modi today will open new avenues for India's engagement with Paraguay and the South America region," Jaishankar said in a post on X. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with President Santiago Pena Palacios of Paraguay at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. Earlier in the day, President Palacios paid a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, laying a wreath at the memorial. The visit is part of his three-day state visit to India, which will conclude on June 4. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) took to X to post, "Honouring the values of peace & non-violence. President Santiago Pena Palacios of Paraguay paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat today."President Palacios arrived in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India and was accorded a ceremonial welcome along with a Guard of Honour at Palam Air Force Station. The President was warmly received by Minister of State Harsh Vardhan Malhotra, highlighting the strong bilateral ties between the two countries. Sharing an update on X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal welcomed President Santiago Pena Palacios on his arrival in the national capital. Jaiswal posted, "Bienvenido, President @SantiPenap! President @SantiPenap of Paraguay has arrived in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India, to a ceremonial welcome & Guard of Honour. Warmly received by MoS Harsh Malhotra @hdmalhotra at the airport. This visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen the relationship." The MEA emphasised that President Pena's visit, scheduled from June 2 to June 4, aims to deepen and broaden India-Paraguay ties across political, economic, and cultural spheres. At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Paraguayan President will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials, and business representatives. During the visit, President Pena is set to hold high-level talks with Prime Minister Modi and other senior leaders to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations. Prime Minister Modi will host a lunch in his honour, while President Droupadi Murmu is expected to meet him and host a banquet. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar is also scheduled to call on the visiting dignitary. President Pena will also travel to Mumbai to engage with state political leadership, business and industry representatives, startups, innovators, and technology leaders. The State Visit provides an opportunity to comprehensively review bilateral ties and discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest. India and Paraguay have enjoyed warm and friendly relations since establishing diplomatic ties on September 13, 1961. Cooperation between the two countries spans trade, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, and information technology sectors. Paraguay is an important trading partner for India in Latin America, with several Indian companies active in Paraguay's automobile and pharmaceutical sectors. Paraguayan companies, mainly through joint ventures, also have a presence in India, strengthening economic ties. Both nations share common views on international issues, including United Nations reforms, climate change, renewable energy, and combating terrorism. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said on Monday that the party is confident it can secure a majority in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Standing Committee elections. Speaking to ANI, Bidhuri said, "We will win the election of the standing committee. The BJP will win 10 out of 12 zones." He further said that the party's presence in the central government, the Delhi administration, and the MCD would ensure that development work continues without hindrance. "The BJP is in the centre, state (Delhi), and MCD, and all the work will go smoothly. The triple-engine government works according to the wishes of the people of Delhi," he added. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD) Chairmen, Deputy Chairmen of 12 ward committees, and two standing committee members--each from the South Zone and City-SP Zone--will be elected today. The election of the two standing committee members was necessitated after Prem Chauhan and Punardeep Singh Sawhney, who had been elected to the Delhi Legislative Assembly, tendered their resignations. Prem Chauhan and Punardeep Singh Sawhney were the standing committee members from the Wards Committee South Zone and the Wards Committee City-SP Zone, respectively. "In pursuance of Sub-section (5) of Section 45 of the Act, these vacancies are to be filled up by the concerned Wards Committees in a meeting from amongst the Councillors of the Wards Committee", a notice from MCD said. The BJP and AAP are making every effort to ensure their candidates win. Out of the 12 ward committees, elections in three zones will be uncontested, as only one candidate is in each zone. The results will shape the standing committee's formation and reveal which party gains majority control to appoint its Chairman. Meanwhile, AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj said on Sunday that the election will reveal the relationship between Congress and the BJP. "Tomorrow, there are elections for the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the MCD Rohini zone. On one side is the panel of BJP-supported IVP, and on the other is the Aam Aadmi Party. The Congress president should tell whom the two Congress councillors will vote for tomorrow. Tomorrow, the relationship between Congress and the BJP will be revealed," he said on X. On May 24, with over two years still to go, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) shifted into mission mode for the 2027 Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections, setting its sights on forming a huge majority in the civic body, a press release from the Aam Aadmi Party said. In a high-level strategy meeting held on Friday, senior AAP leader and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Delhi state president Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the MCD House, Ankush Narang, met with all party councillors to start the preparations. Former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia reviewed ward-level issues in detail and directed councillors to ensure immediate redressing. "Arvind Kejriwal has pioneered alternative work politics across India. Our goal now is to take this model to every household and make it even stronger," said Manish Sisodia. (ANI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin praised the Chennai Mahila court's verdict after it awarded the life sentence for a minimum period of 30 years without remission and a fine of Rs 90,000 to the accused Gnanasekaran, who has been convicted of sexually harassing a student on the Anna University campus in December last year. In a post on X, Tamil Nadu CM said the state police responded through action to those who merely pretend to care about women's safety. "Tamil Nadu Police has responded through action to those who merely pretend to care about women's safety. During the investigation, the High Court itself appreciated the manner in which the case involving the Chennai student was handled fairly and swiftly, concluded within just five months--securing a severe punishment for the perpetrator," he said. Hitting out at the opposition, CM Stalin said, "Now that the verdict has been delivered, the Mahila Court too has come forward to commend the excellent work of the police in this case. The shallow-minded attempts by a few to seek political gain even from the injustice suffered by a young woman have now been completely shattered." "In line with the recent legal amendment we brought in--stating that there shall be no early release for sexual offenders--the court has imposed a strict sentence in this case with no provisions for remission or any other leniency. I welcome and express my gratitude for this verdict," he remarked, expressing gratitude to the court. https://x.com/mkstalin/status/1929425529809305911 Mahila Court judge M. Rajalakshmi, who convicted Gnanasekaran on May 28, today awarded sentences in respect of each of the 11 charges proved by the prosecution against him. Public Prosecutor Marry Jayanthi said, "As far as the Gnanasekaran case is concerned, we have got the verdict today. 30 years without remission have been provided. SIT enquired into the incident; they filed a charge sheet at the Mahila court. April 30 for the first time, affected women took the stage. All evidence was provided, as it was satisfactory for the court; today this judgement has come. The highest punishment is a life sentence for this case, and it has been provided." A second-year student of Anna University was sexually assaulted on the Anna University campus in December. After an investigation, the Chennai Police had arrested Gananesekaran in connection with the case. On May 28, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday hailed the state police, investigating officers and government lawyers for the expeditious verdict in the Anna University sexual assault case. Tamil Nadu Minister Geetha Jeevan said that the case was resolved in a fast manner and the "right" punishment was given in the court. "The sexual assault case of a student studying on the Anna University campus has resulted in the conviction of the culprit within five months due to the prompt action of the Tamil Nadu government. The case that was held in the court was concluded quickly, and within five months. This case, which took place on December 23rd, was resolved quickly, and the right punishment was given in the court," she said. "According to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the punishment has been given in the court... Women who are subjected to violence should come forward to file complaints," the Minister stated. (ANI) Congress leader Salman Khurshid, on Monday, expressed concern over political divisions amid India's efforts to address terrorism through the multi-party delegation visits to various countries, of which he is a part. He said that while India communicates its stance on terrorism globally, some at home focus on political allegiances instead of unity. https://x.com/salman7khurshid/status/1929451956411531289 In a post on X, Khurshid wrote, "When on mission against terrorism, to carry India's message to the world, it's distressing that people at home are calculating political allegiances. Is it so difficult to be patriotic?" Meanwhile, on Sunday, Khurshid highlighted India's unified stance against terrorism and underscored the need for a collective global response to combat terrorism, promoting peace and prosperity worldwide. "With one voice India is saying, 'Terrorism no more.'... We hope to create a collective rise against terrorism to make the globe peaceful and prosperous... We can confidently say, 'Hum honge kaamyaab'," he said. Earlier, while addressing a gathering in Kuala Lumpur, Khurshid said that India's all-party delegation shows diversity and unity because it unequivocally condemns terrorism despite being from different parties. "The message we come with. It is a message of unity. We are from several parties. We are from several regions of India. We are from several religions of India. But if you want to see how, when it comes to the nation and your motherland, how you come together and how you combine, how you speak in a single voice is what we are here to show. Which is which is something that we by commitment and deep in our hearts we feel very strongly, which is why we are here together to present this picture to you," he said. Khurshid added that even when the soldiers go to protect the borders, they have only one sentiment- to protect Mother India. Congress leader Khurshid is part of the all-party parliamentary delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha which has been visiting various East Asian countries. The delegation is currently visiting partner countries to reinforce India's firm resolve against cross-border terrorism and its zero-tolerance policy. (ANI) Ahead of the forthcoming assembly elections in Bihar, Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Monday announced his intention to contest the upcoming polls. He said that his primary reason for joining politics was to work for his home state, Bihar, and its people, which Paswan said would not be possible if he remained in Delhi. "I have said previously that I haven't seen myself in national politics for long. The only reason I came into politics was Bihar and Biharis. My vision has always been 'Bihar first, Bihari first', and I always want Bihar to prosper and be at par with other developed states. After becoming an MP for the third time, I realised this would not be possible in Delhi. I had expressed my wish before the party to return to Bihar soon," Paswan, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief, told reporters here. He further said that his party was assessing whether his contesting the upcoming Bihar assembly polls would benefit the party. He added that he would contest the assembly polls if the performance of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) improved. "My party is still evaluating whether my party will benefit if I contest the Vidhan Sabha elections now... If my strike rate gets better and the performance of my alliance gets better, of which there are high chances, then I will definitely contest," Paswan said. "There is no vacancy for the CM post in Bihar. Nitish Kumar will become the CM after the elections," he added. Paswan responded to his party's request to contest the upcoming Bihar Vidhan Sabha elections, stating that he will respect the party's decision, whatever it may be."I will obey my party's wishes. For now, we are yet to discuss it...,' he said. On Sunday, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MP Arun Bharti hinted at the possibility of Union Minister and party president Chirag Paswan contesting the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. Bharti also revealed that during a recent state executive meeting, party leaders formally proposed that Paswan consider a larger role in Bihar politics. "Chirag Paswan has said from every platform that Bihar is the centre of my politics...the whole of Bihar loves him. We had given him a formal proposal in the state executive meeting that he should come to Bihar and think about playing a bigger role. We are conducting a survey. The result of that survey will come, and if everything goes well, then I think that in the coming time, Chirag Paswan ji will seriously consider all these things and think about coming to Bihar and contesting elections," Bharti said. (ANI) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday began its arguments on charges in the land for job scam case, in which former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his family members, former public servants, and candidates are accused. Yadav is alleged to have granted railway jobs in exchange for land parcels from candidates or their relatives, either as gifts or at significantly reduced prices. Special judge Vishal Gogne heard the submissions by senior advocate DP Singh alongwith advocate Manu Mishra, who appeared for the CBI. CBI's counsel gave a brief overview of the case and submitted that there is a sanction to prosecute Lalu Prasad Yadav and public servants in this case. It was further submitted that there is sufficient material evidence to frame charges against the accused persons for the offence they are chargesheeted. Delhi High Court has already rejected the plea of Lalu Prasad Yadav seeking a stay on trial court proceedings. The Delhi High Court on May 31 dismissed a plea by RJD chief and former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. Justice Ravinder Dudeja had ruled that Yadav remains free to present his arguments before the trial court at the charge consideration stage, stating there were no compelling reasons to halt proceedings. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal had sought to quash the FIR, arguing that the CBI failed to obtain mandatory prior approval before proceeding with its inquiry. He contended that while approval was secured for others, it was not obtained in his case. The CBI, opposing the petition on maintainability grounds, had argued that a sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act was not required. It further stated that while a sanction under Section 19 was necessary, it had already been obtained. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have investigated former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his family, and several others in connection with the land-for-jobs case. (ANI) Comparing the Canadian and the American Right updated to 2025 (Part Two) By Mark Wegierski web posted June 2, 2025 In regard to immigration, Canada has received about a quarter-million immigrants a year about 75% - 80% of them from non-European sources -- since 1988. The mass, dissimilar immigration began in the mid-1960s, but the total immigration since that time had been about 100,000 persons a year. Indeed, it had reached a mere 54,000 in Pierre Elliott Trudeau's last year in office (1983-1984). It was Progressive Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney who had raised it precipitously, where it has basically remained ever since until Justin Trudeau raised it even more. The population of Canada is now close to 41 million. Unlike the U.S., where there is some degree of criticism of mass, dissimilar immigration permitted, this is virtually a closed issue in Canada. Indeed, Justin Trudeau had raised immigration to the unprecedented levels of over one million persons a year. Related to policies of mass, dissimilar immigration are policies of multiculturalism. Canada has been a pioneer in the area of multiculturalism the city of Toronto today is probably the most diverse city in the world, with probably close to 200 groups represented. All levels of government (federal, provincial, and municipal) are required to support the cultural endeavours of ethnic groups, at least to some extent. Ethnic groups also claim absolute cultural self-determination, rejecting the earlier assimilation model. Multiculturalism today may really be called multiracialism, as it is "visible minorities" (a term officially used in Canada), rather than "white ethnics" such as Ukrainian-, Italian-, Portuguese-, and Polish-Canadians, who are overwhelmingly the focus of government, media, and corporate concern. Related to multiculturalism is "employment equity" (the Canadian term for affirmative action), which operates on behalf of the following "designated groups" women, visible minorities, aboriginal peoples, and persons with disabilities in all levels of government, as well as in much of the private sector. In one major "pay-equity" settlement, the Canadian Human Rights Commission (a quasi-judicial tribunal) ordered the Federal Government to pay about $3.5 billion (Canadian) to women working or formerly working for the Federal Government. (By contrast, the entire budget for the Canadian military in the year 2000 was about $10 billion.) In August 2002, there was an attempt to further entrench "employment equity" in the Federal Civil Service twenty percent of all new hires were to be visible minorities, and senior managers were to receive performance bonuses depending on how many visible minorities they hired. Although there were a few scattered voices of protest, this is fact seemed like a continuation of policies that had been in place for at least thirty years. The Harper government had several years ago promised some kind review of employment equity policies, but this did not go anywhere. Ironically, in the wake of BLM in the United States, Canada is awash with claims of "systemic racism" and a group of Black civil servants has launched a lawsuit against the Federal Government, claiming pervasive discrimination, and asking for $900 million (Canadian). On October 1, 2021, the lawsuit claim was raised to $2.5 billion (Canadian). As far as disabled persons, they have probably been included under employment equity to give the policy an increased aura of "kindness" and "compassion." It could be argued that there is not all that much being done for most disabled persons today, apart from giving them disability support payments and some subsidies for housing and assistive devices, which are not excessively generous. However, the inclusion of disabled persons as a "designated group" inclines this rather heterogeneous category of people (and their care-givers) to support the current-day "equity regime," and increases still further the social stigma of publicly challenging employment equity. Canada is also permeated by the bilingualism (French and English) policy. This means that Canada is an officially bilingual state, and that most positions (and especially senior positions) in the Federal Civil Service require knowledge of both French and English. The effect of this has been to increase the chances of French-Canadians and members of Canada's liberal English-speaking elites (more of whom tend to be bilingual) to obtain civil service positions. It has tended to discriminate against ordinary, English-speaking Canadians. New Brunswick, an Atlantic Maritime province with a French-speaking population of about 35%, is fully officially bilingual, and Ontario, with a French-speaking population of about 5%, has been urged to move to full official bilingualism. However, the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec, where one of seven inhabitants doesn't have French as a first language, embraces unilingualism in its government and official policy: French only. Government (typically white-collar) jobs at the federal, provincial, or municipal levels are often considered to be relatively easy to do, with comparatively large benefits (relative to private sector compensations), so policies such as employment equity tend to exclude increasing numbers of persons (especially white males) from remunerative employment. And it now sometimes happens that persons are typically hired only if they bridge two or three designated categories. The government sector is also clearly permeated by varying degrees of political correctness, so a person with more conservative or traditionalist views is unlikely to be hired, and, even if hired, they may sometimes end up in a rather miserable situation, with constant stress and little chance for advancement. To be continued. Mark Wegierski is a Canadian writer and historical researcher. Home Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has said the state government is setting up a new special force to prevent communal violence and ensure law and order in coastal districts like Mangaluru, Udupi, and Karwar. Speaking to the media in Tumakuru, Parameshwara said the government has taken the recent murder in Mangaluru very seriously and has already started taking steps to strengthen security. "A new Anti-Communal Force has been announced, similar to the Anti-Naxal Force," he said. "Orders have been issued and preparations are ongoing. The team will be ready and deployed in 10 to 15 days," he said. This new force will be sent to three coastal districts in the first phase. It will include officers like SPs, Deputy SPs, inspectors, and other staff, selected from different areas. Special training for this force will be provided in Karkala, following the model used for Anti-Naxal teams. Parameshwara stressed that the force is not aimed at any one community. "Whether Hindu or Muslim, action will be taken only if someone breaks the law," he said. "No one will be spared if they do something wrong." He added that the government is serious about improving law and order and will not allow any more such crimes. Referring to the recent daylight murder in Koppal, he said that the police have already caught the accused. "These are rare incidents. We are dealing with them firmly. Overall, the law and order situation in Karnataka is good," he said, citing a study by the University of Hyderabad which ranked Karnataka as one of the safer states. "District Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao visited the area after the incident. I had also personally visited the site of an earlier murder," the Home Minister said. According to Parameshwara, crime in the state has gone down compared to last year, and the government will continue taking strict action to maintain peace. (ANI) As heavy rains continue to batter several north-eastern states, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) conducted a medical camp near Menga village, Upper Subansiri district in Arunachal Pradesh. In a post on X, the BRO shared, "On 31 May 2025, amid continuous rainfall, BRO India conducted a medical camp near Menga village, Upper Subansiri, Arunachal Pradesh. Lecture @BROindia on tobacco hazards was delivered, followed by health check-ups, deworming of children, mosquito-borne disease awareness, and Odomos distribution. Free medicines were given based on clinical assessment. The camp benefited 41 individuals, including civilians and BRO personnel. @BROindia committed beyond infrastructure in nation-building." Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted a critical Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operation early this morning, rescuing 14 individuals stranded in the flooded Bomjir River in Arunachal Pradesh's Lower Dibang Valley. According to Defence PRO, Guwahati, the operation was launched in response to an urgent request from the state administrations of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The stranded individuals, cut off from the mainland due to severe flooding, were airlifted to safety using an IAF Mi-17 helicopter. On Sunday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the Chief Ministers of Assam, Manipur, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh in response to the ongoing heavy rainfall affecting these states. In an X post, Shah assured the states of all possible assistance from the central government to address any challenges arising from the situation. "Spoke with the Chief Ministers of Assam, Manipur, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh in the wake of ongoing heavy rainfall in their states. Also assured them of every possible help to tackle any situation. The Modi government stands like a rock in support of the people of the Northeast," Shah on X. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for Arunachal Pradesh for the coming week, till June 6, predicting "very heavy rain, thunderstorm and Lightning" on May 31. Meanwhile, the weather department has forecasted "heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning" from June 1 to 5 while predicting only "heavy rain" on June 5 and 6. Earlier Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday offered condolences to the reported deaths of at least nine persons - seven in East Kameng district and two in Ziro valley - due to massive landslides triggered by incessant monsoon rains since last few days across the state and announced ex-gratia worth Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of the deceased. In a statement, Chief Minister Khandu expressed grief at the loss of innocent lives and prayed for eternal peace and strength to bereaved family members. He announced ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the deceased's kin as per laid down government norms and assured assistance through the respective district administrations. (ANI) The incident took place on Sunday. Two individuals were apprehended during the operation. Headquarters of the Inspector General, Assam Rifles (East) in a statement said, "The contraband was being carried in a vehicle. The approximate market value of the seized narcotics is estimated to be Rs 7 crore in the international market." The arrested individuals have been identified as Shamal Majumdar, a resident of West Tripura and Malaya Debnath, a resident of North Tripura. "Two individuals were apprehended during the operation, namely Shamal Majumdar, resident of West Tripura and Malaya Debnath, resident of North Tripura. Apprehended individuals, along with the recovered narcotics, were handed over to the DRI for further investigation and legal proceedings," HQ IGAR (E) further stated. This operation underscores the Assam Rifles' continued efforts in combating drug trafficking and maintaining security in the region, HQ IGAR (E) said. Earlier, Assam Rifles launched swift rescue operations on June 1 amidst rising water levels caused by continuous rainfall in Agartala, in the general areas of Chandrapur and Resham Bagan under Sadar Subdivision, West Tripura. Flood Relief Columns were immediately deployed to the affected areas in close coordination with the West Tripura District Disaster Management Team. The quick response and dedicated efforts of Assam Rifles personnel resulted in the safe rescue of 67 civilians, including women and children, from flood-prone localities. The operation highlights the Assam Rifles' unwavering commitment to humanitarian assistance and close synergy with civil administration in times of natural calamity. (ANI) In a significant action against illegal immigration, a joint team from the Foreigner Cell and Special Staff of Shahdara District Police apprehended 16 Bangladeshi nationals from Delhi's Seemapuri area. As per the police, the operation was launched following credible intelligence about the movement of illegal immigrants across the Uttar Pradesh-Delhi border near the Shaheed Nagar area. Acting swiftly on the tip-off, the police team conducted initial verification and, after confirming the information, formulated an immediate action plan. Based on surveillance and identification by the informer, the joint team intercepted the group as they attempted to enter the Seemapuri area in Delhi. A total of 16 individuals were detained, including four adult males, five adult females, and seven minor children. All were identified as Bangladeshi nationals who had entered India without valid documents and were attempting to settle in Delhi illegally. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Shahdara District, Prashant Gautam said, "During interrogation, the detainees revealed that they had crossed into India nearly 18 to 19 years ago, driven by poverty and lack of livelihood opportunities in their native villages, located about 40 to 50 kilometres from the India-Bangladesh border." "They claimed to have entered Indian territory during the night without encountering any Border Security Force personnel. After initially settling in the Cooch Behar area of West Bengal, they later travelled by train to Delhi in search of employment. Eventually, they found work in rural areas of Haryana, primarily at brick kilns (locally known as bhatta), where they engaged in brick-making. These remote locations allowed them to remain hidden and avoid detection by authorities. No government agency had conducted any verification during their stay, and kiln owners allegedly employed them without proper documentation due to the availability of cheap labour," the DCP said. DCP Gautam further mentioned that following their apprehension, legal proceedings were initiated under the Foreigners Act and other applicable laws. "All individuals have been handed over to the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) of Delhi Police for the deportation process," he said. (ANI) The operation was carried out acting on a tip-off by a team of the Crime Branch. According to Sandeep Doiphode, DCP Crime Branch Unit of Pimpri-Chinchwad Police, a focused crackdown was launched against illegal arms possession and trafficking within the city limits of Pimpri-Chinchwad, following which a team led by Senior Police Inspector Vijay Dhamal received credible intelligence that three suspects were moving suspiciously in a car without a number plate in the Talegaon Dabhade area and were possibly in possession of firearms. Police Constables Ganesh Sawant, Sumit Devkar, and Vinod Veer, acting on the information, laid a trap and intercepted the suspects near the Old Pune-Mumbai Highway. Five country-made pistols, 20 live cartridges, two empty magazines, three mobile phones and a grey car were seized from their possession. The total value of the seized materials is estimated at Rs 8,76,000. As per the police, the accused have been identified as Umesh Chandrakant Kedari (28), Manthan alias Guddu Ashok Satkar (28), and Vishal Jyotiram Khanekar (30), all residents of Pune. A case has been registered at Talegaon Dabhade Police Station under BNS Sections of Arms Act (3, 5, 25) and Maharashtra Police Act (37(1) read with 135). The court has remanded all three to police custody until June 4, 2027. As per the police, preliminary investigations indicate that the accused had the arms to spread terror and for illegal trade. Further, police records reveal that the accused have serious criminal backgrounds. Umesh Kedari is involved in four previous cases, including one of murder. Manthan Satkar faces three charges, including an attempt to murder, and Vishal Khanekar has two cases registered against him. (ANI) Haryana Congress Chief Udai Bhan on Monday said that Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, will visit the state on June 4 to hold a meeting with state senior leaders to address various organisational issues within the state unit. Speaking to the media, Bhan said, "On the 4th, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi will be visiting the Haryana PCC office to address all AICC and PCC observers as part of the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan (Organisation Creation Campaign)." "Rahul Ji is coming on the 4th to address and guide us. He will first hold a meeting at 11:30 AM with senior leaders associated with the organisation. Leaders like Bhupinder Hooda, Kumari Selja, Deepender Hooda, Randeep Surjewala, and several others will participate in the meeting. After this, he will address the AICC and PCC observers. He will then depart for Chandigarh," Bhan said. Earlier today, reacting to Rahul Gandhi's upcoming visit to Chandigarh, Haryana Minister Anil Vij said that it has been more than eight months and the Congress still has not been able to decide the Leader of Opposition in the state. "Congress comments on national issues and talks big about the country's major problems, but it has not yet been able to decide on the Leader of Opposition," Vij said. "It has been more than eight months, and they still haven't been able to decide on their Leader of Opposition, which is quite disheartening. Several meetings have already taken place, and they must have been informed about this issue. Perhaps Rahul Gandhi is coming specifically for this Haryana meeting," Vij further claimed When asked about infighting within the Haryana Congress, Anil Vij took a dig at the party, saying, "Politics is a strange thing. The same people create conflicts, and the same people broker peace." (ANI) Rashtriya Swamyamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat has been booked by Mangaluru Police for allegedly delivering a provocative speech during a condolence program held for the recent murder in the district. Bhat had delivered the speech on May 12, at Madwa Palace Kalyana Mantapa Hall in Kavlapadoor village. According to police, Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, while addressing approximately 500 attendees at the event, made statements that are believed to "disrupt social harmony, create animosity between religious groups, and incite communal disharmony." Authorities stated that there is a potential for disturbance to law and order in the district due to these statements. On Monday, a case was filed against the RSS leader at Bantwal Rural Police Station under Section 353(2) Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. Section 353 deals with statements conducing to public mischief, with the section 2 detailing that whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement or report containing false information, rumour or alarming news, including through electronic means, with intent to create or promote, or which is likely to create or promote. feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will between different groups shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both. Further legal action will be taken, police confirmed.According to the police, the RSS leader was speaking at an event to condole the murder of a youth, Suhas Shetty, which took place on May 1 by unidentified assailants. Shetty was the main accused I the Fazil murder case. Multiple leaders, including BJP leader CT Ravi have asked for the case to be transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). CT Ravi expressed distrust in the ongoing state-led probe on May 6, claiming, "This is a pre-planned murder. This is also failure of the state government... we don't trust the probe conducted by the state government." Ravi also highlighted that despite prior warnings and a social media post made weeks ago, no security was provided to Suhas Shetty, underscoring what he called a lapse in governance. (ANI) Chinese military conducts combat readiness patrols over Huangyan Dao Xinhua) 14:35, May 31, 2025 BEIJING, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese military on Saturday conducted combat readiness patrols in the territorial waters and airspace around China's Huangyan Dao and its adjacent areas, according to an official statement. The Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command said that beginning in May, its troops have organized naval and air forces to continuously strengthen patrols in the waters and airspace surrounding the territorial waters of Huangyan Dao, and further bolster relevant maritime and airspace control and management. The move is aimed at resolutely safeguarding China's sovereignty and security, as well as upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea region, the Command said. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Kou Jie) The Mothers and Fathers Italian Association By Thomas F. Monteleone Borderlands Press HC, 2003 ISBN-10 : 1880325209 MAFIA is a conservative view on publishing, horror and the writing life By Thomas M. Sipos web posted June 2, 2025 Since 1976, novelist, screenwriter and editor Thomas F. Monteleone has chronicled the art and business of horror in his MAFIA column, bouncing about small press zines, usually moving whenever its home folded. In 2003 all his then extant columns were reprinted in his book, The Mothers and Fathers Italian Association. Much of it remains informative and all of it remains entertaining. Monteleone is a conservative horror writer. So much so that in 2023 he was expelled from the Horror Writers Association for making "offensive" statements, about which you can read in File770, and the Daily Beast, and Alan Baxter's letter of complaint. But I digress ... Aspiring genre writers will find much useful info in MAFIA. As a former anthology editor, Monteleone reveals the common mistakes writers commit that guarantee rejection. He warns of the career risks of writing media tie-ins, and advises authors not to use their real names, especially not for the bottom-of-the-barrel tie-ins. Overall, Monteleone gives the impression that the tie-in ghetto is just notch above "all the hopeless mooks who send their stuff to rip-off artists in the Writers Digest Classifieds." Monteleone offers us a peek at his royalty statement -- and how it revealed that his publisher wasn't properly promoting his orphaned book. He also relates his experiences writing for Hollywood, genre fan gossip, political and philosophical commentary, and humor -- all presented with Monteleone's "in your face/suffer no fools" attitude. Are you a fool? Monteleone bristles at the "dumb questions writers are always asked" such as: "Where do you get your ideas?" Even worse is the usual followup, whereby the querist offers to provide a book idea, if the writer will write it for a 50/50 split. Says Monteleone: "Now isn't that just about the most fabulous thing you can ever imagine happening to a writer? I can tell ya, friends, we all dream about that one ... it's right up there with being at the top of the bestseller list for 47 weeks and selling movie rights for ten mill." Are you impressed by literary awards? Think a Nebula or Stoker proves a book's merit or writer's talent? You might not think so after reading Monteleone's devastating report from inside the sausage factory. Says Monteleone: "The most popular way to select winners is by a long nominating and winnowing out process which, in the final accounting, can often turn out to be a grand invitation to bribery, cronyism, and other sleazoid activities of which we're all capable. "It goes like this: a friend of mine has a story or a book nominated, and he thinks it's a pretty good effort, so he gets on the phone and starts asking me and the rest of his buddies to make sure they read the work in question. What he really means is: read it if you get the time, but Jesus Christ, don't forget to vote for the sumbitch. Sometimes writers even forgo the proprieties and just call in old favors. ('Okay, I voted for that turgid piece of crap of your's last year -- now it's your turn in the barrel, old buddy.') And if you don't believe that goes on, then you must be one of those people who kept sending Jim and Tammy your money even after the brown matter hit the whirling blades. "I can tell you personally, it's a fact of life. I've had plenty of friends ask for nominations and yeah, grunge that I am, I've asked friends to do the same for me -- although this sin was committed primarily back in my SFWA days. Worse, I've nominated stuff I didn't have time to read (and then weeks or months later went back to finally check out the piece -- only to discover it's a ghastly piece of dreck). "Yeah, I know -- real slimy. But you gotta know I'm not alone on this one. It's part of what greases the machinery's gears. ... Having seen the grievous error of my ways, I have since refused to participate in awards politicking or favor-trading." He adds: "I speak from the heights of Sagacity Peak and Mt. Experience here and not from the lowlands of Sour Grape City. I received a Bram Stoker Award in 1993 for Superior Achievement in a Novel." Although acknowledging that awards sometimes boost careers, Monteleone demolishes the myth that they guarantee lasting financial success. In MAFIA he recounts the sad fates of two genre giants: Theodore Sturgeon and Fritz Leiber. Leiber alone had won "eight Hugos, four Nebulae, three World Fantasy(s), three Gilgameshes, in addition to a Derleth, a Stoker, British Fantasy, and a Balrog." Both men were wildly successful in terms of publishing credits, influence, and respect. Even so, "Both men spent the last decades of their lives in a constant struggle for survival beyond the basic amenities. ... both died with little recognition (outside genre fandom) for their immense talent." Sturgeon too had a collection of awards, and Monteleone recounts a choice bit of gossip. Awed by Sturgeon's work, Monteleone anxiously awaited his first meeting with Sturgeon, in the Manhattan living room of a mutual friend. Upon hearing Sturgeon's entry, Monteleone turned around and ... "I'm sitting on the couch and I am eye-level with what is always referred to as the groin. More accurately I'm face to face with Ted's flaccid dick and a rather stupendous set of nuts. ... I'm trying to act like everything is cool and I deal with this sort of thing all the time, but in the meantime there is a neon sign in my head, flaring and pulsing out a message, which says: YOU'VE JUST MET THEODORE STURGEON'S BALLS AND THEY'RE BIGGER THAN A PAIR OF KEY LIMES." Turns out Sturgeon had become a practicing nudist. He behaves as if nothing is amiss, sits across from Monteleone "so serene and natural" and begins conversing. Monteleone leaves several hours later feeling sorry the "strange, sad, little man. He is into all kinds of tangential stuff -- from the more usual things like vegetarianism, mysticism, and other post-hippiedom vagaries, then ranging through nudism and into more esoteric territories I couldn't even recognize." But he adds that Sturgeon "was a gentle, sincere, incredibly sensitive person. ... Ted had no trouble being himself, and I'll always respect him for that." Yes, I quote Monteleone extensively, but that's because he is so quotable. Peruse MAFIA at random and you will find each column enjoyable and relevant, written in prose that is erudite, colloquial, and eminently readable. I said that MAFIA is more than shop talk and fan gossip. I said it includes political commentary. In a 1977 column, Monteleone was remarkably prescient in anticipating political correctness while it was still a glimmer. "A most amusing incident occurred about a year ago when one of SF's most highly regarded female writers wrote a scathing tirade to the SFWA Forum attacking one of SF's most highly regarded male writers, based in part on the guy's mention in his most recent novel of one of the male character's admiring the lovely motion of a female character's breasts bobbing about in zero-G. From what I gathered from the fusillade of letters that followed, the female writer was incensed about the inclusion of such things in modern SF proclaiming they should be roundly condemned, and -- this is important -- that the male writer should not write about this kind of sexist activity. That is patently absurd." Monteleone opposes restricting writers to certain subjects, or imposing quotas on characters, or publishing stories on criteria other than merit. It seems so obvious, he laments, "God this is prosaic stuff." In an annotation, he debunks "This 'gender' nonsense. Humans have sex, not gender. Gender is a grammatical term used ever since the days of Latin to distinguish the declension of nouns into categories called masculine, feminine, or neuter. The Politically Correct Robots somehow picked up the word 'gender' and have been throwing it around with their usual supercilious elitism. And they have been using it wrong." He also he decries an SF anthology open only to women writers. "That's pretty much the same as No Dogs or Jews Allowed, No Irishmen Need Apply. ... That anthology simply had no more business in existence than a book called GREAT SCIENCE FICTION BY WHITE GUYS." Monteleone is well aware that women need no special help. In a 1990 column, he reports: "The majority of book editors in Manhattan are female -- and have been for the almost twenty years I've been involved with publishing professionally." And based on his slush pile experience, he explains how stories by women were generally both worse -- and better -- than stories by men. Women surpassed men at providing "an underlying theme which deals with a search for some kind of emotional fulfillment that's often absent from men's writing. And if there is one element that makes women potentially better writers of HDF [horror/dark fantasy], it is this single factor -- because good horror or suspense writing requires an emotional response from the reader, and if things are really cooking, a multi-layered response, an emotional matrix, if you will, that leans on the keys of not only fear and loathing, but also sadness, regret, and yes, even love." On the other hand, "Women's conflicts tend to spring from psychological conflicts rather than physical ones, and rarely from boojums and monsters. Yeah, ladies, you heard it here first -- you don't, ah ... give good creature." Women also write with more style. "I found the ladies' writing to be more lyrical, and more conscious of the traditional techniques of imagery, metaphor, and symbol.... men tend to write a more colorless, lean, fightin'-mean lines of prose." Women are worse at ending a story "with proper bang ... Their resolutions tend to be a bit on the flat side." Long before he was expelled in 2023, Monteleone was denouncing HWA's hypersensitive hypocrites; all the "dark poets and writers" who, despite their self-ballyhooed "darkness", seem to have confused horror with the Hundred Acre Woods. These Dark Poohs were offended by HWA's membership tiers. That while anyone could join HWA as an Associate, you needed a scant minimum of professional sales to join as an Active and receive voting privileges. Some Associates saw that as "elitist." Monteleone blames this internal class envy for the decline of HWA as a professional association. In "A Heinous History of the Hardly Writing Association" (perhaps his most controversial column) he reports that HWA was founded about 1988 by Name authors -- those who had the respect of publishers and were prominently listed on anthology covers. But as the number of less established Actives (those "credited" on anthology covers as "And-Others") and Associates increased, resentment simmered. Attempts to appease the have-nots with lowered admission standards and more Stoker award categories (so more members had a chance to win something) failed to halt the vicious flaming of those nasty "elitists" in HWA's online GEnie forums. By the late 1990s, the battle lines were drawn. "[T]hat's how it finally came down: the And-Others declared war on the Names. And it's no secret how it came out. Over a month or two in which a new election slated representatives of both factions, the internecine conflict ended with the rebels defeating the evil, complacent, and bumbling Empire in the election, which sparked off a new round of various Names' heads being displayed on cyber-spears. What happened next was most likely inevitable and probably the wish-fulfillment of most of the And-Others' wettest of dreams -- about 95% of the Old Guard, the Names, essentially said what any self-respecting person would say, which is, of course: 'Fuck this.'" The Names didn't need HWA, they already had lucrative careers, so they quietly left by not renewing their memberships, leaving behind a "professional" horror writers association with few prominent horror professionals. Atlas shrugged. Monteleone's "Heinous History" was followed by cyber-flames and irate letters, including from a writer denouncing HWA's former "elitist clique" and their "discrimination and hostility" and the need to level the playing field. MAFIA reprints her letter in full and Monteleone's response: "What you can't seem to grasp is that there is no disdain for new or aspiring writers, and never was, but there was (and should be) a HIERARCHY in HWA, and like all other things in the UNIVERSE, an application of the Bell Curve. Here's a head's up: success and achievement have to be earned. I heard the plaintive cry of whining socialist in you with this 'leveling the playing field' crapola. "Listen, Madame, the playing field is NOT level, and never has been, and never will be. It is the essence of competition, achievement, and failure. It is natural selection -- that thing that all underachiever disavow. Read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand and wake up. You rail against the big wheel writers who are RESPONSIBLE for the success of the genre and the rest of you. You are like the workers who hate the wealthy industrialist who runs the company (the company he built from a dream and sweat and RISK ... the company none of the workers had the balls or the vision to create themselves). The world has leaders and it has followers. It has big dogs and little dogs. Welcome to the pound, baby. "What HWA was trying to do was remove the line of demarcation between all levels of professional writers ('let's all be brothers and sisters!') and have everybody treated the same whether you sold your book to Random House or to the chop house. Sorry, but if you do that, then your intended 'clout' and influence with the publishers (those mean guys who take all the RISK by buying your books in the first place) is diluted because you are perceived as mostly amateurs calling yourselves professionals. "If you don't have a level to strive to, guess what? Nobody strives. Did you ever wonder why the world market never clamored for any Soviet stereos or toasters?" Monteleone's political and social commentary sometimes only tangentially broach the genre. In one column, he decries celebrity worship and skewers the idiocies and hypocrisies of Alec Baldwin, Barbra Streisand, and "Rosie O'Donnell who called for all guns to be outlawed and all gun-owners to be arrested, but who told reporters she thought it was perfectly all right for her bodyguards to carry concealed handguns." Monteleone's blue collar parents both worked so he could be taught by Jesuits, and he remains passionate for education. His son still illiterate by second grade, Monteleone investigated the school -- and found students facing each other (rather than the front) in "learning groups" so they could "help teach each other" while the teacher wandered about the classroom. Estimating that only 30% of the students ever paid attention to her at any time, Monteleone asked the teacher about the setup. "She smiled with a saccharine patronizing smile and told me that was the 'old' way of teaching, and that it just wasn't done anymore. I nodded, and told how great that was, but I had some news for her: those kids weren't paying attention to her and they weren't equipped to 'teach themselves,' and that the desk set-up is very counter-productive to creating an environment where kids can be focused. In other words, they aren't learning Jack." The next day Monteleone enrolled his son in Catholic school "and within a few months hey! guess what!?, he was reading. (He was also more polite and attentive and well-behaved. Funny, huh?)" In case you're wondering what this has to do with horror or publishing, Monteleone retorts that horror writers have no future if people can't read; nor can free societies (and freedom of expression) survive without widespread literacy. Additional columns expose the racist assumptions underlying Ebonics and the dumbing-down of standardized tests scores for minorities. Monteleone "believes in the truth and validity of such pesky and bothersome documents as the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, the Federalist Papers, and the general idea that good government is less government." Although, after calling himself a libertarian, he adds, "Actually, I think I'm really more of a Jeffersonian or constitutional conservative." MAFIA reprints fifty columns, each of them a gem. My review only skims a few columns, so despite my extensive quotes, know that there's a whole lot more Monteleone in this book, which contains not only knowledge, but wisdom. Whether one's interest is in the writing life, or publishing, or Hollywood, or simply insight into how political and societal issues resonate within the genre communities, one will find MAFIA entertaining and enlightening. Thomas M. Sipos writes horror fiction, satire, and film reviews. His website is http://www.CommunistVampires.com/ Home The Madhya Pradesh government will hold its next cabinet meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav at Pachmarhi Raj Bhavan in Narmadapuram district on Tuesday, according to an official release. The cabinet meeting will be dedicated to the memory of Raja Bhabhut Singh, a symbol of the tribal community's bravery and valour, whose historical role will be remembered again during the meeting. The release further stated that CM Yadav and the state government are determined to honour tribal heroes and promote development from heritage. Pachmarhi encompasses the historical contribution of the Gond ruler Raja Bhabhut Singh. He used the hilly region for governance, security, and the protection of cultural heritage. Pachmarhi is also known as the city of Lord Bholenath (Shiva). Dhoopgarh peak of Pachmarhi is situated at an altitude of approximately 1,350 meters (4,429 feet) above sea level. This place is a major attraction of the Satpura mountain range. The sunrise and sunset visible from Dhoopgarh not only mesmerise tourists but also reflect the strategic strength and natural preservation approach of the Gond kingdom, the release said. The decision of holding the Cabinet meeting is important from an administrative point of view and is an opportunity to honour Pachmarhi's historical, cultural, and natural heritage, it added. Pachmarhi, also known as Satpura ki Rani, is a hill station in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Its many waterfalls include Apsara Vihar, with its calm pool, and soaring, single-drop Silver Fall nearby. The Bee Fall tumbles over a jagged rock face to the northwest. Leopards and Indian bison live in Satpura National Park. The ancient Pandav Caves are a group of 5 dwellings cut out of sandstone on a hill. (ANI) A Naxalite group torched the two coal-filled trucks belonging to BGR Mining Company at Keredari in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh district, a senior police officer said on Monday. Visuals from the area showed two trucks completely gutted in the incident that took place on Sunday night. "The two trucks, which were loaded with coal, were torched. In the preliminary investigation, we think that this is the work of a splinter group (of Naxals), and our team reached the incident area quickly. We are investigating the matter," said Hazaribagh Superintendent of Police Anjani Anjan. The SP said that certain threats have been received, too, which are being investigated accordingly. Earlier, security forces engaged in an encounter with members of the banned Naxalite organisation CPI (Maoist) at around 12 PM on May 30. The encounter occurred in the hilly/forest areas of Vangram Tirilposi under Jhariakela Police Station in Jharkhand, an official statement read. The security forces seized explosives and other daily-use items during the search operation. In a separate case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a supplementary chargesheet on May 31 against three active operatives of the banned CPI (Maoist) in connection with a 2023 terrorist conspiracy case registered in Jharkhand's Giridih district. The chargesheet, submitted before the NIA Special Court in Ranchi, names Krishna Hansda alias Saurav Da alias Avinash Da, a Regional Committee Member of the CPI (Maoist); Abhijit Korah alias Matla Korah alias Sunil Korah, an armed cadre of the group; and Ramdayal Mahto alias Nilesh Da alias Bachchan Da, who was part of the outfit's Special Area Committee. Similarly, in a 2022 case involving the seizure of arms and ammunition linked to a conspiracy has named over 25 accused, with two new people named on Sunday. The agency has charged Ranthu Oraon and Niraj Singh Kherwar, both hailing from Jharkhand. The two have been charged under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Arms Act, the Explosive Substances Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A]. The case stems from a February 2022 joint search operation by local police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in the forest area of Bulbul in Lohardaga, Jharkhand. Intelligence inputs had indicated that CPI (Maoist) cadres were gathering there to plan an attack in the Bauxite Mines Area, intending to avenge the arrest of their top commander, Prashant Bose. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the remaining co-conspirators as part of the NIA's broader strategy to dismantle the CPI (Maoist) network across the country. (ANI) Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Jagat Prakash Nadda participated in a tiranga yatra in Himachal Pradesh's Solan on Sunday, to honour the valour of country's armed forced and informed people about the success of Operation Sindoor. Posting about the yatra, Nadda highlighted how there was 'tricolour in every hand - patriotism in every heart.' "Tricolour in every hand - patriotism in every heart. Today, by participating in the 'Tiranga Yatra' organised in Solan of Veerbhoomi, Himachal Pradesh, along with a large number of local citizens present, I expressed my gratitude to the brave soldiers of the Indian Army," Nadda posted on X. https://x.com/JPNadda/status/1929502822745194528 He further congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the armed forces for the success of Operation Sindoor. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, Operation Sindoor is being taken out across the country to spread the glorious story of the valour of the brave soldiers of India to the people through the Tiranga Yatra. The tricolour unites the country and inspires us to dedicate ourselves to the service of the nation. On behalf of all the people of Himachal, I heartily congratulate the Indian Army and the Prime Minister on the success of 'Operation Sindoor'," his post added. After the yatra, Nadda also chaired the meeting of the party's core group in the state. Hundreds of tricolours adorned the yatra in Solan as Nadda waved to the people while they showed their respect to the country's armed forces. Earlier on May 31, Nadda also held a tiranga yatra in Rajasthan's Jaipur, accompanied by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, where he said that as long as Pakistan's "intentions are wrong," Operation Sindoor will continue. Operation Sindoor has not stopped. As long as Pakistan's intentions are wrong, it will continue; we will keep giving it the right answer. We stand with the country's leadership, stand with the Indian Army..." Nadda said. Highlighting the quick and precise operation of the Indian Air Force, he highlighted how India destroyed 9 terror bases in 22 minutes. "We destroyed 9 terror bases in 22 minutes. The country feels proud and safe and is standing on new dimensions under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We thank PM Modi. We congratulate the Indian defence forces and their valour," he added. BJP launched 'Tiranga Yatra' on May 13 across the country to honour the valour of Indian soldiers and inform citizens about Operation Sindoor's recent success. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 civilians dead. As part of the operation, Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, eliminating over 100 terrorists linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI) Lashing out at the "double-engine" government in Bihar over the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl in Muzaffarpur, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Monday alleged "administrative anarchy" in the state as law and order has "collapsed." Speaking to the media, Yadav said that no one from the government has time to visit the victim's family as "the CM and his Deputy CMs are busy with political programs." "The double-engine government has failed in Bihar. The CM never discussed this; I am unsure if he is even aware of the incidents. Law and order has collapsed. There is administrative anarchy in the whole of Bihar. No action is being taken... No one has time to meet the victim or the victim's family. The CM and both the Deputy CMs are busy in political programs," Tejashwi Yadav said. Earlier today, Bihar Minister Kedar Gupta promised speedy trial and strictest punishment in the rape and murder of a minor girl in Muzaffarpur. He added that the State government will provide an ex gratia of Rs four lakh to the victim's family. "An incident of rape took place recently. The accused raped a minor girl and slit her neck. She was being treated in Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital in Muzaffarpur. Later, for better treatment, she was sent to Patna Medical College and Hospital, but she died there yesterday," Gupta told reporters here. "Her last rites were also done. We have instructed the Senior Superintendent of Police to file a charge sheet in 10 days and to ensure the perpetrator gets the death sentence within two months. The deceased's family will get a cheque of Rs 4 lakh from the Bihar government. We want the court to ensure that the victim's family gets justice as soon as possible," he added. The 10-year-old girl died at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) on Sunday, in-charge Superintendent Dr Abhijit Singh said. The minor girl's uncle, Virendra Paswan, has, however, alleged negligence on the part of the hospital administration and doctors, stating that she was kept waiting for two hours inside the ambulance before getting admission to the hospital. On Sunday, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, lashed out at the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, led by Nitish Kumar, over the "brutality against a minor Dalit girl," alleging negligence in her treatment at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). In a post on social media website X, LoP Gandhi alleged that the "double-engine" government's negligence led to the Dalit girl's death. "The brutality against a minor Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur and the subsequent negligence in her treatment is extremely shameful. If she had received timely treatment, her life could have been saved. But the double-engine government was negligent not only in providing security but also in saving his life," he said. The Congress leader further demanded strict action against the accused. "We will not sit quietly until the victim's family gets justice. Strict action should be taken against the culprits and negligent officers," the post read. (ANI) Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy on Monday lashed out at Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) over allegations made against the Revanth Reddy government during his trip in the United State (US), and labelled them as "nonsense". He refuted KTR's claims that the BRS government provided 10 lakh jobs during its tenure and further criticised him for comparing his father, K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), with Mahatma Gandhi. He said that, unlike the father of the nation, KCR "dreamt" about becoming the Chief Minister and wants his son to assume the same position now. "The allegations made by KT Rama Rao in America, on the formation day of Telangana, he was talking nonsense. He was telling the NRIs in Dallas that he had given lakhs of jobs in his 10 years of rule. They haven't given any jobs. At the same time, he compares his father to Mahatma Gandhi, who never had plans to become president or prime minister, even when he was fighting for the nation. However, KCR only dreamt about becoming the Chief Minister. Now, he wants his son or nephew to become the CM," Reddy told ANI. He further accused the previous BRS government of "denting" the economy of Telangana, stating that KCR was handed over a "healthy state", but Congress realised after coming to power that the state was under debt worth Rs 8 lakh crore. "BRS rule has dented the economy of the state. A healthy state was handed over to KCR, but 10 years after coming to power, we realised the state had Rs 8 lakh crore of debt. Every month, Rs 8,000 crores is paid to the banks...We are trying to make Hyderabad a global city," Reddy said. "The only agenda of the BJP and BRS is to divert the attention of people in the state and country by indulging in wrong propaganda," he added. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel graced the closing ceremony of the carnival and witnessed various artistic performances. He hailed the Indian Folk Carnival as a noteworthy effort that successfully connected traditional folk art with the youth through modern interpretations, while embodying PM Modi's vision of "Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi." Over 1,000 folk artists from across the country participated in the three-day Indian Folk Carnival held in Ahmedabad, the Chief Minister's office said in a press release. Gujarat Lok Kala Foundation organised the event in collaboration with the State Government's Tourism Department and the Department of Sports, Youth, and Cultural Activities. The event was organised to bring our rich and glorious traditional folk arts to the new generation through a multimedia mega show. The Chief Minister extended his heartfelt congratulations to Padma Shri Joravarsinh Jadav, founder of the Gujarat Lok Kala Foundation, and his team for their remarkable dedication and efforts for this event. Over the three days of the carnival, attendees enjoyed a vibrant showcase of folk art: Gujarat's traditional dances on the first day, tribal folk dances on the second, and performances from various states across India on the third. The event also featured two workshops, two art galleries, and over 50 folk dance performances from different regions, presented by more than 1,000 artists. Additionally, more than 10 awards were presented during the carnival. The Gujarat Lok Kala Foundation, associated with over 5,000 folk artists, provides a platform for these performers to showcase their art across India and abroad. The ceremony was graced by Ahmedabad Mayor Pratibha Jain, Gujarat Lok Kala Foundation founder Joravarsinh Jadav, Renowned Folk Artist and Padma Shri Bhikhudan Gadhvi, City BJP President Prerak Shah, and a large gathering of folk artists and cultural enthusiasts. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh police have arrested four Punjab residents and a local resident of Gwalior district in connection with illegal weapons in the district, a police official said on Monday. The police action was taken after receiving an intel from the informer on Sunday. Based on the information, the police intercepted the vehicle of the accused in Chandmari area under the jurisdiction of Kampoo police station in the district and thoroughly checked it. After the search, the police recovered two pistols, four bullets and two swords from their possession. The police asked them to produce the documents in support, but they failed to submit, and then the police took them into custody. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Niranjan Sharma told ANI, "Gwalior's Kampoo police arrested four residents of Punjab's Mansa district along with an SUV (Sport utility vehicle). Kampu police received information from an informer that four people from Punjab travelling in an SUV are about to commit some big crime and have illegal weapons. Acting on the info, the police identified their vehicle and checked it. As a result of which, the police recovered two pistols, four rounds (bullets) and two swords from their possession." Under the relevant sections of the Arms act, the police confiscated the vehicle, seized the arms and arrested the accused. They are being questioned, the officer said. "During interrogation, the accused said that they came here to pay obeisance at Gurudwara and while returning, they reached JAH for some checkup. In the meantime, they came in contact with a person, who issues parking slips at the parking lot of the hospital. During the conversation, they talked about weapons and that person assured them about providing it. Later, he got the weapon delivered. Ergo, the police have arrested that man as well and are interrogating him," Sharma said. An investigation into the matter is underway and further action will be taken based on the facts revealed, he added. (ANI) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report detailing the tragic death of a nine-year-old girl, who was a victim of rape and brutal assault, at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) on June 1. Allegations have surfaced that the child was left waiting in an ambulance for hours before receiving medical care. The victim was assaulted in Muzaffarpur on May 26 and was brought to PMCH in critical condition on May 30. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has acknowledged that if the reports are accurate, they indicate a grave violation of human rights. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Bihar, demanding a detailed report within two weeks. According to media reports, the accused had previously committed a similar crime against a 12-year-old girl and attempted to kill her. The deceased girl's uncle alleged that despite the critical condition of the child, the hospital administration kept them waiting in an ambulance for two hours before providing treatment, an oversight that could have cost her life. Police reports indicate that the girl suffered severe slash wounds to her throat and chest, with the attacker attempting to kill her by slitting her throat. The injuries damaged her vocal cords, leaving her unable to speak. The accused has been arrested. PMCH Superintendent Dr Abhijit Singh stated that while the girl was initially treated at Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital in Muzaffarpur before being brought to PMCH, medical staff at PMCH acted promptly upon her admission, attending to her even while she was in the ambulance. He asserted that doctors from all departments worked tirelessly to provide critical care throughout the night. (ANI) Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal on Monday reviewed the functioning of the Health and Family Welfare Department during a meeting held at the National Health Mission office in Guwahati, Assam. The meeting reviewed various aspects of the department's work, including implementation of schemes, infrastructure development and the delivery of health services, particularly in flood-affected areas. Minister Singhal emphasised the need for continuous health check-ups and the timely distribution of essential medicines in relief shelters. Singhal instructed doctors, nurses and health workers to remain fully alert to tackle the rise in waterborne and other infectious diseases during and after the floods. He also reviewed the department's efforts to control the spread of malaria in the Indo-Bhutan border areas of Kokrajhar and Chirang districts. During the meeting, the Minister identified several priority areas and issued directions for immediate action. He directed the department to establish a Fast Referral Unit (FRU) in each Assembly constituency to provide maternal, pediatric and emergency health services. He also instructed the Director of Ayush, Assam, to arrange regular yoga training sessions at every Ayushman Arogya Mandir as part of the Fit India Movement and to encourage community participation in health awareness initiatives. Minister Singhal stressed the importance of fully digitizing the administrative and information systems of the department to enhance efficiency and transparency. He asked officials to ensure the availability of essential medicines in every government hospital across the state. Additionally, he directed the department to conduct regular training and personality development programs for doctors, nurses, ASHA workers and all healthcare staff to improve the quality of service delivery. The meeting also included a detailed review of the current status of blood banks in the state, the progress of Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Ayushman Assam, Mukhya Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AA-MMJAY) and precautionary measures to be taken in light of the recent rise in COVID-19 infections. Minister Singhal emphasised the need for a proactive and people-centric approach in delivering healthcare services, especially in times of crisis like the ongoing floods. The meeting was attended by senior officials including Commissioner & Secretaries Dr P Ashok Babu and Barnali Sharma, Commissioner & Secretary of Medical Education and Research Dr Siddharth Singh, Director of Health Services Dr Umesh Phangcho, Director of Health Services (Family Welfare) Kamaljit Talukdar and Executive Director of the National Health Mission, Assam, Dr Manoj Choudhury. (ANI) National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Priyank Kanoongo on Monday said that the commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) in West Bengal, directing them to ensure the safety of social media influencer Sharmishtha Panoli, who was recently arrested for posting an alleged communal post, owing to "rape and death threats" against the accused. He said that the Legal Rights Observatory lodged a complaint with the NHRC, alleging that proper legal procedures were not followed during the arrest of Panoli, who was arrested by the West Bengal police from Haryana's Gurugram on May 30. "We received a complaint from an organisation called Legal Rights Observatory regarding a law student, who was arrested by West Bengal Police from Haryana in the middle of the night over an allegedly objectionable social media post. The complaint alleges that proper legal procedures were not followed during her arrest and transit. It also states that the girl has received threats from radical Islamists, including rape and death threats," Kanoongo told ANI. He added that NHRC would decide on its next course of action after inquiring whether proper legal protocols were followed during Panoli's arrest. "We have issued a notice to the Chief Secretary and DGP of West Bengal, directing them to ensure her safety, especially as she is now in judicial custody. Additionally, we have sought clarification from the Haryana government on whether all legal protocols were followed. Based on the responses, we will decide the next course of action," Kanoongo added. Earlier, Manan Kumar Mishra, Chairman of the Bar Council of India and Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India, strongly condemned the arrest of law student Sharmishtha Panoli. He issued a statement stating that her detention over a now-deleted social media video--despite her immediate apology--has sparked outrage, with Mishra denouncing it as a grave miscarriage of justice and a direct attack on freedom of expression. Mishra asserted that the Bengal government and Kolkata Police have repeatedly demonstrated selective enforcement of the law, targeting individuals from specific communities while overlooking more serious offences committed by others. He pointed to historical injustices in West Bengal, such as the Marichjhanpi massacre, Nandigram violence, and politically motivated killings, as evidence of systemic failures in the state's justice system. Recent incidents, including the Murshidabad riots, further exemplify what he termed "appeasement politics," where the state shields perpetrators of violence against certain groups while swiftly punishing those who express dissent. Law student and social media influencer Sharmishta Panoli was taken into custody by Kolkata Police in Gurugram on Friday night after facing intense backlash over a video she shared earlier this month. The now-deleted footage allegedly featured communally sensitive language and remarks that sparked outrage online and led to legal proceedings. (ANI) Supreme Court case highlights clash between parental rights, indoctrination By Craig DeLuz web posted June 2, 2025 In the education landscape, the tension between parental rights and school curricula has become a contentious battlefield. It is essential to recognize that parents are their children's primary educators. When they send their children to school public or private they do not surrender their rights or responsibilities. Yet, the education establishment has been increasingly encroaching on this vital paradigm. A case recently argued before the Supreme Court regarding Maryland parents' rights to opt out of lessons that infringe upon their religious beliefs epitomizes this growing conflict. This is not about retreating from progressive educational mandates; it is fundamentally a defense of First Amendment rights, a defense of parents' rights to be parents. At the center of this controversy are the parents from Montgomery County, who assert a fundamental principle: the right to shield their children from exposure to sexual content that is inappropriate for their age while also steering their moral and ethical upbringing in alignment with their faith. When the local school board decided to introduce a curriculum infused with LGBTQ+ themes often embracing controversial discussions of human sexuality and gender identity without regard for age appropriateness, and, crucially, without permitting parents the option to withdraw their children, it raised profound questions about the role of public education in a democratic society. In their quest for inclusivity, these educators have overlooked an essential truth: promoting inclusivity should never infringe upon parental rights and the deeply held convictions that guide their families. This matter goes beyond mere exposure it veers into indoctrination when children are repeatedly confronted with concepts that clash with family values. "I don't think anybody can read that and say: Well, this is just telling children that there are occasions when men marry other men," said Justice Samuel Alito. "It has a clear moral message, and it may be a good message. It's just a message that a lot of religious people disagree with." Justice Amy Coney Barrett raised a crucial point, noting it is one thing to expose students to diverse ideas; it is quite another to present certain viewpoints as indisputable truths. By framing an ideology with the certainty of "this is the right view of the world," educators risk indoctrination rather than enlightenment. This distinction is not merely academic but speaks to the essence of cultivating a truly informed citizenry. Justice Elena Kagan expressed concern regarding the exposure of young children to certain materials in Montgomery County. "I, too, was struck by these young kids' picture books and, on matters concerning sexuality, I suspect there are a lot of non-religious parents who weren't all that thrilled about this," she said. Chief Justice John Roberts aptly questioned the practicality of expecting young children to compartmentalize their beliefs in the classroom. It is unreasonable to expect 5-year-olds, still forming their worldviews, to reconcile lessons that conflict fundamentally with the teachings they receive at home. What lies at the heart of these debates is a moral disconnect between the values held by many Americans and those promoted by the educational establishment. While the majority rightly argue that material containing controversial sexual content should have no place in our children's classrooms, the education establishment continues to tout the necessity of exposing children to such content under the guise of inclusivity. This disregards the legitimate values held by the wider community. Highlighted in this case is a crucial truth: parents must resolutely maintain their right to direct their children's education according to their values. This struggle is not simply a skirmish; it reflects a broader movement aimed at reshaping education by privileging a state-sanctioned narrative while marginalizing dissenting voices. We must assert, without hesitation, that parents are and must remain the primary educators of their children. When parents enroll a child in a school, whether public or private, it should not be interpreted as a relinquishment of parental authority or the moral guidance essential to their upbringing. We must stand firm in defending parental rights against the encroaching ideologies of the education establishment. Craig J. DeLuz is a Project 21 ambassador and hosts a daily news and commentary show called "The RUNDOWN." He wrote this for InsideSources.com. Home After the Maharashtra government raised objections to increasing the height of the Alamatti dam, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday appealed to Union Ministers and MPs from Karnataka to safeguard the state's interests. While addressing a press conference at Vidhana Soudha, DK Shivakumar said, "As per the Krishna Tribunal's order, Karnataka can increase the height of the Alamatti dam to 524 meters. Maharashtra, who was quiet when the order was pronounced, suddenly wrote a letter to our CM objecting to it. I appeal to all the Union Ministers and MPs with folded hands to protect the state's interest in this." Shivakumar said that Fadnavis wrote a letter to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on May 9 stating that the Sangli and Kolhapur districts would face flooding if the dam's height is raised. He added, "Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has written a letter to our CM Siddaramaiah on May 9, raising objections to increasing the height of the Alamatti dam. Stating that Sangli and Kolhapur districts would face flooding if the dam's height is raised, the letter has asked for the re-evaluation of the plan. This letter is a shock to us. Maharashtra had never objected to this project till now. They had not raised any issues when the Tribunal passed its judgement in 2010. Maharashtra had even submitted an affidavit to the Tribunal seeking to increase the height, but it is opposing it all of a sudden." He said that CM Siddaramaiah will reply to the Maharashtra CM's letter. "This project is our right, as accorded by the Krishna Tribunal. Our CM will give a reply to the letter from the Maharashtra CM. Union Minister V Somanna is part of Union Jal Shakthi ministry. Alamatti project is needed for the state, we don't want friction with our neighbouring state. The cost escalation is very due to delay in this project. We would need Rs 1 lakh crore for land acquisition for this project," he said. Shivakumar said that Karnataka has been waiting for a Gazette notification to increase the height of Alamatti since 2013 "Flooding in Maharashtra is their internal matter, and they need to fix it. We will meet the PM and the Union Jal Shakthi Minister and put pressure regarding this. Karnataka has been waiting for a Gazette notification for increasing the height of Alamatti since 2013. How long should we wait? We will share the letter from the Maharashtra CM and our reply to that with all our MPs," Shivakumar said. (ANI) Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat, on Monday, chaired a joint meeting with officers from the Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) at Police Control Room Kashmir to review the security arrangements for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2025, Eid-Ul-Adha and other upcoming events. At the onset of the meeting, the participating officers briefed the chair regarding the proposed security arrangements for the conduct of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2025 and the upcoming Eid-Ul-Adha, emphasising the significance of effective coordination among the various forces. According to a release, during the meeting, J-K DGP issued directions for implementing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and also emphasised the importance of proactive measures in mitigating risks and ensuring the safety and security of the participants. He also directed the field officers to intensify their efforts to dismantle the terror ecosystem, ensuring robust security arrangements for the upcoming events. DGP instructed the officers to bolster security measures and mitigate potential risks by deploying Anti-Sabotage teams along the yatra routes. He also directed the officers to enhance surveillance and threat detection capabilities by utilising advanced technologies and real-time monitoring. The meeting concluded with a resolve to ensure the highest level of preparedness and coordination for the smooth and successful conduct of all the events. The meeting was attended by Spl. DGP Coord. S.J.M Gillani-IPS, ADGP Armed, Anand Jain-IPS, IGP Kashmir, IGP POS PHQ J&K, IG CRPF Srinagar, IG CRPF KOS, IG BSF, all range DIsG of Kashmir Zone, DIG Pers, DIG Traffic Kashmir, DIG IR Kashmir, DIG AP Kashmir, DIG SSB, DIG ITBP, all district SSsP of Kashmir Zone and other senior officers. Shri Amarnathji Yatra is scheduled from July 3 to August 9. As the sacred yatra approaches, coordination between departments, early security deployments, and structured logistical planning are being emphasised to ensure the safe passage and spiritual experience of every pilgrim heading to Baba Barfani's darshan. The holy festival of Eid al-Adha, also known as the 'festival of sacrifice' or Greater Eid, is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic or lunar calendar. This year, the festival is likely to be celebrated on June 7. Eid al-Adha is the second Islamic festival of the year and follows Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. The date changes every year, as it's based on the Islamic lunar calendar, which is about 11 days shorter than the Western 365-day Gregorian calendar. It is celebrated as a commemoration of Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice everything for God. (ANI) Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday condoled the death of three Army personnel after a landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall, struck the military camp at Chaten in Lachen town of Sikkim. In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi said, "The news of our soldiers being martyred due to a landslide at an army camp in Sikkim is extremely tragic. May God grant peace to the departed souls and a place at His divine feet. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families." "The nation will always remain indebted to our martyrs and their families," the Congress MP said. Three army personnel died and six others went missing in the June 1 incident. Four individuals have been rescued with minor injuries, while the mortal remains of three brave personnel--Havaldar Lakhbindar Singh, Lance Naik Manish Thakur and Porter Abhishek Lakra-- have been recovered, said the army. Lt Gen Zubin Minawalla, GOC Trishakti Corps, visited the site to oversee rescue efforts. Rescue teams are relentlessly working around the clock under extremely challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions to locate and rescue the six personnel who remain missing. The Indian Army expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the bravehearts who lost their lives in the incident. Every effort is being made to provide necessary support to the bereaved families in this hour of grief, the Army said. "The Indian Army remains steadfast in its commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of all its personnel, demonstrating its unyielding spirit and dedication to duty even in the face of nature's fury," the Army said in a statement. Incessant rainfall and a cloudburst in northern Sikkim on the night of May 30-31 triggered widespread devastation, severely damaging critical roads and bridges. The River Teesta surged sharply, snapping regional connectivity. In view of the grim situation, Project Swastik of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has swiftly launched rescue and restoration operations in the Gangtok-Chungthang and Chungthang-Lachen/Lachung sectors. Earlier today, tourists in Lachung were actively evacuated through a coordinated effort involving the police, residents, forest personnel, and the Lachung Hotel Association. Gyatso Lachungpa, president of the Lachung Hotel Association, led the evacuation operation on the ground with support from the local administration. On Sunday, Mangan district Superintendent of Police Dechu Bhutia said that over a thousand tourists were stranded in Lachen and Lachung in Mangan District due to the rains inducing landslides, bridge collapse and damage due to a high rise of the River Teesta. (ANI) Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Kumar Jha on Monday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to call a special session of Parliament to discuss the recent cross-border military operations against Pakistan. In his letter, Jha said the people of India feel they are being "kept in the dark," and deserve clarity on the government's decisions and their broader impact. Jha said citizens are concerned not only about national security but also about what he described as "organised chaos" that is adding to societal divisions. He listed several key issues that he believes should be addressed in the proposed session, including "foreign interference, media behaviour, the political use of military actions," and the need for a "clearer national security strategy." "I am writing to urge you to convene a special session of the Parliament to discuss the recent cross-border operations against Pakistan, its implications, and the path ahead." He said citizens demand "transparency, responsiveness, and accountability." He expressed concern over statements by US President Donald Trump, who reportedly claimed credit for mediating peace talks between India and Pakistan. "The United States President Donald Trump has claimed credit for brokering peace between India and Pakistan no less than twelve times since the operations began. In his social media posts as well as press briefings and public appearances he has described long nights of talks and pressing for full ceasefire agreements. Several newspapers in the US reported that President Trump's sudden announcement followed after days of steady escalation between India and Pakistan and mixed signal from Washington. Who did the US administration reach out to in your government or vice versa? What stand or perspective did India articulate in these discussions? When foreign leaders claim credit for resolving India's security challenges, our country's global standing takes a beating. It undermines our sovereignty," the letter reads. The MP also criticised the "lack of updates given to Indian lawmakers about the operation," contrasting it with briefings given to foreign governments and think tanks. He said this creates an "information gap" where Indian citizens are less informed than international observers. Jha highlighted how media channels and social media platforms spread "unverified casualty figures" during the conflict, adding to confusion and damaging India's image abroad. "Television anchors declared themselves strategic experts and hosted shouting matches disguised as analysis, a textbook case of the narrowing gap between jingoism and journalism. Social media handles amplified unverified casualty figures before official confirmation. Several media analysts have noted that quickly, there was an explosion of disinformation online during the conflict. This media chaos undermined India's global standing. Foreign audiences watched Indian media prirortise theatrics over accuracy during a serious military crisis," the letter reads He also accused some leaders from the ruling party of using the military action for political gain, without any accountability. "Some of the leaders from the ruling party contributed through sensationalist statements and partisan commentary. Worse, no disciplinary action followed these bigoted and outrageous comments, indicating they reflected official party strategy rather than individual indiscretion. When governing party leaders mobilise military operations into electoral contexts without consequence, it signals deliberate policy rather than communication failure." He concluded the letter by saying that the government's refusal to hold a special session so far could indicate either a lack of confidence in its version of events or an attempt to avoid scrutiny, both of which, he said, are harmful to the country. "The government owes the nation a detailed briefing followed by a discussion on operational objectives, strategic outcomes, and future doctrine. Parliament exists precisely for such national importance matters. The government's reluctance so far to convene a special session suggests either lack of self assurance in its own narrative or deliberate obfuscation. Neither serves national interests," the letter reads. On May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists 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 India's strike on terror infrastructure, Pakistan responded with cross-border shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and the International Border, as well as attempted drone attacks targeting civilian areas along the border regions. In response, India neutralised Pakistani air defence apparatus, radar infrastructure, and communication centres, and inflicted heavy damage across 11 airbases in Pakistan. After this, on May 10, an understanding on the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was announced. (ANI) In response to the recent flooding, schools in Agartala have been converted into relief camps to accommodate affected families. A total of 130 families, comprising 464 refugees, have taken shelter at Ambedkar School. Meanwhile, Vivekananda School is currently hosting 220 refugees. Authorities have ensured that all essential services are being provided to the displaced individuals. These include regular food distribution, access to clean drinking water, and proper medical care. Special arrangements have also been made for children's nutrition, ensuring their well-being during this crisis. Medical teams are attending to the elderly, providing necessary check-ups and distributing medicines as needed. The local administration, under the guidance of the government, is actively monitoring the situation to ensure that all relief efforts run smoothly and efficiently. Gita Deb, a flood victim, said, "We have been staying in this relief camp for the past three days because floodwaters have entered our home. Here, we are getting all kinds of facilities -- food, a place to sleep, electricity, and everything else. However, every year during the flood season, we are forced to leave our homes and take shelter here. That is why I would like to request the government to provide us with a permanent solution." Another flood victim, Dulan Ghosh, said that they have been staying in the relief camp for the past three days. "Due to the flood, all our belongings at home have been damaged. Here, we are receiving all the necessary facilities, including food and other essentials. This happens to us every year, so I request the government to consider an alternative and permanent solution," she said. Flood victim Mithun Sah said, "Every year, we have to take shelter in a refugee camp. Here, we receive all kinds of support, including food and other necessities, and the children are also taken care of. However, we face this same problem every year. Therefore, I would like to request the government to relocate us from our current place of residence to a safer location." Another victim, Sudhir Das said that he has been here for four days now, and he was receiving all the necessary facilities, including food and medical care, and the doctor gave him some medicine. Counsellor Abhijit Mallik said, "The camp has been running here for the past two days. A total of 220 refugees have arrived, and arrangements for food are being made for everyone. Medical facilities are being provided, and all necessary medicines are being given. Food has also been arranged for the children. Yesterday, the Chief Minister Manik Saha visited the camp and instructed us to ensure everything is properly managed, and we are following his instructions. There are no problems--everything is going smoothly." Flood victim Sabita Das said, " Last Friday, water entered our house, and on Saturday, we came here. The school doors were opened to give us shelter. All kinds of food arrangements have been made for us, including special provisions for the children. We are getting proper meals twice a day. For this, I would like to thank CM Manik Saha." Over 10,000 people have been shifted to safer locations across Tripura as torrential monsoon rains battered the state over the past 48 hours, officials said on Sunday. Triggered by intense moisture incursion, the heavy to extremely heavy rainfall has disrupted connectivity, inundated low-lying areas, and forced thousands into relief camps, even as authorities brace for more downpours in the coming days. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Agartala on June 1, has issued a red alert across all districts of Tripura after incessant monsoon rains battered the state over the past 48 hours. (ANI) According to officials, the arrested individuals have been identified as Nayeem Ahmad Khan, resident of Gamandar Panthachowk in Srinagar, Faizan Akhter Bhat alias Faizan, resident of Gousia Colony, Mehraj Ud Din Bhat, resident of Pandach in 90 FT Road, Umar Hamid Sheikh, resident of Assar Colony in Hazratbal Srinagar, and Suhaib Shafi Baba alias Chamna, resident of Diwat Walipora, Rainawari Srinagar. These accused persons have been booked after obtaining formal detention orders based on dossiers prepared against them by the Srinagar Police. Consequently, they have been detained and subsequently lodged in the district jails of Kathua, Udhampur, and Kot Balwal in Jammu. It is pertinent to mention that many criminal cases have been registered against these individuals. Despite this, they did not mend their ways. After getting bailed out from the courts, they were brazenly involved in criminal and subversive activities prejudicial to the interests of the Nation. Pertinently, J-K Police has been systemically targeting and dismantling such anti-national infrastructure in Srinagar city, with a relentless crackdown on such elements. Jammu and Kashmir Police affirm its steadfast commitment to eliminating criminal activities prejudicial to the security and peace in this region with the full might of the law. (ANI) Delhi's Rouse Avenue court has acquitted AAP MLA Anil Jha and 4 others of charges of causing hurt to a person belonging to the Scheduled Caste community and insulting him by using caste based remarks in 2016 during a school function in Aman Vihar area. Special judge Jitendra Singh acquitted Anil Jha, Gopal Singh, Susanskrit Kumar, Anil Singh, Vijay Prakash Tripathi alias Vijay Tiwari of Allegations under sections related to causing hurt and SC-ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in view of contraindications, omissions and lacunae. Citing inconsistencies in the testimonies of material witnesses, the court said, "Taking into account, inter-se and intra-se inconsistencies in the testimonies of material witnesses, this Court has no hesitation to hold that the deposition of witnesses examined by the prosecution does not lend credence to case of the prosecution." The court acquitted all the accused persons, giving them the benefit of the doubt. The court noted that a relevant video clip was not placed before the court. The court said that the contradictions, omissions and lacunas clearly indicate that the prosecution has been unable to prove the alleged offence against the accused persons beyond a reasonable doubt. "Accordingly, the accused persons are acquitted of the charge(s) levelled against them," Special Judge said in the judgement passed on May 31. The court observed, " Upon a careful perusal of the material on record, it appears that the complainant has attempted to attribute a criminal colour to what was, in essence, a verbal altercation, if any, between him and the accused, stemming from their respective political affiliations and activities. "It is not unusual in such circumstances for the incident to be exaggerated, with the apparent intention of falsely implicating the accused in a more serious offences, thereby attempting to invoke stringent provisions such as SC/ST Act," the Special Judge Singh held. The court pulled up the investigation officer (IO) for not securing the mobile of Complainant and other witness. "Furthermore, it is quite astonishing to note that an IO of the rank of ACP has not even bothered to secure the electronic device (mobile phone) of the complainant or that of Prosecution witness from the content of which the alleged CD was prepared. The IO has even failed to verify the authenticity of the said video clip from CFSL," the court said. Special judge further said, "Apparently, IO has shown utter negligence in collection of the electronic evidence. It is further pertinent to mention herein that the IO in his cross examination has categorically deposed that Accused (Anil Jha) was nowhere to be seen in the alleged video clip. The court cautioned and said "IO is expected to keep in mind that false accusations have far reaching consequences as they may result in the prosecution and conviction of innocent persons. The falsely accused person may suffer considerable societal stigma, damage to reputation and psychological harm, even when a determination ultimately occurs that the accuser accidentally or deliberately made a false accusation." An FIR was registered at Aman Vihar Police on the complaint of one Sanjay Kumar on February 28, 2016. The Court took cognisance of the offence under section 323,.356/34 IPC and Section 3 (1) (r) and (s) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 ( SC/ST Act) on May 18, 2016. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader CR Kesavan on Monday hit out at Congress while accusing the opposition party of consistently "finding fault with patriotism" and "nitpicking" on nationalism and said that it sounds like the "twelfth man of Pakistan". Referring to a post by Congress leader Salman Khurshid on X, he alleged that Congress has chosen to politicise Operation Sindoor instead of standing up for patriotism during such a time. "Salman Khurshid's tweet reflects how the Congress party has consistently found fault with patriotism and nitpicked on nationalism. Today, Congress sounds more like the 12th man of Pakistan. The tweet clearly shows that at a time when Congress should have stood for patriotism, it chose instead to politicise Operation Sindoor. For the Congress, divisive and appeasement-based politics matter more than national unity," Kesavan told ANI. His remarks come after Khurshid on Monday expressed concern over political divisions amid India's efforts to address terrorism through the multi-party delegation visits to various countries, of which he is a part. He said that while India communicates its stance on terrorism globally, some at home focus on political allegiances instead of unity. Khurshid had posed on X, "When on mission against terrorism, to carry India's message to the world, it's distressing that people at home are calculating political allegiances. Is it so difficult to be patriotic?" "Single voice" is needed to speak in favour of the nation, former External Affairs Minister and senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid stressed on Monday while reacting on his post on X in which he hit out at those "calculating political allegiances". Referring to those posting on X, raising objections regarding Khurshid being part of the multi-party delegation with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, he argued that it was not "very encouraging" to say such things when one was serving the nation. "People keep saying, 'What are you doing in a delegation where there are people from the BJP? What are you doing there?' What are we doing here? (What) we are doing here is what is needed for the country. No matter which party you are from, today, what is needed is a single voice to speak in favour of the nation, and that is what we are doing here. I think when I say, 'Is it so difficult to be a patriot?' - that is the question that has to be asked of those who are putting out tweets and saying things that I think I believe are not very encouraging when you want to do something for the nation," Khurshid told ANI. He further stated that his visit with the multi-party delegation, led by Janata Dal (United) Sanjay Kumar Jha, to highlight India's zero-tolerance policy against terrorism was not to oppose the government of India but to speak for India. (ANI) Uttarakhand-cadre IPS officer Rachita Juyal on Monday said that she has resigned due to personal reasons after serving for 10 years and wishes to pursue her other aspirations. However, she said that she would continue to contribute to the growth of Uttarakhand, her home state. "I recently submitted my resignation after completing 10 years of service due to personal reasons. Everyone has certain plans in life, and I, too, have aspirations I wish to pursue. This decision was under discussion within my family for quite some time, and we have taken it based on our convenience. My love for Uttarakhand remains strong, and I will continue to contribute to the state in whatever way I can," Juyal told ANI. Earlier in the day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a virtual meeting with the District Magistrates of all 13 districts in the state to review the progress of development works, road construction, and other schemes. During the meeting, CM Dhami received feedback from the district magistrates. On Sunday, CM Dhami inaugurated the Vatsalya Ganga Ashray in Haridwar in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Mahamandaleshwar Parmanand Maharaj. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also prayed for the happiness and prosperity of all the people of the state and offered prayers to the River Ganga. Chief Minister Dhami appreciated the work done by Sadhvi Ritambhara for "destitute daughters" and called it "divine". CM Dhami said, "The divine work of giving new life to destitute daughters under the leadership of Sadhvi Ritambhara Ji is a strong symbol of hope, compassion and reconstruction in the society." He said that the lives of many daughters have changed in a positive direction due to his project. This is truly an inspiring example of social service.CM Dhami and Delhi CM Rekha Gupta offered prayers to the Ganga river in Haridwar. (ANI) In line with his commitment to developing world-class air infrastructure and enhancing connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the plenary session of World Air Transport Summit (WATS) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Monday. According to a release, speaking at the event, the Prime Minister welcomed guests, highlighting the significance of the event returning to India after four decades. He emphasised the transformative changes India has undergone during this period, stating that today's India is more confident than ever. PM Modi underscored India's role in the global aviation ecosystem, not only as a vast market but also as a symbol of policy leadership, innovation, and inclusive development. "Today, India is emerging as a global leader in space-aviation convergence", remarked the Prime Minister, noting that the civil aviation sector has witnessed historic advancements over the past decade, which are well recognised. As per the official release, PM Modi emphasised that "this summit and dialogue serve as a platform not only for aviation but also for advancing global cooperation, climate commitments, and equitable growth." He highlighted that discussions at the summit will provide new direction to global aviation, unlocking its infinite possibilities and optimising its potential. He remarked on humanity's ability to cover vast distances and intercontinental journeys in mere hours, stressing that the aspirations of the 21st century continue to evolve beyond conventional travel. The Prime Minister noted the rapid pace of innovation and technological advancements, stating that as speed increases, distant destinations are becoming our destiny. According to the release, underscoring that travel is no longer confined to cities on Earth, with increasing ambitions to commercialise space flights and interplanetary journeys, integrating them into civil aviation, PM Modi acknowledged that while such developments will take time, they highlight aviation's future as a center of transformation and innovation, for which India is fully prepared. The Prime Minister outlined three foundational pillars driving India's aviation sector, first, a vast market--not merely a collection of consumers but a reflection of India's aspirational society. Second, a strong demographic and talent pool--where young innovators are pioneering breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, robotics, and clean energy. Third, an open and supportive policy ecosystem--enabling industrial growth. PM emphasised that with these strengths, India is poised to elevate its aviation sector to unprecedented heights. The Prime Minister highlighted India's remarkable transformation in civil aviation over the past years. He added, "India has become the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world". Emphasising the success of the UDAN scheme, calling it a golden chapter in Indian civil aviation history, PM Modi stated that under this initiative, over 15 million passengers have benefited from affordable air travel, enabling many citizens to fly for the first time. The Prime Minister remarked that India's airlines continue to achieve double-digit growth, with 240 million passengers flying annually--surpassing the total population of most countries worldwide. He projected that by 2030, this number is expected to reach 500 million passengers. PM Modi noted that 3.5 million metric tons of cargo are transported by air annually in India and this volume is set to increase to 10 million metric tons by the end of this decade. Emphasising that these figures are not just statistics but a reflection of India's immense potential, the Prime Minister highlighted that India is actively working on a futuristic roadmap to maximise this potential. He underscored India's investment in world-class airport infrastructure, noting that in 2014, the country had 74 operational airports, which have now expanded to 162. PM Modi further remarked that Indian carriers have placed orders for over 2,000 new aircraft, signalling rapid growth in the sector. Stressing that this is just the beginning, as India's aviation industry stands at a crucial take-off point, set to achieve unprecedented heights, he highlighted that this transformation will not only transcend geographical boundaries but will also drive sustainability, green mobility, and equitable access globally. "India's airports now have an annual handling capacity of 500 million passengers and is among the few nations setting new standards in user experience through technology", exclaimed the Prime Minister, stating that equal priority is being given to safety, efficiency, and sustainability. He further underscored India's transition towards sustainable aviation fuels, investment in green technologies, and efforts to reduce the carbon footprint. PM Modi remarked that India is committed to ensuring both progress and environmental security, reinforcing a balanced approach to development. Urging international guests to familiarise themselves with the Digi Yatra app, highlighting it as a pioneering example of digital aviation, the Prime Minister emphasised that Digi Yatra provides a complete, seamless travel solution using facial verification technology, enabling passengers to navigate from airport entry to boarding gates without requiring paper documents or ID display. PM Modi said that India's innovations and experience in serving a large population can benefit many countries. He added, "Digi Yatra stands as a secure and smart solution, serving as a model of inspiration for the Global South". Underlining that consistent reforms have been a key driver of India's rapidly expanding aviation sector, the Prime Minister stressed India's commitment to becoming a global manufacturing hub, with strategic initiatives supporting this vision. Mentioning that Mission Manufacturing was announced in this year's budget, reinforcing India's focus on industrial growth, PM Modi further highlighted the Protection of Interest in Aircraft Objects Bill, passed in Parliament this year, granting legal authority to the Cape Town Convention in India. The Prime Minister remarked that this legislation opens new opportunities for global aircraft leasing companies in India. He also pointed to the incentives offered at Gift City, stating that these measures have made India an attractive destination for aircraft leasing. "The new Indian Aircraft Act aligns aviation laws with global best practices, ensuring a streamlined regulatory framework, ease of compliance, and a simplified tax structure, which presents a significant investment opportunity for major international aviation companies", said PM Modi. He highlighted that growth in the aviation sector translates to new flights, new jobs, and new possibilities, noting that the industry is creating expanding opportunities for pilots, crew members, engineers, and ground staff. The Prime Minister also pointed to the emergence of Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) as a sunrise sector, highlighting that India is accelerating efforts to become a global hub for aircraft maintenance. He noted that in 2014, India had 96 MRO facilities, which have now increased to 154, while 100% FDI under the automatic route, GST reduction, and tax rationalisation measures have given fresh momentum to India's MRO sector. PM Modi further outlined India's goal to establish a $4 billion MRO hub by 2030, reinforcing the nation's aviation growth strategy. Stressing that India should not be viewed merely as an aviation market but as a value-chain leader, the Prime Minister said, from design to delivery, India is becoming an integral part of the global aviation supply chain. He asserted that India's direction and pace are on the right track, expressing confidence in the nation's continued rapid progress. PM Modi urged aviation companies to not only embrace 'Make in India' but also 'Design in India', reinforcing the vision of India's leadership in global aviation innovation. The Prime Minister underlined that India's aviation sector is strengthened by its inclusive model, with over 15% of pilots in India are women, which is three times the global average. He emphasised that while the global average of women in cabin crew is around 70%, India's figure stands at 86%. PM Modi also remarked that women engineers in India's MRO sector exceed global averages, demonstrating growing female participation in the industry. Underscoring that drone technology is a key component of aviation's future, and India is leveraging it for technological advancements as well as financial and social inclusion, the Prime Minister highlighted that drones are being used to empower women's self-help groups, increasing their participation in agriculture, delivery services, and various other sectors. "Aviation safety has always been India's top priority. India has aligned its regulations with ICAO's global standards", exclaimed PM Modi, reinforcing India's commitment to international best practices. He highlighted that ICAO's recent safety audit recognised India's efforts in strengthening aviation security and the adoption of the Delhi Declaration at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference is further proof of India's commitment to global aviation excellence. The Prime Minister stated that India consistently supports Open Skies and Global Connectivity. He reaffirmed India's endorsement of the principles of the Chicago Convention, advocating for a more connected and accessible aviation network. PM Modi urged stakeholders to work together in creating a future where air travel is accessible, affordable, and secure for all. He concluded by expressing confidence in the sector's ability to develop new solutions to elevate aviation to greater heights and extended his best wishes to all the stakeholders. The Union Ministers Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Murlidhar Mohol, Chairman of the IATA Board of Governors, Mr. Pieter Elbers, Director General of IATA, Mr. Willie Walsh, Managing Director of IndiGo, and Rahul Bhatia were present among other dignitaries at the event. (ANI) Examining the Polish-Canadian community on the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Solidarity accords (August 31, 1980) By Apolonja (Pola) Kojder and Mark Wegierski web posted June 2, 2025 The Polish Solidarity independent trade union movement was an amazing peaceful rising against the Communist regime in Poland. On August 31, 1980, the Communist regime reluctantly recognized the Solidarity movement, and promised extensive reforms. During 1980-1981, there was a period of amazing cultural national flowering. It was brought to an end by Communist General Wojciech Jaruzelski, who imposed martial law on December 13, 1981. As part of remembering the historic Solidarity accords, we wish to bring attention to the history of the Polish-Canadian community in Canada. Although, according to the 2016 Canada Census, there are over a million persons of Polish descent in Canada, that group has a comparatively minor impact on Canadian society, politics, and culture. Canadian Polonia (the Polish-Canadian community) seems to have a perennial misapprehension of what constitutes "objective" cultural influence and power today. They have very few active writers. The community is organizationally weak and faces a chronic lack of funding, whether from private individuals or government cultural and multicultural supports. Some types of writing have almost immediate social and political effects. There are currently no opinion-columnists on staff in the major Toronto newspapers, who could be identified as belonging to the Polish-Canadian community, nor do any such opinion-columnists in any major newspaper in the country come to mind. There are also very few authors of books by recognized publishers. What can one say when even the post of the President of the Canadian Polish Congress is a volunteer position. There are, currently, only a few M.P.s who could be identified as emphatically belonging to the Polish-Canadian community, in the Canadian Federal Parliament. One of them is Calgary-area Conservative M.P. Tom Kmiec. Also, in the Ontario Parliament, two dynamic women were elected as Progressive Conservative M.P.P.s in 2018 Kinga Surma (Etobicoke-Centre) and Natalia Kusendova (Mississauga-Centre). They were both re-elected in 2022 and 2025. In 2011-2015, there were two Polish-Canadian M.P.s from the Conservative Party, Wladyslaw Lizon (Mississauga East -- Cooksville) and Ted Opitz (Etobicoke-Centre). During the 1970s, Stanley Haidasz represented the Parkdale-High Park riding (then the Toronto-area riding with the highest proportion of persons of Polish descent) as a Liberal, being named as Minister of State for Multiculturalism (and later, Senator). His successor in the riding was the Liberal, Jesse Flis. Because of the prominence of Haidasz and Flis, Polish-Canadians tended to support the federal Liberal Party in earlier decades. After a period of high glory in the late medieval and early modern periods, Poland had endured Partition (often harsh foreign occupation under Tsarist Russia, Prussia/Germany, and the Habsburg Empire) since 1795. Independence was regained only in 1918. The Partition period was punctuated by numerous desperate uprisings. The main waves of Polish immigration to Canada could be identified as pre-World War I; interwar; post-World War II; 1956-1979; Solidarity era; and post-1989. The Polish Second Republic fell before the savage onslaught of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union (then Hitler's ally) in September 1939 (when World War II began). Betrayed by America and Britain at the Yalta Conference, Poland was assigned to the Soviet sphere of influence (to be officially called the People's Republic of Poland) -- along with the wrenching displacement of her frontiers in a westward direction. The largest group of Polish immigrants to Canada in the post-World War II period were the Polish ex-soldiers who had served in the Polish armed forces under Western Allied command. Among their greatest military achievements were the contribution of the Polish pilots to the aerial Battle of Britain in 1940; the storming by the Polish Second Corps of Monte Cassino in Italy, the "impregnable" German positions blocking the road to Rome, in 1944; and the attempt to close the Falaise Gap in Normandy by the Polish First Armoured Division, also in 1944. The Polish ex-soldiers who came directly to Canada in the late 1940s were required to work for two years on remote farms. Conditions there were sometimes none too pleasant. In consequence of the death of Stalin in 1953, the coming to power of Wladyslaw Gomulka in October 1956 essentially "polonized" the regime. The disturbances of 1968-1970 brought Edward Gierek to power, whose economic policies initiated a short period of considerable prosperity. Nevertheless, the election of the Polish Pope in 1978 galvanized the opposition, culminating in the flowering of the independent trade-union movement, Solidarity. On December 13, 1981, Communist General Jaruzelski declared martial law and attempted to crush the Solidarity movement, which went underground. Finally, the impetus of Solidarity was one of the factors that helped to initiate the massive transformations that resulted in the collapse of the Communist regimes in Eastern Europe in 1989. The Polish Third Republic was proclaimed. The arrival of Polish-Canadians increased the intra-European diversity of Canada. It could be argued that the initial definition of "multiculturalism" in Canada was mostly meant to refer to other European groups, apart from the English and French, especially Eastern and Southern Europeans. That definition has been mostly eclipsed since the 1980s, with the arrival of huge "visible minority" immigration. Apolonja (Pola) Kojder is the main author of Marynia, Don't Cry: Memoirs of Two Polish-Canadian Families (University of Toronto Press, 1995). She lives in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Mark Wegierski is a Toronto-based writer and historical researcher, published in Calgary Herald, Ottawa Citizen, and The Hill Times (Ottawa), among others. They were both born in Canada of Polish immigrant parents. Home Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Monday criticised External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar over his recent statement about 'Operation Sindoor', suggesting that the government may have informed Pakistan in advance about targeting terrorist camps. Speaking to ANI, Singh said, "S Jaishankar is a highly experienced diplomat. His father was a renowned figure and a respected defence analyst. But now, his own statement suggests that they informed them (Pakistan) in advance that they would be targeting terrorist camps. If you've already told the enemy that you're coming to attack, naturally, they will vacate the area. When you warn your enemy beforehand, they will obviously be prepared." Earlier, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also raised questions regarding the operation. He shared a video on social media platform X, where Jaishankar is seen speaking to reporters following the inauguration of the Honduras Embassy in Delhi. Gandhi accused the government of serious lapses. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "Informing Pakistan at the start of our attack was a crime. EAM has publicly admitted that GOI did it. 1. Who authorised it? 2. How many aircraft did our airforce lose as a result?" The Ministry of External Affairs, however, rebutted Gandhi's accusations against External Affairs Minister Jaishankar that the government "informed Pakistan" before the start of 'Operation Sindoor.' According to the XP Division of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Jaishankar had said that India had warned Pakistan at an early phase after Operation Sindoor's commencement. XP Division, MEA stated, "EAM had stated that we had warned Pakistan at the start, which is clearly the early phase after Op Sindoor's commencement. This is being falsely represented as being before the commencement. This utter misrepresentation of facts is being called out." Speaking to reporters on May 15, after the inauguration of the Honduras Embassy in Delhi, Jaishankar said, "It is clear who wanted cessation of firing. We achieved the goals which we set out to do by destroying the terrorist infrastructure. Since key goals were achieved, I think we reasonably took the position, because even at the start of the operation, we had sent a message to Pakistan saying we are striking at terrorist infrastructure and not the military, and the military has an option to stand out and not interfere." "They chose not to take that good advice. Once they got badly hit on the morning of May 10. The satellite pictures show how much damage we did and what little damage they did. It is clear who wanted cessation of firing," he added. Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, targeting nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), leading to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). India's military action came in response to the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 people and injured several others. (ANI) Former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA, S Toiho Yeptho, one of the seven NCP legislators who recently merged with the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), said on Monday that the move was "unconditional" and aimed solely at strengthening regional political representation. Speaking to ANI at his residence in Kohima, Yeptho, who is also the Deputy Speaker in charge of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, said the merger was not intended to cause political disturbance, nor was it a bargaining tactic for portfolios in the current government. "It was an unconditional merger," he emphasised. "We leave it entirely to the wisdom of the Chief Minister whether to accommodate us or not." The merger with NDPP, the ruling party in the state, was announced on May 31, and gave Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio an absolute majority in the 60-member Nagaland Assembly. With the merger, NDPP could have a tally of 32 seats, up from their previous 25 tally. Recalling the internal split in the NCP during the 2023 elections, Yeptho noted that there was a time when there was only one NCP, as the party had split between Sharadchandra Pawar and current Deputy CM, Ajit Pawar. The former NCP leader said that it was "natural for us to support Ajit Pawar," as the party led by him aligned with the BJP, which is also allied with the NDPP in the state. He further clarified that the support from the Nagaland NCP unit played a crucial role during the legal battle before the Election Commission of India (ECI), which eventually awarded the party symbol to Ajit Pawar's faction. Nagaland currently has no opposition in the Assembly, as after NDPP and BJP, the National People's Party (NPP) is the third largest party, having 5 seats, the same as the number of Independent MLAs. Yephto noted that although he holds the position of Deputy Speaker, others in their group were left without significant roles, and the central NCP leadership provided little support. Feeling politically sidelined, the Seven NCP MLAs saw the merger as a way to become part of the mainstream and better serve their constituencies. "We felt politically isolated -- neither influential in national politics nor impactful at the state level. "We were like a subsidiary party," he said, adding that while they continued to respect Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, the time had come to align with a stronger regional entity," he said. In response to reports of potential legal action by the NCP party from the Centre, Yeptho noted that all constitutional procedures had been followed during the merger. While acknowledging the right of any citizen to seek legal recourse, he said such action would be "a fruitless exercise" and an "unnecessary wastage of money." Apart from Yeptho, Namri Nchang, Tening MLA; Picto Shohe, Atoizu MLA; Y Mhonbemo Humtsoe, Wokha Town MLA; Y Mankhao Konyak, Wokha Town MLA; A Pondshi Phom, Longleng; P Longon, Noklak MLA, merged with the NDPP on May 31. Nagaland Assembly Speaker, Sharingain Longkumer, accepted the merger in accordance with the provisions of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution and in consonance with the Members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on ground of Defection) Rules, 2019. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma held a meeting on Monday evening in Guwahati to discuss and address various inter-state issues between Assam and Meghalaya. Speaking to the media following the meeting, CM Sarma stated that the meeting focused on the inter-state border dispute, artificial flooding in Guwahati, and the proposed construction of a multipurpose project at Kulsi along the Assam-Meghalaya border. Highlighting progress on the border issue, CM Sarma noted that both governments had previously reached agreements on six disputed areas. "In today's meeting, excluding the Pilangkata area, both sides agreed to install boundary pillars in the remaining five locations by 15 August," he said. He further mentioned that the deputy commissioners of the respective districts would meet to address and resolve the issues related to the Pilangkata area, expressing confidence that a resolution would be reached. The Assam Chief Minister also stated that the proposed Kulsi multipurpose project would have the capacity to generate 55 megawatts of hydroelectric power and provide irrigation benefits to large parts of Kamrup and Goalpara districts. "The project is intended to be developed as a joint initiative between Assam and Meghalaya. The state government would engage with local residents prior to implementation, and that further steps would be taken only after securing their consent," he said. The issue of artificial flooding in Guwahati was also discussed. The Meghalaya government was briefed, through a presentation, on how water flowing from three locations in Meghalaya contributes to flooding in the city. Sarma noted that this was the first time both governments had engaged in formal discussion on the matter. "It was decided that the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) would be engaged to conduct satellite mapping of the Khanapara, Juripar, and Jorabat areas. This mapping, to be completed within three months, would identify the specific sources of water flow from Meghalaya into Guwahati. The data would be sent to IIT Roorkee for analysis, and both governments would jointly implement the recommendations provided by the institute," Sarma said. Assam CM thanked the Meghalaya Chief Minister for visiting Guwahati and taking steps to understand the flooding issue. He stated that the discussions held today would contribute positively towards resolving several interstate matters. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs, etc. Jayanta Mallabaruah, Chief Secretary, Dr Ravi Kota, and senior officials, including several Principal Secretaries from various departments. From the Meghalaya government, Minister of Tourism Paul Lyngdoh, Chief Secretary D P Wahlang, and other senior officials were present. (ANI) The Government of Sikkim has officially declared the damages caused by incessant rainfall in Mangan District since May 28th as a "disaster" under Section 22(2)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, according to an official statement. The declaration was issued through the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) and the Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department. Chief Secretary of Sikkim, R Telang, chaired a high-level meeting today at the Tashiling Secretariat to review the disaster situation in Mangan district, which has been severely affected by continuous rainfall, landslides, and widespread disruption in connectivity. The meeting focused on key issues such as road blockages, evacuation of stranded tourists, and the urgent restoration of essential services like power, roadway, and telecommunications. In a video conference briefing, the District Magistrate of Mangan, Anant Jain, updated the Chief Secretary on the situation. The District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Mangan District, were instructed to maintain effective communication with residents, particularly regarding the timing and routes for evacuation. Officials from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) provided an update on the extent of road damage and ongoing restoration efforts. The BRO was directed to deploy sufficient manpower and machinery to expedite the reopening of strategic routes. The Chief Secretary directed to make immediate provisions for dispatching a sortie tomorrow to facilitate emergency access deploying National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team equipped with satellite phones and necessary equipments from Siliguri to Chatten to support rescue and relief operations. Likewise, teams from BSNL and Power Department, Government of Sikkim, will be mobilised from Pakyong to Lachen with essential equipment and backup batteries to restore disrupted services. The Home Department has been tasked with organising and dispatching field teams, while the District Magistrate of Gangtok, Tushar Nikhare, has been instructed to provide continuous situation updates and ensure coordination between field teams and the State Control Room in coordination with the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA). The Chief Secretary stressed that immediate priority must be given to restoring power (both conventional and mobile) and telecommunication services, including the use of satellite-based solutions in inaccessible areas. In case full connectivity cannot be restored immediately, departments are to explore foot access routes and evaluate helipad operations, depending on weather conditions. He also underlined the importance of inter-departmental coordination, calling on all departments, including SSDMA, to consolidate their field-level inputs and take a unified approach to relief operations. Coordination with the Indian Army was also suggested for logistics support and situational updates. Emphasising the need for ground-level information, the chair urged departments to activate survey and feedback mechanisms to assess current conditions, including the status of road, power, and mobile network infrastructure. The immediate objective remains the restoration of connectivity and the safe evacuation of those stranded, a roadmap for which is to be intensified. Upon successful implementation of which, further steps will be reviewed and acted upon with urgency, it was directed. The meeting also had the presence of officials from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), 27 Mountain Division, officers from Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, SSDMA, representatives of Travel Agents Association of Sikkim, and various line Departments. Notably, heavy rainfall and a cloudburst in North Sikkim during the night of May 30-31 triggered widespread devastation, including severe damage to roads and bridges. The River Teesta rose by 35-40 feet, cutting off regional connectivity. Three army personnel died and six others went missing after a landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall, struck the Indian Army military camp at Chaten in Lachen town in Sikkim on Sunday evening. Four individuals have been rescued with minor injuries, while the mortal remains of three brave personnel--Havaldar Lakhbindar Singh, Lance Naik Manish Thakur and Porter Abhishek Lakra--have been recovered, said the army. Lt Gen Zubin Minawalla, GOC Trishakti Corps, visited the site to oversee rescue efforts. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), widespread rainfall is likely across the northeastern region on June 5, with no significant change in maximum temperatures expected in the coming days. (ANI) FBI Director Kash Patel said on Sunday that the agency is investigating a "targeted terror attack" in Boulder, Colorado. Police in Boulder are responding to the attack at the Pearl Street Mall, where they say several people have been injured, ABC News reported. The incident took place at the intersection of 13th Street and Pearl Street on Sunday afternoon (local time), ABC News reported. In a post on X, Patel stated, "We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available." https://x.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/1929287827130372291 Authorities have evacuated the area from Broadway to the west, Pine Street to the north and 16th Street to the east, and Walnut Street to the south and have been conducting the probe into the incident, as per the report. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, who is leading the all-party delegation in the United Kingdom, said that Pakistan is not a "democratic country" and added that Pakistan's armed forces have made the country for themselves and are "unelectable and unaccountable." Highlighting the example of Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, whom he said was "defeated in the field" but promoted to Field Marshal, Prasad drew parallels with former military rulers like Ayub Khan. While addressing the Indian diaspora in London on Sunday, Ravi Shankar Prasad also spoke about Operation Sindoor and mentioned how Indian forces targeted terrorist camps in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Muzaffarabad, and other places of Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). He stated that Indian forces only targeted terrorist camps. However, he said the Pakistani forces attacked Indian skies and mentioned how Indian forces responded to them. Prasad said, "What is the problem of Pakistan? The problem with Pakistan is that it is not a democratic country. 'Muhammad Ali Jinnah ne banaya Pakistan, wo ban gaya Generals ki dukaan, that is the situation of Pakistan. The second thing, very important, is people, leaders make the country. There, Pakistan armed forces have made a country for themselves, unelectable, not accountable, not popular sanction, but they seized power. Ayub Khan field marshal for 10 years. Mr Yahya Khan for seven and a half years, Mr Zia ul Haq for eleven years, General Musharraf for nine years." "Now you have Munir, General, who was defeated in the field but became a field marshal. That is the whole scenario. The Prime Minister said, enough is enough. On the 7th of May, Indian forces made a decisive blow against only the terrorist outfit, Bahawalpur, Muridke, Muzaffarabad, 100 terrorists were killed. Remember this attack was unleashed at the dead of night around 1:30 for 20 minutes only, and no civilian casualties were there. In the morning, we informed the Pakistani establishment, raat mein aapki pitai ki hai, lekin khali terrorist camp ko hi pita hai (You were beaten up at night, but only terrorist camps were targeted), okay, no citizen has been touched at all. They did not respond. They attacked our skies, the cities through missiles. And I want you to salute our air force and armed forces. They completely blocked all the missiles, completely paralysed them," he added. Referring to Ayub Khan, who served as Pakistan's President from 1958 to 1969, he holds the distinction of being the country's first Field Marshal. Notably, his promotion to this highest military rank was self-appointed, following his coup and assumption of the presidency in 1958. Despite the military setbacks, Pakistan's government is projecting the outcome as a "historic victory", General Munir's leadership during the conflict. Ravi Shankar Prasad mentioned how 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden was caught in Pakistan. He said that the terrorists who hijacked the plane to rescue Masood Azhar had been killed and Masood Azhar's family members were also killed by the Indian Armed Forces under Operation Sindoor. He said, "9/11 in America, a gentleman known as Osama bin Laden, where was he caught? You know it very well, in Pakistan, who unleashed the entire mayhem of Al-Qaeda and the attack in New York. You remember that Daniel Pearl, the journalist, many journalists are sitting here and watching, it was slit and you'll be happy to know the terrorist who slit his neck has been slit by the missiles of India in this attack. The terrorists who hijacked the plane to rescue Masood Azhar had also been killed, and Masood Azhar's two brothers, brother-in-laws, and sisters have all been killed. Why are we here? We are here to tell the world terrorism is a global cancer." He emphasised that India has never been an aggressor and it has only responded. He said that the Indian government has always tried to be peaceful with Pakistan and recalled how Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited then-Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif for his swearing-in ceremony in 2014. Prasad said PM Modi even made a stopover in Pakistan on his return to India from Afghanistan after Nawaz Sharif invited him for his grandson's wedding. Speaking about the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, he said, "A big terrorist attack happened in Pahalgam, you know it very well, on the 22nd of April. 26 people were killed. Your religious profile was asked, and you were killed with impunity. Hindus were killed, Christians were killed, and the most shocking was, I will tell my two distinguished women MPs colleagues to elaborate on it. How would you respond if a newlywed couple, just married 10 days ago, had come for the honeymoon, and before the wife's religious identity was asked and killed in cold blood, someone was married two months ago? It was barbarism in the extreme. This time Prime Minister said enough is enough, and this explains our rationale for the visit. Terrorism is a global cancer. This is troubling the whole world, and I would like to briefly give you the background." Elaborating on the history of ties between India and Pakistan, he said, "India and Pakistan have fought four conventional wars, many distinguished Indians sitting here in the front, they have seen those times. 48 First War, 65 Second War, 71 Third War, when Bangladesh was created, 99 the Kargil War. These are four conventional wars. Remember one thing, my dear fellow Indians, India was never the aggressor, India only responded. The second thing you all need to understand, we are not against the people of Pakistan, they are fine. All governments, be it the Congress or the BJP or Jawaharlal Nehru or Lal Bahadur Shastri or Indira Gandhi or Dr Manmohan Singh or Atal Bihari Vajpayee, everyone tried to have a peaceful, ultimately, dialogue with them. What happened? terrorism. Narendra Modi ji invited Nawaz Sharif in his swearing-in in 2014. When he had gone to Kabul to inaugurate the parliamentary building constructed with the assistance of India, Nawaz Sharif said, you will be flying over my skies, come, my grandson is getting married, make a stopover. He made a stopover. What happened? Uri happened, Pulwama happened, now Pahalgam." The Indian delegation, led by Ravi Shankar Prasad, includes BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari, Samik Bhattacharya, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Congress MPs Ghulam Ali Khatana and Amar Singh, former Union Minister MJ Akbar, and former Ambassador Pankaj Saran. The delegation arrived in London on Saturday (local time) as part of India's global outreach program to convey the country's firm stance against terrorism. As many as 26 people were killed and several others were injured in the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22. Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. 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) During their visit to Liberia, Members of Parliament from India's Group 4 delegation addressed issues related to global terrorism, India's moral leadership, and bilateral ties with Liberia, with BJP's Manan Mishra, Bansuri Swaraj, Atul Garg, and IUML's Basheer made remarks highlighting India's position and values. BJP Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra highlighted the disparity in education between Pakistan's elite and the general populace. He criticised the indoctrination of youth in madrassas, stating, "In Pakistan, children of prominent politicians and army officers will study in the US, UK and big universities. In contrast, the common children are taught in Madrasas, where they learn about hatred." Mishra emphasized the need for global unity in combating terrorism, noting that such narratives are not prevalent in other Islamic countries. IUML MP ET Mohammed Basheer, also part of the delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, focused on India's soft power. "The world respects us. It is a matter of pride to be an Indian. Wherever you go, after the Prime Minister and President of that country, there is a statue of Mahatma Gandhi. They respect Mahatma Gandhi because Mahatma Gandhi is a symbol of kindness and compassion," he said. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj highlighted strategic ties, noting Liberia's candidature for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). "Liberia is our old friend. It will be contesting the election for the non-permanent member of the UNSC. I think both DR Congo and Liberia will win the seats of the non-permanent members. As a good friend, Liberia will stand with India in its global fight against terrorism," she said. Echoing a similar message, BJP MP Atul Garg urged the international community not to remain passive in the face of terrorism. "All those who want to progress and give happiness to their people are against terrorism. We want to tell the whole world that if you remain silent now and do not support the countries that are against terrorism, then the problem of terrorism will increase," he said. Earlier, Group 4 of the all-party delegation visited several cultural and historical sites in Liberia as part of the ongoing Operation Sindoor diplomatic outreach. The delegation began its visit by paying tribute to former Liberian President William Tubman. Shinde and other members offered floral respects at Tubman's grave. Tubman, remembered as the "father of modern Liberia", served as the country's president for nearly three decades and is credited with modernising its institutions. Next, the group later visited the National Museum of Liberia in Monrovia. Officials from the Liberian government presented a detailed account of the country's history, culture, and heritage. Members of the delegation interacted with museum curators and were briefed on Liberia's post-independence development and political legacy. The delegation also visited the Gurudwara Sahib in Monrovia and offered prayers. This visit is part of India's broader effort to engage with international partners, brief them on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, and seek a unified stand against terrorism globally. (ANI) Mohamed Khouane, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and the National Community Abroad in the Algerian Parliament, hosted a formal dinner in Algiers in honour of a visiting Group 1 of the all-party Indian parliamentary delegation. The delegation is in Algeria from May 30 to June 2 to strengthen global cooperation in counterterrorism efforts. Group 1 of the all-party delegation is being led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and senior parliamentarian Baijayant Panda and includes Nishikant Dubey (BJP), Phangnon Konyak (BJP), Rekha Sharma (BJP), Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM), Satnam Singh Sandhu (BJP), Ghulam Nabi Azad, and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla. Meanwhile, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, a member of the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, said India's relationship with Algeria is very old. He noted that India's support for Algeria's freedom struggle remains a key pillar of bilateral goodwill. Speaking to ANI, Nishikant Dubey said, "Our relationship with Algeria is very old...India supported the National Liberation Front (FLN)...France had threatened us at that time. Then, the Indian government and the opposition decided to support the freedom struggle of Algeria. Algeria acknowledges it." Before arriving in Algeria, the delegation spent two days in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where they held extensive discussions with senior government officials, policy think tanks, media representatives, and the Indian diaspora. Baijayant Jay Panda told ANI that the talks were open and candid, particularly on the challenge of terrorism. "Saudi Arabia has a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, like us. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia following the Pahalgam attack and the joint statement by both governments made it clear that there is no tolerance for any kind of terrorism," Panda said. 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. India has sent several all-party delegations 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. (ANI) India's Group 4 all-party delegation continued their strong messaging against global terrorism during their visit to Liberia, with the leader of the delegation, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP SS Ahluwalia delivering remarks aimed at Pakistan's alleged role in spreading extremism MP Shinde said India is now the first country to globally promote peace through parliamentary outreach focused on fighting terrorism. "I think for the first time, a country is spreading the message of peace across the world through a delegation against terrorism. This work has been done by Prime Minister Modi," Shinde said while addressing participants in Monrovia during India's multi-nation parliamentary visit. Referring to India's long-standing battle against terrorism, he added, "India has been fighting against terrorism for 4-5 decades, but still, today India is a great power in technology and other such things." BJP veteran and Lok Sabha MP SS Ahluwalia said that Pakistan continues to misuse religion as a tool to justify terrorism and that this has been recognised even by Islamic nations. "Pakistan thinks that the Islamic world will stand with them. We requested that the people of the UAE, that they (Pakistan) use the Quran and religion to spread terrorism. They (UAE) accepted that it (Pakistan) has hijacked the religion," Ahluwalia said. Meanwhile, during their visit to Liberia, Members of Parliament from India's Group 4 delegation addressed issues related to global terrorism, India's moral leadership, and bilateral ties with Liberia, with BJP's Manan Mishra, Bansuri Swaraj, Atul Garg, and IUML's Basheer made remarks highlighting India's position and values. BJP Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra highlighted the disparity in education between Pakistan's elite and the general populace. He criticised the indoctrination of youth in madrassas, stating, "In Pakistan, children of prominent politicians and army officers will study in the US, UK and big universities. In contrast, the common children are taught in Madrasas, where they learn about hatred." Mishra emphasized the need for global unity in combating terrorism, noting that such narratives are not prevalent in other Islamic countries. IUML MP ET Mohammed Basheer, also part of the delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, focused on India's soft power. "The world respects us. It is a matter of pride to be an Indian. Wherever you go, after the Prime Minister and President of that country, there is a statue of Mahatma Gandhi. They respect Mahatma Gandhi because Mahatma Gandhi is a symbol of kindness and compassion," he said. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj highlighted strategic ties, noting Liberia's candidature for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). "Liberia is our old friend. It will be contesting the election for the non-permanent member of the UNSC. I think both DR Congo and Liberia will win the seats of the non-permanent members. As a good friend, Liberia will stand with India in its global fight against terrorism," she said. Echoing a similar message, BJP MP Atul Garg urged the international community not to remain passive in the face of terrorism. "All those who want to progress and give happiness to their people are against terrorism. We want to tell the whole world that if you remain silent now and do not support the countries that are against terrorism, then the problem of terrorism will increase," he said. Earlier, Group 4 of the all-party delegation visited several cultural and historical sites in Liberia as part of the ongoing Operation Sindoor diplomatic outreach. The delegation began its visit by paying tribute to former Liberian President William Tubman. Shinde and other members offered floral respects at Tubman's grave. Tubman, remembered as the "father of modern Liberia", served as the country's president for nearly three decades and is credited with modernising its institutions. Next, the group later visited the National Museum of Liberia in Monrovia. Officials from the Liberian government presented a detailed account of the country's history, culture, and heritage. Members of the delegation interacted with museum curators and were briefed on Liberia's post-independence development and political legacy. The delegation also visited the Gurudwara Sahib in Monrovia and offered prayers. This visit is part of India's broader effort to engage with international partners, brief them on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, and seek a unified stand against terrorism globally. (ANI) Millions of bees caused chaos in Washington state after a lorry hauling around 70,000 lbs of hives overturned, unleashing a buzzing swarm near the Canadian border. A truck crash unleashed a swarm of bees near the Canadian border Locals were warned to steer clear as around 14 million honey bees escaped from the crashed truck when it tipped over on a road in Whatcom County. The Whatcom County sheriff said: "The goal is to save as many bees as possible." Emergency crews worked alongside more than two dozen master beekeepers who scrambled to re-hive the insects and track down their queen. The officers explained: "The plan is to allow the bees to re-hive and find their queen bee." They added that the area would stay shut "until the rescue is complete". In a later update, police praised the "wonderful community of beekeepers" who turned up to help. The driver of the truck was not injured. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Gulam Ali Khatana, who is part of the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, has called out Pakistan for supporting terrorism, saying Pakistan begs on one side and spreads terrorism on the other. He stated that Members of the Parliament are here in the UK and other parts of the world to convey the message that India knows how to crush terrorism and does not need the mediation of anyone. While interacting with the Indian diaspora at India House in London on Sunday, Khatana said, "Pakistan begs on one side and spreads terrorism on the other side. That time has gone. We are here in Europe, and our other friends are in different parts of the world to convey a message that we know how to crush terrorism, and we don't need the mediation of anyone. You people are our ambassadors. We will do the fight. Our army will fight there. We have to do a diplomatic fight, a social media fight. We have to fight and present our viewpoint. We remain silent and think that it is not my business. I have to get my kids educated. All the people who have come here have enthusiasm and love for this nation, that's why you are here for the last two hours." He further said that Pakistan was disturbed by the rise in democratic participation in Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370. He highlighted how India shares water from three rivers with Pakistan, yet receives infiltration, drugs, and terrorism in return. "Pakistan says that we have stopped its water....We have given them 80% of our rivers' water and in return, Pakistan has given us infiltration, terrorism, drugs...What unnerved Pakistan was that people's participation increased in democracy, Kashmir became a peaceful region of the world, people started voting, there was a boom in tourism, infrastructure, and women got their rights after Article 370. Women were not given the right to inherit property...Not only this, Pakistan wants to end democracy there, the army wants to keep hegemony and that's why they want to create disturbance here. In the last 30 years, more than 40,00 people were killed, and how many children became orphans, many people left, especially Kashmiri Pandits. They were part of our historic heritage," he said. Former Union Minister MJ Akbar said that the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and other places was a "terror of fascism and ethnic cleansing." He recalled how Pakistan was born in violence and not through a political movement. While addressing the Indian community in the UK, he said, "This is not an ordinary form of terror that we have witnessed in Pahalgam and so many other places. This is the terror of fascism. This is the terror of ethnic cleansing. You are in Europe. If Europe doesn't remember fascism, which continent is going to remember fascism? You have generations here who remember the era of Hitler. This is the return of that era and we are witnessing it with our own eyes, but unless we understand it ourselves and explain it to others, we will have failed those who gave their lives in. We have all mentioned Pakistan's commitment literally to terrorism, but what is this ideology and where does it begin? I will be brief because my colleagues have already said what there is to say and with great energy. But briefly, I will tell you that Pakistan was born in violence. It was not born through a popular movement. It was born after the great Calcutta killing of 1946 and it died in 1971 after the great Dhaka killing and despite its death, it has not withdrawn from its commitment and its policy of violence because for the ruling class and for its elite, it has become genetic." Highlighting that there were many misconceptions about Mahatma Gandhi, MJ Akbar said, "About Gandhi Ji, there are many misconceptions. Yes, he was the greatest apostle of nonviolence in the last 2000 years. But he was alive on 22nd October (1947) when the history of modern terrorism began with Pakistan sending 5 thousand terrorists across the border to cease Kashmir. Gandhi Ji was very much around with us at that time. Exactly seven days later, on 29th October, he met Mountbatten and Mountbatten was astonished. He says - this man of nonviolence, today, he's sounding like Churchill." "Exactly seven days later, on 29th October, he met Mountbatten and Mountbatten was astonished. He says, this man of nonviolence, today he's sounding like Churchill. This is something the British will understand, and that's why I mentioned the story. That he's sounding like Churchill and because Gandhiji said that against terrorism, we don't want non-violence. The state must stand up. The Indian Army and every soldier, his direct quote is "every soldier will fight. No Indian soldier will retreat. They will give their lives in the fight against terrorism, but never retreat." Our message is very clear, that we shall never retreat and in that resolve and in the unity, India will find its future," he added. BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari said that India has always been a responsible nation and it has never raised its ammunition against any other country. She said that India, if ever, has waged a war, it has been against the underdevelopment, poverty and unemployment in the country and to better its condition. While addressing the Indian community in London, Purandeswari said, "Such a kind of an attack, calling them out by name, killing them in front of their families. When one woman pleaded to one of the terrorists that you have killed my husband, now kill me as well, the response was - 'we will not kill you, go and tell Modi and we all saw what happened after that. India has always been a very, responsible nation. Never has India raised its ammunition against any other country. If she had ever waged a war, it has always been against the underdevelopment in the country. It has always been against poverty in the country and it has always been against unemployment in the country. So she has actually waged wars to better her condition, to better the living conditions of the citizens in the country, but never against any other nation. And Modi ji also had mentioned, being a very responsible nation, he had mentioned that this is not an era of war, neither is this an era of terrorism and the result has been after we have faced the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the result has been Operation Sindoor." BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya said that Pakistan was formed as India chose the path of peace and not civil war. He said that India has never divided its people based on religion. While addressing the Indian diaspora, he said, "People sitting over here, you all know what is happening and what is going to be happening tomorrow....Do you ever feel pain in your heart while singing Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, Maratha, Dravida, Utkala, Banga - we don't have half of Punjab, half of Bengal, and the entire Sindh. Someone here said that Pakistan is ours, yes, it is ours. There was no country named Pakistan in this world. It was our fault, we chose the path of peace, we didn't want civil war, and hence Pakistan was formed. I come from Bengal. Someone on the streets of Kolkata raised the slogan 'kaan me bidi muh me paan, lad ke lenge Pakistan', and they got it... Our few leaders also thought that if they could run their own shop well, there would be no issue; let them do that. The country we come from, everyone's mind works, everyone's path works, everyone's religion works...We never divided our people based on religion. But what did we get? We do not stand with a bowl at someone's door. We are roaming across the globe. We are not standing at a door in the UK, that 'kaho an pyar hai', we did not come here to beg. We have come here to warn that what is happening today with us will happen with you." While addressing the Indian diaspora in London, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi called out Pakistan for supporting terrorism. She recalled how 9/11 attack mastermind Osama bin Laden was hidden in Pakistan. She said, "We had a very successful presidency as G20 chairmanship that we had got. We had a very successful one year of presidency. So while we host the G20, they host the T20. The top twenty terrorists of the world will be found being hosted by the Pakistani state government. It's their stated policy. Right from Osama bin Laden, I don't know how many of you have seen the documentary. You all must go back home and see the documentary on how he was taken out of Pakistan and he was being hidden, actively financed, aided, trained, supported, and hidden from their so-called ally in the US. So they shake hands with you, but they bite you on your back." She recalled how Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, had given a speech days before the Pahalgam attack, where he mentioned that there was a huge difference between Hindus and Muslims. She emphasised how Indian Muslims stood by the Indian government and demanded that India give a befitting response to Pakistan. She stated, "A Country which came with the idea that it will have a separate nation...came with the idea of othering one religion from the other, is continuing to manifest that in many forms, ways. What began, and I tell you why this particular incident has united the entire nation, united everybody across political parties, is because of a speech before Pahalgam happened. A speech where they are now Field Marshal, then their Army Chief explains very categorically that there is a huge difference between Hindus and Muslims and that is exactly what you saw manifestation of it when the terror attacks happened. What he forgot is that over 200 million Muslims in India stood unitedly behind its government and said they should be given a befitting response. What Pakistan has done to the minorities within its nation, they are suffering the consequences of it within their nation. They might keep blaming others, that's not my problem. But the 200 million Muslims stood in solidarity and said, please do not even compare us to your nefarious ways and your terrorist links. We will fight back and we will fight back in solidarity. High Commissioner of India to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, lauded the role of the Indian diaspora in India-UK ties and how they worked for the UK. He said that Indians and India are seen in the best of images due to the hard work of Indians. He said, "The value that the community of people of Indian origin provides not just to the India-UK relationship, which is immense, but to the United Kingdom itself. Our community has been a pillar of this nation's growth, this nation's achievements, indeed, this nation's successes. People of Indian origin contributed most mightily to the war efforts in the First World War and the Second World War, both materially, in terms of money, and in terms of the fighting men who served and died in the wars against Imperial Germany and thereafter against the Axis powers. "People of Indian origin came here to build this country and rebuild it after the war. People of Indian origin today have occupied offices, including the highest office in this land. They have played for the country, soldiered for the country, earned money for the country and have helped make India a shining name in the United Kingdom. Because of their hard work, Indians and India are seen in the best of image and the community that has come here today is a community that has come on its own. We opened up the portals for registration. We were swamped with over 650 registrations in less than two days on a Sunday evening with great weather. So you can see that people here care about India, they care about the relationship with the UK and they want to be able to contribute to this partnership." (ANI) The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has charged a 45-year-old man, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, for carrying out a "targeted terror attack" that occurred in Colorado's Boulder on Sunday, where several peaceful Israeli supporters were burned, Fox News reported. The FBI said six people aged between 67 years to 88 years were injured and taken to the hospital for treatment. According to Boulder Police Department (BPD) Chief Steve Redfearn, officers were called to the county courthouse on Pearl Street at about 1:26 pm (local time) for reports of a man who had a weapon, setting people on fire, Fox News reported. According to the BPD and the FBI, Soliman, who was shouting "Free Palestine" during the attack, was arrested at the spot. FBI deputy director Dan Bongino said the attack is being probed as an act of "ideologically motivated violence," on the basis of early information, evidence and witness accounts. The incident occurred near an event organised by "Run for Their Lives," a grassroots organisation that facilitates global run and walk events demanding the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The ADL Center on Extremism reviewed videos from the spot and said the suspect appeared to say, "How many children you killed," "We have to end Zionists, and "They are killers." It is not clear how many people were injured. However, police has confirmed some were life-threatening. FBI Director Kash Patel said that the agency is investigating a "targeted terror attack" in Boulder, Colorado. In a post on X, Patel stated, "We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available." Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said the National Counterterrorism Centre is working with the FBI and local law enforcement at the site of the incident. Initially, police evacuated people from three surrounding blocks and later expanded the evacuation area, Fox News reported. Steve Redfearn said the area is not safe yet as they continue to investigate a "vehicle of interest." Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said the attack that took place on the eve of Shavuot seems to have been a "hate crime" targeting Run for Their Lives demonstrators. In a statement, Weiser wrote, "From what we know, this attack appears to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted." He stated, "People may have differing views about world events and the Israeli-Hamas conflict, but violence is never the answer to settling differences. Hate has no place in Colorado. We all have the right to peaceably assemble and the freedom to speak our views. But these violent acts--which are becoming more frequent, brazen and closer to home--must stop and those who commit these horrific acts must be fully held to account." In a statement, Colorado Governor Jared Polis termed the attack a "heinous act of terror" and said that he is closely monitoring the situation in Boulder. He stated, Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. While details emerge, the state works with local and federal law enforcement to support this investigation." In a post on X, Polis wrote, "As the American Jewish community continues to reel from the horrific antisemitic murders in Washington, D.C., it is unfathomable that the Jewish community is facing another terror attack here in Boulder, on the eve of the holiday of Shavuot no less. Several individuals were brutally attacked while peacefully marching to draw attention to the plight of the hostages who have been held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza for 604 days. I condemn this vicious act of terrorism, and pray for the recovery of the victims." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that terror has no place in the US. "We're united in prayer for the victims of a targeted terror attack this afternoon in Boulder. Terror has no place in our great country," Marco Rubio posted on X. The New York City Police Department said on Sunday night it is increasing the deployment of officers at religious sites for Shavuot. The officials said, "The NYPD has already increased our presence at religious sites throughout NYC for Shavuot with high visibility patrols and heavy weapons teams. We'll continue to track this closely." (ANI) The Group-7 delegation of Members of Parliament (MPs), led by Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SCP) MP Supriya Sule, arrived at Cairo International Airport on Monday as part of their multi-nation visit. The Ambassador of India to Egypt, Suresh K Reddy, received and welcomed the delegation upon their arrival. Speaking about the ongoing tour, Supriya Sule said that the delegation's visits to Qatar, South Africa, and Ethiopia had been "very successful," and expressed optimism about further strengthening India's bilateral ties through the Egypt leg of the journey. She added that all three countries have been very supportive of India's message from the Prime Minister's Operation Sindoor to reach the next level of "zero tolerance against terrorism." She also expressed gratitude towards the Ministry of External Affairs, which has organised these important meetings and made the visit successful. Speaking to ANI, Supriya Sule said, "We first went to Qatar. From Qatar, we went to South Africa. From South Africa, we have come to Ethiopia. It has been an outstandingly successful trip. All three countries have been very supportive, and the message that we have brought from India, the Prime Minister's Operation Sindoor, to take it to the next level of 'zero tolerance against terror'. All three countries have reassured us that they will stand with India firmly, and they will not tolerate or support any country that supports or encourages or trains terrorists. They are very clear and I'm very grateful to the Ministry of External Affairs, which has organised these important meetings...I think this whole idea of making this outreach program so far in the three countries that we have come to has been hugely successful, and the entire credit goes to the Ministry of External Affairs, which has worked overtime to make it successful." Earlier during the media interaction, Supriya Sule said India wants peace and will not accept terrorism anywhere. She praised past and current Indian Prime Ministers for their peaceful policies and expressed sadness over recent terrorist attacks that caused many deaths. "Our earlier Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and current PM Narendra Modi have continued on our foreign policy of peace and harmony. It is unfortunate that the last few years haven't been very pleasurable. We lost several lives in terrorist attacks. India is committed to having zero tolerance towards terrorism anywhere in the world...we are not here as politicians but Indians," Sule said. The all-party delegation led by Supriya Sule also includes 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 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 key countries. 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) Indian parliamentarians attending diplomatic engagements in Madrid conveyed a unified and strong stance on India-Pakistan relations and the global fight against terrorism, urging international solidarity with India's position. DMK MP Kanimozhi underlined the complexity involved in resolving conflicts with Pakistan, stating, "The Government of India has sent out delegations, and we've also reached out to friendly nations and nations which have some misconceptions that we can resolve issues just by speaking to them and calling Pakistan over for a coffee and saying we will resolve these conflicts. It's much more than what meets the eye for many people." Her remarks highlighted the challenges India faces in addressing Pakistan's role in regional tensions. Supporting this perspective, AAP MP Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal emphasised Pakistan's pervasive involvement in terrorism worldwide. He said, "Be it the UK or even France, Pakistan has a hand in every terrorist incident in the world... Prime Minister Modi believes in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. We want peace, we want to grow and let others grow as well." This sentiment echoed the need for global cooperation to curb terrorism. Recounting historical aggression, Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai pointed to Pakistan's violent past, reminding that "Pakistan was born in 1947... They attacked Kashmir, and then they attacked India in 1965. Nowhere in the world you will see that an Army butchered, killed and raped its own women and people - Pakistan did it in East Pakistan which is now Bangladesh." His statement reflected longstanding mistrust rooted in past conflicts. BJP MP Capt Brijesh Chowta (Retd) further condemned Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism, warning the international community, "It is Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism which different nations need to understand. Today, we might be the victims of it; tomorrow, the world will be a victim of it. Many nations tell us that India should sit and talk. Who to talk to is the question. Do we talk to the elected government in Pakistan? If there is one? Do we talk to the army there? Do we talk to the Islamic clergy?..." His remarks questioned the feasibility of dialogue given Pakistan's internal complexities. Responding to US President Trump's claim of credit for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, RJD MP Prem Chand Gupta clarified, "Who can say what about him? Neither you nor we can. In a situation like this, the world leaders talk to each other. They convey their condolences, they talk, and convey their message... The Pakistani DGMO called our DGMO and requested a ceasefire, which we accepted in good faith as we want peace... There was no pressure from anyone from anywhere." His comments emphasised that the ceasefire was a bilateral decision aimed at peace. On the firm Indian response to terrorism, Gurdaspur-born Senator from Barcelona, Robert Masih Nahar, praised Operation Sindoor, stating, "The government should have done this earlier. We tolerated them for long, we tried to make them understand, but there has to be a day when India had to teach them that it will not tolerate any terrorist attack. It was a good step by India. A terrorist country and those who are running it must get a message that they will get a befitting reply. All the countries are against terrorism. The delegations will talk to the government here, and I think they will get this assurance that Spain is with India." His remarks reflected international support for India's decisive stance against terrorism. In line with this firm stance, the Modi government has undertaken a significant diplomatic outreach following Operation Sindoor by forming seven multi-party delegations. These delegations aim to inform global partners about Pakistan's continued involvement in terrorism and to reinforce India's message of zero tolerance for terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. This diplomatic effort seeks to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 people were killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, and on the broader fight against cross-border terrorism. Launched on May 7, Operation Sindoor was a decisive military action targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. It resulted in the elimination of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen, underscoring India's resolve to counter terrorism with strong measures. (ANI) China, which did not send its top-drawer delegation to this year's edition of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, copped considerable criticism for its continued flouting of international rules and for the threat it poses to neighbors. At this Singapore-based annual conference featuring military and diplomatic leaders from Asia and across the world, China usually sends a team headed by a defense minister. However, this year Beijing's delegation was headed by the relatively lowly Rear Admiral Hu Gangfeng, Vice-President of China's National Defense University, for the summit held from 30 May till 1 June. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth gave a speech that was extremely blunt in its assessment of the current threat from China, more so than speeches from any other international defense minister in recent memory. Hegseth asserted at the event, which is organized by the UK-based International Institute for Strategic Studies: "The United States is an Indo-Pacific nation ... We will continue to be an Indo-Pacific nation, with Indo-Pacific interests, for generations to come." There are some who need reassurance, after the uncertainty caused by President Donald Trump's chaotic and mercantile approach to international politics and tariffs. Hegseth offered comfort, saying, "Under President Trump's leadership, the US is committed to achieving peace through strength. That starts with deterring aggression around the world and here in the Indo-Pacific, here in our priority theater, here with you, our allies and our partners." However, at the same time, Hegseth's speech was littered with the deferential oiliness common to Trump political appointees, stating the world is "incredibly fortunate to have an American president" like Trump. Not all would agree, including many in Asia. Hegseth reassured that the Indo-Pacific is a priority, as the USA pursues a deliberate policy of forcing Europe to take up more of the mantle for defending against Russia. "As our allies share the burden, we can increase our focus on the Indo-Pacific, our priority theater. You see, here in the Indo-Pacific, our futures are bound together ... As a matter of fact, we are here this morning, and somebody else is not." This was the American defense secretary taking a potshot at China, whose defense minister was a no-show. Building up a head of steam, Hegseth got down to the serious business of fingering China as the real culprit, "a gathering threat". He rolled on: "Let me begin by saying we do not seek conflict with communist China. We will not instigate, nor seek to subjugate or humiliate. President Trump and the American people have an immense respect for the Chinese people and their civilization, but we will not be pushed out of this critical region. We will not let our allies and partners be subordinated and intimidated." He accused China of hegemony, turning the tables on Beijing's familiar canard that the USA is a hegemon. "Through its massive military buildup and growing willingness to use military force to achieve its goals, including gray-zone tactics and hybrid warfare, China has demonstrated that it wants to fundamentally alter the region's status quo. We cannot look away and we cannot ignore it. China's behaviour toward its neighbors and the world is a wake-up call, and an urgent one. China uses its vast and sophisticated cyber capabilities to steal technology and attack critical infrastructure in your countries and in the US as well." He listed examples of how China is pushing its weight around. "In the South China Sea, China harasses its neighbors, many of which are here in the room today. China seeks to intimidate you in your own waters. We have all seen the videos and pictures of water cannons and ship-to-ship collisions and illegal boardings at sea." He spoke too of illegal seizures and militarization of islands in the South China Sea. "These actions reveal a lack of respect for neighbors," Hegseth bemoaned. No country faces a bigger threat from China than Taiwan, so what Hegseth said next would have reassured this democratic nation constantly coerced by its larger neighbor. "Every day, you see it, China's military harasses Taiwan," Hegseth said. "These activities have been paired with China's rapid military modernization and build-up, including huge investments in nuclear weapons, hypersonics and amphibious-assault capabilities. It has to be clear to all that Beijing is credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. We know - it is public - that Xi has ordered his military to be capable of invading Taiwan by 2027. The People's Liberation Army is building the military needed to do it, training for it every day, and rehearsing for the real deal." He stated, "Again, to be clear, any attempt by communist China to conquer Taiwan by force would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world. There is no reason to sugarcoat it. The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent. We hope not, but it certainly could be." Such an assessment represents a major departure for the US government, because officials have previously argued that a conflict with China is neither imminent nor inevitable. Of course, the US secretary's answer was framed in such a way as to remain strategically ambiguous. He did not say Trump and the US military would come to Taiwan's aid, but he left that possibility open. Hegseth added, "President Trump has also said that communist China will not invade Taiwan on his watch. Our goal is to prevent war, to make the cost too high and peace the only option." Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles echoed Hegseth's concerns, saying at the Shangri-La Dialogue: "It is not just the size of the military build-up, it is the fact that it is happening without strategic reassurance and without a clear strategic intent. We want to see strategic transparency and strategic reassurance be provided by China, and an understanding of why it is needed to have such an extraordinary military build-up." Unsurprisingly, the aforementioned Rear Admiral Hu Gangfeng from China hit back at a later session of the Singaporean summit, accusing the USA of "groundless accusations" and hyping the China threat. He said Hegseth's comments were "nothing more than attempts to provoke trouble, incite division and stir up confrontation to destabilize the Asia-Pacific region". At the same time, China refuses to acknowledge its behavior is a source of great alarm in the region. It refuses to accept it is intimidatory, that others have credible reasons to fear Beijing and its use of force. Hu continued in his critique of Hegseth's speech, complaining, "Some of the claims are completely fabricated, some distort facts and some are cases of a thief crying 'stop, thief'." Again, Hegseth was at pains to point out, "We do not seek to dominate or strangle China, to encircle or provoke. We do not seek regime change, nor will we instigate, or disrespect a proud and historic culture. We will be ready, but we will not be reckless." He addressed other nations represented in the conference room too, promising, "We will stand with you and work alongside you to deter Chinese aggression. Each day, together, creating more and more dilemmas and complications, should China want to act, should they decide to overturn the status quo. More dilemmas, more complications, more questions, more concerns, more variables, more reasons to say it is not worth it." However, in a typical Trumpian ploy, the American demanded that would-be Asian partners raise their game and make solid commitments to stand up to China and work hand in hand with the USA. Unfortunately, this is the type of pledge many in Asia are reluctant to give. They do not want to choose between China or the USA. Their country might be situated near China, their economy might be dependent on Chinese trade, and so they prefer to sit on the fence. They will not be swayed by American demands for commitment, especially given the irascible and bullying behavior of Trump. Some may even be wondering whether the USA of today is really any better than China. In his speech in Singapore, French President Emmanuel Macron warned against this binary either/or approach being advocated by the USA. "The main risk today is a risk of division of the world, and the division between the two superpowers and the instruction given to all the others: 'You have to choose your side.'" Macron added, cautioning against choosing sides: "If we do so, we will kill the global order and we will destroy methodically all the institutions we created after the Second World War in order to preserve peace and to have cooperation on health, on climate, on human rights and so on." Instead, Macron called for Europe and Asia to build a coalition of independent countries to maintain strategic autonomy. France possesses territories in the South Pacific, and it has some 8,000 military personnel located there. In a later plenary session at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Hegseth appeared alongside counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines. He started by saying, "We've got a lot of friends and allies and partners here, but none closer than this group, none more strategically positioned to manifest deterrence, to bring about peace - that is our shared goal." Illustrating China's paradoxical approach to "peace", especially with those who oppose it, China has a love-hate relationship with international law and regulations. It is extremely happy to abide by international rules when it brings advantage, but Beijing immediately disparages it whenever it runs counter to its own aims and narratives. A case in point is China's categorical rejection of the Permanent Court of Arbitration's conclusions about its illegal territorial claims in the South China Sea. China accuses existing international mechanisms of having double standards, low efficiency and being adversarial. Three years ago, stung by episodes like Permanent Court of Arbitration decisions, China sought to establish an international mediation organization for the "peaceful resolution of disputes". This came to fruition on 30 May when China and 32 other nations signed the Convention on Establishment of theInternational Organization for Mediation. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi noted at the signing ceremony in Hong Kong, "China has been actively exploring ways of hotspot-issue settlement that carry the Chinese touch, so as to lend our thoughts to countries seeking to resolve problems or disagreements with others." Despite branding itself as an expert mediator, Wang's comments about "the China touch" are laughable. China is currently engaged in numerous territorial disputes, and it has shown an uncompromising desire to trample over others' legitimate rights. Even as Wang was speaking, Chinese law enforcement ships were harassing Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, and others were planting buoys in the Yellow Sea to assert sovereignty in competition with South Korea. Meanwhile, back in Singapore, with no Defense Minister Dong Jun in attendance, China was unable to directly rebut Hegseth's comments. This speech by Hegseth had been eagerly awaited, because Trump's approach towards Asia, and his relationship with China, have not been clearly articulated. Hegseth has made Trump's stance clarion clear, and it is more confrontational than that of any recent presidential predecessor. (ANI) The Russian Defence Ministry accused the Kiev regime of launching coordinated terrorist attacks using FPV (First-Person View) drones against multiple airfields across Russia, including those in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions. According to a statement issued by the Russian Defence Ministry, all attacks on military airfields in Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions were successfully repelled without major damage. However, in Murmansk and Irkutsk regions, drones launched from areas in close proximity to airfields reportedly caused several aircraft to catch fire. The fires were brought under control, and there were no casualties among either military or civilian personnel. The ministry added that some participants in the attacks had been detained. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday claimed that Ukrainian armed forces had conducted a "brilliant operation" aimed "exclusively at military targets" inside Russian territory, resulting in what he termed as "justified and deserved" losses for Russia. In his national address, Zelenskyy thanked Ukraine's Security Service and everyone involved in the operation, stating that 117 drones were used. He revealed that the operation took more than a year and a half to prepare, with planning, organisation, and execution described as flawless. "Just now, I received a report from Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Maliuk -- a brilliant operation was carried out. It took place on enemy territory and was aimed exclusively at military targets -- specifically, the equipment used in strikes against Ukraine," he said. "Russia suffered truly significant losses -- entirely justified and deserved." He further disclosed that the command office for the operation was located next to an FSB headquarters in one of the Russian regions. According to him, 34% of Russia's strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at air bases were hit, with Ukrainian personnel operating across multiple Russian regions and time zones. He also said that all operatives were safely withdrawn from Russian territory before the operation. "It is genuinely satisfying when something I authorized a year and six months ago comes to fruition and deprives Russians of over forty units of strategic aviation. We will continue this work," he added. Zelenskyy noted that prior to the operation, Ukrainian intelligence had information suggesting that Russia was preparing a massive strike. He urged citizens to heed air raid warnings, citing nearly 500 Russian attack drones launched recently and a fresh wave of Kalibr missile strikes from naval carriers. The President also reiterated Ukraine's willingness to end the conflict through dialogue, stating that the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire has been on the table since March 11. "We offered the Russians a ceasefire... It was the Russians who chose to continue the war," he said, calling on the international community to increase pressure on Moscow through sanctions, diplomacy, and force. According to Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), the operation -- code-named "Spiderweb" -- marked the most ambitious series of drone strikes on Russian air bases since the war began in 2022. An SBU source claimed that over 40 aircraft were hit, including Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers, and one of Russia's few remaining A-50 surveillance planes, CNN reported. The operation comes just a day ahead of peace talks scheduled between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul. (ANI) Six people sustained injuries in Boulder, Colorado in the United States after a man attacked and set people on fire people participating in a rally supporting Israeli hostages, local media reported. A suspect ,identified as an Egyptian national, whose visa had expired in 2023, has been detained by the FBI which is called it a "targeted terror attack" and is investigating the incident that took place at Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday CBS News reported. "We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado," FBI chief Kash Patel said on X. Witnesses said the suspect used a "makeshift flamethrower" and threw Molotov cocktails that burned multiple victims during a march in support of Israeli hostages, according to an FBI official cited by the CBS report. The Egyptian national, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, had arrived in the US two years ago and overstayed his visa. Fox News reported that he was arrested at the scene, after he allegedly set his victims on fire as they peacefully rallied on behalf of Israeli hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza. Soliman was heard yelling "Free Palestine" and other anti-Israel slogans during the attack on victims ranging in age from 67 to 88. Online records show Soliman has been booked into the Boulder County Jail as per the Fox News report. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard confirmed the National Counterterrorism Center is working with the FBI and local law enforcement on the ground. "The @ODNIgov's National Counterterrorism Center is working with the FBI and local law enforcement on the ground investigating the targeted terror attack against a weekly meeting of Jewish community members who had just gathered in Boulder, CO to raise awareness of the hostages kidnapped during Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7. Thank you to first responders and local authorities for your quick response and action." (ANI) Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of Ukraine's land forces, tendered his resignation on Sunday, taking responsibility for a lethal Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian military training facility that resulted in the deaths of 12 soldiers and injuries to 60 others, according to a Reuters report. Drapatyi, who has led Ukraine's wartime land army since November last year, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy at the 239th training ground. Writing on Facebook, he said, "These are young guys from a training battalion. Most of them were in shelters. They were supposed to study, live, fight - not die." He extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and those affected. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that he had called a meeting to examine the incident and would summon senior commanders, including top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, once Defence Minister Rustem Umerov returns from talks with Russian negotiators in Turkey. Zelenskiy emphasised the critical need to preserve all frontline personnel, saying, "Every life must be preserved. All decisions needed to do this will be adopted," following a deadly missile strike on a Ukrainian military "tent camp" in the central Dniepropetrovsk region. The Russian military confirmed the strike amid rising tensions after the Russian Defence Ministry accused the Kiev regime of coordinated terrorist attacks using FPV drones on multiple Russian airfields. According to the ministry, multiple Russian airfields in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions were targeted in the drone strikes. While attacks on airfields in Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur were reportedly repelled without major damage, several aircraft caught fire in Murmansk and Irkutsk regions after drones launched from areas near the airbases. The fires were brought under control and no casualties were reported among military or civilian personnel. The ministry also noted that some individuals involved in the attacks had been detained. Amid the military escalations, diplomatic efforts continue. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov regarding ways to end the ongoing conflict. Both sides are set to participate in a second round of direct negotiations in Istanbul on Monday, where Ukrainian representatives are expected to present new proposals. The diplomatic contact between Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov came as Ukraine and Russia conducted some of the largest drone attacks since the war began nearly three years ago. A second round of direct peace talks is scheduled to take place in Istanbul on Monday, with Ukrainian negotiators set to present new proposals to Russian representatives. The diplomatic developments come as fighting continues to rage across multiple fronts, with both Ukraine and Russia conducting intensive drone campaigns against each other's territory. The Istanbul talks represent the most significant diplomatic engagement between the warring parties in recent months, though previous negotiation attempts have failed to produce lasting agreements. (ANI) President of Paraguay, Santiago Pena Palacios, was accorded a Guard of Honour upon his arrival at Palam Air Force Station in Delhi. He is on a three-day official visit to India from June 2 to June 4. The ceremonial reception underscored the importance of the bilateral relationship between India and Paraguay. During his visit, President Pena will hold high-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders. The visit will also include meetings with business leaders and innovators in Mumbai. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that, at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, President Pena Palacios will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials, and business representatives. After the Delhi visit, he will travel to Mumbai before returning to Paraguay on June 4. This will be President Pena's first visit to India and only the second by any Paraguayan president. During his stay, he is scheduled to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations with the Indian Prime Minister, who will also host a lunch in his honour. The President is expected to meet President Droupadi Murmu, who will host a banquet in his honour. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar are also expected to call on him. In Mumbai, President Pena will engage with state political leadership, business and industry representatives, startups, innovators, and technology leaders. The State Visit aims to provide an opportunity to comprehensively review bilateral ties and discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest, the MEA added. India and Paraguay established diplomatic relations on September 13, 1961, fostering warm and friendly ties. Cooperation has grown across trade, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, and information technology sectors. Paraguay is a key trading partner for India in Latin America, with several Indian companies operating in the automobile and pharmaceutical sectors in Paraguay. Paraguayan companies, mainly through joint ventures, have a presence in India, strengthening economic ties. The two countries also share common views on various international issues, including UN reforms, climate change, renewable energy, and combating terrorism. (ANI) Malaysia's Deputy Minister of National Unity YB Senator Saraswathy Kandasami, on Monday said the message of the all-party delegation from India during their visit was clear -- India seeks peace and development, not conflict. "There was a detailed explanation of what had happened on 22 April, and the Indian government's measured reaction after the attack. The all-party delegation very clearly conveyed the aspiration of the Indian government that India is not at all interested in war," Kandasami told ANI. She noted that India, as the world's fourth-largest economy, is focused on continued economic growth with the goal of becoming the third-largest economy. "There needs to be an end to this aggression... They were seeking support from Malaysia and other countries in this region," she added. Kandasami underlined that India and Pakistan are both friendly countries to Malaysia and reiterated that the Indian delegation urged Malaysia to help convey the message of peace and development to Pakistan. "They brought us this message so that we could convey it to Pakistan--that the need of the hour is not conflict, but economic development," she said. Reaffirming Malaysia's position, the Deputy Minister said, "Our response has been made very clear by our Prime Minister--that Malaysia also has zero tolerance towards any form of violence, be it in any part of the world." The Group 3 delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, met with representatives of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) - People's Justice Party in Kuala Lumpur. The PKR delegation was headed by Saraswathy Kandasami. This meeting marked an important engagement between the Indian delegation and Malaysian political representatives. The Indian delegation 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 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 Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore. Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, in which 26 people were killed. Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, eliminating over 100 terrorists affiliated with groups including Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI) A sacred cave in Israel long believed to be the burial site of "Jesus midwife" may actually hold the remains of Salome, sister of King Herod the Great. A cave in Israel could be the burial site of 'Jesus' midwife' Salome Located about 30 miles southwest of Jerusalem, the so-called 'Cave of Salome' has drawn Christian pilgrims for centuries who believed it was the tomb of the woman who helped deliver baby Jesus. But fresh digs suggest the site may have links to royalty. Experts from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), Vladik Lifshits and Nir-Shimshon Paran, believe that the caves grand design and relics point to it being the burial spot of someone from Herods royal clan. Lifshits told Live Science: "Its not that I think it must be the tomb of Salome, the sister of Herod. Im suggesting that this is one of the possibilities." The cave comes with a grand entrance courtyard, carved burial spots and ancient inscriptions - the kind of setup that hints it was made for a top-tier figure in first-century BC Judaea, back when it was under Roman control. The name "Salome" is carved into the rock but researchers warn against jumping to conclusions. They said: "Following the new excavation at the site, and findings at nearby sites, it is suggested that the grandeur burial estate belonged to a member of the royal family." Addressing a press briefing at their protest camp outside the Quetta Press Club, now ongoing for over 5,845 days, VBMP leaders condemned the recent disappearance of Mahjabeen Baloch, a Library Science student at the University of Balochistan and resident of Basima, Washuk district. According to VBMP, Mahjabeen was taken during a joint operation conducted by police, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel, and other security forces. Her brother, Younus Baloch, an engineering student, had earlier been picked up by the same forces and remains missing. VBMP highlighted the continued pattern of collective targeting of families. Citing the killing of Shah Jahan Kurd, brother of missing Baloch Students Organisation (BSO) chairman Zahid Baloch, the group said such actions aim to silence dissent and intimidate activists. Calling enforced disappearances an "unforgivable crime," the VBMP warned that the increasing abductions of women mark a dangerous new phase in the ongoing human rights crisis in Balochistan. "This is not just a legal issue; it is a moral and humanitarian emergency. Secret trials, faceless judges, and extrajudicial tactics have no place in a just society," said VBMP representatives. The group announced plans to stage a protest on Eid, marking 16 years since the enforced disappearance of student leader Zakir Majeed, to draw attention to the suffering of hundreds of Baloch families. Human rights organisations, including the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), Paank, and the Baloch Women's Forum, have urged the United Nations and global civil society to intervene and ensure independent investigations into enforced disappearances in Balochistan. (ANI) The official tweet from SpokespersonNavy stated, "In line with the #MAHASAGAR vision of India, #IndianNavy's hydrography vessel #INSDarshak visited #HoChiMinh City to strengthen India-Vietnam hydrographic cooperation. #BridgesofFriendship @SpokespersonMoD @MEAIndia." This visit is part of ongoing efforts to enhance bilateral maritime ties and cooperation between India and Vietnam, reinforcing the strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific region. During the visit, Capt C Praveen Thomas, Commanding Officer, and Col S Muthukrishnan, Defence Attache, paid homage to Vietnam's founding father by laying a wreath at the statue of Ho Chi Minh. INS Darshak hosted officers from the Vietnam People's Navy, Vietnam Border Guard, senior Vietnamese government delegates, and members of the Indian diaspora onboard. The vessel showcased its hydrographic survey capabilities, which aid regional maritime safety and nautical charting. Professional discussions took place during technical demonstrations, and a friendly volleyball match fostered camaraderie between the crews of both navies. A cultural deck reception was held, where the Consul General and Captain of the ship welcomed dignitaries, including Senior Captain Trieu Thanh Tung and Mr Le Van Dieng. This visit highlights the continued commitment of India and Vietnam to deepen their cooperation in maritime security and hydrography under the framework of the MAHASAGAR vision. India and Vietnam share traditionally close and warm bilateral relations that are denominated as a comprehensive strategic partnership. India-Vietnam relations were elevated in 2016 to 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' during the visit of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, to Vietnam; earlier, the relations were designated as 'Strategic Partnership'. The development of India-Vietnam relations is guided by a "Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People" adopted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the then Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc during the Virtual Summit held on 21 December 2020. (ANI) Taiwan's China Times, one of its three largest newspapers, called on the government to "adhere to the Constitution" after it suggested investigating the newspaper for allegedly promoting Chinese Communist Party (CCP) propaganda, as reported by Focus Taiwan. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has charged the Want Want China Times Media Group, the owner of the China Times, with participating in a united front campaign led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) during the recent Cross-Strait Chinese Culture Summit in Beijing, according to Focus Taiwan. The MAC, which oversees Taiwan's policies towards the mainland, stated that the comments made by executives from the Want Want Group at the summit reflected Beijing's political narrative and were detrimental to Taiwan's national sovereignty and interests, as detailed by Focus Taiwan. The government will assess the statements to determine if they breached the law against unauthorized cooperation with China's political, military, or administrative entities, the MAC announced, referencing Article 33-1 of the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, as noted by the Focus Taiwan report. The dispute originated from remarks made by Want Want Group General Manager Tsai Wang-ting at the culture summit in Beijing on May 28, where he labeled China as the "motherland," referred to Taiwan as "China Taiwan," and emphasized the shared cultural and historical heritage of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Tsai stated, "We are Chinese," expressing gratitude for various forms of support from the "motherland" and the advantages of its market development, as reported by Focus Taiwan. The MAC fiercely criticised his comments, asserting that they undermined Taiwan's sovereignty. The MAC emphasised that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent state and has never been a part of the People's Republic of China, as highlighted by the Focus Taiwan report. President Lai Ching-te's administration has adopted a more proactive approach to overseeing cross-strait interactions, especially in addressing cognitive warfare, believing that failing to respond to such statements could convey an incorrect message, Tzeng noted. Tzeng added that Taiwanese businesses operating in China might need to exercise greater caution when voicing political opinions in the future, as issues relating to cross-strait relations are growing increasingly sensitive, as highlighted by the Focus Taiwan report. (ANI) The leadership of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), which includes Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, and Parliamentarian Tenzin Phuntsok Doring, held a public meeting with members of the Tibetan community in Tokyo, Japan, on June 1, 2025, as reported by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). During the gathering, Sikyong Penpa Tsering spoke about the brief history and essence of the Middle Way Approach, highlighting the vision behind it as introduced by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He discussed how the Kashag has developed its policies based on this approach, stressing the significance of using suitable political terminology and the critical role it plays in advancing the Tibetan cause, as noted in the CTA report. Concerning the adoption of the Resolve Tibet Act in the United States and the importance of acknowledging Tibet's historical independence, the Sikyong shared significant moments from the congressional hearing on Tibet that took place during the 8th World Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet (WPCT) in Washington, DC in 2022. He referenced presentations by Michael Van Walt Praag, an expert in International Law, and Hon-Shiang Lau, a retired Chair Professor from the City University of Hong Kong, who provided compelling legal and historical evidence that Tibet has never been a part of China, as indicated by the CTA report. Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel provided an overview of the initiatives taken by the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, including advocacy efforts across Europe and India. He highlighted the collaborative efforts between the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and the Kashag and encouraged the younger generations of Tibetans to actively engage in the Tibetan struggle, stressing the significance of collective action in pursuing the shared goal for Tibet, as underscored in the CTA report. Tenzin Phuntsok Doring, a Member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile representing Tibetans in Australasia and Asia (excluding India, Nepal, and Bhutan), pointed out the importance of sustaining the Tibetan struggle. He emphasised the necessity of embracing both individual and collective responsibility, along with active political involvement, urging Tibetans to stay engaged, alert, and sensitive in promoting the common cause of Tibet, as stated in the CTA report. MP Doring paid homage to the dedication and sacrifices of the older generation of Tibetans, led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who navigated the Tibetan struggle through its most challenging times and established the foundation for the exiled administration, now known as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). He urged the younger generation to honour this legacy by carrying it forward with renewed resolve and vision, according to the CTA. (ANI) Grave allegations have emerged against the Pakistan Army, accusing it of operating a billion-dollar economic empire built on unregulated businesses, corruption, and illicit trade with Balochistan at the core of its shadow economy. Taha Siddiqui, a Pakistani journalist living in exile in France, stated that the Pakistan Army maintains vast commercial interests across real estate, consumer goods, and agriculture. According to Siddiqui, the military's business ventures are prioritised in the allocation of government contracts, functioning with little oversight or accountability. "Due to such financial interests, its professional role as a military force has come under fire," Siddiqui said. "But given its authoritarian control, and its manipulation of the judiciary and political class, the army continues to exploit the Pakistani nation for its own benefit." Qambar Baloch, General Secretary of the Baloch Advocacy and Studies Center (BASC), said that Balochistan has long served as a profitable zone for Pakistan's military elite. He alleged that the army has built an illicit, unregulated economy in the province, driven by border smuggling, drug trafficking, and the misappropriation of public funds. He highlighted the 900-kilometre-long Goldsmid Line -- the border between Pakistan and Iran -- as a major corridor in an extensive fuel smuggling operation. "Each day, around 6 to 8 million litres of Iranian petroleum enter Pakistan-controlled Balochistan. Approximately 40 percent of the vehicles involved reportedly belong to the Pakistan Army, its informers, or pro-army death squads," Baloch stated. While local traders are limited to loading their vehicles once every 30 to 40 days, army-affiliated transporters operate daily -- allegedly earning the military nearly $1 million per day through this illicit trade. Baloch also accused the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and the Pakistan Coast Guard -- the latter commanded by an army officer -- of facilitating illegal trawling by Chinese and Karachi-based fishing vessels. "This practice is rapidly depleting marine resources in Balochistan's coastal waters and is devastating the livelihoods of local fishermen," he warned. Simultaneously, the army has reportedly acquired prime coastal land in Gwadar and has been aggressively promoting investment by overseas Pakistanis and foreign entities, further marginalising the local population. Baloch added that six of the nine major drug trafficking routes from Afghanistan pass through Balochistan. Despite the heavy presence of security checkpoints manned by various agencies, narcotics move freely, while ordinary citizens face frequent and rigorous inspections -- raising suspicions of complicity by the authorities. The Pakistan Army is also accused of draining the provincial budget under the guise of security. In 2018 alone, between Rs 20 and 30 million per month was reportedly spent on the Frontier Corps (FC) to police Quetta. The Auditor General of Pakistan highlighted financial irregularities of over Rs 570 million involving the FC in 2014. That same year, the National Accountability Bureau uncovered widespread corruption, including smuggled luxury vehicles and links to drug trafficking. According to Baloch, the army's influence over electoral processes in Balochistan has allowed it to extract bribes from candidates seeking office. Seats are often awarded to military loyalists -- many of whom are allegedly involved in drug trafficking and the suppression of nationalist voices. "Moreover, the army-run Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) has monopolised highway construction contracts and entered mineral exploration through a partnership with Pakistan Petroleum Limited. Their operations target copper and gold deposits in Eastern Chagai, covering 239 square kilometres under license EL-207," Baloch added. These revelations raise serious concerns about Pakistan's compliance with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards. The reported activities suggest significant lapses in Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF), anti-corruption frameworks, and judicial enforcement. As international scrutiny intensifies over the Pakistan Army's dominance and its alleged economic exploitation of Balochistan, calls are mounting for independent investigations, judicial accountability, and structural reforms to dismantle what critics describe as a "military-mafia" system entrenched in the state. (ANI) Sharing an X post, KTR said, "A large number of Telangana NRIs, party leaders, MLAs, former ministers, former MLAs, and public representatives participated." Addressing the event, Rao said, "June 2nd, a 60-year dream comes true! The day when decades of ambitions, hopes, aspirations, dreams came true!" He added that it is Telangana's style to make the impossible possible and that the state has made many things possible that were thought to be impossible. "Telangana has emerged as a leading state in no time, surpassing the big states that have been established for decades," KTR said. The Telangana MLA, during his speech, lauded the Indian Armed Forces for avenging the terror attack on tourists at Pahalgam. He added, "Our Slogan is 'Jai Telangana', but when we are outside the state, we are Telugus, and when we are out of the country, we are all proud Indians." Earlier, KT Rama Rao was in London, where he participated in India Week 2025, an international forum organised by Bridge India. He delivered the keynote address on Friday, highlighting Telangana's governance model during the nine-year BRS tenure, focusing on innovation-driven development and inclusive growth. He also informed that the theme of his talk at the India Week Conference was 'Why Telangana Matters'. Meanwhile, BRS MLC and Rao's sister K Kavitha celebrated by hoisting the national flag and Telangana Jagruthi's flag at the newly inaugurated Telangana Jagruthi Office. Telangana celebrates its 11th Formation Day. The state was officially formed on 2 June 2014. Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), now Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), chief K Chandrashekar Rao was elected as the state's first Chief Minister, following elections in which the party secured a majority. (ANI) Expressing strong concern over the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Malaysian leaders have acknowledged India's measured response and affirmed their support for peace and regional stability. YB Kulasegaran Murugeson, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) of Malaysia, said the incident was "shocking" and "should not have happened at all." Speaking to ANI, Murugeson stated, "India has taken necessary action. We spoke about Malaysia's concerns, and we feel India took steps to protect its national interest." He added, "We hope cross-border terrorism doesn't take place anymore," underscoring Malaysia's desire for peace in the region. Malaysia's Deputy Minister of National Unity, YB Senator Saraswathy Kandasami, echoed similar sentiments following a meeting with an Indian all-party delegation. She said the message brought by the delegation was clear -- that India seeks peace and development, not conflict. "There was a detailed explanation of what had happened on 22 April, and the Indian government's measured reaction after the attack. The all-party delegation very clearly conveyed the aspiration of the Indian government that India is not at all interested in war," Kandasami told ANI. Highlighting India's economic focus, Kandasami said, "India, as the world's fourth-largest economy, is focused on continued economic growth with the goal of becoming the third-largest economy. There needs to be an end to this aggression... They were seeking support from Malaysia and other countries in this region." She emphasised that India and Pakistan are both friendly countries to Malaysia and noted that the Indian delegation urged Malaysia to help convey the message of peace and development to Pakistan. "They brought us this message so that we could convey it to Pakistan--that the need of the hour is not conflict, but economic development," she added. Reaffirming Malaysia's stance, Kandasami said, "Our response has been made very clear by our Prime Minister--that Malaysia also has zero tolerance towards any form of violence, be it in any part of the world." The Group 3 Indian delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, met with representatives of Malaysia's Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) - People's Justice Party - in Kuala Lumpur. The PKR delegation was headed by Deputy Minister Saraswathy Kandasami. The Indian delegation 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. This meeting marked a significant engagement between Indian lawmakers and Malaysian political leaders as part of a broader diplomatic outreach to brief international partners on India's counter-terrorism efforts. The visit comes in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, which killed 26 people. As part of the operation, Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, eliminating over 100 terrorists affiliated with groups including Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. The delegation's tour includes visits to Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore to highlight India's firm stance against cross-border terrorism and to reinforce its commitment to peace and development. (ANI) Pakistani security forces forcibly disappeared at least eight men during a series of late-night raids across Mastung, Panjgur, and Kech districts of Balochistan, according to local reports. As reported by The Balochistan Post, five individuals were abducted in a single night in Mastung district, while three others were picked up from different areas of Panjgur and Kech. The disappearances have sparked renewed concern among local communities and rights groups. In Mastung, the raids began in the early hours of Sunday. In Karezsor Tehsil, Asim Farooq, son of Haji Ghulam Farooq and a member of the Tablighi Jamaat, was taken from his home around 1:00 AM. Around the same time, Muhammad Wafa, son of Haji Muhammad Ashraf Shahwani, was abducted from Khaddkoocha Tehsil. Khalil Ahmed, son of Haji Muhammad Ibrahim Shahwani, was reportedly taken from Killi Kungarh around 3:00 AM. His family revealed that he had just returned from a four-month preaching mission and was undergoing treatment for tuberculosis. In another raid in Killi Azizabad, Aurangzaib, son of Muhammad Umar Muhammad Shahi, was taken at approximately 2:00 AM. Later, Levies constable Ghulam Jan, son of Ghulam Sarwar Shahwani, was also abducted from Azizabad No. 2. Meanwhile, in the Dasht area of Kech district, Murad Khan, son of Lal Muhammad, and Rashid, son of Fateh, were reportedly detained by Pakistani forces. Their whereabouts remain unknown. In Panjgur's Parom tehsil, Shehzad, son of Nazeer, was abducted during a late-night operation in Rahimabad and Naeemabad areas. His cousin Basheer Ahmed told local media, "My cousin Shehzad was abducted, and shortly after, our home was also raided. Just days ago, my younger brother Jangian Baloch also disappeared." Residents say the rise in enforced disappearances has left families in a state of fear and trauma. Human rights groups, including the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, Paank, and the Baloch Women's Forum, have condemned the ongoing operations and urged international intervention to stop the systematic abductions. (ANI) The East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE) marks the 511th anniversary of the establishment of the Yarkent Khanate by Sultan Said Khan in late May 1514 with solemnity. As stated in the ETGE release, the Yarkent Khanate was an independent Turkic nation that governed most of East Turkistan. Its administrative hub was Yarkent, while key cultural and economic centres included Kashgar, Khotan, Keriya, Kucha, Aksu, Turpan, Qarasheher, Qumul, Dukhan, and Uzgen, which together formed a dynamic network of cities that fostered governance, commerce, scholarship, and cultural activities. Its eastern boundary extended to the historical Jiayu Pass (Jiayuguan), long acknowledged as the traditional delimiter between East Turkistan and China, emphasising the Khanate's political autonomy. The Yarkent Khanate represents one of several independent Turkic and Indo-European nations established throughout East Turkistan's extensive history of statehood, spanning over 3,000 years, and a civilisation that is 6,000 years old. This includes the Tocharian city-states, the Hun ("Xiongnu") Empire, the Kushan Empire, and the Hephthalites, as well as the Kok Turk Khaganate (Turkistan), the Uyghur Khaganate, the Kara-Khanid Khanate, the Idiqut Uyghur State, the Chagatai Khanates, and the Yarkent Khanate, highlighting East Turkistan's significant heritage of political independence, according to the ETGE release. In contemporary times, the legacy was carried on through the State of Yette Sheher (1864-1877), the First East Turkistan Republic (1933-1934), and the Second East Turkistan Republic (1944-1949) each representing the East Turkistani people's lasting legacy of governance, independence, and self-determination, as noted in the ETGE release. This history of sovereignty has been intermittently disrupted by foreign control, including the Dzungars (1705-1759), the Manchu Qing Empire (1759-1863, 1877-1912), Chinese warlords (1912-1933), KMT-aligned Chinese warlords (1934-1943), and the Chinese Communist regime (1949-present), the ETGE release outlined. The determination of the East Turkistani people to regain their national sovereignty remains steadfast, continuing today through the efforts of the East Turkistan Government in Exile. The Yarkent Khanate established diplomatic and trade links with the Mughal Empire, Ming China, and nearby Central Asian powers such as the Kazakh Khanate and the Khanate of Bukhara, confirming its recognised standing within the regional and international framework of its era, as emphasised by the ETGE release. The East Turkistan Government in Exile cherishes the lasting legacy of the Yarkent Khanate as a cornerstone of our national history. We reaffirm our steadfast dedication to restoring East Turkistan's independence and national sovereignty, under international law, historical continuity, and the fundamental right of all peoples to self-determination, as stated in the ETGE release. (ANI) An all-party delegation from India, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, held a series of key diplomatic engagements in Malaysia, meeting with representatives of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), as part of a broader outreach to strengthen regional ties and convey India's stance on peace and counter-terrorism. The first meeting was held with the DAP, where the Malaysian delegation was headed by YB Tuan M. Kulasegaran V. Murugeson, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reforms). The meeting focused on matters of mutual interest, including regional peace, legal cooperation, and the fight against terrorism. The Indian delegation later met with representatives of PKR, the People's Justice Party. The Malaysian side was led by YB Senator Saraswathy Kandasami, Deputy Minister of National Unity. Both meetings highlighted the growing collaboration and diplomatic engagement between India and Malaysia. Expressing concern over the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Malaysian leaders acknowledged India's "measured" response and reiterated their support for peace and regional stability. Deputy Minister Kulasegaran termed the incident as "shocking" and said, "India has taken necessary action. We spoke about Malaysia's concerns, and we feel India took steps to protect its national interest. We hope cross-border terrorism doesn't take place anymore," he told ANI. Echoing these sentiments, Deputy Minister Saraswathy Kandasami stated that the Indian delegation conveyed a strong message of peace and development. "The all-party delegation very clearly conveyed the aspiration of the Indian government that India is not at all interested in war," she told ANI. She emphasised India's economic priorities, saying, "India, as the world's fourth-largest economy, is focused on continued economic growth with the goal of becoming the third-largest economy." She added that the delegation urged Malaysia and other regional countries to support this vision by helping convey the message of peace to Pakistan. Reiterating Malaysia's position, she said, "Our response has been made very clear by our Prime Minister--that Malaysia also has zero tolerance towards any form of violence, be it in any part of the world." The Indian delegation includes BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lala, Pradan Baruah, Hemang Joshi; TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee; CPI-M's John Brittas; and Congress leader Salman Khurshid, among others. Their visit is part of a multi-nation tour to brief international partners on India's counter-terrorism efforts and promote regional cooperation. The engagements come in the wake of Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam attack, in which 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. The Indian Armed Forces launched precision strikes targeting terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, neutralising over 100 terrorists from outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. The delegation's tour includes stops in Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore, underscoring India's commitment to regional peace, security, and development. (ANI) A bizarre stage performance featuring raw chickens in nappies has caused uproar in Germany, after it was hosted inside a historic Catholic cathedral. A bizarre performance featuring chicken in nappies has not gone down well in Germany The avant-garde show was held last month in Paderborn Cathedral, Westphalia - watched by the countrys president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier and local archbishop Udo Bentz - and sparked fury among worshippers who branded the act a "desecration". More than 22,000 furious citizens have now signed a petition demanding that Archbishop Bentz apologise and carry out penance. They also want him to reconsecrate the cathedral after it was "desecrated by this performance". The production, by experimental theatre group Bodytalk, saw plucked chickens displayed on stage in baby nappies. It formed part of a cultural event focused on Westphalias rural history. But many viewers failed to see the message behind the odd display and the backlash was so strong that the archdiocese and regional leaders were forced to apologise that the show "hurt religious feelings". In a joint statement posted to the cathedrals website, organisers said they hadnt been made aware of the full content in advance and promised stricter checks on future events. Bodytalk co-founder Rolf Baumgart insisted the performance was never intended to mock the church. He told the Associated Press: "It was not meant to be a spoof at all. As Westphalia is a rural-dominated region with a turbulent history our research was focused on that." Still, critics said it was deeply inappropriate to stage the production inside a consecrated space and even more shocking that high-profile figures were in the audience. The German presidents office has not yet commented. Taking to social media platform X, Jaishankar posted, "Warm greetings to FM @Antonio_Tajani, the Government and people of Italy on their National Day." He further affirmed, "Will build on the strong momentum of our strategic partnership." India-Italy bilateral relations, which have seen high-level exchanges and deepening cooperation across diverse sectors in recent months. Earlier this year, Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. The two leaders discussed India's measured response to cross-border terrorism. "Had a telecon with DPM & FM @Antonio_Tajani of Italy. Discussed India's targeted and measured response to firmly counter terrorism. Any escalation will see a strong response," Jaishankar had shared in a post on X. In a previous in-person engagement in Italy, Jaishankar met with FM Tajani and Italian Minister for University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini. The leaders reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation, including trade, investment, maritime security, research, technology, education, and cultural exchange. They also exchanged views on contemporary global developments in Europe, the Mediterranean, and West Asia, and reaffirmed their commitment to the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029--guiding the future trajectory of the India-Italy partnership. Jaishankar also underscored that the India-Italy partnership is "rooted in our democratic values, respect for civilizations, culture and heritage." India and Italy enjoy a robust strategic partnership marked by growing collaboration in key areas such as defence, energy transition, education, and people-to-people exchanges. (ANI) In a strong display of diplomatic outreach, India's Group 4 all-party parliamentary delegation reiterated the country's united stand against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism during their visit to Liberia, with senior leaders underscoring India's role as a global advocate for peace and counter-terrorism. Indian Ambassador to Liberia, Sujan Chinoy, emphasised the significance of the multi-nation parliamentary visit, stating it represents India's unity and collective resolve against terrorism. "The delegation's visit to various countries is a symbol of India's unity and speaking in one voice against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. There is no question of any side or opposition in this, nor should it arise, and this delegation is also a symbol of this unity," Chinoy said, referring to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Describing the attack as a national tragedy, Chinoy added, "We express regret and condolences for the innocent and civilians killed by the terrorists." The Ambassador also lauded the success of the Indian Armed Forces in retaliating against terror threats through Operation Sindoor. "During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Armed Forces destroyed the terrorist hideouts of Pakistan and also eliminated a large number of Pakistani terrorists. This operation was a great success," he said. He further noted, "When Pakistan escalated the matter, the Indian Armed Forces gave a befitting reply to Pakistan and the Pakistani army. As a result, Pakistan was forced to demand a ceasefire." Echoing this message of unity and strength, Shiv Sena MP and delegation leader Shrikant Shinde said, "I think for the first time, a country is spreading the message of peace across the world through a delegation against terrorism. This work has been done by Prime Minister Modi." He noted that despite decades of battling terrorism, India had emerged as a powerful nation in fields such as technology. Senior BJP MP SS Ahluwalia called out Pakistan for using religion as a justification for terrorism, noting that even Islamic nations have acknowledged this misuse. "Pakistan thinks that the Islamic world will stand with them. We requested that the people of the UAE, that they (Pakistan) use the Quran and religion to spread terrorism. They (UAE) accepted that it (Pakistan) has hijacked the religion," Ahluwalia stated. Other MPs from the Group 4 delegation, including BJP's Manan Mishra, Bansuri Swaraj, Atul Garg, and IUML MP Basheer, also addressed participants in Monrovia, speaking on India's moral leadership, its stand on global terrorism, and strengthening bilateral relations with Liberia. The visit forms part of India's broader diplomatic initiative to inform global partners about the country's fight against terrorism and to consolidate support for peace and regional stability. (ANI) Government school educators in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) persisted with their class boycott and staged a protest sit-in for the sixth consecutive day, urging authorities to address their single-point demand for long-awaited promotions, as reported by Dawn. Academic activities have come to a halt at government schools throughout PoGB since last week, as thousands of educators declared they would only end their protest once their singular request is met. For the past five days, teachers have held demonstrations and rallies outside education department offices in Hunza, Nagar, Astore, Skardu, Diamer, Ghanche, Shigar, Kharmang, and Ghizer. On Friday, teachers from these regions marched toward Gilgit and joined the protest sit-in outside the PoGB Directorate of Education in Gilgit, the regional headquarters where the minister's office is located, according to Dawn. Despite harsh weather conditions on Saturday, numerous government educators continued their protest sit-in outside the PoGB Directorate of Education, responding to the call from the Teachers' Coordination Committee. The organisers stated that government teachers have been seeking promotions for many years. Teachers holding a Bachelor of Education should ascend to Grade 16, while those with a Certificate in Teaching should rise to Grade 14, they elaborated. Yet nearly 7,000 teachers who possess the necessary qualifications were overlooked, as only 300 were promoted in what they deemed a "discriminatory" manner by the education department. The PoGB Supreme Appellate Court had instructed the government to grant teachers their rightful pay scales. Additionally, the chief court mandated enforcement of the appellate court's ruling for qualified educators to receive their appropriate service scales. Nevertheless, the protesters claimed that the PoGB government was hesitant to comply with the court order, denying teachers their entitlements, as noted by the Dawn report. An official notification released by the school education department on May 30 directed the director general of education to perform "a comprehensive verification exercise of all teachers employed by the school education department across all PoGB districts." However, the protesting instructors labelled this action as another tactic to postpone their rightful promotions and declared that their protest would persist until the court order is executed, according to Dawn. (ANI) A health crisis has emerged in Chak 212-P, a secluded village located on Tillu Road in Sadiqabad in Pakistan, where residents are forced to consume contaminated subsoil water due to a lack of safe drinking water, according to a report in the Dawn newspaper. Since the year 2017, at least 98 individuals, mostly from the Shar clan, have undergone appendectomies after suffering from abdominal pain, which was reportedly linked to misdiagnoses and questionable medical practices, as noted in Dawn's article. The problem began when 10 to 15 children (ranging from 7 to 14 years old) first presented with intestinal discomfort and sought medical assistance from local quacks and nearby healthcare facilities. Despite being treated with medication, their symptoms persisted, resulting in more villagers reporting similar problems over the years. From 2017 to 2025, a total of 98 appendectomy surgeries were performed, primarily in private hospitals in Sadiqabad, as referenced in the Dawn report. Following 2019, several unlicensed medical practitioners in the Tillu Road region faced sanctions from the District Health Authority (DHA) but were allowed to continue operating under certain conditions. Deputy District Health Officer (DDHO) Dr. Waqas Shakoor reportedly advised these practitioners to refer patients to Touheed Medical Complex (TMC) on Katcha Shahi Road, Sadiqabad. It is asserted that Dr. Shakoor is the patron-in-chief of TMC, which is owned by Dr. Touheed Akhtar, as highlighted by Dawn's report. The situation gained public attention on May 29, 2025, when videos concerning the surgeries were disseminated on social media. The elder noted that in the current year alone, 36 new cases have been recorded in Chak 212-P, with 26 patients having already undergone appendectomies at TMC, while an additional 10 are waiting for surgery. Each patient was allegedly charged Rs15,000, which included Rs 8,000 for the surgery and Rs 7,000 for medications. Moreover, six to seven children from a single family, specifically the family of Amir Bakhsh Shar, were among those who had the surgery, as reported by Dawn. Members of civil society and social activists have condemned the alleged negligence of the health authority and have accused CEO Dr. Ghazanfar Shafiq of neglecting the issue. He is the son of a former ruling party MPA and a resident of Sadiqabad. They are demanding a transparent investigation and strict accountability that is free from political interference, as reported by Dawn. (ANI) The move marks a significant milestone in Finland-India relations and highlights Finland's growing commitment to strengthening ties with India, particularly in Gujarat. The new Honorary Consulate will focus on enhancing cooperation in key areas such as digitalization, education, sustainability, and innovation. Prominent Gujarat-based business leader Kulin Lalbhai has been appointed as the Honorary Consul of Finland. In his new role, he is expected to play a vital part in boosting economic collaboration and fostering close bilateral relations between Finland and the state of Gujarat. To formally inaugurate the consulate, Finland's Ambassador to India, Kimmo Lahdevirta, will visit Gujarat next week. The Ambassador will be joined by a high-level business delegation and will hold meetings with government officials, industry leaders, corporate executives, and members of the academic community. "This is an important moment for Finland-India relations," said Ambassador Lahdevirta. "Gujarat's leadership in industrial development, sustainability, and digital innovation makes it a natural partner for Finland. The opening of the new Honorary Consulate reflects our commitment to deepening regional collaboration in India." Expressing his enthusiasm on the appointment, Honorary Consul Kulin Lalbhai said, "I'm excited to take on this role at a time when there is so much potential for meaningful collaboration between Finland and Gujarat. Both regions share a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and education, and I look forward to helping accelerate our joint efforts in these areas." The establishment of the Honorary Consulate is expected to provide a further boost to Finland's diplomatic and economic presence in western India. Finland and India have traditionally enjoyed warm and friendly relations. In recent years, bilateral relations have acquired diversity with collaboration in research, innovation, and investments by both sides. (ANI) The All-party delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha met with Malaysian members of Parliament on Monday. Jha described the meeting as "fruitful," highlighting strong support for India's position. While speaking to ANI, Jha said, "It was a fruitful meeting. The Malaysian MPs were aware of the issue, and they are fully supporting India...Largely, it was a good discussion with the members of Parliament here." The Indian delegation held key meetings with representatives of Malaysia's Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), aimed at strengthening regional ties and conveying India's stance on peace and counter-terrorism. The meeting with DAP was led by YB Tuan M. Kulasegaran V. Murugeson, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reforms). Discussions focused on regional peace, legal cooperation, and the fight against terrorism. The delegation later met PKR representatives led by YB Senator Saraswathy Kandasami, Deputy Minister of National Unity. Both meetings highlighted the growing collaboration between India and Malaysia. Expressing concern over the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Malaysian leaders acknowledged India's "measured" response and reiterated their support for peace and regional stability. Deputy Minister Kulasegaran termed the incident "shocking" and said, "India has taken necessary action. We spoke about Malaysia's concerns, and we feel India took steps to protect its national interest. We hope cross-border terrorism doesn't take place anymore." Echoing these views, Deputy Minister Saraswathy Kandasami said the Indian delegation conveyed a strong message of peace and development. "The all-party delegation very clearly conveyed the aspiration of the Indian government that India is not at all interested in war," she told ANI. She added, "India, as the world's fourth-largest economy, is focused on continued economic growth to become the third-largest economy." The delegation urged Malaysia and other regional countries to support this vision by promoting peace, especially regarding Pakistan. Reiterating Malaysia's stance, Saraswathy said, "Our response has been made very clear by our Prime Minister--that Malaysia also has zero tolerance towards any form of violence, be it in any part of the world." The Indian delegation includes BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lala, Pradan Baruah, Hemang Joshi; TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee; CPI-M's John Brittas; and Congress leader Salman Khurshid, among others. Their visit forms part of a multi-nation tour covering Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore, aimed at briefing international partners on India's counter-terrorism efforts and promoting regional cooperation. The engagements follow Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam attack, where 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. The Indian Armed Forces conducted precision strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, neutralising over 100 terrorists from outfits including Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. This diplomatic outreach underscores India's commitment to regional peace, security, and development. (ANI) Further, President Pena strongly condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and expressed solidarity with the Indian people. The leaders also exchanged views on global and regional issues of mutual interest. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1929468384632070641 Sharing some pictures of the meet on X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal wrote, "PM @narendramodi held wide-ranging talks with President @SantiPenap of Paraguay at Hyderabad House. They discussed enhancing cooperation in the fields on agriculture, Pharma, technology, renewable energy, health, critical minerals, railways & people to people contacts." "President @SantiPenap strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam & expressed solidarity with the Indian people. Both sides also exchanged views on global & regional issues of mutual interest," he added. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1929491484866142566 Further, PM Modi stated on X, "Had a productive meeting with the President of Paraguay, Santiago Pena in Delhi. Paraguay is a valued partner in South America and our nations are connected by shared values." "Our talks covered diverse subjects, prime among which was close economic cooperation. There is immense potential in boosting trade linkages. We see sectors such as digital technology, critical minerals, energy, agriculture, health and space as key areas where our nations can work together," he added. Notably, Paraguay President is in India at the invitation of PM Modi from June 2 to 4. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers, senior officials and business representatives. President Pena will also visit Mumbai, before returning to Paraguay on 04 June 2025. In Mumbai, President Pena will meet the state political leadership, business and industry representatives, startups, innovators and tech leaders. The State Visit of President Pena will be his first visit to India and only the second visit by a President of Paraguay, as per MEA. India and Paraguay established diplomatic relations on September 13, 1961, cultivating warm and friendly ties between the two nations. Both countries have since developed cooperation in various sectors, including trade, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals and information technology. (ANI) In a significant diplomatic outreach, India's Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, is leading a high-profile official visit to Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, aimed at deepening India's strategic, economic, and environmental partnerships in Central Asia. In Dushanbe, Singh attended the High-Level International Conference on Glacier Preservation, where he delivered a strong message about the urgent threat posed by glacial retreat. Addressing the plenary session, Singh warned that the accelerating pace of glacial melt -- particularly in the Himalayas -- has become an "immediate global crisis" with far-reaching consequences for water security, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of billions. Representing India at the climate-focused summit, Singh highlighted national efforts under the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) -- part of India's broader National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). He emphasized the importance of scientific research, citing the establishment of the Centre for Cryosphere and Climate Change Studies, which supports glacier monitoring and climate adaptation initiatives in the Indian Himalayan region. "India is utilizing advanced Remote Sensing and GIS technologies, led by ISRO, to monitor glacier mass and dynamics," Singh noted. These technological efforts are complemented by collaborations with key institutions such as the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), and the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE). In addition to environmental priorities, Singh stressed India's work in disaster mitigation, particularly in strengthening early warning systems and mapping risks from Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). He called for greater regional cooperation to build resilience and improve data-sharing to address growing climate threats to mountain ecosystems. On the diplomatic front, the Minister held bilateral meetings with Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin and other senior officials. Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in defence, counter-terrorism, regional security, energy, and cultural exchange. Singh also engaged with the Indian diaspora in Tajikistan, recognizing their vital role in promoting people-to-people ties and India's cultural diplomacy. Following the Tajikistan leg, Singh will travel to Kyrgyzstan, where he is scheduled to meet the Kyrgyz Foreign Minister and senior government representatives to explore avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation. Key agenda items include trade, defence collaboration, regional connectivity, education, and technological innovation. The visit to Kyrgyzstan will culminate with Singh's participation in the IX Meeting of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP) Steering Committee, to be held on June 5-6 in Issyk-Kul. India's leadership at the GSLEP forum underscores its commitment to conserving fragile mountain ecosystems and protecting biodiversity, especially in the context of snow leopard habitats. India's relationship with both Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan dates back to the early 1990s, rooted in mutual concerns over regional security and expanded through sustained engagement in trade, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Singh's visit is being viewed as a key step in advancing India's "Connect Central Asia" policy and reinforcing New Delhi's growing role as a strategic partner in the region. (ANI) The inaugural Days of Russian Spiritual Culture were recently celebrated in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, marking a significant moment of cultural diplomacy between the two nations. The event was held in partnership with TV BRICS, serving as the international media collaborator. The initiative stems from agreements between the Russian and Zimbabwean Ministries of Culture, finalised during the 2024 St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum, according to Nikolay Krasilnikov, Russian Ambassador to Zimbabwe. Headlining the festival was a vibrant performance by the State Song and Dance Ensemble "Altai" named after AF Berezikov. Their showcase, titled I Feel the Soul of Russia, featured 16 vocal and choreographic pieces that brought Siberian spirit to African soil. Highlights included iconic numbers such as "Our Gold - My Altai," "Cossack Will," "Kalinka," and "Evenings Near Moscow." In a gesture of cross-cultural fusion, the ensemble premiered a specially choreographed performance, Barynya in African style, blending Russian dance with local Zimbabwean elements. The group also hosted a masterclass titled Traditional Russian Dance as the Basis of Spiritual and Moral Education, offering local participants a hands-on cultural experience, as reported by TV BRICS. Elena Berezikova, Director of the ensemble, reflected on the significance of the tour, stating: "Participating in the Days of Russian Spiritual Culture in Zimbabwe, representing the country and our region, introducing the traditions of our beloved homeland to audiences of another culture is a great honour and joy... This tour has given us incredible impressions, new impulses for creativity and new friends." Accompanying the performances were two themed exhibitions -- Multinational Russia by the Russian Geographical Society and Kizhi - a Revived Masterpiece by the Kizhi Museum-Reserve. The festivities concluded with a visit to Marondera, where the artists conducted interactive sessions with students. Local music educator Theresa Covini praised the experience, saying: "The quality of the music, the melodies of the songs, the colourful national costumes, the interpretation of the movements - I have never seen anything like it before. It is a great honour to introduce students to Russian culture." The festival aimed to deepen cultural dialogue and foster stronger humanitarian ties between Russia and African nations. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed his "deep appreciation" to Paraguay for its "strong condemnation" of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack as he held a "comprehensive discussion" with President Santiago Pena Palacios in the national capital. According to the MEA, the two leaders held a comprehensive discussion at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including trade and investment, health and pharmaceuticals, defence and security, infrastructure, mining and mineral resources, agriculture and food security, green energy, digitalisation, innovation and people-to-people links among others. During a press briefing, P Kumaran, Secretary (East) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), highlighted that both leaders "unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all forms," with President Pena extending deep solidarity with the victims and their families. President Pena is in India for a three-day state visit, which will conclude on June 4. "Prime Minister Modi expressed his deep appreciation to Paraguay for its strong condemnation of the terrorist attack... as well as for the sincere condolences and solidarity expressed with the people and the government of India. Both leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations. On behalf of the Paraguayan people, President Pena expressed his deep solidarity with the victims and families of the terrorist attack," Kumaran stated during the briefing. The April 22 terror attack took place in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, where Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 tourists in the name of religion. Two weeks later, India launched 'Operation Sindoor', which targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Kumaran further noted that during Pena's meeting with PM Modi at the Hyderabad House earlier today, both leaders welcomed the establishment of a Joint Commission Mechanism (JCM) at the Secretary/Vice Ministerial level to advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Recognising India's growing global economic role, the MEA emphasised President Pena's keen interest in attracting Indian investments to Paraguay. "The two sides welcomed the establishment of a Joint Commission Mechanism at the Secretary/ Vice Ministerial level. The JCM will serve as a key platform to review and advance cooperation in priority areas of mutual interest. recognising India's growing global economic role, President Pina expressed keen interest in attracting Indian investments to Paraguay. He engaged with prominent Indian business leaders in Delhi. He is scheduled to travel tomorrow to Mumbai and interact with top Indian business leaders and companies," Kumaran added. President Pena will also be meeting with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan in the evening, where a banquet will be hosted. "The two leaders held a comprehensive discussion on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including trade and investment, health and pharmaceuticals, defence and security, infrastructure, mining and mineral resources, agriculture and food security, green energy, ICT, digitalisation, innovation, disaster management, science and technology and people-to-people links. The President is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu in the evening at Rashtrapati Bhawan, where a banquet will be hosted for him," Kurmaran stated. "The bilateral relationship was expanded steadily with growing cooperation in sectors such as trade, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, and information technology. Paraguay is a growing trade partner for India in the Latin American region," he added. Earlier in the day, President Pena paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, laying a wreath at the memorial. The visit is part of his three-day state visit to India, which will conclude on June 4. (ANI) A prosthetic leg and a 10,000 painting are among the strangest items left in hotel rooms. A prosthetic leg was left behind by a hotel guest Hyatt Hotels revealed that they had discovered several unusual possessions left behind in bedrooms long after the guests had left over the past year. Other things left behind include 20 traffic cones and 10 bishops' cassocks and the hotel chain has now introduced a 'Finder Keepers' service in an attempt to reunite owners with their lost property. Housekeeping boss Regina Urban said: "One guest, rushing to catch a plane home to the US, left a cherished ring behind - but only realised it was missing mid-flight. "Following an email to the hotel, I tracked down the ring and made sure it found its way back to the guest as they landed in New York. "Days later, a heartfelt message arrived from the guest Stateside, showing tearful gratitude for reuniting her with a priceless heirloom from her grandmother." Urban added: "Nothing beats the joy of getting treasured belongings back where they belong." Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal held a bilateral meeting with Terada Yoshimichi, Japan's Vice Minister for International Affairs, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLITT) in Oslo on Monday, according to a satement from Ministry of Ports and Shipping. With a goal to deepen the maritime relations between the two countries, the meeting entailed discussions on multiple areas including investment by Japanese Shipyards, collaboration on port digitisation and green port initiatives, increase in R and D cooperation, upskilling human resources, employment of Indian seafarers in Japan among others. Both the ministers also discussed about using sustainable technologies, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and enhanced connectivity to enable Andaman Nicobar islands and Lakswadeep islands to be converted into Smart Islands, as per the Ministry of Ports and Shipping. Acknowledging the rich expertise of Japan in developing island territories, Sarbananda Sonowal said, "Japan's expertise in this area is highly valued. We see scope for joint work in the Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands, particularly in deploying renewable energy, smart mobility systems, and digital infrastructure. "These initiatives will further our shared commitment to ecological conservation and regional maritime security." he added The meeting also discussed about increasing partnership between Indian and Japanese shipyards including Greenfield investment such as Imabari Shipbuilding in Andhra Pradesh and others. Opportunities for co-development of ports and maritime industrial clusters as clean energy hubs were also gauged for mutual cooperation. Sonowal expressed India's interest in leading Japanese shipbuilding companies such as Imabari Shipbuilding, JMUC, Kanagawa Dockyard, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to explore joint ventures and collaborative arrangements with Indian yards. "Japan's expertise in shipbuilding and ship repair is well recognised, and I see great scope for collaboration in this area. We also invite Japan's Big Three maritime companies--NYK Line, MOL, and K Line--to explore joint ventures and investment opportunities in India's growing maritime sector," he added. The Union Minister further added that With our strong bilateral relationship, India's growing maritime industry present a unique opportunity for Japanese shipyards to invest in India in shipbuilding. Collaboration on port digitisation and green port initiatives will further strengthen the resilience and sustainability of our maritime logistics network," said Shipping Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal. Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister Sonowal said, "Relations between India and Japan have a long history rooted in spiritual affinity and strong cultural and civilisational ties. Our collaboration under the Quad framework and the India-Japan-Australia Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) reflects our shared commitment to strengthening regional maritime security and economic integration. " India appreciates Japan's leadership in key initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT). As India moves ahead to transform its maritime sector under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, India is advancing port infrastructure, green shipping, shipbuilding, and digitalisation under 'Maritime India Vision 2030' and 'Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. India seeks Japan's participation in these transformative initiatives." Ministry of Ports and Shipping stated. Japan's Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) Terada Yoshimichi expressed that India and Japan have very intimate relationship. Japan has been engaged in railway infrastructure development with India but now 'very interested in maritime sector'. Prospects of mutual collaboration in shipbuilding and training of seafarers were discussed and considered positively. He expressed satisfaction over the meeting. "Emphasising the need to deepen bilateral ties in maritime training and development, as well as cooperation in research and development, both sides agreed to further strengthen collaboration in the maritime sector, especially on sustainable maritime technologies and next-generation ship design. Sonowal evinced India's interest for a MoU for a framework to avail promising avenues for collaboration with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Indian universities, and public agencies. On upskilling and employment of India's human capital, Sarbananda Sonowal said, "India currently has over 154,000 trained seafarers which is capable of support and supplement Japan's maritime workforce. In order to build capacity with rich maritime knowledge of Japanese maritime sector, we see a great opportunity for Japan's maritime leaders in training, upskilling, and employing Indian seafarers, strengthening the cornerstone of our maritime cooperation. India is ready and keen to facilitate Japanese maritime player's interest in training Indian engineers and workers through structured programmes." India is developing the National Maritime Heritage Museum (NMHC) at Lothal in Gujarat. It aims to showcase India's rich maritime history and legacy. It also serves as a world-class centre for heritage tourism, education, and research in the maritime sector. Sarbananda Sonowal shared India's interest to have Japan as a partner for this project. The Minister hoped to close the MoU in this regard soon. He also extended invitation to Vice Minister Terada Yoshimichi for participation at the India Maritime Week, 2025 in Mumbai between 27th and 31st October this year. This major event will bring together key stakeholders from the global maritime community to discuss and facilitate exploration of opportunities for investment, collaboration, innovation, and growth in the maritime sector. Post meeting Sarbananda Sonowal said, "The strong & deep Indo Japanese ties are rooted in mutual trust and shared values -- democracy, freedom, and civilisational connection. Today's discussions with Vice Minister Terada Yoshimichi, paved the way to elevate our maritime cooperation further. Japan is one of India's most trusted investors. We deeply value this relationship. Under PM Narendra Modi ji's leadership, India aims to scale new heights with a target of five trillion yen (Rs.3.2 lakh crore) in investments with Japan by 2027. India will work closely with Japan toward a sustainable future, guided by our shared vision of advanced maritime cooperation that contributes meaningfully to global progress & mutual benefit for both countries."he added The meeting was also attended by Onishi Yasushi, Maritime Bureau, MLIT, Hioki Miki, Maritime Bureau, MLIT, Ihara Takumar, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Norway & Kimura Hiroko along with Terada Yoshimichi. The Union Minister was joined by Dr Acquino Vimal, Ambassador of India to Norway, Venkatesapathy S, Joint secretary (Shipping), MoPSW; Mandeep Singh Randhawa, Director (MA&MT), Puneet Agarwal, Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor, MoPSW, Madhu S Nair, CMD, Cochin Shipyard Limited, Amit Kumar, IAS, Private Secretary, MoPSW among other officials. (ANI) Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, is very important to "deter and stop the inflow of funds to terrorist organisations" and also the Pakistan government's "utilisation of funds," said former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla here on Monday. Pakistan was included in the grey list in 2018 and removed from it in 2022. India has stated that it will leave no effort to bring Pakistan onto the grey list again. India has sent seven political delegations to various countries to "project India's national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism in all forms and manifestations," following the Pahalgam terror attack and India's counter, 'Operation Sindoor,' against Pakistan-based terrorists and the terror infrastructure. Shringla, who is part of the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda, underscored discussions on Algeria's influence in international fora like the UN Security Council and the African Union, expressing India's intent to counter Pakistan's potential misuse of its non-permanent UNSC membership amid India's global outreach in countering cross-border terrorism. "The issue of terrorist financing was very much a part of all of our conversations. The leader of our delegation and individual members also explained that as long as Pakistan was on the grey list of the FATF, they were responsive; they were forced to be responsive and to the extent that Sajid Mir, a very wanted person under the UN Security Council's list, had been declared dead by Pakistan but when the FATF took up the issue and there was some serious financial pressure brought to bear on Pakistan, then they declared that he was alive. So terrorists who are dead have suddenly become alive thanks to the FATF. So the Financial Action Task Force is very important. It is important to deter and stop the inflow of funds to terrorist organisations and also the Pakistan government's utilisation of funds," the former Foreign Secretary stated. The Indian government sources had said that New Delhi will send a detailed dossier to the FATF, outlining evidence and concerns regarding the involvement of certain entities and individuals in terror financing and money laundering activities. The dossier will highlight India's findings and demand strict scrutiny and action by the FATF under international protocols. "The conversation was a lot about Algeria's actions in international and multilateral fora like the UN Security Council, where Algeria is currently a member, and the African Union, where Algeria exercises significant influence as the second-largest economy in Africa. And as a member of the OIC, also their influence on the Financial Action Task Force for the FATF process... We also pointed out to them that in the past, when we were members of the UN Security Council, we had been receptive and had worked closely with the Algerian delegation and that we would like to ensure that Pakistan does not take advantage of its current membership as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, which can influence the outcomes of the Security Council in any way detrimental to India's interests," Shringla elaborated on the delegation's discussions with their Algerian government. Reflecting on the visit's success, Shringla added, "I think the Algerian leg of the visit was very, very successful from our point of view. We had some very good interactions with the Algerian government representatives, but also with media, think tanks, friends of India, officials from the Algerian government and the Indian community. As far as the government is concerned, the chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of Algeria conveyed at the end of a fairly long and satisfying meeting." The delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, also includes BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak and Rekha Sharma; AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi; MP Satnam Singh Sandhu and Ghulam Nabi Azad. 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. (ANI) The all-party delegation, led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, engaged with experts and think tanks in the UK on Monday (local time) to reaffirm India's unwavering commitment to countering cross-border terrorism, showcasing the new standards India has set in its counter-terrorism efforts. The delegation led by the BJP MP included BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari, Samik Bhattacharya, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Congress MPs Ghulam Ali Khatana and Amar Singh, former Union Minister MJ Akbar, and former Ambassador Pankaj Saran. Following the meeting, delegation leader Ravi Shankar Prasad stated that it was an open conversation, and the think tank praised the probe done by India following the April 22 terror attack. "The conversation was open with the think tank... Everyone praised the investigation done by India on the terrorist attack... They expressed their concern about terrorism around the world," the BJP MP said. Professor Jagannadha Pawan Tamvada of Kingston University, who was part of the think tank, stated that Pakistan "deserves" to be condemned for its actions during the terror attack and that the western media has been biased in not condemning Pakistan for its actions. "It's been an honour to have this delegation here putting forward the right viewpoint the world should hear because there has been a bias in the media which has refused to condemn Pakistan the way it should be condemned. I think Pakistan deserves to be condemned for the terrorist attacks that have been happening not just now but for several decades, and I think it's an honour to have this delegation here to clarify the viewpoint," Tamvada stated. Rahul Roy-Chaudhury, a Senior Fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, noted that there has been worldwide condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack but no international condemnation of Pakistan for the attack, which this delegation is addressing during its meetings. "The delegation is seeking to help build a global consensus against Pakistan-based terrorism, and the UK is going to be an important player in this consensus as we move forward... It is important for India to reach out to different countries because what we've seen is that there has been wholehearted international condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack and there has also been full international support that India has received in terms of defending itself against terrorism, but what we have not seen is international condemnation of Pakistan," Chaudhury stated. AIADMK MP and member of the delegation M. Thambidurai added, "Everybody is sympathising with this attack in India, but why are they not condemning Pakistan? This is the issue raised. That is why the delegation has come over... All countries are speaking about terrorism. It has to be curbed. Everybody knows Pakistan has 52 centres. The UN also recognises that kind of camp exists. That is why we want to expose to the world and get the support to finish these treacherous activities of Pakistan." Another delegation member and former Union Minister, MJ Akbar, stated that the think-tanks raised several issues on the matter and noted that the worry should be on the "dramatic" impact of terror attacks. "The think tanks raised issues that are apparent to all, in terms of where we go next and India's understanding of what has happened. I mentioned that the grammar of understanding needs to be changed. They should worry about the dramatic impact of terror," he stated. Earlier, the delegation met with the UK's Shadow Foreign Secretary, Priti Patel, and her team to discuss India's firm resolve to counter cross-border terrorism. The Members of Parliament talked about how Operation Sindoor exemplifies the new normal set by India in the counter-terrorism effort. (ANI) BJP MP Baijayant Panda, who led the all-party delegation to Algeria on Monday, said that India's appeal to place Pakistan back on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list is gaining significant resonance globally, emphasising the role of illicit financing in fuelling terrorism. Panda highlighted Pakistan's misuse of funds for terrorism and its military, noting the other Islamic countries had taken a strong stand against any kind of fundamentalism in their country. "Pakistan is not interested in improving itself or helping its people... They have diverted the money for terrorism and its army and looted it... Terrorism is fuelled by two things. One is ideology and the other is illicit finance... Ideology-wise, these Islamic countries have taken a strong stand... They do not permit any kind of fundamentalism from their soil... Financing part is the other aspect," Panda stated. "Pakistan for many years was under FATF, which monitored the legitimate use of funding, and thus there was a period of lull in terrorism... Now, for the last couple of years, they were released from the grey list, and now they are operating freely... Our appeal to them that Pakistan should be kept on the FATF grey list is getting a lot of resonance. The world is committed to not tolerating terrorism anymore," he added. Greylisting Pakistan by the FATF will limit its access to international loans. Pakistan was included in the grey list in 2018 and removed from it in 2022. India has stated that it will make no effort to bring Pakistan onto the grey list again. Detailing the delegation's engagements, Panda lauded the "outstanding, extremely fruitful, very friendly, and very cooperative" meetings in Algeria, emphasising the North African nation's deep understanding of India's struggle against terrorism, particularly due to its own history of suffering from Pakistani-trained Salafist terrorism and its strong support for India's anti-terrorism stance following the April 22 Pahalgam attack. "As with other countries, the meetings in Algeria have been outstanding, extremely fruitful, very friendly, and very cooperative. Algeria itself, like these other countries, has not only suffered terrorism but Algeria has specifically suffered Pakistani terrorism. So, they completely understand where we come from. In their so-called black decade of the 1990s, where they had a lot of terrorist activities and attacks, Algeria was also attacked by the Salafists who were trained in Peshawar in Pakistan," the BJP MP said. "They have also taken very strong steps in their recent history to quell terrorism. Also, Algeria has a shared culture with India in the fight against Colonialism... Algeria has very strongly supported our stand. They had given a very strong statement after the April 22 terrorist attack. Now also they have said that they have zero tolerance for terrorism and they're going to cooperate with India and take further steps," he added. The delegation, led by Panda, includes BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak and Rekha Sharma, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, MP Satnam Singh Sandhu and Ghulam Nabi Azad and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan 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. (ANI) "Single voice" is needed to speak in favour of the nation, former External Affairs Minister and senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid stressed on Monday while reacting on his post on X in which he hit out at those "calculating political allegiances" amid the ongoing global outreach program initiated by the Indian government to expose Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Referring to those posting on X (formerly Twitter), raising objections regarding Khurshid being part of the multi-party delegation with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, he argued that it was not "very encouraging" to say such things when one was serving the nation. "People keep saying, 'What are you doing in a delegation where there are people from the BJP? What are you doing there?' What are we doing here? (What) we are doing here is what is needed for the country. No matter which party you are from, today, what is needed is a single voice to speak in favour of the nation, and that is what we are doing here. I think when I say, 'Is it so difficult to be a patriot?' - that is the question that has to be asked of those who are putting out tweets and saying things that I think I believe are not very encouraging when you want to do something for the nation," Khurshid told ANI. He further stated that his visit with the multi-party delegation, led by Janata Dal (United) Sanjay Kumar Jha, to highlight India's zero-tolerance policy against terrorism was not to oppose the government of India but to speak for India. "Have I come here to oppose the Government of India? If I wanted to do that, I would stay at home," Khurshid said, adding, "People are saying he (Salman Khurshid) is supporting so and so, and he is not supporting so and so; they are supporting the government, etc....I have come here to speak for India. Whoever speaks for India, in whichever way they speak for India, whatever is said for India, we are here to support. It is only a short period of 10-12 days. You have to go back home and do what you are required to do at home. But here for India first, India and only India." Earlier, Khurshid wrote on X, "When on mission against terrorism, to carry India's message to the world, it's distressing that people at home are calculating political allegiances. Is it so difficult to be patriotic?" Since the initiation of multi-party delegations, Congress has been persistent in its criticism of the central government for not clearing the names of party leaders it had recommended. The government finalised top leaders from the opposition party, including Shashi Tharoor and Salman Khurshid, as part of the parliamentary delegations going abroad, which upset the Congress. Apprising about the interactions with people abroad, the Congress leader said there was a total agreement on issues being raised by India regarding zero-tolerance for terrorism, which has been hurting the country for a long time. "Overall reactions and responses have been very good. Of course, we are meeting several political parties here, and many of them are supporting the government. However, they are separate political parties, and each political party has a particular point of reference or a particular nuance that may vary. But there is a total agreement on the issues on which we have come here, which is to oppose terrorism that has been hurting us so grievously for such a long time and on that, there is complete unanimity, and we are very encouraged by it," Khurshid said. Congress leader Khurshid is part of a multi-party parliamentary delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, visiting various East Asian countries. The delegation is currently visiting partner countries to reinforce India's firm resolve against cross-border terrorism and its zero-tolerance policy. (ANI) Congress leader Salman Khurshid, who is part of all-party delegation led by JD-U MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, has taken a dig at those "calculating political allegiances" for remarks made during India's mission against terrorism and asked "if it is so difficult to be a patriot". Khurshid said he is part of the all-party delegation to speak for India and his remarks should not be seen from the perspective of domestic politics. "People are saying, he (Salman Khurshid) is supporting so and so and he is not supporting so and so; they are supporting Government etc. Have I come here to oppose the Government of India? If I wanted to do that, I would stay at home. I have come here to speak for India, whoever speaks for India and in whichever way they speak for India, whatever is said for India, we are here to support," Khurshid told ANI. "It is only a short period of 10-12 days, then you have to go back home and do what you are required to do at home. But here for India first, India and only India," he said. Khurshid, a former External Affairs Minister, said in a post on X, that they are on a mission to carry India's message against terrorism. "When on mission against terrorism, to carry India's message to the world, it's distressing that people at home are calculating political allegiances. Is it so difficult to be patriotic?" he asked. Asked about his remarks in the social media post, Khurshid said no matter which party one belongs to, "what is needed is a single voice to speak in favour of the nation and that is what we are doing here". "People keep saying, 'what are you doing in a delegation where there are people from the BJP. What are you doing there?' What are we doing here? We are doing here is, what is needed for the country. No matter which party you are from, today what is needed is a single voice to speak in favour of the nation and that is what we are doing here," he said. "I think when I say is it so difficult to be a patriot? - that is the question that has to be asked of those who are putting out tweets and saying things that I think I believe are not very encouraging when you want to do something for the nation," he asked. Khurshid said overall reactions and responses have been very good in the interactions of all-party delegations. "Of course, we are meeting several political parties here and many of them are supporting the Government. But they are separate political parties and each political party has a particular point of reference or a particular nuance that may vary. But there is a total agreement on the issues on which we have come here, which is to oppose terrorism that has been hurting us so grievously for such a long time and on that there is complete unanimity and we are very encouraged by it," he said. BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla took a dig at Congress over Khurshid's remarks. "Salman Khurshid now puts India above Parivar Hope Congress won't label him as SUPER PRAVAKTA Why does Congress want to bat for Pakistan? Even Salman , Manish & Tharoor are calling Rahul & Congress lies out," he said in a post on X. Khurshid had said earlier spoke about the BJP-led government's decision to revoke Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and said assembly election held last year saw 65 per cent voting. He said Jammu and Kashmir now has an elected government. BJP leader Hemang Joshi, a member of the delegation, told ANI that they met Malaysian MPs of the ruling party, and the Supreme Council ministers, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's department. Earlier today, the Deputy Minister in the Malaysian PM's department, YB Kulasegaran Murugeson, expressed his support for India, saying that India's action against the Pahalgam attack on April 22 was "necessary" and that India took "steps to protect its national interest." "What happened on April 22 should not have happened at all. It was shocking. India has taken necessary action. We spoke about Malaysia's concerns, and we feel India took steps to protect its national interest. We hope cross-border terrorism doesn't take place anymore," Murugeoson said. The all-party delegation has visited Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore. It includes BJP MPs Brij Lal, Pradan Baruah, Hemang Joshi, and Aparajita Sarangi, Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee; CPI-M's John Brittas and Mohan Kumar. (ANI) The Group-6 delegation from India, led by DMK MP Kanimozhi, on Monday (local time) met Jose Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain at Palacio de Viana. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Spain said, "The All Party Parliamentary Delegation called on the Minister of External Affairs HE Mr. @jmalbares to apprise him of India's position and discuss India's efforts in the fight against terrorism." It further stated that Albares conveyed Spain's "unequivocal support" for India's effort against terrorism. "Mr. @jmalbares conveyed his understanding and Spain's unequivocal support for India's efforts to combat terrorism, and reaffirmed the importance of global peace. He emphasised that terrorism will never prevail and that Spain stands with India on this matter," the Indian Embassy said. Earlier today, the Association of Victims of Terrorism in Madrid met with the delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi. The association, one of the largest such associations globally, works with over 4,000 victims of terrorism and provides psychosocial support to those affected. The meeting between the association and the all-party delegation aimed to exchange experiences and best practices in supporting victims of terrorism. The Indian Embassy in Spain stated that the delegation engaged in a heartfelt exchange on the pain and resilience that emerge from such traumatic events, with the delegation highlighting India's own experiences in confronting cross-border terrorism. Earlier, Indian parliamentarians attending diplomatic engagements in Madrid conveyed a unified and strong stance on India-Pakistan relations and the global fight against terrorism, urging international solidarity with India's position. DMK MP Kanimozhi underlined the complexity involved in resolving conflicts with Pakistan, stating, "The Government of India has sent out delegations, and we've also reached out to friendly nations and nations which have some misconceptions that we can resolve issues just by speaking to them and calling Pakistan over for a coffee and saying we will resolve these conflicts. It's much more than what meets the eye for many people." This diplomatic effort seeks to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 people were killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, and on the broader fight against cross-border terrorism. Launched on May 7, Operation Sindoor was a decisive military action targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. It resulted in the elimination of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen, underscoring India's resolve to counter terrorism with strong measures. (ANI) The productive half-hour meeting took place on the sidelines of international trade discussions in Paris. Following the bilateral talks, Nigerian Minister Oduwole expressed satisfaction with the outcome. "We've had very progressive discussions. Nigeria and India have been good trade partners. We've discussed how we can grow that bilaterally," she stated. Both ministers will participate in the informal gathering of WTO Ministers on the margins of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. "We will have a mini WTO ministerial. We've discussed reforms of the WTO, where we're aligned and where we're continuing to have discussions...we'll discuss with other countries as well to move the agenda for the benefit of our people," the Minister said. During the informal gathering of WTO ministers, Piyush Goyal will engage with global counterparts on key multilateral trade issues and articulate the perspectives and priorities of India. The meeting between the Nigerian Minister and Piyush Goyal focused on identifying new areas of cooperation. The partnership between India and Nigeria has special importance with the former being the fastest-growing major economy and the latter being Africa's largest economy and most populous nation. Piyush Goyal commenced his three-day official visit to France yesterday. He will also visit Italy. The visit reflects India's continued commitment to deepening strategic and economic ties with key European partners and advancing a shared vision for resilient and inclusive global growth. (ANI) The head of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Karim Darwish, on Monday expressed his support for India while highlighting how both countries are working "hand-in-hand" to combat terrorism. He also condemned the killing of 26 people in the Pahalgam terror attack. Darwish met with the all-party delegation led by NCP leader Supriya Sule earlier today, and highlighted the close relationship between India and Egypt while talking with ANI. "We are pleased to have Indian delegation come to the Egyptian House of Representatives. India is a very close country to Egypt, and we have a lot of ties in different dimensions. We all work together to combat terrorism. We extended our condolences to the Indian people over the loss of 26 civilians," Darwish said. Highlighting how Egypt has suffered due to terrorism, he underlined the importance of working together to combat it, "Egypt has been very active in combating terrorism...we are a country that has suffered lots of acts of terrorism, so we understand how important it is to work globally together." The Sule-led delegation met with other Egyptian political leaders, including meeting with leader of government in Egypt's Senate, Hassan Al Khouly; chairman Of Foreign, Arab and African Affairs Committee Hazem Omar. The delegation also met with other members of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs at the House of Representatives in Cairo. The Sule-led delegation completed their visit to Ethiopia on June 1 and reached Cairo earlier today, where they were welcomed by Suresh K Reddy, the Indian envoy to Egypt. Reddy also briefed the delegation before their meeting with various political leaders in the country. Talking about their previous visits, Supriya Sule said that their visits to Qatar, South Africa, and Ethiopia had been "very successful," while expressing optimism about further strengthening India's bilateral ties through the Egypt leg of the journey. She added that all three countries have been very supportive of India's message from the Prime Minister's Operation Sindoor to reach the next level of "zero tolerance against terrorism." Speaking to ANI, Supriya Sule said, "We first went to Qatar. From Qatar, we went to South Africa. From South Africa, we have come to Ethiopia. It has been an outstandingly successful trip. All three countries have been very supportive, and the message that we have brought from India, the Prime Minister's Operation Sindoor, to take it to the next level of 'zero tolerance against terror'." The delegation also includes 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 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) TotalEnergies is "committed to continue to support the expansion of Adani Green," Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO of the French energy giant, said on Monday. With Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL )'s current capacity of 14 gigawatts and plans for continued expansion, the partnership with TotalEnergies is expected to play a crucial role in India's ambitious renewable energy targets and the country's transition toward cleaner energy sources. Pouyanne said this during his meeting with Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who is currently on a three-day visit to France from June 1. "We are committed to continue to support the expansion of Adani Green, which already has 14 gigawatts of capacity," Pouyanne stated, adding, "We will continue to support this growth." The French energy major has invested approximately USD 5 billion in India over the past five years, focusing on natural gas infrastructure, city gas development, and renewable energy projects, particularly solar and wind installations, in partnership with Adani entities. TotalEnergies' involvement with Adani Green began in January 2021 when the company acquired a minority stake in the publicly listed renewable energy firm. As part of its strategy to strengthen renewable energy development in India, TotalEnergies also secured a 50 per cent stake in three joint ventures with AGEL operating renewable energy assets. During the Paris meetings, Pouyanne outlined TotalEnergies' broader Indian expansion plans, including increased energy exports from the United States, where the company serves as the largest energy exporter. The executive also highlighted plans to restart operations in Mozambique, which could provide additional energy supplies to India. This commitment marks a significant turnaround from TotalEnergies' position following allegations made by short-seller Hindenburg Research against the Adani Group last year. In response to those allegations, the French company had announced it would suspend further financial contributions to its Adani investments pending clarification of the accusations and their consequences. TotalEnergies emphasised that its investments in Adani entities were conducted in full compliance with applicable laws and the company's internal governance processes based on thorough due diligence and declarations provided by the investment partners. The renewed partnership comes as both companies look to capitalise on India's growing renewable energy market. Minister Goyal reportedly encouraged TotalEnergies to expand its presence in India further, building on the substantial investments already made in the country's energy infrastructure. The announcement also follows a memorandum of understanding signed with Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) during the India Energy Summit, signalling TotalEnergies' broader commitment to the Indian energy sector. (ANI) Timothee Chalamet's ex-girlfriend Eiza Gonzalez is "obsessed" by his new romance with reality star Kylie Jenner. Eiza Gonzalez has opened up about her ex Timothee Chalamet The 'Fountain of Youth' star was linked to Timothee back in 2020 - three years before he struck up a romance with reality TV star Kylie - and Eiza, 35, has now admitted she's happy to see him "thriving" because the couple look "so in love and so cute". During an appearance in Cosmopolitan magazine's online video series 'Cheap Shots', Eiza explained: "They look so cute together. They look so in love and so cute, Im obsessed with them, and I love Timmy." She added of the 29-year-old 'Dune' star: "I think hes the most talented, sweetest - honestly, sweetest boy - and Im just so proud to see him thriving and doing great in his career, and were just good friends. "I have nothing but amazing things to say about him." Eiza was first linked to the actor in June 2020 when they were spotted enjoying a break together in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, but reports suggested the pair had parted ways by the end of the year. The 'A Complete Unknown' actor has been romancing Kylie - who is mom to Stormi, seven, and three-year-old Aire with ex-boyfriend Travis Scott - since April 2023 and their relationship has won the seal of approval from Timothee's mother Nicole Flender. The real estate agent told Curbed: I have to say shes lovely. Shes very nice to me. While Kylie was by her boyfriend's side throughout the Hollywood awards season, she recently admitted she is keen to try and keep her personal life more private these days. The 'Kardashians' star told HommeGirls: "The internet is amazing because obviously thats where I started my business. Its been great for me to connect with my fans but now I think its about finding balance. Theres a dark side to it. Its just about finding that balance." The make-up mogul prefers to spend time at home with her friends and family rather than going out to high-profile events. She said: "I value a lot of personal time. So, I usually have people over for dinner, or I go to someones house, or if were going out somewhere usually my friends come over and we get ready together." All-party delegation members Satnam Singh Sandhu and Rekha Sharma on Monday hailed the delegation's diplomatic outreach as a resounding success, stating that it has successfully exposed terrorist activities of Pakistan, while noting that all four countries, especially Algeria, endorsed India's zero-tolerance stance against terrorism and recognised the nation's challenges with cross-border terror. The delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, which visited Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria, pushed for Pakistan's return to the FATF grey list to curb terror financing. "It was a very good response, a very successful one. I think the response of all the countries we had was good for us. 100 per cent, we have been successful in exposing the terrorism activities of Pakistan. Top officials and policy makers to the think tank and Indian diaspora all have been detailed on India's stance. If we look at Pakistan's terrorism, to date, all the incidents which have happened in India were reported with facts and figures... We exposed Pakistan on every front. And all countries have endorsed India's stand for zero tolerance against terrorism, especially Algeria," MP Sandhu stated. He further emphasised the need for financial oversight, adding, "The funding that Pakistan is getting for welfare and getting for development, it provides that funding for terrorists. We have talked about putting Pakistan on the grey list of the FATF... When Pakistan is put on the grey list, then they will have to account for every penny of the money they got." Greylisting Pakistan by the FATF will limit its access to international loans. Pakistan was included in the grey list in 2018 and removed from it in 2022. India has stated that it will make no effort to bring Pakistan onto the grey list again. Echoing Sandhu, BJP MP Rekha Sharma said, "All four countries gave us a very good response... All are coming forward to become a good partner with India. They are well aware of Indian growth and appreciative of the policies of the Modi government. They know and recognise that India is being targeted by the terrors from across the border, and they are sympathetic towards us... Especially in Algeria, we got a very good response from the Chairperson of the Committee for Foreign Policy... Everywhere, wherever we went, people were with us - not only the Indian diaspora but also general people whom we met, the think tank of every country; they recognised our problem." "We talked about how Pakistan is perpetrating terror on Indian soil and how we will not take it up any further, and our reply will be very strong so they know what we are going through and they are with us," she added. The delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, also includes BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey and Phangnon Konyak, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, Ghulam Nabi Azad and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan 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. (ANI) Asserting that Britain is moving to "warfighting readiness", British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday said the country faces "war in Europe, new nuclear risks, daily cyber attacks, growing Russian aggression in our waters" and the threat the country now faces "is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable". Speaking on the Strategic Defence Review, during which he unveiled the government's defence spending plans, Starmer said Britain's defence policy will always be "NATO first". "In the world of today - the front line, if you like, is here. The threat we now face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War. We face war in Europe, new nuclear risks, daily cyber attacks, growing Russian aggression in our waters...menacing our skies...their reckless actions driving up the cost of living here at home...creating economic pain...and hitting working people the hardest," he said. "A new era in the threats we face, demands a new era for defence and security...not just to survive in this new world - But to lead. We will never gamble with our national security. Instead, we will act in the national interest. And that's why I placed national security at the heart of our Plan for Change. That's why I launched this Strategic Defence Review within days of becoming Prime Minster. And now it has delivered," he added. Lauding those who contributed to the Strategic Defence Review, Starmer said, "What you have delivered is a blueprint to make Britain safer and stronger." "A battle-ready, armour-clad nation, with the strongest alliances and the most advanced capabilities, equipped for the decades to come. And we have already acted - announcing the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War. Raising it to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, setting the ambition to hit 3% in the next Parliament...subject to economic and fiscal conditions," he said. Starmer set out three fundamental changes that, he said, "we are going to deliver". "First, we are moving to warfighting readiness - as the central purpose of our armed forces. When we are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces, the most effective way to deter them is to be ready - And, frankly, to show them that we're ready to deliver peace through strength. Now Britain has the finest service men and women in the world....," he said. "We're showing them the respect that they deserve by delivering the biggest Armed Forces pay rise in 20 years. And by pledging, today, that we will end the hollowing out of our Armed Forces. We'll build a fighting force that is more integrated, more ready, more lethal than ever....Second, everything we do will add to the strength of NATO; third, we will innovate and accelerate innovation to a wartime pace...," he added. He said everything Britain does will add to the strength of NATO, "as we step up to take greater responsibility for our collective defence". "That's why our defence policy will always be 'NATO first'... Britain's biggest contribution to NATO since its creation. When we are building new capabilities at home, we are making our allies safer too -- strengthening Europe and strengthening our bridge to the US as Britain's first partner in defence," he said. "We will innovate and accelerate innovation to a wartime pace... So we can meet the threats of today and tomorrow as the fastest innovator in NATO. It means learning the lessons of Ukraine, which I have discussed many times with President Zelenskyy. To ensure every capability we have works seamlessly together - Drones, destroyers, AI, aircraft... Each different branch of our armed services, fully integrated...to create an Army which is ten times more lethal by 2035," the UK PM added. The SDR also includes plans to build 12 attack submarines under the AUKUS programme, enhancing NATO's deterrence capabilities as well as investment of EUR 15 billion in the UK's sovereign warhead programme. (ANI) The Group 4 delegation, led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, met with the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Liberia, Richard Nagbe Koon, and the Group of Representatives on Monday. The Shiv Sena MP highlighted the strong ties between the two nations and underlined India's long-standing fight against terrorism. Referring to the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26 innocent tourists, he said, while India does not seek conflict, it responds with full force when provoked. While speaking at the meeting, Shrikant Shinde said, "We share a very special relation for a very long time. So, we are here in Liberia, and it supports and stands with us. India will be supporting the candidature of a non-permanent member of the UNSC. I congratulate you on that...We are carrying a message against terrorism. India has been fighting terrorism for a long time...But this time, in Pahalgam, on 22nd April, the innocent lives were lost who were there for their vacation... No one wants war, but whenever there's a war, we retaliate with complete force..." Earlier in the day, the all-party delegation met with Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr, the President of the Republic of Liberia. Sarah Beysolow Nyanti, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia and other leaders were also present in this meeting. An all-party delegation arrived in Liberia on Saturday (local time), where they were warmly welcomed by the Representative and Chairman of the Executive of the House of Representatives of Liberia, Sekou S Kanneh and the Ambassador of India to Liberia, Manoj Bihari Verma. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Bansuri Swaraj, Atul Garg, Manan Kumar Mishra, Indian Union Muslim League's ET Mohammed Basheer, Biju Janata Dal's Sasmit Patra, BJP leader SS Ahluwalia, and former Ambassador Sujan Chinoy are also part of the Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde-led delegation. 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. 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, leading an all-party delegation to Brazil, on Monday said that the Latin country "fully sympathises" with India's concerns regarding cross-border terrorism. The delegation, which briefed Ambassador Celso Amorim, the Head Adviser to the Brazilian President, on the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and India's subsequent Operation Sindoor, received strong condemnation of terrorism from Brazil, reiterating solidarity with India. "It was a wonderful meeting... we have worked closely together... it was an easy conversation...we are finding lots of areas of agreement and cooperation. There is such a good personal equation between the President of Brazil and our PM...we cooperate on several forums... for us it was an understanding to expand their understanding of our recent challenges from across the border...we know that Brazil will fully sympathise with what India is concerned about," Tharoor stated. His remarks followed a meeting with Amorim, who affirmed Brazil's stance, saying, "Even if the reasons may be sad, it is a satisfaction to receive our Indian friends... we reiterated our condemnation of all acts of terrorism against the civilian population in India." Earlier during his interaction with the Ambassador Celso Amorim, Tharoor noted that following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, India was not aiming at war but at sending a strong message to terrorists and their supporters across the border. He stated that Pakistan provided safe havens, financing, and training to perpetrators. During his interactions, Tharoor elaborated on the purpose of the delegation's visit to Brazil and expressed gratitude for Brazil's support, including President Lula da Silva's personal condolences to PM Narendra Modi, while seeking greater international understanding for India's challenges with cross-border terrorism. "The reason we have come is very much to seek greater sympathy and understanding on the part of our friends and also countries that are not necessarily our friends, but you are in the high friend category, for the situations in the recent months, in particular the really serious attack on the country by terrorists in Kashmir... I must say that, seeing the statement by Brazil, we were also very touched by President telephoning our PM, personally, to express his concern and condolences...there was no action to bring the perpetrators to justice and even to look for them in Pakistan...so finally the govt decided to send a strong message," Tharoor stated. "I want to say once again if Pakistan had not chosen to expand the conflict, we would not have targeted Pakistani military facilitators. We are not looking for war. We are looking only to send a message to terrorists, but through them, we want the message to be heard by those who are providing them safe haven, by those who are financing them, training them, equipping them, guiding them and sending them across the border," he stated, clarifying India's stance. Following the interaction, the delegation met with the India-Brazil Friendship Front (Federal Senate), headed by Senator Nelsinho Trad and Ambassador Maria Laura da Rocha, Secretary General of Foreign Affairs at Itamaraty Palace. The Tharoor-led delegation includes Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G M Harish Balayogi (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) President Droupadi Murmu has expressed gratitude to Paraguay for its continued support of India's efforts to combat terrorism and promote the interests and voices of the Global South. She thanked the Paraguayan government for its strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. President Murmu received Paraguay's counterpart, Santiago Pena Palacios, at Rashtrapati Bhavan and hosted a banquet in his honour on Monday. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, his wife, Sudesh Dhankhar, and other dignitaries attended the banquet. In her remarks at the banquet on Monday, President Murmu said, "I would like to thank you for your government's strong condemnation of the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam and for expressing your deep condolences and solidarity with the people of India and with those who lost their loved ones. India believes in the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which means the world is one family. Guided by this principle, India has been working with all like-minded countries to advance the cause and progress and development for all humanity." "In this endeavour, Paraguay has been a consistent supporter and collaborator for India in several multilateral international fora. We are grateful for your continued support in India's effort to combat the menace of terrorism, to promote the interests and voices of the Global South, and to ensure a safe, peaceful, and sustainable future for our coming generations," she added. Welcoming Paraguay President to Rashtrapati Bhavan, she said, "It gives me great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to His Excellency President Pena and a distinguished delegation from Paraguay at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on their first state visit to India. This is a historic occasion. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries in 1961, this marks only the second visit to India by a President of Paraguay." She emphasised that the two nations share "warm and friendly relations" based on mutual trust, democratic values and a shared commitment to the progress and development of the people of the two nations. Highlighting the warm bilateral ties between the two nations, she said, "Our two countries share warm and friendly bilateral relations based on mutual trust, democratic values and a shared commitment to the progress and development of our people. Both our countries have steadfastly upheld the principles we believe are important, principles deeply rooted in our civilizational values and historical experiences." President Murmu expressed optimism that the ties between the two nations will reach greater heights with the visit of Paraguay's President. She said, "Over the past six decades, these relations have grown progressively stronger and with your visit today, they are poised to reach even greater heights." She noted that the two nations attach great importance to maintaining peace, sovereignty and territorial integrity and working for the prosperity and well-being of the people of the two nations. She said, "Paraguay was the first country in Latin America to fight against colonial rule. While your struggle for independence became a source of inspiration for other Latin American countries, India's non-violent freedom movement imparted energy and strength to other Asian and African countries." "People of both our countries share this fighting spirit. Both nations attach great importance to maintaining peace, sovereignty and territorial integrity and to working for the prosperity and well-being of their people," she added. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Paraguay President Santiago Pena Palacios at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Monday. Palacios also paid a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Paraguay's President is on a three-day State visit to India, which will conclude on June 4. Following the Delhi visit, President Pena will travel to Mumbai to engage with state political leadership, business and industry representatives, startups, innovators, and technology leaders. (ANI) "Concluded an MoU with FM @rramirezlezcano for establishment of Joint Commission Mechanism (JCM) between India and Paraguay. A significant step in widening our dialogue and cooperation," Jaishankar said in a post on X. Earlier in the day, PM Modi held talks with Paraguayan President Santiago Pena at Hyderabad House. The two leaders discussed enhancing cooperation in a range of sectors including agriculture, Pharma, technology, renewable energy and health. "Had a productive meeting with the President of Paraguay, Santiago Pena in Delhi. Paraguay is a valued partner in South America and our nations are connected by shared values," PM Modi said in a post on X. "Our talks covered diverse subjects, prime among which was close economic cooperation. There is immense potential in boosting trade linkages. We see sectors such as digital technology, critical minerals, energy, agriculture, health and space as key areas where our nations can work together," he added. President Pena strongly condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and expressed solidarity with the India. The leaders also exchanged views on global and regional issues of mutual interest. "PM @narendramodi held wide-ranging talks with President @SantiPenap of Paraguay at Hyderabad House. They discussed enhancing cooperation in the fields on agriculture, Pharma, technology, renewable energy, health, critical minerals, railways & people to people contacts," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, said in a post on X. "President @SantiPenap strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam & expressed solidarity with the Indian people. Both sides also exchanged views on global & regional issues of mutual interest," he added. Paraguay's President is on a three-day visit to India. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers, senior officials and business representatives. President Pena will also visit Mumbai. In Mumbai, President Pena will meet the state political leadership, business and industry representatives, startups, innovators and tech leaders. The State Visit of President Pena is the second visit to India by a President of Paraguay India and Paraguay established diplomatic relations on September 13, 1961, cultivating warm and friendly ties between the two nations. Both countries have since developed cooperation in various sectors, including trade, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals and information technology. (ANI) OSAKA, Jun 02 (News On Japan) - The National Day of Palestine was celebrated at Expo 2025 in Osaka on June 1st with a vibrant performance by a traditional dance troupe from the West Bank, earning a standing ovation from the audience. A fashion show followed, showcasing Palestinian embroidery featured on both traditional garments and kimono-style outfits. Among the items introduced were cushions embroidered by women living in Gaza, drawing attention to the role of craft in Palestinian daily life and resilience. Although Japan has not officially recognized Palestine as a state, the event highlighted the cultural presence and expression of the Palestinian people on the global stage. Source: Kyodo TOKYO, Jun 03 (News On Japan) - As the number of groping incidents tends to rise in the summer months, maid cafe workers and local students gathered in front of JR Akihabara Station in Tokyos Chiyoda Ward to raise awareness and call for the elimination of such crimes. "Chikan wa yurusanai!" ("We wont tolerate groping!") was among the messages promoted during the event, held on June 1st by the Metropolitan Police Department. Participants, including maid cafe staff and high school students, distributed flyers to commuters and passersby. The police have designated June 1st to 15th as a special crackdown period for groping prevention and are encouraging the use of the DigiPolice appa smartphone security app that enables victims to report harassment silently, without having to speak out. Toyoda Noriaki, head of the Manseibashi Police Station, urged the public to take action: "If you experience groping or voyeurism, speak up with courage. And if you can't speak, please use the DigiPolice app." Source: TBS OSAKA, Jun 03 (News On Japan) - A woman in her 20s and her two young daughters were found dead in their apartment in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, on the morning of June 2nd, while the body of the father was discovered on a nearby road. Police suspect the man killed his family before taking his own life in a case of murder-suicide. At around 6:30 a.m., a 26-year-old man was found collapsed on the "Banpaku Outer Loop Road" in Suita and pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities believe he fell from a pedestrian bridge. Police then visited the man's residence, where they found the bodies of his wife, Yoshie Akiyama, 26, and their two daughters2-year-old Junren and 1-year-old Suianon a bed in the bedroom. All three appeared to have stab wounds to the abdomen, and a bloodstained kitchen knife about 20 centimeters long was discovered nearby. A letter, believed to have been written by the man, was found in the kitchen. It contained words of apology to his family. Investigators are treating the case as a possible forced murder-suicide, suspecting the man fatally stabbed his wife and daughters before jumping to his death. Source: YOMIURI Jon Hamm feels lucky to be alive after smoking so many fake cigarettes on the set of 'Mad Men'. Jon Hamm spent almost a decade smoking fake cigarettes The 54-year-old actor played chain-smoking advertising executive Don Draper in the hit TV drama between 2007 and 2015 - and Jon admits he feels grateful not to have experienced any negative effects after spending almost a decade puffing away on prop smokes. During a panel discussion at the ATX TV Festival in Austin, Texas, Jon explained: "When youre in gear and smoking cigarette and looking out the fake window, the fake hanging part of Midtown, it was believable ... "Obviously its a tremendous honor, and its a wonderful thing to have worked on and contribute to something that has lasted this long. "Im glad Im still alive, basically because of the amount of cigarettes I smoked." Jon also recalled a meeting with TV bosses before the show started filming in which they discussed whether the characters should be seen smoking onscreen. He said: "I remember at some point, having a conversation with the executives at AMC. They said: Do they have to smoke? That was like: 'Are you f****** kidding me? Yes, they literally have to. Theyre addicted to cigarettes. Its kind of why theyre sold. Theyre super popular!'" The fake cigarettes contained rose petals and marshmallow, but Jon was still wary of them. He told the panel: "It was not [good for us]. Yeah, I think somebody did a count, and in the pilot alone, I smoked 75 cigarettes They are fake cigarettes, but that just means that theres no nicotine in them. It doesnt mean youre not burning something ... "We didnt go outside, which was awesome and not awesome. The whole thing, the whole stage is full of fake cigarette smoke." He also revealed some of the younger castmembers attempted to film their smoking scenes using real cigarettes and they ended up regretting it within days. Jon explained: "They were like: Were gonna smoke real cigarettes. We really want to, feel it and do it'. And I was like,: 'Let me know how that goes'. "And within three days, they were yellow and sallow. This is a terrible idea." Truck accidents can be far more devastating than passenger vehicle crashes. Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, both injuries and property damage are often severe. As a result, the costs that follow can be astronomical. Medical bills, lost income, and long-term care expenses can pile up fast. If youve been involved in a truck accident, protecting yourself financially is critical. In this article, well explore how to handle the situation in a way that provides you with the best protection. Hire a truck accident lawyer Your first step should be to hire a personal injury lawyer who specializes in truck accidents. Most attorneys offer free consultations and many take cases on a contingency basis, which means you wont pay until or unless you win. Dont automatically assume the accident was your fault. Your perception may not be the whole story. Truck driver negligence happens, and can involve: Changing lanes without signaling Driving more hours than legally allowed Speeding Tailgating Driving under the influence Driving while distracted Overloaded vehicles Poor truck maintenance Poor driver training All of these issues can contribute to a truck accident where the truck driver is at fault. Hiring an attorney is essential when it comes to negotiating a settlement With a lawyer, youll avoid costly mistakes trying to deal with insurance companies on your own, and youll have a better chance at recovering the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies are for-profit corporations and will go to great lengths to protect their profits. Adjusters will try to devalue your claim as much as possible, offer you lowball settlements, and may even deny your claim altogether. They are counting on your ignorance, hoping youll take the first low settlement they offer, or accept the denial and go away. When you have an attorney, the insurance company will be more cooperative when negotiating your settlement. Seek medical attention immediately No matter how you feel, get to a doctor right away for an evaluation and treatment. If your injuries are serious, its crucial to see a doctor in an official healthcare setting because your ability to recover compensation will hinge on your medical records. If you take care of your injuries at home, you wont be able to prove your case. When an insurance company sees that a claimant hasnt received medical attention, its a red flag for fraud. The longer you delay treatment, the harder it will be to win your claim, whether you negotiate directly or file a lawsuit. Document everything Documentation will be the foundation of your claim. Gather everything possible, including photos and videos, police reports, details of the crash, and witness contact information and even statements. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be. Take as many photos of the scene as possible, including vehicle damage, road conditions, and visible injuries. Stay on top of getting your police report sometimes police say theyll contact you when its available, but sometimes they forget. Notify your insurance company Be prepared to report the accident to your insurance company, but be careful about what you share. Ideally, you should consult an attorney first, but in any case, stick to the facts and dont accept a fast settlement. Dont give recorded statements without talking to your lawyer. Insurance adjusters will sound friendly and compassionate, but theyre trained to minimize payouts. If you say the wrong thing, they can devalue or outright deny your claim. If you accept an early settlement offer, youre likely to get significantly less than you deserve, and it may not even cover your medical bills. File your claim fast Make sure to file your claim before the statute of limitations runs out. Each state has a time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit, and its typically just 2-3 years. In addition to the time limit, critical evidence can disappear fast if you dont act to preserve it immediately. For example, black box data, vehicle maintenance logs, andhours-of-service records are only kept for short periods of time. Plan for the future After a truck accident injury, its important to think long-term. Your recovery might span months or even years, and it will help to create a long-term financial plan that accounts for future care, potential vehicle modifications, and employment modifications. Being proactive will make your recovery easier. Act fast to protect your future Being involved in a truck accident can be overwhelming, but waiting to take legal action can prevent you from getting compensation. The road to recovery is hard enough. Talk to a truck accident attorney right away and let them handle your claim. It took about an hour Saturday morning for the audience at the Treynor Optimist Club meeting to ask Brenna Bird the question on everyone's mind. "Think we'll be calling you governor soon?" "Well, I'm looking at things is what I'll say," Bird replied. Afterwards, asked by The Nonpareil if she has a timeframe in mind for a decision, Iowa's attorney general added: "I'm considering it at this point. No timeframe." Responding to a follow-up question, Bird said she isn't concerned by other candidates entering the race. "It's a very important decision, and I'm considering it," Bird said. Bird gives update to Treynor Optimists Bird was the featured speaker at the Optimists' monthly meeting at the Treynor Community Center. She provided updates on the efforts by the Iowa Attorney General's Office under her leadership, and she also answered several questions posed to her by the audience of about three dozen community members. The topics discussed largely centered around the role of the attorney general, including Bird's recent trip to the southern border and her praise of the "Trump wall" asserting that, a dozen weeks into Trump's return to the Oval Office, America now has a "secure border" with Mexico. "The border, of course, was out of control under the prior administration, and as a prosecutor that really worries me," said Bird, a Republican, adding that, after her recent trip, she "was very glad to see that the border is secure." Beyond those comments, Bird largely didn't sound like she was testing out a campaign stump speech, and she spent considerable time and attention on scammers and her office's legislative successes. Toward the end of the meeting, she was thanked for her service as the state's top prosecutor. "I really like being a prosecutor," Bird responded, adding that the role allows her to help people, work alongside law enforcement doing a great job, and to be part of keeping her community safe as an attorney. She concluded her presentation with a nod to her office's consumer protection efforts: "Please remember this: If you hear of somebody having trouble with a scam or anything like that ... call my office right away, because that's how we know to get on top of the scam is when we hear from you." Harrison County cold case earns nod Among the accomplishments outlined by Bird was the creation of her office's Cold Case Unit in 2023 to address an estimate 400 unsolved crimes. "It's very important that those cold cases are fully investigated," Bird said. Murderers need to know they're not going to get away with their crime, even if they're not immediately discovered even if decades have gone by, as was the case for one 50-year-old murder solved by the cold case unit of the Cedar Rapids Police Department. "It's all about justice," Bird said. "It's about families and communities understanding that we never give up." Bird mentioned a cold case currently being prosecuted in Harrison County involving a woman who went missing in 1989. In March, a Council Bluffs man was arrested and charged with murder in her disappearance the first such arrest made by the statewide cold case unit. "I'm not going to talk more about that case, because that case is going to be tried in a court of law," Bird said. Bird warns about cryptocurrency ATMs Anyone using a cryptocurrency ATM is likely a victim of a scam, Bird told the Treynor audience after describing $20 million in losses that Iowans have reported from the machines. Bird's office began an investigation into crypto ATMs in October 2023, subpoenaing 14 companies for a list of Iowans who sent money through the kiosks. In February, Bird's office announced it was suing Bitcoin Depot and CoinFlip, Iowas two largest cryptocurrency ATM operators, for transferring money to scammers. The announcement followed a decision by officials in Council Bluffs to require such kiosks to have a warning label. The Council Bluffs City Council enacted an ordinance on Feb. 10 to require scam warnings, and the Council Bluffs Police Department told The Nonpareil that resulted in a reduction in the number of machines in the city and calls reporting scams. Council Bluffs residents have lost more than $460,000 in scams involving crypto ATMs, Council Bluffs Police Chief Matt Davis said. Bird said in her remarks Saturday that the crypto ATMs facilitate the transfer of money into the virtual wallets of cybercriminals operating overseas, erecting significant barriers to recovering any of the funds, which is why her office sued the two largest operators in the state. "Our goal is to try to get some money back for the people that have been ripped off," Bird said. State lawmakers have finished their work for 2025, and Gov. Kim Reynolds is working through the 172 bills they sent her way. Which issues remain unresolved by the Iowa Legislature and are likely to be back on legislators plates in 2026? At least one answer to that question is clear: property taxes. Despite it being a top priority of legislative leaders and extensive work on legislation during the session, no property tax bill made it out of the Legislature this year. Property taxes are certain to be addressed again next year. Less clear is another possible repeat issue: eminent domain. Whether thats a legislative topic for discussion again in 2026 depends on what Reynolds decides to do with House File 639. As of Friday, she had not yet acted on the bill. What other issues may make a repeat appearance on legislators plates when they resume their work in January? Lets explore a few likely candidates. As has been the case every year since 2017, statehouse Republicans in 2026 will have complete control of the state lawmaking process with their agenda-setting majorities in both chambers of the Legislature to go with Reynolds in the governors mansion. Property taxes Republican Rep. Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton and Sen. Dan Dawson of Council Bluffs worked on property tax policy throughout the 2025 session. The two lawmakers are the respective chairmen of the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees that write tax policy. Kaufmann told reporters during the final day of the session that he felt the legislation he and Dawson produced was 80 percent there. Their bill, Senate File 651, would have phased out the current rollback over 10 years; created a 25 percent exemption up to $125,000 of a homes assessed value; capped property growth at a 2 percent increase over the previous years property tax revenues or guarantee a 0.5 percent increase, whichever is greater; and shifted roughly $426 million in funding for K-12 schools from local property taxes to the state. Reynolds said on Iowa PBS Iowa Press that after letting legislators take the lead in 2025, she plans to be more involved in property tax bill discussions in 2026. We have to think differently about how we deliver services to our citizens. We cant continue to have the level of government that we have and expect the property taxes to go lower. Its just not feasible. The math doesnt work, Reynolds said. So everything needs to be on the table. We need to talk about what that looks like and how we move forward and what is their priority, Reynolds added. Do they want to operate like weve done for the last 40 years? Or do they want to really, significantly, take a look at reducing those property taxes and thinking about how we can take advantage of those (services) differently. Pesticide lawsuits For a second consecutive year in 2025, Iowa Senate Republicans passed legislation that would add agricultural chemical companies from lawsuits over their products warning labels, and Iowa House Republicans declined to advance the bill. Opponents argue the bill would shield Bayer, the company that owns glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup, which is used by farmers across Iowa and manufactured in the state, from liability over failure to warn about the products health risks like cancer. The bill would shield Bayer from lawsuits claiming the company failed to warn consumers of health risks if the product label complies with federal labeling requirements. Bayer argues that since the Environmental Protection Agency has determined glyphosate is not carcinogenic, the company should not be required to put cancer warnings on Roundup. The 2025 bill, Senate File 394, just barely cleared the Senate with a 25-21 vote. That was fewer votes in support than the 30 the bill had in 2024. We are disappointed that inaction by some legislators in Iowa meant the needs of the litigation industry were prioritized over the needs of farmers, a Bayer spokesperson said in a statement to The Gazette. Farmers and consumers need certainty reaffirming the authority of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys science-based rulings that crop protection tools are safe when used as directed. Without these tools, Iowas farmers could face lower yields, and families across the country could face higher grocery costs. The statement from Bayer went on to praise laws passed in North Dakota and Georgia and said the company plans to continue working with state and federal lawmakers on the issue. Reynolds said she would have liked to see the bill make it to her desk. I would because its based on common sense, Reynolds said on Iowa Press. The FDA said that in the labeling requirement that it wasnt a carcinogen. I think the bill was just a common sense bill that said if the FDA says that its not, then we shouldnt be sued for using that product. The advocacy organization Food and Water Watch has opposed bills like Senate File 394. Jennifer Breon, the groups Iowa organizer, expects similar legislation to be debated again in Iowa in 2026. Bayer will stop at nothing to protect their profits at our expense. From the Supreme Court to a dozen state houses and the halls of Congress, the corporation is desperately pushing their Cancer Gag Act anywhere they can, Breon said in a statement to The Gazette. When they come back to peddle their dangerous legislation in Iowa next year, people power will be ready to stop them, just like we did this year. Breon said Food and Water Watch is organizing in communities across the state to talk to Iowans about cancer rates, agricultural pollution and agribusiness. She said the group also is monitoring potential federal legislation. While we look ahead to next session, we also must be vigilant to ward off any efforts to pass this bill in Congress. Such a move would jeopardize the hard fought win Iowans secured this session, Breon said. Cancer Iowa has the second-highest and fastest-growing rate of new cancers in the nation, but few bills that would address cancer concerns passed the Iowa Legislature in 2025. Lawmakers did approve Reynolds request for $1 million to seed University of Iowa research to determine the causes of Iowas high rate of cancer. But of the five policy bills the American Cancer Societys Cancer Action Network registered in support of this session, four failed to pass the Iowa Legislature. Those four bills proposed to require Iowa casinos to be smoke-free, restrict teens from using tanning beds, prohibit cost-sharing requirements for breast exams to be less favorable than for mammograms, and create and fund an Iowa Cancer Research Program. The tanning bed and breast exam bills passed the Iowa House, but not the Iowa Senate. The only bill supported by the American Cancer Society this year that made it to Reynolds desk still is awaiting her final decision: a bill that would regulate pharmacy benefit managers. As of Friday, Reynolds had not yet acted on it. The bill contains a provision that is designed to help make co-pay assistance programs more cost effective for patients. On the other hand, most legislation opposed by the American Cancer Society also failed to pass. The only bill opposed by the group that passed the Legislature was Republicans work requirements for Medicaid patients. The group opposed bills that would have banned all gene-based vaccines, required parental consent for the HPV vaccine, allowed physicians to decline to deliver medical services based on personal objections, and addressed taxes on tobacco and vape products as well as the aforementioned pesticide lawsuits bill. None of those bills passed the Legislature. We made some progress in helping reduce the cancer burden, but we have a lot of work to do to protect access to health care next session, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Iowa government relations director Jackie Cale said in an emailed statement to The Gazette. Child care Addressing child care especially via a continuum of care between preschools and child care centers was one of Reynolds top legislative priorities in 2025. But her bill, Senate File 445, did not pass the Iowa Legislature, primarily over concerns with how her proposals were funded. Less than a week after the legislative session ended, Reynolds introduced her own child care plan, similar to her proposed bill and free of the need for lawmakers to approve. Reynolds proposal has three pieces: $300,000 in Early Childhood Continuum of Care grants, the expansion of a Child Care Assistance pilot program that is deemed to have been successful in supporting child care workers by allowing them to qualify for state child care assistance, and the creation of a new Statewide Solutions Fund with the goal of boosting child care workers wages. When individuals, businesses, and government all work together to solve a problem, Iowans benefit. Nowhere is this more evident than in child care, Reynolds said in a statement when her office announced her plans. Programs like the Child Care Assistance pilot and the Statewide Solutions Fund will continue to increase our child care workforce and capacity, Reynolds said. And, the Early Childhood Continuum of Care grant will help give working parents what they need a full day continuum of care for their children. Reynolds plan earned praise from Deann Cook, president and CEO of the Iowa Womens Foundation, which orchestrated the regional program that Reynolds office plans to expand. We know that our pilot communities who piloted child care solutions funds made incredible strides in increasing the number of child care spots available for families and increasing wages for workers in those communities, Cook said. So were excited to see what it can do at the statewide level. Cook said there remains more work for state lawmakers on child care; among them, she advocated for raising the income threshold for the states Child Care Assistance program to provide assistance to more families. Energy policy Reynolds proposed sweeping legislation on energy policy, but the bill did not make it to the finish line in 2025. Among many other provisions, Reynolds proposal in the form of twin bills House File 834 and Senate File 585 sought to convey the states intent to develop nuclear power generation and attract energy storage; allow for advanced ratemaking for new or renovated electric power generating, alternate energy production, or energy storage facilities; and create a right of first refusal provision by which incumbent electric transmission companies in Iowa would be granted the first opportunity to construct any new transmission line project. That final provision was particularly divisive and even drew interest and opposition from President Donald Trumps administration. Opponents of right of first refusal laws argue they stifle competition and thus lead to higher project costs; supporters argue they help ensure projects are completed efficiently and reliably, and by local workers. Going into the year we knew that that may be one of the more difficult challenges before the Legislature, Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley, a Republican from New Hartford, said recently on Iowa Press. The right of first refusal piece I look at that from the standpoint of making sure that Iowa companies who we have worked with in the state, who we know use good practices, they dont use eminent domain, they dont cut kitty corner across their field, they do land restoration. The governor is pushing that policy to make sure that we can move these projects, working with people that we know, much quicker, Grassley said. (But) there was a level of opposition in the Legislature that want to just let the free market rule. U.S. Sen. Rand Paul questioned President Donald Trumps authority to unilaterally impose tariffs on other countries by edict, and applauded a federal court ruling blocking Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs on imports under an emergency-powers law. The Kentucky Republican, speaking at Republican Party of Iowa fundraiser in Cedar Rapids, also sided with Elon Musk, calling proposed spending cuts outlined in Trumps one, big beautiful tax policy bill wimpy and anemic. Paul favors making tax cuts passed by Congress in 2017 during Trumps first term permanent, but said deeper spending cuts would be necessary to cut the federal deficit. Musk announced earlier Thursday that he was leaving the Trump administration after spearheading efforts to slash the federal government. The tech billionaires announced departure came one day after CBS released part of an interview in which Musk criticized the centerpiece of Trumps legislative agenda by saying he was disappointed by what the president calls his big, beautiful bill. The legislation which passed the House although the Senate is expected to make changes includes $4.5 trillion in tax breaks and $350 billion in new spending on border security, mass deportations and defense. It makes permanent the 2017 tax cuts, while temporarily adding new ones Trump campaigned on, including no taxes on tips and overtime pay. To make up for some of the lost tax revenue and reduce the deficit, the bill makes changes to Medicaid the joint federal and state program that helps cover medical costs for low-income individuals, including the elderly and those with disabilities and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, aiming to reduce spending on the social safety net programs. The cuts would largely be done by imposing work requirements on many of those receiving benefits and shifting more of the cost of SNAP and Medicaid to states. Musk described it as a massive spending bill that increases the federal deficit and undermines the work of his Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful, Musk said, but I dont know if it could be both. A preliminary analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the tax provisions would increase the federal deficit by $3.8 trillion by 2034, while the changes to Medicaid, food stamps and other services would result in $1 trillion in reduced spending. Im kind of with Elon on this, Paul told reporters Thursday during the Iowa GOP fundraiser at Elmcrest Country Club. He said he would approve cuts proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency to curb spending, but even then the savings found thus far are insufficient. Musks DOGE team initially set out to slash $2 trillion. DOGE has reported coming up with closer to $200 billion in cuts. As far as the spending cuts, I think they're kind of wimpy and anemic. I'd like more, Paul said. He said everything has to be looked at when it comes to reducing federal spending including entitlement programs. Entitlements soak up everything, Paul said, referring to programs such as Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security that are mandatory and make up more than half of federal spending. Trump has vowed not to cut one penny from Social Security or Medicare, and I will not raise the retirement age by one day." Paul also said Thursday he would not support Trumps sweeping domestic policy package unless the Senate removes a provision to raise the nations debt ceiling by $5 trillion as part of the package. He warned that the measure would add trillions in new borrowing with minimal offsets, undermining conservatives commitment to fiscal responsibility. I've told the president I'm a no, unless we separate out the debt ceiling. You take the debt ceiling off the bill, I'm pretty much a yes on most of it, Paul told reporters. Asked about push back from Iowa Republicans who want to see the president's agenda advance quickly, Paul quipped: Iowans are too polite, arent they? Some have. Some come up and say, Support the president. But I think I was elected also to be an independent voice, and Im friends with the president, Paul said. I do support the president. At the same time, we have some disagreements and I dont think it would be right to be quiet and not try to make the bill better. Tariffs are a tax, clear and simple Paul also has been a vocal critic of Trumps tariff and trade policies. He applauded a federal courts ruling on Wednesday to block the presidents use of emergency powers to impose sweeping taxes on foreign products, arguing that the Constitution gives Congress, not the president, exclusive authority to tax imports. Tariffs are a tax, clear and simple, Paul told Iowa Republicans gathered at the Cedar Rapids fundraiser. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled Wednesday that Trump overstepped his authority when he invoked the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to declare a national emergency and impose tariffs on imports from almost every country in the world, according to the Associated Press. On Thursday, a federal appeals court allowed the president to temporarily continue collecting the tariffs under the emergency powers law while he appeals the trade courts decision. Relying on the president to implement tariffs through emergency powers sets a bad precedent, Paul said, opening the door for future Democratic presidents to use emergency powers to push unfavorable legislation. Even if one likes the tariffs, it shouldnt be the prerogative of one person, he said. I dont want the left to rule the country by emergency either, Paul said. No one should have that singular power that goes unchecked. Paul said he gets text messages in all caps from Trump telling me why Im wrong about tariffs, eliciting laughs. He argues that tariffs create uncertainty for businesses and drive up prices for consumers. He called Trump's justification for tariffs, based on trade deficits, an economic fallacy. He argued that trade between countries is inherently mutually beneficial, and that focusing on trade deficits is an artificial statistic that doesn't reflect the true benefits of free trade. Paul also pointed to resistance from various business sectors in his home state of Kentucky, including agriculture and bourbon production, who are negatively impacted by the tariffs. Ask the Iowa Farm Bureau what they think about trade, he said. Twenty-five percent of your agricultural products are exports. Paul said trade is proportional to prosperity, stating the only time that the trade deficit goes down is during a recession, when we have less money and buy less stuff. If the President is successful in bringing tariffs down by sort of standing up and rattling the cage and being the bull in a China shop Ill be the first to compliment him, he said. But the proof is in the pudding, and I dont know which way it will go. Flash floods ravaged the town of Mokwa killing at least 115 people, as rescuers say the real toll is still hidden beneath the mud and debris. The River Niger, swollen by days of relentless rain, surged through the heart of Niger State on Wednesday night. It tore through Mokwa, leaving behind a trail of ruin and silence, according to international news agencies. The towns Quranic school is now a shell. More than 50 students are unaccounted for. The Nigerian Red Cross says at least 78 people have been injured. Thousands more are displaced, sleeping in schools, mosques, and under trees. Aid is trickling in, but the roads are broken, and the water hasnt receded. Last year, floods killed over 1,200 people across Nigeria. Scientists warned it would happen again, citing climate effects and frail infrastructure. Sam Asghari wanted to sign a prenuptial agreement before marrying Britney Spears. Sam Asghari married Britney Spears in 2022 The 31-year-old actor and Britney, 43, were married between 2022 and 2024, but Sam urged his former spouse to agree a prenup so that she would be financially "protected". Sam - who ultimately signed a prenup before tying the knot - said on the 'Trading Secrets' podcast: "I wanted her to have a prenup. "I wanted to make sure shes protected, because throughout her life, everybody I dont know one person thats ever been in her life that didnt take advantage of her. So its very sad. I wanted to make sure that Im the person that [didnt] do that." Sam also rubbished the suggestion that he tried to take advantage of Britney's fame and success. Sam - who met Britney on the set of her 'Slumber Party' music video back in 2016 - said: "I never get mad at the general public or fans or people that are seeing your life from a distance, especially now that Im not in a relationship for over two years or a year and something. "Looking from an outside perspective, I see theres an age difference, theres a fame difference, theres this, theres that. But realistically, we met as costars." Despite this, Sam insists he's not worried about the opinions of fans. He explained: "Its all for me. So its not really focused on the fans or whoever My career is always going to be, Im always going to do things thats going to benefit the fans and people that are watching me. And I want to be a good example. But at the same time, its because that makes me feel better." Sam actually rejected a lot of lucrative career opportunities because he wanted to protect Britney and their relationship. The actor explained: "I turned down a few modelling things back then. "It was because it was associated with women and I wanted to be respectful. It was a very sensitive time and a very sensitive situation I was dealing with. So I wanted to be very successful and things like that. So that was at that time. Now, its different." With just months to go before Ivory Coasts October 2025 presidential election, the newly formed Coalition for a Peaceful Alternation (CAP-CI) is intensifying pressure on the ruling party to ensure credible and inclusive polls. At the heart of its demands: judicial impartiality, revised electoral lists, and the reinstatement of disqualified candidates, including opposition figure Tidjane Thiam. This leader of the CAP-CI coalition, as well as the Democratic Party of Cote dIvoire (PDCI) and former Credit Suisse CEO, was recently barred from running over dual nationality claims. In a video shown in Paris, Thiam denounced the instrumentalization of justice and called for reforms to restore democratic legitimacy. But with Thiam sidelined and Jean-Louis Billon stepping forward, the PDCI appears to have lost momentum. CAP-CI, comprising more than 25 parties including those of ex-First Lady Simone Gbagbo and Pascal Affi NGuessan, is urging incumbent President Alassane Ouattara not to seek a fourth term, warning it could breach constitutional norms. Ouattara, in power since 2011, has yet to confirm his candidacy, though his ruling party, RHDP, views him as its natural choice. Despite its formation in March, the opposition alliance remains fragile, facing internal rifts and judicial obstacles. Critics argue the opposition lacks not only unity but also a coherent policy platform, leaving the electorate with little beyond anti-Ouattara sentiment. Morocco has secured a significant diplomatic victory in its long-standing quest to uphold its territorial integrity and address the legacy of colonial-era divisions, following the United Kingdoms endorsement of the autonomy plan for the Sahara. The UKs foreign minister David Lammy described the Moroccan proposal as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution to the conflict, a strategic pivot that follows similar pro-autonomy positions by the US, France, Spain, Israel, Gulf countries and an increasing number of African states. Beyond its role as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a member of the UN Secretary Generals Group of friends on the Sahara issue, the UK is also the most influential country within the Commonwealth, a group of 56 countries, including rising powers. Analysts suggest that the UKs position could ripple across the Commonwealth, where many nations have historically aligned with London on key international issues. While the Commonwealth is not a political union, its members often coordinate on global issues, particularly in multilateral forums. The UK has previously used this network to rally support on matters ranging from climate change to sanctions policy. The Commonwealth enhances UK foreign policy in a number of ways through trade, influence, and to a lesser extent, defense, noted a recent report by the British Foreign Policy Group. It offers significant potential for the future, especially in a post-Brexit world, said the report. The UKs support for Moroccos autonomy plan is expected to resonate with several African and Caribbean Commonwealth members, many of whom maintain close economic and diplomatic ties with both the UK and Morocco. Countries such as Ghana and Nigeria, all influential African Commonwealth members, have previously shown openness to Moroccos diplomatic overtures. Analysts believe these nations may now be more inclined to align with the UKs stance, especially if it leads to increased investment and regional stability. Kenya has already backed the Moroccan plan a few days before the UK. The UKs position along with Kenya and an increasing number of English-speaking African countries are also putting pressure on South Africa and the failed states that turn in its orbit to abandon the ideological anachronism that has defined their perspective on the Sahara conflict. Morocco continues its military modernization drive with U.S. Defense Departments approval for a $260 million acquisition of 612 FGM-148F Javelin anti-tank missiles and 200 portable launchers, reinforcing the kingdoms defense capabilities amid regional security challenges. The U.S. Department of Defense authorized the transaction on May 31, 2025, following preliminary approval from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) in March. DSCA had then said the sale will help improve the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in North Africa. The deal will also improve Moroccos long-term defense capacity to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and to meet its national defense requirements, the U.S agency had underlined. The deal, published in the Federal Register, underwent Congressional review as required for arms exports to non-NATO partners, with officials emphasizing the sales contribution to regional stability. This latest purchase complements Moroccos April 2025 acquisition of 600 FIM-92K Stinger Block I surface-to-air missiles worth $825 million, designed to enhance short-range air defense capabilities. Together, these transactions underscore the deepening military partnership between Rabat and Washington. Moroccos defense procurement strategy reflects sustained investment in advanced systems over recent years. Major acquisitions include 24 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, 25 F-16 Block 72 fighter jets, and modernization of 23 existing F-16s. By investing substantially in cutting-edge military technology, Morocco aims to develop a modern, deterrent defense force while building foundations for domestic military industrial capabilities. This approach aligns with long-term strategic autonomy objectives, diversifying expertise sources, and preparing to address current and future security threats. The Javelin systems addition provides Moroccan forces with advanced anti-armor capabilities, complementing existing air defense improvements and reflecting comprehensive military modernization efforts. These investments position Morocco among North Africas most capable military forces, equipped with sophisticated American weapons systems supporting national defense requirements. Morocco and the United States share common concerns and consult closely on security, political, and economic issues, and on sustainable development. Morocco is U.S. strong partner in counterterrorism efforts and works closely with U.S. law enforcement to safeguard both countries national security interests. The U.S. and Morocco coordinate their efforts to promote regional stability and security, including through the Global Counterterrorism Forum and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Morocco has denounced in a letter to the President and members of the UN Security Council a biased paragraph on the Moroccan Sahara in the Councils latest report for the year 2024 to the UN General Assembly. The letter was sent by Moroccos Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Omar Hilale, following the adoption, on Friday, May 30, 2025, by the Security Council of his informative report as well as the observations and reservations expressed by some members of the Council in this regard. In the letter, Hilale expressed Moroccos deep surprise and firm rejection of the singling out of two parties in the paragraph relating to the Moroccan Sahara. Among Moroccos observations in this regard, the Ambassador indicated that the introduction to this Security Council report specifies, in its final paragraph, that the very purpose of this section is not to provide an exhaustive list of the Councils meetings, developments, or responses. Rather, it is intended to provide a succinct and useful overview of the main developments that occurred throughout the year. However, he pointed out, the biased paragraph on the Moroccan Sahara in the reports introduction blatantly deviates from this directive, which has always guided the drafting of previous annual reports, noting that far from faithfully reporting the Security Councils position and its sincere efforts toward a just, and lasting political solution to this regional dispute, it presents a partisan and unbalanced interpretation of the positions expressed within the Council on this subject. Hilale noted that this paragraph only reflects, selectively and without context, the national position of the author of the introduction and that of a non-permanent member of the Security Council and ignores the contributions and positions expressed by other members, thus moving away from the consensus within this body. The Ambassador emphasized that, contrary to the paragraphs claim, the Security Council has mentioned the same all four parties to the political process: Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the polisario, citing them five times in all its resolutions since 2018. Furthermore, no report from the Secretary-General or resolution from the General Assembly singles out two parties to the detriment of the four stakeholders in the political process, he reiterated, adding that the penholders biased approach is, moreover, contradicted by the current international dynamic, marked by broad support for the resolution of this regional dispute on the sole basis of the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom. This serious and credible initiative is strongly and openly supported by 116 countries, including two permanent members of the Security Council, which the United Kingdom has just joined today, as well as three non-permanent members who served on the Council in 2024, and six among the current non-permanent members, he continued. Hilale noted that by departing from the established practice of factuality and neutrality that traditionally characterizes the Security Councils reports to the General Assembly, this approach undermines the Security Councils work vis-a-vis the General Assembly. Moreover, it calls into question the General Assemblys confidence in the integrity of the reports transmitted to it by the Security Council, he said. Instead of attempting to mislead the General Assembly by referring to its national position and that of a non-permanent member of the Council, which is also main party to this dispute, the drafter of this section should have demonstrated neutrality and objectivity by informing the General Assembly of the constants and foundations of the political process established by the Security Council, which are the parameters of the political solution, the four stakeholders, and the preeminence of the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative for the definitive settlement of this regional dispute, he further noted. Hilale also emphasized that the penholder should also have refrained from opposing the restoration of the factuality of this section by invoking a so-called procedural integrity, which cannot prevail when such a blatant inaccuracy is reported at any stage, noting that the objectivity and factuality of the report are a political prerequisite for the Security Councils mission as guarantor of the political process for the settlement of the Moroccan Sahara issue. For all these reasons, the Ambassador affirmed that the Kingdom of Morocco strongly denounces this failure to uphold the rigor, impartiality, and integrity of this section of the report and also rejects the politically motivated distortion of this paragraph, which can only be seen as a vain attempt to undermine the international momentum in favor of the political process initiated under the exclusive auspices of the United Nations. Ambassador Hilales letter to the President and members of the UN Security Council was also forwarded to the President of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General. It will be issued as an official document of the Security Council and the General Assembly. The Oscar winning movie "The Brutalist" is finally streaming on HBO. While excellent, I quickly found out that "The Brutalist" is more of an immigrant story, with only a smattering of the architecture that the damn movie is named after. After reading some articles it seemed that while some people were turned off by the three+ hour run time, others simply didn't know what Brutalism is, or why it's important.Simply put, Brutalism is an architectural style that emerged during 1950s which derives its name from the French termor raw concrete, It is usually characterized by the use of exposed concrete, often used to create geometric, grid-like monoliths that dominate their surroundings. Brutalist buildings have minimalist construction that showcase the bare building materials and structural elements over decorative design. While concrete is a chief component, other materials, such as steel, timber, and glass, are also featured.Brutalism is an extremely polarizing style; the people who love it love it, while people who dislike it,dislike it. I love it. For me, Brutalism is the architecture version of jazz; it's conceptual, innovative, and ever-changing. Looking at it fills my head with possibilities, and makes me feel good. Whenever I see a Brutalist structure it makes my fingertips tingle, and I literally feel invigorated in a way usually reserved for people on mind-altering substances. Anyway, "The Brutalist" made me sad because it was light on the actual architecture. It made me think about how awesome it is to live in a city with so many fine examples of Brutalist architecture, so I wanted to share my favorite Brutalist buildings in Chicago. Some of my selections will be instantly recognizable, while others are known only to locals and Brutalist enthusiasts. This post is a love letter to the city I live in, Brutalism, and a memorial for the structures we lost. And as usual, you can either read about the history of these buildings or look at the pretty pictures; it's up to you!"The Corncob"Between 1964-68When people think of iconic Brutalist structures in America, Marina City is often at the top of the list. Marina City is not just a stunning example, it's in a lot of Chicagoans Top 5 Architecture Buildings in the city, and a favorite with tourists.In many ways, Marina City began as an urban renewal project on behalf of the Service Employees International Union at a time when White Flight and suburbanization was making a huge dent in the city's population. They were thinking of ways to entice young people to live and play Downtown, and the complex was built as a "city within a city", featuring numerous on-site facilities including a theater, gym, swimming pool, ice rink, bowling alley, stores, restaurants, and, of course, a marina.Here's a excellent PBS short about the history of Marina City, with lots of great images and some interior photos:The two towers contain identical floor plans that contain almost no interior right angles. The bottom 19 floors form an exposed spiral parking ramp operated by valet with approximately 896 parking spaces.The 20th floor of each tower contains a laundry room and gym with panoramic views of the Loop, while floors 21 through 60 houses studio and one bedroom apartments (450 per tower). On each residential floor, a circular hallway surrounds the elevator core, which is 32 feet (9.8 m) in diameter, with 16 sector-shaped units arrayed around the hallway. A 360-degree open-air roof deck lies on the 61st and top story. Originally rental apartments, the complex converted to condominiums in 1977, but still contains a number of rental units.In popular culture, Marina City has been immortalized on the cover of many music albums, including Wilco, Sly and the Family Stone, and Chicago. It also appears in many T.V. shows and movies, including "The Bob Newhart Show" "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" "While You Were Sleeping" and the "Candyman" revamp.That bowling alley here is open to the public and is fabulous! The old theater has been converted into The House of Blues, while the ice rink has since been demolished. The new Hotel Chicago was built in what was once the Marina City office building. Lots of changes, but it's still our Corncob and city pride.7/10. I realize it's an iconic building with worldwide renown. It's also anchoice; ask any Brutalist enthusiast about his fav buildings anywhere and for many, MC is at the top of the list."The MCC" "That Jail Downtown"1975I am convinced that the Devil himself whispered "Build a prison, but in downtown Chicago" in Chicago-based architect Harry Weese's ear while he was sleeping, because what the hell otherwise? The Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown Chicago is a 27 story skyscraper that's shaped like a triangle that opened in 1975. It's an extremely odd looking building, but all of the details serves a purpose and Weese put a lot of thought into creating practical solutions to the problems that arise when you, oh, I don't know...build a jail in the middle of a major metropolitan areas downtown?The triangle shape creates a sort of panopticon inside for easier sight lines and access to prisoners for the guards. The building features tall windows that are five inches wide to prevent escape attempts without requiring bars, but beveled out to funnel natural light inside. It also provides a nice view for the residents. The prison yard is on top of the structure and is built in such a way that it enables residents to get exercise and air without safety concerns.Personally, I find this building rather delightful. It reminds me of a punch card masquerading as a building and looks wild as hell amidst the older buildings in the immediate area.7/10. The diabolical act of imprisoning folks in a building that also gives the inmates an ringside view of everything in life they're currently missing is brutal as hell."That Weird Ass Building On Wacker"1968The Metropolitan Correctional Center isn't the only Weese building in Chicago. Built in 1968, this downtown church features travertine stone instead of concrete but still has many Brutalist features including a semicircular sanctuary with two tiers containing 764 seats within its concrete circular structure. The structure's octagon shape fits harmoniously within that three street intersection in that section of Wacker Drive.Its minimalist outside contrasts with an inside designed for optimal acoustics and seating arrangement, ensuring stellar sound quality during services. It also contains 350 hidden microphones integrated into the structure, enabling congregants to share testimonies without leaving their seats.6/10. While interesting and a marvel in engineering in its own right, quite frankly there are other Brutalist structures in the city that are more interesting. Nevertheless, the sheer oddness of *this* structure in *that* location has increased my fondness for it over the years."St Mary's" "The Spaceship"1975If a building could be called gloriously insane it would be this one. I mean, look at it. This is Lovecraft, but make it concrete. Designed by architect E Todd Wheeler, St Mary's chief innovation was making every patient's room a single room. The tower was built with nursing stations in the center core, with patient rooms surrounding for maximum access and privacy.I don't care; I love this gigantic brutalist spaceship monster structure. It brings me joy every time I see it. I love how it towers over everything in the vicinity, and how when steam comes out of the vents it looks like it's about to blast off. I love how people in the neighborhood bring out of town visitors to see it, just so they can say "WTF is this?" I love how it's an unofficial tourist attraction in the area and how children's eyes light up when they see it.Many rotations ago I had an emergency appendectomy at this hospital, and not only was my room spacious and airy, the care I received was top notch and it was overall a good experience. A+, would go again for the care as well as the aesthetics, etc.9/10 because I'm biased as hell but I don't know...this one is a bit too much even for a lot of Brutalist aficionados."The Party Palace"1986This housing complex wins the award for most drama as it was originally apartments that were converted into condos, only to be acquired by a venture capitalist company and converted back into rental apartments. Mess.River City is situated alongside the Chicago River and consists of two 7- to 14-story, serpentine residential towers constructed of reinforced, poured-in-place concrete "shells" with 449 residential units. It was also designed by Bertrand Goldberg, and unlike its sister building Marina City (whose market is young single people in the city who want a smaller space) River City units vary in size from studios to 4-bedroom penthouses. Building perks include a 50,000 square foot health club with full-size pool, an underground indoor parking lot, and a 70-slip marina with a bubbler system that prevents freezing and permits year-round use.The roof of the base structure is a transfer floor that holds Skyline Park, a 1-acre, landscaped private park for the residents; as well as River Road, a 10-story, enclosed, skylighted atrium between the two residential towers.Like Marina City, Goldberg had a utopian vision of a "city within a city" and the original plans for River City were originally on a much grander scale. It was to consist of a series of 72-story mixed-use skyscrapers, clustered in groups of three, and joined every 18 stories by triangular platforms containing resident services ranging from medical clinics to educational and training facilities for lifelong learning. Needless to say, he was unable to secure approval for such an ambitious project, and after going through several redesigns over the next decade Goldberg and the developers decided on the current structure.Management continues to be a mess with no idea about what to do with this property, nor have respect for the architecture. Architectural preservationists complained when the raw concrete interior of the "River Road" atrium was painted white (a big no-no with Brutalist structures), and that, along with other half-baked ideas they have, well...time will tell *sigh*.8/10. Being a floating party palace is an awesome thing, and I love how Goldberg reuses design elements in his work."The Neighborhood Jewel"1961The Brutalism influence can be found in structures other than hospitals or residences. Named after the matriarch of a settler family who settled in the West Town neighborhood in the 1890s, The Ida Crown Natatorium is one of two Natatoriums built in the city in the early 60s, and brings the elegance and drama to Brutalism with its dramatic roof canopy and glass window walls. Although Marvin Werner was the principal architect, Dimitri Nesterenko, the structural engineer, was responsible for the roof design. The eye catching arched roof canopies are both striking features and practical design solutions, providing a simple and efficient structural system and an open interior space unencumbered by columns.The simple, elegant design uses a bold clear-span structure to create a column-free interior space for the pool and deck. The glass window walls allow light to flood inside the building, making it light and airy. The window walls along the side of the pool has a series of large glass panels. These panels can be slid aside in good weather to open up the Natatorium to the outside and provide direct access to a sun deck which wraps around two sides of the building in an L configuration. Above these sliding panels red, green, yellow and blue window panes are sprinkled among the clear glazing give a Mondrian type of effect.I love this building. Something about the hardness of the building skeleton combined with the lightness of the wall of windows is extremely appealing to me. As one of the more unusual buildings in the area, it gets a lot of visitors as well as swimmers. I've always love the curves and lightness of the design, and the reflection of the trees on the windows make you feel like you're outside while in the pool. I'm glad it's part of the Park District, that it's a free neighborhood resource, and that it and the adjacent field house are assets in this community.This building means the world to a lot of people. For many generations, children (many of them Black or Brown) from the West Town community and beyond learned how to swim here, or utilized the adjoining fieldhouse for activities. While the neighborhood has changed considerably over the years, the Natatorium continues to be a neighborhood institution, welcoming swimmers of all levels.7/10. Rather than being a more traditional Brutalist structure, it's a delicate, more elegant form of Brutalism with a definite Mondrian influence."The Projects, But Make It Modernist!"1966There have been some arguments amongst Brutalist enthusiasts as to whether or not Hilliard Homes is a true Brutalist structure, or merely modernist in nature. What we do know is that this compound was designed by Bertrand Goldberg, it's one of the few public housing buildings that's on the National Register of Historic Places, and the same attention to detail that is evident in a lot of Goldberg's other Chicago buildings is also in Hilliard's design.Chicago was no stranger to urban renewal projects in the 1960s, and there was an increasing demand for affordable public housing on a national level at that time. Above all, Goldberg's design philosophy was that good design should be accessible to everyone, and that other public housing projects in the city (*coughcabrinigreencough*) were designed to basically punish residents for being poor. He fully believed that Poor People Deserve Nice Things Too, and wanted to design housing that the residents not only would feel comfortable living in, but they would also be proud of. The same design sensitivity that went into his creation of Marina City and River City also went into Hilliard Homes, except Goldberg designed the structure to be supported almost exclusively by the outer shell (as opposed to Marina City, which is supported by its core). Apartments were roomy, with great light in all of the units and interesting layouts. Above all, unlike the majority of the cinderblock Chicago Public Housing stock, the apartments actually seemed to have more of a "home" vibe than institutional. The twin cylindrical towers were reserved for seniors, and the two adjoining half-circle buildings were reserved for low-income families.Unlike at the other housing projects around the city, the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) vetted residents here very carefully, and as a result the vacancy rate at Hilliard Homes was extremely low, with a years long waiting list. Then, something remarkable happened. The residents realized they were living somewhere pretty special and as a result, hallways were clean, trash was at a minimum, people often planted flowers on the property, and overall the residents not only had a lot of love and pride for their apartments, but also for the buildings and community as a whole. Crime and social problems at Hilliard Homes were considerably lower than at other CHA housing projects; notably, it was the only Chicago housing project complex never to require a uniformed police detail.The property was in pretty bad shape in the early 1990s, but the CHA financed a redevelopment process that took 9 years. I'm not sure what happened, but apparently at some point in the 2010s eventually a lot of the residents (a combination of the poor and middle class, which is a unicorn by public housing standards here) banded together, said "enough" to the CHA's *alleged* mismanagement of the building and eventually created some sort of Coop that is free from CHA influence and rebranded as a mixed-income property now known as The Hilliard Towers?Good for them! The towers are still there, shining brightly on the horizon as you travel along Cermak Avenue. I smile every time I see them.8/10. Creating humanist housing that is well designed for everyone regardless of income is in itself a Brutal act these days. I salute Goldberg for being a visionary in that regard.The University of Illinois at Chicago's "Circle Campus" was created between 1963 and 1968 as an instant campus in response to major growth in college enrollment following WWII. Its creation resulted in the displacement of thousands of Italian and Mexican residents in that area, and sparked major protests at that time. The East Campus is primarily designed with Brutalist architecture because architect Walter Netsch was so enamored with the style, and his intention was to make the campus a functional place with limited distraction to emphasize study. The original campus layout included a huge outdoor amphitheater so students could gather in good weather, and a network of walkways on the second floors of the buildings to allow students to travel between campus buildings as well as the nearby UIC Blue Line rapid transit stop.These design details were removed in the 90s to make the campus more "friendly" (plus those granite and concrete walkways were slippery as hell in the winter, so there were some legitimate safety concerns), but the major Brutalist structures on campus remain. The movie "Candyman" (1991) is an excellent time capsule of what the campus originally looked like before the renovations as both the walkways and amphitheater are featured in the movie. The campus is one of Chicagos strongest individual architectural statementsand one of the most violently disliked, according to the AIA Guide to Chicago.Besides the buildings I mention here, other notable Brutalist structures on the campus include the Richard J. Daley Library, The Science and Engineering Offices (which has narrow recessed windows and concrete-framed scissor-style staircases visible from the outside) and several clusters of minor 3 story "Hall" buildings dotted around the East campus (including Taft Hall, which is sadly on Preservation Chicago's endangered buildings list "The Tower"1965This building is relatively normal looking compared with the other buildings on campus. The building is 20 feet wider at its top than at its base, and has an exposed reinforced concrete skeleton and narrow recessed windows. Falcons have also been known to nest at the top and they have their own webcam, so there's that.7/10. I mean, it's Brutal and all and the narrow windows are really groovy, but there are much wilder examples of Brutalist architecture on this campus, such as..."The A&A"Varying opinions, but generally believed to be between 1966-1968The Art and Architecture buildings striking angular forms and geometric skylight windows embody Netschs signature aesthetic known as Field Theory. Built for the university's Art and Architecture students, the building octagon shape has uniquely designed windows that act as light wells for the basement classrooms and art and design studios.Originally intended to be built in two phases, the second phase was cut as part of the campus budget and the building sits today, still incomplete, with only 40% finished. As the Art and Art History Departments have long relocated to their dedicated loft building on the outskirts of campus, the building is currently occupied by the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts consisting of the Architecture, Graphic Design, New Media, and Industrial Design departments.Cons include design details like a steep stairway that looks like it goes to a blank wall but is actually a fire door. Un-amenities also include dead-end hallways and stairways once intended for that second phase of construction that never happened.A confusing room numbering system combined with a building shaped like an octagon spiral = never knowing what the hell floor you're on. In addition, it was unfinished; the wall faces on the east side abruptly cuts off, leaving an ugly featureless surface of cinder block and grey, while the other sides of the building get an abundance of natural light. However, once you get used the ins and outs of the building it's not so bad to get around in. It's cavernous, with so many hidden corners and crevices to explore. Overall, it's one of my favorite Brutalist buildings on campus.8/10. It's Brutal as hell, but I have to take points off for the whack ass layout and the fact that despite recent renovations a lot of it is still unfinished, masking its full potential."The BSB" "The Labyrinth" "The Void" "Oh Fuck, Please Don't Make Me Go In There" etc.1969Out of all the Brutalist structures on the East Campus, none are as notorious as the Behavioral Sciences building. The "building" is composed of an interconnected series of building structures roughly the circumference of a city block that is imposing and magnificent to view from the outside. It's a shame this building is...because it is truly an example of Brutalist Architecture at its finest, with an array of possibilities and futurism.It being the 1960s, my humble personal opinion is that Netsch was feeling himself and imbibing a variety of mind-altering substances (as well as possibly channelling Rudolf Steiner on the Spiritism Speed Dial) because nothing else explains the sheer WTFery on display here. Netsch's design philosophy for this building is based on a practice he called "Field Theory" (essentially a geometric approach to spatial organization that he also used to create the S&E and A&A buildings), which you can read about here ), which is a very kind way to say "NOTHING IN HERE MAKES SENSE TO ANYONE WHO'S SANE."It's like Netsch took all of the A&A Building's annoying "quirks" (confusing numbering system, weird layouts, uneven flooring system, etc), dialed it up to ten, and then added some secret ingredients specifically designed to fuck with your mental health. One step inside, and you understand why some people believe the decades long rumors that Netsch's "Field Theory" was actually a cover story for him designing a structure that is, for all intent and purpose, a psychological experiment. Up is down. A disorientating layout and navigation system is the norm. It is a labyrinth of confusing octagonal staircases, windowless classrooms, and dead end hallways, while other areas in the complex are light and airy with an abundance of windows. The offices in the west wing of the building are notoriously confusing in layout, and it's considered one of the "saner" areas design wise. Sections of it literally seem to fold in on itself, so you often find yourself in a completely different wing of the complex with no clue how you got there, nor how to get back.Out of the people I know who had classes/worked there I would say 80% mapped out an exact route within the building to get to their classroom, a nearby bathroom, and the exit. No more, nor less; this is not a complex to wander about as it's very easy to get lost. I once heard someone describing navigating the building as "not paying attention to what the hallways are trying to tell me" and that's one of the best descriptions of this place I've ever heard. While it's different with everyone, the only way I can describe it is a sense of mental unease that intensifies the longer you are in the building. Some people feel nothing at all, while others feel so uncomfortable they actively avoid going inside.As I said before, it's a pity about everything else because it really is a remarkable building. BSB is the "Betty Blue" of Brutalist architecture because it's like loving someone who looks absolutely amazing while being completely batshit insane. Nevertheless, I shall admire her magnificence from afar, and give her due respect.Infinity/10 just for Netsch's audacity to create something so unique and Brutal while continuing to mindfuck generations of students with this building from beyond the grave.From its founding in 1890 through the post-war optimism of the early 1950s, the aesthetic of the University of Chicago remained largely focused on the precedent set by principal architect Henry Ives Cobb and his taste for Neo-Gothic architecture that invites students of all stripes (and some faculty members) to live out all of their Dark Academia fantasies on campus. However, the social shifts of the late 1950s and 60s called for a new direction. Chicago was in a new design era thanks to Mies Van Der Rohe and his influence over many significant Chicago area buildings (including the Illinois Institute of Technology campus [aka "Miesville"]), and the University of Chicago wanted in on some of that Modernism magic, as they wanted to build a new library and well as a Lab building on their rapidly expanding campus. The challenge for any architect taking on this project would be how to design a building that intersected Modernist architecture sensibilities seamlessly with the neighboring Neo-Gothic architecture. After reviewing many competing bids from prominent architects, the University decided on two: I.W. Colburn and Walter Netsch."The Beehive"1969This academic building is an outlier compared to most of the Neo-Gothic architecture that populates the University of Chicago campus. It was designed by architect I.W. Colburn and opened in 1969. Tall limestone towers with redbrick accents soar into the air in a Modernist use of the same masonry materials adorning its historic neighbors, and is a lovely midcentury take on the Neo Gothic architecture of much of the campus, with more than a touch of Brutal.Its flat grey slabs echo the limestone of the 19th century buildings across Ellis Avenue, albeit in an undecorated manner that reflects the tumult of the mid-20th. Similarly, the buildings towers call out to the red roofs of other campus buildings with their contrasting red brick. It was a forward-looking design that allowed other Brutalist buildings to move ahead, like the Regenstein Library that opened just a year later.9/10. It's just a fun building that is a perfect marriage of the traditional and modern.It's just "the library" it doesn't have a nickname1970Fresh from the accolades received for his groundbreaking architectural designs for UIC, Netsch received a new educational contract; this time working as the senior architect with Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill for the University of Chicago on a new library on campus. Unfortunately for our Brutalist-loving friend this would pose a significant challenge, as he and the other architects had to find a way to create a building with Brutalist sensitivities that would be harmonious with the campus Gothic architecture. The configuration of the Library offers an interesting response to the problems posed by a complex service facility, large building size, and the relatively small scale of the other campus buildings.The massiveness of that portion of the building used primarily for books is minimized for the viewer from the west by its division into three "slipped segments." The entire perimeter of the building is broken at regular intervals by projecting bays which further reduce the impression of great size and echo the irregularities of the traditional, gothic University buildings. The exterior walls are formed by deeply grooved, sawn limestone slabs, adding texture, life and movement to the surface.9/10. Some purists say that making the exterior walls out of limestone as opposed to concrete is a cheat and as a result it's not a "true" Brutalist structure but all I can say is Netsch toned down the crazy enough to design a beautiful building that has obviously Brutalist lineage, but also blends in naturally with the nearby Gothic architecture.19752014As a child, this building fascinated me. It was the "Tulip Flower Beehive building" in my mind and I always enjoyed seeing it on car rides around the city. It was only years later as an adult that I understood the significance of this building not only for women, but for the architectural world in general.Designed by the architect Bertrand Goldberg, the clover-shaped tower of Prentice Women's Hospital in Chicago was created by the pioneering application of one of the earliest 3-D modeling programs. Goldberg began working on the design for Prentice in 1970 and considered several alternative schemes before settling on the formation of a five-story glazed rectilinear platform topped by a nine-story concrete quatrefoil tower, capturing the essence of the Brutalist movement. The four bays on each floor opened onto a nurses station that wrapped around the central core of the building. The concrete shell cantilevered off a central core, distributing the building's weight through four interlocking arches that radiated out from its centre, onto the five-story podium below.Upon its completion in 1975, critics and engineers worldwide celebrated Prentice as a breakthrough in structural engineering. The building is often credited with being influential in the promotion of unified patient care, as it consolidated under one roof maternity obstetrics and gynecology services that had previously been separated. The facility quickly gained a reputation for its commitment to womens health and its innovative approach, which included specialized care for high-risk pregnancies, comprehensive breast cancer treatment, and state-of-the-art gynecological services. The glazed five-story podium also gave the building a dual purpose, housing the Northwestern Institute of Psychiatry.In 2010 Northwestern University announced that the Goldberg building was to be replaced by a new biomedical research center. A strong coalition of preservation groups, architecture and design organizations, and internationally-recognized architects and engineers started what would be known as the "Save Prentice" campaign, demonstrating several viable reuses for the groundbreaking building. This included at least six Pritzker Prize winners who appealed to Chicagos global reputation as a nurturer of bold and innovative architecture. Even Jeanne Gang (principal architect of the world renowned Studio Gang architecture firm) threw her hat in the ring in collaboration with architecture critic Michael Kimmelman, proposing a glassy research skyscraper that would integrate the original concrete structure as its podium. In spite of a unanimous vote of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks that Prentice met the criteria for a Chicago Landmark, the Commission ultimately sided with Northwestern University (mmmhmmm) and cleared the way for demolition to commence of one of Chicagos most unique buildings, concluding in 2014.The "Tulip Flower Beehive building" is no more. Its absence is noticeable like a missing piece of childhood, a tooth no longer there. It's not only a personal loss, but it's also a loss to the Brutalism community, the Architecture community, all of those architects, engineers, and Brutalist afficinados who fought so hard to save Prentice, and for Women's Healthcare. Tears were shed, and it's been almost a decade and I still feel a sense of loss. I also refuse to acknowledge that new Stranger Bitch building that replaced it; like, I'm Mariah Carey saying I literally don't know her?10/10. A true Brutalist gem by every measure, excelling in form and function. Architects are still studying some of the techniques Goldberg used in its design, and a lot of them are still in use today. Words really can't describe what has been lost.None????Sometimes you can find happiness in the strangest of places. I dicovered this Brutalist stairwell leading to the lower half of the city by accident years ago, and something about the design and its outside/inside nature pleases me immensely. It is in an area that is extremly low traffic despite being near two major tourist traps and adjacent to a beautiful small park, which is great for a nice lunch on summer days. It's my Happy Place; I get joy being here, and just looking at the structure while sitting in the park gives me a feeling of contentment and peace. I can literally feel my energy replenishing, like I have Health and Mana Bars that are being filled.No scale, just vibes. If you read/looked at the images in this post and have gotten this far, thank you for coming with me on my tour of my favorite Brutalist buildings in Chicago. ONTD, do you love or hate the Brutalist style? What are some of your fav Brutal buildings? Let's talk about it!Sources:I used a lot of resources in the creation of this post, and a lot of thanks to the following:- My partner in crime and Dog, who graciously drove me around while I took pictures at some of the sites- The University of Chicago and The University of Illinois at Chicago. Both universities are used to visitors getting their Brutalism on, and if you're not disruptive and respectful of the space they generally don't mind picture taking- The Chicago History Museum- The University of Illinois at Chicago Library Jason R. Woods , whose architecture photography is noted here. Woods is also the chief photographer for The Concrete Chicago Map , which is a lovely guide featuring 50 examples of concrete architecture throughout Chicagoland. It's well designed and the pictures are lovely, so if you're ever in the Chicagoland area and want to do a Brutalist architecture tour it's great.- Instagram users bauzeitgeist and ramzihab for their lovely pictures of St. Mary's Hospital and the Seventeenth Church of Christ Scientist, respectivelyBrutalism is everywhere. Here are Brutalist Instagrams I enjoy: African Brutalism See the different ways Brutalist architecture is used across the African diaspora Brutalism Appreciation Society Brutalist structures from around the world Cats of Brutalism: A hot mess Curbed Chicago: 16 Brutalist Masterpieces. Has a lot of sites I mentioned here and quite a few others besides, so definitely worth a look. Architectural Digest: 5 of the Best Brutalist Buildings in Chicago WTTW: Ask Geoffrey: Brutalism in Chicago Chicago Modern: Ida Crown Natatorium DeZeen: Prentice Woman's Hospital Lost Legends: Prentice Woman's Hospital ASSP Names Five Industry Leaders as 2025 Society Fellows A global safety consultant, a decorated U.S. Marine, pioneering academics, and a DEI trailblazer join the professions most distinguished ranks. The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has named five trailblazing experts as Society Fellows, its most prestigious honor. The distinction is reserved for members who have made outstanding lifetime contributions to the occupational safety and health profession. This years honorees Felix Nakpodia, Tim Page-Bottorff, Lawrence Schulze, Leslie Stockel, and Christine Sullivan join an elite group of only 152 Fellows recognized since the organizations founding in 1911. Our Fellows are an elite group of influential safety leaders who are the architects of safer tomorrows, said ASSP President Pam Walaski, CSP, FASSP. They are highly respected experts who have broadly improved work environments to save lives while fundamentally advancing the safety and health profession. Honoring a Legacy of Leadership Each of the newly named Fellows brings a unique legacy of innovation and service: Felix Nakpodia, a revered safety consultant from Nigeria, is known as the walking encyclopedia of safety. With more than 50 years of cross-sector experience, he has led landmark reforms, including Nigerias Institute of Safety Professionals Act, and pioneered road safety strategies adopted globally. Tim Page-Bottorff, M.S., CSP, CIT, a senior director at JLL and partner with SafeStart, is celebrated for his contributions to psychological safety and real-world injury prevention. A former U.S. Marine and award-winning speaker, he conducts over 100 professional training sessions annually. Lawrence Schulze, Ph.D., P.E., CPE, of the University of Houston, is a leading academic voice in human factors engineering. His 35-year career spans aerospace, petrochemical, and medical sectors, while mentoring more than 400 student safety projects that address real-world industrial challenges. Leslie Stockel, Ph.D., CSP, SMP, of Oklahoma State University, has dedicated her career to mentoring future safety professionals. Her four decades in safety span pulp and chemical manufacturing, higher education, and research in critical areas such as nuclear power and aerospace materials. Christine Sullivan, CSP, ARM, executive vice president at Sompo, is a recognized leader in loss control, DEI advocacy, and total worker health. She has developed global risk control frameworks and continues to shape the profession through writing, mentorship, and speaking engagements. Safety 2025 Recognition The Fellows will be formally honored during Safety 2025, ASSPs Professional Development Conference and Exposition, taking place July 2224 in Orlando, Fla. The distinction is awarded to members with a minimum of 15 years of significant contributions to the safety profession and a demonstrated commitment to protecting workers. For a complete list of ASSP Society Fellows, visit assp.org. Trump gives Elon Musk sendoff, praising him with "colossal change" Xinhua) 15:55, May 31, 2025 WASHINGTON, May 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump bid farewell to Elon Musk in the Oval Office on Friday, after the billionaire announced his decision to step back from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). "I just want to say that Elon has worked tirelessly, helping lead the most sweeping and consequential government reform programme in generations," said Trump. Trump credited Musk with "a colossal change in the old ways of doing business in Washington" and said some of his staff would remain in the administration. "I look forward to continuing to be a friend and advisor to the president," Musk told reporters after Trump handed a golden key as a gift. Having spent approximately 300 million U.S. dollars to back Trump's presidential campaign and other Republicans, Musk recently said that he plans to cut his political spending substantially, because "I think I've done enough." In an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, Musk criticized Trump's "One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act," describing the legislation, a mix of tax cuts and enhanced immigration enforcement, as a "massive spending bill" that increases the federal deficit and "undermines the work" of DOGE. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Kou Jie) Kylie Jenner "didn't know" how much money her beauty brand was making because she didn't have the password to her account. Kylie Jenner had no idea her beauty brand was so successful The reality TV star, 27, launched her Kylie Cosmetics company back in 2015 as Lip Kit by Kylie - which only sold a liquid lipstick and lip liner set before being renamed and branching out into other products - and she's now confessed she was stunned to find out the the line was so successful during the first year when she was making millions of dollars. She told Dazed magazine: "I didnt have my Shopify account password, and I didnt know how much money I was making. I knew it was very successful, I just didnt "It really was not, and this is how I honestly feel, it was not about the money for me. It was really just a lane for me to be creative and make other people happy. About a year later, I [got] the password to our account, and I was like: 'What is happening?'" The publication reports the beauty brand brought in $420 million in the first 18 months when the company was only selling lip kits. The company was renamed Kylie Cosmetics in 2016 and now sells a full line of beauty products and skin care. The brand's annual revenue was reported to be around $300 million by the end of 2016 and Kylie went on to sell a controlling stake in the company to beauty giant Coty in 2019 for a massive $600 million. Kylie went on to admit she's using the 10th anniversary of her company's launch to reflect on her success and "appreciate all the amazing blessings". She added: "Im coming up on the 10th anniversary of Kylie Cosmetics, and Ive been thinking about the beginning a lot. "With the success of my brand and the influence, I just dont think I knew I dont think I knew what I had when I had it. "Looking back, I was so young and I had the world in my hands, and I still feel that way. Im trying to live in the moment and appreciate all of the amazing blessings in my life instead of waiting 20 years and looking back." Abu Dhabis national oil company, ADNOC, forecasts lower export volumes of its flagship Murban crude between August 2025 and May 2026, as it plans to process higher volumes of the grade domestically. ADNOC plans to export 1.705 million barrels per day (bpd) of Murban Crude in August, down by 65,000 bpd compared to the previous schedule, Reuters reports, citing an ADNOC report. The company pumping nearly all the crude in one of OPECs top producers, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will also lower its Murban crude exports by between 100,000 bpd and 177,000 bpd from September 2025 to May 2026, according to ADNOCs revised export plans. The drop in the Murban volumes for export is chiefly the result of higher processing of the grade at the Ruwais refinery in the UAE amid an optimization in the plants feedstock, according to ADNOC. On Monday, the expected decline in Murban supply to the international market from August sent the spot premium of Murban Crude to a six-week high. Conversely, the spot premiums for the Dubai crude, one of the Middle Easts benchmarks, fell on Monday, after the OPEC+ group decided this weekend to proceed with the 411,000-bpd monthly hike in oil production. OPEC cited current healthy oil market fundamentals and steady global economic outlook for its decision to boost oil production levels by 411,000 bpd in July. Despite the continued unwinding of the OPEC+ cuts, oil prices rallied by 4% early on Monday, as the group didnt opt for an even larger increase and as portfolio managers were forced into short covering. Money managers had sold crude heavily ahead of the OPEC+ meeting this weekend. Today's +4% crude oil rally can partly be explained by positioning forcing short covering, Ole Hansen, Head of Commodity Strategy at Saxo Bank, said. In the week to May 27, hedge funds and other money managers held a 257,000-contract gross short in the three major WTI and Brent contracts, which was an 8-month high and a level that has only been briefly exceeded five times since 2020, Hansen added. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Despite European politicians' efforts to reduce Russia's natural gas dominance in national markets, the reality is quite the opposite. The media often highlights the obstructive policies of Eastern European and Balkan countries like Slovakia and Hungary. However, the bigger picture reveals that Brussels and its bureaucrats face a significant challenge. According to Reuters, Gazproms natural gas pipeline supplies via Turkstream to Europe surged 10.3% in May 2025. This increase underscores the growing dependence on Turkstream as the sole option for Russia to transport natural gas to Europe via Turkey, following Ukraine's decision not to extend the transit deal on January 1. According to Reuters, based on data from Europes gas transmission group ENTSOG, Russian exports via Turkstream increased by 4.3 million cubic meters per day, hitting 46 mcm per day in May, compared to 41.7 mcm in April. Y-o-Y, however, the volumes were 1.2 mcm down. Russia's total supply is far from historic records. During 2018-2019, annual flows to Europe were between 175 and 180 BCM; in 2024, they were just around 32 BCM. European trade with Russia is still massive, as it entails natural gas or LNG, coal, oil, and uranium. In February 2025, as media articles (Bild) indicated, the European Union purchased more than $2 billion energy-related products from Russia. Experts agree that Russias war machine is supported by Moscows export revenues, especially as long as China, India, Turkey, and major Arab countries are still very interested in taking Russian volumes. In 2024, Russian LNG exports increased by 4%, hitting around 47.2 BCM. One of the results is that Russia is the EUs 2nd largest LNG supplier, with an estimated value of 7.3 billion ( $7.96 billion) from these exports. EU Commissioner Dan Jorgensen stated in February 2025 that USLNG and others should substitute Russian supplies. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the EU member countries have imported 209bn of Russian fuels, which is realistically financing the ongoing military onslaught by Putin. For anti-Russian parties in Europe, and Ukraines president Zelensky, help could be coming from an unexpected corner, US President Trumps MAGA Republicans. In a move to confront Putins refusal to end the war with Ukraine, a new bill is being discussed targeting a 500% tariff on countries buying Russian fossil fuels. The latter Senate bill, a bipartisan proposal, including that of leading US Democrats, could support Brussels' move to remove Russian gas from the European markets in an interesting way. For European members, especially the ones still hooked on Russian gas supplies, such as Slovakia and Hungary, the Lindsay Graham (R) and Richard Blumenthal (D) bill will also potentially hit European members. The bills seem to have already secured 81 signatures in the 100-seat Senate. In addition to hitting Moscows revenue base, the main underlying threat is secondary tariffs on countries doing business with Moscow. The bill entails a tariff of "not less" than 500% on any country that "knowingly sells, supplies, transfers, or purchases oil, uranium, natural gas, petroleum products, or petrochemical products that originated in the Russian Federation." The tariffs will also be hitting countries that are the main inroads for Russian LNG to European markets, especially the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal. Southern European countries, such as Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Hungary, and others, are on the target lists, as they import Russian gas via Turkstream and crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline. This highlights the urgency for these countries to find alternative energy sources in light of the potential impact of the US tariffs. European leaders now need to get their act together. The war in Ukraine is a potential game-changer for the security of the European continent and the economic growth potential. Taking out Russian hydrocarbons is a necessity, not only to quell the still-existing reliance on Moscow, but also to push a stronger military position of Ukraine. After this weekends surprise drone attack on Russias air force and naval assets, Moscows answer could be tough, possibly even targeting energy infrastructure linked to Europe. Talking about confronting Russia has been very dysfunctional until now; now, Brussels and European leaders should be blocking Moscows revenue base. It will be a significant hit again for natural gas prices in Europe, but it also will force Brussels to set up and implement, for once, additional long-term gas contracts with non-Russian aligned partners. By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Despite presenting memoranda outlining their respective terms for peace, the two sides remain far apart, and experts suggest that a significant breakthrough during the Istanbul meeting is unlikely. Ukraine reportedly bolstered its negotiating position by striking dozens of Russian long-range bombers prior to the talks, claiming a significant victory. Delegations from Ukraine and Russia have convened in Istanbul for a second round of direct peace talks, seeking to find common ground for a cease-fire amidst the ongoing conflict. Delegations from Ukraine and Russia have begun to meet in Istanbul for a second round of direct peace talks amid low expectations of a breakthrough as air attacks by both sides continue in Europe's largest and deadliest conflict since World War II. Russian state media reported that the talks between negotiating teams began around 14:45 local time in Istanbul on June 2, a day after Ukraine wiped out dozens of long-range Russian bombers with hoards of drones launched remotely after being smuggled into Russia. Both delegations are expected to present at the meeting their drafts of so-called memoranda -- documents on the principles of peace negotiations and possible conditions for a cease-fire. The two sides, however, still appear to be far apart, and experts say the odds of a breakthrough at the meeting remain slim. "A depressingly necessary reminder: peace talks tend to be slow. Even if (unlikely though it is) something is going to come from the Istanbul talks, there will be no sudden and magical 'breakthroughs,'" London-based analyst Mark Galeotti wrote on social media. Kremlin adviser Vladimir Medinsky is heading Moscow's delegation at the talks, just as he did 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. Meanwhile Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will head Ukraines delegation, backed by at least a dozen other officials. The US State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken by phone with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on June 1 to discuss the upcoming talks. It said the call was made at Russias request and that Rubio had reiterated President Donald Trumps call for continued direct talks to "achieve a lasting peace." Heading into the talks, Ukraine appeared to bolster its negotiating position after its forces struck dozens of long-range bomber aircraft across Russia with drones that were smuggled in wooden shipping crates carried on truck beds into the country and then launched from nearby locations. Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claimed that as many as 40 bombers may have been hit in the June 1 attack, described as an absolutely brilliant outcome by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who added that the operation had taken more than a year and half to prepare. Ukraine agreed in April to a US proposal for a 30-day cease-fire, but Russia has balked at the plan, and many of Ukraine's allies have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to drag out the process so he can take advantage of the current situation on the battlefield, where Russia has been gaining ground in territories it claims to rule. Much of the destruction has been centered around civilian infrastructure, which Russia claims it doesn't target despite mounting evidence that appears to show the opposite. Trumps special envoy, Keith Kellogg, said in an ABC interview that US, German, French, and British officials would be in Istanbul or the June 2 meeting. Russia has said it would use the meeting to present a "memorandum" outlining its terms for a peace settlement. Kyiv said it was ready to take part but wanted to see Russia's proposals for ending the war first. Suspilne, Ukraine's public broadcaster, reported what it said were the details of the memorandum that Kyiv planned to present in Istanbul. Russian news agencies reported that Kremlin adviser Vladimir Medinsky, who heads Moscow's delegation, had received the document. Key points include the call for a complete cease-fire and confidence-building measures to address humanitarian issues. Also, it said Ukraine does not undertake to be neutral. A state can choose to be part of the Euro-Atlantic community and move towards EU membership. Kyiv's membership in NATO depends on consensus within the Alliance. Moscow has pressed for Ukraines neutrality and a pledge by Kyiv that it will not attempt to join the Western military alliance -- points Zelenskyy has long rejected. The memorandum spoke of potential sanctions relief against Russia, but only under specific conditions. Some restrictions can be lifted from Russia, but in stages and only gradually, with a mechanism for renewing sanctions if necessary. Frozen Russian sovereign assets are used to rebuild Ukraine or remain frozen until reparations are paid, it said. By RFE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com During a meeting with oil and gas executives in Canadas oil-producing province of Alberta, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged that the federal government would work to fast-track major projects to make Canada an energy superpower. We met with leaders in clean and conventional energy today in Calgary. We all agree: its time to build, Carney posted on X after the meeting. Canadas new government is ready to fast-track major projects across the country that will make Canada an energy superpower, said the PM. Carney also met with Albertas Premier Danielle Smith, who has been calling for years on the federal government to make Albertas energy more easily accessible for international markets and stop meddling with too much federal oversight in emissions reductions. Carney said he discussed with Smith what matters most: building one united Canadian economy including getting big things built and major infrastructure projects off the ground, in Alberta and across Canada. Smith, for her part, said that Alberta needs a guaranteed corridor and port access to tidewater off the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic coasts for the international export of Alberta resources. The oil-rich province also needs an approval of an oil pipeline to the B.C. Northwest coast, repealing the Tanker Ban to enable exports from the Port of Prince Rupert, and returning the regulation of industrial emissions to the provinces, among other things, Albertas premier added. Earlier this year, ahead of the Canadian federal elections, the chief executives of some of the largest Canadian energy companies called on Canadas main political parties to declare a Canadian energy crisis and key projects in the national interest, which would speed up reforms, planning, and construction of new oil and gas pipelines and LNG terminals. Canadians increasingly see the importance of using our abundant energy to ensure Canada can defend its sovereignty, play a role in the world as a force for good, and improve our overall economic competitiveness and prosperity, said 14 CEOs representing the four largest pipeline companies and 10 largest oil and natural gas companies in Canada. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Goldman Sachs expects OPEC+ to make its final production hike in August at the now standard level of 411,000 barrels daily. Relatively tight spot oil fundamentals, beats in hard global activity data, and seasonal summer support to oil demand suggest that the expected demand slowdown is unlikely to be sharp enough to stop raising production when deciding on August production levels on July 6th, the bank said in a note, as cited by Reuters. OPEC+ on Saturday announced another 411,000-bpd production boost to its total for the month of July, following identical additions for May and June. The market reaction to the announcement was pretty much not worth mentioning because an escalation between Russia and the Ukraine drew traders attention to the issue of geopolitics and supply security, sending oil prices actually higher. Speculation that OPEC+ could add more than 411,000 barrels daily in July contributed to the lack of a market trader reaction. In addition to its forecast that OPEC+ will stop adding supply after August, Goldmans commodity analysis team also predicted that non-OPEC+ oil production will be growing later this year while global economic growth slows. This would be bearish for oil prices, and Goldman is sticking to its forecast of Brent crude at $60 per barrel this year and West Texas Intermediate at $56 per barrel. Currently, Brent crude is trading above $64 per barrel, and WTI is changing hands for over $62 per barrel. Some commentators have seen in the OPEC+ hikes a desire on the part of Saudi Arabia to please President Donald Trump, who has been calling for cheaper oil. Meanwhile others have pointed out the annoyance in Riyadh with Iraqs and Kazakhstans persistent overproduction, leading to the decision to boost supply, affecting these two OPEC+ members oil revenues. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The Kashagan oilfield, which began production in 2013, is expected to hit the landmark 1 billion barrels of cumulative production by the end of the year, according to Kazakhstan media. Kashagan is located in the North Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan and is one of the biggest oil discoveries globally of the past 50 years. The oilfield has approximately 35 billion barrels of oil in place, of which nearly half are estimated to be recoverable. The Kashagan oilfield is being developed by the North Caspian Project consortium of international majors and Kazakhstans state oil firm KazMunayGas. The shareholders in the consortium include KazMunayGas with 16.88%, Eni, Shell, ExxonMobil, and TotalEnergies with 16.81% each, Chinas CNPC has an 8.33% stake, and Japans INPEX Ltd holds the remaining 7.56%. Since 2013, Kashagan has produced about 906 million barrels of oil and 75 billion cubic meters of gas, with total recoverable reserves estimated at around 15.885 billion barrels of oil and 1.4 trillion cubic meters of gas, Kazakhstan said last week after a meeting of Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov with Peter Larden, Senior Vice President of ExxonMobil. The parties also discussed the expansion of another giant field in Kazakhstan, Tengiz, which started up earlier this year and will boost Tengiz oil output by 260,000 barrels per day (bpd). As Kazakhstan has raised its production, it has become a major headache for the OPEC+ group, of which the country is part. Kazakhstan has defied production quotas and has been pumping well above its ceiling for years. 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 told Bloomberg last week. Separately, Kazakhstans Deputy Energy Minister Alibek Zhamauov told Interfax last week that the country had already notified OPEC it would not cut its oil production. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Russias natural gas deliveries via pipeline to Europe jumped by 10.3% in May compared to April, data calculated by Reuters showed on Monday. Last month, Russias gas giant Gazprom sent 46.0 million cubic meters of natural gas via the only remaining route to Europe TurkStream, per the Reuters estimates based on data from Entsog, the European gas transmission group. The deliveries in May compare to 41.7 million cubic meters per day that Russia supplied in April. Year to date, Russias deliveries via TurkStream rose compared to the first five months of 2024to 7.2 billion cubic meters this year, up from 6.6 billion cubic meters last year, Reuterss calculations showed. Russian gas supply via pipelines to Europe has slumped since 2022, after Russia cut off many EU customers from its gas deliveries, and Nord Stream stopped supplying gas to Germany, after Russia reduced flows and after a sabotage in September 2022. Russian gas still accounts for more than 15% of the EUs gas deliveries, including by pipeline and via LNG imports. The EU has reduced the share of Russian gas imports, from 45% of all gas imports before 2022, down to 18% now, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the end of April. Russian pipeline gas supply via Ukraine stopped on January 1, 2025, after Ukraine refused to negotiate an extension to the transit deal. However, some European countries, including Hungary, continue to receive Russian gas through the TurkStream pipeline via the Balkans. Last month, the EU unveiled a roadmap to end dependency on Russian energy. The roadmap calls for the EU to stop all imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027 by improving the transparency, monitoring, and traceability of Russian gas across the EU markets. New contracts with suppliers of Russian gas will be prevented and spot contracts (for immediate payment) will be stopped by the end of 2025, the European Commission said. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The Trump Administration is working to roll back the severe restrictions on oil and gas drilling in Alaska imposed by the Biden administration, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has said. The Biden administration suspended in 2021 oil leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, months after former President Joe Biden took over from Trumps first term in office. Biden also finalized a strategy to help protect federal lands, which includes restricting access to drilling and mining in a large part of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). In 2024, the rule restricted access to drilling and mining on more than 13 million acres in the NPR-A. Now the Trump Administration is looking to open up areas for drilling again, to follow up on President Donald Trumps executive order from Day One to unleash Alaskas extraordinary resource potential. In March, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum took immediate steps to unleash Alaskas untapped resources. The Interior said the Bureau of Land Management would pursue steps to expand opportunities for exploration and development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The BLM will also work towards partial revocation of public land withdrawals that will help solidify the path forward for the proposed Ambler Road and Alaska LNG pipeline projects, the Interior said in March. At a meeting with industry executives and elected Alaska officials on Sunday, Secretary Burgum said We're unlocking Alaskas energy, putting American workers first, and empowering our nation with innovation not regulation. Alaska has an opportunity to allow us to do one of the mandates of the Trump administration, which is to sell energy to our friends and allies, so they dont have to buy it from our adversaries, Burgum said, as carried by the Anchorage Daily News. This week, the top U.S. energy officials will also host an event in Alaska with officials from South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan to tout the $44-billion Alaska LNG project for which the United States is seeking Asian investors. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Danny DeVito "loved" playing The Penguin in 'Batman Returns'. Danny DeVito starred in the 1992 superhero film The 80-year-old actor played the iconic character in the 1992 superhero film, and DeVito relished the opportunity of playing The Penguin in the Tim Burton-directed movie. The Hollywood star - who appeared in the film alongside the likes of Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer and Christopher Walken - told Variety: "I loved it because it gave you a freedom that burst out." DeVito particularly cherished working with the film's director. He said: "You can go off the rails with something. "The operatic element of Tim Burtons 'Batman Returns' was my favourite thing about it - the music and sets and the whole thing. The Shakespeare of it - 'All the worlds a stage.' [The Penguin's] realm and his penguins and his minions and his passion. I loved that." DeVito also enjoyed the experience of working with Michelle Pfeiffer, who played Catwoman in the superhero film. He shared: "Im not comparing anything, but Im just saying, she was a goddess. If I knew she was going to be in a scene that day I got all flushed. Put extra makeup on - 'Give me another pound of makeup.' It was very difficult." DeVito actually spent hours in a make-up chair every day before filming. The veteran actor said: "We started with a five- or six-hour make-up job, then they whittled it down. Every morning, I was in the chair for three and a half hours." Despite this, DeVito ultimately developed a strict ritual during the shoot that helped him to cope with the long working days. He said: "I was there every day for 66 days. "In make-up, cooking pasta in the afternoon, having meals, making meatballs. Im in the middle of a scene in the Penguins lair, and this wonderful guy who worked with me, I [call] him over. He goes through all these catwalks; he goes, 'What is it, Dan?' And I said, 'Stir the sauce.' He had to go back to the trailer to stir the tomato sauce." What's more, DeVito actually spent time with some penguins in preparation for playing the iconic character. The movie star recalled: "I went down to the zoo in San Diego, and they let me in the back to go hang out with the king penguins." DeVito's performance as The Penguin remains one of the most memorable of his career. And the actor previously revealed that he'd happily return to the Batman franchise if Tim Burton helms another movie. He told ScreenRant: "If Tim Burton was directing it, Id be there in a second. Oswald Cobblepot is my favourite. I had a good time. Its operatic. "I like every once in a while going big, and so Id do that in a second. We had a ball doing that." Turkeys state energy firm TPAO will sign a partnership deal with UK-based supermajor BP and with Azerbaijans state oil and gas company Socar for the development of a natural gas field in the Azeri sector of the Caspian Sea, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on Monday. The Turkish state energy firm TPAO will sign on Tuesday an agreement with BP and Socar for the Shafag-Asiman field, the Turkish energy ministry said on Monday. BP and Socar have been partners developing the Shafag-Asiman field, where the first exploration well was spudded in 2020. BP is operator and holds a 50% interest in the Shafag-Asiman production sharing agreement (PSA) with partner SOCAR holding a 50% interest. Now Turkeys TPAO is entering the agreement with a 30% share, Minister Bayraktar said at an energy forum in Baku. We are also talking about other fields, especially in the Caspian Sea, the Turkish official added, referring to the Turkish-Azeri energy cooperation. Earlier this year, Bayraktar said that Turkey is boosting domestic natural gas production in its Black Sea waters and is looking to expand its international partnerships in oil and gas exploration in Bulgarias Black Sea, in the Caspian Sea region, and in Iraq. Turkey explores opportunities for international cooperation in oil and gas exploration in Azerbaijan and other Caspian Sea areas, and potential new field exploration in northern and southern Iraq, according to the Turkish energy minister. While Turkey looks to boost its international presence in oil and gas exploration, the country has just completed phase one development at the Sakarya Gas Field in its Black Sea waters. Turkey has been boosting natural gas production from its Black Sea operations, where massive gas reserves have been found in recent years. At Sakarya, daily gas production is now around 9.5 million cubic meters, which provides gas and energy to about 4 million Turkish households. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Make UK, a manufacturing industry body, has warned that sky-high energy costs for industrial consumers are compromising the countrys future in manufacturing. The UK has the highest energy costs in the developed world because of successive governments efforts to shift the economy from hydrocarbons to wind, solar, and batteries that require heavy subsidization through a combination of incentives and higher taxes, including carbon taxes on gas generators. If we do not address the issue of high industrial energy costs in the UK as a priority, we risk the security of our country, the chief executive of Make UK said, as quoted by Reuters. We will fail to attract investment in the manufacturing sector and will rapidly enter a phase of renewed de-industrialisation, Stephen Phipson added. Reuters earlier reported that the share of manufacturing in the UK economy has been in a stable decline for three decadesa process commonly known as deindustrialization. In 2024, it reached an all-time low of 9% of GDP. Other developed economies are also deindustrializing, but the process is the fastest in the UK, the publication noted. One big reason for the recent acceleration in this process is the fast rise in energy costs. The Starmer government and proponents of the energy transition are blaming the price of natural gas and the fact that final electricity prices are set by the baseload generators, which happen to run on gas in the UK. With local gas production down, the UK has had to lean more heavily on imports and, politicians and activists argue, this is what is pushing costs higher. However, these comments omit some important facts, such as, for instance, the carbon tax, which it imposes on hydrocarbon power generators. This naturally affects the final price of their output as does the fact that these generators do not run their plants as they are supposed to be run, namely, around the clock. Instead, they ramp up and down in response to wind and solar output fluctuations, which also adds to the cost of the electricity they produce. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The national average price of gasoline in the United States has declined by 3.8 cents over the past week, now standing at $3.09 per gallon, according to GasBuddy's latest report. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, noted, "The national average has seen a modest decline, but with oil prices rising again, we could see the trend reverse in the coming weeks." Despite the recent dip, regional variations persist. States like Mississippi and Texas report some of the lowest averages at $2.64 and $2.70 per gallon, respectively, while California and Hawaii remain the highest at $4.77 and $4.47. "Based on gasoline demand, the lead-up to the Memorial Day holiday kicked off the summer driving season with gusto. But one strong week isn't enough to significantly move retail gasoline prices, especially with domestic production continuing near record levels, AAA spokesperson Lauren Fabrizi told CT Insider. Mondays oil prices could be a spoiler if they show any staying power. Oil prices jumped nearly 4% on Monday following a major overnight drone assault by Ukraine on Russian military airfields, reportedly destroying over 40 aircraft and igniting fires across Kursk and Voronezh. Russia claims it intercepted 162 drones. The attack deepens geopolitical tensions, driving Brent to $65.15 and WTI to $63.17 by midday. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs reiterated that OPEC+ is likely to implement its final planned output hike of 411,000 bpd in August, despite expectations of a demand slowdown. OPEC confirmed a similar increase for July over the weekend, adding to upward momentum in crude markets. With oil prices surging on Monday, analysts warn that while current prices offer relief to consumers, factors such as OPEC+ production decisions and geopolitical tensions are set to significantly influence future trends. "If oil prices continue to climb, we may see gasoline prices follow suit, especially as summer demand peaks, De Haan wrote. By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Canadas Alberta province is facing one of its worst early-season wildfire crises in recent memory, with industry officials confirming on Monday that over 50% of the provinces oil production has been forced offline as flames sweep through critical infrastructure zones. Seven key oil producers have scaled back or halted operations entirely. The fires have triggered evacuations in production hubs including Fort McMurray, echoing the catastrophic 2016 wildfires that paralyzed Canadas energy heartland. The Alberta government has yet to issue formal production impact numbers, but officials with direct knowledge say the fires are now threatening both SAGD facilities and pipeline corridors, according to Bloomberg. This is an operational nightmare, said Rory Johnston, founder of Commodity Context, in a note Monday cited by Bloomberg. The timingjust as global crude inventories are tighteningadds serious bullish pressure to markets. He added that the market may underestimate the structural fragility of Albertas wildfire preparedness. The wildfire season in Alberta kicked off in earnest last week, with the first community evacuations issued. Canadian Natural Resources and Cenovus Energy are among firms confirming operational disruptions. Cenovus has temporarily shut down multiple steam-driven projects and evacuated non-essential personnel. The industry learned a lot from 2016, said Laura Lau, Chief Investment Officer at Brompton Funds, in a BNN Bloomberg interview. But even with improved response plans, you can't outrun wildfires when the weather turns against you. As of Monday afternoon, fire crews remained stretched across more than 100 active burn sites in Alberta, with unusually dry conditions forecast to persist through the week. Canadas wildfire-driven production losses are hitting a global market already grappling with a shortage of heavy crude. Seasonal maintenance at Albertas oil sands projects had recently reduced output, and U.S. sanctions are choking off additional barrels from Venezuela, one of the few producers with a comparable grade. The result is a tightening supply squeeze just as demand for heavy blends picks up. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com US steel and aluminum stocks saw significant gains in premarket trading following the tariff announcement. President Trump announced a doubling of steel and aluminum tariffs from 25% to 50%, aiming to boost US manufacturing. President Trump announced Friday that steel and aluminum tariffs will double from 25% to 50%, calling the move a cornerstone of his "America First" agenda to revive U.S. manufacturing. The tariffs, set to take effect Wednesday, sparked a sharp rally in U.S. metal stocks in premarket trading as investors bet on stronger domestic production and profits. Trump visited a U.S. Steel plant near Pittsburgh at the end of last week to promote a pending partnership with Japan's Nippon Steel, describing the deal as a "planned investment" that would keep the iconic steel plant operating in the U.S. despite foreign involvement. He also revealed the increased steel tariffs at the event: "I believe that this group of people that just made this investments right now are very happy, because that means that nobody's going to be able to steal your industry. It's at 25%, they can sort of get over that fence, at 50% they can no longer get over the fence." By early Monday morning in premarket trading, shares of steel and aluminum companies jumped on the tariff news: Cleveland-Cliffs : +32.8% Nucor : +14% Steel Dynamics : +5.9% Century Aluminum : +13% U.S. Steel: Flat Alcoa, Kaiser Aluminum : Flat ArcelorMittal : Shares dropped Acerinox : Shares jumped Chart: Cleveland-Cliffs BMO Capital Markets analyst Katja Jancic told clients that steel and aluminum tariffs led her to upgrade Nucor from market perform to outperform while downgrading Algoma to market perform from outperform "as the company is a relative tariff loser." "Nucor is executing on a multi-year organic growth plan that should, over time, support higher through-cycle profitability and FCF," Jancic said. She set Nucor's price target to $145, implying a 33% increase from the last close. Goldman analysts Eoin Dinsmore, Aurelia Waltham, and others provided clients with the understanding that steel and aluminum tariffs increase the chances of copper tariffs: President Trump has announced that the steel and aluminium Section 232 tariffs will be doubled to 50% on June 4. In March, the S232 aluminium tariff was increased from 10% to 25% and all exemptions to the steel and aluminium tariffs were removed. Since then, the prices that U.S. steel and aluminium consumers pay have risen, with U.S. steel prices now accounting for 100% of the higher tariff[1] and the U.S. Midwest aluminium premium - the price paid on top of the LME price of physical delivery - accounting for ~85%[2] of the current 25% tariff. On the investment front, since the tariff increased, the UAE firm Emirates Global Aluminium has announced a $4bn investment in a US-based aluminium smelter with first production scheduled in 2030. No major new steel investments have been announced, but the previously announced major investments from Japan's Nippon Steel and South Korea's Hyundai are starting to progress after delays. The market expectation is that overseas companies that invest will get some form of tariff relief on current shipments to the U.S., which poses a risk to full tariff pricing. If the higher metals tariffs come into effect, and remain in place, the U.S. Midwest aluminium premium would need to rise to around 68-70c/lb from 38c/lb to keep imports flowing. The U.S. spot steel (hot rolled coil) price is now at $888/st[3], up 29% YTD (but down 10% from the March highs). While U.S. steel futures are likely to rally if the new 50% tariff comes into effect, we maintain the view that the full tariff (either the existing 25%, or announced 50%) does not need to be accounted for in spot prices (for now), due to still-high U.S. steel inventories, lacklustre demand, and a relatively low import requirement. Higher prices are also likely to weigh further on U.S. steel demand from the manufacturing sector, which we already expect to contract this year. We think the higher metals tariffs lifts the probability a copper import tariff is imposed following the ongoing S232 investigation - which we already thought was underpriced. However, any future U.S. copper investments may come with some form of duty exemption, which could undermine full duty pricing. The Dec-25 U.S. copper price was trading at a 12% ($1,135/t) premium to the London traded global benchmark on Friday, suggesting $1,235/3,605/t upside if a 25/50% tariff is delivered. We therefore reiterate our long Dec-25 COMEX-LME copper arbitrage trade recommendation. According to Morgan Stanley's trade data, the U.S. imports about 17% of its steel needs, primarily from Canada, Brazil, and Mexico. The question now is whether the countries most impacted by Trump's new metal tariffs will respond in a tit-for-tat effort. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com A first for some University of Nebraska-Lincoln architecture students could also be the start of something new for Omaha. Ground will be broken Monday on two innovative homes in Benson, smaller dwellings that can fill the needs of people wanting to downsize as they age or appeal to young buyers looking for a first home under $200,000. Both houses, designed by UNL students to fit into small spaces without disturbing the vibe of an entire neighborhood, are expected to be done by the end of the year. Its really the beginning of a new way to think about infill housing in the Omaha area, said Jessica Scheuerman, executive director of Partners for Livable Omaha. The target buyer is literally anyone. Her company, founded in 2020, is dedicated to increasing livability in the Omaha area. The first two homes in the OurStory project will be built on an empty single-family lot at the corner of 58th and Corby Streets. The property has been divided in two. One house 802 square feet with two bedrooms has sold for $190,000. The other 618 square feet with one bedroom will sell for $150,000. Masters of architecture students of UNL professor Jeffrey L. Day spent the past two semesters designing the homes in the colleges FACT (Fabrication and Construction Team) design build studio. This time, however, it wasnt just a practice run as they learned their profession. FACT students were involved in every stage of the project from research and community engagement to design, prototyping and pre-construction planning. They were working with real constraints and challenges and seeing something get built instead of the hypothetical design work they do in the studio, Day said. I think thats why they all wanted to continue with the project. They were really excited to see this project all the way through. Architecture student Paulina Garcia, who lives in Omaha, said there was a lot to think about. Because the houses could be for older adults, they planned for no steps. A smaller house meant smaller refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers. If the owner was cooking, where would they provide space for prep work? They decided to use structural insulated panels in place of standard stick framing for the houses, a method not typically seen in this area that Day said will reduce time on site for the build and be more energy efficient. Although they wont be part of the actual construction, students built some of the kitchen and storage cabinetry that will be part of the first two houses. Garcia loved working on the project, and hopes the experience in another year will help her land a job in her field. Its definitely a challenge to put yourself into the mindset that this is real. Its serious, she said. Its going to be lived in. We dont want to be causing any issues down the road because we didnt think about something. It took a lot of feedback from many sources to reach this stage, Scheuerman said. She and Day conceived the idea for the homes, working closely with the City of Omaha. Holy Name Housing is the general contractor. These are small houses but a big partnership, Scheuerman said. Were building momentum together to help empower people who are looking for new housing options. Omaha is very invested in empowering people to look at accessory dwelling units, Scheuerman said, meaning that anything that makes it easier to build those kinds of structures is a win. The same partnerships hope to develop a catalog by the end of the year that people could use to build their own small houses, perhaps in their backyards for an aging parent who still wants to live on their own. The company would provide architectural and design services for people who want to build with the system, the footprint of which is about the size of a detached two-car garage. Our goal is for this to be very turn key, she said. Garcia and some of the other students will attend the 10 a.m. groundbreaking Monday. Mayor-elect John Ewing, City Council President Pete Festersen and K.C. Belitz from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development will be among those offering remarks. The students are excited about the publicity surrounding the project and everything theyve learned, Day said. They liked that it was a group project, and they all had a hand in it. The class, Day said, designed modern and contemporary houses that will appeal to both younger and older clients. Garcia said it was a long project but fun. I think Im very lucky to have the opportunity to work on this project, she said. Its definitely something Im very proud of. BLOOMINGTON For over 30 years, Jan Lancaster has been celebrating Pride with people in the Twin Cities who identify as LGBTQ+, whom she affectionately calls "kids." As June is National Pride Month, Lancaster looked back on her long career as "Momma" at her downtown Bloomington bar, The Bistro, and shared what Pride looks like for folks in Bloomington-Normal in 2025. Pride Fest in Bloomington will be hosted by The Bistro and is scheduled for Saturday, July 26. 1. Do you have anything special planned for Pride Month? Every month is Pride Month for me. So, I'll start off, the reason why we don't do our Pride Fest in June is because there are so many other Pride Fests across the state, big ones in Chicago and St. Louis. So, in order to avoid all those other Pride Fests, we've had it in July. And that, also, is a time when kids are out of school, so it just ends up being a bigger fest. Obviously, with Pride Month, we do a lot of activities constantly. We have a kickoff. Our book club is going to do a Pride book for June, and our shows will be focused for Pride Month in the month of June. There'll be two or three drag shows in June that will be celebrating Pride. We're also doing that Gender Euphoria (event), which we're doing the last Saturday in June. So, I think we pretty much will just celebrate the community. Editor's note: Gender Euphoria is a private monthly meeting hosted by The Bistro for transgender, intersex, gender nonconforming and nonbinary people, age 21 and up, that aims to build community. 2. There is a special performer for the main stage at Pride Fest in July. Can you say who that it? Leah Marlene. Dave Bentlin from Prairie Pride (Coalition) happened to work with her brother at Illinois State University, and we were talking about who we could bring in as a headliner or whatever. And her name came up. Who would have thought we would be able to get her here at our little Pride Fest? But he contacted her, and she said yes. I've talked to her on Zoom a couple times, and she's just a sweet, sweet person. We're very excited to have her here. 3. What other events can people expect from Pride Fest? I don't know if you've ever watched (The Boulet Brothers') "Dragula?" It's kind of like a "RuPaul Show," but scary, and it's pretty famous. It's on TV, and they tour the country. Anyway, one of our local performers that is from Rockford that did her very first drag appearance here (at The Bistro) when she was at ISU. She came in second on (season 6 of) "Dragula," Auntie Heroine, she will be coming back for Pride Fest. We also will have Pride Idol, of course. We have a choir with Community Players (Theatre). 4. What does it mean to you to create this space where members of the LGBTQ+ community can feel safe? When I look at it, sometimes it shocks me that it has developed into this place that I call home. When I first opened, I really didn't know what I was doing. I had never owned a bar before, and so, I think I approached it as having a party in my house. That's kind of how I started. But I've always been a pretty compassionate person. And I think, early on, I found that this community needs a safe space. Over the years, it just developed into more of a space for education. And to see the hundreds of kids that have come through my doorway and have really succeeded, and also to be there for their struggles... Early on, there were so many people that their families were not accepting, and they didn't have resources to go somewhere. So, I learned very quickly how to create resources or where to go to find resources for them. Over the years, when people meet me, what they see is pretty much what they get. I'm a pretty honest person. When I say I'm here to help you, I'm here to help you, and I will do whatever I can to help solve a problem that you may have. ... Over 30-plus years, people have come to know that this is a safe space. They can come in and find help. My employees are also each one is just a special human, and they are willing to help, whatever is needed. And I think that that's why we've lasted so long when a lot of the alternative gay bars were closing; we were somehow able to hang on. We've had some pretty lean years, but I was always determined that there was no way I was ever going to close, that I was always going to be here to offer this space. And, yes, you do have to change with the time. You have to grow, and you have to learn. That's part of any business. I think people realize that it isn't just about making money. It's more about making enough to stay open. 5. Do you have any biological children? I have two children. My oldest one, John, is 53, and my daughter is Sarah. She is seven years younger. ... I'm sure it wasn't easy for them to answer, like, "What does your mom do?" Because I had been the president of downtown a lot. I mean, my name is known. I had a restaurant. When the kids were in school, you know, "What's your mom do?" "Well, she owns a gay bar or whatever." I'm sure they had some flack. But both my kids are so supportive of me. And my daughter, who lives in town, and my granddaughter are both just great, caring kids. And I'm really proud of what they've accomplished. 6. Who gave you the nickname "Momma"? Well, it's a funny story, kind of. I worked for the Music Shoppe many, many years, and we had hired this guy in our repair department (Scot Shickel). He just retired from the Pontiac school system. He was band director. Anyway, he started working the door for me (at The Bistro). And I don't know how it happened. One night he just, out of the blue ... he started calling me "Momma." And the next thing, everybody's calling me "Momma." So, it was kind of a fluke. ... That's how it started. It was just a fluke, like, a kid calling me "Momma," and it just turned into something more. 7. What motivates you to keep The Bistro open in 2025? The next day (after the 2024 presidential election), I opened, and the bar was full (with) kids in here crying. I mean, it was so upsetting that day to see so many people worry about what they were going to do, how they were going to do. People were asking me, "I've been wanting to change my name. What do you think?" I said, "Get it changed before January, before (Donald Trump) is seated." "Should we get married now?" "Yes, if you were going to plan on getting married, get married." I said, "Just start thinking of ways to protect yourself." But, most of all, the thing that you need (to remember), this is not the end. We are not going to stop going forward. We are not going to stop the fight. I think that helped them know that I wasn't defeated, that we are going to move forward on this, and we're not going to let this overtake us. ... People are afraid for their safety and their rights. And, to see that happen, and all you can do is say, "We are not done fighting this." ... The community is going to be here. We've always been here. There's always been a community since the beginning of time, so they're not going anywhere. 8. Do you have safety concerns for July's Pride Fest? It's weird, because I was just talking to the (McLean County) Democrats about something, and they asked me a couple questions. I said, after (Trump) got elected, either Pride is going to be huge because people from all the cities will want to come and be supportive, or people are going to be afraid and stay home. Director Scott Derrickson has revealed the setting for 'The Shining' directly inspired his upcoming film 'Black Phone 2'. Finn and The Grabber in Black Phone 2 The 58-year-old filmmaker is bringing back child adductor The Grabber - played by Ethan Hawke - following the success of his 2022 supernatural horror, which was based on the characters featured in Joe Hill's collection of short stories '20th Century Ghosts'. The sequel is partly set at a place known as Alpine Lake Youth Camp and that wintery setting in the Rocky Mountains is the same location as The Overlook Hotel that sends Jack Torrance mad in Stanley Kubrick's 1980 horror classic which is based on Stephen King's book of the same name. Derrickson also wanted to acknowledge the tradition of school camp horror films - the most popular franchise being 'Friday the 13th' which is set at Camp Crystal Lake summer camp. In an interview with Collider, Derrickson said: "I really like to use weather as a character if I have an opportunity to do it, so the winter, Rocky Mountain camp environment was also an inspiration for me to say yes to doing the movie. Of course, you've got 'The Shining' that you're drawing on because that was The Overlook Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, where they filmed the exterior of that. "And, of course, you've got the little tradition of camp horror, but it's almost always summer camp. There aren't a lot of winter camp movies. I went to both as a high school kid, and it was always the winter camps that were more powerful and memorable." Derrickson also revealed that he put many of his own school experiences into 'The Black Phone' and the sequel - which is set four years after the events of the first film. He added: "It's really drawing on my experience as a high schooler. I poured so much of my childhood and early middle school years into 'The Black Phone'. "In high school, as I got older, I spent more and more time in the Rocky Mountains. I'd ski every weekend, and I spent a lot of time at these winter camps that they have up there. They're really incredible experiences. To be in the violence of that weather, the blizzards and all of that, the beauty of the surrounding mountains, to be in several feet of snow all the time, there's something mesmerizingly powerful about that." Derrickson admits the passage of time for the story was a major factor in him agreeing to make a sequel as he could explore what the effects of the first film's plot had on Mason Thames' character Finney and Madeleine McGraw's alter ego Gwen. He said: "As soon as the first movie was a hit, Universal was asking me to make a sequel, hoping I'd make a sequel. I didn't feel obliged to do that, but I certainly wasn't going to do it if I didn't have a reason to do it beyond any kind of cash grab. So I was looking for an idea, and Joe Hill emailed me a pitch for a sequel. Some of it I didn't respond to, but there was an idea within that email that I thought was fantastic that I had never thought of. So, I started to noodle on that idea. "Then, really, what made me decide to go ahead and commit to making a sequel was that I realised if I went and made another movie first and didn't go straight into a sequel, which I'm sure everybody would have liked, if I waited and made another movie first, then these kids would be in high school. "That became a very exciting prospect to me to be able to continue with these characters, but in a really different phase of their lives, both as characters and as actors. These kids would really be in high school, and wed make a high school coming-of-age horror film as opposed to a middle school movie. Once I had that idea, I think that's when I committed to doing it." 'Black Phone 2' will be released in cinemas in October 2025. 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: Map of Seunggi Stream, sample sites, and surrounding land use. Credit: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s10661-025-13983-x An undergraduate student-led Mason Impact project at Mason Korea resulted in a co-authored article published in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. "Accessible water quality monitoring through hybrid humanmachine colorimetric methods" stems from the Mason Impact project focused on environmental conditions in the Seunggi-cheon stream in Incheon. Under the mentorship of Soyoung Kwon, associate dean of external affairs and professor of global affairs, and Dakota McCarty, an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Mason Korea students collected and analyzed water samples, tested an innovative low-cost method for monitoring water quality, and contributed new insights to the field. Their approach combined colorimetric testing with human-guided digital analysis, producing data that closely aligned with laboratory results. The project gave students valuable, hands-on experience in all stages of academic researchfrom fieldwork and data analysis to writing and publication. It introduced them to the world of scientific inquiry and academic publishing, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and credentials to pursue future research and graduate study. "Working with Dr. McCarty and the other Center for Security Policy Studies Fellows gave me new insight into environmental security concerns like access to clean drinking water," said Sam Sims, a junior global affairs major. "Now it's an important part of how I think about security as a whole." "[This paper] highlights the power of collaborative inquiry and the real social impact of student research," Kwon said. "Mentoring these emerging scholars was incredibly rewarding, and I hope it inspires future student-led projects." McCarty agreed. "I'm incredibly proud of the students. Moving from a local project to a peer-reviewed international publication is a rare achievement at the undergraduate level," he said. "It not only gives students a glimpse into real research but also strengthens their academic profiles for graduate school and beyond." More information: Dakota Aaron McCarty et al, Accessible water quality monitoring through hybrid humanmachine colorimetric methods, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s10661-025-13983-x 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: Artists illustration of a nuclear propulsion spacecraft. Credit: NASA How can fission-powered propulsion help advance deep space exploration, specifically to the outer planets like Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune? This is what a recent study presented at the 56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC 2025) hopes to address as a pair of researchers from India investigated the financial, logistical, and reliability of using fission power for future deep space missions. This study has the potential to help scientists, engineers, and future astronauts develop next-generation technologies as humanity continues to expand its presence in space. Here, Universe Today discusses this incredible research with Malaya Kumar Biswal, who is the Founder & CEO of Acceleron Aerospace in Bangalore, India, regarding the motivation behind the study, significant takeaways, and exploring other star systems. Therefore, what was the motivation behind the study? "The primary motivation for this study was the growing realization that our current propulsion and power systemsparticularly chemical and solar-basedare not sufficient for long-duration or deep space missions," Biswal tells Universe Today. "As we push the boundaries of exploration toward Mars, the outer planets, and even interstellar space, we need power systems that are not only reliable but also capable of delivering sustained energy for decades. "Nuclear power, especially fission-based systems, offers a solution with its high energy density and independence from sunlight. Our aim was to explore how these technologies could transform the way we plan, power, and execute missions beyond Earth orbit, enabling true multiplanetary and interstellar missions." For the study, the researchers evaluated a myriad of characteristics regarding how fission-powered propulsion systems could successfully advance deep space exploration, including power systems, key advantages, notable developments, potential applications, and limitations. This involved in-depth analyses into radioisotope electric propulsion, fission electric propulsion, high-power output and needs, long-duration missions, NASA's KRUSTY (Kilowatt Reactor Using Stirling Technology) proposed concept, multiplanet exploration, moon and Mars crewed missions, and comparing to traditional systems. In the end, the researchers referred to fission power propulsion as a "game-changer" offering a myriad of benefits and advances beyond current propulsion technologies with very few limitations, specifically radiation shielding and mass. But what are the most significant takeaways from this study? Biswal tells Universe Today, "First, fission power systems offer significantly higher and more consistent power output than traditional sources, which is critical for both propulsion and life-support systems on long missions. Second, these systems can reduce transit time, support larger payloads, and operate in environments where solar power simply isn't viablesuch as deep space or shadowed planetary surfaces. "Third, while the technology shows incredible promise, it also comes with challenges, particularly in radiation shielding, safety protocols, and system mass. However, ongoing developments like NASA's Kilopower project show that we're moving steadily toward making this a practical reality." The researchers discuss in-depth how fission propulsion could be used to explore the entire solar system, all the way out to the Kuiper Belt, which begins at the inner orbit of Neptune at approximately 30 astronomical units (AU) and extends as far as 50 AU, with 1 AU being the distance from the sun to Earth. For context, the AU distances to Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are 0.39, 0.72, 1.52, 5.20, 9.54, 19.22, 30.06, and 39.5, respectively. The researchers note these travel distances are possible due to fission propulsion being able to function for decades, opening doors to expanding humanity's presence well beyond Earth, possibly to the moons of the giant planets. While this study doesn't mention traveling beyond the solar system and into interstellar space, other studies have proposed sending spacecraft to our nearest star, Proxima Centauri. Therefore, could nuclear-powered propulsion be used to explore other star systems, specifically Proxima Centauri? Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Biswal tells Universe Today, "Exploring another star system like Proxima Centauri is a monumental challenge, but nuclear propulsion is one of the few technologies that could make it conceivable within this century. Although reaching Proxima Centauri, which is over 4 light-years away, would still require travel times of several decades to centuries with current technology, nuclear-powered propulsionespecially when combined with electric or ion propulsion systemscould drastically improve our reach and reduce mission duration compared to conventional methods." Biswal continues, "For such interstellar missions, high-thrust nuclear thermal propulsion could be used to exit the solar system efficiently, followed by long-duration electric propulsion powered by nuclear reactors to maintain velocity. In theory, these systems could enable probe missions that might one day send back data from nearby exoplanets. While we're not there yet, this study forms part of the groundwork needed to seriously consider such possibilities in the future." This study comes as these same researchers also presented a study at the 56th LPSC proposing the use of a Human-Crewed Interplanetary Transport Architecture (HUCITAR) for exploring Mars and the dwarf planet Ceres, which is also the largest planetary body on the Main Asteroid Belt with evidence that it once contained a subsurface salty liquid water ocean. This HUCITAR study builds on a 2021 study and 2022 study they presented at the AIAA SciTech Forum that also discussed human exploration of Mars and Ceres. As humanity continues to expand beyond Earth and into the cosmos, these studies could provide the framework for future exploration initiatives, enabling humans to reach distant worlds and establish permanent settlements both within and beyond the solar system in just a few generations. Biswal tells Universe Today, "Our proposed architecture makes a strong case for Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) and Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) as essential enablers of reduced transit time, increased payload capacity, and mission redundancy. In addition to propulsion, our studies examine mission design in detail, including trajectory optimization, cost models, safety protocols, power generation using RTGs [Radioisotope thermoelectric generator] and fission reactors, and astronaut health considerations for long-duration exposure." Biswal continues, "If there's one key message we want to leave with readers, it's that nuclear-powered systems are not just a distant dreamthey are rapidly becoming a necessity for meaningful exploration beyond low Earth orbit. At Acceleron Aerospace, we're committed to providing the foundational research, technologies, and mission concepts needed to make this vision achievable, starting with Mars and Ceres, and eventually extending to the outer solar system." More information: Nuclear-Powered Propulsion Systems for Multiplanetary and Deep Space Exploration. www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2025/pdf/2368.pdf 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: Search Field for the 1408 Super(Nova) Event. Credit: Boshun Yang Identifying ancient Chinese astronomical events represents a fascinating aspect of modern astrophysics. Chinese astronomers maintained meticulous records of celestial events for more than 2 millennia, documenting everything from "guest stars" (temporary bright objects) to comets, eclipses, and planetary conjunctions with remarkable precision and consistency. These records provide a wonderful archive of observations that often predate Western records by centuries. However, translating them and identifying their true nature presents significant challenges: ancient terminology must be translated, coordinate systems converted, and the nature of transient events determined from often brief descriptions. When successfully identified, these observations can provide crucial data for understanding a variety of events but when unidentified, can provide a head-scratching mystery that lasts for decades, even centuries. Once such event, the Chinese guest star of 1408 CE was recorded in Ming Dynasty documents during October of that year. The event was described as a stationary yellow object that remained visible for more than 10 days. Located near the Niandao asterism in the modern Cygnus-Vulpecula region, it displayed characteristics consistent with a nova: substantial brightness (estimated between -4 to 0 magnitude), color stability, and a steady light curve over an extended period. Until now, this 600-year-old mystery has presented a challenge to modern astronomy, requiring interpretation of historical astronomical records. A team of astronomers led by Boshun Yang from the University of Science and Technology of China now believe they have unraveled the mystery thanks largely to the discovery of additional evidence. Their paper is published on the arXiv preprint server. A detailed congratulatory memorial has been unearthed that was written by court scholar Hu Guang just weeks after the 1408 guest star observation, providing much more authentic information than previously available shortened records. This memorial from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau describes the object as appearing "as large as a cup, with pure yellow color, smooth and bright" and remaining "stationary and calm over ten days of measurement and observation" in the southern region of Niandao. The discovery of this document eliminates concerns about fabricated records and reveals important translation differences. The careful choice of positive language, describing the star as "yellow" and "lustrous" rather than having "rays" or "spikes," reflects how Chinese astronomers deliberately avoided ominous descriptions when reporting to the emperor, prioritizing political concerns over purely objective astronomical language while still providing valuable observational details about the event. The team conclude that the description as remaining "stationary and calm" for more than 10 days strongly indicates it was a stellar transient rather than a comet, with its stable light curve suggesting a specific type of nova with plateau characteristics. While the reported yellow color should be interpreted cautiously due to Chinese cultural preferences for colors and limited historical color terminology, the object was clearly visible against the bright Milky Way background and bright enough for court officials to observe and discuss. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. The brightness can be estimated from several clues: colors are only visible in stars brighter than magnitude 2 and the term "Zhou Bo star" was reserved for extraordinarily bright phenomena. This combination of sustained brightness, color visibility, and the ceremonial importance placed on the observation by court astronomers indicates the 1408 event was likely a significant nova that remained remarkably stable over its extended observation period. Confidence from the team is high that they have finally resolved the identity of the 1408 event, although, of course, we may never be 100% sure. By combining careful analysis of newly discovered primary documents with contemporary stellar physics, Yang and the team have transformed a centuries-old puzzle into valuable scientific data about an ancient stellar event. This breakthrough demonstrates how ancient Chinese astronomical records, when properly interpreted, can contribute meaningful insights to our understanding of nova behavior and stellar evolution. The 1408 nova joins other successfully identified Chinese guest stars like the Crab Nebula supernova of 1054, proving the importance of historical observations. More information: Boshun Yang et al, Was there a (super)nova in 1408? arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2505.10728 Journal information: arXiv 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: Nothing strikes fear into the hearts of home dwellers and hotel guests quite like the bedbug. The tiny, blood-sucking pests are notoriously difficult to exterminate, competing with cockroaches, mice and lice for the title of humanity's least favorite roommate. But when did the bedbug's bite truly become entwined with our hope to sleep tight? While bedbugs have been feeding on humanity since time immemorial, they've largely been haunting our nightmares for just the last 13,000 years or so, according to new research led in part by Virginia Commonwealth University Life Sciences professor Brian Verrelli, Ph.D. That's because humans first moved into cities around that time, giving bedbugs an opportunity to thrive in their new, closer quarters, according to the new research. That could make bedbugs the earliest known urban pest, whose rise has tracked the movements of our species over millennia. Verrelli, who is part of VCU's Center for Biological Data Science, worked on the study with colleagues from Virginia Tech, including his former doctoral student and lead author, Lindsay Miles, Ph.D., as well as senior author Warren Booth, Ph.D. VCU News spoke with Verrelli to find out more about the origins of what may be humanity's oldest nuisance. What are bedbugs, and where did they come from? The bedbug is a small, flightless insect that feeds exclusively on blood for its nutrition and primarily uses humans as its host. It comes from an insect group that is composed of over 100 species that first appeared more than 100 million years ago. The bedbug is most closely related to the "bat bug," which is a lineage of the insect that uses bats as its host. Based on genetic evidence, it is believed that the bat bug lineage is the ancestral one, from which the bedbug lineage sprang about 245,000 years ago. What caused bedbugs to jump from bats to humans? Our early human ancestors likely shared caves and other dwellings that bats also inhabited. In those close quarters, these bat bug insects successfully jumped to humans as a new host over time. We know from genetic and other data that bedbugs today have multiple differences that have enabled them to adapt well to humans as their host, so much so that the bedbug species is now specifically adapted to humans over bats. Why did bedbug populations surge when humans moved into cities? Bedbugs had become well-adapted to their hosts by this time (having made the jump to human ancestors over 245,000 years ago), so once humans started moving around and adapting to different environments, the bedbugs went with them. Since we see that bedbugs sustained this close relationship with modern humans during this entire time, it means that this global dispersal was successful for themthe bedbug lineage did not "die out" or jump to another host. How did you trace bedbug populations back over thousands of years? We used a sample of modern-day bedbug populations, analyzed their genome sequences and built "family trees" of themjust like how we can compare human DNA today to figure out who is most closely related to whom. Bedbug genomes hold their historical family relationships, too. We simulated many different bedbug population scenarios and looked at what the patterns of genetic diversity were in those simulated family trees. Then we estimated the bedbug family tree from the genetic data that we collected, and compared the observed and simulated patterns to see which simulated scenario, and thus history, the current bedbug population most closely matched. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. What did your study find? When we compared the genetic patterns in the observed bedbug population with the simulated populations, we found that the pattern most resembled a history where the bedbug population underwent a rapid increase in size about 13,000 years ago to get to where it is today. This timing is coincident with the timing of humans expanding their populations geographically into what most have called the first cities in our history. Given we know that bedbugs have been associated with human ancestors for over 200,000 years prior to this time, it makes sense that when the human population expanded, so did the bedbug population. This is very interesting, as it supports the idea that once bedbugs had become well-adapted to humans, they then stayed with them and continued this long relationship that now mirrors what humans did over time. Could this research change how we combat bedbugs in our modern lives? Through other studies of pest genomes, we have learned what genes and different biological pathways have changed over time to help pests better adapt to humans and city environments, including traits like insecticide resistance. With this study, we can now also understand when these genes and pathways evolved, which helps us figure out how better to coexist with them. Unlike other fleeting relationships that humans have with our natural worldsuch as viral infections or pest invasionwe can instead design long-term behavioral and pest-resistance strategies to help us coexist for the long haul. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Concerningly low amounts of water are flowing from the Rocky Mountain snowpack this spring, a summer of drought looms across swaths of the West, and the negotiators tasked with devising a sustainable long-term water plan for the 40 million people who rely on the Colorado River are running out of time. Commissioners from the seven states in the Colorado River BasinColorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, California and Nevadamust create a plan that will govern how those states divvy up the river's water after the current guidelines expire at the end of 2026. As the river shrinks due to drought and climate change, the negotiators must decide who will take less waterand they need to do so in the next few months. "The way the law of the river is set up, this is a decision that takes the seven states, and there are so many stakeholders and users who depend on that," said Jennifer Pitt, Colorado River program director at the National Audubon Society. "We are really at their mercy and we are just about out of time." The negotiators, who met in Las Vegas this week, have repeatedly said they are committed to finding a consensus solution, but have not yet done so and have already blown past previous deadlines set by federal authorities more than a year ago. JB Hamby, California's negotiator, said in an interview that the states have been meeting several times a month since December, when tensions between the states burst into public view during a conference. Both the frequency and the tenor of the meetings have since improved, he said. "I think there's a lot to be heartened by and the states are committed to working towards a solution," Hamby said. If the states cannot come to an agreement, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will implement its own plan. That outcome could prompt years of expensive litigation and put complicated water management questions in the hands of judges not specialized in the issues. Litigation would create massive uncertainty in the basin and result in a decision that is not ideal for anyone, experts said. Those who depend on the river are already dealing with uncertainty: this season's mountain snowpack is expected to deliver about half the median amount of water to the system's two major reservoirs, which are already two-thirds empty. Years of drought not balanced by decreases in water consumption have drained Lake Mead and Lake Powell, and aridification fueled by climate change is expected to continue to reduce the flow of the river that makes modern life possible across the Southwest. The Colorado River irrigates more than 5 million acres of farmlandincluding water supplies for much of the nation's winter vegetablesand comprises large portions of many Western cities' water portfolio, said Brad Udall, senior water and climate research scholar at Colorado State University's Colorado Water Institute. Half of Denver's water comes from the Colorado River system. In Las Vegas, 90% of the water comes from the river. "All of these places are really dependent on it," Udall said. "And you can't fallow cities." The Denver Post requested an interview with all seven of the state negotiators. Three statesNew Mexico, Nevada and Arizonadeclined an interview and two othersWyoming and Utahdid not respond. Colorado's negotiator, Colorado River Commissioner Becky Mitchell, said in a statement that she is focused on working with the other basin states to find a consensus approach for post-2026 operations. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. "I hope the basin states are able to work towards sustainable, supply-driven operations of lakes Powell and Mead that are resilient across a range of hydrologic conditions experienced in the basin," she said. "This past winter's snowpack is a stark reminder of why a supply-driven approach, one that requires all of us to live within the means of the river, is of absolute necessity if we are to enjoy a sustainable future across the entire Colorado River Basin." The states' negotiators will not speak together at an upcoming major Colorado River conferencea departure from years prior, where representatives from each state appeared on a panel to discuss interstate relations. The lack of a seven-state panel at the Getches-Wilkinson Conference at the University of Colorado Boulder next week echoes a change at the last major Colorado River conferencethe Colorado River Water Users Association conference in Decemberwhere each basin held its own panel, but the negotiators did not appear together or even meet while all in Las Vegas for that conference. Hamby said the lack of a panel in Boulder does not signify anything substantial and that negotiators are prioritizing meetings to negotiate over talking on a stage. The primary question negotiators must settle is how to share the pain of shrinking water supplies between the Upper Basinwhich includes Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utahand the Lower Basin states of Arizona, California and Nevada. The Upper Basin states sit upstream of Lake Powell and Lake Mead. Without large reservoirs in which to store water, the Upper Basin states' water supply is reliant on snowpack and precipitation, which can vary widely year to year. In contrast, the Lower Basin's water supply is more consistent and predictable as it comes from Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Upper Basin negotiators have said their states should not have to take mandatory cuts to their water supplies because they have never used their entire legal allotment and already absorb water shortages nearly every year due to shrinking flows. Lower Basin negotiators have said everyone in the basin should be forced to use less water in the driest years. Negotiators are feeling pressure to quickly bridge those differing views and settle a number of other related questions. "There's a general feeling that we need to be working as quickly as possible this year," Hamby said. Decision timeline Officials at the Bureau of Reclamation in January made public a document outlining five possible plans for managing the river and its two reservoirs. The agency is now working to complete a draft analysis of how each of those plans would function and impact the environment, which bureau officials previously said would be published in the summer of 2025. After the draft is published, the bureau will solicit public comment, issue a final environmental assessment and then decide which plan to implement. Bureau officials previously said they must make a final decision by August 2026. If the states can create their own consensus plan, it will be included in this process. Bureau officials this week did not answer a question about whether they had given the states a deadline for presenting a consensus plan so that it can be included in the lengthy analysis process, which is legally required under the National Environmental Policy Act. They also did not answer a question about when they planned to publish the draft environmental analysis. Instead, spokesman Peter Soeth sent a statement stating the bureau and the Department of the Interior "are dedicated to providing life-sustaining water and harnessing the significant hydropower the river offers." "We are actively engaging in dialogue with the Colorado River Basin partners as we work towards long-term operational agreements for the river after 2026," the statement said. "Throughout this effort, we remain committed to ensuring fiscal responsibility for the American people." It is critical for the states to reach an agreement soon so that there is remaining time for the public to provide input on the proposed plan and to avoid the courts deciding the future of the river basin, Pitt said. "Regardless of which justices would be called upon to hear this case, it seems inherently clear to me that water managers with decades of experience managing Western water supplies will do a better job creating a management plan for the Colorado River than judges deciding a series of incredibly narrow legal questions," she said. "That is the worst possible option." Both Pitt and Jennifer Gimbel, senior water policy scholar at Colorado State University, expressed optimism that the states would find a solutionor a way to buy a little more time. "They do have a time crunch, but there's always ways to bridge that time if they need to," Gimbel said. 2025 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: Quintin Gellar from Pexels The European Union has just imposed a new package of sanctions against Russianow the seventeenth. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. and EU had already imposed extensive economic sanctions, combined with far-reaching export bans. The central aim of these measures is to deny Russia access to technologies that are essential for the manufacture and maintenance of military equipment. However, the fact that Western technology can still be found in drones and missiles used in Ukraine shows that these sanctions only have a limited effect. Economists from Wurzburg, Munich and Princeton have now investigated whether sanctions against military goods have been circumvented in this case: Lisa Scheckenhofer, Feodora A. Teti and Joschka Wanner. They present their study in the current issue of AEA Papers & Proceedings. Sanctioned military goods continue to reach Russia "In the article, we present evidence that military equipment sanctioned by the West continues to reach the Russian market in a roundabout way by being exported indirectly via countries friendly to Russia," says Joschka Wanner, assistant professor of quantitative international and environmental economics at Julius-Maximilians-Universitat Wurzburg (JMU). In concrete figures, the probability of these countries exporting a sanctioned military product class to Russia increased by almost 20 percentage points compared to neutral countries after the start of the war in Ukraine. For its study, the team used publicly available trade data from UN Comtrade for the years 2021 to 2023. This is one of the world's largest databases for international trade in goods, operated by the United Nations. The sample includes 122 countries, divided into allied, Russia-friendly and neutral countries. Illegal activities are difficult to detect When evaluating this data, two aspects presented the research team with particular challenges: "When companies circumvent sanctions, this is an illegal activity that is naturally difficult to detect," says Scheckenhofer. However, there are indications that logistics companies in Russia-friendly countries stepped up the transportation of Western goods to Russia after the start of the war. Accordingly, an increase in exports by Western allies to these countries and from there to Russia is to be expected. "In our analysis, we examined both flows in order to identify such patterns," says Scheckenhofer. The second challenge was to distinguish between a deliberate circumvention of sanctions and a regular shift in trade flows as a result of increased costs. "In order to make a distinction here, we compared the exports of Russia-friendly and neutral countries, both of which have unchanged trade costs with Russia," explains Teti. Accordingly, in this case too, a disproportionate increase in exports from Russia-friendly countries to Russia in combination with higher exports from Western allies to these countries indicates a violation of sanctions. The statistical analysis of the UN Comtrade data has a clear result: "After the start of the war, Russia-friendly countries were 20 percentage points more likely to export military goods to Russia than neutral countries," says Wanner. And even Western countries that had imposed sanctions were still four percentage points more likely to export these sanctioned products to Russia-friendly countries compared to exports to neutral countries. Decline in violations in 2023 There is at least one "consolation": "We also find evidence that violations of sanctions on military goods were more widespread in 2022 than in 2023," says the research team. This at least suggests that political measures to curb sanctions violations may have been effective. Nevertheless, according to the authors, the results of this study demonstrate the urgent need to close loopholes for third countries. In order to prevent these countries from circumventing existing trade restrictions, they believe that "proactive measures" such as secondary sanctions are an option. These punish countries that are not themselves part of the sanctioning coalition in the event that they do not comply with the sanctions. More information: Lisa Scheckenhofer et al, Dodging Trade Sanctions? Evidence from Military Goods, AEA Papers and Proceedings (2025). DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20251084 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: George is a taxidermied male Leadbeater's Possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) that Friends of Leadbeater's Possum uses for it's educational work concerning this threatened species. George was found dead but intact on the side of a logging road about 2011 in the Victorian Central Highlands. It is assumed that George's home in the mountain ash (Eucalyptus Regnans) forests was a victim of logging, and as his home was being carted away he fell off the logging truck. Credit: Tirin/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA Until now, Victorians believed their state was the sole home for Leadbeater's possum, their critically endangered state faunal emblem. This tiny marsupial is clinging to life in a few pockets of mountain ash and snow gum habitat in the Central Highlands of Victoria. But a few days ago, seven grainy photos taken by a trail camera in New South Wales revealed something very unexpected: a Leadbeater's possum hundreds of kilometers away in the wet forests of Kosciuszko National Park. For decades, we and other researchers have sought proof this possum existed in these forests. Now we have it. This is a moment of celebration. But it also signals the importance of well-resourced biodiversity surveys in uncovering our most threatened species and large national parks for conserving them. While this newly discovered population reduces the risk of extinction, it doesn't change the decline and risk of extinction of its Victorian relativesor the steps needed to safeguard them. Detected entirely by chance In 2024, New South Wales threatened species ecologists Fred Ford and Martin Schulz set about looking for an entirely different species, the endangered smoky mouse. To find it, they set up a wide array of camera traps throughout wet forest areas of Kosciuszko National Park. A year later, they collected them and trawled through millions of photos. Among all these images (including of smoky mice), there were seven which stunned them. A camera deployed near Yarrangobilly Caves captured a tiny possum scampering through leaf litter, holding its distinctive club-shaped tail erect. The possum looks around the monitoring site, showing its back and face stripes and heart-shaped face. Experts at The Australian National University and Zoos Victoria verified the photos, setting the ecology world abuzz. A hunch confirmed While we are delighted at this remarkable discovery, the detection is not a complete surprise. Over three decades ago, this article's lead author searched for Leadbeater's possum around Yarrangobilly and many other parts of Kosciuszko National Park, guided by a bioclimatic model suggesting the cool wet forests in Kosciuszko National Park should suit the possum. But detection cameras were not available then, and this possum is notoriously hard to spot. It's tiny, nocturnal and spends its waking hours dashing through the dense understory of some of the world's tallest forests looking for nectar, sap and insects. Species experts from Zoos Victoria and Deakin University have also scouted parts of Kosciuszko National Park over the past decade, identifying potentially promising habitat. In 2010 we got confirmation the possum had once occurred in the area, when jaw bones were identified among bones regurgitated by owls on the floor of a nearby cave. But other bones from the cave floor date back an estimated 140200 years. The bones were far from proof of a living population. The possum's existence remained an open question until these photos. What does this mean for this possum? We don't know anything about this newly discovered Leadbeater's possum population in NSW, other than the fact that it exists. Given the distance from the Victorian populations, we suspect that they may be genetically distinct. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. In theory, the existence of a separate population 250 km away from the Victorian populations cuts the risk a single megafire or other catastrophe could push the species to extinction. But while welcome, the discovery doesn't reduce the need to urgently protect surviving Victorian populations, which remain highly threatened by bushfire, climate change, predation by cats, and the legacy of logging and land clearing. In Victoria, some populations have dwindled as low as 40 animals and inbreeding is now a concern. The possum typically relies on large old trees with hollows where it can breed and den. But these trees have substantially declined in Victoria over the past 150 years. Leadbeater's possum also needs smaller trees for feeding and movement. Surveys across the historical range of the species in Victoria since 2017 have failed to find any other hidden populations. Most surveys have found the habitat highly degraded from logging and fire. The discovery won't alter the possum's critically endangered status at this stage, nor the ongoing work to support it. In welcome news, the NSW Environment Minister announced the possum's state conservation listing will be fast-tracked. Of surveys and parks Why did it take so long to find the possum? The main reason: a lack of resources preventing targeted investigations. Even basic inventories of species have not been done across many of Australia's important conservation areas. Without well-conducted surveys and monitoring, we are left overly reliant on chance detections for critical information. There could be other populations of imperiled species waiting to be rediscovered. Properly managing our growing number of threatened species shouldn't be based on luck. It should be enabled by adequate resources for threatened species recovery teams to discover, map, protect and manage threatened species and their habitat. Increasing federal spending on the care of nature to 1% of the budget would go a very long way to closing these gaps. Trail cameras, call playback and environmental DNA sampling mean we can now survey large and remote natural areas with relatively little effort for long periods of time. Big parks are essential Kosciuszko National Park supports much more than Australia's highest mountains. The huge park spans 690,000 hectares, much of it forest. Many of our most imperiled species are hard to detect. Protecting extensive areas of good-quality habitat boosts the survival chances for these species, even if we don't yet have proof of life. With so little high-quality habitat left in Australia, proper protection through new national parks (including in Victoria) is vitally important for the possum and many other species. Passive protection isn't enough eitheradequate funding is critical to stop the environmental condition of parks from declining, due to threats like invasive species and extreme fires. The world still contains wonder These seven photos have given ecologists and nature lovers a real boost to their spirits. As detection techniques improve, what else is out there waiting to be found? This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Detroit's population grew in 2024 for the second year in a row. This is a remarkable comeback after decades of population decline in the Motor City. What explains the turnaround? One factor may be Detroit's efforts to attract and settle immigrants. These efforts continue despite a dramatic national shift in tone toward new arrivals. This includes executive orders from the second Trump administration targeting immigrant communities, international students and their universities, and cities in which immigrants live. We study urban geography and immigrant integration. Despite these federal policy shifts, our own research and that of others has found that local leaders in cities across the U.S. are actively working to bring immigrants in and help them become part of local communities, generally for economic reasons. Our recent publications on immigrant integration and immigrant community engagement show how and why cities adapt to changes in their population and economies. Detroit and other former immigrant gateway metro areas such as Buffalo, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and St. Louis, Missouri experienced significant immigration in the early 20th century. These population booms were followed by a period of decline in immigration numbers. Now these cities are using branding strategies to construct inclusive identities designed to attract and retain immigrants. It may be surprising to think of a city branding itself, but local governments often work with private nonprofits to shape and manage their city's image. They try to build a unique and desirable identity for the city, differentiate it from competitors, and attract new businesses, residents and tourists this way. Here are three reasons why Detroit and other cities want to welcome immigrants: Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. 1. Encouraging economic growth and attracting talent Immigration has a positive impact on the economy, research shows. Local leaders in Detroit recognize that in a global economy, a thriving industrial sector and robust labor market are linked to the contributions of immigrant communities. They also understand that the growth of these communities brings positive economic ripple effects. Immigrants are more likely than the general population to own their own businesses. Organizations such as Global Detroit encourage entrepreneurship through programs such as the Global Talent Retention Initiative, Global Talent Accelerator and Global Entrepreneur in Residence and provide resources for small businesses. Immigrants also fill labor needs, from high-tech fields such as engineering and research to manual labor sectors such as construction and food service. The City of Detroit Office of Immigrant Affairs promotes economic development and immigrant integration through education, English as a second language programs, economic empowerment and community resources. These efforts are paying off by attracting immigrants to the city. This economic impact extends to tourism as well. The region's marketing campaigns embracing diversity shape how visitors perceive the region. The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau spotlights the unique experiences the city's diverse neighborhoods offer to tourists. 2. Enhancing community and regional resilience Regional resilience describes a region's ability to withstand and adapt to challenges such as economic shocks and natural disasters. Cities like Detroit that are still trying to bounce back from deindustrialization know from experience how critical this is. Immigration contributes to regional resilience, research shows. In addition to supporting local economies and strengthening the labor force, the arrival of immigrants in Detroit has helped offset native-born population decline, stabilizing the overall population and bolstering local tax bases. According to our analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metro area grew by 1.2%, from a total population of 4,291,843 in 2010 to 4,342,304 in 2023. According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the Detroit metro area's native-born population decreased by 58,693 people during that 13-year period, while the foreign-born population increased by 109,154. The top five countries of origin for immigrants in the metro area are India, Iraq, Mexico, Yemen and Lebanon. From 2023 to 2024, the metro area's population gained 40,347 immigrants and lost 11,626 native-born residentsresulting in a population gain of 28,721. Efforts to welcome immigrants in Detroit and its surrounding communities contributed to this trend of immigrant population growth offsetting overall population decline. 3. Promoting social cohesion and enhanced civic engagement Successful place brands are rooted in inclusion and a strong civil society. Detroit's rich tapestry of cultures in areas such as Dearborn and Hamtramck creates a vibrant regional identity. Organizations such as Global Detroit's Welcoming Michigan actively support local grassroots efforts to build mutual respect and ensure that immigrants are able to participate fully in the social, civic and economic fabric of their hometowns. Examples include Global Detroit's Social Cohesion Initiative, Common Bond and Opportunity Neighborhoods. These initiatives help bring neighborhood residents of various backgrounds together to share their cultures, support each other's small businesses and socialize. Such programs strengthen the region's democratic foundations and enhance its appeal as a welcoming and inclusive place to live. Forging a way forward Detroit has found that welcoming immigrants and integrating them into the life of the city is one way to navigate the economic, political and cultural challenges it faces. And it is not alone in embracing this strategy. Other cities practicing similar strategies include Baltimore; Boise, Idaho; Charlotte, North Carolina; Dallas; Dayton, Ohio; Louisville, Kentucky; New Orleans; Pittsburgh; Roanoke, Virginia; and Salt Lake City. Although not all cities choose to pursue such strategies, in those that do, local leaders signal a region ready for a globalized future. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Milky Way and Andromeda bypass at 1 million light year separation. At 500,000 light-years, dark matter provides friction that brings galaxies to a close encounter. A 100,000 light-year separation leads to a collision. Credit: NASA/ESA Scientists from Helsinki, Durham and Toulouse universities used data from NASA's Hubble and the European Space Agency's Gaia space telescopes to simulate how the Milky Way and Andromeda will evolve over the next 10 billion years. The two galaxies are currently heading towards each other at a speed of about 100 kilometers per second. A collision would be devastating for both galaxies, which would be destroyed, leaving behind a spheroidal pile of stars known as an elliptical galaxy. The team ran 100,000 simulations of both galaxies based on the latest observational data. This included the effect of the Milky Way's most massive satellite, the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), and, importantly, for the first time, including uncertainties in the observables. The study has been published in the journal Nature Astronomy. The trajectories of the Milky Way and Andromeda, as well as those of the LMC and M33, in 50 simulations. Circles indicate the final positions of the Milky Way and Andromeda after 10 billion years, or at the location where a merger has occurred. The left panel shows a face-on projection, the right panel shows an edge-on projection, relative to the plane of a hypothetical two-body orbit of the Milky Way and Andromeda. Credit: Till Sawala They found only a 2% probability that the galaxies will collide in the next five billion years, contrary to the previous belief that a collisionand the demise of the Milky Waywas a certainty within that timeframe. In just over half of the simulated scenarios, the Milky Way and Andromeda experience at least one close encounter, before losing enough orbital energy to eventually collide and mergebut in eight to 10 billion years' time, not five. On that timescale the sun will have already burnt itself out. In most other cases, the two galaxies pass at such a large distance that they continue to evolve largely unperturbed for a very long time. Although this new research challenges the previously accepted fate of our galaxy, the study authors say that it is very difficult to make a very precise prediction. Lead author Dr. Till Sawala of the University of Helsinki emphasized that the new conclusions do not imply a mistake in the earlier calculations, rather, the team were able to include more variables in their simulations thanks to modern data from the space telescopes. The distance between the Milky Way and Andromeda in 50 simulations. Just slightly more than half of orbits result in a Milky Way - Andromeda collision within 10 billion years. Sharp features in individual lines can result from interactions and mergers with the two other galaxies, the LMC and M33. Credit: Till Sawala Dr. Sawala said, "When we tried to start from the same assumptions as previous researchers, we recovered the same results. "We've simply been able to explore a much larger space of possibilities, taking advantage of new data. "While some earlier works had focused on the interaction between the Milky Way, Andromeda, and the Triangulum galaxy, we also include the effect of the LMC. "Although its mass is only around 15% of the Milky Way's, its gravitational pull directed perpendicular to the orbit with Andromeda perturbs the Milky Way's motion enough to significantly reduce the chance of a merger with the Andromeda galaxy. "And while earlier studies only considered the most likely value for each variable, we ran many thousands of simulations, which allowed us to account for all the observational uncertainties." Study co-author, Professor Alis Deason of Durham University's Institute for Computational Cosmology, added, "These results are significant for the fate of our galaxy. "It used to appear destined to merge with Andromeda, forming a colossal 'Milkomeda.' "Now, there is a chance that we could avoid this fate entirely." Milky Way and Andromeda bypass at 1 million light year separation. At 500,000 light-years, dark matter provides friction that brings galaxies to a close encounter. A 100,000 light-year separation leads to a collision (text embedded). Credit: NASA/ESA The Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies collide. Credit: NASA/ESA This new uncertainty about the future of the Milky Way and Andromeda may not last, as the team are already looking ahead to researching further scenarios when even more data become available. The Gaia space telescope will soon deliver more precise measurements of some of the most crucial variables within the galaxies, including the transverse motion of Andromeda, which is difficult to measure directly. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Leading cosmologist, Professor Carlos Frenk of Durham University, said, "The universe is a dynamic place, constantly evolving. "We see external galaxies often colliding and merging with other galaxies, sometimes producing the equivalent of cosmic fireworks when gas, driven to the center of the merger remnant, feeds a central black hole, emitting an enormous amount of radiation, before irrevocably falling into the hole. "Until now we thought this was the fate that awaited our Milky Way galaxy. "We now know that there is a very good chance that we may avoid that scary destiny. "When I see the results of our calculations, I am astonished that we are able to simulate with such precision the evolution of gigantic collections of stars over billions of years and figure out their ultimate fate. "This is a testimony to the power of physics allied to the power of large supercomputers." EastEnders actress Jacqueline Jossa has teased there will be some "very exciting" storylines for the show this winter. Jacqueline Jossa has teased that there are some 'very exciting' storylines on the way in EastEnders The 32-year-old actress - who portrays Lauren Branning on the BBC soap - has hinted there will be some exciting developments coming to Albert Square in time for Christmas and the New Year. Speaking to The Daily Mirror newspaper, Jacqueline said: "I'm a massive fan of the show. I am so excited for [what's happening], cut to six months time, where the show will be [in six months time]. "It excites me. You don't know but we know, it's very exciting." Jaqueline added she had heard from a source from EastEnders executive producer Kate Oates that there might be "some returns" lined up. She teased: "I've heard some rumbles. I heard Kate Oates' source say maybe there are gonna be some returns and for me that excites me, whoever it is." Jaqueline also addressed the speculation that Jake Wood - who played her on-screen father Max Branning on and off from 2006 to 2021 - would be making a comeback to Walford. She said: "I have seen the rumours. I feel like you would have to ask [EastEnders executive producer] Ben [Wadey], I'd love it. They tell us nothing. I feel like they tell me nothing because if they tell me, I will tell the world by accident. "I know nothing. It's Max Branning. I'd love him back but he's super busy. We'll ask Ben, we'll beg Ben." Last month, rumours of Jake's EastEnders return surfaced, with the character reportedly due to tackle some "unfinished business" upon his arrival in Albert Square. A source told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "Jakes return is huge news for EastEnders fans as his character made a massive mark on the show. "Itll raise some eyebrows after he was absent from the 40th anniversary earlier this year. Bosses are excited about what his characters reappearance means for spicing up the plots. "There is plenty to go at. Max has loads of unfinished business in the Square and is set to ruffle some feathers." Oates has also hinted there were big plans for a major return in EastEnders. The executive producer teased: "If you like a return, I dont think youre going to be disappointed because theres potentially one on the cards. Weve got some uncharted territory." 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: Sea robins use six sensory appendages to gather information about their surroundings. Credit: Anik Grearson/Bellono Lab During a tour of the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, Corey Allard noticed something strange: fish using six leg-like appendages to "walk" around the bottom of their tank. Allard was intrigued to learn that scientists suspect the appendages are sensory organs that help the fishcalled sea robinsfeel around in the sand for prey. His intrigue deepened upon discovering that almost nothing was known about sea robins beyond a couple of papers from the 1970s. Soon, he was studying the bizarre-looking fish. The encounter started Allard on a research journey that culminated in becoming an assistant professor of cell biology in the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School. Allard, who launched his lab last fall, takes a curiosity-driven approach to studying a range of species, seeking to reveal basic biological principlessome of which may ultimately have applications for medicine or industry. In a conversation with Harvard Medicine News, Allard shared more about the value of focusing on unusual organisms, why he's excited to join the faculty of a medical school, and what the field might lose as federal research fundingwhich has been a source of support for his researchfaces an increasingly uncertain future. What do you study, and why? We study species that have some unusual trait or behaviorsomething that causes us to pause and wonder how, exactly, it works. Something that challenges our assumptions of biology. Then we try to learn from that species, often in terms of molecules and cells. We ask questions like how the species evolved that trait or behavior and how it functions. In this way, we can get at bigger questions related to neuroscience, evolution, and comparative biology. The long-term goal is to deepen our knowledge of basic biology in ways that help us understand disease and develop new treatments. Famous physiologist August Krogh developed a principle stating that for any particular scientific question there is an organism ideally suited to studying it. We flip Krogh's principle on its head by making the case that most unusual organisms have something important to teach us. We have studied lots of unusual species, including cephalopods, sea robins, and more recently, a remarkable lineage of sea slugs. In each case, we've identified a species that we think is useful for asking a question that couldn't be asked with more conventional research organisms such as mice or zebrafish. How did you become interested in unusual animals? I've always been fascinated by animals and how they work, but I didn't realize studying animals could be a career until college. As an undergraduate, I volunteered in a lab that studied Antarctic icefish, which are fish that don't have red blood cellsthey basically have evolved anemia. We were using the fish to identify genes involved in red blood cell formation. Through this research, I became interested in the strategy of comparative biology and using species with unusual traits to understand biology and medicinebasically looking at extremes or exceptions. What topics can you study by looking at extremes and exceptions? There are a range of them. For example, as a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Nicholas Bellono at Harvard University, I studied the organization and function of the nervous system in octopus and squid. These organisms have sophisticated nervous systems that support complex behaviors but are organized in a radically different way than other speciesincluding humansand thus challenge our understanding of how nervous systems work. We focused on sensory systems, specifically the sucker cups that octopus and squid have on their arms and tentacles. People have known about sucker cups for a long time, but nobody understood how they worked in terms of sensory function. We asked basic questions, such as what are the sensory receptors in sucker cups? How are these cells hooked up to the nervous system? How do sucker cups mediate behaviors unique to cephalopods? Using cephalopods to learn about the basic function of nervous systems aligns with our main goal: to discover fundamental principles that can be applied broadly to many species. In making comparisons between species, we can discover core principles that operate across systems. This is the kind of information that can end up being translated into medicine or industry. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. What are you learning in your research on sea robins? Sea robins are a really cool example of a novel trait in evolution. Where novel traits come from has long been a major question in biologybut one that's hard to study because there aren't many good examples, especially in vertebrates. Sea robins turned out to be a great species for addressing this question. We want to understand everything there is to know about sea robin "legs," including what they are, how they function as sensory organs, how they develop, and how they evolved. Once a species evolves a new sensory organ, a big mystery is how that organ is integrated into the nervous system and controlled. We've figured out that sea robins have additional regions in their brain and spinal cord that are dedicated to controlling and processing sensory information from their legs. This is a great example of research that could only be done with a specific species. We had to study sea robins to investigate how a new sensory organ evolves. What techniques do you use in your research? We don't use any one technique. Our curiosity often leads us in unusual directions, and we have to adapt, so we try to use whatever technique is called for, whether that's RNA sequencing, bioinformatics, histology, microscopy, or electrophysiology. Plus, because our species aren't model organisms, they don't have extensive toolkits, so we have to develop our own. There is always some tool that we either have to learn or work with collaborators to do. In fact, virtually every project we do is collaborative in some way. For example, we're collaborating with Rachel Wolfson's lab in our department on our sea robin project. My lab has discovered that sea robins have massive spinal gangliaclusters of sensory neuronsthat extend to their legs. We think these spinal ganglia are one of the special parts of their nervous system. Rachel's lab studies similar questions of internal sensation in mice, so we've been working together to understand the function and evolution of sensory cellswhy a fish might be this way and a mouse might be that way. How did you end up at a medical school? In a lot of ways, I'm probably an unusual fit for a medical school. What it comes down to is that we're interested in the basic functions of cells and molecules in all these different contexts. When I started thinking about the types of scientists I want to have right down the hall, I was excited about being near people who think deeply about these topics and who are experts in molecules and cells and the powerful techniques like proteomics that we can use to study them. From that perspective, even though we think about these questions in very different ways, people in my lab have a lot in common with other folks at HMS and in the Department of Cell Biology. A sea slug photosynthesizes with chloroplasts stolen from algae it eats. Credit: Corey Allard What other projects are you working on? One of my main projects right now is on two amazing lineages of sea slugs. Both steal cell parts from other species and use the parts in their own bodies. One slug eats specific algae and steals the algae's chloroplaststhe organelles green plants use to produce food via photosynthesis. Then, instead of digesting the chloroplasts, the slug puts them inside its own cells and uses them to photosynthesize. The other slug eats sea anemones and steals organelles responsible for stinging. The slug incorporates the stinging organelles into its cells, which gives it the ability to sting. We want to understand the basic biology of how slugs steal, maintain, and use organelles from other species. Also, if we can learn how to engineer other types of cells to do this in the lab, there could be medical or industrial applications. That's super-interestingit sounds like a video game. Exactly. And that's the kind of stuff I get excited about. We have a few other projects that are variations on the theme of studying novel traits and behaviors, but it's still early days, so we don't know how they'll pan out. There is a lot more to come. Why is federal funding so essential in your field? I often hear that if our science was important, we'd be able to get a company to pay for itwhich is based on the idea that all important research is directly related to developing something that will be profitable in the short term, like a new drug. But we've seen time and time again that many of the biggest breakthroughs in science have come from people doing basic research that didn't initially have a clear immediate application. This kind of research, which includes the research in my lab, requires federal support. It is a type of research that we critically need and that I'm afraid we'll lose if federal funding disappears. 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: Futzing is a Yiddish word that means messing around via hands-on experimentation. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain What does it mean to think, act and work as a Jewish professor when human freedoms are under siege and authoritarian power gains ground? And how can we draw on our Jewish identities to navigate the sweeping encroachment of new technologies like AI? As communication scholars, colleagues and collaborators, we have spent a lot of time trying to answer these questions in our scholarship by taking cues from the intellectual lineage of our shared culture. Lately, Donald Trump's administration has demonstrated a heavy investment in cataloging and categorizing Jewish professors. In April, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sent text messages to the personal cellphones of faculty and staff at Barnard College, asking them to self-identify as Jewish and/or Israeli. The text message also asked them to disclose any instances of antisemitic discrimination or harassment they had experienced. Presumably, the text message inquiry itself was not recognized by its senders as an instance of such harassment. We do not believe being a Jewish professor means silencing our students as they protest atrocities in Gaza, and it certainly doesn't mean revoking their visas or deporting them. Rather, it means drawing upon the tools of our forebears to question systems of oppression, wherever and however they may arise. We simultaneously occupy both privileged and marginal positions within the university and North American society at large. This makes us acutely aware of how fragile conditional tolerance is, and how quickly a list of names can be used to justify repression or violence. Collection and use of data As communication and media scholars, we're often critical of how data are aggregated, stored and disseminated. The EEOC questionnaire concerns us because it reduces the complexities of Jewish identity and the profound harms of antisemitism to a handful of abstract and ideologically determined data points. Our recent research on generative AI (genAI) and its incompatibility with Jewish cultural expression shows that meaningful efforts to combat antisemitismand other forms of oppressionmust center the knowledge and experiences of affected communities. Our research found that outputs of chatbots such as ChatGPT are unable to tell jokes in a Jewish comedic style without resorting to offensive tropes. In another forthcoming study, we argue that genAI is equally incapable of representing the multifaceted "intersectional identities" of Jewish people except by smashing together rudimentary cultural signifiers (such as rainbows for queerness or bagels for Jewishness). In each case, these platforms rely on datasets to determine what Jewishness is, and these datasets originate from the narratives that other people tell about Jewish people, rather than the ones we tell about ourselves. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Critical strategies These platforms have increasingly become parts of daily life and communicative infrastructure. To investigate them, we adopted two critical strategies from our shared heritage as Ashkenazi Jews: kibbitzing and futzing. Both terms are Yiddish. Kibbitzing is a lively, informal way of thinking and talking together. It's somewhere between joking, arguing and exchanging ideas. It is grounded in our relationships, histories and biases; kibbitzing is how we make shared meaning together through many voices. Kibbitzing values contradiction, humor and the messiness of human conversation. Unlike AI chatbots, which follow scripted, dialogic, question-and-answer routines based on quantifiable patterns in data, kibbitzing is unpredictable, non-linear and intentionally disorganized. When we kibbitz, we build understanding by challenging one another and reflecting on what each of us brings to the table. In the age of genAI, kibbitzing offers a way to talk that is full of friction, laughter and deep, collective insight. Futzing means messing around via hands-on experimentation, with no set agenda and no official guidance. This unstructured inquiry is an acknowledgment of Jews' historical role as outsiders within European society. As we write in our forthcoming article, these practices reflect what social theorist Michel de Certeau calls "making do," a tactical means of collective empowerment in a hostile society. Using futzing as a methodology, we started exploring genAI, drawing on our curiosity to see what might happen by playing, testing and responding in real time. Futz first, then kibbitz Each of us futzed on our own at first, with no ambition to crack the code or reverse-engineer the algorithm. Later, when we began kibbitzing together, we realized our scattered efforts were actually circling around shared concerns. Futzing helped us see patterns, surprises and contradictionsthings we might have missed with a more rigid approach. Kibbitzing helped us connect those patterns and reconcile the contradictions. Drawing on our culture this way allows us to imagine inclusive, anti-oppressive Jewish epistemologies that respond to the complexity of the current political moment. Jewish identitylike all identitiesis porous and resistant to fixed form. Our shared North American Ashkenazi identity is just one of many possible perspectives that comprise a broader identity of Jewishness. That is not a problem to be solved. Rather, it is a strength and a bond between us. Readers may well see their own cultural traditions, vernaculars and ancestral practices in this light too, as techniques of resilience and joy in the face of hardship and oppression. There is an irony here. The deeper we dig into the intellectual roots of our own culture, the more common ground we might discover with everyone else's. And that makes us feel a whole lot safer than getting a text from the EEOC ever could. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Professor Jody Webster examines a fossil coral reef core from the Great Barrier Reef soon after it is brought on deck. Credit: International Ocean Drilling Program New research led by the University of Sydney adds to our understanding of how rapidly rising sea levels due to climate change foreshadow the end of the Great Barrier Reef as we know it. The findings suggest the reef can withstand rising sea levels in isolation but is vulnerable to associated environmental stressors arising from global climate change. Led by Professor Jody Webster from the School of Geosciences, the research was published today in Nature Communications. It draws from a geological time capsule of fossil reef cores, extracted from the seabed under the Great Barrier Reef. The findings suggest rapid sea level rise in isolation did not spell the end of the reef's predecessor, Reef 4. Rather, associated environmental stressors like poor water quality and warming climates led, in combination, to its demise about 10,000 years ago (towards the end of the last ice age). The ensuing one to two thousand years saw Reef 4 transition. Its shallow reef ecosystem moved landward to reestablish itself as the Great Barrier Reef we know today. "This research shows us a healthy, active barrier reef can grow well in response to quite fast sea level rises," said Professor Webster. "It's the combination of additional environmental stressors, on top of rapid sea level rise, that lead to its demise. The findings lend weight to already grave concerns about the Great Barrier Reef. Computer simulation of the core being extracted from beneath the Great Barrier Reef's shelf edge. Credit: International Ocean Drilling Program "The modern reef faces rising sea levels, more heat waves and extensive bleaching, along with increasing sediment and nutrient input. This combination, on top of rising sea levels, is of deep concern. If the current trajectory continues, we should be concerned about whether the Great Barrier Reef will survive the next 50 to 100 years in its current state. "It won't die but its characteristics may change. We will see a different collection of coral species, perhaps simpler and not as structurally complex," added Professor Webster. Learning from the 'protoGreat Barrier Reef' The 15 to 20-meter cores underpinning this research comprise a mix of fossil coral, algae and sediments. They reveal how the reef's previous incarnations responded to rapid sea level rise. The cores analyzed for this research focus on how the reef ecosystem evolved between 13,000 to 10,000 years ago. Of particular interest to Professor Webster's team was the period known as Meltwater pulse 1B, between 11,450 and 11,100 years ago, when sea levels rose very rapidly. "This 350-year period is crucial; it covers a time when global sea levels rose very rapidly," Professor Webster said. "It's a period when polar ice sheets are thought to have experienced accelerated melting due to warming temperatures. Based on records from Barbados, we previously thought sea levels were rising by about 40 millimeters a year at this time. "Our research shows the rise wasn't so large and fast. It was more likely to have been in the order of three to five millimeters a year, comparable to what we're experiencing today." Geomorphic, chronostratigraphic, and biological development of Reef 4 in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59858-0 Extracted by a drilling ship from beneath the Great Barrier Reef's shelf edge at a depth of 40 to 50 meters, the cores offered new insight into how Reef 4, also known as the proto-Great Barrier Reef, was impacted by rising sea levels. "Reef 4 is very exciting," Professor Webster said. "It had a similar morphology and mix of coral reef communities to the modern Great Barrier Reef. The types of algae and corals, and their growth rates, are comparable. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. "Understanding the environmental changes that influenced it, and led to its ultimate demise, therefore offers clues on what might happen to the modern reef." Professor Webster and colleagues used radiometric dating and reef habitat information to accurately pinpoint core samples pertaining to Meltwater pulse 1B. The cores underpinning this research were obtained under the International Ocean Discovery Program International Ocean Drilling Program (IODP), an international marine research collaboration involving 21 nations. Professor Webster said his latest research highlights the importance of IODP and shows the value of these records, obtained by drilling deep beneath the seabed. They provide paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental data, going far further back in time than instrumental records which go back only 50 to 100 years. "These data allow us to more precisely understand how reef and coastal ecosystems have responded to rapid environmental changes, like the rises in sea level and temperature we face today." Professor Webster completed this research in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Tokyo, Australian National University, Nagoya University, the University of Granada and Aix-Marseille University. More information: Jody M. Webster et al, Constraints on sea-level rise during meltwater pulse 1B from the Great Barrier Reef, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59858-0 Journal information: Nature Communications 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: Visual representation of the unrest at the Campi Flegrei Caldera. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59821-z A small international team of volcanologists has built a more detailed picture of the Campi Flegrei caldera's internal structure using high-resolution seismic imaging and results from rock physics experiments conducted on core samples collected from deep wells. In their study published in the journal Nature Communications, the group reconstructed the fine-scale structure of the Campi Flegrei caldera down to a 250 m grid size, and studied physics experiments to provide a more realistic image of the true nature of the caldera and any threats it may pose. The Campi Flegrei caldera, which is part of the Phlegraean Fields, is a large caldera situated west of Naples, Italy. Prior research has shown that it has a long and active history. Its last major eruption was approximately 109,000 years ago, and it was massive, accounting for much of the makeup of the caldera, which is roughly 15 km wide. A less-forceful eruption occurred in 1538recent enough that evidence provided by locals survives. Many reported that significant ground uplift had occurred leading up to the eruption. Over the past 75 years, researchers have noted episodic uplift, suggesting another eruption may be imminent. To find out if that might be the case, the research team conducted a deep and thorough analysis of the caldera to learn more about its underground structure. Tomographic models. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59821-z 3D Visualization of Vp/Vs anomalies within the Campi Flegrei Caldera. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59821-z In analyzing their high-resolution imaging and data from physics experiments that have been conducted on core samples over time by various researchers, the research team discovered that the caldera is made up of three layers. They describe the top layer as fibrous caprock, made of volcanic products and approximately 1 to 2 kilometers deep. As its name implies, it serves as a cap on top of the caldera. The next layer down is a steam-filled chamber with water pooling at the bottomit extends down 2 to 4 kilometers. Below that, they found what they describe as the caldera's basementa dense rock formation that the research team suggests serves as the backbone of the caldera. In their work, the researchers found no evidence of a magma buildup, suggesting an eruption any time soon appears unlikely. Instead, blasts of steam will likely occasionally make their way to the surface as pressure builds in the steam chamber, perhaps at times allowing the uplift to recede. Written for you by our author Bob Yirka, edited by Lisa Lock, 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: G. De Landro et al, 3D structure and dynamics of Campi Flegrei enhance multi-hazard assessment, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59821-z Journal information: Nature Communications 2025 Science X Network 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: Corals bleach in warm ocean waters, making them particularly vulnerable as global temperatures rise due to climate change. The fate of coral reefs has been written with a degree of certainty rare in climate science: at 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming, most are expected to die. This is not a far-off scenario. Scientists predict that the rise of 1.5 Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) will be reached within a decade and that beyond that point, many coral simply cannot survive. It is important to accept this and ask what next "rather than trying to hold onto the past," said David Obura, chair of IPBES, the UN's expert scientific panel on biodiversity. "I wish it were different," Obura, a Kenyan reef scientist and founding director of CORDIO East Africa, a marine research organization, told AFP. "We need to be pragmatic about it and ask those questions, and face up to what the likely future will be." And yet, it is a subject few marine scientists care to dwell on. "We are having a hard time imagining that all coral reefs could really die off," said Melanie McField, a Caribbean reef expert, who described a "sort of pre-traumatic stress syndrome" among her colleagues. "But it is likely in the two-degree world we are rapidly accelerating to," McField, founding director of the Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative, told AFP. When stressed in hotter ocean waters, corals expel the microscopic algae that provides their characteristic color and food source. Without respite, bleached corals slowly starve. At 1.5C of warming relative to pre-industrial times, between 70 and 90% of coral reefs are expected to perish, according to the IPCC, the global authority on climate science. At 2C, that number rises to 99%. Even with warming as it stands todayabout 1.4Cmass coral death is occurring, and many scientists believe the global collapse of tropical reefs may already be underway. What comes next Obura said it was not pessimistic to imagine a world without coral reefs, but an urgent question that scientists were "only just starting to grapple with." "I see no reason to not be clear about where we are at this point in time," Obura said. "Let's be honest about that, and deal with the consequences." Rather than disappear completely, coral reefs as they exist today will likely evolve into something very different, marine scientists on four continents told AFP. This would happen as slow-growing hard coralsthe primary reef builders that underpin the ecosystemdie off, leaving behind white skeletons without living tissue. Gradually, these would be covered by algae and colonized by simpler organisms better able to withstand hotter oceans, like sponges, mussels, and weedy soft corals like sea fans. "There will be less winners than there are losers," said Tom Dallison, a marine scientist and strategic advisor to the International Coral Reef Initiative. These species would dominate this new underwater world. The dead coral beneathweakened by ocean acidification, and buffeted by waves and stormswould erode over time into rubble. "They will still exist, but they will just look very different. It is our responsibility to ensure the services they provide, and those that depend on them, are protected," Dallison said. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Dark horizon One quarter of all ocean species live among the world's corals. Smaller, sparser, less biodiverse reefs simply means fewer fish and other marine life. The collapse of reefs threatens in particular the estimated one billion people who rely on them for food, tourism income, and protection from coastal erosion and storms. But if protected and managed properly, these post-coral reefs could still be healthy, productive, attractive ecosystems that provide some economic benefit, said Obura. So far, the picture is fuzzyresearch into this future has been very limited. Stretched resources have been prioritized for protecting coral and exploring novel ways to make reefs more climate resilient. But climate change is not the only thing threatening corals. Tackling pollution, harmful subsidies, overfishing and other drivers of coral demise would give "the remaining places the best possible chance of making it through whatever eventual warming we have," Obura said. Conservation and restoration efforts were "absolutely essential" but alone were like "pushing a really heavy ball up a hill, and that hill is getting steeper," he added. Trying to save coral reefs "is going to be extremely difficult" as long as we keep pouring carbon into the atmosphere, said Jean-Pierre Gattuso, an oceans expert from France's flagship scientific research institute, CNRS. But some coral had developed a level of thermal tolerance, he said, and research into restoring small reef areas with these resilient strains held promise. "How do we work in this space when you have this sort of big dark event on the horizon? It's to make that dark event a little brighter," said Dallison. 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Emitted dust from fallowed agricultural lands in California Central Valley on 11 October 2021. Credit: Communications Earth & Environment (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-025-02306-0 An average of more than 1 million acres of idled farmland a year is a significant contributor to a growing dust problem in California that has implications for millions of residents' health and the state's climate. A new study published in Communications Earth & Environment by UC Merced professors Adeyemi Adebiyi and John Abatzoglou finds that the Central Valley accounts for about 77% of fallowed land in California and is associated with about 88% of major anthropogenic, or human-caused, dust events. "Idled farmland and dust are particularly concentrated in Kern, Fresno and Kings counties, where annual crops such as wheat, corn, and cotton are fallowed as part of agricultural practices or a combination of water and economic decisions," said Abatzoglou, a climatologist in the Department of Management of Complex Systems in the School of Engineering. "When fields are unplanted, wind erosion can create dust." Dust can be laced with chemicals and pathogens that cause severe respiratory illnesses or death. For example, Valley fever, caused by a fungus, relies on dust to spread. Particulate matter has also been linked to various forms of dementia, cardiovascular problems, COPD, asthma, and perhaps surprisingly, longer and more painful menstrual cycles. Vulnerable groups disproportionately bear these health impacts. In addition to health problems, a significant reduction in visibility during dust storms has resulted in fatal traffic accidents. Dust storms can also reduce agricultural productivity due to the loss of fertile topsoil and abrasion of crops by airborne particles, which is particularly critical given the state's role as the leading agricultural producer in the United States. "California, particularly the Central Valley, has not been considered an important dust source," said Adebiyi, who studies dust and its impacts as a member of the Department of Life and Environmental Sciences in the School of Natural Sciences and as an affiliate of the Health Sciences Research Institute. "However, we're beginning to see, with recent events, that the Central Valley is a major contributor, and much of its dust comes from agricultural sources." Although researchers don't fully understand dust's effects on climate, they do know that when dust settles on the Sierra Nevada snowpack, it darkens the snow and encourages melting earlier in the year than usual. That impacts critical water resources for people around the state. The growing trend of anthropogenic dust activities is consistent with expansions of fallowed land areas in the Central Valley. Credit: Communications Earth & Environment (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-025-02306-0 Fallowed acreage varies year to year, but the researchers found that the geographic coverage of these unfarmed lands expanded between 2008 and 2022, and that growth could be linked to an increase in dust activities. Although it is common to rotate crops and idle lands regularly, the expansion of unplanted lands is partly due to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which requires farmers to limit the water they use yearly. "The goal of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act is clearly to balance groundwater, which is important for California's future," Adebiyi said. "However, there are unintended consequences to nearby communities, such as potential dust that comes from farmland fallowed due to SGMA, and what is crucial are those mitigation efforts that can reduce wind erosion." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. The researchers suggested farmers consider cover crops or ground cover that increases soil health and reduces dust. Widespread dust events are generally driven by weather, such as strong winds or storms, but dust becomes more likely when soil is dry and disturbed, the latter being human-caused, Abatzoglou said. Human activity, including construction and farming, heavily drives localized dust. Continued research, such as this study and another recent one that resulted in a report from a coalition called UC Dust, will help researchers better understand dust's impacts on a wide range of concerns and challenges. "A better understanding of what likely dominates anthropogenic dust from agricultural sources may help us better represent the overall impacts of dust in other parts of the country and the world," Adebiyi said. One of the biggest unknowns in simulating climate and health impacts of dust in the future is how anthropogenic dust may change. "Because our study points to fallowed or idled farmlands as a dominant contributor, that may change how we estimate overall dust impact," he said. More information: Adeyemi A. Adebiyi et al, Fallowed agricultural lands dominate anthropogenic dust sources in California, Communications Earth & Environment (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-025-02306-0 Journal information: Communications Earth & Environment 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: Mary Thurlkill, a professor of religion, discusses the Religious Diversity in Mississippi project, which she created to spread awareness and understanding of the states faith communities. Credit: Hunt Mercier/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services A new University of Mississippi project maps the state's often-overlooked religious diversity, blending historical research, video interviews and sacred music to spotlight faith communities across Mississippi. Religious studies professor Mary Thurlkill created the interactive Religious Diversity in Mississippi website to chart the state's contemporary and historical spiritual landmarks on a rolling basis. The project launched this month with an inaugural five-student cohort who are researching and organizing details of the first featured location, Magnolia Grove Monastery in Batesville. "I hope it can be a site that is of use for everybody," Thurlkill said. "I would love for public school teachers to share this site with their social studies classes, and their students can build projects over this and for politicians to be able to look at the county and the districts they represent and see how diverse their population is that they're representing and consider the implications and complications of legislation being considered." The one-stop, interactive resource comes to life with technical support from Adam Clemons, assistant professor of scholar support and data services at the J.D. Williams Library. As it takes shape, Thurlkill sees the website filling a need for people moving to and throughout Mississippi in search of a new place of worship. "There's not an easy place to google religious diversity in Mississippi or even how many Buddhist or Hindu temples there are," she said. "There was no one central place." The student experience was funded by the William Hal Furr endowment, established by his family to honor the beloved philosophy and religion studies professor who died in 1974. The five students come from Ole Miss' history, music, religious studies, film studies and Southern studies departments. The interdisciplinary makeup of the group is critical in bringing the map's first featured site to life. For example, users can learn about foundational practices at Magnolia Grove and founder Thich Nhat Hanh's connection to Martin Luther King Jr. The group shared some of those facts on May 23 in Bryant Hall as they unveiled the site. Bryce Ledet, a senior music major from Hazlehurst, was aware of the powerful chants associated with monks, but he was surprised to discover the Panola County monastery is home to a surprisingly eclectic mix of musical diversity. He plans to pursue a doctoral degree in musicology and is excited to help showcase how the historic site's music includes everything from cellos and guitars to collaborating with rap music artists. "There is so much to learn," Ledet said. "We want to document all these incredibly rich histories and show that Mississippi has this great cultural background that you don't often get to see." A hunger for learning about different religions struck Ledet after his leap of faith from atheism to Christianity at age 18. Even in its early stages, this multimedia hub makes it easier to feed religious curiosity with access to information that can speak to different users in different ways. "Our state's culture is made by so many different cultures colliding together," Ledet said. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. "Music is a universal language that connects the world, allowing the performer to speak to another's heart. Its inclusion in nearly every religious practice is no coincidence. Humans and music are inseparable." Highlighting Magnolia Grove Monastery's spirit is just the start, Thurlkill said. She has proposed using Second Baptist Church in Oxford as the next featured site. Magnolia Grove Monastery in Batesville is the first religious site featured on the Religious Diversity in Mississippi website. The monastery has a rich, international history and hosts several public events focused on mindfulness. Credit: University of Mississippi She envisions working with future student cohorts, professors outside her department and historians to share that the South's religious identity is not just a homogenous culture of mostly Protestant Christians. "They will be able to identify their own sites and then add that information," Thurlkill said. "I would love to be able to work with other universities in Mississippi because it would be somewhat difficult, for example, to go down to a Buddhist monastery on the coast. But (University of) Southern Mississippi has religious studies professors, and I would love if we could make this collaborative throughout the state." This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The apparatus used to determine properties of the solid phase and onset of the liquid phase of complex fluids. Credit: Physics magazine, American Physical Society Pounding on the bottom of a glass bottle of ketchup is one of life's small annoyances. Getting that sweet, red concoction from its solid phase to a liquid takes too long when you're hungry and could even require messy strategies with a butter knife. Now a team of scientists has shown that determining the point where the solid transitions to a liquid can be predicted from the properties of the solid phase alone. The research has been published in Physical Review Letters. The new work focuses on yielding, a phenomenon where a solid-like material starts to behave like a liquid. "This behavior occurs constantly all around us, from desserts like custards that smoothly flow onto your spoon to personal care products like toothpaste that are easily squeezed out of tubes but hold their shape on your toothbrush," Ryan Poling-Skutvik of the University of Rhode Island in the United States told Phys.org. Such substances undergo a change when enough stress is induced; the point of change is called the "yield transition," and the substance is called a "yield stress fluid." "But it also occurs in more complex applications to control how tissues grow by accommodating cell growth and 3D printing, where fluids must be flowed through a nozzle and then solidify when finished," Poling-Skutvik continued. "Even though we engage with this phenomenon daily, scientists have struggled to relate the yielding phenomenon to material properties for over a century. Our work demonstrates that this transitionat least in partcan be understood by how solid-like the material is at rest." Yield stress fluids (YSFs) often have a complex, nonlinear response to stress. Below the yield transition they deform in a recoverable way, like a viscoelastic solid, but above it the transition is definite and nonrecoverable. Although the first study of such "plastic flow" was published 111 years ago, the precise mechanisms of the physical change have so far been little understood, in part because defining and identifying yielding hasn't been settled, with multiple protocols in place. But one protocol commonly used to identify yielding is "large amplitude oscillatory shear," where sinusoidal stresses and strains are applied to the material at varying amplitudes. The material has a periodic response in two important ways: the "storage modulus," proportional to the average energy stored per cycle, and the "loss modulus," proportional to the average energy dissipated per cycle due to internal friction. In many YSFs an overshoot in the loss modulus occurs at large amplitudes, and such nonlinearity marks the yield transition due to nonrecoverable strain. At that point, the loss modulus is at a maximum. Poling-Skutvik and his team first used a YSF gel made of a polymer distributed in a mixture of water and alcohol decanol. Its density depended on the polymer concentration, which was changed over the course of measurements. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Their experimental apparatus consisted of two parallel plates, and the gel was shaken between them by rotating one of the plates at different frequencies and amplitudes until they induced a yield transition. By measuring the forces applied to the gel (stress) and its deformations (strain), they were able to calculate the storage and loss moduli. The moduli have units of pressure, force per unit area, but their ratio, called the "loss tangent," is a pure number without dimension; it reflects the degree the substance performs as a solid to how it performs as a liquid. They also performed the same measurements for other YSFs, such as polymer-linked emulsions (an example is mayonnaise stabilized with a polymer like xanthan gum), colloidal gels such as gelatin, and fibrillar networks, like the extracellular matrix in animal tissues. Plotting and analyzing the height of loss moduli overshoot versus the loss tangent, they noticed it had a common feature for many YSFs: the overshoot depended on the loss tangent in the same way for the fluid of all compositions of the YSFs tested. This was surprising, they said, because the loss tangent is determined when the substance is solid-like, whereas the overshoot occurs at the yield transition to a liquid. With this new knowledge, the group, with lead author Daniel P. Keane, also of the University of Rhode Island, modeled the physics analytically using a model developed just a few years ago, called the KDR model, which is able to accurately model many of the yield transition's features. They were able to show, both numerically and by solving the model approximately, that the universal transition height as a function of the loss tangent was well accounted for by the KDR model. Poling-Skutvik said, "Our results can help to simplify the design of new materials to focus on their properties at rest rather than having to directly address the more complicated question about the yield transition itself." Their work has applications to many substances in food sciences and industrial production, from toothpaste to colloidal slurries used in battery manufacturing. Written for you by our author David Appell, 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: Daniel P. Keane et al, Universal Relationship between Linear Viscoelasticity and Nonlinear Yielding in Soft Materials, Physical Review Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.208202 Journal information: Physical Review Letters 2025 Science X Network 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: This simple image illustrates the habitable zone concept. At just the right distance from a star, a terrestrial planet could have liquid water on its surface, a necessary condition for life. New research shows that we should focus our observing efforts on stars with stable habitable zones that remain static for at least 2 billion years. Credit: NASA Exoplanet science is shifting from finding any detectable exoplanets we can to searching for those in their stars' habitable zones. NASA's proposed Habitable World Observatory and other similar efforts are focused on these worlds. The problem is, habitable zones aren't static. Habitable zones (HZ) aren't static because stars aren't static. As they age and evolve, their brightness and temperature change. Habitable planets on the edge of an HZ can find themselves uninhabitable. Conversely, uninhabitable planets could find themselves inside the HZ. New research points out that to use our observation resources wisely so they have the most impact, we should search for planets that are in their stars' Continuous Habitable Zone (CHZ). The CHZ reflects what we know about life on Earth. Photosynthetic life took about 2 billion years to oxygenate Earth's atmosphere, so the researchers say we should focus on exoplanets in the 2 Gyr continuous habitable zone (CHZ 2 ). The atmospheres of those planets are more likely to show signs of life. The research is titled "Continuous Habitable Zone Metric for Prioritizing Habitable Worlds Observatory Targets," and it's been accepted into The Astrophysical Journal. The authors are Austin Ware and Patrick Young from the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University. The research article is currently available on the arXiv preprint server. This work is all about prioritizing observation targets, and that starts with understanding how to identify CHZs. "One method of prioritization is to estimate the likelihood that an exoplanet has remained continuously within the HZ long enough for life to emerge and make a detectable impact on the atmosphere," the authors write. This graphic shows how Earth had to remain in the habitable zone long enough for life to alter its atmosphere. If habitable exoplanets follow a similar pattern, we should prioritize our search toward terrestrial exoplanets that remain in a stable habitable zone for at least 2 billion years. Credit: Sciencia58, Own work, CC0 Our sun is a good example of how a star's habitable zone can shift as a star evolves. When it was young, it was only about 70% as bright as it is now. The "faint young sun paradox" says that despite its weakness, the sun still had enough energy to maintain liquid water on Earth's surface. Earth's atmosphere was likely richer in greenhouse gases, which allowed our planet to trap more heat. Back then, the HZ was closer to the sun, and Venus may have been a much different world, with reasonable temperatures and liquid water. The sun has evolved since then, and now it's much brighter. Astrophysicists think the sun gets about 1% brighter every 100 million years or so. So the HZ has gradually shifted outward. Now Venus suffers from the runaway greenhouse effect, and its surface is totally uninhabitable. Over time, the sun will continue to brighten, pushing the HZ outward. One day, Mars may be warm again. In 4 billion years or so, the sun will change dramatically. It will enter its red giant phase, expand, and become dramatically brighter. The inner planets will be enveloped, and the HZ will shift outward dramatically. Jupiter, Saturn, and their ocean moons may be in the HZ. Our sun isn't exceptional. It's a standard main-sequence star. Its life stages illustrate clearly how the HZ isn't static. According to the authors, it's a moving target. Not just because the star changes, but terrestrial exoplanets change over time, too, and our search for habitable planets should consider that. "We utilize a Bayesian method to calculate the likelihood that a given orbital radius around a star is currently in the 2 Gyr continuous habitable zone (CHZ), the approximate time it took life on Earth to significantly oxygenate the atmosphere," the authors write. The Habitable Worlds Observatory is only a concept at this point, but scientists have already created a target list for the mission. It's called the Exoplanet Exploration Program Mission Star List (EMSL), and it has 164 stars on it. They are sun-like stars with HZs that are accessible to a direct-imaging mission like the HWO. The team applied their Bayesian method to all these stars and developed a metric to see which ones have a CHZ 2 . Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. As expected, the metrics follow the trend related to stellar age and spectral type. The CHZ 2 of older stars has lower metrics. In the later main sequence, their CHZ 2 contracts because their luminosity changes more rapidly. "This biases the CHZ 2 metric toward lower values at older ages," the researchers explain. The researchers found that "... stars slightly younger and more massive than the sun may be the most likely to have the widest zones of continuous habitability." Early F-dwarfs are at the opposite end of this scale. Late F and G dwarfs are in the sweet spot and have long main-sequence lifetimes and large HZs. They dominate the highest CHZ 2 metric values. However, it's not just about stars. Habitable zones are partnerships between stars and planets. Factors like geological activity and CO 2 outgassing on terrestrial planets also change over time. "This results in planets becoming geologically dead within ~ 57 Gyr for those between 0.51 Earth masses, after which the planets rely solely on their host star's luminosity to maintain habitable surface temperatures," the authors explain. The researchers think the average age for habitable planets is less than Earth's. Only super-Earths can maintain habitability for longer. In their conclusion, the researchers remind us of what most of us already know. Finding terrestrial exoplanets orbiting stars like our sun and then probing their atmospheres for biosignatures using direct imaging is an extremely difficult task. Despite our growing technological prowess, Nature doesn't give up its secrets easily. However, it's still our best bet for understanding how prevalent life might be in the Milky Way. If we inform our efforts based on what we know about life on Earth and how long it took life to change the atmosphere, we might make this difficult task a little less challenging. "Considering the potential for life to have made a detectable impact on the atmosphere presents a means to prioritize targets in the lead-up to future missions," the researchers write. More information: Austin Ware et al, Continuous Habitable Zone Metric for Prioritizing Habitable Worlds Observatory Targets, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2505.20558 Journal information: Astrophysical Journal , arXiv This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A sea turtle swims over dead coral on a reef in Baa Atoll in Maldives. Oceans have absorbed the vast majority of the warming caused by burning fossil fuels and shielded societies from the full impact of greenhouse gas emissions. But this crucial ally has developed alarming symptoms of stressheat waves, loss of marine life, rising sea levels, falling oxygen levels and acidification caused by the uptake of excess carbon dioxide. These effects risk not just the health of the ocean but the entire planet. Heating up By absorbing more than 90% of the excess heat trapped in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases, "oceans are warming faster and faster," said Angelique Melet, an oceanographer at the European Mercator Ocean monitor. The UN's IPCC climate expert panel has said the rate of ocean warmingand therefore its heat uptakehas more than doubled since 1993. Average sea surface temperatures reached new records in 2023 and 2024. Despite a respite at the start of 2025, temperatures remain at historic highs, according to data from the European Union's Copernicus climate monitor. The Mediterranean has set a new temperature record in each of the past three years and is one of the basins most affected, along with the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans, said Thibault Guinaldo, of France's CEMS research center. Marine heat waves have doubled in frequency, become longer-lasting and more intense, and affect a wider area, the IPCC said in its special oceans report. Warmer seas can make storms more violent, feeding them with heat and evaporated water. The heating water can also be devastating for species, especially corals and seagrass beds, which are unable to migrate. For corals, between 70% and 90% are expected to be lost this century if the world reaches 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming compared to pre-industrial levels. Scientists expect that thresholdthe more ambitious goal of the Paris climate dealto be breached in the early 2030s or even before. Relentless rise When a liquid or gas warms up, it expands and takes up more space. In the case of the oceans, this thermal expansion combines with the slow but irreversible melting of the world's ice caps and mountain glaciers to lift the world's seas. The pace at which global oceans are rising has doubled in three decades and if current trends continue it will double again by 2100 to about one centimeter per year, according to recent research. Around 230 million people worldwide live less than a meter above sea level, vulnerable to increasing threats from floods and storms. "Ocean warming, like sea-level rise, has become an inescapable process on the scale of our lives, but also over several centuries," said Melet. "But if we reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we will reduce the rate and magnitude of the damage, and gain time for adaptation." More acidity, less oxygen The ocean not only stores heat, it has also taken up 20 to 30% of all humans' carbon dioxide emissions since the 1980s, according to the IPCC, causing the waters to become more acidic. Acidification weakens corals and makes it harder for shellfish and the skeletons of crustaceans and certain plankton to calcify. "Another key indicator is oxygen concentration, which is obviously important for marine life," said Melet. Oxygen loss is due to a complex set of causes including those linked to warming waters. Reduced sea ice Combined Arctic and Antarctic sea ice coverfrozen ocean water that floats on the surfaceplunged to a record low in mid-February, more than a million square miles below the pre-2010 average. This becomes a vicious circle, with less sea ice allowing more solar energy to reach and warm the water, leading to more ice melting. This feeds the phenomenon of "polar amplification" that makes global warming faster and more intense at the poles, said Guinaldo. 2025 AFP A recent report from Mexican media outlets reveals that La Mayiza a prominent faction of the Sinaloa Cartel has recently acquired government-grade drone-jamming technology by exploiting legal loopholes and is using it to counter federal operations against the criminal group. Images shared on social media show an alleged member of the group using at least three devices produced by SkyFend Technology, a leading manufacturer of counter-drone systems. According to multiple security sources cited by Milenio, both federal and state authorities believe the equipment is among the most advanced available to civilians. The technology is typically used in electronic warfare and anti-drone operations. One device, the SkyFend Hunter, resembles a rifle but functions as a portable signal jammer. It can simultaneously disrupt the control, navigation and video transmission of multiple drones within a three-kilometer range. In a photo circulating online, a suspected La Mayiza member is also seen wearing the SkyFend Spoofer, a backpack-style device that emits continuous false signals in a two-kilometer radius. According to the manufacturer, drones entering the area lose control and either crash or flee the zone. The third device is the SkyFend Guider, an electronic tablet that serves as a portable command and control center. It integrates data from the Hunter and Spoofer to allow real-time monitoring and simultaneous control of up to 10 drones. The SkyFend Hunter alone can cost up to $100,000, according to online forums. Despite the advanced nature and high price of the equipment, its sale is not currently regulated in Mexico. Authorities have no mechanism to track the devices after purchase a loophole criminal groups like La Mayiza continue to exploit. In December 2024, lawmakers introduced a bill aimed at regulating online sales of drones and related equipment to prevent their use in criminal activities, including surveillance, bomb deployment and other attacks. The proposal remains pending in the Mexican Senate. In recent months, The Latin Times has reported on the increasingly sophisticated tactics cartels are using to evade and attack law enforcement, particularly through the use of drones. In March, reports surfaced that criminal groups along the U.S.-Mexico border were deploying drones to monitor the movements of U.S. Border Patrol agents. A month earlier, an alleged smuggling group reportedly used drones equipped with explosives to target agents in the region. Similar tactics are being adopted by smaller cartels throughout Mexico. Criminal organizations have begun using drones not only for surveillance but also to carry out attacks on rival groups and federal forces. In one viral video shared earlier this year, members of the Los Tenas criminal cell were seen using drones to drop explosives on a rival organization in the state of Michoacan. | Terror en Michoacan: criminales del grupo El Tena atacaron con un explosivo lanzado desde dron a un vehiculo blindado del CJNG en Chinicuila. El narco sigue operando con tecnologia de guerra mientras el gobierno guarda silencio. pic.twitter.com/fuOduMPCzs UHN Plus (@UHN_Plus) March 10, 2025 Originally published on Latin Times 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: Environmental Research (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121872 A team of researchers from The University of New Mexico's Museum of Southwestern Biology (MSB) has shared new research on the contamination at Holloman Lake in southern New Mexico. The team began studying PFAS contamination of wildlife at Holloman Lake in 2021. In an article published in 2024, the team reported world-record concentrations of PFAS in birds and mammals at the lake. The article showed that contamination spanned a period of at least 30 years and was connected to the use of PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) used by military installations. The new article, "Ecosystem-wide PFAS characterization and environmental behavior at a heavily contaminated desert oasis in the southwestern U.S.," published in the journal Environmental Research, confirms previous findings and analyzes all the factors contributing to the unprecedented levels of contamination at Holloman Lake. "Holloman Lake itselfits surface water and sediments, its flora and faunais the known epicenter of the massive PFAS contamination we have been studying since 2021, but we do not yet know the boundaries of the affected area," said Research Professor Jean-Luc Cartron, UNM Department of Biology and Museum of Southwestern Biology and lead author of the new report. "Much of the playa environment downstream of Holloman could be contaminated, and even more importantly, the movements of animals and animal populations around the landscape are essential factors to consider. Contaminated animals may travel far from Holloman and contaminate other ecosystems or pose a risk to hunters." This new research expanded on earlier published research to examine PFAS contamination in the waters of the lake, soils, plants, algae, fish, reptiles, and various species of birds and mammals. The highlights of the new research are: All the samples collected at Holloman Lake, whether water, soils, plants, algae, or animal tissues, had very high PFAS concentrations (up to 120,000 ng/g in the liver of a kangaroo rat), up to 10,000 times or more the EPA's drinking water standards. One plant composite sample had the highest PFAS concentrations recorded anywhere to date. Lake waters also appear to hold the highest PFAS concentrations recorded anywhere. Contamination is not limited to the lake itself. The scientists ruled out air transport as being an important mechanism and instead linked high soil concentrations to past inundation events (where, for example, wastewater used to be stored). They were able to find some of the same patterns reported during controlled lab studies, linking the length of the PFAS molecules (and the number of fluorinated carbons) to their ability to transport out of the water, with salt and clay minerals also playing an important role. Due to the extraordinarily high levels of PFAS contamination, together with the local abundance of wildlife and the complex hydrogeological setting (including gypsum deposits), Holloman Lake can serve as a natural laboratory for studying and learning more about PFAS environmental behavior, including transport, fate and bioaccumulation. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. "The prolonged and severe PFAS contamination at Holloman Lake presents an important natural experiment to investigate how legacy and emerging PFAS compounds are distributed and transported through an ecosystemshedding light on exposure risks to wildlife and humans," said co-author of the article and Ph.D. graduate Chauncey R. Gadek, Division of Birds, Museum of Southwestern Biology. Holloman Lake is a wastewater lake located in a publicly accessible area of Holloman AFB in Otero County west of Alamogordo, N.M. It is home to thousands of waterfowl and shorebirds, the reason why it was designated as an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society in 2002. It also harbors an abundance of other birds and small mammals. "Our planet is undergoing rapid change on multiple fronts, and we now live in an era of global contamination," said Distinguished and Regents' Professor Joseph A. Cook, curator, Division of Mammals, Museum of Southwestern Biology, who co-authored the article. "The pervasive PFAS contamination found throughout the Holloman Lake ecosystem points to the dire need for more intensive holistic monitoring of New Mexico's environments on a regular basis." One concern of the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) was the contamination of the regional aquifer and water wells, another the health risks to local duck hunters. Hunting was permitted at Holloman Lake until last year and the publication of the initial research. The scientists have also observed a herd of oryx visiting Holloman Lake on a regular basis. Oryx can be hunted in New Mexico and thus there is the possibility for hunters to ingest contaminated meat. The scientists are now working in collaboration with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to evaluate that risk. However, the most contaminated soil sample was downstream of the lake, not at the lake itself. Historical imagery indicates that water from the lake at times flowed past the dam and into the network of playas extending to the southwest in the direction of Lake Lucero in White Sands National Park. One of the big questions is how contaminated the playas in the area might be. Playas can be important habitat for migratory birds during and after rain events. Additionally, Cartron found a dead baby bird (a killdeer chick) right by its nest on the ground near the lake. It was sent to the lab for testing, and its tissues had the highest PFAS concentration recorded to date in a bird. "We are worried about the possibility of toxicity on reproduction and development in local birds, some of them sensitive species like the snowy plover," added Cartron. "Contamination by PFAS could also be transgenerational, with contamination affecting not just animals living at or visiting Holloman Lake, but also future generations." The scientists are also concerned about the possibility of migratory birds becoming heavily contaminated at Holloman Lake and then migrating to other wetlands around the state (and beyond), where hunters may also become contaminated. UNM Biology Professor Chris Witt is spearheading that effort to identify the level of risk statewide, with assistance from hunters around the state. More information: Jean-Luc E. Cartron et al, Ecosystem-wide PFAS characterization and environmental behavior at a heavily contaminated desert oasis in the southwestern U.S., Environmental Research (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121872 Journal information: Environmental Research 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: Northwestern researchers SonBinh Nguyen (left) and Timothy Wei collaborated on a new water- and oil-resistant material that could become a safe, viable replacement for harmful plastics and toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substancesknown as PFASin food packaging. Credit: Jonah Elkowitz Northwestern University researchers have developed a new water- and oil-resistant material that could become a safe, viable replacement for harmful plastics and toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging. Derived from graphene oxide, the material is non-toxic, environmentally friendly and affordable. When applied to paper-based food and beverage packaging, the material not only provides exceptional barrier properties but also significantly enhances the product's overall strength. This could mean an end to flimsy paper plates and soggy takeout containers. After use, packaging treated with the material can be readily composted or recycledclosing the loop on a truly sustainable solution. GO-Ecoa subsidiary of Chang Robotics and a resident startup at Northwestern's Querrey InQbation Lab (The Q)is commercializing the patent-pending product. Recent independent, third-party industry-standard evaluations have shown that Northwestern's material significantly improves strength and barrier properties compared to current commercially available solutions. A transformation in how we package food "This is not just a materials innovation; it's a market-ready solution," said Timothy Wei, who co-developed the product. "We are thrilled to be taking GO-Eco from the lab to the factory floor, with applications that could ultimately transform the entire food packaging industry." Wei is an adjunct professor of mechanical engineering at Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering, chief scientist at Chang Robotics and former dean of engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He co-developed the product with graphene oxide expert SonBinh Nguyen, a professor of chemistry at Northwestern's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. The urgency for new solutions is clear. After analyzing numbers from various sources, the GO-Eco team estimates the U.S. alone produces approximately 14 million metric tons of paper-based food packaging and corrugated cardboard each year, generating more than $60 billion in annual sales. These products are often coated with plastic, foil or PFAS to achieve water- and oil-resistance, despite mounting regulatory pressures to eliminate these materials due to environmental and health risks. While some bio-based alternatives exist, their high cost has rendered them commercially unviable. Improving the barrier properties of paper and cardboard The potential solution to this global problem came from decades of research from Nguyen's and Wei's labs. While Nguyen's research group has published extensively on characterizing and manufacturing graphene oxide, Wei brings deep expertise in advanced manufacturing and the food industry. Together, they developed a new proprietary process that harnesses the unique properties of graphene oxideoxidized single-atom-thick sheets of carbon atomsto enhance the barrier properties of paper and cardboard products. After developing the process, the team rigorously tested the material on a diverse range of food- and beverage-packaging prototypes, including cardboard boxes, plastic produce bags and disposable tableware, such as plates, cups and straws. In every instance, the new material rendered these products resistant to water, oil and grease, while simultaneously boosting the strength of the paper substrates. The Q, Northwestern's Office of Undergraduate Research and The Alumnae of Northwestern University initially assisted the research with internship support. Testing the product With recent funding from a major national tableware manufacturer and active engagement from multiple industry partners, GO-Eco has advanced product testing from the laboratory stage at The Q to comprehensive, industry-standard evaluations at Western Michigan University's Paper Pilot Plant. These tests confirmed that applying small amounts of graphene oxide increases barrier performance and paper strength by 30% to 50% over what is commonly used in the market. And the cost remains comparable to current commercial barrier products. These findings apply to a broad array of materialsfrom molded fiber products, such as tableware, to corrugated cardboard packaging. Through an exclusive licensing agreement with Northwestern and support from The Q, GO-Eco is transitioning the science into a commercialized technology. The team is actively discussing production and pilot testing with several companies. GO-Eco's next steps include scaling production, pursuing FDA food-contact approvals and certifying the recyclability and compostability of paper treated with graphene oxide. It also plans to conduct a full-scale production trial for molded fiber and traditional paper-sheet prototypes. 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 Enterprise resource planning systems could transform management accounting for publicly listed firms, according to research published in the International Journal of Economics and Business Research. The focus of the work is on Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and offers both practical insights for business leaders and a broader perspective on digital transformation that could apply to other emerging markets. Vietnam, as with many emerging markets, is undergoing rapid digital transformation. Listed companies in Vietnam are particularly relevant subjects due to their visibility, regulatory obligations, and the growing need for transparency. Tran Thi Phuong Lan and Duong Thi Thuy Lien of the University of Finance-Marketing in Ho Chi Minh City, explain that enterprise resource planning systems are integrated software platforms that bring together various business functions ranging from finance and human resources to procurement and supply chain management. This integration into a centralized digital framework allows real-time data sharing and more coordinated workflows among company departments. For management accountants, this means a shift away from traditional, manual data processing towards a more strategic, analysis-driven role. The research focuses on management accounting practices, internal methods and tools used by firms to assess financial performance, allocate resources, and support strategic decision-making. The efficiency of such practices is crucial to a company's long-term viability. In Vietnam, where companies face increasing pressure to meet global standards, enterprise resource planning systems will help them modernize their internal processes. The team found that the key to successful implementation of enterprise resource planning is strong commitment from senior management. Companies where leadership actively supports the rollout of these systems through resource allocation, clear goal-setting, and cultural endorsement are far more likely to see improvements in management accounting practices. The researchers add that other influential factors, such as the quality of the used software, vendor support, adaptability of the organizational structure, and incorporation of complementary technologies are also important to success. More information: Tran Thi Phuong Lan et al, Factors affecting management accounting practices under mediating role of enterprise resource planning system: case in Vietnam, International Journal of Economics and Business Research (2025). DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2025.146379 Provided by Inderscience 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: Event scheme and model constraints for the relational event model (REM). Credit: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.2981 When it comes to impressing the ladies, greater sage-grouse males know that smooth dance moves trump combative posturing. Indeed, new Yale research into these prairie-dwelling birds confirms that female preference is more important than male aggression when it's time to mate. During mating season, male greater sage-grouse gather in communal groups called leks. To attract females, they engage in showy dances, strutting around with puffed-out chests and fanned-out tail feathers. They also fight with each other. Some birds are more aggressive, others less so. Researchers have long thought these battles were likely designed to impress female onlookers. It turns out, however, that female grouse are more interested in the dance displays and are more likely to mate with males who put on a good show. The findings are published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. "The females have evolved to be connoisseurs of these displays," said Samuel S. Snow, a former doctoral student in Yale's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and lead author of the new study. "Females don't care about the outcomes of the fights. They just want to get back to the displays." Snow, who is now a postdoctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia, conducted the research with ornithologist Richard Prum, the William Robertson Coe Professor of Ornithology of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in Yale's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Researchers from the University of California's Davis and Irvine campuses also contributed. Close-up of a male greater sage-grouse 'strut' display. Credit: Samuel S. Snow In their study, researchers analyzed video of 18 days of greater sage-grouse mating behaviors on the grasslands of Wyoming's Great Basin region. Their findings reveal that while fighting serves necessary purposes, such as defending territory and deterring potential courtship disruptions, it can also hurt a male's chances of mating. Not only are females unimpressed with aggression, the time males spend fighting also cuts considerably into the time they might otherwise be mating. "The simplistic correlation between aggression and mating success turned out to be wrong in this species," Prum said. The researchers then used a powerful statistical method known as a Relational Event Model (REM) to analyze the birds' mating behavior. It was the first time REM was applied to animal mating behavior. REM focuses not just on events, but on their order and timing. Whereas other methods used in past research simply counted fights and subsequent matings, and then looked for correlations, REM offers a wider view. It enabled researchers to observe what happens before and after each event. This approach, applied to detailed observations of the grouse spanning the entire mating season, yielded a more granular, cause-and-effect understanding of how aggression affects mating, Snow said. Researchers tested two theories: the "aggression model" (which assumes fighting attracts mates) and the "attractiveness model" (which allows that some male display moves are just more attractive to females and fighting doesn't help). The data supported the "attractiveness model." Best-supported model in hand, researchers were further able to run computer simulations of the grouse lek under different social conditions. "The modeling helped us get causal inferences from observational data," Snow said. "It takes into account when the grouse fight and how much time they're then able to devote to displaying. It also illustrates how fighting can interfere with mating success and how too much can destabilize social systems. So, what are the male display qualities that most impress the female greater sage-grouse? Researchers aren't sure, but the birds are. "The displays are highly specialized to the females' preferences as to what they want to see in the lek." Snow said. "For males, the takeaway would be: Don't start fights you can't win and don't start fights when there are females around." More information: Samuel S. Snow et al, Fighting isn't sexy in lekking greater sage-grouse: a relational event model approach for mating interactions, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.2981 Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B 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: CC0 Public Domain U.S. President Donald Trump wants to tap the private sector to pave the way for human missions to Mars in a proposal that closely aligns with the goals of Elon Musk. The White House's 2026 budget proposal, released late on Friday, calls for allocating more than $1 billion for Mars exploration, including a new NASA initiative called the Commercial Mars Payload Services Program, or CMPS. Under the proposal, NASA would award contracts to companies developing spacesuits, communications systems and a human-rated landing vehicle to foster exploration of the Red Planet. Trump's proposed $18.8 billion NASA budget would cut the agency's funding by about 25% from the year before, with big hits to its science portfolio. The fleshed-out request on Friday builds upon a condensed budget proposal released earlier this month. "We must continue to be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars," NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro wrote in a letter included in the request. "That means making strategic decisionsincluding scaling back or discontinuing ineffective efforts." The new Mars scheme is modeled after NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program that has benefited Intuitive Machines LLC, Firefly Aerospace Inc. and Astrobotic Technology Inc., though it has achieved mixed results. According to the budget, the contract to land on Mars would build upon existing lander contracts. Musk's SpaceX is already developing a version of its Starship rocket to take Americans back to the moon's surface under the agency's Artemis program. Musk laid out a grandiose vision for a sprawling settlement on Mars during a talk earlier this week with SpaceX employees. Trump's pick to run NASA, tech billionaire Jared Isaacman, told lawmakers the agency could pursue the moon and Mars in parallel. The administration's proposed cuts, particularly changes to NASA's science portfolio, have generated criticism from people in the space industry and lawmakers, including from former Republican Congressmen like Newt Gingrich and Bob Walker. Isaacman himself said the science cuts wouldn't be an "optimal outcome." The administration earlier revealed plans to phase out the Boeing Co.-built Space Launch System rocket and the Lockheed Martin Corp. Orion crew capsule, parts of which have been in development for years, after three flights. Instead, the budget details a strategy for new, private sector-led trips back to the moon, which the White House said would minimize costs and reduce schedule risks. It would be modeled on a NASA program that helped to fuel the development of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Northrop Grumman Corp.'s cargo-hauling Cygnus. The budget proposal is likely to run into resistance from veteran members of Congress, like Texas Republicans Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Brian Babin, who have fiercely defended the current plans for going back to the moon. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: An informal settlement in Indonesia where Monash-led research program Revitalizing Informal Settlements and their Environments is working with locals to prevent mosquito-borne disease. Credit: Monash University Researchers have caught and analyzed more than 90,000 mosquitoes in Fiji and Indonesia to find more effective ways to protect some of the world's most vulnerable populations from harmful diseases such as dengue, Zika and West Nile. They have highlighted the urgent need to improve water supply and access, upgrade drainage systems, and mitigate urban heat, to reduce mosquito abundance in informal settlements in Makassar, Indonesia and Suva, Fiji. The paper is published in the journal Environmental Research Letters. The research is part of the Monash University-led transdisciplinary research program Revitalizing Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE), which aims to address water access, sanitation, environmental and related health issues in 24 informal settlements in Fiji and Indonesia. Often referred to as a "slum," an informal settlement is a residential area lacking formal urban planning or service provision. It's estimated that more than 1 billion people across the globe live in informal settlements today, and the number of residents is expected to triple in the next 30 years. Lead researcher Dr. Emma Ramsay, who undertook the research as a key focus of her Ph.D. at Monash University, said people living in informal settlements face a high risk of mosquito-borne diseases, but until now there was limited evidence on what drives mosquito numbers in these areas. "We must address this issue if we are to improve the health and environmental outcomes in these areas," Dr. Ramsay said. "Our study is a big step forward, because we provide an evidence-based approach to guide place-based solutions for dealing with mosquito vectors that enhance the burden of disease. "Climate change, rapid urbanization and population growth are all contributing to growing challenges for informal settlement residents across the Indo-Pacific and elsewhere." Over six years, the RISE team has been diligently trapping and counting thousands of mosquitoes to untangle the complex dynamics that drive mosquito risk. Co-author Professor Steven Chown, from Monash School of Biological Sciences and lead of the ecology and environment team at RISE, said the long-term study gave researchers enough data to develop a rich and nuanced understanding of how mosquitoes behave and spread in informal settlements. "Some solutions can inadvertently create other problems, so it's really important to test our ideas with long-term research and work closely with the communities to mitigate adverse impacts," Professor Chown said. "For example, more buildings and roads can make an area hotter, which may benefit mosquitoes." "It's also important to understand not all mosquitoes respond the same way. Having piped water can reduce the number of dengue-carrying mosquitoes, but increase the numbers of the southern house mosquito, which spreads other diseases." More information: Emma E Ramsay et al, Causal drivers of mosquito abundance in urban informal settlements, Environmental Research Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/add751 Journal information: Environmental Research Letters 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: Major Victorian bushfires 18512025. Credit: Source: Australian Journal of Public Administration (2025). DOI: 10.1111/1467-8500.70007 From the inferno of Black Thursday in 1851 to the devastation of Black Summer starting at the end of 2019, bushfires have a powerful legacy in post-European settlement Victoria. These fires have not only shaped the physical landscape, but also the political, institutional and cultural responses to disaster. Over the 174 years of bushfire history recorded by European settlers, the state has moved from fragmented, reactive firefighting to a more sophisticated, integrated and forward-looking system of emergency management. But this transformation did not come quickly. For much of the 19th and early 20th centuries, fire disasters were treated as unfortunate but inevitable acts of nature. Public scrutiny was limited and systematic reform was rare. It wasn't until the 20th century that bushfire disasters were examined through formal inquiry. And not until the aftermath of the 1939 Black Friday fires that Victoria saw its first landmark Royal Commission into bushfire management. Since then, Victoria has built a powerful pattern of institutional learning. Through repeated cycles of crisis, review and reform that included royal commissions, coronial inquiries and parliamentary reviews, the state has developed a unique and evolving model of disaster response and preparedness. Our three-year study, published in the Australian Journal of Public Administration, has investigated the adaptations and changes to coordination, preparedness, prevention, accountability and responsibility over the course of almost 175 years of settler fire history. A legacy of learning from fire While the Black Thursday fires of 1851 were catastrophic, they were met with little official reflection. For decades, bushfires were treated largely as a localized issuemanaged by landholders, rural brigades or volunteerswith minimal coordination across government and little effort to draw statewide lessons. Throughout the 19th century, government reports on forestry consistently pointed to the lack of fire-specific legislation as a major shortcoming in forest management. Although the first related royal commission was in 1901 following the Red Tuesday fires, its focus was on state forests and timber. And while its outcomes were limited, the inquiry indirectly contributed to the eventual establishment of a State Forestry department and tighter regulations on the use of fire. It would take several more decadesand an even more devastating fire eventfor bushfire management to become a structured, statewide concern. That shift began with the 1939 Black Friday fires, which killed 71 people and destroyed entire towns. In response, the Stretton Royal Commission was establishedthe first major inquiry in Victoria dedicated solely to bushfire management. It marked a turning point, not only in how fire risk was understood, but in how institutions were expected to respond. The Commission's findings led to the creation of Victoria's Country Fire Authority (CFA) in 1945 and laid the groundwork for modern bushfire governance. In the decades that followed, other major fires prompted further reviews. The devastating 1983 Ash Wednesday fires highlighted the need for improved inter-agency coordination, while the 2009 Black Saturday firesconsidered the deadliest bushfire disaster in Australia's historytriggered Australia's most comprehensive review of emergency management to date. The resulting royal commission produced 67 far-reaching recommendations, many of which significantly reshaped how the state plans for, communicates about and responds to bushfire risk. A clear pattern has emerged: Victoria learns from fire. This accumulated experience has helped build one of the most mature, integrated and adaptive emergency management systems in the world. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. From reaction to proactivity Historically, Victoria's approach to bushfires was reactive. Fires were met with urgency and bravery, but also confusion and poor coordination. Different agencies operated in silos. Lines of responsibility were unclear. Communication failures were common. That model has been steadily replaced. Today, bushfire management focuses on what happens before a fire startsthrough risk reduction, early warnings and prevention strategies that treat fire as a year-round challenge. One of the more innovative developments in Victoria's emergency management landscape has been the adoption of hybrid structures. These are organizational models that bring together the public sector, civil society, business, and community groups to work collaboratively before, during and after disasters. Hybridity recognizes that the scale and complexity of modern bushfires demand cooperation across boundaries. No single organization has the capacity to manage these events alone. We can see this approach in everything from joint training exercises between fire agencies and local councils, to shared resource agreements during fire events. Community fire groups, for example, mean residents can assess local risk and plan together, while also linking directly into the formal emergency response system. It's a model of mutual reinforcementwhere central authority and local knowledge combine. Involving everyone in preparedness Effective bushfire planning today also means inclusive planning. Over the years, inquiries and reports have shown that some communities are disproportionately impacted by fireand often underserved in preparedness and recovery efforts. As a result, Victoria's emergency management institutions have increasingly prioritized engagement with diverse communities. Programs now incorporate input from young people, multicultural and multifaith groups, LGBTIQ+ communities and people with disabilities. First Nations communities, whose land management practices have been historically sidelined, are also recognized as critical partners. The revival of traditional burning practices provides valuable knowledge about how to manage fuel loads in ecologically sustainable wayssomething Western fire management systems are only beginning to fully understand. Victoria has had comprehensive reviews of its emergency management. Credit: Joshua Stevens/NASA Public inquiries are instruments of change Since the 1939 Royal Commission, public inquiries have become central to how Victoria responds to bushfire disasters. But these inquiries do more than assign blamethey create the conditions for systemic reform. They have helped reframe how risks are understood and who holds responsibility. Over time, this process has built a strong culture of institutional accountability, operational transparency and system-wide adaptation. The recommendations that come out of these processeswhether it's technical, structural or culturalare typically taken seriously and implemented. They have led to the development of national warning systems, improvements in evacuation protocols and clearer governance frameworks that define how agencies work together. An ongoing evolution of fire management While Victoria has come a long way, bushfire risk continues to evolve. Climate change is lengthening fire seasons, intensifying extreme weather and putting new pressures on land management and emergency response systems. Urban growth on the fringes of cities and towns is creating new vulnerabilities, while changing patterns of volunteering and community capacity pose challenges to traditional fire services. In response, Victoria's emergency management system continues to adapt. It's investing in technology, strengthening regional partnerships and testing innovative models of engagement. But one thing remains constant: the state's commitment to learning from its past. Bushfire lessons for the world The Victorian experience offers valuable lessons well beyond its borders. It shows how repeated exposure to crisis can lead not to fatalism, but to institutional maturity. It shows how diverse groupspublic servants, volunteers, community leaders and scientists can work together to forge new models of resilience. And it demonstrates that even after disaster, there's opportunity to build systems that are more inclusive, more effective and more just. For jurisdictions around the world facing increasing natural hazard risks, Victoria's almost 175 years of settler fire history offers more than just cautionary tales. This breadth of experience offers a roadmap for how disaster can become a driver for deep and lasting reform. More information: Graham Dwyer et al, Bushfire public inquiries: From recommendations to hybrid emergency management arrangements, Australian Journal of Public Administration (2025). DOI: 10.1111/1467-8500.70007 French scientist Etienne-Emile Baulieu, the inventor of the abortion pill, died at the age of 98 at his home in Paris on Friday, his wife told AFP. The doctor and researcher, who achieved worldwide renown for his work that led to the pill, had an eventful life that included fighting in the French resistance and becoming friends with artists such as Andy Warhol. "His research was guided by his commitment to the progress made possible by science, his dedication to women's freedom, and his desire to enable everyone to live better, longer lives," Baulieu's wife Simone Harari Baulieu said in a statement. Baulieu's most famous discovery helped create the oral drug RU-486, also known as mifepristone, which provided a safe and inexpensive alternative to surgical abortion to millions of women across the world. For decades, he pushed governments to authorise the drug, facing fierce criticism and sometimes threats from opponents of abortion. When Wyoming became the first US state to outlaw the abortion pill in 2023, Baulieu told AFP it was "scandalous". Then aged 96, Baulieu said he had dedicated a large part of his life to "increasing the freedom of women," and such bans were a step in the wrong direction. On news of his death, French Equality Minister Aurore Berge passed on her condolences to Baulieu's family, saying on X he was "guided throughout his life by one requirement: human dignity." Born on December 12, 1926 in Strasbourg to Jewish parents, Etienne Blum was raised by his feminist mother after his father, a doctor, died. He changed his name to Emile Baulieu when he joined the French resistance against Nazi occupation at the age of 15, then later adding Etienne. After the war, he became a self-described "doctor who does science," specialising in the field of steroid hormones. Invited to work in the United States, Baulieu was noticed in 1961 by Gregory Pincus, known as the father of the contraceptive pill, who convinced him to focus on sex hormones. Back in France, Baulieu designed a way to block the effect of the hormone progesterone, which is essential for the egg to implant in the uterus after fertilisation. This led to the development of mifepristone in 1982. Dragged before the courts and demonised by US anti-abortion groups who accused him of inventing a "death pill", Baulieu refused to back down. "Adversity slides off him like water off a duck's back," Simone Harari Baulieu told AFP. "You, a Jew and a resistance fighter, you were overwhelmed with the most atrocious insults and even compared to Nazi scientists," French President Emmanuel Macron said as he presented Baulieu with France's top honour in 2023. "But you held on, for the love of freedom and science." In the 1960s, literature fan Baulieu became friends with artists such as Andy Warhol. He said he was "fascinated by artists who claim to have access to the human soul, something that will forever remain beyond the reach of scientists." Baulieu kept going into his Parisian office well into his mid-90s. "I would be bored if I did not work anymore," he said in 2023. His recent research has included trying to find a way to prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease, as well as a treatment for severe depression, for which clinical trials are currently underway across the world. "There is no reason we cannot find treatments" for both illnesses, he said. Baulieu was also the first to describe how the hormone DHEA secreted from adrenal glands in 1963. He was convinced of the hormone's anti-ageing abilities, but drugs using it only had limited effects, such as in skin-firming creams. In the United States, Baulieu was also awarded the prestigious Lasker prize in 1989. After his wife Yolande Compagnon died, Baulieu married Simone Harari in 2016. He leaves behind three children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, according to the statement released by his family. OCEAN CITY A coalition of organizations is pushing back against a plan for a multimillion-dollar hotel at the site of the former Gillians Wonderland amusement park. Developer Eustace Mita plans to ask City Council to declare the site an area in need of redevelopment to allow the project in an area not zoned for hotels. With a proposal for 250 rooms, parking underneath and an estimated cost of $150 million, the hotel would be the biggest private project the city has seen in decades. At public meetings, in Boardwalk conversations, through social media and in interviews, opposition to the proposal has been growing since the fall. Still stinging from Mitas comment in an earlier interview that the opposition to his proposal was just the same 20 people organized in multiple groups, a statement from the organizations released Monday emphasized the thousands of signatures in opposition and supporters the groups have amassed. Representing thousands of citizens, residents, and regular vacationers, these groups argue that the project threatens the historic character, zoning integrity, and family-friendly culture that define Ocean City, the statement from the organization Ocean City 2050 reads. The organization announced its formation in March. Mita did not immediately respond to a request for comment. One of the organizers of opposition to the hotel proposal, Bill Merritt, cited the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce endorsement, which included a call for a community consensus. He was also annoyed by Mitas comments about the opposition. Im like, dude, theres a lot more than that. Thousands of people are against this, Merritt said Monday. Ocean City chamber backs Mita hotel plan, with tweaks The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce has agreed to support a plan for a $150 million luxury hotel on the Boardwalk, but it has some recommendations for the developer. So far, there has been no formal application to the city for approvals for the project, but Mita has presented plans at town hall meetings and to community groups, also gaining support from the Boardwalk Merchants Association and a group of Asbury Avenue business owners. The long-operating Wonderland closed last fall, after CEO Jay Gillian, who is also the mayor, announced over the summer that it was no longer a viable business. Mita owned the property and leased it to Wonderland. Not long after the closure, Mita announced plans for the hotel. Merritt said the organizations are not against development at the site, but they oppose Mitas plans. As advocates for a transparent, fact-driven process that respects Ocean Citys history and culture, they make clear they are not against change or thoughtful development, but rather for a process that includes consideration of various alternatives to arrive at a consensus, reads the statement released Monday. Its important to recognize just how many Ocean City residents and organizations are firmly against the idea of a high-rise hotel on our historic boardwalk, said Jim Kelly, one of the founders of Ocean City 2050, in the groups statement. Mita owns the Icona hotel chain and the residential development company Achristavest, among other businesses. The city resident has said he would not leave the property vacant for the summer, opening an arcade and pizza shop to keep the front on the Boardwalk active. There is also a bike rental business in part of the structure, with bikes lined up over the weekend in front of the now-idle carousel. As part of the proposal, Mita has promised to keep the historic carousel, the Ferris wheel and other rides at the site of the hotel. What will the former Gillians Wonderland site look like this summer? A proposal for a $150 million hotel for the Ocean City Boardwalk will not come before City Council this month, but developer Eustace Mita expects to present in June or July. In the meantime, he plans to open a pizza place and arcade to keep the site active. While the developer Eustace Mita claims to have received endorsements from a few merchant associations, he offered these groups a false binary choice: his hotel or nothing, Kelly continued. We submit that there are better alternatives that should be explored, which would more successfully serve our community and still be highly profitable. Even groups that Mita claims have endorsed his resort have concerns. The coalition includes Friends of OCNJ History & Culture, listing Merritt as president, along with Save Wonderland, the Plaza Place Association, the Beach Watch Association, the Ocean City Old Home Lovers Group and the Glen Cove Concerned Citizens. The groups have created a website opposing the hotel plans, bigmistake.org, and have sought to build opposition to changing the sites zoning. Merritt raised concerns about setting a precedent for development on the Boardwalk. In public comments, Mita has said the hotel would take a decade before it started to show a profit, suggesting few other developers would consider the move. He has argued the proposal is the best option for Ocean City, a landmark project that would help define the city. Mita argues the city badly needs hotel rooms and that the proposal would help the economy and the stores along the Boardwalk. So far, no presentation has been scheduled with council. The proposal would also need state approvals and would go before the Planning Board if a majority on council supported the redevelopment designation. The Wonderland property is not blighted or in need of rehabilitation. It is in need of a project that is in keeping with the history, culture, charm, and zoning of our beloved Ocean City, said Howie Atkinson of the Beach Watch Association, one of several organization members quoted in the statement Monday. The project as proposed will not only negatively impact the Boardwalk but will have an adverse impact on the neighboring historic communities, said Richard Barth of the Ocean City Old Homes Lovers Group. With a positive dialogue, we can do better as a community. Newark Liberty International Airport reopened its main runway, 4L-22R, on Monday, nearly two weeks ahead of schedule after months of construction caused delays for travelers. The runway had been closed since April 15 for safety upgrades and repairs. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced a $121 million runway renovation, explaining it was needed due to wear on the 11,000-foot strip, which hadn't been upgraded since 2014, NBC News said. Runways are usually repaired every 10 years, and this one was due. The project featured several upgrades, including repaving the runway, improving lighting, installing new drainage systems, and completing underground electrical work. "Returning the runway ahead of schedule without compromising safety or quality was our top goal," said Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority. "This should ease the burden on passengers and airlines just in time for summer." The runway's reopening comes just in time as the airport prepares for its busiest travel season of the year. For weeks, passengers at Newark faced long delays and cancellationsnot just because of the runway closure, but also due to staffing shortages and communication problems at the control tower. Sec.of Transportation. Sean Duffy is setting the stage for smoother operations at one of the busiest airports in the country with Newark Liberty International Airport critical runway Finally re-opening nearly two weeks ahead of schedule. pic.twitter.com/hrR315wbiD April Color (@ColorApril) May 31, 2025 Runway Reopens at Newark, Delays Set to Drop On May 20, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) limited the number of flights in and out of Newark to ease congestion until construction was finished. "Our goal is to reduce the major delays caused by construction, staffing issues, and recent equipment failures," said Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau. "These delays have had a ripple effect across the entire air travel system." According to NYPost, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement that reopening the runway is a big step forward, but more work remains "We'll keep strengthening telecom systems and fixing staffing shortages," he said. "This will help make travel smoother and safer." United Airlines, which has its main hub at Newark, also welcomed the news. CEO Scott Kirby recently said runway issues had led to fewer bookings but was hopeful the improvements would bring travelers back. "People should book with confidence," he said. "Now's the time to buy." Though runway 4L-22R is now back in full operation, some night and weekend closures will continue later in the year to finish additional upgrades. During those times, the airport's other two runways will stay open. Originally published on vcpost.com Suspect killed police injured in Chetumal criminal gang clash Chetumal, Q.R. A suspect in the kidnapping of two Chetumal men was killed during a police pursuit Sunday. Three SSC police officers were injured in the afternoon chase that resulted in one arrest and release of the two kidnapped men. According to the State Secretary of Citizen Security (SSC), the incident was reported in the Barrio Bravo neighborhood of Chetumal where, around 3:30 p.m., two men were abducted. Police began a search operation for the involved vehicle with at least two armed men on board. Once located, a pursuit ensued along several residential streets that ended in extensive gunfire. The hood and windshield of one of the police units was hit numerous times, while the other police unit was involved in a collision. Two officers inside that police unit were injured in the crash. One other officer was taken to hospital for a firearm injury during the chase. It is not clear if he was injured while inside the police unit or outside. The SSC said they are investigating the Sunday afternoon incident that left one gunman dead. This afternoon, a report of armed individuals and allegedly two individuals deprived of their liberty was received in the Barrio Bravo neighborhood of Chetumal. The corresponding protocols were activated and a joint operation began with the Quintana Roo State Attorney Generals Office, Municipal Police, Sedena, National Guard and the Navy. Following a chase, two individuals were rescued, one of the possible suspects was arrested, and another was killed. During the operation, long weapons, handguns exclusively for the military, drugs and vehicles were seized. It was confirmed that two SSC members were injured in a collision, and one more was injured due to a firearm. The support units are available for the corresponding investigation. Reports say the two abducted men were members of a criminal gang that operates in Chetumal and were kidnapped by members from an opposing cell. " " Smell ya later. Nicole Antonio / DALL-E If you've ever tromped through the steamy backwoods of Florida, you may have heard the squishy steps of something curious just beyond the trees. Could it be Florida's most elusive cryptid, the skunk ape? Named for its pungent odor and ape-like appearance, this creature has stirred up swampy stories and skeptical smirks for decades. Advertisement While tales of the skunk ape stretch back to the 1960s, alleged sightings still ripple across the Sunshine State, from Naples to the Panhandle. With descriptions ranging from a "man-sized monkey" to a swamp-dwelling Sasquatch, it's no surprise the skunk ape has found a firm spot in Florida folklore. Army, assemble! K-pop history could be made this June as the 2025 BTS Festa, scheduled for June 13-14 at Kintex in Goyang, may feature the first full-group public appearance of BTS since their military service hiatus began nearly two years ago. With all seven members, Jin, RM, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, either discharged or just days away from completing their mandatory enlistment, the anticipation within the BTS fandom, ARMY, is at an all-time high. Full Group Comeback? All Eyes on Kintex The 2025 BTS Festa coincides with the group's official debut anniversary on June 13, a date that has become sacred to fans. This year's event is particularly special: it may be the first time all member s are seen together in public since December 2022, when Jin became the first to enlist. RM and V are set to be discharged on June 10, followed by Jimin and Jungkook on June 11. Suga, who has been serving as a public service worker in an alternative military program, will complete his duties on June 21 just days after the Festa. Jin and J-Hope, both discharged in 2023, have already resumed solo activities. Inside the 2025 Festa: What Fans Can Expect The two-day celebration promises to be the largest BTS Festa yet, featuring over 20 immersive exhibits across two convention halls. Key attractions include: A massive "Army Bomb" light show and fan photo zone and fan photo zone The "Voice Zone" with unreleased voice messages from the members with unreleased voice messages from the members The "Trophy Zone" showcasing the band's global awards and honors showcasing the band's global awards and honors The "BTS Locker", displaying personal items and mementos from the members' careers The event will also offer exclusive online content from June 213, including special releases like "Hoseokjin Photos," "Anchor Showdown," "Hoseokjin's 12:00," and "20130613 Congratulations." Why This Matters: A Turning Point for BTS and K-pop The end of BTS's military service marks a watershed moment not just for the group, but for the global K-pop industry. The possibility of a full-group comeback whether hinted at during Festa or announced formally later this year has fans and analysts alike speculating about new music, world tours, and collaborative performances. "Fans, myself included, are eagerly waiting to see what new synergies emerge among the members," said Grace Kao, a Yale University professor who lectures on K-pop culture. "It's not just nostalgia it's about watching seven artists who have evolved individually, now reuniting on a new level." Jin and J-Hope Lead the Way Back Jin recently announced his first solo fan concerts set for June 2829, just outside Seoul, before embarking on a global tour through nine cities. Meanwhile, J-Hope is closing out his solo world tour with a final concert on June 1314 the same dates as the Festa and will drop a new single "Killin' It Girl (feat. GloRilla)" on June 13. With both members already in the spotlight, fans are hopeful that the rest of BTS will soon follow possibly beginning with a surprise reunion moment at the Festa itself. Could It Happen? BigHit Remains Silent As of now, HYBE and BigHit Music have not confirmed any official group activity for the 2025 BTS Festa. But the timing, symbolism, and scale of the event suggest that something major is in store. Whether it's a full-stage appearance, a group message, or a teaser for what's to come, one thing is certain: ARMY will be watching and the world will be listening. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. In a quiet, rural enclave, Clark County Pride is a big deal. The annual parade and festival, which is in its fifth year, is held in La Center, a southwest Washington town of 4,300 that doesnt have a stoplight. There are no hotels and only three restaurants . Still, about 100 people attended the event when it was held for the first time in 2021, braving record-breaking heat to march through the citys modest downtown. To accommodate the 100-degree temperature, organizers installed five different cooling tentscomplete with water stations and copious mistersalong the 0.9-mile walk. Rather than marching, some locals participated in the parade from the shelter of their air-conditioned vehicles. Attendance has since ballooned to nearly 700 people, not including the dozens of vendors who cater the event. For the businesses who provide food and beverages or sell rainbow flags and jewelry, many have reported that the festival is their single most profitable day of the year. Our vendors are so excited to come back because they do so well, said Malerie Plaugher, Clark County Prides board secretary. Folks who come and want to celebrate Pride rurally are so relieved to have a space that feels friendly, open, and safe that theyre excited to spend their money among family. Advertisement While Clark County Pride is still much too small to survey the events economic impact on the local community, all available data indicates that its vendors arent alone in finding Pride to be a lucrative endeavor. Some of the larger Pride events have estimated that their financial footprint spans the tens of millions: A 2019 study tabulated that Los Angeles Pride generated $74 million in revenue for Southern California, and St. Pete Pride, Floridas most-attended Pride festival, brought in an estimated $60 million in 2023. Similar reports have found that Twin Cities Pride, in Minnesota, and Charlotte Pride, in North Carolina, contribute about $13.4 million and $15.8 million, respectively, to their local economies. San Diego Pride, which is typically the citys largest single-day event each year, is estimated to have a $30 million impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the fact that Pride remains big money, corporate America is increasingly unwilling to return the investment. Prides across the country have reported a sharp decrease in sponsorships for their 2025 events amid threats from the Trump administration against companies that outwardly embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. On the high end, San Francisco Pride and WorldPridethe latter of which is set for the District of Columbia this monthhave lost nearly $300,000 and $260,000, respectively, in sponsorships from corporate partners of previous years, and NYC Pride is down a reported $750,000. Some Pride festivals have been forced to scale back their events while they grapple with a new reality, and others worry that, someday in the near future, they may no longer have the money to exist at all. These funding deficits were nearly universal among Pride organizers I contacted for this story, reporting shortages that account for significant chunks of their overall budget. Representatives for Omaha Pride, in Nebraska, and Wynwood Pride, in Florida, each estimate that sponsorships are down by 50 percent in 2025, while a spokesperson for Californias Long Beach Pride says that contributions from businesses have plummeted by 40 percent. Hampton Roads Pride, in Virginia, was forced to cut $80,000 from this years budgetamounting to a little less than 20 percent of its 2024 expendituresto keep pace with reduced commitments from corporate sponsors. Advertisement Advertisement These funding woes simply do not square with the considerable money that Pride groups bring in for their communities. The estimates cited by LGBTQ+ groups themselves are actually on the conservative side: When I contacted a representative for Columbus Pridewhich brings in an estimated $16 million to $18 million for Ohios economy each yearthey said that their data is based almost solely on local hotel stays during the month of June. Its hard for them to survey the more intangible externalities of Pride, such as a surge in local restaurant bookings, bottled-water sales, or even temporary job creation. Airbnb, for one, has estimated that Pride festivals bring in $77 million nationally for its hosts each year, while Lyft has reported that Pride has an even bigger impact on the demand for rideshares than a Taylor Swift concert does. Advertisement Advertisement Its not something that Pride organizations always talk about because, for so long, theres been this diametrically opposed sensibility that Pride cant be something that also impacts revenue generation because its protestbut it is both, said Densil Porteous, executive director of Stonewall Columbus. Our opportunity as a community to demonstrate our power through the economic impact that we can make in a region is also part of that protest. It says: Look at what we can do. Look at what smart business is. Smart business is being welcoming, open, and inclusive. Advertisement Advertisement Although Durham Pride generates about $2.7 million in annual revenue off 100,000 attendees, co-founder Trey Roberts says that many of the major tech companies based in North Carolina wont even return his calls. This years weeklong roster of eventswhich includes a fashion showcase and a poetry open-mic nightis being funded almost entirely through the proceeds from a local charity 5K race. Advertisement Its like a guarded fence, Roberts said of trying to attract corporate sponsors. We have no clue how to break the barricade to get in there. Its crazy, because Pride feels like it every year gets bigger, but were also trying to get more resources so we could do more. Were building ourselves up where everyones expecting us to get bigger and bigger, and were just struggling: Can you help us out? Can we find sponsors and donors? Can we get grants? The cold shoulder that Pride groups have received is coming from not just Wall Street but also local businesses, establishments that would appear, on paper, to be natural partners for their programming. Although Come Out With Pride is one of the few major draws to Orlandos downtown districtas the citys tourism is largely centered on Disney World, out in the suburbsorganizers have struggled in recent years to get prominent restaurants and bars to sponsor the event. In this case, much of the hostility stems from fear of retribution, not from the White House but from the DeSantis administration: In 2023 Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a draconian bill restricting public drag performances (legislation that was declared unconstitutional by a federal appeals court this month). Even before the drag ban was enacted, at least one Florida city, Port St. Lucie, pulled the plug on its Pride event to avoid prosecution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As with Clark County Pride, many of the Orlando business leaders who have been hesitant to show up to the table have confessed that Pride is their best day of the year. Tatiana Quiroga, the executive director of Come Out With Pride, told me that after organizers were forced to change the parade route in 2024 due to the challenges of accommodating 230,000 attendees, the organization received major backlash from businesses that were along the old path. Those numerous complaints, Quiroga says, were yet another indication of how valuable Pride is to the very people who dont want to fund it. We were like, Oh, wow, so you do need us. At the same time, wheres your sponsorship? Im really glad that you were standing room only at this wine bar or this brunch place, but theres no conversation with you. You have absolutely no representation in our festival whatsoever, she said. Where is that mutual amount of support? Were the actual nonprofit having to support their business, when its not a mutual relationship. Advertisement Related From Slate The Complicated, Disputed History of the Rainbow Flag Read More These roadblocks affect not merely Pride festivals but entire communities. Mallory Pollock, now the executive director of Wyomings Casper Pride, joked that when the organization held its first festival back in 2017, she could turn her camera horizontally and capture the whole event in the same photo. But this year, Casper Pride will take over the citys entire downtown area with a weeks worth of eventsa lineup that will include a drag show, karaoke night, and bowling night. Although organizers have yet to see a reduction in funding this year, any losses in sponsorship or vendor participation would ripple across not just the town but the wider state. The festival is part of the And Let Live coalition, a network by which Pride groups in Wyoming share funding and resources with one another. One organizations being defunded would be extremely detrimental for each of ALLs members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Casper Pride not only brings revenue from LGBTQ+ people and allies to Wyoming, but it also keeps those dollars in the community. The city of 58,000 recently opened its first queer resource center, which offers monthly support groups, a food pantry, and microgrants. Weve had people say that they moved here because of that, and I would like to think that we also keep people here because of it, Pollock said. The surroundings are really hard, and so a lot of people tend to leave for bigger places with more to offer. Without that support in place, Pollock worries, members of Caspers LGBTQ+ community might move awayand take their business with them. It goes without saying that Pride is about much more than money. Its about creating spaces where LGBTQ+ people can be visible but also feel safe to be in community, a moment to live without fear and luxuriate in collective joy. But the paradox is that those opportunities will be curtailed unless Pride itself is able to be economically sustainable. Some groups, like Utahs SLC Pride and Ohios Cincinnati Pride, have pushed to end relationships with businesses that have backtracked on their support for the LGBTQ+ community, shifting to alternative fundraising models to help make up the gap. Jonathan Swindle, board president of the Mosaic Project of South Texas, said that he has never had the backing of Fortune 500 companies to put on Pride Corpus Christi, as there arent very many in the area. Thats South Texas, he said. Advertisement But Pride organizers say they remain committed to finding long-term solutions that uplift and celebrate the community, while also creating space for the most vulnerable. The first Clark County Pride was thrown together on extremely short notice, after its founders learned that LGBTQ+ students at the local middle and high schools were being bullied. Being in such a small town, Plaugher says, Pride is the only opportunity many queer youth in the area have to find their people and feel as if they arent alone. At last years festival, an eighth grader came up to Plaugher and told her, I made my very first friend today. Its become so big and loudin the joyful, happy way, Plaugher said of Clark County Pride. To folks who are ignorant of what it looks like to celebrate Pride and what the meaning of it is, I would like to see them be unable to deny the fact that we are safe, happy, and courageous. I would like the naysayers to be unable to deny the positive impacts that our community has on the area. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Ever since Donald Trump took office, American supporters of liberal democracy have found themselves tripping into pits of anxious despair. But unlike many of her peers, Amanda of Amandas Mild Takes isnt panicking. I dont have a personality that tends towards anxiety, she said in a recent video about Trumps tariffs. While plenty of her nearly 400,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok are stockpiling nonperishables or spiraling about the flop era of American democracy, Amanda urges restraint. In a left-leaning social media culture prone to dwelling on worst-case scenarios, Amandas explanatory videos about Trump and Congress are little oases of calm. Her no-nonsense, allergic-to-hysteria vibe has led many of her followers to credit her with maintaining their sanity during this time of extreme political uncertainty. In the months since Trumps inauguration, the self-described amateur historian has gotten popular enough to earn follows from members of Congress and state legislators across the country. (She keeps her last name private and wont reveal her nonpolitical day job due to repeated death threats.) Instead of focusing on Trumps big, scary plans that might never come to fruition, Amanda promotes schadenfreudean weekly roundups of his court losses, political failures, and personal setbacks. Her lighthearted, punny sarcasm is squarely aimed at millennials: Get in, babe, were going to Snarkansas. She summarizes her project as the Pettysburg Address, and recently used a song from Hamilton to give a reluctant nod to Josh Hawley for his defense of Medicaid. I spoke to Amanda about the appeal of the mild take, whether panic is ever productive, and the pressure of being responsible for so many Americans mental well-being. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Christina Cauterucci: How would you define a mild take? Advertisement Amanda: Some people interpret it as politically moderate, which I guess is one way to look at it. But I think of it more as levelheaded. I try to avoid catastrophizing or spinning out into a lot of political anxiety. I try to be very grounded in history and precedentthings that have happened before that Trump is doing now that seem like theyre unprecedented but really arent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How easy is that for you? What is your personal emotional orientation toward this political moment? Rage, mostly. And thats just a personality thing. I definitely tend more towards anger in a situation that I feel like Im not in control of, which is one that were in. So I usually have a baseline rage, and have since probably the first time Trump was elected. I guess Ive just kind of gotten used to it. Advertisement This makes me sound like a bro podcaster, but Ive read a lot of stoics. Ive done a lot of work about managing anxiety and releasing things that you cant control. I really think that the only way to manage anxiety in a big moment like this is information and action, so I just focus on those two things. They could be rounding you up in a truck to put you on a wall, like in The Handmaids Tale, and panic would still not be the correct thing to indulge in in that moment. I dont want to perform panic for people, and that actually irritates people. Sometimes I get accused of gaslighting my audience, because Im not openly scared enough, they feel like. Some people want me to be more panicked to validate their feelings. But thats not my job. What vibe are you trying to cultivate? Advertisement Advertisement Educated resistance through humor is what Im trying to get at. There are so many studies of authoritarians and dictators in history that show that making fun of them is one of the most effective methods of resistance, because the last thing someone who is an authoritarian wants to be perceived as is silly or weak. And Donald Trump is both of those things. Hes such a clown, and he is ruling by executive order because hes too weak to get anything done through Congress. It is really important to me that we let off this messaging of panic and America is doomed and the Constitution is dead, both because its not true and because that is obeying in advance. Advertisement If you position Trump as what he actually is, which is a desperate, ridiculous figure trying to cling on to power, and you come at it from a position of knowing how the government operates, and knowing historically how we have resisted moments like this before, then I think that that puts us as a party in a much better position to resist whats happening right now. How did you get started doing what youre doing now? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It actually started in 2020, that election. I was on my Instagram account. I did something called the hope train leading up to the election, which was just talking about the reasons why I thought that Biden was going to winwalking people through the electoral process. I had a private Instagram account, so it was just me talking to my friends. But that was the first time I had done any kind of educational political content. And then I stopped for the entirety of the Biden administration, because I didnt feel the need to. Then, when Elon Musk did his salute at Trumps second inauguration, that set me off. I was like, Oh, no, this is not gonna work for me. So thats when I started making political content again, about this administration. And it blew up. How did that happen? Advertisement It was wild. I started doing the whiteboard, which is just a big easel with Post-it notes that I use to track legislation as it moves through Congress, because there is no easy way to track that for a normal citizen. That blew up. Then I started doing roundups of headlines covering Trumps court losses, and all the ways that the administration is failing to actually move most of what theyre trying to do to any permanent place. And people had a big appetite for Wait, you mean that didnt actually happen? Or, like, You mean the court actually stopped him and he listened? Because he listens more often than he doesnt. The Daily Show reshared one of those videos on TikTok, and that kind of sent it into the stratosphere. Advertisement Advertisement What does it feel like to be educating a much larger audience of mostly strangers? Advertisement Its a little bit of pressure, because I get a lot of messages that are like, Youre carrying my mental health! And I feel the responsibility of that. Im not a mental health professional, but I feel like I am providing a service, even though that wasnt necessarily my intention. I saw a content gap in political commentary and went to fill it. I didnt realize that it would mean so much to people, but I do intend to do it for as long as I can. Do you also feel pressure to get your facts right, given that some people are probably getting all of their news from you? Very much so. It irritates me quite a bit that some of the bigger left-leaning content creators dont do that. There are a lot of things I dont do that are a little bit weird for somebody whos on TikTok. Im not going to share something if I havent found a primary source or a quote that substantiates it. I will never post a headline like Breaking News: Donald Trump Ate a Sandwich Today, and then offer no context, no links, no sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont like giving people information without context, because thats where panic happens. Like, if you say, The administration wrote an executive order that does XYZ, that sounds really big and scary. But you dont offer the context of but its unconstitutional and has already been challenged in court! Or, you know, FDR did the same thing, and it didnt work out! If you dont give people dont give people any context for whats happening in the news, I dont feel like thats helpful, and I want to be more responsible with my audience than that. Advertisement You call yourself an amateur historian, but clearly you know a lot about history. What is your background there? I have a history degree, a bachelors. Im 40, so that was quite a long time ago. I didnt get any job in that field, but its been kind of like an ADHD hyperfixation for 20 years. So I do have a very nerdy amount of knowledge about American history. It is useful for trivia night. And suddenly it is useful for something real! Advertisement I saw the former congressman Adam Kinzinger in your comments. Do you have other fans in political leadership? I have some members of Congress who follow me. A ton of their staffers and some local statehouse people from across the country follow me. And a lot of candidates, like people who are planning to run in the midterms. Related From Slate I Spent a Day Looking Only at What Donald Trump Fans See Online. Sure Does Look Nice From Here. Read More What does that feel like? Do you feel like you have some real political influence? Its weird! I mean, its nice, because now I have a direct line to the people that my audience wants to talk to. So I surveyed my audience two weeks ago and asked them, If you could get in front of Congress, what would you want to ask them? I got 10,000 answers. I collated them in order of most common response to least. And then I took that list and went into my followers to find members of Congress who could speak to those questions. So Ive been able to do a few interviews about the things that my audience has said theyre very concerned about. Advertisement I know you advise people to join their local DNC chapter and donate to the ACLU. Would it be fair to say that you have a pretty solid faith in those kinds of traditional, institutional actors in politics and their ability to bring us out of this moment? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its difficult, right? Especially when youre talking about the DNC. We lost this election, we lost the House, we lost the Senate. Its hard to think that going and joining this party that just lost this giant election is the right thing to doand I totally get that. And there are some local chapters of the party that are completely dysfunctional. Were people, right? You put any number of people in a room, and theres always going to be a little bit of that. But, you know, the Democratic Party is 200 years old, and it has been through a thousand different versions of itself. And I dont think this is any different. I mean, the Democratic Party used to be the party of slaveholders. So I think that this is a moment where getting involved is even more important, because what the party becomes next is up to the people who show up. And if its just the same people as it was in 2023 and 2024 showing up in 2025, then the party will be the same at the midterms, and we dont need that. I think the moment when you feel like the institution is leaving you behindespecially in such a participatory democracy like the one that we haveis the moment to get more involved, not less. Opinionpalooza Is HereFollow Along With Slates Legal Experts Get clear, smart takes on every major ruling. Subscribe to support Slates legal coverage. Join Slate Plus As the first Supreme Court term of Donald Trumps second presidency draws to a close, the justices have been inundated with Trump-centered disputes on the shadow docket. In a series of emergency orders, the court has sought to simultaneously expand executive authority while reining in the White Houses most lawless abuses. Time and again, the justices have dodged head-on conflicts with the administration by crafting dubious compromises that drain the court of its own power. The majority seems to think it can exploit the never-ending stream of emergencies to further its own conservative vision of the law without surrendering its independence. On this weeks episode of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discussed the courts efforts to enforce aspects of the law the justices prefer while abandoning those they dislike in response to the Trump administrations claims of an emergency. An excerpt of their conversation, below, has been edited and condensed for clarity. Dahlia Lithwick: We have already seen hugely consequential shadow-docket rulings just in the last few weeks. In some of them, we dont know which justice is on what side. Often, we dont know what the law is. We just know that the court zigged or zagged. There is no way to construct a meaningful system of law based on these kinds of unsigned Post-it notes. Professor Aziz Huq has made this really interesting comparison to 1930s Germany, when you had what he called a dual state system: One system of law operating sort of visibly, clearly, coherently. Everybody agrees this is law. And then this second system that kind of operates in the shadowsthis shadow world of law, but not law, that is essentially just power and emergencies. And it is no accident that every single one of these things is now an emergency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark Joseph Stern: Every ruling in the lower courts against Trump is an emergency that requires sudden and immediate redress by the Supreme Court, at least in the view of the Justice Departmentand in the view of four justices, sometimes five, occasionally six. Whats really troubling here is not just that the court is constantly falling over itself to intervene in these Trump-related disputes. Not always on Trumps side, but far too frequently for comfort. The big issue, though, is that when the Supreme Court hands down a decision over the shadow docket, it doesnt have to just reach the merits and say: This is whats right and This is whats wrong. It gets to consider all of these squishy factors like the balance of the equities and irreparable harm. And it is super easy for the court to manipulate those squishy factors to justify a decision for Trump that does not follow what the law actually isthat has the impact of unsettling the lawbut that, in the view of the court, seems just and fair with due deference to the presidency. Advertisement The decision declaring that two leaders of independent agencies must remain fired for months while the case winds its way through the court is a perfect example of that. The court didnt expressly say: Trump now has a right to fire the heads of independent agencies. It said: Well, when we balance the equities and we consider the irreparable harms, Trump would be harmed more by these leaders staying in their jobs than the leaders will be harmed by getting fired from their jobs. Advertisement As Justice Elena Kagan pointed out in her very spicy dissent, that is a total botched misreading of how you actually balance harms and equities. The harm here isnt that these two individuals are going to lose their jobs. Theyre going to find another way to get a paycheck; nobody in this case cares about that. The harm is that Trump has now gotten away with violating a federal statute, duly enacted by Congresstwo different federal statutes, in fact, that have been on the books for years, that reflect the judgment of our lawmakers elected by the people that some agencies should have a buffer that protects them from direct partisan interference. Now that buffer is totally gone. And this Supreme Court didnt even talk about it! They just ignored it. They just willed it away because, well, its the shadow docket. Its fake law. They can do whatever they want and just pass it off as balancing harms. Advertisement Advertisement In the same opinion, the court more or less threw a 90-year-old precedent into the dustbin of history and never explained why. Then it rescued the Federal Reserve from the dustbin of history and poorly explained why, though its explanation doesnt really hold. So I just want to make one quick point about emergencies: Its all feelings-ball, right? Its all feelings, hunches, and superstitions about which sides claims to an emergency are more legitimate. Advertisement Advertisement Yes, and it seems to me that this is something the Supreme Court assures us it doesnt do anymore. When it invokes originalism or textualism, the court promises us that its moving away from living constitutionalism and balancing tests. Its just giving us a rigid answer: yes or no. The conservative justices are constantly insisting that they dont balance interests anymore; they only determine the original meaning of the Constitution and apply it to the case at hand. Well, on the shadow docket, the court jettisons all of that and does something completely different. And whatever it is, it just doesnt look a lot like law. Advertisement I wanted to ask you about one aspect of all this that youve been focusing on. As the court manages its caseload, its also managing its public image. And we have seen tanking public confidence in the court, understandably so. The court likes to tell the story about itself that its oracular and humble and nonpartisan. That has been a challenging story to tell over the last few years, especially post-Dobbs. But I feel like now they are maybe trying to tell it less. The justices are taking pretty sharp swipes at each other, and some are calling these lower court judges hacksjust outright condemning them for standing in the way of Trump. Im curious what effect you think this will have on the courts own legitimacy as it battles for a place at the table while Trump gobbles up everything the court thought it had authority over, Pacman-like. Advertisement Advertisement Look, its early days. At first, we could say the Supreme Court was trying to preserve that sense of itself as careful and evenhanded by doing really technical, often jurisdictional things. They pulled that off for the first few weeks. But you can do jurisdictional stuff only for so long. And then I think the court had to start doing things that were much more substantive. Thats when we started to get the insanity of: You have to facilitate Kilmar Abrego Garcias return from El Salvador, but you dont have to effectuate it. It was a silly way to slice the salami. So I think the court was trying to be the decider while deciding as little as possible. But the other week was a big watershed moment when the court pretty much overturned a 90-year-old precedent on the shadow docket without explaining why. And I think that as these emergencies keep crashing on the shore of the court, well see the justices increasingly unable to render themselves invisible or inscrutable. You and I have been talking about when, exactly, well be in a constitutional crisis. But that can only happen when the court actually does something, right? When it orders something and the administration says No, were not going to do that. We might not be there quite yet. But I dont know that the justices can manage their public image and reputation by continuing to be incomprehensible, unreadable, or jurisdictional. I just dont think they can pull it off much longer without, at some point, rendering themselves irrelevant. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Ever since President Donald Trump took office, hes been violating the law left and right to reach his mass deportation goalsand hes faced an onslaught of lawsuits, a majority of which hes losing. In private, Trump has said he wants to deport 1 million immigrants in 2025, according to the Washington Postbut in his first 100 days, the numbers suggested he was not deporting people on a greater scale than past presidents. The judiciaryincluding judges appointed by Trump himself during his first termhas been the main line of defense against his lawless actions. The courts have particularly been a thorn in the Trump administrations side when it comes to the case of Maryland man Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who the administration admitted was deported by mistake. Multiple federal judges ruled Abrego Garcia must be brought back home, and even the Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to facilitate his return, yet the father of three remains in El Salvadors CECOT megaprison. The Supreme Court went even further earlier this month, blocking Trumps efforts to continue the illegal extradition flights and declaring that the affected migrants had not been granted their full due process rights during the administrations attempts to rush deportation flights to third-party countries. Instead of respecting court orders, the Trump administration is now eyeing a workaround: Cutting out the courts by suspending habeas corpus. The administration has its eye on habeas corpus because its a legal principle that requires the government to come before a judge and provide a reason for detaining and imprisoning people. In recent weeks, Trump officials have begun suggesting that they can simply revoke habeas corpus. Deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller told reporters that the writ of habeas corpus can be suspended in a time of invasion. So I would say thats an option were actively looking at. During a recent congressional hearing, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem incorrectly defined habeas corpus as a constitutional right that the president has to be able to remove people from this country and suspend their rights. Advertisement The executive branch, though, does not have the unilateral authority to simply pause habeas corpus as it pleases. In order to understand what habeas corpus is and how it can be suspendedif it can at all, I spoke with Steve Vladeck, professor of law at Georgetown University and author of the Substack newsletter One First. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Habeas Corpus Is a Constitutional Right Habeas corpus gives anyone who believes they have been unlawfully detained by the government a way to contest the legality of their detention. It was adopted in British common law and was formally codified under the Habeas Corpus Act of 1679, where it remains in effect in England today. When the founders established the legal foundation of the United States, they brought this concept along with them. Today, habeas corpus is enshrined under Article 1 of the Constitution. It comes before the Bill of Rights, which, Vladeck believes, suggests that the founders wanted to prioritize establishing the existence of habeas while also specifying the only circumstance under which it could be taken away. Advertisement What habeas really is, its a guarantee of judicial review. That is, in some respects, more than just a right, Vladeck told me. That is actually a fundamental constraint on the government, where even if you had no other rights, you would be entitled to have a court say so, as opposed to the executive branch. Related From Slate What It Would Look Like If the Trump Administration Got Its Way in the Birthright Citizenship Case Read More It Can Only Be Suspended in Rare Cases The Trump administration wants to cut off immigration detainees pathway for judicial review, essentially clearing the way for deportations without interference from the courts. Suspending habeas corpus is technically possible under the suspension clause, which states that the Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it. This clause has only been invoked four times in U.S. history: in 1861 during the Civil War; in 1871 when the Ku Klux Klan was committing mass violence against Black Americans in the South; in 1905 during a rebellion against the American military in the Philippines while it was still a U.S. territory; and in 1941, in the midst of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspension clause can only be invoked by Congress, not the president, despite what the Trump administration has said. It also specifically limits the circumstances under which habeas can be suspended, rather than revoking habeas corpus in its entirety, because the founders wanted to ensure that judicial review of detention cases could still continue even in a true emergency. The reality is that the Trump administration is likely hoping that no one actually pays close attention to the text, Vladeck said, because its not just that were not actually being invaded by anyone right now, its that even the suspension clause does not authorize suspensions by the president, ever. Its worth noting that even during the War of 1812 when Great Britain invaded the U.S., the suspension clause was not invokedits meant only for truly egregious national emergencies. Right now, of course, Trump is trying every potential legal tool in the kit, as further demonstrated by his use of the Alien Enemies Act, a separate wartime law passed in 1798 thats only ever been invoked three times in U.S. history. Advertisement I think what the Trump administration is counting on is that it can sort of discuss suspending habeas corpus at a high enough level of abstraction that it all appears to blur together, Vladeck explained, when the legal authorities are in fact much, much more nuanced and much, much more specific. Advertisement Advertisement Habeas Corpus Is a Critical Executive Branch Check Miller said that whether the Trump administration tries to suspend habeas corpus or not depends on whether the courts do the right thing or not. He was basically saying the quiet part out loud: that its a threat from the executive branch to twist the arm of the judiciary. Since Trump began his second term, habeas corpus has been critical in keeping his administration in check. It is the first and only legal pathway for challenging immigration detention. Its how Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish international student at Tufts University, was able to get out of immigration detention in Louisiana, along with Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University student who is a lawful green-card holder. Cristian Farias, a courts reporter for Vanity Fair, told Slates Dahlia Lithwick that to file a habeas petition is basically what ensures that you wont be sent to a black site or put in a prison without ever getting out. Considering also that there have been at least three cases where a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to bring back wrongfully deported immigrants, habeas is the sole lifeline for detainees to get back their freedom. Without habeas, thered be no mechanism by which someone could challenge the Trump administrations designation that they are, for example, an alien enemy, Vladeck said. Theres nothing to stop the government from pointing to any of us, citizen or noncitizen, and saying, you know, You are an alien enemyor an undocumented immigrant. Attraente treated fans to a dazzling performance on Sunday, June 1 at Running Aces, converting a perfect pocket trip into a 2-1/2-length tally in 1:56.3 to lower the track record for sophomore trotting fillies while picking up her second win in a row in the Banker Volo Series. Impressive Landing (Billy Mann) darted from the gate and took the top while driver Rick Magee floated Attraente away from the gate with just enough speed to secure the pocket position in front of Cocoa Krispies (Nick Roland) as they completed the quarter in :28.3. Impressive Landing stole a :30.3 second-quarter breather on the front and was well in control down the backside with Attraente travelling comfortably in the pocket while SB Eye Candy (Mooney Svendsen) made a first-over advance. Attraente was clearly ready to pounce as they rounded past three-quarters in 1:28.1 and took aim at the leader as they swung for home. Impressive Landing dug in gamely but could not fend off the late surge and Attraente drew clear with authority inside the final sixteenth of a mile, stopping the timer at 1:56.3 to lower the divisional track mark by one-fifth of a second. SB Eye Candy was home third and was well clear of the rest of the field. The winner, a daughter of Gimpanzee out of Bellamente, is trained by Elson Miller and owned by Jana Rucker and CJ Christianson of Fall Creek, Wisconsin. Attraente paid $2.20 to win as the 1-9 favourite in the $8,219 second leg of the series. A son of the series namesake Banker Volo, Iron Sharpens Iron and driver Rick Magee rallied late with an inside surge to win the $20,205 Open Handicap Trot on Sunday's card, getting home a half-length better than race favourite Escaper (Billy Mann) with Warrawee Whisper (Brady Jenson) a close third in a thrilling finish in the 1:55.4 mile. Iron Sharpens Iron paid $7.40 to win as the 5-2 second choice and now has two wins from three starts this season and 27 career wins with career earnings of $326,283 for owner/trainer Dan Roland. SHS Southern Pride (Southwind Flash-Heathers Pride) fought gamely to the wire to hold on by a neck over Its Gonna Be Mae (Sean Smithpeters) in a career-best 1:58.4 effort in the $23,973 Minnesota-sired sophomore filly trot with SHS Miss My Mama (Brady Jenson) getting home third. Rick Magee was the winning driver for trainer Justin Anfinson and owners Jay De Long and Terry Knothe. The win mutuel was $2.80. Magee also piloted Peanutbutterfalcon (Quality Kemp-Lindys On Fire) to a gate-to-wire victory in the $23,973 colt and gelding division over Braggin Bliss (Nick Roland) and Tutti Frutti Rudy (Luke Plano) in 1:59. It was the eighth career win for Peanutbutterfalcon in 13 career outings and a $2 win ticket on the favourite paid $4.20. Dan Roland train for owner Jeralene Roland. Rick Magee led the Sunday program with five driving wins while both Dan Roland and Maria Alvarez had training doubles. Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday, June 3 for Dollar Night with a nine-race program that will get underway at 6 p.m. (CDT). (With files from Running Aces) The horses are back and so is the excitement! Grand River Raceway will kick off its 2025 harness racing season on Wednesday, June 4, with a new post time of 6:20 p.m. The Elora, Ont. five-eighths-mile oval will host 48 Standardbred race nights, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through to the end of September, with feature events including its signature Battle of Waterloo Stakes and 22 Ontario Sires Stakes events. "Grand River Raceway has something for everyone, said Jenna MacDonell, Raceway Manager. Whether you're looking for a fun, an affordable outing with the kids, or a lively night of harness racing with friends, its the place to be for great energy, good food and a night well spent. Admission is always free for race nights. New for 2025, Grand River Raceway will introduce The NEIGHbourhood Kids Area, a fun-filled zone designed just for young fans, located in the Tarmac Tent near the East Gate. This exciting new space features a VR station with a live Standardbred race, along with interactive educational games, hands-on activities, crafts, colouring and more all focused on learning about horses and the exciting world of Standardbred horse racing. The NEIGHbourhood will be open on Friday nights in June and September, and Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings throughout July and August, making it the perfect family night out all summer long. GrandWay Patio Parties are back. Guests can plan a VIP patio experience for a group of 12 or more people with a reserved space beside the track for a front-row seat to the action, delicious meal, race program, barn tour, named horse race and more. Availability is limited and excludes special race nights. Contact [email protected] to reserve a date. The GrandWay Lounge will offer a revamped menu this season. The updated menu maintains the classic favourites while introducing fresh, exciting options to tempt tastebuds. Also new this season, the GrandWay Lounge has a new outdoor pizza oven and will be firing up unique flavour combinations and experimenting with delicious ingredients throughout the summer. Stay tuned on social media and the track's website for pizza oven availability. Grand River's special race nights include: June 4 Opening Night July 4 Wiener Dog Races Aug. 4 Industry Day (featuring the Battle of Waterloo, presented by Winbak Farm First race post time is 12:30 p.m.) Aug. 15 Harness the Hope Night (breast cancer fundraiser night) Date TBD - National Caretaker Appreciation Day All tickets and event details are available at grandriverraceway.com. The Captains Quarters remains open for first-come, first-served spectator seating (excluding specialty race nights). While the tiered indoor dining buffet is now closed, guests are welcome to pick up food from The GrandWay Lounge or the trackside BBQ and bring it up to The Captains Quarters. Grand River Raceway and The GrandWay Events Centre are smoke-free facilities. Smoking is not permitted in the grandstand, tarmac, patio or any racetrack-facing public areas. To view entries for Grand River Raceway's 10-race opening night card, click the following links: Wednesday Entries - Grand River Raceway // Program Pages (courtesy TrackIT). (With files from Grand River Raceway) This Friday, June 6 is the deadline to consign horses to the 2025 Goshen Yearling Sale that will be held on Monday, Sept. 15 at the Mark Ford Training Center in Middletown, New York. Sale organizers state that this years sale will have another outstanding group of yearlings that are certain to draw attention from savvy customers looking to buy competitors for the lucrative New York Sire Stakes. There is still time to be a part of the biggest New York-bred sale in the state; however, June 6 will be the final day to enter. Besides returning sale stalwarts Cameo Hills Farm, Blue Chip Farm, Winbak Farm and Leatherstocking Equine, two new consignments have been added this year and will be serviced through Steve Jones and Cameo Hills. An exciting selection from Crawford Farms and an exclusive group of Hurrikane Emperor yearlings from Eric Taddeo's Catamount Farm will also be available at the Goshen Yearling Sale this fall. The sales facility is located at 90 Slaughter Road, Middletown, New York, which is within a 90-minute drive of many major racetracks and training centers in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Everything you need to know about this years Goshen Yearling Sale is available on the sale website at goshenyearlingsale.com, including consignment forms, a catalogue request portal and hotel information for local lodging. For any other inquiries, contact Mark Ford directly at 973-568-3253 or by email at [email protected]. (With files from Goshen Standardbred Horse Sales) State senators adjourned their 2025 session a day early Monday without taking a final vote on a compromise bill in Nebraskas cattle-brand disputes. Sumner Sen. Teresa Ibachs Legislative Bill 646 joins many others, including a mirror-opposite pair of year-round daylight saving and standard time bills, that remain alive but unresolved going into the Unicamerals short 60-day 2026 session. Lawmakers had planned to take a week off and meet for Day 90 June 9 in the event of requested veto override votes. Gov. Jim Pillen instead promised to quickly tell senators about any vetoes before they adjourned Monday. Only one 2025 bill from a western Nebraska senator that won final passage in some form remained unresolved as of Monday afternoon. Pillen had yet to take action on LB 415, which includes Sidney Sen. Paul Strommens measure (originally LB 698) excluding people younger than 16 or seasonal or temporary agricultural jobs from a sick-leave law voters passed in 2024. The governor Friday signed LB 422, a Storer bill adjusting coverage periods for property insurance for beneficiaries of a transfer of death deed passing on a propertys title after the owners death. Ibach holds brand bill LB 646 had moved to final reading May 21 after Ibach and Sens. Tanya Storer of Whitman and Mike Jacobson of North Platte agreed to a stripped-down version that senators adopted 37-0. Instead of exempting registered western and central Nebraska feedlots from brand inspections, Ibachs bill would halve their per-head annual registration fees from $1 to 50 cents. The revised LB 646 also would raise fees for physical or electronic ownership inspections from $1.10 to $1.50 per head and let brand inspectors collect a surcharge of up to $20 per brand inspection site for travel expenses. Ibach said Monday that she asked Speaker John Arch to hold her bill over because the haste in which the western trio hashed out the compromise meant one key provision on nontransfer of ownership was left out. The dropped language would have said cattle in Nebraskas brand inspection area could be moved into or between backgrounding lots and registered feedlots without brand inspection if they have had no change in ownership and re accompanied by satisfactory evidence of ownership. As it is, some feedlots may inspect their cattle two or three times before they go to slaughter, said Ibach, a rural Dawson County cow-calf grower. That gets to be really redundant, especially if youre just running the cattle down an alley from one lot to the other. Ibach said the Agriculture Committee, which she serves as vice chairwoman, also has introduced an interim study to again review Nebraskas brand laws and the Nebraska Brand Committees role and mission. I think something may come out of that (that) we may want to include in the final version of LB 646, she said. And I want to be respectful of all producers. This has been a really divisive issue. Because its at the third and final stage of floor consideration, LB 646 is positioned for either final action or further changes in the first weeks after lawmakers reconvene in January. Time bills also delayed So are the dueling time bills one of which would create a time-zone island in southwest Nebraska that both won second-round approval March 11 but have languished there waiting for enough senators to pick a favorite. LB 34, sponsored by Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, would have Nebraska adopt year-round daylight saving time if the federal government allows it and one more bordering state votes to do likewise. Year-round DST was imposed nationwide in both world wars and during a short-lived switch in 1974. On the other hand, Glenvil Sen. Dave Murmans LB 302 would return the state to year-round standard time for the first time since the national Uniform Time Act took effect April 1, 1967. His bill says Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Wyoming would have to adopt year-round standard time for LB 302 to take effect. But LB 302 excludes Colorado which has previously voted in favor of year-round DST from its list of trigger states. If Nebraska adopts year-round standard time but Colorado doesnt, people in Perkins, Chase and Dundy counties already an hour behind their neighboring Central Time counties would fall an hour behind both their western and eastern neighbors eight months a year. Senators advanced LB 34 to final reading by a 27-18 vote but did likewise with LB 302 by a 26-15 tally. Final approval of both would leave it to Gov. Jim Pillen to choose one or veto both. Seven other bills sponsored by one or more western Nebraska senators advanced from committee this session and could be debated on the floor for the first time next winter. Two of them were introduced by Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering, including LB 538, which would strengthen state nondiscrimination laws against antisemitism. LB 538 also is Sidney Sen. Paul Strommens priority bill, meaning it likely will receive first-round debate sooner next years than other bills left on the floor that werent prioritized. Hardins LB 539, which would eliminate mandated handgun-purchase reports to the Legislature from two state agencies, also awaits initial floor action. So does LB 305, an Ibach bill to grant a preceptorship tax credit to a licensed physician providing training to a medical student. Storer introduced the other regional bills left on the floor for 2026 action: LB 669, which would require women seeking abortions to be provided with national toll-free domestic violence and human trafficking hotline numbers if theyve been a victim of either. LB 663, which would set deadlines for counties to consider conditional use permits and forbid their denial based on anything other than the countys zoning regulations. LB 384, which would mandate that at least a majority of a local government boards elected members attend their countys annual joint public hearing on property tax growth if their government is ordered to take part. LB 668, which would set up an appeal process before names are added to state abuse registries of children and vulnerable adults.